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Life can, and does, throw curve balls at you. Rarely does one expect these curve balls; so often they turn into a football in your face a la Marsha Brady. I know, I mixed my sports metaphors, my apologies.
These curve balls or footballs, whatever works for you, really f-ing hurt. First you don't even know you got hit. It is just not in the realm of possible things that could happen to you. Then you have the shock of getting hit, "Wow, I just got hit. How f-ed up is that?" Then you feel the pain. The throbbing, aching, constant pain that you think will never, ever end. Then you try to deny the pain and push through. Some would call this "sucking it up." I would say it just sucks. You soon realize that you can't push through it, but you hope you can survive it.
Chances are, you can survive it. There are very few things in life that are unsurvivable. But there are a lot of things in life that you can learn, grow, and become stronger from. Is it time that shows the difference? I hope so.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
If I could rule the world
I am in paradise. I am in my bed, sipping tea, eating oatmeal, listening to the BBC on NPR, casually (but diligently) working from home, and managing my auditions for the upcoming weekend. Paradise.
If I ruled the world, I would do this at least on a weekly basis. Telecommuting rules. If this turned into something I did on a consistent basis, I would have to make a few sacrifices - I would have to get actual an Internet connection (instead of picking up my neighbor's). I would have to start working out again, because there would be no excuse now. But those are all things I think I could handle. I wouldn't want to work from home all of the time. I would want to work most Fridays so I could go to happy hour. I like attending meetings and having toys on my desk. Birthdays are awesome because there is usually cake. One or two days a week would work for me. If I ruled the world...
If I ruled the world, I would do this at least on a weekly basis. Telecommuting rules. If this turned into something I did on a consistent basis, I would have to make a few sacrifices - I would have to get actual an Internet connection (instead of picking up my neighbor's). I would have to start working out again, because there would be no excuse now. But those are all things I think I could handle. I wouldn't want to work from home all of the time. I would want to work most Fridays so I could go to happy hour. I like attending meetings and having toys on my desk. Birthdays are awesome because there is usually cake. One or two days a week would work for me. If I ruled the world...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
office funny
I have a craving. A burning desire. A intense painful longing, to be funny. I need people to think I am funny.
I am, if I say so myself, the funniest person in the office. Grant you, that is not the highest bar to judge myself against. But office funny is very different from any other type of funny. I would say that office funny is harder than regular funny.
By actor-standards, I am fairly funny. But a lot of my funny comes from the fact that I am saying/doing it. If anyone else did my Johnny Carson or Christopher Walken impression it wouldn't be funny. It would just be sad and pathetic. But, because it is coming out of this little, mousy, brown-haired, quite girl - it is hilarious. I recently added "hilariously terrible impressions" to my special skills list.
I am also quite well versed in mom-funny. Mom-funny is an art that comes naturally to me, even though I am not a mom. Mom-funny is mostly rhymed phrases with pop references that the mom does not fully understand. Often mom-funny is followed by a cute face, a shrug of the shoulders and "Uh? Am I right?" True-mom funny is not intended, which makes it even better. I can't define mom-humor, but I know it when I see it.* I think some mom-funny would really help Hilary's campaign.
Real live office-funny is NOT the same thing as a joke in the hit show (and one of my personal favs) The Office. In office funny you have to first go through a list of questions
The hard thing about being naturally funny, like myself, is when the funny isn't acknowledged. For being as funny as I am, I run into this fairly often. My hilarious obsession with the difference between "theatre" and "theater" is often ignored. My consent need to ask "Did you want caramel (phonetically kar-mel) or caramel (phonetically kar-ra-mel) on your ice cream?" is overlooked completely.
The most heart-breaking thing is when people don't know it is a joke. I know that the political commentator's name is George Stephanopoulos, but it is much more funny to call him George Snuffleupagus. Seriously folks. Give me a little credit.
Acknowledge my humor! Please!
*this was an example of funny. If you got it, kudos! If you didn't wikipedia it.
