Always Lock It Up!

I went to work and lost $50... aren't you supposed to walk away from work having earned a profit (unless you work on Wall Street). Ironically, the place where I'm supposed to earn my living became the place I lost it. I failed to re-lock my locker at work after brushing my teeth after my lunch break (this is my reward for dental hygiene). I did not discover this until I was leaving work and returned to the locker room and stopped in my tracks at the sight of my unlocked locker.
Upon opening my locker everything looked normal, my bag in the same spot I had set it in this morning, and of course I reached for my wallet first, opened it up and saw no cash inside. For a moment I searched my memory- maybe I didn't bring cash, maybe I had spent it all commuting home last night- but then I remembered I had bought myself breakfast this morning with cash and there was plenty left in my wallet, which was now gone.
Strange, I thought I'd get robbed in my neighborhood in Harlem and where does it end up happening? At work. I've got a couple ideas about how to catch the thief. Will keep you posted if I apprehend the culprit!

Never Make Plans

A truly enchanted day from start to finish!

Starting with sleeping in (a rarity in my life) and a lazy morning. The only thing missing was a cup of coffee, but I have no coffee table or chair or couch or anything, for that matter, so maybe the lack of a coffee pot is fortunate! (I hope Santa will help with the aforementioned need for furniture).

I decided to make use of my wide open day and try for some tickets to "The Merchant of Venice", starring Al Pacino. Now, for that faithful half dozen of you who read my ramblings regularly, you may recall an extraordinary evening this summer when I was privy to this performance in Central Park. It was such a success that it has been moved to Broadway for a limited run, and is one of the hottest tickets in town [i hate that phrase, don't know why i used it].

Its a particularly chilly day in Manhattan and not too many folks are generally aware of matinee performances, so I thought I had a good shot. After I put my name in for the lottery [i've explained the Broadway lottery in previous posts, so please revisit those for reference] and as I patiently waited for the drawing I overheard a British woman (I love the British accent, so I'm just naturally drawn to listen) with her two sons wondering what would happen if one of them was called and they only would receive one ticket. Let this be a lesson to any solo-theatre-goers out there, if you put in for the lottery ALWAYS request 2 tickets. You find another loner in the crowd and make a deal that if you or they are called, you give the other ticket to them. Just increases the chances. So I politely interject that if I was called, I'd happily give them one of my tickets. As fate would have it, two of their names were called so I got a ticket! YES!!!

Little did I know I was about to sit next to one of the most interesting, randomly met, talented stranger-now-friend I've encountered here in NYC! Time for the cliche: this is why I love NY! Come to find out she is friends with a gentleman in the show, so she and her boys got to go back stage before and after the show, met Al (yes, i'm totally jealous), AND she is doing a show at BAM right now, as in a few hours later!

Naturally between obtaining a ticket and the start of the performance, I used my time wisely, albeit creepily, to google her and learn all I could! Ha! So with Starbucks in hand, I parked myself in the lobby at the Marriott Marquis (don't worry other people were doing it too) and researched my theatre-buddy. May have appeared slightly odd when I showed up at the theatre and knew her resume, but I just think its preparedness! We had lovely chats in between being awed and enraptured by the performances on stage.

*Quick note: Although this post isn't about the show, it was wonderful. Pacino is riveting, Lily Rabe was delightful- different from the summer, but still divine, and the rest of the cast deserves more praise than I am writing now. It was such a clear, precise delivery of Shakespeare that I was NEVER lost and that is saying a lot b/c some days I'm not so quick. Really really lovely!

Back to me though, so after the show we are heading out. Well, I am heading out, they are heading to the dressing rooms. Anyway, I give her my number b/c she is going to check on ticket availability for her show, but is skeptical as it is a sold-out run but we can always hope, right? I leave already loving my day and reveling in such a delightful surprise in flying solo at the theatre only to be met by such an interesting family. I always have loved English folks!

So, not long after I receive a message that there is one ticket left. I call her back and make the arrangements to pick it up. The one seat left, isn't exactly a seat as much as a half chair seated on the stage. Just the back to support you and sitting on a little cushion. It was brilliant actually because I was loving the fact that I was on stage at the BAM Harvey Theater, where a year before I had seen Cate Blanchett do "A Streetcar Named Desire" and previously "As You Like It", two shows I enjoyed immensely.

"Metamorphosis" played out so interestingly! One of the most unique and physical stagings I've ever seen of a play. So creative and stylized. I absolutely loved it. The whole cast was wonderful and I so enjoyed myself. (sorry if it seems i'm gushing over this, but it has been such a special day and i'm still overwhelmed by it... and i take my apology back, i'm not sorry!) I got to go backstage, which is only the second time that has happened in NY, and I got to walk past all these signed posters from shows, and I wish I could linger a bit but I know I'd get lost so I had to keep up with the girl escorting me down. I chatted briefly with my friend, who jokingly referred to herself as my fairy godmother for the theater. She said she'd just escort me all over the City just getting me in to shows. You know what, I'll take it! A theater fairy godmother... yes please!

I headed home grinning ear-to-ear feeling so utterly content with the happy chaos of my life!

p.s. My new friend's name is Kelly Hunter, so check her out, become a fan and come see her when she is back in New York in a few months to perform some Shakespeare herself! She's wonderful!!!

