A friend just shared this quote with me after watching the video in a private chat, but it’s too apropos not to share with you, Mary:
“I’ve been reading a lot from David Gosselin, and I think this is applicable to your work:
„How important is it to have such art in our culture and society; that is, to have works that offer as much beauty as they do truth, as much wisdom as they do delight? We should ask ourselves: if a population is not in a disposition to receive such impassioned and beautiful conceptions in the realm of the arts, how are they ever to discover them in the real world?
By allowing our imagination to free itself from the strictures of our own age, its prejudices and the many psycho-spiritual binds that characterize our own modern Narrative Matrix, we become free to play among a realm of eternal forms, reflecting not only on what history might or should have been, but what our future history could be.
As the world busies itself obsessing over the latest scenes of perversity, horror, and unbridled grotesqueness, let us play among the many possibilities, and like true classical tragedians, imagine not only what could or should have been, but what may truly be.
OMfG that is awesome! How do we get this out in as many venues as possible? Mary, the WRITING, the ACTING! Did you do that all in one take? Tonika, the DIGITAL FLAIR (I don't even know what the technical term is but I know it doesn't suffice). I am flabbergasted.
The little TMs, so funny. I had no idea, Mary, that you made such a great Karen. So much information packed into such an entertaining format. The images! The editing! This is monumental. How can I help get it seen by millions?
Aw... I'm delighted in your response, Tereza. Funny you ask about the number of takes... Sara and I worked on each segment until we had decent footage on that segment, then we got to the end and I thought, okay, we're done! But she suggested we do one more non-stop run-through, all the way through in one take -- so that's what we did.
THEN, when I went through the footage later that day, I found that almost NONE of the individual takes had recorded... so all Tonika had to work with was the run-through!😂 So the answer, in a fashion, is yes!
Thank you for the high praise, esp. my ability to portray a Karen. She came quite naturally, which should probably frighten me!
Great question re: having it seen by millions... I've decided recently to turn over a new leaf in that department. So if you have any ideas for me, I'm totally open!
Deep gratitude for all your enthusiasm, dear Tereza!! xox
I think Spirit had a hand (a zephyr?) in the missing footage. There's a flow to one take-- even if the breaks are off-camera, it changes the momentum. You're alert and animated but also relaxed. Knowing that you were essentially done, and just doing one more for fun, seems like it might have added to that. I'd get so nervous about being halfway without a mistake that I'd fumble it just to get it over with. But you have both the 'show must go on' performance experience and the memorization! That alone floors me.
Yes, the head band, neck scarf, high collar white shirt--I'd hire you as the POTUS apologist anyday. You're the perfect simpering sycophant.
But let's turn to Tonika. How long did you work on this? The talking TV head, the images, montages, special effects, humor ... Loved the cartoon footage. Every part of this is so perfect, so alive and embellished with that Tonika touch.
I'm actually back to 2 strikes away from being cancelled--they did term out my first strike. I'd be happy to put it up there but it's not a lot of exposure. Do either of you have a ewwwTube (as Pasheen would say)? I find that it's only the titles and descriptions that get picked up by the censors, I think this will fly under their radar. It really deserves a wiiiiide audience.
I agree... the last take was far and away the best. I'm embarrassed to say the wardrobe came from my own closet...🙄!
Thanks for offering to post it on YT! I'm in the process of building out a channel for myself -- right now it just has my old commercials reel and a vid I made years ago about ImproviDance. Time for a re-imagining, for sure. xox
What a stupendous video to launch your channel with. As an aside I was thinking about the side gigs for ImproviDance--IndepenDance. CoinciDance. ImpruDance.
Now you have me thinking about CoinkyDance. I'm not on Insta but I love your title of twinkiville. My middle daughter Olivia calls the youngest (your spiritual doppelganger) Twink, all slang connotations intentional.
'Only' 1500 subs. I'm crawling my way up to 1200, one cantankerous old coot at a time--that seems to be my specialty. It takes one to know one.
Well, I had some downtime in Tijuana so I got a few projects in various state of completion. And I do have YT. I've been demonetized and I only have like 1500 subscribers, but I can certainly put it up there and link to your stack, Mary. Oh, rumble and Bitchute too. I can hit up different platforms. i should have done that earlier. Totally spaced.
