Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Does Your Mirror Play Tricks on You?

April 12, 2012 at 7:32 am by Claudia

Do you have a mirror problem? I do.

Let me explain.The mirror in our bathroom at home is a very nice mirror. I put my makeup on using that mirror. I gauge how I look on any given day, at any given hour, with that mirror. Before leaving the house, I will give a last look at my fully made up self in that mirror. Often, I will be thinking, “Not so bad, Claudia. You’re pulling it off!”

Then I will go out in public, catch a glimpse of myself in a window or see myself in another mirror, somewhere, and I will look nothing like I looked in my bathroom mirror. I look older, paler, and where the heck is my make-up?

I’d chalk it up to our mirror but the same thing is happening here. I blow dry my hair, do my make-up,  put on my lipstick and leave the hotel. I get to the rehearsal space and catch a glimpse of myself in a random mirror somewhere in the building and I go into shock.

Is it a cruel joke? Is every bathroom mirror a sort of funhouse mirror, but a funhouse mirror that makes you look your best? Perhaps they are engineered that way in order to give us the guts to even entertain the idea of leaving the house?

If only I could always be seen by others as I see myself in that mirror. A slightly softer focus, a golden light….almost like those shots of Doris Day in her later movies and on her television series, where there was clearly a filter of some kind on the camera.

Does this sort of thing happen to you, my friends? Do your mirrors act as true reflections or do they play little tricks on you?

Tell me I’m not the only one.

Filed Under: life 35 Comments

Yes, It’s My 3rd PicMonkey Post

April 11, 2012 at 7:30 am by Claudia

I originally wrote a post extolling the virtues of PicMonkey on March 14th – almost a month ago. At that time, I told you that it was becoming my favorite photo editing site. I wrote about it again on March 28th and included a link to an interview with one of the site’s developers, who originally worked for Picnik.

Time for another update. I see more features added nearly every day. PicMonkey is adding more fonts, more effects, and more textures. And I know a collage feature is on the way.

I noodled around with some of the new features today, starting with this photo of Scout:

I just added one effect – Burst – and came up with:

Burst intensifies color and is a lot of fun.

This shot of Scout (who was quite agitated because a squirrel was running around right outside the corral) was changed to:

I used the Film Stock effect, added a geometric shape and used a font to give the photo a title.

I cropped this photo, used the Sepia effect and then added photo corners.

And finally, I started with this photo:

Scoutie was running and she ended up way to the left in the photo. So I cropped it.

I sharpened it and used Focal Zoom. It really highlighted her heart-shaped spot. I also added a drop shadow.

There is so much happening every day on the PicMonkey site. Stop by and play a bit. You’ll love it. I will, of course, keep you informed on any other changes.

I don’t even use Picnik anymore.

Edited to add: iPiccy’s collage feature is up and running. I haven’t tried it yet. With all the competition out there, I’m sure this means PicMonkey’s will be available very soon.

Filed Under: blogging, blogging tips 20 Comments

Settling In

April 10, 2012 at 7:30 am by Claudia

As usual when I’m working away from home, it takes me about 24 hours to accept being away from my home and family. Then I’m okay. Monday I coached for about 3 hours. I get such satisfaction from the coaching process. I love nothing more than delving into Shakespeare’s text, figuring out how to make the meaning clear and helping an actor bring the text to life. If you told me I could only coach Shakespeare for the rest of my career, I would be just fine with that. It never gets old.

Today, we officially start rehearsals. All of the cast will gather, there will be presentations of the set and costume designs and we will read through the script. I’ll get to hear all of the actors for the first time. It’s always exciting. My friend Mary is the Stage Manager. I got to know her when she was stage managing at the Old Globe and she is the best. It’s great to work with her again. She even stopped by my hotel on Sunday to say hello as we were checking in.

Monday was windy, cold and overcast. I managed to snap a few photos with the iPhone, but I was too cold to do more than that. Hartford has some lovely old buildings that have been lovingly preserved.

This is the building that houses the theater’s offices and rehearsal space. I love this style of architecture.

This is the original State House, supposedly designed by the famous Charles Bulfinch of Boston, built in 1796. I hope to get inside this building while I’m here.

This building is just down the street from my hotel. It’s huge and beautiful.

Beautifully carved, huge wooden doors.

On another note: further proof that Don and I need a new mattress – I woke up this morning without any aches and pains. I’ll have to check out the brand of mattress the hotel is using.

Okay, I’m going to eat some breakfast and head to rehearsal. Have a great day.

Filed Under: Hartford, On The Road 18 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.

Thanks for stopping by.

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The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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