Chris O'H

Belated Happy birthday chaoswolf

2009-07-07T07:15:58Z

Missed it by thaaat much, as Maxwell Smart would say. My excuse is that I'm on vacation! And there wasn't a party at Westercon celebrating your birthday!

Hope things come together for you this year!

Yet another birthday wish to ladyaxum

2009-07-02T05:53:11Z

I'll be traveling on your birthday and may not get to post, so here's an early happy birthday wish for continued success in all your endeavors, in costuming, dancing and professionally.

Happy birthday to all my 4th of July birthday friends!

2009-07-02T05:49:21Z

I may not get a chance to post at Westercon, so I wanted to post Happy Birthday! greetings to gridlore, figmo and it_aint_easy

Happy Birthday, msmemory

2009-07-02T05:44:14Z

May you have many more happy ones to come! Posting a little early our time, but it should be after midnight your time.

Words!

2009-06-26T22:20:17Z

Reply to this meme by yelling "Words!" and I will give you five words that remind me of you. Then post them in your LJ and explain what they mean to you.

Words from iamradar :

Hair - I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. Most of the time I love it but there are times it drives me crazy. Last time it was cut was in July 1996. I had it cut and colored in El Paso when I was there for Westercon that year. My stylist was a family friend of my best friend and he had styled the hair of many a Miss Texas. I guess I waiting for someone that good to work on my hair. Truth is I fear hair stylists.

Beauty - Gosh, thanks. Although I'm sure you're referring to my inner beauty.

Pink - Normally pink is a color I'd avoid, but I do love the reactions I get from wearing Delores Umbridge. Even when I'm not wearing it - a lady I didn't know bounced up to me at a party and said "I know you. You were wearing a Delores Umbridge costume at BayCon and you gave me a ribbon!" So pink is now associated in my mind with fun.

Hugs - There's nothing better when you're feeling down and they are good to give and receive anytime! I love to give them and I love to receive them.

Support - Thanks. I try to be supportive of my friends in all their endeavours and try to help as much as I can when they are down and celebrate with them when they are up.

All day Taiko!

2009-05-15T09:19:08Z

On Saturday our Taiko group, Wadaiko Newark, will be playing at an Asian American Heritage Festival at the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church in Union City. Starting at 10AM, we'll be alternating playing a couple of songs and then holding a mini-class in Taiko. Then at 5PM some of us will be playing on the indoor stage. I'm really honored that they're letting perform as part of the stage show. I'm playing in two numbers, one towards the beginning and one towards the end. During the day, both John and I will join in on songs that we know how to play. If you interested in coming by to see us, comment here or email me and I'll give you details.

Taiko + Farmer's Markets = Fun!

2009-03-23T06:53:18Z

Wadaiko Taiko, the taiko group that I am a student of has played farmer's markets in the East Bay the last two weekends. At the farmer's markets, all the students as well as the performers and apprentices are invited to participate. If you know a song well enough, you can join in and perform it and pressure is low - if you make a mistake, just keep going and get back in synch with the group. If you don't want to perform, you can help by passing out flyers, taking photos or just be there to hang out and give moral support.
I like to perform when I can.

Last Saturday in Hayward it was cold. Today in Fremont, it was even colder - the strong winds were icy. But the warmth and comraderie of our dojo made up for the cold, along with the fun of playing in a low pressure atmosphere.

Happy Birthday to grammom

2009-01-18T04:36:41Z

Happy birthday to the wise and wonderful Amazon Elder.

Such an arresting meme...

2008-11-13T06:51:15Z

I guess I'll join in...

If you saw ME in a police car, what would you think I got arrested for?

Wow! What a rush!

2008-11-04T09:33:57Z

The taiko show Sunday afternoon/evening was great! We had every seat filled and some people standing. People seemed moved by the story of the first act and energized by the drumming in second act. By the final song, the audience was chanting along with the performers. Up there on stage, I felt so energize and played my part better than ever before. Yassa, Yassa, Yassa,Yassa, So-re so-re so-re.

There were many compliments on the quality of the drumming and performance, the quick transitions and smooth pace of the show (due to johno's skillful stage management). Oh, and they like the costumes too (yours truly was the costume designer, but I also had a talented and dedicated crew).

Today, I'm sore and exhausted, but still excited by the success.

Because I've met lots of wonderful folks through the Internet...

2008-08-28T07:05:33Z

"If there are one or more people on your friends list who make your world a better place just because they exist, and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the Internet, then post this same sentence in your journal."

