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Archive for July, 2007

Which Lecram is this anyway?

31 Jul

As I was out and about last night I ran into several people. (Always a pleasant thing.) Anyway it got me thinking (very dangerous when that happens… keep the flammables away) that each one that I met has known me in a different context because (as it were) I wear many hats.

In medieval times people were assigned titles such as ,,, Richard the Lionhearted, etc… that sort of defined their place in history. So here are some that I have compiled for myself in the context that a few around here identify me as…

Lecram the Obscure Playwright – this one has been more true over the last 5 years. I used to crank those puppies out (and known as Lecram the Prolific)… until about 5 years ago. Still, I do have about 52 to my name and unless a Mack truck has my name on it tomorrow… there will be more coming soon.

Lecram the Disco Dancer – this was back when I was young and stupid. Enuff said.

Lecram the Rogue Dude – Yeah, I’m (still) known as that when I go out in public these days. People still come up to me and chat and “work” me because they think it is going to score them points in some way or another. The thing is I’m not in charge anymore… and even when I was… I’m chronically objective. But, it’s nice and I have learned to be gracious over the years without making any promises. Then there is the variation…

Lecram the In-Charge Rogue Dude – now this is from the inner circle. OK… me and a few others started and ran this thing over a few years… but we are not in-charge anymore. Yes, things are changing and one of the reasons I stepped out is that things MUST change. If the Rogue is to survive and thrive it cannot be associated with one person or small group of “has beens”. It’s evolvolving. It has to be anm entity unto itself. “How it used to be” ain’t how it’s gonna be. Think outside the box… think bigger. Yes, there will be growing pains… but if it is to be… then it should be on it’s own merit.

Lecram the Friend – I am a stalwart friend. I am also a very objective friend… sometimes to my my own detriment. The reason being that I often work with a lot of my friends. I actually can separate friendship from business… many can’t. So, as a result I get cast as the ogre in a lot of situations just because I can make that separation where others choose to take it personally. Case and point… I found a better replacement for me in Suicide Lounge… and gladly so.

Lecram the Listener – Really, there is information that I know that I really should not (and need not) know about people. Yes, I actually listen. I don’t jump to conclusions or make harsh judgments. If it is important to… I actually find out the other side of the story. I’m funny that way.

Lecram the Generous – I can be to a fault.

Lecram the Frugal – Yeah, I am. Why pay more if you don’t have to? This is also byproduct of being Lecram the Starving Playwright and Lecram the Broke.

Lecram the Insecure – Aren’t we all in some aspect of our lives?

Lecram the Morty – It’s Morty… it ain’t me. Morty is totally a cold heartless MOFO… but it’s always business.

So, these are some I have come up with. I’m sure there are more that are unflattering and I have blocked out of my rabid infested mind. Which Lecram do you know… or which Lecram do you want to know about? And more importantly… which YOU is the prevailing YOU at the moment?

 
 

It occured to me today…

30 Jul

… that I really should rearrange my days. (Brilliant, Lecram!) Well, in order to maximize getting things done. Trouble is I’ve been waking up the last 3 or 4 nights at 3 AM. Not sure what this is all about. Then I slip back into slumber at 4:30 or 5 to awake at 7:30 or 8. It sort of just throws off the schedule and pace of my day that I had. Still, I’m not too concerned (yet) as some life transitions are happening. Nothing bad… just a matter of readjusting.

I actually got quite a few household chores complete before 11 AM today. Had ambitions for some other things to happen but those kinda fell by the wayside. Nothing drastic that will shake up the world but still… I do have to rethink my scheduling. On the upside… I took a business meeting this evening and may have landed gig. (I’ll know tomorrow.) Nothing to retire on but a good beginning that hopefully will become more lucrative as time wears on.

On to other things…

After my business meeting I spent some time catching up with a musician friend of mine. Had a couple of beers and just casually jabbered about this and that. We have run into each other and done the 5 minute “Yeah, how’s it going” thing but this is the first time in a long while where we have actually been able to chat without either one of us “having” to be some place else or entertaining company when we met.

