Puppet

I do what they call "real people modeling" because, you know, I'm a real person... and it pays pretty well.  Also, it appears that, for a handful of companies, I represent a momentary quintessential mom, nurse, doctor, pharmacist, business person... even though I'm not really any of those things.  

The puppetry of modeling is usually easy and relatively fun.  They dress you, do your make up, feed you -- and you usually get to hang out in a beautiful house or on an immaculate set of some kind.  Every once in a while you end up in an office, a hospital, or a store, but you're still generally handled with the best of care.  I say generally because modeling isn't always as glamorous as one might think (of course).  Acting like a mom to child who doesn't want to be there, not messing with all of the products sealing your hair and face into place, being really happy about the earpiece or tablet or medical machinery you're "using" while being told to stand over there, sit down, smile, get the kid to smile and interact with you, move to the left... "Can you look at the product?", "Just act natural, like you're hanging out (in a million dollar living room with a bunch of strangers starring at you in clothes you'd never wear)", "Smile a little more", "Too much smiling, try being more serious", "Can you move your hair?", "Can someone move her hair?".... 

The last three modeling shoots I've done have included, almost getting lice from one of my "kids", awkwardly starring at boobs smooshed into a mammogram machine, and getting hit really hard in the nose by another one of my "kids" who misunderstood how to appropriately tell the interrupting starfish joke.  

:P

Kindness

...it might just save the world.  

As I was carrying a heavy bag of laundry from around the block to the mat, a man walked by and noticeably noticed my struggle.  He kept walking.  It didn't bother me that he didn't offer to help, but it did bring to mind the many men in my life who would've offered.  I was right on his heels for the next half a block when I went to hoist up my bag and one of the straps came loose.  It didn't break completely, but there was a big ripping sound, and the bag dropped a few inches making it significantly harder to carry.  A woman's voice from behind me hurriedly said, "Can I help you with that??"  I said, "Oh, no, it's okay."  She replied with, "No, let me help you.  At least let me take one strap and you can take the other."  I turned and saw a small woman, maybe in her 60s, smiling and taking the other handle saying, "I know what it's like to carry a heavy load -- I live over here on the third floor."  Her name was Jane.  

Jane taught me two things.  

1.  It doesn't matter how big, small, young, old you are, anyone can lend a helping hand, including me the next time I see someone in struggle.  

2.  As familiar as kindness can be, its impact almost always surpasses expectation. 

Bossston

Aatman's murals !

Ula cafe
Sam Adams brewery
Fugakyu
Finales
Bookstore breakfast
Isabella Gardner museum
Craigy on the main
MIT
Top of the hub
Pour House
Commonwealth cafe
Boston Plaza
Faneuil hall
Giacomo's
Rooftop garden
Sinha
Cafe Luna

Four days in Boston in the rain was crazy busy, really cold, a little dirty and a little exhausting -- and, so full of awesome moments.... :)

8 (take 7)

Someone once asked me what I did to make this show so special... I told them that I didn't know -- I just put together a show I'd want to see.

The March 8th fabulous lineup:

Ruth Halpern

Laura Kirkeby

Alex Kelly

Allison Lovejoy and Zoltan Bartolo

Larry Rekow and Geo Epsilanty

Elizabeth Santana

Ross Travis

Christian Cagigal

My amazing partners: 

Matt running sound

Joan keeping the house together

Aatman holding it down at the door

We had a bit of a stressful pre-show this time.  I had a terrible stomach ache, the bar logistics weren't confirmed, and everything felt a little last minute.... but, my stomach ache cleared up, Brian and Teresa graciously jumped in to help with the bar, and all of the last minute loose ends managed to come together, like they always do, and we had a great night.  :)  We even had people stand for us after the bow!  Wut?!  :) 

Tahoe!

I got to spend an extended weekend in Tahoe with Stacey!!!  There's nothing like being in a beautiful place with a beautiful friend... :) 

I was invited to join Stacey, Todd, Mark, Ryan, (and more!) on their annual snow boarding trip, so I packed up my board and boots and drove up to the Sierras.  The weather was perfect, if not a little warm, and it was a blast!!  Some good time on the mountain, good time laughing with old friends and new friends, and some well needed time with a great friend.  

I am constantly baffled by the vast goodness that exists in some people...and, how easily nature can take your breath away. 

:) 

Birthday

I wanted a quiet birthday this year so Aatman planned a night out for the two of us.  He booked dinner and a comedy show in San Jose but, then, I was offered free tickets to Amaluna (the Cirque show)!  So, we skipped comedy and went to the circus!!  It was simple and perfect, and Aatman spoiled me with loving messages and wishes all day.  :)

I kept thinking, geez I'm old...  and then, whatever....  ;)

The series of events that led to this particular moment made it perfect in every way.  ...though, I suppose you could apply that logic to everything in life -- even the hard parts if you'll allow yourself.  :)

And, the show was AMAZING!!  Topical, invigorating, visceral, and flawlessly performed...!!!  

