20 before 40 (study/quiz 2)

This list is originally from Relevant. I wasn't going to include the blurbs they posted but on second thought they seem relevant. LOL I'M SO CLEVER MUST BE COZ I'M ALMOST 40

1. Read the Entire Bible Cover-to-Cover

"Reading the Bible from front to back may sound like a daunting task, but with read the Bible in year resources like the YouVersion app, it’s a manageable goal. Even though you may have already read most of scripture throughout the course of your life, reading it as a linear narrative, one book at a time, gives you a new perspective on the story of the Gospel."

No way in hell. LOL.

2. See Your Favorite Band Live at Least Once

"One day, you’ll want to tell your kids, friends or family about that time you drove all night to see U2 play a stadium in Chicago, found tickets to a sold-out Sufjan Stevens show at a small venue in your hometown or saw Sigur Ros under the stars at an amphitheater. Concert tickets can be expensive, but it's worth it to see a great band live."

The only band I wish I could see that I haven't yet (except for the Dead who are no longer touring RIP Jerry) is Calexico. So I could do that. Although I feel like maybe I already have too many stories about seeing my favorite bands live and nobody really wants to hear any more of them anyway.

Oh by the way did I tell you how I've seen Sufjan Stevens three times and once in a club so small I was like 10 feet away from him and he just had a poster and a guitar and he was so amazing that I fell in love with him and when I left it was like we broke up? 

Oh or the time I saw Ani Difranco in a tiny club on Valentine's Day and she passed out the Valentine's Day streusel her partner sent her in the mail?

Or how when I saw Neko Case and she sang a cover of a Magnetic Fields song I literally wanted to die I was so happy?

Should I tell you more stories? 

Also I don't have kids so thanks for also rubbing that in.

3. Run a Marathon (or Some Kind of Endurance Race)

"No matter what your current fitness level is, there are lots of options for you to take part in an endurance race. Whether it’s a 5K, Tough Mudder or a full-length marathon, choose a distance you’ll actually have to train for a few months to complete. Part of the joy of the accomplishment is looking back at all of the hard work you put in."

DO YOU KNOW ME AT ALL QUIZ

4. Watch Every Film on the AFI Top 100

"Back in 1998, the American Film Institute polled 1,500 leaders in the film community and asked them to help assemble the top 100 American movies ever made. The list (which was updated in 2007) contains some movies that you’ve probably already seen (like Rocky, Forest Gump, Star Wars and Jaws) but its the deeper cuts (like Rear Window, Stagecoach, Duck Soupand All Quiet on the Western Front) showcasing the evolution of filmmaking and American pop culture, that make the task of watching each film such a rich experience."

This has been a dream of mine but I'm not sure I'll be able to see all of them. I will post a follow-up discussing the feasibility of such a mini-adventure.

Also, REAR WINDOW IS NOT A DEEP CUT WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU ANYWAY

5. Pick a Country and Go Visit

"Before you turn 40, pick at least one country that you’ve always wanted to visit, and make it happen. Create a plan to save a little money and store up some vacation time to go to the one place you’ve always wanted to see." 

I want to go to Fiji but the problem is that I don't so much have a job right now so taking a whirlwind trip across the world and staying in a little hut over the water may be slightly out of our price range right now. But thanks for the bizarrely general and price-insensitive suggestion quiz.

Just kidding. No sour grapes here. In fact, why don't I just buy Fiji? How much could it cost, anyway? 10 million jillion dollars? It's way out in the middle of nowhere, right? I'm sure I'll get enough money before I turn 40. It's all about making it happen in the end. I'm envisioning success and 1 million billion dollars in my pocket. Let's make a deal, Fiji. [eye roll]

6. Speak a Second Language

"If you are picking a country to go visit, why not try to also learn the language spoken there?"

Obvs.

7. Write Letters to the Five People Who Have Most Impacted Your Life

"Don’t make the mistake of not telling the important people in your life how much they’ve impacted you. Even if the letters are short, sometime before you turn 40, think of the five people who have helped shape you as an adult, and let them know what they’ve meant to you."

This is pretty good but since I have four parents and one spouse and five siblings how would I choose? This is dumb. I'm unhappy.

8. Watch Every Season of a Few Great TV Shows

"We are living in a golden age of television, in which critically acclaimed shows are the new Great American Novels. Pick out a few of the shows that will be remembered for making serialized TV important again, and watch them in their entirety. Marathon through a series like Arrested Development, The Walking Dead, The Wire or Breaking Bad, and see how the medium of television was reinvented in your generation."

Ok, well since I've seen all of the seasons of all of the shows you've listed I'm counting this one as done. Also, since you didn't mention Battlestar Galactica or Firefly (IN ONE SHORT SEASON THAT SHOW WAS BETTER THAN ALL THE REST OF TV COMBINED), you're dead to me.

