Day 28

Another day of rest.

Having finished Weeds, I started the day EXTRA bored.

After catching up on what little Hulu+ I've yet to see, I started to wonder if it really wasn't a good idea to get a little exercise in my system to try and sweat out the cold.  This whole rest and fluids thing makes me feel useless and lazy.  There was a time where that didn't get to me, but lately I've been in this whole "get my shit together" mood, and it's been feeling good.  Anything else feels like wasting valuable time.  But the age old way of rest and fluids, while boring seems to work.

So I put it to a vote, and my Facebook friends were split on what to do.  Some said keep resting, some said a little sweat could help, some gave me magic potions to drink, and still others recommended liquor.  So, I decided to do what I thought was best: a mild home workout and more fluids.  Being that I'm in ok shape, I thought that even if it wasn't a good idea to work out, I'm in OK shape so it wouldn't stress my system too much.  And it just so happens that A Scott Herman home workout just happened to be on my Facebook feed this morning.

So after a few hours of SVU, and sexting with an unnamed source, I started what I thought would be a mild workout, but it was a little more intense than I thought.  Perhaps because I was sick, or maybe because I've been off of my normal routine.  I got through 2 sets of the exercises and was definitely both sweating and breathing heavy.  I would have tried for a third, but being sick, I wasn't trying to prove anything today.

After the heart rate had returned to normal, I actually did feel better.  Maybe it was just the endorphins.  Who knows?  But I do think it helped.  And it gave me energy to go buy more soup.

Then it was back to the couch for more SVU and fluids. 

At least I caught up on some work.  I secured the models and possibly The Broadway Dolls for my gig at The Academy of Art, I researched some choreography for ICONS and now with this blog, I'm officially caught up with blogging.  And tomorrow, I have a voice lesson, another ICONS rehearsal, and hopefully a trip to the gym. 

And this marks 4 weeks.  And only 3 drinks.  I completely forgot.  Last night I finished Nancy's glass of wine during Wall-E.  It didn't even buzz me.  That's probably why I forgot.  No more till after day 30.

Netflix/Hulu+ of the night: Battlestar Galactica
Non-alcoholic beverage of the night: Chamomile Lemon tea with honey

Day 27

Under the advice of a few friends, I decided to stop pushing my luck and really try and rest this cold away. 

So today, I stayed in rested and pushed fluids.

It made for quite the boring day.

I did, however, catch up on Weeds.  I hadn't seen any episodes of it in about 2 years and was very happy to find some of the episodes online, whether legally broadcast or not.  Upon catching up on the whole series thus far I've drawn some conclusions. 

#1 - Nancy Botwin is the luckiest white bitch in the whole world, even having went to jail.

#2 - Even though it's a fictional story, if they can get through times as hard as those, I should be able to get through mine.

#3 - Hunter Parrish is gorgeous, and I should probably try to have sex with him while he's in New York, heterosexuality be damned.

Since I had the day off, I decided to cook my mom's baked macaroni and cheese for Casey, Donna and Nancy.  Now for those of you who have never had my mom's baked macaroni and cheese, you haven't tasted the ultimate.  It doesn't need anything fancy.  Just macaroni, cheese, milk, eggs, and butter.  It melds into a casserole that's as good warmed up 5 days later as it is 10 minutes out of the oven.  And since Donna and Nancy had paid for the past two dinners, I thought I should contribute my share.

They absolutely loved the meal and were very happy to have someone cooking for them.  Again, it felt good to be thanked for cooking a meal, something I do everyday for myself.

We settled in for another Pixar movie even I hadn't seen.  Wall-E.  I was really moved by this movie.  It shows a post apocalyptic world in which we have literally trashed the earth and moved to space.  A lone robot remains to clean up the endless amount of trash.  I think what moved me is that, we're not far away from this being a reality, except the living in space part.  If we keep trashing the earth, I doubt we'll develop space technology fast enough to fly somewhere else.  And even if we did, how horrible would it be that we would have to?  It definitely made me want to recycle more.  And made me also think that even that won't be enough.  There are too many people using too much of our resources.  It's like we're climbing a rope to which we've already set fire.  Eventually it's gonna catch up with us.  And we're gonna fall.

Well, enough ominous predictions for tonight.  I'm still on the mend and need positive vibes.

