Reboot!

Reboot!

That time again.

My new blog is here: will probably much about with themes, etc for a while.

Expect fun stuff!

http://euripidesredux.tumblr.com/

Things are stirring up on the New Colony blog----check it out. Worth reading in general. Check it out:

http://www.thenewcolony.org/wordpress/

Good things

Recommendations:

See: Theatre Seven's "Lies and Liars"
Read: Philip Roth's "The Counterlife"
Rent (eventually): "District 9" (not necessarily good enough to go see in theatres...but wonderful accents!)
Eat: Jerry's Sandwiches in Wicker Park on Division

Wall Carvings

I occasionally have trouble with old photographs.

Trouble is the wrong word. Difficulty processing? Mistaken expectations? Like many people, I find it hard to look at an old photograph and remember that the people in it lived-felt-breathed in exactly the same way that I do.

Then, other times, I get the all-important paradigm shift, where I can do nothing but read and imagine lives for each person I see. Complex stories, emotions, wants and needs for each still image. Refreshing, worrisome.

The long and short of it? Insomnia is a predatory thing, and catches up with us at unexpected times. 3:28, I should be back in bed, but sleep is a bit hard to come by these days.

Chicago Life

I'm not a big proponent of money. I live frugally, spend thriftily, and like to think I give generously.

But man alive- life is so much easier when you are making enough to live comfortably.

If working for the Museum (versus certain other lines of work) has taught me anything, it might be this. Also, it's much better to love your job than not...but we'll get to that later. Or possible not.

These days, I'm able to shop for food without worry or guilt, see theatre regularly, and contribute to worthy causes. I can buy a friend dinner and not note in the back of my head that I won't be able to buy peanut butter for the next two weeks. All in all, not bad.

Since this is turning out to be a work update---both jobs are going swimmingly. Harry Potter at the MSI is exactly as hillarious and fun as it sounds, and I've been offered a staff position (!!!) at collaboraction---I'm the new "Marketing Coordinator"---which is very exciting. A nice situation, because I really believe in the art they do---if you haven't checked them out, follow these links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw9n18CZ7JI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzverWrSXsQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS_9fHfwbvo


Had the first rehearsal for my next theatre piece---staged reading a friend based on interviews with a man named Jacob who survived the holocaust, and the diary of his sister Sarah. Amazing, I feel very lucky to have the chance to work on it and see it grow. We'll be doing two nights of readings at the end of August--24th and 25th, with StrangeLoop theatre---www.strangelooptheatre.org. Come check it out!

That's what I've got for now. More later? Possibly less self-indulgent navel-gazing...but not likely.

Two posts in as many days...

Amazing, right?

First off----the link to Collaboraction's Blog. I'm going to be posting in this fairly often---this week is an interview with Anthony Moseley (Collaboraction Artistic Director) on the upcoming "El Grito Del Bronx"...

Check it out: http://bit.ly/fTCW8


News on the personal front:

-Gabe (my roomate) has returned!
-I'm starting to formulate plans for next September (not the coming one) that may involve higher education. Or rather, even higher education. Did that make sense?
-This is exciting, as it has inspired me to really get back in the saddle artistically. Expect to hear more on that soon (including possibly a Radio Play, an American Tour of a 1 woman show[I would be directing, rather than acting], and more!)
-I've decided to stay in Bridgeport for another year at least.
-Had a great birthday---lots of folks made the trek down to my neck of the woods, and there was celebration and carousing until well into the morning.


More as it comes!

Fair number of things:

I'm on Twitter now: r0bingoodfellow.

I'll be writing in a second (professional) blog---I'll have the URL up soon. Its Collaboraction's official Blog, where I'll be writing both about what Collaboraction does and general arts news in Chicago.

I am (as of right now) getting an internet connection installed in my home, so I'll be trying to write in this every once in a while as well.

More life info to come soon.

South Side St. Paddy's day

Here are three things that happened at the South Side St. Paddy's day parade:


1: An ex-frat boy tried to grab me, pointed at the pocket of my (trench)coat, and said: "What have you got in your pocket? Search them for weapons! Is that a book? You got a book in there, Frodo?"

2: A (different) green-clad hooligan ran into our path in a (fairly crowded) alley and queried: "You know Ben Franklin? He's got a boat! Motherfucker drives a boat, Ben Franklin rockin' the boat!"

3: A young lady walked past us with a green "Hooray 4 Beards" shirt, complete with a sharpied-in beard drawing (without a face to go with it---just a beard).


That is all.

Dinosaur Rock

I realized a bit ago that to some degree I am still caught up in the...institutional?...thinking that dominated life up until graduation from college. That is, I have breaks at regular and predictable periods, and during that time one is allowed to do certain things, like relax, or travel.

