The Story of The Thing They Made

So, I receive a piece of sloth mail from a fellow Amanda Palmer fan yesterday. This was right before I was to head to the one-time performance of Here Come Snoopy Claus. It is a show that was created and birthed within two weeks. David, Kaylara, Sara, and myself came together to write and direct a show based on the Peanuts characters and with the help of Anna, Ryan, Lily, Amanda, and some adorable Woodstocks (Wendy, Tess, Daphne, Owen, Aubrey) we made a thing, a thing that never existed before.

I am forgetting that this sloth mail I received suggested I do something CRAZY. To tell a story.

I thought that doing Here Comes Snoopy Claus was pretty crazy and then I thought, maybe I should write a story about it. I tried something different. It is a bit of a rough draft, but here is my thing of the thing that was made and performed yesterday.

Enjoy, Dear Readers!

Once upon a time there were four souls. They would spend their days creating stories for the world which they inhabited. These souls were storytellers. Each telling their own stories, in their own ways for the good of the world.

But today they came together to make something.

Their world was a place filled with strife and sadness, but these souls were beings that love to make art and beauty and love.

So one day, these souls met in a not-so-secret place and discussed the making of a thing. Something never made before. This was a thing that would bring much joy to the world.

They talked and planned. 

The souls would throw ideas against the walls of these not-so-secret place. It was a grand time. Sometimes the idea balls would stick, others exploded, and still others bounced back and the souls had to duck to avoid the flying idea balls.

They did this for the longest time, about two days, until they finally had on outline of the thing.

The souls were very excited. They told others whom wanted to take part in this thing.

Over the next several days these souls met and worked separately on this thing. They brought in other friends to help built this thing that was filled with art, songs, happiness, comedy, and love. There was guitar music and karaoke echoing across the not quite frozen lands of the soul's world. They were surprised, because it was the bleak wintertide and usually that meant cold. But it wasn't cold this year, but warmth and much still green. 

So, the souls continued to practice their art until the grand day of unveiling to the world.

Meanwhile there was sadness, when one of the souls-the oldest became ill. They souls worried as they practiced. But fear not, this story is not sad. For the old soul sought help in healing and the other souls sojourned on. They-the souls vowed to honour their friend while he was healing.

The rehearsals continued. 

And then the day was upon them.

The souls rejoiced. The main four danced and sang with their friends. The  souls of the world that lived near and far came to see with what they had created. There were lessons learned and joy to be shared, which is all the souls really wanted, and what everyone else enjoyed.

The souls they sang! Their thing brought much joy to the world.

And at the end of the day, the souls climbed upon the backs of reindeer and llamas and flew away into the night to eat chicken tenders and honey mustard.

The End.

Between the Spaces of the Sheets, my Doll

D is for Dresden Dolls (A to Z Challenge)

It was only last year that I learned about the Dresden Dolls when I was introduced to Amanda Palmer. I started with Theatre is Evil, which intrigued me because I am a theatre person as you, Dear Readers are probably well aware (if you have followed my blog at all). Amanda has a quite distinct sound, loud, garish, beautiful, unique, true, highly passionate.

I say this because now that I am completely enamoured by Amanda and her music. I am enamoured with her because she is free. She is unafraid, even if she is afraid, she still pushed forward with her life and passions. She is an amazing person, musician, singer, songwriter, and writer. And, when I find people who fit into this category of amazing and awesome people who are full of inspiration and strength, I want to know more about them. Whether it is listening to more of their music, read more of their books. Amanda writes about truth, strength, weakness, and love (just a handful of things that the person that Amanda Palmer is). She is a rare soul that spreads beauty and love in a world where sometime love is sorely lacking.

This is what today is about, the Dresden Dolls. They are a duo whom I am only vaguely aware of. I don't even know 5 songs by them. This is Amanda Palmer before I truly learned about her and her music. I have searched the internet for video to listen to and at least get an rough idea of what the Dolls are. They lie somewhere between Steam Powered Giraffe, Cabaret, and Punk. That might not be completely right, but it's what I cam come up with at 9:42 pm EST on a Saturday April 4th, the day before Easter.

