Cary's rants, reflections, ruminations, research results, and ridiculous ramblings

David Semonin

2010-04-11T06:52:00.001+04:30

I was a new, fresh faced kid to New York when I came in looking for a job at the Drama Book Shoppe many years ago. That was when I first met David Semonin. He sent me in the right direction, and was so immediately supportive that I may have actually been suspicious if it were anyone else. But David had such a genuine soul that there was never a second thought.

Through the years David could always be counted on as an enthusiastic supporter of any and all of my endeavors. He came to all of my shows (the hits and the stinkers), and once even traveled two hours to the Bronx. He'd sit for hours as an attentive audience as I tried new monologues on him, never tiring, and eager to see things again in order to help me improve my work. He didn't have a cynical bone in his body, was always kind and encouraging with his words, and inspired confidence with an embracing joy of the artistic process on a level that's so rare to find.

On a personal level he was a friend who never wavered. When things were rough for me financially he created the “rotating ten dollar bill” - as long as I repaid it when I had the cash he always had a ten spot ready for me if I needed it. In fact the last time I saw him he made the offer again. In spite of his own illness and whatever he was suffering he was more concerned with how I was doing, and actively showed his support and interest in my life. It felt good that I could tell him that I was doing just fine.

When I became David's roommate for a short time I witnessed his full time passion for the arts and theatre. He'd video tape programs on the arts to archive for his students and friends, taking enormous time to collect and edit them. There's so much I would never have seen if David had not taken the trouble to do this. But it wasn't trouble for him; it was his life.

As I got to know David through the years I discovered that my experience with him was not unique. He actively sought to make a difference and create whatever opportunities he could for every young, aspiring artist he met. He did make that difference, and then some. I also know that as I continue in these endeavors David will be looking down on me with the same encouragement and non judgmental support he had always been so generous with, as he will for all of us. And the only thing he would have us do in return is pass the same enduring, fervent support to any committed hopeful artist who did not have the pleasure of knowing him. David Semonin made more of a difference than he realized. He created a legacy that lives on in all of the many lives he touched.

Thank you, David.

David's Obituary

Gearing up for the Frenzy!

2010-03-12T13:06:00.002+03:30

I have long wanted to try my hand at screen/play writing, and April will be spent doing so with thousands of other people around the world. I will be embarking on the challenge of writing 100 pages of my own original work in 30 days! It will be difficult, as I'll be starting a new position at my job, and my schedule will be full. But, I've been inspired by my friend Natalie's own personal challenge, so I know I can do this!

The great thing about Script Frenzy is the collective support of those embarking on the same challenge, as well as the support I've already gotten from friends for simply making the commitment, and the resources provided by experienced professionals in the field. This month will be spent outlining story and developing characters, and next month I'll be spending every free moment writing.

Of the many things I hope to gain from this, besides a finished first draft of a script, is a whole new level of knowledge of the art of storytelling, which will also feed me creatively and technically as an actor, and a sense of artistic accomplishment.

I'm really looking forward to April!

Merely Players

2009-10-29T05:55:00.005+03:30

So with circumstances preventing me from pursuing my acting career in what has been too long for me, when my friend Katherine Harte DeCoux approached me about doing a night of monologues, sonnets, and scenes from Shakespeare, I enthusiastically jumped on board! Then Kate called me and asked me to do the Richard/ Lady Anne scene from Richard III. Richard has been a role I've dreamed of doing, but never felt I was actually up to. Still, I agreed to do it and have very much enjoyed working with her. It's a difficult scene, and I'll not know if I've failed or succeeded with it until we perform it this Sunday, Novemeber 1st and again next Sunday, November 8th. But, I'm having a good time and, Kate is wonderful and great to work with, and it promises to be a great night of Shakespeare.

So come on down to the People Lounge at 163 Allen Street, New York at 7pm on November 1st and 8th. $10 cover and drink specials to boot!

Blowin' in the Wind

2009-09-17T11:57:00.002+04:30

Growing up, my dad and I agreed on a few things - butterscotch, Fig Newtons... where we probably bonded most was on the music of Peter, Paul, and Mary. For Christmas, he'd often get one of their albums as a gift, which I'd end up hoarding in my room to listen to! I was in first grade when I first discovered them, and it thrilled him so much! Rest in Peace, Mary Travers, and say hi to my dad...

Support the fight for freedom

2009-06-22T01:42:00.002+04:30

If you're on Twitter, YouTube, Blogspot, or another blog - set your location to Tehran and your time zone to GMT +3.30. Security forces are hunting for bloggers using location/timezone searches. The more people at this location, the more of a logjam it creates for forces trying to shut Iranians’ access to the internet down. Spread the word.

http://weareallneda.com/

Whether you're 4 or 40, it feels the same...

2009-04-01T03:44:00.004+04:30

President Obama!

2008-11-06T05:44:00.013+03:30

Two great speeches from two great men…

November 4th, 2008 will forever be remembered as a historic night for the United States of America! We all have cause to celebrate, including those who voted for the first time, like my sister!

The party I had planned to attend was canceled at the last minute, due to logistics. So instead, I stayed home and watched the election results come in on the Internet. My two closest friends, Gary and Trenton, were both at their jobs, so I text messaged them updates throughout the night. Excitement grew as we took Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, New Mexico... Then I got a call from my friends, Kate and Nate, to meet them for drinks as we waited. So, as I prepared to send Gary and Trenton one last update before I headed out, my computer crashed. As I was restarting, I suddenly heard something amazing from outside - cheers, whistling, and car horns honking… I knew then that Barack Obama had officially won the election! I tried to call Trenton, who recently moved from here to Los Angeles, so that he could hear the noise on his old Brooklyn block, but the lines were flooded. When I finally got through, we shared our joy as two American friends, one on the East Coast, and one on the West – celebrating from one shining sea to another!

So, when I finally got out to meet Kate and Nate, I found an excitement and jubilation in the streets of New York City, unlike any I have ever seen before. Strangers hi-fived each other, friends hugged, all coming together in a common bond. I decided to drink only American beer, but the keg of Sam Adams in the pub had kicked, and I don’t care for Bud, so I had a Jack and Coke – good American Whiskey! And together we celebrated our historic landslide victory! I even managed to get a copy of the NY Daily News, which sold out rather quickly!

This is the moment we have been waiting for…

President Barack Obama!

I know “Toot” is hosting an incredible, heavenly celebration, and my dad is at that party!

The future is in OUR hands

2008-11-03T21:13:00.005+03:30

As actively blogging as I was during the last Presidential election, some have wondered why I’ve not been so much this time around. I guess I’ve seen the choices as simple ones this time: two honorable men who love this country – one offering to lead us in the same direction we’ve been headed for the past eight years, the other offering a new, different course. Now I’ve recently learned that I have some friends who are as yet undecided, as well as many who seem overly confident as to the outcome.

I could spend hours writing about why I support Barack Obama for President of the United States, but our former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, expressed my exact sentiments with eloquence and passion in his own endorsement:

My former roommate, and good friend, who just recently moved to the other side of the country, is a registered independent voter in the swing state of New Mexico. As I collect and sort our mail, I find an abundance of mail for him from the Republican party and the McCain campaign, all of which smear Obama – painting him as a Socialist with terrorist connections. I, like General Powell, find this level of campaigning quite alarming.

I can’t even respond to the terror implications, only that it has already incensed some smaller minded individuals to plan harm towards Obama, proving such rhetoric to be irresponsible and dangerous.

As for the Socialist charges, his plan is not about punishing the successful to give to the lazy, as many on the Right have stated. It’s about affording the same opportunities for success for everyone. Anyone in this country who has achieved success did not do so alone. If you own a successful business, for instance, your merchandise is transported on public roads, which cost money to build, maintain, and patrol. Those who protect us - police, firefighters, and military, as well as teachers, are paid from our collective tax dollars – and should be paid well enough to attract good people to these professions.

McCain is proposing an across the board spending freeze. It really boggled me when, in the final debate, he stated that we could work on research for Autism without funding it. It made me wonder just who, exactly, he thought could work on such things for free. Doctors and scientists have bills to pay like the rest of us! Everything we have must be paid for. Many have wondered where Obama would find the funds to do all of the things he proposes, such as funding for universal health care, education, and energy independence. Well, is it too much to ask that those who are abundantly successful, giving that they could not get there alone, give just a little more than those who are struggling just to put food on the table and work equally as hard?

Secondly, those who are struggling will struggle less when there are more employment opportunities – when jobs that have been shipped overseas are back on American soil for American citizens. When jobs are created to find alternative energy sources, creating thrice the benefit – employment, as well as a reduced dependence on oil and non-allied countries, instead of compromising our environment with excessive drilling which will reap much less than we sow, and much later.

So, even though middle class workers will see a tax reduction, revenue will increase because of volume - more jobs means more workers paying taxes. This isn’t Socialism; it’s the American Dream at its best: Opportunity for ALL, not just the privileged few. We have found that the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and deregulation of Wall Street, which John McCain has supported, are not working. It’s time for a new way of doing things. It’s time to rebuild America from the bottom up, on a solid foundation.

These are just some of the reasons I support Obama for President. What frightens me now is the feeling of excitement I see in fellow supporters, as if the outcome is in the bag. But we must remember that the McCain camp is still fighting strong. We must not get too comfortable, for if any one of us stay home on Election Day, figuring the outcome is already decided, we give our vote to the other side. We must all get out there, wait in line and cast our vote – even if it’s nasty out or we’re not feeling well. It doesn’t take that long. We can take America back. What’s an hour or two out of our day, when it affects the next four to eight years? Let’s get out and vote! We can do this. Like Obama says, “I’m fired up and ready to go!”

YES WE CAN!!!

Candle for Tibet

2008-08-08T05:15:00.003+04:30

http://www.candle4tibet.org

Father's Day

2008-06-16T07:46:00.007+04:30

My dad passed away this year, on March 3rd. I did not expect today, the first Father’s Day I could not call him, to be so difficult. But it was.

But I am grateful for the memories, especially for the memory of my last visit home. We held a surprise birthday party for my mom at the end of February. It was also, as it turned out, to be my dad’s farewell party. It was there that mom and dad had their last dance.

My dad’s illness caused him to need a lot of rest. But that final weekend the entire family was together; he managed to stay up with us. We played cards, ate dinner prepared by my sister, talked, and sat together. When I finally said goodnight to him, he held his gaze on me longer than usual. I think we both knew it would be the last time we saw each other. It was also the first time I realized how blue his eyes were.

Shortly after I returned home, my sister called to tell me he was near the end. They didn’t know if he’d last the week or another month, but that it would be soon. I was torn with whether I should go home immediately or wait it out, so I talked with a close friend who helped me decide that it was probably best to keep the good memories of the family’s last time together as they were, rather than one laden with anguish. When I spoke to my brother and sister, they concurred. I am grateful for that friend, as well as all those who were so supportive during this time.

I spoke to my dad on the phone on Sunday, March 2nd.

“Hey dad, how ya doing?”

“I’m doing okay.”

“I hear you’re not doing so well.”

“Yeah, I might not make it.”

I then told him of all the great memories I had of my last visit with him, and I knew the effort he put into all the time he’d spent with us that weekend. I told him I loved him, and that I’d call again soon. He died the next day.

It is only now that he’s gone that I realize that he left me with much more than just memories. He also left a part of himself that lives in me. Small everyday things, like a taste for butterscotch, folk music, and a laugh that has been dubbed by a friend as the “Cary Cackle”.

Just last week, I was teaching a girl at work how to tie a tie, and it suddenly dawned on me that it was my dad who first taught me. When I mop a floor, it was he who taught me the best way to do so. It was he who taught me about working hard. The way he and his best friend were always there for each other is something I've tried to emulate, always feeling like I've fallen short. And lately I can hear his voice telling me, as it did when I was a kid, not to take so much of the world on my shoulders.

So although my dad has left this world, he still lives on in me in so many ways. Yes, I’ve inherited so much more than just his name. I just wish I could pick up the phone and tell him so.

Yes We Can!

2008-03-03T07:42:00.001+03:30

As many of you may know, I supported Hillary Clinton in her bid for the United States Presidency for some time, even before she announced her candidacy. However, I now find myself late in coming to a revelation, which many of my friends and fellow Americans have already had, and I am changing my mind. This is not to take away anything away from Mrs. Clinton, I proudly voted for her twice for the Senate, and again in the Democratic primaries. But after watching the debates, listening to Barack Obama speak, and watching her falter in desperation, I’ve come to believe that the better candidate is the one who offers “change I can believe in.”

During the last Presidential election, I encouraged many acquaintances and co-workers to vote. Many of them did not believe they could make a difference, or that they even mattered to any politician. They would say, “No matter what I do, things are going to be the same.”

Now, these very same people are fired up! I see people of all ages, races, economic levels, and backgrounds getting excited about this election because Obama has inspired them. That’s HUGE! That’s what America needs now. Progress will not come about with one person sitting behind a desk in Washington. It will come about when Americans step up and stand up for what they believe their country is and should be.

I finally became completely swayed when she released this ad…

I and many others have a horrible distaste in our mouths when it comes to using fear to win up votes. It will not work this time. It is not only desperate, but also a very shortsighted tactic which can only backfire on her. The next President of the United States needs to do more than just win a primary. If I were John McCain, I would eagerly hope that Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, so that I could immediately run an identical ad, word for word, for myself.

Perhaps Hillary Clinton’s reward for her great service to this country should be to allow history to be kind to her by going down in it as a great First Lady and an outstanding Senator, rather than as a polarizing President. I would also like to see her as an active part of Obama’s administration, perhaps as an advisor in any of the many of the areas in which she excels.

What we need now is someone to unite the United State of America - someone who pulls us together rather than tearing us apart – someone who speaks of hope rather than playing on fear. Barack Obama gets people excited about our country, excited to be and take a part in it, excited to believe that they actually matter. If you haven’t already, listen for yourself…

Even if you do not agree with all of his stances, there is no doubt of his power to inspire and bring this country to an even greater level. I truly believe that this man could end up being the greatest President of my lifetime.

“The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into red states and blue states; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and, yes, we've got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.”

- Barack Obama

Alas, Poor Horatio!

2007-09-08T05:30:00.000+03:30

Yeah, yeah, I know…

I haven’t posted in a while. This my first year of doing the Faire when I haven’t cut back on my "day" job, so time and energy for writing haven’t been in abundance. I’m just determined to get financially ahead, and it’s starting to work!

However, a few issues have arisen which I’m taking as a sign to slow down a bit. The most alarming is my leg. I work on my feet a lot, and often wake at night with a "Charlie Horse"; however last week, after doing two fifteen hour shifts in a row – following a Faire weekend, my leg cramped severely while I was at work waiting tables. It was quite painful to walk, and when I told my boss that I was unable to keep up with my tables because of it, he let me go home early. Since then, I’ve been soaking daily in Epsom salt, constantly stretching, and wrapping it. While it’s not cramping so much, it is tired and achy.

So please forgive my lack of posts, I’m just trying to take it easy on myself. Luckily, the job has evened out my work schedule, so that I’m not losing shifts but they’re spread out more evenly.

So onto the Faire…

Last Sunday was the best Faire day I’ve had in my entire six years! Why? Because of the "Daily" our Improvisation Director, Chant Macleod, introduced at morning notes:

The Queen is coming to Sterling! In her company, is a Jester! In the Jester’s possession, is a homunculus! Word has gotten out that within the homunculus, are the Key’s to the Kingdom! At the end of the day, whosoever posses the Jester’s homunculus would be ruler of all England!

Since I needed my homunculus, whose name is Horatio, for the Morning Parade and Queen’s Address, the game was to commence immediately after that scene. To raise the stakes for myself, I – as Yorick the Jester – introduced myself and Horatio as best friends of 25 years, and today was the anniversary of the day we first met and became friends. I explained that we met underneath the bridge at Hawker’s Crossing, while I was preparing to audition for the role as Queen’s Jester. I said that Horatio had supported me through thick and thin, and that we’d been inseparable for the entire 25 years! When people snickered and whispered to each other, I told Horatio that I thought they were planning us a surprise party! I went on acclaiming the virtues of my best pal, Horatio, "I don’t know what I’d without him!"

Well, I was about to find out…

As I walked offstage after The Queen’s Morning Address, I heard the Sheriff’s Guards begin to signal each other. As I was expecting them to all converge on me, they were intercepted by Talia Fortunata, Village Apothecary and Mystic, played by Johanna Lynn Maple. She placed a spell on me, compelling me to hand over Horatio to her! Then the fun began!

Horatio made his way through the entire company throughout the day. I, as Yorick, was very distraught and going through the stages of grief! At one point, I approached the Sheriff of Nottingham, on the verge of tears…

It went something like this:

"Sheriff, Sheriff! I’d like to file a missing persons report!!!"

"Alright, who exactly is missing?"

"Well, Sheriff…. Have you ever had a friend? A best friend? You did everything together! Played cards, talked about life, exchanged jokes… THEN one day… on the 25th Anniversary of the very day you became friends… someone else comes along and runs off with him?!?! Leaving you... all... alone..?"

"Alright, personal feelings aside, please... he left of his own will?"

"NO! He was kidnapped!!"

"Who?"

"Horatio!"

"Alright, can you describe what he looks like?"

"Yes, he looks just like me (very attractive), but he has no body..."

"You mean your little stick thing?"

"My stick for my shtick!"

"An inanimate object…"

"Well…"

"So not really a missing person, is it?"

"SEMANTICS!!!"

And thus went the day. I cannot recall a Daily when so many patrons, cast, vendors, ect… had been involved. At every turn, people were telling me they had seen Horatio, and who had him. And Yorick was losing his mind!

Finally, at the end of the day, Chant, as Alan 'a Dale, confessed to making the whole thing up and Yorick and Horatio were cheerfully reunited!

The next day, one of our favorite patrons, known only as “The Green Monk”, presented us with a gift commemorating the Anniversary of Yorick and Horatio’s friendship. It was a “Friendship bracelet” with Horatio’s name and CPM off to the side. I promptly put it on Horatio, where it will remain forevermore!

And that was the best time I’ve ever had at the Faire!

photos by Rob Pivarnik

Blast from the Past!

2007-08-16T09:35:00.000+03:30

This past weekend’s performance was greatly highlighted by the visit of an old high school friend whom I haven’t seen in twenty years! We did all the school plays and musical groups together back then, even attended church together, and were great friends. Although there was no time to chat with her out of character and catch up with everything, it was great to see her, along with her husband and their beautiful 4-year-old son. Hopefully, it won’t be another twenty years before we see each other and catch up again!

I’m still working hard on getting my Chessboard fight to the level I’d like it to be. I asked for and received some great feedback from my friend, Nathan DeCoux, who helped me immensely. In this fight, I use a Broadsword, which is a bit of a challenge for me, being a heavier weapon. It’s totally different from the Rapier style I’m more used to, and I’m really learning a lot. A friend did get a video of the fight, but I’ll not post it until I’m more satisfied with the fight.

As with last year, our Improvisation Director, Chant MacLeod, gives the company a “Daily” every morning before we open. On Sunday, it was “Robin Hood’s Birthday”! The task was for the peasants to give Robin the best birthday ever, while also helping him to keep a low profile from the Sheriff of Nottingham. What happened on this day was incredible, due to the brilliance of Adeline Amber Brown, who plays the duel/alter ego roles of Sister Mary Euphoria and Sloppy Madge. As both characters, she told everyone that what Robin Hood wanted, more than anything, for his birthday was sticks. Yes, sticks. So, throughout the day, Seth Bridges as Robin Hood, had children and cast members alike bringing him sticks. Everyone got in on it! By the end of the day, he had more than 200 sticks in his possession!

Lastly, I want to thank Aryiana, our “Brownie Wench” for her generosity. Aryiana sells CDs for The Crimson Pirates, and every week brings homemade brownies from scratch to share with the cast. After reading my blog last week and learning of how tired I was during my Chessboard fight, she made it a point to come backstage before the Chessboard scene to share her brownies. I was not alone in the cast in finding the hit of sugar at that point in the day extremely beneficial to our performances. I believe I can safely speak for the rest of the cast in expressing our gratitude to Aryiana for her time, effort and thoughtfulness in taking care of us.

I’m looking forward to the next weekend!

A Great Start for NYRF 30th Anniversary!

2007-08-10T04:34:00.000+03:30

This year’s Faire season has gotten off to a great start!

After Friday’s dress rehearsal for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I wasn’t feeling too pleased with myself. Playing a comic role can be very difficult, as I never know whether what I’m doing is working or not. But, on opening day, hearing the bellows of laughter from people of all ages was quite encouraging. There’s nothing like hearing the giggling of children, especially when it’s Shakespeare. Yeah, they get it!

Steward Hamilton and Jim Mundy, who play the Mayor and Mayoress of Sterling, had a Shire mascot made, Dewly the Dragon. So, I got to run around as Dewly for a while, which was a lot of fun. Various cast members will have a turn as Dewly throughout the season.

I also made a new friend, Clowney, a four-month-old baby goat. I got to walk Clowney around for a while, much to the delight of the little ones!

The humidity on Sunday kinda got the best of me, as sometime after Midsummer, I was totally wiped out. Knowing I still had to do my Chessboard fight, I kinda took it easy as to save my energy for the fight. I still don’t know how the audience is reacting to my fight, as it is something different and I cannot hear anything.

Jeff Kalmar introduced a new song for Pub Sing, Beggars to God which I am in love with. As tired as I was, I got rather emotional when I heard it; it’s such a beautiful song. Here are the lyrics to the chorus…

Make love to each other
Be free with each other
Be prisoners of love 'til you lie in the sod
Be friends to each other
Forgive one another
See God in each other
Be beggars to God.

It was great to see so many friendly familiar faces; I’d forgotten how much I loved the camaraderie of this place!

I’m looking forward to next weekend!

Photos by Rob Pivarnik

Trenton Clark

2007-08-05T07:42:00.000+03:30

Today marks the birthday of a wonderful friend, Trenton Clark.

I first met Trenton when I went to see my friend, Dwayne Tan, in his final showcase at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, which Trenton was also in. I was very impressed with Trenton’s performance, a young leading man type performing a character piece and quite well.

We eventually became friends. I don’t know how we became such good friends, it just seemed to happen. In fact, in my 17 years of living in New York, I haven’t had a friend more loyal, giving, and completely accepting than Trenton. He is a rare individual, only matched by my best friend, Gary Scott Irons.

I’ve seen some difficult times this past year, and Trenton has been there for all of it, always supportive and ready to help at any time. In this city full of busy people, in a career where many become self-involved, Trenton is someone any of his friends can sincerely count on. He makes each of us feel truly special, while also taking perfect care of himself.

