TJ Thyne

Simone,

I just wanted to hop on and give you my condolences on Germany's loss ... I didn't have time to watch the game this weekend, had too much going, but I did ask my hubby who won. Thought of you when they were playing!

There's always the next tourney ... I had to tell myself that when Italy lost to Spain in the shootout - that hurt!

Sigh - I want to post more, but we have company coming over for dinner in two hours and I need to finish cooking & cleaning up my Tazmanian Devil-infested kitchen before they walk in ... maybe tonight when all is quiet I'll hop back on.

Later all ...
Marie

Woo. That was a serious high. Amazing. Thank you Rebecca and co, Ian and I so enjoyed the evening, but it was simply too short. I'd have loved more time to talk. In fact, great as the others were, I'd have preferred to spirit you off to a quiet corner for a chat. That will have to wait until we meet again, and I am sure we will.

I've met cyberfriends before. Fortunately all great people, no oddities, but it always is a risk and a leap of trust. So I was actually running off adrenaline when we turned up at the Albert Dock gates. Hubby was his usual hyper self, looking a tad alarming in his all-black outfit with the Men In Black shades and ranging all round the area to see if we'd missed them. We must have been a little mismatched, me in my Bones teeshirt and all. But it was my better half who spotted them all first, all perched on a bench set back a little from the imposing dock gates.

The bare facts are that we went off together for a very nice meal in a restaurant in the renovated dock itself (apparently the sticky toffee pudding wasn't up to scratch), laughed immoderately while Ian and Becky's nephew did some quite spectacular improv together, and took loads of photos before heading away in our different directions. Some of which I hope will go up here, but probably not ours until we work out a way to get them all hosted online!

The bare facts are nothing to do with it really. It was a making of friends with someone I was already friends with, and it was a warm, bright experience enhanced by glowing candles, fabulous surroundings, the harbour lights after the meal (it wasn't dark early on - surprise was expressed at how late it remains light here in the summer, even moist, apologetic summers like our present one) and genuine camaraderie. I gave Rebecca one of my handmade teddies. It was one I made when I first got into TJ, so he has curly hair and a suspicion of a beard in the way his snout is shaved. I thought he'd be ideal, and I'm so pleased you took to him at once, Rebecca! Listen, can you please convince Sharon I cannot make teddies out of mink! There is a particular skill and specialist equipment involved in creating real 'hide' bears - I am not experienced enough to embark on new techniques just now.

And did we talk TJ? Well, yes, of course. But intermittently, as we were all finding out about each other. My fellow mod and I did get our moments of babbling and sharing though, and it was good. There's a kind of instinctive feel you get for each other when you've been reading each others' posts for a year and more, and knowing in advance that your enthusiasm is going to be projected straight back at you is just stunning!

I have to tell you. I was no doubt seeing her best (if probably rather weary, following the whistlestop British tour) side, but that girl is amazing. Warmth and sincerity just pour out of her and her eyes are full of humour and intelligence. Oh yes - and she doesn't look anything LIKE her age. Grr. Perhaps we'll get longer next time....

Meantime, this is our Albert Dock, refurbished for tourists and home to lots of gorgeous boats, the Liverpool Tate gallery and the Liverpool Maritime Museum (sorry so large, have not learned how to make these smaller as yet).



and here is our original Lamb Banana, modern sculpture symbol of our city for some unfathomable reason. There are about 100 adapted versions of this in different colours all over the area as a kind of celebration of Liverpool's status as European Capital of Culture 2008.

It's great to hear you two had a great time, though short. For the pic hosting you can upload it to Photobucket.com: make an account, upload, share the link's album.
That Albert Dock looks similar to Puerto Madero here in Buenos Aires (Madero Dock). It has the same type of buildings...well...it's no surprise, they are both docks hahaha, but still.

Not personal at all. Our baby hasn't arrived yet. She is just over 40 weeks, the longest she has ever been pregrant (the first two came early). We've picked a good name if it is the predicted girl...but I'm sworn to keep it a secret. Let's just say it has something to do with Bones.

English Al wrote:We've picked a good name if it is the predicted girl...but I'm sworn to keep it a secret. Let's just say it has something to do with Bones.

Awww that's sweet! I read once that someone named their baby Temperance after Bones, obviously.

sofilps wrote:

English Al wrote:We've picked a good name if it is the predicted girl...but I'm sworn to keep it a secret. Let's just say it has something to do with Bones.

Awww that's sweet! I read once that someone named their baby Temperance after Bones, obviously.

Well it wasn't from me...yet

Whew! Lots of posts since I last wrote! Let me attempt to catch up.

First, to Marie… quoting from your post over in the Introduce Yourself thread…

mariposa wrote:I’ll try to be good about answering your questions since you’re so good about asking them, Sinkwriter!

Heeee. Thanks!

I simply cannot help it. Those types of thoughts are wired into my brain. Besides, it’s more fun this way. Actual conversations, you know?

By the way, Marie, I think your idea of a 48-hour day sounds delightful. I would love to have 24 hours for creative pursuits, and the rest for fun, love, family, friends, and ‘regular life stuff.’ Make that happen, won’t you?

I admire the life you’ve led, growing up overseas and traveling to places like the Philippines. Very cool.

