Can you say Control Freak?

It seems Stephen Harper's desperate need to control EVERYTHING in government doesn't just extend to what questions the press can ask him, but also what members of his cabinet can comment on. Apparently he placed a gag order on all of his MPs in regards to the upcoming marriage of two gay Canadian mounties. Mr. Harper needs to learn how to take criticism an itsy bit better now that he's in power, because he is making policy and budget announcements that leave much to be criticised! He needs to realize that he is no longer representing the Conservatives, but also the entire, diverse country. Also, what kind of message does he send by gagging his MPs? "You can't be trusted to think and speak at the same time, but sure, you can be a part of our party and help to govern the country!" Good gravy, that's pathetic!

I'm beginning to feel the crunch of the many projects I have on the go now. Comedy of Errors, Ugly Ducks, Wallflowers and Wildflowers, plus prepping for Stratford (and my good ol' regular job to pay the bills) are leaving my brain with little room to process information. No more words! I can't take anymore! AH!

Bravo to the cast of Assasins who pulled together a Stephen Sondheim musical in record time (2 weeks!) And I liked it, which says a lot because I usually HATE musicals. I go if I know people in the cast, and don't take it personally if I don't like the show, it's not your fault! I'm just not a "let's express our feelings through song and dance" kind of gal. But Assasins was twisted and funny enough to keep me from wanting to go to the bathroom and not come back. Accoustics in the MTYP theatre are a bit of a nightmare, but other than that, great!! Looking forward to Midsummer next weekend!

Democracy, books, and the cost of tickets

I just received notice of a petition that addresses the unfairness in the Torie budget in regards to parents who choose to put their kids in organized sports receiving a tax break, while no such tax break supports parents who choose to put their kids in the arts. If you click on the link below, you can read and sign an online petition to the federal government requesting that it reconsider its budget provision giving a tax break to parents who put their children in organized sports (hockey, soccer), but giving nothing to parents who choose to develop their children's intellectual and artistic talents (art, music, dance, drama). I feel that both are equally important, and I hope that you agree! I'd have put a cool "link" in this post, but blogger seems to be doing some weird stuff with my links lately (mainly deleting everything in my post around the link - yeah, that's never good). So, here's the address. Cut and paste it into your browser and TA DA, it's like magic! http://www.petitiononline.com/dbs201bl/petition.html

Who read about the whole OlyWest council vote today in the Free Press? For those who don't know, OlyWest wants to build a massive slaugher house (ah hem, I mean "processing plant") here in Winnipeg, between St. Boniface and Transcona. The city approved the plant without ever counsulting with home owners in the area. This lack of a voice, needless to say, massively pissed off home and business owners in the area, as the stench will not only diminish their quality of life, but also lower their property values. Also, waste from the plant threatens the water supply.

Yesterday was the vote. Protesters showed up early with plenty to say, but were "out-manouvered for seats in the gallery" wrote the Free Press' Gordon Sinclair. "It was a scene that reeked of symbolism. They arrived early, the 150 or so homeowners and business operators who represented the people who stand to be most affected by the 9, 000 pigs that would be trucked to the St. Boniface Industrial Park every day ... Somehow 'the winners' had managed to all but monopolize the gallery, proudly wearing their crisp white OlyWest aprons like placards until they were asked to remove them. 'The losers', meanwhile, were literally left on the outside lookin in, sperarated by glass and huge brass bars" (A5). Are we still in Canada? Do we still have a democracy that stands up for THE PEOPLE? I very much agree that it seems that Mayor Sam Katz is "open for business."

I'm in the middle of rereading Fall On Your Knees by Anne Marie MacDonald (the same woman who penned Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)). I very much recommend this book to everyone. It's a page turner set on the east coast in the early 1900's. It takes place over 3 generations through the lives of the remarkable Piper girls.

