Lazy Sunday.....

I didn’t post yesterday because I was so happy doing nothing that I didn’t want to be focused on anything else but that. It was the first Sunday in a long time that I didn’t have to be somewhere doing something other than absolutely nothing. I lounged about on the deck and watched the waves roll across the bay. Then I listened to the gulls. Then I played with the cats followed by surfing the web aimlessly. I made whole-wheat thin spaghetti for lunch with lemon-butter sauce. I watched the end of an old forgettable movie and listened to some jazz. I actually involved myself with many “no things” and loved it.

And then, to top off the lovely day, I had dinner at the home of my friends Joe and Mallick. Sharon and Rachel were there as well. It was lovely. They have a wonderful home right on the canal that is backed up by acres of protected rolling wetlands. It is truly lovely. Here are some photos to prove it.

here is the statue in their yard that they refer to as "the lady".





Joe on his porch



In the backyard overlooking the canal at sunset...











Tomorrow, I leave for Nashville for my exhibit on the 15th at the Arts Company. I'm looking forward to it and intend to document it here..

Java Junkie

What a wonderful surprise it was for me yesterday when George came home with one of these ...

Now, the one that he brought home isn’t exactly the same as the one pictured above, but it is still a “Stove-Top Espresso Maker” nevertheless. They all have basically the same look and feel. I have wanted one for quite some time after being turned onto them by my sister-in-law once in Nashville. I think that she discovered them years ago while living in Europe. These things make incredible coffee! Plus, there’s just something so, Parisian about them. And I must admit, after my visit there a few years ago, I could be happy livening in a cardboard box under a bridge in Paris.

http://framboise781.free.fr/Paris.htm
(The above incredible link courtesy of my friend Miguel)

Run, Toto, run!

Man, I hate this. I just turned on CNN just to mindlessly check out the latest news while I sip my coffee and I see the CNN LIVE weatherman excitedly reaching all about a map of the Southeastern United States. There are large spots of crimson red on this map and he’s talking about violent storms and tornado outbreaks all over the area. I look a bit more closely, unmute the sound and realize that the area that he is referring to is my hometown, Bowling Green, KY. In fact, he says, tornadoes and severe storms are popping out all over that area from BG to Nashville ( where my brother David and his family live and where I will be traveling to on Tuesday the 11 for an exhibit of my work). Needless to say, this is very disconcerting news. He just described it as an “explosion” of violent storm activity.

I jut phoned my sister’s office in BG and there was no answer. So, I try her cell phone and she answers from the basement of the building where she works. She said that she was fine, but that they were moved there for safety. Now they are announcing that anyone in Nashville or the surrounding areas should take shelter immediately. That’s where my brother, his wife and daughter is. Ugh. I don’t like this at all.
This reminds me too much of this event, which I lived through, and remember vividly...
http://www.april31974.com/

Here comes the sun...

The sun is rising now into an overcast sky after another one of those sleepless nights that seem to be the subject of many news “infotainment” segments nowadays.



In my opinion, this is just fear mongering on a lighter level. The media decided long ago that fear equals ratings. My cynical eye however, sees through it usually rather quickly. These particular “stories” about sleep disorders often lead to the fear about particular people that you interact with daily being half asleep while doing their job. These are jobs where it would prove much more beneficial to have the performer as alert a possible. For example, the driver of the semi hauling a tank full of hazardous cargo next to you on the interstate, your plastic surgeon, the lady dishing out slop to your kid in the cafeteria, or worse of all – your hair stylist.



The popular term seems to be “epidemic”. According to www.dictionary.com, an epidemic is something that spreads “rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or a population at the same time”. Is it possible that restless nights are – god forbid – contagious? Recently, I saw another fear based news story about an “epidemic” of obese children that were too big for their car safety seats. Is this contagious as well? True, I don’t sit in a car safety seat, but I do wear a seatbelt. The next time I happen to see a particularly rotund toddler smashing his face full of mashed potatoes and tootsie rolls, should I wear a protective mask?