However. I am young, semi-employed, and relatively untethered. Since work has cut hours, I have decided to take the apples given to me by life, and make cider. Some of this cider will be consumed fresh, some will be left to ferment.

For instance: Megabus charges me ~$20 to travel to Ohio and back. If I'm going to keep getting 4 day weekends from work, there is very little reason not to take a weekend or two and travel. It worked out well going to Cleveland, and will work nicely for Athens (OH) in April. Now, money is still a problem---but $20? Every so often, that can be afforded.

Also, I have clever plans, most of which are going well so far.


Peaches and sunshine,

J

Back

Motherfuckers, I'm back.

Sorry for the profanity, but it has been so long, I figured I should grab your attention.


Here are a few things:

I'm comfortably settled in Bridgeport on the south side of Chicago, have a great new roomate, a job that doesn't come with enough hours but is relatively non-taxing, and a thoroughly wonderful young woman in my life.

I'm in Pittsburgh now, celebrating the holiday and (most unfortunately) mourning for my grandfather, who passed away last sunday. It is very nice to see the family together, and despite my lack of clear or cemented faith, I am confident he is doing better now than he was.

Also- just finished a run of "War Music," my Iliad play---was never really sure if it was going to get up (wait, that's a total lie---but it was touch and go for a bit).

I'm pondering the next project, cooling my heels, and trying to stay warm through the Chicago winter.

I'm going to try to post here more often again---you know how it is, after long enough it gets hard---but now that I've broken the ice, I think we'll be fine.

Also, I'm thinking about starting a podcast. Yeah?

Ambition

Dragon Wars: I could have made this movie.

Right now.

Blindfolded.

Good god.

Other than that? I've moved (3309 S Aberdeen st Apt #1F, Chicago IL 60609, for those keeping track of these things).

I'm living alone for the first time ever. I whip between lonely and depressed and overjoyed at my independence and freedom at an amazing pace.


Good lord, seriously. Was someone actually payed for any part of this movie?

I feel like there are a surprising number of recognizable faces---one of the guys from the Office, the Dad from Donnie Darko, one of the secretaries from "The West Wing"...come on, guys!

More posting later, hopefully.

RIP DFW

If you haven't read it already, here's something to mull over.

http://goaheadsueme.blogspot.com/2005/05/david-foster-wallace-at-kenyon-college.html


I don't even pretend to be at a point where I can live a life in accordance to what he's talking about...but I think it might be a worthy goal.

I am lifted, I am lifted!

Ludders is visiting this week! Can't wait to see him.

We're going tailgateing with President Nugent at the UChicago vs Kenyon football game, then seeing Great Big Sea for free at Grant Park.

Will there be more epic days? Most likely not.

I've been in a much better mood in the last couple of days---got a lot of sleep, got my head on straight about a couple of things---I'm doing well. We're hitting the rush period for work, so things are getting busy, which is nice---makes the time fly.
Having dinner with some friends tonight, making Dad's pasta...unfortunately, I don't have a pasta maker here (or an hour to spare making it), so it will have to be boxed, but...such is life.

Alright, one more round of cleaning before work! Hope all are well!

What's in a name?

I find myself, after a long life of never really acquiring any good nicknames, having two within the space of a couple weeks. Both of which I enjoy.

Previous nicknames? Endless permutations/corruptions of my name- Jeffy, Chef, Chef-Jeff, etc---don't seem to really count. For a brief and slightly bizarre couple of months, I was nicknamed "Leech"...not for any good reason. During High school, there was a small group of people who regularly called me "Spike"---though that's not really a sticking kind of name. Or...well...sorry. Oh! At least 'dreas and Drew on the fencing team called me "Oh Captain my Captain" with somewhat alarming frequency (especially because they kill...and maybe eat?...him at the end of the poem). I still liked that one though.

What brings this up? There are too many people named "Jeff" at work, so I go by "Nils" while there. I'm finally learning to respond to it, but its kinda strange. Also, everyone has a different pronunciation, which is actually fine---doesn't bother me, as it isn't really my name...but I think some other people are confused by it.

Laundry is reaching a critical point---I need to find a new system of dealing with it. Unfortunately, I have the sneaking suspicion that today, that system is going to be "Wait until Tuesday."

Dan is in Chicago--saw him briefly last night, and will hopefully get down to the beach today.

Been watching a bit of the Stargate tv ventures---not the sterling glory of the original movie, but fun in premise, if nothing else. Not the worst acting for a sci-fi channel series either.

Also starting to work through Bob Fagles' translation of the Aeneid--been a while since I read the work, so I'm pretty excited.

