Almost out of here

Photo number one is one I forgot to share with everyone of the Milwaukee Museum. It was a very cool place, with some great art that I was glad to have seen. Not everyday you see a real Monet and a real Warhol in the same place. I could have done without the creepy doll with the moving face however.

Photo number two: What I call - "that's what this place feels like". I am enjoying my camera phone - if you can't tell. The picture quality isn't always great but that not great quality brings a kind of style. So anyway - that's the highway near our current hotel as we walked back after dinner at Denny's last night at 10pm. This kind of wasteland of emptiness sparked by some glaring light is sort of how it's feels here.

Here's another story to emphasize it. One of the actors tried to order a dinner at Denny's last night that was more vegatable then meat. When he asked the waitress what she really thought about the meal she replied:

"I don't really know. I tend to eat brown food."

Yeah - a statement about America and Indy.

The final photo is my salute to brown food and my meal of choice here in Indy. The vending machine at the theatre is helping me out considering the time it takes to grab food on campus and my lack of time to do such things.

I am my father's daughter. Nothing like cheese crackers and peanut butter.

2 days/4 shows til we out of here!

Missing Milwaukee

It has just been one of those days and I wish we were still in Milwaukee.

Not only has the entire day gotten completely away from me and I got nothing done in the midst of much juggling of added things this evening but I just heard the following from Patrick.

A woman came to his booth before show and said she was going to purchase a lot of stuff.

She returned at intermission and said "I like your shirt and hat and liked the show up until that 'black girl kissed that white boy'"

Apparently the woman was on her way out and not coming back for act two - considering - it was probably best

I suppose that was our welcome to Middle America - red state much - unbelievable.

What year is this?

And people wonder why I do so much work with the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Off to bed - tomorrow is another day

Introducing Flat Jason

So while Jason was here in Milwaukee he made a cartoon of himself and explained the 'flat friend' idea. Seems the new thing for school children to do is make drawings of themselves and then mail them into the universe. They expect people to take photos of the flat friend in different locations and then mail the photos back to the child.

In my day we did balloon jamborees. I suppose sending helium ballons into the air on mass isn't very healthy for the world so I think they stopped them. I seem to remember having my balloon go the farthest one year when I was at Autumn Lane.

Anyway - lost the thread... so Flat Jason. He's traveling with Patrick and I.

Photo number one is Flat Jason in his 'house'. I keep him in my aqua folder so he won't get crushed. He seems to like it there.

Photo number two and three are Flat Jason joining Patrick and myself tonight for dinner at a wings place by the theatre. He seemed to enjoy the menu and the beer.

Heck - he enjoyed his beer so much he needed a nap.

Tomorrow is the GOLDEN DAY!!! That technically that means a day off but in this transition I'm not so sure that will be the case.

Either way - still having a blast.

They ain't blue suede...

...but they ain't bad. The bins we are traveling with included at least one full of shoes that aren't being used in the show. To help the 6 trucks we are traveling with pack better tonight was free shoe day.

The other pair that fit was an orange pair of character shoes with heels and if you are reading this you no damn well I am not someone who would wear heels - let alone ORANGE ONES.

The photo is one I forgot to post the other day is of Patrick at the Safe House. I will only tell you it's a neat little theme restuarant here in Milwaukee and, if you can, you should check it out. The bambo curtain behind Patrick's head is because we were sitting in the Japan themed table.

The opening last night went very well. The audience really seemed to get it (even the stuff that might be touchy stuff for the midwest). Hopefully this will convert to great word of mouth and strong sales.

Jason called to tell me the outcome of the Supernova finale. My gal lost so I will not be picking up the Supernova album (or ironically thanks to the piece I just read in the Washington Post the Band Formally known as Supernova - the courts ruled they couldn't keep the name) Although Dilana lost she was courted by the band to produce a solo album - that I will be buying because the gal can sang and has amazing stage presence.

Other than that not much to tell - I am having a blast and prepping for Indianapolis.

Two shows down....

Another Opening....

Yep tonight's the night. Wish us luck...

Oh and look - even the Doctor dropped by to see us .... I didn't get the chance to see if it was bigger on the inside then on the outside though. Okay I realize probably NONE of you got that reference but I don't care. When do you see old police box like phone boxes any more?

