Over and Out

19 11 2011

Whew!

The short run of The Good, the Bad, and the Monkey has come to a close.  I am very grateful that it was a success!  I’ve said (typed) it before, and I’ll say (type) it again….  A solo show can’t be done alone.  It truly takes so many people supporting the performer to make it a success…..   And I’m not just talking about the director, stage manager, house manager, etc….  In addition to these fantastic folks, a solo show could still not be done without an audience.  I am so very grateful to all of the friends, colleagues, students, and also the folks I don’t know that came out to see this show.  I’d like to also mention how thankful I am to all of the people who urged their friends and colleagues to see it.

I’m split right now between thoughts of touring Monkey again next year and writing a new solo show.  Well, actually, it’s a three-way split.  I also just want to go to sleep.  The monkeys, it seems, have already made up their minds with what they’ll be doing in the near future…..

…perhaps I’ll join them.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : solo work

Lighten up!

16 09 2011

It is fall.

Okay.  Well, it’s not officially fall.  We still have a few more days before the equinox.  But here in Chicago, we’ve already had at least three nights in a row where the temps dropped down into the forties.

And tonight, I wore my puffy vest.  

So, yeah.  I’m callin’ it.  It’s fall.

I love fall.  It is my favorite season.  Apple cider, bright scarves, comfy sweaters, colorful leaves, crisp air, hayrides….  Oh, man.  I just love all that harvest-y Samhain goodness.

But recently, all of my “Whoo-hoo!  It’s fall!” comments have been met with sneers and jeers and woe-is-us’s.  Hmph.   And the reason?  People are scared of the end of summer because they’re already thinking of the beginning of winter.

Ugh!  Slow down, y’all!  We’ve got a WHOLE season of orange and red and yellow before we get to the “w” word.

Cursing fall because you’re dreading winter is like cursing Sunday because you’re dreading Monday.  And that’s just depressing.  So, stop depressing me.  You know who you are.  We’ve got an entire delicious season of butternut squash soup at our doorstep.  Please don’t be a grumpy host.

I, for one, am putting out the welcome mat for my dear, annual friend.  And I hope you’ll do the same.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : thoughts

Vacation Day

13 09 2011

wind chimes,  morning times

and

just enough sun, gentle almost-fall sun        

so

I did and didn’t do things.   I did some things I shoulda and somethings I shouldn’t uh

but

the only thing worth mentioning… ah…

is

over the sand, past the green, on the stones, near the waves, under the sky

ah

or, actually:

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh (not the screaming aaaahhhh but the post-massage aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh)

sublime


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : thoughts

Jazz for Cows

13 09 2011

I love cows.  I don’t know if any of you out there have spent any substantial amount of time with one or more of these ladies.  But I have.  Not enough, by any means.  For sure, if I had my druthers, I would say that I would like to spend more time with cows.  But I will say, that I’ve spent enough time face to face with a cow to know that they are delightfully pleasant creatures.  Talk about an animal that can teach us a thing or two about just being.  We don’t “be” enough.  Y’know what I’m sayin’?  I don’t know if elephants really are good at remembering.  I’m sure there’s information out there about that.  But cows do seem content.  At least, the cows that I’ve had the pleasure of being in contact with seemed so.  Of course, those gals had the luxury of a nice open field with lots and lots of green grass.  I’m certain that cows that are pent up, crowded, and kept pregnant and birthing (so that they can produce milk for their babies humans) are way more agitated and sad than they are content.

Ahem.  But I digress.

Where was I?

Oh, yes.  I love cows.

I also love music.  Who doesn’t?  There is not a person on this planet who hates music.  Every single person can claim that at least one piece of music has the power to move them.  Right?  Right.  It’s what makes us human.  Or is it?  Who’s to say that music doesn’t move other creatures as well?  Or, mooooooves them?   (Sorry.  Okay, I’m not really sorry.)

Anyway….  I just discovered this.

I LOVE THIS.  It is absolutely beautiful.  I am hoping that this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Can we please have more musical performances for animals who are completely engaged in the entertainment?  And videos are great, sure.  But I am hoping to get a front row ticket to one or more of these concerts.  Who can I contact about this?  How do I get on that list?

Oh, I hope I have cow and jazz dreams tonight.

Lovely.


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : thoughts

my life

6 09 2011

I’ve been

a fool

rushing

considerably more often than

I’ve been

an angel

fearing

 

definitely okay with that


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : thoughts

When are you performing next?

7 07 2011

I’ve gotten this question a lot lately.

