Amadama, and Other New Things

Some firsts for me this summer in Maine:

• Haddock chowder (yum!)
• driving an automatic without knowing where I'm going
• getting into a splashing fight in a lake with a 10 year old I've never met before
• knee-boarding on a lake behind a boat (arm workout!)
• drinking Mount Gay and tonic - thank you, Paul Bernardo
• setting some lyrics I wrote to actual music - thank you, Ambien Mitchell
• wearing a corset on stage
• participating in an after-show audience talk back - as a part of the cast
• lobster rolls!
• pumpkin woopie pies (or "mumpkin woopies")
• being trusted with a really awesome package at a theater where no one knew me...thank you TAM!
• finally admitting to myself that not only am I horrible at playing all games, be they monopoly or croquet or foosball, but I am a horrible loser.  Sigh.
• being really happy that I was wrong and misjudged some people initially
• trying Amadama bread - molasses and oat, homemade by Caroline's grandma's secret recipe - mmm!
• doing summer repertory theater!
• holding a baby rabbit (oh so squishy!)
• NOT getting into trouble with the cops for being in a closed park at midnight - thanks, green eyes ;)
• having male roommates (not so weird after all! xoxo Clenton and Menich)
• being in Maine!
• seeing Acadia National Park - a lifelong goal, I am so glad it happened and can't wait to go back
• doing changeovers from one set to another in between shows
• listening to Mumford and Sons - love them!
• joining the Equity Membership Candidacy program
• crying over some really nice cards I got on opening night
• realizing that it's not just ok that everything changes in life, it's awesome!
• you know what universe, I'm ok with the fact that I spend all of my money on food and wine
• eating fiddleheads, which are neither fiddles nor heads but instead a fern-like vegetable
• having worlds collide (people from different parts of my life meeting each other) and it being not awkward at all and in fact delightful
• realizing that my moods can effect other people and they deserve the best and most thoughtful treatment no matter how cranky I happen to be for no reason, and that taking ownership of my behavior is part of being an adult
• having lobster cooked at home
• having men cook lobster for me at home
• having men cook lots of really tasty meals for me
• learning that even if I can function alright without adequate sleep for a little while, I CANNOT function without adequate food.  I'll never be able to starve myself, and I am perfectly happy about that.
• hearing the call of a loon...they sound super jacked...
• watching an established artistic director retire with grace and humor
• getting to be the comic relief in a comedy that's already freaking hilarious
• getting to wear a CHAIN MAIL CROWN regularly (thanks Helen!)
• playing a window screen as if it was a musical instrument, with positive results
• learning some pretty dirty jokes and some pretty silly ones - thanks Xei and Max and David
• being ok with moving on to the next phase of my life, whatever that proves to be

I can't believe we only have 9 days left in the summer company of the Theater at Monmouth, the Official Shakespeare Theater of Maine's 2011 season...it's been mon-umental!  (Get it?)  As New York City looms ever nearer in my horizons and I prepare to get back to the grind, my heart is filled with gratitude for having spent my summer among such fantastic, enjoyable, talented, and professional people.  It's been a turning point for me and I can't wait to see what's up next!