Today is my last day "at the office"

When I was in college, my acting professor hung this quote on his bulletin board outside of his office. I was intrigued and he caught me reading it one day. He asked if I’d like a copy of it and next class he gave me a photo copy of the newspaper article from the LA Times.

I guess you’d have to know my acting teacher to know that it’s not ridiculous to think that perhaps he knew that this would be a quote that I would frequently revisit in my career for inspiration and guidance.

It is incredibly easy to make the choice to be a performer when you’re 21 and clearly have no way of understanding all the sacrifices that have to be made before you can even DREAM of making it in this business. My entire life, I have thought that as long as I had my craft I would be happy. I’m finally reaching a place in my life where I’m realizing that the normal life will not belong to me (and if it does, it will be a VERY long time). The fear is starting to set in that I may never have those things.

Right now, that’s what I am struggling with. Everyone my age is getting married and starting families. They own things… like houses and cars. That’s not the life that I chose to live… (like I said it was an easier decision back when I thought it would never be anything I desired), but I find some hope in David Ackert’s quote because I think the last line is the truth.

I guess at least I’ve grown this much… to think, the part I used to relate to most was the section regarding rejection. Ha… Two years of auditioning in New York will get you used to that.

So here it is- what is, in my opinion, one of the best quotes about acting.

"Actors are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime.

Every day, actors face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get "real" jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again.

Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every role, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life-the car, the family, the house, the nest egg.

But they stay true to their dream, in spite of the sacrifices. Why? Because actors are willing to give their entire lives to a moment—to that line, that laugh, that gesture, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul. Actors are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart.

In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes."

~David Ackert
LA Times

Not Gonna Cross The Line

A couple of years ago, I read a book called “The Year of Yes”. The basic premise of the book is that for an entire year, the author would say yes to everyone that asked her out. She dated everyone from plumbers to women. Many of my friends love this book. I was not a fan.

I have already had my year(s) of “yes” and do not intend to have another one. I frequently joke that I will not date anyone born above the Mason Dixon line. This is only a half-hearted joke, as the hopeless romantic in me can't help but believe that love has no rules; however, I do feel that men raised in the south (which is defined by the Mason Dixon line) have better manners and don’t feel quite as entitled as men raised in the north.

At a recent dinner party, my southern rule was discussed and most people were unaware of where exactly the Mason Dixon line fell…

That's What She Said

Love is patient, love is kind...

Usually, I like to keep my blogs funny and pleasant to read… but lately I've been thinking a lot about love and what exactly it is… and what it isn't...

When I first started thinking about this I was immediately reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Now most of you know I'm not here to preach the gospel, but no matter how you slice it – this is what love is kiddies. No matter what your faith (or lack thereof) this is what it is.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

As I read this… I thought about all the people and "friends" I have shared my life with that don't fit this "definition"… all the people in my life and a part of my past who haven't been kind to me, who have lied to me, who are easily angered and rude, and ABSOLUTELY keep record of the wrong things I've done. No one is perfect, but when a relationship can be defined as being the opposite of almost everything described above… what makes it so desirable?

We are limited to a certain number of days in this life. Those days are made up of a certain number of hours. What is it that makes me waste that valuable time on people who show me that they can't possibly really and truly love and care for my well-being? What is it about me that is incapable of cutting someone out of my life?

What Goes Around Comes Around

There once was a poor Scottish farmer named Fleming. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.
"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time?
Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name?
Sir Winston Churchill.

Dear Mr. Claus

December 19, 2007

Mr. Santa Claus
North Polar
P.O. Box 56099
North Pole, Alaska 99705-1099

Dear Mr. Claus:

I don't want a lot for Christmas. There is just one a few things I need. I have provided a very detailed list below in the hopes that this year there will be no confusion.

1. A lead role in a show I love.
You've been really good about this for the last few years. Let's keep up the good work.

2. An Equity Card.
I realize this is a new desire, but if you provide number 1, this should simply fall into place effortlessly and you may not even notice I got it. And it makes a great stocking stuffer.

3. A nice, handsome guy who doesn't want anything serious but would love to join me for dinner/coffee or whatever… and maybe do a little smoochin' AND meets the below criteria, which is non-negotiable.

- Orientation: Straight
-Age: > 24.
- Occupation: actors and musicians need not apply.
- Looks: identical or resembling those of David Wright.
- Education: must have a college degree and enjoy learning new things.

4. The ability to consume one of Jen's grilled cheese sandwiches everyday (ok, that's a little indulgent) once a week without gaining a single pound and manage to somehow look thinner.

Thank you so much for considering my wish list. I'm willing to have these gifts appear randomly throughout the year if need be. I'll have the peanut butter cookies waiting!!

Respectfully submitted,
Kristin

What I Know...

Yesterday, I turned 25. I know a litte...

1. Any man in my life will have to be accepted by the "other" man in my life, my father.
2. Money does not necessarily buy happiness… just less stress.
3. Don't fight below the belt. When you say something really hurtful in a fight, it's never completely forgotten.
4. A man is going to treat you how you allow him to treat you.
5. I really am allergic to fake jewelry (even cute necklaces)… that means I should stop trying to wear it.
6. The best friendships are the ones that you can "pick up like no time has passed".
7. Reading makes you smarter. Being smart is important.
8. I am determined to like sweet tea at some point in my life. I will taste it every year until I do.
9. Eventually we all end up liking the music we remember from our childhood.
10. I now know that my parents are always right… so I just ask them first.
11. Southern women are better. Period. Sorry.
12. No one is really as cool as they try to make themselves look on myspace. (As I prove my point).
13. Sometimes the only response is, "I'm sorry".
14. With every choice, there is always a moment where you have the opportunity to consider the consequences. "I didn't mean to" doesn't work anymore.
15. The mid-twenties metabolism shut down is not a myth.
16. There is no substitute for good old fashioned snail mail.
17. He's an ex for a reason.
18. Marriage is not for everyone… and that's okay.
19. You can't make plans for the future. You miss out on possibilities.
20. My friends are the coolest people in New York.
21. Personally, think of others first. Professionally, cover your ass.
22. I should not be surprised that I am broke. I signed up for financial insecurity when I chose to follow my dream and there is nothing I can do about it.
23. Excuses are only good to the people who use them.
24. Text messaging is not a means of courtship
25. Dogs like bones, men like meat.