Music feeds my soul

mu·sic

   /ˈmyuzɪk/ Show Spelled[myoo-zik] Show IPA

–noun

1.

an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.


I am listening to Pandora at the moment and have realized how much music is a huge part of my day to day existence. It is such a powerful source of energy and enjoyment. There is nothing like rocking out to a song in the car or giving a great concert in the shower. The stories that musicians tell are amazing and most often I find myself listening to a certain song or discovering a certain time in my life. I know many of us will listen to a certain song and be able to go back to a moment in time like summer of '99 or '68. Music can almost be a form of time travel in a way. It allows us to connect to moments of the past and at the same time jam out in the present day. I am grateful for the opportunity to have the ability to hear and listen to music because it such an amazing force in my life.

My challenge: Enjoy the music, whether it be the radio, your own instrument, or even the sounds of this world itself.

Patty G.

hi diddle dee an actor's life for me

I did not even realize that I had a blog and thought some of things I am experiencing in Princeton, NJ are too priceless not to remember. I should have done one for tour but oh well! So the past two weeks have flown by. We are already heading into tech and the show is great. It has been an amazing experience watching people explore and create the characters. I love the fact that my job forces me to constantly grow as an artist and a person. I have the opportunity to meet some incredible people along the way. One person is sweet Marianne. One of the joys of being an actor is housing. While Marianne is sweet, I think the age gap is quite a barrier. I have been trying to make conversations but alas, one word answers and blank stares. I have decided I will not give up in my battle to get to know this woman but it is quite awkward living in her house. I have met the cat once and he ran away from me. I just cannot win with connecting with a living creature in this household. Boo!! I have realized that is kind of what I enjoy about cast housing. The late night chats around the kitchen table talking about life, love, and the world. The connecting with other people on a common level and learning about the stories that have shaped the people of today.

So I will get out and connect with humanity and that is why I love acting so much. It is the ability to connect with people onstage and communicate this connection to the audience.

My challenge: Get out of my comfort zone and little and connect with someone or experience something in a different way!

Good Day!

Patty G.

Why not Dainty June!

So June has officially arrived and it is so hard to believe that a year has gone by since the good old college days. I am in such a great place right now with my life and I have very very content. Today the weather is beautiful and I accomplished so much today. It has been so wonderful. By far, I think the one thing that I love about this city is that there always somewhere to go or something to do. Today, I just spent the past hour and a half sitting in central park just coloring and drawing. It was so relaxing and so therapeutic. And I absolutely love the fact that the weather is nice out and the shorts and sandals are out. I love people watching. You can tell so much about a person by watching them. You can watch the way they dress, the way the style their hair, the way they walk, and their mannerisms. By watching these people, it made me think? How am I perceived by the world? There was this cranky old man on the subway who just did not seem happy. I hope that when I get older that I still do not lose this intense desire for life. Maybe I will but I hope I won't. I also just watched the families playing with each other and interacting. It is so interesting how different parents handle their children. I do not really have much of a point as of now so I guess that is it for now. I guess I will leave you with this:

Look in the mirror and see how you perceive yourself. Is that what the world sees as well or what you are hoping people see?

I think there are only a few people who I have really let me guard down and truly know me deep down. Some of those people are still involved in my life and some of those people do not know where I am or what I am doing. In a way that definitely hurts but life is about hurting sometimes. It is how you deal with the pain that defines you as a person.

Take the Time to Stop and smell the Roses (or pollution in my case)

So the end of the month is coming and it has been one crazy month I should say. I just closed my show at Manhattan Rep Theater and it all came together. I actually really liked performing the show and it sucks that it was only a three show run. But now I am gearing up for this summer and Clue the musical. I am actually really excited to get a away from the city for a little bit and just focus on rehearsing and performing. It will be a nice paid vacation. So anyway, lately I have been very reflective on life and my life. Things in are so impressive the way they happen and it just makes me reflect on the incredible world we live in. While there is violence, crime, war, and poverty, there is a beauty that still exists in the world, and we as human I think forget about that beauty. We are so often concerned with our own concerns and desires we do not stop to appreciate the people and world around us. For instance, the other day I was walking to work down in Tribeca and listening to my ipod and suddenly I just looked up. In the sky slightly covered by clouds and in between the buildings was the sun. It was just so incredible and then it made me think about important people in my life that are no longer with us. The point is if I had never looked up, I would have never had that moment and it was just such a simple moment that has now left a lasting impression on me. Who knows exactly what this life is all about? However, I am slowly discovering that is not always about me and my wants but about this world as a whole. I believe there is something out there bigger than we can even imagine that created all this and guiding us. I have to understand this as God, you may call it something else. I respect that as I expect you to respect me. Life is too short to get caught up in trivial disputes I have decided. I am going to look up more often in order to have more ah ha moments and live life to the fullest in order to appreciate what the world has to offer.

Why do I feel like a kid again whenever I get sick

So I am officially sick with sinus pressure and cold and it sucks. Luckily, I did not have to work the past two days so I have basically slept most of the days away, and it has been wonderful. I think it is funny how all I wanted the past few days was some homemade cooking from mom and to cuddle with my blanket. Life is funny that way. I think as humans we will always have some innate connection with our mothers. With mother's day this past week, I have really took time to reflect on my family relationships. My mother is probably one of the most important people in my life. She has gone through so much and I am so grateful to have a great relationship with her and my dad. My parents are great people. Yes, we have all had our differences but we learn from them. I am grateful for all the vacations, the family game nights, the parties, and the talks. Family is important, I have realized and I am one lucky guy!

New York, New York How I love thee

So I just got off working a 14 hour shift and got off a very exciting subway ride. There were a bunch of teenagers who were clearly drunk. One of basically had his arms around his buddy as the other guy held him up. All I kept thinking was please people let the poor guy sit. I can only imagine what that guy was feeling on the bumpy train ride. While this is going on, a woman is freaking out because these two women are having a conversation and they did not stop talking. Finally, this woman gets up and asks the two women what they are talking about that is so interesting. The two girls get freaked out and leave the train. I was thinking get me off this train now. My stop is next, but the crazy woman proceeds to ask if I was married. How strange! I think she was trying to hit on me but I am not sure. I just laughed really hard and said no! O how life is just a big laugh fest. I love this city and the unique crazy and entertaining people that I meet on a daily basis.

Only the select few

Privilege
1.
a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most: the privileges of the very rich.

So many people in our society feel like they are entitled to so many things, and I do not understand why. What makes someone better than yourself? Probably the attitude you hold about yourself and your peers. It is funny how people just expect to be treated a certain way because of who they are and where they come from. In so many ways, we are a like. We all wake up every morning with morning breathe, go to the bathroom, eat, take in the same air. But some people walk about this planet with such an air about themselves and I ask myself what does it really accomplish? I feel the one that creates this within people is money which gives people flashy "toys." I just have been noticing a lot more lately and it makes me think about how my actions are perceived by other people in this world. Just some food for thought.

PS In the last three days, I have seen/met Mariah Carey, Julianne Moore, David Mamet, and pissed off Madonna. How cool is that! I wonder if those people feel like they are entitled to more in this world?