The Chief, making mischief no doubt.  

The Captain investigating the yard work. He always has to be on top of whatever's going on in his domain. Plus the leaves look like fun... 

Midterms

Well Everybody a HUUUUGE sigh of relief is finally due. Whooooosh. The midterms are OVER. I think something like 9 weeks have passed.In some respects I'd have to heartily agree that time flies. In some other respects I feel as if I've been here an eternity already and have the rest of time yet to go!!!

I got my Tap grade for the semester so far . . . . drum roll please.. . . . . . . . a . . . . B!!!!!

A good, solid B!!! which is good, considering I am the worst one in the class and literally could not do a time step to save my (or someone dear to me's) life!!!! From here on out we start preparing for the Final Demo. YIKES!

Alrighty. I'm pooped after a very loooong moday containing two big, anxiety ridden midterms, so this post must be brief I'm afraid. Goodnight and Godbless.

BETH

One Month To Star Wars Episode III !!!!! 

VILE

ANY SPORTS PLAYER THAT STEPS OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PLAYING FIELD AND ASSAULTS A SPECTATOR SHOULD BE BANNED FROM PLAYING SAID SPORT PROFESSIONALLY HENCEFORTH.

Was the Sox fan "Swatting" at Yankee Sheffield? Not from the angle of the multiple replays I saw. Was he a stupid fan for reaching for a ball that is still in play? Yes. Are there plenty of stupid fans out there? Yes- and somehow they all get seats right along the perimeter of the field, but nevertheless a stupid fan does not necessarily equal a combative or instigative fan. NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING excuses a professional baseball player losing his cool in such a way as to wildly lash out into the stands- thereby striking not only his "intended" target but a nearby woman as well? Good thing there hadn't been a little kid over there right?

This incident, while LESS drastic and dramatic than the Basketball one last season, hearkens back to the old question regarding decorum and unstable athletes playing a child's game for a living. It is disgusting. It is inexcusable. If a spectator had jumped onto the field and gone running at a player, then, by all means, let the player defend himself. The reason being: That fan, by virtue of the decision to cross that boundary, had thus forfeited his rights as a spectator and had become an unpredictable hostile; a loose cannon; and had broken the law.

The difference here is that a player- on a playing field protected with security and police officers, took it upon himself to dole out some justice that he rationalized ALL night. If you've ever been at Fenway, you'll doubtless be familiar with the incessant taunting and jibing that goes on. Last night Mr. Giambi had to put up with near ceaseless jeers of STER-OIDS, STER-OIDS every time he got up to bat. Boston is almost infamous for the overwhelming power of the fanforce- so Sheffield was probably hearing an earful this night. But it is not some roman amphitheatre. It is not a gladiator ring. NOTHING in this situation EXCUSES A LASHING OUT RETALLIATION OF FISTS BETWEEN A PLAYER and bystanders.

This MUST NOT be tolerated by the establishment. Major League Baseball MUST lay down the law here. And if there is a problem with too much fan interference (which there definately is) that too should be adressed in a firm and practical manner ASAP.


On another note- even a little-leaguer knows to take care of business FIRST and throw a tantrum SECOND. What a CLOWN- he had the ball in his hand when he threw that punch. And don't even tell me he swung to break free of a grasp- he may play it off as such- but the replays show MUCH DIFFERENTLY. Play Baseball. That's all you have to do.

Out of Line 

Out of Control. 

Progress

Well Folks, this week officially marks the half-way point of my first semester at AMDA. This week and next week are peppered with various midterms. Funny how Most of my friends are preparing for graduation and I'm starting all over. I have alot to think about.

Tuesday was my first official midterm and it was in Sight Singing. I did fairly well, though I suddenly got very nervous and flushed. Learning how to read music and interpret rhythm is alot like learning a secret code. A lot of memorization and repetition till I can get it down cold. I actually mad flash cards. I haven't made flash cards to help me study since I learned the Times Tables. (I hope this works out better than that did- I'm still shaky on the 9's table...)

Its pretty funny how all of my classes sort of take on the persona of regular liberal arts courses, even though the whole program is very dedicated and specialized. For instance, I think of Sight Singing as Math. Dance is obviously Phys. Ed., Film lab is like a mutimedia history class, Acting is like a science lab, Musical Theatre seems to be like interactive English (or I guess music- since we do Sing ans so forth) and VPS is like a philosophy or theory class. Most people- like Danny would probably get a kick out of my rationale here. And it's true: Acting is not organic chemistry. Film Lab is not modern European history. VPS is most definately not macro economics or psych, but the same FEELING exists. Wierd?

