Work has changed dramatically over the last month or so. The tour season is over and finished with a flurry of performances: 2, sometimes 3 shows a day. Our very last tour was ridiculous yet still somewhat sentimental, with a preposterously silly interview, and a celebratory meal at our home-away-from-home, Jim's. As quickly as it began, we were dismantling and putting away the sets and props and costumes that had been my bread and butter. Not only did the touring end, two of my coworkers quit, which was sad.
Now is the era of Camp Showbiz: two-week crazy, but mostly fun sessions with kids in themed classes that produce a show by the end of the camp. I have been at times a director, a jungle gym, a referee, a musician, not to mention, an alien, a grandma, and the notorious evil villain, Spinach Girl. The kids are sometimes cute, and talented, but occasionally like a blitzkrieg.
The steady rush of work, especially with the quick changeovers between camp sessions, has been exciting, and exhausting. But I really like it overall. I like my coworkers too and everything is shaping up quite nicely. I had my midterm evaluation with my boss and my MVS local program coordinator and things were very positive. I might just stick around after VS.
I'm looking ahead also to the next era of work at Magik, when school is back in session and we return to the normal schedule. I don't know exactly what all I'll be doing, but I was cast in the upcoming main-stage show, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast", in which I'll be playing the animate dresser/wardrobe.
Life outside of work is going really well too, but I'll save it for another post. My birthday is quickly approaching, and with it, my family and a friend. There is much to look forward to, and much to celebrate. huzzah and hurray!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
epiphany: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Enter
Blogging for an entire month stresses me out. Watch how the following summary devolves as it gets longer and longer:
I started off with an intense sequence of weeks full of travel and merriment: I went to eight states in two weeks (not including Texas), got lost in the mountains of Colorado, won an epic game of darts in Indiana, and met the infamous Mrs. Giggle.
First came the MVS retreat at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. I went with my housemates Katie, and Michelle, and the MVS director Hugo on a road trip that took about 18 hours and featured regular engorgement of as much food (good food too) as possible. The vegetarian thing fell apart instantly, but we are still committed to re-starting it and going a whole month. We left San Antonio at 7 pm after eating as much Indian food as could fit in our bellies, drove through the night stopping only for food. We reached Denver in time for a huge and delicious lunch. After putzing around downtown (window-shopping, touristy photo-taking, climbing enormous statues of cows)we went to Colorado Springs to eat at a steakhouse. Exhausted and overly satiated, my friends and I entered a state of delirium that lasted during a winding, bumpy ride up the mountainside, unpacking under an unbelievable starry night, and a heated foosball game, until finally getting to curl up under blankets.
Monday was a day of hiking. We started out with an easy trail in the morning which was very pretty, and very educational. In the afternoon we set off for a harder challenge and a more rewarding view. After about two hours of hiking we began to wonder where the wonderful view was. We debated turning around. But, we reasoned, it would probably be as fast to keep going rather than to turn around, after all: the trail was called "ring around the peak" so it obviously went in a circle. Soon thereafter we began to run low on morale. Then we came into a clearing and discovered that we had left the boundary of the national park. Thunder rumbled. We decided to turn around and we hustled frantically to retrace two hours worth of steps. By the time we got back to the main road it was sprinkling and we were delirious with exhaustion (again)and actually ran back to camp (yes, true) singing (yes, I know). We soon ran into the rescue party coming to look for us. And we found out that the trail we were on was 55 miles long.
In general, the retreat was fun. I got to meet a lot of people, we went to the Garden of the Gods, there was constant game-playing, contra-dancing, and yet more hiking. The speaker was interesting. I saw a lot of old friends. It was gorgeous.
trip to Indiana with Elkhart unit: long, but great conversations. one very nice stop in nebraska
fun, fun, fun in Goshen visiting friends for one hectic and crazy day (and night)
I was exhausted when I got there at 7 am after an all-night drive and slept for a couple hours then went on a picnic, mopedeling, south side soda shop, playground, party, darts, hookah. Seeing everyone was so nice. This is probably the last time I'll see so many college friends at one time...until a reunion maybe.
after only a day in Goshen I returned on a ridiculously long trip to TX. the highlights: making a home video, stopping in St. Louis, eating at a Waffle House (where you can have your wedding, apparently) with Mrs. Giggle
okay, I give up. Sorry. check back in for more.
I started off with an intense sequence of weeks full of travel and merriment: I went to eight states in two weeks (not including Texas), got lost in the mountains of Colorado, won an epic game of darts in Indiana, and met the infamous Mrs. Giggle.
First came the MVS retreat at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. I went with my housemates Katie, and Michelle, and the MVS director Hugo on a road trip that took about 18 hours and featured regular engorgement of as much food (good food too) as possible. The vegetarian thing fell apart instantly, but we are still committed to re-starting it and going a whole month. We left San Antonio at 7 pm after eating as much Indian food as could fit in our bellies, drove through the night stopping only for food. We reached Denver in time for a huge and delicious lunch. After putzing around downtown (window-shopping, touristy photo-taking, climbing enormous statues of cows)we went to Colorado Springs to eat at a steakhouse. Exhausted and overly satiated, my friends and I entered a state of delirium that lasted during a winding, bumpy ride up the mountainside, unpacking under an unbelievable starry night, and a heated foosball game, until finally getting to curl up under blankets.
Monday was a day of hiking. We started out with an easy trail in the morning which was very pretty, and very educational. In the afternoon we set off for a harder challenge and a more rewarding view. After about two hours of hiking we began to wonder where the wonderful view was. We debated turning around. But, we reasoned, it would probably be as fast to keep going rather than to turn around, after all: the trail was called "ring around the peak" so it obviously went in a circle. Soon thereafter we began to run low on morale. Then we came into a clearing and discovered that we had left the boundary of the national park. Thunder rumbled. We decided to turn around and we hustled frantically to retrace two hours worth of steps. By the time we got back to the main road it was sprinkling and we were delirious with exhaustion (again)and actually ran back to camp (yes, true) singing (yes, I know). We soon ran into the rescue party coming to look for us. And we found out that the trail we were on was 55 miles long.
In general, the retreat was fun. I got to meet a lot of people, we went to the Garden of the Gods, there was constant game-playing, contra-dancing, and yet more hiking. The speaker was interesting. I saw a lot of old friends. It was gorgeous.
trip to Indiana with Elkhart unit: long, but great conversations. one very nice stop in nebraska
fun, fun, fun in Goshen visiting friends for one hectic and crazy day (and night)
I was exhausted when I got there at 7 am after an all-night drive and slept for a couple hours then went on a picnic, mopedeling, south side soda shop, playground, party, darts, hookah. Seeing everyone was so nice. This is probably the last time I'll see so many college friends at one time...until a reunion maybe.
after only a day in Goshen I returned on a ridiculously long trip to TX. the highlights: making a home video, stopping in St. Louis, eating at a Waffle House (where you can have your wedding, apparently) with Mrs. Giggle
okay, I give up. Sorry. check back in for more.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Fiesta, Food-on-a-stick, and More
Welcome to a belated blog. It’s time once again to be caught up on an entire month of activity both sensational and breathtaking.
