. Da Blogs Da Thang

2007-12-27T19:35:00.000-08:00

At 12:01 as this year broke I predicted that it was the year of "letting go" it certainly been that for me. Certainly there has been much to count along the way... and often the act of letting go was a positive act essential in moving on. I can say the funnest part of that night was sharing it in the company of friends.

It was a year that saw my return as a playwright with a new play (the first new one in 5 years) that was pretty successful at this year's Rogue selling out 3 of the 5 slotted performances. Personally and professionally I was most pleased with the newer direction my writing took... thanks to my muse. Though in this business the material can only be as good as the talent presenting it. Dionysus filled my cup to the brim with this team of talent that was a pure joy to work with. Oh yeah... and I sold the play to boot.

As the month of March passed... just as one friend was leaving I was reconnected with another as chronicled by this post. This reacquainting allowed me to revisit the first musical I ever wrote 27 years ago. Rewriting through the internet proved to actually be a viable means to conduct business. New songs were written... major sections in the script were fixed and all this culminated in a successful run of the show half way across the world.

So professionally those were a couple of big counts. Someone asked me a few days ago if I was going to count the Horizon Award that I was a recipient of. Yes, but more so for those who turned up to share the evening with me and for those I share the award with.

You see, with all the letting go that occurred this year (and there was a lot of it) it was people who counted most. There were dark, doubtful and uncertain times I faced... and often felt quite helpless... but it was the kindness of friends and strangers that pulled me through. I was brought up to be pretty independent so one of the biggest things I had to let go was my prideful reluctance to accept help. And hopefully I accepted it with grace. At times I felt like George Bailey with all the blessings that wonderful folk bestowed upon me... including you who come by my blog. And for that I thank you all... everyone of you. I really could not have done it without you... and in all the ways you have brightened up my life.

So, all in all... it has been a year rich with counts. My hope is yours was too.

2007-10-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

... of people I know. (Had to use that one for the rhyme scheme... but it does relate to the post.) I ran into a couple of guys last night who informed me that they were leaving town soon for other pastures. It will be sad to see them go but we all gotta do what we gotta do, right? Still, a part of me yearned for them to stick around for just a little more. Sometimes I think I'm a bit of a Gypsy magnet.

Ever since I can remember this has been a constant in my life. People come into my life, I get to know them quite well and eventually they move on. I have always appreciated and been enriched having known them though... but as a child this social revolving door always crushed me a little inside. As I grew older and the pattern repeated I began to accept it as a constant... a part of life for everyone. But is it? On closer observation this is may not necessarily be true for a better part of the population. I know and know of several people whose lives... at least within a social context remain constant for eons. Sure, there may be a few "ebbs and flows" in their lives but for the most part once a social structure has been established there is very little to change (sometimes over a span of 20 to 30 years) except for the march of time. Really, I have been to gatherings at their homes where I have felt that certain "things don't change a lot here in Mayberry" sort of feeling... a certain and comfort and dependability that is... well, nice. (Looking back... my average is 3-5 years of "somewhat constant".)

Now stalwart friends of mine may take issue with this post especially if they still remain in contact with me at present... but even they have moved on in many ways at least within the social context of life. Yes, we still do get together and enjoy... even relish doing so but it is different (and not as frequent). I am not saying that this is good or bad... just different. Perhaps it's because I do meet a lot of people in the nature of what I do. Plus, my work usually (OK, almost always) dictates a natural intense (and rather quick) intimacy be forged. However, I am at a loss to explain this higher rate of social "turn-around" in my earlier life. Tis a befuddlement... perhaps it is true that I am a Gypsy magnet.

Whatever the case, I have long ago accepted that this is so. I guess sharing some time and experiences with many is better than not sharing time at all. This ebb and flow continues to carve a richness into my life and that is nothing to complain about.

2007-10-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last night was dedicated to watching network TV. It's not something I usually do. I used to but fell out of the habit several years ago just because my schedule dictated otherwise. Heck, I even subscribed to cable TV once or twice a long time ago. Anyway, I digress.

