Vintage Star Trek Comics!

Friends of mine stumbled onto a set of Star Trek comic book volumes at a local thrift store. Knowing that I would love such a fun pop culture find, they quickly snatched them up for me. I'm now the proud owner of the first 4 volumes of Star Trek: The Enterprise Logs published by Golden Press. Each volume contains 8 original Golden Press comic books. According to Ebay, these volumes are going for as much as $50-$60 now-a-days. Seeing as Jon & Amanda paid a dollar for each of them, I'd say they got a great deal! I read a few Star Trek comics growing up when DC Comics held the rights to publish Star Trek. I loved the movie era Star Trek TOS (The Original Series) comics back then. I've never read any of the old original comics from the 60's and 70's though. Now's my chance!

I dove into volume 1 with the eagerness of a school boy! Right off the bat I could see the differences between the comics and their on screen counterparts. The introduction was an "Identi-Fax Psycho File" on James T. Kirk. Right away I could tell Gene Rodenberry didn't have creative control over this comic. The "Identi-Fax" was drawn to look like a file folder with a paper clip in the upper corner. Roddenberry would have insisted that computers had long since replaced paper files. But moving onto the story-- the Enterprise crew are exploring "Galaxy Alpha" and report that so far they haven't found any life in the galaxy. The terminology immediately makes me cringe a bit. In Star Trek intra-Galactic travel isn't really possible. But, whatever. It's a comic book. So, let's move on. The crew goes on to explore a hostile planet ran by plants. These plants feed on animals and keep them as livestock. They see our heros as food and treat them accordingly. They also have the ability to take animals and transform them into more plant monsters-- maybe it's how they reproduce.

The idea of sentient plants is also addressed in the Star Trek Animated Series episode "Infinite Vulcan". However there the plant race, known as the Phylosians, are highly intelligent and communicate easily with the Enterprise crew. Kirk and company treat them with respect. However, in the comic book the enterprise crew see the walking plants as simply dangerous. They make no attempt to communicate with them or determine their intelligence level. They just.. well.. they kill them. They kill them all. (See image to the right).

Um.. WOW. How could this be Star Trek? The Enterprise crew's mission is to seek out new life. Well they found it! And what did they do when they found it? THEY KILLED IT! How could Gene Roddenberry have let this happen? Well, I can only assume that money had something to do with it. Paramount/Desilu owned Star Trek and could basically do what they want to with it. I bet the studio sold the comic book rights to Golden Press and gave no additional input. I did some quick wiki-reasearch on this topic and found this:

The first Star Trek comics were published by Gold Key between 1967 and 1978. Originally they were illustrated by Alberto Giolitti, an Italian artist who had never seen the series and only had publicity photos to use as references. These comics were highly stylized and diverged wildly from the TV series continuity. Writers included George Kashdan, Arnold Drake and Len Wein. (Wikipeadia)

So THAT explains it! This guy didn't know ANYTHING about Star Trek! And no wonder some all the terminology was off. Just check out this technobable:

"Laser Beam Destruct Ray"??? Don't you mean "Phasers".  "Materialize us aboard"???  Don't you mean "Beam us up". And why is Captain Kirk talking into his tricorder instead of his communicator??  It's like I'm in some kind of weird Bizaro-world where everything is slightly wrong!

*Breath*



Ok. So it's not really "Star Trek". But it is fascinating! It's a total 60's kids comic book take on the Star Trek franchise. And I love classic comic books. I mean, the Dick Tracy comic strips from the late 60's were full of "ray guns" and fun 60's pop culture ideas. The bright "POW!" "WACK!" style Batman books from the 60's gave us Batgirl (my favorite comic book heroin). So maybe if I get over the non-Roddenberry ideas in these old comic books I can really enjoy them. I mean, Star Trek can use a little of this fun child like adventure, right? After all, look how cool the transporter room (sorry, I mean the teleportation chamber) looks!

 **UPDATE**
More info about the comic: http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/The_Planet_of_No_Return

White Christmas!

IT'S A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas"... and I got one! Popular culture will tell you that Christmas = Snow. I've known this all my life-- ever since I was in kindergarten and the teacher decorated the bulletin board with white paper snow flakes and a Santa Claus cut out for December. This was confirmed with TV specials like the Rankin Bass Christmas features. Santa, Rudolph, the Grinch and all my favorite characters seem to exist only in snowy Christmas wonderlands. Plus, the only time it snows in Bedrock, Garfield's backyard, or Smurf village is on Christmas. So yes- as I a kid I always associated snow with Christmas. But in East Tennessee it hardly ever snows on Christmas. Each year I would dream of a White Christmas and was always sadly disappointed. UNTIL NOW! I woke up this morning to find that Santa had left something in my stocking and the world outside is a beautiful winter wonderland! The snow is clinging to the trees and glissining in the Christmas morning sun! IT'S AMAZING! Just look at the view from our hotel window:

USS Yorktown

Today my parents and I visited the U.S.S. Yorktown which is docked near Charleston South Carolina as a naval maritime museum. It was great! I'd highly recommend an afternoon exploring this "Fighting Lady" if you ever find yourself in Charleston.

Here's a fun fact-- The USS Yorktown was the name of the central starship in Gene Roddenberry's first Star Trek proposal to NBC in 1964. The ship was named after the USS Yorktown, a World War II American aircraft carrier, which in turn was named after the last major battle of the American Revolution, won in 1781 by a combined Franco-American army commanded by Gen. Ge orge Washington. (Memory Alpha).

I'm not sure if Roddenberry was inspired by this ship or her predecessor-- destroyed at the Battle of Midway in 1942. Nevertheless, touring the Yorktown was a fun peak into a fascinating world. Unfortunately the museum is in peril! Here is some more info:

Carrier Going Down In A Sea Of Red Ink

October 26, 2009: The U.S. Navy has long been willing to donate old ships to groups that were willing to maintain the retired vessels as museum ships. But the navy attaches some very expensive strings. That is, the navy expects the ship to be kept in decent shape. This is a problem with many old metal ships, as they rust. And eventually they rust so much that the hull is breached, and ultimately will collapse. For example, one museum ship, the World War II era, Essex class carrier USS Intrepid, in New York City, recently returned to its display berth after a two year refurbishment, costing $120 million. The entire hull was examined, in dry dock, for decay, and over a hundred square meters of hull had to be replaced. A sister ship of the Intrepid, the Yorktown, requires a similar refurbishment. Since 1975, the Yorktown has been on display in Charleston, South Carolina, with several other museum ships. The Yorktown, which entered service four months before the Intrepid, needs the same kind of work. The navy is insisting on it, with the alternatives being sending the ship to the breakers (to be broken up for scrap) or a lawsuit. The naval museum in South Carolina is in a bad situation, as $120 million is hard to find, even when the economy (and wealthy donors) are doing well. The big donors are much harder to find these days.

