Still cutting video for a client...

... so, this week's edition of my Vlog will be up later tonight or Sunday morning. Cheers!

EDIT: 5:30 PM, Saturday.

OK... finally got the edit done and here it is...


In all probability, this week's Vlog will be up on Sunday.

Cheers and have a great weekend!

72 hours may equal 2 Vlogs & a Promo video or 2

This evening I go back to shoot another rehearsal at the park for WSF. Then the edit storm begins. Sifting through footage. Choosing clips. Assembling some kind of structure. Cutting and rendering. This will all hopefully result in a promo video for them and 2 vlogs... one for this week's edition (which features hot belly dancers) and another for Frogway. There is also a promo video I need to cut for Suicide Lounge but there is more footage to get for that.

I do have to admit that I've gotten pretty good at this medium... not quite where I want to be... but getting there. The learning curve is still rising and I am enjoying the process. Yes, I do have ambitious ideas and notions. (Have you known me not to?) I also think a definite style is beginning to surface... though I'm sort of fighting that. Only because I want to explore and keep myself open to attempt the vast variety of genres out there.

Oh yeah... if you click on the pic it will take you to my channel on YouTube.

Anyway, that is what I'll be up to in the immediate future. Have a great Hump Day and perhaps I'll post something for HNT later. Cheers!

just returned from another shoot...

... for the WSF. I return to their rehearsals on Wednesday to shoot some more. Hopefully, by thyis weekend I'll have the first of 2 video promos for them to spread across the cyber universe. Oh... BTW... what I saw at rehearsals tonight was full of energy and fun... definitely the right broad and farcical notes to hit for a production of Taming Of The Shrew. Just saying.

Looks like it's going to be a busy week. Think I'll hit the sack early tonight.

It occured to me today...

... that I really should rearrange my days. (Brilliant, Lecram!) Well, in order to maximize getting things done. Trouble is I've been waking up the last 3 or 4 nights at 3 AM. Not sure what this is all about. Then I slip back into slumber at 4:30 or 5 to awake at 7:30 or 8. It sort of just throws off the schedule and pace of my day that I had. Still, I'm not too concerned (yet) as some life transitions are happening. Nothing bad... just a matter of readjusting.

I actually got quite a few household chores complete before 11 AM today. Had ambitions for some other things to happen but those kinda fell by the wayside. Nothing drastic that will shake up the world but still... I do have to rethink my scheduling. On the upside... I took a business meeting this evening and may have landed gig. (I'll know tomorrow.) Nothing to retire on but a good beginning that hopefully will become more lucrative as time wears on.

On to other things...

After my business meeting I spent some time catching up with a musician friend of mine. Had a couple of beers and just casually jabbered about this and that. We have run into each other and done the 5 minute "Yeah, how's it going" thing but this is the first time in a long while where we have actually been able to chat without either one of us "having" to be some place else or entertaining company when we met.

The rest of the week (socially) is looking pretty full too. An old friend is in town and we have planned some catch-up time... also true with an former workmate. There is Suicide Lounge rehearsals and 2 video shoots (one possible paying gig)... so, suddenly my evenings are being booked up. Now that hasn't happened in quite a while.

So, for now... there are lots of little delights to look forward to. My vlog this coming week should have some fun footage as I plan on recording some of my comings and goings. I'm actually trending to calling them "vlogumentaries" - what do you think?

Hope your week is starting off well.

so, a few weeks ago...

... I eluded to the fact that I had made some purchases. Well, here are pictures of the Canon HV 20 and the Canon s3 is that I got. The "getting to know you" period is still in progress and I am enjoying every minute of it. I am still only scratching the surface of these babies' capabilities... haven't been disappointed yet as to what they have done so far. This period of yet another learning curve also extends to the Adobe Premiere editing software that is on the new computer which is dedicated to just that.

These are not only for fun. I have decided to explore yet another medium of storytelling with them and hopefully also to create some cash-flow while doing so. Some of the results can be viewed in the post before this one. So, I'll be posting videos as I go along this ride here... but if you would like to subscribe to my YouTube channel... CLICK HERE. I also have an account at Daily Motion HERE.

I'm discovering that I really, really like cutting (editing) as a form of storytelling. Am I giving up theatre? Probably not. This just extends and varies what I do... and perhaps to a wider audience. Who knows... there could be some video HNTs up ahead. ::wink::

If you got the new iPhone... here is a blending question answered. I hope this finally puts that one to rest.
.

bracing for the triple digits...

... at least in Fahrenheit terms. Yep, the next week or so the temps are going to be scorching. They expect 102 today... 107 tomorrow and perhaps even 109 on Friday. Hmmm... I'm thinking a big bowl of gazpacho and a couple of watermelons in the fridge may just be the thing to do.

This also means that the daily routines... cleaning, cooking, etc... MUST absolutely occur before 10 or 11 in the AM. If I know what's good for me this will happen. I actually began that routine this morning... the laundry was crispy dry within an hour. Huh, could be a good time to do my bedding in the AM. I do so love sun dried clothes and sheets.

