#KindnessCounts

This was something I posted on social media back about a month ago.  I want to keep it because I do feel it in my heart of hearts and wanted to share in the blog world.   When I graduated college, I was so thrilled and invigorated by the thought and ability to travel for performing jobs. And I did-for years. My permanent address was my parents and I drove to every gig-from Wisconsin to Florida to Delaware and everywhere in between, in my trusty red Honda, Rhonda. Each travel adventure was more exciting than the last and each gig I was at, I would start to feel at home. I thought this feeling was mostly because I would be there for months o n end and because of that, often made lasting friendships. I loved it and even after I moved to New York City, I still continued to travel and perform. But even in NYC, I found little places in the city that I wouldn’t have to fight for space or attention. The health food store my boyfriend and new friends worked at. The apartment ...

I’ve always said, “Don’t offer. Just do it.” It’s a hard concept to always follow through on but when you do, it’s usually accepted. And more than that, needed. Be kind. Be empathetic. Listen without judgement. And show up. Take the risk to show up. 

Love is your partner telling you to go to bed the minute you walk through the door of your home after a long of travels because he knows how much sleep you require. Love is then him staying up to care for the dog who is bounding around the apartment because she's so excited your home. Love is waking up the next morning and opening the fridge to hurriedly make a coffee and then you see your lunch box. It's full of food for your work meal today because he stayed up and did t hat too-because he knows how much you hate having to use your lunch time to go get it somewhere else. Love is all of these things. And though I'm blurry eyed, spent and probably don't smell the best from a wonderful long weekend-my love comes in a guy who did some simple things to make my morning even better. So today, though I know it's important to see the hate in the world so we can diverge and learn from it, I'm going to focus on the love in my life. And In my heart. ...And in my l...

This is an old post from my facebook wall but thought it might get your Tuesday to start off right.  Just say thank you...it really is that easy. Today, as I was on my early morning commute to work, I was driving in the section that I always dread. It's where the traffic gets insanely thick and people are constantly cutting one another off, getting into turn lanes just to skip practically everyone who is on the slower side, to only then almost cause an accident by swerving to get into the correct side after bypassing all others. Then there are cars on cross streets where these people don't have traffic lights and ar e frantically trying to pull in when there's not even a second of space. Those in the other lanes won't allow these on the side to pull in for fear of wasting more of their time or precious space. And today, at 7:30 AM, I was on the main line of traffic, whilst I could tell that another person was trying to get across traffic to our side. Though...

Some days you teach two three hour classes back to back and for some reason, agree to a three hour birthday party after that. Even after a successful birthday party and a happy birthday girl, you have a sore throat and we’re not rewarded with a tip from the family. Begrudgingly you take a whole pizza from the party that was left unwanted and split it with your also exhausted co teacher. You walk the half mile back to your car (because that’s where you have to park so you  don’t have to move your car constantly or pay), all things weighing on your back and in your arms. You finally reach your car and plop down full weight with a sigh, thankful to finally be sitting. (And vow here and now to never stand again!) You start to drive home and then you see her. You’ve seen her before-standing on the corner of the funeral home on Beverly Blvd, holding a sign you can never read quickly enough because you’re driving by. You’ve thought about it before. “Maybe I should stop and offer h...

A conversation last night, whilst laying in bed in the dark: Me:  ...what are you thinking about? Hubs:  Oh, going to law school.  Changing my entire career and what it would take. Hubs:  ....what about you? Me:  Well...if I could wear my strappy black sports bra with my blank tank top and if it would look cute or weird. Hubs:  This just summed up our relationship and the differences on how we look at life.  YEP. 

So, last night I had a meltdown.  Yes, as you have read, I've had a few of those here and there since we moved to LA.  Not because I don't want to be here or that I don't like it--actually, I am loving A LOT of things about LA.  I love that I have a hallway in my apartment.  Oh, and I love my apartment.  I LOVEEEEE (did I say love?) the weather.  I love that I can choose to bike, hike, bus, or car my way to my destinations.  I love that my career in theatre/arts/whatever mish mush of work I put together isn't my everything and all (though that's been probably one of the biggest adjustments).  I love that people are so much nicer here.  I love at the Starbucks guy or girl always asks me if I want the full 4 pumps of flavoring in my coffee because it can be a little too sweet and I always say, "Thank you" and take 2 instead.  I love that people think I'm 20 years old.  And I love that in a whole, LA and California has been much less ...

