Sienna on the Mic Check

"Deanna from Denver - Welcome to the BIG TIME, girl!" is written on the gold star that was sitting on top of the pink roses. My Secret SNAPper was listening to my mic check!

It probably would have been hard not to hear me since the wings were loaded with the next scene and the sound is available in ever speaker backstage. Earlier, I had asked someone, "Why does everyone count when they do a mic check?" 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.... we're on stage because we're creative and talented. If there's a mic in hand, use it!

At the end of rehearsing one of our numbers, the guy at the sound board asked each us to test our mics. "And, Dianna... #13... (Hello, I'm Dianna!)... keep talking..."

I had created a character for the show, Sienna Momo. She has a particular voice- high, squeaky, a little nasally. She began talking. She rambled on about she was excited to be in her first stage production, how her parents would be there sitting in the balcony, and how the high altitude of Denver affected her voice. There was laughter from the house and laughter from the wings. Miss Momo had her moment on stage!

It's fun to play different characters by changing my voice, speech pattern, mannerisms, the way I stand and walk. My voice coach thinks I would be great in drama. She has recognized that I see art in everything, and this is true. I already study everyone and everything around me.

We'll see where Sienna Momo goes from here. I think she'll be around for a while. :D

A Date 2 Remember 2012

Bachelor/Bachelorette charity auction supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Flying Horse Farms

Hosted by Columbus Young Professionals Club of Columbus, Ohio (www.cypclub.com)

Together, ~$30,000 was raised for these 2 charities

Video Produced by Williams Productions (www.facebook.com/williamsproductions)

Happy Little Trees!

Working on the Red Tree.I have a new addiction. Painting with Wine and Canvas!

Wine and Canvas ... "is a mobile business that brings the party to your favorite venues, corporate events, or living room! We make painting easy and exciting. Our talented artists will instruct you step-by-step through re-creating the featured painting of the day. At the end of the event, you’ll take home a work of art that you created. [...] 'Life is too short for blank walls; unleash your inner Picasso'"

I was introduced to the business through a Living Social deal a month or so ago. Looking at their website and looking at all the happy people in the pictures, I figured it would be rewarding and a lot of fun. My assumption was correct!

All done painting Red TreesI've always loved going into the art supply stores. I can get lost fairly easy in Blick or Utrecht. Seeing all the colors. Feeling the different handmade papers. Imaging myself with a large art studio. I have wanted to be an artist like that. However, looking at my little stick figures and doodle flowers, I remember that I don't have the hand of an artist. Just the mind of one. Jason and his wonderful instructors at Wine and Canvas helped me be an artist for an evening.

The first class I took was at Luce in Powell. It's not anywhere close to where I live, but I really wanted to try my hand at the "Red Trees" painting. The second class I took was at Black Olive in the Short North. I painted Bob Ross' "Happy Little Trees." That was so much fun!

Channeling my inner artist.I remember watching Bob Ross on TV when I was little. He made me want to paint happy little trees. I watched all the strokes he made and how he mixed titanium white paint with everything.  Wine and Canvas gave me a chance to finally take part in a childhood dream!

I was happy that my friend Tabitha came with me to this class. I know she was quite reluctant because she proclaimed a lack of any artistic skills. Well, she painted, and she did great! Everyone leaves with their rendition of the same painting, and everyone leaves happy.

The "Red Trees" painting was hung on a wall in my office. "Happy Little Trees" is at home. Each time I walk by it, I stop and look, and I'm quite pleased. I'm already looking forward to next month's schedule of paintings. I must paint again!

Oh... I just remembered that Blick is having a 20% off sale this weekend. Hmm... perhaps it's time I create my studio. :)

Showing off our final works of art!

Sky Zone Makes Me Wanna Jump!

I had the opportunity to go to Sky Zone, the big trampoline room, over the weekend. I have wanted to rent a moon bounce for my birthday for as long as I remember. I guess the rental people frown at full-grown adults jumping in these houses of fun. *sigh I'm smaller than five small children. Not sure how I could do any damage, but so far, I have abided by the rule. Sky Zone is the next best thing. And, even better, I got to go for a birthday party. A full-grown adult's birthday party.

