My computer says it’s midnight, but my mind is working like its 11am. For some reason or another, my job isn’t completely satisfying me these days. Maybe it’s because, as I told someone the other day, I am not involved in the theatre community and I miss that. Or perhaps it’s because I have a staff that, try as I might, will not stick to the processes and complete their tasks as assigned. Or even scarier for me, maybe I truly do start to itch after a couple of years and long for the “next big thing”. It admittedly does seem to be a pattern for me.
So where does that leave me? Looking for a job, that’s where. I have applied for three jobs in the last two months. Nothing has obviously panned out for one reason or another. The first was a theatre company in NYC for a job that could have been a bit out of my league at this point in my career. I put in my application apparently after the job had been opened for too long and they already had someone lined up. The second one, a job here in DC, is still open, but yet no call. Did I truly not tweak my resume enough to not even warrant a phone call? I actually thought that job was a slight step back from what I do now. Maybe that was cocky of me or maybe they are taking over a month to get in resumes before they start to call people. Either way, I’ve pretty much give up on that one too.
The last job I took about an hour applying for today. It’s a combination of many things I’ve done in the past would require a bit of a lifestyle shift (not to mention a potential foreign language course) and a definite relocation to New York City, but it was just too interesting not to submit a resume for consideration. I mean, what Arts Admin graduate would not jump at the chance to become involved in International Theatre and fly to Madrid, Spain in September!? Would I be surprised if they didn’t call? Of course not. But that is what has me up at 12:07am, tossing and turning so much that the dog was giving me dirty looks.
Once I get a potential life change into my head, I can’t stop thinking about it. It just seeps in and I start to play scenes out in my head about the apartment search and where we would live and what my office would look like and where all I would travel and where D would find a job and what our social life would become there and on and on. I don’t exactly know how to make it stop. That or the itch.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
take a look, lee.....
It's been a long time (almost 7 months I guess) since I updated or talked about anything. I tend to go through cycles when I have a lot to talk about, or rather want to talk about, and then there are the times when I just don't feel like its interesting enough to talk about or frankly, I'm just too lazy! :)
But today I feel a bit chatty, so let's take a look back on some recent events.
New Year's Eve was spent working the concert/after party at the Kennedy Center with Garth. Luckily, D's schedule allowed him to come and hang out with me, which made the night go much better and gave me someone to kiss at midnight! I dreaded the event because I felt unsure of some of the logistics, but the PAFE team, as always, had everything under control and the night went very smoothly and all in all I had a good time. Balloons dropped, people sang, patrons drank, I drank....and then I got a much needed day off to recooperate.
My 29th birthday on the 28th was pretty quiet which was just fine by me. I had to work, but then D and I went out to Montmartre on Capitol Hill for dinner and had some great food and celebrated my existance. I have to say, I'm looking forward to being finished with the 20s. I sometimes feel like that little kid trying to be an adult and just not quite making it.
Christmas on the other hand was not quite what I wanted it to be. I think I wrote last year about how disappointing the holiday had become to me, and this year it held true again. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE and miss my Mom A LOT and will cross whatever distance I must to see her at Christmas, but this year, for some reason, it was incredibly hard not to be with the rest of my family (Derek, Beau, Kate, Tonya, the Bowleys, etc.) I spent a great deal of the first part of my life ashamed of who I was and hiding it from everyone in my family except Mom. Since moving away to DC/Boston/DC I have been able to live my life as it should be lived, in the open, hiding nothing. However, when I go back home to Alabama I put back on the mask because sometimes it just feels easier that way. I honestly don't know how much longer I can keep it up.
Thanksgiving was a blast, minus the fact that one of the guests had a seizure and had to be taken by ambulance to GWU. (That's a long story and I don't know him very well so that will be left untold.) However, before that we were able to spend a couple of days with Marty, the Nicks, Rob G., Tim, Steven and their families. We drank, we laughed, we cooked, we ate, we took over a DC hotel lobby...it was fantastic.
