Back from PA

Happy Halloween, all! I've returned home after spending the weekend with my folks in PA. It was a restful weekend, other than the dog circus. My Ernie...















...was finally reunited with his best buddy, Bert.

For my birthday (31 years old tomorrow. Eek!), Mom gave me framed pencil sketchings of Mr. E (a.k.a. Ernie), which will look beautiful on one of my many naked apartment walls. Dad surprised me with a USB 2.0 card for my laptop. OK, so it wasn't a surprise since I had e-mailed him a few weeks ago to ask for advice on purchasing a card and he responded with, "Don't buy one." When I explained that I needed it, he replied, "I know, just DON'T BUY ONE." So he's not the master of suprises, but he sure picks useful gifts. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

The Nine Day Queen

I was just gazing at the postcard I bought at the National Portrait Gallery in London of Paul Delaroche's The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (1833).

















If you aren't familiar with the story of Jane Grey, it's quite fascinating. A true innocent who, because of her heritage and religion, was forced to the throne by King Edward VI, her father-in-law, even her own parents. After only nine days as Queen, Jane and her husband were beheaded at the Tower, and Mary, the rightful heir to the throne according to King Henry VIII's will, became Queen. This telling of her execution is particularly moving.

Annoying Ringtones...Grrr.

Someone in my office has his mobile ringer set to the Sanford and Son theme. His phone rang twice today already and he's got that thing cranked up to the highest volume. Now the guy sitting next to me is whistling the tune. Please shoot me.

Coming Soon...

Guess what opens tomorrow? (Lee, I know you know...)


And in less than a month...


Now, I'm not a huge fan of Rent, but I must say that the previews sure make the movie look good.

I saw a touring production of Rent in Bloomington. There were about 25 folding chairs set up in front of the stage for the select few who were...uh..."lucky enough" to get those seats. (I was happily stationed in the mezzanine.) Let me tell you, the people in those seats were absolute Rent-aholics. Screaming, dancing, singing, rushing the stage. Okay, so there are a few decent musical moments in the show ("One Song Glory"..."I Should Tell You"..."Seasons of Love"), but overall, I don't understand the hysteria at all. And it's infuriating that this show has been on Broadway for almost ten years, while Jane Eyre only lasted six months. And don't EVEN get me started on the undue popularity of The Producers...

Bling

Did you know that October is Diamond Right Hand Ring Month? Neither did I. But now I do and here I am without a diamond ring on my right hand...or left hand, for that matter. I'm so deprived. (Note: My ring size is 7 and 1/2, in case anyone is feeling sorry for me.)

Miscellaneous Questions

I got one of those e-mails with a bunch of questions. You know, you're supposed to answer them and forward the message on to everyone you know, so they can learn something deep and meaningful about you, like whether or not you use fabric softener. Then they are supposed to erase your answers, fill in their own answers and forward it on to everyone they know, and so on. Anyway, here are my answers to the questions:

Ten years ago, I was...
...In the first quarter of my senior year at ONU.
...Rehearsing The Marriage of Figaro.
...Trying to decide what to do after graduation.

Five years ago, I was...
...Living in Bloomington, IN with Lee.
...Working at IU.
...Taking conducting and art song classes.

One year ago, I was...
...Living in Mohnton, PA.
...Dating Jose.
...Working overtime at Arrow for the Agile system implementation.

Yesterday, I...
...Started my fourth week of work at Ft. Detrick.
...Found out I'll be going to Thailand for two weeks.
...Did two loads of laundry and vacuumed.

Three snacks I enjoy:
1. Pop Secret Homestyle Popcorn
2. Pepperidge Farm Sesame Snack Sticks
3. Puffs (a.k.a. cheese curls)

Three songs I know all the words to:
1. Only three? PLEASE!
2.
3.

Three things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Pay off student loans
2. Buy a baby grand for my mom
3. Hire a personal trainer and chef

Three places I would run away to:
1. Belgrade Lakes, ME
2. Australia
3. Egypt

Three things I will never wear:
1. A halter top and choker or some sh*t like that
2. A bustier (sorry, Gurney)
3. Contacts

Three favorite TV shows:
1. Seinfeld
2. American Idol
3. Six Feet Under

The last three CDs I listened to:
1. The Light in the Piazza
2. Handel's Messiah
3. Susan Graham - The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn

Three fictional characters I would date:
1. Ragnar Danneskjöld (Atlas Shrugged)
2. Dr. Stephen Maturin (Master and Commander)
3. A thoughtful, intelligent, witty guy over 30 and under 50 who isn't obsessed with sports, isn't a compulsive liar, and is capable of a real relationship (now THAT'S fictional!)

Now you know the real me. Scary, ain't it?

Introduction

Greetings! My name is Amanda. I'm 30 years old and I live in Frederick, MD, where I am a government contractor doing Technical Writing and Document Control. I have a graduate degree in Music and am a classically-trained singer. Huh? How does an opera singer get into Technical Writing? Don't worry. I'll eventually get to the story of my long journey from Music to Technical Writing. I know you can hardly wait.

I've been a blog reader for quite some time now, so I finally decided to join the masses and create my own blog. So, sit back [cue music...], relax [...lights...], and ENJOY THE SHOW!