Things I’m Good At.

Hello my friends and faithful followers!

Clearly I’m out of the habit of writing every week, since I forgot to do it for the last two weeks. But, here I am, so let’s get to it.

Let me start by saying that I know the title should read, “Things At Which I Am Good”. However, I know I am not good at grammar, so I decided to go with it!

Anywho.

I am bored.

As I mentioned earlier, I no longer have a Monday to Friday job, so I have some time on my hands. I’ve done a few scavenger hunts and whatnot, but that still leaves most of the week fairly free. I have done a few auditions, but folks with much higher profiles than myself are also out of work, so roles are going to them. I’m cool with it because I know that’s where we are right now.

One thing I’ve been doing to fill the time is, working out. I’ve been keeping track, and since July 27th I have been to the gym 20 times! Since in the previous 18 months I went to the gym Zero times, I’m feeling good about this.

This brings me to today’s topic: Things at which I am good.

I am very good at working out. In the past I lost 85 pounds by working out almost every day. It was bit much, but I got very good at my routine.

Nowadays, as I look around at all the young men at the gym lifting weights around me, I can’t help but think, “y’all have terrible form!” I see them bobbing back and forth, holding their breath, and, most egregiously, arching their backs Now, they are lifting a LOT of weight, but I feel like they could hurt themselves at any second. I mention this because, inevitably, every few weeks, one of the worst offenders will look at me with my 12lbs and say, “Don’t hurt yourself.” One of these days, they’re going to catch me in a bad mood, and I’ll instruct them on proper form.

I’m a very good cook. I can take anything and make it tasty. I’m no gourmet, but my food is good. My favorite thing to make is chicken curry. It’s delightful, delicious, and delovely!

I’m really good with people. It’s so nice being back to hosting. I always joke around and say, “Talking is my only marketable skill,” but it’s not really a joke. Whether my clients are elementary school kids, college folk, or corporate types, I can connect with all of them. It’s definitely a skill.

Lastly. I make really good salad dressing. That’s it. I’m just good at it.

Why did you make this list, Shannon?

Thanks for asking!

Like I said, I have too much time on my hands, and I want to continue to focus on the positive! The best way to do that is to realize that no matter what is going on in the larger scale, when you get down to the smaller scale, you can always find things you’re really good at.

Or rather, at which you are really good.

Whatever.

That’s all for today. Until next time my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

Hey! It’s been a week?

Good evening my friends and faithful followers!

Oh, look! It’s been a week! It kind of snuck up on me. I also realized I didn’t really know how to spell “snuck” and according to spellcheck I still don’t.

Anywho.

The last week, for me, was relatively uneventful. I’m okay with that. I know there’s a lot going on in other parts of the country, but as I said last week, I’m focusing on myself, and what’s happening locally. I mean, if I expand “local” to my state capitol, weeeeelllllllllllllllll. But, I’m not going to be commenting on that here.

Positivity!!

What I did do last week, is keep up with my workout routine. I have made it my goal to workout at least 4 days a week. It was actually more than that if you count the physical activity of scrubbing my bathroom and my kitchen baseboards. Yeah! Let’s count that!

If you’ve been following along, you know that one of the main themes of this blog has been my physical and mental health. I’ve had an on again/off again relationship with gyms for years. I don’t love going to them, but it is a necessary evil. Actually, there was one gym I loved. It was at a hotel that will remain nameless, located on the property of a Florida theme park that will also remain nameless. It was only $25 a month, and it was awesome!. We were allowed to use the hot tubs and the steam rooms and the saunas. Really nice. Unfortunately, people started getting caught having sex in said hot tubs and stream rooms and saunas. Not nice. Also, not me.

But, I digress.

I currently have a gym in my neighborhood that is about a three minute walk from my apartment. I like it. I’m very sore as I write this because I decided not to take it easy last week. I increased the number of exercises, and the amount of weight I used. I’m not going overboard, but if I’m going to do this, I’m not going to be wimp about it. I know my limits, and I know when it’s not enough.

If you’re struggling to find motivation to workout or just get moving and create a positive healthcare routine (that sounds way fancier than “workout”), get an accountabilibuddy, and create one together. In the past, that has always been what works for me. This journal, and my family are mine. Good luck!

Moving on.

Artistically I am feeling a little blocked. I had an idea earlier in the year to create a cabaret based on our emergence from the Covid pandemic. Unfortunately, we aren’t quite there, so I’m having trouble finding my story. However, I am still committed to creating my own content. It just might take a little longer than I expected.