Oh, but there is one season of Bob's Burgers I haven't seen yet. And since Fox is a jerk who pulled it off Netflix I'm going to have to buy it on iTunes I guess unless I just don't add this to my list I mean it's good but it's the principle of the thing, you know, and no before you ask I'm not subscribing to hulu just to get one season of Bob's Burgers PLEASE.

9. Give Away Something Really Expensive

"Before you turn 40, you should know the feeling of giving something away that costs a lot of money. Maybe you pool money with a couple of friends to buy a car for a single mom in need. Maybe it’s plane tickets for friend to go on a mission trip. Maybe it’s a bunch of really nice Christmas presents for kids who wouldn’t get any otherwise. At some point in your twenties or thirties, make it your personal goal to save enough money to give someone else something amazing."

You know we ended up giving our landlord in San Francisco almost $100K over the course of 2.5 years so I'm counting that. Also, we lived in San Francisco 5 years and if you notice, that was just the amount we gave to ONE of them. If you don't like it, eat a dick. I'm getting annoyed with this quiz.

10. Make Amends With Any 'Enemies'

"Once you hit your late twenties, you are officially too old to still harbor bitterness toward anyone else. Before you hit 40, make an effort to make amends with anyone in your life that you have any ill feeling toward. As Christians, there’s no excuse to carry unforgiveness—especially through adulthood."

Oh, ok. I see now. This is a Christian List. Technically I'm Christian but I'm starting to think this quiz does not accurately reflect my faith. 

Also, what's this about late twenties? I'm 39, assshit.

Maybe I need to make peace with the author of this quiz because he's definitely my new "enemy."

11. Apply for Your Dream Job

"Don’t look back later in life with regret, wondering what could have been. Even if you don’t think you’re qualified for the job you’ve always dreamed of, at some point in your twenties or thirties, apply for the job you've always wanted. It may not lead to any dramatic career choice, but unless you give it a shot, you will never know."

Done. I didn't get it. Next. 

12. Take the Stage. Alone

"Preach a sermon. Try stand-up comedy. Deliver a TED-like lecture. Find an opportunity to be alone on a stage in front of a crowd with nothing to move them but a microphone and your own thoughts. Public speaking can be terrifying—but it can also be exhilarating ."

I have wanted to take stand-up comedy classes but I settled on improv, which I did for 2.5 years. IS THAT NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU, QUIZ?!?!? Besides, I've given tons of presentations and taught 8 college classes on my own WHEN WILL YOUR DEMANDS ON MY SOUL END

13. Go on a Road Trip of at Least a Thousand Miles

"There’s something philosophical that happens when you’re on the road for more than 15 hours, exploring America through highways and interstates. Just consult the work of Jack Kerouac and you’ll see that the journey isn’t about the destination—it’s about the road trip."

I just drove across the country with my mom when we moved from SF to NC. Thank you for your insight into what happens when I'm on the road for more than 15 hours. Who is this Jack Kerouac. He must be one of the deeper cuts of the beat generation.

Trying. So. Hard. To. Remain. Calm.

Although that reminds me of Carlos Castaneda. Maybe I should add eating peyote to this list. 

Actually, I should probably have eaten peyote before reading this list.

14. Write a Short Story

"Everyone has a good story in them. Take the time to craft at least one good short story at some point in your twenties or thirties. You don’t ever have to publish it or even share it with anyone else, but it’s an exercise of self-analysis that everyone should go through at least once."

I have written lots of short stories but most of them got lost when my motherboard became an hero. Thanks for the mammories. Although maybe I should write another one. It can be about this fucking quiz and how it made me go all the way to San Francisco to cannonball off the Golden Gate Bridge. 

15. Go On a Mission/Humanitarian Aid Trip

"Sure, sometimes “short-term mission trips” have been criticized for offering short-term solutions to long-term needs, but if you find the right destination and the right cause, it can be a life-changing experience. But remember, the point of a trip isn’t to teach others about what you know—it’s also about allowing them to teach you from what they have been through."

I'll bet I could learn a lot from the Others who live in Fiji. And also, I get it with the scare-quotes around short-term mission trip. I'll plan on staying at least a year and a half. Is that not-short-term enough?

16. Learn to Play an Instrument

"Grab that old guitar sitting in the attic, pick up a harmonic or go ahead and purchase that drum set you’ve always wanted. Who knows? Maybe you even a have a hidden talent that’s just waiting to be discovered."

Great. Done. Although there are no old guitars sitting in our attic fwiw and also I'm pretty sure drum sets don't make great impulse buys. I'll be sure and ask my husband, after I "go ahead and purchase" one of course. I wouldn't want to miss out on discovering I have a hidden talent.

