In the great gay debate, there's always the question:
Are you a Liza, a Bette, a Madonna or a Barbra? (Sorry, I'm not of the generation that asks if I'm a Britney or a Gaga - not that I'm old) Okay, so my generation might ask more if I'm a Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte. And that naturally is paired with the colors conversation (are you an Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer).
To clear it up, I'm a Summer Carrie and I don't really play favorites with my Gay Icons. But I do have a special affinity for Barbra in the 70s, her pop period, which I really consider 1969-1984 (everything that leads up to The Broadway Album). Although the great stuff happened in the 1970s. And I'm not counting Guilty in 1980 because that it was her best selling album to date and not considered a lost classic.
Here's a list of songs from the great Streisand Pop Era - check them out in their 30 second clips on iTunes:
Queen Bee - from A Star is Born ("Welcome, please...the Oreos!)
Space Captain - from Barbra Joan Streisand (yes, the Joe Cocker song)
Life on Mars - from Butterfly (yes , Bowie song - and genius!)
Sweet Inspiration - from Live Concert at the Forum - she gets all Gospel
Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma - from Barbra Streisand and other Instruments - the special at least, not sure if it's on an album
Punky's Dilemna - from What About Today? ("Wish I was a Kellogg's Corn Flake...")
Time Machine - from Emotion (written by Earth, Wind and Fire, also featured on KIDS INCORPORATED)
Emotion - from Emotion - the video and documentary about the making of the video is genius. She basically went from Yentl to this.
It's classic because it so epitomizes so many wrong things about the 70s - it's when a lot of famous old time acts tried to get hip and the era was full of so many wacky ideas that it really was like the Devil's playground in term of guilty pleasures. Amazing. The collision of culture...what a wreck! A deliriously wonderful wreck!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Boner Free
Some things you do just so you can blog about them...
Tonight I did something I had considered several times, but didn't think I had the guts to do. And that is HOT NUDE YOGA.
Wes has the DVDs - Beginner, Strength, Partner and Tantra. And I've watched them many times. Hell, sometimes I've even exercised. Aaron Star is the guy who created this whole concept and from the DVDs you feel like there's this whole community of naturalist, non-lookist gay men who have come together for a sense of community and belonging. So they happen to be naked! Who cares? It's about the bond that comes from men having a shared homosensual experience.
Well, it wasn't exactly that way. This being Los Angeles, there's bound to be a sense of personal space and elitism. I probably had the most percentage body fat of any guy there. The HNY folks have this thing about wanting to be at the same fitness level - it's part of the communial experience thing. That and they can't say, "No fatties! You're disgusting to look at and how can I be calm and at peace with myself if I have to look your gross self!" Hey! I'm in shape. I just finished P90X, got toned, but I didn't stop eating like I like to eat, which is like a real person.
Btw, I just made some bolognese tonight and it looks delish. It's always better the second day, my mother says.
So I walk in there with my cute arms and my boyish good looks and my tummy. I don't mean to over sell it. It's not a gut. But it's soft and adorable and mostly flat. Let's just say it doesn't detract from the outward-first, then inner beauty. It's in this house in this non-descript neighborhood in Hollywood. I manage to find parking and I walk to the front of the house. Nothing. But I can see the flicker of candle light, so I head around the back where the back door is wide open.
Very Craig's List.
So I walk inside and see a bunch of naked dudes in minimal lighting walking around. In Aaron's videos, the group laughs and strips down and laughs some more. Then they do a big group hug, some of them are turned on and they start their yoga practice with hard-ons.
But this is HNY LA, so there are no hugs. The guys who all know each other keep to themselves and I grab the one spot left in the back corner where I can barely stretch my legs. I feel like Rosa Parks.
I'm a little shocked at myself. I drove all the way over to the class thinking that I was going to get an erection and then I'd have to proudly display it as I did my Warrior One or lunged into Warrior Two. Tree Pose was going to be a bitch with that extra branch throwing off my balance. But I looked down and there was nothing.
And of course I must have been a dead giveaway as the new kid because my neck kept craning. The instructor had a nice one and the guy next to me seemed to have a non-threatening, yet respectable penis of his own. The class begins and my erection free body starts to move.
And sweat. I thought it was called Hot Nude Yoga because they were trying to be titilating. Turns out, there was a very good reason they ask you to bring a towel to lay on your yoga mat. I almost didn't bring one because I didn't see the point. But halfway through, I'm wiping myself down. I've got to say, there's nothing like feeling that bead of sweat head down the small of your back and disappear into your buttcrack. I felt like I National Geographic Special on dew.
Then I look in front of my, through the semi-dark haze to see a familiar face. Aaron Star, founder of HNY was in front of me. Or what seemed like a version of him with a shaved head and a piercing maybe. But then he wasn't doing the poses full out. So then I decided it wasn't him. But he kept smiling at me like he owned the joint and then I thought, "Well, maybe he doesn't want to show off."
I'm doing my Child's Pose and my Downward Dog and my sequences, waiting for the moment when the instructor asks us all to come together and lay on top of each other or awaken the chakras in our respective taints. But that moment never arrived. I might have had a heart attack. The closest I came was Dolphin Pose.
So the instructor counts all of us in the room and it seemed like I was the only one without a partner. Everyone had someone in front of them but me. But then I thought that maybe the instructor would be my partner and even that thought didn't produce any arousal. Not even a chubby. The idea behind Dolphin Pose is that you balance on your elbows with your body straight up in the air. And this pose takes THREE people to execute. There's the "dolphin" and the two people creating the cage that keeps the dolphin from falling over. Caged animals. All of a sudden this is starting to feel less freeing and spiritual.
