January 25, 2011
First Vlog!
I will post the blog entry about the New York SVU set trip soon. Meanwhile, hope you like my first vlog! Yay! (Check out my YouTube channels!) =D
January 13, 2011
July 2, 2010 *An Account of my 21st Birthday!*
Last week, on January 2, 2011, Promises, Promises preformed their last show at the Broadway Theater after 291 performances and 30 previews. The original Broadway production premiered in 1968. With the music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David, and book by Neil Simon. Last year’s revival which starred Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes, premiered on April 25, 2010. Directed and chorography by Rob Ashford, it featured such memorable songs such as, “I Say a Little Prayer”, “A House is not Home”, and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.”
I would like, if you will, describe a very special day that now holds the fondest of memories, and a big part of it having to do with this special show. However, first and foremost, I went to see the show July 2, 2010, which was my 21st birthday. So like I promised before, here is an account of that day, those memories, and some funny little stories in between.
I love my Philadelphia and of COURSE my Philly sports, but New York City is a love affair that I just cannot deny. This beautiful city draws me back in the most intoxicating ways and I can never stay too far from it for too long. I plan to live there someday, if only for a while for I feel it has always been a second city, second home for me.
With that being said, my parents helped me plan a full day and night trip for my special 21st birthday. My dad drove us to Philadelphia to the 40th street station. Outside of the train station, are the Megabuses. The drive was nice. I was so tried so I had a nice little nap listening to some music. When we arrived, the Megabus staff helped us get our bags from under the bus. I immediately spotted a Starbucks across the street to which I knew had to be the first destination. We crossed the walkway and started to walk down the street. I passed a newsstand and quickly scanned the headlining gossip mags as we briskly walked by when all of a sudden, CRACK! Without knowing it, I stepped into the biggest divot in the sidewalk. My ankle rolled inside of the hole, just big enough for my foot, and fell hard on my knees and then to the ground in probably the most excruciating pain since I first broke my ankle years before. Now, I have broken my ankle twice before to where I had it casted and healed. It has been weak ever since with tiny sprains from time to time. I was hoping to God that it was not broken again. But the pain was shooting. And not only that, we did not eat any breakfast leaving that morning and with the partially lengthy bus ride, it was getting close to noon and my stomach was churning. The pain made my stomach take one rollercoaster dive. All thought of the embarrassment of wincing in pain on the sidewalks of New York City went right out of my head. A very sweet nice business type man that was walking by and had witnessed my fall was tending to me and asking if I needed an ambulance. I grabbed my ankle shaking my head and saying, "No, no, no, no, no, no." The man, my mom, and sister politely helped me up off the street. I needed to get up because I was in a high foot traffic area and also to see if I could stand. Just as I had stood up, my stomach took a major drop. I closed my eyes even tighter trying to push the thought of throwing up out of my head and the possibility of further embarrassment. I headed straight for the wall where I sat back down on the dirty street, which I didn’t even care at that point, and tried to let the nausea pass. Catching my breath and practically laying on the street, my mother thanked the man who had helped me and pleaded with me to stand up again off the dirty street. “C’mon sweetie. Starbucks is right here.” It literally was. I barely noticed that my fall had landed me a door away from my destination. Luckily it was not in front of the store of sipping onlookers. As I leaned against my sister and limped inside Starbucks my sister said to me, “Happy Birthday.” Ironically and sarcastically she scoffed which made me smile a bit. But I was determined NOT to let this ruin MY day.
My sister and mom helped me stand again and almost limp into the green and white caffeine oasis. I took a seat on one of the taller chairs close to the window and propped it up on the bench seating next to the window. My mom asked for a bag of ice and by the time they gave her the bag and she returned, tears had began to fall down my face. It was part pain part frustration and possibliy part sleep depreiviation? I can never sleep before an exciting event. But I couldn’t hold them back. I was not bawling, but enough for the warm tears make my eyes red and my face red hot too from trying to hold them back. My mom propped my ankle to position it comfortably on the ice bag, wiped my tears while fixing my makeup, gave me a kiss, and took our orders. A line at the counter was starting to form. Again, I didn’t really care about being seen in this state. Anyone could see I was in pain, so crying in public place is not so socially unacceptable…right?
After finally eating a nice breakfast at probably one of my favorite places ever, I hobbled my way to a cab and poured myself into the backseat. We made our way to the Novotel on 52nd street, literally right next to the Broadway Theater. We were there earlier than we were expected to check in but I could not imagine walking anywhere with how much pain my ankle was in. They moved us to another room than we had booked since that was available at the time. We unpacked, settled in, and I laid down to ice my foot. Erica and Mom go looking for a place to smoke, but I stay inside to rest some more. Then, as I am lying down, I hear a knock on my door. I open the door and there is hotel employee with a tray of gourmet chocolates and treats and a champagne bottle with two drinking flutes.
“Hello.” I greet, confused by the big display.
“Hello. Anniversary?” He asks in a one work question. He had a completely endearing accent and shy demeanor about him.
“Oh no I’m sorry, there is no Anniversary here. I think you might have the wrong room.” I explain.
His face dropped and I could see the process of thought run through his head. I think he may have even pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. He walked away quietly mumbling something about wrong room and room numbers. I closed the door and chuckled a bit to myself. The whole thing was utterly adorable.
Shortly after that, my sister and mom returned and I had explained the situation to them. I thought that they would get a kick out of it too until my mom’s expression changed and she quickly picked up the phone and dialed the front desk. The man happily returned, probably knowing he was not in trouble or wrong, and handed my mom the treats that were in fact intended for me. My mom closed the door and shot me a crocked glace with a smile as in, “thanks you almost ruined our surprise for you.” I laughed and said, “How was I supposed to know? He asked me ‘anniversary?’ and had two champagne glasses.” The treats were rich and on an amazingly beautiful serving dish that I wanted to take home.
I got changed and we decided to hit the streets. First we went out on the balcony outside the lobby restaurant and then while walking outside, a butterfly had landed on Erica’s shoulder and stayed there even going down the elevator and outside. It crawled on our fingers, and even our faces. We took some really cute pictures of her. I named her Alice. I think her wing was slightly ripped and that is why she didn’t fly away so quickly. Or she is just a city bug and loves the attention. Ha. I placed her on one of the plants the hotels had decorating the exterior and said, “Thank you and God Bless you little bug.”
We then went to the M&M factory, one of my most favorite places ever. (I also went to the one in Las Vegas last year. I guess that just leaves visiting the one in Orlando?) I love M&Ms. Haha. We walked up and down Time Square and had an overly priced lunch at TGIF Friday’s (New York! What do you want?) I actually wanted to get an alcoholic drink while I was there but Erica stopped me. She said, “Why not get your first alcoholic drink, first time carded, in the theater. Make it special.”
Erica’s legs were killing her and Mom was pretty tired. This was only a few weeks after her hip surgery. It was still a few hours before the show and I still wanted to do some exploring. They went back to the hotel and I went to the center of Time Square. I remembered this beauty shop I wanted to visit so I found a tourist spot in Time square where I asked someone where the nearest “Ricky’s” was. I got an address and phone number. The nearest Ricky’s was just a few walking distance blocks from our hotel. I walked the streets of the city, bought some beauty products, including a much needed, the much talked about SPANX. Haha. Worth the money. I can’t forget the sunglasses guy. On a street about a block and a half away from the hotel, there was a sunglasses stand on a nice part of the street. The very nice elderly black man that was selling them and I struck up a conversation about Sports, including my Philly sports and the trading of Vick as well as it being my birthday. On a side note, everyone I met that day was so nice. I’ve heard horror stories about the cruel City. Everyone EVERYONE I met that day was like a little gift from God. I made back in time for a shower and got all dressed up. We hung out at the restaurant inside the hotel, but our orders took way too long. We ditched dinner so we would not be late for the show.
And then Showtime! I cannot say enough about this show. Since I heard that Kristin was coming back to Broadway, my heart was all a flutter. And being the huge Will & Grace fanatic that I was and still am, I could not think of a more perfect match for the two of them to be together in this show. I have never been able to see Kristin Chenoweth perform live before, which has always been a dream of mine and something I was damn sure a goal I would accomplish before I died, no matter what. Haha. It was a perfect, and I do mean perfect show. Sean had us rolling ROLLING in isles. There was this scene where he walks into the office of his boss, and there is this very interesting modern looking chair. He is trying to figure out how to sit on it. He puts his leg through the hole and flips around so fast and then scrabbles himself back up to his feet as his boss walks in. I am a TOTAL sucker for physical/slapstick comedy and I was completely laughing like a four year old. Then a little later in the scene, the boss sits on chair the right way and Sean’s character, C.C. Baxter, stops mid sentence and goes, “Ohh” with a look of epiphany as in ‘Oh that’s how you sit on it.’ Died…laughing! And that was only like the second scene.
