I have been bad this holiday weekend (it is our thanksgiving for all y'all non-Canadians), and did not do a single thing that I should. I could have been doing my content editing, looking into a freelance job I might get offered, even practicing my lines in non-rehearsal times... but I didn't. Instead I spent much of the weekend watching the two seasons of Joan of Arcadia. 

I always loved the show, even though it didn't last very long. It was about an average girl whom God asked to do things that made no sense at first, but you generally got to see the result of that action. I like the idea of each of us having a purpose in life and that the things we do matter. And doesn't that get you thinking? Do you ever wonder about the butterfly effect of your actions? How some small insignificant instance on your part could lead to good or bad consequence? 

This play has absolutely taken over my life, so I begin to wonder why. What the things I'm doing, the relationships I'm creating with these people, what does it all mean in the long run? Will the friendships last or, even if they don't, will something I've said have a long-range result? I just don't know and wish I did. But I guess we can never know, never get the answer or see the results all the time. I can only hope that in some small way I will make a difference in someone's life for the good. I don't want there to be bad ripples in someone's life because of me. 

Isn't that what we should all aspire to, doing the best we can and helping others when we can? I don't want to be that selfish and self-centered girl who can only see the things that matter in her own life. I want to be able to see when others are in need and try to be there for them when they need the support. I want to make difference, if only a small one, even if it goes unnoticed. 

I just want to be able to like who I am. 

SUMR

Algernon and I were supposed to meet early to work on our scenes, then I found out he asked the same of Jack which makes no sense because he can't practice with both of us at once because we're not all in the same scenes. Then it turns out that Algy can't make it to half the actual rehearsal, let alone an early practice, because he couldn't catch a train back to town (his work sent him to Toronto for the day). I hope to heck the luvey can get together tomorrow! 

Then I had to be at a hair salon for consultation at 5pm to meet the lady contemplating volunteering her time to do our hair for the show. I was the first there and it turns out that she can only do it for two of the five shows per week and in the afternoon --four hours before the show-- leaving me with three days to figure it out for myself. Plus she said that when I came to her, she would show me how to do my own hair while she supervised and that I would have to buy my own hair rollers, too. I thought the whole point of going to a hairdresser is for her to do it with her supplies! It felt like a giant waste of time, and Gwen did my hair in ringlets before the rehearsal without much trouble at all. 

Algy made it  on time for the second act, but for some reason I was having such a hard time remembering my lines! I kept hesitating throughout the whole act and --worse yet-- I managed to skip at least a half a page's worth during my first scene with him. During our second scene Algy didn't go in for his kiss the same so it ended up being moved until after my line (as it is in the script), and I didn't do the blocking the way I wanted to try it because I was just so thrown off. I did much better in the third act even though I'm still not sure of the blocking for it, but at least I have very few lines! 

Oh man, if anyone had walked into the green room between acts or after rehearsal they should have thought twice. There are so many people running around and most of us are half-clothed! I had on my short crinolines and bustier with ankle boots; Gwen was in her long crinolines, corset, and bra; most of the boys were in boxers and tshirts, though Lady B (played by a man) was wearing only a skirt and wig without a shirt on. 

Since it was Jack's and Kodie's birthdays I brought in cookies to the rehearsal, and everyone was invited to come out for drinks after rehearsal. Since it was nearly midnight most turned it down but Jack, Algy, Jon, Gwen, the Director, the Costumer, and myself all went to the pub.  It was so much fun! We talked theatre and movies mostly, but what can you expect? Jack is going to be directing a play next season and wants Gwen to be assistant director; Algy thinks there should be a repertoire group to do something with high school students even though his work wont allow him to run it; Jon and I both want to take the script writing workshop that is apparently going to be held sometime this year... Oh, how I love these people! 

I also think they are also getting more used to my affectionate personality. Tim gave me a hug today, Jon kissed my head when I leaned against him at the pub, and Mike does not hesitate to lean on me or beg for a massage or steal my munchies. Gwen has known me for years and our old friendship is slowly coming back, so she already knows me pretty well. In fact, most people tend to comment on how well we get along not even realizing we'd been friends years ago! *L0L*

Even with all of the disasters, I have to say it was a truly fabulous night. 

SUMR

Yesterday was a "special scenes" rehearsal, a day put aside to work on the specific parts that require extra time to perfect them... basically the entire second act. I had sent an email to my director a couple days prior to beg him to do the scenes I am in a bunch of times in a row until I get my lines and blocking right, because I was seriously freaking out. I mean, Algy can hardly make rehearsals and Gwen hadn't learned all her lines yet, so we needed it! 

