um. errr. ya. UPDATE

I honestly have no idea what I’m doing here. On this blog. I started a little over a year ago as a diary of Daily Thank You’s and Inspirations. How very narcissistic, right – I mean, isn’t that what twitter is for? Then I shared information on my adventures thru Houston’s art scene.  Then I got really lost and random. Then I went to this really awesome conference-thinger where I was re-inspired to blog. About something. And I’ve thought about it in the weeks following and I still have no earthly clue what I’m here for. BUT I will make time once a week [lofty goals, I know] to blog. About something. Until I figure out what that something is … well, just bear with me.

In other news, very excited about my Laura Holt Halloween costume. Ok, so maybe it was more about getting to watch 15 million episodes of Remington Steele. Tomato. Tomato.

Donate $5 and get your name on a fancy plaque. For reals.

From my friends at the Art League:

‘Alrighty.  Friends.  I come to you with an open hand and a raised sword, crying, ”GIVE ME $5 for cans of spray paint!” Please.  We need 120 people to give us $5 to make this exhibition happen.  Don’t let our young graffiti friends run out of materials.

If you give me even $3.00- I will put your name on a paper PLAQUE thanking you at the event for your generous support of this non-profit in a cruel, cruel, post-stimulus package, art-hating economy.

I made you an illustration below for added encouragement and details on ways to give us your five dollars.  You can also give me your money in person or on-line, just click on “donate.”

Yes, yes, together we are mighty.’
So my question to you … Got a buck? how ’bout five?  Go to http://www.artleaguehouston.org/aboutus.html and click on the left menu option ‘DONATE’

My name’s Mandy and I make itineraries

I don’t know when my obsession with itineraries started but I have definitely taken it to a new level in recent years.  I’m both proud and embarrased of my skills.  Proof positive that I might have a problem…

My friend from D.C. came to visit almost a year ago.  Her 1st time in Htown.  Her 2nd in the great state of Tejas [although the first time was Dallas and she said she really didn't see what all the fuss was about].  I was determined to hit all the MUST’S so I did what any other self-respecting, well-adjusted person would…I created a coded excel document.

When she announced she was headed south for inauguration, I was so excited I got to make another itinerary!  This time she’s bringing her boyfriend [who's from Houston] so I don’t have her all to myself.  So I just made a list of not-to-be-missed rather than an entire itinerary.  It will just have to suffice for now.

So enjoy.  Let me know what places I’ve forgotten. This is obviously a tailored-to-her-tastes list which is why some joints have been omitted.  Point & laugh at my obsession – then bookmark it so you know where to take your Htown visitors.

**Have no fear.  I’ll update to include $ and dress code before she arrives on Jan 17!

What would you do if you lost everything?

I received an email today about an old colleague of mine.  It was a blip on the news screen for most of us – including me.  There was a fire in a Montrose Apartment building.  And then I receive the email:

‘As many of you may have heard XXX XXXXX  lived in the apartment
complex that caught fire last night in Montrose.  XXX basically lost
everything.

We are taking up donations for him. We suggest the following:

Cash
Gift cards
Shirts – size large
Pants – 32-34 waist
Bedding – queen size bed
Linens
Kitchen appliances’

My heart broke.  What this man has gone through, how he has changed his life in the last three years … and now this.

About 4 years ago this man received news that his lifestyle had caught up with him.  He had to get a hip replacement or he wouldn’t walk.  He was under 40 and done so much damage to his body from alcohol that he had literally deteriorated his bones.   I remember visiting him in the hospital and all he wanted was a bacon cheeseburger from Barnaby’s [and the fries, they no longer made - but that's a different story].  He quit drinking, thank God.  He never said ‘Whoa is me.’ Life hands you lemons sometimes – he couldn’t afford his hospital bills and had to take time off from work for multiple surgeries.  But he came back.  He came back happier than ever and more determined to love everyone and his life.  I’d never seen him so happy.

This man loves everyone – to his demise.  Before, during his recovery and after he was taken advantage of by some close to him.  But he prevailed.

Now this.

He has no home [unlike the news article reads, the apartment complex could not relocate him].  He lost everything.  I’m telling his story in hopes of helping him recover.  Helping inspire positive change in your life and mine.  Hoping to encourage him the way he’s insired me.  It’s never too late to change your life.  And, in true cheesey fashion – when life makes you lemons … pull yourself up by your bootstraps …. and do like your nails – Press On.

