Heinz 57

I've been terrible lately. Two wonderful friends of mine asked why I don't post very often. I have started rehearsal for a new play, and everything else in my life goes by the way-side. The way way side. So in the spirit of balance, here I go. This will be quick and dirty. A ketch-up.

Beautiful Dreamers!!!

We are now knee deep in the rehearsal process. And I keep forgetting to bring my hip-boots. I may need them soon, because 'tech' (all the technical collaborators come together and incorporate elements into the performances) begins on Friday. 'Dreamers' is a fresh new play that celebrates the music of Pittsburgh's very own Stephen Foster, captures the spirit and growth of pre-Civil War America, and follows three strangers as they journey cross-country in search of..."Freedom. Love. Eternity." And we have our very own Marty Giles to thank for the story and direction. It's a bigger piece, so we're all doing our homework, but I am having a blast, and will enjoy playing it right on through to closing night. Did I mention I sing in this one? It's been about 4-5 years since I've had to deliver the vocal goods on stage, so it's a blessing and a challenge. And Doug Levine has arranged some frightfully difficult, yet amazing arrangements of Stephen Foster's music. It will be satisfying once we all get a handle on it.

So today, not unlike other days, I'll tromp over to the 61C cafe in squirrel hill, order a decaf and a biscotti, and run lines and scenes in my head. It often doesn't confine itself to my head, so if you find yourself there, I'm the crazy mutterer, stammering non-sensical mid-century prose in the corner. Kevin Spacey showed up in my dream the other night. (awesome transition) It reminded me of something he once said in an interview. He used to take monologues from The Iceman Cometh (pages and pages of solo words) into a restaurant or coffee shop and learn his lines there. He figured that if he could concentrate and learn them with all of the distraction of his surroundings, no matter what happened onstage, his words would be there for him.

I like that. I'm on it, Kev.

Most importantly, today celebrates the day of me little sister's birth. She is such a kick-gas young lady, and so if you know her and think of it, send her some birthday wishes!

Blessings to all and be well!

Bobbing for a Big Apple

I get very serious-minded and sometimes turn this blog into a funny little advice column for actors. And then I don't post for days because I think, in order for me to write something inspiring or helpful, I have to be inspired, powerful, 'together'. I'm so full of it sometimes that I have to laugh at myself. So I'll save some of that for my book and my Oprah interview.

Since March has been 'face your fears' month in my brain, I am very excited, and anxious to report, I am moving (back) to New York City at the end of August. I am excited because I know that this time I mean it. I am anxious because over the past few years, I have been the boy who cried "Big Apple!". And there is nothing more embarrassing than having to thumb through my rolodex of excuses when people ask me why I didn't follow through on a grand master plan. I am that guy, with that rolodex. Before I recycle these cards, I'll share a few of the valid excuses on file.

I could use a little more cash right now.
I would like to pay off all of my debt first.
I am having a really fantastic career here and want to work as much as I can, while I can.
I'm not really interested in, whatever, commercial success and recognition.

The last one is a big fat lie. But the other guys all make perfect sense, yeah? I mean, NYC is tough town. (cough) You should really have all your ducks in a row. (cough, 'excuses') It takes years of thoughtful planning to relocate(cough-'liar!')

Truth is, I am in no better position this year than I was last year, or the year before. So I am giving myself a 'no-turning-back' policy. And I refuse to give 'regret' a piggy back ride to my grave. He's kind of a heavy-set dude, anyway.

I have no idea how it's going to happen, or where to begin to plan it all out. And I am not unaware of NYC's tendency to spew the weak-minded into the Hudson. But I'm not renewing my lease. (Deep breath...and release.) Anyway, this blog could be a fun way to chronicle the tribulations and successes that await.

More on this and my progress to come. Just so you know, I have fallen in love with the amazing city that I currently call home. I have been and will be grateful for the work, love, growth, and support of many here. I'm not breaking up with you, P-Burgh. I'll still use Heinz ketchup and wave my terrible yellow washcloth when the guys kick the brown thing through the yellow wishbone. It's just something I have to do. I would love to come back and play on your stages as often as I can, or am invited to.

Wish me luck.

And today I will dance like an idiot. Thank you.

Doing Feared Things First

In a certain 'personal-productivity-obsessed' period of my life, I came across this little gem, and a few days ago I came back to the idea and decided to take it on as another fear-conquering experiment.

I'm a list guy, and within my intricately coded and cross-referenced (HA!) to do lists, I always come across what I will call 'D-listers'; those tasks that I almost vehemently resist, the ones that D-emonize me, stare me down; the ones I'm surprised even made it from my consciousness onto my list in the first place!

And, like most of us, I always act on the easier tasks first before attempting the difficult ones. I rationalize, "Once I get A, B, C done, then I will free up energy to tackle the big D;).

"And Good morning to you, Mr. Procrastinator."

But naturally it's those D-evilish tasks that usually move us forward faster, that have the greatest positive impact:
-Calling a new contact to whom you've never spoken.
-Starting on the big project (taxes) that you know will take some time and mental energy.
-Taking a walk to the yoga studio and getting a class schedule and brochure. These are just a few that, for me, require some confidence and a leap of faith.

So each morning this week, after my coffee, I've been trying to identify the action that my 'higher-self' (perhaps) is nudging me to complete. It's an easy process for me. I just think through all of things I have to do, and whatever task triggers the biggest twisting sensation in my stomach is my 'D' task. If it's a many step process, then I resolve to begin it, and give it a time limit. My default limit for working on D projects is an hour and a half.

Now here is the payoff I've discovered: If I can manage to accomplish the worst and most resistant action/project first thing in my day, then I start the day with a huge win, and it's like I just gave my inner-child permission to wreak havoc until sunset I play the guitar, I mess around with Sonnets (I'm weird), I watch 'Lost' on Netflix, or meet up with a buddy or two. Whatev, it's awesome! And generally, A,B, and C tasks are breezes in comparison.

Brian Tracy, personal development guru and teacher calls this process "Eating the Frog." (I like the image, so I apologize to the activists and to the imaginary frogs who have had suffer for my productivity.) So these past few days, I have been endeavoring to eat a frog each day. If I do nothing else, I feel satisfied that I got the one thing out of the way that that has been holding me back in some way or another. There is something to it... and let's face it...'D' is nuts. So conquer the insanity.