Gotta LOVE Oh, What a Night!

   Yesterday, our meditation was about LOVE. Four little letters with a huge meaning. Love for ourselves and for those around us and the importance of never trying to expect anyone to be other than what they are. Their truest self. If you have genuine love for somone, celebrate them. In my favorite movie "Great Expectations", Estella says, "We are who we are. People don't change." I think there is always room for improvement in us all. However, we can ony do that for ourselves and lead by example. "Be the change you wish to see in the world", Ghandi said. If people see a change in you, or a life that they admire, you have already inspired them to take action. My favorite quote and how I approach the people I love the most in my life is: "Expect nothing. Accept everything." Accept and love them in every way you know how and expect nothing in return...that way, everything is of the greatest surprise.

   After meditation, we cleaned up some dance numbers before attempting our first run through!
I was blown away by the talent in the room of the "Oh, What a Night!" cast. Sonoma is going to be blown away next week. We have everything in this concert - tap dancing, pop music medleys, comic duets, heart wrenching ballads, kooky up tempos... no matter what you want to hear, it will all be there.

   A run through is always daunting the first time. There are so many blanks to fill in! As many times as I have gone through a rehearsal process in my lifetime, I still get nervous for the first run through. Actors put a lot of pressure on themselves to be perfect. Perfect doesn't exist. Amy Miller, the artistic director of Transcendence Theatre Company, always remind us "4%" - Meaning, we will improve little by little. Progress can be made each time just by a simple 4%. It really takes the pressure off.
I passed out some Artist Way cards to each member of the cast. They have one word reminders such as: Find the Magic, Support, Art is a Process... basic reminders that I thought everyone would like to take into the run through with them. I have already gushed about how fantastic the show was and we still have a week before an audience shows up! It was a fully lived day for sure! Cocktails in the square, anyone? I said yes to dinner at the Swiss Hotel. Their signature glarify (pronounced glare-if-ee) is a basic irish coffee - but their secret recipe. It was delish. Then, a glass of savvy b to go with my seared ahi tuna. A dark and rustic restaurant that makes you feel like you are in the wild west was the perfect way to relax after such a highly intense rehearsal.

   I drove back to Glen Ellen as the sun set in Sonoma. I took in all of the vineyards as I passed and was so grateful for this entire day, this experience, and feeling so fufilled watching my incredible cast share their talents. Everyone has a moment in their particular element. What I love about this compnay is that there is no star of the show. Everyone shines in their own way and at their own moment. With every number I thought, this might be my favorite...no, this might be my favorite.... well, they are all favorites. This is the concert that doesn't quit!! Get ready, Sonoma!! Here comes: "Oh, What a Night!"

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lyrics, lyrics everywhere...

Have you ever been falling for someone and every lyric seems to jump out at you from the radio or resonate with your experience? Mph. I love that I get to sing things out loud so that even if I can't say them, in some way, I can express them. One of the beautiful things about being a performer is self-expression. Perhaps the lyrics mean different things to you, the audience, than they do for me...but you feel something in your own way that hits home. It is a different experience each time, each performance for us all depending what our day has been like. or where we are at in our life circumstances... Here was my rehearsal day and the lyrics that made me stop, think, and share a private part of myself that otherwise would have remained quiet...

Jekyll and Hyde:
But if some like you, found someone like me, then suddenly nothing would ever be the same.... my heart takes wing, and I'd feel so alive...if someone like you found me...

Whitney Houston Medley:

There's a boy I know, he's the one I'm dreaming of. 

Looks into my eyes, takes me to the clouds above. 

And I lose control can't seem to get enough.

When I wake from dreamin', tell me is it really love.

OOOOOOO

How will I know?

How will I know?

How will I know if he really loves me? I say a prayer with every heart beat.

I fall in love whenever we meet...

I'm asking you cause you know about these things.

How will I know if he's thinking of me?

I try the phone, but I'm too shy can't speak.

Falling in love is so bittersweet.

This love is strong, why do I feel weak? If he loves me?

oh, How will I know?

It was an exhausting day of putting moves to music... and then when I was able to say these things out  loud, it felt freeing. 

#Son-HOME-a

#yeswhitney

#nothingwilleverbethesame

xoxo, 

Her Ladymess

Sent from my iPad

Attention flows where attention goes...