11.12.08//Daily Thankees

1) Selflessness personified:

The most accepting, selfless, open-minded person I know is my great aunt, Sister Mary Jean Clare. She entered the convent at 18 and has spent her life serving the world.  She is over 80 now and still working as a physical therapist.  A year ago she took her first flight in forever to visit myself, mother & father.  We celebrated my birthday together with champagne.  She has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s but continued to work.  She was put on new medication and had a negative reaction; on her way from a clients home she passed out behind the wheel.  When she regained consciousness she narrowly avoided a head on collision, however, she was still pinned in her car.  She will have to have numerous surgeries, be immobilized for a month+ but is in good spirits.  Her first concern was not her patients, the car, getting back to work, her pain, her family … she was concerned her roommate would be alone and hoped one of the sisters would visit her so she wouldn’t be alone.  My favorite memory with Sister is taking her to Rothko Chapel.  She’s studied the chakras with her sisters and was so excited to sit in a class on discovering your chakras.  That, and sharing champagne with her on my birthday.  I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

2) Remembering Change [aka rollercoasters & warp speed]:

Sometimes your life changes so fast, so drastically & so organically you can’t fathom exactly how or what happened.  You get fleeting glimpses and reminders through fortuitous facebook requests or daydreams between your insomniac tendencies.  All of sudden, it hits you like a ton of bricks – What the hell happened? And when did it happen? Then the self-consciousness sets in … & inner-dialogue.  ‘Everyone knows you’re a fraud.’ Then simple things like getting dressed become challenging and haunt you all day because you can’t figure out if its who you were, who you are or … if you’re just being silly [most circumstances lie within the latter].  Beyond embracing change, I’m learning to recognize and remember it.  Afterall, I’m nothing now without who I used to be.

Tonight those thoughts fill my thankful mind … while there are a bajillion other moments I’m thankful for this evening … they pale in comparison.

IKES! a compilation of the good, the bad & general FYIs

My schpeel: Many, MANY arts organizations were forced to cancel performances, openings and events due to Ike.  Some sustained damage that has caused them to seek other spaces or postpone indefinitely.  Most of these events have already been paid for: singers, actors, designers, directors, rental space, advertising and these cost cannot be recouped or refunded.  Not to mention the costs of advertising new dates.  Please consider making a small donation to those arts groups to help with their already shoe-string budgets that have been put in jeaopardy.

Ok … Ready? Set? … GO!  Its alot of info and I know its poorly organized. Many apologies.  This is the info I have discerned the last few days from phone calls, emails, tweets and more.

Stages Repertory Theatre has sustained major damage and suspended ALL performances.

Opera In The Heights’ offices and performance space has been almost destroyed.  They are now officed at Caroline Collective.  Performance venue[s] TBD.  Performances suspended.

DiverseWorks sustained minimal water damage.  They are still on track for the rescheduled Understanding Poverty opening for THIS Friday, Sept 19, 6-8PM. Their Jana Hunter concert has been canceled.

Orange Show has minimal damage and is without power.  The monument and Beer Can House will remain closed until next week while they assess damages. Their Silver Jews concert has been moved to Walter’s on Washington, TOMORROW, Thur, Sept 18.  Doors open at 6PM. James Jackson Toth opens, followed by Silver Jews. Tickets are $14. Available at http://www.superunison.com/.  Tickets purchased thru Orange Show will be honored.

Main Street Theatre’s Rice Village location is ok.  Chelsea Square is without power and performances of Third are rescheduled. They are also offering Hurricane Camps for your kids who get a little stir crazy. Give ‘em out shout for details at 713.524.3622.

Fresh Fridays at Discovery Green on Friday, Sept 19 is canceled in hopes of being rescheduled.

Blaffer Gallery is up and running at normal business hours.  Their opening receptions last Friday were canceled but check out their latest exhibits Damaged Romanticism and Celebutants, Groupies, and Friends for a little distraction this week.  Red Block Bash has been post-poned until Wednesday, October 1, 4 – 7 p.m.

The U of H Fine Arts Open House has been canceled with hopes of being rescheduled.

Spacetaker Gala has been postponed until early 2009.  This means they won’t see funding from door sales, auctions and some pre-sales that they depend on for MONTHS.  Again, PLEASE, consider making a donation to help them continue to operate and offer much needed resources to artists effected by Ike.

Aurora Picture Show’s The Shivering Eyelash:Selections from TIE is going on as scheduled at 800 Aurora Street THIS Saturday + Sunday.  Their offices and video library are closed due to power outages.

Inprint sustained no damage but their Junot Diaz Reading was canceled and hopes to be rescheduled. Their workshops this week have been canceled.

Mildred’s Umbrella, CAC, SWAMP, Barnevelder/Suchu Dance incurred little to no damage and are up and running as normal.

TUTS‘ Color Purple performances have been canceled this week.

Other Theatre District Updates.

Museum District Day THIS Saturday is canceled.

Houston Zoo is OPEN!

Discovery Green is OPEN as are The Grove, Lakehouse and Treehouse!  Events have been canceled until this next week and the fountain will be off & bird’s nest in playground closed until further notice.

and FINALLY, last but not least, Caroline Collective is holding Open Spirits, an open mike happy hour and BBQ, TOMORROW, Thur, Sept 18 5-9PM.

