tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344689832024-03-05T20:41:11.724-05:00Moving Through the CenturyLearning Life Lessons, Exploring the World Out There, One Day At A TimeGoosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-66222018925135270212012-06-26T10:15:00.001-04:002012-06-26T10:20:02.792-04:00Yeah, I'm Posting AgainI think I made WAY too big of a deal out of my blog. I was trying to make it one thing to gain an audience.<br />
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Over the past years it was a self help of some sorts blog. It was place to come and vent or talk about things I've seen or done. What I was doing in the artistic world.
I've come to realize I don't want it to be one thing and I don't care if I have an audience or not. It's my blog. It's my place to get me to write. I should not be afraid of my blog. I should come here and write whatever the heck I want to. And, if you enjoy reading my mumblings, well, thank you. I hope you continue to come on back and read again. I will however, be mumbling just about anything as I, one of my goals I am falling so behind on is writing my gosh darn play.....and getting my website up. So, I thought, if I start blogging again, maybe I would start getting my butt in gear about those things as well. Here goes.<br />
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One of my life long friends is in town right now. The past couple of times she has been here, I have done some touristy stuff, but this time around I have something planned for almost every night. We went and saw The Amoralist show <a href="http://theamoralists.squarespace.com/" target="blank">"The Bad and The Better"</a>. I can't recommend this ENOUGH. This is better than the majority of shows on Broadway right now. In fact, when I told another friend who had seen this show as well, that my friend from out of town and I just got done seeing it, she told my out of town friend - "You just saw one of the best things playing right now. Thank goodness your friend took you." I can't say much about it as it would spoil it. Seeing it again was also a treat. I saw things I didn't see before, some dialogue that wasn't in my initial viewing. I swear some of the blocking was different. This is what is so awesome about live performances, especially those really good ones, you will never see the same show twice. Meaning that it may be the same exact show but something different happens every time.<br />
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I mean sure, we pop on one of our favorite movies and go - wow, I never noticed that before.
But, it's still the same movie. Nothing has changed. You just noticed something different. With live performances, it truly is <i>different</i> and you may be the only one that caught something that a performer did on stage or there was a change in the script that they were trying out and you got to see it for the first time. Last night's audience didn't.
I realized recently that I seldom go to the movies anymore. Don't get me wrong, going to the movies is like a big treat for me, I love it. But, I have been seeing much more theater because of what I said in the last paragraph. It's almost always exciting. <br />
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And, <a href="http://theamoralists.squarespace.com/" target="blank">"The Bad and The Better"</a> is chocked full of excitement, twists and turns and just down right fun.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-4387603488427668352012-06-22T12:41:00.000-04:002012-06-26T09:57:15.999-04:00Realizing BetterRealizing Better<br />
<br />
When you look back on all you’ve done<br />
And all that you have become<br />
When you were apart<br />
You realize that you may have given more to the other than you thought<br />
It’s time to stop convincing yourself<br />
And realize it is better<br />
(better said than done)Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-18346246637644371422011-12-08T15:22:00.000-05:002011-12-08T15:22:49.865-05:00ME - NYTheatre.com's Person of the Year 2011I know this blog has become a waste land of nothingness, but taking a moment to shout out some wonderful news.<br />
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Me and a whole slew of great people have been named NYTheatre.com People of the Year for 2011. Please take a moment to read.<br />
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More "While You Were In" and other nonsense when I get a moment to breathe.<br />
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<a href="http://nytheatre.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/nytheatre-coms-2011-people-of-the-year/" targe=blank>NYTheatre.com Blog: People of the Year 2011</a>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-64602772425378870122011-04-08T20:28:00.001-04:002011-04-08T20:34:09.480-04:00So Many Things, So Many Things....As I am trying to figure out how to write this new sort of column, I have let quite a few events pass by. So, going to BLOG! or word vomit some of the things I have been up to in the past few.<br />
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While You Were In....<br />
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Most of these events took place on Thursdays and Fridays, so you were probably out and about and not in just watching your cat play with lint on the floor or re-runs of Dukes of Hazard on Spike. However, on Thursday, March 24, CBS local news told New Yorkers there was only one place to be, <b>The Soundtrack Series</b> at (le) poisson rouge. Were you there?<br />
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You could be asking - what the heck is Soundtrack Serial? Movie Score Series? What? Here is some back ground information for those of you, not in the know.<br />
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The Soundtrack Series is a series hosted by Dani Rossi with her trusty side kick Sean Williams. It happens on the 4th Thursday of every month. And straight from their Facebook page..."Six writers will tell the memories, stories, or tirades triggered every time they hear a particular song of their choosing. There's the song, there's the story behind the song, and then there's the story inspired by the song."<br />
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I have attempted to be at everyone of them (I believe I have only missed due to out of town gigs, rehearsal and other performances). Besides Fear-Mongers: Fireside Chats about Horror Films (which I will get to in a minute), this is my type of monthly reading series. My wet dream of "if I were to produce a reading series" - this would be it. (Kudos Ms. Rossi!)<br />
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Having a small poetry/spoken word background, a largish music background (from rock, to being in rock bands, to musical theater) and a largish theater background - this series takes all my loves and rolls it all up into one night of goodies. <br />
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This night was incredibly magical. The Track Listing/Storytellers were:<br />
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Dana Rossi – Daydream in Blue/I Monster<br />
Danny Bowes – Talk Show Host/Radiohead<br />
Justin Woo – Don’t Look Back in Anger/Oasis<br />
Erin Brese – Crazy/Tori Amos<br />
Kurt Braunohler – Like a G6/Far East Movement<br />
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I agree with Dana where this night was particularly eerie. These people didn't know each other at all and yet, there was a through line to the whole night. I felt like they were passing off the baton from their story onto the next. A woman having a particularly intense dream leaving her blushing at a co-worker, to a crush on a girl out of one's league and a protective night of drug use, to an act of adulthood, but trying to keep your bad ass ways, to leaving in defiance and starting a new page and finding kind people in the oddest of locations, to the realization of a friendship that lost itself along the way of that person loosing themselves.<br />
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OK, maybe that doesn't sound like there is a through line, but you are just going to have to take my word for it.<br />
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This series also inspires the audience. For every song and story there is a relative story or song to a particular audience member. Of course everyone can relate with love lost, first dances, first time driving by yourself and some funny instance that happened. Also, the songs themselves bring up memories to the listener. I have to admit, there have been some stories that I began to listen to, then drifted off into my own world of the song that was played or the story that I found relation to in my life. Then coming in and out of this imagination to hear the artistry that was woven before me. <br />
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Afterwords, everyone has a chance to catch up and retell their stories or just talk to the artists about their stories, choice of songs, etc. It's a real treat. <br />
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<b>The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G</b><br />
Because I am so late on this blog, unfortunately this little gem is now all sold out, but they do have a wait list, so get to. You will be disappointed to miss this. What I say below does not do it justice, so just go. Please, go. <a href="http://www.vampirecowboys.com/shows.htm" target="blank">Vampire Cowboys-Agent G-Get Your Tix!</a><br />
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From the Vampire Cowboys website:<br />
"It’s been 10 years since Agent G has last been in Vietnam where his family and friends were all viciously slain. He’s now come back looking for answers and a good bit of revenge, however mysterious forces are at hand trying to stop him as well as the playwright from finishing this brutal task. <br />
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After 8 years of exploding movie genre after movie genre onto the live stage, Vampire Cowboys now takes their irreverent pop-culture aesthetic and applies it to a true story in their most daring and risk-taking venture yet. <br />
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He lost his country, his family, and his soul. But what he hasn’t lost is his taste for revenge!"<br />
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Ok, that tells you some of the story.<br />
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What it doesn't tell you is one of the most incredibly personal stories of a playwright onstage I have seen in a long time. Yup, playwright, on stage, well sort of, but it is a perfect balance of story, within a story, within a story...you get it, the infinite reflecting mirror. Also, the incredibly small cast playing the massive multiple roles. Or the brilliant direction, set, sound, choreography, singing (that's right singing and rapping). This show has something for EVERYONE. And I want to dive into it and tell you all about it, but that would give away all the surprises and fun that you should go see for yourself. <br />
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Qui Nguyen is brilliant at putting on an entertaining kick ass show. And, he doesn't disappoint here. However, it is so personal. I mean, I can't put into words how much this show touched my heart and my soul. Again, without giving too much away. Maybe after it has gone up to the great production in the sky, I will go into more depth. <br />
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<b>He Who Laughs</b><br />
This was a surprise and a treat to go to. My lovely man's roommate is (from what I have heard) a great storyteller. He proved it this night. It was at Ars Nova and for one night only, but there will be more iterations along the way. But! He has a blog: <a href="http://hewholaughs.com/" target="blank">http://hewholaughs.com/</a>.<br />
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His show is a script in hand play on his blog. I know, you are probably thinking...boring. I mean, if I put my blog onstage everyone would zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Isaac Oliver, however, is very blunt and very honest of his life as a single gay man looking for love in the big apple. And, also a box office manager (which, having worked box office during my college years -summer dinner theater people - this portion made me guffaw). <br />
