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08/08/08. I was there. I ordered in Chinese. I plopped down in front of my TV like all good Americans to watch and hope our top athletes beat the crap out of other countries' top athletes.
I caught the tail end of the opening ceremony. I was flipping back and forth - the parade of nations is a bit like watching C-Span with ESPN commentary. They should at least put NBC News (rather than Sports) commentators on for this part. Hopefully they would be able to tell us that the Central African Republic is a republic in central Africa. Really? Are you sure?
The lighting of the torch was pretty cool. But the solo race around the "bird's nest" was a bit long. I hope Chicago gets the 2012 Olympics, but I don't know what we could do that would be as cool. Maybe something with the lake?
But then I started to watch the actual events. I happened upon the Micheal Phelp's 400 meter melody. You know, the event that GW went to. I was so tense. Would he win gold? Would he break his own record? On the butterfly he was neck in neck with lanes 4 and 5. I never understood this stroke - how is it possible to do this well? It is like doing the 'worm' in the water.
Then the backstroke. I don't remember what happen during these 100 meters because all I could think about was how each swimmer out there learned the "flutter-flutter" feet kick I did when I learned the back stroke. How did I end up here eating Chinese and they there? How many times did it take for my head hit the back of the pool because I didn't reach correctly to do the flip to go the other way?
The breaststroke was next. This is where Phelps almost lost it. It is his worst stroke (I learned that from the oh so smart NBC Sports people). He almost lost it, but he maintained. Then - the last 200 meters. He pulled it out. The free-stroke freed him just like freedom fries. He pulled ahead and got 'er done. GOLD!!!!!
But I haven't breathed the whole time they have been swimming, my feet and hands are all crunched up and my sholders are practically in my ears I am so stressed out. I can't handle this. Everytime I watch an event I am either totally stressed about the US team doing well or am bored out of my mind. (Can anyone say men's bike road ride?)
So, after an hour of the Chinese olympics, I am not hungry for more. I think there are a few more weeks of this. I don't think I will miss it. I don't get the channel that well anyway.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Other side of the table
Performink is not my favorite trade magazine for articles or insight on acting. However, Joe Wycoff has a great article online right now.
It basically gives 6 tips for the audition-ers. As Wycoff mentions, there are hundreds of books about how audition-ees should act, perform, ect. But there is not to my knowledge one for audition-er. Those sitting on the other side of the table with a stack of very expensive headshots and resumes, painfully cut to size and stapled to resumes (printed on paper and the printer from work).
The one thing I would add is, make a general a general and a callback a callback. If you want to see a bunch of people because they don't really know what they want. That is fine. But have a show general. But, if you know what you want (even if it isn't me) don't callback 20 people for one role. A callback is because you have a specific idea in mind and you think you have about 5 people you could get it from. Bring in those 5 people and really see what they can do. Don't send me 3 sets of sides and then have me read only once.
It all comes back to respect. Again - lattes are not needed, but common curtsies and a mutual understanding. Yes, actors can be idiots, thoughtless, and disrespectful. But I'm not. Give me the benefit of the doubt that I am not going to be a total f-nut.
Anywho - check out the article. He said a lot of what I have been feeling over the past few months.
It basically gives 6 tips for the audition-ers. As Wycoff mentions, there are hundreds of books about how audition-ees should act, perform, ect. But there is not to my knowledge one for audition-er. Those sitting on the other side of the table with a stack of very expensive headshots and resumes, painfully cut to size and stapled to resumes (printed on paper and the printer from work).
The one thing I would add is, make a general a general and a callback a callback. If you want to see a bunch of people because they don't really know what they want. That is fine. But have a show general. But, if you know what you want (even if it isn't me) don't callback 20 people for one role. A callback is because you have a specific idea in mind and you think you have about 5 people you could get it from. Bring in those 5 people and really see what they can do. Don't send me 3 sets of sides and then have me read only once.
