Adventure #5: Check It!

So, funny story!

Once upon a day last month, I wrote a check for a large amount of money but told the receiver of the check to wait a week to take it to the bank, because I didn't know how much money was in my checking account and promised I would be sure there was enough money in it. They complied.

I was SOOOO EXCITED!!! I had written my first check! even though I've had a checking account for about a year....or something. I felt like a grown up! HOT HOT HOT! And plus, now I had the chance to go talk to the fun bank tellers! They're always so nice.

However, my sister told me I could transfer funds from my savings to my checking online, so I tried that but couldn't find my checking account.

OFF TO THE BANK!!!!!!

I explained to the teller (a chill, Hispanic young woman with a sweet, sassy attitude I could befriend) that I wanted to transfer funds into my checking account.  She looked it up but only found my savings.

"Are you sure you have a checking?" she asked.

"Um, yeah," I sassed. "I opened one a long time ago. I've already written a check, so I better have one."

"Nuh-uh, really?" she said.

"Yeah, I have a checkbook."

"Are the checks in your name?"

"Yeppers. It's in my car. Do you want me to go get it?"

"Yeah, let's take a look."

I flopped away and brought in the book full of checks with my name and address on them. She searched again and still couldn't find a checking account.

"So, I've been wandering around with checks in my name but with no account?" I confirmed.

"It looks like it," she replied.

"Nice!"

Finally, the problem was solved when one of the bank managers helped me open a checking....again! Apparently, whoever I originally talked to ordered the checks but forgot to set up the account.

So, the moral of the story today, children, is that you don't need a checking account to write and own checks in your name.

Adventure #4: The Little Prince Personality

I have, what some may call, a Prince Personality. It seems to be genetic as the same characteristics can be found in two of my nieces (both are from different siblings of mine; one from a brother and the other from my sister) and a female cousin, though I have found it existent in some of my friends. A particular friend, a recurring companion of mine at my university, exhibits this personality to such a degree that at nineteen years old she reminds people of Giselle from Disney's Enchanted, which is helped by her strawberry blond hair.

Such personalities are more common among girls, but some boys do possess similar qualities. It is most easily seen in children, and some aspects of life perspective slough away with maturity, due to established social systems or other pursued interests, but most often the core of the personality stays with the person.

I would like to share a portrait of this personality, of which I will reference as a Prince, though a similar sketch can go for a Princess, as well. Much of what will be mentioned can be seen in other personalities to a degree but demonstrated will be the core values of this particular kind of personality. I mostly speak from my own experience.

Princes are most distinguishable by their soft- and tender-hearts. They are the most gentle and loving of beings. It is true that critical words can be damaging and hurtful to anyone. However, a harsh tone or cruel rejection can destroy a Prince. His sense of self and enthusiastic spirit for life die. He holds everything close to his heart and can eventually heal but slowly. It is common for him to connect with the vulnerable but leading character of a story, such as Winnie-the-Pooh or Cinderella. A Prince is easily reduced to tears, from fearful experiences but also from sympathy, gratitude, and love. He rarely allows others to see this, though, as he worries it would burden them.

A Prince will quietly maintain an air or impression of class and is naturally attracted to elegance. Often, he is seen as prim, especially in his desire to demonstrate immaculate presentation of self, quarters, and possessions. This sense will lead him to connect with classy figures, such as Audrey Hepburn or Prince William (son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles). Many general people are also attracted to these figures for their sense of class or from the general people's fascination with fame and royalty, but the Prince naturally views them as potential cohorts.

Obviously, the Prince is a dreamer personality. He is always in a dream, living in his own world. He is incredibly imaginitive. His dream, however, is not of selfishness. He does not live in his world for the sake of self-conceit. His dreams are filled with positive interactions with and from those he admires and loves. Some of his dreams are so close to his heart he would never dare share them with anyone. Most often these dreams are of his love interest.

When given opportunity to play companion to a love interest in the real world, he holds them at a high degree of importance and consideration, as also demonstrated in his long dreams dedicated to them. He feels for his love deeply and with complete commitment. Indeed, the mere presence of his love can be reward enough to please him. As a vulnerable/passive being, the Prince is not natural at forwardly establishing a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. However, if a commital agreement is not made, even by word of mouth, then the Prince may allow time and attention to other interests or callers, even if he has already spent time with one that particularly catches his interest. Rarely will he brave to be the one to dictate such a distinction, even if he desires it. For all he knows, such a relationship pronouncement may be seen as inconvenient in his love interest's view. He has a much easier time with the marriage proposal and wedding, as those are follow-up to what is already initiated.

When color coded, a Prince is a White personality, or peace-maker. He values positive, safe social interaction above all else. Never does he say or do something to purposely harm. At times, there is a slip of tongue or mistake of action, and when these are realized as a mistake, the Prince has not only offended the communicative receiver but also himself. Rudeness cannot be tolerated. To receive outside punishment at this time is torturous and emotionally dangerous for a Prince, due to his paining realization of his dreadful folly. He knows no enemy and is friend to all. To be made an enemy by returned harsh words, silent treatment, or other punishments is emotionally unbearable, as he will become disappointed in himself for the strong offense against his intense values.

