Hello everyone!
Today the lovely (and fellow INFJ personality type) Lauren Sapala let me be featured on her blog. Click here to read the post.
Category: artistic
For those who haven’t seen this video, which has gone viral in the last few days, you’re in for a treat.
WOW.
This 10-year-old girl has autism, ADHD, and could barely speak up in class a few years ago. Now she’s singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” solo at her school’s concert. The school is in Ireland and is for special needs kids.
The performance is fantastic WITHOUT knowing that bit of info, but knowing it…Wow. Just…wow.
Hi everyone,
Well, in addition to writing books and keeping busy with, yanno, life – – I am also regaining an old interest in photography. I’ve been using SLRs and other cameras since I was 13, and sometimes one needs to reunite with an old hobby to keep the new ones alive.
That being said, I’ve written up my 5 Free Tips on how to take better photos – regardless of your camera. Pick it up and let’s make 2016 a year in pictures!
Hi everyone and happy new year!
Today I want to talk about story. People tend to focus on one medium or another when they think of stories, but the truth is, stories can have many different mediums (formats).
I loved puppet shows at the mall when I was a kid. To me, that WAS a story. Characters (even if they were puppets) were fascinating to me.
I loved books as I grew up and to this day. Books give us a rich, in-depth peek at the story and all the characters engaging in the plot.
I also love movies & decent TV (which is hard to find sometimes…)
While all of these are different mediums, the truth is, spending time with stories across all formats can help us understand story better, can help us write stories better, etc.
Over the holidays, I came down with the stomach flu. It was awful. It basically forces you to abandon all your plans for doing anything, putting you in bed or a recliner all day as you sip on ginger ale and hope the dang illness passes soon. BUT…the positive in this was that it gave me time to catch up on watching movies, watching TV series I enjoy, etc. I tried to read more but reading gave me a headache in my ill condition, so TV it was.
Take some time to watch that favorite show, or movie. Take time to read a book. Try a different type of story and see how your perspective is changed.
Better yet, you Amazon lovers can sign up for instant video where you can watch any number of movies or TV during your 30-day free trial.
Start Your Prime Video 30-Day Free Trial Now!
And here it is…the story of my encounter with Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. Otherwise known as Jim Parsons. Or God.
My wonderful friend Art somehow snagged 2nd row seats at Studio 54, where ACT OF GOD, a modern day play about the retelling of the 10 Commandments Family Feud Style, was playing. And what a night!
First off, I’ve never had such fantastic seats. I was 10 feet away from Jim Parsons. I could see every eyebrow arch, every eye roll, every smirk. Things those in the nosebleed section couldn’t see.
Then I found out I was in the hot seat!
For those not familiar with the play, it is mainly a monologue by Jim Parsons and he is accompanied by his 2 angels, Gabriel and Michael. God has come down from Heaven (in the form of Jim Parsons, who is unaware God is doing this) and he wants to comment on the 10 commandments and how frustrated he is with current culture. One example is him talking about how much he doesn’t get involved in sports. He’s not “for” your team when your team wins, nor is he “against” your team if you lose. The 90 minute play is filled with fun, laughter, and Jim Parsons is absolutely wonderful. In addition, despite the themes, it does well with not being sacrilegious.
Anyway, moving on…
He starts talking about how he was bored, so he created humans. A few minutes later, the angel Michael walks off the stage and right up to me. Puts a microphone in my face and tells “God” that I have a question, and what is my name?
I answer, and Jim Parsons says, “Hi Elaine.” I grinned ear to ear. Then the angel says, “Elaine wants to know why things were created. Why we’re here.”
To which, Jim Parsons gets that “Sheldon look of exasperation” in his eye and says, “Snap, snap, Elaine! I told you, I was bored so I created humans. You can’t be falling asleep or daydreaming, darling, you’re seated in the prime area! Chop chop, pay attention, okay Elaine?”
I laughed and nodded, then figured that was it. A few other people gave their names and the angel asked more questions, and the play continued. No more interaction, right?
Wrong.
At one point, Jim Parsons speaks about the wrath in the Old Testament and then tells the audience not to worry. He has no plans to end our lives or bring us to Heaven anytime soon. Then he pauses, arches an eyebrow, and says, “Well, perhaps one of you. At 3:36 a.m. tomorrow.”
Then a light shines on the top of my head!!! The whole audience is dark, and I have a Spanish Inquisition style light beaming on me.
To which Jim Parsons asks, “Is that Elaine again? Okay, hon. See ya soon, darlin’.”
It was hilarious, fun, and I really enjoyed being part of things. He’s a fabulous and talented actor, and I loved my night seeing this Broadway play.
For the “best of Sheldon” humor on The Big Bang Theory, click here to watch.