So when I arrived in NY everyone was sick. Coughing and sneezing and me with my good health and no-pill popping knocked on wood. As if that was going to stop things.
It was right warm in those first few days, but now 2 weeks later New York is back to to it's usual winter chill. I have not followed my regular routine, have not exercised or eaten when I normally eat. My body is a little out of whack.
BAM! Cold and sore throat.
I really need to get some sleep but for some reason I am playing on Facebook and reading blogs. I did take a nap today but it was a little wacky playing with David much of the day.
No more sleepless night for me this evening. I'm sensing a turn over and out cold.
I do need to write about all of my adventures over the past 2 weeks, but that's going to have to wait.
Gratitudes:
1. a smiley nephew
2. sunny days
3. theatre in NY
4. the means to see expensive shows and dine out
5. two friends for taking care of my little felines while I'm away.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Extended Stay
I just entered the Oakland Airport and as I went through security the agent said "New York or New Jersey."
Really, is it that obvious?
Yeah, I guess so. I left New York in 1991, just about 20 years ago and it's still there. I am a New Yorker. In fact, it's the first phrase of my bio. I was going to remove it, but there was something that made me keep it. As I removed my shoes and placed my unpacked belongings on the conveyor belt another agent said something about Long Island. "My people," I responded.
My people.
In fact during the weekend as I made my plans to travel back to NY for 2 and a half weeks I definitely said the word "home" at least twice. That shit just falls out. Instinct.
Well, I cleared my schedule and prepared for an extended NY stay. I packed my external hard drive to do a little computer cleaning, as well as interview both of my parents. I will also dedicate some quality time to my solo piece.
However the next two days will be about family. The funeral of Grandma tomorrow and sitting shiva for the two days that follow. I have not been back for this long of a stay since I moved down to Atlanta. So, this will be interesting. I'm sure there will be arguments, fights, even. But let's hope there is not a second funeral.
We New Yorkers can get rather violent. *smirk*
Really, is it that obvious?
Yeah, I guess so. I left New York in 1991, just about 20 years ago and it's still there. I am a New Yorker. In fact, it's the first phrase of my bio. I was going to remove it, but there was something that made me keep it. As I removed my shoes and placed my unpacked belongings on the conveyor belt another agent said something about Long Island. "My people," I responded.
My people.
In fact during the weekend as I made my plans to travel back to NY for 2 and a half weeks I definitely said the word "home" at least twice. That shit just falls out. Instinct.
Well, I cleared my schedule and prepared for an extended NY stay. I packed my external hard drive to do a little computer cleaning, as well as interview both of my parents. I will also dedicate some quality time to my solo piece.
However the next two days will be about family. The funeral of Grandma tomorrow and sitting shiva for the two days that follow. I have not been back for this long of a stay since I moved down to Atlanta. So, this will be interesting. I'm sure there will be arguments, fights, even. But let's hope there is not a second funeral.
We New Yorkers can get rather violent. *smirk*
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Financial Hardship and Making Time
Yesterday I was summoned to jury duty in downtown Oakland. I really didn't have the day free, but I thought it was better to serve instead of postponing. I wound up being randomly chosen and upon heading upstairs to the courtroom was told that we were being considered to serve on a criminal case that may last a month. The defendant was there with his lawyer and the prosecutor was there alone since I think the victim is a minor. Anyway, I started freaking out. There is just no way that I could have served that long. Not with Grandma entering hospice, traveling for Thanksgiving (or her funeral) and then there is the whole making money thing. I mean if I don't work, I don't make any money. And there is only so much I can do after business hours.
So after filling out a lengthy questionnaire after how I feel about law enforcement, our judicial system, sexual assault and prostitution I completed the Hardship request form and headed back up to the courtroom. There were quite a few people that came in after me and got excused before me. I started getting nervous that my request would be denied. However not only did the time I waited allow me to feel my heart beat pounding in my chest, but it also have me time to really consider my answers to the questionnaire and to the idea of time. I mean, if my request was denied I would be forced to serve and potentially be selected for the jury. That would mean changing my travel plans, and working evenings and weekends and having to confront issues around sexual assault. Would it be ideal, not really, but it could have been possible. I mean, if we are forced to do something, well, I don't mean forced, but plenty of times we are faced with issues that do not hit us at the most opportune moment. Losing a wallet, getting into a car accident, etc, we just have to deal with it. We are creatures of habit and for me personally I don't like my schedule or my world shaken. It does really bother me when people say they don't have time for things. Like taking care of themselves or having a boyfriend. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that. I just don't have time. But it's not true. Especially in the boyfriend department, if there's someone you want to spend time with you MAKE time. So, honestly, there is time. But for the most part time costs money and that's what many of us don't have right now.
