Happy New Year from Holland

Let you light shine BRIGHT in the NEW YEAR! Happy New YEAR from Holland! 2010!!!!

This is what I was doing at midnight. Bomb Fire on the BEACH with fire works and good people = AMAZING!

I love you all and wish you all only the best things for you in 2010. 2010 is gonna be GOOD people....gonna be good!

STROOPWAFELS!

I love these Cinnamony, Vanilla, caremely waffle goodness.

Ladies and Gentlemen introducing STROOPWAFELS. translation: syrup waffles) a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle. They were first made in Gouda in the Netherlands, in 1784. Large versions are sold in the streets as a snack.

I"M BRINGING SOME HOME! YUM!

Yolanda Turns 40!

It was my sister Yolanda's 40th birthday. She had a huge 80's themed party that unfortunately couldn't make for obvious reasons. My nephew Chad who visited me for Christmas and I made a video for her. Check it out:

A Christmas Video Message!

To my family,

Merrry Christmas! We miss you!



Love,
Tony and Chad

Christmas Miracle

My nephew, Chad, gets in today after a huge obstacle. SNOW! He is doing a mini Europe trip starting with Paris then Amsterdam, visiting me then off to London. But he was snowed-in in Paris for a couple days and we were scrared he wasn't going to make it here to Amsterdam. But eventually made by taking an 8.5 hour bus. The snow has subsided and he is now on his way to Schevenigen a town outside of Amsterdam where I am performing. He is having dinner with me today and then coming to the evening show. I can't wait! On Christmas Eve the cast is having a big dinner and then for Christmas we have 2 shows. Chad will see the show again Christmas night. He making it here is a mini Christmas miracle for me. YEAH!

I am so happy to have some family with me on Christmas. It means the world even though I will still miss my family in Miami.

Here is a throw back picture for Christmas that I scanned from my my parents old albums. I love this picture. I must have been 5 or 6 or something. Have a great Christmas EVERYBODY!

True Meaning

My friend Erin posted this on her blog and I thought it was cute. A little chessy but what Mormon videos aren't. Cheesy or not it helped me to reflect a little on what is the true meaning of Christmas.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

So what comes with the Christmas Season....STRESS. A couple things. The internet situation is kind of messy. It costs $35 for 24 hours of internet at the hotel. But we get internet at the theatre but sometimes you get kicked off because so many people are trying to use it. This is a problem when you are in the thick of trying to find an apartment in NYC. You have to act fast and make sure you are on top if it.

I am getting really close in finding a place. A couple of them fell through but still holding on to a couple. I swear this is like auditioning. What makes this really tough is that I am overseas and can't meet these people I want to room with in person. So Skype or emails are my only form of communication along with my friends who go check out the apartments for me.

Anyway, keep your fingers crossed I find a place before I land in NYC in almost less than a month.

It's begeinging to look alot like Christmas though. Starting SNOWING here. Its BEAUTIFUL!

Scheveningen -Dutch pronunciation:

[ˈsxeːvənɪŋə(n)].

Our last stop of the first leg of our tour. Which now that I say that I guess I should announce my decision in NOT coming back for the 2nd leg. The 2nd leg starts the end of March through May and going to Bordeaux, France, Trieste, Italy and Malaysia(truly Asia). I have my reasons for not signing back on. Some financial, some personal and some just falling my heart. It has nothing to do with me not liking the show or my part. It has been a great couple of months that I will for surely be sad to see end. But with that being said I am excited for the future and what lies ahead.

Being back is fun. Bremen, Germany was great. We were there for 2 weeks and what a cute town. They really know how to do Christmas here. They had Christmas Markets all over the city and they were nothing I have ever scene. Just a beautiful Christmas celebration with a typical cozy European town as your backdrop. The shows went great. We celebrated one of our castmates decision to get married. We had I guess what you will call a minture bachlerate party. Where some people stripped and we gave gifts. She is leaving tour a little early to go get ready for her wedding in Hawaii on Jan 10th(I believe).

So today we bused it to Scheveningen, Netherlands. Just about an hour outside of Amsterdam and IT IS COLD!!! Freezing to be exact. I just checked the weather and it is 25 degrees ℉. This town is a BEACH RESORT. So I think that factors into the weather being a tad bit cooler than normal. Internet is really expensive at the HOTEL. I just paid 22 Euro($34) for 24 hrs. We are hoping the company does something about this. Because it's the Holidays and we need our internet to communicate with our loved ones. Speaking of loved ones. My nephew CHAD is coming to visit in about 6 days. I am so excited. He is touring a little around Europe and stopping by Amsterdam. I am excited to hang out with him this Christmas and have him see me perform. That means alot to me.

I have been busy lately looking for an apartment back in NYC. And actually I gotta go because I have a friend checking an apartment right now for me and I want to call her while she is doing a walk through. Later.