D has been working his self ragged lately. His connections in the DC theatre community are continually growing and as a result he is finding more and more work as a music director. (Which I think has been a dream of his for a very long time.) It's so great to see him so happy, but these past few months have been a little too stressful for him as he has basically been working on about 4-5 different projects at once. It will slow down a bit for him in about a week which will be really nice for us both. I miss having him around more, but so is the life when you have a partner in the theatre industry.
I have to tell a quick side story. One night when I was waiting outside Theatre J to pick D up after his rehearsal I saw a gay couple walking down the street at 10pm at night holding hands and laughing without fear or nervousness about their display of affection. I couldn't help but smile and be happy for them and I guess a little for myself. It was on the eve of leaving for Alabama and it was a quick confirmation that moving to a place like DC was the right thing to do for my life.
Finally, before I go, as it is the eve of the first Democratic caucus I will give my two cents about the upcoming primaries and 2008 election. I haven't quite decided who I will vote for in DC's primary in February. I'm leaning toward Hillary at the moment, but quite frankly I simply want whoever can win in 2008 against the Republican nominee. I'm a bit disappointed in the Democratic party as of late and mostly because of the in-party bickering. I realize the primary season is the time to point out the differences between candidates, but sometimes it just went too far in an attempt to decieve people into voting one way or another. It's time for a change, the Republican party has had a few years to see if they can make good changes to our country, and as far as I am concerned made some really really bad choices and put us back a few years in respect to civil rights and foreign affairs and...i could go on and on. Who do I support in the primary? It really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I support the Democratic Party in 2008.
But today I feel a bit chatty, so let's take a look back on some recent events.
New Year's Eve was spent working the concert/after party at the Kennedy Center with Garth. Luckily, D's schedule allowed him to come and hang out with me, which made the night go much better and gave me someone to kiss at midnight! I dreaded the event because I felt unsure of some of the logistics, but the PAFE team, as always, had everything under control and the night went very smoothly and all in all I had a good time. Balloons dropped, people sang, patrons drank, I drank....and then I got a much needed day off to recooperate.
My 29th birthday on the 28th was pretty quiet which was just fine by me. I had to work, but then D and I went out to Montmartre on Capitol Hill for dinner and had some great food and celebrated my existance. I have to say, I'm looking forward to being finished with the 20s. I sometimes feel like that little kid trying to be an adult and just not quite making it.
Christmas on the other hand was not quite what I wanted it to be. I think I wrote last year about how disappointing the holiday had become to me, and this year it held true again. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE and miss my Mom A LOT and will cross whatever distance I must to see her at Christmas, but this year, for some reason, it was incredibly hard not to be with the rest of my family (Derek, Beau, Kate, Tonya, the Bowleys, etc.) I spent a great deal of the first part of my life ashamed of who I was and hiding it from everyone in my family except Mom. Since moving away to DC/Boston/DC I have been able to live my life as it should be lived, in the open, hiding nothing. However, when I go back home to Alabama I put back on the mask because sometimes it just feels easier that way. I honestly don't know how much longer I can keep it up.
Thanksgiving was a blast, minus the fact that one of the guests had a seizure and had to be taken by ambulance to GWU. (That's a long story and I don't know him very well so that will be left untold.) However, before that we were able to spend a couple of days with Marty, the Nicks, Rob G., Tim, Steven and their families. We drank, we laughed, we cooked, we ate, we took over a DC hotel lobby...it was fantastic.
D has been working his self ragged lately. His connections in the DC theatre community are continually growing and as a result he is finding more and more work as a music director. (Which I think has been a dream of his for a very long time.) It's so great to see him so happy, but these past few months have been a little too stressful for him as he has basically been working on about 4-5 different projects at once. It will slow down a bit for him in about a week which will be really nice for us both. I miss having him around more, but so is the life when you have a partner in the theatre industry.
