Hot.

One of the things I most is enjoy about this project is discovering commonalities between myself and my hosts.  Fiona revealed her connoisseurship of spicy flavors on day one.  While I must admit my sampling of spiciness is mostly relegated to trips to the resturaunt, I am impressed by her selection.

• Hot Chipotle Seasoning (added to popcorn- Off. The. Chain.)
• Black Peppercorns (Classic material.)
• Horseradish mustard (I'm partial to the horseradish + beets combo...)
• Cholula Hot Sauce (An Angeleno Favorite)
• Frank's Red Hot (Nothing says Buffalo Wings quite like Frank's.)
• Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (A 'hood classic.)

Oh, and there are these two identical bottles in her 'fridge, one of which read, simply, "Burning Hot" along the un-cracked safely seal label.  The other had been clearly tested... I can only guess at its name.  "Blazing Hot", perhaps? 

Code name: G-16 | True Identity: Sally Sargent

Serious 'Toon Bidnes

...More research

[Source: MedicalAssistantSchools.org]

On Saturday...

Fiona and I have cooked up a space to discuss the personal and cultural impact of the Saturday Morning Cartoon phenomenon.  With titles from the mid-1960's to the late-1980's, I predict it's going to be a fun ride fueled by Mimosas, Bloody Marys and "Gordon Ramsey's Perfect Scrambled Eggs".  We're also a compiling a signed and numbered, limited edition reader featuring articles from classic TV Guides, images, and games.  Stay Tuned!

Bourbon Broads

To celebrate my arrival, Host #4 (Fiona Gardner) treated us to Bulleit Bourbon (one of my favorites) and she gave me the general lay of the land.  Roommate overview, key exchange and mattress set-up were the top items on the agenda.  This is going to be an exciting week, as Fiona is the first host to commission a collaborative project.  We are diligently planning a Saturday Morning Cartoon Brunch, replete with a limited edition "reader" as a take-away.  Bloody Marys, Mimosas/Bellinis, and the "Perfect Scrambled Egg" will be featured as we wax poetic (and nostalgic) about the cartoons of the mid 1960's - late 1980's.

You can't get milk from a golden calf.

Week 4: Toothpaste

TaB: A favorite of teacher's lounges (cira 1982)

I just tasted it.  I am intrigued.  But I'm not sure if I like it our not.





If I was to be a better person, would you marry me? Right here, right now in the West Village?
- Anonymous man on the street / 10:19 am February 22, 2011

Admired Reading (Week 3)

Week 1: Toothpaste

Trader Joe's: Peppermint Toothpaste

Including myself first.

Week 3: Toothpaste

Colgate Triple Action.

"He could be...the killer."  - Bettina Goolsby

iNdie Power

Last night Bettina took me out on the town.
We went to a screening of short films hosted by Jamil Mangan*
I have a few favorites.   Please allow me to share:

The Truth About Beauty And Blogs

The Truth About Beauty and Blogs - Trailer from Red Wall Productions on Vimeo.

TAHARUKI (Suspense)


Gentle Cycle Only

Gentle Cycle Only, movie clip from Ela Thier on Vimeo.

Dear Me

*and Red Wall Productions 

Marcuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus-ahhhh-ahhh-eeee-ahhh-ahhh-oooooo-ooooh.
(I miss you K.I.)

Harlem, the cat

Another departure from my experience thus far, is Harlem.  Not the place, mind you, but the very lovable, very cool, cat.  I've known Harlem for about 3 years now, but living in his space has given me a glimpse of his many sides.  An expert napper and curious to a fault, Harlem has been my companion durning my alone hours in Bettina's space.  One of the original stipulations of my performance score was that I was not to occupy the home without my host.  Time and circumstance has graciously dictated otherwise and I am grateful to absorb the energies of space without my host.  In fact, I think that my blog posts are dependent upon a bit of solitude. Well, not including non-human residents...

MEOW.      - Harlem

Week 3 ReCap: The Actor Prepares

My third host is Bettina Goolsby.  A graduate of the University of Virginia, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and magazine marketing veteran (Vibe, Glamour, Marie Claire, Teen People etc.)- she traded corporate structure for life as a striving actor.  This visit marks a departure from my previous hosts in regard to the general feeling of our activities.  In this case I am more of a shadow, tagging along as Bettina goes about her very full days.  After a requisite yogic intro at The Om Factory, the first event on the roster was her weekly (screen)writing class*.

There, we discussed  "pattern" (the negative aspect of a character that keeps him/her away from their goal), how "raising the stakes" creates the drama that we crave in good moviemaking, and the importance of working through a 'bad' draft.  After class we chowed at La Esquina, an upgraded taco stand that truly delivered some bomb-ass Mexican food.  With a frigid wind whipping outside, it was nice to grub with an LA state of mind... SEXICO!

Wednesday I got a chance to play with actors, which to the uninitiated is like being on permanent vacation at summer camp.  ZIP-ZAP-ZOOP, REPETITION, and TOUNGE TWISTERS were my faves.  I even got a chance to improv as a drunk pregnant woman talking with her stuttering  (and apparently philandering) husband.  (Thanks Dave and Cindy)

I do have a few chores one of which is to help organize her apartment space (which I LOOOOVE) and deliver the give-a-ways to GoodWill- that, and cooking for a full day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner- which I also LOOOOVE).  I am inspired by the opportunity to be helpful to my hosts, and even as I continue to tweak the perimeters of The Inflatable Mattress performance, I am glad that I included this element of service.