Here are some pics from the Bremen's Christmas Market:

Surprise Thanksgiving

Some of you might know and some of you might not. But I had Thanksgiving OFF from tour. Our kind producers surprised us a while back after a show and told us they will be sending us all HOME for Thanksgiving week since there were no shows scheduled. I have kept it a secret since then because I knew I wanted to SURPRISE my family. That's why I didn't make mention of it in the blog.

So the week of Thanksgiving I went to NYC for a day to take care of some business then I flew to MIAMI to see my family. The only family member who knew about was my 25 year old nephew Chad who was my accomplice. He picked me up from the airport and then we went to surprise the family starting with my older sister Betsy at work then my other sister Yolanda and her kids at home then lastly my mom and dad.

This visit was so much fun and was something I really needed. It was about a year and a half since the last time I saw them. Catching up and seeing my niece and nephews so grown was a treat. I mean my 12 year old nephew ANDREW has an iPhone. CRAZY! And Alyssa my niece is so beautiful and getting so big.

Here is a little movie I made form the footage and pictures of my visit. ENJOY!

Click on FULL SCREEN to see the whole screen.

DISCLAIMER: The individuals in this video were caught off guard and surprised. They may or may not have been looking their best or wearing appropriate attire. So, please excuse any offensive language, visuals or actions that may have occurred in this video. Thanks ;)

One more 2 show day to end this week. I can DO IT!

Monday I think I am gonna go to the mountains (The Alps) and enjoy the great outdoors. It will be a great way for me to be in a place where I can be pensive and Thankful. I mean it is going to be Thanksgiving week....and even if I won't be around my loved ones I know that I can be grateful for them and all the blessings in my life!“Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” —Matthew 17:20

Demi has(d) hips!

Just read this article on Demi Moore's W Magazine Cover: Click Here! Wait to you see the Photoshopping in her hips...It's horrible!

While we are at it. Take a look at this Dove Commercial. Wow, the things they do to these models!

I'm Flying!

One of the funniest mishaps in theatre I have ever seen. This is a poor High School in upstate NY. I did Peter Pan once and if this happened to us I would have DIED! AMAZING!

Alo! Alo! STOP!!!!

Funny story time. You ready? Brace yourself! Embrace yourself while you are at it.

So during the show the craziest thing ever happened to us. I never experienced this. We are in the War Council Scene/Post "Cool" scene. This is where the Sharks and Jets are having the BIG meeting on where we are going to RUMBLE. So all the boys are on stage and its intense. Bernardo and Riff have decided to "rumble" under the "highway." While this is happening we were noise and alot of commotion coming from the audience. Then we hear a lady scream something in GERMAN and all I heard was "Alo Alo Alo....STOOOOP!" And I was so scared. The only thing I could think of is we are UNDER ATTACK. I have been watching way too many scary movies lately I guess. Anyway, so there is alot of talking and I see ushers with flashlights and people getting up. Meanwhile, the scene is still happening and the 2 saying their lines are still "in it." I was not "in it" I was ready to run my booty off stage. But finally the commotion stops and we finish the scene. I was surprised we didn't stop the show. As we exited the stage I was in shock of what just happened. I thought maybe somebody had a heart attack or fainted.

We later found out that there was a pregnant woman who started vomiting BLOOD all over the place....getting it on a couple of people. Later that show when you looked out in the audience there was a hole where the lady was and the people she threw up on. Sounds horrible, huh? I hope her and that baby is ok. Gotta love LIVE theatre!

Malasia -Truly Asia

So here is what came out of the meeting tonight.

Go HOME January 11th!

BREAK till the end of March.

2nd Leg:
Starting end of March-May 26th 2010

Going to:
Bordeaux, France
Trieste, Italy
Kuala Lumpur, MALASIA!

Pretty cool places!

They are giving us the option to be done Jan. 11th or to re-sign to come back in March.

Now the question is WHAT DO I DO?

Hey, SOUL SISTER!

This week has been going well. My energy seems to be sustaining. I have been sleeping in more and drinking more water which seems to be helping.

So update on music. I have been looking for some music cause my music library is getting TIRED. And I am found a love for Rascal Flatts. They are a country band with a pop twist. I like them alot. I have also downloaded OWL CITY which I am not sure I like yet and Leona Lewis's new album which is ok. I like some of her songs. But I think my favorite album right now is a band that has been around and that I love to death which came out with a new album recently. TRAIN -Save Me San Francisco. I really like their sound. Keeps me entertained on my walks to and from the theatre.

One of my favorite songs off the album:


Stay Tuned....for important information. Tonight we have a company meeting about our 2nd leg. So far all we know is that we are booked till Jan 10th. This meeting is going to tell what is going to tell us what is to happen after that date. I am excited to know what my immediate future holds ;)

Killer WEEK.

