I watched the inauguration with tears in my eyes with hope and happiness and resolve in my heart.
The inauguration had a very tasteful set of music (with my friend Ira Carrol's son playing clarinet in the quartet with Itzak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma!) and nice invocation and a lovely benediction that overshadowed the American Poet in its lyricism.
As much as I will always kick myself for not getting to Grant Park on Election Day, I am content to just have a little party in my heart here in Chicago, and an All-American meal of Chicago Dogs for lunch. I don't like traffic snarls, and fancy dressing in the middle of winter makes me cold.
Good Luck and God Bless our NEW PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday Random
- Feeling a little nostalgic for the Bush Administration already? Here is a lovely retrospective of the Bush years compiled by the Harper's Weekly that will put it all into perspective. It gives an alarming picture of how much the incoming administration has to work to undo the damage. I wish Obama the best of good fortune and my full and heartfelt support.
- I live in Ch-ch-chi-Chicago and it is c-c-c-old. Windchills of 40 degrees below zero tonight. How cold is it? My 13 year old actually wore a hat and scarf and gloves today and zipped up his coat!
- I have been taking a stage movement class the past couple of weeks, focusing on movement for plays in the Restoration and Georgian periods. It's fascinating, because I have always just guessed my way through period pieces, imitating what I saw in movies and on stage. It's been fun to find out the whys and wherefores of what was appropriate behavior for the aristocracy at that time--and plays written in that time period are almost exclusively about the aristocracy since they were the only ones that "mattered." The most interesting fun fact that I learned--because of the styles in that time period, when women sat down they splayed their legs wide open! This was to show off the skirts underneath the over skirts. It's disconcerting to be so slow moving, upright, showy and refined, and then sit down like a dainty trucker.
- And finally, may I put in a good word for the Public Library? Aside from when I lived in California, I have always been blessed with excellent public libraries in the cities where I have lived. Our entire family has been endlessly informed and entertained, for free and not just with books, but with movies, a toy borrowing program and even art. For our family, isn't summer without the local Summer Reading program, which provides incentives from area businesses and a cool t-shirt at completion. This winter, we've been there at least twice a week for fresh books. Towns and cities who take care of their libraries and fund them properly overall are the best places to live. When hunting for the best place to raise a family, look first to the local public library. Ours rocks!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Ya gotta GROW UP!
When I was a young actor in San Francisco, I was in a very touchy-feely navel-grazing-ish acting class based on the Lee Strasberg method acting school and a little more. The class not only worked a lot with sense memory exercises, and being in the moment, but also with exploring why we, the actor, did what we do in real life, what our "blockages" were and finding out where unhealthy or destructive patterns came from.
It was a real life-changer for me. I was young, in a new place, newly graduated, eager to prove myself and my defenses were tissue thick. I learned a lot about myself. I learned that being a soft and sensitive woman was not a weakness of mine, but a strength. It is amazing to me now, but that was a HUGE breakthrough in how I deal with life.
After about a year and a half though, I felt stuck, and left the class. The issue was dealing with our "inner child." This concept for self exploration and a whole school of therapy was first made popular by John Bradshaw in his book "Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child" in the late 1980s-early 90s and is still in use in some therapy circles today. The theory goes that inside of each adult, there is a little, vulnerable child who needs nurturing from all the ways your childhood was lacking or damaged or traumatized. (Hint: it's usually your parents' fault. Oh, joy.)
This is my inner child. Be nice to her, she is from Ohio.
There are some valid and exciting things to discover with doing this sort of exploration. You can remember where some negative beliefs or reactions have their roots, you can look at old hurts from a grown up perspective, and learn where it effected you and why they happened. If you get to that point, you can grow from there, change bad patterns, acknowledge and forgive mistakes made by yourself and others, and move on.
The problem is, for a lot of therapists (or touchy-feely acting instructors,) the exploration is so lucrative and can be made so mind-bogglingly complicated, that the solution step of learning from the inner child is either not revealed or not encouraged for years and years. Acknowledgement, forgiveness and perspective does not seem to weigh in soon enough.
The follower of this particular form of therapy can easily get stuck in resentment, helpless frustration, and a culture of victimhood.
