Thursday, February 2, 2012
Sunday, April 10, 2011
エクゥピ
Gosh, I'm horrible at updating this thing...Let's see...
I ate way too much baklava last night.
Drinking coffee, eating eggs, and reading my weekly copy of The Stage has become my morning routine and I really would have it no other way.
I don't know what I would do without Skype. My mom is such a rock. A diamond of course.
I've been writing like a madman. Music, poetry, a one-woman show I'm collaborating with a friend on. I find that the more I write, the more junk I have, but also the opposite as well. I just force myself to write loads everyday. I end up throwing out half of it, but it's better to have ridiculous amounts then not enough I guess.
Next week is our showcase at Central. How quickly did that arrive?!? That pretty much means the course is over. I write my dissertation after this and then I'm done. Wow, how time flies. I'm singing "Here I Am" from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and performing a portion of Three Women by Sylvia Plath for showcase. Who, might I add, is one of my favorite authors and if you have never read any of her work, you really should. Beautiful writing. We're also doing "Run Freedom Run" from Urinetown as our finale showcase. Good times.
Got a job working at a cafe in Belsize Park. Enjoying it so far I guess. Hopefully this will be my last job waiting tables... I always say that, but for real for real this time?? If anyone's listening...? The cafe also serves THE best coffee in town, hands down... and I can drink it while I'm working... If that's not incentive to go to work, I don't what is.
It's interesting being an American over here...especially at my work. Literally EVERY table I waited on last night asked me where I was from. Luckily all of them were quite nice as I have had my fair share of rude comments since I've been in London. People last night were saying I 'looked' American cause I was so smiley, another complimented my teeth and then went and told their friend to come look at my teeth (haha)... and I also got the comment "You've got a bloody good sense of humor for an American".... The last one I went ahead and took as a compliment, but I must admit that isn't the first time I've been told that here. I really don't get this whole "Americans aren't funny and don't get sarcasm" thing. Very misguided stereotype definitely.
Absolutely love my bandmates. When I look back over the past few months, I can't imagine what my life would have been like without them in it. It sounds silly, but they really are amazing guys and I'm so thankful to be surrounded with friends who I know would do anything for me. Plus we have the most ridiculously fun times together. Amazing.
We just finished recording our EP in Brighton a few weeks ago. We're just waiting for the final mixes from the producer at the moment. Hopefully we'll have them soon as we're getting a bit antsy! We've got a gig coming up in May as well. Very much looking forward to it!! It's been almost two months now since the last one as our schedules have been so packed full with work and recording. Can't wait to get back out there. There really is no feeling like performing. Period.
I'm going to teach Matty how to do yoga. Quite excited to get my hands on Mr. Dangerously Inflexible himself.
Auditioned and got into The Actor's Centre here in London and start classes there soon. REALLY looking forward to it. Apart from the fact that I feel my course is lacking in several ways, it's really important to always continue your training as an actor. Some people I've mentioned this to before don't really understand the concept, but I've told them it's kind of like how a pianist needs to keep practicing their skills everyday... It really is no different.
Looking on... The next step is just getting out there and auditioning. I may or may not get an agent from the showcase as it kind of seems like a difficult thing to do. Either way, I'm not bothered. Honestly, being stuck with an agent that isn't a perfect fit is worse than having no agent at all, so I'm not too worried about it. It is possible to manage yourself without an agent. You may have to try harder, but it definitely isn't a make or break kind of thing. That being said, I really can't wait to have more of an open schedule from school so I can start putting myself out there and auditioning.
As far as friends go here in London, I can definitely say it's been an interesting journey. It's amazing how things can change in an instant and you suddenly don't feel as close to people or you suddenly feel incredibly close to others that you just never expected. It really is a process. In Nashville, it seemed to take me forever to figure out the people that I needed in my life. When you realize certain people have a negative impact on you, it's important to not rely on them. It sounds silly but the friends I have back home were ace. Honestly. It's almost like for years I had been sifting through people to find these really genuine friends and I finally did. It's just going to take some more time here. That being said, man I sure have some great friends here already! You know they're amazing when you can just sit around and giggle for hours. Love it.
