I'm blogging to you from final dress rehearsal for "Ragtime." The orchestra is tuning up in the pit below me, the cast is flitting about in various states of makeup and costume, and I feel utterly useless. And that's a good thing. This show doesn't need my input anymore, just an audience.
Letting go of shows has never been hard for me. There's always another one around the bend.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Informal Theatrical Poll
Ok, a while back I had submitted a proposal to direct "Talk Radio" here. Well, it was turned down. But one of the board members has asked me to consider directing one of the following instead:
Upon first glance, only the first truly excites me (but that's because I was in a production of it while at grad school). But I can always be convinced!
Upon first glance, only the first truly excites me (but that's because I was in a production of it while at grad school). But I can always be convinced!
Book Meme Question #6
Pass this meme along to three other people.
Well, that I cannot do. At least on the internet. So I'll take this offline as soon as I can figure out three people to ask.
And yes, my head still feels like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. Thanks for asking.
Well, that I cannot do. At least on the internet. So I'll take this offline as soon as I can figure out three people to ask.
And yes, my head still feels like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. Thanks for asking.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
*Sniffle*Cough*Sneeze*Blink*
Whenever someone asks me how I feel these days, I direct them to this website. It isn't always as up to date as I would like, but it provides a nice benchmark.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going home to crawl inside a box of facial tissues. Carry on.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going home to crawl inside a box of facial tissues. Carry on.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Book Meme Question #5
Name five books you would take to a deserted island:
Another toughie, but here's the list of the moment.
Moby Dick
Probably my favorite novel.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Do I have to explain this?
How to Cook Everything
Not only tells you how to cook things, but pick them out and store them too. Great illustrations!
The Boy Scout Handbook
(Apparently, the BSA doesn't want you linking to stuff. So click the link, enter the site, and then select the "Literature" and then the "Boy Scout" categories and then scroll down.) Yeah, I have problems with the organization, but I was a member once. I remember the handbook as a great reference book for the outdoors.
A People's History of the United States, Volumes 1 and 2
I was given this to read by my dear friend Hugh while in college. I've reread it several times since and it is so fascinating. I always discover something new.
Another toughie, but here's the list of the moment.
Moby Dick
Probably my favorite novel.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Do I have to explain this?
How to Cook Everything
Not only tells you how to cook things, but pick them out and store them too. Great illustrations!
The Boy Scout Handbook
(Apparently, the BSA doesn't want you linking to stuff. So click the link, enter the site, and then select the "Literature" and then the "Boy Scout" categories and then scroll down.) Yeah, I have problems with the organization, but I was a member once. I remember the handbook as a great reference book for the outdoors.
A People's History of the United States, Volumes 1 and 2
I was given this to read by my dear friend Hugh while in college. I've reread it several times since and it is so fascinating. I always discover something new.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Book Meme Question #4
What are you currently reading?
Oh, you know, something reflecting the current seasonal change.
And this was the Valentine's Day present from my wife. I have the greatest wife of all time!
The link choice also reflects where Sweetie purchased the book. She was in Denver on business back in February and wandered into the Tattered Cover. She really liked the store, and loved the amusement of the sales clerks when informed that this was a V-Day present for me.
Oh, you know, something reflecting the current seasonal change.
And this was the Valentine's Day present from my wife. I have the greatest wife of all time!
The link choice also reflects where Sweetie purchased the book. She was in Denver on business back in February and wandered into the Tattered Cover. She really liked the store, and loved the amusement of the sales clerks when informed that this was a V-Day present for me.
Book Meme Question #3
What was the last book you bought?
The Plays of Anton Chekhov, translated by Paul Schmidt. I purchased this volume for the Directing class I took over the Fall and Winter. Another classmate directed a scene from "Uncle Vanya" and I really loved the translation. I went to the library (here's looking at you, Joe!), perused it thoroughly and bought it the next week. I love Chekhov almost as much as I love Shakespeare, but most translations of his plays are too academic for my taste. This guy got it right; his translation of these plays are active and wonderful to work with.