The concept of exploring the "inner child" it is laudable that it gives a person working through issues a way to understand the basis of where their decisions came from in a non-threatening manner (i.e. the parents always disciplined by shaming and hitting and yelling and this effected how you saw yourself) but it is too easy to make a false connections (i.e. so you started drinking and became a drug addict and it is THEIR fault!). How you were raised is one thing, what you did with the baggage was NOT their choice in your life, but your own.
It is comforting, but false to make your own destructive choices someone else's doing.
It assumes that you have no free will, and your life was never your own.
Ultimately, it stunts your ability to see that change is up to you, and fixing things is up to you and not in someone else's power.
Blaming never fixed a problem.
Taking responsibility, plotting a course of action and following through fixes problems.
In regular life or in the development of an actor's craft, stagnation is not going to lead to a successful outcome. Growth and freedom cannot be claimed by hiding from change or self-actualization. And wallowing with your "inner child" instead of learning from it will not help you move forward.
In the end, being an adult means being responsible for how you are raising yourself.
It was a real life-changer for me. I was young, in a new place, newly graduated, eager to prove myself and my defenses were tissue thick. I learned a lot about myself. I learned that being a soft and sensitive woman was not a weakness of mine, but a strength. It is amazing to me now, but that was a HUGE breakthrough in how I deal with life.
After about a year and a half though, I felt stuck, and left the class. The issue was dealing with our "inner child." This concept for self exploration and a whole school of therapy was first made popular by John Bradshaw in his book "Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child" in the late 1980s-early 90s and is still in use in some therapy circles today. The theory goes that inside of each adult, there is a little, vulnerable child who needs nurturing from all the ways your childhood was lacking or damaged or traumatized. (Hint: it's usually your parents' fault. Oh, joy.)
This is my inner child. Be nice to her, she is from Ohio.
There are some valid and exciting things to discover with doing this sort of exploration. You can remember where some negative beliefs or reactions have their roots, you can look at old hurts from a grown up perspective, and learn where it effected you and why they happened. If you get to that point, you can grow from there, change bad patterns, acknowledge and forgive mistakes made by yourself and others, and move on.
The problem is, for a lot of therapists (or touchy-feely acting instructors,) the exploration is so lucrative and can be made so mind-bogglingly complicated, that the solution step of learning from the inner child is either not revealed or not encouraged for years and years. Acknowledgement, forgiveness and perspective does not seem to weigh in soon enough.
The follower of this particular form of therapy can easily get stuck in resentment, helpless frustration, and a culture of victimhood.
The concept of exploring the "inner child" it is laudable that it gives a person working through issues a way to understand the basis of where their decisions came from in a non-threatening manner (i.e. the parents always disciplined by shaming and hitting and yelling and this effected how you saw yourself) but it is too easy to make a false connections (i.e. so you started drinking and became a drug addict and it is THEIR fault!). How you were raised is one thing, what you did with the baggage was NOT their choice in your life, but your own.
It is comforting, but false to make your own destructive choices someone else's doing.
It assumes that you have no free will, and your life was never your own.
Ultimately, it stunts your ability to see that change is up to you, and fixing things is up to you and not in someone else's power.
Blaming never fixed a problem.
Taking responsibility, plotting a course of action and following through fixes problems.
In regular life or in the development of an actor's craft, stagnation is not going to lead to a successful outcome. Growth and freedom cannot be claimed by hiding from change or self-actualization. And wallowing with your "inner child" instead of learning from it will not help you move forward.
In the end, being an adult means being responsible for how you are raising yourself.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
More New Year's Blog
I thought I would let these resolutions be known too:
I resolve to figure out when to use "who," and when to use "whom." I will also try to think about this in the case of grammar.
I will decide if I think Daniel Craig is insufferably hot, or if he looks like a monkey. I keep going back and forth with this one.
Insufferably HOT!
...and looks like a monkey.
I will remember people's birthdays in the same month that they have them, and send cards in a timely manner.
I resolve to change my teen and preteen's room decor away from preschool to something age appropriate. This must be done before they start hiding girls in the stuffed animal corner.
I want to invent a cockatiel diaper. Sunny the Bird has no sense of propriety, and excellent aim.
More to follow...
I resolve to figure out when to use "who," and when to use "whom." I will also try to think about this in the case of grammar.
I will decide if I think Daniel Craig is insufferably hot, or if he looks like a monkey. I keep going back and forth with this one.