Netflix/Hulu+ of the night: (null) Weeds on Megaupload
Non-alcoholic beverage of the night: Chamomile Lemon tea with honey

Day 26

I remember this day pretty well.  Number one, it was only two days ago, and number two I have a calendar to remind me.  Which means I actually had something to do that day.

I had wanted to wake up early today and get to class.  Keep my training up for the audition this Friday, but I didn't.  I'm still feeling sickly, and since I have a rehearsal for ICONS NYC today and the gym, I thought that was enough.

Ah, yes.  We are now less than 3 weeks out of performing our little dinky drag show in an off-Broadway theatre.  That's pretty cool.  But there's a lot of work to be done.  Today I was teacher our white queen from this year, some of our black queen's backup choreography.  Our white queen from this year, Ricky, is stepping out of the limelight or in our case, fuchsia light, to backup dance.  Our white queen from 2010 is returning to the starring role.  Partly because he originated the show, and I also think because Ricky didn't ever want to be a drag queen.  He came into audition for Naked Boys Singing, and we sort of "Paul San Marco"ed him into being our white queen.  For those of you who don't get that reference please read the Paul monologue from A Chorus Line.

Anyway, Ricky is a great study and is picking up the moves quickly, which is definitely a good thing.  This being the first production that has my creative name on it, I don't want it to be shabby.

After some Beyonce- and Janet-ography, I had some business to do.  I finally collected my checks from Model Bartenders and dropped a resume off a men's spa in Chelsea which I'm not yet convinced is not a rub and tug.

After that, I headed to the gym.  I was feeling really run down as I headed there and almost just said "fuck it" and went home.  But I was and am sick of being off my normal gym routine, and was determined to workout at least a little.  So I skipped cardio, and did three exercises for back and three for biceps. 

I only felt mildly better by the end of my routine so I decided to grab some groceries and head home.

While at the Gristedes, I got a call from my friend Liz.  She had talked to me about a project for the Academy of Art, her new place of employ.  There's a holiday party they usually have some models and singers for, and they've been wanting to make it more of a performance this year, so Liz thought I could help.  We had originally talked about some sort of Demoiselles d'Avignon thing, but it being a holiday party, the higher ups were thinking "holiday."

So, they've entrusted me with finding five models and three carolers for their event.  I'm planning on being a model.  Though being a caroler could be a little more fun and clothed, I'm pretty sure I didn't get this job because when Liz's bosses saw my pictures from Broadway Bares, they were impressed with my young, muscular voice.

So, after hanging up with them, and starting to run through my head the semi-naked pictures I've seen of my friends, I hopped the train back uptown.  Unannounced to me, in the same car was Casey, Donna, and Nancy.  I didn't notice them until about a stop away from home, because rush hour kept the car crowded.  We all walked back together,  and then repeated the events of the night previous.  Except this time the food was pasta and the movie was The Little Mermaid.  Again, the ladies hadn't seen it. 

After that movie, I tossed in Enchanted for good measure.  The three of them were drinking and having a good time and I realized that over the past two days, this was the most time I had spent in the common area with my room mate.  He normally lives in his room, and that's his prerogative. But it was nice to have them all hanging.  It felt almost like a home. 

Netflix/Hulu+ of the night: (null) DVD of Enchanted
Non-alcoholic beverage of the night: I'm pretty sure something tea related

Day 25

For some reason I remember even less about today.  Probably because I did less.  I know I didn't go to the gym.  My workout on Saturday was full body and to workout a muscle group less than 48 hours after I had previously worked it is ill advised by almost all literature I've read on the subject.  Doesn't stop me from working my abs most everyday, but oh well.

I do remember waking up early-ish and making coffee.  And for the first time in a long time, I wasn't drinking alone.  My room mate Casey drinks espresso from his machine, and Daniel didn't drink coffee.  But Casey had bought half and half for our new house guests, so I made an extra full pot for Donna, Nancy and myself. 

They were very appreciative.  It felt good to be thanked for something simple.  Something I do everyday for myself brightened someone elses day, and they thanked me for it.  It was nice.

I know they had a full day.  They weren't out as late as last time but they were out awhile.  While they were gone I went shopping for some provisions and some sick stuff (still have the cold).  While doing that I called and checked in with the parents.  I don't call as often as I should.  I don't even have the excuse of being busy anymore.  I just usually think about calling them at the wrong time.  Or I'm most awake when they're probably falling asleep.  But they're always glad to hear from me, and it's good to know that they're always there for me.  Especially in times when I'm not gainfully employed.  Good to know someone has my back besides just me.

