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Imogen

October 9, 2021 at 9:38 am by Claudia

Yesterday, my server/host was apparently migrating accounts to a new system or something or other (after a bit, my brain shuts down all technical info.) That caused the blog to be down for some of you, which happened west to east through several time zones, which is why some of you saw “This account has been suspended” messages before I did. Not a good choice as it made us all look like we had done something wrong. I was also – and still am – dealing with a problem with the email associated with this blog. I’m not getting any of your comments sent to me, my replies aren’t being sent to you, and I’m not receiving warnings about attempts to hack the blog. That is still a problem and I have to call someone and deal with it today, though the tech I spoke to yesterday suspected it had to do with the migration. But, the blog is back up and running, and the other problem still exists.

The tech aspects of this blog can be exhausting. Anyway. I don’t think you’ll be receiving my replies in the near future until this gets ironed out, so just check back in later in the day to join in the conversation. Thanks for your patience!

I coached Ben yesterday and dealt with all the blog craziness, and in the middle of it all, this package arrived from Minsk, in Belarus. For quite a while, I was worried whether it would actually get here! What do you think was inside?

Meet Imogen! I’m besotted, my friends. I first saw her on Etsy and I fell in love with her gamine look. I couldn’t get her out of my mind. She has the most beautiful eyes, though I’m only showing you one set today. This is exactly how she came to me – in this outfit, with the bunny in her arms. The seller also included another dress, a hat, and a chocolate bar from Belarus with all the text in Russian.

I’ve always loved the name Imogen. She’s a character in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, which is where I first fell in love with the name. And there are actresses and famous photographers with that name. Truth be told, when I looked at her on Etsy, I knew that would be her name.

I’m so glad she’s here!

Sophie, ever cautious and shy, watched me unwrap her. And then they met.

Sophie seems to be saying “Who IS this?”

But soon enough, I could hear laughter from the den.

Imogen has faint freckles on her forehead.

There’s a whole world of “Blythe” body adaptions out there. Sophie has the standard body and her head doesn’t tilt at all. So that makes photographing her somewhat challenging, as her head tilts down a bit. Imogen came with what is called a neck adapter or neck joint, which is added to the original neck to brace the head and make it possible for the head to tilt forward, back and to the sides.

I have plans to adapt Sophie’s body and neck in the future. That’s a whole other conversation: what bodies to use, what neck adapters. Some of the videos I’ve watched are very helpful, but I’m also a bit wary of trying anything too risky. But, then again, I am used to cutting and building and adapting, so I suspect I’ll be fine.

It’s fun to have two of them to play with. Part of the fun is dressing them in the scads of clothes available out there and posing them for photographs. Some Blythe owners take such inventive photographs.

Okay. I have to coach Ben at one, have to figure out the situation with the email on my blog, blah, blah, blah.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: blog, Blythe dolls, Imogen, Sophie 13 Comments

Time Off

September 21, 2021 at 9:01 am by Claudia

Hey, everyone. I’m going to take a couple of days off from the blog. I have a lot on my plate at the moment with coaching and trying to find a good time to speak to the director of the film, prepping for Anastasia, and helping Don with a self-tape audition this morning. And my sinus/allergies are really troublesome, so I feel like I’m in a fog.

I need to give myself permission to not blog. I’m so used to doing it everyday, but the fact is, I don’t always have something to say. I may well transition into blogging a few days a week, but that decision is way off in the future.

Thanks for understanding.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: blog 18 Comments

Roseville Series and Blog Business

July 1, 2021 at 8:37 am by Claudia

So far. They’re propped up on the music stand and I’ve run out of room! Quality problems, I know. I’m going to start a new one today.

I’m enraged by the technicality that let Bill Cosby leave prison. Don’t forget, I know someone very well who ran out of his house in NYC when she realized what he was about to do.

But, even if I didn’t know her, 60 women came forward. He was found guilty. This is the kind of ‘technicality’ that only someone who is enormously wealthy can afford to pursue. And still his wife defends him. And Phylicia Rashad. Real and Fake wives remain resolute in turning a blind eye to the facts.

And don’t get me started on the judge’s decision as to Brittney Spears.

Okay, I’ll stop.

We had a big old thunderstorm last night and the temperatures have dropped. It’s still humid out there, but not nearly so oppressive. More rain is on the way.

Some blog business. I’ve been a bit remiss. After deciding that ‘tomorrow is another day,’ I didn’t pursue the email subscriptions to the blog ending in July. It’s July 1st. I have no idea when in July they will cease. Maybe today? Maybe not.

So I took a survey last night on IG. (Side note: I don’t know how to phrase a survey question as was painfully obvious.) The vast majority of readers who answered said the email subscription wasn’t necessary. Some, of course, like getting the emails and I understand that. But I am reluctant to take on more blog expense at this point in the life of the blog for the less than 20% who would like an email. And, as this was unofficial, I don’t even know if those who responded regularly read the blog.

Here’s the deal: I provide all of this for free. I don’t want you to have to pay to read this blog nor do I want paid subscribers. I’m not comfortable with that at all. Yes, I know everyone and his brother is climbing on the Patreon wagon, but that’s not for me. I have done my best over the years to be as user friendly and available as I can be. There was a time when I loved nothing more than adding new things to the blog, trying out new services. Those days are over.

Don’t worry, I plan to keep blogging, but the fact is, the blog does have a finite life. I am particularly uncomfortable with taking on an added expense at this point.

And here’s the key point: You KNOW I post every day. In the rare case that I don’t, I let you know that I’m not posting via Instagram. This isn’t the case of a blogger who posts sporadically so you need to know when a new post is up. I am not that blogger. I blog every day, in the morning, so that the post is published by 11 am at the latest. Why should I have to let you know what you already know via an email subscription that costs me money and I’m not even sure how many of those subscribers read the blog any more?

The answer is obvious. I shouldn’t have to.

And the solution, for those of you who love getting the email, is to bookmark or favorite the blog via your browser. It couldn’t be easier. One click. Then, around 11 am or earlier, you click on that bookmark or favorite and you’re taken directly to the blog. That’s how I read blogs, and I read several every day. The alternative is to follow it in a feed reader like Feedly or Bloglovin’. I am on Bloglovin’ and I used to have a box on my sidebar that you could click to follow me there. I’ll put it back in the next few days.

Then, when you check your particular feed reader, you’ll see my post. And, being the wonderful people you are, you’ll click on the post and go directly to the blog.

This is what I’m going to do. No more email subscriptions.

My friends, this blog is in its 13th year. Writing a post every day has been a source of satisfaction and joy. And I wouldn’t be here without you. I know that.

Sometimes I consider ending it, but I’m not ready for that. As Don reminds me, “You would regret that decision.” He’s right. But, having just paid my annual fees for security, for backups of the blog so I don’t lose posts should something nefarious happen, and for my host, I just can’t stomach paying for something that simply isn’t necessary.

And there you have it.

If you need help with bookmarking or favoriting the blog, I’m happy to help.

Stay safe.

Happy this seems like a Friday but is really Thursday.

 

Filed Under: blog, life, oil painting 53 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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