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His style is a work in progress, but an incredibly entertaining work in in progress. He has his arm chair he sits in and tells his wisdom, narrates the scenes, reads his poems, gives advice and talks to a puppet Starbucks cup. He also has a cast of characters that play the multiple characters that come in and out of his life. From some of the most hilarious overheard subway stories to love encounters online. Love encounters is probably saying something very innocent, which it's not. His honesty in his work was refreshing and human. <br />
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Woo, that's it - and heck that's over a week ago. What happened this week to come soon!<br />
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Oh, and I mentioned Fireside chats which I went to ever single one last year and have been horrible this year. Seriously, quel horror! But, this is what I am talking about and gosh darn it - I am doing all I can to go to the next one! Fear-Mongers: Fireside Chats about Horror Films<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=162780400399212&v=wall" target="blank">Fear Mongers</a>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-76976862252107399232011-03-15T12:24:00.000-04:002011-03-15T12:24:36.503-04:00And it begins...again...While you were in....My blog has been getting quite a bit of attention from spam. From this, I realized either I needed to shut this down or try and re-connect with my writing here.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>What to write, what to write, what to write....</div><div><br />
</div><div>So, I decided to shut this down. OK. I mean, this blog stared out as one thing, I tried something else, I didn't want it to be this to be a wasteland of emotions. So I tried to post more stories, make this a place to share experiences. Then, my life got personal. </div><div><br />
</div><div>And I got busy. And on that note.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I get this a lot. "Steph, you are so busy. You are always doing something." My answer is usually a vibrant yes, things are going well. A "Uh-Huh"with an emphasis on the "Uh". Or, it is the "Uh-huh" with the notes going down on the "Huh". The too busy with good things, but boy I could use a break.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I am beginning to do a big purge and found some old papers for a corporate media company that I used to work for where I wrote a monthly column called "While You Were In". A column where I wrote about my "alter" life, nothing fancy, just that I went out did things other than just go home to a family or a glowie TV. Where, I went out to concerts and shows that were either main stream or independent. From my first column of the Flaming Lips Headphone Tour to my meeting of Kurt Vonnegut at a Barnes and Noble reading. I enjoyed writing them, I enjoyed the reception I got from them and I enjoyed when people would say my articles got people out doing things. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I hope my blog is at times a place where I do go back to my stories of life, but for now....here you are...the first....<b>While You Were In</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><b>Whedonistas! at Way Station</b><br />
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</div><div>It's Monday night in my neighborhood and I had the opportunity to see readings from a new book of Joss Whedon fans at my new neighborhood bar, The Way Station. "Whedonistas! A Celebration of the Worlds of Joss Whedon by the Women Who Love Them" (coming out today, Tuesday, March 15).</div><div><br />
</div><div>First, I do have a bias regarding this event, my friend Teresa Jusino had written an essay in the book and organized the event, so my going was two fold, someone I knew and it was in my neighborhood. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The evening, for me is best described as running into an old friend on a random street and talking about a significant time frame that only the two of you would know. Then find yourself thinking, wow, I'm glad I'm not the only one. </div><div><br />
</div><div>All the writers who got up to read their excerpts of their essays from the book talked about their love for Joss Whedon in their way, and how they had not discovered Joss's work until late in the <i>Buffy/Angel/Firefly</i> fandom. Which I was one of those fans. Coming in late to the game. And, how they were brought to his work not by happenstance, but because a significant other, roommate, good friend was so immersed in the shows. </div><div><br />
</div><div>They reminded me of a love for a writer that I visit on multiple occasions. In fact, at this point in time, I am finally making my way through Angel. A series I could not get through due to a certain actress that, well couldn't stand to watch her act (sorry Charisma). I am powering through and looking forward to the episodes I have seen and really like.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This of course inspired me to think about my story about my run in with Joss, my short essay if you will, starts with a night where me and my husband at the time came home from work or an early night in and turned on the TV on a random Tuesday night. We had cable and of course, nothing seemed to be on. We happened upon an episode of <i>Buffy</i> in Season 4, their first year of college (I believe it was "The Freshman"). We of course recognized this TV show. We had tried to watch it back in the day and couldn't really understand why anyone would like this. This was back in the first season of the show when the show was trying to figure out what it was and seemed to have this "after school show" feeling to it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We laughed how this episode felt like a soap opera for the younger generation and decided to just keep watching for the fun of it. As we tried to make fun of this geek show, we realized we were no longer really talking and just watching. Let's just say from there, we watched every episode (to the point I made Tuesday night a conflict on band rehearsals) and watched marathon's attempting to catch up. Luckily, DVD's of TV shows are popular and for the next few years I received seasons of Buffy for holidays and birthdays. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Granted, I had a very small knowledge of Joss through "Aliens: Resurrection". I know he was not happy with the final outcome of said movie. And, I may just be one person in this, but it is one of my favorite in the series, since the first <i>Alien</i>, for the dialogue alone.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So this evening was a surprise hit and good time for me for...</div><div><br />
</div><div>These women reminded me of my love of this man's story telling. I was one of the few that tried to watch <i>Firefly</i> the way Fox aired (or more to the point, eh-hum, raped it) on television and wrote a letter to the network telling them they were, in so many words, killing art in it's finest form. (Granted I am a geek and a space western is pretty much where I peak. Awesome.) </div><div><br />
</div><div>They reminded me that I am not the only one who came to Joss, as a late fan. But still love his work all the same as those that were on the sidelines from the beginning singing his praises.</div><div><br />
</div><div>They reminded me that he was one of prevalent writers in the writers strike, fighting for the rights and still attempting to do his art, for art sake with "Doctor Horrible's Sing A long Blog".</div><div><br />
</div><div>They reminded me that he is a fighter for women's rights, not only in his writing of some of the ultimate heroine's and female characters, but in his support of Equality Now. </div><div><br />
</div><div>If you are a Joss Whedon fan, I really think you will like this book. From what I heard, it really brings a nostalgic feeling and new found love and a camaraderie to his work that I had forgotten existed.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you gals and guys a like for celebrating a writer and a fan.</div>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-22373075853764034512010-11-24T12:23:00.000-05:002010-11-24T12:24:20.353-05:00Happy Turkey Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And, as I said as a tot on a Thanksgiving art project for school - "I hope the turkey has a good time getting ate." Grammar, spelling, not my forte.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Hope to have a things I am thankful for - shamless plug pretty much in the next few days.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">It's good to be back. :)</span></div>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-17272195278219145032010-11-03T11:08:00.000-04:002010-11-03T11:54:36.476-04:00Phantom Pain RememberedHave you ever woke up from a dream with a short of hallow pain in your chest trying to figure out what it is or what triggered that? How about a smell or walking down a street and not so much a memory, but a feeling? I am sure you have. Why am I asking?<br /><br />Well, after months of writer's block and/or partial blog writing, this song came on and a memory, no a feeling came over me. Something I didn't realize was gone until now. The bitter hopelessness of life. A hallow place in my heart, sometimes not hallow, but filled with pain. A feeling I have had for a very long time.<br /><br />The song that came on and triggered: "How to Save A Life" from the Fray. Now, the story and the feeling are attached to something that is not a public story, so I am not going to get into the details and I hope I do not offend by just writing what I am publicly writing now. But, this song was on repeat from Dec. 2006 for about a year. It steadied me somehow. It reminded me that situations, no matter how much they get out of hand, the people in the situation should do their best to work to a place where they can see each other again, in social situations or just run into each other on the street again, be able to say hi and remember that once there was something great there, but not anymore. And share the life with each other they have now. That was at least the "grown-up" thing I believed should be done.<br /><br />Since then, I have gone through multiple emotional trials regarding this situation. And, other situations, particularly those of lost have come into my life. From my father dying to a friend and I not seeing eye to eye and going our separate ways.<br /><br />This song reminds me of one night in particular. And, I have probably heard it a dozen times in the past few years, but today for some odd reason, it hit. The chill in the air maybe coupled with this song? Maybe there was a smell in there as well. Regardless, I was back to November 2006, but instead of that pure wrenching pain that was there, a sort of phantom pain emerged.<br /><br />I believe I know what it means to loose a limb and go to itch a scratch that is not there now. And, here is the revelation. That pain...is not there.<br /><br />When did this happen? I don't remember a sigh of relief? I don't remember accepting that this pain go away. I don't remember the doctor saying, we are going to amputate.<br /><br />So, I decided after feeling that, to listen to this song while writing this entry. And really remembering for a moment, just how horrible I could feel. How horrible I felt. Remembering just wanting so bad to get through that situation to move on to hope again and life and love. Wanting to believe that, that could happen. And since then, I have been living in some sort of hopelessness, one way or the other. <br /><br />Well not since that time, but on and off. I hope that I have been crawling out of this hole in a steady uphill motion for awhile now. And, this past month has given me so many blessings and good things heaped on top of a pretty spectacular life leading to good feelings. And, I am really able to enjoy them, for what feels like the first time in a long time.<br /><br />So, why go back and experience a pain? Good question.<br /><br />To remember that this was part of me in my life for a short part of my life. This was not a limb, but a growth that had popped up one day. It's time for removal came and it was gone. Or maybe just fell off. It's grown up and out and off. But, just like a part of my body that was there and is now gone, I will ever so often be reminded and need to scratch.<br /><br />Welcome back blog. I've missed you.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-37969230517491563222010-04-26T11:58:00.001-04:002010-04-26T12:04:57.336-04:00Writer's Block - Blog will be on HiatusWhat a sad little blog.