Made in America

Last year I discovered more of St.Louis that I had in my previous four years.  From some awesome Improv schools (which I will talk about in another blog), to the vitality of South City and Cherokee.

Anyone who lives in the city would be surprised to know that I had never visited Tower Grove Park until five years after moving here!

The reason I have now experienced all this is down to a very good friend of mine.  Katie Miller.

If not for Katie, I wouldn’t have biked around Forest Park at midnight at the end of last summer, among many other things.  Katie has become an inspiration to me because of what she does.

She makes jewelry.

Yes, I’ve never had any interest in wearing, let alone making, jewelry.  It’s her drive and dedication that inspire me.  Here is someone with a vision, who has a plan to do what she loves to do, and is doing it.  Along with her partner Garnet Griebel, in Kansas City, they co-own the company Scarlett Garnet.

Since I have known her I have seen a dedication to supporting local businesses and designers that I have only heard others talk about.  On Friday April 6th, Scarlett Garnet opens up their first storefront here in St.Louis, on 2619 Cherokee Street.  More details here.

If you’re in St.Louis, I recommend heading down there on the 6th.  Let’s give Katie the same support she’s been giving others.  Who knows, you may just see something you like.

It really will be a Good Friday.

NaNo Week #2 : Other Writers

My first week of NaNoWriMo left me wondering what I thought I was doing.  I was a good 4000 words behind, I had no idea what the story would be, and where to take my new characters.  I’d been distracted by Black Widow’s, rehearsals, buying a laptop to actually accomplish things and, of course, my job.

I had also met some other NaNo participants, at my first write in.  I found that the social aspect of NaNo was great for meeting like-minded writers, who were also taking on the Novel Writing challenge.  Not so good for getting things written.

They introduced me to the writing sprint, which has taught me so much about getting words and story on paper.  It doesn’t matter that one of my characters is called Kevbin, or that a group of them “had bemained dilent”, instead of remaining silent.  I can fix all of that when I revise.

One of them also reintroduced me to the perils of online chat.  And it seemed that other writers would be the main cause of distraction for my second NaNo week.

That was until Sunday night – when, combining the sprint, the online chat and the power of competitiveness, I was able to pull 3700 words from the well of creativity.  The monkeys were busy that night.

I’m now midway through week three, and although I didn’t hit the midway point on the 15th like I should have, I am within reach of my daily target.

All with a little help from other writers.

What kind of distractions or breakthroughs have you had in writing, or any other project?

 

The day that Everything stops working

As you know, or should by now, I’m working on a novel for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

The premise of it is this:- What if one day we woke up and nothing electrical worked.  No cell phones, computers, TV or radio.  All batteries, including car batteries were dead.  You would have no way of finding out how big an area was affected, because there would be no way to find out, unless you walked to another town to see.

That’s the situation my fictional small town in the suburbs of St.Louis find themselves in, and so far, they appear to be dealing with it pretty well, but of course appearances can be outright lies!

What would you do in this situation?

Who knows, some of your responses may find a way to be incorporated into my book.

These guys would be able to get around just fine.

NaNo week #1: The Black Widow distraction…

As I mentioned last post, I am attempting a novel in a month.  This began well at 5am on November 1st, I knocked out 732 words of “No Signal”, then went to work.  Due to my exciting work/rehearsal schedule I did not get the opportunity to return to my writing until Friday November 4th.

Midway through my Friday morning writing session I took out the recycling, and spotted this is my garage.

The writing of course had to stop while I used the internet to investigate.  I was pretty sure that I had a Black Widow, and that they were probably pretty dangerous.

After establishing that she was unlikely to venture away from her home, just inside my garage doorway, I decided to ask Facebook what I should do.  I was shocked and appalled at the number of people who wanted me to just kill it, and angered by those that suggested I hire a hitman to do it for me!  I’m not made of money.

I ran out of time on Friday to do anything definitive, and so spent the weekend in deep consideration of my options.  During this time I did manage to knock out a few thousand words, meet some other writers, see a play and spend a fun evening with a new friend.

Monday (today) came, and it was time to deal with the situation.  I called the insect house at the zoo and explained the issue.

“You could bring it here, or let it out in the woods,” was the paraphrased response.  “The last thing she wants to do is bite you.  She’d rather save her venom for yummy, yummy, delicious bugs.  Mmmmmm.”  Again, I’m paraphrasing.

So I found a glass jar, a piece of cloth big enough to cover the top, and a rubber band.  Then I caught her in it!  It was easier than I thought.  I then put the glass jar in a Tupperware container with glad wrap tied over it.  The last thing I wanted was an escaped Black Widow in my car.  That would not be fun.

And so now, if you happen to go to St.Louis Zoo, and see a Southern Black Widow spider.  It might have been the one I found.

Or it might not. So, you know…

Now back to my Novel – - I’m only 7000 words in!

Hang on….  Is that a snake?

Can I Cram Mo’ into NaNoWriMo?

Until I can afford an infinite amount of Monkeys...

So, I’ve been calling myself a writer for a few years now, based on the fact I like writing stuff.  I even got paid for a short story, see On ‘Tap’ula Rasa.
Now, apart from my children’s book, which is finished – just not ready yet, I haven’t actually finished writing anything beyond 2000 words, except for two screenplay’s.
So I’ve been feeling like I’m not a writer, of narrative prose at least.
Then I stumbled upon National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short.  For those not in the know (as I was) the idea is to write a novel during November.  There are group write ins organized and you can keep track of your progress online.  You “win” by completing 50,000 words by the end of November.
In addition to writing a novel, this evening I began rehearsal for Magic Smoking Monkey theatres “It’s A Wonderful Life”.  This will open on December 2nd.

