I just realized something today.
I've been saying something totally wrong without even thinking about it for as long as I can remember.
I caught myself saying, "Hindsight is 50/50..."
Yeah. That's not so right. Actually, that's totally wrong. But it brought me to my senses about thinking before saying things. Not overthinking, but just thinking a little.
Obey impulse. Just don't be stupid. Meditate on that sonofabitch for a bit.
And take another drag.
Scene.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
And I thought Fifi was just a name for a Poodle...
I went and saw "Stealing Venus".
I liked it.
It proved to me a few things I wasn't too sure of any more. My faith has been restored in my theory that an energetic performance can make for an engaging story. Sometimes, I worry that my own ideas for shows will fall flat because they involve too much chutzpah, pizzazz, and all-around rinky-tinkyness. I thought that energy might be a little old-fashioned.
This man did energy with charisma and loads of charm.
Most importantly, he told stories. True, the way he started his stories were a little base (You wanna know my story? My story?) but sometimes, that's okay.
I give it 3.5 Jazz Hands out of 5.
Then, I saw Montag, which proved to me the power of music. They kept using bizarre, distant soundclip music, trance-like in the way it repeated. It made simple stories seem abstract, and the story of lovers meeting seem ominous and dangerous. Cool.
I give it 4 Picassos out of 5. Renee drank a whole bottle of wine onstage in two swigs. I might have given it 5 had he spewed.
O Hi Yo Fringe, I spent a lot of money on you. With your Green Onion Cakes, Port Satay (which was un-satay-sfactory), Funky Pickle Pizza, Double lemon Chill, Chicken Bhoona, Scorpion Girl (how do I know her?), Balloon-swallowing man with a penis fixation, Deep fried Chocolate bars, and budding performers who either fall on their ass or rise to the top.
Amen.
I liked it.
It proved to me a few things I wasn't too sure of any more. My faith has been restored in my theory that an energetic performance can make for an engaging story. Sometimes, I worry that my own ideas for shows will fall flat because they involve too much chutzpah, pizzazz, and all-around rinky-tinkyness. I thought that energy might be a little old-fashioned.
This man did energy with charisma and loads of charm.
Most importantly, he told stories. True, the way he started his stories were a little base (You wanna know my story? My story?) but sometimes, that's okay.
I give it 3.5 Jazz Hands out of 5.
Then, I saw Montag, which proved to me the power of music. They kept using bizarre, distant soundclip music, trance-like in the way it repeated. It made simple stories seem abstract, and the story of lovers meeting seem ominous and dangerous. Cool.
I give it 4 Picassos out of 5. Renee drank a whole bottle of wine onstage in two swigs. I might have given it 5 had he spewed.
O Hi Yo Fringe, I spent a lot of money on you. With your Green Onion Cakes, Port Satay (which was un-satay-sfactory), Funky Pickle Pizza, Double lemon Chill, Chicken Bhoona, Scorpion Girl (how do I know her?), Balloon-swallowing man with a penis fixation, Deep fried Chocolate bars, and budding performers who either fall on their ass or rise to the top.
Amen.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRico!!
A gentlemen has performed outside of the front of Artifacts Trading Company every Fringe for the past 5 years.
For most of us, it's felt like a few years more.
This year, he offers up an interesting mix of pan flute music, including his versions of:
- House of the Rising Sun
- Living La Vida Loca
- Amazing Grace
- Unchained Melody
- Let it Be
- Chiquitita
- Fernando (two ABBA songs! GOODY!!!)
- The Lion Sleeps Tonight
... and here comes the kickers!
- Lady in Red
- Hotel California
- Candle in the Wind
And many, many, many, many, many more.
Don't cry for me, I'm already dead.
Wait, did I say dead? I meant deaf. I stabbed my own ear drums out this morning.
For most of us, it's felt like a few years more.
This year, he offers up an interesting mix of pan flute music, including his versions of:
- House of the Rising Sun
- Living La Vida Loca
- Amazing Grace
- Unchained Melody
- Let it Be
- Chiquitita
- Fernando (two ABBA songs! GOODY!!!)
- The Lion Sleeps Tonight
... and here comes the kickers!
- Lady in Red
- Hotel California
- Candle in the Wind
And many, many, many, many, many more.
Don't cry for me, I'm already dead.
Wait, did I say dead? I meant deaf. I stabbed my own ear drums out this morning.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Expectations that Grate
For the last 4 years, my view of "acceptable" theatre has become a lot more... keen. Discerning, perceptive, whatever you call it.
All I'm saying is that I want certain things from a theatre experience now. I want a clear story. I want an intelligent or interesting narrative. I want good acting. GOOD ACTING!! I want a satisfactory ending. I want an original.
I will spare the identity of the actors and the plays that they are in at the Fringe that I didn't really enjoy. I have nothing against the people and their productions, because most folk will enjoy them and all the reviews for their work has been four stars and such.
However, when I see actors who just really aren't into their show (it's a comedy, waka waka! Nobody cares if we care, as long as we're funny! Hiyo!), a story that's ripped off from days of yore and made "banana phone" silly, endless references to "politics" (yes, we know George Dubya is destroying the planet, and that's hilarious and not overdone at all) and a mumbly, wandering, half-baked storytelling technique, it just makes me sad.
But love is in the air for the show I don't like, so this shall be the only, slightly cryptic, maybe not cryptic enough criticism of it that will be made.
But sometimes, even a bad story or an iffy overall production can be saved by sincerely zealous cast that takes their work seriously. Or at least it would allow me to walk out after a show thinking "that just didn't speak to me" instead of "that was uninspiring".
But why are you reading this? Shouldn't you be out Fringing?...
Uh, PS- Thanks for reading.
All I'm saying is that I want certain things from a theatre experience now. I want a clear story. I want an intelligent or interesting narrative. I want good acting. GOOD ACTING!! I want a satisfactory ending. I want an original.
I will spare the identity of the actors and the plays that they are in at the Fringe that I didn't really enjoy. I have nothing against the people and their productions, because most folk will enjoy them and all the reviews for their work has been four stars and such.
However, when I see actors who just really aren't into their show (it's a comedy, waka waka! Nobody cares if we care, as long as we're funny! Hiyo!), a story that's ripped off from days of yore and made "banana phone" silly, endless references to "politics" (yes, we know George Dubya is destroying the planet, and that's hilarious and not overdone at all) and a mumbly, wandering, half-baked storytelling technique, it just makes me sad.
But love is in the air for the show I don't like, so this shall be the only, slightly cryptic, maybe not cryptic enough criticism of it that will be made.
But sometimes, even a bad story or an iffy overall production can be saved by sincerely zealous cast that takes their work seriously. Or at least it would allow me to walk out after a show thinking "that just didn't speak to me" instead of "that was uninspiring".
But why are you reading this? Shouldn't you be out Fringing?...
Uh, PS- Thanks for reading.
Monday, August 21, 2006
So Two Shawns walk into a Bar...
And they have a little blogscussion about impro(v).
A little background: In June, I said the following...
"On an improv-related note, I read recently on an expert's improv blog that "most companies would never start their show with a 10-minute rookie round".
Well, I guess we're not like most companies... I don't really like the fact that he referred to the round as being the home of the "weakest" players, because I think we prove consistently that it can be the home of the most no-holds-barred, high-energy, something-else-that-can-be-separated-by-hyphens improv this side of the nuthouse."
I hope Shawn doesn't mind if I reprint his response from my June 8th post called "Dare to be the Same". I'm only doing it because I don't think anybody would see it otherwise, due to how long ago the post was made. Despite the age of the post, the comment is actually only from yesterday...
I'll just cut and paste so I don't change any of his words:
"Hey Shawn,Thanks for reading my notes about impro. I was just working with a couple of the guys from Rapid Fire while we were in Washington. Just wanted to leave a little response to your comments if I may,
Where I said "most companies would never start their show with a 10-minute rookie round". and you said that you aren't like most companies, GOOD FOR YOU! That's great to hear. MOST companies around the world that I've been to (maybe 20 or 30 by now) have this preoccupation with what they see as "SUCCESS". They think they must always make the audience laugh, that they must always weight the show with their 'quickest' and 'strongest' players BUT I think they are missing the point.
When Keith Johnstone was here at the Loose Moose and we were focused on theatresports, he always said how important it was for the feel of the show and the growth of the company to have the opening "10 minute game" of our weaker/rooky players. So Good on ya for embracing a healthier attitude than most companies.
