Well, at least this blog is. I know, you've been wondering, where has she gone? Stop your tears, my friends, I've been right here the whole time. Standard Bear is on it's way to getting it's own fancy new website and so I'm getting the blog as a hand-me-down. The kicker is, I don't think I can change the URL. Maybe I can, but I feel like my mother when she first got a microwave. I probably need my brother to show me which buttons to press and where, like he showed my mom how to overcook the broccoli. Meanwhile I'll just keep clicking on things till I figure out what they do. Right now, for example, my face is rather large and kind of aggressive, but hey, maybe I'm making a statement. Like, I really like my hat, A LOT. That's right, real ipod headphones. Yea. Though full disclosure I'm now using $12 ones from Duane Reade and they work just as well. I just look a little less cool, and make a few less statements as I walk down the street.
I've had a whole lot of livin' since last I've blogged, and I'm not even gonna try to catch up. I will say that the summer flew by, though not without a trip through Cali (San Fran, Yosemite and family in San Diego) and two weekends in the Fingerlakes (one for swimmin', one for leaf watchin'); my birthday happened (again!) with a mere two parties of Sals doing. My cooking/baking friends created a memorable bash that I still occasionally dream of, but first we had brunch. And a lot of cake.
It was Thanksgiving 5 days ago, though I celebrated all weekend, and I regret nothing. One of the meals was in fact, very healthy. The other was not. I will say that both were delicious and totally satisfying. I will also say that I am no longer craving turkey or stuffing. And I'm about to go running. Again.
As much as it feels like it's still June (in feeling and outside temperature) I'm getting very excited for Christmas. I'd say Hanukkah in hopes of staying true to myself, but that would be dishonest - myself is not truthfully all that excited about Hanukkah. Let's be honest, it's not a big holiday - we only like it because it coincides with Christmas, and because our parents didn't want us to feel left out, they got us things. Cool things. So now December is thrilling for us too, but I'll give Christmas the credit that it's due. Also, my husband is Catholic (Athiest), so I get an actual Christmas with trees and everything.
Operation Christmas Tree and Hanukkah candles (because you know I make Sal stand there and hum along as I light our menorah) is a go!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Season Two is truly upon us
I know I haven't really been updating this blog as frequently as I'd truly intended to when I started it. This winter has been super crazy (super is my winter into spring 2011 word, and I can't help it), with lots of personal things (all good stuff) taking place amid massive amounts of blizzards which turned into a spring that is just now hinting its way into warmth and joy.
So now I feel like I can breath. I'm a little too reactive to bad weather. I've always looked at January and February as throwaway months, but when March stayed cold, I stayed relatively unproductive. Don't worry, I still went to work and managed to be pretty darn social, but as to progressing career plans I apparently needed sun for that.
Here's what I did do, however. The novel I'd been working on for the past year was finally ready to be read. Sort of. I finally admitted to my mother how close I was to finishing this project (I had no more rewrites left in me and the darn thing was already 200 pages), and she said, whenever I was ready, she was there to read it and remind me how very clever I was (this will come with lots of notes, having been my first editor of school papers, she knows my writing well). Then Sal said he would like to read it. Two days later I told a super (this will get old) great friend, let's call her Louise, about the mass reading about to take place (2 people!) and her response was, as you might expect at this point, that she would like to read it as well. All people whom I completely trust both personally and artistically. This didn't stop me from freaking out about two hours after all three e-mails had been complete.
What had I done? The baby that I'd been incubating for a solid year, molding and honing was now out there for others to see. And suddenly, despite the positive energy I had felt from reading my book one last time the day before, I was sure it was awful. I texted Sal to apologize for the terrible thing he was about to read and called Louise to vent this sudden knowledge. Both of them told me to shove it, and I calmed down. This is, in fact, a very good tactic with me, and they know me well.
Three days later Sal had read the whole thing and loved it. Since we made a pact ten years ago to never lie to each other in regards to artistic endeavors, I had no choice but to believe him. Then two weeks later Louise had finished it, sending me updates on where she was in her process throughout, and she too gave me incredible praise. I'm still waiting on my mother.
Obviously there are things to edit and adjust, but I guess my point is that while marketing for Standard Bear has gone to heck and the only voice work I've done in two months is breathing in Pilates, I can at least say that I wrote a book. I couldn't really say that before someone else read it.
I should share that the book is a novelized chronicle of our battle with cancer from my point of view. I do my best to make it funny. Weird, right? Now it's time to share it with my dear friend who is a professional writer. She is probably reading this and wondering why she hasn't gotten a copy yet. Hopefully the neurosis explained above will tell her why.
Also, I need your help. I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog. It started out as a way to represent our company. However, since I am only half the company and this is - let's be real - my point of view on life, I need a new name. Suggestions?
