John A. (Jay) Cross
@johnacross.bsky.social
Working on historical Commedia dell'Arte plays. Interested in: Astronomy/Cosmology, Movie-making, Photography, Shakespeare, Other theater, Medieval Science, SCA, and other things that amuse me.
It is Thanksgiving Day. This afternoon, I'll be celebrating with my wonderful neighbors (maybe 50 of us). Tomorrow I get some family visiting. By tradition they usually do Thanksgiving dinner with my DIL's family, and see us the next day.
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
It is Thanksgiving Day. This afternoon, I'll be celebrating with my wonderful neighbors (maybe 50 of us). Tomorrow I get some family visiting. By tradition they usually do Thanksgiving dinner with my DIL's family, and see us the next day.
#CdAHistory Interesting scene requiring some special effects? "Zanni [enters] shaves Scapino's beard and says, "This is a trick." Scapino runs away."
I suspect this could also mean 'removes his beard' since Scapino is in disguise at that point, but shaving lazzi could be fun.
I suspect this could also mean 'removes his beard' since Scapino is in disguise at that point, but shaving lazzi could be fun.
November 26, 2025 at 5:17 PM
#CdAHistory Interesting scene requiring some special effects? "Zanni [enters] shaves Scapino's beard and says, "This is a trick." Scapino runs away."
I suspect this could also mean 'removes his beard' since Scapino is in disguise at that point, but shaving lazzi could be fun.
I suspect this could also mean 'removes his beard' since Scapino is in disguise at that point, but shaving lazzi could be fun.
#CdAHistory Every once in a while I stumble on a scene that tells me I can never perform this play. Just saw one tonight. A couple of servants beat up a group of people for reasons that don't fly well today. Sigh. I could replace the two scenes with something else if I like the rest of the show.
November 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
#CdAHistory Every once in a while I stumble on a scene that tells me I can never perform this play. Just saw one tonight. A couple of servants beat up a group of people for reasons that don't fly well today. Sigh. I could replace the two scenes with something else if I like the rest of the show.
#CdAHistory How did they represent fire on stage in the 16th century? I just saw an interesting item in a props list: red to pretend a fire.
So, I guess red cloth.
So, I guess red cloth.
November 24, 2025 at 8:10 PM
#CdAHistory How did they represent fire on stage in the 16th century? I just saw an interesting item in a props list: red to pretend a fire.
So, I guess red cloth.
So, I guess red cloth.
#CdAHistory Wojtek, Tyfainne, and I just went through the play "The Hermit Woman" (which doesn't have a character who is a hermit). It was much better than I remembered, and we had a great time.
November 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
#CdAHistory Wojtek, Tyfainne, and I just went through the play "The Hermit Woman" (which doesn't have a character who is a hermit). It was much better than I remembered, and we had a great time.
I've got a bunch of music video-editing stuff to do this weekend, plus I'm writing something fancy that a friend will be calligraphing for some upcoming ceremony. Still, I don't want to get behind on my translation project. Busy weekend.
November 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I've got a bunch of music video-editing stuff to do this weekend, plus I'm writing something fancy that a friend will be calligraphing for some upcoming ceremony. Still, I don't want to get behind on my translation project. Busy weekend.
#CdATroupes Le Zanzare had a very positive rehearsal tonight. I am proud to be working with these people. The show will have at least one performance in January 17th with lunch and a show at about 1:30PM.
November 20, 2025 at 1:27 AM
#CdATroupes Le Zanzare had a very positive rehearsal tonight. I am proud to be working with these people. The show will have at least one performance in January 17th with lunch and a show at about 1:30PM.
#CdAHistory I'm continuing with the first pass at the next collection. I'm currently working on #16 out of 51. As noted before, these are from a little later time than I first thought. They are good stories, and we will have fun performing some of them.
November 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
#CdAHistory I'm continuing with the first pass at the next collection. I'm currently working on #16 out of 51. As noted before, these are from a little later time than I first thought. They are good stories, and we will have fun performing some of them.
About a month or so ago, I acquired quite a few Commedia dell'Arte masks, some neoprene, most are leather. They've been sitting around on flat surfaces like the dining table while I figure out how I want to label and store them. I figured it out, and bought the materials. Today is the day.
November 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
About a month or so ago, I acquired quite a few Commedia dell'Arte masks, some neoprene, most are leather. They've been sitting around on flat surfaces like the dining table while I figure out how I want to label and store them. I figured it out, and bought the materials. Today is the day.
#CdAHistory we made a second pass on an interesting play this morning. It was better than I remembered. It's an odd play that includes some magic, even though it takes place in a town.
November 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
#CdAHistory we made a second pass on an interesting play this morning. It was better than I remembered. It's an odd play that includes some magic, even though it takes place in a town.