And WHAT THE FUCK IS A HARMONIC. Seriously. I'm losing it.

17. Find a Mentor and a Mentee

"You’re never too old to learn from someone older than you—and to teach someone younger."

One question: do cats count?

18. Memorize the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed, the Great Commission and the Beatitudes

"By memorizing these relatively short items, you’ll be able to recite four key principles of Christian faith—how to pray (the Lord’s Prayer), your calling (the Great Commission), the teachings of the Gospel (the Apostle’s Creed) and how to live (the Beatitudes)."

I need to meditate.

19. Face Your Fear

"Whether it’s public speaking, an aversion to water, the fear of rejection or a dislike of flying, you don’t have to totally conquer your fears in your twenties or thirties, but you should face them. Sign up for swimming lessons, go to Toast Masters or even seek counseling. Taking steps to control your fear as an adult will make sure it doesn’t have to control you."

[deeeeeeeeeeep breath] 

my fear... SIR... is that someone will expect me to have done all these gd things before i turn 40 in 105 days. 

20. Sponsor a Child

"There are a ton of organizations (World Vision, Compassion International, ChildFund International), that will let you sponsor a child in need for less than your cell phone bill. Sometime between before your 40th birthday, commit to a year—the letters you’ll receive alone make the whole experience worth it. "

Sometime between before my 40th birthday I will definitely consider this. 

Thank you for dramatically saving this one until the end. 

This list blows.

you can get with this... or you can get with that...

Friday was my first show with the Mainstage cast on a weekend night -- AWESOME!! It was totally awesome. I played Emo Airline with Ethan and the rest (in honor of the crazy flight attendant this week), and Oscar Musical with Andy, and Remote Control Styles with Don and TJ, and Interrogator with Thomas and Andy. For Interrogator I used the a modified Frida character, who was most likely gay, and most definitely opinionated. It was great. I don't play Interrogator that often anymore but Friday made me want to start up again! I love Frida.

It was such a neat experience, though. I remember the first time I went to Whole World over 2 years ago. I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair! It was the most fun I'd had in a long time. So to be on the other end of that -- to be making people laugh by basically having a great time myself -- was really incredible.

Plus the fact that I was in a cast with 5 sexy mens and MC'd by another one didn't hurt! Very exhilarating. I hope I get to do it again soon. Chip asked me at the last minute, so I'm extra thankful for the opportunity. Anyway, enough dribble.

Kimberly and Drew were in mainstage shows this weekend, too: Drew at 8 and Kimberly at 10:30, both on Saturday. Drew's show was sold out, so I missed it, but I got to see Kimberly's, which was awesome. Love them ladies. Oh, and one of the ladies that is not in the cast anymore was there, so it was nice to catch up with her, too.

So anyway, then of course Sunday there was a small-scale family emergency -- when is there NOT? -- but I'm trying to hold on to that amazing feeling of happiness and achievement. I've worked really hard to get to a mainstage show. And it was WORTH IT!

SMILEY FACE!!

Balls?

The Spain - Netherlands game was (hopefully) the worst soccer game ever. It was TERRIBLE. Embarrassing for the Germans for not passing them by, honestly. And for Uruguay, honestly. That game was GOOD.

So anyway, I'm going to improv tonight. We'll see. There was definitely some drama on the improv front this weekend, so I'm feeling a little hesitant. It's hard to be serious about something at the same time I'm insecure about my position and talent, and also have fun at the end of a long day of work. So, yeah. I've decided that I'm no longer putting all my eggs in that basket. Instead, I'm going to work on those goals I listed.

I am feeling good about the embroidery one, and Sanks has already agreed to let me cut his hair. I think if I bought some scissors he might change his mind--that's how he is.

I watched the Wire this weekend - season four. Dang, that is sad sad SAD. I sure do wish I could solve all the problems in the world. No child deserves that. No Child Left Behind is such a joke. As if passing a standardized test would even solve all the problems for children today. I want to be a foster mother. I've told Sanks, but I think he thinks I'm joking. Silly Sanks.

Well, I better go look up glass-blowing classes.

There seems to be a cricket in my office. Heaven help me.

Wah, wah, wah...

See, is that a baby crying or a slide guitar? Who knows? It's all a matter of perception. Just saying.

