« May 2004 | Main | July 2004 »
June 21, 2004
Update: The New Black
It's official. As of this Sunday, Pru and I have declared that dating good guys is the new black. For those of you confused by this whirlwind turn of events, I think it goes something like this:
The original black.
Babies are the new black.
Purses are the new babies; hence purses are the new black.
Black is back.
Dating good guys: The Current/New Black.
Hopefully this one will stick.
Posted by mermu at 12:07 PM | Comments (2)
Ballywood Nightmares
One of my clients has a piece about Aids and the sex trade in India showing on Thursday, June 24th on PBS Frontline World. Check here for local listings. I've seen some of the raw tapes and it's a chilling story. Little girls sold by their fathers and indoctrinated into a life of prostitution and slavery. Most of these girls have aids or hiv. The men who seek them out refuse to wear condoms even when they know the dangers and thus spread the disease to their families and villages.
If you're watching know that I'll be watching too. We are having an airing gathering on Thursday night. If you're in the neighborhood you wanna come?
Posted by mermu at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)
Someone to Watch Over Me
As far as bookkeeping goes, things are looking up. My newest client, the one I almost didn't take because I'm so busy! fought to add in the next budget in September a health care perdiem for me. I have two clients who work for this parent company so my hope is in getting perdiems from both companies I can just about be insured for the first time in almost 12 years.
Wow! I could actually go to the doctor if I get sick. I could go skiing and ski a blue without worrying how I'm going to pay for setting my broken leg!! Woohoo!
Enter in the Freelancer's Union. I've seen ads in the subway for months now but have only recently taken the time to check it out. They offer health insurance to qualified freelancers in New York City. I'm pretty sure I'll qualify.
I am so excited about this union's development. I've often thought it a bit dodgy that a person's employer has access, via invoices and bills, to the status of an employee's health. I think it's a breach of privacy.
I'm still a huge advocate of a National Health System. I think, this being America, we can manage to provide care to all Americans without risking the quality of care for those rich people who are so freaked out about it.
In general, I've always felt like the insurance industry was just legalized mafia. I think the freelancer's union is a great step forward. It would be great if our insurance needs were managed by unions and guilds. So that no matter where we were a teacher, or bookkeeper, or accountant it wouldn't matter if we moved from one job to another, we'd still be covered.
I just logged into Excite and poll for the day is about the very subject of uninsured Americans. According to a recent survey by Families USA, ONE THIRD of Americans have been uninsured within the last two years.
Posted by mermu at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2004
While the Mouse is away
As I mentioned said Englishman is enjoying two weeks in balmy California. That means that currently I am not rehearsing/acting in a show, beau is Out of Town and my projects are becoming more and more manageable. I don't know when I've had such freedom to choose in my evenings.
What have I been doing lately?...Yesterday, not much. I did manage some "High Cotton" business but mostly I vegged and vegged and vegged again. My friend Dina and I went to the International Wholesale Warehouse yesterday. After getting lost in bargains and junk, we went for a drive in the neighborhood looking at houses and condos for sale and rent. I've as much as decided I need to move into a one bedroom because it's too much of a pain in the ass to find a long-term responsible roommate. I really want to buy something. That damn 10% down can be a big pill to swallow when you're talking $200k.
Last night I went out with two pals who have recently started dating. Despite the fact that one is Jewish and one is Catholic I am certain they are MFEO (mom, that's Made For Each Other.) We had a lovely time hanging out with his friends. It was good fun.
Today Pru and I went to brunch and caught up. It seems for the first time in a long while (maybe ever) we are both dating nice men. Neither one is fucked up in any way. We've both decided we've seen the light; no more fucked up men ever again. We've sworn off assholes. Hopefully it will stick.
Seriously, it's really great to date someone who doesn't expect you to go through hoops because his wife left him, or his girlfriend left him, or he couldn't get a job, or he was getting too old to be attractive to 20 somethings, or he was allergic to peanuts...well whatever. Last weekend, Englishman and I went rollerblading (his first time ever, my first time in about 3 years) up the riverfront, had lunch in an outdoor cafe and napped in a park. It was idyllic and worry free and I was left thinking...why have I put off dating the good guys for so long?
Today I've created draft one of my marketing materials for my voiceover stuff, gone grocery shopping, gone to brunch, called my dad (who sadly didn't win the lottery so no beautiful white stucco house with city views for me this week) and almost, almost motivated myself to clean the kitchen.
Maybe I'll walk the dog instead.
