Having long since decided that the Christmas season was much too hectic a time to try and get together as friends, we moved our Teacher-Friend Holiday Celebration to MLK Weekend. We, the friends who began teaching together in 1987-1990, gather at Julie and Janet's house for games, chatter, good food, and good fun. We spend the night, and in the morning, I am privileged to use Janet's bathroom for my clean-up-to-greet-the-day. I take this annual opportunity to sample 'what's new in the world of personal care products' that Janet has on hand.
Janet's bathroom is lovely--yellow, sunflowered, with matching towels, no less. She has Make-up Puffs, not cotton balls and her Q-Tips are in a little, cloth-lined basket instead of a baggie. On the back of the toilet are yellow and blue striped washrags, rolled hot-dog bun style and carefully positioned in a small pail.
Her bathroom counter boasts 3 different types of perfume, "Look Ma, New Hands" lotion with paraffin, an aerosol can of Multiplicity Swax (spray wax--for hair removal?), and something called Aquage Freezing Foam whose purpose is a mystery. There were lotion bottles of Aromatherapy in eucalyptus spearmint, Mary Kay Timewise, and Nutrioniste skin renew. Much different from my all-purpose baby lotion. There are tubes labeled D20 Hydration, Petgold Tartar Control toothpaste (presumably for the dog), and something called "No Puffery".
A small jar of Regenerist microsculpting cream and Crazygood whipped shee bodybutter which I'm not sure I want to know about are in yet another cloth-lined basket on the counter next to the sink.
There was a definite peppermint bent this year with: Twisted Peppermint body creme, and skin renewing peppermint foot treatment, and Twisted Peppermint (candy canes gone wild) body scrub.
In the shower, where I noticed that Janet had a new diffuser shower head, I was able to sample Matrix Biloage (isn't that one of the Godzilla monsters?) and something that seemed too thick to be creme rinse, although I used it anyway, called Tea Tree Conditioner, subtitled revitalisant, acondicionador, which I'm assuming was 'conditioner' in the prerequisite French and Spanish. In any case, it was a nice change of pace from my usual Suave shampoo and conditioner. There was Skintimate moisturizing shaving gel, Coconut Sweettime exfoliating sugar scrub, Tahitian Bath Milk which exhorted me to 'SOAK IT UP' (with monoi oil), Origins (never a dull moment skin brightening face polisher with fruit enzymes), and Morning burst (!!) facial cleanser.
Janet's bathroom is a place of fascination and mystery and I enjoy my annual 24-hour-trip to Janet's Wonderland Spa.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
ON Stage (?) Stress Dream
So...last night I attended a script-reading for a possible 'next production' for the CrazyLake Acting Company. For this production, which will be performed in September, I am turning the reins of directorship over to my most reliable, experienced, and trusted actor for his first venture into 'in front of the stage' instead of 'on'. In doing this, it is my hope that I will have a chance to perform for the first time in....twelve years(!!!). The play that we read had a medium-sized part, a wacky old lady, just right for me, and for which I will most certainly be auditioning, should we decide to do this play.
So...this morning after the script-reading, I wake up from my first stress dream.
I am on stage...and watching the action, watching people say their lines, when all of a sudden, I realize they're all looking at me. Oh. It must be my line...but as a director, I'm so used to just standing and watching the action that I sort of forgot I was IN the play. I look at them; they're all there: Kelly, Rachelle, Dennis, Chris, Joe, Terri... They're staring very hard at me. A couple of them mouth something to me, but I don't get it. (I never was any good at lip-reading.) I just sort of shrug...I really have no idea...I realize that I don't know my lines at all. AT ALL.
Shudder. This is enough to make me want to take last night's script and IMMEDIATELY put my lines on CD to start learning them whether we decide to do this show or not. Eek.
So...this morning after the script-reading, I wake up from my first stress dream.
I am on stage...and watching the action, watching people say their lines, when all of a sudden, I realize they're all looking at me. Oh. It must be my line...but as a director, I'm so used to just standing and watching the action that I sort of forgot I was IN the play. I look at them; they're all there: Kelly, Rachelle, Dennis, Chris, Joe, Terri... They're staring very hard at me. A couple of them mouth something to me, but I don't get it. (I never was any good at lip-reading.) I just sort of shrug...I really have no idea...I realize that I don't know my lines at all. AT ALL.
Shudder. This is enough to make me want to take last night's script and IMMEDIATELY put my lines on CD to start learning them whether we decide to do this show or not. Eek.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Letter "P"
Liz at Eternal Lizdom is playing a letter game--she's assigned random letters to those who follow her blog, like me, and my task is to come up with ten things I like that start with...the letter P. P??? Why couldn't it have been T (for theatre or travel or teasing....?). But it's P--so here goes:
1) I like people, all kinds of people, how interesting they are
Where they've come from, where they're going, how the journey's been so far
Their stories seldom bore me and I'm sure you will agree
To connect with other people is the reason we're to be.
