When Eric at work showed me this today, I felt such a powerful longing for Mummy and Fabian that my heart ached. There may be only four or five of these I haven't heard in my lifetime.
Hyeah nuh, if allyuh have any additions for dis here dictionary, lemme know, nah?
(hee hee!)
Ah: Substitute for "I"
Ah-Ah: Expression denoting surprise, indignation. Said quickly or very slowly for effect.
Ah I Ah Eh Able: Give me patience. I can't keep up with you. You're too much.
Ah Never See More: An exclamation of surprise, anger, bewilderment. (I've never seen anything like that)
Alla-All-Yuh: Every last one of you.
All Kinda Ting: All kinds of things. Everything imaginable, including the proverbal kitchen sink.
All (Every) Man Jack: Everyone without exception
Allyuh: All of you people
Atall: Not at all
Ax: Ask
Aye-yah-yie: An expression of anticipation or pain, etc.
Bacchanal: Scandal, heavy quarrelling, big party, confusion
Back chat: Insolent response, especially from a child to an adult
Bad eye(cut-eye): A look of anger, especially when looking from the corner of the eye
Bad talk: To malign or slander
Ba-John: A bully or a really tough customer
Bamsee (Bam-bam): The rear end, what you sit on
Bam-se Lambe: Rather attractive bamsee
Bawl Dong De Place: To cry excessively. To be in a state of grief and to display it unrestrained.
Bawlin': To cry, yell or howl
Beat Yuh Wit A Wo'k Stick: An expression used about someone who is a work-a-holic. One who works constantly.
BeeWee: British West Indian Airways (BWIA--some say this is actually an acronym for: But Will It Arrive?), the national airline of Trinidad
Behin' God Back: A very distance place. Remotest part of the country.
Bim An' Bam: Like two peas in a pod. Very much alike.
Bol'face: A pushy person, unreasonably demanding
Break Away: When one "cuts loose"
Broughtupsy: Showing that a person was properly brought up, decorum
Buh wha de jail (or ass) is dis? An expression denoting annoyance, surprise, incredulity
Buh wait nah: But wait a minute
Cheups(Stcheups): A noise made by sucking your teeth
Chinkee: Very tiny portions of anything
Coki-eye: Cross-eyed
Commesse: Confusion associated with arguments, gossip and slander
Cuff: Hitting someone or something with a clenched fist
Cut-ass: A beating, physical punishment
Cyah: Can't
Da is yu? Is that you?
Dan-dan: Any sharp looking outfit
Dat good for yuh: Serves you right
Doh: Don't
Dotish: Silly, stupid, foolish and dumb
Dougla: Mixture of East Indians and African parentage
Drevait(dree-vay): Wayward person who likes to "knock about"
Duppie: Ghost, Spirit
Dutty: Dirty
Eh: What did you say?
Eh-eh: No, no way, oh no
Eh-heh: Oh really? I understand. Yes
En'less: Plenty
Ent? Is that not so?
Expectin a flood / Plantin rice: when one's pants are too short above the ankles
Fall out: To stop speaking with someone or to terminate a friendship
Faddah: Father
Fete: a party
Flim: Film
Founkie: Foul-smelling, stink odour
’Fraid: Afraid
Fresh Water Yankee: A Trini who goes to America and comes back acting and talking Yankee (Originally someone acting Yankee without even going overseas, or crossing salt water).
Fuh so: So much, Plenty of anything
Gallery: To show off
Gallivanting: Out and about
God blame a mule: An expression of exasperation
Goin'orf: Someone who appears to be going out of their mind
Gun talk: Fighting words, to threaten verbally
Gyul: Girl
Harden: Disobedient
Hyeah nuh: Listen
Hototo: A very large amount of anything
Hut: Hurt
Ice Water! An expression of triumph
I Come Out To Play: I aim to have a good time.
I eh payin' tax fuh mih mout': I could say anything I want
In ting: To be involved in current activity
In Trut': In truth and in fact.
Is De Wus: It's the worst. The pits. No good; very disappointing.
Is Me An' You Today: The show-down between us takes place now. I shall be observing you all day.
Is so? Is that so?
Is You To Ketch: You will be the one left holding the bag. You will be outsmarted. You're the one in trouble now
Jam: A big noisy party
Jeez-an-ages (Jeez-an-fiyah): Used for any reason where an outburst is appropriate
Jingay: A hex or spell. To try to confuse an opponent with Mumbo-jumbo.
Jokey / Jokey-Fied: An amusing person or incident.
Jook: To stab at anything
Jumbie: Ghost
Jump-up: Dance to calyso at Carvnival
Jus' Dey: Just there. Very near. Not far away.
Jus'now: In a little while
Jus'so? Just like that?
Jus'so: Out of the blue
Ketch: Catch
Kicksin': Fooling around, having fun, being a source of amusement.
Klim: Any brand of powdered milk
Lef dat: Leave that
Leh: Let
Leh go: Let go
Leh we: Let us
Lick dong: To accidentally hit someone or something
Licks: A beating, physical punishment
Like t'ing: To be somewhat mischievous
Lil'bit: In small portions
Lime: When a small group of people engage in a sometimes pre-arranged activity
Long eye: A person who is envious of the possessions of others
Look nuh! An expression of annoyance
Maco: A person who minds other people's business; To spy on
Macocious: A person having the trait of a maco
Maga: Very thin, skinny
Mamaguy: To make fun of
Mama Yo! Expression denoting shock and surprise
Matter Fix: Everything is well organized
Mih han' slip: An expression used when too much of an ingredient is used
Mook: A man who is a pushover for his woman
Mooma: Mother
Mosquito drumstick: Very thin legs
Mudda: Mother
Mout'er: A boaster
Much up: To pamper, to butter up
Nah: No
Nastiness: An expression of disgust applied to a good-for-nothing person
Never see come see: Someone who has recently been exposed to something new and
who overdoes it to ridiculous proportions
Ning ning: Tired eyes
Now fuh now: Instantly
Nowherian: A person who does not have any fixed place of abode
Obzokee: Awkward in appearance, anything bent or twisted out of shape
Oh geed! An expression used when an offensive smell arises,
Oh gosh!-
Oh gorm man!-
Oh shimps man!- These are all expressions denoting shock, surprise, indignation
Oh ho? Is that so?
Ol' talk: Idle chatter, social chit-chat
One set ah: A lot of anything
One time: Immediately
Own-way: Stubborn person
Pallet: Frozen lolly
Papa yo! Exclamation of surprise
Party Done: Go home
Pesh: Money
Pissin' tail: A person of no class or importance
Planasse: To hit someone continuously with the flat part of a cutlass
Playin' social: Someone who pretends to be of a higher social strata than they are
Pong: Pound
Po-po: Very small child, baby
Pouhpse: To expel gas from your nether regions
Prim-prim: Disgustingly proper and formal
Provision: Term used for any or all root vegetables
Quenk: An irritating person
Qualeybe: Withered, dried up
Raff: To grab suddenly
Ragadang: Broken down
Ram-cram: Packed to capacity
Rumfle: Ruffled or wrinkled
Saga boy/girl: Flashy dresser, dandy
Salop: A disgusting person.
Sapat: Chunky wooden clog with a canvas or discarded tyre upper.
Shades: Sunglasses
Shif' yuh carcass: Move over, get going
Shub: Shove, move or cast aside
Shut: Shirt
Simidimi: A lot of small ritualistic movements. Titivate.
Skinnin' yuh teet': Grinning
Skin up yuh nose: To turn up one's nose at anything
Sof' Man/Sofy: Effeminate man. Spineless.
Sometimeish: Moody
So-So T'ank You An' Yuhself: I am all right thank you, and how are you.
Stchupid: Stupid
Stchupidee: A foolish person
Strims: Shrimps
Surprise De Water: To finally have a bath after a long time.
Sweet Drink: Aerated beverage. Pop. Soda.