Kiss 'n Fly

JFK Airport, one of the gateways in to New York City and one of the gateways out.

A very economical way to JFK includes taking the A train ($2.25) and hopping on the SkyTrain totaling ($5). This may not seem like much compared to the flat rate for a cab from Manhattan at $45, but an extra $5 just to say goodbye closer to the plane seems like a waste of money to many.

I recently bid farewell to a dear friend who'd been out for a visit. And as he passed thru the SkyTrain gate, I glanced around. By the window a couple were sharing tearful goodbyes. Across from me two young people just held each other. One staying and one going but neither willing to pay the extra $5 to spend a few more moments together.

The parting is inevitable and in New York the most privacy you can hope for is a corner in a bustling public transit station. Privacy can be achieved if you forget everything around you and focus on the person in your arms. I left the sweet scene when the A train showed up and I slipped back into the City.

You Can See So Much More If You Run

With an island the size of Manhattan, its quite easy to see several parts of the City quickly.

My mission this particular evening entailed a 4-5 mile run and acquiring a copy of the Brian Friel play "Dancing in Lughnasa". It's an Irish play set in Donegal in the mid 1940's. The plan was to run along the Hudson up from 42nd street, where I'd just seen "The Town" (great movie, btw) and then make it back to the Drama Bookshop on 40th street before they closed.

I've never run up that way, so it was all discovery for me. I love that NY has so much to continually discover. I think the theme of my week for sure! Anyway, the sun was setting and it was just magical. I'd put together a pretty amazing playlist as well, so the run was incredibly pleasant!

I was somewhere up in the 80's when I decided I should look up when the Drama Bookshop closes. The close at 7 p.m. on Fridays and it was 6:15 p.m. I laughed at myself for a minute then began to run very quickly back down to 40th street. Even though I hit every avenue light, I made it with 10 minutes to spare! But they were sold out of the play and will be expecting a shipment Monday! Fantastic!

And so my mission continued to Barnes and Noble on 5th avenue at 46th street. Sadly, they too were out (I bet they don't ever have it) but she said the 66th street store would have it. I just extended my jog a little further only to arrive at another shop without any plays in stock.

I surrendered for the evening, but decided to take advantage of being in that gorgeous part of town and strolled through the Lincoln Center Plaza. The NY Philharmonics and NYC Ballet flanking me as I approached a fountain and looking beyond to the Metropolitan Opera. This is the center of fine arts in NYC and I love it!

Tomorrow I will find the play...

A New Chapter

Welcome Back Everyone!

After my annual hiatus from the City, life has once again resumed in NYC. My training has concluded as Esper and I embark on a new venture here... trying to work as an actor. I have sought advice from every source available to me about where to seek auditions, how to arrange my resume, etc. The questions are endless and so are the ways of approaching this business. Luckily, I cannot do anything to guarantee success except be unprepared. Why do I say 'luckily'? I'm off the hook! Nothing in me doubts what I am doing presently, I know deep within me I am exactly where I should be, faithfully following a path unknown to me. It's liberating and exciting! I think this is how we're meant to live.

I'll describe yesterday for a more complete example of my life now on days when I don't have to work. First thing, I checked emails/casting notices. I submitted to the projects I was right for and hope maybe one of them will respond. "The first job is always the hardest to get" my acting teacher always told us, because a lot of us don't have much of a resume, so they'd be taking a chance on us. And so I submit and submit and submit...

Now a beautiful gift from God landed in my mailbox the previous evening, and I'd been stalling on making a very important phone call. Through a divine connection, I am now on the radar of a casting director in New York whom I would not know on my own merit for a while, if ever. Just to bring everyone up to speed, casting directors are the middle man to help find the actors the directors/producers are looking for to fill their cast. The more actors they know, the better their chances are to fill the role with the perfect person and then be the best at their job. So to meet as many casting directors as possible and build great relationships with them is kind of essential to my future! I make the phone call and set up a meeting next week. Woohoo!

Busting from nervous energy, I decide to enjoy the continuing glorious weather that is gracing us presently and go for a jog in Central Park. Beautiful afternoon, no so beautiful run. My slothfulness over the past couple months has robbed me of both lungs and muscle. Its never fun getting back into shape. Anyway, back home on the train and grabbing lunch (my first food of the day... maybe that contributed to the difficulty of my run). Quick chat with the roommate, hopped in the shower, and checked my email once more and found another gift!

I've become a member of TheaterMania and I recommend everyone to look it up. For an annual fee, I receive discounts on many Broadway/Off-Broadway and other theater plus free tickets pop up constantly! So yesterday one came up for "Mrs. Warren's Profession" playing on Broadway, which is a Shaw play and one I wanted to see. So I decided to go! I dressed and made my way into the City to pick up the tickets!

On my way to find a bit of food for dinner I decided to stroll east on 43rd street toward Bryant Park (my fav park) and happened upon the marquee lighting for the new Stephen Sondheim theater. Lots of cameras, people, and on stage was the man himself, along with Patti LuPone and Nathan Lane. Maybe I'll perform in there someday.