Some days are very challenging here. I have honestly had to ask myself MANY times: What am I doing here? But other days- the days when all my work pays off, those days make it all worth it. Today was one of those days. In Acting class my partner Misha and I had to do a scene from a play called "The day they shot John Lennon" . We did all kinds of research- I read up on Mark David Chapman and went over original news articals relating to the tragic incident. We were both worried because neither of us (oddly) were very big Beatles fans- and sooooooo many people really are. We were afraid we would do the scene a disservice, or not have enough depth etc.. However we walked down to the Dakota (two blocks from where I live) and with all possible respect scoped the place out- imagined what the scene would look like with crowds of mourning fans. We picked out where we would stand. We talked about the candles, the crying, the cops, the barriers, the bewilderment, the weather (an early december night @ midnight) and so forth. The work and the careful, precise steps we took paid off as our in structor singled out our work as an example. We were very happy- and sure, we still have work to do, but It really is great to have positive reenforcement from time to time. Your Beth is learning!

After that was Musical Theatre and it was a performance day there as well. i had to present the song I've been struggling with: Moments in the Woods from "Into the Woods". The song is Sondheim at his mad-genious best and is most demanding to the singer&actor. I can't zone out for a minute- can't relax. However, I worked and worked and the work paid off. Here again my instructor was most pleased and I was graded well. Sure I have LOTS to still work on- but the progress is promising. Did I lose my pitch? Is my name Beth Reardon? Of course- but I was on top of the song for the most part. All in all I'm very excited.

I also had Jazz. I've learned a shasse and a triplet but am still a bit stumped by patabourre (sp?). I'm sure I'll get it. !!!!!!!!


Thanks for trudging through that lengthy update!
Love to All,

Beth

Too bad about the Red Sox Season Opener. Now the Yankees Fans are going to be even more intolerable. Frankly, I knew we were going to lose last night. No big deal. Now all we ahve to do is Win tonight and tomorrow and every other game against them. We're over last night. It is done. History. Let's GO SOX!!!

Talk to you soon,
Beth

APRIL FOOLS!!!!!

Hey Folks!

Happy April Fool's Day! I can't really think of a good hoax to pull- imagine me saying: "Hey, Your Shoe's Untied!-" And then doing that nose thing my Dad always used to do.

In any case, I want to say hello to any new friends and family joining me here. I hope to update more frequently and ask for your patience if I fall behind. Love and Well Wishes to ALL!!


-Beth

HAPPY EASTER

I hope everyone's holiday was pleasant and great. Holy week and Easter move me very much- Its the real marking of childhood to adulthood when easter becomes a deeply m oving commemoration rather than a fun time with candy. From where I stand I can't even imagine how the two are the same occasion.

Anyway. Today is Monday. On Modays I wake at approx. 5 am so that I can be up and out of the house by 7am for my first class at 8am. This class is a Voice Production and Speech warm-up designed to build the voice and breath for stage acting. I am required to go to at least two of these a week.
Directly following the warm up is my VPS class (voice production and speech) where we do morem of the same and throw in some diction work as well. this is an hour and a half.

I have a small-ish break here that is often useful for practising Tap- and Tap class is at 11am.
Tap is usually very intense as it is level two and I believe I should really be in level one. I am constantly trying to catch up with people and am very uncoordinated. I love my teacher though and never give up. We'll see what happens. Today is our mock-midterm in preparation for next week's midterm. We have a small series of combinations and voila! That's it.

Another break here. Many people use this break as a lunch. I often have a granola bar and read or rest. Not really enough time to do anything terribly productive- not nearly enough time to go back to the dorms for any reason excepting having forgotten something. Today however, I need to run to a copy and printing place to print my Research Paper on Broadway's Leading Ladies.

Then at 1:30 I have Musical Theatre Film Lab- which is one of my favorites and by far the shortest class I have! In film lab we watch taped productions- snippets and individual numbers really- that have been organized into some lesson or other. Today we are to watch an assortment of Broadway's Leading Men; Next week is Called Sondheim Sandwich. The clips come from various sources suvh as taped Tony Performances, recorded stage productions (I.E. Into the Woods) and other such compilations like the PBS series Broadway's Lost Treasures. It is not a musical theatre film class in that we watch cinematic versions of musicals like striesand's hello dolly or the new Chicago- but rather live performances caught on tape. Very interesting.

Another pretty useless break- I try to eat here, but not always. I wish I had a good book to read, but usually end up reading texts or going over my music for the next class which is...

Musical Theatre from 3-5. This class is very fascinating and engaging. It is definately on of my core classes and very important (considering I'm a musical theatre major). I'll detail this class at a later date. We have a huge musical theatre research project involving many library hours over at lincoln center, but that place is open at such inconvenient times! Not at all on Mondays for example.