**Don’t forget to donate blood. Both the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and MD Anderson are in need of blood and platelets. Donate to the Red Cross here.

Finally, I know in times of distaster, art takes a backseat to necessity.  My thoughts go out to those effected by Ike and whatever I can do, please let me know.

__

‘Art is never enough, it never does enough and in times of public crisis and emergency, activism is required of everyone.  When human lives are threatened, the business of daily life must be suspended, set aside, this includes the making of art, and life is imperiled today.

The function of art must be, at least in part, in times such as these, to keep the Utopian horizon visible, or at least imaginable. When the loudest of voices of our time proclaim the vanishing of possibility, the death of alternative and difference, the tyranny of sameness, and the end of history, art serves to remind us of the implausibility of such claims and the unceasing human resistance to such deadening and death.

Art even in times of crisis extends our vision, reminds us of laboring human beings, and reminds us that history is far from over and may, at any moment, unexpectedly, open up to deliverance, to the moment of redemption.  And art prepares us for this moment.’
-Tony Kushner [an arts-award ceremony at Dartmouth college in response to 9/11]

Getting to Nobu

[This is a migrated post from a previous blog I had elsewhere on the vast web world so it is kinda old news ...trying to get all my social media ducks in a row though so the universes align properly one day.]

[May 31, 2008]
In case I forget to say this later . . . I am so very disheartened that Aurora was not sold out weeks in advance.  Or even with door sales tonight.  I’m also sad that you won’t be able to experience what I did because it will never happen again.  [hence, the reason I am so disheartened it wasn't sold out]

Ok, on with my wonderful evening!  Nobu Aidelman is an amazingly intelligent gent from Toronto who dabbles in short film, cooking and music. He’s also a wonderfully personable guy.  We started the evening in a renovated church with a big screen [aka Aurora Picture Show]. . . less than 50 of us probably.  To ‘break the ice’ Nobu passed around shots of tequila for everyone as we sat in the pews and listened to The Village Green Preservation Society.  On with the show!  We started with some of he and his brothers’ stunts on CBC’s ZeD [late night a few years ago - if you know where I can find it, please share . . . HIlarious]- including the what-should-be-infamous Sushi Roulette. I’ll challenge anyone!!!

Then onto some of their short films.  AWESOME!  I can find I Pie and Yoga, Man on IMDB but now I’m kicking myself because the my favorite was one about finding love in Dine and Dashing.  Adilman shared some priceless stories in between.  He has joined with his colleagues to make an unconventional show on Canada’s Food Network, Food Jammers. We saw the episode where  they created a cake like a low rider complete with hydraulics and sound system!

He is most noted for I Pie: A Love Story.  As we viewed I Pie, pie was passed around. So seriously – $6 got me 2 hours of awesome entertainment, a shot of tequila, some yummy pie and lots of laughs! [I will reiterate - WHY WAS THIS NOT SOLD OUT? ]

As I said previously, he is also a musician.  His films feature one of his friends’ bands Slow Lover [literally they make songs to make slow love to!].  He also has a band Mr. Nobu.  And now has embarked on a project for the largest chorus.  We all found the lyrics to Preservation Society under our pews and joined in an impromptu sing-a-long with Nobu on guitar, one of his assistants/colleagues on lead vocals and the other on ukelele.

Needless to say, I’m a fan.  HUGE one.  and you should be too!

an evening of Chris Ohlson

I’m a newcomer to this wonderful world of microcinema/short films – meaning I jumped in with two feet after my first taste of Aurora’s Slant Film Festival about 6 months ago and try to take in everything I can and apologize for my absolute ignorance most of the time.  I, luckily, have had some amazingly patient people who are passionate about sharing their world with me, you and, well, everyone really.  This evening I found out about a free little screening of some films by Chris Ohlson at a little bar/vintage store in downtown Houston, Dean’s Credit Clothing, by way of a colleague at SWAMP [side note: thanks twitter!]

I know people get tired of me telling them how amazing Houston is and all the things we have that NOBODY knows about … but SERIOUSLY?! I’ll just touch on  5 of Ohlson’s films [there were 7 tonight]…  and hope you get to experience some in your life and encourage you to follow this amazing mind in the future.  He just completed his first feature but his short films are money – amazingly progressive, disturbing and hilarious works.

1) Cremation – when I say short, it doesn’t begin to explain it.  It was about 3 min with only footage of flames and really descriptive narrative about what happens physiologically; step by step as a coffin + corpse is put into the fire.  Yep, I’ll be having very visual nightmares of burning to death.  Simple. Descriptive. Scientific and dramatic.

