All the cool kids are doing it.

I remember telling Chris and Jordan on one of our Coffee Tuesday outings that because "photography" was # 3 on the 3hree 6ixty 5ive list that I would treat myself to a nice new digital SLR camera when I started my new position at work.

Well, I started the new position at work this week (technically last week, at least on payroll)... and with the Disneyland trip coming up this Sunday as well, I thought now was a good time to pull the trigger.

And I did. While watching American Idol, I logged onto Amazon.com and ordered the Canon Rebel XS. It should be here Friday, so I may get to log my first photos at the Rascal Flatts outing.

I'm excited. :)

In other news, I've now finally seen two out of three "Lord of the Rings" movies... and I think I can handle walking around the office a little better tomorrow. I didn't exactly follow the directions given to me by Dr. Andrew and Dr. Mercedes (from work), but the ankle feels much better than last night. Many thanks to Andy and Jordan for helping me through that.

I also have a short amount of time to possibly prepare an audition piece... I keep checking this site and the La Jolla Playhouse is having general auditions. I may just give it a go - I have nothing to lose anyway, and it'd be a fun way to get my feet wet. Musical theatre has become a new "happy place" lately... Watching "Grease" on Sunday made me jealous all over again, wanting to get back on the stage (oh those high school days), and I know I'll get that exact same feeling when we see "Rent" this weekend... I've seen "Rent" before, and the production is SO much better than the movie. Now if only I could see "Spring Awakening" next week, somehow...

Music, theatre and Disney... this weekend's gonna be awesome, I feel.

Offline Blogging

...but to be posted online soon. I'm at Starbucks, per our usual Coffee Tuesday outings, and currently unable to go online because Wi-Fi isn't really free at Starbucks. They want you to buy something at least once a month using a Starbucks card, and doing so grants you two free hours of Wi-Fi access.

It's been more than a month since my last purchase, apparently.

But it's okay. I can still type this out on my word processor and upload it whenever I get the chance. That'll work just fine, I feel. And I need to take my mind off work and this "how to" book for Microsoft Access...

Random musings:

1. Three amazing concerts last week: (a) Loney Dear and Andrew Bird, (b) Duncan Sheik and Lauren Pritchard, (c) Tonic and Gin Blossoms. "B" of course being the most legendary, if you didn't know... I haven't had a week like that in awhile, when I used to go to shows with a greater frequency. I even found my old list from 2004, when I kept track of every show I saw, even the small coffeehouse ones.

2. I wish I had the keen eye that Jordan and Brit have when it comes to photography. Our photo outing last Saturday at the Mission San Diego de Alcala produced some pretty great shots. Picture days are some of my favorite days in recent memory - Old Town/Seaport Village, Gap Day, Julian... I really want to start taking pictures on my own, but (a) need a good camera and (b) don't know if I have that skill to find a good shot in any given environment.

3. I keep listening to this one song called "Lead Me to the Cross". It's originally by Hillsong United, but I have a (stealthily taped) live recording of The Gate Called Beautiful performing it at Flood last year. They choose songs that fit with Matt's message, and the combination of her voice, their music, and the song's lyrics... it's often very moving (to me). I was at The Rock this last Sunday, and worship has been an important part of church for me and theirs just wasn't working (among a few other reasons that have nothing to do with this point). I really do need to be more consistent with where I'm going though.

4. I'm ready for March 9 to get here already. Come on, March 9...