August in Pictures

Besides studying Russian, I've done a good deal of exploring this month. There are often concerts and festivals at the various parks downtown. This week, for example, Oregon Ballet Theater are rehearsing at director park (around 9th and Taylor) instead of in their studio. I've never particularly enjoyed ballet before (much to my mother's dismay) and insisted on quitting lessons when I was ten. But as I've been trying to become familiar with Russian culture and art, it's been hard to avoid. Here are a few pictures I've taken around downtown the past few weeks.

Roosevelt!

Down 10th Ave.

It's Black Eyed Susan Season!

Park Blocks at Sunset

Food Cart Lunch

Concert in the Park

My Sanctuary :)

Now doesn't that look fun?

What I'm Recording: 

• I'm starting my first solo recording! I will read George MacDonald's "At the Back of the North Wind". I've never read it, but it was my mother's favorite book as a child and I have been wanting to read more George MacDonald. I haven't even started recording yet, but I will try to post a chapter in the coming weeks! Hopefully it will be done by next Mother's Day!

• I've also taken on a few short stories and poems in an old children's book called "Up One Pair of Stairs in my Bookshelf". Some are by familiar authors, while others are adapted from folk and fairy tales.

Preview of Emma

Emma won't be finished for a while yet, but the first chapter is ready to listen to!

Click here to listen to chapter 1 in which... 

Emma Woodhouse is introduced ("handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition...")...

Emma looses her governess/friend to matrimony...

Emma's father gets nervous...

Mr. Knightly cheers them up... 

And Emma plots to find a wife for Mr. Elton!

Disclaimer: These images are from the newest miniseries adaptation of Emma, but don't worry, I have nothing against Gwyneth Paltrow.

Hooray for Bronte!

Two new Bronte novels and a few other projects are now available to download on librivox!

Anne, Emily, and Charlotte Bronte. Their brother, Branwell, painted himself
out of the picture, accounting for that awkward pole. 

Click below to listen to...

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

and 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Charlotte Bronte

But wait! There's more! "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights" are on their way! These are by far the most popular works of the Bronte sisters. I have minor roles in each. My dad got a small but really cool part in Jane Eyre. He's the guy that stops Jane's wedding to announce that the groom, Mr. Rochester, is already married to a mad woman in the attic. *gasp!* 

Speaking of Jane Eyre, we are missing a Mr. Rochester! Are you a wannabe actor who loves literature? Join librivox! Mr. Rochester is one of the most popular heroes of Victorian literature and a really great catch of a part. 

Where's Mr. Rochester?

And a few other newly completed projects:

The Brown Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. Part of a series of popular children's fables. I read "The Lion and the Cat". Kind of a strange story...

The Duchess of Padua by Oscar Wilde. I have a couple lines in here somewhere...

Shakespearean Dialogues II I play Hero this time in my favorite Shakespeare comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing". Beatrice would have been my first choice. Maybe next time!

Tartuffe  by Moliere. Your typical hilarious Moliere commedia dell'arte. I play the police officer that busts the bad guy!