Then as if that wasn’t enough to keep me busy, filming is supposed to start on Geitzler’s Asylum very soon.

So if I seem a little distracted, now you know why!

My plan is to keep a weekly update of my NaNo progress…  Look out for update one tomorrow (after I actually get some time to write!)

 

Shameless self promotion

I’m not very good at, or comfortable with, selling myself.  Whether it be in my work or creativity.
Which is why todays announcement is pretty unusual.
This month I am in St.Louis Magazine as one of 16 Top Singles.

Rather than have to answer the question, “You?  How?  Why?” every time, I’m going to explain right here all of the W’s (and the one H).

Who? Well, me.  Obviously.

What? St.Louis Magazine’s Top Singles.

How? I was nominated by a work friend, who felt I needed some help dealing with my newly single status.  Anyone can nominate anybody they know.  The magazine then sends you a questionnaire, which you fill in and send with a picture of yourself.  This was the hardest part for me.  I had to sell myself.  I would not have done this without the prompting of another good friend.

Why? Ok, so here’s the real question.  Why would I, self proclaimed non-promoter, enter into something that was really nothing short of self-promotion.  Am I trying to find the love of my life?  No.  Am I trying to hook up with some hot ladies? Not really.  Of course, if either of those things happen I will be surprised and also grateful.  The main reason is to raise my profile here in St.Louis.  I’m about to start work on my first feature length movie – which is very heavily St.Louis centric.  It’s about an improv comedy club in St.Louis, based on experiences of some friends and myself.  My plan is to use this as a vehicle to promote as much St.Louis talent as possible.  I have been blessed to make friends with some very talented actors and filmmakers in the last five years, not to mention all the talent I have seen but, as yet, not worked with.

When? and Where? The magazine is out today.  You can buy it.  Tonight is the MIX11 party at Lumen.  I’ll be there, probably watching game 7 of the world series!

To sign off, I have included the cutest picture of myself I know of..

How to bake a Spaghetti Squash

1.Fill a bath with warm water no deeper than 6".	2.Pre-heat oven to 375	3.Cut your Spaghetti Squash down the center.
4. Use multiple "sharp" knives.	5.Boil Kettle.	6.Pepare Cat Shampoo.
7.Bake in oven for 45 minutes to an hour.	8.Pour boiling water over tea bag in cup. (As soon as kettle boiled, NEVER use microwave).	9.Bathe Cat.
10.Thwart Cat escape attempts.	11.Administer Treats.	12.Your completed Spaghetti Squash.

My Grandad and the Devastating Revelation!

Today I found out a devastating truth about my Grandfather.

This is a man who I respect more than myself.  A man whose name is recognized the length of England.  A man who would do anything for anyone, yet expect nothing in return.

An amateur boxer, electrician and President of the local working men’s club.  On his 70th birthday he had a stripper a third of his age and handled it with style.   Last year he had a Pacemaker fitted but refused to be put to sleep for the operation. 

A mutual acquaintance once drunkenly told me that I’d never be half the man my Grandad is.

I agree.  Half the man my Grandad is, is still twice the man that most men are. 

That was what I believed until today.  When I found out something shocking. 
My Grandad uses a microwave to reheat his tea.

How I can ever look him in the eye again?  How can I maintain any level of respect, knowing that his next cuppa may just be a reheated old cuppa?

I see months of therapy ahead.

 

The first five years

It seems crazy, but Tuesday September 27th 2011, marked my 5th anniversary of coming to the USA.
Who would have guessed back in 2006, that I would do so much in my first five years…
I think it’s time for a re-cap…

Highs…
I got married, got my first professional acting job, landed a job at Trader Joe’s – then got promoted within it, adopted cats, bought a house, bought a car and wrote and directed my first film.

Lows…
I quit acting in plays, my gall bladder stopped working, my film got rejected from almost every festival, my car broke and my marriage ended in divorce

However…
I started acting in plays again, bought a different car, started working on my first feature film and there’s some other things bubbling under that I can’t even tell you about.

No matter what I’ve done or been through along the way I have met some incredible people.  Many of whom I am honoured to call friends.  I would love to list you all individually, but I know I would miss someone, and that would be unfair.  Instead, I just want to say thank you to EVERYONE who has been a part of my American journey so far, from the St.Charles Christmas traditions crowd, anyone I’ve worked with on films, all the crew from all the Trader Joe’s in the St.Louis area, and those that have moved on to other regions, anyone I have shared the stage with from the Laughmasters, Riverside Shakespeare, St.Louis Shakespeare and Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre, the people from the St.Augustine VFW, the Sprague’s, Squeaker and Gizmo, my ex-wife and her family, the Budays and the Cox and of course miss Scarlet.

Yeah, turns out this was boring and not funny.

Oh well.

Here’s to the next five.

The things I do for a laugh – part 1

Last Wednesday (11th), I took my cat Squeaker to get a mani-bathe and groom.  Much as I enjoy snuggling with a fluffy wolverine, the amount of scars are starting to alarm people.  Plus I had a very lucky escape the other day when I blew on his tummy, and he decided to attach his paws to the side of my head and kick me in the face.

My next errand of the day was to get myself shaved.  For a one scene joke in the play I am in, I had to have something shaved into a part of my body people don’t usually get to see.  My request was the cause of much amusement amongst the ladies in the salon, but the potential embarrassment has been worth it.

There’s only one way to find out what I had shaved, and where – and that’s to come and see one of the last four shows that go up this weekend.

http://www.chicagostagereview.com/?p=19149

Hopefully see you there!