"White Christmas" (WHITE CHRISTMAS)

As I walked out of my apartment building at 5:30 in the morning, I had just finished an all-nighter. It has become a tradition before each time I return home to Texas for a visit. It's just me cleaning up my room, going through things and reminiscing, disposing of excess, deciding what to keep and what to donate, and eventually packing for my trip. This particular morning was no different. My pace was hurried but I got out of my apartment at my scheduled time. Although the airline website said that my flight was on schedule, I kind of expected an upcoming delay because the day before the city had a major snowstorm and it crippled the airports. But I when I walked out of my building, there was a peace in the air with a beautiful setting. No sleet, rain or snow was falling. No cars, traffic, or pedestrians. Just a white covered neighborhood--my neighborhood in majestic white with a quiet serenity--for me, it represented one of the most beautiful moments in the city. I had been racing the past several weeks with my schedule, but in that one moment, I stopped, took a breath, thanked the Lord for the moment and the wintry wonderful landscape, and then continued wiht my large suitcase and carry-ons to the subway.

"Aquarius" (HAIR)

Okay, I need to make a post during this month of August. So I'm going to go with some recent talks. Well, after a week and a half in Texas for a wedding and just some dead time at home, I got back to NY following a six-hour delay at the airport. Not a fun thing to go through but the characters sitting around me at the airport really made it bearable. So once I got back to NY, I went to work and did not have anything scheduled after work so I just took easy getting back into things here in the city. By Wednesday, I was ready to start doing things and enjoyed a night at the theatre. That is something that will just always be a part of me--theatre. Then last night I went with a few friends to a new gym that they had went to for the first time last week. It's a facility for the police athletic league in Harlem, reconstructed in an old armory. It had an amazingly high ceiling and a lot of tennis courts. It was a simple open gym held a couple of nights a week. I'm not sure how my friend found out about it but I went to get some practice in and touch a volleyball because I hadn't in about three weeks. Of course, I couldn't pass and serve but after a few more tries, it felt good to be back on the court. But my heavy weight is not letting get up that high because I don't want to do too much damage to my knee already. My days of jumping an inch or so may be numbered. I was glad to touch the ball again and return to open play at Brandeis tonight. It has been three weeks. I'm also ready to see all the people there. The scene there is really a social one and you can play at other places but this one really has a good social atmosphere. Let's see how I feel tomorrow after my body reacts to playing tonight, muscles will probably hurt if I really try tonight.

"Malaguena" (BLAST!)

SERIOUSLY!!??!!

I looked up and almost two months have gone by since I last posted. Well, mainly because I haven't played a lot of volleyball. I've maybe played 4 times in the last 8 weeks. I'm not on any league teams and haven't been able to play at open nights at Brandeis because I was home for a little break to see cousins graduate and our annual pow-wow plus the holiday and other stuff. So my physical ability on the court even though it was slow to begin with is probably hindered even greater now. But I'm still getting assignments to ref so that's been great. I just feel so comfortable with it now, before I would be so nervous about certain divisions but now I'm just happy with any divisions. I may have calls questioned but my whistle rules and I verify after the match the rule I called, research it to be sure, and make mental note of it. It's all about refreshing yourself with rules in this officiating game.

I've tried to play a little tennis but that hasn't been a very successful goal. I know people who play but I just wish I could do it more after work. I'm finally getting back into hip-hop class tonight. Let's see how my body handles it. I'm totally excited to get back to class but I'm not sure if my body is. I'm not getting any kind of physical activity and I'm so afraid of what will happen if I don't do something soon. A report on that to come.

"I Did Something Wrong....Once" (CRY-BABY)

Well, this post will be mostly a non-volleyball entry because I only had one occurrence this last week. I went to Friday Brandeis and it was a really good time, and I did not have any referee assignments last week so pretty slow in my volleyball world.

