Madalyn's Magickal Moments

Getting Things Done.

2009-02-02T22:10:00.004-05:00

Had a really nice day today. Got a lot of things done so am feeling very good about myself.

This morning I did some career office work - submissions and a little research. I also started up my exercises again. I haven't been doing them for the past couple of weeks or so because I twisted my knee trying to stay upright while walking on some ice. The kind of funny thing about it was that my knee didn't bother me that much if I was walking on level ground or going up stairs. Coming down stairs or getting up from sitting was really very painful. It has been getting better so I decided to try about half of my morning exercise routine (slowly) to see how things went. Got through the exercises fine, and it didn't bother me at all in the city. When I got home though the last flight of stairs from the subway was not fun. Didn't hurt nearly as bad as it did though. So I think I will keep the easier exercise for the rest of the week and see how it goes from there.

In the afternoon I headed into Manhattan to run a couple of errands. When I left my apartment at 1 pm it was 52 degrees and sunny. Oh it felt sooooo good.

When I got to Columbus Circle my first stop as usual was Starbucks. Since it was such a lovely day it was a great place to people watch plus indulge in my favorite coffee drink. I liked the quote on my cup:

"People need to see that far from being an obstacle the worlds diversity of languages, religions and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others". Youssa N'Doer

I so agree!!

I ended up sitting next to a young man in his early twenties and a woman who I think was his mother. From the way they were talking it was obvious that they had just come in to the city. They didn't have an accent but they kept talking about a 15 hour flight so I don't know if this was a stop on the way home from a longer trip. Anyway they young man had longish hair down to his shoulders and a rather slight frame though a surprisingly deep voice. He was talking about an incident with someone who kept calling him "Ma'am." I could see it if you were looking at him from the back and didn't know but once seeing the stubble on his chin and hearing his voice I don't think there would be any confusion. Evidently this person just didn't get it since they called him ma'am several times even though he brought it to their attention that he was not.

Then his cell rang and it was someone who they were going to meet. I heard him say that they were at the Starbucks at Columbus Circle. The person on the other end I guess asked him "Which one?". "You mean there is more than one?" He replied. At that point I decided to be helpful so I said yes, there IS more than one and we are at the one on West 60th Street. He relayed the info and hung up. Then the three of us chatted for a few minutes about the over abundance of Starbucks in the City.

After I saw them off safely to their friend I headed over to Best Buy to price out some computer goodies that I need or want in the near future. A new keyboard (need), printer (need), speakers (want) and web camera (want). Found that all can be gotten for very reasonable prices. Was also surprised at how low some of the prices for other items were. They were selling laptops for under $600. Probably not top of the line but still I was surprised.

I noticed that the Circuit City store was still open although having it's closing sale. So I checked it out to see if they had any of the items I wanted for less than I saw at Best Buy. The funny thing was that everything in the store was supposed to be 10% to 40% off but even with the discount it was at least twice as much as at Best Buy.

Next I went up to Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up a picture frame for a Feng Shui project that I want to work on. On the way up I noticed that they had taken down a lot of the construction "stuff" around the new Alice Tulley Hall. To the point that you can actually see what it will look like now. Took some pictures (above). Although by this time it was getting cloudy I am rather impressed with how clear the pictures turned out. Love my new G1 phone!!1

Back at BB&B I couldn't find a gold frame so I got one with a thin black one and I think I will make up for it not being gold by putting gold paper around the picture when I get it put together. Hopefully that will work just as well.

Then after a stop to Whole Foods for supplies I headed home.

Tomorrow I get to see Susie for the first time this year. Hard to believe that I was at IGC for over 6 weeks. It will be good to get back to my lady.

Nice Sunday

2009-02-01T23:00:00.003-05:00

Very nice day all in all. The Sun was shining and the temperature was above 40 degrees. Absolutely balmy considering the last few weeks.

I played with my new camera on my GI phone. Took a picture of my cat Aengus. (What else). Turned out really well me thinks.

I didn't hear anything from the people at IGC so I just might be free for this week. Believe me it is a good thing since I have so much to catch up on. Most importantly my career. So tomorrow I really have to hit the ground running and get this all jump started for this year.

Trying to decide if I should go back to my audition coach or do some voice lessons for a while. Really need to get my voice back in shape again. And as an incentive Michael Gilboe's Broadway Bullet is starting to have live events called Sunday Spotlight's. They are having one on Feb. 8th and although I wouldn't be ready to sing at one yet I am for sure going to check it out.

Today I mostly caught up on things here at the homestead. Did my personal accounting, did some cleaning and just basically caught up on stuff.

In my cleaning out of things today I found an old pin that I got at a Star Wars Convention when I was still in college. Soooo I decided to be adventurous and try out selling on e-bay. If the selling of the pin goes well I may sell some other goodies that are just taking up space at the moment that I am not into saving right now.

Here is a picture and the link if you are interested.

Madalyn's Shoppe

This week is going to be fairly busy. I am hopefully going to be going in and working for Susie at least one day this week. This weekend is Comic Con which I have never gone to before but sounds like fun. They are going to have a couple of panels that I am really interested in.

My friend Jane is arriving from Oregon at the end of the week. It is going to be so great to have her around again for a little bit.

I have also applied for background work to everything filming this week in NYC. Don't know if I will get called or not but at least if I don't it wasn't for lack of trying.

Which reminds me I need to register for some Actors Connection Workshops as well.

Yes this is going to be a busy week. But a good busy. A really good busy.

Back To Work!

2009-01-05T13:08:00.000-05:00

The New Year festivities are now over for the most part so it is time to really get back to work.

Now of course right now I am working for IGC while Maria is in Ireland so as far as my career is concerned I am on "vacation" but that doesn't mean that I can't plan and put some things in order for this year.

Found my Horoscope interesting again today.

"Cautious optimism may be a big part of your story these days. You are hopeful that things will get better but remain unconvinced by recent experiences."

I would say that I am usually cautiously optimistic. I try to find the more positive side of any situation especially if it is one in which I am involved. And it is true that I am very hopeful that things will get better now both for me and the country now that we are going to have a new President. Though I am realistic enough to know that change is not going to happen overnight no matter how much I might want it to. There are a lot of problems that President Obama is going to have to deal with but at least with him I have a lot more hope that they will be handled in a way that I can feel comfortable with.

I like horoscopes not because I believe that they are a real forecast of coming events but I do think that they can give you something to think about and if it is something you like work toward. If you don't like what the prediction is you can be warned of the possibility and take action to go "another way".

So here we are in 2009! I have a really good feeling about this year (there is my optimism showing again). I want to carry forward my successes of 2008 and there were quite a few that I am very proud of. For example: Playing Queen Victoria in the MTWorks production of Anais Nin Goes to Hell at the NY International Fringe Festival, my first major principle role in a TV commercial campaign with the MTV/Playstation 3 Little Big Planet commercials, my being asked to be a member of the MTWorks Company of Actors and then on top of that be asked to be the Manager of the Company Actors, plus all of the work that I booked on other episodic tv, film and commercial projects.

I am also very proud of the work that I did with Ms. Susie and her company.

So these things provide a great foundation for the things that I want to pursue in this new year.

Although there were a lot of great things personally in 2008 there were things that were not so wonderful and those I want to leave go of. To shut the door on them and let them pass out of my life. I acknowledge the lessons learned but the actual experiences can fade out of my memory.

On a wider note. In just a few days G.W. Bush will leave the White House and Barack Obama will be sworn in as President. Let me tell you, I can not wait!!!!!!! Personally I feel that President Bush has been the worst president in my lifetime. I admit that I do have very high hopes for Mr. Obama and he does have an extremely difficult job ahead of him. He has quite a mess to deal with with the economy, environmental issues, Iraq, plus so many other problems left behind by Bush and his administration. I wish him a lot of luck on fixing this or at least making a lot of it better. He has been surrounding himself with good, intelligent people so if anyone would be able to turn this all around he has a better shot at it than most.

Well that all sort of went off on a tangent that I wasn't quite expecting.

I know that I wanted to make this journal more spontaneous this year but....

Off of my soap box for today. Tomorrow who knows.

Special Treat

2009-01-04T21:21:00.001-05:00

My Horoscope for today:

"Let your healthy ambition take over and lead you to a success you deserve -- the time for hiding behind the spotlight so that others can shine in its glow is over! Right now you are totally on the ball and more importantly, you have the eyes and ears of influential people. So stop hiding your abilities and toot your own horn a little bit more loudly than you think is respectable. Otherwise, you will never stand out from the crowd and get the opportunity you have been waiting for."

Not bad. Rather like it. Now I just have to work on bringing it about.

What with the Holidays and taking care of the fur-people at Steve's I have gotten a little bit off of my usual schedule of career activities, practicing and such. So I am trying to get myself back up to speed with what I need to catch up on.

The good news is that I haven't managed to gain any weight in the past couple of weeks. I was sure that I would have gained a couple of pounds because I haven't really been exercising or watching what I have been eating for the past three weeks or so. I am rather pleasantly surprised.

Today as a special treat for myself and for some career inspiration I went to see James Barbours "The Holiday Concert" at Sardi's in the City.

As he fully admits he usually gets cast as the "dark and broody, guy" in most of the Broadway shows he has done. And he does play that type extremely well. Though here in his own show he does let his real personality shine through which is very upbeat and positive. He just seems so at ease performing and making the audience feel like they are a part of "his" family of friends. During the show he had a couple of friends come up and sing. My only real quibble is that when he introduced his "guests" he didn't always say their full name, so for those of us who recognize them but can't remember their names it is a little frustrating. But that is an extremely minor quibble.

Today is sort of being called Black Sunday due to all of the Broadway shows that are closing today after their afternoon performances. One thing that I really appreciated about James' show was instead of being downcast about it he took the more positive outlook of - Okay this is not good but lets make it an opportunity to create our own work. Lets band together and make the best of this. That is very paraphrased but was the basic outlook.