We’ll start off with Fiesta, the week-long excuse for all of San Antonio to throw party after beer-battered-taco-on-a-stick-filled party, followed naturally by an unending succession of parades. I know you’re thinking, “Wow, that’s right up your alley, Tara!” And while I do enjoy parades and food presented on a stick… Fiesta was a little overboard (perhaps).
Let’s examine just a few of the activities I attended:
NIOSA: holy shit. Maybe we shouldn’t start with this one…
Battle of the Flowers: this is a parade so large that tradition allows businesses city-wide to close so that the maximum number of attendees is possible. Naturally, I had the day off, and so did many of my friends and we all went downtown midday to see the shin-diggery. Really, who doesn’t love a parade? I don’t know. There were marching bands and horses and huge inflated cultural icons and a bizarre tradition in which women are elected strange titles such as “Duchess of Reoccurring Springtime” or “Mistress of Mystical Seas” or “Princess of Napoleonic Valor”. And as they drive by on their elaborate floats they show everyone their shoes.
King William Parade: another parade…this one smaller and more eclectic.
King William Fair: this probably would’ve been a dandy time, but again it was crowded with people like a waterfall is crowded with water which would only really be bad if it had been hot and humid and if I had to somehow carry ladders and a stereo system and box loads of props through that same crowd, but wait, that’s just what happened! Because at a stage surrounded by carnival games and screaming kids on trampolines, we had to do “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Conditions were not ideal. I usually love doing this show…because it is a lot of fun, just so I’m not accused of being totally negative or ungrateful. So, that was all for the King William Fair.
NIOSA: Alright, imagine you are in a crowd of revelers. It’s a warm night. The venders are happily shouting the value of their various foods-on-sticks. Live music surrounds you from several venues. Then a woman in a tube top with her hair full of glowing…things, vomits something pink right in front of you and you try to get away but the damn crowd of fricking revelers is so tightly packed that you literally cannot even turn around to push your way to freedom. Really, Night In Old San Antonio would be a lot of fun….if there weren’t so many people swarming over each other in an effort to trade tickets for drinks and yet more meat-sticks. I found myself at this behemoth not once, but twice: once as a mere inquisitive visitor destined to spend many minutes trying to get to my friends across a dance floor that had suddenly become the insatiably popular home of the funky chicken, the second time as the volunteer salesperson of fake floral halos. The second time was much better for many reasons: fewer people pressed against me, I found twenty dollars, I judged a two-step contest by dancing with the contestants, I got to see several people arrested (some tried to run away…what fun!).
Alright, so what else happened this month? I’ll try to be more concise for time:
One of my housemates had visitors several times, and each time we went out to eat on the riverwalk, took them to parties, once we went out for orgasmic desserts on the rotating top of the Tower…good times.
There were a couple birthday extravaganzas to celebrate in various ways with ice cream sundaes, trips to Austin, swimming in enormous freezing pools, eating Ethiopian food. Life is good whenever you can exhaust yourself playing with friends, then eat as much as possible of terrific ethnic food, and then fall asleep for the whole drive home.
I enjoyed another busy, artsy First Friday. On Cinco de Mayo there was a big concert in Hemisfair Park called Mix Fest. It was a huge ordeal with yet more crowds of screaming people. It also happened to be right up next to the Magik Theatre so I, along with a bunch of coworkers, just hung out on a balcony and watched the whole thing from about 30 feet from the stage. I got there late and only saw three of the bands: the Veronicas, the Offspring (apparently still kicking), and the All-American Rejects.
Another sweet musical event was seeing a band a few of my friends are in called Soul Grammar play a gig at a local bar. They were really good and it was fun to see the mingling of my work friends and other friends who I brought.
Food has been a big topic in church recently: hunger issues, food justice, health, vegetarianism…and as hard as it is going to be, my housemates and I are going to try going meat-less for a month. So that’s pretty exciting. I do love meat (even when it’s not on a stick), but it does seem pretty clear that one huge way to help the environment and each other is simple buying local, vegetarian food. We’ll see if it sticks.
Work is now quite busy again. I had seven shows in the last four days, which is good because I really like to stay busy and chaos can be quite fun. And soon I will have my reward for surpassing my three-month point with MVS: a retreat in Colorado! Huzzah! I’m ever so excited to get away and go hiking in the mountains! Then after a week in the Rockies I’m headed back to Goshen to visit. Yee-haw!
We’ll start off with Fiesta, the week-long excuse for all of San Antonio to throw party after beer-battered-taco-on-a-stick-filled party, followed naturally by an unending succession of parades. I know you’re thinking, “Wow, that’s right up your alley, Tara!” And while I do enjoy parades and food presented on a stick… Fiesta was a little overboard (perhaps).
Let’s examine just a few of the activities I attended:
NIOSA: holy shit. Maybe we shouldn’t start with this one…
Battle of the Flowers: this is a parade so large that tradition allows businesses city-wide to close so that the maximum number of attendees is possible. Naturally, I had the day off, and so did many of my friends and we all went downtown midday to see the shin-diggery. Really, who doesn’t love a parade? I don’t know. There were marching bands and horses and huge inflated cultural icons and a bizarre tradition in which women are elected strange titles such as “Duchess of Reoccurring Springtime” or “Mistress of Mystical Seas” or “Princess of Napoleonic Valor”. And as they drive by on their elaborate floats they show everyone their shoes.
King William Parade: another parade…this one smaller and more eclectic.
King William Fair: this probably would’ve been a dandy time, but again it was crowded with people like a waterfall is crowded with water which would only really be bad if it had been hot and humid and if I had to somehow carry ladders and a stereo system and box loads of props through that same crowd, but wait, that’s just what happened! Because at a stage surrounded by carnival games and screaming kids on trampolines, we had to do “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Conditions were not ideal. I usually love doing this show…because it is a lot of fun, just so I’m not accused of being totally negative or ungrateful. So, that was all for the King William Fair.
NIOSA: Alright, imagine you are in a crowd of revelers. It’s a warm night. The venders are happily shouting the value of their various foods-on-sticks. Live music surrounds you from several venues. Then a woman in a tube top with her hair full of glowing…things, vomits something pink right in front of you and you try to get away but the damn crowd of fricking revelers is so tightly packed that you literally cannot even turn around to push your way to freedom. Really, Night In Old San Antonio would be a lot of fun….if there weren’t so many people swarming over each other in an effort to trade tickets for drinks and yet more meat-sticks. I found myself at this behemoth not once, but twice: once as a mere inquisitive visitor destined to spend many minutes trying to get to my friends across a dance floor that had suddenly become the insatiably popular home of the funky chicken, the second time as the volunteer salesperson of fake floral halos. The second time was much better for many reasons: fewer people pressed against me, I found twenty dollars, I judged a two-step contest by dancing with the contestants, I got to see several people arrested (some tried to run away…what fun!).
Alright, so what else happened this month? I’ll try to be more concise for time:
One of my housemates had visitors several times, and each time we went out to eat on the riverwalk, took them to parties, once we went out for orgasmic desserts on the rotating top of the Tower…good times.
There were a couple birthday extravaganzas to celebrate in various ways with ice cream sundaes, trips to Austin, swimming in enormous freezing pools, eating Ethiopian food. Life is good whenever you can exhaust yourself playing with friends, then eat as much as possible of terrific ethnic food, and then fall asleep for the whole drive home.
