Friday, December 16, 2011

Hired to do a Dr. Seuss Stories show for Pierce College next year. I charge about $10 a head. Who else wants to celebrate with Seuss?

Friday, December 9, 2011

Back online after a month of seeing people, getting projects done, Christmas prep, healthifying, and now - time to face email. Yay?

Friday, November 11, 2011

“The world would be a better place with many Dexters.” Matt Matson

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

"You're a kitten whore!" my husband accused.
"Yes I am," I replied, petting the sleeping foster kitten.
Why did my response surprise him?

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Matt came in and pet Lily, our foster kitten, who started to purr. Petting her faster he said, “If you pet them fast enough, they explode.”

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Who memorizes entire Dr. Seuss stories and acts them out, using voices? I do!
www.DianeMatson.com/drseuss

Monday, October 10, 2011

Fostering kittens is good for the soul! Holding a purring kitten is soothing.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Rehearsals, kitten fostering, missing Grandma, keeping on.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Hire the only Dr. Seuss Storyteller in the whole world for reading celebrations! www.DianeMatson.com/drseuss

Monday, September 19, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

My new Dr. Seuss Stories page (and videos) is up!
Thank you Julie! www.DianeMatson.com/drseuss
My show is a great way to celebrate!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Engaging THE 4 HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 13 / BODY - Week 6

ALL WEEK:
Massively working on my new Dr. Seuss web page (I design and write text, then my web-mistress does the cool stuff). Also created content for the next Newsletter, my website home page (the latest news), and the News section (more extensive than the Home Page content).
Meanwhile, The Giving Tree and Horton Hatches the Egg are in editing with my director, Déous, who owns Area 51 Productions, LLC. I watch and give notes as they are ready.
Plus, have to get images to an artist who creates the photo “banner” at the top of each newsletter (usually different each time). I’ve pre-paid the amazing Trish Ellis for her wonderful work. She’s worth it - particularly as new stories are finished for viewing.


MONDAY
Returned the shy female to the pet adoption place. Got to go in with her, hold her, and attempted to relax her with a feather toy. She took a few steps towards it, and was clearly interested, but not enough to actually engage in play. Still, no hissing, and she’s clearly more relaxed now. (I checked in a few days later, and she continued to show appreciation via kneading the air with all four feet, and fully exposing her belly as she stretched backward.)


TUESDAY:
Bunch of errands.
Wrote my FAQs for my new Dr. Seuss Storytelling website and sent them off to friends/family who have or work with kids (and parents) for feedback.


WEDNESDAY:
Reread in 4HB how drinking more than 16 oz. of diet soft-drinks can make you gain fat. I drank a gob of the stuff over the last week, and probably ate more than usual. I can tell I’m not shrinking this week. I’ll weigh myself tomorrow to find out for sure, but clothes are a little tighter, and it looks like I should be losing at least 2 lbs of fat a week on this diet. Crud.
I bought a new 32 oz. water container. I’ll drink water (maybe with a little lemon juice in it), as well as my usual 32 oz. water when I eat. See if that helps.


THURSDAY:
Yup. Gained a pound and a half. Crud. I’d happily weigh 1000 pounds if I looked as lean as I wanted. Come on muscles! Show yourselves!
Lemon juice in ice water goes down pretty good and I’m able to keep hydrated as well as by drinking diet soda and plain water. And I can drink 16 oz. of diet pop without harm, so I’ll use it as a “treat”.

Finally used 4HWW info. and attempted to figure out the best key search words to put on my Dr. Seuss page. Way harder than Tim makes it sound. I never actually found a place where I could hunt for the hottest words (and how many hits) when people are looking for a Dr. Seuss storyteller. Some sites cost money, or required another program, like Firefox (no comments from loyal users, I’ll get there).
Wound up doing a Google search on “Dr. Seuss storyteller”. I’m listed at the top, which is cool, but I still paged through the lists of sites and their descriptions, copying down a bunch of terms to throw onto my new web page.
Now, aside from approving the final filmed demo of Horton, and my newsletter banner, I’m done with stuff on my end.


FRIDAY
Definitely getting stronger in my weight lifting. Tim suggests getting measured on Cheat Day, before eating forbidden foods. I haven’t measured myself since my initial measurements, so I should probably do this. It’s hard to see a difference in muscle definition, but I can tell I’m a little smaller than 6 weeks ago. Really hoping the “no diet-soda” change will make the fat loss happen faster. I lost weight like crazy when in Germany, eating cheese, pastries, ice cream, and whatever else I wanted, often starving an hour after eating, (but I was also walking about 6 miles each day). I also didn’t drink anything but water.
Some people in Tim’s book, who lose lots of weight, work out more than the minimal amount. I want to add things that will improve my body, using minimal time, before adding back the hour of glide machine I used to do on days I didn’t lift weights. I can use the extra time, outside the gym.

THIS WEEKEND:
My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by 9/11, and the natural disasters that have been hitting our country.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Engaging THE 4 HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 12 / BODY - Week 5

Last blog was 1 ½ weeks ago, and between travel and deadlines, I had to skip a week. Oh well.

Last weekend I was at a family reunion with my mom. It was so weird to be staying at a hotel 5 minutes from where my grandparents lived. So close! I wanted so badly to go the rest of the way! But they are gone, and so is their dear little farm house, once my haven, where I could relax from school and life, has been replaced by a housing development. I’ve only been to the area 3 times since we moved my grandparents from their house - and that only happened after they died.
Outside of the actual reunion and a brunch the next day with the cousins I’m closest to, I met some new relatives that Mom loves and we heard lots of new stories about my fabulous family. The family traits continue to be passed down over the centuries. We are inventors, builders, musicians, storytellers, have a great sense of humor, and we care about people and animals.
Grandma had 32 first cousins, so the family is sort of huge. Some didn’t use the names they were born with (spellings, nicknames, and marriage changed some), but Mom has spent years on our family tree, and we learned of other relatives that have worked from their end.
I spent the weekend laughing and crying (I so miss my wonderful grandparents), but mostly it was positive.

When I got home, aside from unpacking, I had two main goals this week:
1 - Write down stories and family history I learned over the weekend (frequently calling Mom for help because she knows the family better and has the genealogy). Quick, while it’s fresh.
2 - Pushing to get my next newsletter and website text ready.
My web mistress goes back to college on the 6th, and even though she says it’s quick and easy to drop text and photos in, I’d prefer to give her nothing but friendship (and a sympathetic ear) while she’s studying. I’m also completely redesigning my Dr. Seuss website - which is more complicated. Love the new look - simple, but more informative.
The filmed demo of THE GIVING TREE and HORTON HATCHES THE EGG should also be done editing soon, so had to check with Déous, my director/editor, on that. I’ll likely have to hunt for “forest sounds” while opening and closing credits roll on GIVING TREE, but he’s doing all the rest.