NOW - I just have to comment as well on the terminology of "weaker" players. The term is probably not the best (Rooky is probably a better term)and it was humorous that you called it the "most no-holds-barred, high-energy, something-else-that-can-be-separated-by-hyphens improv."
There are great strengths to "NEWER" improvisers... ("Newbies, Green, beginning level, uh... young in the process improvisers) There is often a great fearlessness that senior performers admire and great passion. But... they are often 'weaker' generally or they probably would be holding down a bigger part of the show. I've seen BRILLIANT scenes done by rooky improvisers BUT the consistency isn't there yet and more often it is a weaker quality (Why aren't rooky players doing the entire show?.
I have my Weak days, you have your weak days BUT having good, consistent technique, presence and content makes us over-all stronger improvisers.
Musn't let the ego get in the way of our work. If we are weaker, so be it. It gives us somewhere to go.
In the early days, Keith and then artistic associate Dennis Cahill would create different levels of performers A - B - C and sometimes lower level performers.
Often the people who were publicly grouped as C or D players would cave in and leave the theatre with crushed egos BUT more often they would rise up and WORK WORK WORK until they could kick the ass of any 'A' player. It was a bad system and didn't last long but showed how we are affected by our 'ego' and how we HATE being categorized as "weaker" even if we were.
Strong, Weak... doesn't really matter. Just do the work to the best of your ability and trust that the artistic directors of theatre companies are doing their job and putting you into a spot in the show that supports your growth and most of all, the show itself.
All the best,
Shawn(probably will change the blog to reflect a better terminology)"
12:28 AM, August 20, 2006
I hope I didn't offend... and I'm flattered to hear from him. For the record, Shawn Kinley is a respected member of the theatre with loads of experience in mime, mask, and physical theatre. I wish him decades more of success.
Link of the Day: www.shawnkinley.com
A little background: In June, I said the following...
"On an improv-related note, I read recently on an expert's improv blog that "most companies would never start their show with a 10-minute rookie round".
Well, I guess we're not like most companies... I don't really like the fact that he referred to the round as being the home of the "weakest" players, because I think we prove consistently that it can be the home of the most no-holds-barred, high-energy, something-else-that-can-be-separated-by-hyphens improv this side of the nuthouse."
I hope Shawn doesn't mind if I reprint his response from my June 8th post called "Dare to be the Same". I'm only doing it because I don't think anybody would see it otherwise, due to how long ago the post was made. Despite the age of the post, the comment is actually only from yesterday...
I'll just cut and paste so I don't change any of his words:
"Hey Shawn,Thanks for reading my notes about impro. I was just working with a couple of the guys from Rapid Fire while we were in Washington. Just wanted to leave a little response to your comments if I may,
Where I said "most companies would never start their show with a 10-minute rookie round". and you said that you aren't like most companies, GOOD FOR YOU! That's great to hear. MOST companies around the world that I've been to (maybe 20 or 30 by now) have this preoccupation with what they see as "SUCCESS". They think they must always make the audience laugh, that they must always weight the show with their 'quickest' and 'strongest' players BUT I think they are missing the point.
When Keith Johnstone was here at the Loose Moose and we were focused on theatresports, he always said how important it was for the feel of the show and the growth of the company to have the opening "10 minute game" of our weaker/rooky players. So Good on ya for embracing a healthier attitude than most companies.
NOW - I just have to comment as well on the terminology of "weaker" players. The term is probably not the best (Rooky is probably a better term)and it was humorous that you called it the "most no-holds-barred, high-energy, something-else-that-can-be-separated-by-hyphens improv."
There are great strengths to "NEWER" improvisers... ("Newbies, Green, beginning level, uh... young in the process improvisers) There is often a great fearlessness that senior performers admire and great passion. But... they are often 'weaker' generally or they probably would be holding down a bigger part of the show. I've seen BRILLIANT scenes done by rooky improvisers BUT the consistency isn't there yet and more often it is a weaker quality (Why aren't rooky players doing the entire show?.
I have my Weak days, you have your weak days BUT having good, consistent technique, presence and content makes us over-all stronger improvisers.
Musn't let the ego get in the way of our work. If we are weaker, so be it. It gives us somewhere to go.
In the early days, Keith and then artistic associate Dennis Cahill would create different levels of performers A - B - C and sometimes lower level performers.
Often the people who were publicly grouped as C or D players would cave in and leave the theatre with crushed egos BUT more often they would rise up and WORK WORK WORK until they could kick the ass of any 'A' player. It was a bad system and didn't last long but showed how we are affected by our 'ego' and how we HATE being categorized as "weaker" even if we were.
Strong, Weak... doesn't really matter. Just do the work to the best of your ability and trust that the artistic directors of theatre companies are doing their job and putting you into a spot in the show that supports your growth and most of all, the show itself.
All the best,
Shawn(probably will change the blog to reflect a better terminology)"
12:28 AM, August 20, 2006
I hope I didn't offend... and I'm flattered to hear from him. For the record, Shawn Kinley is a respected member of the theatre with loads of experience in mime, mask, and physical theatre. I wish him decades more of success.
Link of the Day: www.shawnkinley.com
Thursday, August 17, 2006
It's time to Play the Music, It's Time to Light the Lights
Alright, the FRINGE is HERE!!!. Go see this stuff.
SCRATCH (That's Arlen and Kevin, folks).
Stage 7 (Chianti Stage... confusing because it's at Royal Canadian Legion, Strathcona: 10416 - 81 Avenue... ah, sponsorship)
Tickets Everyone: $10.00 Advance Tickets:$14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Thursday, August 17, 8:00 pm
Saturday, August 19, 1:45 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 2:30 pm
Thursday, August 24, 12:00 pm
Friday, August 25, 11:30 pm
Saturday, August 26, 6:15 pm
Sunday, August 27, 8:15 pm
THEATRESPORTS
BYOV J (Which is the Iron Horse...8101 Gateway Blvd, that train-stationy building)
Tickets General: $10.00 RFT members (must show card): $8.00
Advance Tickets: $14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Friday, August 18, 7:15 pm
Sunday, August 20, 8:45 pm
Monday, August 21, 10:00 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 10:00 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 8:45 pm
Thursday, August 24, 7:00 pm
Friday, August 25, 7:00 pm
Saturday, August 26, 5:30 pm
Sunday, August 27, 7:00 pm
DIE-NASTY: The Legendary Live Improvised Soap Opera
Stage 8, the Coca-Cola Stage... You all know it better as The Varscona Theatre: 10329 -83 Avenue.
Tickets General: $10.00 Fringe Artists with Badges: $0
Advance Tickets:$14.00
Night of Friday, August 18, 12:15 am
Night of Saturday, August 19, 12:15 am
Night of Sunday, August 20, 12:15 am
Night of Monday, August 21, 12:15 am
Night of Tuesday, August 22, 12:15 am
Night of Wednesday, August 23, 12:15 am
Night of Thursday, August 24, 12:15 am
Night of Friday, August 25, 12:15 am
Night of Saturday, August 26, 12:15 am
MONTAG (do not miss, all the way from Austria! Jacob!)
Stage 13 (Not to be confused with the rock concert) (Brian Paisley Stage) Planet ZE Design Centre, 10055 - 80 Avenue
Tickets: $10.00 Students/Austrians: $8.00
Advance Tickets: $14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Thursday, August 17, 8:00 pm
Friday, August 18, 3:30 pm
Monday, August 21, 5:00 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 2:00 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 11:30 pm
Friday, August 25, 11:30 pm
Saturday, August 26, 7:30 pm
Saturday Morning Pajama Jam
BYOV J (Iron Horse: 8101 Gateway Blvd)
Tickets Everyone: $10.00
Advance Tickets: $14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Saturday, August 19, 5:30 pm
Monday, August 21, 8:45 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 10:15 pm
Thursday, August 24, 8:30 pm
Friday, August 25, 5:30 pm
Sunday, August 27, 5:45 pm
Sex, CRUMBS & Rock'n'Roll
BYOV J (Iron Horse: 8101 Gateway Blvd)
Tickets Regular: $10.00 Students: $8.00
Advance Tickets:$14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Friday, August 18, 5:30 pm
Saturday, August 19, 7:00 pm
Sunday, August 20, 7:00 pm
Monday, August 21, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 8:15 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 7:00 pm
Thursday, August 24, 10:00 pm
Saturday, August 26, 7:00 pm
Sunday, August 27, 4:00 pm
Enjoy yerselves.
