Weird dreams...

Okay...I dreamt about Ron again last night and it was pretty much the same dream about someone digging up his grave. So, I decided to drive over to the cemetary where he's buried to visit for a while this afternoon. Adam tagged along and we went to lunch over at On The Border in Roseville, and then went to the cemetary a couple of miles from there. We got there around noon, and discovered that the cemetary is going through a major renovation/beautification project. The streets are being repaved and new plants/flowers are going in as well. I managed to get in through the mess over there and found Ron's grave. I discovered that they are digging a trench about a foot or so deep right next to his head stone to install a new sprinkler system!

.

So, I finally figured out what was happening! Ron was pissed off because of all the noise and has been bugging me about it! Those who knew Ron will get it because when he was pissed off, no one was allowed to sleep in that house! We'd stay up all night when he was upset over something and drink a bottle of wine or vodka; whatever we'd have in the house at the time. I guess he's just trying to prove that he's still around watching over us. Maybe now that I went over and validated him a bit, I'll be able to sleep soundly tonight!

Thursday early morning...

Wow...my koi pond is almost done! Adam had to take a break after being attacked a couple of weeks ago, but Tyler came over and helped out today and everything is almost ready to go! We are going in the morning to pick up some more rocks and we have some decisions to make about plants/ground cover...but we should be able to fill it with water by tomorrow or Friday! I'm so excited!

.

I have two more nights of real estate class and then one full day of a cram session on the 13th to finish getting ready for my state exam on the 30th! I am averaging 75% on my practice questions. I need to get to about 90% to feel comfortable before taking the exam.

.

I've been having really strange dreams for about a week now. For those of you who don't know, my best friend, Ron, passed away in May of 1991. He died due to complications from AIDS at the age of 24. Ron and I met in 1984 in Atlanta while I was still touring in Christian music. He moved to California due to the lack of quality healthcare in Atlanta for HIV-related illnesses at that time. Being this close to San Francisco, he felt (and was absolutely correct) that he would be able to get into clinical trials for new drugs at the time such as AZT.

.

To make a long story short, I have been dreaming about Ron for the last week. The dreams all center around him being discovered alive after being buried for the last 14 years. I don't know what this all means except that in the dreams, his body is unearthed for some unclear autopsy exam related to his cause of death. I think it's for insurance malpractice reasons...but when they open his casket, they discover that he's still alive. Strange dreams, huh? I haven't dreamt of Ron in a very long time. He died at home with his partner Jeff, his family, and myself at his bedside in Roseville...and he's buried right around the corner from the house I shared with him and Jeff when I first moved here from Atlanta. The dreams have been very disturbing and I wish I knew what the significance was...Ron died within 5 months of my father and it was a very difficult time.

.

Well...off to bed. I'll figure all of this out later!

Alone in the universe?

Having so much extra time on my hands since I've not been working, I think I have too much time to think about stuff. I've recently become aware that I am very lonely these days. Haven't dated anyone in a while...maybe it's time. After the last fiasco of a relationship a couple of years ago, I haven't put myself on the market since. Afraid of getting burned again, I guess...suppose I oughta brush off a few pick up lines and get out there.
.
God, I hate dating!! You are not yourself because both of you are trying so hard to impress the other person!

Emotional Seussical Closing

Wow...a difficult day emotionally. It was a wonderful show and a terrific closing audience. We were sold completely out and had the best performance of the run. The audience was very responsive...one of those audiences that performers dream of having for every show!

.

The cast meeting prior to the show was emotional...the Who's presented me with a picture of all of them in costume and on their Whoville Wagon. That started the waterworks. Then came the dreaded "Alone in the Universe" song.

.

I did fine throughout the whole number...actually, it was the best I have sung the song ever. The very end of the song, Horton says "Good night, JoJo" and JoJo says, "Good night, Horton. See you in Solla Solew!" Well, my "Good night, JoJo" was squeaked out because I was choked up and in tears. I walked off stage after the number and bawled for a few minutes until I had to come back on for "Monkey Around" later in the show.

.

I was fine through the rest of Act One and most of Act Two. "Solla Solew" was a bit emotional, but I handled it just fine. Then came the finale reprise of "Oh The Thinks You Can Think" and several of us were crying through it. "Green Eggs and Ham" broke the tears up a bit, but after the final pose, Alex "JoJo" Stewart and I had a big hug before rushing off through the lobby to meet and greet the audience. Then the waterworks began.

.

This was an excellent cast. I have not enjoyed a show this much in years...I think a few lifetime friendships were formed during this show. I do hope so!

.

Auditions for Magic Circle's "Give My Regards" are coming up in an hour. Hope to see you there!

Back from Vacation!

I’m baaacck!

Technically, I’ve been back since late Sunday, but between unpacking, wrapping up my final week at Sprint, and diving headfirst into rehearsals for Seussical, I haven’t had a moment to sit down and blog. So here I am, finally catching my breath — and ready to dish.

Let’s talk about the trip.

We left Friday the 14th at the crack of dawn (okay, 7:45 a.m., but close enough). Landed at John Wayne Airport around 9:20 and had our bags in hand within ten minutes. I fell in love with that airport. No crowds, no chaos, and Enterprise handed us a free upgrade to a mini-van — perfect for getting Mom and Aunt Sandra in and out without a wrestling match. Sorry, LAX… we’re breaking up.

Checked into the Howard Johnson across from Disneyland by 10:30 a.m., then immediately drove to Universal Studios. I splurged on VIP tickets because life is short and lines are long. We hit the tram tour first — mildly boring for me (been there, done that), but watching Aunt Sandra scream when the Jaws shark lunged at us? Worth every penny.

