more things about me

My friend Punchy sent me this little meme on MySpace.


(Short note: I dated Punchy about three years ago, during a break from Maxine.

I call her Punchy - in real life, to her face - because the first time that we made out, we were both hammered, and we would kiss passionately for a few minutes, and then she would gaze into my eyes, and then look away/down and laugh and start beating the fuck out of my chest. And the look on her face was hard to describe - I think she was thinking, "I don't want to like you," or something like that.

It was cute, though painful.

She, in turn, calls me Slingy, because I severely injured my shoulder and had my arm in a sling for three weeks. Let's just say that she did a great job of taking care of me. But that's another story for another time...)


I was supposed to repost it as a bulletin, but I don't do those kind of things. So I decided that the next best thing would be to put it on my blog. Feel free to answer the questions yourself. (Some of them are particular to her...)


PUNCHY'S MEME


1. Can you cook?

A bit. I'm good with the meats, and I can do a thing or three with pasta. Not really a baker. But anyone who can read can cook, right?

2. What was your dream growing up?

To be the starting QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

3. What talent do you wish you had?

I wish I had a lovely tenor singing voice. Unfortunately, I'm a mediocre bass.

4. Favorite place?

This one changes a lot. I really miss my little cottage in Cowtown right about now...

5. Favorite vegetable?

Broccoli.

6. What was the last book you read?

Um...I'm not sure...maybe ACTING IS A JOB...

7. What zodiac sign are u ?

Virgo. It explains a lot.

8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?

Left ear only - once Theo Huxtable did it, I had to.

9. Worst Habit?

Biting my fingernails. I do it when I'm stressed.

10. Do we know each other outside of myspace?

This is year four...

11. What is your favorite sport?

To watch? Football. To play? Baseball.

12. Negative or Optimistic attitude?

Total optimist.

13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?

Try to make out with you, probably? (I sugarcoated this when I sent it to her - I would totally try to make out with her. I'm not sure how much luck I'd have...

14. Worst thing to ever happen to you?

I'm not sure. The three prom dates thing wasn't great...

15. Tell me one weird fact about you?

Besides the fact that I play dress-up for a living? Let's see...it's probably weird that I'm on speaking terms - actually friends - with almost every woman I've slept with.

16. Do have any pets?

No.

17. Do u know how to do the macerana?

Yes, but you will never see me do it...

18. What time is it where u are now?

1:58am. Way too late. (And now it's even later. And I have to get up in six hours.)

19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary?

Stupid.

20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be???

My jaw is a smidge crooked. I'd fix that.

21. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?

History has shown that the answer is crime partner. (And it does - Punchy and I tore up the Hamlet during our time together - we routinely greeted the sun on my front porch, drunk. Good times.)

22. What color eyes do you have?

Brown.

23. Ever been arrested?

Nope. Which is amazing...

24. Bottle or Draft?

Draft.

25. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it?

Probably pay off my credit card debt.

26. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew?

I used to have a weakness for Big League Chew...

27. What 's your favorite bar to hang at?

I miss a certain bar in the Hamlet...

28. Do you believe in ghosts?

I think I do.

29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time?

Surf the internet. Anything involving pretty women.

30. Do you swear a lot?

Some.

31. Biggest pet peeve?

People who misspell and/or confuse "your" and "you're". I HATE THAT.

32. In one word, how would you describe yourself?

Laid-back. (Although my answer to the previous question probably contradicts this...)

33. Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you ?

No...but I would love to see your answers... (Unless she meant putting this on the blog that she probably doesn't know I have...)

34. Did you ever think about joining the Army?

I did. I had a Vice Presidental recommendation to West Point, which pretty much assures you of getting in, but when it was all said and done I couldn't commit nine years of my life to fighting.


Any takers?

hooray for hollywood

Oscars were fun. I watched them with Maxine - it's her Super Bowl. She put out a little spread and everything, and had her ballot. She always makes her predictions beforehand, and then checks off the winners. I think she only missed two last night - and one of them was Best Picture. (She even called Alan Arkin!)

The best word I can think of for the ceremony is "weird". Ellen was a fine host, I guess. I'd be ok if they rotated her, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart for the next few years. I'm probably the only one who feels that way, but whatever.

The best moment, by far, was the Will Ferrell/Jack Black/John C. Reilly song. So funny...and so true.

I'm working a lot this week, but I have two posts fully sketched out on a piece of paper that's sitting in the middle of my "desk". So you'll get my stories, I promise. Right now, it's time for me to get some zzzzz's...

clumsy me

The inevitable happened this morning:

I fell down the stairs.

