As I write this it is 2:36 in the am. I find I am not ready for sleep. This happens many times after a show. The adrenaline is rushing and it takes while to get rid of the excess. And before you say anything, I could just not do shows, that defeats the purpose of moving in the direction of my dreams. You see I believe that to pursue a dream you must move in a direction that is compatible with where you want to go.
While you are on that path, you will hear many who will tell you it is a pipe dream, you cannot possibly achieve that. You will also have those who will tell you anything is possible. It is up to you to take what is best of both and move onward.
Many of my acting students say they want to go to New York or LA. I encourage them to try. Some will succeed, some will not. It is not about fame or fortune. It is about finding the peace that comes from trying. One went out to LA, then came home. The reason, the town was too big, they were a small town person. That is not failure. That is success. You see, if they had not tried then the rest of their lives the question would have been 'what if?'. Now they know. Others have gone on and stayed. They are doing what they love.
If someone tells you that your dream is ridiculous, don't listen. Follow you heart and your desire. The only failure in pursuing a dream is not pursuing your dream. If you continue on in the direction you want to go, stop to listen for course changes and then trust, you will be on your way and probably very happy in the end.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Beating ourselves up
This morning while getting ready for work, I was listening to Sunday Morning. They had a segment on E.L. Doctorow. The content was wonderful, but what caught my ear was Mr. Doctorow saying he was lucky if he wrote five hundred words a day. I literally stopped what I was doing to ponder that statement.
So many of us beat ourselves up because we don't accomplish everything on our to-do list. Those of us who are writers, well we know what we do.
This statement came on the heels of another idea that we need to slow down. We have the slow-food movement. People are talking about acquired attention deficit disorder. Yet so many of us think if we don't get this done today it will never get done.
I would say, it will not get done unless we allow ourselves to slow down, take a deep breath and stop beating ourselves over the head and shoulders for not being perfect. If Mr. Doctorow can write five hundred words a day and accomplish what he has in a lifetime (just stop to look at all the accolades that have come his way) then I believe we can also do quality work if we allow ourselves the time do to so.
So many of us beat ourselves up because we don't accomplish everything on our to-do list. Those of us who are writers, well we know what we do.
This statement came on the heels of another idea that we need to slow down. We have the slow-food movement. People are talking about acquired attention deficit disorder. Yet so many of us think if we don't get this done today it will never get done.
I would say, it will not get done unless we allow ourselves to slow down, take a deep breath and stop beating ourselves over the head and shoulders for not being perfect. If Mr. Doctorow can write five hundred words a day and accomplish what he has in a lifetime (just stop to look at all the accolades that have come his way) then I believe we can also do quality work if we allow ourselves the time do to so.
There is nothing wrong with having a to do list, or goals. What is wrong is running our lives on overdrive to accomplish everything. I know there are those of you who would say I was guilty of doing the very thing I would say not do to. Yes, I have a number of interest and ideas that I pursue. What I do, however, to accomplish all I do is to allow myself time to think about what I want and then work a lot out in my head. When I feel it is time, I go ahead and jump in.
You see, many years ago I was given the gift of being told I could do anything I want. The next gift was the idea that if I just spent two hours, no more, on any project I would be able to complete so much more over a lifetime. That is my secret to doing all I do and still having time to sleep, read, and write along with living the rest of my life.
So let's slow down, give ourselves time and do quality work instead of quantity work. Enjoy the time we have and cherish it, love ourselves more and beat up on ourselves less. Now that is an idea whose time I know has come.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Through the fish-eye lens
The fish-eye lens of a camera can create a wonderful image. The center of the image is highlighted and all other objects begin to fall away from the center to eventually fade away. It is an interesting way to look at the world.
When we look at what we remember, it is always from our perspective. That is not a bad thing. We cannot stop what is unique about us. The key is to look beyond what the memory sees. If you were to move the lens just a small direction either way then whole picture would change. All of a sudden the items in the faded portion of the picture start to come into focus.
