Repost from emp42ress*:
Now that we've had some time to recover and think about the last run, we're ready to start planning another run of Labor Wars. This means we are looking for a house to host it in. We are planning for some weekend in November. The exact weekend can be worked out with our hosts. If you think you might be interested in hosting, let us know.
Benefits of hosting:
- You get guaranteed slots in the run.
- We cook a feast in your kitchen. With warning, you are welcome to eat even if not playing.
- We will coordinate run dates with you, so we can guarantee a weekend you will be able to play.
Requirements:
- A place we can host dinner for 17 people. We can probably arrange for extra folding tables, chairs, etc, but we do need a room big enough to set them up.
- A room in which 17 people can sit relatively comfortably, while not at tables. Preferably this is not the same space as the dinner location.
- At least two (and preferably 3 or 4) other rooms that can be used for separate conferences. These can include walk-in closets, basement space, enclosed porches, etc. Anywhere that is big enough for 2-5 people to have a private discussion. At least two of these should fit 5 people in relative comfort. Bedrooms are fine if you are willing to have people LARPing in your bedroom.
- A kitchen in which two people can work in relative comfort, with a fair amount of fridge space (if you can, for example clear us 1/3-1/2 of a normal full sized fridge, this would be fine, as would be providing a dorm fridge). It does not need to be well-stocked: we can bring cookware and spices, we'll just coordinate with you about what we need to bring.
- We have a strong preference for locations near one of the LARPer concentrations: Somerville, Waltham, and Worcester regions are all open for consideration. If someone in the RPI crowd wants to convince us to run there, we're also willing to talk about that. Anywhere on the T or a good and consistent bus line is also probably fine.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Rehearsal weekend over
Weekend of rehearsal is concluded. Things went rather well; we seem to be in a pretty good place with the show, and with the exception of that one goddamn line that I always psych myself out of remembering, I feel like I'm fairly ready. The other day I hit the thrift store, dropped off a big bag of unwanted clothes, and picked up a pair of khakhi cargo pants just baggy enough to look boyish to wear as my costume. The fact that they're a little too big hides some of my feminine definition, but I discovered necessitates the wearing of a belt to not slide below my knobby hipbones. I also broke out the chest binding for the first time in this role. As usual, reactions ranged from people impressed by the fact that I was willing to do it to weirded out by how kinky and uncomfortable it looked.
As some of you know from doing shows with me in the past, I have a odd little tendency to walk around in just the binding before getting into costume. I did this today, and because I was not sure how my fellows in the show, few of whom really know me, would react to it, I was thinking about this today. I didn't experience any real negative reaction, but I did wonder if anyone thought it was strange. I'm not totally sure why I feel the desire to do it, though I think it's complicated. For some reason it relaxes me to lose that outer layer of clothing, so it's become my custom before a play even when I'm not bound. I am proud of how attractive my midriff is, so I'm sure the way exposing it makes me feel about myself gives me a sense of positivity before a show. I think i also like the notion of how before I put on my character I have to stop being Phoebe and start being an empty canvas on which to paint the character. Costumes have always helped me get into character, so the total lack of any kind of costume over the binding I think helps me part with myself and become clear to assert the new personality. There's probably a dash of a need to assert my true femininity before putting on my masculine character; this is not a huge issue for me, but I think this small gesture helps keep it that way. It's an odd little issue of mine, but for the first time I felt compelled to analyze my need for this weird little ritual. Because of the drive, I had to strap down really far in advance, and my ribs were starting to ache by the time the show ended. That was a bit surprising-- normally my breasts themselves are what gets sore, but this time it was definitely my ribs. Will have to work out a way to cut down the time I will have to spend bound up. Still, it's good to know that I'm pretty much totally in order to go on this coming weekend.
Have gathered a fairly good crowd for the planned picnic before the show on Sunday the 24th. Though certain people will be sadly missed, a nice group is amassing that I am very glad will spend the time with me. If you decide you'd like to come with us, just drop me a line and I will be happy to include you in the plans.