I am in the process of updating Quicken and really seeing what I have. I know that I am making more than I'm spending, but it would be nice to have some next steps in place and make closer to what I'm worth. But living in a new area that will take, um, well...time.
So after filling out a lengthy questionnaire after how I feel about law enforcement, our judicial system, sexual assault and prostitution I completed the Hardship request form and headed back up to the courtroom. There were quite a few people that came in after me and got excused before me. I started getting nervous that my request would be denied. However not only did the time I waited allow me to feel my heart beat pounding in my chest, but it also have me time to really consider my answers to the questionnaire and to the idea of time. I mean, if my request was denied I would be forced to serve and potentially be selected for the jury. That would mean changing my travel plans, and working evenings and weekends and having to confront issues around sexual assault. Would it be ideal, not really, but it could have been possible. I mean, if we are forced to do something, well, I don't mean forced, but plenty of times we are faced with issues that do not hit us at the most opportune moment. Losing a wallet, getting into a car accident, etc, we just have to deal with it. We are creatures of habit and for me personally I don't like my schedule or my world shaken. It does really bother me when people say they don't have time for things. Like taking care of themselves or having a boyfriend. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that. I just don't have time. But it's not true. Especially in the boyfriend department, if there's someone you want to spend time with you MAKE time. So, honestly, there is time. But for the most part time costs money and that's what many of us don't have right now.
I am in the process of updating Quicken and really seeing what I have. I know that I am making more than I'm spending, but it would be nice to have some next steps in place and make closer to what I'm worth. But living in a new area that will take, um, well...time.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Open Rainy Sunday
I woke up early thing morning to the beautiful sound of rain. I really wanted to stay in bed all day. I am not sure why I didn't. Well, I had plans. Well, not plans exactly, but I didn't want a lazy day. Especially with the new subletter moving in today. So I got up at 9:30AM and once I moved to the couch I saw the clock on the TV box read 8:30AM. Oh gosh, daylight savings time. I made breakfast and heated some tea and planned the day.
Sprint, Trader Joe's, the library, the bank.
I went to the Sprint store yesterday after a quick run to The Gap in Emeryville. I wanted to finish the last of my gift cards at The Gap and before I drove into the city I stopped at Sprint. I am sure why I went there when I didn't have time. However, I was on the verge of making a huge change.
So, today when I went back I confidently went up to the counter and asked for a new phone with a new contract and a NEW PHONE NUMBER. After many, many years I decided to switch my Atlanta number for a local East Bay number. There really was no reason for it since most people today have phone numbers from all over. However, I think I needed to make a mental and emotional decision and get a phone number that places me in the Bay Area. I have learned my new number and it's not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. I have sent some texts letting some know that I have new number, but I have yet to receive a phone call. Dad called from China this morning and I had the sound off from The ChatRoulette Show last night. I did email him my new number and hope that he calls tomorrow.
My other errands were less grand, but things that I have either been putting off or just needed to do. I had some Trader Joe's spiced that I needed to return. Since there's a store in the same shopping center as Sprint I decided to stop in return the garlic and oregano and buy a few things. I ate a bit too much trail mix on the way home, but stopped at the bank to deposit some checks. I wish that all of my money could be direct deposited. I am so bad about making deposits. However, I did spend some time yesterday and today updating Quicken and maintaining all of my admin hours spreadsheets. I really need to know where I am financially make sure that I am refilling my savings. Next I went to the library to return both myth books for the MTC class and a nice novel. Well, not so nice. A cracked out messed up novel by Christopher Moore. I was a little sad that today is Sunday and the library was closed. It would have been nice to get another book.
In terms of the myths, I am a little worried about the presentation for my after school class. We don't have class for some reason this week and then we have one more class before our showing. I wish we had a rough outline, but we don't. We have a little movement sequence and one really lovely short play. I think we are going to quickly do some character work and whip something together.
Once I got home I made a messy egg sandwich for the third day in row, started making a soup with the collards and other veggies that I had and also put some music on and did a little cleaning.
So, yes I am sitting on the couch, but I had a productive day. I need to finish the soup once I am done watching The Next Iron Chef...and plan tomorrow.
Sprint, Trader Joe's, the library, the bank.
I went to the Sprint store yesterday after a quick run to The Gap in Emeryville. I wanted to finish the last of my gift cards at The Gap and before I drove into the city I stopped at Sprint. I am sure why I went there when I didn't have time. However, I was on the verge of making a huge change.
