Summery Summer Goodness

It's not quite Spring proper, but it feels like Summer, so I've moved on. Sorry, Nature, but I feel secure that once my over-confidence in this weather fully manifests, you will snatch it cruelly away from me and replace it with cold, wet nastiness. So, time is of the essence and I must revel in the joys of Summer Planning-Palooza, 2010:

**After last summer's inaugural performance in "Oklahoma" I have, once again, been given the chance to be part of the Parkway Playhouse's Summer Season. This community theater has changed my life and I am not being overly dramatic. (Dramatic, maybe, but not overly so.) For 64 years, the Parkway has delighted the Burnsville area and I am prouder of being a part of it than I have even been of anything in my entire life. (Check it out at parkwayplayhouse.com. If you are in the Western North Carolina area, it will be good times if you stop by and see it live!!) The unbridled happiness I experience when working hard to bring the production together is more rewarding than I can translate.

This summer, I will be part of "Annie" - wherein I will not play an orphan, contrary to popular belief based upon the age I appear (and likely act, though people don't say that to my face) - and "Guys and Dolls" - in which I may (fingers crossed) get to play an adult! (Or at least a teenager.) I can't wait for late-night practices, cast meltdowns, and general comraderie with other actor-types. It's a blast. I can think of no other way to spend the summer, and don't comprehend other opinions. (Namely, ol' Scotty P.'s, who sincerely seems baffled by me during these months of rehearsals.) Who cares? The show must go on and, in this house, it will, believe you me...

**For the umpteenth time (thank goodness) I will see DMB live and thus summer can be complete. Somehow, after all these years of loyalty, we have scored Gold Circle seats at the Charlotte show and I'm already dizzy with the idea of being that close to my musical gods. Summer is somehow a bit sadder when you don't see crazy Dave dancing and hear (hopefully) "Two Step" live on a humid, sweaty evening. It will be a long wait until July, but let the countdown begin! ("Celebrate we will...Life is short but sweet for certain...")

**After almost four years at my current job, I'm moving on. I don't know what to expect. For the first time in my life, I'll be my own boss. And knowing full-well the type of employee I can be, I may become fast frustrated with myself. But, to grow in this life, you have to take chances and move ahead and that is what I intend to do, as I think positive thoughts and hope to quell any panic attacks.

But don't be crazy! I will be leaving my current job at the end of June and won't begin the new venture until at least September. So, I'll have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of my summer adventures! Let's not forget what type of employee I am...

**Along with the more glamorous, there is the glorious mundane: the sunny days outside with the dogs, dinners downtown Asheville, my birthday(!), family visits, new flip-flops with freshly painted toenails, not-so-white legs, weekend cabin trips, ice cream cones, the smell of sunscreen, sundresses, blonder hair, and all-around heavenly sunny times.

Bring it on, Nature! I'm ready!