I get with these two guys - one is this cute blonde dude who seems a little hard core. I later find out his name is Todd. And then there is this hot panther (is that what we're calling male cougars now? I can't keep up. I prefer the old school term: Daddy). This guy is tight and six packed and clearly has been practicing yoga for years. Because he can do the frog pose and standing on his head and do all that crazy kama sutra shit.
Sidenote: They tell you not to eat two hours before you get there. I stopped eating about 1:15 minutes before class. And I got a little nervous when I saw Frog Pose, which is basically a squat where you rest your elbows on your inner thighs. In other words, you're squatting down like a Chinaman in a rice paddy stretching out your asshole. If you had any gas, there was no way it was going to stay inside and incognito. And the room is turned up, so farting in a hot room is a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, I was okay.
So that little group exercise was nice, but then it was back to stretches and balance poses. Then we get to the end where we all have to lie down and shut our eyes. In the DVDs, Aaron comes over and places a hand on your tummy to settle our breathing or he rubs your shoulder or licks your nipple...wait! That might have been a dream I had. Anyways, he's touching you and helping you relax. None of that here. It was very tame. I had managed to doze off a bit, but it was so relaxing. And then class was over.
In the light, I did realize that Aaron Star indeed had taken our class. I felt blessed, but I was confused that he didn't make us do a daisy chain or at least take hold of each other's "root chakras", if you know what I mean.
They don't discourage erections, according to the website. The worst thing that can happen (and the best) is that your erection is a source of inspiration for the group and things start sprouting all over the place. But that's not the point here. The point is to gather with other men, free of the labels that clothes and bags and shoes and cars give us. At that moment, we are all the same. we're all doing the same thing and trying to achieve the same goal.
I decided to go tonight because I am looking to awaken something in me. Not my sexuality, because that's pretty awake. Actually, it's been pulling an all nighter since junior high. I wanted to be in a place that was free from some of the industry Hollywood bullshit. I succeeded. It was liberating to be naked. And to forget about the world for a moment and focus inward. I just finished this pilot and polished up another one and am getting ready to start a MEDEA adaptation and then want to work on another play this year...I needed something. Something that just brought me back to myself. And I love stretching. It was always my favorite part of dance class because it allowed me to focus inward.
So will I go back? I might try another class or two. I'm curious about some of the other workshops. And I'm curious about the guys who come here and why.
But mainly I want to go back because the heat made me really flexible and I want to see how much more flexible I can become. In every way.
Tonight I did something I had considered several times, but didn't think I had the guts to do. And that is HOT NUDE YOGA.
Wes has the DVDs - Beginner, Strength, Partner and Tantra. And I've watched them many times. Hell, sometimes I've even exercised. Aaron Star is the guy who created this whole concept and from the DVDs you feel like there's this whole community of naturalist, non-lookist gay men who have come together for a sense of community and belonging. So they happen to be naked! Who cares? It's about the bond that comes from men having a shared homosensual experience.
Well, it wasn't exactly that way. This being Los Angeles, there's bound to be a sense of personal space and elitism. I probably had the most percentage body fat of any guy there. The HNY folks have this thing about wanting to be at the same fitness level - it's part of the communial experience thing. That and they can't say, "No fatties! You're disgusting to look at and how can I be calm and at peace with myself if I have to look your gross self!" Hey! I'm in shape. I just finished P90X, got toned, but I didn't stop eating like I like to eat, which is like a real person.
Btw, I just made some bolognese tonight and it looks delish. It's always better the second day, my mother says.
So I walk in there with my cute arms and my boyish good looks and my tummy. I don't mean to over sell it. It's not a gut. But it's soft and adorable and mostly flat. Let's just say it doesn't detract from the outward-first, then inner beauty. It's in this house in this non-descript neighborhood in Hollywood. I manage to find parking and I walk to the front of the house. Nothing. But I can see the flicker of candle light, so I head around the back where the back door is wide open.
Very Craig's List.
So I walk inside and see a bunch of naked dudes in minimal lighting walking around. In Aaron's videos, the group laughs and strips down and laughs some more. Then they do a big group hug, some of them are turned on and they start their yoga practice with hard-ons.
But this is HNY LA, so there are no hugs. The guys who all know each other keep to themselves and I grab the one spot left in the back corner where I can barely stretch my legs. I feel like Rosa Parks.
I'm a little shocked at myself. I drove all the way over to the class thinking that I was going to get an erection and then I'd have to proudly display it as I did my Warrior One or lunged into Warrior Two. Tree Pose was going to be a bitch with that extra branch throwing off my balance. But I looked down and there was nothing.
And of course I must have been a dead giveaway as the new kid because my neck kept craning. The instructor had a nice one and the guy next to me seemed to have a non-threatening, yet respectable penis of his own. The class begins and my erection free body starts to move.
And sweat. I thought it was called Hot Nude Yoga because they were trying to be titilating. Turns out, there was a very good reason they ask you to bring a towel to lay on your yoga mat. I almost didn't bring one because I didn't see the point. But halfway through, I'm wiping myself down. I've got to say, there's nothing like feeling that bead of sweat head down the small of your back and disappear into your buttcrack. I felt like I National Geographic Special on dew.
