Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Carnival!
Sometime last week was the Cuba Street Carnival in Wellington. Some of my fellow salsa buddies were involved, as was our salsa teacher extraordinaire, in full parrot (toucan?) glory. I hope, if I were still there, I could've dressed up as a big bird and danced through the streets as well...
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Tui
I had a dream last night whose soundtrack was the crazy and beautiful chirp of the Tui.
This reminded me so much of living in Wellington that it hurt -- I forgot how constant the sound of the Tui is all over the city and its environs. It's so distinct and, to me - now that I'm no longer there - haunting.
You can listen to the Tui song here...and feel like you're in the middle of the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.
It's so much a part of life in NZ, they even named a beer after it:
Friday, January 26, 2007
Brrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Okay, just a couple of weeks ago we had unseasonably warm weather for January: one day temps were even in the 70s. It was hard to enjoy because everyone just looked and felt confused and uncomfortable all day -- isn't it January???
Now, however, things have normalized. And by normalized I mean it is now the coldest day in NY in 10 years. I woke up this morning and the local news channel showed 9 degrees as the temperature.
Fahrenheit.
Anything warmer than this will feel balmy in comparison, and I'm very much looking forward to it.
Stay warm!
Now, however, things have normalized. And by normalized I mean it is now the coldest day in NY in 10 years. I woke up this morning and the local news channel showed 9 degrees as the temperature.
Fahrenheit.
Anything warmer than this will feel balmy in comparison, and I'm very much looking forward to it.
Stay warm!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Star Trek
I've had two auditions since coming home three months ago. The first was right after Thanksgiving. It was for the understudy in an off-Broadway, one-woman show; the writing was smart, funny, challenging, juicy. It also happened to be the kind of character I can really relate well to.
I went to the audition and had a great time: didn't have any regrets about what I "should" have done in that audition room; just had a lot of fun with it. I didn't get the part, but one of the casting directors told me later that I did a really great job. All in all it was a damn positive experience.
My second audition was tonight; about 30 minutes ago, in fact.
I had missed the first audition because of my mom's health scare, and the people were gracious enough to reschedule it during call-backs.
The project was a set of shows showcasing the writing of a group of graduate playwrights.
During the audition, the actors were given sides (pages/scenes from the script that they want you to read from) and we were paired up to do the scenes together in the audition room.
The sides I was given were written by one of the playwrights whom I actually know. I really like her work, so was glad to be working with her familiar style (remember that word "style". We'll come back to it later).
The other actress and I had a scene which, I'm assuming, takes place in a restaurant or at a party, where Woman #1 sees a guy she used to date, flips out, and Woman #2 tries to placate her.
We did the scene one time, then were asked to flip the roles around so that we each got to read each part once (since we were both women playing Women, and the people there didn't give us any direction about which Woman we were each supposed to play).
Afterwards, the moderator (playwright? director? producer?) who was one of 5 poker-faced auditionees watching us, told us he was going to "ask us to try the scenes in a couple of different styles. They may not seem to fit with the dialogue, but we just want to see what your range is."
At first I thought we were supposed to come up with our own styles, completely off-the-cuff.
I breathed a bit easier when he consulted his binder for his notes.
I started wondering if one style would be something like film noir, or better yet, spaghetti western! Something I could sink my teeth into!
The first was a professor-student relationship in the professor's office. Awkward, yes, considering the dialogue didn't give much room for a scholarly interpretation. But we gave it a whirl and hoped for the best.
When we were done, we were told that the next style would be...
Star Trek.
I waited for the punchline, only to see that they were completely serious. In a very un-funny way.
I was forced to do the scene, which gave absolutely no room for any type of outer-galactic fun, as a very lame William Shatner. Complete with futuristic wooshing doors.
Is this acting, you ask?
Not on this planet. And I left feeling like an asshole whose time was completely wasted. Not only that, but the ridiculous part of me felt bad for LETTING THEM DOWN by not doing a better Start Trek.
Welcome to the life of an actor.
I went to the audition and had a great time: didn't have any regrets about what I "should" have done in that audition room; just had a lot of fun with it. I didn't get the part, but one of the casting directors told me later that I did a really great job. All in all it was a damn positive experience.