I’m still keeping my eye on the audition scene, but there’s not a whole lot out there for my type. That’s going to happen sometimes, but we keep on going. Thanks to a friend of mine, I have some ideas about how to expand my opportunities. As I move forward with that I will keep you posted.

My biggest personal problem this week was that I had to go to three stores to find the right stopper for my kitchen sink. So yeah. I’m dong alright.

If I have one word of encouragement for anyone who needs it in the coming week, I would say find one small thing you have been wanting to accomplish, and do it. It could be as small as arranging your socks. Little accomplishments have always helped me move on to the bigger ones.

Before I go, I want to give a shout out to my dear friend Leah Gerstel! She often calls me and says, “Hey, I have a free ticket to a cool thing, let’s go now!” This weeks cool thing included a dance party. This is what my beautiful husband looks like when he dances! It’s a terrible picture, but you get the idea. The woman, who’s in focus, is the lovely Leah!

That’s all for now. Until next time my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

INTERESTING TIMES

Hello my friends and, hopefully, still faithful followers!

My last post was November 7th of last year. That year, of course, being 2020.

I’m not going to talk about 2020. Or what’s been going on in the world for 2021 for that matter.

When I started writing this blog I was really focused on my life and how I could find ways to make sure I was moving forward. I feel like I’ve lost my way.

Over the last 4-5 years I’ve let things, over which I have no control, define my life. This was not a good plan. While I still think about what’s going on in the world, and I have concerns for what’s happening in this country, I can’t let my positive energy be siphoned from me by people I will never know, or meet. To keep my ship of life moving forward, I can’t get distracted.

I know this sounds like I am going to bury my head in the sand and not have any concern for my fellow man, but that is not the case. It means I am going to spend less time thinking about stupid politicians, or stupid “news’ commentators, or stupid social media people. I’m going to pay attention to my family, my friends, and my community. I think that is the way to get back on track.

To go along with this, I am going to get back to my original format of posting once a week for the time being. I was thinking about doing once a day, but that quickly turns into more of a chore than motivation tool.

I hope you will all continue to come along on this journey of life. It’s not always super exciting, but I’ve recently learned that interesting times are not all they’re cracked up to be!

In the mean time, here’s a cute doggy. Her name is Amy Farah Howler, and she belongs to the lovely and talented Diana Wilde!

That’s all for now. Until next week my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

Two Million One Hundred Two Thousand Four Hundred Minutes

Hello my friends and faithful followers!

Ahhhhhhh. A nice deep breath. Let some of the tension go.

I have made no secret of my feelings for Donald Trump. I have used the term GOA (giant orange a$$hole). I have called him stupid and incompetent. I have questioned sanity. I have feared the damage he could, and did, do to our country. It has been a long four years.

Today, after a grueling election period, it’s over. Joe Biden will become the 46th President of The United States, and Kamala Harris makes history! Today we celebrate, tomorrow we get to work! There’s still two Senate races in Georgia up for grabs!

Here in New York City, people were taking over the streets. Well, Times Square. There’s always a large police presence there, so we weren’t really causing too much trouble. It was really fun!

I talked to my Mommy, Miss Sylvia, and she asked me to go to Trump Tower to take a picture. While I was there, I decided to record a little song for you. Here’s “God Bless America”! It’s the most patriotic thing I know all the words to beside the national anthem and that would have just been weird.

Enjoy! And if you voted for Trump. Sorry.

At the corner of 54th and 5th Ave. I may have started too high.

That’s all for today. Until next time my friends, thanks for reading and listening, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

Movie Memories

Hello my friends and faithful followers!

It’s been a while. I hope you’re all doing well. Phillip, Artemis and I are all hale and hearty. Artemis has a new kitty tower! We only had to get her a little high to coax her into using it, but now she loves it!

Over the course of the last, I guess, seven months, Phillip and I have been volunteering for great organizations. He’s been helping the Coalition of Concerned Law Professionals (CCLP). They fight for legal recourse for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford representation. I, as you know, have been volunteering at Encore Community Services/City Meals on Wheels. I actually applied for a job with them. They need people, I need money. Win Win! If you are have time on your hands, and you need a lift of spirit, consider volunteering. It helps.

Anywho!

This blog has kind of turned into a vlog. I hate myself for using that word. But that’s where we are. Today, I have a new video!

One of my favorite movies as a kid (and as an adult) was Pete’s Dragon. It was such a great movie! The cast was spectacular. I mean Red Buttons, Jim Dale, Shelly Winters, and Helen Reddy just to name a few. Also, in the best of Disney tradition, the soundtrack was amazing! I really can’t believe no one has turned this into a stage show. We have the technology these days. I would love to see that. By “see that” I really mean “be in it”. Seriously. Someone needs to do this!

