I get excited a lot. I get excited when things begin and when they start picking up quickly.
But so many times, that's where it ends. I wait patiently, I wait for however long it takes me to realize that what I thought was a promising beginning was actually the end.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Sunday, July 17, 2016
"Treat Yourself"
I did nothing today. Partially because my day was thrown off balance by having to push back plans with someone who overslept. But that aside... I mentioned to a friend how I did nothing, and they said something that I hate hate hate hate hate for people to tell me.
"Treat yourself!"
What the flip does that even mean.
Why is it a good thing to do nothing? I didn't get this far by doing nothing. Like, if you're going to be a lazy person and think that it's good to slack off, that's fantastic for you, I don't care, you can go do that. But me? I work way too hard to afford to stop.
People also say that when I can't stop myself from eating something like some dessert, or a lot of food. "Treat yourself!" WHAT THE FLIP DOES THAT MEAN.
Why is it a good thing to put unhealthy food into your body? It's so stupid I can't even build an argument against it, cause usually arguments can only be built against things that are made of at least some substance.
Eating unhealthy and accomplishing nothing are not to be encouraged.
At least, that's not how I work. "Treating" myself means working my behind off all day, packing my day with booking it between internship, training, practice, stuff like that, and hitting the bed at night absolutely tired but ready to shoot up the next morning to do it all again. Cause you know what that leads to? It leads to success. It leads to me potentially being better than the lazy person who thinks that staying home all day is a successful day.
I delight in working hard. It feels good. (Same with eating healthy - it feels good.) So when someone tells me to "treat" myself and NOT work hard or NOT eat healthy, that's kind of offensive because... do you really think that I hold myself to such low standards? Do you really think I disrespect myself so much that I give myself a pat on the back for literally doing nothing?
I'm not stupid. So while you're rewarding yourself for being lazy, I'll be crushin' it somewhere across town. See ya later, have fun getting nothing done.
"Treat yourself!"
What the flip does that even mean.
Why is it a good thing to do nothing? I didn't get this far by doing nothing. Like, if you're going to be a lazy person and think that it's good to slack off, that's fantastic for you, I don't care, you can go do that. But me? I work way too hard to afford to stop.
People also say that when I can't stop myself from eating something like some dessert, or a lot of food. "Treat yourself!" WHAT THE FLIP DOES THAT MEAN.
Why is it a good thing to put unhealthy food into your body? It's so stupid I can't even build an argument against it, cause usually arguments can only be built against things that are made of at least some substance.
Eating unhealthy and accomplishing nothing are not to be encouraged.
At least, that's not how I work. "Treating" myself means working my behind off all day, packing my day with booking it between internship, training, practice, stuff like that, and hitting the bed at night absolutely tired but ready to shoot up the next morning to do it all again. Cause you know what that leads to? It leads to success. It leads to me potentially being better than the lazy person who thinks that staying home all day is a successful day.
I delight in working hard. It feels good. (Same with eating healthy - it feels good.) So when someone tells me to "treat" myself and NOT work hard or NOT eat healthy, that's kind of offensive because... do you really think that I hold myself to such low standards? Do you really think I disrespect myself so much that I give myself a pat on the back for literally doing nothing?
I'm not stupid. So while you're rewarding yourself for being lazy, I'll be crushin' it somewhere across town. See ya later, have fun getting nothing done.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Pens For Her
So everyone's kind of blowing up about these pink and purple pens that are "for her". People get the idea that it's a condescending product that suggests that women can't use other pens, pens that they are now mockingly calling "man pens."
Okay, y'all, hold up.
Just because these pens are "women's pens" doesn't automatically make any other pens "man pens."
Nowhere does it say that women can only use these pens and women can only use these pens. These pens are just an option for if somebody wants a pretty pen. Lots of people don't want pretty pens, but some people do. It's kind of a niche market.
I will say that I don't 100% agree with labeling it "for her" because some of these people who want pretty pink and purple pens might be men. And that's not a big deal, that just means they like the colors and the designs, it doesn't necessarily imply anything else.
