Events, Links, Thoughts, Ideas, Opinions.

Too many living statues

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:54:16 -0500

“Get an act” is my first reaction. The city has all but eliminated street performing. They make people “audition” for “slots” and then force them to perform in very specific areas. That seems to me to be the complete opposite of what street performing should be. It seems to me that you want as many different kinds of acts as possible competing for audience attention and “hat” (the tips form the passers by.) That’s how you cultivate the really interesting shows. (That’s how Cirque du Soleil evolved in Montreal.)

Please forgive my minor complaining. Truth be told, I love La Ramblas in spite of the gypsies, in spite of the pick pockets, in spite of the lack luster “living statuary.” I love the idea that the tourist center is a real living breathing cultural center also. In the states and in DC, I’m used to the Smithsonian and its exhibits, but nothing happening for locals. I’m used to anything interesting being off limits, or under so many layers of security that it takes the magic out of the experience. Street performing? Also non existent.

I found some time to wander.

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:02:11 -0500

I love architecture. I especially love architecture that offers something more than a dwelling or an office. Barcelona has changed architecture everywhere for the better. Every street has a structure that provokes thought or love. You would have to be a zombie to stand on the Passeig de Gracias and not have a reaction to some building.

The video post card below is a “quick chop” to show you my first encounters. Even in a fast paced city like Barcelona there are places to stop and watch the world go by.

The big snow

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:11:09 -0500

You will not hear me complaining about this snow yet. My power did not go out. My landlord brought over a huge load of firewood for our fireplace. My roommates have been very cool--two of them even shoveled the huge number of stairs that lead up the hill to our shared house.

The video up here is just a quick post card for those of you who are curious. Yes it was that big, that deep, and that wet. Both roomates who shoveled got pretty overheated doing the work.

I love the new digital technology that allows me to set up a virtual editing suite right in front of my fireplace. What can I say? Life does not suck!

My sister is doing well now but her heat had gone off. The family, all four of them were cuddling under a big blanket with Mike the dog. Pittsburgh’s snow stopped at around twelve inches. When it turned a little too cold for the even the blanket, they all went to the local fire station where the firemen set up a warming station. Ali (my niece) and Liam (my nephew) were treated to some hot dogs and pizza and questions for the firemen. Anne called around 6:00 PM to let me know that the heat was back. I have not heard from my brother Ben. My brother Bill says that the family is holding up fine in Annapolis, but they had quite a bit more wind than we had.

Big things! Big Trips! Big Plans!

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:55:13 -0500

I can’t wait to get started with 2010. I am hitting the ground running at midnight with this latest blog entry. Back in November, I took a class with Master Clown Jango Edwards. He invited me to study at Nouveau Clown Institute in Barcelona, Spain. I will go in the middle of February and stay until the first week of April. While there I will be studying with some of the Master clowns of Europe. I plan to make regular blog entries about my studies. I may also post a few videos if I can figure out a way to participate in the class and shoot well simultaneously.

When I return I will hit the ground running by directing another original musical. This year I will once again take ten extraordinarily talented teens and create a comic extravaganza for the Prince George’s Children’s Theatre. The MNCPPC is receiving original musical submissions until January 7th 2010. E-mail me if you would like more information.

When I return, I also plan to experiment more with Man on the Street video. I have an exciting concept that will turn the idea of a talk show on its head. Check back soon!

I loaded up the truck to move to Cheverly.

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 12:16:36 -0400

July was way too busy for blog entries. Things look quite a bit quieter for August. Prince George’s Children’s Theatre wrapped up. The MNCPPC summer playgrounds are finished. Congress is on August recess. Time to take a deep breath and catch-up.

But no wait! It’s time to move!

Yes, that’s right, I’m moving. I’ll keep my P.O. box in Glen Burnie for a while longer, but my residence will be in the beautiful town of Cheverly Maryland. Cheverly is a suburb of Washington D.C. (on the Metrorail orange line.)

Most of my work has been in the Prince George’s County area so the move only makes sense. I’ve been reluctant in the past because the cost of living in Washington DC is so much higher. By living close to metro, however, I should be able to reduce my travel costs.

I plan to update the blog more frequently as August progresses. Keep checking back to see how everything is going.

Clean-up in Forrest Hills

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

This is in Forest Hills. The flood took out many properties on my sister’s street. My sister and her family are safe. She was relatively lucky. Her basement and garage were wiped out, but the rest of the house was fine. She lost her water heater, her air conditioner, her furnace, both family vehicles, and her washer dryer. She has had to gut her basement. They will eventually be required to tear down the garage.

I lost all of my personal belongings that were in her garage for safe keeping. I now have only some clown props in a small locker in Glen Burnie, my van, the contents of my van, my clothes, two camcorders, and my computer. (That’s more than many folks and I’m grateful for it.) The loss includes my personal souvenirs from my study in Russia, all of my furniture, and my books. Unlike my sister, I did not have insurance on these items. Many items can never be replaced like the photos from Russia in 1992.

My sister would not talk on camera. She is very camera shy. She is the photographer for her own family so very little exists with her visage. As hard as this experience has been, she has managed to keep her spirits up and maintain her sense of humor. When she first evaluated the damage, she came across a “magic eight ball.” She picked it up and looked at the “answer.” “Doom is certain” the eight-ball proclaimed. She laughed. It was the Lymony Snickett edition of the eight ball.

The last couple of weeks

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:30:56 -0400

Because I’m on the run today, I shot a short iSight video. I’ll do a more thorough update when I return after work.

Planet Money Podcast, GGP, Bankruptcy and the Clown.

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:46:57 -0400

Here is the link to the Planet Money Blog.

The Planet Money Podcast Team (National Public Radio) hooked me up with a lawyer, not for legal advice, but to have him explain the bankruptcy process. If you have ever wondered about it, the podcast does an amazing job of explaining it.

The episode title for my interview is GM LOVES BANKRUPTCY. I am in the second half of the program. I have more information on my Children’s entertainment section of my web site. I have a “clog” (Clown+Blog=Clog.) I have an entry where I go into more specifics about the situation I have with General Growth Properties. Pretty soon I’ll do an entry on why the press seems to like my story so much.

I want to take a moment here to thank the Planet Money Team. I have learned more about this scary economic mess from them than I could have ever gleaned on my own sifting through the regular reports in the media. If you are not listening to Planet Money, then do yourself a huge favor and start.

Never Rained out!

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 08:36:55 -0400

I was scheduled for my regular monthly performance at “Summer Jam” in Hyattsville, Maryland. Normally, SJ is a free outdoor concert with family activities. Today, thanks to the rain, we had to move it indoors. This is why having children’s entertainment is a great plan at these functions. I was able to help the organizers adapt to the changing circumstances and still provide a fun and exciting time for the kids.

Croquet in Annapolis Goes Viral

Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:32 -0400

At this stage of the new media game, every budding videographer wants one thing--a viral video. As of 2:30 PM Thursday, May 21, 2009 I have my first. All thanks to CNN i Report.

I posted the Croquet match video to CNN iReport in the afternoon of May 20. I also posted to Current TV. The iReport website staff vetted it, called me personally, asked me about the details and then gave it the “On CNN” badge.When I went to sleep at 11:30 PM, I had about 1500 or so hits.

At this moment, 3:26 PM Thursday 5/21/09, 10,350 times. It made most viewed and most shared lists. Thanks!