Kamikaze book purging.

I'm going through my collections of books and DVDs and CDs and figuring out what to keep and how to pack 'em up and where to send them... and what to part ways with. I'm particularly paring down what has become a rather large book collection. There are a lot that I haven't cracked in years. So as I dive in and separate the keepers from the ones I'll be donating, I find that I've got to strike a balance between being relentless and being careful not to ditch something that will prove helpful in the future (or something that has sentimental value). When it comes to illustration books, my work has focused a bit and some how-to books aren't as necessary. And folios of certain artists are still nice to look at, but they don't inform my work as I once thought they would.


There are many reasons I've acquired these books. I have to look at each book and decide if those reasons still serve my purposes and enrich my life. And some have been given to me by family and dear friends, so I want to hang on to these. But there are many in this crazy collection that will be going places. The children's books will be going to a kids charity. I'm trying my best to find a home for the illustration books. I've unsuccessfully tried to get in contact with local arts libraries. Hopefully I'll find a place worthy of these great resources. If not, I'll have to be okay where they do land.

I've never been much of a hobby reader. I'm more of a hobby doodler (and theatre enthusiast), and my book collection informs that. Without reading too much (ha... punny) into this downsizing it's a little like getting rid of old friends. It's a good thing I don't have to do this with my actual friends. Ha!

So, I've got to get back to my book purging. So much to do! Take care, all! Peace and love.

Packing.

There's something that's incredibly exhilarating about weeding through old files and getting rid of clothes not being used any more. And a second look at collections of books and DVDs and CDs and art supplies allows the seldom-used to find better homes. It's a good thing to purge the belongings occasionally, and if this were just a periodic downsizing, I'd be nothing but thrilled at my proactiveness. But this purge comes attached to the end of a chapter. I'm very proud of this chapter and I'm excited about the new chapter, but the transition is a little sad. I find that the time I've allotted to putting stuff in boxes is the time I most want to spend time on Facebook or drive around the neighborhood or even take a road trip. I'm getting a little blue about leaving my stomping grounds of almost twenty years. But it's time to make a change. And I don't need to purge my friends. They're all coming with me. Okay... just in my mind's eye and my heart (and via e-mail and Facebook and the phone), but they're coming with me all the same. Where's that roll of tape?

I'm moving.

I've been gradually getting the word out, but boy do I know a lot of people! I'm so incredibly grateful for so many wonderful folks in my life, but it's a daunting task to get important info disseminated to everybody in a personal way. So while it's a little less than classy, I've been using Facebook and here I am on the blog.

I'm moving to New York City. It's a change I've contemplated for quite a few years, but as the artwork gets stronger word of mouth and more opportunities reveal themselves, it seems as though it's about time to focus my energies on and in the Broadway community. It also might be a good and adventurous thing to broaden the audition net. It's an adventure and there are so many possibilities.

So... I'm thrilled that work will gradually catapult me eastward. My friend Roger Bean has offered me a part in his Route 66 at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. February 2nd, I'll drive to Oregon to leave the car with my folks and then I'll fly to Milwaukee to begin rehearsals on February 9th. The show opens March 6th and closes on May 9th, and then my stuff and I will land in NYC.

Change is hard. I've got my apprehension and worries. I don't know where I'll be living in NY, and I don't know entirely how I'll be making a living. But then I realize I have three months and many resources to find a place, and there are so many possibilities already in the works for paying the rent. Whenever I think of how much I have to worry about, I remind myself how resourceful I am and that I'm not alone. I have so many angels on my side. Change is good.

So here's a random sampling of some of the things on my immense to-do list this month:
• Packing boxes to ship to Milwaukee.
• Packing boxes to store with the folks.
• Packing boxes and bags of donations to Goodwill.
• Packing suitcases for the flight to Milwaukee.
• Learning how to erase the hard drives of two old computers I'm donating.
• Finding the easiest and cheapest way to shred old files.
• Learning the guitar I'm supposed to play in Route 66.
• Learning the music for one last reading I'll be taking part in on February 1st.
• Meeting up with folks to say "goodbye for now."
• Getting ahead on my weekly art postings and commissions.
And much more. Lots to do!

And, boy, I'm going to miss my LA peeps! I've been in California for almost twenty years which is longer than I lived in the state in which I was born and raised. It's a wonderful thing that the internet has made the world so small. And I've got to keep reminding myself that it's just as easy to fly back to the west coast as it has been to visit the east coast. There are so many folks I treasure here. Some of the e-mails and calls I've already received have been so amazing. And I received an anonymous piece of mail today that included a free pass to the Huntington Library and Gardens and a note that said, "Thought you might enjoy an afternoon of sunshine and flowers before you head east." Wow! I'm so grateful for this chapter as I move on to a new one.

So best wishes of peace and love go out to you all in 2010. There's adventure to be had out there. Go find some!

Update: Squigs interview on BroadwayWorld.com...

As I mentioned yesterday Don Grigware's interview with me is indeed up on the Los Angeles section of BroadwayWorld.com. Click HERE to see it.

More Squigs around the interwebs...

Hey all! It was a beautiful day here in Los Angeles, capped off with an amazing sunset. I took a break from all my toiling and split the early part of the day between church, a movie, and a bite to eat at a favorite haunt. The Oinkster in Eagle Rock (Classy name, huh?) will be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the 18th, so I wanted to drop in before the crowds are too crazy. I really enjoyed The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. I really dig Terry Gilliam's wild visions, and it was really interesting to see how they worked around Heath Ledger's absence. Crazy story about the world not wanting to hear stories any more (and a deal with the devil... as played by Tom Waits). And now I'm at the desk working to tie up many loose ends on the to-do list... e-mails, minor art fixes, paperwork, and planning for the coming week. Argh.


But as I procrastinate, here are a couple of nifty news items. First off, I was contacted by the Stephen Sondheim Society in England asking me about using one of my pieces to help promote an amazing concert that will celebrate Steve's 80th birthday and will raise funds for a charity benefiting children with cancer. Click on the image and look at that lineup. Wow! I'm SO happy to be able to help a little.

And I've been featured in an interview. Don Grigware is a local reviewer here in LA. The interview currently appears on his blog (click HERE to see), but early next week it will also be seen on BroadwayWorld.com since Don is a LA correspondent for that website. I'll post that link when it's available. Thanks, Don!

Now, this coming week must bring oodles of productivity. Lots to do! I rarely give thanks that I'm unemployed, but this would be one of the occasions. So, for now... take care, loved ones! Peace and love to you.