Camp Fabulous!  Gala 2008

It’s officially fall!  The air is chilly, and I’m sitting here in my Yale hoodie (did I mention my best friend is going to Yale for grad school.. I’m a little proud…)  

And I’m not at school.  This is the second year this has occurred, but I’m still not used to it.  I mean- when you go to school for fourteen years or something ridiculous- it’s a little hard to train your body and your biological clock to not automatically associate early sunsets and crisp nights with having classes and moving back into a dorm.  But alas here I am- and once again I am so ok with it.

Not being in school that is, not necessarily being home…. In Maine (although everyone else thinks it's pretty cool...)

Let me back up a little bit.  I am still coming down from a really surreal, emotional, intensely fabulous weekend.  It involved another camp fundraiser that Maisy was in, but for the first time, I was not in the show.  I spent the weekend trying to figure out what my role was, but in the end I did discover it and was completely thrilled.  I had an alumni committee meeting the day of the gala, and it’s a small group of people made up of campers, counselors, and board members.  It’s quite an honor considering how many people have graduated from there in 20 years!  We discussed opportunities for alumni events, and went over the beginning seed of a social networking site (a la facebook) that will just be for camp alumni.   There were some great things discussed, and it’s good to know I am not done with my camp involvement.  …and I have a feeling I won’t be for some time.

I don’t know how to explain this without sounding arrogant, and I want to preface by saying that is not my intention at all- but I am kind of a big deal there.  People from the board of directors were bringing me around to meet people to tell them about camp (specifically, former Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax…)  and I would introduce myself to people saying, “I’m Mallory,”  80% of the time their response was “Oh, I know!  I saw you in New York!  (or… on the video… or the giant banner at the 20^th reunion)”  It was kind of amazing.  I mean… I chalk myself up to being pretty fabulous around here… but to see it was true there was kind of intense. 

 

Not to mention the schmoozing and chilling I did with some fabulous theater folk.  I have gotten pretty tight with the musical director of the show (what is it with me befriending musical directors? ) Mary-Mitchell Campbell since she did my first gala in 1998, and we’ve been working together for 10 years.  She knows I’m pretty knowledgeable about the world of Broadway and is the one who hooked me with front row seats to Next to Normal, back in March.  The director (James Naughton) and all the costume people and even the stage crew know who I am, so I basically had free run of the theater and spent the first afternoon watching the sound crew work to get things ready.  It was a little weird to not have to be in rehearsal, so I had a lot of free time, and that night I found myself having pizza and wine in the dining hall with some lovely sound boys!  I am not one to mingle with techies usually, but my perception has totally changed!  One of them works on Hairspray and Jersey Boys on Broadway, and the other (who totally reminded me of Anthony Rapp) was leaving for Rome with Liza Minelli!  ...and of course they were all from New York.  

The next night was the an incredible, catered, surf and turf dinner where all the camp, board, and theater people came together for a night of celebrating everything that was going to occur the next day.  It was my first time of what happens after the campers go to bed, and it was amazing.  The dining hall was transformed into a candlelit dinner reminiscent of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Mary Mitchell quickly found me and asked if I had met Tituss yet (Tituss Burgess- of Sebastian in the Little Mermaid, and Jersey Boys fame) I said I hadn’t and she quickly introduced us. He was absolutely lovely and joined us in the festivities til almost 2 a.m!  Nothing like partying like a Broadway Rockstar…

.

I ended up chatting for quite some time with someone from the main camp office who works on the promotion of camp.   I mentioned to him how in school I was a creative writing major and had written a piece about camp for my portfolio. In it I had said “Camp isn’t something that can be described with words.”  And the critique I receive was, “But you’re a writer… you have to!”  He replied that he totally understood what I meant, because that is his job is to portray camp so it will receive funding.  Long story short, we really connected and he wants me to speak to the board at some point!  It was the most amazing, thrilling networking I’ve ever done.  And I realized one thing.  I was passionate. I cared.  I was honest.  I was me 105%.  That's the thing about camp...

The next day was the day of the show and GALA Day!  I had my alumni meeting, and then we attended the auction which was completely overwhelmingly powerful!  One of my old counselors, Bud was there, so I sat by him (Aka Calvin Trillin

Keith Richards auctioned off a guitar that went for $30,000 (which one of my friends and I had to help set up earlier in the day!  Ahem…) 

Sandy Kofax (who I had mingled with earlier and had NO IDEA ….I fail) auctioned off a signed bottle of champagne he won in the World Series.  Alec Baldwin was there hanging out and bid $12,000 which he ended up giving to the guy who was bidding against him.