But even sending the ship to the scrap yard is not a viable alternative. For a long time, unneeded ships were "sent to the breakers" (a shipyard that broke the ship up for scrap and reusable parts). However, this is now considered environmentally harmful if done the old fashioned way (as it is still done in countries like India), and too expensive if it is done in an environmentally (and politically) acceptable way. In other words, it could cost more scrap the Yorktown than to repair her.

So what's to be done? A popular option these days is to use old ships for target practice. For example, of 31 recently decommissioned Spruance class destroyers, 22 were used for target practice. Some old warships are sunk closer to the shore, to provide reefs for fish and scuba divers.

But the museum would rather not lose the Yorktown, to the breakers, scuba divers or friendly fire. But unless the money can be found, the Yorktown will go down.

source: http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20091026.aspx

Star Trek TNG Episode Reviews

Editor's Note: This entry is copied from my personal blog.

I've been watching a lot of TNG lately. Since Tim got me THE ENTIRE SERIES for Christmas last year (THANK YOU!!!) it's been at my disposal 24/7. This is a dangerous concept-- but I've held off the temptation to completely give over my life to sitting on the couch watching Picard and Company. I tend to marathon a disk or so about once a month and that's it. Since the convention last weekend, however I've been watching it pretty much nonstop. It's really amazing to compare as season 7 episode like "Eye of the Beholder" and a 1st season episode like "Home Soil". I watched these two right after each other last night. You can certainly see the influence of the original series more in "Home Soil". I mean, it's basically a re-telling of "The Devil in the Dark" from 1967. The miners are replaced with tera-formers and the big blob/rock like horta is replaced with a small crystal like glowing intelligence.
But-- leaving the original series aside for a minute and comparing "Home Soil" with the 7th season episode "Eye of the Beholder" again you see how far the series really came by the end. In both the crew must play detective and unravel a mystery. However, "Eye" is by far a better episode. The characters are more fully developed and the story seems more character driven. Even the new characters who are introduced in the episode are fascinating! We immediately want to know more about Lt. Kwan and why he killed himself. The credit goes to writer Brandan Braga. Gene Roddenberry was never interested in Star Trek being a character driven drama. It was always really just his media for telling morality plays about right and wrong, human rights, and other heady stuff. While I love Roddenberry's work, I'm glad that the focus turned to the characters in the movies of the 1980's and then TNG. At its best Star Trek tells a story about character relationships while also teaching us a lesson. I think the show had more potential than Roddenberry ever really intended and was more fully realized by his successors. That being said, the "powers that be" eventually led Star Trek down the wrong path. Enterprise was largely a disaster in my opinion, as was Nemesis. But there was a moment-- in the last few seasons of TNG when Star Trek had the best of both worlds (no pun intended). On those DVD's we have the treat of watching great characters who we love with fully developed relationships and hear a good story with a nice lesson thrown in to boot.

Star Trek in Jersey!

Captain's Log
Stardate: 08152010
Time: 10:30
Commander Adkins and I are on a diplomatic mission visiting the the Star Trek Convention in Parsippany New Jersey. Unfortunately the transport has landed us in Morris Plains and according to the tricorder we're 3.7 kilometers to the Hilton where the convention is held. There doesn't seem to be another transport or shuttle so we're setting out on foot. For some reason the New Jersey transit buses don't seem to run on Sundays. FAIL.

Captain's Log: Supplemental
Time: 10:45
The side walk has ended and we're now venturing the true unknown wilds of New Jersey. According to our instruments we're still on the right track but it's looking like less of a stroll and more of a hike.

Captain's Log: Supplemental
Time: 11:15
Still no sign of the Hilton but we've spotted a Wendy's ahead. A slight course correction is in order! We need diet coke and chicken nuggets STAT!
Captain's Log: Supplemental
Time: 11:30
After braving the walk across the Freeway on-ramp and almost walking into the Hampton Inn (which was cleverly disguised as the Hilton) we've FINALLY found the Hilton. It seriously look us an hour but we got here! The line isn't bad and they haven't opened the doors yet. We made it in plenty of time. It already looks like it will be fun day as the lobby is full of interesting characters. (more photos on facebook)

Captain's Log: Supplemental
Time: Unknown
We've completely lost track of time! It's the end of our day at the convention. There are many federation representatives here and lots of various species from other worlds. We encountered several Klingons (see below), some Borg, a Ferengi, and many Star Fleet personnel. Several celebrities in attendance spoke to the crowd and answered questions including 7 of 9 (Jeri Ryan), Martok (J.G. Hertzier), and Neelix (Ethan Phillips).

It was great! Tommy and I had SUCH a fun time and really got a chance to "nerd out". I even competed in a Star Trek trivia competition and got down to the final 2 questions but sadly lost. It was a DS9 episode title questions that did me in. :( But it was still lots of fun. Oh- and I bought a vintage 1988 Thermos brand Star Trek TNG Lunch Box!!! I'm sure it will be all the rage in the officer's mess. :)

I think we need to go on more of these diplomatic missions in the future. Maybe the Las Vegas convention next year? Comic Con? Maybe we can get a big landing party together! That would be lots of fun!

Until then- this is Capt Mike signing off. llap

My Photography is all over NYC!

I had the privilege of attending graduate school with some pretty tallented people. One of whom is Afton Williamson. She made her Broadway debut a few months after we graduated in August Wilson's play Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Now she's featured in the new cast of David Mamet's Race. I learned of her latest gig when I saw this commercial on TV the other night:


Cool right? They flashed her face across the screen and I thought "Oh my God! That's Afton! I'd recognize those eyes anywhere." Then I thought "Wait a minute. Not only do I recognize her face but I think I know that photograph. Did I take that picture? Is that one of the headshots I took of her back in school??" So I dragged out my external hard drive, searched thru my files and sure enough I found it! You see, I'd offered to take free headshots for all my classmates before we left Alabama. It was sort of an graduation present and several of them took me up on the offer. So now one of my photographs is plastered on subway posters, displayed in front of a Broadway theatre, being aired on TV all over the NYC area and is on the website for a Broadway show! I'm so proud!! :)

I'm hoping to do some more headshot photography this summer while I'm in NYC. If you anyone who needs new photos please feel free to pass on my information. My rates are vary reasonable starting at just $50 (!) and I'm more than happy to create a custom package to suit the client's needs. You can see a small gallery of my work over at my smugmug page here: http://themikejonesphotos.smugmug.com

Only in Florida

Only in Florida (otherwise known as God's waiting room) can you fine 2 dicarded empty tubes of Bengay on the sidewalk. If only I'd snagged a picture of that. Instead look at this: These are everywhere I look down here. It's begining to look a lot like Christmas ALREADY!!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Independent Dr,Jacksonville,United States

Hello muddah, hello faddah...