Along those lines, I also have to say that I looooved The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  

magic

mag·ic

ˈmajik/

noun

noun: magic

1. 1.

   the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.

   • mysterious tricks, such as making things disappear and appear again, performed as entertainment.
   • a quality that makes something seem removed from everyday life, esp. in a way that gives delight.
   • informal

     something that has a delightfully unusual quality.

adjective

adjective: magic

1. 1.

   used in magic or working by magic; having or apparently having supernatural powers.

   • very effective in producing results, esp. desired ones.
2. 2.

   informal

   wonderful; exciting.

~~~~~~~~

You know how movies create serendipitous moments filling the heads of the romantic and hopeless with dreamy impossibility... ?  

I love those.... 

Good madness

Last year, on New Year's Eve, I made a wish after midnight that should've been more than a fleeting thought thrown into the ocean...  It should've been a goal.  A commitment.  ...although, wishes have a way of finding their way, don't they? 

I've had a very introspective holiday season.  

I'm thankful for a New Year.  For perspective and an eye opening journey.  For the capacity to change and grow, and for shared wisdom.  

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a life. I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

— Maya Angelou

Tis the season

Everything happens for a reason...

My flight home for Christmas was cancelled... but, after being told I wouldn't get another flight out until Monday or Tuesday, I was able to book a flight for the following day.  One less day made a short trip home seem significantly shorter but, fortunately, constraints have a way of creating quality, and I ended up having a really nice, full, fun visit with my family and old friends.

Early on Christmas eve, my brother took me out for coffee at this brewery/cafe housed in an old school building.  It sounded reminiscent of a place I'd heard about in Portland, and a little research confirmed that it was inspired by the McMenamins' business model of repurposing abandoned spaces.  A very cool place with some really great coffee.

On our way into the school/brewery/cafe we walked by some kids sliding down the wide concrete railings alongside the stairs.  The concrete had been worn down enough to be a little slick, so the unsupervised kids were having a blast climbing up and sliding down again and again.  On our way out we decided to try the slide railing ourselves -- it was super fun.  :)

(Is it just me, or are the lights in the photo literally sparkling...?  This is a serious question, I have no idea how that's happening.)

Three things

Scan the world for the positive.

Smart is simple.

Strive for authenticity (watch again). 

so much!

I've been busy and slacking on blogging... so much going on with too much to say and no time to say it.

I'm feeling very distracted right now, but I wanted to get some things down.  Like: 

Fight workshop at the SF Opera (I got my own dressing room!)

Lots and lots of double dates

Her - Skywalker Ranch

Blue Bottle cupping (I had no idea "cupping" was a thing!)

The Hip Hop Dance Fest

Baby Gramps (bad ass)

Red Virgin

White Christmas on stage

Tristan and Yseult 

Awesome Orchestra

...and, so much more... ! 

8 (take six)

November 8th.

My goals for this show:

1. To bring back the magic.
2. To honor my performers.
3. To produce the show at Main Street, where it began.
4. To step it up as a host. 

As I've mentioned before, show 6 was the last one I committed myself to -- the final bow -- the moment to consider what I've learned from the process of producing, to re-evaluate what I'm doing, and to decide if I'll move forward or move on.  I wanted this show to be perfect.

I pulled together a solid lineup:

Sean Sanford
Joan Howard
Audrey Spinazola
David Studebaker
Tom O'Donnell and Matt Waters
Nikolas Strubbe
Traci Bartlow
Trisha Mao

...and, then considered the emotional journey I wanted to create, the tech needs of the different pieces, and what would serve all of those things while maintaining a good flow.

This was the strongest show I've produced.

First, working with the space was a piece of cake.  It was easy to book, communication was good, and Joan was was an amazing partner to me.  The warehouse was ready when we walked in and it looked amazing.

Everyone was either on time for tech, or had communicated clearly when they would arrive.  Tech went off without a hitch, and we were able to open the doors at 7:30, on the dot.

I had Aatman holding things down at the door, and Rob on the sound board, as always -- my two other amazing show partners.

And, then, the show was fantastic.

:)

Napa

My brother and his wife came to visit!

Our adventures included:  Dew tours, Sinaloa, Wii games, Outerlands and Ocean Beach, North Beach and Goorin, Pier 39, House of Prime Rib, Google, Stanford, Mijori, Autumn Lights Festival, Awaken Cafe, Kensington Inn, Muir Woods, LuLu w/ free desserts!, Coppola and bocce, and Truitt and Hearst.  

Aatman and I sent them on our Pescadero cheese, wine, yummy bread, and lighthouse adventure, and then they headed to Big Sur / Monterey / Carmel on their own. 

The visit ended with us all in Napa enjoying the wine, weather, and company...