I loved his musical choices and the audience participation for the "12 Days of Christmas" was lots of goodhearted fun. I will never think of that song in the same way again. And next time I will not hesitate for a second in fully joining in.

This was also my first time at Sardi's. What a wonderful place. I want to go back when I can wonder around a little more and really look at the pictures. I didn't realize that there were so many. The food was good and not as pricey as I had imagined. The wait staff was nice friendly and unobtrusive.

Really enjoyed the performance and the performance space. Very inspiring for looking ahead to things that I want to do myself in the future.

I was a little hesitant going up to James after the show - although I did want to let him know how much I enjoyed the performance he is a fellow performer therefore I want him to see me as a colleague not as a "fan". I have the same issue with meeting any actor or singer that I don't know.

In the end I did go up to say "hi" and must admit it did not go as well as I had wished. I said something lame about wanting to work with him in the future and he sort of brushed it off. Which is Okay and it didn't dampen my feeling about the whole experience in the slightest just let me know that my instincts on this topic is correct.

So after this wonderful experience I sort of floated back home. Did some reading and did some goal planning for the rest of this year.

More on that in the days to come.

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

2009-01-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

Well woke up this morning in my own apartment with Aengus next to my pillow.

There is much to do but the first thing I did though was log on and go to iTunes to pick up this weeks episode of Stargate Atlantis. I only saw the first 5 minuts or so last night at Steve's before he came home so I just sort of got the "flavor" of the episode.

So my take on Vegas:

From the very begining it was obvious that this was not going to be a usual Stargate Atlantis episode. From the first strains of the Steele Guitar in the sound track to the desert outside Las Vegas it is obvious that not only are we not in Atlantis but also not even in the Pegasus Galaxy.

Now I knew from my following of the writing of this episode that this was going to be Earth based and have a more CSI style to it. And they did put in a lot of the visual techniques that have become the standard for those shows. The jump cuts, the playing around with video effects, freeze frames, the speeding up and slowing down of shots for effect and for the most part did a pretty good job with it.

This was also a very different John Sheppard than we are used to darker, moodier, more troubled and played as always with great skill by Joe Flanigan.

So just some thoughts on varius things in the episode:

Loved the quip by John to Jennifer Keller about her age as she is doing the autopsy on the latest murder victim. Shows to me that the writers are aware of the uneasiness that some of the fans have been having over the age of the character given her position as the head of medicine on Atlantis.

I really liked the scene with the Wraith putting on the make up and prothetics to make him look more human. I never knew that they had a ridge down their backs before. Is this something that is left over from the evelution from the Iratus bug?

I did think to myself several times that Joe must have really loved working on this episode since it was filled with a lot of the physical action that he loves so much. He must have had a blast with the chase scene in the casino.

Love Joe's expressions. That man can say so much with just a look or a slight movement. He is so in touch with the emotions of his character that you can really see what John Shepphard is thinking and feeling.

Really liked what this showed about how differently Shephards life would have been had the circumstances in his life turned out just a little bit differently. Which could give a little more insight into the John Shephard in our reality as well.

Interesting seeing the different versions of Rodney, Zelenka and Woolsey and the dynamics beteen them and Shephard.

I am not entirely sure about how I feel about the ending. Yes John became the hero in the end that he was always meant to be obvously no matter what the Universe which is a very good thing. I am sure that Rodney and the rest of the Stargate Group new that John was still there. They had a tracking device on his car so even though the EM emission of the Wraith device probably fried the cell phone they would know he was there. Besides they would have to "clean-up" before any civilians got to the area.

So in my own mind I think that right after the scene we say Rodney all of a sudden rememberd Shephard and sent someone to get him. Having advanced medical techiniques they got him back to health and he went on to be the hero he was always meant to be either with the Stargate Program or in the Pegasus Galaxy. I know I am always an optimist. Especially when it concerns characters that I love as much as this one. But even if they did not get to him in time he still was a hero and I think especially Rodney knowing this one and the one he met in his alternate universe would see that this "version" would be given his due in the end.

So that is my view on this weeks episode of Atlantis. Frankly I am dreading next weeks episode because it will be the final episode of the series. Although they say they are going to do tv movies they will never be quite like having 20 episodes to look forward to.

So on to other things: I talked a bit to my friend Jane in Oregon via IM.

Did some more data entry on my Performer Track (loving it)

Went to Dueane Reade to pick up some cat food for Aengus and noticed that they had a big sign saying that they were freezing their prices for the month of January. Nice thing to do.

Also watched some episodes of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Da Vinci's Inquest on Hulu.

Last Day at Steve's

2009-01-02T22:12:00.000-05:00

Well my time here at Steve's wonderful apartment in the great neighborhood of Park Slope is just about done. Tonight I will return to my apartment and my kitty. I look forward to cuddling up with my Aengus although I do love the fur-kids here as well. (pictures at end)

Since I always like to leave a place a little better than I found it (impossible for here) I have been doing a little cleaning around the place. Nothing much just sweeping up a bit and taking out my trash and stuff. I have done this often enough that Molly, Eve, and Solomon know the drill and are starting to follow me around everyplace I go to make sure I don't sneak out on them. Not that I would.

Steve will be a little later getting home than originally planned since his airline decided to cancel one of his flights today. Might work out just fine for me though since tonight is the 2nd to the last episode of Stargate Atlantis. He has cable so I could watch it "live" as the promos keep saying. Which would be great. Tonight's episode is featuring Joe Flanigan's character in an alternate universe scenario where he is a detective in Las Vegas. I have read some of the spoilers (of course - as we know patience is not one of my strongest qualities in these things) so it looks like it might be interesting. Not sure that I like the idea of them not being on Atlantis this close to series end but I don't know if they were aware of the series ending when they wrote the episode.

Okay back to the real world. It is cold out and there are one or two snowflakes drifting around but it is not nearly as cold as it was last night. One of the many things that I like about this place is that it IS nice and warm. My apartment is usually freezing. Yet another reason that I aspire to an apartment like this.

I have been working on my new Performer Track program by entering the data from my auditions and bookings from 2008. Why you ask? Well, last year really was a pretty good one for me career wise and I want to build on that momentum psychologically. I already have my first gig booked for this year which is good. I don't have all of my information here of course but I did bring a couple of months from my Show Biz calendar and I will fill in the details when I get back to my place. I must say that I am really liking it. Not only is it totally web based which means I can log onto it just about anywhere there is a computer connection but I found another goodie today. When you book a job you can put it on their bulletin board a little free publicity there. As you know I am always into that. Also, it is good to see what others have been doing.

Along with playing with that nice shinny toy I have been reading random blogs and going over the past entries in my blog to clean up some of the spelling boo boos and stuff. Don't worry I didn't heavily alter anything but just sort of clarified a few things. Also played with my facebook page and twitter account a bit. The things I will do in order to stay in where it is warm.

Later:

Well Steve's flight in to Newark arrived early so I only got to see about the first 5 minutes of Stargate: Atlantis. Very different vib to the whole thing so far. But since he let me take his car service back to my apartment (I can accumulate so much stuff in a week it is amazing) I was so not going to argue. I guess I will just have to wait until I can get the ITunes download tomorrow to get my Flanigan fix.

Aengus is VERY happy to see me he is actually trying to sit on my lap as I type this. He doesn't usually like doing that but I guess he really wants me to know he is glad that I am home.

Well, since I am home I will add a few pictures.

This is Solomon - the perfect big black cat. Though his tail can be used as a deadly weapon. He likes to wag it like a dog which can be interesting when you are in the way of the thrashing.

The lovely Miss Molly. She may be 10 years old but she more often than not acts like a puppy. Loves to play with her ball toys and thinks that snow was invented just for her to play in.

Miss Eve - as I was packing she tried to sneak into my overnight bag. She is cute but has a rather loud raspy voice when she wants you to know she is there. She always taps me so daintily when she wants to be petted or held.

Happy New Year!!!!!

2009-01-01T11:46:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone,

Yup, I know I haven't updated since like April of last year. Well that is one of my things that I am going to try and work on this year. Keep all of my goodies (blog, webpage, twitter, facebook, etc.) better up to date.

Right now I am staying at a friends apartment in Park Slope taking care of his fur people while he is away for the holidays. Don't mind a bit, I love Molly (dog), Solomon and Eve (cats) almost as much as my own Aengus. Also, I love this apartment I could so live in an apartment like this. In fact this is something I aspire to. In fact this works so well for my "visualization" since it is tangible and I am HERE.

Also, love the neighborhood. Everyone for the most part is very friendly (everyone I ran into last night when I was walking Ms. Molly wished me a Happy New Year) and there is so much to do close by.

I like to think that what I do on New Years Day will be what I do for the rest of the year. That is why I like go through today in "as if" mode. So being here in this apartment and in this neighborhood is very much part of that for me.

Yesterday, I joined the new Performer Track system for keeping track of my career. So today I am entering some of my projects from last year. (Of course thinking of them like I was booking new jobs.)

Will go out to a restaurant in the area later as well as doing some window shopping (don't know if anything will be open).

It is really cold here today 20 degrees as I write this so I probably won't go for a "long" walk but I still will be out and about for at least a bit.

I am so happy that it is now 2009!!!!

I am so excited about Barak Obama becoming our new president on January 20th. He has quite a job ahead of him with all of our country's current problems but I have really been impressed with the people that he has been naming to his government. He has been going for the people who really know what they are doing not people that follow some sort of ideology. This is the first time in a long time (like since Bush was first appointed president) that I really feel good and optimistic about my countries future and therefore my own.

2008 was very good for me as an actress and performer and that I really want to continue into 2009. Which I know will be hard with the economy like it is currently but the performing arts usually survive economic downturns fairly well after the initial plunge. So although it will take a while before we see real substantial recovery I hope people will start felling more optimistic after President Obama gets into office.

Well all for now. Need to walk a certain doggie and then go out for an afternoon in Park Slope.

