Expired: 1001 Days for 101 Things

Over 3 years ago I created this list.  Two years later I reflected back on it.  The 1001 days was up April 14th and I've just now updated it for a final time.  I definitely wish I had thought to look at it around February or March and made a push to get some of the things checked off.  It's surreal to remember sitting at my desk on the UWS typing this and realize that 3 years have passed, and scary to acknowledge that the next 3 years could fly by just as quickly. 

[Bold is completed, italics are in progess/details, grey changed/become moot]

1. Read the Bible, all of it *started twice, never finished*
2. Go to a Yankee's game thanks Daddy! May '08
3. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge Kristen G June '06, Miah Aug '07, Mom Oct '07
4. Lay out on an East Coast beach Long Beach w/ Star (July '06); Rockaway Beach w/ Kristen G (Aug '06)
5. Take 5 short trips outside the city properConey Island w/ CCFB (Aug '06), Hampton NH w/ Laytons (May '07), Keene NH with Miah (Aug-Oct '07), NJ with Jeff, Colin & Shanna (July '08), plus Boston/Cape Cod/Ogunquit/etc from my performing travels (June-Oct '08)
6. Be on leadership @ the Haven Events Team w/ K Ball Sept '06; Hospitality Team Feb '07; now First Hour Coordinator
7. Grow my hair past my shoulders January '07
8. See Ira walk March '07 on vblog, April '07 in person
9. Throw someone a surprise party K Ball Feb '08 (see video)
10. Get a theatrical agent DDO, Sept '08
11. Get a commerical agent *Independent Artists, Feb '08 ... should have said one that actually sends me out, so this one's half done*
12. Get a print agent*Bella, August '08 ... ditto to commercial agent*
13. Create a choreography reel
14. See the NYC Ballet
15. See 10 Broadway shows "Wedding Singer" June, "Spring Awakening" Jan, "Journey's End" Feb, "Avenue Q" March, "Legally Blonde" April, "Jersey Boys" October, "Gypsy" March, "Sunday Park" May, "Boeing" July, "August Osage County" July 
16. See the Christmas Tree @ Rockafeller Center January '07 w/ Justin
17. Go to tea with my boyfriend [clearly this requires meeting him first!] and I did meet more than one, we just never got around to tea
18. Visit my aunt & uncle in Oregon October '06
19. Visit my aunt & uncle in Philadelphia
20. Travel to Europe again Switzerland November '07
21. Visit Chi's orphanage in Africa
22. Visit a new international city/country Lausanne and the surrounding towns including Audrey Hepburn's adult home
23. Go a year without hBAM
24. Go a year without being OPCA
25. Have 3TS43M
26. See Star get married to Paul Sept 20th '08
27. Be in Ashley's wedding Maid of Honor in May '08
28. Finish the 5 books I posted about being in the middle of *"Captivating" Oct '06*
29. Finish the Harry Potter series
30. Read 10 fiction books "Welcome to the World, Baby Girl", "Darcy's Story", "Shantaram", "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close", "Namesake", "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time", "Water for Elephants", "Love in a Time of Cholera", "Middlesex", "The Shack"
31. Take dance class twice a week for 2 months straight
32. Take a musical theatre auditioning class Bob Cline's July/Aug '06
33. Take a 2nd musical theatre auditioning class Richard Saabellico's July/Aug '07*, Bob Summer '07, Jen Waldman Summer '07, VP Boyle Fall '08
34. Take an acting class
35. Cook dinner for someone
36. Sign a lease on a new apartment welcome to apt. 609
37. Visit CCFB's website www.christschurchforbrooklyn.org
38. See CCFB welcome 5 new members Trisha, Ehi, Wilbur, Ashley, Jenny, Steven
39. Meet someone new who becomes a very dear friend KrB, SS, MG, LL, KtB
40. Be cast in a regional theatre show "Joseph" at Reagle Players June '08, "42nd" at NSMT Oct '08
41. Be on Broadway or on another National Tour
42. Get calledback for a lead role Peggy in "42nd St" for Regale & Fulton, Josie in "M Choen" for TBTS
43. Get calledback for a straight play *stopped auditioning for plays so this became moot*
44. Be at peace with M, M, E & L accepted change, closed doors & grey areas
45. Have "Lucky" replaced Parker Maxwell
46. KIHM2H