I enjoyed another busy, artsy First Friday. On Cinco de Mayo there was a big concert in Hemisfair Park called Mix Fest. It was a huge ordeal with yet more crowds of screaming people. It also happened to be right up next to the Magik Theatre so I, along with a bunch of coworkers, just hung out on a balcony and watched the whole thing from about 30 feet from the stage. I got there late and only saw three of the bands: the Veronicas, the Offspring (apparently still kicking), and the All-American Rejects.
Another sweet musical event was seeing a band a few of my friends are in called Soul Grammar play a gig at a local bar. They were really good and it was fun to see the mingling of my work friends and other friends who I brought.
Food has been a big topic in church recently: hunger issues, food justice, health, vegetarianism…and as hard as it is going to be, my housemates and I are going to try going meat-less for a month. So that’s pretty exciting. I do love meat (even when it’s not on a stick), but it does seem pretty clear that one huge way to help the environment and each other is simple buying local, vegetarian food. We’ll see if it sticks.
Work is now quite busy again. I had seven shows in the last four days, which is good because I really like to stay busy and chaos can be quite fun. And soon I will have my reward for surpassing my three-month point with MVS: a retreat in Colorado! Huzzah! I’m ever so excited to get away and go hiking in the mountains! Then after a week in the Rockies I’m headed back to Goshen to visit. Yee-haw!
Friday, May 1, 2009
swine flu!
wtf swine flu? What are you doing coming in my town and causing havoc? Everywhere I go it's pig-sick this and oink-fever that.
This piggy malaise has caused a lot of undue panic and obscene field trip cancellations. Plus there were rumors of a forthcoming edict to close all public gathering places, like theatres, etc. Holy shit! It's the porker plague!
The boar disease has been blown out of proportion. Let us not forget that more people die annually of the normal flu than have died of ham virus. so wash your hands and stop fear-mongering. It's serious...but it's not a reason to build yourself a bunker. See you when the hog syndrome has finally blown over.
This piggy malaise has caused a lot of undue panic and obscene field trip cancellations. Plus there were rumors of a forthcoming edict to close all public gathering places, like theatres, etc. Holy shit! It's the porker plague!
The boar disease has been blown out of proportion. Let us not forget that more people die annually of the normal flu than have died of ham virus. so wash your hands and stop fear-mongering. It's serious...but it's not a reason to build yourself a bunker. See you when the hog syndrome has finally blown over.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
untangling paper clip into Excel spreadsheet eternity
Well, the results are in and I didn’t get cast in As You Like It. It is disappointing, but, like I already have mentioned, I can conveniently blame it on the fact that I would have missed tech week. I still think it was a good idea to audition and it got me some attention from the directors which might work in my favor later. And I already threw myself a little pity party so it’s all over now and I’m not worried about it.
Easter weekend was a lot of fun. On Thursday I went to a Maundy Thursday/Good Friday service at the church, and then ended up at a dueling piano bar on the riverwalk. On Friday a bunch of people came over to our house to dye eggs and then to play Giant Dutch Blitz and sardines.
Saturday was filled with the arts. First I went to an Easter dance rehearsal, for which I played the flute, then I took some friends to a showing of Roxaboxen, then we went to an art museum, and to a Japanese garden. Went to a party at a coworker's house later that night and got second place in a karaoke contest
It rained Sunday morning, but that didn't stop the resurrection of our Savior (The Lord is risen! [Crash!] The Lord is risen indeed!). It was a glorious service (including my first public flute-playing in about 8 years). There were two potlucks, lots of cascarones making beautiful glittery messes every which way, a chaotic ping-pong tournament, etc.
I went to a very interesting lecture on the importance of creativity given by John Cleese. He was a really good speaker; though I don't think I really learned any new insights on creativity...it was more a confirmation of things I already knew. But he was very entertaining, as I expected he would be.
On Friday I went to a friend's going-away party. On Saturday I did almost nothing at all...except attend (but not participate in) a 10K run. Sunday was almost its equal in laziness...but at church we had a holy humor service which was a lot of fun. My housemates and I did a skit about what our lives would be like in 2050 if we all stayed in voluntary service for that long. our costumes were pretty stellar.
Recently watched movie: Doubt....really intense and the Academy was spot-on with the acting nominations. also: glad I'm not Catholic.
Recently read book: Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut: thumbs up. I love the writing style so much.
Recently heard sound: the voice of a coworker asking me what size shoes another coworker wears, also the song "Better" by Regina Spektor
new pet peeve: being called Sarah. it's a great name, but it isn't my name. good try though.
old pet peeve: litter
A story about my life (may or may not be true): one day I got lost on the way to the library and I ended up on the riverwalk, but then a man on stilts came walking toward me and accidentally pushed me into the river. I swam toward a glowing light at the bottom and was sucked into a room full of walruses creating origami. I have lived with them ever since and they are teaching me their ways of peace, egalitarianism, and sucking fish up between one’s enormous incisors.
epiphany: What was, will be, can be, is.
Happy Monday.
Easter weekend was a lot of fun. On Thursday I went to a Maundy Thursday/Good Friday service at the church, and then ended up at a dueling piano bar on the riverwalk. On Friday a bunch of people came over to our house to dye eggs and then to play Giant Dutch Blitz and sardines.
Saturday was filled with the arts. First I went to an Easter dance rehearsal, for which I played the flute, then I took some friends to a showing of Roxaboxen, then we went to an art museum, and to a Japanese garden. Went to a party at a coworker's house later that night and got second place in a karaoke contest
It rained Sunday morning, but that didn't stop the resurrection of our Savior (The Lord is risen! [Crash!] The Lord is risen indeed!). It was a glorious service (including my first public flute-playing in about 8 years). There were two potlucks, lots of cascarones making beautiful glittery messes every which way, a chaotic ping-pong tournament, etc.
I went to a very interesting lecture on the importance of creativity given by John Cleese. He was a really good speaker; though I don't think I really learned any new insights on creativity...it was more a confirmation of things I already knew. But he was very entertaining, as I expected he would be.
On Friday I went to a friend's going-away party. On Saturday I did almost nothing at all...except attend (but not participate in) a 10K run. Sunday was almost its equal in laziness...but at church we had a holy humor service which was a lot of fun. My housemates and I did a skit about what our lives would be like in 2050 if we all stayed in voluntary service for that long. our costumes were pretty stellar.
Recently watched movie: Doubt....really intense and the Academy was spot-on with the acting nominations. also: glad I'm not Catholic.
Recently read book: Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut: thumbs up. I love the writing style so much.
Recently heard sound: the voice of a coworker asking me what size shoes another coworker wears, also the song "Better" by Regina Spektor
new pet peeve: being called Sarah. it's a great name, but it isn't my name. good try though.
old pet peeve: litter
A story about my life (may or may not be true): one day I got lost on the way to the library and I ended up on the riverwalk, but then a man on stilts came walking toward me and accidentally pushed me into the river. I swam toward a glowing light at the bottom and was sucked into a room full of walruses creating origami. I have lived with them ever since and they are teaching me their ways of peace, egalitarianism, and sucking fish up between one’s enormous incisors.
epiphany: What was, will be, can be, is.
