RECONNECTING

PRAYERS FOR A WONDERFUL YEAR TO ALL MY READERS
It's been way too long since I've written you all....but I thought the Holiday was a perfect time to reconnect with all of you, and since this is the Day of Atonement for the Jewish people, I'd like to atone for 'not keeping in touch with my beloved friends and family', all of whom mean so very much to me.
Actually the subject of this blog should be RECONNECTING, especially since I seem to let life get in the way of my connections to all my friends, family and blog readers.   Since Yom Kippur  introduces a brand new start to a brand new year, my resolution is simply to connect once again starting right now.
It's refreshing for Jews to have this holiday as it comes at the beginning of the school year (which for me still remains the beginning of the year even though it's been awhile since my life revolved around school).
I must also remember to say how very grateful I am always for my two companions who are with me both day and night---Lucie and Lorilu.  They rank right up there with God's gifts to me.  Which brings me to a recommendation. If one finds himself or herself more alone for whatever reason, at whatever time in life, a pet can make all the difference.  Just having their fur next to you for you to pet brings sooo much comfort.  And you won't find a better friend.
Finally, if you find me on your missing list, know that it is not intentional and don't let it keep you from contacting me....If you are on this list, you are in my heart.  And let me take this moment to wish you all, no matter what religion, a wonderful year full of all good things.
Respectfully yours
Mimi

       FINDING YOUR GIFT
      I believe my  last blog (which was way too long ago) was about celebrating the 60th anniversary of Albany Civic Theatre. It was indeed a very special time for me and the occasion was also quite a reminder for me.  It reminded me of all the many friends I had performed with all those years ago.  And, it reminded me of the joy I had felt while following the dream I had chosen for myself upon my graduation from college in 1962.  At that point in one's life I believed that he or she should have decided upon his or her future.
I furthermore had decided that everyone was born with a gift and it was his or her obligation to find what that gift was and to pursue it.   I was one who was lucky enough to know that I was meant to perform, whether it be on stage or screen.  But in more practical terms, I would need a job.....so I graduated with a teaching degree in English and in Speech and followed it with a Masters degree (which eventually turned into a Ph.D).  But always my dream was to be an 'actress'.  So shortly after my first child, Karen,  was born in 1964 I began performing on the stage at Albany Civic Theatre.
Life for me soon became a whirlwind of shows performed at various theatres in what is known as the tri-cities....meaning---Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Guilderland, Slingerlands, Saratoga, and various other venues in  the northeast of New York state.  It was a ball for me and for my husband, Barry, who loved every second of it as much as all the performers did. He ran the lights, the box office, became buddies with the set designer and as a result built sets for every show and generally found enjoyment in every area of theatre production.
So while I got to do 'my thing'  onstage, the rest of the family was able to find 'their thing' and enjoy it as much as I was enjoying 'my thing'.
Which brings me back to 'finding one's gift', which as  a teacher, a parent and a therapist (which is what I did with the Ph.D in Psychology) I would always help my students,etc. to "find their gift"-------something each one of you, my readers, also possess.  With proper analysis you can find that one special characteristic that sets you apart.  Think about it, and let it simmer in your brain for a bit, because if you find the gift that is special to you and engage it, you can create a whole new world for yourself, as well as for your family and all the people that are touched by you.  So next time you have some 'quiet time', focus on what sets you apart and begin to execute whatever it  is.  The riches it can provide will make a difference not only in your own life, but in the lives of your family, friends,etc.  And....it's never too late!
Hope you enjoyed this session....I'll plan to get back to you much sooner with my next blog!!
Respectfully submitted
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
tel: 212 721 2979   mscott13@aol.com
     




