wow

I'm a bit speechless.

OK.

Remember, a couple of days ago, when I mentioned that something big was happening, only I couldn't tell you what it was, because it wasn't finalized?

Well, it's a good thing that I didn't tell you, because it's not happening.

Because I got something a little bigger.

Remember, last week, when I was complaining about reauditioning for a play I had already done?

Yeah - I got the part.

Again.

My agent is ecstatic. I kind of feel defiant. Like, you know when you're watching a football game, and a player makes a big hit, and then he pops up and just glares like he's not satisfied yet, and the crowd is going wild? That's how I feel.

I fuckin' blew up those auditions. I said to my agent, "I don't know who is going to get this part, but I know who should get it. ME." I'm not usually this cocky about stuff, but I honestly felt like someone was trying to steal my job - a job that I had done pretty well. And I think, in that situation, when someone is trying to steal your stuff, you fight like hell.

Yeah.

Six months of work, bitches.

tired...

...from running around all day. I had to audition for a role I already had today, and then interview for a job I'm currently doing. This did not make me happy. So now I'm going to take my contacts out, watch some TV, prep for my callback tomorrow (also for the job I already did) and go to sleep. The end.

on the horizon...

...something is brewing.

I can't tell you what it is yet, because it isn't finalized...but it would provide for an interesting blogging experience.

So, I'm going to stop writing now, before I spill the beans.

how to console a disappointed theatergoer

written via text message

Sorry you didn't get tickets. I'll try you in a couple of hours. Maybe you should go to the movies instead!

it went well

Conversation was successful. I think things are all good.

I had an exhausting night at work tonight (there were something like a dozen fights) so I'll save my comments for tomorrow.

another truth

I feel like I need to apologize to some of you, because lately I have been less than forthright. I know, that shouldn't be too big of a deal, because it's my blog, and I can say what I want, right? Part of the reason why I have this, however, is to write about my life with honesty. That's why I use a handle instead of my real name, and why I've created the fun names for places I work, etc. What's the good of these devices if I'm not going to take advantage of them?

Anyway, the truth: I've been dating Maxine again for the past three months. The hows and whys of that are better answered in a longer post, if anyone cares to hear about it. It's not an exclusive relationship, but I have been pretty faithful, because more and more I've been thinking that being with her is what I really and truly want.

The capper to my hellacious week was a two-part fight that she and I had on Friday night. The details of what we fought over aren't that important. I will say that she has violated my trust - which was one of the reasons why I was reluctant to get back together with her in the first place - and that I was so angry that I was kicking things in my apartment on Friday night/early Saturday morning.

I've since cooled off (not that I don't have concerns about my anger levels since the incident, which is why I think I should be going to therapy), and I'm now preparing myself to ask some very difficult questions, both to her and to me. Now, last night, the prospect of asking these questions was terrifying, which is probably why I got rip-roaring drunk at a friend's birthday party. I woke up this morning, however, feeling surprisingly calm about what has to be done.

(I also woke up hungover, but that was to be expected. I finished the night with the Champagne of Beers - never a good sign.)

I think that, ultimately, this will be a good thing. Still, if you were to wish me luck, I wouldn't mind. I'll let you know how it goes.

a long week

written in my notebook at work

This is one of those weeks that I'm SO happy to see end. Deaths, floods, lies, arguments, disappointments - this week had it all. And I was personally moved to extreme fury at least three times. That's not good.

I think I need to go to therapy.

Tim Russert 1950-2008

He died today, of an apparent heart attack, at 58 years old (the same age as my father). I just found out, and I am in total shock.

I've been a political junkie for years, and I've always enjoyed watching the Sunday morning shows. This year I've been spending lots of time watching Russert, both on MSNBC and on Meet The Press. He had such a kind and gentle way about him - but he also had the ability to cut through a lot of the crap and get right to the heart of the matter. And the depth and breadth of his knowledge was astounding.

It's really hard to imagine Sunday mornings without him (as well as the rest of this election cycle, which he was all over). He will be missed.

rate your restroom!

When I was a little kid and my family would go out to eat, I would always have to use the bathroom in the restaurant, without fail. It happened so often that my parents would joke that I was rating the bathrooms. For a while I would come back with a star rating.

So when I found this website today, I knew that I would have to send it to my family. (And, quite frankly, I can't believe this even exists!)

There's a vote for the top restroom in America; let me know which one you pick. You can probably figure out which one I'll be picking...

a little clarity, sort of

Re: yesterday's saga: a friend of mine is friends with the director, so I did the ol' "could-you-put-a-good-word-in-for-a-brotha?" Apparently, the director says that (a) of course he remembers me and (b) auditioning is just part of the process that everyone has to go through.

(I know the 2nd part's a lie, by the way, since half of the show is precast, and those roles are much bigger than mine.)

So I guess it's settled, until I go in there next week...

um, what?

Well, this is a first for me.

Just got off the phone with my agent (who has become, like, a different person upon my return, all caring and sensitive). Remember I spent a couple of months in Steak City two years ago? The show I did there is being remounted in a couple of different places around the country. And half the original cast is coming back.

