snoweyes blog

New Season 12 31

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:30:00 +0000

I hope your new year is safe and happy! As mine comes down to one last little day I get to look back on my year and realize I’ve been a very lucky fella. It started pretty well and I’ve moved to and from Tulsa to Branson, which has been a lively lifestyle change amongst the elderly. I quit my job and have been living as an artist / actor. I’ve grown my lovely relationship with my girly girlfriend Samantha. I’ve been to France this year. I went on a cruise to Mexico. I got a dog, Schmoopy. I’ve gotten a car that burst into flames, and then got another car that actually works! I avoided swine flu. I got voted Tulsa artist of the year by the Urban Tulsa Weekly. I survived the blizzard of 2009 and a road trip with Jes and Brian. I’ve got good friends and loved ones, I’ve got my art and I’ve gotten to work as an actor in a show I’ve always had a marvelous attachment to. Peter Pan has been very good to me.

To end the year I’m celebrating with such friends as Jes, Brian and of course my lovely girlfriend Samantha in a cabin this Eve in a crazy outfit to match the 70s or 80s or whatever bizarre outfit we can put together for fun and merriment. I’m going to have a blast and I want to end this year with a dance! And a kiss! Haha!

Next year. Yea, you! What are you doing in 2010? I’m starring in a film to be shot this April. I’m continuing on with Peter Pan in July. Sam and I are going to LA in the next week for some California and west-coast adventures. We are auditioning for many things and hoping for the best. We may be going to Dubai with Peter Pan in February. A film I worked on last year may actually get released to rave reviews. I’m painting some good new works to be seen soon. I’m excited.

Most importantly, I’m putting my heart and soul out there.

Let’s all try to do the same, yes?

Duncan Christopher Fun

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:08:00 +0000

I was out there on the internet today and found this wonderful clip from the Duncan Christopher movie I filmed back this time last year. It doesn’t have a set premier date, but things seem to be humming along. Check out the youtube video!

If you are looking, I’m in there twice; once near the :17 mark and near 1:30. That’s pretty awesome kids. You can find out more and see the bizarre wonder that is Tulsa on the Duncan Christopher website.

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas yesterday in frozen land.

I’m happy to be going town to Caz’s with a certain Captain Chambers and Fae tomorrow! Cheers!

Snow Angel

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Samantha Angel
by snoweyes.

I survived the night to bring you this message:

Merry Christmas!

Sam and I nearly slid off the road tonight coming up through the madness of the great snowstorm of 'Aught 09. My windshield decided to work in such a way that about three inches of ice formed in two spots on the wiper blades. That friends, doesn't work very well and it took a few stops at lights to finally clean the grime off the rubber bits to get it working in a much better way. It didn't end so well however. We are staying in Tulsa in a part of town where we have to drive up a lovely steep hill to get to our beds. We attempted to take a longer but safer route until we got to an intersection that was totally filled with stuck cars and we were forced to make a U-turn and go up that blasted hill.

FAIL

We got stuck and I had to pull the car over to the side of the road to get our car out of the way about four blocks from home. Sam bolted for home as soon as the car started backwards and I battled the elements for another twenty minutes. As soon as I moved, another car (a camaro) got stuck right next to me. I decided to move the car further back ten feet and another car got trapped near me, so I pulled the car over still more before I was satisfied Sam's little red car woudn't get bonked by some tool with a large truck.

I wanted to bring some little Christmas gifts I was going to present, but I thought otherwise after slipping and being completely blinded by sleet and snow all up in my face. I got my phone and my little camera just in case I needed to document my death but I live! Woohoo!

I still am filled with holiday joy and I plan on making snow angels, snow men and snow...pies or something. There's plenty to go around!

Happy Xmas and I love you all!

End of one run, run around

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:41:00 +0000

Hook and Smee
by snoweyes.

I'm back in Tulsa until the Christmas cheer overwhelms me and I totally bust from eating goodies. I just got back from an Ultimate Murder Mystery Christmas party and I've got one each night until the 25th.

I realize I haven't written since the 1st so I'll give you a recap!

Ah, Peter Pan. It ended well and I got a nice slew of visitors the last week of the run. My Dad, Carol, Jim Fields, Bill and Barb and Jerib... Sam got to come a few last times as well and I am happy I had the time of my life. The show just seemed to get better and better with each performance and I never gave less than all I had each night. I enjoyed my time with the cast and had some great parties and getherings with those marvelous folks.

I think the last week was a great time for everyone. We celebrated our little theatre bond and played, painted, played together as much as we could before everyone left and began the never ending performer's search of the next Big Thing.

I hope more comes from this experience and I hear rumblings of more tour-y stuff besides coming back next July, which seems like a likely schedule. When it all becomes something more tangible than talk I'll let you know. This "talk" puts me out of the country in February and somewhere in the States in May, but I won't count any of those eggs until they hatch. I'm hopeful.