I made it to Bryant Park and a fall festival of music takes place this week. The Met Opera gave a mini-concert. So I grabbed some soup and sat to listen. Beautiful. After I met my dear friend, Jacob, and we went to the theater for the show. A slightly depressing play, well acted, but one that leaves the audience melancholy and tired. I don't think its going to last long. Not really for a Broadway audience, in my humble opinion.

Being the old, tired, physically exhausted folks that we are, we both yawned our way home on the subway. As I arrive back to my room and prepare for bed, I check my email one more time and another gift. One of the jobs I submitted for has replied to set up an audition for Friday. Que suerte!

So this is my life now!

If You Rain on Us, Do We Not Get Wet

What would you wait for? What would you sweat for? What would you pay for? What would you cling to hope for, enduring a 6 hour line followed by a deluge?! For me, tonight, it was Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice...

Imagine the feeling of a bathroom after you've taken a steaming hot shower. The air is thick, moist, hot and we-just-sit-in-it! Arriving in pieces to the stand-by line outside the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, we sit on a hope and a prayer (and gravel) waiting for the possibility of snagging a ticket to one of the final performances of the summer's Shakespeare in Central Park.

In total we are seven, probably sitting a good 50 people from the front of the line. Now this line will only receive tickets after the folks with vouchers (some of whom camped out over night) get their tickets, who won't receive tickets until extra tickets are distributed by the box office. Basically, our chances are slim but we're optimistic people. We are actors after all, we live on the possibility of 'what if'! Anyway, knowing all this a pair of fellows walk by offering to sell tickets to the show. Now, you should know that the homeless folks in NYC are quite clever. Some camp out in the line over night, cause why not, and then receive tickets in the morning. Later in the day they sell them to people desperate to see the show and viola! make a little money! Genius! My friend and I perk up and inquire to the amount. $10 he says! After close inspection of the tickets (and assuming, based on appearance, that these guys wouldn't have the means to create fake tickets and then only sell them for ten bucks) we decided to purchase the 4 tickets they held. The seats were in the back row, so we opted to stay in the line to see if we could do better. Never satisfied!

The day continued to drag on but with enough snacks, good company and funny stories the day ended up flying by. Eventually we had purchased enough tickets for the group to be guaranteed a seat. Some were still skeptical about the validity of the tickets but once it became evident that we weren't going to get a ticket in the stand-by line and they were making last calls for anyone with a ticket, we jumped out of line and ran to our seats!

Now I should preface this next section by telling you that the forecast for the evening was heavy/severe thunderstorms with a chance of hail and a tornado watch! Am I back in Texas?! As we sit there is a slight breeze in the air but I am praying that the weather will hold. The play begins and Pacino is fabulous! We make it to the scene where Shylock is approached by Bassanio and Antonio for infamous loan (that whole pound of flesh bit) and the wind has picked up considerably. A gust of wind blows several leaves on the stage and the crowd begins to stir uncomfortably in their seats. A slight spitting kind of rain descends from above but the players go on. I draw my eyes to the sky and my heart drops at the sight of a wall cloud dividing the heavens and moving across to cover us. Then the rain comes... and comes... heavier... and heavier! The players abandon the stage, which is good cause eventually the wind knocks over the sets! The crew scrambles to cover the props as the audiences scrambles to take shelter. Those of us buried in the middle of our row remain stagnant huddling under a pitiful umbrella I may have borrowed from work. With every umbrella-breaking gust of wind, we'd all scream and cheer in defiance!! We WILL stay in our seats and see this show that we waited all afternoon for! One of the most amazing acts of nature I've encountered that closely!

For 35 minutes I bounced back-and-forth between hope and despair, never truly believing the performance would be canceled (little did I know the actors were down below taking off their costumes). The rain slowed bringing forth cries of victory, and as it stopped many of us stood proudly as though we had endured a great battle! Then we swiftly moved down to abandoned seats much closer! As the crew reset the stage, the weaker, more timid theater-goers emerged from their haven under the stands all nice and dry. Honestly, the shower was welcomed after spending several hours in the sweaty heat!

"Three thousand ducats!" and as Pacino delivered the line, the audience erupted. We loved them for coming back on stage and they loved us for staying. The rest of the performance fell under the gaze of the waning moon and ended somewhere around midnight. Portia was exquisite, Pacino played Shylock brilliantly and any issue I may have quibbled over on any other night was forgiven because it was performed. I loved every moment of it because it felt like a gift!

Montauk Triathlon

4:45 a.m. Is that my alarm? Where am I? Oh Yeah! I'm in East Hampton at David's House (a.k.a. my dream home) and Ana is asleep in the next bed! Thank God I wore my race clothes to bed.

4:55 a.m. No one will care if I steal one piece of oat bread. Should I eat anything else? No, Ironman Archer and wife advised me not to do anything out of the ordinary, which really means no breakfast at all.

5:05 a.m. "Morning David (a.k.a. "coach"/chauffeur/camera man/hero) Thanks again for getting up incredibly early to drive me out to Montauk", while Krissy and Ana (my best friends) sleep in.

5:58 a.m. Where do we go? Should we drop off the bike or the run stuff first. The directions aren't the best. I have no idea what I'm doing. "Oh ok just in here. This must be the second transition point from bike to run. Let me get my run gear stuff ready." Wait, I don't really have any run gear. I'll put the Texas A&M rally towel in my spot to make me smile, cause I think I'll be dying at this point in the race.