(See what I mean about Sean and the chair at 5 seconds into the video! LOL!)
The emotion was so real, every time. Kristin had me crying during the attempted suicide scene, which definitely pulled some heartstrings. She’s just a pip and I love her no matter what she does. She could be dressed as a sad clown and I’d be entertained. But the risk she took of not being “the funny one” or at least the center focus of being the “funny one.” Don’t get me wrong, she had her own hilarious lines, but when it came to bearing her heart and breaking in for us, (and over and over again for almost 300 times) she was totally committed. She should have least been nominated...and win. The whole show should have won. Listen, I'm no theater critic, and I admit, in this case I am quite biased. However, theater critics' are slowly loosing their place. (Sorry fellas) I mean thinking back to Wicked, it was not the critics that made that show a juggernaut, it was the masses of loyal fans that made it "Popular." (haha) Same thing with Promises, Promises. It was the fans that kept the shows sold out each night. And I am honored to be a part of one of those loyal fans.
I bawled like a baby as the lights came up for intermission. An overwhelming amount mixed emotions flooded me and my face and eyes. The lights came up as I brushed the tears away quickly with my palms. Trying to avoid any looks, as I’m sure my makeup was not how I put it on before I walked inside. I was praying there was no running mascara hoping not to frighten the adorable barely tweener that sat next to me, obviously getting her Cheno-fandom on as well.
(Kristin <3)
The show would advertise, “IF you like Mad Men, then you like of this show.” It is so true. I wanted those costumes very badly. Not that I would fit into any of them (certainly not Kristin’s by any mercy of God.) But my graduation project in high school was theatrical costume designing, and period/era clothing like that, I just drool over. Not literally, because then I’d never be able to give them back, but I have so much fun in the attics of our community theaters looking through old props and dresses. Same reason I love antiquing. It’s like transcending yourself to another time. Perhaps another time I had lived in before. My grandmother ralways says I’m an old soul. Anyway, we stepped outside at intermission and I felt very era. Smoking in one hand, I mentioned how I would love to have a martini in the other. How early 1960s? My mom mentioned, “Maybe when we get back to the bar at the hotel, you can.” My eyes lit up. Oh yea, stupid, you’re 21!
The opening of act II was the perfect comic relief after Fran Kebelik (Kristin) attempted suicide. Katie Finneran knocks it OUT! She absolutely killed it. She has a very short part in the middle, but rightfully won the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a musical last year for her role as Marge MacDougall. And let me tell you honey, was I screaming, cheering, and crying when that happened. Her acceptance speech was beautiful. During the beginning of October she had a few last shows as she went on maternity leave. The ever hilarious, ever wonderful Molly Shannon filled her shoes until the very last performance. I would have loved to see Molly in that role, but honestly was so thrilled I saw it with Katie instead.
(Katie & Sean! Hilarious!)
Stage door time!
“I have never done this stage door waiting before.” I told one of the girls I was squished next to as we were preparing for a scramble of people stepping over each other for autographs. The two friends proceeded to tell me that they were high school students. The girls told me how this was something like their fourth show this week while they were visiting. Student rush tickets. We waited for a long time, particularly for Kristin. The door would open and there would be a sweep of tweener gasps hoping it was her. Of course people freaked when Sean came out, everyone knows him. Programs, playbills, memorabilia, were being hurled within a sea of arms. I shoved mine forward to get my Sean autograph, and alas, there it was. Each cast member really took the time to autograph each one as they went down the crowd. Katie came out and I jeered and shrieked with excitement. While she didn’t get the same frenzy as Kristin or Sean, I made sure she knew I was a fan. “Congratulations on your Tony win, Katie!” I said as I had thrust my program forward with probably the biggest cheesiest smile ever. She took the program in her hand, looked me dead in the eye and with the most sincerity and humbleness, said thank you. I mean, it sounds simple but you could tell that it really meant something to her and I felt so great being able to tell her that. As she left I heard a few people saw they were unsure of who she was. (She did come out blonde while in the show, Marge is a redhead.) Other people filled those people in who she was. And then, Of course it was Kristin time. We knew because her little dog Maddie came out first in some child/dog carrying thing strapped to one bodyguard’s chest. I thought it was quite comical that Maddie got a bigger fan fare than some other cast members exiting the stage door that night. If you know Kristin, you know her baby, her dog Madeline Kahn Chenoweth. That’s right…full name. And then there she was, looking like the fabulous diva she is stepping out in a cute tank and sunglasses. (The sunglasses are seriously not to look diva-ish, it’s really because, like me, flashes of light from say, a ton of cameras, trigger migraines very easily for her. I hear ya sister.) It all happened so fast. I might have said “thank you” as she came by to sign autographs, but completely dazzled, I only remember being star struck once again. I met her in April of 2009 when she was on her book signing tour. I just love her.
(Sean signing)
(KATIE THANKING ME!)
(Sorry. Best and only one I have of Kristin at the Stage Door.)
We went back to the hotel and drank a little and ate some food. The kitchen was not technically open but my mom had made arrangements. After that bust day, I had an easy night’s sleep and the next morning my mom and I had fun walking around the city before we had to catch the bus home. A bunch of streets were closed off for some sort of merchant’s fair. There were tons of stands with foods, crafts, jewelry, you name it. It went on for blocks too. My ankle still hurt those days, but I bought some sterile wraps and constantly iced it when I was not walking. Like I said, I was determined and did not let it ruin my special day.
(Me & NYC)
(Sissy & I)
(My beautiful Mama!)
Another year older, another year to remember how blessed I am to recognize the wonderful people in my life and the great blessings that God has given me. I’ll never forget that day.
Love,
Katie oxox
I would like, if you will, describe a very special day that now holds the fondest of memories, and a big part of it having to do with this special show. However, first and foremost, I went to see the show July 2, 2010, which was my 21st birthday. So like I promised before, here is an account of that day, those memories, and some funny little stories in between.
I love my Philadelphia and of COURSE my Philly sports, but New York City is a love affair that I just cannot deny. This beautiful city draws me back in the most intoxicating ways and I can never stay too far from it for too long. I plan to live there someday, if only for a while for I feel it has always been a second city, second home for me.
With that being said, my parents helped me plan a full day and night trip for my special 21st birthday. My dad drove us to Philadelphia to the 40th street station. Outside of the train station, are the Megabuses. The drive was nice. I was so tried so I had a nice little nap listening to some music. When we arrived, the Megabus staff helped us get our bags from under the bus. I immediately spotted a Starbucks across the street to which I knew had to be the first destination. We crossed the walkway and started to walk down the street. I passed a newsstand and quickly scanned the headlining gossip mags as we briskly walked by when all of a sudden, CRACK! Without knowing it, I stepped into the biggest divot in the sidewalk. My ankle rolled inside of the hole, just big enough for my foot, and fell hard on my knees and then to the ground in probably the most excruciating pain since I first broke my ankle years before. Now, I have broken my ankle twice before to where I had it casted and healed. It has been weak ever since with tiny sprains from time to time. I was hoping to God that it was not broken again. But the pain was shooting. And not only that, we did not eat any breakfast leaving that morning and with the partially lengthy bus ride, it was getting close to noon and my stomach was churning. The pain made my stomach take one rollercoaster dive. All thought of the embarrassment of wincing in pain on the sidewalks of New York City went right out of my head. A very sweet nice business type man that was walking by and had witnessed my fall was tending to me and asking if I needed an ambulance. I grabbed my ankle shaking my head and saying, "No, no, no, no, no, no." The man, my mom, and sister politely helped me up off the street. I needed to get up because I was in a high foot traffic area and also to see if I could stand. Just as I had stood up, my stomach took a major drop. I closed my eyes even tighter trying to push the thought of throwing up out of my head and the possibility of further embarrassment. I headed straight for the wall where I sat back down on the dirty street, which I didn’t even care at that point, and tried to let the nausea pass. Catching my breath and practically laying on the street, my mother thanked the man who had helped me and pleaded with me to stand up again off the dirty street. “C’mon sweetie. Starbucks is right here.” It literally was. I barely noticed that my fall had landed me a door away from my destination. Luckily it was not in front of the store of sipping onlookers. As I leaned against my sister and limped inside Starbucks my sister said to me, “Happy Birthday.” Ironically and sarcastically she scoffed which made me smile a bit. But I was determined NOT to let this ruin MY day.