Last week I was out of work and finding time for other projects. I've been cleaning up the house to get ready for our extended stay in Tulsa and beyond. I put all of my paintings in weatherproof containers and such. I also had Jes and her friend Harvey visit for a few days. We went to Silver Dollar City and we froze out buttocks right off and still had a grand time doing so! I drank warm coffee and listened to my favorite group, the Homestead Pickers for a few hours and relaxed, taking in the warm fire's light of their cabin.

Our photo venture is off to the races and I've taken a few headshots and that's just lovely. I brought my flash on a stick and I'm happy to take some pictures from the 26th to round January 5th.

We got back into Tulsa on Monday night and have been trying to catch up on everything we need to do. Last week I finalized the purchase of my (new to me) car and I'm very happy with it. It's a Silver 2000 Honda Civic and it's sporty, nifty and fuel efficient! I'll try to remember to take a picture of it sometime and show you a little bit of my new Snowmobile. I'm registering it here in Tulsa tomorrow since I live here just about as much as anywhere! I'm getting insurance and all that tonight after I wrap up my little blog.

So now that Pan's over for a possible seven months? Can you say LA? I know so. Sam and I are popping by the Lala land for a few weeks just after the new year. What will we do? Get Disneyfied? You got it. We'll be doing some auditioning for fun and profit, with some background work thrown in for good measure.

February is looking to get me and some movie stuff in Tulsa together for a shoot in April, and who knows what I'll do for that pesky income during that time. I'm sure Sam and I will figure it out. I love living in the moment while always growing myself. No regrets!

SnowWood Photography

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:05:00 +0000

SnowWood Photography
by snoweyes.

I dub thee a photography business! We're putting this ad in a program this next week for people in the Branson area and I think we're both excited about our prospects. Headshots, Portraits, Weddings, SPecial Events, Architecture, Photoretouching and restoration are what we are adept at and if you have an interest either give a call or email us.

On the acting side, Sam's show is in rehearsal for the 15th and 16th showing of An Ozark Radio Christmas. The script is funny and Sam's playing a musical angel. Hot stuff! On my side there is some tour business for Peter Pan I've been told about that could be very exciting but I'll hold off until I see a contract :)

Also this week both Sam and I are auditioning for Silver Dollar City. We've both got to shuffle our audition material together as well as a song. If anything with Pan goes crazy it's nice to have a few plans bubbling and brewing away on the side.

I've got a very special Peter Pan for some children tomorrow. Early tomorrow. As an actor who is still wide awake well after my late shows it should be an interesting experience. I'll document the day and put it all up sometime. I've been documenting the whole time, by the way. I can't help myself! I'll get it all together and we'll watch it with a side of fairy dust :)

I've got audition work to do, so I'm off! Cheers all

Scam, Fraud, Hell Burns and Beatles

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:26:00 +0000

Road
by snoweyes.

Yesterday was a one of those days where you hopefully look back and say, "aha! That's why it was the reason for all those knocks."

The day started well but not long after there was a knock at the door. The FedEX guy had a package for me. I was expecting him. I sold three paintings to a person a few days ago and was looking for their check. I signed for the envelope and opened it up...

Earlier in the week when I sold the paintings the person was just slightly off when I communicated with her. They wanted to send the price of the paintings and enough for shipping. The total would be about 650 minus shipping. Usually on my website you simply get notified that a painting is bought and you begin the packaging process once the money gets deposited in the bank. I thought that maybe the person lived overseas or something....

Back to yesterday. I slid the contents of the envelope out, and saw the check, read the amount.

The check was for three-thousand dollars. Way, way more than three times the price. There's a note attached that asks me to respond with further instructions and is signed Management.

That's what I call a red flag.

So since Sam and I don't have internet at our house, we decided to get over to Panera for breakfast since they have that WiFi that everybody's talking about these days. Just as we were arriving Sam was on the phone with her sister while grabbing her laptop. With a slip her MacBook smacked the ground. Bonk. We got inside and her screen wouldn't show anything. Not good.

Somewhat fortunately my laptop works and I get online to do a little research on if anything like this has happened to anyone. I run a cross-check on the several names and addresses attached to the parcel I got and one of the names turns up on a Craigslist check fraud charge. That check I got in the mail is probably bogus.

I also get an email from the person who "bought" the paintings with info for wiring the excess cash to a person in Texas.

I'll tell you how the scam works.