6:18 a.m. This is such a long walk. I feel bad for making David come all the way out here. Its such an early morning, but the sunrise is beautiful. So glad to have someone here with me. I have no idea how I'm going to feel during this race. I know I'll get thru it, I just hope I've got some dignity doing it!

6:30 a.m. Ok, so I'll set up my bike like they did. Just hang it? Like that? Huh, cool. Lay out the towel, my shirt, my shoes, socks, helmet, snack, water bottle. Got it. They just announced its 6:30! Ah! I should get to the beach, right? I love that David is here. He is a very calming presence that quietly supports me. This line for this disgusting clogged bathroom is full of 'chatty kathys'. All these women who know each other and are relaxed. I'm dying to talk to someone who is about to race. I really wish I had someone racing with me. I'm surprisingly chipper. Wonder what my heart rate is at right now. Where is David? Ah yes, he's right there. Patiently waiting. A blessing, that one.

6:40 a.m. David just gave me a pep talk. He he! Glad I could laugh before the start. Hope the girls are here when I get back to the shore. I can't believe I'm walking down the beach to swim all this way back! Whoa, look at how huge that dog's head is! Ok, so I'm more than half way finished when I see the camper on the beach with the dog with the giant head. What is that? A St. Bernard? This is kinda far down here. Hmmm, what should I do? Some people are in the water, I should probably at least feel it. AHH!! So cold!!! Ok, now I definitely have to get all the way in, so the start isn't a shock. I'll just sit in the water until everyone else gets out too. Lots of wetsuits out here. Still don't think I need one. I'm not that hard core.

6:55 a.m. Ok, so we just had to get out. Wonder what a 'water start' means. I need to connect with someone here. Must reach out. Oh, he just said it was his first tri. "Its your first one? Mine too. I'm a little nervous. Hi, TJ, I'm Erin. Pat, nice to meet you too." Ok, two names. That kinda grounded me. Oh geez, the Elite group is swimming out. That's what a water start means. Ok, so no bounding into the water. There they go. Oh my goodness, we can get in the water now. Ok, well its about to begin. I wonder how long this will take me. 'Just swim my race. Don't get overexcited and tire myself out. Slow and steady. Just finish.' Oh! He's counting down from 10. Where is the American flag for the turn to shore? I see it... barely.

The race begins for #69 from Texas. I didn't want to discriminate so I incorporated all strokes into my half mile swim: free style, breast stroke, back stroke, doggy paddle, side stroke (strongest one actually). Under the keen eye of the local lifeguards and staff I managed to struggle my way through the murky salt water. Forgot it was going to be salt water until I got a mouth full! BLAH!! Before leaving NYC, I read up on Montauk a bit and discovered the character of the captain in JAWS was based on a shark hunter from Montauk. Great shark hunting off these beaches. Excellent! This helps to fuel my paranoia about losing a limb or a good chunk of myself in the ocean to an unseen creature and here I am voluntarily splashing around, which you're not supposed to do when there are sharks, right? Its like subconsciously I want to give a little nibble. I press on, and focus my attention on the swimmer with the blue wetsuit. Her form is solid and yet I'm keeping pace with her. Ok, stay with blue back. Keep up with her. That is the goal. Eventually overtake her, cause lets face it, you're always saving a little for the end. And a couple buoys before the turn to shore, I passed her! Thats right! I am Ariel! The sea is my home! Can't wait to leave it!

Ok, gotta swim all the way in just to save face. Ah! LAND! Ugh... sand! Not so easy to run in. Ok, lets jog up to the bike. Yeah right. Not happening. Ok, wipe the feet as best we can. Geared up, got the helmet, snack, chug some agua, shirt... ready. My camera man tried to grab a pic of me before I peddled away. Wonder if he got it. Wonder how long it takes to bike 14 miles. I don't even have a ballpark of an idea. Ah well! Apparently, you just keep moving your legs the whole stinkin' time! I was hoping for a little rest on the bike, but somehow failed to ever stop moving my legs for this "rest". I did love the bike part though. If I tried to capture all the things I thought about on that ride, this would go on forever. Its incredible where the mind goes when the body is active. Just an idea, I rehearsed my Shakespeare monologue in several accents, took note of some properties for sale, waved at the locals on their lawns, high-fived a couple cops, chatted with a few fellow racers, ate half a fruit bar then decided I didn't really even want it, took note of the ages of all the folks passing me (they wrote our age on our lower leg). Everyone seemed so intense during the race. Granted some were Olympians but was anyone else doing this for fun? I wonder if I'd trained more I might have been more intense... nah, its not my personality! Its all about F-U-N!

The last 15 min of the bike included a gigantic hill! Luckily there was a dude at the top cheering us on. Definitely gave him a big ole high five! Then it was transition #2. Found my spot, hung the bike, left the helmet and started jogging out to the course. Now I see the girls! Ana and Krissy cheering on #69 as she loosely jogs down the hill and on for the 3 mile run. Once I'm out of their sight and any other spectator, it becomes me and my head again. Maybe the longest mile of my whole life! My legs weighed 100 lbs each at that point. Race tip: stand up on the bike for the last little bit to get your legs moving more like a run. The transition will be easier Definitely the hardest part of the race. My body would not move faster. My lungs were doing their job very efficiently, but my poor legs were ready to be done. Just keep running, just keep running. I took four 10 second walk breaks. I was told I have a nice smile- still enjoying this.

