Monthly Archive: April 2011

It’s not the end of the world

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Sat. April 30, 2011

We did a really fascinating exercise in today’s improv class. A few days in advance we were given a small song to analyze. We were to look at the lyrics and treat it as a monologue. What is the motivation for the person singing the song? Why are they singing? Who are they singing to? After that, we were to learn the song and singing it as that character. The song we were given was There’s a Small Hotel. Go listen to Frank Sinatra covering the song:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKNREbJr1Bw

As I read the song, it came out as being very melancholy for me. I imagined that there was this guy who had been engaged for a while only to have it blow up in his face just a few days before the wedding date. The fiancee had just left leaving the guy singing to the door that was just slammed, his head still swimming with plans that will never come to be. With all of that in mind, that’s how I practiced the song. Over the past few days I’ve been singing it to myself at home, humming it in the kitchen, singing to myself in the shower, etc. The melody is slightly odd, but it’s manageable.

In class, we first read through the lyrics as a monologue. We were to read it as our character, but just without the melody. I did my bit, and I played it as that sad guy. I think the emotions came through well enough. I think the teacher felt it. Overall, it wasn’t so bad. I didn’t come across as nervous. Fast forward to the next run through where we had to sing it, and man, I was nervous! The only difference between the two is that I was singing it during this second pass. Still, as the melody was coming out, I could sense the nervousness in the sound coming out. There was a bit of quivering in there that I did my best to get under control. I did get the tune out and it sounded great. All the same, I just wish that I did it with more confidence. Incidentally, the nerves did help build on the kind of character that I was going for. Still, what if I was aiming for having a happy character?

I think I need to get over my nervousness when it comes to singing in public in front of others. I’m not that bad of a singer, really. I’m sure that kind of thing will fade over time with more practice, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. I need to work hard and accept that singing in front of other people will not make it the end of the world.

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On the edge of my seat

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Fri. April 29, 2011

I had a meeting scheduled earlier with my manager just to touch base and see how I’ve been doing over the past 2 months. Sure, I’ve thought about it here and there. How could I not? My personal opinion over the past while is that I’ve adjusted well and I’ve been doing all right. I think the word that I’ve been throwing about with regards to all that is renewed. It’s all fitting with that keyword of examination that I chose back in November to represent my focus for the next year. All the same, there was a part of me wondering if I’m fitting in well enough or doing enough work. It’s because of these thoughts that I’m glad I had a chance to talk to the manager. It seems that any growing pains have been factored in. Good sign, really. All of this makes me feel less and less like I’m on the edge of my seat, ready to be punted should I not be up to expectations. Actually, that would still be the case, no? I think it’s more the fact that I’m reassured that I do belong to the team. I am a valuable part, and will grow more and more valuable as I settle in. Gosh, what a comforting thought.

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How does anyone get off the ground?

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Thu. April 28, 2011

So hey, did you know that in order to start a home baking business, your food preparation area needs to be a separate area from where you do your personal meals? It needs to pass inspection and everything. Luckily, instead of renovating and creating a place in your home you can rent out industrial kitchen space at what seems to be cheap rates. You also need all sorts of licenses and certifications–one of which is a food handling certificate. It’s also important to get some good insurance just in case you do something that harms other people.

There are a fair number of sites out there that outline all of those regulations. So, really, the basic idea is that it’s not that simple to start a mini business. I wonder though, how many people out there fly under the radar and sell baked goods as a hobby thing. It’s all still technically illegal, but it must be somewhat common, no? How does anyone really get off the ground. Stuff to ponder.

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Starts with one step

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Wed. April 27, 2011

The idea is simple: I need to get back into running. Preferably sooner rather than later.

I’ve been on a break since the race at the beginning of March. It’s been great, but I feel like something is missing from my life. Running has always been a way for me to de-stress. With post-run endorphins going I tend to feel like my problems are smaller. Without that outlet I almost feel like my moods have been lower on average. It’s not good.