Also, I think the Dolls and Amanda as herself make a nice topic for today NaPoWriMo poem. Today's topic is: and now for today’s prompt (optional, as always). Love poems are a staple of the poetry scene. It’s pretty hard to be a poet and not write a few – or a dozen – or maybe six books’ worth. But because so many love poems have been written, there are lots of clichés. Fill your poems with robins and hearts and flowers, and you’ll sound more like a greeting card than a bard. So today, I challenge you to write a “loveless” love poem. Don’t use the word love! And avoid the flowers and rainbows. And if you’re not in the mood for love? Well, the flip-side of the love poem – the break-up poem – is another staple of the poet’s repertoire. If that’s more your speed at present, try writing one of those, but again, avoid thunder, rain, and lines beginning with a plaintive “why”? Try to write a poem that expresses the feeling of love or lovelorn-ness without the traditional trappings you associate with the subject matter.

There are so many love poem written, so why not write a "loveless" poem (or break-up poem). When I think loveless, (this after having watched a number of Dolls and Amanda Palmer videos I found where I want to go with this topic) I think of this, something that has ceased to create love, but is not passionless. The Bed Song, definitely sparked something. Lit a fuse under my muse, if you will. It is actually quite passionate about the lack of passion in a relationship. Being loveless doesn't mean you lack passion. You just don't have the love (either for your spouse/significant other, your job, your life, etc.).

I have been trying for the last hour to write a poem and doing it the wrong way. That NEVER works and I don't think it works for songwriting either. You write from your passion. I write poems. I write good ones and bad ones. And today, I think, Dear Readers is a good poem. And because it is good I will dedicate it to Amanda Palmer. Why? Because, Dammit!! Dedicate it to her for making so much good in the world music and art.

Here, Dear Readers, is my little good. A Pantoum, a Malaysian style that uses repetition and sounds really good when spoken allow.

Prompt: Loveless / and "The Bed Song"

Between the Spaces of the Sheets

What do you see, lying there?

Knowing that the truth has bled out

and the lacking has made you blind

to the reality that is leftover.

Knowing that the truth has bled out

and I am still here typing away

to the reality that is leftover,

after what you gave me has been lost.

And I am still here typing away.

The words are all that is left

after what you gave me has been lost

and I cannot even cry anymore.

The words are all that is left,

when there is space between

and I cannot cry anymore

in the vastly empty bed.

When there is space between

the lacking has has made you blind

in the vastly empty bed,

what do you see, lying there?

Moving Furniture and Housekeeping of Goals

Spending the morning sleeping in. A luxury that I don't always get to partake in. This past week has been cold, then warmer (35 degrees yesterday), and then colder. We are due for the "storm-of-the-century". I'll believe it. Corning is it's own anti-snow bubble. When we get it, we do get it, though not as much as Buffalo, Rochester, of Syracuse. But with the ground cover in white and the night bitterly cold it has slow me down some. This morning (what was left of it) I finished read a book and then got down to hashing a couple more goals out that I missed due to cranky-winter-moodiness.

This Week (including today):
     *Reading: finished The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer. Don't know why it took me so long to finish, but this book was and is effin' awesome. Fantastic incite to the mind of Amanda Palmer, touching, honest,. and more than inspiring. I bought Neil's new book of short stories, Trigger Warning. I am two stories in, and it's that good, will probably finish it by week's end. Either book is worth the read. Go and get 'em!
     *Social Media/Visiting: okay, I missed Friday. I was in a mood and couldn't focus. And Saturday was my Unplugged Day so I didn't get to visit people, comment and, converse. I hung out and conversed with friends after moving furniture and such. Today, I spent my early afternoon visiting to make up for Friday and today'd visits as well. Still topping at least 4 a day. Saturday being the exception. Also, visiting at least 2 new blog a day that I don't normal follow/read. Feeling good.
     *Submitting: I kept trying to find time this week and it always eluded me. I spent the afternoon looking for a couple of place to submit my Flash Fiction story, The Bridge to. The goal this week was 1 new submission. Today scored 2. Hoping to submit it to 1 more before days end.
     *Theatre Stuffs: finished bio and director's letter. Emailed them out. Moved the couch and tables for the set, found an armchair (and thus bartered for use of armchair with an ad in the program), and got posters. Good murder week over all!