The other bad thing about the high pressure and the heat in this region is that the air gets heavy. Really, it becomes pretty unhealthy and respiratory maladies begin to abound. It is one of the few places in the world where people develop asthma later in life. Between the proliferation of pollen in the spring and fall... plus the dust and heavy air in Summer (yeah, you should have seen the mound that came just from the air condition filter when I cleaned it out today)... it just wears on the body after a while. So, staying indoors becomes an essential thing to do.

Though, to balance things off... the nights around here are gorgeous. The temps drop about 30 degrees to a balmy mid 70's or so. Perfect whether to sit around sipping on sangrias and munching on cold cut fruit. This activity is good with or without company to share the experience. Hmm... let me put mangos and a papaya on my shopping list. There... done.

I also have a huge presentation to give to folks in the arts community that I'm preparing for. ( O.K. it's not that huge but it could mean business potential down the line.) This amended routine will afford me uninterrupted time to get it all spiffy. Yeah, it involves cutting video, powerpoint, etc.

Anyway, I suppose I should get started. Oh, and have a safe and fun 4th y'all!

It has been delivered

The final script for Frogway has been sent to the producers. What? You thought it was done 4 weeks ago? Come on Lecram... it was part of a Count for crying out loud! Yeah, it was... but that count was celebrating the opportunity to re-do something that was first done 27 years ago. I didn't exactly stand around in a flight suit saying "Mission accomplished", did I? And I'll be the first one to tell you there are probably more tweaks to come... but they now have a new and vastly improved full working script... with the definitive lyrics and all.

SO WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THEN?
Well, it started off as a nip and tuck 4 weeks ago. The more we got into it the more each of us individually realized that we almost had to treat this as a brand new project. Old songs were reworked and new ones developed. The plot was further developed and adjusted. A tighter integration between all the elements were worked on.

Back in Malaysia a power production team was assembled. Mike took several creative meetings with the team and a lot of great creative ideas were shared to further enhance the piece. Finally both of us got to go to our corners to choose what could be infused into the piece without compromising it's original charm.

Auditions were held last week as both of us worked feverishly to complete our individual tasks... him with music arrangements, me with rewriting certain sections and "spriting" up the rest of the script. (BTW... I have also been told that the cast is pretty powerful as well. On Friday and Saturday we pulled 2 lengthy sessions via Skype going through the script and songs doing more fixes. I finished the final clean-up by 4 PM yesterday and sent it off via email.

NOW WHAT?
From what I gather rehearsals happen in July with previews at the end of that month and the show runs August 8-26. So, if you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia around that time... go see it and let me know how it went.

THOUGHTS ON... ... working with Mike after a 27 year break.
It was most enjoyable. We both bring different things to the table yet there is a sympatico between us... so it's more like a banquet than bones of contention. Even differences in opinion are handled with mutual respect with either of us deferring to the better idea. Though we are both very easy going... we are also both pretty anal about striving for excellence. This re-collaboration of the M & M Song Factory half a world apart will hopefully lead to more collaborations down the line... since we now have the means and know it can work.

... the show itself.
I think the show is what it is. It was a charming piece 27 years ago and it's still charming now... just a lot tighter, fuller and slicker. Our experience over the years has really paid off and I think the final product will celebrate that. The music is really good and the script is tons better than what was. I think we have managed to reinvigorate a freshness and zest into it... a quality that was it's strength originally. I am curious though as to how this production will be pulled off. I am a little disappointed that I can't make this opening night... but thrilled that it will be happening anyway. This is also the first time in a long while that I have been the playwright and only that on a project... I actually am enjoying that quite a bit. This was what I set out to be in the first place so many years ago... the wordsmith who cranks it out for others to produce.

What is strange is that I moved away from this genre of theatre a long while back... yet I found it oddly stimulating as I worked on it. So, in a lot of ways this wacky idea about a musical centered around a singing frog has come full circle. It belongs to the director, designers and cast now to make it their own. I'll keep you updated on it's progress as soon as I get them.

Anyway... so much for that for now.

a little more intense than first anticipated...

... but getting there. So, it'll be a little quiet around here for a while. But things are plugging along nicely. Though I can say I got anf email... the contents brought me to tears. But it's all good. Details to come.

Cheers!

O.K.... perhaps Thursday then...

... as I am still at it.

In the meantime, if you are looking for a good read - Kill the Goat - pretty damn exceptional.

Busy creating...

... for a deadline. See y'all Wednesday.

There's lots of other stuff to check out below... if you haven't already yet.

OK... back.

If you came by earlier and I wasn't here it's because I was migrating my blog to a different server. Hope I didn't scare you too much. Just doing some geeky web related stuff that I'll go into later. Let's just say that I've decided to impose the learning curve back onto myself. All part of forward movement.

I spent the better part of...

... this afternoon and tonight updating ONE PAGE of the Rogue Festival site. Yes, you read it right ONE PAGE! The Fringe Festival Year page. There were (and still may be) dead links there but I did add several more fringes from around the world. (Though I'm sure I still left some out.) Still, I do take pride that it is probably one of the most complete lists on the web. I was actually going to redesign the entire page... but I figured that updating it would be good for now. The expected response I will probably get from this... "Yeah, OK... so it's cool. But what about..."

the tummy is a little...

