November 29th, 2003

So... I only slept 5 1/2 hours, and the last 1/2 hour was restless, but I figure Ill get up and start my day and just nap later when I need it.

I'm mad at myself for talking so much last after our show last night, and over such loud music in a smokey environment, and I certainly WON'T be going out after shows in Houston! I ALSO will be getting much more sleep that I did last night, but I HAD to write about the night before going to bed! Ill catch up on the put in rehearsal soon.

***

Tonight was my first night back as Gloria, and it felt v. odd. In some ways I enjoyed the familiarity. In others, I was extremely bored. Good think I wasn't Millie tonight because my legs and hips were killing me!

Everyone kept asking me how I'm feeling, and I didn't know what to say. I'm feeling a lot- v. v. blessed, esp. I'm questioning a lot...

The stage managers and Eric Stern were all v. supportive and proud of me today. John gave me a "souvenir" copy of my performance report which he sent back to NY which is amazing because usually actresses don't even get to READ those, let alone have copies! It was v. favorable and meant a lot to me!

Eric gave me a hug and told me I was wonderful and in the moment the whole time. He said I sounded beautiful and only had a few notes. Heather said I was wonderful.

A random person who I passed in the hallway said he saw me last night and I blew him away.

Before Priscilla girls, Hollis grabbed my hand and said, "great job last night! You had a lot of spunk out there" which is GOLD coming from her, since I adore her so much!

And Darren, whose opinion is in the top 3 for me, asked me how I felt. Then he hugged me and told me I was fantastic...really. He said I hit everything and Jimmy and Gimme were great. He's so wise and talented and has seen many Millies, so its really special coming from him!

Today was the perfect story book day after Thanksgiving Day! Bradley and I saw the terrible movie, "the Cat in the Hat" at Newport on the Levee (which is a beautiful shopping area) and ate popcorn, but 1st hit p Hollister for their sales. HURRAH! Fun times there! *grin* I bought a "California" sparkly t-shirt, a long sleeved button up button up front brown and white striped shirt and a red zip sweat shirt.

We also hit Borders for DVD/CD sales, and I got Albert Finney's musical A Christmas Carol (which I've never seen) and the animated childhood fav. Frosty the Snowman (Bradley got Rudolph). I also bought Chicago's Christmas Album, What's it Gonna Be Santa? Where my current rock star crush, Keith Howlan, rocks out to Jolly Old St. Nick. *laugh*

I enjoyed immensely my v. first BCEFA Benefit concert tonight. The absolute highlight for me was Diana's On My Own, of course. She's one of the most amazingly gifted people I've ever seen!

Also, I v. much enjoyed all 3 of Hollis' numbers, esp. Rich, Famous and Powerful, Pams 2 (My Friend, from the life, magical, esp. with her Tony nom. history!), Sean's Imagine, Diane's Home (from the Wiz) and Diana's and Darrens "Baby Its Cold Outside".

Shoot! It's once again 4am. 4:01 am. Once again, little sleep for me.
*sigh* Goodnight!

December 11th, 2003

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL "GINCHI-EST" DAD!

Daddy, I wish I could be with you on your birthday, but I'm looking forward to seeing you in Houston! *smile*

Sometimes tour life get to be too much to handle and you have to escape. This last week I've chosen to flee to the rest of the world- freeing myself from the show and the mundane elements of tour life- hotels, restaurants and drama, and instead discover the fascinating life at the St. Louis zoo and botanical gardens, cinema classics and the Beatles.

Andy and I went to the zoo on Monday, and we given quite a show by all the animals. It's amazing how happy and alert they all seemed. Each was highly aware of us but totally at peace with our watching them. In fact, they even seemed to enjoy watching us just as much.

Several animals came straight up to the glass, even a rattlesnake, and stared straight back at me. I esp. love the soft shell sea turtle (which I saw them feeding today- watched him eat krill!) and the primates. I love the spider monkeys and Cotton Top Tamarins (who look like rock stars). I met a gal named Kelly who works with the primates. She's young and really sweet, and we instantly bonded over monkeys and music. I learned a lot from her, and I LOVED hearing about behaviors of the primates. Ive always said if I weren't an actress Id want to train monkeys. (Dad.. about that one you promised to buy me? *wink*)

I also visited the botanical gardens. I don't know why I got it into my head that I REALLY wanted to go, but I was determined and it was AMAZING! The rainforest exhibit was fascinating and really raised a powerful awareness in me for our world and how to help protect it, and at the end of the exhibit, Andy and I gave all our change to a donation box.

Particularly fascinating and exciting was the section called the Biblical garden- where every plant ever mentioned in the Bible is growing and beside it reads the scripture it's mentioned in. Really frickin cool!

We sat and reflected in the children's gardens. (plants and bushes from nursery rhymes)

Lastly, we walked thru the Japanese gardens- which was perhaps the most peaceful and meditative experience I've had since beginning this tour. The Koi pond had the most brightly coloured and largest Koi I've ever seen and they came right up to us, expectedly with mouths open, begging for food!

We also p[played in maze, and I found my way out first while Andy cried for help. HA!

I returned to the zoo later in the week with Diane and Todd for the lights display, and what a grand time we had! Diane and I were SO EXCITED... we were skipping and dancing and hugging and squealing and holding hands the whole time. We had hot chocolate (my drink of choice, as I've given up coffee- cold turkey), road on the carousel (I rode the cheetah, Diane the snow leopard and Todd the Hyena!), pet a penguin (skin) and had a ball!

Write to Juliana at Juliana@haineshisway.com