He always seems to make the right decisions for himself. There have been times when I feared his actions were rushed and rash, such as when he left his job to free himself for more auditions. He was determined to land an acting job during the Spring audition season, and I believed he would. That very decision led him to landing a tour of Southeastern Asia with the company of the musical 42nd Street! He’s gone for an entire year, and while I miss him, I am so proud of my friend! He’s been acting and singing much longer than he’s been dancing, but he’s worked very hard and completely deserves this opportunity. I know that this is just the beginning for him.

He will have a successful career, not because of his abundant talent and good looks, but because of his drive, determination, and refusal to become complacent. His actions have taught me so much about what one needs to do if one wants to succeed. Yet there isn’t a speck of selfishness in him, he’s among the most generous, encouraging, and compassionate people around.

I believe that God puts certain people in our path to help us become better people. I am so grateful to know Trenton, and hope to be his friend for a good long time. So today, although he couldn't be farther away in the world, I couldn't be closer in spirit.

Happy birthday, Trenton! You deserve the very best that life can offer!

NYRF 2007

2007-08-02T06:32:00.000+03:30

Another season of The New York Renaissance Faire opens this weekend! Rehearsals have been a fun ride and there are many great things in store. I have a greater amount of street time than in previous years, so that all the kids who want to meet Yorick the Jester will have the opportunity early in the day.

Unfortunately, with so much going on, I did not have the opportunity to develop a new kid’s show as we had hoped, but rest assured there will be plenty of Jester interaction with the children! And for family entertainment, the Splat cast is wonderful! Look for them on your schedule.

The Commedia show is especially fun this year, I’ve really enjoyed putting it together.

Although I was apprehensive about the Shakespeare show, as I’m a bit more of a purist, and this is being presented as our faire characters playing the roles, it’s turning out to be a real blast to perform, and I think our audiences will quite enjoy it. I must say, as well, it’s probably the most evenly talented cast I’ve ever been a part of in any Shakespearean production I’ve done.

My chessboard fight is the most challenging stage combat I’ve ever performed to date. I hope I can pull it off!

And the Final Joust scene is the best I’ve seen yet. During dress rehearsal, I actually got choked up at how moving and exciting it is.

So, here’s my performance schedule:

10:00 – Opening Gate/ Parade Procession Front Gate

10:30 – Queen’s Morning Address Silver Swan Stage

1:30 – Commedia Sherwood Forest Stage

2:30 – Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare Sherwood Forest Stage

5:00 – Royal Chess Match Chessboard

5:45 – Archery Tournament/Royal Joust Roselawn Field

6:30 – Pub Sing Pagent Wagon Stage

Each show runs about twenty minutes, with the exception of the joust, which runs slightly longer, and Midsummer, which runs about and hour and fifteen minutes.

As per tradition, I will be writing in my blog about my Faire experiences, so stay tuned!

Hope to see you all there!

My Dad

2007-03-08T07:51:00.001+03:30

My dad – Cary Patrick Martin, Sr. - has been ill with Emphysema for a number of years, relying on an oxygen tank to breath. I've known for some time that I could get a call to rush home, but it was still a shock to get it.

My sister called me while I was at work at noon last Thursday, saying “You need to come home.”

By the time I was able to get my things, catch a bus and ride up there, it was after 10pm, probably the longest ten hours of my life. In spite of both my sister and brother assuring me that I would make it on time, I was still unsure. I couldn't be sure if they were being completely honest, or just trying to comfort and assure me. The entire bus ride, I was unable to do much else but think of my dad. Memories came flooding into my head. Good ones that I had not thought of in years.

Finally, I got to the hospital. When I saw him, he looked so bad I could not bring myself to go near him at first. The doctor then spoke with us, explaining that he was in the advanced stages of Emphysema, with a condition called COPD – the levels of carbon dioxide in his blood are higher than a normal person's. He was on a ventilator which did most of his breathing for him. Life support.

The next day, he was awake. He could respond to yes or no questions, and squeeze our hands. But the following day, he was under sedation the entire day. The day after that, he was awake and anxious. He was trying to communicate, but none us could really understand. When he started grabbing for his tubes, they put restraints on him, prohibiting him from moving his hands.

When we got up in the morning, we were informed that, in the night, he freed himself from the restraints and pulled out his ventilator on his own! Turns out he was able to breath on his own, so they didn't put it back in. Still, they were unsure if he'd done any damage, so they still kept an eye on him.

To make a long story short, we got to sit with him today and I shared with him the memories I had on the bus. When he took me to see Star Wars when I was 10, and the Jawas zap R2-D2, who then falls over with a clunk, my dad laughed with his cackle (which I inherited) that I can still hear whenever I watch that moment in the movie. We said we'd watch the movie together again when he goes home.

I got to tell him that I remember him taking me to my very first audition. And then him sitting in on every rehearsal for my first play until it opened. He said he knew the play so well that he knew when something was wrong! Then, he fought and pulled all the right strings when I wanted to transfer to a different high school which had a strong performing arts program. Finally, driving me to New York when I moved and setting me up in my first apartment. I got to tell him how much I've appreciated his support of me over the years, as I knew so many whose folks discouraged their artistic aspirations, which he never ever did.

He then told me that when he was going under, and given the option of life support, my sister told him that I was on my way. He said he wanted to wait for me to get there, and my sister told him there wasn't time for that. He said that if he didn't hear that I was coming, he would have given up and it would have been over. He looked at me and said, “You saved my life.”

It was all I could do to not lose it.

He is now moved out of ICU, but will still be in the hospital for a while. Since he's not critical, I feel safe to return to New York this weekend to resume my own responsibilities. It'll be difficult, since I know that the next time I get the call I may not make it in time, especially since he's shared that he does not wish to be put on life support the next time this happens. And we all know and accept that it will happen. But at least I got to tell my dad all that I wanted to say.

My friends have been wonderful throughout all of this. Whether they be the handful that I spoke to on a near daily basis, or the ones praying and sending good thoughts, I am grateful. When I told my dad that I had people from nearly every religion praying for him, he gave a big thumbs up.

Thanks to all of you. I love you all.

You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)

2006-12-30T04:38:00.000+03:30

The Parable of the Rose

2006-11-05T07:18:00.000+03:30

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully.
Before it blossomed, he examined it.
He saw a bud that would soon blossom.

He also saw the thorns, and he thought,
"How can any beautiful flower come from a plant,
burdened with so many sharp thorns?"
Saddened by this thought,
he neglected to water the rose,
and before it was ready to bloom, it died.

So it is with many people.
Within every soul, there is a rose.
The "God-like" qualities planted in us at birth,
growing amidst the thorns of our faults.

Many of us look at ourselves and see
only the thorns, the defects.

We despair,
thinking nothing good
can possibly come from us.

We neglect to water the good within us,
and eventually it dies.

We never realize our potential.

Some don't see the rose within themselves.

It takes someone else to show it to them.

One of the greatest gifts a person can possess
is to be able to reach past the thorns
and find the rose within others.

This is the truest, most innocent,
and gracious characteristic of love
- to know another person,
including their faults,
recognize the nobility in their soul,
and yet still help another to realize
they can overcome their faults.

If we show them the rose,
they will conquer the thorns.

Only then will they blossom,
and most likely,
blooming thirty,
sixty,
a hundred-fold,
as it is given to them.

Our duty in this world is to help others,
by showing them their roses and not their thorns.

It is then that we achieve
the love we should feel for each other.

Only then can we bloom
in our own garden.

--author unknown

Int'l Fund for Horses - Action Alert "Flicka"

2006-10-25T23:25:00.000+03:30

Memory of horse deaths mars opening of Flicka

HOUSTON -- Fox 2000 Pictures will release "Flicka," the long-awaited remake of Mary O'Hara's treasured novel, nationwide October 20.

The movie stars Tim McGraw and Alison Lohman, and is a feel-good movie about a wild horse and the teenager who tries to tame her. However, the making of the movie was anything but feel good when two of the horses used in the filming were killed on the set.

The American Humane Association, who oversees the safety of animals on movie sets, had four representatives on the set of "Flicka" from the first day of production, and pre-approved all activities planned for the horses. It was under the AHA’s oversight that two horses were killed within the span of two weeks.

On April 11, 2005, the AHA reported that a horse broke its leg and had to be euthanized. In a studio briefing dated April 25, 2005, the AHA disclosed that a second horse broke his neck and died during the filming of "Flicka" two days earlier.

Observers of the second event were quoted as saying that the horse was one of four that were galloping around an arena trailing 30-foot ropes and fell when its back legs became entangled in the ropes. Other reports stated that two horses stumbled, presumably over the ropes, and collided.

An eyewitness account sent by email to Int'l Fund for Horses at the time alleged that in recreating a wild horse race (a rodeo event) for the movie, a group of horses were "released into an arena with wranglers jumping on the terrified horses, biting them, dragging them down and otherwise assaulting them." The horses naturally panicked and two collided heavily into each other. One of the horses did not get back up, sustaining a broken neck, and died. There were conflicting reports on whether the horses were wild or trained rodeo horses.

"It doesn’t matter if the horses were trained or not. Trailing long ropes behind frightened horses is a recipe for disaster. When you have people yelling and jumping on the horses it can cause fear in even the best-trained animal. A terrified horse will fight or flee, and injuries are bound to happen," stated IF4H President, Vivian Farrell.

The Screen Actors Guild pay the AHA to monitor animal use in films and award the "No Animals Were Harmed"® End Credit Disclaimer according to standards set by the organization. After the deaths of the horses, the AHA did an internal investigation and concluded the deaths were "unavoidable" and that there was proper oversight on the part of the group. However, they agreed that the movie would not be given the usual "No Animals Were Harmed"® credit at the end of the film.

"By all accounts the horses used by the movie "Flicka" were sturdy types, not delicate horses like Arabians or Thoroughbreds. Yet these horses met brutal deaths," commented Farrell. "I question whether or not it is a major conflict of interest when the organization responsible for monitoring an industry is supported by it."

This Sunday: Come up to the Cloisters!

2006-10-07T04:57:00.000+03:30

The 2006 Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park

Damn, that was fast!

2006-10-05T05:09:00.000+03:30

Wow, nearly two weeks has passed since the final weekend of Faire, and I’ve yet to write about it. This season went by faster than any other, and leaves me in need of tending to many things in the “real world!”

The final weekend began on Friday morning, when we presented our production of Henry V for the Middle School where Paul Freely teaches in the Bronx. A couple of our actors were not available, so Jen Freely and Shane Nugent filled in for the missing people. You would have never known they were new in the roles, they both were amazing. The kids received it quite well, reacting with such enthusiasm that it was evident that they really identified with what the characters were going through. It was a great opportunity to expose kids to Shakespeare the way it was meant to be – by live actors in performance, NOT stuffy academics.

My best out of five seasons was topped off by a visit from the legend that is Justin Thompson. Justin performed many seasons at the Faire, his last being my first, and is an astounding actor and exhilarating jouster. In fact, he trained our current jouster, Nick and was the inspiration for Rich. Well, both Nick and Rich got to do a couple of passes on the tilt yard with Justin, a very special occasion. The only thing I can compare what it must have been like for these two young men is if I got to act with Ian McKellen. To quote Cat, “Those were three happy boys!”

Having the deepest respect for Justin, it was quite an honor to receive the kind of praise I got from him, particularly in regard to my growth as an actor. When he told me that “Shakespeare would have smiled on what you did with the Dauphin in Henry V”, I cannot describe how good it felt to hear from a man I’ve always have the highest respect for as an actor and as a great man. I’m truly glad that he and his family traveled from California, where he now works as a cartoon artist, and was so pleased with the show we all gave.

I confess I did get a bit choked up when Robin presented the horse pendants to Al, Tyler, Anne and I for helping with the horses. It’s something I’ll proudly wear all the time.

But no actual tears were shed this year, as in the past. The Faire ended just when it should have, leaving me with a feeling of full satisfaction and an eagerness to find what is next in the long term for me. I’ve no idea what that is, but stay tuned…

Unmarked photos by Bob Peterson

Faire Photos 2006 by Ken Miller

2006-10-01T02:46:00.000+03:30

I am extremely delayed in getting to write my post about the final weekend of Faire. In the meanwhile, here are some photos taken by Ken Miller. I toured with Ken a few years ago in Moliere’s Bourgeois Gentleman, so I knew him as a gifted actor. This year, I learned what a gifted eye he has for live action shots. Click on the first photo to go to his website, and the second photo for his Flickr page. Enjoy!

Wow!

2006-09-21T06:38:00.000+03:30

Wow. I just don’t know where to begin to write about this past weekend at Faire. The weather forecast was pretty iffy, and I prayed that it would hold out as my family was coming on Saturday.

And those prayers were answered! The weather was gorgeous and my mother, sister, brother in law, and two nephews seemed to have a wonderful time. With the exception of my mom, it was everyone’s first time at the Faire, and they left wanting more. In fact, they’ve already decided that they want to come for two days next year. I’ve no idea of everything they saw, but they did get some video, so I guess I’ll find out! Many thanks to everyone who was there to help show them a wonderful time.

With my mom, (my sister is on the side)

With my nephews, Ryan and Shaun

Sunday provided a daunting challenge. Sometimes I choose not to camp overnight and instead take the cast bus home. Luckily, with the cast party happening Saturday night, I stayed at the Faire. Four of our cast members were not so lucky, for there some sort of problem that occurred with the bus, leaving them stranded in the city. Two of those cast members were in shows I am in.

But we pulled it off! Kate, whom I have already praised to the skies here, filled in for Judy in Henry V, playing Mistress Quickly. Never having seen the show or rehearsed, Kate nailed her performance as if she’d been doing it all along. I simply could not believe it!

The other person missing was Neill, who plays Arlecchino in Commedia. Our director, Lionel Ruland was the only person who could conceivably step in, in spite of the fact that he hadn’t seen the show since we opened. Not really being an Arlecchino “type”, we had Ron play the role. Lionel then stepped in the Pantalone role, normally played by Ron. Commedia, being essentially improvisational, lends itself to this kind of “fly by the seat of your pants” treatment, and I had a ton of fun. Lionel was a nervous wreck, but both he and Ron were brilliant!

Of course, Lionel being a stand up comic with his own Wrong Show at the Faire, in addition to performing with the Crimson Pirates, was certainly up to the task. He works incredibly hard to come up with a new show every week, while also running his own business, Bad Moo.

I encourage all Board Game, CCGers, RPGers, Video Gamers, & Comic Book Fans to help Lionel get his business going by making their next purcase online from his store here.

I was shocked and delighted when Ronnie, a regular patron and prolific photographer at the Faire gave me the gift of a t-shirt he made for me. I wore it home on Sunday, and will likely wear it out!

And now we approach the final weekend, and I’m already starting to miss it!

Faire Photos 2006 by David Anthony

2006-09-20T05:03:00.000+03:30

While I write of my adventures at Faire this past weekend, I ‘d thought I’d share just a few of the more than 300 photos taken by David Anthony, who plays Whaybered Wachit, Self Appointed Minister of Village Safety. It has become tradition for David to shoot portraits of the entire performance company each year. As you can see, in addition to being a brilliant actor and great friend, David is an incredibly gifted photographer. Please visit his website by clicking on any of the photos here. Enjoy!

David Anthony as Whaybered Wachit

Katherine Harte as Maid Marion

Paul Freely as Lord Burleigh and Anne Alford as Queen Elizabeth

Neill Robertson as Dr. Ben Bleedmore, Village Apothecary

Courtney Connolly as Penny Dreadful

Tim Ott as Guybrush Threepwood

Ryan Bono as Robin Hood

Christopher Leidenfrost as Sir Edward Courtenay

Cat Pedini as Merry Mirth

Me as Yorick the Jester, being walked by The Colonel

Wonderfully Weary

2006-09-14T04:12:00.000+03:30

It’s been said at the Faire, “The secret F*** you to an extra performance on Labor Day is that you one less day to recover.”

And boy, did that ring true this weekend! For the first half of the day on Saturday, my entire body felt like lead. Yes, it’s only two performances a week, but they take a lot out of a performer. Keep in mind that most shows run about two, maybe three hours – while a Faire day runs nine. So, it’s like cramming a week’s worth of performing into a couple of days. Personally, after a fairly light morning, I go from Commedia, run off stage (skipping curtain call) to jump over the Roselawn fence to serve on the Joust Ground Crew, and then back to the Sherwood Forest Stage with less than ten minutes to change my costume for Henry V. After that, I zip backstage to do my fight call for my next two fights, then onto the Chessboard to warm up the crowd. I then do what has been dubbed “the longest chessboard fight in the history of the Ren Faire”. I then leave the chessboard early and run to get the pony I ride to the Joust where I warm up that crowd, and then serve on the ground crew for the Royal Joust, which includes the ground fight. Finally I’m onto Pub Sing, where I dance like a fool.

Yes, it takes me the entire week to recover and gear up for the next performance weekend! So, with one less day to rest, as well as the restaurant “day job”, I caught myself a bit of an unpleasant summer cold.

Saturday morning, people were a bit excited, as the stars of Orange County Choppers came to the Faire and shot an episode of their show there. Never having my television on, I’d never heard of the show, but got that it was a fairly big deal. At one point, I just finished a bit with some people when I turn around and find a huge television camera in my face! I did something stupid and quick, I don't remember what. So, who knows, you may see me on a show about revved up motorcycles!

I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun performing as I do with Commedia. It seems now to be a competition to see who can crack who up on stage, and the audience enjoys it immensely. Neil Robertson has broken me on every single performance, with the exception of Saturday, when I proudly got him! Overall, the performance on Saturday had its ups and downs. Some jokes fell flat, but the ones that hit really hit. Sunday was on fire! I don’t remember ever performing for an audience with such consistent, sustained laughter throughout the entire performance. We, quite literally, had them rolling in the aisles!

During Saturday’s joust, some dark clouds began to roll over, causing some fear that the rain would once again ruin our day. Well, it did rain, but it time out so perfectly. Just before the ground fight it started to rain heavily, but not a downpour. So, there I was sword fighting in the rain. When the ground fight was over, the rain petered out. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so damn cool!

I received a wonderful surprise when my friends Jenelle and Kevin popped up in the streets! Jenelle is the beautiful woman I’m dancing with in the picture which won the photo contest last year. It was so wonderful to see them, as I’ve missed them both huge time this year. Sadly, they had to leave early, since Jenelle is a continuously working actor with a gig!

A friend scolded me over the weekend for writing negatively about myself in last week’s post. I didn’t mean to sound as though I’m too hard on myself, but I think that it’s important to be honest about my experience as a performer. I work hard to be as good at what I do as I can be, especially with Shakespeare, but I always want to raise the bar. There have been roles that I’ve done in which I was not good at all, as well as roles in which I’ve excelled. I believe it is essential to my growth as an artist to be able honestly assess where I’m at in any given performance. As the Dauphin in Henry V, I think it’s the best job I’ve done in a non comic classical role yet. Still, there are moments which I’d like to hit better than I do, and thus I am always working on the role. I am certainly enjoying the process, for the most part, but I do have my moments of self doubt, as I’m sure every artist does.

With that said, I have to write about how proud I am of my friend, Paul Freely. This man never set out to be an actor. He didn’t go to acting school, or study the great scholars of Shakespeare. Rather, he is a 20 year veteran on the US NAVY, who holds a Masters in History. He now teaches school in the Bronx. He did his first Shakespeare play but three years ago and acts once a year, not to pursue a career in theatre, but because he loves it and gets to do it during his free summers. Yet, he holds his own mightily with the best of seasoned, professional actors. While he initially struggled with lines more than most, his Shakespeare now trips off his tongue like a first language. His knowledge of history gives him a depth and understanding of what his character, as well as the entire play is about, which he imparts onto the rest of us. I love sharing the stage with him.

I’ve been asked to write about what I see in the children’s eyes when they come to the Faire. It’s difficult to speculate, for everyone’s perspective is unique, be they child or adult. But there was one little boy I ran into three or four times on Saturday, three year old Aidan. As huge as the Faire is to us grown ups, it must seem like an entire world to someone like Aidan. Every time I saw him, Aidan face was a bright, awe-filled, glowing smile. I tried to picture the whole experience through his eyes, at every turn a new, amazing site. Heroes like Robin Hood fighting the bad guys, pretty woman dancing, funny people doing silly things, horses, bears, live music at every turn, magicians, and a silly jester with a little donkey that you can pet only if you also pet the jester. I last saw him at the pony rides, where he was having such a thrill! There is no way I could ever describe his experience for him, but if you were to hear his little three year old laugh, I think you’d understand.

I’ll close this post with a big huzzah to my friend and fight partner, Peter Juris. At the end of the day Sunday, Peter checked his phone messages to discover that he has landed a job with the largest and most successful of American circuses, Ringling Bros. He’s earned it!

Remember

2006-09-11T20:57:00.000+03:30

As we take time to reflect and remember the events that occurred five years ago today, let us also take today as an opportunity to affirm our commitment to those heroes who stepped into the horror to do what needed to be done in the days, months and weeks after the attacks, and who now suffer serious health problems as a result. I have met, and even performed for some of these people, and I know they are real. Let us not compound the loss of that day by turning our backs on these men and women. I’m not sure what needs to be done for them at this point, but we need to do whatever it takes. America owes them at least as much.

Faire Warning: this one's a bit long!

2006-09-08T20:47:00.000+03:30

This past weekend started off miserably.

Saturday started with the threat of Hurricane Ernesto looming over us. It was cold, windy, with a constant drizzle and a 60% chance of pouring rain. As a result, attendance was more barren than I'd ever seen it, and we ended up closing early at 1 o'clock. I was particularly disappointed, as this was the second performance day in a row that got cut short.

I got a bit of a lift when I encountered my last Faire visitor of the day, a shivering little boy holding a hot chocolate to warm himself up. I chatted with him a bit and learned that his name was Noah. At this point, Yorick the Jester got pretty excited, "YOU'RE Noah?! OOOH, Are you finished?! GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"

So, I was glad to finish the day without missing a kid's giggle. His family assured me that they would return this coming weekend, and I'll have my eyes pealed!

So, having an early evening I went with some of the cast for dinner. Afterwards, I went with Kate, Nate, Christian and Johanna to a movie.

Then we got back to the campgrounds, where I had quite a miserable night. It was cold, damp, and dark. The batteries in my flashlight were dead. As I lay in my tent, attempting to feel comfortable, I decided to reach into my backpack for something. As my hand searched in the dark, I'd forgotten that my triple blade razor was in there and... well, it wasn't pretty. Without getting into too much detail, I'll just say that if I owed someone "a pound of flesh", I'd have at least the minimum balance. The worst thing about bleeding in the dark is not knowing how bad it is. God bless Peter Juris who found me in the dark looking for help and took good care of me. The EMTs of the Faire were wonderful the next day, as well, checking up on me regularly. Turns out I lived!

