Deer Valley

Julie and I met up in Utah this weekend for an impromptu ski vacation at Deer Valley. Somewhere between sleeping, eating, celebrity stalking and bar hopping we did manage to squeeze in a few runs. We decided that the pictures of both of us on the slopes make us look like we are somewhere in the range of 300lbs each so instead you are getting a shot of Julie showing off the scenery and me showing off my ski hat and dart board skillz.

633 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

I think there must be something with me and addresses with a '6' in them. First it was the 1616, then the 1606 and now we have 633... hmmm... curious, very curious. (quick Katie, what movie is that a quote from and who says it?!) Anyways, I'm pretty sure my computer is dying a slow death and the latest sign of this is that my iMovie won't let me export movies in high quality anymore... not cool.OK Katie, I know, you give up: Olivander says that to Harry when he is trying to find him a wand during the first movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, he thinks it is "curious" because his wand contains a tail feather from the same phoenix as Voldemort's wand ;)

Have You Hugged a Vagina Today?

This Valentine's Weekend I performed in MIT's production of the Vagina Monologues . Essentially, the Vagina Monologues is a series of short theatrical pieces inspired by interviews a woman named Eve Ensler had with about 200 different women. She wrote the monologues to raise awareness in society about women's issues and in general to help people feel more open about discussing things like sex, periods, pregnancy, awkwardness, and the reality of violence towards women in our culture and around the world. It is performed every year across the nation on Valentine's Day ("V-Day") as fundraiser for programs that work to end violence against women and girls, including crisis centers and women's shelters. The MIT performances donated all the proceeds from the show to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

I've attached a video of part of my monologue - it is titled "I Was There in the Room." This monologue is traditionally the last piece in the show, and it is written about Ms. Ensler's personal experience watching the birth of her grand daughter. Hope you enjoy it :)

Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle Of Rum

Yesterday was the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla invasion and parade! A little background for the uninitiated…since about 1904 this has been Tampa’s version of Mari Gras – only with boats, guns and pirates. The day starts early (way too early..) at the Yacht Club where members (aforementioned pirates) dress up, gear up and fire up in order to lay siege to the city of Tampa. They then sail from the club in a full on pirate ship (The “Jose’ Gaspar”), complete with cannons, crow’s nests and flagged rigging, into downtown with guns and cigars blazing – escorted by roughly 300 boats in a scrum surrounding the ship. There they demand the key to the city then flaunt their “victory” with a parade along Bayshore Boulevard – a long winding road fronting Tampa Bay. There are thousands (estimates of 400,000!) of people lining the street, begging for bead tossed to the crowd. While Ye Mystic Crew organizes the parade, there are over 50 krewes included – along with bands, the Bucs and seemingly anyone that can muster a float, beads and wenches.. Parties and pillaging last well into the evening – and believe me, when you and 400,000 of your closest friends finally get home, you discover you never knew a hot shower and your bed could feel so good.