I’m slated to take up coaching again in June. Yay! I can’t wait until that point though to start up again. I need to ramp up again and feel comfortable getting out there. If I don’t feel comfortable myself, how can I inspire others? So yes, I plan on reappearing in store on Sunday. I’ll make it work! It all starts with one step.

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Caring about what I do

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Tue. April 26, 2011

I often claim that I’m not the most tech-minded person. I don’t like reading about new emerging technologies in my spare time. When I used to commute by transit, unlike other colleague I wouldn’t spend it boning up on tech skills. No, I prefer to keep my focus narrow to the skills I need to get my work done. That said, I tend to become really good with the skills that I do use. From how I describe things it almost seems like I don’t really give a rat’s ass about what I do for a living. Of course, if you claim such things then you really don’t know me at all, right? No, I just prefer not to clutter my mind with skills that aren’t applicable to anything I’m expected to do. I mean, why? There’s no way I can gather in depth knowledge about anything and everything. Better to do what I do really well and learn new necessary things as I go along instead of having hazy knowledge on anything that might possibly come up.

Ultimately, if there’s nothing I don’t know how to do all I have to do is ask. That’s one thing I’ve learned: don’t be afraid to ask for help. So much time can be wasted just fiddling around with things that people may have already addressed in the past. I’m not saying that someone should rely on others to get work done all the time. There’s a balance to be had. For example, over the past day or two I’ve been having trouble getting some code to function properly. This past afternoon I had a bit of a eureka moment and fixed one of the issues I was having. I was psyched! See! If I didn’t care about my field would I be able to derive such joy from something like that?

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Off of the floor

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Mon. April 25, 2011

It’s unfortunate, but like I’ve mentioned many times one difficulty I’m having is keeping my place tidy. It’s not uncommon for me to get back home at a late hour. By then I’m hardly in the mood to get to work to bring some order back. When I finally do have time, it’s not uncommon for me to occupy myself with other activities. That’s how things go. Just how it is for now. Anyway, ever since picking up a Roomba I’ve at least been keeping the floor someone free of large piles of clutter. I shouldn’t be surprised at all, but doing so has actually made my place seem more open. It’s all an illusion, of course. The more floor space is visible, the bigger and more airy the place seems.

I’m declaring it right now. My goal this weekend will be to clear the tables of bills and ads, to mop, then to clear the bedroom floors sufficiently to get the Roomba going in there. Seems like a lot, but at least if I break it down into individual tasks that need to get done I should have a better chance of getting things accomplished. Oh, but if that doesn’t happen at least me place will continue to be under the illusion of looking spacious. Hurrah!

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Who’s coming to see y’all tonight?

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Sun. April 24, 2011


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja7jQ2N48Ec

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Start believing that I’m good

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Sat. April 23, 2011

I attended an improv show last night that starred a couple of buddies of mine. During the break I stepped outside with one of them that wanted to have a cigarette. He’s an actor that’s doing improv to broaden his skills. He mentioned that he wanted to start a small improv team consisting of him, me and one other guy that he knew for this small tournament that’s happening soon. I forgot what I said right away other than saying something to the effect of me being not sure how I could contribute. That’s when I was called out (again!). This time though, the deliverer was a lot more gentle. He told me that I needed to get over my hole self-esteem issue thing with improv because I’m actually really good.

Everyone likes to have their ego stroked. I’m no exception. He had a strong point about the non-belief though. It’s one big thing that I need to overcome. It’s not uncommon for me to come out of a class feeling like crap because I wasn’t strong enough in a scene, or didn’t feel like I drew many laughs. Ultimately, I have to be my biggest cheerleader (without being obnoxious, of course). If I was that bad, would people want to work with me? See, it’s ongoing.

So yeah, I wasn’t planning on it, but there’s a slight chance I might be in an improv tournament. Whoo?!

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