Agency

I want a literary agent.

Type that sentence. in Google and see what strange results you find! (Maybe I should have clicked 'I'm Feeling Lucky' - next time, for sure...)

Meanwhile, if you're from William Morris, Random House, or The Firm, and you're actually reading this, get in touch! I have lovely lovely things for you. 

You too, Oprah. My novel will DEFINITELY be one of your favourite things...

What's Going On

So, for those of you in far-flung places who couldn't make it to see the show at UCLA, here's some photos from it, on Picasa...

The show was a set of three Modern Noh Plays by Yukio Mishima, translated & directed by yours truly.

1. Yuya


2. Dojoji


3. Yoroboshi



And, in memory of the time when this blog was 'Conor's Loves'... here's my current playlist, bouncing out of my speakers just loud enough to madden my crazy roommate. God love him. (I don't.)

Michelle Williams - Break The Dawn
Kreesha Turner - Simple
Jully Black - Seven Day Fool
Kylie - Speakerphone
Katy Perry - Hot N Cold
Lady Blah-Blah - Poker Face
Beyonce - Single Ladies
The Killers - Human
Cyndi Lauper - Same Ol' Story
Kylie - Can't Get You Out of My Head (Greg Kurstin Remix)
Kylie - Giving You Up (Alter Ego Remix)
RuPaul - LadyBoy
Roisin Murphy & Marius DeVries - Yellow Moon (Song of the Year!!!)
Madonna - Nothing Really Matters (which sounds very similar to the previous track, but in a really good way...)
Madonna - Triggering Your Senses (Rare cut from the Confessions Sessions, silly but very good.)

Kyoto

I'm going to spend much of this summer in Kyoto.

Wanna come?!

Confession

In conversation with an audience member after the Modern Noh Plays closed last Saturday, I was asked what on earth gave me the idea to put corsets on the women in one of the plays. Of course I vamped with a series of ideas discussing the oppression of women (also reflected in the projections that formed part of the set design) and the notion of uprightness and forbidding virtue expected of a Japanese woman. Since we couldn't have them wear kimono, I felt it would be interesting to experiment with western equivalents that at once enhance and yet constrict the female form... Blah blah blah...

All of which is true, admittedly, but the OTHER inspiration for the corsets is rather more basic...

I hate Perez

Separated at Birth???

At what moment did Perez become the patron saint of Gay Rights? It was bad enough that he's gone from having a razor-sharp blog that skewered celebrity culture to one that is merely a tame version wherein he's too scared to mock his new 'friends' - or worse, incessantly PROMOTES them. But now his endless attacks of Carrie Prejean are becoming just plain tiresome.

Don't get me wrong - I'm delighted that he's gone on such a manic campaign to bring down St. Carrie of La Jolla (thank you Keith O), but doesn't it feel like he's more likely to do harm than good by being so obnoxious about it?

Perhaps Mario would be more acceptable as a warrior for gay marriage if there was even a remote sense that he was likely to GET married. Ellen, George Takei, Elton John - to name a teeny tiny few - all have made their case with dignity, with pride, and with their partners. But I find such rage and hatred from one catty blogger who made his name drawing penises and coke-trails - and who devotes such energy to lusting after Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson - more than a lot to take.

Love the message, shoot the messenger.

Phew

I can't believe this crazy year is nearly over. Only ten more days of 2008 already - goodness.

AND WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN.

This time last year I was in Greece, hanging out and being extremely relaxed after the crazy year that was 2007 - the change between Athens-then and Athens-now is sobering and very sad. I kinda think of Athens as a second home, so it's obviously distressing to see what's going on there.

I remember I was extremely ill at the beginning of last year - I spent the first week of January sick in bed when I should have been at rehearsal for Macbeth! The tour took me through much of January and February, before I went to Tokyo in March for a little trip. I managed to see Celine Dion in concert (thank you Mark!) and we also had a fantastic day trip to Nikko (thank you Tomo and Robin!) in what was one of my nicest visits to Japan since I left. While there I got invited to come to UCLA and interview...

...and that's what I did in early April. In the meantime I had the privilege of being part of the first ever Project Brand New (which has since become a global phenomenon, thanks to the awesome ladies in charge of it). Los Angeles was quite lovely in April, not too hot, not too cold. The interviews went well, and I was accepted to the MFA programme! Alas my godfather died while I was here, so I cut short my US trip and cancelled my New York visit to go home for his funeral. RIP, Uncle Dan.