I have to tell a quick side story. One night when I was waiting outside Theatre J to pick D up after his rehearsal I saw a gay couple walking down the street at 10pm at night holding hands and laughing without fear or nervousness about their display of affection. I couldn't help but smile and be happy for them and I guess a little for myself. It was on the eve of leaving for Alabama and it was a quick confirmation that moving to a place like DC was the right thing to do for my life.
Finally, before I go, as it is the eve of the first Democratic caucus I will give my two cents about the upcoming primaries and 2008 election. I haven't quite decided who I will vote for in DC's primary in February. I'm leaning toward Hillary at the moment, but quite frankly I simply want whoever can win in 2008 against the Republican nominee. I'm a bit disappointed in the Democratic party as of late and mostly because of the in-party bickering. I realize the primary season is the time to point out the differences between candidates, but sometimes it just went too far in an attempt to decieve people into voting one way or another. It's time for a change, the Republican party has had a few years to see if they can make good changes to our country, and as far as I am concerned made some really really bad choices and put us back a few years in respect to civil rights and foreign affairs and...i could go on and on. Who do I support in the primary? It really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I support the Democratic Party in 2008.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Ptown Fairytale
So in just two weeks I will be headed off for vacation to Ptown, MA for Carnival week with some of my very dear friends from NYC. Below are some pictures of the house we stay in. These next two weeks are going to go by so slowly.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Mr. Washington - Are You Fucking Kidding Me?
I have to say a few things about Mr. Isaiah Washington and his recent interview on Larry King. See an excerpt from the article below.
"I said several bad words," he recalled, quoting himself as telling Dempsey: "There's no way you're going to treat me like the B-word, the P-word or the F-word."
He said that the "F-word" was not meant as an anti-gay slur, but implied "somebody who is being weak." Washington also strongly denied he ever directed the word at gay costar T.R. Knight.
"I am not homophobic – in no way, shape or form," said Washington.
Faggot is a word used way too easily in our day in time. Excuse me Mr. Washington, but as a gay man...if in my workplace I heard someone call another person a faggot to imply they were weak...I would be absolutely be offended and consider that a homophobic (as that is the closest word to describe discrimination against GLBT) remark. It was rude, insensitive and highly inappropriate for the workplace and demands consequences. That kind of insensitivity creates an uncomfortable working environment and if he is the cause, then he deserved to be fired for his behavior, plain and simple. I will not even dignify his claims that he was fired because of his race. What a joke!
He also spoke about his friends that were "completely gay". Below is a funny IM conversation my friend Tonya and I were having about that.
[16:41] TonyaNS1975: I am curious about his "completely gay" friends... how is one "completely gay"
[16:41] TonyaNS1975: no cooter finger?
[16:41] TonyaNS1975: what is the criteria
[16:42] tdprestridge: yeah...i don't know how some are partly gay
[16:42] tdprestridge: i'd like to meet these completely gay people and see if I am one of them
[16:42] TonyaNS1975: yes - I hope I haven't gotten the shaft here and only have "sorta gay" friends
[16:42] TonyaNS1975: that will piss me off
[16:43] tdprestridge: for real....after all the time you have invested
[16:43] tdprestridge: what if you got defective gays out of the deal?
[16:43] TonyaNS1975: I will be SO PISSED
[16:43] tdprestridge: is there a test D and I can take?
[16:43] tdprestridge: i'm nervous now
[16:43] TonyaNS1975: We'll have to look into that - I am so confused
[16:44] tdprestridge: jerk
"I said several bad words," he recalled, quoting himself as telling Dempsey: "There's no way you're going to treat me like the B-word, the P-word or the F-word."
He said that the "F-word" was not meant as an anti-gay slur, but implied "somebody who is being weak." Washington also strongly denied he ever directed the word at gay costar T.R. Knight.
"I am not homophobic – in no way, shape or form," said Washington.