So, I got up after a miserable night for Sunday's performance. The day went well, although my body felt very tight for most of the day, in spite of my endless stretching every chance I got. It was only after my chessboard fight that I really felt loose and relaxed.

But Sunday brought an immeasurably happy occasion. Nathan Decoux, my friend of many years, even before Faire, whispered to me backstage during Henry V, "Today's the day!", and I was chilled with excitement!

Yes, Nathan proposed to his girlfriend, Kate Harte, who has also been a long time friend. It was the most beautiful proposal I have ever had the privilege to witness. Once I obtain a video clip, I will post it here. For now, this photo will have to do.

Nathan and Kate are such good people and the best kind of friends that anyone could ever hope to ask for. They have each been incredibly supportive of me, both personally and artistically. I could not be happier for them.

UPDATE: and here is the video!

Monday was an absolutely beautiful day and I was feeling good. We had the biggest crowds of the season with lots of little ones. It particularly tickled me to pass by quite a number of visibly pregnant women, to which I would approach and say, "Happy Labor Day!"

The one and only drawback that day for me was my inability to take my own advice. I've been known to tell friends (particularly performers) that it's natural and okay to care about what others think of them, as long as they didn't let it affect them in an unhealthy way. Well, there were a few friends who attended Henry V, who know their Shakespeare. Well, I took this as an opportunity to beat myself up after each of my scenes, rather than just enjoy what I was doing. The fact is that I grow with each thing I do, and give the best performance I can each time. Some days will be better than others, but I always give 100%. I really have no control over whether others approve or not. It would have been wiser and in my better interest to allow myself to enjoy the work I was doing in the moment and appreciate the support of my friends than to serve as my own Statler and Waldorf. I’ll get it someday.

An enormously heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to Beul-Aid 2. My eyes began to water as I passed the hat during Pub Sing, as I was so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity (I couldn't get around fast enough!). As a result, your donations, as well as profits from flag sales will not only help in the care of our Faire’s own horses, but we are able to give more than $500 to the International Fund for Horses, an organization I personally recommended and support, in memory of Beulah, for the rescue and intervention of abandoned and abused horses.

A special thank you goes out to Cat Pedini, who invented and organized this, which will hopefully become an annual event.

Of course, the profits from the pre-Joust flag sales will continue to benefit our horses. So, buy a flag, not only to support your favorite knight (the Red Knight, the Purple Knight, the Blue Knight, the Gold Knight or the Rainbow Knight!) but also to show your support for our horses.

And as if emotions weren’t running highly enough, the time then came to induct our newest jouster, Richard Daly III, officially into the Silver Knights Joust team. This is Rich’s first year as a full fledged jouster, and he is doing wonderfully. His story is particularly special, for when we was but a little boy, his parents brought him to the Faire, and when the joust ended, jouster Justin Thompson picked young Rich out of the crowd and handed him a piece of his broken lance. Ever since then, it’s been a dream of Rich’s to do this, a dream he fulfilled with grace and humility, and a never ending and fearless desire to learn and raise the bar for himself. He has a great fight on the Chessboard, and even landed a role on a History Channel special on his very first audition ever! Yet, with all that he has achieved, not a trace of ego can be found from this fine young man. I am surely not alone in saying that it has been an enormous privilege and honor to see him grow so enormously over the past few years.

So, a weekend that started miserably ended magnificently, and one that will remain in my memory for a long long time.

Beul-Aid 2

2006-09-01T20:35:00.000+03:30

In memory of Beulah, the wonderful horse I had the pleasure to ride in previous years, we will be raising funds this weekend to benefit our equine friends. To further explain what we are doing, the following is a post from Cat Pedini, who is organizing Beul-Aid 2:

For those of you who never had the privilege of knowing her, Beulah was one of the horses we used to have at fair. She used to carry the queen in the morning parade, and hung out in the petting zoo the rest of the time. She was truly one of the gentlest, sweetest animals you would ever care to meet. She sustained an injury last year, and despite everyone's best efforts, she alas had to be put down. Those efforts took the form of what I call Beul-Aid, a fundraiser that we did that weekend to raise money to pay for her surgery and take some of the burden off her owner. We passed the hat during the fair day and at the pub sing, and we managed to raise (if I remember correctly) over $1100.

Beulah is gone, but her memory is with us and will always be. We still have horses that need care, and there are lots of other horses in the world who could benefit from our patrons' generosity. Now, the powers that be (Lionel, Chris, Doug) have graciously allowed us to have the First Annual Beulah Memorial Appeal, or Beul-Aid Two, to raise money -- half for our animals, and half for Fund For Horses, a charity which focuses on horses in need. We will be passing the hat at this Monday's pub sing. First, i will need a couple of volunteers to do the hat passing, and most importantly, I will need vocal support. This is a song I wrote last year just for kicks, which we actually got to perform once with Beulah in attendance (big horse at the pub sing, it was great). Then we did it again when we passed the hat in her honour, and it will serve us again now. I don't care if you need to print out the lyrics and have cheat sheets, I realise it is kind of short notice. It will be the Wyrd Sister spot for Monday, but everyone is encouraged to sing along.

Thank you!
Cat

To the tune of Lola, by The Kinks

I met her at the FitzWalter petting zoo
Where the sheep and ponies hang out in the shade where its cooler
C-O-O-L cooler
She stood in her pen and she blocked out the sun
I asked them her name and then Mike the squire, he said Beulah
B-U-L-A, Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah

Well Im not too up on my horses and breeds
But you would think a longer tail is what she needs
Oh my Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah
Well I'm not dumb but I can't understand
Why she seems twice the size of an average sedan
Oh my Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah

Well to shlepp the queens her greatest feat
Otherwise all she does is eat
She lets the kids come pet her on the nose
Dont ask her to joust cause shes too damn slow
Well Im not afraid to climb up on her back
But I would fall for an hour if I ever fell off my Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah
Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah
I shook on the reins
I told her to run
I felt really dumb
Im ignored totally
And heres what she seemed to say to me

I dont mean to seem like I cut you no slack
But you know that youre just a fly on my back, says the Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah
I know joust horses have to do what you say
But to me youre no more than the one who brings hay to the Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah

Well I left home just a week before
And I never ever rode a Belgian before
But Beulahs never in a cranky mood
Like shes nothing more than a big quaalude

Well I know shes more than enough horse to share
And I know shes the darling of the whole damn fair
Thats our Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah

Photos by David Anthony

Performer of the Day!

2006-08-31T02:07:00.000+03:30

Well, this past weekend was dark, cloudy, wet, and short. Yet, I feel good about it.

When I woke up Saturday morning to the sound of pouring rain, I knew that attendance would be low at the Faire, and it was. The bright side of this is the fact that the people who are there really love this place and give us incredible support and appreciation, which makes performing for them a ton of fun. I think I gave my best performance yet in Henry V, which was very satisfying, in spite of the fact that there were few people to see it. I particularly love being on stage with Steve Kraus, who plays The Duke of Exeter (and Little John throughout the day). In my first scene as The Dauphin, he gives me so much to work with, which propels me into just where I need to be for the entire play.

The slow weekend did allow me to see some of my fellow cast members do their thing. Not that I didn’t already know, but it’s astounding to see how much talent there is at the Faire! My friend Kate Harte very much impressed me as Maid Marion. She gives her character so much inner life, that one can instantly and easily recognize Robin Hood’s love interest as one brought up with proper courtly manner, but can handle herself physically when she has to; a very feminine lady who’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. And what’s hotter than that, right guys?!

Every morning, at company notes, two things in particular happen. First, Rob Pedini, the Improvisation Director and Chris DeTroy, the Creative Director announce the “Performer of the Day” in which they honor a performer they deem outstanding. Well, on Sunday Rob got up and told of a particular performer – some incredibly nice things were said, and as I looked around trying to figure out who it might be, he announced MY name! I must say that it is indeed an honor, and feels incredibly good, to be recognized. However, when I look around at this year’s astounding cast, finding not a weak link in our entire ensemble, I also recognize that for every actor given this honor, at least two others do not who deserve to.

The other thing that happens is that we are given a “Daily” - usually invented by Chant Macleod, who plays the Sheriff of Nottingham. A “Daily” is what new and different thing is occurring in the shire that day (last week we had Valentine’s Day, another day we had a village with a gambling problem). Sunday, it was that the entire shire had been up partying the entire night before, and that each person was hung-over, still drunk, or totally sober and embarrassed by their neighbors.

This brought out an entirely different side of Yorick the Jester (never to be seen again), who entered in the parade with a horrible headache, asking each person he passed by to “keep it down”. I would approach little giggling children asking if they had any coffee. My favorite improv moment was when I interacted with Dan O’Driscol and Anne Alford who play Sir Robert Dudley and Queen Elizabeth, which went as follows:

Yorick (in drunken stupor): Hello Queen!

Queen Elizabeth: Yorick…

Yorick: Hello Dudley!

Dudley: Yes, Yorick…

Yorick: (now hanging on Dudley’s shoulder) You know, Dudley…. YOU are my best friend! You are my favorite person in the whole court!

Dudley: (smiling politely) And you are my favorite fool…

Yorick: (patting Dudley on back) OH come on Dudley! You’ve got to have some self love! Here, I’m going to help you with your self esteem… just look in the mirror and say, “I LOVE YOU BURLIEGH!”

Then Anne, as the Queen, let out a laugh – which is a quite a feat to have happen – for Anne is the consummate professional, nearly impossible to break!

Yorick: (looking at Queen, confused) What’s so funny, Queen?!

Queen: Oh, thou art as charming as ever, Yorick.

Dudley: I think you’ve…..

Yorick: I think I’ll go have a nap…

At which point I went backstage for a break and reemerged quite normal, explaining to confused and frightened “Yorick fans” that I just drank 24 cups of coffee, and am now back to normal. I walked around and interacted with various patrons, until about one o’clock, all the while dark clouds looming above us and rain starting and stopping. Then I went to get ready for Commedia, when it began to pour. Now, I actually enjoy performing in the rain, especially fights (for the “cool” factor!), but it was coming down quite hard. In fact, word got back to us that the first chessboard got cancelled for safety reason, and that the first joust would likely not happen, either. Shortly before we were to perform Commedia, security came around and informed us that the Faire was closed. So, that was it.

In spite of the day being cut short, I still felt quite satisfied and happy. It rained continuously for the remainder of the day, and into the next. Now, we gear up for a three performance weekend into Labor Day Monday. Hopefully, the weather will be nice by then. I can’t wait!

Photos by Rob Pivarnik

Renaissance Romance

2006-08-23T03:27:00.000+03:30

Last week, I had a rough time in the “real world”. I got myself so upset by reacting to all of the ignorance, bigotry, and apathy around me. And what changed? Only my peace of mind.

So, I was very much looking forward to this weekend’s adventures at The Faire, and I was not disappointed. Love and friendship was in abundance.

Saturday was declared Valentine’s Day in the Shire of Sterling. Valentines were passed, through patrons, from character to character and it proved to be enormous fun. References to Valentine’s Day and amorous love were included in improv shows, and the rose sellers had some big business.

Some familiar faces were there, as well. A very large number of former cast members brought us extremly postive energy, and it was wonderful to see them all. I hope they will return for at least one other day!

For the first time, I’m actually somewhat satisfied with my work in a dramatic role in a Shakespeare play. I play The Dauphin, the smarmy French nemesis to King Henry V. While I still have moments I’d like to fulfill more, I am actually having fun being a little snot!

Commedia seems to have its great days, along with days which seem to go a bit more flat. This show is partly scripted, and partly improvisational, and it’s incredibly difficult to keep fresh. I’m learning that jokes that went well for one performance do not necessarily work a second time. It takes a lot of bravery to take such risks, but it certainly pays off when things go well.

Now that I’m more comfortable with my performance schedule, I’ve been able to take advantage of the street time I have. Most of it is in the morning, which works out perfectly, as that is when most of the young children are attending the Faire. I found myself acting rather silly, and at one point found myself surrounded by what seemed to be 15 – 20 little ones!

One of our new cast members this year, Christian Erickson, was a long time patron and fan of the Faire. He shared with me earlier in the rehearsal process that, although he had performed at other faires, he was nervous about performing at ours - as it is held in such high esteem. Well, Christian has proven to be one of this year’s greatest assets, and among my favorite people to be around, both as a performer and as a fascinating guy with a great, giving spirit. He’s an outstanding stage combatant, and a generous performer. He does flips, contact juggling, and even spins fire for the wonderful Joust Spectacular. On the campgrounds, he brings cases of Guinness and Harp’s beer which he shares with everyone, only asking for camaraderie and fellowship in return. So, it was with great delight that I learned that he was to propose to his girlfriend, Johanna, on the chessboard during the performance on Sunday. I was unable to see it first hand, but the cheers from the crowd could be heard throughout the 35 acre shire! Thankfully, there is YouTube! After all of the fights were done, The Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Chant Macleod, announced that there would be one more fight. He had the guards pull Johanna from the stands, she was handed a weapon enormously larger than herself, when Christian, as one of the Sheriff’s Guards – Bull, stepped up to do combat…

Truly a class act!

So, at the end of the day Sunday, I realized how much I have to be happy about. It seems that all of the people who are important to me are happy, in love and doing well, both in and out of faire, near and far. I am surrounded by so many wonderful people who hold such infectious joy, it puts the events that got me so upset last week into perspective, and makes me realize that they are nothing worth fretting about.

At the end of the day Sunday, I was walking off to the closing gate, soaked with sweat, my legs shaking with exhaustion and my voice nearly gone, when a woman approached me and said how much her children adored me, and what a great time they had. I can think of no better feeling.

What a Wonderful World

2006-08-15T06:50:00.000+03:30

This is my favorite rendition of this song. While certainly not Renaissance, it expresses my contentment after this weekend at Faire perfectly. If I can get it on mp3, I’d love to put a Faire photo slideshow to it.

This past weekend was one of the most perfect I've ever had! I kinda felt I had a rough start this season, but it all seems to be coming together.

It started on Friday, where I spent the better part of the day at the stables, where the Faire houses the horses. There, I worked with Puppet, the pony I am riding this year. He's a very sweet animal and a fairly easy ride, although when in front of a crowd with loud music, he is still a bit nervous. I was going to ride him while holding a lance and shield, but discovered that he has not been trained in neck reigning, so I may have to forgo the lance. One of the horse trainers, Alyssa, has been working extensively with Puppet and he is getting more and more comfortable. For the time being, I haven't been riding solo, but having Alyssa lead Puppet while I ride. We're getting there!

While at the stables, I also became acquainted with The Colonel – a three month old miniature donkey! The Colonel is the cutest little thing you'll ever see, and he was following me around like a little puppy! So, I decided to walk him around a bit at the Faire, much to the children's delight. He, too, was a bit freaked out by the crowds, and was a bit difficult to walk on Saturday ("He's a stubborn little mule. Just like thy last boyfriend, right miss?!") But on Sunday, he was much more at ease. In fact, he got to not only walking me, but running through the entire shire with an out of control Jester dragging behind him. I'm sure it was quite an amusing sight.

The most difficult thing about playing the Jester is the pressure felt to always be funny. I know I’m bound to fall on my face, so I’ve often gotten around this by making the fact that I’m not funny, funny. This past weekend, I found myself coming up with funny things more than usual. It’s like I’m finally starting to relax and have fun and not worry about it so much, which makes things so much easier. Part of this is due to the work we are doing in the Commedia show, which is the most fun I have the entire day. We seem to have really bonded as a cast, and I am honored to share the stage with Ron Nicholson, David Anthony, Courtney Connolly, and Neill Robertson, with Erika Lieberman providing music and sound effects. A good deal of what I find funny is rooted in the fact that, as a child, I regularly watched The Carol Burnett Show, and would convulse with such laughter that I would wake up my father, who was upstairs sleeping. This cast has uncovered that same joy in me, and twice on Sunday it was difficult to go on with the show as laughter (thanks to Neill!) overtook me and made me break a la Harvey Korman! The audience was quite tickled by it. This type of comedy allows for such improvisational spontaneity and occasional break from character which gives me a freedom that stays with me the entire day. I am so grateful to be a part of this show.

Saturday night, we sat around the campfire while Rick Nestler delightfully entertained us under the stars with his music...as I went to sleep, I said to myself “What a wonderful world...”

Another opening, another Faire

2006-08-08T05:35:00.000+03:30

Well, another faire season is well underway! I feel as if concrete has been poured all over me, hardened, and then dropped from a tall building; and yet, I also feel great! Many thanks to all those who made it a point to tell me that you read my blog. I very much enjoy writing here, and am glad to have people who like reading it.

Friday was our dress rehearsal for Henry V. It was a bit rocky, but we got through it. Due to time constraints, the scene in which I spoke French got cut. I really didn't mind at all, for it was the director's concept to have the Dauphin as the French Soldier, which didn't seem to work so well in the end. Not to mention that I don't think my French was as up to par as I would have liked.

I then spent the rest of Friday evening touching up my costume and props for the weekend. Last year, I upgraded my costume by purchasing my own shoes from Son of Sandlar. This year, I added some color to them, and bought my own shirt from House of Dra, which is extremely comfortable.

As usual, there were some logistical obstacles to overcome this weekend, especially with our Chessboard fight. But with the help of our Fight Captain, Robin, it all got worked out. (Turns out you were right, Peter!) Personally, I didn't feel the fight went all that well, but the feedback we got was quite positive.

Turns out the most fun I had over the weekend was performing in the Commedia Del Arte show. It took us a bit of time on Saturday to get used to having an audience, but Sunday simply rocked. The audience laughed at everything we did! This show is part scripted and part improvisation, which is not my strongest suit, but in this structure, as well as being on stage with such gifted cast mates, it comes much more easily. Even the mistakes we made were turned into little “in jokes” with the audience, which they seemed to really get a kick out of! Unfortunately, I have to skip the curtain call, in order to make it on time for my next show.

Just before Court Dance, little Ariel found me and made my day! To get my attention, she would call me “boyfriend” which was so endearing. It was amazing to find so many little children who remembered me from previous years, and made it a point to find me! That alone is what makes this job so important to me.

The pony I was to ride as the Rainbow Knight will not be at the Faire this year, but I have another one to ride, named Puppet. We decided I shouldn't ride him this weekend, as he was new to the Faire and had to get his bearings. I'll be going up to the stables this Friday to work with him. So instead, I went to the Joust Field asking various ladies if they would be my horse so I could ride them. A former cast member, Beth Anne, was there and volunteered. So, I brought her onto the field, hopped on her back, and rode her with my lance in shield in hand! Nick Allen, who plays Allen a' Dale, picked up a shield for me to hit, and the audience was roaring! The next day, I rode Judy Shaw, to the same effect. Many thanks to Beth, Judy, and Nick!

So far, this is promising to be a very enjoyable year!

Photos by Michael Ulrich

Faire 2006

2006-08-02T00:51:00.000+03:30

Well, this weekend we open yet another season of the New York Renaissance Faire, and I once again will be playing Yorick the Court Jester! I’m also performing in a new Commedia Del Arte show, and what I think is the best non – comic role I’ve had the opportunity to play in a Shakespeare play. So, here’s where you can find me when you come...

10:00 Opening Gate Welcome

10:20 Morning Procession @ Roselawn Tournament Field

10:30 Queens Morning Address @ Silver Swan Stage

12:00 Court Dance @ Maypole Meadow

1:30 Commedia Del Arte @ Sherwood Forest Stage

2:00 Gaming Joust @ Roselawn Tournament Field

2:30 - 4:00 Shakespeares Henry V @ Sherwood Forest Stage

5:00 The Royal Chess Game @ Chess Board

5:30 - The Rainbow Knight rides again @ Roselawn Tournament Field

6:00 Royal Joust @ Roselawn Tournament Field

6:30 Pub Sing @ Pageant Wagon Stage

Other shows to see are Chaucer’s Wife of Bath, The Crown Madrigals, SPLAT Family Theatre, 3 Pints Shy, The Crimson Pirates, The Wyrd Sisters, The Mudd Brothers, The Birds of Prey Show, and much much more! So, come to the Faire and have a blast. Stay tuned right here for updates of my weekly adventures!

Fight!

2006-07-15T01:04:00.001+03:30

Press play!

The countdown 'till opening day of the Faire has begun! I'm now spending nearly every day of the week in rehearsal.

Last weekend, we started on site rehearsals, which were entirely devoted to fights. I had no idea I'd be so busy! Have you ever felt simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated? That's what two full days of Stage Combat in the hot sun does to me!

We started by staging the big ground fight that breaks out at the end of the Final Joust. Our Fight Director, Dan O'Driscoll, approached this huge battle first by letting each actor/combatant choose the weapons they'd like to fight with, pending his approval. I chose Sword and Buckler.

He then divided the field by good guys and bad guys. After matching fight partners that were necessary for the story (ie. Robin Hood must fight the Sheriff of Nottingham), he then created traffic patterns for the charge, thus matching fighters naturally. Rather than choreograph twenty or so fights, Dan let the more experienced fighters put together their own fights, again pending his approval. I ended up fighting Ross Crain, who plays Don Juan. Ross was fighting with a single handed Broadsword, a much larger and heavier weapon than either of the two in my hands!

It became clear to me that neither the sword in my right hand nor the small shield in my left would be affective defensive weapons. So, we worked out choreography in which all but two of my defensive moves are dodging out the the way of his sword, and both of my weapons are used primarily to attack the man towering over me. Who wins? Come to the Final Joust and watch to the left of the dais to find out!

Then we moved on to the fights in our Shakespeare production, Henry V. This is Shakespeare's quintessential play about war, thus is very battle heavy. My character is pretty much a non combative role, but does engage in violence. So my fight work load is lighter here, but I didn't get to rest entirely.

Then, we went onto putting together The Living Chess Game! Here, I take on two opponents. I have been honored to be matched up with two comic geniuses, Peter Juris, and Christopher Leidenfrost, two of the most consistently working actors I know. Peter doing many clown and stunt shows, Christopher in many musicals. In fact, Chris's initial audition for the faire didn't go very well, but when he returned as a patron dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow, with a dead on character impersonation, he was immediately discovered by Cat Pedini, who incorporated him into one of her shows. It wasn't long before he was unprecedentedly welcomed into the cast, constantly revealing his many talents.

Christopher

Peter

So, my old friend Nathan DeCoux, who I studied stage combat with back in 1999-2000, had the task of putting together a wild and wacky fight between a Jester, a Mud Beggar, and an insane Court Gentleman, only recently let out of The Tower. Let's just say we're having a ton of fun, and we hope the audience will, too. (We've labeled it the “WTF Fight!”)