Later:

Well I am back from my walk out in the COLD! It is about 23 degrees outside but the wind makes it feel like -something. But I am proud of myself for going out since I could have stayed in my nice warm borrowed apartment and then be pissed at myself for the rest of the day for NOT going out.

Had Brunch at a restaurant on 7th Avenue called The Miracle Grill. Didn't know that it was a South Western/Mexican place until I sat down. But since this is the type of food I really like so I didn't mind at all. I didn't really want Brunch but it turned out just fine. I had Scrambled Eggs Chilaquiles with yellow and blue tortilla chips, salsa verde, sour cream and Jack Cheese. This was served with fresh corn bread and home fries (which looked more like roasted potatoes to me but didn't mind). I had wanted a margarita but it was to cold so had coffee instead. The food was good so in the end it was a perfect New Years Lunch/Brunch.

The store I wanted to shop in was closed (figured it would be) so I went up to Barns and Noble. Checked out some books in the "Witchy" section. Most I already have. Found it interesting that there was a boy there around 10 to 12 years old pouring over some of the spell books. Turned out that his mum was nearby and totally okay with him picking our several to take home. He and I got into a wee bit of conversation when we talked about several of the books. It was obvious that he had read quite a few of them and knew quite a bit about the craft. I was impressed although I have to admit a little surprised. He asked me how long I had been a Pagan and I told him. He quipped that it was longer than he had been alive.

I was so happy to get home to the warmth of Steve's apartment. This place is nice and toasty.

This afternoon I read an article in one of the magazines that I bought that I thought was rather interesting. It was saying that most of us make resolutions that involve some sort of paring down. Eating less, spending less, have less stress in our lives etc. That instead this year we concentrate rather on bringing in more abundance into our lives and not in a material way either though that might become part of it. To have more happiness, more experiences, to spend more time with friends that sort of thing.

So for me that would be to enjoy life more, to go out more, to be more involved in the things I care about, to do more magick, to more actively pursue career goals, etc. When you think about it this does cover all of the usual stuff but in a much more positive way that might just be easier to stick to than the usual I shall stop, quit, etc ones we usually make.

Something to think about at least.

Well this has been a long entry. Making up for lost time maybe? Can't say they will all be this long and involved but I will try to post more often.

If you stop by please post and let me know -

Have a great 2009!!!!!!!

Okay I admit it I am a FanGirl

2008-04-22T15:53:00.001-04:00

Today a friend of mine sent a link to an online auction thinking that now that I have a semi steady job I might be interested in bidding on a few things. The prize being auctioned that she felt I would like was lunch on the set of Stargate Atlantis with Joe Flanigan. When I looked at the site it was going for over $3,500 which is just a tad over my price range. Especially considering 1. I would have to go to Vancouver BC to claim my prize and 2. I would really rather work on the set of Stargate Atlantis as an actress and have his respect rather than pay to have him eat lunch with me.

Be that as it may - the website housing the auction was very interesting it is called www.charitybuzz.com. Now since Ms. Susie works with several charitable organizations I brought the website to her attention thinking that it would be a good idea to get some of the organizations that she works with involved. She quickly agreed and then asked how I found out about it. I came clean about my being a fangirl of Stargate Atlantis and Mr. Flanigan. (Who I realize is married with 3 children).

They all thought it was rather cute and have bin kinda ribbing me about it all day.

Though I know that we all spent quite a bit of time playing on the Charity Buzz website to see what goodies are up for grabs.

A Working Monday

2008-04-21T14:02:00.001-04:00

I usually work for Ms. Susie two days a week - Tues and Thurs. But since this is her first day back from Vacation there was a lot of things to catch up on so I opted to come in today. Also, it is very good for the pocket book.

I also joined Facebook today. I like MySpace and have been active on it for quite some time but some people like Facebook better. The thing for me is that it is a networking tool and the more I can get my name out into the universe the better.

Tonight was the last of the Cold Cuts reading series for this year. I really haven't been going the past couple times for several reasons. Some of the people were a little "cool" but I guess that is to be expected in this rather fickle business.

I just seem to gravitate more to where I feel wanted and appreciated and though I love and support Cold Cuts and the whole theater group they just don't seem to NEED me as much as some other places.

Perfect Sunday

2008-04-20T16:14:00.001-04:00

When I got up this morning I felt better than I have in ages. I have been having this lingering cough that did not seem to want to ever go away. I never really was sick sick just felt low energy and the cough just drove me crazy.

I feel great today and have lots of energy. Yea!!!

I decided to add a new thing to Sunday's. Usually it is my day for spiritual and self-help types of study. But I have decided to add to the mix a couple of hours of self improvement in the more practical sense. Things like playing with hair styles, make-up techniques and home decorating.

I started out by spending a little time reading my back issues of In-Style for ideas then went to the local drug store where I got a new curling iron and some new make-up.

In the afternoon I headed into Manhattan to catch a concert. A couple weeks ago I got an invite to go to a concert. The performer is one of the young men that I work with at one of my "temp" jobs. First of all I had NO idea he was a musician so of course I was eager to go to see this "other" side of his life.

I was figuring that he was probably fairly good but I was surprised to find out just how good he is. He played the Mozart Sonata in B Flat.

After the concert some of us went over to his apartment for a champagne toast to the man of the hour. He has a lovely apartment on the upper West Side. He has two fireplaces no less. Really had a wonderful time.

The picture above is of Jim when he was a little younger.

Beautiful Saturday

2008-04-19T16:49:00.001-04:00

Such a beautiful day out.

After doing my morning reading and catching up on Career busy work I headed into the city for some "Park Time". As in Central Park.

Have you guessed yet that my favorite place to be on a nice warm sunny day is in a park?

On my way to the park I stopped by the Borders at Columbus Circle and picked up the latest Stargate Magazine and the book The Actors Menu.

Of course the first thing I read in the park was the Stargate Magazine because it had an article about Joe Flanigan. It really was a great article and I really enjoyed reading it. He really seems to have a good head on his shoulders. And of course we can't ignore the fact he is a vary handsome guy.

Day Off

2008-04-18T16:30:00.001-04:00

Wish I could say that I did great things today since I had the day off from having to "BE" someplace. But not really.

Hung out with my cat. Did laundry a little house cleaning. Did some career study. Worked on my career database and then when the mail came with my next disc from NetFlix - watched the next four episodes of 6 Feet Under.

I decided not to go to the New York ComicCon this weekend because there were only two panels that I kinda was interested in and $40 dollars was just a little bit to much for one panel. (There was one on each day. To see both would have been $95). I would rather save my money and go to a convention where I can see members of the cast of Stargate Atlantis.

Student Filming

2008-04-17T11:03:00.001-04:00

Today I went into Susie's office for half a day. Just did some organizational things since she is going to be back from vacation next week and I wanted to make sure I had MY act together before I start taking on her projects again.

I got a call for an American Express commercial that is shooting tomorrow and Saturday. About an hour later the casting agency called me back to say that the AmEx people had changed the "scope" of the commercial and I was no longer needed. They were extreemly apologetic about it. I was sorry to loose the gig but I understand that these things happen. So it looks like I will end up with tomorrow off.

Then it was off to NYU to work on the Student Project Over//Loaded. This was a very interesting project using the Tisch three camera television studio as well as blue screen technology. I played the part of a mother who try's to get through to her son by talking to him through the video screens that he is constantly watching. George the writer/director/student is very nice and had assembled a very interesting and diverse cast for his project.

We talked about the project and rehearsed it for about an hour. Then took a break while they set up the studio.

George was very considerate in that he got pizza for his cast memebrs. Not all students are that thoughtful so it was much appreciated.

The students are only supposed to have two hours in the studio to film their projects and unfortunately George was the last one to film today. The project ahead of him had a very imaginative and complicated set that took quite a bit of time to take down after they had finished which unfortunately spilled over into Georges time. When we finally got ready to film we only had an hour left of George's alotted time to complete the project. There was one small part that he didn't get coverage on but we did a pretty good job on trying to get it all done in one take per shot.

I really liked his idea and he was nice to work with so I hope that he got everything he needed to get his vision accros.

Run Around Day and Another Seminar

2008-04-16T17:12:00.001-04:00

Today I did quite a few errands.

First off was a trip to the store Enchantments on East 9th Street to pick up some candles for myself and a friend. I used to love Enchantments but now most of the people that I knew there are gone. Also, they just don't have the inventory that they once did. The only things that I get there anymore are the figure candles and other generic candles for spells. I don't really get any oils, incense or pre-made spell candles there because I don't know the people anymore. I don't know their energies so I don't feel comfortable with using the items for my spells.

I guess the good part of that is that I have to learn to make them for myself or order them from the people that I do know and trust.

I find it so sad that the Pagan community in the New York Metropolitan area can't keep a bricks and mortar store in business in Manhattan. We have lost Morgana's Chamber, Other Worldly Waxes as well as a few others. Enchantments IS trying and I give them kudos for that but it just isn't what it used to be.

So after picking up my Magickal supplies I headed over to Drama Book Shop for my Career supplies. Basically in the shape of the Clear-Vu Envelopes for submissions. I think these are a great tool to send Headshots and Resume's to casting directors and agents and other Entertainment professionals. It saves them time and energy which in a busy office can only be a good thing. So I picked up 50 of them which should keep me supplied for a while. I hope.

By then there was just enough time to hi-tale it over to Actors Connection for my Seminar with Angela Mickey from Liz Lewis Partners Casting.

She casts Indy Film and commercials mostly. She works with both Union and Non-Union people and does call in people that she meets at seminars. She likes going to theater and will go to staged readings if she has the time.

She likes people who are prepared, business like, polite and pro-active.

She told us that she started out at Liz Lewis Casting as a receptionist and moved her way up. (A good reminder to always be nice to the front office person since you never know where they will be in a couple of years.)

At my private session with her I read an Alpo Dog Food Commercial which she told me was a good choice for me since I played up the comedy in the dialogue.

She was so nice and positive in her approach to the business and to meeting people. She really was a joy to talk to.