My apartment has two floors, connected by an old-fashioned iron spiral staircase, which I've mentioned before. I was sleep-deprived, trying to finish up this tax stuff AND shower before running out the door to an audition, and I must have taken it just a bit too fast...because I bashed the hell out of my left elbow, and ripped up one of my fingers (right on the pad, which made typing a ton of fun this afternoon).

I'm a little disappointed, only because I thought for sure that I would be drunk the first time it happened. Or at least escorting an attractive young woman down the stairs.

Stories coming t'm'row, I promise!

tax prep = ick

Having a hard time posting lately. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I actually have a good story or two to put up, but it will take so long to type...maybe it's time for me to break out the AudioBlogger thing that I keep threatening to use...

The big thing that's keeping me from posting is the fact that I have a tax appointment on Friday, and I have to get all of my stuff in order before then. I kept track of every penny I spent in 2006, and I'm currently transferring it from a little calendar to my computer. And it's a s---l---o---w process.

I've resolved to get the bulk of it done on Wednesday. Wish me luck.

(And, hey, if I decide to procrastinate, you may get one of those stories...)

1 (my 2nd anniversary meme)

1 question.

1 chance.

1 answer.

100% honest.

That's all you get.

You get to ask me 1 question.

(via e-mail, please - fishandgreens@gmail.com)

ANY 1 question.

Conditions: I won't tell ANYONE what you asked me and I'll answer it honestly.

The catch is...
you have to repost this...
and see what people ask you...

(unless you don't have a blog...then i just get to ask you something in return...)

just venting

I try not to complain too much about my job. I knew, when I decided to become an actor, that it was going to be very difficult. It is a roller coaster ride, and generally, I love it.

Today was not one of those days.

Today I had an audition for a play in my hometown. It was for a role that (a) I had just auditioned for the week before (and gotten called back for) and (b) I am generally right for. I'm probably five years away from being perfect, but it's definitely something that I can play, and play well. The artistic director at the theater knows me, which is probably why I was called in. They had asked me to prepare two sides - one was a scene, and one was a monologue.

I went to the audition and, after waiting half an hour, was ushered inside. The casting director was also someone who was familiar with my work, and I felt pretty comfortable. I was introduced to the director, and then was told, "We're doing the scene."

I did it, and I thought it went pretty well. I hit all the points that I needed to, showed them the several sides of the character. After finishing, I stood up and checked in with the people, expecting to now do the monologue.

Instead, I heard the director say, "Thanks so much for coming in today."

Meaning, "We're not interested. Next."

I was looking at the artistic director, who looked surprised that the director had made that decision. (I would love to have been a fly on the wall so that I could have heard THAT conversation.) I scraped up what was left of my dignity, thanked them, and left.

Now I know, logically, that I'm probably not what the director had in mind. She probably pictured someone darker, or taller, or more muscular, or (most likely) older. But when you get dismissed like that, when you're prepared and worked on it and know that it's good...well, let's just say that it's not the best feeling.

I've had a run of auditions lately (some through my agent, some on my own) which is great. And I'm doing fairly well in most of them, getting several callbacks (meaning that the casting people now believe that you can act, and are seriously considering you for the role). But I can't seem to book a job.

And, hey, you never really know why you didn't get a role. Maybe you weren't very good that day. Maybe you remind the director of an ex. Maybe you're too short for the part, or too dark, or too skinny. You can drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out. I'm pretty good about letting things go, for the most part.

I know that my break is just around the corner. I just have to be patient...

a much better idea!

An e-mail I received from a friend this morning:

Since Valentine’s Day is right smack dab in the middle of Black History Month I think we should reclaim it and call it National Love a Negro Day.

Best idea I've heard in a while!

So, officially, F&G proclaims today NLN Day! Go out and celebrate!

happy valentine's? not likely

For the record, I hate Valentine's Day. HATE. I've never had a good one, and even back in elementary school, when we had to exchange those little Peanuts-type cards, it struck me as just an exercise in angst. All those dumb questions just flooding your mind:

- She gave me a card with "love" in it - what does that mean?
- Will she like me if I give her the Peppermint Patty one?
- Why don't I have a Valentine?
- Who gave me the anonymous card? Do they really love me?

And then, when you are actually with someone:

- What do I buy her?
- Will she read too much into this gift?
- Did I buy her enough?