I’m so glad to see Mary’s acting chops be appreciated. It’s so well deserved. And thanks for boosting my feel goods too, T. I’m certainly going to try and get this in front of some eyeballs. Did I tell you I got kicked off TikTok? My videos got too spicy for them, I guess. 🤷♀️ I know Tereza is a strike away on YT. Wearing these badges of honor proudly. 👊
Oh, Lordy, that was a hoot! You Three Musketeeresses outdid yourselves. Be proud, Be very proud! I can see this going "viral". You never know. Way to tell the truth, and nothing but. Totally loved it.
Well, I'd say that character fits you. After all you are a swashbuckling heroine in your own right with your incredible "digital flair" ( as per Tereza), fighting the good fight for "Truth and Justice". Not to mention that you most definitely are bold and quick-witted.
Mary (and Tonika and Sara!)!!! I am sitting here gobsmacked. OMG. I usually hate sarcasm, but I lapped up every single word of this! Absolutely BRILLIANT. And I LOVED watching and listening to you in that TV screen. You killed it - the outfit, hair, glasses, smile/smirk. Back to the stage, woman. I’m so glad Tonika and Sara kept nudging you.
It’s a sad state of affairs indeed, and yet watching this piece and knowing that some of us “know” and that we are still (somewhat) able to put it out there gives me a glimmer of hope, ever the optimist that I am.
Sharing this brilliant piece far and wide. You hit it out of the park, my friend! XOXO
Brilliant! Congrats to all concerned for an impactful satire on a deadly serious situation. A needed humourous wake up call. Great production. And from a layman’s point of view no need at all to be concerned about getting back in front of the camera again Mary! Loved it!
I enjoyed that very much. Humor, irony, and satire are the best weapons against the sanctimonious and self serious. My college English professor Mary McCarthy taught me that there were many different kinds of freedom. There’s the timid lamb’s freedom and the bold lion’s freedom. While it is enough for the lamb to be free from the fear of being eaten, the lion’s much more robust freedom works off the assumption that freedom is inherently dangerous. In order to enjoy the lion’s freedom, one must be willing to accept risk because it does not come with a guarantee of safety. Over the past two decades, most Americans have embraced the lamb’s freedom. "Comfort" and "safety" are more important to them than freedom.
Your professor gave you tremendous wisdom, Peter! Thank you for sharing it here; I'll be carrying it with me. And yes, the lamb's freedom has been the one we've settled for, over and over... because it's the one we've been encouraged to embrace. It's clearly in the best interests of the powerful to keep us in that meek state.
Well, Damn!! That was fun, truly laughed out loud, fun! And brilliant. And I never heard of the Declaration of Dependence but I'm not surprised in the least!
I want to see this EVERYWHERE! Should wake some folks up. How could it not?
What a wonderful collaboration - makes my heart happy. Mary, you rocked that role!
Great piece! However, it is deeply depressing to think that a majority in the States (& globally) would miss the satire & derision & think this sounds like a plan.
It’s just that the scamdemic completely overwhelmed the world w/ almost nary a peep from the start as we were stripped of our rights & very humanity. It still boggles that there are only 20-30% in the US who refused the jab. But 70-80% took it…For various reasons, to be sure. But a vast, vast majority nonetheless….
True that the world folded in the face of what it saw (what it was TOLD) as an existential threat. I do wonder about the 20-30% statistic... I know quite a few unjabbed who wouldn't show up in that percentage thanks to creative graphic design 😉. AND, I also am aware of more and more individuals who now have a much clearer view of what's going on BECAUSE of the past three years.
Hi Cindi - don't think you're wrong that there's a sea of people who are happy to sign up for the Declaration of Dependence, but in one sense I'm a little less pessimistic - I think any and all in that camp who see this will have a small 'seed of reconsideration' planted somewhere in their psyche. (Truth resonates in the souls of all). And that in some that seed will begin to germinate at sometime, whether close or far. This is the way it has to be done.
There's real possibility in your analysis, Michael -- I entirely agree that "truth resonates in the souls of all," and that often seeds are planted that don't germinate until farther down the road. May it be so! Thanks for weighing in.
I studied political science at Santa Clara University - not once did I hear anything about a Declaration of Dependence - that's either a sad commentary on the truths being doled out in the name of education or my state of mind at the time, which was firmly fixed on baseball.
The video is impressive work. I may not always agree with your views, but I will always...always listen to what you say and read your words with the utmost respect.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comment, Jack, and the integrity behind it. I am keenly aware that not everyone who subscribes to TAOF will be pleased with this latest offering... And yet I have to keep giving voice to my own, singular experience of the times in which we are living.