That said, I promise to continue sharing Standard Bear news and updates. Here's proof: Season Two, Episode Two. If you haven't watched The Prologue or Episode One you might want to watch those first. Either way, definitely watch through the credits, we left some gifts for you at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n35TOhoaPNg&feature=related
So now I feel like I can breath. I'm a little too reactive to bad weather. I've always looked at January and February as throwaway months, but when March stayed cold, I stayed relatively unproductive. Don't worry, I still went to work and managed to be pretty darn social, but as to progressing career plans I apparently needed sun for that.
Here's what I did do, however. The novel I'd been working on for the past year was finally ready to be read. Sort of. I finally admitted to my mother how close I was to finishing this project (I had no more rewrites left in me and the darn thing was already 200 pages), and she said, whenever I was ready, she was there to read it and remind me how very clever I was (this will come with lots of notes, having been my first editor of school papers, she knows my writing well). Then Sal said he would like to read it. Two days later I told a super (this will get old) great friend, let's call her Louise, about the mass reading about to take place (2 people!) and her response was, as you might expect at this point, that she would like to read it as well. All people whom I completely trust both personally and artistically. This didn't stop me from freaking out about two hours after all three e-mails had been complete.
What had I done? The baby that I'd been incubating for a solid year, molding and honing was now out there for others to see. And suddenly, despite the positive energy I had felt from reading my book one last time the day before, I was sure it was awful. I texted Sal to apologize for the terrible thing he was about to read and called Louise to vent this sudden knowledge. Both of them told me to shove it, and I calmed down. This is, in fact, a very good tactic with me, and they know me well.
Three days later Sal had read the whole thing and loved it. Since we made a pact ten years ago to never lie to each other in regards to artistic endeavors, I had no choice but to believe him. Then two weeks later Louise had finished it, sending me updates on where she was in her process throughout, and she too gave me incredible praise. I'm still waiting on my mother.
Obviously there are things to edit and adjust, but I guess my point is that while marketing for Standard Bear has gone to heck and the only voice work I've done in two months is breathing in Pilates, I can at least say that I wrote a book. I couldn't really say that before someone else read it.
I should share that the book is a novelized chronicle of our battle with cancer from my point of view. I do my best to make it funny. Weird, right? Now it's time to share it with my dear friend who is a professional writer. She is probably reading this and wondering why she hasn't gotten a copy yet. Hopefully the neurosis explained above will tell her why.
Also, I need your help. I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog. It started out as a way to represent our company. However, since I am only half the company and this is - let's be real - my point of view on life, I need a new name. Suggestions?
That said, I promise to continue sharing Standard Bear news and updates. Here's proof: Season Two, Episode Two. If you haven't watched The Prologue or Episode One you might want to watch those first. Either way, definitely watch through the credits, we left some gifts for you at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n35TOhoaPNg&feature=related
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Pirates vs Hobos, Season Two is here!
After an amazing, highly successful viewing party, followed by another round of edits, PvH Season Two is here. Of course, we like to show it to the world piecemeal, and so the prologue awaits your viewing pleasure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycxZT9_29Jo
Tell your friends and let me know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycxZT9_29Jo
Tell your friends and let me know what you think.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Pirates vs Hobos, Season Two Viewing Party!
Where: Wings Theatre, 154 Christopher Street New York, NY 10014
When: Sunday, February 20th, 2011
Time: 7:00pm
What: Watch the Second Season, with snacks, wine and friends
Why: Because we're proud of our accomplishment and we love to party!
And now, because this is blog, I'm going to take a moment to wax poetic.
I remember when Sal and I first began planning Season One in earnest. It was in 2008, during his first bout with cancer, and we were almost halfway through his 24 weeks of treatment. He started feeling down, losing a little more hair, and feeling a little more helpless. Not being one with an excessive amount of patience, and knowing that Sal without a project is an unhappy Sal, with or without disease, I began forcing the issue.
"Let's do the Pirates vs. Hobos project. You're almost done writing it."
"I have to finish writing it before we actually start filming."
"Well. Get on it, then."
My friends will all tell you that I am very nice, but Sal will occasionally beg to differ. Not that he isn't very appreciative of my occasional callous ways of encouragement. He got on it, and we got to filming by the beginning of the summer.
As much as this project never actually felt like a "cancer story" worthy of four minute segments on the Today show, it did become a battle between living our lives the way we wanted to, and fighting his side effects. I have to say, it did help with focus. In Pilates (I can't help it), we talk a lot (or I do) about finding the opposition within the exercise. When you do, it becomes much more powerful and effective. Cancer was Sal's opposition, and with that he managed to film and edit Season One through two bouts of sickness, using a crappy camera, misunderstood sound equipment and on imovie 5 no less!
