Aaron Paul on The Price is Right, and A Podcast Recommendation

I have never seen an episode of Breaking Bad, and frankly I've never really been tempted to watch it, and yes I've heard a ton of people, critics and friends alike, saying how addictive it is.  I just can't get over the thought of all the dirty, unclean people, covered in tattoos, doing crystal meth.  Those visuals are extremely unappealing.  Likewise you will probably never catch me watching Sons Of Anarchy, Walking Dead, Justified, or even Duck Dynasty.  Someone has a beaver in their sink?  A dead and bleeding one?  No ma'am Pam.  I don't care how much they love each other or how much they thank Jesus for the opossum they are about to receive from His bounty.

That said, I was turned on to this clip of Aaron Paul, who is in Breaking Bad, is real darn cute, and was featured in an episode of The Price Is Right.  Lemme just say he's real excited to be there.

 



I found this clip thanks to one of my favorite podcasts, NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, which is currently my favorite podcast out there.  It's a weekly panel show with four critics specializing in different aspects of pop culture (comics, music, tv, film) and they discuss what's new, what's old, and what's currently making them happy.  It's a really light and breezy hour, and after awhile they get to feel like your friends, your really smart, highly informed friends.  I couldn't recommend it more.

Batman is Strictly for Boys and "The Wizard of Oz" is Girl's Stuff

Ok.  I'm annoyed.  My dander is up as they say.  I'm feeling some righteous indignation.  I'm ready to go on a tear.  The topic?  The current Wizard of Oz Happy Meal toy at McDonalds.  Yeah, it's a relatively small thing on the surface, but really? 

Apparently, should you go to the drive through and ask for a Happy Meal, you will then be asked if you want a toy for a boy, or for a girl.  If you say it's for a boy, you will get a Batman toy.  If you say the toy is for a girl, you will get a Wizard of Oz toy. 

Does this piss anyone else off or is it just me?  And let me be clear, the Oz toys are not dolls.  They don't have little fashionable dresses on, they are little figures with interlocking yellow brick roads.  There are three boy figures and three girl figures. 

When did McDonald's decide that only girls do or should like The Wizard of Oz?  And why should a little boy or girl automatically be presented with one toy or another?  It's unnecessarily perpetuating gender conformism and it makes any kid who doesn't automatically conform feel just a wee bit awkward.  And don't tell me they won't notice, care, or get the message, because I was one of those kids and I certainly got the message loud and clear when the things I liked didn't conform to standards.  And it's not just little girls who like Oz.  My  cousins Mike and Marc used to watch it over and over.  Every day at one point.   

And don't think it escapes me that one toy is decidedly more violent than the other (with batman action figures in fighting poses and shooting a "batarang").  Oz has always been a pretty peaceful story about discovering the strength within, and I wonder why this has to be judged as a feminine trait.  Is it just because the hero is a girl?  Because there are plenty of men in the story as well.  And who's to say a boy can't relate to Dorothy's search for self?  All I'm really asking is that the employees change their wording and ask customers if they want a Wizard of Oz toy, or a Batman toy.  Done and done. 

Of course, I made a complaint, and if you'd like to do that as well, or you think I'm just a melodramatic guy with too much time on my hands, feel free to check out the current campaign.

Joe's 10 Handy Helpful Hints for On-line Dating!

Most of you who know me, know that I am an online dater, and that I've met a few people on line, a couple of whom I've dated for awhile.  It's worked for me.  And yet, if I'm honest with myself, it's with a touch of shame that I admit this in a public forum, because there's still the stigma that those who are attractive and worthy do not have to resort to this way of meeting men.

For those few of you who are still afraid to do this, let me dispel your fears (let me also clarify that this post is geared primarily toward gay men.  I think women should open their minds to on-line dating as well, but there is admittedly a whole side of that experience that I wouldn't even pretend to know about).

You know that as a gay man it's not that easy to meet people out in the world, because you can't assume the man looking at you for a prolonged amount of time at the Half Priced Book Store is gay.  And should you make the guess that he might be, there is a shitload of risk in that guess.  Maybe lots of other gays are out there meeting each other in the grocery store, the book store, at the taco stand...not me.  I've met a few at the gay bars, I WILL say that there's nothing more exciting than spotting someone adorable in public, striking up a conversation with them, and feeling the jolt as the two of you inch closer and closer, getting high off of each other's body heat, and then you feel his  hand casually graze your arm a couple of times.  I'm not saying don't keep putting yourself out there in the social world, but I am saying it wouldn't hurt to broaden your online horizons.  And besides...  