It all comes back to respect. Again - lattes are not needed, but common curtsies and a mutual understanding. Yes, actors can be idiots, thoughtless, and disrespectful. But I'm not. Give me the benefit of the doubt that I am not going to be a total f-nut.
Anywho - check out the article. He said a lot of what I have been feeling over the past few months.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
I forgot about Fox
I don't have cable. I actually love not having cable. If I am going to waste my time on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I would rather waste it watching a PBS documentary than Jurassic Park on TBS for the 20th time.
But when I moved last year, my cheap ass rabbit ears would not pick up Fox. I had to say goodbye to weekday Seinfield and Simpson's reruns, Saturday afternoon 80's movies and even new shows like Bones (I don't know why I like it, but I do). In the past year without Fox, all of these things have fallen away from my life. I didn't even miss them. And I saw a lot of documentaries on PBS. I will never lose my love for PBS.
But I just got a new TV. I still have rabbit ears and no cable, but the number of channels I receive doubled. Now I have 2 PBS channels, 3 Spanish channels, 2 nick-a-night knock off channels (in English) and Fox. I haven't seen an episode of the Simpson's in over a year. I completely forgot that they have new episode on Sundays - Finally there is an alternative to the Extreme Make-Over House Edition cry-fest. I totally forgot about Fox.
I still keep up with my PBS, but I am re-discovering the enjoyment of flipping channels. I even found Reno 911 the other day. I have no idea what channel it was on because I have so many now! Each day is a season premiere for me. God help me when the fall season does start. I will be so torn! I guess I can always watch the shows online. But my Internet connection isn't great, because I piggyback off my neighbor. :)
To be clear - I am not talking about Fox News. I work very hard not to ever talk about Fox News.
But when I moved last year, my cheap ass rabbit ears would not pick up Fox. I had to say goodbye to weekday Seinfield and Simpson's reruns, Saturday afternoon 80's movies and even new shows like Bones (I don't know why I like it, but I do). In the past year without Fox, all of these things have fallen away from my life. I didn't even miss them. And I saw a lot of documentaries on PBS. I will never lose my love for PBS.
But I just got a new TV. I still have rabbit ears and no cable, but the number of channels I receive doubled. Now I have 2 PBS channels, 3 Spanish channels, 2 nick-a-night knock off channels (in English) and Fox. I haven't seen an episode of the Simpson's in over a year. I completely forgot that they have new episode on Sundays - Finally there is an alternative to the Extreme Make-Over House Edition cry-fest. I totally forgot about Fox.
I still keep up with my PBS, but I am re-discovering the enjoyment of flipping channels. I even found Reno 911 the other day. I have no idea what channel it was on because I have so many now! Each day is a season premiere for me. God help me when the fall season does start. I will be so torn! I guess I can always watch the shows online. But my Internet connection isn't great, because I piggyback off my neighbor. :)
To be clear - I am not talking about Fox News. I work very hard not to ever talk about Fox News.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Power in the office
It started with a power tie. Then, when women entered the work force, it turned into the power color. We had the power suit; and now, thanks to Hillary, the power pants suit.
But I would like show you the evolution of the power code at work: The Power Dress. The power dress has clean lines, is very well made, and something that will forever be in style. It is classic, not trendy. Attention grabbing, but not flashy. The Haute couture for the middle-middle class.
It it the dress you wear it to work and people corner you to ask if you have an interview. It is the dress you wear when you are attending a meeting with the Mcdreamy CIO. It is the dress you wear when you want to say, "I am woman, hear me roar, I look damn good, now listen to what I say."
When accessorizing the power dress, take a lesson from Coco Channel. Before you leave the house, take off one accessory. You don't want to over-power the power of the dress. You also have to think about the shoes. I will be honest, I don't have great shoes - I am no Carry Bradshaw. I have 2 good pairs of brown shoes and 1 pair of nice black shoes. This lack of options has limited the colors of my power dresses. I stick to neutral colors- browns, black, navy, ect. But if you normally wear more vibrant colors, feel free to expand the colors. But the more vibrant the color, the more simple the dress.
