simmer sauce and champagne...

It just sounds like a Trader Joes evening doesn't it?

Nice aftereffects of seeing The Pillowman

Following my boyfriend around the apartment, scratching my butt, saying "Katurian, tell me a story. Katurian?" It makes him a little uncomfortable. If only his name was actually Katurian. It's a nice variation on "George, tell me about the rabbits" from Of Mice and Men.

Other (semi)interesting thoughts on the play

• It was fun to see the woman who directed me in a Neil Simon play in Walnut Creek portray an evil abusive mother.
  
• There was a strange thematic synergy of the week where I saw three different shows (1 play, two TV) that used a powerdrill on someones body to either torture (Pillowman, 24) or rescue (Grey's Anatomy).
• I really loved that the play took place in a vaguely Totalitarian State and actually said it was a "Vaguely Totalitarian State." Or maybe I'm remembering that wrong. The storytelling of the play is quite brilliant. Just the amount of acknowledgment of artifice that I enjoy and which never pulls me out of the story for some reason. I wonder if we are more willing to remain engaged these days even when aware of something's fake-ness.
  
• Another thematic link of the play for me to Pan's Labyrynth, another nightmarish, brutal, kid-centered piece. That movie has lingered with me for a long time.
  
• The ending was strangely upbeat! Very interesting when every twist of a play takes you darker and darker until the only surprising twist available is where something less horrific happens than expected.
  
• I'm trying to find the right moment in conversation to ask somebody if they still think they're Jesus.

the little play about lamb slaughter that could

A quick break from the self-imposed "No self promotion in the blog" rule. OK, it's more of a guideline than a rule. A loose guidleline I have broken many times. An aspiration? A hopeless dream. A meaningless wish. A clever deception.

Anyhoo, Hunter Gatherers has received some huge honors that leave me thrilled, honored, and feeling OK about myself. Which is good because I've been working through an early draft of a new play and, well, we all know how those make us feel.

• Hunter Gatherers won the 2007 Will Glickman award! (best new play to premiere in the Bay Area in 2006)
• It's also a finalist for the American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg New Play Award! (best new play to premiere in the USA outside of New York in 2006) As is Jeff Daniels!
  

Yow! Unexpected and amazing, I must say.

what I did this week

Being a playwright gives you many fun opportunities to earn a living. Nice goatee, huh? (it's gone)

I actually had a fun time doing that job. I have realized most of the acting I do these days is for corporate events: murder mysteries, sexual harrassment training, and now the occasional trade show. They are always fun to do, but I never would have thought 10 years ago that would be my main acting outlet.

The playwriting is now what I do in the theater and the acting is now my main support. That's somewhat alarming for my savings account. But FUN!

super bowl roundup

Ah yes the Superbowl just happened and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Here is my recap of the cultural experience

Best moment in the game
I think the Bears kickoff return was pretty exciting at the top of the game. The first quarter was really quite thrilling, and the rest of the game was less interesting than the company of my friends.

Most significant and unexpected error in judgement
It was suggested that we play a drinking game of the "you have to drink every time this happens" variety. I offered that every time there was turnover, everyone had to drink a beer. There were 8 turnovers in the game. At turnover 2, which happened literally a minute after turnover 1 we fortunately amended the game to half a beer for every turnover. Still, that was difficult, because age is making itself known in my life in good, healthy ways.

Food roundup
chicken apple sausage on skewers, chicken on skewers, blue cheese and BBQ dipping sauce, mozzarella tomato and shrimp salad, spinach and artichoke dip, skittles, m&ms, Jelly Bellys, crinkle cut chips, pirate's booty, make your own sub sandwiches, cream puffs, chocolate chip cookies. I just had my first poop.

Ad roundup
They really sucked this year. Very disappointed. The only memorable one was David Letterman and Oprah watching the game. And the Emerald Nuts one was pretty good too.

Prince roundup
Pretty damn good

Cirque de Soleil pre-game show roundup
A horrendous debacle of awful terribleness

Made up for the sucky ads and quite possibly one of the most brilliant things on television
The Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. If you missed it, it was puppies playing with each other and an assortment of toys on a miniature field. That's it.

thoughts on current events

• Boston, I think you may have over-reacted just a bit. Seriously, Boston.
  
• Our mayor had an affair with his campaign manager's wife. That is like the most boring sex scandal ever.
  
• Is there a special name for a superbowl between Indianapolis and Chicago?
  
• Does anyone else get the feeling that there are more and more strange stories these days? Usually involving sex or epithets? I think the hard news is exhausting us.
  
• I'm not really sure what to make of this picture below. Smoke?
  

balls!