I need to find something new to read. I'm on the waiting list at the library for The Kite Runner, Night, and Shake Hands with the Devil, but I'm not sure when I'll get my hands on them. I am constantly reading plays, which I love, but everyone needs a good novel to keep them going. If you have any "must read" recommendations, pass them on! Did you know that in Sweden, 80% of the people use the public library, while in Canada only 40% do? Break out those library cards everyone!

Tomorrow Matt and I are off to see Derek in Dry Cold's production of Assasins. Regular tickets are $25! What is up with that? Well, student price is $15, but still! A disturbing trend, as I also paid $25 each for A Midsummer Nights Dream. Not that I don't think both shows are worth it (dude, I bought the tickets). I just think it's getting a little pricey to go see theatre in this town. At least the Fringe is coming up soon! Tons of shows for less than $8 per ticket! That's what I like to see!

Sharing the speech

James had a transcript of Stephen Colbert's speech at the presidential correspondents' dinner on his blog, and I totally had to paste it here to share. It's bloody brilliant, and I hope everyone can spare a few minutes to read it!

May 1st - Stephen Colbert's speech where he confronted the American elite, including the President and media, over their chronic ignorance and irresponsibility.

Wow, wow, what an honor. The White House Correspondents' Dinner. To just sit here, at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush, to be this close to the man. I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You know what, I'm a pretty sound sleeper, that may not be enough. Somebody shoot me in the face.

Is he really not here tonight? The one guy who could have helped.

By the way, before I get started, if anybody needs anything at their tables, speak slowly and clearly into your table numbers and somebody from the NSA will be right over with a cocktail.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press corps, Mr. President and first lady, my name is Stephen Colbert and it's my privilege tonight to celebrate our president. He's not so different, he and I. We get it. We're not brainiacs on the nerd patrol. We're not members of the "fact-inista." We go straight from the gut, right sir? That's where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up. I know some of you are going to say "I did look it up," and that's not true. That's because you looked it up in a book. Next time look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that's how our nervous system works.

Every night on my show, "The Colbert Report," I speak straight from the gut, OK? I give people the truth, unfiltered by rational argument. I call it the no-fact zone. Fox News, I own the copyright on that term.

I'm a simple man with a simple mind, with a simple set of beliefs that I live by.

Number one, I believe in America. I believe it exists. My gut tells me I live there. I feel that it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and I strongly believe it has 50 states. And I cannot wait to see how the Washington Post spins that one tomorrow.

I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq.

I believe in pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. I believe it is possible -- I saw this guy do it once in Cirque du Soleil. It was magical.

And though I am a committed Christian, I believe everyone has the right to their own religion, be it Hindu, Jewish or Muslim. I believe there are infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it's yogurt. But I refuse to believe it's not butter. Most of all I believe in this president. Now, I know there are some polls out there saying this man has a 32 percent approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias.

So, Mr. President, pay no attention to the people that say the glass is half full. Pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half empty, because 32 percent means it's 2/3 empty. There's still some liquid in that glass is my point, but I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash.

Folks, my point is that I don't believe this is a low point in this presidency. I believe it is just a lull, before a comeback. I mean, it's like the movie "Rocky." The president is Rocky and Apollo Creed is everything else in the world. It's the 10th round. He's bloodied, his corner man [is] Mick, who in this case would be the vice president, and he's yelling "Cut me, Dick, cut me," and every time he falls she says stay down! Does he stay down? No. Like Rocky, he gets back up and in the end he -- actually loses in the first movie. OK. It doesn't matter. The point is the heart-warming story of a man who was repeatedly punched in the face.

So don't pay attention to the approval ratings that say 68 percent of Americans disapprove of the job this man is doing. I ask you this, does that not also logically mean that 68 percent approve of the job he's not doing? Think about it. I haven't.

I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.

Now, there may be an energy crisis. This president has a very forward-thinking energy policy. Why do you think he's down on the ranch cutting that brush all the time? He's trying to create an alternative energy source. By 2008 we will have a mesquite-powered car.

