NYC 2019; Day 4

Walking down 9th Avenue last night with my former roommate and (still) close friend, Cathy, and I hear, “Mattie!”
It was another close friend (and former roommate), Andrew!
Even after fifteen years, I love that I can be walking in Hells Kitchen and run into my crew.
The skyscrapers might be getting taller and the food more expensive, but at the heart of NYC there is still a vibrant sense of community amongst artists!

NYC 2019; Day 3

After a gorgeous evening with lifelong friends, I woke up today full of gratitude;

A twenty year bond offers trust, understanding, and insight.

I rolled out of bed and into a yoga class, where I discovered how sore my abs are from laughing too hard last night.

Today I have the honor of teaching class at Broadway Dance Center—I love working with dancers who are building their foundation.

Then, I get to hang out with my NYC roommate! …which will certainly include an additional abdominal workout!

NYC 2019; Day 2

The pulse of the city inspires my soul;

Yoga, Starbucks, and people watching as I attend to my daily writing.

It’s wild—I only lived in New York for five years, and that was fifteen years ago—still I smile from the stories from my past.

My adventure continues!

NYC 2019; Day 1:

Last night I walked around midtown and the Upper West Side;

It felt like I was floating in a dream or better yet, an alternate universe.

I lived in New York City for such a long time, but that was ages ago;

Memories of my first audition, my fantasy apartment (a gorgeous doorman building along Central Park West), and all of the feelings of desperately wanting to “make it”!

As I passed from street to street I could feel myself relax. I’m not sure if I’d still use the phrase “make it”, but I realized I had done something more rewarding:

Everyday I wake up and get to do what I love. When I was twebty-one and living in the city, I undoubtedly took that for granted. Now, I can appreciate the journey that I’ve had thus far; I accept the truths—I’m not exactly where I thought I’d be at forty-one; still, twenty years later I’m precisely where I’m meant to be!

Start Spreading The News!

I can’t believe I lived in New York City over fifteen years ago;

It feels like yesterday I was over paying (more than I earned) for a tiny studio apartment and a gym membership—the two necessities as a twenty-something aspiring actor.

Now, I return to the Big City to teach up-and-coming artists!

Undoubtedly, I will find time to see a few Broadway shows and devour a many delicious dinners with friends!

Time To Go Home:

Lights out;
The stars are up and so am I.
Another curtain closes;
A new adventure begins, today.

Life On Tour (Again) Day 4

Yesterday, I hiked to the top of massive boulder––and up half way up the piney fresh mountain that stands majestic behind our hotel––all before a work event;
I gazed out over the stunningly sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, took a deep breath and gave thanks for the gorgeous presence I felt, and then shot a dance video. . . I never stop working; sometimes the job is easy.

Life On Tour (Again) Day 3

I always forget how fast time goes when I’m on the road;
Too busy to think, I go from my hotel room to the theater and back day and night.
Thankfully, I find moments to sneak outside and enjoy the beautiful Tahoe air.
It helps that I’m working with a group of people who bring me joy.
Laughing through the long daze.

Life On Tour (Again) Day 2

There is a 24-Hour Starbucks two blocks away;
My most loyal comfort on the road!

Life on Tour (Again) Day 1

I fell asleep at 1AM;
Wake up call at 5AM;
Fourteen hours in a theater;
Who said this job was glamorous?

Traveling, Tahoe

survive on four hours of sleep each night.

I’ll spend the next three weeks choreographing, teaching, promoting my new book, Dancing Out of the Closet—now available on Amazon—and socializing with many cocktails and too little rest. This is the life I signed up for.

Living the dream; sometimes lonely, often hectic, mostly happy, always grateful.

Packing:

Life on the road means life in a bag. . .
Weather in different regions;
Fancy events;
Days near a pool;
Rehearsals in studios;
Plan accordingly!

Friday Feelings:

Eight hours of sleep, I’m well-rested and ready for a fabulous day off!
. . . .Before my three-week choreography, convention extravaganza.

Deep Breath:

I woke up feeling beaten down;
My body is desperate for a massage!
Aching for sleep and a stress-free day;
Working through the overwhelming list of projects to complete before the fall.
Remembering back to when a chaotic schedule felt like I was “making things happen”;
Now, I just long for a deep breath––in through the nose and out through the mouth: release and return to the present.

Which Is Worse?

Waiting for my expensive high-speed Internet to load, so that I can complete my work;
Or. . .
Being placed on hold for forty minutes with AT&T, only to get transferred to someone who can’t understand anything I’m saying?

When You Wake Up...