So a good friend of mine and I were texting back and forth, when he asked me today... Did you miss LA? I've been here for two days and last night I cried to my husband because I was extremely overwhelmed and confused about everything going on (and not going on) and didn't know what else to do. Soooo....did I miss LA?  I don't even know LA! I'm a very social and extroverted person.  I need interaction with people and friends to keep me motivated and feeling fresh.  I also need dance or exercise to keep me happy.  The past two days, I got thrown back into the city after coming from a GREAT contract where I had motivation and a driving force everyday--performing and choreographing.  I was surrounded by friends, exercising was part of my day, and I had a very solid routine.  The only problem there was that I was away from Matt for three months and the longing for him got to me more than I was prepared for.  Here, I've been basically isolated for two ...

AHHHHH!  So much pumpkin and fun things to bake and not enough time! Not to mention, not enough supplies in this dang cast housing.  Don't get me wrong, it's some of the best cast housing I've ever experienced but not anything for a baker.  And I flew here so I had to be frugal with what I did bring. Sigh.  Don't worry though, I'm gonna bake up and storm and it's gonna be great! :)

Some poetry on a Sunday afternoon... Her Hair Ravens gestures spanned far and wide  As she smiled and laughed Looking up at the ceiling with that far away look. The look that comes when thinking of an old friend Or a beloved dog Or some young ill advised escapade.   She talked about her hair And the phases it went through And in turn, shared her life.  Ravens hair was still a deep espresso-black and a statement.   Yet, she, like most of us, couldn't help but express  The power The love  Of her hair.   Funny how we put so much importance on a thing undoubtedly so small.  A power and love that men will never really understand.   Then again, maybe we don't either.  

Soooo...I haven't updated in quite some time.  I'll be honest, since I've been back in the city, it's been a bit of a whirlwind and readjustment.  When I first got back, I was relieved to finally be in my spacious apartment with only me and my roommate.   (Confession:  I love living in actor housing, I'm thankful for actor housing, but sometimes you want to get OUT of actor housing... especially after doing it for a year.) And I was relieved to sit in my recliner and watch tv when I wanted.  I could scrapbook and not think about having to move all of my shiny new supplies in a few months when I knew I would have to leave. However, I wasn't sitting in my recliner much or scrapbooking either because I was working.  And working on working.  I was temping for $12 an hour and when I would work 40 hours at the US Open, because of lovely taxes, I would get $300 for the week of hell I endured. And then, of course, I immediately flipped out on ...

I really should denote a time every week to write.  Write whatever.  Because you know what?  It's incredibly therapeutic and I think I'm good at it. No, I'm not going to be a published author any time soon and no, I'm not tooting my horn, but I do believe in myself, what I am good at, and what I truly enjoy doing.  Writing is one of these things. However, that time will not be set aside until I find a full time job here in the city.  Yes, I have about five jobs at the moment which somehow miraculously pays my rent, but I am currently looking for one job because, well, I'm going just a bit batty trying to make a schedule around my super hectic work life.  Not even including auditioning right now. Anyway, I'm now done with complaining.  At least I have some sort of jobs (all 7 of them), an awesome roof over my head, and a life that many people would kill for. Reality check.  Check. Now, I want to share with my reader...

Okkkkaaaayyy.  Yeah, I have gone to write this post about...seven times.  And because of it, I now have drafts saved all over the place on this website because...well, apparently, I'm just a little to distracted a little too easily.  SQUIRREL! Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, it feels as though a thousand things have happened since the millions of years ago (I may exaggerate time to time...) in which I actually updated this blog.  For one, They're Playing Our Song closed and Matt and I had to say goodbye to some truly awesome people and new friends (luckily, some of them live in NY!).   My third tech at the SCRT has come and gone.  My last opening night was last night and it was for Fox on the Fairway.  The Aurora Colorado shooting in the cinema at the midnight shooting has unfortunately happened.  From which I have a family member's friend and a cast member's child's friend who have both been unjustly murdered and passed.  The Chick-Fi...