When we start to research our personal past, a subject that interest us, or just get background for a creative project, we start with the fish-eye focus. The joy comes when we start to maneuver the lens and start to see all the wonderful pieces we may have missed. Being open to the possibilities can be so wonderfully overwhelming. We soon learn that all the things we had not noticed were in fact that which helped to create what we see.
Like to photo above. The flowers in the center stand out, but they are enhanced by everything else that is surrounding them. Sometimes we have to be overwhelmed by shear numbers and facts to create the vision we wish to present. Only then is the focus that we create supported by all that is not seen. It has as we say 'legs'. There is a foundation that sustains the main picture so that as others look on they can move the focus for themselves and see so much more, but they start with the vision or picture we present. Now that is exciting!
Monday, July 27, 2009
What do I believe?
The above is an intriguing questions. What do any of us believe? As a writer, actor and teacher I am exposed to many differing beliefs. There is the belief in self, belief in ones abilities and belief in something outside out oneself. There is also the perceived belief of others.
For myself, I believe that anything is possible. It may not be in my lifetime, but things do happen if there is a great enough belief.
When we decide to make a change in our lives, we must believe that the change is possible. If there were not some kernel of belief we would probably not attempt the proposed change. I also believe that I am sometimes too serious. Is that a bad thing? Probably not, but people might think that I don't laugh or have a good time. Perhaps I don't find the current humor all that funny.
So what do I think is funny? Not humor at the expense of another. To me practical jokes are just a way of making people feel bad and another think they are better. Humor that is a play on words, that is funny. Physical humor can be funny.
I do believe that the human spirit is a special thing. It is to be cherished and supported. There are many communities that can help. Each person can help. Not do it for anyone, but to give the individual the courage to try on their own until they succeed. Many people mistake the idea of helping as giving advise and answers. Advise is worth what we pay for it. If someone ask your advise, know that it is just a suggestion that you think may work for them, but don't get so attached to your ideas that you get hurt if they are not followed.
I believe that each persons pain is just as horrible to them as the next persons. One persons headache to them is just as important as the person who has a broken leg. We try to put a value on each person that makes them more or less than someone else. When we go to judge, we are really judging by our criteria, not theirs.
I believe that we all have possibilities and each and everyone of us have the potential to make a difference in someones life. We just have to be willing to try.
For myself, I believe that anything is possible. It may not be in my lifetime, but things do happen if there is a great enough belief.
When we decide to make a change in our lives, we must believe that the change is possible. If there were not some kernel of belief we would probably not attempt the proposed change. I also believe that I am sometimes too serious. Is that a bad thing? Probably not, but people might think that I don't laugh or have a good time. Perhaps I don't find the current humor all that funny.
So what do I think is funny? Not humor at the expense of another. To me practical jokes are just a way of making people feel bad and another think they are better. Humor that is a play on words, that is funny. Physical humor can be funny.
I do believe that the human spirit is a special thing. It is to be cherished and supported. There are many communities that can help. Each person can help. Not do it for anyone, but to give the individual the courage to try on their own until they succeed. Many people mistake the idea of helping as giving advise and answers. Advise is worth what we pay for it. If someone ask your advise, know that it is just a suggestion that you think may work for them, but don't get so attached to your ideas that you get hurt if they are not followed.
I believe that each persons pain is just as horrible to them as the next persons. One persons headache to them is just as important as the person who has a broken leg. We try to put a value on each person that makes them more or less than someone else. When we go to judge, we are really judging by our criteria, not theirs.
I believe that we all have possibilities and each and everyone of us have the potential to make a difference in someones life. We just have to be willing to try.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
What will we leave?
I truly believe we are all creative in some way. Whether we are writers, bakers or candlestick makers we all have something to contribute to life. The trick is, who do we affect and what are we leaving behind.