I think I should wait a few weeks to send the Newsletter (best sent out on Fri.) because this next week is all about 9/11. Aside from the focus and additional electronic flow around the topic, I think it’s just inappropriate, during this time of grieving and remembering.

I’ve lost at least another pound of fat. Haven’t weighed myself since Wed., at which point, I’d lost 5 pounds total, so far (and I even cheated lightly a second day on the weekend!) I’m sure if I had more body fat, I’d lose faster. The leaner you are, the slower you tend to lose body fat. I started at about 20% and I’m trying to get down to 10%. Just low enough so my muscles are nicely, but not extremely, defined.
I haven’t eaten breakfast within 30 minutes of getting up. (I usually eat 40-45 min. after getting up - not lazy, just takes me a while to feed kitties, put away dishes, and mix food together.) I’ll try fixing breakfast the night before, so I can grab grub faster. Tim says it makes a huge difference.
Tuesday as I examined my posture to ensure I was doing the kettleball swings correctly, I noticed that my butt looked rounder. This is actually one of the primary benefits of the exercise, but I’ve spent my life focused on improving my waist and hips, so I never really paid any attention to my ass. But it definitely looks smaller, rounder, and sort of cute now.
Friday I got a few more of the suggested supplements, which should help with fat loss and muscle gain.
I’ve only done each set of weights 3 times (and the first couple I was figuring out how much to lift so I’d hit failure by or before the 7th rep), but I can still tell I’m lifting more, which means I’m also gaining muscle weight.

Hubby and I returned the super-social kitten we were fostering Wed. and kept his shy sister for another few days. When we got her a week and a half ago, she hissed at people. Now she purrs and kneads and nuzzles in ecstasy when you pet her. She still backs off when you approach her, unless she’s been sleeping). The silly thing really enjoys attention and being touch. She just doesn’t realize a hand approaching her is a good thing. Poor baby. This weekend, I’m going to see if feeding her tuna by hand will change her mind. We’ll see if it works. She is so emotionally broken, but tuna is like crack to kitties.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Engaging THE 4 HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 10 / BODY - Week 3

I’ve lost FOUR pounds!!!

Before you shrug this off, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1- I’ve never lost a pound of fat a week. Ever. (Aside from that one time when a shark and alligator used me as a smorgasbord.)

2 - It’s easy for me to gain muscle, which I’m also working on. The scale isn’t sharing how many pounds of muscle is replacing pounds of fat lost. (Not even a threat of massive electrocution - the scale refused to budge.)

3 - My clothes continue to loosen up. Today I put on my shorts, and thought I’d forgotten to button them. Cool!

4 - I love Pig Out Day - and weighing less a few days after eating crap. I’m eating crap more often on this diet than I do when I try to always eat as good as possible. Once a week?! Bliss!

Finally finished reading all the way through THE 4 HOUR BODY. I’ve started looking into undoing my injuries.

Took advantage of the heat and washed sweaters, the feather duster, my makeup brushes, and anything else that needs to hang dry.

We’re fostering two new kittens. 7 weeks old. Tiny. Adorable. Both are supposed to be shy, but only one truly is. The smaller on is a male (who ate and grew and ate and grew until he’s about the same size as his sister). He’s quite vocal and insists on attention, being held, rubbed, loved, and trots up to me like a little puppy when I open the door. He’s adorably sweet.
His sister’s initial reaction to anyone was “HISS!” but it was all noise. She was too small to do attempt damage. I kept petting and holding her while she ate, when she was super sleepy, and while she played. She’s not scared of humans; she’s nervous about anything, including toys. But she admits that getting scratched on her face and under her chin feels good, and today, for the first time, she finally purred while I pet her! On two separate occasions!!

FILM STUFF:
*I’m in the first short of THE SACRED SAGA, shooting this fall.

*I came up with a mock commercial, wrote it, and am helping Deous produce it. Plus I have the only female role. It’s short, funny, and I truly believe the public will fully appreciate it.

*THE GIVING TREE initial edit is complete. I asked for a few tweaks. There are some technical imperfections, and we’d like to reshoot it, but as a demo, to get me hired for my DR. SEUSS SHOW, it’ll do.

This week is a little late due to a busy weekend, and then I was sick for a few days. (I never get sick due to stress. It just happens sometimes.)
Is my demo of "The Giving Tree" good enough to show potential clients (schools, libraries, parties, etc.)?
http://ping.fm/fkvh8

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Playing the Back to the Future theme on the piano reminded me why that music moves me so!
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
Hot Weather is great for washing and hang-drying sweaters, throw rugs, tennis shoes....

Monday, August 15, 2011

Got a POed friend ROTFL by reading Dave Barry's "Twilight" parody over the phone. Success!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Engaging THE 4 HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 9 / BODY - Week 2

This week I continued to focus on the 4 HOUR BODY book, reading more info., making adjustments, saving various body-work for later, and learning a bunch.
Pretty sure I gained a little fat last week, but I was eating way too many calories at once (and probably total), so this week I tried to eat 200 calories every 2 hours and I’m noticing a slight looseness in some clothes! The “6-pack abs” exercises are getting easier each time I do them, and I’ve finished the first round of 3 different days of weight lifting. Tomorrow, I start again with the 3-4 “pushing” exercises.
To make sure my form is correct for the various misc. exercises (new to me), I’m taking my time - checking the book, looking at the mirror, adjusting my posture, and even asking staff to help eyeball and comment on my form. I figure it’ll take a few weeks before I learn how to do everything properly.
I’ve been on a quest for plastic “toe spreaders” (mentioned in the book) to undo my bunions. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard they are reversible without surgery. They are small, but I don’t want any, and I figure the best way to avoid ever needing surgery is to get rid of them completely. So each night, I’m slowly spending a few more minutes with my toes spread, using foam spreaders. Today I finally found rubber spreaders, which hold the toes apart better than mere foam. I figure this winter I can sleep in them and by next summer - bye-bye bunions.
The book talks quite a bit about reversing internal scar tissue, making sure both right and left muscles are equally strong, and various other things that should undo a lifetime build-up of injury (topped off by that stupid car accident 2 years ago). I’ll work on stuff, bit by bit. Injury corrected is also injury prevented.
Yesterday I read how to train for one hour plus bike rides via 15 intense minutes total ride time, spread over two weeks. I’ll add that to my weekly workouts once I get the current exercises down. I was more upset by the four minute wait time between 30 second sets, but then I realized I can get back to speed reading my Hollywood Reporter magazines during the wait. Excellent! I must have a strong body that can go forever to make all the action films I’ve been cast in.
Spend three days mostly preparing for winter weather. For the past two years, in September I stock up on vitamins, food, toiletries, and any other supplies I might need before April. If all goes well, I don’t have to shop much in the Spring. If disaster hits, we’re comfortably stocked. Since I was running out of stuff now and September is just a few weeks away, decided to save time and just get it over with now.
I also spent my second week of fostering the two rapidly growing 12 week old kittens. I highly recommend regular Kitten Breaks to heal a grieving heart. Thursday night I returned the kitties and they were so much more relaxed around people. Hooray!! Our cat was finally allowed into the room where they stayed and there was some very intense sniffing for a while. This was immediately followed by some hissing and stomping, but now that I’ve cleaned up the room, Twinks has relaxed. We are hoping, at some point, our cat, and we, will bond with a little kitten, and keep it.
Edited another script. Another writer is considering me to edit her factual book.
Introduced a director I know to my live entertainer (Dr. Seuss Stories) agent so he can film her actors doing sample performances, as well as clients’ parties and events.
My email is back at ZERO. Bliss!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Who do you admire most? In what way does this person inspire you?