What I have dubbed the Murder Couch

This Week (upcoming):
      *Novel: actually work on the small fixes. This got shoved aside. Not anymore! Will have at least 25 pages revised with small fixes by Wednesday.
     *Writing: will dedicate more time to this this week. The Mousetrap ate up more time in the latter part of the week.
     *Submitting: at least 1 new one this week.
     *Blogging: 1 new blog post this week.


A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that allows you to make goals and help to be held accountable to those goals. It's a Blog Hop. Stop on by and set a spell.

A little housekeeping today, Dear Readers, with music and candles and laundry spinning. There is yucky weather approaching. it's cold enough to still be snowy, but not cold enough to prevent slight melting.

Cold, yes it's still cold here!

Music for a cold day today:

When I Put My Mind to It

It's February! HOLY CRAP, IT'S FEBRUARY!!

The Heart of Winter in New York State, from MorgueFile

Yep, somewhere the first month sashayed out the door to be replaced by the month of love. Aphrodite and Cupid, chocolates and flowers. Okay, that's laying it on a bit thick. It's February and I am 1 month and 2 days from my shows opening night. Yowsa! The cast is coming along wonderfully. I get excited for rehearsals. And then there are all the other little things that also need get done, posters, promotions, bios, directors letter, raffles, etc. Not all of it is done by me, oh no. Thankfully I have an awesome team!

Anywho...I did well on my goals, mostly; see for yourself, Dear Readers.

This week:

     *Social Media/Visiting: even though I missed Monday, I still visited my daily goals worth on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (8 visits = 4 for Monday and 4 for Today).

     *Blogging: posted yesterday, you can read here. I reviewed my January goals and thus wrote about them. Turned out a pretty productive month overall.

     *Reading: finished The Clockwise Man by Justin Richards (Doctor Who adventure), returned to reading The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer. I had started it back when I bought it, but got side-tracked with Doctor Who novels and Neil Gaiman books.

     *Writing: been a bit slack on this, but I wrote out my January goals and progress, so I made my daily writing goal for Tuesday.

     *Submitting: Nothing new. I submitted a piece of flash fiction on February 1st.

For this Week:

     *Novel: work on the small fixes and complete them by Sunday for The Real Road Trip.

     *Reading: finish The Art of Asking and make more progress with Windhaven (George R. R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle) and start Stardust (Neil Gaiman).

     *Writing: Wednesday through Saturday. This includes writing the bios and directors letter.

     *Submitting: 1 submission this week.

     *Blogging: blog 1 day this week.

     *Editing: print up pieces for critique partner.

     *Theatre Stuffs: will update progress on Sunday.

A Round of Words in 80 Days in a blog challenge where you set some goals and report on them twice a week. It's a Blog Hop, come on in and set a spell!

What books are you reading, Dear Readers? I seem to read more in the winter's months, it seems to keep the Winter Blues away. Also, I am involved in theatre goodness, directing a production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. What else do you do to beat the Winter Blues?

Sunday it is...

Having one of those days, really bad headache and feeling generally icky, but still I persevere

Yesterday was the Hammondsport edition of 24 Hour Theatre. We had a great crowd of about twenty people. They are active and engaging, which is a great feeling to hear people who are responsive. The writers wrote some incredible works and the actors made them come to life. A good time for all.

