Comments on Trailing Spouse Blues: On being a timid little girl

Paul, Nick K,Wikipedia definition the "persona" in...

2008-05-11T23:57:00.000-04:00

Paul, Nick K,

Wikipedia definition the "persona" in psychology:

"The persona is also the mask or appearance one presents to the world. It may appear in dreams under various guises (see Carl Jung and his psychology). Importantly, the persona, used in this sense, is not a pose or some other intentional misrepresentation of the self to others. Rather, it is the self as self-construed, and may change according to situation and context."

The blogging persona then. The private v. personal.

Nah, I get enough persona during rehearsal. This ...

2008-05-09T01:08:00.000-04:00

Nah, I get enough persona during rehearsal. This for me is about note-sharing with peers trying to crack open theater or another aspect of theater for themselves. And often having difficulty, and wanting feedback.

I have several friends who I chat with about theater blogs who have been flabbergasted when I've told them that there aren't many female theater bloggers out there. Alison, you've been my only peek into Australian theater at all for a few months now. I think they'll be glad to have your perspectives to relate to - I know I was - and I hope we have a rich conversation as a result.

Everybody has got a mask...remember "Singles"Kyra ...

2008-05-08T13:42:00.000-04:00

Everybody has got a mask...remember "Singles"

Kyra - "I think not having an act, being yourself...that's your act"

Just saying...

I could do with a whole lot less 'persona' and a l...

2008-05-08T12:16:00.000-04:00

I could do with a whole lot less 'persona' and a lot more 'personal'. Folks hide behind their masks in the blogging world even harder than the real one.

Forget the 'alphas'. Forge this trail on your own. The 'alphas' will eventually follow, trust me.

I find the contradiction in comments here and here...

2008-05-08T11:08:00.000-04:00

I find the contradiction in comments here and here interesting. Some seem to be of the opinion, "If you can't take the heat, go away and bake some little girly theatre cupcakes on your own time," and others seem to be protesting, "No, really, we're nice! Speak up!" I recognize both as valid reponses and frankly am more interested in the disparate voices, one conversation approach than the separate but equal one.

I'm also a bit mystified by the whole "persona" approach. For me, the whole point of blogging is to put my own point of view into words; purely selfish, frankly. And I read other people's blogs because I am interested in somebody else's point of view from where they're standing. I can kind of see why somebody might want to do it. But I guess I would just prefer do my acting on stage. Which is perhaps why I write grant proposals rather than plays, I guess.

Rat Sass is a persona. Yeah, it’s also nick@ or M...

2008-05-08T10:48:00.000-04:00

Rat Sass is a persona. Yeah, it’s also nick@ or Mr. Fracaro. Angry White Guy is a persona. Yeah, it’s also Don or Mr. Hall. The Outraged Professor as Scott Walters The Devil Vet as Bob Fisher. And so on. So how do you craft that, the representation from which you speak? Trailing Spouse will likely not speak with much machismo; and that persona likely expects the "alpha male mask" to lead the debate. (There are "real" alpha males in life, but none in the blogosphere, only cheap imitations.)

Alison at her blog often addresses herself in the third person as “Little Alison.” Is there some correct way for a Rat Sass talk to a Little Alison? And who will define that correct way? Rat Sass sometimes visits Little Alison’s blog, but she makes little girl faces at him all the time as if he is ugly and troll-like. She is not quite the censor but she is not very welcoming of his presence, so Rat Sass doesn’t visit Little Alison very often.

Rat Sass likes the Profane Schoolmarm as his debate partner. They have invented a cheeky repartee that is entertaining to watch but only those skilled in the subtleties of such poetic exchange should participate.

In blogging we perform the representations of our self. What part or how much of your “real” self you allow or emphasize within your creation is your choice.

ps. An often overlooked tool in the blogger's kit:...

2008-05-08T08:05:00.000-04:00

ps. An often overlooked tool in the blogger's kit: "sending someone to Coventry." Try it. You might like it.

If you've got some background with William Gibson ...

2008-05-08T08:02:00.000-04:00

If you've got some background with William Gibson (though not necessary), it will help with the following : the internet (and blogs) organize themselves surreptitiously and organically into little neighborhoods within cities, within sovereign territories, within the web. Some neighborhoods are nicer than others. Some streets are cul-de-sacs. Before you sign a lease on a street populated by bellicose intellectual brawlers, make sure you've surveyed the terrain.

Oops laura, I meant Trailing Spouse Blues Blog...I...

2008-05-07T20:39:00.000-04:00

Oops laura, I meant Trailing Spouse Blues Blog...I got a little confused about which link got me where. Everything I would have said to RVC applies to you...to anyone

all the best
dv

"And you make your own "inner circle". Exert that ...

2008-05-07T20:26:00.000-04:00

"And you make your own "inner circle". Exert that gravity! Speaking as one who knows, living slightly above Antarctica at the edge of the world...!"