These 8 shows weeks are a killer. It's Sunday night...well actually Monday morning and I am EXHAUSTED. I need to get my tolerance level up. Tomorrow is our DAY off. So I don't plan to do much. Just gonna BE LAZY!
This week not much happened. It's been really rainy and cloudy here in Basel. Food is really expensive. To give you an example. So we are staying in a HOTEL attached to a mall with a tiny food court. It has a sandwich/pizza place, a McDonald's, an Asian place and a SUBWAY. So being the starving actors that we are we try to eat cheap and as healthy as we can. So SUBWAY seems to be the best option for us since we don't stay in HOTEL'S with kitchens in them. So for a FOOT long sandwich combo it is 20 Swiss Fracs!!!! Now keep in mind that the SWISS FRANC is equivalent to the American Dollar. So it costs 20 bucks for SUBWAY! What about the 5....5 dollar....5 dollar footlooooong. Ughh. So anyway, we have been eating pretty poorly. We do have a fridge so I buy PB and J, cheese and crackers, cereal and milk..stuff like that. I can't wait for tomorrow since it's a "free" day to buy a real HOT decent meal at a restaurant.

This week I was introduced to the new ABC television series called FLASH FORWARD. It is really good and I am addicted. I pretty much just watch TV when I am not at the show. Its pathetic but it better than going out and spending money in this really expensive city.

I also have been going to the gym pretty regularly. YEAH! Since being on tour I have been letting myself go. It's SO HARD to eat healthy on tour especially OVER SEAS. I need to stop complaining and just do better...which I have ;) I'm debating if I want to go tomorrow. We will see how I feel.

Other than that. Things are going well. A tad boring and monotonous but not horrible. Let's see if next week will be more productive.

This Is It!

Last night I went and saw This Is It the Movie Documentary about Michael Jackson rehearsing for his upcoming tour before he died. I was moved by it. He truly was inspiring. I couldn't help but to laugh, dance, cry and cherish his last moments as an artists. He had so much passion for his work. It's something I want to have more of. I do find myself just going through the motions but when it comes down to it as artists we are HERE to move and inspire others and in order to do that we need that passion, L-O-V-E, and fire Michael had.

One of my favorite parts of the movie was when MJ said this :

I want to give the world escapism through the wonder of great music and to reach the masses. -Michael Jackson

You are missed Michael Jackson!

Halloween BLEW by: Check out the AFTERMATH.

My Costume:

Blown Away By WEST SIDE STORY!

Some people started to plan a Halloween party and BB Productions, our producers, got wind of it and decided to throw us some money($$$$) so that we get the food and booze and stuff. So last night after our 5 show weekend we had a WSS HALLOWEEN COSTUME BALL. It was so much fun and I had a blast.

Check out the pictures from the party. All the costumes were AMAZING! Beware: Some pics might be rated PG 13.

WSS Halloween Costume Ball

Gonna Make You Scream

So some might now this already but some might not. But I have a weird fasination with Scary/Horror movies. To feed my addiction in the thrill of being frightened I decided this week was SCARY MOVIE WEEK. So every night this week me and a couple of my friends from the cast get together and watch a scary movie.

My favorite so far was the Spanish Film El Orfanato (THE ORPHANAGE). It was so good!


Here is what we've already watched.
SAW I
The Orphanage (El Orfanato)
Paranormal Activity

Tonight might be Friday the 13h, Cape Fear, The Descent, or Blair Witch Project.

CAN'T WAIT!

I'm in SWITZERLAND!

I have to blog! I just got here in Basel Switzerland. I love this country. We sit down here for about a month. I used to live here 10 years ago when I served an LDS mission. LDS = Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint...name of my church. I was here and a little in France for 2 years spreading the GOOD WORD. Good memories here!

As soon as we got here I went into the huge mall attached to out AMAZING HOTEL called MIGROS which is a grocery store here in Switzerland and I found a cereal that I used to eat when I was here called Farmer Croc. DELICIOUS! When I saw it in the isle a flood of memories and feelings came back. It hit meet there in the cereal isle that I am blessed. To be here, with a job, to have friends and family who love me, to have had an experience of a mission, my health and too much more to mention.

This is cheesy but this reminds me of a song I sang in college called "GRATEFUL"

In a world that can bring pain
I will still take each chance
For I believe that whatever the terrain
Our feet can learn to dance
Whatever stone life may sling
We can moan or we can sing

This is going to be a good MONTH! YEAH!

Addicted to INTERNET!

