OK,OK,OK.

I admit, some times I'm a bit of a sour puss. But in my defense, I know what I want, and who says I should remain silent when I don't get it. Maybe, just maybe, one day I will look back and think that coming to Saratoga each summer was a great experience. There have been some memories that are worth holding on to. To name a few... My sister Jessy (her birthday is today) had her last performance with NYCB a few years back up here. I was a mess because I didn't think that I would survive in this place without her. Jessy's last ballet was "I'm Old Fashioned". I had been understudying this ballet for years. I still to this day have never been cast in it, nor do I wish to. Anywho, at the end of the finale is a section called "going up the stairs", I had been learning it for so long that at that time I had even learned the girls part just to do something new. I knew that this was Jessy's last show and I didn't want to just watch it from the wings, so I asked the ballet master if I could surprise Jessy by coming out at the last minute as her partner. She said yes, though I would have done it even if she said no. Jessy and I had never gotten to dance together, and it was a prefect way to say good bye to my sister who had paved the way for me all along. OK. That's sort of a sad memory. How about a happy one? Six years ago a group of us went up to Lake George to go boating. It was pretty much my sister's friends and Rebecca and I. We had only been dating for maybe a month. We all had a great time tubing and trying to water ski. I was nervous for Rebecca to spend the day trapped on a boat with me and everyone, but she's so likable, what's the worst that could have happened. On the drive back, everyone was wiped out from being in the sun and hey all passed out except Jessy our driver and me, acting as Rebecca's back seat pillow. I can remember Jessy looking through the rear view mirror back at me, and I silently mouthed "I love her". Which I did and still do. But later that night, when I told Rebecca, she was not as positive. It had only been around a month, but I knew it. There was no doubt and there never has been since that day. So that is a memory from Saratoga that I will definitely hold on to. Oh, and I once drunkenly ran around my house naked with just aluminum foil covering my penis. 

Get Us Out Of Here!!

I don't ever want to go to jail. Being held against my will would kill me. I need the option to leave. Right now I'm locked up in "Saratoga State". I am fully aware of the amount of bitching I do, but I really truly hate it here. Week two was horrible. I danced my worst and had absolutely no fun at all. Gorgeous weather. The pool was clear and warm. But I was stuck rehearsing in the heat. Rebecca and I are both physically and mentally burnt out. Working since October with one week off is taking its toll on our bodies. Rebecca eats dinner every night with her foot in a pot of ice water, which is a funny sight that sadly makes my heart hurt at the same time. See, even my heart hurts. What's the deal. The only one that's having a good time is Chubbs. I know people who have to share bedrooms up here, or sleep on a pull out couch, but Mr. Chubbington gets his own queen sized bed downstairs with us. I hope the owners don't mind, but frankly I don't care. I guess this makes up for the years that they had gold shag carpeting in the kitchen. THE KITCHEN! Yesterday Debbie D, George and Alex came for an afternoon visit. It was great to see them and get to toss Alex in to the pool a few thousand times. I don't know where he gets all of his energy, but scientists should find a way to tap its source and get us all off gas. He's such a cute little guy and it's fun to finally get the brother I never had. Oddly he seems to be taking the big brother role because he loves to boss me around. He gives great piggy-back rides. Truly impressive for a seven year old. Week three(good god) I'm thinking will be better. Rebecca has a great debut in the Goldberg Variations coming up which I can't wait to watch. She is stepping in for Rachel who has not come up this summer. We all miss her so much and are sending her love and prayers and as much positive energy to her as we can. I hope it finds her. This weekend is the weekend when everyone's significant other come up to visit. It's always fun to see someone else's reaction to where we are and what we're doing. Then comes mid-Sunday when everyone's reluctantly checking out the train schedules to get back to the city. And this is when I feel great to be sitting on the sofa next to my Krohn. Because she's stuck here with me. And we're both going to pull the other one along until we're both sitting on the sofa back at home together were both truly want to be. 

1/2 Way Point

There aren't many points in life where you can be 100 percent sure that you are half way through the event that you are living. Today however is in fact, the middle point of our Saratoga season. Today is the day that goes on forever. There's a full moon, but I am waning. Am I old? Or am I just tired? Can I answer this question myself? I can almost feel the sand in my future in between my toes today. The countdown has begun. 

Okay. I'm Back.

Rebecca and Amanda get escorted to the backyard party. They apparently don't know how to follow a walkway.
Yes both of these ladies have taken a better photo, but look at that house.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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                                             I look fat.

Every Saratoga season is the same. During the first week we are pretty optimistic, we party our brains out the first weekend, and then half way through the second week it hits you. You hate this place. Coming up here in theory should be a lot of fun. There are swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts, lakes, horses and county fairs. But the truth is, all of this provided entertainment is not really for us. It is for our audiences. They are the tourists, we are just a part of the tour. All of us are at our physical end. We've all been dancing straight since October. Aside from dancing, this has been an emotionally draining year for all of us and seeing a little rest time in the future is the carrot dangling in front of us.

Last weekend we went to a party at a very expensive home. Most homes wouldn't be mainly described as expensive, but that is the only semi-positive way that I can describe it. Some proof...

Week 2 (weak too)

Sorry for the lack of postings. If I survive tonight, I promise to get things rolling again.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Rebecca's birthday, and while I without a doubt could post an embarrassing story about her as I have done to others in the past, I think I will decline. But rather I will profess my undying love of her. Rebecca has had an effect on me that I had no idea could be possible. She has changed the way that I view the world. Her kindness to everything has inspired me to want to be a gentler person myself. (it is a work in progress) There is no one in this world that I would rather be with. I can not look at her without smiling. I can not hold her without melting. I can not imagine a life without her. I am so incredibly thankful that we have found each other and have fused such a tight bond. I fall in love with her each and every day. Tomorrow, even more.

Ten positive things about Saratoga

1. The entrance ramp on to 87 South.

2. Roma Subs

3. Family dinners at 644 Crescent Ave.

4. Everyone gets their own sofa.

5. Two day weekends!

6. Seeing Chubbs out in the wild where he belongs.

7. Rebecca's birthday bashes.

8. The stars at night.

9. Grocery carts at the liquor store.

10. Kyle's morning hair.