Typically, if I go for a long time without performing, I get all antsy.  It can happen in as few as 15 performance-less days in a row.  But oddly and interestingly, I haven’t gotten too awfully antsy lately.  This is definitely because a lot of my energy has been taken up with moving/unpacking/nesting.  Also, summer is happening.  And after surviving my fourth (I know!  Can ya believe it?!) Chicago winter, spending the summer near the lake instead of inside a dark theater has been kinda nice.

The last time I went for this long without performing was when I first moved to Chicago.  Again, I was moving/unpacking/nesting.  That combined with being in a new city and not knowing anyone fostered an almost two-month period of no stage-time.  I did kinda get a little crazy toward the end there, as I recall.  But one of the upsides was that I ended up focusing all that creative energy into painting, drawing, and cooking fancy, inventive dishes.

This time around, I’ve been writing more.

So, I guess the answer to the question is:  Probably not until the fall (unless I go crazy before then and manage to sneak in some solo work that’s been rollin’ around in my noggin).  Until then, I’ll be thankfully teaching lots and lots, sharin’ some of my writings on this site, and maybe making some pies.

A decade ago, something like this would have made me very nervous.  I defined myself by what I did, rather than who I was.  So, if I wasn’t doing what I did, well, then who was I?  I’m not sure if I have the clearest idea of who I am.  But it’s certainly clearer than it was before.  It’s a nice feeling, for sure.

Comfortable and satisfying.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : thoughts

lake-citement

23 06 2011

hooooooooooooo

boy

Moving sucks.

Everybody agrees.  Not that I need to be validated by other people’s opinions (butitsureisnice).

BUT I DIGRESS

This post was intended to be half-full, not half-empty.

1/2 full <begin>

My new home is wonderful!  I am right by the lake, near a park by the lake, not a warehouse by the lake or a shopping center by the lake–but a tree-filled, more-nature-than-Chicagoans-see-on-most-days, genuine park!  It’s by the lake.  And I have hardwood floors and walls (regular, not hardwood) and all the necessary rooms and ceiling fans and windows where I can see the lake!  Oh, I should mention that it’s by the lake!  And hoooo-boy, did I need a place by the lake.

Basically, I’m living in a retreat center.  One that’s private, that is.

Which is kinda awesome.

Shouldn’t we all live in retreat centers?

I put my Buddha by my bed to hammer home that whole retreat center thing.  (Don’t tell Buddha this, but he’s more just for looks, ’cause the retreat-feel is already there on accounta I can hear the waves of the lake arriving on the beach.)

My lake-citement is not a rubbing-it-in-the-face-of-non-lake-dwellers feeling.  (I fear it might be coming across that way).  I AM JUST SINCERELY DELIGHTED and somewhat surprised THAT I LIVE BY THE LAKE!

I appreciate your patience and understanding while putting up with my lake-citement.

Moved is good.

1/2 full <better never end>

oooooooooooooh

yeah


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : thoughts

improv and life….once again…

17 05 2011

So once again, I look down at the pages of my notebook–the one I use when I’m coaching improv, teaching improv, and directing shows–and I notice that a note I wrote for creating an engaging and sincere moment on stage applies to creating an engaging and sincere moment in life.

It matters less what we say to each other than how we feel about each other.

Yes, yes.  So very true.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : directing, teaching, thoughts

a valuable bit of wisdom

23 02 2011

I just found my new favorite quote.  I’ll have to figure out a way to have this with me all the time….

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past.  If you are anxious, you are living in the future.  If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
-Lao Tzu

Mmmm, yes.  Yes, indeed.  It’s a good thing I’m afraid of pain–elsewise, I might have gotten it tattoo’d on my arm or something.  But getting a tattoo is the lazy way to remember.  It will do me far better to live it….not read it.  Um, it will also be more difficult.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : thoughts

I’m in Philly. And I’m prepared.

9 09 2010

I arrived in Philly today (in town in plenty of time for my three fringe shows this weekend) and have been bopping around on my own exploring different areas of this cool city.

Like anyone else who goes to see the Liberty Bell, my bags had to be checked.  Of course, I came right from the airport, so I actually had serious bags–not just a purse or a backpack.

After lifting up a container of homemade scones for my breakfasts and homemade cookies for my host, the officer discovered not one but three sock monkeys carefully curled up and tucked in amongst my clothing.  “Well,” he said, summing it up, “you seem to have everything.”

Yes, sir.  Yes sir, I do.

Oh!  What’s that you say?  You are (or someone you know is) in Philly and want to know about my show?  Well then, pretty please click right here and get all the monkey details!


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Uncategorized

« Previous Entries Next Entries »


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 33 other followers