And The Curtains Come Down

It's been a crazy three weeks world.

And I'm sorry I haven't kept you in the loop. My past three weeks have been this:

Rehearsals. Plays. Shows. Laughter. Sketchys. Death. Romance. Slight dejection. Writing. Acting. Sleeping. Reading. Brothers. Family. Relay For Life. Cowboy Hats. Bro-Chill Time.

So there ya go.

My show was last weekend, had most of my family come down, even some folks from Massachusetts which was really nice. The show went great. My actors were on, the director made some really great choices, and the drum added an epic sense of power that was definitely a great choice.

A little sad it's over. But, life goes on, and if you're paying attention to the present, you'll just end up in the past.

So the writing goes on. I've been writing every day this week and of the week, and so far, doing well. Also, been hitting the gym as well, every day, half an hour, just to get myself warmed up to it again. Let's do this thing.

And yeah . . . tomorrow is Relay For Life, all day event, fighting cancer cause cancer sucks, and we need to kick its ass. True Story.

More on my life as it occurs, my friends. Good night and day and night.

Ever Notice How The End Of The Road Looks A Lot Like The Beginning?

Because here we seem to be again. New semester, new classes, new schedules, new frustrations, and hopefully new friends. It all seems new and exciting and wondrous, partially because it and partially because it is not.

We've reached a nice cyclical point in our lives, so endings look like beginnings. I dread the point in my life when beginnings look a lot like endings.

But all is well, to be honest. I finished the latest draft of Fallen. This looks to be about the final draft actually. I can't imagine too much revision, aside from getting the page count down. As it stands, acts one and two are about the same length, but i think i need to still cut down act two. A well, I'll find out Thursday at the last reading.

Classes are good, and it is indeed nice to be back. Wednesdays are going to be brutal, but I can handle it. I'm taking a philosophy class which I'm warming up to, and exploration seems good; any guy who makes liberal use of star wars music, futurama and simpsons in the first class slideshow is a-ok in my book.

I am again a Pac Rat this semester. Playwriting with James which is great, audition techniques with Yvonne who is amazing and Acting 2 with Eileen who is a blast.

Take all of that, toss in a play I'm writing, Sketchys Characters, Residential Life, Theatre Council and trying to achieve plenty of sleep and it's going to be a good semester.

It's good to be back.

Adios Winter Break

Well ladies and gents, it's time again to pack the suitcase and head back to school. Shove all the clothes I own and like into two bags, about a pound of medicinal pills and whatnot, and a good fifty or more books.

Because yes, I have two boxes of books. One is a book box, one is a comic book box, both contain random dvds and the like.

It's getting kind of ridiculous. Ah well . . . such is the life I lead.

But it's been a great break. It has been surprisingly productive, especially since it's me we're talking about here. But it has been. Let's see . . .

-Edited 3 stories and they are currently on their way to publishers :: fingers crossed ::

-Started the third draft of Fallen, first act is done, second on the way

-Started a few new short stories

-Editing a couple of more stories

-Thoughts on new projects and novels

-Creating/editing new magic systems

-And very proud of this, I wrote a new One Act Play called Heroics which I'm pretty happy with, just need to edit it up, and par it down!

-Also, wrote a poem

And that's just writing productivity! I got a couple days of work in, finished Super Mario Bros. Wii (amazing!) and Batman: Arkham Asylum (Awesome!), saw tons of friends, had adventures, some fudged up dreams, had some good bro-chill time, and just had a great time with my family.

God, it's weird all this back and forth. Just reminds me of the huge change I felt when I first started the process. And if you know me, you know I hate change. I deal with it, but for example, I've ordered the same thing at Panera for the past three years, and I can't even change my wallet. (Don't tell my Mom, she'll be pissed).

But it's something I've gotten used to. Strange as it is, it's still nice to be heading back to school. The break is just long enough to enjoy home, and I did, I enjoyed it to its fullest. But now it's time to head back. Back to classes, reslife, theatre, my sketchys, TC, and the general insanity of my life.