Posted by mermu at 06:54 PM | Comments (1)
June 19, 2004
The Dashing Englishman
My English friend and I were chatting this week after we cleared the air about the e-conversation hijinx. One of the great things that came out of that e-conversation was the perfect name for him. I have to warn you though I'm keeping him close to the cuff. He's a really nice guy and, I think, really reserved. I feel having his person bandied about via blog would not make him confortable even in psuedonym so I'll try my best to respect that.
I've taken to calling him the "Dashing Englishman".
Why you ask? Because he's frequently dashing here...dashing there. He's currently in none other than Houston Intercontinental Airport on a layover on his way to California for two weeks. Sounds grand, doesn't it? He's promised to bring back a slew of photos and a nice surprise.
Whatever will I do untill he gets back?
Posted by mermu at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2004
Love (or the lack thereof) in Letters
I've learned alot this week about the whys and wherefores of sending all my love (or the lack thereof) in a letter.
This week I wrote a card to my dad for Father's day. It was a really cool card and I think I managed to say something in a way that fit with the card while expressing my gratitude, love, and respect for being my father. I hope he likes it as much as I do.
I also had a miscommunication in an e-conversation with my dashing Englishman. What I thought he was saying he wasn't really saying and my response was well written, specific, honest and a little shocking to said Englishman. We managed to work it out and I found a new respect for the dangers and shenanigans of text and e-messaging.
Finally, I had to writer a letter to my ex. Deon was never the sort of man who understood honor and respect unless he wanted something very specific. It took a few months for me to understand that. He would only do the Considerate trick if you waived a treat in his face. When there was no treat, consideration and respect were concepts no more than foreign words said without the proper inflection. Anyway, I had to advise him of an act he had been committing against me I found inappropriate and inconsiderate in the hopes that in educating him of the inappropriateness he would abstain from the behavior.
In writing these three letters/emails I have come to understand that I really like writing...taking the time to express myself. It's cathartic and energizing and I hate that I wait until I just can't take it anymore before I speak or write my mind. Searching for the right word on paper or email insures that I will be just as clear about what I want and need to myself as to the person I am writing.
I've also realized that my pen, any pen adequate and precise, is incredibly powerful. I can lift someone up or push them into a drowning world of discomfort. My pen is powerful even when...perhaps especially when poisoned. That's a great gift. And like many gifts; it comes with a certain amount of responsibility.
Posted by mermu at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)
A Protest I can get (my) Behind (in)!
A friend of mine sent me a link to the Axis of Eve. Now this is a protest I can get behind! Perhaps I"ll even get my behind in it!
They are most likely planning something for the RNC...which some people might consider the Republican National Convention but I know is really the Really Nasty Convention. The more I think about the gaul of these stepford politicians moving their Nasty little convention in NYC and pushing the date toward the 9-11 anniversary, the more angry I get. I think the Repubs are actually regretting such an ill-advised decision. This town is going to be jumpin'...not so much with Republicans but with people who aren't going to let the Stepfords pretend our city supports Corporate Welfare, Crushing the Geneva convention, making our soldiers go hungry cause a VP's favorite company can't get their shit together or going to war because someone was mean to your daddy.
By the way my "Eve axis" of choice is:
This bush GIVES life!
...and I'm politically ambiguous about abortion.
Posted by mermu at 08:05 AM | Comments (2)
June 11, 2004
Parking and my English Beau
My English *ahem* friend is an avid car racing fan. His circuit of choice is the Grand Prix. Today he sent me this little gem. Beware! It's addictive.
Posted by mermu at 07:25 PM | Comments (2)
June 10, 2004
& (More about the Perfect Man)
Something else in my list for the perfect man: He has to be able to put his hands together, blow through the little hole where the thumbs meet and make sound...like a whistful flute. My uncle can do this and I have always been intrigued. Despite my best efforts I can't make the noise. I think my thumbs are too thin. I can however make the noise when my current beau lets me blow through his clasped hands. What a thrill! I think we would be a favorite at parties and small dinners. He's not convinced.
FYI: He can also make the noise without me...so he's one step closer to the Perfect Man.
Posted by mermu at 01:06 PM | Comments (2)
UpDates
Well, the show closed and I immediately got sick. UGH. The timing was terrible as I was hoping to catch up on all of my clients that needed work...plus there is High Cotton to deal with. Sickness was nowhere in my schedule but sick I was. Somehow I managed to muddle through and even make it to my Aunt Leah's retirement ceremony from the Naval Reserves in Chicago. That was a real treat I hope to write in greater detail later.
I just wanted to let you all know I'm still kicking. And busy as ever....I think the reality of not being a "working actor" anymore is slowly starting to hit me and it's a little depressing. I can't wait for my next big project. Stay tuned....I have something in mind. I'll let you know if it develops.
Posted by mermu at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)