Happy Monday.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
waiting in TX
I promised to have results of the audition on my next post, and lamentably, I have no results. I did get called back and the callbacks went pretty well. The director said she would cast "immediately after", but I guess we differ slightly in our definitions of "immediately". I have hope, but nothing is definite.
I also promised to have a guest blogger and I have chosen a person who, despite being a fascist, has some incredibly moving poetry: Ezra Pound.
"And the days are not full enough
And the nights are not full enough
And life slips by like a field mouse
Not shaking the grass."
Thanks, Ez.
Life has been pretty much the same around here. Work is so-so. Tours are fun...the office is normally boring, except when we have dance parties (some with chair choreography inspired by a musical revue I saw with a few coworkers over the weekend at the Majestic Theatre). Good times. I enjoy it here, but feel like I am ready to step it up....too much office, not enough stage.
Life at home has been pretty much the same song and dance too. We celebrated a birthday yesterday and that was really fun. I'm feeling anxious to get out and explore more of the city. If I don't get cast in As You Like It, then I heartily resolve to use more of my free time to do just that: explore and discover.
I feel like I have settled into an eternal summer. Where are all the fireworks and barbecues?
I also promised to have a guest blogger and I have chosen a person who, despite being a fascist, has some incredibly moving poetry: Ezra Pound.
"And the days are not full enough
And the nights are not full enough
And life slips by like a field mouse
Not shaking the grass."
Thanks, Ez.
Life has been pretty much the same around here. Work is so-so. Tours are fun...the office is normally boring, except when we have dance parties (some with chair choreography inspired by a musical revue I saw with a few coworkers over the weekend at the Majestic Theatre). Good times. I enjoy it here, but feel like I am ready to step it up....too much office, not enough stage.
Life at home has been pretty much the same song and dance too. We celebrated a birthday yesterday and that was really fun. I'm feeling anxious to get out and explore more of the city. If I don't get cast in As You Like It, then I heartily resolve to use more of my free time to do just that: explore and discover.
I feel like I have settled into an eternal summer. Where are all the fireworks and barbecues?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Dinosaur musical! Dinosaur musical! Everyone is dead!
well, it's another exciting day at work. We've amused ourselves thus far with a improvised interpretation of the upcoming Dinosaur Musical based partially on a 2-page sample of the script, but mostly on what we know of various extinction theories with lots of show choir choreography in the mix. And, as usual, we read to each other from The Onion, watched youtube videos, and did pilates.
The big news in my life is I've decided to audition for Shakespeare in the Park's upcoming production of As You Like It despite the fact that my schedule for May is rife with out-of-state trips. But, this way, I can blame my bad schedule on not being cast. Still, I was invited to audition and I'm going to, for exposure if nothing else. I'm actually quite nervous about it, but I've cooked up a monologue for it and one of my friend's Tarot cards say that it should be a good experience.
Edit: okay, it's a few days later and I've already auditioned: it went really well. The director said I had a good handle on Shakespearean language and then teased me with the prospect of call-backs (yet to be determined). one of my friends sat in on the audition and yelled "That's my girl!" when it was over and I take that to be a good sign. But I really have no idea whether I have a shot...we'll see. One thing that's already come of this is more attention and respect in the office. also, I was prank-called by my boss...not sure how to read that.
On Saturday I went to the Cesar Chavez march. It was a lot of fun. We marched 4 miles from Guadeloupe Street to the Alamo, chanting and holding signs. I used to be really politically active and often rallying for social change, attending town hall debates, whatnot. Now instead of making petitions, I merely sign them. Am I already sinking into a slough of disinterested acceptance of status-quo mediocrity? I'm gunning for a second wind in which I will detach from society to live on a self-sufficient commune totally under the tax-paying level. I don't really know if I could do that. I mean, I bought a coke at the march...what empire-serving, consumerist behavior! I had an encounter with a woman who was all for violent revolution to attain a true communist state...It's scary that people even try to use peaceful rallies to support utterly un-Cesar-like ideals. Yet the march was hope-inspiring, over all, and exciting. We impeded traffic all through downtown and someone even yelled at us to go back to "whereever we were from". Kansas? No, please don't send me back!
Also on Saturday we went to a push cart derby. It felt like a small town event with the picnickers and the lovely distant sun setting over downtown while lounging in a park. and the derby itself was a barrel of monkeys what with wheels flying off and the soothing scent of barbecue gently filling the air.
On Sunday, a few of my housemates and I visited the Mission of San Jose, one of the old Spanish centers for disease control, er... proselytization, um...empire building. It was just bursting with historical information, and I was actually impressed with a rather balanced view of the historical realities of the plight of the natives, and it certainly didn't parade Texas liberty like it was the miracle of all creation, at least compared with the Alamo. The whole episode was a little lost on me because I spent half of the time walking 5 feet behind, reading my monologue over and over while mumbling to myself. Actually that's what I've been doing for the whole weekend, but I think it'll be worth it.
next post: the results of the audition, and a heartfelt guest commentary (but who?)
The big news in my life is I've decided to audition for Shakespeare in the Park's upcoming production of As You Like It despite the fact that my schedule for May is rife with out-of-state trips. But, this way, I can blame my bad schedule on not being cast. Still, I was invited to audition and I'm going to, for exposure if nothing else. I'm actually quite nervous about it, but I've cooked up a monologue for it and one of my friend's Tarot cards say that it should be a good experience.
Edit: okay, it's a few days later and I've already auditioned: it went really well. The director said I had a good handle on Shakespearean language and then teased me with the prospect of call-backs (yet to be determined). one of my friends sat in on the audition and yelled "That's my girl!" when it was over and I take that to be a good sign. But I really have no idea whether I have a shot...we'll see. One thing that's already come of this is more attention and respect in the office. also, I was prank-called by my boss...not sure how to read that.
On Saturday I went to the Cesar Chavez march. It was a lot of fun. We marched 4 miles from Guadeloupe Street to the Alamo, chanting and holding signs. I used to be really politically active and often rallying for social change, attending town hall debates, whatnot. Now instead of making petitions, I merely sign them. Am I already sinking into a slough of disinterested acceptance of status-quo mediocrity? I'm gunning for a second wind in which I will detach from society to live on a self-sufficient commune totally under the tax-paying level. I don't really know if I could do that. I mean, I bought a coke at the march...what empire-serving, consumerist behavior! I had an encounter with a woman who was all for violent revolution to attain a true communist state...It's scary that people even try to use peaceful rallies to support utterly un-Cesar-like ideals. Yet the march was hope-inspiring, over all, and exciting. We impeded traffic all through downtown and someone even yelled at us to go back to "whereever we were from". Kansas? No, please don't send me back!
Also on Saturday we went to a push cart derby. It felt like a small town event with the picnickers and the lovely distant sun setting over downtown while lounging in a park. and the derby itself was a barrel of monkeys what with wheels flying off and the soothing scent of barbecue gently filling the air.