Sweetie: Any confectionary
Swell up yuh face: To look angry, to pout
Tabanca: The forlorn feeling one gets when a love affair is over
Tabanca, Tarange, Foofooroo: Advancing stages of Tabanca
Tanty: Aunt
Tellyphone slap: When you get cuffed in the head so hard, your mouth and ears ring
Tight: Intoxicated, drunk, stoned
T'ing: Thing
Titivay: To waste time or stir up trouble
To Besides: Besides which
Too bad: Used at the end of a statement to indicate very or plenty
Too-tool-bay: A confused state, in a daze, also head over heels in love
Tot tots: Female breasts
Vampin': An offensive smell
Vaps: To suddenly behave excitedly or in a strange manner
Vex: Angry
Warahoun: A quarrelsome annoying person
Wajang: A roudy, uncouth person
Walk wit' yuh two han' swingin: To arrive empty handed especially when contributions are expected
Warap: A very weak mixture
Well: Used in a statement to emphasize a point
Well yes! An expression of disbelief
Whappen? What's the matter with you?
Wha-happenin' dey? What's happening
Whatless: Worthless
Whey: Where
Whey yuh? Where are you?
Whey yuh say? What did you say
Wine: To dance to soca calypso, to rotate the waist and hips
Yampee: Mucus, found in the corner of the eye
You an' all? You too?
You so: People like you
Yuh faddah head: An expression of annoyance
Yuh faddah is a glassmaker? You are blocking my view
Yuh foot hot: You can't keep still, always going somewhere
Yuh look fuh dat: It's your own fault
Yuh makin' joke! You can't be serious!
You still alive? Long time no see
You 'tink it easy? Can you believe it?
Zopse: The horizontal mambo
Zug-up: A rough and uneven cutting of anything
Friday, April 28, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
They should charge me rent...
...the amount of time I spend in this place. I've never made it out of here before 1 am since last Wednesday.
(Except for Easter Sunday. That was the bomb. I went to my parents house for Easter dinner, drank wine, ate stupid amounts of tasty food and watched Chris Rock. Dynomite.)
I confess that I actually stayed so late once two days ago, that I didn't feel like it was safe to leave the building, plus I didn't trust myself to wake up in time and drag my sorry behind out of my house in time for my meeting seven hours later, so I slept on the couch.
So ghetto. The office couches here are not very long, and I'm very tall, so you can imagine, I made quite a pitiful/comical sight when Eric, Tricia, and Adele came in that morning.
Actually, it's really quite late again, and I'm trying to make up my mind what to do. Last time I was here this late, I stayed. But one, I don't want to spend money buying washcloths and fresh undergarments at the Dollar Store--I'd really rather have a shower and a change of clothes at home. Two, I want my bed, even if I only stay in it for three hours. Three, and most importantly, I can't take the constant mockery from my co-workers that followed the last sleepover.
That settles it, yet another cab ride. Blast. I so can't afford this. But oh, I'm gonna.
(Except for Easter Sunday. That was the bomb. I went to my parents house for Easter dinner, drank wine, ate stupid amounts of tasty food and watched Chris Rock. Dynomite.)
I confess that I actually stayed so late once two days ago, that I didn't feel like it was safe to leave the building, plus I didn't trust myself to wake up in time and drag my sorry behind out of my house in time for my meeting seven hours later, so I slept on the couch.
So ghetto. The office couches here are not very long, and I'm very tall, so you can imagine, I made quite a pitiful/comical sight when Eric, Tricia, and Adele came in that morning.
Actually, it's really quite late again, and I'm trying to make up my mind what to do. Last time I was here this late, I stayed. But one, I don't want to spend money buying washcloths and fresh undergarments at the Dollar Store--I'd really rather have a shower and a change of clothes at home. Two, I want my bed, even if I only stay in it for three hours. Three, and most importantly, I can't take the constant mockery from my co-workers that followed the last sleepover.
That settles it, yet another cab ride. Blast. I so can't afford this. But oh, I'm gonna.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
"Wha...Huh?" A Stream of Consciousness Post
Growr. Stupid busy. Life is interesting, but no time to talk about it. Not even sure it's particularly interesting. It's all Youthworks related. Learning lots, but should sleep more, need to get the heck out of this office. Craving KFC. Philly Cheese Steaks. Swedish Berries. (Argh, next year, I want a manservant for my birthday. Y'all can start saving up now.) What happened to my social life? Vacation would be so awesome, like Cancun. Frozen drinks with little umbrellas. I am the colour of very weak tea. I haven't seen the inside of a gym in over a month. We are not terribly sexy and fabulous nowadays. Or very coherent much.
Thank You, Thank you...
I'm here all week!
(sigh.)
Thank You, Thank you...
I'm here all week!
(sigh.)
Friday, April 14, 2006
The Artful Dodger
I initially mis-typed the title, so that it read the Artful Didger.
Hm, that would've raised some interesting questions about the post that was to follow.
Many possibilities came to mind, and to my credit, 99% of them were PG-rated.
Did you have the same knee-jerk response to attempt to anticipate what on earth a title like that would be a prelude to?
C'mon, you know you did. Didger?
(heh heh, get it? Didger/Didja? ok, it's not a very funny joke, and I promise I did not plan this. It's just the screwy way my brain works sometimes.)
Anyway, I feel like the Artful Dodger today because I'm taking a wee bit of a break from work over here at BTW. Being a little delinquent, surfin' the Net a bit while waiting for my brain to recharge.
If you're interested to see what I'm working on, check this action out! Come and support theatre, come and support our youth! Shoot, come out and support me!
Yeah, this is a golden opportunity for those of you who missed Blacks Don't Bowl and feel guilty about it to make it up to me. Just joking. Sort of. Only if it it hurts your feelings or something. If not then, I'm not playin'.
(There was a cute picture too, but check it out, I'm sick of trying to format it for this blog and get it right. Just picture in your mind a whole mess of cute black kids arm in arm):
Press release
For immediate release
Montreal, April 10, 2006 – Led by Montreal’s own Tamara Brown, a group of fine artists have teamed up to prepare YouthWorks’ talented students for their performances scheduled for May 6 and 7 in the Black Theatre Workshop Space.
YouthWorks is inviting you to come along on a journey through identity in three pieces:
When we first approached this year’s participants, we asked them to speak about the issues most prevalent in their hearts and minds right now. The overwhelming consensus addressed the many ways that they struggle to identify and reflect their true self-image to themselves and to a society that pressures them to fit into a mold that chafes, a reality presented by the media that doesn’t resonate for them. From the outpouring of their hearts, in this, our 35th season at Black Theatre Workshop, I am reminded of the ‘Reflec’tions’ of Rachel Van Fossen in our Season Program: ‘…good theatre can be said to hold a mirror up to society, and so to reflect us as human beings back to ourselves.’
-Tamara Brown
Information: Naïma Phillips
Administrative Coordinator
Tel.: 932 -1104 ext. 226
Fax: 932-6311
youthworks@blacktheatreworkshop.ca
YouthWorks:
Questioning Our Identity
Black Theatre Workshop
3680 Jeanne-Mance, Suite 460
Metro Place-des-Arts
May 6 and 7, 2006
3pm, 5pm and 7pm
Reservations:
(514) 932-1104 ext. 226
Free admission
DIG IT!!!!
Hm, that would've raised some interesting questions about the post that was to follow.
Many possibilities came to mind, and to my credit, 99% of them were PG-rated.
Did you have the same knee-jerk response to attempt to anticipate what on earth a title like that would be a prelude to?
C'mon, you know you did. Didger?
(heh heh, get it? Didger/Didja? ok, it's not a very funny joke, and I promise I did not plan this. It's just the screwy way my brain works sometimes.)
Anyway, I feel like the Artful Dodger today because I'm taking a wee bit of a break from work over here at BTW. Being a little delinquent, surfin' the Net a bit while waiting for my brain to recharge.
If you're interested to see what I'm working on, check this action out! Come and support theatre, come and support our youth! Shoot, come out and support me!