Over the last few years I will pick out something from the new season and follow it the best I can. Last year it was "Heros"... the year before that it was "Medium"... etc. So, last night between catching up via online and repeat episodes these are the shows I watched and my present verdicts on them.

The Bionic Woman - OK, I'll cop to the fact that I watched this because I had a big schoolboy crush with Lindsay Wagner . I have to say that I sort of like the direction the new one is going in. Though I think it may suffer comparisons to "Alias". The first couple of episodes were not bad in setup and it may be worth watching where it goes from here. VERDICT: An off and on MAYBE... though this may be exclusively via internet reruns.

Journeyman - Once again, I have been intrigued by time travel TV series since the days of Time Tunnel. The first 2 episodes look promising and there is intrigue built in as to why this is happening to this guy (and how he keeps running into his ex-girlfriend in his travels.) VERDICT: I'll give it 3 more episodes to hook me.

Moonlight - A vampire private detective. A fun premise though I was not too impressed with the storylines of the first 2 episodes (the second especially.) I can only hope it does not go into the cheesy direction of "Ghost Whisperer." VERDICT: This may become an off and on guilty pleasure... unless it fizzles out.

Pushing Daisies - A guy has the ability to bring dead people back with a touch. The second touch sends them back to death (unless a minute pasts and then someone else within proximity bites the dust.) The visuals are amazing and it is quirky and a tad surreal... just the way I like it. Here is conflict... he brings the love of his life back and can't touch her. VERDICT: Yes, I think this is the winner of regular watching.

BTW... is anyone keeping count on how many Brit actors (playing Americans) are in the new TV fare this season?

2007-09-20T17:10:00.001-07:00

A full night's sleep. No dealing with the hot and cold. No running to the toidy. No waking up and wanting to hit the sack again or at least needing to with a heavy aching head. A full night's sleep... something we all take for granted until it is snatched away for some reason or another. I finally got one last night.

Whatever this was it hit me hard. Oh, I'm still not out of the woods yet (still a wee wobbly on my feet too) but I do spy evidence of the meadow up ahead. I used to be a sickly child. Then from early adulthood till now didn't got sick rarely (I count allergies more of an environmental affliction than illness) but when I do catch a cold or some other thing... it hits hard. I have come to consider it as a reminder of our mortality... a reminder of making the best of what we have... and what we have left.

And why stale cigarettes, Lecram? I saw getting sick as an opportunity to quit smoking. Cigarettes taste the foulest when one is ill. Case and point... there is a pack sitting in front of me that was purchased on Sunday. Only 7 had been smoked... and stale cigarettes are the absolute vilest tasting things in the world. Here's hoping enough of the physical addicting toxins have also been purged from my system.

I think that's a lot to count.

To find out what Da Count is all about click the flashing sign.

2007-09-17T09:29:00.001-07:00

I do have to admit that there was a little ego gratification as I walked through the door at the Exit Theater and Richard, the co-producer of the SF Fringe announced (albeit tongue in cheek) "The Rogue is Here! The Rogue is Here".

I have been going up to the Fringe for years... first as an independent producer, then an audience member, then as producer of the Rogue and now back as an audience member. We are now professional friends. I know many of the regular performers and the producers... in a way, it has become my creative home away from home. I still feel like a welcomed guest and there is an easy casualness amongst all of us.

This was Solitaire's first time and I'm pretty sure from the time we hit the ground in the city her high expectations were exceeded. First by the welcoming reception at the Exit then at the performance of "The Sewers" where we had arranged to meet the lovely Mia and her beau Julian. To say that she was shell-shocked by the content, style and level of performance could easily be an understatement. It really was a wonderful show. I have followed the progress of Banana, Bag & Bodice for years and from the creative standpoint... they did not disappoint.

