Okay so I still haven't finished writing about my trip? Well, that'll just wait a few more days. Or just a day, because all my pictures are on my lovely laptop. So yeah.
The runs have been going well (not the diarrhea) and despite the fact I've been called 2 hours before the show actually starts, it's a good time. I guess we ARE still in rehearsal, so the 2 hours are useful for some people... but for those of us that are only in some scenes and NO dance numbers, it's a little bit of a long haul. Thank god for Pokemon, that's all I have to say. Also I'm bringing a book tonight. So much for that reading a play a week thing I meant to do this year. Oh yeah, remember that I was trying to do that? Didn't happen.
Mom's coming tonight, so that should be even more fun. Plus maybe some drinks afterwords. I love my mom. She's cool.
Showing posts with label what I'm doing today. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what I'm doing today. Show all posts
Friday, May 8, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Beach Day
So grandma's in town, as readers will know. So we're doing things we normally don't do, which includes mom taking a day off work, and us all going to Pacifica for a day at the beach with the girls!
Joy was had, sea glass was found, and I actually didn't freeze when jumping in the water. It was an amazing day, which left me pooped (but like always I'm still awake for some reason) from exercise and watching the weird people that end up on the beach on a hot Monday. And boy was it fucking hot today.
The cool thing about being unemployed, aside from the not having to work and the government sends you more and more money, especially because the spiralling downward economy requires them to extend it longer, is that you get to spend an entire day on the beach if you want to, and you can see the different people that show up throughout the day. Afternoon was filled with moms and kids, more and more young couples came in the afternoon, and then after 3ish, TONS of kids appeared. Good idea. I'd be at the beach too.
Joan, Lauren, and Violet are great. Violet (who is 2) ran around naked almost the entire day. The last time I tried that, I was arrested, so there was a little double standard here, but it was a pretty good time anyway.
Joy was had, sea glass was found, and I actually didn't freeze when jumping in the water. It was an amazing day, which left me pooped (but like always I'm still awake for some reason) from exercise and watching the weird people that end up on the beach on a hot Monday. And boy was it fucking hot today.
The cool thing about being unemployed, aside from the not having to work and the government sends you more and more money, especially because the spiralling downward economy requires them to extend it longer, is that you get to spend an entire day on the beach if you want to, and you can see the different people that show up throughout the day. Afternoon was filled with moms and kids, more and more young couples came in the afternoon, and then after 3ish, TONS of kids appeared. Good idea. I'd be at the beach too.
Joan, Lauren, and Violet are great. Violet (who is 2) ran around naked almost the entire day. The last time I tried that, I was arrested, so there was a little double standard here, but it was a pretty good time anyway.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Hi Folks, I'm in St. Louis
I love my home. As stated before, I love my dad and Laurie (stepmom) as well. But there's something about being home that cures what ails you. Well, except if you hated your home, but I've been lucky to have had a pretty good time here, aside from the times when I didn't.
Every time I turn a corner here in St. Louis, I see something I remember, or something is new, but great; this place is actually starting to look like a real city. I can definitely see myself, after becoming a mega super box office smash, coming back here and starting my own theatre company, or branching out with the People's Theatre company. This is a good place.
The only downside that's been happening here is that many of my old friends have been a little flakey in getting back to me and meeting up. Not Nick, he's still awesome, just incredibly busy, but some of my really good friends from college who live around here, they're either nonexistent or being very cold in our correspondence. Strange. Maybe they're jealous. Yeah, sure, that's it.
I'm not letting me spoil this trip. Even if I stay close to home, it's still fun to walk around this old neighborhood, or take a short drive to the Zoo, or the Science Center or the ANYTHING. It's a really good place.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Mostly about Dad
Gathering dust in the corner, my ever increasingly unused blog. I guess I'll say something today, why not?
I've been busy as a sexy bee lately SMing Lead, Dot's new play, of which my mom is a major character, and a bunch of our friends are the rest of the parts. It's been fun so far, but as in all SM gigs, I've seen over and over again at how I'd run the rehearsal differently, or how that I could be a pretty bitchin director. After all, I do have a lot of experience in this field. Maybe someday, especially with the great news... that's not solidified, so I really shouldn't send it out there in the world, but let's just say that a new theatre company may be out in the wild pretty soon. Now if only I could get dreamweaver to work, and set up a website so that it really WILL be out there in the world.
Still haven't found an official slot for the MWTA, but I'm on their list, and that's a good thing; because of this, I'm heading out to St. Louis next weekend, serving the purpose of auditioning for a fuckton of theatre companies, but also seeing my family whom I miss very much. I haven't seen my dad in almost a year. That's a funny thing to think about, especially since I don't really think about it too often, and then have pangs of overwhelming homesickness.
Dad and I had never been close until I moved away to college, and even then, we were really only vaguely friends. I remember when I was very young having tons of fun with my dad, memories of water gun fights, or road trips to Kansas City, or trips to the Science Center where he dropped his slice of pizza on his lap - remember that, dad? Then, as all things do, we grew apart, as I grew into my own person. It happens overnight, really, and it's an evolution to get back. But we never stopped loving each other, that's for sure. I always had the luxury of knowing my dad loves me. Not a lot of people can say that.
When I started my professional actor/writer/administrative life, we talked less and less, but the times we did talk were great, or at least funny. I started to think about him at least every day; wondering how he's doing, what he's been up to, the usual stuff when it comes to people you care about that happen to live 2000 miles away. More and more when we talk on the phone it's about discussions that normal people have with their fathers: advice on career, girl troubles, money issues... and I love my dad, and am lucky to say that.
He married again, after my mom and him were divorced. Laurie is a good person, and even though we clashed a lot, we love each other. I love how people evolve, and especially I love it that I've evolved.
It'll be great to see them.
I've been busy as a sexy bee lately SMing Lead, Dot's new play, of which my mom is a major character, and a bunch of our friends are the rest of the parts. It's been fun so far, but as in all SM gigs, I've seen over and over again at how I'd run the rehearsal differently, or how that I could be a pretty bitchin director. After all, I do have a lot of experience in this field. Maybe someday, especially with the great news... that's not solidified, so I really shouldn't send it out there in the world, but let's just say that a new theatre company may be out in the wild pretty soon. Now if only I could get dreamweaver to work, and set up a website so that it really WILL be out there in the world.
Still haven't found an official slot for the MWTA, but I'm on their list, and that's a good thing; because of this, I'm heading out to St. Louis next weekend, serving the purpose of auditioning for a fuckton of theatre companies, but also seeing my family whom I miss very much. I haven't seen my dad in almost a year. That's a funny thing to think about, especially since I don't really think about it too often, and then have pangs of overwhelming homesickness.
Dad and I had never been close until I moved away to college, and even then, we were really only vaguely friends. I remember when I was very young having tons of fun with my dad, memories of water gun fights, or road trips to Kansas City, or trips to the Science Center where he dropped his slice of pizza on his lap - remember that, dad? Then, as all things do, we grew apart, as I grew into my own person. It happens overnight, really, and it's an evolution to get back. But we never stopped loving each other, that's for sure. I always had the luxury of knowing my dad loves me. Not a lot of people can say that.
When I started my professional actor/writer/administrative life, we talked less and less, but the times we did talk were great, or at least funny. I started to think about him at least every day; wondering how he's doing, what he's been up to, the usual stuff when it comes to people you care about that happen to live 2000 miles away. More and more when we talk on the phone it's about discussions that normal people have with their fathers: advice on career, girl troubles, money issues... and I love my dad, and am lucky to say that.