I still have one more fight to put together, which is in the Commedia Del Arte show! It's a short, comic fight which will probably get done this weekend, among other things.

So, I'm off to another weekend of rehearsals on site, and another week in the studio!

Forty Years!

2006-06-25T18:57:00.000+03:30

Today, my parents, Gloria Jean Petrillo Martin and Cary Patrick Martin, Sr., mark their anniversary of forty years together in marriage. I wish I could be home to partake in the planned celebration, but life calls me elsewhere; my heart and spirit are with them.

What makes forty years so particularly special for this couple, my mom and dad? Well, this day did not come easily for them. In fact, I see many couples today who do not last nearly as long after experiencing only a fraction of the hardships they have. I am very proud to say that they embody the definition of "for better or worse". Through their example, they have shown me the prize of perseverance and loyalty, which I try to emulate in all of my relationships, whether they be romantic, friendly, or professional.

I have also seen, through their example, the full powers of forgiveness, generosity, and humility-

Forgiveness not only for each other and those they love, but also for those who've caused them pain- whether through "family drama", by strangers whose afflictions changed our lives forever, or for themselves.

Generosity towards those not as fortunate are they are. They are a shining beacon of light for anyone, especially young people, feeling their way through darkness. And as much as they give, they are clearly enriched tenfold; giving proof to my belief that to give and receive are one in the same.

Humility. It takes a great amount of courage and strength to look inward and face one's own weakness. I did not grow up in a perfectly healthy home, but as I grow older I have come to realize that I was even more privileged to have witnessed both of my parents, both together and individually, facing their inner demons and healing their own and each other's wounds.

Had all things been perfect, I would not have had the basis on which to look within myself and know that whatever pain I am feeling, whatever shortcomings I face, and whatever obstacles I must climb, I am still a whole, good person, deserving of love. They have also taught me not to take the good times for granted, for there are always those less fortunate and in pain, in need of comfort. Through them I know that standing by, without enabling or judging , those you care about has enormous rewards.

All of this they have shown through the example of their lives together, which is far more powerful than any words that I can write, or anyone can utter.

So, today I thank God for them, and ask that they continue to be blessed in all of their remaining years together.

Happy anniversary, mom and dad!

Commitment to Kids

2006-06-12T06:36:00.000+03:30

Rehearsals for the New York Renaissance Faire 2006 season are currently underway! This promises to be a very exciting year. I, once again, will be playing Yorick the Court Jester. Lots of things are in the works for me, including a great role in Shakespeare's Henry V, a new Commedia Dell'Arte show, and some other stuff not entirely finalized. As time permits, I will write about each show before we open. Of course, I will make sure I have plenty of down time to walk the street and interact with the children!

A little more than a couple of weeks ago, we performed our annual School Days production, when kids are bussed in from several schools to experience a scaled down version of the Faire. We performed for them The Living Chess game, an armored Joust, live music, interactive improvisation, and much excitement normally seen on a Faire day. Many of these kids would not otherwise see a live performance, pet a horse, or even breath fresh air. I even had a group of kids follow me the entire day to everything I did. They actually thought I was cool!

After getting home, I made my visits to various friends' blogs where Gfunk Era brings our attention to this very emotional video clip:

As much as this touched me, I was even more moved when I realized that I was only a month and a half away from my second birthday when Fred Rogers made this testimony. This makes me one of the children Mr. Rogers was referring to that day, one of the children he was fighting to make a difference for. And he did make a difference, for I used to watch his program daily and it did a lot, in a very positive way, to shape the person I would become.

In the synchronicity of all these events and more, I hear a very clear message: My job as an actor, particularly as the Jester of the NY Renaissance Faire, is not a trivial one. It is an important one where I get the opportunity to interact with children (of all ages) and make a difference in their lives, thus carrying on (in my small corner of the world) the legacy of Fred Rogers, and others like him; Bob Keeshan, Jim Henson, and others.

Even in performances not specifically geared toward actual children, it is the inner child I must perform not only to, but with. For that is where imagination lies, miracles are made, and empowered people are grown. Mr. Roger’s message needs to be heard by all of us, from time to time, throughout our lives.

Thank you Fred Rogers. See you at the Faire.

The First of Me

2006-06-02T04:19:00.000+03:30

This song means so much to me. Pursuing my life as an actor, it is exactly the biggest issue I deal with when putting myself out there to find work. Hoobastank empowers and inspires me, both professionally and personally, with this song, which has instantly become my favorite. Just press play!

I must make a choice
A tough decision
Listen to my voice
Should I give in
To temptation, admiration
One leads to myself
The other someone else
Just an empty shell
Just an empty shell

It's harder than it seems
When you're told that
All your hopes and dreams
Are yours to hold if
You just give them
What's expected
Something they can sell
Put upon a shelf
But I am not for sale
I am not for sale

I here a voice inside
It's grown into a scream
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me
'cause I can't live the lie
I am just what you see
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me

If I can't refuse
The prize they offer
I am sure to lose
And I will suffer
Sell my soul to make a profit
All I have to do
Is make believe it's true
That's something I can't do
That's something I can't do

I here a voice inside
It's grown into a scream
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me
'cause I can't live the lie
I am just what you see
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me

Oohhhh ohhhhh.
I am the first of me...

Oohhhh ohhhhh.
I am the first of me!

So when the waiting's done
And it’s time to face the truth
You know your good enough
Deep down inside of you
You've finally woken up
If only just to prove
You were born to lead the way
And be the first of you

Shakespeare's Birthday

2006-04-23T20:32:00.001+03:30

I count myself in nothing else so happy
As in a soul remembering my good friends

-Richard II

Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;
And this our life exempt from public haunt
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones and good in every thing.

-As You Like It

A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears;
see how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark in thine ear: change places, and handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?

-King Lear

If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It's Greek to me", you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger, if your wish is father to the thought, if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise - why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then - to give the devil his due - if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I were dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then - by Jove! O Lord! Tut, tut! for goodness' sake! what the dickens! but me no buts - it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.

- Bernard Levin

Hoobastank

2006-04-20T03:52:00.000+03:30

Most people who know me well enough to know my musical tastes, know that as eclectic as my preferences are, I don't generally go for popular modern rock type music. In fact, until last Thursday, I had never been to a live rock concert for a major band. However, there is one band that I am practically obsessed with, for which I love every single song they do – Hoobastank. Not only is their music catchy and pleasant to the ears, but their lyrics are positive, optimistic, and full of raw honesty; ones which I not only feel a connection with, but have used as a source of strength, comfort, self acceptance, and empowerment.

So when I got the fan newsletter stating that Hoobastank was doing a “fan appreciation tour”, in which they would be touring in smaller venues for FREE and would be here in New York City, I got pretty excited! I attempted to get a few friends who also appreciated their music to go with me, but no one was able to. So I went with myself. I tell ya, if I could go back in time, I wouldn't even try to find anyone to go with, as I had the time of my life! In fact, I cannot remember when I last had such a good time.

This was clearly a concert for hard-core fans, as there were only a few hundred people. I got a place standing right near the front of the stage, on the side near the speaker. Now, other than performing, I usually tend to be too self conscious to dance in public, but as the lights dimmed and the first song started, exactly on time, the bombastic chords of Pieces and shouts of

TURN AROUND AND PICK UP THE PIECES!!!

began blissfully pounding through my entire body; there was no holding back. I just effortlessly moved with the music- completely free. It seems appropriate that I should let go of my inhibitions with this band, whose lyrics include:

I'm not afraid to let it out
I'm gonna show you how I feel
I'm not afraid to let it out
I don't care if you don't like it!

With so many songs speaking against being judgmental and dismissive and singing up for individual worth and expression, how could I hold back from being and enjoying myself completely? And enjoy myself completely is what I did!

They also performed a few new songs from their upcoming CD. The one that stood out most for me was the one that the lead singer, Doug, introduced as his favorite, The First of Me - I instantly knew why, as I had an instant deep affinity with it myself. I looked online for the lyrics, and found partial ones which a fellow fan had transcribed...

It's harder than it seems
when you're told that
all your hopes and dreams
are yours to hold
if you just give them
what's expected
something they can sell
or put on a shelf
but I am not for sale
I am not for sale.

I hear a voice inside
it's grown into a scream
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me.
'Cause I can't live a lie
I am just what you see
I'm not the next of them
I am the first of me.

Trust me, I'll be listening to that one a lot. It's clear to me that these guys have dealt with many of the same things in life as I have, for every song rings so true for me.

After the concert, the band members did a “meet and greet”. I've met more than my share of celebrities, and never have I asked for an autograph. These guys were the exception. While they were brief, they enthusiastically engaged each person. I started with the new bass player, Josh Moreau, lightheartedly asking how the guys were treating the “new guy” and he kidded that they're nice “sometimes”. Then on to lead guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hess, and finally the lead singer, Doug Robb. As Doug signed my poster, I said, “your music makes me feel so good - thank you.” He gave a genuine smile of appreciation, said “thank you”, and as I began to walk away, warmly said, “it makes me feel good too.” Usually I'd wonder if my comment was a bit cheesy, but as much of their music is all about being open and telling those who make a difference to you that you appreciate them, it felt good to let them know.

I went home so ecstatically happy and pumped, I didn't sleep a wink all night. I must confess to being a tad starstruck. Hoobastank gave such a joyful and generous performance, and didn't ask for a thing in return. If I, as an actor (and as a person), can make others feel as good as they did me, I will know I've made it.

The person who took this video was just in front of me!

I'm Glad You're Here

2006-04-09T05:31:00.000+03:30

I have recently been babysitting the child of a couple of my friends, a little boy of 21 months. He's a ton of fun to spend time with. The only words he says so far are “uh-oh”, “wow”, “orange”, and his most used, “again”.

One night, he was very tired and indicated that he wanted to go to bed. However, his routine requires him to be nursed by his mother before he can go to sleep. With mommy not there, there was not much to be done for him. So, I picked him up, sat on the couch, and held him while he buried his head in my shoulder and cried for quite some time. Suddenly, he lifted his head and abruptly stopped crying. He reached his hands out to my face, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. He then put his head back down and resumed crying. I learned so much in that one moment. This little child, unable to say the words, very clearly communicated to me, “I know you can't give me what I need, but I'm glad you're here.”

The next time I watched him, and he indicated that he was ready to go to bed, I simply picked him up, took him to the couch and held him. He didn't cry at all this time. He just rested his head on my shoulder, while I hummed, “I'll Take You Dreaming” from The Court Jester. When I finished, he said, “Again!”, so I sang it again. When mommy and daddy came home, he was nearly fast asleep.

I recently encountered a difficult bump in the road in my life, as well. My faith in God allowed me to know that things would work out, but nevertheless it wasn't easy. I communicated to some of my friends that I was going through a rough time, but I didn't go into detail about what was going on. I simply asked for their prayers and good wishes. Well, the responses of support I received was overwhelming. Every time I checked my email or other messages, there was a message full of love and support from a different person. Even a friend I had recently lost my temper with embraced me with words of comfort and caring. Never have I felt so loved by so many. Just like the baby, I knew that my friends could not give me what I needed, but I'm glad they were there.

I've not always had such an abundance of wonderful people in my life. In fact, I would often behave in ways that pushed good people out of my life. It hurt me more than I can ever put into text, but I had no idea then what I was doing to create the reality I had for myself. Of course, over the years, I've had some revelations and awakenings, and have worked hard to change my unhealthy patterns. I've even begun to communicate with friends I had lost. They are still, understandably, cautious in dealing with me. For with time and distance being factors, the only mental reference they have of me is the way they knew me then. I am grateful that they have been at least open to giving me a chance.

Of course, there are times when I falter and start to revert to some of my old patterns. I can only hope and pray that the people in my life, myself included, understand that I am only human, and as much as I make the effort, I will never be perfect. I have found it important, in fact essential, to understand boundaries. To set them myself, and adhere to what is set by others. At the same time, it is unhealthy for me to always second guess my actions, walk on eggshells, or to hold myself and others to unreasonable standards.

I love and admire my friends more than words can express. The warmth I feel in my heart when I think of them is immeasurable. Yet, there are times when I will fall short in my communication, or annoyingly over communicate(thus smoldering any chance for reciprocation). There are times when my friends will misunderstand me, become annoyed with me, or outright pissed off at me, and I will likewise with them. I can only ask that they remember to forgive me during these times, and ask myself to remember to forgive them as well. For, if we open our eyes, ears, and hearts, it is evident as to who wishes nothing but the greatest good for us. The rest of the baggage – the hurt feelings, the misunderstandings, the anger, the mistakes of the past, all the things that hold us back from our true, loving selves, can be discarded if we are simply willing to so choose. I see every experience as an opportunity to either grow or berate myself or someone else. Since I define myself by the choices I make, I’d like to always go for what makes me feel good about myself.

Most importantly, it is important for me to love and forgive myself when I fall short of my own expectations, rather than allow myself to feel like crap. I have now moved into a new apartment with a determination to surround myself with things that make me feel good, to live a physically/mentally/spiritually healthier life, and to let go of the things I have no control over and let God deal with them.

The work is never done. I have come far, with a long journey ahead of me. I am better every day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T18:12:00.000+03:30

‘Tis me favorite holiday! Today, I’ll be celebrating my heritage, culture, faith, and all things Irish with great music, literature, dancing, story telling and general blarney. Oh yes, and we’ll be continuing the tradition begun by good ol’ Charlie Mops!

My ancestors came to America, worked hard digging out the Erie Canal. What they passed down to me was a hard work ethic, a gift for eloquent storytelling, and a pretty hot temper! Today I give thanks for them.

This St. Patrick’s Day is particularly special, because I will be celebrating it with my friends Robbie and Maya, who were officially engaged this year on their trip to Ireland!

So…

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!

To learn of St. Patrick and the history of this day, watch the video HERE

Alas, poor Yorick!

2006-03-02T09:13:00.000+03:30

"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool."

--William Shakespeare

I gotta see this!

2006-02-19T09:33:00.000+03:30

I just found out that my favorite actor will be doing my all time favorite play at the Royal Shakespeare Company next year! I’ll be saving my money, because I certainly cannot miss this!

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks!
You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,
Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts,
Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder,
Strike flat the thick rotundity o' the world!
Crack nature's molds, all germens spill at once
That make ingrateful man!

Here's Johnny!

2006-02-15T07:50:00.000+03:30

Johnny Weir placed 2nd in the Men’s Olympic Short Program with a score of 80.00!

His spins are some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen a human being do!

No matter what happens at Thursdays Free Skate, medal or no medal, Johnny has made America proud!

Watch his Short Program HERE

Update 2.16:

In his first Olympic competition, Johnny earned 5th place. If this seems disappointing, it shouldn’t. In his first two National competitions, he placed 6th and 5th then, and later went on to win three Gold medals in a row!

If scoring had been solely on artistic merit, he would have ranked on top, along with Jeffrey Buttle.

Stay tuned. We’ll be seeing more of Johnny Weir!

2.25- Just found this from the 2005 National Championships. Enjoy!

Honor Deferred

2006-02-12T07:41:00.000+03:30

The History Channel just aired a very moving and important documentary about The Medal of Honor finally being bestowed upon African-American soldiers in WW II, in 1997 – more than 50 years after the war ended.

I’m very proud to have three good friends involved in this outstanding and quintessentially patriotic program; Clark McCasland, serving as the Assistant director, Brian Morvant as an American Soldier, and Robbie L. Taylor as Vernon Baker, the only African-American veteran to receive the Medal of Honor while still living.

I highly recommend this program, which can be ordered HERE.

Called out by Foamy!

2006-02-11T22:25:00.000+03:30

Well, here I’ve been so tickled that every time someone calls me on my cell phone, I hear the delightful tones of Mozart’s Magic Flute.

Well, after checking out Master Foamy’s latest rants, I kinda think I should change it!

Olympic Bound!

2006-01-15T08:00:00.000+03:30

Back in 2001-2002, while I was touring, we'd have very early days and long hours of travel. One of my favorite things to do when getting to our hotel at night was turning on and watching the figure skating championships. Their was one skater I always looked forward to seeing. He had just won the Jr. Championships, but was new to the adult competitions and to those of us who'd only seen skating on television. His perfect blend of artistry, athleticism, and unique charisma so captivated me that it wasn't long before I considered myself a fan. His name was Johnny Weir.

When the tour ended, I looked him up on the Internet and found his website. I signed his guest book a few times and emailed him. Before long, I found myself in very pleasant conversations with him on instant messaging, and then on the phone. While I have yet to meet him in person, I feel that I've gotten to know a wonderful person and a friend who is always both true to himself and selfless.

Today, he won his third gold medal in the National Figure Skating Championships, securing his position on the upcoming United States Olympic Figure Skating Team!

I'm so proud of him, not for getting this far, but for persevering through hard times when many would have thrown in the towel. That is the measure of true greatness, which serves as an inspiration to me.

I'll be rooting for Johnny at the Olympics, who is always a winner in my eyes.

The best article I’ve read about Johnny can be found HERE.

To see Johnny skate, download and view his Short Program from this year, HERE.

Go Johnny Go!

A Worm in the Big Apple

2006-01-06T02:45:00.000+03:30

New York City. It's a great place to live! We have among the finest and most diverse theatre, dance, opera and art museums in the world. Our crime rate is among the lowest for big cities in the nation, we have one of the most renowned Army divisions in the nation – The Fighting 69th, and one of our two great baseball teams holds the record for World Series championships. There are many many reasons to be proud to be a New Yorker!

But there is one issue that gives our great city a black eye: the politics surrounding our mass transit system, the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Upon announcing a fare hike in 2003, due to a budget deficit, our city Comptroller, Alan G.Hevesi, compelled the MTA to release its financial records stating, “Efficient and affordable transportation is fundamental to the City's economy. Millions of New Yorkers depend on the MTA's subways, buses and railroads to get to work and travel around the region. It is unconscionable that the MTA operates in an atmosphere of delay, obfuscation, and secrecy...”

What was found was a separate set of record keeping books, indicating a substantial financial surplus. In spite of this discovery, our fares were still increased. About a year later, fares for weekly and monthly passes were raised, while service delays and detours substantially increased as well.

Then, in spite of a one billion dollar surplus, the MTA managed to begin downsizing its work force, relying on machines in many stations to handle fare transactions. They vied for additional government funding for school transportation passes when trains were already running, citing additional security needs. Of course, these are needs which should have been already in place due to terrorism concerns. Yet, when a homeless man started a fire near a vital control center which crippled a major line, many New Yorker's began to doubt the effectiveness of the supposed security. Even after the London subway bombings, subsequent random backpack searches seemed more cosmetic than practical, as an ill-intentioned individual could simply walk to the next station.

So, when the MTA shows such an apathetic lack of concern for their riders, is it any wonder that their workers might feel similar discontent?

The average subway worker makes anywhere between $40,000 and $63,000 per year, pays nothing into their pension and health care, and can retire at the age of 55 after 25 years of working. What outrage for their employer to offer only a 3% raise, require new hires to pay a small percentage into their benefits and retire at 62!

Demanding respect and equality, against the judgment of the National Transit Workers union, and in violation of New York state law, after refusing impartial arbitration, the union leaders of TWU Local 100 called for their workers to strike less than a week before Christmas day.

New Yorkers who rely on the subways and buses to get to and from work every day found themselves stranded. Many had to walk many miles in extremely cold weather, while others paid up to 30 or more dollars for one way cab rides, when their budgets allowed for two. Still others, in fact a whopping 50%, missed work entirely, which cost them a day or two's wages, seriously compromising many their ability to provide for themselves and their families. This included retail and restaurant workers, many who make an average of less than $35,000 a year and rely on day to day earnings. Across the city, restaurant business alone declined by 40%. In the area in which I personally work, business was down by 90% in what is typically the busiest week of the year.

Some who supported the strike dismissed these concerns as a “temporary inconvenience resulting in long term benefits for all workers.” Of course, if it stopped there, I would be more inclined to get behind the union. But it went far beyond “inconvenience”.

The city was overwhelmed with traffic, much by inexperienced drivers, causing hours of delay and many safety concerns. Emergency response vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances, found it difficult to reach their destinations. Charities which bring food to homebound handicapped and elderly were unable to operate, leaving the helpless hungry. And hospital blood drives were hampered, leaving the city's emergency supply critically low.

I'm all for workers fighting and standing up for themselves when they believe they deserve more, but the line must be drawn when the people they serve, many who would consider the transit worker's offer a pretty sweet deal, are put into serious jeopardy in regards to their livelihoods and public safety. New York's Police, Fire Department, and teachers all went without a contract for up to two years, and it is generally agreed that they all deserve better than the deal they have. It's not hard to imagine what would happen if our police force decided to collectively walk off the job. We'd have National Guard assuming control of our city. Would those who unconditionally have a knee-jerk support of unions under any circumstance maintain their position while held under martial law?

Now that the strike is over, workers are looking forward to the possibility of receiving between $8,000 and $14,000 in back pension payments, while their customers can expect yet another fare hike!

And which politician has control of the city's transit system? Is it our mayor, Mike Bloomberg, a successful businessman who just won a landslide re-election? No, it's George Pataki, our lame-duck governor in his last term who has a history of fighting against minimum wage increases and allowing our city taxes to carry the bulk of the state's needs while all but ignoring us.

So, with all of the infighting between the MTA's management and it's workers, it is the people who rely on them, who they've committed to serve, who are caught in the crossfire.

Lest the people of New York City continue to suffer over this bureaucratic catastrophe, authority over our transit system must be shifted from Albany to one or more of our own local government officials whose constituents are directly affected.

Happy New Year!

2006-01-04T03:11:00.000+03:30

Photo by K. Christiansen

Time

"You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.

You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.

Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.

Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness,

And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.

And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.

Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?

And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and moving not from love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds?

And is not time even as love is, undivided and paceless?

But if in you thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons,

And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing."

-- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Give Blood

2005-12-23T04:27:00.000+03:30

I'm holding off from writing about my views on the New York City Transit Workers Union strike until after Christmas.

But the situation has caused the city's emergency blood supply to be critically low.

So, if you are in NYC, and are able to give blood, now is the time to do so.

pa rum pum pum pum

2005-12-19T04:45:00.000+03:30

David Bowie : Little Drummer Boy / GJPix

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Baby Jesus, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Why is The Little Drummer Boy my favorite Christmas song?

Because, for me, it conveys the true spirit of Christmas. The best gifts are not material, but when we give of ourselves, from the "pa rum pum pum pum" of our hearts.

I am blessed to have a family who accepts and supports me, friends who encourage my strengths and forgive my weaknesses, an employer who respects me, and to live in a country which allows me to pursue my potential and express myself as I choose. These are the best gifts anyone could ever receive.