Song of the Day: "2nd Gun" by Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! Really, an interesting trio. Kind of like an American Hot Hot Heat, if you will. Listen: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.fringetheatreadventures.ca/
You don't think I seriously handwrote all those schedules out? Heck no! Directly copied from the official site.
Playwright of the Day: Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
- plays attempted to force society to examine its own hypocrisy
- known for his witty, insightful, and sharp commentaries on upper-class British society
- work is similar to most Victorian farces and comedies (only better), melodramatic
- plays include "The Importance of Being Earnest", "Salomé", and "A Woman of No Importance".
Most of my wording is taken from the Bedford Introduction to Drama this time.
SCRATCH (That's Arlen and Kevin, folks).
Stage 7 (Chianti Stage... confusing because it's at Royal Canadian Legion, Strathcona: 10416 - 81 Avenue... ah, sponsorship)
Tickets Everyone: $10.00 Advance Tickets:$14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Thursday, August 17, 8:00 pm
Saturday, August 19, 1:45 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 2:30 pm
Thursday, August 24, 12:00 pm
Friday, August 25, 11:30 pm
Saturday, August 26, 6:15 pm
Sunday, August 27, 8:15 pm
THEATRESPORTS
BYOV J (Which is the Iron Horse...8101 Gateway Blvd, that train-stationy building)
Tickets General: $10.00 RFT members (must show card): $8.00
Advance Tickets: $14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Friday, August 18, 7:15 pm
Sunday, August 20, 8:45 pm
Monday, August 21, 10:00 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 10:00 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 8:45 pm
Thursday, August 24, 7:00 pm
Friday, August 25, 7:00 pm
Saturday, August 26, 5:30 pm
Sunday, August 27, 7:00 pm
DIE-NASTY: The Legendary Live Improvised Soap Opera
Stage 8, the Coca-Cola Stage... You all know it better as The Varscona Theatre: 10329 -83 Avenue.
Tickets General: $10.00 Fringe Artists with Badges: $0
Advance Tickets:$14.00
Night of Friday, August 18, 12:15 am
Night of Saturday, August 19, 12:15 am
Night of Sunday, August 20, 12:15 am
Night of Monday, August 21, 12:15 am
Night of Tuesday, August 22, 12:15 am
Night of Wednesday, August 23, 12:15 am
Night of Thursday, August 24, 12:15 am
Night of Friday, August 25, 12:15 am
Night of Saturday, August 26, 12:15 am
MONTAG (do not miss, all the way from Austria! Jacob!)
Stage 13 (Not to be confused with the rock concert) (Brian Paisley Stage) Planet ZE Design Centre, 10055 - 80 Avenue
Tickets: $10.00 Students/Austrians: $8.00
Advance Tickets: $14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Thursday, August 17, 8:00 pm
Friday, August 18, 3:30 pm
Monday, August 21, 5:00 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 2:00 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 11:30 pm
Friday, August 25, 11:30 pm
Saturday, August 26, 7:30 pm
Saturday Morning Pajama Jam
BYOV J (Iron Horse: 8101 Gateway Blvd)
Tickets Everyone: $10.00
Advance Tickets: $14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Saturday, August 19, 5:30 pm
Monday, August 21, 8:45 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 10:15 pm
Thursday, August 24, 8:30 pm
Friday, August 25, 5:30 pm
Sunday, August 27, 5:45 pm
Sex, CRUMBS & Rock'n'Roll
BYOV J (Iron Horse: 8101 Gateway Blvd)
Tickets Regular: $10.00 Students: $8.00
Advance Tickets:$14.00
Upcoming Shows:
Friday, August 18, 5:30 pm
Saturday, August 19, 7:00 pm
Sunday, August 20, 7:00 pm
Monday, August 21, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 22, 8:15 pm
Wednesday, August 23, 7:00 pm
Thursday, August 24, 10:00 pm
Saturday, August 26, 7:00 pm
Sunday, August 27, 4:00 pm
Enjoy yerselves.
Song of the Day: "2nd Gun" by Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! Really, an interesting trio. Kind of like an American Hot Hot Heat, if you will. Listen: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.fringetheatreadventures.ca/
You don't think I seriously handwrote all those schedules out? Heck no! Directly copied from the official site.
Playwright of the Day: Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
- plays attempted to force society to examine its own hypocrisy
- known for his witty, insightful, and sharp commentaries on upper-class British society
- work is similar to most Victorian farces and comedies (only better), melodramatic
- plays include "The Importance of Being Earnest", "Salomé", and "A Woman of No Importance".
Most of my wording is taken from the Bedford Introduction to Drama this time.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Spontaneity: In Doses
In beginner improv, we seem to preach spontaneity.
But spontaneity can be dangerous. Let me explain.
So I'm standing in the bathroom. I'm looking at my chest in the mirror. I say to myself:
Damn. That's one long nipple hair.
Now I know nipple hair can't possibly be sexy. Especially wild, untamed nipple hair. I think to myself, I gotta cut this. That just doesn't look right. I look in the drawer for my electric razor. Oh yeah, I haven't unpacked that since the wedding I went to on Saturday... I'm getting a nasty pervo moustache from not shaving...
But spontaneity can be dangerous. Let me explain.
So I'm standing in the bathroom. I'm looking at my chest in the mirror. I say to myself:
Damn. That's one long nipple hair.
Now I know nipple hair can't possibly be sexy. Especially wild, untamed nipple hair. I think to myself, I gotta cut this. That just doesn't look right. I look in the drawer for my electric razor. Oh yeah, I haven't unpacked that since the wedding I went to on Saturday... I'm getting a nasty pervo moustache from not shaving...
So anyway, I look for anything. Scissors, something that cuts. Anything!
And then I see the lighter.
Someone who's never done improv would not consider burning their nipple hair off instead of cutting it. I mean, that's quite possibly the stupidest idea I've ever had. But I had it. It was my idea.
Luckily, that little voice in the back of my head, you know, the one that says stuff like "Now now. Stop staring at that guy's hook hand" or "Whoa back, sonny. Don't you start a fight with that drag queen", that little voice kicked in. It said "Hey there, sport. Fire Bad."
Indeed.
PS-- Sorry to Arlen and Kevin. I totally didn't know you guys were going on "Hey Ma! I'm on Sonic!". I submitted the first Generalizer Sampler last week as a playlist, and Adam said "I'm on the pile", which I guess means the good pile, not the bad pile... I hope you don't think me the copy cat.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Why Shawn Hates Peaches
Yesterday, I received an e-mail from a good friend of mine; Jeremy.
We met when a young, spritely me made his way up to Fort McMurray to explore Keyano College. They had come to my High School to brag about their awesome theatre, so I signed up for their "student for the day" program.
Up I went, with a "gee willikers" expression on my face and a Transformer backpack on my back... No wait, that was the first day of kindergarten...
Up I went, with a "holy shit" expression on my face and a Transformer backpack on my back. I arrived at the Purple Palace... You heard me. Purple Palace. That's what they call their student residence up there, and with good reason. There I met Jeremy. He was my "roommate for the day". Little did I know that situation would continue for a year.
To make a long story short, Jeremy introduced me to the wonderful world of dorm life, drinking, and hurting each other for sport (by they way, the Coulter Ankle Lock is when he attempts to separate my foot from my leg... ah, good times). Oh yeah, and with drinking came Peach Schnapps...
One night, 2 years after he and I had moved on to tackle our Acting careers (Jeremy has been paid to do theatre about 10 times more than me... I'll catch up), we decided to drink and play violent video games for 8 hours straight. Jeremy has a knack for making me think that I'm invincible when I'm with him, and he knows I have a competitive spirit, so I thought if I can't beat him at theatre, I can beat him at alcoholism!
So there I was, with a full bottle of fruit brandy and manliness to prove.
I drank that sucker. I kicked it's ass within 2 hours.
And then, it kicked my ass for 18 hours.
Peach only tastes good going down, and ruins your desire for it for life if you ever get sick from it. I remember mixing it with some Butterscotch Schnapps to soften the blow. That's where drunk logic gets you.
Oh Jeremy, I know it wasn't just you that made me hate Peaches. It was also those coolers I drank at dorm parties, you know, those 2-litre plastic bottles that look ever-so-classy. And it was partially the performing artist/"musician" Peaches, who (sorry Peaches fans) has a knack for being untalented and filthy. Or it could be my hamster from Elementary school named Peaches, who died horribly of some sort of bowel disease.
It's not your fault, Jeremy. My hatred of Peaches is a rich tapestry.
We met when a young, spritely me made his way up to Fort McMurray to explore Keyano College. They had come to my High School to brag about their awesome theatre, so I signed up for their "student for the day" program.