The scam artist talks to a party that sells objects, going around the official buying process with custom shipping instructions. They then send, via signed parcel (mine was FedEX) a totally forged but realistic check. The recipient deposits the check. The bank is required to have the funds available within a certain amount of time regardless of if the check is bad or not. They won't even know about the no fund issue until possibly a few weeks or a month later. The recipient takes the "excess" cash and wires (usually through Western Union) money to an expecting party. Why does this work? The wired money can't be traced after that and there's no duty bound by the wiring company to give you back any money sent under fraudulent pretenses. A few weeks later the bank charges YOU for the bad check and you are out not only the three grand, but the bad check deposit charge. And if you are even unluckier, you've also lost whatever you sent to the party, like three paintings worth nearly 700 dollars. Fortunately my scam detector worked really well early on and I lost nothing more than the hopes that I sold a painting. That's why I don't count those tasty eggs before they've hatched. I looked up the proper agencies to work with this check mail fraud fun and I'll be working with them further as it develops.

So after that lovely breakfast we tried to find a service center to try to fix Sam's laptop. Best Buy was the closest in the limited Ozark radius available, so we made our way there. As we came in there was this guy screaming at the "Geek Squad" that he "brought in a working computer and was leaving with one they BUSTED UP! I'LL NEVER COME HERE AGAIN, etc..."
We were the next in line. Sam brought it in with a service card and gave it to one of the people who looked like a bunch of disheveled guys with neckties around their necks. It took the fellow nearly an hour to figure out what kind of MacBook he had. While none of the previous signs were positive, we really didn't have any other choice to let them tinker with the computer. We should find out about that computer screen in a week. Let's all pray about that.

Some other things happened this week. Just before Sam got back from Connecticut my house ran out of propane. That's not good and I blame myself entirely. The next morning I also found out three things:

1 Apparently my hot water heater is uses the propane tank outside. Ccccold shower.
2 The weather had taken a very cold turn towards the high 30s.
3 It will take more than six days to get your propane refilled when you ask for it. Mine will be on Monday.

So it's been an interesting week. We've got a space heater in our room and our friends have been most kind to let us bathe in warm, wonderful water. In fact it's about time to pay one of them a visit to the shower fairy.

One bright spot in the day was going to the Liverpool Legends Show with Sam and a gang of scoundrels. I'm pretty sure we were the goofiest bunch freaking out to the music but I had great fun and you should go watch it if you ever find the time.

I've only got one more tale of terror. The bright side of any day of the week is that I get to be in Peter Pan as Smee and I always feel lucky to get to do that. The show yesterday was good but pretty exhausting, probably from the day's other stresses. I drove home last night drained. Absolutely drained is one of those states that make you drive about ten miles per house less and I got home even later.

Sambo was doing her part to brighten up my life however. She got to take part in the day with me and knew that tea it the key to relaxing the burdened heart. After I trudged into the house the greeted me fondly with a hug, a kiss, and a cup of tea. The water had just finished boiling so it was fresh and hot. I gratefully took the teacup and went to sit down on the couch, closing my eyes drowsily and feeling the nice warmth in my hands in spite of much surrounding heat in the house around me, thanks to me. I was warm, cozy and slowly relaxing the day away.

Then Schmoopy reminded me that she was alive. She leaped up onto the couch and splashed that tasty, freshly-boiled tea all over my hand.

HOLY HELL and ten other colorful fits of curse screamed through my throat as I recoiled and forced myself to not throw the rest of the tea all over myself. I somehow put the tea on the table and ran around like a knight being attacked at a castle with hot oil. MY HAND MY HAND ARRRRRRgggghhhh!

One thing I learned about a burn is if you run it under water make sure it's warm water. If only I had warm water (besides the tea water)! I gently patted a towel against my hand and tried to think calm thoughts. At least the water that also landed on my crotch didn't do worse. Yea, that's a happy thought! I soon found Aloe Vera mixed with Cucumber moisturizer and I've recovered, save the nice red whelp three inches wide. No boiling blisters so far this morning. I'll keep it moisturized and I'm sure I'll recover, thanks for asking.

That's enough of that day. Like I said, I'm sure some day I'll look back and have some great epiphany about what I learned. Yes. That's it.

Today started well enough. I give it an A on the scale. Let's party.

Poem of the Day

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:58:00 +0000

UTW Photos
by snoweyes.

I awoke in a flurry last night, my body vibrating from metaphysical forces. My mind was sharp and the words came rushing to the bit of poetry. The image above is from a painting I made and sold long ago. I hope you enjoy as much as I did writing it.

Desired energy light glows near low waters
Touching bare feet under the foam there
Not more than two tracks limping away
Where the end of one rock latched to the sand
Creaked open once.

New scent of a secret sweet emotion linger'd
Not gone but could not stay without cause
Wanted unwanted shadows once in the light
Shuddered as if to say less than a whisper
Was too much for us all.

As a raft without sail from constant storm
Drifted towards the little curls of land
Glowing shapeless forms began to ignite inside
Inward eyes flickered to show the secret spot
Meant for these nights.

Summer storms unlaid from corners of existence
Rose again with each hushed beat of surf
Low in timbre thick in breath it settled
Under the Moon beyond where glassy water beamed
Deep in blue indigo seas.

