Monday, August 27, 2012

A Sunday celebration.

After teaching my dance class on Sunday afternoon, I was supposed to meet my friends Chissie and Chuck to go to a cabaret show, but I had a three hours gap. While waiting for them, I sat at "Patisserie Claude" in the west village and enjoyed a "Mille-Feuilles" (Napolean) and a chocolate eclair...Pure decadence, but good for the soul.
I worked on my script for two hours and time went by like eating chocolate. Very fast...
At 6PM I met my friends at THE DUPLEX, and we chatted while waiting for the show to begin.
To my great surprise, a larger then life drag queen showed up on stage, after being introduced as Rev.Yolanda.
Her repertoire, was stunningly funny and profound at the same time. From Gospel classic like "Let it shine" to her own compositions, Rev. Yolanda sustain joy and hope throughout her show. She brought tears with her song, when the chorus was sang (We're angels struggling as human).
Her shows will resume in the fall, and I highly recommend you to go.
Meeting the man behind Yolanda, was equally moving, as Rev. Yolanda is not far from Roger Anthony Mapes. It takes a sensitive and honest person to play one onstage, and Yolanda is all that.
Thanks Chrissie and Chuck for letting me know about this beautiful performer.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Dating in NYC!!!

On Wednesday, last week, I had a date with a a guy I met online. For a few YEARS now, I've had a profile on a dating website, and been meeting potential partners...Not very successful, I must admit, except for the one boyfriend I met in January 2006 and stayed with for 9 months.

Anyway, for two weeks, while on my trip, I emailed back and forth with John (Not his real name, but who cares anyway...). John and I had everything in common and seemed like we could have been soul-mates. So, Wednesday we met for dinner, and after a long conversation, John said, that maybe, all that would come out of this meeting would be a friendship. At first I thought, sure! Why not? But a few hours later, I thought, NO WAY! I wasn't looking for another Facebook friend that ignores me after a week. I replied to John that I rather nip it, and wished him good luck. I joined this dating website to find a lover, and I will.
The next day, after working with Bill Hopkins again, I decided to go to a Leather Bar that is only two blocks from Bill's studio. I don't have to say the name as there's really only leather bar left in NYC.
I arrived around 10.30PM and really thought I was gonna leave ASAP. But, something told me to hang out, and I did. Around Midnight, some cute people showed up, and that was entertaining, good for the eyes...
Soon enough, a guy approached me and was ready to do anything for me, but not into him, told him I wasn't sure what I was looking for. Luckily, an almost naked man was walking about, and who but my ex-boyfriend, smiling around. It was nice to chat with him, and he actually introduced me to a cutie, but nothing happened that night.
Mainly because, I don't have a place to host, so I'm looking for a date, and not a one night thing.
The last time I was in a leather bar was in 2004, and I hated it. I look at all these men, and know we all hope to find some love, yet, we're too embarrassed to admit it, and we end up looking at each other and hope the other one will talk first. Man that sucks.
I will return, and talk first. I must get out of my comfort zone.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Back home.

As usual, when I'm home, I stepped on my Wii Fit, and now in my 7th week of the LiveStrong program, I have officially lost over 12lbs. I've been feeling a lot better and honestly, I know I was never really overweight, but I was unhappy. It's quite strange how only 12 lbs can change in the body. I had at least three pairs of pants I couldn't wear for years, and now, all back in use.
Of course now, it motivated me to perhaps work out and get a bit stronger, but as a vegetarian, it'll be challenging to put on muscle, but I can take a challenge.
Dating should be easier, as it is all about confidence and courage, but don't know where to go or where to look.

New York is surely large enough for me to find my love, and I am willing to be loved, and love in return. That means, I need to take steps to meet people, mingle and perhaps have some fun as well.

As I walk around NYC, I'm always amazed by the diversity of people, and yet, I've been single for 6 years now. I've gotta change this. He is out there, I just have to find him and him find me.
S

My trip - Days 11 & 12

After a fabulous last night in Hudson, OH, I left in the morning for Niagara Falls. In 16 years I've been in the US, I've been wanting to go every year and never made it happen. The road to it, was beautiful, even when I went through a one cloud rain for about 3 minutes...Really weird experience, it felt like it was fake.
I arrived early afternoon, and once checked in, I walked to the falls. 2 short blocks, and here I am in front of the most amazing thing ever.

Happy at the Niagara Falls

I absolutely fell in love with Niagara Falls. I know, it is a real zoo and there's thousands of tourists. But I was one too so it's okay. I will make sure I return a often as possible. Ideally with a lover next time.