I did manage to get to oakenguy's show yesterday. I was kindly accomplanied by my beloved in_water_writ, and I'm very glad I made it. I liked every piece or different reasons, and had the extremely rare experience for me of being impressed with the ability of every single actor involved. Brian was as fun and funny as I expected he'd be, and I must certainly be sure to get out to any future shows of his, so that I may see more of him onstage! I certainly recommend anyone who enjoys Shakespeare and Shakespeare-related material (not to mention Brian!), as I certainly do, to go out to Somerville and catch this show. Afterward Jenn and I had a lovely time hanging out at chatting at J.P. Lick's, concluding a long day with a very pleasant evening.
As some of you know from doing shows with me in the past, I have a odd little tendency to walk around in just the binding before getting into costume. I did this today, and because I was not sure how my fellows in the show, few of whom really know me, would react to it, I was thinking about this today. I didn't experience any real negative reaction, but I did wonder if anyone thought it was strange. I'm not totally sure why I feel the desire to do it, though I think it's complicated. For some reason it relaxes me to lose that outer layer of clothing, so it's become my custom before a play even when I'm not bound. I am proud of how attractive my midriff is, so I'm sure the way exposing it makes me feel about myself gives me a sense of positivity before a show. I think i also like the notion of how before I put on my character I have to stop being Phoebe and start being an empty canvas on which to paint the character. Costumes have always helped me get into character, so the total lack of any kind of costume over the binding I think helps me part with myself and become clear to assert the new personality. There's probably a dash of a need to assert my true femininity before putting on my masculine character; this is not a huge issue for me, but I think this small gesture helps keep it that way. It's an odd little issue of mine, but for the first time I felt compelled to analyze my need for this weird little ritual. Because of the drive, I had to strap down really far in advance, and my ribs were starting to ache by the time the show ended. That was a bit surprising-- normally my breasts themselves are what gets sore, but this time it was definitely my ribs. Will have to work out a way to cut down the time I will have to spend bound up. Still, it's good to know that I'm pretty much totally in order to go on this coming weekend.
Have gathered a fairly good crowd for the planned picnic before the show on Sunday the 24th. Though certain people will be sadly missed, a nice group is amassing that I am very glad will spend the time with me. If you decide you'd like to come with us, just drop me a line and I will be happy to include you in the plans.
I did manage to get to oakenguy's show yesterday. I was kindly accomplanied by my beloved in_water_writ, and I'm very glad I made it. I liked every piece or different reasons, and had the extremely rare experience for me of being impressed with the ability of every single actor involved. Brian was as fun and funny as I expected he'd be, and I must certainly be sure to get out to any future shows of his, so that I may see more of him onstage! I certainly recommend anyone who enjoys Shakespeare and Shakespeare-related material (not to mention Brian!), as I certainly do, to go out to Somerville and catch this show. Afterward Jenn and I had a lovely time hanging out at chatting at J.P. Lick's, concluding a long day with a very pleasant evening.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed. I am so behind on the responsibilities of life and work that I feel like all I do is run from one thing to the next and never make any headway. My to do list seems a mile long, and I have no idea where to begin. On top of that, my body seems to be rebelling in every way possible; I feel like someone should hang a biohazard sign around my neck. I am, needless to say, not at the top of my game right now.
I had forgotten until Thursday night that there were two all-day rehearsals for Love's Labor's Lost this weekend. I'm sure they'll go fine, but I really could have used the time to try and get other things done. I also want to go to oakenguy*'s show tonight; I've always wanted to see him act, and the fact that the show is Shakespeare-themed I'm even more excited. I arranged for two tickets, but in my distracted state I forgot to invite anyone to come with me. If anyone wants to attend an 8PM at the Unity Church of God, 6 William St., Somerville (Davis Square), give me a call and let me know. See www.theatreatfirst.com if you'd like more information.