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Govt. Savings - When extracting info. from males - if they climb 5K of stairs in 6” heels…..Fast, effective, & cheap!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 8 / BODY - Week 1

This week I lost myself in “The Four Hour Body”. As an actress, looks matter, and I’m always trying to lower body fat while gaining muscle. I read anything I get my hands on. I’ve tried stuff for decades, and I look fine (with the right clothes), but never get to that lean “runner’s body” I crave. So I’m playing with what the book presents. Shouldn’t hurt, and any help is great.
As with The Four Hour Work Week, I was happy to see I’ve been on the right track in some areas, or close. I eat fairly low carb/fat/sugar already, drink a ton, keep lifting one set of muscles to failure (though I usually go heavy to light weight), then move on. My body stays about the same. Sometimes a few pounds less or more, but I’m about my average body fat and muscle composition. Can’t really see my muscles, just general outlines, because of the stupid fat that lays over them.
So during short breaks this week, I’ve been reading the book, revising my eating and workout as I encounter new info. in it, saving some for later.
Decided to do the muscle building exercises, but try to eat for lowering fat. If I don’t build muscle as fast as I could because I’m under eating, I should still lose fat as fast as possible, and I can always eat more later and build muscle over a longer period of time. I’ll grow some muscle. I just don’t want to put on more fat. So I’ll stay with the slow carb diet, and not add the extra carbs for his fast muscle growth diet. At least to start. I’ll try to eat smaller meals more often, though it ‘s hard, trying to eat 20-30 g of protein per meal, and balance that with enough slow carbs, which makes it a huge meal, so then I risk eating too much at once and slowing fat loss.
Because I want all my muscles to grow, I’m opting for Neal’s weight lifting, broken into 3 days of different workouts, plus I’m doing the “minimal workout for women” that won’t interfere with the weight lifting, and consists of 3 main exercises, plus another 2 that help shape waist and hips. And before I eat, I’m doing 120 sec. of the anti-carb exercises Tim does before and after meals on his high carb days (which also don’t interfere with the muscle building workouts).
I’m also adding 5-30 min. of glide machine on non-lift days, to keep my darn constipation at bay.
Will wait before adding additional supplements to boost the body, since I should gain muscle and lose fat with the eating and workout. I can always add them, and I’m juggling enough keeping track of food and exercise right now.
There are 5-7 different workouts in his book, and I’m doing 3 now. The others look less fun (though bigger results), and I figure I can play with them in a few months. I’m so long, I’m totally unafraid of “hulking out”. What a lovely problem to have. I can always cut back, and figure I will, once I have the body I want. Save time, keep the body.
After breakfast, tried my first 4HB weight lifting! Took me a while to figure out what machines to use and where to adjust the seats so my posture was correct. Trying to make sure my shoulders are down and back properly so I don’t injure myself. I did “push” weights - chest, shoulder, triceps. Only managed 5-7 of the hard ab exercise (too weak and sore), but it’s easier using the half-ball to lean on, rather than Gma.’s blue quilt. Examined my posture in the mirror to make sure it was correct for the cat vomit (abs), plank (can’t hold for 30 sec. yet, but I’ll get there), and Kettleball swing. So it took me longer than 30 minutes. I’m learning. Once I have it down, I should do this workout in half the time. I spent 5 minutes on the glide machine and left - sweating!
Meanwhile, I took care of the 2 foster kittens (and our cat), edited another short script, got my Inbox back down to an average of 2-3 after less than an hour a day,
I don’t mind setting aside “The Four Hour Work Week” for “The Four Hour Body” because once I figure out the body stuff, it’ll be a daily routine and auto-reshape my physique while I’m working on my Work Week stuff. I should also have more time to work on my Work Week, once I’m spending less time at the gym.
I’ve decided Sundays will be my “Pig-Out” day - per “Four Hour Body”, to keep my metabolism in line. Aside from carbs, I’ll have to work at figuring out evil stuff to eat to make sure it helps throw my body off. I have some frozen chocolate in the freezer…..but mostly I’m thinking of fruit, pumpkin filling pudding, maybe some low-fat ice cream…..

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Studying and implementing "The Four Hour Body" with great fascination. Life-long dream body may soon become a reality! :-)

Monday, August 1, 2011

Friend of mine created this amazing 3 min. film called "Words". No dialogue. No actors. Totally moving. http://ping.fm/YM1RF