FINDING YOUR GIFT
      I believe my  last blog (which was way too long ago) was about celebrating the 60th anniversary of Albany Civic Theatre. It was indeed a very special time for me and the occasion was also quite a reminder for me.  It reminded me of all the many friends I had performed with all those years ago.  And, it reminded me of the joy I had felt while following the dream I had chosen for myself upon my graduation from college in 1962.  At that point in one's life I believed that he or she should have decided upon his or her future.
I furthermore had decided that everyone was born with a gift and it was his or her obligation to find what that gift was and to pursue it.   I was one who was lucky enough to know that I was meant to perform, whether it be on stage or screen.  But in more practical terms, I would need a job.....so I graduated with a teaching degree in English and in Speech and followed it with a Masters degree (which eventually turned into a Ph.D).  But always my dream was to be an 'actress'.  So shortly after my first child, Karen,  was born in 1964 I began performing on the stage at Albany Civic Theatre.
Life for me soon became a whirlwind of shows performed at various theatres in what is known as the tri-cities....meaning---Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Guilderland, Slingerlands, Saratoga, and various other venues in  the northeast of New York state.  It was a ball for me and for my husband, Barry, who loved every second of it as much as all the performers did. He ran the lights, the box office, became buddies with the set designer and as a result built sets for every show and generally found enjoyment in every area of theatre production.
So while I got to do 'my thing'  onstage, the rest of the family was able to find 'their thing' and enjoy it as much as I was enjoying 'my thing'.
Which brings me back to 'finding one's gift', which as  a teacher, a parent and a therapist (which is what I did with the Ph.D in Psychology) I would always help my students,etc. to "find their gift"-------something each one of you, my readers, also possess.  With proper analysis you can find that one special characteristic that sets you apart.  Think about it, and let it simmer in your brain for a bit, because if you find the gift that is special to you and engage it, you can create a whole new world for yourself, as well as for your family and all the people that are touched by you.  So next time you have some 'quiet time', focus on what sets you apart and begin to execute whatever it  is.  The riches it can provide will make a difference not only in your own life, but in the lives of your family, friends,etc.  And....it's never too late!
Hope you enjoyed this session....I'll plan to get back to you much sooner with my next blog!!
Respectfully submitted
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
tel: 212 721 2979   mscott13@aol.com
     




FINDING YOUR GIFT
      I believe my  last blog (which was way too long ago) was about celebrating the 60th anniversary of Albany Civic Theatre. It was indeed a very special time for me and the occasion was also quite a reminder for me.  It reminded me of all the many friends I had performed with all those years ago.  And, it reminded me of the joy I had felt while following the dream I had chosen for myself upon my graduation from college in 1962.  At that point in one's life I believed that he or she should have decided upon his or her future.
I furthermore had decided that everyone was born with a gift and it was his or her obligation to find what that gift was and to pursue it.   I was one who was lucky enough to know that I was meant to perform, whether it be on stage or screen.  But in more practical terms, I would need a job.....so I graduated with a teaching degree in English and in Speech and followed it with a Masters degree (which eventually turned into a Ph.D).  But always my dream was to be an 'actress'.  So shortly after my first child, Karen,  was born in 1964 I began performing on the stage at Albany Civic Theatre.
Life for me soon became a whirlwind of shows performed at various theatres in what is known as the tri-cities....meaning---Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Guilderland, Slingerlands, Saratoga, and various other venues in  the northeast of New York state.  It was a ball for me and for my husband, Barry, who loved every second of it as much as all the performers did. He ran the lights, the box office, became buddies with the set designer and as a result built sets for every show and generally found enjoyment in every area of theatre production.
So while I got to do 'my thing'  onstage, the rest of the family was able to find 'their thing' and enjoy it as much as I was enjoying 'my thing'.
Which brings me back to 'finding one's gift', which as  a teacher, a parent and a therapist (which is what I did with the Ph.D in Psychology) I would always help my students,etc. to "find their gift"-------something each one of you, my readers, also possess.  With proper analysis you can find that one special characteristic that sets you apart.  Think about it, and let it simmer in your brain for a bit, because if you find the gift that is special to you and engage it, you can create a whole new world for yourself, as well as for your family and all the people that are touched by you.  So next time you have some 'quiet time', focus on what sets you apart and begin to execute whatever it  is.  The riches it can provide will make a difference not only in your own life, but in the lives of your family, friends,etc.  And....it's never too late!
Hope you enjoyed this session....I'll plan to get back to you much sooner with my next blog!!
Respectfully submitted
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
tel: 212 721 2979   mscott13@aol.com
     




