This entry is less about school and much more about dealing with being here in Alaska while virtually my entire past is 3,800 (+/-) miles away.
A little background: I have been out and "on the road" for some while now. And as I had been living in company housing and did not own a personal vehicle the majority of my belongings had been boxed, crated, etc and in storage with family. From time to time during holiday visits, etc I would gather some additional items and bring them to wherever I was at that point. Living and working for one theatre between Jan 2006 and December 2008 made some of that easier, since I didn't have to worry about having to pack and move everything every three months (or less). Then, after I left that gig and was out of work for the whole year of 2009 (plus a bit) I got used to having simplified access to all the things I had acquired over the last 50 years.
Now, however, I am here. And all the things I didn't have the space/ability to pack in my luggage had to be left in Arkansas. My theatre texts. My art books. My DVD's and music CD's...Not to mention my science fiction library and various gaming items.
My brother will be, with any fortune, shipping me some additional Winter and "shop working clothing" (overalls, boots, etc) plus a majority of my carpentry tools in the near term. So that is something. But.....
Due to various reasons, my brother will (unless something miraculous occurs) be relocating from Arkansas to Virgina within the next week. Not what he or I had planned but the way of the world...Anyway, the thing that has me anxious (lacking any better word) is that, due to space constraints all of my stuff will be joining a significant portion of his stuff in a storage locker. Now, having all of my stuff in a locker somewhere is nothing new. The new thing is that it (my stuff) will be in Arkansas. And any family member who might be able to go and get stuff for me will be in either Virginia or Florida. Which, considering things practically, means that they will not be available at all.
The logical, reasonable portion of me accepts that I probably won't have access to my "stuff" till I go back down to the lower 48 for the Summer. IF I do that. Since it depends on if and/or where I can find Summer work that makes it rather variable. And that is, logically, okay. After all, there are some theatre texts, etc that I have not accessed for a minimum of several years. So why would I want them now?
That's the issue: why do I feel a bit "at sea" knowing that I won't have the security blanket of being able to have someone dig into a box and ship me
something? After all, the stuff is just stuff. Yes, some of it (family photos for example) is irreplaceable. That percentage is understandable. A little part of me says, at least when regarding the theatre texts, that they might prove handy to have available now that I am back in school. True...But the rest of it ? Sigh...
The reasoning portion of my mind says that it is a good lesson in "simplifying my life". And I am working on that......
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
What's A Month, Here Or There?
Well, it's after midterms. Even though I didn't have any in any of my classes this semester. But that's okay...I really don't object. What I do object to is that I have let my adding entries onto this blog lapse a bit. So this entry may be a bit scattered and semi-random (as well as having some kvetching in it) since it will be a "catch up entry" for all that has happened during the last month or so. So be warned.
Let's start with Starvation Gulch. It's an annual event here at UAF that involves bonfires (plural). It was pretty interesting....And I took a bunch of pictures. In fact, there was a photo contest on the UAF Facebook page with some prizes for selected photos and one of my photos was selected as one of the winners. It got me a zip front hooded sweatshirt...and a couple of compliments from the folks at the media office on my images. Which made me feel pretty good.....
And, in the realm of things that made me feel good, I was offered the chance to be involved in designing the Fall mainstage show(s). It's three one acts as an evenings presentation so I am never sure if I should refer to it as singular or plural...But it was cool to think that I was going to get the chance to do a mainstage design gig my first semester here...as well as it being my first semester in school since 1983.
Of course, you may have noticed the "past tenses" in the prior sentences. That is due to the next major event so far this Fall: my spending several days (about a week) dealing with what was diagnosed as a probable kidney stone. I use the word probable because I never "caught it" nor did a stone show up when I finally got a CT done at the ER near the end of the whole situation. But based on all my symptoms, the student health center treated it as a stone: with antibiotics for what seemed signs of infection, pain meds, pushing fluids and with strong recommendations for going to the ER if the pain got beyond a certain point. Being stubborn I lived through most of the discomfort (with some help from the Hydrocodone). Then finally went to the ER. The implication was that I had passed whatever it was by the time of the CT. And I am feeling way better. However, with everything going on I felt that I was not doing a proper service to the production(s) and so I stepped down from the design slot. I am still, however, considered Assistant Scenic Designer and the design will, as far as I have been currently told, be building on what I had accomplished prior to having to deal with the illness. Frustrating. To say the least.
All that not withstanding I am also pleased to report that I was hired into the scene shop as a student worker. And I made a contact with the supervisor at a local off campus venue and was placed on the call list for gigs there. Thankfully my being sick has not (so far as I can determine) affected those positions. Yea! And I have been told that I have a chance for designing the Student Drama Association one acts that will be coming up in February. Which, if I am selected, will give me a thing or two for my portfolio from this academic year...
In other "good news": going by the online grade estimates that I have access to, my current academic progress is pretty good. I am pulling down mid level A and mid level B grades in all four classes. My anxiety about the grade I got for my first theatre history essay has pretty well passed. Since then I have been getting better results on the weekly essays. Significantly better in fact. Hurray!
I have to say that I am pleased by my current grades for a variety of reasons. One of them is that it gives me a bit of hope that a current "wild idea" that keeps going through my mind might not be an impossibility after all. The "wild idea?" Me going on to seek my MFA after graduation here. You might be thinking, Why? Why go for the advanced degree? Well, if I do end up attempting to teach it would be better to have an MFA than just a BA. And depending on what all I get to design while in school here having the chances for design slots that would be part of grad school could be a definite help finding design gigs in the "real world". I will say that, when I threw the idea out as a "passing comment" to my academic adviser his reaction seemed one of surprise. Still have to find out why....Sigh.
Well, I guess that just about covers all the major happenings over the last month. There might be a point or two I've missed but then that is what new entries are for, isn't it?
Let's start with Starvation Gulch. It's an annual event here at UAF that involves bonfires (plural). It was pretty interesting....And I took a bunch of pictures. In fact, there was a photo contest on the UAF Facebook page with some prizes for selected photos and one of my photos was selected as one of the winners. It got me a zip front hooded sweatshirt...and a couple of compliments from the folks at the media office on my images. Which made me feel pretty good.....
And, in the realm of things that made me feel good, I was offered the chance to be involved in designing the Fall mainstage show(s). It's three one acts as an evenings presentation so I am never sure if I should refer to it as singular or plural...But it was cool to think that I was going to get the chance to do a mainstage design gig my first semester here...as well as it being my first semester in school since 1983.
Of course, you may have noticed the "past tenses" in the prior sentences. That is due to the next major event so far this Fall: my spending several days (about a week) dealing with what was diagnosed as a probable kidney stone. I use the word probable because I never "caught it" nor did a stone show up when I finally got a CT done at the ER near the end of the whole situation. But based on all my symptoms, the student health center treated it as a stone: with antibiotics for what seemed signs of infection, pain meds, pushing fluids and with strong recommendations for going to the ER if the pain got beyond a certain point. Being stubborn I lived through most of the discomfort (with some help from the Hydrocodone). Then finally went to the ER. The implication was that I had passed whatever it was by the time of the CT. And I am feeling way better. However, with everything going on I felt that I was not doing a proper service to the production(s) and so I stepped down from the design slot. I am still, however, considered Assistant Scenic Designer and the design will, as far as I have been currently told, be building on what I had accomplished prior to having to deal with the illness. Frustrating. To say the least.
All that not withstanding I am also pleased to report that I was hired into the scene shop as a student worker. And I made a contact with the supervisor at a local off campus venue and was placed on the call list for gigs there. Thankfully my being sick has not (so far as I can determine) affected those positions. Yea! And I have been told that I have a chance for designing the Student Drama Association one acts that will be coming up in February. Which, if I am selected, will give me a thing or two for my portfolio from this academic year...
In other "good news": going by the online grade estimates that I have access to, my current academic progress is pretty good. I am pulling down mid level A and mid level B grades in all four classes. My anxiety about the grade I got for my first theatre history essay has pretty well passed. Since then I have been getting better results on the weekly essays. Significantly better in fact. Hurray!
I have to say that I am pleased by my current grades for a variety of reasons. One of them is that it gives me a bit of hope that a current "wild idea" that keeps going through my mind might not be an impossibility after all. The "wild idea?" Me going on to seek my MFA after graduation here. You might be thinking, Why? Why go for the advanced degree? Well, if I do end up attempting to teach it would be better to have an MFA than just a BA. And depending on what all I get to design while in school here having the chances for design slots that would be part of grad school could be a definite help finding design gigs in the "real world". I will say that, when I threw the idea out as a "passing comment" to my academic adviser his reaction seemed one of surprise. Still have to find out why....Sigh.