Then I look in front of my, through the semi-dark haze to see a familiar face. Aaron Star, founder of HNY was in front of me. Or what seemed like a version of him with a shaved head and a piercing maybe. But then he wasn't doing the poses full out. So then I decided it wasn't him. But he kept smiling at me like he owned the joint and then I thought, "Well, maybe he doesn't want to show off."
I'm doing my Child's Pose and my Downward Dog and my sequences, waiting for the moment when the instructor asks us all to come together and lay on top of each other or awaken the chakras in our respective taints. But that moment never arrived. I might have had a heart attack. The closest I came was Dolphin Pose.
So the instructor counts all of us in the room and it seemed like I was the only one without a partner. Everyone had someone in front of them but me. But then I thought that maybe the instructor would be my partner and even that thought didn't produce any arousal. Not even a chubby. The idea behind Dolphin Pose is that you balance on your elbows with your body straight up in the air. And this pose takes THREE people to execute. There's the "dolphin" and the two people creating the cage that keeps the dolphin from falling over. Caged animals. All of a sudden this is starting to feel less freeing and spiritual.
I get with these two guys - one is this cute blonde dude who seems a little hard core. I later find out his name is Todd. And then there is this hot panther (is that what we're calling male cougars now? I can't keep up. I prefer the old school term: Daddy). This guy is tight and six packed and clearly has been practicing yoga for years. Because he can do the frog pose and standing on his head and do all that crazy kama sutra shit.
Sidenote: They tell you not to eat two hours before you get there. I stopped eating about 1:15 minutes before class. And I got a little nervous when I saw Frog Pose, which is basically a squat where you rest your elbows on your inner thighs. In other words, you're squatting down like a Chinaman in a rice paddy stretching out your asshole. If you had any gas, there was no way it was going to stay inside and incognito. And the room is turned up, so farting in a hot room is a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, I was okay.
So that little group exercise was nice, but then it was back to stretches and balance poses. Then we get to the end where we all have to lie down and shut our eyes. In the DVDs, Aaron comes over and places a hand on your tummy to settle our breathing or he rubs your shoulder or licks your nipple...wait! That might have been a dream I had. Anyways, he's touching you and helping you relax. None of that here. It was very tame. I had managed to doze off a bit, but it was so relaxing. And then class was over.
In the light, I did realize that Aaron Star indeed had taken our class. I felt blessed, but I was confused that he didn't make us do a daisy chain or at least take hold of each other's "root chakras", if you know what I mean.
They don't discourage erections, according to the website. The worst thing that can happen (and the best) is that your erection is a source of inspiration for the group and things start sprouting all over the place. But that's not the point here. The point is to gather with other men, free of the labels that clothes and bags and shoes and cars give us. At that moment, we are all the same. we're all doing the same thing and trying to achieve the same goal.
I decided to go tonight because I am looking to awaken something in me. Not my sexuality, because that's pretty awake. Actually, it's been pulling an all nighter since junior high. I wanted to be in a place that was free from some of the industry Hollywood bullshit. I succeeded. It was liberating to be naked. And to forget about the world for a moment and focus inward. I just finished this pilot and polished up another one and am getting ready to start a MEDEA adaptation and then want to work on another play this year...I needed something. Something that just brought me back to myself. And I love stretching. It was always my favorite part of dance class because it allowed me to focus inward.
So will I go back? I might try another class or two. I'm curious about some of the other workshops. And I'm curious about the guys who come here and why.
But mainly I want to go back because the heat made me really flexible and I want to see how much more flexible I can become. In every way.
Meat Fingers
I went to the supermarket last night--the Pavillions that just reopened on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood. It used to be the friendliest one in town. Now it's just the biggest and just slightly kind.
I went because there was Tree Top Apple Juice on sale. Marked down from $4.45 to $2.99 (new everyday low price) to $0.99. I bought 8 bottles of Tree Top Apple Juice last week. But the best part was the variety. I had my choice of Apple Cider or Apple Berry as well. I went with the traditional, but I liked that there was so much value in that one purchase. And while I was there I picked up $18.99 worth of 80/20 ground beef for $7.00.
I love when I go to the market and I've saved more than I spent. It's kind of my favorite feeling. Other than sex or eating or writing or masturbating or having a good hair day or having a good work out or having a hot shower or having my boyfriend kiss me in the morning. Okay, so it's Top Ten. Maybe.
Now I have to figure out what I should do with all that meat. I've been on a meatloaf and meatball kick lately. I'll probably make some bolognaise because I've got a bunch of basil and tomato puree to use up.
I guess this is the root of my problem. I'm trying to lose a bit of my paunch. And it's not that big. It's actually not bad at all. But I've been doing P90X and working out and running and doing cardio. But the problem is that I like to eat. So I might never have that six pack. Because I love food. Although I keep seeing my friend Michael Stanwyck's status updates on Facebook about all the shit he eats and his was just featured on KTLA a few mornings ago with the craziest six pack ever.
Maybe I should send Michael an email and title it:
"Teach Me How to Eat Like Shit and Have Killer Abs"
I went because there was Tree Top Apple Juice on sale. Marked down from $4.45 to $2.99 (new everyday low price) to $0.99. I bought 8 bottles of Tree Top Apple Juice last week. But the best part was the variety. I had my choice of Apple Cider or Apple Berry as well. I went with the traditional, but I liked that there was so much value in that one purchase. And while I was there I picked up $18.99 worth of 80/20 ground beef for $7.00.
