Happy New Year!

I was simply looking for a New Year's Eve pic online to post and this one caught my eye.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Whats everyone up to tonight?

I will be at one of the following functions:

1) Nate and Jason's dinner party

2) Omar and Patrick's "martini tasting" party (martini tasting, seriously?)

3) Wharehouse party

4) Party at my friend karen's in the burbs-I think not

or

5) California Clippers Bar with my roomie's

last and not least

6) Cuddled up with my cat (Muzzy) at my apartment watching the ball drop.

I think I shall...um....exercise my options.

HAVE FUN WHATEVER YOU DO!

showering.

Both of my house mates have left for work. And the girl that is subletting my room, Kim, is the only other person here, as well as myself. I have been sleeping on the couch.
I swear right now that Miss Kim is taking a shower with the bathroom door COMPLETLY open.

Um....we have a clear shower curtain. We have been having some problems with the bathroom door but nothing major, i mean, you can still shut it. But She opted not too. um, lucky me?

should I just walk in and start brushing my teeth?

Dreams...

So I just woke up from this dream and I think its really bothering me because I cant stop thinking about it. I have this HUGE painting I found in the trash like 2 years ago. It's an odd painting but it takes space up on the walls and has served as a conversational piece several times. The painting pictured to the left is NOT the painting-but i needed I pic to represent yo!

My house mate Tara made it very clear to everyone that she doesnt like the painting. She would much rather have a blank space on the wall. There was even talk about it coming down when I left for tour. But it has stayed on the wall, my other house mate Niki really likes it.

So I had this crazy dream that Tara took down the painting. Not only took it down but took it completly apart. And then replaced this huge painting with like an 8x10 picture of Eor from winnie the pooh! She was very cold about the whole situation in my dream. I just didnt understand why she had to take it apart, or why she didnt tell me before she did it , or why she didnt just wait for me to go back on tour and then take it down......SEE! It's really bothering me. Maybe I should like bolt my painting into the wall before I go back out on the road next week.

Ya'll had any dreams worth mentioning lately?

mmmm breakfast...

This is my fav fav diner in Chicago. It's by my first apartment here and not to far away from my current one so it's been a staple for my greasy fix. It's at Ashland and North ave.This morning I met my friend Jordan here for breakfast. It was excellent as usual. 2 eggs over easy with wheat toast, hashbrowns, and 2 sausage patty's. YUM! The coffee is great and they even serve beer and wine...open 24 hours! My waitress that I adore wasnt there but the waitress I had was cool. Jordan walked in and made a grand entrance by knocking her water over with her purse. good times!

Whats your favorite breakfast place and what do you order?

My head hurts...

So....last night I went and visited a friend at their apartment in Boystown. We had drinks, got some thai food delivered and began watching the movie CRASH. NOT the most recent CRASH but the really creepy one with James Spader and Holly Hunter. It freaked me out so much in the first 30 minutes that I had to turn it off. It was just disturbing. Anyway, after some cable T.V. and some more cocktails it was 11:30....I decided at this point I wanted to go out. My friend did not. As I walked down the boulevard of gay bars here in Chicago I see there are lines at like every bar. Me going to a bar by myself is a huge step as it is I certainly wasnt gonna wait in line by myself. And then I see it, in the distance, good ole nasty seedy full of amateur stripper boys "the Lucky Horseshoe". My friend Brian and I used to go here to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. So I thought...It can't hurt. I think I get embarresed for these strippers, I can't even look at them. I walk directly to the back bar past the strippers and order a beer. I watched the DVD "Dixie Chicks On Top of the World Tour 2003" in its entirety at this bar from about midnight to 1:30....pathetic I know. Anyway, I made friends with the bartender and had like 3 drinks and only pad for one.
Now it's 2:00a.m.
I'm not ready to call it a night yet. So....the only bar open in walking distance is "Berlin". Now, I'm not proud of it but I have been kicked out of this bar like 3 times. Usually because I get a little lippy with the lesbian door lady...luckily she wasnt there. This again is another bar Brian and I would go to to make ourselves feel better...and yeah, some times dance. And it helps that they are open until like 5:00a.m. I guess the point of this post is that the one night I actually get my ass out to boystown to go out nobody will go out with me and all of the "good" bars had lines. What the F? it was Wednesday night yo! I might give it one more go around but the weekend is coming and I hate crowded bars.
OH! I did meet this guy named Kyle at Berlin, I'm kind of smitten. SO freaking cute. maybe Ill call him today. As usual...what's the point? I leave town in a week.