Up I went, with a "gee willikers" expression on my face and a Transformer backpack on my back... No wait, that was the first day of kindergarten...
Up I went, with a "holy shit" expression on my face and a Transformer backpack on my back. I arrived at the Purple Palace... You heard me. Purple Palace. That's what they call their student residence up there, and with good reason. There I met Jeremy. He was my "roommate for the day". Little did I know that situation would continue for a year.
To make a long story short, Jeremy introduced me to the wonderful world of dorm life, drinking, and hurting each other for sport (by they way, the Coulter Ankle Lock is when he attempts to separate my foot from my leg... ah, good times). Oh yeah, and with drinking came Peach Schnapps...
One night, 2 years after he and I had moved on to tackle our Acting careers (Jeremy has been paid to do theatre about 10 times more than me... I'll catch up), we decided to drink and play violent video games for 8 hours straight. Jeremy has a knack for making me think that I'm invincible when I'm with him, and he knows I have a competitive spirit, so I thought if I can't beat him at theatre, I can beat him at alcoholism!
So there I was, with a full bottle of fruit brandy and manliness to prove.
I drank that sucker. I kicked it's ass within 2 hours.
And then, it kicked my ass for 18 hours.
Peach only tastes good going down, and ruins your desire for it for life if you ever get sick from it. I remember mixing it with some Butterscotch Schnapps to soften the blow. That's where drunk logic gets you.
Oh Jeremy, I know it wasn't just you that made me hate Peaches. It was also those coolers I drank at dorm parties, you know, those 2-litre plastic bottles that look ever-so-classy. And it was partially the performing artist/"musician" Peaches, who (sorry Peaches fans) has a knack for being untalented and filthy. Or it could be my hamster from Elementary school named Peaches, who died horribly of some sort of bowel disease.
It's not your fault, Jeremy. My hatred of Peaches is a rich tapestry.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Getting Over Being Right... And not Wanting to Be
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Monday, August 07, 2006
The Crumbling of Social Walls
Sometimes, I feel like the David Suzuki of the Urban Jungle.
I've been fascinated by people since I was very young. The way they move, look, and interact. I divided them into social classes; some might call these "cliques". I always make sure I know where I fit among these misunderstood creatures.
But now, the world has changed.
It all started to occur to me when I went into the local Scottish Cuisine Foodatorium, or McDonald's, as the natives call it. I noticed an intriguing member of the species that I immmediately began to classify.
Lanky.
Dressed in Bohemian plain shirt and skirt combo; Shirt beige, skirt black.
Wearing slipper-type shoes with flower accent; purely for fashion's sake. I wouldn't want to be wearing such footwear if I was walking around on Whyte Avenue... 1/8 of a millimeter of foam between me and that sidewalk?
Lisa Loebesque Glasses.
I placed this subject into the following category: "Geekus Chicus". The nerd with flair. The girl who reads books and can engage in serious conversations about both Dungeons and Dragons and Tom Waits. A girl who listens to the University radio station. A girl who has an apartment nearby with her platonic male friend.
Geekus Chicus.
But what's this? I hear a conversation she's having with her friends. And it goes a little something like this; Hit it:
"So they're going to meet us at the f*ckin' Thirsty Turtle. F*ck. Remember those f*ckin clowns on swings I used to have? F*ckin' Miranda has the same f*ckin' ones, and she has f*ckin' marionettes hanging from her f*ckin' ceiling. F*ck! I can't sleep in that f*ckin' room! Clowns creep the f*ckin' sh*t out of me!! Holy f*ck!"
Oh snap. My classification and categorization was completely off.
The times, they have changed. Battle lines are blurred in the new social circles and behaviour typical of one social circle have bled into many others. Is Geekus Chicus becoming just another Snobbus Popularis? Or has Snobbus Popularis changed it's appearance so drastically, it makes it impossible to tell one from the other?
Fascinating.
I've been fascinated by people since I was very young. The way they move, look, and interact. I divided them into social classes; some might call these "cliques". I always make sure I know where I fit among these misunderstood creatures.
But now, the world has changed.
It all started to occur to me when I went into the local Scottish Cuisine Foodatorium, or McDonald's, as the natives call it. I noticed an intriguing member of the species that I immmediately began to classify.
Lanky.
Dressed in Bohemian plain shirt and skirt combo; Shirt beige, skirt black.
Wearing slipper-type shoes with flower accent; purely for fashion's sake. I wouldn't want to be wearing such footwear if I was walking around on Whyte Avenue... 1/8 of a millimeter of foam between me and that sidewalk?
Lisa Loebesque Glasses.
I placed this subject into the following category: "Geekus Chicus". The nerd with flair. The girl who reads books and can engage in serious conversations about both Dungeons and Dragons and Tom Waits. A girl who listens to the University radio station. A girl who has an apartment nearby with her platonic male friend.
Geekus Chicus.
But what's this? I hear a conversation she's having with her friends. And it goes a little something like this; Hit it:
"So they're going to meet us at the f*ckin' Thirsty Turtle. F*ck. Remember those f*ckin clowns on swings I used to have? F*ckin' Miranda has the same f*ckin' ones, and she has f*ckin' marionettes hanging from her f*ckin' ceiling. F*ck! I can't sleep in that f*ckin' room! Clowns creep the f*ckin' sh*t out of me!! Holy f*ck!"
Oh snap. My classification and categorization was completely off.
The times, they have changed. Battle lines are blurred in the new social circles and behaviour typical of one social circle have bled into many others. Is Geekus Chicus becoming just another Snobbus Popularis? Or has Snobbus Popularis changed it's appearance so drastically, it makes it impossible to tell one from the other?
Fascinating.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Maestro, Please Kill Me... Putu-may-out of my Misery.
So, most of you have figured out by now I love music.
But there's one CD that's got to go. Either it goes, or I go. Seriously.
At work (Artifacts Trading Co), we're having a massive sale of sorts. During this time, the owners of the store get mighty picky about what music is appropriate. You know, we don't want the customers moshing or raising da proverbial roof.
So it has come to pass that a compilation by the good folks at "Putumayo" (the world music company) called "Asian Groove" is practically the only CD we play at work now.
This was absolutely fine for the first little while. Hell, one of the tracks is remixed by Dan the Automator of Gorillaz fame. But here's the problem.
Once a day, okay, fine.
Twice a day, aha. Okay.
Three times a day? Hrumph.
Four times a day? Blarg!
Five times a day? HOOOWWWWLLLL!!
Six times a day?... SHAWN DESTROY!! CRUSH!! MAIM!! KILL!!! MRAAAAGH! EEEEEARG! BLOOOOOAAAASSHIAGOO!!!! EEEEEEeeeee... feeling weak... all Shawn's power draining from body... oooo...
Fin.
Song of the Day? Link of the Day? Playwright of the Day? I'll work that shizzle out later.
All I can think about right now is what type of screwdriver I'm going to use to shatter the laser on the CD player.
But there's one CD that's got to go. Either it goes, or I go. Seriously.
At work (Artifacts Trading Co), we're having a massive sale of sorts. During this time, the owners of the store get mighty picky about what music is appropriate. You know, we don't want the customers moshing or raising da proverbial roof.
So it has come to pass that a compilation by the good folks at "Putumayo" (the world music company) called "Asian Groove" is practically the only CD we play at work now.
This was absolutely fine for the first little while. Hell, one of the tracks is remixed by Dan the Automator of Gorillaz fame. But here's the problem.
Once a day, okay, fine.
Twice a day, aha. Okay.
Three times a day? Hrumph.
Four times a day? Blarg!
Five times a day? HOOOWWWWLLLL!!
Six times a day?... SHAWN DESTROY!! CRUSH!! MAIM!! KILL!!! MRAAAAGH! EEEEEARG! BLOOOOOAAAASSHIAGOO!!!! EEEEEEeeeee... feeling weak... all Shawn's power draining from body... oooo...
Fin.
Song of the Day? Link of the Day? Playwright of the Day? I'll work that shizzle out later.
All I can think about right now is what type of screwdriver I'm going to use to shatter the laser on the CD player.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
And then, Fridays were quiet...
But not for long.
That's right, improvaniacs. You'll have to wait a whole month before you see the exciting circus monkeys you call Rapid Fire Theatre. We're taking a break.
We'll all be sitting in lounge chairs, sipping hairsprayesque Martinis, wearing venetian-blind-style sunglasses, Hawaiian shirts, and shorts with drawstrings.
No, wait...
