Yesterday I wound up spending about five hours on a shoot with my friend and former instructor Elizabeth. Elizabeth is my age and has spent most of her adult life making corporate video films for DuPont and teaching TV Studio Production, corporate video and editing at a local private college. She thinks it's cool that I worked at HBO and I think it's cool she made a living making corporate videos for a big company. I love working with her and yesterday was no exception.
The band is called Shelton Davis and consists of two thirty-something year old musicians and singers whose songs are clearly influenced by the music of my generation - the 60s and 70s. The fact that the man we were focusing on taping yesterday was so cute to the point of distraction was a good challenge for me as I need to focus even when I am pleasantly distracted. My initial role for the taping was to assist in bringing in the equipment - the cameras, sound mixer, monitor, and all the stuff for a shoot. The shoot took place in the home recording studio of this band and it was way cool by itself. Just prior to our arrival incense had been lit and that was heavenly. The lighting was created for the purpose of relaxation and focus. It was still a small space for a production crew of six and then the two musicians but we made it work. The set up took about 90 minutes to 2 hours as there was some initial problems with calibration of equipment and white balancing the cameras. That was finally resolved and we spent the next two hours shooting the band in rehearsal, laying down a track, and then playing together. I was watching the monitor to ensure the unusual lighting was being picked up by the main handheld camera Elizabeth was using (there were three cameras involved: one static and two handhelds) and nothing was coming out too dark.
This group was writing original music for Elizabeth's indie film Norah's Choice and in exchange for that, Elizabeth was shooting and going to create a promotional video for the band to help them get more gigs. She was getting some great cut-away shots in addition to filming the rehearsing group at different angles and some very cool angles too. I got to get on a camera and also went in for some unique shots utilizing the reddish lighting for what I hope will be a great effect. I was certainly happy with the material that was shot and so was Elizabeth.
I am going to work on putting up two websites for Elizabeth: the one for her indie film and the other for her video producing business. She wants to focus on creating instructional, training and educational videos but will produce other sorts of work if asked. What is so good about this current work is that I have more recent experience to offer corporate video producers to hopefully acquire freelance work. I am on the rolodex of two now and on the shoot was given the card of another local video producer who has high end clients.
It's all about networking, baby!
I love the feeling of having several creative projects to work on and each one different in some way.
The camera work I was doing on the shoot does reflect whatever I possess as a writer and actor. In order to understand what kind of shot works in a particular shoot, you have to know what is dramatic or interesting for the viewer to see. The whole purpose of of any video being shot is to appeal to a particular audience. The sensibility that I have as a performer and writer informs the decisions made when editing a video project, assisting with the creation of a trailer, acting or writing any kind of script. When I know who the audience is going to be, I know how to approach a project.
All this comes from not only experience but simple observation. If you watch a commercial for a car dealer and another one for headache medicine, the audience could be the same but the approach for selling the product is completely different. The car dealer is on fire, acting like it's a chance of a lifetime being offered to a prospective buyer and there is shouting and great excitment on the part of the announcer.
The spokesperson for the headache medication speaks softly - almost becoming the sound of comfort - as he/she transports you to the memory of when you had your last bad headache and how wonderful it is to have relief just a reach away.
What was funny yesterday was Elizabeth said she didn't know how to introduce me to people because I had worked in so many aspects of the business. I shrugged and said, "Just that I am here to help with the shoot" is fine. In each project situation, there isn't any need (or interest) in knowing my entire background.
I can just give them my card for that!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Lock n' Key
There are days when I firmly believe I excel in self-sabotage. One of the awful symptoms of bi-polar, even when treated, is you will do battle with a voice in your head telling you what a screw up you are. That's when the work in cognitive therapy comes in handy. You then can rationalize why you are not a screw up. The ego is momentarily salvaged and you can move on until you do battle once again with that same, unforgiving voice.
Am I pursuing too many things at one time? What about that saying to be a jack of all trades but a master of none? Can't you be the master of several things?
I am writing this blog while waiting for the screenwriter and director of an indie film to arrive to pick me up and go off for a shoot. I instinctively know what to do when I see a need on a shoot if I am not already assigned to something that will occupy me constantly on the set. This day will be one where I work where I am needed. I'm quite good at this sort of thing. I am equally good as a teacher and an actor. I believe I am a fairly good writer though the latter is where my lack of confidence comes into play.
I have always known I am a very good actor. The one disappointment in my life is that the acting life was not what I expected. I am one of those people who walked away from that game when I had plenty of New York connections, an agent, interested casting directors and was getting work doing cable commercials, training videos and other bits of work of that nature. I was getting some TV and movie work (usually wound up on the cutting room floor) or the role was not very large. But I quickly realized how deadly dull making TV or movies were from an acting standpoint. You wait endlessly for the next shot to be set up. I appeared on Law and Order a few times and stopped doing anymore because I nearly cried with boredom. There are actors who find plenty to do while waiting for the next shot but I was not one of them. I asked more seasoned TV actors Michael Moriarty and Roscoe Brown if it was always like this or was I just coming on the set during a slow set up period. They both told me that's how it is on most shows they have worked on. Hurry up and wait and wait and wait to do your two minutes of acting and then wait and wait some more for the next set up.
No thanks.
Back to theater if anything. And I pick what I want to do so I am not dependent on it to make a living as an actor. I am now applying for a few jobs as diverse as an Audience Manager and Education Director of some theaters in Philadelphia. These fields leave me free to do acting and writing, including teaching. That probably sounds very scattered to a more linear brain than mine but that's how I need to live my life. The variety keeps me satisfied and the challenge of staying organized and on top of my game requires me to stay sharp and focused on what I love to do . . the many things I love to do.
And I won't let any nay-saying voice tell me otherwise.
Am I pursuing too many things at one time? What about that saying to be a jack of all trades but a master of none? Can't you be the master of several things?
I am writing this blog while waiting for the screenwriter and director of an indie film to arrive to pick me up and go off for a shoot. I instinctively know what to do when I see a need on a shoot if I am not already assigned to something that will occupy me constantly on the set. This day will be one where I work where I am needed. I'm quite good at this sort of thing. I am equally good as a teacher and an actor. I believe I am a fairly good writer though the latter is where my lack of confidence comes into play.
I have always known I am a very good actor. The one disappointment in my life is that the acting life was not what I expected. I am one of those people who walked away from that game when I had plenty of New York connections, an agent, interested casting directors and was getting work doing cable commercials, training videos and other bits of work of that nature. I was getting some TV and movie work (usually wound up on the cutting room floor) or the role was not very large. But I quickly realized how deadly dull making TV or movies were from an acting standpoint. You wait endlessly for the next shot to be set up. I appeared on Law and Order a few times and stopped doing anymore because I nearly cried with boredom. There are actors who find plenty to do while waiting for the next shot but I was not one of them. I asked more seasoned TV actors Michael Moriarty and Roscoe Brown if it was always like this or was I just coming on the set during a slow set up period. They both told me that's how it is on most shows they have worked on. Hurry up and wait and wait and wait to do your two minutes of acting and then wait and wait some more for the next set up.