The Maid of the Mist! What an experience. Seeing the Falls so close and feeling the mist and actual rain, very cleansing.
And of course at night, I returned to see the Falls lit in every colors of the rainbow.




Because of the amount of people around I returned to the Falls at 5.45Am the next day, and filmed myself dancing in front of the Falls and sunrise. It should be interesting to see edited.


Tuesday morning I returned to Williamsport, PA, to visit my friends, took a nap and off to home. I arrived in Trenton at 1AM and enjoyed a nice resting night. 
I am so glad I won the Award at the Indie Gathering, it forced me to take the trip and do all these great things. If you know me well, you know I always push my limits, and one of my saying is "Your life begins at the end of your comfort zone...", this trip was surely outside my comfort zone and I enjoyed every minute of it.
So let's look at what else I can do to get out of my comfort zone.
Keep reading my blog, and you'll find out what that French guy named Saba is up to. 
Saba



Sunday, August 19, 2012

My trip - Day 10

What a great day. Last day of the Indie Gathering Film Festival in Hudson, Ohio. I started the day with a two hour workshop on DP work and the new Panasonic GH2 camera. Learned a bunch of helpful things to experiment with it.
After that, my hot moment was a lecture on Special FX with Robert Kurtzman, Beki Ingram and Alan Tuskes. I asked so many questions, that half way through, I felt like being the host of a TV show. They were very awesome, as I loved seeing their passion while explaining how they got into make-up and movies.
After another conversation with Beki and Robert after the lecture, the award ceremony began.
It was fast enough that no one fell asleep and one cool moment was when Robert Z'Dar proposed to his fiancee, and didn't even wait for the answer. She eventually told him yes. Very cute moment. 
Both Robert Z'Dar and Robert Kurtzman received an Hall of fame Award. Cool dudes.
After the festival ended, Glessna and Edmond Coisson, producers of the Naperville Film Festival, invited me to dinner. Great conversation on film making and festivals, soon joined by Brad Leo Lyon, a great producer/actor.
Brad Leo Lyon, Robert Z'Dar wife to be, Saba
We went to the restaurant around 6 and left at 11PM. All that time talking about films and projects, and personal experiences. This was a fun weekend to have. I look forward to meet them all again and work with them all.
Edmond said, "It's never too late to be, who you could have been", it's really true, and I will go to bed with that in mind.
S

My Trip - Day 9

Get up to a hotel shower, and a crazy hotel buffet. Luckily I bought eggs to get a descent meal in me for the long day ahead.
First time making eggs in a microwave, it sort of exploded, but I ate whatever came out of it. I figured, it's egg and radiation, it's gotta be good.
Next, I was a judge in the Acting competition. All I could think was WOW! Acting is already crazy enough for the ego, but competing in a room of stranger, is like if you met with 100 people in a large room, get undressed and vote who's got the best body...
Of course it's only relevant to the judges, and what we like or dislike. Tough one.

After that, I attended a bunch of lectures and workshops on marketing, producing and things I love to hear about about. The high light was meeting ROBERT Z'DAR. First at his lecture, and then at a panel discussion on Acting, where once again I was asked to be one of the panelists with Robert, Kristina Michelle and another actress from LA. Robert, though I knew him from serious roles, is the funniest dude around here. Good times.

Apart from the showing of my movie ABOUT A WEEK in the afternoon, the other highlight of the day was meeting BEKI INGRAM, awesome special effet make-up artist, recently in the TV show FACE OFF Season 2. It began with a quick introduction and lasted for an hour. The girl is awesome and of course meeting her Boss, Robert Kurtzman was pretty amazing too.
9PM, Kristine Michelle, interviewed me for the the TV show of the festival. Don't remember what I said, blah, blah, blah... I'll have to watch the show.
MOvies, movies, movies...At midnight I was getting pretty tired and went to the bar where everyone was. Robert Z'Dar waved at me to join him, his fiancee, and a couple I knew, are producing one his upcoming project. Very good times, and bonded with the couple who actually are the producers of the Naperville Film Festival.
Laugh a lot, talked a lot and bonded. Bed at 2AM.
In this business, network, network, then network some more, and at the end of the day, go on Facebook.
Story of my life.
S

