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Stephanie Victoria.
18. Studying Journalism and French.
Love gypsy music and pubs and knowing I'm busy without being able to pinpoint why.

It's been quite the week. I've been hit by everything from a ten-fold increase in my workload to auditions for this years Senior-Directed One-Acts (will explain in a bit) to Rock Revolution, and finally to the Invisible Children organization's "The Rescue 2009".

One at a time, though, shall I?

I nearly hit breaking point this week. My stress level went through the roof, and I'm not quite sure why. I think it was just the culmination of all of the little things I was trying to remember, but I felt like, at one point, I was either going to burst into hysterical tears, or I was going to bash my head against a wall. Thankfully, though, I seem to have gotten things under control. Or, at least, I've forgotten about whatever was stressing me out.

In other news, auditions for the next production, this year's Senior-Directed One-Acts, were on Tuesday. Basically, each year, all of the seniors who are internationally recognized Thespians get to either choose or write one-act plays to be performed in succession over two nights (though each show gets 3 performances, so we run for longer than 2 nights). This year, there are 6 seniors and 6 different shows. We auditioned just once for all of them, and they sat in their lovely, little intimidating line in the back of the auditorium, notepads and pens in hand.

But!

Good news =) I got the run I'd been gunning for! My friend Doug wrote the one-act that he's directing over the next month, so it's doubly exciting that we'll be sort of the world-premiere cast as well. It's called Fieldson's First Fantastic Feature Free-For-All. Try saying that three times fast! ;) But Doug's a brilliant playwright (and I mean that in the least biased way!) and I think he's going to go far, so keep your eyes, theatre geek or not.

Anyway, so I'm playing a girl named Allison Layton. She makes a point to go by Layton, though, which I honestly think is a pretty cool name to be honest. She's just graduated from college and is looking for a place to move into with her fiance, Zach Richards. Basically, the show revolves around a competition that an eccentric lady named Elliot Meredith Fieldson is hosting. Four pairs of competitors have to remain in a condo together, and the last pair to hold out without leaving wins the condo for themselves. Layton and Zach compete against a pair of obnoxious sisters, two high school best friends names Tyler and Rick, and a pair of con artists, Kris and Reid. Hilariousness ensues.

Needless to say, it's a riot.

Last night was Rock Revolution Revived. It's this event that's sort of like Battle of the Bands at my school each year. We got there right at the start to catch my best friend's performance. He played the guitar while a friend, Hailey, sang. I love him to death, but yeah, they maybe needed more than an hour of practice beforehand? I don't know, just a suggestion. This was appropriated by the fact that his older sister, Alex, came up to me and asked me when exactly I was going to become his manager, to which I replied that I wasn't going to be his manager, but his producer instead.

She decided I would be both. His pro-manager, or his man-ducer. We couldn't decide on the right title, haha.

After Taylor, we drifted between the outdoor acoustic stage and the indoor rock stage. Inside we caught a great band called The Safest Ledge. Outside, a few great artists like Stephanie Light and Her Pet Moose (Stephanie Light's got a recording contract. Go check her out!), and the Calypso Brothers (featuring Brian Dales from The Summer Set) made appearances.

Overall, it was a great night, because then my friend Laura and I headed to McD's for some ice cream before we headed back to her house to embark on a night of Twilight-watching. That movie is so addicting. Contrary to popular belief, I think it was really well done and a great watch (hence my having watch it an obscene number of times).

Finally, today I watched the Invisible Children documentary on Joseph Kony and his Child Soldiers. It really cemented my resolve to be involved in "The Rescue" on April 25th (even though that's closing night of the One-Acts, I think I'll head down to the site afterwards). I just can't imagine how the world could be so blind to what's happening. People often say that another Hitler will never exist, another Holocaust will never occur, because the human race could never again be so blind, but if I began listing the attrocities occuring across even just the continent of Africa today, the list would be enough to make one sick. Because it's not just about Darfur and Northern Uganda, but there's racial violence in South Africa, religious violence ravaging northern Africa (including in Egypt, where generations of my family are from) and so much more across the land.

It's terrifying.

Please, please get involved in Invisible Children's 2009 event, "The Rescue".