I was so emphatic about getting this rehearsal that I picked up Algy from work just so he would make it on time. He was running a little later than expected, but I was so busy texting with friends that I barely even touched my ereader which I brought for that purpose. We made it just on time for rehearsal and that is all that matters. 

The director started with notes from the previous night's rehearsal; he didn't go over them before because there were so many! One of his notes were for me to ensure I run my hand through Algy's hair during our embrace. I told the director that I would have remembered had I not been in total shock! He figured that had been the cause, and thought it quite funny that Algy didn't let me know in advance that he was going to kiss me. Algy said he thought my eyes were going to roll back in my head in surprise 

Both Algernon and I expected that we would focus on each scene, running through it a few times, then moving on to the next one. Yet for some unknown reason the director decided to just run through the entire second act and only stop when something terrible happened. That wasn't what I needed at all, though I have to say that it did calm my nerves slightly.

I will note that the kiss was much improved, partially because I knew it would happen and in part due to my remembering my blocking for during the kiss. I still think the blocking on that needs a bit of work --I sure don't mind practicing that a few times more -- if only because I'm forced to say my line to the back of the stage rather than towards the audience. I'll have to figure out a way to slightly turn my head from Algy without making it seem unromantic. Hmmm... 

Tonight's rehearsal started badly and it only got worse as the night progressed. First Algy got stuck at work and found out he couldn't make it until after 10pm (we start at 730), two of the major players were about a half-hour late, and two minor characters didn't even bother showing up! The majority of the set was shoddily put together: one of the wall-panels fell down, the window wouldn't hook properly and was therefore crooked, the chaise lounge gave slivers to anyone attempting to sit on it, the step stool is dangerous to climb, and more! More of my blocking had to be changed due to how utterly rickety that stair-stepper is. 

While I did have trouble with my diction (most of my lines have same-letter or consonant-and-vowel endings/starts so my words tend to slur together if I'm not careful), I only messed up on one line! I completely forgot the words to a really simple sentence, though I remembered the gist, and had to make up something. I'm still not sure what it was supposed to be! 

Because Algy only made it on time for the third act, I stayed a little later with him to run lines for the second act. We both have a little trouble remembering when the other person's line is finished, and we really have to nail them so they flow properly. Blocking couldn't be done at this time due to the stage being set for act three still, and we didn't want to haul furniture around. We're possibly getting together tomorrow, but definitely on Friday. We'll work on our lines and blocking of act two for about an hour prior to our normal rehearsal time, so that we'll --hopefully-- have it down for the run through. *fingers crossed!*

SUMR

Tonight I had my first kiss.

Well, not the first ever, but my first stage kiss. Yesterday in rehearsal I overheard the director asking Algernon “When are you going to work on the kiss?” I was surprised since I knew nothing of a kiss. I mean, when we first got the script I saw there was kissing throughout, but the director changed them to a cheek or the forehead or even got rid of the kiss completely…  And now there is apparently to be at least one kiss. Since Algernon said “next week, after she’s no longer sick” I took that to mean that he and I would get together in a few days to talk about it, and perhaps even practice.

Okay, I can imagine there being some jokes about practicing kissing, but stage kisses are a little different. They are more meticulous about timing and angle and positioning of the embrace and all of that because it has to look good for the audience rather than just be enjoyable for the couple. 

Tonight we had our first dress rehearsal, so I finally had a costume… Sort of. My dress wasn’t quite finished and so I kept tripping on the hem —it was too long—plus my boot kept getting caught in my crinolines (of which I had six layers). After nearly doing more than one face plant my skirt was finally pinned up, and after my boot getting stuck in the underskirts several times --thus leaving me standing on one foot while attempting to detangle myself-- I was permitted to rid myself the two longer layers of petticoat.

I don’t come on until Act Two, and we start it with this awesome Victorian melodrama skit that I absolutely adore. Tonight we had a couple of problems, because my knight accidentally whacked me with his sword and then he kneeled too far from my perch so that I nearly fell off when reaching for him

The new blocking is messing me over completely. The director keeps changing things so I don’t realize a problem until I’m already onstage and don’t have the props I need.  I freaked out poor Miss P when I got up during one of her long speeches to cross the stage so that I might grab the things I require. We have it figured out now, so I only hope I can remember the latest changes! 

Then came my scenes with Algy. Our first scene together he got rather confused with the blocking and ended up interrupting my line to sit when he shouldn't have. Our second scene was abysmal for all that we blocked it the day prior. The guy still seems a bit reticent to touch me; He said the other night he was a bit unnerved by the fact that I’m so little compared to himself. Even though I’m short, I’m no delicate flower! I don’t see why it worries him in the least.  Whenever he’s to put his arms around me in some sort of embrace, the best he can do is his hands on my waist; his arms and chest don’t touch me at all. What kind of hug is that I ask you?!?

