Thursday, January 31, 2008
there WAS blood
(See the post below if you're confused.)
The movie was very good. My roommates didn't like it, and I can't really understand why. I don't want to ruin anything for anybody, but Daniel Day-Lewis has got to be considered the best actor alive. Besides me, of course. (Calm down...just kidding...)
All right, off to watch the Challenge w/Snapple. No, we're not dating again, we're hanging out as friends. Yes, I know I said that last time. Yes, I know what I'm doing. Why do you have so many questions?
The movie was very good. My roommates didn't like it, and I can't really understand why. I don't want to ruin anything for anybody, but Daniel Day-Lewis has got to be considered the best actor alive. Besides me, of course. (Calm down...just kidding...)
All right, off to watch the Challenge w/Snapple. No, we're not dating again, we're hanging out as friends. Yes, I know I said that last time. Yes, I know what I'm doing. Why do you have so many questions?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
still out of gas...
...but, hopefully, a longer post will come later in the week.
Off to watch election results and prep for a callback...
Off to watch election results and prep for a callback...
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
i'm not feeling creative
Wow, this 365 thing is going to be HARD. I don't really feel like posting anything today. I made a commitment, though, and I'm going to honor it.
So...
How are you?
Great.
Me? I'm fine. Keeping busy. Painted my new room today, although I won't move in there until Friday. Did a reading in a HUGE renovated brownstone - so gorgeous. Got dinner from Chipotle.
(sigh)
OK, well, I'm gonna kill some time before bed. Hope you have a good evening! See you tomorrow!
So...
How are you?
Great.
Me? I'm fine. Keeping busy. Painted my new room today, although I won't move in there until Friday. Did a reading in a HUGE renovated brownstone - so gorgeous. Got dinner from Chipotle.
(sigh)
OK, well, I'm gonna kill some time before bed. Hope you have a good evening! See you tomorrow!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
this about sums it up
via text message, in response to a question about my recent mental state
Doing ok...trying to stay out of trouble...
Doing ok...trying to stay out of trouble...
Friday, January 25, 2008
Fried Fish #4
Lazy day today - can't seem to find the strength to get out of bed. So I've been in here for a while with my laptop. Good times.
(I'm actually going to get up in a few minutes, because I'm STARVING.)
Your link for the last Friday in January? A pop culture mix tape from the folks at Pajiba. Enjoy!
(I'm actually going to get up in a few minutes, because I'm STARVING.)
Your link for the last Friday in January? A pop culture mix tape from the folks at Pajiba. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
i don't care what anybody says
...the hardest thing to do in the world is to leave someone when they are asking you to stay.
seeing a ghost
One thing I forgot to mention from yesterday:
When I do this standardized patient stuff, I play a character with some kind of medical issue. The student comes into the room and is supposed to gather important info to give to the doctor. We do this for about ten minutes, and then the attending physician and I give them feedback. Basically, I'm doing improv. For the students, it's an exercise in developing rapport with patients.
So yesterday, this student walked in. I could tell she was pretty, but I was kind of focusing on something else. But when she sat down to do the interview, she did something kind of unusual (and brilliant): she sat down next to me, instead of across the table. So I was about 4 feet away from her, and so (of course) I could really look at her.
And my heart almost stopped.
Why?
Because she was the spitting image of The One That Got Away.
I dated this woman in high school and college, and, without getting into the whole story, basically blew the one shot I had at making something work. The last time I talked to her was two days before her wedding, to tell her I wasn't coming. She was kind of pissed. And she also kind of rebuked me in her Christmas card that year.
I called her parents (who love me) a couple of years ago to get her number, because I had been dreaming about her for a couple of weeks straight, and I left a dumb-ass message on her answering machine. I never heard back from her. Which is probably for the best.
Anyway, this girl was like a taller version of her, and it totally freaked me out. I was able to hold it together during the interview (though I gave up some info probably before I should have), but afterwards I kind of mock-collapsed and told the people in the room the deal. Fortunately they all thought it was funny.
When I do this standardized patient stuff, I play a character with some kind of medical issue. The student comes into the room and is supposed to gather important info to give to the doctor. We do this for about ten minutes, and then the attending physician and I give them feedback. Basically, I'm doing improv. For the students, it's an exercise in developing rapport with patients.
So yesterday, this student walked in. I could tell she was pretty, but I was kind of focusing on something else. But when she sat down to do the interview, she did something kind of unusual (and brilliant): she sat down next to me, instead of across the table. So I was about 4 feet away from her, and so (of course) I could really look at her.
And my heart almost stopped.
Why?
Because she was the spitting image of The One That Got Away.
I dated this woman in high school and college, and, without getting into the whole story, basically blew the one shot I had at making something work. The last time I talked to her was two days before her wedding, to tell her I wasn't coming. She was kind of pissed. And she also kind of rebuked me in her Christmas card that year.