Speaking of amazing friends, a few of us are going to Marrakesch next month. EEEK! We're staying at a super fancy resort and living it up... a much needed break I will be needing from dissertation writing indeed!
Honestly, other than my empty cup of coffee I'm staring at, I've got no complaints.
I ate way too much baklava last night.
Drinking coffee, eating eggs, and reading my weekly copy of The Stage has become my morning routine and I really would have it no other way.
I don't know what I would do without Skype. My mom is such a rock. A diamond of course.
I've been writing like a madman. Music, poetry, a one-woman show I'm collaborating with a friend on. I find that the more I write, the more junk I have, but also the opposite as well. I just force myself to write loads everyday. I end up throwing out half of it, but it's better to have ridiculous amounts then not enough I guess.
Next week is our showcase at Central. How quickly did that arrive?!? That pretty much means the course is over. I write my dissertation after this and then I'm done. Wow, how time flies. I'm singing "Here I Am" from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and performing a portion of Three Women by Sylvia Plath for showcase. Who, might I add, is one of my favorite authors and if you have never read any of her work, you really should. Beautiful writing. We're also doing "Run Freedom Run" from Urinetown as our finale showcase. Good times.
Got a job working at a cafe in Belsize Park. Enjoying it so far I guess. Hopefully this will be my last job waiting tables... I always say that, but for real for real this time?? If anyone's listening...? The cafe also serves THE best coffee in town, hands down... and I can drink it while I'm working... If that's not incentive to go to work, I don't what is.
It's interesting being an American over here...especially at my work. Literally EVERY table I waited on last night asked me where I was from. Luckily all of them were quite nice as I have had my fair share of rude comments since I've been in London. People last night were saying I 'looked' American cause I was so smiley, another complimented my teeth and then went and told their friend to come look at my teeth (haha)... and I also got the comment "You've got a bloody good sense of humor for an American".... The last one I went ahead and took as a compliment, but I must admit that isn't the first time I've been told that here. I really don't get this whole "Americans aren't funny and don't get sarcasm" thing. Very misguided stereotype definitely.
Absolutely love my bandmates. When I look back over the past few months, I can't imagine what my life would have been like without them in it. It sounds silly, but they really are amazing guys and I'm so thankful to be surrounded with friends who I know would do anything for me. Plus we have the most ridiculously fun times together. Amazing.
We just finished recording our EP in Brighton a few weeks ago. We're just waiting for the final mixes from the producer at the moment. Hopefully we'll have them soon as we're getting a bit antsy! We've got a gig coming up in May as well. Very much looking forward to it!! It's been almost two months now since the last one as our schedules have been so packed full with work and recording. Can't wait to get back out there. There really is no feeling like performing. Period.
I'm going to teach Matty how to do yoga. Quite excited to get my hands on Mr. Dangerously Inflexible himself.
Auditioned and got into The Actor's Centre here in London and start classes there soon. REALLY looking forward to it. Apart from the fact that I feel my course is lacking in several ways, it's really important to always continue your training as an actor. Some people I've mentioned this to before don't really understand the concept, but I've told them it's kind of like how a pianist needs to keep practicing their skills everyday... It really is no different.
Looking on... The next step is just getting out there and auditioning. I may or may not get an agent from the showcase as it kind of seems like a difficult thing to do. Either way, I'm not bothered. Honestly, being stuck with an agent that isn't a perfect fit is worse than having no agent at all, so I'm not too worried about it. It is possible to manage yourself without an agent. You may have to try harder, but it definitely isn't a make or break kind of thing. That being said, I really can't wait to have more of an open schedule from school so I can start putting myself out there and auditioning.
As far as friends go here in London, I can definitely say it's been an interesting journey. It's amazing how things can change in an instant and you suddenly don't feel as close to people or you suddenly feel incredibly close to others that you just never expected. It really is a process. In Nashville, it seemed to take me forever to figure out the people that I needed in my life. When you realize certain people have a negative impact on you, it's important to not rely on them. It sounds silly but the friends I have back home were ace. Honestly. It's almost like for years I had been sifting through people to find these really genuine friends and I finally did. It's just going to take some more time here. That being said, man I sure have some great friends here already! You know they're amazing when you can just sit around and giggle for hours. Love it.