He married again, after my mom and him were divorced. Laurie is a good person, and even though we clashed a lot, we love each other. I love how people evolve, and especially I love it that I've evolved.
It'll be great to see them.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Horrible Rampant Unemployment... but still I bitch.
It's taken me a total of 3 days to hate my new job. Granted, I had some hatred for it before I even started: part time, $10 an hour, almost nothing to do. Some people might think this is a good thing, the whole nothing to do. Yes, I got very good at it at SWA, for sure, but there's something different here. Maybe it's because the computer desk I have here is so unergonomical that I'm ending up with huge painful marks on the bottom of my wrists. Or maybe it's because I've had little to no training as to what I'm supposed to be doing today/at all. Or maybe it's because I actually have some semblance of how work should be filled with doing something that I feel bad when I'm checking my google reader. Also, the chair is bad.
I've had a pretty good couple of weeks aside from that. It's been pretty relaxing, and I've had a few auditions that have been going pretty well. Aside from the fact that last Decemberish I forgot to sign up for the TBA auditions, I feel pretty good as to how my career is going, especially with the opportunities I've been having lately, and the fact that I've had to turn down projects. Rad.
Tomorrow David wants me to come in and help with lights, and I am completely down with that; I love doing light hangs and such... the poopy part of this is that I'm feeling kinda shitty - yes, it might just be because I'm at a place that I don't really want to spend the next... jesus, 5 and a half hours, but my sickeyness has been a bit more than just appearing at work - bad last night, bad this morning... who knows. If I get sick, so be it, and I won't go.
Tuesday Monica and I went on a date to see Burn The Floor at the Post Street Theatre. It was an amazing dance performance, albeit a little flashy at times, and one that I need to post on EDGE tonight.
Aaand I need to make it up to Target or Best Buy (probably Target; have something to return there) to bite the bullet and buy a new printer. The one I got from Kele (thanks, Kele!) just exploded and will not for the life of it do anything other than stutter while trying to munch down paper. It's a hand me down anyway. Here's my conversation with the poor ol' girl:
Me: Hey printer, print out this application, will ya?
Printer: I LIKE THE FLOWERS.
Me: Time for the shotgun, ol' girl.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Spilled water and Auditions
As devotees of the blog may note, I have had many troubles with Earthlink. Nothing whatsoever has been resolved, but now whenever a page is loading too long, or the bar at the lower bottom of Firefox isn't moving, my breath becomes short, tears well up, and a lump appears in my throat.* It happens a lot.
Not much going on in Ben news of late. Tim spilled water on my keyboard (boo) so it gave me an excuse to go out and get a new one (yay) from Best Buy. My thought on the matter was that the Apple keyboard would be the most expensive one there; pretty logical, right? Walking past, neglecting the helpfulness of the genius bar, oh sorry, apple technicians, I saw that the (very thin for) $50 keyboard was beautiful as it was available to buy. Just for shits, I went around searching to see what the normal population uses as their keyboard. The non Mac fools.
Turns out, $50 was one of the lowest prices out there, with "gamer" boards all over the place going for 70 bucks or more. Certainly there were some average keyboards, but honestly, for 20 bucks more I can have a wafer thin beauty that is slightly obnoxious to try and type on, but still so beautiful I don't care.
Really though, it's easy enough to type on. See? No typos.
Because I love me some technology, I almost bought another external hard drive that would connect with my Firewire port (firewire on my computer is slightly faster than usb 2.0), because I have an extra port there, and am all out of usb ports. I stopped myself because:
---
Audition for Theatreworks tonight, followed by a Callback for Last night at Ballyhoo. Excited about both. Especially because if I don't get Ballyhoo, I can still stage manage Dot's new show, Lead. So it'll be a busy first part of the year, up through Wildcat.
Typing it all out like that makes me feel I've been doing a little better than I thought when it comes to my acting career.
*this is a lie
Not much going on in Ben news of late. Tim spilled water on my keyboard (boo) so it gave me an excuse to go out and get a new one (yay) from Best Buy. My thought on the matter was that the Apple keyboard would be the most expensive one there; pretty logical, right? Walking past, neglecting the helpfulness of the genius bar, oh sorry, apple technicians, I saw that the (very thin for) $50 keyboard was beautiful as it was available to buy. Just for shits, I went around searching to see what the normal population uses as their keyboard. The non Mac fools.
Turns out, $50 was one of the lowest prices out there, with "gamer" boards all over the place going for 70 bucks or more. Certainly there were some average keyboards, but honestly, for 20 bucks more I can have a wafer thin beauty that is slightly obnoxious to try and type on, but still so beautiful I don't care.
Really though, it's easy enough to type on. See? No typos.
Because I love me some technology, I almost bought another external hard drive that would connect with my Firewire port (firewire on my computer is slightly faster than usb 2.0), because I have an extra port there, and am all out of usb ports. I stopped myself because:
- I have space remaining on my current external drive.
- I don't have the money for a Terrabite drive.
- I don't have stuff to put on it.
---
Audition for Theatreworks tonight, followed by a Callback for Last night at Ballyhoo. Excited about both. Especially because if I don't get Ballyhoo, I can still stage manage Dot's new show, Lead. So it'll be a busy first part of the year, up through Wildcat.
Typing it all out like that makes me feel I've been doing a little better than I thought when it comes to my acting career.
*this is a lie
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Writing again
I just finished all the newer Doctor Who series (they rock and have made some amazing art, the British really know how to make a television show) and now am going on to Torchwood. Yes, I know they're really supposed to be viewed slightly together, simply because they're on the same timeline, and that Doctor Who finale would have been great if I knew where the crossover was coming from, but whatever. It's all good. Good art, and I'm actually learning more about my craft from watching this show; neat, huh?
Anyway, working on a new piece for a Monday audition. Fortinbras. Should be fun and a little silly - it's for Theatreworks, and since I've seen their show, and have been denied some work there before, I'm just going to go all the way and follow the tradition of the style of their shows. Big and campy! At least, they might be in the mindset of them, since their current show is in fact, big and campy. And they seem to hire big and campy actors, or at least those that are capable... so might as well show I'm capable.
And super glad that winter is back to the bay area! Yay! I was getting tired of the endless lovely summery days and the glorious temperatures and the marvelous sunchine.... yeah. Rain is nice too, I guess.
And I'm writing. That's what writers do.
Anyway, working on a new piece for a Monday audition. Fortinbras. Should be fun and a little silly - it's for Theatreworks, and since I've seen their show, and have been denied some work there before, I'm just going to go all the way and follow the tradition of the style of their shows. Big and campy! At least, they might be in the mindset of them, since their current show is in fact, big and campy. And they seem to hire big and campy actors, or at least those that are capable... so might as well show I'm capable.
And super glad that winter is back to the bay area! Yay! I was getting tired of the endless lovely summery days and the glorious temperatures and the marvelous sunchine.... yeah. Rain is nice too, I guess.
And I'm writing. That's what writers do.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Delve deep into my world...
Here's something about Ben's life:
For the past... oh year or so, the internet at my house blips on and off, even with lights on the modem. I've had hours of discussions with Earthlink about this, my mom has had hours of discussions with Earthlink about this, and I bet even the cat has had a few minutes. They're in India, so that's cool, and I understand all about not really knowing tech so they have to go by the book at the problems on our end, but our problem is a special problem, it turns out. But that's later in the story.
