Random Musings and Goings On

I haven’t had the time or thoughts to blog as of late. I just finished Playing Bare with Evolution Theatre, and was happily surprised when I got a cheque! It was a small cheque but more then I anticipated.

Now Tim and I get hot and heavy into rehearsals as we direct the Tototoo theatre One acts. I am scared…..the one play we find easier to direct then the other and I am hoping inspiration hits us as we work on the second one.

On to random thoughts. The credit crisis in the US is scary. My friend predicted this last year even so far as saying September 2008 was going to be the month everything unravelled…well guess what????? Lehmann Brothers, Merrill Lynch == this is just the beginning folks. Even my old friend who works at TD Waterhouse said “hold on to your hats!” I am just glad I don’t have that type of investments.

And why if oil per barrel is trading at $97, is the price at the pumps staying the same? Things that make you go HMMMMMM….

On another note of things that make you go hmmmmm, and this some will find a controversial statement however I am allowed my opinion --- the 7th anniversary of September 11th came and went. There was a rally on Parliament Hill for Ottawa 9/11 Truth but apparently it was a sad turn out with only 3000 people. Instead what got major news was the sappy re-enforcing of “the Muslims terrorists did it” even thought there are more and more of us who have researched this topic to many ends with scientific scholars and high profile military folks, and airline pilots who now say it was an Inside job. I truly believe this to be the case. I hope someday the truth comes out. But by then it will be too late. I mean the truth about JFK’s assassination is there to be read, you just have to find it….does anyone care that his own government killed him and pinned it on a patsy named Oswald. NOPE. They turn a blind eye. Does anyone care either that Pearl Harbour was a False Flag and the US wanted and knew it would happen, just so they could get into the war? Same thing will happen in this case. Once the truth comes out it will be so far away that people won’t care to do anything about it. And the sappy two faced vigils or ceremonies will continue with the criminals behind it sad faced and acting as if they were not responsible, that they were part of the American public victimized by “terrorists”. It sickens me to know end that greed of money overcomes preserving human life of your own people. In the mean time, people are more discriminatory against those of the Muslim faith, children, families are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan with no end in sight. All because of money…which is turning down and crashing anyways…so what was the point? OH YA, so the powers that be can chip away at “democracy” and eventually control the population – done so slowly that we accept it as it goes. Don’t think it’s happening…? Think again.

I know there will be those who read the above and say – she’s crazy. Maybe I am, but if you have read the sources I have read from the much respected folks who wrote them and believe it too, you too might change your mind. I will not do the work for you though. But Steven Jones’ papers are a start.

However I am strangely optimistic. You know why? Cause right now everything is ok for me and I want to live and enjoy life one moment at a time. Might as well. This could be as good as it gets. I used to get stressed out about it, but what is the point? Just live moment to moment I say. That is why I am usually in a good mood I think.

But on to even happier topics…..I had a wonderful wedding Anniversary with my best friend and hubby – Tim Ginley. We had a beautiful brunch at Les Fougeres in Chelsea, followed by an afternoon at the Nordik Spa, and a nice dinner at my folks. I thought I was going to fall asleep at my parents house I was so relaxed – but wasn’t sure if it was from the spa or the fact that I had partied at the cast party for Playing Bare until 3am the night before. Maybe it was both. Anyways…so good.

And many projects in the fire. Rehearsing with Tototoo, working FOH for the new Gladstone theatre, play development project with my friend Riley, auditions coming up with Vision Theatre for the January show, and potentially another project I am not at liberty to announce yet…..but it’s exciting if it comes to fruition!!!!!!

I am also really really stoned right now on Sinus meds……I knew there was a reason why I hated taking them. I forget then I take them and wish I hadn’t. Damn you Golden Rod and Rag Weed. Damn you to hell!

Sometimes Happy, Sometimes not so much.....

Some things make me very happy. I just recently opened a show with Evolution theatre called Playing Bare, which has a great cast and crew – so come see it!! And the wonderful show that was The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine was nominated as Best Theatrical Production for Le Prix Golden Cherry (Saw Gallery), as well as my co-actor – the fabulous Riley Stewart. Also, the show I am co-directing with my hubby for Tototoo Theatre is going very well indeed. So theatrically speaking, all is super duper. Except I didn’t get that part at GCTC that I wanted even though I had a second call back (OH SO CLOSE). But that is another story.

On another note: You know what annoys me …Agents….talking FOR famous people without having had asked said famous person if they would like to do something we think they’d be willing to do for a wonderful Charitable cause….I can’t say more on that…but Agents irk me. Someday I will expand on this cryptic paragraph…but not today.

