Thanksgiving...

It was a nice Thanksgiving...and an uneventful 4 1/2 days off.   Caught up on sleep, cleared a nice chunk off my DVR, did some reading, thought a lot about writing, (and wrote about 1/4 as much as I thought about it).

The most notable time was spent with one of the gang members, with whom I joined for actual Thanksgiving dinner...along with her boyfriend, mother, college friend and her ( the college friend's) boyfriend.  It was a nice intimate group...and a perfect size for not being with my family.

(The other two Thanksgiving festivities I joined prior to Thursday had LOTS of people, few of which I knew.  At both parties, I spent a great deal of time either 'ON' (where I pretty much ACTED like the coolest kid in the room) or observing, which is what I do most of the time...and where I tend to be most comfortable...well with new people.)

Being 'On' or being the Observer -- neither were the case at this Thanksgiving, as the crowd was small and the new people were few. I knew the two hosts and only had to get to know three new people (one of which was my friend's mom, which is usually easier).  The other two were a little nerdy like me, so it was a seamless night of 'getting to know you.'  Plus I was also splitting up my pre-dinner time helping in the kitchen and cooking my tasty fried mac-n-cheese to partner with my famous 'crack-bread' (both of which were a hit).

The meal itself was filled with great conversation and lots of laughter...a good mix for yummy goods...and reminded me of being at home (minus about 15 people).  There was only one time where I intentionally changed the subject matter...

...The college friend asked "How did you get those wicked scars on your arm?"

This is how the rest of the conversation played out...

Host's Mom:  (quietly whispered from across the table,) "Was that from a horse riding accident?"

Me:  "No, but I did crack my sternum after a fall once, and didn't tell my parents about it until about two years later....blah, blah, blah" (True story)

Her Mom:  "What???...blah, blah, blah..."

Host:  "You hurt your arm by fighting ninjas right?"

Me:  "Yes, and samurai...they put aside their differences and  ganged up over a common foe (me)...(continue crazy, ridiculous, ad-libbed story).

My gang member (not surprisingly) also had my back, and I avoided answering the question all together.   I don't mind talking about it...but during Thanksgiving dinner it can be quite the bummer.  I would not be held responsible for killing the mood nor was I in any mood to endure the looks of 'pity' that inevitably come when ever I tell the story.   I further insured the question would not come up again by distracting everyone and getting them totally immersed in  my new favorite party game, Heads Up/Charades as played with my phone app.

All in all, it was a nice Thanksgiving...even if my family was 3,000 miles away.

Boomerang

Last week I received some disappointing news about a writing program I'd applied to...for the third time.  I was not accepted...again...for the third time.  This year was a bit more disheartening than years prior, because I actually got to the second round this year.  The second round where they ask for additional writing samples...and I knocked a new script from thought to finished 2nd draft in 5 days!!!   ( I slept very little during those five days, but it made me feel good to know that I could perform under pressure.)

I found out in a way that made it worse for me.  I just happen to be scrolling on Facebook, and saw a post from the program congratulating semi-finalists and how they'd already received their emails with further details about the next steps and that in a few days the finalists would be posted as well.  I never received such an email, so I knew it was another year of rejection for me.  All programs.  I applied to four others, and did not get into any.   This last program, which was the one I was hoping for the most, was the last let down...and the most colossal one.

Applying to these programs, this past year in particular, has me feeling like a boomerang.  Each year I've focused a great deal of effort, time, sweat and sleepless nights, sent out each tailored application, and sent up lots of specific prayers, only to end up in the same place. No matter how I throw it, no matter the wind conditions, no matter the type of wood...the boomerang of it all puts me back in the equivalent position I was before applying.

On the upside...I find that I am the other side of the traditional boomerang; the 'non-returning' boomerang.  The boomerang traditionally used for killing prey.   The one sent out for specific goal and completing that goal.  The one used time and time again to achieve a goal, then used again for a new goal, so on and so forth...constantly pressing towards new goals and achieving each one.  That is the boomerang I am.

So on this eve of Thanksgiving, I am thankful (for an innumerable amount of things, but specifically related to this post) for the ability to get up, press beyond disappointments and keep on keeping on...and with a smile on my face!

Denial into these programs is not denial of my dreams...just means perhaps these programs aren't the way for me and greater things are in store.  Greater things I can't even imagine.   Stay tuned.

(That boomerang clip...well....that's just for fun!)