My sister and mom helped me stand again and almost limp into the green and white caffeine oasis. I took a seat on one of the taller chairs close to the window and propped it up on the bench seating next to the window. My mom asked for a bag of ice and by the time they gave her the bag and she returned, tears had began to fall down my face. It was part pain part frustration and possibliy part sleep depreiviation? I can never sleep before an exciting event. But I couldn’t hold them back. I was not bawling, but enough for the warm tears make my eyes red and my face red hot too from trying to hold them back. My mom propped my ankle to position it comfortably on the ice bag, wiped my tears while fixing my makeup, gave me a kiss, and took our orders. A line at the counter was starting to form. Again, I didn’t really care about being seen in this state. Anyone could see I was in pain, so crying in public place is not so socially unacceptable…right?
After finally eating a nice breakfast at probably one of my favorite places ever, I hobbled my way to a cab and poured myself into the backseat. We made our way to the Novotel on 52nd street, literally right next to the Broadway Theater. We were there earlier than we were expected to check in but I could not imagine walking anywhere with how much pain my ankle was in. They moved us to another room than we had booked since that was available at the time. We unpacked, settled in, and I laid down to ice my foot. Erica and Mom go looking for a place to smoke, but I stay inside to rest some more. Then, as I am lying down, I hear a knock on my door. I open the door and there is hotel employee with a tray of gourmet chocolates and treats and a champagne bottle with two drinking flutes.
“Hello.” I greet, confused by the big display.
“Hello. Anniversary?” He asks in a one work question. He had a completely endearing accent and shy demeanor about him.
“Oh no I’m sorry, there is no Anniversary here. I think you might have the wrong room.” I explain.
His face dropped and I could see the process of thought run through his head. I think he may have even pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. He walked away quietly mumbling something about wrong room and room numbers. I closed the door and chuckled a bit to myself. The whole thing was utterly adorable.
Shortly after that, my sister and mom returned and I had explained the situation to them. I thought that they would get a kick out of it too until my mom’s expression changed and she quickly picked up the phone and dialed the front desk. The man happily returned, probably knowing he was not in trouble or wrong, and handed my mom the treats that were in fact intended for me. My mom closed the door and shot me a crocked glace with a smile as in, “thanks you almost ruined our surprise for you.” I laughed and said, “How was I supposed to know? He asked me ‘anniversary?’ and had two champagne glasses.” The treats were rich and on an amazingly beautiful serving dish that I wanted to take home.
I got changed and we decided to hit the streets. First we went out on the balcony outside the lobby restaurant and then while walking outside, a butterfly had landed on Erica’s shoulder and stayed there even going down the elevator and outside. It crawled on our fingers, and even our faces. We took some really cute pictures of her. I named her Alice. I think her wing was slightly ripped and that is why she didn’t fly away so quickly. Or she is just a city bug and loves the attention. Ha. I placed her on one of the plants the hotels had decorating the exterior and said, “Thank you and God Bless you little bug.”
We then went to the M&M factory, one of my most favorite places ever. (I also went to the one in Las Vegas last year. I guess that just leaves visiting the one in Orlando?) I love M&Ms. Haha. We walked up and down Time Square and had an overly priced lunch at TGIF Friday’s (New York! What do you want?) I actually wanted to get an alcoholic drink while I was there but Erica stopped me. She said, “Why not get your first alcoholic drink, first time carded, in the theater. Make it special.”
Erica’s legs were killing her and Mom was pretty tired. This was only a few weeks after her hip surgery. It was still a few hours before the show and I still wanted to do some exploring. They went back to the hotel and I went to the center of Time Square. I remembered this beauty shop I wanted to visit so I found a tourist spot in Time square where I asked someone where the nearest “Ricky’s” was. I got an address and phone number. The nearest Ricky’s was just a few walking distance blocks from our hotel. I walked the streets of the city, bought some beauty products, including a much needed, the much talked about SPANX. Haha. Worth the money. I can’t forget the sunglasses guy. On a street about a block and a half away from the hotel, there was a sunglasses stand on a nice part of the street. The very nice elderly black man that was selling them and I struck up a conversation about Sports, including my Philly sports and the trading of Vick as well as it being my birthday. On a side note, everyone I met that day was so nice. I’ve heard horror stories about the cruel City. Everyone EVERYONE I met that day was like a little gift from God. I made back in time for a shower and got all dressed up. We hung out at the restaurant inside the hotel, but our orders took way too long. We ditched dinner so we would not be late for the show.
And then Showtime! I cannot say enough about this show. Since I heard that Kristin was coming back to Broadway, my heart was all a flutter. And being the huge Will & Grace fanatic that I was and still am, I could not think of a more perfect match for the two of them to be together in this show. I have never been able to see Kristin Chenoweth perform live before, which has always been a dream of mine and something I was damn sure a goal I would accomplish before I died, no matter what. Haha. It was a perfect, and I do mean perfect show. Sean had us rolling ROLLING in isles. There was this scene where he walks into the office of his boss, and there is this very interesting modern looking chair. He is trying to figure out how to sit on it. He puts his leg through the hole and flips around so fast and then scrabbles himself back up to his feet as his boss walks in. I am a TOTAL sucker for physical/slapstick comedy and I was completely laughing like a four year old. Then a little later in the scene, the boss sits on chair the right way and Sean’s character, C.C. Baxter, stops mid sentence and goes, “Ohh” with a look of epiphany as in ‘Oh that’s how you sit on it.’ Died…laughing! And that was only like the second scene.
(See what I mean about Sean and the chair at 5 seconds into the video! LOL!)
The emotion was so real, every time. Kristin had me crying during the attempted suicide scene, which definitely pulled some heartstrings. She’s just a pip and I love her no matter what she does. She could be dressed as a sad clown and I’d be entertained. But the risk she took of not being “the funny one” or at least the center focus of being the “funny one.” Don’t get me wrong, she had her own hilarious lines, but when it came to bearing her heart and breaking in for us, (and over and over again for almost 300 times) she was totally committed. She should have least been nominated...and win. The whole show should have won. Listen, I'm no theater critic, and I admit, in this case I am quite biased. However, theater critics' are slowly loosing their place. (Sorry fellas) I mean thinking back to Wicked, it was not the critics that made that show a juggernaut, it was the masses of loyal fans that made it "Popular." (haha) Same thing with Promises, Promises. It was the fans that kept the shows sold out each night. And I am honored to be a part of one of those loyal fans.
I bawled like a baby as the lights came up for intermission. An overwhelming amount mixed emotions flooded me and my face and eyes. The lights came up as I brushed the tears away quickly with my palms. Trying to avoid any looks, as I’m sure my makeup was not how I put it on before I walked inside. I was praying there was no running mascara hoping not to frighten the adorable barely tweener that sat next to me, obviously getting her Cheno-fandom on as well.
(Kristin <3)
The show would advertise, “IF you like Mad Men, then you like of this show.” It is so true. I wanted those costumes very badly. Not that I would fit into any of them (certainly not Kristin’s by any mercy of God.) But my graduation project in high school was theatrical costume designing, and period/era clothing like that, I just drool over. Not literally, because then I’d never be able to give them back, but I have so much fun in the attics of our community theaters looking through old props and dresses. Same reason I love antiquing. It’s like transcending yourself to another time. Perhaps another time I had lived in before. My grandmother ralways says I’m an old soul. Anyway, we stepped outside at intermission and I felt very era. Smoking in one hand, I mentioned how I would love to have a martini in the other. How early 1960s? My mom mentioned, “Maybe when we get back to the bar at the hotel, you can.” My eyes lit up. Oh yea, stupid, you’re 21!
The opening of act II was the perfect comic relief after Fran Kebelik (Kristin) attempted suicide. Katie Finneran knocks it OUT! She absolutely killed it. She has a very short part in the middle, but rightfully won the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a musical last year for her role as Marge MacDougall. And let me tell you honey, was I screaming, cheering, and crying when that happened. Her acceptance speech was beautiful. During the beginning of October she had a few last shows as she went on maternity leave. The ever hilarious, ever wonderful Molly Shannon filled her shoes until the very last performance. I would have loved to see Molly in that role, but honestly was so thrilled I saw it with Katie instead.