Speaking of amazing friends, a few of us are going to Marrakesch next month. EEEK! We're staying at a super fancy resort and living it up... a much needed break I will be needing from dissertation writing indeed!
Honestly, other than my empty cup of coffee I'm staring at, I've got no complaints.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
fire it up
Right where I need to be. That's how i feel. Happy. Content. Doing exactly what I want to be doing. Happy with the person I've become after all these years. Happy with all the amazing people in my life. Really wouldn't give it up for the world.
Ended up home for Christmas. Such a relief. It was incredibly crazy stressful getting back. Three airports, a taxi, some trains, buses, two planes, standby, flights cancelled, snowstorm, Manchester. Eventually made it! :) And, man, has it been worth it!
It's nice to see all my friends and family again and know that nothing has changed at all. It's just so comfortable. I really am so lucky to have such amazing people in my life. They are beautiful. Hearing my nieces yell "Aunt Alli" was enough to make the trip worth it. On top of that I found myself so lucky as to be able to modi gleep with my lovelies (well, some of them! A lot left to do!!) and chill with my fam...and by chill I mean get crazy.
Am a little worried about my Sissy. They think she might have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which would really really suck. I'm just praying the doctors have good news and/or ways to make it easy for her to deal with it. Love her.
As much as I love being home, I do miss things in London. So much going on I have to get back to! We've got our mainstage show coming up--Sigrun's Fire. Should be a good time. And my band has our first gig on January 21st when I get back! At The Albany in London. Cannot be more pumped about that. And not to mention I've got some wonderful people in London to get back to as well!
In the meantime, I've got some not quite as exciting papers to write for school. Bleughghgaihiing. Trying to interfere with my modi gleeping. Needs to go on elsewhere. I would much rather spend my time as I am right now--listening to music in the bathtub.... I really should get out now...
Ended up home for Christmas. Such a relief. It was incredibly crazy stressful getting back. Three airports, a taxi, some trains, buses, two planes, standby, flights cancelled, snowstorm, Manchester. Eventually made it! :) And, man, has it been worth it!
It's nice to see all my friends and family again and know that nothing has changed at all. It's just so comfortable. I really am so lucky to have such amazing people in my life. They are beautiful. Hearing my nieces yell "Aunt Alli" was enough to make the trip worth it. On top of that I found myself so lucky as to be able to modi gleep with my lovelies (well, some of them! A lot left to do!!) and chill with my fam...and by chill I mean get crazy.
Am a little worried about my Sissy. They think she might have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which would really really suck. I'm just praying the doctors have good news and/or ways to make it easy for her to deal with it. Love her.
As much as I love being home, I do miss things in London. So much going on I have to get back to! We've got our mainstage show coming up--Sigrun's Fire. Should be a good time. And my band has our first gig on January 21st when I get back! At The Albany in London. Cannot be more pumped about that. And not to mention I've got some wonderful people in London to get back to as well!
In the meantime, I've got some not quite as exciting papers to write for school. Bleughghgaihiing. Trying to interfere with my modi gleeping. Needs to go on elsewhere. I would much rather spend my time as I am right now--listening to music in the bathtub.... I really should get out now...
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Cheers Darlin'
When you've finished getting yourself ready in the morning, you must go get the planet ready.
Been reading The Little Prince. Such a good book.
Getting into the Christmas spirit! As much as one can without being near their family I suppose. This will be the first time I won't be able to be with my family during the holidays. Eh, I might cry once or twice. But I will be alright. I'm learning that it is completely possible to still be close to everyone without actually physically being with them. the hardest part is missing my nieces growing up. Trying to find them a really cool Christmas present though. That makes up for it, right?
Life is going really well. Just got my headshots printed off and bought the newest Contacts book, so I can start contacting agents and whatnot. Not going to be fun. But anxious to get on with it. Working on finding a good accent coach as well. Gotta spiffy up my British.
