That was easy. I opened a checking and saving account here-in less than a half hour, mind you--and the bank people were very nice. Compared to the headache I went through in London, it was a slice of pie. Mm. Pie.
I also got a haircut because the length and the split ends were driving me crazy. Except the woman cutting my hair got a little blow-dry and round brush happy, so now I look like a cross between a poodle and an extra from "Hairspray."
Speaking of movies I can't wait to see...
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
I am Don Quixote! Lord of La Mancha!
I have discovered an online radio station (www.live365.com - Max Broadway Zero Hour) that plays nothing but showtunes. And not just the overplayed stuff they have for tourists, but old stuff, new stuff, off-Broadway and on, title songs and filler bits. I'm really enjoying hearing new songs mixed in with my old favourites. I've heard of Man of La Mancha, of course (thanks, Dad), but I've never listened to it. So when the title song came up, I was intrigued. Because lately, I've been thinking about getting a dog (stay with me here, this is actually a serious post), and naturally thinking about what to name it. Or, even more lately, I've been thinking about getting two dogs, and then they could keep each other company. One of the names I've come up with is Horatio, for Hamlet's best friend in Hamlet. Because a dog is man's best friend, geddit? Keeping with that theme, I was thinking about other theatrical best friends, like Antonio, Riff, Valentine, Sancho Panza--you see the train of thought? Then I was thinking of other things that were a girl's best friend, diamonds, gaff tape, so on. And eventually I started thinking maybe I should name them after my favourite Tube stations, just to be annoying. Although, I'm not sure, if I were a dog, if I would respond to "Covent Garden" and "Waterloo." "Waterloo" and "Trafalgar?" Perhaps not. I was just about of the opinion that "Piccadilly" might be a fun name for a dog when I heard that someone parked a car full of bombs in Haymarket Street--this is right next to Piccadilly Circus, right down the street from where Phantom of the Opera is playing. If you were me, and you were walking from the National Gallery to the Criteron Theatre to see, oh say, "The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged" you would go right past where this car was parked, full of gas, nails and (thank God) a defective detonator. I told you this was a serious post. I'm not talking about this to freak anyone out, but just to contemplate the fact that this stuff happens. I was just thinking about how lucky I was to live in a city where I could get on the train and go to work and not have to worry about getting blown up. (I try not to think about how easy it would be to park a car under one of the bridges--who puts a train up in the air anyway?!)I forgot where I was going with this. I guess this is the depot for the train of thoughts. Ha. Oy. I'm so mad that people are trying to blow up my city. And so sad that people feel the need to target London. Why? God, who knows. I'd rather think about dogs.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
you can take the girl out of theatre...
but you can't take the drama out of the girl.
I'm having blog envy today...I wandered over to "Anna Abroad" which sounds a lot like me, eight months ago, living it up in Europe, only slightly funnier. Check out Anna here. I especially appreciate her Louvre entry, where she's giggling at stupid tersts taking pictures of the Mona Lisa (they sell postcards! and much better quality than your crappy camera!) and geeking out about Hammurabi's Code.
I am also geeking out slightly today because I'm filling out the paperwork, etc, for my real, grown-up adult job, and looking around nervously, waiting for someone to stand up and go "hey! you don't belong here!" The best part was yesterday when our receptionist came up to me and gave me a proof of my business card--OMG I get my own business card! With my name and title and email on it and everything! teeheee! tee!
And here's a nice picture of Scarlett O'Hara that I found.
Funny story to end the post on: Two days ago I went into a magazine store and proudly asked the old hippie behind the desk if they had the new copy of "Bitch" magazine. Figuring he is a open-minded kinda guy, I joked about how I like to read this on the train holding it up in front of my face so everyone can see that I'm reading "a feminist response to pop culture." He just smiled weakly and asked if I wanted a paper bag to put it in--like the ones they have for adult mags. I gaily said "Nope!" and sailed out, magazineunder my arm. Then yesterday I had to go to the pharmacy for some lady products--and the woman checking me out graciously put everything into a paper bag before sticking it in a plastic bag with my dragonfruit juice. Like I was fourteen and still embarrassed about buying lady products. I know these two kind souls were just trying to be sensitive, but it made me think that the entire world was thinking I was embarrassed to be seen a) thinking and b) being female.
I'm having blog envy today...I wandered over to "Anna Abroad" which sounds a lot like me, eight months ago, living it up in Europe, only slightly funnier. Check out Anna here. I especially appreciate her Louvre entry, where she's giggling at stupid tersts taking pictures of the Mona Lisa (they sell postcards! and much better quality than your crappy camera!) and geeking out about Hammurabi's Code.
I am also geeking out slightly today because I'm filling out the paperwork, etc, for my real, grown-up adult job, and looking around nervously, waiting for someone to stand up and go "hey! you don't belong here!" The best part was yesterday when our receptionist came up to me and gave me a proof of my business card--OMG I get my own business card! With my name and title and email on it and everything! teeheee! tee!
And here's a nice picture of Scarlett O'Hara that I found.