Friday, July 29, 2011

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 7

This week I spent hardly any time on the PC. When I could get on it, I was working on setting myself up on casting websites my GA agent wants all her actors on.
The first part of the week, I took care of a friend from LA, helping him prep for and get to film meetings. He called me a “Mama Bear” because I tend to get highly defensive when my friends are in danger. He’d never seen that side of me before. I didn’t think I was particularly growly, just focused on getting done whatever he needed, as fast as possible. Oh sure, I shared some colorful thoughts about those who have been less than nice to him, but really, I could have gone on for much longer, and in more graphic detail than I did. Really, nothing wrong with admitting you want to rip someone’s face off - slowly.
Once my friend (who is now very determined to hire me on his productions as often as possible) was safely flying home, I did some scrambling on websites for my agent.
Then I finally got to foster some kittens. 10 weeks old black brother and calico sister who were “shy” and needed some extra attention, away from their littermates. So I quickly finished preparing their room, bought food, small litterbox, and some fuzzy mice, then picked them up.
Ok, initially, the female hid under stuff, but I could usually get her to purr, and less then 24 hours later, it’s apparent I’m fostering a two-headed purr-ball. The black male is actually aggressively friendly.
Both purr when I pet them, and continue to do so when I hold them while standing and walking around. I named the black male “Mr. Friendly” and the female “Hope”.
Because they are in their own room, my cat Twinks seems, so far, oblivious to the additional house guests, though there's been some highly piqued sniffing of my fingers.
Last week I got not much of anything done. This week, I’ve been taking care of others. Because of the website stuff, I’ve not had much time for my Inbox, so it’s creeped up into the 20’s. Should smack it back down as soon as I’m done making sure I have my stuff online per my agent’s desires. My GA agaent, Jana VanDyke, communicates with me, and works her tail off. I’m happy to set up whatever tools she needs to find me gigs.
I did try contacting a stranger. In THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK, Tim explains the best way to do so. I was offering ideas for something the famous lawyer was thinking of having a contest for. Figure I could practice Tim’s technique and help the guy. Didn’t get past the receptionist, and because I was offering help, rather than asking for it, I couldn’t follow Tim’s script very well, but I LM and then sent an email. My head is still attached to my body. My career hasn’t been blown to smithereens. It’s all good.
Oh yeah! I was also offered a role in THE FILMMAKER. Deous is turning it into a SAG New Media production so I can “play” for pay. He’s also finally able to continue editing my Dr. Seuss stories, so I’ll have two more ready to show by the time schools starts (and my Virtual Assistant calls and books me gigs in schools and libraries). Sweet!
Would you reather be a member of a world championship sports team or be the champion of an individual sport? Which sport would you choose?

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 6
http://ping.fm/dSEKg

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 6

Not my most productive week, but it at least included a performance! The whole point of less email and following the book is to do more performing, and make more money in less time.

Monday started with my annual eye exam. Since my eyes were dilated, and I couldn’t get anything else done, I scheduled other check-ups. Then I ended my day with a script read (the performance I mentioned). The read was a half-hour sitcom. After two run-throughs to rehearse, I was still smiling because between the writing and skillful acting, it was better than most airing “comedies”.
I didn’t know until 5 minutes before we went one that John Jacobson, my acting coach was there. He emailed that I “did good” - awesome words from the teacher who finally fixed my frustrating acting problems several years ago.
I got to play four characters, and was asked to join the read over the weekend. Came up with four different voices (and cheated using accents for half of them, but what I came up with delightfully enhanced my characters).

Tuesday, I rested. My fault. Not enough time to eat enough between appointments the day before.

Wed. I caught up with correspondence - emailing the writer, director, actors, and dealing with my email.

Thur. I did a bunch of misc. stuff (including filling out a form for another place that needs people to foster kittens). Kittens are more than cute. Because there were always puppies, and then kittens on my grandparents’ farm, now that they are gone, it’s a craving that has intensified. Playing with puppies and kittens makes my heart hurt a little less, particularly in the summer. I’m hoping that fostering kittens will be good therapy, as well as helping the babies.
I also talked first to the techs, and then billing at Frontier. I love them. They screw up constantly, but are wonderful about compensating customers. We’ve yet to pay the full amount of everything we get. Now we’re getting 3 months of free HBO and Cinemax. Prior to that, as a current customer, I got the Showtime package for $1 a month. (But they screwed something up after that, so the compensation makes it less than that.) SWEET!

Friday my mom called while taking care of her only grandchild. She put the phone on Speaker, so I was able to join in the fun. My 3 ½ year old nephew was playing with trains. Mom repeated what he said, so I could understand everything, and also gave visual commentary. My nephew just accepted that Aunt Di’s voice was a part of his playing. I made train sounds. He joined in. My heart is warm and full!
So I still haven’t incorporated more of THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK into my life, but life happens, and I still got to perform.
I also didn’t get some jobs - and I’m really glad. I’m delighted I won’t get to be a part of a feature that is crumbling into a disaster.
Things look good for an audition next Sat. The director called to ask me some SAG questions. I did my best, but mostly said, “You’ll have to ask my wonderful SAG rep., Dena Beatty.”

Friday, July 22, 2011

Do you think the world will be a better or worse place, 100 years from now?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Had fun reading 4 roles in a sitcom script read. Funny = laughing (or wanting to) during the performance, even after 2 rehearsals. :-)

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 5

Kidnapped my film friend so he could get away from the stress of living and working on the set. We still worked on the movie though. I helped him find crew, run errands, and pretended I was a GPS after he left to help him reach his hardware store destination. Aside from a real bed, hot meals, and a washer-dryer, we saw a film, just for fun. (Actually, the film wasn’t that great, so less fun than we hoped for.)
He returned to the set a happier, more relaxed, less frazzled Art Director. Before he left our house, he told me I’m definitely hired for his own movies. Sweet!

The rest of the week was primarily doctor appointments. Good news! My gallbladder is just fine! Ran a few other errands and wasn’t feeling too well, so it seemed like I was either running around, or in bed.

I also met with a wonderful producer/director/writer friend of mine, Chris Elston. He’s “doomed” to become an A-lister. He’s that good. He’s in development for 5 films, and, since we worked so nicely together on a prior film of his, we are both eager to repeat the experience. In the meantime, I help him the best I can, and stay in touch. I’m also handing him the Hollywood Reporter magazines I’ve been getting (free, since I’m in SAG). This saves him a bundle, which is part of my job as an actress - helping the filmmaker stay cost-effective on the shoot. I’ve been able to whiz through reading the stack that piled up, thanks to the book’s speed reading technique.

SPECIAL BONUS: I auditioned for GI JOE 2! While my COVERT OPS filmmaker, Déous, brilliantly filmed the audition at my house, I suggested we figure out my wardrobe for my character in his COVER OPS pilot. Saved us both some time later on.

Despite spending so little time on the computer, I still averaged 0-2 emails in my Inbox at the end of an hour. Usually, after a week like this, I have at least 200 piled up. It’s a miracle!
Less email, but more film work! Love it!

Meanwhile, still rereading THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK book, highlighting sections, pondering. Not as much time spent on it this week.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Had a kick-ass audition for GI JOE 2 ("Thanks Deous!") and met with writer/director/producer Chris Elston. He's doomed to be an A-lister.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 4 http://ping.fm/lxfRv

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 4

After the last few weeks of processing, my brain finally spit out the procedure for my Virtual Reunion. Jotted notes on paper over the weekend, and took the rest of it off.
Figured I’d type it out and set up everything on the PC this week, but I didn’t count on a few snags.
Spent most of Wednesday in pain, which, thankfully, finally went away in the evening. Bad news is that, apparently, I have “classic symptoms” for gallstones. I got squat done on Wednesday. (Well, nearly squat, I still managed to clear my Inbox.)

