Celtic Thunder at Playhouse Square

Already this semester I'm learning about the necessity of keeping a good public image. For a company, I mean. A little over a month ago, I went to see Celtic Thunder (you know, the band Damian used to be in) in concert at Playhouse Square. I was horrified.

No, no, don't fret Thunderheads. The concert was AMAZING. So amazing that I forgot to write a formal letter of complaint to the theater. For what? You'll see.

I went to the concert with my sister, a friend's little sister, and a (different) friend from college. We had purchased our tickets at different times, so we were sitting two rows apart, two and two. Since it was originally just supposed to be my and my friend's little sister, we took the closer seats...it's only fair, right? We'd been planning the trip since the summer.

After we'd gotten situated, we saw my sister and my friend get moved up. Their seats were upgraded because the house manager wanted somewhere for the redcoats to sit. She continued moving everyone else behind us closer, right in front of us. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. All of the rows behind us were suddenly put in front of us. But did they move us? Nope. They left us where we were. We, who had purchased tickets before the rest of them to get the best seats we could, were the only row that was not moved up.

It was handled extremely poorly and I intended to write a letter. But, like I said, I was distracted by the epicness of CT. So here it is, for at least someone to read.

Remember, don't be distracted like I was when something like this happens to you. You are a paying customer. The theater is providing a service to you, and when they mess that up, they need to correct it in the future. I hope nothing like this ever happens at Playhouse again because I really, really love that place. It makes Cleveland for me. This one experience just really put a damper on it.

Bitching About How Hard My Life Is(n't)

My lovely readers, nothing awful happened to me that day almost a month ago. I was overreacting, as per usual. I'm a very uppity person, really.

Here's the thing: I've begun putting a lot of pressure on myself to be the kind of person I THINK someone else wants me to be. The stupid thing is, this person and I aren't even really friends. I don't have his phone number, we've only hung out outside of class once, and...well, you get the picture. I have this overwhelming feeling that I'm not good enough.

I got a lot of that in high school. But in high school, the only reason I wanted to be good enough was to please my parents. I always felt like I was letting them down because I wasn't the sports kid - they desperately wanted a jock child. I see it in their eyes every time one of my cousins talks about his or her successes on the soccer or basketball or volleyball or football team. (Did I mention that the rest of my extended family is extraordinarily athletically gifted?)

Instead of that, I though I'd be the nerdy one: straight A's, high standardized test scores, thespian, Speech and Debate champion, involved in EVERYTHING. A general overachiever. Then my sporty cousins got full ride scholarships, higher test scores, and were elected presidents of their classes. I don't resent them at all. I'm very proud of them and I love them to death. I just feel a bit inadequate next to them.

I don't want to have to deal with that in college. I don't need to feel like I'm doing something wrong by being myself.

So, dear readers, that confidence I pretend like I have in myself? Kind of nonexistent. But I'm pretty convincing, no? 

Why Am I So Scared?

Have you ever had a feeling that you can't explain? I'm not talking about attraction to a person or love or anything like that. There's always an explanation for that, even if you can't think of it.

Today, I feel paranoid. Somehow, I have this crazy feeling that something really, really bad is going to happen. Not like a natural disaster or a terrorist attack or a fire or anything, just something that will come as a really big emotional blow to me.

Here I am, minding my own business on the 4th floor of the KSU library. I put my book away having finished it during this 3 hour-long break (Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles). I check my Facebook and answer some of the wall posts and messages. And I'm hit with the most mind-numbing feeling that something is going to go wrong. I've tried distracting myself with Tumblr and Twitter, but I just can't shake this feeling.

Am I being ridiculous? Probably. It's making me very anxious. I'll let you know if I was right the next time I blog. God knows when that's gunna happen...

College with Senioritis

The unfortunate thing about graduating high school is that senioritis doesn't go away. Here I am, in college for over 3 months now, and I still struggle daily with the plague that is known as senioritis.

That is my only excuse for not blogging. I'm just lazy. I haven't been busy, I don't "not have time" for it, I'm just downright, 100% lazy. I credit this to college not being challenging enough.

My high school prepared me very well for college. Unfortunately, they prepared me for a college that has more rigorous academics than Kent State. Now, when everyone asks me how college is, I unfortunately have to report that it's "too easy" and that I "have way to much free time on my hands."

Most people would jump for joy to have this sort of free time. For me, it's just a reminder of how anti-social I am. Have you noticed how often I'm on Tumblr nowadays? Don't get me wrong, I love hanging out with my friends and meeting new people. It's just very difficult to make time to be with people when they live a good half hour away from you.

Normally, this is the part of the blog post where I give you unsolicited advice on how to deal with the issue that I have brought up. When I figure out how to deal with laziness myself, I'll let you know. Pinky promise.

More Audition Loveliness

Laziness has already ensued. I'm awful. Really.

Alas, I was sick on Tuesday so I couldn't see Yo Gabba Gabba. Darn. But, on the plus side, I signed my very first contract yesterday! I am officially on my high school's payroll.

I finished my audition video Monday evening. My family and friends have been great about liking it, and I even got some encouraging comments. Honestly, it's scary as hell putting myself out there like that. I normally don't like people hearing my voice if it isn't with a group of people. But if it's for Glee, it's worth it.

Try putting a very personal video up on youtube. I guarantee you will watch it over and over again, analyzing it and pointing out your flaws. That is what I've been doing constantly over the past three days. I have been obsessing over my audition. Will they like it? Did I go sharp on that note? Do I sound flat? And don't get me started on peoples' comments. Did they really mean it? Are they only saying that because they think they're better than me? Oh God, they are so much better than me.

It's not healthy. But I recommend posting a personal video once or twice in your life. That way, you have a new appreciation for others who do it on a daily or weekly basis.

Go check out my video and like it! CLICK HERE!