You going to autograph those?

After realizing that I had given away my last printed head shot at the audition for Oceania Cruises today, I googled UPS stores nearby, because I discovered in Chicago that you can print them for super cheap if you just print them as color copies. When I first started to print head shots, I took them to the photo printing station in either FedEX or Wal-Mart. I wondered how starving artists could afford to pay $5.00 for each 8x10 they turn in at auditions until the day that I went to the closes printing place to my apartment in Chicago. Thank you UPS store of N. Lincoln Ave Chicago! Well, according to google maps, there was a UPS store right in Washington Heights...444 feet away from our place. I dressed down (unusual, I know..but you've gotta do those things in the Heights to avoid excessive stares and catcalls..as we've learned...), threw on my bag, and set on my mission. Yes! The store did exist! It was quite different from the Chicago store. How? I couldn't understand a word anyone was saying. That's usually the case in my neighborhood, though. I have picked up words like "Mami, Senorita, Que pasa, Hola, pollo, carnitas..." Just kidding. I knew those before. ;). Back to the store--the spanish man kindly helped me print the photos, and when he took a look at them when I was paying he said (picture an adorable accent), "That's a nice picture. Are you going to autograph those?" I laughed and said, "Maybe someday soon!" I explained that my sister took them and that they were for auditions. He wished me good luck, and I soon left, but smiled the whole 444 feet back home.

When I arrived home, I met the 6 high school girls that are staying in our apartment for the week while they are on a mission trip with my roommate's church. (So there are currently 8 females to one tiny bathroom). They instantly asked were I came from, saw my photos in my hand, found out I was a singer, and had me sing to them. So, I sang my favorite song to sing to girls."Part of Your World" from the Little Mermaid. (I actually just found a video my sister recorded of me when I had my Disney cruise ship karaoke debut March of 2009. It's on youtube now....*wink*....) They were such an adorable audience. They clapped, cheered, and stated their amazement that I'm your typical NY artist looking for work, and they couldn't wait for me to be on broadway. Cute.

Lately on the train, I've gotten back into listening to my ipod, because I finally remembered to charge it. My ipod used to be my brother's which he bought from my sister, but I convinced him to give it to me for my birthday last year when he bought an iphone. Hopefully that makes sense. Since it was previously his, all of his music still exists on it. One of our disappointments in Matthew was that his favorite radio station in Charlotte was WSOC 103.5. Now say "WSOC 103" in a southern accent, and you'll sound like the announcer. Now you've got the gist of the station. None of us Primms appreciated country music. We weren't your stereotypical southern family that northerners tend to think of. We had no clue why he loved it so much. As I've flipped through the tracks on the ipod, I have to confess...I've sometimes briefly played some of the what was then dreaded music. Why? It strangely brings a breath of fresh air...the memories of the south.

Last Thursday I had the privilege to attend the Metropolitan Recital Series at the Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem. When planning for this event, I was envisioning the Symphony concerts in the park where you bring your own blanket and refreshments. I proudly packed my sheet, goldfish, and dark chocolate M&Ms in preparation for this grand time. When I arrived to snag a good spot, an air of elite classiness filled the park as I walked closer to the venue. There were white chairs lined up in front the Band shell. I looked around for a special VIP sign, and I couldn't find any, so I asked a family if the two chairs next to them were available. They didn't stop me from sitting down, so I assumed that it was fine for an ordinary guest like me to be seated in that area. At that moment I was so thankful I decided to throw on a dress at the last minute. To join me for the evening, I invited a fellow singer friend that I've known since Freshman year at BJU, Allan Mariscal, who is a native New Yorker. I was glad he got to come enjoy the recital, too! The singers were absolutely gorgeous, the accompanist was incredible, and the whole evening was delightful. 

(Please forgive the heads in the picture...)

Sunday morning I went down to Bay Ridge Baptist Church in Brooklyn to see the mission team from Bible Baptist Church in Matthews, NC where I grew up at and actually went on many mission trips to Bay Ridge with. When I first arrived at the church, I saw the bus that we took so many band/school/mission trips on, and I smiled as I remembered the scariness of fitting such a large bus into the tiny space behind the church and the laundromat.

It was great getting to chat and get caught up with them, but it was a bit strange seeing them all grown up, braces off, and looking more like adults. They are 4+ years younger than me, so they are the younger siblings of my friends from back in the day. How time flies. 

                             

Today I auditioned for the Oceania Cruiseline. I arrived at 9:30am and finally auditioned around 1:30pm. I had an interesting 4 hours of listening to my pieces over and over again while people watching the other singers/actors/dancers. I laughed inside at how strange us theatre people tend to be. When my turn came to sing, I could tell the casting director needed a break. Poor guy. I would too if I had just spent 4 hours getting my ears blown off by every audition, because people tend to audition with the climax of the song. He was very kind, though, and the accompanist was absolutely wonderful. It was a fun audition, but sadly no callbacks. I had a feeling, though, since my voice timbre is more suitable for Disney shows rather than shows that are generally on other ships. 

More auditions soon...and hopefully we'll know what we will be doing after our sublet ends August 18...

Next week my family will be taking a much needed vacation! I can't wait for everyone to be together again. Such great memories to be had :)

Lastly, I'll introduce you to a few of my dear friends that visit me while I'm on lunch break at the AMNH..

There were at least 5 more, but they decided to get camera-phone shy at the last second......