Almost Astonishing

I need to start off by saying I am a fan of Broadway in Chicago. Do not fret! I love and am a fan of Broadway everywhere, but for the purposes of this story, you need to know that I am a fan of Broadway in Chicago on Facebook. So, Broadway in Chicago's Facebook status on Thursday was along the lines of "Can you name the five shows that Sutton Foster has starred in on Broadway along with the role in each?" Why yes, Broadway in Chicago, yes, I can. And I did, replied back, and thought nothing of it. Later, while shopping for a poster board in the glamorous aisle-ways of Walmart, I get a text saying that Broadway in Chicago has sent me a message, "Congratulations! You answered our Sutton Foster Facebook question correctly and won..." What? Facebook, don't you tease me! So I did the replying back with the letter "n" about 5 times to get the whole message, which read:

Congratulations! You answered our Sutton Foster Facebook question correctly and won two tickets to tonight’s performance of Sutton Foster at 7:30pm at The Broadway Playhouse Theatre at Water Tower Place. Please confirm that you and a guest will be able to attend tonight’s performance and what name you would like to leave them under at our Box Office Will Call.

Tickets? To see Sutton Foster? Wha-What?!?!

Side note for those who don't know, but I love Sutton Foster (or could you already tell since I knew all the shows she had been in plus roles?). She is amazing and is one of my favorite (if not favorite) Broadway stars. The last time we were in NYC, we went to see a show specifically cause she was in it (no joke, my Dad and I ran to the theatre to make sure her name was on the call board while Mom and Codi went to TKTS). Sadly, after waiting at the stagedoor in the rain, she didn't come out. As for this concert in Chicago? Yes, I knew about it, however, it seemed like a far-fetched idea that my parents would not go along with. But now the tickets were free! We've got to go!

Back to the aisle-way at Walmart. If you were to peer down it at this moment, you'd see the most excited person to ever be in an aisle-way Walmart. I dug out my phone and called my daddy.  "Hey daddy! How long would it take to get to Chicago if we left right now?" I rushed out. "Hmm, with all the construction going on and traffic, I'd say about 4 hours." I check the time. It's 3:39. The show's at 7:30. There was no way to make it to Chicago, find the theatre, park, and get in to the show on time. My wild imagination had already begun to run away with the idea that I would be in Chicago that night- in the city!- enjoying the lovely stylings of Sutton Foster- whom I adore! Oh well... not this time.  I did ask them if I could possibly have tickets to another night (I believe there were 4 shows?), they enthusiastically replied "We'll see what we can do!" so I basically was waiting around for a message from them all weekend (Yes, I was doing the pathetic why-won't-he-call-me? routine). To end a short story that has taken an un-proportional amount of time to tell, they didn't call and I didn't get to see Sutton. C'est la vie, non?

Here, make yourself feel better after reading such a depressing story by listening to "Astonishing" to celebrate my almost astonishing moment. Enjoy!   

Two-A-Day

This morning I went to my first Eastern Illinois football game. Used to football traffic and tailgating, we left home about two and a half hours early... which was most definitely not needed! We got to school and parked right in front of the stadium in all of five minutes. Different, eh? Since tailgating had not started yet (don't you people know that should start a good two days before a game? I'm joking, of course. Football fans at Auburn are too intense.), we walked around school and looked at all the athletic fields. The actual game was quick and we lost (short and sweet description, huh? I could never be a sports journalist!). Highlight of the game? Why that would be meeting Sean Payton of course (head coach of the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints)! After EIU's game, we rode up to the University of Illinois in Champaign and attended their game. So, as a person who does not consider herself a football fan, I attended two games in one day. I must be crazy, right?

Ben Bailey

Kelly Bell Band

Third day equals Kelly Bell Band concert. This was a very varied day of work and I loved it! The band played two concerts (12 and 6) with a cookout in between. In the morning, I was on green room duty. Basically, I hung out in the green room and made sure the band had everything they needed and helped them get to where they needed to be when they needed to be there (I'm referring to the sound check, during which I actually had a long conversation about Broadway with the lady left in the green room. Man, I can discuss Broadway like most boys do sports!). After the first concert started, I helped set up for the cookout. At the cookout, I played bouncer at the entrance (like I did for the AU suites--Why I was the bouncer for drunk people trying to sneak into the suites at football games is beyond me, but hey, I got some stories from it, eh? Side note, I know, but no worries. No one tried to crash this party). During the second concert, I helped clean up the cookout (I was one of the magicians who made all the tables and chairs disappear between the show--poof!). All week we were excited about one song in particular (we had their set list in order to set lights and for this song it was yellow floor, like sand, blue top, like water, and bubbles on the side walls)... I knew it was down the set list and hoped to make it into the theatre to see it. I walked backstage, sat in the wings, and heard the prep being given for the next song. Sure enough, I had made it just in time for, drum-roll please, Sponge Bob! But Kerri, this was a blues concert right? Nah, it was a "Phat Blues" concert! They played a pretty good mix of stuff and sounded great. After the show (I saw, hmm, maybe the last third?), the band went out to mingle with the audience and to sign cds (they were also sweet enough to sign posters for all of the crew-- see mine in the photo above!). After helping them pack, carry, and load their stuff, it was time to call it a night. Guess I've got my first concert under my belt!