No thanks.
Back to theater if anything. And I pick what I want to do so I am not dependent on it to make a living as an actor. I am now applying for a few jobs as diverse as an Audience Manager and Education Director of some theaters in Philadelphia. These fields leave me free to do acting and writing, including teaching. That probably sounds very scattered to a more linear brain than mine but that's how I need to live my life. The variety keeps me satisfied and the challenge of staying organized and on top of my game requires me to stay sharp and focused on what I love to do . . the many things I love to do.
And I won't let any nay-saying voice tell me otherwise.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Meet the Links! Marie Wallace!
Whew! I'm glad to have time to post again! It's been a crazy few days (good crazy). I was asked to assist my former professor of TV Studio Production to brainstorm with her in the editing room on how to develop the trailer for the indie movie she is completing. When you have been the writer and director of a film, it's hard to step back and create a trailer. That process requires a very simple, basic approach to the story whereas the writer/director lives with the nuances with such an intense degree it can be very difficult to step back and make a simple, enticing statement which is what you need for a 30 second movie trailer. I was preoccupied with that and helping the friend of a New York producer hunt for suitable space in Philadelphia to bring down a neat show for two weeks in the fall and three weeks in the spring. Finding a suitable theater rental in center city able and willing to accomodate split weeks has been very time consuming. Most of the time is consumed in getting people to call you back or email you especially if they are not interested or able to accomodate the request. So I have to hunt them down via ph0ne. No one escapes The Kersey. No one.
So back to the links on my blog page. Marie Wallace is a lady I met via mutual actor friend. I was familiar with her from her television work. She has had great a grand career on the stage too which she shares in a recently published memoir. Marie is also an accomplished photographer and as someone who has purchased her art, believe me, you will get a lot of compliments on it if you have a work of hers hanging up in your home or office.
Marie is one of those friends you just pick up with where you left off when you see her. She is a genuinely nice and funny lady who strives to see the positive everywhere she can. I encourage you to check out her website, her memoir and her photography by clicking here Marie Wallace.
So back to the links on my blog page. Marie Wallace is a lady I met via mutual actor friend. I was familiar with her from her television work. She has had great a grand career on the stage too which she shares in a recently published memoir. Marie is also an accomplished photographer and as someone who has purchased her art, believe me, you will get a lot of compliments on it if you have a work of hers hanging up in your home or office.
Marie is one of those friends you just pick up with where you left off when you see her. She is a genuinely nice and funny lady who strives to see the positive everywhere she can. I encourage you to check out her website, her memoir and her photography by clicking here Marie Wallace.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Intro to the "Links" - Cassie and Ted Hussey
I met Cassie around 1998. We share an interest in writing among other things. I enjoy reading her blog as there are several components to it; there is the what's-going-on-today aspect and then her Scribblings, as she calls it, talking from the viewpoint of a writer looking at the world. Ted, Cassie's husband, has his own corner of the blog world with his insights.
Cassie's first husband died unexpectedly several years ago and the effect was devastating, of course, for Cassie and her young children. It was nothing short of miraculous and unexpected that Cassie met and married one Ted Hussey, as nice and kind a man as anyone could hope for a mourning friend to find. Ted had lost his wife to cancer and met Cassie on a widow-widowers support group on the internet. I've been very happy for Cassie and her kids that an awful situation was made all the more bearable by the arrival of Ted in their lives.
Do check out their blog in the link section.
Cassie's first husband died unexpectedly several years ago and the effect was devastating, of course, for Cassie and her young children. It was nothing short of miraculous and unexpected that Cassie met and married one Ted Hussey, as nice and kind a man as anyone could hope for a mourning friend to find. Ted had lost his wife to cancer and met Cassie on a widow-widowers support group on the internet. I've been very happy for Cassie and her kids that an awful situation was made all the more bearable by the arrival of Ted in their lives.
Do check out their blog in the link section.
Writing Software: Scriptwriter's Suite Final Draft
I'm pleased to get feedback about the experience of others using writing software I've mentioned here. I'll tell you about one purchase I've been pleased about and that is the Scriptwriter's Suite that encompasses Final Draft and Final Draft AV.
Final Draft allows you to easily format scripts for film, TV and stage. (If you are unfamiliar with the formatting in the first place, check out The Daily Script to get an idea. You can also download scripts of current movies.) What I like about this script formatting tool is that I am able to focus on the content of my writing rather than the mechanics. No matter which industry you are writing a script for, there are format standards and this tool enables you to meet that standard without spending a whole lot of time fussing with it.
Final Draft AV is fantastic for writing audio visual scripts, commercials or radio material. This kind of work needs to be done in a two column format. Sure, you can set up your Word program to do this but I have yet to do that without running into problems. This particular tool eliminates annoying set-up issues that I don't have the time or patience to deal with.
You can buy these two programs separately if you have no use for the other. As with most writing software, there is a discount for students and teachers.
Has anyone else used this software?
Final Draft allows you to easily format scripts for film, TV and stage. (If you are unfamiliar with the formatting in the first place, check out The Daily Script to get an idea. You can also download scripts of current movies.) What I like about this script formatting tool is that I am able to focus on the content of my writing rather than the mechanics. No matter which industry you are writing a script for, there are format standards and this tool enables you to meet that standard without spending a whole lot of time fussing with it.
Final Draft AV is fantastic for writing audio visual scripts, commercials or radio material. This kind of work needs to be done in a two column format. Sure, you can set up your Word program to do this but I have yet to do that without running into problems. This particular tool eliminates annoying set-up issues that I don't have the time or patience to deal with.
You can buy these two programs separately if you have no use for the other. As with most writing software, there is a discount for students and teachers.
Has anyone else used this software?
Saturday, February 18, 2006
I love being over 40
The only negatives I have ever had to contend with in being over 40 as a woman is (a) societal prejudices about being "over 40" and (b) the chances decrease at an alarming rate if you ever hoped to bear your own children. Other than that, life has been much better after 40. When I wake up at night in those moments where how you feel about yourself in general will be reflected on whether you wake up feeling very alone in the world or wake wondering which of the 100s of things you think about you want to pursue first.
