So two weeks until I present 10 minutes of Funny Bone at CounterPulse. I had a good response from musicians from the last Craigslist post a month ago, but none of them panned out. I really thought I had it this time. I am not sure why it's so hard to find an accompanist/composer to play with, but I posted again today on craigstlist and sent a posting to the music department at Cal. I also started downloading some music from the internet just in case I cannot find anyone in the near future.
On the positive front, in preparation for meeting with one of the musicians this past week I have updated both the physical definitions for laughter and comedy and even better - I'm happy with them. They feel right and I remember them easier than any of the other sets of gestures. That's a good sign!
I have been spending lots of my time helping other and I am really good at it, but I need to make sure that I take care of myself. Hope to bring that into focus this week.
In the meantime, here's some gratitudes:
1. sunshiney days
2. loving kitties
3. good food and wine
4. yoga and dance classes
5. a great new bunch of kids in my after school drama class
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Dynamic --> Static
While I did not go to synagogue for Yom Kippur this weekend, I did fast and abstain from work. In fact on Friday I walked to the local library and took out a bunch of books on mythology in prep for my MTC class plus a PLEASURE BOOK.
What, what?
Yes, a pleasure book. Okay, I am not really sure where that term came from, but I tend to use it to describe a non-academic book. a book I read because I WANT to and not because I HAVE to. However, looking at that term now is rather dirty.
Tee hee.
I decided to grab a Christopher Moore book because I saw "Fool" in the bookstore recently. They didn't have it at my branch, but they did have "Dirty Job." I started reading on Friday night and then continued all day on Saturday. I basically camped out on the couch all day and just read. It was delightful. The phone rang and the computer beckoned, but I just kept reading. Yesterday I did a good pit of delivery and pick up for Hugh Groman, but wound up finishing the book early this morning. Super demented and super funny. And better still it was set in San Francisco so there was additional meaning and depth.
My city.
I have been spending lots of time in the city lately and it feels more and more comfortable. I walked down Castro today before teaching a workshop with Kim and the weather was so lovely and the sky was so blue. Very comfortable.
When I got home I did a bit more work and needed to take a yoga class. My Passport to Prana will expire in 2 months and I am teaching in the morning. And honestly I don't remember the last time I took a class. Really. Not good.
So, I went to a studio on the Berkeley/Oakland border. I got there just as it started and little did I know it was a Restorative class. The teacher was an older gentleman and we did lots of static poses with just about every prop in the closet. Literally every single pose he called out more props the we needed. So he demoed first and then the 5 of us trounced off to the closet to get one (or three) more things.
Shoulder stand with a chair, a bolster, a sticky mat and three blankets. A back bend with a chair, blanket, sandbag and bolster. Another heart opener with 2 blocks. And finally we used the ropes to hang upside down - with a blanket and a wedge.
Yes, props.
I have gotten so used to flow that I forgot that yoga can be static. In fact we held most of these poses for 5 minutes. Many of them were uncomfortable, but once I relaxed in, it was okay. Or in some cases relaxing. It gave me the opportunity to breathe and allow the muscles to soften.
I am scheduled to sub again for Noga tomorrow at Vara in Albany. I plan to teach a class with more held poses. That is, if anyone shows up.
If not, I will practice on my own and work on (gasp) Funny Bone.
What, what?
Yes, a pleasure book. Okay, I am not really sure where that term came from, but I tend to use it to describe a non-academic book. a book I read because I WANT to and not because I HAVE to. However, looking at that term now is rather dirty.
Tee hee.
I decided to grab a Christopher Moore book because I saw "Fool" in the bookstore recently. They didn't have it at my branch, but they did have "Dirty Job." I started reading on Friday night and then continued all day on Saturday. I basically camped out on the couch all day and just read. It was delightful. The phone rang and the computer beckoned, but I just kept reading. Yesterday I did a good pit of delivery and pick up for Hugh Groman, but wound up finishing the book early this morning. Super demented and super funny. And better still it was set in San Francisco so there was additional meaning and depth.
My city.
I have been spending lots of time in the city lately and it feels more and more comfortable. I walked down Castro today before teaching a workshop with Kim and the weather was so lovely and the sky was so blue. Very comfortable.
When I got home I did a bit more work and needed to take a yoga class. My Passport to Prana will expire in 2 months and I am teaching in the morning. And honestly I don't remember the last time I took a class. Really. Not good.
So, I went to a studio on the Berkeley/Oakland border. I got there just as it started and little did I know it was a Restorative class. The teacher was an older gentleman and we did lots of static poses with just about every prop in the closet. Literally every single pose he called out more props the we needed. So he demoed first and then the 5 of us trounced off to the closet to get one (or three) more things.
Shoulder stand with a chair, a bolster, a sticky mat and three blankets. A back bend with a chair, blanket, sandbag and bolster. Another heart opener with 2 blocks. And finally we used the ropes to hang upside down - with a blanket and a wedge.
Yes, props.
I have gotten so used to flow that I forgot that yoga can be static. In fact we held most of these poses for 5 minutes. Many of them were uncomfortable, but once I relaxed in, it was okay. Or in some cases relaxing. It gave me the opportunity to breathe and allow the muscles to soften.
I am scheduled to sub again for Noga tomorrow at Vara in Albany. I plan to teach a class with more held poses. That is, if anyone shows up.
If not, I will practice on my own and work on (gasp) Funny Bone.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Just Gratitudes
I am slowly but surely getting stuff done. Not as much as I'd hope, but making process on all fronts. As I drink a well deserved gin gimlet I am thinking about my successes and yes, I am grateful.
