ATTN: All of the statements in this blog are marked in red so they stand out... or something. It's like all the stuff Jesus says in the bible, except it's not Jesus.
Jason, a cast mate and friend from Joseph, invited me to catch the opening night of the 10th Anniversary Tour of FOOTLOOSE: The Musical at the Granada in downtown Santa Barbara. Of course, we were the youngest people in that theater by a good twenty to thirty years. But I never expected the old people there to be such senile assholes.
We were very excited for the show and we knew it was the type of show where cheering was appropriate. Just like Mamma Mia and Rent, the actors in Footloose feed off of the audience reaction to their stage work. So, Jason and I were fully prepared to support these recent college grads in their professional debut. And they deserved it.
So, we sat down in our Row U seats which were actually very good. When the houselights went down and the music started, Jason initiated what became a very raucous opening applause. He even "wooed". The show started and the cast was phenomenal. The first female soloist in the title song set the bar for the show very high. She got some applause and a woo from Jason. The end of that song also got good applause and a Jason woo. Totally appropriate. But every time the two of us applauded or Jason wooed, the bitch sitting in front of us turned around to scowl. Also, the people sitting next to us on my side moved to the end of the row to get away from us because we were being "too rowdy".
The first act went on and I began to join in the wooing when it was due. At the first act finale, we cheered as a crowd normally would, and we were not the only wooers this time. However, the above-mentioned bitch turned around and said, "I know you're excited because you're young and you've got friends in the cast, but it's too much. It's very rude and it's right in my ear." She looked like she was in her forties to fifties with black hair and looked like an old Demi Moore, kinda, which is weird since another person looked like Demi Moore at Joseph. Anyway, Jason said, "We don't have friends in the cast. We're just excited and we like the show." And the bitch replied, "Well, you need to tone it down." So, we got up for intermission and I said, "Okay, I want to switch seats." I wish we had been seated next to the ladies at the end of our aisle. When we passed them, they said, "Oh, if you're by us, you have to be fun. Are you gonna be fun?" Good sports, you two!
So we got up because Jason needed to pee and smoke. On the way out of the aisle, I overheard the ancient couple who had moved away from us talking. The woman said, "Those two young men should be thrown out." WHORE!! Of course, she didn't know I was right behind her, and her husband looked embarrassed. One of the younger ushers heard the remark and smiled at us as if to say she thought the lady was being a bitch.
I was just so pissed because the show was all about the generation gap and how young people should be allowed to be energetic and have fun. So, we asked the nice usher if we could move seats because people were bothered by us. She said, "Don't worry about it. I can't kick you out for being excited, but you can move to the other side or back a few rows to any available seats. It's an energetic show, so there's no problem with how your acting." So nice! So we moved back one row and away from the bitch, only now we were closer to the old couple who then started to talk about us again. Then, the bitch, who was going back to her seat, turned to us to say, "Thank you for being thoughtful and courteous." AKA, thanks for moving, assholes. "You can be excited back here." I quickly said, "No, we can't because they don't want us to be," motioning to the older couple who looked embarrassed and angry. BTW, in the second act, we did tone down our already low cheering and noticed that there were lots of cheers coming from elsewhere. Still, I felt my heart rate speed up every time I clapped.
Why in the world were there so many old people at a young people show like Footloose? They were probably old when the movie came out! And at a show about letting young people be free-spirited, they were completely trying to shut us up. We were not being distracting. We only cheered when there was applause. We didn't randomly yell stuff. We wooed when we thought it necessary when a song was OVER. I don't go to the theater just to go. I don't go to the theater and clap my hands ten times after each song because that's polite. Especially not at Footloose.
So that's my story. Here are some highlights of the rest of our night:
During the "Answer the train" scene, when Ren yells about his father (I HATE YOU!!!!), it was a very dramatic moment and somebody in the audience said, "... whoa...". It was so funny. Jason and I were stifling laughs like crazy. Good thing we had moved AWAY from everyone else.