Funny story to end the post on: Two days ago I went into a magazine store and proudly asked the old hippie behind the desk if they had the new copy of "Bitch" magazine. Figuring he is a open-minded kinda guy, I joked about how I like to read this on the train holding it up in front of my face so everyone can see that I'm reading "a feminist response to pop culture." He just smiled weakly and asked if I wanted a paper bag to put it in--like the ones they have for adult mags. I gaily said "Nope!" and sailed out, magazineunder my arm. Then yesterday I had to go to the pharmacy for some lady products--and the woman checking me out graciously put everything into a paper bag before sticking it in a plastic bag with my dragonfruit juice. Like I was fourteen and still embarrassed about buying lady products. I know these two kind souls were just trying to be sensitive, but it made me think that the entire world was thinking I was embarrassed to be seen a) thinking and b) being female.
Monday, June 25, 2007
spazieren gehen
I mentioned earlier that I'm staying at a friend's house this week--I've been thoroughly enjoying myself, and I don't really want to go back to my own apartment. Lennie and her friends have been entertaining me in high style.
Friday night we went to see "Klimt" with John Malkovich, which was interesting. The movie concentrates a lot on Klimt's perception of reality, and it uses a lot of his imagery in the photography. Not so much storyline--the story made more sense after I realised that Klimt was suffering from syphilis and therefore was slightly insane. I liked it, but if you're looking for more information about that artist, you'd do better to look him up on Wikipedia. Saturday I went second-hand shopping, and I found a few new tops, and a new pair of shoes, all for $50. I'm wearing one of my new shirts today, but it's so hot I'm sweating right though it.
I was thinking this weekend that my life is probably a lot less interesting now that I'm living in the States and working a real job. Blogs are meant for crazy bohemian expats, not staid office girls. So I might not update as often, unless something terrific happens, or I get thinking about something. I don't want to write about my job, because that's professional, and there's not much else going on right now. So. Well, so if I don't update every day, just assume no news is good news, and don't forget I always appreciate the emails.
Friday night we went to see "Klimt" with John Malkovich, which was interesting. The movie concentrates a lot on Klimt's perception of reality, and it uses a lot of his imagery in the photography. Not so much storyline--the story made more sense after I realised that Klimt was suffering from syphilis and therefore was slightly insane. I liked it, but if you're looking for more information about that artist, you'd do better to look him up on Wikipedia. Saturday I went second-hand shopping, and I found a few new tops, and a new pair of shoes, all for $50. I'm wearing one of my new shirts today, but it's so hot I'm sweating right though it.
I was thinking this weekend that my life is probably a lot less interesting now that I'm living in the States and working a real job. Blogs are meant for crazy bohemian expats, not staid office girls. So I might not update as often, unless something terrific happens, or I get thinking about something. I don't want to write about my job, because that's professional, and there's not much else going on right now. So. Well, so if I don't update every day, just assume no news is good news, and don't forget I always appreciate the emails.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
stormy weather
On Friday I walked into work, late-ish, to have three people remind me that I had two proposals (books of about 75 pages each, both needing at least ten copies, with signatures, colour pages, binding, etc), due that day. I was a little peeved since I had been on top of this the entire week, and had, infact, had the first book on my boss's desk three days earlier for his inspection. Well, I busted my hump all day, pausing only for ten minutes for a quick turkey sandwich, and managed to get them both printed and bound. The only real break I got was when Mr. S took me into his office and told me that he was going to keep me on--hire me as a full time employee of this company, with benefits, paid holidays, reimbursed travel expenses, the salary that I asked for--oh, and he might take me to Washington DC to learn about federal projects so we can go after that. I was so exhausted that I could do little more than shake his hand and thank him, and I'm still tired. It took me until six o'clock to finish binding the second set of reports, and my hand is still huring from the archaic binding machine.
I'm not complaining. Next time something like this is due, I will be well on top of it--and I'd rather be busy and challenged than sitting around all day doing nothing. I'm very happy that this all worked out. Only--with these hours, it will put paid to a theatre career for the near future. I won't have time to stage manage, but I might be able to write more, and get my own company going, as long as I can get out of the office at five every day. The best part about this? With my salary I can afford to move to an apartment that allows dogs--and hire a dog walking service to come take care of him in the afternoon. Well. Someone had to sell out and become middle class.
I'm not complaining. Next time something like this is due, I will be well on top of it--and I'd rather be busy and challenged than sitting around all day doing nothing. I'm very happy that this all worked out. Only--with these hours, it will put paid to a theatre career for the near future. I won't have time to stage manage, but I might be able to write more, and get my own company going, as long as I can get out of the office at five every day. The best part about this? With my salary I can afford to move to an apartment that allows dogs--and hire a dog walking service to come take care of him in the afternoon. Well. Someone had to sell out and become middle class.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
well, it's true that we love one another...
I'm working late tonight--one of the architects has to have a proposal in for tomorrow, so he's figuring out the numbers and I'm typing them in. Right now he's working out a new schedule, so I thought I'd update. Lest you think I'm slacking I'm also organising the new project org chart for another proposal. I like my job, but I am not working late every day. I think I have another SM gig--free this time, unfortunately, but it would be a festival of short plays, so there's lots of networking opportunities.