2) Thank goodness, plays begins with 'P' or I'd give up this chore
If I did not have theatre, life would surely be a bore
KidsPlay, CrazyLake, or my beloved Act-Teens
Messin' around with Dennis in the old man/old lady scenes
3) Writing parody songs is a way to spend my time
It's hard to keep the rhythm and make sure they always rhyme
We sing them at our parties and try to be the best
We laugh until our stomachs hurt listening to the rest
4) Since we did "Jolly Roger", I'm a pirate in my heart
With boots, and patch and sword in hand, I'd play out my part
Captain Jack, Bonney Anne and my favorites, Bounding Main
If given half a moment's choice, at sea I would remain
5) "How 'bout Peace?" my big son said, as I worked on this list
When my response was silence, he started to get pissed.
"What do mean? You don't like peace?" he said with a smile
So to this list, I add 'World Peace' so I don't seem so vile.
6) I like Payton, my favorite actress and future Broadway Star
And I like Peyton, the quarterback, who throws the ball so far
They both have lots of character and traits that I admire
Role models each in their own way to which we should aspire
7) The PC vs. Mac commercials make me laugh out loud
And tickle the snobby fancy of the Apple computer crowd
PC Guy is so stuffy and young Mac Guy is so cool
Which is why we all should understand that PCs suck/Macs rule
8) My cellphone connects me to all I know
To Julie, Dennis, Chris, Stan, Rachelle, Terri, and Joe
My link to business; my link to info, my link to laughs and fun
But you can bet there's a bill to pay when I get done
9) Pencil and paper, budgets, proposals, Google, and MapQuest
Brainstorming and planning are among the things that I love best
A family vacation, a party, a play theatrical fund raising event
"Just okay" is not my style; to excel is my intent.
10) And last, my hometown Poet in October we celebrate
And the homespun rhymes and poems that he did create
The goblins that'll getcha and pumpkins covered with frost
He documented a time and place that now is lost.
So those are my Ps, one through ten, in poetic form
Taking my mind off the cold, it helped to keep me warm
And thanks to Liz, for the chance to play and make this letter rhyme
Lots of thoughtful, humorous fun--a creative way to spend my time.
1) I like people, all kinds of people, how interesting they are
Where they've come from, where they're going, how the journey's been so far
Their stories seldom bore me and I'm sure you will agree
To connect with other people is the reason we're to be.
2) Thank goodness, plays begins with 'P' or I'd give up this chore
If I did not have theatre, life would surely be a bore
KidsPlay, CrazyLake, or my beloved Act-Teens
Messin' around with Dennis in the old man/old lady scenes
3) Writing parody songs is a way to spend my time
It's hard to keep the rhythm and make sure they always rhyme
We sing them at our parties and try to be the best
We laugh until our stomachs hurt listening to the rest
4) Since we did "Jolly Roger", I'm a pirate in my heart
With boots, and patch and sword in hand, I'd play out my part
Captain Jack, Bonney Anne and my favorites, Bounding Main
If given half a moment's choice, at sea I would remain
5) "How 'bout Peace?" my big son said, as I worked on this list
When my response was silence, he started to get pissed.
"What do mean? You don't like peace?" he said with a smile
So to this list, I add 'World Peace' so I don't seem so vile.
6) I like Payton, my favorite actress and future Broadway Star
And I like Peyton, the quarterback, who throws the ball so far
They both have lots of character and traits that I admire
Role models each in their own way to which we should aspire
7) The PC vs. Mac commercials make me laugh out loud
And tickle the snobby fancy of the Apple computer crowd
PC Guy is so stuffy and young Mac Guy is so cool
Which is why we all should understand that PCs suck/Macs rule
8) My cellphone connects me to all I know
To Julie, Dennis, Chris, Stan, Rachelle, Terri, and Joe
My link to business; my link to info, my link to laughs and fun
But you can bet there's a bill to pay when I get done
9) Pencil and paper, budgets, proposals, Google, and MapQuest
Brainstorming and planning are among the things that I love best
A family vacation, a party, a play theatrical fund raising event
"Just okay" is not my style; to excel is my intent.
10) And last, my hometown Poet in October we celebrate
And the homespun rhymes and poems that he did create
The goblins that'll getcha and pumpkins covered with frost
He documented a time and place that now is lost.
So those are my Ps, one through ten, in poetic form
Taking my mind off the cold, it helped to keep me warm
And thanks to Liz, for the chance to play and make this letter rhyme
Lots of thoughtful, humorous fun--a creative way to spend my time.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Show Turns the Corner
Whenever I'm directing a show...which, lately, is constantly...there's always a moment when the show 'turns the corner'. It's then that you know it's going to be okay, all the hard work, the worrying, the time that you've put in, it's all going to be worth it. It's the 'we've got a show' moment. For the CrazyLake Acting Company's production of "The Odd Couple", last night was that night. The show turned the corner.