Ok, second to last water stop, no more walking. Finish the race with style. Pose for the camera. Round the corner to the bottom of the hill. I see the lighthouse. I see the finish. Hey, this is almost the exact same incline and length as the street I grew up on back home in Texas. Perfect. I know how to push thru this! All the way up. Use the crowd. Oh, I hear the girls. Almost there! Did they just say 'representing Astoria'? How lame! I should have put Texas on my registration. That would have sounded much cooler running through the finish! Wow! I made it!

*for more photos, check the facebook page!

Out of 700 registered racers, I placed 406th overall, 120th among women, and 12th in my division (women under 34 yrs) with a time of 1 hour, 49 minutes, 35 seconds...
thank you very much!

My Typical Evening in New York

Upon returning home from a long day of serving lattes and iced espressos to the tourists brunching in TriBeCa, desperately hoping to spot a celeb (pssss... they're all out of town), I returned home to take a little cat nap before a potential subletter stops by. Thats right, I'm vacating the City for August! Some much needed time apart is quickly approaching, which means I need to find a stranger that will not steal things, to basically pay rent for me while I'm away.

I'm shortly off to do a bit of training for my triathlon around dusk, cause its my favorite time to run in Central Park. The fireflies are floating around, the temperature has reached a tolerable level and things quiet down a bit. I paused my run to view a tango dance party at the south end of the literary walk (the famous wide pathway with all the trees over it). The tango is such a sensual dance. I love it!

As always, I ran by the Shakespeare in the Park and as I reached Belvedere Castle I heard them call for Shylock, which meant they were doing Merchant of Venice, which meant Al Pacino had just entered the scene. I stayed and listened to it for while despite having a tiny peak at the stage through the trees. Don't worry, I will do the whole come before dawn and sit in line waiting for the free tickets... and then tell you about it.

On the way home, while waiting for the train at the end of my run, a voice comes over the speaker announcing that, "Due to a police investigation, service on the N train has been cancelled" WHAT? You can't just cancel service!!! Ah! Several trains later I find myself walking toward my house on my street! Thank Heaven!

Quick Update

Ok Ok I've been absolutely terrible about writing! Somehow at the conclusion of my time at the Esper Studio I've become increasingly busier, when I thought I might have more free time. That is the nature of NYC, and myself. If suddenly more time is available, it will be filled beyond capacity. No excuse though. Apologies (I'm apologizing to myself as much as you)

Now, quick update: The last day of Esper I began a new class at Atlantic Theater Company for monologues with Karen Kohlhaas, who was just voted best monologue instructor here! Not too shabby, I think! Anyway, the class was fabulous and I learned a ton, plus it was nice to know that I can in fact act outside of the world I've known for the past two years at the Esper Studio. Slowly taking baby-steps into the great big world of NYC and the millions of actors that inhabit it!
Currently, I am back at Esper Studio studying Shakespeare with the studio's namesake, Bill Esper, and Nancy Mayans, who has been my voice teacher the past 2 years. Its an incredible class and has only increased my appreciation and desire to perform Shakespeare. Speaking of, Al Pacino is currently doing Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice" in Central Park this summer, so be looking for an entry about how we camped out to get tickets for this free but terribly popular event!
Also on the horizon I am competing (although maybe competing is an overly ambitious word) in a sprint triathlon in Montauk on the 18th! You might be thinking, "Wow, I didn't know you were a triathlete" and I'm not. Signed up for fun and that is precisely what I plan on experiencing, probably along with a little pain and fatigue. Going to start training the swim part today and find a place to air up to tires on the bike I'm going to use! I got 10 days! Wish me luck!

A Couple of Goodbyes

Two major parts of my life have reached their conclusion, and within two days of each other. Now, those that know me, know I do not watch television apart from one show... LOST. (you may roll your eyes now, and I don't care)

One of best character shows on television presented the 2.5 hour finale on Sunday night and it was the most satisfying ending I could have hoped for. I cried probably 7 times, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Over the course of 6 seasons, the writers developed characters and relationships that I cared for so deeply, and in the finale were all brought back together in such a clever, beautiful way. I mean, Charlie and Clare, I could cry now if I thought about it too long! I also think about the community I found with the show. Its amazing how a television show can bring people together. Lost nights started in college as "hot dog night", with my best friend Blair cooking up 2 dozen hot dogs and we'd see how many we could eat (the record was 9... with the bun). Over the years my viewing group changed, sometimes it was alone. My family joined in on the fun! And in NY, its such an immediate way to connect with strangers if you somehow stumble upon the fact that you are both Lost fans. Instant kinship. And Sunday night the journey concluded at my amazing friend, Ana's home. Surrounded by dear friends, munching on a much healthier dinner of zucchini pasta with raw pesto sauce, we cried our way through to the end of a 6 year relationship with several dear friends. So, Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sayid, Hurley, Charlie, Clare, Locke, Sun and Jin and everyone else... miss you already!