I spent most of last week, resting, which is such a rare thing for me. I usually have things lined up almost every night and sometimes spontaneous things will happen if I don't have something planned like taking in a show with last-minute comps. Anyway, I actually went home after work which sort of surprised my roommate. I'm so rarely in my apartment except to sleep that she was taken aback that I was arriving home so early, it was actually light outside. I used the nights to go through clothes and do a late spring clean-up with my clothes, what doesn't still fit, needs to go, I'm not kidding myself that I'll get back into them. And when I was in Kansas, I had pictures developed at Wal-Mart that I had taken since January, pretty much I keep the one-hour people busy when I place an order but they always do really good work. So with all those pics, I filled up 6 photo albums of various numbers (two 200s, one 100, two 80s, one 64). I alway say that I love being in pictures but also love taking pictures and especially enjoy looking and working with pictures. I'm always on the lookout for a different photo album. I just feel that pictures are the portal to a soul, revealing and distinguishing. I also caught up on a lot of shows on my DVR--Little People, Big World; Lost; Desperate Housewives; Grey's Anatomy's; Ugly Betty; Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; several Oprahs; Brothers & Sisters; Law & Order SVU; Aliens in America. I think I'm caught up which is great since it's all about season finales now!

I also caught the last musical I needed to see that was nominated for Best Musical Tony Award. They had just announced nominations on Tuesday but the one musical I thought would make it didn't and the one that surprised people I was to see on Thursday. CRY-BABY was an okay night but it definitely had some great moments in the show but lacked charisma. I still have my favorite and I'm sticking with that.

I also got to celebrate birthdays for two volleyball-related people, Julie and Susana. We had dim sum in Brooklyn which took two and a half hours to get to for me, damn trains. That was for Julie. For Susana, we celebrated with a small dinner at Mara's Homemade which is a really good Cajun place on the Lower East Side. Certain dishes were a hit, and others were just okay but I would definitely recommend this place.

Then yesterday, we had a reading benefit which had a full orchestra and guest appearances by theatre folks. It was a big success in ticket sales but the actual box office was a nightmare. I was selling our last remaining tickets and we had two staff members doing will call but the set up at this theatre was a logistic nightmare. We had a lot of disgruntled people in the line because they had to come into one part of the building to get their ticket and then go back outside to into the house for the show. It was a small space so the boiling pressure was rupturing a lot. But once we got everyone inside, things went well with the show. Then I had to take tickets for the after-party which was pretty low key and I didn't have to be my usual persona, "Nazi Door Guy."

It was a pretty tame weekend. I started this morning way too early, and went to sleep way too late, but I wanted to get to the office to try for Tina Turner tickets on Ticketmaster. I finally got a pair for her stop out at the Nassau Coliseum in December. This will be my third time to see her and she is so awesome in concert. But I hate the fees that Ticketmaster charges, such a rip-off. I had planned to go to dance class tonight but my leg is really bothering me and my headaches are back again (note: made an eye doctor appointment today for next week to get my prescription updated which I think is the reason for my headaches, it's been more than two years since I had them checked). So I just want to relax again tonight, been doing that more and more lately. But I also looked at my calendar and realized tonight is the only night I have free before I leave for Texas for a small break next week. Also found out today that the complete series of that 80s TV show "Square Pegs" will be out on DVD tomorrow, which I'm totally picking up.

"Amsterdam" (PASSING STRANGE)

Yes, I know it has been a LLLOOOONNNNGGGG time since I've last updated.  I don't think I've been really busy but looking back at my calendar, it seems like I had a bit more of my share of a busy schedule.  During my last post which was for my birthday, we had just started the first week of fundraising at Broadway Cares.  The spring season of six weeks of fundraising we call "The Easter Bonnet Competition."  It's a friendly competition between shows to see who can raise the most money.  In recent years, the national tours of the shows have stepped up in a major way and raised a great portion of our total.   I get busy during this time because I help out at the show when volunteers are needed but during the day I also do the scheduling for those volunteers.  At the end of the six weeks, there is a two day show where the shows are encouraged to do a skit and present "an Easter Bonnet" of their own creation.  I have to say that this year has been one of the best presentations because all the shows were so amazing.  So many favorites it was hard to pick just one for "Most Fabulous Bonnet Presentation" but it ended up being hands down the two girls from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE who performed as characters from the show.  They were amazing!!  Anyway, when we unveiled the amount raised, it's always a moment that brings tears to my eyes.  Even though I know the amount that morning because I am in the finance department, it still resonates greatly when I see the amount with the rest of the audience--this year $3.7 million.  