Have you ever been kicked out of a bar? What for?

Lucky's

My house mate Niki and I dined at "Club Lucky" tonight. My other house mate Tara and myself went there about a year ago for drinks but Niki and I actually sat in the restaraunt and had dinner tonight. the atmosphere was very dark and peaceful and of course, very italian. I just had some rigatoni with mushrooms and marinara, it was very good and my martini's were delicious! Grey Goose, dirty, up with 3 olives please. It was my christmas gift from Niki. Thank you NIKI!!!!!

My day at the movies...

So there is this theatre on Illinois Ave right before you reach Navy Pier here in Chicago. It's just your normal AMC theatre but for some reason it's my favorite! My favorite thing to do here is go pay for a matinee and go see it and then sneak into another movie. I feel that we as americans-ecspecially those of us in major cities, are way overcharged for movies so I really dont feel like I'm ripping anyone off. I simply feel like I am getting my money's worth. Today I saw "Rumor Has It" and "The Producers". Now, I have said it before, this is by no means a review for a movie....okay? simply my thoughts and when they come to movies they tend to be brief. So in comments dont ask me to tell you more about the plot of the movie or something. Anyway-"Rumor Has It" was simply okay. There were times when I found myself thinking that the movie was really really good and then whenever I felt that way I realized Shirley McClaine was in that scene. Shirley McClaine was freaking awesome, her character was so much fun to watch...she is brilliance, I adore her.
Then there was "The Producers". I know me being like a musical theatre actor and all this stuff everyone probably thinks that I have a lot to say here. Honestly, I have avoided this show for years and I dont know why. I walked in completly blind and honestly enjoyed it very much.

Anyone see any good movies lately?

The perfect cup..

So I am back at my apartment in Chicago and It was so nice to wake up this morning to daylight after sleeping in a basement the last 4 days. Seriously, I could sleep my life away in a basement. Instead-It's 9:33 a.m. and I have nothing to do today and I am UP! love that. I got up just in time to.....

So I mentioned before that my house mate Tara makes the nastiest coffee and last week when she left for work I dumped out an entire pot and made my own. Well, today she walked in the kitchen and proceeded to make the coffee and then went and took a shower. Well, when she went into the shower I filled the coffee maker with like 4 more cups of water-the coffee is delicious and she cant tell the difference.

Do I show her the error of her ways? What would you do?

Strangers With Candy

I have loved and always will love an F-ed up little sitcom from Comedy Central called "Strangers With Candy". I own all the DVD's.The movie is to be released December 31st 2005....but this is the 3rd release date that has been set. I'm scared it's gonna get bumped again or even more scared that it's gonna get pulled from distribution all together. the movie industry has been toying with me for a year on this one.Promising a date and then changing it! Let's hope this one sticks.

Have you seen Strangers with Candy? got a favorite episode?

The Family Stone

Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson.....need I say more? There are even a couple names I didnt even mention that were worth mentioning. The movie was excellent. I was a little confused at first because I was laughing my ass off and then B*A*M!!!!! They hit you with some tear jerking moves. My only problem was that I was laughing and really enjoying myself and then they just hit you with some sad real life open your eyes shit. But that didnt matter to me, I thought the movie was brilliant and I wanna see it again. The reviews have said that this family is portrayed as sort of over the top "disfunctional" which struck me as odd....I found the family in the movie to be one of the coolest,normal, "real" and loving families ever portrayed on film. From almost the begining I found myself caring for every character. Diane Keaton was so wonderful to watch-she was perfect ine this role. Then there is My wonderul Rachel McAdams-I freaking LOVE Her! And this movie was no exception. It was great to see Sarah Jessica Parker as someone NOT named Carrie Bradshaw. I know, we all love Carrie, but we all love Sarah, the best part is she picked the best script for her "come back" to film. Well I think so...GO SEE IT!

The city of long winded speeches ...

So, I am now back home from "home". I thought I hadnt been back to Michigan for christmas in 2 years, I was corrected upon my arrival. In fact it has been 3 years since I had been in Michigan for christmas. It was amazing to get to see family and friends during this O so festive season. My dog was as def as usual. Sunshine would have drank as much as usual but she got kinda sick on Friday night. That left me to drink without my sis on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, which, after not being home in some time was sad for me :-( But I didnt let that stop me from enjoying some cocktails. Things were Merry, people were happy, and it didnt snow. Sounds like christmas, yeah?