... queasy this morning. I'm trying to decide if it was the scotch or the chicken quesedillas consumed last evening... or a combination of the two. Plus there is the cheese factor to consider since I am lactose intolerant. Yeah, thats a bitch since I love cheese. Oh well. Queasy is better than being doubled over in pain.

The evening was a pleasant one. Great company and fun conversation. It has been a while since I got out... just cuz. Though it was a little celebration for completing the rewrite. But just getting out for a bit was a very nice change for me. The weekend will be filled with web work and video editing... that actually will be fun and creative. So no complaints here... plus they are also money gigs.

Speaking of plays... to counter the mounting bills I have decided to sell ownership to some of my plays. Meaning that if you decide to own one of them, the copyright of said play will be transfered to you. You can then market them to other theatre companies for production and earn royalties from them. I will even facilitate a place for you to market the play. If you are interested send an email to me at lecram@daplaysdathing.com and I will furnish you with more details.

Have a grand weekend!

Oh, and here are a few Time Wasters to start it off.

• Need a custom coffin?
• Cake Art
• The Singles Map
  

and the slog goes on.

Completed Act 1. I think I'll be able to finish Act 2 by tomorrow.

it was only half an allnighter...

... last night. So, I'm trying to make it up tonight.

The Virginia Tech situation is very sad.

If you haven't been watching America at a Crossroads on PBS... you should.

so, mum fell...

... again today. Kowboi has a real job and I could not call him for help. Mustang (who was ever so kind a couple of weeks ago to swing by to help) has always had a real job so that was out of the question. Finally, I called Steph who gallantly came by to help her up. Nothing serious... but once she is down the logic to get up does escape her. Thank you very much Steph... Mum was still talking (fondly) about you after you left.

Though it wasn't a major thing it did shoot out my day where writing was concerned. There was laundry, washing and cooking to take care of. Then APJ came over and we took care of some business that had to be taken care of... after which she kidnapped me for a scotch and some nachos.

I am back home now gearing up to get back to writing... or rewriting as the case may be. I'm a day and a half behind and will probably pull an all nighter just to meet the deadline. It all hinges on me right now. See ya on the other side.

EDIT: Er... who's generation? I hear the youngest in this group is 90.

rhyming couplets all day...

... was all I did yesterday. I was reworking a portion of the script that involved oodles of them. From song lyrics to chants to raps. By the time I hit the sack last night I was exhausted. Though I was also quite happy that I had gotten as far as I did with the script. I'm hoping to be finished with the rewrite and rework by sometime Monday. Then a couple of scan-throughs just to smooth out the bumps.

I also have to edit a video I shot for Theatre Ventoux's upcoming production of This Flattering Glass. It's a promotional video that I'm really looking forward to getting started on. (I really love editing. Of course it will be featured here as soon as I upload it to Daily Motion and YouTube. BTW... if you go to their site... there is a banner you can steal for your own blog or site. In fact, just click the banner below to go there.



The last couple of days have been overcast, rainy and dank... but it has been a welcome change. The rain washed out all the pollen from the air and I can literally breathe a lot easier because of it. Plus it really is perfect writing whether.

Perhaps there'll be more later in the day.

TIME WASTER
If you are in need to damn a soul for eternity... GO HERE.
And the Germans really know how to MAKE A STATEMENT.

EDIT:
I spent the day cutting this.

This Flattering Glass promo
Uploaded by dathang

spent the day working on the lyrics...

... to a brand new song and completely overhauling an old one. It was exhilarating... especially working on the new one. It's been a while since I've written lyrics and there is also the challenge to keep the original charm of and unity of the piece as a whole. Don't really want the new song to stick out like a... new song, if you know what I mean. The overhaul on the old one was also a lot of fun. Both still need to be tweaked some more and I can't wait to Skype with Mike to get it in those in the bag. Though I am pretty happy with how they've come out overall.

Reworking this show after 27 years has been and continues to be a lot of fun. Though it has caused me to ponder about the cyclical nature of life. I mean, here is the first play I attempted. It was produced back then. Now Mike and I are readying it again for another possible production. We have chatted about this and what a strange wondrous journey between then and now our separate lives have been. (BTW... here is sampling of Mike's genius for your listening pleasure... and the gentleman he is "dueting" with is a cousin of mine. I think you'll agree both are total MOFO jazz musicians!)

I have over the last couple of years noticed that I have been revisiting other past events, situations and people on a fairly regular basis. The only meaning I can derive from this is that (for some reason) I'm being afforded the opportunity to perhaps "do it right" this time around... or perhaps come to some resolve. With the play... I think falls into the "do it right" column... perhaps if nothing else to pacify the restlessness I've had with it over the years.

In this same two year period I've also had this inkling that there may be opportunities (exciting ones at that) up ahead. Major shifts. Yet at the present there also does exist a tense feeling... probably because of the financial uncertainty I presently face.

Energy is a strange, wonderful and scary thing, isn't it?

Found OCR software...

... to scan in the typed script of Frogway. Guess what I'm doing all evening?

looks like the show is a go...