Unfortunately, the director doesn't remember who I am.

Yeah.

That's a little insulting. I mean, I spent a month with the guy. We have friends in common. I auditioned for another one of his shows. And he doesn't remember me?

I'm kind of speechless.

My agent basically called to say, I'm submitting you for this, and you'll definitely get an audition, but the writing's on the wall - don't expect to land this one.

Amazing. Just when you think you've seen it all, the business finds another way to wound you.

when it rains...

(Read the post below this first; otherwise my day will make little sense)

I'm actually typing this on my computer on the bus - this company actually has wi-fi, which is great; I didn't have to wait until getting home to catch up on all of my websites. That's pretty much the only break I've gotten today.

While I was melting down on the bus this morning (I got the message just after entering the Lincoln Tunnel, which is kind of the point of no return), my agent went to bat for me. The theater told me that they would videotape my audition for the director, which was a huge relief. Later the theater called and said that they were going to tape all of the auditions for the day.

Meanwhile, on the bus, the passengers were discovering that our driver was noncommunicative and, quite frankly, kind of a dick. We stopped at a rest area where we were informed that "we only had ten minutes". Thirty-five minutes later, we were still sitting there. We finally starting pulling away when a few people realized that an older couple hadn't made it back on the bus. We had to wait another five minutes while someone ran to get them. (They later said that they "lost track of time". How they turned ten minutes into half an hour is beyond me.)

We made another stop about half an hour later - apparently there was a third person who has missed the bus; I think she ended up getting a ride from a Good Samaritan. We ran into construction and traffic shortly after that, which also slowed us down a great deal.

All of these stops and starts meant that our bus, which was supposed to get into Fox City at 2:15, arrived at 4:20.

My audition? Scheduled for 3:10.

I raced over to the space, getting there at 4:45; fortunately, they were running behind and people were still there. The monitor running the audition was very nice and allowed me to go ahead of a bunch of folks, as I was trying to get back to the bus stop to make my 5:45 bus. The audition went ok. I raced towards the subway - 5:15. It would be tight, but I would make it.

Unfortunately for me, there had been a train derailment down the line. Service was moving at a snail's pace. I finally got to the bus stop - at 5:50. The bus was gone.

The only break was that this meant I was able to get some dinner and some water. The bus company got me on to the 7pm bus - which is nearly empty - and now I'm on my home, I hope.

I think that I'm done traveling for a bit.

anger

written in my notebook on a bus

I am FURIOUS right now. I just got a message from my agent telling me not to go to Fox City today, because the director is stuck in the midwest due to thunderstorms.

Fine. That happens. Mother Nature strikes again. There's just one teensy problem:

I'M ALREADY ON THE FUCKING BUS!

To make matters worse, I took a bus rather than the train, meaning I can't just hop out at the next station and turn around. Nope. I'm stuck going all the way down and all the way back.

Fuck this - I can't write.

again?

I got back to Brooklyn on Monday, and I'm just starting to get settled, etc.

So guess where I'm going back to tomorrow?

That's right.

Fox City.

I have an audition for a company there (a different one, not the one I just worked for) and I have to go do it in person. Why couldn't they have seen me when I was there? Your guess is as good as mine.

Anyway, I'll give you a report tomorrow night. The things I do for work...

sports malaise

With the start of the NBA Finals and, to a lesser extent, the end of the Stanley Cup Finals, we're now into the beginning of my least favorite sports-related time of the year. There's nothing to watch except baseball, and it will be like this for about eight weeks or so, until football training camps open up. And watching baseball in the middle of the summer is extremely boring - nothing gets meaningful or exciting until August 1.

(Yes, I am aware that tennis and golf are in full swing, but I'm only a casual watcher of tennis, and I don't like golf.)

So what's a boy to do? Last year I played a lot of Playstation, and that may be the ticket again this year. Or I could watch the NFL Network and prepare myself for the upcoming season.

What I really should do? Read a few good books.

getting organized

I'm finally tackling a project that has been months in the making: I'm organizing my room. It's made a little bit difficult because I don't have enough storage for my clothes, and I have a rickety crappy little desk with no place to store things.

I also have a laundry list of things to replace or buy, including:

a new desk chair (to replace the death trap I'm sitting on)
curtains (I don't have any)
dresser (the one I have is made out of something like cardboard)
big bookcase (because my roommate is using mine)
shoe racks
desk
bed frame


This is all kind of difficult to purchase when you're unemployed. I was hoping to use some of my surplus money for this stuff, but I'm having to spend that to survive. (Ain't the life of an actor grand?) Despite all of these money woes, I'm really happy to be (finally) sorting stuff out and finding a home for it. It just feels good, you know?

Good weekend to all; back to sorting and shredding and filing for me...

my finals prediction?

(in case you care about hoops at all)

Lakers in 5. I'm not a believer in the Celtics at all. And I hate all Boston teams (although I do love me some KG).