Off Script

What a lovely day I have had. After arriving in Collingswood, I was able to view the fruits of my labor last autumn in the front yard…







I also planted over 100 tulip bulbs last year. However, as was always the case in the past, I was concerned that wretched squirrels would consume them. One year I planted 150 bulbs only to see 4 survive into the spring after the rats with fuzzy tails were through with the buffet that I had placed so lovingly in the ground.

This time though, I tired something new that was suggested to me by a landscape architect that I know. He suggested that I dig the area where I wanted the bulbs, cover them loosely with mulch, and then cover that with chicken wire. After that, I was to cover the whole thing with more mulch and then a final layer of soil on top of that. He told me that the bulbs would grow through the chicken wire, but that the squirrels would not be able to get to the bulbs because of their little sharp claws. As much as I liked the idea of that, I must admit that I was skeptical. Though, I really had nothing to loose, except for the cost of the bulbs (usually expensive) and the time involved in the labor. So, I did it, and as you can see from this pic, they appear to be doing quite well.



After they bloom, I will post images here. I also started the day with a nice breakfast from the New Westmont Diner in Haddon Township. The place has out of this world omelettes - though I'm not sure what happened to the "old" diner, if indeed there was one...



And here is my new favorite link of the day

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/06/bush-event-goes-off-script/

Congratulations to you Harry Taylor!!!

I hear you

Just found this online, loved it and had to post it here. I don't know the origin of it.

Left hand blue, right foot green...

Ugh...I have been battling sciatica on and off for close to two weeks now. This morning, I felt like a forgotten crumbling old pretzel found underneath a refrigerator. Though several aspirins later and walking about all morning and afternoon, it is much better now. In fact, I think that I may be able to join George for the quick overnight trip to Collingswood that we are going to take later this afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing how my garden bulbs are progressing. If I like what I see, I'll post pics here. Now, on to something very different. This link was sent to me by my very thoughtful sister. It's a fascinating online documentary about 9-11 entitled "Loose Change II". It's thought provoking, and, over one and a half hours long. So far, I have watched only the first 30 minutes, but guess what I will be finishing later. Here is the link http://www.policestateplanning.com/loose_change_ii.htm

All's well that ends well...

It’s about 6:30 in the evening here at the beach right now. Two things have changed in connection to that fact since last Friday. First, if it were last Friday, it would be dark right now. Secondly, if it were last Friday I would be in the green room of the Milton Theatre waiting to go on stage in thirty minutes.
I am frankly, quite pleased that both of thee changes have occurred. I love adding an extra hour of light to the day and I am very pleased not to be going back on stage.
I want to make it clear that I am not implying that I had an unpleasant experience with the production. I was glad to do it. I met some nice folks, deepened some already existing friendships and learned a few new things. Plus, it was good, at least locally, for a bit of extra PR, which, in my opinion, is always a good thing. Here are a few pics from the Director's Cast party...


That's me on the far right seated next to the wonderful new friend of mine - Kim, who played Lady Bracknell in the production. Next to her is my dear friend Suzette who played Gwendolyn in the show and she is seated next to Brian, a very nice fellow and a professional cyclist.


Here is an image of the lovely and young Allison who played Cecily. Next to her is her charming boyfriend Roger. If I try very intently, I can't actually recall some fuzzy dreamlike memories of being the age that they are currently.


Here I am with the wonderful Liz. This fun loving Brit has brilliant talent to boot. She played Lady Bracknell.

I have 50 other pics, but I won't place them here. So, now I am ready to get back to the business of my art - and I can't wait!

"I SAID bring me some more BONBONS!"

Though I haven't posted a WTF in the while, I found the words leaving my lips this morning after this experience.

It's a little after 6:30 AM, I'm watching CNN and one of the lead stories is about super model Naomi Campbell throwing a phone at her maid. Why would anyone beside her, her attorneys, the maid and her attorneys care about this drivel?



