Monday, July 31, 2006
Hot Weather Uptown!
It was actually warm uptown all weekend, which was a real treat. No surprise that I had another busy weekend....
FRIDAY: napped after working a bit late, then headed out to The Blue Olive with Kristi and Ann for a bit. Was still tired so didn't stay for long.
SATURDAY: allergy treatment at Healthy Path, then gym with Lisa and Anthony, then rehearsal then groceries, then a quick bite to eat then Fun-Zai then Christi W's party for a bit. Got home at 1:30 AM.
SUNDAY: bailed on plans to run. Too hot anyway. Saw Miami Vice (was stylish and action-packed), tidied then took a short nap, had rehearsal then read for a bit.
Posted by Dre at 7:17 AM
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Friday, July 28, 2006
Friday's Feast
Appetizer
What's the funniest dream you can remember having?
Hmmm... I don't know if my dreams are ever really funny. They are usually action-adventure.
Soup
If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why?
Great Dane? I have no idea why - I think I just like them :-) It would be fun to be a huge dog who acts like a lap dog!
Salad
Continue this sentence: "I get confused when..."
I don't know what's gong on.
Main Course
Name two things that need to be done, but you are procrastinating in completing.
Colin's birthday painting (his birthday was in January) and design of stained glass panels for summer, autumn and winter to complete the set for the front windows.
Dessert
When was the last time you tried something new, and what was it?
Earlier this week I tried a new recipe for Ginger Fried Beef from one of The Best of Bridge cookbooks.
Posted by Dre at 8:10 AM
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Sensitivities
I went to the Healthy Path Allergy Clinic in Rothesay and got tested for sensitivities yesterday. There were a few surprises (like pork, cucumbers, and cotton), and a couple of dissapointmnets (like coffee and chili powder), but most of them were pretty obvious. What was really interesting was the fact that I could see the level of sensitivity with each thing.
Here is a list of my current sensitivities in groupings from more sensitive to less sensitive;
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mold
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cat hair
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cheeses, milks, detergents, chlorine
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MSG, Lactose-N, nicotine, candida (yeast), grasses
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eggs, brown sugar, cat epithelium
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dust mites, horse hair, weeds
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hot chili oil, pork, black pepper, cucumber, dust, perfume
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bell peppers, coffee, food colourings, yogurt, cotton, trees
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olive oil, tuna, wheat bran, whole wheat, chili powder, dog hair, polyester
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chocolate, soybeans, artificial sweetner, plum, peach, raspberry, strawberry, lactic acid
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Posted by Dre at 8:05 AM
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Thursday, July 27, 2006
In Loving Memory
What sad news when I came in to work and found out that Joanna had to put Stella down. She was a young dog, but she lead a full and wonderful life. My condolences, Joanna. The loss of such a great companion must surely be difficult.
Posted by Dre at 12:50 PM
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Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Phew!
As I mentioned yesterday, I'm now directing the award-winning one-act play, The Zoo Storey for Theatre on the Edge. I'd like to welcome Alex and Keith on board in the roles of Jerry and Peter respectively. We only have 3 short weeks until opening night, so we start rehearsals tonight.
I'd also like to point out that I've updated and added a number of links along the left.
Posted by Dre at 7:20 AM
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Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Trying to Roll With The Punches
Three weeks until Theatre on the Edge and I was just getting started with rehearsals for The Spelling Bee when I heard from Huey who had to drop out. Since we don't have anyone around who can fill in for him, we'll have to put that show on the back burner for now. Perhaps we can do it next year!