So that was a busy six weeks but I also started to do a lot more referee assignments.  I'm really liking this part a lot and decided to not play this season.  I want to work more ref assignments with Urban and hopefully tournaments.  My team, the Dinkin' Do-Nots, retired after three really good seasons.  We finished first during the regular season but we lost in the playoffs during the last two seasons.  Our first season had us winning the Quads in a great first season.  After that team disbanded, it was a sign that I need to hang my shoes up and go more on the ref stand.  I'm also realizing that I'm moving a lot slower so I know that my days are numbered in volleyball.  Nothing is a major hurt and I've been very lucky to have no major injuries but that's probably because I'm not that hard of a player.  But I also realize that I'm moving slower or my body doesn't do what it used to so I have to be mindful of that.  I'm just happy that tennis season is upon us.  

As for social things, I've had a great time celebrating a lot of wonderful volleyball moments like the marriage of two awesome people who met at Brandeis volleyball.  Peter and Amy met during open play Sundays four years ago and they tied the knot in March.  The wedding brought together a few of the old Sunday Brandeis crew and it was a great, hilarious time.  We had our own table and that table was the most rowdy crowd but we had a blast.  I was just happy to be able to celebrate with them.  These volleyball weddings have been so much fun.  It's such a great destiny to have met them along with some other great people there.  I've been very blessed.  

I've also been very lucky to catch a lot more theatre lately.  I had put off a lot of theatre because of volleyball but I realize that I can incorporate both.  I used to be such a big theatre geek and in some ways I still am (to date I've seen IN THE HEIGHTS 6 times) but age does temper your activities and I will always be a lover and fanatic but not to the extend that I used to be.

Also I'm finally getting back to dance class this week.  I've also put that off since early March.  Bev, my instructor, will notice my lack of workout but I'm happy to get back and "whine up."  It's sad that I have a playlist of songs that I wish I could choreograph.  

I'm back on the blogger now and will be posting more now.

"When You're Home" (IN THE HEIGHTS)

Magical is how I would describe this year's birthday. There was nothing that I had not done before--dinner with friends, a little karaoke over the weekend, and I knew I would take in a show on my actual birthday but it was the show that made it so special. On my 30th birthday, I had asked 12 friends to help me with the ticket lottery for the musical WICKED which has been a sell-out show since it opened. The lottery for that show attracted hundreds of people so I thought I would increase my odds and have 12 friends put their name in the drawing. Well, we came up empty-handed and I ended up not seeing a show at all that birthday, I called it an early evening on my 30th birthday. Quite sad.

Fast forward four years and you have today, my 34th birthday. I enjoyed a wonderful dinner celebration with friends this past Saturday and received many messages sending best regards through websites, emails, phone calls, and voicemails. I was thinking of what show I should see, basically a favorite that brings me great joy, such as Hairspray, Altar Boyz, or Spring Awakening. Broadway is a lifeline that puts me in a special place where emotions run high and escapism can be achieved. But a new show has come from the horizon to take most of my attention--IN THE HEIGHTS. I saw it a few weeks back from the front row through the ticket lottery they held where everyone basically won a ticket because not that many people had shown up. I loved the show and returned a couple of weeks later after a couple of lost chances at the lottery by buying one of the cheap tickets which put me in the last row of the theatre in the rear mezzanine section, second seat from the wall. Again, I found new things to love about this show and appreciate it even more.

So today I was bouncing around ideas of which show to see but I really wanted to see ITH again even though I had just seen it last Thursday. That was how powerful the show had stayed with me from the music to the choreography to the design elements to the amazing performances. This well-received new musical was becoming a big word of mouth hit and tickets were getting harder and harder to come by. The ticket lottery is a cheap way to see it but you take that risk and hope for the best. My co-workers said they would help me with the lottery so I figured I would give it a shot and be prepared with a back-up plan if I didn't get a ticket. I got 10 friends AGAIN to put their name in the drawing where there were about 70 other people trying their luck in this ticket lottery and I must be cursed or something because AGAIN I did not get a ticket. I was a little disappointed but not surprised and I'm sure the look on my face was more of an indication of disappointment. So I thanked my friends for trying and I headed back to the office.

