Like It!

A few years ago I worked on a flex team for an alumni event at my college. I ran around arranging centerpieces, unfolding and refolding chairs, posting signs etc. A job like that makes you realize, "Oh, somebody DID all this stuff. And that person is probably exhausted."

As I was leaving work for the final time on Friday, I noticed a display of book son tape in the center of the lobby. The display changes all the time. I thought, "Wow. That was really thoughtful." Whoever is in charge or the display realized a lot of students would be making long drives soon and wanted to remind them that books on tape are a good way to pass the time. But who do I throw kudos to? The front desk student don't care. I felt silly seeking out the head librarian to inform her I like something. There's a fine line of gratitude and egotism I'd be walking, right? "Excuse me, I know your time is important, but I want to inform you of an opinion I have (albeit positive)."

The only thing I could think of was "liking" the display. You know? Like a Facebook "like." Having a tiny yellow Post-It, writing "Alice likes this," and sticking it to the books on tape. Wouldn't that be nice? If the things we did in life were sometimes met with tiny near-effortless notes from strangers?

I'd much prefer that system of "liking" than the one most of the world operates on:
"OMG CRAZI NITE!! IF U C MY PHONE--CALL ME!!LOL!! OOPSIES! xoxo"
Shannon "Hottie" Smith and 9 others Liked this.

Details

We do a lot of "ball work" in Chekhov Seminar. Warm-ups generally include breathing, stretching, walking around and nurturing a creative atmosphere in the space, and tossing hacky sacks at one another. It represents the "giving and receiving" of theatre.

We started tossing the balls around on Thursday, and someone said, "Oh, my favorite," as she caught one of the sacks. I looked at the one in my hand. It was black with a greenish pattern. Each ball (there are about fifteen in the basket) is a different color and design. It had never occurred to me to have a "favorite"--to even notice the colors for that matter. When we're in ball work, I am focused on the eyes of the person I'm throwing to, who is throwing to me, on my breathing, on releasing tension, on being part of the ensemble.

Fifteen years ago I would have definitely had a favorite hacky sack. No questions asked. And I'd probably privately take physic signs from it like, "If I get my favorite pink one tossed to me today in class, it means my grandmother is here." I used to make these kind of Magic-8-Ball ideas all the time with arbitrary things as a kid. Most of the time much less endearing: "If there are eight pages of paper in the trash can, I'll really like the next episode of Rugrats I see."


Bunny that hopped in front of me on the way to work a couple weeks ago.

But, today I am really unaware of most THINGS around me. I'm very person-orreinted at this time in my life. It's about connections and communication and when I meditate, I meditate about people. So, I'm trying to bring back the wa a little bit. It's about staying committed to the acting circle but noticing the weight of the sack in my hand, the magenta dots on it's rough skin. Walking to my sister's apartment thinking about what I want to be sure to mention, but also the dead lilac bushes and how soft they are.

The moth don't care when he sees the flame.
He might get burned, but he's in the game.

It's Like a Video of You Playing

Don & Lina, Singin' in the Rain 2006

Good: Going to a waterpark.
Bad: My room is a mess. I am in denial about how fast the family is showing up.
Good: The caliber of acting at yesterday's scene study performances. I am so excited to be going to ACTF with Huntie again next year.
Bad: My fussiness with clothes--not just because it't hot. Because I'm starting to feel bound by everything I wear. Feeling stuck and trapped and wanting to get these few days over with while simultaneously never wanting them to end.
Good: I have a sister. And a beautiful little town outside Chicago to jet off to.
Bad: I haven't been able to see her plenty. Trying to squeeze in the college friends.
Good: I have a job until next summer.
Bad: I am getting antsy about the energy summer camp needs and antsy about the details of next year with my other jobs. Still haven't pinned housing, timelines, etc.


Tell me why I feel so bad, Honey.
TV's flat and nothing is funny.