This morning I have:
*eaten 1/3 pound of cherries
*cleaned the kitchen floor
*mopped the hardwood surfaces ('cept for Moll's room)
*done the dishes
*cleaned the kitchen counters
I feel like I can deservedly shower & head downtown to the movie theatre to take myself out to see "Babies." Which I will unabashedly cry at. Often, and with much eye-dabbing. I can hardly wait!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
FACT SHEET -- Harvey Milk Day
This Saturday is the first officially recognized Harvey Milk Day in the state of California. Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger passed the bill annually proclaiming the day -- after having just vetoed the same bill the year before. Baby steps in the fight for LGBT equality, but any steps forward are steps well-taken. Here's the "Fact Sheet" for the bill, if anyone was wanting to know more about it.
_______________________________________________________________________
FACT SHEET
Harvey Milk Day (SB 572)
Questions: email@eqca.org
This bill would require the Governor to annually proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, and would encourage public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date.
Status: To be heard in Senate Education Committee May 6, 2009
Author: Senator Mark Leno
Co-Authors: Senators Alquist, Florez, Kehoe, Oropeza, Padilla, Romero, Wiggins, and Yee; Assemblymembers Ammiano, Block, De León, Hayashi, Huffman, Monning, John A. Pérez, Portantino, Price, Skinner, and Torlakson.
Sponsor: Equality California
BACKGROUND: WHO WAS HARVEY MILK?
Perhaps more than any other modern figure, Harvey Milk's life and political career embody the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement. Milk was born on May 22, 1930. He was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in a major city, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977-1978.
While in office, Milk worked to pass a gay rights ordinance and defeat Proposition 6, commonly known as the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools. Milk encouraged LGBT people to be visible in society and believed coming out was the only way they could achieve true social equality.
Milk was tragically assassinated in 1978 by Dan White, a former colleague on the Board of Supervisors whose politics often clashed with Milk’s. After resigning from the Board and being denied reappointment by then Mayor George Moscone, White entered San Francisco City Hall through a window armed with a gun and shot and killed both Moscone and Milk.
During White’s criminal trial, the defense argued that White was a victim of pressure and had been depressed, a state exacerbated by his consuming a large quantity of junk food before the murders. This later became known as the "Twinkie Defense." When this tactic proved successful and White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and a mere seven years and eight months in prison, San Francisco's gay community erupted into protest in what came to be known as the "White Night Riots."
Harvey Milk's legacy as a civil rights leader is still felt today. He was named one of TIME Magazine's most influential people of the 20th century. Many institutions and organizations are named for Harvey Milk to commemorate his life and social contributions. Most recently, the major motion picture MILK, chronicling the rise and fall of Harvey Milk, has captivated audiences worldwide to much critical acclaim.
EXISTING LAW
Existing law requires the Governor to proclaim certain days each year, often in remembrance of important figures in the civil rights movement. These days include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Native American Day, and Juneteenth National Freedom Day, among others. Some of these days, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Cesar Chavez Day, are also state holidays during which public functions are suspended and state employees receive a day off.
Existing law also prescribes public school holidays and commemorative activities on such days. For example, students receive a day off for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and education about the role of Dr. King in the United States civil rights movement. March 31, Cesar Chavez Day, and the fourth Friday in September, Native American Day, are optional holidays for schools and may include commemorative exercises and lessons related to these holidays.
Other days simply act as days of “special significance,” which schools are encouraged to observe with suitable commemorative exercises.
WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO
SB 572 would require the Governor to proclaim May 22 of each year as Harvey Milk Day. It would also designate Harvey Milk Day as a day of special significance in public schools and educational institutions, and encourage those entities to conduct suitable commemorative exercises.
This bill would put California on record as recognizing the social contributions that Harvey Milk made to our nation as a civil rights leader. It would also allow schools to conduct activities that would foster respect for all, and educate students about an important figure who is often omitted from history lessons.
FISCAL IMPACT
This legislation would not require that state workers or school employees get the day off from work. Therefore, SB 572 would have no fiscal impact to the state.
FOR MORE IFORMATION
Alice Kessler, Equality California – (916) 554-7681 or Alice@eqca.org
Barry Steinhart, Office of Senator Mark Leno – (916) 651-4003 or Barry.Steinhart@sen.ca.gov
_______________________________________________________________________
FACT SHEET
Harvey Milk Day (SB 572)
Questions: email@eqca.org
This bill would require the Governor to annually proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, and would encourage public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date.
