Summersalt and Other Writing News

Well, it's almost confirmed. On the 6th I will fly out to South Carolina to help write next year's Summersalt script. I was skeptical. I didn't think it would happen that they would actually fly me all the way from Seattle back to SC for this. I am humbled by the thought that they believe I contribute so much to the process that it's worth it to fly me across the country. What a boost for my flagging self-esteem. So, I should leave on the 6th and come back on the 10th. And then I start tech rehearsals for "Scrooge." Things are about to get busy.
Related to my writing, I just sold another script to Lifeway. I am very appreciative of Matt and his interest in my writing. Of course, it's important for me to maintain my present attitude which is that I don't do it to sell scripts...I do it because I have to. I write and make art in general because this stuff is inside me and it has to come out. If it doesn't, there will be found a stain of blood and letters where I exploded. Nice imagery, huh?

Booklist

Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller - "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. . . . I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." In Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God.*

I liked this book. It was a simple read, a bit weird at times but pretty satisfying. I will admit, at times, it seemed as though he was writing as if to say, "Look at me. See how weird I am. So that must mean I'm cool." But I got past feeling like this and made it through the book. I really hope he's legit because it would be great to know there are folks out there that feel the same way I do about some things that have to do with spirituality, God and the church. Honestly, I can't believe this got published by a Christian publisher no less. Usually they only publish politically/spiritually correct stuff. So, Don Miller, if you are listening...Keep on truckin' and I'll pray that you don't get blindsided by the religious right some day.

*Book description from Amazon

The Total Dependency of Artists

My friend Matt Tullos put this up on his blog. I'm copying it here so I can contemplate it.

most can never explain how they do what they do. There is no formula. I teach at writer's conferences but i don't believe in them. it is a mysterious process that occurs somewhere between the prefrontal cortex and the motor association cortex. Athletes work out, scholars go to class, but creators are at the mercy of something no one but God understands. like little children at supper, we say grace over it but can take no great credit for it's existence. it's something that causes great emotional tremors from time to time. it causes lack of sleep, lack of time, brief moments of tunneling, frustration on the behalf of spouses, and the inability to focus on other people and things during moments of artistic production. most artist have low self-esteem even though some may appear egocentric. Their low self image is rooted in the principle of muse. They are at the mercy of the muse because they don't know how the muse works. Much like most people don't understand the inside of a CD player and how it produces sound from digets.

i use the term muse even though i don't like it. all good gifts come from God but not everything artists write or say is God breathed- (IE Hollywood)

The constant thought of many artists who are living paycheck to paycheck is what if the thing i do, yet don't understand, stops working. what if i can no longer live off this insane gift. i have no other real marketable skills!

This is the thought of mostly writers and composers. (acting, directing, singing, preaching, and painting are aquired crafts that utilize artistic skills.) I would claim that the mortality rate for writers is much lower. Their brain's treadlife is much shorter.

so the nervous, emotional, artist continues to do what he can't put his finger on. He or she lives in a state of panic or grace totally dependant on God or some infinitely
lesser being to survive.

Sweeney Todd

Sarah and I attended "Sweeney Todd" at the 5th Ave. Theatre last night. After returning some costumes and saying hello to a few folks, we headed to the Pike Street Market to look at dollhouse stuff and find some food. Most stores were closed so we left there and made our way toward the heart of downtown. Finally decided to eat at P. F. Chang's and it was sooooo good. I had honey chicken and Sarah had the asparagus. (why, oh why, does asparagus make your pee smell funny?) We then headed to the theatre, got a sneak peek at the Producer's Club (where all the hoity toity's hang out) and got settled for the show. The production was really good. The one I saw in Ft. Worth was good and this one topped it by a mile. Not a bad singer in the cast. The set was better than the one before. All in all, a top-notch job. Sarah said she didn't care for the costumes. (she would notice...since she's a costumer) I must say the velvet job on Beadle had me a bit concerned. So, an enjoyable evening for us. A little food, a little theatre and a viewing of "The Great Pumpkin" when we got home.

My Giant Spider Pet

I had a giant spider
Tried to keep her as a pet
I really tried to hide her
But that was no safe bet
I hid her in the chimney
I didn't think and pause
On Christmas Eve she got hungry
And ate up Santa Claus
I put her in the basement
She thought that was a bummer
To get me back, she had a snack
And gobbled down the plumber
Next it was the toolshed
The perfect place, bar none
But little Tommy came to mow
And now his days are done
I checked her into a hotel
With room service and a view
The maid came by with towels
And now she's spider stew
I finally tried one last thing
I took her to my school
By end of day and last bell ring
I felt like such a fool
She ate up all the kiddies
She ate the teacher too
She fled to other cities
I don't know what to do
Her appetite will be her end
That eight-legged walking stomach
I really just wanted a friend
Not a pet to run amok

Copyright 2005 Marty Gordon

Halloween

Howl and scream, it's Halloween
Craziest night I've ever seen
Ghosts of white and witches green
Let's get ready for Halloween