Among other things, we got the most choked up when a poster of Paul Newman in Exodus had speed fire bidding and went for $30,000.  Remember- all of the money made goes to the camp, so kids with serious illnesses can attend for free. You really have to be there to understand the power of it all, but it was such an amazing experience, I was so thrilled to be a part of it. 

When it was time for the show, we ended up being in the third show, between Sandy Kofax (who by now I knew pretty well!)…and Lissy Newman…and her kids.  Making them the Newman grandchildren.  The show was incredible.  It was such a thrill to be on the other side of the stage and to see what happened in the audience.  It was so incredible to be seeing my baby sister who has been doing camp fundraisers since she was four, up there on stage, now transformed into a chorus line showgirl sharing a stage with Bette Midler.  Not to mention that when I was four, my mom and I used to dance in her bedroom to Bette Midler… now we were watching our baby up there singing with her!  I kept elbowing my mom saying “did ya ever think!!?!!!”

At one point, Lissy got up and gave a speech on behalf of her family.  She didn’t intend too, but she knew she had too.  I cried harder than I had cried all day.  Later that night I saw her in the dining hall and talked to her.  I told her I was so happy she could be there, and it was so important that those blue eyes could have a presence there that night.

After the show, I bypassed the masses and just went back stage to see my baby sis.  The only person guarding the door was Matt (my Anthony Rapp sound guy) and he said “uh, I dunno, you guys have pretty much been here for the run… go ahead!”  I got to the green room right as Bette was finishing taking pics with the kids, and I swooped in to congratulate my sister on an amazing job.  I was so proud of her.  It has always been us, but this was ALL HER.  And she rocked it

The next morning there was breakfast to be had with Jim Naughton and his family, and John Pizzarelli and his lovely daughter Maddie (who reminds me so much of Maisy!)  He is married to Jessica Molaskey (Songs for a New World anyone?) and they are the most enjoyable, down to earth people ever!  They were incredible performers too.  I got to thank them for being a part of the gala, and it was so cool.  I think that’s another thing about camp is how it is so humanizing and really lets you just get to know celebs like regular people….cause…well they are!

So… now I’m home.
and a little lost.
The more I travel and do fabulous things I realize THAT’S where I’m at home.  I like being known, I like doing big things.  It’s starting to really hit me that people say, when I tell them I’m from Maine “…you’re so much more than that!”  I’m starting to believe it myself.

I know, I know everything will happen when it’s meant to, but I just felt something so powerful… I don’t think we have seen the last of each other!  Even if I have to pay $1500 to go to another gala, I’ll do it.  I need to be there.  I need that sense of fulfillment that I don’t get anywhere else.
I guess bottom line, I just realized, once again what is really important, that I AM a big deal, and that I shouldn’t let silly Maine drama get me down.  I have great things going for me.  People know who I am, and some day, when I’m ready, all my ducks will fall in line and I WILL end up where I’m meant to be, doing what I’m meant to do.

Everything else… is only for now ;-)

xoxo

California Dreamin'!

It's so weird, because I think doing my nails inspires me to write. I love the sound of nails on my keyboard. It's therapeutic, even when everything else is driving me nuts. I just did my nails hot pink (well, magenta) for the beach tomorrow for Maisy's birthday, and thus feel the need to write about everything that's gone on since last time! I can't believe she's going to be 15.... ugh. That scares me....

Anyway. California was amazing. As anticlimactic as Miami was, that was how awesome Cali was! We flew into San Diego, where Danielle met us to drive us back to L/A with her and Joe for two days. We did everything. We went to Pinkberry and had dinner on Sunset Blvd right next to Ketchup, (which was totally where Jason and Lauren ran into Heidi and Spencer...). Then we went and walked around Beverly Hills for awhile before going home. I won't describe every minute, but the next day was shopping, lunch in Malibu, and more sightseeing.
The last day with Danielle, we went to Manhattan Beach before driving back to San Diego and we had our final stop at Starbucks together, and I bought an adorable Roxy purse at Diane's surf shop where the lovely girls of Laguna shopped for Cabo....ahem.





Every minute was fun, and I was totally reminded of why she was (and that she really is) my best friend, which of course also made it a lot harder to leave her once again. It was awesome to reminisce and talk about how we had not imagined ourselves being able to hang out in LA back when we were in high school, but we had both known we wanted something more than rural Maine...which is why we were both out there and other people were home with babies in trailers....(not there is anything wrong with babies, if that's what you want to invest your prime years in, but it was the it happened for a lot of people...)