I can't wait!

Parties Can Be Mandatory?

Can they?

Yes, that's what I've learned. I have a mandatory party to go to tonight. Ha, I don't mind, I went to the last one, but not everyone did so I understand the mandatoryness of it all. I just imagined this scenario . . .

"You having a good time? Enjoying the food?"

"Yeah, I uh . . . I actually don't eat food too oft--"

"YOU MUST PARTY AND EAT AND BE MERRY OR YOU ARE FIRED!"

At that point it slowly devolves into an epic fantastical battle between the forces of good and evil but hey, what in my mind doesn't?

Also, I learned, even if there is a plastic bag separating the individuals items, if you keep a piece of bread on top of a dryer sheet, that bread WILL absorb that oh so DELICIOUS flavor of dryer sheet. Guess who had a nice delicious laundry-peanut butter- and jelly sandwich just now?

THIS GUY.

Finals are all done. Fall 2009 Semester is all done. We just need to close up the quad tomorrow and then I'm home for a good five weeks, home to work, go to the gym, sleep, see friends and write my brains out. Because it's time to get my life in shape.

This semester I've learned a lot, I think I have. I've learned how to balance running an improv group, and a theatre group, and write a two act play, while working for residential life and taking five classes and still managing to sleep and see friends. I've learned that the beauty of playwriting comes at the beginning and I suppose the end, because right now it sucks to be in the middle.

I learned sometimes you got to man up and do what you have to do; also that there are certain girls you deal with crazy for, and certain girls ya don't. I learned cyberpunk is a lot more then matrix, and eugene ionesco is a crazy ass playwright. I learned it's fun to be a helicopter, how to make the perfect burger, and when Ralph Dibny is a resurrected zombie with a mace and his best friend by him, he can be a real dick.

Toy Story still holds up after all these years, Reel Big Fish is even better in real life then I suspected, and Rand will be okay in the end. I've learned how to fall on my back, my side, and my face, and that a hook-up only works when you feel something more then physical, (doesn't make it less awesome though). Aquaman is still lame as an old man, Sketchys should never be given a chance to party in a place the school can be held responsible, but we're still gonna do it =]

And that as hectic and jumbled and crazy as this semester was, it was still extremely enjoyable.

Hell yeah.

Thanksgiving Break

Wow, I couldn't come up with a witty title . . . what the hell is wrong with me?

But hello Internet, good evening to you my electronic friend and salutations. It has been a bit of time, let's see what my life has been like . . .

Just got back from Thanksgiving break, which was super fun. I got home Wednesday night after helping close the Quad (I was on window duty . . . let it mean whatever you want it to mean), and I spent Wednesday night saying hey to the family again, grandparents were down so it was really nice to see Bema and Popa, and then after storming through comics with a speed olympic athlete's find impressive, I went over to Olsen's to see my good buddy and his family. I didn't have too much time with him, but it was good seeing him and knowing that he is happy and healthy.

Thanksgiving itself was nice and quiet, a chance to sit down with family and enjoy a meal with the formality and joviality that we sometimes don't have time for anymore. Dad didn't make a goof of himself during grace this year, which is sad because it's always hilarious to watch, but what are you going to do?

Friday I reunited with the Gang for a bit of time, realized the odd girl at Panera still knows who I am, not to jump in front of Barnes and Nobles, girls in elf hats dig me, went to Giuseppe's, saw a bunch of friends there which was awesome, then felt uncomfortable, then left to go to Ben Karlin's and learned Brendan is usually right about when I will have a good time or not. I won't say it to him personally, but he can read it here.

Saturday was more time with Giuseppe (My Boy! Bombs? They are yours my friend!), went to the insanity of the mall, made sure I still had a job at Brookstone and said hey to them, then grabbed Jesse, hit the comic shop, got my self-esteem ripped to shreds and my balls busted, then went home and wrote up a storm. So yeah, Fallen Draft Two is all finished =]

I then raced through the rest of the comics I had to read. Yeah, I know, Dad's fault I live this way. He got me addicted to something affordable . . . at least crack is expensive haha.

