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April 29, 2004
The Jesus Factor
For an interesting take on the role of religion on GWB's policies and presidency check out The Jesus Factor, on PBS Frontline tonight.
It promises to be a pretty interesting piece. In addition to producing good quality films, they have excellent taste in Bookkeepers. :-)
Posted by mermu at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2004
9th Street Water Heats up
Rehearsals are going well for "9th Street Water". The work is somewhat difficult due to the subject matter and, I am sure, also for the fact since it's been awhile since I've worked so intently on an acting project. The director is extremely talented but also somehow seems to speak a different "acting language" than I do and I am just now starting to understand if not speak it. We are supposed to be off-book by Saturday....duh, Duh, DUH!!! Arghh!
Getting offbook with lines and blocking is the most frustrating part of acting in my opinion. We are now at a point in rehearsals where scripts and "searching for the line" is just a huge pain in the ass. I want to be free of this painful albatross and start working on the character.
I hope you get to see it. I think I'm going to be really proud of the outcome.
On another note, I am off to see De La Guarda finally with a, well, a friend. I've wanted to see this show since I arrived in NYC and finally I'm getting my chance.
Posted by mermu at 08:46 AM | Comments (4)
April 20, 2004
Pru and "Miracle" Products
I was at Pru's house this Saturday for pre-going out drinks with the gals. We had a lovely time shooting the breeze and catching up on the comings and goings of each other. Since I've been in rehearsal for "9th Street Water", I haven't been able to really hang out as much so there were a lot of interesting stories to give and get.
At some point in the conversations Pru admitted to a secret yen. She can not resist products that have "miracle" in them. Miracle Cream, Miracle Grow, Miracle Cover, Miracle Make-up. Almost every product in her bathroom cabinet has to do with a miracle. Pru is a sucker for miracles. "How can you go wrong with miracles?" she ponders. "Every really useful product should be a miracle."
To which I replied, "Except condoms. One should definitely not choose the Miracle condoms."
Think about it.
Posted by mermu at 08:59 AM | Comments (1)
April 15, 2004
Pledging my Allegiance
Opening Day with the Mets was a blast. My friend KF somehow swaggled us stickets in the Major League Baseball Properties section. We were 7th row in line with 3rd base. From that angle and proximity, it almost seemed like watching a bunch of guys on my block playing baseball.
The Mets and the Braves played a really good game. It was actually quite tense in moments. The Mets took an early lead but it started raining consistently somewhere in the 3rd inning. If the umps called a delay and the game never started back; the game and the Mets lead would be lost. Met's fans were anxiously awaiting the bottom of the 5th so the game would count while still wanting their Mets to do well in the 3rd and 4th inning. By the 5th inning the Mets were up 9-0 and the Braves were no longer praying for rain. Rain it did and I and my companion were a little surprised the ump didn't immediately call the game. So we sat through 4 more rainy, tense innings. The Braves ended up scoring 5 runs and all of a sudden we had a ball game. In the 9th inning the Braves had the tying run at bat with the bases loaded. I was afraid I was going to see that defeatist Mets mentality here in my first game at Shea Stadium. The final play was a double play in the top of the 9th. Met's Win and it's still sprinkling. The final score was 10-5...METS. Did I mention the Mets won?
So this experience has gotten me thinking. I've been in NYC for a long time. Three years actually. I should have a New York team allegiance. It sure as hell won't be football. I was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys before Jerry Jones and I'll be a fan long after he's left our fair state. KF actually asked me what I would do if someone ever decided to move the team out of Dallas. To which I replied, "I'll never have to do that. I imagine anyone trying to take the Cowboys out of Texas would meet with a rather quirky, if not unfortunate accident." Texas is still a bit of a "wild frontier" and, though the entire state would be furious, there would be at least one nut from The Republic of Texas or some bizarre Southern cult who thinks the Dallas Cowboys are a collective Jesus who would take it that one step further.
So it's not going to be the Giants or the Jets swaying my allegiance. Basketball teams are two deep with the Mavericks and the Rockets and women's basketball is a no brainer with the Comets.
