Thursday, 15 July 2004
Does anyone ever really get what is going on?
Welcome to the philosophical part of the show, ladies and gentlemen. I'm usually not like this in the mornings, but I haven't had my daily dose of caffeine. I've been sitting here thinking (and no, it doesn't hurt). What is really going on? What the hell is it all about? Some days, actually most lately, I really want to find myself a nice quiet little island in the Caribbean, make like Gilligan, and forget the world for a while. No phone calls, no taxes, no nothing. Just peace and serenity with a little rum drink mixed in for the fun of it (or three or twelve). I'm resigned to the fact that I'll probably never win the lottery or strike it rich inventing the first automatic whatchamacallit. Instead I'll be some 85 year old with arthritis and a bad hip working at the McDonald's drive-thru in the mornings just support myself. I say this because I'm a little frustrated with life right now. It seems like just when you find the light at the end of the tunnel, someone builds on an extension. Every now and then, I get to that point in my life and I question everything that I've ever done and not done. It's kind of like a review of my life. Rehashing all of my mistakes and shortcomings. I gotta stop doing this! But the funny thing is that I keep all of this stuff inside me. And when I get an idea in my head I usually stick with it. But it will take me a long time to make the decision (depending on what it is). If it's a question of whether to have chicken or ribs for dinner, no big deal. But when it comes to life altering choices, I'm more cautious now. For example, still on my own. Still rediscovering my identity once again. But, what I am waiting for? I know that the tall, dark and handsome that I'm looking for probably doesn't exist. And most guys are threatened by strong, intelligent, independent women. But I can't see why any guy would want to go out with a bubblehead. What girl is interesting if all she does is worry about her manicure or her hair? A woman can still be feminine while wearing a tool belt. I will leave you with some happier words, though. After reading them, I feel a little better. B. HERE IS SOME GOOD ADVICE! If a dog were the teacher you would learn stuff like: a. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. b. Never pass up an opportunity to go for a joyride. c. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. d. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience. e. Let others know when they've invaded your territory. f. Take naps. g. Stretch before rising. h. Run, romp, and play daily. i. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. j. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. k. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. l. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. m. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. n. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends. o. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. p. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. q. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. r. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. s. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
Wednesday, 14 July 2004
Climbing out of obscurity...sort of.
So, as I said, I have no claim to fame. Other than my many bad decisions that I have made in my life time. I did, at one time, have quite a following in my own little world.
I was a dancer for a few years. Now, before I get flooded with comments about strippers, I was not, nor have I ever been, a stripper (although, I am pretty hot). I was a Latin/Ballroom Dancer. And quite good, if I do say so myself.
My partner and I did a number of shows around Alberta. Granted, Alberta isn't the big mecca that it appears to be (ha,ha). But, I had my share of admirers. It was kind of nice, actually. I can really see how some people can get used to the adulation that comes with being a star.
Anyhow, due to financial reasons (I was broke), I decided to stop dancing and get, heaven forbid, a real job (gasp!). So, now I really miss dancing. But that's okay, because I'm back into acting (which is really what I wanted to do anyway).
So, now here I am. I have an agent who really doesn't do much except tell me that there aren't any parts I'm "right for" at the moment. Hence, I am stuck doing community theater. Which is okay, because I love live theater. And, let's face it, the only thing that's really filming in Alberta is Brokeback Mountain and a few MOW's. There's only so much self promotion I can do.
The theater I'm with is really good. It's something to start in and get some experience. I haven't been on the stage in years, so it's really exhilarating. I'm usually the only one back stage at the tech rehearsal wanting to know if we can do a extra few weeks!
But, now I've been chosen to direct the next show. This is an avenue that I haven't yet explored and I'm really nervous. I've never really been nervous before. At least not to this extent. I guess it's just that if it flops, it's on my head, name, and reputation.
I'd like to know if anyone else has had a similar experience. What are the essentials of being a good director?
Posted by brookside10 at 3:10 PM MDT
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Updated: Thursday, 15 July 2004 8:38 AM MDT
So, what gives?
I suppose I should start out by saying that I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. So, bear with me as I figure this out.
I decided to start this blog after recently discovering that blogs actually exist (see, I told you I have NO idea what I'm doing). I needed an avenue in which to vent and express myself. Sometimes, venting to complete strangers offers more insight than venting to people you've known your entire life.
Take family for instance. My sister, or as I sometimes call her, "the vacuum", is always going on about something. I say vacuum because after dealing with her problems, you feel like the life has been sucked out of you.
Well, this one day in particular, she called me up and it sound really urgent. Something about the car not being there and whatever. Anyway, I, being concerned that the car was stolen or maybe re-possessed, rush over not giving a rat's ass about the fact that I has only about $2.00 worth of gas in the tank and maybe no way to get home. I show up and all she wanted was to ask my advice on whether to apply for a new job.
Obviously, the car was still there and there was really no sense of urgency in the situation what-so-ever. And this bit of advice couldn't be given out over the telephone.
So, here I am with a site that allows my to not only get a few things off my chest, but to pass along some of the crazy things that happen in my mixed up world. I'll start off with one. I'm going to cite an example from my family. They're the craziest people I know. And that's saying ALOT!
My sister and her husband live on an acreage outside of town. The property isn't large or anything, but it has a mechanic's shop on it for my brother-in-law. The house is a disaster in every sense. Not only is a REALLY, REALLY, old double wide trailer, but it was built on a cinder block foundation. Which, during Canadian winters, is not the best option. It leaks like a sieve. And, the rest of it would provide enough work put a constractor's kids through college/university.
Anyway, my 10 year old niece was home and had gone into the bathroom. Being like most 10 year olds, she forgot to turn the light off. The light was also connected to the bathroom fan (which, at the best of times, really didn't work). She then went down to the shop to visit her Dad and quickly got bored and went back to the house.
As she opened the door, smoke poured out of the house. She quickly jumped on her bike and told her Dad (who was still at the shop). The shop is a good 500 yards from the house. A long way to go for, as I affectionately call him, a fat-guy. Of course, he feels that it's smarter to run up to the house sans fire extinguisher. Luckily, his buddy has the forsight to not only call the fire department and take something to extinguish the fire, but to drive up to the house (laughing all the way as he watched my 280 lb. brother-in-law running and having a coronary).
So, the fire gets put out and the fire department arrives to finish the job. I call my sister, just a weekly check in, and she nonchalantly tells me, "Oh, we had a fire. And now we don't have any water because the pipes burst."
Only in my family. Just enough to piss you off and wonder who the voodoo witch doctor was that put the evil curse on you, but not enough to be really life shattering.
How about you? What's your crazy story?
Posted by brookside10 at 1:02 PM MDT
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Updated: Wednesday, 14 July 2004 1:03 PM MDT
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