Kate's Ramblings

A day-to-day insight to the world of the struggling artist... live vicariously!

Friday, September 29, 2006

Holy Bejeezus

What a week.

Don't even know where to start. Two photoshoots. Flyering. New Acting class. Danny rehearsal.

I'm getting my own headshots done next monday, and then I can finally get back on track with all of the connections I've been making recently.

yeah. so much and yet nothing.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Did he know?

Claddagh Ring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Ring of Claddagh
The Claddagh Ring is a famous friendship ring originating from the Claddagh village, located just outside the old walls of Galway city. The Claddagh design, an original symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh, Ireland, was first fashioned into the traditional ring in the 17th Century during the reign of Mary II.

Significance
The ring's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of friendship (the hands), loyalty (the crown) and love (the heart) that are said to combine in a good marriage. The way that a claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey some indication of the wearer's romantic availability. It is generally true that if the ring is on the right hand with the heart facing towards the hand, indicates that the person wearing the ring is in a serious relationship (his/her heart is closed). A ring worn on the right hand, with the heart outward, away from the hand, the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship (the heart is open). A claddagh worn on the left hand with the heart toward the hand indicates marriage. The other orientation (heart outward) indicates being engaged.
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Origin

There are many different stories about the origin of the ring.
One story is about Margareth Joyce, a woman of the Joyce clan. She married a Spanish merchant, called Domingo de Rona. She went with him to Spain, but he died and left her a lot of money. She returned to Ireland and, in 1596, married Oliver Ogffrench, the mayor of Galway. With the money she inherited from her first marriage, she funded the construction of bridges of Connacht. All this out of charity, so one day an eagle dropped the Claddagh ring into her lap, as a reward.
Another story tells of a Prince who fell in love with a common maid. To convince her father his feelings were genuine and he had no intentions of "using" the girl, he designed a ring with hands representing friendship, a crown representing devotion, and a heart representing love. He proposed to the maid with this ring, and after the father heard the explanation of the symbolism of the ring, he gave his blessing.
One story that may be closer to historical truth is about a man called Richard Joyce, another member of the Joyce clan and a native of Galway. He left his town to work in the West Indies intending to marry his love later that week, but his ship was captured and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. In Algiers, with his new master, he was trained in his craft. When William III became king, he demanded the release of all British from the Moors. As a result, Richard Joyce was set free. The goldsmith had such a great amount of respect for Richard Joyce that offered Joyce his daughter and half his wealth if Joyce stayed, but he denied his offer and returned home to marry his love who awaited his return. During his time with the Moors he forged a ring as a symbol of his love for her. Upon his return he presented her with the ring and they were married.
"Several individuals of this name have long felt grateful to the memory of William III. from the following circumstance, on the accession of that monarch to the throne of England. One of the first acts of his reign was to send an ambassador to Algiers to demand the immediate release of all the British subjects detained there in slavery, the dey and council, intimidated, reluctnatly complied with this demand. Among those released, was a young man of the name of Joyes, a native of Galway, who, fourteen years before, was captured on his passage to the West Indies, by an Algerine Corsair; on his arrival at Algiers, he was purchased by a wealthy Turk who followed the profession of a goldsmith, and who observing his slave, Joyes, to be tractable and ingenious, instructed him in his trade in which he speedily became an adept. The Moor, as soon as he heard of his release, offered him, in case he should remain, his only daughter in marriage, and with her, half his property, but all these, with other tempting and advantageous proposals, Joyes resolutely declined; on his return to Galway he married, and followed the business of a goldsmith with considerable success", James Hardiman, The History of the Town and County of the Town of Galway


Historical details
The Irish Potato Famine (1845–1849) caused many to emigrate from Ireland, and the Claddagh ring spread along with the emigrants to the United States and elsewhere. These rings are often considered heirlooms, and passed on from mother to daughter as well as between friends and lovers.
The Claddagh Ring is a variant of older rings call "Fede" rings which date to Roman times. An "fenian" Claddagh without the crown was later designed in Dublin for the Republican community, but that is not an indication that the crown in the original design was intended as a symbol of fidelity to the British crown. The fenian Claddagh, while still being made, has not approached the popularity of the ancient design.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

* sigh *

Sometimes I watch you when you’re sleeping
I see you’re having dreams tonight
And I know just by the way you’re breathing.
That I’m a vision in your mind

Wherever you may go my love,
Wherever you may be.
And all that matters in this world
Is just lying next to me
So sleep tight sweetheart, you’re free

*Chorus*
So beautiful, you make me smile
So wonderful, you’re in my life
Incredible, that you are mine.
So beautiful, you give me life
You bring me joy you bring me sight

I watch the way you love your family
And how everyone looks to you
And I don’t want to be here standing
If you didn’t hold me, Baby hold me up like you do

Wherever I may go, my love
Wherever I may be
I know my dreams will find you
Just lying next to me
So sleep tight sweetheart, you’re free

*Chorus*
So beautiful, you make me smile
So wonderful, you’re in my life
Incredible, that you are mine.
So beautiful, you give me life
You bring me joy you bring me sight

You help me see
The woman that I know I am,
But always was afraid to be
You show me how live every moment like it’s the last
And be all that I am
(You’re so beautiful)

*Chorus*
So beautiful, you make me smile
So wonderful, you’re in my life
Incredible, that you are mine.
So beautiful, you give me life
You bring me joy you bring me sight

You’re so, so, so beautiful
Baby

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Rough seas ahead

Somedays I feel like I'm just floating, out of control, in the middle of a rough ocean.

I told someone about my fear of not being needed yesterday. I'm exhausted. I didn't sleep well last night. And I don't seem to be able to pass information just by thinking it. At one point I woke up to Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" and felt the overwhelming desire to cry my eyes out. Who knows why.

I don't want to be dead weight, but I'm afraid if I said all the things I was thinking, you'd be long gone.

I've never held so much of what I'm feeling back in my life.

I'm thinking about going back to a paper journal. You know, the kind you hide under your mattress. Maybe expressing myself on paper will make up for what I can't say out loud.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Back to reality.

Things seem to be back to normal. Whatever "normal" is. I'm getting a hang on my new life. My time is figuring itself out. I found free internet in Times Square, which helps a lot.

The weekend was nice. Saturday, we went out for a nice relaxing evening - Dinner, Sweeney Todd, and dessert. Nice extra bonus, Ben took us backstage, which really knocked the socks off of my date. (It's the little things.) We came home and sat up and talked for a long while. Work yesterday, sorta, and two movies: Little Miss Sunshine and The Illusionist. Then home for some MUCH needed sleep.

Today, back to work. I've got Danny... stuff to do. Still desperately in need of donations. We need about $500 more to be safe... I have faith, it will all work out.