More Hob Nobbin...

I got invited to another screening this weekend for The Dallas Buyers' Club, and it was really great.  I both enjoyed the performances and was disturbed by it at the same time (much like 12 Years a Slave, but not quite the same.)

If you've never heard of The Dallas Buyer's Club, take a look at the trailer here (but this isnt' for the kiddies):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhFYcnRPEfA
(it's sure to be in a theater near you soon enough)

Before the screening there was a reception hosted by Reese Witherspoon...who was present in her naturally very tiny form, and accompanied by a few others:  Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner and some other people who I recognize but not sure on their names.  I guess one could say I was 'hob-nobbing' but it felt a little surreal to be honest.

I get it.  This is my reality now, and I see people who were once only imaginary people who lived in a small box in my living room or a significantly larger on in a big dark room.  Sooner or later I imagine some of these people will become my friends...I mean I already work with a few.  Further still, I'm guessing I'll be one of those people eventually.  And yet...it's a bit bizarre.   I will not (nor likely will I ever) lose my mind and act a fool over seeing these people in the flesh, but it is an oddity.  One I'm sure I'll get over sooner than later...I mean they are only people.

Still, it was a fun time and free one too! (Well, that is until I followed it up with paying to see The Best Man Holiday with a friend preceded by dinner.)

As for Best Man Holiday, it was overly dramatic and somewhat predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and am glad to see chocolate people on the screen without it being a social commentary on racism (though, I love those too!)  If you want to see some uber melodramatic scenarios acted out by equally beautiful people, then go see it!  It's a fun two hours, and not much of it is wasted.

There was no hob-nobbing at this event, but the other day I did see Taye Diggs driving down the street.

Ah well...I press on!

For Science!!!

I joined my boss in walking for a cure for Epilepsy, (as her daughter was affected by the disease, but is now doing well.)  I walked for Team Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (Team CHLA) and to show their solidarity (outside of matching t-shirts) they decided to color their hair hot pink.  (The head of pediatrics at CHLA has perpetual BRIGHT pink hair for the sake of the children, and wanted us to the team to join her.)

Now, I'm all for team spirit and the like, but I refuse to let my hair be sprayed pink (or dyed pink or chalked pink or anything that is not it's natural jet black color...even when I gray, though that might change when that time comes...but back to the point.)  Nope! Uh-Huh!  No, sir-ree!  But because I am a team player, I got my hands on this silly feathered head piece and I committed to looking silly for science!!!

My boss thought it was great, the head of the Pediatrics department was very pleased, I got numerous shout-outs of admirations for my feathers, and was even asked by random strangers to if I would take pictures with them.   One lady even gave me some wings (as seen in the pic) to go with my festive head dress.

(My boss' son however thought the feathers were scary and for a good ten minutes wouldn't look or talk to me...he got over it though.)

It was a nice day and glad to be a part of something for the advancement of science concerning epilepsy.  I'm willing to look a hot mess for kids and for cures...but that's it.

Thor! Mandela! Perks!

Movie Day!!!

Sunday I saw Thor: The Dark World and it was good fun for me.  Now, I guess I can't give a detailed critique as I'm not a comic book reader and don't know the history tied to this particular story...but I can say I enjoyed it (despite, mistakingly, reading some bad reviews prior to seeing it).  And let me just say, though I know it's not emphatically his story, Loki has garnered more of my affections in this installment.  (Still I loved when he got his behind handed to him by the Hulk in The Avengers!!!)

It's worth mentioning that with movies such as these I expect only three things:

1.  Epic battles

2.  Wonderfully nefarious villains we love to hate

and

3.  Razzle-Dazzle in the special effects realm

The fact that I also thought it was visually visceral, humorous, not overly predictable and had some fun surprises are just added bonuses.  Was it as good as the first Thor installment?  Eh, are sequels ever better than the originals?  No. (but I would argue that Lethal Weapon 3 was better than Lethal Weapon 2, but not better than one...but in general, No.) However, if I leave the theater with any of the following...

1.  A smile on my face

2.  A renewed fire to write more

3.  A wish I was a superhero

...Then it was a good time for me.  I don't expect stellar acting, overly complex character arcs or great emotional attachments to those same characters in fun movies like these (though some deliver all of that in addition to the three basic expectations).  I do, nevertheless, expect all those things and none of the above on movies like....