Pens lost

written on a post-it in my room

Great run. But I'm still sad they lost. Hopefully this is a precursor of future success.

yes, we did

written in the box office at work

I can't properly articulate the pride and the sense of possibility I feel right now. I keep thinking about my mother, as a child, drinking out of colored water fountains. And now she's seeing a person of color winning the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. We truly live in an amazing country.

closing the latest show

written on my laptop on a train back to NYC

I think that the hours after a show closes are pretty indicative of the experience. You find out a lot about the true relationship between cast members. Sometimes you do a show with a bunch of people that you like, but after the final curtain you all shake hands and go your separate ways.

Last night was not one of those nights.

Someone in the Fox City community really liked the show and offered up their bar, so after the show most of us trooped over there, and we put on a display of exuberance rarely seen at this level of theater. We were doing shots, hugging, making noise, yelling, stumbling, making out in bathrooms, talking about water sports – it was amazing. The party went back to our “corporate apartment”, where the party lasted until the wee hours. I went to bed a little after five – only because I had to get up at nine to do laundry and pack in time for my noon train (which ended up leaving at 12:30).

What was so great was that there was a real sense of appreciation for everyone involved with the process, from the director down to the smallest ensemble member. I know that people throw phrases like this around, but this was truly the most talented cast I’ve ever been a part of. If we could have had more rehearsal time and a longer run… I’m grateful for all of the people I’ve met, and I’m looking forward to staying in touch with them in the coming months, as well as adding to my stable of Facebook friends.

Two things I’m taking away from the Fox City experience:

1. I had my best show last night. Despite having people in the audience for three consecutive shows, and having a day filled with sightseeing, I managed to save the best for last. It’s always nice to end up top.

2. I feel like this show has put me on another level. I managed to hold my own with some fantastic – and semi-famous – actors, who believe in me and my work. As a result, I have some real momentum going into this summer, when I am going to try and do several things to improve my marketability and make new contacts. I’m excited to hit the ground running.

Hopefully I’ll be back in Fox City soon to do something else. I didn’t get to explore the city nearly as much as I’d like.

endings and mental lapses

written in my dressing room in my journal

The show ends in ninety minutes. It was a weird experience. A lot of half-formed relationships, both on and off stage.

I'm really annoyed at myself - I had a great blog post - something about 90 or 100 - but it's totally gone. Maybe it will come back to me on the ride home tomorrow.

2nd to last performance

written in my dressing room in my journal

The actor in me is sad.

The New Yorker in me is ready to go home.

The athlete longs for the comfort of his own bed, the accountant in a bundle of nerves worrying about how to pay the bills, and the lover is excited about spending time w/Maxine again.

an actor talking to the audience

MY FRIEND: Yay!

ME: O, there's more! Just you wait...

MY FRIEND: Grin!

feeling jilted

written in my journal in my hotel room

Look, if I get you tickets to my play, and I hook you up w/backstage passes, wouldn't you come backstage? Or, failing that, wouldn't you call or text me and let me know you weren't coming?

I'm not going to pretend that I paid a lot of money for the tickets, or arranging that was a huge hassle, but I hate wandering around backstage like a dumbass after I've just done an emotionally draining performance.

I'm sure that I'm acting this way because I feel rejected by the Power Broker. I haven't made a great effort to see her, but I feel like she's made zero effort to hang out with me while I'm here. All of my other friends have.

I guess she's not my real friend.

That hurts my feelings.

this is my new favorite video...

because it's so true...

the memorial weekend miracle?

Caught up on the blogging once again. I'm not rehearsing this week (finally), so I'm hopefully that I will be able to get some posts done.

Plus...

(don't tell anyone)

(but there's a rumor going around that we're going to get internet in our rooms!)

(i don't want to get excited or anything, but the network is there...it's just not connected to the internet...and i overheard someone at the front desk saying that the hookup would happen on wednesday...which is tomorrow...)

(again, trying to keep my hopes tamped down - hence this parenthetical post. i'll let you know tomorrow if there are any exciting developments...)

my haul

Went shopping. Got new stuff. Good times.

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out and about in Fox City

in my brother's car

MY BROTHER: So this must be the cool spot of Fox City. The traffic is terrible and all these people are acting the fool.

ME: Yeah. Look at those people in line for something. What is that?

MY SISTER-IN-LAW: It looks like a premiere. That's why they're all in front of that board.

(silence)

ME: Um, does that guy's shirt have sequins on it?

MY BROTHER: Yeah - what is that?

ME: Um, it's the state of New Jersey.

MY BROTHER: Classy.

a politically incorrect statement

via text message

We just had brunch. I got the ITIS.

this sums up the afterparty

via text message

Alcohol is awesome!

no jitters here

We're opening the show tonight - but we performed in front of an audience last night, so, in my mind, we're already performing. So I had all of my nervousness yesterday.

Actually, that's not true. I was nervous on Wednesday for the dress rehearsal. Then I walked out on stage and saw all those empty seats, and I actually felt a bit let down. Weird.

Anyway, I'm excited that we won't have any more rehearsals, and I will actually have a week or so to explore Fox City before I head back home. I have to admit I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed...

this is ridiculous

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My brother's latest gas station experience...

grillin'

This is how we make dinner - and dessert - at this theater. Awesome.