Your willingness to listen is so undervalued in the world, and at the same time so urgently, desperately needed. Thank you for your open mind and ears, and heart.
Gosh I would so love to sit down with you someday and hear your beliefs... Xox
Preferably over a glass or two of wine...and I'm sure you will find, like so much in life, we have way more in common than points we may respectfully disagree on...and that's usually a result of context - and once the context is understood and respected...well, hugs can't be far off...
A friend just shared this quote with me after watching the video in a private chat, but it’s too apropos not to share with you, Mary:
“I’ve been reading a lot from David Gosselin, and I think this is applicable to your work:
„How important is it to have such art in our culture and society; that is, to have works that offer as much beauty as they do truth, as much wisdom as they do delight? We should ask ourselves: if a population is not in a disposition to receive such impassioned and beautiful conceptions in the realm of the arts, how are they ever to discover them in the real world?
By allowing our imagination to free itself from the strictures of our own age, its prejudices and the many psycho-spiritual binds that characterize our own modern Narrative Matrix, we become free to play among a realm of eternal forms, reflecting not only on what history might or should have been, but what our future history could be.
As the world busies itself obsessing over the latest scenes of perversity, horror, and unbridled grotesqueness, let us play among the many possibilities, and like true classical tragedians, imagine not only what could or should have been, but what may truly be.
Let us be true artists.“
https://risingtidefoundation.net/2023/01/25/art-metaphor-and-epiphany/?amp=1
Thank you for inviting me on this journey. Thrilled to be a part of it! ❤️ 🤗 🥰
Oh my goodness, tears are welling up. That quote is magnificent, Tonika. I'm putting it on the wall in front of my desk.
Um... I think YOU invited ME, and I'm just as thrilled. Thank you, dear nerd!! 🤓 😍
Oh, I'm so glad it hit home with you as it did with me! 🙌
Is that how it went? Well, good on me for sparking the engine! 😂 You delivered!
OMfG that is awesome! How do we get this out in as many venues as possible? Mary, the WRITING, the ACTING! Did you do that all in one take? Tonika, the DIGITAL FLAIR (I don't even know what the technical term is but I know it doesn't suffice). I am flabbergasted.
The little TMs, so funny. I had no idea, Mary, that you made such a great Karen. So much information packed into such an entertaining format. The images! The editing! This is monumental. How can I help get it seen by millions?
Aw... I'm delighted in your response, Tereza. Funny you ask about the number of takes... Sara and I worked on each segment until we had decent footage on that segment, then we got to the end and I thought, okay, we're done! But she suggested we do one more non-stop run-through, all the way through in one take -- so that's what we did.
THEN, when I went through the footage later that day, I found that almost NONE of the individual takes had recorded... so all Tonika had to work with was the run-through!😂 So the answer, in a fashion, is yes!
Thank you for the high praise, esp. my ability to portray a Karen. She came quite naturally, which should probably frighten me!
Great question re: having it seen by millions... I've decided recently to turn over a new leaf in that department. So if you have any ideas for me, I'm totally open!
Deep gratitude for all your enthusiasm, dear Tereza!! xox
I think Spirit had a hand (a zephyr?) in the missing footage. There's a flow to one take-- even if the breaks are off-camera, it changes the momentum. You're alert and animated but also relaxed. Knowing that you were essentially done, and just doing one more for fun, seems like it might have added to that. I'd get so nervous about being halfway without a mistake that I'd fumble it just to get it over with. But you have both the 'show must go on' performance experience and the memorization! That alone floors me.
Yes, the head band, neck scarf, high collar white shirt--I'd hire you as the POTUS apologist anyday. You're the perfect simpering sycophant.
But let's turn to Tonika. How long did you work on this? The talking TV head, the images, montages, special effects, humor ... Loved the cartoon footage. Every part of this is so perfect, so alive and embellished with that Tonika touch.
I'm actually back to 2 strikes away from being cancelled--they did term out my first strike. I'd be happy to put it up there but it's not a lot of exposure. Do either of you have a ewwwTube (as Pasheen would say)? I find that it's only the titles and descriptions that get picked up by the censors, I think this will fly under their radar. It really deserves a wiiiiide audience.
I agree... the last take was far and away the best. I'm embarrassed to say the wardrobe came from my own closet...🙄!
