Archive for the ‘Week 07’ Category
This is one of my favorite shots of the woods. I gave it some slight motion on a slow shutter. This gives it that dreamy feel. I know its not for everyone but I like the effect it gives. Let me know what you think!
This is the most recent draft of my one-act play, “God Bless Mom,” which recently finished its run as part of the Playwriting Project 2.011 at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse.
God Bless Mom
By Heather Ouellette-Cygan
Cast of Characters
Adrienne Baldwin: 46. Single mother. Harried. Smart but over-wrought. Sad. Small build. Dressed in end of the day business wear – untucked, hair untidy.
Lainey Baldwin: 17. Pretty. Over-achiever. Feigns happiness. Cannot admit when things are less than perfect. Wears neat sweater and jeans. Bookish-glasses.
Theodore Baldwin: 15. Handsome. Gay. Confident, yet somewhat shy. Wears sweatshirt and jeans.
The Time
The present. Fall. Early evening.
The Place
Interior of family kitchen in small New England town, Storrs, Connecticut.
Setting: The Baldwin family kitchen. A kitchen table with three chairs is center. A fourth chair at stage left is also visible, but separate from the table against a wall empty except for a lunch bag. The table is cluttered with a neglected plant as centerpiece, mail, magazines, homework – Theo’s school bag– keys, etc.
At Rise: It’s early evening. ADRIENNE is alone on stage talking on the telephone. She still has her purse over her shoulder and paces around the kitchen for most of the one-sided conversation.
Adrienne
(Into the phone.) Yeah, I had to work late. Again. (Pauses for a moment.) Yes, I know. I know. But what am I going to say? They need me and, quite frankly, I need the overtime. (She pauses again, listening. Makes an annoyed face. Responds.) I know dad offered to help out, Mom, but really, I’m trying my best to do this thing on my own. (Pauses) I have a social life. (Arguing.) No, really I do. I’ve got a date tonight.
(As Adrienne continues with her phone conversation, THEO enters from an interior door. He walks over to his mother and kisses her on the cheek.)
Adrienne
(Quietly with her palm over the mouthpiece of the telephone). It’s your grandmother.
Theo
(Over his mother’s shoulder, loudly) Hi, Grandma! (He and his mother share a smile.)
Adrienne
Yes, mom. It’s Theo. I’d better go. (Pauses to listen.) Love you, too. Talk to you soon. Good-bye. (Adrienne hangs up the phone.)
(During the following conversation, Theo should move around the kitchen, assembling a musical instrument or doing homework..)
Theo
So, tonight’s the big date, Mom? What time is this guy coming to pick you up?
Adrienne
This guy’s name is Jack and he’s coming to pick me up any minute now.
Theo
Aren’t you going to change out of your work clothes before he gets here? Put on something a little bit sexier?
Adrienne
That was my intention, but I had to work late tonight. Midterm grades are due, and they needed my help entering information. (Making a face and gesturing to her outfit.) Do I look okay?
Theo
(Glancing over his shoulder at his mom. He smiles.) You know you always look gorgeous to me, but you might want to comb your hair. It looks a little, um, frazzled. (He walks over, sandwich and drink in hand and sits with his mother.)
Adrienne
Well, it’s been a long day.
Theo
Mom, it’s your first date since dad left. You should’ve pampered yourself today. Taken the day off or something, not worked late.
Adrienne
You’re too good to me, sweetie.
(LAINEY enters through the outside door. She carries her backpack, a coffe and a purse. She seems annoyed.)
Theo
Hey, Lainey. How was the library?
Lainey
(As she plops her stuff around the kitchen.) Too noisy. I swear, if they don’t start enforcing the “shut the hell up you’re in the library rule” I’m going to freak out. I hardly got anything accomplished. Poe is going to have to wait until another day. Maybe I can look something up on the Tell-Tale Internet from the comfort of my own bedroom. (Glancing at Adrienne.) Don’t you have a date? (She sits at the table.)
Adrienne
Yes, I do. (To Theo) I suppose that’s a hint. I’ll go try and do something with my hair.
Theo
Aren’t you going to tell us about this guy who’s taking you out? I mean you always want to know everything about our friends. I think it’s only fair.
Lainey
Yeah, Mom. We’re used to the third degree. You could at least tell us this guy’s name. How you met him. And, um, Theo, what’s that thing Dad always asks me when (exaggerated) a gentleman caller comes to pick me up?
Theo
What his intentions are?
Lainey
Yes. That’s it.
Adrienne
Well, so far there’s not much to tell, right. His name is Jack –um- something. We met at the Honda dealership, while I was getting work done on the minivan.
Theo
So, he just chatted you up at the dealership? What a player. (He laughs.)
Lainey
Well, mom, too. Right? She can’t even remember the guy’s last name.