I called her parents (who love me) a couple of years ago to get her number, because I had been dreaming about her for a couple of weeks straight, and I left a dumb-ass message on her answering machine. I never heard back from her. Which is probably for the best.
Anyway, this girl was like a taller version of her, and it totally freaked me out. I was able to hold it together during the interview (though I gave up some info probably before I should have), but afterwards I kind of mock-collapsed and told the people in the room the deal. Fortunately they all thought it was funny.
Heath Ledger 1979-2008
I was really shocked and saddened to hear this news yesterday - it was totally one of those "that's gotta be a hoax" statements. Crazy.
I guess one of the reasons that this hit me so hard is that he was sort of a peer of mine. Granted, he was WAY higher up on the pyramid than I am, but we're all in the same gang, you know?
He was very good at what he did, and it looked like he was just getting started. He will be missed.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
up and down day
written on a subway platform in Manhattan
Up and down day today. I'll explain, notes-style:
- Audition for play today. It ended up going two hours, and it was a great experience. I busted my ass in prep for this, working deep into the night and early this morning. They said they wanted to make a quick decision, though, and I didn't hear anything, so my hopes are dim. Still, there's a chance. And the artistic director mentioned that they're doing another play next year that's perfect for me, so we'll see.
- Played with the med school kids, which was a fun experience. Everyone got something out of it, and I actually had fun.
- Got an e-mail from the artistic director of the theater in Rockport (where I spent last summer) telling me that there wasn't a spot for me this summer, confirming my suspicions. I thought I was friends with this guy, but he seems to be doing the opposite of everything he told me he would do. So that means I won't get to play with Fred and Ginger and Power Broker West and Snapple and Big Bird, which makes me sad.
- Work tonight sucked. Lots of angsty teens, and several fights. At one point it seemed like all hell was breaking loose. The cops were called twice.
- Heath Ledger died. I'm strangely very upset by this, maybe because he's only a couple of years younger than me.
- I missed my train, as in it was pulling away as I went through the turnstile. I've been waiting here for 13 minutes.
I'm looking forward to going home, making myself some tea, putting up my feet, and forgetting about everything else.
HERE IT COMES!
Up and down day today. I'll explain, notes-style:
- Audition for play today. It ended up going two hours, and it was a great experience. I busted my ass in prep for this, working deep into the night and early this morning. They said they wanted to make a quick decision, though, and I didn't hear anything, so my hopes are dim. Still, there's a chance. And the artistic director mentioned that they're doing another play next year that's perfect for me, so we'll see.
- Played with the med school kids, which was a fun experience. Everyone got something out of it, and I actually had fun.
- Got an e-mail from the artistic director of the theater in Rockport (where I spent last summer) telling me that there wasn't a spot for me this summer, confirming my suspicions. I thought I was friends with this guy, but he seems to be doing the opposite of everything he told me he would do. So that means I won't get to play with Fred and Ginger and Power Broker West and Snapple and Big Bird, which makes me sad.
- Work tonight sucked. Lots of angsty teens, and several fights. At one point it seemed like all hell was breaking loose. The cops were called twice.
- Heath Ledger died. I'm strangely very upset by this, maybe because he's only a couple of years younger than me.
- I missed my train, as in it was pulling away as I went through the turnstile. I've been waiting here for 13 minutes.
I'm looking forward to going home, making myself some tea, putting up my feet, and forgetting about everything else.
HERE IT COMES!
Monday, January 21, 2008
here it is
Warning: this will be a long post. And one that will be stream-of-conscious, too, so give me a break if this rambles/meanders.
Sometimes I find it very difficult to be honest on here. It's not so hard with my online friends. It's with the people who read the blog on Tuesday and hang out with me on Thursday. I know that they're going to hold my feet to the fire.
Furthermore, I have a habit of soliciting advice from lots of people before making a decision. I generally tell myself that it helps me to talk out my decisions, and that having different perspectives is always useful. I mean, if I were a politician, I'd govern by consensus. But lately I've come to realize that getting advice from others has become a way for me to make the "politically correct" or "normal" decision. I'm afraid to make a mistake. I don't want to be attacked, or made fun of.
Which brings us to the mystery I mentioned last week. I'm "dating" Snapple again. We were watching reality TV last week, and then we had some drinks and had a long conversation, and it just kind of happened. I realized that I had made some assumptions about her that weren't necessarily true, and she said that she just wanted to hang out and have a good time and see what happened, and said she understood when I told her that I didn't think it was going anywhere, and from there you can probably guess where it went. So it's been almost two weeks, and I'm having a lot of fun with her.