Rehearsal last night was... ok. I'll probably write more about it in my improv blog, but maybe not! Maybe I'll just stuff it down, deep inside, where all my other non-memorable, disappointing and deflating experiences go. Yay! Feels better that way. ;-)

I finished the embroidery last night while I finished watching the last episode of Firefly. I love that series. I got it on sale at Borders recently and I'm really glad I got it. It's a subtly good show -- just consistently good quality, not using flashy stupid things to get your adrenaline going, but with enough exciting scrapes to keep the show fast-paced. It's really good. My favorite episode is definitely "Out of Gas" but "Heart of Gold" is a close second. The latter was never even aired! I hate when networks give up on brilliant shows just because they hate me and are out to get me. Another one I want is Jericho, but that ended tragically (i.e. with a huge unanswered cliffhanger). Firefly ended reasonably well, although the movie Serenity did a good job on some story lines and on others SUCKED. Anyway, moving on...

So the little embroidery thingy-do is done, but now I have to make it into a pillow or something. I don't know about that. I want to start a sewing project, actually, but 1) I'm nervous, and 2) I can't decide on any fabrics! This is totally a good thing for me. I need practice making safe (relatively inconsequential) decisions. It will build up my confidence for when I have to make big (real) decisions.

So I'm going back to work. Today I get to design things (newsletter, brochure) so I'm excited about that! This is the part of my job that I really love.

Charity :-)

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh..

I was supposed to go to the theatre tonight. I was so excited about learning how to do lights. Then Sanks had come to town, so we were hanging out, and then I cooked dinner for him, and then he took FOREVER at Marshall's picking out swim trunks and towels so he was late to my house, and I was trying to rearrange my furniture because I'm leaving Sunday night (basically) and I don't want my neighbor to wander through a nasty house to feed my cats and also I don't want to leave my cats in a disaster area...

So I forgot to go.

[Sigh]

What does it all mean?

I love performing, but I am continuing to feel not-ok about this whole nonsense. I mean, did I just forget? Or do I want to quit? The decision is really difficult since I love performing but the main people either hate me or are disinterested, and this flaking out is NOT going to help my image at the theatre. And how can I improve if I'm constantly fighting even to be noticed? I feel like they're not on my side anymore. I REALLY need this vacation to Hawaii. Maybe I'll just stay there. Wow. That is tempting, I must admit.

What a weekend?

This past weekend definitely DOES NOT qualify as one of my apparently bi-monthly Relaxation Weekend o'10s! Argh. It's not that the weekend was bad, it just left me feeling wiped out. I needed a Relaxation Weekend o'10 is what I'm saying, but what I got was a Crazy-ass Crazy Weekend o'10. Highlights:

Friday: Went out with an old friend I hadn't seen in years, literally. That was awesome, but I heard the craziest drama from my old job! I mean, involving lawyers, and gang wars at country club weddings, and terminations of employment left and right. It was pretty crazy. So the good news is that me having one too many (pitchers of) margaritas at my first graduation party was not the reason my former boss never called me to babysit again. Unfortunately, it reminded me that she never called me to babysit again, and I really love the girl I used to babysit. Babysitting also satisfied my annoying and illogical baby-making impulse for quite a while, and now I'm starting to be tormented by it again. Which is not being helped by the fact that everywhere I turn a friend of mine is either having a baby, having another baby, or bragging on their baby/kid. I GET IT! Your kid is awesome! Families are awesome! You know what? So are PhDs and margaritas! Please just let me sit back and enjoy my pleasures in life without feeling like a total loser! OK, let me stop. It's my issue, not theirs. [Deep breaths in, out, in, out...]

Saturday: The day started out grandly! I went to Hhighland Bakery with Kendra and ate to my heart's content! I saw a friend from improv eating there with his wife and was able to have a short conversation while waiting so I didn't even have to worry about any "dead" time. Brunch was fabulous and I got to wear my awesome new dress! It was awesome. So I went home and at that point things started to get weird.

I think the turning point was standing my couch up on its side so I could get to the bottom of it. While I was talking to Nikki on the phone (AWESOME! LOVE HER!) I decided to fix the upholstery on my living room furniture, which Sam and Max ripped out from the underside during their "the bottom of this furniture is our world, and we will hammock it up to our hearts' content - try and stop us" period. So I was nailing the upholstery back under the furniture frames, which led to the standing upways of my couch. Sam promptly climbed up the side of it (scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, success!) and settled in for a nap about 1 foot from the ceiling. It was adorable, but it just wasn't "right".

So, it was off to improv for my volunteer shift. How can I say this without being a whiner ... some people need to LAY OFF THE CRYSTAL METH BEFORE TRYING TO BOSS *ME* AROUND. I'm sorry to bring this up, but "HOMIE DON'T PLAY THAT." And by "Homie" I mean me, and by "play that" I mean put up with someone treating me like shit just because they have severe personality disorder(s). Seriously. That shit is NOT OK. So that pissed me off, since he's in the cast with me, and it's just that much more interpersonal drama at the theatre that I'm having to deal with AGAINST MY WILL. All signs lately have been pointing to taking up a different hobby. So now I just need to find something else. I'm thinking sewing.