Still helping my friend on the film. We both think it’s hilarious that I, notorious for being directionally dysfunctional, was able to get him directions better than Mapquest and any other local. (It’s because I do get lost that I err on the side of paranoia and ask more specific and detailed questions.)
Also tracking down a few more crew.

My Inbox is hitting 0 emails more often, with less time. Planning on using some of my extra time to foster kittens this summer.

Oh yeah - I also, thanks to my Georgia agent (I collect reps), get to audition for “G.I. JOE 2”.

Friday, July 1, 2011

My Inbox is empty! FREEDOM! Have a happy Independence Day!

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 3

This week, my Inbox was a bit fuller, and I still haven’t tested a VA (Virtual Assistant), but for splendid reasons.
Thanks to eliminating most of my Inbox bulk, I have time for creating a Virtual Reunion website for my alumni - something I wondered if I’d have time for because I was continually behind in email, and this would generate more.
Since I plan to employ a VA to assist me on finding missing classmates and snagging info. about them off the internet, it’s important that I figure out how to streamline my Virtual Reunion - for me and my VAs.
My ultimate plan is to test VAs on some personal errands, and finding classmates.
Then I’ll move on to using proven VAs to contact schools and libraries so I can book loads Dr. Seuss Stories performances, and once that process is smoothly functioning, use them, and the book’s automation process to sell some of my inventions online. Growing as I learn, and as I eliminate wrinkles.

Since the overall goal is to save time, I am trying to, as much as possible, figure out how to organize everything in my head while also I figuring out steps and rules. I think I can then set up the system for everything in a few hours, rather than spending 2-3 days revising.
But it’s got several components, so it’s taken me some time. I also am relying on a few other people (webmistress, Dr. Seuss Stories editor) before I can put everything in full swing.
This week, I finally got a handle on how to organize the Virtual Reunion process, so as I find new people, I just copy and paste information. I also figured out how to keep track of where in the process various classmates are (find, contact, acquire info. and photos, checking their info. once it’s on the web, updates, etc.).
I’m delighted that by the end of the summer (max), the Virtual Reunion will be up and nearly all the classmates found. Before reading the book and reorganizing my life, I was wondering if this was going to happen this year or next year.

I’m reading the tabbed pages for the second time, and this week I realized that I’m not treating my Dr. Seuss Stories enough like a business. I not only need to figure out the optimal search engine words to use, but I really ought to come up with a slogan, just like I will when I sell my inventions.
The book talks about adapting a phrase from companies that have advertised in magazines for years use.
EXAMPLE: Timothy Ferriss used the Rosetta Stone slogan “The Fastest Way to Learn a Language Guaranteed“ to advertise his BodyQuick product “The Fastest Way to Increase Power and Speed Guaranteed“.
Hm……
I could either pour through magazines for a few hours, or I could save time and turn the slogan search into a contest and let the 7000 people who get my newsletter email me their ideas. The winner gets to pick one of the stories I do and I’ll perform it over the phone. Some adult is going to really make a child’s day. Everyone wins!

Meanwhile, the person selling my Grandma’s jewelry is making us money while I spend no time on it, and I also sold some gold and silver scraps, which took me all of 10 minutes.
In the Film World, I spent a few minutes, making calls to help a friend who is art director for a film. He told me he’ll give me a “thanks” credit and try to snag me the only speaking role that isn’t going to an A-list actor.
In other words, in less time than it takes to drive to an audition, I might have gotten myself two film credits (and the acting gig, being SAG, comes with a nice paycheck as well as an IMDB credit).
Awesome!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Q: How many stand-ins to change a light bulb?
A: One, if he can get past all the extras who think they should have been asked.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Q: How many producers does it take to put in a light bulb?
A: I’ll get back to you.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 2
http://ping.fm/dFzrB

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 2

Monday, with great trepidation, I downloaded my email for the first time since Friday. In less than 2 hours (which included some PC errands), my Inbox was back down to 7 emails.
The rest of the week, it took less than an hour each night to deal with my Inbox. Total average of emails still in my Inbox at end of each day - 3. Sweet!
I’m habitually still waiting for the explosion of email, because I’m so used to living in my Inbox, or ignoring it and dealing with the build up later. This is bliss.

Didn’t have time to investigate VAs (Virtual Assistants) as planned, because I was working on a few movies instead. As this is my goal anyway, I didn’t mind. Actually, it’s a good thing, because as I’m rereading select pages from THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK, I see it’s worth taking time to set up rules before test-driving some VAs, which prevents wasted time and money.
But I’ve been thinking about my rules and tests. Thinking is free, easy to reorganize, and usually results in a quick, defined, easy to implement plan, so I’m content to wait until next week.

This week, I edited a few scripts, fundraising business plan for KickStarter, and helped a friend finish finding crew for MINE GAMES, resulting in a bunch of great guys I know working together. Always a pleasure helping talented friends make money and get to enjoy each other’s company.

I also, after two years, took the remaining jewelry I inherited, but won’t wear, from my grandma, and took it to a professional antique jewelry seller. I’ve sold some things on my own, made $800, and it’s worth losing a bit of money to gain a LOT of time, while still making money from the sales. (This decision was reached while reading the book.)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

If the Dec. of Ind. was written today, in Word, as the writers IMed. http://ping.fm/XSQoY
Writer - Robert Prestridge

Monday, June 20, 2011

Yesterday, I replaced Dad's dying pepper grinder. Easy to use, and adjusts the grind - "Best pepper grinder ever!" he phoned today. :-)

Friday, June 17, 2011

Engaging THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK - Week 1

While on vacation, read “The Four Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferriss and tabbed the heck out of it. Looks like a rainbow exploded on the book. Here’s how I tabbed it:
Yellow - Do as soon as I get home
Blue - Work on over the next month or so. Some involves waiting until my freshly filmed Dr. Seuss Stories are edited and online (so there’s a “demo” for people to look at).
Green - Summary pages
Purple - Take note
Pink or Red - Good stuff on these pages.

Trying to use online networking groups hasn’t actually landed me a gig and resulted in too much time in email. The book gave me another method, and talked about ways to spend 10-30 minutes a day on email. Sounds glorious!
I came home to 2000 emails. This was a combination of:
1 - The usual
2 - Result of sending my Newsletter while on vacation
3 - Email from networking sites, news, and updates.

I started Monday afternoon. By the end of Thursday night I had 22, and about half of those were a few “post-Newsletter-sending” items.