...Mandela:  Long Road to Freedom...which I saw at a screening at the AFI Film fest Sunday night...and it delivered as expected.   The acting was authentic and satisfying.  The story shed light on the lives of the great Nelson and Winnie Mandela, and the complexities they faced as they fought the apartheid machine of South Africa.  Visually it made me feel as if I was actually in Africa, with it's warm, crisp hues and break-taking sceneries.  It also helped me identify with the plight of the South Africans with the visual parallels drawn between the disparities of the different communities.   The supporting cast and community songs were all South African only helping convey a credible bio-pic. 

And I left the theater with both #1 and #2 from the list above.  The added bonus from this screening...both Idris Elba and Naomi Harris were in attendance.   That tall drink of water and his petite counter part brought extra smiles to my face that night.   A small perk of this crazy adventure I'm on!  (Not to mention sometimes getting to see films before they're released...so go see this one when it comes out later this month.)

Survival of the Zombie Apocalypse!!!

Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a Zombie Apocalypse Survival Course...where I took down real zombies!!!  

Ok...it was just a regular survival meet up group outing, but I frequently see such a course referred to as such....and it sounds...interesting...in theory. 

It should be said that I personally don't believe in zombies or their impending takeover.   (It should also be said that as good as it probably is, I'm not overly compelled to add Walking Dead to my already ridiculously long list of TV programming must watch.)   Now, if I am wrong and zombies are real and will one day take over he earth,  I'd focus my efforts on mastering chemical compounds and biological weapons that could simply eradicate the biological components of a zombie rendering it essentially dead....but I digress. 

During the survival time, we hiked, identified plants and learned their purposes.  We built shelters out of trees and branches.  We used plants to make soap, tongs, cording and create fire kindle.  We started fires, using multiple techniques...and I learned that while I'm good at starting fires with my knife and a flint rock of some sort, I'd better have a lighter on my person at all times if my only option is rubbing sticks together because I'm not great at that...(well, not yet!)  We crossed streams and traversed from desert to wooded terrains.  And finally, I got to make good use of my knife, but also realized that I should also invest in a fixed blade knife.  

Besides the abundance of tiny welts all over my arms gifted to me as I made shelter with various tree parts and the wet boots I received as a result of not being patient enough to wait while those in front of me teedered their way across the streams on logs--I just walked though the streams...It was a great time and great learning experience. 

Saturday night my 'gang' girls came over for some much needed girl time...which basically translates into eating a ridiculous smorgosborg of homemade goods, venting about our current woes-whatever they may be, and being silly.  On this particular night we decided to talk out our frustrations over coloring pages, a version of the 'who am I game' and (as usual) a dance party.   It was great!!!  And leads me to another expression of gratitude:  I really am grateful for the bond that has formed between me and the two lovely ladies I met on my first real paid job here in the industry...I forget what I've called them in previous posts...so I'll go with Chicago and Six (which may not be terribly off from what I originally called them).

After they left, I very much contemplated going to a midnight show of an indy film at the AFI Film fest to which I had tickets.  My body had other plans....get in the bed and go to sleep.  So I did. 

Stay tuned. 

Gratitude!

As it is the 'official' month of gratitude, and I say that with great hesitation, (since everyday I wake up not dead is a day for gratitude) I figured I'd make an effort to journal some of those things I'm grateful for.  I've been keeping my own journal, but it's another reason to keep me focused on keeping up my writing on this blog, in addition to whatever other flavorful happenings come my way!

So...I'll start with the Gratitude catch up:

11/1 - Grateful for the opportunity to support a friend's work an attend the screening of a short film he worked on.

11/2 - Grateful for opportunity to hang out with a dear old friend and meet a new friend!

11/3 -  Grateful for a friend who prayed for me over the phone out of the blue.  Also grateful that we've been able to reconnect after so many years of being apart...and it's like we never were.

11/4 - Grateful for a very creative morning full to the brim with ideas and writing (though not so grateful that because of that same creative morning, I was late to work...but on the flip side, grateful to have a job to be late to!)

11/5 - Grateful that I was able to find lower priced flights home for Christmas!  (Also grateful for being able to observe certain...behaviors...and for also having the wisdom to do whatever I can to NOT emulate them....it's a long story.)

11/6 - Today is that day...and it's not over yet, so I'd prefer not to say what I'm grateful for just yet...

Stay tuned.  (I may have some new shenanigans to share...day ain't over yet!)

