6:46 am We learn that school is closed where we are supposed to perform.

Up at 5:00 am due to excitement, anticipation, nerves, and a not-so-comfortable hotel bed, I was raring and ready to go by 6:45 am for show #1 in Westby, WI. Due to oncoming sleet and snow, the school had closed for the day. So no show. We were told this often happens during the early weeks of tour, and of course we aren't paid if we don't perform since the show must be rescheduled. We were all dressed, made up, and packed to check out of the hotel, so we sighed loudly, found the Starbucks, then went out for some eggs. While we were enjoying our eggs, it began to snow...and snow. Fed, caffeinated, and happy, we began the fifty mile or so journey to our next hotel in Reedsburg, WI. Following the google map directions provided by our operations director, we took a crazy backroads journey through the hills (yes, there are hills here), passing several horse drawn buggies and Amish folk hanging their laundry out to dry (in a snow storm and 30 degrees-?) Approximately three hours later, we arrived in Reedsburg. Later, we discovered that for a mere fifteen or so additional miles, we could have taken the freeway and probably arrived a lot sooner (and saner). But we checked into the Super 8 in Reedsburg, where we would be staying for the next two nights. It was noon. We had the whole day in front of us.

We started by resting in our rooms for awhile. It had been a long morning, and we were all exhausted. A bit later, Kristin (our Queen of the Night for this week) and I decided to head across the street to the Pamida, a sort-of Walmart/Kmart type store, where our goal was to purchase a cheap bathing suit so we could go in the indoor pool and hot tub. It was between a Nike one piece for $35.99 or a black cami/boy short set that was technically in the lingerie section, but at $10 was much more the price range we desired. With black cami/boy short sets in tow, we headed back to the hotel, making a stop at the McDonald's next to the hotel for some Chicken Selects for lunch. After a short Mickey D's induced nap, we met up with Mark and David (our Tamino and Papageno, respectively), and had some swimming/whirpool time. I was whisked back to past family vacations when my sister and brother and I would get so excited to use the hotel pool (think, Anderson Holidome, Elaine!). Our family often stayed in very similar hotels, clean but no frills, and something about this Super 8 takes me straight back to those days. Later on, we all hopped into the van and headed to the only restaurant in town, Longeley's, a sort-of Applebee's crossed with a diner, crossed with a seedy bar. We all had decent burgers, beers, and salad bar, then came back to the hotel to rest up for what will hopefully be a busy day of performing tomorrow. I'm trying not to catastrophize (is that a word), but I'm envisioning us going home not having performed a single show this week due to school cancellations. Thank goodness the rest of my tour weeks are in April.

So here I am, 10:29 pm in the Super 8, watching reruns and blogging. I'll be popping half an Ambien and hitting the sack very soon. We're up early again tomorrow, hopefully to do a show and not just to eat eggs and drink Starbucks. I'll keep you posted.

Signing off.