Of course, while writing this I got another rejection letter for some of my poetry. It's a journal I have submitted to before. They give constructive critiques of my submissions. That is good, but I still feel like I am missing something. I thought I was getting better with my poetry. I know, I should take it hard. Most places don't give input on why they didn't choose my work. I am mostly being hard on myself. I just need to keep trying and keep the advise and input in mind when I submit works.

So, that happened.

This week:
      *Theatre: I directed and starred in one show, also hoad a small cameo in anther show for 24 Hour Theatre.
      *Writing: caught up on NaNo Novel, Road Trip Friday, almost 5000 words in one day. I didn't write yesterday because of 24 Hour Threatre, but I have clocked 1721 words today. Will catch up tomorrow morning. Feeling novel swinging into the homestretch. NaNoWriMo: draconicwitch (if you want to add me)
      *Reading: The Year of the Flood (Margaret Atwood) I can't put it down, will probably have it done by Thanksgiving. The Art of Asking (Amanda Palmer), I am enjoying this immensely, with her truths and humour.
       *Submitting: two poems submitted to a local calendar contest for the Friends of the Chemung Watershed. Deadline  is December 1st. I won't know about this until much later, but I am pleased with the poems and myself for trying.

This week To Do:
       *Writing: Continue to catch up and stay caught up with NaNo.
       *H'port Xmas show begins to organize this week, so writing will be on and off for this project based on what idea (there are three working concepts to choose from) is chosen.
       *Submitting: want to keep this at three per week.
       *Reading: finish The Year of the Flood and start MaddAddam (Margaret Atwood).

A Round of Words is a Blog Hop. Come and visit with other writers/bloggers.

Have a great week, Dear Readers! :-)

Quietly Positive and Epic

It's funny how when you finally open yourself up to other writers, it not as painful. I guess I was always worried about receiving criticism, whether constructive or not. OctPoWriMo gave me a chance to share my words, my poetry, and my writing with like minded people. Now it's NaNoWriMo! Writing unleashed.

I have seen a good many ROW80-ers and other fellow blogger posting WIP snippets, and I figured since I am NaNo-ing and ROW80-ing that I would post a snippet. It's nice to get honest criticism on something you are working on. Thank you to Beth Camp, Denise D. Young, and Shan Jeniah Burton for a bit o' insight, go and check them out.

I feel rejuvenated. I think I will be posting more snippets.

Anywhoo, onto the ROW80 update. It's been a fairly  quiet and productive week. The day job is slowing down and my winter theatre projects are not happening yet, just some prep work for the Improv show and Mousetrap auditions. More theatre stuff happening in December. this week is also the 2nd of KLP's 24 Hour Theatre events. Theatre created in 24 hours. I am not writing this time, which is fine, I like a break. Not that NaNo gives me much of a break. It's also what I do! Will be directing and acting this Saturday, in between writing, writing, and more writing. :-)

ALLONS-Y!

This week:
      *Writing: I am please with the progress on Road Trip, although the title is less about the actual road trip, but a new title is being elusive. I am still behind on my word count, but making my way long the path of the writer and NaNo-Land. I did surpass 25,000 words. So, that is something. Last years novel practically wrote itself, this year has not been linear. It has been very Wibbley Wobbley (it's a Whovian thing).
      *Submitting: last night I managed to submit Crying Mascara to 2 journals. I think another edit is do. But, am still trying with the current version.
      *Reading: I am plowing through The Year of the Flood (Margaret Atwood). I am hooked. Every available time I am devoting to it. Working my way through The Art of Asking (Amanda Palmer) as well.
      *Social Media/Visiting: am back to my 3 to 4 blogs visits and keeping up with Twitter/Facebook.

Goals:
      *Writing: get caught up on NaNo word count.
      *Submitting: submit to at least one more journal this week.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a Blog Hop where you can meet other like minded and fun people and their works. Stop by for a visit!

Some working music from my little radio.