The other, more tangible (and some might argue more relevant) conclusion would be my training at the William Esper Studio. Tuesday marked the final day of the two-year acting program, under the tutelage of Suzanne Esper. I cannot describe the transformation that has occurred in me in the past 24 months. It'd be too long to read and I don't want to write that much! Know this, my curiosity of the world exploded to a massive scope. Such a grand statement, I know, but it's the fascination of an actor. I told my buddy, Bob, the other day, the more I learn the more I realize I have to learn... but I love it! Sanford Meisner said it takes 20 years to train an actor. Well, 2 down, 18 to go!

LaVerne Nelson

One year ago, I was sitting in a hospital room with my dear, sweet grandmother (Gram). I'd flown to Dallas then driven to Waco straight to the hospital. My sister and I stayed the night. I'll never forget looking into her sweet eyes and although she could not speak, the look of recognition staring back at me said it all.
My Gram always had a plate of brownies waiting for me when I would stop by on my way home from college. Her home served as the perfect bathroom break/stretching stop between Austin and Dallas. She used to leave the funniest messages on my voicemail. I don't think she ever got the concept because she would basically have a one-sided conversation with me, complete with questions that would just hang in the air. I miss those.
I think we became the closest when I spent one year coaching basketball in a town just outside of San Antonio. It was a very lonely year for me, and due to the fact that I was working two jobs and lived 5 hours from Dallas, my closest "home" was Waco and Gram's house. I tried new recipes with her and she told me old stories from her past. I miss those weekends too.
Today and every Cinco de Mayo from here on out will always be a bittersweet day of memory.

The annual Tribeca Film Festival began this past Wednesday! Super exciting for myself, since I work down in that neighborhood! Loads of celebs out and about with the paparazzi close on their heels.

Now, my place of employment just happens to be next door to Tribeca Film, which has turned a bit into their "office" for lunch meetings. However, they were kind enough to bring over some tickets to the international premiere of a film "My Own Love Song", starring Forest Whitaker and Renee Zellweger, directed by Olivier Dahan (La Vie En Rose). I received my tickets that afternoon and spent the remainder of the day trying to find someone who was free at 9:30 p.m. to see a late movie, a task that proved much more difficult than one might think. My Danish friend Tue answered my call!

To my surprise, this was an event! Red carpet, photographers, and all! I was 10 feet from the stars. Its funny how interesting it is to watch them talk to interviewers. I'm not sure if that's because I'm an actor and am fascinated by behavior, or if the spectacle itself is just that intriguing. Anyway, coming in we walked on the red carpet for about 20 yards. And I rocked my flip-flops all the way!

The film received a good reception. Some liked it much more than others. I liked parts, but as a whole I didn't love it. Or maybe as a whole I like it and parts I didn't. Hows that for vague! It certainly dragged in parts cause I got very tired. After the film, Forest Whitaker and Olivier Dahan stayed for a Q&A. And then Tue and I savored our exit on the red carpet, taking tiny baby-steps on the last few feet.

One day...

Next Fall

Yeah, Erin got to see theatre... for free!!! It's all about who you know (such a redundant, cliche, spot-on statement)

Anyway, back to theatre, I attended the play Next Fall this evening. Story: Individual characters arrive one-by-one to a hospital waiting room. We come to find out "Luke" is in a coma from being hit by a taxi. Present are his father and mother, no longer married and definitely characters; his religious, Bible-toting, estranged friend; his boss who refers to herself as a "fag-hag"; and his boyfriend. However, his parents do not know he is gay and has been living with his boyfriend for 4 years.

The play jumps back and forth, slowly revealing to the audience the relationship these two men shared. The incredibly intriguing element was that "Luke" was a Christian. The play approached the delicate subject matter tactfully and respectfully, I thought, by approaching it from all angles and presenting varying opinions and struggles of a couple with very different religious beliefs directly dealing with their lifestyle choices.

At intermission, my friend leaned over to me and said, "I have a feeling this is going to get very sad." And it did. I heard audible sobs from the theatre and will openly admit I cried... more than once. A very touching play that stayed with me on the subway ride home and made me keep my eyes open long enough to write this. Good nite!

Spring Break Still Exists!!!

Well, to some degree. For us adults, Spring Break simply comes and goes with little disruption. However, since I'm "back in school" (yes, acting school counts), I return to the reverie of a week in mid-March designated for rest, relaxation and travel. But, still maintaining my adulthood, all the thrilling, irresponsible "me"-time was squished into 24 hours! Maybe the best 24 hours of this decade!

My getaway took place in a little place out on Long Island called, East Hampton. As in "THE HAMPTONS", as in "the place people from the City 'summer' during the hot months", as in... ok I can't think of anything else. We took a late train out and didn't arrive until 11 p.m. so not much going on that evening except a quick tour of the house (nothing quick about this four-story home) and off to bed. It wasn't until the morning that I realized I had discovered my dream house. I didn't even know I had a dream house until I really took it all in. Please view below...



ERiN'S DREAM HOUSE





Let me just take this moment to say, I have never in my life wished for great wealth or possessions or whatever, but I would LOVE to own this house. The size is grand, but even walking the empty halls I couldn't help but imagine it full. Maybe its because I come from a family of 8 and although there are quiet moments in our home, you never feel alone even when you are there by yourself. That is precisely how I felt the morning I spent there.