He did it because he is uncomfortable if he isn't creating something. He is happiest when he is working on his dreams for the future. PvH would have happened no matter what, but in retrospect, it is hard to argue that there wasn't something magical that summer.
But it was nice to film Season Two in complete health. And also very exciting that we had come so far. Two days after his stem cell transplant in May 2009, having being amazed at how much money we save when Sal isn't around to take me to dinner, he bought himself the gift of a new computer and Adobe Premier Pro. Summer of 2010, we decided it was time to use it. Having had such opposition for Season One, we almost forgot what was entailed in creating a production schedule and gathering the necessary equipment (props, costumes, etc.). This year we were a legitimate company and we had SAG to deal with. We also just did it the last time around. Because we had to.
Amid three weddings, two out of town, and a glorious trip to Hawaii, we pulled it together. And now, he's almost done editing (sound!), and our viewing party is coming up in two weeks. It's a very exciting time in both of our lives, and if you're in the city, or were considering a trip, we would love to have you (and your loved ones, famous friends would be a plus =)) come join us Feb. 20th.
Also, just to brag, Sal just got the results of his latest Pet/CT and he remains free and clear. So much to celebrate, so little time.
When: Sunday, February 20th, 2011
Time: 7:00pm
What: Watch the Second Season, with snacks, wine and friends
Why: Because we're proud of our accomplishment and we love to party!
And now, because this is blog, I'm going to take a moment to wax poetic.
I remember when Sal and I first began planning Season One in earnest. It was in 2008, during his first bout with cancer, and we were almost halfway through his 24 weeks of treatment. He started feeling down, losing a little more hair, and feeling a little more helpless. Not being one with an excessive amount of patience, and knowing that Sal without a project is an unhappy Sal, with or without disease, I began forcing the issue.
"Let's do the Pirates vs. Hobos project. You're almost done writing it."
"I have to finish writing it before we actually start filming."
"Well. Get on it, then."
My friends will all tell you that I am very nice, but Sal will occasionally beg to differ. Not that he isn't very appreciative of my occasional callous ways of encouragement. He got on it, and we got to filming by the beginning of the summer.
As much as this project never actually felt like a "cancer story" worthy of four minute segments on the Today show, it did become a battle between living our lives the way we wanted to, and fighting his side effects. I have to say, it did help with focus. In Pilates (I can't help it), we talk a lot (or I do) about finding the opposition within the exercise. When you do, it becomes much more powerful and effective. Cancer was Sal's opposition, and with that he managed to film and edit Season One through two bouts of sickness, using a crappy camera, misunderstood sound equipment and on imovie 5 no less!
He did it because he is uncomfortable if he isn't creating something. He is happiest when he is working on his dreams for the future. PvH would have happened no matter what, but in retrospect, it is hard to argue that there wasn't something magical that summer.
But it was nice to film Season Two in complete health. And also very exciting that we had come so far. Two days after his stem cell transplant in May 2009, having being amazed at how much money we save when Sal isn't around to take me to dinner, he bought himself the gift of a new computer and Adobe Premier Pro. Summer of 2010, we decided it was time to use it. Having had such opposition for Season One, we almost forgot what was entailed in creating a production schedule and gathering the necessary equipment (props, costumes, etc.). This year we were a legitimate company and we had SAG to deal with. We also just did it the last time around. Because we had to.
Amid three weddings, two out of town, and a glorious trip to Hawaii, we pulled it together. And now, he's almost done editing (sound!), and our viewing party is coming up in two weeks. It's a very exciting time in both of our lives, and if you're in the city, or were considering a trip, we would love to have you (and your loved ones, famous friends would be a plus =)) come join us Feb. 20th.
Also, just to brag, Sal just got the results of his latest Pet/CT and he remains free and clear. So much to celebrate, so little time.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Baby, it's cold outside.
And I'm trying to find the positive. Really. I've been in New York since '99, and one would think that I would have gotten used to it by now. And seriously, California and I never got along that well, but I still miss its beaches, and have far more respect for it's comfy weather patterns. My poor forgiving husband understands that every . . . oh, end of February . . . I'm gonna get mad. I will get home on a day that was probably particularly cloudy and windy and I'm gonna lose it. I'll arrive home, and he'll be sitting there, waiting for my wrath. He will have sensed a particular bitterness in that particular wind, and he will know, that today is the the day. This means that I'll stagger home, and Sal will be smiling, armed with a cheeriness that only he can summon during those dark days of Winter. It is his only counter attack, and it is very good. I, of course, announce that today is the day, and he will respond with an over-confident "I know". Then he'll try to hug me, but I will try with all of my might to resist, because Winter must be punished and, being a lover of the cold and the dreary, he must represent it. He sighs with compliance, and off I go. Before you tell me I'm a bad wife, at least let me defend myself by saying that I give him fair warning, and always clarify that it is not in fact, him that I'm yelling at. I also try my hardest to be very funny. Then he eggs me on by espousing all of Winters qualities, which only drags this out.