At 5:30 dance review begins and runs for nearly 2 hrs. Here we go over our theatre dance curriculum and very occasionally tap. I adore my theatre dance/dance review instructor but am not very skilled at this subject in the least! Dance review is on mondays tuesdays and wednesdays and I should really attend ALL THREE.

So that's my monday. I don't usually get home untill well after 7pm and have some time to grab a bit then I'm usually rehearsing with a scene partner for Acting class which comes on wednesday!!

Love you All. Gotta Run- as you can see I have a lot to do today! Hope all is well!

Love
Beth Reardon

HAPPY ST. PATS

This is my first official post since my move to NYC. Thank you all for your patience- I apologize for the horrendously long wait!!! In honor of St. Pat I decided it's about time to give a great big THANK YOU to my wonderful family for all of the support and well-wishes.

Mum and Dad of course. My rocks. My legs. My biggest fans. My home.

My Amazing Aunts and Uncles. Aunt Nancy- I got your St. Patrick's Day card a few days ago and it lifted my spiritys TEN fold. Heeheehee. I haven't been able to buy any greeting cards yet- but you and Kay should expect letters as soon as I am able!! I honestly can't wait to use those STAMPS!

Aunt and Uncle- I think about you all the time- especially in comparisons to my neighbors here. Ugh. I wish I could run next door and borrow sugar from you- or pop in to see what's new. It warms my heart to think of you rooting for me back on Mesa Road. I also wish I could be gardening now as the weather starts to improve. There is not enough green here. Not enough color.

Uncle Tommy- Thank you for all your support- I want you to know I am cherishing the Barnes and Noble gift card you gave me and itching to use it ASAP, but waiting for the right time. Happy St Pats- I bet this is a fun holiday with the old fogies.

I really want everyone out there who is behind me and believes in me that your love and positive expectations keep me going on the harder days and make me bouyant on the good ones. I can't wait to make you all proud. I can't wait 'till you all drive down here to see me in a show (not anytime soon...hahaha...still have LOTS to learn), or in a commercial or even (gulp) a movie!! Please know that you are in my hearts daily and it pains me that I have not been able to write everyday, but the adjustment to this rigorous pace has been tricky and time consuming. It is my hope that as I adjust further I will be able to budget my time more efficiently and then be able to clue you in almost everyday. ThaT way it will be like you're right here with me- and I want you to be a part of it because you are such an important part of me and why I am here.

Well I'm getting teary, and this is supposed to be an EXCLAMATION not a weepy affair. I love You. Erin Go Bragh. My Irish Eyes are Smilin' and all that jazz. Have a great Day and weekend, and untill next time,

This is Beth Reardon
Signing off from Manhattan!!!!

I Want To Be A Part Of It...

The countdown is in full swing. 15 days, or some close approximation, to the time I start a new and hopefully exciting life in New York New York. The 17th of February is the day... and unless I pull a bill murray and get stuck on today today, The clock keeps ticking and ushering me toward my professional training as an actor.
My housing is great- a place called the stratford arms on W70th and I have a single!!!!

Keep you Posted
Beth

Tapshoes and Substitute Teaching.

Well Folks,

Brockton Public Schools in their infinite wisdom has seen fit to hire me as a substitute teacher for the fabulous children of Brockton. Many of my friends reacted with a snicker and an incredulous eyebrow. They seem a bit worried about my qualifications or my possible unique influence on maleable young minds. Pah! I think I may have been born to substitute teach. Not forever, mind you, but for a while. It's fun, challenging and never really dull. This past thursday marked my first day as an official teacher (as compared to my teacher's assistant status this summer) and I had the privelege of subbing for the music teacher at the plouffe elementary. I had one class of each grade over the course of the day- what a wonderful sampling for me! Now I know some of what I prefer, and some of what I'd rather avoid. On friday I bounced around (also at the Plouffe) and covered various classrooms while their teachers attended one-hour staff meetings. I made a few second graders cry. I gave the fourth graders a lecture on "cheat cheat never beat" and counted with a room full of all-day kindergarteners in the very last hour of the very last day of a very long week. Kindergarteners seem to me to be an entirely different species. A cute, near-human species that smells peculiar but makes you smile with their puzzling antics. There was also a bunny in that classroom. And a sandbox.
Tomorrow I am taking on first grade and to tell the truth I'm more nervous about that prospect than the Junior high schools. First grade!? I'm told they sometimes still have accidents. They are barely older than that other-worldly kindergarten group. How should this be tackled? I looked on the net for some teaching tips but thay all made me more nervous so I think i'll probably fall back on old theatre games if necessary and hope the teacher left a detailed day plan for me. Also, I have never set foot in the Kennedy Elementary and am a bit nervous about that.