<br /><br />I keep coming to my blog posts to edit and put up a posting. I have 4 halfway done postings. But, there they sit. Collecting dust. <br /><br />I am not able to finish them.<br /><br />Every time I go to write, I get halfway through it and this black curtain falls down around my thoughts. Like someone pulling down a screen to show a presentation, however, this screen is black. Unless everything was white, it would not show. <br /><br />And, it never goes back up again.<br /><br />I re-open these postings and there it goes again, the black screen falling over my thoughts. I don't even know how I can keep going with that particular posting. It was started at one point, with thoughts and life. Now there's just faint slow beeps of a dying post.<br /><br />I stopped going to my posting page and tried doing my blogs in word docs. Nope, no good. Black screen descends.<br /><br />So, for all 2 of you that read my blog or follow it, just going to ask you for you patience and your help in wishing this writer's block to go away.<br /><br />So, until further notice, technical difficulties is prohibiting this blog to continue.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-17231435001876519432010-01-21T10:25:00.000-05:002010-02-12T16:43:14.210-05:00Second Part Of My Thrilling Adventure! Self ProducingSo, as I have noticed, my friend, co-hort and member in the key of Nosedive, Lil Jimmy Comtois, has been barrelling through his blogs on self-producing. And, they are really awesome. Take a gander: http://jamespeak.blogspot.com/<br /><br />But, he also has a lot more time than I do. I have a boss that sneaks up behind me at work. He does not. <br /><br />Back to the journey.<br /><br />I got accepted into Fight Fest and told I will perform during one of the Cabaret nights. So, not only am I in, I only have one chance to make it work. Seriously, no pressure.<br /><br />I then begin to fret about finances. I will be fitting the bill all on my own. But, I realize that if I can save $100 or so a month, I may be able to pull it off like I envisioned. However, I start crunching numbers and the costumes alone could eat up more than 1/2 my budget. Then, there is rehearsal space, building the zombie rigs - and all of this for a 10 minute piece. I began to think that maybe I should pull out. Besides all the money I am going to be dumping into it, I have pretty much guaranteed myself that I would not have a break until after the December holidays. This is a long time for me seeing that I hadn't really had a break since February at this point and summer was here.<br /><br />Of course I decide to do it. Being honest here - I went in kicking and screaming the whole time. It was so overwhelming. I try to pride myself on my amazing organizational skills and being able to take a project and break it down. I was letting the big picture overwhelm me and finding the one piece that wouldn't work and trying to quit.<br /><br />As I write all of this, I realize that a lot of my frustrations and fear was not alien to me. This is all stuff I had gone through with other theatre companies, producing with Nosedive, etc. Just this time I was doing it alone and it felt, oh so very alone. People could give me advice or when I was panicking about something trivial that I had dealt with in the past, giving me the confused sidways glance. But there was no one who was truly devoted to this project as much as me. There was no one cracking the whip or giving me reminders to do things like I have for years with others. I had to remember to do it all. I had to be the one asking for help. <br /><br />And there's the kicker folks. Asking for help. I suck at it.<br /><br />But, I got it done. I did eventually really start relying on the kindness of friends and strangers (who are now friends) and getting it done. And, having a much bigger success that I could have imagined. A full house on a blizzard night. What more could you ask for? And, the performance being perfect. It was one of the greater nights of my life.<br /><br />So, thank you to all who helped, thank you Brick for accepting me. It was a great challenge and success.<div><br /></div><div>I'm actually going to stop writing about self-producing. Tons of people are doing that now. I have something else to write about...you'll see.</div>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-81449011789313915632010-01-08T14:46:00.001-05:002010-01-12T17:02:10.562-05:00My Life With the Thrill Kill....no, not really. But, I did get your attention didn't I?<br /><br />Here is my first attempt at blogging once a week (or once a month) as I promised myself. This, like everyone's more gym/eat better/drink less/quit smoking resolutions, will probably only last 1 to 2 months. But, here's hoping.<br /><br />Now, one topic I promised was to continue to take you on my journey of self producing which seems to be a topic that is going around. Check out Jamespeak <a href="http://jamespeak.blogspot.com/" target="blank">http://jamespeak.blogspot.com/</a> and all his subsequent links to the same topic.<br /><br />Like I had said in a previous post - I have done this with training wheels on incorporation with Nosedive and St. Luke's Gingerbread Players. This time, except for the need to use Nosedive's name for little clerical things, I was going in head first, start to finish, my own project. I am now going to share some brief tidbits of mostly my feelings, some notes, over the course of time it took from creation to performance. Cause, as I said above, you can check out the nuts and bolts of self producing above and I am hopefully going to publish my Independent Producing book on my blog in the next few. <br /><br />March: Began really thinking about my zombie piece and while walking to a friend's apartment in Astoria, "Come Alive" by the Foo Fighters came on my Ipod. An idea began to take form. It's a bit of a walk, so I just kept repeating the song until the scene took complete form. This is the scene where I introduce my heroine. I figure out there is going to be a heroine.<br /><br />March/April: While beginning pre-production work on <i>Infectious Opportunity</i>, I keep thinking about my piece. I get wind of the "Fight Fest" that will be happening sometime in December. The scene I came up with was mostly fight. I decide to enter.<br /><br />However, the whole thing is still in my head. Over the next weeks I attempt to get this little scene down on paper. I finally sit down to write it. With a glass of whiskey. The idea that no one will like it or understand it looms over my head the whole time. I get it done, I send it out to some friends, they come back with minor changes. I'm done.<br /><br />Next, because this is a festival, I have to fill out an application and, uh-oh, send in a representation of my work. All the things I have directed have never made it to video. Except <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> and this is Fight Fest, so I don't think that is going to do. I get Pete to give me the only copy we have left of the Blood Brother's videos that does have some pieces I help create and direct. It gets sent off.<br /><br />May/June: ....still waiting to see if I got in. The fear and fretting begins to build. I begin to believe that the whole thing is a catch 22 - if I don't get in, it will be really sad, but I will just go on with writing the darn thing without a "test" scene. If I do get in, will I be able to pull off my vision and will people get it.<br /><br />More later...Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-8771068001420879552009-12-31T10:19:00.000-05:002009-12-31T15:29:40.650-05:00Better Luck Next Year?I did say I was going to post more about self producing didn't I? Darn it. Well, I can get back to that. Then again, that is pretty much what I have said all year - 'more on that later', 'stay tuned next time', 'part 2 in next post'. Some I followed through on, but most I did not. I am sorry readers.<div><br /></div><div>And, I have been really bad about posting. Again, I apologize.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, there are tons of other blogs out there for you to read, so I am sure you didn't notice at this little corner of blogsphere my tardiness in posting. Anything. At all. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I decided to finish out this year with the broken promises of posts past and only hope I can get better next year:</div><div><br /></div><div>"And, I hope to have some pictures up soon from Christmas."<br />"I have so many posts in draft form that I need to do. I will have them up soon."<br />My update that part one went up in August. The other, September.<br />And, last but not least: My Journey into producing - that I never finished.<br /><br />So, when it comes to this blog for 2009, I guess a lot of it was unfinished works. And, my posting once a week also went out with the bathwater. And, the baby.<br /><br />Hmmm. Well, let's see what next year brings. I know 2 things I want to do. Finish up my notes on the self-producing end and my Canada trip. Hopefully I can post those before February. :)<br /><br />Hope your 2010 is bright.<br /><br /></div>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-60995264867544245182009-12-03T10:57:00.000-05:002009-12-06T20:15:43.353-05:00Fight Fest and My Walk Into Self-ProducingWell, since I have been with Nosedive, I can say I have been producing both creatively and financially for the last 5 years. However, now with a little help from my friends, I am starting a journey to self-producing my short length piece in Fight Fest and on to a full length as well in the next couple of years.<div><br /></div><div>Awhile back, I was whining. (Not a good Cabernet or Pinot Nior.) Really crappy whining. I wasn't feeling as creative or really owning anything creative I was doing in the theater-sphere. And, my jonesing for acting and/or directing was hitting an all new high. I had gone a year without going onstage for anything. Now, I know this happens a lot. Creative ruts and all. But, instead of everyone telling me to grin and bear it and it will come to pass, people said - why don't you just make something of your own.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was finishing up reading "World War Z" and thought how cool it would be to put this on stage. I started going through the book, writing down what I would want in, what could be spliced together. What would the locations be and how to accomplish that.<br /><br />A few months later, a friend of mine told me that the book was becoming a movie. My heart sunk. And, I pretty much gave up.<br /><br />One night after "Blood Brother's Present...Master of Horror", I was having a drink with the lovely and talented Sara Thigpen. We were talking about the show when she asked a very poignient question - so Stephanie, what are you doing next. I started to talk about Nosedive things and she said again, what about you. I began to talk to her about my aspirations and then about my idea for making this zombie book into a play, but that wouldn't work because it is going to be a movie. She then said - why don't you keep the zombie idea and just make up something different.<br /><br />I then told Pete about it who agreed with Sarah's thinking completely. I told him about my ideas about using a character I had come up with a while back that I thought would be better for a comic book, but it made sense here too. He thought it sounded great and that I should work on that.<br /><br />So, for the next few months, I began to start thinking about this show. One day while walking from the train to a friend's house, the song, "Come Alive" by the Foo Fighters came on my IPod and a whole scene began to play in my head. I realized this was the scene where our heroine gets up and fights and in a sense, is created. I listened to that song on repeat, all the way home on the train and figured out how the whole scene would work.<br /><br />Then, a festival was announced - Fight Fest, at the Brick. I realized, if I could get in this, then I could show this scene and see if it worked, talk more about my idea, see if there are any writers out there that would like to help me out. See if anyone was interested in helping produce this. Etc., Etc. I decided to enter. This also forced me to really start writing it out. Instead of letting it just rattle around in my head any longer.<br /><br />I wrote it out and sent it to Pete, Patrick, Ben and James who all gave their 2 cents. And, a big thanks to them because I don't know if I would have entered at all if it weren't for them. I say I am "self-producing" this. However, I know that these guys are always close around to help out when necessary.