Wildflowers and Fabulousity

Oh Yeah, We're Movin On Up!

2010-11-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

It’s official. Although Wildflowers and Fabulousity has been the online source for all things Jkru/Blog related… I’m switchin to Tumblr!!

CLICK HERE to go to the new digs...

Why you ask? Welp. Besides the fact that blogger reminds me of my ex-bf from two years ago (Eww. Emo-blog much?) and that I one of my New Years Resolutions was to keep it up and well tended to, I cannot deny the attractions that Tumblr has been throwing my way. As Cube Gooding Jr. would say “SHOW ME THE MEDIA!” (Wow… I just dated myself for the first time in my life. I doubt a Beiberhead has ever even heard of Jerry Maguire.)

Actually there was one site that inspired the switch in particular - Artifacts of Modernity. Make this site the stop you make after your email, facebook, and Perez Hilton (I do it in that order… on a good day.) The online museum of today’s insta-culture is hilarious, intruiging and just the right about of disturbing, which is to say, I’m entertained, but I also feel that super heady sensation of being slightly more socially conscious than I did ten seconds ago.

So. I shall bring the fabulousity from before, but adding to the account of adventures, now said accounts shall feature the favored media of the moment. Same curly times, same curly channels… just more shiny things!!

Stay fierce my friends. (Ohhh, Dos Equis guy… stop it, you sound like my gym teacher.)

They're Wrong I Know They Are, 'Cause I Can Play This Here Guitar...

2010-09-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Wahoooo! New adventures ahoy! Greetings from the Big Apple! I have been singing and dancing and sweating but in the most exciting and electric setting.

Kick A new gig. Check.

Amazing and inspiring new friends. Check.

The light to see the next few stairs on the staircase. CHECK.

More to come, as always amigos.

Skip to My Zoo

2010-09-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know you've been longing for it. I mean how else are you supposed to get your fix?

Hippo butts.

Thanks for the plethora of views of animal butts, San Diego Zoo. I will be sure to come earlier in the day next time so as to be sure the animals don't get camera shy in the hot afternoon sun. Do they fear they look shiny? Maybe you could get them some profesh make-up people? Powder for the panda please!

I takes it back. Panda is perfect just the way panda is! Awwww so cute!

If Ya Got It... Promote It!

2010-09-03T00:09:00.000-07:00

Jkru View No. 137: Thou shalt use thy secret dork powers for good.

Yeehawww
I built this guy a website.

Don't worry.
In return, he fixed my broken headlight.

So besides being real talented 'n stuff... he's real handy.

Toto, I Don't Think We're In College Anymore.

2010-08-31T21:16:00.001-07:00

So. You're waiting until the biggest gig of your vida begins in two weeks...

Your summer sublet is up...

Your super hottie bf is in a show and they're putting him up in a hotel wayyy down in Vista, CA...

May I present a photobooth series untitled, "Biding Time In The Boondocks".

Oh yeah. The frames are new and from the revered hipster nation of Los Feliz. Thoughts?

Funny Lady

2010-08-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Ashley.

This is Ashley's blog.

It is funny. I love it. You will too.

The View... from Jkru.

2010-07-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

A new method of delivering the tidbits of golden wisdom gained via the afore-mentioned and after-loved adventures. For categorization purposes only, the tribe (as I will refer to as the set of individuals, fellow treasure seekers, worshiped entities of the earth and feared outlaws that are my dear friends) debated "Jkruism" as a set of beliefs but settled on the definition of a single point of experience, standing on top of a bedazzled soapbox which shall henceforth be known as...

Jkru View.
I shall not claim that videos and or pics won't accompany the bits with their feathered lights and colors. Try not to alert the authorities. The masses aint ready for this fresh batch of wahoo.

(I begin with No 87. Those first few numbers didn't make the cut.)

Jkru View No. 87: Always make friends with the bartender.

Jkru View No. 88: Leading man trumps bartender. Like a rock to the infamous scissors.

Jkru View No. 89: Subway five dollar foot-long meatball sandwiches will always love you. Always.