The rest of the week (socially) is looking pretty full too. An old friend is in town and we have planned some catch-up time… also true with an former workmate. There is Suicide Lounge rehearsals and 2 video shoots (one possible paying gig)… so, suddenly my evenings are being booked up. Now that hasn’t happened in quite a while.

So, for now… there are lots of little delights to look forward to. My vlog this coming week should have some fun footage as I plan on recording some of my comings and goings. I’m actually trending to calling them “vlogumentaries” – what do you think?

Hope your week is starting off well.

 
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Posted in gigs, life, work

 

My First Vlog

29 Jul

I may do this once a week… remember, I said may.

EDIT: Monday, 1 PM
Well, last night was fun. I think all in all everyone that came had a good time. There may be some footage on my next vlog.

BTW… haloscan is still a little buggy and has been eating up comments… just saying. Hope they work it out soon.

 
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Posted in vlog

 

a silly thought reoccured tonight…

28 Jul

Watch this clip from My Fair Lady…

… now substitute “Show Me” for “Blow Me”. I used to (and still do) laugh myself blue just thinking about this.

Ah… the simple joys of a fevered rabid mind.

EDIT: 11 AM, Saturday
So, once again I am thinking about changing my blog.

OK, Lecram… what the hell is this about? Didn’t you already change it on your birthday this year?

Yeah, welll…

Yeah, well what?!

Look, I started with blogspot… I like it… but…

But what?

Hey, I like it so much I even moved it (this new version) to my own server!

Yeah, and?

The bigger blogger/blogspot becomes… the more hiccupy it gets. Plus with haloscan, blogroll, and other third party blog toys I use… it has the tendency to bog down the upload on the browser.

You’re jumping to wordpress, aren’t you?

Well… maybe. See, with my deluxe hosting at Jungle Webs I get a whole 100 gigs of server space. On top of that, wordpress is one of the free add-ons that installs EASILY on it!

Traitor!

I haven’t decided yet. There is also Joomla to consider. It’s another add-on that I’m really interested in. Plus, it’s a CMS and most of the websites are going that way. It’ll be a good excuse to get to learn it and perhaps set up a blog on it.

OK… whatever. Just remember… you have some gigs coming up.

Exactly. I think learning Joomla is going to make me more marketable.

Like I said… whatever. What about that vlog you were going to start.

I’ll get right on it after I mop the house.

 
 

Da Count – sharing the blame

26 Jul

dacount

Well, the interview is now on Fresno Famous. Go ahead… read it… I’ll wait.

::whistle::

::whistle::

Done? OK. After reading it today, it brought to mind my count for this week. It is “the many” who over the years have bought into my insane schemes and made them happen. From mounting the odd wacky plays… to backyard theatre… to a theatre company… to an arts festival… to some other projects, activities and events that I’ll remain silent on for the moment. But without them none of it would have been accomplished. I could name all of them but it would take easily a year if I started now. It just goes to prove that no one is an island and that things can happen when people pull together. That whole “village” thing that was bandied about some years ago happens to be true. Whether it be in the personal, professional or practical parts of our lives.

So, to those of you who have… and those who may not know you have… please know that you count. Not just on my crazed schemes… but to everyone around you in your everyday lives. I am not foolish (or vain) enough to think that these accomplishments are mine alone… they are ours. And this is hardly the end. Cheers!

To find out what Da Count is all about click the flashing sign above.

Oh, BTW… the HNT shot below was done straight… no photoshop magic in that one except for cropping out the barbecue. The setup took all of 5 minutes.

If you are in and around the Big NO this weekend come see THIS & THIS. Here is the promo video again just to goose you along.

More later… perhaps,

EDIT: 11:30 AM, Friday
So, I just got done having lunch with Mum. While I was doing so I flip open the newspaper (which I rarely do) and lo and behold… the interview is right there (picture and all) in the entertainment section. I left there for her to read if she so desires to.
.

 
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sitting and biding my time – HNT!

