Loving yourself just became even more fun…

Posted: January 30, 2012 in Blog Post
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Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of being the Master of Ceremonies for NotblueAtall.com‘s A Fatty Affair.  I was nervous at first because we didn’t know how the night was going to progress with the program line-up we made, whether or not people were excited about it, if people would take some of the things I’d written into my mini-speeches to heart, and if they would get some of the jokes.

Yikes, so much to worry about! But first let me give you a little backstory…

According to all statistics, I am considered obese.  For my height, I am supposed to weight something like 136-142.  Neither of those, am I.  However, I go to the gym and workout a couple of times a week.  I don’t need to be there for hours on end.  I have a home that I live in for that.  I go so that I keep up my endurance.  So that when I am on stage singing and dancing, I can do it. I go so that I can destress a little bit.   I go so I can enjoy that endorphin kick that you get.  And I go because I kind of enjoy people staring at the fat guy on an elliptical that is running at a pace of over 200 steps a minute for 45 minutes – 1 hour, as he’s mouthing the words to whatever is playing on his ipod, outpacing some of those other skinny bitches by 20 paces or so.

People are so conditioned, thanks to the diet industry, that you have to look a certain way or else you are not able to be happy.  Hollywood and fashion only promote this theory.  I am happy with myself.  I have a strong heart, great blood pressure, and great eyesight.  My hearing is so-so, but that’s because of my MUSIC!! I am not diabetic, have no breathing problems, and aside from joints that I’ve broken or injured doing stuff, those are fine too.  But according to some ignorant chart, I am not “healthy” because of my weight.

A Fatty Affair was a body positive event for anyone and everyone who wanted to celebrate loving themselves exactly as they are.  People of all shapes and sizes attended and it was SO good to see that.  It’s bad enough that everywhere you turn people are saying that this is bad for you and that is bad, too.  It’s a hard life to live if you accept all those rules and try and practice them all.  What’s even harder is when most of them are wrong!

My girl, Sarah, and I coordinated our outfit color palate as any good duo would, black, white, and red.  She accented the red and I the white.  I don’t have any pictures of myself, but I know they will be popping up shortly.  What pics I don’t put here, you will find HERE

I had to figure out the best way to approach talking to a whole crowd of people that I didn’t know. I know that some people are turned off by my flamboyant nature, and I really wanted everyone to have fun.  So at first I reigned it in a bit.  Kind of testing the waters.  It was more important to me that I express that no one is alone.  That no matter how many people think your not good enough or what have you, that this wonderful group of people that are sitting in the same room have been there and understand and are happy to be there for you.  My fears were proved to be completely ludicrous when people got the joke when Sarah introduced me as Lisa Lisa to her Cult Jam.  Anyone who knows the Lisa Lisa is my kind of peeps!

Nicole Pierce of AWellRoundedVenture.com

The first speakers were Nicole Pierce and Raven Eagan. Nicole Pierce (AWellRoundedVenture.com) and Raven Eagan (AlternativeFats.blogspot.com) are both bloggers and have a lot to say when it comes to fashion.  They gave advise on tailoring, finding great things at flea markets, accessorizing, and other ideas. What it all boiled down to is don’t be afraid to rock something because you think it doesn’t fit or look good on you.  Buy it bigger or smaller and tailor it.  Accessorize to enhance whatever you want to enhance and strut like it ain’t no thang!

Raven Eagan of AlternativeFats.blogspot.com

Sarah had two fabulous dance troupes lined up and the first one was the Phat Fly Girls (BigMoves.com)!  They are such a fun group of ladies!! They performed a parody number from the musical “Chicago.”

Their number was titled “All That Flab.”  Such a sassy number!! But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything else.  ☺

 

 

 

 

 

 

They closed out “Act 1″ and this opened up the clothing swap and mingle portion of the show.  People got to get to know one another and make new friendships and cultivate ones that were formed online.

In addition to the swap and mingling, there was a wonderful Art company there called VoluptuArt as well as a local sculptor who’s name escapes me.  I apologize immensely for that.

People mingling.

After 20 minutes or so, we begin “Act 2″ with a magnificent performance by the lovely Raks Africa (YourBodyRaks.com)!  I apologize, but I was so enthralled with cheering on these ladies that I didn’t even think to take pictures or video of their performance.  But let me tell you, their finale of James Brown and getting people up and dancing, was a highlight fer sher!!

Tammy and Etang of Raks Africa (YouBodyRaks.com)

Closing up the night, Dr. Linda Bacon and Marilyn Wann were two authors that are advocates of Health At Every Size.  Dr. Linda Bacon (LindaBacon.org) literally wrote the book: Health At Every Size.  The wonderful, uplifting, and fabulous Marilyn Wann (FatSo.com) led us all in a song of “You Are My Sunshine” with some words substituted for others.  Her words of encouragement did what they should do, uplift and inspire those of us in the audience.

