Introduction. Hello.

Hi. My name is Noel Olken. I am an artist living in Chicago, IL, USA. I am an actor, filmmaker, director, producer, musician & writer. I am married to the lovely and amazing Kris C., and artist and clairvoyant.

On the eve of my departure for Edinburgh, Scotland, I've decided to start keeping a blog. I am going to perform at the 59th Edinburgh Fringe Festival. My cohorts and I from the Black Forest Theatre Company will be doing James Moeller's original play, Free Henry Goodbar, Telepath. We will be at the Roxy 2 from August 8 - 13 at 9 PM each evening. If you are in Edinburgh at that time, I hope you will come see us.

If you are not, you can read about it here.

When I kept a diary, which I did for many years, two things were very important to me: One, to date each entry, and Two, to make sure no one ever read it. I guess the internet will date everything for me now, and I've finally gotten over the second fear. My life has become more and more "open" as I've grown older; I fear less, and challenge myself more.

I once wrote a song called Where Am I gonnna Go, and in it I say, "How strange that this museum, is devoted to my past, without having paid the price I should have payed". I've been pretty damn lucky so far, and I work hard to keep it that way.

It's Okay is another song I wrote, and I'm gonna use it as the title for this public diary of thoughts. opinions, commentaries, questions, rants and raves, wild musings. Life is Okay. There's always something to bitch about, it isn't perfect, and it certainly isn't fair, but it is okay.

August 2005 is going to be a busy month for me. Not only the Fringe Fest, but my latest film, Cup Of My Blood, is also being released theatrically and on DVD in August 2005.

Check back as often as you like and read all about it here.

Peace.