Everybody's doing it.  It's very prominent, and not just for quick hook-ups.  I know at least ten guys off the top of my head who are online, and most of them are wonderful, charming, very attractive guys.  This is a technological world we live in, this is the wave of the future.  If it helps you to think of it as Amazon.com for sex and relationships, do it.  And once you've decided to do it, you can follow these helpful handy tips!  Get ready for them...

               My Helpful Handy Tips for Successful On-line Dating

1.  Take the time to create a full profile, and do yourself the favor of having a friend that you trust check it out.  They might have thoughts about you that will help sell you as the unique and delightful soul that you are, they'll keep you honest, and keep you from embarrassing yourself. 

2.  Once that's done, stay active on the site.  Do this consistently.  It will keep you visible, and visibility is key.  Visit lots of profiles, rate profiles, message folks, take the silly personality quizzes, update your profile frequently (even subtle changes) and do it regularly, at least once a week.  Get your face out there.  You'll be surprised how shy even the cutest people can be, and if you take the initiative you'll be pleased by how many opportunities you'll get.  In online dating, as in life, you get out what you put in. 

3.  Answer lots of the "preference questions" and be honest.  It's the only way to keep your match percentage accurate.  You want to be open, but not too open.  And if the way your mate answers the question is important, admit that.  For example, if someone thinks being overweight is a deal breaker for them?  Then that's a deal breaker for me.  I have too many insecurities over that shit myself to have their possible acceptance of my weight on my mind.  And who wants to date a fattist anyway?

4.  Post lots of pictures.  And date them.  The main reason people won't contact you is because they worry that when they meet you, you will not measure up to your photos.  Nip that shit in the bud by putting up lots of different photos of yourself, photos notated with the dates taken so they won't have to wonder if that cute little pic of you is from 1998.  This picture things is my biggest worry.  I've got lots of pictures up of me, but they're cute ones and my biggest fear is that I'm projecting a false image.  I mean you don't want to put up unattractive photos of yourself, but neither do you want every shot to be "print worthy".  It's about balance. 

5.  Be positive in your profile.  Everyone hates writing those fucking profiles, and everyone also hates READING about how you hate writing those things.  Neither do we want to see a long list of things you are not looking for in a mate.  That will be apparent in the other parts of your profile, and the last thing someone needs is a reason not to message you.  You should be putting out reasons they should.  Now let's say you are really not into short guys and are determined to put that out there, at least frame it in a positive way (but be aware that that really cute, mildly insecure about his height 5'10 guy might not message you). 

6.  Be honest.  It would really suck if you created a self profile that you think is going to appeal to everyone and don't allow the guy looking exactly for who you are to find you.  Let your freak flag fly bitches!  I used to lie about my age, shave off five years, and no one knew.  But it eventually had to come out anyway, and aside from that it made me feel bad to be doing it.  Plus, I may have gotten more people to visit and message me, but they weren't likely the people who were going to be happy with me in the long run. 

7.  Keep an open mind.  Not everyone photographs well.  Some older guys are still fit and eligible, some younger ones are independent and mature.  Look outside of your list of must haves.  I've met some people who I thought were really hot and low and behold they were, but ten minutes with them felt like an eternity.  Equally, there was a guy that messaged me who I thought would be gangly and awkward and he turned out to be charming, romantic and beyond cute.

8.  If someone messages you, and you are interested, respond with a question pulled from the info you gather from their profile.  "Hey, how's your week been going?" is not in the least bit enticing.  Give them a reason to write back, take some of the pressure off, and let them know that you cared enough to find out about them, which encourages them to do the same for you. 

9.  For your first date, meet in a coffee shop, or a bar with food.  This way you can start with drinks and if it's going well you can extend it by making it dinner or lunch. 

10.  Don't sleep with them on the first date.  If you want anything that has a hope of lasting, do not do it.  I wouldn't even have them back to your place or head over to theirs.  And no, lengthy phone conversations do not add up to date one.  Ever.  I would highly recommend saving these kinds of visits for date four, when you know each other, like each other, and have spent some time exploring each other's mental and emotional lives.  Because once you start exploring the physical, it's easy to stop exploring everything else.   