I didn't get home until after 1, but that was ok since I didn't have anything to do Sunday morning! Yay! Which was wonderful, because it meant I could sleep in! Things were going great until I woke up at 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 6:45, 7:00, 7:30, 7:45, 8:00, and then finally at 8:10, when I just gave up and got out of bed.

Sunday: By Sunday I was exhausted. I went to get frozen yogurt with Kendra and Ali, another friend I haven't seen in some time. It was fun, but every time I see people from Sociology, it reminds me how far away I truly am from them, which makes me sad, and makes me wonder what I'm moving TOWARDS, since I'm clearly moving AWAY from so many things... I also found out that yet ANOTHER of my male friends is getting married. I'm happy for him, but it makes me really sad for a minute when I see a guy who has had worse commitment problems than me find the perfect girl who is all-too-willing to put up with potential bullshit later down the line in exchange for a wedding. Whereas, I am clearly damaged goods. [Sigh]

So last night, after watching the WIZ (5 stars plus one million bonus stars) and the end of Deep Impact, I tried to do some straightening up around the house, but I ended up basically leaving the house looking like I've just moved in. It will be worth it in the end, bit right now it's just one more thing on my "Honey-Do" list. If I only had a "Honey" to "Do" all those things....

That's just the way it is!!

Some things will never change.

I had a great time in NYC after all that. Baxter is amazing! His project was a very neat game, and he curated a great show of the other Masters' Theses. The opening reception was super fun, and their cook out the next night was as super fun if not more super fun. Austin's parents came into town and they are really fun people, too. Yes, so basically: fun.

Highlights: Mom and I went to the same Mexican restaurant Thursday and Friday. They have amazing food (Pequena), and what's more, they had buy one, get one free margaritas! Yummmmmmmmmmmm. That was fun on Thursday, before we went to MoMA, where they were having an intriguing exhibit by performance artist Marina Abramović. Afterwards, we went to Baxter's/Parsons' Opening Reception for the Thesis Symposium.

Friday after our margaritas, we were going to go to Coney Island but that, um, didn't work out. Mom went to Baxter and Austin's adorable apartment to nap, and since I was in the mood for some exercise, I walked to the park for my nap. It was such a lovely day, truly.

I wandered back in time to help get ready for the cookout. Hilariously, we must have made about 15 trips to the corner store between us.

"Oh, we need to get the meat!"

"Oh, we need beer!"

"Oh, I need to get Guinness because I don't like lagers!"

"Oh, we need mayonnaise and ketchup!"

"Oh, we forgot tin foil!"

"Oh, we need more beer!"

It was wonderful. Baxter and Austin love their friends sooooo much, and every time I meet more of them, I understand why. They are very good hosts, too. The next morning I was feeling a bit ill all day. I almost lost it in the Metro, but managed to hold on to it. Mom and I barely made it to the keynote address by Baxter's own boss at the Symposium, but luckily we were able to hear most of it. What a great presentation! No wonder Baxter likes his job and his boss so much. Afterwards, we stopped by a restaurant with Austin's awesome parents, where I had soup and about 13 glasses of water (mmmm) since I couldn't ingest anything more at the moment.

After we got to the airport, I had a slice of pizza, since I was feeling better, and anyway, I can ALWAYS have a slice of pizza. I said goodbye to Mom at her gate where she waited for her connection to Greensboro and then my SWEET friend Chris Cap Hayes - who is also a brilliant improv artist and comedian - picked me up.

[Photos of the trip]

Sunday I was supposed to go to the High/Zoo but I really couldn't do it. I had to do laundry, go grocery shopping, pretend to clean for a significant amount of time, and play with my cats. Oh, and watch Series Two of The Catherine Tate Show, of course.

Hopefully I'll be able to get together with them another time. We had our last class together last night and it was really "so hard... to say goodbye... yesterday..." The good news is that several of them are planning to take the follow up courses, but we all need to wait, so hopefully we'll still be able to be in classes together again! We did scene studies last night. It was really fun, but I feel bad for my partner because I felt like a LUMP on a LOG. My energy was just about gone. I know, surprise! Oh, did I mention that we had a small event, a focus group meeting, and another meeting at work Monday and then I had to go to rehearsal from 9 until 11, after working out with Katie after work? And that Tuesday I had a staff meeting? Oh, I didn't? Well, I did. I am CRAZY TIRED. But happy.

COMMENCEMENT IS IN FIVE DAYS!!!!! Boo-yah.

How YOU doin'?

