10 things learned

A great post from The Next Stage blog

West Georgia Roots

I spent yesterday visiting my grandmother's (Memaw's) sisters in West Georgia. It's suprising how much these women influenced me growing up. Refinishing furniture, buying jelly, putting on plays in the backyard... Here's to a lovely group of ladies!

Weekend recap

-Greensboro

-Oatmeal pancakes with Jack Apple Compote

-Made Christmas Ornaments

-Helped man the shop

-Q Lounge

-Relaxation

-Sleepy nights in A's arms

Asparagus, Grit Cakes and Scrambled Eggs

After returning home from giving the final this morning, I roasted some leftover fresh asparagus, made the leftover grits into grit cakes and scrambled up some eggs.  I love how a stocked fridge makes for great breakfasts!

Breakfast and the Museum

This morning's brunch led us to breakfast with our friend, Henry, over in Freemason. Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, capers, cream cheese, bagels, jam, and my meager contribution of Georgia grits made for a filling breakfast while Benny Goodman played away on the phonograph.

After breakfast, we walked over to the Chrysler Museum's Norman Rockwell exhibit.Weekend mornings should always be this enjoyable!

Brunch is Back!

After a hiatus from posting created by busy directing and work schedules... I'm thrilled to say I'm back in the kitchen and headed back to a routine. Avery came up for the show opening on Friday and we made sweet potato home fries and a Korean squash and cheddar frittata for breakfast on Saturday. Which was rare for us, as he's often at the glass shop and I'm often at rehearsal. Happy eating!

Broken windows

Some guys horsing around in Greensboro busted out Avery's window this weekend.

Bright side is... I had an excuse to go "help out" and ended up having a lovely day off!

P.S. Is it a "sign" that maybe we should start making those omelettes professionally?

Rehearsal Begins

in 3 days!

Losing Balance (a self help indulgence session)

I've always been a "reacher"...
always wanting more, bigger, grander, better, faster, stronger, smarter.

But all that reaching... it's exhausting! Living on the energy of the drive; Surfing the adrenaline of youth and repression and creation.

Then somewhere around 30 I discovered "rest." Breathing. The ability to pause with someone and savor a moment. It felt good. It turns out thrashing forward constantly is not a necessity. And resting doesn't diminish my contribution to the world.

But the extremes are dangerous.

Drive easily becomes compulsion.
Rest becomes stagnation.
Grandiose dreams become delusion.
Stillness becomes sloth.

Where's the balance?

Here's to finding the combination that works.
What do you do?

Not Like Us

If nothing else, I hope that this election causes people to see that not everyone is "like us."

Change requires hard work... Time to roll up our sleeves and pitch in.

No matter who or what you voted for, what are you doing to help create a better America?

It was drizzling when I went to vote - but NO LINE!

It was drizzling when I went to vote - but NO LINE!
Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

The art of conversation and new leaders

At the beginning of the month, I had the opportunity to go to the New Leaders Conference in San Francisco along with our Production Manager and Communications Director.

Wow, what a weekend!

I could go on for a while expounding the beauty of San Francisco and some enviable lifestyle practices - not to mention their green leanings (the main grocery store chain uses only paper bags - no plastic), but I'll focus this post on the events having the most impact on daily life.

1. The simple beauty of conversation.
Production and communication are both very busy departments that occupy geographically different parts of our building. Save photo calls, there is very little cause for staff of these departments to cross-pollinate. I think I'm almost the only little bee that deals with both departments on a regular basis. It was extremely enjoyable to watch these two managers geek out and discover how much they have in common - not just in terms of graphic novels and techno-speak, but also in strategy of running their departments and issues that they face daily. While the conference leaders did some great programming, the ability to sit with a beer and talk as leadership and managers was, for me, the greatest gift of the trip.

2. Generational issues
Millenials, Gen-X, Boomers... Seems to be all I hear lately. But I guess there's a reason for that. The conference was less a full blown discussion of generational issues, and more a mezze for a further national discussion to be held online. Lynne Lancaster presented a general analysis of the generational characteristics. While it was a nice overview, she seemed to talk to the "older" generations, ignoring the fact that over half the room was Gen-X and Millenials. And she talked a LOT about boomers. But, that is what boomers do, now isn't it? (I kidd because I love)

3. Goal Setting
On the first day there was a lovely session led by Daniel Alexander Jones that featured a structured analyzation of your life plan. ("plan" seems like the wrong word, but "life intention" is too weak) While the ideas were a combination of 7 Habits and GTD, the theatre field seldom encourages this type of analysis in a formal corporate manner. The invitation to do so started a welcome re-organization of my priorities that is still in process.

4. Self Artistic Analysis
Daniel's other session focused on how to write about your work. It was an exercise similar to developing an elevator speech. Again - things that are common in the saturated realm of entrepreneurial self-help books, but, again, thinks not often discussed corporately in our field. Again, a refreshing reminder.