Leaving was hard. We had a last dinner together at a sushi restaurant in San Diego and I checked into my hotel (which was pretty gorgeous and had an amazing pool). It was definitely hard to switch into conference mode for the 8th annual Oley Conference after being in superstar/Hollywood mode and having to focus on my "medical issues" but balancing the two is what I'm known for I guess. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.
It was really emotional to all of a sudden thrown into a world where TPN was everywhere, and all the people were hooked up. I guess I didn't really expect to be phased by it, but it was an overwhelming sense of "coming home," if you will- to see everyone else dealing with the same issues as me. For those reasons, the first day was kind of rough for my mom and I (and that fact that once again, my phone and computer were all screwing up at once so I couldn't even connect with the people from home)
I won't go into too much detail, cause a conference is a conference, but it was such a wonderful experience. I met some amazing people, specifically young men about my age, who, by the end of the week, we were finishing each other's sentences. All the twenty somethings got to go on a Trolley tour and see San Diego, which was so incredible (but a little too long was the general consensus) and Alicia, our moms and I went to Old Town one night for dinner in a pseudo Mexican town (where my mom had actually already been the last time she went, which was really kind of ironic). We definitely made the most of every moment we had.

The last day was the "picnic" which was actually by the pool at our hotel, so the scheduled activity was to hang out by the gorgeous pool all day. Absolutely perfect. mom and I grabbed some chairs fairly early and just talked to people all day. That was when some serious bonding took place. I also got the chance to really network with the lovely woman who does the Oley newsletter. We've talked a little since then and she wants me to write an article for the newsletter about transition for both parents and youth. Yay poolside networking!
I also really spoke up about my experiences, and told people about my work now, and they invited me to come back next year to help plan the "transition" session for the young adults, which I'm really excited about! My family is already just assuming we're going to go, and hopefully make a vacation out of it. There was definitely a void without the dad and sister there. It's also in St. Petersburg Florida which doesn't hurt.

Looking back, I realized I got so much more out of attending Oley than I thought I would. I had some preconceived notions from the last time I went and was ready to go to simply learn, and share the information I knew, but what I came away with was a realization of (once again) how lucky I really am, to have such a handle on my health and be able to live such a normal life, AND that there are other, REALLY COOL people doing the same thing, and we really are "all in this together." I made some amazing friends, got to see some old ones and had an awesome time, and I am definitely an Oley fan for life!

More to come, it has been such an eventful summer but I've been bad with updating. Stay tuned!


As always, for more pics:
Los Angeles!

More Cali with Danielle!

Oley in San Diego!



xoxo The Mal

Behold, the power of a facial!

So, following up from my birthday post, my party was FABULOUS.
There are pictures: here
But it was absolutely perfect. The only thing I would've changed is that Colin would've been there, but he spoiled me crazy on my actual birthday, so it balanced out (we ate all day long- Espo's, Applebee's, and Starbucks of course, and he bought me Enchanted on DVD....which we saw together). This whole birthday was amazing!

Yesterday, mom and I drove down to Vermont for a conference I was presenting at today. As some of you know, I've been feeling sort of...in a rut, in regards to my work lately, so I was really not looking forward to coming. We had no air conditioner driving down, so it was a little annoying, but soon we got a rainstorm and began driving up the mountain and it cooled right down!
We found a random amazing restaurant on the way up since the restaurant in the hotel was closed for the season. Silly skiiers! We ended up having an amazing dinner, and I slept wonderfully. I always manage to sleep better in hotels bed, than my own (hmm...maybe I need a new bed.....)
Before we turned in however, Patti showed up to go over our presentations, and I mentioned how I had noticed that the presentation they had us down for on the agenda was not the 2nd powerpoint she had sent me. Then something incredible happened. We began a new Powerpoint, and she created 2 new blank slides and said "Here. These are yours."
I looked at the situation and figured I could do 2 things. I could just say "I can't think of anything...", or I could run with my two slides and begin proving what I AM capable of.
I chose the 2nd one. I made one slide a list of what I have learned in my life that I would like to relay to others, and the other one was a collage of pictures of things I've done to prove there are no limitations, and anything is possible if you're willing to find a way!
After hardly even looking forward to the conference, I went to bed feeling actually EXCITED for our presentation, which I had really not felt in a long time.

I woke up energized and excited to make the most of the day, no matter how it went.
The day began with our keynote speaker, Scott Chesney. He was absolutely wonderful, and everything echoed my life to a T. He overcame his challenges and did everything he wanted. He even had a job in PR in NYC. Hello. Did somebody call him and say "Hi Scott, Mal is going to this conference, and is really questioning everything in her life right now. Anyway you could give a speech and bring her spark back?" Because that is exactly what happened. He made me remember anything really is possible, and what kind of a person I really am. I don't settle, I don't get trapped. I make the most out of every moment and follow my heart. I always have and I'm not going to stop now.
I spoke with him after, and he even said he'd e-mail me and put my name in with his people in NY! Eeeeep! Overall, I was just transformed.