Finally, they've agreed to send a tech guy out to check out the internet here, saying it will "be fixed permanently." Mom and I both doubted that, but in any case, we said sure, why not, and was told that we would have to be here between 12 - 4 today.
11:55 rolls around (rock on!) and the guy comes, a slightly gruff sort of chap with a dark beard and a receeding hairline. He was nice enough, and was early, which was even awesomer. He told me all about what he was going to do re: the internet, and I followed him for the most part. After 15 minutes, he came downstairs (I was wrapping presents at the time) and gave me the scoop: it's more than just our house, he's had a problem, and has tracked it down to the load coils outside, which is good! He can't touch them (they're another businesses' property), which is bad! The best, he said, that he can do is tell them about it, but since its so close to the holidays, no one's really going to get out in the usual 3-4 days they'd take to fix the problem.
Beauracracy at its finest, I know, but I'm just happy we have a solution on the horizion.
By the way, did I mention that we chatted about this over eggnog? Oh yeah, I'm totally hospitable this holiday season.
More fun Ben stuff:
The tub at M and I's house was clogged big time. It was my fault, I poured sponge cake batter down it, and it turned into a sponge. Not really, it was sand. Anyway, Bob (m's dad) came over and we totally rocked out that shit, successfully unclogging the tub, and pushing all the sand out, or wherever. But everything drains! It made me feel very masculine.
Aaand I totally forgot a present that I was supposed to bring this evening. Luckily, I have plenty o' time to get it.
For the past... oh year or so, the internet at my house blips on and off, even with lights on the modem. I've had hours of discussions with Earthlink about this, my mom has had hours of discussions with Earthlink about this, and I bet even the cat has had a few minutes. They're in India, so that's cool, and I understand all about not really knowing tech so they have to go by the book at the problems on our end, but our problem is a special problem, it turns out. But that's later in the story.
Finally, they've agreed to send a tech guy out to check out the internet here, saying it will "be fixed permanently." Mom and I both doubted that, but in any case, we said sure, why not, and was told that we would have to be here between 12 - 4 today.
11:55 rolls around (rock on!) and the guy comes, a slightly gruff sort of chap with a dark beard and a receeding hairline. He was nice enough, and was early, which was even awesomer. He told me all about what he was going to do re: the internet, and I followed him for the most part. After 15 minutes, he came downstairs (I was wrapping presents at the time) and gave me the scoop: it's more than just our house, he's had a problem, and has tracked it down to the load coils outside, which is good! He can't touch them (they're another businesses' property), which is bad! The best, he said, that he can do is tell them about it, but since its so close to the holidays, no one's really going to get out in the usual 3-4 days they'd take to fix the problem.
Beauracracy at its finest, I know, but I'm just happy we have a solution on the horizion.
By the way, did I mention that we chatted about this over eggnog? Oh yeah, I'm totally hospitable this holiday season.
More fun Ben stuff:
The tub at M and I's house was clogged big time. It was my fault, I poured sponge cake batter down it, and it turned into a sponge. Not really, it was sand. Anyway, Bob (m's dad) came over and we totally rocked out that shit, successfully unclogging the tub, and pushing all the sand out, or wherever. But everything drains! It made me feel very masculine.
Aaand I totally forgot a present that I was supposed to bring this evening. Luckily, I have plenty o' time to get it.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Boring to most
My morning was filled with Tasks. Eating. Exercising. Fixing the Taillight. Those certain things. I assumed these Tasks would take me most of the day, well, the fixing the taillight part, but nope, I'm done, and sitting at home going through some of my music collection, some of the bits that I never really get to.
It's odd having lots of music, and only really listening to the same things over and over. I never was one for listening to a wide variety of music, as Monica can attest. Over the years that I've kept my music collection in one piece, it's been growing bigger and bigger, with various "Track X" at the end of the collection, just sitting there waiting to be categorized. Theoretically, I could Shazam the entire bit of them, and see all their information, but that would take way too long, so I've been fucking around and putting songs that I think go together in playlists. It's a tedious late morning activity, but surprisingly fulfilling.
Other news: my pants are looser. This could be stretching, but I like to think its because I'm losing weight.
Other news: Drew and Keith are in town, and Monica and I went to see them last night at a gig drew was playing. It was awkward for some reason.
It's odd having lots of music, and only really listening to the same things over and over. I never was one for listening to a wide variety of music, as Monica can attest. Over the years that I've kept my music collection in one piece, it's been growing bigger and bigger, with various "Track X" at the end of the collection, just sitting there waiting to be categorized. Theoretically, I could Shazam the entire bit of them, and see all their information, but that would take way too long, so I've been fucking around and putting songs that I think go together in playlists. It's a tedious late morning activity, but surprisingly fulfilling.
Other news: my pants are looser. This could be stretching, but I like to think its because I'm losing weight.
Other news: Drew and Keith are in town, and Monica and I went to see them last night at a gig drew was playing. It was awkward for some reason.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Also I'm starting to exercise again. Went back to week 3 of hundredpushups.com. I couldn't make it through the first day... so I figure I'll just repeat the day until I can. I'll try again on Wednesday. In the meantime, I'll have a walk today and try and be easy on my stomach when I get cravings for fatty shit.
It's not like I took a long break. After all, we've been pretty active all weekend.
Wow, I just went a while without thinking about theatre. Maybe I need to find more passions - variety is the spice of life, after all!
It's not like I took a long break. After all, we've been pretty active all weekend.
Wow, I just went a while without thinking about theatre. Maybe I need to find more passions - variety is the spice of life, after all!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I'm wearing a necklace I bought in hawaii
Just got called into Impact to read for Lysander. Kind of a funny situation, but it should be interesting. And besides, I'll be able to get myself seen there; always a good thing. I do indeed love that theatre, and hope to work there someday. Also! I have an audition this Friday for Into the Woods. I don't know what to sing yet... I'm debating between "No More" or "Unworthy of your Love." Either would work; I sing both pretty well.
So anyway, this post isn't a long one, I have to leave in about a half an hour in order to get to the workshop thing absurdly early like I usually do. Meh, maybe I'll leave at 5:15. If I'm late, I didn't make a monetary reservation. Man. Why am I so weird about this thing tonight? I'm just nervous. We say we like change, but it's always a little odd and scary. I'm of course worried for the worst, that this teacher will be weird and belittling. But you know what's the strangest? Totally nervous about working in front of people; part of the course is to be on the mic during the evening.
Whatever though. If it goes well, I've done something good with my life during this downtime. And if it sucks, I'll never have to see them again. Funny. I barely have enough cash right now... I don't know why I'm doing this tonight. But. It is pretty cheap. That's the benefit of going to one of these pickup workshops.
And 15 places applied today.
Sigh.
So anyway, this post isn't a long one, I have to leave in about a half an hour in order to get to the workshop thing absurdly early like I usually do. Meh, maybe I'll leave at 5:15. If I'm late, I didn't make a monetary reservation. Man. Why am I so weird about this thing tonight? I'm just nervous. We say we like change, but it's always a little odd and scary. I'm of course worried for the worst, that this teacher will be weird and belittling. But you know what's the strangest? Totally nervous about working in front of people; part of the course is to be on the mic during the evening.
Whatever though. If it goes well, I've done something good with my life during this downtime. And if it sucks, I'll never have to see them again. Funny. I barely have enough cash right now... I don't know why I'm doing this tonight. But. It is pretty cheap. That's the benefit of going to one of these pickup workshops.
And 15 places applied today.