(Katie & Sean! Hilarious!)
Stage door time!
“I have never done this stage door waiting before.” I told one of the girls I was squished next to as we were preparing for a scramble of people stepping over each other for autographs. The two friends proceeded to tell me that they were high school students. The girls told me how this was something like their fourth show this week while they were visiting. Student rush tickets. We waited for a long time, particularly for Kristin. The door would open and there would be a sweep of tweener gasps hoping it was her. Of course people freaked when Sean came out, everyone knows him. Programs, playbills, memorabilia, were being hurled within a sea of arms. I shoved mine forward to get my Sean autograph, and alas, there it was. Each cast member really took the time to autograph each one as they went down the crowd. Katie came out and I jeered and shrieked with excitement. While she didn’t get the same frenzy as Kristin or Sean, I made sure she knew I was a fan. “Congratulations on your Tony win, Katie!” I said as I had thrust my program forward with probably the biggest cheesiest smile ever. She took the program in her hand, looked me dead in the eye and with the most sincerity and humbleness, said thank you. I mean, it sounds simple but you could tell that it really meant something to her and I felt so great being able to tell her that. As she left I heard a few people saw they were unsure of who she was. (She did come out blonde while in the show, Marge is a redhead.) Other people filled those people in who she was. And then, Of course it was Kristin time. We knew because her little dog Maddie came out first in some child/dog carrying thing strapped to one bodyguard’s chest. I thought it was quite comical that Maddie got a bigger fan fare than some other cast members exiting the stage door that night. If you know Kristin, you know her baby, her dog Madeline Kahn Chenoweth. That’s right…full name. And then there she was, looking like the fabulous diva she is stepping out in a cute tank and sunglasses. (The sunglasses are seriously not to look diva-ish, it’s really because, like me, flashes of light from say, a ton of cameras, trigger migraines very easily for her. I hear ya sister.) It all happened so fast. I might have said “thank you” as she came by to sign autographs, but completely dazzled, I only remember being star struck once again. I met her in April of 2009 when she was on her book signing tour. I just love her.
(Sean signing)
(KATIE THANKING ME!)
(Sorry. Best and only one I have of Kristin at the Stage Door.)
We went back to the hotel and drank a little and ate some food. The kitchen was not technically open but my mom had made arrangements. After that bust day, I had an easy night’s sleep and the next morning my mom and I had fun walking around the city before we had to catch the bus home. A bunch of streets were closed off for some sort of merchant’s fair. There were tons of stands with foods, crafts, jewelry, you name it. It went on for blocks too. My ankle still hurt those days, but I bought some sterile wraps and constantly iced it when I was not walking. Like I said, I was determined and did not let it ruin my special day.
(Me & NYC)
(Sissy & I)
(My beautiful Mama!)
Another year older, another year to remember how blessed I am to recognize the wonderful people in my life and the great blessings that God has given me. I’ll never forget that day.
Love,
Katie oxox
January 2, 2011
DADT POLICY REPELED!
During the 1993 Clinton administration, there was a policy set into place for the armed forces of the United States for those who enlisted not to disclose their sexual orientation. If they admitted that they were gay or someone else outed them out for being a homosexual, they would be discharged with the threat of being stripped of their rank, benefits, and most of all dignity. Thankfully, things are changing. The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Policy is repealed!
On December 19th the news had broken that on Saturday Congress repealed the policy as the Senate voted with a 65-31 count. On December 23rd, President Barack Obama signed the bill doing away with the policy completely. Obama said, "We are not a nation that says 'don't ask, don't tell.' We are a nation that says out of many, we are one. We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot. We are a nation that believes all men and women are created equal." Obama recounted the story of Lloyd Corwin, an Army private during World War II who fell into a 40-foot ravine during the Battle of the Bulge and was "as good as dead." But a friend and fellow soldier named Andy Lee turned back and rescued Corwin. Forty years later the two friends had reunited and Lee told Corwin that he was gay. Corwin "had no idea. And he didn't much care," Obama said. "Lloyd knew what mattered. He knew what had kept him alive."And that is how it should be. If you are a good person, it should not matter if you are gay or straight, who you love, who you are, because someone else’s relationships do not affect you at all.
I don’t have an immense knowledge when it comes to politics. Perhaps that should be something to make a New Year resolution about, but I know what I am passionate about and learn as much as I can so I can properly defend and stand up for what I know is right. And Mr. President, I could not be prouder. Equality for all. That is how it should be and should have already been. Men and women fighting for the country they live in and love should not have to hide who they are in a country that ironically boasts that we are “the land of the free.”
Sometimes people cannot understand my passion for the gay rights issue and why I keep it so near and dear to my heart, even if I am not gay. And I say, how can I not be passionate. Equal rights are something that we all should be born with, and yet in this day and age, things like Proposition 8 are still around. It absolutely breaks my heart when I see some of my very best friends who are gay and the extra struggles that they must endure and have endured throughout their childhood and teenage. It makes me think of the horrible string of suicides that have recently been in the news. Blow after blow, I wonder to myself, how many more struggles must we inflict? What kind of message are we giving out to our influential youth when we raise them with the idea same Jim Crowe law mentality. Well, separate is not equal and this is no longer the sixties.
The very existence of this policy made it a free ticket for bigoted and ignorant people to continue their poisonous and contractible violence and hate. And why does this happen? Because having a policy like this makes the masses believe that behavior like this is acceptable. Even inside the military and armed forces, just allows more of this violence acceptable. I once heard in a personal story told by a member of the military who was discharged because he was gay. But before anyone knew he was, a friend as well as a fellow core training student, said to him, “I think we should hang gay people out front so they know that they are not welcome.” You have to imagine that heart wrenching stories like these are not extremely rare. There are ignorant people no matter what. But now I believe that they will forced to see how the utter hypocrisy and cruelty of their words and action.
What an exciting time it is. For the first time in eighteen years, the brave men and women will be able to serve with honor and integrity without losing the benefits they have so rightfully earned, and without having to hide under some ridiculous policy for the sake of keeping their job when they are already out their protecting our freedom without the freedom they deserve. Brave souls who are fighting on the frontlines and defending our borders with their own lives. Because gay or not, the armed forces involve the highest level of bravery and discipline imaginable and I am so sure I would not be able to do what they do.
God made each one of us are marvelous individuals who are different. God does not make mistakes. You can try to change people’s minds about tough hot button issues like religion, but the least you can do is try to change someone’s heart a bit, open it up and remind them of their own human compassion and sympathy and how they would feel if the tables were turned.
I honestly could write an entire book right now on my feeling about how overjoyed and proud I am that this has finally happened and all the feeling in between. I have so many gay friends and it breaks my heart when I see yet another unjust, unfair, and inhumane way to separate and discriminate. This happens because often there are those who do not understand, do not wish to understand, or just simply display horrible acts of sadistic violence. This will be a long road. A victory indeed but just like any major change, adjustments are made and needed for their to be freedom and equality that protect everyone . My fear is that gay bashing will find its form in other ways and in higher amounts because of the disagreement so may have over the repeal of this policy, but only time will tell and we will have to cross that bridge when we get there but try to prevent further harm from being done.
It is all one day at a time, and December 19 will be the day that that we as human beings, gay or straight, took one step forward in being a more unified nation and proving by actions what America is, should , and will be. To any gay readers of this blog post or my blog in general, firstly um…thanks for reading my blog of course. =D Haha! (Please follow!) But mostly, stay strong and keep fighting. My heart bleeds for your struggles because I can only imagine that it cannot be easy at times. There is good and there are good people out there. Have hope, dear ones. One day, someday things will be different and we will look back on these time and say, “Remember back in the day when we had ridiculous things like proposition 8 and the ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy.”
You are loved.
Happy New Year, Especially to our brave men women who are fighting or have fought to protect freedom and lives. We thank you and God Bless.
All my love from the bottom of my heart,
Katie Ciarlone
OXOX
(Obama quotes from http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/23/nation/la-na-dont-ask-20101223)
September 29, 2010
EndTheBackLog.Org
Video of Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni, Ice-T and Jennifer Love Hewitt speaking about the rape kit backlog issue & ways you can support this cause of ending this tragedy
September 26, 2010
Ending the Rape Kit BackLogs
I have not blogged in a while. Unfortunately trying to juggle a full time job and being a full time student is quite a circus act. But I will be more diligent to this blogging of mine. I have a lot to catch up on which includes various fun things including my 21st birthday in New York City back in July (Geez), but this blog will focus on a very important, but hardly known topic. It is especially coming into the spotlight right now. With the experiences of what I have been involved in the past few months as an advocate myself, this is a topic I knew not a whole lot about but have been increasingly more passionate about.