Yeah, this is a golden opportunity for those of you who missed Blacks Don't Bowl and feel guilty about it to make it up to me. Just joking. Sort of. Only if it it hurts your feelings or something. If not then, I'm not playin'.
(There was a cute picture too, but check it out, I'm sick of trying to format it for this blog and get it right. Just picture in your mind a whole mess of cute black kids arm in arm):
YouthWorks: Questioning Our Identity
YOUTHWORKS END OF YEAR PRESENTATIONS
AT THE BLACK THEATRE WORKSHOP SPACE
Press release
For immediate release
Montreal, April 10, 2006 – Led by Montreal’s own Tamara Brown, a group of fine artists have teamed up to prepare YouthWorks’ talented students for their performances scheduled for May 6 and 7 in the Black Theatre Workshop Space.
YouthWorks is inviting you to come along on a journey through identity in three pieces:
- Scenes from Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery.
A girl comes of age in Southern USA. This charming play by Shay Youngblood evokes a girl’s loving relationship with a mother who abandoned her and the amazing women who raised her. - Death of the Bourgeois Dream.
In his new creation, Jason Selman looks at the tribulations of four young adults. Two things bring them together: their passion for music and their struggle with identity in a sea of Black stereotypes. - What If.
In a world where the news is full of stories of murder and crime, it is can be hard to tell who the victims are. Written by the cast, this play tells the heart-wrenching story of three women who are caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When we first approached this year’s participants, we asked them to speak about the issues most prevalent in their hearts and minds right now. The overwhelming consensus addressed the many ways that they struggle to identify and reflect their true self-image to themselves and to a society that pressures them to fit into a mold that chafes, a reality presented by the media that doesn’t resonate for them. From the outpouring of their hearts, in this, our 35th season at Black Theatre Workshop, I am reminded of the ‘Reflec’tions’ of Rachel Van Fossen in our Season Program: ‘…good theatre can be said to hold a mirror up to society, and so to reflect us as human beings back to ourselves.’
-Tamara Brown
Information: Naïma Phillips
Administrative Coordinator
Tel.: 932 -1104 ext. 226
Fax: 932-6311
youthworks@blacktheatreworkshop.ca
YouthWorks:
Questioning Our Identity
Black Theatre Workshop
3680 Jeanne-Mance, Suite 460
Metro Place-des-Arts
May 6 and 7, 2006
3pm, 5pm and 7pm
Reservations:
(514) 932-1104 ext. 226
Free admission
DIG IT!!!!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
So near, and yet so far...
I am referring of course to vacation time. Even though the play closes tonight, which should ostensibly free up some time in my schedule, bringing the total number of jobs down to one, somehow this will not be the case. Oh well. It appears that the protracted pastry and DVD binges I had allocated to fill in those gaps in my schedule will have to be cancelled until further notice. Damn.
Grr...oh so sleepy. I haven't fully bounced back from birthday night celebrations, or caught up on the missed sleep. Seeing my family and friends yesterday come out and support the play was like a shot of adrenaline to my system, I was happy, and buoyant and loving life! Today, not so much.
I crashed with Mom and Fabian and the crew at their hotel last night, and the pull-out bed mattress had a great big depression in the center of it. Anne and I kept rolling into the middle of the bed all night. It would be funny if I wasn't so tired now.
Bon. Enough whining. Today, I say goodbye to a play that has challenged me, personally and professionally, working with a group of people I love and admire and am going to miss terribly. Pretty frickin gorgeous first season out of school, I think. I am grateful. I have an awesome job!
Anyway, I'm thinking that I'm just going to stay 31 for the next 8 years or so. I've got good genetics, surely I can pull it off.
Grr...oh so sleepy. I haven't fully bounced back from birthday night celebrations, or caught up on the missed sleep. Seeing my family and friends yesterday come out and support the play was like a shot of adrenaline to my system, I was happy, and buoyant and loving life! Today, not so much.
I crashed with Mom and Fabian and the crew at their hotel last night, and the pull-out bed mattress had a great big depression in the center of it. Anne and I kept rolling into the middle of the bed all night. It would be funny if I wasn't so tired now.
Bon. Enough whining. Today, I say goodbye to a play that has challenged me, personally and professionally, working with a group of people I love and admire and am going to miss terribly. Pretty frickin gorgeous first season out of school, I think. I am grateful. I have an awesome job!
Anyway, I'm thinking that I'm just going to stay 31 for the next 8 years or so. I've got good genetics, surely I can pull it off.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Gonna party like it's mah birthday!
All up in da club.... Come to Kandy Bar on St. Laurent below Rachel tomorrow night around 10:30 and celebrate mah b-day with me. Yessiree, in spite of trials and tribulations,
Cute huh?
C'mon you can tell me, I won't get a swelled head, I promise!
Big bisous to all of you, I love y'all so much! I have amazing friends and family, and I hug you and kiss you *m'wah!*
And in case you wanted to come see the show, it's SOLD OUT! 'Cause we are da BOMB! Your best bet now is to try to gatecrash. I shouldn't feel so gleeful, but I do! We even added an extra matinee, which sold out a day later! H'ray!
Miss Thang
is emerging triumphant and as fabulous as I wanna be! Y'all gots to show me some love, and I ain't too proud to beg for it! D'you wanna see the fabulous pics Neil took of me? They're not finished yet, but I think he made me look gooooood....
Cute huh?
C'mon you can tell me, I won't get a swelled head, I promise!
Big bisous to all of you, I love y'all so much! I have amazing friends and family, and I hug you and kiss you *m'wah!*
And in case you wanted to come see the show, it's SOLD OUT! 'Cause we are da BOMB! Your best bet now is to try to gatecrash. I shouldn't feel so gleeful, but I do! We even added an extra matinee, which sold out a day later! H'ray!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Got me workin' workin' day and night...
Oooo-woooo. And that's basically what's going on. It was my brother Christopher's birthday this week. That exceedingly tall young man is now 17 years old. I remember there was a day I could actually lift him. Them days is over, y'all. Anyway.
Life is alright, although I get anxious about work sometimes, I still love what I'm doing with my life. Things went super well with Alan on Monday (but that's to be expected, I think. It only gets really challenging and difficult once you settle into the sessions, I suspect.) I feel light.
Hey, are you people coming to see the play?
Black Theatre Workshop and the MAI are proud to present the world premiere of 
BLACKS DON'T BOWL
by Vadney Haynes
directed Nigel Shawn Williams
Don’t miss this hilarious but serious look at the clash between
identity and ghetto-fab image
The play runs March 23-April 9
For tickets, call Black Theatre Workshop 932-1104 ext 225
(DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR GROUPS AND STUDENTS. CALL FOR DETAILS)
Life is alright, although I get anxious about work sometimes, I still love what I'm doing with my life. Things went super well with Alan on Monday (but that's to be expected, I think. It only gets really challenging and difficult once you settle into the sessions, I suspect.) I feel light.
Hey, are you people coming to see the play?
Black Theatre Workshop and the MAI are proud to present the world premiere of
BLACKS DON'T BOWL
by Vadney Haynes
directed Nigel Shawn Williams
Don’t miss this hilarious but serious look at the clash between
identity and ghetto-fab image
The play runs March 23-April 9
For tickets, call Black Theatre Workshop 932-1104 ext 225
(DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR GROUPS AND STUDENTS. CALL FOR DETAILS)
DON'T MISS THIS PLAY!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Feel the burn...
Well, after some hard exercise and getting back on track with reasonable eating habits (basically, laying off the steady diet of pastries and pizza) the Incredible Human Sponge has done it again! I'm back to normal (such as it is) although my muscles ache terribly from switching my training regimen. Owee. No, really. Lactic acid, yo.
Things are going well with me these days, keeping busy (so what else is new?) with the show and Youthworks...hey, did I tell you that I got a promotion? Yes, boys and girls, this here be the new Program Director of Youthworks! Hee haw! Go, me! I'll be singing with Shane Phillips at Jello Bar on Friday night, which should be fun. I'm also hoping to record a demo this weekend with Nick Carpenter and the good folks from Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque they're submitting for a musical theatre competition in New York.