My Own Fault...My Own Grace

I knew there would be no new reads from the blog...but that's my own fault.  I didn't tell anyone I was working on it again....maybe I won't.  I'll just keep my thoughts journaled here for myself, and if anyone else joins, then that's just icing on the cake!

It's a new month, a new week, and I've got a revived state of mind to accomplish things in different parts of my life.  LOTS of writing projects, (just to mention one) and I believe I can finish them all by the end of 2013.  No pressure. And I will do what a friend said to me just yesterday...

Extend Grace to myself.  I was telling her about a script I finished over the weekend.  She was impressed that I pulled an 'all nighter' to finish it, but I wasn't.  My personal deadline for that script was two weeks ago!  But she reminded me that I did finish it, and that's something that not everyone can or will do.

With life's daily grinds, ever arising issues and constant emotional rollervcoaster ride, sometimes deadlines and timelines are just dates on a calendar.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  Finishing a project (any project) I set out to do is always an accomplishment, whether it took me one day or one month.

So I will lavish myself with Grace, just as God does.   Stay tuned.

Since February 27, 2013...

It's been a long time...and oddly enough, I just happened to stumble onto my own blog!!! (Imagine that!)  It's a good thing I pinned it to my favorites.  It's been so long, I might not have been able to remember where it lives on the web without first probing my emails for the original link.

Funny thing though, I didn't realize I'd been so long separated from 'Pressing On'.  I knew it'd been a while, but February??? I was faithful to my life's chronicle for only two months in 2013? Wow.  And how odd...that my next post since my last one comes on the cusp of the second to last month of the year.

Well, I suppose this blog is aptly named...pressing on.  Because no matter what happens in the past, I have to press on.  And so I shall.

I have been thinking about starting a new, more specific blog, as my life is (currently) pretty routine. Yes, sometimes things are exciting at work, and yes, I've done somethings in my personal life that are fun and worth chit-chatting about since February...but overall, I don't always feel like what happens in my daily life these days warrants a post.   But I've said that before.  I've written that before.  And readers have read that before.   And to be honest, it's a little disappointing to be in an unwanted paralyzed ambit.  But enough about the past.

What's happened since February?  Well...a lot.  Is this going to be a catch up of GINORMOUS proportions?  Nope.

But...it's nice to be back.  Stay tuned...things may be changing soon...

A little fun...

Not much has been going on these days...outside of Delaware's birthday week, a play, and my boss getting shafted out of a deal...

And since I'm supposed to be writing, inevitably I have found a way to procrastinate. (Don't worry, it's part of my process and is very necessary)...

Here's a little something to enjoy!

Adventure: Horse Expo

Friesian!

Last Saturday...well, first...all last week I was going back and forth on whether I wanted to make the drive to Pomona to go to a Horse Expo.  Pomona is about an hours drive both ways.  I really just didn't want to make the drive...plus I was going by myself, and I wanted to spend the whole day writing (since I'd told my tutee that we wouldn't be meeting this week).  By Friday night, I'd made up my mind that I was going to sleep in and not go.

Shagya Arabian

Knabstrupper

Well, Saturday morning I woke up around 7am and said 'what the heck, it will be an adventure!' So I did some errands and got on the road.  I'm very glad I went.  I met some nice people, saw some beautiful horses   (some breeds I've only read about) and the drive wasn't so bad.  (After I got out of the city, it was actually enjoyable...and I will say that I've been driving on the highways more...usually just one highway, the 101, but more none the less.)

I saw the nearly extinct Knabbstupper, the hard to fine Shayga Arabian, the fanciful Frisian, a Cremello...and many, many more.  I also learned a bit about polo, learned how to swing a mallot, and got presented with an offer to buy a nearly $4000 saddle...that will supposedly fit any horse.  I saw/heard some clinics on jumping and conformation and other horsie stuff that probably only three of my friends are interested in.  It was a good time, and I'm glad when on the adventure!

Andalusian

Cremello  (like an Albino)

Little girl and pony playing polo for the first time

Ooops!

Just before lunch, while it was super quiet (as it has been this past week, and it will continue to be till summer if no pilots gets picked up)...a woman (looking quite lost) walked in.  She said who she was looking for, I told her she probably had the wrong bungalow, and she admitted that she was lost and needed direction.  "Ooops, my bad.  I am so sorry"

Well, we got her pointed in the right direction.  She was very nice and very apologetic for  having 'bothered' us (as she put it).  