Lol, afterward, during the Exit Music, I asked an usher where the stage door was, and Jason started singing along to "I Need A Hero" in girly falsetto. The Usher said something like, "That was good! I'm sorry you two didn't enjoy the show!" and laughed. And she was old! The ushers there rocked.
When we first got to the theater, Jason asked, "Where's the restroom?" and the usher answered, "The Ladies room is to the right." Then, she realized he was a guy and said very quickly, "And the mens is to the left." So funny. Jason loved that.
We were the only ppl at the stage door and we waited for like half an hour, but the cast was getting notes. So when they finally came out to get on the bus, they ALL came out at once and we were so scared! We had expected to be able to talk with a lot of them one on one as they came out, but it was a line of them! So we tried to call out our favorites, but our girl ignored us... "KARA!!! KARA!!!!!" However, we were able to talk to the actor who played Ren. Jason was gushing, and later felt so embarrassed at how he'd acted in front of his future husband. "You're a star, Eric!" Hahahaha! Such a great night.
I can't wait until Mamma Mia, when I will be cheering no matter fucking what. Look out Ancient Bitches of Santa Barbara! There WILL be cheering.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Compliments and How to Use Them
Hello all. I know it's been a long while, but I've decided to blog again. This is mostly due to the fact that my short-lived video blogs were met with heinously horrible comments from total strangers.
I've decided that I'm going to address and issue in each of my new blogs. This time, that issue is the art of complimenting.
How long has it been since you've been complimented? Think very hard. I'm not looking for a simple, "Nice haircut!" or "Cool shirt!" although those do feel wonderful to get. What I'm talking about is the real deal. Has anyone ever told you something like, "I think you are a natural public speaker," or perhaps, "Your creativity is really amazing. Keep it up." When I asked myself this question, my answer was, "Not enough." Then, I began to analyze the answer. In reality, I most likely got more of those kinds of compliments than "cool shirt, nice haircut." Just look at the archives of this blog and you'll see how much I did that warranted these praises. So... am I greedy? Why do I think I need more of those when I've already outdone most of my high school senior class?
It is because I am different now. In my freshman year of high school, I walked into drama class, cowbell in hand, and performed OVER THE MOON to great acclaim. I owned that piece. Now that I am a freshman at UCSB, I've done nothing so rash. I'm too afraid of what people will think. Somewhere I lost that confidence of "I don't care what anyone else thinks." Now, I care more than ever. But is that beneficial?
Some would say no, because I want to act and I should showcase my talents, but do I really need to? I don't want it to have a negative effect. Here comes my first point and lesson:
1.) Do not actively seek out compliments.
If you are one of those people who hear a show tune and start singing along to it only to hear what people have to say about you, stop. Even if it is only to hear the sound of your own voice, stop. When I'm singing along to something, I have a completely different sound compared to when I'm performing that something. People even assume I'm making fun of songs when I sing along to them because it's a little ridiculous sounding. You don't have to sound ridiculous, but don't do it for yourself. Do it for fun. If there's a piano in the room, don't play it because there are other people with you. Would you play it if the room were empty? If yes, would you play the same way? Now for point number two...
2.) Give heartfelt, sincere compliments as often as you can.
Nothing feels better than to have someone else tell you that something you did was a good thing. This is not to say you should give out compliments like you give out your vaginas and/or penises on a Saturday night. However, if you think to yourself that something was good, tell the person who did it. Or applaud if the moment calls for it. And now point number three...
3.) Don't laud people who are purposely trying to show off for compliments.
The only explanation I have for this one is: If INSERT NAME OF SHOW-OFFY PERSON HERE is at the pianola, 90% of the time he/she is looking for compliments. Don't give it to them unless they really touched you with their talent. You should always give the talentless credit for trying, but do not give the talented credit for using you.
Be warned! If someone is fooling around at a rehearsal or something, they usually AREN'T showing off. Showing off is when someone gives a performance when there's no venue, no marquee, and a reluctant audience, AKA, you.