Good Week, Productive Week

Been a pretty great weekend over all! Got to see some friends perform their little hearts out. The students of Corning Community College theatre company, "Muse Afire" did a fantastic production of Jekyll and Hyde. The young man who played Jekyll/Hyde, wow, the dedication and the work on the Confrontation number, it was pretty awesome. Everyone was amazing and I am very proud of my young friends who got to perform is such a show. Also, there was Centre Stage Community Theatre production of A Delicate Balance. While not what I was expecting-I found it a bit wordy-but the cast pulled it off. They were what made the show for me. Very proud of my friend Dale, who has grown since doing the Odd Couple, many moons ago (2009, I think). He has grown as an actor, playing Tobias I was floored by his portrayal. This is why I do and am part of community theatre. I love to get the chance to see people shine and to  help people shine.

Cheers to the casts of Jekyll and Hyde and A Delicate Balance.

Remember to my NaNoWriMo novel...

This week have found me catch up on a lot of things, and after a full weekend last weekend, I really need to.Road Trip. Here's a bit of what I wrote today. Pretty pleased with the stories progress. Was worried that I would run out of story before 50K, but still going strong, just behind. Write  1,854 words today. Road Trip is the working title, that might change.

 I have spend a better part of the day cleaning my house and writing for my NaNoWriMo novel,

“I know we are late Mar.” She was juggling her purse and a plat e of cookies. “I was trying to rush. I had to finish your father his favourite cookies.” Marcie nodded. “I thought I would ask if he could have one tonight, as a treat.”

The two of them struggled out of the elevator and down the hall to the hospice wing. Marcie was carrying some flowers from Martin’s co-workers, they had stopped by earlier to give Sophia and Marcie the flowers. It had sent Marcie’s mother over the edge for twenty minute, adding to their lateness. She was also carrying, her bookbag, and an umbrella. It was a mess and very rainy, also making them late.

Marcie knew what waited for her, while her mother was blissfully unaware. And that made it harder somehow.

“Where are you going?” called a nurse at the nurse’s station. Sophia stopped and turned, no one had stopped her before. They always had let her go back to Martin’s room. She must have been new, her grey hair pinned back, making her wrinkled skin stretch across her face like a shrunken head.

“Just going to Martin LaCroix’s room, we brought him some cookies.” She smiled and held out the tray, offering her a cookie.

“Sorry, but you cannot go back there. Martin has been moved.” The lines on the old nurse face criss-crossed and made her look trollish and mean.

“Moved? Did something happen? Is his in ICU?” The look of worry to panic crossed Sophia’s face.

“No. He passed last night. Sometime after you and your daughter left.” The wrinkles made the word tumble out and fall to the floor of the nurse’s station. “Sorry for your loss…” but the words just blurred together. Sophia started to cry and Marcie just felt numb. Her mother stumbled down the hall to the nearest waiting room chair.

This week:

     *Reading: Finished Oryx and Crake (Margaret Atwood), started The Year of the Flood (Margaret Atwood), been working on The Art of Asking (Amanda Palmer).

     *Writing: I have hit the daily goal of 1667 words a day since Wednesday. Still behind where I should be, but I am continuing. I am going to hit 50k and by months end, by Hell or High Water. Total word count: 22,179

.    

To continue work on:

     *Editing: since I am getting in a more consistent writing rhythm, I am going to work on The Audition this week. My slightly on the back burner 1 act. Maybe only a little, but I am going to return to it. I want a finished re-draft by rounds end.

     *Blogging: with some more brain power returning, I am going to make this a priority this week. I have a 'One Lovely Blog" award to respond to, complements of the beautiful and talented Jessica Scott.

    *Submitting: this is also on the docket for this week. A solemn promise to get 3 out this week.

I'm participating in A Round of Word sin 80 Days. Check out the Blog Hop to see what us writers/bloggers are up to. I am getting back on the horse, bike, roller skates and getting back on  track. What a ride this Round. How are your goals, Dear Readers (if you are doing AROW80, or not)? What's on the agenda this week?

