After Thanksgiving, I went to Puerto Penasco, Mexico, and then Las Vegas. I went with an old friend from college and some of her very fun co-workers. Great times. I had a lot I wanted to blog about regarding the trip, but I no longer really feel like it. What I did love about our stay in Mexico was that it was a true blend of touristy and local flavor. Not far from the condo where we stayed, there was utter poverty. People living in trailers and shacks so shabby and worn down that it briefly made me shameful of all my credit cards, clothing and never-ending wishlist of new toys and things. Not that this stopped me from spending more money on food and drinks I probably didn’t need — or my later trip to Las Vegas. But briefly, just briefly, it made me yearn for living with less.
I’m 31 now. The evening after I returned from Mexico/Las Vegas, I threw a happy hour at a Mexican restaurant to honor my birthday. It was mostly good — great because of the diverse different groups that came together (including an old high school friend). It was bad because I really hurt someone at last year’s surprise party and that person was feeling less than enthusiastic about participating in this year’s event. That made me feel terribly sad. BUT another birthday has come and gone. I’m anal about wanting to celebrate my birthday ON my actual birthday. But the next time my day falls on a Friday or Saturday — I’ll be not far from 40. (cringe.) I think I’ll need to start planning weekend celebrations for the next few years.
I went to our improv practice last night. Now that our 1A class is over, a group of us have been practicing by ourselves on Wednesdays. I’m conflicted as to whether this is a good idea. On one hand, practice is practice. And last night I felt myself doing some good stuff. Some of my scenes were not so great, but I had a few really good ones that I think could’ve been brillant had they had the chance to go on. I feel like, in many ways, my class is starting to gel. We’re starting to pick up on things from other people and we’re getting it. Even more than when we were simple 1Aers.
BUT. There’s are alot of weird vibes that are passed around. Because people get frustrated or annoyed or I don’t really know what they get but they don’t seem to be happy with what’s happening and what can you do? I don’t know if it’s an expectation of all of us playing together perfectly well. Or if there is something else going on that I’m not picking up on. At any rate, it all makes me wonder if I should just take a hiatus and wait for the next class to begin. I think most of us are taking the same class anyway. My fear of missing out–or that my classmates will magically develop those improv skills, however, makes me think I should keep plugging along because practice is practice.
Speaking of improv (HA! Like I ever speak of anything else!), Saturday I am volunteering at the show. I’m doing the lights and sounds, and oh man, I’m nervous. I’ve shadowed once before but that was when the groups played at a different theater. Plus, I didn’t do it myself. But this week, they are desperate. I originally said I’d help out, but I wanted to work with someone once or twice again before going solo. Well, no time for that. Hopefully, all will go well. If not, at least lights that go on and off at the right times are better than no lights at all.