Yesterday's trips to the CNN Center, the High, and the Botanical Garden were relatively awesome. We didn't make it to the Zoo, so I'm hoping I'll be able to make it out there next Sunday.

Today's Drew's birthday AND the character workshop, so I know tonight will be fun. I'm disappointed in my current progress with the character I'm working on, but it's just a start, so I'm not going to worry too much.

Wednesday I'm going to NYC! With my Mom! To visit my brother and sister-in-law! And see my brother's video game show! All exciting things. It will be super nice to get out of Atlanta for a minute.

Today I'm at work, though, and it's driving me bananas. I need a new job. One that doesn't force me to take 5 minute blogging breaks to write about how I need a new job.

Wish me luck.

Acting, Perfeckly.

This weekend I was supposed to do some things. For the first time in a long time, I had homework. I was supposed to get my car estimated a couple more times, and I have to basically write and come up with a Director's plan for a monologue-turned-scene in my acting class. Yesterday I went to the aquarium and the World of Coke, and then watched Sweeney Todd aka Yummiest Grossness, and then went to an Improv show -- great show, although the energy was kind of down. It's hard on stage when the audience doesn't have much energy, and you're tired -- it makes the whole thing twice as difficult.

Today I'm going to the zoo, then the CNN Center, and then the Botanical Gardens. We might go to the High -- I don't know! I don't know if we're going to have time! (Old School shout out)

So, not much time for homework, I guess, although Sanks and I have been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff, so I don't feel like I've been wasting time or anything.

Tomorrow at Improv rehearsal, we're doing a character workshop. We are going to take on different characters, and then take a field trip AS those characters. Drew and I have been debating taking the opportunity to try new ones, but the one I want to try might flop and then I'd be stuck as her for two hours! Maybe in two hours she would have time to "rise from the flop" though. :-) Maybe I'll try a zombie!

Charity :-)

Happy, happy, JOY! JOY!

Don't worry. Be happy.


My car is fine. He has a little mash-up, but I love him anyway. And since I simply don't have $1300, I think I'll just wait on getting him fixed. Bless his little heart. 


I went to the Improv Studies show last night, which was AWESOME. These folks are so talented! They played some really tough games, and knocked them out of the park/theatre! I was so proud, as if their achievement somehow was part mine. Love you guys!


Now I'm at work, which is sucking, but whatever. Tonight I'm volunteering at the theatre, with DREW, which will be terrific! So, Ha! Ha! Universe! THAT'S what happens when you find a stranger in the alps, Universe. 


Oh, yeah. Did I tell you we went bowling Monday night? Awesome. Love the apprentice cast! I need to leave work before it pushes me into the dark oblivion of angry madness. Must... Escape... In time today...

Update: Relaxation Weekend O' Ten, Number Two, Day Two.

Ahhh, the sweet feeling of sweet relaxation. This is the perfect staycation for me right now. Today I slept until almost noon. By the time I woke up both cats were posted on my bed staring at me, meowing if I made any attempt -- however slight -- to open my eyes. Then I heated up leftovers for lunch from yesterday's veggie enchilada fiesta, cracked open a mid-afternoon beer (yes, relaxation weekend has its perks!) and started Seven Samurai. Now this movie is amazing, but I had to take a slight break from it (so far it's been on for 2 hours and 15 minutes and the bandits haven't even attacked yet) to check my special lady friend Drew's blog about her mainstage debut last night. After reading her super exciting blog, I was so excited that I wanted to post one, too! I also found out this afternoon that tonight is another apprentice cast member's mainstage debut! Don Patton in the house, ladies and gents!

Sigh. What bliss. Now I will return to the film. I love Akira Kurosawa. It looks like the main challenge of this weekend is to keep moving up the awesomeness scale rather than settle for the same old high level of awesomeness. I'm thinking crafts might come into play in a few minutes...

Cheers!
Charity :-)

Update: Relaxation Weekend O' Ten, Number Two, Day One.

Right now, I'd love to be at the theatre, because Drew is in her first mainstage show, ROCKING IT I'm sure. Unfortunately, after the week I had, I needed a mental sanity day. Thus, I have dedicated this weekend as Relaxation Weekend O' Ten Number Two.