I haven't told many people about this, mostly because the reaction ranges from, "Wow...well, if you're having fun and it's honest..." to, "You're dishonorable and an asshole." But I kept thinking, look, I'm being up front with her, and she seems like she really just wants to hang out and have fun, and at a certain point when someone tells you the same thing over and over again - don't you just have to believe it, and put the rest on them?
It's still been bothering me, though.
And then there's Maxine.
Her reaction was of the "you're an asshole" variety. She's currently not speaking to me, except for short terse e-mails and text messages when she needs info from me. And it's killing me.
She is driving me crazy. 90% of the time I want to be with her. 5% of the time I think she's uptight/picky/anal. And the other 5% of the time I want to throw her out of the window. But I love her. I'm not over her. We've been doing this "will we or won't we" tango for 14 months now, and it's driving both of us crazy. So, even though on Saturday night she said that she's not over the guy who broke up with her a month ago, and even though she hooked up with him in a situation awfully similar to my "reunion" with Snapple, she's furious.
Look, I understand why she's mad. She wants to be with her dude, but he's basically saying, "It's not you, it's me." And then she sees me do the same thing to Snapple. And then, after their encounter, the next time they saw each other he was completely hands off; I, however, am continuing to hang with Snapple. It doesn't take a rocket scientist.
I am just utterly, utterly frustrated.
I know that I have to make up my own mind, that no matter what anybody tells me, I have to come to the decision on my own. I know that I will probably break things off sooner than later with Snapple, because she's a great woman who deserves better, and because I can't live with the guilt.
But I don't know what to do about Maxine. I know that part of the reason I'm reluctant to get back together with her is because a lot of my friends will be pissed (years ago, two of my best friends in the world told me that they wouldn't come to the wedding if i married her - we were all drunk off our asses, but still, that stings). I know that another reason is that she broke my heart four years ago and I don't want to go back to that. I don't know if I could handle that. I know that another reason is that I like being single, and I want to hook up with Trouble when I go visit Valley City, and I don't want to be one of those actors who cheats on his wife in every town.
I also wonder if she's "the one". Like, does that even exist? I keep waiting to meet some woman and have it hit me in the face like a truck, that they are right for me. I thought that I felt that with the Power Broker. I think that, if she ever left her asshole boyfriend, I could get there with the Power Broker West. And I felt it when I first spoke to Maxine. But I don't trust it anymore.
Wow. I'm boring myself with my words. I think I should go to bed. I think that doing this Hamlet monologue tomorrow morning may be the best medicine for me.
Sometimes I find it very difficult to be honest on here. It's not so hard with my online friends. It's with the people who read the blog on Tuesday and hang out with me on Thursday. I know that they're going to hold my feet to the fire.
Furthermore, I have a habit of soliciting advice from lots of people before making a decision. I generally tell myself that it helps me to talk out my decisions, and that having different perspectives is always useful. I mean, if I were a politician, I'd govern by consensus. But lately I've come to realize that getting advice from others has become a way for me to make the "politically correct" or "normal" decision. I'm afraid to make a mistake. I don't want to be attacked, or made fun of.
Which brings us to the mystery I mentioned last week. I'm "dating" Snapple again. We were watching reality TV last week, and then we had some drinks and had a long conversation, and it just kind of happened. I realized that I had made some assumptions about her that weren't necessarily true, and she said that she just wanted to hang out and have a good time and see what happened, and said she understood when I told her that I didn't think it was going anywhere, and from there you can probably guess where it went. So it's been almost two weeks, and I'm having a lot of fun with her.
I haven't told many people about this, mostly because the reaction ranges from, "Wow...well, if you're having fun and it's honest..." to, "You're dishonorable and an asshole." But I kept thinking, look, I'm being up front with her, and she seems like she really just wants to hang out and have fun, and at a certain point when someone tells you the same thing over and over again - don't you just have to believe it, and put the rest on them?
It's still been bothering me, though.
And then there's Maxine.
Her reaction was of the "you're an asshole" variety. She's currently not speaking to me, except for short terse e-mails and text messages when she needs info from me. And it's killing me.
She is driving me crazy. 90% of the time I want to be with her. 5% of the time I think she's uptight/picky/anal. And the other 5% of the time I want to throw her out of the window. But I love her. I'm not over her. We've been doing this "will we or won't we" tango for 14 months now, and it's driving both of us crazy. So, even though on Saturday night she said that she's not over the guy who broke up with her a month ago, and even though she hooked up with him in a situation awfully similar to my "reunion" with Snapple, she's furious.
Look, I understand why she's mad. She wants to be with her dude, but he's basically saying, "It's not you, it's me." And then she sees me do the same thing to Snapple. And then, after their encounter, the next time they saw each other he was completely hands off; I, however, am continuing to hang with Snapple. It doesn't take a rocket scientist.
I am just utterly, utterly frustrated.
I know that I have to make up my own mind, that no matter what anybody tells me, I have to come to the decision on my own. I know that I will probably break things off sooner than later with Snapple, because she's a great woman who deserves better, and because I can't live with the guilt.