Voice Memo Ineptitude

I s anyone else out there in the world as confused by this "voice memo" thing on the I phone as I am?  I try to stay with the times, get down with all the technology and these newfangled machines, and I don't think I'm that dense, but I cannot figure this thing out.  On the surface it seems like it would be so convenient.  Always with you, always charged, take it to a rehearsal and easily record your music rehearsals so you can practice at home...but hell if I know how to figure the thing out.  I know how to record and stop, but then to move to a new recording?  How to pause and restart and keep that all on the same file?  How to name things?  And how to simply make the application go away when I want it?  Stymied. 

I tried it a couple of times, but spent so much time fooling around with the thing and stalling the rehearsal process for everyone else that I finally just said "screw you voice memo" and have gone back to lugging my REALLY old school battery powered portable tape recorder around.  At least I know how to use it. 

This incompetence has brought some unexpected delights, though.  Apparently when you synch your phone to your computer, all your voice memos go to your I-tunes in a playlist called "voice memos" and in my case I discovered long forgotten three year old recordings, some of which were intentional and mostly comprised of snippets of harmonies I was trying to learn.  A few of them were completely unintentional and included a 30 minute recording of me getting a haircut three years ago as I awkwardly attempted small talk, as well as   a 15 second clip of an obviously tipsy conversation I was having with a friend in a bar. 
If, by chance you are as inept with your voice memo device as I am, you may have some sweet discoveries in store, so I highly recommend checking this playlist out for forgotten treats (and just try to ignore how horrible your voice sounds magnified on it). 

Voices

I got notice a couple of days ago that my screenplay was not chosen as a semi-finalist for the Austin Film Festival.  Bummer?  Yes.  But the first rejection notice was hardest to take, when my dreams of a personal handwritten letter arriving in the mail declaring my brilliance and hutzpah and handing over a fat and lovely check were dashed.  Anything now, is just another voice saying "no thanks".  No big deal.  And after all, they did weed out from 8,600 submissions down to 80, so I can't feel too awful.  In my heart, I feel this story and this script is good.  And after some time, I'll take another look at it, tighten it up a little and make some changes, but in the meantime?  I feel good.  And there are other competitions to which the script is currently submitted, so there's always hope.

I got some good news today, and I'm pretty excited about it I have to say.  Not ready to discuss it yet, but when I am you will be one of the many to know.

I refilled my meds yesterday, after having gone without for awhile.  I was concerned about the cost and so I let fear eat away, and a month go by, and what a mistake it was, because when I did some investigating, it was so much cheaper than I could have imagined, and so worth it if it means keeping my emotions a little more in perspective and has me asking myself, "what was all the worry for?"

I worry a lot.  Admittedly.  I think we all do to one degree or another.  Give us a mystery like "why hasn't he called today?" or why haven't I heard back from that job" and we will fill it in with the most negative story.  We can do it about our futures too, at least I do, or have in the past.  Something happens, something that leads to a question or concern I can't answer myself and it's tempting to fill myself up with thoughts of "what if".  Not happy little inspirational "what ifs", but why even bother trying type of "what ifs".  "Why bother checking into it as it's gonna cost to get that taken care of  because you probably can't afford it?"  "Why bother auditioning for this part, because you know the usual suspects will be at the audition and will probably get it before you, and you're not exactly what the character breakdown calls for?"  "Why bother submitting for this job because it probably doesn't pay what you are needing..." the list goes on.  Truth is, what does it hurt to check it out?  Really, what's the emotional risk if I do, and what's the real risk if I don't?  I almost always realize after the fact that I was worried about nothing, and when I had cause to worry?  When things didn't turn out just like I wanted them to? 

Carolyn Myss, author of one of my favorite books Sacred Contracts says that if we feel that pull, that inner tug toward something, we need to really evaluate and think before we ignore it.  Because that pull is God energy.  And the outcome?  Maybe it's not that you're supposed to get the job, but that you are supposed to make a connection on the way, keep a metaphysical appointment to affect a life, have an epiphany that will be triggered by the following of these voices.  And besides, all this worry can just lead to self fulfilling prophecies and blow things out of proportion not just in your mind, but in the physical world.  So when is worry ever justified? 

I sometimes think that fear comes in handy and is productive when I'm prepping for something, like an audition.  There are times that fear of failure has driven me to discipline myself, but even then it is very tricky and takes a lot of balancing to make sure that I'm managing the worry and the worry isn't managing me, throwing me into the panic mode wherein I decide it will never be good enough and I shouldn't even bother. 

