A thought on "social networking"

I watched the movie The Social Network tonight (to continue my catch-up on the popular media I've missed over the last few months), and my overall opinion?  It was good, because it made me feel a wee bit nauseous.

After watching, I happened to find something I had written at the bottom of my desktop "To Do" list at some point during the last few weeks.  I'm not sure when I wrote it, or what spurred me to jot down this particular stream of consciousness.  I don't know if it was a rumination in support of theatre in its most essential form (just human beings and stories), or perhaps in reaction to a class experience that made me feel strongly connected to someone else.  But, I thought it kind of fit with my internal reaction to the film.  So, I thought I would share it, unrefined as it is, for whatever it's worth.  (Ironically, on this electronic blog.  Hm.)

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I lament that we’ve reached a point in time when we’re numbing ourselves.  Separating.  Not feeling or interacting fully and regularly with other human beings.  Often based on understandable reasons.  Interaction can be hurt.  Embarrassment.  Uncertainty.  Scary.  Unpredictable.  Violent.  Awkward.  And difficult.  But it’s real.  And rather that sinking into our technology and secluding ourselves from something tangible and full, let’s be real.  Think of a time when you’ve had one of your best laughs with people you love, or your best lovemaking, or your deepest cry, and your biggest fight.  Ahhh, that’s life.  We need those opportunities to stay real.  We need good stories that expand our horizons and force us to continue to question and explore and grow.  It’s my belief that if you live fully every day, utilizing every moment, emotion, opportunity that each second of life has to offer, things will get better by default.  If you live in a state of gratitude, then the world will respond in kind and show its gratitude for you.

Priceless

Comparison always helps with perspective...here are a few from my experiences over the past few weeks:

Full price adult ticket to UCSD's Threepenny Opera that wrapped last weekend and featured yours truly as the Street Singer: $20
Seeing the satisfaction on the director's face when he found out that a couple had left the theatre due to sexual content in the play: Priceless.

Small Indonesian-made wall tapestry purchased at the United Nations gift shop after watching the free outdoor organ concert with my parents at Balboa Park (while eating Girl Scout cookies...mmm): $27
Having the following quote as a constant reminder on my bedroom wall: "We are what we think.  All that we are arises with our thoughts.  With our thoughts, we make the world." -Buddha: Priceless.

Leftover Super Bowl pizza at fellow actor Scott's apartment last Monday: complimentary
Spending the 1-hour lunchtime with my fellow actors to watch the PBS version of "Les Miserables" and sing through our secret musical obsessions with Les Mis, Phantom, and RENT: Priceless.

Copy of Dr. Seuss classic The Lorax: $10-ish
Piecing together a theatrical telling of the book with my fellow 1st-years in speech class to be performed for Audrey Geisel at the birthday celebration of her late husband, and using our MFA skills to embody snurggly Whispermaphones, Barbaloots, and Thneeds: Priceless.

Copy of Paul Schmidt's translation of the plays of Anton Chekhov to be used for acting process class: $15.99 (before tax and shipping)
Spending hours in class combing through the deepest emotional recesses of my soul to discover that the obsession, angst, insanity, and passion of characters from a turn-of-the-20th-century Russian play actually DO exist within me (and everyone): Priceless.   

Albums "The Velvet Underground and Nico" and "Blood on the Tracks" purchased on iTunes: $20
Having to choreograph a personal narrative piece with a lacrosse ball for which I have reason to rediscover, sit for hours intently listening to, and be inspired by the lyrical and musical genius of amazing artists like The Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, and The Doors: Priceless.

Regan's Quickie Ti Wheelchair: $5000 (probably less now due to depreciation and use)
Being safely launched out of the wheelchair by a fellow student onto a crash pad during stage combat class: Priceless. (See video.)

Glass of 2 Buck Chuck wine at student-run happy hour in the design offices on Friday afternoon: complimentary
Witnessing a Nerf dart game, eating red velvet birthday cake, discussing contact improv with a dancer, processing the triumphs and challenges of casting decisions for the new play festival, and planning a music jam session with fellow actors for later in the evening, all to wrap up a long week of classes: Priceless.

Single student rush ticket to The Tragedy of the Commons at Cygnet Theatre: $15
Spending a Saturday afternoon rolling around historic Old Town San Diego while listening to live Peruvian music, watching fighter jets fly through the 75-degree February sky, and then getting to see a play in which my spring quarter Shakespeare professor kicks some acting ass: Priceless.

Valentine's cards, candies, gifts, and chocolates that I wanted to send to all of the amazing people that matter to me: $$$$thousands
Knowing that all of the people that matter to me are so amazing that they will continue to love me regardless of whether I sent individual Valentine's goodies: Priceless.  

And finally...

Full-price ticket to the extended run of Denver's PHAMALY Theatre Company production of The Diviners (Feb 24-27), which I will unfortunately miss when it plays at the Arvada Center in CO: $26.
The extent to which, as I move through UCSD's MFA acting program, I am continually reminded of what an extraordinary entity PHAMALY is, not only because of the talent embodied in the award-winning actors, designers, and theatre professionals who are part of the company, but more so because of how its inclusion of people with disabilities (who are too often kept at the fringes of society) augments the overall intention, experience, and effectiveness of the art form of theatre: Priceless.
(So, go see it!)