FINDING YOUR GIFT
      I believe my  last blog (which was way too long ago) was about celebrating the 60th anniversary of Albany Civic Theatre. It was indeed a very special time for me and the occasion was also quite a reminder for me.  It reminded me of all the many friends I had performed with all those years ago.  And, it reminded me of the joy I had felt while following the dream I had chosen for myself upon my graduation from college in 1962.  At that point in one's life I believed that he or she should have decided upon his or her future.
I furthermore had decided that everyone was born with a gift and it was his or her obligation to find what that gift was and to pursue it.   I was one who was lucky enough to know that I was meant to perform, whether it be on stage or screen.  But in more practical terms, I would need a job.....so I graduated with a teaching degree in English and in Speech and followed it with a Masters degree (which eventually turned into a Ph.D).  But always my dream was to be an 'actress'.  So shortly after my first child, Karen,  was born in 1964 I began performing on the stage at Albany Civic Theatre.
Life for me soon became a whirlwind of shows performed at various theatres in what is known as the tri-cities....meaning---Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Guilderland, Slingerlands, Saratoga, and various other venues in  the northeast of New York state.  It was a ball for me and for my husband, Barry, who loved every second of it as much as all the performers did. He ran the lights, the box office, became buddies with the set designer and as a result built sets for every show and generally found enjoyment in every area of theatre production.
So while I got to do 'my thing'  onstage, the rest of the family was able to find 'their thing' and enjoy it as much as I was enjoying 'my thing'.
Which brings me back to 'finding one's gift', which as  a teacher, a parent and a therapist (which is what I did with the Ph.D in Psychology) I would always help my students,etc. to "find their gift"-------something each one of you, my readers, also possess.  With proper analysis you can find that one special characteristic that sets you apart.  Think about it, and let it simmer in your brain for a bit, because if you find the gift that is special to you and engage it, you can create a whole new world for yourself, as well as for your family and all the people that are touched by you.  So next time you have some 'quiet time', focus on what sets you apart and begin to execute whatever it  is.  The riches it can provide will make a difference not only in your own life, but in the lives of your family, friends,etc.  And....it's never too late!
Hope you enjoyed this session....I'll plan to get back to you much sooner with my next blog!!
Respectfully submitted
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
tel: 212 721 2979   mscott13@aol.com
     




FINDING YOUR GIFT
      I believe my  last blog (which was way too long ago) was about celebrating the 60th anniversary of Albany Civic Theatre. It was indeed a very special time for me and the occasion was also quite a reminder for me.  It reminded me of all the many friends I had performed with all those years ago.  And, it reminded me of the joy I had felt while following the dream I had chosen for myself upon my graduation from college in 1962.  At that point in one's life I believed that he or she should have decided upon his or her future.
I furthermore had decided that everyone was born with a gift and it was his or her obligation to find what that gift was and to pursue it.   I was one who was lucky enough to know that I was meant to perform, whether it be on stage or screen.  But in more practical terms, I would need a job.....so I graduated with a teaching degree in English and in Speech and followed it with a Masters degree (which eventually turned into a Ph.D).  But always my dream was to be an 'actress'.  So shortly after my first child, Karen,  was born in 1964 I began performing on the stage at Albany Civic Theatre.
Life for me soon became a whirlwind of shows performed at various theatres in what is known as the tri-cities....meaning---Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Guilderland, Slingerlands, Saratoga, and various other venues in  the northeast of New York state.  It was a ball for me and for my husband, Barry, who loved every second of it as much as all the performers did. He ran the lights, the box office, became buddies with the set designer and as a result built sets for every show and generally found enjoyment in every area of theatre production.
So while I got to do 'my thing'  onstage, the rest of the family was able to find 'their thing' and enjoy it as much as I was enjoying 'my thing'.
Which brings me back to 'finding one's gift', which as  a teacher, a parent and a therapist (which is what I did with the Ph.D in Psychology) I would always help my students,etc. to "find their gift"-------something each one of you, my readers, also possess.  With proper analysis you can find that one special characteristic that sets you apart.  Think about it, and let it simmer in your brain for a bit, because if you find the gift that is special to you and engage it, you can create a whole new world for yourself, as well as for your family and all the people that are touched by you.  So next time you have some 'quiet time', focus on what sets you apart and begin to execute whatever it  is.  The riches it can provide will make a difference not only in your own life, but in the lives of your family, friends,etc.  And....it's never too late!
Hope you enjoyed this session....I'll plan to get back to you much sooner with my next blog!!
Respectfully submitted
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
tel: 212 721 2979   mscott13@aol.com