But I don't know what to do about Maxine. I know that part of the reason I'm reluctant to get back together with her is because a lot of my friends will be pissed (years ago, two of my best friends in the world told me that they wouldn't come to the wedding if i married her - we were all drunk off our asses, but still, that stings). I know that another reason is that she broke my heart four years ago and I don't want to go back to that. I don't know if I could handle that. I know that another reason is that I like being single, and I want to hook up with Trouble when I go visit Valley City, and I don't want to be one of those actors who cheats on his wife in every town.
I also wonder if she's "the one". Like, does that even exist? I keep waiting to meet some woman and have it hit me in the face like a truck, that they are right for me. I thought that I felt that with the Power Broker. I think that, if she ever left her asshole boyfriend, I could get there with the Power Broker West. And I felt it when I first spoke to Maxine. But I don't trust it anymore.
Wow. I'm boring myself with my words. I think I should go to bed. I think that doing this Hamlet monologue tomorrow morning may be the best medicine for me.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
now that's cold
Listen, folks, if you've ever read my blog, you know that I love football. Love it.
But there's NO WAY that I would sit through tonight's NFC Championship Game if I was given a free ticket.
You know what the temperature is supposed to be tonight in Green Bay, WI (where the game is taking place)?
0.
That's right.
Zero degrees.
Fahrenheit.
With a wind chill of negative fifteen.
That does not sound like fun. That sounds like torture.
And yet, if you turn on your TV at 6:30, you'll see 75,000 Packer fans wrapped in blankets and coats, supporting their team.
That's love.
But there's NO WAY that I would sit through tonight's NFC Championship Game if I was given a free ticket.
You know what the temperature is supposed to be tonight in Green Bay, WI (where the game is taking place)?
0.
That's right.
Zero degrees.
Fahrenheit.
With a wind chill of negative fifteen.
That does not sound like fun. That sounds like torture.
And yet, if you turn on your TV at 6:30, you'll see 75,000 Packer fans wrapped in blankets and coats, supporting their team.
That's love.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
i am now officially an adult...
...because I just bought a bed. I really wanted a queen-sized one, but it won't fit in my new room, and I couldn't get it downstairs into my current setup, so I have to settle for the full. I'm pretty jazzed, though. Macy's was having a clearance, so I got the bad boy for half off! Good times.
And yesterday I went to IKEA and bought dishes and glasses and mugs with saucers. Add this to my couch purchase, and I am on the way to full fledged adulthood!
(At 30.)
And yesterday I went to IKEA and bought dishes and glasses and mugs with saucers. Add this to my couch purchase, and I am on the way to full fledged adulthood!
(At 30.)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Fried Fish #3...
...and post #500. Amazing. Can't believe it's been that many.
We'll be visiting nos. 600, 700, and 800 before the year is through, believe you me.
Anyway, here's your link for the day: Pajiba's Tearjerkiest Moments of the Last 20 Years, or Scenes That Will Make You Lose Your Shit. Really good stuff. Happy reading/watching!
We'll be visiting nos. 600, 700, and 800 before the year is through, believe you me.
Anyway, here's your link for the day: Pajiba's Tearjerkiest Moments of the Last 20 Years, or Scenes That Will Make You Lose Your Shit. Really good stuff. Happy reading/watching!
see! i am a nice roommate
written in my living room on my laptop
January 17, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is The Rover, and I am the leaseholder on the apartment at my address in Brooklyn, NY. I am writing this letter on behalf of my stupid roommate. My stupid roommate is living in my apartment, and has been a tenant at this address since October of 2007. Attached is a copy of my lease. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns. Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Rover
January 17, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is The Rover, and I am the leaseholder on the apartment at my address in Brooklyn, NY. I am writing this letter on behalf of my stupid roommate. My stupid roommate is living in my apartment, and has been a tenant at this address since October of 2007. Attached is a copy of my lease. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns. Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Rover
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
blog housekeeping
My post from Sunday is finally up - sorry it took me forever and a day to transcribe it, but I've had other things on my plate.
I'm looking to change my template. Anyone have any suggestions for me? At first I thought this pukey green color fit well with the idea of collard greens, but now I just hate it.
I'm having girl issues again, but I'm not quite ready to write about it. Maybe tomorrow. That, of course, will answer the mystery question I posed a couple of days ago...
Off to shower and watch this past weekend's football games. Enjoy your Wednesday.
I'm looking to change my template. Anyone have any suggestions for me? At first I thought this pukey green color fit well with the idea of collard greens, but now I just hate it.
I'm having girl issues again, but I'm not quite ready to write about it. Maybe tomorrow. That, of course, will answer the mystery question I posed a couple of days ago...