However, some things really really make me very ANGRY. I live in a beautiful, peaceful and quiet neighbourhood called Manor Park. It’s full of greenspace, the RCMP Musical Ride, the Aviation Museum, Rockliffe Airbase, lots of doggie walks, people can cycle on the parkway on Sundays…..HOWEVER, the NCC in its infinite wisdom (sense the sarcasm here) has decided for us that the best place to put the Interprovincial Bridge is right in front of my house in this beautiful area. Are they NUTS!!!!!! They are apparently letting the truckers decide where the best route is for them. Give me a break! What about the thousands of people who live there every day? What about the Long Term Care facility and Montfort Hospital right beside the Avaition Parkway (I can’t see HOW they’d be able to expand there with the hospital banking on one side and big beautiful homes on the other). It’s pure political pressure, not thought or consideration for the residents of this lovely place.

WE are ready to FIGHT! I am so angry right now this is all I can write. ARRRRGGGHHH.

Tom Welch, A Life Lived - 1942-2008

There once was a man we called “Charlie” to our three Data Model angels here at work. His real name was Tom Welch.

I received this sad news this morning at work after having seen him Friday at the Civic Hospital knowing it would probably be the last time seeing this very special man, much admired co-worker, husband, father, grandfather.

“After a valiant 7 month and 1 day struggle in hospital to hold on to
his precious life with all those who loved him in this world, Dad
succumbed peacefully to carrying on with his journey onward and
upward at 8:45 this morning, Saturday August 23, 2008.

His heart was huge enough to encompass even those he did not
personally know. He will be dearly missed.

The memorial will be held in celebration of his life this Wednesday
August 27th 2008 at 10:00AM. St. Michael & All Angels Anglican
Church, 2112 Belair Drive, Ottawa Ontario, K2C 0W9.

Everyone is welcome,

With all the love that he gave instilled in me,

Maureen”

Tom was a man who knew so much – about his work, love, and life. He was a recipient of a liver transplant 10 years ago and every year would teach us at work about his “Life Day’ the day the transplant gave him life…and shared a big cake in celebration. He always celebrated that day more then his actual birthday. He taught us how important it is to sign and have an extra copy of your donor card. He got 10 extra years due to someone’s generosity in that regard.

He leaves behind a very loving family who I have had the privilege of meeting a few times.

Everyone here at work will truly miss this gifted, patient man, and great mind.

Here’s to you Tom…I hope you have found 3 new “angels” to show you around your special new place.

What I learned in PEI and at the PEI Conservatory

I found a new love. That is the Gentle Island of PEI. The rolling hills, the foggy shoreline, the seaweed, the endless walks on the beaches, the friendly people, the seafood. The Theatre. How does one describe the slower pace, the relaxation and the feeling of being in another country or different world with some aspects of home? I can’t. All I CAN say is I loved it and will be back very soon to that lovely island.

What PEI did teach me is try and be more relaxed. Let things roll off me. Don’t fret or sweat the small stuff. And I discovered I don’t mind “island time” at all…..

As for my Acting Renewal at the PEI Conservatory – I meet some wonderful artists who are very giving and nurturing. They taught me a few things – I knew but now seem older or more settled to let it sink in. I know I NEED Yoga, and want to continue Voice work if I can.

A few key things I took away:…which I already knew…but always good to re-affirm:

“You are enough” "What you need, you already have”

- Connect
- Act/Action
- Tactics/Strategies
- Given Circumstances
- Future Circumstances

Now to apply it!!

The Flat Tires of Life

Sometimes our tires on our bikes go flat, as in life not everything goes your way . Sometimes it can be really tiny things not going your “way”. Like this morning when I went to leave the house my front tire of my bike was flat. Dead. DAMN. Or one of your Terrier is “going through something” and acting out – like peeing on the bed while you are watching TV downstairs, or beating up on her boy (you can guess which Terrier I speak of).

Or you haven’t heard yet of a part that you wanted to get from a very prominent professional theatre company in town – not that you expected to get it in the first place, but it would have been nice. Or you get a $400 water bill….mostly because the City of Ottawa really low balled your estimates over the last year, but also because you have a friggin’ leaky toilet which both you and your hubby are too lazy to get fixed.

Or you go for an oil change for your car and it costs $10 then the last time due to the hire price of crude oil.

Regardless of the flat tires life throws at you, one must role with the punches, glide along and just go with the flow. If you don’t you’ll just go crazy.

I have lots going on, bills to pay, things to do, place to be etc etc. and am I stressed out? Remarkably not…just sleepy. I’ll just go Friday and get my tire fixed. Get that inner tube, pump up that flat tire on my bike and keep on rollin’.

Next stop ---- a hammock and a lobster to feast on in PEI!!!!!!!!!!

Aches and Pains at 35 and Memoirs of a SGWM

OK first for the ACHES AND PAINS:
I can’t believe I am only 35 because sometimes I feel so much older – physically I mean (not mentally that is for certain). I have many aches and pains that have plagued me for sometime and seem to get worse as the time flies.

It all started many years ago when I was 17 when I was playing Field Hockey in High School. I started getting Sciatic pain radiating down my right butt and leg. So what does the doctor do – gives me muscle relaxants….if I only I knew what that and asprin does to your guts (can you say IBS?)…then when I was in the militia the back pain got worse, always on the right side, creeping up to my right shoulder blade, pain down my arm and neck. I was in physio for 2 years..didn’t work. Finally I had a boyfriend (his blog is here—a very very good artist actually) who said “why don’t you try a Chiropractor”? I’ve been going ever since – but not without its pitfalls.