Oddly enough, this is when the kiss comes in. I wasn’t expecting it in the least, and not just because we hadn’t talked about it, but because it wasn’t even at the right time in the script! I had absolutely no warning, he just said his line and then swooped in to kiss me. I daresay I was in complete shock! 

It was a decent kiss I suppose. Slightly below centre and over fairly quickly, so much so that there wasn’t the chance to participate by kissing him back or getting my arms around his neck. Nor did I have any time to enjoy it, as I had to use all my concentration not to be flustered and therefore carry on with the play. I don’t know whether to be upset by his guerilla tactics and thus the potential of startling me to the point that I was completely thrown of kilter, or thanking him for not giving me any time to fret about it before hand!

But now that rehearsal is over and I’m home again, I’ve now the chance to completely freak out about the kiss. I don’t know if it is a good spaz or a bad one, but I know there is a hope that the kissing goes a lot better in future rehearsals. I daresay with a little practice it will be enjoyable for both myself and the audience 

SUMR

A little over a week ago I went out shopping with a friend of mine and finally --finally!-- got something I've been wanting for years. This little something is expensive (to me) and thus I had it on my birthday-christmas list for about three years in the hope that my family members might chip in to get it for me, but no go. Now that I'm done school and have a job, albeit part-time, I felt I could splurge for this little beauty as it was on sale. 

The store didn't have the colour I wanted, so technically it was ordered through the kiosk. This was lamentable due to the fact that by the time it came in a week or so later, I wasn't nearly as excited about it. In fact, the day before my little lovely arrived my aunt called to ask if I wanted her old Kobo as she just bought a tablet. Yep, my aunt had picked one up about a year ago because it was so "inexpensive" and she wanted to "try one out" --wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of funds? *le sigh* I wish I had known about my aunt doing this prior as I could have put the money I spent towards my Ireland trip, but c'est la vie. 

 I still love books and still plan to buy them, but only the ones that I want to collect. Such as the series I have already started, or author's that I adore, and the covers that are truly stunning. Other books that have embarrassing covers or new authors I've not yet read or books that are only in eBook or library books  can all be on my eReader. In fact, I have put most of the books I have done editing for on my reader already. 

So now that I have this technological gorgeousness I need to purchase some protective covering for it, but am unsure which method I prefer: The flip or the slide.  So what do y'all think, shall I go for the purple book-style covering or the pink wallet-style?

Do any of y'all have an ereader and how do you like it? Is it better than physical books, on par, or not nearly as likable? How often do you use your ereader? If you don't have an ereader, do you ever intend to get one? 

SUMR

I am using this as a form of procrastination as I still have about a dozen pages left to edit before I was supposed to take a break, but Karo texted me about her new post and I was only able to resist for nine pages before going to check it out. After reading her lamentable history with the opposite gender, I decided to answer Karoline1982's question at the end of her post and share my dating history. 

Unlike Karo, I think I would like to have a significant other at this stage in my life. I have finally graduated from school, have a job I enjoy (okay, I have two jobs which would be perfect if I could combine them into one with only the good parts of the positions), and am in a place emotionally that I finally feel ready to try for something lasting. My biggest problem with this is that the guys my age, say 25-35, never look at me twice as they think I'm just a kid. 

I have always been a bit too scared to date much and tend to just have crushes, so I don't have an extensive dating history. In fact, I don't have an extensive history with dealing with guys in general and have decided that I shall include boyfriends, dates, friends, and current relationships of unknown status.  

So here is the Boys of Sumr:

1) Country Boy: At first I thought this guy was really sweet and caring, but I soon learned that he just liked young and naive. I should have known better than to date him since I met him through my brother (whom I have not gotten along with since I was three), but I was fooled by his charm. I had never so much as been on a date before, and he was constantly trying to get in my clothes. I never let him cross the line... which is probably why he cheated on me. I also learned he wasn't the brightest when I overheard a girl in my class talking about the new guy in her life and even happened to see them together. While she and I were not friends, we did go to the same school and were in the same grade! I dumped the eejit, and his next actual girlfriend (as opposed to the FWB) ended up dropping out of school because she got preggers. 

2) Choir Boy: With my next boyfriend, I went in the complete opposite direction. Instead of a guy a few years older than myself, this one was actually a couple years younger (which I did not know at first), as well as being more on the quiet and shy side than outgoing charmer. Things were going all right until we realized that the only time we got to see each other was at church/youth group since neither of us had our license, plus he failed to realize how psycho my mum could be and ended up getting me grounded for three weeks just for calling me.  I obviously didn't want to be dating a guy whom I never got to see and failed to actually listen to me. 