This "Sleeping Beauty" (as I was called in my friend's note they left me) slept so late they went into town to get the ingredients for our breakfast and left me in my slumber. Another epiphany on my little jaunt, I don't sleep particularly well in NYC (shocker). I had a couple hours of solitude in my new home to explore, and I spent most of that outdoors. Part of its allure is the massive yard surrounding the house! Perfect for football, soccer, tag, croquet, anything! And great trees as well, which I successfully climbed, thank you very much!

When my friends returned we cooked a wonderful brunch, ate, chatted, played in the yard, walked on the beach (which was only 5 minutes away), cooked an amazing dinner with fresh fish caught that day, and ended the day watching Lost on the HD movie theater screen while eating fresh baked cookies. Paradise? I think yes!

Sadly that is where I had to catch the 11 p.m. train back to the City, but I could not have planned a better 24 hour get-away!

Sleepy Hollow

Yes, as in "The Legend of..." A couple friends from class decided we should rent a car and go visit the famous little village. Only 25 miles from Manhattan, Sleepy Hollow provided every bit of pulse-quickening eeriness that we had hoped for... even the McDonald's was creepy!

Let me explain just a little bit, at present we are working on monologues in our acting class based in a small town. Just about every acting program in the country uses Spoon River Anthology at some point. Each page holds the last thought, confession, profession, raving, love note of members of this small town. Its their last chance to speak before resting forever. Our instructor always says, "If you opened up the casket, what would you get from them."

So, as "research" we decided to trek up north and visit this small town, at night of course. And where better than the Old Dutch Church Cemetery to really get the feel of the work. Classic formula for killer-slasher-horror film, luckily we all survived! Oh, sorry, I gave away the ending!
We also spent a good chunk of time playing with a camera. We discovered we can look very ghost-like by increasing the exposure. Hopefully I can post some of those pictures soon!

I count the trip a total success! We were a little bleary-eyed for class the next morning, but completely worth it and I think Suzanne would actually appreciate our... dedication.

Goodbye February!

And good riddance!

February is quickly becoming my least favorite month of the year. I am not alone in my loathing (yes, I've jumped to loathing). The holidays are over, Valentine's Day does not count, especially when you're surrounded by a bunch of jaded New Yorkers who work in the service industry! The cold increases and more "wintery mix" delays the MTA and... well... life in general. Everyone walks around with their heads tucked down. And when it snows at work, it becomes hard even to enjoy the sensation that I'm inside a snow globe, because its tainted by the knowledge that my shift will end and I forgot my snow boots!

The one redeeming thing for this February was the Winter Olympics in Vancouver! Thank goodness February is the shortest month of the year!

Does it sound like I need a vacation?

"As You Like It"

When paying $11 for a ticket to the theatre, one might expect an $11 performance. Luckily, that was not the case at all! Brooklyn Academy of Music's (BAM) 2nd year of The Bridge Project brings "As You Like It" and "The Tempest" to New York. The Bridge Project is a three-year, transatlantic partnership uniting BAM, The Old Vic, and Neal Street Productions. Last year was "The Cherry Orchard" and "A Winter's Tale".

Again, student-rush tickets make theatre possible! Orchestra seating provided an excellent view of this talented performance. Its wonderful to experience a Shakespeare play for the first time when performed by well-trained actors on a professional stage. The young actress playing Rosalind was absolutely delightful. So charming and enjoyable to watch. The actor as Orlando seemed a bit distant for my liking and his voice was so airy I never felt his strength. Overall, the play was a delight and the 3 hours flew by.

As I left the theatre (and had the longest trip home-- there is no fast way from Brooklyn to Queens) I felt stirred in a way that I hadn't in a long time. My heart was still in the theatre. I've felt this many times before. I cannot pinpoint the determining factors that will leave me with this feeling of want, but its a feeling of never wanting it to end because I want to be doing it. I cannot articulate this very well, but if you've felt it you know what I mean. You desire so much to participate in what you're experiencing that simply watching it, enjoying it and applauding it are not sufficient. You must live it! This is why we act!

For a moment... then its gone!

Our labor of love "Anything to Declare" had the first staged reading Monday, Jan. 25th. The performance was for many of us, our first time on a stage in New York, plus it was a piece we'd conceived and written ourselves. The audience received it, responded to it and applauded it, but I was so connected to the actors I was sharing the stage with that it could have been an empty house and it would have felt successful!

We enjoyed the rest of the evening, receiving encouragement to continue to develop the piece and more importantly we raised good money for Samoa, which was the point of the entire evening. A night when 8 young actors display work that they created together to raise support for someone/something they do not possess the means to support themselves... that is a great night for any artist.

I realized the euphoria of performing, then almost immediately following, the anxiety of trying to get the next thing. I couldn't stay out with the cast too late enjoying our success because the following day I had an audition for a regional theatre. Its that constant struggle to get those moments on stage and if they weren't so richly fulfilling, it'd be impossible to be in this business.

"Anything to Declare"

Rest assured, faithful readers, although there have been few recent posts I am still writing daily! But my focus has narrowed to a project near and dear to my heart! Let me start at the beginning...

