happy halloween!

I can't remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween. My mom and some of my friends are luky in that dressing up is de rigeur at their jobs (in schools!) and I helped them get their costumes together. Each year in the IRC (Information Resource Center - or what we geezers in the class of 97 called: THE LIBRARY) the friendly staff dresses up as a book cover and there is a contest to see who can guess the most. This year, Mama C is "Fly Girl" (I tried to convince her to dress up like J. Lo, but she was not going for it...)

fall trix (and treats)

I kind of like fall - crisp, brightly colored leaves (that have been looking so pretty and vibrant against our darkened skies lately). It's time to bust out the sweaters (or buy new ones. What? I like to shop AND be warm)new boots (I bought not one but TWO new pairs already. But to be fair, one of those is pair of Merrells for the snow. That's practical. Right?), weather that requires a jacket but yet is still warm enough for me to don cute skirts to work, honey crisp apples and the newest revelation, honey crisp CIDER, which is clearly the nectar of the gods, the toffee nut latte, when I am in the mood for coffee, or a tangy ginger peach tea. Halloween is in the air too, and so there are pumpkins and pumpkin pie (if you like that kind of thing which actually, I don't). Even the animals at the LP Zoo got to have some fall treats... I am a big sucker for tigers and so I feel the need to share these with you... They are so cute, playin' wid their punkins, I can't even stand it.

But anyway. This being Chicago, fall will abruptly give way to gusty winds, freezing temps and snow. Joy to the world. So let's enjoy our fall while we can, huh?

some halloween costume ideas...

From Time Out New York - costume ideas for your inner theater geek... (just lemme get some hairspray...)

The three ages of Patti LuPone. This would be good for a threesome (of either gender): Breakthrough Evita Patti, Mid-career Anything Goes Patti, and Apotheosis Mama Rose Patti. What you’ll need: a ball gown, lots of hairspray and a brace of microphones taped to your belly for Breakthrough Patti; a sailor suit and curly wig for Mid-career Patti; and a simple red dress and (if you’re willing to shell out) a giant Christmas-light sign that says “Rose” for Apotheosis Patti. Optional: a fourth buddy who can follow along a few feet behind, using a cell phone to photograph the group. Apotheosis Patti should occasionally round on this member and wig out.

Read more: http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/upstaged/2009/10/scare-yourself-in-stages-halloween-costumes-for-theater-people/#ixzz0VEqn2xLZ

But me? I just bought a costume at our Costume Vault sale going on today. It's a killer LBD and is from a William Forsythe ballet called Love Songs.

tonight the super trouper beams are gonna blind me...

ABBA Tuesday: It's baaaack!!! I know you missed it! This video is awesome on so many levels - the rhyme of "Glasgow" and "last show"... the hair... the outfits... Anyway. For the longest time, I was unaware that a super trouper was a kind of stage light. So I thought that this song was about some kind of crazy cop or something. But the light (hahaha) went on (the beam blinded me... but I did not feel blue, like I always do. Cuz somewhere in the crowd there's you...) and it makes much more sense now(ish).

An audience with Renée Fleming - Times Online

It's been a while since I have blogged about the divine awesomeness that is Renee Fleming. She really is amazing - the voice like an angel, the perfume, the dessert, all of the fame but none of the attitude. Whenever I have been fortunate enough to spend time in her presence, she is warm, easy to speak to (not that I am able to untie my tongue long enough to create coherent sentences), thoughtful and kind. She is so deserving of all the accolades heaped upon her. If you have the chance to see her, go.

An audience with Renée Fleming - Times Online

kitchen confidential...

So last night I made a new recipe - "BLT" Risotto - with a few substitutions, naturally. The recipe called for pancetta, but I used regular bacon and the "L" was actually supposed to be lettuce, used spinach instead. So I guess it was a BST risotto. The recipe came from the Rachael Ray magazine (shut up. Obnoxious she may be, but her magazine is chock full of awesome.) and it was easy(ish) to make. Risotto is fairly bitchy, just because of the time it takes to cook the rice, adding the broth, 1/2 cup by 1/2 cup, getting it perfectly al dente. Not, clearly, as bitchy as the "bitch rice" referred to in Julie & Julia but time consuming nonetheless. Ultimately rewarding. It was consumed while watching America's Next Top Model and then Glee. It was quite tasty and I brought leftovers for lunch, which is the best feeling in the world - not having to eat Lean Cuisine "food."

This weekend, when I am not at the theater, I am planning to make a cherry caramel bread pudding. I will keep you all posted. This will be my first bread pudding!

Othello...

A glimpse behind the scenes...

Othello from MSmith on Vimeo.

god, that's good...

