Friday, June 1, 2007

   BakerShake recap part II
Before I get started, I just wanted to mention that I'm going to A-kon tomorrow so if anybody wants to meet up, PM me.Now that I've finished talking about the show itself, onto the cast parties! We operate under the rule of "What happens at cast party stays at cast party" so I can't go into too much detail. Go become an actor (in college) yourself if you want the real scoop.

The first of our many shindigs was the St. Patrick's Day party at Matt's apartment. It was at the end of our 1st weekend of performances, and everybody was deprived of alcohol earlier that night, so things got CRAAAZY! Apparently, I don't look like a person who would dance the night away so basically all the non-Bakerites were shocked. Even Matt (though he shocked me by getting his groove on with us students). I got dubbed the best dancer of the night - a title I don't think I'm quite worthy of.

All the St. Paddy's Day craziness led to a mellower "official" cast party that took place after our penultimate performance at Cameron's (an alumni and BakerShake vet) house. It might've been so toned down that I may have been involved in the night's most scandalous act. Sorry not divulging, but it wasn't bad...just weird.

It was at this party where I developed my most logical crush ever. I was ready to celebrate breaking my habit of liking a guy every time I'm involved with a play, but then, the more I thought about it, the more Cameron seems like my ideal guy. He like anime, video games, motorcycles, and good literature. He can build things, cook, sew, and do any of the handy stuff I'm hopeless at. Did I mention that he's good-looking, friendly, and intelligent? The downside perhaps is that he's 27, but that's a plus for my parents, who like me going for "established" guys. With a house, a stable job, 2 motorcycles, and a car, it's safe to say that Cameron is established. Unfortunately, my roommates have said a few discouraging words about age and maturity levels, and I'm worried about changing the relationship we have right now (especially since we'll both be around for BakerShake next year). Some of my friends say "Go for it," but I have to wonder if they're kind of kidding since we all agree that Cameron is the most eligible bachelor of BakerShake. I guess we'll see how things go next year.

Anyway, back to the parties. After strike (which is when we break down the set), Becky, Katy, Cameron, Rob, and I sat around talking until 3 AM. The other cast and crew members left at various times of the night. It provided some nice closure, as we started throwing ideas around for next year. You see, Katy plans on directing Richard III...though she'll have to get the majority vote.

There were a couple reunions following the play's end. I guess I could describe them, but nothing too interesting (and you're probably sick of how vague I'm being). This has been such a wonderful experience. I'm glad I made a lot of new friends, and I hope the ones who haven't graduated yet return for next year's BakerShake.

Quote of the day:
"But give us the swords. We have bucklers of our own." - Margaret, Much Ado About Nothing (Yes, it's supposed to be a double entendre.)
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007

   BakerShake recap part I
Listening to: "What You Own" - Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, RENT

Okay, I'll blame BakerShake for my couple month hiatus. Theatre really consumes whatever free time you have left. This year was different because we had a director from the Actors from the London Stage, Matt Radford. I didn't want to do too much on the production side especially since I had some tough classes and was still bitter about getting a tiny role (the Sexton). However, with my roommates as producer and assistant director, I wound up lending a hand whenever I could. It took a while for me to feel like part of the group, but when it got down to the last weeks of production, we were really tight. I mean, we'd end up hanging out after rehearsals even though it was late at night. While I'm proud of learning how to play the accordion and hand bells in less than a month, music rehearsals sucked big time. I'm glad Jacob, our musical director, had faith in my abilities, but no one else did. Let's just say that my singing abilities should be confined to karaoke.