I love when I go to the market and I've saved more than I spent. It's kind of my favorite feeling. Other than sex or eating or writing or masturbating or having a good hair day or having a good work out or having a hot shower or having my boyfriend kiss me in the morning. Okay, so it's Top Ten. Maybe.
Now I have to figure out what I should do with all that meat. I've been on a meatloaf and meatball kick lately. I'll probably make some bolognaise because I've got a bunch of basil and tomato puree to use up.
I guess this is the root of my problem. I'm trying to lose a bit of my paunch. And it's not that big. It's actually not bad at all. But I've been doing P90X and working out and running and doing cardio. But the problem is that I like to eat. So I might never have that six pack. Because I love food. Although I keep seeing my friend Michael Stanwyck's status updates on Facebook about all the shit he eats and his was just featured on KTLA a few mornings ago with the craziest six pack ever.
Maybe I should send Michael an email and title it:
"Teach Me How to Eat Like Shit and Have Killer Abs"
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Homemade Ketchup
It's been a while since a shared a favorite recipe and here's one that's easy and way better than buying the Heinz:
Saute a medium diced onion and as many minced garlic cloves as you personally like in some olive oil until the onion is translucent. Then add some grated ginger, a seeded habanero or jalapeno finely minced, and some chopped up cilantro (about 1/4 cup, you can also sub in or mix with basil). Add 1 cup of vinegar (the recipe I read calls for 1/2 c. red wine and 1/2 c. apple cider - if you only have apple cider use 1 cup of that) and 1/2 c. brown sugar (more if you like a sweeter ketchup up. Let that come to a boil and reduce a bit. Then add one 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes or tomato puree (not sauce, too liquidy). Let that simmer and reduce by half, usually about 20-30 minutes. Keep stirring every so often so it doesn't burn.
Then put in a blender until all the chunks are gone. You might want to wait for the mixture to cool down a bit first. Then keep it in a tight container for up to 3 weeks. I've also done it where I've used the puree and chopped everything so fine that I didn't put it in the blender and had a bit of a relish/ketchup. It's good.
It's simple, but impressive to guests when you pull out the homemade ketchup. It's a lot of bang for very little.
Saute a medium diced onion and as many minced garlic cloves as you personally like in some olive oil until the onion is translucent. Then add some grated ginger, a seeded habanero or jalapeno finely minced, and some chopped up cilantro (about 1/4 cup, you can also sub in or mix with basil). Add 1 cup of vinegar (the recipe I read calls for 1/2 c. red wine and 1/2 c. apple cider - if you only have apple cider use 1 cup of that) and 1/2 c. brown sugar (more if you like a sweeter ketchup up. Let that come to a boil and reduce a bit. Then add one 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes or tomato puree (not sauce, too liquidy). Let that simmer and reduce by half, usually about 20-30 minutes. Keep stirring every so often so it doesn't burn.
Then put in a blender until all the chunks are gone. You might want to wait for the mixture to cool down a bit first. Then keep it in a tight container for up to 3 weeks. I've also done it where I've used the puree and chopped everything so fine that I didn't put it in the blender and had a bit of a relish/ketchup. It's good.
It's simple, but impressive to guests when you pull out the homemade ketchup. It's a lot of bang for very little.
Morning Dog Walk: Taking the Time
The dog walk this morning was full of dogs. We see this poodle from time to time - if I walk them at around 7:30 - who they love to play with. The owner and I don't know each other's names. But we know each other through our dogs.
Then there was the cute guy with the gray dog (I wasn't raised a dog person, so I don't know breeds by sight). And the guy who had four dogs he was walking at once. Had never seen either one of them walk in the hood. Maybe I should walk the dogs at 7:30 more often!
Then I thought about this time of morning being the time for everyone to recharge for the day, to think about the day to come. And I felt comforted because at least I'm not alone. For some people, it's the time before they go to bed, when no one is awake. For me, it's the morning. My boyfriend is sleeping upstairs. I pull myself out of bed to take Penny and Franc out. It's our special time together.
So today I have a new character trait to incorporate into someone I'm writing about in a pilot I'm desperately trying to finish. A friend told me to take my time with it. I've already been taking six months (and eight drafts!). It felt like good advice by inapplicable at the time. And now I know what he means. It's about the work, not about chasing approval or trying to get it done for this thing or that thing. It's about making it the best it can be. And I need to get over my fear that it might not be everything I want it or need it to be. And just finish it because the fear is making me take longer than I should.
And today I need to get back on Media Bistro and do some real research on writing articles.
Then there was the cute guy with the gray dog (I wasn't raised a dog person, so I don't know breeds by sight). And the guy who had four dogs he was walking at once. Had never seen either one of them walk in the hood. Maybe I should walk the dogs at 7:30 more often!
Then I thought about this time of morning being the time for everyone to recharge for the day, to think about the day to come. And I felt comforted because at least I'm not alone. For some people, it's the time before they go to bed, when no one is awake. For me, it's the morning. My boyfriend is sleeping upstairs. I pull myself out of bed to take Penny and Franc out. It's our special time together.
So today I have a new character trait to incorporate into someone I'm writing about in a pilot I'm desperately trying to finish. A friend told me to take my time with it. I've already been taking six months (and eight drafts!). It felt like good advice by inapplicable at the time. And now I know what he means. It's about the work, not about chasing approval or trying to get it done for this thing or that thing. It's about making it the best it can be. And I need to get over my fear that it might not be everything I want it or need it to be. And just finish it because the fear is making me take longer than I should.
