FOCUS!!!

Geeze, its been a crazy December.

I'm really blessed to work in NY Theatre, even if its Front of House instead of onstage (Patience... Patience), but MAN December is CRAZY!

Sold out houses, energized and sugar infused tourists, and work.

Work, Work, Work!

Sometimes, .... Ok, Every December, I miss the Holiday of my childhood. Christmas break, cookies, tree trimming, more cookies, and the ability to actually enjoy the aura of the holiday season.

Working on Broadway during December means very little of the above. Actually, I don't think I've had a cookie this season (Nicole, where is your care package?!?!? Dumb USPS!!).  I was blessed for the first time in 4 years to visit my family for Christmas Eve AND Christmas day (till 10AM at least) and enjoyed the stab of nostalgia that 31 hours can provide (That and our annual game of "Twilight - Scene It" with my (now) brother-in-law & younger sisters... Why isn't it "Clue?!?").

But, sadly, in this craziness, I've been slightly derailed.

Nothing permanent. Just the pause button for a really good movie.

So, now that Broadway is in it's inevitable slow down till March/April, its ME TIME! Time to get back in the swing of things. Time to focus on what I want. Time to be true to myself.

I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. I believe in goals and attainable challenges.

So, I'm setting some for myself.  I'll keep you posted. ;-)

Here's to to Success and Prosperity in the new year.

We all deserve it.

A Toast to Friendship

A good friend is a sounding board for you when life sends you a speed bump that slows you down and even more so when a wrecking ball decides to give you a window to the outside world where you previously had a enclosed apartment.

(But, hey, we need more natural light, right?!?)

They help save you from doing something stupid OR are there in the cop car with you going "Damn, that was fun!"

They know you through the ages, through trials, tribulations and headaches. Through first loves and their break up. Through fashion disasters that only a true friend will state the magnitude of to your face. Through children, long absences and recessions. Through Sci Fi & Chick Flicks. Through Peanut allergies and emergency room visits. Through mood swings and PMS (No, boys, they are not one in the same). Through everything, they are there.

We are truly blessed if we find one person like this.  Overwhelmed with riches if we find two.  And kidding ourselves if we think we have three.

So, in dealing with life, love & what I wore (yep, I "borrowed" that one!), I say thank you to those who have stuck by.  I am truly grateful and blessed to have you in my life.

M

Justifying the Struggle

Very often someone will make the statement "Your smart and educated. Get a real job and make money!" 

Oh, this is the economic climate to answer that one! 

Every day, even as we slowly move out of the long lasting and painful recession, we are faced with more people than ever losing not only their jobs but the financial security they struggled so hard to obtain for themselves and their family. In one moment, people are wiped clean of savings, investments, careers, and security.  

If their stories aren't the perfect economic lesson as to why I should trudge forth and pursue my dreams, then I don't know if there is one. 

In a way, by not experiencing economic wealth as an adult, I am blessed with the perfect spring board to move forward. Since my standard of living is low, it can only get better.  I do not have to worry as much about maintaining a style of living/a family since I can easily replace my current income with any number of low paying but readily available jobs.  

I do dream of the day when I have my own home, my own car, have a family, and a weekend that will be entirely mine (just maybe not in that order ;-) ). But I am willing to wait until my career is has gained more stability to pursue those ends. 

Ironically, these dark economic times are the perfect justification to following your dreams.