So to all the wonderful people in my life, I wish you:

Merry Christmas

Happy Solstice

Happy Hanukkah

And thank you.

May God smile at you as we celebrate these Happy Holy Days together!

War on Christmas

2005-12-15T04:07:00.000+03:30

Last week, a good friend of mine left me a message asking if I knew about the “War on Christmas.”

My reply was that although I hadn’t yet heard of it coined with such a phrase, I knew what it meant.

We didn’t have a lot of time to discuss it, so I told him I would write about it here on my blog.

However, I don’t need to, as a squirrel named Foamy quite eloquently and brilliantly states my position HERE!

Overdue Update

2005-12-11T20:45:00.000+03:30

I know, I know, it's been a while since I've really written anything here. Frankly, I just haven't felt like writing.

Now, I feel like writing, but have nothing in particular to write about! So this post may just be babbling. So let’s see what happens when I just put my fingers to the keyboard...

About a year ago, I said I really wanted to get out of the restaurant business. And here I am, at the same restaurant! But things there are different now.

About nine or so months ago, we got a new manager. It turned out to be a manager I had worked with fifteen years before in another restaurant, who actually fired me! Well, now he has me as a “head-waiter” for most of my shifts and gives me exactly the schedule I want. The extra money allows me to afford health insurance benefits, which kick in next month!

Now, working in a restaurant at my age for so long usually wouldn't be a whole lot to be proud of, but when I came to New York to pursue a career as an actor, I knew full well what I was in for. The fact that I'm able to get acting work and do what I love at all, actually puts me ahead a lot of people who may be financially better off, but are miserable in their careers. Plus, having a support job where my boss respects me, supports my chosen career needs, and even gives me authority, is really a huge thing to be grateful for.

However, I do have to concede a bit of laziness on my part in the pursuit of my career. While I work very hard to grow and learn on the artistic side of acting, my business sense is abysmal. This is an an area where I need a ton of work, and it will be a goal during this coming New Year. I need new pictures, and a more aggressive attitude in getting myself seen. I really hate the audition process, but it is a necessary one. I need to remember what an acting teacher once told us about our own comfort level being irrelevant to our work Things aren't always pleasant, but we can always give whatever we are feeling over to the character we are portraying. Sounds easy, doesn't it?

I was inspired recently when I went with some friends to see the movie version of RENT, which I really enjoyed. Having been an enormous fan of the stage production, I was very excited about the film. I was also a little nervous, because part of the excitement of the stage production was the presence of the live audience. But the film, while some moments work better for me on stage, stands marvelously on it's own! Some of the images used in the film, particularly during the song, “Without You” were enormously powerful and personal to me. They set the film in 1989 -1990 which was when I first came to New York, and had already done some activism with ACT UP. It brought back memories of good friends, some who are no longer with us due to the AIDS crises.

I was very proud of Anthony Rapp, for I think this was his best work to date. He made the character of Mark so endearing and lovable with a performance full of humor, even more so than he did in the original stage production. Wilson Jermaine Heredia also grew enormously as Angel, taking a character that can easily be played as a stereotype and instead showing us a real human being. I got to know Wilson a bit from reading with him a some auditions, and he's really a sweet, great guy. I hope this opens some doors for him to further his career, as both he and Anthony, as well as the rest of the cast, deserve it. Rosario Dawson gives a brilliant tour de force as Mimi, as well. If the film falls short on any level, Jonathon Larson's story and music, along with the performances of the uber talented cast, more than make up for it.

I made new friends last month through Friendster! This is a site that was created for people to make new friends. In spite of that, many whom I meet there are a bit skeptical about meeting people over the Internet, as if it were any different than meeting people in a dive bar over cheap beer, or anywhere else. In my view, everyone is a stranger until you meet them, and you never really know their true motivations until you get to know them. So what does it matter how you actually meet them? Well, after nearly a year of communicating with Dwayne over the Internet, we finally met in person along with another friend of his, Manny. Together, the three of us went to see the Harry Potter movie, which is the best of the four in my opinion, and then went out for drinks. I had a really effortlessly great time with really pleasant, nice people I hadn't known in person previously. So yes, it is possible to meet and become friends with cool people, who aren't sex crazed stalker serial killers, over the Internet! Sure it's always a risk, but what isn't? The key is to meet in a public place and have an easy out if you're uncomfortable. I'm glad I made some new friends, and hope to make more. And if there is an interest in something more than friendship, that should be where we start anyway. I work that way no matter where I meet someone. You can't have too many friends, so it's always a win-win situation.

Now, after a summer of very little of interest to see anything at the movies, there is a nice list of things I really want to see. With a ticket price of $10.75 here in NYC, I wish they spread the release dates out more. Must sees are King Kong, Brokeback Mountain, Memoirs of a Geisha, and The Producers.

Of course then there are Broadway shows to see! The top on my list to see are Spamalot and Sweeney Todd.

Well, that's about all I have to write for now.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

2005-11-29T04:15:00.000+03:30

From E tenebris, lux dormiens:

A child answers "What Does Love Mean?":

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

Billy - age 4

RENT

2005-11-21T07:59:00.001+03:30

I Can't Control
My Destiny
I Trust My Soul
My Only Goal
Is Just - To Be

There's Only Now
There's Only Here
Give In To Love
Or Live In Fear

No Other Path
No Other Way

No Day But Today

I first heard this song on my telephone answering machine in 1996, when an enthusiastic Anthony Rapp was excitedly promoting the new show he was in rehearsal for. I had known Anthony from studying at the same acting studio, and had seen his work in film and on Broadway. So, knowing that he was in a new off-off Broadway musical below 14th Street, with a bunch of people I had never heard of, wasn't such a big deal to me.

Then one night, I routinely checked my messages. It was Anthony again. I knew that his show had its first performance that day, but I knew immediately from his voice that something was wrong. It was not the same excitement I heard a couple of weeks earlier. It turned out that the show's writer, Jonathon Larson, had that very day, passed away from a heart aneurysm. Anthony stressed how important it was to him to get people to see this show.

So, a couple of weeks later, there I was in the very last row of the New York Theatre Workshop on East 4th Street. The show began, and I had what can be explained as nothing less than a spiritual experience. I witnessed a musical that represented me, my friends, and my extended artist family. It expressed what it is to be a young artist living in New York City, pursuing an arduous dream while struggling to pay rent, put food on the table, and bravely face the every day realities of HIV, addiction, unemployment, bigotry, and the choices we make between material success and personal integrity. It communicated a life, love, and friendship affirming message, while fulfilling the dream of standing up to and defying the system.

I knew immediately that I was witnessing theatre history!

Within just a few months, RENT moved uptown to Broadway, received a Pulitzer Prize, and 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. I attended the very first Broadway performance, and returned to the theatre multiple times, finding myself more moved with each viewing.

Now, the show is promising to make film history, as Anthony and most of his fellow original cast mates, including Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Adam Pascal, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs, will be appearing in the movie version, due to be released November 23rd!

I'll be there with as many people I care about as I can, cause I can think of no better way to celebrate with my friends than RENT!

Veteran's Day

2005-11-12T01:11:00.000+03:30

From American Dinosaur:

Do You Know This Man?

I do not know this man. I found his picture when looking for material for this post. Funny thing is I know all about him. He is an American veteran. This man knows all about courage and sacrifice. Proud yet humble, he put it all on the line and was willing to pay the ultimate price for the freedoms that you and I enjoy today.

Volunteer or drafted bears no relevance to the fact that he answered his call to duty. He and the thousands before him and after him are why America was and is still the greatest nation on the earth. American servicemen have a long and proud history of giving so much for so many and have done so willingly and at great personal cost.

To this man that I do not know I say thank you. Thank you to you and all your brethren in service to our country. Happy Veterans day! That includes you too Dad.

Addition from Cary: That includes Grandpa Martin (RIP), Uncle Gary (RIP), Uncle David, and Paul Freely.

An American Hero

2005-10-28T07:20:00.000+03:30

She sat down for what was right.

Rosa Parks 1913-2005

Beulah

2005-10-17T03:01:00.000+03:30

“Will there be horses in heaven?
A place where all good horses go…
Will the studs and the mares
Be running in pairs up there
When He gathers His fold?
Dear Lord, I’m sure needin’ to know…”

- Dan Roberts

As much as I love Shakespeare, stage combat, and music, my favorite part of my performance day at the NY Renaissance Faire, the past couple of years, was riding Beulah, a 28 year old Belgian mare. In her younger days, Beulah was a draft horse on an Amish farm. When she retired, she became a beloved celebrity at the faire, even escorting the Her Majesty, the Queen. She was loved by so many people, and created smiles from all who encountered her.

Friday, I received an email from Robin, asking me to call her. I did, and Robin informed me that after the operation to remove her eye, Beulah's health continued to suffer. It was decided that it would be best to put her to rest. I have been overwhelmed with sadness since.

But I am also grateful. I am grateful to have known Beulah. She may no longer be with us, but she will always be the first horse I learned to ride on. Her gentleness and docile demeanor made her perfect for making a novice rider, like myself, feel at ease and confident upon her strong back. She was also the perfect “straight-horse” for a Jester's silly jokes.

Will Rogers said, "There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something, even when you ain't a thing."

Beulah made me really feel like something! I will never forget the glorious feeling I had riding on her through the crowds at the faire, and on the joust field.

I thank Chris and Jeanne for allowing me to work with Beulah as part of my character. She transcended my joy of entertaining, and became embedded in my heart forever. No matter what I do in life, she will always be there.

I thank Diana, her owner, for bringing her into the faire family, where she was embraced by so many with open, loving arms. By patrons and cast members. By Dan, who always handed me an apple to give her. By Cat, who brought her carrots in the morning, immortalized her in song, and single-handedly campaigned to give her an extra few weeks of life. By me.

Thank you, Beulah. Run and graze unbridled in the pastures of heaven. I hope to see you there one day.

Thanks to Reds, rjnzen, David Anthony, Bob Peterson, and Ron Frary for the photos.

Well, it seems I've been tagged...

2005-10-11T02:23:00.000+03:30

This one took a bit out of me. It's from Alan, at E tenebris, lux dormiens

TEN YEARS AGO I...

Was suffering the consequences of some really bad decisions. Throughout my early to mid twenties, I put my own needs and desires aside for the sake of someone else. Someone who would ask for and take all I had to offer, and give almost nothing in return. I lost contact or brushed aside some really good friends and instead chose a really bad situation. I ended up emotionally, spiritually and financially bankrupt and unable to maintain a healthy friendship with anyone for the next few years, even though I would cross paths with a couple of the finest and most supportive people I'd ever meet, even to this day. Believe me when I say that co-dependency can be as destructive as alcoholism or drug addiction.

FIVE YEARS AGO...

Was in the middle of a nice steady streak of consistent acting work. I got to tour the entire country doing roles in classical comedy, and began to remember what I was on this Earth to do. They say laughter is the best medicine, and it's even better when you're the cause of such laughter!

ONE YEAR AGO I...

Was just finishing up another season at the New York Renaissance Faire. This was the experience that changed my life for the better. Not only was I working as an actor, I was making the kinds of friends that were family. Friends who, without even knowing it, encouraged me to feel really good about who I am and what I have to offer, even beyond my creative gifts. I realized that I could make a difference in the world and peoples' lives. I was confident enough to make the scary step of trying to reconnect and make amends to the good people I had push away before, and was surprised to find them open, albeit understandably cautious, to talking to me. I am truly grateful. I still have a ways to go to becoming a better person, but I'm getting there!

YESTERDAY I...

Started to clean and organize my room, a task I've neglected for at least the entire summer. A task for which I suffer some serious ADD! For a normally focused person, it would take a few hours, but for me it takes days – especially coming across things that invoke memories. And then I get a damn blog tag like this one which causes me even more reminiscing of the past! Blast you Alan!

FIVE SNACKS I ENJOY...

1. While at work in the restaurant, I often have my hands in the bread warmer to munch on those wonderful garlic rolls! Dip them in marinara sauce, and mmmmm!

2. Chocolate. Especially Dark Chocolate!

3. Macadamia and/or cashew nuts. (Funny though, I don't like them chocolate covered.)

4. Fresh Fruit. Particularly apples and bananas.

5. Mr. Softy Ice Cream. I'm lactose intolerant, but it's hard to walk by a Mr. Softy truck in the summer!

FIVE THINGS I WOULD DO WITH 100 MILLION DOLLARS...

1. Buy myself two houses, one in the city and one in the country (with a horse!)

2. Make sure my nephews and niece could go to college.

3. Take care of every medical and dental procedure I need.

4. Travel. I'd see old friends all across the country and around the world.

5. Fund my own and friends creative projects.

FIVE BAD HABITS...

1. Procrastinate.

2. Allow myself to stay “safe”, rather than taking risks.

3. Don't tell people I care about when I'm upset with them.

4. Manage my money poorly.

5. Take on too many things at once and lose focus.

FIVE FAVORITE TOYS...

1. The jester doll and teddy bear that Ren Faire fans made for me!

2. Computer.

3. Stereo

4. My rubber chicken.

5. My vocabulary.

FIVE THINGS I WOULD NEVER WEAR...

Well, being an actor, I can never say never about anything I'd wear. But in general, I avoid...

1. Horizontal stripes.

2. Yellow.

3. Anything sheer.

4. Ambercrombie & Fitch (I like the stuff, I'm just too old)

5. Anyone's name that's not my own (I'm not a billboard!)

FIVE PEOPLE I TAG...

1. NonSequiTourettes

2. fair Juliet

3. Julie with a B

4. Act4honor

5. Pontius Pirate

The End Crowns All

2005-10-01T03:47:00.000+03:30

Well, last week started out rough. 12 hours in the Emergency Room costing me missed shifts at the restaurant during a slow week and throwing off my schedule. Then my resulting crankiness causing me more problems. By the end of the week, however, things balanced out by witnessing the joy of my dear friend, Jenelle, as we threw her a surprise birthday party! To top it off, another close buddy, Justin Lewis and his wife welcomed a new baby girl into the world! Still, I was plagued with worry about a few other friends who I've mentioned in a previous post. So, getting away for the final performance weekend was going to be just the escape I needed.

Then Saturday morning, Robin approaches me to tell me that Beulah wouldn't be with us for the weekend. Turns out she had an accident and would need to undergo surgery to remove one of her eyes. Needless to say, I was rather upset to hear this. Beulah is our beloved mascot of the faire, and though she's an old horse at the age of 28, such a tragedy was unimaginable. God Bless Cat Pedini, who spearheaded a donation campaign, raising more than $1,200, which covered half the cost of her operation. Cat is also making Beulah a fashionable eye patch. Word is she is doing well. I'll be seeing Beulah very soon, for I have officially fallen in love with horses, and have decided to volunteer my free days to help out at the stables, just to be around these amazing animals.

They let me ride another pony, Clancy, who was so even tempered, and rode very well, responding to every cue I gave with no bridle or bit, just a harness attached to two lead lines. I was riding so well, and Clancy so enjoyed being in front of a large crowd, that we rode longer than usual on the joust field. In fact, we were still on the field when the procession started before the final joust. So, I just rode Clancy as part of the procession and then rode him offstage and put him in the stall as fast as I could to get back on the field in time to sing the “Hallelujahs” during the Archbishop's blessing. THEN, when the joust started and each Knight was introduced to make a grand entrance, came Sir Ivanhoe racing out on his horse to his grand fanfare and cheers from the crowd..... behind him follows Clancy! He somehow got out of the stall and wanted to be part of the joust! Dan, who was announcing the joust exclaims, “It's my little pony!”. I was embarrassed that I must have failed to properly secure my steed, so I did the only thing I could do, which was make a bit of how embarrassed I was as I ran to get him and take him offstage. As I did, there was Chris, the boss, who took him and secured him backstage. I later found Chris, and apologized profusely. Turns out that Chris was greatly amused by the whole thing and didn't fault me at all.

We were honored on Saturday, as well, by the return of our little mermaid, Ariel! This little girl completely floored me by exclaiming in a crystal clear voice, “I love Shakespeare!” As if that weren't enough, her mother then asked her who Shakespeare's rival was, to which she very clearly uttered, “Marlowe!” Leave it to a three year old little girl to render Cary Patrick Martin completely speechless! Folks, the future of Classical Theatre is safe!

As for Twelfth Night, I have finally reached a point in my acting where my sense of fun precedes my perfectionism. And you know what? I feel a distinct difference in the audience reaction. It seems they get more enjoyment from seeing an actor have fun than from an actor who “gets everything right.” All it took was for me to make an obvious flub which I couldn't cover for last week. Not only did the audience forgive me for it, they actually got a kick out of it! This was a blessed mistake that allowed me to let go of worrying about perfection and just enjoy myself. Bob of St. Mark's Consort and I have started to record the songs on MP3s, so if anyone wants a rough cut, give me your email and I'll send them to you as they are made. Since coming to NYC, I’ve been a bit self-conscious about singing in front of people; I think I’m finally getting over it.

Saturday's Pub Sing gave me one of this year's best memories. Jared, who plays Tom Collins of the Crimson Pirates, had his girlfriend, Julia, in the audience. She was wearing a t-shirt that read, “My other boyfriend is a pirate.” She was called up to the stage, as each pirate vied for her hand, saying that they were the pirate for her. Each of them handed her a rose, until she had 12. Then Jared stepped forward, “All these other men can give you flowers, but can any of them say that you make them the happiest man on earth? Can any of them say that they want to spend the rest of their life with you?” Jared then pulled out a small box and opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring. He got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. As she said yes, there was not a dry eye to be seen. They embraced as we all went into singing Wild Mountain Thyme.

On Sunday's final performance, I was deeply honored by a friend I have enormous respect and admiration for, Paul Freely. Before one of the scenes, Paul stands center stage and declares his wish to honor a member of the court, one who “...makes us laugh, makes us groan, and gives me heartburn! Yorick, come forward!” Surprised, I approached and Paul, as Lord Burleigh, pinned onto my vest the medal of The Royal Order of Thespians. Paul said that he wanted to express how much he enjoyed working with me. Paul is a 20 year veteran of the US Navy, a Boy Scout troop leader, and a Special Education teacher in the Bronx, and an all around giving, compassionate, honorable man. He has also been very gracious in allowing me to use him as the butt for many of my Jester Jibes, (“Lord Burleigh, I see you’ve joined Queen Mary’s Golf League… I guess that now makes you an official putz!”) For someone whom I look up to with the highest regard to publicly express his appreciation for me means more to me than I can put into words. All I could do was humbly say, “Thank you.”

When this season began, I had honestly thought this might be my last before moving on to other career choices. But I realize that this is more than just another acting job to me. It is where the majority of my good friends are, my extended family, my home base.

I'm already thinking about next year!

Pilsner, Blonde, Stout, or Ale,
They make me feel more Alpha- Male!
And when I indulge much libation,
I find I'm lacking in duration...

My mug may run out of beer,
But one thing that's very clear,
Is the high that never ends:
That's the time spent with good friends!

Busy Writing...

2005-09-27T04:08:00.000+03:30

Well, the Faire is over, and I have a whole lot to write about from this past weekend. I also have quite a full week, so it'll take awhile before my Finale Weekend entry is ready to post. 'Till then, here are some photos taken by Bob Peterson...

Me with Peter and Wendy Peterson (they are growing fast!)

Me with Candace’s son,Justice

Ann as Queen Elizabeth with Dan as Sir Robert Dudley

Robin as Grace O’Malley, Captain of the Crimson Pirates

Paul as Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe

Squire Rich preparing for his Tournament Joust debut!

A smashing joust pass by Nick Freely as Nicholas DeMarque and Kelly Kilcoyne as Maid Marion

Me as Yorick vs. Chant MacLeod as The Sheriff of Nottingham

Paul Freely, Jenelle Sosa, and Me singing The Queen’s Madrigals

Me with Beulah (click to make bigger)

Prayer Requests

2005-09-23T19:43:00.000+03:30

Please pray, or send positive energy/thoughts, whatever you do, to my friends…

Jeanne, who was scheduled for surgery in November, but things progressed rapidly and it got pushed up. No word yet on how invasive the surgery will be. She is the stable owner who takes care of the faire’s horses. She has been very generous and good to me.

Glenn, who lives in Houston, right in Hurricane Rita’s path. He is very smart and resourceful, and I know he can handle anything that comes his way. I just hope he doesn’t have to.

Bill, my best friend’s partner, who has had multiple surgeries to save one of his kidneys. All during recovery from a major car accident which put him out of work for some time.

Lastly, please pray for me so that I can be as supportive a friend as I am able to be to each of them. They couldn’t possibly know how much I love them.

Something, something, something...

2005-09-23T10:04:00.000+03:30

Well, this entry may be late getting up, but it's up!

Last weekend's adventures at the faire were wonderful all the way through.

Saturday's joust was the best I've seen in four years! All of the jousters are amazing, but watching how much Nick Freely has grown into a confident and effortless rider is among the highlights of being there this year.

Ron got a bear! It was amazing to see how happy he was! We got some photos, and we're having everyone who every got a bear over the years bring them in for a big group photo! Should be a nice gift for Claire, who makes them for us.

I've improved so much in riding Beulah. Even the “horse people”, including Chris, noticed enough to say, “Hey, you're getting really good at this!” I've officially fallen in love with these animals.

My biggest, most significant victory happened during Sunday's performance of Twelfth Night. I was having probably one of my best performances ever, when during the last song, I noticed I was singing the wrong verse. I didn't know how to get out of it, so I sang the words, “Something, something, something!” An obvious ker-fluffle! Normally, I would have been so upset by it, but I was having so much fun that I didn't care. Neither did the audience. In fact, it seemed like they enjoyed being there for a unique slip-up, which added to their entertainment. This was the FIRST TIME EVER that I let my sense of fun override my perfectionism. I would say that in spite of the mistake, I scored big time with that!

And now, my Ale verses...

On Saturday, one of our regular young patrons, Wendy, was adopted by the Little's. They nicknamed her “Chicken”. Realizing that I didn't write a verse, I came up with this one in less than a minute...

If you find you have to pee,
Don't take a trip out to sea,
Until you find a place to piddle.
For the way, ask Chicken Little.

(silly, I know... but I'm the Jester!)

Then on Sunday...

There's some things I can do without,
But one of them is not a good stout,
It's what makes my toes all curly,
And no, I don't mean poor Lord Burleigh!

Photos by ren_pho's photos

While you wait...

2005-09-22T01:02:00.000+03:30

With the numb tingling in my left arm and hand suddenly returning more intensly than ever, I bolted early from work and spent 12 hours in the Emergency Room. As before, heart problems and stroke were ruled out. It's been narrowed down from possibly a pinched nerve to arthritis, which can be serious but nowhere near what I feared. I'm also going this week to the recording studio to make MP3's of my Twelfth Night songs. Thus, I'm running very behind on posting this past weekend's Faire Adventures. In the meanwhile, here are more photos by David Anthony...