So I just finished reading Julie & Julia and was inspired.... to cook. I can make an awesome risotto, and a really fierce uh... scrambled egg (no joke!) and I can bake up a storm, but I want to try more things. This is not going to devolve into a Kristen/Julia Project. It's not happening every night, but when I feel like it. I am not utilizing MtAoFC, because I could not stand the butter content and I don't have time in the evenings for 17 page recipes. Or brains. Or liver. Or aspic with anything. But yeah. Watch this space. And if you're nice, I'll even share some of my cuisine with you.

do the hustle!!

First group dance on Dancing with the Stars last night... the hustle! Worth every cheese and mirrorball moment.

miscellaneous thought of the day

Over the weekend, I spent most of my time at the Auditorium Theatre, working at our performances of Othello. Let me just say - the production is sublime. It's really amazing, very high quality and classic. Stunning projected sets, elegant costumes, gorgeous dancing and a great cast. I saw it twice this weekend and will see it again next weekend - come on out, it's dance at its most amazing.

But anywho. Shameless promotion aside, my point actually is - I was at the theater and I took Metra, in order to save myself from paying a million dollars in parking at Grant Park south. While I was waiting at Union Station, a lady came wandering up to me asking me what train I was waiting for, why we weren't all getting on the train sitting on the other side of the platform (uh, because it's not going to the same place?), etc. It was her first time taking the train and she was anxious. Which is fine. People always ask me directions. On the train they ask if the train stops at Fox Lake or wherever they happen to be going. And I do my best to be helpful, although to be honest, I am a bit hazy about where the thing goes after I get off. I sort of stop caring after we arrive in the MG okay? Once someone even asked me how much the fare was from Union Station to somewhere random. Why would I ever even know that? But still. I can be patient. I can be nice (really. I can.) So I dug out my schedule and helped her figure out the fare. I explained flag stops to someone. I guess I look friendly, or knowledgeable, or like I am a Woman Who is Going Places.

My point here is this - why can't any nice looking (single) GUYS aske me for the time, or directions, or how much the fare is to Mars (seriously. one of the other trains - not mine - goes somewhere called Mars.)????

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum

You know how sometimes when you are in a mood, music can really help? For a while, for me, it was opera - but you know when you're in a really pissed off mood, that really doesn't help a whole lot. Revenge aria my ass. All you really want the fat lady to do is to go and sit on somebody or kick some serious butt. And sometimes happy peppy Swedish pop music does the trick for me.

But sometimes... you really needs some angsty Irish rock. So here you go. From the Philosopher Hewson & co, one of my favorite U2 songs possibly ever (why didn't they play it live for us??) - turn it on, turn it up, live it, love it. No stress, only love & a rocket ship.

dear heidi, i will never question you again!

I thought for all these years that you were making up this song but now I see the truth. I will never question you again (until, of course, I do).

schnappi, das kleine krokodil

vikings do it better...

Celebrate your favorite Viking today (no, not him... the other one) - it's Leif Erikson Day! Just think, we could be called the United States of Leif or something. And be speaking Norweigan. And enjoy lots of... cod. I don't know. Whatever. Let's dance!

V is for Viking!
V is for Victory!

Everybody - RUMBLE!

when life imitates ABBA....

Crazy craziness - we open a week from tomorrow (buy your tickets, already!) Things here are busy busy! So originally, I was going to make you work for your ABBA Tuesday video, since all of the good ones CAN'T be imbedded!

But youtube is being a massive pain in my ass and not linking this right, so here are your choices:
A.) you can try going here for today's selection - which is the best video. If it doesn't work go to you tube and search Abba Under Attack for the real selection.
B.) Eschew my ABBA Tuesday and look for your own video. Whatever floats your collective boats, babies. All I'm trying to do is bring a little joy in the form of Swedish pop into your lives. or
C.) Watch the below. Same song, but live version that is embeddable. It's much fun for many reasons.

Arts can help Chicago realize Olympic ambitions - The Theater Loop

Yes!!

Arts can help Chicago realize Olympic ambitions - The Theater Loop

Shared via AddThis

better them than us...

So yes - my dream of attending an Olympics will not happen in Chicago 2016. I wished it would have been closer, as it really sucks being the first ones eliminated (I mean, really? Madrid? Really?). But I'm happy for you, Rio. And if was a betting sort of woman, I would have made a whole pile of money, predicting you as the victor. Here's a video for ya. It's Patti and I love it.

happy birthday, heidi!

Welcome to Club 30, my friend!

singalong with the tenors... to BRAZIL!

You may be wondering why the sudden fascination with Brazil... am I just longing for warmer weather and sun? The delightful lilting sounds of Portugese? Carnival? Carne asada (wait, is that Brazilian?)? Or have I turned into a Chicagoan for Rio in 2016?? I am deeply undecided about the Olympics. On the one hand, it is the worst idea in the history of ideas. I can think of about a million things that we would be better of spending these billions of dollars on, and none of them is the Olympics. On the other hand, I love my city, it is really exciting to think about the Games being here, and of course, I have a kickass idea for the opening ceremony (as you all know).

However, I REALLY HATE being bossed around by Oprah. So yeah, I guess I am rooting for Rio.