Here I am at.. Camp Granada

HELLO FROM JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA!  Today was the first day of Camp Broadway and my dogs are BARKIN'! It was a crazy day and I learned a lot.  I feel much better prepared for tomorrow and beyond. :)

Working for Camp Broadway and temping at the Fresh Air Fund a few months back has given me food for thought.  Why did I never go to camp when I was a kid?  I never went swimming in a lake full of other campers or  slept in a log cabin full of bunk beds.  Why not?  Ultimately I think it's because 1) I didn't really want to go to camp. I was too shy.  2) We lived in rual Tennessee and we would go "camping" as a family and 3) we didn't go to church so there were not "youth group" organized camping ventures or Christian camps in my life.  If there was ever a camp I did want to go to it was Space Camp!  Of course, I still want to go to Space Camp.  I wonder if there's a program for adults?  Hmm.

In any case, I'm totally in camp now.  It's not Space Camp.  It's not wilderness camp (although I could go swimming in the hotel pool).  I'm totally immersed in theater camp it's pretty amazing.  Watching the kids discover their own talents and have fun singing and dancing is a lot of fun!  Don't get me wrong- it's not a stress free work environment but it is certainly a rewarding one.  

Great weekend!

I had a great weekend! It all started Friday night with a delicious dinner with friends at Yum Yum too. Mmm. Then Saturday we got up and drove into upstate New York to visit Diane. It was beautiful! I learned that a horizon line with the Catskill Mountains looks shockingly like the Smoky Mountains. I felt like I as back home. :) We knew that the Woodstock site is somewhere up there too so we set out to find it. We did! It was VERY cool! There was a museum and everything. :) We ended the day back at Diane's roasting marshmallows over a camp fire. What a wonderful day! Thankfully we didn't see any coyotes. Sunday was much less dramatic-- filled with Puppy Kindergarten & mall shopping. :)

Talky Blog

themikejones's webcam video April 09, 2010, 07:51 PM

Shameless Self Promotion

My first NYC show is closing this weekend!  Make sure you all come check out The Crucible at The Gallery Players before it's too late. :)

Details @ http://galleryplayers.com/plays/crucible

Back To The Ole Blog

I posted a Facebook status yesterday asking my friends if I should start blogging again.  So far the response seems pretty positive.  I've enjoyed blogging in the past and I think I should keep up with it more.  So- I sat down at my computer and opened ScribeFire (the program I use to blog) and I found a blog entry that I'd typed back in January.  I'm not sure why I never posted it.  It's not terrible- just a little random.  Here it is:

                                                                                   
Written in Early January:

"I Love These Spoons"

I'm back in Cincinnati Ohio after 3 months of working out of town.  I'm happy to be back here-- though the apartment seems empty without Tim (who's visiting family and friends in Massachusetts.)  We spent some time at my parents house in Tennessee last week.  I was there for a total of one week- just the right amount of time for me to get cabin fever and want to be in my own apartment again.  It's weird sleeping in your childhood bedroom on an air mattress.  

A few minutes ago I was unpacking some groceries left over from tour and I saw that Mom had packed some homemade chili in with them.  The sight of it made me smile.  I popped it into the microwave to heat it up.  It took me a second to remember which drawer in which to find a spoon but as soon as I picked it up the tactile memory was perfect.  I love these spoons.  They have a great weight to them.  Nice and solid but not too heavy.  These are our spoons.  :) I like being home. 

Of course "home" is relative.  Soon Tim and I are moving to THE city.  I can't wait to call New York my new home!  More on that soon. :)


                                                                                   


"More on that soon"??  Not exactly, right?  I'm not sure why I abandoned my blog.  I guess I got caught up in the move-- which was EPIC by the way.  And then I've spent the last couple of months getting acclimated in our new home.  New York City is amazing.  It's kind of everything at once.  It can be absolutely inspiring to walk thru the theatre district and see how much is happening here.  I love that I can go see shows like The Adamms Family in previews and see something that none of my friends have had the chance to yet-- a new Broadway musical that hasn't even opened yet!  At the same time it can be frustrating as it's a difficult theatre community to really break into.  I'm doing my best, however.  I'm working Off-Off Broadway right now on a production of The Crucible.  It's going quiet well actually.  And I'm sending out my resume constantly for the next gig. 

The other thing about New York City that I love is the food!  It seems like everything I eat here is AMAZING!  From the cheap diners & corner delis to the kitchy burger joints and authentic ethnic places it's all DELICIOUS.  And it's all available at any time-- and for delivery.  Thank god I'm poor-- otherwise I'd be gaining a lot of weight here.

I guess that's all I have to say for now.  I need to go call half hour. 

Update

This blog entry is LONG overdue.  I think the video below sums it all up-- but I just wanted to make sure I shared all my great news with you.   Next month I'm flying to South Carolina to go into rehearsal with the world famous Radio City Rockettes.  I'll be working on the Nashville leg of the National tour of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular!  I'm even more excited because the show plays in the Grand Ole Opry House for over a month.  When I was a kid growing up in Tennessee, I dreamed of being on the Opry stage!  Now I'll be working behind it. :)

And even BIGGER news-- after the Christmas show closes, Tim and I are planning on moving to New York City!  I can't wait to base myself in the theatre capital of the world. 

Talky Blog!

OOT

I'm leavin on a jet plane!  I head to Boston in the morning for Tim's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!) and then on to Disney World Friday! YAY!!

So look for photos on facebook and twitter but no blogs (I won't have my computer with me--- shocking I know!).

Peace!

Quiz (why not)

1. What time did you get up this morning?
11am.  I need to start getting up early to train myself for Disney though!

2. How do you like your steak?
Medium-Well

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Star Trek!

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Oh... that's a hard question.  Star Trek? Family Guy? Something geeky for sure.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
With Tim.

6. What did you have for breakfast?
boiled eggs & toast

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Italian or Southern American

8. What foods do you dislike?
I only like fish, onions, peppers in moderation

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
I always enjoy Applebees.  Does that make me generic?

10. Favorite dressing?
Ranch (Wow- I AM generic)

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
2002 Ford Focus ZX5

12. What are your favorite clothes?
Shorts, Star Trek T-shirt, Croc Flip Flops

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
London

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
1/2 full

15. Where would you want to retire?
Retire?  I'm afraid I don't understand.

16. Favorite time of day?
Morning, when the day is full of possibilities (and by morning I mean noon-ish)

17. Where were you born?
Maryville, TN

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Men's swimming or beach volley ball --haha

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
I don't know

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
It doesn't really matter

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
As these questions are riveting, I'm just so curious about anyone...

22. Bird watcher?
Haha. Not really.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night.

24. Do you have any pets?
Ophelia, a long haired Tortoise Shell Cat

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
I'm going to Boston & Disney World with Tim soon!! :)

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A Teacher. I used to sit my stuffed animals down like students and turn my bedroom into a classroom.

27. What is your best childhood memory?
Riding my bike in the yard with my nifty Mikey Mouse wallet ID in my pocket and pretending I was him. 

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
Both

29. Are you married?
Not yet

30. Always wear your seat belt?
Yes

31. Been in a car accident?
Yes

32. Any pet peeves?
Parents who don't control their children in public

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?
Pepperoni or ham & pineapple

34. Favorite Flower?
I'm not really sure.

35. Favorite ice cream?
Hmm... It's hard to choose. Death by Chocolate?

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Arby's or Wendy's

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
None

38. From whom did you get your last email?
Tim

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Apple

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
This quiz...