Much Ado About Nothing is a great play in itself, but Matt's interpretation made it so much more awesome. Beatrice and Benedick will always be perennial faves, but our version finally made Hero more than a pretty face and Claudio really had to work for forgiveness. Even the more minor characters had personalities: the flirtatious Margaret became a social climber and Conrade became the scary one-eyed Machiavellian instead of just a minion to Don John. Matt would add these little touches that made a certain line become so much more understandable or a certain scene become even funnier. My top 3 favorite scenes:
1) Don Pedro's proposal to Beatrice - We made him serious about it so it's kind of sad to see such a dashing prince get rejected (though Beatrice is better off with Benedick). When during the first run-through, every girl went "Awwww." Then all the guys started laughing at us. Jerks.
2) Hero and Ursula tricking Beatrice into thinking that Benedick loves her - The girls carried parasols, and they had so much fun with those. There was a really silly gag involving the girls hiding behind the parasols and making sound effects. Beatrice had a bird and flower design so she coo'd like a pigeon. Hero had butterflies so she went, "flutter, flutter." Ursula had fish, and she thought the idea was stupid but since Hero is the boss, she ended up saying, "Splish, splash" (in a deadpan voice).
3. Dogberry's "I am an ass" speech - That whole "trial" scene is hilarious, and it was hard for me to keep a straight face (the whole time I had to think about how annoying this wannabe lawyer who can never say the right words is). Thank God I was already off-stage when he did the monologue. Barron, the actor who played Dogberry, was a first-timer, but you would never believe it. Everybody else contributed little things, such as Verges acting like the slimy suck-up that he is, the Watch agreeing/disagreeing with their boss' claim, and Boracchio and Conrade trying to outsmart their captors and failing by chance.

Man, I never got tired of doing the show or watching backstage. It was truly an unbelievable performance, and we all learned something. This post is already pretty long so I'm going to continue with cast and crew shenanigans next time.

Quote of the day:
"Dost thou not suspect my place? dost thou not suspect my years? O that he were here to write me down an ass! But, masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass." - Dogberry, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

   I've been tagged!
Listening to: "Reel Around the Sun" - Bill Whelan, from Riverdance on Broadway

I just got around to checking my messages and discovered that I've been tagged by RemoCon. Therefore, my recap of the last few months will have to wait. I know I'm supposed to tag other people after this, but I'm lazy so I'll leave it up to y'all to post your own facts. 6 random facts about me:

1. I am totally obsessed with Heroes right now. My favorites characters are Peter Petrelli and Hiro Nakamura.

2. I took an Irish step dance class last year and would like to learn more.

3. I learned how to play the accordion (or fake it really well) in less than a month for our production of Much Ado About Nothing.

4. I have no idea what I want to do after graduating next year. 0_0 However, I am considering applying for the JET program or going to grad school for either biochemistry or English.

5. I am convinced that I am cursed to have very little people show up to any party with my name attached (as either the hostess or birthday girl). I can't throw parties to save my life. >_<

6. I started watching Stargate Atlantis because I thought the actor playing Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) was hot. However, I kept watching because I liked how it incorporates mythology with sci-fi.

Quote of the day:
"The future is not set in stone!" - Claire Bennet, Heroes
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Monday, February 5, 2007

   busy but fun weekend
Listening to: "Now Comes the Night [live]" - Rob Thomas

What an eventful weekend. I think I fulfilled my social obligations by going out and doing stuff. On Friday, Becky and I went to eat at Collina's, which is this little Italian restaurant. After going to Ruggles for dessert, we came back in the room and watched episodes of Jake 2.0.

Saturday afternoon, I played soccer for the Baker girl's team Saturday. Amanda had been trying to convince me all year, and I decided to give it a shot. It was fun even though I'm bad compared to a lot of the girls. However, I'm really sore. I woke up this morning and could barely climb down the bunk. After soccer and dinner, Becky, Katy, Gaby, and I (hey, I'm the only one whose name doesn't end w/ a "y") had a girl's night out. We watched Because I Said So, which was a funny chick flick. There were really annoying preteens behind us talking on the cell phone. Gaby and I wanted to throw popcorn, but it looked like Katy wouldn't let go of the tub. When the movie was done, Katy threw a fit about how Becky wasn't supposed to let her eat so much popcorn. XD We were acting kind of weird that night. Then we swung by the movie room to wish Parker a happy birthday. As more people came in the room, the guys busted out the Wii and WarioWare. Now I'm a PS3 girl, but WarioWare is a fun party game.

Today I was supposed to do homework, but we all didn't want to eat servery food so we went to Carabbas. I'm glad I decided to play soccer every Saturday b/c I need a way to shed the pounds I gained from all the dessert and fried kalamari. That's about it. I didn't see much of the Super Bowl since I'm not into football. Becky and I just finished watching Beauty and the Geek (where we decided they should switch the genders) and The Dresden Files.