In May, I managed to re-do my US trip, and got to New York at last. I had so much fun! Thanks of course to S and the Scorpion Princess ;)

Thanks to my glorious unemployability, I couldn't get much work over the summer. Instead I spent the time writing a lot, and of course did my regular Greek stint in July. The performances were quite marvellous this year - Fiona Shaw in Happy Days, and Pina Bausch's Orpheus & Eurydice. Talk about spoiled...!

Much of August was spent in preparation for the big works of September; 'Caligula' was invited to be part of the Dublin Theatre Festival, and I moved to California. Somehow - probably with the blessings of a variety of angels and Saint Jude! - we managed to get both of these huge, stressful, wonderful things to happen without anyone getting hurt in the process. Everyone involved in the show - whether in New York, Winchester, or of course Dublin - was incredible. I am very lucky to have had such a posse!

And then I got to this place. They all SAID it was kinda like a guantlet, but I kinda couldn't quite figure what that meant. But I have had the fullest, craziest most rewarding three months here already. Three years here will be the making of me!

Of course this year has not been without its losses, its challenges and its sad news. Perhaps I've had more this year than any other year - but somehow, at the root of it all, it's all part of being alive, isn't it? That's how I'm trying to look at it all.

I can't quite figure out how to end this little post. So I'm going to hand it over to one of the loveliest discoveries I made this year - the poet Hafiz. He's an odd little case, rapturously in love with the idea of rapture. Definitely worth a look, for a different perspective. :)

IT FELT LOVE

How

Did the rose

Open its heart

And give to this world

All its

Beauty?

It felt the encouragement of light

Against its

Being.

Otherwise,

We all remain

Too 

Frightened.

Finally...

Alright. A post.

I'm sorry it's taken so long, but now that I'm in grad school (again) I have nooooo free time. Which is good, but also hard work.

I've been in the USA for exactly four weeks. It feels like several months already!

I have barely done any exploring just yet, since I arrived and went straight into class (and I now start my days at 7.30am at the latest...!)

However I did manage to get to see Tina Turner in concert, and I'm hopefully gonna see the glorious Margaret Cho next weekend. Celebs spotted so far: Magic Johnson, sitting beside me at California Pizza Kitchen; Kristen Chenoweth attending a do in UCLA, Mei Lanfang's son doing some Chinese opera on campus, Samuel L Jackson at Bristol Farms (a photo of which appeared on Perez Hilton! - not taken by me), and the cast and crew of 'Role Models', whose world premiere I walked past on my way home this evening.

It's all a whirl... 

More later. I promise, Leila ;)

In a world without...

I saw this, and thought due attention should be paid, since he has passed away...

Miyavi

I uploaded this image before I realised that it was animated. Yikes.

Oh well, I AM a Miyavi fan.

In my final blogette of the day I'm introducing this cranky, weird but quite awesome Japanese rockstar, whose music is ironic, clever, and (my favourite) desecrates and incorporates elements from a variety of Japan's classics - Noh, Buddhism, even Subway theme tunes, street crossing signals and famous ringtones get woven into his heady mix of rock guitars and attitude.

We like!!!

For those of y'all who might need it...

I found a very cool dictionary website yesterday, which I've been using. It's brilliant!

お茶ー青年期ーカミュー梅暦ー本ー入れ墨ー
温泉ー墨絵ー星ー火蛍ー川端ー勇気

:)

Conor's Loves #478: Miss Direction

Just came across what I hope will become my favourite new blog in the world this year.

Keep 'em coming!

Let's Japanese Film!

As part of my maniacal research for my books, I have been watching a crazy variety of Japanese movies in the past few weeks.