Another very positive experience. I just hope one or all of these people call me for an audition sometime in the near future.

This will be my last seminar until next month. Both for financial and time reasons. I really did enjoy them and I think I got a lot of good information and ideas from them. Yea.

Working Tuesday

2008-04-15T08:43:00.002-04:00

Today I went into my "day job". You know the one that actually pays the rent until this acting career thing takes off! Though unlike most day jobs in the past I actually LIKE this one. This one connects to me on a whole bunch of levels. I love the lady I work for (and not just because she supports my career), for the most part I like the work (research and some admin assist) and she works for good causes that support Humanitarian Rights, HIV/AIDS Organizations in South America and Education among others.

Miss Susie isn't in the office today she is still in Vacation in Florida with her family. So I did a little admin. work that needed to be done. Filing (which I don't really like), and just some general organizational stuff. I will only charge her for half the day. I figure since I can only work half a day on Thursday due to filming that 1/2 day today and then 1/2 day on Thursday will make one day and then a full day on Friday will complete my 2 days for this week. Besides, since Thursday will be Susie's first day back in the office it will probably be just getting things organized and updates on projects.

The rest of the day I worked on my things. Letters to send with Headshots and getting several packages ready to send.

I sent off a couple of packages on the way home. I am so happy that I already had stamps for the envelopes and none of them had to be weighed. The Post Office was a zoo.

The rest of the evening was rather laid back. Did some study reading, worked on my lines and watched a couple of episodes of Stargate: Atlantis - Season 1.

I am really happy with how much I am getting done.

Low Energy Monday

2008-04-14T14:44:00.001-04:00

Today is a kind of low energy day. Didn't get up as early as I wanted to. I had also planned to do laundry today but didn't manage to get that done either.

But on the positive side worked on my script for Over//Loaded and have them all basically memorized.

Read again the chapter in the Working on Industrials book that talked about camera angles. I am thinking that George is probably going to do most of this in medium shots or close-ups. Worked with the script a little in front of the mirror. It is rather hard for me to keep my head "still" when talking which is a problem in close-ups. So working on that.

Watched the Dr. Who episode "Voyage of the Damned". Many things to love about this episode. David Tennant is quickly becoming my favorite Doctor. I love how the writers are making The Doctor more three dimensional. Also, what a treat to see Geoffrey Palmer and Clive Swift on Dr. Who. I have loved watching these actors on various Brit shows for years.

Above is a picture of my wonderful kitty Aengus taking a nap in my old wooden Salad Bowl. The bowl has a crack in it but I still keep it to put in fruit that doesn't need to be kept refrigerated. But it is a little on the empty side at the moment so he decided to use it.

Yup, I need to go to the store as well.

Audition and Lion King

2008-04-13T13:40:00.001-04:00

On Sunday I auditioned for a student film at NYU called Over//Loaded. I was supposed to have met with the Director on Friday but we somehow got our wires crossed and didn't meet.

The basic premise is a young man sits in a room surrounded by tv screens, his mum, his girl friend and a friend try to pry him away from the screens and reconnect with real life again. I auditioned for the part of the mum.

This is going to be done this coming Thursday in their three camera studio. He is going to use blue screen to get the illusion of the live people being on screen in front of the projected picture.

The audition turned out to be perfect in the fact that George hired me on the spot for the role. That's just the way I like it. No fuss, no muss. I took the script with me as I left. Lines to learn but the dialogue flows easily so should be easy to memorize.

Nice way to start the day.

Headed back up to Time Warner to take pictures of the Lion King exhibit. See above. Rather nicely done. I haven't seen the Broadway version, well to tell the truth I don't think I have even seen all of the movie. Frankly I don't think there are any parts for me so it is fairly low on the list of things to see. I really did like seeing the costumes and reading about how they do some of the illusions for the stage. I also really like that Julie Tamor in doing the staging uses the costumes to enhance the actors not totally cover them up.

When I got home I watched the Movie Troy with Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean, and Peter O'Toole. Okay must say they sure played with the story. The Trojan War took years this made it seem like about two weeks. Playing a little fast and furious with the story here aren't we?????

Though I have to admit that Brad Pitt is one handsome guy and very pleasing to watch.

The Trojan Horse left lots to be desired. They couldn't see through that???? It looked rather shoddy in my book and quite obviously not what it was supposed to be and why it didn't fall apart from the beach to the city of Troy is beyond me. Also, if Orlando says to burn something - burn it - it will save you lots of trouble in the long run people.

Thought it was cute that Orlando (Paris) ended up with a bow and arrow again. Channeling Legolas are we???

I did like the production quality. And really it was good for what it was and enjoyable in an eyecandy pretty pictures kind of way.

I enjoyed Peter O'Toole but then again I always do and he was interesting to watch as Priam. But were was Hecuba??? Where was Cassandra????

I will be interested in seeing the "Making of" DVD.

Saturday Seminar

2008-04-12T11:19:00.001-04:00

Doing some catch up - since there is much to tell and quite a few photos I will back date these entries to the correct day. Gads I so need to get the internet at home.

Saturday, started with a another Seminar at Actors Connection. Today's was with commercial agent Doug Keston with Paradigm. The first thing that struck me when I first saw Doug was just how much he resembled my friend Page. (Which reminds me that I need to e-mail Page and see if we can arrange a time to get together and catch up.)

Back to the Seminar - Doug was very informative about how he works and about the current state of the commercial business in general. He noted in answer to another attendees question that commercial work usually picks up in an economic downturn because advertisers believe they need to do more to get people to spend their money. I guess that bodes well for getting more commercial work in the coming months. He also said that advertising agencies are looking more for new faces which is why he likes to freelance.

Some pointers he gave for booking commercial work.

1. Be comfortable with who you are as a person. That is who they want to see - a real person.
2. Be able to think fast on your feet. - Many commercials are not as scripted as they were in he past therefore you need to be able to react more to scenarios than to script.
3. Trust your instincts - be willing to try things - be spontaneous - make daring but appropriate choices and most importantly bring into he audition, call back and project your sense of fun.
4. Don't try to second guess what they want. The advertisers often don't know exactly what they are looking for all the time so your take on the commercial might just be what they end up wanting.

After the Q&A Doug and I had a mini interview. We mostly talked about my background. About being from Oregon and some of the things that I have been doing. Another person who was very supportive of my doing extra work to learn the business.

He also really liked my Headshots.

He seemed open and interested and said that he would keep his eye out for things that I would be right for.

Hope so since I get the feeling that I would really like working with him. (And not just because he so closely resembles Page.)

On my way out of the building, on the Elevator I ran into some guys who were there working on their album. After a quick hello, one of them said that he thought they had found the person they were looking for for their music video. I told them that I had worked on a Vampire Weekend and a Burn and Cry Video. They said great and asked if I had my Headshot with me. I did of course. As we got to the lobby one of the guys produced a pen and asked if I would autograph it. Of course I did. Such fun. Although I don't know if I will ever hear from them it was VERY flattering.

Since it was such a lovely day out - I think it might have even gotten close to 70 degrees - my camera and I took a walk up to Central Park. I love Central Park especially in the Spring. See pictures above.

One of the pictures is of the tree that I named Hern. He hasn't awoken from his winter nap yet. He is always one of the later ones to bud and come to life in the Spring. Anyway, he is a rather special tree to me since this is the tree that is the keeper of the spirits of my kitties that have passed away since I came to New York. When one of my fur-kids dies I clip a bit of their fur and give it to Hern for save keeping. So Hern is the place that I go to "visit" - Tasha, Tearsie, Tiger, Star, Sergei, and Merlin.

On my way home I passed by the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. They are having a tribute to the 10 years of the Lion King on Broadway. Some costumes and other neat things. I will come back tomorrow to take pictures.

These evening I watched the DVD of the first 3 episodes of Six Feet Under again. Alan Ball in the commentary had pointed out some scenes of Francis Conroy's that I wanted to see again. In the Pilot when she hears that her husband was killed and destroys the kitchen and then again at the funeral. I of course noticed them before but after hearing his commentary about them I wanted to really look at them and they are indeed amazing. How completely raw the emotion is and how freely she expresses it. Learned quite a bit as an actress from watching these scenes several times.

Well all for today!

Seminar & Hot Water

2008-04-11T12:28:00.004-04:00

I will start off with the Seminar from last night. I met with Christine Kromer who works with Alexa Fogel Casting. Very nice and personable even though she was under the weather with a bit of a cold.

The first part was a Q&A where Christine told us a bit about her past and what she is working on now. I found one of the Pilots that she said that she was working on particularly interesting. It is called "The Philanthropist" and the Logline is: After the tragic death of his child, a man becomes the world's first vigilante philanthropist.

Okay, I work for a lady who IS a philanthropist. Trying to figure out what could be "vigilante" about what she does is not coming readily to mind. So I am extremely curious.

Christine has the basic normal pet peeves: Be on time, be prepared, spell her name right that sort of thing.

She likes the theater and goes as often as she can. She likes people to keep in touch via postcards.

For the other part of the seminar we were paired up to do cold copy for her to see. I was paired with a very nice young lady who has just graduated and is starting out on the audition circuit. I think her name was Andrea (I really need to get better at remembering names).

Our scene from a Situation Comedy Pilot called "Pepper" that Christine had cast. The pilot wasn't picked up but she liked the script.

The reading went well and Christine said that we did a good job with the scene. Situation comedy scenes still kind of through me a little since I don't know if I should be "natural" or be "over the top". I played this one natural and Christine laughed at a couple of places so I guess I made the right choice.

We then talked for a few minutes where I told her that I had worked background on The Black Donnelly's and M.O.N.E.Y both projects that she had cast. Also, that I did a lot of theater but I was interested in moving up into larger parts in film and TV.

So we will see.

When I got home I watched the first part of the Six Feet Under Pilot with commentary.