This is not to say that the Prince does not speak or act boldly. When he feels something is to be said or done, he will do it but for the cause he holds as right. Likely, he is scared out of his pants to make a statement but still takes an uncomfortable courageous risk. He desires to teach or share and will not excuse himself, though he hopes his communicative recipient is open and truly receptive of his view, for to act in bold manner is only done out of greatest love for his recipient. A bold act is to open the Prince to a state of vulnerability, for if the recipient retaliates, he faces strong emotional disappointment, as previously discussed (especially since he holds everything he does and stands for close to his heart). He would not take such a risk were it not for the sake of love.

There is a point of contradiction for the Prince (as there is contradiction in every personality). Though he maintains a prim, classy, and mild countenance, his friendliness leads him to be a boisterous player of fun, which can become immensely silly. The Prince loves this side of himself but only allows it if he feels emotionally safe. That is not to say that if he does not show it to you he does not like you. He is incredibly intuitive and simply does not feel like such behavior may be right or proper for the situation or setting. He just may not be in the mood, though the Prince holds this part of himself in high importance. For some, this is the most common side of the Prince they see. Most of his antics are harmless poking of fun. He does allow room for some light "rudeness," or sarcasm, in his display of comedy, but he never means what he says (or else he would not say it, as it would offend him). It is intended without the slightest trickle of vehemence. He simply has an eye for wit, irony, and the naturally ridiculous. His intuition allows others to express the same sense of sarcasm, but he will become offended if he senses true rudeness and disrespect.

Another contradiction is that his occasional boldness can sometimes play with his humor when he views something as ridiculous, giving him a sassy quality, at times.

The Prince holds his values in high regard and places them close to his heart. Simply, he is a natural lover and wants to share that love.

Of course, there is much more to the personality, but these are some basic aspects of it.

Suggested reading:

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry
which also can be found here:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/littleprince/frames.html

Adventure #3: Arrested for BUI

I have always had a knack for blantantly stating things that others would consider inappropriate, particularly relating to bodily functions. I've tried to get better as I grow up, but still, I post things on Facebook or state things to my friends, like, "I had a bowel movement this morning." Honestly, what is there to be said to that? I wouldn't know what to say if I was in a sober mood and someone told me that (but when that has happened, I often celebrate with them). I find this to be known as Being Unnecessarily Inappropriate, or BUI.

Like diarrhea, there are typically no warning signs of BUI.  It just shoots out, often making a splattery mess, depending on your environment. Some people are more accepting of BUI, either casually overlooking it or lightly cleaning it up with a further joke. Others take the time to discipline or correct the offender in the same tone they would correct a puppy who had an accident on the carpet. Therefore, to scold in this manner serves no one, as the offender will simply continue thinking about the bodily functions of that puppy.

Much of the cause of BUI is honesty, though much of it can cross over to the realm of Too Much Information, or TMI. What most people overlook is that BUI can have its benefits. Recently, I told a friend that if she felt like she was becoming robotic in her acting audition, all she will have to do is fart. Farting is a very human behavior. It is a function of life and should therefore make her audition feel more natural and humanistic. It would be honest.

BUI seems to be a lifelong condition. However, there are different degrees in which one can be affected. Some are so far gone that possibility of normal interaction with others seems hopeless, but most are able to overcome and function more appropriately. No one is ever completely cured, though. After all, when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Adventure #2: Yo, Ga...Or How to See God (and Elves) and Be Happy

This semester I had a yoga class that was specialized for actors and covered Alexander Technique. At first, I didn't like the position of prana yama—I hated it, in fact. We started sitting in its position for five minutes, and as the semester progressed, we went for 10 and then 15 minutes. It was a lot like this:



ABSOLUTE TORTURE!!! I had so much trouble sitting still.  I knew that I had reached my limit (which eventually was at seven minutes) when my body would start to shake, particularly my arms. Nearly everytime I prana yama-ed I had the impulse to fall over and roll around on the floor, to which I occasionally complied when the time was up for the position. Further, we were instructed to breathe deep and concentrate our thoughts on breathing. This also proved troublesome as my mind worked as such:

"Think about breath. I am thiiiiiinking about my breath. Breathe deep....like they were teaching in Vocal Techniques. I wonder if this will also help with singing. I like where I sit in that class. I'm so glad there's an elevator in the Tanner Building. I nearly die having to climb up the stairs when leaving Richards. It's so gorgeous outside. BREATH. Yes, thinking about breath. Air coming in, and out. Trees make oxygen. I love trees. They're especially beautiful this time of year. I like their green!..." etc. etc.

Eventually, with lots of practice, I would get so focused on prana yama that Elves would come and do strange things to me while I was in concentration. I set up a camera to catch them in their mischief:

I didn't quite catch them amidst the action, but you can see what kind of silliness they do. I tried another day:

Failed, again, so I reset the camera for another attempt, but the little pests went even further:

Okay, so I never caught them to prove that it really was elves, but obviously something crazy was going on.