Since it was a Tuesday night, a lot of shows had early curtains (7pm) so I wasn't even able to find out if other possible shows had any tickets left. It looked like I was going to have a repeat performance of my 30th birthday. After sulking for a few minutes, I looked online to see if ITH even had any tickets available. They had full price tickets available but I thought that was out of the question. See I have only ever paid full price for a theatre ticket twice before and that was 7 years ago, they were momentous occasions in my theatre history--the final performance of Heather Headley in AIDA and the final performance of MISS SAIGON. After a few more minutes, I kept trying to rationalize paying the $110 ticket price (I see a lot of shows through comps and mostly do either SRO or rush to see my favorites). Then it finally hit--it was my birthday so why not just treat myself. So I went to the box office and said that if they had a decent ticket then I would pay the big price. They had a single seat on the sixth row in the middle of the row, it was a true heavenly sign. So I bought the ticket and was ready for the show.

When I got to the theatre, I took my seat and could not believe the amazing view I had of the stage, it couldn't get any better, eye-level with the stage. I kept admiring the simple set design and going through my pre-theatre ritual--prayer of thanks for an amazing opportunity to see my beloved Broadway. The show started and laughter, joy, and tears flowed throughout the show, reminding me of the transformative power of theatre. At the final scene, the leading man, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is also the composer and lyricist, had tears in his eyes and I was happy to have taken the last two hour journey with him. ITH is my new highly-recommended show.

It was a magical night on Broadway to celebrate my birthday.

"Show Off" (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE)

On the evening of the Lunar New Year, I had a lot of friends celebrating with family and friends so I expected it to be a quiet evening for me. I had no leagues games scheduled to play and I was not scheduled to ref any games either. Instead, it turned out to be an enjoyable evening with friends watching volleyball. First, I started the evening with dinner with a friend down on Allen Street. She was wanting a specific dish so we went to a very busy restaurant and of course I was running late because I got on the wrong train and ended up way off the mark. Then I thought I knew where the restaurant was located so I just got off the train and started walking but I walked too far north and had to back track. I was a walking crazy fool. Anyway, I got to the restaurant finally and we had a long waiting period. It's funny that we had to share a table with two other couples and we ordered fast and got the food fast. We waited longer to get a table than we were actually sitting and eating at the table. We were glad we got there a little early because when we left the waiting area was a complete zoo. Happy Chinese New Year!!

We rode up to John Jay to catch our friends in their women's game and met Mary there to cheer with her. She's also on this team but hurt her ankle at Gotham power try-outs two weeks ago. She has a walking cast but she's waiting until Saturday before she gets back on the court. She will have her first power session at Gotham on Saturday and she's really excited about it. Anyway, we cheered her team on and also for another friend we had playing against them. In cases where you know people on opposing teams, I cheer for GOOD PLAYS. Hahaha. We also found out during the course of the game that another friend was playing up at LaGuardia HS against Sofa King, our old favorite men's division team. So we had a small crowd of 7 walk up to 65th Street and cheer for good plays by both teams and it was a very impressive game in Division 1 men's level.

So for the Lunar New Year, it was a good way to help ring it in. It was special in that it was a random reminder of the friendships brought out of volleyball and how much fun we can have just sitting around chatting and watching volleyball.

"Positive" (LEGALLY BLONDE)

So last night was my first night as referee on my own. Actually there was another referee there if I needed to ask questions but this was my "official" debut as an Urban referee. It was at FIT which is a gym that I've played at many times but could not remember if it was an in-ground system or porter system. I got there real early so I could set up the nets and not get behind like I did last week but the gym keeper had already put up the net which was great. I just had to tie up the sides but about mid way through the first game I noticed that the net was a little looser than I had hoped. Just a note to myself in preparing the nets is to check the tightness of it at the middle. So I had a men's game first on my list and as I stepped up on the stand, I had to remember that I might not see every infraction but I will try to call the game as best as I can see it. I kept thinking that once I got through this game then everything else would fall into place and it did. I had a few missed calls during the first game and blew the whistle a little too quickly, being almost too hesitant that I had to replay some balls but the two teams were very cool about it. I was very thankful for that. The next two games were co-ed teams and I knew people on one of the teams, most were actually playing for both games. That made it relaxing and I had a lot more ease in calling the game, quicker on my calls instead of hesitating. In my end of the night evaluation, I was noticing that my games were ending just too close to the starting time for the next game and I was having too little time for change-overs. I think I need to be quicker with my calls for the service. I was more worried about both sides being ready, which I should be doing, but just having them move quicker into rotation during a service change. Little things to improve with each game and I'm already noticing the ease I feel in calling the games but still my eyes are not on every person for every infraction but I will try my best. Keep growing and learning.