<br /><br />I am now 2 weeks out from the performance. And I am excited to see what will be happening next. <br /><br />More on that in another post.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-34254490520393199942009-11-15T21:40:00.000-05:002009-11-16T16:58:36.396-05:00And you will know them as… The Unpronounceable…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAtuSiGR2jIg1B_E07r2Sl699J1AYJg_wt7R0ICRZTt0oJCNNBb0H1cWuAAxwEcy0vN1F7py93YW46_yr212pDwUI0kkG5QT-qA3Kj2INfJlzBnBRw_TwBnHzLnDiOtALhFSx/s1600/IMG_0297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAtuSiGR2jIg1B_E07r2Sl699J1AYJg_wt7R0ICRZTt0oJCNNBb0H1cWuAAxwEcy0vN1F7py93YW46_yr212pDwUI0kkG5QT-qA3Kj2INfJlzBnBRw_TwBnHzLnDiOtALhFSx/s320/IMG_0297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404530433351126290" border="0" /></a><br />I remember getting a phone call around midnight on some new year’s eve, had to be around 8 years ago now, from a friend who had played a gig with a band I was in at the time called “AJ Cope and the Yankee Peach”. I was out in Phoenix at the time with my at that time husband. I was expecting the normal – Happy New Year’s call and a report of how the gig went without me. Instead of Happy New Year’s greetings the first thing out of her mouth was – “You have to see this band! I believe they are called something unpronounceable?”<br /><br />Jorge Beefalo, Chet Beefalo, Chip Beefalo and at that time Chuck Beefalo, made up the Beefalo Brother’s better known as the band, The Unpronounceable. And, they became one of my favorite bands to go see in NYC.<br /><br />I am much more pickier about my music than I am my movies. I can pretty much throw any bit of B, C, or Z grade awful movie on the tube and get through it for the most part. But, music. I will walk out on bad music. And, bad music – not in respect to their style in particular, but a shoty, ½ assed or scattered performance.<br /><br />Now you know where I am coming from.<br /><br />I had been acquainted with the infamous Frank Wood while working with the Yankee Peach. He is a promoter and booker with most of the live music bars in NYC. And, he had found The Unpronounceable and wanted the world to see these guys.<br /><br />I have a special place in my heart for rock-a-billy. And, a special place for the upright bass. And, love when I hear a song, then realize it is a cover with the band’s own special “sauce” thrown into. This band had it all.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc3Xi5GFS1d5iKfCTvMcA9pD8hdmAjcTL7VbDOd2tyHZOstzOddUhbsHdMJlZ2NswXtYoZdSyYa1UKphGDKBR2J35tORHxC0YPzg0cZPBoZSHURAnlCYEmgK84faiaYtsDc7Y/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc3Xi5GFS1d5iKfCTvMcA9pD8hdmAjcTL7VbDOd2tyHZOstzOddUhbsHdMJlZ2NswXtYoZdSyYa1UKphGDKBR2J35tORHxC0YPzg0cZPBoZSHURAnlCYEmgK84faiaYtsDc7Y/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404528774569760818" border="0" /></a><br />So, first off, musicianship. Everyone, except I believe the drummer, played all the instruments. And, it wasn’t one of those situations where you saw in the liner notes or a point of bragging during the performance. After a few songs, everyone would trade out instruments like they were passing a favorite dish at dinner. Pass the upright bass, please or maybe they should invest in a Lazy Susan? And, again, this was not just for show, each person played the instrument in their hands as of they had only studied that one their whole life.<br /><br />They also know how to write a good song. I can compare them to master chiefs, the right amount verses and chorus with just a pinch of a mini-jam to add flavor. Like Big Star without the pretension. If you take a listen to their older stuff, you can hear that they were really trying to perfect their recipe for the good song. It just got better throughout the years.<br /><br />And, they know how to make a cover song sound like their own. And, I got to experience this first hand doing the “Hooternanny” at the Pussy Cat Lounge Rock Club. It was a “bitch” night of sorts, where female lead singers/singers from the NYC rock scene were invited to come and sing a couple of cover songs with a backing band. And, the backing band was the Unpronounceable. Now, they would do a straight cover it you preferred. But, the call I always loved was, “So we have some ideas on how to do this. Can you see this ballad as uptempo?” Or, my favorite, “this pop song more bluegrass?” And no song was too much for them to at least try. I asked to do “Whipping Post” one time. If I remember correctly, Whipping Post has to have at least 7 people playing different instruments for it to work. These guys said it was going to be difficult, but they would try. They did just fine. My favorite one I sang with them was probably “Dream On” with a banjo and sped up slightly and a much more blue grass feel.<br /><br />And, they use an old style microphone. It’s very sexy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpNiS81QhHfigCLJUn3_nico5g_P-62ptD1KAM7w8Ldi_k_4HdmIdKpkS6syTywQxnvpFwD13pzxnlzyBdjThcD7FQuAy6FMiEtG9z4hjdwr1CpHeMCrQxlKnHuYqUxU7WM6j/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpNiS81QhHfigCLJUn3_nico5g_P-62ptD1KAM7w8Ldi_k_4HdmIdKpkS6syTywQxnvpFwD13pzxnlzyBdjThcD7FQuAy6FMiEtG9z4hjdwr1CpHeMCrQxlKnHuYqUxU7WM6j/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404529283303377170" border="0" /></a><br />Last Wednesday, I was given a chance to see these guys one last time. They had broken up for 18 months, Mr. Frank Wood asked them to get together to play for his birthday. And, they did. I shortened/canceled all plans to see these guys that night. I was magical.<br /><br />I walked in to Otto’s Shrunken Head and it felt like not a year had passed since I left this scene.<br /><br />I couldn’t believe I was seeing these guys play again. It was awesome. And, it seemed like not one day had gone by since they played. They swapped instruments, Jorge’s voice was the same, the songs were performed to almost perfection (their drummer was the only challenge for them, then again, he had some large shoes to fill and had not been playing with them very long from what I was told).<br /><br />The show got done and I got to catch up with all of them. Hearing about their kids or new kids. Their lives now, where they are going. Then, they al had to go to get back home to relieve their baby sitters. I realized how much time had passed, gathered my things, said goodbye to go back out to the world that I now live in. A little bit happier for the moment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFchFIUELl776Y2W8YMGjCjH17FuVo0nJfcFOZApYfyOGk4SfdS1i-YvKFGNivm8xNeSTKZMdX-bcrIs5uKk5pRc0pFlJ7cNG8RMx6_ouvR7MkrtO0_aS_bwTD-44dL4jtd0WE/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFchFIUELl776Y2W8YMGjCjH17FuVo0nJfcFOZApYfyOGk4SfdS1i-YvKFGNivm8xNeSTKZMdX-bcrIs5uKk5pRc0pFlJ7cNG8RMx6_ouvR7MkrtO0_aS_bwTD-44dL4jtd0WE/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404529729213789874" border="0" /></a>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-4873580129046789022009-08-08T23:32:00.000-04:002009-08-08T23:32:06.788-04:00Update Part 2!!!!So, I now have rehearsals for "Fight Girl, Battle World", I need to start learning the parts from "Infectious Opportunity" and try to keep on top of the OSM award with the NY IT Awards. I begin scheduling my time like a surgeon. When exactly can I hop online, when can I look over my lines, when I can say my lines out loud, when can I look over all my old sound cues from "Fight Girl...", when can I clean or tidy my apartment so I can find things in a hurry, when can I do costumes for my characters for "Infectious", when can I schedule a meet up with my OSM team.<br /><br />I don't know how I did it, but I did. The days of getting my Master's was coming back to me and I just needed to push on through.<br /><br />I began juggling everything. Exactly when could I find time to look over lines that was not on the subway. I began running my lines in my head at Fight Girl Rehearsals. I had to eventually stop that as I needed to listen to Abby call the cues. Why is that you might ask? Abby was pregnant and coming to term, so there was a very small chance that I could be running the show once we got into performances. Abby always told me, don't worry, it is a long shot. Don't worry. But, I like to be a little prepared, so I stopped running lines during rehearsals and just did them during the 10 minute breaks from time to time.<br /><br />It was a rough couple of weeks. 9 to 5 job then going to 6:30 to 10:30 rehearsal, then coming home and working on lines, working on the show, going to bed, get up the next day and repeat.<br /><br />I had my first rehearsal with Infectious. I was really nervous. I mean, here was this great, talented cast of actors and then there was me. I haven't been on stage in a year. These guys are pros. And, I was taking over for a very talented actor and roles that people had really come to love. The rehearsal started off and I was terrified. What would they think of me? Pete told me to hold my script, would they think I hadn't been looking at my lines? What if I decided to go off book and call line? What if I just couldn't act my way out of a paper bag? By the by, it went fine. After we really started cooking, I felt like I found my footing again and all was well with the world. And, it was really fun.<br /><br />Then we went into Tech for Fight Girl and did the first show. I got to paint the texture on the set - the orange burn blasts. I felt pretty darn good about that. The show itself was great, it was fun, I only messed up a couple of sound cues, but for the most part, I felt grand. Abby was back in the captain's chair and I was riding co-pilot. I now could just go and do my job for that show and start concentrating on Infectious. However, I was exhausted by this point so the first night I attempted to discuss costumes with Pete, I just found myself pulling half of my closet out onto my bed and began painstakingly describing all of my options via phone. Didn't really work. I told him maybe this would work better with him there seeing the costumes - duh. I then proceeded to go to bed.<br /><br />The next day, work as usual, me extremely tired and then I got a phone call from Abby around 4pm. I get emails from Abby. I get text messages from Abby. I seldom get a phone call from Abby unless it is something semi-urgent. Gulp.<br /><br />Abby tells me that she is going to the hospital due to high blood pressure and that she hopes she can make it to the show to run it, but wants me to be prepared if she can't. Now, on one hand, I hope that it is nothing and she can make to the show, cause by the by-I've never actually "called" a show. I have run lights and sound simultaneously, I have run lights with a co-pilot running their own sound a time or two. But, never, have I been in charge of making sure everything, even things I don't physically run, runs perfectly - this is including cue lights for different things. A minor panic runs through me. However, Abby is going to the hospital. Of course, my worry and concern for my friend and of course, her baby she is carrying and her husband all come to the fore front and I realize what I have to do.<br /><br />I'll be damned if this women carrying a precious being in her is going to run a show after a trip to the hospital. So, I guess it's time for me to learn a new skill-calling a show.<br /><br />I find out by the time I get to the space that Abby has been admitted to the hospital. Now my worry for her cranks up. My worry for the cast and crew of how they are going to accept this news. Their worry for their friend and for their show. The whole cast rides the waves like pros. And, give me their full faith that I was going to do a great job.<br /><br />Abby had also told me I would do great and that I had nothing to worry about. But, of course, I was worried. I loved this show and the cast and the whole sha-bang. Oh, and did I mention - it was sold out for the run, so there's that whole full house thing too.<br /><br />My worries subsided some when I found out that Patrick, who designed the sound for the show (and got nominated for a NY IT Award for it) was coming to take my place in running the sound as I called the show. A very trusty co-pilot. Life was looking up.