A few months ago I went to lunch with a couple friends after acting class. We were chatting about what we had planned once we finished our program at the William Esper Studio (we're currently in the second, and final year of the acting program). An idea came across the table to put on something ourselves as our own project, cause no one is going to give us a career in this City. If you want to work, what better way than to create it yourself?!

Fast-forward a bit... We decided to construct a piece about the immigrants experience in coming to America. What was their dream of America? How has it changed? Do they miss home? Is America home now? Do they feel accepted? Starting with several core questions, a small group of classmates began shaping this project. From our interviews, we shaped monologues using the text verbatim and have found fascinating stories filled with humor, mourning, strength, wisdom and determination. We are putting the finishing touches on the script and will have it ready for the first staged reading on January 25th, 8 p.m. at La Mama Theatre on the Lower East Side of Manhattan! If you are in the City, please come by.


I should also mention, one of the inspirations for this project was the desire to help the tsunami relief effort for Samoa. In early October a devastating tsunami struck Samoa, so all the proceeds from the show and auction will be donated directly to Samoa, thanks to the Rock Foundation whom we are partnering with in this effort. Tickets are only $15! If you cannot make the show but would still like to donate, you can visit our website and click the link at the bottom! Come support us and Samoa!

www.3rdaverep.org

I love to laugh!

New experience in NYC: a good comedy club! Prior to this evening, my only NY stand-up comedy experience was last summer when my dad and brother were in town. We foolishly followed one of those street-ticket-selling-comedy club promoters. Being in NYC only a month, I lacked the ability to detect a scam quick enough (i've been training... i'm much better now). Anyway, worst stand-up I've ever experienced in my life! Truly wretched!
BUT TONIGHT... hilarious! A friend from work was invited to perform at a great spot in NYC called Comix Comedy Club. It was "new talent" night, but there were quite a few veteran performers in the line-up as well! One or two comedians kinda bombed, but I must proclaim that my friend, Megan, was the best! So stinkin' funny and so confident. She took care of the audience by owning the room. Soooo hard to do. Especially since there were about 12 of us from work coming to support her AND we were seated in the front! I love that about working the service industry though. I would say just about everyone has something else that they love. And when someone is displaying their talents, we support them b/c we're in the exact same boat! Its a family, of sorts!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

I FINALLY visited the tree at Rockefeller Plaza! I know this is post-Christmas and post-New Years AND I chose the coldest night of the year, but I wasn't sure how much longer it would be up.

Nothing makes me smile like watching people ice skate! Free entertainment in a beautiful setting, the only thing missing was a hot chocolate to sip on and a hot man to snuggle with, but who knows what the new year will bring, right?!

Anyway, back to the ice skaters...
- We've got the kid who trousers are covered in ice because he's fallen so much.
- Couples skating hand-in-hand, stopping in various locations around the rink to snap a photo.
- Young mother holding both her daughter's hands as they glide across the ice.
- Grown mother and daughter skating gingerly arm-in-arm (makes me miss my mom).
- Teenagers playing hard to get, nearly knocking over everyone in their vain attempts at flirting
- Over-eager skating rink employees who spot a stumbling skater and see how fast they can skate across to "make sure everything is ok".
- And my favorite... the Olympic figure skating team rejects. You know, those people who are doing spins in the middle, maybe an occasional jump, and just generally skate around like they are there to "practice" and we are fortunate to be on the ice with them. I especially like it when they slip or even fall! Is that wrong? I don't discriminate. I like watching everyone fall!

Anyway, I love being in the City when its decorated for Christmas. Makes me smile, even when my face is numb.

HAPPY 2010!!!

Goodbye 2009! We close on a joyful note. This is the part where I get sentimental and reflective... brace yourselves! My dear sister and I lived a mere 90 minutes from each other last winter (the closest since we lived at home); I experienced St. Patty's Day in true Irish fashion; I took in amazing amounts of theatre; attended (and missed) close friends' weddings; I drove from TX to CA and back with 3 of my favorite men in the world (brothers!); I attended a fancy ball in NYC; I moved my very own bed in NYC; I discovered that NYC is the most amazing and heart-wrenching place b/c you meet the best people in the world but sometimes they're only in your life for a season; I lost a dearly loved Gram; I witnessed an amazing amount of love unabashedly given through suffering and trials and the healing and comfort found through it; I roadtripped to Canada; I visited the amazing people of Copan Ruinas, Honduras; I reconnected with sooooo many people I absolutely treasure and all 8 Nelsons were able to congregate for a miraculous white Christmas in Texas!

I meet this year with great anticipation, b/c I've been waiting for this year since '06! Why? You might ask. Well, some of you may know that I spent a season of life in British Columbia, specifically Whistler. Some of you might also be aware that Vancouver (and Whistler) is the site for the upcoming Winter Olympics. So 2010 has been on my radar for some time now. Looking ahead to 2010 brings excitement of the unknown paired with a tinge of apprehension/anxiety. I will finish my training at the Esper Studio in June, my bank account is at an all time low, and I'm still living out of boxes! But this is precisely what makes my life in New York so hard, satisfying, unique, rewarding, unbelievable at times, unpredictable always, and entirely not my own.

Thank you for reading my randomness and I have made a resolution to write more.... so hold me to it!