Faggot is a word used way too easily in our day in time. Excuse me Mr. Washington, but as a gay man...if in my workplace I heard someone call another person a faggot to imply they were weak...I would be absolutely be offended and consider that a homophobic (as that is the closest word to describe discrimination against GLBT) remark. It was rude, insensitive and highly inappropriate for the workplace and demands consequences. That kind of insensitivity creates an uncomfortable working environment and if he is the cause, then he deserved to be fired for his behavior, plain and simple. I will not even dignify his claims that he was fired because of his race. What a joke!
He also spoke about his friends that were "completely gay". Below is a funny IM conversation my friend Tonya and I were having about that.
[16:41] TonyaNS1975: I am curious about his "completely gay" friends... how is one "completely gay"
[16:41] TonyaNS1975: no cooter finger?
[16:41] TonyaNS1975: what is the criteria
[16:42] tdprestridge: yeah...i don't know how some are partly gay
[16:42] tdprestridge: i'd like to meet these completely gay people and see if I am one of them
[16:42] TonyaNS1975: yes - I hope I haven't gotten the shaft here and only have "sorta gay" friends
[16:42] TonyaNS1975: that will piss me off
[16:43] tdprestridge: for real....after all the time you have invested
[16:43] tdprestridge: what if you got defective gays out of the deal?
[16:43] TonyaNS1975: I will be SO PISSED
[16:43] tdprestridge: is there a test D and I can take?
[16:43] tdprestridge: i'm nervous now
[16:43] TonyaNS1975: We'll have to look into that - I am so confused
[16:44] tdprestridge: jerk
Monday, July 02, 2007
it's a brand new year......
it's been almost two months since my last entry....let's see if i can recap...
I started my new job as Manager, Performing Arts of Everyone at the KC in April. In the past two months its been quite a whirlwind. Managing a department that produces 365 shows a year, plus other events on top of that is unlike anything I've ever had to do before, including a huge concert with Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Jimmy Cliff, the Ska-talites, and Plunky and Oneness. It's been a big challenge, but one I think I am learning a lot from and have finally settled into the job I think. Now having worked for both Donna and Garth, I can't imagine having to deal with a bad boss anymore. Both are so extremely supportive and teaching. I hope that I can be that kind of a mentor/boss to any/all employees that I work with in the future.
May brought our PAFE retreat at a private club Garth belongs too called Sycamore Island. We spent the day strategizing about our mission/focus as a whole and then went canoeing, played on a zip line and just generally relaxed with some Mediterranean food. It was so nice to get away and feel like I was in the country again, if even for just a day. Sitting and looking out over the river with no sounds but birds, etc was so incredibly peaceful. Made me miss Nannie's house a lot.
Also, we got to go see Tonya and Kate for Kate's recital. She was soo good and it is always incredible to be able to see them when we can. Our visits are always way too short. My Mom aside, those two are probably two of the most important people in my life right now. They are the kind of friends that become family.
At the start of June, D and I found out that our apartment was being sold and we needed to be out at the end of our lease. (July 31). We later found out that our landlord changed his mind and we didn't have to move, but the place is riddled with problems and the management company is completely unresponsive, so we decided to carry on with the move. We found a really great 2BR basement apartment, still on Capitol Hill, that will end up saving us quite a bit of money in the long run. It's a really great space with a working fireplace, free wood, free cable/internet, new microwave and practically new fridge, working disposal, dishwasher and washer/dryer, etc. It's such a better place than where we are living now, for dramatically less. It's good times. I have added some photos at my flickr site so you can get an idea of the place.
The move will take place on the 21st of July, right when my Mom is here to visit. I'm sad that her visit will be so hectic and in the middle of all this mess, but it will be so good to see her that I don't really care when she comes. I miss my Mom so much. Distance is such a hard thing for someone you care so much about. So many times I feel like I am not there for her since I am so far away. We depended so much on one another for about four years and I feel in some ways that I abandoned her after we both got on our feet. Luckily she married a great guy in Tommy so I feel much better about not being so close to her. Still, I miss her.
Tricia is also coming for a visit in July. It's been awhile since she and I have spent time together. I have no idea what she has really been up to lately, so it will be good for us to catch up on life, etc. Plus, the next Harry Potter movie comes out that weekend so that will be fun!