I was engaged at 19 and though I knew precious little about anything else in life, I knew that I did not really want to get married and I called off the engagement. I do agree with Katharine Hepburn's belief that a couple get on better if they live in separate residences. While that would be okay with me, the idea of having a child or adopting one never even appealed to me until after I turned 40. While on the one hand I have not ever "done" what I was supposed to according to the cultural model, the physiology of women and the ability to have kids is not fair. There is precious little one can do about that. No one to appeal to on that one. If you want to adopt, you need to do it by the age of 50 unless you have a lot of money then you can cheat on the age cut off.
In my mind, it makes perfect sense to settle down and have a family after, say, 40 and not before if we are going to talk about "shoulds." Why get married and struggle with the finances of a new house and family when you are in your twenties? Or 30s for that matter? Why not get settled in the first career of your choice (and maybe the only one) and have time on your own before settling down? Well, unfortunately for women, biology doesn't wait. If you want your own child, you have to start in your twenties because after you hit 30 the chances of being able to do that start to decline significantly. That's a bitch for a lot of us. I had no interest in settling down or being mama. Not wanting to be mama is why I ended a few relationships.
But would I have a child by myself (adopted or otherwise) deliberately without a father?
No, I really would not want to do that as it is not fair to the child. He or she has to explain to the other kids about not having a second parent around. That can be awkward. I would not want to set out to do that but the desire to have a child is extremely strong and I have to make a decision pretty darn quick before all opportunities run out. Would I live in a separate residences from my boyfriend or the father figure for my child? I don't know how I would feel with that whole dynamic of having a child in the picture. If it was just me the boyfriend, we could live in separate residences just fine. I have many friends who are married with children and when I visit them, I envy the family unit and wish for it but when I leave, the wish disappears. Too often I am asked "are you happy?" which is all about the fact that I am single, as if it simply isn't possible to single (as in not even dating someone in particular) and be happy. Fortunately, it is possible. I never believed that if you are not a whole person unless you are part of a couple. Actually, I find that notion and anyone who has it to be very sad.
I digress a bit from my stated title of this piece.
What you do tend to feel after forty is acceptance of who you are, even if that "who" isn't what you hoped you would be. There is nothing to stop you from trying new things, taking risks and having fun. I know that my being somewhat of a loner enables me to withstand certain personal situations that would greatly pain others. I know the difference between enjoying solitude and being lonely. Big difference there. There is little sweeter than being in love with a guy who accepts you for who you are and you for who he is. You can't change people whether they are 20 or 50. Most relationships fail, I believe, because we try to change for other people and it simply doesn't work.
I also confess to enjoying hearing some men talk about wanting younger women (though they are 40 or older) because they feel the younger woman has more to offer. Most of us ladies in middle-age know we can do many things 3 times better than those younger women. The experience we have includes the knowledge that at times what is even better than ribald sex is being able to sit and just be with a guy, without talking and only holding on to each other. We can do that without thinking something is wrong or missing. If you are not able to do that in my opinion you are missing out on what it truly means to be with someone and love that person.
These are things I learned over 40. I have also been somewhat amused that younger men than myself actually seek out the older woman for the reason I mentioned above. I'm the one who has a problem with a guy being a lot younger - I feel like I'm dating my brother or something (he is six years younger).
It is unfortunate that so many do see 40 as being some sort of cut-off point in life. For me it has represented the long elusive quest to feel comfortable in my own skin and know that I have at least 40 more years of good living and challenges ahead of me. I hope that does include having a child in my life but if it does not, I will still be happy. This is one thing I know about myself. But the comfort level of having acceptance of myself does not preclude going after new goals with all the intensity of when I was 20. I feel better than I did at 20. I am far happier now than when I was in my 20, or 30s for that matter. I would not want to repeat those years for anything.
And I am so happy to know and accept myself. That is a great gift.
I was engaged at 19 and though I knew precious little about anything else in life, I knew that I did not really want to get married and I called off the engagement. I do agree with Katharine Hepburn's belief that a couple get on better if they live in separate residences. While that would be okay with me, the idea of having a child or adopting one never even appealed to me until after I turned 40. While on the one hand I have not ever "done" what I was supposed to according to the cultural model, the physiology of women and the ability to have kids is not fair. There is precious little one can do about that. No one to appeal to on that one. If you want to adopt, you need to do it by the age of 50 unless you have a lot of money then you can cheat on the age cut off.
In my mind, it makes perfect sense to settle down and have a family after, say, 40 and not before if we are going to talk about "shoulds." Why get married and struggle with the finances of a new house and family when you are in your twenties? Or 30s for that matter? Why not get settled in the first career of your choice (and maybe the only one) and have time on your own before settling down? Well, unfortunately for women, biology doesn't wait. If you want your own child, you have to start in your twenties because after you hit 30 the chances of being able to do that start to decline significantly. That's a bitch for a lot of us. I had no interest in settling down or being mama. Not wanting to be mama is why I ended a few relationships.
But would I have a child by myself (adopted or otherwise) deliberately without a father?
No, I really would not want to do that as it is not fair to the child. He or she has to explain to the other kids about not having a second parent around. That can be awkward. I would not want to set out to do that but the desire to have a child is extremely strong and I have to make a decision pretty darn quick before all opportunities run out. Would I live in a separate residences from my boyfriend or the father figure for my child? I don't know how I would feel with that whole dynamic of having a child in the picture. If it was just me the boyfriend, we could live in separate residences just fine. I have many friends who are married with children and when I visit them, I envy the family unit and wish for it but when I leave, the wish disappears. Too often I am asked "are you happy?" which is all about the fact that I am single, as if it simply isn't possible to single (as in not even dating someone in particular) and be happy. Fortunately, it is possible. I never believed that if you are not a whole person unless you are part of a couple. Actually, I find that notion and anyone who has it to be very sad.
I digress a bit from my stated title of this piece.
What you do tend to feel after forty is acceptance of who you are, even if that "who" isn't what you hoped you would be. There is nothing to stop you from trying new things, taking risks and having fun. I know that my being somewhat of a loner enables me to withstand certain personal situations that would greatly pain others. I know the difference between enjoying solitude and being lonely. Big difference there. There is little sweeter than being in love with a guy who accepts you for who you are and you for who he is. You can't change people whether they are 20 or 50. Most relationships fail, I believe, because we try to change for other people and it simply doesn't work.
I also confess to enjoying hearing some men talk about wanting younger women (though they are 40 or older) because they feel the younger woman has more to offer. Most of us ladies in middle-age know we can do many things 3 times better than those younger women. The experience we have includes the knowledge that at times what is even better than ribald sex is being able to sit and just be with a guy, without talking and only holding on to each other. We can do that without thinking something is wrong or missing. If you are not able to do that in my opinion you are missing out on what it truly means to be with someone and love that person.
These are things I learned over 40. I have also been somewhat amused that younger men than myself actually seek out the older woman for the reason I mentioned above. I'm the one who has a problem with a guy being a lot younger - I feel like I'm dating my brother or something (he is six years younger).