So, today when I went back I confidently went up to the counter and asked for a new phone with a new contract and a NEW PHONE NUMBER. After many, many years I decided to switch my Atlanta number for a local East Bay number. There really was no reason for it since most people today have phone numbers from all over. However, I think I needed to make a mental and emotional decision and get a phone number that places me in the Bay Area. I have learned my new number and it's not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. I have sent some texts letting some know that I have new number, but I have yet to receive a phone call. Dad called from China this morning and I had the sound off from The ChatRoulette Show last night. I did email him my new number and hope that he calls tomorrow.
My other errands were less grand, but things that I have either been putting off or just needed to do. I had some Trader Joe's spiced that I needed to return. Since there's a store in the same shopping center as Sprint I decided to stop in return the garlic and oregano and buy a few things. I ate a bit too much trail mix on the way home, but stopped at the bank to deposit some checks. I wish that all of my money could be direct deposited. I am so bad about making deposits. However, I did spend some time yesterday and today updating Quicken and maintaining all of my admin hours spreadsheets. I really need to know where I am financially make sure that I am refilling my savings. Next I went to the library to return both myth books for the MTC class and a nice novel. Well, not so nice. A cracked out messed up novel by Christopher Moore. I was a little sad that today is Sunday and the library was closed. It would have been nice to get another book.
In terms of the myths, I am a little worried about the presentation for my after school class. We don't have class for some reason this week and then we have one more class before our showing. I wish we had a rough outline, but we don't. We have a little movement sequence and one really lovely short play. I think we are going to quickly do some character work and whip something together.
Once I got home I made a messy egg sandwich for the third day in row, started making a soup with the collards and other veggies that I had and also put some music on and did a little cleaning.
So, yes I am sitting on the couch, but I had a productive day. I need to finish the soup once I am done watching The Next Iron Chef...and plan tomorrow.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Habits Rear Their Ugly Heads
For the past 4 days, I took a really great workshop at Cal Shakes with Ron Campbell called The Actor, the Clown and the Mask. Ron is a good teacher and he shoved a buttload of ideas, exercises and teaching into the 4 sessions. In fact in the hour of prep before our public showing he literally threw additional components into our tool kit. I sat next to two of my fellow summer teaching artists and we looked at each other with utter confusion. Wait, what? There were new rules, new exercises and new vocabulary. We now all went into the showing with a huge sense of unknown. It was equally thrilling and confusing, filled with anxiety and excitement. I was not able to go to my usually heady place, I had to remain open to all of the possibilities. Really listen, really watch and jump in when there was an opportunity.
For most of the workshop I sat out and took notes. I realized that I returned to my passive self rather than the voracious student I was in the first year of grad school. When I started at UC Davis when we had a chance to show our work I always went first. I was not afraid of looking bad or failing. However, I have lost that edge. In one of the exercises we did a little inner/outer work. Two opposing energies. Fear on the inside and confidence on the outside. Evil on the inside and holy on the outside. You get the picture. But I really feel that my audition work fails to have extra oomph. I think the roles I have gotten were when I was so nervous that I was fighting that to play my objectives. Or I didn't care and was extremely relaxed. Both seem to work for me. However lately I am back to my trying hard self and it's just not interesting.
Similarly to when I took Scott Wells' workshop, I felt that others were not all that warm. It may have been all in my head but since I was one of the weaker performers there were only a few that went out of their way to say hello or try and work with me. However, when we got to the final day I decided to let it go and just play. Be open to failure. I did learn a lot and I took great notes and cannot wait to share some of the exercises with my students.
Too bad the 1st-4th graders are a little young for most of them. If I can just get my hands on some college kids...
For most of the workshop I sat out and took notes. I realized that I returned to my passive self rather than the voracious student I was in the first year of grad school. When I started at UC Davis when we had a chance to show our work I always went first. I was not afraid of looking bad or failing. However, I have lost that edge. In one of the exercises we did a little inner/outer work. Two opposing energies. Fear on the inside and confidence on the outside. Evil on the inside and holy on the outside. You get the picture. But I really feel that my audition work fails to have extra oomph. I think the roles I have gotten were when I was so nervous that I was fighting that to play my objectives. Or I didn't care and was extremely relaxed. Both seem to work for me. However lately I am back to my trying hard self and it's just not interesting.
Similarly to when I took Scott Wells' workshop, I felt that others were not all that warm. It may have been all in my head but since I was one of the weaker performers there were only a few that went out of their way to say hello or try and work with me. However, when we got to the final day I decided to let it go and just play. Be open to failure. I did learn a lot and I took great notes and cannot wait to share some of the exercises with my students.
Too bad the 1st-4th graders are a little young for most of them. If I can just get my hands on some college kids...
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