On your day off to find a dozen work emails that all have: URGENT in the Subject line. . .
You grab a cup of coffee, head out to your balcony with your husband, puppies, and a laptop and take care of business under the luscious California sky.
Everyone in LA knows that work never ends.
I’m dedicated to finding the joy in every task; present and grateful for the opportunities that continue to flow my way.
That’s the difference between twenty-year-old me; and forty-year-old me:
I’m FINALLY okay with whatever rolls my way!

Trash TV:

Of all my guilty pleasures, Reality TV is my crack cocaine.
The despicably gratuitous display of terrible behavior, irrationally inflated egos, and putrid personalities appeals to my stunted, middle school mindset.
Watching “real” people who are aware that a camera is following them, and still they go out of their way to provoke reactions from their “co-stars”, all for 15 minutes of fame. . .
It might not be great for humanity, but it’s a fun distraction from reality.

Brunch:

Overpriced––but deliciously prepared––eggs;
Laughter over lattes;
Sitting too long at a table, because we overpaid for everything.

Rest:

Lying on the floor;
Pretending to stretch, whilst watching trash TV,
Lazy and unapologetic!

6 years; 17. . . But Who's Counting?

I met the man of my dreams seventeen years ago.
I recognized instantly that I found a partner who was loving, kind, intelligent, hilarious, creative, and committed to evolving with someone as an equal.
I swooped in and locked it down.
Six years ago today, we made it official––Democracy prevails.
While we have our ups and downs—as all relationships do—we have a piece of paper that legal declares that we are committed to working through the triumphs and tribulations of life, together!

Late!

I’m unrelenting when it comes to accountability!
Whether class, dinner party, audition, meeting, doctors appointment, lunch date, or a performance you show up *on time!
*On time is at least fifteen minutes early.
So today, when I had the time wrong––I thought I was working at 9AM, but it was supposed to be 8AM––I was thankful that I was already on route, and only fifteen minutes late!
Even when I have an accident in scheduling––a human error––I have #Professionalism.

Mercury Is In Retrograde:

I don’t know what this means––and I usually laugh my ass off when friends declare this aloud––but there must be something to it:
My computer continues to freeze for no reason––unless you factor in that it’s a 6 year old MacBook Pro;
Our production meetings were all canceled at the last minute––unless you take into consideration that summer schedules are crazy;
And I don’t feel motivated to do anything––unless it involves a pool.

Goodbyes:

Leaving loved ones is never enjoyable;
But the memories we created will live on and fuel me until the next time!

Colorado Sunrise

The vibrant blue sky presents the perfect backdrop for the explosion of fuchsia and tangerine rays bursting through the feathery clouds;
The cobalt purple mountains covered in various shades of green––from kiwi to evergreen––sweep downward to a valley of golden brush;
A herd of deer––so still you’d think they were fake––stand confidently welcoming the new day;
The only thing that confirms this isn’t a painted landscape is the delicious smell of morning mountain air!

Home; On the Range

The family that aims together, stays together.
Is that how the saying goes?
Probably not, but I was never good with cheesy slogans.
What I loved about today’s adventure is that I spent the day with my dad, my sister, and my niece without a single argument.
Instead, we bonded over bullets.
I believe in sensible gun control;
I also believe in being well-versed in everything.
Never wanting to have to defend myself, but fully prepared if the day should come.
We did a lot of bonding today.  I guess that’s what happens when you’re holding a powerful weapon in your hand; pointed in the right direction with clarity and focus, you hit the same target.

Family Time:

Focusing on the quality of time together;
Often requires breathing through the outburst.
It’s easy to fall into patterns from the past, but we’re older now, we can work through things from a place of positive, peaceful, energy.
I’ve spent a massive chunk of my adult life learning how to let go;
Sometimes members of our family can challenge us in way that make us crazy;
Releasing the subconscious actions from those we love, allows room for acceptance, understanding, love, and laughter!

Airport

Always here;

It’s a massive part of my career;

Red-eyes are the worst;

Packing and unpacking;

Oversold flights;

Rebooked;

Traveling is more enjoyable when you’re going to Maui.

Independence

The power of a choice.
Freedom, I don’t take it for granted.

Do Nothing Day:

Aside from waking up and transferring my worn-out body from the bed to the sofa to binge Netflix all day; my schedule is clear.

Tired

Totally
Irrational;
Raging,
Exhausted,
Done!

Work It!

Sitting at the airport—it’s 7AM;
I was just here last night—my life is often spent on the road.
Traveling is part of the job; I knew this when I decided to be an artist.
I was sitting here waiting to board our flight to go work for the day, and it dawned on me:
I enjoy the working, because it’s work I love.
Passion doesn’t always amount to monetary success in the beginning; but eventually the opportunities born out of following your purpose pays out exponentially!