When I started going to the Chiro in Orleans things seemed to go well…however one year my neck went out so badly he didn’t help. I was also tired of bussing out to Orleans from Sandy Hill. So found Dr. Mark DeGruchy. I’ve been with him for 10 years now and he is awesome – not only as a Chiro but as a human being and wellness coach (he gives me tips all the time). My back felt pretty good. Then I started really working out at the gym which was amazing to help the pain, and seeing a massage therapist and viola….relatively pain free manageable back!

Until 2 years ago…..the back is still really good, but the right knee started hurting with pulling pain on the inside when I did squats in Body Pump. Fine – I went to physio. And discovered my outside quad was stronger then my inside quad. It helped a bit. Of course I am very remiss on doing my exercises and I-T band stretch, which is not good. Then last year I did a show with Vision Theatre which was uber physical and now I have been living with Achilles tendonitis for a year now. I can only seem to wear custom orthotics in shoes, or sandals (that are very expensive). I have a lot of tense muscles….I have lots of joint pain….so lately I’ve been biking to work and feeling this knee pain, and still have this ankle pain (all on Right side though). And in the last 6 months my hip has pretty much has this small gnawing pain that I can’t seem to stretch out. There is a pattern I am sure is happening –as they say “The knee bone’s connected to the ankle bone. The ankle bone’s connected to the”…yada yada. My thoughts on this though are…if I hurt like this now, what will it be like when I turn 40? Is it because of my workouts that I have some of this pain?

I am still young. Now I can’t complain too much. I am pretty healthy, don’t get sick very much and my pain probably is no where near some of the people I know. But I have been living with this since I was still really young…so does not seem to bode well for the future. Especially since Fibromyalgia is hereditary. OH JOY. Can’t wait for that to settle in soon!

Tim and I always joke that he should take me outside behind the barn and ….well you know…”take care “ of me…..maybe I should just take him up on that offer now, save myself some trouble. Ah, and a few years ago I thought I was doing so well……

Second for the Memoirs of a SGWM : I'd say go see this show by Tototoo theatre , but then you wouldn't get tickets because it's sold out! I'll give my review next week when I see it Saturday (I know the producer). But this is the theatre company Tim and I are directing shows with. SOLD OUT..yahoo. That bodes well for our shows!

Panic ATTACK!

Ok I think now I am starting to panic a little…..I don’t know what to start with, where to go etc. Do I look at that script I have an audition for Sunday? Do I work on my script for the show I am in right now (since I have to put in the Beats and my characters Actions which is work I really find difficult)? OR Do I re-read, for the millionth time, The Soldier Dreams and Remembering Shanghai (the shows Tim and I are directing). There is also that application Maureen wants us to submit for the Playwriting unit at GCTC (although I don’t fancy myself a playwright we do have a couple of good play ideas). There is starting to be too much going on, and I PRAY for my PEI vacation so I can lie in a hammock, drink wine, eat Lobster, walk with dogs on the beach, play boardgames with my folks, and act a little in a “spa for your talent” acting workshop at the PEI Conservatory. (although I’ll still have to memorize my Playing Bare lines, and go over the One Acts with Tim while there….we will find time….I hope).

In the mean time, I am looking at a potential schedule to start rehearsing our One Act Plays for Tototoo theatre and it’s sort of freaking me out a little. It’s tough enough scheduling a biggish cast with all the conflicts, but when you and your husband are directing, you have two active Terrier dogs, and another play on the go, a house to keep clean and all of lifes 'stuff'….it’s a bit stressful. Then I brilliantly decided to register for Ken Godmere’s OSSD Improv Summer Jam on Thursday nights – which is fine and will be fun, it’s only until the end of August but I will also have Playing Bare rehearsals, and a few Tototoo rehearsals to plan for. Also Tim and I have to break down the plays into beats (which seems easier at first glance then most plays I’ve tried). Ya, that is a lot…FREAK OUT.

THEN, I have 2 big auditions this weekend – one Sunday, and one Monday….if I get the Sunday gig I may have to bow out of directing for Tototoo..but it might work, and I’d have to take the paid gig as my priority so that is fine, but I’d feel bad. Especially since I adore the plays….and I wouldn’t be able to go to Hilton Head South Carolina in November. If I get the Monday Workshop (Shakespeare thingy) it’s a free workshop however will be Sunday Afternoons – I guess we have to rehearse the One Acts Sunday evening then.

Oh ya, and then there is my day job…….in which I hope to find enough time to do the stuff above…hee hee.

Then to top it all off I discover Tim’s Uncle Tony is staying with us July 23rd to the morning we leave for PEI…….

OK, can’t wait for Xmas to relax…..I only hope my blood pressure doesn’t go up and I have a heart attack before then!