As historians we are looking at newspapers, diaries, letters, any first hand information we can find. Writers use that same information to ask 'what if'. For me there is nothing so exciting as to hold a piece of paper that someone a hundred years ago also handled. Perhaps they were writing a letter. Maybe they were just jotting down the grocery list. It is a tangible reminder of their lives. When I hold a quilt made by my great-grand mother, I remember her and my great-grandfather. Their faces become familiar again. The stories they told and lessons they taught are remembered. As long as I live so will their lives be remembered. When I am gone, what will be left? Sure someone could read this blog and perhaps it will trigger a memory of their own, but not Ertie and Oliver.
Perhaps in the future, there will be no paper. Good for the trees, perhaps not so good for those who follow. Cyber space is great, we all use it and they benefits are amazing. Still, where are the letters we no longer write? Where would we be if the founding mother and fathers had not written those wonderful letters? Will we be leaving anything? How will we be remembered a 100 years from now? What will be our legacy?
When you write that book, crochet that shawl or create that new banana bread recipe, perhaps it would be wise to also note why you created what you did. Leave a message for the future. It may make a difference in someones view of who we were.
As historians we are looking at newspapers, diaries, letters, any first hand information we can find. Writers use that same information to ask 'what if'. For me there is nothing so exciting as to hold a piece of paper that someone a hundred years ago also handled. Perhaps they were writing a letter. Maybe they were just jotting down the grocery list. It is a tangible reminder of their lives. When I hold a quilt made by my great-grand mother, I remember her and my great-grandfather. Their faces become familiar again. The stories they told and lessons they taught are remembered. As long as I live so will their lives be remembered. When I am gone, what will be left? Sure someone could read this blog and perhaps it will trigger a memory of their own, but not Ertie and Oliver.
Perhaps in the future, there will be no paper. Good for the trees, perhaps not so good for those who follow. Cyber space is great, we all use it and they benefits are amazing. Still, where are the letters we no longer write? Where would we be if the founding mother and fathers had not written those wonderful letters? Will we be leaving anything? How will we be remembered a 100 years from now? What will be our legacy?
When you write that book, crochet that shawl or create that new banana bread recipe, perhaps it would be wise to also note why you created what you did. Leave a message for the future. It may make a difference in someones view of who we were.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Observation, Opinion and a Leap of Faith
We all have opinions. Even when we try not to we do. As an actor/writer and some say historian I work to make peace with the various aspects of the crafts. Why? Because in my opinion they don't always work together. When they do it is great, but many times it just doesn't happen. I shall use a couple of current projects to illustrate.
I will soon portray a woman who was on the board of directors of a half-way house here in Colorado Springs in the 20's. Not a lot is known. As the actor I will take what I can find, use that as the basis for my character development. Then I will make use of my opinions of what she might have said and why she said it. My leap of faith occurs when I make my choices about what I will actually say when speaking and answering questions. The historian takes the facts and make assumptions for the actor based on the available information. The actor then takes what is observed from the facts, makes opinions based on those facts and uses that to create the person that no longer exists, but needs to be as accurate as possible.
The second example is a fictional novel based on an event from the 1870's. There the information about the event is clearly stated in newspapers and others sources. As the author I take the information and create a world based on the events. I observe how people may have spoken, what they wore, how they acted. I then create an opinion about what I think may have occurred with the secondary characters in the event. My leap of faith is that I am creating a real world that may have happened, it simply was not recorded.
As writers, performers and historians, whatever label we place on ourselves we always observe, have an opinion and take a leap of faith that what we are doing is right. For the actor and the fiction writer it is easier. For the historian and non-fiction writer our opinions and leaps of faith take on a more important meaning. If we err to far from the truth we call into question our ability to perform our jobs. Still I would not follow this path if I did not feel that I have something to share with the world. The need to bring the lives of those who have preceded me and left their mark is more important than fear of making a mistake. If I can get one person to questions or feel the need to find out more, I have done my job.
If you wish to leave a comment, for those new to this means of communication, just click on comment and follow the prompts. For additional reading click on the second edit me to read additional bloggers.