And today I need to get back on Media Bistro and do some real research on writing articles.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Dim All the Lights
I had a thought after watching the Whitney interview on Oprah yesterday. She made a comment about having to dim her light for Bobby Brown. I guess we've seen what happens when one of the great talents tries to dim her light in order to make someone else feel better. It's self-destructive. It's an obvious sign that it is the wrong thing to do.
Then I thought about the way that I dim my light by not appreciating my gift. When you're 22 and you're fresh out of college you don't really think about those things. I know I was so happy that I had a gift and that I had discovered it. And I used it all of the time - I wrote plays, I choreographed dances, I sang. And all of those things felt like they belonged uniquely to me. Those plays and dances and songs were imperfect. My voice was imperfect, but I expressed it with abandon.
As I've mentioned, I'm speaking to college students from my alma mater, Santa Clara University next month and sharing my experiences. I think the fact that I've been asked to do this has set off a bunch of thoughts in my head. Some of them are about where I'm going in my life. Thankfully, the ones that are saying "What the hell have you been doing?" aren't that loud. I'm a stubborn person, so I've been on a path that I've really committed to, one that I thought was absolutely 100% the right one. And while I've learned from it and I've definitely grown from it, it's time to switch it up a bit and try one of the side roads.
I had a Facebook exchange with a good friend yesterday who said she had been asked to go back to our alma mater to speak to a group of students as well and she gave them the hard line. I think that IS important: the "reality check" conversation. But I don't necessarily want to be Franklin Shepard in "Merrily We Roll Along" talking about compromise.
Yesterday is gone...
But what I do want to say to them is remember why you are uniquely you and make that indispensible. It's something I've tried to do my whole life and some times I've succeeded and some times I've failed. But that has always been the M.O. I think the times I forget that, I don't do as well. And the times I do, I soar.
So optimistic, but firm. That's my tone.
I need to take that tone with MYSELF more often.
Then I thought about the way that I dim my light by not appreciating my gift. When you're 22 and you're fresh out of college you don't really think about those things. I know I was so happy that I had a gift and that I had discovered it. And I used it all of the time - I wrote plays, I choreographed dances, I sang. And all of those things felt like they belonged uniquely to me. Those plays and dances and songs were imperfect. My voice was imperfect, but I expressed it with abandon.
As I've mentioned, I'm speaking to college students from my alma mater, Santa Clara University next month and sharing my experiences. I think the fact that I've been asked to do this has set off a bunch of thoughts in my head. Some of them are about where I'm going in my life. Thankfully, the ones that are saying "What the hell have you been doing?" aren't that loud. I'm a stubborn person, so I've been on a path that I've really committed to, one that I thought was absolutely 100% the right one. And while I've learned from it and I've definitely grown from it, it's time to switch it up a bit and try one of the side roads.
I had a Facebook exchange with a good friend yesterday who said she had been asked to go back to our alma mater to speak to a group of students as well and she gave them the hard line. I think that IS important: the "reality check" conversation. But I don't necessarily want to be Franklin Shepard in "Merrily We Roll Along" talking about compromise.
Yesterday is gone...
But what I do want to say to them is remember why you are uniquely you and make that indispensible. It's something I've tried to do my whole life and some times I've succeeded and some times I've failed. But that has always been the M.O. I think the times I forget that, I don't do as well. And the times I do, I soar.
So optimistic, but firm. That's my tone.
I need to take that tone with MYSELF more often.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Too Busy
Today seems to be whizzing by.
Too busy to update the blog.
Too busy to think about the rest of the new plot points in this pilot.
Not too busy to eat.
Ah...had a hamburger, fries and salad for lunch. Delish.
I love food. In diners.
Too busy to update the blog.
Too busy to think about the rest of the new plot points in this pilot.
Not too busy to eat.
Ah...had a hamburger, fries and salad for lunch. Delish.
I love food. In diners.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Putting It All Out There
My friend Dave once told me that if you really want something, you have to put all of yourself out there in order to reap the most rewards.
And he's a Jesuit Priest. So I trust him.
So today on 9/9/09, I say to the universe, give me all the good fortune that's ready to come my way. I'm ready to have a hit show in New York, a hit show on the air, to be in rehearsals for the next three plays I'm writing as soon as I'm done with them. I'm ready to be the boyfriend of an incredibly satisfied, successful, titan of industry (my current boyfriend, for the record). I'm ready for creativity and financial rewards to abound and be plentiful.
I'm lucky to be inspired by my partner and on 9/9/09, I ask the universe to take it to the next level.
I hope that for everyone I care about.
And he's a Jesuit Priest. So I trust him.
So today on 9/9/09, I say to the universe, give me all the good fortune that's ready to come my way. I'm ready to have a hit show in New York, a hit show on the air, to be in rehearsals for the next three plays I'm writing as soon as I'm done with them. I'm ready to be the boyfriend of an incredibly satisfied, successful, titan of industry (my current boyfriend, for the record). I'm ready for creativity and financial rewards to abound and be plentiful.
I'm lucky to be inspired by my partner and on 9/9/09, I ask the universe to take it to the next level.
I hope that for everyone I care about.
Morning Dog Walk: What About Today?
I was on my morning dog walk with Penny and Franc, our two dogs (I'll post some picture soon). As they were dragging me down the street, I started thinking about today. What am I going to do today to make my life better? I'm committing to doing something productive every day for the rest of the month as a bit of a jump start.