Something to Celebrate!!

I'm on the road again!!! Albany Civic Theatre, where I virtually started my career, is celebrating it's 6oth Anniversay February 28th-March 1st at the converted firehouse on Second Avenue in Albany where it all began.  I started performing with them right out of college and it became my second home for the next 30 years while I married; raised kids; spent two years shooting commercials in New York City, and all too soon lost my beloved Barry.  He and I spoke of how blessed we were all through those years as we sang and danced (at least I did) and laughed our hearts out with the gang at ACT.  The group there who made it all work were so close to us that we couldn't imagine life without them. The wit they all possessed, especially the gays which most of the fellas were, could not be beaten.  But sadly most of those original talents are not with us anymore....it's hard getting older.

We would get up from the dinner table every night and get in the car and head down to the theatre for rehearsal or performance. There were some plays, but for the most part (and this is where I always could be found) it was all musicals. And I was either the first or second lead in every one of them!!  If you can remember all the classic Broadway musicals, we did them all (well, most of them anyway).

We always had a  'college girl'  (the name for what is now called a 'nanny') who lived with us and took care of the kids. (That's how dinner got cleaned up---I did prepare it however.) We all brought the kids with us to final dress rehearsals, and before you knew it they were working on sets, costumes and often performing in the shows as well. Karen, my daughter, was in several, while Jeffrey was busy performing his magic all around town. And the adults loved to have them around as they could pass on all their stories to the kids. A lot of those stories were passed on right at our dinner table as a few very special guys from 'the theatre' became like family and as such they had many a dinner with us...two names---Nicky and Bob---come right to mind.  Unfortunately they are now gone as well.

As I mentioned, Barry and I felt blessed that our kids were able to grow up with so much laughter and music.  I really didn't 'play' piano, but it never sat there quietly.  We entertained weekly it seemed.  I remember one Halloween when I made 'pumpkin soup' and several of them dressed up, and yet somehow at midnight everyone left abruptly having argued with one another. When we closed the door Barry and I stood there looking at each other and just shrugged.  The gang were truly a 'family' with the love and the 'hate' (fights,etc.) that were certainly the qualities of families.

And they were all alcoholics!! (Not me however).  Religiously after each show we would go across the street to the Garden Grill and celebrate.  It was basically a haunt of 'hard hats' but normally they all dealt with us taking it over.  While Barry sat at the bar, I was standing by the juke box nightly singing and dancing.

And the theatre itself which we are celebrating in two weeks was simply charming.  It sat something like 90 and the circular staircase remained after conversion as the backstage entrance and exit...I remember runninng down them one night, sure that I was late for an entrance and finding myself onstage with a cast that just looked askance at me as I was not supposed to be there!!

There is not enough room here to enumerate all the happenings over the years that made our time there so very special. But what I just wanted to get across was just how lucky Barry and I, as well as Karen and Jeff, were to have ACT as such a special part of our world for so many years.  So it is with a great deal of pleasure I will be performing "Adelaide's Lament" from Guys and Dolls (which was perhaps my favorite role) onstage at ACT for their 60th anniversary.  Any and all of you who may be interested in coming to this occasion please call me at 212 721-2979 or 917 846-2449 and I'll give you all the details.

Hope you enjoyed this session

Respectfully yours
Mimi Scott, Ph.D
212 721-2979
www.sessionswithdrmimiscott.blogspot.com