Friday, May 6, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
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I've been coming to Puerto Vallarta for about four years and not until now have I bothered to visit nearby Yelapa. Always meant to but just never got around to actually doing it. It's only accessible by boat. So...I got up and took the 10am speedy water taxi over to the real “sleepy town” village: Yelapa. Tourism industry likes to evoke romantic notions of Vallarta as a peaceful "fishing village" but - ha! - it hasn't been that for twenty years! Yelapa, though, is still a sleepy town and a good respite from the partying bustle here scene.
Curious vacationers find Yelapa is full of tranquility and quiet. It consists of a small road (no buses or cab drivers!), lush reachable jungle, and waterfalls. The nearest waterfall is a mere 20min walk from the beach along a winding (mostly) cobble stone path --- and it’s worth the small effort it takes to reach it. A beautiful baby waterfall (cascada in Spanish) adorned by picturesque jungle with a quiet refreshment bar and bathrooms nearby. Take a cold dip in its pool. It’s the perfect ‘adventure’ from your vacation pampering.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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Earlier this month I put on and performed my very own play, called “When Grandma Returns,” a work in three acts. It was an immensely satisfying experience because my words were brought to life and because the audience applauded enthusiastically -- and, oh, because the play almost didn’t happen.
Writing it (which took me all of seven days) was the easy part. But putting it on - ha! - was the hard part. It was like the universe conspired against me and attracted drama before the drama. First there was the important matter of actors (casting call was a bust and then those who agreed to do it flaked out), and the people I’d asked for financial contributions contributed nothing so that I paid for all publicity out of pocket, then there was the crucial matter of rehearsals (we hadn’t any until two days prior to showtime) on top of which the operators of the original auditorium proved uncooperative and, to put it un-theatrically, full of shit; and three days before opening night a principal player, perhaps thee principal player as the story revolves around him, flaked out like the others, leaving me to drastically, yet ingeniously, re-write 98% lines and stage directions. I was vexed and near hopeless but I was hell bent on putting on my play. And I did!
I performed for one like I was performing for 100
I found another venue, a cabaret bar, with four days to go. Whew! We ran for two nights. On opening night I had a handsome-sized audience but no lighting technician (bar didn’t inform him of my show) so it was very “hands-on.” On the second night we played to an audience of one, not counting the bemused staff, but had the lighting technician -- and it was a better show than the previous night. I performed for the one like I was performing for 100 audience members and there was never a break of character or missed cue!
click here for pics
click here for pics
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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Here is a telling article about the "security" measures being quickly implemented in American airports. They are feckless, useless, intrusive, time-consuming and over-the-top...but it's the human personnel that are worse: Security screeners shout at travellers and are curt to the point you want to punch their big mouths. TSA apparently hires from the bottom of the job pool. The lowly employees they hire wouldn't and couldn't stop a terrorist if one were going through the line because smoke-and-mirrors and shouting is no match against the real thing. Read on:
Here is a telling article about the "security" measures being quickly implemented in American airports. They are feckless, useless, intrusive, time-consuming and over-the-top...but it's the human personnel that are worse: Security screeners shout at travellers and are curt to the point you want to punch their big mouths. TSA apparently hires from the bottom of the job pool. The lowly employees they hire wouldn't and couldn't stop a terrorist if one were going through the line because smoke-and-mirrors and shouting is no match against the real thing. Read on:
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