Though, when I study the image of her above, I can actually see her thinking, "interrupt me again bitch and you're going to eat this phone".

On a different note, tonight begins the last run of "Earnest". We will be having guests in from out of town and two cast parties. I'm wondering now if the actual performance won't be the least fun of this coming weekend. So, after the disastrous incident that occurred during Act I last Sunday, please, if you're reading this, wish me a "break your leg".

To bid or not to bid...

I just read this online and thought it was fascinating...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4860066.stm
Particularly when you learn that Macbeth would't even exsist today had it not been for the book.

Is Your Back Back Bad Today?

Though it is a beautiful early Spring day, I somehow managed to begin the day with a terrible lower back ache that has be hobbling about like an ancient old man.



Well, it's actually not quite that bad, yet, but it seems to be approaching that area.
I wonder how much of it has to do with the fact that the final weekend of the show kicks in Friday. I must admit, shamefully, that I wish this how had only a one weekend run. It's not that the show isn't enjoyable - the crowds really seem to enjoy the performances. I just have much to do in other more important areas of my life. However, this chapter will end after Sunday's show and then back to normal.

Her name was Lola...

It's early Wednesday morning. I awoke around 5:45 and it is now 6:42 AM. I slept very little last night - all types of thoughts running through my mind. Much was accomplished yesterday in regards to the studio renovation.



As you can see form this exciting photo, all of the insulation has been put into place. Insulation has a very strong odor, not unlike that of gasoline.



It really won't be long now at all until this is finished and I can begin painting again. I am very anxious for this to occur.

I was pleased to see upon arrival Monday afternoon, that all of my bulbs that I planted last October are starting to come alive with the warmth of Spring.



This is something that fills me with wonder each year. I love growing plants in the garden. It is very grounding. Last night, George, Tom, Larry and myself went into Philadelphia and ended up on South Street where we had burgers and margaritas at Copabanana. While there, a very drunk young lady who identified herself as an airline attendant approached the table. She said that she was looking for a guy. No one in particular, just any guy. She drunkenly asked if we were gay - which seemed to bother Larry somewhat because he asked her if she had coma all the way over to the table just to ask us that. She said no, but then claimed that her work as an airline attendant made her ability to recognize gay men stronger than most for some reason. She was actually very nice in a drunken cute way. She loved my hair, proclaiming it as "fucking great" and kept running her hands through it. My stylist would be pleased.

But I don't like the duck....

Tuesday morning, early. It's close to 8 AM but I have been up since 4:45 AM - though I spent the first 15 minutes laying in bead bleary eyed listening to the pre- dawn bird chorus. It seems, in my experience at least, that that is not a sound that I can connect to Winter. It either seems to start in Spring, or perhaps only I begin to notice it then. In any event, it is a sound that I always enjoy listening to. It is timeless, natural and innocent.


My head was also a little fuzzy after the wonderful chunky monkey martinis that Tom made. Tom and Larry are here to help George and I work on the studio. Late in the afternoon/early evening before dinner Tom introduced us to the elegant and sinfully delicious combo of chocolate, cream, banana liquor and vodka in a icy martini glass. They went down a bit too easily.
Prior to that element however, I walked with Tom and Larry and their dogs to the lovely Knight's Park which is a short jaunt up the street.



I saw the most immense tree there. It had to be a least 200 hundred years old.This image really can't do it justice, but it must be the largest tree in the park out of many.



I also managed to see this somewhat creepy children's play item...


I can only assume that in it's heyday, this duck was considered cute and likeable. Somehow, it seems now that it has crossed over into the valley of the maniacal and disturbing. It looks angry and is surely the one critter in the park that only the bravest of children would dare get upon.

This can't be happening...

It always amazes me when, during a theatrical performance run, you can have one great night and then the next day, something, well, much less than great. Yesterday, during the afternoon matinee, I had one of the worst experiences of my life on stage. I think it’s called a “deer in headlights” moment.