Also, I don't wear pantyhose. Ever. This will come as a shock to some readers, but nowadays, it is no longer required. I would actually discouraged. No one wears hose. Some wear tights, but never with a power dress.
The power dress is like a new car. As soon as you drive it off the lot, it immediately looses value. If you over-wear your dress it looses power. It should not be added to the weekly rotation. Either people think you are really looking for a new job, or you are trying to show off your fancy wardrobe, but can only afford a few pieces. No amount of mixing and matching can help it. Also, your dry cleaning bill will be enormous.
For examples of power dresses, don't look at the CTA in the morning. Don't look at Bebe. Go for discount designer stores and be willing to shell out about $100. Think of it as an investment. You are preparing for your future and your future power. I have over-invested a bit and have a few samples as well...
But I would like show you the evolution of the power code at work: The Power Dress. The power dress has clean lines, is very well made, and something that will forever be in style. It is classic, not trendy. Attention grabbing, but not flashy. The Haute couture for the middle-middle class.
It it the dress you wear it to work and people corner you to ask if you have an interview. It is the dress you wear when you are attending a meeting with the Mcdreamy CIO. It is the dress you wear when you want to say, "I am woman, hear me roar, I look damn good, now listen to what I say."
When accessorizing the power dress, take a lesson from Coco Channel. Before you leave the house, take off one accessory. You don't want to over-power the power of the dress. You also have to think about the shoes. I will be honest, I don't have great shoes - I am no Carry Bradshaw. I have 2 good pairs of brown shoes and 1 pair of nice black shoes. This lack of options has limited the colors of my power dresses. I stick to neutral colors- browns, black, navy, ect. But if you normally wear more vibrant colors, feel free to expand the colors. But the more vibrant the color, the more simple the dress.
Also, I don't wear pantyhose. Ever. This will come as a shock to some readers, but nowadays, it is no longer required. I would actually discouraged. No one wears hose. Some wear tights, but never with a power dress.
The power dress is like a new car. As soon as you drive it off the lot, it immediately looses value. If you over-wear your dress it looses power. It should not be added to the weekly rotation. Either people think you are really looking for a new job, or you are trying to show off your fancy wardrobe, but can only afford a few pieces. No amount of mixing and matching can help it. Also, your dry cleaning bill will be enormous.
For examples of power dresses, don't look at the CTA in the morning. Don't look at Bebe. Go for discount designer stores and be willing to shell out about $100. Think of it as an investment. You are preparing for your future and your future power. I have over-invested a bit and have a few samples as well...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Frying My Fivehead
Definition: Fivehead: an extremely high hair line, extending a normal forehead (approximately 2 inches above your eyebrows that fades into your hairline) forming a fivehead.
I am very fair skinned. I didn't always used to be so fair. As a child, I would spend every day at the local Y. By the end of June I would be so tan, no sunscreen was needed the rest of the summer. Tan lines lasted well into November. I was between 6 and 13 I was a golden child.
After years of hiding in theaters during summers (and most of the year) my ability to tan is gone. I now have two shades: transparent and burned. I have tried to be proactive about not burning. Sunscreen is in my make-up, because my face is my money maker.
This past weekend I was in Wisconsin and had the opportunity to be in the outdoors more than usual. I also was wearing less make-up, which turned out to be my downfall. We went to American Players Theater for a matinee of Mid Summer Night's Dream. We went to a matinee. It was a nice day, not too hot out until you are sitting in the through the first, second and third act in the blazing sun.
Things would have been fine if I had applied my make-up with a bit more thought. I did just a quick transparent powder (with 20 SPF) all over and called it a day. (Seriously - it is only Wisconsin, right?) Well, I covered my face and forehead very well - no burning there. I even was sure to go over my nose and throw a bit on my ears. (I had my hair pulled up.) But I missed my fivehead. By the time we got to intermission I had a gleaming red band between my forehead and hairline.
