Great Day In The Morning

Bienvenue!

*Tension breaking sigh* I feel good. I do. For a few reasons, actually. I have the first four (of twelve) pages of the comic and they are finished. They look mahvelous. I'm waiting on the colorization and captioning of the rest, but I have good people working for me so the wait should not be prolonged.

I'm going to try my darnedest to get the Voice-Over CDs in the mail tomorrow. Tonight will be a wacky evening filled with printing cover letters. (Thank god I don't have to lick the envelopes.) Then it's off to the post office, for postage galore. Woot.

I frankly have no idea what to do with myself for Tuesday-- family's out of town. Unless a rendezvous with friends is in the cards, I'll likely spend a chunk of it transcribing.

In any case: I feel like my old self. That's pretty not-shabby.

Ciao for now, folks. Enjoy your day.

Coming Together

Folks, I'm pleased to report that progress is being made. Yes, yes it is. The comic book (an expensive hobby, believe me) is close to being ready to send off. In as little as two weeks, we could be in business.

Same goes for Voice-Over Demo CDs. The cover letter is written, now it's just a matter of printing up seventy-odd letters addressed to different people. Envelopes are already addressed and ready to go.

There's something else... something that I can't, don't want to jinx by mentioning too early. Just... keep your fingers crossed for me on another creative endeavor. I'll spill the beans when I can, you have my word.

***

I had the opportunity recently to talk to a friend about several things. Including my thinking too much. Wendy (on the list of women who can shut me up) suggested I just embrace it rather than try to fight it. Seeing as how all efforts to the contrary have proven fruitless, her input is made all the more relevant.

If I can figure out *how* to embrace this stupid overactive pattern-seeking son of a bitch, I will. But (like so many things) it's something to work toward.

Ciao for now, folks. Sweet dreams.

Desire, *Schmesire*

I'm more than a little fed up with the notion of desire. Specifically, wanting things that are not necessarily good for us.

To hell with that.

Despite everything else, we're human beings. Our instincts drive us toward what's necessary for our survival: Food. Shelter. A mate. Things (or Persons) without which, survival is either not possible or not worth it.

With all due respect to the establishment, desire is a good thing. We want things for a reason. We want people for a reason. I can't think of much that's more frustrating, condemning, nor stymying than a perpetually unfulfilled want.

Granted: It's been said that wanting something is frequently not so great as having it; but I remain of the camp of "Let me find out for myself, thank you".

Following certain trains of logic, you can tell a lot about a person by what he or she desires. Wealth. Power. Security. Stimulation of a physical, emotional, or intellectual nature. (On occasions, all three.)

Regardless. There are things I want in this life that I will never have. C'est la vie. They are not the only things I want for myself. But the fact that I wanted them in the first place, I hope, will say something good on my behalf. Good taste, if nothing else.

I'm probably not making a great deal of sense. That's okay. If I could say more on the subject, I would.

In any case. I'm firmly of the belief that that which we desire (excluding addictions) is on some level, inherently good for us. I don't have everything figured out, but I've gathered that much at least.

Take from it what you will.

Another Show Finished

The Complete Bible wrapped up this weekend, and as is the M.O. of every show, the set was stripped down to nothing. You'd be hard pressed to find proof we were there in the first place, but for a few smiles on our audience's faces and a pleasant memory or three. That's showbiz.

Another week begins, and I'm... taking a brief sabbatical until August, acting-wise. The free evenings will do me some good, I think. I'm looking forward to figuring out what to do with the free time.

Drop me a line, I'll be around. Ciao for now.

'ello, All

Today wasn't bad. Not bad at all. Got loads done on the latest transcription, and finished up labels for the CDs. Progress is always good.

Tomorrow's gonna be good. Wish I had more to say than that.

Ciao for now.

Go Figure.

It's been a day. A fairly (but not excessively) long day. It's also one thirty in the AM and here I am, all awake-like. Eh.