Off to shower and watch this past weekend's football games. Enjoy your Wednesday.
vote for my friend!
So, I have a friend who is a big football fan. (I know, shocking!) He was on his way home the other day and noticed a big Sprint/NFL Tour truck in the parking lot of his neighborhood Best Buy. They have this game where you can get into a booth and do some play-by-play of NFL games.
Long story short, he was picked as one of the top five of the day! Fan voting then determines the winner, who wins a $200 shopping spree at NFL.com, and is entered into a drawing for two Super Bowl tickets. Good times, right?
Anyway, my friend is trying to win the vote, and I mentioned that my blog might be a vehicle for a few votes, if my friends/readers are bored enough. If you want to help my pal out, go over to www.sprint.com/nfltour, and click on the star in the Texas region. Then click on "Watauga, TX 1/13" and look for Joe P. He (and I) would appreciate it.
Maybe, if we're all lucky, he'll buy us a hat or a wristband or something.
Long story short, he was picked as one of the top five of the day! Fan voting then determines the winner, who wins a $200 shopping spree at NFL.com, and is entered into a drawing for two Super Bowl tickets. Good times, right?
Anyway, my friend is trying to win the vote, and I mentioned that my blog might be a vehicle for a few votes, if my friends/readers are bored enough. If you want to help my pal out, go over to www.sprint.com/nfltour, and click on the star in the Texas region. Then click on "Watauga, TX 1/13" and look for Joe P. He (and I) would appreciate it.
Maybe, if we're all lucky, he'll buy us a hat or a wristband or something.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
oh, man...
I was doing a reading as a favor for a friend, and missed an opportunity to do a reading for a HUGE theater! Darn it...
They did say that they would definitely use me in the future, so that makes me happy, but still...
Oh well. I've been doing a million readings lately, so I'm bound to hit every venue in the city sooner or later.
They did say that they would definitely use me in the future, so that makes me happy, but still...
Oh well. I've been doing a million readings lately, so I'm bound to hit every venue in the city sooner or later.
Monday, January 14, 2008
i'm not late
I did make a post yesterday, off-line. I haven't uploaded it yet because, well... I wasn't at home last night. I didn't get home until 5pm.
Where was I? That's the next post.
I've got a few things to get done here - balancing my checkbook, paying some bills, making a few phone calls - and then I'll explain.
Where was I? That's the next post.
I've got a few things to get done here - balancing my checkbook, paying some bills, making a few phone calls - and then I'll explain.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
i sound hot
written on a Brooklyn-bound subway train
I just recorded a post on my phone, but in case it doesn't work, here's a back-up.
Headed home from a reading. I was just reading the stage directions (description of the characters' actions, in case you know nothing about theater), which is pretty easy, but apparently my voice wanted a higher degree of difficulty, because only 40% of it showed up. So now I sound real sexy. (This happened to me a couple of months ago, while in Valley City - can't remember if I wrote about it or not.)
(This dude is being real shady, waffling on whether or not to go between cars. Make up your mind!)
I hate to admit this as a trained theater professional, but I kind of like it when my voice goes out for no reason. Unless it hurts. There's just something about the quality that I dig. Is that weird?
Looking forward to getting off the train so I can eat.
I just recorded a post on my phone, but in case it doesn't work, here's a back-up.
Headed home from a reading. I was just reading the stage directions (description of the characters' actions, in case you know nothing about theater), which is pretty easy, but apparently my voice wanted a higher degree of difficulty, because only 40% of it showed up. So now I sound real sexy. (This happened to me a couple of months ago, while in Valley City - can't remember if I wrote about it or not.)
(This dude is being real shady, waffling on whether or not to go between cars. Make up your mind!)
I hate to admit this as a trained theater professional, but I kind of like it when my voice goes out for no reason. Unless it hurts. There's just something about the quality that I dig. Is that weird?
Looking forward to getting off the train so I can eat.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
shopping spree
I'm about to embark on a shopping spree of unprecedented proportion - at least, for me.
My good roommate is moving out at the end of the month, and she's taking a lot of the apartment with her. After all, she was the one who bought it in the first place. Because the bad roommate is fresh out of college (and therefore could exist with just a chair, air mattress, and television), and StefStar (who is replacing the good roommate) is a transient, it's up to me to provide for my living space.
So, I now have to buy:
a couch (the top item on the list today)
pots & pans
dishes (though I have some in Pittsburgh to rescue from the clutches of my parents' basement)
a kitchen cabinet (we just really need one)
a coffee table
a rug
a bed (because I'm 30, and it's not cute for me to sleep on a futon anymore)
First up is the cabinet and the couch - Maxine is going with me, because I have no taste. ;-) I would also accept donations...
My good roommate is moving out at the end of the month, and she's taking a lot of the apartment with her. After all, she was the one who bought it in the first place. Because the bad roommate is fresh out of college (and therefore could exist with just a chair, air mattress, and television), and StefStar (who is replacing the good roommate) is a transient, it's up to me to provide for my living space.
