Happy New Year!

This year Rosh Hashana falls during the school year. So my time of reflection and bonding with other Jews in synagogue was minimal to non-existent. I hoped to attend a little bit of the service this morning before my 10AM voice class, but I needed to hit the book store and buy the Linklater book, read a 30 pages and formulate a question instead. Unfortunately, when I got to the bookstore Freeing the Natural Voice was sold-out so I biked to the department in the hopes of catching one of my classmates. Luckily, Christine was on break so I ran in and grabbed Brett's book. In the green room I read a bit and was the model for Chris Gee who was apparently working on his figure sketching.

During lunch today, there was an Arts Luncheon, so I grabbed some pizza and salad and headed solo to the Arboretum. I sat for a few minutes and collected my thoughts, but since I am trying to fight a cold so after failing to get on-line I set my cellphone alarm and took a nap.

I woke up sweaty and hot and headed to the UClub for my 2:10PM Contact Improv class. Brendan Ward was on his way so we walked though the Arboretum together. I opened the door and hung outside in the shade. I wanted a little peace to check my email and perhaps play a round of Word Twist on Facebook, but a few of the chatty undergrads just happened to sit around me. There are a few that just like to hear their own voices, and it makes me thankful for grad classes. Contact Improv is my only Undergrad class and it's amazing to see the difference in maturity and learning. In today's class we worked a bit with letting go of control. Nita called me to join her in the center of the circle to demonstrate an exercise. Similar to the hand slapping game, we had to hold our hands palms up in the hands of our partner. At any time they can let our hands fall. We then need to scoop under and grab their hands and support them. It's not surprising that I had a hard time letting go. The class laughed as Nita verbally persuaded me to release the energy in my arms. However, when the class moved into doing the exercise in pairs, many in the class had the same problem that I had.

As I reflect on my time here, I continue to release and let go.

Not really, but a girl can have a mantra for the new year, right.

Hit the Ground Running!

So we started the Fall quarter yesterday with a bang, but for the time being I'm back on the stairs of the Best Western around the corner from my apartment using the free internet. I am working with my neighbors on getting internet together but the guy from Comcast is less than helpful or responsive. Since I am sharing costs I don't want to give up the ability to check my email and buy crap online from my bed whenever the hell I choose.

So, yet again my butt hurts as I sit on the stone steps behind the hotel. And it's hot out here. Did I mention that.

On the flip side, this is going to be one heck of a year. My first 2 classes - Voice and Contact Improvisation are quite stellar and I cannot wait to take Movement and the Design class on Monday. I am not looking forward to acting with Jade on Monday afternoon, but I made a pact with Tim that if either of us pulls on our ear lobe we will run to each other and be scene or exercise partners.

I also started my Dada project and am getting started on my thesis in a practical way.

I decided not to audition for #5 The Angry Red Drum last night. It would be fun to work on a new play, but the script really did not speak to me and I truly have a full plate. And then there's potential band activity and that crazy thing called looking for a job.

Not doing a show also allows me to have my evenings free to do my lesson plans and homework, and weekends to do fun things like go into San Fransisco to see Spring Awakening. That's what I'm doing tomorrow, along with seeing my friend Julia who's visiting from NY.

On your mark, get set, GO!!

The Second Year Begins!

Today was Orientation for the Theatre & Dance Department. The second year MFAs joined the first years at the UClub at 11AM and then we all walked over to the Grad Student Luncheon in the Arena at noon.

The incoming class is super fun and I'm guessing super talented. They have a great energy. With my crazy schedule I hope to work with some of them.

I feel that since there are more second years that we are able to truly assist the first years. Last year with Jesse gone in Fall quarter we only had Randy as director, Sara and Victor as actors and Carrie as a designer. A big 4! There are 10 in my class and 8 of us at orientation today. A huge difference. I am doing what I can to make sure that our jaded nature does not impede on them. It started a bit today with Rebecca and Lynne. I hope that the First Years take it with a grain of salt. It's important for them to create their own journey and dare I say it - make mistakes.

At the luncheon I got to chat with Nita Little and she will allow me to join her Contact Improv class. I also met Keith Hennessy and hope that he plays with my Dada project. I am very excited about both of them.

