2011 May | Kelsey Toney

Only thing to do is jump over the moon.

May 29, 2011

How many of you know where that quote comes from??

I am absolutely thrilled to tell you guys a little bit of news that I’ve kept from this little webspace for a few weeks now.

I’ve been cast as Maureen in a local theatre production of RENT. RENT is my very favorite musical ever.

When I was a freshman in high school, our choir director introduced us to the music of a musical that she’d just discovered in NYC. It was a little out there, and she cherry picked the songs to be sure that they were all appropriate for us to sing, but our show choir performed that music and I loved it from the very first time I sang about measuring life in love.

As I got older, and more interested in the music, I had an opportunity to work on the song “Take Me or Leave Me” in a college musical theatre workshop class. My love for the show (and the amazing drama queen Maureen) grew.

Even more years later, when the motion picture was released, and I had an easy and cheap way to see the show over and over, my love just really continued to get deeper.

For me, the stories in RENT are about love. Love that is color blind. Love that isn’t defined by gender or station in life. These stories that weave together the plot of RENT are about the fact that we’re all imperfect, and yet still perfectly made to love each other. Life is fleeting. And we must leave regret behind us and focus on the present moment. Not what has been. And not what might come.

The role of Maureen… I’m no fool. I know that there is some Kelsey in that character.

I often wonder if the people that have recently said, “OH MY GOSH, you’ll be such a good Maureen” are trying to compliment me or insult me. Winking smile

Certainly, that character is narcissistic, unfaithful, and impulsive.

Three traits that I don’t readily see in myself.

But that character is also emotional, passionate, creative, and willing to raise her voice.

And I think that I have a little bit of that.

So, needless to say, having the chance to play Maureen is a dream come true.

I can’t think of one other role in one other show that I’d be more excited to play. I really can’t.

I’m so happy to share this with you! If you live in the DFW area and want information about where and when the show is being produced, let me know.

Have a great week, everyone!! Smile

Life Well Lived on Twitter!

May 26, 2011

Hey Friends, before you set out into your weekend, I wanted to let you know about a little bit of news.

I’m super excited that the Life Well Lived movement now has a twitter presence.

@MyLifeWellLived

It’s my personal goal to reach 100 followers by Sunday, and I am sure it can happen with help from you.

But more important than followers, I hope this will start a dialogue, wherein you can contribute to the movement from the comfort of your own twitter.

Just include the #LifeWellLived tag, and we can all read about the awesome little happenings that make life so great. It’s easy… here’s how:

Follow, Tag, and RT! Let me know if you have any suggestions or feedback for me!

I’m so stoked!

Guest Feature: Mandy’s Life Well Lived List

May 25, 2011

Happy Life Well Lived Wednesday! I’m so excited that I get to share a reader submitted list today!!! Check out Mandy’s list below, and please email me your contributions! Mandy is a multi-blog blogger, and splits her thoughts into a variety of categories from performing to healthy living. Enjoy her list, and visit her blog to read more!

For information about contributing, please check here:

Life Well Lived

———————————————————————–

My good friend and fellow blogger, Kelsey, has recently been posting in a series called "Life Well Lived" every Wednesday. I have been inspired by this, and have decided to start doing the same thing.

She describes it in this way:

For me, thinking about the things that I’ve experienced

and being joyful for those moments,

means more than reaching into a future that I can’t control.

Well said, Kelsey! So, without further ado…here is my first Life Well Lived list:
1. I have graduated from college.

Sure, a lot of people have done this…but I was the first person in my family to get a college degree. I’m very proud of this fact, and I hope to some day continue that list of firsts by being the first to get a Master’s degree. Now deciding on one…that’s the tricky part.

2. I have held a newborn.

One of the most amazing things I’ve done in my life recently was hold my "niece" (she’s my cousin’s daughter, so she’s not reeeeeeeeally my niece…but I’m Aunt Mandy to her, so we’ll accept it) a few minutes after she was born. A brand new, tiny, squirmy little life…just trying to keep her eyes open and figure out what the heck is going on. My uterus fluttered a little bit when I was holding her in those first few minutes of her life. Incredible feeling.

3. I have trashed a wedding dress…and was on The Today Show doing so…

———————————————————————–

To continue reading about Mandy’s well lived life, visit her blog! You don’t want to miss the end of her list! Trashed wedding dresses, fashion encounters of the BEST kind?!?! Don’t miss it.