Insufferably HOT!
...and looks like a monkey.
I will remember people's birthdays in the same month that they have them, and send cards in a timely manner.
I resolve to change my teen and preteen's room decor away from preschool to something age appropriate. This must be done before they start hiding girls in the stuffed animal corner.
I want to invent a cockatiel diaper. Sunny the Bird has no sense of propriety, and excellent aim.
More to follow...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year's Blog
Wow, this blog, with all its names, will soon be one year old! Happy Birthday, Blog!
I am pleased that I did keep up with my resolution to write at least one blog a week in article or essay format. This year, I resolve to write 2 blogs a week of some content, and to get out of my comfort zone and attempt writing plays and sketches again. I lack confidence, but if I don't do it, I can't improve. So there.
Other resolutions include the perennial losing weight (though I actually lost a few lbs. DURING the Christmas season, which is amazing) run another marathon, get back on stage in at least 3 shows, being a better and more giving person and knitter, and avoid crazy people. Which means among other things--no more spying on the crazy haters at TeamSarah.org.
Crazy people don't change. Observing or talking to them is a profound exercise in frustration. The main reason I did not pursue a masters in psychology after my bachelors is because there is no sound, scientific way to reason with or at least soundly and satisfyingly throttle an insane person into mental health. Crazy people without medical issues must be left be to crazy until they want to change and can take responsibility for it. It is an unfortunate part of my make up that I can't listen to people drone on about their problems or uninformed world views without offering many common sense solutions or finally telling them that they are f*king stupid idiots and why, and how they should just stop it right now.
I resolve to stop listening at once to anyone who uses the phrase, "drinking the Koolaid" because it is stupid, trite and generally overused by right wing nutjobs. This means a continued avoidance of Fox News. This is my easiest resolution.
Things I would like to see in 2009;
* An excellent start and progression of the Obama Administration
* My friends and family having a much better year that 2008 which, in general, has been a real bastard hellhole of a year.
* Environmental awareness and action becoming a real priority as a world, not just a nice thing to think about, hopefully while we can still do something before a disasterous collapse of the ecosystem.
* World Peace
Have a Safe and Happy New Year!
I am pleased that I did keep up with my resolution to write at least one blog a week in article or essay format. This year, I resolve to write 2 blogs a week of some content, and to get out of my comfort zone and attempt writing plays and sketches again. I lack confidence, but if I don't do it, I can't improve. So there.
Other resolutions include the perennial losing weight (though I actually lost a few lbs. DURING the Christmas season, which is amazing) run another marathon, get back on stage in at least 3 shows, being a better and more giving person and knitter, and avoid crazy people. Which means among other things--no more spying on the crazy haters at TeamSarah.org.
Crazy people don't change. Observing or talking to them is a profound exercise in frustration. The main reason I did not pursue a masters in psychology after my bachelors is because there is no sound, scientific way to reason with or at least soundly and satisfyingly throttle an insane person into mental health. Crazy people without medical issues must be left be to crazy until they want to change and can take responsibility for it. It is an unfortunate part of my make up that I can't listen to people drone on about their problems or uninformed world views without offering many common sense solutions or finally telling them that they are f*king stupid idiots and why, and how they should just stop it right now.
I resolve to stop listening at once to anyone who uses the phrase, "drinking the Koolaid" because it is stupid, trite and generally overused by right wing nutjobs. This means a continued avoidance of Fox News. This is my easiest resolution.
Things I would like to see in 2009;
* An excellent start and progression of the Obama Administration
* My friends and family having a much better year that 2008 which, in general, has been a real bastard hellhole of a year.
* Environmental awareness and action becoming a real priority as a world, not just a nice thing to think about, hopefully while we can still do something before a disasterous collapse of the ecosystem.
* World Peace
Have a Safe and Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Merry Christmas WEEK!
We just got back from a visit to my side of the family for Christmas. My older son ended up having a stomach virus for most of the time, making it 2 holidays in row where he has been sick as dog and we make him come with us anyway. Bad Mommy! He mostly recovered and then my husband got sick. It still was overall a fun time, even if half of my immediate family couldn't eat.