Cool. So far, so good. Next week, I plan to test the Virtual Assistant.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Website updated with links to YouTube - click & watch 2 of the stories I perform! (Best for ages 6-adult.) DianeMatson.com Enjoy!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Thursday, May 5, 2011

“The Boy With The Longest Name In The World”
(over 10 syllables long!) 1 min. 30 sec.
http://ping.fm/MjDRI
Many thanks to Déous and Bryan Krause from Area 51 Productions for shooting the rest of my Dr. Seuss Stories & songs. 1 already on YouTube!

Monday, May 2, 2011

I hope bin Lauden's death brings closure to those who lost someone. I deeply wish it also returned those who died to their loved ones.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Material for next newsletter and website updates mostly done. Whew! Goes live in a week. (I write and design, web mistress does rest!)
“The Boy With The Longest Name In The World” performed by me in 1 min. 30 sec.
LINK: http://ping.fm/IUG8k

Friday, April 29, 2011

MAKING A GREEN SCREEN

The material was really wrinkled, so Mom asked me to move the ironing board from the guest room closet to her room. I ironed while she put thread in the bobbin on her sewing machine and then (after it was ironed), started sewing the bottom piece of 4 sections together. We talked while we worked. Mom had me pin the various pieces of material together. Said I did a really good job. Pinning I can do. Sewing with a machine, not so much. Oddly, I don’t mind mending with a needle and thread, but Mom doesn’t care for mending at all.
Mom sewed material together with one seam, then sewed another seam by that one (double-seam so it could be pulled) and then she sewed a zigzag over the ends of the seam, so the material wouldn’t unravel. There were basically 4 panels that were sewed together.
The pieces weren’t identical, so to make sure the green screen would hang properly, I had to even them out. We did this as we sewed everything together. A few times, I had to pull a thread and then cut along where the thread was to make sure it was a true line. To pull a thread, you make a tiny cut in the fabric, then find one of the threads, and start pulling it. As you pull, the material along the thread pulls up too, and you have to push it back down. The thread often breaks, so you have to find the end of the thread, or pull on a thread near it. The area where the thread was feels different, and is a little lighter. Eventually, you can’t pull more thread, and have to cut as far down as you can, until you get to where the little line stops. Then find another thread, and start pulling again. Mom said pulling a thread is hard.
Grandma made a tablecloth where she pulled a thread a few inches in from each side, but she didn’t cut the cloth, and had to keep finding and pulling the same thread. The table cloth was white. Where she’d removed the thread, she wove a red piece of thread in and out of the line. Looks amazing, but you couldn’t pay me enough to do something that hard and tedious. Blech! Grandma was amazing.
At one point, to make sure sections were even, we folded, pulled and flattened out all the wrinkles, then pinned one over the top of another, and used the top one for the “pattern” so they would all be the same side (one end was cut unevenly by the manufacturer - pain in the ass to fix, but it had to be done).
On one end of the green screen , we created a loop-pocket, so you can put a pipe or something in it, and hang the screen. Mom showed me how to use a ruler to make sure the length was correct, and pin it, but I couldn’t keep it straight, so she took over and measured differently while I pulled a thread on the other side.
For some reason (probably the shorter length) I could measure and pin an inch, to create a rolled hem that Mom sewed.
As the pieces were sewed together, and the screen got bigger, I helped wrangle the mass of material, so Mom was free to concentrate on sewing. Sped things up quite a bit.
Still took us 7 hours of working steadily together to get it done.
Yesterday, Mom and I spent 7 hours sewing a 12x12 foot green screen together. (Using it Wed. for some filming.)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Writing my next Newsletter and website updates. You can sign up for my bi-monthly newsletter on my website: www.DianeMatson.com.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Just saw THE JONESES. Marvelous, clever, witty, wonderful script. My little acty heart has been smitten to the core.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Helped art store owner, dealing with septic flood from restaurant above, with claim tips I learned after I was T-boned by a car in 2009. :)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

You don't need to bring your adversaries to their knees, just to their senses.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Thur. -Deous & Bryan Krauss did an amazing job shooting my Dr. Seuss Stories close-ups & medium shots on green screen. Uber-thanks & kudos!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

PLEASE RESPOND: Do you watch online films where entertainers/filmmakers introduce and share a bit about themselves on their website? Thanks!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Watching Seth MacFarlane do live reads is even better than Family Guy. What a hoot he'd be to work with on live action comedies. Outtakes!!
Read great Berkeley Breathed "interview" in HR - must read his "Mars Needs Moms!" & snag Complete Bloom County collection.
If we blame guns for killing people, then we should blame pencils for spelling mistakes.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Had a fabulous day with my God-daughter. She helped me do stuff. I over-paid her a bit (to help fund a school trip). She rocks!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

When the game is over, the king and the pawn get put away in the same box.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

If you can smile when things go wrong, you probably have someone in mind to blame.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Edited script for a writer excited to make changes and continue next week. 100% of my customers are satisfied with my 1-on-1 sessions. :-)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

"I looked at your online resume profile, and I can see that you are a very dedicated professional actor." Bryan Krauss - DP

Monday, March 21, 2011

My two rules for success:
1. Never tell anyone everything you know.
-- Sam Longoria

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Make the world a greener place. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nothing Like A Tsunami Threat On A Show Day

I performed my Dr. Seuss Stories show somewhere on the W. Coast for a special group (and I’m being vague on purpose). Got up early (had a few hours of travel and wanted to be sure to arrive in plenty of time). Turned on the news, and heard “Earthquake in Japan. Tsunami warning for America’s West Coast.”
I said a very bad word and quickly checked the internet to see just how much of a threat it’d be for the area I was performing. Nothing appeared, and fortunately, my performance was after the tsunami would be after it hit. Let my agent and the person who hired me know I was proceeding as planned.
It wasn’t a problem. The audience was smaller than I was told it would be, but they were appreciative.
Friday's Dr. Seuss Show on the W. Coast went well. Nothing like a tsunami threat to rev things up a notch.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Wisconsin Dr. Seuss Show - photos and Blog
http://ping.fm/IgB1b

Wisconsin Dr. Seuss Show

Fri. 2-25-11


It’s here! The day I’ve been preparing for, for over a year. Alarm got me up at 1:00 a.m.
Ate and stretched watching Gray’s Anatomy (great plots and character development, as usual).
Transferred a few final files to my travel laptop and cleaned the dusty screen. Changed from tennis shoes to snow boots (no idea what the walk from airport to car will be like in Madison, WI).
Hardly any traffic as Matt drove me to the airport, where we kissed and hugged our goodbyes. Although it was possible to check in using the kiosk, I couldn’t get it to work right (in spite of advice from the airline guy behind the counter, and finally asked him to help me check in and check my bag). When going through security, my duffel was checked. The Pringles can inside it looked like a water container to the x-ray machine. Chatted with the security person who looked through my bag. They ran my bag through again - all was well.