... Frogway, that is. Skyped with my friend Mike last evening and he filled me in on the details of the meeting between him and the producers of the show. Of course, all of this is dependent on the rewrites. When the project was first proposed I agreed to it on condition that we both rework the show before it was to be remounted. Afterall, it has been 27 years since it was first produced and it was the first outing for both of us. Neither of us really knew what we were doing at the time.

It was heartening to hear that these producers felt the same way. (The show is being envisioned as a more compact production that may be designed to tour.) Not only that but many of the suggestions they have made are right up where I think the show needs to be re-sculpted. So, now all I have to do is outline the changes and start cranking on the write. Everything is hinging on me and what I spew forth for them now. There is going to be another Skype meeting today. Technology... you gotta love it.... we are writing together halfway across the world.

On other fronts...

I'm nearly up to the 500 "friend" mark where the Jungle Webs MySpace push is concerned. (Some really cool and interesting theatrical groups on the friend list now.) I am really hoping that this particular push will create more business.

Not much else at the moment... more on other fronts later perhaps. (Yeah Jay... I was quite the sleepy wuss last night. lol.)

2 playwrights chatting

Last night, after catching up with a friend on her return from New Zealand I ran into fellow playwright, Ross Howard who fielded 2 shows at the recent Rogue Festival. This one & this one... both excellent plays in my book ( I saw them both in my quest to seek out original works during the festival). I was actually on my way home but just couldn't pass up the opportunity to commiserate with someone who I think is a bright emerging talent in this waning field.

Ross is English and came to this country to pursue an MFA in playwriting. Curious... considering that he hails from the land of the Bard.

I cannot really explain what fun and how much of a luxury this was for me. It is rare in these parts to come upon a fellow comrade in the trenches to share ideas with... especially one who is open to sharing without the (natural) paranoia of their ideas being stolen. (This is a malady that often plagues many in our craft... lol.)

We chatted about all sorts of things. A light dissection of each other's shows (he had also come to see mine and I his)... working techniques (discovering to our delight that our process is similar)... discussions of playwrights works we (both) admired... our mentors (and we share a couple) ...and future plans and projects we are considering. It was also a joy to be able to chat with someone who shares a common "blue collar" attitude to the work.

We both agreed that theatre is first and foremost a "gig"... and some of it transcends to evolve into art... that the over analysis emphasized in academia has taken the gig out of it which in turn perpetuates the perception that it is inaccessible to regular folk. (Then, they wonder why they can't get an audience.) Instead of mutual support and encouragement... too often in this world of theatre (sadly, more true than not) folks get caught up in a competitive back-stabbing, holier-than-thou snob attitude that really does no one any good and only contributes to the further erosion of the craft... simply because they buy into the idea that everything they create is art.

It was so refreshing (and encouraging) to be able to converse with someone in a "common language". The language of the theatre is common enough among practitioners of the craft but there does exist various "dialects" within this small (and ever shrinking) world. Chatting with actors about a show is quite different than speaking with designers, etc. To be able to converse with a fellow playwright for me presented the unique opportunity to speak in "short-cuts" brought about by a common understanding through the labor of our work that does not require explanation... like two carpenters discussing the best techniques for dovetails without explaining what a dovetail is.

We even half jokingly chatted about spearheading an "indie garage theatre" movement... not unlike the indie garage band or indie film movements that have done so much to refresh those forms over the recent years. Perhaps that is what is needed... to bring a sense of rock n roll back to theatre. Strip away the "jizz" and and allow the works to really sing through performance without the distractions of unnecessary "production value".

I stayed out longer than I thought I would last night... but returned home happy, rejuvenated and much encouraged by the conversations that transpired between Ross and I. It was nice... akin to running into a fellow countryman from the same village in a foreign land.

So, if you want to read...

... reviews to the play so far. Go HERE!

BTW.... we sold out a 10 PM Wednesday performance. Chide me all you want for my marketing... B.I.T.S. (Butts In The Seats)... is the bottom line... then you can sell a good play or art to them.

You ever get one of those days...

... when there is this low rumble of a threat that something could go wrong at anytime? I had one of those today. Just an uneasy feeling. I hate those... especially when that foreboding lingers all day. Though I am thankful (so far) that this inkling hasn't played out... whatever it is.

Just another short one today. Oh yeah, we caught some ink in the local paper yesterday. HERE is the link to that. Also there was something in a local e-zine HERE!

Hope you have a good Tuesday.

(image "borrowed" from HERE.)

EDIT: 8:25 AM

MORE INK! Today's edition features our boy, Kien. You can read all about it HERE! Plus in the same paper some more on the Rogue Fest HERE!

.

It's been a whirlwind of activity...

... this weekend. Lugging equipment and setting up venues for the Festival. A flurry of activity as the Rogue begins to take over the Tower District for the next 2 weeks.

I have to admit that I am getting excited with the upcoming openings of my shows in it. I have a pretty tight schedule on Saturday as 2 of my shows are playing back to back. At 7:30 Suicide Lounge plays and then I have 15 minutes to book to another venue for the premier of Tale End. It's gonna be both a rush and exhausting. But I am looking forward to it.

