All I need to know I learned in California

So, it's been two weeks since my last post, and for that I am sorry. I have been so incredibly busy these weeks, so I don't feel too bad. I just came back from a week long conference for Theatre Educators. It was a great conference, and I learned so much about why I do what I do, and how to do it better. I was overwhelmed by the information and the amount of work that I have to do in my job. While we were in Los Angeles (where the conference was located) we went to the fabric district to get ALL of the fabric and costumes for our school theatre season. UGH. My wife and fabric stores are like an addict and heroin. We came away with so much fabric and costumes, we got terrible gas mileage.

Overall, I am invigorated and ready to make a REAL difference not only in the lives of my students, but in the ARTS in general. I want to be a leader of the arts.

A funny story, which is also sort of embarrassing: We wanted to sit by the pool and just relax, and we had about an hour and a half. I was so excited to just read, and swim, and relax. I bought some 30 SPF sunblock for 5 bucks in the lobby, and was set to go. I thought to myself, "Self, don't' get sunburned...it's miserable for an Irish-German to burn. 30 SPF should be applied every 30 mins." So that is what I did. The next day....BURNED CRISPY. I was so bugged. On top of it all, I got a 3rd degree burn inside my belly button. Blisters, burns, etc.... Then, the next day, the blisters burst and got infected. I came home with so much pain and so much medicine stuffed into my belly button. Ridiculous.

So...my thought for the week:

NEVER TAKE YOUR BELLY BUTTON FOR GRANTED....IT'S USED MORE THAN YOU KNOW

Take that and apply it into your lives, as they will never be the same.

Tomorrow will come and go....

WHEW! What a week. It has been so busy that I have tried starting to write this blog 3 or 4 times without success. First let me say that I am down ANOTHER 5 pounds, which brings my total loss to 71 pounds in 3 and a half months. I am kickin' some major booty!!! I have the world's best trainer and friends that are supporting me in this. I even have a SAINT of a PTSA president that is making meals for me a couple of times a week to support our group of 'losers'. I am overwhelmed with love and support for all those who have been sent by GOD to help me lose this weight. I am fitting into my jeans better, and have energy to do normal everyday activities. I am like a teenager again, but now I have a job, a girlfriend that puts out, and real true friends. So.....I guess it' s not really like being a teenager again.

On Thursday and Friday, we held auditions for our annual Shakespeare Co., and it was INSANE. We had a record breaking number come out to audition, and we are so thrilled to have so much to choose from. For those who don't really get the Shakespeare Co. thing, let me explain. I teach at a performing arts high school, and we have ZERO sports. Which is great if you ask me. However, there is a big lack of competition and visibility that comes with no teams. Our Shakespeare company is the equivalent of the Football team here, and we are champs at that. We take lots of pride in our work, and the students love the events more than the usual student. We practice hundreds and hundreds of hours, and really focus on giving them great classical acting training in the process. It's sort of like Nazi Germany if you ask anyone who knows...:) We have just cast our BIGGEST cast yet, and feeling a bit overwhelmed with the talent and kids that want the opportunity. This is a great problem to have, but I have answered so many questions and handed out about 150 monologues this week. I need a break from Shakespeare, and want to work on something really avaunt-gard this week....anyone up for a performance art showcase?

Looking forward to this week, as it is Homecoming (can you hear my sarcasm?), and I am the Stuco Advisor this year. I need to breathe, and remember..."Tomorrow will come, and soon, it will all be over and I will regret rushing it." right?......RIGHT?