Michigan was wonderful. But there is something to be said for Chicago on Christmas. I have spent the last 3 christmas eve and day's here. They were wonderful. I loved seeing family and friends in Michigan but it was also so relaxing to have absolutly no obligations or responsibilities the last 3 years. Honestly, I wouldnt trade either one of them and I feel fortunate that I do have 2 places to call home. Ecspecially with all the F-ing travel I do these days "home" is a wonderful word. Hope everyone had a wonderfully safe and happy Holiday.

Got any crazy stories from the Holidays? Hit me with your best shot.

Home for the Holidays...

Alright kids, no matter what. Resist any urges the family may make you have to tear down any and all christmas decorations, burn the tree down or bitch slap that one relative. Take a deep breath and count backwards from 10!!! You might need to make it 15......

"I said I'll be ready when I'm ready! I'm not going to church because God is the devil and I can't take a shower until Sunshine's nasty clothes come out of the wash that she puked on last night!!!! I'll wrap Tyler's gift before tomorrow and YES I let the dog out about 10 minutes ago......is Sunnie really that hung over? And YES mom for the last time, I heard you loud and clear-you like my hair better when it's short! Um mom, I think the tree is on fire....gotta go"

Coffee and smokes..

One of the things I love about having an apartment is that time i get in the morning with my coffee and smokes. I love my coffee. I hate smoking but unfortunatly it has got me again. Soon to try and quit AGAIN. Anyway, my house mate Tara has this problem with making the coffee REALLY strong. Now, I love a good strong cup of coffee. But seriously, the consistancy of it is all like thick and it's greasy on top and stuff. Ew. Even if you add cream then its just like dark sludgy nastiness. She can't really enjoy that can she? Well, she just left for work and I dumped her pot and made my own. It's delicious, still strong but strongly delicious with a hint of international delight french vanilla cream. And now I sit....smoke in hand sipping coffee. Life is nice.

What's everyone's morning "must have"?

My neck...

So I am back at my apartment for my break. I am subletting my room to a friend all year while I am on tour. This is awesome because I dont have to pay rent while i'm on the road. See now, my room is now her room. And she is using my bed so I am on the couch which is totally fine. But this morning I woke up with the hugest like, i dunno, "crick" in my neck and it's driving me crazy. She offered to alternate bed usage with me but i just feel bad cuz the girl is paying rent you know? Now, I sleep in contorted positions on buses and planes all the time but seriously my neck has never hurt like this yo! I think I may start alternating with her when I get back from Michigan.

This to shall pass right?

My Gay Problem

I have this thing. See, I love butt's. To be more specific I love mens butt's. I like looking at them, I think I might check everyones ass out. I have this problem of being in a bar, out shopping or even just walking around downtown and touching an unsuspecting persons ass. I dont grab or pinch or anything, I just kind of walk by and my hand happens to brush their ass.

I was at a bar here in Chicago last night with my friend Jordan and we were just gab gabbin away and we were at a table and this tiny cute ass had been standing there for like 20 minutes....most distracting when I'm trying to hold a conversation. You know when you are having dinner or something and someones stands by your table and that ass is right at eye level? Well, it was and finally....I dropped my hand down and brushed it. Didnt go as smoothly as it usually does. He totally turned around and was like "Hey!".....ooops. It works better as a drive by. I was at a straight bar but this dude was gay...maybe he was standing there on purpose? He said "hey" and laughed and smiled. I know this is a problem but i really dont want a solution, I enjoy my ass touching issue. They usually never notice, I swear! Well, Unless I want them to notice.

Anyone else have a sick problem like me? come on....dont be shy.

Secret Santa...

So last night we had our company holiday party. We exhanged our secret santa gifts, did a white elephant gift exchange, had an award ceremony and some people did some skits and/or songs...me and Emily Turay were Jo and Arlene the "Minnesota Twins". Pictures are soon to be posted from that!

My secret santa was awesome! for my last gift she got me on DVD "The Rose" and "The Sweetest Thing" ... I love these movies! And then she got me that new book "A million pieces" that I have been wanting to get really bad! AND she got me some blank CD's...she was awesome! Thank you Cyndi. The person I had knew it was me....he said it was the 9 pack of beer that I gave him that tipped it off....I was thirsty, and anyway, I replaced the missing beers with a 40.