This concludes my blog on compliments. I probably won't stick to this format because that was really boring. I suck.
-Big D
I've decided that I'm going to address and issue in each of my new blogs. This time, that issue is the art of complimenting.
How long has it been since you've been complimented? Think very hard. I'm not looking for a simple, "Nice haircut!" or "Cool shirt!" although those do feel wonderful to get. What I'm talking about is the real deal. Has anyone ever told you something like, "I think you are a natural public speaker," or perhaps, "Your creativity is really amazing. Keep it up." When I asked myself this question, my answer was, "Not enough." Then, I began to analyze the answer. In reality, I most likely got more of those kinds of compliments than "cool shirt, nice haircut." Just look at the archives of this blog and you'll see how much I did that warranted these praises. So... am I greedy? Why do I think I need more of those when I've already outdone most of my high school senior class?
It is because I am different now. In my freshman year of high school, I walked into drama class, cowbell in hand, and performed OVER THE MOON to great acclaim. I owned that piece. Now that I am a freshman at UCSB, I've done nothing so rash. I'm too afraid of what people will think. Somewhere I lost that confidence of "I don't care what anyone else thinks." Now, I care more than ever. But is that beneficial?
Some would say no, because I want to act and I should showcase my talents, but do I really need to? I don't want it to have a negative effect. Here comes my first point and lesson:
1.) Do not actively seek out compliments.
If you are one of those people who hear a show tune and start singing along to it only to hear what people have to say about you, stop. Even if it is only to hear the sound of your own voice, stop. When I'm singing along to something, I have a completely different sound compared to when I'm performing that something. People even assume I'm making fun of songs when I sing along to them because it's a little ridiculous sounding. You don't have to sound ridiculous, but don't do it for yourself. Do it for fun. If there's a piano in the room, don't play it because there are other people with you. Would you play it if the room were empty? If yes, would you play the same way? Now for point number two...
2.) Give heartfelt, sincere compliments as often as you can.
Nothing feels better than to have someone else tell you that something you did was a good thing. This is not to say you should give out compliments like you give out your vaginas and/or penises on a Saturday night. However, if you think to yourself that something was good, tell the person who did it. Or applaud if the moment calls for it. And now point number three...
3.) Don't laud people who are purposely trying to show off for compliments.
The only explanation I have for this one is: If INSERT NAME OF SHOW-OFFY PERSON HERE is at the pianola, 90% of the time he/she is looking for compliments. Don't give it to them unless they really touched you with their talent. You should always give the talentless credit for trying, but do not give the talented credit for using you.
Be warned! If someone is fooling around at a rehearsal or something, they usually AREN'T showing off. Showing off is when someone gives a performance when there's no venue, no marquee, and a reluctant audience, AKA, you.
This concludes my blog on compliments. I probably won't stick to this format because that was really boring. I suck.
-Big D
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The White Guy Is Having A Time Over Here!
Everyone has these days. You wake up happy, feel like singing (and possibly do) and the weather is perfect, you feel refreshed, you have a great morning, a great lunch with friends... then all the sudden it's like you are universally ignored by everyone, including God.
So, in case you didn't know, UCSB is a very big place. I got lost on my way to a class today because we were meeting in some foreign computer lab in a place that was way off the bike path on the map. I got there in time, but I was really sweating it, freaking out inside still. Then, in class I realized I forgot to brush my teeth today, and then got assigned an essay I care nothing about. Before that, I'd gone to get my P.O. Box key and they guy didn't want to answer my question. After class I got to my room and started to de-stress by listening to music... then, I checked my schedule and found out I had my mandatory class in 8 minutes and it was across campus in ISLA VISTA. I got on my bike and flew like the wicked witch off the campus and parked and sat down all crazy tired and then I sweated through the most boring lecture ever. It wasn't even a lecture. It was, however, 50 minutes long. Then I went to dinner and found a friend I'd been hanging out with... a possibly special friend, or else I thought, until she started getting all giggly over this disgusting Dominican quarterback with a unibrow. I was just sitting there, akward as hell.
