Saturday, September 25, 2010

Courage

Well, well, well. Defying Gravity never felt so scary, or satisfying. It was seriously like when I went ziplining for the first time. First terrified, then a major adrenaline rush, then a desire to run back up the mountain to do it all again. It is remarkable when one actually is forced to let go of their inhibitions and stop over analyzing, things just happen.  I was greeted to my cast cheering when I walked out of the dressing room and let me just say, one can perform to a thousand strangers, but when you get the support of your peers, you feel beyond fulfilled.  Talent acknowledging talent is a beautiful thing. I have decided that I have worked hard and I deserve a cheeseburger and fries. I am going to eat now and feel really great about that too. Maybe I deserve a strawberry cheesecake as well? I say yes.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Affirmation

SO many thoughts!
Life here is such a microcosm. You see everyone in a spotlight, under a microscope, and when you observe people from all over the world amidst a floating "Big Brother" environment, it makes for a very colorful day. Sometimes good sometimes bad. But overall I think interacting with people in this way is a blessing because you can get to know people on a deep level very quickly and learn about yourself in the process.
The theater world can be such a narcissistic business. As actors we are consumed with OUR looks, the way WE sound and the way WE are perceived on stage. From your peers, to critics, to directors and audience members we are prone to scrutiny that takes us somewhat naturally to a self involved plane of existence.  I really don’t care for this side of the business.  I shared this thought with one of the personal trainers here because his work is mainly helping people recover from injury and aiding the handicapped. I told him I envied his work as it must be incredibly rewarding always being so "hands on" giving and healing. He said that I have to perceive what I do as absolutely the same. We a giving our audiences joy, music, and hopefully reaffirming the human connection. As much as I thought "yeah sure, right, making someone smile from a time step is JUST like helping someone to walk", it was still nice to hear and have affirmed. Especially by a jock. Obviously it’s the reason we got in this crazy business to begin with (it ain’t for the bread) but it is easy to forget. My dear Jen posted this as her status the other day and I am stealing it:

The more I release, the more open I am to receiving more to give....

Love it. That speaks truth no matter what you believe.

On a lighter note mentally but not physically I have been eating like a Queen the past couple of days. I had caviar for what I believe to be the first time, crab legs, escargot, a “Millionaire’s salad” (yes that’s what it’s called and I’m glad they let me eat it as a starving artist) steak, lobster, fillet mignon. Last night I ate all the sushi I could under the sun. Who knew eel was so delicious. Who said the best things in life aren’t free? To counter the eating I have run a mile every day for three days. Doesn't sound like long, but it’s a good start. I hope if I write it here I will be held accountable to keep going everyday.
I am very very blessed and on top of it all I get to see Jason tomorrow when we dock in in the greatest city in the world!
So much more to say, think, feel but don’t want to go overboard. Pun absolutely intended. ;)

Saturday, September 4, 2010

New Local Eats

I love food. Who doesn't? But I do think there is a difference between someone who likes to eat food and a bonafide foodie. Foodies get OFF on food. On combining flavors and ingredients in the kitchen that have never been assembled before. On finding that local restaurant that makes the best pad thai you have ever tasted. On traveling the world and finding the most amazing coffee shop in Colorado, or English breakfast in London, or sushi in Queens, or limoncello in Italy, or cupcake in Soho, or rodizio lamb in Argentina, or Croque Madame in France.

This was not always the case....growing up my diet consisted of noodles with butter and the occasional carrot. I just wouldn't eat anything. Now it's all changed...including my waistline, but we won't focus on that.  iworkout too you know.  I accept the challenge of more yoga and Pilates classes to fuel my intense desire to try anything and everything tasty.

With the new move of course we had to immediately try out the local cuisine!

First we tried out a polish diner that doesn't have a webpage because I think it has been on our block since before the internet existed. I can have Ukraininan food (ok Polish but it's the same deal) consisting of Slavic sausage, Rasberry blinzes, and Pyrohy.
Ok wait I have found the Sava profile on Yelp:


She is the #1 rated restaurant in our entire neighborhood! I get it. 5 stars.
 It's run by this sweet, hard working Polish lady who makes everything by hand and from scratch. When asked how she's doing she answers. Tired!!! So Tired...life is hard...
Well thank you Polish baba for working so hard for us. ;)


I am glad I live in a fourth floor walk up to burn off all the calories I will be ingesting in the future.