Christmas is coming

I dropped twenty dollars today on a live tree in a little pot. Felt more productive or something than getting a fake tree. I'm not even quite sure why it all of a sudden felt so imperative for me to go get a tree. I think the Holiday Blues hit me. And why a little green thing fixes it? I have no idea.
I even splurged on the little LED lights. Yup.
So I'm sitting here right now by my lovely lit up tree that I carried back to the car to looks of "That poor girl is probably celebrating Christmas alone" and now "Christmas Blues" just came on. Or maybe it's called "Santa Only Brought Me the Blues".
I went to the gym this morning. Woke up at 7:30 this morning and thought to myself, "I want to go for a swim" so found this 7 days free pass online for 24 Hour Fitness. The worst part is that when you go to redeem your pass this guy gives you a tour of the gym and asks what you want to get out of working out. Weird. I have to say, I don't know if I ever fully trust people who work in gyms or who go every day. I understand the endorphine rush because I felt that today after swimming. Swimming is great because somehow the pool feels immune to those weird "gym folk" that I am referring to. People who swim always seem to be good people. Not that you really chat it up because everyone has their heads underwater but you can't really judge people cause we're all in bathing suits and we're all there just to hit the pool and feel healthy. It's not a sport that's about the muscle. It's about swimming how you want to swim.
I don't really know if I'll make it back before my seven days are up but it was worth it just to get a good work-out this morning.
So I went pool to getting a tree to decorating my house all before 10 am. Next up... I cure AIDS by noon. I think I better enjoy this productive streak while it's here.
Work and final dress rehearsal for Lucky Woman are calling my name tonight.

Did someone say it's October?

Holy cow. I think that the years actually start to speed up the older you get. I honestly am in total disbelief that it is already almost 10 days into October. I know I didn't sleep through those first ten, I know it!
Seems like my blog has also been in hibernation for quite some time. I'll take that as a good sign. When I'm busy I don't really take time to sit down and update facebook or blog. But tonight, I finished acting in the show I'm in right now and I have some time.
PS, about that show I'm in. Woah, since when did I become a professional actor? Since this summer! This is officially the second show I've been in in Portland already and both have paid! I am also in disbelief about that. People give me money sometimes to do what I love. I'm even going to be in another show that starts rehearsing right when the show I'm in now closes. I know it's all fringe stuff, but I feel like a real working actor. I knew it was always something I wanted to give a shot and at least try to do on the side but I'm totally doing it and totally loving it.
The show I'm in right now got great reviews too. Having real reviewers hooked into the theatre community and watching what I do is crazy too.
Although the reviews didn't say too much about me, they all loved the play and seemed to think the acting was strong on the whole. Not bad, huh? One review also called me a "Portlander". I guess I am, I guess I am. I'm beginning to really settle into this city of bridges, and roses, and biking, and theatre opportunity.

OREGONIAN REVIEW
http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2009/10/teeth_of_the_sons_chews_over_i.html

WWEEK.COM
http://wweek.com/events/latest/performance/

Teeth of the Sons

Moving, Saying Goodbye, Starting Over, Repeat.

I love Portland and I love Eugene. I loved Seattle and I loved Tacoma and I loved Spokane. Maybe I am just happy or can find happiness wherever I go. I remember when I worked in admissions at UPS always noticing that there were those students that weren't really going to be happy anywhere and those that would be fine wherever they went. I don't know quite how, but I lucked out and am in that latter category. The hard part about being in that position, however, is that it is always hard for me to leave the places that I love. I don't like to say goodbye. I think I'm pretty okay at saying hello but it is that goodbye that is always so painful. I do it a lot too.
I'm always saying goodbye to my parents, to friends moving away, to my long distance boyfriend, to school, to jobs, to houses, to pets, to family. I don't like it one bit.
My good friend, Matt Etter once told me that every good adventure starts with a journey. I guess going on that journey inevitably means saying goodbye. But I know that I'd rather not be the one left behind on those journeys. I'd much rather be the explorer than stay behind.
This picture is of me on top of Mt. Tabor in Portland, Oregon. It's where I'm going. I'm going to have to say goodbye to get there. But I'm also looking forward to starting a new journey there.

Job searching when you're a theatre major

Maybe that title just speaks for itself.
There's a limited amount of things I feel qualified to apply for. I suppose that is true of most specializations. If I was an accounting major maybe it'd be the same way. There just aren't all that many people out there that need theatre makers like they need accountants. I like to think maybe that's some of the beauty of my job too. I offer a skill that you don't just come by too easily. I think. I hope.
I have been lucky as of late in getting an interview at a Children's Theatre up in Portland. I'm also auditioning up there on the same day. Big day. January 16th. Cross your fingers at 10 and 12:30.
I feel strangely optimistic that I will be secure and okay this next year. I'm even really looking forward to it. I will miss the security and automatic friends that graduate school has offered but I'm up for the challenge and something new. I'm excited to practice theatre rather than just study it.
I wish our country supported actors and artists like the true professionals they are. I read this article by Hannah Fox who practices Playback Theatre and she wrote about how the Cuban government is highly supportive of those who choose to act professionally. It's even treated as a national service. That would be nice. I'd like to think it was possible. But i don't think even Barack is that magical.