Be Another you for a day

One of the best acting tips I got was when I working on a play in my 20's. The director told me to do a whole day of things that wasn't me. Whatever I do normally, do the opposite of. The idea was to help me break out of certain habits so I can get into the crazy character I was doing. I loved that idea. It is something I do from time to time to shake me out of routine and expand my idea of self.

Now, the weekend is here. I suggest for all of you to try this. Today, tomorrow or even Sunday..do things that is unlike you. Here's a easy one. Wear something that is not "you." If you wear dark colors, wear bright colors. If you wear heels all the time, wear flats. If you wear a lot of makeup going out, go with a natural look. If you always listen to a certain type of music, then go for something completely different. I'm sure you get the idea. Run with it and sees what happens.

On Wednesday, I wore a pretty tank top. I don't like having my arms out because my upper arms are too jelly for my taste. (I'm currently working on that to correct the problem.) I felt uncomfortable at first, after a while I felt so good and free. So I'm going to do it again.

If you do try this tip, let me know how it works for you. I do hope you spend time working on your dream today. Your dreams are waiting for you to help bring them to life.

Moss Love

I said before how I love the british comedy tv series: IT Crowd. My fave is Moss played by the very funny Richard Ayoade. He is so cute! Yes, I definitely have Moss Love. Enjoy the clip.

Bright Ideas

Bright ideas swimming in my head:

1) Working on my first proposal to teach a class on monologues.
2) Beginning to get a feel on how I like to teach acting.
3) I need to eventually find studio space to rent.
4) Muting my inner critic who I call Ms. Priss..cause she is prissy!! (Prissiness runs in my family, though thankfully I don't have a lot of this trait) who keeps telling me you can't possibly do this.
5) Reminded that sometimes the hardest thing is just to start a new venture. Everything after that seems to get easier.
6) Shell self promotion: if anyone needs a private acting teacher in NYC area just send me an e-mail.

Now..my brain feels happy. I can relax. On other news, I finished Jane Eyre yesterday. I do adore this book. And I'm now rereading Persuasion. Yes, I know I just read it. I felt the need to revisit it again. It's even better the second time around. After that, I'm rereading Women who run with wolves. I've read it when it first came out and again about seven years ago. Now time for a third read with me in a new decade.

Tomorrow, I'll be back with another post. Something silly and fun. I do hope you have worked on your dream today.

Your True Voice

Our family and friends from when we are little to being grown women and men share their advice, thoughts and ideas on life. It can be a great thing. There comes a time when you have to look through all you have heard and taken in. Make choices on what rings true for you. I feel the voice you need to hear when you starting a new path in your life, want to take a calculated risk or just want to shake things up is your true voice. Not the voices from relatives and friends who admonish you to play it safe, just be content with what you have, be grateful and don't reach too far and, give up on your long held dreams.

How do you find your true voice? You get quiet. Turn of the cd, the tv, the mp3 player, your computer and put down your book. Just be. Maybe write in your journal, paint, sing, pray or whatever you can do to get you into a peaceful state. Listen and you'll hear your real voice speaking to you.

As my beloved Yoda would say: "When you are calm and at peace, you will know." So will you, my friends.

As you do your daily play and work on your dreams and plans, let your true voice guide you on what your next step is to be.

Dreamy Sunday

I've been off and on trying to write a post today. My mind wanders and weaves in ideas and thoughts.

Today the quote:" Live your questions now, and perhaps even without knowing it, you will live along some distant day into your answers" by Rainer Maria Rilke stepped into my brain.

I was having a conversation with a friend and suddenly I heard a click in my head. As if an answer I sought unknowingly for years made sense. When I got off the phone, I cried not with sadness. I cried with understanding.

People show love in many forms. We can discount it and ignore it because it doesn't come in the way we wish. Nevertheless, it is still Love. Today I am reminded of this deeply.

Thursday and me

I enjoyed going over to everyone's blog for The Simple Things party yesterday. I loved reading everyone's list. I even found some which were just like mine. Love that! Thanks to all who came here to share their thoughts and love with me.

Now what is today? It's Thursday!! My favorite day of the week. Does anyone else love Thursdays as much as I do? If you do, let a sistah know.

I got tagged by Dee to list ten interesting things about myself.

Here is my top ten:

1) I am 5'3 and wear a size 10 shoe. (I know that is so wrong!)
2) I was born during a great snowstorm.
3) If I could go back in time to see people perform, I love to see Judy Garland, Nat "King" Cole and Jimi Hendrix.
4) I love the British shows IT crowd and Wire in The Blood.
5) Tahiti is one of my dream destinations.
6) I love lip gloss.
7) I dream of Gerard Butler way too much. I like to think he dreams of me too!
8) My local library is one of my favorite places to be.
9) One of my dream roles is to play Queen Nzingha in a movie.
10) I have a big crush on Tukufu Zuberi from History Detectives.

I'm not going to tag anyone this time. I know a lot of people don't enjoy being tagged. If you do want to play along, just let me know I love to read you list.

As always, I do hope your spending time working on your dream today.

More Simple things...

Today is all about appreciating the simple things in life. Please go over to Christina's place to celebrate with all the other bloggers on this beautiful day.

Here is my list:

Waking up to a day of sunshine and blue skies.

Wild daisies, buttercups and pansies growing around where I live.

Rereading Jane Eyre.

Listening to classical and swing music.

Having my toes painted with clear sparkly nail polish.

Unexpected calls and texts from dear friends.

Remembering happy times with my Sean.

Learning a new poem to perform one day.

The stars and The Sweet Berry Moon

Yesterday, was a full acting day for me. Which I always love! I had to be up before dawn to get to the film shoot by seven. It was worth it. I played a police receptionist in a film called Art=(Love)2. I'm only in one scene; I am still happy to be in the film. The director and producer are pushing for it to be released on the festival circuit. My fingers are crossed. As things progress, I'll let you all know.

Then I went on IMDB and found a film I worked on two years ago is listed. It's called Playing Doctor. So the whole cast is up there except me. I contacted the director and she e-mailed me back quickly. She told me she sent out an e-mail in May to all the actors about this. Some reason, I didn't get it. I sent her all the info she needed. I'm hoping by week's end my name should be up there on imdb. I worked two all night shoots on this, a sistah needs to get her credit!

Today, I'm working on updating my resume and catching up on other work. Also, It's a Full Moon tonight. This name has many names: Mead Moon, Hay Moon, Blessings Moon, Thunder Moon. I'm naming it the Sweet Berry Moon because around here I see all these sweet berries growing on the trees.

Do something special tonight to honor the Sweet Berry Moon and yourself. As always, spend time today working and playing on your dream.

July 4th

"I tired of the routine of eight years in one afternoon. I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer."- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

"Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be"- James Baldwin.

If there are areas of your life that you don't feel free in. Declare your own independence today! Stay safe, enjoy and have a beautiful July 4th.

Thursday Love: Imagination

Imagination! who can sing thy force?
Or who describe the swiftness of thy course?
Soaring though air to find the bright abode,
Th'empyreal palace of the thund'ring God,
We on thy pinions can surpass the wind,
And leave the rolling universe behind;
From star to star the mental optics rove,
Measure the skies, and range the realms above.
There in one view we grasp the mighty whole,
Or with new worlds amaze th' unbounded soul.

from On Imagination by Phillis Wheatley