Saturday, August 18, 2012

My trip - Day 8

It's Friday morning, and I entered the new destination in the GPS. Hudson, Ohio from Williamsport, PA. After I go for a few miles, and finally get on a road, worthy of the name, my GPS tells me "Make a turn in 181 miles...". This is the kind of directions that makes me laugh. Or when the GPS says, in 1/4 of a mile, turn left...Who on this planet can tell me what a quarter of a mile is...
It took me a few hours to get to my hotel and I like my little room with a king size bed. As I called my friend Keith, he told me I had received a letter from a Festival, with the mention WINNER on the envelope. And YES! I won the Award of Merit in a Leading Role for my interpretation of "Rye" in "About A Week". This is the second award we win for this movie.
At 6PM the Indie Gathering Film Festival began and I watched movies until 11.30PM. I was too tired to watch the last one.
Tomorrow, Saturday, I am a judge in the acting competition and have a long day. Really looking forward to meet wonderful people.
The producer of the festival, are really nice, and it's refreshing to meet people who smile.
So in doubt, exhale and SMILE!
S

Thursday, August 16, 2012

My Trip - Day 7

Yesterday was day 6 of my trip, and I spent most of the day on the road. It was actually an incredible ride on Interstate 88. Very little traffic and a beautiful scenery.

I arrived in Williamsport around 8PM and had a light diner with my friends.
This morning, up at 7AM to go Monarch caterpillars hunting. We found a good dozen and it was really cute to do.
Butterfly Heaven

Following Butterfly Heaven, we went horse riding. My horse was a beautiful male, very dark brown and named Whiskey... At first the ride was a little weird, but soon we ended up in the woods and following a small river. Eventually we crossed the river and came back. One hour on the horse and I loved it, I felt like a real cowboy. :-)

I could never own one, but boy do I love horses.
After that we went to the local Harley Davidson, where my friend Theresa treated me with a t-shirt. Always need more t-shirts.
For dinner I taught them to make a great mac and cheese recipe, that I got from my friend Joe and slightly changed it.
Everyone loved it, and we finished with a peach and pecan ice cream.
Tomorrow I'm riding to Cleveland and leaving in the morning.
It was fun to see my friends. I usually come here to teach a dance workshop in May, and am always working. Doing something like today was really spending quality time and I'm gonna do this more often. Hopefully, I will share all this with a gorgeous boyfriend of mine very soon...
Going to bed now. I'm gonna dream of my horse ride and imagine I'm in a Clint Eastwood's movie.
Sweet dreams.
Saba

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

My trip - Day 5

As promised, today I actually worked a lot. I wrote five blogs for the company I work for since February, LULUDI Living Frames, and was happy to do that.
I actually spent about 3 hours casting my vote on a new project I'm co-producing, JE T'AIME, JEAN. We are casting 11 roles, and had over 1900 submissions so far. It was tough to choose, but a pre-selection has been done and now we'll actually meet the actors on the 28th of August, in New York City.
PLEASE remember, I am not the casting director, so no phone calls and no personal emails. You may submit through actors access and write a note that you know me or worked with me, or that you like chocolate....Whatever you feel will help your case.

For lunch, I had sauteed young potatoes, freshly dug from my friend's garden. I went Julia Child crazy and used a lot of butter, but I'm french after all, so it's okay. It was delicious, with a fresh egg on top. Amazing.

In Joe's garden.
After lunch, I finally got around my new script A LAST SUPPER. It's taking me a long time to write, because, though it is technically a fiction, and will be played by actors, I'm using reel information and statistics of our time. My researches for this began last year, and I've been really working hard. After ABOUT A WEEK was done, I wanted to write this, but someone inspired me to write SNOW, and off we went. A LAST SUPPER is meant to be a feature about all the taboos, I have encountered in my life and had to fight for. Being gay, fetish, racism, aliens, god, guns, money...All the things people should never talk about around a table.
It is a fun script to write and I can hardly wait to have my first table read.
Working hard on my laptop.
Now, I'm about to stop working and help fix the birthday dinner for my friend Joe Eck, and off to bed.
Tomorrow, I'll be leaving at 2PM for Williamsport, PA.
Til next time, stay happy, plant trees and drink water.
Saba

Monday, August 13, 2012

My trip - Day 4

Today was a mini trip on the motorcycle, so my friend Joe Eck could visit old memories. We left in the morning around 10AM to go to "Swanzey, NH". We went to the Harley Davidson store, where I bought a t-shirt for my friend Christine L.
For lunch, we went to Harrisville and ate at the general store. With the view of the old town (1830's).
The ride continued to "Nelson, NH" to see May Sarton's house (Author of Plant, Dreaming Deep). That's when I saw the row of mailboxes and couldn't resist to take a picture in front of it, with my beautiful Road King....
The weather was a delight and I was almost cold in fact.
On the way back we stopped at a panorama and enjoyed the multiple clouds over the immense view.
Now I'm back to my friend's house and I'm cooking dinner for Joe and Martha. A good movie tonight and a nice night of rest.
I am enjoying my time and must put myself to work on my script.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