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an open letter to the fight director

Hey man. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this. I assume that you are busy, since you've only made 2 out of our 20 rehearsals, and we've been fighting every day.

I know that you're good at your job, since you've got such a long resume, but I wanted to give you a couple of pointers. I mean, it's always good to be a lifelong learner, right?

First, if you're going to miss most of the rehearsals, it's probably a good idea to work with the fighters alone first, rather than in front of the entire cast. That way, when you give your 20 simultaneous contradictory notes, it won't be so embarrassing. And, since I'm on the subject, maybe you don't want to give notes that contradict each other. Just a suggestion.

Most importantly, remember that a "fight director" is very different from a "casting director" or a "director". So when you tell an actor that "the best way to make sure that you're never hired again by a fight director is to say what you just said", you should probably know that the actor knows that (a) you don't have the power to hire/fire anyone, (b) you should stop twisting around his words, and (c) everyone knows that you have a small dick.

Thanks for all of your hard work!

Sincerely,

The Rover

i generally assume she's checking up on me

via text message

LIL' BIT: Hey dude...how is the swordmanship?

ME: Hi! So far so good...although [the lead] 2nd I both sprained nt ankles. His is worse... Anyway, we haven't fought together in a week.

LIL' BIT: Crap! RICE. :-D nice break though...a chick is out of my show with a sprained ankle too. I think she is back next week.

ME: Mine feels pretty good right now. How are things for you? Settling into the run?

LIL' BIT: Yes. It is great. About to start acting class...

ME: Hope it goes well...give me a ring sometime...

LIL' BIT: I will...any good times?

ME: you mean, with the ladies? Um, no. You?

LIL' BIT: I actually meant good times to call you. :-)

wasted day

written in my journal in my dressing room

Eight hours of rehearsal. How much time did I work?

About ten minutes.

And that wasn't even onstage. That was in the back of the house, practicing my fight. And the only reason we did that was because it had been two days since I had run the thing at speed, with a live person.

I made the best of it, though - grilled, watched several episodes of 30 Rock, Scrubs, and The Office, and tried my best to be social. Part of me wishes I could have been home in the "corporate apartment" doing laundry and watching the basketball game. But a job is a job, even if you're not properly utilized.

the joys of tech

written in my notebook in my dressing room

1st day of tech. We're working in a space that is old, but cool. Every lunch break they fire up this huge 5' long charcoal grill - awesome. So far my meal today I had a tuna steak covered in wasabi mayonnaise and pepper. Pretty good.

One of the interesting things about the play I'm doing is that my character is around at the beginning and the end, but not the middle. So I have a huge chunk of time (between ninety minutes and two hours) to chill out. Unfortunately, during tech, that two hours stretches into ten. So I'm going to spend much of the next few days reading magazines and watching videos on my iPod. I'm getting paid, though, so I can't complain too much...

a realistic dream (mostly)

Last night I dreamt I got married. Ceremony and all. Apparently we got married the day after Jim and Pam from The Office, because they were hanging out with me (that was the only unrealistic thing).

And, yes, I know who the bride was. Let's just say that I'd be pretty thrilled if it played out.

What does this mean?

semi-proactive

Just finished whittling down my headshots from 280 to 20. I should have done this weeks ago, but I just hadn't been able to get to it until now. (They're on my MySpace/Facebook pages, if you're interested in checking them out and giving me some feedback.)

I'm hopeful that these pics, plus the recent additions to my resume, will give my career the bounce I need to work consistently. I know that I'm doing pretty well - three shows a year for the past 5 years is nothing to sneeze at. But I need to start landing better-paying jobs, at higher-profile theaters (like the one I'm working at now), as well as beginning to venture into film and TV.

Next step (after I narrow it down to a couple of photos and get them touched up and reproduced) is to send out the new pics to...well...everyone I've ever encountered in a professional setting. I'm hoping that can be accomplished by mid-June, if I get all of the letters written by the time I leave Fox City.

Wish me luck! (And feel free to introduce me to your second cousin who is the head of casting for NBC.)

i thought laundry would be cheaper

Went over to the local dry cleaners today. I'm looking for a place close by that will do my laundry. I don't have a whole lot of time to do it myself, and I'm running out of clothes. I figured that it wouldn't be that bad - there's a place across the street from me at home that charges fifty cents a pound. So, worst case scenario, maybe two bucks a pound, right?

Wrong.

Try SIX DOLLARS A POUND.

Yeah.

Oh, that's just the rate for underwear.

For heavier stuff?

SEVEN DOLLARS A POUND.

Heavier stuff includes t-shirts.

Needless to say, I won't be taking my clothes there. Looks like I may be spending my off day in the crappy laundry room of our "corporate apartment". Grrrrr.

i hate this place (not Fox City)

I hate this "corporate apartment".

I was awakened at 8:30 this morning by two things: (1) my phone ringing - there was no one on the line, and (2) some idiot talking in the hall at full volume. Add in the fact that my bed is concave (meaning my back is sore) and I think it's safe to say I didn't have a restful night.