It just strikes me as really, really dumb. And I'm a romantic! (as you probably have judged from the PB saga)

So rather than getting all wound up, I just don't celebrate it. This can create some sticky situations when I'm dating someone, but I think that the attention I give my SO's the other 364 days of the year make up for this one.

treading water

I'm kind of struggling with how to write this post...probably because I'm not really sure exactly what I'm feeling at this point in time. Actually, it's not so much that I don't know how I feel so much as I feel so many different things:

- disappoinment
- relief
- confusion

...to name a few. And there are a lot of other thoughts in my head, too, like:

- how I feel so focused and optimistic about my career
- I need to spend less time at home and more with my friends
- astrology is very trippy, and, in some ways, surprisingly accurate
- my life right now is really great

But the biggest thing that I'm feeling right now is

peace

like I know that everything will be ok.

My parents came to Cowtown a couple of days after I first met the Power Broker. We were leaving the house on Xmas morning, and I was thinking about PB, and the absurdity of the whole situation. And so I asked my father, "Hey, when you met Mom, did you know that you were going to marry her?"

Without hesitating, he answered, "Yes."

This from a man who rarely talks about feelings - the definition of stoicism, perhaps.

I'm not saying that I'm going to marry PB, per se. But I do feel like that this is all going to work out for the best, and to my satisfaction. That's a very un-Rover-like thought (although I am a positive thinker). And this will require some very un-Rover-like behavior (like patience). But I don't think it's going to be a problem.

----------------------------

So that I'm not being totally cryptic, here's what happened:

While on the bus, I got an e-mail from Amina (who helped set up this whole deal in Cowtown) telling me that PB said that she needed to talk to me about "the boyfriend". I was devastated for about 30 seconds, but then I thought, "You know what? You like this woman. You have no idea what she's going to say. You knew this was a possibility, and you don't have any expectations. Just go down there and have a great time and see what happens."

And I did have a great time. We hung out at her house - I met her roommates, who are great - and then we all went out. Lots of drinking and dancing. After some late-nite fuel (empanadas) we headed back to the house. It's about 3:15 in the morning at this point.

We talked 'til 6.

We talked about a wide variety of subjects, and one of the things that came up was "the boyfriend". It's a very unusual arrangement. They've been together for a couple of years, but she doesn't call him her boyfriend (hence the quotes), acknowledges that they're not meant for each other, and knows that they're going to split in a few months, when he leaves for grad school. They have a kind of handshake agreement about all of this.

(I know, right? You should have seen my face.)

So, while she is interested in me, she's trying to hold off on having anything physical happen between us, but she really likes spending time with me, and feels that there's a connection, and wants to continue seeing me when time allows. She's planning on coming to NYC in April.

At that point, I put my cards on the table, and told her that I was interested, but didn't want to be the "other guy" ('cause I've done it too many times before, which is another story). I was more eloquent than that, but not as effusive as I was in my previous post. She seemed really impressed that I was so honest and open about everything. So we agreed that we would keep talking, and see where things went.

Then we had a lovely day yesterday, although we were both exhausted because we only got a few hours of sleep.

I'm very curious to see what the masses think about this one. Fire away...

Post 300! (and a present)

300 in just a shade over 2 years. That's, like, a post every three days. I am AWESOME!

And, to celebrate, guess where I am going?

That's right...back to DC.

Headed down there t'm'row to "wine and dine" the power broker - I'm actually thinking eating, then drinking, and then dancing. And then I'll probably sleep on her couch. 'Cause I'm a gentleman like that.

You'll get the update on Sunday or Monday. Good weekend to all!

it's frickin' freezin'

I've been living in more temperate climates the last four winters, so it's been a rude introduction to Old Man Winter this year.

Man, is he a cranky bastard or what?

I left my house this morning and it was nine degrees.

9.

And, to make things even awesomer, the heat in my room isn't working. The little thermometer below the tempermental thermostat is all the way to the left - and the last number there is 50.

50!

I guess I'll be spending my evening up here, in the living room.

2 years!

...and counting.

Yes, this is the second anniversary of F&G. Thanks to all of you who read, and comment, and chide, and support. It means a lot.

I'm in the midst of a busy weekend (funeral, family, birthday parties, Super Bowl - which I think will be Bears 24, Colts 21) but my 2nd Annual Anniversary Meme will follow in the next day or two. Keep your eyes peeled...

a tale of two women

Received a call from DC this evening, which surprised me. I left her a message on Sunday, and hadn't heard anything, so my paranoid actor-self took over and wrote her off like a role I wasn't getting.

And then she called.

I tried acting nonchalant as I flipped open my phone, trying to fool...myself, I guess.

