Melissa Maniglia




Monday, October 31, 2011

Two Minutes to Blog

Rather ashamed of myself; Haven't blogged since JULY!!! I've grown a year older, switched jobs, traveled and I still haven't put it in writing.

CURSES!

Much to mull over. Much explored. Much to tell.

But, alas, it must wait till later. Must get ready for work.  And get more coffee in my veins. Coffee is key to happiness. Coffee is key to productivity. Coffee is my friend...

Well, as long as it isn't three am in the morning.

That's another story.

M

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summer in the City

New York City could never be considered dull. This is doubly true during the summer months when every single individual pounding the pavement has a bit more spring in their step and a lot less gravel in their brain. Sidewalk cafe's come alive, dogs are friendlier, and, as long as you stay out of Times Square, tourists are far less annoying.

So much to do, so much more to see!

This summer I am planning some side trips/days/experiences that might be a subway/train/or car trip away. First stop, The Pompey Exhibit at Discovery Times Square. Though its not a traditional, outside adventure, it is air conditioned and I can pretend that I'm in Italy. And, seriously, for the price of a metro card, who can beat that?!? No passport required!

Should you go? Should you stay? I'll let you know!

M

Monday, June 20, 2011

Mirror, Mirror...

Well, its not LA. Or so I'm told. But still, the amount of plastic surgery in NYC is rather astonishing. Know what's even worse?

The amount of BAD plastic surgery.

Women, and men for that matter, do not go under the knife to come out of anesthesia looking worse than they did when they went under. But many end up deformed phantoms of their former selves. Of course your forehead is smoother, but did you see what it did to your eyes? Or how about the bad nose job and cheek combo which, other than the dress you are wearing with the obsessive amounts of bling on your finger, made me wonder whether I should say "Ma'm" or "Sir."

EMBRACE YOUR BEAUTY!

EMBRACE YOU!

Don't worry about the wrinkles, you earned them! They all tell a story and your only concern should be that it was a good one! Just don't attack who you are.  Its sad that people are unable to see the unique beauty that they are before they are hacked at like the leg of lamb in a gyro shop.

And that's my two cents!

M

Friday, June 17, 2011

When Did I Become an Antique?

So, for some strange reason my friends are posting all of these nostalgic pictures on Facebook of us doing all of the wacky things kids did during their teenage years.  They are fabulous pictures bringing back wonderful memories. BUT....

When did our pictures start looking SO OLD?!?

I mean, look at them!! Really?!? With a megapixel of 0.0 these are grainy as grainy can be, scanned into our computers via a flatbed scanner because this was before the age of pictures on disc, card, or the internet. They can't even be called cool and vintage like the pictures of our grandparents.

All we need is a round of Oregon Trail... Oh, wait, I have that on my iTouch right now...

I don't feel old, but these pictures make me look like an antique!


M

Friday, June 10, 2011

Five Things I know for Sure

Five things I know for Sure:

1.) David Suchet is the quintessential "Poirot;"
2.) No home has enough space for all the books one requires;
3.) Time off from work is a necessary part of human survival;
4.) You can only understand the world around you when you've seen/experienced it;
5.) This list is subject to change/expand/grow in detail on a daily/hourly/moment by moment basis.

Mwah! :)

M

Friday, May 20, 2011

Daily Soapbox: Acting's Life Lessons

I've taken MANY acting classes over the past few years. Some were inspiring while others were money pits. But no matter which category they fell into, I learned something in each.  Sometimes, it was what to look out for so that I didn't fall for another scam.  Others taught me lessons that transcended the class and allowed me to look deeper into my life. These classes provided me with the tools to, not only find a truth  in character, but also find a place of truth within myself. 

Too often do we fight that truth with an overwhelming desire to be liked. No matter what people say, in some way, shape, or form we want people to like us. Whether we change our appearance, be nice to someone who REALLY doesn't deserve it, etc, etc, etc. We all do it. Some say they don't want to be rude. Others think, "Who cares what my opinion is?" While others just want to keep the peace. But by doing so, we are not being true to ourselves.  The more we cover our natural instincts, the more we lose track of who we really are. Its a constant, internal battle in which everyone loses. 

Now, I'm not saying that we should all stop taking care of ourselves, start telling people how it is, and to heck with the consequences.  I'm just saying that we need to make sure we are true to ourselves as well. 

So...

Take a deep breath...

Relax...

And let your mind/heart go where it may.  

Sometimes the things we like the most are the simplest. 

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Well, Well, Well...

So, its been awhile.

A LONG while!

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm devoting some "Me" time to my life after a long period focusing on everything else but me.  Mainly silly things, but not where my focus should be.

SO, speaking of focus, I'm refocusing my blog.  Acting has been a part of my life for awhile, but it isn't the only part of me.  There is a great deal more that I can entertain people with ( :-) ) that I would like the opportunity to pursue.

Therefore, this blog is now going to be a bit more fun, and a lot less serious.  Not changing the url (too cheap to buy a new one!) but this blog will encompass a great deal more than acting.

I'm looking forward to blogging with you!

M

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

FOCUS!!!

Geeze, its been a crazy December.

I'm really blessed to work in NY Theatre, even if its Front of House instead of onstage (Patience... Patience), but MAN December is CRAZY!

Sold out houses, energized and sugar infused tourists, and work.

Work, Work, Work!

Sometimes, .... Ok, Every December, I miss the Holiday of my childhood. Christmas break, cookies, tree trimming, more cookies, and the ability to actually enjoy the aura of the holiday season.

Working on Broadway during December means very little of the above. Actually, I don't think I've had a cookie this season (Nicole, where is your care package?!?!? Dumb USPS!!).  I was blessed for the first time in 4 years to visit my family for Christmas Eve AND Christmas day (till 10AM at least) and enjoyed the stab of nostalgia that 31 hours can provide (That and our annual game of "Twilight - Scene It" with my (now) brother-in-law & younger sisters... Why isn't it "Clue?!?").

But, sadly, in this craziness, I've been slightly derailed.

Nothing permanent. Just the pause button for a really good movie.

So, now that Broadway is in it's inevitable slow down till March/April, its ME TIME! Time to get back in the swing of things. Time to focus on what I want. Time to be true to myself.

I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. I believe in goals and attainable challenges.

So, I'm setting some for myself.  I'll keep you posted. ;-)

Here's to to Success and Prosperity in the new year.

We all deserve it.