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Archive for August, 2008

mr. grumpy pants

31 Aug

I have to admit that I’ve been feeling that way for the past few days. I will also admit that a lot of it has to do with the fact that in all probability I will not go up to the SF Fringe to see my show TALE END play there. It was also a break that I was looking forward to… a bit of respite from my present norm.

As Mr. Grumpy Pants I even began feeling resentment (not a feeling I particularly care for) toward the freebies and favors I have bestowed others. I actually had to slap myself to get out of it… reminding myself that those were given with an open heart without any attachment of payback. That helped. (Both the slap and the reminder… a good tight slap is always a great attitude adjuster.)

The other thing that helped was just removing the expectation of going. So, now as I sit here I accept that there is a good probability that I won’t go. If something works out to allow me to go… bonus… if not… life goes on.

It’s not that I haven’t taken a show up to the Fringe before… been there, done that. Yes, it would be nice to see the show played there… but I think what I wanted more was just to be up there. Catch the city vibe that always seems to rejuvenate my spirit. To sit at my favorite coffee place and people watch as they hustled and bustled. For just a bit… not to have a care in the world other than soaking in the vibe of the city.

But I am needed here… and as it stands at the moment I will make the best of that. So no pity party here.

EDIT: 5:30 AM

There was a 12 degree temp drop between Saturday and Sunday. This made things much more pleasant in general. I did managed to steal away in the afternoon for a bit… APJ and I went off to (finally) catch the Dark Knight at the IMAX. Good movie.Those Nolan boys certainly know how to spin a good tale with heft.

Over the next few days the Turtle Dove Theater will be spruced up to be able to receive audience members. There will be an “open rehearsal” with an invited audience for TALE END before the cast leaves for the Fringe.

And as the glow of the new day colors the morning sky all I can think of is the smell of fresh coffee brewing.

 
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Posted in bits and pieces, just life, tale end 08

 

if you are unaware…

30 Aug

… (or simply because they have been few and far between) Salman Karim has been posting again. He is currently on holiday in Hungary… so go over and savor his unique brand of the goulash.

It’s 5 AM and I’m slurping on a can of Java Monster… something I picked up on my evening bike ride yesterday. The review… well it’s more “energy drink” than coffee in a can. At least that is what the after taste tells me… so, I’m not so hot on it. Yes, it is true I will sometimes buy a canned or bottled coffee drink just for the convenience of it. Most turn out to be too sweet for my buds but there are times when authenticity will give way to ease and I am instantly reminded why I shouldn’t allow it.

We have a long weekend ahead. I have weakly quipped to my friends that I will be “laboring” this weekend to honor the holiday. (No… please… no “kind” laughter neccessary.)  But it does happen to be true… I will continue chipping away at the mountain.

So much for now.

 
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Posted in just life

 

Da Count – witnessing history

29 Aug

dacount It’s arguable that every one lives through it at any point in well… history. But in the age of “electronic connection” we live in there is also the opportunity of witnessing it as it happens.

I remember being glued to my transistor radio (remember those?) during the the hostage tragedy of the Munich Olympics. I also remember watching the moon landing through the blurry images on a black and white TV. The first was more of a solitary experience the second a communal one.

The last couple of nights were also historic. And for the moment it will remain so for the next few weeks. In fact, I would say the entire primary was especially on the end of the DNC. Last night’s history will remain until it is possibly eclipsed by the results in November. It really doesn’t matter what one’s political affiliation is… the point of history that occurred last night is indisputable.

For me last night was a communal experience as it was shared with the cast and crew of Tale End. We held off on rehearsals until the acceptance speech was done. The group consisted of individuals of varying leanings… but the experience was commonly shared… and that made it special.

So, my count today is having the opportunity of witnessing history as it happens in the age that we live in. It is easy to take the technological advances for granted but I still am in awe and am moved when I stop to think how far we have come in such a short span of time.

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

 
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Posted in Da Count

 

t-shirts?

28 Aug

Yeah, I sent this off to our fabulous t-shirt printer last night. (If you are in the Big NO… these guys are great!) Come on, don’t you want to own one with a screwed apple on it? We’ll be selling them for $15 (if you live in the Big No and can pick it up personally) if it needs to be mailed to you it will cost $18. Sizes will come in MEN’S XXL, XL, L, WOMEN’S L, & M. If you are interested email me at whoelse@marcelnunis.com (make sure you list the size you want)… really soon… like by tomorrow… 3PM PST latest. Make sure your email has the subject line: Tale T.

Oh yeah… you read the last line… we now have a sponsor for the show. Kismet again. :)

ON TO OTHER THINGS

Like still chipping away at the mountain of work that still exists. Because I have reconfigured and resetup the computers I am dealing with new programs… or at least newer versions of programs that I used to use. This slows down the output considerably. Plus with Mum’s current sprity but fuzzy state work involves lots of starts and stops. No matter… I’ll get through it.