What is sure to be the performance of her career, Jennifer Love Hewitt is going to be guest starring on a very special Law and Order: Special Victims Unit next Wednesday September 29, 2010 where the important issue being highlighted this time will be the rape kit backlogs here in the United States. Can you imagine going through one of the most horrifying moments of your life, being sexually assaulted or raped by an unknown attacker and then having the bravery to go to the hospital to have a 4-6 hour invasive forensic medical examination rape kit done where your body is swabbed, plucked, and scrapped to collect evidence. Then imagine that evidence box that holds the DNA that could possibly catch that unknown assailant is sealed, locked up, untested, and stored away somewhere in a police station or crime lab storage facility for years. Years! Imagine how you could ever feel safe again. Thousands of these stories reflect the true life tragedies that a victim must re-endure when a rape kit goes untested.
There are so many issues surrounding why there are so many kits that are untested. CBS once reported over 20,000 nationwide. One issue that is causing this staggering number is that it might cost $1 million dollars to hire new testing staff to test the backlogged kits. Raising these funds might possibly lower the number of re-victimized victims down to about 2,000 kits it is said but as we know, even one untested kit is too many. There is some good news, however. New York State has done away with their backlogs and every single rape kit is tested now. Once that happened, the rape conviction rate changed from 40% to 70%! Whatever the probelem may be, wheather it be lack of funding or staff in crime labs, the real problem is that it’s unacceptable consciously letting potentially dangerous perpetrators walk and this problem needs to be eradicated everywhere. It’s not a hopeless fight. If New York can do it, one of the cities with the highest crime rates in the country, the rest of the country can surely follow.
Law and Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, the founder of The Joyful Heart Foundation, in collaboration with Sarah Tofte, a researcher from the Human Rights Watch and her involvement as The Joyful Heart Foundation’s Director of Advocacy, have joined forces in their promotion before this special episode airs and will continue to join efforts in the foundation to shed light to other issues surrounding sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and rape. (In fact, they will be on the NBC Today Show at 8am on Tuesday September 28.) Hopefully when this episode is viewed, people will not turn away from the horror that is being presented but rather turn that into a energy that is positive, good, and productive and assist and be advocates like Mariska, Sarah, myself, and perhaps you, to help end this problem. Anyone can be an advocate and you don’t have to be a celebrity to make a change. Many people via social networking sites are coming together after the recent promotion and the sneak peaks of next week’s episodes. There is even a Twitter trend, #endthebacklog that has been started. When done right, social networking can be an amazingly powerful, technological tool in raising awareness.
Speaking of social networkers, I have to give credit to Jess, who runs www.mariska-online.com. Her site is the best site to go to for Mariska Hargitay news. The site is always updated and she is constantly on the ball. I’ve been getting a lot of my information from her site especially as updated news comes in about this issue. Other Law and Order: SVU information can be found at www.nbc.com as well as other of your favorite NBC shows. In fact, Mariska Hargitay recently posted on NBC’s production blog about this episode and the issue surrounding it and probably more well versed then I could for which you can read here. Neal Baer, the executive producer for Law and Order: SVU has a Twitter account for which he constantly keeps us, the fans, in the loop with sneak peeks, articles, and replies and we could not love him more for that. (www.Twitter.com/NealBaer) Mariska Hargitay’s direct website is www.Mariska.com where she indeed blogs herself and has guest blogs. She also has many links on her site including a number of free resources for victims, and a link to her great non-profit foundation, The Joyful Heart Foundation www.JoyfulHeartFoundation.org as well as their twitter account (www.Twitter.com/TheJHF)
This is a clip of Mariska Hargitay singing the praises of Jennifer Love Hewitt's work on the episode and explains the backlog issue.
Below is a clip preview from next week’s episode.
What Powerful emotion. Tell me that does not make you want to watch more?
I promise I will blog once again about the usual happy stuff but I’ll probably blog about this topic once the episode airs again. It’s a blog, what do you expect, I bounce all over the place. Haha. Blogger's ADD. Soon I’ll post some fun pictures from my birthday on Broadway, but if you know me, when I get on a soapbox, I just have to say something.
If you feel the same way I do, say something. Band together! It does not have to be like this. We can all be an advocate and make a change for the better. We cannot eliminate crime completely, but we can reduce the number of re-victimized survivors of these crimes. And that is the important thing to remember, they are survivors, with a journey, a voice, a story to be heard, and a life of not living in fear that justice will not be served in their favor.
What is sure to be the performance of her career, Jennifer Love Hewitt is going to be guest starring on a very special Law and Order: Special Victims Unit next Wednesday September 29, 2010 where the important issue being highlighted this time will be the rape kit backlogs here in the United States. Can you imagine going through one of the most horrifying moments of your life, being sexually assaulted or raped by an unknown attacker and then having the bravery to go to the hospital to have a 4-6 hour invasive forensic medical examination rape kit done where your body is swabbed, plucked, and scrapped to collect evidence. Then imagine that evidence box that holds the DNA that could possibly catch that unknown assailant is sealed, locked up, untested, and stored away somewhere in a police station or crime lab storage facility for years. Years! Imagine how you could ever feel safe again. Thousands of these stories reflect the true life tragedies that a victim must re-endure when a rape kit goes untested.
There are so many issues surrounding why there are so many kits that are untested. CBS once reported over 20,000 nationwide. One issue that is causing this staggering number is that it might cost $1 million dollars to hire new testing staff to test the backlogged kits. Raising these funds might possibly lower the number of re-victimized victims down to about 2,000 kits it is said but as we know, even one untested kit is too many. There is some good news, however. New York State has done away with their backlogs and every single rape kit is tested now. Once that happened, the rape conviction rate changed from 40% to 70%! Whatever the probelem may be, wheather it be lack of funding or staff in crime labs, the real problem is that it’s unacceptable consciously letting potentially dangerous perpetrators walk and this problem needs to be eradicated everywhere. It’s not a hopeless fight. If New York can do it, one of the cities with the highest crime rates in the country, the rest of the country can surely follow.
Law and Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, the founder of The Joyful Heart Foundation, in collaboration with Sarah Tofte, a researcher from the Human Rights Watch and her involvement as The Joyful Heart Foundation’s Director of Advocacy, have joined forces in their promotion before this special episode airs and will continue to join efforts in the foundation to shed light to other issues surrounding sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and rape. (In fact, they will be on the NBC Today Show at 8am on Tuesday September 28.) Hopefully when this episode is viewed, people will not turn away from the horror that is being presented but rather turn that into a energy that is positive, good, and productive and assist and be advocates like Mariska, Sarah, myself, and perhaps you, to help end this problem. Anyone can be an advocate and you don’t have to be a celebrity to make a change. Many people via social networking sites are coming together after the recent promotion and the sneak peaks of next week’s episodes. There is even a Twitter trend, #endthebacklog that has been started. When done right, social networking can be an amazingly powerful, technological tool in raising awareness.
Speaking of social networkers, I have to give credit to Jess, who runs www.mariska-online.com. Her site is the best site to go to for Mariska Hargitay news. The site is always updated and she is constantly on the ball. I’ve been getting a lot of my information from her site especially as updated news comes in about this issue. Other Law and Order: SVU information can be found at www.nbc.com as well as other of your favorite NBC shows. In fact, Mariska Hargitay recently posted on NBC’s production blog about this episode and the issue surrounding it and probably more well versed then I could for which you can read here. Neal Baer, the executive producer for Law and Order: SVU has a Twitter account for which he constantly keeps us, the fans, in the loop with sneak peeks, articles, and replies and we could not love him more for that. (www.Twitter.com/NealBaer) Mariska Hargitay’s direct website is www.Mariska.com where she indeed blogs herself and has guest blogs. She also has many links on her site including a number of free resources for victims, and a link to her great non-profit foundation, The Joyful Heart Foundation www.JoyfulHeartFoundation.org as well as their twitter account (www.Twitter.com/TheJHF)
This is a clip of Mariska Hargitay singing the praises of Jennifer Love Hewitt's work on the episode and explains the backlog issue.
