DUST UPS AND PANTALOONS

April 30, 2016 (addendum below)

Although there has been a 'dust up'.. I can't come up with a reference to pantaloons, except that I liked the sound of it.  Each day I (started to write 'marvel' but.. not marvel..  umm ) enjoy.. yes.. that's it..  I enjoy the moment that I open the front door, hold the screen back and take the shot of the other side of the hill.  When the sky is interesting, I like it best.  Today.. the  overcast and the slight chill add a bit to my rather gloomy awakening.  

I am sometimes outspoken.  If I see an issue that seems to be correctable ..  I'd like to be an influence to correct it.  There is a production of a well known play going on locally.  I opted to pay to see it because I had a reason that I did not want to review it.  A personal reason.  The theater is located in a shared space with a church and has been producing there for what I believe is a long time.  The show is one that probably has a hundred productions going on around the world right now and I've worked on it, seen the movie, enjoyed it at different venues over time.  The daughter of a friend is doing it in New York right now!  I love this show.  

A week ago I went to see this production and though this is not a review for my onstagelosangeles site, I must say that it was a marginal performance.  I referred to it here a few days ago.  What a shame to charge folks thirty bucks for lackluster performances.  Not really awful... Just not very good.  When I read a glowing review of the show, my first instinct was to write my impressions of the same production and post it.  The gushy writing that went on for over a thousand words made me wonder if the writer had seen the same performance that I had.  He had!  No accounting for taste, of course and maybe I expect too much?  But!  That was not the issue so much as another issue that I have always had.  Being around people who use tobacco can make me physically ill.  Not barfy, retching, headaches.. well, maybe headaches.. but just feeling not well.  As I exited the theater, a group of people associated with the show were all sitting in the patio area and a cloud of smoke filled the rather small space.  It smelled bad. I was on my way out, but it still left me with a bad feeling. That, of course, may be on me.

Later, I mentioned to the producer of the show that it may be against the City of Los Angeles civil code to allow tobacco use in that area.  Of course, I never mentioned my friend's name in my complaint to the producer, but they were upset.   I'm writing this to  mostly cleanse myself of the bad feelings.  Are we supposed to apologize for someone's being upset when there was no intention to harm the other person?  

I do believe that I owe someone an apology if I did something to deliberately hurt them. Their feelings, their person.  Otherwise,  we may discuss the issue and figure out how to fix it... or not. 

A tempest in a teapot! Life goes on.  And, then, it doesn't. 

April 30, 2016

michaelsheehan 
P.S.  After browsing this day, reconnecting with a former friend who did not remember me, my spirits are lifted.  Carol Lay.. a very creative artist whom I met maybe in the eighties?.. came to mind when the arts maven, Tracey Paleo, did a mailing reminding of a film coming out soon, Art Bastard, about the life of a Warhol contemporary, Robert Cenadella.  Cenadella's images on a Google search showed a crucifixion image that reminded me of Carol's painting, "The One Who Got Away" that featured animation hands and feet left on a cross. I decided to find Carol and she responded with the information that she is learning to play the "Irish tune."    The tune she is learning to play?  Hah.. Sheehan's Reel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgH10MQiU5Y 

  It's too fast for me right now, on the penny whistle but I've been trying it. I can only learn by ear.  Just the serendipity of the internet and my mood is elevated substantially. Thanks, Carol.

KOOL AID MAN?

April 29, 2016

Did the clouds remind of Kool Aid Man?  Where has April gone? 

We are so enamoured with our electronic pets that doubt creeps in with every red underline which maeks em wnat to misssspellll evry singel wrod. 

Watching "Undefeated! Kimmy Schmidt" Jane Krakowski as a spoiled divorcee gets into the fancy car and turns on the "talky thing."  "HE" tells her where to go and she, tired of patriarchiacal bullying, smashes talky thing to silence with her high heeled shoe.  We have met the future and the only going back, probably, will be Einstein's prediction of WWIV.. The world war after the next one?  He imagined that the weapons will be sticks and stones.  

Interestingly, the word mess above lost its red lines as though to say, go aeahad and be wrnog. 

Here's to Taurus!  Long may we wave.

April 29, 2016
michaelsheehan

 

THE TRASHMAN COMETH

April 28, 2016

Thursday trashtrux thrash the street and one by one the stuff .. the detritus of our lives goes off into the unknown where no man goes except when headed for the trashheap and then the gulls fly over and the sun goes down and the life goes on and on and on and then it doesn't.  

So called securitycam video that virtually makes identifying those caught on camera difficult at best seems odd to me when the most basic hardware in the hip pocket of an eight year old snaps crystal clear images. 