I got home with plans to cook some steaks I'd been thawing, when the roomies showed up and said they were planning on ordering pizza and watching a movie.  Sounds good to me!

Donna and Nancy had never seen Finding Nemo before, and Casey being the Pixar-o-phile that he is was up in arms and demanded they sit and watch.  And as I'm prone to watch things I like at least 800 times, I was happy to join in.

Nemo was fun yet again.  Donna and Nancy were shocked that a kids' movie would have so many scary moments in it.  I feel like that's the point.  Weren't some of the best movies you liked when you were a kid, movies that scared you at least a little?  The Wizard of Oz alone has the threat of dog euthanasia, a storm that destroys a town, a murder by house, an evil witch set on destroying a young girl, a large head of a wizard engulfed in flames, and winged monkeys.  Not to mention, Willow, The Labyrinth, and countless other "kids'" movies that are some of my favorites.  A movie isn't good unless it gives you something to be scared about.  If it doesn't it's not an adventure.

After pizza and movie, I retires to my room as Casey is hunkering down on the sofa bed and generously giving his room to his guests.  So I fired up the iPad, harvested some zombies, and headed to bed.  Probably good to try to sleep off the cold some more.

Netflix/Hulu+ of the night: Law and Order: SVU (I think)
Non-alcoholic beverage of the night: Bedtime tea with honey

Day 24

OK, I knew it would happen eventually.  I fell so behind in blogging that I forgot what I did on the day after the last day I posted.

I would say that I didn't do anything, but I distinctly remember leaving the house that day.  Granted, it may have been just down the street but I know I did at least for a bit because it was the day my room mate's mother and friend arrived.  I remember helping him clean in the morning cause goodness knows you don't want to look like a slob when a mom is around. 

They arrived later in the day, but I wasn't here when they did.  Ah, YES!  I went to the gym.  My routine had been so off this week because of the auditions and class and Halloween, that I decided to jump start myself with a full-body workout.  Maybe that would help me kick my cold.  I started with some cardio and did one exercise per muscle group.  I didn't stretch at the end as I should have, but hey, at least I worked out.

I got back and bags were there, but no visiting ladies.  They had gone out.

I believe the rest of the day consisted of me cleaning up even a bit more and lazing about the house with my eyes transfixed to one piece of technology or another.  I now own four devices that can connect me to the interweb.  My MacBook Pro, on which I write these blogs.  My PS3, which is hooked up to my television, and allows me to watch my Netflix/Hulu+ on the big screen.  My iPhone 4, which I was forced to get only shortly before the 4S, due to me losing my Droid.  And finally, my iPad 2, which was a gift from my producers for a job well done this summer.  I could have used the cash more, but it's a very fun toy.

The thing that keeps me glued to my iPad most these days is a game called Zombie Farm.  You plant Zombies as well as tomatoes, carrots, onions and such, build a farm and invade surrounding "villains."  I've never been a fan of the online farming games, but I am a fan of zombies, and it was Halloween, so I indulged.  And I think I've finally figured out why people like games such as these.  The planting and harvesting, and earning points, and beating enemies give you a sense of accomplishment.  But at the end of the day, all you've really accomplished is staring at a screen for a certain amount of time where you could have been doing something more productive, like blogging about what you did last Saturday....

Let's move on.

The room mate and his mom and her friend didn't get home till after midnight.  They had seen The Addams Family on Broadway and gotten a drink afterward.  It was nice to meet them.  They seemed like fun older gals who were enjoying a little vaca.  I didn't really know why Casey's mom, Donna decided to bring her friend, Nancy to stay in her son's apartment, but hey, a vaca is a vaca.  And a girls' night out is a girls' night out.  And they would prove to be a fun time.

Netflix/Hulu+ of the night: South Park (man I love that show)
Non-alcoholic beverage of the night: Some sort of tea (I think) with honey

Day 23

After a long busy week, I of course stayed up until 5AM after day 22.  Half because I was catching up on blogging, and half because that's just what I do.  For some reason I refuse to just turn off the lights and go to bed.  I'll always throw on another episode of something and stay up watching it, and then wonder why I'm so tired all the time.  I would blame liquor not being there as a downer, but even when I drink I follow this pattern.  Maybe I should give myself a bedtime again.