I had forgotten until Thursday night that there were two all-day rehearsals for Love's Labor's Lost this weekend. I'm sure they'll go fine, but I really could have used the time to try and get other things done. I also want to go to oakenguy*'s show tonight; I've always wanted to see him act, and the fact that the show is Shakespeare-themed I'm even more excited. I arranged for two tickets, but in my distracted state I forgot to invite anyone to come with me. If anyone wants to attend an 8PM at the Unity Church of God, 6 William St., Somerville (Davis Square), give me a call and let me know. See www.theatreatfirst.com if you'd like more information.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Leather trench!
This is by now a few days old, but my new leather trenchcoat arrived! I've always wanted a black leather trenchcoat; almost makes me wish it were cold enough to wear it. It is not the long swirling Matrix-style one I sometimes dream of, but it is extremely flattering at thigh-length and much more practical that way. I'm so pleased with how lovely it is and how hot it looks on me. :-D Its only flaws are that it is missing its top button, which is easily replaced, and the whole thing rather smells like cigarettes. I wonder if you use Febreeze on leather. But those minor things I can fix, and overall I'm extremely pleased at finding something I like so much for how little I paid for it. Yay for not breaking the bank. Still, I am determined that this will be the last frivolous thing I purchase for a while. I recently had to meet a few financial obligations that were a bit heavier than easily managed, but after a few weeks of extremely careful budging my finances are finally back in order, including having not only met but exceeded my goal amount for my emergency fund. I am relieved at this state of affairs and have no desire to mess it up anytime soon.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Short but appropriately timed perceptions meme
Found this little meme about people's perceptions of you and decided to do it, since it happens to reflect something I've recently been thinking about.
What positive thing were you most surprised to learn that people thought about you?
I was rather struck to hear that some people thought of me as their "classy friend." I do attempt to cultivate what class I can, so this pleases me a great deal, but I must say I never thought I succeeded to great enough degree that anyone would think of me as any kind of exemplar.
What negative thing were your most surprised to learn that people thought about you?
Though upon reflection it seems silly, I was kind of shocked to hear that some people thought of me as their "angry friend." I think it so surprises me because my being an angry person is relatively new to me, and though at this point it certainly is true, I still haven't come to think of anger as a large part of myself. And that perception of me is a pretty good indicator that it's something I should work on.
What were you surprised to learn that people thought about you?
What positive thing were you most surprised to learn that people thought about you?
I was rather struck to hear that some people thought of me as their "classy friend." I do attempt to cultivate what class I can, so this pleases me a great deal, but I must say I never thought I succeeded to great enough degree that anyone would think of me as any kind of exemplar.
What negative thing were your most surprised to learn that people thought about you?
Though upon reflection it seems silly, I was kind of shocked to hear that some people thought of me as their "angry friend." I think it so surprises me because my being an angry person is relatively new to me, and though at this point it certainly is true, I still haven't come to think of anger as a large part of myself. And that perception of me is a pretty good indicator that it's something I should work on.
What were you surprised to learn that people thought about you?
On the importance of first impressions
One thing about me is that first impressions have a huge effect on me. I have always thought that putting in the effort to make a good one when you first meet someone is a gesture of respect, a sign that you believe that everyone and their thoughts and feelings are important. I put a lot of esteem when I see people trying to make good ones. And by the same token, I take it to be an enormous failure of respect when I meet someone who does not try.
It doesn't take a lot in my book to show that you're trying to make a good first impression. Be nice, be polite, be friendly, be interested. Bring out your kindest behavior; don't start off being mean, even if it's just to be funny. You don't even know me, how do you know I won't think you're just acting like a jerk? Don't disregard me like I'm something boring to you. If you don't care about me, why should I care about you? Once we get to know each other, then I will understand who you really are better, but do not start off our relationship by displaying yourself as a jerk, a boor, or an idiot when I have zero information to qualify you otherwise. Do not start it off by indicating to me that you don't care what I think of you.