You should be able to catch updates and pics of the fest right here... with with more of the Rogue Experience found HERE and HERE. Blogging from me is probably going to be a little spotty but I will attempt report my reactions and observations as best I can.

Finished editing our promo video...

... HERE IT IS! (Just click Talepromovideo under the player to steal it for your own blog.

Oh yeah, go check the TJ Blog and meet one of our Rogue Buddies there!

Oh yeah (number two), there may be an HNT this week.

Talepromovideo
Uploaded by dathang

A Monday at that!

Just to get it out of the way... there is a NEW POST on the TJ site. We had a pickup rehearsal tonight that went pretty darn well.

Been quite a day. More web work... then I began toying with a promotional video for Tale End. Hopefully it will be completed by tomorrow. I think it'll run about a minute or so long.

2 weeks more till the Rogue begins. There is still loads to do... but this year that is not my job. I have a few more bits and pieces on the graphics department. Then, I'm just a shmoe like everybody else. I'm sure I'll hear about this, that and the other but I aim to make the effort to support and help where I can... then mind my own business. But mostly to get my own shows up and bouncing.

BTW... how do you like the new "recent comments" widget in the sidebar. Pretty nifty, eh?

Not much more to say today... probably because I spilt most of it on the TJ post. Perhaps more later in the day. Hope your Tuesday goes well.

I suddenly find myself with an hour...

... to kill so I thought I'd take the time to post something. At least something a little longer that the past two days.

One of my rehearsals fizzled out tonight. Though I'm not fretting it (perhaps I should) but it was for Suicide Lounge and I'm not in the greatest of voice tonight. Also this gives me time to really work one of the numbers that I want to do. Lush Life is a mofo of a song to try to do. OK... it can be done but takes quite a bit to pull off so the extra alone time to work it will help at least solidify the tune in my head. We'll get together on Saturday and work the whole thing out.

I have a bit more with graphics and web work to go but I'm confident that after this week I will be free of that.

I went for a short bike ride today... and boy, am I out of shape. LOL! Really pretty sad at how badly I was winded by the short ride. So, I'm making an effort to get out and about either walking or biking for a bit every day. At least this way if and when I do keel over I will have a healthy flush in my cheeks and not look so much like the cave dewller I do now.

Oh, I just checked my Jungle Webs business and see that a few of you who come by here have made purchases. Thank You so much for the business. Every little bit goes a long way and ... do pass the word along. Really, we have some of the most competitive deals around and the support is top notch.

Hmm... perhaps more in the AM. My cast is due to arrive pretty soon... our first pickup rehearsal after the preview. Sure it'll be rough... but they'll do fine once the festival comes by.

another short one...

... but at least the listings are completed. Click and take a look at the right sidebar and see how big this sucker has gotten. You sure you don't want to come?

Oh yeah... a Big Happy Sloppy Smoochy V-Day to one and all!

still at it...

... and not quite done... but HERE is something to look at.

sorry, not post today...

... except to say that the work ( at least for print media) is done and uploaded to the printer in Montana. Yay, over that hump on hump day.

Time for sleep... and another opportunity to dream.

EDIT: 7:15 PM
I thought I was... but the printer emailed me with some needed fixes. Got it done in 2 hours. Let's hope thats it.

my brain is mush at the moment...

.. so, I thought I'd post a blog. LOL! It's not as bad as it sounds... worse actually. Thanks for asking. There is still more to go but there is light up ahead. Into the light... into the light... it's peaceful and warm and... Crap, I'm still not done with this?

Almost there... we're almost therrrreeee (Sing it, Andy!) OK, it's official... I've lost it. Where are my pretty marbles?

Perhaps another nap... hmmm... maybe this time in loony nodland the giant roaches dressed up in tuxes will actually allow me in the game. Full contact scrabble... brutal but engaging. Though dyslexia doesn't help a whit... and there are dirks involved if you are hiding a vowel.

Ah... but I got all my (old) blogs moved to the "new" blogger. When I have a sliver of free time I'm moving that to my server... where my new one resides. Then, I'll spend a weekend eating doritos and slamming cokes labeling the old posts. Important labels like, "nonsense", "crap", and let's not forget "cooking naked with splashy hot oil". Too long a label? Maybe just "sizzling oil", huh?

But now I think for the betterment of humankind... a nap is in order. OK, if the giant roaches in tuxes won't let me play I'll just wander to where the skyscraper is lying on it's side and swim in the pond of liquid gold. Perhaps then the Sargent major ballerina will serve me the hotdogs and caviar I ordered the last time I was there.

Later and Cheers!

EDIT: 8:29 AM
My nap evolved into a full night's sleep. Back to my boring self again, I guess... and back to work. At least I can now focus on the pixels again.

... prechance to dream... but instead...

... you enter into the loopy, loony, lucid land of nod. That's where I've just come from. You've been there before, haven't you? Especially from that first "nap" you dared to take after ploughing straight through on an almost non-stop marathon of doing something like... say... GRAPHICS?