P.S. I can tell you’re a writer. There’s no denying it. We are the wordy sort (heh), and I think that’s marvelous.

mariposa wrote:If I could have everything my way, only films and plays that grab my carotid with a fist of emotion would be produced.

My first reaction was: Right on! I love those programs (film, television or theater) in which I am held spellbound from start to finish. It invigorates me. Makes me feel like I’m bouncing off the walls afterwards, I’m so excited and energized and inspired.

My second reaction was: Everyone has their own opinions on what grabs them emotionally. We’ll never come to a complete agreement! LOL.

My third reaction was (and is): I admire and respect your passion for excellence.

Bravo to caring about the work, and about professionalism, and about doing the best one can in one’s role (be it writer, director, cinematographer, actor, grip, camera operator, producer... teacher... secretary... doctor... artist... whatever!). It’s a big reason why I’m here on TJ’s site. He seems to work hard in all of those areas, and I’m extraordinarily impressed by him because of it.

Unfortunately, it seems not everyone has TJ’s professionalism. An actor friend of mine got into a summer training program in NYC with the Atlantic Theater Company, and she was immediately struck (gladly) by their steadfast rule about punctuality and professionalism. She just completed her first full week there, and she emailed this:

"… beyond the acting stuff, what they intend to teach us with the rest of the program and its rules and structure are good professional habits. … They’ll teach us to be on time, to be someone people can count on, a good ensemble member. These habits are what will set us apart from anyone else in the acting pool. Ivcich called this the “bare minimum” of what’s expected of an actor – and that so few actors actually DO the bare minimum, those that do build a solid reputation which is worth more than talent in many respects."

I think it’s admirable that a company makes a point of teaching professionalism, and I think it’s sad that it seems the standard is that so few actors actually bother to demonstrate it. Wouldn’t it make things so much easier for everyone involved? Wouldn’t it make one’s own experiences more positive and fun?

From the articles I’ve read and the interviews I’ve seen, TJ seems to demonstrate professionalism in a strong, cheerful, positive way. I really like that about him. He makes me want to dive back into theatre and do the best job I possibly can. Actually, he makes me want to do the best I can in all aspects of my life. He's too cool.

Overall, I love what you had to say, Marie, about the actors and writers you enjoy, and about the writing you do. It struck a chord, sister. It really did. Thanks for that.

P.S. I noticed you mentioned Aaron Sorkin as a writery inspiration. Were you a Sports Night or West Wing viewer?

P.S. again. I was very surprised that you weren’t familiar with fan fic (and thank you for the gorgeous explanation of it, Tara!). Mainly because if you’ve got a computer and you do any sort of search for TV programs or films these days, you’re bound to come across sites filled with it. But as Tara warned, unfortunately, sometimes you have to dig through a lot of muck in order to uncover the jewels buried deep within. There is some great talent out there, and some wonderful stories within many different fandoms, but they can be a challenge to find. Personally, I like when friends recommend stories to me.


Moving on to English Al… loved the story about how you proposed to your wife (especially the timing reason, which was very sweet). So, any baby news yet? Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

In fact, I hope all is well for everyone visiting here! And of course, for TJ. Sending positive thoughts your way. Be well!

Love,
Sherry
aka Sinkwriter72

Still no baby news. My wife will be induced on Friday if natural labour hasn't shown up by then. I'll be back with news as soon as there is any.

We'll have to wait and continue our Bones Marathon (passed ep 4 of series 2 and Jack and Ang are getting very close).

English Al wrote:

sofilps wrote: Awww that's sweet! I read once that someone named their baby Temperance after Bones, obviously.

Well it wasn't from me...yet

I thought it's 'Angela'. But 'Temperance' is very sweet, too. Very unusual!

TJ4ever wrote:

English Al wrote:

sofilps wrote: Awww that's sweet! I read once that someone named their baby Temperance after Bones, obviously.

Well it wasn't from me...yet

I thought it's 'Angela'. But 'Temperance' is very sweet, too. Very unusual!

Well we wanted an unusual name so she'll be the only person in her class called it. We were going to go with Isobelle, but every kid we meet seems to be called that in many variant spellings and while watching Bones we thought "ooh Tempe". Old fashioned, but nice. Will grow old with her (unlike names such as Kylie or Britney) and it means "patient" which we have been for this pregnancy.

Just waiting for her now...

Wow! First of all I owe everyone (especially Steph) an apology for taking so long in getting back on the forum! I see that we have some new members here (hurrah!) and although I'm late to meeting everyone, here's a BIG welcome and HELLO! And good luck to an expectant father as well!

I just read the lovely words that Steph wrote describing our meeting in Liverpool a little over a week ago. I had to laugh and I had to smile. It was just as fabulous as she described it, and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. Steph and her husband are some of the warmest and wittiest people I've met. Of course she and I bonded immediately over our shared love for Bones and all things T.J., but as she said, we had so many other things to talk about as well, and so little time! We were laughing until we were crying watching Ian and my nephew Cedar do some humorous improv. How I wish the boy had someone like Steph's hubby to teach him and develop his skills! All in all, it was a fantastic first time meeting of what I hope will be a lifetime friendship. Now, I will attempt to post a photo of this historic meeting of the moderators! (also, note darling T.J. Teddy handmade and given as a gift from Steph!)