I did have a good night around town in Fox City. Had dinner with a friend from high school, which was all right. Then I met up with the Power Broker, who doesn't live too far from here. Things were...um...fine? There's a lot going on with her, but we were with a group of people (who were all hella cool) so I didn't find out any details on whether or not she still has a boyfriend. So...I'm not holding my breath. But I still think she's pretty cute.

(I just re-read the post I made after meeting her, and I'm kind of amazed that I was that excited about her. That NEVER happens.)

All right. Time to go back upstairs so I can shower before housekeeping comes in. I hear it's free iced coffee day at Dunkin' Donuts...very exciting...

some housekeeping

OK, a couple of things:

First of all, I've been going back and trying to fill in posts that I haven't been able to get online, dating back to April. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost some of the scraps of paper that I used in the migration to Fox City. Can we all agree that it's ok for me to throw up some Fried Fish links in the missing days, until I find those missing posts? I'm hoping that they're on my desk at home, but I won't be back there for another few weeks. I know that probably nobody cares about this but me, but I said I was going to do 365 and, dammit, I'm gonna do it!

(Here are the links - all cool sites that will occupy your time for at least a few minutes, I promise:)

April 14
April 18
April 27
April 28
April 29
May 3

Secondly, one of these posts has been on my mind for a few weeks, and it's buried so far down (I started writing it on April 23, where it is posted) that I had to call your attention to it. I'm kind of proud of my open letters, and I think I'm going to post more of these. This one is called an open letter to my ex-classmate, and I think you're going to see where I'm coming from.

So, with that, I'm off to rehearsal, and to see an old flame...

yahoo mail is driving me up the frickin wall

...because I've been getting stupid error messages all day. I mean, I just want to write one stupid e-mail. ONE. And it's not like I can just hop on at any time, because I have to lug my laptop down to the fuckin' lobby.

Grrrrr.

Can you tell I'm bitter?

i'm getting sick of blogging on paper

written in my notebook in my room

Anyone have any other bright ideas?

play 2, rover 0

written in my notebook in my room

Twisted my ankle and banged up my knee today in rehearsal. Thank God for a day off tomorrow. I hope the rain stops so that I can walk to the grocery store...

fellowship update

I didn't get it. Found out about ten days ago, but I've been too busy with life to actually mention this on here. I kind of assumed, once a week passed from the interview without hearing from them, that it wasn't happening.

Don't feel too bad for me, though. Apparently they are extremely interested in working with me...as an actor. Between this and the job that I am currently working, I may be taking a big step up in the business.

(Which is cold comfort after seeing my last paycheck.)

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BARACK

This is really, really funny. Especially if you know the Star Wars movies.

And with this I wish you a fun-filled weekend...

so fresh so clean

Doing a lot of physical work for this production, so I'm kind of sore. Mostly shoulders and calves (which is strange, because I have the largest calves in the universe - remind me to show you a picture of them sometime). It's two hours a day, so it's more than enough to work up a good lather.

And the pollen count here has been off the charts. My eyes were burning all day yesterday. I try not to rub them (especially after getting hit in one of them) but sometimes I can't help it.

As a result of this, I'm taking two showers a day. I feel a bit bad about wasting the water - but it makes me feel SO much better. Right now I'm in the lobby, and I've still got that fresh shower feeling. It feels so nice at this time of evening.

Off to surf the net - damn this accursed building for not giving me internet access in my room!

not a good sign

via text message

FRIEND OF ROVER: Hey what ya doin 2 nite? I have an extra ticket to opening night of (her play)

ME: I'm coming! They set aside a bunch of tickets for us. So I'll see you at the opening party...break legs...

FRIEND OF ROVER: Thanks dont have any expectations! It is ...fine

see comments for explanation

i know why the caged bird sings

I'm sitting here in the lobby of my "corporate apartment", using the internet. Somehow a bird has gotten inside. He's looking right at me.

He's very confused.

He keeps flying around looking for a way out. Three of the walls in here are glass, and occasionally he'll fly around and bump into the window panes. He's tried the light fixtures, to, but to no avail. So now he's sitting here, watching me use the computer, and occasionally heading to perch on the plant in the corner.

Bizarre.

I hope he can get out.

grossness

written in my journal, in my room

Brown water came out of my shower this morning. That does not make me a happy camper.

a glitch in the matrix

So I'm in my place in Fox City. "Corporate apartments", supposedly. It's pretty old, actually - sixties-style place, old-school sink and fixtures, very conservative decor (a framed picture of flowers is the idea of high art here).

But the tragedy?

No internet.

They have wireless in the lobby, but that's it.

How am I supposed to consistently regale you with stories of the crazy times I'm having in the FC? I mean, seriously? And what kind of "corporate apartment" doesn't come with internet in the rooms? I don't expect them to be all rewired and stuff, but at least they could buy half a dozen routers and sprinkle them all around the building.

So, unless the situation changes, I'm afraid you're going to be in for a whole month of notebook-to-computer posts. I've got some free time tomorrow, so I'm going to try and fill in the previous paper-and-picture posts. Then you can have something to read.

Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 6)

Here's your procrastination tool for the next six hours - Incredimazing has a ridiculous number of pics to check out. You're welcome.

these are my clothes

I think i need more color in my life...oh, the irony...

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a 9-to-5 i actually like

First day of rehearsal today - very exciting. It was a little bit unusual because we jumped in right away, but it was still great. I was walking home tonight thinking about how lucky I feel when I actually do what I want to do for a living. I wish it could always be like this.

So now I'm lounging on my couch at home, watching the Pens-Rangers hockey game. After taking my brother to that game last month, he's now become a huge hockey fan, which I find kind of funny. Of course, it's a lot easier to watch a sport when your team is doing well.

I have to stop typing so I can focus on the game...

i'm back! (not that i really left)

All right, I think that I'm finally going to get back to a "normal" posting schedule here. I have a lot of notebook blogs from the past few days to put up, so make sure you scroll down in the next couple of days and see how the end of my April went. (And, yes, I'm still in the 365 game, thanks for your concern/support.)

Tomorrow I start rehearsal for my newest project. We're actually doing a few days of rehearsal in the city before moving down to Fox City on Sunday, so I'll get to experience the "New York actor" life for a bit. It should be fun.

I really really need to balance my checkbook so that I can write my rent check, so I'm going to cut this entry short. But I plan on posting with a vengeance in the near future (as I usually do on the road).

Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 5)

Find out where you really stand on the political spectrum...with The Political Compass!

Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 4)

Since we're learning, find out more about your zip code. This can confirm your worst suspicions about your hometown - pretty fascinating...

Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 3)

It's a little late for this now, but this Presidential candidate selector will help you determine the best candidate for you! Too bad you basically have two choices now...

congrats Missy!

Going to Melissa's wedding. I've known her since I was 14, and I'm SO excited for her, and thrilled to be a witness for it. It will be good times.

A demain...

temp bloggin'

On an extremely late lunch break. I will only have 2 hours when I go back. My boss has left for vacation, which will make my last 2 1/2 days (a) extra difficult because she has all the answers, but more importantly, (b) relaxing, because she won't be standing over me at all times. She's kind of terrible.

Looking forward to my trip to Fox City - I have a feeling you'll get more substantial blog posts from me there.

Back to work!

i have a night off!

This is the first time since...um...well...actually, I don't know when. But I don't have to be anywhere... I'm very excited.

I do have a friend coming over to crash for a few days, so that is a little bit of a drag (though I'm sure we'll have a good time). But, right now, it's a great trade-off.

Lots to catch up on...

an open letter to my ex-classmate

partially written at the temp job

Hey, man, how are things? Hear you're doing some great stuff - a show that may be moving to Broadway, huh? Awesome. So glad your career is working out well.

(awkward silence)

Listen, dude, I know we don't talk a lot - we're both really busy and all, but I wanted to take a break from flattering you to bring something to your attention. See, you're on Facebook, which is great, and I'm on Facebook, which is also cool, but I wanted to remind you that my Facebook page is NOT to be used as your personal dating service.

No, I'm not kidding.

Yes, I'm serious.

See, every time you use your skeevy creepy moves on one of my friends - most of whom you've never met - they call or text or e-mail me. And then I have to explain all about your playa-istic, baller-ific ways, which is a little awkward. And I'd rather not be put in that position. It's been three times in the past month. Don't you think that's a little excessive?

Oh yeah, and you know the one girl that you keep threatening, you know, to "ruin her career", saying things like, "I know your teachers," and stuff like that? Well, here's a free piece of advice - actually, two. First of all, you're not important enough to ruin anyone's career - except, maybe, your own. Secondly, wouldn't it be a lot worse for you if people knew you were saying these things to a nineteen year old? I mean, that's just kind of gross, for a thirty-one year old MAN to be pushing up on a nineteen year old GIRL. She led you on? Seriously? She's a teenager - isn't that what teenagers are supposed to do? Because they don't know what they're doing yet? I'm just saying, man.

Sorry for the excessive use of italics, but I just wanted to make sure that my point was getting across. Good luck with your show!

Sincerely,

The Rover

After four straight nights of work...

I need one of these. And, yes, i do mean a whole bottle...

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the first text on my "new" phone

via text message

Mmmm...crazy...sounds like my dating life...how are things?

i hate allergies

My nose won't stop running and my sinuses ache. This is the part of spring that I hate.

I went to the grocery store today and coughed up (not literally, thank goodness) 22 bucks for some Claritin. Hopefully it starts making a difference soon.

I have lots more to complain about, but I'm so tired and I have to make my lunch and dinner for tomorrow before I go to bed, so you'll have to wait. I've got a crazy week, so there will be a lot of offline (or short) posts over the next week or so. Sorry. I promise, though, that I'm still doing 365.

really tired/friday results

Why? Because I worked until three fifteen in the morning, that's why. And then, when I got off the train, I decided to call Lil' Bit to pass the time on the way home (not to mention the fact that it's nice to have someone familiar to talk to when I walk past the bar) and she's in the middle of a full-fledged meltdown - which deserves its own post - so I didn't end up getting into the bed until 4:30.