I will soon portray a woman who was on the board of directors of a half-way house here in Colorado Springs in the 20's. Not a lot is known. As the actor I will take what I can find, use that as the basis for my character development. Then I will make use of my opinions of what she might have said and why she said it. My leap of faith occurs when I make my choices about what I will actually say when speaking and answering questions. The historian takes the facts and make assumptions for the actor based on the available information. The actor then takes what is observed from the facts, makes opinions based on those facts and uses that to create the person that no longer exists, but needs to be as accurate as possible.
The second example is a fictional novel based on an event from the 1870's. There the information about the event is clearly stated in newspapers and others sources. As the author I take the information and create a world based on the events. I observe how people may have spoken, what they wore, how they acted. I then create an opinion about what I think may have occurred with the secondary characters in the event. My leap of faith is that I am creating a real world that may have happened, it simply was not recorded.
As writers, performers and historians, whatever label we place on ourselves we always observe, have an opinion and take a leap of faith that what we are doing is right. For the actor and the fiction writer it is easier. For the historian and non-fiction writer our opinions and leaps of faith take on a more important meaning. If we err to far from the truth we call into question our ability to perform our jobs. Still I would not follow this path if I did not feel that I have something to share with the world. The need to bring the lives of those who have preceded me and left their mark is more important than fear of making a mistake. If I can get one person to questions or feel the need to find out more, I have done my job.
If you wish to leave a comment, for those new to this means of communication, just click on comment and follow the prompts. For additional reading click on the second edit me to read additional bloggers.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Two Historic Buildings
Over the past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of performing in some amazing historic buildings, The Briarhurst Manor and the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company.
On June 13 Red Herrring performed one of their public shows at the Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs. It was the premier of a rewrite of one of our westerns. We had a night where the stars aligned and all was well with the world. The audience was wonderful and the actors were hitting all the right notes in their performances.
As I walked through the various rooms, I could feel the sense of what it might have been like for the Bells' whose home this had been. The house is elegant and the current owners have done what they could to preserve the ambiance of the golden age of expansion that was Manitou and Colorado Springs. Although our story took place in Texas, the time periods were very similar. What a joy to not only have fun with a show, but to eat and wander the halls of history.
That was followed by a show on June 22 at the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company located in Colorado Springs. This building at Pikes Peak and Cascade Avenues is very close to the depot for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. It is my understanding that this building used to house the rail workers. The third floor, were we were again performing a western, used to be divided up into numerous small rooms for the workers. I am sure that their work was strenuous, but looking out the windows, the view of the mountains is spectacular. Perhaps they also were able to enjoy those brief moments of contemplation.
To have a job where I can not only honor my desire for performing and history is a gift I am truly grateful for. To walk where others have walked and to try to place myself into their world. Over the past two shows I went from high society to common worker, all by being in the space that they had occupied. It makes you want to dig even deeper and find out more.
On June 13 Red Herrring performed one of their public shows at the Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs. It was the premier of a rewrite of one of our westerns. We had a night where the stars aligned and all was well with the world. The audience was wonderful and the actors were hitting all the right notes in their performances.
As I walked through the various rooms, I could feel the sense of what it might have been like for the Bells' whose home this had been. The house is elegant and the current owners have done what they could to preserve the ambiance of the golden age of expansion that was Manitou and Colorado Springs. Although our story took place in Texas, the time periods were very similar. What a joy to not only have fun with a show, but to eat and wander the halls of history.
That was followed by a show on June 22 at the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company located in Colorado Springs. This building at Pikes Peak and Cascade Avenues is very close to the depot for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. It is my understanding that this building used to house the rail workers. The third floor, were we were again performing a western, used to be divided up into numerous small rooms for the workers. I am sure that their work was strenuous, but looking out the windows, the view of the mountains is spectacular. Perhaps they also were able to enjoy those brief moments of contemplation.
To have a job where I can not only honor my desire for performing and history is a gift I am truly grateful for. To walk where others have walked and to try to place myself into their world. Over the past two shows I went from high society to common worker, all by being in the space that they had occupied. It makes you want to dig even deeper and find out more.
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