On Being Better

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s been turbulent times. I had tears of joy and hope in my eyes last Tuesday as I cast my ballot for a woman for president. And I spent most of Wednesday in tears, weeping for what we had lost and all that we might lose.

On Thursday I got on a plane and went to BurlyCon. Being insulated from the outside world for four days with some of my favorite strippers gave me a chance to revitalize and reflect. I’ll write up my adventures, but not just yet.

In the days following the election I’ve seen some people take small actions toward making change and be scorned by some who say it’s not enough, they’re not really committed. Because of that, the former feel like they might as well not do anything.

No matter how we strive for perfection, we shall never attain it. That’s just the nature of perfection. That’s not a reason to stop striving, but be realistic. Scratch reminded me of this verse from Leonard Cohen:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.

If we waited to be perfect, nothing would happen. What we can do is try to be better. At BurlyCon I did a book signing (which was wonderful — my first author event!) and I inscribed the books “Keep being better!” “Being better” is part of my personal philosophy and I hope you consider incorporating it into yours. Just be a little better, a little kinder, a little more thoughtful, learn something new, move out of your comfort zone a little, challenge yourself, let in the light.

M2

Published in: on 17 November 2016 at 3:54 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Happy Halloween!

Dear Constant Reader,

Here’s a little treat to celebrate my favorite holiday!

We’ve only got two performances of Wrathskellar Tales left: tonight and Saturday!

M2

 

 

Published in: on 31 October 2016 at 2:25 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Follow Up

Dear Constant Reader,

I’m pleased to report, after my note about arts funding being slashed in Massachusetts, that the state legislature has voted almost unanimously to override the Governor’s budget cut!

M2

Published in: on 1 August 2016 at 11:01 am  Leave a Comment  

Exciting News!

Dear Constant Reader,

If you’re in the Boston area, you probably know that there’s a dearth of small to mid-sized theatres. And there is no shortage of performers looking for space. We’ve been there…

I am so excited for the opening of The Thalia, a performing arts complex opening in Central Square, Cambridge. It will have a 99-seat theatre, a rehearsal space, and a lounge. It’s being built by theatre people for theatre people, so you know the backstage is going to be great.

I’m especially excited because we’re going to move B.A.B.E. to the rehearsal hall. While I have some regrets giving up our exclusive-use studio, having our classes right in the heart of Central Square is a win for everyone.

As with all arts projects, The Thalia needs your support, so it can turn from a vast and dingy basement into a fabulous performance space. There are three ways you can help:

1. Contribute to the Kickstarter campaign. No matter what, you should go watch the video to get the full story on The Thalia.

2. Come to the Summer Fun-Raiser on July 28th. Desserts, silent auction (including a little something from B.A.B.E.), music from Samantha Farrell, and keynote speaker Joyce Kulhawik! Tickets here.

3. Spread the word! Tell your friends, your enemies, your rich uncle about The Thalia!

I’ll keep you posted on the progress! And thank you for your support.

M2

Published in: on 14 July 2016 at 10:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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Happy Anniversary to Me

Dear Constant Reader,

WordPress reminds me that it’s this blog’s 5th anniversary. That’s five years, 59 book reviews, 246 Friday Tips, and a real live book. Thank you, Constant Reader, for reading. Without you, I’d just be talking to myself.

M2

Published in: on 13 July 2016 at 10:54 am  Leave a Comment  

Bravery and Civility

Dear Constant Reader,

A couple of weeks ago Maggie McMuffin was traveling back to Seattle from New York with a lay-over in Boston. It was at our own Logan Airport that a JetBlue employee told her that she couldn’t board the plane unless she changed her clothes. Apparently the pilot thought that Maggie’s shorts (by J. Von Stratton) were “lewd, obscene, or patently offensive”, which is what JetBlue’s Contract of Carriage forbids (and all it has to say on how passengers dress). This was despite the fact that a JetBlue pilot had just let her fly in the same outfit from New York to Boston without problem.

But I’m not actually here to debate whether what she was wearing was appropriate or not. You can judge for yourself. But I don’t want to hear your opinion. This isn’t about that.