We'll all be hard at work, preparing for the Fringe, performing in the Fringe, and continuing our friddly-free workshops on Sundays.
But I'll still wear the aforementioned outfit.
Song of the Day: "The Kids are Alright" by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Yep, he's old, he's not hip... and I love him to pieces. Cover the Who, ya spooky Ming Tea member... And Susanna is hip I'm sure. But the Sweetster? He's just my guilty pleasure. Listen to the chap, click the following gibberish: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.myspace.com/willpreville Edmonton's answer to the laid-back guitar stummin' scene. Rock on, Will.
Playwright of the Day: Shawn Pallier (1979-20??)
- Wrote a one-act play for 1996 Edmonton One-Act festival entitled "Climbing the Edifice" (he broke out his thesaurus for that one)
- Published in "Rebel Runes", Jasper Place High School's collection of writers that same year
- Style is muddled, but mostly blunt and never uses words that exceed 5 letters
- early works filled with teenage angst and stained with Coca-Cola & Dorito dust
- Collection of unfinished works exceeded 1000 in 2004
- Always knows what the soundtrack of his plays well in advance
- enjoys playing with lighting boards and sound systems
That's right, improvaniacs. You'll have to wait a whole month before you see the exciting circus monkeys you call Rapid Fire Theatre. We're taking a break.
We'll all be sitting in lounge chairs, sipping hairsprayesque Martinis, wearing venetian-blind-style sunglasses, Hawaiian shirts, and shorts with drawstrings.
No, wait...
We'll all be hard at work, preparing for the Fringe, performing in the Fringe, and continuing our friddly-free workshops on Sundays.
But I'll still wear the aforementioned outfit.
Song of the Day: "The Kids are Alright" by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Yep, he's old, he's not hip... and I love him to pieces. Cover the Who, ya spooky Ming Tea member... And Susanna is hip I'm sure. But the Sweetster? He's just my guilty pleasure. Listen to the chap, click the following gibberish: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.myspace.com/willpreville Edmonton's answer to the laid-back guitar stummin' scene. Rock on, Will.
Playwright of the Day: Shawn Pallier (1979-20??)
- Wrote a one-act play for 1996 Edmonton One-Act festival entitled "Climbing the Edifice" (he broke out his thesaurus for that one)
- Published in "Rebel Runes", Jasper Place High School's collection of writers that same year
- Style is muddled, but mostly blunt and never uses words that exceed 5 letters
- early works filled with teenage angst and stained with Coca-Cola & Dorito dust
- Collection of unfinished works exceeded 1000 in 2004
- Always knows what the soundtrack of his plays well in advance
- enjoys playing with lighting boards and sound systems
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Guess What I Lost Today?
No, not that. That I lost in College.
When I started the day, my boss was already at work. He kept the whip out, cracked it all day, and I have the open wounds on my back to prove it.
When I got home, the lawn wasn't going to mow itself. Yeah, I have a lawn. No, I don't live with my parents. Yes, I am in poverty.
Around 10 pm, I decided to have a shower. You know, get the grass out and the "Red Zone" in. And that's when I noticed something missing.
When I went to wash it, it wasn't there.
I had worked my ass off.
I hope that I can sit on the couch and eat pork rinds and drink beer until I get it back.
Song of the Day: "Free Salute" by Little Barrie. I wish all music was this fresh. You must, must, must listen to it: clickity myspace: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.getinsulted.com/
Playwright of the Day: Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)
- mastered the use of understatement, anticlimax, and implied emotion.
- closely identified with Stanislavski (that dude who focused on creating realistic characters through "affective memory"; you know, thinking about someone in your life that died to make you cry, and so on and so forth)
- main plays are "Uncle Vanya", "Cherry Orchard", "Seagull", and "Three Sisters".
- avoided stereotyping and instructive political messages in favor of cool comic irony.
- used a delicate fabric of hints, subtle nuances in dialogs, and precise details.
All that fancy wording was stolen directly from Wikipedia and IMDB... They say it better than I ever could (see my description of Stanislavski).
When I started the day, my boss was already at work. He kept the whip out, cracked it all day, and I have the open wounds on my back to prove it.
When I got home, the lawn wasn't going to mow itself. Yeah, I have a lawn. No, I don't live with my parents. Yes, I am in poverty.
Around 10 pm, I decided to have a shower. You know, get the grass out and the "Red Zone" in. And that's when I noticed something missing.
When I went to wash it, it wasn't there.
I had worked my ass off.
I hope that I can sit on the couch and eat pork rinds and drink beer until I get it back.
Song of the Day: "Free Salute" by Little Barrie. I wish all music was this fresh. You must, must, must listen to it: clickity myspace: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.getinsulted.com/
Playwright of the Day: Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)
- mastered the use of understatement, anticlimax, and implied emotion.
- closely identified with Stanislavski (that dude who focused on creating realistic characters through "affective memory"; you know, thinking about someone in your life that died to make you cry, and so on and so forth)
- main plays are "Uncle Vanya", "Cherry Orchard", "Seagull", and "Three Sisters".
- avoided stereotyping and instructive political messages in favor of cool comic irony.
- used a delicate fabric of hints, subtle nuances in dialogs, and precise details.
All that fancy wording was stolen directly from Wikipedia and IMDB... They say it better than I ever could (see my description of Stanislavski).
Monday, July 24, 2006
Buck Rogers is rolling in his Space Capsule...
So I'm watching the Bugs Bunny and Tweety show this morning... they show one of the late 60's/early 70's Warner Brothers shorts, and for those of us who are Looney Tunes connoiseurs, you know that those particular shorts were terrible. But I got to thinking, just what made them so terrible?
The "Looney Tune" we will examine is the "Duck Dodgers of the 24 & 1/2 Century Episode 2". You know, the one where they crash into a giant egg and discover Marvin the Martian inside (we'll discuss in a moment why that sucks). First off, the mission of "Duck Dodgers" (Daffy Duck) and his Space Cadet (Porky Pig) is to "save trillions of universes from the rack-and-pinion shortage; you know, that stuff you use to polish Yo-Yos with, the voiceover cleverly explains.
Har-dee-har-har.
First off, the average person (and child) know that rack-and-pinion has nothing to do with polishing anything. So right off the bat, the premise is stupid. Just saying dumbass things doesn't make you funny.
So our heroes are off to solve the rack-and-pinion shortage. It appears as if the planet that has the only remaining supply is a giant, egg-shaped one. Duck Dodgers denies that it even looks like an egg, until they crash into it and it cracks, and they discover Marvin the Martian and one of his wacky machines inside.
Har-dee-Har-Har.
At this point, we totally drop the story in favour of the "hilarious" interactions between Marvin and Duck Dodgers. Marvin mentions a "current event" (fuel shortage) and his solution. To solve Earth's fuel shortage problem, he'll blow up Earth. The short gets way way f'n worse at this point.
Duck Dodgers doesn't care that the world is going to get blown up. Oh yeah, and the all-important Yo Yo polish? Never mentioned again.
Out of nowhere, Marvin says "I would like you to meet my friend, Gossamer." Based on this incredibly "sexy" name, Duck Dodgers is immediately smitten with the character, who he assumes is a "space babe from one of those Sci Fi magazines".
Har-dee-fuckin-har-har.
For those of us who already know, Gossamer is a hairy monster in tennish shoes that stands about 15 feet tall. Duck Dodgers inevitably is chased by Gossamer, and Space Cadet saves the day by shaving Gossamer, who was nothing but fur and shoes anyway, he proudly states.
What the fuh? End of Cartoon?
Yep. Ya heard me. Off to solve the universe's Yo-Yo polish problem, A space Hero and his assistant run into Marvin the Martian who is about to blow up the earth. Nobody cares, so we have a side-splitting chase scene with Gossamer that ends with Gossamer being shaved into oblivion, and our heroes...uh...
I hope to god that it was some sort of time edit, and nobody would think that a story like that was worth dragging aging cartoonists out of their storage lockers.
Luckily, that short was quickly followed by a classic, 1950's "Pepe le Peu" short. Now this was a perfect example of a short story.
We open on a man painting a country road in France. He strolls casually, humming "Dinah Blow Votre Horn" (hee hee). Suddenly, a cat being chased by a dog streak around the corner. The Cat squeezes under the road-painting device, giving it a white stripe down it's back. The Dog careens into the man, spilling paint everywhere, and the cat gets away in the chaos.