I know someone who began their acquaintance with me behaving incredibly rudely because they thought it was funny. I know another someone of whom my first experience was them repeatedly disregarding me in a manner that made them come off as some combination of a churl and an idiot. To this day I cannot get over my dislike of these people, no matter how they act around me now, because I can't get past the fact that they didn't think it was important to present themselves with kindness and respect to me. I can think of only a few people, as a matter of fact, of whom I have ever managed to over a strongly negative first impression. Chances are if we are friends, you made yourself a good one.
I, you see, am a very important person. I suppose there are some people out there who aren't important-- meanies, child molesters, and the like --but I think everyone should believe themselves to be important, and I certainly do. Therefore you should care very much to earn a good opinion from me. And it's not even actually succeeding in making the good first impression that I judge by. It's that making the attempt, putting in the effort, to impress well is a sign of respect to me. It's a gesture that you consider the person significant enough that you want them to think well of you. It's okay if you stumble over yourself and end up acting silly-- as long as I see you're trying to make a good first impression, I esteem you to have behaved well. And therefore, I think well of you. You should always work on making a good first impression, I believe, because you never know who might be important.
I know this isn't really a good thing, to place so much stock in a first meeting. People can screw up, and God knows I am certainly capable of judging too harshly. It would probably be better for me to continually reevaluate based on every new experience, and if someone of whom my first impression wasn't good demonstrates their true character to be better, I should be open to changing my opinion. But it is something that is very hard for me to get over my distaste for people who didn't care enough to present themselves well to me on first meeting.
It is, like so many other things, something I need to work on.
It doesn't take a lot in my book to show that you're trying to make a good first impression. Be nice, be polite, be friendly, be interested. Bring out your kindest behavior; don't start off being mean, even if it's just to be funny. You don't even know me, how do you know I won't think you're just acting like a jerk? Don't disregard me like I'm something boring to you. If you don't care about me, why should I care about you? Once we get to know each other, then I will understand who you really are better, but do not start off our relationship by displaying yourself as a jerk, a boor, or an idiot when I have zero information to qualify you otherwise. Do not start it off by indicating to me that you don't care what I think of you.
I know someone who began their acquaintance with me behaving incredibly rudely because they thought it was funny. I know another someone of whom my first experience was them repeatedly disregarding me in a manner that made them come off as some combination of a churl and an idiot. To this day I cannot get over my dislike of these people, no matter how they act around me now, because I can't get past the fact that they didn't think it was important to present themselves with kindness and respect to me. I can think of only a few people, as a matter of fact, of whom I have ever managed to over a strongly negative first impression. Chances are if we are friends, you made yourself a good one.
I, you see, am a very important person. I suppose there are some people out there who aren't important-- meanies, child molesters, and the like --but I think everyone should believe themselves to be important, and I certainly do. Therefore you should care very much to earn a good opinion from me. And it's not even actually succeeding in making the good first impression that I judge by. It's that making the attempt, putting in the effort, to impress well is a sign of respect to me. It's a gesture that you consider the person significant enough that you want them to think well of you. It's okay if you stumble over yourself and end up acting silly-- as long as I see you're trying to make a good first impression, I esteem you to have behaved well. And therefore, I think well of you. You should always work on making a good first impression, I believe, because you never know who might be important.
I know this isn't really a good thing, to place so much stock in a first meeting. People can screw up, and God knows I am certainly capable of judging too harshly. It would probably be better for me to continually reevaluate based on every new experience, and if someone of whom my first impression wasn't good demonstrates their true character to be better, I should be open to changing my opinion. But it is something that is very hard for me to get over my distaste for people who didn't care enough to present themselves well to me on first meeting.
It is, like so many other things, something I need to work on.