AND…

No matter what your political affiliation may be… what happened yesterday was pretty historic.

More later… maybe?

 
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Posted in just life, life in da Big NO, tale end 08

 

even though I’ve booked a room…

27 Aug

… chances are I may not be able to go up to the SF Fringe for the last weekend of Tale End. The “mom sitter” I had originally asked may not be able to do it. Plus with Mum’s present cycle I’m not sure if it would be fair (both to Mum and the possible caretaker) to ask anyone else to take over the duties. No matter… we’ll see what the week ahead brings.

More later.

 
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from tweak to tweak

26 Aug

That was my day yesterday and will probably be the same today. Even though I’ve had the computers set up for a couple of weeks now I had decided to give myself some time before I decided which will be dedicated to what function. Yes, one machine will be my primary… mostly the everyday sort of computing… and the other will be specialized merely to handling video and sound editing.

This weekend I was comfortable enough with both to designate which would handle what specific task. It’s strange but machines have their own quirks and personalities of their own. Yeah, nerdy… I know. Though it’s not unlike having a new love… there has to be a little learning time needed together before you both figure out where that comfort zone of the mundane is going to be. So, now that most of the major tweaking is complete (yeah, minor ones will be on going) I jump into using them to tweak and complete web and video work.

SPEAKING OF TWEAKS

… rehearsals for TALE END resume tonight. (But Lecram, hasn’t the show already been performed for an audience?) Yes, it has but if you know me you also know that I will not rest until the most optimum presentation of a piece has been explored and solidified. Good enough is simply not good enough for me… and never has been.

It’s not about being a perfectionist either. Any piece (especially in the performing arts) has to “live”… and continue to do so. Once the mechanics are down the challenge is to infuse it with with a “life-force”. This is why any kind of performance piece worth it’s salt has a vibrancy of it’s own at every performance. This is what (hopefully) connects to an audience who in turn contributes it’s own energy… creating a unique symbiotic relationship and vibrancy to the piece every time it is performed. This is akin to experiencing a live jazz performance.

No two performances are ever the same (nor should be… flubs and bum notes not withstanding)… or it will be come off cold and flat no matter how slick it may appear on the surface. Even if a piece calls for uber synchronicity and preciseness a “soul” should emerge and evolve from performance to performance. Mechanics and structure is paramount and provides the outline of the piece… and from within this the performers individually and collectively color and fill it with essence.

Some may argue that jazz has more fluidity than a theatre piece. I contend that like theatre the boundaries and structure exists within the arrangement. To further define in theatre terms… the song itself is the creation of the composer and the arrangement is a perspective that the director has decided to further illuminate or heighten. From those set boundries the ensemble collaborates in unison but also interprets with their solos… and within those it is with the honest reaction and spontaneous give and take by all concerned that makes it “pop”. At every moment there is an innate and heightened awareness of the “mechanics” by the performers… but on a good night technique disappears and expression rules. So, tweaking provides the performers with multiple choices and options from which they can color the the play.

Anyway… on with the day.

 
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someone was visitor 77, 777…

25 Aug

… on my blog today. At least that’s what my site meter told me. Considering that I only installed any kind of counter only 6 months after I started blogging in 2005… that ain’t bad. Anyway, thanks for continuing to come by.

NO REHEARSALS TODAY

… at least thats what I told my stage manager yesterday. From this point on rehearsals are just “tweak” sessions to get performances up to a level that we think is worthy for a paying public. I may elaborate more over on the show site later.

Though it is not exactly a day off for me. This means that I should use the day to take care of business with nothing else hanging over my head. Ya know… take advantage of the 2 degree drop in temps and all… because working under 100 is so much better than working in 102. LOL.

MUM HAS BEEN IN

… a fuzzy cycle of late… I should clarify… fuzzier than usual. She has also been in a “walky” mood as well. The good about this is that it stretches her muscles instead of staying in and stiffening up. I’ve even given her some sweeping chores in the morning which she seems to enjoy. The less convenient aspect of her walky mood is that she forgets she has been out and keeps coming out of the house every 15 minutes or so… not so good in the heat of the afternoon. She did enjoy the Olympic coverage… or appeared to at least. Anyway, this is going to determine if I’ll actually make it up to the Fringe this year.

SHIFTS ARE HAPPENING AGAIN

… I can feel it in the air… both on a professional and personal level. Then again my life has never really been a constant for very long. But this particular shift I feel will affect more than just me. Can you feel it?

Perhaps more as the day rolls along… but that’s all for now. Have a good Monday.

 
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Posted in bits and pieces, just life

 

and now we wait 4 more years…

24 Aug

… before the the Olympics in London. OK… fine… a year and a half for the Winter games in Vancouver for all you luge fans. Still, it’s going to be a wait. As I stated several posts ago… I’m not a huge sports fan but there is something about the Olympics that transcends it merely being sport.

