Are you a Shrek? or maybe the Donkey?

Broadway is completely dead. They're bring every cartoon to the Great "White" Way. The producers have been looking for an actor for a long time. This call is asking for a contemporary, urban edge male. Before they said they wanted a person of color for the role. Now, they are asking for anyone. I hope it closes in a week! Yeah, I'm bitter, where's the orginality? Shrek needs to stay on the big screen.

Are there any producers looking to invest in some art??? If you're out there, let me know.

Casting Call

Yolanda Hoax

I have to apologize for believing everything I read. It was all a fake. Check some of my earlier posts about Yolanda King's death to see my mess up.

Hot Saturday

I woke up and walked out to get breakfast to discover that it is sooooo hot outside. It's cooler in my apartment with no A/C on so guess where I will be today. That's a good thing because I will be able get my writing and chores done.

This isnt' a good sign. In my six years of living here it's never gotten this hot so soon. I'm not ready. I'm a winter baby not a summer one.

Crime Up

Check out this Washington Post article about this country's rising crime rate.

What are you doing?

If you haven't done it, you've got to try Twitter. It's fun and satisfies the voyeur in me. I've found some interesting blogs and information from it too. Thanks again Oh my Pod

Podcasting is for Gen X

Looks like Gen X'ers like podcasts. I say more people need to listen to them. I take the NYC subway system and my trains are below ground (no radio signal). If I want to listen to radio shows, this is my only alternative. One of my favs that deserve mentioning is News and Notes

If you'd like to try podcasts, check out iTunes

Note: I highly recommend iTunes U. I'm going to check this out this weekend.

Jaxtr

The guys at Oh my Pod Podcast turned me on to this and I thought I'd share. It seems like fun. They must know what they're doing cause they turned me onto twitter too.

It's Friday

l have no plans and it's a Friday night.

I brought my macbook to work so I will probably go to a coffee shop in the village after work. Then I'll head home. This will be another "DVR" weekend. I need to finish Heroes and The Tudors. There's a play I heard about called Facing East but I'm not sure when I'll see it.

It was a short week. Nothing major happened. Next week I'll be at NYU Medical School rehearsing for a gig and making some extra change ($$), which will come in handy if I end up going to Fire Island this summer. Why is Fire Island so expensive?

So, things will be low-key...again. Still can't believe it's June!!

Tony's on Regis and Kelly

Well, with Rosie gone maybe Regis and Kelly will take the torch and showcase the world of the NY Stage. Don't forget the Tony's June 10th. I'm rooting for Spring Awakening!

Writing Software for Mac

I need some writing software for the mac. Any suggestions? Anyone heard of these?

Scrivener
Final Draft
Z-Write
Copywrite
Omni Outliner

Don't the macs come with Omni Outliner? I've had my mac since January and there's so much I haven't used. I just used iMovie yesterday.

Google's Set Up

I gotta hand it to Google. They are pretty incredible. They provide a wealth of applications that I use on a daily basis. Applications like mail, reader, blogger, photos and docs help things move smoothly in my world. They give me a reason not to purchase a .mac account. Recently with the addition of Google Gears I smell a rat.

Are we laboratory rats for a productivity suite similar to Microsoft Office? When Google Apps are out of beta, will people be charged a subscription or outright fee for their use? That would make sense if Google intends to grow beyond advertising. If that happens, I should have gotten a .mac account. LOL

BBC Article

Higher Fees, So What?

Where is the real answer to the immigration issue?

Beginning July 30, immigrants applying for green cards will pay more than three times as much as they do now, under a plan unveiled by the Bush administration. Applications for citizenship and temporary work permits will cost almost twice as much as they do now.

The prices include slight changes from the fee plan announced Jan. 31 by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Emilio Gonzalez.

1. The application fee for citizenship will rise from $330 to $675.
2. The fee to apply for legal permanent residency will rise from $325 to $1,010 for most applicants. Those ages 79 and older or 14 and younger would pay less.
3. The cost of work permits will rise from $180 to $340.

Most of the fees include the cost of fingerprints, which previously added a $70 charge. The agency will continue to waive fees for military members applying for naturalization.

The complete fee structure can be seen at USCIS Home Page.

The Other Side

He's actually the only Republican that I think has the polish and presence to be put up against one of the camera ready folks on the Democratic side. We'll see what happens.