April 28, 2016

michaelsheehan

AND THE THOUGHTS AND THE THOUGHTS AND THE WORDS AND..

April 27, 2016
Not an early morning person this morning the sky and the sky and the rising sun with familiar images in shadow silhouette and spelling silhouette right on the first try wondering if the day will cloud again if the kite will fly if The Fantasticks deserves an honest review and how the bus will go and here the Faulkner gets to the writing and the writing will go and will go along on this the day. 

April 27, 2016
michaelsheehan

APRIL SLIPS FROM OUR GRASP

April 26, 2016

Happy Birthday, Sharon Doubiago.. 
I love the lens flare in this shot.  Early for me. The rains we've gotten help the changes in the trees across the street and on my eugenia bush that has shot up in the past few weeks.

TV news shows supporters of the orange candidate using pepper spray to combat folks in Anaheim. Both sides got some eye trouble. Most dramatic is a nine year old little girl describing how she got pepper spray in her eyes.  The images of Benito Mussolini keep coming to mind as this silly thing escalates.  The orange man is frightening now.  And, his supporters with pepper spray and a reported taser in Anaheim reflect some aspect of a failure in the American educational system.  Really. 

Dust in the wind!??  There must be.. I'm sneezing a lot these days! 

For those who want to help, as Felicia Freisema moves into her new life, her medical bills for Steve's care for the past six months are coming in. A 'rent party' has always seemed like a good idea to me.  Please send message me on FB if you'd like to contribute a buck or two. 

April 26, 2016
michaelsheehan  

THE DAY AFTER AND THE DAY BEFORE

April 25, 2016

At last.. a wrong number and not a hang up or a robot from the IRS threatening to sue me.  No home improvement scams. Sadly, not a pal just checking up.  But, a human voice apologizing.  At least it's a good start.

Wading through The Sound and the Fury, Faulkner's prize winning muddle is slow.  That he can manipulate parsing and incomplete sentences and changes of names and still keep me reading is something. 

Tomorrow is the birthday of Sharon Doubiago: a wonderful writer and loopy traveler with half a dozen books or more published, included a huge memoir double dose of My Father's Love which she allowed me to read as she wrote it.   I've lost touch with her. She may still be living in the travel van she got from her mother and writing and writing in an inimitable way.  

Birthdays and death days.  We remember and then over time, forget some of them.  I never heard back from Carolyn, the twelve year old I so loved. Life goes on and then... it doesn't? 

A reminder to true friends.  Steve Julian's widow, Felicia Friesema, will be lumbered with many, many bills.  If you know her or can find her on Facebook, a few bucks would be appreciated.  

Love one another.  

April 25, 2016

michaelsheehan

THE DAY WE KNEW WOULD COME.. SADLY

April 24, 2016

Steve Julian died today.  

His lovely wife, Felicia Friesema, has been keeping vigil for the past five months.  The intelligence of Steve and Felicia to not fight a losing fight was, to me, the right decision. His diagnosis was terminal and unlike most folks who would 'fight' with every tooth and nail, these beautiful people took what had been dealt them and found a way to peace with minimally invasive interference.  Almost every day Felicia would recount the steps that ultimately led to Steve's final curtain today. 

Steve Julian NPR Morning Edition KPCC 89.3 FM

.

 I only met Steve one time for lunch.  I'd seen his play, Ribbons of Life, and found it well constructed and even though it was just a staged reading, the characters were all well defined and the issues the play discussed were relevant and important.  That we lose a guy like this at the age of 57 is a tragedy.  That his legacy will succeed him is a must.  

Steve Julian was present and accounted for.  He was kind. He listened.  If anything, those qualities would be something that every one of us might do to respect his memory and to simply be better people: being kind and listening.

 I didn't know him well, but after meeting Felicia and feeling her good energy, I know that this was a power couple who might have gone on to make really wonderful theatre.   Now, Felicia.. it's up to you and the hundreds of friends who love you and love the memory of your husband... to carry on. 

The last thing I'll ever wish for anyone who dies is for them to "rest in peace."  No play ever written would have ever worked were it not for the conflicts that were resolved in the plot.  So.. for Steve Julian, I wish for an opportunity to thrive in that fair land...  if it exists.  Let's  all be grateful for the joy he shared by example with his work... to inspire us all to make art.  

It's time to be present and accounted for.  