That be all for now. Return to your posts. Keep a weather eye on the horizon.

"Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride"

2010-06-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Whoa Nelly!! It's been a while since the last post! But fear not, friends. I have not dropped off the face of the earth. Rather, I have been travelin' my litte self ALL OVER IT!

...That and, ya know, gradjumacating.

Almost the whole fam damily was there! Big props to the gparents and the 'rents. You are the wind beneath my wings. I'd be kidding... except I'm not. : )

Then on May 15th, my dear dear friend and music director Michael Alfera and I presented our creative baby, Rhapsody in New at Sterlings Upstairs at Vitello's in studio city. My fav songs were our mash-up of Beyonce's "Halo" and "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Mis. Vid coming soon!

Proud papa!

Next on the adventure-genda was the whirl-wind jaunt to the land of Crepes and Perfume, PARIS FRANCE.

Thanks for the sweet trip Gma. Like Drake says, you da you da best.

T'WAS TRES CHIC.

Then. My dudes and dudettes. I went back to NYC for callbacks for Bring It On (whoa, i really have neglected this page a little because instead of all the waiting I can just skip to the good part and say...) I BOOKED BRING IT ON!!!

Yup yup yup. They be makin a musical. "They" being some of the most-tony winning peeps in the biz. Homegirl cannot express what it means to me to be invited to be apart of something on this level. Good thing I logged all those hours on dance team back in the day...

PS. I had to go find my hard drive and upload this pic... ya know, since I deleted the myspace with all the danceteampicgasms.

Which bring us to the real meat and potatoes of summer...

Oh California. Your sunshine has stolen my soul.

As have your music festivals. Your honor? I present Coachella and the Electric Daisy Carnival, very, very, respectively. And with sosoSO much love, fun and starshine.

And thus, is how I try to fill my days. Yes with work yes with rehearsal, but moreso with the "Syrup of WAHOOO!!" (Tom Robbins reference. You betcha.)

XOXO,
The wildflower within.

PS, no pics of our nation's birth in Vegas survive. 'Tis the rule. ;)

2010-04-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Oh the drama!

Last Wednesday, the fine folks of MTLA put on their annual fundraiser.

I sang some songs.

Hung out with friends I don't get to see often.

Had a great time.

2010-04-01T15:01:00.002-07:00

I consider Social Engineering another one of my side projects. Everyone likes to have a good time, and said good time is usually highly based on who is present for the funtivities. Both the funtivities and fun people don't have themselves! (Shout out to the madre, thanks for having little ol' me!)

Anyhizzle, a tidal wave of fun hit the greater Los Angeles area. No tsunami alert needed, she comes in peace.

Thats right. My bestie, my sister, my one and only. Anne, Annie, Nanners. Banannie (Oh, she'll love that one) now resides in my town.

Yes. Yes yes yes.

"You Gotta BARK!"

2010-02-18T15:41:00.000-08:00

BARK BARK BARK! We are open and running, folks! The new and improved little doggie that could is playing 8 shows a week at the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities!

Doing this show is like doing two hours of dance aerobics... in fur... with 1400 people watching. It's super fun, but I'm sweating my little puppy bum off! : )

This week, besides ya know, going to school, I had two callbacks and one new audition. We shall see where the next adventure lies mateys!

"The people pee for free, because the people are free!"

2010-02-10T23:27:00.000-08:00

I have been riding the rollah-coastah (I reside in South Central... what what?) of onstage adventures!

A few important points:

Homegirl is getting her Equity card.
What does that mean? It means I am officially legit. Profesh Actress. It is still very odd to think of myself that way, and I can't explain quite why I don't like to introduce myself via that term-- "Hi I'm Janet. I'm an actress." It's oversimplifying really...Who wants to be reduced to their employment? I'm so much more! I'm a yogi and a libra and a sometimes pescatarian... but I digress.

Homechica is playing a poodle.
Yup. For the rest of my life I get to say that I got my card playing a poodle. An opera singing, french poodle named Chanel. I'll post the pics when I get them. You're welcome. The gig is in the 1400 seat house (!!!) at Civic Light Opera of South Bay. This is kinda huge for me. My arms are a little sore from all the pinching.

