summer sunshine & the opera

I am having such a horrible time trying to sleep here. the bed isn't all that comfortable, I have to say, but I was up till about 1:30am again this morning. which made me wake up late and unfortunately my watch was 30 minutes slow, so I just made it to my seat for La Boheme in the Opera Theatre at the Sydney opera House at 1pm. they won't let any late comers in until the intermission, 55 minutes into the performance. I've never been to the opera before, but my seat was fantastic because I could see the entire stage and the subtitle scroll above the stage. of course I have been Rent, but I didn't know too much of the plot and fell in love with it. at the end, when my eyes were filling up with tears, a gentleman in front of me started sniffling like crazy! he definately caught the attention of those around him, as he was not trying to be discrete at all. this opera moved him to some unknown place.

(oh. I ate hazelnut gelato for breakfast.)

the Queen Victoria cruiseliner is on it's maiden voyage around the world and arrived into Sydney early this morning. as I watched the news late this afternoon, I learned that the QE2 is coming into Sydney tomorrow for the very last time and the two cruiseliners will be crossing paths in the harbor at about 6:30pm. I would love to view this, but I will be at Soundwave. I've emailed the drummer of the band I am going to see and hoping that we'll be able to catch up for a few during the day. not excited about all the down time, but I checked the lineup and it looks like I'll have a busy day. and yes, I will wear SUNSCREEN! SPF 30. NO EXCUSES.

grabbed a Matilda ferry (didn't pay! haha!) to Luna Park, at Milsons Point on the North Shore of Sydney. this mini theme park even have an attraction called Coney Island. took a ride on the ferris wheel for $8. damn, I am never having kids in Sydney! I also saw 3 wedding groups taking photographs around the Opera House and Luna Park today. at the latter, two brides were competing for the entrance shot, with their bridemaids, who were in almost identical shades of pink dresses. scary. I was actually banking on a fist fight. that would have been cool.

grabbed another ferry to Darling Harbor and Harborside. ate another ice cream cone. ok. I know it's getting ridiculous, but I am glad my clothes still fit and yes, it's back to Jenny Craig when I get home. but it's summertime here! when in Sydney...

took the monorail (yeah I said it) close to the hotel and grabbed a piece of pizza (b/c I hadn't eaten anything but iced goods all day) and it sucked. it was beyond horrible. not even comparable to those small places in New York that don't have good New York pizza. this was just bad. and I ate it. yuck.

I've been in the hotel lobby on the computer for awhile now. Paula is going away in March, so I'll be filling in at TheatreworksUSA in her absence and Annie & Suzanne are going to Athens mid March and they started a blog! Carolyn is also going to Cape Town, South Africa to do some volunteer work in March. lots of things going on in people's lives and I have to say that I miss being home and being connected to those that I have such close relationships with. and so that is why I am excited to be going home soon. a trip to see Mom and Dad is also needed that week I get back and to Jenny also, since I need to see her new place.

Soundwave Festival tomorrow at Sydney Park and I'll let ya know what bands were great and which were horrible. The Offspring, Incubus, Mindless Self Indulgence (yay!), Killswitch Engage (boo!), Boys Like Girls, Mae... lots of good music to listen to :)