Thursday, February 24, 2011

what to do....

It's been a full day of kids around here today.  Lots of laughter and snow and mud and fart jokes.  There was even a flute concert by the adorable seventh grade girl from down the street that we met today.  She's pretty and blonde and smart and talented, and Joe-Henry even let her play his drums.  They played along to some AC/DC and he sang lead.  So much for being "too shy" to sing.  

Now he's out playing basketball with the neighbor boy, and I'm fairly certain of one thing:  this is the beginning of the time that is called "hanging out with mom is the worst thing in the world."  Time for me to find something (besides FB) to do so that I don't just sit around and watch the clock and stew about the fact that the only thing I have to look forward to is old(er) age.

Back in August,  I was seriously considering going back to school to get my teachers certification.  Since then, I've moved cautiously forward, but deep budget cuts in our schools make taking out a huge loan seem pretty risky, especially considering that I'd be just over ten years from retirement.

I've had lots of wonderful experiences in my life, a few different "lifetimes".  I was a working actor for a good portion of my life.  I miss it at times, but don't think that I'm good enough to make a living at it anymore.  I love photography, but again, there are so many wonderful photographers out there, and while I enjoy working on the skills to get better, the market is pretty thick with talent.  I like my job, but the stress level is pretty high, and the school district keeps making cuts to the program.  It's hard on the morale.  I can't see myself doing it for more than a couple years.

Sometimes I regret not having a career that was more dependable, but on the other hand, I'm grateful for something that the acting life gave me:  an ability to roll with it.  To be open to changes and opportunities where you might not expect to find them.

So hey, Opportunity.... I'm here in Vancouver, Washington.  I'm a mom first, but I  have a little more time on my hands....

3 comments:

  1. Lovely piece. So much I relate to. But I do think you're wrong about "you", just a little. I don't think the market is thick with talent. I think it's thick with folks that do what they dream to do and don't care how thick or deep or full or fat or crowded or swamped or gloriously replete it is. Adding another carrot to the soup just makes it all the more delicious!

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  2. About that bottle of wine.... so much we could talk about!

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  3. How did I have no idea this was out here? You just go on being a rockstar, baby, that'll shine through no matter where you find yourself.

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