Here's the link:
Invisible Children ---> The Rescue

I'm beyond excited for the prospect of college, but I've got no place to keep a revolving list of schools I'm seriously looking into.

Here will be that place:

Macalester University (Minnesota)
Carleton College (Minnesota)
Boston University (Boston, Mass.)
University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
University of Rochester (Rochester, New York)

the music schools...

Berklee College of Music (Boston, Massachusetts)
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (NYC, New York)

the local ones...

Arizona State (Tempe, AZ)
U of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
Northern Arizona U (Flagstaff, AZ)

and the big ones...

Colombia University (NYC, New York)
Pennsylvania State University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Northwestern University (Chicago, Illinois)

Hmm...maybe I should narrow it down? And I still feel like I'm missing schools, but I'm too lazy to pull out the brochures again.

Anyway, night! The first day back at school wiped me. Is it the weekend yet?

It's amazing how much a dedication page in a book and tell you about the author and the book's contents. Every once in a while, I come across a dedication that gives me the chills. Those are the ones that I have to go back and read again.

Like, this one, from Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves:

"This is not for you."

Or, this one from Kurt Cobain's journals:

"Don't read my diary when I'm gone.

Okay, I'm going to work now. When you wake up this morning, please read my diary. Look through my things, and figure me out."

Chills, okay? Chills.

Or how about a dedication millions of my fellow Harry Potter fanatics will recognize:

" The
dedication
of this book
is split
seven ways:
To Neil,
To Jessica,
To David,
To Kenzie,
To Di,
To Anne,
And to you,
If you have
stuck
with Harry
until the
very
end."

Just this morning, I finished reading a story where the main character proposes to his true love in his dedication. That really kick-started my inner-romantic, I tell you. But in general, it's amazing the power one carries in deciding what part of themselves to give away in so few words.

And then, it makes me wonder about the books that have no dedications at all, like or Naked Lunch or A Clockwork Orange.

But then again, would you want Naked Lunch dedicated to you? It's a heavy book, brilliant, but heavy, and hard to stomach the first time through, and maybe that's why there is no dedication. It doesn't really need one...because when you finally understand what it's all about, you might just find that it touched you so deeply, it could've been written for you.

Anyway, onto other things. Like, math homework, because yes, my teacher decided we would be sad without math homework over our vacation.

Numbers and letters shouldn't mix.

Off I go to do some homework and watch my new favorite TV show (apart from my beloved Prison Break), Ghost Hunters. Who knew the Sci-Fi channel could be so addictive?

This is the funniest thing I have ever seen. Seriously, I know I said that about the Mario Frustration video, but that guy has NOTHING on Dr. Tran. I warn you now, some of it can be kind of offensive, but if you watch about 5 seconds past the part you think you should have shut it off at, you'll probably be appeased ;)

Regina Spektor - Samson

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of wonder bread and went right back to bed
And history books forgot about us and the bible didnt mention us
The bible didnt mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first , I loved you first
Beneath the stars came falling on our heads
But they're just old light
They're just old light
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
Told me I was beautiful and came into my bed
I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors and the yellow light
He told me that I'd done alright
and kissed me till the morning light the morning light
and he kissed me till the morning light

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
Ate a slice of wonder bread
and went right back to bed
We couldn't break the columns down
No, we couldn't destroy a single one
and the history books forgot about us
and the bible didnt mention us
not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first
______________

I love this song so much. I went to look up the lyrics on this great website, songmeanings.net, where people post about the meanings of songs along with their thoughts in general. A lot of people talk about how the song is about love in its purest form, and I completely agree, but I think even more than that it's about how people are noted for their infamy or notoriety long before they're noted for good things they have done. If this is a bible-related reference to Sampson, then here is a girl who honestly loved Sam(p)son but because she was not considered a whore like Delilah, and she didn't cause him to fail epically at anything, the love the two shared never "made the headlines", so to speak.

Like, in Rent last night, there was an ensemble member who at one point walks around with a bucket and tools to wash windows yelling about making an "honest living", and he's completely ignored. It's kind of the same thing there. If he had been walking around stealing, he might've made the evening news, but no one paid him any attention because he was attempting to live honestly.