So, I now have to buy:
a couch (the top item on the list today)
pots & pans
dishes (though I have some in Pittsburgh to rescue from the clutches of my parents' basement)
a kitchen cabinet (we just really need one)
a coffee table
a rug
a bed (because I'm 30, and it's not cute for me to sleep on a futon anymore)
First up is the cabinet and the couch - Maxine is going with me, because I have no taste. ;-) I would also accept donations...
Friday, January 11, 2008
Fried Fish #2
Not sold on the name for my Friday links, but we're gonna go with it for now. Unless you have a better idea.
Today's offering - why I love living in NYC:
Click to expand. Thanks to tuckergurl, who I stole this from.
Today's offering - why I love living in NYC:
Click to expand. Thanks to tuckergurl, who I stole this from.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
on location at the job
written at a small studio in Manhattan
Sitting in a studio in midtown, waiting to do a workshop. It's been one of those days, where all of my appointments are two hours apart and fifteen minutes away from each other. I started at 9:30, and I really haven't stopped. I'll be done by nine, though - plenty of time to kick it with Big Bird and Maxine for a couple of hours before passing out.
These workshops are weird. All of these actors, freshly scrubbed and pressed, looking for the tip that will give them a leg up, hoping to meet the person that will give them their Big Break. I have to admit that it's hard to resist the temptation to chat up some of the finer-looking ladies here - there are always a couple that are off-the-charts. I find that chasing girls causes me to lose focus though, so I have to satisfy myself with a glance here and there.
There is one exception to this rule - the assistant to the casting director is close to my physical ideal - she's so gorgeous she makes me a little bit dumber. I don't want to ruin my chances at working with these people someday, but if I get her alone, I'm going to have to ask her out.
One of the annoying things about these things is that there are also quite a few people who are - how can I be nice about this? I can't, so I'll just say it - they're bad. Really horrid. I applaud them for having the bravery to get up here and do this, but I feel bad that casting directors take advantage of people who clearly aren't ready. But hey, what are you gonna do?
I'm 15 minutes away from showtime, so I should look over my lines and focus (as I write this, the hot assistant just walked across my field of vision, along with 2 other beautiful women - this will be easier said than done).
Sitting in a studio in midtown, waiting to do a workshop. It's been one of those days, where all of my appointments are two hours apart and fifteen minutes away from each other. I started at 9:30, and I really haven't stopped. I'll be done by nine, though - plenty of time to kick it with Big Bird and Maxine for a couple of hours before passing out.
These workshops are weird. All of these actors, freshly scrubbed and pressed, looking for the tip that will give them a leg up, hoping to meet the person that will give them their Big Break. I have to admit that it's hard to resist the temptation to chat up some of the finer-looking ladies here - there are always a couple that are off-the-charts. I find that chasing girls causes me to lose focus though, so I have to satisfy myself with a glance here and there.
There is one exception to this rule - the assistant to the casting director is close to my physical ideal - she's so gorgeous she makes me a little bit dumber. I don't want to ruin my chances at working with these people someday, but if I get her alone, I'm going to have to ask her out.
One of the annoying things about these things is that there are also quite a few people who are - how can I be nice about this? I can't, so I'll just say it - they're bad. Really horrid. I applaud them for having the bravery to get up here and do this, but I feel bad that casting directors take advantage of people who clearly aren't ready. But hey, what are you gonna do?
I'm 15 minutes away from showtime, so I should look over my lines and focus (as I write this, the hot assistant just walked across my field of vision, along with 2 other beautiful women - this will be easier said than done).
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
am i a criminal?
Yesterday, I ran out of lip balm. This is a huge problem for me - I need to keep my smackers moisturized, you know? So I stop in a drugstore by the subway.
It's an independent drug store, so there are no signs on the aisles. I cruise down three of them - no lip balm (though I did find a Vitamin Water, my newest vice). Walking by the back register, I found some. Yay!
Except...it was the right brand (Burt's Beeswax) but not the right kind. One had pomegranate oil. One was honey-flavored. One came in those little tins you have to dip your finger in. I just wanted the regular ol' Burt's! But, alas, none in sight. So I bought the one with the fancy oil.
BUT!
On the way out of the store, I wandered down an aisle I hadn't been down - and found a whole stash of lip balm - including my chosen kind! I was happy, but dismayed that I hadn't bought the right one.
So what did I do?
I picked up one of the regular lip balms, put the one I bought down, and walked out of the store.
Does this make me a shoplifter?
It's an independent drug store, so there are no signs on the aisles. I cruise down three of them - no lip balm (though I did find a Vitamin Water, my newest vice). Walking by the back register, I found some. Yay!