3) Fly Boy: Now this guy was not actually a boyfriend, but rather more of a complex friendship. We would flirt and hang out, but I refused to date him when he asked over the first year of our friendship. He was cute and sweet, but no sparks. Whenever we were both back home from uni visiting our respective parents, we would hang out... and I guess one summer he decided that wasn't enough for him. He kissed me, and I let him. This kept up for the rest of the summer and I guess I was trying to be attracted to him because he was such a great guy, but still nothing. For pity's sake we were such good friends I knew who he lost his virginity to! I found out that the reason that some of my friends disliked him was because he apparently "acts like a horn-dog" whenever he wasn't around me, so I guess I brought out the best in him *shrug* 

4) Family Boy: This boyfriend started as a set up by a couple friends, and he was a cross between an adult and a child. He had a full-time job and was looking for a serious relationship, but he was a bit on the immature and nerdy side... and still lived with his parents. He was in a band (great guitarist, questionable singer), always wanted us to pay dutch (though he had a job and I was a student), and never actually put the effort into planning a date before asking (ie, going to see a movie that was no longer playing in a theatre that didn't have any matinees that day).  He also wanted me to convert to his denomination, transfer to a school closer to him, and had our kids names picked before we even reached three months. 

5) Crush Boy: We are friends and have never been anything more, but I used to have a serious crush on him. This guy is an absolute darling who tells it like it is, never hesitates to gives hugs, is incredibly generous, and loves to read. The downside is that he smokes and his faith is somewhat in question, which are two things I would never tolerate in a boyfriend and that might be how I got over my crush on him. Nevertheless, I hope we'll always be good friends. 

6) E-Boy: During my post-grad I discovered a few of my friends and relatives were trying online dating AND every time people heard I did not have a bf they asked if I'd tried any dating sites, so I decided to give it a go. I ended up emailing dozens of guys, but the majority of them have very little patience since I refused to actually meet anyone until I knew a bit about them first. I actually only met one guy (others were in the running, but I ended up moving). He was sweet and we spent hours chatting at a bookshop, but though he said he wanted to get together again, we never did. I wish he was willing to stay in touch as he was interesting to talk to, but he didn't put any effort into it and so I gave up. 

7) Cast Boy: This guy is a member of the play I am in and he is my love interest in the script, so I'm not entirely sure if we are actually interested in each other or just allowing ourselves to think we are in order to build chemistry for the performance --not that I'm sure he is interested in me at all. We kind of flirt a wee bit, and he tries to talk me into giving him a shoulder-massage whenever he can. He walked me to my car when I didn't want to go to the parking lot alone in the dark, we stopped for ice cream after rehearsal one night (his treat!), and he asked who the guy on my cell phone wallpaper is (me, the stanley cup, and a hockey player). He's a bit intense and works a lot, leaving barely enough time to make half the rehearsals let alone having time to date, but I hope we at least stay in touch and become friends if nothing else comes of it.  

8) Baby Boy: This was somewhat unexpected in regards to another cast mate who fills in for Cast Boy when he can't make rehearsals. The guy is a good seven or eight years younger than me, and seemed so incredibly shy that I kind of took him under my wing even though I'm not exactly a veteran. He sent me an email thanking me for helping to make his first experience with the theatre more comfortable, and asked if I wanted to get together for coffee sometime to run lines and chat. He doesn't exactly have any lines since he's technically just an extra, but wanted to help me practice my lines (he learned it was my first major role and was terrified of screwing up). How sweet is that?! During the past few weeks of rehearsal we learned we both have an interest in scriptwriting and directing, so I think I actually will meet up with him even though I wouldn't count it as a date. 

So there you have it, my three boyfriends, two of my friends, two cast mates, and one date... from the past fifteen years. Is this pathetic, average, or more than the usual/expected? Is there a pattern to my choices I should be aware of? Is there someone in particular you think I should give a second chance to? Any other commentary about the contenders? 

What is your dating history? 

SUMR

I was going to write about what has been going on in my life lately, but I'll do that another day. Today instead I will do a photo blog about the many shades of me! My hair isn't really something that is easily definable. People have actually debated about the exact shade of my hair: is it brown or is it blonde? Personally I think it is that icky mouse-colour that is between the two shades, but it is technically a combination of brown and blond with a touch of red. You can't get much more natural-coloured than when you're in primary school, but it did eventually darken to a nearly brown by the time I reached high school. (The last photo is taken at dusk with flash, so the lighting makes my hair look a bit darker than it was). 

Oh, sure, sometimes I would play around with highlights. I usually went for blond, but occasionally I tried a strawberry shade and even blue too! Blond lasted the longest, as the blue washes out quickly and the red fades fast. Plus, there was the little saying of "blondes have more fun" and I grew up hearing that blondes were always prettier than everyone else, so I tended to go that route.  