47. Do the free kayaking on the Hudson River
48. See Shakespeare in the Park "Romeo & Juliet" w/ Rach, Jo, Stu, etc (July '07), "Midsummer Night's Dream" w/ Laurie, Kat, Miah, Dave, & Nate 
49. Hang out @ Thompkins Square Park April '07 w Peter
50. Walk the perimeter of Prospect Park
51. Explore all of Central Park
52. Go to my 10 year high school reunion June 21, 2008 -- didn't go b/c performing
53. Know & understand my vocal range still more to learn but have grown leaps & bounds thanks to Darin
54. Learn to read music
55. WAB WO SI
56. W18OL43M
57. Hold a copy of my dad's next book
58. Have Mom visit NYC again October '07
59. Have Dad visit NYC again May '08
60. Discover 3 new favorite musicians Marc Brousard, Katy Perry, Josh Radin
61. Get hooked on a new show "Studio 60" (cancelled), "Brothers & Sisters", "Traveler" (cancelled), "Office" (late to the party)
62. Own not 1 but 3 pairs of jeans I wear equally thanks to Ash's discount day at Nordstrom!
63. Find out my credit score "excellent, 726"
64. Go 2 years fully covered by some health insurance
65. Figure out this stomach issue stuff didn't really do anything, but guess it fixed itself
66. Make an educated vote for president in 2008 Yes We Can
67. Watch/listen to 30 new musicals/soundtracks for plot/roles/scenes/songs *"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", "Hello Dolly", "Singin in the Rain", "Anything Goes"*
68. Go to 10 new restuarants Sea in Williamsburg, Creek & Cave in LIC, Louge 47 in LIC, Chai in Williamsburg, Le Grande Cafe, Bella Via in LIC, Little Italy, Smith Street, Supper on LES, Coffee Shop, Friend of Farmer in USq, the Mexican place across from Ariba, Corner Burger (?) in Village
69. Go to 10 new bars/clubs Snug in Midtown, Posh in Midtown, Nikka in Midtown East, Waltz in Astoria, Rockwood in LES, ReBar in Dumbo, Pierre Loti in Union Square, Therapy in Midtown, Mercury Lounge in LES, Kenny's Castway in Village 
70. Go to 10 new coffee/tea/sandwhich/dessert places Buttercup Bakery, Communitea, Max Brenner, Verb, crepe place, Sugar Sweet Sunshine, Bricktown Bagel, Milk & Cookies, Tea Lounge, Nana's ice cream
71. Record answered prayers ongoing
72. Record compliments received ongoing
73. Make 5 new friends I call to do one-on-one things with CW, SS, MG, KrB, LL, KtB 
74. Take an overnight trip with girlfriends
75. Have one song in each catagory in my music book probably always an evolving work in progress, but definitely checked off
76. Put on/perform in a workshop/showcase
77. Apply to grad school  goals changed & never desired to apply in these 3 years
78. Tfor12M
79. G100toC
80. Bring 5 NY friends to CCFB/TG *Jenn in Feb, Peter in April, Miah in Aug*
81. Host a tea party at my apartment Dec '07
82. Visit 5 NY tourist spots/points of interest *Brooklyn Art Museum (Annie Lebovitz exhibit), Bodies Exhibit, Met, Staten Island fairy*
83. Read all of Jane Austen's books *"Pride&Prejudice", "Mansfield Park", "Emma", "Northanger Abby:*
84. Read 10 non-fiction books in addition to the 5 listed above *"Mudhouse Sabbath", "Imagine", "Eat Pray Love", "Audrey", "Blink", "Dreams from my Father", "Skull & Bones"*
85. Watch the complete series of "West Wing" (again, beginning to end), "Sex and the City", "Felicity"  *"SATC", "Felicity", halfway thru WW*
86. Go on a bike ride

87.  Fly on a trapeze

88.  Create a performance reel

89.  Re-decorate my bedroom *started, then recession, so halfway there*

90.  Take a comedy improv class UCB Sept '08

Proof Theatre Is Not A Dying Art Form

In addition to more young people voting in the 2008 Presidential election, the youth presence was also higher amongst Broadway audiences in 2007-2008.  Of course the difference in those numbers is that a vote for President is for "youth" age 18 and above, and is an individual choice they make; the Broadway statistic is for those under 18 and presumably those tickets are purchased for them by their parents.  Nonetheless, both numbers show that this next generation is growing in both political awareness and theatrical awareness.  In these challenging economic times this is a silver lining of hope and promise for the future of the arts.