Then Iwent to an informational meeting about Hall Council and I'm now running for Recognition Chair. I hope I win. I wanted to have someone read my campaign intent thingy but he rebuffed me. I'm sure he had more important things to do. However, it was just the cherry to top off this horrible afternoon.
I need a fucking Dr. Pepper. I hope last night's Weeds is on youtube.
-Big D
So, in case you didn't know, UCSB is a very big place. I got lost on my way to a class today because we were meeting in some foreign computer lab in a place that was way off the bike path on the map. I got there in time, but I was really sweating it, freaking out inside still. Then, in class I realized I forgot to brush my teeth today, and then got assigned an essay I care nothing about. Before that, I'd gone to get my P.O. Box key and they guy didn't want to answer my question. After class I got to my room and started to de-stress by listening to music... then, I checked my schedule and found out I had my mandatory class in 8 minutes and it was across campus in ISLA VISTA. I got on my bike and flew like the wicked witch off the campus and parked and sat down all crazy tired and then I sweated through the most boring lecture ever. It wasn't even a lecture. It was, however, 50 minutes long. Then I went to dinner and found a friend I'd been hanging out with... a possibly special friend, or else I thought, until she started getting all giggly over this disgusting Dominican quarterback with a unibrow. I was just sitting there, akward as hell.
Then Iwent to an informational meeting about Hall Council and I'm now running for Recognition Chair. I hope I win. I wanted to have someone read my campaign intent thingy but he rebuffed me. I'm sure he had more important things to do. However, it was just the cherry to top off this horrible afternoon.
I need a fucking Dr. Pepper. I hope last night's Weeds is on youtube.
-Big D
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Hello, Y'all
I'm at UCSB, sitting in my dorm, tired as hell! And tomorrow I have to be READY for the day by 7:55. Oy. This will not be a long entry. I love this campus, and I can't WAIT to buy a bike, which will hopefully happen tomorrow or Saturday. Yay! The OCEAN is here... I can't believe it. I can see a glimpse of it from my window... a small glimpse, but one that people would probably pay 1.5 million dollars for if this was a house. I rock.
I really hope I get into Manzanita Village for the regular school year. I have a good feeling about it. It's right next to the beach... squeal. Anyway, I think I'm going to switch from Astronomy to Film Studies. I have talked to my RA's about it and they and everyone else says it's very math-y here. So, they recommend taking Dinosaurs to fulfill math. Haha.
Well, I'm going to go to bed soon... NEXT TO THE OCEAN! And tomorrow I will wake up... NEXT TO THE OCEAN... albeit way too early. Oh, and thanks to Riisa, I'm going to try to do a movie night where I get people to watch Hedwig and the Angry Inch... an awesome movie. Okay, I'm going to bed now. I'm exhausted... NEXT TO THE OCEAN!
Have a great night...
-Big D
PS: Sorry I haven't told the ballerina maxi-pad story. I'll tell it soon!
I really hope I get into Manzanita Village for the regular school year. I have a good feeling about it. It's right next to the beach... squeal. Anyway, I think I'm going to switch from Astronomy to Film Studies. I have talked to my RA's about it and they and everyone else says it's very math-y here. So, they recommend taking Dinosaurs to fulfill math. Haha.
Well, I'm going to go to bed soon... NEXT TO THE OCEAN! And tomorrow I will wake up... NEXT TO THE OCEAN... albeit way too early. Oh, and thanks to Riisa, I'm going to try to do a movie night where I get people to watch Hedwig and the Angry Inch... an awesome movie. Okay, I'm going to bed now. I'm exhausted... NEXT TO THE OCEAN!
Have a great night...
-Big D
PS: Sorry I haven't told the ballerina maxi-pad story. I'll tell it soon!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Hair, Ice Cream and Marijuana!