Then, as you all know, last year I decided to finally dye my hair red. I had never dyed ALL of my hair prior this, but years ago I was told I would make a lovely redhead and I needed a change. I was living away from my family and friends, nor did I become close to anyone while at college, so I needed something to give my life a bit of a boost. I couldn't afford to travel anywhere exotic, and I'm not athletic or brave enough to do something utterly crazy, so I hoofed it to the local pharmacy for a $15 box of Copper-Red. I liked it enough that six months later I re-dyed my hair in the same shade (though I have to say, the only photos I have of me with red hair kinda suck *L0L*) 

Eventually the colour faded to something that was a bit of a strawberry-blond people actually complimented me on and thought was my natural shade. Then two of my dearest friends were getting married *yAy* but my hair simply would not do as a bridesmaid going to be in photos. I didn't really want to go red again since the wedding colours were black and green, so I thought blond would be the best way to go... except it did kind of look still a bit reddish at first. Nevertheless, I absolutely loved it! It did fade to a more golden-blond later on, which was still nice but not nearly as awesome. I was often told I looked like Bernadette from Big Bang Theory at that point.      

I planned to just grow my hair out, but then I was cast as Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest. The director talked to a couple of us about our hair, and I was informed I would need to dye my hair again. Only the director didn't want me to be a blonde like Gwendolyn, nor a redhead either (possibly because the understudy for Gwen has naturally red hair). He wanted me to become a brunette, which was something I have been trying to avoid my entire life *sigh* So with the help of a consultant, a medium brown was chosen... which didn't quite end up like it was supposed to either. Go figure. 

Indoors my hair looks quite dark, rather similar to the pencil crayon called "chestnut", but once out of doors it is sort of this golden reddish brown. It is a wee bit darker than my natural colour -which is what I was hoping to get back to- and the director better be pleased with it as I am not going to dye my hair again! 

So what do you think? Do you like my brown hair or do you think another colour looks better? And which hair colour makes me look closer to my actual age? Please share whether you like me best as a redhead, a blonde, a brunette, or my natural colour!  

  SUMR

Sunday: My parents were invited to my cousin's house-warming party, but I was not. I was totally okay with that since not only did I know I'd be incredibly bored, but another cousin's husband was stopping by to drop off a movie for me to borrow. He couldn't stay long to chat, but I sure was looking forward to that movie! I couldn't watch the movie without mum because she wanted to see it too, so I just read or practiced my lines. 

When my parents got back my mum had to tell me in great detail how the party went and how bored she also was. I was terribly bored listening to her so I started jumping on her new trampoline. I started doing changement de pieds which apparently looked hilarious, and mum had me do more. Then she told me I was doing it wrong from the video she watched (she's been youtubing tramp exercising videos) and told me to do those. I started on that but found them a bit awkward and ended up landing on the edging of the tramp and rolled my ankle. My arch, my toes, and the outside of my foot were all bruised, so I had to ice and elevate my foot. 

Monday: My foot was still hurting, and I stayed on the couch most the day. The only time I went out was to pick up my dad from work cuz mum forgot, and I made him stop at the library to pick up the movie waiting for me. Mum wanted to go to the library so after dad and I got back, she and dad went to look at books. Since I was also out of library books I had mum look for ones for me as well  

Tuesday: I woke up having remembered another dream. Only parts of it though, and not the main "plot" or similar. I walked into some sort of building to meet friends and as I was about to sit, I saw a cute guy across the table. I sat beside a friend and across from the cute guy whose name was Randy (I kept thinking of it with an 'i' but that is totally girly spelling). The table had mismatched chairs and the one I sat in was a problem (either too short or tall or something), so I was about to start switching all the chairs when I realized I could just go sit next to Randy. A little later Randy got up to get something and my friend Emily sat in his seat. When Randy came back he sat at the end of the table, putting him at a kitty-corner and leaving one person between us. 

My brother picked me up and I sat in the front seat (something I was rarely allowed in real life). Behind the parking lot was a train track and I watched one go by, then I watched a type of flatbed go by filled with white star wars drones, then a similar carting of motorcycles. My brother liked the bikes, particularly the bright green one in the back row. In the parking lot we passed a rusted out old car with "LL Bugg" on the sides, a guy who works with teens and didn't think the car would start. My brother was going to give the guy a ride -they might be friends?- and I was hoping that Randy was one of Bugg's workers rather than a troubled teen. We pulled around to the building's door where others were waiting (I think it may have been raining), and I was just about to find out who was being offered a ride when I woke up. 