<br /><br />My first time through, my pulse was pumping like a sub-woofer through my whole body. I am sure if you looked closely, you could see every vein pulsating. I also had not been on a computerized lighting board since college - usually I work on a 2 scene pre-set. But, 2 seconds of overview and everything was easy peasy, lemon squeezy. It was just the calling that scared me to death. After the opening, the hairy craziness of the the first scene, my pulse began to slow down and I began to find the rhythm. The rest of the run was great - a few miss calls, a couple of times of darkness on stage, but all in all, everything was OK. And, I came to find out that calling a show was really fun.<br /><br />Also, in case you have been in a cave, Abby had her baby. He's adorable. Mommy, daddy and baby are all well. It's a wonderful thing.<br /><br />So, we closed Fight Girl, and I went in the next day for my first performance with "Infectious Opportunity". I had to tell all the Vampire Cowboys I couldn't be at strike. First strike I have missed....um...I think ever. But, I believe it was a good enough excuse.<br /><br />We did a run through prior to the performance and then I had to go on. In front of my peers. In front of people who knew and loved this show. Again, the pulse started to raise, except this time, I knew I had to keep it under control - people would be watching. And, would also see my whole body vibrating. A few slow breaths, lights went out and "show time." I felt I did a really decent job. Of course, I am going to be my own worse critic, so I am going to try and focus on the positives. Of course, as I write this, about 10 negative things come with every positive, but I will self edit. Here goes:<br /><br />I definitely got all the lines out. I felt I met the challenges and moved on through. I also felt I brought differences - nothing better than Ronica did - but differences to the roles, that were fun and I hope enjoyed by the audience.<br /><br />During this time, I also got a call from Shay Gines of the NY Innovative Theatre Awards asking if I would like to announce some nominees at the IT Awards nomination party on Monday night. I said sure. The candle had been burning at both ends with another candle attached across the top, also burning at both ends. I could add one more flame - sure.<br /><br />The night of the nominations came and by now, my pulse no longer beat like a thousand drums, it just sort of went about at it's normal pace. I announced, I chatted, I had a great time. And, again, got to be around an incredible group of amazing talent.<br /><br />On the Outstanding Stage Manager Award, flights of emails went back and forth during this busy time. We have a great group of professionals that are ready to get together and vote. We are still working out the details as I speak.<br /><br />That's it folks. I guess this really was a "what did I do with my summer vacation"? I have come to realize how lucky I am for one, every instance I was given, I was able to hang out, talk with and work with amazing talented people who are also just some of the best people around. And of course the ever pursuit of Independent Theatre, people, Independent Theatre.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-52374813970535546112009-07-23T14:37:00.001-04:002009-07-25T15:09:41.773-04:00Update!!!What?<br /><br />No posts since June?<br /><br />Where have I been? Have you missed me? I've missed me.<br /><br />Tuesday night after our last show, I was having a celebratory drink at the ever popular Alligator lounge when I just let myself relax and bend from the waist, head down and let out a large SIGH. To this my friends said - Aw, you've had a hard week. I replied - it's been a hard month.<br /><br />But, these are the kind of problems we WANT to have, right? <br /><br />Let me catch you up.<br /><br />The beginning of June, the much anticipated, "Infectious Opportunity" went up in the Brick's Anti-Depressant festival. Probably one of the smoothest tech to 1st performance Nosedive has ever had and we only had 4 hours in the space for our "tech". I was highly impressed with our actors, our set designers and our people. On no money (about a grand, but really, who does that anymore), we were able to put together a clean and amazing show. All of our work was done in-house and we succeeded in working with our set a week before we went into the space. And, all the actors in this piece were just top notch. Amazing, talented, natural, good comic timing, I could go on. What a great group of people. The first 2 shows were well received and we couldn't wait to do the other 2.<br /><br />First two shows down, now we have 3 weeks off. Well, my crew does - I do not. I then go into consulting on blood effects for "Twin Towers", by Damian Wampler. I was only able to instruct and tell them what to do. I was not able to make the items and instruct them on how to do create the effects on stage. I went to their dress rehearsal and was really impressed that they figured things out on their own. I went to see the show and of course, this was the night when everything with my effects could go wrong did. I was able to make the effects for them for the last show and I heard it went great. <br /><br />Also during this time I got a call from Dave Gilbert who asked me to come back and "revive" my character in Blackwell Convergence, his video game series. Funny enough, my character died in the last version and I was coming back as a ghost. He also asked me to do another character since I was there. I really enjoy doing voices and voice over work. Pretty much as exciting as getting on stage. You can get the game here: <a href="http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/convergence.htm" target="blank">http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/convergence.htm</a><br /><br />Now, it was time for me to start work on "Fight Girl, Battle World" as an ASM and Sound Board Op and gear up for the next two performances of "Infectious Opportunity" and we got extended for 2 more performances 3 more weeks after that. Oh, and the New York Innovative Theatre Awards was coming up on the deadline for all submissions to the Outstanding Stage Manager Award. How could it be that all these things were happening at once? Oh well, definitely manageable. Wait, just wait.<br /><br />"Hey Steph, Ronika can't do her roles in the extension and no one else is free. Would you like to take on her roles?" <br /><br />"Sure, yeah!" I say.<br /><br />Frack Me....<br /><br />To be continued.......Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-26203834635319401332009-06-25T11:32:00.000-04:002009-06-26T17:30:49.850-04:00Award For Stage Managers? Is That Even Possible?Well, we are about to find out.<br /><br />This is definitely something I have thought about for a long time. There are so many awards for so many facets of the theater production, but nothing for a Stage Manager. A lot of people said that it is impossible and here are a few reasons why:<br /><br />1. A Stage Manager does more than write stage directions, organize the show and call time prior to curtain. Yes, someone at one point told me that was all a Stage Manager did. Oh, and sometimes run board and lights or "Call the Show" - which means calling cues out to the board ops and sometimes to the actors, etc backstage. Here is a small list of all that a stage manager can be and more than likely is during an independent theatre piece: an Administrative Assistant, a Project Manager, a Personal Assistant to the Director, an Organizer, a Craftsman, a Referee, a Partner, a Producer, a Facilitator, a Parental Figure, a "MacGuyver", a Costume Designer, a Seamstress, a Props Designer, a Janitor, a Laundry Service, a Publicity Person, a Board Op, a Computer Programer, a Multi-disiciplinary Artist, a Box Office Manager, etc., I could just keep going.<br />2. A Stage Manager is like a ninja - they keep the show moving and make sure that everything works, without any one person knowing exactly what they did. Cause, if everyone knew what they did, then they would also know of all the things that weren't working and one of the main jobs of the Stage Manager is to keep everyone working at the top of their game with as little stress as possible.<br />3. A Stage Manager doesn't always get the credit for all they do. Because they are like ninjas.<br /><br />So, right there are at least 3 reasons why this is a really hard category to judge. It all comes down to, how do you judge a ninja? OK, I'm just kidding. But, seriously - how do you judge this type of work?<br /><br />Well, I am proud to report that the New York Innovative Theatre Awards (the IT Awards) is going to do just that. And, with me working along side them. Can we just say - Yikes!<br /><br />I do admit, it is going to be a challenge, but I am so excited and so honored to be a part of what is probably, the first Stage Management Award ever given.<br /><br />I hope over the next few weeks to give updates about how the process is going and what is happening. We have a committee of very talented theatre professionals, the Outstanding Stage Management Award page is up on the NY IT Award site, applications are coming in. So, far, so good.<br /><br />Here are some links for you to check out. Oh and if you can believe this, on the week that the IT Awards announced the award, <a href="http://nikku.net/blog/in-defense-of-stage-managers/" target="blank">this</a> article came out. It is as if the fates are smiling on us...and probably saying, about damn time.<br /><br />Here is more information:<br /><a href="http://www.nyitawards.blogspot.com/" target="blank">http://www.nyitawards.blogspot.com/</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ></span><a href="http://broadwayworld.com/article/NYITF_Creates_Innovative_Theatre_Award_To_Honor_Outstanding_Stage_Management_20090615" target="_blank">http://broadwayworld.com/<wbr>article/NYITF_Creates_<wbr>Innovative_Theatre_Award_To_<wbr>Honor_Outstanding_Stage_<wbr>Management_20090615</a>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-3299153557448080382009-05-15T15:21:00.000-04:002009-05-21T11:34:20.660-04:00So Many Drafts, So Little PostsI just have to say, life definitely cranked up a notch.<br /><br />I went from going to the 9 to 5, then going to a show, movie, home, what have you, back into the craziness of theatre. Again.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong - I love it. It gets really overwhelming when it all descends at once. And, even though I was having some time off recently, I was still in a 6 hour stage combat class weekly. That kicked my ass. Literally.<br /><br />Hence, why I have not been blogging as much. Also, I have been suffering from some major writer's block. As the title implores - started a lot of posts, just never got to them.<br /><br />I had a post on Augusto Boal, but after almost a week of not finishing it, I realized it will just go to that draft folder in the sky. I also had a post on Stone Soup's show "What Happens to Women Here" (which was very good and big congrats to that crew and Ben Trawick-Smith for putting together an intelligent and enjoyable show.) I am also in the process of writing a short post on my Wilmington, NC trip, which will probably be mostly pics - I rode a friggin' mechanical bull people.<br /><br />So, I just decided to update this short little post about veins. That's right veins. Probably because I just finished sending off ideas for blood effects on an upcoming show (more to follow on that- if time permits). But, here goes.<br /><br />Let's go back a few weeks - right after my prior post of crawling out of the grave (I probably didn't have swine flu - I basically had pneumonia - maybe it was a more general Suidae flu prior to the pneumonia.)<br /><br />I have started to go back to the gym, a habit that I had not followed for about 3 weeks and it was slow going. The first time back, I just decided to use the hot tub after over doing it in Rapid Vamps fight class. However, a few days later, I did a few laps in the pool, then hot tub, then went to the Eucalyptus Room. A sauna that uses Eucalyptus oils along with the heat. You are also provided a spray bottle to add a little extra oil. After having trouble breathing for a few days, this room sounded like a great idea. Just lay back, relax, and breathe some really calming and healing air.<br /><br />The room is lit by red lights - probably where some of the heat is generated. It definitely gives the feeling that you are sitting under the sun. With my eyes closed, I felt like I might actually be getting a tan.<br /><br />This day, since I didn't have as much time as I liked, I decided to just run in, sit down, breathe some good air, then run out. No real relaxing and pseudo tanning.