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Today was the “Easter Bonnet” which is a Broadway fundraiser for Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS.  I worked on Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” for 5 years of my NYC life.  I dressed the ladies ensemble and was responsible for the Enchantress trick. 

During my time at “Beast” I made some wonderful friends, learned how to SCUBA dive, got kicked in the eye during a fast change, lost a friend/coworker to cancer (he was 37…the age I am now), and met and married my husband.  Lots of life changes.  “Beast” is closing this summer…hence the last year in the “Easter Bonnet”….and all former cast and crew were invited to take part.

I stood on the stage holding the hand of on of my girlfriends and tried to sing the end of the Finale…emphasis on tried.  I really couldn’t stop smiling.  I think I even had goosebumps at one point.  The lights were so bright that I couldn’t see the audience but I tried to look in the direction of my sweet husband who was sitting in the mezzanine.

I realized two things today.  First, I am happy that I choose to leave my profession as a dresser and move on to other things.  However and second, I do miss the companionship that I had at “Beast”.  But, many of the gals I loved the most have also moved on with their lives.   I saw a few of them today…and recaptured the feeling of community that for a short time I shared with some very exceptional and talented folks.

I’m not sure where to start.  I feel deeply affected by the shootings at Virginia Tech.  I myself work for a company the provides student housing with one of our main selling points being the security provided in our buildings.  I first learned of the shooting while walking thru the lobby of the residence where I work which had it’s large screen TV tuned to CNN. 

The victim I feel the most affected by is the Jewish teacher who survived the Holocaust.  Every time I think of the horror that he survived, I can’t imagine what could have possibly been going thru his head while he died.

And the kids, just kids, who we keep being reminded by newscasters how spectacular they were…and how we will never know how spectacular they would have become.

Then my mind turns to the shooter.  It seems that there were many warning signs and signals.  Calling himself “the question mark”, freaking girls out, freaking his english teacher out with disturbing writings.  And, finally…the manifesto that he took the time to mail to NBC in-between his killing sprees.  I just wonder what went so wrong in this kid’s head that he needed to shoot and kill 32 people before turning the gun on himself. 

I was living in Milwaukee when Jeffery Dahmer’s murderous spree was discovered, I even knew one of his victims, and hate to admit that I was not sad when he had his head bashed in while in prison.

But, this kid is affecting me in an entirely different way.  And, maybe that is because I am older and have developed a deeper sense of compassion for people.  I don’t know if it was a cultural issue, a mental health issue, or if he was the evil lunatic that the news is trying to make him into.  By my heart is broken thinking that this kind of tragedy even exists in the world…and that a deeply disturbed kid would have to take 32 lives along with his own just to prove that point.

Today, while walking to work, I was stopped by a nice gal from the ASPCA that informed me today was “National Adopt a Puppy Day”.  I said thanks but two years ago, in January, we did adopt two puppies.  We originally were just going to adopt one, but when I saw “the girls” online I said to my husband….how about two, they’re small??!!

They were all ready named Thelma (left) and Louise (right)…and we thought that it fit.  Even thought they have not tried to jump off any cliffs…thank goodness.  We are not sure of their exact birthday…we were told they were a year old but they grew after we adopted them…we figure they are around three years old.  Thelma usually greets me with her stuffed squirel in her mouth when I get home from work.  Louise can be a bit nervous and sometimes barks at nothing at all.  They are both amazingly alert and sometimes tussel with each other.  Louise loves to watch TV…which is very funny….especially “The Dog Whisperer”.  Cesar Milan would not approve that we let them sleep in bed with us…

So, if you can make the committment to pet ownership, check you local shelter and give an animal a home.  We adopted our “girls” from Animal Haven Shelter http://www.animalhavenshelter.org

This summer is my 20th year anniversary high school reunion.

I would classify myself as “well known” in high school, but definitely not popular. Even my grade school seemed like a popularity contest. First, it seemed like if you weren’t good in sports, you weren’t good in anything…that thanks to Mr. T. the gym teacher. There were even two distinct cliques….the friends of Kris Vasko and the friends of Kim Scheible. Kris was a jock with the most beautiful blond feathered hair and Kim was pretty and allowed to wear makeup at a very young age. I have nothing against either one of these gals…I’m just retelling how it was in elementary school. My dearest friend from age 3 was Cindy Finck. Cindy had a beautiful voice and by all accounts she should have been on Broadway more than I should have…now, she is a very successful nurse.

When I reached Junior High I felt like a whole new person. Finally I had met some really cool girls that were more like me. Wendy Lustig, Sarah Bufton, and Jane Sinagub. There was also David Gilman….ah David. In 8^th grade he dared me to try out for the high school cheerleading squad. I did and made the JV squad as a freshman…which was almost unheard of. The only other freshman girl that made JV was Jill Dreikosen. Funny how we remember peoples first and last names.

Then came high school. I was so socially stupid in high school. I was way to boy crazy for my own good and started dating way too young. That fact really screwed up my friendships with the girls from junior high…and if any of you are ever reading this…I’m Sorry.

Cheerleading was a blast and lead me to a wise woman who was our cheerleading advisor. Shout out to Bette Locklear wherever you are!!! Bette not only taught us how to cheer…she taught us valuable lessons on how to be a good person. I hit a vulnerable point in high school and got sucked into the A of G church. Enough said about that. I also got involved with the high school theatre productions. That seemed to be one of the only places I felt like I could be myself…and of course was much more at ease behind the scenes than on the stage. Who knew that would eventually lead to a job on Broadway.

So, the reunion. I have never attended one. When the 5 year was scheduled I was working in Utah, 10 year, I was out on tour, 20 year…I’m busy in NYC…

I am all ready planning a trip to Wisconsin for later in the summer. And, really…I’m in contact with the people that I knew and cared about. And thanks to classmates.com, have found a few more.

So, I won’t be attending my 20 year reunion. But, I am here…in this very public place…for anyone who would like to find me.

Just the other day I asked my husband Charley if he would create a page so I could start a blog. We have our own domain…which for so long has been “his domain”…and I don’t mean that in a negative or possesive way. He was into IT and doing stuff on the web way before I met him. So, before I begin writing down my thoughts, I first want to offer him thanks….for having this domain and giving me a little slice of it.