I'm also staying with my friend Lennie this week, at her house. Lennie was one of the actresses in "The Castle" and she also doesn't like staying home alone while her husband is traveling. He's in Europe this week, so I'm "babysitting" which involves me being fed and allowed to use the washing machine. It's nice, but the commute home is slightly hellish. Evanston is farther away than I thought.
So, less chipper than two days ago. But still good
I'm also staying with my friend Lennie this week, at her house. Lennie was one of the actresses in "The Castle" and she also doesn't like staying home alone while her husband is traveling. He's in Europe this week, so I'm "babysitting" which involves me being fed and allowed to use the washing machine. It's nice, but the commute home is slightly hellish. Evanston is farther away than I thought.
So, less chipper than two days ago. But still good
Monday, June 18, 2007
I never thought I could be so...
Happy.
When did that happen? We closed the show on Saturday, and usually that leaves me with a great sweep of depression and feelings of emptiness, but not this time, due in part to the fact that I have made some new friends, and I am looking forward to working with them again. Also, the new job is going much better now (although I am a little swamped), and I have to distract me. I think I can finally say I'm happy to have moved back home, and I'm looking forward to the future.
Our last show was on Saturday. I did end up going to see "Pirates 3" in the afternoon, and then got made fun of all night because I made the mistake of telling the cast that the depiction of the British Navy is completely inaccurate. Really. I have a list. The last show went very well, and the audience was very appreciative. Afterward our technical director hosted a party, marred slightly by the fact that he doesn't have any deckchairs, so we all had to perch on the porch railing.
Then Sunday was strike--only three hours, and we were done. Thank God, too, for it's back in the high eighties again. The hardest part was painting the back wall black. Afterward, we said goodbye, shook hands and parted. I hope our paths cross again.
Then my roommates and I had a barbeque. Meat patties for the men, roasted peppers and onion fajitas for the ladies. We sat on the deck and drank iced tea and talked about things until well past ten o'clock, and then I went to bed and dreamt sweet dreams.
I'm waiting for the lightening bolt to hit, or the bus to hit me or something. I want to embrace being happy fully, but a part of me is wary. What's going to happen next? Surely someone who is as content as I am better watch out.
In other news, read this in the paper today and thought it was funny:
"Abraham Lincoln is my name
Took my pen and wrote the same
(something, something, can't remember)
And left it here for fools to read."
haha! Lincoln called you a fool!
When did that happen? We closed the show on Saturday, and usually that leaves me with a great sweep of depression and feelings of emptiness, but not this time, due in part to the fact that I have made some new friends, and I am looking forward to working with them again. Also, the new job is going much better now (although I am a little swamped), and I have to distract me. I think I can finally say I'm happy to have moved back home, and I'm looking forward to the future.
Our last show was on Saturday. I did end up going to see "Pirates 3" in the afternoon, and then got made fun of all night because I made the mistake of telling the cast that the depiction of the British Navy is completely inaccurate. Really. I have a list. The last show went very well, and the audience was very appreciative. Afterward our technical director hosted a party, marred slightly by the fact that he doesn't have any deckchairs, so we all had to perch on the porch railing.
Then Sunday was strike--only three hours, and we were done. Thank God, too, for it's back in the high eighties again. The hardest part was painting the back wall black. Afterward, we said goodbye, shook hands and parted. I hope our paths cross again.
Then my roommates and I had a barbeque. Meat patties for the men, roasted peppers and onion fajitas for the ladies. We sat on the deck and drank iced tea and talked about things until well past ten o'clock, and then I went to bed and dreamt sweet dreams.
I'm waiting for the lightening bolt to hit, or the bus to hit me or something. I want to embrace being happy fully, but a part of me is wary. What's going to happen next? Surely someone who is as content as I am better watch out.
In other news, read this in the paper today and thought it was funny:
"Abraham Lincoln is my name
Took my pen and wrote the same
(something, something, can't remember)
And left it here for fools to read."
haha! Lincoln called you a fool!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
No. No, You Can't Have a Pony.
I was planning on taking advantage of the weather to go down to the beach today, but since it's approximately "the surface of the sun" hot today, I think I might take in a movie instead. Why buy an air con when I can rent a cold room for a couple hours? My roommate is fretting over what the heat is doing to her cats--I'm not really fussed, since the little jerks are stretched out in the living room while she's left her air con on in her room for them.
I'm having a bit of an existential crisis today. Yesterday, after work, I took the blue line closer to the theatre, but I still had to walk about six blocks to get there. On the way, I passed by an obviously very old, homeless and possibly sick man...and I just kept on walking, even though he was stretched out on the sidewalk and I had to divert my path to go around him. I felt so ashamed, but I didn't know what to do. Should I stop and ask if he needs help? Give him money? Give him food? I kept thinking about the story of the Good Samaritan, and how we used to ask ourselves in Bible class what we would do. Guess I failed that test. I kept thinking "what made me so lucky? that I ended up with my good education and my middle-class priviledges and, all right I'll say it, my white skin, and my relatively normal bill of mental health?" And further to that--what is wrong with this world that it allows its citizens to wallow in such abject poverty and yet other citizens walk right on by? One of my bosses at work is from India, and he has photographs that his daughter has taken of children and families living in the slums of Bombay hanging in his office. There they are art, but the truth is right here in Chicago, and it's upsetting and disturbing. I don't know what to do, but I have to do something.