I don't think that these pens are an issue, besides the company's direct claim that they are for women.
On the other hand, lots of children's toys are getting lots of criticism because they are flowery and pink or (something stereotypically boyish?) and blue. But do these products actually SAY "for girls only" or "for boys only?" I don't think they do; at least, I haven't seen any that say that. People claim that the only toys manufactured for girls are all princesses and flowers and pink and purple, but who's stopping a boy from buying them? What if a boy likes a flowery purple toy? Nothing says he can't buy it. These boundaries are set by the consumers who imagine the line.
That's all I've got for now. I think that people are making too big a deal of "gendered products." For people who care so much about it, they're doing kind of a lousy job of just buying whichever product they want.
Okay, y'all, hold up.
Just because these pens are "women's pens" doesn't automatically make any other pens "man pens."
Nowhere does it say that women can only use these pens and women can only use these pens. These pens are just an option for if somebody wants a pretty pen. Lots of people don't want pretty pens, but some people do. It's kind of a niche market.
I will say that I don't 100% agree with labeling it "for her" because some of these people who want pretty pink and purple pens might be men. And that's not a big deal, that just means they like the colors and the designs, it doesn't necessarily imply anything else.
I don't think that these pens are an issue, besides the company's direct claim that they are for women.
On the other hand, lots of children's toys are getting lots of criticism because they are flowery and pink or (something stereotypically boyish?) and blue. But do these products actually SAY "for girls only" or "for boys only?" I don't think they do; at least, I haven't seen any that say that. People claim that the only toys manufactured for girls are all princesses and flowers and pink and purple, but who's stopping a boy from buying them? What if a boy likes a flowery purple toy? Nothing says he can't buy it. These boundaries are set by the consumers who imagine the line.
That's all I've got for now. I think that people are making too big a deal of "gendered products." For people who care so much about it, they're doing kind of a lousy job of just buying whichever product they want.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Step in Time
I've been having the incredible opportunity of watching rehearsals for Mary Poppins at the theatre I work at.
I tried to keep it down. But I can't. Here goes.
Today, the five hour rehearsal included Step in Time (the tap number where the ensemble is chimney sweeps) and the scenes directly before and after. I'm gonna TELL you about Step in Time.
It was mindblowing. Incredible. Absolutely unreal.
First of all, I adore the interactions that go on between the chimney sweeps. There are so many cute little transactions that occur, you DO NOT have enough eyes to watch them all. They all happen so quickly and swiftly that, chances are, you're missing them. But the chimney sweeps all exhibit a charming camaraderie, and they're constantly shaking hands, patting each other's shoulders, and tossing each other smiles on a whim. It's different each time.
Also, for some reason, lots of the ensemble boys were wearing baseball caps, and at random times when improvising was allowed, you'd catch one whip his hat off his head and tip it to another sweep or whirl it around up above his head.
And directly after the button of the number (that's the very very end of a dance and song), the music goes slow and everything starts happening in slow motion... and everybody does intensely interesting things. This one guy does a backwards somersault from his button position. These three chimney sweeps engage in a three-way handshake, arms crossed over each other. One chimney sweep, who finished the button in the most adorable way - landing on the ground with his chin in his hands, peeking out from between another sweep's legs - gets help standing back up. Bert spits on his hand and little Michael looks with horror as their hands meet... and as the handshake ends and Michael pulls his hand away, he pulls a revolted face and wipes his hand clean. It's all happening in slow motion, and all at once, in a matter of five brilliant seconds, and if you're watching one, it means you're missing all the others.