On Sunday, a few of my housemates and I visited the Mission of San Jose, one of the old Spanish centers for disease control, er... proselytization, um...empire building. It was just bursting with historical information, and I was actually impressed with a rather balanced view of the historical realities of the plight of the natives, and it certainly didn't parade Texas liberty like it was the miracle of all creation, at least compared with the Alamo. The whole episode was a little lost on me because I spent half of the time walking 5 feet behind, reading my monologue over and over while mumbling to myself. Actually that's what I've been doing for the whole weekend, but I think it'll be worth it.
next post: the results of the audition, and a heartfelt guest commentary (but who?)
Monday, March 23, 2009
so much has happened!!!
it's been a while, dear reader, so the following is going to be a fast/furious synopsis of my life for the last month; highlights only. But just so you don't think my life is actually a hoedown mixed with a shindig wrapped up in a barrel of monkeys, I will preface this with a picture of my boring life at this moment:
doot do doo, twiddle thumbs, bum, bum de dum. (answering phone) Magik Theatre, this is Tara. Magik Theatre. No, we don't show movies. Okay, bye. (making a to-do list) clean room. get driver's license. laundry. underline "clean room" several times. write "at least the darks" beside "laundry".
okay, enough of that. now for the nonstop excitement (dates and times entirely fictitious):
February 20teenth: went clubbing again...this time completely ossom. 80s theme club, or so we thought (dun dun duh!). So we are dressed up in ridiculous apparel to go out and arrive only to find out that the club has switched owners and instead of being 80s themed, it is now beach/surfing themed. Hilarity naturally ensued. And it was a fantastic evening of dancing and of explaining to people over and over again why we were dressed like this
classic.
February 31st: ceviche night/wedding shower/farkle? =yes please
monday: movie night times two!
part one: Mad Hot Ballroom
MO: "it's a really good movie"
MD: "we haven't seen the movie"
Tara: "i hear it sucks"
H: "tara's a jerk"
Tara: "in fact i'm not even going"
MO: "H, your quote should be 'tara's an idiot'"
Tara: "hey K, come in here and say anything"
K: "why?.. you're such a jerk, Tara."
part two: Martian Child
Though this is actually a cute and heartwarming movie about family and a child's need to fit in, I thought it would be more exciting if we dressed up as martians....which we did. hilarity again ensued.
March -3 degrees Celsius: one of our dear friends decided to up and leave us for absolutely no good reason. so we threw a hootenanny for her. details classified.
the rainiest week in Texas...ever: my mom and sis visited! it was like a rollercoaster which is especially dangerous in the rain, and let me tell ya...it was rainy. we had some great times though but tiring because it was always either very hyper go-go crazy dancing to latin jazz in front of the Alamo or else angry walking out on the otherwise-very-nice Japanese restaurant sitting on cushions on the ground. That's the way it goes. I love them so much though that I'll take it latter any day to get to the former even once.
spring break kid's camp: suck.
Luminaria: Despite my usual abhorrence for working on a weekend, the ginormous arts fest/crazy pants was a lot of fun. I was stage manager for The Gazebo: the tiniest, yet probably most ossom venue in the whole city. it was fun, and since the performers had an inordinate amount of problems and yet went off smoothly (because I solved the problems with my inordinate amount of stage managing skills) and with an appreciative and large crowd I felt both competent and needed. This naturally led to a warm, glowy feeling of self-importance which was magnified by getting to hold not one but two clipboards, announcing upcoming performers on the mic AND having a random person compliment me on my heel-clicking skills.
There were several positive encounters with my boss (usually these encounters are awkward) including one in which the lady who was seriously enamored of the heel-clicks told him that I should be featured in a play in which I run, jump and click my heels together. He said, "uhhh, what? okay." details of this performance still to come.
Naturally I got a watch a lot of the artists. Some were awful, some were amazing. There was everything from creole music to ballet to tasteless comedians to Shakespeare to hip-hop dancing to sidewalk chalk art to open-mic poetry to fire-juggling.
After strike at The Gazebo, I hung out with my family downtown and took in all the action. fireworks+smoothies+finally not raining=a pretty darn sweet night.
March 17.5: lots of panicking, delicious Indian food, marvels abundantly abounding
March 18 and 3 dozen: sand volleyball. I like volleyball but am really bad at it. ended up with swollen thumb and bruised foot. I decided to write a haiku about it:
volleyball is fun.
dive: the ball goes out of bounds
At least sand is soft.
here's another:
Look at all those stars...
What is that ball falling down?
I'll get it! (oh shit!)
honestly though, it really is a lot of fun and it probably wouldn't be as much fun without making a fool out of myself. we should probably play a different sport sometime though: like tennis.
Lent: I have given up kicking orphan and puppies for Lent. And, through diligence and repetition, I have finally learned the song "You Are All We Have".
the Texas History Extravaganza (and cookie dough sale): the best thing about the theatre for young audiences is that kids will absolutely love you for simple things like juggling their shoes, pretending to trip, wearing an oversized Dr. Pepper can, or squirting them with a water gun. At one point in the show, the audience of about 200 2nd and 3rd graders were screaming so loudly and for so long that one of the other actors screamed "Will you let me tell my story?" and I laughed so hard I had to go stand behind the set.
last Saturday: went to the country (tra la la). Visited a place called Luckenbach which featured a total of 4 buildings, a dance hall, 10 different intentionally misspelled words (including 3 variations on the word "parking" and two variations of "please"), and a very interesting sub-culture of people who buy armadillo-shaped purses and say "darn-tootin' ".
went to a sort of barbecue/potluck with people from my church complete with hayride, very furry cows, and other, exciting farm things.
yesterday: summer camp themed birthday party. popsicles, water balloons, Red Rover, ice cream sandwiches, face painting (I had an underwater scene plus a space rocket), ping-pong, spaghetti fight, cake, etc. this, by the way, was for a 20-year-old...and it was great. so there!
right now: had lunch consisting of a co-worker's party leftovers while talking with co-workers about families, embarrassing anecdotes, and Passover. next: reading the Onion, insisting that despite what so-and-so might have heard we aren't showing "that Mouse play" anymore, possibly leaving work early.
now remember, kiddies: don't put the rat poison in the salad bowl, you'll end up pushing secret messages through your neighbor's fence and wearing high-tops to the 4th of July on the moon.
you'll thank me later.
doot do doo, twiddle thumbs, bum, bum de dum. (answering phone) Magik Theatre, this is Tara. Magik Theatre. No, we don't show movies. Okay, bye. (making a to-do list) clean room. get driver's license. laundry. underline "clean room" several times. write "at least the darks" beside "laundry".
okay, enough of that. now for the nonstop excitement (dates and times entirely fictitious):
February 20teenth: went clubbing again...this time completely ossom. 80s theme club, or so we thought (dun dun duh!). So we are dressed up in ridiculous apparel to go out and arrive only to find out that the club has switched owners and instead of being 80s themed, it is now beach/surfing themed. Hilarity naturally ensued. And it was a fantastic evening of dancing and of explaining to people over and over again why we were dressed like this
classic.
February 31st: ceviche night/wedding shower/farkle? =yes please
monday: movie night times two!
part one: Mad Hot Ballroom
MO: "it's a really good movie"
MD: "we haven't seen the movie"
Tara: "i hear it sucks"
H: "tara's a jerk"
Tara: "in fact i'm not even going"
MO: "H, your quote should be 'tara's an idiot'"
Tara: "hey K, come in here and say anything"
K: "why?.. you're such a jerk, Tara."
part two: Martian Child
Though this is actually a cute and heartwarming movie about family and a child's need to fit in, I thought it would be more exciting if we dressed up as martians....which we did. hilarity again ensued.
