Saturday, December 29, 2007

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS.
Last year, I resolved to do tasks in a more timely fashion. I said-- if memory serves-- that I would endeavor to perform tasks as if it was for someone ELSE. It seems I perform much better, and more efficiently, when someone else is counting on me. If it's something for me, I tend to drag my feet.
For the most part, this tactic worked.
The only area where I feel disappointed with myself, is in getting my one-woman "Show & Tell" mounted. That will be first priority--getting it up, and on the road, too!

Currently, I am figuring out a cover for my
"Words From Water: Poems".
Hint: It involves water-- and me-- but that's all I'll say right now.
Many thanks to Collin Kelley for his (numerous) suggestions for many of the poems in this collection.I am grateful he'll be making editing suggestions again for me, before I let it go to print!
I'm very excited about my next project, a one-woman piece I've entitled, "The Woman Who Called Herself Vincent", a show I'm writing by researching Edna St. Vincent Millay's very unusual life. A bisexual writer, and a caring, kind, flamboyant, moody(she was apparently manic-depressive)individual who was way ahead of her time, she is quite inspiring. I am so thankful that Franklin Abbott suggested I look at her life as a possibility for building a one-woman show around her.

I will probably submit my "The Book of O: The Orgasm Poems" sometime in 2008, to a few places. Except for when a Founder/Publisher ASKED me to, I've not ever submitted a full collection anywhere before, so perhaps I'll start with that collection. Heck, it's pretty edg-y, and that seems to get publishers intrigued.

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2008:
A) Continue doing as if the work(writing, acting, what-have-you) I do is for someone ELSE--not just for me-- as it gets accomplished in a more timely fashion.
B) Visit places I've neglected:
(1) Other Houses of Worship(Mosques, Temples, Retreats, etc.)
(2) Feminist Bookstores (Charis Books in Little Five Points)
(3) The Beach
(I feel very calm, and centered when I'm near water--I love the Pacific(Santa Monica, Malibu, Zuma), but the Gulf(Florida, Alabama), and the Atlantic Ocean(Lantana Beach, Delray Beach, Miami) are nice too.... And the Carribbean!)
C) Visit people I've neglected:
(1) See performers I admire, support their work more frequently!
(2) Give more time to friends and family.
D) Continue to strive for Peace.
I can work for Peace at home, at work, in my own life.
If everyone could try and do this:
Use Peaceful, Peace-filled words, and exercise patience, and kindness(even when every fiber of your being tells you NOT to!) when dealing with loved ones, and even those you don't love, or don't know.
This makes Peace in the greater community, a bit more likely.
World Peace IS a Dream, but it is also a possibility....

What are YOUR Resolutions?
And did you KEEP the ones you made, last year?
I'd love to see you Post A Comment!

Here's to health, wealth, and completion of all worthwhile goals, for all of you out there(and me, too!).

6 comments:

Bob Cushing said...

Lisa:
I love you title "Poetry, Politics and Peace." We need those put together more often with the contemplative eye instead of the competitive one. Thanks for the updating. Fr. Bob Cushing

Lisa Nanette Allender said...

Father Bob!! How nice of you to visit!
I wish I could, but I cannot take credit for that title--my dear pal, Collin Kelley christened it such!He knows me quite well, and I was DELIGHTED with the new look!
I'll be displaying The Peace Vow here soon, and inviting all to take the Vow of Peace this year, on New Year's Day!!

Rosa said...

Lisa:

I like your resolution regarding doing your own work as if you were doing it for someone else. What a good idea!

I had something similar to that for 2007, which was to manage my own personal goals as if I were managing a project. Unfortunately, that particular resolution never really took off. I think my problem was that I didn't have anything which I really really wanted to accomplish.

My other resolution was to say less "no", thus more "yes". That resolution, I think, led me to my current job.

My 2008 resolution is to continue some of my 2006 and 2007 resolutions and add on a few others. I hope I can keep track of them all! Not to list them all, but just some of the fun ones...try a new restaurant every month...be mindful of all of the long weekends and plan to do something fun ahead of time for those weekends...do things which will put me outside of my comfort zone, but ultimately, will make me a better person - like public speaking.

I just hope I will still remember my resolutions come March!

Have a happy new year!

Anonymous said...

You seem to have your hands full with things for 2008...good for you! In 2008 I just wanted to love myself a little more than last year, make my son proud of me for one more...and marry the man I love in may!!

I try not to call them resolutions because it seems so trendy...I'd like to think of them as prayers out loud.

I look forward to seeming allthis new work from you. If you want some help with the one-woman show let me know. I ran the nation's first black gay theatre in new york for 18 years and wrote at least 2 to 4 mainstage plays each year. I also have a BA and Masters in Theatre. I want to put together A one-man show of my own based on my poetry and some monologues I will write to fill in the blanks. It is entitled: Black Faggot on A Rampage In America!!! maybe we can switch manuscripts and help each other.

Love,

Reginald Naji-Allah

Anonymous said...

You seem to have your hands full with things for 2008...good for you! In 2008 I just wanted to love myself a little more than last year, make my son proud of me for one more...and marry the man I love in may!!

I try not to call them resolutions because it seems so trendy...I'd like to think of them as prayers out loud.

I look forward to seeming allthis new work from you. If you want some help with the one-woman show let me know. I ran the nation's first black gay theatre in new york for 18 years and wrote at least 2 to 4 mainstage plays each year. I also have a BA and Masters in Theatre. I want to put together A one-man show of my own based on my poetry and some monologues I will write to fill in the blanks. It is entitled: Black Faggot on A Rampage In America!!! maybe we can switch manuscripts and help each other.

Love,

Reginald Naji-Allah

Lisa Nanette Allender said...

Hi Reginald, Reginald!
I am just now getting caught up with the many people posting--it feels great to receive comments, and such support from friends!
I posted at another entry that I'd WELCOME your feedback on my one-woman "Show & Tell"!!

Your show's title is a scream! I think it'll be fun--and if I know you, pretty darned edg-y too!!