For the awards ceremony I was only nominated in one catagory......."drama queen". I know I'm intense and all but seriously? Ah well, I didn't win. The girl that plays Elmo....Mandy, she won. And when asked to make a speech she was like ..." I didnt know I was a drama queen". I heard later she cried about and as she was crying said "I just dont understand where they are getting that from" Um, could it be the fact that you are crying RIGHT NOW about something that is completly all in fun. She doesn't get it. I'm just glad she didnt come to me to cry because I would have been honest. And I was a little annoyed that the person she did go to wasn't honest about it to her.

Oh, I also got really drunk and told this girl that she was spoiled. She was pissed about that today. I guess she wouldnt have been that mad but she says I told her that like 3 times. I only remember the one time but honestly...I was drunk. sorry,honesty's a bitch!

Have you ever had anyone come to you and break down about something ridiculous and you held back the truth? Come now, be honest. Ha!

CHRISTMAS VACATION!!!

Hip Hip hooray it's christmas vacation!!! Just did my last show in 2005....can't wait to get home to Chicago! I will be back in town TOMORROW!! this gig is pretty sweet, I have 2 1/2 weeks vacation that just started about 30 minutes ago! Woo hoooo!

What is everyone up to for the Holidays???

kites...

Kites are fun...

when did you last fly a kite?

in the middle of the night...

I know you all do it and I do it and we all do it. you have or do or will sit at your computer in the middle of the night wondering why you are sitting there when work is soon to come. The alarm is gonna go off and you HAVE to get up, yet your fingers keep double clicking and typing and getting annoyed and getting happy. The PC is bringing out your every emotion. The worst and the best of you and at the same time all you can think is....."i need to go to bed". And On that note, from Durham, NH-I'm off.

I know I'm not the only one....right?

Care Bears Live

My company produces several different children shows. One of which is "Care Bears Live". It is a coloboration with my company, vee corporation, and American Greetings. I'm guessing the fact that American Greetings is backing it has something to do with the fact that it is still up and running. They previewed the show last year and I guess it did "well" enough that they put it back out this year. I am in Durham, NH this week and The Care Bears were performing about two hours away from us last night so a bunch of us hoped in a van to support our company and one of our sister tours. So, the drive was two hours and the show was almost an hour and a half and then a two hour drive back....that was 5.5 hours of my life I will never get back.
The show was horrible. The music was bad, the choreography was bad and the staging was bad. Who's idea was this? And do kids even know who the Care Bears are anymore? Yes, the merchandise is still on the market but are they still on Television? They didn't even do the "Care Bear Stare"!?!?!? What the F? There house last night is what our house looks like on a really bad BAD day, and they said it was one of their best audiences. The show had its cute moments, Like when Funshine bear said to Grumpy Bear "Have you tried yoga?"...cute. Overall it was painful and needs to close. The heads on these costumes were HUGE! I took a picture with Funshine and Bedtime bear and MY GOD! The head they wear is like 10 of my heads. On the up side, on the way home it had all of our muppets going on and on about how lucky they are to have our show. All the shorties could have easily been put on Care Bears! There was one redeemable ditty called "seriously"....but seriously? One number out of like 20? Taint right. And I have to give props to the cast members and crew, its a job, and they all did wonderfully. Grumpy Bear was awesome....with what he had to work with. :-)

Have you waisted any time in your life lately?

DVD's...

REBA Season 2 on DVD just came out this last Tuesday!!! It's very exciting for me. Christmas hints yo! Next hint....FRIENDS....The one with all ten seasons. I have to have this! Watching friends on DVD is like watching a really great movie. I know some of you are gonna bitch slap me for that but its true! I love the friends! but seriously....I wanna be skinny like the friends, why cant I be skinny like the friends!?!?!?! Someone get me this shit for christmas!

Marcus...

Okay so this is Marcus. I'm not obsessed I swear! I was on the website because a co-worker said there was a group shot on there of us all. I'm not in it so I didnt post it...hahaha. But I did decide to post this one of Marcus that I found. Isn't he adorable? And I must clarify..in a past post I said "he was succseful" to which a friend replied "How is a bartender succesful?". Let me explain...