It was a good chat. I told her that I wanted to see her again soon and she said, "When were you thinking of doing that? I was thinking of coming up to New York..." She travels a lot for work, but hopefully we're going to make it work - maybe as soon as next weekend.

So that was pretty exciting.

But...

...the far more compelling development took place later this evening, when I hung out with the X. (Who really needs a name at this point: let's call her Maxine, after a song on the new John Legend album that we both love. You need to buy this album immediately. Anyway, I reserve the right to change the name.)

I've had a lot of issues with Maxine over the years, and they seem to have to do with her uptight (for lack of a better word) nature. I've often felt that, if she could just relax and let go, I'd marry her t'm'row.

Well...

She had an experience over the past couple of weeks...and she's like a totally different person. She's extremely positive, and she is smiling and laughing all of the time, and she seems to really have taken control of her life. She's chasing her goals, and she has a real sense of purpose.

She even looks different. She's a very beautiful woman, but this change in attitude has even affected her looks. Maybe it's all the smiling. Even in the darkest of times, I've always been insanely attracted to her, but now...um...WOW! Tonight she was wearing a "wife beater" and jeans, and it took a lot of willpower for me to avoid snatching her up and...you know.

(I won't get into the whole history, but traditionally we've always struggled to NOT have a physical relationship. We say, "Oh, we'll be friends. No extra stuff." And then, five days later, we're in bed together. But, since I've come back, we haven't done anything. Occasionally we'll look at each other and have a mini-moment, but no making out, or attempted moves.)

As happy as I am that she's happy, our sordid past makes me skeptical. I hope that this is a permanent change. But there's no use getting my hopes up, only to have them crushed again. I will say that I will be following this development very closely...it could make life very interesting...

perspective

Just when you're up to your neck in your whiny little complaints (see post below), real life happens, and reminds you that there are more important things.

I got a dreaded early-morning phone call from my grandmother informing me that my great-uncle passed late last night/early this morning. I won't go into the dynamics of my family, but all you need to know is that my extended family is HUGE (like, around a hundred) and my great-uncle was someone with whom my brother and I actually had a relationship. His wife is one of my favorite people.

Not feeling so sad right now as much as profoundly disappointed.

There will be more to tell about this later.

working boy?

I know that this post probably isn't going to engender any sympathy...in fact, it's probably going to make you hate me a little bit. But it's my blog, and I need to get it off my chest, so here goes.

After a careful review of my finances, I have decided that it may be in my best interests to temp full-time. Meaning that it is very possible that, unless something drastic changes in the next week or so, I'm going to have to work a 9 to 5.

I'm not very good at doing that. I really hate temping, actually. I wish that I could be happy working in an office 40 hours a week - it would make some things in my life a lot easier. So...I'm not sure about this.

What makes me even more frustrated is that I was thisclose to landing a couple of shows in the past few weeks that would have paid me fairly well for at least eight weeks. One was a high profile project (in which, during the callback, I gave the audition of my life, and when I walked out of that room I was certain that they were going to choose me...unfortunately, I think I was the first person they saw that day...).

I'm hoping that this temping thing would only last me a couple of months. I think that bartending would suit me and my lifestyle fairly well, and hopefully I can make some steps to get a job doing that. I'll keep you posted...

DC update

Small - nothing major to report.

I oscillated all day about what I was going to do - call and gush, play it cool, do something in between... I'm not usually this indecisive - I think that the rush of auditions and the lack of sleep were affecting my judgement.

Then, at five, she sent me a text message.

We said we had a good time, etc. I told her that I would call this weekend, and she responded positively. So now I have a few days to think over my next move.

Off to prep for the last huge audition of the week, and then (blessedly) bed.

my trip

I had some coffee to fuel me through the drive home, since I only got 5 1/2 hours of sleep last night and I was yawning around 7. So I made the drive ok...but now I'm not sleepy at all. Nice job, Mr. Genius. Hence, my random thoughts about my day trip today.

- Enterprise gave me a Chevy Cobalt. It was ok...but, if you're going to go through the trouble of renting a car, they should at least provide you with power locks and windows. Is that too much to ask?

- Lots of cops on the road, especially in NJ. Of course, it is close to the end of the month...

- Cruise control is for pussies.

- Every time I go to DC, I think that it's a place that I would love to live eventually. It just seems really cool.

- I hate actors.

- My audition went well, but I have no idea if anything's going to come of it.