During the speech I also got a phone call that my beloved purple Fit I met when my mom was car shopping, can indeed be adapted!!!! There was an automatic blackberry pearl Honda Fit coming in this week, unclaimed. My dad put a deposit on it today, and let's just say NOW IT'S CLAIMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The universe is completely on my side this month.

With this news I was completely amped for our presentations, and they both went wonderfully. I didn't hold back. when I wanted to say something I did, and I was MYSELF. I was me again, and that was all it took. I wasn't afraid of not knowing the information absolutely perfectly, I just dove in head first and had fun, and the audience did too. It was excellent.
All in all, the entire day put me in such a good place I'm ready to take on the world!

Before we went to dinner, we had some time to kill, so I decided to investigate the spa. I wanted a mani or pedi, but they didn't have a nail tech. I felt so good about the day I decided to reward myself with a facial.
I t was worth every penny, and I can't even describe it. It was borderline spiritual.
I mean, how often do you just lay there quietly, thinking peacefully while taking care of yourself. I just kept thinking about all the good things in my life and how absolutely lucky I was. It was like a trance. I pretty much did not want to move after. It was so rejuvenating, and I felt like a totally movie star.
I'm hooked now. there will be another one before Cali (I get to go to California.... I got my dream car.... I get facials)
I think these conferences really wake me up to how lucky I am, and how much I take for granted. I'm going to work on that. and I'm going to write my book. Because I can.

I know it sounds cheesey, but I really got an awakening and am ready to tackle this summer for everything it's worth. I have too much going for me to complain. I need to just DO.

So.... here's to a new summer. A new car, and refound gratitude for everything I have!

Cheers.




(as always, you can read more about my travels here: http://divajetsetter.blogspot.com )

Spring's Awakening!


I have so much amazing stuff going on right now, it's ridiculous. It's actually 53 degrees outside right now, and the snow is melting (I'm afraid to say it.....) I'm sitting here with my window open, in shorts (pj's....but still) and it's just divine. I
I've been so energized and pumped, and as for my social life picking up in April, that has definitely been rocking as well. I've had a dinner date like every night this week, last week Matt and I went out and played Wii (then I hurt for like 3 days...), and Jordan and I planned a wine and cheese party last weekend that was absolutely superb! Shan came down, and we got all pretty and went over early to help him set up and cook, then everyone else got there and we just drank wine and talked, and oh my goodness I have not laughed so hard in forever.
It was amazing. Robin was there, from high school, and we reminisced about everyone and high school, and it was such a mind trip.

I also randomly reconnected with Jake, who, for awhile, (I won't lie...) I had some mixed feelings about. I sort of still do, but we've both grown up a lot and I think we can really relate to each other right now, being young and successful and doing things bigger than Maine. I'm really trying to connect with people like that right now. I need to realize I'm an adult and take advantages of opportunities given to me, and connect ith people I know....

I'm going to be going to California in June for the Oley conference, which is just for people on TPN! I talked to work about it, and told them how bad I wanted to go, and how much I feel I could not only learn, but offer to others, since people on TPN seem to get sort of hung up on transition.... I'm kind of a big deal.... (lol, but it's true)
AND I told Danielle I was coming over and I think we're going to go down a few days early to spend time with her and Joey in L/A. Can we say excited? I wanted to go to Cali soooooo bad, now it's just happening. Wow. It'll be amazing.

Speaking of amazing, I also booked a room yesterday for my birthday party. I had a training in January at a place nearby and it was so beautiful I decided I need to have a party (and because my 21 and 16....were a little lackluster). I'm so excited!


anyway I need to run, I'm on a phone call for work and then Andrea and I are going to get some dinner, cause it's goooorgeous out!



xoxo

Miami!

I got home from Miami around midnight on Sunday night. It was decent, albeit not what I had hoped it to be. Basically the best day was the first one when we ended up not having to go to any of the conference stuff.

Mom and I woke up had an incredible breakfast in our room (Miami officially has the best smoked Salmon....even better than NYC) then we got fabulous and took a cab to South Beach.

We rented chaises and spent a little over an hour on the beach. Good thing we didn't stay any longer cause I did start to get sunburned but it was beautiful, and there was a breeze that kept it from being too hot. The spring breakers were definitely fun to look at too ;-)
We walked the street a little bit and decided to have lunch at a Cuban restaurant, which was fun, and it was a good way to watch people walk by. We did a little bit of shopping, and caught a cab two stores before I saw a MAC store! AAAAGH!!!! (luckily I did find one later and finally scored some Fafi)

When we got back to the hotel, we decided not to waste a minute and moved the party down to the pool, which proved to be absolutely unreal. It was heated and beautiful, and we got drinks at the poolside bar, which were also incredible.