Sigh.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A To Do List (Thanks Monica!)
Today my schedule is
- Work on lines for Goodnight, Daniel. I've split my part into three sections, I want to have the first down solid by the end of today.
- Take a shower. (Done!)
- Record monologues (at least 2 takes to see how it changes) - Edmund, King Lear; Bottom, Midsummer; Launce, Two Gentlemen of Verona.
- Send monologues to places via email or YouTube - probably YouTube.
- Frantically look in mailbox for unemployment check.
- Sigh.
- Pout because there is no check.
- Look for work.
- Ukulele.
Friday, July 18, 2008
WTF Mate?
Joan originally, as you recall, was going to sell me for $500, well under the bluebook price, which she also knew when telling me she would sell it to me for $500, of $2000. Nice. Very nice, I thought. I've had the car for a while now, and as you recall, I received the car back in April. She has been very generous about letting me use the car, but from what I can tell, she hasn't been really missing it - I've received NO phone calls of any urgency from her until recently.. and that probably was only because I called her like 5 weeks ago.
Anyway. It sucks. My plan is to call her back today, after our brief conversation ("well, I have to check my funds.") and tell her that because of the repairs I paid for, and the repairs that it will need in the upcoming weeks (breaks, probably), that I simply can't afford the extra $500, and kind of budgeted myself for just the original price. If she gives me shit, or time to pay, or anything like that, I might just stick to my guns and say I can only pay 500. It's what she agreed upon, she's just being greedy, and that makes me sick. They are incredibly rich. Super rich. Not just oh, let's go to hawaii for a few weeks rich like my other friends are, they will never need to work. Ever. And she was poor for so long... I just think she's lost perspective on what it's like to be a normal peon.
Whatever. I'll call her and leave a message later.
Jesus, just found out a friend of mine might need surgery on her collerbone from a fall earlier this year. Shit. So much for 2008 being nice. Lets hope it gets better. Or at the very least let's hope I get a serindipidous call from someone asking me to run a theatre company. That would be fine too.... still waiting on that call, friend.
Anyway. It sucks. My plan is to call her back today, after our brief conversation ("well, I have to check my funds.") and tell her that because of the repairs I paid for, and the repairs that it will need in the upcoming weeks (breaks, probably), that I simply can't afford the extra $500, and kind of budgeted myself for just the original price. If she gives me shit, or time to pay, or anything like that, I might just stick to my guns and say I can only pay 500. It's what she agreed upon, she's just being greedy, and that makes me sick. They are incredibly rich. Super rich. Not just oh, let's go to hawaii for a few weeks rich like my other friends are, they will never need to work. Ever. And she was poor for so long... I just think she's lost perspective on what it's like to be a normal peon.
Whatever. I'll call her and leave a message later.
Jesus, just found out a friend of mine might need surgery on her collerbone from a fall earlier this year. Shit. So much for 2008 being nice. Lets hope it gets better. Or at the very least let's hope I get a serindipidous call from someone asking me to run a theatre company. That would be fine too.... still waiting on that call, friend.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
We're always meanest to those we're closest to.
Well no shit, it's not like I've stumbled on some secret revelation here, but still, it always makes me angry how we're meanest to those we love. Anyway, she did give some good advice, but I'm simply tired of everything that's going on in my life: midsummer, losing my job, etc. and I think everything caught up to me last night and today, making me Cranky McCrank. And when I'm cranky, you know something's wrong.
I just finished doing an edit of my resume. It's now about a page and a half long, with references it's two pages. I've been doing a lot of reading about resume etiquette, and all of them say that one page is great, two pages is perfectly acceptable as well. So that's pretty cool, and I'm using it. There's just so much of me that I have to offer! Ugh, that made me feel weird saying that; way too cynical for this shit. Anyway, I am actually pretty excited about this edit; it's sort of a combination of the one I have been using and the skills style resume I tooled with earlier. Thus making it longer, but still, in the virtual world, it'll be fine.
Bruce and I are planning on seeing The Dark Knight sometime this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited. YEEAH. Then I will probably be seeing Hellboy 2, which I am equally excited about - super big fan of the comics! Woo hoo spending money I don't have! Let's all celebrate that.
Quiet sobbing.
I think I finished memorizing my lines for Midsummer. Now I just need to run them with friends and in rehearsal. Honestly, it's just about plugging away at them, even when I was feeling shitty about it and thinking that I was making no progress, I still worked hard on what I was doing, finally getting to the point where they were coming naturally. I'm happy that I did. Also, that I worked on them so much earlier than some other people are. I started memorization about a month before rehearsal started, so I had a good chunk of the first act down when we walked in, it's just getting it on its feet now. Fun fun shit. This is going to be a pretty fantastic show, and I don't feel that way about just any show.
Auditions coming up. Sunday is the callback for Rocky Horror - not prepared. Monday is TheatreWorks - pretty prepared, but will go over monologues this weekend. Tuesday is 42nd Street Moon - not prepared, but will go over on Sunday. They, yet again, are holding their callbacks in the day time, not respecting their actors normal work schedules and keeping people longer than they need to be. I'm tired of them wasting my time, but honestly, what can we do? I was called in, so I'm going to go in, that's that. I think I will send in an email asking if there is any other time I can come in, saying my schedule is incredibly busy or something next week, but if I need to, I would go at that point. Just wish it was in a few weeks; after July 31, won't really matter when audition times are.
You know what though? I am going to email them; it doesn't hurt to ask, and I've come out for them enough... maybe they'll be around later that evening for some auditions.
In any case, that's what's going on. You know what else is strange? My lines are coming along, but the hardest ones are the Pyramus and Thisby scenes, and I talked with Snout last night about it, and he said it's because they're poorly written. He's totally right! Normally, Shakespeare's lines are so easy to get into your brain because they make SO much sense when you're really thinking about them, but these, Shakespeare purposefully wrote bad lines for the play within the play, and THAT'S why it's hard to understand. It made a lot of sense when he said that. It was fun to think about, in any case.
Um, nothing much else. I'm going to try and take a shower before rehearsal tonight. Scratch that 'try': I WILL take a shower tonight.
I just finished doing an edit of my resume. It's now about a page and a half long, with references it's two pages. I've been doing a lot of reading about resume etiquette, and all of them say that one page is great, two pages is perfectly acceptable as well. So that's pretty cool, and I'm using it. There's just so much of me that I have to offer! Ugh, that made me feel weird saying that; way too cynical for this shit. Anyway, I am actually pretty excited about this edit; it's sort of a combination of the one I have been using and the skills style resume I tooled with earlier. Thus making it longer, but still, in the virtual world, it'll be fine.
Bruce and I are planning on seeing The Dark Knight sometime this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited. YEEAH. Then I will probably be seeing Hellboy 2, which I am equally excited about - super big fan of the comics! Woo hoo spending money I don't have! Let's all celebrate that.
Quiet sobbing.
I think I finished memorizing my lines for Midsummer. Now I just need to run them with friends and in rehearsal. Honestly, it's just about plugging away at them, even when I was feeling shitty about it and thinking that I was making no progress, I still worked hard on what I was doing, finally getting to the point where they were coming naturally. I'm happy that I did. Also, that I worked on them so much earlier than some other people are. I started memorization about a month before rehearsal started, so I had a good chunk of the first act down when we walked in, it's just getting it on its feet now. Fun fun shit. This is going to be a pretty fantastic show, and I don't feel that way about just any show.