- I love the DC Metro. LoveloveloveloveLOVE it. The arched ceilings, the signs telling you when the next train is coming, the simple, easy-to-read maps, the clean carpeted cars - it's a joy to ride on. Nothing beats the NY system for replacing a car, but DC's got a lot of things right. Can they call the MTA? Just to give them a few pointers?

OK, OK, I know you want to hear about the main event. The date.

Well...

I still want this woman to be Mrs. Rover. She's gorgeous - she has one dimple, which kills me. We had a great time. We spent over two hours in the restaurant, and the food was great, and we talked about our families and politics and astrology and music and our jobs, and there was a lot of the "when you meet so-and-so they'll be a lot nicer than that" and "let me know if so-and-so plays in your town 'cause I'll totally come". I picked up the check at the end (naturally) and told her that it was her birthday present, and she said that she would have to reciprocate.

But, when she dropped me off at the train station, she just kind of stopped the car in the middle of the road, and the good-bye was kind of hurried and awkward. There was an attempt at a hug, but you know how seat belts fuck that kind of thing up, and I told her that I'd talk to her soon.

And then she was gone.

She did have guests at her house that she needed to take care of. Or...maybe she just wants to be friends with me. I don't know.

(Not sure if I mentioned this or not before, but apparently there was, at one point, a boyfriend in the picture. But I was assured that he was "not marriage material". And, apparently, I am. Or was.)

As I was waiting on the platform, I really wanted to call her and say the following:

Hey, listen, I just really needed to call and tell you this. I don't know what your situation is right now, but I just wanted to let you know that I think you're amazing. You are smart and funny and articulate and beautiful...you actually take my breath away. And I know that I'm in New York and that you're in DC, and I don't know how to go about this at all, but I really hope that we can try to start to develop something here. Because I like you. A lot.

(Is that cheesy? That's actually pretty close to what I was planning to say - I didn't have the ending worked out, but it definitely included the four adjectives and the breath thing...because I literally couldn't breathe the first time I saw her.)

Anyway, I called one of my friends and she told me that I shouldn't call her, because (a) if she thought the evening was good, she was probably kicking herself for ruining the final moment, and no comment from me would change that; and (b) if she didn't have a good time, or wasn't feeling it, she might think I was a bit psycho. Another friend said that I need to call her and thank her for a good time, and tell her I want to see her again soon, and perhaps the conversation on what the deal is will naturally occur from there.

So...that was my day. Thoughts/comments/questions are welcome.

Up early t'm'row to return the Cobalt (which wasn't even cobalt-colored - dumb!) and then prepare for two huge auditions, which (of course) are Wednesday and Thursday. No rest for the weary.

"we're off to see the wizard!"

Lots of auditions and such these days, so no time to write. I'm headed down to "our nation's cap-i-tal" (that's how Forrest says it) t'm'row for a big one.

And...to see a girl.

I'm trying to keep my expectations low.

(trying)

(trying harder)

(even harder)

I give up. I like her. I hope she likes me.

I'll update you guys later in the week.

sick day

I'm sick.

I'm hoping that it's just a cold, but it's developed from a nasal drip (Friday) to sinus pressure/congestion + runny nose (Saturday) to congestion + cough (today). I'm really hoping that it doesn't develop into any kind of sinus infection.

(And, of course, I get sick two weeks after my health insurance decides to take a three month break. Perfect.)

Generally, I'm a pretty big baby while I'm sick. And I did do a great deal of laying around yesterday.

But I also managed to be super-productive! I got all of the following done:

- rearranged my room
- unpacked two giant boxes of stuff (mailed from Cowtown)
- put clothes in my new canvas wardrobe
- partially set up my bookshelf
- downloaded the first four episodes of 24 (thanks to my iTunes credit)
- built a second giant wardrobe that was supposed to be broken (I have no closets in my space, hence the need for two)

So now I'm feeling more "moved-in". And I'm feeling a bit less under the weather, too. Not well enough for my liking, but still...

Off to my brother's to watch football.

The new N train...

...is the shit.

I'm dragging home a giant wardrobe from The Container Store in about 50 pieces, which I probably paid too much for, and I'm waiting for my train to take me back home, and I see the light shining and then, lo and behold, I see it.

The new N.

Bursting into the light like a beacon of freedom.

Shimmering.

Gleaming.

For me.

(My friend once wrote an e-mail to me about seeing the new 2 train glide into the station at 96th street on a hot summer day, and the words he used were powerful and hilarious at the same time. And I totally thought he was exaggerating...until today. It's really a great moment when a new subway car arrives when you least expect it.)