I don't know, just something to think about =)

That is the current ailment I am suffering from. I just got back from the ASU Gammage theatre where I saw Rent tonight and I almost hesitate to post about it right now since I'm mesmerized and tired and nearly incoherent but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.



Let's start with Doug's awesome parking job. We call his truck the moving whorehouse (for many strange reasons including that it is HUGE) so it was no surprise that he came within a literal inch and a half of hitting this nice, large concrete pillar. This was after the chinese food, which was delicious, and meeting up with Connor's friend Lucky (who's actual name turned out to be Matt), and by the time of the insane parking, we were already hyped up beyond belief.

We got our tickets out, made our way through the lobby, etc, etc, making sure to stop for Playbills and souvenirs, of course. Turns out the tickets were for the 8th row, which was AMAZING. Everything was amazing, honestly, the cast, the set, the costumes, the orchestra. Everything!

I won't even try to go through the show, because I'd probably end up describing everything from the orchestra tuning up to the scene changes (which were super-fast and well appreciated by us theatre kids) to every single song they sang on that stage, and I won't subject you to that ;) What I will subject you to, however is a picture of us with the girl who played the ever-memorable Maureen:



Along with one of my favorite stage actors of ALL TIME, Adam Pascal:



And finally, my program =) In the lower left-hand corner is Adam Pascal's signature!



I am completely unashamed by my fangirling, because that cast literally swept me off my feet. Last time I felt that way while watching a show I was 11 years old and I was watching my current school's production of Beauty and the Beast, never once thinking that one day I'd be on that stage too. Funny how things work out that you'd never expect, huh?

I leave you at nearly 1 AM with one of the funniest videos I've seen lately. My best friend didn't get it but my favorite Asian thought it was hilarious, so it's hit or miss on whether you'll appreciate it or not, but it's always worth the view. Enjoy =)

Currently Listening To: Break Up - Dangerous Muse

I am currently in possession of one spiffy ticket to Fall Out Boy's Believers Never Die: Part Deux opening night concert here in Mesa. =D =D I am so, so pumped for this! Taylor and I are going, just the two of us, and we're bound to wreak a little havoc. I mean, what fun would a Fall Out Boy concert be if we couldn't mess around? Certain concerts we've been to have required a certain dress and behavioral code. Seriously: John Mayer was the mid- to late-twenties out-on-the-town crowd, while Phooson 2008 was the i'm-too-cool-for-high-school crowd in clothes that are considered skimpy even by desert-dweller standards, and now the FOB crowd's bound to be predictable too, but that's okay cos I adore bandom kids.

But even before Fall Out Boy (along with Cobra Starship, Metro Station, All Time Low, and Hey Monday)hit Phoenix, Rent's touring cast will be here! Roger, Doug, and I are going with Connor first to meet her friend Lucky for some Chinese food (of which there is a sad lack of in this city, unless Doug's mother comes to the rescue by bringing fried rice to the theatre when we're working on a show there) before heading down to the ASU Gammage theatre.

I do not feel shallow at all in wishing that Adam Pascal's hair will be short and blonde. It looks good that way =D

Also, I think this looks really good:



It makes me want to go get myself good and scared. Sounds like it's time to get a group together to hit the movies soon.

So, I went to the doctor yesterday, just for a physical and all...but it was not fun. I've got a cold so I guess I was wheezing a bit, which led to a prescription temporary inhaler and antibiotics. And then my awesome doctor had to remind my mother about the Meningitis vaccine. It hurt like a bitch, excuse me. I'm not usually a wimp in the doctor's office but that was actually painful. It was over in a few seconds though, so not a big deal...until my entire arm started hurting. And here we are now, good times. Plus, it's still not over; I've got to go have my blood drawn soon too.

=(.

On a happier note, I'm really excited about some of the music I've managed to find on Pianofiles. My next goal? Writing some of my own. I just need the time! Days need to be longer than 24 hours, seriously. This week, which is supposed to be my vacation, I've got to choreograph a Color Guard routine, work on my monologue for theatre auditions next week, memorize a Shakespeare scene for my acting class, learn and memorize the music for Christina Aguilera's "Hurt" for an upcoming performance, clean "Finale B" from Rent, AND getting started on my summer work in the midst of it all.

