Lying on the floor naked and other helpful suggestions for maintaining a relaxing lifestyle.

Dearest Reader,
Upon my arrival in Washington, D.C. this evening I find myself in a reflective, relaxed and, indeed, nude state. How did I arrive in such a state, you ask? Well, I traveled in a large van... and it's not a state, dummy. But I jest! Truly, though, my current state of being begs the question: how did Anna become so darn relaxed and/or naked? Well, for starters I feel it is of significance to note that my journey into the world of touring children's theatre around the country is more than halfway complete. I am also compelled to confess that I am currently sitting alone in a suite on the eighth floor of a fancy hotel and haven't even had to compromise my integrity to get here. I cannot see anyone stretching or hear anyone warming up their voice and I may be hallucinating from the shock. Nevertheless, I will attempt to enlighten you, my friend, in regard to three new and extremely fantastic paths towards relaxation. I have compiled them for you in a list below and they reflect the best of the best, if you will, from my travel experiences. Read on!
Helpful suggestion for maintaining a relaxing lifestyle number 1:
Paintball. I know what you're thinking : "But of course, Anna! That goes without saying." But I would like to augment the suggestion by further recommending about thirty Christians from the local church youth group all wielding semi-automatic paintball guns and shooting at your neck. And do try to accomplish this feat of relaxation in the state of West Virginia if at all possible.
Helpful suggestion for maintaining a relaxing lifestyle B:
Going into the dungeon, finding the giant lizards, killing them and stealing their skin. Now, if you weren't listening to NPR at about four fifteen this afternoon this might not make sense to you. However, if this does make sense to you - AND you weren't listening to NPR at about four fifteen this afternoon we should talk. (Seriously. Call me.) Suffice it to say, though, I find even the thought of this activity to be utterly relaxing and, apparently, so do 7 million other people on this planet. Look it up.
Helpful suggestion for maintaining a relaxing lifestyle number the third:
Lying naked on the floor. Surprised? I'm not! How is it that I have lived such a marvelous twenty four years on this earth with both many floors and my very own non-reptilian skin at my disposal and have never utilized this, the ultimate form of relaxation? I don't know, but I will be doing so more often, so consider this post fair warning. Now, dear reader, I would like to take a moment to recommend this activity to you. It is best done spontaneously so just go on and do it. Go ahead! Unless you have a few paintballs handy or the skin of a giant lizard clutched in your fist you really have no excuse to feel weary of this workaday life unless you are willing to take my suggestion. I know you are probably sitting a desk right now but no one is really paying attention to you and you know it. Just slip off your shoes and pants and shirt and underwear and lie down. I dare you.

Dems strike a pose...and it's the best we can do.

It's like my walking future and my walking past captured in one, glorious panoramic...



As much as I LOVE getting laughed at by kids every morning, a walk in the woods was a welcome respite this afternoon. Here are some pictures from Paris Mountain in Greenville, South Carolina... As one of our cast members pointed out today "we are following the fall..." and I can't complain. We are headed to West Virgina tomorrow and then who knows where for a week and a half and then Thanksgiving! This week, I learned how very delicious food can taste when it is eaten in the presence of family members... Wow, I meant for that to be poignant and it turned into something somewhat perverse sounding. Awkward. What I meant to say is that I was fortunate enough to spend a short night with Susan, Charlie and Matt in Charlotte this week and we consumed delicious shrimp, cookies, muffins, wine and democrats. Those little dems were so tender on tuesday night! Seriously, though, it was a much needed dose of love and food. Oh, and don't forget the heaping spoonful of senate. (Sorry, Charlie!) Little brother and gay husband strike a pose atop Mount Paris. This is the best I can do, folks.

dances with doors

The other day I was attacked by a bathroom door. It punched me in the face... Literally. This is not something I have experienced before. I ran to the dressing room and promptly placed my hand down on the heating element of the coffee maker. All of this in the Masonic Temple in Cleveland. Coincidence? Certainly not! Luckily, all of my teeth survived. My ego? Bruised. My face? Bruised. It looks like someone's been smacking me around and that someone is Chamber Theatre. Hurts so good. Other highlights of the week include meeting a woman named Babette in Marietta, Ohio along with the Mayor (Babette was vastly more interesting) annnnd taking my first enthusiastic steps into the world of trucking. Nick and I had a real trucker tell us to have a safe drive at a gas station! Oh, and trucks have DUAL gas tanks! Nothing like pumping petrol in tandem. Did I just say that? Yes. Did I just barf all over my computer...Actually, no.