I’m going to miss catching the games both on TV and the internet… more so the live feeds of those not so sexy games on the internet. Let’s face it, most of the broadcast was dominated by swimming, gymnastics and volleyball (both indoor and beach). Nothing wrong with those but I wish the network (for the regular free TV broadcast) could have featured a few other events. It’s called editing, yo! Afterall, (especially here on the West Coast) very little was “live”… even if those words hovered on the screen as the games played out. In my estimation it was a huge missed opportunity to expose, educate and celebrate the spectrum of sport and diversity of participants.

The other thing I’m going to miss are those special “up close and personal” features especially the ones presented by the TODAY show. Some featured select athletes and others simply exposed the viewing public to various human interest China stories.

I will however still chide NBC for not providing the broadcast of the closing live here in America. While I’m chiding… some of that also goes to the IOC for blocking internet broadcasts from other countries. (Yes, I was up again at 5AM checking out for live streaming video… fine, call me a nerd.) But I will still watch tonight because… well, I want to see how Zhang Yimou tops his opening ceremony. Besides, Jimmy Page is playing, dude!  (Yeah, the pics are from the closing.)

And now the Olympics are done we can jump into a real sporting event… the elections.

 
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Posted in observations, perceptions

 

Da Count – kismet again

22 Aug

dacount As some of you are aware I have been a little involved with remounting and readying my play TALE END for a run at the San Francisco Fringe Festival. When it first premiered at Rogue 2007 kismet bestowed it with a stellar cast in the talents of Greg and Solitaire along with crack stage manager Steve. The show went on to become a hit at the festival selling out 3 of the 5 performances it was slotted in.

I have to say that kismet has kissed this show again. First a brand new stellar cast emerged in the likes of Jessica, Dave and Melissa all of whom have worked and are continuing to work their collective butts off. Then 2 weeks ago my friend, Vye agreed to stage manage the play. I can’t express how much of a positive difference a good stage manager (and we have the best) makes to a show. Then yesterday… as we were scurrying around to find wireless microphones to compensate for the acoustic challenges of the space where our warm-up performances are taking place… an unexpected visit from an old friend ended that search.

From the standpoint as a playwright I couldn’t ask for more because we have double cast the part of Ms. White… so in essence we have 2 different shows as Jess and Melissa provides their own spin to the part. Plus it couldn’t work unless Dave opens up to allow himself to play off each of the lovely ladies honestly and in the moment within play… and he does it very well.

So, this week I’m counting Kismet for continually providing when the need arose with this play. I am also hoping this trend continues both with audience numbers tonight and at the festival. So, if you are looking for something fun to do in the Big NO tonight… do give the show your highest consideration. Check out the poster below or the PROMOTIONAL VIDEO to help you make up your mind. And if you live in the Bay Area… do come see the show at the Fringe and tell all your friends.

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

 
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Posted in Da Count

 

schools are starting all over…

21 Aug

… in the the next couple of weeks. Some are already in session. “Back to school sales” are all over the tube. Parents are sighing relief. And the students? Some are excited… while others are dragging their sorry asses back to school. Now, I have to admit that I belonged to the latter group while I was growing up. Sure, there were portions of the schooling experience that I enjoyed but I always felt there was so much more being offered on the outside.

I was thinking about this last night and wondering why it was so… because I’ve always enjoyed the learning process… still do. Yeah, as a result I was a B minus student for most of my schooling career. (You can all gasp collectively now.) When it came down to it… I was bored. That and an innate (and lifelong) propensity to buck conventional systems may have also contributed a bit to my less than stellar grade levels.

I remember being told on more than one occasion that I was not living up to my potential. It was true…I was not living up to at least their expectations and projections of what I should be doing. I just did not fit within the shapes of the cookie cutters they had on hand. Some gave up on me while others stood back (and though somewhat perplexed) allowed me to create my own path… at times stepping in to provide encouragement and at others suggesting a sense of structure to work within. (OK… once I had learned structure I would inevitably rearrange it… all the parts were still there but it was shaped differently. lol.) It is through this I gradually learned that you have to know the rules so that 1.) you can forget them… and 2.) you can break them.

It was only in college (which I still was only scraping by for the first 2 years) that a mentor imparted the value and virtue of discipline… and for the first time I began to think about it not as drudgery or a “limiting” pain but as a special and private joy. This was important because if one chooses an unconventional path it is only through discipline that one can hope to crack through the walls of the box… simply because the support system rarely exists within convention. Plus the concept that discipline as “being lost doing what you love even if it poses challenges” was a radical and revolutionary idea to me.

So, my wish and hope for this new school year is that teachers and counselors recognize that some are wired more differently than others. It is the individual’s potential that should be nurtured… and sometimes the best way is to step back and allow the bud to blossom on it’s own terms and pace.

PANDA LOVE

Here is the “aww” moment for your day.

 
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Posted in , just life, observations

 
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