5. The other conference sessions, while interesting in a lesser degree, were less New Leader-centric. The second day of the conference was combined with the Theatre Bay Area conference. While they are quite the organization (the produces a very attractive magazine), the topics of that day were less exciting that the discussions we were already having. I did have a lovely time eating dim sum and furthering the discussion that evening at the R and G Lounge in Chinatown Monday night.

The trip began a lot of thought processes that have found their way back to staff meetings, production meetings, and even conversations in my personal life. Thanks San Francisco!

Christmas Carol

So, I gotta say, the fall has been so busy that getting my head around Christmas Carol has been... difficult at best.
But now that the time is here, the set is design, the costumes are happening... Gotta say -
I think I'm getting in the Christmas Mood!

Rat-a-tat-twoey!

Rat-a-tat-twoey!
Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

All male camp.. without no "tension"?

The way people "choose" to live their lives fascinates me...

Swamped

Coming out of a swamped period here...

One of those periods where there's more to do than you'll ever get done, and you're wondering how you'll find time to eat, much less rest?

A lot got done though -

Two grants submitted
A show directed
A script reworked
A show almost cast
20 lectures given at the university
A trip to San Francisco
A conference attended
New ideas launched at work
Numerous lovely days with the bf

So, yeah, When I look back, I guess time was well spent.

Sigh...

Now, to find a stride for the next haul.

Busy busy

Sorry for the posting Hiatus... more to come soon!

Crazy Cycles

Life is moving in a never-ending cycle right now. Crazy speed and more to do than will ever be done.

I find that my life frequently works that way. Because I create those circumstances, of course...

Intense project times when everything is due all at once, and then...

A time of almost boring idleness and then...

Another swamped period...

I'd like to find a way to even things out a bit.

Here's to a more balanced fall!

Grey morning run in Norfolk

Grey morning run in Norfolk
Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

Sunday Breakfast

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Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

Relationships require much care. So does Sunday Brunch. I find that one can often nourish the other.  Click the pic for contents.

Hot Breakfast

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Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

Dried Herring at the Super G Mart

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Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

The Birthday Weekend

-Started off with the birthday
-Farmer's Market (can't forsake ritual)
-A arrived for the weekend with very sweet bday gifts
-Martini Party at the boss's house
-Crackers for some tapas and beer
-A revisit to Pasha Mezze for brunch
-Beach time at 87th St.
-First day of adjunct class
-A lil' more beach
-Game night w/ friends

Change the Platform

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

--Buckminster Fuller

An oldie but a goodie!

Sunday Breakfast

Sunday Breakfast
Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

I'm getting good at this whole frittata thing! We might even have to have a drunch party soon...

Genie of the Ring

Stopped by the prop shop and it looks like the ring puppet is coming right along!

In case you're not familiar, the original Aladdin story had TWO genies. Of course then it was Disnified and the rest is history. This is the Genie of the RING as opposed to the Genie of the Lamp.

Christmas Carol Overhaul

So... we're updating Christmas Carol (version 4.1 as Nelson says)
Anyway, he's blogging its process over on his website.

Check it out. In other CC news, Quentin, who played Tiny Tim last year, is going on the national tour of OLIVER! playing the Title role.

August Bulletin Board

August Bulletin Board
Originally uploaded by mullinsusc

Just an overview of what's on my plate this month. Click on the pic to get the flickr version with notes on what's what.

Last weekend

Another weekend list:

-FRIDAY -
-drinks with the crew at The Boot
-SATURDAY -
-more time at the 5pts Community Farmer's Market
-T and T - to buy fresh seafood on 40th street
-cleaned house and napped
-A arrived, add wine, then...
-Drinks at the Garage - quite the motley crew
-SUNDAY -
-brunch at Pasha on 22nd Street which was a-ma-zing (watch out for flying umbrellas though)
-went yacht shopping just in case I decide I want to live on a boat.. someday - ya never know!
-a bit o' beach
-cooked shrimp and scallops over whole grain pilaf

a nice weekend of asking big questions and planning

A List from the Weekend

Saturday - Me day
- farmer's market
-house sitting for the boss, on the river, with a hot tub, and a giant German Shepard
-grocery shopping for A's weekend time in Naw-fuk
-camera love
-mistake of going to the office for more work while waiting on A, put me in franic mood, almost
ruined my evening

Sunday - Us day
-made brunch - zucchini and basil frittata with boursin, mimosas with fresh oj, bible bread from
farmer's market
-lazy day on the deck
-trip to 87th street to watch the dolphins and beautiful European tourists
-short canoe trip up the river with large German Shepard in tow
-Grilled steak and veggies
-Mucho wine

Non-Profits

Just a post to say that at some point, I'd love to post about whether or not non-profits should even exist. Is it valid in this millennium? I'm sure lots of people have lots of ideas, but I'd like to think it through myself...

After a REALLY long day, it's amazing how much better a little Dixie-land Rag can make you feel.