Before those extra curricular activities began, I participated in what will stand as my last show at USC. Musical Theatre Repertory's production of Urinetown.

Note: For the actual show I sported a fanny-pack. You can't possibly know my sadness that my favorite metallic silver rave accessory did not make it to photo call. *tear.

My friends. My dear, dear friends. I sat just backstage for the last four shows so I could soak up every minute. No show had more heart than ours. And, as I am learning, no profesh show or cast gets the bonding time that we did in school. We were tight like the top of a pickle jar.

Your honor, I submit photographic evidence of our fun-tensity.

Defying gravity (intended in verb-use, not the song...I'm pretty sure it was Ke$ha) at the cast party. You know, the usual.

Ten four good buddy, we're ready for take off.

2010-01-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

Wow wow wowza. What a terrific couple of weeks!

A little thing called opportunity has marched into my life and gone and made the sky a little bluer.

I won a musical theatre competition.

It was rad.

"Oh What a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day! I got a beautiful feeling! Everything's going my way!"

It's The Happiest Season Of All

2009-12-17T23:53:00.000-08:00

It is the season of festivities.

Hence, the festivities were had.

... and had...

...and had!

Looking forward to a) Seeing Lady Gaga live in concert on Monday and b) Going home for the holidays.

Happy ChristmaHannaKwanzica! :)

"Welcome to USC, I'll be your Tour Guide today!"

2009-11-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

Work isn't really work when you do it with your friends.
Exhibit A.

23 USC Tour Guides.
63 tours over eight hours.
5,000 people on campus.
Walking backwards and making memories with some of the coolest people I have the privilege to know and love...

Priceless.

Seniors. Wow, how did that happen so quickly?

The weather really is terrible.

TG Love. Fight On!

Rooftops and Roses

2009-11-02T14:18:00.000-08:00

He surprised me!

Brother Matt!! I came home from opening night to find this on my coffee table!
Needless to say I screamed and ran up to my roof to embrace my dear friend. Fun times followed...

Matt? Meet Whole Foods Salad Bar.
Whole Foods Salad Bar? Meet Matt.
Almost as big a deal as meeting the parents.

We enjoyed an afternoon together in the sun.

I love my brother!

"See What I Wanna See"

2009-11-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

Intense show. Had a great time.

Downtown Where All The Lights Are Bright

2009-10-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings! Well my final school year is in FULL swing and so are rehearsal for my current project (pics coming soon)! But last night I got a little vacay while my friend Matt and I journeyed downtown to take in Jason Robert Brown's 'Parade' at the Taper Theatre!

I had been to the Pavilion complex before, but this was my first time in the Taper. Matt had actually been onstage a few years ago when JRB's 'Thirteen' debuted there before going to Broadway! Way to go Matt!

We waxed aspirational in the glow of the twinkling LA lights.

I have always admired writers. And last night was especially special because not only was JRB there but Matt was kind enough to introduce me! Death by happiness for taking in a stunning work of musical theatre in the presence of the actual composer? Check.

Paging glamazons...glamazons to the top floor!

2009-09-21T15:31:00.001-07:00

Some folks down the road threw a pretty swanky shindig yesterday.
I scoped my favs.
Enjoy.

Cat Deeley

A dream dress. As if cheesecake and clouds came together and decided to design.

Debra Messing.

By the good "Grace" of Michael Kors! Ideal red carpet silouette with the often overshot aura of effortless.

Ginnifer Goodwin

Daring! This, ladies and gents, is a look well executed. A standout among the soft curls and sequins, my girl Ginny's look is the next level.

Leighton Meester

I love me some throwback. And way to pull off those straps Leighton!

Mila Kunis

And for the finale, a wildcard. Not everyone can pull off a ballerina skirt, a dark color, and slick hair... but Mila dear, you look pretty darn cute. Props.

A-L-P-H-A Oh Yeah! D-E-L-T-A!