Been on a Roy Orbison kick lately. One of my favourites. Enjoy!

Amanda Palmer and Adventures with Amy

I had an experience Monday night. It was a vastly good and awesome one.

Road Trip are cool.

I traveled with one of my best friends in college all the way to Cambridge, MA to see Amanda Palmer at her BIG release party of her new book, The Art of Asking. It was a midnight event, starting with the meet-up at Harvard Square and the mini concert she gave, then the march to Porter Square Books, where there was another mini book reading/concert, followed by the wait in line to get and met her in person (with autographs).

Amy and her Ukelele(signed by Amanda and Neil! (SQUEE)

Not having been to something like this before, and only just recently gotten into Amanda music, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleased and surprised. Amanda is awesome. She is someone I would like to sit down and have lunch with, shoot the shit with.

I also didn't know anyone, except Amy. How awkward would I feel? Could I talk to other Amanda fans? I know what your thinking, Dear Readers. Aren't you a Theatre Person, Cindy? Aren't you on stage singing, dancing, acting? Aren't you not afraid to act like a fool onstage?

Yes I am. But I am also originally a shy and quiet wall flower. Sometimes I regress. So, would I be able to fit in? Would I be awkward around the countless strangers there?

Yes and Not at all!

There are fandoms I am quite familiar, Anne McCaffrey and Meatloaf. Others I have grown into like Doctor Who and Sherlock. Others I am new to, as is Amanda Palmer. I know only of her album, Theatre is Evil and that she is married to Neil Gaiman. Amy turned me onto Amanda's work by way of a Mix Tape (remember those days?), and as I get deeper into the Amanda's fandom I am finding it like giant family. I mean, you get hundreds of strangers meeting in the middle of Harvard Square to cheer Amanda Palmer on and suddenly you have old friends who've just met (think Gonzo on that one). That how it was Monday night.

I met fellow Whovians, Sherlockians, hailing from the Rochester area, just to name some of the common grounds while we waiting. The time in line past without notice, the cold didn't seems so cold (for the most part), and new friendships were formed. I got to meet two fantastically sweet people who happen to be celebrities. Neil was handing out calendar pages to the crowd (what a sweet man), so that when we got out of line to watch/listen to the reading and some more music, we could get into the same place in line. We celebrated Amanda's book release, sung songs, hear readings, buy books (after all books are cool), and meet Neil Gaiman. I'm glad I could experience it and be a part such a fandom as well.

See a bit of the fun that was had that night.

Jason Weebly sings of Giraffes

Amanda performing in Harvard Square

Serenading Neil for his Birthday

See if you can find me. I'm wearing a blue zipper hoodie!

Okay, also today is ROW80 check-in. True be told, not a lot of work was accomplished in the last few day.

The road trip to Cambridge has put my NaNoWriMo on hold and my house is a mess. But, it's not a bad thing, sometime you need to take some time. This week is for catching up. With the night creeping in faster, it gets dark by 5:00. Sometimes it feels like there are not enough hours, especially when the days are shorter.

Current Goals:
      *Writing/Editing: get caught up on NaNoWriMo, blog regularly, and edit The Audition to completion.
      *Social Media/Visiting: get back up to visiting 3 blogs a day.
      *Reading: finish reading Oryx and Crake (Margaret Atwood). Start The Art of Asking (Amanda Palmer) and The Year of the Flood (Margaret Atwood).

This Week:
      *Reading: making excellent work of Oryx and Crake.
      *Theatre: beginning work on The Mousetrap auditions in December.
      *Blogging: with the above blog, getting back on track with weekly blogging.

Such a great week, Dear Readers. I hope yours is equally great. If you are curious, go here to visit with other ROW80-ers. I must go and write  A LOT for Road Trip, my NaNoWriMo.

Mr. Gaiman and me (Fan Girl moment)