First and Second Days

This is a combo post of my first and second days at--wait for it--my new job! I am now a crew member for the Doudna Fine Arts Center. Exciting stuff, eh? My first day involved running forms around campus (so that I could work) and then learning my way about the theatre (serious stuff, it is very easy to get lost/turned around!). Up on the catwalk, I learned how to hang lights and helped with changing light gels and positioning the lights for the blues concert this weekend. I started work on day two at noon. When I showed up, my boss asked me to hang some lights, put the right gel/filter in, wire them, and position them to shine on the right spots (with an "I'll be back later- I'm going to lunch"). Whoa buddies! But no worries girl, you can totally do this! I went to collect the wires, filters, and tools for the job and got to work. Right after I started, a tour group appeared on the catwalk over looking the stage. The professor started his tour monologue, but all eyes were on the girl working on the stage. No pressure, eh? But you know, I knew what I was doing (well, at least I think I do). And, I could see myself from their viewpoint and I know they were thinking: Man, that girl knows how to hang lights! (That's what I would've been thinking if I was up there!). Impressive, no? What is actually very impressive is my ability to quickly climb the ladders backstage. And I mean quickly-- like Spiderman! (who is hoping to make his own theatre start soon...)

 

Adventures in Cooking: Tollhouse Pie Edition

I had an extra pie crust, so let's try another pie! This time I went for a Tollhouse pie. According to the recipe, "the sweet, creamy richness of a brown sugar base makes this chocolate chip pie a perfect foil for chopped nuts and whipped or ice cream." It did have a creamy, rich, sugary base. But as for perfect foil? I dunno. Don't get me wrong! Everyone who tried a piece loved it. Personally, I don't care for nuts. If I made it again, I'd probably leave the nuts out and then the chocolaty-ness of the pie would be perfect with some vanilla ice-cream! 

Recipe:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 9 inch deep dish crust pie shell

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the flour, white sugar and brown sugar; beat until well blended. Blend in the melted butter. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour batter into one unbaked 9 inch pie shell.
3. Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.

 
 

(un)Fair (Weather)

Friday morning woke up like an excited little kid. Why? 'Cause we're going to the fair! And not just any fair, the Illinois State Fair. This fair is supposed to be awesome and I can't wait. Well, we drive to Springfield and everything seems ok, we drive to the fair and the sky seems to be graying, we get to the tent where the event is being held and freight-train-like wind roared all around us. A man, whose house happened to be located next to our tent, yelled for everyone to get in his basement. We ran in and waited (for only a little bit- no worries!). Back outside, three guys working at our tent were pointing out to everyone where they saw the tornado. I know it's better to be safe, but a little part of me wished that I would've stayed outside and seen it too. I mean, how often do you get the chance to see a tornado in person? It wasn't long though before the rain hit (and I mean hit). It was raining and pouring and showed no chance of going away (two little kid songs smushed together? Kerri, how dare you cross references!), so we sat outside under a metal braced tent eating chicken breasts with lemonade (what can you do?). After finishing dinner, I made quite an impressive tower out of the goodies strewn on the table (at right).  Eventually, we decided to walk around the fair to see the animals and find some funnel cake despite the drizzle. Unfortunately, the rides were all shut down and the concert (Lady Antebellum) was canceled. I did try some chocolate covered bacon though (and it was gross!). Now I know what you all are wondering, because of the weather and all the closings/cancellations, but don't worry, your mind can rest--I managed to see the butter cow.

Adventures in Cooking: Chess Pie Edition

Let me start this post with a little story. Several weeks ago, when out on one of our adventures in tiny towns, we found a very dumpy, albeit delicious barbecue restaurant. Now, I'm not that big a fan of barbecue, but they had mini-baby pies that were so cute I just had to try one. I picked (can you guess?) a mini chess pie and have wanted to make one ever since (a full sized one though- why make a mini? It just has more crust!). Tonight I finally did- it was scrumptious and everybody loved it! Yum!

For those who would like a taste, try it out for yourself:

Old-Fashioned Chess Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 c. sugar
• 2 tbsp. (heaping) flour
• 1 tbsp. (heaping) cornmeal
• 1/2 c. butter, melted
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 c. buttermilk
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 10-in. unbaked pie shell (I used a 9-in pie shell and just didn't pour all the mix in)
  

1. Mix sugar, flour and cornmeal; stir in butter, eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.
2. Mix well; pour into pie shell.
3. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.
4. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees; bake for 30 minutes longer. Cover pie with foil, if necessary, to prevent burning. (I actually baked it for 40 minutes longer- it got a nice flaky crust on top!)

Bon appetit!