On the way home, the kids made up a story as they often do on long trips. This is why we do not have a dvd player in our car. Tonight's story, had Alex, the youngest son, cast as a serf, named Alex Papadopolous, (great grandson of Gary "Ricebowl" Papadapolous,) who had stolen his lord's armor and horse and had started entering jousting tournaments and winning them. This afforded him something other than serf food to eat, which made him happy. He ran into a magical being named Jim, who was drunk, but able to perform amazing feats of magic if he was treated correctly. The problem with magical creatures in this story was that if they were drunk, they were dangerous, but if they weren't, they were useless. Getting Jim to be able to do anything was the hysterical half the story. Another third was intricate descriptions of each joust, and the rest was plot movement to get to the next tournament and conflict.
I think if these guys end up becoming writers, it may be part of their creative process to take long car trips together with nothing else to do.
But Christmas doesn't end there! We have a long tradition of doing our family gift giving on New Years Eve. This used to be moved all the way out to January 25th, when it was just me and Dan. In the early years, it took all our money just to get back to Ohio for Christmas, so we postponed our personal Christmas a month so we could get presents for each other without going into debt. It was a great way to spread out the season and take advantage of after Christmas sales.
So, it is Merry Christmas WEEK! Merry Christmas! Have safe travels, and good quality time with people who matter most!
Deb
On the way home, the kids made up a story as they often do on long trips. This is why we do not have a dvd player in our car. Tonight's story, had Alex, the youngest son, cast as a serf, named Alex Papadopolous, (great grandson of Gary "Ricebowl" Papadapolous,) who had stolen his lord's armor and horse and had started entering jousting tournaments and winning them. This afforded him something other than serf food to eat, which made him happy. He ran into a magical being named Jim, who was drunk, but able to perform amazing feats of magic if he was treated correctly. The problem with magical creatures in this story was that if they were drunk, they were dangerous, but if they weren't, they were useless. Getting Jim to be able to do anything was the hysterical half the story. Another third was intricate descriptions of each joust, and the rest was plot movement to get to the next tournament and conflict.
I think if these guys end up becoming writers, it may be part of their creative process to take long car trips together with nothing else to do.
But Christmas doesn't end there! We have a long tradition of doing our family gift giving on New Years Eve. This used to be moved all the way out to January 25th, when it was just me and Dan. In the early years, it took all our money just to get back to Ohio for Christmas, so we postponed our personal Christmas a month so we could get presents for each other without going into debt. It was a great way to spread out the season and take advantage of after Christmas sales.
So, it is Merry Christmas WEEK! Merry Christmas! Have safe travels, and good quality time with people who matter most!
Deb
Monday, December 15, 2008
Some pictures of what I was talking about...
This is the legged snowman who always graces my Christmas tree. I just posted it on my Facebook and embarrassed my nephew, who made it when he was 4. He is in college now.
I actually just finished this--it is a Noro Silk Garden scarf, two complementary skeins in a reversible knit one purl one pattern of two row stripes.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday Randomness
Here is a lovely article in the Alaska Dispatch about the crazy people at Teamsarah.org. I assure you that what she describes is what is going on in any given day. Look at the comments for more examples of craziness from the nutjobs who frequent Team Sarah. These people cannot be excoriated enough.
Yesterday I spent the day in wonderment at the Blagojevich arrest for trying to sell Obama's senate seat, and other pay to play charges. The excerpts from his being tapped amaze and delight me. He sounds like Tony Soprano, except way stupider! Why would a guy who KNOWS he has been under federal investigation since 2003 keep talking on the phone and in his office about his outrageous schemes? Was he really thinking he was so above the law? I think he will have to plead megalomania in his insanity trial.
Meanwhile, Illinois residents and the world kick back and amusedly watch the proceedings with a bowl of popcorn. It's audacious, and delicious!
I feel a lot better this week, but sometime while I was coughing last week I either strained a muscle or cracked a rib, and it is interfering with my getting on with things, like working out, or sleeping through the night.
The best part of Christmas decorating is my Christmas Tree. Putting it up is a chore, as is stringing the lights--but rediscovering the ornaments every year is a delight. My favorites include a construction paper snowman with pipecleaner legs made by my nephew, Kyle, when he was 4, and the colored macaroni on black construction paper that he must have also made that same year. I of course also love all the ones my kids made when they were little, with their school pictures prominently displayed in the middle. These are somewhat comical, because our school has the worst photographer in the world. Each year, the kids have expressions as if they have been goosed or asked to smell a skunk, or that they have just arrived to the photo session from a wind tunnel.
