T is for Tiger

Today: SOMETHING RAW

As we all know, I'm an actor.

This means that occasionally, I do shows. Right now, I'm doing a great theatre festival called "Raw Impressions Musical Theatre # 16"

Premise:

8 composers and 8 writers who have never met are paired on a Friday evening.
They are given guidelines in creating a new 10 minute music theatre piece.
The first draft is sight read by 10 actor/singers that Sunday afternoon.
3 days for rewrites.
4 days for rehearsal
They present the new pieces to the public a week after the first reading

The Theme:

Create a 5-10 piece based on one of the writings your fellow participants have given you about a moment in their life when they made a dangerous choice. You may make that moment literal, or figuratively inspired by the story. The moment must be sung. The action of the scene must take place afloat - on the water, in the sky, in the womb, wherever you want, but afloat.

Raw Impressions has presented 148 new 10 minute musicals in 4 seasons.

I went to my first read through last night and I can tell you that this is going to be GREAT!!!

And also very funny.

You can visit the Raw Impressions website directly to find more informatoin about what Raw Impressions Does (they also have a film division: RIP FEST)

EVEN BETTER: Come See it!!!!

Details:
RIMT #16 Monday-Wednesday February 7th, 8th, and 9th.
All shows 7:00 & 9:30pm
HERE Arts Center
145 Sixth Ave @ Spring St.

Tickets are ONLY: $15
buy online at SmartTix.com
or by phone: (212) 868-4444

I REALLY hope y'all can come out to see it. It's going to be a great show, and I think that YOU (whoever you are) will enjoy it!

Today: A word of thanks.

Aside from us homosexuals and aside from people who want our support when voting or giving money or spending money, there are few people who act on any injustice that's cast our way. We have to be our own army to win our rights, and I understand that and I know that that's the way it will be. Our issues just don't matter to a lot of people, mostly because a lot of people don't even know who we are--and those that do, usually have their own problems.

Michael, however, the writer of Tales To Astonish is not one of those people. From reading his blog you get to hear the idiocy of the right's attacks against our rights spelled out from the point of view of a straight person. It lends an extra credence to the argument that Homosexual rights are Civil rights when you have both gay AND straight people saying it.

Michael and I went to high school (way too long ago to mention when) and I'm extremely happy that we've become acquainted again since moving to New York. Thank you, Michael.

If they come for you, I'll bring my gun.

Today: Jobs I've had.

I just started ANOTHER new job, and in celebration of that, I'm going to write down a quick list of jobs that I've had.

Bear in mind that these are not necessarily different companies, but different Job descriptions that I had and was paid to do.

Actor
Voice over Artist
Singer/Dancer (I count working at Busch Gardens as different than working on Shakespeare, wouldn't you?)
Buffet Attendant
Waiter
Substitute Paper Carrier (I took over my best friend's paper rout when she went to camp one summer)
Marketing Consultant
Merchandise Manager
Stock-Room Manager
Copy Editor
Database Manager
Photo-shoot Clothing Buyer
Wine Salesman
Office Assistant
Personal Assistant (they're different)
Personal Accountant (yup, even more different)
Teacher (this is the new one...I teach SAT Math & English prep at a School in Brooklyn for Chinese Kids)
Mascot
Model (this one is kind of a joke, but it's true)
Artist (I used to sell my paintings, so it counts)
Temp. Telemarketer
Survey Profiler
Audition Proctor
Telemarketing Manager
Wedding Reception DJ (this job lasted only a little while)
Acting Coach
Dialect Coach
Makeup Designer
Props construction
Set Painter
Set Builder
Sewer at a costume shop
Wardrobe maintenance
Stylist Assistant for Stock Photo Shoots
Movie Extra

Wow, I've done a lot of random stuff.

Don't worry, I'll write a real entry soon. I've just been kind of busy and lazy, and have had nothing to write about that wouldn't make me angry...Like...Bush referring to the 'fire of freedom' in his reinstallation address...BARF

Today: The most depressing day of the year.

I woke up today and was talking on line to some friends, one of whom sent me this link. It turns out today is the most depressing day of the year. So, i figured, what a better way to celebrate than to do nothing all day. So that's what I did. I wallowed in my own crapulance for hours and hours. Then I took a nap. Upon waking up, I wallowed some more.

Then I ordered a pizza and drank some beer.

I didn't realize that it's depression that causes frat boys.

Guess you learn something new every day.

Today: How much I hate snow.


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Much

Any Questions?

-m
PS: A lot

Today: Defining to undefine.

Today's goal was to be really honest emotionally with everyone I encountered. There were specific people I had to be honest with, and I can't help but think it might be one of the smarter decisions I've ever made.

It's really tough to be open and honest about how we feel because it's such a metacognitive process. Sometimes, by the time I tell someone how I'm feeling, I start to feel differently. And sometimes half way through telling someone that I like them I realize I don't, or visa versa.

I confess, though, I'm not sure where 'exclusively dating' ends and 'relationship' begins or where 'hook up' ends and 'friends with benefits' ends. (Yes, I said 'ends' twice, on purpose.)

I do know where my line is, though. And I’ve drawn it. And, to add one final cryptic note, people have all acted really appropriately.

I cried for a little while tonight. It felt wonderful.

Today: Jobless and Happy

I wasn't originally going to talk about it, but I think it's really kind of important to understanding why I've been really dead to the world for the past two months.

I was a waiter for about 2 months. Well, for now, that's over. I got fired on New Year's Day.