It is unfortunate that so many do see 40 as being some sort of cut-off point in life. For me it has represented the long elusive quest to feel comfortable in my own skin and know that I have at least 40 more years of good living and challenges ahead of me. I hope that does include having a child in my life but if it does not, I will still be happy. This is one thing I know about myself. But the comfort level of having acceptance of myself does not preclude going after new goals with all the intensity of when I was 20. I feel better than I did at 20. I am far happier now than when I was in my 20, or 30s for that matter. I would not want to repeat those years for anything.
And I am so happy to know and accept myself. That is a great gift.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Writing Software
I really do not know how I feel about the writing software that assists you in keeping a list of character traits, plots and subplots, and offers advice about how to best pursue your story whether it is a short story or a novel. One the one hand, it's helpful to plug in the information about what you are doing and having something keep track. I want to be open to new methods of working but at the same time there is a sense of pride about writing being a craft.
It's like the argument about the spelling of playwright. Nowadays it is spelled playwrite. (That's one of those small things that makes me scream like a little girl when I see it spelled that way.) Playwrighting is a craft, dammit. You have to visual the stage, your words coming out the live mouths on the stage, how it is going to appear off the written page, and then the practicality of staging what you are writing.
The same goes for screenwrighting. It is commonly spelled screenwriting.
"Wright" means you are constructing something. I normally associate that with constructing it on your own.
How much of my crafting do I stand to lose utilizing a program that might keep my storyline in order, reminding me of when I am leaving something unresolved. Have I left that one character locked in the closet all this time? Can't I discover that on my own when going back through my notes and reading what I have written?
The fundamental question I have - is it cheating to use writing software?
And let me tell you something - learning to use that software isn't always easy. I have a program called Dramatica Pro and I have had it three years. Believe me, it's involved. You need to use a tutorial to get through the entire thing and learn how to use it efficiently. By that time, I could have finished what I was writing anyway and figured out what I left out or did not resolve. Buuuuuuuuut, is using one of these efficient programs, once mastered, a way to keep things in a more orderly fashion, discover omissions faster and therefore having more writing time?
I have not yet been able to resolve that question. I can't decide if using a program at all is cheating since many of the writing greats never had such a thing and did just as well.
If you are interested in seeing what type of writing software there is you can visit http://www.dramatica.com or http://store.yahoo.com/dramatica/dramaticapro30.html. I encourage you to shop around before buying any kind of software as there are many online specials (not always on the maker's page) and if you are an educator or student, good discounts available with I.D.
It's like the argument about the spelling of playwright. Nowadays it is spelled playwrite. (That's one of those small things that makes me scream like a little girl when I see it spelled that way.) Playwrighting is a craft, dammit. You have to visual the stage, your words coming out the live mouths on the stage, how it is going to appear off the written page, and then the practicality of staging what you are writing.
The same goes for screenwrighting. It is commonly spelled screenwriting.
"Wright" means you are constructing something. I normally associate that with constructing it on your own.
How much of my crafting do I stand to lose utilizing a program that might keep my storyline in order, reminding me of when I am leaving something unresolved. Have I left that one character locked in the closet all this time? Can't I discover that on my own when going back through my notes and reading what I have written?
The fundamental question I have - is it cheating to use writing software?
And let me tell you something - learning to use that software isn't always easy. I have a program called Dramatica Pro and I have had it three years. Believe me, it's involved. You need to use a tutorial to get through the entire thing and learn how to use it efficiently. By that time, I could have finished what I was writing anyway and figured out what I left out or did not resolve. Buuuuuuuuut, is using one of these efficient programs, once mastered, a way to keep things in a more orderly fashion, discover omissions faster and therefore having more writing time?
I have not yet been able to resolve that question. I can't decide if using a program at all is cheating since many of the writing greats never had such a thing and did just as well.
If you are interested in seeing what type of writing software there is you can visit http://www.dramatica.com or http://store.yahoo.com/dramatica/dramaticapro30.html. I encourage you to shop around before buying any kind of software as there are many online specials (not always on the maker's page) and if you are an educator or student, good discounts available with I.D.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Break-up Etiquette
I read a newspaper article this evening written by an associate professor psychology about how to break up with someone in an honest way rather than resorting to lies as to why you are dumping the other person. This professor listed five common lies used to express the reason for the break up and one of them, she said, was telling the other person "I love you but I am not in love with you."
Huh?
Why is that a lie? I was quite surprised to see this listed as being considered untrue. Those of us who are single and date will go out with someone for a few months and realize that we are attracted as friends but not romance. The two things are very different. It's hard to explain but I believe most people who have been in relationships understand the difference of loving someone and being in love.
This point of the professor's essay struck home with me because told a man I had dated for four months that I loved being with him doing things but I was not in love with him. I wasn't lying. He was great fun to be around but the strong sexual component of being in love with someone (when you need them emotionally and physically) simply wasn't there. I wish I could have made it be there, believe me, as he was a great guy and I really wanted him in my life as a friend. However, that also sounds like a false line you say when breaking up with someone but, again, I was not lying. I did want him in my life as friend.
So, oh Dr.-this-is-how-you-dump-someone-the-right-way what you discovered to be untrue in your own private dealings doesn't hold true for everyone else. What you call lies were painful things some of us had to speak to someone we cared about very much, just not in the way he was looking for.
Huh?
Why is that a lie? I was quite surprised to see this listed as being considered untrue. Those of us who are single and date will go out with someone for a few months and realize that we are attracted as friends but not romance. The two things are very different. It's hard to explain but I believe most people who have been in relationships understand the difference of loving someone and being in love.
This point of the professor's essay struck home with me because told a man I had dated for four months that I loved being with him doing things but I was not in love with him. I wasn't lying. He was great fun to be around but the strong sexual component of being in love with someone (when you need them emotionally and physically) simply wasn't there. I wish I could have made it be there, believe me, as he was a great guy and I really wanted him in my life as a friend. However, that also sounds like a false line you say when breaking up with someone but, again, I was not lying. I did want him in my life as friend.
So, oh Dr.-this-is-how-you-dump-someone-the-right-way what you discovered to be untrue in your own private dealings doesn't hold true for everyone else. What you call lies were painful things some of us had to speak to someone we cared about very much, just not in the way he was looking for.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
More of the Great Links! Here's Bruce Murphy!
I have never met Bruce in person but we've known each other online for about seven years. We met on a political discussion board started by the actor Carroll O'Connor in the late 1990s. Bruce is one of the smartest people I've ever met and very funny. Like me, he is a WHO fan and we share similar views on how the world works, or doesn't work. Do visit his site to completely experience Bruce (he will kill me for saying that).