We rode everything we could, shopped like tourists, and left around 5:30 p.m. Dinner at Mimi’s next door, and I was out cold by 10. Theme park stamina is not what it used to be.

Saturday was Disneyland day. We hit the park at 10 a.m., and by 2 p.m., Mom tapped out and headed back to the hotel. Sandra and I stayed until 7:30, riding everything that wasn’t closed for refurbishment. The crowds were surprisingly light — maybe everyone was still drying out from the recent L.A. monsoon. Even Tower of Terror was only a 20-minute wait, and yes, I screamed like a child. That ride is a visual feast with a side of adrenaline.

Sadly, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain were closed, but Space Mountain reopens in May for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary — and yes, I’m already planning my return.

Sunday morning we slept in (glorious), then had lunch with my friend Marina Campana. She moved to SoCal to chase the acting dream and is already SAG-carded, agented, and popping up on shows like Will & Grace. She’s going places, and it was a joy to catch up.

After lunch, we headed to San Pedro Harbor to board our cruise ship — Vision of the Seas. It took a couple of hours to get through security, but by 4 p.m., we were exploring the ship like kids in a candy store. This was my sixth cruise, but my first since 1985, and Royal Caribbean did not disappoint. Gorgeous architecture, a theater that gave me major stage envy, and a stateroom with a private balcony where we spent every morning sipping coffee and listening to the waves.

Our cabin stewards, Theresita and Jose, were absolute gems. Every night they left us towel animals — some of which were so elaborate I considered naming them. I took pictures of all 300 moments of joy (okay, 300 photos total from the trip), and I’ll post them once I dig myself out from under the laundry pile.

Dinner was a dream. Our team — Kheng, Charles, and Filrandy — treated us like royalty. The food? Incredible. I even got Mom and Sandra to try new things. The desserts were borderline indecent (hello, baked Alaska). Midnight buffets, formal dining in the Aquarius Room, casual bites in the Windjammer Café… we ate like cruise royalty.

Monday was a full day at sea: sunbathing, casino losses, and the Captain’s welcome gala. Tuesday, we docked in Cabo San Lucas. The moment we stepped off the boat, we were swarmed by souvenir vendors. I gasped at the menu prices at Margaritaville — until I realized they were in pesos. $180 for lunch? Nope. $18. Crisis averted.

We shopped, spent too much, and made it back to the ship in time for dinner and a lovely piano and strings concert in the Champagne Lounge.

Wednesday was Mazatlan. Fewer vendors, more charm. We taxied to the Golden Zone, strolled the beach, lunched at Anthony’s, and shopped at Señor Frog’s and a jewelry store recommended by the cruise director. I bought Quanna a bracelet, Mom got earrings for my niece, and Sandra went rogue to shop for her grandkids. We reconvened just in time to sail off into the sunset.

Thursday, Sandra wasn’t feeling well, but I had a dolphin adventure booked in Puerto Vallarta. So off I went — and spent eight hours learning how to care for dolphins, feed them, train them, and get gently nibbled by teething baby dolphins who just wanted belly rubs. It was magical. Smelly (the fish room was intense), but magical. I even got a DVD of the whole experience. Worth every penny.

Back on the ship, Sandra was still recovering, so Mom and I did dinner solo and watched the port fade from our balcony. By Friday, Sandra was back in action, and we spent the next two days at sea watching Broadway revues, losing more money in the casino, sampling the drink of the day, and witnessing the Mr. International Belly Flop and Mr. Sexy Legs contests. Yes, they were everything you’d imagine.

Sunday morning, we docked in San Pedro at 7 a.m., cleared customs by 10:30, and made it home late that night.

Now I’m back, wrapping up my final day at Sprint with an exit interview at 9 a.m. It feels strange to be leaving, but I’m excited for what’s next — time off, new adventures, and maybe a few more towel animals in my future.

Hope you’re all doing well. I’ll be better about updating now that Mom and Sandra have flown home and life is settling down.

Have a great day!

Mexico Fast Approaching

My Mexican Riviera cruise is coming up fast, and I’m officially in that chaotic pre‑vacation phase where I’m shopping, packing, repacking, and wondering why I don’t own a single pair of shorts that fit the way they did in 1989. It’s a whole situation.

Meanwhile, work has reached the “watching paint dry would be more stimulating” stage. My last day is January 31st, and while I’m thrilled to be wrapping this chapter up, I’m also surprised at how sentimental I’m getting. I walked through the office today looking at nameplates of people who aren’t there anymore, and it hit me — this really is the end of an era. Eighteen years of inside jokes, shared stress, potlucks, and hallway therapy sessions… and now everyone’s scattering like dandelion fluff in the wind. Life really does love a plot twist.

It also made me think about how complacent I’ve gotten over the years. I mean, I used to be the kid who packed up and moved to Atlanta at 19 to tour the country as a professional musician. I went to the Grammy Awards in 1982 for heaven’s sake. Then I left the music world entirely, got myself a “real job,” and moved across the country to Sacramento in 1988 to start over from scratch. Life felt big and electric back then — full of possibility and reinvention.

And then in 1997, theater came along and lit me up all over again. That passion is still there, still humming under the surface, still mine.

So now, with all these new changes rolling in — leaving Sprint, taking time off, heading into a new chapter — I’m hoping that spark comes roaring back. Maybe it’s already starting. Maybe it’s waiting for me somewhere between the ship’s buffet and a margarita the size of my head.

Either way, I’m ready for whatever’s next.