Very sad also because today is closing night for our show. All of the people I know in Chicago (aside from old friends) are involved in this show, and I'm afraid that once I don't see them every day they'll drift away, and I won't know anyone in this city. And it's hot and I'm tired (not hungover--just tired), and apparently my allergies (when did that happen?!) are acting up again...I think I'm going to go to that movie now. Yeah. Undead pirates--good for what ails ya.
I'm having a bit of an existential crisis today. Yesterday, after work, I took the blue line closer to the theatre, but I still had to walk about six blocks to get there. On the way, I passed by an obviously very old, homeless and possibly sick man...and I just kept on walking, even though he was stretched out on the sidewalk and I had to divert my path to go around him. I felt so ashamed, but I didn't know what to do. Should I stop and ask if he needs help? Give him money? Give him food? I kept thinking about the story of the Good Samaritan, and how we used to ask ourselves in Bible class what we would do. Guess I failed that test. I kept thinking "what made me so lucky? that I ended up with my good education and my middle-class priviledges and, all right I'll say it, my white skin, and my relatively normal bill of mental health?" And further to that--what is wrong with this world that it allows its citizens to wallow in such abject poverty and yet other citizens walk right on by? One of my bosses at work is from India, and he has photographs that his daughter has taken of children and families living in the slums of Bombay hanging in his office. There they are art, but the truth is right here in Chicago, and it's upsetting and disturbing. I don't know what to do, but I have to do something.
Very sad also because today is closing night for our show. All of the people I know in Chicago (aside from old friends) are involved in this show, and I'm afraid that once I don't see them every day they'll drift away, and I won't know anyone in this city. And it's hot and I'm tired (not hungover--just tired), and apparently my allergies (when did that happen?!) are acting up again...I think I'm going to go to that movie now. Yeah. Undead pirates--good for what ails ya.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
me jaunty jarvey's car
This is the song I had in my head when I walked out the house...it's a song from "Unexplained Frequencies" --no, that's not the title of the show, wait...yes it is, anyway-- you know the one I'm talking about, the musical I saw at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Of COURSE, since there's no SOUNDTRACK, I only know about two lines, so my poor brain was looping it over and over until it just became "me jaunty jarvey's car--jarvey's car!" Have mercy on me, please Gods of Musical Theatre and release this album. Thank you.
In other news, I found out that Don Herbert died last week. Don Herbert--aka Mr. Wizard--was on one of my favourite TV shows when I was a kid. He had all these crazy science projects that you could do at home with normal household things, to teach you about science, and also to make a huge mess. Some of my favourite memories are of my dad getting me out of bed early before school so we could watch Mr. Wizard together. Mr. Wizard, even though I didn't lead a life of Scientific Discovery, you will be sorely missed.
Today was the first day at work where I felt like I had my ducks in a row. I'm finally starting to get some of the technical lingo down, and making inroads with being friends with some of my co-workers. This is not easy, since the great majority of them are engineers; basically, my uncle Paul--who's a great guy!--but hard to talk to sometimes. Also highly competitive when playing Go. But I'm starting to like my job. I feel like I'm actually contributing something to this company, and to Chicago. One of the projects we're bidding on is an expansion of two harbors along Lake Michigan--one of which might be used for the Olympics, if Chicago wins their bid. I knew about it three days before it hit the papers, and I hope we get this project so I can point to it in the future and say "look! I did that!" Not that they're going to give me a free boat for assembling a proposal, but there it is.
I'm a lot less stressed, which is a nice feeling. The only nagging feeling is: will I be able to continue in theatre if I'm working full time? I don't have the answer right now--but with no immeidate theatre projects, it's nice to be able to work full time and sock some money away. For the future...and puppies.
In other news, I found out that Don Herbert died last week. Don Herbert--aka Mr. Wizard--was on one of my favourite TV shows when I was a kid. He had all these crazy science projects that you could do at home with normal household things, to teach you about science, and also to make a huge mess. Some of my favourite memories are of my dad getting me out of bed early before school so we could watch Mr. Wizard together. Mr. Wizard, even though I didn't lead a life of Scientific Discovery, you will be sorely missed.
Today was the first day at work where I felt like I had my ducks in a row. I'm finally starting to get some of the technical lingo down, and making inroads with being friends with some of my co-workers. This is not easy, since the great majority of them are engineers; basically, my uncle Paul--who's a great guy!--but hard to talk to sometimes. Also highly competitive when playing Go. But I'm starting to like my job. I feel like I'm actually contributing something to this company, and to Chicago. One of the projects we're bidding on is an expansion of two harbors along Lake Michigan--one of which might be used for the Olympics, if Chicago wins their bid. I knew about it three days before it hit the papers, and I hope we get this project so I can point to it in the future and say "look! I did that!" Not that they're going to give me a free boat for assembling a proposal, but there it is.
I'm a lot less stressed, which is a nice feeling. The only nagging feeling is: will I be able to continue in theatre if I'm working full time? I don't have the answer right now--but with no immeidate theatre projects, it's nice to be able to work full time and sock some money away. For the future...and puppies.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
start your penguins
This is what a penguin looks like:
This is the poster for the new movie “Surf’s Up,” which features a couple penguins.