Big bisous for all of you!
Things are going well with me these days, keeping busy (so what else is new?) with the show and Youthworks...hey, did I tell you that I got a promotion? Yes, boys and girls, this here be the new Program Director of Youthworks! Hee haw! Go, me! I'll be singing with Shane Phillips at Jello Bar on Friday night, which should be fun. I'm also hoping to record a demo this weekend with Nick Carpenter and the good folks from Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque they're submitting for a musical theatre competition in New York.
Big bisous for all of you!
Monday, March 06, 2006
The return of Shamu, the killer whale...
Crap.
Suffice to say, I never did make it back to the gym last week. No, I watched movies, and slept and ate loads of sticky sweet baked goods. And I swelled up like a water balloon. Scandalous.
I did, however, manage to clean my room and my apartment (h'ray!) and I also managed to... do not much else. It may be the tremendous weight of the pizza and fries I inhaled that weighed me down.
And in case you're wondering if I'm just overexaggerrating about the killer whale thing, I'm not. My body is like a sponge, with a comic book hero capacity to absorb and release water. The bloat is of radioactive proportions. I'm educated enough to know that I didn't put on fifteen pounds of fat in a week. Yes, I did say fifteen pounds. I look like Fat Albert. Hey, hey heyyyy!!!
(Yes, I know this is somewhat symptomatic of my history with that scary binge-purge thing, and I swear I'm dealing with these self-destructive behaviours. Appointment with Alan is next Monday. Which will be timely since two days before I'll be having that dreaded talk with the ex. *shudder!* Pray for me, 'cause I'm scared, yo. I'm constantly surprised at how long it is taking for these wounds to heal.)
So had my first session back at the gym this morning. Owee. And I mean, owee.
So, a little more administrative-type stuff for Youthworks for the next 30 mins. then I have to go home and grab my contracts to fax to Equity today (how whatless am I?) and then another mini-session at the gym, then hanging out with Gillianne. 'Cause Mamma needs to learn from a disciplined person how to manage her finances. 'Cause she's a wee bit of a disaster.
Anyhoo, tomorrow is a special day! Do you know why? Because tomorrow is the first day back to rehearsals for the Blacks Don't Bowl crew! Working on a project where I share the narrative load! I get to have real playing partners for each scene! Whee! And you should check out the new, revamped Black Theatre Workshop home page. It's got music and everything!
Well, I gotta get on back to work. Love y'all! Have an excellent beautiful, sunny day!
Suffice to say, I never did make it back to the gym last week. No, I watched movies, and slept and ate loads of sticky sweet baked goods. And I swelled up like a water balloon. Scandalous.
I did, however, manage to clean my room and my apartment (h'ray!) and I also managed to... do not much else. It may be the tremendous weight of the pizza and fries I inhaled that weighed me down.
And in case you're wondering if I'm just overexaggerrating about the killer whale thing, I'm not. My body is like a sponge, with a comic book hero capacity to absorb and release water. The bloat is of radioactive proportions. I'm educated enough to know that I didn't put on fifteen pounds of fat in a week. Yes, I did say fifteen pounds. I look like Fat Albert. Hey, hey heyyyy!!!
(Yes, I know this is somewhat symptomatic of my history with that scary binge-purge thing, and I swear I'm dealing with these self-destructive behaviours. Appointment with Alan is next Monday. Which will be timely since two days before I'll be having that dreaded talk with the ex. *shudder!* Pray for me, 'cause I'm scared, yo. I'm constantly surprised at how long it is taking for these wounds to heal.)
So had my first session back at the gym this morning. Owee. And I mean, owee.
So, a little more administrative-type stuff for Youthworks for the next 30 mins. then I have to go home and grab my contracts to fax to Equity today (how whatless am I?) and then another mini-session at the gym, then hanging out with Gillianne. 'Cause Mamma needs to learn from a disciplined person how to manage her finances. 'Cause she's a wee bit of a disaster.
Anyhoo, tomorrow is a special day! Do you know why? Because tomorrow is the first day back to rehearsals for the Blacks Don't Bowl crew! Working on a project where I share the narrative load! I get to have real playing partners for each scene! Whee! And you should check out the new, revamped Black Theatre Workshop home page. It's got music and everything!
Well, I gotta get on back to work. Love y'all! Have an excellent beautiful, sunny day!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Just came up for air to say...
that I've been pretty doggone useless for days now and would be loving it if I could just shake off the guilt for being pretty much inert since Monday. I've had immense difficult prying myself off the sofa at all. perhaps a pulley system would be the thing I need to haul myself off the tar pit that is my sofa... Today is the first day I've actually managed to leave my house for anything other than DVD rentals or munchies. But now, though junk food is grossing me out, I'm too lazy to want to have to get anything else. Where is that manservant of mine, Julio?
So, the reason I'm so lazy and exhausted is because I've finally finished the School Tour for Afrika Solo. I'm sad and thrilled all at the same time. I loved being with Janet all these weeks. There were many joys and many frustrations as well, but I learned so much about myself as an actor. And I really needed to just get that experience under my belt and start trusting that I have been given a gift. And honeys, I plan to work it till I cain't work it no mo'!
To tell the truth, I've been a teensy bit in mourning since the tour ended. The beautiful thing about theatre is that it is a living entity, and so it's exciting and ephemeral and very precious. The sad thing is that it has a very definite life span, and when it's gone, it's gone, and you can't get it back. It dies. Not like film, which you can preserve. So, after the weekend, the final closing of the tour, I cried a little for its death, we struck the set, and then it was time for the wake. With three beautiful men and ME! (So two of them were gay, and the other has a devastatingly pretty girlfriend, but it doesn't matter, because) I was macking out at the Cock 'N Bull with a Guinness in one hand, and a slice of pizza in the other, and nothing but good looking men all around the table. Yes indeedy, I sure was living right that afternoon.
(I babysat my friends baby that evening, who has such a haunting and persistent cry that after I got home, I dreamt about it later on that night. Twice. Dreaming about that little donut's cry woke me out of a dead sleep that night.)
I really will clean my room. And all the other stuff I said I'd do this week. I really will. I will work out this week and try not to blow up to the size of a baby killer whale. I really will try. Oh right, and I have to deal with ACTRA this week. Crap.
(But at least I may manage to actually get paid for that webcast thingy, which would be good. And the only reason I haven't been paid is because I'm whatless.)
And schedule some head shots. Double crap. More money spent, because to do that, I'll need to get my makeup done. Crap.
I thought it would be easier to get all kinds of stuff accomplished this week, since I actually have time, but the second I slowed down to get a little rest, it's like that's all my body wants to do now, is catch up on missed sleep. I walk around feeling drunk most of the time. Maybe that's the other reason why I don't want to leave the house. I don't need people to think I'm some kind of welfare mom, crack-ho refugee from the movie Jungle Fever. 'Cause my hair is crazy too, nowadays.
Well actually, I had to work today, which was a strong motivator for making me leave my house. Thank God for weaves. Got a little bit of cash in hand, whee-ha! So now I'm plotting my first return to the hairdresser since October. (Lord, that sounds frightening and whatless, doesn't it?) I also need to put some cash aside for rent. Which would be good, (can I get an amen, Stephanie?) and also so I can scare up enough money to pay for a therapy session.
He's cutting me a deal, is good 'ol Alan, so it's not going to be as expensive as I anticipated, but it's still kind of daunting. Nevertheless, the mild panic attack I suffered at the prospect of actually leaving the house today indicates to me that professional help is a must. Yes, we've got ourselves some self-esteem issues a-plenty. Funny, I thought I was manging pretty well, up until I made the decision recently that I have to stop sweeping all my stuff under the rug and putting off the dealing with all those little neuroses that make me so charming, so complicated, so attractive, yet so repellant, and so utterly infuriating to others. It's even been said once that living with me can make one suicidal. (Okay, it was my ex, and so perhaps he's not exactly objective about the whole thing.)