Worry can become an addiction.  People become entranced with what they see as the virtues of worry.  They think that it some how shows people how dedicated they are that they worry so.  They think it means that they care more than others.  But no one ever seeing you pitch a fit and get upset at yourself as you all work together on a common cause (like a play) is ever going to see you freak out about a missed step or line and think you care more about your craft, the show, the success of the company than they do.  That shit doesn't compute.  It just doesn't enter their mind.  They'll just think you're crazy.   

Best to avoid worry altogether.  And I think it's possible.  It's not easy at first.  It takes a lot of muscle work and determination, and presence of mind until it can become a habit, ingrained.  But every time I do it well it gives me more confidence that I can do it again in the future, and listen to the voice pulling me to say the proverbial "yes", and take a step in that direction. 

"Follies of God" is a Treasure Trove

One of the blogs I love exploring periodically is Follies of God by James Grissom.  It's a kind of scrapbook of journals, interviews and artist profiles compiled during Grissom's writing of his upcoming book on Tennessee Williams.  There's a bounty of information here, and it's not only for fans of Tennessee Williams, but for anyone interested in the craft of acting, the creative process and those who participate.  Williams is one of those artists that leads to a slew of other brilliant artists because his career, his writing, and his life spanned a large swath of theatre history and personalities. 

 

 Grissom conducted some wonderful interviews with Williams in which he expounds on his love of certain actor's and artists like Jessica Tandy, Marlon Brando, Liza Minnelli, Faye Dunaway, Paul Newman, Elia Kazaan and Marilyn Monroe.  However, he also conducted numerous interviews with the artists themselves, not just about Williams, but about what it means to be an actor, writer, dreamer, what it's like to struggle with the process, to doubt and to press on.  It's simply inspirational.

Dream Talk

I dreamt of a fox last night.  A legitimate, came in from the woods to meet me fox, more or less. 

Upon thinking about it, I realize that I've had foxes on the brain in one way or another for a few months.  There was a the grey fox I glimpsed as he ducked into the woods.  There was the fox that had crept into an English home through the cat door and into the bed of the man of the house, startling him when he woke and found his wife wasn't there, there was the conversation about Gene Wilder as the fox in the film version of The Little Prince, and there was the fox in my dreams.

I was visiting a friend, sitting on his or her (I can't remember) couch while he/she was fussing about in the bathroom.  The only light in the room was that coming from the bathroom's cracked door.  I'd never been to this friend's home before so I was sitting rather alertly, watching a couple of his cats wander around the living room, kings of their domain.  And then, amongst them, not sure how I'd missed it, there was a fox.  It leapt onto  the sofa without my calling it, and looked alternatively into my eyes and slightly to the left of me, as if expecting something. 

I was afraid to touch him, because he was not the well groomed, ginger colored dandy of a fox from children's books and old issues of Ranger Rick, but larger, greyer, unkempt, slightly dangerous looking. Not dangerous as in deceitful or malicious (the dream dictionary I consulted suggested that foxes in dreams represent deceit in your midst and if you kill the fox you believe you can overcome the danger.  All this leads me to the already forming conclusion that dream dictionaries are mostly bullshit) but dangerous in a way that he was aware that the step he'd taken was risky, and if it proved unwise he might snap at me.  I got over my fears enough to reach out and pet him, which he allowed, and smooth out the mats in his fur.  That's really all I remember.

There are other pieces of dreams I remember from last night, which may have been connected to the same dream, or completely separate.  Apparently my mind was busy last night. 

There's the dream I had in which I found out that a dear friend of mine was in town working on a show, and had neglected to tell me.  My mind and heart struggled with the desire to reach out to her at the same time that I was miffed by her not seeking me out.  I knew she hadn't meant to hurt my feelings, but the thought that I hadn't even entered her mind was hurtful nonetheless.

There's also the dream in which I happened on a pornographic video of one of my exes.  He'd been a very sweet, incredibly smart psychology student, a poet, handsome with strong features, thick brown hair, and a gregarious nature.  What I saw in the video was some wild man in an oatmeal colored sweater with a thick, matted beard getting ready to engage in a random encounter, which I didn't watch.  It made me sad.  It made me wonder what had happened to the open hearted idealistic guy I had known.  Had he changed, or had he only ever existed in my head?  Which truth was worse?  But I wasn't just sad about that, but sad because he was obviously living a life without me, even if it wasn't the kind of life I wanted myself or would have chosen for him.

I'm sure there's a way in which these bits and pieces twine together to say something about the churning thoughts in my subconscious at this particular time, but I can only grasp at straws right now as to what that way is.

