Do not wait and at the same time be patient

Every Christmas since I returned to America, I buy myself a new moleskin notebook. At first I was going to keep it as a sacred place to write only about my thoughts about Theatre, plays I've read, shows I've seen, but then I realized that it was also very important to include my own ramblings because the two worlds influence each other and are deeply connected. I could not be one without the other. Once I allowed myself this freedom, I am never without my notebook because it helps me digest the world around me.

I have a special tradition, that when I'm ready to devirginize my moleskin, I take out the best pen I can find and write "A Word of Advice" from Anne Bogart's book A Director Prepares. It's just my way of reminding myself (theater-related or otherwise) to seize the moment but to also be patient. This was originally sent to me by Kristan when we first started dating and it continues to remind me that he supports and encourages me in all that I do. Dating another artist, another director no less, can be tricky, but at the same time the best thing, because no one understands what you go through better than another director, and even better when that person is also your partner.

I just deverginized my third moleskin and I thought I'd share the passage with all of you:

A Word of Advice by Anne Bogart

Do Not assume that you have to have some prescribed conditions to do your best work.

DO NOT WAIT

Do Not wait for enough time or money to accomplish what you think you have in mind.

Work with what you have right now.

Work with the people around you right now.

Work with the architecture you see around you right now.

Do Not wait till you are sure that you know what you are doing.

Do Not wait for what you assume is the appropriate, stress-free environment in which to generate expression.

Do Not wait for maturity or insight or wisdom.

Do Not wait until you have enough technique.

What you do now, what you make of your present circumstances will determine the quality and scope of your future endeavors.

And at the same time, be patient.

"Happy New Year"

So that happened: 2009 is coming to an end, but for me this is not the New Year. It doesn't feel like the beginning of the year to me. It has always felt like this awkward holiday in the middle. Where people pretend to start over. Really for me, my new year starts in August. Mostly because of the school year, but now as an adult it's because my favorite planner starts in August and so does the theater season. Somehow the end of summer and the beginning of fall begins the new year. Summer is over and with it's passing it takes away the carefree attitude and ushers in a serious "back to work" one.

Here is how the "2009" year breaks down:

January: Moved to part-time at PCS, begin part-time at Windermere. How to Disappear-dramaturg, Fertile Ground-Krishna's Folly
February: not much-it went by rather fast
March: Spring Break with Kristan in NY
April: Let go from PCS, and I turned 25, continue part-time at Windermere
May: Fly to Providence to see Endgame
June: Third Rail Workshop
July: Begin rehearsal for The Bullet Round, attended JAW
August: The Bullet Round Opens & Closes
September: Rehearse Fool for Love
October: Fool for Love Opens
November: Watch the entire 6 seasons of MI-5, begin working for Linda, visit Kristan for Thanksgiving
December: Watch a lot of Criminal Minds, read scripts, Kristan home for Hamlet

Not too bad. A pretty eventful year if you ask me! Learned a lot about myself and my chosen profession.
But in reality, my year started in August, so it's not fully complete until next August. I am rather curious what 2010 has in store for me...

I make resolutions all year round, so making one tonight isn't special. But here it goes: I would like to take Joey on an hour walk every morning, which would mean getting up at 7am. Can I do it? You all know I love to sleep. Go to Yoga 2-3 times a week. And read more scripts.

Coming to a January 2010 near you, Megan finally gets her Real Estate License. Finally. (maybe)