We also met up with my friend Tiffany and her friend Jose who joined us on this first night romp. We gathered at The Chieftan, a pub down the street from The Garage performance space for a drink then migrated to Original Joe's where we were to meet up with APJ and Steve. Once again, the news spread that the Rogues were present and both APJ and Solitaire were bombarded with questions about our festival. All of this groundwork was laid out both by Steve and Mia who (apart from being wonderful hosts) had already spread the news of of our presence and introduced us to performers (who after being given an effusive work over by Solitaire's pitch) bare now seriously considering applying for the Rogue.

We closed down Original Joe's and ran into the cast of The Sewers who invited us to join them for drinks at Frank's... a little dive down the block. There was more chatting and drinking and we finally (admittedly a little drunk) hit the hotel at 2:30 ish in the AM.

I was happy that I had forced and been forced to attend this year.

There'll be a vlog coming soon on more of the

2007-09-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

This week... my count is in this song.

If you want to know what Da Count is all about... click the the flashing sign at the top of this post.

no internet for me this weekend

2007-09-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

I'm swearing off it, I tell ya! I am taking no laptop and have banned myself from any internet cafes I might trip upon.

Arrangements have been finalized and I AM going up to SF for the Fringe! (Of course, barring any unforeseen circumstances.) OK... truth of the matter is... I am going to see shows up at the Fringe but this trip is more of a break for me. There are telltale signs why I need one.

1. I've been muttering to myself of late. (But Lecram... you do that anyway.)

2. I've been muttering back to my muttering. (crickets chirping)

3. I break out into song while doing the laundry... in time with the spin cycle.

4. The phrase "I don't wanna" has crept into every third sentence I speak.

5. The neighbor's cat has stopped hanging out at my place just to drive my dogs crazy... and I'm convinced that this is a sign of the apocalypse.

So... I'll post on Friday and you won't see me till Monday. So there!

not everything I wanted to...

2007-09-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

... but I did get some things accomplished today. Of course, there are still oodles to do and I'll get to them tomorrow.

I was up at 4 AM this morning. It happens every time I have a couple of scotches the night before... which isn't as often as it used to be... which is just as well.

Anyway, being up reminded me of a writing routine that I used to practice several years ago. The quiet of the morning was a great time. I would write until 7 then do my morning chores. Get back to writing at 10 am then break to cook and eat lunch at noon. The afternoon was usually left to other pursuits... which often included a nap. At 8 PM I would review the writing I had done for the day... do minor rewrites and put down notes for the next morning's write. That worked pretty well for a while. I do need to set aside time and routine for my next write though. Something workable that will maximize output.

Actually, of late I've been feeling the need to formalize a schedule for my day which of late has been pretty loose.

Perhaps more in the AM

2007-09-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's my second post for the day. I just finished reading a couple of posts that were thematically similar and thought I'd chime in on the subject. Os wrote about the possibility of an upcoming last gig with his band and the lovely Joy shared some revelations illuminated on a very recent trip. Both touched upon the subject of "evolve or dissolve".

It is a truism that (whether we like it or not) permeates just about every aspect of our lives. Change is constant. Our choices on the matter lie between being reactive or proactive. The former more often than not involves a lot of finger pointing and reciting the "It's not my fault" mantra.

I recall in my 20's thinking (in the arrogance of my youth) that I had"figured it all out" only to be faced shortly after with a sudden blast of life changing situations that challenged everything I believed in. (Ah, the absolute idealism of youth.) Still, I stubbornly held on, convinced that all the (unnecessary) attachments that I had amassed by that time would prove true when it all blew over... that I would emerge from that fiery furnace a triumphant hero ::music cue; triumphant glorious heavenly chorus:: hailed by the (now convinced) multitude with cheers of "You were right all along!" (Don't you just love these "movie moments" of mass epiphany that we project & fantasize when we are in the insidious clutches of our own hubris?)

Of course, that never happens and we are instead imprisoned and tortured by our self imposed dogma as we continue to spiral deeper into the "victim mode." We continue to wait for everything and everyone around us to change to "our way" while continuing to delude ourselves that by tightening our grip we can exert total control. Or we play the perverse "the time will come" game and of course it never does. And in that state of static we can choose either to be "inflicted by life" or to "make life happen."