We switch to Pepe le Peu, who has arrived at a nearby port as a stowaway on a boat. Pepe spots the cat running down the country road, looking very much like a skunk indeed, what with the white stripe and all. A truly hilarious sequence of chases ensues, and the cartoon reaches the conclusion of Pepe persuing love to the very last moment.
And scene.
You see, the problem with the "Duck Dodgers" story is that the writers, animators, sound people... ah hell, everyone involved was trying to re-live the 50's heyday when the Looney Tune shorts were brilliant. They were grasping at past successful characters, groping at too many plot lines, and forgetting how simplicity can, and almost always is, the secret.
Duck Dodgers: At least 3 plot lines. Pepe le Peu: Just the one.
Now, if we have all the time in the world, like at P-jam (1 and 1/2 hours to figure out several plotlines), I don't see any problem in spinning our yarns and getting them all tangled so we have something to unravel and conclude in the end.
But when you've got 5 minutes, that's not a lot of time to begin, middle and end. Hippies weren't the only thing that stunk in the 60's/70's; the cartoons were enough to break a funk-o-meter.
Song of the Day: "Maibelline" by The Head Set. It takes guts to name your song the same name as one of the most legendary Chuck Berry tunes of all time, and then make it look like you misspelled it, and then have it turn out to be an original, enjoyable song. Neat. Listen to it here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://myspace.com/mybrucebruce The comedian of the day, acccording to Myspace.
Playwright of the Day: Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)
- This guy is given a lot of credit as being the "father of modern drama"
- Realistic Theatre was his game (a likeness to life, it is the perfect type of theatre to explore relationships)
This is how Wikipedia describes a Realistic Theatre play:
-Always credulous, nothing to test believability in audience
-Audience is never acknowledged
-Dialogue only, no asides, soliloquys or monologues (except when addressed to another onstage character)
-An individual represents a societal problem
-Fourth wall removed convention is strictly followed
-A linear plot with no sub-plots
The "Looney Tune" we will examine is the "Duck Dodgers of the 24 & 1/2 Century Episode 2". You know, the one where they crash into a giant egg and discover Marvin the Martian inside (we'll discuss in a moment why that sucks). First off, the mission of "Duck Dodgers" (Daffy Duck) and his Space Cadet (Porky Pig) is to "save trillions of universes from the rack-and-pinion shortage; you know, that stuff you use to polish Yo-Yos with, the voiceover cleverly explains.
Har-dee-har-har.
First off, the average person (and child) know that rack-and-pinion has nothing to do with polishing anything. So right off the bat, the premise is stupid. Just saying dumbass things doesn't make you funny.
So our heroes are off to solve the rack-and-pinion shortage. It appears as if the planet that has the only remaining supply is a giant, egg-shaped one. Duck Dodgers denies that it even looks like an egg, until they crash into it and it cracks, and they discover Marvin the Martian and one of his wacky machines inside.
Har-dee-Har-Har.
At this point, we totally drop the story in favour of the "hilarious" interactions between Marvin and Duck Dodgers. Marvin mentions a "current event" (fuel shortage) and his solution. To solve Earth's fuel shortage problem, he'll blow up Earth. The short gets way way f'n worse at this point.
Duck Dodgers doesn't care that the world is going to get blown up. Oh yeah, and the all-important Yo Yo polish? Never mentioned again.
Out of nowhere, Marvin says "I would like you to meet my friend, Gossamer." Based on this incredibly "sexy" name, Duck Dodgers is immediately smitten with the character, who he assumes is a "space babe from one of those Sci Fi magazines".
Har-dee-fuckin-har-har.
For those of us who already know, Gossamer is a hairy monster in tennish shoes that stands about 15 feet tall. Duck Dodgers inevitably is chased by Gossamer, and Space Cadet saves the day by shaving Gossamer, who was nothing but fur and shoes anyway, he proudly states.
What the fuh? End of Cartoon?
Yep. Ya heard me. Off to solve the universe's Yo-Yo polish problem, A space Hero and his assistant run into Marvin the Martian who is about to blow up the earth. Nobody cares, so we have a side-splitting chase scene with Gossamer that ends with Gossamer being shaved into oblivion, and our heroes...uh...
I hope to god that it was some sort of time edit, and nobody would think that a story like that was worth dragging aging cartoonists out of their storage lockers.
Luckily, that short was quickly followed by a classic, 1950's "Pepe le Peu" short. Now this was a perfect example of a short story.
We open on a man painting a country road in France. He strolls casually, humming "Dinah Blow Votre Horn" (hee hee). Suddenly, a cat being chased by a dog streak around the corner. The Cat squeezes under the road-painting device, giving it a white stripe down it's back. The Dog careens into the man, spilling paint everywhere, and the cat gets away in the chaos.
We switch to Pepe le Peu, who has arrived at a nearby port as a stowaway on a boat. Pepe spots the cat running down the country road, looking very much like a skunk indeed, what with the white stripe and all. A truly hilarious sequence of chases ensues, and the cartoon reaches the conclusion of Pepe persuing love to the very last moment.
And scene.
You see, the problem with the "Duck Dodgers" story is that the writers, animators, sound people... ah hell, everyone involved was trying to re-live the 50's heyday when the Looney Tune shorts were brilliant. They were grasping at past successful characters, groping at too many plot lines, and forgetting how simplicity can, and almost always is, the secret.
Duck Dodgers: At least 3 plot lines. Pepe le Peu: Just the one.
Now, if we have all the time in the world, like at P-jam (1 and 1/2 hours to figure out several plotlines), I don't see any problem in spinning our yarns and getting them all tangled so we have something to unravel and conclude in the end.
But when you've got 5 minutes, that's not a lot of time to begin, middle and end. Hippies weren't the only thing that stunk in the 60's/70's; the cartoons were enough to break a funk-o-meter.
Song of the Day: "Maibelline" by The Head Set. It takes guts to name your song the same name as one of the most legendary Chuck Berry tunes of all time, and then make it look like you misspelled it, and then have it turn out to be an original, enjoyable song. Neat. Listen to it here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://myspace.com/mybrucebruce The comedian of the day, acccording to Myspace.
Playwright of the Day: Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)
- This guy is given a lot of credit as being the "father of modern drama"
- Realistic Theatre was his game (a likeness to life, it is the perfect type of theatre to explore relationships)
This is how Wikipedia describes a Realistic Theatre play:
-Always credulous, nothing to test believability in audience
-Audience is never acknowledged
-Dialogue only, no asides, soliloquys or monologues (except when addressed to another onstage character)
-An individual represents a societal problem
-Fourth wall removed convention is strictly followed
-A linear plot with no sub-plots
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Oh Hot Hot Heat, A Band and a Description of our City
For the first time since moving to the house, I slept in the basement.
My body just wasn't made for this. I think back to my French/Irish/Scottish ancestors, and I assume they spent most of their time in dark, dank pubs swigging ale and fighting.
Now it may look like my body wasn't made for fighting, but it really, really is. True, I'll never win the fight, but as my friends/relatives can attest to, I never get all that injured. I haven't been in a fight for a really long time, but I assume if one more dude mentioned how hot it was yesterday, he would have recieved a knuckle sandwich, Shawn-style.
Speaking of sandwiches, Hot Hot Heat is a mere few days away. Controller(.) Controller will be one of the opening bands. THUMP THUMP THUMP!! Rewrite your history.
Oh, and for those who manically read my blog every day and come to the Prospect Jam, it's on tonight. 7 pm... Unless you're reading this on Monday and I haven't updated. Then you missed it. I'm sorry.
Song of the Day: "History" by Controller. Controller. At least, I think there's a period after the first Controller... Not sure. Listen here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.myspace.com/the_crad_pad Apparently, Crad's new myspace home.
Playwright of the Day: Bertolt Brecht (1891-1956)
- Epic Theatre is his main game (kind of a "proletariat" form of theatre that uses it's stories, mostly re-workings of old stories, to draw parallels between the events of the play and current events, pointing out the need for political and social reforms)
-"Epic" also refers to the broadness of the topics covered and mixture of narrative and dramatic techiques
- Brecht encouraged his actors to perform "in the third person"; Their acting should comment on the characters' motivations and actions (almost all my "Playwright of the Day" information is stolen directly from Oscar G. Brockett's "History of the Theatre", in case this seems familiar to any of my acting buddies).
My body just wasn't made for this. I think back to my French/Irish/Scottish ancestors, and I assume they spent most of their time in dark, dank pubs swigging ale and fighting.
Now it may look like my body wasn't made for fighting, but it really, really is. True, I'll never win the fight, but as my friends/relatives can attest to, I never get all that injured. I haven't been in a fight for a really long time, but I assume if one more dude mentioned how hot it was yesterday, he would have recieved a knuckle sandwich, Shawn-style.