Sometime in the future I'll treat y'all to my full-on rant on how high school English teachers are ruining theater in this country, but I'll leave you with this thought: plays were meant to be seen and heard, not read. Paul Schmidt clearly understands that, which is why this book is now included in my theatrical library.
The Plays of Anton Chekhov, translated by Paul Schmidt. I purchased this volume for the Directing class I took over the Fall and Winter. Another classmate directed a scene from "Uncle Vanya" and I really loved the translation. I went to the library (here's looking at you, Joe!), perused it thoroughly and bought it the next week. I love Chekhov almost as much as I love Shakespeare, but most translations of his plays are too academic for my taste. This guy got it right; his translation of these plays are active and wonderful to work with.
Sometime in the future I'll treat y'all to my full-on rant on how high school English teachers are ruining theater in this country, but I'll leave you with this thought: plays were meant to be seen and heard, not read. Paul Schmidt clearly understands that, which is why this book is now included in my theatrical library.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Book Meme Question #2
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Never felt the need. Why? Because, as an actor I have...
Oh, and just so we're clear, I think that list covers both genders, as well as some imaginary beings as well. I'll have to double check my resume...
Never felt the need. Why? Because, as an actor I have...
- Kissed them,
- Made love to them,
- Raped them,
- Had my heart broken by them,
- Broken their heart,
- Killed for them,
- Died for them,
- Killed them, and
- Been killed by them.
I think that about covers the spectrum, wouldn't you agree?
Oh, and just so we're clear, I think that list covers both genders, as well as some imaginary beings as well. I'll have to double check my resume...
Book Meme Question #1
You are stuck inside Fahrenheit 451. Which book would you be?
This is the hardest question of the bunch, because you have to choose a book that is meaningful to you but has not been chosen by anyone else. In Fahrenheit 451, the "book people" pass their books down to their children and so on. My choice is An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. It's an ungainly book, with a lurid story and a rather unsavory hero, but it is a thoroughly American story that appeals to me. I read this in high school and its impact has not faded. And since most of the kids in my class hated the book, I think it's a pretty safe bet that none of the other book people have chosen it.
Stay tuned for question #2...
This is the hardest question of the bunch, because you have to choose a book that is meaningful to you but has not been chosen by anyone else. In Fahrenheit 451, the "book people" pass their books down to their children and so on. My choice is An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. It's an ungainly book, with a lurid story and a rather unsavory hero, but it is a thoroughly American story that appeals to me. I read this in high school and its impact has not faded. And since most of the kids in my class hated the book, I think it's a pretty safe bet that none of the other book people have chosen it.
Stay tuned for question #2...
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Lo siento
A while ago my dear friend Hugh envied my life in a multicultural community after I told an anecdote about the pakistani owner of a Subway I frequent. Yesterday, while I waited for my Dad to finish an echocardiagram, I played peekaboo with a cute little hispanic boy. "¿Donde esta tu mama?" I asked him in my best broken spanish. His little face became very sad and he crawled back to his abuela. One of the older men in the group told me, using his best broken english: "She has heart attacks." "Lo siento," I replied.
Great. Heartache in two languages.
In that moment, I wish I lived in Indiana.
Great. Heartache in two languages.
In that moment, I wish I lived in Indiana.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
blog interrupted
Last week my Dad entered the hospital with a very very bad case of pneumonia. He's still there, and probably won't get out until the end of this week or even early next. There were heart complications involved, and we almost lost him. But he's a very stubborn fellow (so that's where it comes from...) and he's getting better. I visited him yesterday and his most pressing concern was rearranging his theater tickets (ditto...).
Suffice it to say that there won't be much content here for a few days or so. I'm new to this blog thing, so I crave your patience. I promise you pithy comments and explanations and observations galore. For now, I just want to focus on getting my Dad back.
Suffice it to say that there won't be much content here for a few days or so. I'm new to this blog thing, so I crave your patience. I promise you pithy comments and explanations and observations galore. For now, I just want to focus on getting my Dad back.
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