It’s about Maggie’s bravery. Her story went viral. It was reported in several countries, she was interviewed by local news stations, it was hot on social media, it was even trending on Facebook’s news feed.

That means a lot of people saw her story and felt the need to express their opinions. And those opinions were not always kind or polite. It’s so easy to be cruel to someone you only see on the internet. After all, it’s not like they’re a real person with feelings and complexity. They’re just some pixels to judge and mock and feel superior to.

Thousands of people said horrible things about Maggie without knowing her or caring that she’s kind and funny or that she can do impressively big hair or that she likes clowning or that she recently had a major upheaval in her life. They just saw a target.

By taking her story public and pushing it to go viral, she knew this would happen. And she did it anyway. That’s brave. She shouldn’t have to endure insulting commentary on her body, her intelligence, her morals, &c. to tell her story about feeling discriminated against because of how she was dressed. But that’s the reality today. It’s sad.

So, please, Gentle Readers, when you see a story on the internet and you feel compelled to comment, stop for a moment and think before you write. Does the entire world really need to know your opinion? Can you express it clearly and without attacking anyone? Do you need to use insults or foul language to make your point?

Just a little civility, my friends, would make the world a much better place.

And, Maggie, thanks for fighting against arbitrary discrimination. You are a hero in shorts.

M2

Published in: on 2 June 2016 at 3:54 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Nose to the Rhinestone: Wrap-up

Dear Constant Readers,

I just spent 30 days spending at least 30 minutes a day on burlesque-related matters. What did I accomplish? What did I learn?

Well, I discovered that I generally am doing about 30 minutes or more of burlesque related work a day. Often tedious, not very glamourous work. The BeauTease taking on a challenge that took about 30 minutes a day guaranteed that I’d make my quota.

I can’t say that I accomplished any big project. I started to make some improvements to The Faerie Queene — upgraded prop, costume piece, music, and choreography. Without the impetus of this challenge, I probably would have let it all slide into “someday”. Also, I read all of Goddess of Love Incarnate. I still have to write a review of it. And I blogged here every day…

I found this exercise was really more about mindfulness for me — being aware of how much and what burlesque-related things I did every day.

Would I do it again? Or course! Maybe even with pictures. : )

M2

Published in: on 7 April 2016 at 1:21 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Nose to the Rhinestone: Day 30

Dear Constant Reader,

The last day! I’ll be writing some thoughts on the whole experience later.

I did a lot of B.A.B.E. admin today. We’re less than a week from the start of a class series.

Then there was rehearsal. We all did our Challenge, but I didn’t run anything tonight. Pearl is making her debut at The Tuesday Club next week, so she got the floor for feedback on all her acts.

Kind of a quiet day for the last one.

M2

Published in: on 31 March 2016 at 10:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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Nose to the Rhinestone: Day 29

Dear Constant Reader,

I did a little B.A.B.E. admin work and taught Burlesque Your Way. I also handed off my new Faerie Queene prop pieces to the lovely and talented Devastacia for the first round of painting. So excited to have a real artist doing the work instead of clumsy me.

Of course, I also did my Challenge.

I picked up Mama Rose's Turn: The True Story of America's Most Notorious Stage Mother for bedtime reading. I had abandoned it months ago as being kind of dull, but I want to give it another shot. Now that’s we’ve gotten into the Baby June years, it’s a little more interesting.

One more day…

M2

Published in: on 30 March 2016 at 10:54 am  Leave a Comment  
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Nose to the Rhinestone: Day 28

Dear Constant Reader,

Let’s see, what did I do? I was interviewed over the phone for WERS. I made some paper mock-ups to start playing with the shape of a new headpiece. And, of course, I did my Challenge (19 days!) and a little B.A.B.E admin.

I don’t know what to do with my evenings now that I’ve finished reading Goddess of Love. I was hoping to stretch it out for the full 30 days, but it’s amazing I took as long as I did with it.

M2

Published in: on 29 March 2016 at 10:46 am  Leave a Comment  
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