Speaking of sandwiches, Hot Hot Heat is a mere few days away. Controller(.) Controller will be one of the opening bands. THUMP THUMP THUMP!! Rewrite your history.
Oh, and for those who manically read my blog every day and come to the Prospect Jam, it's on tonight. 7 pm... Unless you're reading this on Monday and I haven't updated. Then you missed it. I'm sorry.
Song of the Day: "History" by Controller. Controller. At least, I think there's a period after the first Controller... Not sure. Listen here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.myspace.com/the_crad_pad Apparently, Crad's new myspace home.
Playwright of the Day: Bertolt Brecht (1891-1956)
- Epic Theatre is his main game (kind of a "proletariat" form of theatre that uses it's stories, mostly re-workings of old stories, to draw parallels between the events of the play and current events, pointing out the need for political and social reforms)
-"Epic" also refers to the broadness of the topics covered and mixture of narrative and dramatic techiques
- Brecht encouraged his actors to perform "in the third person"; Their acting should comment on the characters' motivations and actions (almost all my "Playwright of the Day" information is stolen directly from Oscar G. Brockett's "History of the Theatre", in case this seems familiar to any of my acting buddies).
Thursday, July 20, 2006
A Playwright a Day Keeps the Confusies Away
So around 2 weeks ago, I was watching an exellent Theatresports show. The evening was concluded with a scene done in the style of Samuel Beckett.
And my row didn't know who Samuel Beckett was.
And that's okay.
I'm going to take it upon myself to throw out the Imposter E-mail of the Day section for a much, much more loftier one: Playwright of the Day.
Not that I think that will excite anyone overly. But wouldn't that be nice one day if you were sitting in the audience and somebody said "DO A BRECHT!", and you knew what that meant?
I know that some of you do know a lot of stuff about Playwrights, so you're always allowed to add... I think it would be a good idea if more of the audience was in on more of our smarty-ness.
Let's begin.
Song of the Day: "Kenny the Jet" by Louque. Kind of cool stuff. Listen to it here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.bibleman.com We like superheros, don't we? I'm soooo conflicted...
Playwright of the Day: Samuel Beckett (1906-1989)
-absurdist (A philosophy, often translated into art forms, holding that humans exist in a meaningless, irrational universe and that any search for order by them will bring them into direct conflict with this universe-- stolen from Dictionary.com)
-writer of "Waiting for Godot" (spoiler: Godot never comes!)
-characters often in a world of disaster (human survival is threatened)
-plays deal with the metaphysical human condition
-raises questions that cannot be answered, doubts humanity
And my row didn't know who Samuel Beckett was.
And that's okay.
I'm going to take it upon myself to throw out the Imposter E-mail of the Day section for a much, much more loftier one: Playwright of the Day.
Not that I think that will excite anyone overly. But wouldn't that be nice one day if you were sitting in the audience and somebody said "DO A BRECHT!", and you knew what that meant?
I know that some of you do know a lot of stuff about Playwrights, so you're always allowed to add... I think it would be a good idea if more of the audience was in on more of our smarty-ness.
Let's begin.
Song of the Day: "Kenny the Jet" by Louque. Kind of cool stuff. Listen to it here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.bibleman.com We like superheros, don't we? I'm soooo conflicted...
Playwright of the Day: Samuel Beckett (1906-1989)
-absurdist (A philosophy, often translated into art forms, holding that humans exist in a meaningless, irrational universe and that any search for order by them will bring them into direct conflict with this universe-- stolen from Dictionary.com)
-writer of "Waiting for Godot" (spoiler: Godot never comes!)
-characters often in a world of disaster (human survival is threatened)
-plays deal with the metaphysical human condition
-raises questions that cannot be answered, doubts humanity
Monday, July 17, 2006
It's all about the Intro
It's been a very fun run being the "go-to" free improv host the last little while. And I don't mean a fun run for charity or {insert terminal but hilarious disease/syndrome here} (just mad lib, y'all). I mean I'm really enjoying myself.
My intro bit, although intended for one week only (RO-BOT ROCK!!!) seems to have endured. I realize that some will grow weary of it (soon or already), but as for now, it's still going strong.
I have always believed a good intro can make for a good show. I mean, let's think back on the top opening credits that you've ever witnessed. And I'm not talking movies, I'm talking TV. Here's a "Random 10" that I think are pretty damn unforgettable.
1. Get Smart
2. Spider-Man (the cartoon, of course)
3. Da Ali G Show
4. Mr. Bean (Mr. G obviously enjoyed Mr. Bean's intro so much because they're from the same country? They both seem to be descendants from a beam of light...)
5. The Simpsons
6. The Drew Carey Show (love it or hate it)
7. Kids in the Hall
8. Hockey Night in Canada
9. The People's Court (The Funk and the Congos suck me in)
10. Fawlty Towers (heheh. Always re-arranging their title and adding some extra letters. "Farty Towels". Heehee. "Twatty Flowers". hoo hoo.)
And that's the last time you see the "T" word on my blog. But hey, the British, Canadian, and American sensors all thought it was okay, so I guess I shouldn't care.
Song of the Day: "AM Slow Golden Hit" by Hotel Lights. I might have already featured this song, but I was wondering if there is a double meaning to "hit" as far as this song goes. You be the judge: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.hotellights.net/ In case you like the tune.
Imposter E-mail of the Day: Gerald. He's a "prettyb" looking girl. You heard me, 25 and prettyb. He wants to get to "knaow" me better. Oh Gerald.
My intro bit, although intended for one week only (RO-BOT ROCK!!!) seems to have endured. I realize that some will grow weary of it (soon or already), but as for now, it's still going strong.
I have always believed a good intro can make for a good show. I mean, let's think back on the top opening credits that you've ever witnessed. And I'm not talking movies, I'm talking TV. Here's a "Random 10" that I think are pretty damn unforgettable.
1. Get Smart
2. Spider-Man (the cartoon, of course)
3. Da Ali G Show
4. Mr. Bean (Mr. G obviously enjoyed Mr. Bean's intro so much because they're from the same country? They both seem to be descendants from a beam of light...)
5. The Simpsons
6. The Drew Carey Show (love it or hate it)
7. Kids in the Hall
8. Hockey Night in Canada
9. The People's Court (The Funk and the Congos suck me in)
10. Fawlty Towers (heheh. Always re-arranging their title and adding some extra letters. "Farty Towels". Heehee. "Twatty Flowers". hoo hoo.)
And that's the last time you see the "T" word on my blog. But hey, the British, Canadian, and American sensors all thought it was okay, so I guess I shouldn't care.
Song of the Day: "AM Slow Golden Hit" by Hotel Lights. I might have already featured this song, but I was wondering if there is a double meaning to "hit" as far as this song goes. You be the judge: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.hotellights.net/ In case you like the tune.
Imposter E-mail of the Day: Gerald. He's a "prettyb" looking girl. You heard me, 25 and prettyb. He wants to get to "knaow" me better. Oh Gerald.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Festival for Edward was a Capital Idea, Until His Ex Showed Up...
Only a few days and counting before Edmonton's new music festival, EdFest arrives.
And I wish I could be more stoked.
You see, music festivals usually are one price. You pay once, and you get to see all the bands. You can pay for a "pass" for other festivals, and that pass is usually not outrageously overpriced. From what I gather, you can buy a "pass" for EdFest, but it only entitles you for 3 nights out of 10, and it's over $100.
Buzz kill.
So I chose only one night. I just can't afford to love music as much as I used to.
Here's some lineup stuff:
Thu, July 20
Kwame & DJ Kwake
Saukrates
Divine Brown
Nelly Furtado
Fri, July 21
Damone
Mobile
The All American Rejects
Sat, July 22
Maurice
Armchair Cynics
Our Lady Peace
Sun, July 23
Murder City Sparrows
Magneta Lane
Hedley
Mon, July 24
Kyle Riabko
Wil
Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Tue, July 25
Tupelo Honey
Oliver Black
Three Days Grace
Wed, July 26
The Fall Collection
The Marble Index
Controller.Controller
Hot Hot Heat
Thu, July 27
The Novaks
The Trews
The Sam Roberts Band
Fri, July 28
Melissa McClelland
Jeremy Fisher
Stabilo
Blue Rodeo
Sat, July 29
Our Mercury
Fefe Dobson
Simple Plan
Okay, sounds good. But I can't help but wonder, what happened to that free Telus Stage show?... Omigod, it's still there. Totally bodacious. Check the free shows (with admission of course):
July 20: Roger Hodgson of Supertramp (Dreeema, you nuthin' but a dreeeeeema!)