That was the only thing I really had my mind set on, was tropical drinks by the pool.... good thing we did it on Day 1!

While we were at the pool I randomly found a gold/diamond bracelet on the ground.... obviously I didn't think twice, and gave it in to the bartender (I don't wear gold.... and I have a conscience) so while we were enjoying our drinks, the owner of it came running down and when the bartender gave it to her, she told her i had found it, and the woman (who ended up being a member of our conference) thanked me profusely. I was half hoping she would give me a cash reward or something... but that didn't happen. It made me happy to be able to help her out though cause that would totally happen to me! After that, every time I saw her in the hotel she told anyone she was with "that's the girl that found my bracelet!!!!" It was cute.

(randomly- the view from our room)

Anyway.... we ended up meeting up with people from the conference and eating dinner in Bayside (Bubba Gump shrimp.... not my choice, but we had a nice waiter named Angel and the food was decent, so it was ok)

The next day was pretty uneventful, I couldn't really go outside due to my lovely sunburn I got in the hour and a half we were on the beach, but I had my presentation that day anyway so it didn't really matter. The presentation went really well, but I've learned that I get really drained after.
It takes a lot out of me emotionally to hear everyone's stories and realize how screwed up the system really is. It also makes me think a lot about my future... which makes me very tired...
Do I want to do this my whole life? Do I want to dig deeper to make a difference or do I want to just say "Screw it all, I made it out!" And work for a magazine somewhere..... Every time I go to a conference I go back and forth I just know I need to start the process of moving out. Every time I come back to Maine I realize how much I dislike it and I'm really starting to say "What is here for me?" I'm not in school anymore, a lot of my friends are gone. I just don't know. I need to start thinking about what I want for my life I think. It's scary. But what isn't scary is that I'm set for now... and nobody is pressuring me to do anything, I just need to start thinking seriously about it.

The next 2 days, the days we had set aside for actual vacationing, IT RAINED. POURED, MONSOONED, FLOODED. I was pissed.

Luckily, there was an amazing mall right by our crappy second hotel that we switched to when we were on our dime (another bummer... but that's a whole other entry....) and I bought adorable juicy sunglasses!!!! And finally made that Fafi haul.
We spent time with my aunt and uncle and baby cousin, and they took us around which was nice too. We had dinner on Lincoln Rd, and the day it poured we hit the mall and just drove around all day basically, then had an amazing home cooked meal, which actually hit the spot.

I was sort of bummed we didn't get to do more tourist stuff like oh you know THE BEACH AND SUN, but it was nice that we didn't have to sit in our hotel watching TV all day....
They invited us over for Easter too which was pretty nice. It would've been weird without being family on Easter. We went over first thing in the morning...we were itching to get out of our hotel as early as possible, and my aunt and uncle made us a fabulous brunch with mimosas. My aunt even made my mom and I Easter baskets (so I ended up getting two, because my Easter Bunny is a jetsetter and there was totally one in our hotel. He put it on my bed when I got up to go pee in the morning and my reaction in the dark was "OMG WHAT IS ON MY BED....ITS LIKE A SMALL ANIMAL OR SOMETHING" It wasn't. It was a gift card to the spa and Starbucks and peeps. Lovely.
After brunch we all took family pictures and just chilled watching the 10 Years younger marathon and judged ugly people. Then we had to go to the airport.

So our flight could not leave for two hours until after we boarded because obviously we brought more thunderstorms with us to the airport.
It was such a long day, at this point we both just wanted to be home (not in the "Be back to Maine" sense, but to be with our family, in our own beds) We were supposed to fly into Portland at about 10 which we thought was late anyway, but we ended up not getting in til about midnight due to all the delays. Stupid weather.

So yea. In conclusion, it was a good time but far from what we had hoped and I definitely want to plan a trip to go back down, without work obligation and hopefully with the entire family, it was a little weird not having Mais with us! I was sad.
She's coming with us to Wisconsin in a few weeks but that's.... not quite the same. I'm sure we'll make the most of it, but I seriously wish I had not been like Eeyore and had a giant rain cloud over me in Florida.... that was kind of the light at the end of a long tunnel of blah.

But oh well...so is life, and hopefully there will be more opportunities.
Now I need to start planing for Wisconsin and in the mean time try to reconnect with some of my friends I haven't seen since before my wisdom teeth surgery! Seriously!!

Also- I created another blog, of reviews of all my travel experiences, without all the narration, so if you want nitty gritty reviews go there. If you want my rambling... stay here. Or be cool and read both. Your call but here it is! http://divajetsetter.blogspot.com/

Next up: Eau Claire, WI with my mom and sister! Not Miami, but I'm pretty excited!
As for Maine.. spring is welcome to appear any day now. I'm over this snow in April crap. that is so last year!


xoxo-
Mal

So I've gotten in a huge writing rut again, but what better fodder to get going again then an amazing NYC event? I think yes.