On the plus side, even when I go to bed late, I try to plan out at least 6 hours of sleep.  It sometimes changes into 5 or 4 1/2, and that sucks, but normally I have enough sleep.  It's just at far different hours than normal people.  For instance, since I fell asleep around 5AM last night, and I only had 4 1/2 the night before, I set my alarm for noon.  Luckily, my life of leisure allowed me to do so.  There are times when not having a job comes in handy.  It's just very few and far between.

When I woke up at noon, I lazed about as the past week had pretty much kicked my ass.  As I was lazing I realized that the cough I had last night, which I thought was from dehydration and exhaustion, had turned into a bit of mucous in my throat.

So, I'm pretty sure I have a mild cold.

This was confirmed when I went to therapy and felt a little loopy.  And then went to my voice lesson and could make my voice do what it normally does.  Or, I could, but not in the right way.  Used more muscle than breath.  Whatever, I was coughing a lot.  My coach could explain better than I can.

I had packed my stuff to go to the gym, but with feeling the way I was, I decided it was better to head home.  So I bought some fixings for sicktime comfort food; tomato soup, goldfish crackers, and grilled cheese.

I went home and hunkered down for the night.  This doesn't feel like a cold that will knock me on my ass or keep me coughing for 3 weeks, but since I have a callback for a really good job next Friday, I'm not taking any chances.  I'm gonna kick this thing in a few days, dammit.

Netflix/Hulu+ of the night: Dollhouse
Non-alcoholic beverage of the night: Nyquil (wait, that has alcohol in it, doesn't it?)

Day 22

Today was another early wake up call for day two of my acting class.

For some reason I seem to enjoy staying up so late at night until I can only possibly get at the most 5 hours of sleep.   I think I got about four and a half before waking up at 7:30AM again to head to day two of my acting class.

Day two went about the same as day one.  We read, and filmed, and analyzed.  I thought I was getting better at interpreting the scenes based on the new information and techniques I was given. 

I was wrong. 

Well, not completely wrong, just not right either.  And when he pointed out what should have been the main focus, it seemed so simple.  They were simple, little adjustments that had to be made, but they made all the difference.  The difference between playing the scene and playing the emotion.  And moreover, the difference between getting the job and not.

After doing the scenes and seeing other people's work, I started to realize (which was reinforced by my teacher) that I need to practice a lot more in order to get better.  I would like to take more class, but at upwards of $400 a pop, I'm gonna have to wait until I have a little bit more inflow of cash.

Aside from noticing my lack of/slowly growing technique on screen, I couldn't help but notice how I looked too.  Not terrible, by any means.  One girl even said "handsome" when I was first on screen, and my teacher pointed out that it should be very easy for my female counterparts to play that they're attracted to me.  However I did notice that under the not so great lighting that seems to accompany on-screen auditions as well as this class, the scars on my forehead stood out quite a bit.  I had chicken pox really bad as a child.  I almost died from them.  And they left me with permanent scars.  I've had them since I was two, and therefore too young to remember my reflection without them.  I've grown used to them in the mirror, but it was different on camera. They distracted me, and I imagine they might distract casting agents.  I've thought about getting them fixed and I'm now hoping to find a way to do so.  After all,as we've seen in this blog, vanity and career drive my decision making processes.  Getting rid of those buggers on my head will make me more camera ready.  But again, money is tight.  So I'll research some options and see what's feasible.

I wish I could have gone home after my class, but alas, duty called.

As ICONS is going up in NYC in just a few weeks, we have to start getting the word out.  And just like some of the ladies in our show promoting a new album, that requires going and performing at gay clubs.  After rehearsing a bit at my friends'/producers' apartment, we headed over to Splash for their Katy Perry night.  We were scheduled to do our Katy Perry number at midnight.  Midnight came and went.  So did 1AM.  And as I'm not drinking, the free drink tickets we received as payment were not helping to pass the time.  Finally around 1:30AM I strutted onstage in my small pink shorts and knee socks to dance backup once more for my queens.  It went over well and a few of the twinky strippers seemed to want to get into my pants.  I wanted to get into a cab and go home.  And after procuring some money from my friend/producer, that's just what I did.

When I got home, I fed myself a little and for some reason wasn't tired.  I blame the sugar free monster energy drink and diet coke I bought with my free drink tickets.  So I blogged and kept myself awake until 5AM.

All in all, a good day, with far too much caffeine.  Maybe that will be the next thing I take a break from.

Netflix/Hulu+ of the night: South Park
Non-alcoholic beverage of the night: Misc. caffeine