"Johnny Can't Decide" (TICK, TICK....BOOM!!)

Well Wednesday night started the winter season for the Dinkin' Do-Nots. We were all glad to start a new season after ending the playoffs on such a sour note. We had one replaced player but overall the rest of the team came back with a lot of positive attitude and great hopes. The other team had mostly girls with one guy as their captain and one guy as a sub. The sub guy was their strongest player with a consistent serve and a solid hitting approach. We knew to watch out for this guy, he would be our biggest problem. Of course, the first two games went by so fast because the play was fast-paced and we kept going back and forth in our scoring. They were both close games where we came from behind to win with the same 16-14 score. Then their sub guy had to leave before the third game so we thought we could relax but the girls provided a good defense, just going for anything and everything we threw at them. We had a few problems on our side with serves and dropped balls. We fell apart and they were strong on the other side so we lost that third game. We were all disappointed in ourselves because we should not have lost that game but it's the first game and we just have to be more prepared next time. I also noticed and another player told me that I hold back a lot when I play in a league game versus when I play at open play. I don't hit as hard or serve as tough like I'm holding back. I'm just more worried about making a play that goes in that can possibly score a point than when I'm at Brandeis where I'm comfortable hitting and serving. I know it's totally a mental case in point but that's a lot of this game--mental.

"Seasons of Love" (RENT)

Last night was my first night as a referee for Urban. I thought I would be nervous but the situation had familiarity written all over it. First, I got assigned to Brandeis which I feel is like my home base for volleyball. Over the last few weeks, I've been watching them put up the nets during set-up for open play and never did it by myself. Well, I had to do it alone when I arrived to set-up for the games last night. They said it was easy and it was once I looked things over first, but I put the net on the poles upside down when I cranked it up, which takes a little time, so I had to re-do it which took about 20 minutes and backed up my games just a little. I had to make up some time so I had to make my calls quick and make the pace of the game move steadily. I had very different divisions to call which was really interesting, including my own division, D11 co-ed, where the Dinkin' Do-Nots hope to have another great season. I was a little nervous in the beginning but once I got going then everything felt so comfortable up on that stand. I had a couple of calls that could have been better, more firm in its execution but overall I did okay. My assignor agreed and I'll continue to get calls for matches which is awesome. I also did a self-evaluation and with each time you ref there are calls you think about and how you can do better in making those calls. I want to make sure that I'm the kind of referee that the players enjoy, may not always agree with the calls but respect the call. Now that I'm doing this, I'm also hoping to get some boys matches this spring season if my schedule permits. I didn't get a chance to work any girls games in the fall because we were in the midst of our fundraising drive but I'm hoping to get a few matches in for this spring season with the boys season. Anyway, I'm happy to be up on that stand and growing in this sport that I enjoy so much.

"Lonely Girl" (KAT AND THE KINGS)

2008 is much more low-key so far and I kind of like it. I sort of scared people at work because I decided to get rid of the clutter on and around my desk. I had pretty much cleared off everything but my computer and a pen on my desk so when you walked in it looked like an empty workstation. I re-organized my desk which meant taking off all of my magnets from my desk and completely stripping my bulletin board of my "Edna's World" theme. It was pretty much a compilation of things that meant the world to me, it was my personality on a wall and everyone seemed to comment on it. Well, it was a new year and a new slate and I just needed to clear my mind. So I started with work and a clean desk and a somber attitude. That attitude has been freakin' people out at work and now they're pretty much worried about me. They don't need to worry, I'm just going through a change, a re-evaluation. It has been scary because we've had a shake up of personnel so everyone is a little scared.

I want to get back into my routine of volleyball games and dance class. I will be back in Bev's class on Monday and will be a regular again since I haven't been back since October. I miss the class and the stress release it provided but since we started into collections right in that time it was hard to get back over there. I was experiencing a large amount of tiredness and just couldn't make it through a class. That reminds me that I need to get back to the doctor to check up on my blood pressure. We start the new winter season of Urban on Wednesday with the Dinkin' Do-Nots. New season and new changes--should be interesting!!