Sunday, May 31, 2015

What We All Are

adjective
  1. 1.
    (of an object, substance, or resource) of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.
    "precious works of art"
    synonyms:valuablecostlyexpensiveMore
noun
  1. 1.
    used as a term of address to a beloved person.
    "don't be frightened, my precious"


The movie, "Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" By Sapphire", tells the story of Clareece Jones, nicknamed Precious, who has lived all her life with a verbally and physically abusive mother and a now absent father who sexually abused her, leading to two pregnancies.  With no ability to read or write, Precious has little prospect of a better life and further more completely believes in the abusive words of her unworthiness thrown at her by those meant to love her; her very own family.  But, a miracle occurs when she learns of an alternative school where she finds people wanting to help her and where she discovers herself.


The film is brilliantly directed and filmed by Lee Daniels with an all-star cast and stars new talent, .

At the alternative school, Precious discovers that she has some remaining shreds of integrity and strength and it is with that that she "breaks through".  We can follow in her footsteps, choosing to follow our own path, our destiny, our reason for being.  We can decide to not allow those that try to hinder us with word or deed to knock us out, but to use that to fuel our success.  As we begin to flourish and thrive, we discover that we too are truly "Precious" and divine.


In Search of "Dream Cast"




"Dreamcast" (written by my good friend, Catherine Hansen) read like a novel version of the film, "Waiting For Guffman".  Yet, I find the characters in this novel to be more highly developed than that of the aforementioned film.  Could that be, perhaps, because in novels authors can go into more depth of character than in films?  Who knows? For this reason, I would love to see "Dreamcast" adapted into a play format or even a screenplay.  

It's a laugh out loud funny story, as we follow the characters through the ins and outs of putting on a community theatre production, something Hansen knows of quite well.  Even more that I know her personally, her sense of humor comes alive through these pages, just as she is in life, genuine and personable.  

As an actress who has done a bit of community theatre, I felt as if I knew the characters personally, as if I have worked with them myself.  

As the story opens on auditions for the cast of thousands musical, "The Sound of Music", the reader sees the highs and lows of the production unfold, from the lives of the under-paid (or not at all) community theatre professionals, the politics therein, and the various thoughts on the nature of good community theatre.   (Does musical theatre count?) 


A must summer read!  Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

'Wild' About Reese


First off,  I must say that the performance of Ms. Reese Witherspoon was outstanding and by far one of her best works I have seen as yet.  And, I happen to be a longstanding fan of this beautiful and talented actress.

Reese isn't afraid to go to the places of self-discovery the character, Cheryl Strayed (real person), calls for in her journey towards wholeness.  Reese allows herself to become "ugly", not just through the dirt and grime of the PCT but also through the honesty of her poor life choices and her journey to heal and reclaim her identity apart from them.  All too often, I have needed and been on similar life treks in order to free myself from the demons within.

The story, Wild, is told through a stream of consciousness-type revealing by Cheryl as past and present scenes merge throughout her journey.  Along the way, Cheryl's inner strength and beauty begins to emerge as she sheds past pain, sorrows, and learns to forgive herself.

As the journey ends, she discovers that all of her life led her to where she is, in the end all aspects of her life worked together for her benefit, whether good or bad at the moment.


This film touched me deeply because of my life-journey and simultaneous struggle to discover my true self and true calling.  Finally, once I did, the peace and forgiveness I discovered with my past and as Cheryl discovered I am now at last free and...WILD!

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Fifty Shades of...What?!?!


First off, I have to say I really like the main character, Anastasia Steele.   Overall, I find her character to be simpatico and her development to be the reason I keep turning the pages.  After all, the story unfolds through her eyes, we see it through her viewpoint and it is because of her that we are intrigued.  Without giving too much a way, the ending of the novel leaves me wanting more, more, more as I call out with Anastasia, which leaves me grateful there are two more books to follow.


The other characters, including the enigmatic Christian Grey, are a bit disappointing, as in they appear to be a bit one dimensional in description.  However, the man Grey appears a bit more promising for further reading as we learn of his relationship with the mysterious "Mrs. Robinson". The interest in BDSM, as Grey continues to point out, helped him get over early childhood trauma.  For this reason, I do not see the portrayal of this sexual interest depicted in the negative, as some would protest.  No, its Grey that insists he's "50 Shades of Fucked Up" (a nice touch) not because of his sexual interests but due to his early upbringing and that its the sexual dalliances that are helping to heal him.  In my opinion, this does not show BDSM in any sort of negative means, although to those who partake it may appear differently and may also come across differently in the film.