Yesterday I spent the day in wonderment at the Blagojevich arrest for trying to sell Obama's senate seat, and other pay to play charges. The excerpts from his being tapped amaze and delight me. He sounds like Tony Soprano, except way stupider! Why would a guy who KNOWS he has been under federal investigation since 2003 keep talking on the phone and in his office about his outrageous schemes? Was he really thinking he was so above the law? I think he will have to plead megalomania in his insanity trial.
Meanwhile, Illinois residents and the world kick back and amusedly watch the proceedings with a bowl of popcorn. It's audacious, and delicious!
I feel a lot better this week, but sometime while I was coughing last week I either strained a muscle or cracked a rib, and it is interfering with my getting on with things, like working out, or sleeping through the night.
The best part of Christmas decorating is my Christmas Tree. Putting it up is a chore, as is stringing the lights--but rediscovering the ornaments every year is a delight. My favorites include a construction paper snowman with pipecleaner legs made by my nephew, Kyle, when he was 4, and the colored macaroni on black construction paper that he must have also made that same year. I of course also love all the ones my kids made when they were little, with their school pictures prominently displayed in the middle. These are somewhat comical, because our school has the worst photographer in the world. Each year, the kids have expressions as if they have been goosed or asked to smell a skunk, or that they have just arrived to the photo session from a wind tunnel.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Cough Medicine Blog Entry
The fug that I got from the airplane nastiness has settled into my chest and voicebox, so today I have sat quietly and rested and occasionally tried to puzzle out knitting a hat with 4 double pointed needles. I took a child size portion of some codiene cough medicine that my son was given, and it seems to be doing a nice job of keeping me from cracking a rib coughing.
It is near midnight, and I am floaty and happy and a bit lonely.
I have a lot of love around me in my life. My older son is becoming more of a teenager every day, but we still enjoy each other's company, and he talks to me about stuff and I love it! Today we were talking about how to talk to girls. Middle school girls are foreign, foreign creatures. I won't reveal too much except to say that he is delightfully, innocently befuddled, and very sweet.
My younger son is a deep, quiet kid with great bursts of excitement. He is the sort of kid who looks at you with his big eyes while you are explaining something, and then ever so nicely will let you know that he figured out where you were going and went a few light years beyond while you finished your sentence. My favorite thing in the morning is waking him up. I talk to him softly, and kiss his face, and he slowly wakes up like a pleasant little baby chick. He is the nicest person to wake up in the morning!
My husband is an amazing person. I still don't know how I got someone so wise and yet so kind. He is also one of the smartest, hardest working people I know, and yet he still likes me. It boggles my mind. He about as blind to my faults as I am to his, which helps us both.
Well, I will float off to bed now on my happy cloud. I hope this cough will have gone away by tomorrow, or at least abated enough to get out and really talk to someone. I will be slightly embarrassed to have posted this, but seeing I don't get much traffic, it's just fine.
It is near midnight, and I am floaty and happy and a bit lonely.
I have a lot of love around me in my life. My older son is becoming more of a teenager every day, but we still enjoy each other's company, and he talks to me about stuff and I love it! Today we were talking about how to talk to girls. Middle school girls are foreign, foreign creatures. I won't reveal too much except to say that he is delightfully, innocently befuddled, and very sweet.
My younger son is a deep, quiet kid with great bursts of excitement. He is the sort of kid who looks at you with his big eyes while you are explaining something, and then ever so nicely will let you know that he figured out where you were going and went a few light years beyond while you finished your sentence. My favorite thing in the morning is waking him up. I talk to him softly, and kiss his face, and he slowly wakes up like a pleasant little baby chick. He is the nicest person to wake up in the morning!
My husband is an amazing person. I still don't know how I got someone so wise and yet so kind. He is also one of the smartest, hardest working people I know, and yet he still likes me. It boggles my mind. He about as blind to my faults as I am to his, which helps us both.
Well, I will float off to bed now on my happy cloud. I hope this cough will have gone away by tomorrow, or at least abated enough to get out and really talk to someone. I will be slightly embarrassed to have posted this, but seeing I don't get much traffic, it's just fine.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Flying the Nasty Skies
We just got back from a trip to North Carolina to visit my in-laws. It was a nice, low key trip, as it usually is. They live in the country, so time is spent in the house, in the garden, and out on the river fishing.