41. Like your job?
I love being a Stage Manager.

42. favorite veggie?
Corn

43. What was your favorite vacation?
Florida with my family as a kid.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
Andrea

45. What are you listening to right now?
The kids upstairs jumping and thumping and making the walls rattle

46. What is your favorite color?
Purple or Red

47. How many tattoos do you have?
0

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?
0

49. Coffee Drinker?
  Occasionally

50. Ever sing Karaoke?
Occasionally.

Cropping it down to size

With all this technology (google docs, iphone notes, word, excel) that I use to keep my life in order, sometimes I get overwhelmed.  In times like these I take out my the little pocket notebook from my bag, grab a pen and start making lists.  Once this begins I have to keep this little notebook with me at all times (even in the bathroom as you can see above).

I'm not sure why I'm blogging about this.  I guess I just wanted to talk about how when life is getting crazy and stressful a nice bullet point list can make it all seem very manageable. 

I'm entering into a transitional period over the next few weeks.  My summer job at the Opera is ending soon but I'm still in the THICK of it now.  I don't want to delve into the details here, but I'll say this of being a Super Captain: I learned a lot about myself and about human nature.  I'm also going into prep for our season the Ensemble Theatre and looking forward to getting back behind a prompt book.  But enough about work.

Next week I fly to Boston for Tim's birthday!  I'm VERY excited about this trip.  There are birthday celebrations planed, fun touristy things to do in Salem MA (yay witch history!) and I finally get to spend some time with Tim. It's been way to long.  I'm only in Boston for a couple of days and then Tim and I fly to Orlando Florida for our Disney vacation!!!  WAAAHOO!!  I'm SO EXCITED!   A real vacation with someone I love!  It's like a dream still-- I don't really believe that it's happening on some level.   I'm sure it'll sink in when I'm on the plane-- or maybe when I'm on the monorail with Tim and see the Magic Kingdom come into view for the first time-- or maybe when we meet Mickey Mouse-- or maybe when I buy my Mouseketeer Ears with "Mike" stitched on the back!!  EEEEEE!!

Then, when Tim and I get back from Disney we're going to Andrea and Scott's fabulous wedding and THEN we have our big move into the new apartment.  Well- Tim has his BIG move from Massachusetts but I'm only move 5 blocks from my current apartment.  I can't wait to post pictures of the new place once we get it all decorated and settled.  We're also planning a house warming party! :)

So-- if I can just get thru the stress of these next  few days (Carmen tech/dress, my own to do list like packing etc, prep for 33 Variations) then I get to see Tim and have a nice vacation. And THEN we get to start our living together life together in a new apartment!  :)

Life is good.

Trek Links

I read two fascinating Star Trek articles this morning. 

The first asks the question "Is Star Trek a Religion?"  This is a fascinating question (Spock joke intended).  The minister at the Unitarian Church back in Knoxville Tennessee lectured on this topic a while back.  In some ways it certainly fills the bill.  There's a believe system, a "text", and an idolized founder in Gene Rodenberry.  I'm not sure where I stand on this question. I mean-- I don't worship Gene Rodenberry or anything but would I judge someone who does harshly? It's like that episode of The Family Guy where Peter starts the Church of the Fonz. In the end we have to find faith where we can, right? I'm also reading a book Star Trek and Philosphy: The Wrath of Kant which also looks at Star Trek through scholarly eyes. Perhaps Star Trek isn't so much of a religion as it is a philosophy.  In any case, the book is worth a read-- but I warn you that it gets a little heavy.  If you're already having a "my head hurts from stress at work" kind of day, it might not be the best escape plan. 

The 2nd article I read this morning made me think of Tim. :)  You can find it over at The User's Guide to the Universe Blog and it's titled Star Trek: Fun with Time Travel.  It mainly focuses on the new JJ Abrams film and how his time travel plot fits in with accepted theories of time travel.  The idea is that the universe can branch off into different realities caused by time travel.  So when you back in the past and change things- you create a parallel universe where those changes have happened-- but your universe is unchanged.  This is different from the Back to the Future theory (or as I call it, the "Tim Approved Theory") of time travel where you can change the present by going into the past.  I can't say I agree with the blogger. He doesn't even really delve into the Back to the Future model deeming it unscientific. Pretentious much?

Aurora

I've settled on a name for my car! Meet...

Aurora

Her name has many origins. Aurora is the Latin word for dawn and the name of the goddess of dawn in Roman mythology. This is perfect! I feel like I'm the dawn of a new day in my life right now. My car is a small part of that. Aurora is also the name of the Princess in Disney's Sleeping Beauty-- one of my favorite Disney Animated Classics! As if that wasn't geeky enough there is also a starship named Aurora in a classic episode of Star Trek.

Peace!

**UPDATE**

I should add a note about Jane, my 1994 Ford Escort. I got Jane in 1999. We were together for an entire decade! She was a great car but sadly, her transmission went out... TWICE and I just don't have the money to keep her up and running. But Jane will make a difference in someone else's life soon. I'm donating her to the National Kidney Foundation! Thank you, Jane! You'll be missed. :)

Horoscope!

Wow- check out my horoscope for today.

Finally, your travel plans are set! Now the fun part begins: Shopping!
If you're asked to make a donation, buy something whose proceeds will go to a nonprofit organization, or contribute your time to a worthy cause, you'll be only too happy to do it now, and you really should. You'll be happy with what you've done and who you've helped, and you'll feel good about it for days to come. Just be sure someone who sees a soft heart -- and a bank account -- does not take advantage of you.

The crazy thing is that our plans for Disney are solidfied and and coming up soon. I'm also shopping for a car and am thinking of donating my old one to the Kidney Foundation (or another charity). Amazing right?

Talky Blog w/Tim!

Talky Blog! Mike's Star Trek Birthday

Uhura is judging me for not blogging.

It's May!

GUENEVERE:
Tra la! It's May!
The lusty month of May!
That lovely month when ev'ryone goes
Blissfully astray.
Tra la! It's here!
That shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts
Merrily appear!
It's May! It's May!
That gorgeous holiday
When ev'ry maiden prays that her lad
Will be a cad!
It's mad! It's gay!
A libelous display!
Those dreary vows that ev'ryone takes,
Ev'ryone breaks.
Ev'ryone makes divine mistakes
The lusty month of May!

Whence this fragrance wafting through the air?
What sweet feelings does its scent transmute?
Whence this perfume floating ev'rywhere?
Don't you know it's that dear forbidden fruit!
Tra la la la la! That dear forbidden fruit!
Tra la la la la!

GUENEVERE & CHORUS:
Tra la la la la [etc.]

GUENEVERE:
Tra la! It's May!
The lusty month of May!
That darling month when ev'ryone throws
Self-control away.
It's time to do
A wretched thing or two,
And try to make each precious day
One you'll always rue!
It's May! It's May!
The month of "yes you may,"
The time for ev'ry frivolous whim,
Proper or "im."
It's wild! It's gay!
A blot in ev'ry way.
The birds and bees with all of their vast
Amorous past
Gaze at the human race aghast,
The lusty month of May.