1. the gift of my new toothbrush. which will certainly renew my dental hygiene
2. good food
3. another sunny day
4. loving kitties
5. a commercial audition tomorrow
1. the gift of my new toothbrush. which will certainly renew my dental hygiene
2. good food
3. another sunny day
4. loving kitties
5. a commercial audition tomorrow
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday regroup
After I finished teaching up in Davis, I returned to Berkeley just in time to finish up celebrating Rosh Hashana. And celebrate is a bit of an overstatement. I did cook a lovely meal with Victoria and Nita on Wednesday night, but I didn't attend synagogue or really take any time out to reflect on the year past or upcoming. In fact I ran straight into teaching workshops with Epiphany and prepped to teach at MTC and then headed up to Ashland's Oregon Shakespeare Festival with Christine & Genia. I got back early yesterday morning and have reflected little.
Well, that's kinda what this blog has been, but it would be nice to think of it in terms of the year mark. And it's helpful that I moved to the Bay just about this time last year. To say that the past year was a hard one is a bit of an understatement. It truly kicked my ass. And while I am doing well right now, I am not quite kicking ass and taking names quite yet. I do not have a good support circle or financial stability. I am not satisfying my creative needs. But it's not to say that it's all bad. I am teaching a ton and I know my strengths lie there. I have a good bit of admin work in the non-profit sector however getting paid hourly requires lots of organization and administration. Time, paperwork and diligence. It's a lot of work.
I am still not sure that the San Francisco Bay area is the best place for me. I don't really have other ideas here, so I will certainly hang on through the Spring and perhaps the summer. Maybe I'll look at Faculty positions or full time admin work in the arts. Or perhaps my solo piece will be so successful that I will tour it around the world.
I certainly have not thrown in the towel, but I do remain to be realistic.
Gratitudes:
1. lemon curd
2. good wine and sunshine
3. outdoor theatre
4. living close to the water
5. having work
Well, that's kinda what this blog has been, but it would be nice to think of it in terms of the year mark. And it's helpful that I moved to the Bay just about this time last year. To say that the past year was a hard one is a bit of an understatement. It truly kicked my ass. And while I am doing well right now, I am not quite kicking ass and taking names quite yet. I do not have a good support circle or financial stability. I am not satisfying my creative needs. But it's not to say that it's all bad. I am teaching a ton and I know my strengths lie there. I have a good bit of admin work in the non-profit sector however getting paid hourly requires lots of organization and administration. Time, paperwork and diligence. It's a lot of work.
I am still not sure that the San Francisco Bay area is the best place for me. I don't really have other ideas here, so I will certainly hang on through the Spring and perhaps the summer. Maybe I'll look at Faculty positions or full time admin work in the arts. Or perhaps my solo piece will be so successful that I will tour it around the world.
I certainly have not thrown in the towel, but I do remain to be realistic.
Gratitudes:
1. lemon curd
2. good wine and sunshine
3. outdoor theatre
4. living close to the water
5. having work
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Progress report
As today was my day off from teaching hip hop up in Davis, I needed to bust it out with all of companies and individuals I work with. I think I need a better system that a bunch of different task and to-do lists. I definitely know it's possible but I need to be better organized and bill on a regular basis.
I have been lucky the past few months. I have been working regularly teaching, performing and doing a bit of admin work.
Or perhaps I've been working my ass off for what I've got and not lucky at all.
Anyway, last night on my way home from seeing MacBeth at Cal Shakes I started getting nervous about bringing Lincoln in for dental work. Ayla recommended postponing. So I called when I got home, but the vets office doesn't take messages after hours. So, I woke up early and tried calling twice before I got someone at 8am. The woman I spoke with was lovely. She completely understood that I was not comfortable. She took my number and said the doctor would call to talk the procedure through with me. He did not. I just got bad vibes and I don't think it was just because I was nervous about pulling the food at midnight.
Anyway, I was so tired that I got a late start. I missed the opportunity to grab some passengers and take the carpool lane, but got to the Epiphany office early. I got caught up and then I finally used my Groupon coupon at Pea Seduction in SOMA. Of course, as soon as I got home I really wanted to take a nap. However, I worked a few more hours and then as I was watching a little Top Chef on DVR I fell asleep. I didn't really sleep long enough, but it's now 10:25pm and I am ready for me.
My calendar is wide open for the next few days, so I think I will catch up on all fronts. And that includes organizing on Labor Day on Monday.
Bitches.
I am curious to see where the next few months will take me. Trying to be more excited than anxious. I think it's possible.
I have been lucky the past few months. I have been working regularly teaching, performing and doing a bit of admin work.
Or perhaps I've been working my ass off for what I've got and not lucky at all.
Anyway, last night on my way home from seeing MacBeth at Cal Shakes I started getting nervous about bringing Lincoln in for dental work. Ayla recommended postponing. So I called when I got home, but the vets office doesn't take messages after hours. So, I woke up early and tried calling twice before I got someone at 8am. The woman I spoke with was lovely. She completely understood that I was not comfortable. She took my number and said the doctor would call to talk the procedure through with me. He did not. I just got bad vibes and I don't think it was just because I was nervous about pulling the food at midnight.
Anyway, I was so tired that I got a late start. I missed the opportunity to grab some passengers and take the carpool lane, but got to the Epiphany office early. I got caught up and then I finally used my Groupon coupon at Pea Seduction in SOMA. Of course, as soon as I got home I really wanted to take a nap. However, I worked a few more hours and then as I was watching a little Top Chef on DVR I fell asleep. I didn't really sleep long enough, but it's now 10:25pm and I am ready for me.
My calendar is wide open for the next few days, so I think I will catch up on all fronts. And that includes organizing on Labor Day on Monday.
Bitches.
I am curious to see where the next few months will take me. Trying to be more excited than anxious. I think it's possible.
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