If only we didn't have to fly to get there. Flying just gets worse and worse. Not only are they charging for checked bags, not only do they want to charge you extra for a crappy pillow, not only do they charge you for a soda or water on shorter flights, not only does the airport security personnel treat you like a recalcitrant prisoner----They haven't CLEANED the insides of the planes at ALL! FOR MONTHS!
My older son was at the window seat on one of our flights, and the window was thick with greasy and dusty jeri-curl. Or maybe it was what he thought it was--hairy pus. Regardless, it was disgusting. We brought it up to the attendant and she offhandedly said, "Yeah, I have been complaining about that for about a month now."
Don't even get me started on the "magazine" pouch. The in-flight magazines (from September) were torn and full of spit out gum and ripped pages. Small trash from countless passengers was still stuck in each pouch on each leg of my flights, and I was not about to stick my hand in there to explore to expound on it.
The tray tables were grimy, the seats were dirty, the ceilings were visibly dirty. Who knows what we were inhaling, we all know that the air is recycled and has to be dirty.
And to top it off, they lost our luggage on the way back. It would be great to get our $15 back, but it ain't gonna happen.
Now I have a scratchy throat. Guess from where.
Next time I go on a flight, I will make sure I bring loads of wet wipes, small amounts of antibacterial fluid and wear a mask.
Maybe I can negotiate cleaning and sterilizing my seating area if they will waive the fee for losing my luggage again.
If only we didn't have to fly to get there. Flying just gets worse and worse. Not only are they charging for checked bags, not only do they want to charge you extra for a crappy pillow, not only do they charge you for a soda or water on shorter flights, not only does the airport security personnel treat you like a recalcitrant prisoner----They haven't CLEANED the insides of the planes at ALL! FOR MONTHS!
My older son was at the window seat on one of our flights, and the window was thick with greasy and dusty jeri-curl. Or maybe it was what he thought it was--hairy pus. Regardless, it was disgusting. We brought it up to the attendant and she offhandedly said, "Yeah, I have been complaining about that for about a month now."
Don't even get me started on the "magazine" pouch. The in-flight magazines (from September) were torn and full of spit out gum and ripped pages. Small trash from countless passengers was still stuck in each pouch on each leg of my flights, and I was not about to stick my hand in there to explore to expound on it.
The tray tables were grimy, the seats were dirty, the ceilings were visibly dirty. Who knows what we were inhaling, we all know that the air is recycled and has to be dirty.
And to top it off, they lost our luggage on the way back. It would be great to get our $15 back, but it ain't gonna happen.
Now I have a scratchy throat. Guess from where.
Next time I go on a flight, I will make sure I bring loads of wet wipes, small amounts of antibacterial fluid and wear a mask.
Maybe I can negotiate cleaning and sterilizing my seating area if they will waive the fee for losing my luggage again.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
What other stuff I do...
For the past month, I have been hyperventilating about the election, and now I am successfully able to move on with my thoughts. Since I have never exposed much of my non-blog life on this blog, I thought I would do some of that today.
Here is a trailer for a low budget indy feature length film that I am in. It premiered at the Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago 2008.
The film is called, "The Opposite of Life." It was written and directed by David Muhammad. The theme involves several couples dealing with unplanned pregnancies and the decisions they make. I play a really far-right conservative mom whose daughter has been raped and is pregnant. Just to add insult to injury, she finds out her daughter's boyfriend is, horror of horrors, black. Only one scene, but it is not a good day for this character. And part of it is in this trailer! John Vinopal, my indy film husband in several short films, is my intolerant husband. Good times. I haven't seen it yet, but I have heard it came out pretty well for a low budget feature.
I can't get the Modern Woodman commercial I did to load, so here is the link to their site:
http://www.modern-woodmen.org/The%20Card%20-%20Corporate.wvx
I am not as fat as I look like in this commercial, at least, not any more. It was filmed in March, actually. It was a hard winter. I am thinner now and I dress better, honest.
