The Program End Party

This is my preceptor, Dorothy, dancing to Soulja Boy. They have all the moves. Please note the beer bottle in Allison's hand.

Best Concert Ever

I have such a girl crush on Aimee Mann! She is the AWESOMEST!
The lighting was great, the band really rocked it out, Paul F. Tomkins
was hilarious and there was a funny little movie about Aimee trying
to get celebrities to be in her show. I was surprised at exactly how funny
she was in the movie.





The down side was that I was the only twenty-something girl there by herself, or so it seemed.
I felt a little awkward and out of place. Also this giant woman, glass of wine in hand sat
down right in front of me. I couldn't see over her hat, so I had to move.

I was seated in the THIRD row!...(next the stage right speakers)
I wish a little I would have gotten there earlier, but c'est la vie.















The past few days have been great. The program finally finished up yesterday, and I must
say I got soooo drunk in the office. And it was great. And it was over.

Then we went to a Blackhawks game. They won. And there was an amazing fight right at the beginning of the game.

Today Emma, Becki and I went to the giant German Christmas festival in the middle of Chicago.
There were lots of sexy German accents floating around, and that will be something I will miss.

Guten nacht.
Frauline Ellen

Drumroll!!!

It WAS AWESOME!!!
(more to follow)

Ellen Marie

OMG!!!!

I will be seeing Aimee Mann at 7:30!!!!
Omg, omg, OMG!!!!


Ellen Marie

Celebration

So.......I am-and have been since Thursday-on cloud nine. The gamble to return to Ripon a few weeks ago to audition paid off and I will be in the Spring play this year. YAY!!!

Thus it has become a series of celebrations over the past few days. This is also due to the fact that I am done with my ISP/Art project, except for the burning to disc. Thursday, I went to the Red Lion Pub again, this time with Becki and Emma. That was a lovely and happy time in the city.

Friday night was the O'Connor holiday party. We went bowling and I had a lot of Blue Moon beer. Also it is now official that I am a terrible bowler. Tomorrow is my last day interning there, which is sad, but again, last time I need to get up at 6:45 to go there, so that's happy.

Getting to this party was interesting, I passed through so many neighborhoods and had to watch as four #11s went by before a #74 came along. Then I waited on a cold, cold platform for the Blue train to come. But instead the craziest thing happened...

Santa's freaking Express pulled up. And boy was it a technicolor monstrosity. I looked around me in disbelief that there was no one to share this crazy with. I got on and it was dim and packed, but it was dim because the lights were covered with green and red cellophane and the people, far from being cranky, were happy, talking to each other and taking pictures. Barry White-esque Christmas music pumped through the speakers. It was as if I had taken the CTA into the twilight zone where the seats were clean and the riders happy and before I knew it, I was out on the platform, shivering again while Santa waved and beamed as two CTA workers looked on.

Sooooooooooo...In conclusion, it's Christmastime and all is well.

Ellen Marie

In TransitION

Yesterday, I spent nearly the entire day at the Urban Studies office. The first four hours after class, I attempted to capture my footage to the computer. Not as easy as one might think. But now I am closing in on the end.

Perfecto was there editing his film as well. And afterwards we went to the 'famous' Rock and Roll McDonald's. It is also reknowned for having the largest golden arches. It is a very classy restaurant with two stories, and, aparently, no desire to supply refills. Cheapskates.

Today was my second to last day at O'Connor. I worked the front desk, picked up broken glass and helped Brad tack up a blue green screen. Fun fun. At least there's Subway. I think I will miss it there, but I will not miss getting up at 6:45.

Peace out,
Ellen Marie

Wannabe

This last weekend Perfecto and I returned to Ripon in order to audition for the Spring play, Arcadia. And it was a blast!!!

First, however, we took the train to Kenosha, where we were picked up by Gena and Dan. They brought us to Ripon. I hung out at TOTU for a while and had a fun time seeing a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time. Then Jon and Bryan let me hang out in their room because my phone wasn't working (damn you AT&T) and I couldn't find Nell.

I ended up sleeping in Tai Yi's bed, because he was house-sitting. However, when I saw him the next day he said, "Oh, hello, Ellen! I THOUGHT that a girl slept in my bed last night"...kind of awkward, but I'm a survivor. After a wonderful lunch of flat chicken nuggets, still better than a sandwiches I make in Chicago, Eli and I went to Nell's Empty Mugs event at Vox. And boy, were we early accidentally.

So we went to a thrift store where I found a little something for you, mom! After a while the event really got into full swing and Nell and Naomi raised a lot of money, ...for hungry people, I think.

At two Perfecto and I auditioned. It was really weird to be back in Rodman. To be talking to Bob again. To rehearsing a scene in the lobby.

When I got back to Eli's suite, we watched Ocean's Twelve. After which Andrew, Nell, Sydney and I went to Miller's Tavern, a mere five minute walk from our dorm, where we had a blast. I was amazed by how cheap everything was.

Sydney and I played pool, me so poorly that I shot the cue ball off of the table and several of the balls around the table. Then Andrew and I danced like Mick Jagger. SO FUN!!!

To everyone I saw at Ripon this weekend, I love you guys. I had a great time, seeing all of you again. I had no idea how much I would miss everyone.

THANK YOU AND LOVE!!!

Ellen Marie