Adrienne
(Standing up from the table.) Wait. Well, okay, I do know it. It’s just that I don’t know how you guys are going to feel about me dating this particular Jack.
Lainey
(Confused.) What do you mean, this particular Jack?
Adrienne
Well his last name is Thompson and he works at your school. I guess my secret’s out now. I hope you don’t mind.
(Lainey and Theo slowly realize what their mother means and exchange worried glances.)
(Laughing nervously) I guess I had better make myself look a little more presentable for him and Verano’s Restaurant. (Adrienne stands up from the table and exits the kitchen.)
Lainey
It can’t be. Can it?
Theo
Just our luck. It’s got to be –
Lainey
(Interrupting) Our Mr. Thompson. Isn’t there some sort of rule about guidance counselors fraternizing with the parents of their students?
Theo
You’d think. I mean that guy knows all sorts of private and, and (snaps fingers trying to find word) –
Lainey
-Confidential –
Theo
Yeah. Confidential stuff about us. He shouldn’t be allowed to talk to our mother without a chaperone.
Lainey
(Sarcastically.) I doubt that either of us will be welcome on their date. What are we going to do?
Theo
What do you mean?
Lainey
I mean about our confidential stuff. I mean we’re not going to be on their date to kick Mr. Thompson under the table if he starts to go down the wrong conversational path.
Theo
Oh, yeah. I see what you mean. We won’t even be there to defend ourselves.
Lainey
Nope.
Theo
Wait. Maybe we could convince them to just go to a movie. Then they wouldn’t have much of a chance to talk to each other. What’s playing? Maybe we could suggest something.
Lainey
I doubt it. Mom said something about really looking forward to trying that new Italian restaurant. You know what that means.
Theo
Yes. Lots of talk between courses. Crap.
Lainey
And what are they likely to talk about? The superior longevity and gas mileage of Japanese automobiles? I doubt it.
Theo
It’s only natural they’ll start talking about us, isn’t it?
Lainey
I think so. I mean after the small talk has all been used up, what’s going to be left. (Exaggerated) Oh, I know. What screw-ups Adrienne’s perfect little kids are when they’re at school.
Theo
And the careful web of lies –
Lainey
-We’ve fabricated to protect our mother –
Theo
Will become completely unwoven.
Lainey
Like an old, itchy sweater Aunt Edna knitted for you. (Suddenly very serious; slamming hands on the table.) We need a plan.
Theo
We’ve got to tell her, before he does. Right? I mean, won’t it be better coming from us?
Lainey
Yes, you’re a genius, Theo. That way, we can put our own spin on it, rather than letting Mr. Thompson give his own biased account.
Theo
She’s going to find out eventually, anyway. I guess tonight’s as good a time as any. (Pauses thoughtfully.) You know if dad was still here –
Lainey
Yeah, I know. We wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.
Theo
But he’s not, so I guess we’ve got to tell her.
Lainey
I hope it doesn’t ruin her date though. You know. I mean, it’s the first time she’s been out with a guy–
Theo
Since dad left.
Lainey
And with his wedding coming up this December.
Theo
And the new baby.
Lainey
She deserves a little fun. What luck that she’s going to have it with a person who knows our deepest secrets.
Theo
This sucks.
Lainey
Yes, it does, and now we have to pull up the floorboards and dig out all the severed limbs.
Theo
What?
(ADRIENNE in a new outfit and tidied hair enters.)
Lainey
(Noticing that Adrienne is back; to Theo) Never mind. (To Adrienne) Hey, mom.
Adrienne
(Modeling her new look.) Better?
Theo
Much. That frazzled office look is so last year.
Lainey
The hair’s a big improvement. (Glances at Theo.)
Theo
So, um, mom, Lainey and I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things.
Adrienne
(Smiling, but unknowingly.) This sounds kind of serious. You think it can wait until after my date? I think Jack’ll be here any minute now.
Theo
(Glancing at Lainey.) I think it would be best if we told you now.
Lainey
Yeah, Mom. There are a couple of things that have been going on at school recently and we-
Theo
We haven’t told you yet, cause, well, because – (looks to Lainey)
Lainey
You’ve been so busy-
Theo
And sad –
Lainey
Since Dad.
Theo
Left.
Adrienne
Oh, you really are serious. What’s going on you guys? Now you’ve got me concerned.
Lainey
I guess I’ll start. Rip this proverbial band-aid right the heck off. Mom, I’ll just say this directly. I got caught cheating on my SATs and now I’m in danger of not being able to re-take them.
Adrienne
You cheated? Why, Lainey? You’re a straight A student. You could ace that thing.
Lainey
I know that now, mom. But on the day of the test, I panicked. Just on the math part. I was rechecking this problem, this really tough algebra equation, and I got a different answer than the first time. The new answer I came up with, it was also a choice. I looked up at Mr. Humpreys, you know that calculus teacher who is like ninety-eight years old? (Adrienne nods.)
