Hourglass

It’s funny. That thing called life. We sometimes take it for granted. The cold, crisp winter air. The joy of a hot cup of tea. A conversation with a friend. A funny text. A phone call with a loved one. The sparkles of a fresh coat of snow. We think we have years ahead of us. Years of more living to do. Then our journey on Earth ends. 

It could be years from now. It could be today. Only God knows. We are all as vulnerable as each other. Anything can happen to any one of us ... at any time ... for any reason. 

Sometimes the journey of life takes you to a moment. You stop. You reflect. You promise to live each day to the fullest. To enjoy the crappy days. Because a crappy day is better than no day. To enjoy the challenges ... those moments of perfection ...  heartache ... and laughter. The moments that make up one’s life journey. 

The journey is life. Life is easy to get, but easier to lose. It’s like an hourglass. Each grain has a meaning. I like to believe though, that when the sand stops ... the grains ... the memories ... your legacy, never goes away. Your love ... those memories you make with others... the footprints you have made in others hearts... live on... forever.

TFJ Jin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tauOJkZwwKU

“Like sands of the hourglass, so our the days of our lives.” -Macdonald Carey

Making Resolutions: A Cleansing Ritual

Happy New Year! I hope everyone rang it in safely. Gosh, I sound like my mom. Anyway, a New Year often means new beginnings. A time to start over and try new things. My first new things in 2013 is a cleanse. Okay, before everyone starts freaking out ... just relax! It’s only for three days and I can cheat if I want. I mean I don’t want to, but if necessary I can munch on celery. My best friend is probably gagging right now because she hates celery and she knows how much I love it ... with Easy Cheese on it! I guess if I cheat I won’t be putting any of that creamy, cheesy goodness on the stalk. I’m excited though. I love to nibble on food all day and talk about food a lot. So having 6 juices a day should be challenging. I don’t know what to expect either. Not knowing makes this cleanse a little scary too. The good news is that I have support because a group of us are doing this together and cheering each other on! Go team! 

We are doing the BluePrint Cleanse ... which I find fitting considering it’s kind of like making a blue print for the year. Right? Okay, I don't know if that makes any sense to any of you but I get it. We all like to map out our days or years to some extent. Anyway, I have no idea where I’m going with this. 

Bottom line is that this year, for me, is about trying new things and taking risks ... physically and emotionally. Last year I took some baby risks and tried new things that I now can’t imagine living without. This year, I wanna just do and try even more things that I typically would run away from. If it wasn’t for me trying and doing new things last year I wouldn’t have met so many great people. I wouldn’t have moved to New York. You only live once. So my goal is to step out of my comfort zone at least once every week ... even if whatever I decide to do makes me freak out a bit. That’s good. Because to quote a few great musicals (Seriously. You didn’t think I’d write a blog without some Broadway tie):

“How do we know who we are if don’t cross the line?”

“To live in fear is not to live at all.”

And if you need some insipration or just one smile ... take a look at Rachel Potter’s new video! If you're in New York go check her out in Evita!

http://on.cmt.com/WFt2jw

To Live Is To Love

You all know I am a lover of Broadway shows. I’ve blogged about my obsession with Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical and the Jack Kelly debate that I ... once and for all ... put to rest in my Newsies blog. If you follow me on Twitter you know I loved Murder Ballad and ...well ... would have killed to have been able to see it for a third time. You know what though? I’m anti-violence, so I fell in love this week with Once. 

Yes. I finally went to this Tony-winning musical. For months my parents have been like, “Can you stop seeing the same musicals over-and-over again and go see Once? It’s supposed to be good!” First off ... I don’t think “good” is a word to even describe this show. I think I used the words “breathtakingly beautiful” in a Tweet I posted. 

I really did fall in love with Once. I really did get that excited, pit in the stomach feeling you get when you’re falling in love with someone. Okay, yes ... y’all are rolling your eyes and calling me “weirdo.” That’s okay. I’m used to people calling me weird. But seriously ... who doesn’t like a bar that’s on stage??! That was the first sign I knew I was in for a good evening. Since I was sitting in the mezzanine I didn’t have the time to venture on stage for my whiskey sour. I got to the theatre just in time for the curtain to rise. When that curtain did go up (figuratively speaking cause there isn’t one) I found myself enjoying the simplicity of this show and in awe of its very talented cast. I can only imagine what a rush it must be for them to not only be able to act, but play their instruments. Steve Kazee just left me speechless. It was just awe-inspiring to watch him as Guy.  It wasn’t just Steve. The entire cast was just incredible. There were moments that just took my breath away like no other musical had done before. As Act I ended, I really was “Falling Slowly” in love with the story being told on stage. At the end of the show I was a puddle of tears. What Guy says is true. “To live you have to love.” 