Anyhoo here I am, stayin' alive, and whether I want to or not, unable to avoid getting back on track. I still have some work to do, getting off-book before rehearsals for Blacks Don't Bowl next week, and I need to do my directing homework for all of the Youthworks projects to come in May. I'm in the midst of rehearsals and there is just so much work to cover and not enough time.
You know, I think I'm going to go and find some place where I can chill with a beverage and begin to organize my thoughts with regard to working all that mess out. Or I might go to bed asap and try to start fresh tomorrow.
Hm. Beverage and work, or home and sleep. Tough call.
So, the reason I'm so lazy and exhausted is because I've finally finished the School Tour for Afrika Solo. I'm sad and thrilled all at the same time. I loved being with Janet all these weeks. There were many joys and many frustrations as well, but I learned so much about myself as an actor. And I really needed to just get that experience under my belt and start trusting that I have been given a gift. And honeys, I plan to work it till I cain't work it no mo'!
To tell the truth, I've been a teensy bit in mourning since the tour ended. The beautiful thing about theatre is that it is a living entity, and so it's exciting and ephemeral and very precious. The sad thing is that it has a very definite life span, and when it's gone, it's gone, and you can't get it back. It dies. Not like film, which you can preserve. So, after the weekend, the final closing of the tour, I cried a little for its death, we struck the set, and then it was time for the wake. With three beautiful men and ME! (So two of them were gay, and the other has a devastatingly pretty girlfriend, but it doesn't matter, because) I was macking out at the Cock 'N Bull with a Guinness in one hand, and a slice of pizza in the other, and nothing but good looking men all around the table. Yes indeedy, I sure was living right that afternoon.
(I babysat my friends baby that evening, who has such a haunting and persistent cry that after I got home, I dreamt about it later on that night. Twice. Dreaming about that little donut's cry woke me out of a dead sleep that night.)
I really will clean my room. And all the other stuff I said I'd do this week. I really will. I will work out this week and try not to blow up to the size of a baby killer whale. I really will try. Oh right, and I have to deal with ACTRA this week. Crap.
(But at least I may manage to actually get paid for that webcast thingy, which would be good. And the only reason I haven't been paid is because I'm whatless.)
And schedule some head shots. Double crap. More money spent, because to do that, I'll need to get my makeup done. Crap.
I thought it would be easier to get all kinds of stuff accomplished this week, since I actually have time, but the second I slowed down to get a little rest, it's like that's all my body wants to do now, is catch up on missed sleep. I walk around feeling drunk most of the time. Maybe that's the other reason why I don't want to leave the house. I don't need people to think I'm some kind of welfare mom, crack-ho refugee from the movie Jungle Fever. 'Cause my hair is crazy too, nowadays.
Well actually, I had to work today, which was a strong motivator for making me leave my house. Thank God for weaves. Got a little bit of cash in hand, whee-ha! So now I'm plotting my first return to the hairdresser since October. (Lord, that sounds frightening and whatless, doesn't it?) I also need to put some cash aside for rent. Which would be good, (can I get an amen, Stephanie?) and also so I can scare up enough money to pay for a therapy session.
He's cutting me a deal, is good 'ol Alan, so it's not going to be as expensive as I anticipated, but it's still kind of daunting. Nevertheless, the mild panic attack I suffered at the prospect of actually leaving the house today indicates to me that professional help is a must. Yes, we've got ourselves some self-esteem issues a-plenty. Funny, I thought I was manging pretty well, up until I made the decision recently that I have to stop sweeping all my stuff under the rug and putting off the dealing with all those little neuroses that make me so charming, so complicated, so attractive, yet so repellant, and so utterly infuriating to others. It's even been said once that living with me can make one suicidal. (Okay, it was my ex, and so perhaps he's not exactly objective about the whole thing.)
Anyhoo here I am, stayin' alive, and whether I want to or not, unable to avoid getting back on track. I still have some work to do, getting off-book before rehearsals for Blacks Don't Bowl next week, and I need to do my directing homework for all of the Youthworks projects to come in May. I'm in the midst of rehearsals and there is just so much work to cover and not enough time.
You know, I think I'm going to go and find some place where I can chill with a beverage and begin to organize my thoughts with regard to working all that mess out. Or I might go to bed asap and try to start fresh tomorrow.
Hm. Beverage and work, or home and sleep. Tough call.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The Home Stretch
Oh yes...
Two more days to go, and the school tour is done and done! Playing for an audience that ranges from 6 to 24 years old has been quite the interesting challenge! I'm happy and sad, that it's almost over, but truth be told, I'm mostly happy because I'm in desperate need of sleep. Having next week off will be amazing! I'm sure that I'll veg a fair bit, but I'll be able to do so many things I've put off for ages, like clean my room, get my hair done, get a massage, do my filing and other miscellaneous administrative-type stuff that I've put off forever, see my family, see my friends, see my therapist...
Hm. Actually, if I'm not careful, next week will end up being as jam-packed as usual. Good Lord, I'm a compulsive schedule-filler.
Oh, and my cell phone got stolen this week, so I've lost all my phone numbers. Call me and give me your phone numbers again, please! (I'll even try to call at a decent hour!)
Loving you!
Two more days to go, and the school tour is done and done! Playing for an audience that ranges from 6 to 24 years old has been quite the interesting challenge! I'm happy and sad, that it's almost over, but truth be told, I'm mostly happy because I'm in desperate need of sleep. Having next week off will be amazing! I'm sure that I'll veg a fair bit, but I'll be able to do so many things I've put off for ages, like clean my room, get my hair done, get a massage, do my filing and other miscellaneous administrative-type stuff that I've put off forever, see my family, see my friends, see my therapist...
Hm. Actually, if I'm not careful, next week will end up being as jam-packed as usual. Good Lord, I'm a compulsive schedule-filler.
Oh, and my cell phone got stolen this week, so I've lost all my phone numbers. Call me and give me your phone numbers again, please! (I'll even try to call at a decent hour!)
Loving you!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Wh...wha???
I woke up this morning a full four pounds heavier than I was over the weekend. Sources say that I went on a mad chocolate and potato chip binge, but I'm not buying it until I see photgraphic proof, or until it shows up in People Magazine. Then you know it's fact.
This week was an awesome one for the tour. Some truly warm and receptive audiences. Wow. It made me really grateful that I have this job. What a way to make a living. Meaninful theatre that stimulates discourse and love and deep thought. We were out in Prevost yesterday at Batshaw, and it was an extravaganza. Once a year, they have a special to-do for Black History Month. We set up, and then sat down to lunch with all the students before doing the show. And the food? Whoo-ee! It was a festival! Somebody's mama was all up in there cooking, because there were accra, stewed beef, fried chicken, jerk chicken, spicy jamaican patties, peas and rice, ackee and saltfish, fried cod, plantain, fried dumpling, and chicken roti. I ate some of everything. Oh, yes I did, and I don't even feel bad about it, because it was the BOMB!!!! That lady knows how to throw down in the kitchen.
(any of you wiseguys in the background suggesting that that's where all the weight crept on can put a sock in it, thank you. I defy Ghandhi or anyone else with superhuman self-control to resist the magic of that feast. Even the little teeny-bopper girls couldn't front: they loaded up their plates too.)
After the show, they had an awards ceremony and gave us plaques and flowers to thank us for being there, and then this young man came up and did some spoken word poetry that he had written about Black History Month. I can't lie: I cried, because it was so beautiful, and so painful. (perhaps the upcoming visit of my Aunt Flo has something to do with it too, but that's the only reason why I couldn't hold it in, because I would've felt the same way, no matter what time of the month I heard it)
Okay, that's it for now. I loves ya, lots and lots. Call me or something, okay?