What if the embers came to the lonely soul
Wandering alone in that heavy silent night?
Would his direction change with faithful
Desire for the Moon he followed chased loved endlessly?
The world seemed to understand.

His essence was a prayer placed by soul sweet
Hopeful yet surrounded by endless utter silence
Cut from a king's heart hewn and softened
Strengthened a thousand years over waves
From bony sharp turned supple.

His feet stood there in dusk waiting
For a moment of dawn before moving existence
To kiss the door in the night to knowingly believe that
Slow beautiful breaths end him as the world does too leave
That fleeting dear dream walk.

Aww Life

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Aww Puppy
by snoweyes.

Life's been a real treasure lately. In terms of work, I've been playing Smee to nice crowds nearly every night in Branson to Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan. We have a new hook this run and he's fairly...INCREDIBLE at his part. He's got a different presence about him that I think everyone will enjoy. While I'm at it, I haven't seen any cast list for Peter Pan for this Branson production, so I'll list who's in the show:

Cathy Rigby - Peter Pan
Tom Hewitt- Captain Hook / Mr. Darling
Doran Schmidt - Wendy
Kim Crosby - Mrs. Darling / Mermaid / Adult Wendy
Derick Snow - Smee (meeeee)
Dakota Jones - John
Mackenzie Godfrey - Michael
Austin Klingner - Slightly
Melissa Roberts - Curly / Wendy Understudy
Matthew Edward Matney - Tootles
Megan Ellis - Twin / Pan Understudy
Amanda Lusk - Twin
Chloe Leatherwood - Tiger Lily / Jane
Tom Wolff - Starkey / Hook Understudy
Clark Roberts - Cecco / Nana The Dog
Brent Buechel - Jukes / Indian / Croc
Sean Hood - Noodler The Pirate / Indian
Todd Walker - Pirate / Indian
Joseph Craig - Pirate / Indian
Craig M Lucas - Pirate / Indian
Taurean Everett - Indian / Pirate
Olivia Policicchio - Liza / Mermaid / Indian / Tiger Lily Understudy
Regina Laughlin - Swing
Josh Eckblom - Swing
Sophie Aydt - Michael Understudy

There you go!

In other work news I've been lucky enough to get photography work taking headshots for actors and if you live in the area feel free to hop on my facebook or whatever you like and contact me for work. I've got lots of pictures of my work on the facebook and some choice pics on theflickr page I keep up. I set up a little studio at my house with nice lighting and everything, but I also have portable flash gear to get some nice outdoor pictures. The photo above with my doggy Shmoopy was one of the fruits of my figurative photo vines. I don't know what that means but I like it.

One more thing...I sold three paintings on my Etsy site this week; one hour after adding those particular paintings they were snatched up by a new collector (they bought all three). If you'd like a painting in time for Christmas, now is the perfect time to hop on my painting e-store thingy and partake in holiday spirit. I'll be adding even more this week so check back when you like.

Bright Snow

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Bright Snow
by snoweyes.

What a perfect day to soak in Nature's Soul! The skeletons of trees speak dreams today from where I lay at Point Lookout, writing these words.

Life and fate came to my mind. I sat at Point Lookout at College of The Ozarks for more than an hour, soaking in the beauty and utter silence around me. It was a perfect moment in Autumn.

Life and living in it are such funny things. Life's course changes from time to time and I know that it's important to simply let life happen. Yesterday was some kind of special day where my spirit decided to realize the world as I used to see its auras and have the confidence to look for the soul charge in people, places and ideas that come to me.

I wonder if the emotional winding up is pushing me to open my eyes about the world again. I hope and dream that I can open my inner eye as much as sincerely possible when I am up and about. The goal of life is not to be the most clever or the funniest. It's to live and love as much as you can. This includes loving yourself. This includes loving others you don't even know. It's breaking free from your comfort shell and seeing inside yourself and others and seeing their possibilities, not their limits.

A thing about this concept of the river of life I feel like I and others travel down. The harder you push against emotions, against your true fate callings and inner self the more vainly upstream you swim. The destination is downstream and it's so much easier to simply swim with the current. You keep your strength, you go places you haven't seen and it's easier to swim to the banks for a rest from time to time.

After a nice long spell, I decided to get up and leave. As I did, I saw something behind some rocky crevice. A couple of bills hidden from view. Forty dollars! I've never gotten paid to be on the right path before. I looked to see if anyone dropped the money but it had been at least an hour or more I'd been there and had not seen a soul there. What a bizarre, lovely day.

That Crazy Derick

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:34:00 +0000

That Crazy Snow
by snoweyes.

Summer is out for me again, my little gigs are over and I'm back in Hollister preparing for another trip aboard the Jolly Roger!