He owned and sold 3 bars in a town about an hour away from Portland,ME. He now works 2 nights a week at this bar "styxx" not because he needs the money but so he has something to do. He will be opening his own bar in Portland soon. See, succesful bartender. And anyway-even if he didnt have any of that some bartenders make more in a weekend than I make in two weeks. I give them major props! Well, I give the good one's props. Oooohh...like any of the bartenders at "Gold Star" in Chicago! I love that bar and the bartenders!

Ya'll got any favorite bars and/or bartenders out there?

Most likely to....

Once upon a time in 1999 this boy was elected "most likely to be famous" by his senior class. HA! I was elected with my fellow "star" at the time Miss Yolanda Davis. What that girl is up to now I have abslutely no clue. We had to take this horrible picture and I think we are doing jazz hands in it or something, lets face it, I have some hot ass jazz hands-they are perfection. Hmmm.... Anyway, for the christmas party this year (Which I opted to NOT help coordinate-doing the Halloween party was stressful!) they are doing "mid season awards". Now, when i got elected "most likely to be famous" I was shocked to find out that any of the kids in my class even knew my name or that I even existed for that matter. Seriously! So I get really weirded about things like this. We had them at the end of tour last year and I didn't get elected for anything. I dont think I will this season either. Aint no thang.

Were any of you ever elected anything?

Charlie they had to have pegged you for something buddy!

ET

Entertainment Tonight has been on the air for 25 years...seriously? What the F?

Christmas music...

Christmas music. Now I am not this huge fan of christmas music or anything but I do have some christmas music that I really enjoy. My rule of christmas music is that it can only be played from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Paul never liked that, he has this version of "Joy to the world" that he loves and I know he played it in the middle of July when I was at work probably but thats besides the point. I would have let him listened to it whenever he wanted anyway cuz I'm just a good guy like that. Anywho-My favorite christmas album of all time is Brenda Lee's "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree". What else has Brenda Lee done? And I'm not kidding, really, what is she like "known" for? I had a chance to see her in concert (mom bought the ticket) with the Oakridge Boys long LONG time ago and it was a CHRISTMAS TOUR! So I still really dont know what she does beyond christmas music. I do know I got to see her sing all my christmas favorites live. My second favorite is the Chipmunks christmas album. Where have the Chipmunks gone? More importantly....where have the Smurfs gone??? Being in this live kids show biz I cant help but think "Wouldn't 'Smurfs live' make a kick ass show...and what about 'Fraggle Rock Live'"?!?!?!?! Seriously...

Thoughts on christmas music? Thoughts on what you think would make a kick ass live Childrens show?

Me on T.V.

So I'm on T.V. usually at least once a week. Since I am usually doing a live spot I never actually see myself. As I was sitting here writing the last blog about how I have no cell phone service up popped ME and Elmo on FOX. They re-ran some footage from the show and an interview we did before the show.Now I have had a couple chances to see myself on T.V. before but they kept showing the same clip over and over and man....it is so true about the camera adding on ten pounds. But I wonder, do I look bigger maybe because my costume is HUGE? Or does a huge muppet next to me make me look huge? I would think the large muppet would make me look small...but I think it makes me look big. I dunno-all I know is it's a shocking experience to be just sitting at the computer and then to hear your own voice and then look up and see yourself twice the size you think you are on television. I need to have this costume redesigned, it does nothing for me.

I picked this picture because I think I look pissed off and that cracks me up because I smile through the ENTIRE show! So this pic makes me laugh.

Cell Phones.

Ahhh....cell phones. What a convinience these little guys are huh? Ecspecially on the road! Of course, it really does suck when you are stuck in some small town with nothing to do and YOUR PHONE DOESN'T GET SERVICE!!! What the F!?!?! I thought we would be past this. I have recieved service in the middle of freaking feilds in Kansas and Iowa!!! Yet, in Bangor, ME there is NO SERVICE! So not only am I in an insanely boring town but I can't even pick my phone up to call any of you and tell you just how boring it really is. At leats there is a HUGE statue of Paul Bunnan across the street for me to stare at....