I promised this would be a better blog, so here I go. So, I have been a little too lazy so far this summer. I've done nothing about my scholarship money... I think I'll make those calls tomorrow. I'm going to force myself to. I also need to finish writing thank you cards. Y'know what? Thank you cards suck. They take for fucking ever and your hand hurts. You think I'm whining? Welcome to the ME generation! I mean, it's so annoying to sit and think of stuff to write to these people. You can't just say thanks for the cash, love Dylan... you have to be classy. And being a writer, I try to make everything I write the best thing I've ever written. Yeah, so it gets hard. Sometimes I wish I were someone simple-minded. I could just copy word for word each message... oy.
Happy late birthday to me, I'm an adult now, so it's no longer statutory ladies. It was a very peaceful weekend since the four kids and my mom were in San Diego at Austin's little league games. As soon as they left, I cleaned the house maniacally and it stayed clean for TWO DAYS! Yeah, they came back today. And they brought me a birthday present... SEASONS 1-3 OF WEEDS!!! They also brought an ice cream cake and it was good and fattening. Oh, and itunes gift cards. Very nice. I'm happy. I love them. I would love them without Weeds too, you guys. I promise.
Also, I watched Hair for the first time ever... loved it. And my show might happen! The girls said they'd do it, so I'm going to talk to Mr C. We're looking at the 26th. It'll be in Palmer if it happens. I hope it does.
So, now I'm going to make a list, because when I make a list on my blog, it sticks in my head. Tomorrow, I must:
1. Call Target, ask if they have Weeds season 1 wide screen so I can trade my full screen version.
2. Hopefully go to Target for the exchange.
3. Hopefully start watching from season 1.
4. Call scholarship people, possibly pick up some money.
5. Put checks in the bank.
6. Pay for UCSB summer session online.
7. Give Alanna her birthday/graduation present.
8. Revise show script, specifically Act 2.
9. Get ahold of Alex... as in actually talk to her in real time with my voice.
10. Find dorm bedding.
11. Browse for posters on e-bay for dorm.
12. Finish thank you cards... grr.
13. Do whatever.
Sorry y'all. The ballerina maxi-pad story will have to wait. It's late.
-Big D
Happy late birthday to me, I'm an adult now, so it's no longer statutory ladies. It was a very peaceful weekend since the four kids and my mom were in San Diego at Austin's little league games. As soon as they left, I cleaned the house maniacally and it stayed clean for TWO DAYS! Yeah, they came back today. And they brought me a birthday present... SEASONS 1-3 OF WEEDS!!! They also brought an ice cream cake and it was good and fattening. Oh, and itunes gift cards. Very nice. I'm happy. I love them. I would love them without Weeds too, you guys. I promise.
Also, I watched Hair for the first time ever... loved it. And my show might happen! The girls said they'd do it, so I'm going to talk to Mr C. We're looking at the 26th. It'll be in Palmer if it happens. I hope it does.
So, now I'm going to make a list, because when I make a list on my blog, it sticks in my head. Tomorrow, I must:
1. Call Target, ask if they have Weeds season 1 wide screen so I can trade my full screen version.
2. Hopefully go to Target for the exchange.
3. Hopefully start watching from season 1.
4. Call scholarship people, possibly pick up some money.
5. Put checks in the bank.
6. Pay for UCSB summer session online.
7. Give Alanna her birthday/graduation present.
8. Revise show script, specifically Act 2.
9. Get ahold of Alex... as in actually talk to her in real time with my voice.
10. Find dorm bedding.
11. Browse for posters on e-bay for dorm.
12. Finish thank you cards... grr.
13. Do whatever.
Sorry y'all. The ballerina maxi-pad story will have to wait. It's late.
-Big D
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Weeds
I love Weeds. I have watched every single episode available on demand in the past 2 days. I can't get enough. It's a little scary. I haven't blogged in a while, so here's a list of what I've been up to:
Wrote thank you cards for grad gifts and scholarships.
Went bowling at the new Brunswick in EC. Too long of a wait. Fun.