The last few weeks have been filled with adventures in Oklahoma and Missouri, with Murder Mysteries just about every week. Last Monday I and the UMM crew (Samantha, Sidekick Sam, Jim Fields) went over to KTUL 8 for their morning show and we simply crashed the joint. I haven't seen the footage but we had the traditional interview and then went on as Vampires during their weather report. It was ridiculous and very fun. This weekend Sam is still in Tulsa for the Halloween show and I'm sad I'm missing it, but I'm very happy to be back into Peter Pan. We've got a new hook and from what I've seen of his work (Rocky Horror on Broadway, the musical Chicago, etc.) he looks like he'll be extremely fun to work with.

Yesterday evening I went a bit crazy and set up a photo studio in my back room at my house. I've got some old lighting gear and a lot of imagination so if you have any interest in headshots feel free to get a hold of me if you'd like to look. So. Pretty ;p

I've also uploaded lots of pictures on my Facebook as well as some select pics on my Flickr from some of my other adventures. I've been on hikes with friends, Ice Skating, driving adventures, camping, acting up a storm, and even looking for the Great Pumpkin.

I've had fun. Now back to work! I have a cool video camera this time around, so I'll be documenting Peter Pan even more in the months ahead.

Stay tuned and go outside before it freezes!
Live with Love

Happy Days Are Here Again

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Happy Days Are Here Again
by snoweyes.

Sam and I have been having a fairly lovely week with a few Murder Mysteries and adventures with my friends. It's hard to believe it's getting so cold and the end to a Peter Pan break is coming to an end. In a few weeks I pick back up again with Piratey goodness and a regular workweek kicks in. How peculiar! I think we've felt a bit like hobos bouncing from place to place in the month since our Paris trip but we've had a lot of fun visiting friends, family and complete strangers.

This week I've gotten the chance to get back into a little bit of web work (internets) and I like the variety and goals of getting something finite done. I'ts just a little work but any work is good work! Feel free to send some my way, if you like :)

Tomorrow I've got a meeting about a possible film project in January with none other than Jeff Howard, also known as the evil Eraser Dan! He's got a project I would love to work with. I'll find out more about it all tomorrow.

Saturday is yet another murder mystery. Samantha W is playing a new role, the powerful and (pushy) Fanny Canard to my Thespianic J. Templeton Nash! I'm excited!

We come back to Branson on Monday for more of thatstuff and I hope to line up my art show in the next week stay tuned!

Rock and or Roll!

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:20:00 +0000

Rock and or Roll!
by snoweyes.

Hi everyone!

I've been enjoying the final bits of warm weather outside as much as possible. We went to some beautiful creeks and places that we discovered in Missouri.

This week Sam performed in a great rendition of Thriller for the Forsythe Harvest Moon festival. Now with that done, we are back in Tulsa for Murder Mystery fun with two shows this week.Tuesday is the 80's rock n roll tribute show, Do Really Want to Hurt Me, Do You Really Want To Kill Me Now? Saturday is the Western show filled with fun and mayhem with me playing the part of the brilliant Thespian J Templeton Nash, esquire!

This week is going to be fun in addition to acting. The Tulsa State Fair and Halloween festival in Muskogee is calling out for us and I think I'm going to answer it's call! I'm excited for other little things this month, like a possible art show just before Peter Pan picks up again. A new coffee and wine shop called Vintage Paris has invited me to show my art for a show and I can't wait to put some art on the walls of Bransonians! Here's hoping all works out!

What else...Speaking of Pan, we have a new Hook! What's his name? I have no idea! And in other news, it seems likely that in January and February I'll be in Tulsa to act in a film. More on that later.... :)

On being back

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:33:00 +0000

See Hear
by snoweyes.

So Sam and I have been "back" for about a week or so. I use the term just barely so since we seem to be bouncing back and forth rather than being in Branson or even Tulsa proper! Once we arrived I've been working on getting my little photos edited and uploaded. The process is a bit slow but I'm so happy with what both of us captured on the trip.

We also jumped right back into Murder Mysteries in Catoosa and had one last weekend which went very well. Sidekick Sam of Quickdraw fame came back for the month so we get to play on the weekends for those wacky murder mysteries.

I've got a lot of time before the next run of Peter Pan so I'm happy to be in those murder mysteries. I've also got some other hopeful projects coming up with Jeff Howard and a possibly maybe Halloween commercial lined up in the next few bits of time.

Sam and I are also working on getting a little photo business up and running here in Branson and surrounding areas. If you would like a portrait or headshot or wedding shot, we'de love to have a conversation about our expertise and all that. I've done lots of work and it will be great tag teaming with Samantha on this new project!

We've got another murder mystery coming up this weekend and next Thursday with yet more to come.

Since we were gone for about a month from home our little place needs deglazing. Branson hasn't stopped raining and it seems like I'm on Venus. The eternal moisture is mildewing everything and I really don't like that! So I've got scrubbing and scraping which isn't the most exciting work but it's nice to clean sometimes. Cleaning can clean the spirit too. Right?