Okay, I LOVE commentaries. I think they are great learning tools. Some of course are better than others but most of the time I feel like I learn something either about acting or the filming process in some way. On some DVD's for episodic television shows they even show some of the original auditions of the actors who got the parts, Lost and Dark Angel come to mind as having good ones. Very good to watch and to see how the people approached the auditions.

Anyway back to Six Feet Under. I learned that Four of the lead actors came from NY Theater. One Michael C. Hall was sort of plucked right off the stage of the Broadway production of Cabaret. This series was his first time in front of a camera and he got his SAG card with the pilot. Very interesting. It also reminded me of something that Christine said tonight at the Seminar. When asked about going to LA for pilot season she said that the best thing would be to wait until someone asked you to go to LA for a particular project. Let them pay the bill for you to travel or something to that effect. This just proved the point. Even though it was shot on the West Coast many of the actors were actually cast on the East Coast from the Theater.

On another continuing subject I FINALLY have hot water again. Yipeeeeee!!!!! I turned on the faucet expecting the same old cold water that I have had for the past two months and to my surprise actual HOT water came out.

This morning I had my first real shower in it seems like ages. Felt so good and I really feel clean again. I mean I did my best with the bottles and heating the water on the stove by it really never feels the same. Also the luxury of washing my hair, putting on conditioner and cleaning the bod all at the same time - priceless. I admit I stayed in the shower much longer than I usually do but I think I can be forgiven. I also immediately put all of my bottles in the recycling bin. So happy to see them go.

I have another audition this afternoon for a Student film and then another seminar tomorrow. I also submitted myself for a couple of possible background jobs today that are for Sunday and Monday.

I don't know if I will be able to post again for the next couple of days. I will try to post by text message but I don't know how that will really turn out. So anyway have a great weekend and I would love a comment or two.

Thurs. April 10

2008-04-10T16:17:00.003-04:00

I run out of clever titles esp. for day to day stuff.

Didn't get the Verizon Print Job that I was up for. Kind of a bummer but I am not horribly upset about it. I have done quite a few Verizon Network commercials of late so I don't mind missing one now and again.

Also, I signed up a little while ago for a seminar tonight at Actors Connection by Christine Kromer of Alexa Vogel Casting. I haven't done any of these seminars for quite some time due to my emberresment over how old my headshots were. Now that I have new ones there is nothing to stop me. So I am glad that I didn't have to cancel it.

I went into the office of my "regular" job today to see if there was anything that I needed to catch up on. I hadn't been here since Tuesday of last week since I was working at one of the other companies that I sometimes temp at. There wasn't really all that much that I needed to do and the lady I work for is on vacation until next week so I spent most of the day catching up on some of my stuff that I still needed the internet for. (I have got to get internet at home - next month for sure).

Sent out the first batch of my April Newsletters which I had to convert to a .pdf file to send out. I love pdf factory one of the best things EVER invented.

Did some filing and mailing for Ms. S. (my lady)and sent out my packets of Headshots from yesterday.

Really feeling like I am sort of together with everything for the first time in a long time. (Except for the Hot Water issue of course but that ball is not in my court at the moment.)

Hopefully I will start getting lots of calls for auditions from my new headshots.

Well I will let you know about the Seminar tomorrow.

Waiting for .........The Plumber

2008-04-09T15:21:00.000-04:00

Okay, today I stayed at home waiting for "The Plumber". Felt rather like Waiting for Godot for a bit there.

I was assured by my landlord last night that the plumber would come by sometime today. He also dropped by this morning to get my phone number -he didn't have it???? - so that if there was a problem and the plumber wasn't coming he could let me know so I wouldn't be stuck here ALL day for nothing. Big improvement over the last two times.

At around 1:30 pm the plumber shows. He makes sure that there is indeed a problem by running water in my kitchen, bathroom, and shower and yes indeedy there isn't any hot water. He then goes to the Hot Water heater and comes to the conclusion that everything is fine on that end so he is rather stumped for a moment. He asks me how long I have had the problem and I say ever since the new tenants on the 2nd floor fiddled with things before moving in. This sends him off again. All the time of course my water is running full force out of the faucets in my kitchen and bathroom. Water conservation is not a big thing with this guy. All of a sudden the water goes off completely. He comes in and says something like "I thought so." and disappears again. The water comes back on and he returns. He says that when the people renovated they obviously re-routed some of the plumbing so that the hot water that is supposed to come down to me is actually going to them. NICE! He then says that he needs to figure out how to fix this and that he "will get back to me." and leaves. That's it I don't hear from him for the rest of the day.

Now I have a question. As a landlord for a building you let a new tenant hire someone to come in and fiddle with the plumbing and don't at least have your regular plumber check out that they are not screwing something UP???????

So after looking forward to actually being able to have a nice hot shower tonight and wash my hair it is not to be. I washed my hair AGAIN in the sink with water heated up on the stove and took a "bath" with water again heated up on the stove and put in plastic bottles so I could have the illusion that I was at least semi clean.

This is getting to be pathetic. Landlord is NOT getting the rest of the rent until I have hot water and if it goes till next month well he might get even less than half.

I did get quite a lot done though. I got several packets together of my Headshots to send to agents and managers that I have been freelancing with. Updated my Pro-Talent program with upcoming auditions and contacts. Also got some studying done.

Been reading a very interesting book on acting in Industrials which is something I haven't really pursued yet. I like that it talks a lot about camera angles and how best to position your body for the different angles. Good to know for any film work.

With the mail came my next selections from Netflix. The movie Troy with Brad Pitt and the first disk of the TV series 6 Feet Under.

Troy I will probably watch on Friday night.

Started watching 6 Feet Under (never got to see it when it originally aired - no cable).

I really liked the pilot esp. the fake commercials that they had in it. Very quirky. I also liked that they had a lot of people like me in it. I mean of course real looking people who are over 45 and weigh more than 100 lbs. I think I am going to enjoy this series.

Well that's about all for today. Thanks for reading.

Did you see me on?????

2008-04-08T16:27:00.004-04:00

New Amsterdam

Damages: Pilot

These are two shows that I worked on earlier this year. The first image is from the new series New Amsterdam. Which I have been watching and really enjoying by the way. I think Nilolaj Coster-Waldau is a real cutie. Though my heart still belongs to Joe Flanigan of Stargate:Atlantis. But hey, I am just a fan girl at heart.

The second picture is from Damages starring Glenn Close. This scene was from the Pilot. Ms. Close is phenominal to watch on set. I admire her so much. This is a very interesting show that I highly recommend. It is NOT your usual lawyer in NYC type show. Lots of interesting twists and turns.

Vampire Weekend PSA

2008-04-08T16:21:00.004-04:00

A little while back I did a Vampire Weekend PSA that has been playing on MTV.

This is a great group of guys that I loved working with.

New Headshots and Asundry Items

2008-04-08T15:56:00.006-04:00

Hello -

Remember me? My name is Madalyn and this is my blog. I used to write here off and on - well usually more off than on and I am sorry to say that I really haven't been blogging for quite a while so maybe you have forgotten me. I hope that you haven't totally given up on me. Well I am here and I want to really get down to some serious blogging.

I just got new headshots done. I am so happy with them. They were done by Michelle Hannay here in New York. She was wonderful to work with and a really had fun at the shoot.
If anyone is interested in her contact information shoot me an e-mail and I would be glad to pass it on.

So now that I have new pictures I have been busy updating all of the actor casting web pages that I am a part of, as well as every agent, manager, and casting director I have ever met.

Also, just finished revamping my web page - I know finally. It has been ages since I have had the time and access to a computer that I can upload the editing software on. Even today it was still a bit of a hassle since the computer I am working on is a bit slow and the software crashed on it about 5 times before I eventually got the first page re done, the photos uploaded, my "What's New" page done and my new "Ask me a question" page formatted. I am so hoping that I can get an internet connection out to my apartment either this month or next month. That would solve a whole ton of issues.

Oh, speaking of my apartment. I haven't had hot water in my apartment now for close to 2 months. I am becoming a master at boiling water and filling plastic bottles to take a shower. Fortunately I can wash my hair in my kitchen sink. Now I must say that part of the fault is mine. What with acting gigs and my part time job I just haven't been at home that much. Though the times that I have made it a point to be home at my landlords request no one has come. Of course no one told me that the plumber wasn't coming afterwords or came and found out that he needed some part or whatever. I just sat (well read, worked on my computer and played with my cat) all day and still no hot water.

Well, this month I only paid half of my rent telling my landlord that he would get the rest of it when I had hot water. Well, that seems to have gotten some action. My landlord showed up at my door last night claiming that he thought it had been fixed. After of course checking my shower and bathroom and kitchen sinks he found out that indeed there is no hot water to be found unless I am boiling it on the stove. Sooo the upshot of this whole thing is the plumber is coming tomorrow. So I will be home a-waiting.

Other than that as I said I have been sending out my new headshots. I have a couple of auditions lined up that I have gotten as a result of those.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

2007-08-24T14:21:00.001-04:00

Today is my birthday.

So many people start to dislike birthdays as they start to get older. Not me. I love them and usually announce them them to anyone who will listen. It is the one day of the year where I really get to celebrate the fact that I am wonderfully alive.

A friend of mine has sent me a present in a big red box that I will open later this evening when I get home.

I made a big deal of it at my temp job today. This is my last day here after being there for about a month. They are really nice people. Every Friday they have a company lunch which I was organizing this week so I just made it a Birthday Party for myself. Ordered in some Greek food and everyone happily joined in.

There was a small glitch with getting the food in the building since the office is at Rockefeller Center and they were having the funeral for the two firemen that died last weekend at St. Pats across the street. The poor delivery guy could not make it across the street. But everyone was cool about it so we just had lunch about a half hour late.

Also since it is my last day here for a while I am sort of making sure that everything is sort of "cleaned up". These people are so nice about letting me do my own thing while I am here I have a tendency to leave the things that I am working on saved to the computer that I am stationed at. I bought myself a flash drive a couple of days ago so I spent quite a bit of time this morning putting my photos, and other goodies on the flash drive.

