The Street Car Named Desire triggered a reflective response in me that I was a very reluctant recipient of. There was someone that I was very close to at one point in my life because I had respected and was enthralled with her when we first met. She was my first Cantonese Opera teacher, Wanda Chun (白艷紅)
It was in the late nineties, a friend had wanted me to go play mah jong with him at a music club because they were short one player. I wasn't too keen on it but after a lot of cajoling and pleading, I gave in. I still remember it like it was yesterday. We played in this small room because the club had a gathering that night. When that first clanging of the cymbals started, I found myself quite captivated by the music. There are many reasons that I will not go into now as to why I love Cantonese Opera and joined this club. The reason that I will say was that the members of this club consisted of young and old. Anyway, that night was the beginning of my cultural submersion into this art form and of a period where I witness first hand, Wanda's spiraling decent into the la la land.
Monday, May 23, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
... Named Desire
Holy Crap! I am pooped! Just finished watching the play and it was... 3 and a half hours. I am Physically and MENTALLY exhausted! Totally understand if Gillian is exhausted and exhilarated after the show.
I have heard of this American classic but I have never read it and I didn't even see the movie with Brando and Leigh. Now that I have watched this filmed stage version... I can see why this classic is considered timeless.
Watching Blanche slowly at first then quickly spiraling into a sort of inner madness is pretty heart wrenching and it hits a bit close to home. No, it's not me but someone that I knew closely.
I can't think straight right now... need a bit of time to absorb it all.
I have heard of this American classic but I have never read it and I didn't even see the movie with Brando and Leigh. Now that I have watched this filmed stage version... I can see why this classic is considered timeless.
Watching Blanche slowly at first then quickly spiraling into a sort of inner madness is pretty heart wrenching and it hits a bit close to home. No, it's not me but someone that I knew closely.
I can't think straight right now... need a bit of time to absorb it all.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
SOLD - The movie
I first became aware of this movie in March because of.... Gillian, of course. I so much want to see it and even thought about hosting a screening in Las Vegas. It is still in the back of my mind to get this screening to happen. I have spoken to some people regarding this third biggest global crime behind fire arms and drugs. It happens in every city in the world, not just undeveloped countries but and is very prevalent in Las Vegas. I had shared this video on my FB some time back and I was so upset and disappointed that no one made a single comment on the post. I was really really sad that the friends that I know as real people didn't even give me an "emoticon". Had some time to think about their lack of reaction and maybe it is a very hard object to talk about or even acknowledge. We were brought up to think that children are precious and they represent the hope for the future.
I grew up in a very insular environment with loving parents, great teachers, and fantastic friends in what some people describe as paradise, Hawaii. I didn't even experience racial discrimination because we were all a big mix pot of nationalities. My best friend once pointed out that I had no idea the cruelties of the world and how people can lie, cheat, and hurt you for their own selfishness or just for their hatred of the world. I still want to believe that the good will beat the evil. We need more caring in this world to make a difference and it can be contagious.
I grew up in a very insular environment with loving parents, great teachers, and fantastic friends in what some people describe as paradise, Hawaii. I didn't even experience racial discrimination because we were all a big mix pot of nationalities. My best friend once pointed out that I had no idea the cruelties of the world and how people can lie, cheat, and hurt you for their own selfishness or just for their hatred of the world. I still want to believe that the good will beat the evil. We need more caring in this world to make a difference and it can be contagious.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Bucket List
I was asked recently what my bucket list consist of and I had no answer because I have never really thought about it. So... I am thinking about it now.
Bucket list... things one wants to do before one dies. A minute passes... I still can't think of anything.
Let's see... supposedly every girls dream is to see herself in a wedding gown and to do that she has to find someone to spend the rest of her life with. Geeziz, rest of one's life... that's sounds like such a long time, doesn't it? Can't imagine it or even contemplate it. I am a logical romantic if there is such a thing. I believe in attraction at first sight, meeting or touching of souls but I am pretty sure it doesn't happen often and when it does, I am very happy for those lucky people. I have had my share of temporary soul touching but... anyways... lets touch on something else.