That 'she' was Tisha Campbell...and I thought it was pretty cool.

Tisha Campbell  (Martin, My Wife and Kids)

Dance-a-Thon!!!

So this dance-a-thon benefiting pediatric cancer was pretty cool and a fun way to both help others and get some exercise!!!

Thanks to my...illustrious supporters, I both exceed my personal fundraising goal, as well as help my team to be the third highest fundraising team!!!!  Overall, all the teams and dancers collected over $67,000 for pediatric cancer research!

We raised over $67,000!!!

I gotta say, while it was super fun and I'd gladly do it again FTK ('for the kids'...they said it all night), my hips, back and ...ahhh who am I kidding...everything from my waist down was mad at me!!!  Particularly around the four and a half hour mark...but at that point I was like, 'eh, what's another hour and a half, I can do it!'...and so I boogied my way to the end of the night and ultimately into a warm bath!!  

Dad pimping his son for cash!

Ahem, Delaware's dance moves?

I've stood on set for 12-14 hours at a time...but dancing for that long (or half that time in this case) is a little different.  Oh well, it was for the kids!  

My team, Footloose Frenzy, decided to go with an 80's theme, for obviously reasons (Footloose was an 80's film)...which is why we all have our hair in a sideways ponytail...only for the kids will I wear my hear like that!!!  Our team of four also didn't last through the night...as one of our dancers had to leave early for a prior engagement.  

The Whole 'Footloose Frenzy' Team

Throughout the night there were dance groups and bands/musicians performing, a couple of 'dance-offs, a really cute elderly couple, ' a dad pimping out is his baby for donations (although the baby was super adorable), and some odd dance moves from the...ahem...less coordinated folk.  

After it was all said and done!

Overall I (and the 160 or so other dancers) had a great time, for a great cause!  (if only they had played the 'Cupid shuffle' longer than five seconds...sigh.)

The Great Catch up!

Well...it's been quite a while, and lots has happened.  So I will try and do a really quick Year End review!  Here goes...(in order to the best of my memory!)

I was the Assistant Director for my church's Christmas spectacular.

   

I made a ginger-bread train with my gang members.

Gang related projects!

I made gifts!  (A piano bench  (yep, you read that right!!!), some cartoonized slide like photos for the office group, 'authentic' crates for Delaware and the actress, and mugs for the office crew...just to name a few)




 


 

Getting paid to play Wii

I played Wii at work!!  (It was pretty dead the last week before Christmas vacation)

I spent time in my beloved Florida with my beloved family!!

New Bathroom!

I got a renovated bathroom for Christmas! (well kind of...it's just the bathroom I use, not that it was redone just for me.)


I went on a cruise! (with my mom and cousins)

Gotta love a cruise!

I saw some beautiful sites.

Over Louisianna

The Florida Coast

 

My cousin won a cheesy trophy on the cruise for a Motown trivia contest!

And the winner is...!

Ohh...Scary Pirate!

My other cousin got attacked by a Pirate at dinner! (He's obviously very scared!)

I watched a cat charm a baby snake! (Yuck...the cat shoulda just killed it!)

Kill it already!

I came back to California (blah.)

I'm back at work (though it is really, REALLY slow...which is why I'm updating it at work...but more on that in another post)


I saw a super funny comedy sketch from the CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase (which inspired me to really get my behind in gear!!!)

Lamborghini

Saw and Heard the a car accident outside my building.  (It really shook me up, but no one was hurt and it was just one car to blame for the damage of about 8 cars, including the one being driven...a Lamborgini.)

Birthday Jello-Shots

I made 'jello shots' for a friend's birthday. (They were like, "How sweet, and she doesn't even drink!")



I saw Kim Coles' (Sinclair from 'Living Single') one woman show:  "Oh but wait, there's more!" (great show and she's super nice!)

and...I met Evette Nicole Brown from NBCs "Community"

Me and Kim Coles

Me and Evette Nicole Brown

I think that's all for the catch up!  Whew, I made it!  (Now hopefully back to your regularly scheduled Blog Posts!  Stay tuned!)

 

Not Abandoned!

I fully realize that I have not updated the blog since last year!!! (literally)  But I have not abandoned it.   Stay tuned...a really LONG catch up soon to follow...maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow...but soon!