Contemplating California

This trip back to California has been great. It has been wonderful to re-connect with friends, spend time in the sun and relax a bit after weeks of hecticness back in Ohio. I’ve felt peaceful for the first time in weeks.

I’m sure its no surprise that I’ve wondered if I want to move back here. Do I really want to stay in Ohio? When I think about it I just feel sad. I love my family but I feel like I’m slowly dying there. I have even blurted out to both of my parents this week that I don’t want to go back. I know they weren’t shocked. I also know this leaves my dad in the lurch with the business. He depends on me for a lot but they both want me to do what makes me happy.

I remember the reasons I returned, to deal with some of the demons from my past, reconnect with family and figure out what it is I want to do with my life. I feel like I’ve accomplished some of those things.

But even as I contemplate the possibility of moving somewhere else, I don’t know what I’m moving towards. I still don’t have a definitive career path. I still don’t have a goal for my life. So would I be returning with many of the same questions I left with?

Now I’m confused, sad, and emotional. I don’t feel like I really belong anywhere. I don’t have a sense of home in any place. I’m always wishing I were somewhere else. When I’m with my wonderful friends I miss my family. When I’m with my family I desperately miss the life and friends I have here. It’s a no win situation. Maybe I’m just feeling sorry for myself.

Filed under: Friendshipping, Living in LA LA Land, Living in Ohio, Mi Familia , California, family, moving, Ohio

Disney Pass Expires Today

The saddest day since my departure from California has arrived. I have it marked on my calendar and have been bracing for it for the past few weeks – the expiration of my Annual Pass to Disneyland. The dreaded day is upon me and I am forced to mourn it from afar.

I was hoping I could go back one more time to ride Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, the Caroussel, Soarin’ Over California, Tower of Terror and the new Toy Story ride, but alas it was not meant to be.

I love Disneyland. I get to feel like a kid again everytime I pass under the sign that encourages me to leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy. I celebrated one of my best birthday’s there with a scavenger hunt, I got snowed on during the Christmas Parade, I ate at the Blue Bayou, met Jack Sparrow, danced near the Mickey statue and got to see it through the eyes of my nephews.

While I know I can always go back it will be different. I have had a pass every other year since I was in college. I always qualified for the Southern California Resident rate. Sigh.

I think this day coupled with the fact that I’m missing Janine’s bridal shower this month and probably her wedding next month along with all of the other countless activities with friends makes me so sad and feel so far away. It’s just one more thing.

Filed under: Friendshipping, Living in LA LA Land , Annual Pass, bridal shower, Disneyland, Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Toy Story

My Fair Lady

Debbie and I got the last two seats available for the My Fair Lady performance today at 2 p.m. There were only a handful of seats left for the entire weekend, so we were thrilled. I love My Fair Lady. So we trekked up to the Ahmanson Theatre in LA with great anticipation.

Unfortunately, it was slightly disappointing. There was little to no chemistry between Henry Higgins (Christopher Cazenove) and Eliza (Dana DeLisa). We realized half way through that the main actress to play Eliza was Lisa O’Hare, but that the performances were split by date between the two actresses. DeLisa didn’t possess the charm, innocence or charisma needed to be Eliza. Perhaps it was her limited experience. Perhaps it was her inability to master the necessary cockney accent. Perhaps it was her lack of presence. But Eliza is the central character, so it just tainted everything else.

Debbie wondered if maybe we were just spoiled by Audrey Hepburn. But I don’t think so, when we saw Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway I didn’t miss Topol. It’s a question of ability to do the role. So if you’re going to get tickets to see My Fair Lady when it comes to your town, make sure you’re going to see O’Hare. I hear she’s amazing.

Overall the show was good. The scenery was phenomenal. The costumes were spectacular. The supporting cast is great. Marni Nixon, the voice of Audrey Hepburn in the movie, brought everyone to their feet when she walked on stage as Mrs. Higgins. Tim Jerome, Alfred P. Doolittle, is hilarious as the nare-do-well father. They even added a street performance with trash-can lids. The Ascot scene is expertly choreographed, a treat to watch.

I think we were also put-off because they continued to let people into the theatre up to 30 minutes after the show started. So we constantly had people climbing over us, talking, and flash-lights in the eyes for a while. It was terrible. We even talked to the house manager about it and she said that there was nothing they could do, the tour manager said they could let people in through the duration of the show.

Still a fun day in LA and in the theatre.

Filed under: Living in LA LA Land, Pop Culture , Ahmanson Theatre, musical, My Fair Lady