"Energy flows where attention goes."
 This was our focus today. The day began with a 20 minute guided meditation by the lovely Shannon O'Bryan. I have done guided meditation before - usually for ten minutes... I have such an odd relationship with time and the "go go go" of New York City energy that being silent for 20 minutes seemed daunting. I cannot wait to greet this practive daily and see that shift of peace in myself.
 We circled up with the entire cast after that and greeted each other with such a present energy... I was all rehearsals began this way. What I do know is I am building a practive to take with me... if I ever leave. (Good luck with that, Sonoma! I'm staying!)
 It is impossible not to get swept up by the beauty of this place. For such a long time, I am have been in a serious relationship with NYC. I am surprising myself with what charms me about Sonoma. The lush greenery of the vineyards, the support and love of the community, the charm of everyone knowing you when you walk into the Glenn Ellen Market (my daily juice of beets, apple, lemon, parlsley, ginger...so addicted...).
 Tomorrow is the day off... I plan on hiking with a few folks at a park an hour away with the promise of seeing elk...WHAT?? Never seen that in NYC or in Kansas for that matter! Then, perhaps a picnic in the dog park, and a family style dinner collected from our gardens paired with a few bottles of vino telling tales of the week we have shared and what is to come. This place has my heart!

#corkbag

#homesweethomehoodie

Vineyard Viewing.. another day at work ;)

Vineyard viewing party!! You know it's a tough day at work when you and your co-workers just have to visit four wineries as possible venues for company events. Each one so special and glorious in their  own way. You can't even believe the history that all of these vineyards have. Why wasn't this taught as high school history?? I think I would have been a lot more interested!!

Little Cellars was first up and I couldn't get passed Rona, a sweet bog 'ol ball of love in the form of a dog. She won all of our hearts over for sure. The view was glorious and the patio will be making memories for us all summer long. I can't wait to see the lake out back. We shall return. Thanks for the tour, Joan! (And Rona!)


 Chateau St. Jean Prounounced Jean - like blue jeans. Not John. JEEEEAAAAANN. Like saying "tarjay" when it's target. Don't be fancy ;) The Chateu feels like a party at Gatsby's house. White lights hanging from the trees and steps up to the main tasting room that reek of elegance.They owner thanked us for coming and what did this ladymess do? I thanked him for their Chardonnay. I couldn't help myself! Seriously, a delight if you have never tried it. Not overtly buttery - but as crisp and elegants at the Chateu itself. Now, I'm thirsy ;)




Next, we headed to St. Anne's where the tasting room lead us to a charming backyard patio. Very intimate and shaded by big beautiful trees. Scott from St. Anne's ws sweet enough to bring us all a tasting if their Zinfandel. Juicy and earthy and a rich delicious nose. I savored every last bit as the sun and light wind were a perfect combination of making a lovely afternoon heavanly. Then, the ever so generous Scott gave us a taste of this year's rose. 100% with a spicy finish that I would have thought to be black pepper...but it was NUTMEG. NUTMEG??? IT made this Meg NUTS for sure. Knocked my socks off. Don't miss that delicious treat!






Our last stop on the tour was Muscardini. This is one of my favorite spots from last year in Sonoma. Family owned and uber friendly. While we didn't taste the wines there this particular day, I remember having the privelage to taste directly from the barrel last summer. Well, they put it in my glass. I wasn't under the barrel going to town on the aging process :) I'll be back Muscardini!

 What better way to finish the day than to pow wow at the Farmer's Market in Sonoma Square? Every Tuesday the town gathers in the square and local vendors sell their food, fruits, veggies, crafts, and creations. A band played as we set down two big blankets, popped open our vino, and took in the rest of the glorious sun as it was quickly setting. We chatted about life and it's vast possibilites. Other members of our company joined in as time went on and I just took and deep, present moment breath feeling so lucky to be here and have these people around me... and we've only just begun.
 Guess what local celebrity was also there? Peepers, Margie's bar chicken from Community Cafe! I would know that chicken anywhere and even got to give a big 'ol hug to Margie. She's a gem!

 Sonoma sun sets and I joined a friend for a nosh at the Girl and the Fig and drove home on the winding roads loving such well lived and full days. #bestdyever

Finding the Blue Bird of Happiness: My time in Sonoma