This week was an awesome one for the tour. Some truly warm and receptive audiences. Wow. It made me really grateful that I have this job. What a way to make a living. Meaninful theatre that stimulates discourse and love and deep thought. We were out in Prevost yesterday at Batshaw, and it was an extravaganza. Once a year, they have a special to-do for Black History Month. We set up, and then sat down to lunch with all the students before doing the show. And the food? Whoo-ee! It was a festival! Somebody's mama was all up in there cooking, because there were accra, stewed beef, fried chicken, jerk chicken, spicy jamaican patties, peas and rice, ackee and saltfish, fried cod, plantain, fried dumpling, and chicken roti. I ate some of everything. Oh, yes I did, and I don't even feel bad about it, because it was the BOMB!!!! That lady knows how to throw down in the kitchen.
(any of you wiseguys in the background suggesting that that's where all the weight crept on can put a sock in it, thank you. I defy Ghandhi or anyone else with superhuman self-control to resist the magic of that feast. Even the little teeny-bopper girls couldn't front: they loaded up their plates too.)
After the show, they had an awards ceremony and gave us plaques and flowers to thank us for being there, and then this young man came up and did some spoken word poetry that he had written about Black History Month. I can't lie: I cried, because it was so beautiful, and so painful. (perhaps the upcoming visit of my Aunt Flo has something to do with it too, but that's the only reason why I couldn't hold it in, because I would've felt the same way, no matter what time of the month I heard it)
Okay, that's it for now. I loves ya, lots and lots. Call me or something, okay?
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Now's Your Chance!
To come see me in AFRIKA SOLO!
Yes indeedy, on Saturday, February 25th, at 2pm, you can come to the MAI (3680 Jeanne Mance) to Black Theatre Workshop (4th floor) and check out the show! It's only $5, and the seating is limited, so reserve your tickets today!
(514) 932-1104 xt. 226, ask for Craig.
Cheers!
It's a celebration, Snitches!
Heh heh.
Actually, I'm just fired up about this week. It's full of theatre and all the good stuff I like so much. last night, I was with the Youthworks girls, working on their performance piece that'll be going up in May. It's so awesome.
However, tonight, I've got an interview on CKUT to plug the school tour. H'ray. I'm a little nervous about that. I'm never as articulate as I want to be under pressure. Oh well.
Tonight I'm going to see Criminals in Love at the DB Clarke. Some friends of mine are in it, and the play is actually a pretty funny one, although a little absurd. George F. Walker. I don't know if I like his work or not. Anyway, does it matter?
Tomorrow, I'm going to see Ghislaine's dance show at Tangeante. I'm fired up! I haven't seen her dance in over a year!
Saturday, I'm taking Angie to see Johnny Canuck. Whee-ha! Sunday, it's closing night for the burlesque, and I plan to rock out my costume. Can't wait!
Ended up with the day off, so now, I can have a leisurely session at the gym, and then actually get some reports filed for Youthworks, I've fallen a bit behind. It'll be nice to feel like I'm earning all of my paychecks. I do earn them (believe me!), it's just that sometimes I think I could be giving more and better than I am at present.
Actually, I'm just fired up about this week. It's full of theatre and all the good stuff I like so much. last night, I was with the Youthworks girls, working on their performance piece that'll be going up in May. It's so awesome.
However, tonight, I've got an interview on CKUT to plug the school tour. H'ray. I'm a little nervous about that. I'm never as articulate as I want to be under pressure. Oh well.
Tonight I'm going to see Criminals in Love at the DB Clarke. Some friends of mine are in it, and the play is actually a pretty funny one, although a little absurd. George F. Walker. I don't know if I like his work or not. Anyway, does it matter?
Tomorrow, I'm going to see Ghislaine's dance show at Tangeante. I'm fired up! I haven't seen her dance in over a year!
Saturday, I'm taking Angie to see Johnny Canuck. Whee-ha! Sunday, it's closing night for the burlesque, and I plan to rock out my costume. Can't wait!
Ended up with the day off, so now, I can have a leisurely session at the gym, and then actually get some reports filed for Youthworks, I've fallen a bit behind. It'll be nice to feel like I'm earning all of my paychecks. I do earn them (believe me!), it's just that sometimes I think I could be giving more and better than I am at present.
Monday, February 06, 2006
One week down...
Had my first Monday morning gig on the tour. Ouch. I mean that literally. My back is spasming something awful today. I need to look into getting a massage or something.
Although I don't feel that I gave my personal best today, I can say that it was nonetheless a competent performance on my part. I'm a lucky woman, I have a great job. So, next stop, the gym for a light workout and a long relaxing stretching session in the sauna. Hopefully, I'll feel better in the morning...for my 7a.m. call!
(No, we're less than thrilled about that.)
If any of you like burlesque, you've got to see Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque at Mainline theatre, St. Laurent Blvd. near Duluth. Last Friday was the best!
Saturday was Angie's sweet sixteen party. 'Twas cute. I fried up a mountain of plantain.
Anyhow, I'm off into the sunset again. Love and kisses, Beautiful People!
Although I don't feel that I gave my personal best today, I can say that it was nonetheless a competent performance on my part. I'm a lucky woman, I have a great job. So, next stop, the gym for a light workout and a long relaxing stretching session in the sauna. Hopefully, I'll feel better in the morning...for my 7a.m. call!
(No, we're less than thrilled about that.)
If any of you like burlesque, you've got to see Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque at Mainline theatre, St. Laurent Blvd. near Duluth. Last Friday was the best!
Saturday was Angie's sweet sixteen party. 'Twas cute. I fried up a mountain of plantain.
Anyhow, I'm off into the sunset again. Love and kisses, Beautiful People!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
As I was saying...
Last night (now two nights ago) I watched my new DVD, Pride and Predjudice, with Colin Firth! (sigh...he's so purty.)
H'ray, second day of the tour was a smashing success yet again. Cool kids, and a cool show, and a cool crew. And a cool actress, apparently. This show is the most amazing way to begin my professional career. A light workload (comparatively, I mean, normally there are twice as many schools scheduled on the tour than we have this year), lots of love and appreciation from the audiences, and work that's just hard enough to prepare me sufficiently for future gigs and to teach me to be really grateful when the time comes for me to actually get a dressing room. Ah, what a thought.
Tonight, I'm helping out at Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque. Hee hee! It's a hilarious and saucy show! Good clean(?) fun for all, eye candy for everyone! Good looking and funny people. It's a winner. I'm going to be the cute usherette at the bar who gets chased around by the Marx Brothers at Intermission. Haw haw!
H'ray, second day of the tour was a smashing success yet again. Cool kids, and a cool show, and a cool crew. And a cool actress, apparently. This show is the most amazing way to begin my professional career. A light workload (comparatively, I mean, normally there are twice as many schools scheduled on the tour than we have this year), lots of love and appreciation from the audiences, and work that's just hard enough to prepare me sufficiently for future gigs and to teach me to be really grateful when the time comes for me to actually get a dressing room. Ah, what a thought.
Tonight, I'm helping out at Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque. Hee hee! It's a hilarious and saucy show! Good clean(?) fun for all, eye candy for everyone! Good looking and funny people. It's a winner. I'm going to be the cute usherette at the bar who gets chased around by the Marx Brothers at Intermission. Haw haw!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Black History Month
It's on, Baby!
So, I did my first shows of the tour and they went really well, better than I expected from a high school audience. I had fun. I'm learning all the time. But I am knackered. In new and deep ways I have never yet felt. I was going to go to the Luther Vandross tribute tonight at the Lion D'Or, but fergit that, I have two shows again tomorrow, and my call is 8 am. No, Downtown Miz Brown will be sleeping tonight.
And in the end, I shopped a little bit yesterday. Got two cds (Alicia Keys live and John Legend--so talented, the pair of them. I'm in Rn'B heaven right now.) and a proper discman. Stephanie has now put me on a month-long shopping fast. No shopping for anything, except groceries for at least a month. But it was worth it. Of course she's right. I still have stuff like student loans and whatnot to take care of. And it would be nice to make it to April with some kind of savings put aside. (Check back later to see if this happens.)
So, I'm teaching tonight and then, beddie-bye.