Bruce, you will be happy to know that I am typing this at 4:30 a.m. while witnessing our arriving blizzard. Well, it's a transient blizzard. There are blizzard conditions for a half hour or so and then it reverts back a noreaster. I'm not sure of the difference but there is one. All I know is that I almost can't see my car anymore from the window. And in all this I thought of you. Am I a great friend or what?
Bruce, you will be happy to know that I am typing this at 4:30 a.m. while witnessing our arriving blizzard. Well, it's a transient blizzard. There are blizzard conditions for a half hour or so and then it reverts back a noreaster. I'm not sure of the difference but there is one. All I know is that I almost can't see my car anymore from the window. And in all this I thought of you. Am I a great friend or what?
Saturday, February 11, 2006
State of Emergency! Snow! Crabs! Beer, oh my!
Next to Raining Men I have a fantasy of it snowing crabs. See, I am from the Chesapeake Bay area and even while living in the middle of New York City I would make a three hour trip south whenever possible to buy steamed Maryland Crabs. I would bring this delicacy back to my apartment and all the problems of my world would melt away. Okay, maybe I am being a little dramatic here. I received the news on Friday that we, as in the royal we, were gonna get a big snow storm. No one was certain. Where I live just above a canal and along the Atlantic Coast, it is very difficult to accurately predict the weather. You have to pretty much bank on editing together the information you get and piece together the forecast yourself. No Ira Joe Fisher or Al Roker for me; it's strictly do it yourself weather. But we are in for a dilly of a storm. Up to a foot of snow and beyond. Yay! So, this drastic situation called for drastic measures. Off to the store. The fridge and cupboard didn't have much in it so I need some supplies. You know how everyone runs to the store and buys a week or more worth of food when they hear a snow storm is coming? This occasion was no exception. I live in a well-populated area of the state. When we have lost power because of a storm or were paralyzed by a storm, it was a day or two at most of inconvenience, maybe three. As it is so cold out, you can put perishables out on the patio in a container and they will stay cold. Many houses and apartments have wood burning fire places so you can cook on it if you must. But still, people panic when they do not have milk, bread or eggs in the house. This guy was in one of the store isles with me on his cell phone apparently getting food orders from the caller. The caller evidently said "Don't forget the bread!" to which he replied, "We never eat bread!" The reaction to stocking up whether we need it or not is ingrained in the culture. (Hmm, "ingrained in" doesn't seem to make sense to me, but anyway)
I stocked up on the important things: crabs and beer. And dessert.
As soon as I get the fire going, I'll post a photo here of the lovely, burning crackling wood. First, my housemate and I have to draw crab claws to see who has to go out to the car and get the wood.
I stocked up on the important things: crabs and beer. And dessert.
As soon as I get the fire going, I'll post a photo here of the lovely, burning crackling wood. First, my housemate and I have to draw crab claws to see who has to go out to the car and get the wood.
Friday, February 10, 2006
It's More Ladylike to get Raped
Yesterday, I showed a friend a small scar on a knuckle on my right hand. I got the scar in 1983 when I knocked the two front teeth out of a guy who came up behind me, trying to knock me down. He said something along the lines of about to commit a rape or mugging. He didn't get the chance. When he was down on the ground after I punched him, I told him that I would kick his brains all over the nearby roadway.
True, it was bravado in a sense but I would have done it just as I punched him during the initial assault. My grandfather, an amateur boxer, taught his daughters and granddaughters how to defend themselves believing that women needed to know. He was right. My would-be attacker got up and ran off. My hand was a bloody mess; two teeth were protruding from the knuckle. I reported the incident to the police, went to the hospital for shots, bandaging and had to follow-up with the doctor several times. I was unable to use the hand for a few months and the injury was quite painful.
I had to explain what happened to a few of my colleagues (I was teaching at the time so I was asked why all the gauze and tape)and the most interesting reaction I had was from a few guys who thought it was very "butch" of me to have punched my attacker's front teeth out.
Come again?
It continues to amaze me that even now if a woman is able to physically defend herself and/or asserts herself so that she is not walked all over, she is classified as being "butch" or something less than a lady. Of course, being called "butch" implies you are a lesbian. I am not. It doesn't offend being called "butch" as much as it offends me that being called butch is intended to be a negative thing - an attack on my feminity. There's nothing negative about being a lesbian and there is nothing negative about being able to take care of yourself. Frankly, I am the kind of woman who would prefer having a man take care of me but that is a choice, not a necessity. I consider the "taking care of" part romantic and not a sign of inability or weakness.
So in the minds of more people than I would like to admit (including some women), it is more feminine to allow people to walk over you or try to physically hurt you. Feminine means weak and pliable. Still after all these years of the sex wars, the debates and endless talk about men and women, we are still light years apart in understanding what the roles are and how the minds work.
A friend gave me a shirt at the time of the Great Punch that said:
Lovely to look at
Lovely to hold
But if you touch me
I'll knock you cold.
It was funny at the time but then I thought it implied that I minded if a guy touched me. Well, no, certainly not but I do mind if a guy tries to tackle me on the street swearing and threatening me all the while.
But that's just me.
True, it was bravado in a sense but I would have done it just as I punched him during the initial assault. My grandfather, an amateur boxer, taught his daughters and granddaughters how to defend themselves believing that women needed to know. He was right. My would-be attacker got up and ran off. My hand was a bloody mess; two teeth were protruding from the knuckle. I reported the incident to the police, went to the hospital for shots, bandaging and had to follow-up with the doctor several times. I was unable to use the hand for a few months and the injury was quite painful.
I had to explain what happened to a few of my colleagues (I was teaching at the time so I was asked why all the gauze and tape)and the most interesting reaction I had was from a few guys who thought it was very "butch" of me to have punched my attacker's front teeth out.
Come again?
It continues to amaze me that even now if a woman is able to physically defend herself and/or asserts herself so that she is not walked all over, she is classified as being "butch" or something less than a lady. Of course, being called "butch" implies you are a lesbian. I am not. It doesn't offend being called "butch" as much as it offends me that being called butch is intended to be a negative thing - an attack on my feminity. There's nothing negative about being a lesbian and there is nothing negative about being able to take care of yourself. Frankly, I am the kind of woman who would prefer having a man take care of me but that is a choice, not a necessity. I consider the "taking care of" part romantic and not a sign of inability or weakness.
So in the minds of more people than I would like to admit (including some women), it is more feminine to allow people to walk over you or try to physically hurt you. Feminine means weak and pliable. Still after all these years of the sex wars, the debates and endless talk about men and women, we are still light years apart in understanding what the roles are and how the minds work.
A friend gave me a shirt at the time of the Great Punch that said:
Lovely to look at
Lovely to hold
But if you touch me
I'll knock you cold.