At what point, precisely, did 1:30 become a standard bedtime for me? Can't say. Chalk it to insomnia or just plain night-owlism. Either way, here I am. Tuckin' in at a time when most in this time zone are well into slumberland.

Which isn't to say that those who get more n' six hours sleep are suckers... far from it. Just wish I got tired earlier, is all.

And if wishes were horses... I'd have my own damned ranch.

Ciao for now, folks. Sweet dreams.

F Is For F*ckers, That's Good Enough For Me

Folks, it's come to my attention that the Republican Party wants to take PBS and NPR off the air. They tried the exact same stunt a year ago; when their efforts were stemmed by Viewers Like You.

I won't pretend that the money they're trying to re-appropriate couldn't be put to good use. Far from it. However, those millions are already being put to good use. Do you really want to tell your kids that the Republicans put an end to Big Bird? Or The Count? Or Bert & Ernie?

Make a difference. Sign the petition. Let's keep Cookie Monster on his feet where he belongs.

Honestly? I'd like to meet the men and women who put this thing in motion in the first place. And then I'd like to hear them explain to their kids how they want to see Elmo become extinct. Have tissues at the ready, parents. And ponies. You're gonna need 'em.

Republicans... this time you've gone too far...

A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight

Folks, last night's show went well. There was one minor glitch. Barely worth mentioning, really.

Alan said Macbeth. I pointed at him and said, "Alan... Anything goes wrong tonight? Totally your fault." He shrugged, laughing it off.

We stepped into the theatre and immediately knew something was up. Namely that the Air Conditioning was broken. In a packed house. Under very bright, very warm lights. The word is 'sweltering'.

Great timing, Alan. Just great.

Punk.

Yes, Yes, YES

Folks, last night's show was nothing short of fantastic. And we owe it to the crowd. Best audience yet. The energy they gave us was simply electrifying, and hopefully we gave it back in kind.

They got everything. It was a packed house, no audience has laughed harder or longer, and we got a standing O at the end. Bam. When it works, it just freaking works. It worked last night.

Special thanks to Nathan, Steven, Michael B, Amanda & Rob for coming out last night. Meant the world to see so many recognizable faces.

My mom is coming tonight, along with my aunts and some dear long-standing friends of the family. One of them's a minister, so I'm hoping she'll enjoy herself. Tomorrow my Dad, stepmom, brother and sister-in-law are coming to our one Sunday performance. Everyone's comin' out.

Outstanding.

Happy New Year...

It's after midnight; in less than 14 hours I have my fourth annual audition with the League of Washington Theatres. One of the only things I can think of that I've done every year for the last three. Sure, there's celebrating holidays with the family, but that's honestly about it.

I think the second year I attended was when I foresaw it becoming an annual fixture; which earned it the honor of becoming my 'new year'. That by which the clock is re-set. Anybody can watch a ball drop.

Year #4... I have a good monologue prepared, there's a fresh Post quote on my resume', I look the best that I have in quite some time... and I have a good time slot to boot. I'm as ready as I'm going to get. Wish me luck, folks.

After tomorrow I can get on to other such ventures-- like finishing up the comic pages and mailing out demo CDs. (I have the first two-of-twelve pages in full color now, and they look splendid. Can't wait to show 'em around.)

Ciao for now. There's more to follow, one way or another. That... you can bank on.

Sweet dreams.

They're Ready! They're Ready!

At long last (it feels like it took ages), my Demo CDs are ready. Bam. I'm picking them up after work this afternoon, and I cannot wait to get my mitts on 'em... and ship them out into the world.

I've been trying to get this done for several weeks now; with one thing or another standing in the way of getting it finished. I wanted a better narration demo to send out, so I recorded one. Then the first guy I sent the files to for production... simply dropped the ball. Don't care if I never hear from him again, he was flatly unprofessional and it's his loss of my business.