Let me rewind a bit and recap the pretty rough month of February. I basically didn't write because there just wasn't anything to say.
I got my wisdom teeth out on the 1st (after being on IV antibiotics and in the hospital for five days). It actually went really well, but the pain lasted for like 3 weeks and it was just really hard. I had been on such a high from how everything was going then I'm knocked on my ass again in surgery mode and am eight teeth less than I was before.
Then I was just beginning to feel better from that, and I got the evil flu that was going around. I was in all bed all weekend with fever and chills and just felt horrible. I ended up going to the dentist with a fever, to get my teeth cleaned because I had to get my braces put on the next day (the 26th)

2 days later I left for DC.
That was actually pretty cool. I did a presentation on Celebratory Learning, and we went out to some crazy nice restaurants. It was also nice to be down there where it was about 70 degrees when here it was icing, snowing and sleeting. Overall it was pretty sweet, other than the fact that my mouth hurt the entire time and I felt like a three year old learning how to eat....stupid braces. I'm getting better though. My self-confidence is finally getting back where it was (like I could lose it right? I was shocked myself)
We were a bit worried we weren't going to be able to fly home because of the ice storm expected up north, but luckily it was just rain by the time we got there, and we got home fine. Which was awesome, because we had exactly one day to do laundry, repack and drive to NYC!!!!!

We drove down a day early, because otherwise we would've gotten there after a 6 hour drive and had to rehearse, which wouldn't have been fair to the show people, or me and Maisy cause we would've been fried.
Since we were going in a night early, I decided it would be a sin not to see a show, so I scored some discount Tickets to RENT. Also, it's closing in June, and Maisy is at the perfect place emotionally to see it. I want her to be one of the few kids of her generation to say she saw it on Broadway and not just be like "OMGZ I'M SUCH A RENTHEAD CAUSE I SAW THE MOOOVIE." ew, no.

favorite waitresses and had some great food and drinks. We just kept ordering stuff cause they didn't want us to leave and we weren't really in a hurry to either. Finally we did leave, and took a cab in the pouring rain to the argument of who was going to cry. Maisy was positive she wouldn't and I won't give any spoilers, but towards the middle of the second act I could feel her convulsing next to me and we just held hands for most of he 2nd act. I shed a few tears too, as I had forgotten how much more impacting it is than the movie, you just don't get the same things on screen that you do on stage. I had never cried at it before. It was just incredible. It was still nasty out so we just took a cab back to the hotel to crash before long day #1 was to ensue.
The next morning we had breakfast down in the hotel restaurant and met the campers and counselors to take a shuttle to the City Center where we would basically spend the next three days. I got to see the amazing Mary Mitchell Campbell who was our musical director (and who has musically directed Company, Sweeney Todd, and is K. Cheno's personal piano player) she's my new BFF. Bla bla bla. We danced and sang for like 6-7 hours, and had costume fittings (love our costume ladies...one of them worked on 42nd st.) We were scheduled to have dinner at Mars 2112 (does that sound familiar anyone?) We had eaten there when we saw Wicked, and Ipersonally loathe it, but it was a little more fun with camp people (the service and food was still subpar however) Before we had left though, I had lunch with Mary-Mitchell and she was telling me about the new show she was MDing, off-broadway called Next to Normal. It starred Brian D'arcy James (who a certain other musicall director BFF is obsessed with) and was directed by the same guy who directed RENT. She said if we wanted to go she could get us tickets. Some camp people were like "omg you're going to be so tired you should just stay in" but I was like "hello, you don't turn down free hookups like that especially when they involve BDJ" So, we went to a crazy dinner at Mars 2112, where there was some mysterious liquid driping from the ceiling that burned a hole in a napkin, and when the staff was told about it they said "oh well, you're on Mars! Hope it doesn't get on your food!" Yea... us too!


We took a cab straight from Mars to 2nd Stage Theater (Mais and I were still wearing sweats from rehearsal, but I didn't really care).
so, I'm standing in line at the box office and Mary-Mitchell comes up out of the blue and is like, "Mal I want you to meet someone." It took me about 30 seconds for it to sink in but before it did she goes, "This is Anthony Rapp." Yes....yes it is. Then my heart stopped for a brief period. He was so adorable and looks about 10 years younger in person. He had to run and didn't want to cause a scene or anything so I didn't get a picture or anything, but I gave him a hug and probably said some stuff, I don't remember what. I was shaking through the entire first half of the show. I probably could have gone home right then and been perfectly content with life. I still can't really believe it.
(I've since learned, Anthony assistant directed the show that's why he was there...)

