ANTONY AVTVMN

I nēed mvsic like Mərlin nēeds magic.

[antonyavtvmn]

JOURNAL — Dreams of a Wordsmith

What a way to start 2025! I submitted some 50-word stories to a competition and two of them ended up being selected for the Highly Commended prize! Ever so grateful. Now...how do I keep doing this for the rest of my life?

__

Signing off, Antony Autumn

[antonyavtvmn]

FICTION — Palmistry

“I’m a palm cartographer,” he proclaimed, studying my hand with deep intensity. “I see new love in your life. A beautiful girl, radiating positive aura.” 

“Did you say…girl?”

“Yes. Sultry phoenix energy! Perfect for a handsome boy like you!” 

“…I like men. Did you not foresee that?” 

[occultesotericart]

Vigilant labor /// circa 16th c

[antonyavtvmn]

JOURNAL — Résilience

Jamie Dean tells me it’s not my time.  He’ll meet me when it's over. But not today.  “Stay in the physical realm,” he whispers,  “Where love tastes sweetest.” The spirit world can wait.  I’ll stay and fight  And write and write… 

__

Signing off, Antony Autumn

[lovelyangryheart]

Sal Mineo & James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) 

[autarque]

X

[antonyavtvmn]

JOURNAL — Practise, Practise, Practise

I've decided not to enrol in the Level 2 Improv class. Instead, I'll be focusing on my singing technique: breath control, pitch, enunciation, dynamic choices. I finally found a vocal coach who knows how to work with my baritone voice. It's not a baritone curse after all! It's just an opportunity in disguise. And I intend to unmask it, unleash it. __ Signing off,  Antony Autumn

[trashyayo]

Ella Fitzgerald signing autographs at the concert series Jazz at the Philharmonic in Vienna in February 1954.

[joeinct]

Chet Baker and Teddy Charles (piano), Pasadena, Photo by William Claxton, 1953

[antonyavtvmn]

JOURNAL — Improv Reflection

I finished my 8-week Level 1 Improv course. I can't believed I forced my severely introverted self to complete the whole thing. And I miss it already. Many times, I froze on stage. Overwhelmed, sleep-deprived, breakfast-deprived. You learn by making mistakes. I know. Still, I don’t want to freeze like that ever again. Here’s a list I compiled (the 6Ps) from various online sources to remind myself how to overcome "Improv Impotence":

Physicalise: Act/react first, think later. Start moving your body. Don’t talk about jumping off the cliff. Actually jump off the cliff. Figure it out later. 

Phrases: Make statements. Don’t ask questions. Say then do. Commit to the bit.  

Presence: Focus on the present scenario at hand. Don’t look too far into the future. It’s “yes and…” not “yes and, and, and, and…”

Partnerships: Focus on the relationship between characters / scene partners as clues. 

Purpose: Every character wants something. Work towards fulfilling a goal.

Plaza: Get out of your own overbearing head and hop into Aubrey Plaza’s. What would Plaza do? This, of course, is the hardest step. 

Signing off, Antony Autumn

[romaninsoncumlesi-deactivated20]

[marypickfords]

[antonyavtvmn]

JOURNAL — The Greatest Magic Trick

I've officially withdrawn from my Master of Pharmacy course. I completed 3 of the 4 semesters, took an absence of leave (deferral) and am now working full-time in the media industry. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the degree felt like the right path to take. But in this post-pandemic world, my goals have shifted. I won't be finishing my final semester. I've burnt my safety net.  I'm on the road of no return.  Full steam ahead.  Songwriting, songwriting, songwriting.  If I can truly find my footing as a niche local singer-songwriter, with modest financial return, that would be the greatest magic trick I pull.  Signing off, Antony Autumn

[blackbirdcall]

[joan-baez]

Le Voyage dans la Lune (1902)

[antonyavtvmn]

POEM — Whispers in my Mind

"Be not afraid. Be not afraid." The angels say, "Be not afraid."

[12cd12c-deactivated20220922]