Auditions coming up. Sunday is the callback for Rocky Horror - not prepared. Monday is TheatreWorks - pretty prepared, but will go over monologues this weekend. Tuesday is 42nd Street Moon - not prepared, but will go over on Sunday. They, yet again, are holding their callbacks in the day time, not respecting their actors normal work schedules and keeping people longer than they need to be. I'm tired of them wasting my time, but honestly, what can we do? I was called in, so I'm going to go in, that's that. I think I will send in an email asking if there is any other time I can come in, saying my schedule is incredibly busy or something next week, but if I need to, I would go at that point. Just wish it was in a few weeks; after July 31, won't really matter when audition times are.
You know what though? I am going to email them; it doesn't hurt to ask, and I've come out for them enough... maybe they'll be around later that evening for some auditions.
In any case, that's what's going on. You know what else is strange? My lines are coming along, but the hardest ones are the Pyramus and Thisby scenes, and I talked with Snout last night about it, and he said it's because they're poorly written. He's totally right! Normally, Shakespeare's lines are so easy to get into your brain because they make SO much sense when you're really thinking about them, but these, Shakespeare purposefully wrote bad lines for the play within the play, and THAT'S why it's hard to understand. It made a lot of sense when he said that. It was fun to think about, in any case.
Um, nothing much else. I'm going to try and take a shower before rehearsal tonight. Scratch that 'try': I WILL take a shower tonight.
Monday, July 14, 2008
What DID Happen This Weekend?
Honestly, I'm not quite sure. I'm exhausted, but I don't know of anything else really. Let me try and go through what I did... step by step.
Friday was a normal stupid day, as I recall, and rehearsal was that night for some scenes. I hung out with mom and Tim for a bit, eating some popcorn and going to Trader Joe's for some easily eatable lunches this week, and headed up to Novato to get to rehearsal at 7; WRONG TIME. We were supposed to be there at 6, and when I got there, I received a sense of... nothing from the actors. Nobody cared that I was an hour late, partially because there was really no notice of this, and partially because they had just been sitting around for an hour, while Hector was doing Lovers' scenes. That might be my fault, but I don't think it is; I think the rehearsals are scheduled very oddly. That reminds me, I'm going to write the Stage Manager and ask her to send out reminders on where we're going; she's a nice person, bringing cookies, but it would be nice for an email reminder every day. Done. Good.
Saturday was a sleep in day for a bit. I had more rehearsal later in the day, worked my ass off, and was given very specific directions. I understand what Hector is doing, but I'm more of the "don't marry your actions so early" camp. But I'll do whatever he wants and find other things if I want to change things around. Whatever. It's a short run, so we do what we can. Example: going to work on lines at lunch. I'm actually doing pretty good on them, which is semi rare for me. But then again, we don't have much time until we're OH EM GEE STARTING THE SHOW! I'm lucky I'm rocking out these lines so well. Unlike. Others.
Sunday was Bubba's Diner! Woo! Chocolate chip pamcakes. Then I played video games all day, and worked on some lines... and then stormed the cast party at the bowling alley, hanging out with Monica, Bruce, and Jessica. They all seemed happy the show was over, but proud of the production they helped create. Plus there was pizza and cupcakes, and I was able to meet some of the people from the cast; good people all!
Today is back to work. For the past hour, Elaine has been struggling (almost wrote struffling, which doesn't come up as a misspelled word, so I may have to look that up later) with doing the mail. Correction, hour and 30 minutes now. Keep this in mind that the mail has to be done at 11, and she started at 10:30. Granted, it's monday, so a lot of mail, and graned she's new, but honestly folks, I've shown her how to do the mail four times - actually spelling out the word four makes it more important, just so you know - and still she struggles. I have to hand it to her, she doesn't ask me for help more than 10 times, so good for her. She's trying, she's just not very efficient.
Kai said something good about this situation though; if she were not going to be my replacement, would I still be as annoyed with her as I am? And I thought long and hard about it, before finally saying: Yes, I would. She's kind of an idiot.
Friday was a normal stupid day, as I recall, and rehearsal was that night for some scenes. I hung out with mom and Tim for a bit, eating some popcorn and going to Trader Joe's for some easily eatable lunches this week, and headed up to Novato to get to rehearsal at 7; WRONG TIME. We were supposed to be there at 6, and when I got there, I received a sense of... nothing from the actors. Nobody cared that I was an hour late, partially because there was really no notice of this, and partially because they had just been sitting around for an hour, while Hector was doing Lovers' scenes. That might be my fault, but I don't think it is; I think the rehearsals are scheduled very oddly. That reminds me, I'm going to write the Stage Manager and ask her to send out reminders on where we're going; she's a nice person, bringing cookies, but it would be nice for an email reminder every day. Done. Good.
Saturday was a sleep in day for a bit. I had more rehearsal later in the day, worked my ass off, and was given very specific directions. I understand what Hector is doing, but I'm more of the "don't marry your actions so early" camp. But I'll do whatever he wants and find other things if I want to change things around. Whatever. It's a short run, so we do what we can. Example: going to work on lines at lunch. I'm actually doing pretty good on them, which is semi rare for me. But then again, we don't have much time until we're OH EM GEE STARTING THE SHOW! I'm lucky I'm rocking out these lines so well. Unlike. Others.
Sunday was Bubba's Diner! Woo! Chocolate chip pamcakes. Then I played video games all day, and worked on some lines... and then stormed the cast party at the bowling alley, hanging out with Monica, Bruce, and Jessica. They all seemed happy the show was over, but proud of the production they helped create. Plus there was pizza and cupcakes, and I was able to meet some of the people from the cast; good people all!
Today is back to work. For the past hour, Elaine has been struggling (almost wrote struffling, which doesn't come up as a misspelled word, so I may have to look that up later) with doing the mail. Correction, hour and 30 minutes now. Keep this in mind that the mail has to be done at 11, and she started at 10:30. Granted, it's monday, so a lot of mail, and graned she's new, but honestly folks, I've shown her how to do the mail four times - actually spelling out the word four makes it more important, just so you know - and still she struggles. I have to hand it to her, she doesn't ask me for help more than 10 times, so good for her. She's trying, she's just not very efficient.
Kai said something good about this situation though; if she were not going to be my replacement, would I still be as annoyed with her as I am? And I thought long and hard about it, before finally saying: Yes, I would. She's kind of an idiot.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Oh Noes!
The Singing Stage is only by invite only now! This is where I found some great albums! Oh noes! NOEEESSS! It happens and was good while it lasted; in the meantime, however, I have requested an invite to be one of the VIP members of the blog, so my reviewing and deleting them within the legal 24 hour period can continue. Then I will buy the albums through normal legal means. I like to hear the music before I hear the music; it's only fair.
What have I done today, you ask? Why thank you for being interested in my life. I've applied for two (count 'em!) theatre jobs in the bay area, and have actually looked at the TBA website for some more. It's actually pretty exciting, I fit into these administrative positions better than my current one, AND I would be enjoying some theatre stuff! Woot! Let's hope they come through. Pleaseohpleaseohplease. The rest of the morning was more training for Elaine, who keeps forgetting everything I tell her the second I'm done talking. Oh well. Won't have to put up with her much longer.
Computer was just screwy; restarted, and now everything's fine. Further emphasizing that everything's better after a restart.