Soon it will be peeling and it will brush into my hair looking like dandruff. Awesome. I think I would rather be transparent.
I am very fair skinned. I didn't always used to be so fair. As a child, I would spend every day at the local Y. By the end of June I would be so tan, no sunscreen was needed the rest of the summer. Tan lines lasted well into November. I was between 6 and 13 I was a golden child.
After years of hiding in theaters during summers (and most of the year) my ability to tan is gone. I now have two shades: transparent and burned. I have tried to be proactive about not burning. Sunscreen is in my make-up, because my face is my money maker.
This past weekend I was in Wisconsin and had the opportunity to be in the outdoors more than usual. I also was wearing less make-up, which turned out to be my downfall. We went to American Players Theater for a matinee of Mid Summer Night's Dream. We went to a matinee. It was a nice day, not too hot out until you are sitting in the through the first, second and third act in the blazing sun.
Things would have been fine if I had applied my make-up with a bit more thought. I did just a quick transparent powder (with 20 SPF) all over and called it a day. (Seriously - it is only Wisconsin, right?) Well, I covered my face and forehead very well - no burning there. I even was sure to go over my nose and throw a bit on my ears. (I had my hair pulled up.) But I missed my fivehead. By the time we got to intermission I had a gleaming red band between my forehead and hairline.
Soon it will be peeling and it will brush into my hair looking like dandruff. Awesome. I think I would rather be transparent.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Teaching Tapas
You can teach a lot of things:
The other night I went to a tapas restaurant on a date. He is new to the city and hasn't gotten around a lot or gone to many restaurants. It is kind of fun to play know it all and pick out places to eat. But you can't teach someone how to eat tapas.
Tapas is the eating art of sharing. Tapas is Spanish cuisine in small sized portions created for sharing and passing. The whole point of eating tapas is to try little bits of lots of things. Order 2 or 3 dishes at a time and share and pick off of each other's plates. It is a communal eating experience. But if the person you are dining with does not understand the fundamental fact of tapas - sharing - this is very difficult.
There are only so many ways to say, "Why don't I give you a few dates rolled in bacon?" "Here, share some of this crab dip and toasted bread?" "Can I please try some of your freaking meatballs with sherry tomato sauce?"
You just can't teach tapas.
After the date, I emailed him with the complimentary awkward message saying things just aren't going to work out. In his message back he actually used the term "you beat me to the punch." Well, I wanted to punch you when you wouldn't share. So yes, I beat you.
- how to make hospital corners with the sheets when making a bed
- how ride the CTA like a bad-ass and no one will mess with you
- how to fake knowing about sports to have meaningless conversations in the office kitchen
The other night I went to a tapas restaurant on a date. He is new to the city and hasn't gotten around a lot or gone to many restaurants. It is kind of fun to play know it all and pick out places to eat. But you can't teach someone how to eat tapas.
Tapas is the eating art of sharing. Tapas is Spanish cuisine in small sized portions created for sharing and passing. The whole point of eating tapas is to try little bits of lots of things. Order 2 or 3 dishes at a time and share and pick off of each other's plates. It is a communal eating experience. But if the person you are dining with does not understand the fundamental fact of tapas - sharing - this is very difficult.
There are only so many ways to say, "Why don't I give you a few dates rolled in bacon?" "Here, share some of this crab dip and toasted bread?" "Can I please try some of your freaking meatballs with sherry tomato sauce?"
You just can't teach tapas.
After the date, I emailed him with the complimentary awkward message saying things just aren't going to work out. In his message back he actually used the term "you beat me to the punch." Well, I wanted to punch you when you wouldn't share. So yes, I beat you.