P.S.  This also means that the sticky sweet shows ... they create a forum for 9 and 13-year-old audience members, not yet old enough for the deeper shows.  In other words, before rolling our eyes at the "fluff" we should remember that they are reaching an important demographic and acting as a stepping stone for a lifelong appreciate of the art form we love.  So let's thank our lucky stars for Disney and the High School Musical franchise.  (And then be thankful when we get to watch or play the crazy dramatic power ballad too!)

Choked Up & Christmasy ...

... over Texas high school football.

thankful

i just skimmed back over my photos of 2008 thus far & took a moment to remember what i've been especially grateful for in my life this year:

people ...

1. kball
2. stara
3. stac
4. mg
5. kat
6. laur
7. ry
8. d
9. den
10. ash
11. jo
12. rach
13. shuff
14. graz
15. armi
16. gabe
17. tiff
18. adam
19. cor
20. aubs
21. kath
22. steph

experiences & new people ...

23. weekending in ct with the toronto boys
24. j waldman & b cline's classes
25. aubrey's wedding: running of the brides, bridal shower
26. being there for dk & seeing him get better
27. create providence: the progress, the support, the willingness to put it on hold
28. mg on broadway
29. photog friends c & e
30. leading worship with hallal: marca, wendy, kelci
31. dad in nyc
32. "joseph ... dreamcoat": performing, loving it, a renewed passion & energy
33. jeff, colin, shanna & my "joseph" cast
34. trinity grace
35. thomas scott & ddo agency
36. darin adams & my new voice
37. callbacks
38. vp's class
39. the courage to take @ ucb
40. barack obama: hearing him speak in CT, watching him become the president elect
41. "42nd st": working, being challenged, c's direction, m's choreo, life in beverly
42. toph, drew, jo, court, aj, dana, zak, ck & my "42nd cast"
43. traveling to switzerland

blessed constants ...

44. my health
45. my family's health
46. apartment
47. haven
48. bklyn church
49. growth in my career
50. falling ever more in love with nyc

amendments: how did i manage to neglect noting star's wedding & meeting bradley whitford?! so make the list up to 51 & 52 ...

Filling in the blanks

A little exercise from Alyson's blog. The goal is to answer each question with only one word:

Where is your mobile phone? Switzerland
Where is your significant other? Somewhere …
Your hair colour? Brunette
Your mother? Sweet
Your father? Passionate
Your favourite thing? Community
Your dream last night? Unremarkable
Your dream goal? Broadway
The room you're in? Comfortable
Your hobby? Wandering
Your fear? Dissappointment
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Grad-school
Where were you last night? Lecture
What you're not? Perfect
One of your wish-list items? Boots
Where you grew up? Cali
The last thing you did? Groceries
What are you wearing? Jeans
Your TV? Abc.com
Your pets? Someday
Your computer? MacBook
Your mood? Chill
Missing someone? Cast
Your car? MetroCard
Something you're not wearing? Eyelashes
Favourite shop? Anthropologie
Your summer? Nice
Love someone? Many
Your favourite colour? Blues
When is the last time you laughed? Afton
When is the last time you cried? Closing

And some self-interview questions from a design blog I like:

1. Favorite time of the year and why:
• As a New Yorker it’s those first few days between winter and spring when everyone seems collectively giddy, delighted with how beautiful it is, and pouring into parks to revel in it

2. Favorite things to wear:
• Dresses that make you feel flirty, coats in bright colors, anything that has a vintage 30’s-50’s feel to it, great fitting jeans

3. Top 3 favorite smells:
• Something sweet baking in the oven
• Christmas: cinnamon, pumpkin, pine, etc
• Boy’s t-shirts that smell like laundry detergent