So that got me thinking about baseball. I"ve been to Astros games and Rangers games. They were allright, but I've never felt the affinity for those teams as I have for the Cowboys. Of course, Shrub Jr. most certainly tainted the name of the Rangers but then again, so does Jerry Jones with the Cowboys and in that instance my loyalty is unwavering.
I have no favorite baseball team....unless it is of course...
The Mets. I could really get behind the Mets. And I've been in NYC long enough that I feel a certain tug towards rallying around a "second home" team as if it were my own. It's a weird feeling, but it's time.
I pledge my baseball allegience to THE METS. Wouldn't it be great if this is the year they went the distance?
Posted by mermu at 09:35 AM | Comments (4)
April 12, 2004
Opening Day
Well, it seems I've finally got friends in high places....
My very good friend, KF, scored some primo tickets to the opening day of the Mets and of all people has enlisted yours truly to accompany him. I am playing hookie from work (or rescheduling my client) to attend my very first baseball game in New York City.
Yankees be damned, if I had to choose a NYC team it would be the Mets. I just have the feeling that baseball is still a tradition and a game to them. Yankees are...well yankees. The very sound of them evokes images of carpetbaggers and rascals.
The only thing that could have possibly made this better would have been if they were playing the Astros. Alas, it's just the Braves and I'm not a fan of theirs so I will get to honestly root for the home team. YAY....
...summer's coming!!!
Posted by mermu at 08:13 AM | Comments (2)
April 08, 2004
Shutter Bug
Check out My New Photos page. I love it!! I love it!!!
Thank you BIL!!
Posted by mermu at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)
Today's Opti-Oxy-MORON award
I'm still seething about the inadequacies and inefficiencies and excuses of our current President and his administration after watching Condi Rice that I'm not going to even go there else I'll say something that might be considered treason. Instead, I'll share this little gem from Justice Scalia.
It seems two individuals were forced to erase recordings of a speech Justice Scalia presented on the Constitution.
Here are some highlights:
Last year, Scalia was criticized for refusing to allow television and radio coverage of an event in Ohio in which he received an award for supporting free speech.
Think that's rich? Here's a quote from Scalia in the same article. Scalia is addressing a full auditorium of high school students, officials, religious leaders: "The Constitution of the United States is extraordinary and amazing. People just don't revere it like they used to." He said he spends most of his time thinking about the Constitution, calling it "a brilliant piece of work."
Really? Well, Justice Scalia why don't you spend a little less time thinking about the Constitution and a little more time PROTECTING IT!!!
But things aren't all bad, Antonin. Your hypocrisy did just win you Mermu.net's Opti-Oxy-MORON award.
Congratulations. Your prize is big fat ZERO.... see, we can be oxymoronic too.
Posted by mermu at 12:22 PM | Comments (2)
"9th Street Water"
On another note, we had our first rehearsal for "9th Street Water" Wednesday night. I am so jazzed about this show and so honored to be a part of it. It's a tough role and I am a little nervous about....going there but.....
I am so excited I could squeal!
If you are in the NYC area, please, please, PUH-LEASE come and see it.
Posted by mermu at 12:48 AM | Comments (1)
Prudence Meets a Man
Last Tuesday when Pru and I were out and about she informed me that she is dating a particular fellow. They've been out once or twice and she is interested enough to want to see him again. She wouldn't divulge too many details except to say:
1) Not only did he have a job; this man had a career.
2) He lived in his very own apartment sans roommates.
3) He was an upstanding proper citizen.
Compared to Pru's previous beau, I think this new guy is doing alright.
Her last dalliance of any significance:
1)Never had a job the entire time they dated that Pru hadn't gotten for him.
2)Not only lived in a basement; his roommate was his mother.
3)Had to succumb to something called "pre-trial intervention" which is really parole for something really stupid.
I don't know, but I think things might be looking up for my Pal Pru.
Posted by mermu at 12:46 AM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2004
New and Improved
Well, I've finally got the main parts of the new site up and running. I know. I know. It doesn't look right on some browsers and I still have to add the photos to the photos page (stepan!!!). I also have to add all of those resumes and samples of Voiceover work and what not. In the end, it's a very simple site but I think it will work well. I've definitely needed to add certain pages and create pages that are easy for me to edit and add to. Anyway...feel free to browse and let me know your thoughts.