With these newbies coming in I have a feeling that I will stay in the area after school. I have not heard back from Rachel Fink at Berkeley Rep so I'm thinking the Mentorship program will not happen. With the resources around me and the strong minds and creative artists at my disposal, I have a hunch that I'll do just fine!

Argh!

In honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, here's this...

You Are 35% Pirate

Ahoy matey! Ye can think o' yerself as a swashbuckler in trainin'. If ye study hard an 'do what the captain tells ye, ye may be gettin' part o' the booty. Get to work on yer pillagin', swordfightin', an' drinkin'. Ye dasn't want to end up in Davy Jones' locker, so make sure ye pipe down when the captain be around.

Would You Make a Good Pirate?

Oh, and I am posting this from the back stairs of the Best Western around the corner from my apartment. I really need to get internet in my house.

Packin' up!

I got back to Suehyla's place after a great lunch at Taqueria del Sol with Chris and Angela and one last trip to the gas station. I was tired of running around and wanted plenty of time to pack, clean and nap. Margaret will be by in about 45 minutes and we'll head to dinner at Parish. Jen Denning will meet us there after her Interplay class.

This trip has been quite lovely. I was dreading it in a way since there's always this disconnect with moving from a place. For many I was out of sight, out of mind but for those closer to me it was great to have one-on-one face time over a cup of coffee or on a nice walk through the woods. And best yet, I now have lovely pictures for my website-to-be courtesy of one Stacey Bode.

It does not seem that the arts community is any more vibrant than I left it, so I doubt there will be a reason for me to move back here for work. However Kate informed me that Chris turns 40 next year, so I may have to make my way back for another visit.

Ah, a year from now, I wonder where I'll be...

Fender Benders and Allergies

I much prefer the Cake song Stick Shifts and Safety Belts, but I have been stuck with these unfortunates during my stay in Atlanta. On my way home from the Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter at Synchronicity Saturday night show a car full of young kids hit me as they were making a left turn into my path. This would have been stinky no matter what, but I am driving Suehyla's car. I got the drivers information as she burst into tears and with a strained neck I came back to Suehyla's basement apartment to figure out what was best to do and eventually called the other drivers car insurance agent, as well as iced my neck.

I just got off the phone with Suehyla after a 30 minute conversation. She avoided my first 3 calls and was curt when she called me last night. Of course, I thought she was about to disown me. She was preoccupied with craziness on her end.

I have gotten used to the humidity and was thankful for the mild weather today. However, my nose still runs a bit and the inside of my mouth is a little itchy. This actually started in California and I started taking meds. I didn't even think about bringing any with me. Yeah, I know, stupid. My allergies have returned!

On the more positive side I took a lovely hike today with Jennifer and Elise and got my haircut by my old stylist. Since I had no plans tonight I decided to head to Taqueria del Sol to have a margarita and a few tacos. Alas they were closed. So I drove around Decatur without inspiration towards the Emory area. I wound up turning around to head back to Thai One On and had an epiphany..THE FARMERS MARKET Luckly I had a jacket in the car and got excited as I thought oh my old favorites...soba noodles, curried lentils, mustard greens, tortellini. As I type, I realize that I forgot the samosa. I did take my ginger beer and walk around a little, but nothing jumped out. Of course now I'm hungry again and want something sweet. I don't know if hunger or laziness will prevail.

Dirty South

In between Summer Session 2 and Fall Quarter I decided to take a little jaunt back to my previous home. According to California and the University I attend, my home is California, but there is certainly a bond with a location where I spent 16 years. I didn't only live here, I grew up here. Okay, okay, I spent my youth in New York, but as we all know you do most of your true growing up in your 20s. And I did that here, in Atlanta.

I am very lucky to receive a great welcome and I am able to stay at Suehyla's while she's in Alaska. I am taking care of her two feline babies and have access to her car. Atlanta is just an automotive city that I would not be able to get around as efficiently without one. I did take her car to my old self car wash and it was gratifying to really vacuum that sucker out. I also missed the cheaper gas prices since today they jumped to $4.00 a gallon.