Last night at rehearsal I learned two things: Hector is an amazing director and our Quince is terrible. I'm hoping it's just a one night out of his head I'm tired sort of thing, but it seemed deeper than that, especially when he put equal emphasis on every. Single. Word. He. Said. That just takes the emphasis away from everything! It's like if you only eat ice cream all the time, soon you'll be tired of ice cream because it's not a thing you do once in a while. Or if you eat ice cream all the time, but add whipped cream only sometimes, that's another way of saying it.
I really want some ice cream.
Tonight is the thieve's production of Seussical! One of my favorite shows! And my favorite girl is the Sour Kangaroo! I'm excited. She said last night, "well, we have a show." So that put my mind out of fear. And I believe this evening is the cast party, so yummers!
Back on my head.
What have I done today, you ask? Why thank you for being interested in my life. I've applied for two (count 'em!) theatre jobs in the bay area, and have actually looked at the TBA website for some more. It's actually pretty exciting, I fit into these administrative positions better than my current one, AND I would be enjoying some theatre stuff! Woot! Let's hope they come through. Pleaseohpleaseohplease. The rest of the morning was more training for Elaine, who keeps forgetting everything I tell her the second I'm done talking. Oh well. Won't have to put up with her much longer.
Computer was just screwy; restarted, and now everything's fine. Further emphasizing that everything's better after a restart.
Last night at rehearsal I learned two things: Hector is an amazing director and our Quince is terrible. I'm hoping it's just a one night out of his head I'm tired sort of thing, but it seemed deeper than that, especially when he put equal emphasis on every. Single. Word. He. Said. That just takes the emphasis away from everything! It's like if you only eat ice cream all the time, soon you'll be tired of ice cream because it's not a thing you do once in a while. Or if you eat ice cream all the time, but add whipped cream only sometimes, that's another way of saying it.
I really want some ice cream.
Tonight is the thieve's production of Seussical! One of my favorite shows! And my favorite girl is the Sour Kangaroo! I'm excited. She said last night, "well, we have a show." So that put my mind out of fear. And I believe this evening is the cast party, so yummers!
Back on my head.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Warming Up
As always, this is my warmup post for when I need to write something. Also, it'll help me document the mediocre shit in my life that happened this weekend. So... yay? Where did we last leave off...
Friday went by relatively quickly, and I busted my ass to get to Martinez at 6 (when we were called) and we didn't start until 7. That is officially the last time I bust my ass to get to anything at the Willows other than a pizza party. The rehearsal itself was pretty fun; still don't know the words, but neither do a lot of people, so a surprising amount had their books out to glance tiny peeks at the cheat sheet. We sounded great. And the Martinez waterfront is beautiful when the sun is setting, especially when the fires are still making some Mood Smoke. Also, Carbon Monoxide, but that just makes you sleepy. We ended early (yay!) and I went home and had my now daily vice of Taco Bell. (That's changing today with New Leaf.) Whilst I was gone, Monica's friend Ryn came from Seattle and stayed with us at our place. She's nice.
Saturday was filled with egg bacon cheese muffins for breakfast and a day of Monica having to go to tech, so to cut the awkward with Ryn, we went and saw The Incredible Hulk - quite amazing. It's better than the other Hulk, but I'm not a hater of that movie. This one was much more true to the roots though, especially the television show. The casting was a little better on all the parts as well. I sure hope they make a Hulk Grey sequel before they just have him on a rampage in The Avengers. But then again, I'm not Hollywood, so they can do whatever they want. Ryn was a good companion at the movie. I of course ate too much popcorn.
That evening Monica and I went to see Cabaret at SF Playhouse. It was disappointing. The crowd seemed to love it... but it was opening night, so they probably were some good supporters. Anyway, as we do when we're frustrated, after the show Monica was worried about picking up Ryn from the whatever, and I wanted to talk to some people. We were frustrated with each other, and combine that with being exhausted... it just wasn't a very good formula for being nice to one another. We noticed it as soon as we left, and I was happy to apologise as to how much of a douche I was. She apologised too. We were both pretty weird that evening. I think it was the disappointment of the show.
"Ah," you say, "The evening's over now, surely sleeping is quite simple, and a fresh new day can start tomorrow." That's the problem: we went to the bar that Ryn was hanging out at to pick her up, and she wasn't ready to leave. I'm glad we really didn't need to worry. Getting home, we relaxed for a bit, and just as I was drifting to slumberland, Monica saw a rat run across the floor. Que Ben Being A Man and going out to the floor and picking up all our shit and putting it on the couch, all while stomping to show the rat that I'm coming, so he has plenty of time to run away. I only have half visions of that evening; I remember lying in bed, hearing about the rat, and then being up and putting stuff away, and then lying down again. It was a strange, dreamlike experience that I think if we weren't woken up again later in the evening by (another? the same?) rat, I would have thought I dreamt it. But more rat stuff through the night. "But that must be it, Ben?" Not quite. At around 3AM, Monica got a call from Ryn's ride to the house, saying they were lost.
Now, Monica had given really good directions as to get to her house. She's really good at giving directions. These people were just drunken idiots. So when she went out on the balcony to tell them yes, you are right there, and no, stop driving away, I can see your car, come back, they backed up the car right into her car, and we had insurance swapping to happen! To my ever shame, I was unable to find my shoes in time to come out and see what was going on, but I doubt I would have been much of a help. And whatever I think now, I don't know what I would have done in the actual moment, so I can't say anything for sure. So there you have it. I made it back to sleep, Monica didn't, and the next day came.
Sunday was a pancake day for us; my stack of pancakes was 10 inches high, full of fluffy, ill formed, and delicious pancakes. I put so much butterscotch and chocolate chips that it's a miracle they didn't just disintegrate without the batter. Monica's mum came over, and was a little snarky: "It's a good thing you don't want kids, you'd never survive a night without sleep." To which I replied, "It's Sunday morning, so we're luxuriating." Then we ate pancakes to the talk of her mom telling us how to use rat poision. Yum.
Later I went home, took a shower, and played some Team Fortress 2. There are so many idiots on there, but I had a good time shooting them as a heavy, so that made me feel a little bit better. And then and then! We went to see Wall*E! Best movie of the year. By far. It had more in common with silent films than sci fi, but it had a great anticonsumerist and ecological message that rang very true throughout the entire film. Great great great. I can see it again and again and again.
Then rehearsal for me which lasted too long, and with better word memorization; still kept my book on stage with me though. Two weeks is too damn hard to learn a full score, geez! Especially for volunteers! Taco Smell again. No more of that: gave me a tummy ache.
And that brings us to today. This weekend I found that I was paid on Friday instead of today, and I don't really know how I feel about that. I have a sneaking suspicion that today is the day I will no longer have a job... it would be fine with me, but I need to know soon so I can really up my job hunting time. And the unknown is always hard... but at least I'll have some video games as friends. Also, this was a pretty good warming up post. I think I can start my writing now. Thanks.
Friday went by relatively quickly, and I busted my ass to get to Martinez at 6 (when we were called) and we didn't start until 7. That is officially the last time I bust my ass to get to anything at the Willows other than a pizza party. The rehearsal itself was pretty fun; still don't know the words, but neither do a lot of people, so a surprising amount had their books out to glance tiny peeks at the cheat sheet. We sounded great. And the Martinez waterfront is beautiful when the sun is setting, especially when the fires are still making some Mood Smoke. Also, Carbon Monoxide, but that just makes you sleepy. We ended early (yay!) and I went home and had my now daily vice of Taco Bell. (That's changing today with New Leaf.) Whilst I was gone, Monica's friend Ryn came from Seattle and stayed with us at our place. She's nice.