The most striking thing about these ensemble members is that they are downright charming. There's a number called the the Step in Time Reprise, it's immediately after Step in Time and it's a transition from the rooftops into the Bank's house, and the chimney sweeps interact with the people of the household. The absolute cutest part was a segment that was just added today, when the chimney sweeps, all having fun, swing their hips back and forth - along with matching arm movements - as they wait for their cue from Bert. There's no way to properly explain that part. It's just so cute. SO cute. Also, in another corner, where Mr. Banks's desk lies, one sweep climbs up onto his office chair and starts dancing, as two other sweeps grab his briefcase and toss it back and forth to each other, running around the table with it, as Mr. Banks angrily tries to grab it back. Meanwhile, Ms. Banks is pulled into a salsa with Bert and Miss Brill is tossed around between sweeps. It's a total party. And, at the end of the scene, when the sweeps are all filing out the door (still in dance), the charm reaches a peak as, one by one, the boy chimney sweeps prance past Mr. Banks and individually sing, "Good night, guvnor!" as they spin backwards and tip their hats to him.
But I couldn't give a description of this number without noting the INCREDIBLE tap soloist. Okay. you know how, when a fan starts to move, you can't see where the blades are - it's just a blur of color? That's exactly what happened with his feet. It's the only way I can it. Near the end of the number, his feet started flying so fast that I honestly COULD NOT SEE where they were. He was floating on a cloud of brown and all these incredible NOISES were rocketing out from beneath him.
That wasn't the only moment that left me beyond mindblown. There was one section where the sweeps began to make intricate rhythms by clapping and slapping their shoulders, knees, elbows... it was a relentless string of hands flying, striking skin. They did the thing where you cross your arms (hands tap the opposite elbow) then you bring them back up to the middle, where the backs of your hands slap together, and then back down to elbows, etc. and also this thing there (try this with me) you put your left hand over your right knee, use your right hand to slap your knee, bring it up to slap your left hand, bring it back down to slap your knee, repeat on the other side. And then repeat that. Again. Again. Really fast. REALLY FAST.
Also, let's just not forget when two of the sweeps did ten pirouettes in a row, perfectly synched, and then ended it with a toe-touch jump. It was all too much. So much.
And there's this part where the chimney sweeps, with their brooms in hand, line up in two lines, facing each other, and Mary Poppins and Bert and the kids walk down between the lines, but, as that's happening, just in front of them, the chimney sweeps toss their brooms across the alley to each other. The broom toss occurs in a wave, just as Mary and the others arrive down the row. It's nothing short of impressive.
Also, just by watching, I learned a few new tap steps (from the parts that were slow enough for me to process) and I actually remember quite a bit. I remember the last several 8-counts of the entire number, which is nothing compared to the entirety of the number, but they did the end a few times, so I got to watch it and remember the sequence of the moves. I probably couldn't DO it cause my technique isn't there yet, but I definitely know what's next in the dance.
I think that's all I have to say now. I think I've run my pen dry. I just wanted to write about it on here because I'd been texting a couple of friends throughout the night, and that's all scattered and I wanted a place to have it ALL. So here it is. It'll probably be added to. But anyways, here's this.
In conclusion, my mind is shattered. I question what is real. I watched them rehearse for five entire hours, and during that time they had every ounce of my attention, but, even after that, I can't even begin to describe what just happened right in front of my eyes. Everything I witnessed was far beyond unreal.
And that was just one number.
I tried to keep it down. But I can't. Here goes.
Today, the five hour rehearsal included Step in Time (the tap number where the ensemble is chimney sweeps) and the scenes directly before and after. I'm gonna TELL you about Step in Time.
It was mindblowing. Incredible. Absolutely unreal.
First of all, I adore the interactions that go on between the chimney sweeps. There are so many cute little transactions that occur, you DO NOT have enough eyes to watch them all. They all happen so quickly and swiftly that, chances are, you're missing them. But the chimney sweeps all exhibit a charming camaraderie, and they're constantly shaking hands, patting each other's shoulders, and tossing each other smiles on a whim. It's different each time.
Also, for some reason, lots of the ensemble boys were wearing baseball caps, and at random times when improvising was allowed, you'd catch one whip his hat off his head and tip it to another sweep or whirl it around up above his head.