Posted by mermu at 03:36 PM | Comments (4)
Coming Clean About Ignorance
So Bush comes out today and finally admits he "lacked info about September 11." Hmph! All I can say is maybe if he spent more time on the job he would have actually read some of the memos being sent to him. Let's not forget where our little president Jr. was two weeks before the attacks, FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH.
All I can say is that kind of negligence is probably what some Americans deserve for choosing a man who is more interested in using the Presidency to play dress up.
The people in the World Trade Center and the ones that didn't vote for him however don't.
Posted by mermu at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2004
Ones that Do
I hosted my second Raclette dinner tonight. This time the guests were Auntie and Uncle Kansas. I was very pleased to a)use my grill again b)make a dent in the enormous amount of cheese I have left and c) show off my apartment and my view to the family members visiting. I served the raclette, more sausage, potatoes, asparagus and capped the night with a fine chocolate and vanilla ice cream for dessert.
The affair has kicked off a new tradition for me. If you come to visit me from out of town, I will host a dinner at my house for you on one of the evenings you are in town if you so choose. Now I know I compete with many culinary wonders just across the river, but my hope is the adventure of going to New Jersey for you out of towners and the promise of a well-prepared meal will sway visitors.
Hopefully this tradition will even compel mom or dad to come and visit. If not I may have to resort to what she did.
At one part of dinner, Uncle Pat remarked about the eccentricities of asparagus. He asked me if my pee smelled after eating this tasty green vegetable. I informed him that I never noticed an odd smell so we deducted that I did not have smelly, asparagus pee as I most assuredly would recognize the odor. Pat mentioned that there were two kinds of people in the world with respect to asparagus smelly pee. The ones that don't and the ones that do.
Now, I'm not sure if this is a scientific fact in the same way there are two kinds of people, those that can make their tongue look like a taco and those that can't. Or those that can raise one eyebrow at a time and those that can't. (I can do neither.) Pat gave the impression that it was a scientific fact when he mentioned it, but then Pat frequently gives that "scientific fact" impression when he mentions anything. I suppose it doesn't really matter if it's a fact or not.
Lo and behold, this evening after I went to the bathroom to pee I did notice a rather unusual smell. I was quite surprised to realize that when it comes to asparagus and smelly pee. I'm one of the Ones that Do.
Posted by mermu at 12:02 AM | Comments (2)
April 04, 2004
Inheritance
So far I've been having a great time with Auntie and Uncle Kansas. We've had a brilliant meal at a very good seafood restaurant. I've shown them my favorite secret midtown restaurant and they even saw a famous (for NY) person although they had no idea who he was. They are coming to my house for Raclette tonight for a look at my view and to inspect my digs.
After watching Alfred Molina in "Fiddler on the Roof" on Broadway last night we went to the bar in their hotel for cocktails and had a great time pretending that neither party knew any real scoop.
I did find that *someone* who should know better actually voted Republican in her first presidential voting booth. For Shame! For Shame!
Hmm. Maybe that's why Cynthia gave me this.
.
It looks good doesn't it.
Posted by mermu at 10:53 AM | Comments (3)
April 02, 2004
New York's Finest
There's nothing quite like a come on from a man in uniform. On Tuesday coming home from work, I rode the subway with two of New York's finest for two stops. They were incredibly flirty; one to the point of insolence. Now, it's always a kick to be appreciated for one's, er, form but there is a point at which a man is just plain inappropriate and shows his ass at least figuratively speaking. I wondered what his Captain would think of such shenanigans. It's certainly not sexy at all.
The men themselves were handsome enough, and, did I mention they were in uniform? Everyone knows that a man's attractability quotient while wearing the blues, or firemen's boots or whatever garb makes them "official" in some capacity is automatically upped a notch. Renee was right in Jerry Maguire. Guys, if they have you, will have you at "hello". It's the crap they expel from their mouths after "hello" that get them in trouble.
Fortunately I was raised in a Southern state that is also Texas. In Texas, a woman learns quickly how to tell a man to "shut the *uck up" without being rude. Both men, especially the rude one, knew exactly when he crossed the line and hastily stepped back in his verbal place. They exited at the next stop and I was left to evening commute.
Posted by mermu at 03:02 PM | Comments (2)