It was funny at the time but then I thought it implied that I minded if a guy touched me. Well, no, certainly not but I do mind if a guy tries to tackle me on the street swearing and threatening me all the while.
But that's just me.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
A message to my readers
I have been very surprised and gratified by the amount of traffic on my blog. I haven't responsed to the comments but, believe me, I appreciate your taking the time to make them.
However, I am just as pleased that anyone comes to just read my rants and raves. So if you only read, thank you too!
nancy
However, I am just as pleased that anyone comes to just read my rants and raves. So if you only read, thank you too!
nancy
Reflection of how I feel
This came to me in an email. I don't know who the original author is but he/she reflects perfectly my sentiment over this whole Muslim cartoon business. Give me a freakin' break already . .. nk
OUTRAGED MUSLIMS! OH MY!
We wake up this morning to see video on CNN showing rampaging Muslims around the world. In Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Rim ... Muslim Mobs spreading mayhem. It seems that these mighty mad Muslims are rioting and firing their ever-present AK-47s into the air because of cartoons. Yup ... this latest epidemic of Muslim outrage comes to us because some newspapers in Norway and Denmark published some cartoons depicting Mohammed. In fact ... here is one of my favorites!
Admit it, this turban/bomb thing could be the next big fashion hit on the Muslim street!
Muslim outrage huh. OK ... let's do a little historical review. Just some lowlights:
Muslims fly commercial airliners into buildings in New York City. No Muslim outrage.
Muslim officials block the exit where school girls are trying to escape a burning building because their faces were exposed. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims cut off the heads of three teenaged girls on their way to school in Indonesia. A Christian school. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims murder teachers trying to teach Muslim children in Iraq. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims murder over 80 tourists with car bombs outside cafes and hotels in Egypt. No Muslim outrage.
A Muslim attacks a missionary children's school in India. Kills six. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims slaughter hundreds of children and teachers in Beslan, Russia. Muslims shoot children in the back. No Muslim outrage.
Let's go way back. Muslims kidnap and kill athletes at the Munich Summer Olympics. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims fire rocket-propelled grenades into schools full of children in Israel. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims murder more than 50 commuters in attacks on London subways and busses. Over 700 are injured. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims massacre dozens of innocents at a Passover Seder. No Muslim outrage
Muslims murder innocent vacationers in Bali. No Muslim outrage.
Muslim newspapers publish anti-Semitic cartoons. No Muslim outrage
Muslims are involved, on one side or the other, in almost every one of the 125+ shooting wars around the world. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims beat the charred bodies of Western civilians with their shoes, then hang them from a bridge. No Muslim outrage.
Newspapers in Denmark and Norway publish cartoons depicting Mohammed. Muslims are outraged.
Dead children. Dead tourists. Dead teachers. Dead doctors and nurses. Death, destruction and mayhem around the world at the hands of Muslims .. no Muslim outrage ... but publish a cartoon depicting Mohammed with a bomb in his turban and all hell breaks loose.
Come on, is this really about cartoons? They're rampaging and burning flags. They're looking for Europeans to kidnap. They're threatening innkeepers and generally raising holy Muslim hell not because of any outrage over a cartoon. They're outraged because it is part of the Islamic jihadist culture to be outraged. You don't really need a reason. You just need an excuse. Wandering around, destroying property, murdering children, firing guns into the air and feigning outrage over the slightest perceived insult is to a jihadist what tailgating is to a Steeler's fan.
I know and understand that these bloodthirsty murderers do not represent the majority of the world's Muslims. When, though, do they become outraged? When do they take to the streets to express their outrage at the radicals who are making their religion the object of worldwide hatred and ridicule? Islamic writer Salman Rushdie wrote of these silent Muslims in a New York Times article three years ago. "As their ancient, deeply civilized culture of love, art and philosophical reflection is hijacked by paranoiacs, racists, liars, male supremacists, tyrants, fanatics and violence junkies, why are they not screaming?"
OUTRAGED MUSLIMS! OH MY!
We wake up this morning to see video on CNN showing rampaging Muslims around the world. In Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Rim ... Muslim Mobs spreading mayhem. It seems that these mighty mad Muslims are rioting and firing their ever-present AK-47s into the air because of cartoons. Yup ... this latest epidemic of Muslim outrage comes to us because some newspapers in Norway and Denmark published some cartoons depicting Mohammed. In fact ... here is one of my favorites!
Admit it, this turban/bomb thing could be the next big fashion hit on the Muslim street!
Muslim outrage huh. OK ... let's do a little historical review. Just some lowlights:
Muslims fly commercial airliners into buildings in New York City. No Muslim outrage.
Muslim officials block the exit where school girls are trying to escape a burning building because their faces were exposed. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims cut off the heads of three teenaged girls on their way to school in Indonesia. A Christian school. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims murder teachers trying to teach Muslim children in Iraq. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims murder over 80 tourists with car bombs outside cafes and hotels in Egypt. No Muslim outrage.
A Muslim attacks a missionary children's school in India. Kills six. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims slaughter hundreds of children and teachers in Beslan, Russia. Muslims shoot children in the back. No Muslim outrage.
Let's go way back. Muslims kidnap and kill athletes at the Munich Summer Olympics. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims fire rocket-propelled grenades into schools full of children in Israel. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims murder more than 50 commuters in attacks on London subways and busses. Over 700 are injured. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims massacre dozens of innocents at a Passover Seder. No Muslim outrage
Muslims murder innocent vacationers in Bali. No Muslim outrage.
Muslim newspapers publish anti-Semitic cartoons. No Muslim outrage
Muslims are involved, on one side or the other, in almost every one of the 125+ shooting wars around the world. No Muslim outrage.
Muslims beat the charred bodies of Western civilians with their shoes, then hang them from a bridge. No Muslim outrage.
Newspapers in Denmark and Norway publish cartoons depicting Mohammed. Muslims are outraged.
Dead children. Dead tourists. Dead teachers. Dead doctors and nurses. Death, destruction and mayhem around the world at the hands of Muslims .. no Muslim outrage ... but publish a cartoon depicting Mohammed with a bomb in his turban and all hell breaks loose.
Come on, is this really about cartoons? They're rampaging and burning flags. They're looking for Europeans to kidnap. They're threatening innkeepers and generally raising holy Muslim hell not because of any outrage over a cartoon. They're outraged because it is part of the Islamic jihadist culture to be outraged. You don't really need a reason. You just need an excuse. Wandering around, destroying property, murdering children, firing guns into the air and feigning outrage over the slightest perceived insult is to a jihadist what tailgating is to a Steeler's fan.