<br /><br />Got my towels all placed on the wood slats, had a sit down and just focused on a spot right in front of me. As I was bringing in my focus, I noticed something on my arms. I thought maybe my bathing suit, which is black, may have been bleeding for some odd reason. I brought my focus to my arms and realized - this wasn't on top of my skin, this was underneath my skin. I could see almost all of my veins. The big ones were noticeable first - a ghostly blue, then the smaller ones were running from one to another to another. I looked at my legs - oh my gosh - there are veins all over my legs too.<br /><br />I know I have veins. I know that I can see the majority of them. But, this was like seeing them, almost pulsing. Like in "Interview With A Vampire", or a lot of vampire type genre movies - they went from not being semi -seen, to all looking at a medial text book.<br /><br />I did start to think - was this because I was so sick? Was this a reaction to the medicine? <br /><br />I put 2 and 2 together and blamed it on the red lights and the fact that I am so ridiculously pale right now. Gone are the days of going outside as soon as it warmed up to soak in the sun, due to theatre activities and the danger of sun over-exposure. However, it was really fun to think for a second that something biological had changed due to the illness or medication. Or maybe I was just turning into a vampire. Another guy walked in so, I tired to casually look over to see if I could see his veins. Nope. OK, so not Vampire, but I was just a very pale girl with very blue blood that day. <br /><br />Or maybe this is just the start of my super powers?<br /><br />Since then, my veins have just been normal. Which is good, seeing how busy I am getting. Could you imagine? Getting some weird vampire virus or super powers now? I have enough on my plate, thank you.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-19922531985568040882009-04-21T09:23:00.000-04:002009-04-21T11:25:38.075-04:00Crawling Out of The GraveI was really sick.<br /><br />I was the kind of sick that when you are marginally better, you feel 100% improvement.<br /><br />I have not been this sick in a year.<br /><br />OK, there was the week after my birthday when I could barely get out of bed for 2 days, but that was the flu. This was bacterial infection, pneumonia, whatever. It sucked and pretty much sucked the life out of me for a week. But, I am coming back. For all 3 of you who have missed me posting, worry not! I am back! And, had a few brainstorms last night before going to bed about what I am going to write about.<br /><br />I was chatting with a friend last night, about my current recovery from this nastiness and came up with a revelation. I told him, "I think I may sometimes confuse laziness for exhaustion. Maybe this is why I am sick all the time." He answered back "Mayhaps".<br /><br />After a show or a long push on multiple projects, I will find myself sitting on a couch watching multiple movies and/or catching up on TV shows, what have you. This feels like such a guilty pleasure. I'll put my phone somewhere I can't hear it and just decompress. I always feel like I am slacking off.<br /><br />I really haven't done that in too long.<br /><br />I find that recently, even when I do have a movie or TV show on, I will feel "lazy" and get up and clean or organize or work on a project. The first day I stayed home from work I re-organized my ITunes for hours. Didn't nap, I sat up on a computer for hours. The next day, thinking that I had slacked off the day before, I got home and did laundry (auditions for our upcoming show haven taken up my weekend), in...the...rain. Oh persevere and get through your chores!<br /><br />Between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, I was snapped awake by the sound of my own wheezing and with what felt like something caught in my throat. Except, that it was my throat caught in my throat. Luckily (?) through many throat infections as a juvenile, I was able to force/swallow down some Advil and some antibiotics that I had kept and not taken from a previous illness.<br /><br />I got up the next day and, foggy minded, called into work saying I would be in to work later that afternoon. Work called back and said "Stay home." This is the first time I ever heard them say that and I slept for pretty much the rest of the day.<br /><br />I got up later, found the antibiotics I had taken the night before and found out they were expired. Well, in pharmacy terms, so I just kept taking my over the counter stuff and hoped for the best after some much needed rest. You see, I could only really walk to the couch and to my bed and to the bathroom that day. And, even that was like walking through molasses and for miles.<br /><br />Next day, no improvement. All right, doctor time.<br /><br />I'm not going to go into my frustrations at the clinic I went to. Cause, in the end, all worked out well and I was seen a lot quicker than I thought and, believe me, I really had nothing better to do than sit in the doctor's office because it was now apparent that I really couldn't move that much.<br /><br />The doctor did the normal look about and then washed his hands. Then a couple of minutes later put on antibacterial lotion while staring at me. Was this a sign?<br /><br />He asked when I needed to go back to work. I responded with tomorrow. He asked if I worked on the weekend. I responded not really. He said, good, then you are going back on Monday. Stay in bed or at least resting for the next 2 days.<br /><br />Luckily the weather stayed cold to nasty and I didn't want to go outside. But by Saturday, I couldn't stand it anymore and ventured out. It was gorgeous outside and I took a deep breath, well as deep as I could. Coughed. Then enjoyed the sort walk to the grocery store and back.<br /><br />I can definitely say I am improving. It feels like slow going, but compared to last week, I am feeling better. I am also not smoking. The thought of a cigarette sounds good for the craving, but the lungs say, heck no. I always talk to people who say, after pneumonia or awful bronchitis - that's it - no more. However, I see them a few weeks later smoking again. I'm saying we'll see. One thing I do know about myself is that I enjoy smoking. And keeping it to a minimum would be ideal. But, until there is a real reason to completely quit, I probably won't. But, so far - 10 days. And, until the day that I wake up and don't feel like I have smoked a pack of cigs, I won't be considering having one.<br /><br />Or I may just stop. Who knows.<br /><br />Now to writing down the other ideas I had for my blog postings!Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-75785537751770336522009-04-06T14:11:00.000-04:002009-04-06T11:13:18.549-04:00Belly Full Of HappinessThis is a post from December 2008 that never made it up. Since I am fighting some writers block , saw a really fun band last Thursday - the Supermajor, I thought I would dress up this one below from another great band night and call it a day. :)<br /><br /><br />What? What is that you say? Belly full of Happiness? What did you just digest that was so delectable that your tummy is smiling on the inside? I ate up a whole concert last night by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. <br /><br />I have a few people to thank for all this wonderfulness - Scott, Tim, Andrew WK, Ted Leo, Studio B, the NYC Cab company and the New Yorker.<br /><br />First off, for the price of admission, a measly $23 (that's $20, plus $3 handling fee), I received - entrance to the concert, an open bar from 8pm to 9pm and a year's subscription to New York Magazine. Seeing that my admission to most shows I see now a days is anywhere between $18 to $20, plus the handling fee, this was a steal.<br /><br />If you have not heard Ted Leo, I suggest you take a moment and go <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ted+leo&search_type=" target="blank">here</a>. Don't worry....I'll wait.<br /><br />Hmmmhmmmhmm, la, la, la, la.....<br /><br />You all done?<br /><br />Good, OK- they are not musical geniuses and yes, people can say that a lot of their music sounds the same - but whose doesn't anymore. When listening to an album of an artist, there tends to be a style, a sound, etc.<br /><br />I listen to Ted Leo a lot when I am working out. It is peppy music that has a good driving beat - whether you are running or using an elliptical - you just want to keep on moving. It's also one of the few bands that gives me a skip in my step sometimes or a jolt of happiness in my belly - like they did last night.<br /><br />So, the venue is in the no where of Brooklyn. You wouldn't even know it was a club. It is a large white building, doors that are more like panels that open up to the night. There was the large bouncer walking up and down the line proclaiming "If you haven't bought your tickets online, come see me." He was kind of intimidating and it was fun to watch us all cringe and thank goodness that we had bought our tickets prior, then deal with the scary bouncer. Ah, it wasn't that bad, but entertaining and a moment to bond with your fellow icicle line mates. It was cold!<br /><br />Then we were let in, got good standing spots right near the stage. There is also live band Karaoke. Yes, I know, I am a little crazy for the Karaoke. Unfortunately, when I got in, the list was already full. Sadness, I so wanted to do "Since You Been Gone". Ted Leo does a cover of that too. :)<br /><br />So, with free drinks in hand and DJ's playing, we began to watch the screen rotating pictures from past shows and people singing Karaoke, when Scott said, "Is that Tim?" Tim is an actor from a recent show Scott was in, a schoolmate of mine Rusty, produced called <i>Stones In His Pockets</i>. Anywho...Tim's picture of him screaming into the mic in rock star fashion had flashed on screen. We both did the nah, well maybe, no it has to be him thing. Scott took a picture and texted Tim. Yup, it was him and lo and behold, he was on his way to the show.<br /><br />The band pretty much started on time - woo-hoo! 9:05 or so. Andrew WK, got up in his white jeans and white T-shirt and announced the festivities for the night - the raffle for a Flying J Gibson - yum, some shoes I had never heard of and the (single tear) Karaoke. Then, Ted Leo came out, guitars a-blazing.<br /><br />I don't have the exact song list in my head, because the songs came one after the other after the other. It was exhilarating to watch a band go from one to another to another without a break. And, all of us in the audience, jumping up and down and dancing along. This is December and it's hotter than a July 4th up in this joint. Sweat going everywhere. <br /><br />After the concert was over, we met up with Tim and had a couple of more drinks, discussed the concert and waited for the Karaoke participants to come on up. There were costumes that went along with this Karaoke (I believe one was an Aquaman costume, wish I could remember which song he sang) and some pretty fun renditions of songs. Again, really can't remember which ones. Then, a girl got up to sing "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure. Not that great - of course I remember the bad one. Then, she forgot the lyrics, 2x and just mumbled. That was our cue. It had been fun. The drinks flowed like water - in fact, got a couple of bottles of free vitamin water - and dancing and fun had ensued. Gosh darn if a good memory of a great night out was going to be ruined by singing poorly and forgetting the words to a Cure song? A song that you knew was going to be played, you got there super early, pushed your way to the line and got on the Karaoke list, just for you to forget it? Sigh. Away we went.<br /><br />So, it was now time to find the bus and/or a cab in a near deserted area. As we were walking and chatting, a cab magically pulled up, out of no where and with little to no cars. Scott and I decided to split the $10 or so cost and away we went saying goodbye to Tim - who lived in the area.<br /><br />Cabbie took the fastest route ever. A route I take to this day when coming from Williamsburg by cab. By passing Tillery and just getting you down the path that is right off my house. Scott and I parted ways and I went home to enjoy the after glow of a good effing concert. Like a good meal, my heart (and belly) was full of happiness.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-15601384723453511432009-03-27T14:53:00.000-04:002009-03-27T17:14:16.057-04:00There Was A Little Girl, Who Had A Little Curl, Right in the Middle of Her ForeheadThank you Longfellow.