Well, I guess that just about covers all the major happenings over the last month. There might be a point or two I've missed but then that is what new entries are for, isn't it?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Week Two: Grade Anxiety ! (Amongst Other Stuff)
The second week here at UAF has, basically, come and gone at this point. And I sit here, gazing out at the amazing view and am working on smoothing out my adrenal function. Because I got back my first Theatre History essay today. And I could have done better. And I will. I am fairly certain that I am fully capable. But seeing the writing in red pen listing my score versus what was possible has me......anxious. I absolutely have to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to continue my scholarship. As a result, every little falter and flub has me concerned. Add to that my still needing to locate additional income sources and various other issues and it's understandable that I currently have a tension headache.
With that kvetching out of the way, I do have to say that I think I have begun to gain the respect of my professors and, I hope, my fellow students. With fortune that will continue.
Auditions for the Fall mainstage production are tomorrow and I admit some curiosity about the actors in the department. While it is impossible to do (both as a practical matter and as a matter of respect for all involved) I admit that I would like to sneak a peek at the process....
Also tomorrow is the opening of an indoor "butterfly garden" at the UAF Museum Of The North. I may find myself there at some point, if only for the mental and spiritual recharge.
Still hammering out the visual imagery I want to present for the mainstage scenic design(s). Those are due near mid-day on Tuesday (09/21/10). And I need to complete some reading for Theatre History and write my next essay for that class. And possibly take it (my essay) to the writing center for their review and suggestions.
Plus an exercise on electricity for my Lighting Design class. And figuring out potential topics for my Dramatic Literature paper so I can have a meeting with that professor later in the week/next week. Not an awful list....but it will keep me occupied over this weekend.
That said I should get to work. More later.......
With that kvetching out of the way, I do have to say that I think I have begun to gain the respect of my professors and, I hope, my fellow students. With fortune that will continue.
Auditions for the Fall mainstage production are tomorrow and I admit some curiosity about the actors in the department. While it is impossible to do (both as a practical matter and as a matter of respect for all involved) I admit that I would like to sneak a peek at the process....
Also tomorrow is the opening of an indoor "butterfly garden" at the UAF Museum Of The North. I may find myself there at some point, if only for the mental and spiritual recharge.
Still hammering out the visual imagery I want to present for the mainstage scenic design(s). Those are due near mid-day on Tuesday (09/21/10). And I need to complete some reading for Theatre History and write my next essay for that class. And possibly take it (my essay) to the writing center for their review and suggestions.
Plus an exercise on electricity for my Lighting Design class. And figuring out potential topics for my Dramatic Literature paper so I can have a meeting with that professor later in the week/next week. Not an awful list....but it will keep me occupied over this weekend.
That said I should get to work. More later.......
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
BTW....
I've gone back and cleaned up some of the prior entries, most especially in regard to links to other webpages, etc....Enjoy !!
First Week (Part 2).......And A Little Beyond
Well, it has been just shy of eight days since I arrived here in Fairbanks. And I have to say that I need to start writing down what I think of writing in this blog when I think of such things...which, generally, occurs at points when I am nowhere near a computer or when I have classwork that takes precedence. Sigh. All that said, while I have a sure certainty that there will be items I am forgetting here goes this entry:
First, my classes seem to be going okay. There are moments when I have flashbacks to sessions at either College Of Lake County or University Of IL: Urbana-Champaign. Like the making of my "sewing sampler" in my Costume Design And Construction class. It echos work I did at UIUC during the costume shop section of Theatre 108. And some of my Theatre History class recalls Frank Harnish at CLC....tho' the text here is much less bulky then the Oscar G Brockett theatre history text we used there.
Anyway, the first week of classes went, I believe, well. No major faux pas so far as I can discern. Still getting used to the social dynamics of a college again. And such things as which Professors want to be called Professor or Mr (or gender appropriate term) and which want to be called by their first names....etc.
As previously mentioned, I had a meeting with my Dramatic Lit professor. It went well. Tho' he asked, as others have, "Why ?" Why come back to school now ? And why come back to school in Alaska ? I've described some of that here in other entries and will probably do an entire entry on the subject again at some point so I won't discuss it much now. But I have to say, it is a conversation starter....And maybe, in addition to everything else, it has something to do with emulating Cortes at Vera Cruz.....maybe.
On Saturday (09/11/10) I had the portfolio review session for Fall 2010.
It went okay...
Each student (there were/are about 8 of us total, including costume, lighting, scenic and film...) had about 1/2 of an 8 foot folding table to use, plus the space nearby for dress forms, etc and the walls for pinning stuff to....should they choose to. Plus the room has a computer, digital projector and screen built in so students could use that system for videos, larger scale imagery, etc. The evaluators/faculty went from location to location and we did a "presentation" on ourselves (I was the second one to go), much as I understand SETC and MidWest Regional Auditions function. The evaluators/faculty then gave a public review/critique of everything right then, as well as taking some notes on a form, which I suspect will be discussed later in one on one sessions...or that might just be for faculty uses. Not sure......
The evaluators/faculty had some issues with my resume (which I had figured they would and which I have been working on) and some tweaks regarding size and notation of the plates in my portfolio book and how I could "sell myself" more strongly....Plus they recommended that I have more than one portfolio (ie: 1 for design, 1 for carpentry, etc) and more process imagery if possible (for the carpentry especially).....My adviser (the Dept head) did say that I had a nice layout and he called the drafting style on the larger plates I had there "strong". And they seemed to like that I had something to say about each plate in my portfolio book (a reason it was there or some detail regarding the production, etc). So those were pluses.
Funny side story - near the end, during a lull, my Costume Design/Construction (and Theatre History as well) instructor says to me: "So...I've been needing some furniture for my office...." It made me smile. She was mostly joking but I admit it felt sort of good to know that my furniture building skills as displayed in my portfolio had been noted.
Speaking of Theatre History (see how I did that ? That is what is called in college writing a "transitional bridge"...or "segue"....of course, my pointing it out makes it less of a segue but.....shrug....anyway....)......Speaking of Theatre History, I had to write my first college style essay for a class in about 27 years last weekend. Yes, I have had to write essays for scholarships and such which were formatted much akin to college classwork would be but....sigh. So this essay was the first classwork one in a long while. And while I am still waiting on the grade for it I have to say that I feel I did some okay analysis on the subject.
One thing that is VERY different since I was last in school is that now most everything has some form of digital linkage. One professor (Dramatic Lit) wants our papers submitted electronically only. No hard copy. And we get a good percentage of our assignments via an online system called "Blackboard" where we can check our grades, enage in group discussions, bookmark webpages so that others can access those bookmarks, etc. The closest thing we had to that back at UIUC was the PLATO system. Which was awesome for it's day. Looking back at it today tho' it seems terribly....quaint. Here are a couple of webpages about it...Take a look...It's okay. I'll wait: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLATO_%28computer_system%29 and http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/plato-computer-system-/the-plato-online-community.html .....See what I mean ? Tho' I do sort of miss the monochromatic orange plasma displays. Lots of memories there. Of course, at the moment as I am writing this I am also listening to online radio. And while the station is a nearby local one, it could well be one from Urbana...Or Orlando....Or St Louis...Or Tokyo....And I am typing onto a portable computer system that probably has more data storage capacity than an entire PLATO "node". Let alone the broad spectrum color display and such. How things change.....
One other subjects: I had a meeting today regarding possible scenic design/assistant design assignments for the Fall mainstage production of three one act plays. There is another tech/design student who is also interested in working the shows and she and I sat down with the department chair (who is also the resident TD) and talked in general terms about which of the shows "spoke to us". And so we both will be meeting with the department chair again next week and showing him some thumbnail sketches and such of our design ideas, which we will then (potentially) be presenting to the director. The department chair was very specific in that he wasn't putting us in competition with each other. That said, I have to admit I really, really want to have my design be accepted. If that makes me seem petty well.......sigh and shrug.
Alright....speaking of classwork and such it's time to close this for the moment. More later.
First, my classes seem to be going okay. There are moments when I have flashbacks to sessions at either College Of Lake County or University Of IL: Urbana-Champaign. Like the making of my "sewing sampler" in my Costume Design And Construction class. It echos work I did at UIUC during the costume shop section of Theatre 108. And some of my Theatre History class recalls Frank Harnish at CLC....tho' the text here is much less bulky then the Oscar G Brockett theatre history text we used there.
Anyway, the first week of classes went, I believe, well. No major faux pas so far as I can discern. Still getting used to the social dynamics of a college again. And such things as which Professors want to be called Professor or Mr (or gender appropriate term) and which want to be called by their first names....etc.
As previously mentioned, I had a meeting with my Dramatic Lit professor. It went well. Tho' he asked, as others have, "Why ?" Why come back to school now ? And why come back to school in Alaska ? I've described some of that here in other entries and will probably do an entire entry on the subject again at some point so I won't discuss it much now. But I have to say, it is a conversation starter....And maybe, in addition to everything else, it has something to do with emulating Cortes at Vera Cruz.....maybe.