Personal Favorites: My Ten "Desert Island" Films (The Second Five)

6.   The Perks of Being A Wallflower:  This is my newest favorite, and wonderful on so many levels.  I loved the book and had high hopes for the film, which it ultimately exceeded.  The film can't beat the book's intimate nature, but perfectly brings to life every image and emotion the book evokes.  Plus, the actors are the perfect embodiments of the characters, even better than what I had imagined.  Ezra Miller is a multi-layered delight, the kid I wish I'd had the courage to be, and Logan Lehrman grabs is the kid I felt I was (but without his "baby deer in the headlights" beauty).  It really gets that feeling of powerlessness that so overwhelms us as teenagers and continues to plague us as adults.  It definitely has it's cheesey moments, but those moments (like the Rocky Horror sequence) are also the sequences that make me the most nostalgic. 

7.  Snow White and the Seven Dwarves:  The first, and to my mind the greatest of all the Disney animated features.  Artful, ornate, and timeless.  And I love Snow White for all her squeaky voiced naivete, because even though she may not hoist on armor and lead a battle, her strengths are kindness and optimism and a love of animals.  These are traits far more valuable to me than anything Kristen Stewart's sulky ass could manage, so suck it haters. .

8.  Splash:  I've always been fascinated by mermaids, used to sink down to the bottom of the neighbor's pool and look up at the surface, imagining the world above to be some strange and otherworldly place.  Splash looks at all the things that can hold love back and at loves power to overcome those obstacles

9.  The Wizard of Oz:  America's myth.  The greatest quest tale, and one that greatly influenced one of my other favorites, The Muppet Movie.  Pretty much a perfect film.  Iconic performances, iconic music, an aesthetic that has affected the way we see the world in ways we might never completely comprehend.  It's the story and film I hold closest to my heart, partially because it illustrates so perfectly the film's true message (no, not that "there's no place like home" b.s.) that whatever it is you long for, desire and wish to be is already inside you, and accessing it is easier than you ever imagined.    Bonus:  The back story of how everything came together to make this perfect film that almost wasn't is fascinating.  Additional bonus:  While the film owes a lot to the original source material, it doesn't simply regurgitate in unimaginative fashion what was in the book (like the first couple of Harry Potter films) but adds a modern, largely vaudevillian sensibility that makes it its own creature.   

10.  9 to 5:  Strong women kicking ass and taking names, getting what they deserve and doing it with flair.  Three perfect characters who buoy each other up rather than tear each other apart.  Plus those fantasy sequences are completely awesome on their own and I love how they're fueled by realities that foreshadowed their arrival.  I loved the film even more once I was old enough to get over being scandalized by the fact that my heroines smoked pot.  This film was also where I first learned the term "S & M" so it was educational on many levels.

So that's it, my favorite films, my "desert island" movies.  I'd love to hear about yours if you are so inclined to share...

One Last "Zeus in Therapy" Review

Zeus in Therapy closed last Sunday, but one final review appeared a few days ago from Austin Lifestyle Magazine, and I've linked to it for your reading pleasure.  I'm really glad it was so well received and really grateful to have been a part of it.

Personal Favorites: My "Ten "Desert Island" Films (The First Five)

Not only is it fun to compile a list of favorites, but it can also be really enlightening, as the artworks you love tend to say a lot about who you are and what you value in life.  It's interesting to look at what your these pieces share in common, where they overlap, and what that says about you.  On this particular post I'm focusing in on movies, as film is the medium I consume the most of and as far as crossover appeal and what they share? 

Most of my favorite films have elements of fantasy, largely because of the escapist appeal, but also because it helps to use larger than life characters, creatures, natures and possibilities to point up and speak on more complex issues.  All of the films in my list are hopeful.  Even if darkness wins at the end of the movie, the victory will not be lasting.  This is something I both believe, and ocassionally doubt, so these movies have provided a lot of solace in times of uncertainty.  Another thing that most of these films feature is the prominence of strong, risk taking women, and they often feature underdogs, or characters that face a world that underestimates their possibilities. 

These are the films I can watch again and again, so while I may love "Brokeback Mountain" it's not on this list as 've only seen it once and would have to be in a really secure place in my life to want to watch it again.  All that said, here is my current list of favorite films (in no particular order).  Yes, three of them feature Judy Garland, but while her presence helps to really highlight the reasons I love the film and may contribute greatly to why I love the film, it is hardly the sole reason. 