The other shot is from my cell phone and is the side of the theatre building with this odd rusty ball piece of art in the foreground. When giving directions it's been fun telling people to walk toward the rusty ball.

I leave you evidence of the mentioned broken glass door and a certain set of advertisements from a certain beer company for a certain friend in upstate NYC.

So far in Milwaukee

By Day four I SPY:
1) A person smashing through a door sending the glass window in the door to the ground. Yep - drunkest city in America alright
2) A gaggle of high school marching bands playing the same two notes over and over and over again.
3) Jason arriving with set pieces that he drove straight here from CT in only 16 hours
4) A truck rental place right out of a movie
5) A person on stilts entertaining people in a flowing gold dress

and (NO JOKE) a MIME!!!!!

That's right folks - and this is just in the short time I have out of the office.

Talk about variety - huh?

All is going very well. Using the quiet time to get ahead of the game with my workload. The elements of the production are coming together nicely and everyone here is so far way GREAT!!

Day One

Milwaukee

Well after a meal with some of the cast and then a group gathering in the lobby to watch Project Runway it's off to bed.

Day one and things went smooth if you don't count the bus to Newark that once it hit Jersey couldn't go faster then 20 miles and hour because the tranmission was shot and the 8 people whose luggage didn't come off the plane because it never got on the plane to begin with.

People were in fine enough spirits about this ground services slight but it certainly made it clear things will never get boring.

More to come as time permits but now bed is calling.

College Degree but get me a MAP!

That's right folks I might have a BFA but common sense and basic knowledge apparently escapes me. In preparation for my travels I had to find a map. This was actually an easy task. I just went to google.com on their picture/photo option and typed in MAP OF USA and in a blink of an eye - MAP OF USA!!

It was quickly downloaded to my hard drive and is now in rotation as my desktop (along with a gaggle of comic book art). It is also attached to this post for everyone's enjoyment.

Yes, I can quote movies I saw 10 years ago or balance the ground transportation for 50 people but ask me where Omaha Nebraska is and I show a weakness. I enjoyed social studies growing up but sucked at geography.

On a positive note I do know what states these cities are in.

The trick is that states are very big places. Very big. So now I know Sacramento is north of LA but south of San Fran. I also know, thanks to Jason, that it's the state capital of California.

I also know Denver is east of Tucson but not by much and that thanks to the Great Lakes that my time spent in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Minnesota will mean things like Lake Effect Snow - see that I remember from growing up on Lake Ontario.

Anyway - bottom line is that the plane leave Wednesday.

My room is no longer my room. My bags are FINGERS CROSSED not OVER WEIGHT. The job is FANTASTIC but hard work.

For those friends in some of these lovely places around the US check out the website to see when I might be in your town

Next lesson - TIME ZONES...

Moved beyond words

For those who haven't seen this musical do so. For those who are cynical and haven't seen this musical do so.

Going to the theatre in the last few years has taken such effort most of the time. Tonight I decided to check off one of the ones on my list to see before I leave town. My expectations were moderate. I wasn't expecting it to blow me away and yet it did. This is not a perfect musical by any means but it has a cast giving it their all and a story that weaves these people's lives very well.

I would rather see a musical that moves me to tears and isn't perfect then one that people consider perfect that leaves me empty.

Those behind this show have made something magical.

After the show we had the chance to talk to one in the cast and I actually started to cry as I thanked her for her wonderful performance. I am not one to have such a reaction ever. Perhaps I am a little emotional because of my state right now but I don't believe that was the case.

This show moved me in a very real way.

I would say people should do what they can to see this show.

Ease on down the road

I don't have a ton of memories from childhood although I have one that is pretty darn clear.

It was around Halloween. I have since looked it up and it had to have been 1978. I would have been 4. I apparently begged my parents to take me to see the movie musical The Wiz. From what I have been told I was a pest until my mother and father finally said fine.

Mom drew the short straw and was the one to take me. I have been told I was fine until Dorothy got to Oz at that point the fear kicked in. The odd sets and crazy costumes in this wacky version of Oz, that I now know was Manhattan all decked out to look weird, was nothing like the Judy Garland Wizard of Oz that I was so fond of.

I freaked and wanted out of that theatre ASAP.

So home we went - not seeing the whole fiilm.

What I still to this day remember are bits and pieces of seeing the film in the theatre and being fine until the brick road was this odd abandoned overpass looking sets. And I remember coming home to find my dad watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special.