Anyway, as I've grown more accustomed to prana yama and other yoga stuff, I have noticed incredible BENEFITS from it. It's not so much an irritant to do, but it actually can be quite fun when I focus on the process, as prescribed by my professor (who was a hoot; he helped prana yama and yoga become more tolerable, especially as he would joke at the beginning of our prana yama time by flashing his hands out at the class, as if he were casting a spell, and proclaim, "Now, see God!!"; our final in the class was juggling two balls with one hand, as juggling also helps with focus and process-orientation).

General benefits that also have crossed over into my acting is a stronger focus on the present and enjoying the process of accomplishing what is happening rather than the finished product. The focus of yoga is spinal health, and from this, I've felt more stable and sure as a physical being. I feel my existence and feel more whole. I am deliberate. Another benefit is the release of physical/emotional tension (which are correlated; you feel emotions in your body, after all; why shouldn't they be connected?). From this, I am more physically free and openly expressive. A felt emotion is more commonly released through expression.

Overall, I feel I can say I've been much happier this semester, as I've learned something that helps me feel more peace and that releases emotional crap that I've gathered from the past or that I feel during my day and choose not to express, whether because it is not fitting the scenario or because I feel the results would be negative or unnecessary (or obviously rude—and therefore, unnecessary and negative). I'm not so much worried about what others think or how they may perceive me. I don't have those worries as much, anyway, as I get older, but even still, those worries have dropped even more. I don't need to worry about whether something is going to make me popular or well-liked or any of those sorts of things. My value can come from within myself, but of course, this is most often benefited from serving others but is not dependent on the praise of people.

I've even found a song I really like by Chantal Kreviazuk called "Weight of World." As I've come to understand its meaning, I've tried to live by it, and life is wonderful. I hope you enjoy it:

Robyn and Best Dance Recording

Robyn

Previously, I ran my picks for Grammy nominations, and delightfully, about half/two-thirds (who?knows) of my picks were actually nominated. Some artists were nominated in the category I put them in but for a different work. There were some happy surprises, though, like Sara Bareilles's nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "King of Anything," which I had hoped would be nominated for the category but had my doubts. She does an amazing job with it, but I do love the song itself, having retorted some of the lines myself before the song was ever released. I also had predicted Norah Jones's "Chasing Pirates" in the same category but forgot when I created my list.

Anyway, one of my favorite categories is Best Dance Recording. I love good electronic/dance music, and checking the nominees each year is always a fun way to find new stuff of quality. This year's nominees are:

Rocket

Goldfrapp

Alison Goldfrapp & Will Gregory, producers; Mark 'Spike' Stent, mixer

Track from: Head First

[Mute]

 

In For The Kill

La Roux

Elly Jackson & Ben Langmaid, producers; Serban Ghenea & John Hanes, mixers

Track from: La Roux

[Cherrytree/Interscope/Polydor/Big Life]

Dance In The Dark

Lady Gaga

Fernando Garibay & Lady Gaga, producers; Robert Orton, mixer

Track from: The Fame Monster

[Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope]

 

Only Girl (In The World)

Rihanna

Kuk Harrell, Stargate & Sandy Vee, producers; Phil Tan & Sandy Vee, mixers

[Island Def Jam]

 

Dancing On My Own

Robyn

Patrik Berger & Robyn, producers; Niklas Flyckt, mixer

Track from: Body Talk Pt. 1

[Konichiwa Records/Cherrytree/Interscope]

They are all phenomenal, of course, and I would urge anyone to experience them. There are even interesting tidbits on the nominations. All the tracks nominated are from female vocalists (a first for the category). Lady Gaga's "Dance in the Dark" was only released as a promo single, and Gaga is the only American nominated. Goldfrapp and La Roux are both female/male duos from the UK, while Robyn and Rihanna are soloists from Sweden and Barbados, respectively. Goldfrapp's Head First and La Roux's La Roux are nominated for Best Electronic/Dance Album, while Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster is nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album. Rihanna's "Only Girl (In The World)" is the most soulful we've heard her. "Rocket," "In For The Kill," and "Dancing On My Own" all play with a production sound reminiscent of the 80s.

If I were a member of the Academy, though, my vote for Best Dance Recording would be for Robyn's "Dancing On My Own." All the nominees sound amazing and perform in manners fitting their songs, but Robyn's performance is so honest to the point of vulnerability. Bravo! The listener can hear the internal tragedy conveyed through her voice. It is magical and does wonders for the track. Previously, I had investigated Robyn because of urgings from Facebook ads. I heard "Dancing on My Own" and "Hang With Me" and loved both of them, feeling like one of them will probably be nominated, but when it came time to pick my choice for nominations, I couldn't decide between the two and eventually forgot about it. I hadn't previously had time to really investigate much of her, though, due to schoolwork. Another track I really liked was "Handle Me." "Konichiwa Bitches" is an interesting listen with a hilariously crazy music video. Anyway, she's amazing and even had a stint of popularity in the US in the mid 90s with "Do You Know (What It Takes)" and "Show Me Love." Check her out!