Robin Hood's Band

Paul Freely as Lord Burliegh

Dan O'Driscoll as Sir Robert Dudley

Gypsies

The Squires!

The Squires as The Three Musketeers

Chant MacLeod as The Sheriff of Nottingham

Me as Yorick the Jester (click for full size)

Robin Hood and the Shire of Sterling

Faire Photos 2005!

2005-09-20T04:23:00.000+04:30

David Anthony’s photo project came out wonderfully! These are just a few of his photos. More to come!

The Sheriff’s Guards

Don Kilcoyne as Sir Francis Drake

Nick Freeley was Sir Nicholas DeMarque with Fortune

Drew Leary as Robin Hood

Jenelle Sosa as Cassandra Blarney

Robbie Taylor as Alan a’ Dale

Stewart Hamilton as Babette LaBouche Smiley

Kerry Timony as Mary, Queen of Scots

Me as Yorick the Court Jester (click image for full size)

Good Company

2005-09-15T07:05:00.000+04:30

At home we often disagree,
And eye to eye we may not see,
But if they hurt us on our land,
It's now and always, United We Stand!

I wrote this for my Ale verse for September 11th, although I did not use it, since we decided that the people who would come to the faire that day would come to escape the terrible memories and to heal.

It was an interesting weekend. I thought I wouldn't have much to write about, but as the memories pile on, I find I have plenty.

I got a couple of nice gifts from patrons this week. First, I got a cute smiley pin that was made on a bottle cap. I didn't put it on my costume for the same reason I have forgone bells, however. I just do a good deal of tumbling throughout the day and want to stay safe. I've shoulder rolled over my Harpo Horn before, and had the bruises to show for it! I will wear it proudly elsewhere, though!

There is a woman named Claire who is known for her Teddy Bears! Every year, certain cast members receive cute stuffed bears in the attire of their characters. This weekend, along with Kerry Timony, who plays Mary, Queen of Scots, I got my Jester Bear! He is costumed exactly the way I am, in every detail, right down to the shoes and even my Harpo Horn! I was delightfully surprised!

On Saturday, after a three performance weekend and only four days of rest within a busy week, it all finally caught up with me. My energy was at an all time low, and I don't think I ever got a second wind hat day. Still, the patrons I interacted with seemed to really enjoy themselves, with is what ultimately matters. The downside of this was that I gave what I think was my least best performance in Twelfth Night. I fudged a couple of lines, my singing was raspy, and my timing was way off. Luckily, the show as a whole fared quite well. Unluckily, it was the show that was taped and will be on Dvd. Oh well.

I got a bit worried for Chant after my Chessboard fight with him. In the fight, I hit him over the head with my jester stick. I'm suppose to hit him with the head, witch is cushioned, but my distance was off. So instead, I hit him with the shaft, which is made of Oak. The Queen throws him off the board before it is over, so after I asked everyone who I thought would see him to be sure he was okay. Turns out he was fine,and had no idea what I was concerned about. I guess I pull my hits better than I think I do.

Sunday started off pretty much the same. In fact, I feared that the entire weekend was going to be a real downer for me. But to my surprise, it was in Twelfth Night that things started to turn for me. My voice was in better shape than the day before, and I felt better about my entire performance.

What was particularly exhilarating for me this weekend was riding Beulah. Not only was she in a good mood, but I think I'm getting better at riding. I rode her on the Joust field for an extended period of time, and she was doing everything I wanted her to do. Robin, who owns two of the horses, and Jared, who is a riding instructor, both told me not to be afraid of giving her definite cues, as there is no way I could possible hurt her, save for jerking at the reigns, which I would never even consider. Beulah and I would stop at each corner of the field and work the crowd. The kids would pet her and I would tell cheesy jokes. Then I would trot her to the next corner and do the same. I'm discovering that riding a horse is a perfect partnership between man and beast, and there is nothing like it! I know now what Morgan Freeman meant when he said, “Riding a good horse is a dance.”

Nobody has grown more than one of our Squires, Rich. I am simply amazed at seeing his progress during this summer alone. All of the Squires work very hard at taking care of the horses and supporting the Knights who joust. Rich has wanted to be a jouster ever since he was a little boy, when he came to the Faire and Justin Thompson, a jouster who has since retired from it, reached his lance over the fence and touched the young Rich's little toy sword. This past weekend, he got to do the joust games! I hear he did well, as I am performing Madrigals at the same time, and unfortunately was unable to see for myself. But, even more than that, last week he went on his very first audition ever and landed a speaking role on a History Channel show! Huzzah for Rich!

At pub sing, I did my verses for Good Ale.

On Saturday, I brought the goblet from this year's souvenir shop with a Jester face on it. My lamest verse yet...

I know I reached fortune and fame
When you laugh, though my jokes are lame!
Or perhaps it's a stroke of luck
That my face is on the cup!

Then on Sunday, I brought my Jester Bear on stage with me. Claire, who made him, was sitting in the front row...

What is better than a beer?
It is this at which you leer...
Yes, I love my new little bear-y,
He will live with an actor named Cary!

At Sunday's brief interfaith fellowship, which some of us do before the faire opens; we shared the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. I'm not Catholic, but I think it's a really good prayer for anyone, regardless of faith.

"O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is discord, harmony.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sorrow, joy.

Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."

We spoke of how we had a gift, being performers, which was the opportunity to bring this prayer into fruition. We then spoke of the things we hold onto which block us from doing so, such as hurt feelings and anger. I discovered that I was not the only one holding a petty grudge towards a dear friend. In fact, there is a particular friend at the faire with whom I had some conflict with earlier this summer, and I'd been unable to let go of it since. We spoke of how we often hold the people closer to us to higher standards when we should be more ready to simply forgive them, since we know they have no malice towards us. But the entire summer, most of this particular friend's efforts to reach out and talk, joke, and be with me were met with cold silence on my part. It's as if I'd forgotten what it is to make a mistake or be misunderstood and lose a good friend. What I have discovered is that withholding my friendship from someone I care about hurts just as much as having it withheld. In “punishing” him, I was actually punishing myself. I decided then to let it go, and allow myself to give and receive this friendship.

What drove it home on Sunday was a tribute to absent friends by our men's singing group, Three Pints Shy. Jonathon Siregar, who plays Friar Tuck, spoke of how many of us have had friends who passed away this past year, particularly Pat Batista, known to many of us as Poppa Pat, and then harmonized a dedication of Parting Glass. As we all shared tears, I realized what a fool I'd been, literally. When we got backstage, I tapped my friend on the shoulder, and gave him a big hug, and then went away without a word. I'm not sure if he knew what it was about, but for me I was simply letting the weight of a silly grudge off my shoulders. It felt good.

I will never forget what happened four years ago, but I have begun to re-define the date of 9-11 from one of anguish and sorrow to one of healing and forgiveness.

Of all the money that ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And of all the harm that ere I've done, alas was done to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I cannot recall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades that ere I had, they're sorry for my going away,
And of all the sweethearts that ere I had , they wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise while you should not,
I will gently rise and I'll softly call, "Goodnight and joy be with you all!"

Oh, if I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town that sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, she alone has my heart in thrall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Thank you, Poppa Pat

A few faire pics!

2005-09-14T02:09:00.000+04:30

I was too tired to write last night, and woke up too late to vote early this morning in the Democratic Mayoral Primary. So, I’m expecting to have to wait in line. Thus, my entry about this past weekend’s faire is delayed a bit. To hold you over, I’m putting up a few photos from Twelfth Night. The first one is from a rehearsal, and the rest are from performance. My yellow shirt was later changed to a much nicer blue one.

Labor Day weekend

2005-09-07T04:57:00.000+04:30

Well, after an extra performance day, I'm exhausted but still want to write about it.

I went into this weekend with a bit of a sense of guilt. With the unthinkable proportions of Hurricane Katrina devastating a good portion of our country, leaving people without food, water, shelter, or comfort, the last thing I wanted to do was run off and have a good time. Even though this didn't happen in our area, many here (myself included) feel enormous grief and helplessness for all who perished and suffer down south. It brought back our feelings of 9/11, especially being so close to the anniversary.

But soon after the gates opened, and we received record crowds in perfect weather (especially on Monday), I was reminded that I had a mission. With emotions running so high, people needed a catharsis. They not only needed an escape, to forget; they also needed to remember. They needed to remember what is beautiful in the world, to re-nourish their souls. We were there to provide and fulfill that need, and from the response we got, I can safely say that our mission had been accomplished. I only wish I had the resources to put together a sort of domestic USO, and extend this mission to those directly affected by this tragedy.

The faire itself made a contribution to the relief fund, and donations were accepted at the front gate. At each pub, the bartenders wore Mardi Gras beads and had donation jars set up. I don't know how much we took in, but I'm sure it was substantial.

Don Kilcoyne shared this with me, and it hit home for me quite deeply...

THE FOOL'S PRAYER
by: Edward Rowland Sill (1841-1887)

THE royal feast was done; the King
Sought some new sport to banish care,
And to his jester cried: "Sir Fool,
Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!"

The jester doffed his cap and bells,
And stood the mocking court before;
They could not see the bitter smile
Behind the painted grin he wore.

He bowed his head, and bent his knee
Upon the Monarch's silken stool;
His pleading voice arose: "O Lord,
Be merciful to me, a fool!

"No pity, Lord, could change the heart
From red with wrong to white as wool;
The rod must heal the sin: but Lord,
Be merciful to me, a fool!

" 'Tis not by guilt the onward sweep
Of truth and right, O Lord, we stay;
'T is by our follies that so long
We hold the earth from heaven away.

"These clumsy feet, still in the mire,
Go crushing blossoms without end;
These hard, well-meaning hands we thrust
Among the heart-strings of a friend.

"The ill-timed truth we might have kept--
Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung?
The word we had not sense to say--
Who knows how grandly it had rung!

"Our faults no tenderness should ask.
The chastening stripes must cleanse them all;
But for our blunders -- oh, in shame
Before the eyes of heaven we fall.

"Earth bears no balsam for mistakes;
Men crown the knave, and scourge the tool
That did his will; but Thou, O Lord,
Be merciful to me, a fool!"

The room was hushed; in silence rose
The King, and sought his gardens cool,
And walked apart, and murmured low,
"Be merciful to me, a fool!"

As for performing, I ended up having a great time. I seem to be getting gifts from people more and more! I got the cutest toy; a little green man that tumbles in my hand! Then Jessica, in spite of my having forgotten her tickets last week, brought me an incredibly wonderful cake shaped like a flower pot!

I also got a CD full of pictures from Twelfth Night which I will post very soon. I got an offer to perform at another faire for a day, and asked to join an all men's Madrigal touring group!

I rode Beulah this weekend with no escort! I actually trotted her out on the joust field with no assistance, and I was giddily excited like a little kid first riding a bike without training wheels!

Speaking of the horses, if you come to the faire, you might notice pendants being sold before each joust. They represent each jouster's color, which each of them is willing to sign. I encourage everyone to buy a pendant, which are sold at $3 or two for $5, the money which goes to a fund to take care of the horses. While our company takes great pride and care in our horses, it is helpful to have some liquid cash available for such things as food, medicine, tack, ect. It is especially helpful now, for as you may have noticed, we had only three horses working this weekend, as Dante is sick and Smoke suffered a minor injury. Hopefully they will be well and back with us by next weekend.

The Murder Mystery was finally solved! Peter Timony and Rob Pedini did guest appearances as none other than Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, on loan from the New York Victorian Faire! I wasn't present for the revelation, so I'm sure of how the crime was solved, but it ended up that Sir Francis Drake committed the crime of killing DeFaria. The funniest part about this is that both roles are played by the same actor, Don Kilcoyne! Perhaps someone who was actually at the scene can tell us exactly what how it all went down!

But, when you next come to the faire, it may be discovered that someone else committed the crime, as we are now solving it fresh ion a daily basis!

Special thanks to Stewart Hamilton,who plays Babette LaBouche, for taking care of us by cooking steak dinner over the campfire Saturday night, and organizing a huge pizza order Sunday night. She collected a modest fee from all of us, which after expenses she gave all to the hurricane relief fund. Huzzah for Stewart!

The children this weekend were amazing, as usual.

I'm sure there is more to remember, but I'm sooooooooooo exhausted. I'm going to bed as soon as I publish this.

Here are my Ale verses...

Cat Pedini, who plays Corky Wyrd, recently gave birth to a beautiful little girl. She has written wonderful lyrics for Beulah, the squires, and Little John. I figured someone should write something for her!...

And now I sing for Corky Wyrd,
Just for her, I'll grow a beard!
When she's around, I go totally mindless,
for she has the MILK of human kindness!

She then yelled, “I'm not breast feeding you baby!” and gave me a kiss!

On Saturday, we had some hard core Crimson Pirate fans, including some of our troops on leave, so we all repeated our verses for that group...

I'll buy a Crimson Pirate an Ale,
And together we will set sail!
I don't mind if they chew the scenery,
So long as they are not mean t' me!

and finally on Monday, when we were all spent...

I show you all proof of my frailty,
Though you thought I was a comic deity.
Yes, I confess I am no saint,
for on the third day, I did faint!

And I did!

Me with my delicious cake by Jessica!

Hope and help for New Orleans and Mississippi

2005-09-01T04:40:00.000+04:30

I have no words. I’ll just link those by others…

New Orleans in Peril

It’s our turn to help Biloxi

A list of coverage and relief efforts

Halfway mark

2005-08-30T06:55:00.000+04:30

Well, we're halfway through already! It seems to go by faster and faster each year.

Before I write about the weekend, I'd like to say how amazingly flattered I am by the people who liked my performance enough to look me up on the Internet and email me the kind of praise of which I feel undeserving. It means a lot to me. One person compared me to Harpo Marx (only that I talk), which is indeed an incredible compliment. Another, upon reading here that I enjoy dark chocolate, actually brought me a dark chocolate lollipop on Saturday morning, which was delicious. Thank you!

Before we started on Saturday, I finally got the chance to look in our souvenir gift shop, and was surprised to find that this year's refrigerator magnets and coffee mugs display a jester image! Not only that, but his costume and facial features are identical to mine. I know this wasn't on purpose, since my costume was made long after these were designed. But it makes me happy!

Saturday's weather was the most perfect we've had this entire season, and we had the crowds to show for it. For the first half of the day, I was out there having a ball. There were so many families with small children, and I did my best to meet as many as I could. Being that it was so busy, I had a bit of difficulty getting myself lunch. I wanted to eat before I did Twelfth Night, but it just didn't work out. This didn't put me in the best mood, and I apologize to anyone whom I may have been unpleasant with backstage. It turns out I lived!

I was a bit disappointed with the performance I gave on Saturday as Feste, as I felt it was a bit flat. Still, it seemed to be a tight show overall, and I'm still not sure if I was assessing my own performance accurately or if I was just not feeling it. Sometimes what I feel and what others see are two different things.

Part of the answer may lie in what I experienced in my Chessboard fight. In it, I fight the Sheriff, starting by taunting him and making jokes. Well, I tried one joke, and all I felt was * THUNK * . I just knew the joke had bombed and nobody reacted to it at all. When the fight had finished and everything was over, a few people told me how the joke got an incredible reaction of elongated uproarious laughter. I NEVER HEARD ANY OF IT AT ALL!!! Go figure.

In four years of performing at the faire, I've always encountered wonderful people. This time, as I crossed the Robin Hood Bridge, I had my very first heckler ever. I was playing with another patron, not even addressing this guy when he started to yell obscenities at me. I then turned to say something funny to him, when he says, “Don't come near me, or I'll throw you in the river.” Well, I first don't understand why he would say anything to me at all if he didn't want attention, nor do I understand why he would pay nineteen dollars to be at a ren faire and act like an a*****e. I would have been safe to make a bit out of humiliating him, as there was a security guy within distance, but I decided to simply walk away. I felt weak doing that, but I know it was the right thing to do. Some people just don't mix well with alcohol. I later talked to Jeff DeRocker, and Peter Juris, who does interactive entertainment year round, and they gave me some pointers on dealing with these kind of losers in the future, should I ever come across one again.

Then it was time to do my horsie photo-op. This time I left Charlie in his pen and took Beulah. Beulah is the largest horse at the faire, a Belgian Mare who's so sweet and docile. Her former owners were Amish farmers, but now that she's older she's with us. When I rode her last year, she was on a lead line and someone walked her around as I rode. This time, since I learned a tiny bit of riding technique, we put a bridle on her and they let me take her solo! I still ride her bareback, as all of the saddles are in use at that time with the joust horses. Then Chris dug out a really nice custom designed horse blanket and put it on her. So there I was, little me on the joust field riding this gigantic horse! We got her to trot, but being that Beulah has a very boney spine, it hurt! So, I'm not doing that again until we get some padding!

Now, the character I play, Yorick the Jester, has some delusions of grandeur and dubs himself ”The Rainbow Knight”, and it seems to have caught on. As I rode by on Beulah, both in the street and on the field, groups of people would yell to me in unison, “We love the Rainbow Knight!” Which amused me muchly! =)

Then at Saturday's Pub Sing, we sang a song which Cat Pedini wrote the lyrics to, all about Beulah! Beulah was brought to the side of the stage as everyone sang to her this song....

To the tune of "Lola", by The Kinks

I met her at the FitzWalter petting zoo
Where the sheep and ponies hang out in the shade where it's cooler
C-O-O-L cooler
She stood in her pen and she blocked out the sun
I asked them her name and then Mike the squire, he said Beulah
B-U-L-A, Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah

Well I'm not too up on my horses and breeds
But you would think a longer tail is what she needs
Oh my Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah
Well I'm not dumb but I can't understand
Why she seems twice the size of an average sedan
Oh my Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah

Well to shlepp the queen's her greatest feat
Otherwise all she does is eat
She lets the kids come pet her on the nose
Don't ask her to joust cause she's too damn slow
Well I'm not afraid to climb up on her back
But I would fall for an hour if I ever fell off my Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah
Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah
I shook on the reins
I told her to run
I felt really dumb
I'm ignored totally
And here's what she seemed to say to me

I don't mean to seem like I cut you no slack
But you know that you're just a fly on my back, says the Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah
I know joust horses have to do what you say
But to me you're no more than the one who brings hay to the Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah

Well I left home just a week before
And I never ever rode a Belgian before
But Beulah's never in a cranky mood
Like she's nothing more than a big quaalude

Well I know she's more than enough horse to share
And I know she's the darling of the whole damn fair
That's our Beulah
B-B-B-B-Beulah, B-B-B-B-Beulah

Beulah knew she was the center of attention and ate every bit of it up. Oh, I love that horse!

Now, after all of that, when Saturday was over, I found myself feeling rather depressed. I had no idea why, I still felt like something was left unfulfilled. Being that my voice was also getting a little raspy, I figured I was just exhausted. So, I hit the sack very early. I was out pretty quickly and slept rather well until I heard the patter of rain on the roof of my tent at about 5am. The sound was rather pleasing and relaxing, and I went back to sleep thinking that it was a good thing that the rain would come then as opposed to the middle of the day. But then when I woke up a couple of hours later, it was still pouring. I thought to myself, “Oh, man, I really need to have a good day and this is what happens!”

Still, I got out of my tent, had my shower and some breakfast. Finally, around 9ish, the rain stopped. Now, you might think, “Oh good!”, but not really. The air was then so thick and muggy, that my sinuses gave me quite a punishment. I spent the whole first half of the day with such a bad headache. I forgot to leave Jessica's comp tickets at the Will Call (sorry Jess), and I hope she forgives me. I did my best to entertain the people that were there, but I was in fact miserable. I actually prayed, ”God, please let me end this day on a high note...”

That prayer was answered when Kelly said I should ask our Stage Manager if she had any Advil. Molly, the always equipped with anything you may need, amazing SM, took care of me, and soon after I took them, I was pain free. I was still feeling a bit low of energy, though.

Then when I came ready for our Madrigals set, I did my usual dancing to the Reelies. Well, as I worked up a sweat, grabbing patrons to dance with me, it seemed to be just the thing I needed to kick me into gear! I was finally having fun.

Our Madrigals set went the best it ever has, and I finally felt pretty good about it.

After that, I decided that the Jester should have a thing for the Town Liar, played wonderfully by Jenelle Sosa, so we played a bit as we went through the forest, and she is so much fun!

Sunday's performance of Twelfth Night was the best it's ever been. The show was so tight, and clipped along wonderfully. The audience was incredibly appreciative, too. In fact, halfway through the show, the rain finally came pouring down. And guess what? More that three quarters of the audience stayed to watch the entire thing, many without umbrellas! I was absolutely amazed. Then I had one of my most euphoric moments ever as an actor, when I sang the last song which finishes the play...

When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With Hey Ho, the Wind and the Rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the Rain it Raineth every day!

As I sang with pouring rain coming down on us, the entire audience roared with laughter and applause! I know it'll end up among my finest memories in the theatre.

Now, my Ale verses...

Saturday

I'll now attempt a verse to fudge...
I do my best, so please don't judge...
I've drawn a blank, no words can I muster...
I'm so glad I can still filibuster!

Yes, I broke my rule about getting political, but I figured both sides could laugh at that one, and they did!

Sunday

I had another verse written, but I pushed it aside and came up with this one on the fly..

Here's to a day in the rain!
I had fun, but I'm insane!
Come on, my dear, I'll not be subtle,
Let us go play in a puddle!

And we did!

Beulah

Friends, Fun, Flips and Photo ops at the Faire!

2005-08-23T07:37:00.000+04:30

What a difference a few hundred degrees make! The weather this past weekend was perfectly beautiful!

Saturday, I got off to a slow start. I woke up later than I intended to and did a rush job to get ready. The first half of the day, I really wasn't feeling up to the faire, and was pretty much just going through the motions. By the time I got to performing Twelfth Night, however, I regained my excitement for what I was doing. I have to say, the play on both days went rather well. In fact, there were a couple of college students on their last excursion before returning to school, who came to see it on both days. They were so charmingly genuine, fun loving and enthusiastic (okay, and good looking...), that I wish I could have spent some time with them outside of my character.

When I fight on the Chessboard, I never ever hear audience reaction. I'm not sure why, perhaps I am so focused that everything gets tuned out. But I'm told that my fight with Chant MacLeod, who plays the Sheriff of Nottingham, gets some major reactions from the crowd. There's one move in where he flips me, which I execute by doing a shoulder roll and not landing on my feet, letting them flop on the ground. Well, I guess there was so much momentum, that when my feet shot out of the roll, I felt my entire body skid and bounce, feeling like I traveled some distance. It didn't hurt at all, but I'm sure it looked great. I hope I can remember how it happened, so that I can do it again!