I know and understand that these bloodthirsty murderers do not represent the majority of the world's Muslims. When, though, do they become outraged? When do they take to the streets to express their outrage at the radicals who are making their religion the object of worldwide hatred and ridicule? Islamic writer Salman Rushdie wrote of these silent Muslims in a New York Times article three years ago. "As their ancient, deeply civilized culture of love, art and philosophical reflection is hijacked by paranoiacs, racists, liars, male supremacists, tyrants, fanatics and violence junkies, why are they not screaming?"
Soul Food
When I meet people for the first time, I can do the small talk thing - only after years of learning this social skill. The reality is that I would much rather know what gets that person out of bed in the morning, what drives him or her (and I don't mean a car), her spiritual beliefs, political theories and all the things most people don't feel comfortable discussing with a total stranger. But these are things that I want to know about the person I'm talking to for the first or second time.
I will look at a troubled sky with the passing clouds, changing light and think that is what the soul looks like. What stirs the soul? It's said that music makes sounds that the soul cannot from the body as it is. What the heck is a soul anyway?
I like taking scenic photos and doing funky things with them in Photoshop. The photo you see above is one that I took at the shore while on a fishing boat this past summer. Certain images create an instant sense of peace for me. This is one of them.
Running away is a heavily underrated act of survival.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Uncle Fridster
After I moved to New York City in 1986 to pursue work as a writer and actor, I started what would be a succession of "odd jobs" to support myself. Some of them were in my field, some were not. I was paid to open and screen for "threatening" email for one music superstar, I assisted casting directors in various ways, assisted the artistic director for a major off-Broadway theater company, and worked for a company called Clunes Associates. My gig there was to write original copy, promote the shows produced by the company founders, and that association grew into being a personal assistant to the featured actor - Jonathan Frid.
The first two years after I was hired to work for this company, there was constant work in marketing the show and writing copy. After that, the work came and went here and there. I never realized I was doing personal assistant type work until much later. Call me slow on the uptake. It's not work I would have ordinarily pursued (even though I had been asked by others) but when it came to Jonathan, I didn't mind. He was the only other person I'd ever met who could talk about anything and everything and easily go from one subject to another. In my experience, when I did that it drove my friends crazy. With him, it was business as usual. We also shared the same sense of humor and as an employer, he was fair and more than generous. What was not to like?
The first two years after I was hired to work for this company, there was constant work in marketing the show and writing copy. After that, the work came and went here and there. I never realized I was doing personal assistant type work until much later. Call me slow on the uptake. It's not work I would have ordinarily pursued (even though I had been asked by others) but when it came to Jonathan, I didn't mind. He was the only other person I'd ever met who could talk about anything and everything and easily go from one subject to another. In my experience, when I did that it drove my friends crazy. With him, it was business as usual. We also shared the same sense of humor and as an employer, he was fair and more than generous. What was not to like?
So here we are following a charity event in which Jonathan did one of his one-man show reader's theater programs.
Again, as I mentioned before in this blog, I have a natural affinity for having friends much older than myself and I realized this came to include Jonathan after he moved from New York. He stayed in touch and the friendship survived the move.
I love his home. It's very comfortable and tastefully decorated. It's a bit of vacation to go visit him. He retired from acting years ago but stays active and I can only wish I have his constitution when I hit 80. Check out his website. http://www.jonathanfrid.com
Again, as I mentioned before in this blog, I have a natural affinity for having friends much older than myself and I realized this came to include Jonathan after he moved from New York. He stayed in touch and the friendship survived the move.
I love his home. It's very comfortable and tastefully decorated. It's a bit of vacation to go visit him. He retired from acting years ago but stays active and I can only wish I have his constitution when I hit 80. Check out his website. http://www.jonathanfrid.com
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Critical Musings and Cousins
I thought I would introduce these two links at the same time because their interests are so similar. They don't know each other. Critical Musings is the creation of my friend Michelle who is incredibly funny, talented and smart. Besides all that, she is a great friend. She's a little on the shy side so I will let her fabulous website speak for itself. All I know is that the one time both of us were Atlanta, we saw this used book store and nearly climbed over each other to get into it. This made her a fellow soul for life in my book. No pun intended. The used book store was fabulous and I came away with a bio on James Joyce that I had not been able to find for a decent price. I think I came away with about four other books too. Thank heaven I had left the credit card home on that trip.
Ian Walls is my cousin's son, now earning his Masters in, I think, library science. I know he is working as a reference librarian in Rhode Island. Ian is in his very early twenties but when he visits (or we visit him) there is great fun. I love the photo taken of Ian featured on his site. He is from Washington State and they get more rain than snow. So the snowalls in New England really enthrall him. Of course, New England is an enthralling part of the country with or without snow in my opinion.
We have had a pretty lousy winter in terms of snow. As in no snow. Yes, I am bitter. I want snow. I hate being teased by the recent spring-like weather where I have worn short sleeves outside to run errands. I want the season to be the season it is supposed to be. The changing seasons are one reason why I decided to not live in California and pursue film and TV work.
Snow damn it! Snow!
Ian Walls is my cousin's son, now earning his Masters in, I think, library science. I know he is working as a reference librarian in Rhode Island. Ian is in his very early twenties but when he visits (or we visit him) there is great fun. I love the photo taken of Ian featured on his site. He is from Washington State and they get more rain than snow. So the snowalls in New England really enthrall him. Of course, New England is an enthralling part of the country with or without snow in my opinion.
We have had a pretty lousy winter in terms of snow. As in no snow. Yes, I am bitter. I want snow. I hate being teased by the recent spring-like weather where I have worn short sleeves outside to run errands. I want the season to be the season it is supposed to be. The changing seasons are one reason why I decided to not live in California and pursue film and TV work.
Snow damn it! Snow!
Friday, February 03, 2006
Intro to the Links! Who Is that Man Lugosi?
Musings and Mirth - lugosi.blogspot.com. I don't know this person at all. I don't even remember how I find his blog about two years ago, but I love reading it and the fact "Lugosi" makes me laugh out loud with his political and social observations. The photos he includes on the site are wonderful. I only know that he is about 50 years old, presumably single, and lives in the Washington D.C./Maryland area. I have no idea if he is a fan of Bela Lugosi or a relative - and I don't really care. His blog is amusing.
Since I don't have much to say about that particular "link" on my page, I will share a hysterical story with you. I'm sure at one point or another you've experienced where you are in a store and you and another shopper see something odd at the same time. You acknowledge it to each other either by rolling eyes or a grimace, maybe even a laugh. I still remember the time I was in Borders around Christmas time and the music piped in throughout the store was the Charlie Brown Christmas Special theme song. I walked back and forth in the isles along with other shoppers and we found ourselves starting to do that little dance you see Lucy, Linus, PigPen and the rest do on the stage while Charlie Brown is trying to get the Christmas play organized. Nobody said anything - we all just started to do the Charlie Brown Christmas dance in an abbreviated way.