Quotes of the day (b/c I feel like putting 2):
"You just haven't tried out the superior positions." - Rob, about playing on the Wii

"Is that a voodoo doll?...How irresponsible!" - Bob the ghost, The Dresden Files
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Thursday, February 1, 2007

   Show 'n Tell
Listening to: "Tadori Tsuku Basho" - High and Mighty Color

Today was an interesting day. We're reading "The Taming of the Shrew" in my Shakespeare class. I really like the play a lot b/c of the Kate and Petruchio pairing. It's silly how girls often say that they're looking for a "Romeo" b/c Romeo wasn't a great lover. He's goes from pining over Rosalind to proclaiming that he loves Juliet even though they've just met. Maybe my age is making me more of a realist, but I couldn't handle someone w/ Romeo's personality. My roommates were talking about how they would want a "Benedick," a guy w/ whom they can have a "merry war of words." I want a "Petruchio," a guy who can get me to be not so bad-tempered and shrewish but still let me be my own woman. Not to mention he and Kate totally defy social standards.

Anyway, back on subject, I got to read Kate's part in the scene where she first meets Petruchio. The verbal sparring is so much fun to perform if you interpret it as not so domineering on the man's part. It made up for my off-day last class. It's like what Shaun White said: you'll have a really good day after a bad one and vice versa (although I think it was more than a bad day that led to him winning the Olympic gold in snowboarding).

Tonight our RA's hosted a study break that involved Show 'n Tell. It brought back good elementary school memories. I told the story behind one of my shirts: it was the one I wore when I met a BMX rider who eventually became an X Games gold medalist. ^_^

Quote of the day (from "The Taming of the Shrew"):
Petruchio -"Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail."
Kate - "In his tongue."
Petruchio - "Whose tongue?"
Kate - "Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell."
Petruchio - "What, with my tongue in your tail?" (Oh, Shakespearean language can be so vulgar!)
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Tuesday, January 30, 2007

   Top 7 Moments of Winter X Games 11
Listening to: "Welcome to the Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance

Right now, I'm too tired to list out 11 so I picked my top 7 moments, 7 being the number of years I've watched the Winter X Games. Maybe I'll expand the list on my Xanga.

1. Win for the Aussie and French ladies. - Australian Torah Bright wins the women's Snowboard Superpipe Gold, and the women's Skier X podium was all about France. (As much crap the French deserve sometimes, they have some darn good skiers.)
2. Shaun White not at the top? - Well that's a surprise, but even the best of the best in snowboarding have their off days. Not to mention a bronze in Slopestyle and a silver in Superpipe, ain't bad.
3. Double gold for Andreas Wiig - only athlete to do so, and he definitely deserved it, going huge in Snowboard Best Trick and Slopestyle.
4. Cross Carnage- In almost every Skier X round, somebody wiped out and got hurt. In Boarder X, Lindsey Jacobellis was experiencing a bit of Olympic deja vu, crashing on the last stretch of the race giving the lead to someone else.
5. Debut of Mono X- These guys and gal don't let amputations or paralysis hold them back. They're the stuff heroes are made of.
6. New Event: Freestyle Snowmobiling- I think I found my new favorite winter sport. It's like freestyle motocross but w/ snowmobiles, which weigh twice as much. The finals introduced us to crazy guys like Chris Burandt (who won) and a new distance backflip record (106' by Aleksander Nordgaard).
7. Return of the Old Schoolers- Even w/ the batch of teenagers cropping up, the guys who were there in the beginning showed everybody how it's done. The "Dark Lord of everything 'cross'" Shaun Palmer made a return to extend his record for most golds at Winter X (6), and while that didn't happen, it's good to see the 38-year-old back. Then, Candide Thouvex, who at 24 was the oldest competitor in Ski Slopestyle, gets the highest score ever (95.0). It's hard to believe that he won the 1st Ski Big Air contest, back when I had started tuning in. Finally, Steve Fisher, who won gold in Snowboard Superpipe in '04, beat out the Olympians and young guns, shouting "I'm back!"