Other stuff I have been involved in for the past month but have no pictures of include doing a web/auto show promotion for GMC/Chrysler/Pontiac, and a brochure for GE Healthcare. I also did a comedic short with Kilamajaro Films. You can also look at my young friends at www.lookatrubbish.com and I am in several of their shorts, with varying degrees of success.
And let's not forget the knitting. I am going nuts for knitting lately. Here is my favorite thing so far:
It's an alien scarf, nearly invisible straight on, visible from the side.
So that gives you an idea of what else I have been doing while obsessing about the election and the economy.
You're welcome.
Here is a trailer for a low budget indy feature length film that I am in. It premiered at the Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago 2008.
The film is called, "The Opposite of Life." It was written and directed by David Muhammad. The theme involves several couples dealing with unplanned pregnancies and the decisions they make. I play a really far-right conservative mom whose daughter has been raped and is pregnant. Just to add insult to injury, she finds out her daughter's boyfriend is, horror of horrors, black. Only one scene, but it is not a good day for this character. And part of it is in this trailer! John Vinopal, my indy film husband in several short films, is my intolerant husband. Good times. I haven't seen it yet, but I have heard it came out pretty well for a low budget feature.
I can't get the Modern Woodman commercial I did to load, so here is the link to their site:
http://www.modern-woodmen.org/The%20Card%20-%20Corporate.wvx
I am not as fat as I look like in this commercial, at least, not any more. It was filmed in March, actually. It was a hard winter. I am thinner now and I dress better, honest.
Other stuff I have been involved in for the past month but have no pictures of include doing a web/auto show promotion for GMC/Chrysler/Pontiac, and a brochure for GE Healthcare. I also did a comedic short with Kilamajaro Films. You can also look at my young friends at www.lookatrubbish.com and I am in several of their shorts, with varying degrees of success.
And let's not forget the knitting. I am going nuts for knitting lately. Here is my favorite thing so far:
It's an alien scarf, nearly invisible straight on, visible from the side.
So that gives you an idea of what else I have been doing while obsessing about the election and the economy.
You're welcome.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Random Stuff, it's a come down week
I spent most of last week in an extremely good mood.
Not only did Obama win, which made me smile goofily or tear up from time to time for days, but I also had a kick a$$ print job on voting day that makes me less of a financial drag than usual.
I also have spent the past week coming down from my election obsession. I don't have to be on the computer or have the TV on, and I seem to be able to get more done now.
My speech team started off the season well, and it was fun to see some of the kids break into finals and not be the first ones off the awards stage in 6th place or even 5th place.
Of course, I have peeked in to spy on the crazy ant farm at teamsarah.org, and they are angry and fearful and whiny and making up atrocious things to scare themselves. Obama has declared that he is king! Obama will force everyone to have an abortion! The financial situation is all his doing! He is STILL a muslim and will kill us all in our beds! Boycott Fox News they said something mean about Sarah! The conversation really didn't change, but now it bores me pretty fast. They are floundering, and most of them are not very bright. Still, I hope somebody besides me is keeping an eye on them. Crazy people for sure.
All is peaceful here. Sunny the cockatiel is perched on my shoulder with his head tucked under his wing. If he didn't poop so much, he would be welcome there all the time.
Now Neffy the cat has decided to perch on the back of the chair and Sunny awoke and started huffing at her. Neffy is not impressed or interested.
The kids are doing their homework, and when they are done we will have dinner and go work out at the Y.
I made pumpkin pies from scratch yesterday, and it was actually better than the pie one gets is stores. More work, but a better, fresher tasting pie.
Life is good. Breathe deep.
.
Not only did Obama win, which made me smile goofily or tear up from time to time for days, but I also had a kick a$$ print job on voting day that makes me less of a financial drag than usual.
I also have spent the past week coming down from my election obsession. I don't have to be on the computer or have the TV on, and I seem to be able to get more done now.
My speech team started off the season well, and it was fun to see some of the kids break into finals and not be the first ones off the awards stage in 6th place or even 5th place.
Of course, I have peeked in to spy on the crazy ant farm at teamsarah.org, and they are angry and fearful and whiny and making up atrocious things to scare themselves. Obama has declared that he is king! Obama will force everyone to have an abortion! The financial situation is all his doing! He is STILL a muslim and will kill us all in our beds! Boycott Fox News they said something mean about Sarah! The conversation really didn't change, but now it bores me pretty fast. They are floundering, and most of them are not very bright. Still, I hope somebody besides me is keeping an eye on them. Crazy people for sure.