Unfortunately, last week Helen Reddy left us, but her music and voice live on. I hope you will enjoy my tribute to her. Here’s “Candle On The Water”

That’s all for today. Until next time my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

We Can Never Go Back To Before

Hello my friends and faithful followers.

I have been struggling with what to say over the last few weeks. It is a time of sorrow in our country. Over 115,000 people are dead of Covid-19. There is widespread unrest over police brutality and the treatment of our black brothers and sisters. Trans women are being murdered, and their deaths are going unnoticed. I don’t know how to put all of this into words.

I have my own personal sorrows, but I’m putting that, not on hold, but not front and center right now, because this moment is bigger than me.

As part of my quest to find the right words, I have been reading a lot of things by black journalists, bloggers, actors, activists etc. I’ve learned that I have a lot to learn.

Even now I have tried to come up with the next sentence, and I don’t have the right words.

I have been trying to amplify the voices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) because we haven’t been listening.

In the video I did on June 15, I say, “I feel like we’re really talking.” While I do feel this is true, I caution my white friends to not try to center the conversation on their point of view. I am guilty of this, which is why I am trying to not push my POV forward. It’s not relevant at this moment.

One of the ways we can learn, is to read. Crazy! I know!

Right now I am reading Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendal. It is a collection of essays about the lack of intersectional feminism in modern feminism. It is so honest, and really sheds light on the way white women really don’t hear what is being shouted from the rooftops by the women out there who need to be heard. It can be uncomfortable, but we need to sit in that discomfort and learn.

I’m not going to post my song here, I just feel weird about that, so it’s probably not the best idea. But if you want to hear it, head over to YouTube and look me up. The song is “Back to Before” from Ragtime.

That’s all for today. Until next time my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

 

Sing Out Louise!

Hello my friends and faithful followers!

It’s time for another installment of the Covid Cabaret!

Today I am doing a request from my sister, Lynnette. She asked me to sing “Don’t Rain On My Parade”. Great song! When Lynnette asked, I gave her many excuses as to why I didn’t want to do this piece but, the truth is, I was afraid to do it.

You see, Lynnette hasn’t heard me really sing in over 13 years. In that time I went five years without singing at all. In the next two years I did two cabarets with other people, so I didn’t really have to stretch too much. I did songs that were not to difficult from a vocal standpoint. It was good, but it was vocally safe. Don’t get me wrong, I acted the hell out of them, but they were not that vocally challenging.

Another thing that has happened, is that I am post menopausal. My body is different, and I can feel it in my voice. My break is different, and I need to learn how to maneuver around it.

With all that, trying to get back to my old belting voice is a challenge. One that I must stop avoiding.

So here we go! This is for you, Lynnette!

Oh, and there’s a bonus video from the other day!

Here is “Someone To Watch Over Me” as requested by my sister Jessica.

That’s all for today. Until next time my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Hello my friends and faithful followers!

On this weeks episode of the Covid Cabaret, I am celebrating my creative expression through my physical appearance.

Actually, I just decided to cut all my hair off, because by the time I get back to performing/auditioning it will have grown back.

I won’t lie though, it feels really good! I’m not going to post a photo here, because you will see it in the video.

But, let’s talk about hair and appearance for a second.

I’m not going to go into different cultures, and racial thoughts on hair, because that is a complicated issue, and I don’t want to get it wrong. I will, however, talk about my feelings on hair. These feelings are not widely shared by society as a whole, which sucks, but that’s where we are. Still. In the 21st century.

My thought on hair: If it makes you happy, do it!

If you watch the video, you will hear me directly contradict that statement. As a 51 year old, female identifying, conventional looking actor, my hair is too short to be considered castable. It looks cute, but it’s a little out of the mainstream. And therein lies the problem.

Who decided on the “professional” look, and why do we still conform to it. Are you a bad lawyer if you wear jeans? Can you not diagnose cancer in a tee-shirt? If you are a woman, are you suddenly stupid if you decide to wear a suit and bow tie? Why do men have to have short hair to be professional? Why did a little girl tell me girls have long hair, and boys have short hair? I mean, who came up with this, and why are we still abiding by these rules? Why do we continue to make assumptions about people strictly based on appearance? That’s not all about hair, but you get what I’m saying.