Wednesday: My day started out rather wretched with waking up too early and then not being able to fall back asleep. I just lay in bed until the I felt like actually getting ready for work. Some of that extra time was spent prepping some documents to email myself so I could work on them should I have to fill in on the front desk -which I did for most of today. But before I even got to work, I finished the last little bit of my hot chocolate and dropped my travel mug as I was going out the door. I thankfully had fifteen minutes to spare in which to change my clothes, clean up the floor, and make myself a new hot chocolate with the icky other brand my mum likes. 

One of the documents I was prepping was my resume. Not because I want to quit the job I now have, but because I was told by a cast-mate that the publishing company he works at might have a "satellite" editor position opening... Apparently this is similar to the freelancing I do for musa -aka contracted by a company, but not actually on staff. I'm sure you're wondering how this guy is working for a different publishing company than I am when I said mine was the only one in town. Well, it turns out that the company I was told was going bankrupt about five years ago managed to survive due to an overhaul and somehow became one of the biggest self-publishing companies in North America  Go freaking figure.

Thursday: Work was not too terribly exciting, the "highlight", if you will, was my re-injuring my foot when I accidentally whacked it off the side of a desk. Needless to say, pain ensued and yet I still had to walk home from work because my dad stole the car to go to the Fish&Game Club with my cousin for target practice. Thankfully rehearsal was cancelled or I would have been terribly late. Well, I think it was cancelled, the rehearsal of Act Two was at any rate and since I'm not in Act One I have no idea if they still had a rehearsal. My cousin stayed for dinner which was at 8pm because they did not get home until after 730. My cousin stayed until about 1030pm or so, and then I went to my room to read on my couch so as to have some quiet time before going to bed. My mum seriously doesn't care that I had to work because she was still popping into my room after midnight to chat about this and that. *ugh*

Friday: Normally I don't work on Fridays, but I was asked to come in today so I could do some proofreading as the other proofreader was taking a long weekend (she also won't be in on Monday). I arrived at work and was not given any proofreading, so I decided to finish up Chapter Five for the C&C assignment from the previous day. I got it done before noon and asked if the material I needed to proof was ready yet. I was then told it would not be ready until Tuesday now. Why was I needed today then?!?  Instead of getting to go home as I was hoping (I wanted to work on my freelance editing today), I was told to work on the next chapter for the C&C. I just hope that the proofreading isn't going to be a priority as I won't be in until later in the week due to switching shifts with another girl who does NOT do proofing.

Today was payday and I was told that the mistake in a previous paycheque had been corrected -did I tell you that one was rejected when I attempted to deposit it?- and I could now deposit all my paycheques (I was not able to deposit any following paycheques until this one was sorted). When I got home I went through my paystubs and it turns out that the two cheques I had been given today were of last week's and this week's pay (we're paid weekly); It did NOT include a re-issued cheque for my pay four freaking weeks ago! That's right, I haven't been able to deposit an entire MONTH's worth of pay. So the question is this: since they obviously have not found my missing money, does that mean I shouldn't deposit my paycheques or do it anyways since I was given the okay? *le sigh*

On a plus note, I do have rehearsal tonight!

SUMR

I know, I know. You are probably all sick of hearing about what happens in my imagination during the night, but I had another strange dream last night, I wad it just before waking up this morning. I have to say this one was a little bit more interesting than usual -as you may be able to tell by the title I have given it. It totally felt like I was in an action movie, but I can't figure out why I would dream of such a thing since I have not seen any such movies lately, nor read any suspenseful books of late. Anyways, here is my dream...  

I was a secret spy and apprenticing my teacher on a mission to free someone from a cult residing within a highly guarded compound located beside train tracks. We were attempting to get close to the compound by walking along the top of a train and were nearly to the entrance when some guards came out and started hunting for us -four guards, two of which being really tall blond-haired and blue-eyed twins. I managed to barely sneak past them while my teacher was dealing with them, though I was unsure if he would evade them or be killed. 

I zigged and zagged and jumped down the hole in the ground that had stairs leading to the door of the compound somehow not breaking any bones. When I then heard someone coming, I managed to get the rest of the way down the stairs and hid beneath them as they were wood steps with scaffolding and not a solid entity. A girl I knew with brown hair and was slightly chubby [in the dream she was named sarah, but in real life I am sure it may have been something else] appeared and I hoped would allow me freedom should she see me. She was quite certain someone was there and with all her searching I was sure to be caught as I didn't quite fit under into the cubby I found. The girl lay inches on the ground from me, unable to see well in the darkness, and I realized she was following a line in the tiles to see if there was anything overlapping it that would indicate someone was down there. Thankfully I was just small enough that my knee didn't pass the line and she then left. 