It's the hard left you take 2 exits before the Twilight Zone turnoff. The nap you tell yourself is so needed at 1 AM when you've been up since 3 the morning before? Yeah, that place. Your mind is still razor sharp but you know that a power nap is needed just so the neighbors don't call on the guys with the white jackets on your behalf. The nap you enter with your very own version of swirling circus music... a whimsical buzz that hums paintings by Salvador Dali for the first half hour. Then it subsides to a peaceful stillness and you know the fun is just about to begin.

Half awake and half in dream state you bounce through several mind movies that suggest that Ingmar Berman collaborated with the Keystone Kops and that Charlie Chaplin provided Apocalypse Now with that warm fuzzy and uplifting ending. But these dreams are lucid and you have the power to change them. You don't. Why spoil the ride? You couldn't pay money for this stuff. Besides, if you did you fear the frightening turn it might warp into simply because the noodles encased in your skull have been racing forward in a swirl like Speedy Gonzales operating a merry-go-round on coke.

So, I'm up again and whacking this work out just so it's off my hands. Another pot of coffee on the brew. Considering the work load I'm actually feeling rather chipper. Or could it be that I have finally jumped that barby fence that holds us just this side of reality? But the work needs to get done. Come by in a few days and you can get a PDF of it... unless of course they've already taken me away. The difference between this year and that? 12 more pages.

Later... Cheers!

Oh, and here are 7 Reasons not to go to Vista... yet.

I use to be able to multi-task...

... a lot better than I do now. Really, I used to have about half a dozen pans in the fire all at once and would shift from one to the other like a circus performer on crack. Now I find that when I'm deep into one task... and if concentration is broken... it takes me a couple of hours before I am able to shift back into gear. It's not that I get distracted from the task at hand... (the task is always on my mind) it's just sliding back into the groove just takes a little more to rev up to.

For instance, today I was working on graphics. At 11:30 I get a call reminding me of a meeting that is taking place close by. I go to the meeting which takes all of an hour. I get back to the computer to continue working. It takes me forever to get going again and all the time I'm sitting looking at the work on the screen with in a funky daze. I know what needs to be done... and I'm thinking about it the entire time... but getting it going only happens an hour and a half later. Use to be zip... zip... kaboom! Being aware of that... I've actually consciously veered clear of any distractions of late... especially TV.

EDIT: 10:34 AM
Boy does blogger suck ass today. I'm so glad I moved mine to my own server. Yeah,... OK... you caught me. Yes, this IS a blatant commercial for Jungle Webs. Really, your own domain and hosting for under $5.60 a month!

And on to other news... I just got called for a photoshoot with the local paper. Yet, another distraction... because I have to make myself pruty instead of looking like death warmed over... shit, that takes hours! Plus, I have to get Kien's room ready. Looks like graphics work will go well into the night.

Yeah, we've been talking about touring...

... the show in the Summer of 2008. It's too late to apply for any of the fringe festivals this year. (We missed applications to the SF Fringe by about a week.) Still, a year and a half will give us time to fund raise for it. At the moment, Toronto and San Francisco are on the talking board between the cast, crew and I. (excerpt from the post on the TJ site today.)

Not entirely sure what is on the menu today. I'm sure I'll be able to rustle up something... so, no pictures of food for today.

My friend Kien arrives tomorrow. This gives me a day to get his room ready. His annual visits to perform at the Rogue are always fun... like having family around. Though if we were brothers by birth it would be debatable as to which one of us would claim the title of prodigal son. LOL! We spent our youth together... lost touch for 20 years and reconnected 6 years ago to resume as if those years were just yesterday. Of course, both of us had changed on our different life paths... (and perhaps even grown a little) but essentially the essence of who we were remained. I love the fact that he has carved his own niche here just from his annual visits. (Yeah, the man has groupies.)

Now to hit the graphics trail again. It's really taking longer this year that usual due to deadlines missed... but I am resolute to do the best job possible on it as I can.

So, for now... enjoy the hump of the week.

Cheers!

it's 2 AM...

... think I'll leave a post for later in the day. It may be more lucid than if I attempt to leave one now... just beat from working on graphics. For now... here's hoping your Tuesday starts well.

EDIT: 10:59 AM
Breakfast for Mum... check! Dishes washed... check! Lunch completed... check! Coffee brewed... check! Now it's time for yet more graphics! But not before a post first. (Oops... laundry still needs to be done.)

Those have been my days for the last few months (except substitute graphics work for playwriting for a month and a half.)... and will be for a while. Still, that is my daily routine. Now that it's become more of a routine... I quite enjoy it. It's definitely a shift from the life I used to live but life shifts all the time. This one too will shift eventually.

There are certain little things I take pleasure with now that I never did before. Having lunch with Mum being just one. It's not an everyday occurrence (depends on if she is napping or not) but sharing a mid-day meal together happens at least 5 times a week. I was always too busy before... working, etc... to be able to do this. And frankly... it wasn't something I really cared to do in the past. But that too has shifted over the past 6 months. (The added bonus is that she always compliments me on my cooking... this is particularly gratifying from someone who knows how the dish should actually taste.)

BTW.... on the menu today is (double pot) steamed chicken soup (Chinese style) with garlic, ginger and mushrooms served with garlic rice.

16 seats!