Quote of the day:
"I found myself going backwards and I was thinking, 'Uh-oh...gotta do some tricks." - Steve Fisher on why his 2nd run was so different from his 1st.
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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

   Do you know Wong Fu?
Listening to: "Te Dejo Madrid" - Shakira

I just got back from having lunch w/ the guys of Wong Fu Productions. They're 3 Asian-American filmmakers who just released their 1st feature-length film. I didn't get to go to the showing on Sunday, but I've seen their shorts on youtube. Search "Yellow Fever Wong Fu" for their most famous short film about why it seems like Asian girls go for non-Asian guys. It's really funny. It was nice to hang out w/ a different group. I felt kind of out of the loop since Baker has less Asians than other colleges, but it's like being Asian already makes things less awkward (knowing a couple people helped). That and I'm still a little sensitive about my role in "Much Ado About Nothing." It's better for the health of the room to not be w/ each other all the time. Anyway go check out "Yellow Fever." The Wong Fu guys are nice so if you're still in college, look out to see if they're coming to your campus. ^_^

Quote of the day:
"But just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face." - Henry Dresden, The Dresden Files: Storm Front by Jim Butcher (I'm really gonna have to check out those books now).
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Thursday, January 18, 2007

   acting woes
Listening to: "Jedi Drinking Song" - Brobdingnagian Bards ("a long time ago, in a pub far away..." XD)

Damn it, I hate it when I get my hopes up. When I auditioned for "Much Ado About Nothing," I didn't expect to be called back. Then at call backs, I was thinking about how I had a chance of getting a part that was bigger than the one last year in "Cymbeline." I really wanted to prove to myself (and my parents) that I CAN act. I was hoping to be Conrade, which I got to read during call backs. Tonight, the cast list was made, and I'm the Sexton, which is one of the smallest parts. I'm a bit bummed, to say the least. It's not that I'm not grateful to be a part of the show, working w/ an Actor from the London Stage, but I might've gotten a major role in another play I auditioned for. Oh well, there are other people who are even more unsatisfied, and this just means that I may be able to try out for "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" (which is one of my favorite plays of all time).

In other realms of my life, it's freakishly cold in Houston and I've been sick for a couple of weeks. That's probably why I'm not in the best moods. My classes are good, but I can feel myself already falling behind. Now that I've vented, hopefully I can get back to work.

Quote of the day:
"I didn't crash into an icy little ball on the road so be happy." - Becky to her mom (it froze over slightly)
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Friday, December 29, 2006

   Just droppin' by
Watching: Ultraviolet (Plot and writing sucks, but special effects are cool and Mila Jovovich is hot...though not as much as she was in Resident Evil.)

Sorry about disappearing on y'all again. I've been infected w/ a terrible case of laziness though to my defense, I haven't had a break until recently. When I got home, I still had a paper to finish and then it was off to Las Vegas. That was fun, but it's hard to rest while you're in Sin City. Here's more about my trip: winter vacation travelogue. In addition to my laziness, I've been addicted to a Taiwanese drama called Prince Turns to Frog and the latest Lords of Avalon novel Knight of Darkness. Anyway, I'll be coming by more often (hopefully) now that I'm well rested. I need to make my New Year's Eve post.

Quote of the day:
"Beautiful, just beautiful. [Varian] could see right where this was heading... straight down a shitty road that ended with him getting screwed over. Again. He must truly be a masochist, otherwise he’d get up right now, tell her to shove it and leave. If only it were that easy." - Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor (Oh, I'm such a sucker for romance novels w/ surly heroes who stand on the border of good and evil!)
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Sunday, December 17, 2006

   the big 2-0
Listening to: "Sakura Kiss" - Chieco Kawabe (The PV is just as kawaii as the song!)

It has been 24 hours since I have ceased to be a teenager (and an adult in Japan). Yes, yesterday was my 20th birthday. In celebration, my awesome roommates decided to throw a mini-party. They really didn't have to do it b/c if people haven't gone home, they're busy studying for tests. However, I'm glad they made the effort. Thank you Katy and Becky! I also send my thanks to Derrick who stopped by despite having a meeting to go to and Amanda who was around. The 4 of us had cupcakes and Cheetos and played Taboo and Mario Kart.

The party was a nice end to a rocky start. You see, I had fallen UP the stairs in the morning. No clue how it exactly happened other than I missed a step. I was carrying a gallon of water w/ me, and while that made a mess, it probably helped buffer my fall. My right knee hit the edge of the concrete stairs and got bruised badly. I couldn't walk for a couple of hours, but luckily it wasn't broken. Geez, I must be having bad luck when it comes to tripping b/c Friday night, I also missed a step going down the stairs outside the biochem lecture room.

Quote of the day (from playing Taboo):
Becky - "It sounds like coronation. People have fun doing this."
Amanda (right as I take a gulp of water) - "Fornication?"
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