Band stuff is going really well. Think we're going to start gigging really soon. Pretty pumped about it. And my bandmates are great. So all is good on that note.
This is a shout-out to my most dedicated reader, BaileyCakes. He never fails to read a blog entry and is upset of his not being mentioned, but needs to know that he has never gone unnoticed.
Here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye. -The Little Prince
Been reading The Little Prince. Such a good book.
Getting into the Christmas spirit! As much as one can without being near their family I suppose. This will be the first time I won't be able to be with my family during the holidays. Eh, I might cry once or twice. But I will be alright. I'm learning that it is completely possible to still be close to everyone without actually physically being with them. the hardest part is missing my nieces growing up. Trying to find them a really cool Christmas present though. That makes up for it, right?
Life is going really well. Just got my headshots printed off and bought the newest Contacts book, so I can start contacting agents and whatnot. Not going to be fun. But anxious to get on with it. Working on finding a good accent coach as well. Gotta spiffy up my British.
Band stuff is going really well. Think we're going to start gigging really soon. Pretty pumped about it. And my bandmates are great. So all is good on that note.
This is a shout-out to my most dedicated reader, BaileyCakes. He never fails to read a blog entry and is upset of his not being mentioned, but needs to know that he has never gone unnoticed.
Here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye. -The Little Prince
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
appasionato
finally gotten a grip. i think.
Developed new friendships that are turning out to be really lovely. When I first got here, I felt like no one was going to be able to be anything close to what I had back home. Maybe I was in denial. Dunno. But the truth is, you just have to spend time on these things. Of course I'm not going to be able to move to a new country in a completely different culture and just find people that I mesh with like the people back home that I've been friends with for years and feel completely myself around. I do feel like I've (finally) become myself here now though. What I was back home. What I was attempting to be again. It's weird how much a change of setting can make you feel so much not like yourself. I finally feel comfortable in my own shoes here is this big city.
London really is a lovely place to be. There's just so much going on all the time. I almost feel like there's so much that when I do have free time, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.
School is going well. It has its ups and downs, but I think I'm where I need to be. I know the progress that I've made and that is enough for me. To be quite honest though, I'm getting really antsy. I want to get out. And just go. Audition. Rehearse. Perform. I miss being in shows. Doing theatre.
Also ready to start performing my music. It's so hard to find the right people to collaborate with and really mesh those ideas together creatively. I think I'm on the verge though...New project on the way. More soon.
Hmm...what else?? I haven't updated in over a month, so I know there is plenty to tell you guys...
I have a breeze in my room. Which is annoying. And cold. It is absolutely freezing in London now. Shockingly cold already. And I know it's going to get worse. Time to bundle up!
Seen some good theatre lately. Blasted by Sarah Kane at the Lyric Hammersmith was astounding. It's one of those shows that is almost hard to describe without you just watching it... and if I even attempted to tell you about it, you would think I'm crazy. The actors were incredible. I love theatre that, no matter how affected the characters, the actors are able to find the humanity within them and bring the audience to a level in which they can empathize with them. I left that show thinking 'this is why i love theatre'.
My dear Deutschland friend, Anna-Lena, is coming to stay for a few days soon. Haven't seen her since I left Germany over a year ago! Cannot wait!
Joined a gym here in Swiss Cottage recently. Getting addicted again. It's what I do.
I know I say it often, but life is good. I really can't complain about anything.
Developed new friendships that are turning out to be really lovely. When I first got here, I felt like no one was going to be able to be anything close to what I had back home. Maybe I was in denial. Dunno. But the truth is, you just have to spend time on these things. Of course I'm not going to be able to move to a new country in a completely different culture and just find people that I mesh with like the people back home that I've been friends with for years and feel completely myself around. I do feel like I've (finally) become myself here now though. What I was back home. What I was attempting to be again. It's weird how much a change of setting can make you feel so much not like yourself. I finally feel comfortable in my own shoes here is this big city.
London really is a lovely place to be. There's just so much going on all the time. I almost feel like there's so much that when I do have free time, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.