Saturday was filled with egg bacon cheese muffins for breakfast and a day of Monica having to go to tech, so to cut the awkward with Ryn, we went and saw The Incredible Hulk - quite amazing. It's better than the other Hulk, but I'm not a hater of that movie. This one was much more true to the roots though, especially the television show. The casting was a little better on all the parts as well. I sure hope they make a Hulk Grey sequel before they just have him on a rampage in The Avengers. But then again, I'm not Hollywood, so they can do whatever they want. Ryn was a good companion at the movie. I of course ate too much popcorn.
That evening Monica and I went to see Cabaret at SF Playhouse. It was disappointing. The crowd seemed to love it... but it was opening night, so they probably were some good supporters. Anyway, as we do when we're frustrated, after the show Monica was worried about picking up Ryn from the whatever, and I wanted to talk to some people. We were frustrated with each other, and combine that with being exhausted... it just wasn't a very good formula for being nice to one another. We noticed it as soon as we left, and I was happy to apologise as to how much of a douche I was. She apologised too. We were both pretty weird that evening. I think it was the disappointment of the show.
"Ah," you say, "The evening's over now, surely sleeping is quite simple, and a fresh new day can start tomorrow." That's the problem: we went to the bar that Ryn was hanging out at to pick her up, and she wasn't ready to leave. I'm glad we really didn't need to worry. Getting home, we relaxed for a bit, and just as I was drifting to slumberland, Monica saw a rat run across the floor. Que Ben Being A Man and going out to the floor and picking up all our shit and putting it on the couch, all while stomping to show the rat that I'm coming, so he has plenty of time to run away. I only have half visions of that evening; I remember lying in bed, hearing about the rat, and then being up and putting stuff away, and then lying down again. It was a strange, dreamlike experience that I think if we weren't woken up again later in the evening by (another? the same?) rat, I would have thought I dreamt it. But more rat stuff through the night. "But that must be it, Ben?" Not quite. At around 3AM, Monica got a call from Ryn's ride to the house, saying they were lost.
Now, Monica had given really good directions as to get to her house. She's really good at giving directions. These people were just drunken idiots. So when she went out on the balcony to tell them yes, you are right there, and no, stop driving away, I can see your car, come back, they backed up the car right into her car, and we had insurance swapping to happen! To my ever shame, I was unable to find my shoes in time to come out and see what was going on, but I doubt I would have been much of a help. And whatever I think now, I don't know what I would have done in the actual moment, so I can't say anything for sure. So there you have it. I made it back to sleep, Monica didn't, and the next day came.
Sunday was a pancake day for us; my stack of pancakes was 10 inches high, full of fluffy, ill formed, and delicious pancakes. I put so much butterscotch and chocolate chips that it's a miracle they didn't just disintegrate without the batter. Monica's mum came over, and was a little snarky: "It's a good thing you don't want kids, you'd never survive a night without sleep." To which I replied, "It's Sunday morning, so we're luxuriating." Then we ate pancakes to the talk of her mom telling us how to use rat poision. Yum.
Later I went home, took a shower, and played some Team Fortress 2. There are so many idiots on there, but I had a good time shooting them as a heavy, so that made me feel a little bit better. And then and then! We went to see Wall*E! Best movie of the year. By far. It had more in common with silent films than sci fi, but it had a great anticonsumerist and ecological message that rang very true throughout the entire film. Great great great. I can see it again and again and again.
Then rehearsal for me which lasted too long, and with better word memorization; still kept my book on stage with me though. Two weeks is too damn hard to learn a full score, geez! Especially for volunteers! Taco Smell again. No more of that: gave me a tummy ache.
And that brings us to today. This weekend I found that I was paid on Friday instead of today, and I don't really know how I feel about that. I have a sneaking suspicion that today is the day I will no longer have a job... it would be fine with me, but I need to know soon so I can really up my job hunting time. And the unknown is always hard... but at least I'll have some video games as friends. Also, this was a pretty good warming up post. I think I can start my writing now. Thanks.
Friday, June 27, 2008
As Always, Should Be Working On Lines
Chillin after lunch. Had a good one at Baja Fresh with Monica. It was nice to see her; it's so rare that we see each other conscious recently. Last night is the exception, as well. But even then, we went to bed pretty fast. And tonight, well, gotta go to Martinez to run the show (theoretically). There might even be an orchestra tonight. Or maybe they would have forced me out of the show for not knowing my part because I've never done it before.
That's the real trouble with this, as discussed a little bit with Monica over lunch: this show is done so quickly, and eventually off book, that it really is for the people who've done it before, whether it be 8 years or 1, but they should have said they couldn't keep me simply because I wouldn't be able to learn it in time. Combine that with the fact that they haven't kept their promises... well, I'll tough my way through it - having a good time with the songs when I have my book out - and it's a good credit, but goddamn if I'll know better than to do something else at the Willows. Then again, they'll just offer me something with equity points sooner or later and I'll go crawling back. Maybe when gas goes down to 3.99 again. Hello savings!
Um. I've been reading PvP. It started out pretty stupid, and then graduated to mildly hilarious with some gems, but seriously folks, it's no Penny Arcade. And that's why they're the best webcomic out there: they've eclipsed all the other webcomics (somehow) and become their own entity. They're living fullly from their art, and that's pretty fantastic. Well, the creator of PvP is too, so that's good. I think he is. No idea really.
And back to boredom. I hope rehearsal tonight isn't hideously long, but if it is I have my lines to study. Then again, it might be quick; it's supposed to just be a run through of all of the stuff. And theoretically the show's only supposed to be 45 minutes long. Pretty cool if you ask me.
It'll be over in a week.
That's the real trouble with this, as discussed a little bit with Monica over lunch: this show is done so quickly, and eventually off book, that it really is for the people who've done it before, whether it be 8 years or 1, but they should have said they couldn't keep me simply because I wouldn't be able to learn it in time. Combine that with the fact that they haven't kept their promises... well, I'll tough my way through it - having a good time with the songs when I have my book out - and it's a good credit, but goddamn if I'll know better than to do something else at the Willows. Then again, they'll just offer me something with equity points sooner or later and I'll go crawling back. Maybe when gas goes down to 3.99 again. Hello savings!
Um. I've been reading PvP. It started out pretty stupid, and then graduated to mildly hilarious with some gems, but seriously folks, it's no Penny Arcade. And that's why they're the best webcomic out there: they've eclipsed all the other webcomics (somehow) and become their own entity. They're living fullly from their art, and that's pretty fantastic. Well, the creator of PvP is too, so that's good. I think he is. No idea really.
And back to boredom. I hope rehearsal tonight isn't hideously long, but if it is I have my lines to study. Then again, it might be quick; it's supposed to just be a run through of all of the stuff. And theoretically the show's only supposed to be 45 minutes long. Pretty cool if you ask me.
It'll be over in a week.
Artificial Sunsets Make Me Sleepy
Now I get what the fires are doing to the light: they're making the entire day look like it's sunset, which is seriously messing with my vibes. Maybe THAT'S why I've been exceedingly tired all week; it's just the weather making me thing it's perpetually time to watch some television, play some games, and go to bed. For that matter, maybe that's why I've been wanting to just watch television, play games, and go to bed all week, instead of everything else that's on my plate. Nevertheless, it's beautiful to watch the distilled sunlight filter through the trees and see the orange glow on the ground here. Beauty keeps me distracted from the ever battering of my soul.. and here comes one of the soul suckers now! Oh goofus, how hilarious (sarcasm) are.