(from mdlbear and others)

Worldcon...Interrupted

2008-08-12T07:27:59Z

After 3 great days at Yellowstone being surprisingly active and healthy at high altitude (6-9,000 feet), and 3 days in Denver at slightly lower altitude, my crazy gastrointestinal system did me in again. 1.5 days into Denvention, my body started forcefully removing its contents, making it impossible for me to take in enough liquids to compensate for the amount exiting my body. OK, I thought, another trip to the emergency room where I'll be given anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal drugs and pumped full of IV fluids. But no, I didn't get immediately better, so Denver Medical decided to keep me through Sunday morning. The doctor treating me was a wonderful woman and doctor, but also very conservative and wouldn't't let me out until my potassium level reached somewhere near normal. After almost 3 days in bed, she finally let me go and I was able to to get back for the last day of Denvention. I spent my time looking for people I wanted to see, doing some last minute shopping, and attending the closing ceremonies. Managed to go to dinner with friends from around the country that I only see at WorldCon or CostumeCon and see more people at the dead dog consuite and filking parties before collapsing in bed totally exhausted. I'm home now, and feeling much better and plan to see the doctor tomorrow and ask him to refer me for a complete gastrointestinal workup. This thing has gone too far when I miss a chunk of two vacations!

CostumeCon 26 Rocked!

2008-04-30T07:25:59Z

Too tired to say much, but I've never had so much fun while working so hard. johno and I stage managed all three major competitions as well as helping with load in of the fashion exhibition and the con suite. Despite having to get up early most mornings, we partied late into the night, meeting new friends and growing closer to old friends and acquaintances. Then to cap off a happy long weekend, Monday night I was the "stage crew" for the Mouse-kerade and I received the happy news that my "virtual" niece sidhedancer gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Wow.
It was a wonderful, wonderful con and all the staff gave their all and worked their butts off - all for our beloved evil master kproche

My First Further Confusion

2008-02-04T08:54:07Z

A few weeks ago, I went to my first Further Confusion and enjoyed myself immensely.

I admit, once upon a time, I thought Furries were a very strange branch of fandom and avoided them as much as possible.

Then I got to know some of the costumed Furries (well, at least their costumed personas) at BayCon and Silicon, and found that they were fun, lovable and friendly.

So, I decided to give Further Confusion a try and found wonderful costumes, friendly people, great parties and the best dances in Fandom. I didn't really make it to any panels, but I attended the masquerade, the Fursuit Parade, the San Jose Taiko performance and the Furry Night Live. All were marvelous.

I'm still not interested in dressing up in a fursuit myself, and I'm not into the artwork, but do I admire the skill of the costumers, performers and artists.

And I bought my membership for next year. I'm looking forward to the fun.

Oh, my, it's actually real!

2008-02-04T08:36:58Z

When British talk show host, Graham Norton, mentioned this on his show, I didn't believe it was real. But while watching a recording of a Graham Norton highlights show, I decided to check out http://www.kittywigs.com

It's really there, click to enter and you'll see cats wearing the wigs. Be sure to read the page describing the package, a "special paw proof metal container." Indeed - to keep kitty from ripping it apart before you attempt to put it on him or her again.

And then go to the "About us" page.

Well, this seems fairly accurate

2008-01-06T07:13:31Z

Other than the fact that I barely know who Chris Dodd is, this poll reflects my indecision between the leading Democratic candidates, still undecided but leaning towards Obama. I must say that I don't like the fact that Rudy Guiliani scores so high.

94% Chris Dodd
87% Barack Obama
86% Hillary Clinton
85% John Edwards
81% Bill Richardson
80% Joe Biden
79% Mike Gravel
77% Dennis Kucinich
46% Rudy Giuliani
34% John McCain
29% Mike Huckabee
27% Tom Tancredo
25% Mitt Romney
21% Ron Paul
13% Fred Thompson

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

Happy Birthday, dakron

2008-01-01T11:17:22Z

Hope you have a great day!

If you were going to get me something for Christmas...

2007-12-06T11:20:02Z

I've attached a list of what I'd love to get. I'm not fishing for presents - this is just a service for the folks who happen to usually buy me Christmas presents. And if you've bought me presents in previous years and can't afford to this year, please don't.

I may add more later, especially more inexpensive things

Of course chocolate and other goodies are always welcome

I draw the attention of johno to the more expensive items on my list.