From what the other loyal and very understanding cast members told me, most of them have had one at one point in their on stage experiences as well.
The thing that really bothers me is that I don’t know why it happened. I mean, I do know why it progressed the way it did, but as to what caused the initial car to derail, I have no idea.
The scenario is as thus, I had just delivered the line that starts, if Gwendolyn accepts me, I shill kill my brother”. My character is speaking metaphorically about killing an alter ego of his. It gets a laugh from the audience. My next line starts with “ If I should marry a charming girl like Gwendolyn” which came out all well, but then FOR SOME unknown reason I repeat, “I shall kill my brother”. And that is where the first domino fell. I knew that I had misspoken my line. So, while staying in character I then said, “No, what I mean is” and then it happened. My mind went blank. Eric and I ( he is playing Algernon – wonderfully I might add) just froze and stared at each other. My forgetting the line threw him to he point where he forgot his follow up line. So, we just stared at each other blankly for what seemed like an eternity. Then he finally said, “Well?” and he began to adlib a line. Now panic sets in, so at the point in time anything that comes into my mind, EXCEPT the next line of course, is going to be blurted out. And it was, which is why I said “I’m sorry, I think that we should ring the bell”.
All of this is being said in character of course. The reason that I suggested that we ring the bell is because the next characters that come on stage are supposed to be Lady Bracknell and her Gwendolyn. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought in a nano-second that that would trigger them to ring the bell offstage. Well, Eric does ring the bell but he calls for Lane the butler. He enters and Eric adlibs again about the missing cucumber sandwiches (if you have ever seen “Earnest” you know what I’m talking about). Lane then says “do you want me to go get some?” The whole time, a voice is my head is saying “this can’t be happening, this can’t be happening”. Fortunately, it was at that point that the bell rang, and in came Laby B and Gwen. And we all got back on track. Lady B was so shaken however, while offstage, by what had happened on stage that her teacup was shaking the entire time like a leaf on a tree.
ARGGGHHHH.
I was told later my the tech crew that it only seemed like a brief pause form the audience and that most of them thought that the bell had malfunctioned. It seemed like an eternity on stage.

All I know is that I NEVER want that to happen again. Fortunately, George and I are off to the lovely Collingswood today to work on my studio. Larry and Tom will be joining us and I won’t even have to think about “Earnest” until next Thursday evening.

Eh? Speak up boy!

Here it is late Sunday morning. I have to be back at the theatre in 2 hours for the matinee performance of The Importance of Being Earnest. The curtain goes up at 2:00. I must admit, we had a great show last night. The house was packed and very responsive. If you’ve ever been on stage performing in any way whatsoever...



you understand how important that is. I had a whole crew of friends in the audience which helped tremendously as well, not to mention my partner George who quite honestly praised the performance of the entire cast. Believe me; if he thought it was weak, he would have said so. We also had our beloved Marnie as a houseguest for the weekend. She loved the show and we her visit. Of course, I would probably feel a bit better now and much less fuzzy had I not stayed up to 1:30 AM drinking wine, eating and laughing with her and a few other guests from the cast. But, hey, that’s what weekends are for.



That is a photo from a scene from last night's performance. This would be ACTII where I first learn of Algy's visit. I'm on the right in the dark "mourning" suit. Now, it is time for me to chill for a bit before hitting the stage this afternoon. I must admit, I'm not a big fan of the matinee – for one reason, you have to speak so much more loudly on stage for the majority of the audience…

The vital importance of being earnest...

Wow- finally another entry. Does anyone actually read this blog any longer? OK, I hit a very busy period that ran from February until, well, actually I’m still not over it. Last night was the opening night for The Importance of Being Earnest. Devoting yourself to any type of theatrical production can be time consuming to say the least. So. Lets just say thatt is the main reason that I have been behind in updating this blog. Let me also state that I will strive to keep this updated on a daily basis from this point on, for the most part.
I seem to have crossed over into somewhere beyond the valley of the rambling.