Below is a clip preview from next week’s episode.
What Powerful emotion. Tell me that does not make you want to watch more?
I promise I will blog once again about the usual happy stuff but I’ll probably blog about this topic once the episode airs again. It’s a blog, what do you expect, I bounce all over the place. Haha. Blogger's ADD. Soon I’ll post some fun pictures from my birthday on Broadway, but if you know me, when I get on a soapbox, I just have to say something.
If you feel the same way I do, say something. Band together! It does not have to be like this. We can all be an advocate and make a change for the better. We cannot eliminate crime completely, but we can reduce the number of re-victimized survivors of these crimes. And that is the important thing to remember, they are survivors, with a journey, a voice, a story to be heard, and a life of not living in fear that justice will not be served in their favor.
May 22, 2010
Fearless Fighting
I know it has been ages since I have submitted a new blog post. I apologize for my laptop has been on the fritz. But luckily, as of yesterday, it has miraculously started working again. Thank God as I have so much to catch up on as well as a string of joyful news. Firstly, obviously it has already been stated that my laptop has been “repaired” and working again. I have a new job with CTDI, a test design company. I just started this Tuesday and everybody is so nice. I even get to listen to my IPod while I am testing and refurbishing the modems and cable boxes which is a pretty sweet perk. It makes the day go by so much faster.
What I wanted to blog about months ago back in February when my computer flipped about was The Barley Sheaf’s V-Day 2010 event. Those shows were rescheduled so many times due to the snow. Yeah, that’s how long it has been. With this heat, my fan blasted in my direction as I write this very moment, I cannot believe the last time I have blogged it was snowing. A wonderful cast of talented woman and my friends preformed The Vagina Monologues. If you know nothing about The Vagina Monologues, it is not as silly as it sounds. Well, kind of. We did have vagina shaped lollipops…but hear me out!!! They are all for a GREAT cause! For a brief history, The Vagina Monologues is a play written by award winning playwright and activist Eve Ensler. Since its first performance in 1996, and in collaboration with V-Day, a global non-profit movement to raise awareness for violence against women and girls, it has since raised over 60 million dollars. It also has been translated into 45 different languages and preformed in over 120 different countries. A-list celebrities over the years have lent their names to various performances of this show Including Whoopi Goldberg, Selma Hayek, Faith Hill and Oprah Winfrey.
{I am going to list as many people as I can from who I see in picture and using the program to help. There is Rose-Marie, Lindsay Franklin, Jo-Oliver Yeager, Deb Sulenski, Allie Greet, Carolyn Salerno, Aimee Kerr, Christine Robinson, Jill Slater, Tessa Raum, Cindy Schneider, Laurie Burke, Tia Allen, Danielle Celli, and Lisa Puy. I really hope I did not miss anyone. I'm sorry if I did. Some may not be pictured but still in the show.}
There were two performances both of which I was able to volunteer at, February 13th and February 19th. I did not read any of the monologues. It looked liked the director, Rose-Marie and Jill, had people already in mind. I helped my friend Tony sell raffle tickets. By the way, kind of side bar, but I won a raffle basket at the second performance. I was happy to see a bigger turnout for the second performance and invited one of my best friends, Kayla. I remember another Katie in the room, a friend of mine performing, so I put my name “Katie Jo” in the basket. It’s become my nickname around there. A stage name you might say? ;) Just kidding. But I was really surprised. That’s the second time I won a raffle basket there. I won a basket for “The Homecoming” too. People are going to start thinking I’m fixing those things. But it was the biggest baskets. The “Comfort Basket” it was called. It had sparkling cider, wine glasses, sea salt soak, lotion, a reiki massage gift certificate, and a cute little bear with the event printed on her little t-shirt. 
The first performance was very special as I invited my Mom to watch to the first show. My mom is my hero, my rock, and my best friend. She also herself is a victim of sexual assault and child abuse. She is so incredibly strong and the reason why I want to be such a strong and fearless woman as well. We were equally moved and I enjoyed being able to share that experience with her. She knows how much the theater means to me and how much my heart just swells when I can help others and be able to advocate for victims, which is how I came to find The Crime Victim Center of Chester County.
{It would just be dream come true to meet her and tell her how inspiring she. How much she makes a difference and hows she changed my life. Just stunning!}
The last night of the training was the dreaded and much stressed about role play night. Everyone was just so nervous about saying the right thing in the scenarios that the staff was going to give us. I thought of each scenario as an acting challenge and that made it a little easier. Especially since one staff member really went all out with it, sniffles and fake sobs and all. I was really taken back but it helped to keep it real. That situation was consoling a victim over a hotline and that one I think I did the best. That night felt like graduation. We ate pizza and talked about what we were doing with our summer and where we were going in our lives. I was complimented by the fact that I have good networking skills because I was the one who had made the facebook site for the Candlelight Vigil. Because of that, before we went our separate ways, Asha told me that she did not want to lose me and what I could do for the Center. I told her that she would be lucky to get rid of me. She’s a sweetheart. It made me feel really great that I was valued at a place that gave me so much worth in my own life. I know that whatever career I have in the future, where ever I go in life, that I'm so honored to be affiliated with such a foundation full of the most wonderful, supportive, and kind people.
I feel like I am my own little Olivia Benson sometimes, without the gun. The things that make me the happiest are singing and helping people. If I could make that my life’s work I would, actress and activist. Just like my idols. If only I could be the perfect love child of my two favorite idols, Kristin Chenoweth and Mariska Hargitay. And I could move to New York City, and star in Law and Order: SVU …THE MUSICAL! By the way, that season 11 finale was insane, no?! Wow!!!! Loved it!!!! I thought Melinda was going to die like O’Halloran did last year…
Oh! But Sorry, back to advocating! I have learned so much and hope to continue to learn a lot more so that I can officially become on call volunteer sometime soon and volunteer more of my time at CVC. For instance, like one of the things I mentioned earlier, a rape kit, or evidence collection kit, is extremely essential in convicting a rapist if a case ever makes it to a criminal trial. It’s an extremely emotional process as the victim’s body’s becomes a living and feeling crime scene of their rape. Of course, as you know, being an obsessed fan of Mariska Hargitay, (If you have not picked up on that yet) and twitter friends with one of her official fan made twitter accounts (www.twitter.com/mariska_online), I came across this news clip. Below I posted two videos that can be found on this twitter account's adjoining official website http://mariska-online.com. The first video is the the full testimonial that Mariska Hargitay gave at Capitol Hill speaking in front of the US House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. The second clip is the feature story of the backlog of rape kits on CBS Evening News.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
It’s unbelievable that there are over 20,000 untested rape kits nationwide and another 6,000 waiting in crime lab warehouses for months and even years to be tested. Whether it is lack of funding, the understaffed employees at crime labs, undeveloped technology, or the criminal justice system, it is a tragedy and if anything, thankfully some light is being shed on this issue now. I had never known about this problem before and now I have spent my whole Friday night and entire Saturday doing all the research I can to wrap my head around this matter and see what I can do to support this cause that I have had close to my heart for years. And if it is me someday speaking in front of a board of committee members on Capitol Hill, so be it. I wish it be. I have a voice to be used and spoken for those who cannot. A heart of my own that bleeds in grief, empathy, and compassion for my mom and for other victims. Lifting up fellow victims and advocates who have seen and heard too much and whose hearts are broken. Keeping my love and faith in God and knowing for sure that my pain and the pain of others cannot last forever. Fighting for what I believe in and staying fearless all the way.
Again, I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post another blog submission. It has been a crazy few months. I’m just so happy that I am writing again and I have said my say and have finally shared something again that means so much to me. I’m also overjoyed that I have a new job that I just love and my weekends to relax and spend time with my family. I just hope that I will be able to find a suitable schedule because whether it is time with my friends from Barley Sheaf, The Crime Victim Center, High School friends, and just friends, I miss you all very much and love you with all of my heart.
