Where Did I Go?

I have been a bad blogger (so bad that I just referred to myself as a blogger) this month. I meant to take a week off while visiting my lovely parents in Manassas, VA, but then never jumped back on as my return from vacation somewhat smacked me in the face.

Having never been to DC before, I took a day that I had all to myself and sauntered over to the Smithsonian, where I assumed the identity of "Who's that girl?" while perusing the Museum of American History and the Museum of Natural History. An idea for my "How Expensive Is It, Really?" column came to mind as I spent a whole day in our nation's capital hardly spending any money. As I force myself to get more on task, I'll write about that day. I promise, I will! For now, here is one of my favorite photos from the day.



Yep, it's the Hope Diamond as taken from the camera on my cell phone. My imagination took flight upon seeing that jewel...imagine how a string of diamonds would feel hanging upon one's neck!



One of the best realizations of my trip was that maybe I should consider another medium of performance. While sitting across from my dad at lunch, I recounted my 'idea' for the infomercial that would replace the Shamwow. That of course being my new aerobic dance video, entitled "Faux Hop: Hip Hop fo da Folk." My dad, who always listens with an educated, encouraging ear, cracked up and said, "You know maybe you should think about going to stand up open mics or something. Your honesty is too funny." So I sit here thinking "Why have I not?" And it's most definitely because I'm scared. We often ignore the things we're good at but are new to simply because they're new. Can I envision myself standing onstage making people laugh? Hell yes - that's not new to me. But learning how to exploit material from my life and the people in it in a captivating, hilarious and fast-paced manner is new. And hard. And intimidating.

My return to Chicago left my spirits down. I remember closing the door of my father's car and all of a sudden my eyes filled with tears. Perhaps it was because I wasn't ready to leave these guys behind.










But when I got off the plane and it was sunny, warm, and inviting, I knew I'd be ok. I wasn't returning to the monster of real life. I was just returning to a place where I have yet to find people that love me unconditionally. But really - who, besides my parents and my sister does? I think the expectation of having a family away from family is what always leaves me disappointed. So when I stepped off the jet bridge and into O'Hare, I once again assumed my "Who's that girl?" persona and walked away with confidence and glamour. (Special thanks to the person who took me out for a refreshing salad at Earwax. You rock and you know it).

I wanted to bury myself in a mound of work last week, and ended up coming up with a couple things - but mostly ended up getting back into the swing of teaching my classes and rehearsing for my first show with Adam (we've decided we're going to be called A Sample Life).


I had a special visitor from my chidhood visit just in time to catch our first set at the Red Line Tap. Another refreshing welcome back to the city that's supposed to have become mine by now.


We got pedicures at Amy's Nails in Wicker Park to simultaneously and belatedly celebrate her birthday and my future status as achiever of Album of the Year.

Equinox, Flirty Girl, and Wicker Park Fitness have all been great to me since I returned as well. I'm glad to be back on track with an almost refreshed mind and a more grounded sense of self.

Isn't it funny what a little time away does for the soul?

6 Accomplishments for 6 Months

As of yesterday, I have lived in Chicago for 6 months. Though I feel a little disappointed in myself, and I'm more broke than I have ever been, I am taking a good friend's advice and counting my accomplishments thus far.

#1 - Equinox Group Fitness Instructor (step aerobics, Evolution, cardio junkie/cardio blitz). Still not teaching enough permanent classes to receive health insurance, but covering for enough instructors to have the members requesting my name on their schedules more often.

#2 - Wicked audition

#3 - Jersey Boys singers call followed by the next day dance call.

#4 - Performing at Double Door

#5 - Getting into the Midnight Shows and lining up gigs

#6 - I don't know. I can't think of a #6. Possibly the fact that I'm still alive? I didn't move away to New York when things got hard? I'm almost done combing through my musical for the last time?


Six Things I want to have accomplished:

#1 - Have lined up a theatre company or space in which to produce Something New: A Musical Dramedy

#2 - Play gigs more than once every other month.

#3 - Pay off my credit card

#4 - Get cast in a show (I will not refer to myself as The Callback Girl ANYMORE)

#5 - Finish recording an EP with Adam

#6 - Get cast in another show

Wednesday Love

The snowfall in Chicago early early this morning (2 hours before the sunrise, to be exact) was somewhat beautiful. I greeted my Wicker Park Fitness class at our squeaky 6am hour and began the fun journey into a full-body, cardio-interval workout. They always make me feel great. This class (same as my Saturday morning class, except Saturday has more members seeing as it begins at 9am) is the only one of the regular 7 that I teach where people seem to know anything about one another and actually care to be sharing sweat with the person next to them. They make the walk to the "L" that much easier on my early mornings so that sometimes I find myself excited enough to be walk-skipping down the street. (note: I also ran a good 5 miles after my class, so the high level of endorphins pumping through my body could also take some credit for this particularly upbeat and probably cheesy description of my morning)

I also want to note that I had another positive realization last night and I only wish I knew how to show that person my gratification for their presence in my life. It isn't often that I find myself smiling alone and replaying thoughts in my mind this many hours after the fact.

On a completely different note, my sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit me tomorrow! I plan on taking them to the Meatloaf Bakery, hopefully to see Macbeth, and definitely to The Bongo Room during their short stay here. I love them and can't wait for them to see where I live, hopefully meet some of my new friends, and just run around the city with me!!!