I had a similar experience recently at the grocery store. I was in the isle where all the kitchen and bath cleaning products are. There were four other women there. Suddenly, we all stopped and looked at the same object that was being promoted by the store on a special shelf:
We were all a little stunned because we were definitely all thinking the same thing in terms of what this "thing" appeared to be. As it was obviously a gadget of some sort, I proceeded to explore and boldly took the thing in my hand. It was a Dawn product. The blue button you see is pressed and then the spikey things on top function as a strong bristle brush (ouch!) that rotates when the blue button is pressed and when applied to a dirty pan or dish that has stubborn food particles stuck on it, viola!, the brush scrubs it clean!
You can even put the dirty brush in your dishwasher and clean it!
Is this a great world or what?
(and shame on you for thinking what you were thinking when you first saw the photo!)
Since I don't have much to say about that particular "link" on my page, I will share a hysterical story with you. I'm sure at one point or another you've experienced where you are in a store and you and another shopper see something odd at the same time. You acknowledge it to each other either by rolling eyes or a grimace, maybe even a laugh. I still remember the time I was in Borders around Christmas time and the music piped in throughout the store was the Charlie Brown Christmas Special theme song. I walked back and forth in the isles along with other shoppers and we found ourselves starting to do that little dance you see Lucy, Linus, PigPen and the rest do on the stage while Charlie Brown is trying to get the Christmas play organized. Nobody said anything - we all just started to do the Charlie Brown Christmas dance in an abbreviated way.
I had a similar experience recently at the grocery store. I was in the isle where all the kitchen and bath cleaning products are. There were four other women there. Suddenly, we all stopped and looked at the same object that was being promoted by the store on a special shelf:
We were all a little stunned because we were definitely all thinking the same thing in terms of what this "thing" appeared to be. As it was obviously a gadget of some sort, I proceeded to explore and boldly took the thing in my hand. It was a Dawn product. The blue button you see is pressed and then the spikey things on top function as a strong bristle brush (ouch!) that rotates when the blue button is pressed and when applied to a dirty pan or dish that has stubborn food particles stuck on it, viola!, the brush scrubs it clean!
You can even put the dirty brush in your dishwasher and clean it!
Is this a great world or what?
(and shame on you for thinking what you were thinking when you first saw the photo!)
Introducing The Links! Will McKinley
I want to introduce the people whom I have linked from this blog. Some are shyer than others so how much detail I provide is going to depend on that as I go down the list.
The first is a guy I originally knew as Billy, a sixteen year old writer who was very interested in TV and Video Production. I don't say "aspiring writer" because Billy already had cable TV writing credits. When I moved to New York in 1986, I met Billy who was a part of a newly formed production company called Clunes Associates. The purpose of the company was to create and promote Reader's Theater one-man show programs for actor Jonathan Frid. Remember my writing earlier about having friends who are much younger and older than myself? Billy was the first to be ten years younger. However, in spite of the age difference, he became one of my closest friends and we shared the same kind of wry humor. He was hilarious and fun to be around. I thought if Bugs Bunny ever took human form, he would be Billy.
When Billy went to college he wanted to be called Will which was a good thing. He had a very youthful face and being called "Billy" on top of it would not be advantageous especially when he was doing internships and trying to get people - clients and potential clients - to take him seriously.
At any rate, as it often happens, we lost touch and recently I found out he was doing stand-up and had a website/blog. I saw there was much talk about his now bald head. Well, he didn't always have that skinhead look.
The first is a guy I originally knew as Billy, a sixteen year old writer who was very interested in TV and Video Production. I don't say "aspiring writer" because Billy already had cable TV writing credits. When I moved to New York in 1986, I met Billy who was a part of a newly formed production company called Clunes Associates. The purpose of the company was to create and promote Reader's Theater one-man show programs for actor Jonathan Frid. Remember my writing earlier about having friends who are much younger and older than myself? Billy was the first to be ten years younger. However, in spite of the age difference, he became one of my closest friends and we shared the same kind of wry humor. He was hilarious and fun to be around. I thought if Bugs Bunny ever took human form, he would be Billy.
When Billy went to college he wanted to be called Will which was a good thing. He had a very youthful face and being called "Billy" on top of it would not be advantageous especially when he was doing internships and trying to get people - clients and potential clients - to take him seriously.
At any rate, as it often happens, we lost touch and recently I found out he was doing stand-up and had a website/blog. I saw there was much talk about his now bald head. Well, he didn't always have that skinhead look.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Unexpected Guest
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I went with my best friend to Florida to visit her Aunt Sylvia. Sylvia is a lot of fun. She lives in a condo in Boca Raton and out back there is a huge lake. I love reptiles so you can imagine my glee at seeing geckos and iguanas running wild in their natural habitat.
I felt glee but my friend's aunt does not share the glee.
So I took to hunting down photo ops of my green, scaly, unappreciated friends. By the lake, I saw what I took to be a statue of some sort in the lake for the amusement of the residents and visitors of the condos.
But the damn thing was moving with a certain purpose that I normally don't equate with the behavior of a statue. In fact, I don't equate movement at all with a statue. I moved back rather slowly from the lake as I saw what I now recognized as being an alligator.
Yikes!
I asked if animal control or someone had to be called and was told that the critter had to be six feet long before anyone would come and remove it. I don't know if it was six feet long or not. I couldn't ask it and I sure as well wasn't going over with Aunt Sylvia's measuring tape to find out.
I was quite spellbound by the thing and sat (a good distance away) to watch it sunbathe.
I felt safer looking at the iguana that walked past me.
Both species of prehistoric origins. One would have me for dinner and the other flees. Wanna guess which one did what?
I felt glee but my friend's aunt does not share the glee.
So I took to hunting down photo ops of my green, scaly, unappreciated friends. By the lake, I saw what I took to be a statue of some sort in the lake for the amusement of the residents and visitors of the condos.
But the damn thing was moving with a certain purpose that I normally don't equate with the behavior of a statue. In fact, I don't equate movement at all with a statue. I moved back rather slowly from the lake as I saw what I now recognized as being an alligator.
Yikes!
I asked if animal control or someone had to be called and was told that the critter had to be six feet long before anyone would come and remove it. I don't know if it was six feet long or not. I couldn't ask it and I sure as well wasn't going over with Aunt Sylvia's measuring tape to find out.
I was quite spellbound by the thing and sat (a good distance away) to watch it sunbathe.
I felt safer looking at the iguana that walked past me.
Both species of prehistoric origins. One would have me for dinner and the other flees. Wanna guess which one did what?
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