July 21: Default (I'm wasting my tayaymuh, I'm wasting my tayaymuh!)
July 22: Kardinal Offishall (Juno award after Juno award!)
July 23: Gino Vannelli (I just wanna stop, fo yo luuuuuuuuuuve!)
July 24: The Philosopher Kings (It hurts to luuuve you!)
July 25: Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Aaron Pritchett (It's wrong to make fun of her)
July 26: Melissa O'Neil and Rex Goudie (Here Rex, good boy)
July 27: Kenny Shields & Streetheart (Someone please help me remember a Streetheart song)
July 28: Jakalope, Rocketface, and Rio Bent (Fast as Fast can be, You'll never catch me)
July 29: Trooper (We're here for a good tayime, not a long tyime)
Song of the Day: "Upside Down" by Jakalope. It was the least I could do to make her song my song of the day after making an out-of-date "America's Funniest People"/Dave Coulier joke. Sorry, Jaks. You have lots and lots of friends that want to make you a star, and most of them are already stars. Why aren't you more famous yet? Listen to her here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.capitalex.ca
You know, gotta help the local economy and such. Klondike Days were like, so 100 years ago anyway.
Imposter E-mail of the Day: Dowdy. Dowdy wants me to stop being a two-pump chump. I hate you, Dowdy.
And I wish I could be more stoked.
You see, music festivals usually are one price. You pay once, and you get to see all the bands. You can pay for a "pass" for other festivals, and that pass is usually not outrageously overpriced. From what I gather, you can buy a "pass" for EdFest, but it only entitles you for 3 nights out of 10, and it's over $100.
Buzz kill.
So I chose only one night. I just can't afford to love music as much as I used to.
Here's some lineup stuff:
Thu, July 20
Kwame & DJ Kwake
Saukrates
Divine Brown
Nelly Furtado
Fri, July 21
Damone
Mobile
The All American Rejects
Sat, July 22
Maurice
Armchair Cynics
Our Lady Peace
Sun, July 23
Murder City Sparrows
Magneta Lane
Hedley
Mon, July 24
Kyle Riabko
Wil
Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Tue, July 25
Tupelo Honey
Oliver Black
Three Days Grace
Wed, July 26
The Fall Collection
The Marble Index
Controller.Controller
Hot Hot Heat
Thu, July 27
The Novaks
The Trews
The Sam Roberts Band
Fri, July 28
Melissa McClelland
Jeremy Fisher
Stabilo
Blue Rodeo
Sat, July 29
Our Mercury
Fefe Dobson
Simple Plan
Okay, sounds good. But I can't help but wonder, what happened to that free Telus Stage show?... Omigod, it's still there. Totally bodacious. Check the free shows (with admission of course):
July 20: Roger Hodgson of Supertramp (Dreeema, you nuthin' but a dreeeeeema!)
July 21: Default (I'm wasting my tayaymuh, I'm wasting my tayaymuh!)
July 22: Kardinal Offishall (Juno award after Juno award!)
July 23: Gino Vannelli (I just wanna stop, fo yo luuuuuuuuuuve!)
July 24: The Philosopher Kings (It hurts to luuuve you!)
July 25: Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Aaron Pritchett (It's wrong to make fun of her)
July 26: Melissa O'Neil and Rex Goudie (Here Rex, good boy)
July 27: Kenny Shields & Streetheart (Someone please help me remember a Streetheart song)
July 28: Jakalope, Rocketface, and Rio Bent (Fast as Fast can be, You'll never catch me)
July 29: Trooper (We're here for a good tayime, not a long tyime)
Song of the Day: "Upside Down" by Jakalope. It was the least I could do to make her song my song of the day after making an out-of-date "America's Funniest People"/Dave Coulier joke. Sorry, Jaks. You have lots and lots of friends that want to make you a star, and most of them are already stars. Why aren't you more famous yet? Listen to her here: www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: www.capitalex.ca
You know, gotta help the local economy and such. Klondike Days were like, so 100 years ago anyway.
Imposter E-mail of the Day: Dowdy. Dowdy wants me to stop being a two-pump chump. I hate you, Dowdy.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
On Weed and Weeds
So on my way to work this morning, I see 4 skaters picking weeds out from the (City of Edmonton's attempt to beautify) gravel Strathcona Parking Lot.
I couldn't help but think about how this might have all began (diddle doo, diddle doo, diddle doo... uhh, yeah, my attempt at a Wayne's World-style flashback).
Picture this: 4 young lads are on their way to their favorite bar. They think to themselves; "You know what goes good with Beer?"
One of them gets on their cell phone. Their "guy" is in the neighbourhood. Just checking to see if he's home.
They go over to his place. They pool together their money (everyone's pocket change amounts to about $4.73). They ask their "guy" if it's enough for one of his worst-rolled spliffs.
He agrees.
They leave his house. They realize that the only place they can take their "magic carpet ride" is on the street.
But Officer O'Toole has another plan for our boys.
The good Policeman spots 4 boys in a back alley. They are taking a dance with "Mary Jane". They are the "Doobie" Brothers he's been looking for all night. He has to catch at least one group a night, or his ass is on the line.
"So boys," chortles O'Toole. "You Like weed? How do you think you'll like WEEDS? Because you just bought yourselves 8 hours of community service pulling weeds for the City of Edmonton!"
That's right boys. Don't do drugs (at least not in public). The stereotypical Irish cop will make you pay with your time.
Song of the Day: "Don't Wait" by Dashboard Confessional. I'm sure they didn't mean to start their song creepily, creepily like "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer. But don't take my word for it, listen to it at this link: http://www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.myspace.com/jessecrowley Listen to the Jessmiester.
Imposter E-Mail of the Day: Floppy V. Juliana. She sell Hoodia by the seashore.
I couldn't help but think about how this might have all began (diddle doo, diddle doo, diddle doo... uhh, yeah, my attempt at a Wayne's World-style flashback).
Picture this: 4 young lads are on their way to their favorite bar. They think to themselves; "You know what goes good with Beer?"
One of them gets on their cell phone. Their "guy" is in the neighbourhood. Just checking to see if he's home.
They go over to his place. They pool together their money (everyone's pocket change amounts to about $4.73). They ask their "guy" if it's enough for one of his worst-rolled spliffs.
He agrees.
They leave his house. They realize that the only place they can take their "magic carpet ride" is on the street.
But Officer O'Toole has another plan for our boys.
The good Policeman spots 4 boys in a back alley. They are taking a dance with "Mary Jane". They are the "Doobie" Brothers he's been looking for all night. He has to catch at least one group a night, or his ass is on the line.
"So boys," chortles O'Toole. "You Like weed? How do you think you'll like WEEDS? Because you just bought yourselves 8 hours of community service pulling weeds for the City of Edmonton!"
That's right boys. Don't do drugs (at least not in public). The stereotypical Irish cop will make you pay with your time.
Song of the Day: "Don't Wait" by Dashboard Confessional. I'm sure they didn't mean to start their song creepily, creepily like "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer. But don't take my word for it, listen to it at this link: http://www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://www.myspace.com/jessecrowley Listen to the Jessmiester.
Imposter E-Mail of the Day: Floppy V. Juliana. She sell Hoodia by the seashore.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Prospect Pride
That's right, you ragamuffins.
I'm proud of your performances at the prime time show on Friday night. Let's not even talk ups, downs and analyzing scenes. Let's just bask in the moment of bliss...
...And that moment's passed.
On to other business:
Song of the Day: "I Need More Love" by Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Shake you collective asses, mofos. I command you to hear it at this link: http://www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://dramabug.blog-city.com/ Katie's on the net y'all.
Imposter E-mail of the Day: Pansy Fernandez. Pansy wants to sell me a doctorate... But I suggest he fight Nacho Libre instead.
I'm proud of your performances at the prime time show on Friday night. Let's not even talk ups, downs and analyzing scenes. Let's just bask in the moment of bliss...
...And that moment's passed.
On to other business:
Song of the Day: "I Need More Love" by Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Shake you collective asses, mofos. I command you to hear it at this link: http://www.myspace.com/ladylovinlynx
Link of the Day: http://dramabug.blog-city.com/ Katie's on the net y'all.
Imposter E-mail of the Day: Pansy Fernandez. Pansy wants to sell me a doctorate... But I suggest he fight Nacho Libre instead.
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