Just a soothing afternoon at the park

Reading a book about a libriomancer ("Codex Born", second book by Jim C. Hines).

• A little dog's tail wagging wildly as he meets a new friend, one that's 2x its size.
• Three friends playing frisbee (hope it and their hands are freshly washed)
• A sketchy, windowless, aggressive-sounding van hostilely tailgating another car around the park. (Dude needs to go to Darrell's Muffler, BTW.)
• Sipping a non-alcoholic CBD beverage
• Some guy talking loudly on his phone complaining how his side girl's ex-bf was stalking him at the Max station, hoping it didn't escalate and bring him 'out of retirement'.
• Familiar sounds like a kid's laugh, two people's hushed conversation, the not-so-occasional train horns.
• A father telling his 5 y.o. that 'softball is for girls and drunk guys' and getting slightly annoyed when the kid didn't want to run the bases anymore.
• And the sun shining on my face (bonus points if you know the movie reference)

Checks FB

• Confirms shtuff is still going down about the globe
• A repost of a tweet saying "When Trump sends y’all $1000 and you’ve been saying ‘HES NOT MY PRESIDENT!’ You be sure you send that money back". Three Likes. Unfollows 'friend'. SMH.
• Someone's funny meme, not about cv19.

Walks home, locks door, closes blinds and flips on Firefly on Hulu.

---

Getting weird out there. Be kind to each other.

It may be overly simplistic but seems like folks are in different stages of grief, though the Kubler-Ross scale might not be sufficient for the current global situation. Not linear, less U shaped, more squiggly line & multiple cycles through. I hope we can all find ways to help each other get to the right side of the curve.

• New Relationships
• New Strengths
• New Patterns
• Hope
• Affirmation
• Helping Others
• Loss Adjustment

 

For context: The world is gripped by the global spread of the infectious disease, Covid-19, Coronavirus. Italy's healthcare system is under immense strains and have suffered many casualties. They're digging mass graves in Iran. Most countries have closed their borders, including Mexico and Canada. Testing in the USA is extremely inadequate. It's highly likely infected people with no symptoms are walking around. All bars and restaurants have closed; only takeout is permitted. All public gatherings are limited to 10 or fewer people. People have been hoarding toilet paper, milk, and other dietary staples. Hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes are virtually unavailable, some people have been trying and succeeding in price gouging for these essential items. On 3/19, the Multnomah Country COVID-19 response teams has started soliciting donations of N95 masks, nitrile gloves, and other items from the general public (link). We're in the very early stages of this 'thing'. It's likely to get much worse due to lack of testing, long timeline for a vaccine (if it works), and lack of quality leadership to arrest the spread. Life is forever changed around the world.

Lucia Di Lammermoor opens tonight!

I'm please to announce that I'm in the Portland Opera's production of Lucia Di Lammermoor which opens at the Keller Auditorium (in Portland, Oregon) tonight at 7:30pm.

There are 4 shows in the run *not counting the Dress Rehearsal:
1/29 @ 7:00p (student dress rehearsal)
1/31 @ 7:30p (opening night)
2/2 @ 2:00p (matinee)
2/6 @ 7:30p (mid-week show)
2/8 @ 7:30p (closing night)

P.S. I'm pyched to be selected for Pirate of Penzance.

Yes, I pin things

There's no getting around the fact that I'm an avid Pinterester.

Visit Larry's profile on Pinterest.

To date I have 19 categories (or boards), 1803 posts (or pins) and 5,347 followers. Pretty cool!

Welcome 2014

I stayed home on New Year's Eve. I was still lamenting the closing of Amnesia and missing the interaction with all my buddies and acquaintances. I had the opportunity to go to a show at the Wonder Ballroom and even though it would have been a quick ride on the #4 to Russell Street, I just didn't feel like hassling with it all. I don't like feeling obligated to "do something" on NYE, like if you don't you're missing out on something. It's just a night like any other because I'm in a vibrant neighborhood with shows almost every night at Mississippi Studios/Bar Bar.

Moving on...
On Monday 1/6 I auditioned for a small part (super) in Portland Opera's Pirates of Penzance.
On Saturday 1/18 I start rehearsals for Lucia di Lammermoor.

We'll see how things shape up at work. It's been a stressful year with the personnel changes and roles/responsibilities.

more soon...

Summary of 2013, so far....

2013

In February, I was one of Scarpia's henchmen in Portland Opera's production of "Tosca".

In March, I did one lightwalking shift for "Rinaldo".