What I wanted to blog about months ago back in February when my computer flipped about was The Barley Sheaf’s V-Day 2010 event. Those shows were rescheduled so many times due to the snow. Yeah, that’s how long it has been. With this heat, my fan blasted in my direction as I write this very moment, I cannot believe the last time I have blogged it was snowing. A wonderful cast of talented woman and my friends preformed The Vagina Monologues. If you know nothing about The Vagina Monologues, it is not as silly as it sounds. Well, kind of. We did have vagina shaped lollipops…but hear me out!!! They are all for a GREAT cause! For a brief history, The Vagina Monologues is a play written by award winning playwright and activist Eve Ensler. Since its first performance in 1996, and in collaboration with V-Day, a global non-profit movement to raise awareness for violence against women and girls, it has since raised over 60 million dollars. It also has been translated into 45 different languages and preformed in over 120 different countries. A-list celebrities over the years have lent their names to various performances of this show Including Whoopi Goldberg, Selma Hayek, Faith Hill and Oprah Winfrey.
{I am going to list as many people as I can from who I see in picture and using the program to help. There is Rose-Marie, Lindsay Franklin, Jo-Oliver Yeager, Deb Sulenski, Allie Greet, Carolyn Salerno, Aimee Kerr, Christine Robinson, Jill Slater, Tessa Raum, Cindy Schneider, Laurie Burke, Tia Allen, Danielle Celli, and Lisa Puy. I really hope I did not miss anyone. I'm sorry if I did. Some may not be pictured but still in the show.} The play is made up of monologues and they range from a varying number laugh out loud hilarious bits to devastatingly moving pieces about sex, love, rape, menstruation, mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasms, and all of the variety of names for the vagina. But above all, the reoccurring theme throughout the show is female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality.
{Aimee grabbing her boob cracks me up every time!!!! haha!!!}
{Me in the matching theme of black and red}
There were two performances both of which I was able to volunteer at, February 13th and February 19th. I did not read any of the monologues. It looked liked the director, Rose-Marie and Jill, had people already in mind. I helped my friend Tony sell raffle tickets. By the way, kind of side bar, but I won a raffle basket at the second performance. I was happy to see a bigger turnout for the second performance and invited one of my best friends, Kayla. I remember another Katie in the room, a friend of mine performing, so I put my name “Katie Jo” in the basket. It’s become my nickname around there. A stage name you might say? ;) Just kidding. But I was really surprised. That’s the second time I won a raffle basket there. I won a basket for “The Homecoming” too. People are going to start thinking I’m fixing those things. But it was the biggest baskets. The “Comfort Basket” it was called. It had sparkling cider, wine glasses, sea salt soak, lotion, a reiki massage gift certificate, and a cute little bear with the event printed on her little t-shirt.
{Cute right? I would have been happy just win her!}
The first performance was very special as I invited my Mom to watch to the first show. My mom is my hero, my rock, and my best friend. She also herself is a victim of sexual assault and child abuse. She is so incredibly strong and the reason why I want to be such a strong and fearless woman as well. We were equally moved and I enjoyed being able to share that experience with her. She knows how much the theater means to me and how much my heart just swells when I can help others and be able to advocate for victims, which is how I came to find The Crime Victim Center of Chester County.
{Printed on the back of "The Vagina Monologues" program.}
10% of the proceeds from the shows went to the women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the remaining 90% of the proceeds went to the Crime Victim Center of Chester County Inc, which provides services to victims of all types of crimes and violence. Unfortunately, a majority of the cases that they deal with are rape and sexual assault cases. Next to my mom, Mariska Hargitay ranks right up next to her in the category of what a role model and a hero is. Mariska Hargitay plays Special Victims Cop Olivia Benson on NBC’s long running series, Law and Order: SVU. The show is fiction but based on real facts and heart retching true stories. It’s the true stories that certain episodes can give new light to issues and a voice to someone who may have never had one before. The heart of the show comes from real emotion. So through the Vagina Monologues I found that The Crime Victim Center was holding a free eight week sexual assault counselor training program. Through the training, I can become a volunteer and advocate on behalf of the victim center. There is a range of volunteer work one can do for the center from answering hotline calls to being an on call volunteer and physically go out on a case. An on call volunteer gives the hours on certain days that they will be available to be called so that say when a rape victim is brought to the hospital, the hospital calls the victim center, and the center finds who is on call at that time to send over to help that victim. What we do as an advocate is basically all we can. We support them, believe them, answer any of their questions, hold their hand if they want, give them a simple glass of water if they need it. If a case even goes through the criminal process, we will even go to court with them. In one of our classes we visited the Phoenixville Hospital, and we spoke to a SANE nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) and talked to her about her experiences and she answered our questions. She said that we are her saviors! She said that we make her job so much easier because we distract the victim and allow her to focus on her work. She said focusing on what swab goes into what sterilized bag is very precarious and critically important.
Around week six of our classes, there is an annual Homicide Candlelight Vigil/ Memorial Service that is held in Downingtown each year sponsored by The Crime Victim Center of Chester County (CVC). There was a service held in the Central Presbyterian Church. During the service, a list of 300 names were read aloud of the people who were the murdered victims of homicide in our area over a number of years. We then walked to the memorial in Kardon Park with our candles led by our police car escorts and a few marching police officers. That was a sight! A whole road blocked off and led in front of the pack was a police officer playing the bag pipe as the sun was setting and blue and red lights were flashing. In the middle of Kardon Park, across the street from Planet Fitness, is a memorial dedicated to those victims erected by the CVC back in 2000. Little prayers were said and tiny message to loved one were written on the rocks that surround the memorial’s base. What an emotional night. And to have lived in Downingtown my whole life and to have never known that memorial was there. Not knowing my life’s direction was all going to change because of that place.
{My dad took these great photos}
{I took the last two photos.}
Now I missed a few classes due to the fact that I was sick but there are a few classes this summer and another eight week program where it starts all over again in the fall. I don’t mind taking that class all over again if that’s what it takes, especially it being free. I wish to always be a perpetual student. Especially if it is subjects I am so passionate to learn about such as this. Plus, I made such great friends there. The first day I met with the event coordinator, Asha. We became fast friends and found that we also shared the same birthday. She asked about my necklace which ironically pertains strongly to the class. On my 20th birthday last year, my parents bought me the fearlessness necklace from Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation collection. The symbol, written in Sanskrit, means fearlessness and the proceeds to purchasing that necklace goes to her foundation which helps victims of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. (That symbol will probably be my first tattoo). I have barely taken the necklace off since and it has almost been a year. By the way, If you have ever watched Law and Order: SVU. It is the necklace that Mariska Hargitay wears on the show. {It would just be dream come true to meet her and tell her how inspiring she. How much she makes a difference and hows she changed my life. Just stunning!}The last night of the training was the dreaded and much stressed about role play night. Everyone was just so nervous about saying the right thing in the scenarios that the staff was going to give us. I thought of each scenario as an acting challenge and that made it a little easier. Especially since one staff member really went all out with it, sniffles and fake sobs and all. I was really taken back but it helped to keep it real. That situation was consoling a victim over a hotline and that one I think I did the best. That night felt like graduation. We ate pizza and talked about what we were doing with our summer and where we were going in our lives. I was complimented by the fact that I have good networking skills because I was the one who had made the facebook site for the Candlelight Vigil. Because of that, before we went our separate ways, Asha told me that she did not want to lose me and what I could do for the Center. I told her that she would be lucky to get rid of me. She’s a sweetheart. It made me feel really great that I was valued at a place that gave me so much worth in my own life. I know that whatever career I have in the future, where ever I go in life, that I'm so honored to be affiliated with such a foundation full of the most wonderful, supportive, and kind people.
I feel like I am my own little Olivia Benson sometimes, without the gun. The things that make me the happiest are singing and helping people. If I could make that my life’s work I would, actress and activist. Just like my idols. If only I could be the perfect love child of my two favorite idols, Kristin Chenoweth and Mariska Hargitay. And I could move to New York City, and star in Law and Order: SVU …THE MUSICAL! By the way, that season 11 finale was insane, no?! Wow!!!! Loved it!!!! I thought Melinda was going to die like O’Halloran did last year…
Oh! But Sorry, back to advocating! I have learned so much and hope to continue to learn a lot more so that I can officially become on call volunteer sometime soon and volunteer more of my time at CVC. For instance, like one of the things I mentioned earlier, a rape kit, or evidence collection kit, is extremely essential in convicting a rapist if a case ever makes it to a criminal trial. It’s an extremely emotional process as the victim’s body’s becomes a living and feeling crime scene of their rape. Of course, as you know, being an obsessed fan of Mariska Hargitay, (If you have not picked up on that yet) and twitter friends with one of her official fan made twitter accounts (www.twitter.com/mariska_online), I came across this news clip. Below I posted two videos that can be found on this twitter account's adjoining official website http://mariska-online.com. The first video is the the full testimonial that Mariska Hargitay gave at Capitol Hill speaking in front of the US House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. The second clip is the feature story of the backlog of rape kits on CBS Evening News.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
It’s unbelievable that there are over 20,000 untested rape kits nationwide and another 6,000 waiting in crime lab warehouses for months and even years to be tested. Whether it is lack of funding, the understaffed employees at crime labs, undeveloped technology, or the criminal justice system, it is a tragedy and if anything, thankfully some light is being shed on this issue now. I had never known about this problem before and now I have spent my whole Friday night and entire Saturday doing all the research I can to wrap my head around this matter and see what I can do to support this cause that I have had close to my heart for years. And if it is me someday speaking in front of a board of committee members on Capitol Hill, so be it. I wish it be. I have a voice to be used and spoken for those who cannot. A heart of my own that bleeds in grief, empathy, and compassion for my mom and for other victims. Lifting up fellow victims and advocates who have seen and heard too much and whose hearts are broken. Keeping my love and faith in God and knowing for sure that my pain and the pain of others cannot last forever. Fighting for what I believe in and staying fearless all the way.
