SYTYCD catch-up

I had to work late this past week and missed So You Think You Can Dance.
All I can say is thank goodness for You Tube.
I got a chance to see Benji and Heidi's mambo and holy smokes it was guh-rate.

I'm thinking Benji's gonna win and I'm okay with that.

I want the grand prize to go to him or Donyelle.

I'm going to post the link to the clip because You Tube often takes down SYTYCD posts due to copyright issues.

So go watch it.

Hopefully it's still there.

It's good stuff.

GO molly ringwald GO!!!!

i'm working hard at the day job to write in september.
i'm often tired.
so for a while i'll write incoherent statements
or
post random you tube stuff like this:

Round 2!

I need to plan a week's worth of writing time before mid-September. I have a self-imposed deadline (others are imposing as well but I've made the most violent threats). Now all I have to do is figure out how and when . . .

The year's almost over (can you believe it?!) and I'm deciding what can logically happen over the course of 4-5 months. I know that anything can happen but I'm more focused on what kind of work I'd like to accomplish before Jan. '07.

A mentor/friend recently told me that I've reached the age where I can't plan my life season by season. Apparently it's time for me to seriously ask myself: where do I want to be this time next year? in five years?

Who can plan that far ahead in this day? The world is falling apart and I need to figure out a five year career plan??

This is my current 5 year plan:

--I want to keep writing (& hopefully become a better storyteller with each piece).
--Stay curious.
--Stay focused.
--Stay open.
--Don't take myself too seriously.
--Keep pushing, take risks.


. . .a bunch of hippie talk, right?

Zeta who?

I was reading about Usher on Broadway in the musical Chicago and was reminded how absolutely fabulous Brenda Braxton is as Velma Kelly. I'd say see the damn show because of her, not Usher.

one-two step, dip, turn, shake, kickball-change, dip . . .

So I've been listening to two songs since Saturday night:
Beyonce's new joint
Justin/Timbaland's duet

My train commutes consist of me wiggling in my seat. If you see me walking down the street, I'm strutting to B's bassline or Timbaland's grunt.

I didn't get a chance to go out dancing this weekend and my body's regretting it. I might have to be that kind of twenty-something who hits the club on a week night.

Even if I could get an hour of steady hiphop I'd be satisfied. . .

Obviously it's a slow day at work . . .

Finally found pics of Benji & Donyelle!

Sexyback

Two posts before noon!? Crazy!

NYTimes article about Justin's new song. Could it be that Justin will usher pop out of the closet?!?!

A lil' milk in her coffee . . .

I made it home just in time to see Benji & Donyelle's routine on So You Think You Can Dance.

They are the cutest couple on television.

Not only can they dance, but it's so great how much they like each other.

Isn't it obvious that Benji's in love with her? (And, no, he's not gay.) Wouldn't it be great if they got married and had a bunch of Benji jrs.?

~sigh~

frickin' tired . . .

at work waiting to be dismissed.
i don't have any fun links today or interesting info.

but let me say this:
yo, men are big time drama queens!!
if i told you what i've seen and who i've dealt with these past two weeks, you'd be shocked. (or maybe not).

melodramatic diva says: i'm having an intense relationship with the written word. and i'm not talkin about the bible. i'm speaking of my artistic relationship with words / language. i have lots of dreams / plans that could incite a doubtful chuckle from some but i'll continue to push / question.

tired diva: if this post ain't makin sense blame on lack of sleep.

thirsty diva: i'm gonna get a bottle of water.

ugh.

DaCraft

Very interesting article in the nytimes about Kyra Sedgwick's The Closer on (cue: pulsating whisper) TNT, TNT, TNT.

I have to admit I like this show.

if loving him is wrong, i don't wanna be right

Justin T. has a new song.
I like it.
I like him.
And I don't care who knows it.

Even though I'm not too sure about the "slave, shackle" line in the chorus . . .

eager

A big part of me would like to write this:

This week I'm splitting my time between writing the final DRIP draft and starting on a new piece. I've had ideas and thoughts in my head for a while and I'm ready to put something to paper.

Unfortunately, I have to write this:

I just got word that the rest of July and most of August will be crazy busy at the j-o-b. I was hoping to spend my weekends working on the final draft of DRIP and start on this new piece but it looks like I'll be working.
Poop.

But I won't complain. I'm grateful I have a job. I just have to figure out how I want to spend the rest of my summer and make it happen.

30 years later and it's still funny!

The other night I'm watching an episode of Good Times that must've been from the early seasons because James was still alive and J.J. was only mildly annoying.

James and Florida are going to the wedding of a family friend.

James jokes about the bachelor party the night before, Thelma daydreams about her own wedding, and Michael spews his political spin that gets a laugh or two.

Suddenly Willona--the divorced, gorgeous with a capital "g", soul sista from next door--enters the apartment and announces that she isn't going to the wedding.

Florida immediately says: Why? You know so&so will be so disappointed you couldn't make it. . . .

Then Willona dives into this amazing monologue about the awful time she's bound to have if she goes to a wedding as a single woman. (And "amazing" doesn't mean it was a well-written monologue I just think Ja'net DuBois (the actress) is an amazing performer)

When Willona finished her diatribe I realized her reasons for not going are the same ones that have been chimed in every single sitcom scene by similar women over the past 30 years. Right up to Sex and the City.

And I'm thinking: Why is that still true? And why is it still funny?

I'm aware of the text book reasons why it's not good that these kind of jokes still stand. There are lots of feminist quotes that can come to mind when thinking about this stuff. But, for some reason, they don't satisfy me. It seems too easy to spew a quote.

Towards the end of the Good Times episode Willona has another monologue that explains to Florida the difference between being alone and being lonely. She assures Florida that she's not lonely via a sassy quip and promptly walks out the front door with a new boy toy.

Then I think: Well, maybe her statement would've landed better if she left alone. No boy toy.

Then I think: Yikes, this whole concept of "being with somebody" vs. "not being with somebody" is serious business. It's been a fail-proof topic for television series, self-help books and pop songs for a long time. So many folks wanna be with somebody yet so few can do it right / for the right reasons. Hence, the television series, the self-help books and pop songs. . .

And then I went to sleep because it was late and I had to get up early.

Who knew a sitcom from the 70s could invoke such thoughts?

Legacy.

Lloyd Richards passed away on June 29th.

Among the many things he did in American Theatre, he also ran the Playwrights' Conference at the O'Neill for 30+ years. (And if I'm not mistaken that conference started yesterday.)

I could write a lot of mushy stuff about legacy and American Theatre.

But I won't.

Seems pointless.

He will be missed.