How often have we seen it played out around us? The personal relationship that continues to fester into something painfully toxic because it has come to a stalemate. The business partnership that dissolves destructively into a backstabbing war just from the refusal to consider innovation. The artist refusing the adventure of "stretching" then sinking into the obscurity of a "one trick formulaic wonder". We can recognize it in others yet never do we want to admit that it would ever apply to ourselves.

And hopefully we wake up one morning with the decision to move forward by either evolving or dissolving. Either choice involves the release of our hubris.

2007-09-11T04:31:00.001-07:00

There are critters in my roof I suspect of the rodent variety that need to be evicted. This influx usually occurs when renovation is undertaken somewhere in the neighborhood... which it has of late. So it's time to roll out the "rat balls"! My own recipe for rodent control.

Ingredients:
1 can of dog food
rat/mouse poison
paper towels

Method:
Mix dog food with rat poison. Put a tablespoon on a paper-towel and roll into a "paper ball". Repeat process until you run out of the lethal mixture. Place paper-balls in nooks where you suspect there is rodent activity... (presence of rodent poop is a good indicator.)

Firstly, rodents are attracted to paper. To them it's akin to winning a spree at an Ikea store. "Honey, I think this will look just darling in the nest... especially if it's shredded just so." Then they find that the pretty paper-ball has goodies inside. "Woo hoo! Pretty and yummy! Oh heaven... munch... munch." You can be sure that the news spreads among the rest of the rodent population... "Psst... paper-balls is manna!" "Ohhh... look I found one too... munch... munch..." Within 3 days the death march begins to the rodent's graveyard.

I pride myself with the effectiveness of my "rat-balls"! And yes... I used my vast training as a playwright to think like the rodents do in order to come up with the method for their "final solution".

2007-09-10T08:22:00.001-07:00

At least the arrangements I've made are in place for me to go. (I will confirm one or two details later in the day.) I am still ambivalent but I am going simply because I need a break and this may be the one I have for a while. Though if I do go I may just shoot my next vlog from up there.

THIS MEANS I WILL HAVE TO GET IN SHAPE!
Because I am planning on doing a lot of walking while I am up there. To that end I plan on biking or walking here at least twice a day. I really don't see the point in keeling over in the middle of the street while I'm up there.

Yeah, I am going to catch some shows but that is not the primary reason for going. I really don't have to stump for the Rogue as others are going up just for that purpose. I just need to catch a city vibe... and indulge myself at my favorite hole-in-the-wall eateries... and at least catch a drink over at Original Joe's. I also hope to meet-up with a few friends and do a catch-up of sorts. Actually it would be fun to meet-up with bloggers who live in that area... so, if you are up for it... email me.

BAD LECRAM... BAD!
O.K. I'll fess up... part of what I did yesterday was surf on the net for details on the Adobe CS3 Production Suite. I am such a nerd.

2007-09-09T09:59:00.001-07:00

* It's been a while since I've done a vlog. Not bloody likely that I'll be doing one today but I thought I'd mention it only because I miss doing it. Perhaps in the next couple of days.

* By 9:30 AM today I had made coffee, hung up the laundry to dry, watered the yard, and returned from my daily bike ride. Something about starting the day early and accomplishing the little things that just sets up the whole day in a better mood. There are still more things to do... like mopping and cooking and I suspect that my mid-day I will feel like a champion. LOL.

* Of late I have noticed (more so than most) that one of the causes of problems that people bring upon themselves is the unwillingness to let go. They would rather stew and plot revenge and destruction instead of letting things be. This even extends to plotting the diabolical destruction of an accomplishment that was created with pride. Just another example of hubris obscuring reason.

* There may be a good chance that I can and will actually go up to the SF Fringe the coming weekend. Just a couple more details to secure before that operation is a complete go.