<br /><br />This is the poem that was going through my head this morning as one little curl went bouncing along, straying from the rest of my hair and presenting itself right in the middle of my forehead. I have long hair, so this was both poignant and annoying.<br /><br />I have had a very interesting week. Now, if I had written this post yesterday or even Wednesday, it would probably be entitled, worst week ever or burn, world, burn. But, giving myself sometime to breathe and look over it all, I can say - it is in the top 5 worst weeks - but only because it was peppered with some really, really good things making the bad things stick out like thorns on a rose.<br /><br />Guess I'm going for prose today.<br /><br />So, instead of the whole description of what has happened over the week (and that was really too much information for public viewing) I'm in a creative mood so I'm just going to give you a Haiku.<br /><br />The sun on my face<br />Everything bursts around me<br />Rain cools and soothes burns<br /><br />OK - maybe too vague and super cheesy. Let's try this.<br /><br />Friday there was a miss-step, but all in all OK<br />Saturday was tired, but fun and joy abounded<br />Sunday and Monday I was the walking dead which wasn't fun at all<br />Tuesday is the day I experienced hockey for the very first time<br />What a feeling, the ice, the fights, the fun, the game, oh wow<br />Then I went home and another worst fear was visited<br />By someone coming in and invading my home<br />Leaving it in shambles, disarray and loss.<br />Wednesday was a bit of a blur and I walked with fire in my eyes<br />Got an official notice that I am still mulling about<br />Thursday was very painful - medical tests and all<br />But, Friday, today, it was OK<br />And, I'm starting to see pink after the fall.<br /><br />Yeah, definitely not my best work. Feeling creative and it being good work is not a guarantee.<br /><br />So, after thinking about my behavior and my want for blood after the whole ordeal, today with my curl on my forehead, reminded me: "When she was good, She was very good indeed, But when she was bad she was horrid."<br /><br />As I said above, I had a lot of good things this week. My birthday party was amazing. I was overwhelmed by how many people came out and the mixture of people that were there. To those who were there and reading this, thank you, so, so much. And, to those who gave me birthday wishes and apologies that you couldn't make it - thank you so much. I am truly blessed by the presence of my friends in any way, shape or form.<br /><br />But all that went out the window on Tuesday night, pretty much into this morning. I went to horridville the other day. I wanted the world to burn. The world that had given me so much, I wanted a cinder. I just had, had it. Someone coming in and robbing me and my roommate was the straw that just broke this old camel's back. These past 2 years have been hard. Roadblocks and heart ache a-go-go. And, this, just sent me over the edge.<br /><br />But, my dad always said when I was horrid - "Did anyone say it was going to fair? Did anyone say it was going to fun? Bad things happen, for no other reason than they just do."<br /><br />My roommate said this will make us stronger. I really hope so. I mean, I'm still here. I'm still standing. I'm still moving on. I guess that is a start.<br /><br />Also got this as an I-Ching for today. Enjoy.<br /><br />39: Temporary Obstacles<br />General Meaning: Have temporary obstacles been blocking your way? In the course of trying to reach a goal or to fulfill a personal ambition, obstructions inevitably present themselves. This is not always a bad thing. Obstacles, difficulties and even setbacks that are eventually overcome often turn into assets. Without irritating grains of sand, oysters would never make pearls. <br /><br />The obstacles pointed to here are not permanent, yet they are in the way. As when a large boulder falls in the road, the best course of action is usually to go around it, rather than to try to move it out of the way. Temporary obstacles must be seen for what they are — temporary — and should not be allowed to take on too much significance. <br /><br />A positive aspect of even the most difficult obstacle is that it may cause a person to turn inward, and gain greater depth and character. While the ignorant bemoan their fate and seek to blame their problems on others, the wise seek the cause of the problem within themselves. Through this type of introspection, obstacles become a means for personal growth and self-discovery. <br /><br />Without air resistance, no plane would ever fly.<br /><br />If you are facing temporary obstacles, try not to be overly concerned. Obstacles are a part of achieving every goal and furthering every undertaking. Setbacks and reverses can affect morale, but keeping up your self-confidence in the face of challenges is part of a successful solution to many of life's problems. Obstacles of short duration are best handled with a yielding attitude. Go around the rock, don't put your shoulder to it.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-70163200895054818342009-03-20T14:05:00.000-04:002009-03-20T15:56:21.953-04:00Just 5 more minutes......It could be exhaustion. It could be that spring is officially started, but not here yet. Whatever it is, I am exhausted and tired and want to sleep all the time.<br /><br />I went to sleep last night at 10:30pm - very early for me - and slept through my alarm and woke up late at 7:30am. At work, I stare at my computer screen for moments on end feeling my eyelids shutting with no motivation to continue work. Then, CRASH, my eyes shut. The next thing I realize is the jerking of myself back to the conscience land. And, noticing that the clock is 5 minutes ahead from where it was when I crashed. During the whole run of Soul Samurai, this did not happen. Yeah, I was T-I-R-E-D, but I maintained.<br /><br />I also think it might have to do with the beginning of Spring. And, the fact that Ms. Spring has been hitting the snooze alarm herself. It's in the 30's and it snowed this morning. But, it is sunny, so maybe Spring is a little tired too and wanting another few more minutes of sleep.<br /><br />Of course, the world keeps turning and going and none of us are getting any younger.<br /><br />Except for the few nightly things I did this week, I really just sat around and did nothing. Watched a lot of TV, got some naps in and re-made my indent on the couch. Oh that lovely couch, how I have missed you. However, in the back of my brain was the alarm going off of all the things I should be doing: cleaning my room (I did tidy for about an hour the other day), cleaning the house, organizing all my files that I haven't organized for 2 years, purchase or make a book shelf for all my stuff that is still in boxes-like books that I want to read, fix my Itunes, make an appointment for the Genius bar to look at my MAC and my Iphone - they aren't communicating that well, clean up my email boxes, go through my mail, working out more, doing yoga more, picking back up my guitar, go to a drum circle with my djembe, look into getting new headshots, working on a plethora of things for Nosedive.<br /><br />Wow, that's a big list I just made. I am sure there is more, but wow. <br /><br />I am, well, just...so...sleepy. And, again, my 2 year old tantrum child is wanting to stomp her feet and say - I don't wanna do anything. I also have a lot of events planned next week in the evening. It just doesn't seem to stop. Once I am done with one opportunity, even more pop up. <br /><br />I do remind myself from time to time, that this is a good problem to have.<br /><br />I could just have my TV, my couch and nothing else. Sometimes I wonder if I would be happy with just that. Coming home, relaxing, going to bed. And, of course, it sounds really, really nice, but I also know eventually I would get bored. I find myself, while watching movies, getting up and puddering around the house, working on a project, etc. Making food - which will defeat my goal of getting back into shape if I am not careful. I am a pretty good cook after all.<br /><br />And, as much as I would like to be retired at times, I'm not. And, Spring, neither are you.<br /><br />So, I'm going to hit the snooze for a couple of more days with our good friend Spring. Don't worry. We'll wake up soon.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-67703055347581373072009-03-13T10:40:00.000-04:002009-03-13T11:52:40.371-04:00Last Day of 2x Job - I Regret Nothing!When this downed economy hit, I was in a bit of a pickle. I had gotten to the place where I couldn't pay all my bills and actually live. For those of you who know me, besides plays, movies and the random night out, I was pretty much a hermit when I was not doing a show. Only to venture out to get a little sunlight- however, I was worried that they would start charging for that too. I got a little more cash for the holidays, got some gifts for a few, but that was my extent of really buying outside of what I could afford. And, the credit card thing - yikes! All my interest rates went up, minimums went up and I started to listen to those commercials about being in debt trouble like they were preaching the gospel. What's that phone number again? Gosh, I wonder how much they charge for this service after I get through all the free stuff?<br /><br />I needed a second job. I knew raises at my job may not be a possibility. Or I needed to claim bankruptcy. (I do sound like one of those commercials don't I?)<br /><br />At the beginning of January, I decided it was time to take my backstage talent and put it to work - literally - it needed to make me some extra money. I decided that I would start doing this kind of work on and off during the year. Take a show for a few weeks, get paid, take a break, repeat. And, if it looked like I could do this two job craziness, then I would look for a more permanent theater job and just go for it.<br /><br />I got a call from the lovely Mrs. Abby of Vampire Cowboys about working on "Soul Samurai". Well, perfect! Not only do I not have to go hunting for a job, one lands in my lap.<br /><br />In a later blog I'll go into more details of my new found skills in Wardrobe and Hair, but not today my dear readers. <br /><br />I take the job. I know Vampire Cowboys, I've met quite a bit of Ma-Yi and I know the cast pretty much. It's a no brainer. You take that job with that many pluses.<br /><br />When I started to put all the show dates into my calendar, I began to realize, I have two days off, technically, two nights off. Once the show started, I realized those two days would equal to one night of laundry and one night for any major fixing on costumes. So, seven days a week for 4 weeks. Still, I told myself I could do this.<br /><br />Now, it is the last day where I come to the day job, go to the night job, then go do laundry. My assessment.<br /><br />Yes, I made it. I didn't die. I didn't mess up too much at either job. I made it thus far. Is this something I can continue to do? Yes, only if I never wanted to see anyone I know outside of the particular show I am working on and if I wanted to possibly go crazy. <br /><br />I sleep through my alarm now. I mean, really sleep through my alarm. I never did that. When I was going to AMDA, having to get up at 6am, go to 8 hours of classes involving a lot of physical endurance, then to the night job, then home by 1am to repeat again - I did not sleep through my alarm. Now, I wake up at my first alarm at 6:50, then open my eyes again to see it 7:50.<br /><br />If I went out and stayed out late once during the week, I was exhausted for days. This was unfortunate for things like, our benefit, the opening night party, seeing <i>Watchmen</i> at midnight, our Burlesque benefit. You get the picture. <br /><br />I really don't know what day it is or what I am doing 1/2 of the time. It takes a lot of concentration during the day to do things. I have to write things down even more and remember to write things down. This also reminds me that I am smoking more. Smoking seems to be the only time that I take to focus and go over everything. I don't think I could sit down and mediate right now. I'd be too restless.<br /><br />Exercise has been a luxury. No yoga in the morning. I've gotten to the gym a couple of times a week-three times in the week if I am lucky. I run up and downstairs all night, so that is exercise, but my knees are paying for it. I do sit ups backstage during one of the longer scenes. <br /><br />I am completely out of touch with everything going on in our world. I got to hear quite a bit about the octuplets, the market go up, the market go down, (repeat), the stimulus package and stem cell research. If anything else has happened, please let me know.