25 Jul
sometimes it’s all you can do.
Cheers and Happy HNT!

* EDIT: Haloscan is being hiccupy to day. If you come by and want to leave a comment and Haloscan is being a bugger… click HERE!

 
4 Comments

Posted in HNT

 

I did something tonight…

24 Jul

I haven’t done in a long time. I went for a bike ride at 10 PM. That is the wonderful aspect about most Summer nights in the big NO… they are balmy and perfect for something like that. Riding around my neighborhood in the dark of night… then getting home to a tall glass of iced tea. Perfect.

AWARDS – YOU LIKE ME… YOU REALLY LIKE ME!

If you are a regular visitor you would have noticed that I rarely do memes, etc. When I do it is usually something that really tickles my fancy. In this case I couldn’t pass up the Schmooze Award that the always delightful Lime kindly bestowed upon me… and I am honored and flattered. She also said that I qualified for the Creative Blogger Award. So, I’m nicking both awards to bestow upon 5 bloggers in each category… then they can pick 5… and so on and so forth. (I think that’s how it works.) Though I am not going to hold any to it… they may or may not choose to keep it going. I am also going to try not to do repeats from her post or mine (per award).

::drumroll:: And the POWER OF SCHMOOZE award goes in no particular order to…

Airplanejayne: Apart from being a fine human being in real life (with those wild ranch BBQ’s), APJ is quite the schmoozer in the blogosphere. She thinks she is being sly but I’ve spied her on many an occasion come over to surf my blogroll. She is not the only one but she actually makes contact more than anyone I know. if that is not schmooze… what is?

Tish: A delight (and quite the hottie) whom I actually spent breaking in the New Year’s with once via chatting… I think has one of the widest circle of blog friends around. She is actually involved in a Blogathon this Saturday to raise funds for the Glaucoma Foundation (click here for details) so go by and support a good cause. You really have to be an ace schmoozer to do something like that.

Jay: She is a fabulous writer whose blog I came across not too long ago and I have been hooked ever since. Really she easily qualifies for the next award as well. Though I put her here mainly because the numbers in her comment section are so impressive. One of the few bloggers I know of who can make an entire colorful world so vivid just from a simple walk around her city neighborhood.

Osbasso: The Grand Emperor of HNT. Need I say more? The man started a movement and has met several personally on his travels. Sure, he usually frequents and comments on the sites of those of the female persuasion… but seriously, can you blame him? That’s schmooze!

Barry: He is a fringe performer friend who is currently criss-crossing Canada on tour bringing his funny and droll shows to 9 Fringe Festivals this Summer. Not sure about blog schmooze but you really have to see this guy work a line waiting for a show. His adventures on this tour is being chronicled on his blog (a fun read BTW) and he also seems to have a strange obsession for bathroom signs.

::drumroll:: And the CREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD goes in no particular order to…

Heather: Her photographs are stunning and here is someone who could easily define blogging as an art form. She expresses in almost a stream of consciousness and sometimes dreamy surreal way all (or at least most) of what is her life. Often cryptic… yes… but you never miss the poetry of emotions that flow from her.

Cosima: This German expat lives in Hong Kong and shares a unique perspective of that and her life with a sometimes arresting candor. Yet there is a constant inquisitive nature that draws her visitors in with the warm embrace of sharing to where her delight of discovery becomes ours.

Zonthar: He has been a long time friend… though I will say (and this is totally unbiased) that he probably holds more talent in his little finger than most of the strutting peacocks in the business deemed “talent” all put together. He really should blog more because when he does he totally enthralls. Go over, give him a read and goose him to do more.

Kfarmer: She will be the first one to refute this… but let me tell you this solid woman’s life is art. Just read about her daily adventures on her farm growing vegetables, raising her chicks, hanging with dog, cooking up a mess and loving… and loving totally her brood… and you will get a sense of what I speak of. She truly creates with the elegance of simplicity.

Kien: One of my oldest friends in the world. Just listen to his music… that part is obvious. But more importantly here is someone who has gone through hell and back and has never given up the joy of discovery or the drive to strive… that is the mark of a true creative.

Cheers!