Theo
That guy is pretty darned old.
Lainey
Well, anyway, he was proctoring, and he didn’t seem to be paying any attention. He was just sitting up at the desk, reading his newspaper. So, I took out my cell phone and went on line to see if I could find the solution to the equation. Apparently, Mr. Humpreys was paying attention and he even seemed to take personal offense, because I was caught cheating at his subject.
Adrienne
What did he do?
Lainey
He totally freaked out. Took my test booklet and answer sheet and ripped them up right in front of everyone. Screamed at me to get out. It was pretty embarrassing.
Adrienne
What’s going to happen to you? That’s a pretty important test. The College Board must take someone caught cheating on their tests pretty seriously.
Theo
They’re not going to do anything. Right, Lainey? The College Board doesn’t go after kids who are caught cheating. Only the adults.
Adrienne
What about the school?
Lainey
They’re still working on it, but last I heard, they were considering trying to prevent me from retaking it. Which means, I’d –
Adrienne
You’d have no SAT scores to include with your college applications. Lainey, this is serious. You’ve never done anything like this before.
Theo
It’s not such a big deal though. I mean I hear that like fewer colleges are requiring SAT scores. And more schools are joining that list every year. Actually, Mr. Thompson told me that. So, it’s really just the humiliation of getting caught. Lainey –
Adrienne
(Interrupting) That’s not really the point though. Is it, Theo? Lainey cheated. Lainey, why didn’t you tell me? You have always told me everything.
Lainey
I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t want to disappoint you. Life’s been disappointing enough lately, and I just didn’t want to be added to that list.
Adrienne
Lainey, you’ve certainly made a mistake, and I am disappointed. But you could never be a disappointment to me. You should know that. God. (Sighs.)
Lainey
I guess I should know that, Mom. I’m sorry. (She touches her mother’s hand.)
Adrienne
(Looking down at their hands) I think it’s going to take some time to digest this one. On to the next then. (To Theo.) Well, okay. Theo? You had something to tell me, too?
Theo
(Nervously) My turn already?
Lainey
It’s only fair.
Theo
Okay, Mom, remember that black eye that I got at the beginning of the school year?
Adrienne
(Nodding yes) You said you walked into a locker in the hallway.
Theo
Well, not exactly. See, this guy at school was harassing me. Calling me faggot and homo and stuff like that.
Adrienne
At school?
Theo
Yeah. He kept waiting for me at my locker. So, after a couple of weeks of this, I got fed up. I pushed him. Told him he was right. Then he punched me in the face.
Adrienne
(Upset) I can’t believe no one told me about this. Lainey, did you know?
Lainey
Mom, the whole school knew.
Theo
And, so, we both got suspended. Me just for one day, him for a week.
Adrienne
Suspended? Doesn’t the school usually notify the parents when a student gets suspended?
Lainey
They do. (Hesitatingly) And dad went in to the meeting.
Adrienne
(Becoming increasingly more upset.) Dad! What about me? Aren’t they supposed to contact me, too?
Theo
Um, they did. It’s just that we intercepted the messages here. Erased them before you got home from work.
Adrienne
I can’t believe this. (Pauses considering news for a moment) Wait. Theo, you said you told that kid who was bullying you he was right? Right about what exactly?
Theo
Okay, well I was kind of hoping we’d, ah, breezed over that part.
Lainey
Just tell her, Theo. Rip off the band-aid.
Theo
Mom, I’m gay.
Adrienne
What? What about Libby?
Theo
How many times have I told you, Mom? Libby and I are just best friends.
Lainey
Come on, Mom. Not to stereotype gay people or anything, but all the signs were there. Lady Gaga. Skinny jeans. Drama club.
Theo
And the scarves. Don’t forget the scarves.
Adrienne
I just thought you were the artistic type. I guess a mother should have a better sense of these things. (Slowly realizing) Wait. Does dad know about this, too?
Theo
Uh, well. It all came out at the meeting.
Adrienne
And the kids at school?
Theo
I guess most of them.
Adrienne
But not me. This is big news, Theo. I can’t believe that you didn’t feel you could share it with me. Were you afraid of how I’d react? Because, you know I love you, no matter what.
Theo
I guess I did know that. It’s just hard to say something like this to your mom. And you were so sad. And then so busy with work and school. I didn’t want to make things worse.
Adrienne
So, you’re only telling me this now, because you were afraid that Jack would tell me first? So, he knows. And your father. But not me. I can’t believe this. I’m not made of glass! I’ve been here the whole time, but you’ve both shut me out. (Pauses then to Lainey) Destroying your chances for college? (To Theo) Coming out of the closet and fighting? Me, in the dark? I don’t think I can handle this deception. If anything is going to break me, it’s the lies. Your dad’s the one who left us, and you chose to tell him? Him!