I dunno if they've helped my writing at all, but some of them are totally worth checking out;

Taki no Shiraito
Tokyo March
Kara-Kiri
Zatoichi
Gohatto
Dolls
Hana-Bi
Audition
Ran
Throne of Blood
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
Memoirs of a Geisha (not really Japanese at all, but pretty to look at)
Kill Bill (absolutely not Japanese, but the Tokyo O-ren Ishii bits are fun!)
Kaidan (in its day the most expensive Japanese film ever - it's still fab to look at)
The Black Lizard (I know I blogged about it already but it's sooooo much fun)

and of course, a few films by Miyazaki Hayao -
Princess Mononoke
Spirited Away
Kiki's Delivery Service
My Neighbour Totoro (so cute!)

and maybe the most startling of all, Grave of the Fireflies, which - despite the fact that it's a cartoon, ostensibly for kids - is one of the most affecting anti-war films I've ever seen. Have the tissues handy...!

This is our youth

Click HERE to see a short film with Dublin people doing what they do best.

I don't know whether or not this is a hoax - maybe it's real, and even if it isn't, it sure as shit could be.

Brushstrokes

Hello,
I've been out of contact for most of this month, what with preparations for UCLA and Caligula, not to mention my work on my book!
Here's a pictorial preview of what's in store in its twelve chapters...

Muxtape!

I love this site. You get to upload 12 songs and share them.
So, I've done so.
Enjoy!

http://conoroukla.muxtape.com/


#UPDATE: "Muxtape will be unavailable for a brief period while we sort out a problem with the RIAA."

Yet another. Because it's raining and I'm bored.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8.30

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds. Silly question.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Dark Knight.

3B. What funny movie have you seen lately that is worth mentioning? Not sure.

4. What is your favorite TV show(s)? Right now I'm like, the last person in the world to watch Six Feet Under, but it's very good.

5. What did you have for breakfast? Apple juice and toast.

6. What is your middle name? Joseph.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Japanese.

8. What foods do you dislike? I'm getting better at seafood. I fear Vegan cuisine might not be my cup of tea.

9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Salted

10. What is your favorite CD(s) at the moment? Corelli/Nilsson in Turandot.

11. What type of vehicle do you drive? A Toyota Avensis! Ha!

11B. What is your dream vehicle? A Mercedes. Or a Smart. Or even a Mini coupé.

12. Favorite Sandwich? I prefer to make my own, but in general I hate sandwiches.

13. What characteristics do you despise? Smallness. Cruelty. Laziness.

14. Favorite clothing? Whatever works.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Okinawa.

16. What color is your bathroom? Green.

17. What is your favorite brand of clothes? I have always liked Calvin Klein.

18. Where would you like to retire? A ranch in Northern Japan.

19. Favorite time of the day? Evening.

20. What was your most memorable birthday? I haven't had a big blowout celebration for years.

21. Where were you born? Dublin.

22. Favorite sport to watch? American Football was a hilarious experience.

23. Person you expect to send it back first? This is a blog. How lame.

24. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Leila.

25. What fabric detergent do you use? Dunno. But it's nice.

26. Favorite beverages? Green or mint tea.

26B. Favorite soda(s)? Sprite. But I found out recently it's 30% sugar so I gave it up.

28. What is your shoe size? 10

29. Do you have any pets? I really want a dog.

30. Are you a morning person or night owl? Both. Does this make me an insomniac?

31. Any new and exciting news you would like to share with family & friends? Y'all know it already!

32. What did you want to be when you were a child? An actor.

32B. What do you want to be now? A director.

33. What were you meant to be doing today? Reading.

34. What book are you currently reading? Invisible Cities, Steppenwolf, Le Bal, Spring Snow.

35. What is you favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry's Bohemian Raspberry.

36. Red or white wine? Depends. Like both.

36B. Favorite Mixed Drink(s) or/& Beer? Gin and tonic.

What’s your best high school memory? Going to Calcutta.

37. What’s your best college memory? A lot of laughter.

38. What’s your biggest regret? Dunno.

Your daily dose.

I love these kids from Tokyo Comedy.

HI-larious.

Heaven!

I've had gorgeous food in Greece before (and my mouth is already watering with the promise of a trip next week to my favourite restaurants in Argolida) but since coming on Sunday I've been lucky enough to have two little foodie moments. The first was on my first night, when my glamorous hostess cracked open a nice bottle of wine and served olives stuffed with almonds. Sounds weird, I know, but they are delicious! Next morning she also produced some fabulous coffee accompanied by little cinnamon-flavoured biscuits - a very winning way to start the day.... Today it was some caramel vanilla tea, which is also nicer than it sounds.

