Monday, April 21, 2014

Catching Up: An Erstwhile Explanation of Where the Hell I've Been

Hey there, world.

Remember that time I promised I'd write in here more?

Yeah, turns out I'm full of it.

Lots has happened since last I updated here. That was back in September, upon my return from Colorado and the vacation I'd needed for years. Well, turns out, right as soon as I got back, I needed a new one almost immediately.

I returned to work waiting tables as I sent out headshots and resumes anew. Meanwhile, waiting tables got so bad and depressing I nearly walked out on two separate occasions. I almost transferred restaurants rather than come back, though I resolved my difficulties (namely being a prideful bastard) and settled down. Now I'm a corporate-certified trainer, which isn't the worst gig to have - I can set my schedule on rare occasions when I'm in a show, I get to have a say in how new people are hired, and I get free food from time to time. It's no lie to say, though, that waiting tables is NOT what I want to be doing with my life.

So began the search for a day job. I applied at multiple places for ANYTHING (which turns out to be a bad idea) and ended up taking a temp gig at a company that helps high school student athletes get into colleges with scholarships and potential chances to continue playing the sports they love. This was probably the most meaningful job outside of my respective field since I graduated college, and furthermore calls to use some of my Film Studies degree. (I'll take the endzone angle over the wide shot for the lineman's highlight any day, etc.) It's a steady job, far from a 9-to-5 with benefits that many of my age group are desperately seeking, but it helps pay my bills and keeps me from working long, obsessive hours at the restaurant, which keeps me sane.

Meanwhile, as I started racking in large amounts of restaurant money, I realized that I needed to jumpstart myself in my career, or I would slowly go insane. On a whim, I signed up for Comedy Writing classes at Second City, something I'd been intrigued about doing ever since I started watching Monty Python in middle school. Turns out that, while fun, it's a lot of hard work. (No shit, Sherlock) However, when pursued with dedication and application of lessons learned, it can be done. And done well. I've got a great sketch about an animal rescue squad in my pocket to whip out at any time, now. Look out, T.V. writing, here I come!

In addition, I've joined the gym right next to Second City. I began tiring of my appearance in the mirror, an appearance that reflected my displeased state of inertia and one that was starting to type me out of many of the theatrical roles I truthfully wanted to play. After many weeks of hard work, I'm pleased to report that I've dropped at least 8 lbs. whilst gaining muscle and am working towards reaching the best shape I've been in since my senior year of college. Which is good, because I've also signed up to run in a 5K on Mother's Day, something I've dedicated to my mother's memory. My good friend Meryl will be running it with me as well - we've got something of a shared experience in the matter of losing loved family members to cancer, something I won't go into too much detail about here. I've never run something like this before, and while it's slightly nerve-wracking, it feels like a better use of my time than simply moping about as I've done in the past.

Speaking of better use of my time, one of the many events I auditioned for last fall was a scene showcase put on by the Women's Theatre Alliance. While my partner, Leigh, and I did not reach the final showcase, my headshot was requested by a director in attendance. Passing it along, I thought little else of it, getting carried away with everything else in my life. Flash forward to about a month ago, where I had just finished telling a friend that I was growing tired of acting, of the hustle and bustle, of constantly throwing myself out there only to be met with disappointment. All I'd felt that I needed was a chance, and I was tired of not getting it. I've always believed in things happening right when they're supposed to, but this just wasn't happening. Maybe I'd never act in this city. Maybe that would be it.

And then, it happened. I got an email from the director inviting me to a cold-read audition for a new play called "The Unscathed". It took every ounce of effort in my body to reply with a cordial, professional acceptance of the invite rather than something along the lines of "OH GOD OH GOD WHAT CAN I DO I WILL DO ANYTHING ANYTHING YOU ASK JUST PLEEEEEEASE LET ME HAVE A SINGLE PART PLEEEEEEEASE?!?!" Needless to say, I was offered the part of Jim, an ex-gunslinger turned sheriff in 1880's Wyoming, and Trevor, a British cattle-drover with a ruthless streak. The show opens May 2nd, and while I'm not exactly getting paid, I could care less - the show is fun, it's impacting work, and best of all, it's a show. (And I get to wear a tin star!)

Not everything in my life is perfect. I'm still waiting tables, something I swore I'd be done with by this point in my life. I'm older now than I ever thought I'd be. My apartment's ceiling is 6'2" (which is unfortunate when you're 6'2" tall). I'm still figuring out health insurance. I don't exactly have the best of career prospects lined up. I'm still figuring out how to manage a career and love life with any success.

On the other hand, I'm young and still learning how to get better at what I do. My website (a post on the Recorder will follow sometime soon) is growing stronger all the time, with more and more recognition from all across the web. I've got a Chicago show to add to my resume. I'm making money - slowly, but surely. I have the best circle of friends any guy could ever ask for. I have been down, but I have never been out - and you will not keep me down.

Cue: Chumbawumba.

Onward and upward.