I found the growing relationship of that of Grey and Steele expressed only in words yet not shown through actions.  Aside from their sexual explorations, the development of the relationship seemed more about them saying "how much they cared" yet did not seem to show those budding feelings.  Through Anastasia's confusing jumble of feelings, I saw them both trapped in the popular twenty-something mindset that sex equates love, a notion I have only too recently shed.  However, true to both of their admitted pasts, her innocence, his pain, this confusion does not seem too misguided.  Perhaps the sequels will help clear this up.

Another very fascinating dimension that 50 Shades has brought to the fore-front is that of gender roles in relationship and society.  Should a woman allow herself to be submissive to a man? Is the man always dominant? What does this mean in today's world, both sexually and platonically?

For these reasons, I believe 50 shades deserves more recognition than any other 10 cent grocery store "romantic novel" would generally.  I would go so far as to say it deserves a rank above, just how high above remains to be seen.  I do not see the name of E.L. James resting besides such classic authors as Charles Dickens or CS Lewis or even JK Rowlings, however, only time will tell.  The nature of Anastasia's coming to terms with her darker side while living in a feminist mindset as well as Christian's psychological issues gives one pause and desire to give this trilogy a well-deserved look.








....Flames That Never Die....


Singing a song successfully is like acting, in that its about living truthfully within the story of the words and letting their truth speak powerfully through you.  Then resonating within, reaching within to places not always visible or felt, and pouring outward like waterfalls of energy splashing upon the listening ear bouncing back to you.

This weekend, I sang in front of people, for the first time in a very long time, as a performance and not as a nerve-wracking audition, a solo of a song that has been meaningful for many a year in 'this journey I am on'.  A song with words that needed to be spoken (and heard) not just for me, or by me, but for and by my Mimi, the late great Ruth S. Anderson.

It was her who requested I sing that song at her and her husband, Don's (Grandpa's) memorial this weekend because these words expressed what she needed to say to those she loved one last time.

She sang through me, "Simple truths will keep you going, Simple love will keep you strong."

And, knowing all that she'd been through in her 99 years of existence in this world,  through all the highs and lows, the most important part of life 'are the memories she made along the way'.  After the heartbreak of miscarriages and other misfortunes, she expresses to all of us that 'heart-breaks we go through can be blessings in disguise' as before her lies the truth of this: in her children, their children, and her children's children.

And, what I learned is what continues to heal my grief, that there are "flames that never die", as her light and love for me, and that of my Grandpa, continues to burn, guiding me forward, illuminating my path before me.

For that I am grateful, that she took a hold of my soul one more time, and for that I say with a sigh,
"How Could I Ask For More?"

Monday, May 18, 2015

Lost Girl, FOUND!!!


I recently started watching the TV show, Lost Girl, on Netflix, liking it because I found a connection to myself and the heroine in the story.

The story follows Bo, the Lost Girl, who has lived her life, unsure and ashamed of who she is, even while not knowing the truth of her identity.  In the first episode Bo is introduced to a world she never knew of, that there are others like her with similar powers, hers being that of a 'Succubus'.  She feeds on people through sexual activity.  She's urged to "pick sides" between those that are a force for good or those for evil.  Bo, finally discovering herself, chooses neither.  The rest of the storyline is Bo's continual discovery of herself, this new world, and re-claiming her life and fulfilling her destiny.


Why is this significant for me? Because, in so many ways, I feel that I have finally discovered and accepted my inner child, thus finding myself and having peace with my past.  Throughout much of my life, I felt like that 'lost girl', running from my true self that I didn't quite understand or was afraid to know.  I always felt different and was ashamed of who I was, in every situation and life circumstance.  Because of this, I allowed myself to be the victim, letting people abuse me, walk over me, never standing up for myself and my needs, afraid to talk back.

But, not anymore.  Since making major life changes in my life (ie kicking my abusive ex out of my life), I have re-claimed my life and my destiny for myself.  I have, at last, peace with every past relationship, struggle, or memory of my life, bad or good.   


I finally understand what Dorothy Gale meant at the end of The Wizard of Oz when she said,
"If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any farther than my own backyard because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."

My "backyard" refers to my true self, my inner child who has been found and is living proudly.  So as Bo says in the opening credits of "Lost Girl",

"I will learn to live the life I choose."

Sunday, May 17, 2015

We are the Alphas!


My boyfriend, Michael, recently got me into the TV show, Alphas, which I readily complied to do, as I continue my quest to become savvy in all things pop culture.

