Because I don't have enough stress in my life at the moment, I have decided to take the United Scenic Artists exam in July.
More on that later.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Focus On The Positive
A lot of negative in my life at the moment. In an attempt to not wallow in that, I thought I would try listing some of the positive things happening.
I am working with my favorite director on a project for the Capitol Fringe Festival, which will also be mounted at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
I have a commitment to do Hamlet next season at Perseverance Theatre. Really, how many chances to design Hamlet am I going to get in my life?
A show I did this season may see a life beyond it's initial run. In a much larger market.
I have a gig assisting D in January.
I got a comp to see Mame last night at the Kennedy Center. Aside from a few tech glitches (mostly sound) that probably no one in the audience noticed but me, I thought the show was fantastic. Beautiful staging, gorgeous costumes, brilliant scenery and lighting. Also really great performances, especially the young man who plays Young Patrick. He was totally charming. After my last few projects, which although great working experiences were about totally depressing subject matter, it was lovely to go see something with a happy ending*. A good reminder that sometimes art can be about simply entertaining. There is value in that as well.
*Not that kind of happy ending**, you dirty little monkey.
**Well, it's been so long, I would probably take that as well.
I am working with my favorite director on a project for the Capitol Fringe Festival, which will also be mounted at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
I have a commitment to do Hamlet next season at Perseverance Theatre. Really, how many chances to design Hamlet am I going to get in my life?
A show I did this season may see a life beyond it's initial run. In a much larger market.
I have a gig assisting D in January.
I got a comp to see Mame last night at the Kennedy Center. Aside from a few tech glitches (mostly sound) that probably no one in the audience noticed but me, I thought the show was fantastic. Beautiful staging, gorgeous costumes, brilliant scenery and lighting. Also really great performances, especially the young man who plays Young Patrick. He was totally charming. After my last few projects, which although great working experiences were about totally depressing subject matter, it was lovely to go see something with a happy ending*. A good reminder that sometimes art can be about simply entertaining. There is value in that as well.
*Not that kind of happy ending**, you dirty little monkey.
**Well, it's been so long, I would probably take that as well.
Friday, May 26, 2006
This Should Not Make Me This Happy
Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling were convicted yesterday in Federal Court.
Couldn't happen to nicer guys.
Couldn't happen to nicer guys.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
You Can Tell Summer's Here Cause....
...all the work has dried up and we once again face starvation.
Yeah, we love that.
Yeah, we love that.
Bouncing Baby Blog
In all the craziness that has been the winding down of the season, I missed that "The Lighting Designer's Life" turned one at the beginning of the month.
Happy birthday dear ol blog o mine.
Happy birthday dear ol blog o mine.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Closing The Book
In between all of my running around, I was able to conclude a series of conversations I have been having over the past couple of months. They have related to this situation in my personal life that I have been having such a hard time with. While the outcome is not what I want, it does leave us in a place where we can remain friends. Losing that friendship has been my biggest concern through all of this, so I am relieved.
I have to say thanks to the person involved for letting me say my piece. You have the patience of Job.
I have to say thanks to the person involved for letting me say my piece. You have the patience of Job.
From The Big Apple To The Big Easy And Back Again
The past few weeks have been all about traveling back and forth. I spent the week before last making three seperate trips to New York to deal with some changes to the lighting for columbinus at New York Theatre Workshop. Despite the annoying trips on the Chinatown bus, I had a great experience working with the Workshop staff, and it was also great to be involved again with a show I belive in, and which ate up a good part of my life last season.
Last week was vacation. I cashed in frequent flyer miles and headed down to New Orleans to see S. My liver may never be the same, but the trip was exactly what the doctor ordered. I was able to leave all of my troubles behind, and had three days without thinking about my life. It was good to just be.
It was also good to be reminded there are people in my life, other than my family, who love me unconditionally.
Last night I journeyed back up to NY for the opening of columbinus. There are people for whom openings are no big deal, just another part of the process. I am not one of those. I find opening nights exciting, and this one especially so. I marvel at the confluence of events that allows my first New York credit to be as Associate Lighting Designer for an Off Broadway show. I know full well that I lead a charmed life, despite my occasional bitching.
And the show was great. I have seen it a lot over the past two seasons, but still found myself deeply moved last night. So congrats to the cast, the crew, and everyone else involved. And thanks for letting me share the ride.
Last week was vacation. I cashed in frequent flyer miles and headed down to New Orleans to see S. My liver may never be the same, but the trip was exactly what the doctor ordered. I was able to leave all of my troubles behind, and had three days without thinking about my life. It was good to just be.
It was also good to be reminded there are people in my life, other than my family, who love me unconditionally.
Last night I journeyed back up to NY for the opening of columbinus. There are people for whom openings are no big deal, just another part of the process. I am not one of those. I find opening nights exciting, and this one especially so. I marvel at the confluence of events that allows my first New York credit to be as Associate Lighting Designer for an Off Broadway show. I know full well that I lead a charmed life, despite my occasional bitching.