Not sure why I felt the need to tell this story from when I was 4 but the title of that song from the show was in my head and so this is what came out of my brain.

So there you go...

Also interesting to note: When I looked up the year the movie came out I discovered it was filmed in large part at the film studios in Astoria. How the world works huh?

A path ending

The old one unofficially ends on Sunday although tomorrow is the insistent office folks offering pizza or the like for some kind of goodbye. I would prefer nothing not because I don't appreciate a good gather or kind words but simply because I never felt much a part of that grouping. Leaving the other places in my life over the next three weeks will carry much more weight and mean so much more.

Tears will make cameos on and off until the 5th of September - I hope my friends are prepared for the sight of them

Playing Games

I think it's safe to say when it comes to Hasbro or Playstation - I love them.

When it comes to poltics and hoop jumping - not so much.

Sure I can debate with the best of them but over the long haul when the back and forth is as effective as slamming ones head against a brick wall - I just want to crawl into a hole and take a nap.

If it's something where a huge wrong is being done I am the first to fight til the bitter end but when it starts looking like whose right is becoming more important than what they are right about - then that's something else.

Hopefully tomorrow my witnessing of such things will end on a fairly painless note but I'm doubtful.

If it doesn't - thank god the 60 day clock is now at 52.

Speaking of 52 - lesbian Batwoman hits the comic book - cover art and all - next Wednesday. There's something to look forward too

60 days.

Last night the words 'I spent the night in jail' were spoken by someone who shares rent with me. Never thought those words would ever be spoken in this home. Seven years in this place and that was a new one. Talk about a point in the 'get the hell out of Dodge department'.

60 days left and what's left to be heard? I think after last night we pretty much covered the last on the list.

I'm looking forward to hitting the road (bonus points for anyone that gets the photo reference) but just want it to begin. My dad would say you can't wish yourself into the future but packing up seven years of memories and yeah I want it all to just begin.

Still not allowing myself to really reflect on the move. Can't bring myself to deal with the emotions but the day is coming when it is all going to wash over me. Today isn't that day though.

Tomorrow the neighborhood peeps and I will be having us some grilling goodness and then it's all work and no play until July 2007.

Big Surprise

Yep - just sharing more news from the world today... what a shock (note the sarcasm)


From Advocate.com

Focus on the Family accused of manipulating research


The right-wing group Focus on the Family is being accused of manipulating research on gays and lesbians in an effort to advance its homophobic agenda. It all began when the Colorado Springs, Colo.–based group released a statement on its Web site refuting the results of a study on lesbian teens conducted by Elizabeth Saewyc of the University of British Columbia. Saewyc’s study found that lesbian teens were more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, but Focus on the Family took an opportunity to use the findings to come up with a different conclusion than what Saewyc found. “Regrettably, [lesbian teens] think they have to embrace homosexuality because pro-gay advocates told them that they were born gay,” claimed Focus on the Family spokeswoman Melissa Fryrear on the group’s site. On Monday, Saewyc responded to Focus on the Family’s claims by telling the Canadian Press, “The research has been hijacked for somebody’s political purposes or ideological purposes, and that’s worrisome.” The conservative group defended itself in the Canadian Press article by bringing up a 2001 study on sexual orientation conducted by Columbia University professor Robert Spitzer. Spitzer said Focus on the Family was once again distorting the facts. “Although a third of the subjects in my study reported having had serious thoughts of suicide related to their homosexuality, not one of them blamed the gay rights movement’s advocating a ‘born gay’ theory of homosexuality as the cause of their suicidal thinking,” Spitzer said. “Focus on the Family should shut down its fib factory and start focusing on the needs of real families,” said Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, a pro-gay advocacy group. “This group mocks science and can’t tell a centrifuge from a centerfold or a test tube from a boob tube. All they understand is the science of spin, which got them into a lot of trouble.” (The Advocate)

Smart TV in the Summer

Okay granted it's summer and one should be enjoying the nice weather and such but if you just want to crash out in front of the television then these two shows are worth the watch.