Notice any difference?
What is going on with the penguin in the middle, who is *clearly* female, and who has apparently had all her extra blubber liposuctioned? I have read stories before where paranoid feminists read into the “slimming down” of products, and decry it as an example of the harsh expectations of modern ideals, but never before have I wanted to stand up and point at something and go “My God! Look what they’re teaching our children!” This is a blatantly size-ist poster.
Nevermind the fact that we’re humanizing penguins, or that the animators feel the need to make them conform to our beauty standards—PENGUINS DON’T HAVE BREASTS. They lay EGGS and feed their young regurgitated fish (and you thought penguins were so cute), and their bodies are designed to lay eggs and regurgitate fish, not give birth live young and breastfeed. This is what humans do, and why women have curves in the appropriate place. Penguins also do not have a trim waist—they have fat so that they can survive swimming in cold water. And I feel really bad that the animators of this film took away this penguin’s “bingo wings” –without adequate flippers, she’s never going to be able to outswim an orca.
Now, I haven’t seen “Surf’s Up” so I can’t be certain that this film isn’t a celebration of one overweight penguin’s triumph over her lifelong struggle with obesity, (and while we’re on the subject, why does the boy penguin get to be chubby and cute?) but I’m pretty sure that ain’t the plotline Sony had in mind. But, even though it’s judging a book by its cover, this is definitely one I’ll be giving a miss.
This is the poster for the new movie “Surf’s Up,” which features a couple penguins.
Notice any difference?
What is going on with the penguin in the middle, who is *clearly* female, and who has apparently had all her extra blubber liposuctioned? I have read stories before where paranoid feminists read into the “slimming down” of products, and decry it as an example of the harsh expectations of modern ideals, but never before have I wanted to stand up and point at something and go “My God! Look what they’re teaching our children!” This is a blatantly size-ist poster.
Nevermind the fact that we’re humanizing penguins, or that the animators feel the need to make them conform to our beauty standards—PENGUINS DON’T HAVE BREASTS. They lay EGGS and feed their young regurgitated fish (and you thought penguins were so cute), and their bodies are designed to lay eggs and regurgitate fish, not give birth live young and breastfeed. This is what humans do, and why women have curves in the appropriate place. Penguins also do not have a trim waist—they have fat so that they can survive swimming in cold water. And I feel really bad that the animators of this film took away this penguin’s “bingo wings” –without adequate flippers, she’s never going to be able to outswim an orca.
Now, I haven’t seen “Surf’s Up” so I can’t be certain that this film isn’t a celebration of one overweight penguin’s triumph over her lifelong struggle with obesity, (and while we’re on the subject, why does the boy penguin get to be chubby and cute?) but I’m pretty sure that ain’t the plotline Sony had in mind. But, even though it’s judging a book by its cover, this is definitely one I’ll be giving a miss.
Monday, June 11, 2007
tired Monday
It took me nearly twenty minutes to sign into blogger and now Safari keeps crashing...oh, crap. I hope I don't have a virus.
Sarah's cat is sick...maybe something's going around.
"My phone's on vi
brate
for
u.
But still I neverever
hear
from
u.
Call me in the morning
Call me in the night...
My phone's on
vi...
brate
for u."
Work was ok. A very steep learning curve, and if I have to be there for nine hours, I won't have enough time to get a dog.
Crap.
Sarah's cat is sick...maybe something's going around.
"My phone's on vi
brate
for
u.
But still I neverever
hear
from
u.
Call me in the morning
Call me in the night...
My phone's on
vi...
brate
for u."
Work was ok. A very steep learning curve, and if I have to be there for nine hours, I won't have enough time to get a dog.
Crap.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Isn't it good? (norwegian wood)
Last night, I added a new rule to the list of rules of theatre people: Never try to outdrink a man who's played Hamlet. Man. I went out after the show last night to meet with yet more theatre people--shake hands, hand out business cards, etc--and I ended up closing two bars. Mostly because I got into an argument with this guy about the interpretation of Hamlet. He was insisting that to understand it, you had to see it, I was resisting, saying that no interpretation could possibly live up to the poetry that is inherent in the words. I recalled Oliver's "To be or not to be" speech, he cited the Royal Shakespeare production in the early nineties. We became swift friends after agreeing that Horatio was our favourite character. After the actor's bar down the street closed, we went to the Green Mill, which is where Al Capone used to hang out--and promptly got into a fight because the jazz band playing featured a horn player on something that neither of us recognised, so he kept insisting this instrument did not exist. Finally I tapped the horn player on the arm during one of his breaks and asked him, "Excuse me, sir! What instrument is that?" and found out it was a bass trumpet. honestly. actors. The Green Mill is SO COOL--they have live jazz most nights, and the ambiance is definitely old-school bar, with heavy wood panelling, painted walls and a concrete statue of a Greek goddess in the corner. I'm definitely going back. Although next time I'm not going to stay until quarter to four.