CHORUS:
Tra la! It's May!
The lusty month of May!
That lovely month when ev'ryone goes
Blissfully astray.
Tra la! It's here!
That shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts
Merrily appear.
It's May! It's May!
The month of great dismay.

GUENEVERE:
When all the world is brimming with fun,
Wholesome or "un."

GUENEVERE & CHORUS:
It's mad! It's gay!
A libelous display!
Those dreary vows that ev'ryone takes,
Ev'ryone breaks.
Ev'ryone makes divine mistakes
The lusty month of May!

Talky Blog with Tim!

Talky Blog (with Ophelia!)

Hey! I just did a quick talky blog with Ophelia-- ok actually she bailed pretty quickly but she's there for a bit.

Topics:
- Ophelia!
- USITT
- Comic Books (Watchmen, Batman: Year One, Star Trek: The Manga)

Leaving MySpace

I canceled my MySpace account today.  (Though they said it might take 48 hours to actually disappear from the net.)  I just never used it anymore.  Every now and then I log in-- see that I'm not missing anything and log out.  No one's even written on my wall since November of last year.  So- I decided to trim away some of the fat of my Online life and get rid of MySpace.  That being said, I'm still on Facebook, Plaxo, Linkedin, Twitter... the list goes on.  I also have my own homepage and this blog.  I need to continue to trim down the list though-- I feel like I'm too spread out on the world wide web.  I think Twitter will go soon. I don't use it either. Plaxo and Linkedin both have potential. Hmm.. I wonder which one will win my favor. Only time will tell.   Facebook is still on my good side.  I've found it to be a useful online address book, a way to stay in contact with colleagues from theatres I've worked for, and it generally appeals to my voyuristic nature.  So it will stay for while I bet. :)

So-- My appologies to anyone who LOVES MySpace!  Please don't be angry with me for abandoning it.  I have not abanded you! 

Thanks. That's all for now. :) 

Kroger and The Evil Car Wash

I decided to title this video "Kroger and The Evil Car Wash" Or "Mike on coffee!!"

The Show:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=091Vm6kP1Qo&hl=en&fs=1]

Update

I'm sure I don't have anything earth shattering to report in this entry- but it's been a while since I've really written a blog entry so here goes.

Things are weird right now.  The financial crisis has finally affected me directly.  Not only is our unearned income down the theatre industry because people have less to donate- but now I'm having trouble consolidating my student loans.  I hate money. I hate thinking about it. I hate that it's a reality.  But bitching about it won't change anything.  In the end I'm still pretty damn poor.

Hmm.. maybe I'll just do a video blog....

[hours later]

Snow Day

Snow Day
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

Today was a snow day. The city declared a LEVEL 3 (it has to be in all caps) SNOW EMERGENCY. Which I learned means "All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one else should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest"
Dramatic, isn't it? Needless to say we had to cancel rehearsal today. I hope we catch up and will be ready for opening Wednesday! In the mean time I'm going to sit back and watch some Battlestar Gallactica. :)

Photo

2Pennies
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

We totally found two pennies the other day laying on the side walk when we were coming back from dinner! This will make more sense after you come see Gem of the Ocean at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati. :)

Photo

Tim 1
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

I had a quick photo session with Tim downtown. I think they turned out really nice! :)

Photo

baggage claim
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

So.. the "Photo-A-Day" concept has flown out the window. But instead of simply abandoning the project I'm going to continue to post more photographs.

I snapped this one while I was waiting on Tim at the airport. Random- I know.

Photo-A-Day

WASH
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

I'm glad that the Cincinnati Health Department is there to point out the obvious to us. :)

Photo-A-Day (just under the wire)

Closing
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

We closed Alice in Wonderland today. I snapped this photo from my desk in the booth just before starting the show. :)

Photo-A-Day

Sun Room
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

I snapped this picture of Ophelia laying in the doorway to the sun room yesterday. You can see the Christmas cards are still hanging on the door- I'd taken them down an hour later.

Photo-A-Day (?)

Mr & Mrs Claus
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

I was recently inspired by another blogger-- a professional photographer who's new project is a "Photo A Day Blog for 2009".

I'm not sure if I'll be able to post a new photo EVERY DAY-- but I do hope to post more photos in the new year. Perhaps this will give me nudge I need to take more pictures.

Today's photo is of an ornament on my parents Christmas tree. Each year I get a new ornament for my Mom-- usually something that makes me think of home or my parents. This "Mr & Mrs Claus" piece is from a few years back.

Black Eyed Peas?

My family has a long tradition of eating black eyed peas and pork on New Year's Day.  I remember asking once why we eat these things on January 1st each year.  My grandmother explained that "The more black eyes peas you eat, the more money you'll get in the new year."  But none of my family could explain the origins of the tradition.  Years later I'm still curious.  I think I'll employ some modern technology to shed light on the topic. [goes online]

According to Wikipeadia, the "good luck" traditions of eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day aren't new.  They are recorded in the Babylonian Talmud  which was compiled in ~500 CE.    Furthurmore, the Babylonian Rabbi Abaye [d. 339 CE] said, "Now that you have established that good-luck symbols avail, you should make it a habit to see bottle gourd, black-eyed peas, leeks, beets or spinach, and dates on your table on the New Year."

The wiki entry also explains why my northern friends look at me like I'm crazy when I talk about black-eyed peas. It says they are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day in the South and in some other parts of the U.S. In some areas, they are served as a starchy side dish, cooked with or without sidemeat, hog jowls, bacon, ham bones, fatback or another pork product.

This regionalization of the tradition might have it's roots in U.S. Civil War. (But doesn't everything in the South?) Union troops in Sherman's March would typically strip the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock and destroy whatever they couldn't carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and corn suitable only for animal fodder, and as a result didn't steal or destroy these humble foods. Many Southerners survived as a result of this mistake.  Lucky indeed!

And so I'm left wondering if I should pickup some black eyed peas at Kroger tomorrow?  I mean, who am I to argue with Babylonian tradition?

Does your family have any New Years Day traditions?  Do you think I'm crazy and making this all up?  Leave a comment!

After a month "off plan"

I started Weight Watchers Online a few months ago and it was working pretty well for me.  I lost several pounds by making minor changes to my eating habits.  While I strayed from the program every now and then I have to give it credit- it works.  And if I really gave it a go-- complete with exercise & the determination to be successful I'm sure it could change my life.

But-- I took a "break" from it over a month ago-- the last time I logged into my account was 11/24.  Straying was easy! I was going thru some emotional ups and downs and, as usual, I turned to food for comfort.  Then with the holiday season upon me I decided it was easier to stay off the diet and "enjoy" the treats that Christmas had to offer!  Well here's my update: I feel terrible.  I've gain 6.7 lbs in the last month (still down a couple pounds from when I first started WW though).  My joints hurt, I have less energy and I'm just generally gross.  I need to get back on track and the new year seems like the perfect time to do it.  That being said, I'm reluctant to throw away the homemade fudge that's sitting in my kitchen. Hmm...