After two weeks of working on stories about the tragedy in Newtown and the mall shooting in Oregon ... you just need to breathe ... and remember to love. As I worked tonight, I tried to sprinkle some love into my lineup and find some stories in the U.S. about love. It’s one of the things I enjoy the most about my job ... the ability to find those happy stories and the opportunity to share them with people across the country. Because despite all the tragedy ... there is love that comes from tragedy. I saw it in the girl who held a school-wide toy drive for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School. I saw it in all the #SIP pics tweeted last weekend from casts of shows on Broadway. I see it every day in the little things people do for one another. 

So, as we begin this holiday weekend (Merry Christmas to those of you celebrate) ... remember to smile ... live ... and love. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb6-HdfvWZQ

The Gift Of Giving

Tis the season for giving. The air is crisp, fairy lights twinkle brightly, the sound of Salvation Army bell ringers echo across the country. It’s the holidays ... a typically celebratory time of year. That’s not always true though. For some, the holidays are reminders of people they’ve lost. For others, it’s a reminder of what they don’t have. They watch the people shopping and are reminded of the home they can’t fill because they don’t have one. Maybe it was taken by Hurricane Sandy. Maybe tough times forced them to foreclose. That’s why it’s important ... not just during the holidays ... but all year ... to remember to give. It doesn’t have to be in money. You can give in so many more ways than with cash donations. It can be by giving that sad looking child on the corner a smile. Maybe you have leftover food you know that will just sit in the fridge but could sit comfortably in the stomach of someone who is hungry. Maybe your gift of giving is in the conversation you have with a stranger you’d usually rush by to get to work. Maybe your gift is the time you give to the charity you love or the people you love. Maybe your gift is one you share with an audience in a theatre. Every day we can share a gift. Sometimes the best gift you can give is free. The gift of friendship, I for one, am always thankful for. 

It’s been just over one year since I moved here. I am thankful for many things. The opportunities I’ve come across, the people I’ve met, the new friends I’ve made ... the doors that have opened ... the ones that have shut. The gift to just be able to live in this amazing city. I am also thankful for you. Those of you who read this blog. I know a lot of you are my friends or family. But some of you may not be. So thank you everyone for allowing me to share my sometimes coo coo stories. I leave you with a link to one story I wrote just before I moved here. No, it’s not “Pantyhose vs Tights.” That blog did make me laugh and was inspired by one of you ... but .... 

http://theworldaccordingtojaz.blogspot.com/2011/11/footprints-in-sand.html

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.

Are You Ready, Boots?

“Congratulations! The next few months will bring you all sorts of good fortune and opportunities. Your only problem will be spotting such goodies when they come along and knowing what to do with them. Be prepared to take risks, to accept the challenges that come along and to take a philosophical approach to whatever life brings you. The coming year will be quite an eye-opener!”

That was one of my horoscope’s this week. Yeah, I’m one of those people. I don’t really believe in them. I do think they’re fun to read. I also like to see if anything it brings up comes true. If anyone is curious, I’m an Aquarius.

Anyway, it’s been a week of reflecting for me. This is the time of year in the Jewish calendar for atoning, celebrating, and reflecting as we begin a New Year.  It’s been a busy, but good year. It’s been challenging, but challenges teach us things about ourselves. I’m still wondering what the part about goodies and what to do with them will mean. However, the horoscope wraps up the past couple of months for me. The challenges. The good fortune. The opportunities. 

I’m getting a couple of amazing opportunities in October. One is work related. The other is happening today. I’m flying to Chicago for (30 hours) because I won a contest! First off ... I don’t really win contests. I’ve won one other. I wasn’t picked to play Bozo’s Buckets when I was little. I never win scratch-off tickets. I haven’t won any lotteries for Broadway shows. But, I felt like I won the jackpot when I won the contest to go see the final dress rehearsal of Kinky Boots The Musical! My friend, Alicia, was with me when I got the good news via Twitter. I think she thought I was a bit coo-coo for cocoa puffs when I started jumping up and down and repeatedly saying, “Oh my god! Oh my god!” She was good sport about it and it was nice to share good news with someone in person and not electronically. If you haven’t noticed from past blogs I’m a bit of a Broadway fan. Kinky Boots The Musical always was a show I planned to see. In addition, former Priscilla Queen of the Desert cast member and the seriously talented Ellyn Marie Marsh is in it! So a special shout-out and BIG thank you to her and Kinky Boots for giving Broadway lovers the chance to go see the final dress rehearsal for the show before it opens up in Chicago this week. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see my parents, meet a Tweep of mine, meet Ellyn and everyone ...and be one of the first people to see this show. 

I may be running on fumes after a night of work. I’ll be coming home Monday morning to a long, 14 hour work day ... but this is just one opportunity that wasn’t meant to be passed up. I mean my horoscope was right about the opportunities. #Blessed. So I’ll be putting on my boots (sorry, they’re not kinky boots, just Uggs)and hopping a plane for a fast trip home in an hour or so. See you in Chicago! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cUmw5qn-AI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BlejP2oeT0