On Saturday (09/11/10) I had the portfolio review session for Fall 2010.
It went okay...
Each student (there were/are about 8 of us total, including costume, lighting, scenic and film...) had about 1/2 of an 8 foot folding table to use, plus the space nearby for dress forms, etc and the walls for pinning stuff to....should they choose to. Plus the room has a computer, digital projector and screen built in so students could use that system for videos, larger scale imagery, etc. The evaluators/faculty went from location to location and we did a "presentation" on ourselves (I was the second one to go), much as I understand SETC and MidWest Regional Auditions function. The evaluators/faculty then gave a public review/critique of everything right then, as well as taking some notes on a form, which I suspect will be discussed later in one on one sessions...or that might just be for faculty uses. Not sure......
The evaluators/faculty had some issues with my resume (which I had figured they would and which I have been working on) and some tweaks regarding size and notation of the plates in my portfolio book and how I could "sell myself" more strongly....Plus they recommended that I have more than one portfolio (ie: 1 for design, 1 for carpentry, etc) and more process imagery if possible (for the carpentry especially).....My adviser (the Dept head) did say that I had a nice layout and he called the drafting style on the larger plates I had there "strong". And they seemed to like that I had something to say about each plate in my portfolio book (a reason it was there or some detail regarding the production, etc). So those were pluses.
Funny side story - near the end, during a lull, my Costume Design/Construction (and Theatre History as well) instructor says to me: "So...I've been needing some furniture for my office...." It made me smile. She was mostly joking but I admit it felt sort of good to know that my furniture building skills as displayed in my portfolio had been noted.
Speaking of Theatre History (see how I did that ? That is what is called in college writing a "transitional bridge"...or "segue"....of course, my pointing it out makes it less of a segue but.....shrug....anyway....)......Speaking of Theatre History, I had to write my first college style essay for a class in about 27 years last weekend. Yes, I have had to write essays for scholarships and such which were formatted much akin to college classwork would be but....sigh. So this essay was the first classwork one in a long while. And while I am still waiting on the grade for it I have to say that I feel I did some okay analysis on the subject.
One thing that is VERY different since I was last in school is that now most everything has some form of digital linkage. One professor (Dramatic Lit) wants our papers submitted electronically only. No hard copy. And we get a good percentage of our assignments via an online system called "Blackboard" where we can check our grades, enage in group discussions, bookmark webpages so that others can access those bookmarks, etc. The closest thing we had to that back at UIUC was the PLATO system. Which was awesome for it's day. Looking back at it today tho' it seems terribly....quaint. Here are a couple of webpages about it...Take a look...It's okay. I'll wait: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLATO_%28computer_system%29 and http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/plato-computer-system-/the-plato-online-community.html .....See what I mean ? Tho' I do sort of miss the monochromatic orange plasma displays. Lots of memories there. Of course, at the moment as I am writing this I am also listening to online radio. And while the station is a nearby local one, it could well be one from Urbana...Or Orlando....Or St Louis...Or Tokyo....And I am typing onto a portable computer system that probably has more data storage capacity than an entire PLATO "node". Let alone the broad spectrum color display and such. How things change.....
One other subjects: I had a meeting today regarding possible scenic design/assistant design assignments for the Fall mainstage production of three one act plays. There is another tech/design student who is also interested in working the shows and she and I sat down with the department chair (who is also the resident TD) and talked in general terms about which of the shows "spoke to us". And so we both will be meeting with the department chair again next week and showing him some thumbnail sketches and such of our design ideas, which we will then (potentially) be presenting to the director. The department chair was very specific in that he wasn't putting us in competition with each other. That said, I have to admit I really, really want to have my design be accepted. If that makes me seem petty well.......sigh and shrug.
Alright....speaking of classwork and such it's time to close this for the moment. More later.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
First Week (Part 1)
Well, it has been some length of time since my last posting...."Real life" can make that happen at times I guess.....sigh. Which means that some of the various thoughts I might have logged at the time have now joined my memories, merged with other thoughts and, most likely, will not see much daylight anytime soon.....shrug. Tho' I do hope to eventually post a missive about my flight(s) up here and such. All that said.....
I have arrived in Fairbanks !
Well, I actually arrived on Monday evening. Then spent yesterday getting much of my life here in order (Student ID (aka "Polar Express") card, picking up the portfolio copy that got me my talent scholarship, etc). And I had my first college class since 1983 and a meeting with my academic adviser (tho' not in that order).
The meeting with my adviser went well (I think). The only real "downside" is that I found out that a design position I had craved has already been, basically, promised to another student. Which I understand, as she has been here awhile and I am a new and untested quantity. Fair enough. And I may (note disclaimer) be able to get a design slot for at least one of the three one act shows being done as a group for this Falls primary mainstage production. My adviser is, at the moment, slated to be the scenic designer for them. Which is also fair, I suppose, given that such decisions were made before I was in the mix, picture, equation, what-have-you. But in yesterdays meeting the possibility of my getting at least one design was mentioned. I suspect it would most likely be for the Beckett script "Play", as my adviser mentioned that one of the pieces was a "carpentry challenge" and the urns in that one do fit that description. He (my adviser) also mentioned a possible outside job lead for me at one of the venues here in town. That gives me two places locally that I need to submit resumes to for "on call/freelance" gigs. I just need to get my "telephone ducks in a row" before sending out resumes, as I am going to be getting a new cell up here. Have not done it yet but I expect to have the process complete by late Thursday or Friday of this week.
The first class session was okay. Obviously, as there are already some prior social dynamics in place it may take a bit before I stop feeling a little out of place. But at least I made one of the "coeds" in the class laugh with a bit of situational humor (The instructor had, previously, written the word "Mood" on the board and, as is apparently a habit of his, placed "eyes" into the open centers..Then he wrote the word "Visibility" on the board but was having issues with it's spelling (is there an A in it or not) and then he (or someone) commented "It's all I's". To which I offhandedly commented "Just like Mood." There was a beat and then the student in front of me (the coed in question) laughed and sort of looked over her shoulder smiling and said (as I recall it) "Good one." I think that she was the only one in class who caught my comment. But that's fine....)
Today I'll have a meeting with the instructor of my Dramatic Literature course, who is also the primary director for all of the mainstage productions here. So I'm hoping to make a decent impression on him for the sake of future production assignments.
Also today is a student employment job fair. I'll be visiting that at some point, as I need to find some income and the previously mentioned on call gigs are outside of the campus. If I could find an on campus gig too that would be excellent. BTW, as I don't believe I mentioned it yet: I did NOT get the "re-entry student grant/scholarship/tuition waiver" I had been hoping for. So I am freaking out (just the little-est bit) about finances at the moment. Anyone who might have any leads on available grants, scholarships, etc please let me know....Thanks.
And today I will have my first sessions of the other classes on my schedule.
Saturday is a "public" portfolio review session. All the tech students gather and show their stuff to the faculty and whoever else shows up. So I'll be tweaking and adding some stuff to my portfolio over the next couple of days. I just need to locate a reasonably good quality color printer (on campus preferably) to print things once they are ready.
I still need to do more exploring, both here on campus and into the wilds of Fairbanks. Went for a bus ride yesterday afternoon/evening. Found some of the local shopping venues for future reference (always good to know where the food is....etc). And since my ID from UAF gets me free bus rides on the local mass transit, why not take advantage of it and go nosing ? Need to walk the rest of campus soon. I don't want to get into the feeling that "Here is Wick (my dorm). Here is the Fine Arts Complex and library. Here is the student center....that's it. That is my world." I'm here to do more stretching than that.
Well, insomnia got me up some while ago. And I got some stuff done. And now that the sun is up (tho' slightly concealed by fog and drizzle) I really should get along with the day. More later.
I have arrived in Fairbanks !
Well, I actually arrived on Monday evening. Then spent yesterday getting much of my life here in order (Student ID (aka "Polar Express") card, picking up the portfolio copy that got me my talent scholarship, etc). And I had my first college class since 1983 and a meeting with my academic adviser (tho' not in that order).
The meeting with my adviser went well (I think). The only real "downside" is that I found out that a design position I had craved has already been, basically, promised to another student. Which I understand, as she has been here awhile and I am a new and untested quantity. Fair enough. And I may (note disclaimer) be able to get a design slot for at least one of the three one act shows being done as a group for this Falls primary mainstage production. My adviser is, at the moment, slated to be the scenic designer for them. Which is also fair, I suppose, given that such decisions were made before I was in the mix, picture, equation, what-have-you. But in yesterdays meeting the possibility of my getting at least one design was mentioned. I suspect it would most likely be for the Beckett script "Play", as my adviser mentioned that one of the pieces was a "carpentry challenge" and the urns in that one do fit that description. He (my adviser) also mentioned a possible outside job lead for me at one of the venues here in town. That gives me two places locally that I need to submit resumes to for "on call/freelance" gigs. I just need to get my "telephone ducks in a row" before sending out resumes, as I am going to be getting a new cell up here. Have not done it yet but I expect to have the process complete by late Thursday or Friday of this week.