And people invited... don't turn up. (Personal invitations at that!) Gee thanks! Yeah... we got a good crowd... but 8 fucking seats could have been given to others who actually gave a damn! No call no email ... nothing! Look, I'm not fucking Shakespeare... but common courtesy... heard of that? Don't expect it if you don't give it.

Other than that, we had a great time. Really, we had a a wonderful time... and you fucking missed it. HAH! Now you get to pay to see it. For those who took the effort to turn up... a mighty big Thank You! You made all the difference in the world.

EDIT: Yes, the same post would have been written even if I was stone cold sober at the time of writing. BTW don't you just love how I can cuss like a sailor when I've tipped a couple. LOL!

The first preview...

... went well. Those who know my work were a little taken aback. We also had non-theatre goers in the crowd... and they seemed to have been sucked in as well. There are pics on the TJ Site. One more to go tonight with close to a full house expected. We will open with Suicide Lounge and wabblings of the mutant frog.

Da Count - my cast and crew

Oodles to count... but this week it's my cast and crew. They have been riding this beast with me (and continue to) and I couldn't ask for a better group of folk who have given in time, effort and talent like they have given to this trifle. You have eased my re-entry back into the theatre world to being a joyous experience... something that I didn't think I would find again.

All I can say is... Terima Kasih... you have made it all count for me once more.

If you want to find out what Da Count is all about... click the flashing sign.

Shameless & Blatant does work.

We got an article in Fresno Famous... not written by me... plus a picture and all! There was a real reporter involved this time. He came over for rehearsals on Tuesday night. Yeah, go ahead... click the link and read it. I'll wait. (BTW... don't you think the pic posted has some nasty connotations? LOL!)

::toe tapping:: Done? Good.

Last night's Suicide Lounge rehearsal went quite well. We actually started by sharing a meal together over at a Vietnamese noodle place. It's something we hadn't done together in a while. I sort of miss that aspect of those days when we would all go out for meals and commiserate. Just doesn't happen that much anymore. But when it does... it's so very special.

Then there was a beer run and back to my garage to rehearse the songs we will be doing for the preview this weekend. We ran through the songs a few times and was accompanied at instances by backup vocals from my dogs. A pleasant evening all in all.

Tonight we rehearse for Tale End. Today... I'm swamped with graphics work. Tomorrow I prep for the previews this weekend.

No Tale End rehearsals tonight...

... but us boys are meeting for Suicide Lounge. And there is still a shit load of graphic work to accomplish before 6 PM.

Tale End will meet again tomorrow for a final rehearsal before our previews this weekend. Yeah, there are a couple more pictures over on the TJ Blog... and stuff to read as well.

Oh, I do have to mention that I am the guest interviewer on that lovely Ms. Bees Knees blog. If you haven't visited her site yet... you should. Though be forewarned... she is a paid killer... and she's known to do it for free... just for the pleasure of it.

Other than that... not a whole lot to report at the moment. Hope all of you are have a grand hump this Wednesday.

the wedding was very sweet...

... in fact, for a limited time you can still watch a re-run HERE. (Click Darryl Hinds/Carly Jones) I even had a date to the wedding with a fellow blogger via chat. We even brought our owh slurps and nosh for an improvised reception after. I had a fried chimichanga and beer. The best part of the whole thing was that I didn't have to dress up for it. Still, it was a privilidge to have witnessed it.

Rehearsals were stellar last night... and (for the first time) all of us chimed in at the same time on the TJ Blog. Suicide Lounge rehearsals also began last night. Boy, do I have a long way to go on that. LOL!

This morning Mum fell again and one more time Kowboi came to the rescue. I already know that this is going to be a more frequent occurance. All I can do is be prepared for it. Once again, a big THANK YOU, Kowboi!

Now, to fininsh the laundry... go out to get it dry. Cooking for the day has already been accomplished. Then it's back to graphics work for the Rogue. BTW... click this LINK and you'll get to a post that links to some of our performers presence online.

So, yesterday began bumpy but ended well. This morning was bumpy too. I can only hope that the ending of the day mirrors yesterday.

My Rodent is Rebelling

Last night, I left my computer for 20 minutes (to get something to eat) and came back to find that mu mouse was stuck. Refused to move. On strike. So this post is coming from the laptop.) Now I have to determine if it is a hardware or software issue. Please Almighty Lord... let it be a hardware issue!

Of course, this comes at the most inconvenient of times... when I have massive amounts of graphic work to accomplish. Figures, huh?

On to other news... the rehearsal went well. You can read about it HERE.

Tonight I have 2 rehearsals. The first for TALE END, then at 9 SUICIDE LOUNGE begins. This will be interesting. The other 2 are professional musicians... then there's me. HAH! I have less than a month to get my chops back up to acceptable snuff. No easy task this... but it gives me the perfect reason to cut down... even give up smoking. My motivation? I don't want to suck on stage.

Also, I'm going to a wedding! You can too! CarleyJayJay (What the Beans on my blogroll) is getting married in Vegas! Plus, a friend of hers has sprung for it to be webcast! Go to her site for the link to the webcast and wish the soon to be newlyweds well.