Alphas tells the story of 5 individuals with exceptional mental powers that makes them different than the general population and shows how they came to accept, control, and maintain these powers for the good of mankind.  With them for support both career-wise and therapeutically is their psychiatrist who runs the operation, as they seek to work as crime-fighters dealing with others of their kind out in the world who don't understand who they are or how to control their powers.



Watching it, I couldn't help find the comparison to a real life mental issues as well as struggles, those individuals, like myself, with documented and all too frequently undocumented mental illnesses.  Throughout my life, and those of my closest friends, we have struggled to understand why we are they we were, trying to fit into the mainstream society with the awkward and failed attempts to control our issues which all too soon resulted in 'the breakdown'.  But this breakdown, although hard and painful, became a blessing in disguise, as we learned gratefully that we are not alone and learned to appreciate our weaknesses and develop them as strengths for the betterment of the world.
One way we do this is by support and advocacy of those less fortunate than us, those in the throes of their illnesses, struggling to be set free as we have become.



A few years back, my friends and I gathered every Thursday around noon in a beautiful garden setting under leafing trees with sunlight spilling forth to discuss our lives, our struggles, and find healing.  Along the way, life-long friendships developed with the mutual life-purpose and understanding that we are, indeed, uniquely endowed with special gifts.

In that, I profess to you that my friends and I are truly...

The Alphas!


Save the Bayou! NOW!


I've recently become sort of an activist, championing for many causes that through my various travels and life-lessons have become dear to my heart.  Anything from fighting to stop domestic abuse to environmental concerns to advocating for the mentally-ill, this fact is something that I am increasingly proud of, something that I feel that is an aspect that defines my true self.

Recently, I finished the book, Bayou Farewell, by Mike Tidwell.  It was a book I picked up for character research on a part I've undertaken for the last few years, a story of a trek down the Louisiana Bayou for a local playwright's radio play, Trek of The Catahoula Kids, in which I played Tansy, a Bayou native.  I set out to learn a little about the culture, the land, the people to help better understand my character but I ended up falling in love and appreciation with Tidwell's book.  In short, I got more than I had bargained.

Tidwell writes about the vanishing Bayou, due to the lack of sediment from the Mississippi needed to restore and create new land, thus that which is already there is all too swiftly liquifying into more and more river.  The causes of this range from the need to "control" the great Mississippi river to help the growing human population to the oil industry's usage of the land.  

Tidwell's writing style is not preachy, but is styled in a narrative that reads like a novel, with a few necessary facts along the way.  He recalls with vivid accuracy his journey backpacking through the Bayou, a telling that makes a more powerful impact on the need to act more than any lecture or campaign could.

It made me think and added another cause to my growing need to save the planet and to make a better place in this world before I leave it.  It is for this reason I write this blog, adding links below for more accurate information, including a link where Bayou Farewell can be purchased.



Monday, May 4, 2015

Lessons I Learned From Helga

Day Two


When I first got the part of Helga Ten Dorp, as I tackled both the lines and the dialect, I also turned to a little research of the psychics who went before, from The Amazing Kreskin to none other than Sylvia Browne.  In addition, I set out on a discovery to develop my own spiritual skills and understandings through various spiritual books of different beliefs and practices.

First, I learned that psychics and the like are not necessarily demonic, as I had been taught to believe, and in fact, do believe in God and that their gifts come from the above aforementioned.  I also learned that even Sylvia Brown herself is not just out for money and fame, but has a real history with her psychic powers and a sense of contributing those for some good.  Although I did use a lot of my back story of Helga with the life of Ms. Browne using as a guide her balance of staying true to the authenticity of her gifts as sent from above and for the higher good as well as the old need to make a buck reality.

But ultimately, as I poured through these texts, learned to meditate, and learned new aspects of spiritual diversities, I discovered that spirituality happens along the way and is not merely just a mountain-top experience.  If one's eyes are open, and that of the spiritual eyes or even the third eye as some may call it, every little instance of one's day can reveal a fresh understanding of the great beyond, the mystery beyond our existence in this world.  As my boyfriend who newly acquired contacts jokingly referred to putting one in his third eye, I have found that is in a sense what we need to do daily, to keep ourselves alert to the messages from above that are always present.

From watching the TV show, Lost Girl, and realizing that at long last I have found my 'lost girl' to seeing that the notion of 'read & release' is truly an act of service (See: read a book and then pass it on) to the similarities of maintaining physical health to one's spiritual health, these and much more are those truths that continually reveal themselves to me daily, as I keep myself open to the world revealing itself before me.  With no need to push those views on others, but to trust in the Universe's path for all people and to boldly and brilliantly live my path for all to see.

