Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Fortune Favors the Brave

So...here I am..sitting on my deck...listening to the sounds of Seattle at midnight.

A couple of cars here and there, an airplane flying by.

Mostly it's calming silence.

I'm actually really proud of myself right now. I'm not freaking out. I'm not complaining about what didn't go exactly right tonight. Don't get me wrong, it was stressful, and not everything went according to plan...but it wasn't so bad.... Why am I trying not to freak out, you ask? Well... it's my first time doing this. Stage managing that is. I don't want to mess up and I'm mostly flying by the seat of my pants.... (with the exception of some well sought out advise by my wonderful friends Becca and Nico...cause they are two of the most amazing SM's I've ever known.) But, what I'm discovering is that...perhaps, I'm just naturally good at this. I've received several compliments about how smoothly these first two nights of tech have gone. And I think it's because I've come into tech with this scary idea that I heard somewhere...that it's going to be hell. But, hell by who's standards....? and so it got me thinking..and what I've decided is this...

...I acknowledge that not everything will go just as I planned...and that if I'm not comfortable with something I will re-do it...or have people re-run something...and hey that's o.k. I will let go of everything at the end of the night. I will move forward with positivity and I will not let my stress, stress anyone else out.

I've heard some truly horrible tech week story's. Heck, I've been part of some truly terrible tech weeks.

My ultimate goal, is to not have those this time.

After all, I'm working with some of the best actors ever. They are gracious and kind and really a great group to be around.  I hope to keep each of them in my circle for a very long time.  Our designers, and production team is really terrific. They are on top of everything, and always keep me in the loop. This really has been a collaborative piece of art.

The doubts and the fears are easing with each day. I know that the people on stage have my back, and I have theirs.

So, while I know that not everything will go according to this grand plan I have, I hope that I have the sense to appreciate what wonderful people I'm working with, and what a fabulous end result we will have. Because no matter what, that curtain will go up on Friday night.

And I will be ready.



Tuesday, June 7, 2011

do you want lime with that?

I never thought I would say this.... but here it goes.

I, Sandra Ponce, being of semi-sound mind declare, that I think I may like coffee. 

I know. I know. You're thinking: "Ohh Sandra, you're silly". But, prior to my living in the PNW I did not like coffee. At. All.

Then I went at got a job at the buck and It's all going down hill. haha. Now, I'm not addicted and I generally stick with iced tea, but I've tried a few coffee items and hands down my pick is iced coffee with breve ( that's half and half to you non buck terminology savvy folks) and some sort of syrup. Toffee nut is nice, and so is hazelnut and coconut.

I can't believe that most of this blog has been dedicated to coffee. :-/


In other news, the first production meeting of BOWH went off without a hitch. I think that the group of designers will create an exceptional world for our actors to live in.  In the same vain I think that I will be able to do everything that's needed of me and ask for help when I need it. At least that's my goal for this show.

Woot. Go me!

The count down to quiet Speaks has officially begun. 17 days and counting. The cutting of the piece has begun and I'm excited to perform and get people thinking about gender and femininity and how we as women are sometimes our own worst enemies. I think that's the thing I love about quiet. That although, it's an arts community and does theatre, the main purpose is to get people thinking about the skewed way we see each other, why we judge, and how we each can make a difference. I've really never been more proud of the work that I'm going in the art/theatre community than since moving here and starting with quiet. It has become my family and I truly hope to be with them for a long long time to come.


and now for something completely different.

I think that I'm becoming  immune to the smell of pot. It's literally everywhere.

well I'm out. it's beer time with Geoff and Lissa.

oh yes. yes. it is.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

These are the days of our lives

... at least that's what they say.

This blogging thing isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. First of all... I forget that I have this thing. 2, Most of the important stuff... people already know. And, well, the not so important stuff doesn't seem important enough to blog about.

I wish that I had these wonderful epiphanies right before I sit to write...but I dont. Mostly, they come betwen the hours of midnight and 4 am, and at that hour I'm far to lazy to pull out my computer.

So....

Let's see... It's been about a week and a half that I've been in the new apartment. It's rather nice, and have i mentioned that I have an awesome roommate? Well, I do.

The show opens tonight, the cast is soooo ready. And, I'm really proud of them. I wish we had a longer run, but, ce la vie. These three nights are going to be amazing. I couldnt be happier than to be working with quiet and the whole team. Up next is "Beating of a Warriors Heart"... which p.s. EXCELLENT story and characters. I'm excited to stage manage, mostly because I want to prove that I can do it... haha. That's the way it's always been though. Give me a challange and I'll prove that I can get through it... I  might be a little beat up in the process, but I'll give you 150% and you'll wonder how you ever did this witout me before...hahah

hmmm lets see. ...OHHHHHHH Valuable lesson kids : you know what happens when you assume? You make and ass out of you. Not of me.  No, no, this is isn't a personally learned lesson...just a reflective lesson... does that make sense.... :D  hahaha. I think this is why I dont assume. Although, it's oh so easy to do. Alright boys and girls; lesson # 2: Not everything has to be devulged on Facebook. Remember when 250 of your not so close friends and family weren't all up in your baby mamma drama?! Luckily...I try not to update facebook with all of my happinings and if your lucky...you know what's going on in my life. If you dont and are curious just ask... There's nothing like a friendly phone call. Oh, yeah, have I mentioned I'm kinda over text messaging? No? Well, I kinda am. 