My trip - Day 3

Today after another great home cooked meal, my friends Joe and Martha took me to a concert in Marlboro (VT). It was the final concert of the 60th Marlboro Music festival and the program was as followed:
Beethoven's Wind Octet in E-Flat Major, Op 103
Bela Bartok's String Quartet Nº 5
Beethoven's Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra, Op 80 "Choral Fantasy".
The first piece was beautiful but a little tame for my taste, but extremely well executed. Where my heart was lifted, was in the Bartok's piece. It was funny and passionate, moving, invigorating and even upsetting at times, but that was one piece I couldn't fall asleep to. As a choreographer and dancer, I could see movements over this amazing music.
When I danced in the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble, I performed many times to Bartok's music in "Temptation of the Moon".
The last piece by Beethoven, was what I expected and reminded me a lot of his symphony. The weight of the music created vibrations throughout the theater and I could feel the even rhythm through my feet. The pianist, Mitsuko Uchida, was a the rock star of the concert. Her playing was exquisite and her energy reminded me of Mick Jagger.
The group will tour with various programs on the East coast and I will try to catch them again in NYC or Philly in October. Until then, I'm for sure getting a Bartok CD.
Time for a light dinner and off to bed.
When you find the right music to listen to, it's like finding the g-spot of your ear.
Saba

My trip - Day 2

Yesterday was not a traveling day, but a wonderful day nevertheless. A Memorial for Wayne Winterrowd (Author), was being held in North Hill Garden in Vermont. "Sunday Morning", a beautiful poem by Wallace Stevens was read, by Joe Eck, Wayne's lifetime partner. Following the reading in the garden, we all moved into the house to a concert.
The piece was "Sextet for strings in G major, op 36", by Johannes Brahms, transcribed for piano by Brahms himself. Played by Andrew Haringer and Gregory Hayes, it was a four hands magical concert.
The way their hands  and fingers moved on the piano, reminded me of dancers running in every directions, without ever bumping into each other.
After the concert we had a great Southern menu of devil eggs, potato salad, fried chicken (Not me...Vegetarian), and a strawberry cream pie to die for.
The guests were as eclectic as you can imagine, from gardeners, architects, fashion designers, writers, musicians, poets and me... Conversations were non-stop until 8 PM and though the rain was poring all day, we managed to stay dry in front of a beautiful fire, the kind you only get in old houses.
This was a country dream, and I felt very special to be a guest to such a brilliant event. I've been friend with Joe for over 12 years and though I knew of Wayne from the beginning, I never had the chance to meet him and regret it. It's partly my fault for always thinking that I would do it one day, but it wasn't meant to be.
Once again my belief is revived, and I want to do everything I've been putting on the back burner.
More to come, and hopefully pictures soon, once I figure out how to use my new camera.
Celebrate life by living it to the fullest.
Saba

Saturday, August 11, 2012

My trip - DAY 1

Yesterday I left Trenton (NJ), at 10 AM and planned to arrive in Readsboro (VT) by 3PM...Well, I arrived at 5.30PM. Two minutes after saying goodbye to my roommate, I had to stop on the side of the road to put my rain gear on. Once totally covered, I got on the motorcycle and went on. Just as if the weather was waiting on me to be ready, it began to rain like crazy, and from then on I felt like I was driving my bike through a car wash the entire time.
I stopped for a break after 3 hours, and really enjoy that warm green tea and chocolate muffin, as though I was wearing my gear, water found a way to get through it and I was cold as hell (Well that's a funny expression...).
When you drive a motorcycle, time is different and you are very lonely, but for me it's always the perfect time to think and create.
Part of the trip, I couldn't help thinking that for the past three years, the rain has been quite intense. We spend weeks without water, but when it rains, it's never a gentle earth healthy rain, it's thunder-storms...What happened to a gentle rainy day, where the rain is absorbed by the ground? I just hope we get to be back to the way it was.
In any case, I arrived in Vermont, we lit a beautiful fire and I was able to partially dry my clothes and get warm.
Few days here will be a great way to enjoy the country side and work on my new script.
Stay dry and smile.
Saba

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Abuse or Responsibilities 2...