Ooh, but I must say this! Last
So, I did my first shows of the tour and they went really well, better than I expected from a high school audience. I had fun. I'm learning all the time. But I am knackered. In new and deep ways I have never yet felt. I was going to go to the Luther Vandross tribute tonight at the Lion D'Or, but fergit that, I have two shows again tomorrow, and my call is 8 am. No, Downtown Miz Brown will be sleeping tonight.
And in the end, I shopped a little bit yesterday. Got two cds (Alicia Keys live and John Legend--so talented, the pair of them. I'm in Rn'B heaven right now.) and a proper discman. Stephanie has now put me on a month-long shopping fast. No shopping for anything, except groceries for at least a month. But it was worth it. Of course she's right. I still have stuff like student loans and whatnot to take care of. And it would be nice to make it to April with some kind of savings put aside. (Check back later to see if this happens.)
So, I'm teaching tonight and then, beddie-bye.
Ooh, but I must say this! Last
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Afrika Solo
Howdy howdy howdy!
Tomorrow, we open for our first show of the School Tour! I'm fired up, boys and girls because we did our dress rehearsal today and were finished in record time! I really feel that we are ready for this run! I'm actually excited. As opposed to sick with worry and insecurity, which is a good thing. I'm really proud of this show. You have to come and see it at Black Theatre Workshop on February 25th. It's free, I think. And free is always good. I'm a big fan of free.
And I can't believe we're finishing rehearsal early today. I don't know what to do with myself!
I could go home, but then I'd feel guilty for not running my lines and cleaning my bedroom, which I really don't want to do.
I shouldn't go shopping, because I'm trying to save money (although the chances are still pretty good that I'll do it anyway), so I could do something like catch a movie, which I haven't done in ages, or go get a pedicure (it's been forever, and my feet are turning into hooves) or I could go and park my butt down in Indigo for a marathon reading session.
Mmm...sounds like good, clean, free fun. (And you know how I feel about free stuff.)
Ah. I know I'm not going back to the gym, because that would be obsessive...I'm finally back on track with my eating and exercising, and being balanced about it. I don't work out like a marine these days, since I don't have all t hat unresolved anger and misery that I was feeling last summer. Which reminds me that I still have unfinished business on that front to take care of. Well, it's not on my plate right now, so I'll deal with it when it's time.
Oh yes, it's looking like Indigo will be the way to go. Maybe I'll shop there. No I won't! I'll be good.
And then I'll go home and do all that responsible stuff I really should do. But most of all, I'm going to to get lots of rest. And be fresh and so clean, clean for tomorrow. We start bright and early, but not obscenely so. Which is cool.
So, please give us a call when you can. I know my cell is always off and goes straight to the message, but it would be tacky beyond words if it rang in the middle of a performance. I know you understand. And I promise to call back. Meet me halfway, okay? You know my love and affection is unabated, it's just that my attention span, sadly, is what it is. I'm soon going to have some hanging around time for the people I love, so call me and set it up. First come, first served!
Hey, Dad's finally back from Africa! I missed him so much! This poor man goes through all kinds of adventures (of the embarrassing, uncomfortable and vaguely hazardous and unsettling kind) when he goes overseas. If you know my dad, call him and show him some love! And yes, I am practicing what I preach. Just so you know.
Stephanie is doing so amazing these days! We've been on a diet together, and exercising. Let me tell you, in the beginning, she called me Coach, and it wasn't the gentle motivational kind. I was kicking her butt (so she says). Now, she's the one who's motivating and inspiring me with her diligence, her discipline and her perseverance. She's kicking my butt. And it's cool. I like this mutual support deal. I kind of always wanted to be the lone wolf, because somehow it feels really cool when you know you've reached your goals on your own steam. But you know what? It takes a lot longer to do it that way, and quite frankly, it's not a bad thing at all to be grateful to someone else's hand in your victory. So this is T-Bone saying, "Thank you, thank you Stephanie. You are the wind beneath my wings..."
Heh heh, ain't it always the way? You don't hear from me for ages, and then when you do, I blather on and on and on. I love you amigos, don't give up on me, okay? Stay in touch, because I need you, and I need to know when you need me too. Then I can help. Which I want to do.
Tomorrow, we open for our first show of the School Tour! I'm fired up, boys and girls because we did our dress rehearsal today and were finished in record time! I really feel that we are ready for this run! I'm actually excited. As opposed to sick with worry and insecurity, which is a good thing. I'm really proud of this show. You have to come and see it at Black Theatre Workshop on February 25th. It's free, I think. And free is always good. I'm a big fan of free.
And I can't believe we're finishing rehearsal early today. I don't know what to do with myself!
I could go home, but then I'd feel guilty for not running my lines and cleaning my bedroom, which I really don't want to do.
I shouldn't go shopping, because I'm trying to save money (although the chances are still pretty good that I'll do it anyway), so I could do something like catch a movie, which I haven't done in ages, or go get a pedicure (it's been forever, and my feet are turning into hooves) or I could go and park my butt down in Indigo for a marathon reading session.
Mmm...sounds like good, clean, free fun. (And you know how I feel about free stuff.)
Ah. I know I'm not going back to the gym, because that would be obsessive...I'm finally back on track with my eating and exercising, and being balanced about it. I don't work out like a marine these days, since I don't have all t hat unresolved anger and misery that I was feeling last summer. Which reminds me that I still have unfinished business on that front to take care of. Well, it's not on my plate right now, so I'll deal with it when it's time.
Oh yes, it's looking like Indigo will be the way to go. Maybe I'll shop there. No I won't! I'll be good.
And then I'll go home and do all that responsible stuff I really should do. But most of all, I'm going to to get lots of rest. And be fresh and so clean, clean for tomorrow. We start bright and early, but not obscenely so. Which is cool.
So, please give us a call when you can. I know my cell is always off and goes straight to the message, but it would be tacky beyond words if it rang in the middle of a performance. I know you understand. And I promise to call back. Meet me halfway, okay? You know my love and affection is unabated, it's just that my attention span, sadly, is what it is. I'm soon going to have some hanging around time for the people I love, so call me and set it up. First come, first served!
Hey, Dad's finally back from Africa! I missed him so much! This poor man goes through all kinds of adventures (of the embarrassing, uncomfortable and vaguely hazardous and unsettling kind) when he goes overseas. If you know my dad, call him and show him some love! And yes, I am practicing what I preach. Just so you know.
Stephanie is doing so amazing these days! We've been on a diet together, and exercising. Let me tell you, in the beginning, she called me Coach, and it wasn't the gentle motivational kind. I was kicking her butt (so she says). Now, she's the one who's motivating and inspiring me with her diligence, her discipline and her perseverance. She's kicking my butt. And it's cool. I like this mutual support deal. I kind of always wanted to be the lone wolf, because somehow it feels really cool when you know you've reached your goals on your own steam. But you know what? It takes a lot longer to do it that way, and quite frankly, it's not a bad thing at all to be grateful to someone else's hand in your victory. So this is T-Bone saying, "Thank you, thank you Stephanie. You are the wind beneath my wings..."
Heh heh, ain't it always the way? You don't hear from me for ages, and then when you do, I blather on and on and on. I love you amigos, don't give up on me, okay? Stay in touch, because I need you, and I need to know when you need me too. Then I can help. Which I want to do.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Breathe, Stretch, Shake, Let it Go
Did anyone see American Idol last night? It was painful, irritating, rarely funny, and only fleetingly gratifying. You look at these crazy people who come dressed up as the Statue of Liberty, or howling like dogs and ask yourself : why are they even showing up at these auditions? Either they want their 30 seconds of fame (read: infamy) on television, or their friends and family lie to them, telling them that they are really good. And as I watched the two hour special, I could feel my shoulders creeping up beside my ears.