Now I generally manage to make it to the end of February, but as soon as the craziness of Christmas and the parties of the New Year end, I am on that countdown.
In a vague attempt to counter this emotionally destructive, but, granted, I think relatively amusing behavior, I am going to make a list. To devise a list descriptive of New York City's Winter joys will be my biggest challenge yet, but I am up for the task. Perhaps I exaggerate. But I'm cold.
1. Christmas lights in my neighborhood. Astoria keeps them through the winter (and sometimes awkwardly through the spring). Reminds me of Christmas when the cold didn't bother me quite so much, and they're pretty.
2. Cute hat and gloves. I got two sets for Christmas this year and I love them. Also, my new winter coat. This one, as opposed to last years, actually fits.
3. Staying home. Warm, beautiful weather gives me energy, which inspires weekends of outdoor running, brunches, parties and hanging with friends. Wow. That sounds like fun. I miss that . . . whoops. I had a point here, I swear. This last weekend I stayed home, unabashedly playing with my itunes, pictures, dvr and netflix. We went out to dinner and a movie (The King's Speech - see it!) on Saturday night, our only respite from the apartment, and truth be told it was glorious. Getting a coffee maker at home seems to be a game changer for me. And we made waffles. Twice.
4. Hot chocolate tastes better.
5. Cupcakes taste better.
6. Let's be real, snow is pretty. Really pretty. And though it turns disgusting, and the city shuts down while feigning ignorance of these white fluffy flakes and their impact on trains and people, it's a really nice break from the norm.
7. Valentines Day. Sal will get me flowers. Because he's a good man, and he knows I'll be sad without them. And even if you don't have a honey, there's still a prevalence of dark chocolate to be eaten guilt free.
8. Holing up with dear friends at a coffee shop with delicious coffee and a cupcake for hours, because going outside would be an act of insanity. In fact, I have some friends to call . . .
9. I suppose people go skiing, and I would be remiss to leave it off this list, but I don't, because A. Sal thinks skiing is a bad idea (I like it, but it's been years) and B. Why argue, when instead we can spend our money at the beach?
10. Winter makes us appreciate the beauty and power of Spring so much more.
Pirates vs. Hobos update: Music is being created as we speak. Looking forward to a possible screening February 20th. Let me know, via this blog or Facebook if you're interested!
Now I generally manage to make it to the end of February, but as soon as the craziness of Christmas and the parties of the New Year end, I am on that countdown.
In a vague attempt to counter this emotionally destructive, but, granted, I think relatively amusing behavior, I am going to make a list. To devise a list descriptive of New York City's Winter joys will be my biggest challenge yet, but I am up for the task. Perhaps I exaggerate. But I'm cold.
1. Christmas lights in my neighborhood. Astoria keeps them through the winter (and sometimes awkwardly through the spring). Reminds me of Christmas when the cold didn't bother me quite so much, and they're pretty.
2. Cute hat and gloves. I got two sets for Christmas this year and I love them. Also, my new winter coat. This one, as opposed to last years, actually fits.
3. Staying home. Warm, beautiful weather gives me energy, which inspires weekends of outdoor running, brunches, parties and hanging with friends. Wow. That sounds like fun. I miss that . . . whoops. I had a point here, I swear. This last weekend I stayed home, unabashedly playing with my itunes, pictures, dvr and netflix. We went out to dinner and a movie (The King's Speech - see it!) on Saturday night, our only respite from the apartment, and truth be told it was glorious. Getting a coffee maker at home seems to be a game changer for me. And we made waffles. Twice.
4. Hot chocolate tastes better.
5. Cupcakes taste better.
6. Let's be real, snow is pretty. Really pretty. And though it turns disgusting, and the city shuts down while feigning ignorance of these white fluffy flakes and their impact on trains and people, it's a really nice break from the norm.
7. Valentines Day. Sal will get me flowers. Because he's a good man, and he knows I'll be sad without them. And even if you don't have a honey, there's still a prevalence of dark chocolate to be eaten guilt free.
8. Holing up with dear friends at a coffee shop with delicious coffee and a cupcake for hours, because going outside would be an act of insanity. In fact, I have some friends to call . . .
9. I suppose people go skiing, and I would be remiss to leave it off this list, but I don't, because A. Sal thinks skiing is a bad idea (I like it, but it's been years) and B. Why argue, when instead we can spend our money at the beach?
10. Winter makes us appreciate the beauty and power of Spring so much more.
Pirates vs. Hobos update: Music is being created as we speak. Looking forward to a possible screening February 20th. Let me know, via this blog or Facebook if you're interested!
 |
| In happier times. |
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