Thanks for offering to post it on YT! I'm in the process of building out a channel for myself -- right now it just has my old commercials reel and a vid I made years ago about ImproviDance. Time for a re-imagining, for sure. xox
What a stupendous video to launch your channel with. As an aside I was thinking about the side gigs for ImproviDance--IndepenDance. CoinciDance. ImpruDance.
THOSE ARE GENIUS!!!
Speaking of CoiniDance, I have to share this video I found on my phone when one of the twins was young and I'd find these strange lip-synching videos (before I knew what the heck TikTok was): https://www.instagram.com/p/BtHfPpFAki5-vZ8zAtfUnq1J6wg3sTl7LV2mrU0/
Now you have me thinking about CoinkyDance. I'm not on Insta but I love your title of twinkiville. My middle daughter Olivia calls the youngest (your spiritual doppelganger) Twink, all slang connotations intentional.
'Only' 1500 subs. I'm crawling my way up to 1200, one cantankerous old coot at a time--that seems to be my specialty. It takes one to know one.
Well, I had some downtime in Tijuana so I got a few projects in various state of completion. And I do have YT. I've been demonetized and I only have like 1500 subscribers, but I can certainly put it up there and link to your stack, Mary. Oh, rumble and Bitchute too. I can hit up different platforms. i should have done that earlier. Totally spaced.
I’m so glad to see Mary’s acting chops be appreciated. It’s so well deserved. And thanks for boosting my feel goods too, T. I’m certainly going to try and get this in front of some eyeballs. Did I tell you I got kicked off TikTok? My videos got too spicy for them, I guess. 🤷♀️ I know Tereza is a strike away on YT. Wearing these badges of honor proudly. 👊
"That Tonika Touch." Oh, YEAH. Couldn't agree more. You made this thing SING, you spicy mamacita, you...💃
Taking me a few days. to catch up with my Substack faves but I concur: this was excellent on so many levels! Well done Mary & Tonika!
Appreciate the kind comment, SF -- and happy to subscribe to your own stack!
Thank you Mary, so nice to connect!
Thank you, SF! 🤗
OMgosh....love it. Hit upside the head with truth bombs as kiss-ass-sarcasm. Who doesn't love THAT?
😂
Oh, Lordy, that was a hoot! You Three Musketeeresses outdid yourselves. Be proud, Be very proud! I can see this going "viral". You never know. Way to tell the truth, and nothing but. Totally loved it.
Ok, but if we’re musketeering, I must insist I be Aramis (he was the cheeky one, right?)
If he was, then that fits!
Well, I'd say that character fits you. After all you are a swashbuckling heroine in your own right with your incredible "digital flair" ( as per Tereza), fighting the good fight for "Truth and Justice". Not to mention that you most definitely are bold and quick-witted.
I'm glad you're on our side!
Delighted to share the honors with you, Rocket! 🙌
Thank you, Rocket! It was a hoot to shoot, and Tonika took it to a whole new level. 😊
Mary (and Tonika and Sara!)!!! I am sitting here gobsmacked. OMG. I usually hate sarcasm, but I lapped up every single word of this! Absolutely BRILLIANT. And I LOVED watching and listening to you in that TV screen. You killed it - the outfit, hair, glasses, smile/smirk. Back to the stage, woman. I’m so glad Tonika and Sara kept nudging you.
It’s a sad state of affairs indeed, and yet watching this piece and knowing that some of us “know” and that we are still (somewhat) able to put it out there gives me a glimmer of hope, ever the optimist that I am.
Sharing this brilliant piece far and wide. You hit it out of the park, my friend! XOXO
Barbara, you lift people up with such ease! Weirdly I saw your IG signal boost before going on Substack today and it warmed my heart so! ❤️
Doesn't she??
💯
Aww! Thank you, luv! I really do love sharing other people’s masterpieces! Even non-masterpieces. :) Love you both! 🩷🩷
Love you right back!
Oh Barbara, I'm thrilled. Thank you for gushing. 😊
I have to say, Sara was instrumental in all of it, and Tonika made the most of it. I love collaborating with talented people!!
I appreciate your sharing it. I feel like I'm finally ready to get out of my own way! 😂
I don't know Sara, but she did an amazing job! You all did! XO
I'll tell her...xox
Brilliant! Congrats to all concerned for an impactful satire on a deadly serious situation. A needed humourous wake up call. Great production. And from a layman’s point of view no need at all to be concerned about getting back in front of the camera again Mary! Loved it!
You are kind, Michael, thank you so much!
Agreed! Sheesh, you’re a natural! More on-screen Mary!