We sent the poker guys home early--we've worked and worked with them; strangely, it's Oscar and Felix, who live right here in town, who have been neglected. So last night belonged to them.
Directing is a search for truth: truth in movement, truth in voice, in reaction, in facial expression, body position, physical location, and juxtaposition to others near you, etc., etc. When I’m watching, I’m watching for what rings true and what appears false. So when we say, “Does this work?”, we’re really saying, “Is this true?” The difference between what is true and what is false can be as slight as two steps this way, looking down instead of up, tone of voice or inflection. And sometimes it’s true one time; and it’s not true the next, because everything is always moving...
We worked on Act III. We stopped and started, backed up, discussed scenes and motivations (always humorously harking back to "Why am I carrying this box of groceries into the study, Lloyd?"). We tried it again in different ways, trying to find 'what works'.
And in the end, it was good. The collaboration between the three of us is good--it's more than good. I don't know what other directors do, but I like to listen to my actors. I think, for the most part, they ultimately have a much deeper understanding of their characters than I do. What I understand is the big picture of the scene, but THEY understand their characters. So we work together on what feels honest to the character and what feels right to the scene, the constantly moving painting we're creating. And when we get it right, we look at each other and nod and smile--and we keep working. Always looking for truth. I smile now just thinking about it. It's good; it's all good.
The CrazyLake Acting Company: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
We sent the poker guys home early--we've worked and worked with them; strangely, it's Oscar and Felix, who live right here in town, who have been neglected. So last night belonged to them.
Directing is a search for truth: truth in movement, truth in voice, in reaction, in facial expression, body position, physical location, and juxtaposition to others near you, etc., etc. When I’m watching, I’m watching for what rings true and what appears false. So when we say, “Does this work?”, we’re really saying, “Is this true?” The difference between what is true and what is false can be as slight as two steps this way, looking down instead of up, tone of voice or inflection. And sometimes it’s true one time; and it’s not true the next, because everything is always moving...
We worked on Act III. We stopped and started, backed up, discussed scenes and motivations (always humorously harking back to "Why am I carrying this box of groceries into the study, Lloyd?"). We tried it again in different ways, trying to find 'what works'.
And in the end, it was good. The collaboration between the three of us is good--it's more than good. I don't know what other directors do, but I like to listen to my actors. I think, for the most part, they ultimately have a much deeper understanding of their characters than I do. What I understand is the big picture of the scene, but THEY understand their characters. So we work together on what feels honest to the character and what feels right to the scene, the constantly moving painting we're creating. And when we get it right, we look at each other and nod and smile--and we keep working. Always looking for truth. I smile now just thinking about it. It's good; it's all good.
The CrazyLake Acting Company: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A Stream of Consciousness Post....
I am just NOW fixing breakfast for myself. An omelet with ham and a glass of orange juice.
I have NOTHING on my calendar today and I will try to think of reasons not to leave the house.
I'm having a fire in the fireplace.
I can hear my phone tinkling a message and I'm ignoring it. :-)
Today I will work on projects that I want to work on.
I wonder how long it will really take me to get the Christmas tree down. A lot longer than 24 days, I'm thinking.
I'm going to miss football this afternoon, but maybe I'll watch "The Odd Couple" again. I'm trying, DC. I really am.
I need to help Ben with his science fair project.
I need to close this out and do something productive.
I have NOTHING on my calendar today and I will try to think of reasons not to leave the house.
I'm having a fire in the fireplace.
I can hear my phone tinkling a message and I'm ignoring it. :-)
Today I will work on projects that I want to work on.
I wonder how long it will really take me to get the Christmas tree down. A lot longer than 24 days, I'm thinking.
I'm going to miss football this afternoon, but maybe I'll watch "The Odd Couple" again. I'm trying, DC. I really am.
I need to help Ben with his science fair project.
I need to close this out and do something productive.
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Nature of Friendship
The Indigo Girls have a lyric:
"I am looking for someone,
who can take as much as I give,
Give back as much as I need,
And still have the will to live."
It's the first part of this that's intriguing...and in some strange way, I think that defines friendship for me. Someone who'll let me love them as fiercely and strongly as I want to. I have friends that are more to me than I am to them. It doesn't matter. What they mean to me is what matters.
We have different friends for different needs.
I have what I call my middle-of-the-night friends. A lot of my theatre friends fall into this category. And some of them have been there for me in the middle of darkness.
I have friends that, no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we just take up where we left off.
I have old friends who know where I came from, and our mutual history is our link.
I have women friends, and men friends. And it's amazing how different they are.