March -3 degrees Celsius: one of our dear friends decided to up and leave us for absolutely no good reason. so we threw a hootenanny for her. details classified.
the rainiest week in Texas...ever: my mom and sis visited! it was like a rollercoaster which is especially dangerous in the rain, and let me tell ya...it was rainy. we had some great times though but tiring because it was always either very hyper go-go crazy dancing to latin jazz in front of the Alamo or else angry walking out on the otherwise-very-nice Japanese restaurant sitting on cushions on the ground. That's the way it goes. I love them so much though that I'll take it latter any day to get to the former even once.
spring break kid's camp: suck.
Luminaria: Despite my usual abhorrence for working on a weekend, the ginormous arts fest/crazy pants was a lot of fun. I was stage manager for The Gazebo: the tiniest, yet probably most ossom venue in the whole city. it was fun, and since the performers had an inordinate amount of problems and yet went off smoothly (because I solved the problems with my inordinate amount of stage managing skills) and with an appreciative and large crowd I felt both competent and needed. This naturally led to a warm, glowy feeling of self-importance which was magnified by getting to hold not one but two clipboards, announcing upcoming performers on the mic AND having a random person compliment me on my heel-clicking skills.
There were several positive encounters with my boss (usually these encounters are awkward) including one in which the lady who was seriously enamored of the heel-clicks told him that I should be featured in a play in which I run, jump and click my heels together. He said, "uhhh, what? okay." details of this performance still to come.
Naturally I got a watch a lot of the artists. Some were awful, some were amazing. There was everything from creole music to ballet to tasteless comedians to Shakespeare to hip-hop dancing to sidewalk chalk art to open-mic poetry to fire-juggling.
After strike at The Gazebo, I hung out with my family downtown and took in all the action. fireworks+smoothies+finally not raining=a pretty darn sweet night.
March 17.5: lots of panicking, delicious Indian food, marvels abundantly abounding
March 18 and 3 dozen: sand volleyball. I like volleyball but am really bad at it. ended up with swollen thumb and bruised foot. I decided to write a haiku about it:
volleyball is fun.
dive: the ball goes out of bounds
At least sand is soft.
here's another:
Look at all those stars...
What is that ball falling down?
I'll get it! (oh shit!)
honestly though, it really is a lot of fun and it probably wouldn't be as much fun without making a fool out of myself. we should probably play a different sport sometime though: like tennis.
Lent: I have given up kicking orphan and puppies for Lent. And, through diligence and repetition, I have finally learned the song "You Are All We Have".
the Texas History Extravaganza (and cookie dough sale): the best thing about the theatre for young audiences is that kids will absolutely love you for simple things like juggling their shoes, pretending to trip, wearing an oversized Dr. Pepper can, or squirting them with a water gun. At one point in the show, the audience of about 200 2nd and 3rd graders were screaming so loudly and for so long that one of the other actors screamed "Will you let me tell my story?" and I laughed so hard I had to go stand behind the set.
last Saturday: went to the country (tra la la). Visited a place called Luckenbach which featured a total of 4 buildings, a dance hall, 10 different intentionally misspelled words (including 3 variations on the word "parking" and two variations of "please"), and a very interesting sub-culture of people who buy armadillo-shaped purses and say "darn-tootin' ".
went to a sort of barbecue/potluck with people from my church complete with hayride, very furry cows, and other, exciting farm things.
yesterday: summer camp themed birthday party. popsicles, water balloons, Red Rover, ice cream sandwiches, face painting (I had an underwater scene plus a space rocket), ping-pong, spaghetti fight, cake, etc. this, by the way, was for a 20-year-old...and it was great. so there!
right now: had lunch consisting of a co-worker's party leftovers while talking with co-workers about families, embarrassing anecdotes, and Passover. next: reading the Onion, insisting that despite what so-and-so might have heard we aren't showing "that Mouse play" anymore, possibly leaving work early.
now remember, kiddies: don't put the rat poison in the salad bowl, you'll end up pushing secret messages through your neighbor's fence and wearing high-tops to the 4th of July on the moon.
you'll thank me later.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
SO MUCH IS HAPPENING!!
I didn't intend for the title to be in all caps, but fate made it so. I believe this is fitting because this is the craziest week since I've moved to San Antonio.
First of all, in fact all-encompassing, is the fact that it is spring break (!). This means that my mom and sister came down from Kansas to visit. They arrived last night and it's already been amazing to have them here. I've been absolutely bouncing off the walls in anticipation since Monday (though caffeine may have had something to do with that too). So far they've come to see a show at The Magik, we had lunch at Tito's, and as I type they are a'huntin' for supplies to make Thai food for tonight's supper.
Spring Break also means kid's camp at Magik and instead of mostly field trip groups we've had tons of parents bringing their kids to the shows. This has made seating 8.95x crazier. Plus in the mornings the phones ring nonstop. my very favorite are the people who expect me to list the types of candy bars we have in our concession stand even as all 5 lines are ringing at once. My second favorite are the kind who couldn't find downtown San Antonio if the Tower of the Americas was planted in their backyard. ("Are there any landmarks on Alamo St. that would help us find the theater?" "um...the Alamo" Remember?) It's gentler in the afternoon (like right now).
The kids are, of course, what the theater is all about...and right now we are full of them. we really get all types here and though it can be frantic, it really feels great to see (some of) them catching on and learning lines and having fun. some of the little ones will come up and hug me whenever they see me and that's pretty darn special. There are also those who are sent to theater camp because their parents don't know how to handle them and they think, my kids are creative, they need an outlet, when really their kids are undisciplined and need...discipline. and one terribly smart child who was here had to be sent home because he wouldn't stop kicking other children. I don't claim to know the individual situations of these kids, but some really have problems that we can't control. It's a little bit heartbreaking.
That's the way it is though. every job has fulfilling moments and disappointing moments. Tour shows are usually a lot of fun though. Yesterday I went to a school to perform Schoolhouse Rock and the kids there just loved it. That really is the most fun part of my job.
Alas, it is all rainy, grumpy weather. I'm tired. Deep breaths. Other than crummy weather and stress at work, this week has had ups and downs. This weekend is Luminaria, a ginormous arts festival downtown and I'm working 3-midnight. I think it'll be fun. I mean, it's an arts festival, how ossom is that? I'm stage managing the gazebo in Hemisfair Park and it should be a good time. But it's so cold and frankly, right now, I sorta would just like to sleep for a few days. but I would never do that while my mom and sis are visiting, and while there are parties to attend and houses to warm and festivals to witness. maybe next week...
First of all, in fact all-encompassing, is the fact that it is spring break (!). This means that my mom and sister came down from Kansas to visit. They arrived last night and it's already been amazing to have them here. I've been absolutely bouncing off the walls in anticipation since Monday (though caffeine may have had something to do with that too). So far they've come to see a show at The Magik, we had lunch at Tito's, and as I type they are a'huntin' for supplies to make Thai food for tonight's supper.