Beer, Dizziness and boys....Part II

I thought I would follow up on the previous post. Marcus called me Sunday night! He asked if I would like to join him for dinner but it was to late....Sunday night T.V. was about to start! I know that is super lame but I am commited to ONE evening of television. Sunday nights on ABC...Extreme Home Makeover, Desperate Housewives (which wasnt even on!) and Grey's Anatomy. So I had to decline. It's not the first time. My commitment to Sunday night T.V. kept me away from Sean In San Antonio, Adam in Austin, Kevin in Atlanta and...I think that was it. Sunday night just doesnt work! But I was almost willing to miss Sunday night T.V. for Marcus...but alas, it comes down to the same old thing....I leave town the next day so why bother?

Even drunk off my ass with the world spinning I'm still cute, or at least I made a good enough impression before getting dizzy that I deserved another shot! HA!

beer, dizziness....boys

So I got to Portland last Monday and went to the local gay bar down the street called "styxx". Bartender was this cute little guy named Markus. As a rule, I stay away from bartenders. But some or all of my rules dont always apply when on tour and simply "passin' through". Markus asked me to come back and see him on Thursday and I didnt cuz I had a friend in town and blah blah blah. So last night I was at an Irish pub with some co-workers enjoying some delicious beers and a cover band. Bars here close at 1:00a.m. I looked at my watch and it was midnight. I decided to take my chances and go down to "styxx" and see if Markus was working. He was, I have a couple free beers, we chat, I give him room # and he shows up an hour later. So...we chatted and drank more beer. I'm feelin' fine right? Yes, I was indeed drunk. But good drunk-you know what I mean, I was capable of conversation and actually seeming at tad more intelligent than my sober self-You know you have been there! You know, when you say something when you are drunk and hope you can remember it the next day because it felt very profound. Anyway-One thing leads to another and we start kissing....and kissing...and...oh wait...stop....I'm dizzy...ah! AH! in my words "You have to stop touching me now or i'm gonna spew" . He puts his hand on my chest and says "Are you okay". "No...no you have to go, you cant touch me, I'm sorry...I guess I'm more drunk than I thought"

ARG!!! What the F man!?!?!?

I wish I were smarter. I hold my beer fine but when my head starts moving a bunch and I'm all playing tongue hockey and stuff I get dizzy and naucious. It sucks! this guy was sweet and cute...real nice and smart and succesful... and I said that basically I was gonna vomit because he was touching me. this happened to me once in Phoenix last year!! And both of the guy's were grrrreat kissers!!! Not fair....

Do you think he will call?

Beer and Portland...

Number one reason Dustin could not live in
Portland, ME. This town is like one big giant beer keg! If I lived here I would have NO CHOICE but to become an alcoholic. It wouldnt be my choice i swear! They offer so many selections of beer in any given bar that I could drink it for breakfast lunch and dinner! Pale Ale's are my favorite , they have been ever since my first taste of Bell's brewery's tasty pale ale back in '97...or was it '99? I tried a bunch of locals and some not so local this week. The winner is....Magic Hat's Pale Ale "9".....delicious! It hales from The Magic Hat Brewing Company in South Burlington, Vermont. They have a kick ass website! www.magichat.net
I LOVE PORTLAND!

Rachel McAdams

I just have to take a moment to say I love Rachel McAdams. Seriously. I haven't seen everything she has been in or anything but I think I might have to start working on that. I can't wait for "The Family Stone" to come out next week! I love this woman!?!

Who is your favorite on the silver screen these days?

Slim Fast...

So this leg of the tour started in August and since then I believe I have put on 15-20 lbs. This is confusing to me since I have been running on the treadmill and I do on average about 8 shows a week....where I dance and run up and down a ramp. Hm. See, it can be really really difficult to eat well on tour. All to often it is just easy to pick up the phone and order a Pizza or Chinese. And after the last show of the day you truely feel like you wanna EAT. So as I was sitting in the dressing room looking at my gut today and magically waving my perfect jazz hands at it and chanting "go away" a co-worker said "Have you ever tried that slim fast stuff, it really worked for me". Um...call me crazy but I think I may give this a shot. I'm gonna get some light snacks and gronoala bars and have the bar at breakfast, then a shake after the first show and a shake BEFORE the second show-there is about a 6 hour gap there and then after the show a sensible dinner. I feel kind of crazy for trying this though. What do ya'll think?

I just added the pic of the pizza because I think that is the main cause for this belly. Well...that and beer. I just love beer. I try to sample local brews whenever I can and since I am in a new location every week..well...that says what it says huh? Maybe I should just go on an all beer diet. That pint to your left is a frothy pint of pale ale. I think I wanna be buried with a bottle of Pale Ale in my hand....I still don't have a favorite though. I had a good one last night though called "Doghead" out of Delaware. Hm...fatty.