---
I am exceedingly happy I didn't go to rehearsal last night. I don't think I've ever felt that way before. Yes, there's work that needs to be done, but I as sure as hell can get there tonight and I'll certainly work my ass off. It was funny though, rather than play video games or anything like that, I simply read all night. I probably can't say I'm a gamer anymore, if when given a chance I would turn to books (comic or otherwise) over video games.
Maybe it's because deep down inside I'm kind of afraid of Team Fortress 2. I mean, I've only played it a little bit, and had my ass handed to me. But... why should I be afraid of it? I think I'm mostly afraid of the stupid people online, and the fact that I don't have any friends to play it with, and the slow realization that my friends with 360's are unable to play with me on the PC version of it. Sigh. Oh well, that's what new friends are for! Or new enemies, when they explode my face. Shrug. I still haven't finished Half Life 2, now that I think of it. Or BioShock. Or any game I've tried to play in the past 6 months. Goddamn theatre.
---
I'm smelly. I haven't taken a shower in a couple of days - no time really, and Monica's bathroom isn't conducive to people of Ben size. What I really need is to just have some time to not do anything, I had a taste of that last night, and I want more more more. I'll have a couple of days after Muir Fest is over, but then we start right into Midsummer, and I should have those fucking lines down shortly thereafter.
Speaking of thereafter, haven't got a call from 42nd Street Moon. Granted, their show is much later in the season, but I would love to start to assemble my schedule for after Midsummer. Either that, or they don't want me. Which is completely fine with me; I'm used to rejection, but I know if I'm ever a casting director or an artistic director, I'll send at the very least a email to all the rejected people saying the standard we can't use you right now or whatever the fuck they say to be nice. Truthfully, it is nice, and we can get on with our lives, as well as it actually, most of the time, being the truth; there are only so many parts and much more actors. It just wouldn't kill them to throw me in the mix every once in a while. I'm talking to you every theatre out there. Oddly enough, I'm still pretty positive.
I think Oddly might be a good name for a character in Age of Conan. Or some other roleplaying game. Ooooh, even better in D&D, an illusionist or something... cool. Well, maybe my mind isn't completely gone from gaming.
Mail time. I'll be back later.
---
I am exceedingly happy I didn't go to rehearsal last night. I don't think I've ever felt that way before. Yes, there's work that needs to be done, but I as sure as hell can get there tonight and I'll certainly work my ass off. It was funny though, rather than play video games or anything like that, I simply read all night. I probably can't say I'm a gamer anymore, if when given a chance I would turn to books (comic or otherwise) over video games.
Maybe it's because deep down inside I'm kind of afraid of Team Fortress 2. I mean, I've only played it a little bit, and had my ass handed to me. But... why should I be afraid of it? I think I'm mostly afraid of the stupid people online, and the fact that I don't have any friends to play it with, and the slow realization that my friends with 360's are unable to play with me on the PC version of it. Sigh. Oh well, that's what new friends are for! Or new enemies, when they explode my face. Shrug. I still haven't finished Half Life 2, now that I think of it. Or BioShock. Or any game I've tried to play in the past 6 months. Goddamn theatre.
---
I'm smelly. I haven't taken a shower in a couple of days - no time really, and Monica's bathroom isn't conducive to people of Ben size. What I really need is to just have some time to not do anything, I had a taste of that last night, and I want more more more. I'll have a couple of days after Muir Fest is over, but then we start right into Midsummer, and I should have those fucking lines down shortly thereafter.
Speaking of thereafter, haven't got a call from 42nd Street Moon. Granted, their show is much later in the season, but I would love to start to assemble my schedule for after Midsummer. Either that, or they don't want me. Which is completely fine with me; I'm used to rejection, but I know if I'm ever a casting director or an artistic director, I'll send at the very least a email to all the rejected people saying the standard we can't use you right now or whatever the fuck they say to be nice. Truthfully, it is nice, and we can get on with our lives, as well as it actually, most of the time, being the truth; there are only so many parts and much more actors. It just wouldn't kill them to throw me in the mix every once in a while. I'm talking to you every theatre out there. Oddly enough, I'm still pretty positive.
I think Oddly might be a good name for a character in Age of Conan. Or some other roleplaying game. Ooooh, even better in D&D, an illusionist or something... cool. Well, maybe my mind isn't completely gone from gaming.
Mail time. I'll be back later.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Mostly Just A Recap
Completely forgot I had an audition tonight at Berkeley Playhouse for Big Friendly Giant. I just sent them an email asking for the performance dates; wouldn't want to waste anyone's time by auditioning for a show I couldn't be in anyway because of whatcha call it, Midsummer. I hope it works out, I really want to work with them, but if it doesn't, it doesn't, and I'm not really in a pickle there; they don't even offer equity points... so I really should keep them off my radar for now. I have enough theatre friends in Ray of Light to fill my "I love this company and would work for them for no points" quota.
Sigh, more stuff to do. Who would have thought that I had so much to do at work.
So what else... yesterday I went to a rehearsal of Mountain Days, which was fun. The choral stuff is far beyond what I'm used to, so it's more of a challenge of working with that than anything else, which is great! I've been singing better lately, and this is a really good opportunity to keep in practice and work more on learning what the notes actually mean that are on the page. Right on. Plus the other perks don't hurt. The show itself is pretty cheesy, but I don't mind that. Plus, it's only 45 minutes long, so it'll be an easy run! Ta da!
Not much else to say. Really excited for Rocky, I hope I get it. OH yeah! And we ran into Wendell the other day and he said he wanted to be in it... as Rocky! Funny how that works; he'd actually be a good Rocky, and it's just the fact that it's ingrained in my head that Rocky is an arian looking dude that it didn't even cross my mind. But yes, he would actually be a good one. It'd be fantastic to work on; super excited, and I know I shouldn't get my hopes too far up.
Nothing much else to say. I'm kinda happy with Mountain Days right now, but a little like... "guh, why did I do this again? Oh yeah, the whole pay it forward thing." Part of me just isn't in the mood for doing a show and then immediately jumping into another one. But the other part of me that beats the real part to the ground says, "hey ben, you're a working actor, so you should probably be doing this."
Sigh, more stuff to do. Who would have thought that I had so much to do at work.
So what else... yesterday I went to a rehearsal of Mountain Days, which was fun. The choral stuff is far beyond what I'm used to, so it's more of a challenge of working with that than anything else, which is great! I've been singing better lately, and this is a really good opportunity to keep in practice and work more on learning what the notes actually mean that are on the page. Right on. Plus the other perks don't hurt. The show itself is pretty cheesy, but I don't mind that. Plus, it's only 45 minutes long, so it'll be an easy run! Ta da!
Not much else to say. Really excited for Rocky, I hope I get it. OH yeah! And we ran into Wendell the other day and he said he wanted to be in it... as Rocky! Funny how that works; he'd actually be a good Rocky, and it's just the fact that it's ingrained in my head that Rocky is an arian looking dude that it didn't even cross my mind. But yes, he would actually be a good one. It'd be fantastic to work on; super excited, and I know I shouldn't get my hopes too far up.
Nothing much else to say. I'm kinda happy with Mountain Days right now, but a little like... "guh, why did I do this again? Oh yeah, the whole pay it forward thing." Part of me just isn't in the mood for doing a show and then immediately jumping into another one. But the other part of me that beats the real part to the ground says, "hey ben, you're a working actor, so you should probably be doing this."
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