And I just like the guy. He's a good joe. Obviously loves his wife, calls her his better half. And polls show America agrees. She's a true lady and a wonderful woman. But I just have one beef, ma'am. I'm sorry, but this reading initiative. I've never been a fan of books. I don't trust them. They're all fact, no heart. I mean, they're elitists telling us what is or isn't true, what did or didn't happen. What's Britannica to tell me the Panama Canal was built in 1914. If I want to say it was built in 1941, that's my right as an American. I'm with the president, let history decide what did or did not happen.

The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change, this man's beliefs never will.

And as excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story -- the President's side and the vice president's side. But the rest of you, what are you thinking, reporting on NSA wiretapping or secret prisons in Eastern Europe? Those things are secret for a very important reason -- they're super depressing. And if that's your goal, well, misery accomplished.

Over the last five years you people were so good over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effect of global warming. We Americans didn't want to know, and you had the courtesy not to try to find out. Those were good times, as far as we knew.

But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works. The president makes decisions, he's the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Put them through a spell check and go home.

Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know, fiction.

Computer's Back!

Viruses defeated!

Brent, I'll get on going through your scripts when I get home tonight, promise! KinKar Raffle for TBTR has begun! Who wants to buy a ticket? 2 for $5, 5 for $20. Half the money goes to our company, the other half goes to support charity through the Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg!

I'm working with one of the most annoyingly arrogent people of all time. She just started at the Y and thinks that she is the best lifeguard/swimming teacher EVER. But, she sucks. Terrible with people, terrible judgement, doesn't know how the Y works, how to do basic duties etc. It's one thing to suck at your job on your own, only this girl has the attitude that the rest of us are idiots and she needs to "whip us into shape." She's writing a protocol manuel for the Aquatics Centre of the Y (yep, essentially a rule book for the rest of us), and yesterday she called an inservice, and told the Aquatics Coordinator that "if you can't be there, I'll run it." Who does she think she is? Who would do that? Some people's kids, let me tell you. Wow! It would be funny if it wasn't so insulting to our competance.

Computer Virus

My computer has had an extended stay at the local Staples. Started off as a simple one-dayer to get some new software, and it turned into a fight against viruses that I had no idea were there. Who makes these viruses? Get a life people!

So I'm writing this post on my sister's boyfriend's laptop. Not a big fan of the laptops - difficult to type and the spacebar is less than handy. But, beggers can't be choosers!

I just wanted to send a big GO SEE THIS MOVIE out to everyone. Thank You For Smoking. Brillant satire, great message without hitting the audience over the head, super funny, well acted. Overall, a must see my friends! Check it out at the Globe ASAP!

I now have a second play in the Fringe. As you probably all know, I'm super excited to be playing Mal in Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans. Anyhoo, when I went in to audition for that one, Primrose and Josh were also casting her other play Wallflowers and Wildflowers. I got UDPS, but Josh said that he liked my Wallflowers audition "but Primrose wanted me for the kids' show", which I thought was very nice, but they probably say that to everyone. Ah, showbiz, hard to dig through the crap. Well, they must have been sincere, b/c their actress for Wallflowers had to drop out, so they offered me the part! So I get to do both shows, which is very flattering and I'm super excited for the opportunity. It's going to be a great Fringe people!! Woot! (P.S. Kristen, how come you can't do the show man? I hope all is well).

The weather is absolutley beautiful outside, so I'm off to enjoy it! Get outside everyone! Sunshine!

Good Riddance

Tonight, I am printing out the completed application form for the Winnipeg Arts Council. It's been a long process putting this thing together, especially since it's for a project I don't have any particular passion for anymore (in fact, a twinge of loathing), but I'm glad that I did it. This has been a lesson in how the world can be a bitch and step on your face, but you have to be a professional, grit your teeth and keep moving forward. And I've learned a lot of skills that'll help me in the future. One step at a time. And after this, I wash my hands. I foresee dropped balls (some have dropped already) but it is now no longer my problem. Ready, 1, 2, 3, and a BIG sigh of relief - Ahhhhh. Now onto Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans, which encompasses all of the fun and professionalism of a great show, without the bullshit. Plus it'll probably be a tour in the fall! Woot!!