Status: To be heard in Senate Education Committee May 6, 2009
Author: Senator Mark Leno
Co-Authors: Senators Alquist, Florez, Kehoe, Oropeza, Padilla, Romero, Wiggins, and Yee; Assemblymembers Ammiano, Block, De León, Hayashi, Huffman, Monning, John A. Pérez, Portantino, Price, Skinner, and Torlakson.
Sponsor: Equality California
BACKGROUND: WHO WAS HARVEY MILK?
Perhaps more than any other modern figure, Harvey Milk's life and political career embody the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement. Milk was born on May 22, 1930. He was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in a major city, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977-1978.
While in office, Milk worked to pass a gay rights ordinance and defeat Proposition 6, commonly known as the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools. Milk encouraged LGBT people to be visible in society and believed coming out was the only way they could achieve true social equality.
Milk was tragically assassinated in 1978 by Dan White, a former colleague on the Board of Supervisors whose politics often clashed with Milk’s. After resigning from the Board and being denied reappointment by then Mayor George Moscone, White entered San Francisco City Hall through a window armed with a gun and shot and killed both Moscone and Milk.
During White’s criminal trial, the defense argued that White was a victim of pressure and had been depressed, a state exacerbated by his consuming a large quantity of junk food before the murders. This later became known as the "Twinkie Defense." When this tactic proved successful and White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and a mere seven years and eight months in prison, San Francisco's gay community erupted into protest in what came to be known as the "White Night Riots."
Harvey Milk's legacy as a civil rights leader is still felt today. He was named one of TIME Magazine's most influential people of the 20th century. Many institutions and organizations are named for Harvey Milk to commemorate his life and social contributions. Most recently, the major motion picture MILK, chronicling the rise and fall of Harvey Milk, has captivated audiences worldwide to much critical acclaim.
EXISTING LAW
Existing law requires the Governor to proclaim certain days each year, often in remembrance of important figures in the civil rights movement. These days include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Native American Day, and Juneteenth National Freedom Day, among others. Some of these days, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Cesar Chavez Day, are also state holidays during which public functions are suspended and state employees receive a day off.
Existing law also prescribes public school holidays and commemorative activities on such days. For example, students receive a day off for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and education about the role of Dr. King in the United States civil rights movement. March 31, Cesar Chavez Day, and the fourth Friday in September, Native American Day, are optional holidays for schools and may include commemorative exercises and lessons related to these holidays.
Other days simply act as days of “special significance,” which schools are encouraged to observe with suitable commemorative exercises.
WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO
SB 572 would require the Governor to proclaim May 22 of each year as Harvey Milk Day. It would also designate Harvey Milk Day as a day of special significance in public schools and educational institutions, and encourage those entities to conduct suitable commemorative exercises.
This bill would put California on record as recognizing the social contributions that Harvey Milk made to our nation as a civil rights leader. It would also allow schools to conduct activities that would foster respect for all, and educate students about an important figure who is often omitted from history lessons.
FISCAL IMPACT
This legislation would not require that state workers or school employees get the day off from work. Therefore, SB 572 would have no fiscal impact to the state.
FOR MORE IFORMATION
Alice Kessler, Equality California – (916) 554-7681 or Alice@eqca.org
Barry Steinhart, Office of Senator Mark Leno – (916) 651-4003 or Barry.Steinhart@sen.ca.gov
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Passing Show.
Today I opened the Theatre Department's mailbox. In the rubber-banded bundle were the usual assortment of catalogs to get tossed into recycling, a couple of notices about summer programs to post on the call board, and a strange little publication. It wasn't a monthly or an annual, at least, not one I had seen before.
It was the newsletter of the Shubert Archive, chronicling Jerry Schoenfeld's passing.
For those of you who may not know, Gerald Schoenfeld was the chairman of The Shubert Organization from 1972 until his death in 2008. The Shubert Organization currently owns or operates 17 theatres in New York City, as well as the Shubert Theatre in Boston, the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, and the National Theatre in Boston. It is not a trifling matter, this organization.
Jerry Schoenfeld is credited with saving Broadway: catching American Theatre by the bootheels as it entered a downward spiral. When historic theatres on Broadway were being turned into porno clubs, and theatre attendance was so low that the Shubert Organization was on the verge of bankrupting, Jerry Schoenfeld mounted huge advertising campaigns, battled to clean up the theatre district, and fought to remind the American public that theatre was an expansive, rewarding, enriching part of human experience.