Travelling... I wanted to visit Europe when I was younger and was really into Greek mythology and wanting to see the old architectures but that was when I was really young and didn't think about plane rides. Since my last trip to Hong Kong a few years back, just the thought of being on an airplane for more than 3 hours gives me anxiety attacks. Also, we have History channel now and I can see Greece, Rome and England from the comfort of my home. Oh, I did want to visit Kyoto at one point in my life but I think it had more to do with the aesthetic part of being into Eastern religion. Is there anywhere I want to go before I die? China, to see the Great Wall and get possible food poisoning or get trampled by bicycles and/or people? Africa, to see wild animals that could maul me? Alaska, a chance to freeze myself to death for a possible glimpse of an Aurora Borealis? Now that I think about it, I actually have always traveled to see people that I know and the purpose was to visit and see them. I remember visiting Boston for the first time, back in the eighties, and had the best time playing mahjong with Grandpa and Grandma. I did nod off waiting for them to throw their tiles. I visited Vancouver and it was just an eating spree. I swear that I had like 5 meals a day and was saying to the group, WE ARE USING OUR TUMMY FOR SOCIALIZING!!!! This was when I was NOT fat!!! I gained like 15 pounds on a weeks stay! I got proof from before and after photos! It was crazy. I did not go to Victoria Park or any tourist destinations but I got to see a lot of restaurants, coffee houses, noodle shops in Chinatown and Richmond. Oh! I did get to see some of the Cantonese Opera clubs... whoopee! I did enjoy the part of the clubs because I got to meet some very old timers in that art circle. I think the last vacation that I had that had me seeing sights was when I was in college... a looooooong time ago. I went with my sorority sisters to LA and SF. It was my first time to Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Hollywood, UCLA. Got my picture with Mickey but did not get to see the night parade. Went to Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardellis. but did not get to Alcatraz. There was a trip I took with a guy in SF, we had a very nice time in this park where there was a tea house... can't even remember the name of the park. New York City was fun the first time... ah... it was so long ago. I was there with someone very special... did the goofy thing like taking the horse carriage ride in Central Park... crazy thing like eating in Lil' Italy and then getting a cab to a underground club, where the speakers were taller than me. I am shocked that we didn't get mugged or anything. The things that I did when I was young and had no fear. I digress.
The verse, dying to meet "so and so"... well, I have already met Muse and we even had 2 meals together! Ellen? I wouldn't know what to say to her... nor would I know what to say to Gillian. "Oh, I love you as a person?" or "I admire your work?" How about "Thank you for being you." That is so lame! Which is exactly like I didn't know what I say to Muse... It is so much easier to express feelings with writing for me than blurt out something so "personal" or inane. I can't be like Ellen's fans who jump up and down and up and down, screaming... that is so not me. Okay, okay. I am an introvert at heart, which I never thought of myself. Some guy once told me that I am very "cool" or maybe he meant cold when he first saw me. He said I don't say anything and I don't even smile. I was taken back at his comments then I thought about it and he was actually very correct. I don't warm up to people in general immediately. BUT! When I do, one cannot shut me up!
Digressing again. Back to the bucket list. I really did sow some wild seeds when I was younger and probably did things that I would never do now but, hey, I guess I gotten most of the wildness out of my system. I still say no to bungee jumping, hot air balloon rides, cocaine, heroin, sky diving or surfing. Maybe I want to see a psychiatrist before I die. That's an idea to ponder on.
Bucket list... things one wants to do before one dies. A minute passes... I still can't think of anything.
Let's see... supposedly every girls dream is to see herself in a wedding gown and to do that she has to find someone to spend the rest of her life with. Geeziz, rest of one's life... that's sounds like such a long time, doesn't it? Can't imagine it or even contemplate it. I am a logical romantic if there is such a thing. I believe in attraction at first sight, meeting or touching of souls but I am pretty sure it doesn't happen often and when it does, I am very happy for those lucky people. I have had my share of temporary soul touching but... anyways... lets touch on something else.