The company that did come through, Video Labs, is local. Less than ten minutes from here. After some initial miscommunication on file formats; we're all set.

I need to pick up some shipping envelopes, and see about getting loads o' postage. I have the addresses I need, and I'll probably be placing a few phone calls to bump my submission from 'unsolicited' to 'solicited'. Every little bit helps.

Woot. This is the next step... and I'm takin' it.

Ciao for now, folks.

Sale. Seriously. *Jump* On It.

Okay. Movie lovers of the world rejoice. www.deepdiscountdvd.com, known for having ridiculously low prices already, is having a sale. Twenty Percent Off. Shazam.

Put your list of flicks together, and in the discount box, enter the following: dvdtalk

Jump on this, it expires the 17th. Go forth. Commit acts of commerce.

Good 'Omen'

Just got back from seeing The Omen. Spoilery stuff below, so don't read if you're still planning to see it.

The movie itself was good. The atmosphere... not so much. The audience had a lot of teenagers, and chilling moments lost some impact when there was laughter.

Okay. The concept the flick tries to sell is an uncertainty that Damien could really be the spawn of Satan. Despite his sullen mood, his laconic nature, and the oppressive creepy vibe one gets just by looking at him, he could just be a weird kid. Couldn't he?

No. Going into the theater, everyone knows Damien is the Antichrist. There's no suspense there. None. We know his whole family is essentially f*cked. Despite all the horrific seemingly-coincidental tragedies that passively eliminate the obstacles in Damien's path to Armageddon; the movie still closes with a single knowing smile from the little devil, staring straight at the audience.

Confirming, once and for all, what we already know. It's a remake, for Pete's sake. Everybody knows.

Even if folks aren't aware of how the movie ends, the one thing they do know, thanks to an absolutely notorious horror movie decades ago; is that Damien is the spawn of the devil.

"Oh yeah. The Omen. That flick about the antichrist." Not, "Oh yeah. The Omen. That flick about a kid that might be the antichrist."

The rest of the movie is well done. Some thrilling moments, wonderfully chilling. Julia Stiles and Liev Schriber were great. And yes, the kid playing Damien was very creepy. Very, very creepy.

Enjoy, if you go in for a horror flick. Just don't expect too much in the way of surprises.

Takin' A Breath

Last night was a good show. Michael K and Andy I showed up; complete w/ cookies. Shazam.

We were sold out, as we are tonight, and next Saturday. I love a packed house. They came ready to laugh, and made it that much easier to do our jobs.

We had some latecomers, which is always fun. One of them must not have liked the attention, as she was nowhere to be seen in act 2. Some people just aren't good sports...

I spent an hour in a dunk tank this afternoon at a fundraiser "Chrome for Kids". It was cold. The water felt warm compared to the breeze in 70-degree weather. Brrr.

Let There Be: Reviews

Good morning, folks. Today's Washington Post brings us a review for The Complete Bible. Woot.

Take a look for yourself! Hope to see you at the show.

Ciao for now.

On Pettly Smuggers & Other Related Phenomena

Folks, today wasn't too shabby. I spent the better part of the afternoon in the booth, recording voices for books on tape. I got to A) use a number of accents, and B) get stabbed in the back. I love me some death scenes.

Bob, one of the directors, read lines opposite me to keep the story going, and at one point mentioned petty smugglers. Unfortunately what came out was 'pettly smuggers' which launched us into fits of laughter. Good times.

I feel... good. I'm working, I'm making progress with my endeavors and I'm in a show. The rest will come along... when the time is right, I suppose. My timing in certain matters has proven to be nothing short of abysmal; to my detriment. Nothing to be done but move on, which I'm doing. Bully for me.

Be well, folks. Sweet dreams. For all of us.

Man That Kid Is Creepy

With all the fervor currently possessing The Omen remake, Newsweek has seen fit to do a brief look on a classic staple of horror films: The Creepy Kid. Heh heh.