Spring Break also means kid's camp at Magik and instead of mostly field trip groups we've had tons of parents bringing their kids to the shows. This has made seating 8.95x crazier. Plus in the mornings the phones ring nonstop. my very favorite are the people who expect me to list the types of candy bars we have in our concession stand even as all 5 lines are ringing at once. My second favorite are the kind who couldn't find downtown San Antonio if the Tower of the Americas was planted in their backyard. ("Are there any landmarks on Alamo St. that would help us find the theater?" "um...the Alamo" Remember?) It's gentler in the afternoon (like right now).
The kids are, of course, what the theater is all about...and right now we are full of them. we really get all types here and though it can be frantic, it really feels great to see (some of) them catching on and learning lines and having fun. some of the little ones will come up and hug me whenever they see me and that's pretty darn special. There are also those who are sent to theater camp because their parents don't know how to handle them and they think, my kids are creative, they need an outlet, when really their kids are undisciplined and need...discipline. and one terribly smart child who was here had to be sent home because he wouldn't stop kicking other children. I don't claim to know the individual situations of these kids, but some really have problems that we can't control. It's a little bit heartbreaking.
That's the way it is though. every job has fulfilling moments and disappointing moments. Tour shows are usually a lot of fun though. Yesterday I went to a school to perform Schoolhouse Rock and the kids there just loved it. That really is the most fun part of my job.
Alas, it is all rainy, grumpy weather. I'm tired. Deep breaths. Other than crummy weather and stress at work, this week has had ups and downs. This weekend is Luminaria, a ginormous arts festival downtown and I'm working 3-midnight. I think it'll be fun. I mean, it's an arts festival, how ossom is that? I'm stage managing the gazebo in Hemisfair Park and it should be a good time. But it's so cold and frankly, right now, I sorta would just like to sleep for a few days. but I would never do that while my mom and sis are visiting, and while there are parties to attend and houses to warm and festivals to witness. maybe next week...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
yesterday (also an epiphany!)
Yesterday was a craaaaazy day.
went to work early in order to get to a 9 o'clock performance of Jack on the west side. It was a good show and the kids went crazy. Jack is a really fun show to do even though it leaves me dripping and exhausting. one of the classes only spoke Spanish and I'm the only actor on the tour who speaks it even a little so I had them all crowding around me and telling me their favorite parts.
went back to the theater, watched the 11;30 show, corralled the children a bit
hung out at my lunch break down at the Tower of the Americas. It's beautiful with all the fountains and what not. had a territory dispute with a squirrel.
now, I just happen to have two orange wristbands for the Tower that someone else paid for and used and sometimes I spy on the tourists to see if it's an orange wristband day. and today was the day. I gathered my courage, walked right into the tower, slapped on my wristband and marched into the elevator as confidently as possible. it totally worked. it was very windy. I could see for miles. awesome.
had rehearsal for the Texas history show, which is going to be crazy dense, especially the timeline of the entire history of Texas in 10 minutes. and...I don't get to be in the swordfight part (sad face) even though I have the most stagefighting experience and choreographed the fight. oh well.
I like it here, but I'm starting to feel nervous about all that is coming: the Texas show, teaching the summer camps, (hopefully) actually being in a show (they might do Into the Woods this summer...IhopeIhopeIhope)...it's a little overwhelming. and as nice as everyone is being, this is still an extremely competitive field...even in humble San Antonio...even in children's theater.
had a meeting for the upcoming Shakespeare Speaks workshops (hurray?)
after work I went to the chiropractor. they are the nicest people, mostly I say this because they gave me a huge discount on my appointments since I'm a volunteer (huzzah!)
had dinner with my housemates, watched LOST (I'm an addict, and this episode was really good. I tell ya, I have not been into season 5 so far with the time-travelling and whatnot...but John Locke? that's gold)
the real crazy part of the day was when I agreed to go clubbing. it was...interesting. let me say that first of all clubbing is really not my scene. and this club was huge and chaotic and...interesting. now I like dancing as much as the next person and I had fun with that. but I was really only expecting to be out a couple of hours. so at about 1 am I was ready to go home, but we didn't. we stayed until closing and then went out to IHOP and it was nearly 5 in the morning when I finally got home and went to bed. now, I only knew two of the people I was going with; the others, though generally well-intentioned, happy-go-lucky people, were nevertheless not the sort of people I really mesh with. I was pretty grumpy by the end of the night and feel like I already burned any bridges I would want to maintain, so, the following is an imaginary (though based on true happenings and overheard snippets) monologue about me, from one of my fellow party-goers:
Party-goer: What's wrong with her? She come to party or what? First she didn't want to compete in the lingerie contest at the club. Then she tried to make us feel guilty about tellin some ethnic jokes and not tipping the waitress at the IHOP. Now it's 4 in da morning and she tired and she want to go home and I'm just saying, you come to party? Cuz we party all night and she don't even dress like she come to party. Look she wearing pants insteada dress and she ain't even fat or nothing.
This has been to illustrate a few of the inherent differences between us in terms of...worldview...and self-respect...and cultural sensitivity...and employment status. so, that was my night and today I am tired as hell. had to deal with an enormous temper tantrum this morning when I wouldn't sell a kid some popcorn. good times.
epiphany: Maxims are generally true, stereotypes frequently have more than a grain of truth, and though some people are overwhelming kind and generous, some are....not.
went back to the theater, watched the 11;30 show, corralled the children a bit
hung out at my lunch break down at the Tower of the Americas. It's beautiful with all the fountains and what not. had a territory dispute with a squirrel.
now, I just happen to have two orange wristbands for the Tower that someone else paid for and used and sometimes I spy on the tourists to see if it's an orange wristband day. and today was the day. I gathered my courage, walked right into the tower, slapped on my wristband and marched into the elevator as confidently as possible. it totally worked. it was very windy. I could see for miles. awesome.
had rehearsal for the Texas history show, which is going to be crazy dense, especially the timeline of the entire history of Texas in 10 minutes. and...I don't get to be in the swordfight part (sad face) even though I have the most stagefighting experience and choreographed the fight. oh well.
I like it here, but I'm starting to feel nervous about all that is coming: the Texas show, teaching the summer camps, (hopefully) actually being in a show (they might do Into the Woods this summer...IhopeIhopeIhope)...it's a little overwhelming. and as nice as everyone is being, this is still an extremely competitive field...even in humble San Antonio...even in children's theater.
had a meeting for the upcoming Shakespeare Speaks workshops (hurray?)
after work I went to the chiropractor. they are the nicest people, mostly I say this because they gave me a huge discount on my appointments since I'm a volunteer (huzzah!)
had dinner with my housemates, watched LOST (I'm an addict, and this episode was really good. I tell ya, I have not been into season 5 so far with the time-travelling and whatnot...but John Locke? that's gold)
the real crazy part of the day was when I agreed to go clubbing. it was...interesting. let me say that first of all clubbing is really not my scene. and this club was huge and chaotic and...interesting. now I like dancing as much as the next person and I had fun with that. but I was really only expecting to be out a couple of hours. so at about 1 am I was ready to go home, but we didn't. we stayed until closing and then went out to IHOP and it was nearly 5 in the morning when I finally got home and went to bed. now, I only knew two of the people I was going with; the others, though generally well-intentioned, happy-go-lucky people, were nevertheless not the sort of people I really mesh with. I was pretty grumpy by the end of the night and feel like I already burned any bridges I would want to maintain, so, the following is an imaginary (though based on true happenings and overheard snippets) monologue about me, from one of my fellow party-goers:
Party-goer: What's wrong with her? She come to party or what? First she didn't want to compete in the lingerie contest at the club. Then she tried to make us feel guilty about tellin some ethnic jokes and not tipping the waitress at the IHOP. Now it's 4 in da morning and she tired and she want to go home and I'm just saying, you come to party? Cuz we party all night and she don't even dress like she come to party. Look she wearing pants insteada dress and she ain't even fat or nothing.