Today I have done the following:

• I saved an inchworm from certain death.
• I finally got our website live at work! I've been working on it for many many moons now, and am pleased to share with you my success.
• I got my oil changed and my engine air filter replaced.
• I got my car washed.
• I drank a margarita with lunch and ate some veggie enchiladas (YUMM-O) at one of my favorite restaurants.
• I read almost 100 pages of The Art of Racing in the Rain, which Katie loaned me forever ago and which I am totally in need of reading right now.
• I remembered to feed my friend's cat and in so doing enjoyed about 5 minutes of stranger-cat-love until he rolled back into his “I'm King Cat” pose and promptly scratched the hell out of my hand. (Nice. Thanks.)
• I watched 2 AMAZING films that I have had from Netflix for over a month. Pinky, which I've been wanting to see since forever, and Gentlemen's Agreement, which I've also been wanting to see for forever. Both of them are super radical films for their time, I think. Pinky deals with a woman who was passing as white, and Gentlemen's Agreement was about a guy (THANK YOU Gregory Peck! Hats off to you and your awesomeness) who writes an article about anti-semitism and pretends to be Jewish while doing so. Both of them were so awesome. I didn't really like the ending of Gentlemen's Agreement, most likely since Gregory Peck did not wind up with me in the end, but I thought that overall both were excellent. Of course, both were directed by Elia Kazan, so obviously. I LOVE HIM.

Now, if you know me, you are probably thinking to yourself, “Hmm, this sounds like more than Charity ever gets done on a Friday afternoon or any afternoon or any entire weekend, for that matter,” and you would be making a very astute observation. In fact, I don't. And I realized it's because my life is so $#%!@#!@#ing STRUCTURED right now, that I literally have no time to just relaaaaaaaaaax. Hence, Relaxation Weekends/Weeknights o' Ten!!! And it was amazing. The minute I was like, “@#$ it, this week is dead to me. IT'S THE WEEKEND, BABY!!!!” I became extremely efficient and productive. I mean, I left out the parts where I went to the liquor store for beer, made dinner, and got caught up on reading my friends' blogs!!!

This has been very interesting. This productive relaxation thing. In therapy this week we kind of talking about it a little. How, before I was so depressed thinking that no one would even notice if I died in my sleep since my human contact was so sporadic, to knowing that if I died in my sleep people would notice because a great number of them would probably be pissed off at me for missing something “important.”

It's all about balance, my therapist said. That's why she gets paid the big bucks, I guess. Not from me, obviously. But from someone.

I'm going to go watch Seven Samurai. Or take a bath. Or vaccuum. Or go straight to bed. The beauty is that I don't even know what I'm going to do next!

This is looking good.

Projects

This blog has become less fun. First of all, no one reads it. Second of all, there is one person who reads it and insists on posting creepy comments that I have had to filter out now, which is a pain, and which given the low readership, is even MORE annoying. Third, I'm feeling very scattered lately. I'm never home. Literally, I'm at rehearsal of some kind at least three nights a week, and on the others, I'm sometimes volunteering at one, performing at one, and/or attending a friend's show at one. It makes for absolutely no time. Plus, I have to watch LOST and Real Housewives of NYC on two others. As you can see, that adds up to more than 7 days, meaning I'm usually double booked. It's literally wearing me down.

Plus, my dissertation advisor was in a bicycle accident, so he can't hood me in the graduation ceremony. I know I'm being selfish, but I really wanted him there. He's been such an amazing advisor. Even though he's so central to the department, and even though I've long felt alienated from it, he's always reached out to me and he's always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself (which was approximately 92% of the time). In the past 10 years, I've grown immensely and he's been so important to that. I honestly consider him like a third father. So yeah, I was disappointed. And also, worried!

So I'm tired. I'm going through my journals because I've been cataloging my improv and acting journals and recently came across one from college. Wow, I really have grown up. I usually feel like a kid who doesn't know what's going on and doesn't have any control over my life, but I realize now that not only do I really have that power, but I really DO feel in control most of the time. I'd love to get the writings from my journals all consolidated. My grandmother was trying to write her memoirs before she died, I remember. I really wish she would have. She had an amazing life. I don't fancy my life as amazing, but I do think that it would be nice to read it myself someday, even if I don't have kids. And I recently read the memoirs of my paternal great-great aunt, which didn't mention any of my direct kin, but found it fascinating. Of course, I'm not from a holler in southeastern Virginia, but I think North Carolina is pretty good, too.

And honestly, when I log on to Blogger I usually have to read about 8 blog entries from my friends, so by the time I finish that I basically want to log off and I basically have to anyway, since that takes me about an hour.

So it is what it is. I may remove this blog, actually, and add it to my stack of journals. But I'll probably just leave it up and post random videos and photos and things. Anyway, I won't be investing much time in it anymore, I reckon. But thanks for whatever.

xo,
Charity

Ready? O! K!

I feel oodles better. Probably for several reasons.

1) Sunday night we had an improv gig at an Oscar Party! Several of us gathered in a tiny corral blocked off by red velvet rope, flashing filmless cameras and asking the arriving black tie attendees who they were wearing and if we could have their autographs. Quite possibly the funnest improv gig yet. It was so rewarding, too, because the people LOVED IT. Very satisfying for all involved. Plus, it was at Pricci, which I LOVE and where Sanks took me on our first big date after he got back from India and we decided to give it another try.