April 24, 2016

michaelsheehan

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY AND FINAL DAY

April 23, 2016

Four hundred years!  Records are unclear, but William Shakespeare was born right around this date and then may have died this date as well and was then buried on April 25, 1616, four hundred years ago.  The love of the English language is enhanced by hearing the poetry of the Bard.  I had that pleasure last night to hear it again out of the mouths of babes. Director Louie Piday's LACC production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is wonderful.  She's placed the play in the imaginations of a modern day mother and daughter who conjure up Puck and the gang in the familiar guise of well known characters retold from a Disney point of view.   I loved the show.

http://onstagelosangeles.blogspot.com/2016/04/lacc-wishing-on-star.html

It's playing twice today and again next Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 4/28, 29 and 30. 

http://www.lacitycollege.edu/calendar/ThisWeek.html 
Highly recommended!

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Lynne Marie Stewart posted something on FB today with a photo of a lovely young girl who had taken a self portrait while in a ladies' restroom. Until you read the caption, it was unclear why this simple photo was relevant.  The caption tells the story of a transgender girl who is simply making an effort to simply live her life. She looks to be about twenty.  Her statement mentions the current bruhaha about who can pee where being in the news and laws being passed that are all limbic reactions and fear mongering.  I made a comment when I 'shared' the post from Lynne that Education is the way to get beyond what is, to me, basically a non-issue.  Then, I noticed, when referring a friend to the schedule for Louie's play, that there is a forum on the LACC campus next Wednesday, April 27th. It's for students and faculty but the campus is open and I would doubt that anyone who shows up to be educated would not be turned away. 

http://www.lacitycollege.edu/public/flyers/tg-eventsSp16.pdf 

Meanwhile, spring is upon us. Two hundred thousand dollar Humvees are plummeting from the sky and crashing; a new commercials contract is up for ratification from SAGAFTRA and Actors Equity is having elections.  The only way the will of the people may be heard is via our voice. Actors!! VOTE!! And, in November... all of us will trudge or hasten to the polls, Lawd, Lawd!  Check the current New Yorker magazine for an overkill of cartoons dedicated to the silliest candidate to come down the pike. I do my best to never utter nor write that name.

April 23, 2016

michaelsheehan

AM I BEING SUED??

April 22, 2016

The phone rings.  That ominous pause. An authoritatitve woman's recorded voice, "We have been trying to reach you. You are being sued by the IRS!"  Hmmm..  Why would the IRS sue me? Why would a robot call to tell me?  What is the "IRS?"  Of course, what it is is the Irate Republican Silliness.  Or, the Irrational RetroSkanks?  Daily..  not almost daily.. DAILY, the phone rings and there may be a recording wanting to fix my credit or this dumb IRS thing or ominously... no one on the line.  You can always tell when a computer is calling you and there MAY be a person in another land sitting in a boiler room because of the pause and then the voice: the poor schmuck whose 'job' it is to wheedle or bully you into buying whatever they are selling.  I've seen this sort of thing actually work and it is insidious and should be illegal! (An elderly neighbor was sold an unnecessary driveway!) 

These creeps know that anyone who answers the phone in the middle of the day is likely to be a senior citizen. They also know that seniors are likely to be vulnerable to suggestion and probably lonely.  Taking advantage of folks this way is a crime, plain and simple.  It should be a crime, too:  calling from a 'non-working number.' Often I've tried to call the number that one of these annoying calls has come from and a recording announces that the number has been disconnected or is not working.

The point:  Predators are more and more easily equipped to take advantage of folks.  They are liars.  They should be stopped.  Even knowing that they have no power unless I fall for their nonsense, (Oooops.. There's the phone for the third time..) my heart rate increases just a bit and I just wish that I could frighten that predator in some way to make them find a job wrangling burgers and fries, where, at least, they are being truly productive.

There was a live person on the line this time. I invented a 'foreign language' and the confusion in the woman's voice was fun.  "Is this a business?"  I responded ..trying to remember the language I'd just invented.. something like, "nish gat a bolly.."  Which probably means "Nish has a boil.." in Geeflunkistan. 

///

I went to see THE FANTASTICKS last night at the Crown City Theatre in NoHo.  It is not a great production and it cost me twenty bucks to NOT review it.  An old friend is in the show and pretty much steals it. The opening night audience of about thirty was very eclectic.  There was a nice reception after the show. Unintentionally, I destroyed the little bowl of Cheez-Its!   

Marginal talent and too much effort can make even a sweet little show like this  just amble along.  Had I reviewed the show, I'd have complimented the production on keeping the 'Rape Song' ... "It Depends on What You Pay!" in the original version.  There's a page in the program devoted to the origins of the word, "rape," in the program which goes back to 'abduction' which is what the parents are hiring El Gallo to perform.  

Tonight I'll head to LA City College to see Louie Piday's college students tackle A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Louie is a wonderful director and a fine teacher.   