And I ask myself: why am I watching this? I'm afraid to examine too closely the side of me that is willing to watch and mock others, and to masochistically wade through the trough of bad notes. The fact that these people willingly seek this kind of humiliation out somehow doesn't make me feel absolved of my part of guilt. I can't laugh at people's disappointment and disillusionment. It's too reminiscent of experiences I've had in the past, and it touches on my deep-seated fears for my future as a performer. Let me tell you something: Auditioning sucks. The only time it's not a stressful experience (thus far) is when you don't give a hoot about the outcome. In which case, why show up in the first place?
I've decided to skip the cattle calls for the next few weeks and wait and see what happens once they all get to Hollywood.
I woke up today to a crazy, drippy, freezing, rainy morning. My shoulders shot right back up around my ears.
Let me tell you: Puppies, I have witnessed the darker side of humanity this morning.
It has taken me one and a half hours to get to work today. An hour longer than usual. And this was with a cab. I thought I'd spring for the extra 5 or six bucks from the subway just to avoid the rain, treacherously icy sidewalks (why wasn't there any salt today?), and the crush of the bus (because I sure as sugar wasn't going to actually attempt to walk up the matterhorn that is Jeanne Mance). Partway up the hill in the cab, we had to back down again, because there was an accident at the top of the hill.
So we took another route about seven blocks away, and don't you know, there was yet another accident on that corner. Once we finally negotiated our way around it (16 dollars and twenty minutes have rolled by on the meter by now) and started up Aylmer, which is yet another hill, although less steep, we began to skid backwards all the way back down the street, and were not able get any traction. Homeboy had neglected to install his winter tires.
Ten minutes later, the cabbie is spewing a string of Creole profanity at top volume, waiting for one of the cars behind us to back up a foot and half so he could try to build up momentum. I finally lift my head out of my hands to see two people slip and fall down on the sidewalk and to see a TV camera filming our pitiful attempt to get up the hill. I wish I could say that I was able to appreciate how funny we must have looked. I confess that I seriously struggled against the desire to flip the cameraman the bird and ruin his shot. But the important thing is finally, we made it up the hill!
The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful, save for a few people trying to hop in our cab everytime we stopped at an intersection. I never thought I would fear the elderly, but this one lady filled me with an unholy terror when she banged on the window. Still, the poor thing. She was wet, and cold, and exaperated. And yet, I still locked the door. (Crazy wench wasn't going to get me, no sir.)
When we pulled up in front of the MAI 30 minutes or so after leaving Place des Arts Metro, the cabbie stopped the meter and looked back at me expectantly. I looked at the meter and looked back at him. I don't have the heart to tell you the final total cost of what was supposed to be a four block trip amounted to. It only took him a moment to catch on and decide to only charge me ten bucks for the whole ordeal.
Which is a good thing, you know, because I didn't want to begin my day of rehearsing a play about loving black people by committing violent, black-on-black crime before 9 am in the morning. Why do I ever take cab rides anywhere? You'd think I'd have learned my lesson how badly a simple, ten-minute ride can go awry.
Oh...right, because I'm lazy. I knew there was a good reason.
And I ask myself: why am I watching this? I'm afraid to examine too closely the side of me that is willing to watch and mock others, and to masochistically wade through the trough of bad notes. The fact that these people willingly seek this kind of humiliation out somehow doesn't make me feel absolved of my part of guilt. I can't laugh at people's disappointment and disillusionment. It's too reminiscent of experiences I've had in the past, and it touches on my deep-seated fears for my future as a performer. Let me tell you something: Auditioning sucks. The only time it's not a stressful experience (thus far) is when you don't give a hoot about the outcome. In which case, why show up in the first place?
I've decided to skip the cattle calls for the next few weeks and wait and see what happens once they all get to Hollywood.
I woke up today to a crazy, drippy, freezing, rainy morning. My shoulders shot right back up around my ears.
Let me tell you: Puppies, I have witnessed the darker side of humanity this morning.
It has taken me one and a half hours to get to work today. An hour longer than usual. And this was with a cab. I thought I'd spring for the extra 5 or six bucks from the subway just to avoid the rain, treacherously icy sidewalks (why wasn't there any salt today?), and the crush of the bus (because I sure as sugar wasn't going to actually attempt to walk up the matterhorn that is Jeanne Mance). Partway up the hill in the cab, we had to back down again, because there was an accident at the top of the hill.
So we took another route about seven blocks away, and don't you know, there was yet another accident on that corner. Once we finally negotiated our way around it (16 dollars and twenty minutes have rolled by on the meter by now) and started up Aylmer, which is yet another hill, although less steep, we began to skid backwards all the way back down the street, and were not able get any traction. Homeboy had neglected to install his winter tires.
Ten minutes later, the cabbie is spewing a string of Creole profanity at top volume, waiting for one of the cars behind us to back up a foot and half so he could try to build up momentum. I finally lift my head out of my hands to see two people slip and fall down on the sidewalk and to see a TV camera filming our pitiful attempt to get up the hill. I wish I could say that I was able to appreciate how funny we must have looked. I confess that I seriously struggled against the desire to flip the cameraman the bird and ruin his shot. But the important thing is finally, we made it up the hill!
The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful, save for a few people trying to hop in our cab everytime we stopped at an intersection. I never thought I would fear the elderly, but this one lady filled me with an unholy terror when she banged on the window. Still, the poor thing. She was wet, and cold, and exaperated. And yet, I still locked the door. (Crazy wench wasn't going to get me, no sir.)
When we pulled up in front of the MAI 30 minutes or so after leaving Place des Arts Metro, the cabbie stopped the meter and looked back at me expectantly. I looked at the meter and looked back at him. I don't have the heart to tell you the final total cost of what was supposed to be a four block trip amounted to. It only took him a moment to catch on and decide to only charge me ten bucks for the whole ordeal.
Which is a good thing, you know, because I didn't want to begin my day of rehearsing a play about loving black people by committing violent, black-on-black crime before 9 am in the morning. Why do I ever take cab rides anywhere? You'd think I'd have learned my lesson how badly a simple, ten-minute ride can go awry.
Oh...right, because I'm lazy. I knew there was a good reason.
My shoulders are only just beginning to relax now, but I really do wish I had a handy manservant to give me massages. Where is that Julio when I need him?
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Eye of the Tiger
Good morning, Darlings!
Last night I saw the conclusion to the season premiere of 24. Oh yeah, it's ON, baby! But can we just take a moment of silence for the loss of President Palmer? Brother, you hung in there for three seasons before they killed you off. That's gotta be a record somewhere.
I've just returned from the gym and am now enjoying the few calm moments I have left before rehearsal. When I got there this morning, I was so tired, I wished I was dead. (No, really.) My theme song was "I don't like Mondays," even though it's Tuesday. It felt like a Monday.
But upon leaving, I felt charged! (Dun! Dun-dun-dun! Dun-dun-dun! Dun-dun-dunnnnn!)
So, I'd better make the most of this calm time before my ridiculously exhausting rehearsal today (this, more than anything convinced me of the need to get back in shape, I thought I was going to hyperventilate at one point yesterday) and get to work on my lines. Ah, I look forward to tonight, when I shall have no plans more rigorous than collapsing onto my sofa to watch American Idol. Judge me if you dare.
Last night I saw the conclusion to the season premiere of 24. Oh yeah, it's ON, baby! But can we just take a moment of silence for the loss of President Palmer? Brother, you hung in there for three seasons before they killed you off. That's gotta be a record somewhere.
I've just returned from the gym and am now enjoying the few calm moments I have left before rehearsal. When I got there this morning, I was so tired, I wished I was dead. (No, really.) My theme song was "I don't like Mondays," even though it's Tuesday. It felt like a Monday.
But upon leaving, I felt charged! (Dun! Dun-dun-dun! Dun-dun-dun! Dun-dun-dunnnnn!)
So, I'd better make the most of this calm time before my ridiculously exhausting rehearsal today (this, more than anything convinced me of the need to get back in shape, I thought I was going to hyperventilate at one point yesterday) and get to work on my lines. Ah, I look forward to tonight, when I shall have no plans more rigorous than collapsing onto my sofa to watch American Idol. Judge me if you dare.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)