Sophomore Year

...Is only a few months old. I can hardly make a judgement call yet, can I?

I am just finishing a Shaw play (AD and Sound Design). I am just beginning a production of COMPANY, and an observership on The Onion Cellar at the ART (directed by Marcus Stern and cowritten by the Dresden Dolls... I know... crazy/great). I'm a religion concentrator...no, seriously. I am in need of a working phone and a steadier/better income. I wish I had time for Bikram Yoga... which I hate only when I'm in the room.

I've gotten lots more boring since this summer ended. So, I'm working on changing that. Hope that jaded isn't a permanent thing. Might be the weather.

My nephew is adorable. Literally, the best part of my day.

Go see my sister's show in Chicago. The Goonies, playing at the Cornservatory. and don't subscribe to the Chicago Reader, because they are douche-bags.

I regret not enjoying my summer instead of pondering it all the freaking time. I regret not being more adventurous. And I want to be more of a bad-ass and a self-promoter.

I want to get a fish, and throw away half my stuff and live smartly and plan my day well. I want to take advantage of office hours. I want to consistently sound like I did in rehearsal tonight...

I want never to be an alumnae of this college (alum-hood seems to nostalgic and bleak... ick, not even my favorite people seem to have bounced back from it gracefully)

I want to escape to Europe in hopes that other cities in the U.S. can wait a bit before not being what I expect.

I want to appologize to Cassia for not calling back this summer, and being stupid when we could have enjoyed ourselves.

I want to get inspired radically. Exponentially.

I want to be a little bit smarter. And lose all of my lazy tendencies.

I want to go to bed and magically get 10 hours of sleep, but still wake up at 7am.

goodnight. this degenerated quickly.

~chelly

This summer in some rapid I statements

I love my nephew.

I love more Madonna albums than I had previously realized.

I love my Frederick's of Hollywood corset.

I love running (?!)

I love my Myers-Brigg personality type (ENFP)

I love giving tours and introducing people to this college, because...

I really do love this college.

I love my new (possibly permanent) field of concentration.

I love being able to sing again.

I love grant-wishes.com

See how it came full circle?

More and more complex sentence structure later...

~rachy

Don't Touch The Shiny Shoe: Confessions of a Harvard Tour Guide

My summer of (unpaid) theatrical fun comes equipped with quite the day job. 6 days a week, I am your friendly undergraduate admissions tour guide and info session gal at "a school in Boston". :) After a short while on the job, I have to say I adore this gig. I get to meet people from all over, I get to rehash historical anecdotes about the college (I love me some factoidal history), and I get to walk off my one-meal-a-day (ah the life of a college student withuot a mealplan). I do have some interesting stories (none of which I plan to post with any sort of specificity, I can't imagine THAT would end well), but mostly some kind of neat observations about the college search in general, and the idea of "Harvard" in particular.

I remember being so incredibly focused on my college search to the point of lost perspective. Everybody gets to this point (especially parents), and it is not surprising to see this at tours and sessions. It reminds me how glad I am to be on the other side of that particular process. People are usually tired in Boston area admission tours... they've done a dozen of the same stupid session at every college they could think of in the area. (There are, according to my packet o' info, over 80 colleges in the Greater Boston area). Anyway, its a good idea not to lose perspective to the point of rudeness. Do I have any say in if you get in or not? Nope. But, don't be mean.

Also, personal info. Come on, you do NOT need to know my SAT scores. You don't need to know how many hours of community service I did each week in high school. You REALLY don't need to know my ethnic background (I hope you read this, ma'am; that was outta line). Ask me how this place feels. Ask me about the professors (I really HAVE met them :). Something interesting, and unexpected, at least for me, is that people often come to Harvard with something to prove. They don't WANT to hear that this place is a wonderful community filled with passion, and happiness and intersting (not mean/snooty) people. They want to hear that we're mean. That the campus and it environs are terrible. That we don't ever have fun. That we get a subpar education with little academic advising and few opportunities outside of large, faceless lecture halls. Any evidence to the contrary is met, not with surprise or delight, but with disdain and disbelief. They pay me to show you around a campus I care about very deeply. They don't pay me to lie to you. Promise. Stick around, ask students other than me what their experiences are. Stop reading books written by ex so-and-so's at the college (who left for a reason, my dears) about how overrated this place is. Or just stop trying to ruin my day.

I'd have to say a huge majority of the tours are excited, interested prospective students and their families who come with misconceptions and (hopefully) leave with a better understanding of a place that is very different (but equally as wonderful, if not more so) than its formidable reputation. Some, however, display a visceral anger upon hearing my love of the place. Some people just don't want to lose that image in their heads of a WASP-y overrated prep school without any fun. It's cool, I guess. Just remember. I'm 19 years old. I do not sit in on the admissions committee. I don't have any say in what a bunch of (in my humble opinion) idiots harp on in some books or articles. I'm just here as a student. A contented student. And one who wears her crimson with pride. So, please: Come to the yard. Look around. Make yourself at home, and come with an open mind. Please. And also, don't rub the lucky shoe on the John Harvard statue. There ARE reasons the undergrads giggle so much when you do that.