My second audition was tonight; about 30 minutes ago, in fact.
I had missed the first audition because of my mom's health scare, and the people were gracious enough to reschedule it during call-backs.
The project was a set of shows showcasing the writing of a group of graduate playwrights.
During the audition, the actors were given sides (pages/scenes from the script that they want you to read from) and we were paired up to do the scenes together in the audition room.
The sides I was given were written by one of the playwrights whom I actually know. I really like her work, so was glad to be working with her familiar style (remember that word "style". We'll come back to it later).
The other actress and I had a scene which, I'm assuming, takes place in a restaurant or at a party, where Woman #1 sees a guy she used to date, flips out, and Woman #2 tries to placate her.
We did the scene one time, then were asked to flip the roles around so that we each got to read each part once (since we were both women playing Women, and the people there didn't give us any direction about which Woman we were each supposed to play).
Afterwards, the moderator (playwright? director? producer?) who was one of 5 poker-faced auditionees watching us, told us he was going to "ask us to try the scenes in a couple of different styles. They may not seem to fit with the dialogue, but we just want to see what your range is."
At first I thought we were supposed to come up with our own styles, completely off-the-cuff.
I breathed a bit easier when he consulted his binder for his notes.
I started wondering if one style would be something like film noir, or better yet, spaghetti western! Something I could sink my teeth into!
The first was a professor-student relationship in the professor's office. Awkward, yes, considering the dialogue didn't give much room for a scholarly interpretation. But we gave it a whirl and hoped for the best.
When we were done, we were told that the next style would be...
Star Trek.
I waited for the punchline, only to see that they were completely serious. In a very un-funny way.
I was forced to do the scene, which gave absolutely no room for any type of outer-galactic fun, as a very lame William Shatner. Complete with futuristic wooshing doors.
Is this acting, you ask?
Not on this planet. And I left feeling like an asshole whose time was completely wasted. Not only that, but the ridiculous part of me felt bad for LETTING THEM DOWN by not doing a better Start Trek.
Welcome to the life of an actor.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Story of New Zealand
Oooh!!! And if anyone's heard me go on and on about Feijoa vodka, this is the company that is responsible: 42 Below Vodka.
Not only is their vodka AMAZING (and hard to come by, even in NYC)...but they have some sweet commercials.
Those with a working knowledge of kiwi culture will probably appreciate it most:
p.s. drink Feijoa vodka and apple juice. You won't regret it.
Not only is their vodka AMAZING (and hard to come by, even in NYC)...but they have some sweet commercials.
Those with a working knowledge of kiwi culture will probably appreciate it most:
p.s. drink Feijoa vodka and apple juice. You won't regret it.
NZ-sick
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for NZ and Wellington (I've been home for 3 months already!!!) so I'm going to post some vids that remind me so much of the NZ vibe:
Salmonella Dub, Love Your Ways
One of my first obsessions with kiwi music. I was introduced to their sound when I visited NZ the first time by my Kiwi Experience bus driver Q. It was the perfect soundtrack to driving around the beautiful and remote East Cape.
Fat Freddy's Drop, Wandering Eye
Got into them when I moved to Wellington. They apparently put on an amazing show.
Will post more when the inspiration hits me. Don't forget to check out the togs ad below!
Salmonella Dub, Love Your Ways
One of my first obsessions with kiwi music. I was introduced to their sound when I visited NZ the first time by my Kiwi Experience bus driver Q. It was the perfect soundtrack to driving around the beautiful and remote East Cape.
Fat Freddy's Drop, Wandering Eye
Got into them when I moved to Wellington. They apparently put on an amazing show.
Will post more when the inspiration hits me. Don't forget to check out the togs ad below!
Update: Mom
She's out of the hospital and feeling a lot better. They still don't know what's wrong with her small intestine, but at least she's not anemic nor in pain. Thanks for all your kind words!!!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Mom
My mom is back in the hospital for the same reason that brought her there in September. They don't know what is causing it, but hopefully will figure it out at some point soon. Please send your good vibes.
C.