Picnic and Love's Labor's Lost
As some of you may know, I am going to be in a production of Love's Labor's Lost that will be going up very soon. It will be outside at a gazebo next to the public library in Medfield, MA, which is about a half an hour's drive from here. It is a very nice small park kind of spot. Some of you may remember last summer when I was in Macbeth, which was also performed outside, when we put together a picnic lunch, drove out to the park several hours early, and ate and played frisbee and generally enjoyed each other's company until the show.
Since I would like people I know to come see the show, I think it might be nice if we did the same thing this year. The show is at 5PM, so I was thinking we could go out at 1 or 2, with everybody bringing food, blankets, and stuff to play with. There are several shows, but I am going to Sunday 7/25.
Let me know if you are interested and able to attend. Also, this is an open-invitation event-- feel free to bring anyone else you'd like. We will organize times, transport, directions, and food once I have a better idea of who can come.
Hope to see you there!
Heh. I've never done anything that was open-invite before. ;-)
Since I would like people I know to come see the show, I think it might be nice if we did the same thing this year. The show is at 5PM, so I was thinking we could go out at 1 or 2, with everybody bringing food, blankets, and stuff to play with. There are several shows, but I am going to Sunday 7/25.
Let me know if you are interested and able to attend. Also, this is an open-invitation event-- feel free to bring anyone else you'd like. We will organize times, transport, directions, and food once I have a better idea of who can come.
Hope to see you there!
Heh. I've never done anything that was open-invite before. ;-)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Awesome Independence Day
Had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. Went to a fantastic party with Bernie, lightgamer*, and morethings5*, who are some of my favorite people to do anything with, let alone going to fun parties. I had a blast at this same party last year, and so was really really looking forward to going to this year's. My excitement grew when shortly before the day, captainecchi* sent out an e-mail saying we could swim in the lake if we brought our swimsuits! I was so happy we did; that was the first time I'd been swimming in over a year, and it was a lot of fun. My poor bikini doesn't get to come out and play often enough! We swam and canoed and explored islands and I didn't get the whole story but I'm pretty sure Kindness beat a bear into submission with his bare fists. ;-) It was cool. Then we came back to the house where electric_d_monk* grilled up some fantastic burgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob. I had made my "inaccessible rice," as some are wont to call it, with the golden raisins, pecans, mint, and scallions and brought it along. And because the beef in the burgers was locally grown, lightgamer* actually got to eat one! I was happy for him, since they were damn good burgers, and I am sorry when anyone can't enjoy deliciousness. Then there were board games, fantastic strawberry shortcake, and morethings5* sweetly offering to learn how to brush out my hair. The party was a blast, the food was excellent, the company was great, and it was also lovely getting to spend time with captainecchi* and electric_d_monk*. Thanks to our gracious hosts for having such a fun gathering!
Marissa moved into Elsinore on the Fourth as well. Unfortunately I was at the party when she got in, and due to feeling sick and gross with the heat the next day I did not so much welcome her as spend the day hiding from all human contact like a small wild animal. I shall have to rectify that soon. I may also have to take steps to rectify the intense heat situation in my bedroom. For some reason, no matter what the weather, my room is always the mostly extremely affected in the house, making it an icebox in winter and a blast furnace in summer. Climate control is expensive, but it's getting to the point of unbearableness.
Marissa moved into Elsinore on the Fourth as well. Unfortunately I was at the party when she got in, and due to feeling sick and gross with the heat the next day I did not so much welcome her as spend the day hiding from all human contact like a small wild animal. I shall have to rectify that soon. I may also have to take steps to rectify the intense heat situation in my bedroom. For some reason, no matter what the weather, my room is always the mostly extremely affected in the house, making it an icebox in winter and a blast furnace in summer. Climate control is expensive, but it's getting to the point of unbearableness.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Getting stuff done
Might anyone be interested in taking a size eight teal long-sleeved button-up blouse from Banana Republic off my hands? It's really nice and I like the color so I've been trying to make it work, but it's just too big and it looks weird on me because of it. It's in good condition and free to a good home.