So, Jay has suggested a play by Edward Albee called The Zoo Story to fill the void and I really like it! I found a good descriotion of it on enotes.com:
"The story, in simplest terms, is about how a man who is consumed with loneliness starts up a conversation with another man on a bench in Central Park and eventually forces him to participate in an act of violence. According to Matthew Roudane, who quoted a 1974 interview with Albee in his Understanding Edward Albee, the playwright maintained that he got the idea for The Zoo Story while working for Western Union: "I was always delivering telegrams to people in rooming houses. I met [the models for] all those people in the play in rooming houses. Jerry, the hero, is still around." Combining both realistic and absurd elements, Albee has constructed a short but multi-leveled play dealing with issues of human isolation, loneliness, class differences, and the dangers of inaction within American society. He focuses on the need for people to acknowledge and understand each other's differences. After garnering its initial critical praise, The Zoo Story went on to win the Village Voice Obie Award for best play and ran for a total of 582 performances. The Zoo Story continues to be a favorite with university and small theatre companies and persists in shocking and profoundly affecting its audiences."
So now it's just a matter of getting it cast and getting going with rehearsals. Hopefully I'll have that worked out by the end of the day!
Posted by Dre at 12:50 PM
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Monday, July 24, 2006
Weekend in Review
Friday was a blissfully quiet day at work as about half of the office had taken the day off. I managed to get ton done and felt great about it. After work, I got my stuff together and headed over to the Gothic Arches for another evening of makeup for Macbeth. I wasn't in the mood to socialize and I knew the cast party would be Saturday night so I just headed home to relax for the remainder of my evening.
Saturday was a pretty decent day. I went through my cookbooks and found an old recipe that I hadn't made in years so I could bring something to the cast party (which was a potluck). I made sweet & spicy cashew chicken. I enjoyed the process and found that it forced me to slow down for a while and get into a bit of a zone. The next thing I knew, it was time to head back over to the Gothic Arches for the last round of Macbeth makeup. After the show, I brushed out the witches hair pieces and then headed to my place for a "pit stop" with Kristi to get changed, have a quick glass of wine and freshen up. I guess we took a bit longer than expected, as we got a call from someone at the arches informing us that they were waiting on us to do the thank-you speeches - oops! Kizzy joined us and we headed over. Thanks to everyone for the lovely gift certificate to Ambiance Day spa. I plan to use that soon.... perhaps for a pedicure... :-)
The cast party was pretty mellow. I think things got shut down somewhere around 2:30, and since a few of us were still in the mood to keep going, we headed over to Kizzy's. I had a blast singing show tunes at the top of my lungs with Amber - LOL. I think we called it a night around 6:30. I know it was light out as we were leaving. Good times. :-) And of course, that means I spent the better part of Sunday recuperating.
So, a quiet Sunday with a first rehearsal for "The Spelling Bee" that evening. I only had half of my cast there (it's a 2-man show) but we got some stuff covered. Lots for him to think about and work on. After that I finally had the free time and inclination to put on "Angels in America" (which Jay has kindly lent to me). I watched the first part, "Millennium Approaches" while flipping through some cookbooks to find something new to make for myself for dinner. It was lovely and relaxing.
Posted by Dre at 7:58 AM
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Friday, July 21, 2006
Friday Feast #103
Appetizer
Fill in the blanks: I ____________ when I _____________.
I get in "the zone" when I get creative. :-)
Soup
Name something you use to make your home smell good.
I don't use air fresheners. My place smells great when i've jst cleaned it, and it smells best when I've been cooking.
Salad
If you could receive a coupon in the mail for 50% off any product, what would you want it to be for?
Because I could use a new home computer, and since Apple rarely puts anything on sale, I'd choose a MacBook Pro.
Main Course
Besides sleeping, what do you spend the majority of the hours of your typical day doing?
At work, in front of a computer.
Dessert
What can you hear right now while answering these questions?
The not-so-quiet hum of the air conditioning, coworkers on conference calls, one who is on a conference call and is on speakerphone, the printer, and other general office noises.