'til next time,
rachy

updating, and things

Apparently, Tatiana Wilson has become my solo reader. Atta girl, Tats. Keely and PJ have gone the way of the blogging dinosaurs. I've become less funny. you live you learn. Except, that perhaps: I do not learn. It is two night before finals begin. I am not writing my 12 page paper, nor am I studying. I am updating a blog no one reads. I might as well be hitting my head against a wall. Except that, and here is the thing they do not TELL you about college: You will never again be alone enough to shout really loudly, sing really loudly, or feel comfortable enough to bang your head against a wall. Don't let them tell you otherwise. So, here I sit, blogging and not banging.

I'm about to embark upon a ridiculous theatrical whatsit: I've been cast as Claire in The Maids at Harvard Summer Theater. Haven't heard of it? Here is a synopsis: It's violent and scary. and about maids. you're welcome.

I'm scared to be acting in anything where I am so prominently featured. i am worried I will suck. I am fucking terrified and despondent at not spending the summer in the Berkshires. But, more immediately, I am struggling to remain afloat academically. So, finals first, panic second.

In conclusion: Summer, I am so fucking on to your games. Do not test me.

more later. happy studying, cambridge bubble!
~rachy

updating, and things

Apparently, Tatiana Wilson has become my solo reader. Atta girl, Tats. Keely and PJ have gone the way of the blogging dinosaurs. I've become less funny. you live you learn. Except, that perhaps: I do not learn. It is two night before finals begin. I am not writing my 12 page paper, nor am I studying. I am updating a blog no one reads. I might as well be hitting my head against a wall. Except that, and here is the thing they do not TELL you about college: You will never again be alone enough to shout really loudly, sing really loudly, or feel comfortable enough to bang your head against a wall. Don't let them tell you otherwise. So, here I sit, blogging and not banging.

I'm about to embark upon a ridiculous theatrical whatsit: I've been cast as Claire in The Maids at Harvard Summer Theater. Haven't heard of it? Here is a synopsis: It's violent and scary. and about maids. you're welcome.

I'm scared to be acting in anything where I am so prominently featured. i am worried I will suck. I am fucking terrified and despondent at not spending the summer in the Berkshires. But, more immediately, I am struggling to remain afloat academically. So, finals first, panic second.

In conclusion: Summer, I am so fucking on to your games. Do not test me.

more later. happy studying, cambridge bubble!
~rachy

Sing it, Robbie Williams

I can't help but think that my iTunes shuffle feature is trying to tell me something... why all the brit pop?

I start finals on tuesday... I have never been this stressed or tired in my entire life. I think I may developing ulcers... or a skin condition... why is my face breaking out?

I have studied in 6 of the university's 40-something libraries... utterly ridiculous... I keep telling myself that if I keep moving, I won't get bored.

Untrue.

Um... now 'Like A Prayer' is playing. Sweet. NOW I can do my spanish review... lliiffeee isss aa myssterrryyy...

etcetera.

So I turn 19 soon, and it turns out my twin AND Taloo AND Peej are all coming into town for the blessed event. SO excited, seriously, going to be incredible. Okay, I'm clearly not brilliant or witty anymore (if ever), and I'm gonig to wrap this up by saying

"Innn the middniiight hoour, I caaann feeel youoorr poweeer... juuusttt liiikke a praayyer, you know, iii''lllllll taaakkke you thereee!!"

~rachy

Thematic, no?

Considering the web address of this blog, it might be time to do an actual post concerning musicals... Mind you, I am four days into Reading Period at my college (13 to go), and am sitting in a library with a neglected spanish book next to me. This has no relevance, save I should be doing something OTHER than posting here. Hee. Ah well.

So, end of the month (3 days after my last final), I'm heading to NY to see Sweeney Todd (Patti LuPone, can I get a what what?). Also, as many $20 and under last minute tix I can find. For a university with no performance major (yes, i know, I'm an idiot... shut up), this place has definitely broadened my knowledge of musicals and non-musicals in the past few months. I'm in the midst of declaring a concentration (a major at any other college), and that kind of opens up the broader question of what I intend to do after college. After I get my (supposedly) pretentiously huge degree, what am I supposed to do? I would NOT have predicted it, after I chose my college and what I wanted to study... but I really can't see myself pursuing anything but singing. The classes I take here are seeming more and more incidental... as if my academics are for extra-curricular, and my other activities are for career training. But, is musical theater a fulfilling enough career for anyone? So much crap, so much industry, even other theater people mock it. But, its what I do. It's what I love to do. Hell, it's all I'm good at.

But I love it here. At this we-got-no-performance-major, liberal arts, hoity-toity Ivy. Love it. I've never had this much fun in my life. But, I am studying things that have no practical application towards singing, whatsoever. In fact, singing has taken a back-seat to EVERYTHING here.

So, I am left with the question which I have no doubt my parents are dealing with. Namely, if all I want to do is sing, what the hell am I doing here?

hmm. And to think I was going to use this musical blog to defend Sondheim's 'Assasins'... next tim, I suppose, when anxiety and exhaustion hasn't driven me to introspection.