Pumpkins orange and cats of black
Decorate your goodie sack
Light your way with Lantern Jack
Hope you find your way back


Paint your face and dye your hair
Friends and neighbors hope to scare
Knock on that door if you dare
The house is haunted, have a care

Monster mask and witches hat
Hey, there goes a vampire bat
Looks just like a flying rat
Maybe I'll go get my cat

We'll have fun with friends we meet
As we hollar, "Trick or Treat"
See what goodies we can eat
Getting candy sure is neat

Bob for apples, that's so fun
Candy corn for everyone
Cotton candy by the ton
Belly aches when we get done

Tell ghost stories in the dark
By the fire in Moonbeam Park
Hear that werewolf howl and bark
Think I'll feed him my friend Clark

Mummies rap and gargoyles play
'Round the fields and bales of hay
Come out at night but not by day
The sun returns, they run away

I hope you pick a costume soon
I started mine the 6th of June
I'm going as a grisly goon
Hope I don't look like a loon

Midnight tolls and Halloween's through
No more bats or ghosts that "Boo"
Costumes gone and candy too
Til next year when Halloween's new

Copyright 2005 Marty Gordon

Pics of Seattle

The Pics: Max and Mickey in a rare bonding moment atop the quilt rack, Sarah on the ferry to Kingston, Marty checks out the skyline aboard the Bainbridge Island ferry. (the Space Needle is farther to the left)

The Rock Church

Sarah and I tried the Rock Church yesterday. I enjoyed it. It was the most consistently well-done service we've been to since coming to Seattle. The worship was good and the band talented. They suffer from sound problems but they stem from the room they are in. (all hard surfaces) All in all, a nice service. They even attempted drama, something we have not seen in a long time. (they did ok)

To Think About...

"If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Colossians 3: 23-24 (NIV)

NW Arts Ministry

Sarah and I attended a meeting of artists at NorthWest Church on Friday night at the invitation of Jeff Berryman. It was really, really enjoyable. So nice to sit in a room full of artsy folks and talk about issues and know that they "get it." How refreshing. I know we'll be involved more as time goes on.

Theatre

Working at the 5th Ave. Theatre has me thinking about all the shows I've seen. I helped move some posters the other day and while we were going thru them I was like, "I saw this one, I saw this one." Here's a list that I'm sure I'll update from time to time.

Les Miserables (4), Cats (5), The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago (2), Mamma Mia, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2), Phantom of the Opera, Phantom(the other version), Sweeney Todd (2) , Into the Woods, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Chicago (2), Dracula (the ballet), Will Rogers Follies, Stomp, On Golden Pond, Greater Tuna, Tuna Christmas, Hello Dolly, Arthur: The Hunt, Last Train to Nibroc, The Fantasticks (3), Story Theatre, William Shakespeare: The Complete Works Abridged, Art, Magdalene, Pippin, An Inpector Calls, The Foreigner, Voice of the Prairie, The Complete History of America Abridged, The Wedding Singer, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, Night of the Iguana, L'eliser D'amour, and Evita.

Bainbridge Island and Other Fun

Not being able to access a computer when I want is a pain! Oh well, you deal...you move on. Sarah and I went to Bainbridge Island a couple of Saturdays ago. I love riding the ferry. Just being on the water is the main thing. It's nice. There was a group of preadolescent football players on the boat. On the way back, they discovered that if they spit into the wind, it came back at them. They, of course, delighted in this grossness. Once on the island, Sarah and I explored the various shops and such in a town called Winslow. Lunch was at the Streamliner Diner where they only take cash or checks and the waitresses roll their eyes at you if you don't order fast enough. To your left is a picture of the view from the ferry of the skyline. We haven't gotten our pics developed yet so this one was snagged off the internet. I'll post some of our pics when I get them back.
After a nice day there, we came back, hit a gallery or two downtown, then went to Adam and Heather's new house for prawns. (We calls 'em shrimp down south) It was a nice time and their house has a kickin' view of the surrounding area.
This past Saturday, we met my friends Chuck and Andrea at the aquarium. (with their two kids, Tommy and Chrissy) It was fun but too short a visit. They invited us up to Whidbey where they live for a weekend. Here's hoping we can find the time to go sometime.
We're doing our best to see all the sights and sounds that Seattle has to offer a couple of financially challenged folks. One day we'll get it all done.

Booklist

Pop Surrealism: The Rise of Underground Art (Edited by Kirsten Anderson) - I enjoyed this book but it's a bit dated. Although it just came out, due to publication schedules and such, the artists represented are "old hat." I have discovered many new artists in this movement that I enjoy so much more. I suppose these are the pioneers...the ones who got it started and drew attention to "lowbrow" art. I hope they will continue to publish books on this material so I can round out my library...when I can afford it.
The Paper Doorway: Funny Verse and Nothing Worse by Dean Koontz - Surprisingly charming, these poems are in the vein of Shel Silverstein (the undisputed master) . I enjoyed this book but it was uneven. Koontz should stick to horror and leave the poetry to others who are better at it like...
A Pizza the Size of the Sun & It's Raining Pigs and Noodles by Jack Prelutzky - Very funny and closer to approaching the quality of Silverstein's stuff. Loved it!
Making Friends with Frankenstein by Colin Mcnaughton - I love this guy! He's nuts and very warped. My second favorite after Silverstein. His book "The Aliens are Coming" is also great.