Headshots went well. If you've got access to my MySpace/Facebook pages, expect to be seeing those shortly. I'm really happy with what I've seen, except for the huge "lines of tired" under my eyes. But we can airbrush those out.

Interview went ok. They didn't really ask me any questions, just talked about the organization and the fellowship. We did have an interesting back-and-forth about the state of theater. I think it would be a great place to work; I have no idea, however, how to read the tea leaves on this one. I wouldn't be surprised if I got it; I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't.

A couple of phone calls to make before I watch my Thursday night TV shows off my DVR (30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs) and then head back to work for another extremely late night. Woohoo.

Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 2)

A small quiz for you to take - I suppose this would be funnier if I knew who Donald Judd was.

tomorrow is huge

Headshots, interview, working late...it's gonna be tough, and I'm gonna be tired. But I can do it.

Full report this weekend.

lots going on

Temping 8:30-5:30. I am NOT a morning person, so you can assume how this makes me feel. I needed the cash, though.

Headshots being taken on Friday; trying to prep myself for that. Also landed an interview for the fellowship - any advice? I can't remember the last time I had an interview...maybe college, for my scholarships.

I've got a couple of posts in my notebook, but since I don't have internet access at my temp job (which, quite frankly, is a travesty), you'll have to wait until the weekend to get my pertinent thoughts...

And the girls...ah, the girls...

seriously?

I don't know how to feel about this..it's like worlds colliding...

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i hate temping. except when i don't.

at desk at my temp job

Sometimes I wish I had a real job. This would include real job-like amenities, like:

- a desk/cubicle with my name on it
- comrades & colleagues
- two dozen collared shirts and nice pants (unless I was lucky enough to work in a place where I could wear jeans)
- a consistent salary that would allow me a decent standard of living
- a job title that I could bandy around at parties

Really, I just like playing office. I have enough commitment problems, so saying I'm going to work 9-5 five days a week for fifty weeks a year for thirty years scares the bejeezus out of me. And I do love my internet-gym-rehearsal-drinks lifestyle I lead when I'm acting or prepping for a show.

Still, a boy can dream...

Fried Fish (the missing link edition - pt 1)

This is the greatest holiday ever.

strange bedfellows

Three emotions, created at the same time, experienced simultaneously:

- my mother, on the phone, describing to me the memorial service for my elementary school principal, and relaying the news that another teacher of mine is gravely ill

- watching hockey players scuffle in a high-stakes playoff game

- hearing the tinkle of the ice cream truck outside my window

Very odd experience, like salty and sweet and spicy all at once.

(By the way, I added all of my posts from the past week below - check 'em out! Additional comments are in the...um...comments section...)

at work

written at the top of page 18 of this week's copy of The Onion

Just beating the deadline.

i sat on one of these tonight

...and it felt kinda good!

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transit frustration

written on a NYC bus stuck in traffic

I should have gotten off at 6th...

got cash?

at my local laundromat's local coffee shop

This is one of my favorite places to come - it makes the experience of doing laundry a bit more palatable. (So does the cool "Atlantic City" mug I'm drinking out of.)

I want to write a post about my female situation, but it will involve backstory, and I don't have the patience to blog that longhand. It will have to wait.

I can talk about my latest fear, which is that I'm not going to be able to pay my bills this month. My unemployment got cut in half this year, which means that I get less than a grand a month. Even if I don't go out at all and eat only Ramen noodles, I still couldn't make ends meet. I'm hoping for a couple of weeks of temping, which would totally fix my problems, but I've only gotten one gig so far. I also start work on my show in Fox City (thanks Hot Librarian!) starting May 1, so at least there's an end in sight - but still.

A bit of reading, and then off to put my four loads in the dryer...

one of my favorite little traveling moments

written on a plane headed to New York

...is when there is an empty middle seat in your row, and you and the person in the aisle seat share the extra tray table.

best gift ever

One of fred's birthday presents...

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lazy Sunday

written in Fred & Ginger's living room

Chill day w/Fred & Ginger. Ate a lot of food and watched a decent amount of TV. It's been a good day.

Ginger is convinced that the ladies at her place of employment were smitten with me. I think she's exaggerating. I'm trying to convince her to write an entry on here - maybe she can tell you her perspective!

That's all for now.

a note to my liver

Dear Liver,

Hey man, how's it going? How are things with the pancreas - you two still kickin' it, spending some quality time together? That's great, man, really great.

(awkward silence)

Listen, dude, I really owe you an apology. You've done a lot of great work for The Rover over the years, really going above and beyond the call of duty on several occasions. I mean, January '95 was amazing, you know, and how you dealt with November and December '03...well, they'll be talking about that for years. Decades, even.

But the work you did in the last twenty-four hours, well...wow. Wow. That's really all I can say. Quite frankly, we overworked you. A lot. I mean, six bourbons, six margaritas, three beers and a screwdriver is a heavy load until normal circumstances. But to do that at altitude, where the blood is thinner... But you kept us going man. I don't know how you did it, but we didn't miss a beat. And you didn't go the puke route, no serious effects the day after... I just have to tip my cap, man. Really. You deserve a raise. Or at least a vacation. Which you're not getting, by the way, until Sunday at the earliest. We have a party to go to tonight.