* http://theindependentfilmschool.com/writing_lab.html

BIM. All up in your face.

Extremely Random...

Silly shout out to: Waichi, Robert, Daeja... and Ryan Lochte (Go Gators!)

Admired Reading...

As a part of this project I am hoping to read at least one book durning each visit.  There's always a book in personal libraries that act as reference. Whether it's rarity, sentimentality, or just preference -  some of the best titles don't get lent. Such is the case with the selection for Week 2: RAMTHA | The White Book.  Classified under "ancient wisdom" it totally parallels with my thought that the role of human beings is deeply connected to creativity.    

Om Shanti, up in this piece.

Week 2: A ReCap

My week with Waichi was absolutely phenomenal!  It began with a guided meditation focusing on protection, health, and the attraction of positive energies.  I sprained my pinky toe in December, and I swear, after giving the affected area bit of soul power, it's feeling less jinky (that's a professional term)...

The toothpaste selection was Nature's Gate Herbal Creme De Anise.  

And, speaking of hygiene, I added to my travel kit with a washcloth from LAYLA's towel boutique (Thanks Waichi!).   

Waichi and I met nearly 5 years ago at a month-long event she helped co-produced called THE MOVEMENT STUDIO.  I am fortunate to be included in her circle of friends and am grateful that she shared her space with me for seven days.  Born in Hong Kong, Waichi is bilingual and brings a very individual style to everything that she does.  Most notably, her home is the beneficiary of her sartorial and design talents.  During my stay I asked her how knowledge of two languages affects her inner dialogue.  She says it's a mixture of English and Cantonese with special emphasis on the phrases that are difficult to translate the intricacies of meaning.  One of which is a phrase directly translated as "You don't know how to eat."  Now, it is a widely known fact that I enjoy a good meal,  but apparently it is my willingness to try unfamiliar things  (both on the culinary side and in life's adventures) that this phrase alludes to.  Check below for a abridged version of Waichi's home cooked delights.  p.s. Ricotta as a spread on toast with berries is the TRUTH. 

Waichi's place is a only a ten-minute from my apartment, but offers a another set of nooks and crannies to explore.  Of course my hair obsession was in full effect as I grabbed some snaps.  

Sunday was brunch day, and we enjoyed an all-you-can-eat brunch at La Table Exquise.  Highly recommended...

Week 2 further solidified the importance of analog communication- we read to each other, had long conversations and broke bread together.  In the midst of Facebook and email  this was a much needed experiential moment.  I know that's why performance art is turning a corner in terms of being accepted by all kinds of audiences.  It's a small reminder of human condition; regardless of the various explanations of the ultimate fabric of existence, each day we have the opportunity to experience and create unique moments.

Everything you do is right.

Day Three.

I am still searching for a more appropriate title for the performance at The Kitchen so I used part of yesterday to enjoy solitude.  I had to pick up my gym shoes along with my phone charger from home so I walked from Bed-Stuy to Ft. Greene.  Stopping frequently to browse the various discount/dollar stores, as well as my beloved beauty supply shops, I finally made my way to Greenlight Bookstore...
Allow me to share a  few items of interest:

SMITH MAGAZINE/ 6 Word Memoirs

Little Golden Books (Something about that gold foil spine take me allllll the way back...)

Iona Rozeal Brown

The Joyce Award: Call For Entries

VIDEO PAINT

Started out with a simple question.  - by firefly15 in Six-Word Memoirs by Teens

Habitat Machines...

Waffle Iron Heights 25" x 33" 2008 digital print on archival paper ed. /6 by David Trautrimas

hab·i·tat

  –noun

1.

the natural environment of an organism; place that isnatural for the life and growth of an organism: a tropicalhabitat.

2.

the place where a person or thing is usually found: Paris is amajor habitat of artists.

3.

a special environment for living in over an extended period,as an underwater research vessel.

4.

habitation ( def. 1 ).

Origin: 
1755–65;  < Latin:  it inhabits, 3rd singular present indicative ofhabitāre,  frequentative of habēre  to have, hold

—Can be confused:  1. biosphere, ecology, ecosystem,environment, habitat (see synonym note at environment); 2.habitant, habitat .

ma·chine

  noun, verb, -chined, -chin·ing. –noun

1.

an apparatus consisting of interrelated parts with separatefunctions, used in the performance of some kind of work: asewing machine.

2.

a mechanical apparatus or contrivance; mechanism.

3.

Mechanics .

a.

a device that transmits or modifies force or motion.

b.

Also called simple machine. any of six or moreelementary mechanisms, as the lever, wheel and axle,pulley, screw, wedge, and inclined plane.

c.

Also called complex machine. a combination of simplemachines.

4.

Older Use .

a.

an automobile or airplane.

b.

a typewriter.

5.

a bicycle or motorcycle.

6.

a vending machine: a cigarette machine.

7.

any complex agency or operating system: the machine ofgovernment.

8.

an organized group of persons that conducts or controls theactivities of a political party or organization: He heads theDemocratic machine in our city.

9.

a person or thing that acts in a mechanical or automaticmanner: Routine work had turned her into a machine.

10.

any of various contrivances, especially those formerly usedin theater, for producing stage effects

11.

some agency, personage, incident or other featureintroduced for effect into a literary composition.

–verb (used with object)

12.

to make, prepare, or finish with a machine or with machinetools.

Origin: 
1540–50;  < French  < Latin māchina  < Doric Greek māchanā́ pulley, akin to mâchos  contrivance; compare 

Don't let the door hit 'cha, where the good lawd slit 'cha. - Motherwit