2009-08-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

"It's recruitment time and the weather is hot! But we're glad you're here, because you're in the right spot! It's recruitment time, we got you and Alpha Delta on our minds!"

My final year of college is going to be filled with adventures, and we kicked it off ridin' dirty in a limo!

Alpha Delta Pi Senior Night Fabulousity --->

Legally Blonde at The Pantages!

If you were to picture the absolute best way to see a show about outgoing, bubbly, sorority girls, it might look like this.
Pi Love! DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER!

Happy Sheep, I Got Them Happy Sheep...

2009-08-13T01:25:00.000-07:00

What do you get when a bunch of Footloose gals saddle up and ride into San Gabriel for foreign food and cheap group massages??

A good time and sore laugh muscles, that's what.

Somewhere betwixt our time onstage and our time getting the necessary R & R required to a cardio dance blast piece like our dear weekend workout, the ladies decided to pile into the minivan in search of an evening's entertainment.

Legend tells of a tiny hole in the wall restaurant in the land of St. Gabriel called, "Happy Sheep" (I kid you not, there is a laughing sheep in the top pic as evidence!). This place packs a classic Chinese style dining experience called HOT POT.

The table is circular. The pot is hot (Who knew?).

...And so is all the delicious stuff they put in it.

This face says it all. Well, mostly just, "Whoa! Look at us this strange food that I have never tasted before but am enjoying thoroughly! Whaaa?!"

The kicker of the evening however, was the cheap massages we were instructed to not pass up next door. For the record, a $15 massage is not the one you want to give your mama for mother's day, but man they are fun to laugh through (the pain) with your new friends. As we tried to sit still and take the "firm" treatments, my friend Melissa was enthusiastically informed by the woman working on her calves, "No pain, no gain!"

Indeed.

Hot Pot dinner at Happy Sheep in San Gabriel: $12
Intense Chinese massage that required more focus on game face than kicking back: $15
A night out with the girls and expanding our Southern California cultural horizons:
Priceless.

Van Gogh + Marilyn Monroe

2009-08-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

One moves to Los Angeles and one learns things. Among the lessons...

# 472 Famous folks need late-night food too.

# 473 Don't be on the 405 anywhere in the hours near 4:05 pm.

# 474 Your friends are your family.

# 475 One Getty Museum is not enough...

This weekend, I made a nice little cocktail of lessons # 474 and 475 as none other than my most beloved BROTHER MATT came to town!

SATURDAY.

We are an adventurous duo. Gallavanting up and down the freeways in search of La Vie Boheme. Brother Matt, the lovely Miss Amy, and fellow Footloose-er Michael and I all meandered up said loathed 405 highway (at 10am let it be known) to find J. Paul Getty's other art house, The Getty Center.

The Center is famous for not only it's art, but it's gardens and architecture. I have taken many a trip to said marble magnificence, but I was with three newbies!

We had a wonderful day. Michael and I had to peace out early to get to our matinee show, but Matt and Amy got to gander all day before taking in the show that night.

Irises are very precious to me. They grow in my front yard back home in WA and my mother may have made the most spectacular Iris costume/cock-tail dress for my 6th grade performance in ACT's production of Alice in Wonderland. Really, my dress made an attempt to steal the scene, but taught me more along the lines of "no small parts and all that jazz". Thanks mom for the sewing skills and outgoing, ambitious, daughter support!

The tour guide (Come on, again with the surprise that we took a tour?) told a fascinating story about Van Gogh painting this a year before he died. Had me entertaining tattoo endeavors. Fear not, like monophonic, first-cell-phone-you-ever-had-ring-tone-entertainer. You know, ya, da, da, da da, ya ba, da, da, da, da, da, ya, da daaaa...

The August breeze was intoxicating. We danced.

I bought this dress the summer before my junior year of high school in the fashion district in New York City. Whassup great wardrobe piece purchase? Marilyn Monroe in tangerine? Sounds good to me.

Michael and I are in a relationship. Of dance.

SUNDAY.

Michael and I dropped by the Farmer's Market in Eagle Rock on the way to the Footloose matinee. We lunched and enjoyed the live band.