Yesterday, it was starting this blog. And look what that produced! I'm flying up to my alma mater to speak about my experiences:
"Please welcome our guest who has been a misunderstood kid from Downey, CA, a New York City playwright, a Los Angelista and noted blogger..." Applause. And scene.
So today, I think I'm going to go on www.mediabistro.com and look up the different ways to make money writing articles. I also should do some research on what kind of exercise program I'm going to approach after P90X. I loved it, but thought towards the end I was overtraining. I met a very handsome guy in the air force who told me about Crossfit. I'll look into that today. I wonder if he was trying to tell me he wanted to train me. In the nude.
Sometimes I can be so dense. I'm off and running. Not literally, although now I'm thinking about that LA Marathon again.
Yesterday, it was starting this blog. And look what that produced! I'm flying up to my alma mater to speak about my experiences:
"Please welcome our guest who has been a misunderstood kid from Downey, CA, a New York City playwright, a Los Angelista and noted blogger..." Applause. And scene.
So today, I think I'm going to go on www.mediabistro.com and look up the different ways to make money writing articles. I also should do some research on what kind of exercise program I'm going to approach after P90X. I loved it, but thought towards the end I was overtraining. I met a very handsome guy in the air force who told me about Crossfit. I'll look into that today. I wonder if he was trying to tell me he wanted to train me. In the nude.
Sometimes I can be so dense. I'm off and running. Not literally, although now I'm thinking about that LA Marathon again.
9/9/09
I'm sharing and embracing in the energy of today. We could all use a little zsa zsa zou (sorry, I was watching the Season 5 closer last night). Thanks, Jen Frances for sending!
This date holds the energy of Nine, the energy of all that is. Nine is also known as the number of completion and it carries the vibrations of all the numbers before it, therefore it is completion. This triple nine gateway carries a mathematical frequency and is at it’s highest on 9/9/09. The opening of this gateway signifies the end of fear.
This date holds the energy of Nine, the energy of all that is. Nine is also known as the number of completion and it carries the vibrations of all the numbers before it, therefore it is completion. This triple nine gateway carries a mathematical frequency and is at it’s highest on 9/9/09. The opening of this gateway signifies the end of fear.
The frequency of nine is universal it is unconditional love, healing , strength, & higher consciousness. This is a most powerful day to release the pain and limitations of the past, an opportunity to heal, restore and recalibrate connecting with the very encoding of your DNA. We will then be activating from the cellular levels of our being a time we have long awaited for.
Many will feel this shift and the best way to connect with intention is through meditation. Take time to relax, breathe and let your mind and body slow down, slowing down the brain waves so that you receive. One simply has to ask to connect to the 9/9/09 energy, you will be heard by millions of beings of light joyfully awaiting and ready to fulfill your request. Be open and await and listen and know that what you receive is perfect to you.
You are ready for this powerful geometrical frequency of 9 to be received and shift your mind/body/spirit to that of unconditional love and divine connection to the Creator/God.
Take time on this day to consciously release and even physically clear out what is no longer needed in your surrounding. In deciding what needs to be released ask your self what keeps you from feeling joy, move your thoughts and action to a place of alignment with joy. If needed make a list of what you are ready to be done with and know your request is heard and fulfilled. Imagine your physical body surrendering that that is no longer needed and the energy of the old you choose to let go of on this powerful day. No longer a need to look back, avoid the rear view mirror of your past and in trust and faith allow these new energies of higher vibrations to integrate and awaken the Joy within.
As you meditate this day, ask the Creator/God to release to you the highest information possible regarding your specific journey. Take this information into your heart and allow the information in. . Embrace the information and know that you are ready!
Ask, Allow and Receive!
As you meditate this day, ask the Creator/God to release to you the highest information possible regarding your specific journey. Take this information into your heart and allow the information in. . Embrace the information and know that you are ready!
Ask, Allow and Receive!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Meatballs
Not the movie, but an actual recipe. I've been on a meatball kick lately.
Actually, it all started a few months ago when I wanted to make albondigas soup (Mexican Meatball Soup).
So here's a loose recipe for a few different types that have worked lately. Our friends Jen and Steven loved them when we went to see "Being There" at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Saturday night.
Everything starts w/ 2 lbs of ground beef (of choice), a couple of eggs and breadcrumbs. Then:
Albondigas - cilantro, olive oil and garlic in a blender or food processor, make a pesto of sorts. Then mix that into the meat.
Putanesca - black olive tapenade, basil, garlic, red pepper flakes mixed into the meat.
Fatty balls - crumbled bacon, basil, garlic, grated parm, green onions chopped fine mixed into the meat.
Roll into little balls. Fry up in a pan with some olive oil. shake the pan every five minutes over medium heat, so that they're brown on all sides.
For the albondigas, I add them to a soup w/ broth, onions, celery, carrots. For the putanesca, I do a spicy marinara to serve them with and for the fatty balls, maybe a nice homemade ketchup (large can of tomato puree, 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, plus other spices of your choice - look on the food network website for a real recipe, either Jamie Oliver's or Emeril's habanero/orange).
I'll put the recipe in a later post.
Mmmm...
Actually, it all started a few months ago when I wanted to make albondigas soup (Mexican Meatball Soup).
So here's a loose recipe for a few different types that have worked lately. Our friends Jen and Steven loved them when we went to see "Being There" at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Saturday night.
Everything starts w/ 2 lbs of ground beef (of choice), a couple of eggs and breadcrumbs. Then:
Albondigas - cilantro, olive oil and garlic in a blender or food processor, make a pesto of sorts. Then mix that into the meat.