Hope your weekend is going well. Now back to the business of accomplishing.

2007-09-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

Now, let me first say that I enjoy, take pleasure and pride in starting "from scratch" whenever I cook. There is a certain air of alchemy in creating a dish from the combination of various ingredients. However, the preparation of the more traditional dishes can take several hours.

One such dish is Hainanese Chicken Rice which requires a time commitment for the desired results. But a couple of weeks ago while grocery shopping I came across this jar. Let me just say that it cut my "alchemy time" down by a full hour and a half... and the results were good.

So, my count today is the convenience of products such as this that ease the process when one is craving a certain dish and time is of the essence. Not to replace the joy of creating from scratch but more as a worthy substitute when you are in a pinch.

To find out what Da Count is all about... click the flashing sign above

OK... I've moved!

2007-08-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEW PLACE!

... and some minor announcements on a "blogwarming" party!

woopsie

2007-08-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

Minor snafu... doing a reinstall. Should be up later in the day. Then a vlog?!

lecram's blog moving day!

2007-08-18T09:49:00.001-07:00

10 AM, Saturday.
Yep... that's what will be happening today. I am however leaving Da Blogs Da Thang versions 1.0 and 2.0 up. Instead of migrating all those posts I sort of like the idea that a "trail of evolution" is left. I may migrate some of the stuff later... but not today.

Yes, I am moving to Wordpress. (WARNING: Shameless Promotion Up Ahead.) Lecramsblog.com was moved to my Jungle Webs server earlier this year. I did that both as an experiment and also to make sure that the content of my blog was at one place and not floating around on indiscriminate servers on the web.

I'm doing the same with the new blog as the hosting on Jungle Webs offers all sorts of free add-ons (through something called Metropolis) from which Wordpress can be installed very easily. Plus, with the deluxe plan (a mere $8.39 a month) I can host unlimited domains (.COMS are only $6.95 a year!)

Anyway, there will be more updates during the day as I set the new place up... so stay tuned.

4:20 PM, Saturday
O.K. I think it is nap time. I still have some more tweaking to do and other work... but I do have a shooting gig this evening out in the park. So, a nap may be prudent at the moment. I have a couple of templates that I can use... back and forth depending on my mood when I post... so that is kinda fun. There is still some other adjustments before I will bring you the new digs in all it's glory. Hang tight... that should be happening... latest sometime tomorrow.

Here is a somewhat silly idea!

2007-08-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm considering throwing an Opening Night Party for a show of mine I can't and won't be attending.

Da Count - through the eyes of others

2007-08-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

2 old friends commented to me this week that they admired my constant re-invention of what I do. One jokingly said that they were almost afraid to blink when they are around me because of it. Both also commented that despite all the evolutions they have witnessed the core of me remains constant. Needless to say I am most humbled by this heaping compliment.

What I do is not dependent or motivated by the admiration of or validation from others. Yet when it does come I do have to admit that it does feel good. I used to feel quite uncomfortable of it in the past but have since learned to accept it with grace. I have come to accept that we define ourselves through our actions... and when the acknowledgment and reflection of that through the eyes of others does come it can indeed be very gratifying. This also extends to recognizing "that look" of being seen through the eyes of friends, children, parents, peers and lovers... the one that says it all without a spoken word.

That is my count this week... our value reflected in the eyes of others who see us for who we are and what we do.

To find out more about Da Count click the flashing sign above.

comfortable in my new skin - HNT

2007-08-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

growing into it after you shed the old is never instant

Cheers and Happy HNT!

I'll be moving blogs on Saturday... so come by and check out the new digs.
Check out my new VLOG below and comeback on Friday for Da Count!
BTW... I'm doing a sarong themed HNT in a couple of weeks... wanna join me?
.

I had a bar of dark chocolate today...

2007-08-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

... during a meeting and was buzzing so hard by the time the meeting was done. Within an hour of getting home I totally crashed. It was a if I had drunk 20 cups of coffee. Note to self... don't ever try finishing a whole bar again.