So the Burn Notice game will not be running tomorrow. I heard from Marissa that it turns out she has a conflict she'd forgotten about on Saturday night, and since the plan was for the episode to be Riker-centric, I really don't feel like coming up with a different plotline OR cutting her out of another game. So the group is just going to have dinner together instead, which will be easier on my brain and we'll still get to enjoy each other's company. I'm not sure when the next session will be, given that I'm going out of town next weekend, but maybe we'll be able to get together on a weeknight sometime, since we'll all be in Waltham for the month of July.
Made some small progress on line memorization; I got through one and a half scenes yesterday. If I can keep that rate up, I should definitely be off-book by the deadline. I have the next three days off, so I'd better use them. Tomorrow I'm going to a much-anticipated Fourth of July party, and I want to make some dish or other to bring. Maybe a nice side dish I can make easily in large quantities.
Also, captainecchi* recently approached me with a really cool idea. I'm not going to say anything about it yet before I've got anything substantial, but look for it soon...
So the Burn Notice game will not be running tomorrow. I heard from Marissa that it turns out she has a conflict she'd forgotten about on Saturday night, and since the plan was for the episode to be Riker-centric, I really don't feel like coming up with a different plotline OR cutting her out of another game. So the group is just going to have dinner together instead, which will be easier on my brain and we'll still get to enjoy each other's company. I'm not sure when the next session will be, given that I'm going out of town next weekend, but maybe we'll be able to get together on a weeknight sometime, since we'll all be in Waltham for the month of July.
Made some small progress on line memorization; I got through one and a half scenes yesterday. If I can keep that rate up, I should definitely be off-book by the deadline. I have the next three days off, so I'd better use them. Tomorrow I'm going to a much-anticipated Fourth of July party, and I want to make some dish or other to bring. Maybe a nice side dish I can make easily in large quantities.
Also, captainecchi* recently approached me with a really cool idea. I'm not going to say anything about it yet before I've got anything substantial, but look for it soon...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Feeling behind
Feeling very behind on things right now. I have a lot of deadlines in the near future, the two currently most pressing being the off-book deadline for Love's Labor's Lost and being ready with a new storyline for this Saturday's session of Burn Notice. There was a question of whether that would be happening because Bernie didn't know if he'd have to go out of town or not, but he's decided on staying so barring anything unexpected we're on. I've finally finished what dangling threads still remained, so now I have to generate an entirely new caper. That's going to be a lot of work, but if I use the next few days effectively, I'll bet I can come up with something satisfying. I also have to cram a lot of line-learning into that time. I'll just have to work hard to maintain focus.
As a side note, I was briefly mentioned in the Brandeis University LouieNew: "Brandeis alumni direct, produce, star in "Love's Labour's Lost" - The Gazebo Players presents "Love's Labour's Lost," directed by Shelby Bleiweis '04, produced by Amy Klesert '09 and featuring Phoebe Roberts '09 and Debbi Finkelstein '04. Performances will be at the Gazebo in Medfield, Mass., July 24, 25, 31 and Aug 1 at 5:00 p.m. and Aug 1, 7, and 8 at Walpole's Footlighter's Theater at 5:00 p.m. All performances are free."
Those, incidentally, are all the necessary details should you like to attend my play.
As a side note, I was briefly mentioned in the Brandeis University LouieNew: "Brandeis alumni direct, produce, star in "Love's Labour's Lost" - The Gazebo Players presents "Love's Labour's Lost," directed by Shelby Bleiweis '04, produced by Amy Klesert '09 and featuring Phoebe Roberts '09 and Debbi Finkelstein '04. Performances will be at the Gazebo in Medfield, Mass., July 24, 25, 31 and Aug 1 at 5:00 p.m. and Aug 1, 7, and 8 at Walpole's Footlighter's Theater at 5:00 p.m. All performances are free."
Those, incidentally, are all the necessary details should you like to attend my play.
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