Well, I've spent as much time as I'm willing to at Panera for this internet so I'm off!

Last few days

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Euro Disney Children
by snoweyes.

Paris has four days remaining for Sam and I. Today we went to Disney Paris for a real deal that we found. Locals in the Parisian district ha could get in for under €30. If we couldn't get that deal we wouldn't be able to afford the entry, so we gave the online reservation a go and we actually got in! I was very pleased, even though the weather has gotten considerably colder and rainier this week. The temp has easily dropped into the low 60s and it just keeps getting wetter. Fortunately the rain didn't stay and we had a blast. I'm out of time so I'll write again soon!

What to be when you grow up?

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Vines
by snoweyes.

I was chatting up the actor's lifestyle today and I wrote a little bit about how I make extra money for things like trips and adventures in-betweet acting gigs.

Where should you start if you want to jump out as an actor but still have a need to pay the bills? You can't simply work a 9-5 job if the daytime is when all the gigs are. You've got to absolutely get creative.

I'll use myself as an example. In the next month I will work on.: creating a website for a company, shooting headshots for actors, selling a painting, submit photoraphy to a few magazines for freelance, etc. And in two months continue my show in Peter Pan in Branson and then I'll get to act in a film in February. This economy favors a freelance market and you've got to spread yourself out there until something catches hold! Unfortunately an actor's life isn't exactly stable but it makes for a nice story. I make anough money to live comfortably, even though I have changed my style of living. The recession never touched me.

Check out The Photographer's Market and The Writer's Market at the library or bookstore. They have listings of publications you can send samples of your work to. Believe in yourself! Go down to Linda Layman and take an acting class so you know what direction you want to go and put together a proper resume for both work and acting.

Today Sam and I spent the entire day at Versailles, a lovely place filled with ornate rooms and gardens: The pinnacle of the day was taking a little boat with oars out to the massive pond and simply soaking in the beautiful world around me. I also loved the hidden trails near but away from the fountains; the grasses and trees took my breath away.

Tomorrow we visit the town of Vernon north of Paris; the home of Monet and a lovely route through the Seine.

So that's that. Enjoy and I'll write again soon!

Happy Place

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:07:00 +0000

Happy Place
by snoweyes.

I've got just a few moments left in this internet Cafe to give an update on Paris and our adventures. Sam and I learned the quiet of a Sunday in Paris. Everything was closed so we spent a lovely day at the park just enjoying the sun and the area near St. Eustache. It was nice to spend a day relaxing, a vacation from our vacation, as it were!

Today we go off to the Opera House, made famous by The Phantom of The Opera. I'm super excited to actually go inside and breathe in the air that inspired such a place. Later this week we get to visit the town of Vernon, the home of Monet and a museum dedicated to his art.

Our hostel worked out pretty well with the excetption of people coming after two in the morning for the past few nights. Just one more night and we will be staying near MontMatre for a few days.

Well, I've got to go!

Short lil update

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:08:00 +0000

American in Paris
by snoweyes.

Just here to say that our first night in the hostel ended well and we have been enjoying the day at the park. In a week we'll be enjoying another kind of park....Disneyland PARIS!!!! Woohoo!

Until we meet again

Semi-hostile

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:11:00 +0000

Nobody ever shows this side
by snoweyes.

Hi everyone and welcome back to Paris. Yesterday Sam and I took up residence in a B&B near the metropolized area in Paris. The only problem is that we didn't write down the phone number of the place, which happened to be in a tower with the wackiest security. So wacky that we sat in a dark room for a fez minutes hoping that someone, anyone would show up and let us in. Fortunately it worked!

After a few days in a couchsurfing environment it was nice to have privacy enough to just sit and relax for a few moments before zooming off to the Catacombs! It was an interesting experience meeting with mortality deeeep underground my THIRTIETH birthday. I took some mysterious skull-ography down there. I ended the evening after some tasty gelato-as-my-birfday-cake on the roof of a building in downtown Paris, looking up at the stars, pink clouds and imagining the lovely nights other Parisians must be living in.

Today we finally made the trip to Musee D'Orsay and I got to see such beautiful paintings and sculptures including Millet, Degas, Rodin and VanGogh! Oh the VqnGogh room was so lovely and it had the painting my mom hung up (Terrasse de café, la nuit). It was powefully thick with paintstrokes.

Also today we checked in to our Hostel for the next week starting tomorrow. I should call it a hostile. Everyone is rude, crude and socially unacceptable. But hey, that's what I like to call an adventure!

One thing we found was a 24-hour internet cafe called Milk, so I still get to check in from time to time. If all goes well we may get to travel up to Normandy beach and even...Eruro Disney?

Stay tuned friends!

