HIFI - Rehearsal Blog - Part 2; Work in Progress

Here are some photos from rehearsal of HIFI. We open on Thursday, and we got some GREAT work done tonight. Having a fantastic time, and can't wait to get an audience in to see this show!!!

Song of the Moment: Sham-a-lam-a-ding-dong

This is a song that Fred brought to my attention that is hauntingly beautiful. It is not what the title might suggest. Enjoy.

Outdoor Balconies of DEATH - Adams Morgan Photos

Josh Speerstra spotted these stalagtites of doom on our way into the back entrance of the DCAC. I whipped out my camera and caught these icicles that could kill an elephant. Doesn't this look like a fun address to live in the event of a domestic dispute? Murder weapons are out on the balcony!
Here's to a quick thaw!

Meteorologist Jim Kosek

A story on Jim Kosek, the insane weatherman featured in the video that I posted earlier in the week. Full story in the Washington Post, HERE.

Dinner for One

I clearly am suffering from cabin fever to be finding gems like this on youtube, but here goes.
We still have power, but I have heard rumors that it is going off all over Alexandria. Fingers crossed.

It's Official - Snowiest Winter on Record.

At 3:10pm we reached our snow goal. Read more about it over at the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.
From the NWS statement:

AS OF 2 PM TODAY...WITH THE 9.8 INCH TWO-DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL AT RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT...THE SEASONAL SNOWFALL TOTAL IN WASHINGTON DC STANDS AT 54.9 INCHES. THIS WOULD BREAK THE PREVIOUS ALL-TIME SEASONAL SNOWFALL RECORD FOR WASHINGTON DC OF 54.4 INCHES SET IN THE WINTER OF 1898-99.

Breaking News: No Mail

USPS: Mail Services Are Suspended From U.S. Postal Service spokesperson Deborah Yackley:

"We have suspended delivery and collection for today. There was limited retail but it is all closing down at 11 a.m. We don't know about tomorrow yet."

Almost there...

They just said on WTOP radio that we are now only 4.2 inches away from setting the record as the snowiest winter ever! Ok, at this point, after all that we have been through, I say come on! Let's break it! Snow is coming down at 1-2 inches an hour according to WTOP, so four more inches doesn't seem that hard to beat, does it?
We still have power but dear God is that wind howling out there!
We'll keep fingers crossed that the power remains on.
All of this and it's only 11:47AM.

Some things you should know in the snow.

Utility Phone Numbers

Pepco: 1- 877-737-2662
Dominion Virginia Power: 1- 888-667-3000
Allegheny Power: 1-800-255-3443
NOVEC - Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: 1-888-335-0500
Baltimore Gas & Electric: 1-877-778-2222
SMECO - Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: 1-877-74-SMECO
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative - 1-800-552-3904




Government Snow Hotlines:

D.C. - Residents can call 311

Maryland:
Montgomery County - 240-777-6000
Prince George's County - 301.350.0500
Frederick County - 301-600-3000
Anne Arundel County - 410- 222-0600
Howard County - 410-313-2900

Virginia:
Arlington County - 703-228-6485
Fairfax County - 703-817-7771
Stafford County - 540- 658-5751

Road Condition Information
In Virginia, you can call 511 for road conditions.



Proper Shoveling Techniques

Pace yourself. Take breaks.
Drink plenty of water.
Don't eat or smoke before shoveling.
Shovel close to the body.
Bend your knees.
Lift with your legs.

Cat and Pug

Buddha has been exposed to Fred's cats little by little over the past 6 months, and every time there is a little more progress on both accounts. This time I brought my camera to try to capture a few moments of their attempt to figure each other out.






While Buddha did really good, the real Kodak moment came later, when Buddha was getting sleepy and was closing his eyes on Fred's chair. Nicky took the opportunity to creep up and observe Buddha from a close distance.






In all of these photos, Buddha never had an idea that Nicky was even there.



That's one clever cat and one sleepy pug.

Bear learns to walk on hind feet.