The sensation of jumping on a trampoline had escaped me. I had done it a lot when I was younger at gymnastics classes. But, it's been a while since I was young. Jumping again was a little weird. Jump, jump, jump. I started getting used to it. Jump, jump, jump. Let's see how high I can go! Before I knew it, I was executing my cheerleading jumps again.

Since I was getting a considerable amount of hang time, it felt like I was the flyer in a basket toss again. I think the last one I did was with my college squad at a cheer camp at Boston College. That was the summer I decided astro turf was the most horrible thing to land on.

Any who... Here we are at Sky Zone.

What's in My Bag

Last week, I switched from the cute Coach purse my sister gave to me back to my hobo bag I bought at Jule because I wanted to carry a few more things around with me. Well, I got out of my car this morning and realized the hobo bag had reached a brand new heavy. Immediate assessment was necessary, so I took everything out... and took a picture, of course.

Clockwise from top right:

1. Folder of sheet music for SNAP! Performance Productions and the Worthington Chorus complete with pencil. The SNAP! show is May 10, 11, and 12. Worthington Chorus show is June 8, 9, and 10.


2. Manila envelope of photos from my parents' wedding in 1957. I like to think that “Back to the Future” is based on my parents except this is an alternate world. They ended the time hopping by adopting children and not having Marty. ;)


3. My Moo cards that are based on my Facebook Timeline photos. They're free from moo.com. Order them at http://us.moo.com/products/facebook-cards.html.


4. Two - $5 Gift certificates to The Candle Lab which I received for using my SBB card on my last purchase. “Dad's Den” is one of my favorite scents.


5. Business card from service dude at Dave Gill Chevrolet. They have a really nice wait room with an endless selection of K-cups.


6. Business card for Studio Posh in Worthington. Much love for Tatiana!


7. Pen from Wyandotte Winery.


8. 1 quarter, 2 dimes, and 6 pennies. With the great number of electronics in my purse, you can see why I have a whole 51 cents in change. ;)


9. Nikon Coolpix point-and-shoot camera. My Nikon d70 fits in my purse, but it's too heavy.


10. Samsung Q10 camcorder. I think this is the size of the handle of the first video camera I ever used. Remember the ones had to put the whole VHS tape in?!


11. 2 packets of grated parm cheese from Carfagna's Kitchen on Polaris which I picked up when lunching with Arnell. Next week, I'll get a couple of adult bibs.


12. Brachs conversation hearts from Kelli for Valentine's Day. "I gave her my [glittery] heart and she gave me a pen."


13. The alien wallet/cigarette case. A birthday present from my sister +10 years ago when we were hanging out in Old Town in Kissimmee.


14. Visine for contact lenses. My eyes have been so dry lately that my vision has been blurry.


15. OPI nail polish – Muppet color Designer De Better. Some people take smoke breaks. I paint my nails.


16. Burts Bees tinted lip balm and ELF lipstick in Berry


17. Heart-shaped box of chocolates from Victoria's Secret. I guess they want my butt to get bigger so I'll have to come back for more 5 for $30 undies soon.


18. iPad – The wallpaper photo is of Eric cleaning the windshield on our way back from my heritage tour in October.

(Not pictured: the iPhone, which I took the picture with.)

The heart-shaped box of chocolates is now sitting on my desk at work along with the candies and the parm cheese. I unloaded my whole $0.51 into the tip jar at Starbucks. And, I took out the envelope of photos, so I don't lose or damage them. Everything else stays.

As Allison from “The Breakfast Club” said, ““Yeah, I always carry this. much. sh*t. in my bag… You never know when you may have to jam.”

Anyone else feeling a little Ally Sheedy? What's in your bag?

Check out http://www.flickr.com/groups/whats_in_your_bag/ for more... a lot more... and proof that I'm not the only weirdo. ;)