My lover fed me grapes on the Mediterranean, or rather, Macy's parking lot.

We found time for Pad Thai. Michael was brave and got the Eggplant lover's special. Although I cleave to my grilled tofu and pad thai, his plate was real tasty!

MONDAY.

Brother Matt and I made sure to hit the most Cosmopolitan of all California hot spots. Behold the beauty.

My dear brother returned to the east coast, but not before he blessed me with new curtains! My much respected feminist film instructors be darned, it was great having him to slap that curtain rod up.

Next up, adventures with Footloose gals! Coming soon!

Annie and Jannie: The Musical

2009-08-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

Another weekend, another adventure!

See Anne go.
See Anne go to LA.
See Anne and Janet go to all the quirky hot-spots looking for festive summer grub and kicking back with friends both new and old!

Our lady of all that is clever and witty, the women who taught me both how to french braid and be funny, the Ravenclaw to my Gryffindor, beloved honorary Krupin sister, my best friend Anne, came to town for Footloose.

We cruised all 'round the good ol' town and, of course, had some top quality reparte.

The most memorable one liners include:

a) Sitting at the Yogurtland on 2nd observing as Los Angeles' finest swaggered up to the sidewalk not to arrest vagabonds, but to indulge in sugary goodness.
"Cops need froyo too!"

b) Curling, straightening, highlighting, and glossing in the chic downtown apartment hallway bathroom... I come to the realization that,
"There is mic tape in my toilet."

c) During our search for between show nourishment, Anne, I, and my hilarious and talented friend Michael, debate what good decision making actually consists of.
"Screw bagels! Let's get cheesecake!"
And we did.

FRIDAY.

Auntie Em's in Eagle Rock for Bfast with Maggs.

Maggs, gazing at the... um... waiter?

Why, yes. We did try the watermelon gazpacho. Thanks so much for the daring culinary desires, Top Chef Masters. We are better for it.

I love lime green. The doctors are still out on why.

Itty bitty red velvet cupcakes? For brunch? Don't mind if we do!

The Grove!

Epic tuna sashimi tower. New fav at The Farm Restaurant.

Jax!

After our mandated pad thai for dinner, Anne and Co. took in the show. The bar and grill right behind the theatre has live music and great drinks, in which we happily partook.

SATURDAY.

We got our nails did and headed back for my two-a-day Saturday show schedule. Michael and I showed Anne around the neighborhood a bit, and hit the always hoppin' bakery also behind the theatre.

Portos Bakery!

I obviously prioritize cheesecake before pictures. Note the potent combo of both Oreo and raspberry options. Yum.

BBQ Hoedown!

Glendale Centre Theatre had a fundraiser paired with the show Saturday night. Little did the folks know that the crazies out on the dance floor were the performers they were about to see! My onstage Willard and I cut a mean rug. They were blown away that I knew all the words to, "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy".
It helps that I hail from a bit of a real life Bomont. I kinda got Cowgirl street smarts, what?

SUNDAY.

Lulu's!

A longtime favorite of my lovely roommate, Miss Amy, and I, Lulu's on Beverly is the breakfast out equivalent of a boyfriend's sweatshirt. If your boyfriend's sweatshirt comes with a make-your-own-omelette option. Michael, Amy, Anne and I delighted in the Sunday brunching, as one should.

Anne returned to the Evergreen State and I and Michael hit up the cast party.
I drowned my sadness at her departure in the back rub I am receiving below. Good party. Great weekend.

The More the Merrier... and Curlier?

2009-07-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

Note: The following is to be sung to the tune of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" and accompanied by a twangy, tangy, banjo-- loudly and with fervor. If you are not comfortable with these instructions, please notify a blog attendant, and they will re-seat you... but be prepared for the consequences, as the majority of W&F's followers appreciate a good sing-along and tend to shun the non-believers.

-----------------------------

The family went down to LA,
They were looking for a show to see,
They were in spot where it was way too hot,
Plus, boat race weekend is crazy.