Friday. April 22, 2016 

(A day... or two... after Carolyn Sue's birthday and Happy Bday Michael Rugg)

michaelsheehan

 

ICONS

April 21, 2016

The lead today is sad.  Prince, the Purple Rain iconic musician is dead.  Television news was on the scene as Minneapolis police cars were seen going into and out of Paisley Park Studios, the production complex that Prince built for himself to record in, as well as a space for other productions.  It is interesting to me how we all find personal connections to tragedies like this.  I'm not sure that it's to bolster the ego or just feel closer to a broader story.   In fact, I have the story of being hired to come to Minneapolis to work in a commercial for Armor and spent three days there doing the first commercial shot in Prince's new facility.  It was huge.   I remember a special drum room that was completely isolated from the rest of the studio.  

That trip to Paisley Park remains very memorable. The death of an iconic rock star is something, that as it dominates the television news today will shake out in comparison with other famous musicians who have left us.  This one is sad as the man left a huge mark on the music scene.  At five feet two, the androgynous young man carved a wide swath that leaves fans shaken because of his relatively young age and that he had hosted a party only a few days ago to assure friends that the flu like symptoms he'd been having were not an issue.

What I got from my trip to Paisley Park was the opportunity to experience Minneapolis in a broader sense.  The Guthrie Theatre was presenting The Misanthrope and Frank Gehry had a retrospective at The Walker Art Museum.  I recall that even the street people in the park between The Walker and the Embassy Suites Hotel were clean and friendly.  Only one man was crazy enough to mumble to himself incoherently and curse a building and kick it for good measure. 

Claes Oldenburg's Spoonbridge and Cherry were a highlight, too. 

Spoonbridge and Cherry / Claes Oldenburg

Oldenburg is pals with Gehry and as my interest in contemporary art expanded, that connection felt wonderful to me. 

The deaths of well known people will always trump the passing of those whose names are not as familiar.  "Chyna" a woman wrestler has also passed away and the TV news shows unflattering video of her drinking a green concoction and shoots video of her balcony in an apartment building in the South Bay.  Saddest of all is the imminent death of Steve Julian, local playwright and familiar voice to us here in the LA area.  This impending death is more personal and feels totally different in scope.  A memorial for Bill Martin is coming up, too.  You'd recognize his face in the face of "Harry" the Bigfoot in "Harry and the Hendersons." Bill wrote the screenplay with the director, William Dear.  He leaves his son, Ben, whose mother is my friend, Vanessa Gilbert.

Life goes on. And, then.  It doesn't?  We really have no idea. One take on death that I like is presented by Alan Watts, the foremost proponent of Zen in the West.  He says that being dead is like things were like before we were born.  I can relate to that.

Prince, Chyna, Bill... I hope that 'resting in peace' has nothing to do with being dead.  Here's to something much more fun. 

April 21, 2016 (which might be Carolyn's birthday!?)

michaelsheehan  

  

FOUR TWENTY

April 20, 2016

Evidently, this date has something to do with pot. I am lame and naive, so I don't know why.   If cannibis was legal, how many 'offenders' would be not in jail, but blissfully being blissful? I remember seeing grow facilities in hidden rooms and a sign in a patch high in the Santa Cruz Mountains asking thieves to not be thieves, man. 

Jeannie and I invented an iPhone table top studio yesterday.  Not sure it will work.  Making it up as we go along.

 

Off to The Good Neighbor!  I miss getting over there now and then. 

Carolyn's birthday is either today or tomorrow.  All these years. Never written down.  I just hope to be in the ballpark. 

April 20, 2016

michaelsheehanå

TOASTY TUESDAY

April 19, 2016

For nostalgics:  The Fantasticks opens on Thursday, April 21st at the Crown City Theater in NoHo.  I'm bucking for a ticket so I don't have to review an old friend and an old nemesis.  It'll be nice to just enjoy the show.  It's one of those chestnuts that are hard to screw up.  The politically correct version of El Gallo's song may be in place or not.  

Rewriting history is not a good thing in my opinion.  In my recent reading of three books by William Faulkner (okay .. I'm still working on The Sound and the Fury).. the word 'nigger' is used fluently.  It is a sign of the times. Prejudice factors throughout Light in April and if the word was changed or censored, it would totally change the flavor of the novel.  One of the main characters is of mixed race, but even though he passes for European, he's still hunted like a wild animal because he's been called out as a 'nigger.'  Our language fluctuates and our respect for it will probably be always in motion.  To me, to call someone a 'republican' these days is kin to any of the racial/ethnic slurs that Lenny Bruce taught us are just words.  It's the intention of the speaker or writer.. as I've just done .. that carries the insult.  Language!