This video made my jaw drop. This bear clearly has learned how to adapt to his limb loss, and if I was in the woods and saw this, I would not believe my own eyes. So here it is. The bear that has learned to walk like a man. Enjoy.

Breaking News: 4.3 Earthquake in Illinois

From: CNN Breaking News (BreakingNews@mail.cnn.com)
Sent: Wed 2/10/10 5:48 AM
To: textbreakingnews@ema3lsv06.turner.com

-- A magnitude 4.3 earthquake rattles northern Illinois early Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.


Further story HERE at CNN, or over HERE at their local Channel 13 news.

White Out Wednesday: Blizzard Warning

Well, the conditions, as they say, are deteriorating rapidly. The Blizzard Warning has been expanded to now include most of the DC Metro Area. Winds will become northwest and increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 mph. Blowing and drifting snow will reduce visibilities to between one quarter of a mile or less at times, producing blizzard conditions.
Looking outside my window right now, I can barely see anything. As you can see from the photo above, visibility is poor as it is, but then look at the photo below that I just this second took:




You can barely see the shopping center. I look at this and look at Buddha and think - wow. How are we going to get you to go potty this morning? Yikes. We'll have to think on that.
So again, everyone - charge up those phones and have someone you can call who lives far away who can look up information on a computer for you (like numbers to call when power goes out, etc.) And try to expect a power outage rather than hope you don't get one. I have my extra blankets laid out, along with my candles and flashlights. I have firewood (thanks, Karissa) and food that needs not be cooked to eat. So have a plan. And then have a back up plan. It might feel like being over prepared, but rather over than under.
I will keep blogging to you all today as long as I have power. So till we talk again, stay safe out there. It's a cold white mess.
xoxo
sgs

SNOVERKILL '10

The snow is pouring down at a steady rate now as we await our THIRD blizzard of the season.
In good news, Jill and I dug my car out, of course, just in time for another dumping, but at least the old snow is clear in preparation for the new snow. Thanks so much, Jill - you are so amazing!!
Then Karissa came over bearing two bundles of firewood and a fine visit, and as always, my guy Friday, Fred was here several times to check in and make sure I was doing ok. I have the best friends on earth and thank everyone for helping me through strep snow weekend.
I feel TONS better after Aunt Val got me a prescription for a Z pak, and my throat pain is finally numbing down. The Frederick preview weekend of HIFI has been cancelled due to the weather, but it is probably for the best. We now have more time to concentrate on our DCAC opening.
In further weather news, the Metro is only going to be operating below ground tomorrow, and no metrobuses will be running, according to WMATA.
So tuck yourselves in, it's going to be a bumpy night.

You spoke too soon.

Saw this shirt for sale on zazzle.com. Funny, but I suppose a bit premature...
Snow slated to begin in t-minus 3 hours...

Weatherman with too much stress.

A Baltimore Weatherman forecasting this past weekend's blizzard. Too funny.

Snow!

A cute time elapse video of this past weekend's blizzard, set to Irving Berlin's "Snow" from White Christmas. I particularly enjoy how all of the branches start to bend. Enjoy.

Icey Dicey Roads and Roofs.

Here are a few photos I snapped off my balcony last night as I watched with mounting humor the one,two,three,four cars get stuck on my street. First of all, all of the cars stuck were cars that NEVER belonged out in conditions like this. One was a little Mazda Miata. I understand how people have cabin fever (believe me I do), but when you take out a car like that, you are putting not only yourself, but everyone else out there in danger. Cars like that are not meant to function in weather like this, and are better left at home till we thaw out. Use your heads, folks.
OH - and while I'm at it - REMINDER (because I've seen it about a hundred times this weekend) - When you shovel out your car and brush it off - BRUSH OFF YOUR ROOF!!!!! You would think that it would not even need to be mentioned in this day and age, but it does. I have seen several vehicles driving around with 2 foot sheets of ready to go rear roof missle projectiles ready to fire at the car behind them. If you leave snow on your roof and do not brush it off, most likely it will freeze, thus becoming a hard missile. A hard missle that can slide off of your roof and go right through someone's windshield. This could easily kill someone. So take the extra 2 seconds and please, PLEASE brush off your roof.
Ok.
Enough preaching for one morning. Sorry.