Before we had the final words of the evening by Linda and Marilyn, a runway show was planned.  I had no intention of participating on the catwalk, but when I saw that there were only two people who were signed up, I threw caution to the wind and tried to work the crowd up more by saying that “I bettah not be the only one that’s gonna werk it!  So get on up!”   I hear there is a picture somewhere.  You’ll probably find it on Facebook sometime soon.

The reason that it was so important to me that everyone participate because I “hope you feel strong and mighty.  When you leave here, know that you have a whole slew of people who will always cheer for you, just like that.  Remember that feeling and hold it with you, always.”

Hold it with you always, my friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll take Double Indemnity for $500, Alex…

Posted: January 16, 2012 in Podcast upload
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But you’ll have to find it!!

Episode 22

Why can’t I find a monologue I like!!???

I’ll sleep when I’m dead…

You can find the shownotes HERE…

Act your age!…

Posted: January 6, 2012 in Blog Post
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Where that saying is actually originated from, I am not sure.  An internet search yielded only “Act your age, not your shoe size” or “Act your age, not your IQ” and I am sure that the title is merely a derivative of one or the other.  In any case, I wanted to talk a little bit about playing a role that you feel you are the proper age for.

Since the industry is driven often by youth, then of course it only makes sense to want to look younger than you actually are.

But what happens to those chances that come by where you don’t look physically age appropriate?  Sadly, more often than not, the role will go to someone else.

I’ve been wanting to play a role that’s more mature and down to earth for a while now.  So far, the closest that I have gotten is Mr. Bratt in H2$.  In mannerisms and attitude, I got to play the role more maturely, but when I look at pictures, I still feel like I look too young.  After the show ended, I wanted to know what it would be like to look older.  SOOOO…..

I grew out a beard to see if that helped.  And it did.  A little.  Now, I looked like I just was too lazy to shave and not necessarily older.  But I kept growing out the beard from Dec 5 all the way through to today.  It was so itchy, and I don’t know how many times I cursed myself for not cutting it off, but I stood my ground.  Until finally it became too much and I just couldn’t do it any longer.  I didn’t really learn anything new about myself with this little test, but now I know what I look like “Rugged.”  Hahaha.  But I must shave…

I began looking and feeling like myself, but I didn’t want the same thing as before, so I couldn’t figure out how to change it up.  I finally settled on…

How does this tie in with acting your age?  Well, when I finally am able to play a character that is more than a juvenile minded comedic relief man-child, then I will be “acting my age.”  I am truly happy, that I can pull that type of role off, but I long to have a chance to really forage deep in my psyche and actually be able to create something with so much more depth than I have ever done before.  While I try to have a nice multilayered character in every show, having a complex role would allow me to play even more inside the mind and history of a character without having to completely imagine an entire life and hope that it’s right.

However in real life, I happily embrace my Peter Pan Syndrome and shall fight till the death to keep looking for my shadow.

Are you older or younger than you really are?  Do you like it or loath it?  Let me know by simply stating : “younger, like it” in the comment section below.

Happy Jan!!

Posted: January 2, 2012 in Blog Post
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Well, we are two days into the new year and already everything seems to be happening all in the first two weeks of the month.

Since the beginning of the year often times means starting “fresh,” I think I need to start all over too.

Even though it’s only been about a year and a half since getting my headshots done, I think some new ones are in order.  I read a really interesting article in BackStage magazine about headshots.  I think what struck me is that the common links between all the different photographers was that the subject is comfortable/natural and also that the shot look just like the subject in real life.  That means lay off the airbrushing.  There were so many different things to think about when picking out your choice though. I had never really gave them any thought, to be perfectly honest.  I usually just accepted what the photog offered or thought was best.

First there was the framing of the shot.  A lot of the more physically fit men are shown at least from the chest and or shoulders and up.  For those of us, not as thin, most shots are from the top of shoulders or lower neck and up.  Second is what do you wear? Depends.  This one sucks big time.  If I wanted to show that I could play someone more white-collar, or a salesman (for those overplayed car commercials) I would wear a suit.  Wanna be an urban hipster, trendy jeans a cool shirt and maybe a hat of some sort.  But do you see what I mean?  It’s really tricky.  If you figure it out, please let me know.

Then there’s the face.  What do you do with it?  I’ve seen a million of them where the subject is just smiling nicely.  In some of the shots in the article, there were a myriad of “faces” that were cool, but if you are trying to capture the subject honestly, why would there be this sort of mugging?  It’s like they were acting for their shots.  Of course, that’s just my opinion.

Here’s a great link about how to pick Headshots.

When was the last time you had your headshots done?  How often do you have then updated?  Do you know more rules for how to select the best one?  Please share, if you do.  Comments make the world go ’round.  Leave’em below!!