What's your favorite beer? I kinda got sidetracked when I started thinking about beer....what was I....OH! What do you think of the slim fast thing?

Interns and Dogs...

Is anyone else with me on this? Grey's Anatomy's Meredith and Izzy go get a dog to basically take the place of a man. Hmmm...how are these busy beezy busy interns gonna be able to take care of a dog when they spend every waking minute at the hospital? And on that note-why do we as people wanna fall in love so bad when it takes time away from ourselves and a world we could be living obligation free of what someone else needs or wants....hm. Just like getting a dog. Why not live dog free so you can avoid the obligation's of taking it to the vet, feeding it and taking it for walks? I'm NOT saying I am for OR against the two of these things. Just questions really. The main one being:How are these 3 interns gonna take care of this dog?

And if next week the dog is just "missing" I'm gonna be kinda pissed. Like when the Brady's dog was randomly missing...what the F?

Side note-that's a pic of my friend Kate's beautiful dog "timber"-they live in Seattle.

Holiday on the "street"

So the crazy people at Sesame Street Live do a photo shoot every year at Christmas. We all get to pick up to 3 muppets to take a christmas photo with and we literally get 3 minutes to do as many poses as we possibly can or manage to do from what is being shouted out from fellow co- workers. This one was one of the group shots at the and and I'm in the live character get up in the front row on the bottom step (the human). The photographer said "Do something crazy!" One of the muppets shouted "WRESTLE!" the thought of that sent our head wardrobe into immediate sweats. Red Pallette gave me a head lock while Zoe tried to ram a huge nutcracker into my ribs ....or was she trying to crack my....I dunno. Anyway-It got intense! So, here's the gang on the "street" being festive.

That's Mister Grouch to you....

Give me my candy cane bizatch!

(yes i've gained weight and my hair is longer...life's a bitch,seriously)

maybe I should lay off the candy cane's :-)

Portland, Maine

As some of you may or may not know I have been somewhat um..oh I dunno...depressed, lonely, bored? I can't think of the right word. I'm very grateful for my job and to be doing what I love. I work with some amazing people.But just like any job at some point it becomes very much "old hat". At the same time I have days when the show starts and I hear the kids scream and see their faces light up and my world pauses for a minute and I feel like I am the luckiest guy alive.
This week has been WONDERFUL! I am in Portland, Maine. I stepped off the bus when I got here and I just felt "good" or at least "better" than I had felt in the past few weeks. The atmosphere in this town is a mix between like Ann Arbor, MI and even Chicago but then with the scenery right at the edge of town with the water and lighthouses, not to mention all of the local coffee houses and brewery's! And we all know how much I love me some beer. I have had some awesome pale ale's this week I must say. Oh! I had some good sushi last night too. AND it is a wonderful feeling to say "fuck you" to the starbucks on the corner and go sit at the "java net cafe" across the street and chat with a friend for an hour. Friends.....
I was also very fortunate this week to get a visit from a very good friend, Dawn Difranco. Dawn was my company manager on this tour last year and has since moved onto company manager for "Sesame Street Live" International and also works on "Clifford the big red dog live" and is completing her masters at the same time! I call her Dawny pie hands-her hands are in many a pie. Her visit this week has made me feel like me again. So often on tour you can't talk to people about what is really on your mind because even though you know you can trust the person...you can never really be sure. Dawn I trust with all my heart and I am so happy to call her a good friend. She leaves in a few hours and that saddens me. But then I have one week until I see friends in family in Chicago AND Michigan! Woohoooo! Many thanks to Dawn for lifting this boys spirits this week!
The snow, It snowed today. Okay well, it is STILL snowing and it's gorgeous. that perfect snow, you know? I really like it. But in my true winter fashion I have already lost my gloves and my scarf. Now worries! I head to wal-mart to pick some up in about an hour.
Side note on Portland is that once on a family vacation when I was wee lad I was at a carnival here and rode one of their crazy spinny rides and yaked up a bunch of blue cotton candy, no repeat performance on that one....yet.

what do you say kids? you for the snow or against the snow?
Anyone else ever yak up some blue cotton candy? I dont think I have eaten it since.