But it was a great time being home, and soon I'll be back. I'm back at Albany for some fun and excitement! Oh! Shakespeare Abridged got approved! Fun times huzzah!

Alright I'm off to go help Dave and do my Macbizzle project! Later!

All's Well That Ends Well

I did not get cast for the other spring semester show.

This makes me sad and pissed and a little bitter.

Welcome to the world of the actor.

But, who am I to say what the other director was looking for? Hell, there were only four male roles it turns out, and well, I just didn't fit in for it. But I do have friends in it, who were cast and I wish them all the best in it and hearty, sincere congratulations.

I would have loved to have been a part of either production, hell, I'll take Tree #3 for godsake.

But, I suppose I just have to think of this as a positive thing. I'm way too busy as it is and I'm only going to get busier. Plus, it's not as though I'm entirely uninvolved in the Theatre Department. They're putting on one of my shows for goodness sake, and I'm part of the Season Selection Committee, so that's all still good.

This is just going to the be the first year I have not acted in a school production, at least in the Spring Semester. It's a strange feeling, but it also gives me hope.

Hope, that now, Matt and I can pull off doing Shakespeare Abridged! Huzzah! To the Drawing Board!

No Business Like Show Business, Like No Business I Know!

I know, I did it again Internet, I took some time off for my real life and forgot to update you. I apologize, but I will not be sorry for living my life! Ha, anywho, been real busy with life and especially theatre has seemed to consume the brunt of my days, these past few weeks being a haze of monologue learning, and scenes being rehearsed and being written and oh, it's been a lot. Let's see if I can go through and tell you what's been going on.

But first let me say I am feeling a lot better then before; had a bit of a nasty cold/flu/bronchitis thing the past week but am about 97.5% better then I was. So, almost there.

But the thing to say is, Fallen had its first reading this past Wednesday, with the cast, the director, and whoever else wanted to come, sitting down to read the first draft. God, it was nerve-wracking. It was insanely exciting and cool, don't get me wrong. But man, after they finish reading it, you go through the notes you have, and then ask them questions, and they tell you things they noticed, or things you need to work on, or things that could be better, or you could add, subtract, multiply, divide, and so on and so forth, until you feel like an idiot or your head is about to explode.

Which, don't get me wrong, is what the process is all about; writing is not a beast you slay once and then the tale is over, only rarely is that truth. The first draft is a mad flurry of brush strokes onto a canvas, furiously finding the color and shapes needed to help make your baby. Editing however, especially with a deadline, is finding that you're floating on the ocean with a boat riddled with holes; it is the rapid filling of those holes, with whatever works and whatever can help keep the boat afloat. If it doesn't work, it's going to sink and you have to hurry to fill it with something that will. 

But don't let this description fool you. It is a hurried, frenetic amazing experience and I look forward to seeing what I can do to make this boat not only stay afloat, but stay golden.

Also, I had auditions and callbacks for the Spring shows here at UAlbany. I got a callback for one of the shows, 10 for 2010, a show of ten scenes from ten great plays in UAlbany Theatre's 100 year history. I did not get one for the Crucible, which I am disappointed about, but what are you going to do? I mean, I was upset, of course, but hell, I may just not be the guy they were looking for. I guess since I had worked with Chad, the director, last year, I may have been given a shot or something, but you know what, it's okay. He's a great guy and we worked well together but that doesn't mean he owes me something. He's got to do what he has to do to make this the best show possible for him, and if I'm not right for a part, it's nothing against me, it's just out of my control. And I'm okay with that.

Because it's show business and that's the way things roll . . .

But here's hoping I get cast for 10 for 2010 and you'll know if I am soon!

Also, expect a couple of book reviews up here soon, I know I've been slacking haha.