Yes, its true then, spirituality happens along the way!



Sunday, May 3, 2015

Lessons I Learned From Helga

Day One

When I first took the role of Helga Ten Dorp in the play, Death Trap, I was more than a bit daunted.  It was to be my first comedic role, and as of yet, I have always had very serious dramatic parts.  Furthermore, was trained in college in dramatic pieces.  So, the thought of having to make something funny seemed a real challenge, at first.

However, what I learned is that acting, whatever the genre, stays true to the same basic concepts I was taught.  Still with comedy as in drama, there is the basic premise of 'being truthful in the imaginative circumstances' of the character's life, her basic needs and intentions, how she goes about obtaining those needs (ie what she is fighting for), as well as how she relates to others' around her in the story.  (See: substitutes.)

Furthermore, there is still the need, (at least for me, an actress who goes a little too method at times but not always) to meditate in preparation before entering the stage, visualizing the steps taken before entering the scene, also running through my head are the intentions I am seeking as I enter, as well as the relationships of the characters' I will face in conjunction with who they represent for me, Lia, in real life.

This may sound like a heck of a lot of work, but really its not...at least for me.  Just a means for me to quiet my mind before going on and dive into the depths of my creativity and that of the character.

All that to say, it's all there.  The same truths and steps that I take when taking on a dramatic character applies here to the comedic.  Once I've come to that place, the dialogue, actions, and reasons for it all fall into place naturally.

And, then there is that weird feeling of hearing the audience laugh when I am used to making them think deeply or even cry, at first, having an unnerving effect on my self esteem until I understood...They like me, they really really like me!

Heck, I guess I am naturally a funny person after all.



Friday, May 1, 2015

Helga Predicts!




I am Helga Ten Dorp.  I am psychic.  And, this my story, of who I am & how I came to claim my powers of ESP.

I was raised in a small rural Holland town, the oldest of a family.  My father was the town dentist and in his spare time pursued his interests of science.  He outwardly professed that it was only science, logic, and reason that could explain the nature of the universe and down-played any form of spirituality.  My mother was a house-wife who had married young, at the tender age of 19.  Her mother, my grandmother, was psychic, and my mother fought to diminish and hide any part of that in her new life, even going so far as refusing to allow us to see her.  When she discovered, to her horror, that I had talent with "the sight", she punished me brutally any time I showed signs of it.  As a child, I didn't understand nor know what I was doing, I felt alone and misunderstood.  I finally started getting some answers and understanding of myself when my grandmother discovered that I had the "sight".  She started secretly helping me by explaining the true reason God had given me this gift, how to use it for the greatest good, and not ever for profit.

Due to my father's insistence, I enrolled in University and began studying psychology, but after only a few years of attending, I dropped out before graduating and married my first love after getting pregnant with my first daughter.  Unfortunately, my husband became weary of my powers which increased after the birth of our second child, a son, and of which I was no longer able to contain privately.

Alone now with two children, I had to find a way to make money and provide for my family.  So, I hung out a little sign and opened a little shop, doing what my grandmother strictly forbade me to do, to commercialize my gift as a product.  However through that business, I met my second husband who came to me to find out if his current wife was indeed being unfaithful to him.  She was, according to what I saw, and no, my feelings for him did not cloud my vision in anyway.  Honest!

After my ESP skills deepened with the birth of our daughter, my third child, my husband became more interested in my sight and encouraged me to branch out with my career.  He helped me get involved with the police force, where he worked as an officer, helping to solve crimes and murders.  As I gained more prestige, fame, and notoriety by working in this industry, he became increasingly jealous and eventually left me.

Alone again, I threw myself into my work in a very male-dominated environment.  I pulled all my femininity in and became more masculine in appearance, for work purposes only.  Five years into it, with much success, I meet my fourth husband, my truest love.  We marry, have a daughter, Emily, my favorite because I can see from early on that she has the sight, and I decide to move away from my career and settle down at last.

But, that is not to be so.  My darling husband, my truest love and soul-mate, dies in a car accident during a thunder and lightning storm, something I foresaw but hoped to prevent.

I close up my insides and fall into the workforce, losing sight of myself with the need to care for my four children, who have every advantage possible and who are encouraged freely to follow their dreams.

When my children finally come of age and move out, I look forward to retirement with hopes of finally giving up the rat race, returning to what the gift is truly for, the benefit of humankind.

But, then I find myself resting in a rural Connecticut city...