Again, I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post another blog submission. It has been a crazy few months. I’m just so happy that I am writing again and I have said my say and have finally shared something again that means so much to me. I’m also overjoyed that I have a new job that I just love and my weekends to relax and spend time with my family. I just hope that I will be able to find a suitable schedule because whether it is time with my friends from Barley Sheaf, The Crime Victim Center, High School friends, and just friends, I miss you all very much and love you with all of my heart.
oxox,
♥
Katie
January 27, 2010
What Julie/Julia Taught Me
Haven’t blogged in a few weeks. I apologize for my absence. This blogging business is still new to me. Hope you enjoy this insightfully random yet not so random post. I promise it is not as long as my previous post.
I’ve just recently watched Julie and Julia. The movie, as the tagline reads, is based on two true stories of two women. Julie Powell, a New York housewife and cubical worker, starts a blog in which she cooks her way through Julia Child’s cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” 365 days, 524 recipes. The movie, simultaneously, depicts Julia Child’s journey through her cooking career, mostly in Paris, and her efforts to publish this book that started it all.
With just starting a blog my-self, it’s interesting to consider how much blogging can do and what it has done since its “birth” to the internet. With its undeniable popularity, it’s a very modern way of sharing stories, ideas, adventures, advice, and pictures to prove it. It brings people together in the ever-expanding universe that is cyberspace. If you think about it, food brings people together as well. But food, not being as modern, has always brought people together.
My father’s side of the family is as Italian as we can. Food is a big deal in our family. My grandma Mary, who celebrated her 75th this Sunday, is the proud grandparent of eight grandchildren. She is the centerpiece to all family functions. She never fails to fill her house with her warm welcoming love or the sweet aroma of food with family traveling from all corners to be there. With one whiff, the familiar scent fills your senses with anything from meat lasagna, to calamari con pomodoro, to our Christmas Eve traditional Italian Wedding Soup in which my cousins always tease me on the ridiculous amounts of Romano cheese I put in mine Ha-ha. My dad is the youngest of four, so our family is quite numerous. I have several friends who are Italian as well and it just seems that Italians simply pride ourselves on our good food. It’s always fun when we can all cook together. My earliest memories of my life were baking cookies at my grandma’s house. From when we were infants, my grandma’s house was always our halfway house when moving into new places, which we did a lot. Her house will always be like a second home for me.
So what’s the movie about and what did I learn from it? Well it’s about changing your life through cooking, through writing, through anything that brings you happiness in life. I learned that it’s true. Blogs are quite narcissistic. At first I thought it was silly that I should even start a blog. I’m no Julie Powell, I don’t have a wedding or baby to blog about their developments, and certainly no celebrity with movie sets I’m jetting off to or fan mail to thank, but as Amy Adams said as Julie Powell in the movie, “I could write a blog…I have thoughts.” It’s a very comical yet truthful statement when you think about it. We all have thoughts and opinions whether we are truly educated in the subject matter or not, no matter what, people always have an opinion about something and are always glad to share it. Positive or negative. Something else that I have learned from the movie is that I realized that I can’t wait to have a kitchen of my own. I love cooking. It’s another form of a creative outlet and in many cases, art itself. Why else would they call it Culinary Arts? So whether it is Italiano, Ukrainian, Polish, or Native American food is universal and brings all families together. Just like my grandmothers, cooking is another way to show that you care for your loved ones.
I know what makes me happy. Everyday there are reminders of what a beautiful world we live in. I wake up each morning with the blessed feeling of living another day. Even in the face of tragedy and despair, there is a light and God is in that light. In that light is the warmth of his hope and love. It’s hard to remember that sometimes when we are wrapped up in our own sorrows. But with what we are aware of in the world today, we should remember to share that same love that we are given. Running through these memories makes me feel so thankful. It allows me to remember the blessings in my life and count them every day. My family, my friends, my music, and God, that’s what keeps me going. So whether it’s a movie that reminds us this or God in the faces around us, share the food and share the love.
OXOX
♥ ,
Katie
I’ve just recently watched Julie and Julia. The movie, as the tagline reads, is based on two true stories of two women. Julie Powell, a New York housewife and cubical worker, starts a blog in which she cooks her way through Julia Child’s cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” 365 days, 524 recipes. The movie, simultaneously, depicts Julia Child’s journey through her cooking career, mostly in Paris, and her efforts to publish this book that started it all.
With just starting a blog my-self, it’s interesting to consider how much blogging can do and what it has done since its “birth” to the internet. With its undeniable popularity, it’s a very modern way of sharing stories, ideas, adventures, advice, and pictures to prove it. It brings people together in the ever-expanding universe that is cyberspace. If you think about it, food brings people together as well. But food, not being as modern, has always brought people together.
My father’s side of the family is as Italian as we can. Food is a big deal in our family. My grandma Mary, who celebrated her 75th this Sunday, is the proud grandparent of eight grandchildren. She is the centerpiece to all family functions. She never fails to fill her house with her warm welcoming love or the sweet aroma of food with family traveling from all corners to be there. With one whiff, the familiar scent fills your senses with anything from meat lasagna, to calamari con pomodoro, to our Christmas Eve traditional Italian Wedding Soup in which my cousins always tease me on the ridiculous amounts of Romano cheese I put in mine Ha-ha. My dad is the youngest of four, so our family is quite numerous. I have several friends who are Italian as well and it just seems that Italians simply pride ourselves on our good food. It’s always fun when we can all cook together. My earliest memories of my life were baking cookies at my grandma’s house. From when we were infants, my grandma’s house was always our halfway house when moving into new places, which we did a lot. Her house will always be like a second home for me.
(My grandma Mary and I after her 75th birthday party!)
So what’s the movie about and what did I learn from it? Well it’s about changing your life through cooking, through writing, through anything that brings you happiness in life. I learned that it’s true. Blogs are quite narcissistic. At first I thought it was silly that I should even start a blog. I’m no Julie Powell, I don’t have a wedding or baby to blog about their developments, and certainly no celebrity with movie sets I’m jetting off to or fan mail to thank, but as Amy Adams said as Julie Powell in the movie, “I could write a blog…I have thoughts.” It’s a very comical yet truthful statement when you think about it. We all have thoughts and opinions whether we are truly educated in the subject matter or not, no matter what, people always have an opinion about something and are always glad to share it. Positive or negative. Something else that I have learned from the movie is that I realized that I can’t wait to have a kitchen of my own. I love cooking. It’s another form of a creative outlet and in many cases, art itself. Why else would they call it Culinary Arts? So whether it is Italiano, Ukrainian, Polish, or Native American food is universal and brings all families together. Just like my grandmothers, cooking is another way to show that you care for your loved ones.
I know what makes me happy. Everyday there are reminders of what a beautiful world we live in. I wake up each morning with the blessed feeling of living another day. Even in the face of tragedy and despair, there is a light and God is in that light. In that light is the warmth of his hope and love. It’s hard to remember that sometimes when we are wrapped up in our own sorrows. But with what we are aware of in the world today, we should remember to share that same love that we are given. Running through these memories makes me feel so thankful. It allows me to remember the blessings in my life and count them every day. My family, my friends, my music, and God, that’s what keeps me going. So whether it’s a movie that reminds us this or God in the faces around us, share the food and share the love.
OXOX
♥ ,
Katie
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