Before the final joust, Justin Lewis came backstage with his family. Justin is one of my favorite all time people on the planet. He was one of my first stage combat instructors, who became a true friend. He's also the one responsible for getting me to perform at the faire. He is not performing this year, as he and his wife, Karma, are expecting their second child. I played a bit with his daughter, Kaya, who is now two years old and truly delightful. I've posted this photo twice before on my blog, but I'm doing so again simply because I love it. This is Justin with his daughter and Oso last year.

Saturday I was deeply honored at Pub Sing, when two young ladies whom I had met last year found me after searching for me the entire day. I instantly remembered Jennifer, a young lady with Cerebral Palsy, and she was lifted out of her wheelchair to dance with me. This was a moment I will never forget, as long as I live.

Sunday's weather was even better. There was a constant cool breeze waltzing though the shire the entire day.

It was the best day I've had this year. I was much more comfortable with my time constraints, and got out and did some heavy work on the streets. Every single person I came into contact with was a joy, especially the children. Laughter is probably the sweetest sound on Earth, but coming from children, I get a taste of what Heaven must be like.

Just before Court Dance, I met two little girls, who when I asked them their names, the little one told me that she was four years old and that her name was Serenity, to which I replied, "Serenity?! I have been looking for you all my life! And I finally found you!!!", she then introduced me to her six year old big sister, Legacy. I kept running into them throughout the day, which was nice, as they were so adorable.

The Faire has a number of musical acts, my favorite being The Reelies. They perform one of their sets just before we sing the Madrigals. So, I decided that instead of simply waiting on the side for them to finish, I would dance in the street. Well, apparently I was doing something interesting because dozens of people starting taking photos. So, no doubt I'll being finding a good shot of that at some point.

Then there is Charlie... What can I say about Charlie? Charlie is the pony I've been riding on the joust field prior to the Final Joust. Well, I don't know what was going on with him, perhaps it was the change in the weather, but Charlie was in particularly bad temper this weekend. As I rode him, he began to buck and while I managed to stay on him Saturday, he did succeed in throwing me on Sunday. I wasn't hurt at all and managed to make a bit out of it, but I've decided that if Charlie is adamantly against doing this, I'm not going to force him to just for a comic photo op. (We've concluded that there's clearly a good reason he's not used for children's pony rides!) So, next week, if there isn't another pony available, I'm planning to ride Beulah, a very large Belgian horse, instead. She is so large, that my small self upon her is almost as funny as being on the pony. Perhaps I'll give Charlie another go later on, but for now I don't think it's a great idea.

Our trumpeters are amazing! They have fun with the fanfares for each of the jouster's entrances. Typically, Kelly Kilcoyne who plays Maid Marion, gets the theme from the recent Peter Pan movie. Jeff DeRocker, as Sir Guy DeGisborn, gets Darth Vader's Imperial March theme, and Nick Freeley, as Nicholas DeMarque, who previously got the Indian Jones theme, now gets a tune specially written for him by Chant. Well, we have a new jouster, Paul Adams, playing Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who finally received his official fanfare. As he rode out, the trumpeters played the theme from Monty Python and the Holy Grail! This managed to instantly break the entire cast into stitches!

I thought hard through the week to come up with my Good Ale verses to perform at Pub Sing, and here they are.....

Saturday

So many friends here to meet,
So take a load off your feet,
And enjoy our dance and song,
For Pub Sing is very long!

Sunday

If you want your way with me,
Don't get me drunk, or you will see,
That though, my sweet, you're so bodacious,
I'll get even mo' loquacious!

Roasting in the Renaissance

2005-08-16T07:46:00.000+04:30

Holy humidity, what a weekend! With a heat advisory and an index of 110 degrees, what was the performance company of the New York Renaissance Faire doing? Well, we were acting, singing, dancing, sword fighting, and jousting, as usual, of course! And what were we wearing? Why, we were wearing our usual costumes made of leather, velvet, satin and armor! Yes, it was a difficult weekend where we couldn't seem to drink enough water to keep up with our sweat. But that's okay, because we also got to inhale our hydration.

The audience was comparably smaller, but considering how horrendous the weather was, the turnout was impressive. The EMTs had their hands full, as loyal but heat stroked patrons paid more than the admission price for their entertainments. I hope we delivered for them. It was a miracle that none of the performers had any serious issues, thanks in part to our employers who supplied us with unlimited bottled water.

This is the boot camp of acting, and I truly believe that an actor who gets through this can do anything.

I'm sure the camels were comfortable...

I felt much better about my costume this weekend. We changed the shirt to a light blue one, and added a ridiculously large ruff. It's almost exactly now what I designed, save for sleeve panels attached to the vest, which I ended up telling the costumers to nix in favor of accentuating the poofy sleeves. Then, the most wonderful touch came with the new shoes! They are absolutely beautiful! A duo-tone tan and brown soft back leather with curled up toes. And amazingly comfortable. A big thank you to Jesse and Drew Taylor for putting all the hard work in constructing my vision, as well as my boss, Christopher DeTroy for allowing me the freedom to design my own costume. As soon as I get pictures, I will post them along with a scan of my original design.

Given the heat, Court Dance was especially exhausting. As the Jester, I dance more exaggeratedly than the rest. For example, in the Galliard, while the choreography includes everyone turning around themselves in a circle, I do a full out single “balletic” Tour en l'air, for comic effect. I'm sure nobody would have held it against me if I brought it down, but I went full out first thing in the morning, and boy did I pay for it! With a nine hour performance day, I was soaked in sweat before noon, taking forever to catch my breath. My partner, Joyce Miller, playing Lucretia Borgia, is so insanely funny as I banter with her through the dances, that it also takes quite a bit of energy for me not to crack up laughing!

Breathing was especially an issue when I sang, I found myself short for air in musical phrases and ended up pushing from my rib reserve, which is rather uncomfortable and limits vocal expression. Breath support in all conditions is clearly something for me to work on.

My Jester character seems to be morphing a bit this year. Whereas I previously used a lot of sight gags, I'm tending now to use a lot more linguistic humor. I have to admit my punning was in top form this weekend, peaking when I referred to quarterstaffs as “pole-ish swords”!

The most personally exciting moment of the weekend was on Saturday, when I ride my pony, Charlie on the joust field. While I decided I wouldn't ride him as long as usual, it was still too long for him! One of the squires, Tara, was leading the pony. Then I got pretty confident at going solo and had her let go. We then got near the exit on the dais to the backstage area. Charlie began to head for it. I wanted to do another loop around, and pulled the reigns to guide him away from the exit. But Charlie wasn't having it. He yanked his head in the direction he wanted to go and began to trot backstage. I pulled on the reigns to slow him down, but as I had them at shoulder level, they didn't have much effect. He then brought himself up to a gallop. I was determined to stay on him and not bail, so I naturally gripped my legs around him and sat up. Well this is the exact opposite of was I should have done, as it cued him to go even faster! So as he cantered backstage past cast members, including the squires, the jousters, the horse trainers, and Chris (the boss!), with me yelling “HO!” in vain, he then leaped over a curb, heading who knows where! I believe I could have stayed on him till he tired, but as I sensed it might be getting dangerous for people on the ground, I jumped off him. I looked back and there was all the “horse people”, with looks of combined horror and amusement, except for Chris, who was laughing so hard he was crying! I then received kudos from the jousters and trainers for staying on.

Now, I am not a daredevil by any means. I don't derive recreational amusement from roller coasters, fast cars, and I even get nervous on skates. But riding on Charlie with absolutely no control was THE most fun I've had in ages! It was such an exhilarating rush, that I now want to get more into horse riding than ever. I'm told that I have the potential for being a very good rider, especially learning on Charlie – the pony with a Napoleon Complex! My only regret was that it all happened backstage instead of in front of an audience, as I'm sure it was quite funny!

Sunday morning, before company meeting and the faire opening, some of us gathered at the maypole for an informal interfaith fellowship. We had been sharing our different religious beliefs with each other over the year, and decided to do this over the weekends we were performing. My own spirituality is so directly tied into my art, and it was really nice to share that with my cast mates and friends, giving thanks for each opportunity we have to make a difference with the gifts we've been given. Don Kilcoyne shared this inspiring quote, often attributed to Nelson Mandela, but actually the words of Marianne Williamson. I am placing it in a prominent place for me to see every day....

“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.”

In spite of the heat, Sunday was a truly wonderful day. I think my loss of control over Charlie and the above quote helped me to let go of my quest for perfection, and give in to my passion and love for what I do. I hope that stays with me.

I really love writing my own verses for Good Ale! And I'm surprised at the reactions I'm getting when performing the stuff I wrote myself, cause I don't think it's quite that funny. But people are laughing, and I just hope the muse stays with me. Here are this past weekend's verses.....

Saturday

If I should find the Holy Grail,
I'll bail my sweetie out of jail.
And with my wench I'll go a-splurging,
And cease to be a Born Again Virgin!

Sunday

The ale I drink must be the best.
And yes, my friends, there is a test.
For, my deer, when I eat your venison,
A cheap beer will make it jettison!

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

2005-08-10T07:21:00.000+04:30

For me, this past weekend seems to have been the latter. With the Wildwood gig usurping two weeks of rehearsal time from us, I entered our opening feeling a bit under rehearsed. My new costume was almost finished, and props for certain shows were yet to be seen. Yet somehow we seemed to pull it off!

It was great to see some of the old faces of friends, fans and regular patrons this past weekend, even if I didn't have the time to fully greet them all. I was still feeling out how much time I had between each show, while also trying to entertain as many people as possible. As the summer progresses, I should have more time and a definite route for where I'm going each day.

I'm still not sure how I exactly feel about my new costume yet. There still are a few finishing touches to be done to it, but so far it is pretty close to the design I submitted. Still, I would have chosen more primary colors over the pastels. And it is so fitted to my measurements, that if by some chance I gain any weight, I won't be able to wear it. However, most of the feedback I've gotten on my new attire is mainly positive.

Morning address went really well both days. Don Kilcoyne steals the show with his performance. I won't give anything away, but I'll share that this year's scenario involves a murder mystery to be solved on Labor Day weekend.

Court Dance is also a pleasure. Candace Kendall-Brown's choreography is stunning and fun. The last dance in which the audience participates went over as well as expected.

I sat in on the first Chessboard both days. On Saturday, Candace brought her five year old eldest son, Justice with her, dressed as a pirate. Since Candace and I live in the same neighborhood, her children know me pretty well. So, I brought Justice to sit with me on the dais of the chessboard, the best seat in the house! He got so excited with each sword fight, it really made the show for me.

To be perfectly honest, Madrigals still needs some work. While the audience clearly enjoyed each tune, I personally know how imperfect my performance was. It did fare better on Sunday, which is a good sign.

With Twelfth Night, I was not feeling that the show was in very good shape at all. But those who saw dress rehearsal and the weekend's performances enjoyed it immensely. And while I was feeling that Sunday's performance was dragging in pace, we still managed to shave nearly ten minutes off the running time. I guess I'm learning not to trust my own judgment. Still, there are some moments and bits that worked for me in rehearsal, that don't seem to be going over in performance. Sometimes growing in a role means not adding things, but rather editing things down. I'm still not entirely comfortable singing solo, but that's my own insecurities haunting me. Feste is my favorite role to play in all of Shakespeare, and is one which I will never grow out of. I can only hope I am doing it justice. Morgan and Rowena came with Master Shakespeare himself, and apparently he approved! Thank you, ladies! =)

My time on the streets was much fun, albeit still tentative as I was still feeling out my time constraints. My favorite moments were interacting twice in one day with a three year old little girl in a Nemo cap, named Ariel. She freely admitted to me, when I asked her, that she was indeed a mermaid. Then there was the gentleman talking on his cell phone, when I came up and demanded to know who he was talking to on his anachronistic device. I then took his phone from him and told whoever was on the other end one of my corny jokes! (Actually, this one was one I stole from fellow blogger,JulieB!)

This being my third year as the Jester, it has sort of become tradition for me to either ride a pony or a very large horse. This year, I have a white Shetland pony named Charlie. The thing I'm most excited about this year, is that while in previous years I had someone leading me as I rode, this year I am getting actual riding lessons! And while the lessons are on the pony for the purpose of a sight gag, all of the techniques translate exactly to a full sized horse. I'll be going up a day early to spend more time with Charlie, to assure that he and I are totally comfortable with each other. If there are any riders out there, I would love to hear any advice, particularly on how to squeeze one leg without squeezing the other! It's more difficult than it sounds!

The Madrigal singers get to open up Pub Sing this year with the song, Good Ale! Each of us write our own verses, followed by everyone on the chorus. So, I close by sharing my verses from this past weekend.....

Saturday

I'll have a drink and write a verse,
If Lady Kat will be my nurse!
I think an eye for her has Burleigh,
'Tis food for JEST, yes quite surely!

Sunday

I'll buy a Crimson Pirate an ale,
and together we will set sail!
I don't mind if they chew the scenery,
So long as they're not mean t' me!

O Good Ale!
Thou are my darling,
thou art my joy,
Both night and morning!

Bard on the booze!

The Rainbow Knight Rides again!

2005-08-05T19:00:00.000+04:30

Hear we go! Ready or not, the New York Renaissance Faire opens tomorrow morning! Gates open at 10am. If you’re coming to the faire this summer and would like to see me as Yorick, the Court Jester, here’s my performance schedule. All other times, I’ll be on the street interacting ….

10:30 – Morning Address

12:00 – Court Dance

1:30 – Queen’s Madrigals

2:30 – Twelfth Night (Runs about an hour and a half)

4:30 – Second Chess Game

5:30 – Archery Tournament

6:00 – Royal Joust

6:30 – Pub Sing

NYRF 2005

2005-08-02T07:36:00.000+04:30

Well, the rehearsal process for the 2005 New York Renaissance Faire is almost over, and we open this weekend!

This has been quite an interesting year, so far. We have an abundance of new performers this year. The one that cracks me up is Joyce, who plays Lucrezia Borgia. She is so hysterically schizophrenic. Then there is Nick, the Sheriff's Guard Ferret, who is just goofy funny. And Greg, the new Will Scarlet, who will charm all the ladies right out of their bodices! Then there is Kevin as the town Rat Catcher, so riveting, it's a joy to watch him work.

Then there are some vets in new roles. Jenelle, as the Town Liar is simply brilliant. Chant as the new Sheriff is very intense and scary. Nick Freely as the Sheriff's brother, this young man has grown so much since my first year getting to know him; it's been an honor to see. And Ron's Archbishop is full of hot surprises!

Some of my favorite people are not returning this year. I will miss them, but hey... they are all having babies! I send blessings to Justin Lewis, Karen McCleod, and Rob Pedini. Joey Giambattista and Brian Morvant have been cast in major films and plays, while the Timony brothers, along with Mr. Pedini, have some major plans in the works for the Mook Brothers.
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Of course, I am returning as Yorick, the Court Jester once again. I've managed to loosen up my schedule a little more than last year, in order to gain more time interacting on the street. Last year, I found that kids were hoping all day to meet the jester, but my schedule was so full, it made it difficult. So now, since I do not fight on the first chessboard, I have been cleared to work the street, or attend the game, depending on how I feel. I will also not be attending the first joust.

I do have a fight on the second chessboard, but it is very different from last year's fight. While I am disappointed that I do not get to display my swordsmanship skill, the fact is that it would be next to impossible to top the swashbuckling I did last year. So rather than a long and funny fight, this one is short and quite violent. I then have a minor phrase in the second joust ground fight.

But while I'm light this year in Stage Combat, my vocal duties are rather heavy. Some people have asked, and will be happy to know, that I am singing in the Queen's Madrigals again. We have some very challenging pieces which we have managed to get under our belts pretty well, in spite of having less rehearsal time than I personally would like to have had.

Then, I am playing my favorite role to play in Shakespeare, Feste in Twelfth Night. The most challenging part of this role is the three songs I have to sing. I am my least comfortable, performing wise, when I am singing by myself. So this should prove to be a nice way to expand my comfort zone. Other than that, I feel very comfortable in this character, and hope that it goes over well. Since this is an abridged production, I had to get past mourning a few of my favorite lines! I realized that some of the ones I was particularly attached to involve some obscure wordplay that would be lost on the majority of modern audiences, though. And happily, our director let me put back in a couple lines, in which I play up the fact that nobody gets the joke (also the way I play Yorick!) This play has been my joyous time in the rehearsal period for the entire faire.

Candace has choreographed some great dances, and I feel privileged to take part in her Pavane and Galliard.

One of the biggest challenges this year was having the Wildwood gig come right smack in the middle of our rehearsal time. I have been so stressed out about getting things together, but now I'm going to let go and just have fun!

Getting Older

2005-07-23T06:34:00.000+04:30

When I first moved to New York, I was determined to make it successfully as an actor, or live the rest of my life trying. So far, I have done that. I've achieved sporadic success, yet still have to earn a living doing something else.

The thing that I failed to seriously consider is that as I got older, my body might not function as well as it once did. I've never considered seriously watching my diet, or consistent, regular exercise. After all, I'm in no way overweight, I'm full of energy, and I look relatively young for my age. I even have pretty much a full head of hair! This has proven to be a curse, as well as blessing. The the need for regular medical checkups is one I have ignored for a very long time. In fact, with the health insurance available to me being so expensive, I have opted to go without it.

I have now realized the error of apathy towards my own body. A few weeks ago, I discovered a strange tingling sensation in my left foot. It would come and go, but then eventually went all the way up my calf. I told some friends about it, who all urged me to see a doctor. But with money being so tight, I put it off.

Then last week, I got the same sensation in my hand and arm. It too would come and go, so I was rather dismissive of it. Then yesterday, the feeling in my arm would not go away. I told some co-workers about it, and one told me that it could be heart related and to not fool around with it.

She told me of her father who died of a heart attack at age 37, one year younger than I am now. This struck some fear in me. I decided to do whatever I had to do to see a doctor the next day. I got my next day's shift covered, brushing aside the fact that it's the busiest day of the week and I need the money.

I then stopped at an Internet cafe before my rehearsal. I went to Web MD and looked up my symptoms. The page that came up said, “See a health care professional immediately.”

Well, I shouldn't have to say that this really scared the shit out of me. So, without finishing the time on my session, I got up with the intention of taking myself to the nearest emergency room. As I was walking down the street, it occurred to me that I really did not know where I was going. I actually had no idea where the nearest hospital was, yet I kept walking, while reciting the Lord's Prayer in my head.

When suddenly I came upon a place called The Ryan Center. It was a health clinic, and it seemed rather empty. I went in, explained that I had very little money with me, nor did I have any financial information and explained my symptoms. The man behind the counter looked rather alarmed and ushered me back while scolding me for waiting so long to seek medical attention. They got me to a doctor pretty quickly, and didn't take any of my money.

It turns out The Ryan Center is one of the only places of it's kind in the entire country. They operate on a sliding scale fee system for the uninsured, and offer all kinds of medical care, including Dental, Mental, Dermatology, Podiatry, Vision, and Allergist. They also offer Yoga, massage, and acupuncture. If that's not enough, they also offer a program where one can get generic prescriptions filled for five dollars!

So, the doctor looked at me, he was very nice and took his time with me, and it seems that all the urgent things are fine. My blood pressure is normal, my reflexes are dead on, and I'm half an inch shorter than I thought I was! I scheduled to go back in for blood tests and an entire examination next month. The only thing worrying me now is that there is a chance I may be at risk for diabetes. But I know people who have it and they seem to deal just fine.

So then I went to the grocery store today, and filled up on items all low in fat and high in whole grains and protein. It seems this was the kick in the ass I needed to start taking care of myself the way I should have been all along.

But this is why I believe in God. It seems that when I'm stuck in a true rut, not knowing what I'm going to do, the answer appears right in front of me with no effort on my part. This wasn't the first time, and I trust it won't be the last.

Guest Blog Entry: From Kathy Krzykowski

2005-07-15T07:56:00.000+04:30

Please support my sister, if you can, in her efforts to fight breast cancer...

Hi everybody, I'm Cary's sister, Kathy. I want to tell you a little bit about what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I will be walking a 60 mile walk over 3 days to raise awareness and money for treatment, screening and to help find a cure for breast cancer. Over the past 5 weeks I've been training very hard with my team (KICKIN' DUST FOR BUSTS). We average 25-30 miles per week. We have about 13 weeks left before the big kick off (October 7-9 in Tampa Bay). My personal reason for doing this is because of my mother in law Sheila McIntyre who passed away in 1995 from this disease. I'm also walking in memory of her twin sisters, Connie and Carol, Sandy Haase (a friend of mine), and my friend/co-workers mother, Janet Vento who all lost their battle with breast cancer. I also join the fight because in 2005 an estimated 211,240 new invasive cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States alone. An estimated 1,690 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2005. Internationally, 1.15 million new cases of breast cancer will occur this year. There is a new case every 27 seconds. My fight is fueled by the knowledge that this year approximately 40,500 women and men will die from breast cancer in the United States. Globally, 410,000 will lose their fight to breast cancer this year. With your help, I hope to make these numbers disappear. To make a donation, please visit my 3 Day Fundraising page HERE. Anything is greatly appreciated and I thank you all for your support ahead of time. Thank You.

Kathy

Wildwood Revelry

2005-07-14T07:36:00.000+04:30

Wow. It's Wednesday, and I'm still wiped from the weekend! After getting home very late Sunday, and then having two full days of work and rehearsals, I just had to take today off.

Wildwood turned out to be fun, albeit a very difficult gig. Performing on the beach, but not close to the water, was like being in a desert in full clothing. Much thanks to Ron for giving me informal permission to remove my headpiece while "backstage".

So, on Friday morning, I got up at 5 am to meet the bus by 7am, and off we were. When we got there, we were greeted by pouring rain. As soon as it stopped, we walked the boardwalk. To our delight, Ron and I found a House of the Dead 2, and kicked some zombie ass! Then we all met and ran a brief fight/dance rehearsal on the very wet beach.

After that, we enjoyed the evening on the boardwalk, and took lots of photos. I enjoyed a very nice Italian dinner, with pasta and sausage and garlic bread. It was a very pleasant evening. Our accommodations weren't as great as we anticipated, but we made due.

As I said, performing was long and difficult. In fact, that night, when everyone else was out partying and swimming, I went to bed at 10 and was knocked out for the evening. Old age is catching up with me!

The best part of performing was when a little boy, no more than 2 years old, who wanted to meet no other character but the jester, ran up into my arms like he knew me forever! He was all smiles and giggles, and it made all the hardship worth it.