So they came upon this little chica there,
Cuttin' some feet and cutting them loose,
And the fam sat down in the very front row,
to watch Glendale Centre Theatre produce,

*Chorus*
Footloose tearin' up the stage and kicking off their shoes!
'Cause Hell's broke loose in Glendale and Krupin's got no excuse,
And if you come you'll see the fun and prolly tap your toe,
But if you don't, there's always the next showwwwwww!!!!!

--------------------------------------

*Special thanks to Rhymezone.com. What? You thought I'd spend hours working these up myself? I have a job people. Lest ye forget, USC does not tour itself.

Yup, the fam made it to the City of Angels for a long and well deserved weekend vacation. Besides the obligatory theatre-going and belly laughs at dinners all over town (Pad thai? Don't mind if I do!), the proud Parental Units and Miss Katie Bug (Also known by the Feds as Buggers, Bugglegum, and the ever popular Bugasaurus-rex) were as desirous of adventures as, well, their offspring and sibling.

"Let's go to the Getty Villa, Ya'll!"

Just outside of Malibu, the original home of Oil Ka-trillionaire and art lover J. Paul Getty is nestled in a narrow canyon over looking the ocean. We made an appointment (because, yes, it is VIP like that) and spent the afternoon amongst some of the world's most treasured Greek and Trojan antiquities.

The museum was, of course, gorgeous, and worth a stop on anyone's Southern California wanderings. My favorite part was the outside garden section. It reminded me a lot of Spain.

We took a tour. You're surprised?

Here's one for ya, whenever I am in a museum, of any kind, I always wanna dance! Not kidding in the slightest. The long hallways, beautiful lighting, the framed and lovely art, the magnificent buzz of whispered questions that are more about what one can't answer than what one can... I always have the desire to go slowly gliding down the hallway and through the arches, Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly-style, and perhaps hum a little myself. "Da, dee, da, dum, da, dee, da, dum, So this is love..."

In other news, it turns out, museums are great places to hang out and look chic. Who knew?

The Buggers, eluding the Feds with her mystery, her intellect, and her forest green leggings. Ahh grasshopper, you have grown so fast and learned so much. You make your sensei proud.

Good weekend. Great company. Fantastic family.

"This diet coke is huge and 99 cents. I'm home."

2009-07-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

Summer Adventures Ahoy!

What happens when you mix a vacation, a fun-loving family, a perfect Northwest weather cocktail of warm sun and gentle mountain breezes with a tank full of gas and hours to explore?

See below!

We began our afternoon with Scenic Beach in the Puget Sound. Appropriate title-- although dad did have a run in with the wrong end of a bird that was not so much scenic as really, uproariously, funny. To my father's immense credit (and our quick clean-up) he thought so too.

Next, our journey into lush winding mountain country roads brought us to a gem among the evergreens. This little beaut offered super tall Diet Cokes as well as real roadside BBQ! We kicked back and made new friends for a while before the open road called to us once more.

The next day we breakfasted downtown. For the record, I use that phrase loosely, and lovingly.

I asked little sis to snap a pic. This happened. Good one, katie.

That evening, the available family convened on the back porch of Gma and Gpa's house. As these pics prove (especially the finale), I rarely have to wonder where I got my wildflower/fabulousity dichotomy.
Loves it!

A quick trip. Too quick, in my opinion. But every drop squeezed! Until next time, Washington!

Footloose Lesson #17: Cowboy Boots Are Tricky To Kick Off

2009-07-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

See Janet sing. See Janet dance...
See Janet kick off her Sunday shoes in awesome eighties pants! (Actually, a smashing red ruffled dress but pants rhymed).

------------NOW PLAYING!----------------
The hit musical "FOOTLOOSE" at Glendale Centre Theatre! Running now until Aug 29th! I am super excited about this production as it is really the next step for me as an actress. I am playing Rusty and get to sing "Let's Hear It For The Boy" as well as get to show off my sweet moves and work with really high caliber co-stars!
Get your tix at www.glendalecentretheatre.com!

Backstage With The New Buddies

With Harley Jay, our Ren, who I saw play Mark in the national tour of "RENT" the summer after my freshman year of college! Wow. I feel very proud to say I am working onstage with him now!