Comedy of Errors is coming together. Comedy is hard, very hard. It's all in the timing and if you miss it, you fall smack on your face, and that really hurts (not the face so much, but the pride). But we're done blocking the show, and now we're just running it, fixing bits, running some more. Building the set, props, costumes ... ugh, long way to go, but it'll be great when we get there!

So I totally screwed up a few posts ago when I said I did stand-in for The Lookout, it was actually The Good Life, which I found out on Sunday doing a reading at MAP and I was talking to Darcey Fehr and I was like "we worked together a few weeks ago on The Lookout" "I didn't work on the Lookout" "Really? You must have a twin with the same first name" "who did you stand-in for?" "Sarah Constable" "Really? We did The Good Life together" "Really? Was it?" Yeah, that pretty much sums up what a total dork I am when it comes to "the business" since I can't remember names, dates, STUFF I'VE WORKED ON. Love of god, some days I wonder . . . At least I won't ever be that annoying name-droppy person. I'm more of the "Yeah, I think I worked with that woman, what was her name? Ugh, you know, brown hair .... what's her name? With the shirt." Yep, that's me, a total ass.

In this time of crisis with the Conservative "every man for himself" reign, where the environment (and low-income) people will inevitably get screwed, I just wanted to hook all of my loyal reader up with the Green Party Blog. This is their 2006 Platform. You'll notice that it contains a lot of common sense and less "crazy radicalism" then you'd expect from the coffee-shop talk of the "wacky socialists". We're not that wacky, we just care. And so should you!!

The Torie Budget

"Good from far, but far from good"

This is a quote from one of my old guy friends from high school, describing the search for girls at social functions (bars, socials, etc.) The look good from far, but once you get closer you see what the make-up and flashy clothes are covering. I would use this quote to describe the latest Torie budget. At first you see "tax break, tax break, tax break!" You quickly, however, see that the tax breaks really only give a break to the biggest spenders. Also, where do you think all of the money to make up the money lost on the GST cut etc. is going to come from?

Already, the Kyoto accord has been cut. Ths is DISASTEROUS. The world is in a crux, the weather is becoming more unstable, we're losing the ice caps, dependant upon unrenewable resources, pollution is abundant. I could go on for pages and pages about how we cannot wait any longer to finally DO something about the corner we are backing ourself into in regards to how we are taking advantage of the planet. A dark day is coming, and let me tell you, a country as dependant upon its natural resources as Canada is, should be paying attention. We made a committment to the planet with the Kyoto accord, and I am ashamed that we will fail.

Kelowna accord CUT. Yep, finally all of the provinces and native leaders had aggreed on a PLAN (aka ACTION) to fix the wrongs done to Aboriginals in this country that have been multiplying with each passing generation. The native population is the fastest growing in Winnipeg, and if we don't do something to give a hand up, and not just a hand out with talk talk talk, the results will not be good. Kelowna was different than past promises of money, because a clear plan about how the money would be spent to help with housing, education, and unemployment had been made between native groups and government leaders. All talk and no action makes the problem get bigger, not go away.

I don't even want to know what cuts will be made to the arts. As the co-founder and director of a new theatre company, I am very nervous. It's almost impossible to get funding now, what'll it be like next year?

I'm very nervous about where Canada is headed. Very, very nervous.

But I can't end this post on a sad note, so here's some light in the tunnel:

Matt and I got auditions for the Stratford Conservatory! I have between now and July 4th to get myself in prime audition mode. Planning to meet with all the Shakespeare gurus in Winnipeg. Not a good chance of actually making the final cut this year, but I want to make a good impression. At the very least, I'll have 3 new audition monologues for next year!

The cast and crew of Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans met at Theresa's AMAZING apartment (a loft in the Exchange, pretty much EVERYTHING I want in a living space in the future) for the first read-through/contract signing. I have very good vibes for this play, and am eager to get moving forward.