2) My Electric Bill – A hilarious account of a disgruntled man leaving a voicemail for his unresponsive electric company when he arrives home to find his electricity shut off.  The elevated dialogue and unnatural sound effects make this film.  I was on the floor laughing.  It’s the argument we all wish we could conjure up at these impromtu, inconvenient moments but only remember 30 min after we hung up the phone.  Or the things we only say in our head.

3) Spin Cycle – a story of a wheelchair bound man that meets a promiscuous woman in a lonely washateria.  She turns out to be a cold-hearted, inhumane mean word I won’t use here.  It opens with oral sex on a dryer – no, I’m serious. He turns out not to be wheel-chair bound. 10 min of an absolute inappropriate, dirty encounter that you giggle then drop your jaw at.  [side note: I love these short films for their ability to relay human nature effectively and objectively. There wasn't a message - or, rather, there was, but it was whatever you took away - influences, most likely, by your own experiences and not the filmmaker's.]

4) I Love You – HOLY CRAP! There were only 3 words in this 4 min film ‘I Love You.’  It was simple and the most disturbing of the night.  It was beautiful and, all of a sudden, sickening within 5 seconds. Stuck with me.  The things lifelong fears are made of.

5) Expecting – I wouldn’t write about this if I it wasn’t for the Q&A post-screening.  Given the previous films, I figured it wasn’t going to be all gravy and guessed the ending … which sucks even more when viewing short films.  Outside that I just didn’t think it was as dynamic as the other pieces.  I’m sharing it because of the process, not the product.  This 10+ min film [longest of the evening] followed a 25 yr old couple in real time as they realized they were pregnant. [SPOILER ALERT] I found out later that Ohlson filmed this entire piece in one 4 hour shot using 2 cameras and there was no script.  The actors never met or discussed the piece previously.  They arrived and were given 5 words, ‘I’m pregnant’ & ‘I’m not pregnant.’  There was, of course, lots of screaming & crying that they cut down to a 10 min film.  Like I said, I thought the backstory made the film but, overall, it wasn’t in my top pieces of the evening.

The venue is a small & a public bar.  It was free. There were probably 50 people there – I imagine 90% for the screening.  It always dissappoints me how little these gems are publicized.  And how unfortunate it is that you weren’t there.  I also know that for every 1 event I attend, I miss 10.  That’s why Houston rocks.  Any given day/evening there are 10 arts things you could do.  5 of the them you won’t see anywhere else ever again.  I hate having to chose but I more-than-love the experiences Houston has that no other city offers.  I sat outside post-screening and chatted with Michelle Mower of SWAMP – learned SO much.  Then was introduced to Chris Ohlson & some other filmmakers and those in the industry.  Never would have happened in other cities … at least, not for me, Joe-Shmo off the streets who stumbled upon this screening. MAN, am I the luckiest gal on earth or what?

09.01.08

1) Pretending I’m Chuck Norris with my kickboxing workout.  Kicking ass rocks!

2) Yummy desserts that are actually healthy [and you wouldn't know it.]
RawCrunch care of HappyKatie

3) Saint John’s little Labor Day shin dig in Fayetteville, TX

4) New neighbors. Especially cool ones that apologize for waking you up at 4AM when their obnoxious friend is a lil’ crazy.  [Don't we all have those friends?]

5) Unexpected gratitude.
Backstory: I had a REALLY horrific day and posted to the universe [via twitter + facebook] that I was broken and crawling under my desk to cry.  Within 3 min, people I didn’t know were telling me how much I rocked and to hang in there.  Then I had some professional colleageus tell me that I was superwoman and thank me for all I did.  How can you be sad after that?  It rocked and my life rocks.  And I hope I don’t forget it. They won’t let me forget it.  I’m humbled everyday by the people I meet and how our lives effect one another.

Same note: the world gets infinitely smaller everyday … in an amazing way.

Humbled by your help.

“The two best prayers I know are ‘Help me. help me. help me.’ and ‘Thank you. thank you. thank you.‘
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

13 months ago I collapsed and said ‘Help me. help me. help me.’

The last 11 months have been one amazing ride for me. I landed in a position a little less than a year ago [although, it only seems like yesterday] to get paid for living my life. seriously. I get paid to talk about how much I love the arts. I get paid to learn about the Houston arts scene. And I get paid to meet people. OH: and I get paid to learn stuff. All sorts of stuff.

I’m still waiting for everyone to figure out I’m a complete impostor and idiot.

[Fast forward to my reason for this post.]

In the past month [and more so - THIS week] some amazingly generous mavens have patiently embraced my ignorance and given me an education in marketing that they usually make a living on teaching. And they do this not knowing me but just because they are really just that amazing. I’d like to recognize those people here [in no particular order]:

Schipul Web Marketing Company

Ed Schipul

Katie Laird

CarolineCollective

Matthew Wettergreen

Erica O’Grady

I collapse in gratitude to you . . .
‘Thank you. thank you. THANK YOU!‘