6. Favorite animal:
• I was obsessed with flamingos starting in the 4th grade, but I adore dogs most of all

7. Top 3 events in your life so far:
• Living in Heidelberg, Germany for two summers (for the travel & adventures of a lifetime)
• Getting cast on the “42nd Street” tour (for changing the course of my life, taking me to NYC, my Equity card & life changing growth on the road)
• My relationship with R (for what I learned, and the other relationships that came and went as a result, including becoming a part of Haven)

8. Top 3 favorite small pleasures:
• Coffee/tea shops
• A book you can’t put down
• West Wing

9. Top 3 favorite places in the world:

Have visited:
• London
• Heidelberg
• Venice (with Amsterdam & Paris coming close)

Want to visit:
• India
• Thailand
• Australia

10. Top 3 favorite sounds:
• Laughter
• Rain
• Music I want to choreograph to

11. Top 3 favorite things to eat:
• Pizza
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Bacon cheeseburger, fries & a chocolate milkshake

12. 3 favorite favorites right now:
• My NSMT “42nd St” experience: new friends, photos & videos
• Barack Obama really is going to be our President!
• TV show Brother & Sisters

13. 3 small ways someone has made your day lately:
• A girl named Afton introducing herself & calling me her hero
• S telling me again what a difference I’d made on her wedding day
• T looking for pens in Target to replace the one I lost

14. 3 small habits/quirks you have that make you specifically you:
• I throw my head back and/or clap when I laugh
• I readjust the Starbucks lid, cup, and sleeve so they’re all facing the same direction
• I’m really bad at walking and trip all the time

15. Describe your life using 6 words maximum for each time frame past, present & future:

Past: average, healthy, blessed, seeking, faith
Present: possibility, momentum, hope, community, longing, waiting
Future: adventure, success, stability, unknown, family

17. Favorite books, films, and music (3 in each category):
Books: Pride & Prejudice, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland
Films: Eternal Sunshine, Amelie, Sliding Doors + anything Audrey
Music: Josh Radin, Zach Williams, Mark Broussard

18. Name 3 words that you can't stand, and 3 that you love:
Love: delight, winsome, gumption; Not so much: curse words, panties, Achilles tendon

19. What is the best piece of advice you've ever heard?
When my big brother M told me never to let my day job become my career while pursuing theatre

20. What is your favorite quote and why?
Emerson’s quote on success because it truly sums up every aspect of living a full life: joy, relationships, making the world a better place, learning, overcoming disappointment

101 Things in a 1001 days ... (821 down, 180 to go)

Two years & three months ago I wrote this post: 100 Things in a 1,001 days.  I have about 6 months left until I reach that deadline.  

It's interesting to see which goals have shifted.  Applying to grad school, for example, is not something I want to do in the next 6 months.  I thought I would be ready by now, but today I'd say it's 3-5 years in the future.  And I can't expect to get called back for plays if I'm not auditioning for them, which I really haven't for at least a year or two, focusing solely on musicals.

On the other hand, I am remiss to see how few tourist things I've experienced in NYC, and that things like exploring parks, kayaking, and riding a bike have yet to happen.  Or that I still have 4 books I was in the middle of and have yet to complete.  (Having read two dozen others since, I clearly have some follow through issues!)

Then there's something like Star getting married or Ira walking which I had no personal control over, but was on my heart & I'm delighted to have seen come to fruition.

And I'm still a good 11 things short.  

Nonetheless, it's been fun & fascinating to revisit the list every few months.  It's an exercise I highly recommend!

Blogging from Boston

Apparently 2008 is my year in Massachusetts. After performing in "Joseph ... Dreamcoat" at Reagle Players in May/June and then "Remembering the 40's" in Cape Cod in September, I'm now at North Shore Music Theatre for October/November performing in "42nd Street".

The past 6 months have been a whirlwind of auditions, classes, day jobs, rehearsals, and performances, culminating with "42nd Street" and signing with my first across-the-board agent. After a patient 4+ years in NYC, I am so grateful for every good and promising next step that has come my way!

Photos, videos & quotes to come from what is already a phenomenal experience here in Beverly, MA ...