Last Train to Nibroc

Here's a review of the most recent play at Taproot. Sarah's name is mentioned.

It's hard to believe that playwright Arlene Hutton wrote this charming and thoughtful romantic comedy only five years ago. Last Train to Nibroc, currently playing at Taproot Theatre, hearkens back to a simpler time when a play could succeed without offering eye-bleeding spectacle, verbal pyrotechnics, or the definitive answer to the meaning of life. The small but surprisingly entertaining Last Train to Nibroc has far more modest intentions, offering the audience only the pleasure of watching two well-drawn characters on a mostly bare stage as they navigate the eternal mystery of courtship. It's 1940 on a train bound east from California carrying the bodies of Nathaniel West and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Raleigh (Timothy Hornor), a young soldier with ambitions of becoming a writer, takes a seat next to a pretty but very proper girl (Charity Parenzini) who dreams of doing missionary work in far-flung locales. But the soldier has just been mysteriously discharged and the girl isn't quite as prim as she seems. For the next three acts—spanning three years—they talk, they laugh, they flirt, and they argue. In less capable hands, it could have been insufferable. But director Karen Lund has carefully marshaled every element of stagecraft—evocative scenic and sound design by Mark Lund, lovely costumes by Sarah Jane Burch, and strong but subtle lighting by Andrew Duff—to lift the story and let these two heartbreakingly talented actors take flight. It's the darnedest joy to watch. TAMARA PARIS

Booklist

Monster by Frank Peretti - A "monster" is killing people in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. A woman, out hiking with her husband, is kidnapped, presumably by the beast, and soon a manhunt begins. What is the "monster?" Read the book and find out. I found this to be a fairly slow read. Some parts were more enjoyable than others. I find it hard to talk about it without providing spoiler info. I'll just say it involves evolution, creationism, and the legend of the Sasquatch.
The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis - The beginnings of Narnia are explained in this book as Digory and Polly embark on the adventure of a lifetime. It's interesting to start with this one. I've read "LWW" but I am re-reading it and reading all the others that I never read. Although interesting, it's not necessary to know how Narnia began or how the witch came to be there. It's just enough to revel in the magical world of Lewis' creative mind.

Catch Up Time

Here are just a few things that are going on right now.
- I'm temping at 5th Ave. Theatre in downtown Seattle. The plus for this is I get paid hourly and I'm getting comp tickets to "Sweeney Todd." That's good because Sarah and I wanted to go but couldn't afford it.
- I had a job interview at Bethany Community Church yesterday. The position is Admin. Asst/Receptionist. A very uncreative job but pays ok with benefits and it's full-time. They wanted to know if it would bother me to do mundane stuff and not be creative. Heck, I just need a job and working for a church for $10/hr is better than working for some crappy corporate retail hell more or less the same. At least it is a job of substance and eternal reward. I hope I get it.
- Sarah's cat, Max, has been acting weird of late so we took him to the vet yesterday. He seems healthy enough but they did blood work and will let us know today. He's hiding out alot and eating little and won't let Sarah have anything to do with him. (And he's an affectionate kitty usually)
- I've signed on to run sound for the Christmas production at Taproot which means my free time until the end of the year will be nil. It will be fun and good experience but it will stretch me (perhaps farther than I want to go) and burn my candles at both ends. (unless I don't find a day job for some reason)
Guess that's it for now. I miss blogging on a daily basis. I am journaling at night before bed but it's hard to get much done because I'm so tired and I want to leave time for reading. SIGH. I need more time for creativity in my life.

Church

Sarah and I tried Bethany Community Church yesterday evening. It was okay. The music was pretty good. The preaching was so-so. As far as I'm concerned, he never said anything. Kinda rambled...got off track. Entering the service, there was no music playing. Just dead silence in a dreary old church. Not a good start. There was a guy painting while the pastor spoke but it was pretty dull. The end of the service was good. Communion and a couple more praise songs. All in all, it was only okay. Sarah wants to try it again sometime but we are going to check out some other services around the area.

Computer Access

Well, it's becoming increasingly difficult to blog right now since I don't have computer access as much as I used to. I will continue to write in my journal, preserving the lost art of handwriting. When possible, I will transfer things of note to my blog. It's been tough. I love to blog and journal but I think better in front of a computer so my hand written journaling has fallen by the wayside. Perhaps this is a good thing...get the old hands back in shape and actually see some ink hitting the page. One day I hope to be able to afford a laptop computer. That would be sweet! Until then, we do what we can with what we got.