The rest of the day was spent dealing with bills, etc. Made a bunch of calls this evening to some of the 1980 cast of Frogway. Mike and I are arranging a meet up of as many of the original cast for opening night next week. It was fun to chat and play catch-up. They all want to know if I am returning. It's nice to know that they want me to but I had to tell them that I couldn't.

There has been more news articles about the show in the local press back home. If you go over to the Frog Blog (I knew I was going to be the lone voice in the swamp on that) Just click in the sidebar for those. Also looked on Google Earth for where the show is playing and found that it's pretty close to where I used to live.

The white "x" on the bottom of the pic is where I used to live (at least as near as I can guess) and the Bangsar Shopping Centre at the top is where the Actor's Studio is located. Dang, there is a lot of development that has occurred around those parts.

I'm thinking HNT is when I'll make the big announcment of my move to the new digs. That is of course if it is ready to be moved into. BTW... I'm thinking of a "sarong" themed HNT in a couple of weeks... anyome with me on that?

I'll be taking all of you with me...

2007-08-14T00:33:00.000-07:00

... that is if you want to follow me to my new digs. It will happen soon enough... I am still doing some work on it.

more later in the AM.

EDIT #1 : 7:45 AM
Shuffling off to a meeting this morning downtown. Apart from business I am hoping to shoot some video and pics. Perhaps you will see them here later. I could happen.

and yet more later.

late, sloppy and rambling... but here is the vlog

2007-08-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Still cutting video for a client...

2007-08-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

... so, this week's edition of my Vlog will be up later tonight or Sunday morning. Cheers!

EDIT: 5:30 PM, Saturday.

OK... finally got the edit done and here it is...

In all probability, this week's Vlog will be up on Sunday.

Cheers and have a great weekend!

Da Count - blogger/blogspot

2007-08-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

Blogger is what I started blogging on. In March 2005 SSM and I chatted about how our friend Generik had a blog. We checked it out and I admit was both befuddled and intrigued by it. SSM started a blog and I soon followed suit. Then a pod of local RL friends began blogging as well including APJ, and Jaded Ed Gypsy . Then friends from across the pond joined in Such as Kien, Vert and my long lost cousin Lelly. So, our little pod of bloggers began growing.

By blog surfing ran across the likes of Carlyjayjay, who at the time was a struggling actress who was singing in a band... Ms. Bees who took a disturbing yet entertaining delight in the art of murder... and Aughra, a very attractive (and well written) wife and mother who worked in an adult store and introduced us to HNT and the mighty OS. Carly has since gotten married (a wedding I attended through a webcast) and is now in a hit show Evildead the Musical, Ms. Bees is on a little haitus from her murderous spree, and Aughra has a new baby.

Through HNT and the Emperor OS, I have met wonderful people like the delightful Lime, the prolific horror author Mark, the lovely Tish, the always fascinating Cosima, and the stalwart salt of the earth Kfarmer who remains one of my oldest bloggy friends... just to name a few. Please do not feel left out if you are not mentioned on this post... if you are on my blogroll know that you are special to me.

All of this through blogger which is why I am counting it today.... and in so doing I am counting all of you! I liked it for it's ease of use in the attempts of me expressing myself but I think the time has come to move on to a platform that is a little more stable. I will continue blogging and I hope you (at least the few who are regulars) will continue to visit on the new platform. So, once again, thank you blogger for providing me with the opportunity for expression (like HNT and Da Count) and for the honor of meeting all of you. I will continue here until the new digs are set up so don't be strangers. Cheers!

To find out what Da Count is all about click the flashing sign above.

* BTW KaMotion has joined the ranks posted a count early. Oh, and I have begun VLOGGING... so come by this weekend for that.

OK... it's settled.

2007-08-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

I'll be moving soon. The recent rise in hiccups with blogger and other third party applications has prompted this. I'll be here for a bit more until the new digs are ready. So, stay tuned as this is a heads-up for Da Blogs Da Thang 3.0.