Except...it was the right brand (Burt's Beeswax) but not the right kind. One had pomegranate oil. One was honey-flavored. One came in those little tins you have to dip your finger in. I just wanted the regular ol' Burt's! But, alas, none in sight. So I bought the one with the fancy oil.
BUT!
On the way out of the store, I wandered down an aisle I hadn't been down - and found a whole stash of lip balm - including my chosen kind! I was happy, but dismayed that I hadn't bought the right one.
So what did I do?
I picked up one of the regular lip balms, put the one I bought down, and walked out of the store.
Does this make me a shoplifter?
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Clinton beats Obama...
...and proves, once again, that the pollsters have no idea what they're talking about.
At least it gives the talking heads something to obsess about for the next few weeks.
I have to say, though, I hope this is actually a race with some suspense. This is what I enjoy about politics. (I don't enjoy, "What a great comeback I've made," which we've heard from both winners tonight. Maybe they shouldn't have read their speeches off the page.)
Any predictions for the general election? Of course, tonight proves that you can't take anything to the bank...
At least it gives the talking heads something to obsess about for the next few weeks.
I have to say, though, I hope this is actually a race with some suspense. This is what I enjoy about politics. (I don't enjoy, "What a great comeback I've made," which we've heard from both winners tonight. Maybe they shouldn't have read their speeches off the page.)
Any predictions for the general election? Of course, tonight proves that you can't take anything to the bank...
Monday, January 07, 2008
Colbert & Stewart
Sorry for the short post below: I wanted to write about those two programs, but they weren't going to end before midnight, and I didn't want to miss my deadline. Hence, those three sentences.
Anyway, I watched them, and it amazes me that the networks want these guys to go back on the air. They HAVE to know that they're going to spend half of their time taking shots at management. It doesn't seem to be the best way to hold your position, you know?
I'm glad that the shows are back, but I don't think they're going to be watchable for very long. Let's hope that this strike can get settled sooner rather than later. Then we can all go back to rotting our brains on TV...um...I mean...the sooner that I can start working in another medium!
Anyway, I watched them, and it amazes me that the networks want these guys to go back on the air. They HAVE to know that they're going to spend half of their time taking shots at management. It doesn't seem to be the best way to hold your position, you know?
I'm glad that the shows are back, but I don't think they're going to be watchable for very long. Let's hope that this strike can get settled sooner rather than later. Then we can all go back to rotting our brains on TV...um...I mean...the sooner that I can start working in another medium!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
feeling a bit better
...I guess. Thanks for the sympathy. It's amazing that I can still get this worked up over football, right?
Had brunch with my friend Big Bird, who is in town for a few weeks. He's not a sports guy at all, so we spent two hours talking about our jobs, and my super-fun adventures with the ladies (the two of us went to grad school together, so he's seen it all).
Tonight I'm meeting up with a girl I work with. I'm not sure if it's a date or a "hang-out" situation. I'm going into it with low expectations, but I'm prepared to buy several rounds of drinks. I think she's pretty hot, and she seems nice...I'm just not sure how this will go.
And...well...let's just say that there may be a couple more irons on the fire. I'm accepting nicknames...
As always, full update later.
Had brunch with my friend Big Bird, who is in town for a few weeks. He's not a sports guy at all, so we spent two hours talking about our jobs, and my super-fun adventures with the ladies (the two of us went to grad school together, so he's seen it all).
Tonight I'm meeting up with a girl I work with. I'm not sure if it's a date or a "hang-out" situation. I'm going into it with low expectations, but I'm prepared to buy several rounds of drinks. I think she's pretty hot, and she seems nice...I'm just not sure how this will go.
And...well...let's just say that there may be a couple more irons on the fire. I'm accepting nicknames...
As always, full update later.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
SO annoyed...
...that the Steelers lost. They got down early, made a HUGE comeback - and got beat by a QB draw on 4th and 2. Unbelievable.
This team was too banged-up to win a championship. But they gave a great effort, and they probably should have won.
I'll be frustrated for a few days...probably don't need to see any more highlights or talk about it at all...
This team was too banged-up to win a championship. But they gave a great effort, and they probably should have won.
I'll be frustrated for a few days...probably don't need to see any more highlights or talk about it at all...
short post
The roommate is leaving on March 1, which makes me happy. I'll get into the story later, maybe on Monday. Still trying to figure out who will take his place - you know anyone interested?
Right now I'm getting fired up for a weekend of playoff football. The Steelers play at 8 - keep your fingers crossed for them, please.
Right now I'm getting fired up for a weekend of playoff football. The Steelers play at 8 - keep your fingers crossed for them, please.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Fried fish
So I've been wanting to do some kind of "link of the week" thing forever. I keep running across these crazy things on the Internets, and I want to share them. Maybe you'll think they're funny. Maybe you'll think they're dumb. But at least you'll be entertained for a few minutes.