In the grand tradition...

of my favorite blog posts. It's time for another "Random Shuffle of Music that is soundtracking my semester"

1) Don't Lie- The Blackeyed Peas

Well worth the illegal download (suck it, University wireless services) this song wins "Catchiest Hook of My Fall Term". (no no no no baby, no no no no, don't liiieee). Try walking down the street to this song and NOT doing a little 'rocking out/looking hot/dance/walk thing. You can't do it. No one can. This also wins song I listen to when I wish I was not on campus (not often) because I have yet to hear anyone here listening to it, and thus, it has no personal connotations... yet. This is going to change, It's a damn catchy song.

2) Gavin's Song- Marc Broussard

Oy. A song that punched me in the stomach the first time I heard it. And the second. A friend of mine from school played it for me very late at night in the middle of a study session, but it would have been intense in the middle of a weekday. This guy (the one with the tone quality that makes you melt a little) sings a song he wrote for his son (Gavin) in case anything ever happens to him. If you don't get a catch in your throat at the lines "Be good for your mama, she'll need a hand to hold. Boy, she loves you, more than you'll ever know.", then you have no heart. Download immediately.

3) Destiny- Zero Seven

The band that brought you "Waiting Line" from the Garden State soundtrack (also worthy of a nod, though that on reminds me of high school). This song is beautiful, and makes you feel as if you are the star of your own personal edgy art film. It also happened to play on repeat for the entirety of my trip to and from Harvard-Yale weekend. Harvard-Yale weekend was the type of insta-memory that I might write some sort of book/magazine article/shitty coming-of-age film one day. And this will be the trailer song. :)

4) Sweet Baby James- James Taylor

My favorite song ever written. Because somedays, you wake up and miss the Berkshires, and being little at Tanglewood. And your sisters, and your parents. And this song is the only one that makes it okay. The second verse is a shoutout to my one true love. :) "Now, the first of December was covered in snow, Yes and so was the Turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston..."

5) Hung Up- Madonna

Because, since I entered the Harvard bubble, I have managed to miss -The World Series, -The Grammys, -every movie ever, -the bombing of major countries etcetera. But I did not miss the release of this kick-ass album. Also the inspiration for my favorite Shaun comment of the year. "Oh man! The new Madonna single is so good!....*embarrassed pause*... how did I get this gay?". But seriously, go dance to this song. You need to.

6) Meaning- Gavin Degraw

The one song I am happy the Opportunes got stuck in my head. The boy can write lyrics, and the stripped version of this song (as Barry said 'THAT'S the only version I listen to...heh) is worth a dl and several listens. Includes a particularly amazing line that always catches my breath a little, "Mounting the trail, but you've got it in sight. Sometimes the only way is jumping, I hope you're not afraid of heights."

7) What Would I do If I Could Feel- The Wiz

Because I didn't see the Wiz 'til I got to college. Because it was the first song I heard my friend Barry sing. Because it is a terrible recording, and not worth the downlaod, but I still cannot get it out of my head. Because, when played as an oveerlay over a slideshow, it looks like we all died :) Also, because I WILL get Barry to record this song before next semester.

*This update stalled due to an awesome lunch at the Signet*

8) Rather Go Blind- Etta James

Etta James is the reason I sing. Well, I mean. I do it for the chicks, but also for Etta. This song is one of a few that play with alarming frequency on my iTunes. I had a car named Etta. Did I tell you about her? Black and spunky. My first car. Pink fuzzy dice on the dash. Hula dancer in the back. Rear-ended while at a stoplight by an over-sexed 16 year old. Seriously.
But, still an amazing song that I particularly like to sing with heart-wrenching feeling and riffs...into my mirror, when no one can here me :)

9)Ballad Of A Well Known Gun- Elton John

Thanks to my Dad, I was introduced early to the best Elton John album of all time (Tumbleweed Connection). This was back when he was just some bad-ass Brit playing skanky piano bars across the country, and freaking people out with his creepy amount of soul. My personal favorite song of the album (Although I wouldn't say no to a little "Burn Down The Mission"). The song has tiemly significance because Shaun has recently discovered its awesomeness. Our first Mass Pike trip together included not a little belting of this song. As Phylicia Rashad might say "mmmmm... Oh, yessss". quite awesome.

10) Time Warp- The Rocky Horror Show (Harvard Cast)

Or, How I spent my fall semester. My favorite musical experience to date. This song is a distillation of the entire show for me. I danced to it with some of my best friends here, while wearing a black corset, vinyl capris and enough makeup and aquanet to make swimming in natural bodies of water an environmental risk. Honestly, this song, and musical will probably always remind me of freshman year. And thanks to Shaun and his illegal recording of our show, I can listen to my friends do it, rather than the Revival Cast or some other clearly un-hot group of actors/singers.


Sure, I've missed a few (there ain't no "The Last Five Years" on here, or any crazy dance hits (more common in my day-to-day life than I would have previously anticipated), but there you go. Fall semester is a blog-shaped nutshell. A blogshell. Whatev. Off to launder things and do schoolwork. Hah.

~rachy