Fred Thompson Moves Toward a Run for President

Rest in Peace Palm

Do you remember when Palm came out with the PDA? It was incredible how you could have information(calender/Memos/ToDo lists) with you when you traveled and not have to worry about carrying around a laptop or have one of those paper calendars full of Post It notes. Then, they brought the phone functionality to the PDA and the Smartphone was born. Palm has been having some issues lately and was in desperate need of a makeover. I'm interested because I'm in the market for another PDA, but refuse to switch my service to AT & T for the iPhone. Today Jeff Hawkins was going to "wow us" with a new product. This is what we got...

Palm Foleo

Come on Palm, I have a laptop and don't want to carry around something that I'll need to carry around in a bag. What kind of user are they marketing this to? I'm supposed to use it with my smartphone? Goodness. That's two devices. Palm explain why someone needs the Foleo when we have laptops and phones that have bluetooth.

Let's see...web browsing, emailing, viewing attachments and no calling feature. After seeing this I would save my $499 and get an iPhone.

If you have stock in this company, I would think twice about keeping it. This was their moment to shine and they dropped the ball. Where is handspring when you need it, wait they merged with Palm.

See it's not just me!

Stranger than Fiction

It's so true. Guess, I'll be busy writing this weekend. What a provocative story? It leaves you with so many questions, which gives you lots to work with.

Arrested Development

Help These Children

This broke my heart when I heard it. This is from a teacher friend of mine. I thought I would spread the word. This is from his myspace page.

Grease...is the word

Hi Friends!!! I need your support. Actually, the kids need your support. I have been directing "Grease" with the Dual Language Middle School in the Upper West Side and after almost nine months of working at this production, giggly adolescents are finally going on stage this Thursday, May 31st at 5:00 pm. The school has not made any publicity at all and are just kind of hoping that people will show up. They have a half day that day, so many of the students will be gone and won't come back to see the production. Some of them have expressed that even their parents aren't going to attend. Can you believe that?My heart breaks just imagining a poor 13 year old watching a friend receive a proud hug from her mom as he just picks up his backpack and heads to the train by himself. Most of these kids have no experience whatsoever and is the first time they are involved in a play. I would really hate for them to perform to an empty house, specially after such a long time working at this production and having had their original director quit on them. Guys...if you have an hour to spare (yes, I cut down the script to under an hour), please make an effort to support the kids. I will be eternally grateful to you and I know they will be extremely proud of performing for as many people as possible. So... "...make it a point to stop by the joint...Rydell High, 5 o'clock on Thursday night..." Dual Language Middle School @ PS 89 92nd Street (b/w CPW and Columbus) B or C train to 96th st. Thursday, May 31st 5:00 pm Free admission Grease and peace, I mean, Grace and peace to all!

NYC & The Arts

This is great. Maybe I can get a piece of that.

Alliance for the Arts's Study

Texas Tragedy

This may sound morbid or just bad taste but I'm going to work on a play about this.

What could bring a mother to hang her four daughters aged five, three, two and eight months, in a wardrobe? She was twenty-three years old. Only the youngest survived. Where there any behavioral signs that could have warned her community? The article said she was separated from her husband. The community was stunned, but I wonder if anyone saw signs and chose not to do anything.

Request to parents: Kill yourselves not your children.

Fortune Cookie

I had General Tso's chicken and my fortune says...

"happiness begins with facing life with a smile and a wink"

Wink? What does that mean?

Miss Universe

We all know that Japan won, but I had to say Miss Tanzania is stunning in this picture...and without hair. That is beautiful.

Big Night

A friend this weekend said I have a hard time saying no. And I had to step back and actually agree with him. One example is tonight.

6:30pm Meet and greet with reps at The New School.

7:30pm The Naked Dead Elephant in the Middle of the Room(reading)
Michael Weller Theater
311 W43rd st. 6th floor
Reception afterwards 8:30-9:30 (can't make this)

8:30pm to 9pm Birthday party. One drink and then I'm going home!

All these functions are a great way to keep busy, but sometimes they are a way to taking focus off of what needs done. The New School orientation is moving me forward and I want to go to the play, but I need to do laundry and get some sleep. The birthday party is for a woman who I haven't seen in a while (like a year). She's invited me to countless other things that I haven't been able to make. She's sweet and I'd like to wish her a happy birthday.

Oh well, I can get rest this weekend.

Cindy Sheehan - A Leader

She made a choice, went against the mainstream because she felt deeply about an issue close to her heart. She put in a grassroots effort to get her story in the media spotlight and can you blame her? Her son died and she has every right to ask questions about what he died for. We do live in America.
I think she is a true leader. Being a leader isn't about raising 25 million dollars so you can have buttons and get commericials on prime time broadcasts. A leader stands behind what he or she believes in and puts it all on the line (i.e. her reputation). She isn't afraid to piss people off and put the truth out there. The dead and wounded totals are rising in a war that started by misleading the American people.