Posted by Dre at 10:48 AM
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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Aww Yeah
A night of from my theatrical pursuits gave me the opportunity to have a proper meal and clean my apartment. By 10 pm I was done and could relax for a bit with my Xbox. It had been a while since I played Oblivion, so for kicks, I started a new character - this one is a female Wood Elf who is a Bard, born under the sign of the Shadow. I only played long enough to get her out of the sewers - that takes close to an hour. And guess what? Yes, that is right, ladies and gentleman - I have another free evening tonight!OK , so I plan on using half of it to get some things done, but I am so looking forward to just lazing about with the cats!
Posted by Dre at 7:31 AM
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Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Sorry for the delay...
Let's see now... Friday night was another evening of makeup for Macbeth. Saturday was a day "off" which meant I had time to catch up ith Colin over brunch at Reggies before heading out to run errands. Then Saturday evening - back to the Gothic Arches for more Macbeth makeup. Most of the makeup crew was away on the weekend, so I managed to convince Lisa M to help me out. (Thanks, Lisa M, for filling in and doing a great job!) After the show on Saturday night, I stopped out at the Blue Olive for a bit to cheer Kizzy on as she sang with the house band, Opa. Then it was off to the cast party #1 at Allain's for an hour before calling it a night. I was pretty wiped.
I woke up on Sunday feeling exhausted, and subsequently spent most of the day hanging with the cats and snoozing. I finally managed to get up and get going in time to see the 3 PM showing of The Devil Wears Prada, which I quite enjoyed. Sunday evening I did the witches makeup for the Shakespeare Feast, and then headed over to Kizzy's with Kristi and Ann to watch The Producers, which I didn't really enjoy. Although I did wake up the next morning with the tune "Springtime for Hitler" stuck in my head. :-)
Monday woke up with le full-blown cold. Sigh. Had a rough day at work as the cold medications tried to do their thing. Grabbed a much-needed nap at lunch and then again after work and was feeling quite a bit better by the time I had to head for the callback audition for Noises Off. After that I caught up with Jay, Ann, Kristi and Kizzy for a bit before calling it a night. Now I'm just itching to hear back about the callbacks. The waiting is the hardest part.
Posted by Dre at 7:46 AM
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Friday, July 14, 2006
Friday Feast
Appetizer
Name one thing nice that you could do for someone else today.
Just one thing? There are hundreds of tiny little gestures that I could do, such as; respond promptly to an email requesting information, hold a door open for someone, hold the elevator door open for someone, treat a friend to coffee/food/wine, thank someone for something, compliment someone, smile....
Soup
When was the last time you were frightened by the weather?
Just over 10 years ago, I was camping on a hill on a beach in Nova Scotia during a REALLY bad lightening storm.
Salad
What would you say is the most useful website or blog that you visit?
Useful? I'd have to say Google.
Main Course
Who was your favorite singer/group when you were a child?
My first set of favourites would have been Queen, David Bowie and the Bee Gees. Then came Micheal Jackson, who was eventually replaced by INXS.
Dessert
Do you have any rituals? If so, what are they?
I suppose getting ready for work in the moring could be considered one, but otherwise no. I tend to go in phases for my routines, and I don't create or subscribe to any rituals, even when it comes to doing theatre.
Posted by Dre at 7:39 AM
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Thursday, July 13, 2006
Makes me laugh...
I came across this the other day. I'm not sure who did it or where it came from, but it makes me laugh:
Posted by Dre at 12:59 PM
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Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Boil, boil, toil and trouble....
The bulk of my "free" time will be spent doing makeup for Macbeth, which is at the Gothic Arches on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights this week and next week. I've been having fun with the witches and some of the other blood and gore makeup effects....
Posted by Dre at 12:55 PM
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Tuesday, July 11, 2006
In Demand
Work has been super-busy lately. I came back in to the office last night and worked until 1:20 AM, so I'm a wee bit tuckered today. It just seems as though so many things this year keep happening all at once. Tonight is the final dress rehearsal for Macbeth. I hope to have everything sorted out regarding the makeup crew and the orders tonight. Hmm... and I may head back in to the office for a bit if I'm still awake enough after that.... I could really use a few 32-hour days right now.