Speaking of photos it is time I shared some.

This is the view from the window by my desk. This garden is used sometimes for wedding receptions and photo shoots. It is not open for the general public so only those of us in the surrounding buildings really get to enjoy it. One kind of funky bit though is there is some sort of plastic over the "pool". Every so often I watch someone sweeping it. It looks like he is walking on the water.

This is the desk that I have been hanging out at for the past three weeks.

And here is my wonderful kitty Aengus. My own personal Celtic Sun God. He is such a beautiful BIG kitty. I still can not fathom how someone could just walk off an leave him all alone in an empty apartment. Good for me though since he is now mine.

Well the office is closing for the weekend and everyone is dropping by to say bye so I guess I better close for now.

July 26, 2007

2007-07-26T17:02:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I had to get up at 3:30 am in order to catch the bus to the set of "Don't Mess With The Zohan".

We were filming out at Newark Airport, which was standing in for JFK.

They had a big tent set up on one of the parking lots that was going to be our holding area for the shoot.

Ran into a friend, Marilyn, that I have worked with on several previous gigs and we staked out our seats at one of the tables and got breakfast.

While we were getting ready I ran into another friend, Tony, who was cast as one of the baggage handlers for the scene we were shooting today. I haven't seen Tony since we both worked at a theater company together in NYC a few years ago. It was great seeing him again.

The set was inside the terminal at one of the baggage carousels. I won't give it away but it has to do with a very large create and a couple of dogs. I spotted Tony and went and stood by him figuring if the director didn't like where I was he would put me someplace else. Since we did several takes with me there I guess he was happy with were I was and what I was doing.

The fun thing though was during one of the breaks while we were standing there this real cute bull dog came over to where I was standing and "asked" to be petted and scratched. So this is how I met my new friend Matzaball. (See picture above.) Matza is Adam Sandler's 4 year old bulldog and evidently she pretty much has the run of the set. She had one person sort of trailing behind to make sure she didn't get into any trouble and a guy with a video camera to chronical her adventures on set. She seemed to really like me and stayed until her "nanny" sort of moved her along since they were ready for the next shot. I think that what she liked is the fact that I have real good strong fingernails and I can give a very good scratch.

More later.

Filming in the City

2007-07-25T22:22:00.001-04:00

So, I am on my way to the subway station after work and I pass by all these Haddad production trucks. As usual my reaction is: "What are they filming and why am I not working on it?"

Then as I keep going one of the doors is marked "Zohan".

Oh, it's okay then I AM working on the film tomorrow. Then I recognized one of the PA's. She looked at me with that "don't I know you?" look.

I just smiled and said "Hi". I'm working tomorrow see you then.

Goddess I love living in NY.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

July 25, 2007

2007-07-25T15:28:00.001-04:00

Hi Gang,

Today I have a temp job at a "Managed Assets" company in Mid-Town. Nice company that I have worked at many times before. Like this last Monday for example.

One of the ladies that also works the front desk here is getting ready for her wedding this Saturday. The company was real nice in giving her a little send off party before she left today. They even made sure that I got a piece of cake as well. Let me tell you that doesn't always happen when you are temping some place.
She spent most of the day obsessing about seating arrangements at her reception. She had this one couple that was coming that didn't know anyone else that was invited. So she was trying to figure out where she could put them.

On the very good news front. I got an e-mail today about working tomorrow on the new Adam Sandler film. Yea!!!!!

I would much rather be on a set than in an office any day. Even though it probably means getting up at O Dark Thirty in the morning in order to get there.

Oh I have officially become a Twit. I am now on Twitter if you want you can follow me. www.twitter.com/madalyn. It is just to much fun. I really liked being able to twitter the note about having my job tomorrow.

July 24, 2007

2007-07-24T15:27:00.001-04:00

A much better day weather wise than yesterday. Yesterday was cold, rainy and gloomy. Today is nice and Sunny and around 85 or so. MUCH better.

Though I didn't mind to much yesterday since I had an office job. Today though I have off so I am taking care of some errands and am going to take some reading and park time as soon as I finish up here in the library.

So really not much to report today.

May BlackBerry in something more later.

Sending from my BlackBerry

2007-07-23T16:52:00.000-04:00

Just found out that I can send posts from my Blackberry via e-mail.

Oh this is dangerous. First Twitter and now this. Soon I will have NO excuse not to keep everyone up to date on my goings on.

July 23, 2007

2007-07-23T14:57:00.002-04:00

This is an absolutely dreadful day weather wise. It it rainy and downright cold. Fortunately I have a temp job today so I am inside all day so I don't care ALL that much but still. I was born in the Summer. I like Summer!!!!!!

On to better things. Okay, I have to blame David Hewlett for getting me hooked on Twitter. Spent a bit of time today setting up my account and adding it to my MySpace page and to this lovely little Blog here.

I love the guy but he is a danger to me. Every time he comes up with something new I just "have" to join in. Well it's not so much that I have to it is just that he finds the coolest stuff to introduce me to.

Thanks David. Really I mean it.

Just read that Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane is 67. Gads! She looks great! I guess I shouldn't be all that surprised. Jefferson Airplane was a big deal when I was in college in SF. And I am 50. I guess I just don't think of those things until it is brought to my attention. In my heart and mind I am ageless so I just think everyone else is as well.

Borders Books announced today that they sold over 1.2 million copies of the new Harry Potter book during the first day it was released. I think it is great. So many kids got into reading because of this series of books. Hopefully it will start them on long love affair with reading. Of course all of the fundies are in an uproar because of all of the good Christian children that the book is going to turn into PAGANS. But they ALWAYS have to be in an uproar about something especially if it is something fun.

July 13th, 2007

2007-07-13T15:48:00.001-04:00

Oh Friday the 13th. A day feared by many but not by me. Friday the 13th has always been a good luck day for me. (Probably because I know where the "story" comes from and since I am not a member of the Knights Templar I have nothing to worry about.)

Spoke to Anna this morning about the SVU reshoot on Monday. She was totally supportive about it. Since I don't know what time I am going to be needed at the studio I haven't told the rest of the gang yet. I am hoping it will not be an all day affair so that I can come in for at least part of the day.

Also, I have made plans to go out for a drink with Kim after work on Monday and I really don't want to cancel that either unless I absolutely have to.

Tonight I had dinner with the New York Sentinel Ladies. We are all fans of the series The Sentinel that ran on UPN for several years in the 90's. I haven't been able to join them the last few "Night Outs" due to work commitments and stuff. It was great catching up with everyone again. Of course conversation was lively we talked a lot about politics and current events. But we did manage to squeese in some talk about our favorite guys: Richard and Garett.

Really had a good time. The downside of the whole thing was that the restaurant didn't have cell phone reception so I missed my call from Grant Wilfley telling me what time I needed to report to set on Monday. Bummer. I know they will call back since they have to get me the information but I was hoping that I could send out the e-mail to the people I am working with to let them know if I am going to be in and at what time on Monday. I'd really like to have this over with so that I can enjoy the weekend. But I guess it was not meant to be.

July 12, 2007

2007-07-12T15:04:00.001-04:00

Got a call today from Grant Wilfley Casting. They need me to comeback for a reshoot of a scene on L&O:SVU that I did a couple of weeks ago. Evidently they decided to rewrite the scene so now have to reshoot it. Since I was one of the Jurors and sitting right next to the Foreperson it is very necessary for me to come back.

Normally, I would be the happiest camper in the Universe. They want ME. Obviously I am on screen (or they wouldn't care), more money and working for a day on set. What more could I ever ask for.

Well, the issue is a rather nutty one but one that I run into from time to time. The shoot date is next Monday and I am supposed to be here at the Venture Capital place working for Olivia. It is sort of the thing of giving my word that they can count on me being here and now I have to say I can't be here on Monday.

I am sure they will understand and be cool with it. I just hate to have to do it that's all. Of course there is no question about my doing the shoot that is after all my career. But I could really do with out this over grown sense of honor that I have about these things.

July 11, 2007

2007-07-11T14:31:00.001-04:00

I am finding just putting the date in the subject line so much better than trying to think of a "title" every day.

Today I am starting on a week and a half Temp job at my favorite company to work for. It is a Venture Capital type place that is based out of Sweden. Really great people and as long as I get their stuff done they really don't care what else I do.

My goal this week is to catch up on some promotional work (for me of course) and to see if I can spread the Taffy trailer to other sites besides You Tube.

Doing well on You Tube though which is wonderful.

Also decided I REALLY want, need, desire (you get the picture - pun intended) a digital camera. There are so many neat things I could do with it. Besides of course putting pictures up on the Blog.

2007-07-10T14:23:00.001-04:00

Okay. I will admit it it is HOT. It is in the 90's here in New York. The heat index thingy says it feels in the 100's. Well, I don't know about THAT but it is warm. Like for so many people it really isn't the heat that bothers me it is the humidity. When you have to grab the air and squeeze out the water before you breathe it, I am NOT comfortable. I especially hate it when my clothes start sticking to me. Especially in those - shall we say more delicate areas.

Anyway enough of that at the moment.

Had an audition this morning for a film. At first it didn't start out to well. The CD had not put my name on the list for the building security so they wouldn't let me into the building. The phone# that the Security people had didn't answer so I had to leave a message at the CD's office (which also didn't answer) as to why I was obviously going to be late to the audition.

Fortuneatly there was a park nearby so I went out there to hang out for a couple of minutes hoping that I would hear from somebody. I decided to give it 30 min and if I didn't hear from anyone I would either head to the library or head home.

Well, just as I was getting ready to put my book away and leave my cell rang, it was from the people I was going to audition for. They were so sorry, totally their mistake and they asked if I was still in the neighborhood. I went back to the building and needless to say allowed right in.