The first class session was okay. Obviously, as there are already some prior social dynamics in place it may take a bit before I stop feeling a little out of place. But at least I made one of the "coeds" in the class laugh with a bit of situational humor (The instructor had, previously, written the word "Mood" on the board and, as is apparently a habit of his, placed "eyes" into the open centers..Then he wrote the word "Visibility" on the board but was having issues with it's spelling (is there an A in it or not) and then he (or someone) commented "It's all I's". To which I offhandedly commented "Just like Mood." There was a beat and then the student in front of me (the coed in question) laughed and sort of looked over her shoulder smiling and said (as I recall it) "Good one." I think that she was the only one in class who caught my comment. But that's fine....)
Today I'll have a meeting with the instructor of my Dramatic Literature course, who is also the primary director for all of the mainstage productions here. So I'm hoping to make a decent impression on him for the sake of future production assignments.
Also today is a student employment job fair. I'll be visiting that at some point, as I need to find some income and the previously mentioned on call gigs are outside of the campus. If I could find an on campus gig too that would be excellent. BTW, as I don't believe I mentioned it yet: I did NOT get the "re-entry student grant/scholarship/tuition waiver" I had been hoping for. So I am freaking out (just the little-est bit) about finances at the moment. Anyone who might have any leads on available grants, scholarships, etc please let me know....Thanks.
And today I will have my first sessions of the other classes on my schedule.
Saturday is a "public" portfolio review session. All the tech students gather and show their stuff to the faculty and whoever else shows up. So I'll be tweaking and adding some stuff to my portfolio over the next couple of days. I just need to locate a reasonably good quality color printer (on campus preferably) to print things once they are ready.
I still need to do more exploring, both here on campus and into the wilds of Fairbanks. Went for a bus ride yesterday afternoon/evening. Found some of the local shopping venues for future reference (always good to know where the food is....etc). And since my ID from UAF gets me free bus rides on the local mass transit, why not take advantage of it and go nosing ? Need to walk the rest of campus soon. I don't want to get into the feeling that "Here is Wick (my dorm). Here is the Fine Arts Complex and library. Here is the student center....that's it. That is my world." I'm here to do more stretching than that.
Well, insomnia got me up some while ago. And I got some stuff done. And now that the sun is up (tho' slightly concealed by fog and drizzle) I really should get along with the day. More later.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Agitation. Comedy. Rinse. Repeat.
This mornings ramblings:
We had the initial properties strike last night and I got home from that about 0145hrs (+/-). Then I had some issues unwinding and getting to sleep. And then my sleep, as my sleep often is, was a broken thing...Then I got up. Still tired. Sigh.
Watched some comedy videos online. Laughed out loud. Rachel Bloom is funny.
Still really quite tense and agitated about some school stuff. It'll be fine I suspect. But having my higher functions telling my lizard brain that can be problematic.
Call time for today is in about an hour (+/-). We will be loading in props for rehearsals at (surprisingly) the rehearsal space/venue. And hopefully I will be getting a bit of work in on the pick-up truck unit.
On a side note: I realize that some of these blogs are "deeper and more meaningful" than others, which are just me kvetching. I sometimes find myself doubting the value of what I post.....And then I come upon a statement like the following, from the blog of Ms Rachel Bloom:
"....But to put out my thoughts uncensored, I have to trust that I am good
enough.
And that's fucking scary."
We had the initial properties strike last night and I got home from that about 0145hrs (+/-). Then I had some issues unwinding and getting to sleep. And then my sleep, as my sleep often is, was a broken thing...Then I got up. Still tired. Sigh.
Watched some comedy videos online. Laughed out loud. Rachel Bloom is funny.
Still really quite tense and agitated about some school stuff. It'll be fine I suspect. But having my higher functions telling my lizard brain that can be problematic.
Call time for today is in about an hour (+/-). We will be loading in props for rehearsals at (surprisingly) the rehearsal space/venue. And hopefully I will be getting a bit of work in on the pick-up truck unit.
On a side note: I realize that some of these blogs are "deeper and more meaningful" than others, which are just me kvetching. I sometimes find myself doubting the value of what I post.....And then I come upon a statement like the following, from the blog of Ms Rachel Bloom:
"....But to put out my thoughts uncensored, I have to trust that I am good
enough.
And that's fucking scary."
Sunday, August 15, 2010
A Tiny Little Bit Of Sunday Evening Pre Strike Randomness
Just an hour or two till the strike for "Promises, Promises" here at Stages St Louis. And I should be taking a quick nap....But I find myself agitated by some issues with the UAF webmail system. For a second time today it will not allow me to sign on. Weird password issues. Thankfully, I A) was able to get online and get some email(s) out to (and receive some from) an instructor or two regarding some Fall semester stuff at an earlier point today....and B) I have my UAF webmail synced to forward stuff to another email account as well....suspenders and a belt, as it were. I know it will all get worked out. But with the start of the semester getting closer AND with still waiting to hear about 1) production assignments and 2) the Osher scholarship results I am more than a touch testy regarding email(s)....go figure.
Time to attempt that "pre-strike" nap.....
ADDENDA (circa 0230hrs - 08/16/10) :
Well, properties strike is basically complete, tho' there are some larger items which will be going into stock and will need to be put into storage later this week. The storage in question is made available to us by a company whose building is fenced and locked on certain days...including Sunday nights.
I appear to have remedied my webmail issues for the moment. And am filled with hope that the fix will stay in place....
Tomorrow (well, later today actually) we will begin moving items over to the rehearsal space for "State Fair". And after that I'll be getting back to work on the pick-up truck unit I've mentioned previously.
Still looking for that nap....
Time to attempt that "pre-strike" nap.....
ADDENDA (circa 0230hrs - 08/16/10) :
Well, properties strike is basically complete, tho' there are some larger items which will be going into stock and will need to be put into storage later this week. The storage in question is made available to us by a company whose building is fenced and locked on certain days...including Sunday nights.
I appear to have remedied my webmail issues for the moment. And am filled with hope that the fix will stay in place....
Tomorrow (well, later today actually) we will begin moving items over to the rehearsal space for "State Fair". And after that I'll be getting back to work on the pick-up truck unit I've mentioned previously.
Still looking for that nap....
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Semi Generic Early Saturday Afternoon Ramblings
A few things to comment on, all tho' they will almost certainly be in no real particular order nor will they be "Earth shaking" in import....
** My requested Priority Mail flat rate boxes have arrived. Now it is just a matter of filling them and mailing the "immediate needs" ones off to Fairbanks so that they are there when (or at least soon after) I arrive. Of course, I can't pack most of my tools until my last work call here. But at least now I have boxes to give me specific size limits, etc.
** Still needing to finish up the medical paperwork that is required for incoming students. And I admit that this is the first time I can recall filling out such a thing without being able to, when my memory has a gap, give my Mom a call and get info from her. Sigh. There are certain moments when I miss her...and Dad...more than I normally do.
** The deadline for the Osher Re-Entry Scholarship was yesterday, the 13th of August. And I had my essay in for over a week prior to that. So, needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), I am a fair bit anxious and agitated waiting to hear whether or not I will be one of the 12 selected recipients.
** One more "big build" (at least that I am currently aware of) for the next show here ("State Fair"). A pick-up truck unit. I've been working on the back half and and I am a fair way along on it, tho' some parts have been changed as of yesterday. Which means some modification time before I can move on to the front section. I am really hoping that this will be a big enough "me project" and will look good enough that it will be able to take a noticeable place in my portfolio.
** On the subject of portfolios: I still have a wide spectrum of fabrication images on the micro-sd card in my phone (I've been taking the fabrication shots with my cell phone camera, since I'd rather avoid potential shop damage to my good digital camera and the image quality of my "crash cam" is, in general, poorer than that of my cell phone camera). And I understand that there are archival photo disks available thru the production offices. So sometime before my 1st portfolio review session at UAF I will be spending some quality time with Irfanview and Photoshop to get things organized.
** To end on a note that makes me smile -- I've commented on this before elsewhere but I have to share another reason I suspect I will enjoy my time in Fairbanks: The URL below takes you to a page detailing the official "7th inning stretch" music for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks - Now that is style !! Enjoy!
http://www.goldpanners.com/PannerVision/devices/index.html
More ramblings to come....
