In an effort to stay away from the procrastination monster, I decided not to cancel performing an excerpt of my one-woman show, 'When You Hit Your Funny Bone' this Monday at The Marsh in SF. I have been so down on the project since I cannot seem to engage collaborators, but as a little kick in the pants, I have kept my two slots. And I am all set to play on Monday and if I fail, I fail.
Okay, fail is a bit harsh. I don't think that's possible, but it may not be as strong as I'd like it. But attendance on these evenings is pretty low, so if I suck, there's a good chance it won't be in front of anyone I know and it won't be many people.
I decided to play with what worked well in the original. The Laugh Score, One for the Ladies, the Humor Test and I am playing with the definitions of Laughter, Comedy and Humor. I'm also introducing the Scientist character and the Shot Girl in greater detail.
Luckily my weekend is rather light in the schedule department so I will have time to play. It's a prop heavy show, so I will need to figure out how to quickly pre-set and strike. I also burned the pants I usually wear, so I'll have to figure out costuming, too.
Dude, funny is hard work.
Wish me luck. Or broken funny bones.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Ankle update
When I was in 7th grade I ran down these big wide riser stairs in our school chorus room for some reason and tripped as I ran out the door. I twisted my ankle, was carried to the nurse and didn't return to class. I am not sure if my classmates noticed me gone with my books and purse still in the room, but who the heck remembers those little details.
And thus begins the problems with my left ankle.
At that time I danced 3 days a week and going to class just to watch was utterly painful. I'm sure I jumped back on it too early and since then I have sprained my ankle at least 5 times and broke my left foot twice - in the mid 90s while working at Coca-Cola and again in 2009 while teaching at UC Davis.
Now, my ligaments are shot and I am faced with the possibility of surgery to give me more stability in the ankle.
I have been in physical therapy for just over a month and my legs are certainly stronger. I feel a difference in my balance and use my glutes and obliques instead of the muscles of the lower leg to support me. There has been lots of bruising as my therapist opens up my shins through deep massage. Unfortunately I am on my feet lots lately and currently they are throbbing.
The dogs are barking, shall we say.
My orthopedic doctor thinks we can avoid surgery and my physical therapist feels that surgically opening up my ankle to clean out scar tissue will just create new scar tissue. My big problem is that if I have surgery I must remain off my feet for at least a month and I will not be back to "normal" for 6-9 months.
Too long, I think.
So, as I get some shut eye, I will massage my feet a bit and count my gratitudes:
1. yummy catering leftovers
2. 2 decent sized yoga classes
3. finding a dress for Chris and Angela's wedding
4. coming up with a plan for my solo performance next week
5. clean floors in my apartment
6. steady work
And thus begins the problems with my left ankle.
At that time I danced 3 days a week and going to class just to watch was utterly painful. I'm sure I jumped back on it too early and since then I have sprained my ankle at least 5 times and broke my left foot twice - in the mid 90s while working at Coca-Cola and again in 2009 while teaching at UC Davis.
Now, my ligaments are shot and I am faced with the possibility of surgery to give me more stability in the ankle.
I have been in physical therapy for just over a month and my legs are certainly stronger. I feel a difference in my balance and use my glutes and obliques instead of the muscles of the lower leg to support me. There has been lots of bruising as my therapist opens up my shins through deep massage. Unfortunately I am on my feet lots lately and currently they are throbbing.
The dogs are barking, shall we say.
My orthopedic doctor thinks we can avoid surgery and my physical therapist feels that surgically opening up my ankle to clean out scar tissue will just create new scar tissue. My big problem is that if I have surgery I must remain off my feet for at least a month and I will not be back to "normal" for 6-9 months.
Too long, I think.
So, as I get some shut eye, I will massage my feet a bit and count my gratitudes:
1. yummy catering leftovers
2. 2 decent sized yoga classes
3. finding a dress for Chris and Angela's wedding
4. coming up with a plan for my solo performance next week
5. clean floors in my apartment
6. steady work
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Monday regroup
I JUST FOUND THIS ENTRY IN MY DRAFT FOLDER FROM 9/10/10, just about a year ago. I WONDER WHY I DID NOT POST IT THEN.
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
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
Cabaret redux
My first solo cabaret in San Francisco was just over 2 weeks ago and I am still excited to watch the videos and remember the thrill of that night. I do think the videos do not do the evening justice. I try to watch the recordings with a critical eye and ask if it's any good. I know it was, but I think the magic is lost a bit in the shaky videos shot on peoples phones.
Next time I will certainly plan for better sound and video recording. And while I just about broke even on the evening, and people have asked for a second cabaret, I am not sure I have the energy. Nor do I want to think about losing money on the endeavour. I have to admit that the format and journey of the show as a whole was pretty great. It makes me think I can do that show again as it is at another venue. Perhaps I should try that route before building another show. The song requests have started to come in for the second cabaret and it's all songs I do not know. The thought of learning 16 new songs and meeting with a musical director to create charts is a little daunting right about now. We'll see what transpires in the next few weeks.
Since I have been doing so much production work and teaching, it was certainly nice to jump into something artistic. I should be working on Funny Bone since I am scheduled to perform an excerpt at The Marsh in 3 weeks, but the desire is not there. I don't want to just throw something out there - especially if there's no one in the audience and it's not going to help me in the future. So, if I cannot get my act together in the next few days, I think I will cancel.
I am thinking of ways to expand Namaste Gourmet and all of the work I do around yoga, personal cheffing, coaching and officiating. But maybe I should take my energies and try and find a Sugar Daddy! Then I can sit at home and read, or perhaps take trips around the world! Now, that sounds like Sun and the Moon.
Hmmm, perhaps for the next cabaret...
Next time I will certainly plan for better sound and video recording. And while I just about broke even on the evening, and people have asked for a second cabaret, I am not sure I have the energy. Nor do I want to think about losing money on the endeavour. I have to admit that the format and journey of the show as a whole was pretty great. It makes me think I can do that show again as it is at another venue. Perhaps I should try that route before building another show. The song requests have started to come in for the second cabaret and it's all songs I do not know. The thought of learning 16 new songs and meeting with a musical director to create charts is a little daunting right about now. We'll see what transpires in the next few weeks.
Since I have been doing so much production work and teaching, it was certainly nice to jump into something artistic. I should be working on Funny Bone since I am scheduled to perform an excerpt at The Marsh in 3 weeks, but the desire is not there. I don't want to just throw something out there - especially if there's no one in the audience and it's not going to help me in the future. So, if I cannot get my act together in the next few days, I think I will cancel.
I am thinking of ways to expand Namaste Gourmet and all of the work I do around yoga, personal cheffing, coaching and officiating. But maybe I should take my energies and try and find a Sugar Daddy! Then I can sit at home and read, or perhaps take trips around the world! Now, that sounds like Sun and the Moon.
Hmmm, perhaps for the next cabaret...
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