Putanesca - black olive tapenade, basil, garlic, red pepper flakes mixed into the meat.
Fatty balls - crumbled bacon, basil, garlic, grated parm, green onions chopped fine mixed into the meat.
Roll into little balls. Fry up in a pan with some olive oil. shake the pan every five minutes over medium heat, so that they're brown on all sides.
For the albondigas, I add them to a soup w/ broth, onions, celery, carrots. For the putanesca, I do a spicy marinara to serve them with and for the fatty balls, maybe a nice homemade ketchup (large can of tomato puree, 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, plus other spices of your choice - look on the food network website for a real recipe, either Jamie Oliver's or Emeril's habanero/orange).
I'll put the recipe in a later post.
Mmmm...
Expert/Rebel
So I got a Facebook message today from Barbara Murray, the chair of the SCU Theatre Department today. It was funny because she had just emailed me about what I had been up to and I had just emailed her about teaching last week. She's invited me to come speak to some students about "The Business of the Business." I guess that assumes that I know something. Well, I know a few things. There's nothing like a former professor calling you up because enough time has passed and you're now considered an expert, or at least someone who can share life experiences.
And then I went back in time in the time machine in my head. To a time I've been thinking about a lot lately. When I was an actor/singer/dancer/playwright/choreographer/rebel at Santa Clara University as an English major, double minor in theatre and dance. I did my own thing - asking for understanding rather than permission.
When did I stop being a rebel? I'm still young. I've got some rebel left in me. Actually, I've probably got a lot left in me that I've been storing up for a few years. This would be an interesting time for me to get back to SCU. I'm thinking about the next three plays I want to write at the place where I started writing plays. One of those happens to be a dance theatre version of MEDEA, which is a piece I've been thinking about and "working on" for the past ten years. Maybe I'll spend some time in the new dance studios working with some music and a notebook, just like I did back then.
Actually, I think I'll also bring my copy of Twyla Tharp's book, THE CREATIVE HABIT, with me as well. No unitard this time. Just some barefeet and some loose trousers. That could be fun.
I'm starting to get excited.
And then I went back in time in the time machine in my head. To a time I've been thinking about a lot lately. When I was an actor/singer/dancer/playwright/choreographer/rebel at Santa Clara University as an English major, double minor in theatre and dance. I did my own thing - asking for understanding rather than permission.
When did I stop being a rebel? I'm still young. I've got some rebel left in me. Actually, I've probably got a lot left in me that I've been storing up for a few years. This would be an interesting time for me to get back to SCU. I'm thinking about the next three plays I want to write at the place where I started writing plays. One of those happens to be a dance theatre version of MEDEA, which is a piece I've been thinking about and "working on" for the past ten years. Maybe I'll spend some time in the new dance studios working with some music and a notebook, just like I did back then.
Actually, I think I'll also bring my copy of Twyla Tharp's book, THE CREATIVE HABIT, with me as well. No unitard this time. Just some barefeet and some loose trousers. That could be fun.
I'm starting to get excited.
Sex and the City, Season 6, Part 2 Revisited
So yesterday as I was doing some work on this pilot I'm writing, I felt like I needed some inspiration and I had eaten all of the meatballs and cheese in the house.
So I looked through some old DVDs to see what I hadn't watched in a while. And at the same time I was looking on Perez Hilton and saw some pictures from the set of the Sex and the City sequel. So I decided to go back and look at the last 8 episodes of the final season. And because I actually was trying to "raise the stakes" in the story I'm writing, I decided to listen to Michael Patrick King's commentary on the final three episodes of the series.
This is the thing about MPK's commentary on the S&TC DVDs: He loves talking about the brilliant and subtle storytelling he used while writing the series. And that's not a judgment because I'm a sucker who loves to listen to the magician reveal the tricks behind his tricks. I could listen to him all day draw connections between why it had to be THAT Loubatin in THAT particular scene. Because that's how I live my life, making connections that may or may not be there. And MPK actually helped me map out some important story points in my script.
So this is my conclusion about Season Six, Part Two: It's pretty great. Everyone looks amazing. We get to see the balance of tragedy, farce, slapstick, romantic comedy and emotional touchstones. While at the same time referencing the history of the series and giving a wink to the audience who wanted Carrie and Big to get together all along. I love talk like that! The French rap which shows that rap can transcend culture and language. The tutu in Plaza Athenee that references the tutu in the opening credits. The way that Big touches and cares for Carrie when he kisses her in Paris vs. just ravaging her. The full circle of Big saying "Abso-fucking-lutely" when they get back to New York and the character of Carrie vs. the actress of SJP referencing that moment to herself to Big the character vs. the actor Chris Noth. Layer upon layer upon layer of storytelling! Like the layers of tulle Carrie wore when she was waiting for Alexandr to come home at the hotel.
I could go on and on. But I won't.
Thanks, MPK for the inspiration. And I'm eating Triscuits while trying to decide what I want for lunch.
So I looked through some old DVDs to see what I hadn't watched in a while. And at the same time I was looking on Perez Hilton and saw some pictures from the set of the Sex and the City sequel. So I decided to go back and look at the last 8 episodes of the final season. And because I actually was trying to "raise the stakes" in the story I'm writing, I decided to listen to Michael Patrick King's commentary on the final three episodes of the series.