You just can't teach tapas
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Two Lessons and Three Years
It has been a long time since I posted last. Sorry about that. I am not sure what has happened since I wrote last, but I am sure a lot and not much of anything.
My birthday is coming up. The big 2-7. It isn't a big anything. It is a nothing birthday. The next birthday I have to look forward to is my 50th so I can qualify for AARP and hang out with the oatmeal guy.
But 27 has been a hard number to look at. And I am getting no sympathy. Those younger (all of 24) say it isn't a big deal - at least it isn't 30. Those older don't say anything and just shake their heads and sigh.
A few people had good thoughts. I don't know if I can incorporate them into how I feel about getting 3 years away from 30, but it is good food for thought.
Lesson 1:
Life is a marathon. Right now you are sprinting through mile 5 or 6. You can't keep up that pace if you are going to make it all 26.5 miles. Also, this is the only marathon you are ever going to run, slow down a bit so you can remember what it looked like, how it felt, and who you were with.
Lesson 2:
Look at life in chunks. What has happened to you between the ages of 17 and 27? A freaking lot. All of the people you have met, places you have gone, things you have accomplished. What about between 20 and 27? 25 and 27? In the past 6 months? You will only continue to experience new things. What do you think you will have done when you are 37? Life continues; you continue to experience things up until the actual moment you die. 27 is only one point in time - not an ending point. Even if the movie was good, this is not As Good As It Gets.
Now, these two lessons came from two very smart people. Or they may have been a combination of a few conversations with somewhat smart people and these are my take aways - I'm not really sure. But what the lessons tell me is: live in the moment. Doing so is the only way to appreciate what you have and are doing today. You only get one today - be sure you take advantage of it.
Hopefully for my next post I will have something witty and fun to write about. However, depending on how things go, there might be one more post about how I am almost 30.
Reminiscent of the scene in When Harry Met Sally: She is sobbing on her bed and cries out "And I'm going to be 40!" Harry replies, "When?" Sally sighs, "Someday." Harry calmly, and a bit sarcastically, replies, "Yeah, in 8 years."
My birthday is coming up. The big 2-7. It isn't a big anything. It is a nothing birthday. The next birthday I have to look forward to is my 50th so I can qualify for AARP and hang out with the oatmeal guy.
But 27 has been a hard number to look at. And I am getting no sympathy. Those younger (all of 24) say it isn't a big deal - at least it isn't 30. Those older don't say anything and just shake their heads and sigh.
A few people had good thoughts. I don't know if I can incorporate them into how I feel about getting 3 years away from 30, but it is good food for thought.
Lesson 1:
Life is a marathon. Right now you are sprinting through mile 5 or 6. You can't keep up that pace if you are going to make it all 26.5 miles. Also, this is the only marathon you are ever going to run, slow down a bit so you can remember what it looked like, how it felt, and who you were with.
Lesson 2:
Look at life in chunks. What has happened to you between the ages of 17 and 27? A freaking lot. All of the people you have met, places you have gone, things you have accomplished. What about between 20 and 27? 25 and 27? In the past 6 months? You will only continue to experience new things. What do you think you will have done when you are 37? Life continues; you continue to experience things up until the actual moment you die. 27 is only one point in time - not an ending point. Even if the movie was good, this is not As Good As It Gets.
Now, these two lessons came from two very smart people. Or they may have been a combination of a few conversations with somewhat smart people and these are my take aways - I'm not really sure. But what the lessons tell me is: live in the moment. Doing so is the only way to appreciate what you have and are doing today. You only get one today - be sure you take advantage of it.
Hopefully for my next post I will have something witty and fun to write about. However, depending on how things go, there might be one more post about how I am almost 30.
Reminiscent of the scene in When Harry Met Sally: She is sobbing on her bed and cries out "And I'm going to be 40!" Harry replies, "When?" Sally sighs, "Someday." Harry calmly, and a bit sarcastically, replies, "Yeah, in 8 years."
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