The Right Words

Trying to communicate with my family
Grant writing
Play editing

I'm realizing just how ridiculously verbose I can get. So many words!!!! So little meaning!!!

Arrrrgh!!!!

Can I just communicate by interpretive dance or something?



Here's to emotional, precise.

Warm glass blogs

I spent the afternoon helping Avery set up his warm glass blog for Pluto Gallery.

His work is really amazing and Virginia Stage Company just commissioned a piece from him for the entry to their offices.  

Check out his warm glass work as well as the traditional stained glass work that he creates at Ellenburg and Shaffer.

Why magazines will die

Ok, I admit I love to pick up a magazine and flop through it. I love the feel of glossy paper in my hand, the smell, the little subscription cards that fall out.... Sigh. Even if it means trees where killed, I love that experience.

But there's a problem other than trees dying.

I can never find anything.

That great article on the cover? Impossible to find inside. Even when - gasp - I actually USED the table of contents!

So, I got on my phone, went to Outside Magazine's website, and there was the article. Plain as day. And now I know "Where to Live Now". And now I know that they named the article something cutesy inside so it didn't stand out at first (or second) perusal.

But the good old romanticism of flipping through a magazine on a lazy Saturday- all gone in my frustration at trying find the $&@! article.

So, while I love mags.... I dunno...

How long will they really last?

Ben Stein... on love?

In the NYT today - a very sweet article by Ben Stein on love. Who knew he was such a softie?

Aladdin set thus far...

I got to see what they've done with the Aladdin set thus far today.

Sam Flint has designed a really versatile and interesting "tent" and the shop has executed it brilliantly.

Once it's painted and dyed it will not only LOOK amazing, but offer a LOT of potential as far as ways it can transform. The fabric panels not only connect to the carpet in various configurations, but can also connect to each other for fluid movement transitions.

This will be a fun show I think!

Workin late...

I've been finding that staying late at the office is really my best time.

I mean, I put in face time in the mornings, and it's fine for meetings, but getting something done is impossible!

But from 6-8 pm, I'm ON. It's after the afternoon slump, but before the evening wind-down.

Tim Ferriss talks about finding the best time in your circadian rhythm to work in Four Hour Work Week, and in an interview with Problogger. Not that it's a new idea, but definitely something I'd forgotten about until recently.

So, maybe there's something to it... Now if I could just find a way to get by with sleeping till 11 a.m!

Geek out....

I just need to geek out for one second, because no one who's AT work today will get this.

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT HAS CHANGED.

The new iphone web apps will impact information gathering, social networking, and daily life as we know it. And, hopefully, for the better!

Ok, deep breath. I feel better now. Thanks for letting me say that.

Sigh...

Historical Repetition

The reverberations of history...

Massive Resistance...

Playwrights writing about Reconstruction in the south...

Declaration of Independence workshops at the museum...

I'm swimming in history this month

Self-discovery via career

In the many dating books I read back in the day (not to mention sermons heard), and even when talking with friends, I hear stories of how dating helps you "find" yourself. That it can be an important way of learning who you are. Getting to know others, and preparing yourself to meet the "right" person, are actually part of the path of self discovery, self awareness, and self creation.

Funny, now-a-days it seems that maybe career development is doing the same thing. Who do I want to be? Who do I want to do it with? What do I want my life to be like? How do I want to run my business? Not much different really than the questions you answer when filling out an EHarmony questionnaire.

Funny, just never thought as career development as job-dating...

Virginia History

I am sometimes amazed at the history that surrounds us all the time. Since moving to this area, I find that local history enthralls me. Most impressive is a big hurricane that hit this area on my birthday in 1933. Some amazing pictures of the event were taken that continue to pop up in local restaurants, galleries, etc. I'll write something more coherent when I figure out what it is that's pushing my buttons right now...

Game Night

Had great fun at this "game night" that some friends of mine throw from time to time.
We played this great old 50's board game...

Of course, then good ol' misogyny showed up. (the card, not the guy)


Yeah... the 50's were classic times, huh?

Baby Bird

Was a little late to work helping the lady at EVMS rescue this baby who's nest had fallen.

Artist

I like being a muse...

Evolution

I find that this ever-evolving life never ceases to amaze...


Artistic growth is always ocurring as a result of new relationships, exposure to other art, and exciting artists... This past season at the theatre has taught me much about how chanelling all of that ends in unexpected creations. One project that had previously been my cherished golden idea somehow became the wicked stepchild over the past year - and yet - the post-modern theatrical experience that it resulted in is one of the things I am most proud of.

My personal life has embraced new opporunities as well, and I am thrilled at the joyous impact jumping off a cliff into something wonderful can have.

Here's to building more of a base and taking bigger risks!

What happens when you explore a little...

Ramblings of an artist on his way. Balancing new ideas, old budgets, working within a larger organization, and learning on one's own...