Filled both water bottles at a Starbucks. Shuffled stuff while waiting to board - moving immediate stuff to backpack. Thanked an Air Force guy for serving.
Offered candy to the flight attendants. A flight attendant said I could personally offer treats to the pilots, so after my luggage was stowed, I did.
Chatted with the passengers sitting to my right (I had an isle seat). Nice couple, on their first vacation without their kids (20, 18, 16) for a long, long time. Oldest kid is a kinesthetic learner, brilliant, loves putting stuff together, but can’t sit in a class to do math required for tech stuff, so works at QFC. Gave the mom my card and suggested a hands-on technical school. I suspect MIT has a “hands-on” degree. The way those students heads are geared, it just has to. Middle boy is going to flight school, and military academy. On the flight, read my Air & Space Smithsonian, and gave it to the mom, suggesting a subscription would make a great gift. She was happy.
When I wasn’t talking or reading, watched American Outlaws that a passenger (seated across and up) was watching on his laptop. Such a good movie.
The last few times I’ve flown, the planes have been warm. This trip, they were cold. I’d taken off my sweater, but snagged it and put it back on again. Even my legs were a little cold. My feet (in snow boots) never felt too warm.
While we were in the air, the stewardess read the names of the gates for all the connected flights. I used sign language to help me remember my gate. Landed in Denver, CO. My connecting flight’s terminal was towards the end of the building. Got to the gate 20 minutes before boarding. No place to sit, which was fine. Any time I waited today, I mentally ran through “Green Eggs & Ham”.
There were 3 gates at the end of the building, and passengers went outside to board, so the terminal was cold. I put on my jacket.
Tiny plane. Kept bonking my head on the overhead bins (not hard, but it was irritating).
Chatted with the gal sitting next to me (engaged and getting married in 2 months). My neighbor’s company does market research for other companies, so she flies all over to clients. Gave her my card. She’s trying to figure out what to give her fiancé as a wedding present. I made some suggestions, based on what she told me about him. Hopefully helped her figure it out.
She pointed out landmarks as we flew over Madison. Two big lakes, very flat area, spread out, and covered with maybe 4 inches of snow. Not too cold - 20-30 degrees F.
Called Matt. As I went down the escalator, saw an older man with white hair and a beard who looked like he was waiting. It was the principal, Paul Wiese!
My luggage appeared as we approached the conveyer belt. Small airport. We chatted during the drive.

There were a few things I wish I had a pictures of. Drove past The Dells, which is a famous local shopping mall. It’s a huge deal. People come from all over.
Then we drove past towers of rocks with a layer of snow on them - looked like a castle. The formations were created when glaciers covered and carved the land. They are all over the place.
Paul is retiring when this school year ends. He was a principal at another school, and has been at LaGrange Elementary for 21 years. He’s got a great announcer voice, and is interested in radio or v-over. He’s also a really good photographer (and has even sold some photos). Told him I’d be happy to help guide him, and we talked about a few things he could do.
He asked, as many do, how I memorize whole stories. He’s memorized a few poems (one 3 pages long). He was also fuzzy about the exact schedule for the read-in, so I snagged the schedule I’d printed (and kept handy) and walked it through orally for him.
He drove me to the Hampton Inn and helped me get my stuff inside. There weren’t any real plans for how I was to get to and from the school tonight, so Paul and I talked over the schedule and I figured out how much time I’d need to make sure I could check out the school, eat, prep, etc.
I checked in for free (Tara, the teacher who found me and was my main liaison) knows the hotel manager, Ruth). Paul left, and I figured out tomorrow’s schedule, so I could tell whoever is driving me to the airport what time to pick me up tomorrow. Realized I don’t have time to rest, as I was hoping to. Even a 20 min. nap would have been nice, but I had good energy, so no problem.
Sorted my things and changed as I ate a few energy bars. Did my hair and makeup. Went downstairs a minute before Paul arrived to pick me up at 5:15. Took us all of 5 minutes to drive to the school.

Paul showed me the Teacher’s Lounge, where I put my bag and coat. The teachers and parent volunteers were eating pizza. Tara (the woman who hired me and coordinated my travel) chatted a bit with me. She showed me the gym, just around the corner, where I’d be performing. I asked how many kids would be in the audience and she told me 50. We figured out where my “stage” would be and where the kids would sit.
Paul came in after she left, holding a wireless microphone but it wasn’t hands-free. Crud. I figured I’d try the show without the mic. Later, Paul realized he could lower a plastic curtain so half the gym was blocked off (which helped with the sound situation).
Went back to the teacher’s lounge, and met my driver for tomorrow, Kari. Wrote her name, cell, email. Didn’t have my flight # with me. Told her I’d call when I got back to my room after the Read In and give it to her, so she could make sure my flight was on time before leaving tomorrow morning.
She because Madison is such a small airport, just a few inches of snow fall can cause hours of delay - and it’s supposed to snow before my flight tomorrow. She said more snow is supposed to fall in Chicago. Will pack for delay.
In the cafeteria, set my water on a table (decorated with yellow plastic “table cloth,” napkins folded into triangles, and a plastic knife and fork on top of each napkin). Pretty fancy for a school meal! Watched the cooks mixing green food coloring in scrambled eggs. They weren’t ready to serve anyone. Discovered my water was gone, so I went back to the Teacher’s Lounge for another bottle.
Met various teachers. Some of the kids and adults wore fun vests, hats, shirts.
Finally they were serving food. The potatoes were ok, but the green scrambled “eggs” were pretty grim. Needed the fuel before my performance, so ate them anyway. The ham stayed pink. Engaged the kids around me in conversation. They were polite, but had no idea who I was.
Back to Teacher’s Lounge to refresh lipstick. Rehearsed in Teacher’s Lounge until two volunteers showed up with a Clifford costume in a big bag. Moved into the private hall and continued rehearsing. So glad I did. Haven’t had time to do so all day. It really helped.

