Once and for All

Okay, here I go. My first Newsies blog! I figured since I’ve seen the show 4 times ... I need to blog about it. I mean Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical still has my heart, but most of my friends know I’m a big Fansie of Newsies too. 

So tonight, I’m going to blog about competing with yourself and not comparing yourself to others. I had an incident last week that just made my blood boil. It’s taken me nearly a week ... this musical ... and a friend ... to remind me that your competition is with yourself. Stop comparing yourself to others! I mean who doesn’t compare themselves (at some point) to other girls, co-workers, etc. In this case I’m talking about actors. The talented Jeremy Jordan and Corey Cott. They play Jack Kelly in the musical. Okay. First off ... don’t crumple up your New York World’s or Journal’s in preparation to throw them at me. This isn’t “The World Will Know!” I think the world already knows how fantastically fabulous the cast of Newsies is. However, I did find myself comparing the two Jack Kelly’s when Corey took over for Jeremy. I mean, how could you not? I only saw Jeremy in one performance before he left the show. His rendition of “Santa Fe” had me in tears. Needless to say, I had high expectations of Corey when the torch was passed to him. I was impressed, but found myself immediately comparing him to Jeremy. I know, I know! I shouldn’t have done that. It’s not fair. But how can you not?! Afterwards, someone asked me who was better. I answered what was my opinion at the time. I love them both, but Jeremy just won me over with “Santa Fe.”

I’ve seen Corey three times now as Jack Kelly. He’s won me over as well. Both Jeremy and Corey bring different things to the character of Jack. So, “Once and for All” I’m putting this subject to rest. I love them both. Corey was brilliant today. The whole cast was. They always are. They always leave the audience with “Something to Believe In.” 

“The Bottom Line” is that while it’s natural to compare ourselves to others ... it’s what we bring to the table that matters. We all have at least one story to tell. For example, we all can tell a story about our first day of school. However, we all tell it differently. We all bring something unique to the story. The story begins with us all getting on a school bus and ends with everyone getting off of it. It’s what we tell in-between ... and how we tell it ... that makes each story special.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J_89Suw1yE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJak1ekcndE&feature=related

Turning On The Light

“She knows who she is. She just forgot for a while.” -- Donald Miller

 As I sit home, sick, I’ve had time to think today. My week began with some much very needed days off in Nebraska. I was visiting my best friend. One of a few friends that has seen me on my craptastic days and on my best days. The days where I’ve lost my way on the path of life. I’ve never been really great at directions. Just ask anyone ... especially my parents. They’ve never forgotten the one time I got lost in Evanston. I was driving and had gotten to the lake and couldn’t figure out where to go next. So I call them up on the cell and tell them I’m at the lake and ask where to go next. They’re answer, “Turn around. You can’t go any farther.”

But I’m diverting. I’ve been home resting and found a video I made of my apartment. I’ve been in New York, in this apartment, for nearly a year. It was a video I made to show my parents and close friends my new place. Let’s just say my closet was a lot emptier. It’s a bit more ... umm, what’s the word I’m looking for? Fuller? As I looked into my closet I reflected on the past year. The closet is full of work clothes I brought with me from Chicago, comfy clothes I bought at boutiques around Brooklyn, and a couple of Priscilla Queen of the Desert t-shirts. 

If you’ve read my very early blog posts ... my journey to New York hit a few snags. I’ve made some pit stops on my way here. My first attempt at trying to get to New York three years ago had failed. Since I wasn’t moving to New York I moved to Chicago to my family and to a wonderful job at WGN. The path to New York had been blocked, but another path had opened up and led me back home.  While I was blessed to have a job I really enjoyed with great people ... and thankful to be closer to my family ... I often felt like I was in a cave that first year in Chicago. I felt that I'd lost my way on the path of life ... that I wasn’t being the best version of me. I still feel that way every now and again. I’m sure some of you do too. When I didn’t make it to New York ... I forgot what my purpose was. I don’t mean my purpose as my fate, or my destiny, or the part that’s been created by some greater being. I mean a purpose I create for myself. A life that I want to lead and the person I want to be at the end of it. Every now and again I wake up in a darkened room and can’t quite see the direction I’m supposed to be heading. Deep down I know who I am and I know where I’m supposed to be ... but because I didn’t see the light right when I woke up ... I feel like I have to spend the rest of the day stumbling about in the dark trying to find a way to flip it back on. Sometimes I find it, but sometimes it takes someone else or something else to turn it back on. 

So thank you to everyone who have flipped my switch on over the years. From my parents, my grandma, my oldest and dearest friends, to my bestest friend ... to new friends ... to those who have touched my life just by being you.

I think it’s safe to say I know who I am. I just forgot for a little while. And maybe one day ... I can flip your switch back on... just like you have mine.