Southern Charm

Yesterday I left Atlantic City. Girl, those folks at Harrah's really know how to treat someone. After all my workshops were done I spent my last evening in their Steak House. By this time all of the managers and directors of each of the different venues had met me and everyone was going out of their way to make sure I had the best of everything.

The food was divine. The head chef came out and talked with me for a little while and then went back in the kitchen and created a plate of chocolate delicacies; including one little dandy called chocolate soup that had all of my pleasure synapses toasting marshmallows, they were so happy.

I was driven from Atlantic City to the Philadelphia airport by limo with Walter as my driver. He's another person that's been with Harrah's for a long time. There's a lot of longevity at that hotel which says something about the organization.

Anyway, I'll say this. The Philadelphia airport is gross and disgusting. Everywhere I looked there seemed to be rubbish and debris as if every person whose job it is to empty the containers is on strike.

The plane was late so by the time it got to the gate and deboarded they tried valiantly to get everyone boarded as quickly as they could. We all rushed to our seats and the plane pulled away from the gate and out to the runway. Only to be told there were 14 planes ahead of us. Well, that's all it took. I closed my eyes and I don't remember another thing until landing in Charleston.

Sitting here writing this, I look to my left and see hole number five for Turtle Point Golf Course. It could be any of the 18 holes, but to me it looks like hole number five. It's already hot and steamy outside. I think they only way to really enjoy this place is to LOVE golf. We're out in an area called Kiawah Island, SC. Which is beautiful to say the least. I probably won't get to see much of the actual city of Charleston but I have seen enough to know I'd love to come back sometime when work isn't involved.

Elvis is Not Dead

Today after teaching my last workshop I decided to check out the gym. I don't know why I haven't been there yet, most likely I've just been tired from getting up so dang early and all I want to do after the morning sessions is come stretch out on this luxurious king size bed. Anyway, the gym is great; flat screen T.V's., nice equipment and completely empty.

Since I was merely checking it out I promptly left and explored the Atrium Tower of the hotel, trying to decide what I wanted for dinner. There was an older gentleman in the elevator when it opened to pick me up. He smiled said hi and asked me if I was going down to lose some money. Our friendly banter quickly turned a little weird when he asked me if I had seen the Elvis show at the hotel. He had seen it nine times and really felt it should not be missed. I told him I was going to dinner. He ended our conversation by asking if I knew the show Wheel of Fortune and then said they'd really screwed up by hiring Vanna White when they could have had me. Best-worst pick up line ever!!!

I went to eat at Cesca's a fabulous five star restaurant here at the hotel. Just as my food arrived in strolled Mr. Pickupartist. He placed a ticket to the Elvis show on my table and said he got it for me because it was the best show in Atlantic City and he didn't want me to miss it. I thanked him profusely and went on to enjoy some of the best food I've eaten in a long time.

Not feeling like rushing my dining experience I ate at a leisurely pace and got over to the Elvis show about a half hour late. The place was packed full of 50-80 year olds, I'd say about 3,000 people in all. Half of them screaming ladies relieving a more youthful time. The other half hard of hearing men who were dragged there by their wives. I kept thinking how much my mom would have loved this extravaganza.

I on the other hand was wondering if this kid who was playing Elvis was even alive before he died. He had a decent voice why wasn't he just singing his own stuff? He had 70 year old women going crazy in the front row, screaming, reaching out to touch him. I wonder what kind of women go backstage and if he ever gets lucky with them. Creepy? Yes, I'd say yes.

So thank you Mr. Pickupartist from Rhode Island. Sorry I couldn't go to dinner with you.

The Human Race

I'm fascinated by the patrons of casinos. A large majority of them are old, or unhealthy looking. I've seen more oxygen tanks in the last couple of day then I've seen in years. If you need an oxygen tank to help you breathe why would you spend anytime in a smoky casino? It boggles my mind.

Here at Harrah's during the mid-day, mid-week time frame the penny slots seem like the most active place on the whole floor. It's filled with patrons in their 60's and 70's who get up around 6am to be the first ones down to make sure they get "their" machines. And there they sit for hours.

Winning isn't nearly as exciting these days. When you cash out you just get a receipt that you then have to go up and redeem at a cage. There's no sound of coin dropping into a metal tray. No buckets of quarters being carried around. Just little pieces of paper that are stuck into someone's pocket. I'm sure some of the smaller ones aren't redeemed, earning the casino even more money. I'd have to think twice to stand in line for five minutes to get my .75 cents. But that's just me.

I saw a woman today who was in her mid to late 50's. She was tall, with long willowy legs that were completely exposed in her short-shorts. So short in fact that one wrong move and I would probably get a peak at her brillo pad. I wish someone who cared for her would have told her that was a bad look.