Now, stop, don't say 'oh, I'm sorry,'

Because I'm not: I’m ecstatic.

Of course, there is money that I won't be making. And of course I got FIRED, which sucks. But the circumstances surrounding my termination are shady at best (it's a long annoying story that I will not bother to recount) and it's not like I’m going to use that management staff for references anyway. Most of them are on my shitlist as people to begin with.

Anyway, the real reason I'm writing is to let y'all know the reason I'm happy about this change. Like so many other times in my life, I had convinced myself that this job was something that I not only needed, but WANTED.

When it finally came down to it, and they told me they were letting me go, I was so relieved. I never really wanted that job to begin with. It was long hours, hard work, the management was all over the place and I couldn't even eat the food (it was a seafood restaurant and I'm a vegetarian of 7 years--no fish for me). All in all, just not the kind of place I wanna be in.

I may want to get into waiting tables again, and soon. But for now, I'm happy to say that as of right now, I only have one job, and it doesn't ever include asking if they like their tuna black and blue.

Today: Things I’m Thankful for (Part II)

This holiday season, I’ve been given some extraordinary gifts—and I don’t mean my food processor, though I do love it. I’ve had the opportunity to do all of the things that I’ve wanted to do, and spend time with some of the people I love in the world—and a few people who I really like a lot. I’ve listened to some great music, made and subsequently eaten some really good food and I’ve burnt a couple of really important bridges. But rather than write about the stuff that’s pissed me off recently, I’m going to just talk about the things that have been really great.

- From my sister Stephanie, I got a bracelet so precious that I don’t think she will ever realize what it means to me. I know she’s got problems, and my parents are at their wits’ end with her, but she’s growing up, and despite the hang-ups that any 17, almost 18 year old has, she’s a loving person. I just wish I could let her know somehow that when I’m pushing on her that I’m trying to remind her that I have high expectations of her because she’s capable of everything I suggest. Come visit soon, Steph.
- I should write about my other two sisters, but I’m not going to just because I wrote about Stephanie, although Monica really is getting smarter every day and I worry about her, too. Vanessa, considering you’re the one most likely to read this of my sisters, your CD’s were the most fun to put together because I think that you and I have the most similar taste in music. I can’t wait until you’re free to do whatever you want and I get to see you more.
- My friends are still that. When most people graduate from high school, they move on and change and become different people and by the time 10-year reunion rolls around, none of their best friends are their best friends anymore because they’ve all changed into people who don’t really have bearing in your life anymore. Now, I may not communicate with all of my best friends from high school as much as I used to, but I have to say that they are all people who I’d still choose to be friends with now. I miss Miriam and I really should go visit her soon.
- I feel the stillness of the world more right now than I have in a long time. I had a couple good things happen today, and I think that that has a lot to do with the fact that last night I broke down and admitted that I was a little nervous and a little worried about the outcome of the universe but that I was determined to see it all through and just continue on my road and my path. I’d rather not get into detail about exactly what’s all gone down over the last week, but I’m really beginning to see that the changes that are taking place in my life are for the better. I’m so happy for the conversations I had both last night and tonight.
- The unexpected surprise of iTunes CD creation is that if I keep all my playlists, I’ve not only created a cd for my friends, I’ve also created a playlist of my feelings for that person at that second. It’s a double-edged memento, I guess. Nice to be able to listen to the music that reminds you of someone when you can’t have them with you.
- The hallways and foyer in my apartment building are getting really cool looking. Let’s just hope that the sexy new tiles don’t kill me as I’ve prophesied.
- I’m really just glad that all of the stress that 2004 was is over and that now I can concentrate on things that are a little less stressful. I spent a lot of last year being frustrated and anxious and I don’t think that it’s possible for me to have that level of foreboding this year—I just don’t see it as an option.
- I’m also glad that the holidays are over—though making peroggies with my cousin was a real great treat. I think he’s a really great guy and I wish I had been able to spend more time with him.
- I’m happy that Sandra Bullock is a really great girl. She donated $1,000,000 to the Red Cross for Disaster relief in Indonesia. I think the higher-ups in this country could learn a thing or two from her generosity—not just suggesting that we all give something. I want to see George “Strategeries” Bush and Dick “Go Fuck Yourself” Cheney opening their personal bank accounts as well as the tax stockpiles. This brings a little rant on, I’m sorry, but I have to go with this one.
To the guys praising the New York Post’s OPED piece ripping Jan Egeland for calling America ‘stingy’ for not sending enough aid money to SE Asia: WE LIVE IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY, FUCKWADS! Indonesian shirts in Wal*Mart should come with a tag that lets you know that you are personally responsible for the destitution that thousands of Indonesians lived in from the time they were born from the time they died in this tsunami because of the starvation wages that they were being paid by the company that made that shirt. It is our responsibility—no, our penance for being ignorant, blind consumers who refuse to admit, until people are dying, that things don’t just come from nowhere! When the price of clothing goes up next year and the price of SE Asian textiles is 25% higher, understand that it’s because of your greed and ignorance that people that work in those factories will never be able to afford to BUY that shirt, even with how cheap it seems to be for you. (okay, that rant is done)
- I’m happy for the great CD’s I got for Christmas.
- I’m happy that I’m going to have cable Internet in the house! And you should be, too, because it means that I’ll most likely writing a lot more in 2005.
- I’m happy that I can laugh at everything that makes me frustrated and upset.
- Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: what a great cartoon.

Okay, I think that’s it. I didn’t realize I had 1,000 words in me tonight, but goodness knows: wind me up and I’m a human chatterbox.