What's That Big Yellow Orb In The Sky?

We've had some sunshine for the past 4 days, after some particularly heavy rain and wind.  So heavy that a major dam has developed a leak and 190,000 people had to be evacuated the other night.  It seems to be under control for the moment, but there's more rain predicted later in the week. In the meantime, everyone is enjoying the sun like we haven't seen it in years.  It's almost as if we've forgotten that we've been in the worst recorded drought in California history for nearly half a decade.

I went to my audition on Saturday, and it was SO MUCH FUN!   I did my monologue, then came back to read a couple of scenes from the play.  The director, as it turns out, also runs a Shakespeare festival and asked me to audition for "Hamlet" in the Fall.  Which was nice!  So, even if I don't get this show, there's a chance I'll get to do one later in the year.

Hope you had a nice Valentine's Day (if you celebrate it).  I'm gonna head off to bed.  Nighty-night!

Biting the Bullet, and Laughing

I can't stay up to watch "Saturday Night Live" when it airs, but thankfully we now have YouTube.
Back in the olden days, the court jester was the only person who could tell the truth without getting his head (literally) knocked off.  Usually.  And now we have shows like SNL and The Daily Show and Samantha Bee, among others.

If you haven't seen Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer, go watch.  Now.  It's OK, I'll wait...

...See, I don't think it matters where your political leanings lay (lie?), that's funny stuff!  Of course, you may disagree.  And that's your prerogative.
At least for the time being...

It's also a great stress reliever.  Laughter IS the best medicine, after all.


And, in other parts of Life, I have an audition this Saturday.  Nothing earth-shattering, but it's for a Shakespeare-inspired production at a small theater in Silicon Valley.  The theater is actually right next to the Pilates studio where I did most of my teacher training.  :)
I'm not expecting to get the job as I have a feeling they're looking mainly for 20-something actors.  But I haven't auditioned in nearly 13 years, and it'll be good to get, as they say, back in the saddle again.  And it's Shakespeare, so it's right up my alley.
Plus, as I write this, "Henry V" is on television.  Which I'm taking as a good sign.

So. That's all the news for now.  It's been raining like crazy , so I'm going to go dry off.

See ya!

Ways To (Hopefully) Curb Anxiety

I went to the Women's March in San Francisco.  Apparently, by some estimates, there were 100,000 of us there.  It was heartening, to say the least.
It felt good to be taking action.  I'm now looking for places to volunteer, to counteract the horror show that is the current political climate.

Because if I don't, I might just explode.  My weight is up a few pounds, and my skin keeps breaking out.  It's like having Permanent Menstrual Syndrome. And I desperately need more sleep.

But there are other things I can do NOW to counteract the tension.  Tapping (EFT), sitting quietly/meditating, yoga, and walking.  And dance parties!  I always forget how good it feels just to turn on some good tunes and move around.  Especially when my kids join in: They don't care that I dance like an overly-caffeinated flamingo (lots of arm-flapping and kicking).

And, of course, having a nice warm puppy to snuggle with helps a lot.

I mustn't forget that this Sunday is the Superbowl.  Which, to me, means one thing: PUPPY BOWL ON ANIMAL PLANET!!!!!!!!!!
I mean, sure, the Patriots are playing, and my brother is working high-level security, but...well...I've just never been a football fan.  I'll watch the halftime show.  That totally counts, right?

I finally got my car fixed.  I'd been rear-ended back in October. The other driver was completely cool about it, and his insurance is covering all the repairs.  So far, at least.  ;)  I dropped the car off on Monday and picked it up this morning.  So I've been taking advantage of our fantastic public transpo, and also walking A LOT.  As I mentioned above, walking is a great stress-reducer for me.  And it's also the best way to keep my weight down.  Don't get me wrong, I love my free weights and Spin bike and Pilates and yoga and barre, but for weight management, walking just works for me.

I also went to a different Weight Watchers meeting this week.  Since I didn't have my car, I skipped Tuesday and went today, instead.  In order to keep my free Lifetime membership, I have to weigh in at my first meeting of the month.  So I stepped on the scale, even though I'm up 5 POUNDS since last week!  (I figure it's mostly a combination of hormones and stress).  And the leader was REALLY great about it.  She reminded me not to freak out over the number on the scale, and to take care of myself from the inside.

Today I got 20,000 + steps on my Fitbit.  Between the walk from Caltrain to the body shop (dodging incoming high school students all the way), walking the dog, and a nice walk after dinner, I got plenty of hoofing time.

And I AM feeling calmer.
Finally!

During my walk tonight I listened to the interview Peter Capaldi gave to the BBC on Monday night, in which he revealed that this coming season will be his last on "Doctor Who."  He started to get very emotional, and I have to say that I was right there with him.  He's brilliant, and I'm going to miss him on the show.  But It'll be exciting to see what he does next.

OK.  Bedtime.  Nighty-night!