Greetings From Idaho

So.... I safely made it to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL here... a huge lake just feet away from the theatre, rolling hills of trees, fresh air, a mini strip of beach, and plenty of sunshine during the day and stars at night. The show is going well... almost too easy for me since I just did the show. It truly feels like a mini vacation... and that's just fine with me! Oh, and I did have some Idaho potatoes. They may not be any better here than they are in NYC, but they sure know how to cook 'em here. Had some pretty good french fries the other day! And... they also are big on huckleberries here. Had a huckleberry beer. Still looking for a great piece of huckleberry pie. So far, so good. More to come!

AIDS Walk 2007

Here's hoping that in 2007, this tragic crisis will come to an end. Thanks for all of those who supported me on the walk.

I'm Making A List and Checking It Twice

I seem to be on a list frenzy at the moment. I've always loved lists ever since I was a child. I would buy those kids books that made you fill out lists. I couldn't wait for the end of the year/best of lists. I make a daily "To Do" list. I think I like them because they help me attain my goals. For example, today was my day off and I made a list of 15 things to do. I accomplished 11 of them. Now mind you, some things were small tasks like buy new stamps, but hey, I managed to do it because it was on my list. And that's something I probably would have let slide for weeks until I had an urgent letter that needed to get out and I didn't have anymore stamps. And what joy I get from merely crossing things off my list! And I don't simply put a line through the item, I scribble it out with lots of ink and intensity. Like I'm eradicating the world of some horrible disease. OK, that may be going a little over board, but you get the picture. It's rather therapeutic. Try it.

Karaoke Reunion

A final get together before we go our separate ways for the Summer. Thanks for the fun evening! You guys are unparalleled!

It's Millie Time

A week to go before I revisit Thoroughly Modern Millie!

Things I Want- Early Summer Edition

1. The new Maroon Five CD
2. Tickets to see Xanadu- The Musical
3. Dinner at DB Bistro Moderne
4. A Wine and Cheese with co-host Henry O'Neill
5. A great linen shirt
6. A bouquet of flowers
7. Summer lovin'
8. A true Idaho potato
9. Another acting gig
10. The iphone

I acquired 6 of my 10 from my Spring Edition list. Not bad. Let's see if I can get at least 8 this time. Bet I can!

Nicknames Roll Call

So... here are all the nicknames that I can think of that people call me:

1. Branjing
2. Cos Cos
3. Bri Bri
3. Bri
4. Jose
5. China
5. BJ
6. Braaain
7. The Acclaimed Actor, Brian Jose
8. Bri Guy
9. Beej
10. B
11. Blaino
12. Mommie
13. Papi
14. Brajan
15. B Jose

With all these nicknames, people still like addressing me most by saying my whole first name and last name - Brian Jose. Interesting, huh?

Slow Boat To China

I received a wonderful email and letter from my dear friend Cos Cos, who is in Korea performing in The King and I. I was almost moved to tears by the beauty that was represented in the pictures he sent. There were rehearsal photos from China, costume shots, opening night party shots, photos of gorgeous landscapes and buildings. Ahhh... it makes me long to visit a foreign land... to immerse myself in a different culture and experience life in a completely different way. Does Idaho count?

Customer Service

Ok, not to toot my own horn or anything, but J. Crew definitely has superior customer service. I was at Saks Fifth Avenue today to buy a new pair of jeans... and to open my long overdue Saks credit card. I had so many issues! I couldn't find the size and style that I was looking for and it took FOREVER to get someone to go to the back and get what I needed. Once I tried them on, I had all sorts of questions- shrinkage, tailoring, etc... and not once did my sales associate come back to check on me. After I decided on the pair that I wanted, I told him I wanted to open the credit card up. It seemed like a hassle for him, though I'm sure there was some incentive for him in the future for opening up the credit card. Once I finished the paper work, he proceeded to help a gazillion other people before getting back to me. And to top it all off, though not his fault directly, their computer was acting up and what should have been a 10 minute transaction tops took more like 50 minutes! Yikes! Though I can't really imagine shopping at Saks on a regular basis, this experience has made me think twice of shopping there again! Not pleased! Not pleased at all!

DMV

So yesterday I went to the DMV to FINALLY get a New York ID. The wait wasn't terribly painful- I think just over an hour. But it kills me, and scares me, how angry people get when they get to the counter. This one woman, with a hairy upper lip and bright florescent pink lipstick, went on and on screaming about how her DMV worker was so rude and didn't show her the respect that she deserved. She didn't have her 6 points required to get her ID. Another guy, who had obviously been there before, was throwing a fit that he was being denied again because he has two last names and his legal ID only lists one. He wanted to speak to the person in charge, who told him the exact same thing as the previous guy- that his Identification had to match. I think he had to be escorted out because he didn't want to leave until he got an ID. Ah well, my only concern is that my picture looks cute.

A Step Ahead

So I got an email from my dear friends in London that they are getting married. A small private wedding in Richmond for family and friends. Oh how I miss them both and my yearly jaunts over the pond. They are a very special couple. One is British and one is Spanish. They've lived together happily for years. One works as a teacher for the deaf and one works in the theatre industry. And they're both gay. Why is it that this country always seems to be a step behind with the times compared to my beloved England. They set the trend in music, in fashion, and now in accepting gay marriage. Such class, and style, and decorum. I feel a visit coming on soon...

Anticipation

There's a great number of things that I'm anticipating at the moment. Movies. Music. Events. Visits. But I've come to realize that one must keep their emotions in check when it comes to these things. The dilemma is that you can become so excited for the moment to arrive, that when it finally does, it doesn't live up to the expectations that your mind has created. You have "hyped it up" to such a high that the reality fails to measure up in comparison. But isn't it fun to let your mind go! To simply imagine how incredible the experience is going to be. I'm sure there is a happy medium between the two extremes, but for now I like to imagine that all my anticipated moments will far exceed my expectations and provide much happiness and excitement in my life!

Denied!

Today I went to audition for Les Miserables, one of my very favorite musicals ever.... and I was typed out! This practice seems to be getting more and more common nowadays. The funny thing is that they weren't even looking to replace anyone as no one is leaving the show at the moment- which made their choices even that more arbitrary. My friend Henry who was on tour with me, and who would be perfect for this show I might add, was also typed out. Had typing happed back in the heyday of Broadway, who knows who would have been denied the opportunity to audition. Would they have typed out Barbra Streisand from the I Can Get It For You Wholesale audition because of her nose and no previous b'way credits? I think not! I'm just asking for a chance people! A measly 16 bars! On a much happier note, they seemed much more receptive at my Mamma Mia audition earlier in the day. I would much rather sing the hits of ABBA than wear rags all night anyway!