Plus, this essentially gives me something to post every Friday. ;-)
So, without further ado (warning - strong language):
Plus, this essentially gives me something to post every Friday. ;-)
So, without further ado (warning - strong language):
Thursday, January 03, 2008
offline post rules
I did my first non-Blogger post on the second day of the year. (It's below.) Crazy.
Just to let you know how these will go, I've decided to post any offline entries completely as-is. Then, if I want to fix or add or clarify something, I'll post it in the comments. Feel free to add your own, if you feel like making fun of my poor spelling or crazy talk (like the post below). I'll also put any important information you need to know, like location, in italics above the post.
With that, I'm going to sleep for a few hours. Sleeping upright on a plane does not compare to the comfort of my crappy futon.
Just to let you know how these will go, I've decided to post any offline entries completely as-is. Then, if I want to fix or add or clarify something, I'll post it in the comments. Feel free to add your own, if you feel like making fun of my poor spelling or crazy talk (like the post below). I'll also put any important information you need to know, like location, in italics above the post.
With that, I'm going to sleep for a few hours. Sleeping upright on a plane does not compare to the comfort of my crappy futon.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
seatmate woes
written on a New York-bound JetBlue flight
Didn't think I'd go to the notebook this early, did you? ;-)
The girl next to me - sitting in the middle seat - is getting on my nerves. She asked me to switch to another middle seat so she could sit w/her friend - like that was gonna happen - and then tried to crawl over me. I had been under the impression that our middle seat was empty.
Then she started copying me. Ordering the same stuff, watching the same TV program - it sucks.
Plus, she smells.
4 hours left.
Didn't think I'd go to the notebook this early, did you? ;-)
The girl next to me - sitting in the middle seat - is getting on my nerves. She asked me to switch to another middle seat so she could sit w/her friend - like that was gonna happen - and then tried to crawl over me. I had been under the impression that our middle seat was empty.
Then she started copying me. Ordering the same stuff, watching the same TV program - it sucks.
Plus, she smells.
4 hours left.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
oh yeah
Totally forgot to tell you guys - I solved my apartment woes!
I had a mini-epiphany on Saturday afternoon, after looking at another crappy apartment in a less-than-desirable location. What were the biggest problems with the place I was in now? I liked the location, and I liked the price. After mulling it over, I came up with two:
1. Not enough sunlight.
2. My 22 yr old roommate.
Problem #1 could be easily solved. My cool roommate (a faithful reader of this blog) is moving out next month. I could just move upstairs and take her room. Done.
But what about #2? He's been there since September, and he's been planning to take over the lease. And he's got another friend from college that he wants to move in - and having another one of him would just drive me CRAZY.
Then I realized - he's not on the lease now.
I am.
It's my apartment.
So, I'm going to ask him to leave. Done.
I'll go into further detail about this later (since I'm obviously going to need things to post about).
I had a mini-epiphany on Saturday afternoon, after looking at another crappy apartment in a less-than-desirable location. What were the biggest problems with the place I was in now? I liked the location, and I liked the price. After mulling it over, I came up with two:
1. Not enough sunlight.
2. My 22 yr old roommate.
Problem #1 could be easily solved. My cool roommate (a faithful reader of this blog) is moving out next month. I could just move upstairs and take her room. Done.
But what about #2? He's been there since September, and he's been planning to take over the lease. And he's got another friend from college that he wants to move in - and having another one of him would just drive me CRAZY.
Then I realized - he's not on the lease now.
I am.
It's my apartment.
So, I'm going to ask him to leave. Done.
I'll go into further detail about this later (since I'm obviously going to need things to post about).
Wedding of the Century II
I know, I know, you remember me talking about my brother's wedding as The Wedding of the Century. Well, this one was comparable. (Hey, if college football can have the Game of the Century every few years, why can't I do the same?)
The ceremony was the best I've ever been to. They had a slide show, and some friends danced and sang. But the most impressive part was the vows. I've never seen such a raw, honest, naked, eloquent expression of love. Neither one of them was afraid to bare their souls in front of 250 people - but it felt like you were listening to a private conversation. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. (Not that I cried...um...well...it just got a bit dusty in there - you know?)
I've got one more day in San Francisco; then it's a red-eye back to New York, where 2008 begins for me in full force. I'm very excited!
The ceremony was the best I've ever been to. They had a slide show, and some friends danced and sang. But the most impressive part was the vows. I've never seen such a raw, honest, naked, eloquent expression of love. Neither one of them was afraid to bare their souls in front of 250 people - but it felt like you were listening to a private conversation. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. (Not that I cried...um...well...it just got a bit dusty in there - you know?)
I've got one more day in San Francisco; then it's a red-eye back to New York, where 2008 begins for me in full force. I'm very excited!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