Joined West Coast Guilty Ones, a fan group for Spring Awakening.
Chewed like, four red straws.
Finished my UCSB schedule planning.
Mailed my final transcript.
Had a 4th of July party and swam. In a pool. It's been a year.
Oh shit, I just remembered I have physical therapy tomorrow. Scratch that, today. In 8 hours. I should sleep. Sorry this blog sucks. Next time I'll tell you the ballerina maxi-pad story.
-Big D
Wrote thank you cards for grad gifts and scholarships.
Went bowling at the new Brunswick in EC. Too long of a wait. Fun.
Joined West Coast Guilty Ones, a fan group for Spring Awakening.
Chewed like, four red straws.
Finished my UCSB schedule planning.
Mailed my final transcript.
Had a 4th of July party and swam. In a pool. It's been a year.
Oh shit, I just remembered I have physical therapy tomorrow. Scratch that, today. In 8 hours. I should sleep. Sorry this blog sucks. Next time I'll tell you the ballerina maxi-pad story.
-Big D
Monday, June 23, 2008
Scared Shitless
Well, since my last blog, I've left BUHS for good, gone to Vegas, seen a Cirque show, eaten Cajun food, eaten French food, met about 25 relatives for the first time and enjoyed a wine cube.
Graduation was really overrated and I don't much care that I'll never see a lot of those faces again. Bye, y'all. Vegas was awesome and I'll be posting a slide show on Youtube tonight. We saw Mamma Mia and the Beatles LOVE! They were both excellent. Every time we ate was a dining experience. I think my favorite place was the House of Blues though. I had blackened shrimp pasta and it was famazing. I also had a bunch of delicious french food for the first time ever, including creme broulee. Good stuff.
Yesterday was the Peirson Family Reunion, which I thought would be a big drag, but turned out very interesting. I wasn't feeling it at first and there was some relative going around with a video camera taking interviews and I felt really unsocial... until Riisa brought me a wine cube! Wow, then I snapped right into it. I ended up talking to a relative from Texas who is actually a state senator. She shared my passion for the arts and we shared lots of stories. Then, today we went to the beach for a Going-Away party for my old friend Nancy Vargas who will be spending her summer volunteering in Mexico! Go Nancy.
Anyway, you're probably wondering why I titled this "scared shitless". Well, I'm getting very nervous for college and I just looked at the Freshman Summer Start Program website and watched the slide show of past years... Everyone had perfect bodies and was hot and fuxy. It made me feel worse! Imagine that. I hope everything goes well. Anyway, that's about all for now. I'm tired! Oh, and before you read my next entry, make sure you try a wine cube!
-Big D
Graduation was really overrated and I don't much care that I'll never see a lot of those faces again. Bye, y'all. Vegas was awesome and I'll be posting a slide show on Youtube tonight. We saw Mamma Mia and the Beatles LOVE! They were both excellent. Every time we ate was a dining experience. I think my favorite place was the House of Blues though. I had blackened shrimp pasta and it was famazing. I also had a bunch of delicious french food for the first time ever, including creme broulee. Good stuff.
Yesterday was the Peirson Family Reunion, which I thought would be a big drag, but turned out very interesting. I wasn't feeling it at first and there was some relative going around with a video camera taking interviews and I felt really unsocial... until Riisa brought me a wine cube! Wow, then I snapped right into it. I ended up talking to a relative from Texas who is actually a state senator. She shared my passion for the arts and we shared lots of stories. Then, today we went to the beach for a Going-Away party for my old friend Nancy Vargas who will be spending her summer volunteering in Mexico! Go Nancy.
Anyway, you're probably wondering why I titled this "scared shitless". Well, I'm getting very nervous for college and I just looked at the Freshman Summer Start Program website and watched the slide show of past years... Everyone had perfect bodies and was hot and fuxy. It made me feel worse! Imagine that. I hope everything goes well. Anyway, that's about all for now. I'm tired! Oh, and before you read my next entry, make sure you try a wine cube!
-Big D
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