** My requested Priority Mail flat rate boxes have arrived. Now it is just a matter of filling them and mailing the "immediate needs" ones off to Fairbanks so that they are there when (or at least soon after) I arrive. Of course, I can't pack most of my tools until my last work call here. But at least now I have boxes to give me specific size limits, etc.
** Still needing to finish up the medical paperwork that is required for incoming students. And I admit that this is the first time I can recall filling out such a thing without being able to, when my memory has a gap, give my Mom a call and get info from her. Sigh. There are certain moments when I miss her...and Dad...more than I normally do.
** The deadline for the Osher Re-Entry Scholarship was yesterday, the 13th of August. And I had my essay in for over a week prior to that. So, needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), I am a fair bit anxious and agitated waiting to hear whether or not I will be one of the 12 selected recipients.
** One more "big build" (at least that I am currently aware of) for the next show here ("State Fair"). A pick-up truck unit. I've been working on the back half and and I am a fair way along on it, tho' some parts have been changed as of yesterday. Which means some modification time before I can move on to the front section. I am really hoping that this will be a big enough "me project" and will look good enough that it will be able to take a noticeable place in my portfolio.
** On the subject of portfolios: I still have a wide spectrum of fabrication images on the micro-sd card in my phone (I've been taking the fabrication shots with my cell phone camera, since I'd rather avoid potential shop damage to my good digital camera and the image quality of my "crash cam" is, in general, poorer than that of my cell phone camera). And I understand that there are archival photo disks available thru the production offices. So sometime before my 1st portfolio review session at UAF I will be spending some quality time with Irfanview and Photoshop to get things organized.
** To end on a note that makes me smile -- I've commented on this before elsewhere but I have to share another reason I suspect I will enjoy my time in Fairbanks: The URL below takes you to a page detailing the official "7th inning stretch" music for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks - Now that is style !! Enjoy!
http://www.goldpanners.com/PannerVision/devices/index.html
More ramblings to come....
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Just A Quote That I Found....
Stumbled on this quote of a prayer offered by Francis Drake, circa 1577. And with school (amongst other things) being a new challenge and a way to stretch myself....well, it struck a chord.
Disturb us, Lord, when
we are too pleased with ourselves,
when our dreams have come true
because we dreamed too little,
when we arrived safely
because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when
with the abundance of things we possess
we have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
having fallen in love with life,
we have ceased to dream of eternity
and in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision
of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
to venture on wilder seas,
where storms will show Your mastery;
where losing sight of land,
we shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back
the horizons of our hopes;
and to push back the future
in strength, courage, hope, and love.
Disturb us, Lord, when
we are too pleased with ourselves,
when our dreams have come true
because we dreamed too little,
when we arrived safely
because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when
with the abundance of things we possess
we have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
having fallen in love with life,
we have ceased to dream of eternity
and in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision
of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
to venture on wilder seas,
where storms will show Your mastery;
where losing sight of land,
we shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back
the horizons of our hopes;
and to push back the future
in strength, courage, hope, and love.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
It’s Surprising What Comes To Mind While Spending Quality Time With A Palm Sander......
Yesterday, while involved in the “sand-o-thon” alluded to in the subject line, I found myself reflecting on a quotation that has been a favorite of mine for some time and I saw it in a bit of a new light.... And I felt I had to share at least a glimmer of it here.
First, the story behind the quote:
Back in the Spring of 1990 I was working at a venue in Scottsdale AZ and was asked to work up some drawings and assist with the load in for a rehearsal of the group “The Highwaymen”....So I got to spend a fair portion of the day in question with the touring technical director for the group, a fine gent by the name of Jay Duro. After the set up was complete and while we were standing outside the rehearsal space (which shared an outside courtyard with a theatre which had a performance underway) and were sort of running “fan/curious onlooker interference” the subject of our conversation somehow turned to audio levels. To which Mr Duro replied “Well, like Johnny says: if it ain’t distortin’, it ain’t loud enough.” Which made me smile, both at the time and later as I have thought of it.
Then yesterday, while I was sanding a rack unit for some whiskey casks for our next show, I had a bit of insight about a deeper meaning to that statement. I thought “yeah.... Distortion is the result of pushing the limits of abilities....”. So, to re-interpret the concept: if you aren’t pushing yourself to the edges of your abilities, you aren’t working hard enough..... I used to say something similar to various trainees I had while at Walt Disney World: “If you don’t go home tired at the end of a shift, you haven’t been working hard enough.” You have not been radiating the power inside you and lighting up the space nearby the way you should/could..... Pretty tough-minded I guess and I may not always live up to it but still worth the attempt, IMNSHO. And giving it some reflection I wonder if some of that concept might have subconsciously come to me from the quote in question. At least in part....
It’s not about the whole “living on the edge or you are taking up too much space...” that you might have heard of. It’s about making the most of talents, skills, abilities.
It’s about living loud.
First, the story behind the quote:
Back in the Spring of 1990 I was working at a venue in Scottsdale AZ and was asked to work up some drawings and assist with the load in for a rehearsal of the group “The Highwaymen”....So I got to spend a fair portion of the day in question with the touring technical director for the group, a fine gent by the name of Jay Duro. After the set up was complete and while we were standing outside the rehearsal space (which shared an outside courtyard with a theatre which had a performance underway) and were sort of running “fan/curious onlooker interference” the subject of our conversation somehow turned to audio levels. To which Mr Duro replied “Well, like Johnny says: if it ain’t distortin’, it ain’t loud enough.” Which made me smile, both at the time and later as I have thought of it.
Then yesterday, while I was sanding a rack unit for some whiskey casks for our next show, I had a bit of insight about a deeper meaning to that statement. I thought “yeah.... Distortion is the result of pushing the limits of abilities....”. So, to re-interpret the concept: if you aren’t pushing yourself to the edges of your abilities, you aren’t working hard enough..... I used to say something similar to various trainees I had while at Walt Disney World: “If you don’t go home tired at the end of a shift, you haven’t been working hard enough.” You have not been radiating the power inside you and lighting up the space nearby the way you should/could..... Pretty tough-minded I guess and I may not always live up to it but still worth the attempt, IMNSHO. And giving it some reflection I wonder if some of that concept might have subconsciously come to me from the quote in question. At least in part....
It’s not about the whole “living on the edge or you are taking up too much space...” that you might have heard of. It’s about making the most of talents, skills, abilities.
It’s about living loud.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Horses. Carts. Hopes For The Season. And Probably A Ramble Or Two....
Been about a week so here is what is new-ish:
**Still hammering out the essay for the "re-entering, non-traditional student" scholarship I have mentioned. And attempting to avoid repetition and any maudlin-ness that might creep in....
I have the deadline now (the Financial Aid Office sent an email with the details to my UAF email address, which I had not activated until this week (shrug and sigh)). And once the Financial Aid Office confirms if the essay should be emailed as an attachment or in the body of the email I'll be submitting it. So by the middle of this week I should be switching from "anxiety over writing the essay" mode to "anxiety over if the essay I wrote will get me the grant/scholarship" mode.
** Still have some paperwork to fill out. And some medical tests to have done. Current plans have me getting that stuff accomplished around the second week of August (very roughly).
** Found out what the season is planned to be for Theatre UAF. The link for it is:
http://www.uaf.edu/theatre/season-%28show%29-information/
I find myself wondering what sort of "competition" I will be facing for production assignments. I know that the department is intimate (one of the reasons I was interested in going there....). I just want to be able, beyond learning new stuff and tightening up my existing skills, to do good work and have a bunch of stuff for my portfolio. Color me both excited and anxious...which, I suppose, is oftentimes the same thing.
** I have my PO Box address....And although, just like was the case for my "physical address" which I already posted, I do have some worries about privacy issues (this being the big, bad internet and all) I'll go ahead and post it here too:
Carl L Sage
University Of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 752542
Fairbanks AK
99775-2542
So if any care packages of lemon bars, Coke, etc are being mailed via US Post, that's where to address them.
** Finding myself rather anxiety prone over the issue of shipping my tools. Aside from my DVD/CD binder(s) they are amongst the heaviest things I'll be packing....I'll be spreading the mass between luggage pieces but given the nature of the tools I can't put much, if any, of them in carry-on. They have to go into checked luggage. Or be mailed.....
** As for packing, I admit I also have some anxieties regarding the fact that I will be approximately 3,800 miles from any of the personal items I leave behind. Yes, it is a fine exercise in "decreasing ones attachments". Philosophically a good thing and one that I am continuing to work on. But as a practical matter, it's slightly more daunting. In the past, when I have gone off to gigs, I could cheat the weight of some of my luggage since I normally traveled via Greyhound. With the whole "flying in" situation that is not an available option.
I have a sure certainty (as Mr Lincoln once coined a phrase) that there was more to say but at the moment that is all I have....Additional ramblings later.