EDIT: 10 PM, Wednesday
Thriller in Manila (prison). OK maybe not in Manila… but in the Philipines for sure. Talk about doing time creatively!
Philippine Prison Reenacts Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Video

Add to My Profile | More Videos

 
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Posted in award, meme

 

more shameless promotion (with an edit)

23 Jul

Yeah, I finish cutting this tonight… and the shows are coming up this weekend. So if you live around the big NO… come on down and catch these fine shows!

More in the AM… promise!

EDIT: 10:30 AM, Tuesday
I just sent off my responses of an email interview to Fresno Famous that will be featured on Friday (I think). Now, I either have to snap a pic or hunt for one in my archives. Hmm… I wonder if they will post a half nekkid one of me. LOL!

Also, I have to begin promotions on the next presentation of Rogue Year Round. Yes, it is going to be a barrage over the internet and probably going to annoy some on MySpace. Well, I’m not apologizing for it in advance because the whole exercise is to get Butts In The Seats. The point here is we are not just promoting to friends and supporters but also to potential newbies… and with the attention span these days people forget very easily. (That’s just one of the many reasons… but no one asked choosing instead to throw barbs.) I’ll have you know that the last promotional thrust pulled in at least two thirds of the paying audience who were exposed to anything Rogue for the very first time… and they had a bloody good time.

The Rogue was not created to be some sort of “insiders club” but something to be inclusive. What I really don’t appreciate (for the Rogue in general) is certain “insiders” had chosen to air their disdain of my previous methods via blogs and comments… which is a public forum. Either support the event (by showing up) or don’t (by not showing up). If you want to question my methods… shoot me an email (and I will patiently provide an explanation of the “whys”) but airing it in a public forum (via the power of the internet) is just plain unprofessional and counter productive to all many are attempting to accomplish. I’m all for debate and discussion… and if you are an insider… lets keep it within the confines of a meeting (one on one or via email)… but snippy blogs and comments that are open to the public just smacks of juvenile attention seeking. There… I’ve said my peace and for the record, I don’t hold any grudge or ill feelings about what transpired… just saying.

Now back to editing the many videos that are laying in wait.

 

time is close the waiting closer to done

21 Jul

This is not only in reference to several upcoming projects… but also to several personal aspects of my life. Like for instance…

MY NEXT PLAY…
which I think is ready to be written. Yeah, this is the one about the terrorist chef. Ideas have floated enough in my rabid mind and fermented enough to commit it to paper. Should be a fun little ditty that involves real food. Now all I have to do is block out a chunk of time to plunge into my bliss. But that will have to occur right after a few…

VIDEO PROJECTS…
that I have to complete for some clients. There is one I need to finish editing by tomorrow and another that will be reedited soon… but there are others in the works. In fact, I begin shooting one tonight that involves hot belly dancers and fire. Sure, hate me if you must. There are also some personal projects that I also want to shoot and cut. I’m actually thinking of getting into vlogging… perhaps as a weekend post… what do you think? Oh yeah, actually there have been a few other projects I have to cut sooner than soon. Like for instance, some of the footage from…

FRIDAY NIGHT…
that will go into another promotional video for Suicide Lounge. BTW… Friday was a blast. (see slideshow below.) It was something I had been needing for a while. Being holed up for as long as I have been due to circumstances and obligations at the homestead has somewhat curbed my social life… so this change was a good one. I think everyone at the gig had a pretty good time… and so did I. Plus, a good time was had without the need to get blotto and be crass in order to have it. There was actually sparkling conversation, easy laughter, great live music and the random sarong wearer. That along with the fresh fruit, sangria and devil’s brew proved to be quite refreshing. Thanks to all of those who added your shine to the festivities.

Anyway, the point is time ain’t stranding still and neither can I. If something is working… forge ahead. If something isn’t… try to fix it… and if it still isn’t after that… at least I know I made the attempt and effort and move on. Hubris will only shrink and limit one’s world… and there are too many wonders out there to take in with the sliver of time we are granted in this life.

Have a great week!

Perhaps more in the AM.

 

i needed that

21 Jul