I am, if I say so myself, the funniest person in the office. Grant you, that is not the highest bar to judge myself against. But office funny is very different from any other type of funny. I would say that office funny is harder than regular funny.
By actor-standards, I am fairly funny. But a lot of my funny comes from the fact that I am saying/doing it. If anyone else did my Johnny Carson or Christopher Walken impression it wouldn't be funny. It would just be sad and pathetic. But, because it is coming out of this little, mousy, brown-haired, quite girl - it is hilarious. I recently added "hilariously terrible impressions" to my special skills list.
I am also quite well versed in mom-funny. Mom-funny is an art that comes naturally to me, even though I am not a mom. Mom-funny is mostly rhymed phrases with pop references that the mom does not fully understand. Often mom-funny is followed by a cute face, a shrug of the shoulders and "Uh? Am I right?" True-mom funny is not intended, which makes it even better. I can't define mom-humor, but I know it when I see it.* I think some mom-funny would really help Hilary's campaign.
Real live office-funny is NOT the same thing as a joke in the hit show (and one of my personal favs) The Office. In office funny you have to first go through a list of questions
- Will this get me fired?
- Will this offend anyone within earshot?
- Is there ANY chance of me accidentally sending this to the entire company?
The hard thing about being naturally funny, like myself, is when the funny isn't acknowledged. For being as funny as I am, I run into this fairly often. My hilarious obsession with the difference between "theatre" and "theater" is often ignored. My consent need to ask "Did you want caramel (phonetically kar-mel) or caramel (phonetically kar-ra-mel) on your ice cream?" is overlooked completely.
The most heart-breaking thing is when people don't know it is a joke. I know that the political commentator's name is George Stephanopoulos, but it is much more funny to call him George Snuffleupagus. Seriously folks. Give me a little credit.
Acknowledge my humor! Please!
*this was an example of funny. If you got it, kudos! If you didn't wikipedia it.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
communication blows
Someday, a nerd in a basement will invent a chip that can be implanted into the brain that allows humans to communicate. You may say, "Al - humans already communicate. Actually, it has been proven that all forms of mammals, fish, birds - well let us say conscious life - communicate."
Yes, that is true. We have found a way to express ourselves through audible and written words and physical signals. But how correctly do we interpret these three forms of communication?
The interpretation of a communicative experience is based on our own knowledge of the words/signals used, our preconceived ideas about the motives of the person we are communicating with, and our goals for the outcome of the communication. It is all an interpretation. There is no way to 100% know what the other person's intentions are with the communication. Therefore, the probability that true/accurate communication exists is suspect.
And this, well, blows.
How many problems are created by miscommunication? How much heartache is related to two people trying to say the same things but each hearing the other differently.
Godspeed to all nerds.
Yes, that is true. We have found a way to express ourselves through audible and written words and physical signals. But how correctly do we interpret these three forms of communication?
The interpretation of a communicative experience is based on our own knowledge of the words/signals used, our preconceived ideas about the motives of the person we are communicating with, and our goals for the outcome of the communication. It is all an interpretation. There is no way to 100% know what the other person's intentions are with the communication. Therefore, the probability that true/accurate communication exists is suspect.
And this, well, blows.
How many problems are created by miscommunication? How much heartache is related to two people trying to say the same things but each hearing the other differently.
Godspeed to all nerds.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Don't say I never try anything new
I will admit to it, I am a creature of habit. I enjoy consistency and repetition. However, today I did two new things.
1. I wore jeans and heels. Know, since the mid 80's I have thought it was an atrocity to wear jeans and high heeled shoes. And, I am afraid to admit it, in recent years I have not so subtly commented on others in restaurants wearing heels and jeans. (I was simply asking a question - When did it become to wear jeans and heels?) But I have recently seen more and more women whose style I admire wear jeans and heels. And today, I wore my new Lucky Brand Jeans (just cut the tags off today!) and my cutest brown heels. Though the train ride was a little rougher than usual (my center of gravity was off because of the heels) I think it was a very successful outfit day.