More Advent'rous Paris

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:09:00 +0000

A certain Tower
by snoweyes.

Hey friends! It's Derick again with some photos and notes from Paris. We visited Monmatre and a wee bit of the museums of the area and still have much more to see. We have a few days left in our current place but don't know if we'll be near a computer any time soon after that so I thought I'd upload just a few photos to see from the last few days. This is but a tiny sample of the hundreds of pictures we've taken so far.

The photo above is from a boat tour of the Seine. I know everyone takes this picture but for once it's ok to have a picture like this of my very own. We've been eating and travelling inexpensively while enjoying the culture as much as possible here in gay Paris!
I've even been doing my best to learn the language. I've got a translator dictionary and Sam has been wonderful in throwing correct pronounciations my way even though I'm a bit daft with the language. An older woman was talking to me and threw an evil glare at me when I did not respond, so now I at least say Je na compra pas (or something close to that) which means I don't understand :)

And if you are wondering, he parisians in general have been very nice, as long as you say your salutations before asking for something. Just saying hello, how are you goes a long way even if you can't say anything after that. I've gotten many smiles and nice demeanor from the locals. Just be nice first!

For my birthday Sam and I will be staying in a lovely B&B near the Place d'italie and then a week in a lively hostile. Today we will spend the entire day at the Eiffel Tower! How does that sound to you?

Off we went!

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Balloon Carnivals UP
by snoweyes.

Just a note: this french keyboard is all kinds of crazy so I'll keep it short.

Sam and I are in Paris after a nice long 13 hour plane ride from Tulsa and Atlanta. I think we're beating jet lag (it's 7 hours later here) but that first day was certainly exhausting! We are staying in Northern Paris in the 18th district, kind of near Montmartre. Our host, a nice, quiet fellow named Quetzal not only is a theatrical director but he also has internet so for the next few days we can get to a computer so feel free to send us your ideas for fun things to do.

Today we visited the Luvre and saw the entire city from the lovely view of a carausel! We've been taking pictures and video and I'm sure we'll be updating as the week passes. It's five days away from my birthday and I'm so excited to be in Paris!

Until next time, au revoir!

Derick Snow - Murder Mystery THIS WEEKEND

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Derick Snow - Murder Mystery THIS WEEKEND
by snoweyes.

Hi all, I will be back in Tulsa this Saturday for a limited engagement for an Ultimate Murder Mystery, featured in the Urban Tulsa Weekly:

www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:27841

Randy, Baby. On Sat., Aug. 15 the spy who shagged Tulsa, Austin Powers, is back at Molly’s Landing, 3700 Highway 66, to figure out who’s been stalking the retro ‘80s band The OxyMorons. This dinner theater event begins at 7pm. Visit ultimatemurdermystery.com to reserve your seat.

You can reserve tickets online right now here!

ultimatemurdermystery.com/

Tell your friends and come see me as Austin Powers (as The Rock God, Ice, Baby!) after several months away playing Smee in Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan in Branson, MO.

PS my lovely girlfriend Samantha will be playing a fabulous part in the play! How about that?!

What's up?

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:35:00 +0000

UTW Photos
by snoweyes.

I wanted to write a wee update to my silly life. I'm still performing in Peter Pan here in Branson. It's a big, big show and ticket sales are nice and strong. The last week before the break in Mid-August is coming up and Sam and I are going to Paris, France! For three weeks!

But from August 10th to August 18th trip I'm going to be in Tulsa, which means I want to paint with some groovy artists and bands. After the trip I'm also going to be in t-town Sept 10th-ish from then to late October very off and on, and I want to paint like crazy before I have to get back into the acting side of life.

So hit me up, thanks friends. I'm in the mood for some painting/art/crazy times/bonfires/non-drug fun :)

November the Branson Pan continues on, so feel free to buy tickets till Christmas :)

UTW Best Artist in Tulsa?!

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:27:00 +0000

UTW Photos
by snoweyes.

Hey, I've got some pretty incredible news. Earlier this week I got a notice from the fine folks at the Urban Tulsa Weekly (Tulsa's free local newspaper) that I was nominated for the Absolute Best of Tulsa awards for Best Local Artist! I didn't even know I was nominated or submitted, but when I heard the news I sent them this picture and some others from my artistic painting sessions. I told a few people about the nomination and before too long I learned that I....won...the award! The paper comes out Friday, so feel free to get me a copy while I'm up in Branson for another month in Peter Pan.

I was so baffled that I won, but extremely grateful. It's so heartening to know that I have fans and friends who so support a crazy artist as myself. Thank you very, very much for your support. I have this funny philosophy that if you give without greed, love without baggage, and just grow as you are meant to without fear anything can happen. I feel little signs and gifts from the cosmos like this only remind me I'm on the right path.