All is peaceful here. Sunny the cockatiel is perched on my shoulder with his head tucked under his wing. If he didn't poop so much, he would be welcome there all the time.
Now Neffy the cat has decided to perch on the back of the chair and Sunny awoke and started huffing at her. Neffy is not impressed or interested.
The kids are doing their homework, and when they are done we will have dinner and go work out at the Y.
I made pumpkin pies from scratch yesterday, and it was actually better than the pie one gets is stores. More work, but a better, fresher tasting pie.
Life is good. Breathe deep.
.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Whew. I say, whew.
I am so very pleased that Obama won.
I feel like I can have faith in America in general again, and the majority of Americans are not motivated by fear and smear tactics. It's a huge task to undo some of the damage of the past 8 years, and we have a huge job ahead of us, so celebration time is short. So today, I will have a little party going on in my heart.
I know I am not alone in feeling that the outcome of this election was keeping me awake at night for months.
John McCain is a great and honorable man, and he's one of my favorite politicians in Washington. However, his party had been taken over by some genuinely evil people, and there was no way for him to make it as his party's candidate without using them. I wonder if McCain had any choice about choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate, or if that was the final deal with the devil. I still think that he wouldn't have lived long had he taken office with her--he will have better and longer life because of this defeat. And we will need him.
They talked about "exciting the base"-- but what's left of the republican base after eight Bush years is truly some of the worst and most ignorant people in the country. Everyone else fled. It made a loud noise, but it wasn't a big enough group. Thank goodness.
Probably the best thing last night was the long faces and shaky voices at Fox News. They have been the perpetrators of the worst demagoguery and invective for the republican party, and now they can see that it was an epic FAIL.
I told my husband this morning that I feel like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and he joked, yeah, we were all counting on you for this.
But perhaps all of us who voted so convincingly and overwhelmingly for Obama should feel that way. A new beginning can happen because the People spoke over the shouting.
I feel like I can have faith in America in general again, and the majority of Americans are not motivated by fear and smear tactics. It's a huge task to undo some of the damage of the past 8 years, and we have a huge job ahead of us, so celebration time is short. So today, I will have a little party going on in my heart.
I know I am not alone in feeling that the outcome of this election was keeping me awake at night for months.
John McCain is a great and honorable man, and he's one of my favorite politicians in Washington. However, his party had been taken over by some genuinely evil people, and there was no way for him to make it as his party's candidate without using them. I wonder if McCain had any choice about choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate, or if that was the final deal with the devil. I still think that he wouldn't have lived long had he taken office with her--he will have better and longer life because of this defeat. And we will need him.
They talked about "exciting the base"-- but what's left of the republican base after eight Bush years is truly some of the worst and most ignorant people in the country. Everyone else fled. It made a loud noise, but it wasn't a big enough group. Thank goodness.
Probably the best thing last night was the long faces and shaky voices at Fox News. They have been the perpetrators of the worst demagoguery and invective for the republican party, and now they can see that it was an epic FAIL.
I told my husband this morning that I feel like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and he joked, yeah, we were all counting on you for this.
But perhaps all of us who voted so convincingly and overwhelmingly for Obama should feel that way. A new beginning can happen because the People spoke over the shouting.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I voted! Have you? It matters.
I was excited to vote today, and was pleased that I hit the voting area during a lull. I thought about getting there at 6:00am, but just couldn't make myself get up. Just as well, the election judges said it was a mad house then.
I would really like to get rid of the electoral college once and for all, but I hope that all will turn out well today.
Crossing fingers.
I would really like to get rid of the electoral college once and for all, but I hope that all will turn out well today.
Crossing fingers.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Palin hasn't apparently read the Constitution--still!
Palin expressed that the press criticizing her is against her first amendment rights.
Actually, she has it backwards. She can still say anything she wants, and the freedom of the press gives them the right to criticize it. Especially when it is deeply dumb and once again showing off how ignorant she is:
Check it out here.
Actually, she has it backwards. She can still say anything she wants, and the freedom of the press gives them the right to criticize it. Especially when it is deeply dumb and once again showing off how ignorant she is:
Check it out here.
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