I've never had any correspondence with Allison that I can recall, but I like this sentiment quite a bit.

No one owns the blogosphere. Thank goodness for that. None of us wants to have play rules created by anyone else regardless of taste/whatnot.

I have no idea what it means to be a woman or to be black and female or what it is to be Australian.

I think it is a shame that so many people feel that the voice with which I speak is somehow determental and negative. It concerns me that someone, anyone would think they couldnt speak or email me or what have you because of the voice I use when speaking to Scott.

I am starting to understand this though. I wrote about it today in response to Mac Rogers.

It doesnt surprise me that Allison has a wider readership. I think her success and content is strong (when I go there not often but I do). I dont know that her readership when compared to others has so much to do with her gender or her civility. She has always struck me more as a journalist, a respected journalist with a voice that speaks to many. Unless you know me or my theatre company or found me from Scott or Don, I'm really just a nobody who sends out these messages in a bottle.

For me this whole thing with Scott, has really been this thing between me and him. I dont if that is who you are referring to when you talk about some "inner circle" of alphas.

Anyway, I have spoken about my approach to Scott and how it is different that how I approach others. I would hope that you would take me at my word...and start talking back when you have something to say about a certain topic anybody brings up.

RVC, you brought up something interesting the other day. You asked (I dont know the degree of earnestness) if you could elaborate on something I wrote.

I was truly surprised. No one has ever asked for my permission to refer to something I posted on a public forum. They just went ahead and did it. It was public.

Anyway, I think you should habe at it! I think you should speak to that which compels you, and not worry about other bloggers (especially in regards to gender).

This is your blog. You have a voice just as relevent as anyone elses. I haven't stopped blogging when someone tells me my stuff is too strong too violent too whatever (too alpha?).

Oh and Allison, I read some of the things you and Scott have written to each other...I'm totally convinced you never wanted to punch his head in (smile and shrug).

Lets keep talking. The great thing about RVCbard.blogspot.com is no matter what I say...you have the final word here!

Hope that was positive enough that people will start talking to me again.

(wink)

-dv

When I left yesterday, I left the door open. Pleas...

2008-05-07T09:04:00.000-04:00

When I left yesterday, I left the door open. Please feel free to take my seat at the table. While I understand that some might find the verbal fisticuffs offensive or intimidating, if the American theatrosphere had a little more life those brawls wouldn't be necessary. Perhaps you can bring some life to it. But as I click through my Bloglines feeds, more often than not I encounter boring advertisements for one's own shows and that's about it -- certainly very few new ideas. Passionate engagement was my thing, but I think a reflective, dare I say poetic, or personal approach would be most welcome (at least by me). Anything that would bring a little life to the 'sphere. Was it Jimmy Porter in Look Back in Anger who said ""Oh heavens, how I long for a little ordinary human enthusiasm"?

Hi Laura - nice to find you blog, too. And RCVBard...

2008-05-07T02:48:00.000-04:00

Hi Laura - nice to find you blog, too. And RCVBards. There are different kinds of blog cultures - the theatre blogs in Melbourne, where I am, have a different air, they tend to be more about theatre and less about brawling (which I confess has depressed me a bit about the US blogs lately), though I guess there's plenty of argument. It might be that there are more women blogging, I don't know... I'm just very thing about any argument being civil, though: you can differ - even differ passionately - without calling other people names.

And you make your own "inner circle". Exert that gravity! Speaking as one who knows, living slightly above Antarctica at the edge of the world...!

I think I can make do with weasling, but snakes ar...

2008-05-06T21:11:00.000-04:00

I think I can make do with weasling, but snakes are sexier.

RVC - Well, I think it will take people like us we...

2008-05-06T21:02:00.000-04:00

RVC - Well, I think it will take people like us weaseling our way into the "inner" circle. That will probably take time, but we're already beginning to make strides. I think Nick is absolutely right - we just have to get in there and do it. And trust that those who are interesting in our voices will find us if we keep putting ourselves out there. I don't think the atmosphere is going to change for us, but that we need to get in there and change things ourselves. What do YOU think?

Alison - Awesome! Thanks for popping in and bringing your blog to my attention. I am definitely going to enjoy getting caught up with you, and I'm excited to find a powerful voice already out there paving the way for us.

I'm a girl, I blog about theatre without wanting t...

2008-05-06T19:03:00.000-04:00

I'm a girl, I blog about theatre without wanting to punch people's heads in, I think theatre is an art form and full of interesting ideas and worthy of serious discussion. And I get way more readers than any of them. Go figure!

What do you think it would take for theater blogos...

2008-05-06T17:45:00.000-04:00

What do you think it would take for theater blogosphere to be more welcoming to "non-alphas" (God, I hate that pecking (pecker?)-order terminology)? What other methods of discourse can we use to introduce, exchange, and expand ideas? What aspects of a more "feminine" style do you think could help things?