So, you know, I know you take a lot of abuse (and not just from the stomach, ha ha), but the rest of the body really appreciates what you do. So thanks, a lot.

Sincerely,

The Brain

the drink of champions...

Well, at least when you've been drinking since noon...

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plane thoughts

written on a plane

Landing in Valley City in twenty minutes. I'm excited to see my friends - Fred & Ginger, Big Bird, Trouble. It's always nice to get out of the city, and I think that the mental break will be great. It would be perfect if I could get some beach time in, but VC is not that kind of town.

I just re-read a fantastic book, called Acting Is A Job. It is the most realistic look at the biz out there, and I can't recommend it highly enough, even if you're just curious about what the life is like. Here's the Amazon link - check it out, really.

More later.

weekend getaway

Just a quick note - I'm headed for LaGuardia in a few minutes. Headed to Valley City until Tuesday. I'm taking my computer with me, but I'm planning to blog offline for the next few days. So check back in on Tuesday or Wednesday for a full update. I'm not planning a weekend full of debauchery, but you never know what could happen...

a REAL musical

I watched this a couple of weeks ago and thought it was AWESOME. I've always wondered how real people would react to people breaking out in song...

i like bios

I just had to put together a bio for the upcoming show I'm doing in the still nameless city (it's hard to find anything that's not obvious). It's always amazing to look at your resume, you know? I find myself being impressed, like it's some other person.

I guess it's hard to appreciate your own capabilities. You're too close, you know? So when it's all spread out on paper in front of it, you can be a little objective about it, and say, "Hey, maybe I am pretty good."

It's a nice feeling. That's why I always write my own bio. ;-)

let's go!

I feel like I should apologize for my lackluster blogging effort these past couple of weeks. Yes, I had some trauma, and I'm still mentally recovering, but I should be able to find five minutes to write something down, right? At least, that's how I feel about it.

Hopefully you will have more exciting things to look forward to in the next month. I'm going on a trip this weekend (to Valley City & Rockport), and I start my next acting gig in a month, in a city which I have yet to name.

There's a healthy amount of girl drama as well. And maybe some apartment changes on the horizon, too. All in all, I'm ready to move out of March, and I'm looking forward to April being a great month.

my weekend in pictures

Keeping with the theme... The big grey bridge and, if you look closely, the little red lighthouse. One of my favorite stories as a kid.

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a night at the hockey game

As you can see, my seats left something to be desired.

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new york, new york, big city of dreams

The view from the Staten Island Ferry, one of my favorite tourist diversions in the city.

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routine

As bad as last week was for me, this week has been pretty nice. I joined a gym (because I HAVE to be in great shape for my upcoming show) and I'm pretty much in my show routine, meaning that my day consists of:

waking up around 9:30-10am
surfing the web while drinking green tea
breakfast
going to the gym
lunch
some type of activity (going to a show or working or meeting up with friends)
dinner
come home and unwind
bed around 1-1:30am

It's kind of the way I like to live my life - not too complicated, sort of a loose routine. It feels normal, and these days, that's a big comfort to me.

Off to eat something small before my workout.

thank you

Thanks to everyone who wrote, commented, called, texted, and/or visited me over the past week. The support I received was overwhelming, and I am SO appreciative for it. There's a lot of people that I'm trying to get in touch with, so I promise that you will hear from me soon, if you haven't already.

Most of the doctor visits are finished. The final diagnosis was a bruised retina and a cut under my left eye, both of which are healing quite nicely. And I'm finally feeling close to normal, though I will probably do a short stint in therapy, just to be safe. The NYPD is investigating, and they seem to be taking the case quite seriously, which is awesome. I'll make sure to give you an update if anything happens.

Again, I can't express how thankful I am for all of your thoughts, prayers and good wishes. Just know that it meant the world to me, and I will be eternally grateful for my friends.

random

Because i needed a post, here's some hot sauce.

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master cleanse

scribbled in my notebook in my room during a gathering at my apartment

Anyone done it? Thoughts on it?

It sounds kind of interesting - should I do it? I don't know if I could go for a week without food, and the drink sounds disgusting, but still...

so true

overheard, at a gathering with my family, roommates, Maxine, and Melissa

"She's so angry all of the time. EAT SOMETHING! You'd be happier!"

a text to a friend

written to Snapple, who came to my rescue a couple of nights ago when I was freaking out in the street

I'm sorry that I haven't said this sooner, but thank you SO much for playing with me Wed. night. You really helped me out.

things you never want your eye doctor to say

"OH!"

(silence)

"It's torn."

(silence)

"I'm SO glad you came in today."

my eye

Taken Tuesday morning at 3am. It looks better now; if I wear glasses, you can't tell that anything happened.

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i don't feel like posting today.

I'm only doing it because (1) I have to keep my 365 streak alive, and (2) I don't want any of you to think I'm in the fetal position on my floor.

Today was better than yesterday, but, overall, I'm still not great.

Hopefully I'll write more tomorrow.