I do have to say it's very weird being back here. As I told Angela last night and Jen Denning this morning, I feel as if it's August 2, 2007. The day after I left to move to Davis. There is just a familiarity here, as if I never left. In the year since I moved away, there is tons more housing on DeKalb Ave. and a few restaurants that changed. The weather is hot and sticky, and my hair has gone from nice bounce to plain frizzy.

I arrived yesterday afternoon and took MARTA to the Decatur Station. Angela picked me up and drove me to Suehyla's house. I took a quick nap and met Stacey Bode in Little 5 Points for my photo session. I am looking at getting a website together as I begin the pimping process for work. Stacey and I had a swell time and I cannot wait to share the images. We took the photos around 7 Stages with was a little surreal. Since it's Synchronicity's home I felt comfortable, but when the staff started to arrive for opening night festivities it was a little awkward. We were done around 8PM - just as the show was starting - and since I borrowed a basket for my clothes and shoes I had to return it before heading to dinner. So, in the lobby I saw Daniel May, Kristi Casey and Mimi Epstein. Kathy Janich was there and is also on staff now.

Since I didn't eat since breakfast, I called Angela and Chris and I drove to them and we walked to Six Feet Under. Fried Calamari at the bar and then a Steamer Plate and beers at the table. We were too full for Oyster Shooters or Cheesecake at Carroll Street.

Today I met Jennifer & Lachlan for a little yoga, Apres Diem and the Botanical Gardens. It was good to hang with them and catch up a bit. Afterwards I met Michele, Matthew and Zoe at Agnes & Muriel's. I was not hungry but got a little sweet tea and gazpacho. Three forks did come with the chocolate cream pie that Matthew ordered for dessert. And thankfully I had room this time.

Taking the Plunge

My internet connection that I have been stealing from neighbors is finally unreliable so I have not been able to get online anytime I want to. This makes the job search, my obsession with Facebook and blogging a little difficult. I think I will finally have to take the plunge and get local internet service. I am really bummed by this.

As I sit outside on campus in between classes, I am just tired. I am trying to research ISPs, as well as plan out the way we will perform our combinations for the Hip Hop Showing on Thursday, and all I want to do is lay down on the bench just outside the music building and take a snooze.

I dropped my parents at the airport bright and early this morning. It was nice to see them, but gosh, they take a lot of energy. They spoke down about my nose ring and my bohemian lifestyle and were not so happy that I really didn't care what they thought. I go back and forth with sticking up for what I want and having them get angry at me for buying something (rather than letting them pay for it) when we are together.

I forgot my notebook at home, so hopefully the little bike ride back to my house and then to the UClub will get my brain and body moving.

A Day Free of Labor

Today is supposed to be all about taking a break from work. However, since I played down in Santa Cruz with Rachel Fowler this weekend, I don’t think I really need a day off. This summer session has been much lighter than the first. Without the Winters Shakespeare Workshop in the evening and being able to teach similar choreography, my days have been manageable. I have not worked on my thesis or on Dada as much as I’d hoped, but I have made good progress. And as I waited for the Groundling seating to open up on Saturday night at Santa Cruz Shakespeare, I did complete a list of things to play with in rehearsal for my thesis.

I certainly won’t be able to perform them all, but I will be able to play with each and see what works best and where the exploration takes me.

Right now the list includes:

 the humours
 clowning
 the timing of a joke → through movement
 creating/performing a comedic song or tune for theory/rhetoric
 elements of being human
 doctors who prescribe laughter
 dirty/raunchy jokes
 child character on a trampoline
 stand-up jokes
 French & Saunders “All That Jazz,” Jerry Lewis typewriter, Lucille Ball eating chocolate/stomping grapes
 Telling personal stories

Since I feel that I have not been productive I have decided to back away from a light fall quarter and make the rest of my masters year jam packed. Along with voice, movement and acting, I decided to add the grad design class and am wait listed for Contact Improv. I also have 2 Independent studies – one with Jade for Dada and the other with Lynette for my thesis.

So, as I sit here on the couch with a glass of wine, blogging, I get excited for the work that’s ahead. And I look at the dishes newly in the sink from making a corn and potato soup, as well as my clean laundry bags by the door.

For that I can take break.