School is going well. It has its ups and downs, but I think I'm where I need to be. I know the progress that I've made and that is enough for me. To be quite honest though, I'm getting really antsy. I want to get out. And just go. Audition. Rehearse. Perform. I miss being in shows. Doing theatre.
Also ready to start performing my music. It's so hard to find the right people to collaborate with and really mesh those ideas together creatively. I think I'm on the verge though...New project on the way. More soon.
Hmm...what else?? I haven't updated in over a month, so I know there is plenty to tell you guys...
I have a breeze in my room. Which is annoying. And cold. It is absolutely freezing in London now. Shockingly cold already. And I know it's going to get worse. Time to bundle up!
Seen some good theatre lately. Blasted by Sarah Kane at the Lyric Hammersmith was astounding. It's one of those shows that is almost hard to describe without you just watching it... and if I even attempted to tell you about it, you would think I'm crazy. The actors were incredible. I love theatre that, no matter how affected the characters, the actors are able to find the humanity within them and bring the audience to a level in which they can empathize with them. I left that show thinking 'this is why i love theatre'.
My dear Deutschland friend, Anna-Lena, is coming to stay for a few days soon. Haven't seen her since I left Germany over a year ago! Cannot wait!
Joined a gym here in Swiss Cottage recently. Getting addicted again. It's what I do.
I know I say it often, but life is good. I really can't complain about anything.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Back to Normal
Or close to...or next to? hmm.
Life before this summer was so full. Go go go.. was me. all. the. time. But that's the way I like it honestly. I find things to fill my time. I don't like slow. Err.. Okay, I do like slow... slow time.... so I have time to fill it with things I like to do. Anyways-- point is, I feel back to me. A life filled with things I like to be doing.
Classes are holding much of my focus. I've learned to ask questions all the time. No, not in class... ha. To myself. About my art, art in general, life. It's nice. A very reflective process.
I've been writing music all the time and it feels really good. I went through some dry spells back in the States and I like the wet ones much better. Ha. I think the move has inspired a whole new burst of creativity for me. A change of perspective.
Looking back on what I wrote last time, I sounded so lonely! Ha! It isn't that I'm lonely, it's just that I don't have as many loved ones surrounding me all the time...something I am just not used to. But change is good. It will be even sweeter when I get to see everyone again. In the meantime, man my hand hurts from writing postcards....
Life before this summer was so full. Go go go.. was me. all. the. time. But that's the way I like it honestly. I find things to fill my time. I don't like slow. Err.. Okay, I do like slow... slow time.... so I have time to fill it with things I like to do. Anyways-- point is, I feel back to me. A life filled with things I like to be doing.
Classes are holding much of my focus. I've learned to ask questions all the time. No, not in class... ha. To myself. About my art, art in general, life. It's nice. A very reflective process.
I've been writing music all the time and it feels really good. I went through some dry spells back in the States and I like the wet ones much better. Ha. I think the move has inspired a whole new burst of creativity for me. A change of perspective.
Looking back on what I wrote last time, I sounded so lonely! Ha! It isn't that I'm lonely, it's just that I don't have as many loved ones surrounding me all the time...something I am just not used to. But change is good. It will be even sweeter when I get to see everyone again. In the meantime, man my hand hurts from writing postcards....
Sunday, September 19, 2010
so many thoughts that I can't even share them.
London is beginning to grow on me more and more. I must admit that it was (is) not easy leaving my friends and family. I literally think about all of them everyday, yet I still know this is where I need to be. Even though I've made a few friends here, I tend to spend a lot of time on my own. Which is probably a good thing. Hey, if you're ever going to be fairly anti-social, why not do it in grad school when you're supposed to be focused anyways, right?! It is quite weird though still... at home I spent so much time with my friends...Just looking at pictures this morning from my going away party made me sad. : (
Well, no time to be sad is what I say! ha! Now I'm off to work out a bit, read some Shakespeare, and plan my week! I'm going to start taking mime, dance, and yoga classes outside of school. Woo! Can't wait!
Well, no time to be sad is what I say! ha! Now I'm off to work out a bit, read some Shakespeare, and plan my week! I'm going to start taking mime, dance, and yoga classes outside of school. Woo! Can't wait!
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