Calm before the Storm. Again.

Here we are, on the morning of yet ANOTHER major winter storm about to hit us here in the DC Metro area, and boy, aren't we all just so excited?
.
.
.
The latest updates from ABC 7 say:

"A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Noon today through 7pm Wednesday for the entire region. There is the potential for 10 to 20 inches of snow across the region..."

This storm will be starting today after or around (still much debate on that matter) noon, and intensifying after 5pm, with the most heavy snowfall occurring overnight and into the morning. Just like the last storm. In fact, a lot of this sounds JUST LIKE THE LAST STORM.
Also, there is another thing about today and tomorrow's storm that is much more troublesome to hear than it's accumulation totals. The winds are supposed to be stronger than this past weekend's storm. Winds could crest around 40 mph. Yet again creating blizzard conditions.
Continued from ABC 7:

"Major concerns will be with the added snowfall combined with the stronger winds, more power outages will be likely and potentially more trees will come down. This in combination with the current snow-pack will have the potential for more roofs to collapse. While you can, be sure to go out and get added supplies such as flashlights and batteries, extra water and non-perishable food. This is a major storm and we want you and your family to stay as safe as possible through the next couple of days."

So be sure this morning as you prepare for whatever this current storm will bring that you secure any loose items on balconies or patios, charge your cell phones, make sure you have batteries, stock up on firewood, Have candles and flashlights in an easily accessible place, have sleeping bags and extra blankets out and ready, and make sure that you have plenty of food that does not require cooking. Power outages are likely, and something to expect rather than just hope you don't get.
So in closing, I'll keep taking photos and letting you know what's going on with the storm till I lose my power. I hope everyone is safe out there. Make good choices.
Here are some photos I took of this mornings sunrise. It was too calm, too pretty to resist. Also, I was happy to see the sun, and wondered how long until we see it again. Good Morning.

Thundersnow

On Friday night, at about 4 or 5 in the morning, we had some thundersnow going on here with the blizzard. I have not seen that since I was very young, and it is so strange to see. I found this video from this past weekend's storm that shows it. The video was taken in Baltimore, but it is from the same storm, and this is exactly how it looked here. Weird.

Insult to Injury

Yeah...the whole "LIVEBLOGGING" thing kind of doesn't work when you lose power. As you all know, we got a BUNCH of snow. No breaking news there. What really is getting me more nervous as the forecasts keep changing is the next storm. Like the last one, the accumulation indexes keep ramping upward. We really can't afford this kind of snowfall again so soon. (Well - I know I can't afford it! I have to actually work sometime in this month!)
This in from WTOP.com:

"WASHINGTON - People are still digging out from the historic blizzard over the weekend that buried the region in up to 40 inches of snow. It knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people, thousands of whom are still in the dark, and is causing school closings into the week as many neighborhoods haven't been touched by plows.

Temperatures will hit the low 30s Monday and sunshine will cause some melting, but ABC 7 Meteorologist Chris Naille says don't expect the snow to go away anytime soon.

"We're not going to get rid of it completely, not by a long shot before another system impacts us."

The area is bracing for another storm Tuesday.

Naille says two storms will merge before dumping another 10 to 20 inches of snow throughout much of the region, except for areas further south which could see a rain/snow mix.

The snow will start around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Tuesday and end by late Wednesday afternoon.

ABC 7 Chief Meteorologist Doug Hill says higher accumulations are possible farther north.

A Winter Storm Warning has been posted from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon. "

Oh.
Dear.
Lord.

LIVEBLOGGING THE STORM: 5:27 PM

Snow is now sticking to roads. About 4 inches has fallen. Maybe Five.

First Look: High Fidelity at the DCAC

These are some promo shots from High Fidelity. These were shot at Crooked Beat Records of 18th Street. They feature me as Rob and Karissa Lynn Swanigan as Laura.