I also started my new job yesterday. I am a proposal writer for a small engineering and architecture company, and so yesterday was learning how these proposals were put together, all the ducks that needed to be put in rows. My boss is an older gentleman named Mr. S, and he told me that he wanted to hire someone who was creative--but right now he really needs someone who is organised. I shall do my best. The office is very old-school, and the people that I work with are ok. I think that once I learn the role, and don't have to ask people for help every five minutes, it will be challenging but not difficult. I'll be working under my own direction a lot. I'm definitely looking forward to working steadily for a change. Putting a little money away. Making a dent in my student loans. Getting a desk--I realised after I published my wish list last week that DESK should have been item number numero uno, so I can write in my room. Then the Wii.
In other news, London has unveiled the logo for the 2012 games, the theme for which is apparently "80s Dance Party." Sigh. I've been feeling so good about living in Chicago lately that I haven't had time to be homesick, which is a good thing, but a strange feeling. Especially as I have discovered the stories about Horatio Hornblower, a fictional sailor in the late eighteenth century. They are full of brave men, daring the seas to stop the French invaders--but what makes Horatio such an interesting character is that his actions don't spring from an inherent well of bravery and courage, but rather a "If I don't do this everyone will think I'm afraid, and they won't follow my orders, so I better do this even though I'm fainting from fear." Also the stories feature lots of nautical lingo like "then Horatio slipped from the ratline and fell into the shrouds just as the mizzen topmast gave way and came to rest on the mainsail's royal yards." The hell you say. I love it. I may never learn how to sail a boat, but at least now I know what "fothering" means.
Gregory Peck stars as Hornblower in "Horatio Hornblower and the Hussy Wore a Dress Without Sleeves, the Hussy."
I also started my new job yesterday. I am a proposal writer for a small engineering and architecture company, and so yesterday was learning how these proposals were put together, all the ducks that needed to be put in rows. My boss is an older gentleman named Mr. S, and he told me that he wanted to hire someone who was creative--but right now he really needs someone who is organised. I shall do my best. The office is very old-school, and the people that I work with are ok. I think that once I learn the role, and don't have to ask people for help every five minutes, it will be challenging but not difficult. I'll be working under my own direction a lot. I'm definitely looking forward to working steadily for a change. Putting a little money away. Making a dent in my student loans. Getting a desk--I realised after I published my wish list last week that DESK should have been item number numero uno, so I can write in my room. Then the Wii.
In other news, London has unveiled the logo for the 2012 games, the theme for which is apparently "80s Dance Party." Sigh. I've been feeling so good about living in Chicago lately that I haven't had time to be homesick, which is a good thing, but a strange feeling. Especially as I have discovered the stories about Horatio Hornblower, a fictional sailor in the late eighteenth century. They are full of brave men, daring the seas to stop the French invaders--but what makes Horatio such an interesting character is that his actions don't spring from an inherent well of bravery and courage, but rather a "If I don't do this everyone will think I'm afraid, and they won't follow my orders, so I better do this even though I'm fainting from fear." Also the stories feature lots of nautical lingo like "then Horatio slipped from the ratline and fell into the shrouds just as the mizzen topmast gave way and came to rest on the mainsail's royal yards." The hell you say. I love it. I may never learn how to sail a boat, but at least now I know what "fothering" means.
Gregory Peck stars as Hornblower in "Horatio Hornblower and the Hussy Wore a Dress Without Sleeves, the Hussy."
Thursday, June 07, 2007
something interesting happened...
I'm employed! I was sitting around all day, waiting for the phone to ring--I was fairly certain that I'd gotten this job, but I wasn't one hundred percent until yesterday. Yay! I will be a marketing and proposal writer for an architchture and engineering firm. This is a proper, full time, 9-5 grown up job downtown in the Loop. Not very theatrical, but my boss is very cool, and seems supportive of me being a creative writer. So, yay. I'm so happy to finally have some stability in my life, and a real job that I can go to for the next...well, if I don't screw this up, for the next long while, at least.
The only bad part is that this will put the kibbosh on any traveling plans I have for the rest of the summer. So I guess y'all will just have to come to me.
Then last night I went out with a bunch of Point people--I was amazed at just how many former Point students have roosted in Chicago. Well, it is a great city for theatre. We went out for Mexican food and then out to Rock Bottom, which is a micro-brewery near downtown. Try the Brown Bear Ale, it's great. I had such a good time, especially teasing Travis and Sarah about getting married next summer--yeah, right, I'll believe it when I see it. It just feels very, very good to be back in the US, where I can be around old friends again. :)
Now today I'm very tired and headachy for some reason, and I need to go to the library and return some books...it's also 80 degrees out. Perhaps a trip to the beach is in order...?
The only bad part is that this will put the kibbosh on any traveling plans I have for the rest of the summer. So I guess y'all will just have to come to me.
Then last night I went out with a bunch of Point people--I was amazed at just how many former Point students have roosted in Chicago. Well, it is a great city for theatre. We went out for Mexican food and then out to Rock Bottom, which is a micro-brewery near downtown. Try the Brown Bear Ale, it's great. I had such a good time, especially teasing Travis and Sarah about getting married next summer--yeah, right, I'll believe it when I see it. It just feels very, very good to be back in the US, where I can be around old friends again. :)
Now today I'm very tired and headachy for some reason, and I need to go to the library and return some books...it's also 80 degrees out. Perhaps a trip to the beach is in order...?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
brolly weather
What's that saying? "It never rains but it pours?" A mere four days after my little pitty-party I'm feeling much more optimistic about everything in general. I have a job interview this afternoon with a real company, not a temp agency, I have an interview for a dramaturg position next week and--best of all--I'm being PAID to write an article about a musical.
hang on a sec...
