WICKED AWESOME!!!!

Last Thursday, I had the wonderful opportunity to fly to Florida to visit my good friend Katie -- we had been eagerly waiting for months for the time to arrive when we would be going together to see "Wicked." Oh my goodness, I know I can't find words cool enough to describe how wonderful it was, but I'll do my best.

I left Salt Lake Thursday at 1 am, and even though I'm a total insomniac and thought this would be the perfect flight for me, I must admit I was pretty tired. But no matter, I had Saturday's matinee to look forward to, so nothing could bring me down.

Katie and I went to dinner on Thursday night with my dad, my brothers Adam and Matt, and Matt's girlfriend Osmelie (hope I'm spelling that right.) We went to Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney and enjoyed some delicious pot roast and great company.

We posed for some photos together after -- do we look like we're freezing? Cuz we are freezing. I went to the Sunshine State hoping for some relief from the cold winter, but unfortunately it was so darn cold there I could hardly stand it. But no worry -- I had my "Wicked" to keep me warm.

Friday, Katie and I went to Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). I was despondent to find out they no longer have the Ruby Slippers on display at the Great Movie Ride, which has always been a highlight of my visits to the park. But we still had lots of fun, riding my favorite rides like the Rockin' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror. Good times.

This picture of us cracks me up -- Katie's expression is hilarious.

It happened to be ESPN weekend or something that day, so there were lots of major athletes in the park, and would you believe that among them were the great Brandi Chastain (defender for the US Women's National Soccer Team) and Shawn Johnson (US Olympic Gymnast). It was so fun to see them, and I even got Brandi to autograph my ticket. Super cool.

Then, finally, the big day -- Saturday arrived, and we set out for Tampa to see "Wicked." Oh man, was I on cloud nine. Here's a shot of me before the show, about to burst. It's not great quality because the flash had to be off to see anything, which in turn made it blurry. But you can get the gist of it and see the map of Oz in the background.

Trying to wait patiently for the show to start.

I was totally floored by the show. I mean, really, I knew it was going to be good -- I've had the soundtrack for years and adore it, and I've got a bootleg copy with the original actors (yes, Kristin and Idina), and I've watched tons of clips on youtube -- but nothing can compare with actually being there in the theater, and feeling it as well as seeing and hearing it. I was a little worried about being let down because I love Idina and Kristin so much and to me they ARE the show, but that did not happen at all. The show is the show, and it's so good in and of itself that the very talented girls in the lead this time were able to do a fabulous job and make it what it should be. It was truly better than I ever imagined.

Thanks to Katie, a friend I love so much, for taking me to see this show. And thanks to Chris for letting me go. It was a day I will never forget!

"Happy is what happens, when all your dreams come true . . . "