This has been to illustrate a few of the inherent differences between us in terms of...worldview...and self-respect...and cultural sensitivity...and employment status. so, that was my night and today I am tired as hell. had to deal with an enormous temper tantrum this morning when I wouldn't sell a kid some popcorn. good times.
epiphany: Maxims are generally true, stereotypes frequently have more than a grain of truth, and though some people are overwhelming kind and generous, some are....not.
Monday, February 23, 2009
a little bit about me
Hello.
My favorite color is green.
I know how to juggle.
I love little awkward moments when someone trips on the sidewalk or turns around in the middle of a walk because they forgot something or when two people try to talk to each other at the same time and then both stop to let the other person speak first and then both try to talk at the same time again.
I love sushi.
If I could go anywhere on vacation it would be to Nicaragua.
I hate mornings.
I talk to myself.
I day, while walking down the street, I noticed a hole in the sidewalk and when I knelt down to look inside it I was transported to a magical world in which up was down and blue was black and multi-colored streamers rained from blueberry clouds high up in the mushroom mountain village. I sat on a chair that became a lion roaring an ancient melody. The phone rang and I answered to a voice which spoke in perfect Italian: What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is green.
My favorite color is green.
I know how to juggle.
I love little awkward moments when someone trips on the sidewalk or turns around in the middle of a walk because they forgot something or when two people try to talk to each other at the same time and then both stop to let the other person speak first and then both try to talk at the same time again.
I love sushi.
If I could go anywhere on vacation it would be to Nicaragua.
I hate mornings.
I talk to myself.
I day, while walking down the street, I noticed a hole in the sidewalk and when I knelt down to look inside it I was transported to a magical world in which up was down and blue was black and multi-colored streamers rained from blueberry clouds high up in the mushroom mountain village. I sat on a chair that became a lion roaring an ancient melody. The phone rang and I answered to a voice which spoke in perfect Italian: What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is green.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Blog! (The First)
Despite the dramatic title, I am warning anyone who reads this now: this blog will quickly devolve into a boring repetition of my daily life and goings on. You are warned!
I have recently moved to San Antonio, TX, where I am involved with Mennonite Voluntary Service. I am volunteering for a year-long period with The Magik Theatre.
This is what it's like (a reader's theatre):
a: welcome to the theater, would you be willing to audition for us tomorrow so that we can (possibly) place you into a touring troupe with our children's theatre?
b: Yes.
a: Okay! Your audition was successful now you canstarttolearnnotonlyonebuttwo (don'tworrythey're short) littleplays (you can sing, yes?) oneis Jack and the Beanstalk andtheother (and dance too, right?) is SchoolhouseRock!
b: um...okay!
a: Congratulations! You will love it here! bytheway, weneedyoutostarttrainingonphonessothatyoucanwork president'sdaywheneveryoneelsewillbegone.
b: o...kay.
a: huzzah!
Actually I really like it at the theater so far, except answering the phones and taking reservations is still scary. But I did learn two shows in the space of a week and tomorrow I start rehearsing a new show about Texas history.
The people there are really nice and I think I'm settling in pretty well.
The other sphere of my life revolves around the VS house and San Antonio Mennonite Church which has been my source for a social life. There are a lot of young people who really like to do some and/or all of the following things: getting up at 4 am for a Cowboy Breakfast, watching sumo wrestling at an Asian Festival, hosting Superbowl parties, watching The Bachelor, going to see Bollywood movies, going to the rodeo, going to see the Goo Goo Dolls (at the rodeo), cooking, eating, playing volleyball, playing Dutch Blitz, going to art galleries, having bonfires, etc, etc. With all of this activity, and tons of new people that I've met (okay, maybe 30ish?), it is little surprise that I feel established here, though I've only been here for a couple of weeks.
So, life is good. The weather is so nice compared to dreary Goshenland, but I miss my friends there very much. It breaks my heart to think that they are having pajama-jimmi-jams and karaoke Wednesdays (sometimes Monday) without me, but alas, what is adventure in real life without leaving college behind? My only real complaint is cockroaches. So far the score is Tara 3, cockroaches 0. But let's leave on a happy thought: my parents and brother are moving to Lithuania for 9 months starting in August and I am just pleased as punch. Hopefully this will mean a Christmastime trip to Europe, fingers crossed.
well, that's all for now, folks.
I have recently moved to San Antonio, TX, where I am involved with Mennonite Voluntary Service. I am volunteering for a year-long period with The Magik Theatre.
This is what it's like (a reader's theatre):
a: welcome to the theater, would you be willing to audition for us tomorrow so that we can (possibly) place you into a touring troupe with our children's theatre?
b: Yes.
a: Okay! Your audition was successful now you canstarttolearnnotonlyonebuttwo (don'tworrythey're short) littleplays (you can sing, yes?) oneis Jack and the Beanstalk andtheother (and dance too, right?) is SchoolhouseRock!
b: um...okay!
a: Congratulations! You will love it here! bytheway, weneedyoutostarttrainingonphonessothatyoucanwork president'sdaywheneveryoneelsewillbegone.
b: o...kay.
a: huzzah!
Actually I really like it at the theater so far, except answering the phones and taking reservations is still scary. But I did learn two shows in the space of a week and tomorrow I start rehearsing a new show about Texas history.
The people there are really nice and I think I'm settling in pretty well.
The other sphere of my life revolves around the VS house and San Antonio Mennonite Church which has been my source for a social life. There are a lot of young people who really like to do some and/or all of the following things: getting up at 4 am for a Cowboy Breakfast, watching sumo wrestling at an Asian Festival, hosting Superbowl parties, watching The Bachelor, going to see Bollywood movies, going to the rodeo, going to see the Goo Goo Dolls (at the rodeo), cooking, eating, playing volleyball, playing Dutch Blitz, going to art galleries, having bonfires, etc, etc. With all of this activity, and tons of new people that I've met (okay, maybe 30ish?), it is little surprise that I feel established here, though I've only been here for a couple of weeks.
So, life is good. The weather is so nice compared to dreary Goshenland, but I miss my friends there very much. It breaks my heart to think that they are having pajama-jimmi-jams and karaoke Wednesdays (sometimes Monday) without me, but alas, what is adventure in real life without leaving college behind? My only real complaint is cockroaches. So far the score is Tara 3, cockroaches 0. But let's leave on a happy thought: my parents and brother are moving to Lithuania for 9 months starting in August and I am just pleased as punch. Hopefully this will mean a Christmastime trip to Europe, fingers crossed.
well, that's all for now, folks.
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