And that about wraps it up....only 6 more weeks until Ptown vacation.....
I started my new job as Manager, Performing Arts of Everyone at the KC in April. In the past two months its been quite a whirlwind. Managing a department that produces 365 shows a year, plus other events on top of that is unlike anything I've ever had to do before, including a huge concert with Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Jimmy Cliff, the Ska-talites, and Plunky and Oneness. It's been a big challenge, but one I think I am learning a lot from and have finally settled into the job I think. Now having worked for both Donna and Garth, I can't imagine having to deal with a bad boss anymore. Both are so extremely supportive and teaching. I hope that I can be that kind of a mentor/boss to any/all employees that I work with in the future.
May brought our PAFE retreat at a private club Garth belongs too called Sycamore Island. We spent the day strategizing about our mission/focus as a whole and then went canoeing, played on a zip line and just generally relaxed with some Mediterranean food. It was so nice to get away and feel like I was in the country again, if even for just a day. Sitting and looking out over the river with no sounds but birds, etc was so incredibly peaceful. Made me miss Nannie's house a lot.
Also, we got to go see Tonya and Kate for Kate's recital. She was soo good and it is always incredible to be able to see them when we can. Our visits are always way too short. My Mom aside, those two are probably two of the most important people in my life right now. They are the kind of friends that become family.
At the start of June, D and I found out that our apartment was being sold and we needed to be out at the end of our lease. (July 31). We later found out that our landlord changed his mind and we didn't have to move, but the place is riddled with problems and the management company is completely unresponsive, so we decided to carry on with the move. We found a really great 2BR basement apartment, still on Capitol Hill, that will end up saving us quite a bit of money in the long run. It's a really great space with a working fireplace, free wood, free cable/internet, new microwave and practically new fridge, working disposal, dishwasher and washer/dryer, etc. It's such a better place than where we are living now, for dramatically less. It's good times. I have added some photos at my flickr site so you can get an idea of the place.
The move will take place on the 21st of July, right when my Mom is here to visit. I'm sad that her visit will be so hectic and in the middle of all this mess, but it will be so good to see her that I don't really care when she comes. I miss my Mom so much. Distance is such a hard thing for someone you care so much about. So many times I feel like I am not there for her since I am so far away. We depended so much on one another for about four years and I feel in some ways that I abandoned her after we both got on our feet. Luckily she married a great guy in Tommy so I feel much better about not being so close to her. Still, I miss her.
Tricia is also coming for a visit in July. It's been awhile since she and I have spent time together. I have no idea what she has really been up to lately, so it will be good for us to catch up on life, etc. Plus, the next Harry Potter movie comes out that weekend so that will be fun!
And that about wraps it up....only 6 more weeks until Ptown vacation.....
Monday, May 07, 2007
Bali Ha'i....
I did it....D didn't think I would....but I did...this morning I went to the gym before work...Now, let me tell you about the four good and bad things about this morning's experience...
#1 - I remembered how great it was to run/work-out and then have energy to face the day. GOOD
#2 - Walking to work, fresh with energy, I made the resolution to be healthier in all aspects of my life, including food...which is kind of a given I think when getting back in shape, but whatever. VERY GOOD
#3 - I forgot my belt - BAD
#4 - L Street Bally's didn't have hot water this morning. VERY BAD
I guess if those are the two worst things about going to the gym, I should just be glad. Now, to get rid of my little pudge and get that flat stomach back.....
#1 - I remembered how great it was to run/work-out and then have energy to face the day. GOOD
#2 - Walking to work, fresh with energy, I made the resolution to be healthier in all aspects of my life, including food...which is kind of a given I think when getting back in shape, but whatever. VERY GOOD
#3 - I forgot my belt - BAD
#4 - L Street Bally's didn't have hot water this morning. VERY BAD
I guess if those are the two worst things about going to the gym, I should just be glad. Now, to get rid of my little pudge and get that flat stomach back.....
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