Looking Back Through ’11 (Part 4)

Posted: December 31, 2011 in Blog Post
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PART 4

Tom and Jery

At the end of September, my BFF Tom moved back to the East Coast.  I had a hard time dealing with it through the rest of the month.  I was crying on the way home from dropping him off at the airport.  It wasn’t the bawling, I-can’t-control-my-car kind.  It was more like the angry if-I-could-stop-my-eyes-from-watering-so-you-don’t-get-the-satisfaction-of-seeing-me-cry-I-would kind.  I held on to that sadness and even now, still can’t see a blue mini cooper without him popping in my brain.  But with the show to distract me and my favorite holiday, I began to deal with his choice.

My favorite scary movie!!! Along with Poltergeist and The Exorcist.

October, my favorite month!  That’s usually when all the fun scary stuff happens, like haunted houses and scary movies.  And of course, there’s Halloween.  I love the thrill of getting scared.  It’s kind of exhilarating.  I don’t dress up for Halloween anymore.  I haven’t in years!  I think I’ve only dressed up for costume parties.  And even then, not often.   I think I associate the holiday with the cooling of the weather and the crunching of leaves under my feet.  I find that sound really soothing when I am out walking in the day.  At night, it’s a little like “Shut up!! People are gonna know where I am at!”  It’s kind of sad that I always assume the worst about people when I am walking about at night.   I think the getting mugged really took a lot of that adventurousness that I had when I was a teenager.

Oh, speaking of scary movies: Paranormal Activity 3 came out…and it sucked!! I think I may have jumped once.  The big ending that was supposed to “mess you up for life” (yeah, the commercials really said that) was LAME!!!!  So lame that merely typing it in caps and making bold wasn’t enough.  It needed to be italicized too!  If you were scared by that, I would be shocked.  I am the biggest chicken and I really wanted to just scream “are you frakin’ kiddin’ me?!”  I regret going to see this movie.

The Purple Gang. And we are SO hard core! So watch it!

Due to the rash of children committing suicide, October became the National Stop Bullying Month.  Yay!! It’s hard enough just to walk with your head high for who you are without having people making you feel less than.  The 20th was designated as the month to wear purple as a show of solidarity that you are against bullying.  Thankfully, I wasn’t alone in that belief.

I went to a cool conference that was all about figuring out ways to bring the theatrical experience to the audience in different ways.  It was enlightening and supremely informative.  The only downside is that I don’t really have a place to test these ideas out.  Also, figuring out the logistics of them would be a pain in the ass as well.  I regret that I didn’t get that much audio to make a podcast for it.  But I even more regret paying $37 for parking for 5 hours in San Francisco!

The Occupy Movement grew from just Occupy Wall Street into a much bigger force to be reckoned with!  Which is good because, this whole gap between the have and have-nots only seem to keep growing and growing.  It’s no wonder that all, yes ALL, politicians aren’t in the loop when it comes to what the people really want.  Have you noticed that they all promise everything just to get into office and fail to deliver.  They got what they wanted, why bother with the rest?

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Ending of H2$

November marked the opening of H2$ and it’s run began.  So many smiles and happy times with that fabulous cast.  I love them all.  Hot stuff!  I’ve heard nothing but good things from the people leaving the auditorium, and read an accurate middle of the road review of the show, but the tickets sales were a bit on the lacking side.  I even got to have my first TheActorvist.com contest for free tickets, and got about a hundred hits on that post but only one entry!  I don’t know if maybe the show wasn’t something people weren’t interested in seeing or if the prices were too high or if people thought it was a bad show.  While the sales were disappointing, it was fun. And as much time as I had the chance to spend with them, I regret that I didn’t spend more.  Oh, and I regret that my Podcast isn’t working.  It featured a pretty good interview with Brett Carlson.

Aside from the show, the month was slow.  Thanksgiving was uneventful, but pleasant.

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Hong Kong's Times Square. Do you see what the hearts are saying?

Which brings us to December!  It’s currently 4:45 on the last day of the year.  People are already starting 2012 and the East Coast begins it’s countdown in about 4 hours. Looking back at this month, there were only two things significant about it.

The first is that we closed out H2$ with a bang!  While perfection was never achieved like I so wanted, the attempt, I feel, only made my enjoyment of the show that much greater.

The second thing that happened was our 3rd annual Pajama/Donut/Game Day!  Again a very pleasant success.  Basically my friends and I hangout in our pj’s the entire day, doing nothing but having a good time and allowing our childish indulgences come forth.  It’s basically our version of Disneyland.  With this being our third year, I wonder if we have to now add a new element to it next year.  No, no, that’s like a 5th anniversary thing.  Nevermind.

SO, that was my year.  Not very exciting and filled with regrets.  But there were a lot of lessons learnt as well.

I look forward to 2012 and possibly the end of time with optimism and hope that people will change.  That the good of very soul will step forth and show itself to everyone else and the world will become a much better place to live.

Thank you all for being a part of my life and I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in 2012!

All the world’s a stage.  Now get out there and Break A Leg!

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