10.  Rear Window:  Pure candy.  The movie which looks into why we love to "watch", gives it's audience so many things to look at and puzzle over (the dog loving couple who sleeps out on their balcony due to the oppressive heat, Miss Lonely Heart and her constant search for love, Miss Torso and the swarm of men surrounding her) the least of which is that man in the apartment across the way.  Toss in the no nonsense, blunt brilliance of Thelma Ritter, the beauty of Grace Kelly lounging about in Edith Head creations, and the frustrating nonchalance in Jimmy Stewart's ability to take her for granted and you have a sumptuous and thrilling movie.

9.  The Clock:  It's such a simple heartfelt story of love about a soldier on leave and the office girl who shows him around New York.  It pays tribute to the ordinary people all around us, and to love in the midst of chaos.  It doesn't hurt that Garland (in her only non-singing role at MGM)is absolutely stunning as the romantic lead.  Bonuses:  It's interesting to note that Richard Linklater made this film required viewing for Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke when they were making Before Sunset, and that Stephen Sondheim loved it so much that he attempted a musical adaptation of it early in his career.

8. The Muppet Movie:  I love quest films and this is one of the best.  It's so ingeniously crafted, heartfelt and bizarre; a lifeline to anyone who has ever felt like a misfit.  I wore out the movie soundtrack as a kid, and had the poster hanging on my wall.

7.  Defending Your Life:  Like a lot of the movies on this list, it not only has a beautiful message and a concise story, but has so many nuggets to enjoy like a great cameo by Shirley Maclaine, a charming performance by Meryl Streep, and a fascinating limbo world called Judgement City where you wait out your fate and in the meantime can bowl, review your past lives and eat as much as you want without getting full or fat.  At the heart of this film for me though, is Albert Brooks and his intense relatability. 

6.  A Star is Born (1954):  So mythic.  It's the ultimate Hollywood tragedy, and it's beautifully shot by George Cukor, written by Moss Hart, with a performance by Garland in which she both sings and acts her overflowing heart out.  If you are my friend, and you are at all willing, we've probably watched this together, or it's on our list of things to do.  It's my personal favorite. 

Come and Sit While Grandma Tells You About Her Corns

It turns out, the thing that I was calling a bone spur, blah-blah-blah, etc. was just a...corn.  Gross.  Having one makes me feel about ninety, in spite of the fact that anyone can get one, and it's pretty easy to get taken care of.  Any way, the reason I mentioned it is because yesterday I was back to running for the first time in months.  True, it wasn't an amazing time (2 miles in 23 minutes) but it was a good start and I'm looking forward to getting back in the groove.  I in no way pretend to be one of those runner types, but I have kind of missed it, and it does make me feel like I'm moving physically in the world.

Last night my friend Mark and I saw 2001: Space Odyssey at the Paramount.  Because Zeus in Therapy has taken up most of my time and energy the past couple of months I hadn't had time to check out the Summer Classic Movie Fest, so in the last gasp I am trying to see as many of them as I can.  As far as 2001?  I really enjoyed the first half (although there were some moments of mind numbing slowness) and it certainly moved a lot faster in the second half, but then it took a turn into crazy town and got confusing as all get out.  What was with that broken lava lamp scene?  And the surreal moments in the lit floor hotel room? 

Mark mentioned that the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and Rock Hudson, upon seeing it, headed up the aisle asking "Will someone tell me what the hell this is about?" There are questions as to whether he stayed for the full film or not, but if he made it to the second half, I concur, completely.  Luckily Mark, font of knowledge that he is, explained some of the theories as to what the film meant, and once that was explained...well I get it.  But shouldn't a film be comprehensible on its own merit and not through a middle man? 

My callback for Ordinary Days has come and gone and I would say it went all right.  Not perfect by any means, and all the usual suspects were there, so who knows what's going to happen.  It's strange how you can cram that music into your head and think you are ready for an audition and then when nerves take over all the tempos and entrances go out the proverbial window.  I can be happy and proud of myself for overcoming nerves to go out for it, and trust that if the part is for me, it will be.  In the meantime, someone else who saw the show has asked me to audition for their upcoming musical, so there's definitely a sense of possibility in the air. 

In truth, possibility is all around.  I've been submitting my writing for possible production and for competitions, sending out my work resume, auditioning, writing, and getting back to being social now that the show is over and I can focus on being with people who are not part of the cast and crew...it's all positive movement creating momentum.

As far as any romantic prospects?  I feel good about them.  It's been a bit of a stagnant pond lately, as I haven't really dated any one since April and I'm beginning to feel like I've seen all that I'm interested in seeing, but who knows what surprises await?