Theo
I know, Mom. We’re really sorry.
Adrienne
I don’t know if sorry is going to fix this. You kids have really been going out of your way to protect me, haven’t you? This is a problem.
Lainey
We love you mom. We just want to see you happy again. We didn’t think exposing you to our teen drama would help with that.
Adrienne
Well, maybe not, but hiding things from me certainly didn’t help. I can’t go out now. We’ve got to figure out what to do about this. Your need to protect me, I mean.
Theo
Mom, no! We didn’t mean to ruin your date.
Lainey
Yes. If you don’t go because of us, that will make all of our efforts to protect you a waste of time.
Adrienne
I can’t just flounce out of here with some guy, when my children have just told me all this news. What kind of a mother would I be then?
Theo
Mom, we’re fine. You have to go. If you don’t, we’ll both feel terrible.
Lainey
It’s true mom. And, besides, you don’t have time to call and cancel. You don’t want to be rude to our guidance counselor, do you?
Adrienne
I don’t know. I don’t feel right about leaving in the middle of all of this. We have a lot to figure out. Your dad. All of it.
Lainey
And it will all still be here tomorrow. We can talk about it then. After you’ve told us about how great your date was.
Theo
Yeah, mom. It’s not like our problems won’t be here to talk about in the morning.
Adrienne
Well, I’m not sure. I think-
The doorbell rings. Adrienne, Theo and Lainey exchange glances, then look over to the empty chair at stage left. Lights dim, except for one that remains on the separated chair. It slowly fades.
The End
I made this picture last week:
I was inspired by this photo of Bolivian street graffiti (via):
La Paz, Bolivia - "The government pisses on us and the press says it's raining."
It’s ridiculously simple and it feels like something I would have done in high school, but I like it. I have no idea why I changed “press” for “media.” I actually like “press” more but I didn’t realize I’d changed it until after I was finished. I could still change it but I doubt I will. I’m pretty lazy about these sorts of things.
Flyinglesson 7
Not to walk!
Today I decided, a little half-heartedly, to maybe take a break.
Then at work, after about two hours out in the drizzle, I decide that a little rain can’t stop me from giving myself a gift of love.
But then, in the end, it becomes easier not to walk. I’ve got so many other things to do.
That’s when I get a total brain confusion.
Shoulds and should nots and guilt and anger and cowardice and demands and confusion and what would the world be like if everyone did it like you? and if you don’t do what you should! and keeping your promises, and so on and so on.
So that was a well needed lesson.
One day you don’t walk and it’s no big deal you just walk again the next day as usual.
Still so difficult to comprehend.
To just be, without that constant thinking.
In a confused world up and down becomes the same
so I was kind of going for warehouse chiq with the white wash and carchoal feel here- it says – These are the printed photos from last week on canvas- Note the California Raisins are hanging out over the word coexist 🙂
Drawing to go with a story I am starting
My g/f and I are starting a story that will include various illustrations throughout. More on this to come.
I am really excited about this story. I apologize for the quality of the image; my scanner is broken and I am using my camera.
Cheers!
Oh damn, week 7 already? Geez. Well another random image instead of a Ghost Story page. I was thinking about making this into my June desktop wallpaper, but we’ll see how far I can work it. Done in Illustrator, pulled into Photoshop. Foot/sitting model from deviantART stock images (http://ohnostock.deviantart.com/art/foot-1-8693641).
Domino Clock
materials: vinyl record, clock kit, dominoes, super glue, spray paint, "grip-it" shelf liner
I had so much fun making a clock for my Week 6 submission that I thought I would have another go at it. The clock face is a vinyl record I picked up in a free bin at a record store in Portland, ME. I wanted it to have a carbon fiber effect, so I covered it with a sheet of shelf liner (the kind with the little square holes) and hit it with white spray paint. The dominoes were 99 cents at a thrift store in Fryeburg, ME; we frequent that store quite a bit because they donate all their proceeds to the Fryeburg Animal Shelter. The clock kit had gold hands, but I didn’t like the way they contrasted with the rest of the piece, so I spray painted the hour and minute hands black and brushed some leftover red acrylic on the second hand.
The finished movie Because You Were Home : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIXri8BRrlE
My first run, sketching with my tablet...
Some of my first pencil sketch’s back in the early 80’s when I was learning to draw faces.
Pencil Sketch By Shar 1983
Pencil Sketch By Shar 1984
A new interactive TGAP: submit your ideas about what these two could possibly be saying by posting in the comments section below.
I will review the many (I hope) suggestions and pick my favorite. The winner will receive a copy of this comic with their captions, via “snail mail”. Yay!
TwinGeekz Artz Project 