*gets down on knees*
Dear Jesus. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you for letting me use the skills which I acquired in school and in London for the powers of good. I won't let you down.
I know I get excited about things and expect jobs and opportunities to fall out of the sky--but if there is one thing I picked up in London, it's that you have to pursue and be tenacious. Also slightly self-promoting. But, finally, I don't have to say, "I can do that, give me a chance!" I can walk into a room and say "I can do that because I've already done it." Thank you Jesus.
In other news, the long-awaited and highly anticipated "Entertainer" DVD finally arrived, so I spent an hour and fifteen minutes drooling slightly watching an aging Laurence Olivier go through his paces. I attempted to maintain a professional, detached interest in Olivier's performance. Failed. Well--it is Laurence Olivier. I did not realise, btw, that Joan Plowright, who later became his wife, played his daughter in the movie. Weird. Also slightly creepy. And then--just as Archie Rice's world started to fall apart, the DVD stopped. Stuck. Did not skip, did not play after frantic hits of the "fast-forward" button, just stopped. I am so mad. I have no problem with cheap Chinese imports (after all "That Hamilton Woman" originally had Cantonese subtitles, before I figured out how to turn them off) but DVDs that don't play are UNACCEPTABLE. So I'm going to try to get my money back, and y'all will have to wait for my brilliant play vs film analysis until later.
Arg--I wanted to write about George Washington's fake teeth, but I have to go iron my coat. Tomorrow
hang on a sec...
*gets down on knees*
Dear Jesus. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you for letting me use the skills which I acquired in school and in London for the powers of good. I won't let you down.
I know I get excited about things and expect jobs and opportunities to fall out of the sky--but if there is one thing I picked up in London, it's that you have to pursue and be tenacious. Also slightly self-promoting. But, finally, I don't have to say, "I can do that, give me a chance!" I can walk into a room and say "I can do that because I've already done it." Thank you Jesus.
In other news, the long-awaited and highly anticipated "Entertainer" DVD finally arrived, so I spent an hour and fifteen minutes drooling slightly watching an aging Laurence Olivier go through his paces. I attempted to maintain a professional, detached interest in Olivier's performance. Failed. Well--it is Laurence Olivier. I did not realise, btw, that Joan Plowright, who later became his wife, played his daughter in the movie. Weird. Also slightly creepy. And then--just as Archie Rice's world started to fall apart, the DVD stopped. Stuck. Did not skip, did not play after frantic hits of the "fast-forward" button, just stopped. I am so mad. I have no problem with cheap Chinese imports (after all "That Hamilton Woman" originally had Cantonese subtitles, before I figured out how to turn them off) but DVDs that don't play are UNACCEPTABLE. So I'm going to try to get my money back, and y'all will have to wait for my brilliant play vs film analysis until later.
Arg--I wanted to write about George Washington's fake teeth, but I have to go iron my coat. Tomorrow
Monday, June 04, 2007
Great Big Stuff
When I get a job, someday, I hope, I have a list of things that I want to buy. I've never been a Consumer, but now that I'm stuck in this...did I say stuck? I meant, now that I am more permanently located in one city, I would like to have things around me. Top of the list is the Nintendo Wii which is impractical without a 32" Flat-Screen TV. Then a Bose Radio with the ability to play my iPod. Then a small, elegant, perhaps antique television stand for the above, and my DVD collection--of course, this might have to wait until I move to a new apartment. If so, I'll just add it to the Decorating list: Curtains, a rattan rug, a faux-leather sofa, a living room set that is partially inspired by the Empire style. I will frame my Turner print to match, naturally, and blow up my postcard of "Women of Britain, Come Into the Factories!" to be hung in the kitchen, next to the hutch which contains my antique English tea set that has finally been unpacked. For Dog, a denim-covered bed, and orthopediacally lifted, stainless-steel dishes, leather collar and hygenic, veternarian-approved organic chew toys.
This line of thought is the terminus from this morning when I was sitting in yet another agency's reception area, and I suddenly realised that I was the only one wearing brown trousers. Everyone else was in black. "S*&$," I thought, "I forgot that 'business casual' means 'black clothes.' I only hope no one will notice." And I realised that if I ever do get a job, my first paycheck will probably be spent on work clothes. Which led to fantasies about what the second paycheck will be spend on, and so forth, until you get the daydream above. When did I become depressingly bourgeious and middle class? Now I begin to understand the mindset of the middle classes during the Industrial Revolution: now I am totally focused on paying rent and feeding myself, but once I get a little extra breathing room, where does it go? To the Wii. As opposed to the laboring middle classes who, according to my history books, spend their money on underclothes.