The show itself was absolutely incredible, there are some audio clips on youtube but they obviously don't do it justice.
Mais and I ended up in the first row, mom and Dad were in the fourth... not too bad ;-) The actors were all incredible and the music was so intense. The story can't even really be explained, but it was definitely something everyone in our family can relate to in their own way.
After the show we got to go up to the green room and meet the cast- Brian D'arcy James, Alice Ripley, Asa Somers, Jennifer Damiano, Adam Chanler-Berat, and the write (Brian Yorkey) and director (who freaking directed RENT!) Michael Grief. The guy who did the music wasn't there and Aaron Tveit, who played the son (and Link Larkin in Hairspray) peaced out (which is cool, cause Mais and I would've totally double teamed him) but it was absolutely incredible to hang out in the green room with everyone. They were all so down to earth and soooo sweet. BDJ is such a dad, I loved him. They all signed our programs and wanted to hear all about the show we were doing (Mary-Mitchell had told them about us!) Again, I think that entire night was pretty much the highlight of the entire trip.... I'm SO glad we didn't miss it.


Day 2 of rehearsing was really long and chaotic. My mouth hurt like the entire time and I just couldn't muster that much energy. Harry Belefonte ran his songs with us. He's 81 years old but still a spitfire, and he was pretty fun to work with.
Nathan Lane made me sad. I understand he was super exhausted and had just come from a matinee of November, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but he didn't speak to anyone, and basically just made fun of everything we did. Not cool in my opinion. If you don't want to be there.... don't go. Sadly, it IS about the kids....
So that was kind of a bummer end to the day. And we went to a pizza restaurant where I almost choked on cheese and just wanted to cry and go home because I was in so much pain. Not cool either.
I was originally going to hang out with the counselors when we got back from dinner, but there was a miscommunication and I realized how tired I really was and called my bff Colin to tell him about my last couple of days, because nobody else could quite understand the gravity of it. And I just needed to hear his voice after being kind of lost in the shuffle of the day. That was good enough for me.
We crashed at like 11, which was also good enough for me. The counselors can party all they want, but guess who doesn't have to dance for 7 hours the next day? yea. Exactly.

The next day was show day.
Mais and I had to be at the theater at 9:30.
We inhaled breakfast (I'm truly surprised I didn't turn into a latte or croissant) and got to the theater. It was monday morning and there was traffic and we were tired but it was fun. We got there, and went to the wings where we would be running stuff and getting Mic'ed. The incredible Noodle saw we were barely conscious already and ran over with a notepad to take orders for a Starbucks run. god bless that woman. Seriously. We both significantly perked up after some iced lattes, but it was still a ridiculously long day.
Lunch brought a bit more excitement.
I sat with Mary-Mitchell who brought the pit over (how do I always end up eating with the musicians?) But anyway, it was pretty hot. Some of them remembered me from when we saw Next to Normal. One of them was Jason Robert Brown's bass player (Last Five Years, Songs for a New World) another one plays for Grease on Broadway. They were wicked cool, and Mary, Maisy and I told them stories of past gala chaos. It was cool. We're such eiltists, but its all good.
After we ate, we're sitting there, just chilling, and who walks in, but Bernadette Peters. All the campers were oblivious, but I in a moment of doing a double take, wipe out my water bottle and go into seizure mode. Maisy and I were then joking about my lack of composure which somehow resulted in me pretending to heave my water bottle at the wall, except I actually did.
Oh good I'm so subtle.
Then I told one of the costume ladies of my ridiculous faux pas, and she was like "well, you're introducing her right?"
"Yea.... i'm doing voice overs for like everyone."
"oh...well you have to meet her then!"
So I basically just hoped I didn't have food in my braces and Mais and I got to meet Bernadette in all her glory. Seriously she is stunning. I have no idea how she is 60. She looks about 18. there has got to be something about the power of the stage because all of these people are like ageless!!!! She was super nice too, which is always good.


We had more rehearsals, and dinner, but I didn't really want to eat that much so it was fine when I got whisked away to do a sound check and read through my voiceovers.
We took some "quiet time" and did a cabin chat, and then it was time to get ready! Insert second wind here! We got changed, and were led to our dressing room, where we all had our own lighted mirror (which has NEVER happened before!)
Maisy and I ended up using the quick change room though mostly where we had our own dressers who provided us waters with our names on them like the stars had and we stayed in the wings with the celebs to watch the show on the monitor.