☺️
I enjoyed that very much. Humor, irony, and satire are the best weapons against the sanctimonious and self serious. My college English professor Mary McCarthy taught me that there were many different kinds of freedom. There’s the timid lamb’s freedom and the bold lion’s freedom. While it is enough for the lamb to be free from the fear of being eaten, the lion’s much more robust freedom works off the assumption that freedom is inherently dangerous. In order to enjoy the lion’s freedom, one must be willing to accept risk because it does not come with a guarantee of safety. Over the past two decades, most Americans have embraced the lamb’s freedom. "Comfort" and "safety" are more important to them than freedom.
Your professor gave you tremendous wisdom, Peter! Thank you for sharing it here; I'll be carrying it with me. And yes, the lamb's freedom has been the one we've settled for, over and over... because it's the one we've been encouraged to embrace. It's clearly in the best interests of the powerful to keep us in that meek state.
Well, Damn!! That was fun, truly laughed out loud, fun! And brilliant. And I never heard of the Declaration of Dependence but I'm not surprised in the least!
I want to see this EVERYWHERE! Should wake some folks up. How could it not?
What a wonderful collaboration - makes my heart happy. Mary, you rocked that role!
Congrats to all 3 of you!
I'm so glad it made you laugh, Kathleen! Thanks for the thumbs up and kind words! xox
😘
Expertly performed and compiled. 👏👏👏 I truly enjoyed that and very much liked its breadth depth and yet still its brevity! It really paints a picture.
Thank you, AL! Appreciate the comment (and the claps...😉)
I hope you put it on social media so it can get a wide audience.
Will do!
Bravo. More snark please.
Roger that!
Thankyou friends. A light in the dark
Love the tidbit on the "fact checkers".
That was brilliant!!!
You have my vote! Well done and well said
Thanks, Deb!
Great piece! However, it is deeply depressing to think that a majority in the States (& globally) would miss the satire & derision & think this sounds like a plan.
Oh lord... that IS depressing! I hope that's not the case.
It’s just that the scamdemic completely overwhelmed the world w/ almost nary a peep from the start as we were stripped of our rights & very humanity. It still boggles that there are only 20-30% in the US who refused the jab. But 70-80% took it…For various reasons, to be sure. But a vast, vast majority nonetheless….
True that the world folded in the face of what it saw (what it was TOLD) as an existential threat. I do wonder about the 20-30% statistic... I know quite a few unjabbed who wouldn't show up in that percentage thanks to creative graphic design 😉. AND, I also am aware of more and more individuals who now have a much clearer view of what's going on BECAUSE of the past three years.
From your mouth to God’s ear that there are more of us than not
Hi Cindi - don't think you're wrong that there's a sea of people who are happy to sign up for the Declaration of Dependence, but in one sense I'm a little less pessimistic - I think any and all in that camp who see this will have a small 'seed of reconsideration' planted somewhere in their psyche. (Truth resonates in the souls of all). And that in some that seed will begin to germinate at sometime, whether close or far. This is the way it has to be done.
Best.
There's real possibility in your analysis, Michael -- I entirely agree that "truth resonates in the souls of all," and that often seeds are planted that don't germinate until farther down the road. May it be so! Thanks for weighing in.
🙂👍👍
I hope you’re right Michael! Thanks for the encouraging word. I’m a glass-half-empty gal myself but I sure appreciate people less pessimistic than I!
The optimists and pessimists can balance each other out Cindi - main thing is we’re all aspiring in the same direction!
😘
I studied political science at Santa Clara University - not once did I hear anything about a Declaration of Dependence - that's either a sad commentary on the truths being doled out in the name of education or my state of mind at the time, which was firmly fixed on baseball.
The video is impressive work. I may not always agree with your views, but I will always...always listen to what you say and read your words with the utmost respect.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comment, Jack, and the integrity behind it. I am keenly aware that not everyone who subscribes to TAOF will be pleased with this latest offering... And yet I have to keep giving voice to my own, singular experience of the times in which we are living.
Your willingness to listen is so undervalued in the world, and at the same time so urgently, desperately needed. Thank you for your open mind and ears, and heart.
Gosh I would so love to sit down with you someday and hear your beliefs... Xox
Preferably over a glass or two of wine...and I'm sure you will find, like so much in life, we have way more in common than points we may respectfully disagree on...and that's usually a result of context - and once the context is understood and respected...well, hugs can't be far off...
💚👍🏼