But, I'm not complaining, even if it sort of sounds like I am. I mean, I get to do these things that I love when a lot of people around the world never even get the chance, either because they don't have the resources or because they just aren't' allowed to by their parents, etc.

That really bothers me. When parents try to force their children into picking a certain hobby or major in college when they know full well that their child won't be happy. And in the end, it's all about how satisfied you are with your life, not how much is in your bank account or how many accomplishments you can attach to your name (though those things certainly help). I've got this friend, Doug, who's a brilliant playwright. As a matter of fact, I'm auditioning for something he wrote next week, but his parents are trying to manhandle him into majoring in Pre-Pharmacy in college...and that's just the compromise. As a rule, I usually think parents know what their talking about (even if we don't think so, blah, blah, blah) but when it comes down what's better for us versus what makes us happy, the latter is the way to go, always!

[End of soapbox.]

Anyway, on a final note, here is a link to the download of one of my favorite new EPs by an up and coming band called You, Me, and Everyone We Know. Don't worry: it's available on their MySpace for a free, full download, too, but I thought I'd offer it here, highly recommended!

"So Young, So Insane EP" hosted at Mediafire

I love this musical so, so much. The first time I saw it? I hated it. I couldn't understand what the hell was going on. I just heard "AIDS" being thrown around a lot and saw insanity in characters like Angel and Maureen (and don't EVEN get me started on Mimi. I adore her now but at first? I despised her). And now here I am, gearing up to accompany four amazing girls in what is probably one of my top 3 favorite Rent songs ever, Finale B. Plus, I'm going to see Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal live Wednesday night! If you aren't somewhat theatre-obsessed as I am, those are the two guys who rocked Rent from the first time it premiered on Broadway.

Basically, they are to Rent what Elvis is to Vegas, get it?

So, here's a clip from the movie, featuring the song that I'm just polishing right now. Enjoy!

The beautiful city of New York. I've been looking at schools lately (keeping location in mind, since I need to make sure I'm in the middle of as many music hothouses as possible) and Columbia U's come up a few times. I think it's something worth considering, but the idea of living in New York City for the first time scares me just as much as it excites me, you know?

Anyway so, a friend of mine told me about this website, Phone Zoo, where you make your own ringtones and they're sent right to your phone. Google it, it's actually pretty cool since I love having specific ringtones for each person (Plus, I don't know about you but I don't really feel like spending $3 for 30 secs of music if I don't have to).

I've finally jumped the bandwagon and read Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being A Wallflower now and, okay, I get it. I want to read it again, like right now. I never thought I would relate so much to a supremely awkward young boy half-genius who has nearly nothing in common with me, but it was like he was everything that I try not to be (and sometimes fail at) and at the same time, he was everything that we should all be: kind and just, if maybe a little naive too. It makes me want to really pay attention.

Oh, and check out The Summer Set! They're kind of like the hometown band around here and they're really making a name for themselves. Keep an eye out because chances are they're touring with a band you know.

Labels: Books, New York City, Phone Zoo

How long would it take to figure THIS out?



And, for your added viewing pleasure? The male version.



P.S. I feel like that second video is a lot more suggestive than it should be...but somehow the guys still look more robotic than the girls.

So, here is the obligatory music post. Since that is exactly 48% percent of my life (another 48% being taken by writing and the last 4% being occupied by stupid things like, I don't know, homework), I figure it's a good place to start.

I'm a big albums person. I hate just listening to one or two songs from a single artist or band. Instead, I prefer sitting down to do something a picking out an album to put on shuffle, so here are my top ten albums at the moment:

1. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast/Useless Creatures
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
3. Coldplay - Viva La Vida/Prospekt's March
4. Honeyhoney - First Rodeo
5. This Is Ivy League - This Is Ivy League
6. The Wombats - A Guide to Love, Loss, and Desperation
7. Flight of the Conchords - Folk the World Tour
8. Cobra Starship - Viva La Cobra!
9. Owl City - Maybe I'm Dreaming
10. Young Love - Too Young to Fight It

Not necessarily in that order, really.

Also, I thought this was hilarious:


Gotta love literary jokes. Especially about Chuck Palahniuk, with whom I'm pretty sure no one ever knows what the hell is going on.

Labels: Intro Post, Literature, Music

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