She So Funny

 

 

 

I was a middle school boy in a scene from Greg Fuchs’ play “School Drill” in the BOOG City Arts Festival two Tuesdays ago.  It was fun for a few minutes to be a boy.  That night of the festival was in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  It is an interesting neighborhood.  To me, it seemed like a blend of the Bronx, the East Village, and the West Village.  Many food trucks, much colorful artwork on the brick buildings, and very lively. 

There’s no pay involved, but it was fun.  The weird part was I hadn’t realized this was for the BOOG Festival until I was there.  When I was asked to do this, though it was by the man who runs the festival, I thought this was a separate thing.  I was under the impression a friend of his, who teaches middle school in the Bronx and works with particularly challenging students, needed actors to perform in a play that he and his students wrote, but I didn’t connect that it was for the festival.  His class had read Anne Frank, the play, and then wrote their own scenes tied to confinement. 

 

Though I have not been accepting unpaid acting jobs due to my pathetic financial situation, this touched my heart.  I’m a Bronxite.  I spent several decades teaching adults who weren’t able to complete their basic education for many very different reasons.  One year, we also read Anne Frank.  It was very eye-opening for many.  So I agreed to do it.  I wanted his students to feel the magic of their words being acted out on stage.  I mistakenly assumed we were performing in the school for the students, parents, and staff.  However, there were no rehearsals, and it was being done in Brooklyn.  I was very puzzled.  

I tried to dress as a 12-year-old boy using whatever items I owned.  I even brought a jacket to cover any sign of boobage.  When I left my house, I realized I forgot to wear sneakers.  I had sandals on and red toenail polish.  I worried that middle school boys would torment their peer for looking like a girl.  I didn’t go back upstairs because I was afraid I was running late.  It turned out that I worried about many unnecessary things.  It was not at a school.  The play was written several years ago.  No middle school students would be there.  It was at a lovely performance space, IVY HOUSE STUDIO on Troutman Street, where most performers shared poetry and music.

 

That evening of the festival was hosted by the talented and beautiful Didi Champagne who also performed later with her band Blueberry High Heels.

 

Regarding health concerns, the specialist I met with was wonderful!  He introduced himself as Marc.  That was a first in my experience.  I am grateful he was who I saw.  Seemed like a beautiful human being.  The next step is I get another CT scan in February (instead of in a year).  Then we look at it again and decide if a biopsy should be done.  I am okay right now.  So let’s keep on having a good time as much as we can! 

 

 

Tremendous love to CGG-M  ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic, September 19, 2023

 

 

 

 

I planned to update you, readers, yesterday (since I am the Tuesday “She”), but the day in the heat and on too little sleep exhausted me.  So I’m here on Wednesday with my fan blowing in my direction.

 

Regarding last blog’s concerns, I am scheduled with a specialist for an intensive interview and a couple of more tests.  Thanks to those of you who expressed concern in emails and private messages.

 

I want to remind you of the beautiful and funny line-up for this Friday’s comedy show.

 

 

You can, if you choose, get tickets in advance here:

https://starvingartistci.square.site/product/friday-september-8-8-pm-almost-fall-comedy-show/56?cs=true&cst=custom&fbclid=IwAR3WPdUNZweXUVNvJvecVfcOcBDVswPz7vVHCH2s6ZfKQb32ZiITG6BDec0

 

Or you can pay at the end of the show at the venue.  Just get your tush there!

 

Yesterday, I had a new and interesting experience.  I was booked as a make-up model for a class where students learning to be make-up artists work on the model as their assignment for the evening.  I was paired with a lovely person named Bless.  From the initial hello, it felt good.  That makes all the difference to me.  The experience went well.  She showed concern for my comfort.  That makes me want to do my best, so she can do her best.  Her teacher was what I consider a good teacher – supportive, knowledgeable, and helpful, besides enjoying his job. 

 

The experience reminded me of many thinner years ago when I often posed for art classes.  That was harder and paid less.  But it was something where schedules could be flexible.  It served as a second job for me back in my mid-twenties.  Anyway, that whole thing is for another blog another time.

 

These students were given different assignments and they were given their models.  The teacher made the choices.  We, the models, were to show up wearing black clothing, no make-up, and nothing scented.

 

When I entered the classroom, the teacher said, “Clown.”  I and the rest of the class laughed.  The student with the clown assignment told me where to sit.  While my face was a canvas, people walked by and seemed very amused.  I couldn’t wait to see what I looked like.  When the work time was over, each model was seated on a director’s chair and the class observed while the teacher gave feedback to each student make-up artist.

 

Bless got a raving review.  That felt good.  But that is when I learned that ‘clown’ was only part of the assignment.  She was to make me look like an emaciated clown.  Since I am now overweight, it made me laugh.  However, it also made me understand why I looked like such an ugly clown.  That was the assignment, and she aced it.

 

 

Come to the Almost Fall Comedy Show and make this clown smile.

 

Great Comedy Show!

 

 

 

 

Constant love to CGG-M ❤💕❤

Mindy Matijasevic

September 6, 2023