Comments:
Hi, gang. Sorry it's taken me a while to get with the program. I've had a really crappy year, first losing a much-prayed-for pregnancy, and then losing a job I loved, due to my stupid boss running out of $$$.
So, my story since 1988? Moved to Seattle to go to UW just as soon as I could, and swore I'd never come back (yeah...). While I was at UW, I got a job answering phones at Ticketmaster. Started getting promoted there at a really rapid rate, so I dropped out of school. By 1994, I was the Promotions Director, which brought me a lot of really cool opportunities that I took great advantage of. Met a lot of really cool people, went a lot of really neat places, and lead quite the party girl life.
But by 1995, I was starting to burn out (remember, Def Leppard said "it's better to burn out, than fade away"), so when I saw an ad in the paper for a job that said "Summer in Montana, Winter in Sun Valley," I went for it. Lived in Sun Valley for about two months. Talk about a party! Wow! What a place to live when you're young and available! Highlight of living there was meeting Bruce Willis--who is even yummier in person.
After two months there, our company packed up in for the yearly move to St. Mary, Montana, which is where the resort we operated was. While I was there, I met and fell in love with the chef. I knew I was going to marry him on our first date. After working a summer of 72-hour work weeks, I decided it wasn't for me. So I moved back to Seattle, followed closely by the chef, Steve. Went to work for a big commercial real estate firm.
Steve & I got married one week before our 10 year reunion; three months later, he was offered the position of executive chef at...you guessed it...Skagit Golf & Country Club. He moved up the, I followed up a month later and went to work as a Contract Administrator for Fisher & Sons, which was easily the worst job I've ever had (Amy E, I wish you luck. At least you're with the architects--they were always pretty good guys up there). Fortunately, they laid me off two days after 9/11.
Bought our cute little house on the hill in MV on Jan. 1, 1999.
Then I went to work at the Swinomish Casino, coordinating all the entertainment and hosting the Saturday night comedy shows. Stayed there for three years, before moving to become Sales Manager for Dolly Varden Tours, a travel company specializing in Alaska. I loved this job, and got paid to travel Alaska. I didn't think I could love any place as much as I do WA, but Alaska takes the cake. Unfortunately, my boss was horrible with money and there came a point when she couldn't pay me any more. That's when I got my current job as a phone jockey for Regence Blue Shield. My dream job? Certainly not, but beggars can't exactly be choosers in the Skagit Valley job market. Hey, at least I've got great benefits, a 401k and a pension...
My whole family is still in the valley, except Keri, and isn't it always good to have a cousin in Maui? My baby sister had a baby in September--his name is Esmond and his auntie is going to spoil him but good.
Back in 2004, I did something I hadn't done in a long time--I auditioned for a play, and ended up with a role in Hello Dolly at Anacortes Community Theatre. Since then, I've played one of the "girls" in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", a lady-in-waiting in "Once Upon a Mattress", Quince in A MidSummer Night's Dream, and a tap dancing housewife in "Stepping Out" (I belly dance, too). The just last week, I got a major role in the upcoming play "Sylvia" at the RiverBelle Dinner Theatre. The coolest part is, I'm getting paid for this one! No, not a lot, and Broadway it ain't, but it is something every artist dreams of.
In between everything else, I am lucky to spend time with my old friends Chrissie and Janine, and Mary Jo Sanders and Susie Perry. Also see Lisa Squires now and again, when she's home from PA. Haven't seen much of Peggy since she's gotten married (she must be busy, wink wink, nudge nudge).
Don't know if I'll make it to the reunion. If I don't, have a great time!
