Confessions of a Struggling Actor

Yoicks, things have been altogether too hectic for one blog, so I'll try and do two in one sitting.  Don't hold your breath...

Work continues to be a pain in the arse.  My boss is abroad for work until the New Year, but before he left basically asked me when I was going to quit.  I feel that I’m really being forced out, but have no written warnings (yet) and hope that I can string things along until the summer at least as I need the cash (even more so if I head to the Big Apple).  This was followed up by an email (which he cc'ed his boss into) which cast me in a troublesome light.  I might try some politicking with the higher up people that are still in the office this week - otherwise I could be out on my ear and struggling for rent like I was a few years ago.  It's put a real downer on the end of the year, but is it also a bit of a sign that perhaps now is the time to go?

Acting wise, I did an incredibly enjoyable (yet harrowing at times) workshop last Saturday (or the one before depending when you're reading this...) with Bron, Matt and a few others.  It was about a Jewish woman who was on the death marches after the 2nd World War.  Her granddaughter is an actress (as was the woman herself) so we heard what the story was and how it was going to be portrayed (with humour and honesty rather than the great trauma that is normally associated with the Holocaust) before doing several improvisations, some of which were a little uncomfortable to do, as they were pretty dark.  I went for a drink with everyone afterwards and Bron, Matt and Phil suggested that I come along to a party, but I demurred as I had already plans for that evening (more of which later - and sorry for all the brackets...)

Also, I nearly caught my cinema voice over for work.  We went to see Happy Feet one afternoon as a company, but people faffed about, cabs were booked for the wrong time and tickets had to be changed, so I got in just to catch the end of the ad.   BTW, Happy Feet looked great, but the story wasn't up to much IMHO - kids only.  Apart from that, there was the opening night of the Shakespeare revue by the company I had tackled the Bard with this year.  It was good fun and all went very well, esp. considering they had to draft someone in late on to cover for one of the cast who was taken physically sick.  I caught up with a few folk from both shows, but had to get home early for the Xmas meal (which shall take up the next blog instalment).

Socially, as with every period just after a play AND with it being Xmas time, I've had an enjoyably full diary.  The work Xmas meal and the department Xmas meal were fine cos they cost nothing, but wouldn't have missed much if I didn't make them; I had dinner with Harry and Angie, which is always a pleasure and Harry cooked a magnificent curry which I could barely eat having been fed by the company earlier that day; I met Abigail for a drink or two and top chat while she was on her way through to Disneyland in Florida (sunshine - lucky sod!); we had our last 5 a side game of the season last Monday and indulged in a few beers afterwards, where talk turned to doing a team calendar with only the shirts on.  Oof!  Everyone on very good form and next season should be one of more wins than this one.

I also have to admit that I’ve been kissing girls, as some of you know.  I'm not going to write any sort of details as I am a gentleman, but have decided not to go seeking The One in the manner which I have for the first 31 years of my life.  I don't know if anything will come of those snogs other than meeting up in the New Year, but I still have Charlotte to take to the pictures tomorrow night and possibly a newly single girl from work to take for a drink on top of the three others I've kissed recently.  I'm going to get to know the girls first before plunging into any sort of relationship, so as far as I'm concerned a snog's a snog, but if anything is going to happen it'll probably be slowly.  I don't want to get hurt and I certainly don't want to hurt anyone or promise them anything.  There's potential for more lip locking before during and after Xmas, so we'll see where I stand after Hogmanay.

I head home on the 23rd, but have a few evenings out before that.  There will be a Xmas blog and possibly a New Year one to celebrate (?) one year of the blog.