Hello friends,

I’m writing this post soon after having completed a performance of another of Lord Buckley’s works.  If you’ve been following this log, you may have noticed a little bit of my recent infatuation with the work of Lord Buckley, and tonight I performed The Nazz, a piece by this interesting character, at a free performance by several of the students from my storytelling program.  I had previously performed Jonah and the Whale as performed by Lord Buckley at a similar event, and I am finding these pieces seem to suit me well.  I’m starting to be in contact with other people associated with Lord Buckley, and am considering making a show out of interpretations of his works: I am enjoying exploring his rhythm and his hipster vernacular style.  I’m already seeing his influence in some of my word and we shall see how this continues, but for now, I must sleep.  Have a hip night my friends.

At: Phillip’s Emporium, Bloomsburg, PA

At this performance, Lethan will be letting some fun tales for youth tumble out.  A free performance filled with some of Lethan’s favorite tales to tell from times gone by as well as some new works he has picked up in Tennessee.  Take a break from holiday shopping/stress and enjoy some family tales.  Perhaps you’ll even find a last minute Christmas present while at the coffee house/bookstore.  For parents and children alike.

At: Open Your Eyes to Dream Art Gallery, Bloomsburg, PA
Admission at Door: $5 or $4 with a food can for donation
*PLEASE NOTE* These are stories for mature audiences, not intended for children
Lethan is excited to be returning to his home town of Bloomsburg to share some of his new work. This will be an evening of new stories and storytelling techniques that he has acquired while studying the art in Tennessee. Lethan is excited to share his studies with his friends in Pennsylvania and perhaps even see some new faces.

Well, I’m back in Tennessee now, after my brief holiday in Pennsylvania, and I’m very tired (had to leave at 3:30 this morning), so I will not be creative for this entry.  Instead, I’d like to share with you a story shared by a fellow storytelling student, Rebecca Reynolds: she overheard this conversation between her children in the car, a new look on trying to be a Pacifist:

(Overheard from the back seat.)

CG: “Let’s play Pacifist when we get home.”

JD: “OK.”

RR: “How do you play Pacifist?”

JD: “Well, there’s one-player Pacifist and two-player Pacifist.”

CG: “Yeah, in one-player Pacifist, one player tries to get in a fight, and the other one does everything she can to resist it.”

JD: “And in two-player Pacifist… well, that’s a little more boring.”

CG: “Oh. Then there’s no-player Pacifist.”

RR: “Which, I’m assuming, could also be called ‘War?’”

CG: (nefarious laugh) “Yes.”

JD: “Pacifist is a mocking sort of game.”

RR: “I realize that.”

CG: “And then, when we are done, we can convert Betsy (the golden retriever) to Catholicism. We already tried once today.”

I am currently watching the film Borat with my father - a ridiculous look at how American’s interaction with foreign culture.  Possibly the most politically incorrect movie I have ever seen.  It is a candid camera film taken to an extreme.  If you’re in the mood to be shocked, and somewhat disturbed both by the extremes the movie goes to and by the American’s responses to this nonsense watch this film and laugh, laugh, laugh.  But a warning, this is only for mature audiences.  Enjoy.

Have a happy Turkey Day tomorrow!  For my thankful day, I am in Pennsylvania to visit the parents and some friends.  I just arrived at my old home, and am still getting used to this unusal setting (Pennsylvania instead of Tennessee).  It is, however, nice to just get away for a bit and move to a new location, though I will still be trying to get a good bit of work done, but tonight the pleasure of returning here will be all I focus on, and the up-comming day of feasting.  May your time be filled with fun as well.

This weekend has been spent, in a large part, working on a new story, this one a historical story from the American Revolution.  A story about the Battle of King’s Mountain, the battle that many historians believe began the rebel victory.  It’s been fascinating studying this history, and though it is difficult turning such a large event into a moderately brief story, learning this process has been exciting as well (though perhaps a bit strenuous at times).

I’m excited to say that the story is now complete, and I believe I’m recognizing a heavy influence by the storyteller Lord Buckley in the work.  This is exciting because I am looking to explore his rhythmic word play style, and while I don’t want to try and mimic his style (it’s his, not mine), I am looking to learn from his work and apply some of his techniques to my own work, so I’m excited (and a little nervous) to see how this piece is taken.  I’ll try and let you know after it has been performed.

Best,
Lethan

A quote from my storytelling classes:

“What makes us say, ‘I’m going to do something utterly foolish, by seeking the love of the ideal.’”

Hey all,

Life here is busy, I’m recognizing that my lackadaisical nature may be kicking my butt now, so I’m doing my best to get caught up on all my school work and to not get distracted by any….  What’s that…?

May you all stay focused on what you need to do.

Hello friends,

I’m writing to keep you updated as to my life in Tennessee, and as of this weekend, my life has been sick - not in the good way - in the drag you down, turn you around, blowing out mucus of all the shades of the rainbow.  Well, maybe not that bad, but I felt like being artistic when describing my drags.  And for some reason, it seems that procrastinated papers tend to be due when the sickness strikes.  Fortunately, I did not let my flu do me in, and, though my head was more filled with snot than thought, I feel proud to say that I completed a psychological/historical analysis of a fairy tale recorded by the Brother’s Grimm, and I feel good about it.  Now I must go to complete the final parts, but perhaps I’ll post the completed work tomorrow.