Summer's lease is starting early here.  Rumor has it that there may be more rain.   That would be fine.

Meeting the petanque folks in Claremont and corresponding with the organizers of the group there, is heartening. If anyone in the Glendale area would like to find out about this simple/complex sport, please email me at directortv41 at yahoo 

Watching Orson Welles's Chimes At Midnight last night was a lesson in cinematography.  Made about twenty-five years after Citizen Kane, Welles has said that his Falstaff might be his finest role. The film is a combination of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Henry V and some other stuff. It  is way too long, but the grace and beauty of this black and white film is a primer for anyone who wants to see an auteur direct himself to near perfection.  My favorite line is delivered, I think, by Maragaret Rutherford to Falstaff, "When was the last time you saw your knees?" Welle's is either really padded or is, in fact, leaving 300 pounds in the dust! 

Just missed a Happy Birthday (April 14) to Julie Christie. Another well made film that she earned a SAG Award for, Away From Her, is worth another look. 

Be kind. 

michaelsheehan

April 19, 2016

CAROLYN'S BIRTHDAY

April 18, 2016

In a couple of days it'll be the birthday of an old friend.   Now and then I like to say that I was once in love with a twelve year old just to watch the face of whomever I am confessing to. And, I then reveal that I was eleven at the time.  Her name was Carolyn and she was cute and blonde.  I walked her home from school and she was not in love with me.  She moved away to Pocatello and after a little time we lost touch. But now for many years I've sent her a birthday card and because she is older than I am, tease her a little.   Happy Birthday, Carolyn Sue.

The two shows I reviewed on Saturday, Paul Linke's "Time" and Maury Sterling in "A Gambler's Guide to Dying" directed by Paul, both at the Ruskin Theatre at the Santa Monica Airport are worth the drive.  Entirely different pieces.  Very personal and well presented.  It's good to see talented folks with well written material. 

http://onstagelosangeles.blogspot.com/2016/04/paul-linke-time.html 

I like to write reviews of theatre work that is, in my opinion, worthy of an audience.  I was deleted as a critic by the former Glendale theatre company, A Noise Within, probably because I was insulted to be made to sit through a version of the Scottish Play that basically sucked except for the set and the costumes and I said so.  That still rankles as it seems to me that a company that has figured out how to build a more than ten million dollar theatre should be doing work that is worthy of the space, not vanity pieces that come off a lot like university Masters Thesis Projects. 

However, in the Ruskin space, funky and definitely with nowhere near millions of dollars invested, I've often seen exciting and creative work.  Even A Noise Within was doing more interesting work in their Old Masonic Lodge space in Glendale than I've seen in their Pasadena Palace.  I wonder why I am harping on this? Go to ANW and see if you agree.. but drive down to The Ruskin and see what seat of the pants professional work is all about and compare!  

Happy Birthday, Carolyn!  Diamonds are for you! 

April 18, 2016

michaelsheehan 

PETANQUE ON SUNDAY!

April 17, 2016

I hope to turn you on to the game of petanque.  It's a bowling game originating in France that can be played virtually on any level patch of sand or gravel.  It takes steel 'boules' to play.  I am off to Claremont where a group of petanque enthusiasts has brought the game on board and the city has constructed six new terrains (courts).   https://www.claremont-courier.com/articles/news/t14161balls

I saw Paul Linke's new one man show and then a show he directed down at the Ruskin yesterday. Worth the drive to Santa Monica.  Reviews to follow.  

http://onstagelosangeles.blogspot.com/2016/04/paul-linke-time.html 

http://onstagelosangeles.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-gamblers-guide-to-dying-at-ruskin.html 


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A LOVELY DAY IN CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA

Claremont Petanque Terrains

The Claremont Petanque Club folks are friendly, open and fun.  The City of Claremont and the organizers of the Club have seven casual terrains (courts) that are not ideal for serious play, but serve the twenty-five or thirty locals who show up every Sunday at 2PM in the City Park just off Harrison in Claremont. An all volunteer group, the players are friendly and engaging.  Skill and competition rank second to simply enjoying the game.  Visiting with David and Nan Reger in their planned retirement community was great fun and the day in the park playing Petanque was great. 

Claremont Petanque Check In

David and Nan Reger Claremont Petanque

David and Nan THE WINNERS!

Hopefully, the City of Glendale will make some simple adjustments to the space behind the Adult Recreation Center which will welcome not only Glendale residents but players from around Los Angeles and beyond.

Be kind!  Into the day. 

michaelsheehan

April 17, 2016