2. I went to the Billy Goat Tavern for lunch. I have lived in Chicago for almost 5 years now. And there are many 'touristy' things I have done: Navy Pier, Signature Room, Aquarium. But I have never been to the Billy Goat Tavern, made famous in Bill Murray's SNL skit...until today. I had a single cheezeburger, fries, and a coke. But then I chatted up the cook and got a double. It was awesome.
I am very proud of myself. Perhaps I am turning over a new leaf - trying new things, new styles, new foods. But, then again, maybe not.
1. I wore jeans and heels. Know, since the mid 80's I have thought it was an atrocity to wear jeans and high heeled shoes. And, I am afraid to admit it, in recent years I have not so subtly commented on others in restaurants wearing heels and jeans. (I was simply asking a question - When did it become to wear jeans and heels?) But I have recently seen more and more women whose style I admire wear jeans and heels. And today, I wore my new Lucky Brand Jeans (just cut the tags off today!) and my cutest brown heels. Though the train ride was a little rougher than usual (my center of gravity was off because of the heels) I think it was a very successful outfit day.
2. I went to the Billy Goat Tavern for lunch. I have lived in Chicago for almost 5 years now. And there are many 'touristy' things I have done: Navy Pier, Signature Room, Aquarium. But I have never been to the Billy Goat Tavern, made famous in Bill Murray's SNL skit...until today. I had a single cheezeburger, fries, and a coke. But then I chatted up the cook and got a double. It was awesome.
I am very proud of myself. Perhaps I am turning over a new leaf - trying new things, new styles, new foods. But, then again, maybe not.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
pressure cooker
It is unbelievable what can happen under pressure. Some people thrive on it; some freak out with it. But with the right mix of thriving and freaking, great theater happens.
I often feel outside the norm of the theatre world because I don't like the last minute, procrastination, "we'll just wing it" attitude. But really good theatre (and really good actors) can handle the last minute changes, but maintain consistency for the well being of others involved. It is this happy medium that the cast of On the Verge has reached, and I am amazed by it.
Last night was a final tech, and tonight was the final dress - the progress made in this 24 hour period is amazing. The beauty of theater and acting is living in a world where such change is possible. This possibility of participating in the community of work is what makes being an actor so compelling.
I may just be spit-ballin' here. It is late a night and I am a bit flummoxed.
From Terra Incognita to Terra Haute.
Al
I often feel outside the norm of the theatre world because I don't like the last minute, procrastination, "we'll just wing it" attitude. But really good theatre (and really good actors) can handle the last minute changes, but maintain consistency for the well being of others involved. It is this happy medium that the cast of On the Verge has reached, and I am amazed by it.
Last night was a final tech, and tonight was the final dress - the progress made in this 24 hour period is amazing. The beauty of theater and acting is living in a world where such change is possible. This possibility of participating in the community of work is what makes being an actor so compelling.
I may just be spit-ballin' here. It is late a night and I am a bit flummoxed.
From Terra Incognita to Terra Haute.
Al
please sir, no more
I have had oatmeal for breakfast for the past four days. It is good oatmeal, but I now look on it as gruel. The oatmeal is leftover from Mother's Day breakfast. It is a great recipe that my sister shared. Apples (my fav) cranberries, walnuts, brown sugar - oh my! But now, I am done with it.
But, I still have 1/2 a container of it left. I brought it to work (because that is where I eat breakfast) and I think my co-workers actually think it is gruel. I was a freak of nature to them when I was on the Skinny Bitch diet, now it is even worse.
Pleas sir, no more oatmeal. Give me my apples and earl grey back. No more healthy fibrous breakfast meals.
But, I still have 1/2 a container of it left. I brought it to work (because that is where I eat breakfast) and I think my co-workers actually think it is gruel. I was a freak of nature to them when I was on the Skinny Bitch diet, now it is even worse.
Pleas sir, no more oatmeal. Give me my apples and earl grey back. No more healthy fibrous breakfast meals.
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