So it's tech number three, folks, and you know the drill. Don't propose to me.   Anyhoo, we closed They're Playing Our Song last night which was truly a fun time!  Although the ensemble doesn't do as much as I prefer or I am used to, I not only loved choreographing the show, but watching two new friends tackle this huge two person show.  I can memorize a lot of lines but wow, I am still in awe of how many lines both Becka and Jake had down.  Awesome.  And I'm very excited to have new friends--some here, some in LA, and some in NYC (insert happy shake fists hands)!  Hooray! On a different note, yesterday I was able to talk to my best girlfriend from college and oddly enough, the reason that I ever made it to SCRT at all.  We hadn't been able to talk in four months because of several reasons-for one huge reason, she had a gorgeous baby boy in March, I finished a long contract in New Hampshire and after that contract ended, a week later, I was throw...

Forever young.   The above image is one that, if I am ever brave enough (let's just say, I won't be sober), it'll be the tattoo that I will have engraved on my body. Buuuttt, I have a feeling that won't be anytime soon.   I freely admit that I am a 100% little girl/scared chicken/pathetic case when it comes to pain, especially involving needles.  Passing out is often involved when I'm getting a shot of any kind... Shameeee. Anyhoo, I bring this up because I have been absolutely astonished with two particular people I share the stage with in On Golden Pond .  Clyde, who portrays Norman, the ornery old man and Diane, who plays his consistently positive wife, Ethel, are two of the finest actors I have had the pleasure to share the stage with.  They are also two people who have an abundant amount of energy that is not only amazing, but refreshing and uplifting.  I only hope that when I am in 77, like Clyde, I will be half as energetic b...

Hello one and all! Wow.  It's hard for me to believe this as I type it, but ohmygod, we're in TECH. And since it's tech I would like to make an announcement in very SMASH style:  Please do not propose to me.   Wait a second, forget the please.   NO ONE PROPOSE TO ME.  Got it...You hundreds of people waiting outside my convent door?    Okay, good.  Glad we got that covered.   But no, really.  How are we here already?  I mean, how the hell did that happen? No matter how it happened, though, it's a delight to be here!  What an amazing ride and experience this has been thus far.  I have to admit, I haven't had this many lines in quite some time, nor have I had the chance to do a straight show in years.  Again, wouldn't trade my dancing life for anything but this change of pace is divine.  And working with such divine cast members and a director who knows exactly what she wants is...just, well,...

Hello one and all! Well, we made it!  Hooray!   After some super long hours in the car...lots of Starbuck energy drinks drunken by me and plenty of Five Hour Energy's gulped down by Matthew...we MADE it.  Thank the Lord. Luckily, on the way, I was able to meet my beautiful niece, Amelia and visit with my brother and sister in law.  See below.  (I swear to God that she smiled AFTER we took this hysterical picture...) And after that, we made it to Matthew's parents house in Ohio to have a evening of an amazing meal prepared by Mama Rose (I am just saying...Matt...you need to get that recipe...!), a wonderful sweet face dog named Blue (Below!), and a comfortable place to relax and hang out with Matt's family.     And fast forward to Colorado...below the sign that cheeringly greets us as we crossed the state line. And once we tiredly rolled into the little town of Trinidad, Matt's mouth dropped as to the beau...

I'm off!  Well, almost...  I leave the city on Friday morning with my boyfriend.  Although I am beyond ecstatic about our adventure of a summer in Colorado and the amazing shows and roles he and I will play while we are out there, since I have been back in the city I have a huge sigh of relief and confirmation on how much I love living here.  Much less, how much I love my freaking apartment! Anyway, a get together tonight, seeing friends tomorrow, and meeting my niece of Friday in Baltimore with my brother and sister in law.  Word on the street is that she looks like me, which I have to admit, I don't hate. :) So, that's all for now.  BUT I am leaving some of my favorite headshots/body shots/and me being stupid fun (ie being ME) thanks to my friend Tom Waltz for taking them!   Enjoy and feel free to leave comments on your favorites!  Love love, Adrienne