Friday afternoon, I received a phone call at 2.05pm to tell me the bike was ready. I was thrilled and after seeing my beautiful bike all clean and fresh, I forgot the troubles of the week.
For my anniversary, my good friend Christine L. gave me a Best Buy card so I could buy  a movie that I would like.
This week, at BB, if you return your dvds you get a $5 coupon towards a Blueray 9.99 and up. $4.99 a Blueray, I'm game.
So, after picking up the bike I went to BB, returned 5 DVDs, got my coupons and bought 6 Bluerays for $40, which was covered by the gift card. (Well half of it...Still $20 for 6 Bluerays is pretty good...).
When time came to pay, this blonde bimbo, was at the cash register, waving at me to go to her. I went, and here she was nose on her iphone texting while "serving" me. After feeling totally ignored, I decided to speak up and asked her why she looked so miserable and upset.
Her answer was that she had no choice, because she has to pay her student loan. Honey, do you think I grow money on my window seal? I told her that though she had to work at BB, she could at least be nice to a smiling stud like me... That's not what I said, I said she could be a little nicer and shouldn't treat me like shit because of her student loan. I also told her she made her day much longer by staying in this misery mode. I left wishing her good luck and a great rest of the day.
I believe we choose to be and feel miserable. Just snap out of it. Get a life, eat chocolate and be nice.
Here I was thrilled to get 6 new Bluerays and this bimbo ruined it for half a minute, yes half a minute of my day was darkened by her misery. But I recover fast. I crossed the misery ocean for years, and though I was pushed in it by a bunch of unpleasant people, I realized that only I, had the power to get out of it. So today I'm wishing best of luck to the bimbo and the other unpleasant people in fact, and hope next time she'll remember to smile.
If you don't know if you're smiling, stop doing what you're doing, think of someone you know farting, and let it happen.
Love. Saba.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

16th Anniversary in America!

August 4th 1996, I was entering the great United States of America. I didn't speak a word of English, though I knew all Madonna's songs by heart, and I was coming for two weeks.
Two week on scholarship at the Martha Graham Dance School and them back to the French Riviera.
Fortunately for me, someone at the Graham School offered me a chance to stay. After a few months, I was joining the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble, and another few months later I was performing on the New York City stage, some of the most prestigious pieces of the Graham repertoire.
After 5 years with the company, I created "Saba Dance Theater", performed 5 seasons, won a Time Out New York Bessie Audience Award for best performance in 2004, and got to work with wonderful dancers.
In 2005, after creating "3", my last show so far, I realized I wanted to go back to acting. Luckily, my dear friend Barbara, who needed a place to stay for a few months, ended up introducing me to Bill Hopkins.
Since August 2006, I work with Bill as an actor, every single week of the year. After my decision in 2010 to start writing and directing my own projects, Bill has since been guiding me as a director.
2010, also marks the creation of my film production company, "Cloudy Sky Films". I wrote, produced, directed and star in a webseries, "Sherry's Kitchen", made my first short in 2011, "About A Week", and I'm now working on my first feature "Snow".
As an actor I continue to submit my headshot and resume almost everyday, and am waiting for that big break. But if there is one thing I learned in America, is to make your luck happen.
My friends could tell that I'm a workaholic, and in a way I agree.
16 years in this amazing country and hopefully many, many more to come and wonderful people to meet.
Thanks to all for supporting me.
Saba.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Abuse or responsibilities?

Since the 90's I've been a biker and rode various motorcycles. In 2010 I got a red and black Harley Davidson Road King that I adore and use all year long to go about with my life.
Monday, I brought the bike for its 25,000 miles service, and a few modifications. Because the changes were major in the bike, I got three different quote from my local dealer. Every answer was, "Yeah! No problem! We can do it".
On the first day, they call me to tell me that half the things were not doable, and that in addition to everything, the back tire had to be changed. When I asked what would happen if I didn't change it, they said the warranty would be waved. So! Add the tire.
On the second day, the belt and rotating disks, had to be changed and not under warranty. I went to the garage. They showed me, I had a mini fit, and said they would see...
On the third day, the belt and disks were gonna be taking care of by the warranty, but the heated grip I chose didn't fit the application? Whatever that meant, they told they had a pair that fit the application, and though I didn't like it one bit, I settled to get my bike back.
That same day the young employee calls me to tell me that the bike wouldn't be ready in time that day. At this point I express my frustration, how I feel abused by all these men and that I most likely will never return there after it's done.
Same day, one hour later, the big boss calls me with apologies and tells me he gonna order the hand grips I originally wanted. What happen to the application thing they told me, I'll never know.
On the fourth day, silence...
On the fifth day, I call at 10AM and am told to call back at Noon for more info.
Noon the same day, I'm told by another person, the bike is being washed and they will call me when ready.
Now, am I imagining the bullshit or what?
I am a very patient and trusting person, but don't mess with my patience too much, 'cause I'm a Scorpio, and when I get mad, it's not fun to be around.
It's now 1.30pm and I'm gonna go there, after I visit a friend near by and they better be ready for me, because at this point I doubt their behavior was based on responsibility, but more on abuse of their power. More to come soon.
Saba