Wicked Score

Today, I scored orchestra-level tickets to see Wicked at the Fox in Atlanta on Wednesday night. I've wanted to see this show forever but couldn't spare the expense. Tonight, one of my lovely Nuncrackers co-stars surprised each of us with a ticket to the show. My mama taught me well; I offered her the $60 (that I really don't have), and she said, "Oh gosh no, you're coming as my invited guest." Far be it from me to protest -- I'm going!

Thank goodness for random acts of kindness. I will have to find a way to pay it forward someday.

Speaking of Nuncrackers, rehearsals are going great. I'm finally nailing my high notes and starting to get the hang of the choreography, still not quite believing that I am DANCING in a musical. Me, with my two left feet. We have about 5 weeks left until opening night. Thinking: "Stay well, stay well, stay well!"

Missing you

Dear blog-friends:

As you may have noticed, I am blogging less and less these days. There are so many witty, fun stories I could have told you about school, watching Chelsea go through her senior year, or rehearsing for the play, but I've simply been too busy to take the time to write things down. Also, I haven't been reading your blogs with the frequency that I should.

I apologize. I miss you guys, a lot. I miss taking the time to post (and comment) every day. I don't want you to think that my lack of comments means a lack of concern on my part; I definitely do care. Somehow, I'm going to make time for this because I don't want you guys to go away for good.

Mean it.

Comfort Food

This one's for the girls, especially on a busy day.

Smoked Salmon Casserole

8 oz. small pasta shells
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can milk
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
6 oz. Chicken of the Sea Premium Smoked Salmon
1/3 fine, dry bread crumbs
1 tbsp. melted butter
Salt, pepper, seasonings to taste (I like a dash of paprika.)

Preheat oven to 350F, and generously butter an 8x8 baking dish. Boil and drain pasta according to package directions. Return to warm pot. Over medium heat, stir in soup, milk, cheese, and seasonings. In another pan, stir the crumbs in melted butter until crumbs are nicely toasted. Flake salmon into the baking dish, then pour the pasta mixture over the salmon. Top with bread crumbs, and bake uncovered, in a 350-degree oven for approximately 25 minutes, until mixture appears light golden brown.

Feel free to add vegetables into the mixture as desired, such as drained canned peas or mushrooms. Even my husband ("I hate tuna casserole") will eat this one; maybe it's the smokiness of the salmon. Good stuff.

Ouch

So, I've been ignoring a sore throat again. I just don't have time for this. Finally went to the doctor today. Chronic tonsillitis. I got a shot in the butt and a referral to an ENT; my doc thinks I should consider having a tonsillectomy. That's not happening, at least not now. Too much going on.

How's your week going?

Thanks!

Talent

If I have even a third of the talent here, I'm blessed.

Hump Day Quickie

My pregnant friend miscarried at 10 weeks. Her heart is broken and all I can do is say "I'm sorry."

My dying friend is evidently not, or at least, not yet. Although his liver is only functioning at 10%, he's been pronounced well enough to go home and try to stay alive for 6 months so he can petition to be added to the transplant waiting list. If he won't drink, he might stand a chance. Big if for an alcoholic. At least he's had 37 sober days.

18 of my 117 students are failing, which requires a ton of paperwork and phone calls (justification and covering my ass) on my part. These students are failing because they don't care enough to do work, but I still have to prove I did my part.

Rehearsals for the play are currently the best part of my week; I am loving learning all the new music, although I'm a bit skeered of the high notes I have to hit. We are blocking tomorrow night; fun stuff.

Play Info

From the local paper:

Carroll County Community Theatre presents Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical, December 4-6 at 7:30 and Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center Theatre. Tickets are $10. Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical is the first “TV Special” taped by the sisters in their convent basement studio for Cable Access. It stars the nuns you love plus Father Virgil and some of Mt. Saint Helen’s most talented students. It features all new songs including: Twelve Days Prior to Christmas, Santa Ain't Comin' To Our House, We Three Kings of Orient Are Us, and It’s Better to Give Than To Receive. This show is filled with Nunsense humor, some of your favorite carols, a Secret Santa, and an uproarious take on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet. Nuncrackers will make you laugh and maybe tug at your heartstrings. It’s the perfect way to insure your holiday season is merry and bright.

Irony

As promised, herein lies the tale of the weird conversation with the Baby Bible Thumpers, aka BBT's.

While studying Arthur Miller's The Crucible, I've enjoyed a little philosophical discussion with my classes about John Proctor's turmoil over lying to save his skin or telling the truth -- and hanging -- to protect his honor and integrity. During one conversation, we made a connection to the reports from the incident at Columbine which claimed that one young lady was shot simply because she said she was a Christian. A student asked me what I would do if someone held a gun to my head and asked me to tell whether or not I was a Christian. I answered the question with complete honesty: "I am not sure what I would do. Because I am a mom and a wife, and I feel my family needs me, I might lie to stay alive."

Unbeknownst to me, one student was apparently horrified by my comment and sent a text to one of her friends to that effect. That friend told another friend, who told another friend. That day after school, while I was cleaning up my room, a posse of students came to my room, evidently to lasso my immortal soul. They were led by a student whom I already know as someone with a big stick up his pompous, self-righteous ass some very antiquated, Fundamentalist views on religion. He began to question me about what I said in class, while the other Children of the Corn silently watched the proceedings. He even had out his B-I-B-L-E! He wanted to know if I was a Christian or not, and if so, then why didn't I answer the question properly, because after all, a real Christian would never refuse to "stand up for Jesus." He declared that he knew what he would do, because such a lie would keep him out of Heaven. He asked me repeatedly to try to search my heart and think about my answer. Did I mention I don't even teach this 16-year-old Jesus freak?

I directed most of my comments to the head honcho, since he seemed to be the person in charge. Trying to remind myself that these are children who know not what they do, because they've been taught this drivel since birth, I told them I had already answered the question truthfully. When I said that I wasn't sure what I would do, but that I might lie, that was most honest response I could possibly give. I know what he wanted me to say, but I'd rather be truthful. I spoke eloquently about how beliefs are personal and requested that he not invade my privacy with such an unrelenting and inappropriate line of questioning. I told him that the matter is closed, but if he feels uncomfortable around me or unsure of my integrity or faith, then perhaps he and I should simply avoid each other. The other children slunk back into the cornfield, while he stood there gaping at me as though my horns and tail were showing. This was truly one of the most bizarre things that has ever happened to me, and it still blows my mind, just in the telling of it.

Ironically, two days after this encounter, I auditioned for and was cast in a local production of Nuncrackers, the Christmas musical. I will be playing the part of a streetwise and wisecracking nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne, complete with a habit and crucifix. Wish you could all come see me on stage! I'm definitely saving some seats for the BBT's. Bahahaha.