**Still hammering out the essay for the "re-entering, non-traditional student" scholarship I have mentioned. And attempting to avoid repetition and any maudlin-ness that might creep in....
I have the deadline now (the Financial Aid Office sent an email with the details to my UAF email address, which I had not activated until this week (shrug and sigh)). And once the Financial Aid Office confirms if the essay should be emailed as an attachment or in the body of the email I'll be submitting it. So by the middle of this week I should be switching from "anxiety over writing the essay" mode to "anxiety over if the essay I wrote will get me the grant/scholarship" mode.
** Still have some paperwork to fill out. And some medical tests to have done. Current plans have me getting that stuff accomplished around the second week of August (very roughly).
** Found out what the season is planned to be for Theatre UAF. The link for it is:
http://www.uaf.edu/theatre/season-%28show%29-information/
I find myself wondering what sort of "competition" I will be facing for production assignments. I know that the department is intimate (one of the reasons I was interested in going there....). I just want to be able, beyond learning new stuff and tightening up my existing skills, to do good work and have a bunch of stuff for my portfolio. Color me both excited and anxious...which, I suppose, is oftentimes the same thing.
** I have my PO Box address....And although, just like was the case for my "physical address" which I already posted, I do have some worries about privacy issues (this being the big, bad internet and all) I'll go ahead and post it here too:
Carl L Sage
University Of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 752542
Fairbanks AK
99775-2542
So if any care packages of lemon bars, Coke, etc are being mailed via US Post, that's where to address them.
** Finding myself rather anxiety prone over the issue of shipping my tools. Aside from my DVD/CD binder(s) they are amongst the heaviest things I'll be packing....I'll be spreading the mass between luggage pieces but given the nature of the tools I can't put much, if any, of them in carry-on. They have to go into checked luggage. Or be mailed.....
** As for packing, I admit I also have some anxieties regarding the fact that I will be approximately 3,800 miles from any of the personal items I leave behind. Yes, it is a fine exercise in "decreasing ones attachments". Philosophically a good thing and one that I am continuing to work on. But as a practical matter, it's slightly more daunting. In the past, when I have gone off to gigs, I could cheat the weight of some of my luggage since I normally traveled via Greyhound. With the whole "flying in" situation that is not an available option.
I have a sure certainty (as Mr Lincoln once coined a phrase) that there was more to say but at the moment that is all I have....Additional ramblings later.
Monday, July 26, 2010
A Short Little List Of Ramblings.....
Newest items:
** I think I have my essay for the "re-entering, non-traditional student" scholarship I've previously mentioned pretty well locked in. The only thing is that, as of this moment, it totals up to 340 words. And the email I have from the Financial Aid Office says "about 500 words"....sigh. Of course, another essay I submitted and which got my tuition reduced to resident level rather than non-resident was all of 316 words total. And I believe that was a "500 word maximum" requirement. So.....shrug. Of course, they still need to send out the official email with deadline and who to send it to and all. I hope to see that email this week, since the prior one said that the projected deadline would be mid August.....
** Found that the theatre department has updated the web page for the upcoming (Fall 2010-Spring 2011) season. And I have to admit that I am hopeful as far as production assignments may end up being. I won't say too much because I don't want to go all "cart before horses" and such. I'll just say that my hope is for good stuff for my portfolio......
** Still needing to get the whole "medical tests/vaccinations" out of the way. The main ones are the TB test and getting a meningitis vaccination. And as long as I can get records from my prior doctors I should be good for tetanus and mumps and all, based on my recollection of things.
** I was pleased to discover that the US Postal Service priority mail flat rate does appear to include Alaska. I had been a little worried thanks to some other folks comments...But even tho' it will take a bit longer then in the lower 48 the price remains the same. Which will almost certainly be a benefit for when I pack my tools (amongst other things).....
Like I said in the subject line, a short-ish list......More later.
** I think I have my essay for the "re-entering, non-traditional student" scholarship I've previously mentioned pretty well locked in. The only thing is that, as of this moment, it totals up to 340 words. And the email I have from the Financial Aid Office says "about 500 words"....sigh. Of course, another essay I submitted and which got my tuition reduced to resident level rather than non-resident was all of 316 words total. And I believe that was a "500 word maximum" requirement. So.....shrug. Of course, they still need to send out the official email with deadline and who to send it to and all. I hope to see that email this week, since the prior one said that the projected deadline would be mid August.....
** Found that the theatre department has updated the web page for the upcoming (Fall 2010-Spring 2011) season. And I have to admit that I am hopeful as far as production assignments may end up being. I won't say too much because I don't want to go all "cart before horses" and such. I'll just say that my hope is for good stuff for my portfolio......
** Still needing to get the whole "medical tests/vaccinations" out of the way. The main ones are the TB test and getting a meningitis vaccination. And as long as I can get records from my prior doctors I should be good for tetanus and mumps and all, based on my recollection of things.
** I was pleased to discover that the US Postal Service priority mail flat rate does appear to include Alaska. I had been a little worried thanks to some other folks comments...But even tho' it will take a bit longer then in the lower 48 the price remains the same. Which will almost certainly be a benefit for when I pack my tools (amongst other things).....
Like I said in the subject line, a short-ish list......More later.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Semi-Random Nostalgia And Reflections
Over the last few days I've had some long-ish drive times where I had little to do but think. And, not surprisingly, my mind wandered to the realm of nostalgia and thoughts about some things involving A) my first efforts in theatre in high school and B) my last period of collegia.....What follows is a semi-random and in no way complete list of some thoughts related to those musings:
** First work call in high school...a Saturday where I was assigned to disassemble some items using a cast iron nail puller and such.
** First lighting controls in high school...the panel in the "Little Theatre" at Waukegan West High....rather large handles (roughly the size of "police truncheons") that had this twist lock function to get them to gang together for cues....and a patch bay that worked like an old style telephone operators switchboard.
** Being cast in my first role (The Wizard in The Wizard Of Oz) and getting used to the idea of "sides" of scripts....and learning all the various leads lines, since I had to be there for the full rehearsals anyway....and realizing how my memory could work.
** My being initiated into the International Thespian Society....and Masque and Gavel.....and National Forensic League....
** An evening of Edward Albee in the Little Theatre at Waukegan West....
** Dramatic Duet Acting competition(s)....
** Our adult TD at Waukegan West spending most of the seasons scenic budget buying marine grade 3/4 ply for the "Hello Dolly" platforming and how we ended up making "flats" out of 4x8 sheets of meso/paneling held upright with shelf brackets for "Merton Of The Movies" as a result.....cursed his name at the time but on reflection it did teach me about making scenery from non-standard things using non-standard methods.
** "Bus Stop" in the Little Theatre at Waukegan West.....
** Directing "To The Chicago Abyss"....and how I still want to do an evening of Bradbury's short works, at least design-wise.....
** The glue pot at College Of Lake County's scene shop....and the glue made from hooves and hides.
** Becoming familiar with that wonder of technology, the Yankee screwdriver.
** Nail/screw pattern discussions...and screwing keystones and cornerblocks into place with the tool de'jour the Yankee screwdriver.
** The edition of Gillette and Gillette with the yellow cream-ish colored cover....which I still refer to from time to time ("no school like the old school").
** "Scenography" as a discipline/concept....
** Pneumatic tools....
** Being stubborn enough to climb the entirety of a fully extended and rather rickety wooden A-frame ladder during the introductory lighting session at the Krannert, which got me up to what was basically "focusing height" in the Playhouse theatre.
** Hanging by my ankles in what might be described as a "semi-riggers lock" position and loading stage weights into an arbor at the Playhouse Theatre at the Krannert Center during a changeover....
** The weird-ish "programming card" style of presets for the lighting control system in the Playhouse Theatre at the Krannert...You would set up the cue with sliders built into a tin box/rectangle which had metal pins in the bottom and then when the cue came, slip it (the "card") into a space on the control board...and you might need to "bang it down" to get the pins to register correctly so the cue would execute.....
** The Strand Century console that was the most advanced light board in use at the Krannert at that point.....
** The whole way the BFA program at the Krannert was designed back in the early 1980's....It seemed a pain at the time, but on reflection I sort of like the concept now....
** "Just Kiddin' : Theatre 106 on Tour" and my role as Ferdfoot.....I still have the "much worse for the wear" t-shirt that was the core of our costumes with it's "smiling jazz hands" logo.....
** After the acting/directing section of Theatre 106, being asked by fellow classmates (why, I am not really certain) if I was going to be auditioning for the acting program at the end of that first year....
** Shozo Sato....Kabuki class...The Zen Substitute.....dinner at Japan House.....
** Doing lighting designs in the Armory Free Theatre...which, upon some serious reflection, still is really one of my favorite venues....at least, back in it's old configuration.