I have friends that I laugh with, that I can call up at the spur of the moment and tell them about some whack-o in Wal-Mart or about something that happened to me at the library.
I have friends I have cried with, who help me put it all back together when I just don't know which way to go.
I have friends who've shared adventures, and the mountain top moments of my life--my wedding, the birth of my children, and a death or two.
Friends. Icing on the cake of life, aren't they?
"I am looking for someone,
who can take as much as I give,
Give back as much as I need,
And still have the will to live."
It's the first part of this that's intriguing...and in some strange way, I think that defines friendship for me. Someone who'll let me love them as fiercely and strongly as I want to. I have friends that are more to me than I am to them. It doesn't matter. What they mean to me is what matters.
We have different friends for different needs.
I have what I call my middle-of-the-night friends. A lot of my theatre friends fall into this category. And some of them have been there for me in the middle of darkness.
I have friends that, no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we just take up where we left off.
I have old friends who know where I came from, and our mutual history is our link.
I have women friends, and men friends. And it's amazing how different they are.
I have friends that I laugh with, that I can call up at the spur of the moment and tell them about some whack-o in Wal-Mart or about something that happened to me at the library.
I have friends I have cried with, who help me put it all back together when I just don't know which way to go.
I have friends who've shared adventures, and the mountain top moments of my life--my wedding, the birth of my children, and a death or two.
Friends. Icing on the cake of life, aren't they?
Wasting Talents
Do we have a responsibility to share our talents?
I like my thought in the previous post about creative people acting upon the world, rather than just reacting to what happens to us.
Anyway...wasted talents.
My son Charlie. He's a teenager, which is 80% of the problem, so I guess I should cut him a little slack, but...I can't help feeling frustrated and disappointed with him.
I was an incredibly nurturing mom. WhatEVER his interest was, I followed up on it. I took him to the Children's Museum countless times, signed him up for workshops, classes, training, field trips--took him to plays and concerts, encouraged anything and everything he seemed interested in. And nothing...
Piano for a year. He has the world's longest fingers. Getting him to practice was a total nightmare.
Band. Interest there. Bought a saxophone. Interest gone.
Theatre. He GREW UP in KidsPlay. He's been on the stage since he was in Kindergarten. Did he have any interest in following up his KidsPlay career in high school? None.
Writing. I've seen some of his writing, and it's clever...but...he never finished anything.
Computer skills. For me, it's a creativity tool. For him, the computer is an entertainment machine. There's a HUGE difference. I can't get him interested in website creation, blogging, digital photography editing, film editing.
Tennis. Four years of private tennis lessons so he could make the high school tennis team.
It's just been one failed enterprise after another. It seems to me that anything that takes any effort at all was just 'too hard'. Tennis, he could have been good. He just didn't care enough to try. Piano. What a waste. I just think of all the enjoyment I got out of making music during my teenage years--piano, guitar, the recorder. But of course, it takes hours and hours to be halfway decent. He just has no ambition.
So now, he's sort of into photography. He claims to want to be a photographer...but is he out there taking pictures? Editing? Posting photos on a website? No. I just don't get it.... It makes me really sad....
I like my thought in the previous post about creative people acting upon the world, rather than just reacting to what happens to us.
Anyway...wasted talents.
My son Charlie. He's a teenager, which is 80% of the problem, so I guess I should cut him a little slack, but...I can't help feeling frustrated and disappointed with him.
I was an incredibly nurturing mom. WhatEVER his interest was, I followed up on it. I took him to the Children's Museum countless times, signed him up for workshops, classes, training, field trips--took him to plays and concerts, encouraged anything and everything he seemed interested in. And nothing...
Piano for a year. He has the world's longest fingers. Getting him to practice was a total nightmare.
Band. Interest there. Bought a saxophone. Interest gone.
Theatre. He GREW UP in KidsPlay. He's been on the stage since he was in Kindergarten. Did he have any interest in following up his KidsPlay career in high school? None.
Writing. I've seen some of his writing, and it's clever...but...he never finished anything.
Computer skills. For me, it's a creativity tool. For him, the computer is an entertainment machine. There's a HUGE difference. I can't get him interested in website creation, blogging, digital photography editing, film editing.
Tennis. Four years of private tennis lessons so he could make the high school tennis team.
It's just been one failed enterprise after another. It seems to me that anything that takes any effort at all was just 'too hard'. Tennis, he could have been good. He just didn't care enough to try. Piano. What a waste. I just think of all the enjoyment I got out of making music during my teenage years--piano, guitar, the recorder. But of course, it takes hours and hours to be halfway decent. He just has no ambition.
So now, he's sort of into photography. He claims to want to be a photographer...but is he out there taking pictures? Editing? Posting photos on a website? No. I just don't get it.... It makes me really sad....
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