Mid-Winter Slump

I am seriously in the doldrums here, people, professionally and personally. I need to be rejuvenated, recharged, re-anything. I want to be excited about tomorrow (figuratively, not literally, because I am excited about tomorrow). My job is turning me into a drone. I am one of those people you see on the subway who look like they would rather be getting their teeth drilled than be going to work. I need a huge change. I am too young to be so exhausted. It's just unneccessary.

Hopefully this weekend in Florida will be just the thing to turn this slump around.

Subway

I had a rare NY moment today. Someone on the train actually commented on the book I was reading. It was Naomi Wolf's "The Beauty Myth," which I'm trying to read for this feminist book club I might join. The guy told me how good it is, and recommended another feminist book, which of course I've forgotten the name of. I felt like rejoicing--an enlightened male!

I don't know if I'll be able to get through this book. It's interesting, but so theory-based, which usually loses my interest. I guess I'll read as much as I can and if the book group is good, I'll keep going. Yay for intellectual pursuits!

Amusements

Finally posted on YouTube: The hilarious video created, shot, and produced by the brilliant Bracey and starring the always talented Josh--The Interview can be viewed by clicking here.
I'll let the video speak for itself...

And now for another self-serving moment: Click here to read my travel story selected by STA Travel Travel Addicts eNews. And while you're at it, read (or re-read) the posts from my Australia trip at my new blog.

Happy watching/reading!

Writing

Last night I had my first nonfiction writing class with Gotham Writers' Workshop. It was great! I had fun with the group and the instructor is really funny and helpful. We did three writing prompts and it felt so good to write just for the sake of writing again. I actually got some positive responses when I read what I wrote aloud, which makes me feel proud. The class is a nice mixture of beginner and intermediate writers, so it looks like everyone can benefit from the class. It's only once a week for six weeks, but hopefully I can continue the writing once it's over.

The instructor did actually reinforce that blogging and having a presence online is important in order to get your name and writing out there. I've noticed more and more people I know have blogs or websites. I'm still not sure if this phenomenon decreases the quality of the writing, or just makes it so more people can write. In any case, I think it's a good thing.

What's not good is my health today. I had one of those mornings when you're walking to work and suddenly you realize your legs are moving. Then they start to feel numb again because you're thinking about it and how in the hell are you making them move? I was so tempted to stay at home in bed today, but the cats were keeping me up with their incessant playing, so that wouldn't have worked out so well. For a kitten, Milquetoast sure does make a lot of noise when he's running from one end of the house to the other. Oh, how I love those little buggers.

EDIT: Upon re-reading this entry, I noticed the overuse of the word "good." Clearly, I have not learned enough from this workshop yet and I set to rectify this immediately.

Next Entry Lads and Ladies, hear hear!

One of my (very short) stories has been selected to appear in the STA Travel January eNewsletter! It gets mailed out next week, so when that happens I will be sure to crowd the Inboxes of everyone I know with the e-mail. You can also find the story here, when it posts next week.

Did ya come here for a pie, sir?

Nothing much going on except that I'm completely obsessed with Sweeney Todd! Okay, actually a lot has happened in the past few weeks, but it's all been eclipsed by Sondheim/Burton genius.

December was marked by many shows. First it was "Hairspray" on Broadway...fabulous! Then it was this amazing show called "Jump," which is a kung fu slapstick comedy. I highly recommend it...good fun! Then I saw another Broadway show, Mamma Mia, and went to see Josh and Bracey in "War and Peace" at the Met opera. And, as if that wasn't enough, I rang in the New Year by seeing "Sweeney Todd," although it wasn't actually the show, just the film adaptation. Such a great movie, it definitely stands alone from the play, I hear. The music is pure heaven though, hence my obsession.

Many other events were celebrated: my one-year anniversary with Josh, Christmas with the D'Amatos, New Year's in Brooklyn, and getting a new kitten! Yes, Milquetoast has arrived, and he is cute as a...well, a kitten!