Coldplay + Taylor Swift = : )

2009-05-10T00:38:00.001-07:00

Into The North

2009-04-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning brought with it the most spectacular weather. Sunny, warm soft wind and crystal clear skies-- which rarely sticks around for long in SoCal.

The most brave and daring of the USC Tour Guides ventured out together and found themselves north, towards the sun drenched mountains of Malibu and Topanga Canyon.

Behold.

There were peanut butter sandwiches and lots of smiling with my wonderful friends. My parents went hiking for their honeymoon. I always feel very at ease while in the wild. Being up on that ridge and feeling the wind on my skin after a very thrilling week was exciting and calming and terrifying. Good for the soul.

More adventures on the horizon.

The sea? For me? Wow.

2009-04-24T23:52:00.000-07:00

I saw the Sarah Ruhl play "Eurydice" tonight at the Hayworth on Wilshire.

I can almost count the number of straight plays I have ever sat down to see outside of community theater of my hands.

This piece was magnificent. The writer is truly a teller of the future of storytelling. Not quite non-linear but certainly defying the rules of a certain Mr. Aristotle. Moments in between more thrusting narrative scenes contained sentences and sentiments that were so suddenly moving that I had to catch my breath. A wonderful surprise.

Brigadoon Backstage Delirium

2009-04-02T00:56:00.000-07:00

Tech takes a long time.
We make our own fun backstage.

Check it out and laugh out loud.

Brigadoin' It Well.

2009-03-31T01:32:00.000-07:00

My latest onstage adventures have taken me far away to the magical land of Learner and Lowe's Brigadoon through the USC School of Theater. We open this week!

Below is evidence of our awe and delight when the orchestra came in. Behold the wonder.

Frankly Mr. Tolstoy, I Don't Give A Damn

2009-03-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

What I Did For My Spring Break.
or
Many Things with Many People.

A Saga in Three Parts
By little Jannie Krupin.
-----------------------------------

Part One - Farewells in the Florida Sun

My grandpa passed away. My dear papa. So off to Florida I flew, to meet with the family and to say goodbyes. To arrange dessert platters and to remember to grab ipod speakers. To stand in front of a room of white hair and old pictures and try to say what I meant.

It was as wonderful as things like this go. Leo Tolstoy wrote "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." No offense to Mr. Tolstoy, but I think that may be oversimplifying. "Happy" is a very multifaceted word.
I think that my family was and is happy in our own unique way.

These are the words my papa chose to have read. Mind he chose because he was forced. The man we all loved didn't want a service at all. He was beloved for his very decided but very kind nature, and probably would have asked us to stop talking so nicely about him if he had been there. I loved him.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow,I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die."

Florida was wonderful. The time to breathe and reflect was very much needed, and seeing my family was, of course, indescribably good.

Part Two

I returned to Los Angeles to work and to play for the remainder of my break. I ended up having multiple auditions and callbacks and not getting to work half as much as I intended but for all the very, very right reasons! I also got to be begin re-decorating the apartment (the excitement in that is palpable, right?) and got to go to see my lover, the power yoga class. We're getting serious, folks. Like wedding register at Saks serious.

Part Three

After the work week had finished I got to have one spectacular Saturday. I went to power yoga, ran errands (I love productivity and efficiency above all things) then met my good friends Erin and Maggs (of blog fame below) and we lunched at...

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The Official First Wildflowers and Fabulousity Restaurant Recommendation!!!
***** The Cat N' Fiddle on Sunset Blvd *****

Absolutely top notch ambiance and waiters with British accents!! Watch your soccer, ahem, football games here!
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Back to adventures, we then met more friends at Arclight Cinemas where yours truly got hit on by the bartender (I'm of the opinion it was the shoes I was wearing) and then had to peace out to go meet more friends (of the West Side Story persuasion) for sushi dinner on Melrose. We then met MORE friends and watched our other friends perform in an original play, "Hanky Panky" at LA Improv. Free wine, super fun.