6:40 Walked in the gym and helped the kids get seated where they belonged, within the white lines on the basketball court.
6:45 Principal Paul introduced me to the 3-5th graders (and adults).
Paul told the kids I got up early, so I asked students to guess what time I got up. The winner got to wear my Dr. Seuss hat.
Green Eggs & Ham (read some background & then did the story) Perfect job (finally!!)
The Lorax - had to drink a sip of water in the middle of the story- started to cough, suddenly dry.
Boom-Chicka-Boom (got the wiggles out of the kids)
Horton Hatches the Egg
The Giving Tree

Moved my Seuss hat to different quiet kids between stories. Had to wait a few times for the older kids to quiet down. Told them I was happy to stand and wait. When I explained the more they talked, the fewer stories they’d get, they got quiet faster.

7:30 - Show over. On their way out, kids asked how I memorized the stories and wanted autographs. Paul told them I’d do autographs later.

I freshened up and guzzled some water while the older kids left and younger kids went into the gym.
Checked with Tara - everyone running behind schedule. She gave me the OK to go 10 min. later than originally planned.
Groups of little kids and parents kept arriving. Each time, we thought it was the last group, but then another would come in. Finally, all the groups were present.


7:40 K-2nd Grade - lots more adults. Fewer kids than in the older group.
Again, I moved my hat around to sit on different laps between stories. Kid with colored gloves on in his Mom’s lap. Did I see a hospital band on his wrist? When I placed the lap in the boy’s lap, his mom mouthed, “Thank you.”
Green Eggs & Ham - the kids loved it.
3 Bears rap
Sneetches
Lion Hunt
Ticka-Ticka… (then, at their request, taught them how to say the 33 syllable name)
Peanut Butter Friendship Song

The songs were a huge hit. The kids were really good. I only had to wait for them to quiet down at the very beginning of the show.

After the shows, Tara handed me cheese curds - mozzarella and cheddar - about two cups in each bag (bought fresh at the store). Tried them, and indeed, they squeak! Makes me laugh. They are fun. She also gave me 4 paper bookmarks from Wisconsin (identical) and Wisconsin postcards.
Paul downloaded and renamed photos, then saved them to my memory stick.
While I waited, I figured I should sign autographs. Paul printed a color copy of my poster. Tara made B&W copies on slow copy machine. I signed two in the hall (as the kids were leaving). Did autographs for older kids in two classrooms before the Read In was over. Everyone in each class wanted one. I signed them, “Happy Reading NAME - Diane”. On a few I wrote more, for some special kids (and one I misspelled the name on). 2 kids asked me to sign for siblings who were sick and couldn’t make the show.
Chatted with Paul and ate smoore mix - mini-marshmallows, choc. chips, golden graham cereal, and graham bear cookies in little ziplock bags. They had about 25 left over. I signed the 4 extra B&W posters for Paul to pass out later, plus the original color one (with an extra message, to be given to a special kid).
Paul downloaded the 100+ photos to my memory stick then drove me back to the hotel.
Called Matt, to let him know how the show went, and to warn him about potential delays due to snow in Madison and Chicago tomorrow. Ate two more bags of the smoores mix (as I did stuff), prepping and packing for tomorrow, finally stopped long enough to change into my more comfy tennis shoes, then kept going. Downloaded the photos to my laptop (backup), and, as time went by, got dizzy, but that was just from a long day and needing sleep.
Finally, got to bed around midnight, Wisconsin time. (I think they are 2 hours ahead of Seattle.) Set two alarms, unsure how tired I’d be.


Sat. - 2-26-11
The next day, ate my first hot meal (free breakfast!) and nearly cried I was so happy. (Yesterday, I mostly ate Pringles, turkey jerky, and other food I brought with me.) Finished packing up.
Got to know Kari as she drove me to the airport (then stuck around Madison until after my flight was scheduled to take off, just in case there was a delay - what an angel!)
Arrived way early for my flight. Wound up doing Sneetches in the airport for a woman from SC because it’s her favorite story. (Ever the performer.)
Had to walk the entire length of the Chicago airport to get to my gate. Lots of people flying in from Germany. On the final flight, chatted with my fellow passenger, snagged his phone number (since he’s from Dublin, in case I need to learn a Dublin accent), and told him The Giving Tree, because he’d never heard it before. He was lost in the story. Wonderful to experience.
Matt picked me up and then I collapsed for a few days. I can always go however long I need to for the performance, and then I’m totally spent, so sleep and rest for a while.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Dr. Seuss gig in Wisconsin - fun! Everyone wished the shows were longer. (And all the kids wanted an autograph.) Next! 2-11-11

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Packing and prepping for my Wisconsin Dr. Seuss Show Friday. Also prepping next newsletter. %-)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Prepping for my Dr. Seuss Stories gig in Wisconsin this Friday! And, of course, reheasing my little tail off.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

My wonderful webmistress just updated my website! Woo-hoo! www.DianeMatson.com

Monday, February 14, 2011

To err is human; to really foul things up takes a computer.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

May you feel extremely loved and appreciated this weekend!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

MORROW - feature - I play a hospice nurse - will be showing March 4, 6, 8 at Cinequest in San Jose, CA.
“Valentine’s Day is for women, not men. It’s all a big PR scam,” hubby said. I asked, "What guy doesn't love food and sex?!"

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Car fixed (free) - sold vintage jewelry to one assistant. Another wants my 50's jewelry. Gave her my card. She's a hiring producer! :-D

Saturday, February 5, 2011

FINALLY nailed memorization of "Green Eggs & Ham" (special request for a show I'm doing in Wisconsin end of this month). Whew!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Found $0.27 on ground, $0.61 in my change dispenser at the register, and $0.10 in an empty register change dispenser. Not bad!
Time is a great healer, but a lousy makeup artist.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes.
That way you're a mile away - and they’re barefoot.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The things that come to those that wait - are the things left behind by those who got there first.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Emptied trunk o' stuff at thrift shop, ran into a local reporter, snagged a Dr. Seuss Show flier and she's considering an interview!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

http://ping.fm/c7SMn - 2 elderly gents, talking about some fruit. Brilliant dialogue!
The only problem
with Haiku is that you just
get started and then

Monday, January 24, 2011

Dear God:
For 2011, all I ask for is a big fat bank account and a slim body.
Please do not mix up the two like you did last year.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Recited The Giving Tree for my masseuse. Made her cry. :-D (It's SUCH a good story, which is why I memorized and perform it.)
Just did a great show for a wonderful group of Seniors! Bit of my bio, flute, Seuss, Giving Tree, and Who Am I?

Friday, January 14, 2011

The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The early bird gets the worm; the early worm gets eaten.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Betty Dravis Interview with Deous, the WE WERE VAMPIRE director included a blurb about me!
http://tinyurl.com/277nmao

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A few hours of careful rehearsing snagged me a second role (v-over) in a feature.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Been web-learning about Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, my multi-great grandpa, who used creative PR to intro potatoes into the French diet.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.