Greetings and Bienvenue! (listening to: My page hit count go way up)
Apparently, getting to know a fabulous blogger and all around good-person like Hedy goes a long way towards increasing your traffic. Well, fine by me.
Welcome to the Wiiman's blog. Take a look around, and if you like what you see, well... umm.. good for you. I'd shake your hand, but.. you know, Internet.
I'm currently looking for new music to listen to since Orion thought it would be supercool to bring me FIVE DISCS of new music, but nothing to decode it with. So, if you've got a favorite band that you think no one has heard of (OMG!! They're the r0xx0rz! I heard of them B4 they sold out! RECOGNIZ3!), let me know, and I promise not to be their downfall.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas
Season's Greetings to each and every one of you. (listening to: "It's a Wonderful Life" Seriously. I really am.)
Just a quick post to let you all know that I'm thinking of you as the snow (doesn't) fall(s) wherever you are.
I hope that this holiday finds you happy, fulfilled, warm, and full of love from those nearest to you, and those you love as well. I hope that the next year gives you everything you seek for those of you making large moves, and those of you staying where you are. Faith, Hope and Love be with you all. But the greatest of these is Love.
Be well.
Just a quick post to let you all know that I'm thinking of you as the snow (doesn't) fall(s) wherever you are.
I hope that this holiday finds you happy, fulfilled, warm, and full of love from those nearest to you, and those you love as well. I hope that the next year gives you everything you seek for those of you making large moves, and those of you staying where you are. Faith, Hope and Love be with you all. But the greatest of these is Love.
Be well.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
A Blast From the Past
Listening to: Pick of Destiny Soundtrack, Tenacious D.
My Score: $3,560
My score: $2,660
YOU don't know Jack, do you?
You should. This was easily my favorite non-single player computer game growing up. They now have new DAILY questions. Enjoy.
My Score: $3,560
My score: $2,660
YOU don't know Jack, do you?
You should. This was easily my favorite non-single player computer game growing up. They now have new DAILY questions. Enjoy.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
The Next Gen Has Indeed Arrived
And it is good. (listening to: the fan, whisper-quiet)
I'll just let this speak for itself.
That is all.
END TRANSMISSION...
Monday, December 11, 2006
Official Anger
And I don't even refer to what I do as a "craft." (listening to: "Song for the Dumped" by Ben Folds Five)
So, KR and I went to go see Tartuffe last night at Jeune Lune. But first, some back story. Set the Wayback Machine for spring of 1999.
A young (and significantly less attractive) Madjai goes on a school field trip with his classmates to go see a play by Moliere called Tartuffe at Jeune Lune. It has the single most interesting entrance of a main character EVER, and is generally speaking the best thing this young man has ever seen with his own eyes. (It would be later this summer that he was to see his first breast in person. Just the one, though... not a pair.) Steven Epp plays Tartuffe with creepy, delicious evil in his eyes, and the entire cast is spot on in their portrayals of desperate family members. (For a plot summary, think "What About Bob," except in reverse, and evil.) This young man, who has already dabbled in acting, is now set. He wants to be an actor.
Now, last night, the show is almost exactly the same. The same actors (mostly) portray the same roles, and it's every bit as good as it was 7 years ago. Madjai is transported to a better time and place, and reminded again, why he is desperate to act for the rest of his life.
And then, the world comes crashing down. After a well-deserved standing ovation, the cast basks in our admiration for a while, and then one of the lead actors (name withheld to protect the asshole) motions for the audience to sit down. "May I have your attention for just a few moments..."
Now, in my head, I'm thinking, "Oh, he's going to thank us for coming out to see live theatre in Minneapolis. Good for him." I look around, and the just-over-300 seat theatre is nearly-full. Only the back section is mostly-empty, and I deduce that there are about 250 people here. A GREAT turnout for a Sunday night in the cities. But, Lead-Actor is moving on with his speech...
"We need your help." My ears perk up. Open Auditions?? Ushering for free tickets?? I'm yours. Tell me.
"If you'll look around, you'll notice that there are empty seats around you." My heart falls into my stomach. Oh No... Don't do this...
"We need your help as audience members to help us fill this house. We can't continue to bring you wonderful, provocative theatre without your financial support. Please, on your way out, take a blue form..." But I've already stopped listening. Or, rather, my ears are burning a bit too much to actually hear what he's saying.
Look, I'm no theatre snob. I don't consider what I do to be all that difficult, and I've never called it a "craft." or a "trade" or any of that. (Yes, I consider it art, but that's as far as I go.) But to stand there, on your multi-thousand dollar stage in your amazingly detailed and wonderful costumes and look out at 250 people who paid $24 EACH to see your show on a work night and tell them that it's OUR responsibility to fill those last 50 seats so you can put an extra $1,200 in your pocket is beyond reason.
There are DOZENS of theatre companies here in the cities who would KILL for a THIRD of your house, at HALF your ticket prices. And you have the balls to stand up there and put your "financial woes" on US?? And not only that, but to guilt us into by making us feel like if I don't bring 5 people to the next show, that I'm not doing my part for art in the cities?
I don't mind the "tell your friends to see theatre" speeches that some theatres give. Generally, I'm all for them. Please, Please, PLEASE go see theatre. And, my guess is that an audience member in general probably wasn't offended by that little speech. But as an actor, and one who doesn't get paid enough to live on acting (as YOU do, sir), I was VERY fucking offended. You are not the only company doing great work in this town, you're part of a community, a family. And we need your help, not your hubris. Take your 250 audience members and THANK them for supporting you. And we'll thank our 30. Let's all remember we're on the same team, alright?
