New stuff

I'm starting a new "temp" gig. My friend John forwarded me an email from a friend who works at MinnesotaCare. The Imaging Unit there is looking for help for about a 9 month period. I applied, had a phone interview and then was offered the job the next day. Very cool, as it means more pay and no more train (with 1 hour commute to and fro). I'll be starting earlier in the day, but getting out at 4:00. Sounds good to me. All I'm doing is running, lately.

Yes, well, I don't know anymore. I think I'm losing my grip on stage acting. I have no perspective on when or what my next stage project will be. I'm not sure that I even care. My options are limited, and I don't really feel like persuing it. I'm more interested in making a few more dollars an hour, and daydreaming about a time when I take the old wooden phone booth in my folks garage, cleaning it out, hauling it to Minnesota and using it for my lucraive voice over career. Day dreams, mind you...

I'm not sure that my agent wants to use my demo that I paid hundreds of dollars for already. The first attempt yielded mediocre results, in her opinion. So I made the adjustments that she suggested, and emailed her the MP3 version last week. I haven't heard anything from her besides an audition notice that I couldn't do. I plan to submit it to other agencies, as I feel that she doesn't care for the voiceover person I worked with to make my demo (at least that's what he says). I fear that I've been caught in between a weird ego struggle, and it makes me very uncomfortable. I want no part of it, and am waiting to hear if this is indeed the case. I like my agency, but I feel very green when it comes to something new like voiceovers. I also feel pretty stupid.

Maybe this whole thing is just not my cup of tea anymore. The trouble is that if I give it up, who and what am I? Have I wasted my last 20 years?

Halfway there

Today I ran a half-marathon, as dictated by my schedule. Not a bad route, and I only stopped at a PDQ to grab a quick drink (I promised Amy I would). Two blisters on my left foot dictated that I needed new socks. The shoe was a bit tight too. Might need new ones before the race, which is two months away. This is the longest I have ever run at once.

My two auditions went well enough; the Old Log better than the Guthrie. I have a good repoire with Tom Stolz who was there; we chatted for a while afterwards. John Miller-Stephany was late and he looked bored. He did ask me about "Mr. Hulot's Holiday", which I did 12 years ago, so he was at least halfway engaged. Glad that it's over, though. The thank you card will be mailed soon.

The bathroom continues to be a source of never-ending work. The tiling is done, but other projects have emerged for which we are unprepared. One by one...

You Better Run, Run, Run

Yesterday I ran "as scheduled" (which means I guessed the milage needed because for some reason this week of my marathon training schedule is cut off on the printed page). I am up to 8 miles, which didn't feel like 8 miles- not sure if it was because I ran a similar route in the same neighborhood last week- as it wasn't as grueling as I first made it out to be. Regardless, it's the longest I've ever run at any one time. So, I've broken the barrier. Next Saturday is 10 miles, so we'll see how we feel after that...

I did my voice demo last week, which was a good process. I'm never confident in my vocal quality, as I never really fully enjoy the way I sound, but my agent and recording coach seemed to think I was all right. 70 seconds of Jared. I am glad I did it, as it was always a market that I wanted to tap into. I still have the little fantasy of doing cartoon voices, so this is a step in the right direction. Or a step, in any case.

I also have a few (rare) auditions coming up. I'm taking a half-day off of work to audition for the Old Log generals next Monday, then later to observe a class at Stages Theatre. I'm still a theatre guy, right? That following Tuesday I need to call for my Equity slot at the Guthrie (finally!). I'm aiming for a Friday audition, as I can just hop the train on my lunch break and walk a few minutes to the site. No doubt I'll take more than my halfhour break to accomplish this, but so what, eh? I'll make up the time one way or another.

That's the latest. I'm still alive and kicking.