And directly after the button of the number (that's the very very end of a dance and song), the music goes slow and everything starts happening in slow motion... and everybody does intensely interesting things. This one guy does a backwards somersault from his button position. These three chimney sweeps engage in a three-way handshake, arms crossed over each other. One chimney sweep, who finished the button in the most adorable way - landing on the ground with his chin in his hands, peeking out from between another sweep's legs - gets help standing back up. Bert spits on his hand and little Michael looks with horror as their hands meet... and as the handshake ends and Michael pulls his hand away, he pulls a revolted face and wipes his hand clean. It's all happening in slow motion, and all at once, in a matter of five brilliant seconds, and if you're watching one, it means you're missing all the others.
The most striking thing about these ensemble members is that they are downright charming. There's a number called the the Step in Time Reprise, it's immediately after Step in Time and it's a transition from the rooftops into the Bank's house, and the chimney sweeps interact with the people of the household. The absolute cutest part was a segment that was just added today, when the chimney sweeps, all having fun, swing their hips back and forth - along with matching arm movements - as they wait for their cue from Bert. There's no way to properly explain that part. It's just so cute. SO cute. Also, in another corner, where Mr. Banks's desk lies, one sweep climbs up onto his office chair and starts dancing, as two other sweeps grab his briefcase and toss it back and forth to each other, running around the table with it, as Mr. Banks angrily tries to grab it back. Meanwhile, Ms. Banks is pulled into a salsa with Bert and Miss Brill is tossed around between sweeps. It's a total party. And, at the end of the scene, when the sweeps are all filing out the door (still in dance), the charm reaches a peak as, one by one, the boy chimney sweeps prance past Mr. Banks and individually sing, "Good night, guvnor!" as they spin backwards and tip their hats to him.
But I couldn't give a description of this number without noting the INCREDIBLE tap soloist. Okay. you know how, when a fan starts to move, you can't see where the blades are - it's just a blur of color? That's exactly what happened with his feet. It's the only way I can it. Near the end of the number, his feet started flying so fast that I honestly COULD NOT SEE where they were. He was floating on a cloud of brown and all these incredible NOISES were rocketing out from beneath him.
That wasn't the only moment that left me beyond mindblown. There was one section where the sweeps began to make intricate rhythms by clapping and slapping their shoulders, knees, elbows... it was a relentless string of hands flying, striking skin. They did the thing where you cross your arms (hands tap the opposite elbow) then you bring them back up to the middle, where the backs of your hands slap together, and then back down to elbows, etc. and also this thing there (try this with me) you put your left hand over your right knee, use your right hand to slap your knee, bring it up to slap your left hand, bring it back down to slap your knee, repeat on the other side. And then repeat that. Again. Again. Really fast. REALLY FAST.
Also, let's just not forget when two of the sweeps did ten pirouettes in a row, perfectly synched, and then ended it with a toe-touch jump. It was all too much. So much.
And there's this part where the chimney sweeps, with their brooms in hand, line up in two lines, facing each other, and Mary Poppins and Bert and the kids walk down between the lines, but, as that's happening, just in front of them, the chimney sweeps toss their brooms across the alley to each other. The broom toss occurs in a wave, just as Mary and the others arrive down the row. It's nothing short of impressive.
Also, just by watching, I learned a few new tap steps (from the parts that were slow enough for me to process) and I actually remember quite a bit. I remember the last several 8-counts of the entire number, which is nothing compared to the entirety of the number, but they did the end a few times, so I got to watch it and remember the sequence of the moves. I probably couldn't DO it cause my technique isn't there yet, but I definitely know what's next in the dance.
I think that's all I have to say now. I think I've run my pen dry. I just wanted to write about it on here because I'd been texting a couple of friends throughout the night, and that's all scattered and I wanted a place to have it ALL. So here it is. It'll probably be added to. But anyways, here's this.
In conclusion, my mind is shattered. I question what is real. I watched them rehearse for five entire hours, and during that time they had every ounce of my attention, but, even after that, I can't even begin to describe what just happened right in front of my eyes. Everything I witnessed was far beyond unreal.
And that was just one number.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)