So here is this beautiful publication, littered with anecdotes from family members, co-workers, actors, theatrical lawyers -- at least 40 responses, and only a fraction of the immense spectrum of lives and careers that Jerry touched. It is sitting here and I am leafing through it, recognizing names from my time working at 101 Productions in NYC, gladdened to think that anyone could have such a lasting impact.
Then I flip to the back page. The publication was addressed to Douglas McDermott.
Doug McDermott taught theatre here at CSU Stanislaus for decades, touching the lives of dozens of students, both the theatre majors/minors and the general education students. Jack has very fond and loving memories of all the classes he had with Doug and Doug's profound impact on Jack's furthering his theatrical career. Doug was a genuine scholar with a hunger for knowledge and a powerful analytical mind.
Doug McDermott passed away about three months ago.
Seeing this loving tribute publication addressed to a man who was just as loved, just as influential, and who has also passed on...well. It makes my heart wrench just a bit.
It was the newsletter of the Shubert Archive, chronicling Jerry Schoenfeld's passing.
For those of you who may not know, Gerald Schoenfeld was the chairman of The Shubert Organization from 1972 until his death in 2008. The Shubert Organization currently owns or operates 17 theatres in New York City, as well as the Shubert Theatre in Boston, the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, and the National Theatre in Boston. It is not a trifling matter, this organization.
Jerry Schoenfeld is credited with saving Broadway: catching American Theatre by the bootheels as it entered a downward spiral. When historic theatres on Broadway were being turned into porno clubs, and theatre attendance was so low that the Shubert Organization was on the verge of bankrupting, Jerry Schoenfeld mounted huge advertising campaigns, battled to clean up the theatre district, and fought to remind the American public that theatre was an expansive, rewarding, enriching part of human experience.
So here is this beautiful publication, littered with anecdotes from family members, co-workers, actors, theatrical lawyers -- at least 40 responses, and only a fraction of the immense spectrum of lives and careers that Jerry touched. It is sitting here and I am leafing through it, recognizing names from my time working at 101 Productions in NYC, gladdened to think that anyone could have such a lasting impact.
Then I flip to the back page. The publication was addressed to Douglas McDermott.
Doug McDermott taught theatre here at CSU Stanislaus for decades, touching the lives of dozens of students, both the theatre majors/minors and the general education students. Jack has very fond and loving memories of all the classes he had with Doug and Doug's profound impact on Jack's furthering his theatrical career. Doug was a genuine scholar with a hunger for knowledge and a powerful analytical mind.
Doug McDermott passed away about three months ago.
Seeing this loving tribute publication addressed to a man who was just as loved, just as influential, and who has also passed on...well. It makes my heart wrench just a bit.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
School
I need to start reading again, really reading.
Scott Davis is helping me on this quest -- my goal is to raid his bookshelf bi-monthly, come away with at least 3-4 books, and return them within two weeks. And since they are on his bookshelf, and his great big brain has processed them all before, then I'll have a buddy to talk literature with.
I miss school a lot. And sitting in one every day and watching the students go by -- and watching the GE students leave their classes complaining about having to learn, which just breaks my heart -- makes me want to go back to school even more.
I'll start by reading.
Scott Davis is helping me on this quest -- my goal is to raid his bookshelf bi-monthly, come away with at least 3-4 books, and return them within two weeks. And since they are on his bookshelf, and his great big brain has processed them all before, then I'll have a buddy to talk literature with.
I miss school a lot. And sitting in one every day and watching the students go by -- and watching the GE students leave their classes complaining about having to learn, which just breaks my heart -- makes me want to go back to school even more.
I'll start by reading.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A Smile for Tae Hoon.
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A smile of joy for my dear artist friend Tae Hoon.
Tae Hoon, Tae Hoon, Tae Hoon, Tae Hoon!!
Big Fire.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Whoa there Buddy!
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Gotta go to bed now. Been decompressing from today and from tonight's performance, in which I successfully broke a wine bottle, whilst it was in my purse, during my quick change, after which I could no longer use my purse in the remaining 4 scenes (including the entire 2nd act) of the play. Said wine bottle then seeped throughout the entire purse, which contained my book of Elizabeth Bishop poetry and Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye," neither of which I am happy to have disfigured with a 2006 Beaujolais.
I am officially a part-time temporary employee at CSU Stanislaus (my alma mater), filling in for the now-retired Department Secretary for the Theatre Department. Pray for me for the next two months, as I (and the faculty) are hoping this will segue into me securing the full-time position in the 2010/2011 school year -- which would mean "hello savings account, it's time to start using you to budget for my Master's Degree."