I started heading toward the door that would lead me actually into the compound, when more people were coming out. I ran to another door at the end of the hall in hopes to find a place to hide and realized it was a bathroom. With the doorway only covered by a curtain I knew anyone could enter in and easily find me, so I sound there holding the curtain to the frame when the guard wanted entrance. I tried to lower my voice and said "occupied", and the guard thankfully left. I was about to sneak through again when three more people headed for the bathroom; a girl and two twin boys [the girl was one I babysat in real life named kay-lea, and the other boy was her brother matt but named brent and looked like my cousin mike,  as did the other boy because he was mike]. They made it into the bathroom and were upset, but helped me hide when another guard came. Mike sat on the loo with his pants down but his undies on when the guard came in while the rest of us were in the shower with the curtain closed. Normally the curtain stays open so the guard was suspicious, but I managed to keep hold of the curtain to cover the three of us hiding in the shower when the guard "whipped it open" across the tub. The guard told Mike that you can't go the bathroom with undies still on and lectured him about it before leaving, and I realized that the guards believed all the children to be mentally deficient. 

Mike turned on the shower and go into the tub and Kay-lea got out because she couldn't be in there with the boys. All of us were without clothes, even kay-lea who was rather catatonic on the floor. I got out of the shower to try to get her to snap out of it. Somehow she was in the tub and it was filling and she wasn't moving and nearly drowned until I pulled her upright. A teacher came out with a group of children intending to use the bathroom, but as it was already occupied she merely told the trio to hurry up and told her kids that they could use the bathroom on the train. We then realized that the compound was being evicted, and Matt/Brent said that we could blend with those kids and get on the train to escape. I saw this had merit as the person i'd been sent to rescue would no longer be there. The kids were already magically dressed and ran out to get on the train, but I had to get dressed and threw on short and a shirt while putting other things in a backpack as I was somehow in a bedroom. 

I grabbed a teddy bear from the room's stash of stuffies as part of my cover. I was much older than the group of kids leaving, but I looked younger and planned to act even more younger -like I would mentally never grow up. I left the room and went up the stairs to see a couple of the leader's men planning to torch the place. They realized I was coming up the stairs and tried to rush me to the train, but it had already left. Another one was about to leave and a conductor tried to rush me towards it but it left before I could get there. I realized that another group of kids was walking, so I planned to escape with them for a while before heading back to headquarters. 

The leader himself was taking that group into the forrest. Everyone was lined up in two parallel lines facing each other and holding hands as they prayed. I was uncertain, but ended up taking the leader's left hand to join the group which I thought may have been a bad thing to do by the look he had after he finished praying. He taught us a walking game we would be playing on the trekk and told everyone to partner up. I wanted to partner with a pretty girl with long dark hair as I had been friends with her at some point, but she refused. I was upset at her rejection and ended up being partnered with a boy who had liked me before. I inquired about a boy and girl who paired together, and was told they were engaged as chosen by the leaders. 

We walked a long time until we were stopped. I asked the girl what was going on and the girl said the leader predicted it would storm. I looked at the sky and saw lightening, and said "no kidding, since there's lightning". We all huddled close in the downpour and I asked the girl why we didn't go to shelter, but she said the leader was going to stop the rain shortly. I hate storms and thought it ridiculous that the leader could stop the rain. While the leader went to do his ritual, I looked up at the sky and saw that ahead of us the sky was clearing before the leader did a thing. I pointed out the moon that, while surrounded with clouds, had a perfect circular-shaped clear area. I imagined/saw ballet dancers on the bottom flat area of the clouds by the moon and said "No wonder there is thunder, it is just ballet dancers" as their toe shoes were making thudding sounds as though the cloud were wood.

The rain stopped and the leader claimed it was due to him and we walked until nightfall. We slept all in a group, but the girl was on my left-side and the boy to my right. We were talking about how to get me free without detection, as the girl may be mad but didn't want me to be killed. I was starting to give into my feelings for the boy -which I had denied before because I was a spy and he was part of a cult. As I woke I realized the boy's back was near my hand and started stroking it, but the girl teased saying it was her which woke me up completely as I thought I was mistaken which side they were on. I realized it was a joke and that they both had their arms over my shoulders to keep anyone from getting near me while we all slept. 

We were off again walking, but I somehow managed to get the leader's attention again. I mentioned missing the train and was sent with the walking group, but was to catch up with them later once we arrived at our destination. He asked me more questions about when I was to move, etc. I ended up telling this total baloney story that my moving was delayed because the boy I was engaged to was a gypsy and gave me a gift -a black rectangle slightly wider and shorter than a bookmark interwoven with red, blue, green, and purple strands- but I learned that in my absence he had married another gypsy girl. We kept walking until we reached this metal and cement monolith in the middle of the rainforest. The leader was opening the combination lock and I realized it was a storage compartment. The space he opened was about three feet by four feet by four and a half feet, and he told me to get in. I froze. He had a customer who wanted me and would pay a lot of money to have me. The leader went on to tell me he had been suspicious of me the whole time, saying all the things I did wrong that someone from the compound would know. 

