Scarlet Cork: Self

Showing posts with label Self. Show all posts

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation." - Jean Kerr

I live on a day to day basis with a certain level of stress. You might surmise that from the fact I have developed hives from stress twice within the past 4 months. You also might choose to attribute this stress to the fact that I have two jobs. From 9-5 I play the role of mild-mannered (ha) customer service agent, but from 5pm on (as well as pretty much my entire waking life) I am the VP/Literary Manager of Raconteur Theatre Company.

For reasons which have never been clear to me there is a general assumption that theatre is easy. We are painted as "slackers" and I can tell you from experience a degree in theatre garners no respect from hiring managers. This is really interesting to me because really what are actors but salespeople, teachers, observers and illuminators of the human condition? Directors and Producers are project managers. Our jobs never end and we work like dogs to get every nuance in exactly the way we want it - while putting out constant fires along the way. Truly, this is a job you have to love... and I do.

If you've ever heard a thespian complaining about tech week, (sometimes referred to as "hell week") you've seen the sense of mingled joy, exhaustion, insecurity, excitement and pain inherent in that bitching. But we do it because we love it.

Just the other day my well-meaning sister and an equally concerned co-worker asked me why I do this when it means my life is so busy. They were surprised by my answer - I'm so much happier when I'm involved in a production. Yes, the rehearsals gnaw huge chunks of time out of my life, deprive me of sleep and regular meals; but there's a freeing stillness to this work. This IS my stress relief.

Day 7

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, one week in and I haven't accomplished much but I have learned some things.
It's worth it to share your fears with a friend, you never know, something fantastic might come of it.
I can handle more than I think.
Although the item I selected sounds easy (respecting my self/body) it's not! It was probably a really poor choice to start off with because the perimeters I have set for myself are quite wide. They include several bad habits I have had for a long time which will be tough to break, and quite frankly are the major reason this is on the list. So for now, I 'm putting that one aside. Instead, I think today is the perfect day to begin listing items I am grateful for.

As corny as this sounds, I am grateful for family. Be they here at home or in a far off corner of the globe they add so much to my life. My life would be far less pleasant and not nearly as interesting without them.

I have to go make some cranberry sauce, and an apple pie.

Day 2

Okay, so I started this thing and Husband made it kinda easy on me! The very first day, without knowing about the list asked me if we should go out. We haven't been on a date in ages (part of the reason that's on the list). I feel as though there must be some karma involved because we belong to this rewards program at the movie theatre and the machine just spits out coupons sometimes when you make purchases (and sometimes not). This time we got coupons for:
two free movie tickets
two free sodas
a large popcorn
That's like a whole free date minus the dinner! Awesome. Also, the new Bond movie was enjoyable. To be fair, Daniel Craig is pretty hot so I was going to enjoy that aspect and I had a few beers so I may be a bad judge.

I also spent the day working on some necessary details for the show I'm directing in the coming months. It feels great to accomplish something.

I've decided I need to pick one of the ongoing long term items to begin immediately. Since I'm acting in a production opening on 12.4 it clearly can't be the going to bed early one. I'm not going to give up sweets, soda or alcohol going into the holidays so that eliminates some too. So I have decided to "respect my body" and take my vitamins! I don't know why I'm so excited, but they sound like the best options. I also thinking my new recipe within the first 30 days may be something for Thanksgiving. That seems sensible to me.