Warm Mugs of Cocoa.

It's been too long since I've updated my blog.I'm sorry. Really sorry.
The fact is, I have been in a hurt and hurting state for quite some time.
Our family's loss(see my most recent post, below)began the hurt, and then...my mental connection to not just one, but two different characters(for films) that I've been working on becoming--both of whom are desperate and hurt in their own ways, and one of whom is despicable in her acting-out of violence on others...have ratcheted up the pain I've been feeling.
But....good news! First, the short-film entitled "Just Us", is wrapped.
I'll be able to see excerpts, and then the entire film, very soon!
(In it, I have, according to wonderful Director Reggie Price, a "small, but pivotal role" as the heroin-addicted mother of three girls)
And "Unspoken Words", the Feature-Length Film from award-winning filmmaker, Henderson Maddox, will wrap soon! (In it, I play Benetha(pronounced like "beneath her"),a hard-drinking, hard-smoking, cruel foster-mother of 13+ children).
In the Spirit of the Holidays/Holidaze, I've been making homemade hot-chocolate every night, and brewing Jasmine Green Tea(iced-only, for the hubby, Hansoo)and catching-up by phone with dear friends and family.
Looking forward to feeling "attractive" again, since right now, I can't CHANGE the way I look, since I chose to look "very rough" for Benetha(that means no brow or face waxing, no manicure, no pedicure, no hair cut or color, etc.).
During the film, I am "aged" "a hard 14 years", meaning the brilliant make-up artist, Renonda Anderson, aged me 20-25 ugly-years(since Benetha drinks and smokes, she would not age gracefully), and it works well for Benetha.
But I swear, I (me-- Lisa Nanette)am going to go crazy applying glam-makeup, once "Unspoken Words" is wrapped.(sigh). May be headed to Saks Fifth Avenue's Cosmetics, and then Sephora, immediately following the finish of "Unspoken Words".

In the More-Holiday-Cheer-Department:
I recently shopped Pier 1 for their fab UNICEF Holiday Cards...Love those. Have been giving those nearly every years, for over 25 years, because:
* Children create the designs.
* Children directly benefit from the proceeds of the cards.
Delicious, incredibly decadent, White-Chocolate-Raspberry-Cake at "Alpine Bakery" in Crabapple area of Alpharetta. Yum-meeee. :)
Here's to bright dreams coming true for all of you kids out there in Blog-land and Facebook-land.
Peace, kids.

Creating A Role

Hmmmmm...Doing a lot of research, regarding being a heroin-addicted Mother.
In "Just us", the short film about to be produced(filming begins tomorrow!), I play exactly that.A mother who "graduates" from prescription-pain-killers to (eventually) heroin.
Earlier this week, I was researching the effects of heroin on the body, etc., and I came across a poignant essay from a young woman who lost her younger sister, to heroin. You can read about it, at my other blog: "Practice What You Peace".
See link, directly to the right of this column, and scroll down.
Last night, I attended a NA(Narcotics Anonymous) meeting, and in keeping with their required anonymity, I won't say anything other than the phrase "searing honesty" kept coming into my mind.When I was welcomed(and I felt very welcome), I just said "I'm Lisa, and I'm here to understand."
I've gotten to meet some of the other actors who'll be working with me. They are superb. And I like the director: Atlanta Screenwriter/Director, Reggie Price.
Wish me "Break A Leg".
Peace, kids.

Poetry At Callanwolde, last Wednesday, August 11th,2010

Meant to post about last Wednesday's lover-ly evening of Poetry at Callanwolde.Kodac Harrison, in my opinion, the South's greatest songwriter-as-storyteller and poet man and guitarist, never fails to please.I was delighted to see Rupert Fike in attendance, as well as old pal, the very energetic and readying-herself-to-graduate GSU, Ms. T.J. Annunziata, and Professor Bob Wood from nearby Georgia Tech, too.
Fellow writer(she specializes in "flash-fiction")Ellen Lindquist joined ol' pal, Dan-Dan and me, and we listened intently to Kodac.After his Feature, Kodac sat down near me, and Ellen and he and I enjoyed hearing newbie poets read, at the late-night Open-Mic.Really, realy cool stuff, on a verrry hot evening.Ruth Windham always does a great job with the hospitality(cold drinks, and sweet and salty snacks)and the encouraging introductions.
Earlier on Wednesday, I stopped in at Outwrite, picked up a naughty card for a friend's birthday, and when I didn't find him at home,left him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY card, and some jasmine-tea, at his door.
I then met up with Atlanta director, Reggie Price, of the short film we are shooting soon, "Just Us". Reggie also wrote the screenplay. The actor who'll play my "baby-daddy", fellow-SAG-member, Louis C. Robins joined us, and the young actress who'll play my oldest daughter, beautiful Ms. Vitelle Webb, stopped in, too.
We took photos, and looked over location, etc.(The film will be shot in Forest Park, Georgia, soon).
So Wednesday was a great day, and this past weekend was great(see my earlier post, below!), too.
Peace,kids.