And now I have to go to the store. Now that I'm stuck in the--back in the land of Kraft Mac & Cheese I'm going to have some for dinner. :)
This line of thought is the terminus from this morning when I was sitting in yet another agency's reception area, and I suddenly realised that I was the only one wearing brown trousers. Everyone else was in black. "S*&$," I thought, "I forgot that 'business casual' means 'black clothes.' I only hope no one will notice." And I realised that if I ever do get a job, my first paycheck will probably be spent on work clothes. Which led to fantasies about what the second paycheck will be spend on, and so forth, until you get the daydream above. When did I become depressingly bourgeious and middle class? Now I begin to understand the mindset of the middle classes during the Industrial Revolution: now I am totally focused on paying rent and feeding myself, but once I get a little extra breathing room, where does it go? To the Wii. As opposed to the laboring middle classes who, according to my history books, spend their money on underclothes.
And now I have to go to the store. Now that I'm stuck in the--back in the land of Kraft Mac & Cheese I'm going to have some for dinner. :)
Sunday, June 03, 2007
The Excitement Begins to Build...
Oh Lord. I promised myself I wouldn't get excited, but have you HEARD about the NEW HARRY POTTER THEME PARK that is going to be built at Universal Studios? There's going to be a Hogwarts and Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley and... *drools*
I am already making plans for the "Order of the Phoenix" movie, which has been bumped up to July 11th. I think I'm getting too old for midnight showings, but if anyone is in town that day, I have one word for you: THREE DEE IMAX.
Then of course, book 7 is coming out July 21st...cannot contemplate right now, will explode from sheer anticipation.
So. A good weekend. Slept in yesterday, had two good shows with good audiences, had pizza for dinner last night. Sent out my resume to a couple new theatres. I'm so torn--I want to work in a real job where I can count on a steady income, but at the same time I need the freedom to do theatre. I'm so worried about money right now though, that I can't write. Tomorrow is another Monday! And hopefully next week there will be work and less assy temp agencies.
I also got eleven emails from friends today. Yay. I am loved.
I am already making plans for the "Order of the Phoenix" movie, which has been bumped up to July 11th. I think I'm getting too old for midnight showings, but if anyone is in town that day, I have one word for you: THREE DEE IMAX.
Then of course, book 7 is coming out July 21st...cannot contemplate right now, will explode from sheer anticipation.
So. A good weekend. Slept in yesterday, had two good shows with good audiences, had pizza for dinner last night. Sent out my resume to a couple new theatres. I'm so torn--I want to work in a real job where I can count on a steady income, but at the same time I need the freedom to do theatre. I'm so worried about money right now though, that I can't write. Tomorrow is another Monday! And hopefully next week there will be work and less assy temp agencies.
I also got eleven emails from friends today. Yay. I am loved.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
And while we're on the subject...
I don't understand tipping anymore. If I go into a restaurant, order food at the counter, pay for it at the counter, carry it to my table, and then dispose of the garbage by myself, I am not going to drop a dollar in your overlarge TIP jar, even if you did draw little flowers and smiley faces and write "College Fund!" on it. So stop glaring at me.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Stresses of the Day
Yesterday I thought that I was going to work for the next two weeks, when the agency called me back and said because I had gotten a bad review on my last placement, they weren't going to send me out on any longer placements. Even when I (politely) explained that I was in some financial difficulties and please give me another chance, they remained firm. Fine. I can understand where they are coming from--obviously I did somethings that were displeasing to the place, but here's what drives me crazy: instead of telling me, right there, right then, "Please don't do this," they instead save it all up for the temp agency to come back and smack me a week later, leaving me wondering "well, you SAID I could drink at the desk as long as I did it discreetly..." Ladies, gents, if your temp is doing something wrong, tell THEM, we want feedback as much as your regular employees.
That's not to say I didn't stretch the limit--fair enough. I'm just feeling resentful and slightly bitter, so I do what I always do and threw myself a little pity party. Lots of journaling which went something like this: "despair, despair, why me, what's wrong with my life, blah blah blah..." Got very boring. After awhile I started wondering why I was so upset about a TEMP job when I am a WRITER, so even though I'm feeling shitty, at least there's always words.
And then I lined up two more job interviews. Although I think I might start writing a book about me in London and I've finally started to get an idea about what to write a PhD on. Because if there's one thing I did well (to my shock and surprise) it was school.
One of the actors had the best reaction hearing my bad day. He just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Eh. So you eat ramen for a week. It happens." This coming from an improv actor with a baby and a wedding in two months. If he can have that attitude, surely I can get it together as well.
In the meantime, I'm taking today off (at least until I have to go to my job interview) to work on a book proposal.
That's not to say I didn't stretch the limit--fair enough. I'm just feeling resentful and slightly bitter, so I do what I always do and threw myself a little pity party. Lots of journaling which went something like this: "despair, despair, why me, what's wrong with my life, blah blah blah..." Got very boring. After awhile I started wondering why I was so upset about a TEMP job when I am a WRITER, so even though I'm feeling shitty, at least there's always words.
And then I lined up two more job interviews. Although I think I might start writing a book about me in London and I've finally started to get an idea about what to write a PhD on. Because if there's one thing I did well (to my shock and surprise) it was school.
One of the actors had the best reaction hearing my bad day. He just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Eh. So you eat ramen for a week. It happens." This coming from an improv actor with a baby and a wedding in two months. If he can have that attitude, surely I can get it together as well.
In the meantime, I'm taking today off (at least until I have to go to my job interview) to work on a book proposal.
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