The worst part was on Sunday's first joust. Jeff rode out on Smoke, and something happened to the saddle, I don't know, it broke or slipped, or something. Anyway, Jeff went flying. I was watching with an awareness for the way he landed, and while he landed hard, it did look like he landed safely. But then he didn't get up. He was down for what seemed like a good 5 or 10 minutes, while those calling the joust vamped with ingenious humor by auctioning off the squires. Finally, the EMTs arrived, stood Jeff up, and took him to the hospital. It turned out that he dislocated his shoulder - which while bad, is a blessing, as it could have been much worse.

I get mentioned in an article on our "Beach Faire" in the Atlantic City Press, which is HERE.

I'm too tired to write any more, so please enjoy the pictures....

Greg and Nick blessed by seagulls

Paul and Jen Freely

We are so “cool!”

ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Funnelcake bliss!

Me with the lovely Jennelle

Redneck Nick with JD in his pocket!

Squire Mike concentrating with his tounge!

Stewart and Tim on the trolley

Holy identity switch!

London, America is with you

2005-07-08T06:29:00.000+04:30

Wildwood

2005-07-08T06:17:00.000+04:30

I'm currently in full swing of rehearsals for this year's New York Renaissance Faire! I've been meaning to write about all that I'm doing and how it's going, but I've been... well, busy rehearsing!

Now I'm off to Wildwood, New Jersey for the weekend, as our company has been hired out to kickoff the first annual New Jersey Renaissance Faire. They're building an entire faire, complete with joust field and all, on what is apparently among the biggest boardwalks in the country. Dan and I are reprising our chessboard fight from last year, and the whole day should be a blast. Then we have the entire night to have fun! They're housing us in premiere beach front hotels, and taking very good care of us.

The only drawback is that I have to get out of bed at 5 am tomorrow as the bus takes off at 7. So, I'm off to bed...

I try to write about this year's faire sometime next week.

Post from Froggy RuminationsBroken News

2005-07-07T04:08:00.000+04:30

One blog I visit regularly is Froggy Ruminations. Froggy is a veteran US Navy Seal whose politics more than lean on the conservative right. Thus, he and I often disagree. Yet, I have grown to enormously respect and admire this man, as he has been open to hearing my views, and has given me a perspective that influences them. This time I concure with what he has to say completely. The following is his recent post which deals with an incident that occurred this past week in Afghanistan where he lost fellow SEALS in a copter crash, and the media's treatment of the story. For most American's, like myself, this is another news item dealing with the war. For Froggy, it's personal. I asked his permission to share his post here, as I believe his voice should be heard on this...

Like you, I have seen all of the media reports and even CENTCOM press releases regarding the remaining SEAL evaders of Operation Red Wing. I have purposely decided that this site is not going to report any further news updates on the fate of those operators until the status of ALL THREE of them is known for certain. I cannot tell you how frustrated I am as I watch the irresponsible reporting by the wire services, newspapers, TV outlets, and even other blogs.

Look, I understand wanting to break a story first and the rush of being a “go to” source for an important story. A perfect example would be the retirement of SCOTUS Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Media outlets and blogs are competing with greater and greater speculation about who is going to be nominated to replace her, postulations regarding the chances of Democratic filibuster, or just finding out what kind of absurd regurgitations are going to vomit forth from Ted Kennedy’s pie hole. I get that. There’s no harm in bandying about wild theories, and using dubious sources because eventually we’re all going to have the answers to those questions. Besides, its political
sport, which is after all a very American past time.

But the unconfirmed, poorly sourced, and often flatly wrong information coming out about the CSAR operation underway in Afghanistan is not only irresponsible, it could prove lethal. Speculating about the location of a wounded US evader in the field while recovery operations are ongoing is an outrageous violation of basic ethics. Can a civil society not recognize that the potential hazards of reporting these claims far outweigh any value that could be gained from being first on the story? There is no doubt that upon hearing the claim by an Afghan provincial governor (?) that he knew the location of an evading US serviceman, the reporter’s next call was to the US military spokesman for reaction. And I am just as certain that any US military spokesman would beg and plead for that reporter to sit on that information, be it true or false. How long did it take you to figure out that information of that kind could have a devastating impact on the rescue efforts underway?

It is cliché to say that the media and its 24 hour news cycle reach new lows on a regular basis. It is annoying to see the Michael Jackson/Scott Peterson/Koranic flushathon every time you turn on the TV. But they have been playing with a man’s life this weekend. It becomes something north of annoying when that man is one of your own brothers in arms struggling against all odds to evade and survive. It is infuriating. Let’s hope the media’s big competition doesn’t get someone killed. I’m not letting them off the hook either way.

Happy 229th Birthday, America

2005-07-05T02:37:00.000+04:30

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

“The lyrics to this beautiful song were written by Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929) an instructor at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, after an inspiring trip to the top of Pikes Peak, Colorado, in 1893.”

Today, as it is Independence Day, I've had this song ringing through my head. I'm reminded of when I was on tour a few years back, my cast mates and I went to the top of Pikes Peak, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We walked the path at the top of the mountain, and witnessed one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. I searched the Internet for pictures to share, but believe me, none of these truly do it justice.

I wish everyone a wonderful Independence day, and especially want to thank those who serve in our armed forces for protecting the freedoms I enjoy, which enable me to pursue my dreams.

God Bless America and those who protect it.

Brennan's home!

2005-06-26T02:55:00.000+04:30

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers, thoughts, wishes, and good energy for our new little friend!

It worked!

A chain Book Blog!

2005-06-22T01:42:00.000+04:30

I have been tagged with this great chain post on the blogosphere by BillyBudd of American Dinosaur , my very cool Right Wing Pundit friend. It's great to learn about how other people think. So here it is...

1. Total number of books I own: Somewhere between 125 and 150. I tried to make a precise count, but they are scattered in various places. I'd have more, but I spent a few years in a nomadic existence, moving on a regular basis. So most of what I have has been acquired in just a few years. More than half of my collection is Shakespeare, followed by acting technique, mythology, poetry, philosophy, spiritual/self-help books, and classic novels.

2. Last book I bought: The First Folio edition of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, in order to prepare for my current role in the play.

3. Last book I read: Entire book straight through – Density of Souls by Christopher Rice (Anne's son) about a young man growing up gay in New Orleans with friends both loyal and otherwise. It takes many surprising twists and turns with a tragedy that turns it into sort of a mystery novel. I found myself crying uncontrollably in public as I reached the end. Excellent riveting and emotional first novel for Mr. Rice.

4. Five books of notable influence on me: hmmmm... well, let me think....

1.The First Folio of William Shakespeare. If Shakespeare's friends, Heminges and Condell, had not decided to publish his plays in one concise volume after he died, many of them would be lost forever, including key scenes from my favorite, King Lear. My acting technique involves using these early printings,as well, which I use for more than just Shakespeare. Equally fascinating is the history of how this book was first assembled.

2.The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Huck Finn is probably my favorite fictional character.. He lives life on his own terms, running from abuse and befriends Jim, in spite of those around him who tell him it's a sin to do so. He finds much adventure and self discovery with nothing more than a makeshift raft. This is more than a kids book, it's full of humor and incite. I am among those who consider this book to be The Great American Novel.

3.The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. I have the entire text link on the side column of my blog. This book has often uplifted me in tough times, and I've quoted many times to friends. It is probably my favorite gift to give to those I care about.

4.The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.This is a self-help book for unleashing creativity and eliminating self denying blocks. It operates under the premise that creative expression is the natural order for all human beings.

The Gospel's of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I do not say The Bible, as I do not view it as one book, but rather a compilation of various books and letters (thus accounting for contradictions), the books I adhere to most are the these that I mention. They chronicle the life, teachings and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth, who provides the ultimate example, for me, of how to live my own life.

(My friends have looked at me strangely, as well, as they have witnessed me excitedly looking for new words as I perused the dictionary.)

5. Five poor bastards to tag with this:

Sister Sunshine the working mom, wife, songwriter in Florida.

Alan J.F. the very intelligent student in California.

Jenelle, a wonderful real life friend, and incredibly talented little beauty.

NonSequiTourettes, a friend from my hometown who now lives in my neighboorhood. Very smart, talented, and funny guy.

Dwayne Another aspiring actor, singer. It may take him a while to respond, as he is home in Singapore for the summer.

I really like this survey, so I'm going to extend it to non-bloggers to answer, as well, in the comments section. I'd love to hear from Gary, David, Barleymash, lessthanzero, The Anonymous Globe holda, and anyone else who'd like to answer!

A Good Start...

2005-06-18T05:01:00.000+04:30

I have posted my feelings on the Patriot Act before. So the news this week was particularly satisfying to me. I’ve no time to actually sit and write my thoughts, but thankfully the New York Times covered them for me on today’s editorial page….

A Wake-Up Vote in the House

In a welcome rebuff to President Bush, the House has finally heeded the public's growing fears for their liberties under the Patriot Act's sweeping police powers. Thirty-eight Republicans joined with the Democratic minority in denying the Federal Bureau of Investigation blanket power to seize library and bookstore records in terrorism investigations. The action was needed to stop federal agents from conducting secret fishing expeditions.

Unfortunately, only one of the Patriot Act's manifold flaws is affected by the vote. More bipartisan action is needed to safeguard civil liberties as the president insists on full renewal and expansion of parts of the act due to expire this year.

Many lawmakers did not even read the Patriot Act when it was rushed through after the Sept. 11 attacks. Since then, hundreds of localities and seven states have objected that the law gave government too much power to invade the privacy of ordinary Americans. The House should also have acted to protect medical records from F.B.I. seizure, and to remove odious "sneak and peek" provisions that allow agents to search a person's home but delay admitting to the intrusion.

Parts of the Patriot Act are reasonable and necessary, but too much of it provides license for federal agents to spy on innocent people and suppress dissent. President Bush threatens to veto any change in the act, and Republican leaders would accommodate him by deleting the House's revision in negotiations with the Senate on a final bill. Protecting civil liberties is never a one-shot exercise. It is crucial that the surprise House coalition defend its vote and the public's interest.

38 Years Ago Today

2005-06-13T21:46:00.000+04:30

In 1967 (the year you were born)

Lyndon B. Johnson is president of the US

President Johnson and Soviet premiere Aleksei Kosygin agree not to let any crisis push them into wore

Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first black Supreme Court justice on June 13th!

The first home microwave is released by Amana

Dave Matthews, Kurt Cobain, Liz Phair, Vin Diesel, Julia Roberts, Anna Nicole Smith, and Cary Patrick Martin, Jr are born

St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series

Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I

Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup

Disney's The Jungle Book and The Graduate are the top grossing films

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is published

Paul McCartney announces that all four members of the Beatles have "dropped acid"

For the first time, Jimi Hendrix sets his guitar on fire during a concert in London

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is released

The first issue of Rolling Stone magazine is published

The FCC orders that cigarette ads on television, radio and in print must include a warning about the health risks of smoking

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Yes, today marks the 38th Anniversary of my existence in the world! I have the entire day off from both the restaurant and faire rehearsals!

To celebrate, I’m going to take myself away from the computer, go walk in the park (perhaps visit the zoo) and reflect on how lucky I am in my life. I have been blessed with opportunities that make me and others happy, and I have wonderful people in my life whom I love dearly and make an enormous difference to me.

I am grateful.

Brennan

2005-06-13T05:50:00.000+04:30

Brennan came into the world this past Thursday, to two very proud friends of mine. He was born at 9PM, 7 lbs, 9 oz, and his full name means "Sword of Gentle Water."

Brennan is having a couple of medical setbacks and is in neo-natal ICU care now.

I’m asking all of the readers here to send prayers, thoughts, energy, whatever you do spiritually, towards little Brennan and his mommy and daddy.

His parents have also asked, “…please just give each other an extra hug, and tell someone how much they mean to you.”

Thank you.

RENT trailer online!!!

2005-06-11T20:54:00.000+04:30

I’ve written how I feel about this BEFORE, so I'll just say that watching the trailer has gotten me even more excited!

I actually got a bit choked up just watching it. You can take a look HERE!

Guest Blog Entry from Ryan Krzykowski

2005-06-10T06:48:00.000+04:30

Ryan is my 13 year old nephew. He interviewed my Uncle David, who is a 20 year Veteran of the US Navy, for a school project. He received an A+! In my pride as an Uncle (and as a nephew) I am sharing his paper here.
__________________________________________________________

David Petrillo was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, New York on January 20, 1954. He is my uncle on my mother's side of the family. He served in the Navy during the years 1972-1995 and was only 19 years old when he went into the service.

He served during the Vietnam war and was stationed in Portland Oregon. Later in his Milatary career he served in Desert Storm (Gulf War) and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a Boat Swainmate.

He fired many weapons, two were a N-15 and a N-16, he never got hit by a single bullet. He had gone on four cruises and his longest was Desert Storm. His most memorable event in his career was coming back from Desert Storm. He will spend Veteran's Day at a parade or military observance to show his respect for his country.

Do we need a Deep Throat today?

2005-06-04T05:11:00.000+04:30

Well, since I go full swing into rehearsals this coming week, I will most likely not have much time to actually sit down and write a blog entry for a little while, although I will probably still post various articles I find and want to share.

So, I've been trying to think of a good political issue I could write about to stir things up a little here. I've had a hard time deciding the best one for creating a good discussion from which I could hear from both sides on.

Then, this week, it was revealed who “Deep Throat”, the anonymous source the Washington Post used in exposing the corruption in the Nixon administration was.

This goes back to my very earliest memory of politics in America or the world. I can remember, in vivid detail, where I was on August 8th, 1974. It was in the days when television had only three major networks, and a local PBS station. There were no VCRs, no cable, no 24 hour news. People stopped what they were doing when a special bulletin was announced by a newscaster. We had highly revered newscasters, like Walter Cronkite. Our TV took a predominate place in the living room. It had to, it was huge! It was a big wooden decorated box that sat on the floor in the corner and held family photos on top. You had to get out of your chair to change to another station, as their were no remotes, and if you changed it too fast, you got yelled at that you might break the dial. Once you did change the station, you might have to fiddle with the antenna to get better reception.

So, there we were when it was announced that President Nixon had called a special news conference. My mother sat in the chair behind me as I sat on the floor in front of the TV. I was pretty oblivious to current events then, but somehow I understood the gravity of what was about to happen. President Richard Nixon, tears streaming down his face, gave his resignation to the American people on live television. I looked back to my mother, also in tears, who said, “Whatever happened, he was a good president. He did a lot of good.”

I never told my mother this, since I was really too young to know, but I had a vague instinct that I should disagree with her. To a seven year old, quitting is not a great character asset, at least not in those days. As I grew older, and learned more about the history of this event, I came to understand it better.

Now, all I can say when certain “whiny” Democrats are scoffed at for suspicions or accusations of a vast Right Wing conspiracy is, “HEY IT HAPPENED BEFORE!”

Add to that the fact that every two term President in my lifetime has been plagued by scandal in their second term. Starting with Nixon found spying on the DNC in an election year, after the shooting of a Democratic candidate, and then stonewalling investigations in the name of “national security”. The Reagan administration selling weapons to our known enemies, followed up with the impeachment of Bill Clinton for lying about a sexual affair with another consenting adult. And then stories about roadblocks in minority communities on Election Day 2000, particularly where the candidate's brother was Governor. Who can blame Democrats for being suspicious of their political opponents?

Given the Presidential history within my own lifetime, isn't it natural to expect a scandal in the current administration? I try my best to see both sides of any issue, but that is becoming increasingly difficult for me these days. While I have difficultly imagining how a large book could possibly be flushed down a toilet, and certainly have no sympathy for a man such as Saddam Hussein being shown in his Fruit of the Looms, there does seem to be validity to claims of mishandling the Islamic holy book, the Koran, as well as known abuses of non insurgent/terrorist prisoners. While I in do not believe for a second that these actions in any way represent the vast majority of those who serve in our armed forces, these events have in fact compromised the image of the United States, and the mission of our soldiers.

What many find particularly suspicious is that mostly low level officers have been held accountable for these abuses. By his own admission, the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, knew about the abuses early on and allegedly said nothing to the President. Given the fact that Mr. Rumsfeld still holds his position; can anyone blame those who believe that the blame goes all the way up to the White House? Were these low level officers following executive orders?

Now I do agree with many conservatives that that the media seems to focus more on bad news than good when it comes to covering our troops. I, for one, would like to see this changed. But the only difference in the Newsweek article (ironically owned by the Washington Post) and reports going back to 2001 regarding alleged abuses of the Koran, is that is was confirmed by an anonymous government source who later backed out, thus prompting the magazine's retraction.

Is it the media's doing that one particular low level officer, willing to fight and give life and limb is suddenly discharged because of a photo of her exposing her breast at a party held by those in higher ranks? Most of the news stories I read portrayed this party as a deserved release of high stress, which harmed no one. If this was a problem, why were no higher ranking officers held accountable?

Another fact in the history of this story, which is actually new to me, is the Nixon administration's act of keeping files on those who openly opposed the war. This makes me even more wary of the Patriot Act, which I have already been ardently opposed to.

Some, including Mr. Rumsfeld, have questioned why W. Mark Felt would go to the media rather than a grand jury or other authority. But I have to ask how would he possibly get the information past the authorities who were involved in covering up the facts? Yes, his motives were questionable, but I do believe he did the right thing.

I would like to think that if our current leaders are involved in corruption or abuses of power, that we would have a Deep Throat of our own generation to expose the truth to Americans today.

Memorial Day

2005-05-30T21:56:00.000+04:30

"Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men."

- Pericles (c. 600 B.C.E.)

School Days

2005-05-27T07:37:00.000+04:30

This is the cover of the brochure, featuring Justin Lewis as the Sheriff of Nottingham (riding Dante), for The NY Renaissance Faire School Days performances, designed by Don Kilcoyne.

Yes, I got my jester costume back on and performed as Yorick for school kids who were bussed to the faire for two days of special performances.

Yesterday was a bit rough. It was abnormally cold, below 40, and difficult. Nevertheless, the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Cold weather can make horses particularly energetic and harder to control. So, our jousters had a particularly hard time on Tuesday. When charging at each other with long lances on horseback, trying to hit each other's shields, targets have to be very precise. But mishaps happen, and to make a long story short, one of our jousters had to be taken to the hospital with a dislocated shoulder. Would you believe that the very next day, he was back up on his horse, jousting full out again?! Our jousters are the best!

Dan and I reprized our chessboard fight for the kids, as well. They went nuts!

Today the weather was much better, and performing was a lot more fun. One of the highlights for me was an 11 year old boy, who was dressed like a jester. I took him on as my “Padowan Jester”, and he was actually quite funny. I brought him to different characters, and he told jokes, did pratfalls, and I actually broke character laughing so hard!

He told one joke that I think I might steal for myself:

What do you call cheese that doesn't belong to you?

Nacho cheese!

I love performing for kids, knowing that I am making a difference in their lives. Inevitably, they end up the ones making a difference in mine.

Hats off to Jester Chris!

At the end of the day, they fed us hot, juicy, plump turkey legs and I was set for the day!

Art and Politics

2005-05-25T04:32:00.000+04:30

One of the great things about America is that we all have a voice, and are able to use it. I like to encourage people to use their voices whenever they can, even if I disagree with them.

This is why I have always failed to understand why some Conservatives like to boycott certain celebrities with whom they differ with politically. Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and Sean Penn all make good movies. I also love the original Planet of the Apes and Terminator 2, even though my political views differ from Charlton Heston’s and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s. I really believe those things are separate. I would hate to think that exercising my rights and responsibilities as a citizen by voicing my opinion diminishes my work as an actor.

Some artists like to insert their political views into their work. Others like to use their work to advance their political agenda.

As for me, I make the choice not to put my political beliefs into my work or to pursue work which has a political agenda. I'd rather not alienate any part of my audience. I am close to some Conservative Republicans and regard them no less than Liberal Democrats. I wish to entertain everyone. If one wishes to know my political views, or beliefs in any area, they can ask me or read this blog. At that point, I will do my best to sway people to my viewpoint, while being open to theirs. I don’t have to agree to respect.

So, isn’t it ironic that of all people, my good friend, Brian Morvant, whose rule is to never discuss politics ever, has been cast in a play with a political agenda! He has encouraged me to see this one, which can only mean that it’s intended for a Liberal Democrat audience (which doesn’t mean I wouldn’t see a Conservative play, if they were to do one) ! So here is my plug for him.

Press release from playbill.com:

America Readies for 2015 Election in A.R. Gurney's World Premiere Satire Screen Play

By Ernio Hernandez

The Flea Theater which produced A.R. Gurney's Mrs. Farnsworth last year will present the upcoming world premiere of his new political satire, Screen Play.

Previews for the limited engagement begin May 27 for a run to open June 4 and play through June 25. Flea Artistic Director Jim Simpson directs the work written especially for downtown troupe.

Screen Play sets its story "just before the election of 2015" in an America "ruled by a conservative religious majority. The economy is sagging, wars are raging and culture is in decay. Many Americans have begun to flee to Canada and Mexico as the government struggles to stop pandemic reverse immigration," according to a show description. The work liberally based on a classic 1942 film "is a tale of politics, history, the city of Buffalo, and a love ruined by the Bush-Gore election of 2000."

The cast of Screen Play features Derrick Edwards, John Fico, Meredith Holzman, Drew Hildebrand, Kevin T. Moore, Brian Morvant and Raushanah Simmons. The design team includes Melissa Schlactmeyer (costumes), Joe Novak (lighting) and Greg Duffin (sound). Musical direction is by Kris Kukul.

In addition to his Flea offerings O Jerusalem and Mrs. Farnsworth, Gurney has penned the plays Scenes from American Life, Children, The Dining Room, The Middle Ages, Sweet Sue, The Perfect Party, Another Antigone, The Cocktail Hour, Love Letters, The Old Boy, The Fourth Wall, Later Life, A Cheever Evening, Sylvia, Overtime, Let's Do It (a Cole Porter musical), Labor Day, Far East, Ancestral Voices and Buffalo Gal.

Director Simpson has staged productions of Anne Nelson's The Guys, Gurney's O Jerusalem and Mrs. Farnsworth at his homestage as well as Off-Broadway's Intrigue with Faye, Psych, Demonology and Nixon's Nixon.
Tickets to Screen Play at The Flea, 41 White Street (between Broadway and Church Street) are available by calling (212) 352-3101 or visit www.theflea.org.

Brian Morvant

The Force comes full circle this week!

2005-05-18T06:07:00.000+04:30

Got my tickets! I am so excited, I can barely contain myself!

AND A.O Scott of the New York Times says in his review,

“This is by far the best film in the more recent trilogy, and also the best of the four episodes Mr. Lucas has directed. That's right (and my inner 11-year-old shudders as I type this): it's better than 'Star Wars.'”

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!