——->Click here to finish reading<——-

Thanks for reading, guys! Keep working on your own lists, and let me know when you have some goodies to share!!

If you like the LWL idea, create your own list on your blog, or have contributed to the feature, please feel free to add this button to your own site!

(wordpress users can copy the following code into a “text” widget box in their sidebar)

<div align=”center”> <a href=”http://www.kelseytoney.com/life-well-lived” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://www.kelseytoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/LWL-Button.jpg”/></a> </div>

Life Well Lived List: vol. 5

May 18, 2011

It’s Life Well Lived WEDNESDAY!!

This has been a VERY good week. Smile I have so much to be happy about, and so much to be grateful for… I hope you feel the same way when you look in on your own life. Even when things don’t go according to plan… things are good.

Again, I have several folks who have told me they’re drafting LWL lists to share with you, but none ready for this week… (PLEASE keep writing, and sending me some goodies) So, you’re stuck with more of some of my favorite life moments.

I’ve allowed myself the freedom to become totally spazztic about things I love

This was my face the morning we woke up and were headed to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park!!

This was my face when I was getting ready for opening night of my first musical!

This was my face… one time… when I got some yogurt…

bahahaaaa.

Why is this on the list?? Because once upon a time, I learned something about myself.

I GET EXCITED! I get invested! I get tunnel vision! I get obsessed and preoccupied and focused and CRAZY about things.

It’s just who I am.

And I let other people keep me down, and try to temper my exuberance for a long time.

And one day, I decided they could suck it. And that my excitement is as much a part of me as my eyes or hands.

I’ve rolled my own sushi

It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but there’s something really cool about having all of these random and foreign ingredients and putting them together.

I’m a lousy cook… and my friends made all of the sticky rice and such, but I think everyone should make their own food… and not just the basic stuff, but really out of the box exciting and difficult stuff sometimes! (think crème brulee or fancy tarts or something)

I stepped back from the table and thought, WOW, I just made sushi. I didn’t need to go spend tons of money on it… I did it myself. (and I did it with great friends, like Nicci, Trinity, and K) Such a good memory.

I’ve eaten a FRESH New York bagel with GOBS of full fat crème cheese

Some things have to be tasted in their elements to be truly appreciated. (Parisian street corner crepe being another good example) and I highly recommend that if you like bagels… even a little, make sure that no amount of calorie counting, or dieting will keep you from trying something as classic as an authentic bagel and schmear.

Well, that’s my list for this week… Remember, I’d really like to feature your submissions, and I know I have a couple hundred of you guys reading, so send me somethin’!

<3 Talk to you soon,

If you like the LWL idea, create your own list on your blog, or have contributed to the feature, please feel free to add this button to your own site!

(wordpress users can copy the following code into a “text” widget box in their sidebar)

30 day challenge: Bullet point your day

May 12, 2011

(I typed this on my phone! Forgive any wonky formatting)

Well, today’s challenge was to bullet point everything you do for a day. Not sure how interesting this will be, but here goes…

-wake from restless sleep at 6am
-jack around on my phone and snooze for half an hour.
-shower
-dress, condition hair, and skip the makeup, since I’ll be wearing extra tonight.
-feed the cats
-leave for work
-decide to stop for a breakfast burrito and coffee since I know dinner may be crazy
-Get to work
-go to quick meeting before school starts.
-teach math, social studies, and English, before a break at 10
-teach English again, more math, social studies, and reading
-handle 3.5 student crises
-make 2 parent phone calls
-take picture of our library’s new collection of presidential fact books for ThenHeatherSaid
-give hugs to my friend having a baby shower after the last school bell
-drive home
-get halfway there before realizing that I need to fill my gas tank
-get home and stress over my voice feeling kinda funny
-stress about what to wear
-listen to daron tell me I’m cray.
-pick an outfit, finish my hair and makeup
-get in the car and turn on the radio EXACTLY as “Dog Days” by Florence + the machine starts playing.
-Smile as I drive and sing.
-arrive at, and carry on at callbacks
-wait anxiously
-drive home
-eat bowl of cereal
-play with phone and watch tv with my boo
-head to bed

That can’t have been that interesting??? Hahaaa. Talk to you soon!