And the show was great. I have seen it a lot over the past two seasons, but still found myself deeply moved last night. So congrats to the cast, the crew, and everyone else involved. And thanks for letting me share the ride.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Short Update
No, I have not died. Nor have I been off somewhere having wild monkey sex with someone. What I have been doing is traveling back and forth to NY for columbinus. A lot. Three trips in one week.
Thank god I go to New Orleans on Wednesday.
Thank god I go to New Orleans on Wednesday.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
New York
I may complain about this city from time to time, but really, it is hard not to love New York in the Spring.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
My Life At The Moment
I have not been writing about a part of my life for the past several months, even though it has occupied a good deal of my thoughts. One reason is because it has been too hard to try and speak about here. Another reason is because it involves another person, someone who reads this blog, and I don't want them to read (and possibly mis-interperet) something here that would best be said in person.
As you may have guessed, I have developed rather strong feelings for someone I am exceptionally close to, and these feelings are not mutual. The situation sucks, and I am having a hard time getting over it.
There is no ill will towards this other person. We are friends, and from the beginning have been nothing but honest with one another. They have been far more understanding of how this makes me feel than I really have any right to.
Like I said. The situation sucks, mostly because there is no bad guy here, no one to blame.
There really is not a whole lot more to say about it, except you know the person must be exceptional, if I find them attractive even when they are wearing flops.
As you may have guessed, I have developed rather strong feelings for someone I am exceptionally close to, and these feelings are not mutual. The situation sucks, and I am having a hard time getting over it.
There is no ill will towards this other person. We are friends, and from the beginning have been nothing but honest with one another. They have been far more understanding of how this makes me feel than I really have any right to.
Like I said. The situation sucks, mostly because there is no bad guy here, no one to blame.
There really is not a whole lot more to say about it, except you know the person must be exceptional, if I find them attractive even when they are wearing flops.
Other (Happier) News
Great review for Two Rooms in the Post today. Congrats to all involved, the praise is well deserved.
The News
Of course this story is probably the biggest news. The jury in the trial of Moussaoui came back with a verdict of no to the death penalty. I was surprised by how pleased I was by this. Some who know me may know that I used to believe in the death penalty. I have had a recent turn around on this thinking, due largely to a conversation I had several months ago with MB and City Mouse after my post about the implications of the film Munich.
As Moussaoui may very well be the only person who will ever be brought to trial in connection with the 9/11 attacks, his case brings up some very interesting moral questions. One, where is the line past which someone is beyond forgiveness? Is ten people dead too much? 100? 1,000? Six million? Do we really belive that some people are beyond redemption? And where does redemption end and justice begin? Don't we all believe there are consequences to our actions? Does consequence equal revenge? Let's face it, executing Moussaoui would have been nothing but vengance, but I don't know if in this case it also wouldn't have been just.
Moussaoui did not carry out any of the 9/11 attacks. He was in US custody at the time. But there is evidence he was training to be one of the hijackers, and probably would have participated if he had been free. Federal prosecuters argued that had he co-operated with them, the 9/11 attacks may have been prevented. So if Moussoui is guilty, and deserves the death penalty for having had the ability to stop 9/11 and failing to do so, how safe, morally, are any of us? There is a seemingly endless series of atrocities being carried out every day in the world, yet we fail to act, fail to do anything to stop the suffering and bloodshed. Despite the Bush rhetoric about creating a world "where the strong protect the weak", our refusal to involve ourselves in situations like Darfur because they have nothing we value, leaves a big red stain of guilt on all of our hands.
No answers here folks. Just questions.
Lots and lots of questions.
As Moussaoui may very well be the only person who will ever be brought to trial in connection with the 9/11 attacks, his case brings up some very interesting moral questions. One, where is the line past which someone is beyond forgiveness? Is ten people dead too much? 100? 1,000? Six million? Do we really belive that some people are beyond redemption? And where does redemption end and justice begin? Don't we all believe there are consequences to our actions? Does consequence equal revenge? Let's face it, executing Moussaoui would have been nothing but vengance, but I don't know if in this case it also wouldn't have been just.
Moussaoui did not carry out any of the 9/11 attacks. He was in US custody at the time. But there is evidence he was training to be one of the hijackers, and probably would have participated if he had been free. Federal prosecuters argued that had he co-operated with them, the 9/11 attacks may have been prevented. So if Moussoui is guilty, and deserves the death penalty for having had the ability to stop 9/11 and failing to do so, how safe, morally, are any of us? There is a seemingly endless series of atrocities being carried out every day in the world, yet we fail to act, fail to do anything to stop the suffering and bloodshed. Despite the Bush rhetoric about creating a world "where the strong protect the weak", our refusal to involve ourselves in situations like Darfur because they have nothing we value, leaves a big red stain of guilt on all of our hands.
No answers here folks. Just questions.
Lots and lots of questions.
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