Putting the Pen Down

In other good news, I've put down the metaphorical pen.

Fallen, the play I have been working on since June, is now done.

At least the first draft haha. 

But it is completed and done and finished and done and finished and completed and I very happy. I am happy with the words and the ending and the characters and a myriad of other things my tired brain can't think of.

It will, of course, in the end need tinkering and retooling and revising and editing and other english major terms.

But for now, it is done, and that makes me happy.

Now I turn south to Editing, a city of revising miscreants, who always take back what they've said and carry around erasers, to edit things that may or may not be words, but can indeed be changed.

Hope people have read my review from before and for those interested, I will hopefully be writing up my review of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson's Wheel of Time novel, The Gathering Storm, next week.

Until then gang!

I Am A Leaf On the Wind . . . Watch How I Soar

Oh me oh my . . . it has been quite the week ladies and gentlemen, oh me oh my . . .

Where to begin?

I guess just as they come . . .

So, let'see . . . big news first . . . the play I have been working on all summer, Fallen, has been accepted by the UAlbany Theatre Department and will be read as a staged reading on March 12, 13, and 14. It is amazing, that feeling that you've been chosen, given that opportunity to share your work with others; it will never become a trite thing in my mind. Fallen, dealing with the fall of Lucifer and the creation of Hell, had auditions on thursday and friday night, with callbacks this morning. I gotta tell ya, there is a helluva lotta talent here at Albany, and it humbles me to have them as my friends. So many people came out and auditioned for my show and whether or not you got a part, thank you. Sincerely, thank you; you've no idea how happy it makes me to see people coming out to be involved in theater and I'm thrilled you're going to be a part of Fallen. Yes, all of you =]

But yes, cast list is almost complete, only Lucifer needs casting, but that'll be taken care of. I can't wait to work on this show with my friends and my professors. Time to watch and learn. Also in acting news, went to a casting call for an extra spot in a new Will Ferrell movie, filming up here in Albany. I hope I was chosen, if not, no worries. But damn, that would be a cool experience. I went with some great buds and it was awesome. I still feel bad for the woman in front of us, having to put up with Matt and I singing "I Will Survive." 

Other writing news, I finally finally FINALLY after three years of bullshit, sent out a copy of one of my short stories to a publisher. Now, we play the waiting game. Send on the rejection letters haha! (Just kidding, but every author will tell you, they got a stack of em before they found a publisher)

Sketchys news: Had our first general interest meeting for new members to come out and check us out. HO-LY CRAP! We had over fifty people there. And then over half of em stuck around for improv! What?! I nearly had a heart attack. I can only imagine how Mizz woulda handled it. I guess that's the motto: What Would Mizz Do?*

*Mizz is former improv chair and man of the year; he is an awesome human*

Also, got into the Presidential Honors Society, so that's very nice. Hope they give me some more options for scholarships, cause you know . . . that would be awesome ha! 

Psh . . . hmmmm . . . anything else? Ah yes.

This is my Top Five. Matt and I made it. These are the top five concerns for the semester.

1: Classes

2: Reslife

3: Finish writing the play (yes I have not finished yet.)

4: Theater Council

5: Improv Chair for Sketchys

I mean girls aren't even in the top five! Great . . . just kidding, but all joking aside, I think it's time to take a step back and relax on the girl front. I've been like a hyperactive labradoodle for two years in trying to get a girlfriend. And honestly, I'm so busy, I got no time to really seek out a girlfriend . . . 

(Listen to me. "Seek" a girlfriend . . . "Go yonder! Seek her beyond the Forests of Night and across the Mass of Quakes. There she lies by the Dragon's Keep!" . . . god my life is a fantasy novel . . .)

But yeah, time to relax, it's like Jesse said, "You know Marty, sometimes they gotta seek you out too!"

That's why I love her, she's a good sister.

Alright, I think that is mostly everything. So, I'm off for now. Time to keep writing Fallen. Tonight, finish Act 1 and start Act 2! 

We are off!