ALSO people need to learn to SILENCE their cell phones in the library. Your ring tone is not so awesome that EVERYONE needs to know that you are getting a call or text message. Get over yourself! Thanks for playing.

OOOOHHHHH probably the most exciting thing coming up is that I'm performing @ quiet speaks on June 25th. Yes, ladies and gents my performing hiatus is coming to a close. I'm putting together a piece about women and body image using parts of Eve Enslers "The Good Body". 

It's gonna be rad.

Why you ask?

Well, I'm fucking awesome at the whole acting thing. ;)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

and the beat goes on

well well well.. I'm currently sitting in the library (using the library computers because I left mine at home).
and what a sight to behold. The lady in front of me has her face about 3/4 of an inch from the screen her boobs and stomach are popping out of her shirt...at the same time... and I'm sure she's missing teeth. But she's here.. Just like me. So I suppose in some odd, dark way we are connected today.

OK..so lets give you a highlight of the awesome things happening in my life...

* went out with some of the cast last night and got drunk

*we are about 2 weeks from opening and closing the show.

*OHHH I have a job. hawking coffee to Seattle tourists

*I'm moving into an apartment on Sunday

*I got a Seattle Public Library card today.

*I'm about a month from stage managing a show for the first time. ever.

hmmm... I think that's about it. Lot's of things happening but everything seems to be falling into place.

I've been a worrier for the longest time. And if I have learned anything since moving here, it's that worrying is not going to get me anywhere. Things happen. And, sometimes they don't happen.

Oh. Apparently I have to learn to be selfish too.

That might have to wait though. I mean come  on ... you saw the list of all the things on my plate right now.

For now, I'm content.  I'm meeting wonderful new people. Some who remind me of people from back home and that makes me reminisce...but I know that those people back home, the ones that really matter wont go away.

p.s the lady opened her mouth... ladies and gents...I think I only saw 2 teeth.

;)

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Let's grab a fun saver..and save the fun...

Ok. So, recently I've begun the search for the answer to the eternal question "Am I an artist?"

Who is "an artist". Is it just anyone who creates art?

And to that extent what are we considering art? ( I'll leave that question for another day)

I KNOW that I'm an Actor, director, and props designer. Why? Because I've done each of these for shows and they turned out pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.  But "artist"? 

I've always been interested in Photography.

Does that make me a photographer? mmm....I'm still iffy....

I like that I am able to capture a specific moment in time, but also, the ability to use light and an object to create a mood, a voice, a feeling. I've always enjoyed taking pictures of  family and friends and of random things I see during my day. Does THAT then make me a photographer? I've only taken one class, so if you asked me questions about it, I would look at you like a deer in the headlights. Does my lack of knowledge then not make me a photographer. I suppose if everyone who takes pictures is considered a photographer...then why create a specialty for it? Is it one of those " you either got it, or you don't" type of things? You know what I mean. We've all done/said it before, they have "it". That special thing inside of a person that just allows them to grasp the concepts of a particular field.

Maybe I'm over thinking it.  

I asked "What makes someone a Photographer?", and the best answers I got were from two friends.

"If they take pictures for reasons other than memories", one said. The other said, "Anyone who takes pictures and calls them self a photographer is a photographer, but not necessarily a good one. Just like anyone can paint on a canvas and call them self an artist, they're an artist but not necessarily a good one."

The search still goes on. But...I can tell you, that I find myself liking the term photographer attached to my name.  I'll leave you with these.... I took them a few days ago....and I liked it them....

These are growing on a tree/bush in our front yard...and the flowers are beautiful. They are delicate and the color is perfect... I look at them everyday...


I had waffles the other day ....and the waffles were great...and I won't lie..every time I look at this photo..I want a waffle...


so..yeah..here I am budding photographer? budding blogger...I only know that taking these photos makes me happy ...and really that's what matters. The fact that I like it. It makes me feel good to see something and capture its beauty. Even if it only is that way to me.

It truly is amazing what this new place is doing. It's helping me find me.

Monday, April 11, 2011

My love affair with the Washington State Ferry.

   No, You didn't misread what I said. I have a love affair with the ferry. Hell, I want to live on the ferry. If I could, I would convince my roommate, Ryan, to figure out a way to make it happen. Some of my favorite moments of the day happen on the ferry. Watching little kids look out in awe as they are gliding across the water. Listening to older folks tell stories about how long they have been riding...even what it was like before the ferries became an integral part of life.
    I have to know the name of the ferry I ride. It's this weird obsession with knowing the time they leave and which one I will be riding. I know that of the ferry's I have ridden (there are two) the Tacoma is my favorite. Maybe it's the art that's on board...or the fact that I like the name Tacoma. Who knows. What I do know is that everyday that I ride it, I know I'm in for an adventure. Whether It's walking on the observation deck and seeing sail boats on a sunny day, or watching the seagulls around me. 

I can't wait to have people visit. So I can show them what a great experience it is. It's one that I hope I never tire of.

OR

Perhaps I have far toooo much time on my hands.

Oh, yes this is a possibility I know. 

But I mean come on, just look at this view. Wouldn't you be excited too!?