This is the thing about MPK's commentary on the S&TC DVDs: He loves talking about the brilliant and subtle storytelling he used while writing the series. And that's not a judgment because I'm a sucker who loves to listen to the magician reveal the tricks behind his tricks. I could listen to him all day draw connections between why it had to be THAT Loubatin in THAT particular scene. Because that's how I live my life, making connections that may or may not be there. And MPK actually helped me map out some important story points in my script.
So this is my conclusion about Season Six, Part Two: It's pretty great. Everyone looks amazing. We get to see the balance of tragedy, farce, slapstick, romantic comedy and emotional touchstones. While at the same time referencing the history of the series and giving a wink to the audience who wanted Carrie and Big to get together all along. I love talk like that! The French rap which shows that rap can transcend culture and language. The tutu in Plaza Athenee that references the tutu in the opening credits. The way that Big touches and cares for Carrie when he kisses her in Paris vs. just ravaging her. The full circle of Big saying "Abso-fucking-lutely" when they get back to New York and the character of Carrie vs. the actress of SJP referencing that moment to herself to Big the character vs. the actor Chris Noth. Layer upon layer upon layer of storytelling! Like the layers of tulle Carrie wore when she was waiting for Alexandr to come home at the hotel.
I could go on and on. But I won't.
Thanks, MPK for the inspiration. And I'm eating Triscuits while trying to decide what I want for lunch.
My Facebook Self vs. My Real Self pt 1
It's sad when you have to look at your Facebook profile to realize what you like or don't like. I'm in the process of adding things to this blog and I had to use my Facebook page as a reference to remind myself of things that define my Point of Loo.
Such as...
My activities range from marathon running (which I'm currently taking a break from - although it looks like 2010 in LA will be the next one) to yoga (I want people to think I'm both centered and flexible...both literally and figuratively). What I left out: eating potato salad, pacing around farmer's markets (my faves are Culver City on Tuesday, West Hollywood on Mondays and Melrose Place on Sundays), and bugging the shit out of my boyfriend.
My fave tv shows include: Sex and the City and The Cosby Show (both for the fashion) AND True Blood and RuPaul's Drag Race (both feature creatures that only come out at night). What's not on there is my new obsession w/ Nurse Jackie, Dance Your Ass Off and Wendy Williams. So if anyone were to go onto my Facebook page, I guess they'd just have an incomplete picture of the person I am. Or at least the person I present to the people I choose to friend or let friend me on Facebook.
It begs the existential question - Who Am I? Or Who Am I To You? Jeez, this is way too much thought for the Tuesday after Labor Day.
I need lunch. And then I'm going to update my Facebook.
Such as...
My activities range from marathon running (which I'm currently taking a break from - although it looks like 2010 in LA will be the next one) to yoga (I want people to think I'm both centered and flexible...both literally and figuratively). What I left out: eating potato salad, pacing around farmer's markets (my faves are Culver City on Tuesday, West Hollywood on Mondays and Melrose Place on Sundays), and bugging the shit out of my boyfriend.
My fave tv shows include: Sex and the City and The Cosby Show (both for the fashion) AND True Blood and RuPaul's Drag Race (both feature creatures that only come out at night). What's not on there is my new obsession w/ Nurse Jackie, Dance Your Ass Off and Wendy Williams. So if anyone were to go onto my Facebook page, I guess they'd just have an incomplete picture of the person I am. Or at least the person I present to the people I choose to friend or let friend me on Facebook.
It begs the existential question - Who Am I? Or Who Am I To You? Jeez, this is way too much thought for the Tuesday after Labor Day.
I need lunch. And then I'm going to update my Facebook.
Just the Tip
After yet another weekend of drinking too much, being out too late, and starting the week at a deficit, I thought the best thing to do was start a blog. Like so many others before me. But they say that getting started is the hardest thing to do. And it seems like I've been getting started for quite some time now. I've got a graduate degree in writing from NYU and I've been trying to break into the entertainment industry for a while. Guess what? Nothing's really happening. I've written my plays and gotten them produced or had readings of them. I've written numerous spec scripts and pilots and can get them to various executives and showrunners...
I think the thing to mention here is that I'm not a shitty writer. At least I don't think so. And neither does my mother, my brother, my boyfriend, my best friends and people who think I'm cute and probably would say anything to get into my pants.
And the jury's still out mid-first blog post. The point is that I'm doing everything I should be doing to be the great success I've always fancied myself becoming. Well, everything except put my unique point of view (or Point of Loo) together in a blog.
Wow, this is like overindulgent, verbal masturbation - which I would loathe in a stage play or a piece of performance art, but here seems strangely allowed and appropriate. So I'm going to continue because I'm no where near climaxing...
Well, maybe I should hold off from blowing my wad all at once. This is just the first post. A taste. A tease.
Just the tip, if you will. No need to go all the way in yet. Not without lubrication anyway.
I think the thing to mention here is that I'm not a shitty writer. At least I don't think so. And neither does my mother, my brother, my boyfriend, my best friends and people who think I'm cute and probably would say anything to get into my pants.
And the jury's still out mid-first blog post. The point is that I'm doing everything I should be doing to be the great success I've always fancied myself becoming. Well, everything except put my unique point of view (or Point of Loo) together in a blog.
Wow, this is like overindulgent, verbal masturbation - which I would loathe in a stage play or a piece of performance art, but here seems strangely allowed and appropriate. So I'm going to continue because I'm no where near climaxing...
Well, maybe I should hold off from blowing my wad all at once. This is just the first post. A taste. A tease.
Just the tip, if you will. No need to go all the way in yet. Not without lubrication anyway.
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