Music plug for my friend--check out their new demo at www.myspace.com/circlevsel . I especially like "White Roofed Chapel" and "Enslave the Whales." Kinda artsy-indy etc rock. Would have played well at the Horn, but with more people enjoying them, and less people banging randomly on drums. Includes one of my favorite new lyrics:


"I am not like the women he knew -
I am hip to
the science behind the bombs."


Also---for those of you who haven't seen: a rough cut teaser for "Kitchen Hamlet"--not sure if I've posted this here yet.

http://www.markyeazel.com/kitchenhamlet.html

Feels good to post again---I'll have another update soon, I feel like I've got more to write about.


And yes, for those keeping score, I didn't give you the second new nickname. That can probably come later. You know how it is.

Love Story

I just received a note in a bottle.



Anyone know anything about this?


Oh! I think I figured it out!


Awesome....

I was determined in Chicago

Posting in the last few minutes before running off to work:

-Karen is now officially in college. This awakened a short salvo of nostalgia for the beginning of Freshman year. Something absolutely beautiful about the newness.

-This quickly reminded me: this morning, I woke up very early (or, really, never actually got to sleep---waking dreams, etc prevented it) and sat on my stoop, staring at the Chicago morning. This is also a beautiful thing.

-Days off mean something again, which is kind of nice. Yesterday was an ideal combination of sleep in-brunch-olympics-theatre-dinnerwithfriend-moreolympics-listening to tunes-sleep.

-Speaking of which, Mens 400 freestyle? Just happened to catch it...most fun I've had watching dudes splash around in a long time.

-Also speaking of which (not really), party on saturday was a smashing success. Highlights: Group harmonies on "Knockin' on heaven's door," Walker almost fitting through a hole in our floor, 3 am ravioli, and generally good times with great people. Also, I finally met one of our neighbors, who was a nice guy.

-Not speaking of which at all: nothing corrects a bad mood at all like Nick Cave's "Murder Ballads" or Bright Eyes (in general). Nick Cave at night, Bright Eyes in the morning.


Ok, time for work again. Be well all.

Whew!

Just to say--for those of you who have been listening to me kvetch and yelp about not having a job, I have re-entered the world of employment! I'll be going in tomorrow to sign paperwork with Barnes and Noble, in the loop.

Selling books. I think this could work for me.

Thank you all for your patience.

More interesting posts to follow.

Mission from God

Here we go again--longer update now? We'll see.

Been a nice couple of weeks. Lots of job applications, etc, etc...I won't talk about that, as it isn't very interesting.

Slightly more interesting (at least, to me):

-Finished draft 3.5-ish of War Music, finally getting to a better place. That's exciting.

-Have been two a couple of movies at Grant Park (The Odd Couple and most of Blues Brothers). Thoroughly wonderful experience, though we didn't make it through the movie last night--started pouring towards the end, and while we stayed for a while (and were soaked straight to the bone), when the rain began to drown out the dialog and singing, we packed it in. Riding the El soaked? Not that bad. Not having my book in the backpack ruined? Handy. Wearing a skirt all night because it was the only thing at my friend's house that fit?

Probably fairly expensive, when I'm running for president.

-Have been watching Youtube clips of "Whose line is it anyway?"...a wonderful diversion.

-Made a tough decision this morning. Was going to apply for a position at Greasy Joan and Co. theatre(Shakespearian & Classical theatre), as their "Resident Dramaturge." Was a long, hard choice not to just "go for it"...but ultimately the right one, I think. I had gotten over the fact that I've never really been a full dramaturge on a production---I feel like I was up to the challenge. However, it was non-paying, and as I'll be (hopefully) starting up a full time job very soon, I would have to deal with learning the ropes on both at the same time. This left me a little distressed--was I giving something up, not diving in with both feet? We need to take risks, etc, yadda yadda yadda. Really though, what sealed the deal for me was the new draft of "War Music." Really, that's my project for right now--I need to get that up on its feet somewhere in this town. I don't want to be diverting energy away from that at this point...too much work to be done.
So, I'm going to look for another way to work with Greasy Joan in the near future, maybe in something a bit smaller. I'll send them the writing sample I worked up, and see what happens.


Anyway---that's some of what is going on in life. I'll try to write again sometime soon. Hope you are all well.

Evil is on the Rise

No, for serious guys.

www.drhorrible.com

It will only be up until the 20th.

Trust me, it will drastically improve your life.

Song and Dance

Yeeeeeeeeeeesssss....


http://www.vimeo.com/1227202


Joss Whedon's internet super-villain-mad-scientist musical?


Yes please.