If you happen to be in Hollister this Friday, I'm having an art party to celebrate the win. I'm using a human canvas and I'll photograph the work at the end of the fun. It's from 2-6 anytime before I have to leave for Pan.

Saturday my Mom, sis and her family is coming to see my show! I'm happy that they are coming up! I think we'll have some Silver Dollar City fun on Sunday.

Also Saturday Sam is going to Tulsa for a WICKED good time, hint hint. I wish I could go but alas, I'm working. Last week Sam got to shoot a very cool commercial titled, "Zombie Tag". It looks really, really fun from what I've seen.

I hope all is well in your world!

Peace

A Sign of The Times

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:15:00 +0000

A Sign of The Times
by snoweyes.

So, I've had quite a week! I took the time to go looking for a car this last week and found one I ended up buying for 1500. 1996 Ford Contour. Not a bad price that day.

Samantha and Jes came back from their extended east coast road trip Wednesday evening just before the show. I was extremely happy to have the house full of people again! I missed Sambo. That night we weould hang out and have fun. However, on the way home, my car broke down.

The next day my car had trouble starting and it died on the road on the way back from the show. The next day it was towed to a local mechanic before all of us went to fabulous Silver Dollar City. Once we got to SDC, I got a call from the mechanic and the prognisis was pretty good; it ran out of gas! My gas gauge was simply a little off the mark and it ran out of gas, so I could pick it up when I had free time. That was a relief...at the time.

Today Sam and I got up, said our goodbyes to Jes and Brian (who got here once I was in Pan) and went to the mechanic to pick up the car. We would bring Sam's car and later would take my new car for sushi once we recovered it; that was the plan anyway!

So, I got the car and start towards a gas station so I don't repeat the fun of yesterday. I had to drive about a mile to get gas. About thirty yards before I get there, my windsheild wiper turned on randomly, stopped, my dash lights went on and my engine stopped cold. Fortunately I was able to coast all the way into that gas station. Not so fortunate was I when I came to a full stop.

Black, thick smoke started to come out from under the hood and I knew this couldn't be good. I flipped the hood release as fast as I could and lifted up the hood. I was expecting my radiator to be spewing onto my engine or something like that. I didn't expect flames.

Flames! Flames! In my engine!

Some people freak out when calamity occurs, but I just enter the Matrix ad get super-focused. Everything slows down. I've avoided many wrecks and gotten help to people very quickly thanks to this weird and very handy brain thing I do.

So when this happened, the flames lasted about four seconds. In that time I whipped around to the gas pump and grabbed the liquid reservoir used for those little squeegees when folks get bugs on their windshields. I ripped that thing right out. I made like a boyscout and put out that fire! I was outside myself, amazed that my car was on fire and that I was doing so well. My engine smelt like burnt plastic.

One of those Ride The Ducks vehicles drove by. I smiled and waved. How silly it all was. I called Sam and we, yet again, had my car towed to the mechanic.

Fortunately I still have my trusty (and old) Maxima, so I'm not stranded in Branson. I'm not happy with my "new" car so far. But let's all throw good karma at my burnt wires and hope for the best and cheapest repairs, shall we? As long as I'm not starving and I've got a house I'm not in too bad of a situation. I'm just not the kind to get too flustered by fate. Something good will happen from this.

There were only thirty reservations for today's 3p.m. Pan but a nicely sized audience in the hundreds came in by the time our show started. I'm surprised anyone even showed up on a holiday and yet the crowd was very happy and enjoyed our program. After all of that, Sam and I had a lovely picnic by Tanycomo. It was very relaxing and I'm all charged up for another show that's happening...very soon!

In other news, I've got really grrrrreat news! Sambo is getting me the cooooolest present in the world. Tickets to France! Incredible!

The Dogpatch Adventure

studiosound@yahoo.com (Adventure Artist Derick) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:02:00 +0000

The Dogpatch Adventure
by snoweyes.

Those who enjoy abandoned places should enjoy this album from one of my little adventures. Dogpatch USA has a rich and storied past. It began in the late 60s to support the fantastically popular comic strip Lil Abner. Thanks to some terrible business desicions and the fact that no one remembers the stip anymore, the 800-acre park was closed in 1993 and is now slowly rotting away in the hills of the Ozarks. At one time the park had a chance to be as popular as Silver Dollar City.

When I was a kid (about 4) I remember going and greatly enjoying myself at the fish hatchery and cave. Do you remember Dogpatch?

This is from a daytrip June 22, 2009. I've been before. My first time to visit Dogpatch was about four years ago and I love the place!

I should note that it's much, much harder to get onto the property these days as opposed to when I first visited. In the years that followed my first visit, word of the place spread onto the internet and too many people were vandalizing the place so things changed two years ago. There are roving security guards that take some of the fun out of trespassing, so this trip was legit.

I posted several pictures on flickr, but I left nearly 60 on my facebook.