I managed to break his hold on my wrist and yelled "No!" as I ran into the forrest. I heard the leader yell "No" and start to run after me, and then the boy yelled "No" and tried to run after the leader who was running after me. I wove through the forest until I found low bookshelves and other furniture and realized i was in a very natural 'house'. I went looking for a place to hide and couldn't find one, but found an area with a little adjusting of furniture that could become one. I made one using a bed, a dresser, a bedside table, and possibly an old fashioned couch. I could hear the leader and some of his men searching for me and hoped I would not be found. I tried to tuck myself into a tighter ball when I accidentally kicked something over, and the leader knew I was in the room. 

While I was hiding, the group of kids stayed huddled in the storage area outside the 'house'. The girl had grabbed the boy to keep him from running after me and giving himself away. The guards all turned to look to see why he had yelled, when the girl pounced on the teddy bear I dropped and yelled "No, I want the teddy bear". Soon a few kids were all yelling that they wanted my bear and the guards were fooled and the boy safe. Some of the kids truly wanted the bear, but the boy and girl managed to retain it knowing I might have brought it for another reason other than just camouflage -that I probably had hidden a microchip in it. One of the things that had given me away was that I had a backpack on, none of the other kids did. The boy was wearing it, but the black straps blended with his shirt when the guards looked at him and he tried to keep his hands and arms in front of them as well. My things were safe.  

The leader had shoved me into the cement and metal container, but somehow the boy was able to see the lock combination he used. He and the girl planned to mount a rescue as soon as they could figure out a way to do it. The leader grabbed the teddy bear that had been argued over in front of the container to mark it for his customer when he came, but as I had another teddy bear in my book bag the boy and girl swapped them... and left the bear in front of a different container than the one I was in. 

I tried to figure out a way to escape, but while thinking I realized that I was so easily caught because the 'house' was our destination; the leader was bringing a select group of kids here. My moving of the furniture in his home was a giveaway of my location, and I hadn't had a chance. I wondered what he was planning for the kids. Was he starting a new compound hidden deeper in the forest, or was he planning some sort of ritual sacrifice and intended to kill them all? 

I heard something. The 'customer' had arrived and I did not want to be found as I knew he was an enemy, not just because he was buying me from the leader but because he wanted to buy me due to his knowing i was a secret spy. torture would be immanent should he figure out which compartment I was truly in. When his men opened the compartment with the teddy bear and found it empty, he demanded all the compartments be searched but was unable to because they were all locked. the enemy sent his men into the forest to find the leader and force him to open all the compartments or kill him for two-timing him. 

I had to get out without being seen by the searching enemy and his men... but when I did, I didn't know what I would do. Escape for safety, or stay and try to rescue my two friends? 

And then I woke up. 

Sumr

If you recall a couple weeks ago I mentioned I would soon write about the road trip I took with my parents. It was abso-freaking-lutely TORTURE! I just needed to get the photographs from my dad's camera so I could do a photoblog for y'all... well, here are the pictures!

Yep, we went to the Kingston Penn Museum which used to be the warden's home. The museum sat on top of a hill and there were steps leading down to the road in front of the currently-in-use penitentiary that sits on the water (you can kind of see a guard in the tower). 

This is outside of the museum, which is really rather pretty. The parentals were taking forever making their way from the car to the door, so I decided to sit on the stone bench. 

I was crazy enough to try to take a photo from the top of the stairs, and got so dizzy I thought I was going to fall! I was playing with one of the old cell locks, which is rather heavy I must say. 

The cells used to be so small, all that fit was a single bed and a couple feet of space at the end to stand to leave the cell. There was a remodel which is a bit bigger, 5x7 I think it was said, that has a desk with a bunk over top, a television, etc. 

Apparently once prisoner was rather brilliant and create this hidey-hole out of kitchen trays. He had to lose a fair bit of weight to fit in the stack that was later loaded onto a truck. The guy was eventually found, which is probably a good thing since he was in there for murder. 

I can't say I really blame the guy for escaping since these two devices were used as punishment! The coffin is "solitary confinement" and you're left in there for hours in the dark without food or water. The one the right has too much water because they pour it over your head! They had to stop using that one because people were drowning. I'm also a little too short to fit my head into the lower barrel *phew*

This one photo is looking up the steps at the warden's house, while the other is looking down the steps at the penn. 

And this is the car we saw in the mall parking lot that I absolutely adored! 

SUMR