UPDATE: 1:16, PM
All systems are a "go" again... it was a hardware issue too stupid to even go into right now.

Time Wasters... but well worth it

My friend Zonthar doesn't post very often (he bloody should... the man is brilliant... and witty to boot) but when he does it definately is worth the read. His latest post does give one pause to think about the official monikers given our bits & pieces.

Go ahead and send a Hula Card to someone where your message will be danced for them.

For those of you who are moving to the Beta... er... New Blogger... HERE is a great resource page to get it to look and do what you want it to. Hack away!

And finally a sales pitch to keep Mum and me fed and out of the cold.


Jungle Webs (yes, it's my company) has EXTENDED it's DOT COM SALE until January 31!

You can get YOUR VERY OWN for only $6.95 a year! And that comes with all sorts of freebies like your very own EMAIL ACCOUNT! You can actually start the hunt for your domain right here.

.com.net.org.biz.info.us.ws.name.de.jp.at.co.uk.me.uk.org.uk.co.nz.net.nz.org.nz.cn.com.cn.org.cn.net.cn.tw.com.tw.org.tw.idv.tw.jobs.eu.fm.ms.nu.tc.tk.vg

I am setting up the company BLOG so that it will also function as a "how to" resource for Bloggers and Arts groups. I'll be adding 2-3 there a week. I'll also have some new fun banners for the stealing you can post on your sites soon!

Promise... you'll get no more than one pitch a week on this blog.

Cheers!

p.s. BTW... rehearsals begin again tonight... can't wait to see how the rewrites work!

Don't they realize that it eventually gets back to my ears?

A friend came to visit the other day. In the course of the conversation blurted that so-and-so was at someplace and was talking smack about me. I began to chuckle. My friend's face held a quizzical look.

"Why are you laughing?"
"I'm used to it."
"What was said about you was pretty brutal!"
"Cool."
"Huh?"

I explained to my friend that I've headed several endeavours over time and when one does, one just has to accept the fact that "Bagging on the Boss" is going to occur. It really doesn't matter if the boss is Donald Trump or Mother Teresa... there's still going to be a fair amount of backroom bitching going on. It's an international past-time... probably occurs more often and a lot longer than sex. Come on, we've all done it! (Heck, we even do it on our blogs.) It usually begins with phrases like...

"Can you believe what (Insert Boss Name Here)..."
or
"(Insert Boss Name Here) is fucking insane because..."
and my all time favorite...
"Let me tell you the next time (Insert Boss Name Here)... "

Then the diatribe begins. The way I see it... if it is shared with co-workers and they commiserate... it's a form of organization bonding. If nothing else, it's venting of frustration. It doesn't matter how great the outfit you're working for... frustration is going to occur and the easiest target is whomever is in-charge.

The other thing I've learned over time is that it will eventually reach the ears of the one being bitched about. (If it doesn't... that in-charge person is delusional and totally out of touch... in which case, deserves what is being bitched about them.) That's been true... at least in my case. There is very little that goes on that I don't eventually find out about. I also know this goes along with the territory of being the in-charge person. (Mainly because people can't keep confidences shared with them.) I have never taken it personally and hardly ever hold it against the person... not because I'm particularly thick-skinned.

Simply because I understand:

* I'm not perfect... I have done my fair share of bitching too.
* I never demand something of anyone that I am not willing to demand of myself.
* The person's assigned task fell short of being accomplished... so, someone needs to be blamed.
* When I am wrong... I almost always cop to it.
* I'm never always right... but I'm very seldom wrong.

Cheers!

In re-writes...

... and I posted something on the TJ blog about it... and there are other very recent posts there as well.

BTW... the webcast has been cancelled.

UPDATE: 10:05 AM, Saturday
Here is Fred Astaire singing "Lets Face The Music and Dance"

I accomplished 3...

... of the 4 things I had set out to do today. Left out the cooking part but there were some leftovers and easy food around the homestead to keep us both well nourished.

Rehearsals began tonight. You can read all about it HERE and check out a few more pictures of the evening. Yeah, don't be shy to leave a comment while you are there.

I did finish the layout work on this year's Muse for the Rogue. It's a complete departure from years previous... which is good. Though it was not a piece that I would have chosen... I like how it turned out. A new eye, a different sensibility, a change forward. There is a definate twisted whimsey to it. I'll unveil it to you when the powers that now be make it official.

Not much more to write... so, I'll hit the sack. Have a happy Tuesday and Cheers!

the start to a busy few weeks...

... begin at dawn tomorrow.

1. I have to start design and web work on Rogue 2007. This includes the festival website and the 44 page Rogue Map (glossy festival program) plus layout this years Muse which will serve as the iconic image.
2. If I can squeeze an hour or two in... work on my internet business. A site was set up a while back but of late I've also been setting up a blog that will include a series of "how to's". The market that I'm targeting are folk in the arts and bloggers! Time to get agressive with this one if I want to continue to eat.
3. Cook... so that Mum and I don't whither away.
4. Begin rehearsals on "Tale End". We've set up 3 weeks of rehearsals with previews scheduled for January 26 and 27.

More later in the day... perhaps.

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