** The old theatre space at Parkland College in Champaign (a converted classroom with a strange angled ceiling)...and my first experience(s) with a "Genie lift"....and the location of my first real paid theatre job.
And a variety of other, occasionally more personal memories....some of which may find their way into some later post.
** First work call in high school...a Saturday where I was assigned to disassemble some items using a cast iron nail puller and such.
** First lighting controls in high school...the panel in the "Little Theatre" at Waukegan West High....rather large handles (roughly the size of "police truncheons") that had this twist lock function to get them to gang together for cues....and a patch bay that worked like an old style telephone operators switchboard.
** Being cast in my first role (The Wizard in The Wizard Of Oz) and getting used to the idea of "sides" of scripts....and learning all the various leads lines, since I had to be there for the full rehearsals anyway....and realizing how my memory could work.
** My being initiated into the International Thespian Society....and Masque and Gavel.....and National Forensic League....
** An evening of Edward Albee in the Little Theatre at Waukegan West....
** Dramatic Duet Acting competition(s)....
** Our adult TD at Waukegan West spending most of the seasons scenic budget buying marine grade 3/4 ply for the "Hello Dolly" platforming and how we ended up making "flats" out of 4x8 sheets of meso/paneling held upright with shelf brackets for "Merton Of The Movies" as a result.....cursed his name at the time but on reflection it did teach me about making scenery from non-standard things using non-standard methods.
** "Bus Stop" in the Little Theatre at Waukegan West.....
** Directing "To The Chicago Abyss"....and how I still want to do an evening of Bradbury's short works, at least design-wise.....
** The glue pot at College Of Lake County's scene shop....and the glue made from hooves and hides.
** Becoming familiar with that wonder of technology, the Yankee screwdriver.
** Nail/screw pattern discussions...and screwing keystones and cornerblocks into place with the tool de'jour the Yankee screwdriver.
** The edition of Gillette and Gillette with the yellow cream-ish colored cover....which I still refer to from time to time ("no school like the old school").
** "Scenography" as a discipline/concept....
** Pneumatic tools....
** Being stubborn enough to climb the entirety of a fully extended and rather rickety wooden A-frame ladder during the introductory lighting session at the Krannert, which got me up to what was basically "focusing height" in the Playhouse theatre.
** Hanging by my ankles in what might be described as a "semi-riggers lock" position and loading stage weights into an arbor at the Playhouse Theatre at the Krannert Center during a changeover....
** The weird-ish "programming card" style of presets for the lighting control system in the Playhouse Theatre at the Krannert...You would set up the cue with sliders built into a tin box/rectangle which had metal pins in the bottom and then when the cue came, slip it (the "card") into a space on the control board...and you might need to "bang it down" to get the pins to register correctly so the cue would execute.....
** The Strand Century console that was the most advanced light board in use at the Krannert at that point.....
** The whole way the BFA program at the Krannert was designed back in the early 1980's....It seemed a pain at the time, but on reflection I sort of like the concept now....
** "Just Kiddin' : Theatre 106 on Tour" and my role as Ferdfoot.....I still have the "much worse for the wear" t-shirt that was the core of our costumes with it's "smiling jazz hands" logo.....
** After the acting/directing section of Theatre 106, being asked by fellow classmates (why, I am not really certain) if I was going to be auditioning for the acting program at the end of that first year....
** Shozo Sato....Kabuki class...The Zen Substitute.....dinner at Japan House.....
** Doing lighting designs in the Armory Free Theatre...which, upon some serious reflection, still is really one of my favorite venues....at least, back in it's old configuration.
** The old theatre space at Parkland College in Champaign (a converted classroom with a strange angled ceiling)...and my first experience(s) with a "Genie lift"....and the location of my first real paid theatre job.
And a variety of other, occasionally more personal memories....some of which may find their way into some later post.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Housing Assignment And Stuff.....
Apparently the letter carrier gets here later than I would have thought during the week. I checked the mail about 1230hrs and there was nothing. But when I checked again (just for grins) about 90 minutes ago (roughly 1830hrs, +/-) a letter from the Department of Residence Life was there. And when I opened it, it confirmed what I had requested. So, starting on Sept 7th 2010 my physical address in Fairbanks will be:
Carl L Sage
Wickersham Hall
Room 228
732 Yukon Drive
Fairbanks AK
99775
This is where I will be BUT (importantly) this will NOT be my US Postal Service mailing address. Now that I have a physical address there in Fairbanks I can submit an application for a post office box at the University substation. I hope to have that address by mid-week or so.....FedEx, UPS, etc packages would be able to be sent to the residence hall tho'.
Still no info on who my roommate(s) will be....I suspect that I won't know what I am getting till I get to Fairbanks. Sigh.
As for the "stuff " portion of our show today:
1) I am back to sifting yet again more stuff to figure out what I can do without. Spent this last weekend down at my brothers house doing sorting and packing and such. Tried to pack/label my belongings in such a way that it would/will be easy for someone to get things out to ship up if I need them. However, I have to admit that process has me a bit concerned/nervous. Not quite certain as to the why of it....just tense about someone else having to rummage thru boxes of my stuff to find something I guess. Especially as last weekend may be the last time I get any significant chance to sort anything that is there in Arkansas before I leave......
2) I am working on yet another essay for an additional scholarship opportunity. I've been in touch with the Financial Aid Office and have most (tho' potentially not all - such as the official deadline,etc) of the details for a scholarship aimed at older, non-traditional, returning students. Sounds like someone we know, huh ? Apparently, the university has received a $1 million dollar endowment to allow for these scholarships (yep, plural - potentially up to 12 recipients). They announced receiving the endowment on July 9th and the "rough deadline" for the application essay that I heard from the Financial Aid Office is "mid August". The essay subject is pretty straight forward: 500 words addressing my inspiration for returning to school. If I understand correctly, these scholarships would be disbursed prior to the Fall semester payment deadline, so if I am selected I could "stack it" with my other scholarship. Potentially paying for virtually the entire Fall 2010-Spring 2011 school year with little or no out of pocket costs. Suffice it to say, it would be an amazing help....
Well I suspect that, when I began typing this post, I had more to say...however, at the moment, I have nothing else.
Carl L Sage
Wickersham Hall
Room 228
732 Yukon Drive
Fairbanks AK
99775
This is where I will be BUT (importantly) this will NOT be my US Postal Service mailing address. Now that I have a physical address there in Fairbanks I can submit an application for a post office box at the University substation. I hope to have that address by mid-week or so.....FedEx, UPS, etc packages would be able to be sent to the residence hall tho'.
Still no info on who my roommate(s) will be....I suspect that I won't know what I am getting till I get to Fairbanks. Sigh.
As for the "stuff " portion of our show today:
1) I am back to sifting yet again more stuff to figure out what I can do without. Spent this last weekend down at my brothers house doing sorting and packing and such. Tried to pack/label my belongings in such a way that it would/will be easy for someone to get things out to ship up if I need them. However, I have to admit that process has me a bit concerned/nervous. Not quite certain as to the why of it....just tense about someone else having to rummage thru boxes of my stuff to find something I guess. Especially as last weekend may be the last time I get any significant chance to sort anything that is there in Arkansas before I leave......
2) I am working on yet another essay for an additional scholarship opportunity. I've been in touch with the Financial Aid Office and have most (tho' potentially not all - such as the official deadline,etc) of the details for a scholarship aimed at older, non-traditional, returning students. Sounds like someone we know, huh ? Apparently, the university has received a $1 million dollar endowment to allow for these scholarships (yep, plural - potentially up to 12 recipients). They announced receiving the endowment on July 9th and the "rough deadline" for the application essay that I heard from the Financial Aid Office is "mid August". The essay subject is pretty straight forward: 500 words addressing my inspiration for returning to school. If I understand correctly, these scholarships would be disbursed prior to the Fall semester payment deadline, so if I am selected I could "stack it" with my other scholarship. Potentially paying for virtually the entire Fall 2010-Spring 2011 school year with little or no out of pocket costs. Suffice it to say, it would be an amazing help....
Well I suspect that, when I began typing this post, I had more to say...however, at the moment, I have nothing else.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A Bit Of Misc..... 07/11/10
It's been a bit since the last entry....And a few things have happened:
1) According to a post on the UAF Facebook page on July 9th, the Residence Life Office should be sending the housing assignment letters out this coming week. So I'll know soon what my room-mate status and such will be.
2) Another post on the UAF Facebook page (also on July 9th) has led me to an additional scholarship that I might qualify for...Still hunting more details about it and hoping.....
3) I've begun packing for the dorm. Yes, I still have 56 days (+/- 18 hours or so) till my flight leaves St Louis for Fairbanks. But all things considered I'd rather be way early than crushed for time.