We concluded with a short rest at Canter's Diner on Fairfax. I was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to have a date with my bed and so I did.

Good Freakin' Break and a great Frakkin' Saturday... Did I mention the Battlestar Galactica Party Friday night?

Malfoy Impresses-- No Charm Needed

2009-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Apparently Tom Felton (Malfoy from the Harry Potter movies!) is adorable on the guitar.
The best part is that he seems to be enjoying himself so much!

I want to be friends with this kid.

I Major In Movies

2009-03-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

My midterm project for my feminist film theory class.

PS: For your viewing pleasure and jeopardy-esque little known facts, Laura Mulvey's thesis is the go-to article on the feminist film theory perspective.

And The Crowd Went Wild

2009-03-08T20:53:00.001-07:00

Senior year. Homecoming.
The homecoming assembly is a big freakin' deal and yours truly is dance team captain.

Shall we just dance they asked?

"No. Let the people laugh."

The outcome was one of my proudest (and most Tina Fey) moments of my life.
I wrote, organized and choreographed this skit-->

October 2006, Kennewick High School

For the fun fact lovers out there: I was definitely kind of dating the guy on the left at the time. We choreographed the dance at my 18th birthday party. During the assembly, in the scene before this one, I had just sang a ballad atop a grand piano complete with a red sequined, plunging neckline, thigh high slit, evening gown. The quick change was about five seconds and I was out of breath the entire time I am onstage.
I adore this.

Once Upon A New York Times

2009-03-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, I wanted to simply dress to the fabulous nines for a costume party.

I wore a smashing cocktail dress and said I was the New York Times Style Section.

Creative cop-out or fashionista at her fiercest-- my point is I love this magazine.

The New York Times Style Magazine

No Such Thing

2009-03-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

John Mayer is one of my absolutely favorite people with whom I have no actual interaction.

I admire. I aspire. I would procreate.

The ever-intriguing Mr. Mayer's latest creative endeavors.

Champagne Kickback

2009-03-03T15:58:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day was a few weeks ago, but celebrating love and friendship is most certainly a year-round activity.

And so, I present a photo from the night of February 14th-- After performing one of the last performances of West Side Story at the Hudson Theater, my old friends met some new friends and we enjoyed the evening from a sky high room at the Renaissance Hotel on Hollywood and Highland. Much champagne. Many laughs.

Eat your heart out Sex and the City.

Oh Oscar

2009-02-22T23:05:00.000-08:00

I can't help but grin. I am young and working hard to succeed, and validation is so sweet.

Tonight, this is my Oscar.

Oscar Wilde and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2009-02-21T23:02:00.000-08:00

I like writers. I aspire to be one someday. The book shelves in the house I grew up in are bursting with beloved tales from my father’s youth, works from graduate school, and well worn fairy tales, probably still containing crumbs from a long ago enjoyed oatmeal raisin cookie.

Somewhere along this journey through higher education, I have come to the conclusion that the stories that move us are not only precious, but unique in the manner that they are so. I have not yet completed my contemplations as to precisely how and why this is so—but I am certain.

I have a few treasured tales, revered by me for many, but always frustratingly indefinable, reasons. The Secret Garden, Island of the Blue Dolphins and Alice in Wonderland are a few examples.

All evidence points towards the possibility that I seem to be drawn to narratives of a young woman out to face what the winds bring to her. I gravitate to a curious and stubborn protagonist who finds friends along the way as she learns about the world around her and makes something of it-- who grows and matures but keeps the delicate and strong soul that makes her, her own.

I begin this blog hoping to cultivate my writing skills. Secondly, I write to share and communicate with those dear friends who I have found along the way. And finally, to rejoice and reflect on what the winds may bring. There will be humor and there will be heartbreak, and I may wander into queries on the mundane or the melodramatic. After all, my musings are only those of a relatively new traveler, carrying probably far too much sincerity and extroversion than is contained in your run-of-the-mill knapsack… But what I have learned, I have to share. And as one of favorite writers mused…

“The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.”
Oscar Wilde

Until next time friends,
Janet