In May, I was one of Alice Ford's basketmen in Portland Opera's production of "Falstaff".
After Weston Hurt, who played "Ford", was injured in rehearsal, I volunteered to help him get back and forth from his dressing room at the Keller and the stage for his calls.

you can call me Thom, or Jennifer Aniston, or Ringo

What I did since the last post, 2012 edition

Once again I've neglected to write my thoughts down here.

Several major things have happened:

In July, my mom was diagnosed and successfully treated for Hairy Cell Leukemia. It was a scary time but I think we handled it pretty well. Just took things a day at a time, tried not to look too far down the "road" at would could happen and just focused on what we knew. Surprisingly, I got very little emotional support from family but tons from friends, go figure.

At the end of July, I went to see Iron Maiden again at White River Amphitheater. Another rad show that focused on a lot of material from Seventh Son and before. I stayed the night in Auburn, WA. Incidentally, I stopped in Olympia on the way up.

Iron Maiden, July 30, 2012 - White River Ampitheater - Auburn, WA

the "pit" at White River Ampitheater (July 30, 2012) - I'm in  there somewhere :)

Olympia Film Society in Olympia, WA

In August, I went to the Northwest String Summit... We had a great Camp Behzt. Also, Karl Denson played a freaking awesome late night set.

Hanging out at Camp Behzt - NWSS'12 - Horning's Hideout - North Plains, OR

In September, for TBA12, I worked as a House Manager at Lincoln Hall and the Mark Spencer Hotel for Andrew Dickson's "Life Coaching" sessions. I also shot video for several performances and many of the coaching sessions.

Later in the month I reprised my role as Harpo Marx in the Portland Opera's Big Night pre-show celebration in front of the Keller Fountain.

Groucho and Harpo, before the Big Night at Keller Fountain, Portland, OR

That same night, I headed over to the Aladdin Theatre to see Portland Cello Project's performance of Radiohead's "OK Computer".

Portland Cello Project @ Aladdin Theater - Sept. 22, 2012

In October, I saw some great shows: Beth Orton at the Wonder Ballroom, David Bryne & St. Vincent at the Schnitz, OBT's "Body Beautiful" at the Keller (which I was not a fan).

Beth Orton at the Wonder Ballroom, October 17, 2012

David Bryne & St. Vincent at the Schnitzer, October 18, 2012

In November, I marked my 10th year in Portland, Oregon on Nov 3rd. I also attended Don Giovanni at the Keller and A Midsummer Night's Dream at PCS's Gerding Theatre @ the Armory. I also say Susanna Hoffs (from the Bangles) at Mississippi Studios. I finished the month of shows with Eric McFadden at Dante's; what a freaking amazing guitarist.

Susanna Hoffs and her band, Mississippi Studios, November 18, 2012

Eric McFadden at Dante's, November 30, 2012

I also "made" my mom join me to do some volunteering for Meals-on-Wheels' program called Donate-A-Dinner to help feed homebound seniors during the holidays.

My mom and I at Whole Foods on SE Division for Donate-a-Dinner volunteer shift

Also, on Nov 24 I had my 8th session with Ms. Mikki. I'm guessing I just have about 5-7 hrs left to finish my sleeve.

my sleeve, in progress

What I did since the last post

Wow.. I haven't written here in awhile. Actually, pretty amazing to read the last post was about making the DVDs for the PICA's 10th Annual TBA Festival (T:BA:11) (psst. T:BA:12 is coming up in September.)

Since the last post I:

• spent a week on the Grand Cayman Island (north of Georgetown on 7 Mile Beach) last October
• started getting tattoo work on a Oriental themed sleeve last September
• appeared in Portland Opera's production of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" as an inebriated sailor and peasant/servant this past Februrary
• turned 40! last December
• started working on iOS/Android testing for Starfall this Spring
• saw Radiohead and YMSB in Seattle in March
• got tickets for Iron Maiden in Auburn, WA in July
• started planning for NWSS'12 (Str'ummit) in August
• still enjoy my new place and the Miss. Ave neighborhood; it'll be a year mid-July

Grand Cayman Island - Plantana Condos

Tattoo: my sleeve, a work-in-progress

Madame Butterfly: I'm lighting Pinkerton's and Sharpless's cigarettes

Madame Butterfly: Screwing with Goro

Madame Butterfly: in the background we are trying to make
arrangements with Goro for some female companionship

Radiohead: gorgeous set with the TV panels hanging overhead and digital backdrop

Miss. Ave/Failing: Still digging my neighborhood