On a happier note: This sunday I ventured into a Patriots-enduced near ghosttown Boston on a quest for dance supplies! I visited Boston Dancewear and with the assistance of a very nice Russian Gentleman was able to precure all my AMDA required dance-items for school. I am especially excited about the tap shoes, as I've always wanted to learn how to tap. I put them on when I got home and flitted around the house as if I were six years old again. The bird was slightly terrified. Mum and Dad smiled in a bemused sort of way. Let me just tell everyone if they aren't already aware: My rythmic skills leave something to be desired, and my coordination ability is low at best. But guess what? If you smile wide enoug and put your heart into it they wont be looking at your feet!!!
My least favorite item was the leotard. Yikes. A grown woman... a full figured woman in a lycra leotard. Ah Well. I just laughed and sighed and took it with a grain of salt. Who cares? It will be a character building experience one would expect. A close second on the least-favorite list would be the ballet slippers. They're not in themselves offensive, but they stand as a daunting symbol: I will be learning BALLET. what's worse than being in a leotard in front of a class full of people? Being in a leotard in fron of a class full of people attempting the grace of Ballet. If I can sneak a camera into class folks- I'd give you all a laugh!! Hee heee heee.

Well, I have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow. i'm sure first graders aren't in the least bit forgiving so I must be on my toes. Good night!

Beth

Well I guess I should say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sorry for the long lapse between updates :(

My last post mentioned the Aviator, and believe it or not I've been so busy I STILL haven't had the opportunity to see it, despite the movie passes I recieved as a Christmas gift.

Another great Christmas gift was the Wicked Soundtrack, which I am loving to pieces and singing snippets of throughout the days as I try desperately to regain some post-holiday order to my little life. "NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED!!"

On the first post day after new year's I recieved two packets from the AMDA concerning move0in and orientation. I'm afraid the information packets were still rather generic and non specific though. I still don't know: Where I'll be living, with whom I'll be rooming (if anyone) or really any financial aide specifics other than the $2,000 scholarship I recieved from my audition merit.
I do know: The move-in date is FEBRUARY 17 2005, so mark your calendars. 9 am. Then there will be several days of orientation, placement auditions and acclimating myself to the Big Apple- then that Monday signifies the start of my new education!!!!!!!

On a more immediate note: Brockton Public Schools has set up an appointment (through my secretary Der ararararrr) for me to be interviewed for a substitute teaching position. I'm relived and excited- I would really like this opportunity to work out fro the interim period between now and NYC. I just wish they had contacted me sooner, I may have been more useful to them!

Talk to You Soon and thanks for stopping by!

Love Beth

The Aviator comes out next week- Cate Blanchette will be portraying Kate Hepburn... got my fingers crossed! 

Here is Cliffy from Cheers as a Rebel Officer in The Empire Strikes Back. Rain, sleet, snow- and Imperial Walkers couldn't stop this Boston mail carrier . . .

Web builder blues...

Hello Folks! I’ve been working very hard on putting an official site together so that it’s all done and functioning by the time I go away! Since I know little to nothing about computer lingo, java script, flash, and html, this process has been somewhat less than rewarding and a bit frustrating. I have an image in my head of how I want the site to look and work, but using the free programs on the internet can be mystifying at best and rip-out-your-hair-frustrating at worst. On top of the daunting challenge of acclimating my rusty brain and skills to web-site-design, I am forced to do the thing piece-meal, as we have dial-up and tieing up the phoneline for any large amount of time is no good!
I won’t even bother to put the link up yet- it’s too imbarrassing thus far, but keep checking back for the time I screw up enough courage to let you all have a peek.
Well on a lighter note- I hope Aunt and Uncle and all the family are having a great time visiting Mickey!!! Money and Eb seem to miss them a lot, but I just keep telling them to hang in there and stop pouting.

As Always,

Love-Beth

Aunt Nancy Sent Me This One Just Recently in Honor of Uncle Bobby's Years of Prison Ministry and Sense Of Humor. Hee Heee Heee. :) 

Comments!!!

I Would Like to Congratulate and Thank Dad Reardon for being the very FIRST to leave a comment at Be Incomparable, the Beth Reardon Web Blog Site! You are the Greatest Der! Keep up the commenting you Goober!

And to the rest of the goobers out there: Feel Free To Comment! actually, what I mean is: Feel Obligated to Comment- at least once- so I know you're out there!