Astronomy Picture of the Day is back, and the backlog to before the government shutdown is filled. 45 or so new pictures.
November 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Astronomy Picture of the Day is back, and the backlog to before the government shutdown is filled. 45 or so new pictures.
I support unions, though sometimes their rules get in my way. I'm here to record a show, but it is a union venue, and I am locked out until they start letting the audience in.
November 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I support unions, though sometimes their rules get in my way. I'm here to record a show, but it is a union venue, and I am locked out until they start letting the audience in.
#CdAHistory I'm starting to make my first pass at translating another collection of Scenarios. This one is in Venice, and the dates for the manuscript are still vague, but probably are in the 1620s. The scenarios are a little more explicit about sex related things than the earlier ones (as written).
November 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
#CdAHistory I'm starting to make my first pass at translating another collection of Scenarios. This one is in Venice, and the dates for the manuscript are still vague, but probably are in the 1620s. The scenarios are a little more explicit about sex related things than the earlier ones (as written).
I have two thoughts about the current politics. 1. Keep pressing on the Epstein files, and the eventual impeachment and removal. 2. Of all the things Trump and allies have been doing to destroy the country, I'm sad that this non-political crime is what's taking him down. - more -
November 14, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I have two thoughts about the current politics. 1. Keep pressing on the Epstein files, and the eventual impeachment and removal. 2. Of all the things Trump and allies have been doing to destroy the country, I'm sad that this non-political crime is what's taking him down. - more -
Sports talk: After several bad years in a row, the Patriots are now the first NFL team this season to win nine games, and thereby guarantee more wins than losses in the season. Does this foretell post-season success? Well, the Pats do have a schedule playing mostly weak teams this year.
November 14, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Sports talk: After several bad years in a row, the Patriots are now the first NFL team this season to win nine games, and thereby guarantee more wins than losses in the season. Does this foretell post-season success? Well, the Pats do have a schedule playing mostly weak teams this year.
#CdAHistory I am just beginning work on a Venetian scenario that has a young lover named Virginio, and a servant from another house named Mescolino. I'm curious to discover what their characters are like.
November 13, 2025 at 4:39 PM
#CdAHistory I am just beginning work on a Venetian scenario that has a young lover named Virginio, and a servant from another house named Mescolino. I'm curious to discover what their characters are like.
#CdATroupes Le Zanzare met last night, and we worked some scenes. One player has been out for several sessions because of medical appointments. We're hoping for the best.
November 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#CdATroupes Le Zanzare met last night, and we worked some scenes. One player has been out for several sessions because of medical appointments. We're hoping for the best.
#CdAHistory Last night, we looked again at a play we've been tinkering with, and Mike started a discussion that lead to something obvious we'd been missing. There is a huge tension built up about people owing money, and the whole plot is trying to fix that (and love). Only the love was resolved ...
November 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
#CdAHistory Last night, we looked again at a play we've been tinkering with, and Mike started a discussion that lead to something obvious we'd been missing. There is a huge tension built up about people owing money, and the whole plot is trying to fix that (and love). Only the love was resolved ...
I continue to watch "The Curse of Oak Island". The archeology & history of the 1600s in NS is interesting. They haven't said this, but I am suspecting that someone (William Phips & co.) came and took the treasure back in 1689-90 to fund a military expedition to Quebec.
November 12, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I continue to watch "The Curse of Oak Island". The archeology & history of the 1600s in NS is interesting. They haven't said this, but I am suspecting that someone (William Phips & co.) came and took the treasure back in 1689-90 to fund a military expedition to Quebec.
Space weather going on.
November 12, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Space weather going on.
I have some things to do, but they seem like loose amorphous things, so I guess the FIRST thing is trying to more clearly define what the other things are. Maybe shopping at a hardware store will help.
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I have some things to do, but they seem like loose amorphous things, so I guess the FIRST thing is trying to more clearly define what the other things are. Maybe shopping at a hardware store will help.
Peanuts question: What do you think happened to Peppermint Patty when she became an adult?
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Peanuts question: What do you think happened to Peppermint Patty when she became an adult?
Earthworm on a non permeable surface.
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Earthworm on a non permeable surface.
Is the branch of Hulu that streams in Connecticut called CTHULU?
November 9, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Is the branch of Hulu that streams in Connecticut called CTHULU?
A popular current network TV show is "High Potential" about a very smart ADHD woman who's life is a mess, but she starts helping the police solve crimes. It is based on a French show called "HIP". I have just finished watching the first 4 seasons of the French show. It is amusing. ... more ...
November 8, 2025 at 12:53 PM
A popular current network TV show is "High Potential" about a very smart ADHD woman who's life is a mess, but she starts helping the police solve crimes. It is based on a French show called "HIP". I have just finished watching the first 4 seasons of the French show. It is amusing. ... more ...