Friday, February 19, 2010
New York, New York!
Just filed my federal taxes, and barring a calamity, I'll be getting a healthy refund -- which will allow me to finally return to the city for a much-needed visit!! The dates I'm looking at are spring break -- the week of April 5-9 -- and I am ridiculously excited!!!!!!!
I have been loving being back here, being with Jack, being able to be a support for my mom, returning to theatre with full force, enjoying a slower pace of life -- but I MISS NEW YORK AND ALL MY FRIENDS. I can't believe I have yet to hold Mike & Marianne's baby girl, I miss Office/Guitar Hero dates with Courtney, I miss grabbing a beer with Kevin at 1849, I miss that precious little Emelia and her awesome parents, I miss the subway, I miss the Museum of Natural History, I miss things being open until 2am and sometimes 24 hours... so the city girl in me has been itching and raring for a trip back for some time, but schedules and finances (mostly finances) have prevented it. But now both of those things are going to line up and I am going to head east! Pray for good weather.
I have been loving being back here, being with Jack, being able to be a support for my mom, returning to theatre with full force, enjoying a slower pace of life -- but I MISS NEW YORK AND ALL MY FRIENDS. I can't believe I have yet to hold Mike & Marianne's baby girl, I miss Office/Guitar Hero dates with Courtney, I miss grabbing a beer with Kevin at 1849, I miss that precious little Emelia and her awesome parents, I miss the subway, I miss the Museum of Natural History, I miss things being open until 2am and sometimes 24 hours... so the city girl in me has been itching and raring for a trip back for some time, but schedules and finances (mostly finances) have prevented it. But now both of those things are going to line up and I am going to head east! Pray for good weather.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
"Beyond Therapy" 3.5 out of 4 stars!
The Modesto Bee (the central valley's equivalent of the LA Times...our equivalent of the NYT is the San Francisco Chronicle) reviewed last weekend's opening night show and we received 3.5 out of 4 stars -- which is fantastic! Performances for this weekend are completely sold out and we are filling up seats quickly for next weekend -- this is such a great and awesome ride and I'm just so damn proud to be a part of it and I am already itching to do more onstage work!
You can read the review here.
You can read the review here.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
All I Want For Christmas is A Root Canal...
I really wish I could afford a root canal, or, alternatively, that I had comprehensive dental insurance that would cover the costs of a root canal. My top right first premolar (next to canine) is incredibly compromised and needs not only to be filled, but needs to have a root canal. The pain is usually bearable or not-noticeable, but at times I will get headaches stemming from the nerve pain in my tooth. It's really uncomfortable and makes my right sinus cavity feel like it's being squeezed. That's what's happening this morning. That, on top of rehearsals till 10:45pm and getting up at 6:30 every day this week, and the stress of impending opening night...well...it's making this headache even worse and making me feel like a little ball of emotional implosion. I just might cry. I mean, not because I'm especially sad, or because I'm really stressed (I mean, the stress is not overwhelming. It's show stress, after all.) but just because the release would be welcome.
Someone find me a pro bono dentist - STAT!
Someone find me a pro bono dentist - STAT!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Heddoh, inderwebbs. (Hello, interwebs.)
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I've had a nasty sinus thing for three days now -- to the point that I took off work yesterday (all 5 hours of it) so that I could continue to just sleep all the damn day in order to have enough energy for rehearsal last night. Because, seriously? Thursday night (Day 1 of sinus thing)? TERRIBLE REHEARSAL. My energy was about negative 35 when we started, so the first two scenes felt crappy/draggy, even with the excellent efforts of my leading/supporting men, and then when I finally did have some energy by Act 1.Scene 4, I couldn't remember my damn lines, because my entire brain felt as if it were wrapped in cotton gauze. So I had to call for line twice, and feel like an idiot. And have I mentioned I get water thrown on me FOUR TIMES DURING THIS SHOW?? So I was wet, on top of it all.....
Hence the ghetto sangria this evening. I had a pretty easy day of it -- slept in late, have taken at least 2,000mg of Vitamin C today, plenty of fluids...lots of down time...went to the gym and did light cardio (only 300 calories) to get the blood pumping and hopefully helping things along...but now it's late and I can't really just go to bed -- the lovely Ms. Molly is here for her week with us, and Jack's at work, so I feel the need to at least be conscious--so I am trying to keep myself present...so obviously, Ghetto Sangria is the answer. About equal parts orange juice and red wine...so you get double anti-oxidants and vitamin C!
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