While working, I've been listening to some fun radio stations and podcasts through iTunes. Sometimes you've just gotta love technology!
Posted by Dre at 12:57 PM
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Monday, July 10, 2006
The Express Train
With so many things on the go lately, I feel as though my life has been on an 'Express Route' of sorts. We finished up Much Ado About Nothing on Friday night and enjoyed a cast party bonfire and BBQ at Scott and Alison's. They have been fantastic hosts over the past couple of weeks! Thank you both so much for all of the fantastic food & company!!
Saturday was a busy one. I'm directing one of the one-act plays for Theatre on the Edge and auditions were at 11. I got a couple of extremely talented people out for my play and it's not an easy decision, but I've made my choice and will contact them today. After the auditions, I spent the afternoon running around to get makeup supplies for Macbeth. I then had the evening off, and actually took some time to relax. I met up with Darren at the Ale House and met a few of his friends, then we decided to try out Thandi for a bite to eat. It's a fairly new restaurant that's where D'Amico's/Il Fornello's used to be, and I've been wanting to give it a try. It was very good and I'd certainly go back. After dinner, we stopped out at the bus station to pick up a makeup order (all the fun theatrical special effects makeup that I get from Nova Scotia) and then we headed out to see Superman Returns. Darren had wanted to see it and I was more than happy to see it again. Once again, I thought it was a fun movie - and the special effects were great! But by the time the movie let out I was exhausted! Huh... I wonder why.... ;-)
Sunday - up nice and early to grab and shower and bite to eat, then put together the makeup kit for Macbeth. We got started at noon, and I think Ann and Suzy (who were awesome help!!) were both pretty shocked to find out that they had spent almost 2 hours applying makeup to cast members. I had a lot of fun with the witches and war wounds. There are a few more items that I still need to pick up, but I should have everything I need by Tuesday evenings final full dress rehearsal. I'm glad I get two dress rehearsals to work out the makeup stuff with this show. If I didn't, I'd at least make a point of doing any special makeup applications (other than normal stage makeup) during a tech run. By the time I got out of there, it was 4:55 PM, and I had plans to meet Richard to do some makeup for his short film at 5. I ran home and picked up my kit and scarfed down some tasty Thandi leftovers before I headed over. That was a fun experience. I got to do some fun special effects stuff on a couple of the actors, and I headed out on location with them and finished making them up when we got there. I hope it looks good on camera. They seemed happy with what I did. I got home around 9:30 and enjoyed a nice long hot shower. I'm still trying to clean some of the makeup and fake blood out from under my fingernails. I know - it's the price I pay for doing that kind of work! :-)
It looks like a busy week at work and a somewhat busy week with makeup for Macbeth, but I'm feeling a bit less frantic at this point so I'm looking forward to it. I'm glad I love doing the things I do!
Posted by Dre at 7:38 AM
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Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Not An Easy Week
It's really hitting home that Jamie has passed away. He was an absolute sweetheart - funny and thoughtful and caring. I know I'll miss him. My heart goes out to Kizzy, who has been through so much this year.
It's performance week for Much Ado About Nothing in Rothesay Commons. If you need a laugh you can find it there.
Posted by Dre at 11:11 AM
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Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Jamie
After a courageous battle with cancer, the death of James "Jamie" Harold Williams Jr., of Saint John, beloved husband of Kizzy Kaye, occurred on Monday, July 3, 2006 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Montreal, PQ on June 3, 1961, he was the son of James H. "Sonny" and Helene (Comeau) Williams of Saint John.
Resting at Brenanís Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 from 7-9 pm and Wednesday, July 5, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X Church, Somerset Street, on Thursday, July 6, 2006 at 11:00 AM, followed by cremation. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to a charity of the donorís choice.
Further details: www.brenansfh.com
Posted by Dre at 12:25 AM
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