<br /><br />Good things - I have lost weight. That was a goal I have been working on. About 7 pounds and counting. I have learned new skills or enhanced ones I already have. Got to work and laugh and have fun with a great cast and crew. Be a part of an amazing, successful show.<br /><br />Will I be doing this again anytime soon? To this extent? No.<br /><br />I believe I am "getting to old for this shit." I am looking forward to going back to rehearsing and then tech week and then 3 to 4 performances a week. Will I still be in crazy land during those productions, doing a hundred things at once and/or running around like a crazy lady trying to get ready? Probably. But, I know I can handle a few performances a week. This was really a challenge.<br /><br />I have no regrets. Only lessons learned.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-68428131729764565162009-03-11T09:20:00.000-04:002009-03-11T10:35:21.154-04:00A Celebration of MemoriesToday would be my father's 67th birthday. I searched last night for some more pictures of my dad on my computer and realized that a lot of them are actually still on Scott's computer and in hard, developed picture format. Being almost midnight and needing to go to sleep, I found a picture (and a couple of movie clips) that brought back a great memory.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-kGN7YzRaBhSRgIyhKCpIT4rXaaoddZGo1L2mohqP7JhQWN4hf0v1jSIhsmR2zI3jjiUVm4CuiFiHF9gOPvK3RqicQrHwl4nX1SJpaa1gU-bZVe5FG_ePOrhMa77SjfDVAoh/s1600-h/DadTurtle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-kGN7YzRaBhSRgIyhKCpIT4rXaaoddZGo1L2mohqP7JhQWN4hf0v1jSIhsmR2zI3jjiUVm4CuiFiHF9gOPvK3RqicQrHwl4nX1SJpaa1gU-bZVe5FG_ePOrhMa77SjfDVAoh/s320/DadTurtle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311930577650713410" border="0" /></a><br />This is my dad's hand. That, of course, is a baby turtle. This was one of the last times my dad and I had some real one on one face time together and it developed into a beautiful memory for me.<br /><br />I guess this was May or August, I was visiting my parents in Carlsbad, NM and my dad and I were on the back porch one morning, drinking coffee, my dad sitting down, me standing, looking out into the back yard, rambling on about something, when a baby turtle came meandering onto the porch. My dad, being the biologist and lover of nature he was, sat up and slowly leaned over in his seat to get a better look at the little guy. I, living in a land of concrete and missing nature, slowly backed away, then ran into the house to get the camera. I came back outside and there was my dad, looking over the little fellow, like a protector or probably to the turtle, a large tree branch. I took some pictures and then turned on the video camera. I filmed the little guy walking along the porch. You can here the birds cooing in the background, you can almost feel the air. I made 2 short videos. My father, of course, said nothing, but just sat there listening to me babble for the camera like I was on some nature show (but due to the adorableness of it all, my voice was up an octave). After the turtle began to take off back into the grass of our backyard, my dad got up from his chair and calmly walked over, bent down, and picked him up. I could tell my dad didn't want this moment to be over and wanted the baby turtle to stick around a bit longer. He then, in his dad way, explained to me the markings on the turtle, and how there were still some soft places cause he was so young - which is something my dad had done before with other turtles. Then, said, "Here, now take a picture, you can really see him much better." And the result is the above picture.<br /><br />This memory also reminded me of the time I learned from my dad that some lizards' tails come off for protection from predators. When, I was about 4 or 5, my dad and I collected the lizards that ran around our apartment complex. My dad always told me not to grab them by the tail. So, one day I asked - why daddy? My dad took me outside to the tank where we kept the lizards, picked one up, then grabbed it by it's tail only. The tail detached and the lizard ran away free. I, of course, screamed, like...well... a little girl. My dad showed me the still wriggling tail in his fingers and told that it was just the tail and the lizard was fine. I, being the sick little monkey back then that I am now, thought that was pretty cool and then he began to chase me, both of us laughing, around the house with this detached lizard tail and also got my mom involved, by chasing her around with the tail. Of which she would laugh and yell - "Ron, now, quit it. Throw that thing away." Once the tail stopped moving of it's own fruition, my dad took it outside and tossed it. A few days later, I was with my dad and a lizard came crawling up. It had a little stub of a a tail. My dad showed me and said - "See, this lizard lost his tail and it's growing back. He's just fine."<br /><br />And, my dad, yet again, is right.<br /><br />Happy Birthday Dad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0in5NNGiYF9fpLNrlTpaCqTUx_rr_jjYWMuxEinXxx5lyFCno4EnEl9CUF1EscAtWapMS3-7cQ6tZit3xIEyBodIs2VvvDxm3TFv0OjDBTPbdn7pfvxLXp1WrJDlyyAAqcdR/s1600-h/footballdad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0in5NNGiYF9fpLNrlTpaCqTUx_rr_jjYWMuxEinXxx5lyFCno4EnEl9CUF1EscAtWapMS3-7cQ6tZit3xIEyBodIs2VvvDxm3TFv0OjDBTPbdn7pfvxLXp1WrJDlyyAAqcdR/s320/footballdad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311938670615280418" border="0" /></a>Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-77549154860249119962009-03-04T09:47:00.001-05:002009-03-04T16:22:42.769-05:00Random not so deep ThoughtsYes, this show has taken over my life. Wednesday through Sunday with two nights of washing and patching = 7 days a week folks. So, my blogging has definitely slowed down considerably, as has my blog reading (sorry guys). Heck, this drivel below took me all day to write in the few spare moments I had. Enjoy my silliness!<br /><br />Random Thought One:<br />One of the most painful sounds in the world is a baby screaming/crying on a train when you know that cry is for pain. Not because they are grumpy, not because they aren't getting their way, not because they are stuck in their stroller, but because they are in physical pain. I was reminded of my ear aches I used to get as a child. Screaming for hours. The second saddest sight, is that of two parents on a train with the screaming, in pain baby trying so hard to be calm and get the baby to be calm when there is just unadulterated fear in their eyes. There is a first saddest sight, but that's not in this posting.<br /><br />Random Thought Two:<br />This one actually goes with a dialog set up.<br /><br />A boy, about 7, a girl, about 4 and their father(?), were walking down the street yesterday. The boy picked up a large ice chunk and began to shave down the sides some and making it into a shape.<br /><br />He then starting asking the other two - "Who wants to see Pikachu smashed?"<br />The girl responded, "I want pizza."<br />Boy: Who wants to see Pikachu smashed?<br />Girl: I want pizza.<br />Boy: WHO wants to SEE Pi..KA..chu SMASHED?<br />Girl: I want pizza.<br />(This repeated a few more times.)<br />Then the boy asked the girl - "Do YOU want to see Pikachu get smaaa-shed?"<br />The girl responded, "I want pizza."<br />Boy: Pikachu!<br />Girl: Pizza!<br />Boy: Pikachu!<br />Girl: PI-IZZ-AAAAA!<br />Again, this went back and forth until you heard the ice shatter and the girl let out a yell and the boy laugh and say, "I smashed Pikachu!"<br />Girl: Are we going to have pizza now?<br /><br />Many thoughts ran through my mind.<br />One - Pizza and Pikachu do kind of sound the same.<br />Two - How many conversations with adults do I have that are examples of the above exchange?<br />Three - I didn't know that a seven year old would know about Pikachu. Who knew?<br /><br />Random Thought Three:<br />Do I really want to keep my Iphone? The answer of course from my now devil owned soul cries YES! But, how much of this is a hassle? I find myself forgetting what I was just in the middle of doing because I had a sudden thought of my Iphone and is it safe, do I have it on me, where is it, etc. Did I just buy the equivalent of a baby? I am constantly wondering if the phone is OK and forgetting my tasks at hand. It's a thought.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34468983.post-63411259855127798912009-02-19T09:15:00.001-05:002009-02-19T11:17:48.982-05:00Random Thoughts, Plugs, Etc.So tonight is another wonderful night of <i>Soul Samurai</i>! Tonight is a little more special for me because the Nosedive crew will be in full effect. We are having a small get together afterwards as our benefit "season" starts off. So, if you happen to be coming tonight and did not get a chance to buy the awesome Nosedive ticket - you can still stick around for the afterparty with your favorite little monkeys and some of the cast and crew of the show...for a marginal cost. (You can get your Soul Samurai tickets <a href="https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/634615" target="blank">here</a>.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MHGP69jB_U0Biwlw2oRLs4-bteinZaQeA_6uTDh-EcEBdsVlnEi__GRGtXQNn9nnpUicHr6SnRiI-Pd6Ya2v-u1cia3rmEzGGOaKckrMTo428ZYpt6RN02AXjlyVxWUESuwk/s1600-h/SamuraiMonkey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MHGP69jB_U0Biwlw2oRLs4-bteinZaQeA_6uTDh-EcEBdsVlnEi__GRGtXQNn9nnpUicHr6SnRiI-Pd6Ya2v-u1cia3rmEzGGOaKckrMTo428ZYpt6RN02AXjlyVxWUESuwk/s320/SamuraiMonkey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304513770196916274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Also speaking of Nosedive and benefit season, we have a very tasty treat - especially for the boys in the house (holler!), <i>Nosedive's Disturbing Burlesque</i> on March 11th at Under St. Mark's, around 10pmish. Hosted by one of the greatest and disturbing minds I know, Bastard Keith. Should be two hoots (did you get the joke?) and a whole lot of holler!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchxtSoAB7X0_QSQuYZxFWAgs0HQ8KxtM4Z4_qub-BnAr7Sh-8iqVnh0pi1gWe8efMMudmNy70tc4nsRYMLNC6ZMr3HHpbXOkcsyrluZy8aG_BcZ9qseA4NZG7JfSJ8KMXcUMB/s1600-h/disturbingburlesque.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchxtSoAB7X0_QSQuYZxFWAgs0HQ8KxtM4Z4_qub-BnAr7Sh-8iqVnh0pi1gWe8efMMudmNy70tc4nsRYMLNC6ZMr3HHpbXOkcsyrluZy8aG_BcZ9qseA4NZG7JfSJ8KMXcUMB/s320/disturbingburlesque.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304515663733928258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, random thoughts......hmmmmmm.<br /><br />I'm on my loose 10lbs kick right now. I have lost 5 so far. I find that I work a lot more efficiently on smaller meals and that has been my only choice seeing I go from the "joe job" to the theatre to home to bed (or sewing/laundry) every night pretty much. But, with the show, more frequent eating, but smaller meals, I'm finally getting rid of that extra 10lbs I put on last year. Ahhhhh. Oh, I could really use a burger though...mmmmm.<br /><br />When I do get downtime, I tend to do a lot of thinking. It's like my brain wakes up while my body stays still. Been doing a lot of that. <br /><br />I was having a wonderful meal (great Mexican food) by myself when I overheard 2 people talking the about theatre, and this big shot and that, and this audition and this show and how this person is awful to work with, etc. And, then thought to myself, 'gosh, do we sound that insipid when we talk shop?'<br /><br />I've had 2 minor family/friend health issues: both are doing fine now. I was so releaved to hear of such life threatening things happening and both making it out of the woods. I definitely needed that. However, a woman I met a couple of years ago lost her battle with cancer. I think this is that section of my life where people I knew, etc. getting sick, dying, out of the woods, terminally ill. Then I thought - and this is kind of shocking seeing as I always comment on how old I am - this can't be, I'm too young.<br /><br />I have been telling myself the day job, the "9 to 5" is just a day job. I can do this. It's just a job. I've put in my calendar "Put in 2 weeks", for January 2011, if I am still at this job. I know, it's far off, but at least it is light at the end of the tunnel. I can do this for 2 more years if I have to.<br /><br />Alright kittens....back to your life.Goosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731077453681263134noreply@blogger.com2