Dolores Umbridge’s Wand
http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=NN7607&catid=21

Dolores Umbridge’s Quill Pen

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=NN7650&catid=21

An SQL query shirt from ThinkGeek:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/frustrations/595d/

A Doctor Who shirt from ThinkGeek:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/988c/

Another tshirt from ThinkGeek:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/ladies/9789/

See my Amazon wish list at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2372696X8HJRD

Wow, that was unexpected, but wonderful

2007-10-08T22:06:08Z

johno has already posted about this, but I thought I'd post here too.

Last night at the Stage 1 Awards Banquet, I receive two awards:

The first was a shard award for Best Costumes, which was given to my friend Juli and myself for our work on Wizard of Oz. To be perfectly honest, we kind of expected to win.

The second award was not expected: johno and I were given the Board of Director's Award for dedication, positive attitude and outstanding commitment to community theater. Oh, my. I was in tears and could not talk. John was barely able to get out our thanks. Every was up on their feet and clapping. All through the evening everyone was telling us how much they felt we deserved the award.

When they announced the award they were describing the efforts done by the upcoming recipients "Costuming, dressing, costuming, ushering, first time actress, costuming, dressing, set building, photography. Juli knew when they got to the second instance of costuming, John knew I was getting the award after first time actress and when they got to photography, he knew it was for both of us. I was being totally oblivious until they got to photography. The first time actress mention totally went over my head.

Wow, I'm still stunned.

It's really wonderful to find out how much our efforts are appreciated.

Opening night of Oliver!

2007-01-13T09:22:02Z

Well, I survived the first performance. Actually things went really well for me and for everyone. I remembered all my lines and remembered to sit up far enough so the audience could see me. I'm very tire but also very happy. Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

Christmas list

2006-12-18T20:41:09Z

I'm not fishing for gifts - I really have all I need. But if you were planning to buy me a gift and have no idea what to buy, you can find a short wishlist of things for a variety of prices on Amazon.com. To find my wish list, go search for my name with the apostrophe or search by my email. There are other Chris and Christina O'Halloran gift lists out there, but you can be sure you are in mine because I've included the fact that I live in Fremont.

Other things I'd like: interesting cookbooks, tea, restaurant or movie gift certificates, T shirts with funny says or images, tell me you are buying tickets to come see Oliver! (see previous blog for more info), world peace.

More Theater Stuff

2006-12-14T07:40:12Z

Rehearsal the last two nights has gone pretty well - we've got the basics down, they just need a lot of refining. I did my dying scene as Old Sally tonight and just forgot one little bit of line, but I got the movements and the dying right.

My other character is a balloon seller. I brought balloons tonight and tied them to the sticks I've been practicing with until now. Kids and adults alike were delighted to see them.

We also rehearsed our bows for the first time tonight and I get to take a bow with the supporting characters, as well as one with the chorus!

For more info: Stage 1 Theatre

I thought I only had a couple of lines...

2006-10-24T08:11:42Z

but actually, it's a whole page of dialog. Ack! Oh well, I'm sure it will be OK.

Wow, I got a part!

2006-10-23T06:45:14Z

One of the producers of Oliver! called me up today to let me know that they were offering me the part of Old Sally! So, I only say a couple of lines and die, but, really, that's the kind of part I want. I have no desire to get a big part with lots of lines to learn and lots of rehearsal time. Woo hoo!

My first time

2006-10-17T06:53:05Z

Today, for the first time ever, I auditioned for a part in a theatrical production. Stage 1 Community Theatre in Newark is doing Oliver!, and I decided to go for it and try out for a part in the ensemble. I've costumed for them several times and I've been a dresser and an usher, but the only time I've been on stage was in a church Christmas play. I was terrified, but I made it through it and everyone at the theater said they were proud of me for being so brave. It's nice working with such a supportive group.
I think the singing part of the audition went OK, but the dancing, not so good. We were taught a "simple" dance routine and while I could remember the moves, I couldn't get my body to move fast enough from one step to another. After going though the routine several times, I was exhausted and dripping with sweat. I thought a year of Taiko had me in better shape, but I guess I still have a long way to go.
If they give me an ensemble part, I'm going to sweat off some pounds.
I'll find out for sure by next Sunday. It was worth going through it just for the experience, no matter what.
If anyone else wants to give it a try, they are holding more auditions tomorrow night, 7-10PM, at Newark Memorial High School, Newark, CA (right across from Newpark Mall Shopping Center).