So I'm in Charleroi, Belgium. It's not very cute here. We are in a poopy hotel and a poopy city. We don't have internet. I am stealing it right now from this wireless network in the lobby. If we want wireless in the room it will be 16 Euro a day which is equivalent to 25 dollars a day. That is a bit much and we are here for only 4 days. We leave for Basel, Swtizerland on Monday and we sit down there for a month or so. So I am hoping when we get there things will be looking up with a better hotel and some INTERNET! Being in such a boring city with nothing to do with no internet is torture! I MIGHT GO CRAZY!

So on another note I have been thinking of a Halloween costume and I can't think of ANYTHING! I was thinking of doing something more traditional like Freddy, Frankenstein, Chucky, or something like that. I just don't want to wear a mask or alot of makeup all night. Anyways, if you have any ideas let me know!

I was Edward Scissorhands last year and it was a HIT!

Liege, Belgium

Things to remember from Liege:

* Very small theatre 9x9 meters which we usually play on 13x13 or 11x11. With NO WING space!
* Was asked to do a lift that was important since someone called out of the show and FORGOT and got written up. Ughh!
* My roommate got MUGGED by knife point and got his iPod classic stolen.
* The really fun Carnival. Rode some really crazy rides
* The very tasty Belgium Waffles. YUM!
* Our "TONY" came on for the rumble scene barefoot because unfortunately got his shoe stuck under the set and to come out with no shoes on. OOOPS!
* The movie Julie and Julia.
* The very very tasty Belgium Waffles. Did I say that already?
* The Natural Food cafeteria next to the theatre
* DEXTER the new show I am addicted to! Its sooo GOOD!

Cathedral at the Town Square

The SMALL theatre

The SIGN by the theatre

BUMPER CARS!

Eating Belgium Waffles with the new girl Charlie. She's ENGLISH. Have you seen that youtube video with the little kid and his bro. Charlie who bites his finger. FUNNY!

The friendly wiener at the end of the carnival. Not in picture. I'm taking it.

GIVE ME YOUR WALLET!!!

So my roommate on tour Travis is out from the show because he has a pulled hamstring or something. Today he came to the theatre to see our physical therapist and on his way back to the theatre he was MUGGED! There 4 men and one had a KNIFE! They took his iPod and nothing else. Thank goodness! He wasn't hurt but pretty shaken up as you can imagine.

NOTE TO SELF: NO walking alone in strange countries.

This reminds me of a funny Japanese exercise to learn English.

Bonjour Belgium!

I love speaking French again and being in the land of my biggest weakness. Pastries! I can't wait for some Belgium WAFFLES! Liege is also known for their FRIES! Ughh! I might gain some weight here. Good thing I am only here for a week.

Last day in Amsterdam!

until I come back....so we will be back to the Netherlands for the Christmas/New Year in a town near Amsterdam. About 50 min. out. Also BIG NEWS....drum roll please.....MY NEPHEW CHAD is visiting me for Christmas! YEAH! I will have family here! So I will meet him here in Amsterdam for a day then he will come with me to Scheveningen and spend Christmas or at least Christmas Eve together since I have 2 shows on Christmas. Its going to be fun. I'm excited!

Not saying goodbye to Amsterdam which I love..but a see you later. I really liked this place.

MEXICAN NIGHT CAST FIESTA!

So one day I decided to find a Mexican restaurant by myself. I googled the closest Meixcan joint and I went. It is a really small taco shop called THE TACO SHOP. Anyway, while having dinner the guy running the place sounded American. So I started up a conversation with him. He moved here to Amsterdam 5 years ago to start his father's business here in Amsterdam. After I told him what I did I offered to get him tickets and he complied. Then in return he said he wanted to cater a cast party for us.....FOR FREE! I was all about it and made sure it happened. After arranging everything with some help of a few people it all worked out. A true success!

The Food! The Burritos were HUGE!

The Cast Eating and Mingling

Decor done by Kendall and Scott
It was so much FUN!Logan the TACO SHOP GUY. We got him a Program of our show and all signed it.He gave a little speech after we all sang "For he's a jolly good fellow." LOL!

I love this Video!

A canal boat cruise.

Our first day off I set up a boat cruise with a non-profit organization.Meet Kevin our guide

A boat along the Canal

Buildings along the Canal..

Some friends came along for the ride

The Church with a bell tower.

Beautiful View

Look at all the bikes.
The Smallest House in Amsterdam between 2 bigger ones. You see it? Very Narrow Living!

The Geese came out to play

Where I want to live

Renovated houses. Use to be storage warehouses.

A House Boat

A Bridge

A famous boat apparently here in Amsterdam

These houses are cool!

EL GATO! A cat rescue/adoption unit.

This house is kind of leaning.

The Canal of Seven Bridges

Hey that's US!

After our cruise we went shopping...Umm, I think this wooden clog is too big for me.

But we can all FIT in it. Perfect! I'll take it ;)