Went to the waiting room where I met another actor who was waiting to audition for the same project. He was rather interesting since his attitude was basically "I will be an actor as long as it doesn't inconvenience me to much". Theater took to much time, commercials were Okay but he would not want to be a regular on a T.V. series, a recurring role however was okay if he could fit it in. GADS!!!! Also, he would never take an extra gig since that was beneath him and he didn't think he had the temperment for it.

The monitor came in to get me since it was by this point it was over 45 min after my scheduled appointment time. I was not going to argue the point since I had been there on time. Well my fellow actor had to complain that he was there first so it was really HIS turn. (I guess the audition was taking up to much of his time.) I was polite and said I didn't mind and let him go in.

The audition itself was rather fun. We talked a little about where I came from and what I had been doing. I did my monologue. (I think the young lady at the audition table was going to fall off her chair she was laughing so hard - good thing I think). I did a couple of improv exercises. (Between you and me I never feel comfortable doing improv but I am getting to think that I am better at it than I really think am.)

That was it, now I just wait to see if they call.

On the way to the subway station I found myself behind this young woman who was shall we say rather full figured (like me). She was wearing a rather tight white skirt and underneath - very visable through the skirt - a thong. I remind you that it is hot outside today. Well let's say everything that could jiggle was jiggling. Now I am very much into body conciousness and if she is happy with that look for herself - more power to her. But I just hope that that IS the case. It was an experience walking behind her. I wouldn't do it personally but that is just me.

I was supposed to meet up with my Taffy co-star today since he is making me some copies of the film to send to some people. (Hopefully so big news on that front in a couple of days.) It ended up that we could not get our schedules straight so postponed it. He is going to photoshop a cover for the jewel case which is GREAT!
With the audition happenings of before it was a good thing that we decided not to do it today.

Found out my Netflix will not be coming today. Bummer. Well really that may be a good thing. Make plans for my week at the temp job. Lots of things to do but more gets done when I am more organized.

Well got to go.

2007-07-09T15:44:00.001-04:00

Well finally sort of caught up with my posts.

Today I am working a temp job at one of the financial places that I often work for. Really nice since I get to work on the computer all day and no one really bothers me as long as I get their stuff done as well. Which I can do easily.

Did some promoting of Taffy on Myspace. Our You Tube stats are up to 270 which is good. Keep them climbing so that we can get the picture out.

Also, been catching up on some other peoples blogs. I can read them off my BlackBerry but sometimes it is nice to read them off of the computer.

Tomorrow I am hoping to spend some time at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (Tuesdays is free admission). It is one of my favorite places and I really haven't had the chance to hang out there all that much this year yet.

I also have an Audition at 11:15 for another Student Film. I need to check the Equity web site before I leave here today to see if there are any Equity Auditions that I can go to tomorrow. (I really have to get more on top of that aspect of things). Last summer I did a lot of Equity auditions, this year I have only done a handful.

On Wednesday, I start a week and a half at one of my favorite places to temp. Already making plans on projects to do while I am there. Going to use that time to really focus on promoting Taffy and myself for that matter. Catch up with some goal setting and sending out my headshot and resume to the casting directors of the new series that are going to be filming here in New York next season. They should all be filming by the time I am through with the temp job.

Oh, and yes, don't worry I will do all the great admin assit. duties that I will have at the office. It's just that they are another place that I can do my own thing after I finish what they need to have done. I never sneak around with doing my own stuff. Just to much of a hassle to always have to watch my back and I have found that honesty has usually paid off with the support of the people that I am working for.

2007-07-08T15:21:00.001-04:00

Today was the PERFECT Sunday. At least as far as I am concerned.

Lounged and cuddled with my kitty Aengus while listening to "On The Media" and "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" on NPR.

Then caught the bus headed for Park Slope (I don't hang around my neighborhood unless I can't help it!!!!)

Walked around for a little bit. Went into one of my favorite little stores on 7th Avenue that sells incense and other goodies. Didn't really pick up anything on this visit since I am planing on really doing some serious magickal shopping in a coupe of weeks or so. But still good to see what they had.

Then went and had a lovely lunch at the Second Street Restaurant on 2nd Street. Basically just a hamberger and a glass of Guiness but it sure tasted good.

Went up to the Barns and Noble or as I usually call them Buns and Noodle to see if the new issues of New Witch was out. It isn't yet.

Then went over to Prospect Park for a couple hours. Read for awhile, watched a vollyball game, and someone trying to get a really large and beautiful Kite aloft. Although it was hot out temperture wise I really didn't feel it because of the shade and the nice breeze that I had under the tree.

Then headed home. Listened to a couple other fav. radio shows. "The Business" and then "Speaking of Faith".

So all in all a very nice low key day.

2007-07-07T15:10:00.001-04:00

Another day another audition.

But hey that is the way I like it. Auditions are a pain but they really are a way of performing for an audience (usually of one or two). Besides I consider each audition just one more step toward my goal of Stardom.

Today's audition was really very interesting and a lot of fun. It was for a "mockumentary" that is being done by a couple of guys from Scandanavia. One is from Denmark and the other is from Norway. I got to do a campaign speech as if I was runing for President of the United States.

Now although I am VERY political and extreemly opinionated as far as politics is concerned I don't think I will ever really run for public office. This campaign season we are seeing if people can accept a woman and an African-American running for President. I am pretty sure they wouldn't be ready for a Pagan yet.

But I really had a lot of fun "playing the part". The people holding the audition really seemed to like it so have my fingers crossed for this one.

2007-07-06T15:07:00.001-04:00

Today I had an audtion for a Student Film called: "Alice". Real nice simple audition. The role I read for was "Grumpy Old Lady". Gads.

2007-07-05T14:58:00.001-04:00

Well one of the Agents that I work for put me on hold to work on the new film 27 Shoes for today and tomorrow. Only I haven't heard anything about actually booking a time so I am thinking that I am free for the day.

Went into Manhattan and visited the library to jump on the computer and check out what was happening with Taffy on MySpace. We have over 250 views on YouTube which makes me happy. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I can really put some concerted effort into getting it some more publicity. While I was at the library I happened to pick up a couple more books (as if I really needed any more books to read).

I couln't find a copy of BackStage so I think that it isn't coming out until tomorrow.

2007-07-04T14:51:00.001-04:00

My July 4th was rather low key this year. Since I got home late last night and didn't have anything planned in advance I just sort of hung out and read a book.

I am planing on writing a little bit about the books I read as a go along. That is the ideal anyway. Don't know if it will actually ever happen. I seem to always be doing catch up as it is anyway.

Hope you had a nice Holiday.

Working

2007-07-03T14:04:00.001-04:00

Working on set today.

I got a call yesterday afternoon asking if I would be interested and if I was available to work tomorrow on Law & Order: SVU. The episode title was: Snitch.

I of course said yes. This was my first time on SVU I have done the flagship L & O and several of the short lived spin-offs (Trail by Jury and Conviction) before.

The call time was an extreemly reasonable 9:30 am instead of the usual 6 am or 7 am call. Felt like an actualy commuter while on the subway going to set.

When I got there I found out that I was cast as one of the Jury which means at least a second of guaranteed camera time. This was also 2nd unit since they were filming two episodes on this day. I found out from one of the PA's that they are trying to get all of this seasons episodes in the can before the possible writers strike so they are really hussling to get as much done as possible.

Only saw Christopher Maloni and Mariska Haritay (August's Mommie-as her chair says) briefly as they passed me in the hall.

I am very happy to report that I did not hear a grumpy comment all day on set (refering to a previous blog). Every one was really great and I had a great time getting to know some people that I hadn't met before but know that I will see again.

Because of trying to cram everything in the day was a long one. Pretty close to 12 hours.

So really a good day.

Sessions

2007-06-28T14:43:00.001-04:00

The other night my friend Geri and I went to see the new musical "Sessions" at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater here in NYC.

Both of us agree that this is a must see, and not just because one of the producers is a friend of mine.

The one thing that we both commented on was this was a musical where you really cared about the characters and what happened to them. There were some great funny moments and a couple moments that made each of us cry (different points I might add - more on that later) .

The music was VERY good and most of the songs though very much a part of the story telling and moving ahead the plot could be sung outside the show which is rather a rare occurance these days.

Now some details:

Matthew Shepard who played Dr. Peterson was perfect for the Psychatrist. Great voice, great timing and you really felt his dilema and CARED.

Leila played by Amy Bodnar. Well let me just say that both Geri and I would like to look like her or at least be able to wear those clothes as well as she does. Needless to say, again perfect casting.

Mrs. Murphy played by Bertilla Baker. Now I have to admit that I tried out for this role so I must admit that on this one I was particularly curious to see who got cast. Well, she gets no argument from me. She did a wonderful job and though I would love to play the role at a future date she is a great choice that I will happily follow.

The rest of the cast was also great and very distinct three dimentional characters that you cared about.

One of my teary eyed moments (no won't give away and spoilers) was between Al Bundonis as Baxter and Matthew Shepard as Dr. Peterson in the second half. George talks about an incident with his father that was a mirror image of one that I had with my own father when I was in high school. Real cudos to Scott that he played it so well that he took me right into his feelings and I FELT them too.

So I do encourage everyone who can to go see the show. This is one that really will be going places. (Well if I have anything to say about it.)

Odds and Ends.

2007-06-26T16:04:00.001-04:00

For the last couple of days I have been working at an Investment Company in Midtown Manhattan. It's a very nice place and fortunatly I get access to a computer so that I can do some of my OWN work while I am here.

Most of the time I have been looking for places to send the Trailer for Taffy Was Born.

Also learning about the how to's of Independent Movie Distribution. Not an easy task to say the least. Quite a learning curve here. But I am bound and determined to get this baby released so that we can make a little money off of it.

The weekend was rather nice. I went to my friend David's movie party. This time he was showing the shorts "Hollywood on Parade" from 1932. Frederich March did not look like he was happy hosting this little piece of fluff and Walt Disney's "Waterbabies" which was absolutly adorable. The animation was the traditional old Disny that was just so wonderfully done and the whole thing was just too cute.

