Grumpy every day recently?  Unacceptable.  Today starts my happy countdown to NYC - since it's 20 days away, I have developed a list of love...the top 20 things I'm looking forward to while we perform at FringeNYC and frolic around that big, beautiful city!

#20: Traveling with some of my favorite people in Madison theatre.  That is going to be one entertaining plane ride.
#19: Visiting NYC in the SUMMER instead of while it is freezing cold like the last two times.  Much smarter.
#18: Knowing where I'm going this time on the subway.  I plan to act like a true New Yorker...even though I'll still be a Midwest girl on the inside.  My greatest performance, yet!
#17: Bunking in brownstones with a bunch of zombies. Cuddle puddles! Plus, peanut butter and jelly for everyone means we can afford to go to more shows!
#16: Sights and sounds of the city.  Street performers, national landmarks, and people-watching that could entertain for days.
#15: Meandering through the park on a gorgeous summer day appreciating how lucky I am to be part of this cast and entire production. I will definitely be planning at least one picnic in Central Park. Citizens of Z-Town, you are all invited.
#14: Musical Theatre night at Splash!  Seeing all the industry folks singing amazing songs...maybe trying one with a zombie or two.  :)
#13: Random celebrity sightings.  Then acting like it's no big deal.
#12: Silly souvenirs. Instead of I <3 NY t-shirts, finding some quirky little thing in a hole-in-the-wall shop that will remind me of the entire experience.
#11: Finding the fun free things to do in the city.  Museums, walking tours, FAO Schwarz, sightseeing, window shopping, playing with zombies.  :)
#10: The ocean!! Living in the middle of the country, I plan to appreciate being so close!
#9: Seeing the beautiful Courtney Selstad on her turf in NYC and celebrating her birthday! 
#8: Being the chick with the crazy-wild hair that people look at (for a good reason). I'm pretty psyched about the 'do I'll be rockin' for this show!
#7: Rockin' the TKTS booth to find tickets to a show that, back in January, I never imagined I'd get to see this summer.
#6: Getting to know the theatre district.  We're performing in a well-established Off-Broadway theatre area in Greenwich.  I want to get to know my way around!  :)
#5: Dude. It's New York. We have at least 4 entire days with nothing to do but live it up.
#4: Getting my second tattoo (that I have been planning for years) from some swanky artist in the city!  Best souvenir ever.
#3: Going to drop-in classes at Broadway Dance Center with the Dance Fabulous crowd!  And planning how those I <3 NYC shot glasses will be put to good use when we get back.
#2: Seeing Into The Woods in the park with Amy Adams, Donna Murphy, and more!
#1: Performing for the first time in New York effing City!  NYCFringe, here we come!!

Though I have been working recently on becoming more fit and healthy, I am always primarily working on being happy, appreciative, and joyful (hence the name you see in the URL line of this blog).  As such, I want to document the joy that was this weekend.  If I can duplicate weekends like this more often, I will be a happy girl.

Friday, I got to carpool to work with my best friend/music director/now roommate/landlord.  Thank goodness, because the air conditioning in my car was out.  We got to leave work a little early because our other friend was getting engaged.  We got to be there to see it happen!  So exciting.  At Barrique's, we had a couple beers, heard toasts, gave hugs, and then I thought I was going to have a quiet evening in watching Buffy and relaxing from a very long week.  Nope.

The mixing of our zombie cast recording was happening that night, and Meghan invited me to come hang out with her while she and our very talented recording engineer mixed it down.  Finding her to be a bit more tipsy than would generally allow safe driving, I offered to drive her home.  At the same time, another dear friend was asking me to come out downtown since I hadn't seen her in awhile.  Why not? :)

So Meghan, Brian, and I all scurried along downtown to the new Paul's Club to meet with Sheilah and friends.  Free drinks, lots of stories and laughter, and some fun talk about possibly making it in the musical theatre biz, and we had a delightful evening on our hands.  At the end of the night, I drove a happily drunk Meghan home, fulfilling my duty as friend and roommate.  :)

The next morning, all were alive and feeling fine, and it was the morning of the former roomie potato party!  Gilmore Girls and mashed potatoes with Ashley and Kelly!  With snacks and soda and potatoes galore, it was wonderful few hours of fun.  I got to hear a lot of crazy stories from Kelly (having not seen her in probably years, there was a lot to catch up on), and we watched lots of nostalgic GG episodes.

After that, I took Meghan to retrieve her car, and of course, it was time for Behind the Music: Christina Aguilera.  Inspired, Meghan sat down to the piano and immediately taught herself to play Beautiful.  Then, she went on to write something else equally fantastic...I hope she wrote it down.  Corey and Meghan took naps after that, and it was time for some fun with James.

We ordered in Chinese food, watched Buffy, and there was snuggling and kissing and happiness.  I definitely sleep better when being spooned.  Simple facts of life.

This morning, there was coffee, leftover fried tofu, joking around with the boys before Meghan woke up, and plans for hanging out with other zombie friends and Buffy later

I've been having a really great weekend.  I don't remember the last time I was this happy - though, I do know a couple things that could make me happier.  ;)

I simply wanted to transcribe these events to help me remember that, even though 2012 has been a challenging year, there have definitely been beautiful moments of pure happiness.  This whole weekend has been one of those happy times.

Now...time for a little daydreaming...some happy thoughts...perhaps a nap...

Finding joy!
`C