Riding with Elvis

Yesterday, I was driven to the Showboat Hotel by a genuine Elvis Impersonator. He's been performing for the past 17 years, not for the money, just to make people happy. At least that's what he told me three times. He used to have an Elvis tribute band that he would front, that is until the day when they were performing at a wedding and the base player and drummer got into a heated argument about how much they were getting paid. "Elvis" told them to knock it off because they weren't going to ruin this special day for these people.

The led me to the question, "so, you sing live?" He replied, "oh yeah, I don't believe in that lip singing stuff." Yes, you read that correctly.

He showed me the wallet size picture of himself that he carries around with him in his Elvis costume. And then told me that he's got a gig in two weeks at a real nice senior center that he played at last year and they asked him to come back. Those seniors are in for a treat.

Speaking of seniors I wondered to myself this morning if one day I would be one of the ladies I see here walking around a casino at 7am in the morning with their white hair nicely combed, and a cardigan sweater to ward off the chill of the airconditioned casino floor, searching for the nickel slot that's going to keep them entertained for the next several hours. I hope not.

Living the life of a high roller

I'm in Atlantic City, NJ enjoying a really beautiful room at Harrah's Casino. I'll be out here for a few days leading some workshops. This room is so nice, it's got hardwood floors and a jacuzzi bathtub and a wonderful king size bed. The best part is that the room is cool and refreshing. I can't remember the last time I slept in a room that I didn't wake up warm and a little sweaty.

It's been a busy 24 hours. Last night I did a remote at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, IN. It was the first time I'd ever been on a "boat" casino. The show was fun, made even better by the car ride to and fro. I had the pleasure of being in the same car as Tara, Rich, Rance and Martin. At one point Tara, Martin and I were all laughing so hard we were crying. Good times.

This morning I got up bright and early and rode in the Lakefront Boulevard Tour with Min-aha. I picked her up at 6:30am which felt really early. But once you get up and moving around it was great. We rode for 35 miles in and around the south side of the city. The last four miles were a little daunting. The day was heating up and the wind was in our faces. I was having flashbacks to the first day of the MS150. Though my seat was infinitely more comfortable.

After we finished I raced back to hop in the shower so I could get out to O'Hare in time.

Tonight my IO team performs for their third time on the IO stage. I've only made one of those shows. Boo on me. I'm hoping they have a rollicking good time.

And now it's time for room service.

Walking and Talking

Yesterday a friend and I went for a walk. We headed for the lake and started talking and we just kept talking and walking until we found ourselves on North Avenue Beach about four miles away. It was a warm day so we grabbed a couple of $3.00 bottle of waters, someone is making a mint there, and headed back.

Realistically we probably both had our maximum enjoyment of walking in the heat at about 4.5 miles. Though our wonderful conversation continued my walking paced slowed as I realized how tired and achey my legs were. I thought about my mom who has arthritis and though she doesn't complain much how hard it is for her to get around. I felt for just a moment as if I was walking in her shoes and my empathy level grew immensely.

I'm BAAAACCCCKKK!!

What in the world? Has it really been three weeks since my last post? Unfortunately in the land of Deanna not much has been going on during that time. Oh sure there were a few highlights like doing a two person show with the future of Chicago funny Mr. Mike K. and then reuniting with both of the Trifecta guys for a barprov show; and of course who can forget the CSz remote for 200 out of control Muslim teenaged athletes. But mostly it's just been a lot of moping around wondering what the heck am I doing with my life. It's been one of my first foray's into the insecure actor psyche. It's not a fun place to be and fortunately my stay there hasn't been long. Seeing all of the devastation brought on by the Katrina aftermath has certainly helped me to see that my problems are miniscule in comparison.

Today is Rance's mom's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!! I'm so very lucky to have two great moms in my life. I believe Julie has one of the sweetest souls I've ever met and a big reason that Rance is such a great guy.

I'm already looking forward to Sunday when a friend and I will be biking in the 17th annual Boulevard Lakefront Tour. It's only 35 miles, on my comfy, cushy bike seat. It will seem like a piece of cake after 150 miles on a steel pipe.

Afterwards I'm hopping on a plane for Atlantic City, NJ for a five day gig. From there I'll be heading over to Kiawah Island, SC for another gig over the weekend. Both gigs should be a lot of fun with great people. I'm really looking forward to them both.

The summer continues here in Chicago, though it's cooling down now at night which makes it so much more bearable. It's really beautiful right now. In a few moments I'm going to head out for a walk around the lake.

Life is good. Sometimes it's hard to know that but a simple change in my perspective helped to remind me. Thanks to all of my friends who walked with me through the dark times and sent love from across the states.