Check out her organization: Gold Star Familes for Peace

Unfortunately, she's fed up with the system and is finished working in, or outside of this system. What a shame. Check out her reasons @ Daily Kos.

Happy Birthday Bill

To my best friend Bill. How long has it been...thirteen years. I wouldn't be the same if you weren't in my life. I appreciate you and wish you nothing but happiness. Live life to the fullest! It's the only one you have.

Love...me

More Sanctions

I thought it was important to know that the US can multi task. Interesting we feel sanctions can help the Sudan, but we needed to invade Iraq. I don't get it.

Sanctions on Sudan

Speeding up Firefox

Hopefully you aren't using Internet Explorer (IE). IE 6 or 7 isn't horrible, but I prefer to use the underdog web browser. My personal favorite is Firefox. It's got a lot of functionality and it's open source. If you don't know what open source is, check it out.

If you love Firefox like I do, then this will help you speed things up.

Lost - Season 3

Thanks to my DVR I just finished watching Lost's Season 3 finale and it was great. Finally, they brought things together and made our mouths water for next season. I almost gave up, but Im glad I stuck with it. Desperate Housewives didn't fare so well.

Memorial Day Address

Our president needs to mourn for the women and men that have given their lives for this war he so vehemently believes in.

NY Times Article

Coke out of style?

For those of you who like the white stuff, calm down it's still as popular as ever.

I am a serious Pepsi fan. I like the cherry, lime and I just had the new Tropical flavor. Now, I don't drink sodas very often (empty calories), but sometimes I get a craving for the drink for "A New Generation". Looks like a lot of other people are too

Coke vs. Pepsi

The Tudors

As you know I've been in all weekend using the expensive cable and wi-fi I have. I have all the Tudors saved and finally watched a few of them. They're entertaining with lot's of flesh! I've counted about 16 breasts...lol.

The Tudors

2012 Auditions

I just wrote a post about this. I shouldn't be surprised that someone wrote a show about it. If you're interested there are auditions coming.

FRINGENYC, ‘END’S EVE: THE FEAST OF 2012’

Fifth World Productions is casting End’s Eve: The Feast of 2012, the story of old friends inspired by an ancient Mayan prophecy to gather for a costumed dinner party on what may be the world’s last day. Faiths teeter, beliefs unravel, and surprises abound. Erik Slavin, dir. Runs Aug. 10-26 in the FringeNYC Festival.

Seeking—Davis: male, 30s, gay, artist, visionary; Crow: 30s, powerful androgynous male, extremely intelligent, scientist/wizard, loner; Hal: male, 20s-30s, works in finance but has very creative tendencies, anally analytical, fatally rational; Tuly: female, 20s-30s, poet, dreamer, philosopher, wild and uncontrollable at times; Leo: male, 20s-30s, gay, British, Indian descent, designer, loves nothing more than entertaining loved ones; Mick: male, 20s-30s, Tuly’s partner, as grounded as she is flighty, accepts only the palpable and visible; Daniel: male, 30s, actor, Xi’s partner, Pi’s father, practical and so stubbornly rational as to be irrational; XI: female, 30s, former bond trader, now full-time artist/designer and mother, studied the occult for years but now desires to find magic in this world through her relationships; Pi: Daniel and Xi’s 4-year-old daughter, at times the wisest character, playful, loving, funny, and preternaturally wise; Bardo: androgen of indeterminable age, mystery guest, from another dimension and time, speaks in riddles, loves a good cocktail.

Auditions will be held by appt. only June 2. To schedule an audition appt., send pix & resumes to jgnisci@excite.com. More auditions will be held over the course of the following week. Sides will available once an appointment is confirmed. Producer plans to apply for Equity NYC Basic Showcase Code

US Contractors Fighting?

Did any of you know this? What is the real story behind this war? I say if they can hire men and women to protect Iraq, then send our troops home...now.

NY Times article

It's not Over

What is going on over there? My prayers go out to the men and women? I've had four relatives do tours over there. Thank God they all came back healthy.

Force in Gulf

Planet Unicorn

SUPERMODEL - Naomi Campbell

I had to put this up. She is one of my favorite models and has the best walk of ANY model. I had the privilege of meeting her and having a conversation. She was sweet and gracious. I LOVE YOU NAOMI!!!

52nd TONY AWARDS THE LION KING

One of the best theatrical experiences on Broadway!! Such a great story.

A Thief in our Midst

What was first... Apple or Windows? Let this article tell the tale.

May 22, 1990