C.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Peoria
Just got back from spending a few days with Mike and his family in Peoria, Illinois. I had a really great time and can't wait to go back during the summer or some other season when I'll get to see all the corn growing and the farms working away. It's lovely to see all of that open space dotted with farmhouses, silos, weather vanes, and things called grain elevators...which *I think* is what lifts the grain up into the silos.
Drove into St Louis on Wednesday to see Mike's brother Scott and his partner Jason. We got there in time to have a fun Mexican dinner and then head back to Peoria.
Here are some photos/videos from the trip, although I didn't take nearly as many as I should have!
Morning drink at the airport
Silliness after my double bloody mary
At the gate, waiting for the flight to Chicago
At the Bradley vs. Loyola game
Mike's father Terry and cousin Joey at the game
Santa hanging out with the band
Mike with Joey waiting for the Bradley players' entrance (they high-five all the kids that wait by the court).
Me, Karen (Mike's mom), and Terry (Mike's dad) in St Louis
Jason and Scott
blah, blah, blah
Karen and Terry
Drove into St Louis on Wednesday to see Mike's brother Scott and his partner Jason. We got there in time to have a fun Mexican dinner and then head back to Peoria.
Here are some photos/videos from the trip, although I didn't take nearly as many as I should have!
Morning drink at the airport
Silliness after my double bloody mary
At the gate, waiting for the flight to Chicago
At the Bradley vs. Loyola game
Mike's father Terry and cousin Joey at the game
Santa hanging out with the band
Mike with Joey waiting for the Bradley players' entrance (they high-five all the kids that wait by the court).
Me, Karen (Mike's mom), and Terry (Mike's dad) in St Louis
Jason and Scott
blah, blah, blah
Karen and TerryThat's it for now...
Happy holidays!!!
Happy holidays!!!
Friday, December 01, 2006
Goldstein
Awesome. NZ is keeping my memories strong:
If you're familiar with the ANZ ad campaign in NZ, then you know all about Goldstein. He's the funny-looking, bespectacled, toothy American banker sent to NZ on business. Much of his exploits include enjoying the scenery and culture of NZ instead of actually working, American-style. He is often seen on the phone with his boss back in the US (New York, perhaps?) giving updates while, at the same time, pulling the wool over his eyes.
Had jury duty this week.
On my first day, stuck in a room with 100 other people, they called the first panel of prospective jurors to be questioned for a case. They didn't call my name, but as I watched the ones called gather at the front of the room, I recognized a familiar face.
Goldstein.
Virtually unknown here, he's a very familiar face on the other side of the world. Ran and emailed all my buddies down under.
Totally made my day. :)
If you're familiar with the ANZ ad campaign in NZ, then you know all about Goldstein. He's the funny-looking, bespectacled, toothy American banker sent to NZ on business. Much of his exploits include enjoying the scenery and culture of NZ instead of actually working, American-style. He is often seen on the phone with his boss back in the US (New York, perhaps?) giving updates while, at the same time, pulling the wool over his eyes.
Had jury duty this week.
On my first day, stuck in a room with 100 other people, they called the first panel of prospective jurors to be questioned for a case. They didn't call my name, but as I watched the ones called gather at the front of the room, I recognized a familiar face.
Goldstein.
Virtually unknown here, he's a very familiar face on the other side of the world. Ran and emailed all my buddies down under.
Totally made my day. :)
Monday, November 20, 2006
I miss...
kumara
Bro'Town
lack of insulation/central heating
walking along Oriental Parade
caffe eis
chocolate fish
tip top hokey pokey ice cream
pavlova
hell pizza
eftpos cards
"flavour", "colour", "favour"
"realise", "civilised", "capitalise"
Bro'Town
lack of insulation/central heating
walking along Oriental Parade
caffe eis
chocolate fish
tip top hokey pokey ice cream
pavlova
hell pizza
eftpos cards
"flavour", "colour", "favour"
"realise", "civilised", "capitalise"
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Storm King and Upstate NY
My first weekend back, Mike and I went upstate to Storm King Art Center in upstate New York. It was the perfect weekend for it, as the fall colours were in full bloom...
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