2) Which brings me to my second point. Namely, Sanks! He makes me feel better. (I'm turning into a sap. PLEASE SAVE ME FROM MYSELF!) The one year anniversary of our first date is coming up this month. It's hard to believe. Of course, we were apart for several months, but I don't care about the technicalities. I'm just so thankful that he's in my life. It feels good to get that out of my system. Thanks for listening. :-)

3) Since Sanks lives in NC most of the time I didn't get to see him last weekend. Sad, yes, but the lack of ANY obligations was quite enjoyable for me, as I spent ALL DAY Saturday in bed. I know people say that, and what they mean is that they woke up late morning, stayed in their pajamas, maybe even ate cereal in bed or something, curled up on the couch and watched TV, went to the bathroom - you know, the usual. Well I LITERALLY slept until 5 pm. I could have stayed in bed, too, but I didn't feel comfortable sleeping THROUGH Saturday and into Sunday. It just didn't seem right. So I woke up and went to eat at La Fonda with my girlfriend Katie. Then we hung out at Borders for probably an hour (I LOVE that about her - that she can stay as long as me and be perfectly content!). Then I went home and crawled back into bed. Sunday I awoke feeling refreshed - FINALLY - and went to church! It was great. I haven't been in way too long, and I really do love my church.

4) Katie and I work out together, and since I've been sick I haven't felt up to it. However, after my doozie of a sleep fest this weekend, I finally had the energy to pick it back up again! It's been so nice going to work out with Katie the past two nights.

5) Tomorrow I have to work at Whole World, which I wasn't expecting. I don't mind, though, because since I missed rehearsal last week I've been feeling quite deprived. Also, rehearsal was cancelled for this week, since there is a private show Thursdays (Mainstage Cast does the private shows, so the Apprentice Cast doesn't perform unfortunately). So I'm glad I get to go down there and make sure it's all under control. :-)

6) I'm all ready for the next time I perform, though. I got my hair cut today!! It looks pretty much the same, which is kind of disappointing, except for the fact that it looks the same because it's a great haircut... I also bought a new hair dryer and flat iron because I was feeling like a little girl that needed a new toy or two. Plus they were on sale (although I really shouldn't have - really).

7) Which brings me to my next point. No, not security (Oh come on, haven't you seen Waiting for Guffman???!). Student loans. Yuck. I finally made my move though. I called those little buggers and told them that they better process my income sensitive repayment plan changes and quick, because like I've been telling them for the past three months "I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $900 A MONTH ON THESE BAD BOYS." I think I MAY have gotten them to understand this time (fingers crossed, prayers said).

8) Since I was doing that adult stuff today, I went ahead and made a doctor's appointment and a dentist's appointment. I know, it sounds pretty mundane, but this is a HUGE step for me. I've been putting it off since I graduated, since I have ALWAYS gone to University Health Services, either at Emory or UNCA. Big step. Well, the dentist is different, but I have to switch dentists, too, since they changed my insurance, so this is new, too! How exciting!

9) Life is not all work though. This weekend (meaning Sunday afternoon), I called some friends of mine to catch up. Yay! I spoke with the Elliotts via Skype for the first time. They've been trying to get me on there for some time. It was awesome. Like, are they *IN* the computer?! (Please don't tell me you haven't seen Zoolander either...)

So until the next time, peace and blessings to all of you. Please, if you are so inclined, keep my friend Drew and my boss Nan and her family in your prayers. Nan's daughter is very sick an she and her husband took a much-needed trip to MADRID (my favorite place in the universe) this week. It was already scheduled and they felt very hesitant but I'm so glad they decided to go anyway. They need to recharge desperately. Also Drew is not feeling 100% and needs to do a little rebounding herself.

Love,
Charity :-)

Update: last week

My headshots DID come in time to be posted on the wall for my show last week, AND my show was actually fun AND good! Yay for life working out and being easy sometimes!!!

Attitude adjustment.

Ok, so I MAY have an attitude problem today. That MAY have been lingering since Monday.

It's not good, because I have a show tonight. I need to get my head in the game, and quit, um, having my head not in the game.

It's just, I had a terrible experience with improv Monday night, which I catalogued in my Improv Blog, and then last night I worked with some folks on a game I struggle with: Repeat Scene. These two things did not really combine to make me feel that "I can DO this!!" feeling that I normally have about improv. So now, I'm not so much nervous as anxious about tonight.

And also, my head shots won't come in the mail until tomorrow.

Blegh.

(See how I need to get out of this funk?!?!)