*flips bird, drops mic*
So, KR and I went to go see Tartuffe last night at Jeune Lune. But first, some back story. Set the Wayback Machine for spring of 1999.
A young (and significantly less attractive) Madjai goes on a school field trip with his classmates to go see a play by Moliere called Tartuffe at Jeune Lune. It has the single most interesting entrance of a main character EVER, and is generally speaking the best thing this young man has ever seen with his own eyes. (It would be later this summer that he was to see his first breast in person. Just the one, though... not a pair.) Steven Epp plays Tartuffe with creepy, delicious evil in his eyes, and the entire cast is spot on in their portrayals of desperate family members. (For a plot summary, think "What About Bob," except in reverse, and evil.) This young man, who has already dabbled in acting, is now set. He wants to be an actor.
Now, last night, the show is almost exactly the same. The same actors (mostly) portray the same roles, and it's every bit as good as it was 7 years ago. Madjai is transported to a better time and place, and reminded again, why he is desperate to act for the rest of his life.
And then, the world comes crashing down. After a well-deserved standing ovation, the cast basks in our admiration for a while, and then one of the lead actors (name withheld to protect the asshole) motions for the audience to sit down. "May I have your attention for just a few moments..."
Now, in my head, I'm thinking, "Oh, he's going to thank us for coming out to see live theatre in Minneapolis. Good for him." I look around, and the just-over-300 seat theatre is nearly-full. Only the back section is mostly-empty, and I deduce that there are about 250 people here. A GREAT turnout for a Sunday night in the cities. But, Lead-Actor is moving on with his speech...
"We need your help." My ears perk up. Open Auditions?? Ushering for free tickets?? I'm yours. Tell me.
"If you'll look around, you'll notice that there are empty seats around you." My heart falls into my stomach. Oh No... Don't do this...
"We need your help as audience members to help us fill this house. We can't continue to bring you wonderful, provocative theatre without your financial support. Please, on your way out, take a blue form..." But I've already stopped listening. Or, rather, my ears are burning a bit too much to actually hear what he's saying.
Look, I'm no theatre snob. I don't consider what I do to be all that difficult, and I've never called it a "craft." or a "trade" or any of that. (Yes, I consider it art, but that's as far as I go.) But to stand there, on your multi-thousand dollar stage in your amazingly detailed and wonderful costumes and look out at 250 people who paid $24 EACH to see your show on a work night and tell them that it's OUR responsibility to fill those last 50 seats so you can put an extra $1,200 in your pocket is beyond reason.
There are DOZENS of theatre companies here in the cities who would KILL for a THIRD of your house, at HALF your ticket prices. And you have the balls to stand up there and put your "financial woes" on US?? And not only that, but to guilt us into by making us feel like if I don't bring 5 people to the next show, that I'm not doing my part for art in the cities?
I don't mind the "tell your friends to see theatre" speeches that some theatres give. Generally, I'm all for them. Please, Please, PLEASE go see theatre. And, my guess is that an audience member in general probably wasn't offended by that little speech. But as an actor, and one who doesn't get paid enough to live on acting (as YOU do, sir), I was VERY fucking offended. You are not the only company doing great work in this town, you're part of a community, a family. And we need your help, not your hubris. Take your 250 audience members and THANK them for supporting you. And we'll thank our 30. Let's all remember we're on the same team, alright?
*flips bird, drops mic*
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
And The Last Shall Be First
listening to: Nothing.
I just got a call from my Dad. At about 5:00 this afternoon, my last remaining grandparent, my grandmother on my father's side collapsed. About 10 years ago she had an artificial valve placed in her heart, and as I'm told, these things last about 10-15 years. The doctors do not believe that she is strong enough to undergo another replacement surgery, so they are making her comfortable, and keeping her warm.
I have very fond memories of my grandmother, and most of them are around Christmastime, as she lives in Iowa, and that was always the time when we would see her. She would bake cookies, and we would sit around her drafty old house and just... talk. There wasn't much else to do in Iowa, as some of you can attest to.
My Dad will most likely be leaving to be by her side in the next couple of days, and I oddly find myself wishing I could be there as well. I may drive down there in the morning. I can't stay for very long, since I have a show this weekend, but... I don't know.
It's an odd feeling. And I can't exactly place it.
I just got a call from my Dad. At about 5:00 this afternoon, my last remaining grandparent, my grandmother on my father's side collapsed. About 10 years ago she had an artificial valve placed in her heart, and as I'm told, these things last about 10-15 years. The doctors do not believe that she is strong enough to undergo another replacement surgery, so they are making her comfortable, and keeping her warm.
I have very fond memories of my grandmother, and most of them are around Christmastime, as she lives in Iowa, and that was always the time when we would see her. She would bake cookies, and we would sit around her drafty old house and just... talk. There wasn't much else to do in Iowa, as some of you can attest to.
My Dad will most likely be leaving to be by her side in the next couple of days, and I oddly find myself wishing I could be there as well. I may drive down there in the morning. I can't stay for very long, since I have a show this weekend, but... I don't know.
It's an odd feeling. And I can't exactly place it.
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