But the piece de resistance goes to the dessert we had yesterday in a little organic cafe near Panepistimiou metro station in the centre of Athens. It was a bowl of light mascarpone cheese, with chocolate chips and strawberries lightly marinaded in balsamic vinegar. This is, I am quite sure, what God has for dessert on his birthday. (And you can bet your ass I'll be using the excuse of mine to head back there in 2 weeks for a second helping!)

Proust Questionnaire

I've been watching (incongruously) Angelina Jolie on Inside the Actor's Studio, and kinda enjoyed the questionnaire at the end. So, in memory of the time when questionnaires were so fun and frequent online!

(The Vanity Fair Questions)

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A sense of accomplishment (a good job having been finished), good company, and a good laugh over a good meal.

What is your greatest fear?
Running out of time. Mediocrity.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being unable to be happy for others. Smallness and pettiness.

Where would you like to live?
Japan.

Which living person do you most admire?
Tough one. People who live and create passionately, resolutely, personally. But that is a very long list.

Who are your favorite heroes of fiction?
Mizoguchi (in Kinkakuji and in Brushstrokes!),

Who are your favorite heroines of fiction?
The first wives, and that memoir-writing Geisha.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Oh dear lord. I don't know.

Who is/are your favorite painter?
Many.

Who is/are your favorite musician?
Madonna (deal with it)

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Gossip.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Gossip.

What is your favorite journey?
That motherfucker of a flight to Tokyo.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Propriety/restraint.

Which living person do you most despise?
Kinda starting to think that it's not really helpful.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like....!

What is your favorite occupation?
If I wasn't what I was (or trying to be all these things) I would love to consider being an architect.

What is your greatest regret?
Don't think I have any. I'm too young to call them regrets, for now. Leaving Japan is the closest thing to a regret that I have, but it's not one.

When and where were you happiest?
Japan, I guess. Still I'm happy today anyway.

What is your current state of mind?
Enjoying Angelina on the Actor's Studio. Calm, excited at some new ideas brewing in my head.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My feet.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Dear lord. Let me get back to you on that.

What is your most treasured possession?
A book and cd given to me by someone very special. It's as much for the gifts as for the thought behind them.

What is your most marked characteristic?
Over-analysis? Being a good listener, I hope.

What is the quality you most like in a man/woman?
Kindness/sense of humour.

Who are your favorite writers?
Salman Rushdie, Yukio Mishima, Pablo Neruda, Shakespeare, Federico Garcia Lorca.

What is your motto?
Believe. Keep at it. If it's all an illusion, we might as well laugh at it.

(The Actor's Studio Questions)

What is your favorite word?
Thank you.

What is your least favorite word?
Sweetie.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Individuality, beauty, wabi sabi, gratitude, the ineffable, the ephemeral, laughter.

What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Ego, forced things, affectation, cruelty, jealousy.

What sound or noise do you love?
Music. The welcome announcement at the theatre in Epidaurus, and the strange bird that sings there.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Traffic light indicators in Dublin. Scratches on stone or unglazed clay.

What is your favorite curse word?
C*nt. For emergency use only.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Architecture. Publishing.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything repetetive or clerical in an office with no natural light.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Do come in, we're celebrating, and there are some people here would love to meet you.

The Black Lizard (Kurotokage)

In my ongoing research into the cultural life of Japan in the late 1960s (which, I hope, will lead to 2 books!) I have been trawling through books, plays, music, history, and - most excitingly - film. And the most fascinating recent treasure to be unearthed must surely be 'The Black Lizard' (黒蜥蝪) by Kinji Fukasaku, made in 1968.

The story is adapted from a piece written by Edogawa Rampo, a crime novelist who flourished before the Second World War. His name is actually a play on words based on the Japanese pronunciation of Edgar Allan Poe (Edogaru Aran Pou). The film is concocted from a stage version by Yukio Mishima, who is himself featured in it as a life-size human doll. The star of the show, however, is Akihiro Miwa, Japan's most famous female impersonator, who plays the eponymous heroine, jewel thief and criminal mastermind 'The Black Lizard'.

The film is wildly over the top, a high-camp celebration of crazy that is silly, hilarious, affected and extremely entertaining. Get your hands on it!!