Travelling... I wanted to visit Europe when I was younger and was really into Greek mythology and wanting to see the old architectures but that was when I was really young and didn't think about plane rides. Since my last trip to Hong Kong a few years back, just the thought of being on an airplane for more than 3 hours gives me anxiety attacks. Also, we have History channel now and I can see Greece, Rome and England from the comfort of my home. Oh, I did want to visit Kyoto at one point in my life but I think it had more to do with the aesthetic part of being into Eastern religion. Is there anywhere I want to go before I die? China, to see the Great Wall and get possible food poisoning or get trampled by bicycles and/or people? Africa, to see wild animals that could maul me? Alaska, a chance to freeze myself to death for a possible glimpse of an Aurora Borealis? Now that I think about it, I actually have always traveled to see people that I know and the purpose was to visit and see them. I remember visiting Boston for the first time, back in the eighties, and had the best time playing mahjong with Grandpa and Grandma. I did nod off waiting for them to throw their tiles. I visited Vancouver and it was just an eating spree. I swear that I had like 5 meals a day and was saying to the group, WE ARE USING OUR TUMMY FOR SOCIALIZING!!!! This was when I was NOT fat!!! I gained like 15 pounds on a weeks stay! I got proof from before and after photos! It was crazy. I did not go to Victoria Park or any tourist destinations but I got to see a lot of restaurants, coffee houses, noodle shops in Chinatown and Richmond. Oh! I did get to see some of the Cantonese Opera clubs... whoopee! I did enjoy the part of the clubs because I got to meet some very old timers in that art circle. I think the last vacation that I had that had me seeing sights was when I was in college... a looooooong time ago. I went with my sorority sisters to LA and SF. It was my first time to Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Hollywood, UCLA. Got my picture with Mickey but did not get to see the night parade. Went to Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardellis. but did not get to Alcatraz. There was a trip I took with a guy in SF, we had a very nice time in this park where there was a tea house... can't even remember the name of the park. New York City was fun the first time... ah... it was so long ago. I was there with someone very special... did the goofy thing like taking the horse carriage ride in Central Park... crazy thing like eating in Lil' Italy and then getting a cab to a underground club, where the speakers were taller than me. I am shocked that we didn't get mugged or anything. The things that I did when I was young and had no fear. I digress.
The verse, dying to meet "so and so"... well, I have already met Muse and we even had 2 meals together! Ellen? I wouldn't know what to say to her... nor would I know what to say to Gillian. "Oh, I love you as a person?" or "I admire your work?" How about "Thank you for being you." That is so lame! Which is exactly like I didn't know what I say to Muse... It is so much easier to express feelings with writing for me than blurt out something so "personal" or inane. I can't be like Ellen's fans who jump up and down and up and down, screaming... that is so not me. Okay, okay. I am an introvert at heart, which I never thought of myself. Some guy once told me that I am very "cool" or maybe he meant cold when he first saw me. He said I don't say anything and I don't even smile. I was taken back at his comments then I thought about it and he was actually very correct. I don't warm up to people in general immediately. BUT! When I do, one cannot shut me up!
Digressing again. Back to the bucket list. I really did sow some wild seeds when I was younger and probably did things that I would never do now but, hey, I guess I gotten most of the wildness out of my system. I still say no to bungee jumping, hot air balloon rides, cocaine, heroin, sky diving or surfing. Maybe I want to see a psychiatrist before I die. That's an idea to ponder on.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Street Car...
Well, today is the official opening day for Gillian's NY run of Street Car Named Desire. Reprising her role as Blanche from a role she played two years ago in London, I won't be able to watch it live but I will be watching a taped version of her performance soon. It's going to take a few days to download the whole play but I'll just pretend that I got tickets for a performance in NY.
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