4) As you could probably tell from #3, I already have my Fairbanks ticket reserved. Frontier Airlines. They only fly in and out of AK during the "Summer" so my flight in will be one of the last ones they will have for the season (they stop flying into Fairbanks about Sept 10th..My flight is on Sept 6th).
5) Given flight costs and such, I am planning to "Winter over" on campus rather than coming back down for the Winter Holidays.....Once I get my housing assignment I'll be able to fill out the required forms. If I get the dorm I requested, I should be able to just stay in my same room.....
6) I'm already looking for a Summer 2011 gig that would start after classes end and end before classes start again in the Fall....I'll be working the department up there for contacts/ideas as well but if anyone has any ideas please let me know.
Getting more and more excited by the day....
1) According to a post on the UAF Facebook page on July 9th, the Residence Life Office should be sending the housing assignment letters out this coming week. So I'll know soon what my room-mate status and such will be.
2) Another post on the UAF Facebook page (also on July 9th) has led me to an additional scholarship that I might qualify for...Still hunting more details about it and hoping.....
3) I've begun packing for the dorm. Yes, I still have 56 days (+/- 18 hours or so) till my flight leaves St Louis for Fairbanks. But all things considered I'd rather be way early than crushed for time.
4) As you could probably tell from #3, I already have my Fairbanks ticket reserved. Frontier Airlines. They only fly in and out of AK during the "Summer" so my flight in will be one of the last ones they will have for the season (they stop flying into Fairbanks about Sept 10th..My flight is on Sept 6th).
5) Given flight costs and such, I am planning to "Winter over" on campus rather than coming back down for the Winter Holidays.....Once I get my housing assignment I'll be able to fill out the required forms. If I get the dorm I requested, I should be able to just stay in my same room.....
6) I'm already looking for a Summer 2011 gig that would start after classes end and end before classes start again in the Fall....I'll be working the department up there for contacts/ideas as well but if anyone has any ideas please let me know.
Getting more and more excited by the day....
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Fall Schedule, Some Housing Stuff And A Bit Of Misc.....
Well, the newest news is that I've completed my registration process and have all my classes laid out for the Fall semester. For those interested they include:
On Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
Costume Design and Construction
Dramatic Literature
Theatre History
And on Tuesdays/Thursdays
Lighting Design
Additionally, there is a zero credit required course that meets at various times during the semester called Audition or Portfolio Review Participation that I have on my schedule as well.
The other big news is that I have submitted my housing paperwork and should be receiving my housing assignment sometime after the first of July (ie: beginning the end of this week or so). I requested to be housed in Wickersham Hall, which is generally non-traditional/upperclass-person/graduate student housing. The layout is "suites" of 2 two person rooms sharing a study room between them. And yes, I am planning on having a room-mate sharing my room with me. Not exactly something I am used to, with the exception of some overnights on the TLTOTS tour(s). It should prove to be an interesting test of my adaptability...As well as my new room-mates tolerance of my snoring, talking in my sleep and insomnia.
Beyond those points, I'm just continuing to work on the whole "putting my life into just a few pieces of luggage" puzzle as well as the "making a plan so that folks here in the lower 48 can find some of my theatre/art books to mail to me if needed" challenge...
More as it comes/happens/I think of it.
On Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
Costume Design and Construction
Dramatic Literature
Theatre History
And on Tuesdays/Thursdays
Lighting Design
Additionally, there is a zero credit required course that meets at various times during the semester called Audition or Portfolio Review Participation that I have on my schedule as well.
The other big news is that I have submitted my housing paperwork and should be receiving my housing assignment sometime after the first of July (ie: beginning the end of this week or so). I requested to be housed in Wickersham Hall, which is generally non-traditional/upperclass-person/graduate student housing. The layout is "suites" of 2 two person rooms sharing a study room between them. And yes, I am planning on having a room-mate sharing my room with me. Not exactly something I am used to, with the exception of some overnights on the TLTOTS tour(s). It should prove to be an interesting test of my adaptability...As well as my new room-mates tolerance of my snoring, talking in my sleep and insomnia.
Beyond those points, I'm just continuing to work on the whole "putting my life into just a few pieces of luggage" puzzle as well as the "making a plan so that folks here in the lower 48 can find some of my theatre/art books to mail to me if needed" challenge...
More as it comes/happens/I think of it.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Now St Louis...Then Fairbanks. (Part 2: Our Story So Far....)
As many of you (perhaps even most of you) who are reading this may already know, I left my initial collegiate career prior to being awarded my Bachelors degree. And how it has long since been a personal as well as professional goal of mine to return to school and complete it. Thus the prior, albeit failed, attempt at a blog such as this.
In 2004, I was offered admission for the Fall at the University Of Alaska Fairbanks. Sadly, due to hurricane related damage to family housing in Florida and my being needed there, I had to pass on going back to school at that time. However, that did allow me to do more freelance work and further build my resume and portfolio with "real world" (if anything related to theatre can be called "real world") credits. And I continued to do school related research and planning...
Then, after being "at liberty" (a term some of us in the entertainment trade use for being unemployed) for the entire year of 2009 I decided that it was time. I re-applied and was accepted at UAF. In addition, I qualified for what is called a Theatre Transfer Student award, which reduces my tuition level from non-resident to resident. And to top it all off, I was awarded a scholarship based on my portfolio as well.....So, come September and the end of my contract here (with Stages St Louis in St Louis, MO) I will be boarding a plane to Fairbanks, AK !
As of the end of last week I had submitted my housing request/application and have had email contact with both my faculty adviser and one of my instructors for the Fall semester. My class registration should be complete by the end of next week (with the opening of "Big River" and the start of the "Promises, Promises" build here at Stages I'm a bit behind, sad to say). After that it's post office forms and medical forms and...well, more forms. I had almost forgotten how much paperwork can be involved with school enrollment. But I don't mind, since it gets me closer to school.
Of course, prepping for a move to Alaska and life in a dorm room is also an excellent exercise/reminder in "simplifying ones life". I spend at least a small portion of my day each day debating "will I really need to pack/bring that tool ? And if I do, how much weight will that add to my footlocker ?", etc.
Well, the dawn is fully up and I have stuff to do. So a discussion of my probable class schedule for the Fall and other stuff will have to wait till next entry......
In 2004, I was offered admission for the Fall at the University Of Alaska Fairbanks. Sadly, due to hurricane related damage to family housing in Florida and my being needed there, I had to pass on going back to school at that time. However, that did allow me to do more freelance work and further build my resume and portfolio with "real world" (if anything related to theatre can be called "real world") credits. And I continued to do school related research and planning...
Then, after being "at liberty" (a term some of us in the entertainment trade use for being unemployed) for the entire year of 2009 I decided that it was time. I re-applied and was accepted at UAF. In addition, I qualified for what is called a Theatre Transfer Student award, which reduces my tuition level from non-resident to resident. And to top it all off, I was awarded a scholarship based on my portfolio as well.....So, come September and the end of my contract here (with Stages St Louis in St Louis, MO) I will be boarding a plane to Fairbanks, AK !
As of the end of last week I had submitted my housing request/application and have had email contact with both my faculty adviser and one of my instructors for the Fall semester. My class registration should be complete by the end of next week (with the opening of "Big River" and the start of the "Promises, Promises" build here at Stages I'm a bit behind, sad to say). After that it's post office forms and medical forms and...well, more forms. I had almost forgotten how much paperwork can be involved with school enrollment. But I don't mind, since it gets me closer to school.
Of course, prepping for a move to Alaska and life in a dorm room is also an excellent exercise/reminder in "simplifying ones life". I spend at least a small portion of my day each day debating "will I really need to pack/bring that tool ? And if I do, how much weight will that add to my footlocker ?", etc.
Well, the dawn is fully up and I have stuff to do. So a discussion of my probable class schedule for the Fall and other stuff will have to wait till next entry......
Now St Louis...Then Fairbanks. (Part 1: Introduction)
So...Here I go again, attempting to document my return to the world of collegia. Some time back, I began one of these new fangled bloggy dealys on the oh so stylish Tripod. Or was it Geocities ? Well, either way, it died a silent death and passed into the realm of things only found thru the Internet Wayback Machine. But as the series of tubes known as the interweb has developed over time, so have my efforts to return to school. Also, I have realized that bloggy style notes on Myspace and Facebook have grown cumbersome.....As such and without additional hyperbole, I present:
"NOT QUITE THE WORLDS OLDEST UNDERGRAD"
Which will be, in the main, a documentation of me returning to school this coming Fall semester and the activities and adventures connected to such.
"NOT QUITE THE WORLDS OLDEST UNDERGRAD"
Which will be, in the main, a documentation of me returning to school this coming Fall semester and the activities and adventures connected to such.
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