Of course, this sometimes happens during opening week of a stage show. I'll have the script running through my head constantly, not to mention the adrenaline of the performance as well as all of the post show entertaining. So, bear with me over the next few days those of interest. Though, I will do my very best to keep updating this blog on a regular, if not daily, basis, especially after this arrives in a few short days....

Lover Boy, True Love, Be Mine

I can't believe that somehow I didn’t realize that today is Valentine’s Day until I happened to move the cursor over the time and date info. I thought today was the 13^th. I’ve been scattered in too many directions.

Oddly enough, I’ve met several people over the years that had birthdays on this day (Happy Birthday Carl if you happen to run across this!). I always thought that if one had to have a birthday fall upon a holiday, that Valentine’s Day would be the one to choose. At least, if we are able to choose, and who knows – perhaps we are.

In any event, there are several projects that I must add to my “to do” list for the day now that I’ve made the connection. These would involve purchasing flowers, a touching card and perhaps candy, though both my partner and I are trying to lay off such treats. I wonder, can raw baby spinach ever be considered romantic?

Monday and the snow

So, I've had coffee and now I will literally dig my car out of the 20 inches of snow so that I can begin my trip back to the beach. I'm only going because I have rehearsal this evening, Act III of "Earnest". Here is one last pic of this storm that I want to post. I took this as we were leaving the house last night around sunset on our way to a friend's for dinner. This was taken from my front porch.



And here is the cast pic from "The Importance Of Being Earnest".


That is I in the lower left corner. We are all gathered about a print of my painting "Wilde" which I will autograph and which will then be auctioned off as a fund raiser for the Theatre.

Shameful absence and Winter Storm

I have to admit, loathe though I am to do so, that it has been a shamefully long time since I have updated this blog. I had every intention of documenting my month long journey back to the state where I was raised for my exhibit at the Capitol Arts Center in my hometown. This didn’t occur however because my laptop ( which I now refer to as my crap-top), just stopped allowing my access to the web just as my journey began.
I will state that the trip was wonderful and successful for me on may levels both professionally as an artist and interpersonally as a human. I am quite sure that I will be peppering this blog with tales and images from the experience because there are many of both.
However, at this moment it’s Sunday afternoon and there are 20 inches of snow on the ground. I awoke this morning to the sound of thunder and a flash of lightening which caused me to glance to the window with bleary eyes to behold a massive snow storm swirling through the air.

I grabbed for the digital camera and took the above pic through my window around 5:30 AM. Here are a few more that I took as the coffee was brewing...





And here are some I took while I was shovleing the 20 inches of snow from our walk...





That one is the snow piled in front of our house...

There are other images, but you get the picture. If all goes well, I will be able to dig my Beetle Bug out of this mess and make it back to the beach in time for rehearsal tomorrow afternoon for "The Importance Of Being Earnest" - my latest theatrical endeavor for the Milton Theatre Group for which I am co-producing as well as for which I have been cast in the lead role. Act III tomorrow.

Hit the New Year Running...

It's the evening of the first day of 2006. While I had quite a bit of fun last night, I spent the day packing up my artwork and my bags in preparation for my solo exhibit back in the town I grew up in, the ever quaint Bowling Green, KY.

This will be my first solo exhibit in KY, and in my hometown to boot. I've had very successful exhibits up and down the east coast with no anxiety at all. What is it then, about returning to your hometown after so many years, that makes this show so different for me? That's going to be one of the aspects of this practically month long visit that I intend to examine.



Obviously, this is going to be a important trip for me on many levels for many reasons. Though, above all, for myself, it's important to remember that beginning the new year with a solo exhibit, is a damn fine way to hit the New Year running...I hope to document as much of it here as I can - however, am I totally exhausted at the moment and I am going to drift off, hopefully, to a deep slumber.


Stay tuned for much more - the journey begins tomorrow.