The main feature was Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps". Interesting but not the best of the Hitchcock films. Did enjoy that it supposedly took place in Scotland though. There was even a guy wearing a kilt.

On Sunday David and I went to see the stage play "The Greenhouse Effect" at the Abingdon Theater. This was a very interesting one man show. At first I was a little apprehensive since the actor was playing 4 different characters. Two female and two male. But he won me over completly after a a few minutes. The show was rather moving with some very funny moments and several very poingent ones. Well worth seeing.

Tonight my good friend Geri and I are going to see the musical "Sessions" which is being produced by a friend of mines company. I tried out for one of the roles so I am eager to see the person who actually got the part.

Tomorrow I am getting a hair cut (which I so desperatly need). I possibly could have done some background work on Glenn Closes new series but decided that the hiarcut is MUCH more important right now. It has gotten to the length that I just don't know what to do with it.

A Rant

2007-06-20T11:46:00.001-04:00

Okay, I have a little rant for today.

The other day I worked on a commercial that was being shot on a private golf course in the small town of New Salem, NY. Until I booked the job I didn't know that there was a New Salem, NY. When the Casting Director called me I was told that the shoot would be outside and since there was a tournament happening the same day we would not be able to use the Club House so things might be a little "rustic".

Well that was all fine with me. I was just happy to get out of the city for the day and into the country. You know fresh air, trees, grass all of those little things that makes my little pagan heart go pitter pat and get PAID for it.

Unfortunatly quite a few of my fellow actors did not feel the same way that I did. One started griping about how "out in the middle of nowhere" we were before we even arrived on the set.

Then when we did arrive another person who I had worked with on other sets and who I had thought was a rather positive person started complaining about how we were outside, could not use the Club House and that she was shure she was going to get an infection from the port-a-potties that had been provided for our use. Needless to say I moved away from her as soon as possible. It was a little early for me to deal with such negativity. I mean we hadn't even really started yet.

When we did get on set I was first placed next to a guy who started in on his own rant about how "bad" everything was. When he was asked to stand on a slight incline by one of the AD's, as soon as the AD moved away started to tell me how he hoped he had an accident so that he could sue the company. I told him that if he didn't want to stand on the incline (which really wasn't THAT bad he should have said so). Oh NO he WANTED to sue the company that way he would make a lot of money and wouldn't have to do this S**T work again. By that point I had had it with this negativity so I told him that if he didn't like doing this type of work then why was he even there in the first place. Then told him if he didn't have anything nice to say to please just not talk to me. He moved off and soon found some people to spread his misery with. At this point we had been on set for a total of 30 min tops.

The AD by this point returned and asked if anyone cared to move to another area that didn't have as many people in it and I quickly volunteered. (Turned out to be a good move since I ended up right in front of the Camera lens!!!!!) Fortunatly I also ended up next too a group of people with a much more positive mind set which the the shooting of the rest of the scene more pleasent.

Later in the afternoon when the director was shooting several different takes of one of the actors saying an important "Tag" line of the commercial. One of the non speaking actors next to me started in about how the actor who was speaking couldn't seem to get the line right and was doing so many takes. Now to me it was quite obvious that what the director was doing was getting different line readings so that he had choices when he got to editting the final commercial. The director was doing his job as director and the actor was doing her job as a good actor to give him lots of choices to work with. But the thing was that this guy next to me was so loud with his "coments" that I am sure the actor trying to work could here him between takes. I give her kudo's for not turning around and bopping him one. Don't know as I would have been that kind.

So even though I tried as much as possible to stay away from my grumpier compainions throughout the day they all kept on insisting on coming over to me and update me on their complaints of the moment. Happily most of the time I was able to beat a hasty retreat and get away from them as quickly as possible when I was cornered. The funniest one was one actress came up to me at one point and asked me if the unopened bottles of Poland Spring were still safe to drink, espeically since they had been sitting out in the Sun for several hours. GADS!!!

(For the record I was actually having a good time enjoying the outdoors, free food, sunshine etc.)

So my thing is, and henceforth why this rant. After being told the conditions (since I am sure I wasn't the only one that the CD told) if you were going to hate it so much WHY would you take the job? And WHY try to ruin MY day by insisting on complaining to me at every chance you get? Especially after I ask you NOT TO!!!

So anyway I still enjoyed the day and more to the point I got PAID for it.

I'm Back

2007-06-18T11:39:00.000-04:00

Sorry for not posting for so long.

Gosh how time does get away from a person.

Also I must admit that recently that I have been so busy reading everyone else's Blogs that I haven't written in my own. Not a good thing.

Anyway back to what I have been up to.

I recently worked on a film called "The Dinner" that filmed in Katonah, NY. Had loads of fun being the matriarch of a family with an interesting "secret".

I also have to say that this was without a doubt one of the best run sets that I have EVER been on. Everyone was so together and knew what they were doing. Crew as well as cast. If they could just all be like this.

Other than that I have been busy spreading the You Tube link to the trailer of Taffy Was Born. I am bound and determined to get that movie in release.

See the Trailer on YouTube here:

Today I was called for work on a Barklay's Commercial shooting tomorrow.

So all is right in my world today.

Talk to you soon.

Bad Weather

2007-04-15T15:49:00.001-04:00

We are in the midst of a 'noreaster'. In other words VERY bad weather. It started raining last night and has not let up.

I am feeling quite a bit better today inspite of the gloom and rain outside.

I swam into the city to have a wonderful lunch at B Bar with my friends Page and Steven. It was so great being able to catch up with them. I am going to be spending some time at their wonderful apartment looking after their fur family while they are away for a week. I am so looking forward to it. I LOVE their apartment and the "kids". I hope Molly is ready for some nice long walks.

Under the weather

2007-04-14T15:39:00.000-04:00

A real no energy day. Probably because I had a cold all week and just kept going. So just lounged arround most of the day and listened to NPR. Of course my cat Aengus was more than happy to spend the day cuddled up next to me.

Finally around 2 pm I got my act together and returned a DVD that was due today at the library. Stopped by Starbucks for a Caremel Machiado and a sandwich (little to no food in the house) and just went straight back home.

Evening watched one several episodes of Babylon Season 1 that I bought on Friday. After all these years the series really holds up and the story lines are very thought provoking. I really loved the series when it first aired but had thought that after all these years it might have "aged". I am finding it just as thought provoking now as then. Probably more on this later.

Oh, forgot to mention. I received a free book from BackStage yesterday. "In Their Shoes" looks like an interesting book about women in business.

So all for today.

Cute Baby

2007-04-13T17:17:00.000-04:00

Isn't he the cutest!!!!!!!!

Meet Knut the Ice Bear (polar bear). He was born December 5, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. The first ice bear to be born there in over 30 years.

He is just soooooooo cute.

Just what I needed today. My sinuses are acting up so I am sniffling and sneezing and doing other not so fun things.

Really haven't done much today except read blogs, play on myspace nothing really constuctive.

Musings on the News.

2007-04-12T16:02:00.001-04:00

As you all know the big news of this week is Don Imus and his comments on his radio show about the young ladies on the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team. Comments that I will not of course repeat here since I do think that they are inaccurate and disgusting.

My opinion on this:

What he said was wrong on so many levels - that he thought that this was okay to say about these particular young women, that it was okay to say about women of color, and that it was okay to say about women period. Should he loose sponsers because of it? YES! Should he loose his show? Probably if I had anything to say about it.

However this whole incident bothers me on a much deeper level. Don Imus is a "shock jock" it is his job to shock and provoke. And though this is not a genre that I listen to or am fond of there are a lot of people who LOVE this type of "entertainment". He thought that this comment would be acceptable and even be found humurous by his audience. And I am afraid that it probably was. There are probably a goodly number of people out there that thought that type of statement was acceptable. THAT is what bothers me. Everyone is getting so wrapped up in shooting the messenger that we are not dealing with the message.

Don Imus will probably be vilified in some very public way and then the matter will die down and be forgotten. But the underlying issue will still be there. And there will still be people out there that think that saying such things about women and especially women of color is okay. To me THAT is the problem and the issue that needs to be addressed.

On another issue.

I read today that some of the leaders of the conservative Christian Leaders are demanding that Richard Cizik be removed from his post as a Christian Advocate to the White House, Supreme cout and the Congress. The reason------ he has been voicing his concerns over climate change, torture and poverty and not advocating enough on THEIR anti-gay marraige and abortion agenda.

My view: First off I need to say that I was at one time an Evangelical Christian (I am no longer). What I was thinking as I read this was what would Jesus think? I studied Theology in college and I can't remember anyplace in the New Testiment (or old for that matter) that mentioned gay marriage or abortion. I do however remember LOTS of passages about carring for the poor, loving and looking out for others.

I think that so many of these people are so wrapped up in thier own agenda's that they have totally missed the message of the person/prophet/Son of God that they say they folllow. Won't they be surprised to learn at some point that HE had a different agenda entirely and that they are NOT doing HIS will at all. Not even close.

Also, I learned something new today.

In the arctic it doesn't snow. What looks like snow is actually frozen bits of sea ice that the wind blows off the sea onto the ice flows. Sort of akin to a dust storm in the Sahara or other desert. The Arctic is really a desert and gets very little real water percipitation.

On a personal career note - I had to e-mail the director of a Student film that I was cast in that I would not be able to do her film after all. Even after I told her at the audtion that I was working at a temp job from 9-6 for the next couple of weeks she went ahead and booked the shoot for an afternoon next week and just "expected" me to take the time off. Unfortunatly, finances just don't allow for that at the moment. Between paying the rent and having a non-speaking role in a student film at this point in time -- paying the rent wins. So wish it could be otherwise but hey!

Merry Meet and Welcome

2007-04-11T17:01:00.002-04:00

Hello,

Welcome to my little corner of the cyber universe. I have avidly read and admired other peoples blogs for a long time but haven't really kept up one of my own. So we will give this a go. And see where it leads.

Best,

Madalyn