New Star Trek Fan Film Episode!

I can't tell you how excited I am about the latest episode of Star Trek Phase II.  You'll just have to check it out for yourself.  The folks over at Phase II do a great job. I admire their standard of excellence and find it especially inspiring that the future of Star Trek lies in the capable hands of fans like them who are infused with Gene's spirit. :)

Talky Blog (awake this time)

Another talky blog!

Talky Blog -- it's the middle of the night

Talky Blog-- Why am I blogging when I'm so sleepy?

Christmas Card

OphChristmasCard
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

Last night I snapped this adorable picture of Oph and just had to share it with you all. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. :)

Update (a bullet list)

Hello friends and blog buddies!  Here's a quick bullet list to catch you up on what's going on in my life.

• I've totally fallen off the wagon with this diet thing.  I just got tired of thinking about food!  And logging in to weight watchers dot com to look up the point values of what I'd eaten.  It just became a hassle.  Plus I've been all over the map emotionally (partially because of the season change-- I think I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, frankly ) so I've been eating irrationally.  I'm an emotional eater- I've said it before.  I eat to make myself happy--- oh the joy of biting into snickers bar or a big juicy hamburger! 
  
• I love musical theatre-- but I hate that I've had Alice in Wonderland lyrics stuck in my head all week!  "Falling... Falling... Down Down Down.. Curiouser and curiouser... "
• Ophelia seems to be much more affectionate in the winter.  Maybe she wants to share body heat. In any case, if I'm sitting she wants to be in my lap. On related note- I really need to trim her claws.  
• I'm excited about going to see Quantum of Solace this week!  I've been preparing for it by watching some of my favorite Bond films.  Last night I watched From Russia With Love- the 2nd installment in the series and arguably the best.  But watching this Connery classic has brought up some mixed feelings about Craig's second installment in the Bond franchise.  I fear they might have turned the debonair man of mystery that I've idolized since childhood into an action hero-- more interested in explosions then espionage  (at least that's what Roger Ebert says).  I should withhold my own review till I see the film. 
• Speaking of film franchises that I love-- there's some news  over at Trek Movie.com.  The new trailer (already been leaked onto the internet) will be on the official site tomorrow.  The folks over at Paramount have also released images from the film including a glimpse at the new/old Enterprise.  I'm not sure how I feel about this.  I mean, I loved the idea of a prequel-- a film that explores a young Kirk and his journey to the center seat-- his early friendships with Spock, etc.  But why redesign the Enterprise?  What was wrong with Matt Jefferies' original design?  Hmm.. I'm trying to keep an open mind.   Don't get me wrong-- I'm very excited about the film and even more happy that it's coming out on my birthday (May 8th). Again, I won't pass final judgement until then. :) 

[UPDATE: Here is the Official Trailer for Star Trek!]

Election Ups and Downs

I have a lot on my mind today and, as usual, I'm having trouble filtering it down onto the page.  The page being a screen of course.  Last night's election results left me emotional.  I had tried not to get my hopes up too high.  I was let down in 2000 and again in 2004 so this go-round I had my guard up.  I didn't go to any fun election night parties or gather with friends around a TV.  I decided to watch the election results from home with my cat.  It was looking good... as they say "fool me once..."  Then Fox News flashed a headline "Obama To Be President" I looked in disbelief.  I quickly switched to NBC-- nothing.  ABC-- chatter.  Had Fox jumped the gun?  My fears were soon laid to rest when all the networks and CNN.com announced Barack Obama the winner!  I soon started crying-- tears of joy.  I mean this is history!  This is what we need!  This is hope! This is change!  This is America living up to its potential!  Suddenly I regretted not going to the election parties.  So I quickly started texting and messaging friends from my comfy spot on the couch.  Messages like "YAY!" and "GO OBAMA!"  I grabbed a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich and munched on it while McCain gave his speech.  Later I was too emotional to eat  while Obama gave his inspiring speech.  I went to bed happy feeling like we were on the right track.  I was proud to be an American-- as proud as I was in my childhood when I happily pledged allegiance to a small flag hanging next to the chalkboard in Ms. Osborn's classroom.

But this morning I got the rest of the news.  Proposition 8 passed in California?!?!  How could this happen?  What went wrong people?  It just goes to show that we haven't come as far as we think we have.  And that we have a long journey to go for true equality.  That being said, I turn to President Elect Obama's words for inspiration.

"There will be setbacks and false
starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I
make as President, and we know that government can't solve every
problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we
face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all,
I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way
it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block
by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. 

So let us summon a new spirit of
patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to
pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each
other. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people."

GO OBAMA!

Thoughtful Mike

 Hello friends-

I hope everyone had a lovely Halloween.  I have a couple of things on my mind-- and when that happens I often turn to my little blog.  Let's make a bullet list!!

• Election Update: This is my first election year in Ohio.  No one prepared me for the barrage of political ads I'd be subjected to living in a swing state!  My god!  It's insane! Not only have political ads taken over the TV, but they're filling up my mailbox now-- my real mailbox that is- not e-mail.  These ads are always so negative.  It's depressing in a way.   I'll be happy when this election is over.
  
• Weight Watchers Update: It's going ok.  I did stray yesterday quite a bit by indulging in some Halloween candy and baked goods at work.  I mean- what the hell.  It's a holiday- right?
• Reading Update: I may have abandoned my laundromat book "A Habit for Death".  I might pick it up again on some cold laundry day, but for now it's back on the shelf.  I've started "Running With Scissors".  So far it's absolutely fascinating!  I want to see the movie too-- but not until after I finish the book.  I love that now I have time to read things other than plays or textbooks that I'm not in grad school anymore! 
  

Catching Up

It's 2am and I'm somehow more awake than I've been in a long time.  I battled with some seasonal depression last week. It was finally really cold outside and all the leaves had turned. What some might find inspiring and beautiful I tend to see as reminder of the passage of time and imminent death.  Depressing, ain't it?  But this is a new week and I'm optimistic.  Fall has some real perks like the introduction of cute hats and scarves to my wardrobe.  That's always fun.  And the cycle of life should be celebrated- not feared. 

I also strayed from Weight Watchers last week-- in a bad way-- gaining back 3 pounds.  But Today I'm back on and doing well.  I have a plan for tomorrow and hope to really bring my water intake up to where it should be in addition to staying on target with my points the rest of this week.  I stocked up on veggies and low cal options today at the grocery store.

So- I'm in prep week for Alice in Wonderland.  Prepping for a show is very exciting.  It's a new beginning!  We all get to start fresh.  New production. New cast. New paperwork. New calendar. New To Do List. New script. New designs. New office supplies!  YAY PREP WEEK!

Ok. I'm gonna go read for a bit and go to bed.  Later-

Talky Blog

Tops covered:

• Weird schedule changes
• What I'm reading now-a-days
• I need new batteries!
• Where is the UPS guy?
• Why am I wearing at hat?