LIVEBLOGGING THE STORM - 12:50pm Friday

The snow began falling at about 9:30AM. It is still falling at a moderate rate. I will continue to LIVEBLOG the snow storm all weekend, as I will be snowed in alone. (Chris is at Signature in rehearsals for Sweeney Todd, and they are putting the cast up in hotels for the weekend to finish getting through tech rehearsals. Granted, I am never truly alone. I have my trusty pug as a companion, Gillian across the street, and Fred the other way across the street.
Also there is this.
I woke up with a VERY sore throat and a low grade fever. :( So I am doubting if sledding and snowball fighting is in the cards for me this weekend. Oh well. If I have to get sick, I would rather do it when I don't have to do anything else.
I have more than enough supplies, so I am ready to buckle in and weather it out. I will bring you photos and details of the storm all weekend.
Also: I am My Own Wife at Signature Theatre is cancelled tonight.

Breaking News from Arlington County

With the impending snow storm, the following guidelines should be followed: Basic weather safety involves staying off the roads, dressing in layers, having emergency supplies ready and avoiding overexertion.
Driving Once freezing rain or snow begins to fall, stay off the roads. Only travel if absolutely necessary, and if you do, wear a seat belt. Know roads conditions before you leave.
Current road conditions are available by calling 5-1-1 or visiting 511Virginia.gov. Have emergency supplies in your car. If you become stranded, you will need water, food, blankets, a radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
Stay with your car. The Virginia Department of Transportation recommends running the car engine for heat for 10 minutes and then turning off the engine for 20 minutes.
Health concerns Wear loose layers and a hat. Avoid overexertion during clean up, no matter your age or physical condition. Shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
Emergency heat Generators should always be run outside, in well-ventilated areas. Get to fresh air immediately if you start to feel sick, weak or dizzy. Never use a portable generator in any enclosed or partially enclosed space. Windows and doors do not provide enough ventilation. Kerosene and propane heaters can cause fires if left unsupervised. If you use one, use only the recommended fuel.
Always refuel outdoors safely away from your home. Keep an eye on your heater at all times while it is running. Shut it off before you go to bed or when you leave the house.
Emergency assistance If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. OEM/JJB Sent by Arlington County OEM to All users (e-mail) through Arlington Alert ....powered by Cooper Notification RSAN

2010 Helen Hayes Award Nominations

I have been nominated, along with my fellow cast mates for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical for The Civil War at Ford's Theatre. Here are some of the other nominations garnered from show that I have been blessed enough to be in:

THE CIVIL WAR
Outstanding Director, Resident Musical
Jeff Calhoun, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production
Jay Crowder, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical
Eleasha Gamble, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Kellee Knighten, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Outstanding Resident Musical
The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
The Civil War, Ford’s Theatre






ADDING MACHINE: A MUSICAL
Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical
David Benoit, Adding Machine: A Musical, The Studio Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production
Christopher Youstra, Adding Machine: A Musical, The Studio Theatre
Outstanding Resident Musical
Adding Machine: A Musical, The Studio Theatre
Congrats to all, and I am so proud of all of my fellow cast mates from both of these incredible shows!
For a full list of nominees, click HERE.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: The Joys of a New Puppy

Porch Ceiling Decor

I got inspired by seeing this done in Clyde's and at a retail store in Old Town, so I took a walk around my neighborhood and gathered all the down branches that I could find. I interlaced a criss-crossing wire (wreath or floral wire) on either side of the ceiling of my balcony, then I guided the branches above them, so that they rest on top of the wire. I then interlaced the branches with white Christmas lights. Here is the result. I am not totally done with it yet, as there are a few extra touches that I have not done yet, but here is the general idea. I think that it is gorgeous!

Oh Boy. Here we go again...

NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning 10am Friday to 10 pm Saturday for 16 to 24 inches of snow and near-blizzrd conditions during the event. (TM/OEM)