More often than not, the Creepy Kid turns out to be, well, evil. Macaulay Culkin in The Good Son didn't quite pull it off; his biggest flaw being he was given too many lines. The less the Creepy Kid talks, the more your skin crawls just looking at 'im.

On the other hand, Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense (Oh, like I was going to get away without mentioning it) wasn't evil at all. Just incredibly effed up thanks to an ability he couldn't control. And very, very creepy. Damned creepy, in fact.

I for one can't wait to see the movie. I'm a Julia Stiles fan (as well as a fan of Pete Postlethwaite); as if getting to see the Antichrist as a tyke isn't draw enough.

Favorite flick featuring a Creepy Kid? Anyone?

Number Of The Beast

Sheesh. I've heard that there are genuine concerns (heaven knows whose) about today's date being 6/6/06. People are sure today is the day Lord Beelzebub will elect to rise to Earth and... I don't know.

It's a day. It's a day like any other. The only difference being that it the global odometer happens to resemble that of a number alluded to in the Bible.

A Little Anti-Christ-Day Trivia: The number 7 is biblically considered to be a perfect & holy numeral. God is worshipped in 3 parts (the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit), so the number 777 is considered to be the 'number of God'.

6, being 'as close to God as man can get', is triply significant for the Anti-Christ, 666 meaning that he is lesser than God in every way. Oooh. Scary.

Thank God the Mark of the Beast doesn't resemble 'Hawaiian Shirt Fridays' or something else equally meaningless in today's terminology.

Besides. If the Devil or his creatures were going to make an appearance to (couldn't avoid it if I tried) raise a little hell, I hardly think he'd bother to show up when he's expected. Old Scratch has too much style for that. He's definitely a party-crasher type o' guy. None of this "Oh they're expecting me, I'd better cater to their misplaced fears" stuff.

Way too easy.

Progress, Progress, Progress

Folks, today was a good 'un. I was up at the crack o' dawn to pick up a timeslot for the League Auditions. I'm going to have demo discs to mail later this week, finally. Bam.

It was a day for reunions. Wendy and I had a great chance to catch up; and Heather and I were able to spend some time later in the day as well.

Michael showed up tonight for a cigar and a nice long chat. We discussed monologues, past shows (and hopefully future ones), and some other fun stuff. We reached a great breakthrough on a monologue. It's been a while since I've gotten excited about something like that. I'm looking forward to this year's tryouts that much more for it.

OH: I've also got my first color page back from my colorist. Looks great. Can't wait to show it off.

Have a good one, folks. Sweet dreams.

Two Years

Two years ago to the day, my brother Andy and his wife Maggie were married by our father. I was his best man.

Happy Anniversary, guys. Hope it was a good one.

See Ya Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning (both bright & early) I'm headed into Bethesda to sign up for the League of Washington Theatres. This is occasion #4.

For the first time, I'm signing up a Proxy, a friend of mine who can't be there early enough to snag a choice timeslot. No idea how or if that will affect my sign-ups, but I'm not adverse to finding out.

Yes, I'm taking reading materials. I'm going to be there roughly three hours before sign-ups open. That's show-biz.

See ya on the flipside, folks. Wish me luck.

Opening Night

We opened tonight to a very appreciative audience. Very appreciative. Pedro made an appearance (he got my comp ticket, sorry folks) and was kind enough to volunteer for one of the audience participation portions of the show.

One of the best gags tonight? Happened before the audience ever came into the house. Our sound crew talked about labelling the 'God Mike', as Scott plays God throughout the show. Vocally. The suggestion was made, "Should we label the mike 'For God'?" To which I replied, "Sure. Reserve the mike for God. See who shows up." It got a good laugh. I'll have to save that for later.

All in all, it was a very good show. One or two technical/costume mishaps, but that's live theatre for you.

Do come see us, if you can. Ciao for now.

So I Lied, Sue Me

It's The First Of The Month

Bunny Bunny.