Deadwood is a gritty western where you have to pay attention to catch the almost Shakespearing langauge and subtext. It has a fabulous cast and is wonderful storytelling. One week you love a character and very likely the next you might hate them. One second a character is ranting and the next they say something that makes you laugh. Set against the backdrop of the real Deadwood it mixes historical fact (Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Hurst, etc) with enough dramatic fiction to make one wish every show on tv was this well produced. Certainly not for the faint of heart, as the violence is as brutal as one might imagine it was back then. Season One and Two are out on DVD for those folks looking to catch up.

Doctor Who is on the opposite end of the spectrum but just as wonderful. The first season just finished on Sci-Fi channel but they are still airing repeats and anyone who likes well written stories should check this series out. It's not only for sci-fi fans so don't let the almost 30 year history of the show or the memories of past incarnations scare you. Re-imagined by Russell T. Davies of Queer as Folk BBC fame the new Doctor Who is as hip as they come. The dialogue is fast and fabulous (paying attention comes in handy here as well though if you don't have an ear for the British Accents) and the storytelling is great not only for younger viewers (the series is promoted as a family show in England) but also smart for the adults in the room. And any tv show that introduces a bi-sexual recurring character who is about to get his own spin off on the BBC is worth my time. Season one is due out on DVD next month... Season Two is airing on the BBC.

So if you are looking for something good on TV to pass the time while waiting for your favorite show to start back up try what's keeping me interested on hot summer nights.

And if you are more of a DVD/TV person than you must look into (in no particular order):

Battlestar Gallactica: The finest show on TV right now
Buffy/Firefly/Angel: You can NEVER go wrong with Whedon
Farscape: For those willing to take the sci-fi leap with a series that is as grown-up as Henson Entertainment has ever gotten. Smart, Funny and Entertaining
Golden Girls: Many season are on DVD and it is probably the finest sitcom ever written - those episodes are timeless
The L Word or Queer As Folk: Like I was going to miss putting these on the list. All the Queer seasons are now on DVD. Only the first two L Words are out so far.

Here's one for Matty...

ENJOY!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVPGKmIAWL0

Why the Daily Show is better 'news' then Fox...

Two people calmly talking on two sides of an issue

http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/06/08/jon-stewart-schools-bill-bennett-on-gay-marriage/

Unlike Fox News...

Choose any O'Reilly Factor for just the opposite.

As for the Daily Show discussion. I appreciate that despite it being a satire show normally that Jon and Bill got to the heart of why it is instead of hiding behind the bull. Bill pointed out his issues with gay 'lifestyles' and Jon, rightfully, pointed out the biological factor.

Worth a watch

What a surprise..

The ploy to distract didn't pass although it stirred up the 'family values' folks. Just like they planned

http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/fma_060706.html

Most homosexuals have straight parents. So what was this guys point?

http://www.senatemajority.com/inhofe_family_not_gay.html

National Security agency may or may not... really? REALLY?!

http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/nsa_060606.html

A friend recently said "Who cares about the phone tapping? They are looking for criminals."

To which I replied - "Until they want to be looking after other people."

Land of the free and the home of the brave - I guess we can't get it all right - right? WRONG!!!!!

When will things start turning around?

Oh Brother...
Chele

A Night off in Vegas

We started the evening at a neighborhood place that was off the strip and off the beaten path. It was a twenty dollar cab ride so it was supposed to feel like going from Hell's Kitchen to Queens but instead was a walk into the almost rural gay life of Vegas. The bar itself was pretty empty, maybe 15 people with my small group of three in the count. It had all the typical Vegas staples like video slots and a cigarette machine which is so odd to see in a bar. It had all the typical dive bar staples like pool table, dart board and dancing area. What was unusual was it also had it's own band of stripping Russian boys.

That's right! As me and my pals played pool club music would interrupt ever so often as three rather built gentleman removed pieces of clothing to the entertainment of the empty room. They weren't unattractive men and their talents were fine enough although their moves repeative so my pool game was frequently halted as the boys in my group made there way to watch.

Following the public entertainment it was announced that lap dances were available. They call it the city of Sin but somehow watching as men snuck behind a big potted plant in the back of the room for their songs worth of grinding seemed a bit surreal.

To add to the local color a woman in a Manilow show tshirt danced with one of her boy pals on the floor now vacated by the thrusting Russians.

One of the boys in my group was then approached by one of the 'talent' and a conversation/negotiation started to take shape but was quickly interrupted by the arrival of our cab to take us to another of Vegas' local gay color.

to be continued...