I'm starting write my screenplay that has been swimming around in my head for over a year now. The outline, anyway. Taking my laptop to work these last few days makes me feel creative. It'll be important to keep up with it and not shirk like I have been with my running schedule. Fie, for shame.

As if I didn't have enough personal B.S. to worry about...

a little slide and bump into the cement median due to icy roads will cost me about $750 in tire repair. Such balance when a tax refund is around the corner.

laugh a minute

I went to see "Unnecessary Farce" at the Old Log last night. My friends Sean and Emily Dooley were in it, and he comped me. He told me about 6 weeks ago that there was quite a bit of behind the scene strife going on; that one of the actresses had quit the show after alot of head butting with the director. Her replacement was pretty good, however. Everyone was very sharp, which was good to see. Even the chatterbox women sitting ahead of me didn't really bother me; they became part of the show. Had I actually paid for the show, I might have felt differently.

It was good to go back there. I saw Tim and Tom Stolz, each of whom had given me a big hug. It was almost exactly a year ago that I finished acting there for "Proposals", which I deemed a very good experience. I'd act there again in a heartbeat. I really felt like a professional actor there. People went there for a good time, and we delivered it to them. Good feeling.

Just went for another 5 mile run. Colder than I thought it would be, but as always it feels like I'm accomplishing something. That feeling of stiffness and the slight shallow "recovery breathing" that takes place afterwards for about an hour is a subtle reminder of this.

I managed to kill the Wizard of Yendor, but didn't get the Amulet quite yet. I'm pretty close, though.

one step closer

Sandy Boren-Barrett, the Artistic Director at Stages Theatre Company, returned my call today for an informational interview. I need to email her to set it up, but we will probably meet next week.

I have a memory of a few years ago, before I acted there 2 years ago, that she gave me a tour of the facility. I can't remember why I was there in the first place-an audition perhaps? I'm not certain. In any case, I think they have a good thing going. They could be an invaluable resource. It had never occured to me before reading my career books that an informational interview was something you could request. Go figure.

Also excited for taxes. Amy and I are almost done.

Also excited for the wild rice soup I'm whisking right now.

Decided not to run tonight. It's a difficult transition from the YMCA to runs starting from home. The club tends to frown on 50 minute treadmill runs. And the track had "Family Hour" until 7:00 tonight, so that pretty much decided it for me.

Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me...

I don't know why I have this damn blog. It's not like anyone reads it, or that I have something to say, really. But, on the off chance...

Happy New Year! One month late!

January was quite depressing, but I am still alive and well. I got some perspective and I feel I have a bit of a direction.

Despite our pissy economy, I am encouraged to seek out steady employment in one way, shape or form. I am facing the idea that I want to teach theatre- classes or something like that. I have been resisting it for some time, as it didn't seem feasible, or that I would be giving up on a non-existent theatre career. I thought that if anyone would be able to take things little by little, it would be me. Turns out that's not the case.

I had dabbled with the idea of pursuing my own puppet theatre to tour to local grade schools. I got some good ideas for stories to convert into short stage works, but my inquiries to Young Audiences of MN, as well as most of the local puppeteers went unanswered. I became daunted by the prospect of learning how to construct puppets in my garage all by myself. I trust myself to do the tasks, but this whole solo effort stuff is really for the birds. I need true collaboration. Never say never, but it just isn't feasible right now.

Then I turned to the idea of teaching. I've been reading several career-oriented books (eg. What Color is Your Parachute?) and it's been pretty insightful. I should be teaching kids. Theatre to kids. I guess, like I stated above, I was afraid to put that label on myself, and I never trusted myself to be a good, effective teacher. And I didn't have enough experience (see "Running Your Own Puppet Company"). So many excuses.

So, Jared-personality type ESFP needs multi-tasking, interaction and non-repetetive tasks. Which is what I have been doing for quite a while now. And it's killing me. I need to change it up, responsibly, figure out what exactly it is, and follow my bliss. No dictation needed.

Oh, and I'm training for a marathon. Running 5 days a week on my regimine. I haven't been doing it religiously, but the brutal cold and recent sickness took me out for a few days the last few weeks. Feels good to have a focus.

Food for thought.