Weight Watchers Update

I've lost 6 pounds! 

I know that doesn't sound like much but I'm still very happy about it.  In fact, I did a little dance when I hopped off the scale this morning.  So far Weight Watchers seems to be working really well for me-- I don't starve.  I just make smarter choices and still eat my fill.  At the end of the day I have more energy and feel better.  The weight loss is like a bonus. 

So-- wish me luck!  I think I'm hooked now. :)

Ophelia

Ophelia
Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

I was playing in my little photography studio this morning when Ophelia decided to pay me a visit. She was nice enough to sit still long enough for me to snap a quick shot. Isn't she beautiful? :)

Converting the sun room into a studio

Hey!  I'm VERY excited about this--- I've decided to convert my sun room into a photography studio.  I've already done one photo session in here already and it worked so well that I decided to permanently rearrange some furniture, move the litter box and create a little work space for my photography.  The sun room is perfect because I love using natural light and plenty comes in thru the windows here midday.  I've added some studio lighting for fill or sessions on cloudy days.  The windows are useful in other ways.  The blinds create a great effect when needed and the curtain rod at the end of the room can be used to hang back drops.  Here is a snap shot of my little studio as I was setting it up: 

Weight Watchers Update

So I've been on Weight Watchers for a couple of weeks now.  Honestly though, the first week doesn't really count.  I tried to just eat like normal and see how many points it added up to.  It was great- I learned a lot about where I spend my points.  I'll usually be on track (unless I go to Chipotle for lunch) until the evening when it all goes out the door.  In that last hour before bed I have a tendency to binge on foods with a high point value and blow the whole plan out of the water. 

With this problem in mind I headed into the 2nd week.  And I was doing pretty well until the dinner break of our 1st 10 out of 12 tech rehearsal.  Our director's wonderful mother brought food to the theatre to feed the cast and crew-- and oh my God it was delicious!  I jumped off the diet wagon and into the buffet line faster than  you can say gastric bypass!   Later I was munching on my 3rd sandwich from the Mom buffet when I decided: tech is like Christmas-- no one should be on a diet during tech. 

So once tech was over I jumped back on the wagon and so far have been doing pretty good.  So far I've lost 2 pounds, gained one back and now I'm on my way back down.  One thing that's actually helping me is my lack of social interaction.  You see, my favorite thing to do with friends is to eat-- but in Cincinnati all my friends are so busy and I'm always at the theatre so I've been eating out MUCH less often than I did in grad school.  At one point I was up to eating out a least once a day. 

Anyway- Wish me luck!

Talky Blog

Topics covered:
- Shows
- Weight Watchers
- Jay Brannan

MyFace... or FaceSpace... or MyBook... or...

It's Friday afternoon at 12:30.  I'm on day 4 of my 15 days without a day off-- don't get me wrong it's my own fault.  I'm currently working 2 contracts at once-- which was my choice.  Nevertheless, as rehearsals for The Seafarer start next week while Grey Gardens continues to run I will have little free time.  Strangely, I thought I would take this-- one of my last free hours, to blog about online communities. 

I know I've talked blogged about this before- but I'm addicted.  I've been on LiveJournal, Friendster, MySpace, Facebook, Plaxo (not to mention a few more 'adult' social networking sites) for years now.  Well I'm hearby parring it down.  I recently had a conversation with my friend Keven who told me that he is officially "offline".  Well, not really-- he still has a professional web page as an actor-- but he canceled his MySpace, Facebook and all that.  He sounded so liberated and free!  I kind of envied him and felt inspired to do the same.  Don't get me wrong- I'm not going cold turkey like he did.  But do I really use Friendster anymore?  Nope.  CANCELED.   LiveJournal?  Nope. ABANDONED.  What about MySpace?  Uhh... well... I kinda use it.  I mean, I check it every day.. but dont' really post anything there anymore.  I don't blog there or anything.  Let's come back to MySpace later.   Next?  Facebook.  YES!  I use facebook.  In fact, it seems to be a perfect resource for keeping in touch with colleagues I've worked with on shows in the past, a communication tool really.  I almost use it like a big online address book.  Oh wait-- doesn't that exist?  It does!  It's called Plaxo!  So why don't I just use that?  Well- most of my friends are not on Plaxo (yet).  So for now Facebook stays.  Plaxo will also stay. 
...  ...
So.. what about MySpace?  Ok- first let me direct you to a link.  Read the number 10 commandment in this list: The Ten Commandment of Facebook.  As the article says, MySpace is kind of glitter filled and juvenile.  I mean, Facebook does seem a little more "grown up".  Of course, is being "grown up" all that important?  Maybe I need some wimsy in my life and MySpace is just the right place for that.  I'm not sure.   What do YOU think?  Should I get rid of MySpace?? 

Grey Gardens is up & running!

Grey Gardens opened Wednesday night.  It's a great production on a really wonderful show.  I've been obsessed with Little Edie ever since I saw the documentary 2 years ago.  Doug Wright, Scot Frankel, & Michael Korie have done an amazing job of creating a musical based on that cult classic documentary.  Our production is one of the first regional productions of this Broadway hit. 

More info: www.cincyetc.com
September 10 - 28, 2008

Talky Blog - Update

Batman

I'm watching Tim Burton's 1989 Batman for the first time in years. I love to see what great directors and actors can do with good characters like Batman/Bruce Wayne and especially The Joker. Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger both turn out compelling interpretations of The Joker. In any case, this is a nice way to spend a Sunday evening.

Mike Update

I'm happily settling into new digs in beautiful Cincinnati. The apartment is way cute and my neighbors are nice. Ophelia seems to be settling in ok too-- except that she seems to want to wake me up at like 7am every day. I'm not sure if she hears the neighbors moving around then and it scares her or what- but suddenly she's all about laying right next to my face and smacking repeatedly with her tail. I roll over and scoot away to avoid her-- Then she'll move to the other side of the bed by walking over me and lay down on that side and wack me in the face. This continues for hours (though I occasionally kick her out of bed she comes back) till I finally give in and get up.

So, I started work yesterday! I settled into my desk a little, found my way around the building and asked a bunch of questions. It was good times. :) It feels so "right" to be back in Cincinnati. It really feels like home. I went to Church Sunday at the First Unitarian Church which is actually pretty near my apartment. It's a beautiful old historic church with Tiffany windows and carved wood. The people were all very nice of course and made me feel very welcome. I could see me settling in Cincinnati for a while. :)

Hmm.. what else is new? ...

Church Shooting

Amanda called me Sunday with a seriousness I've rarely heard in her voice. "Mike, there was a shooting at the Unitarian Church today." I met the news with a coldness. My church? There was a shooting at my little hometown church? I almost shrugged it off-- I didn't want to think about such a tragedy. It wasn't till the next day that it started really started sinking in. Now I'm kind of obsessing with reading about it - various news reports and blogs. Here is a good article at CNN.com that goes into the shooter's hate filled motives.