I don’t have any answers for those questions. Perhaps, if more of us just said “No” we could break away from that. I know it’s not that simple. I also know, as a white woman, I don’t have the same issues as people of different races and cultures. There are so many conversations surrounding appearance, and I’m not an expert, so I’m not going to go wade into that.

However, in my perfect world, we would all look how we choose to look, and everyone would be just fine! I hope the human race gets there some day.

Now! For today’s video, I chose a song about hair. My hair is different. I hope you like it. If you don’t, I don’t care. 😉

That’s all for today. Until next time my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

 

 

April 16th

Hello my friends and faithful followers!

I know that it is April, 17th, but I wanted to write this yesterday. Life, however, got in the way. I had a terrible headache, so recording a song and writing a blog were out of the question. Today, though I feel great! So, here we go.

Throughout history, a lot of things have happened on April 16th. In no particular order, here are a few highlights:

1. In 1705, Queen Anne of England knights Isaac Newton.
2. In 1900, the US Post Office issued the first book of stamps.
3. In 1457BC, the Battle of Megiddo was fought. We know this because it was the first battle recorded with a reliable account.
4. In 1787, the first American comedy debuted in New York City. It was The Contrast, by Royall Tyler.
5. In 1870 Vaudeville Theatre Strand opens in London.
6. In 1912, Harriet Quimby became the first woman pilot to fly across the English Channel.
7. In 1929, the New York Yankees become the first team to wear uniform numbers.
8. In 1962, Walter Kronkite began anchoring the CBS Evening News.
9. In 1943, Albert Hoffman discovered the hallucinogenic properties of LSD.
10. In 1889, Charlie Chaplin was born.
11. In 1987, August Wilson’s Fences wins the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
12. Last, and most importantly, in 1942 Sylvia Ann Tucker was born. She is my Mommy. She is the best person you could know.

Today’s video is for her. Happy Belated Birthday Miss Sylvia!

Thanks to On This Day (www.onthisday.com) for all of the dates I listed!

That’s all for now. Until tomorrow my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

 

 

Thank You Easter Bunny! Bok Bok

Hello my friends and faithful followers!

On this quarantined Easter Sunday I thought I would share an old Trivia Sunday post about why we call Easter Easter, and where the Easter Bunny came from. There is also a new Easter themed song for today! I thought it would be easier than it is to do this everyday. It’s a little harder than I thought, hence they’re not really happening every day.

Anywho.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your day!

This is from March 27, 2016.

Good morning my friends and faithful followers.  Happy Easter!  Good Passover! Or…..Yay!  It’s trivia Sunday!  Since it is Trivia Sunday and it is Easter, I thought we should look at how this holiday came about.  Not from a theological standpoint, but how we got the name “Easter” and why is there a rabbit.

First, the name Easter.  From  my in depth, no stone unturned, exhaustive research,  conducted this morning using the internet, I have found that there is a pagan origin of this most holy Christian celebration.  I know, huuuuuge shock.  According to the early Christian scholar Bede, (672-735), there was a northern European Mother goddess of dawn and fertility that went by the name Eostre or Eastre.  She was honored on the vernal equinox to celebrate rebirth after the winter.  When Christian missionaries came to northern Europe they introduced the story of Christ by using mythology that was already in place.  The celebration of rebirth was subsequently transformed into the celebration of the resurrection, keeping the name Eastre intact.  There are some that would dispute this, but again, in my extensive research this was the most widely held theory.

Similarly, the Easter Bunny has interesting roots.  The Easter Bunny as we know him, her, them originates with German Lutherans.  The “Easter Hare” originally acted as the judge of children’s behavior at the start of Eastertide.  If you were good he, she, them would bring you a present.  That sounds very familiar. Is it possible parents were just trying to control their children? Hmmmm.  I use the three pronouns because in ancient times it was thought that rabbits were hermaphrodites and they could reproduce asexually. This idea of “virgin birth” among bunnies found it’s way into medieval art and the rabbit or hare became a symbol of the Virgin Mary.

And there you have it.  Go enjoy your Chocolate Bunnies and your Peeps. I’ll be having Colored Easter Eggs because they are Paleo. (2020 Shannon just ate a brownie, and is now drinking wine. Paleo is stupid.)

And now for today’s video!

That’s all for today. Until tomorrow my friends, thanks for reading, be well, and remember to Live Your Dream!

P.S. I adored Lisa! She was an amazing singer! I just sent her a friend request on the FaceBook. I see that she is a Health Care worker, so this evenings 7:00 applause will be for her.

P.P.S. I don’t think she knew I was in a high note battle with her, clearly she was a better person than me.