I prepped emotionally with my kick-some-ass playlist on my Ipod and ended with Defy Gravity, and I'm Not Afraid from Songs for a New World, and before we knew it, it was: SHOW TIME.
Backstage I hung out and did voice overs for every act. Maisy and I opened the show with a speech and Maisy got to introduce Carole King. She's wonderful and remembered us from 01. OMG that was so long ago.
It was amazing to see Joshua Bell too. He talked about the gala he did in 2002, before his performance and when he came backstage I gave him a hug and was like "that was amazing.... but it was 2001."
We talked a lot and he totally remembered seeing us in Portland two years ago.

It was awesome to see him and Jim Naughton again. (we have the same phone) Maisy saw Julia, but I didn't get to :(
One of our waitress faves from Ellen's was in it too! We thought it was her and she ended up remembering US! It was pretty cool.

The last thing, was when I got to introduce my infamous wallclimbing video (which was filmed literally 10 years ago, so you can imagine how gorgeous I was, haha) But I was standing in the wings trying not to cry and Bernadette is there in the wings with us, watching it and she kept looking at me and smiling. It was pretty intense.
(other than the little kid who kept going "OMG THEY SHOWED YOU. THEY SHOWED YOU AGAIN! THERE YOU ARE AGAIN!")

Then we had to run on all pumped up for a cover of YMCA that one of the campers wrote. And you know it was surprisingly easy. It was such a great time. There is nothing like stage energy. and throw in camp, and NYC and it's beyond describable.
We did the finale, and it was over before we knew it. The celebs walked through us to bow, and we reached out our hands to give them five. Josh walked by and grabbed mine for a ridiculous long time. God I love him. He walked out with me too (completely sidestepping the counselor who was "Accompanying me") and was like "I think I have to go to some after thing :( " I desperately wanted to go with him.
We never get any after event. We dont even get food past like 5:00. We're just the show ponies....
But some day I've decided I'm going to attend a gala, and get glammed up and drink champagne instead of wearing hats and doing hand gestures. But for now, I don't mind being in the spotlight :-)

We had a few minutes in the chorus room to say hi to the few people who graced us with their presence....before we were hustled back to the hotel to pass out from exhaustion.
When we got back to the hotel there were some goodbyes and it was kind of bittersweet.
There was one girl, Amy, who I had sort of connected with. She is 17 and barely a foot taller than me. she is super adorable and really stylish and as soon as I saw her Victoria's secret hoodie (I have the same one) and manicure, I had a feeling she was not one of the small children and I needed to befriend her.
As soon as she learned I was 22, I could see the relief in her face and from then on we were pretty close.
After the show, she took me aside in the hotel lobby and burst into tears as she said "I just want to tell you, you have inspired me so much and I am so glad to have met you [I have goosebumps just writing this]. Sometimes it can get really hard and I finally feel like I have someone I can relate to."
I couldn't believe she said all that. I told her we have to stay in touch and there is totally a train from Portland to Mass, and its not out of the question. Beyond meeting Anthony, that was probably the highlight of the show. That is what camp is all about.

Overall, it was just incredible, like it always is, but it was more intimate in a way. It was about seeing people you missed, reconnecting, and putting on a good show, and remembering the meaning of camp. And how important life is and how lucky we are. I can't completely explain it, but as if RENT is not emotional enough, throw in Next to Normal and a camp gig, and you have more emotion than most people deal with their entire life. But it's all good. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Ever.

For more pictures go here and here. There are too many to post all here, but they're pretty cool.
Next up is Miami!

Til then.
xoxo

So, I went away this weekend for another meeting, which was pretty enjoyable, and I walked away with a good several things added to my to-do list, but I guess that's what happens when you're the one who gets the paycheck. No complaints, and we actually have some things lined up that should go well, and as usual it was great to see everyone, and we had some crazy times. haha.
It was at the Lucerne Inn, which is up in the mountains and is absolutely beautiful. The accomodations and food leave some to be desired, but I guess you just pay for the view.
But anyway- before we departed on that venture, my mom got an email from one of our theater friends who was moving. She needed to get rid of her beautfiul, well behaved beagle before they could move. My mom had been contemplating getting another dog, but she just said, "when it's the dog we're supposed to have, it'll be brought to us." so sure enough, this dog sounded just like what we should have. So my mom made the phone call (and called my dad of course...) and yesterday Lizzy the Lemon Pie beagle arrived at our house.



We all have to retrain ourselves to have a nice dog. I'm left alone with her during the day and this morning I even let her lay in bed with me and I didn't care, but we've sort of just been staring at each other, because she doesn't know who I am and i'm like "I pet you and you just sit there, without growling. Weird." But I'll admit it is pretty cool to have company during the day again, and you know... company I'm not terrified of and have to avoid...

Anyway- so that's another huge change in our family. There's definitely been a lot these past couple of months. But it's so good! I'm happy

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Now playing: 10 Years - Autumn Effect
via FoxyTunes