My heart goes out to members of the church. I haven't been to Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in a couple of years- since I started grad school actually. But I still think of it as home. My church is a place where everyone is welcome. They go beyond "tolerance" and embrace "acceptance". It's a quiet place of meditation and love.

I feel a sense of guilt. I should have been there. I was originally planning on moving to Ohio Monday so I could stay in TN for the weekend and go to church. The move was bumped up to Saturday because of my parent's work schedules (they were helping me move).

It angers me to know this happened because of hate-- a man who blamed liberals and gays for his own misfortune lashed out like an animal in a place that's full of nothing but love.

But together we can heal. Friends, please send your love, positve energy, and prayers to the congretation of the Tennessee Valley UU Church. The UUA has set up a blog for us to express our thoughts here.

It's the day of the show, y'all!

The Beaux Stratagem opens today! This is my final project in grad school-- I graduate in a week!! Stage Managing Beaux has been a treat. I hope some of you can come see it. :)


From ASF's Blog:
Starting this Friday we have our MFA production of The Beaux Stratagem,
a rowdy romp through 17th century England involving two young men's
scheme to woo and then rob young women across the countryside. What's
the only problem? They didn't anticipate a real love. Check out all the
facts behind this hilarious play at wikipedia
and see why love can cause the best of plans to go awry. Tickets on
sale now at the box office at 334-271-5353 or 1-800-841-4273 -or-
online at www.asf.net. We'll see you there!

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati: '08-'09 Season

(from www.urbancincy.com)

The Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
has announced their 2008-2009 Season. The lineup includes six different
works ranging from contemporary theatre award-winners, as well as, some
Cincinnati favorites.

Three of the works have been nominated forTony Awards. Grey Gardens has been nominated for 10 including Best Musical. The Seafarer and Gem of the Ocean have both been nominated for several (4 and 5 respectively) awards and are both nominated for Best Play.

In addition to those goodies you'll have the opportunity to check out
Alice in Wonderland (a musical retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic
story), Mauritius, and Don't Make Me Pull This Show Over: Dispatches From The Frontlines of Parenting.

ANOTHER Blog?!

The marketing department at ASF asked me to write about my typical rehearsal day for the Shake It Up Times ASF Blog. Check it out!

Link to the blog's main page is here.

40 Days... an internal search

Hey Blog Buddies!!! A couple of week back (actually 20 days ago) I was at Barnes & Noble with Lynn & Jerry. We had just commented that there were exactly 40 days left till graduation. Moments later I was drooling over the various mole skin notebooks in the journal/diary section when I stumbled onto 40 Days and 40 Nights: Taking Time Out For Self-Discovery, A Guided Journal. It seemed perfect! I had 40 days left as a grad student in Alabama and this journal would give me the chance to take time to explore my inner self while in school. Hopefully I'd emerge after graduation a better person, right? Well.. that sounds great, but my last 40 days in grad school are actually pretty busy and hectic. I'm SMing a show, closed the rep season, and I'm battling the ever growing pile of Theatre History homework that I just keep putting off. Not to mention my planning a move and apartment hunting, etc. Nevertheless, I kept up with the journal for a couple of weeks. Here are my thoughts:

The book starts by asking you to choose an intention. Why are you doing the exercise? I chose "to learn more about myself". Each day includes an activity and several journal prompts to help inspire me to write. For example, Day 8 says "Open a line of communication between you and your intuition and listen witht he intent to really hear. Activity: Calm down and relax. Put your fingertips to your pulse. Find your heartbeat, release, and sit quietly. Then whisper the following words: 'What do I need to know to help me with my intention? What do I need to do or not do?' Let things percolate. Listen for your intuition- it might be a voice, a body sensation, or fleeting images. Write down whatever comes to you; it's almost like taking dication." I wrote "The image of a potted plant refused to leave my mind-- perhaps a bonzai tree." The wierd thing is- I have no patience for potted plants. I either overwater them or ignor them. Either way, a house plant has a short lifespan in my home. I don't really take pleasure in caring for a plant. So why when I asked myself "What do I need to know to learn more about myself" I saw the image of a potted plant? Maybe I'm trying to tell myself to be patient. It's all open to interpretation.
Next day 8 had two journal prompts.:

• Whose voice do you love the sound of? Why? How does it affect you?
• Write down a secret you've kept a long time. How does it feel to finaly spill it out?

These questions/instructions prompted me to write about my mother and my lack of secrets. I mean, there are a few friends who know everything about me-- really.

But that was day 8-- and even then I wasn't really doing the journal right. It gave me 3 pages to write on but I barely filled one. I'd also wait to the middle of the night, right before bed to do my journal. I never really gave it the time and attention it required. Much like a potted plant. Hmm...

But now it's day 21 and I've not picked up the book for 4 days. I don't think this is a reason to thow the book away-- I'll read thru the missed days today and see what happens. But I'm just not going to force myself into daiy devotional. I can learn more about myself outside of that structured plan I think. Thoughts?

Procrastination

I'm sitting in a dirty room with
a closet full of laundry.
Behind me is an unmade bed.
To my right, a grocery list
next to some dirty dishes.
A stack of papers from class and some
plays I need to read sit on top of the printer.

My eyes glaze over as I click
"Stumble!"

Bullet List of the Week

• I love NPR and I wish I had more time to listen to it! Moreover, I need to read more news. My god, I didn't even know Tim Russert had died until today-- I live in a theatre cave! Does anyone know of a good online news service that would keep me updated? I could just check new york times dot come or something. Hmm...
• I can't explain how excited I am about my plans after graduation. I can't wait to move to Cincinnati and start working at Ensemble! That being said, I'm already stressing out about the move and finding an apartment there. So I bought a moving planner kit. It's helpful-- but it makes me realize how much work is ahead of me.
  
• Speaking of work that's ahead of me, I'm in Theatre History procrastination hell again. But really, my final semester shouldn't be any different than the last 3, right? At this point, it's a tradition to wait till the last minute. [music from 'Fiddler' fades up] Tradition!
  
• I crave crackers & peanut butter with milk! I think I'll go get some now...
  
• [Intermission]
  
• Mmm.. that was good. BTW- If I'm not careful, the TV will eat my soul. I find myself watching some random anime.
  
• So, my graduate teaching assistant health insurance really sucks. I had strep throat in April and went to a walk in clinic and got some antibiotics. I just got a bill for $81! My health insurance didn't cover a penny of it! GRR!
• Sometimes my cat falls asleep on her back and it's adorable-- but looks oddly unnatural-- like I drugged her and posed her that way.
• That's all for now. :)
  

"What's Next" or "Mike Got a Job"

I've always had good luck on Friday the 13th. Today (or yesterday as I type this so late at night) was no exception and I have news---- I'm happy to announce that I will be the new Production Stage Manager at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati! I'm very excited about this new opportunity and thought I'd share the news with you, my friends and blog buddies. :) More to come soon-

Greg's Headshots

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Originally uploaded by The Mike Jones

I had a shoot this afternoon with my friend Greg. We got some good shots- check um out. :)