It's the Chicago Monthaversary celebration!

Happy monthaversary, Chicago! I've officially been a Chicago-er for one month this weekend, and it's been swell. I can't say it enough, I absolutely love it here. I feel like this month has been a full year with the amount of work I've done, people I've met, places I've been, etc.

So, what I thought I would do is make a list of what I've learned thus far, theatre wise and just normal life wise. Some of it may be common sense, but sometimes I have quite a few brain fart moments. Just bear with me. And hey, maybe you will learn something.

Christina's Monthaversary List of Chicagoy Things She's Learned Thus Far!

1. Google maps is like a teenaged girl in this city, especially downtown. Either that, or Google enjoys fucking with you and saying you're downtown, when really you're in Harlem. Not cool, Google. Not. Cool.
2. I know everyone knows headshots and resumes are important, but seriously guys, they are your everything. It's like your handshake. They start judging you even before you walk in to audition when you e-mail them to even ask permission to audition. And you will spend countless hours printing, cutting, pasting, and flirting with the guy at Walgreens to give you a discount.
3. You know how in Texas it's so gotdamn hot all the time, so you'll wear short shorts and tank tops and short dresses to stay cool? It's the Texas way! Well, apparently in Chicago, wearing short shorts/dresses/tops makes you a hooker. But a cute looking hooker.
4. Don't talk to the homeless people. Just don't. I feel for them, I really do, but talking to them or encouraging them just causes problems. Random things homeless people have said to me range from "I wanna be yo baby daddy" to "White devil bitch".
5. But, for the most part, people in Chicago are super nice. Seriously, I've met so many new and interesting people who are willing to lend you a hand without any questions.
6. If you're a drinker, find you a small/cheap/awesome bar like McClaren's in How I Met Your Mother as fast as you can. Especially one with a kickass bartender. Because there will be days when you just need a cheap beer and a Helen Keller joke.
7. The Chicago theatre world isn't as big as you may think. I met a guy at one of my callbacks who knew a fellow actor in Lubbock. It's super crazy yet amazing!
8. Looking on Craigslist for acting gigs is like buying 1/2 price milk on the day that it expired. It could be perfectly fine (like the time I found a free acting class with professional working actors) or it could be expired and smelly and chunky (like the yoga instructor story...ask me about it later).
9. No matter what time of day, you never ever ever ever ever talk or be happy or even look pleased on the bus/train. You find your corner seat, put your headphones in, and don't make eye contact with anyone. It is the most miserable place in all of Chicago.
10. Chicago sells liquor on Sundays, which makes it eleventy bajillion times cooler than Lubbock.

And, there you have it. My list of things I have learned thus far. It's been an experience, but I've gained a shitton of experience, especially within the past month. I hoped you learned something from reading this, as well.

Holy Castlist Batman!

Back by popular demand....





....that may be a demand of 2 people, but it's more than zero....





...the story to top all stories....





....a tale of courage, valor, and heaps of dry humping....




Let me set the scene:

My friend lil bit (name change to protect the semi-innocent) and I were out exploring Chicago with the plan of stopping by her work and finding a dance studio to sign up for classes. In the process of completing those two tasks, we got to explore the city and find even more reasons why we love living here. We found a restaurant called "Killer Margaritas" with the largest single serving of margarita I have ever seen. We also randomly ran into a farmers market and bought some organic berries and one gotdamn good chocolate muffin.

During our adventures on one beautifully perfect day outside, we started talking about how lucky we were to finally be here. How after all we put up with and how hard we worked, we finally made it. And we keep finding little things about the city that no one tells you about but are absolutely brilliant.

We then found out that Improv Olympic had a free performance of "The Herald" at 8pm, so we stopped by a diner that is right next to it to grab some drinks. Lil bit went to the restroom, and I just checked my phone with the texting, and the facespace, and the e-mails.

And then I happened to come across the e-mail. The e-mail I wasn't expecting. The e-mail from the show that I did well on, but never thought it would happen. The e-mail I've been working my ass off for for the past 4 weeks.

I was offered a role for a show for February-March. 21 performances. With pay.

I know it's a very cliche moment when something major happens in your life and then "time just stops". It's cheesy and corny and all that shit, but it's so damn true. I just stared at my phone while everything around me just froze. It could have been that I was so focused on the e-mail that I just zoned out, or that I was trying to hard not to start bawling in the middle of this diner, so I don't know. But my heart just stopped. I just stopped.

And then lil bit came back to me hunched over the table. I looked up and told her the news. It felt like I was in 4th grade again getting cast in my first show. I didn't know what it meant, but it felt like I won something. The words just came out of my mouth, "I was cast in my first Chicago show", words that I never knew when I would say or if I ever would say. Then of course I just started bawling, and lil bit started bawling. Here we are, sitting in Wrigleyville, surrounded by drunken Cubs fans and girls with their cooters falling out, and we are just crying. It was a snapshot worthy moment.

So, after the crying stopped, I of course had to call my mother. To hear her happy dance as she heard the news made me start crying again. You get the idea. I was a hot mess. And we still had a show to see!

So, lil bit and I ended our great Chicago adventure day watching The Herald at Io for free. We were sitting in the theatre, waiting for the show to start, and I had one of those JD from Scrubs moments. I sat there and just took in that moment with my random thoughts: The day had been absolutely brilliant. I am so thankful for the kind words from my friends and family; the random calls and texts throughout the night were so nice. And of course, my family here are amazing and helped me celebrate as well. And my final thought: I can now say that I am a working, paid actor. And after all the time and hard work I put in, I accomplished that within a month. Damn, if I can do it, anyone can do it!

Thus was my first time being cast in a Chicago show. I can check that off my list of firsts. I can't wait to start rehearsing and meeting everyone! But, until then, I have to keep working, hitting the grind, pounding the meat, that sort of thing. It's a never ending job, but I love it with all my heart and soul and vagina.

That time I didn't suck donkey balls at an audition...

NowIjustwanttogetthisoutofthewaybeforeithappensandmyfeelingsmightchangeorberuinedbysaidexperienceandidon'tthinkthatwillhappenbutitcouldandit'ssoawesomethatidon'twantittohappensoi'llwriteaboutitanyway...

*breathe*

Oh, hello there. Guess what Interneter?

I gotsa callback!

True story...#whoops lol

This came completely out of left field. I had missed the date to sign up for submissions, and didn't even realize it. So I walk in, expecting a 7-10 open call, but it's submissions only. I felt mortified, but I pinched myself and asked if there just happened to be an open spot. By the grace of Hugh Jackman, there was. So I went in, did my 4 min contemp bullshit bullshit bullshit, they asked me about just moving there, I explained where Lubbock was in the grand scheme of Texas, and they told me my face was weird (or really, that I had a crazy expressive face, potato/tomato). That happened almost a week ago, and I didn't hear back from them the next day, so I thought it was done.

Flash (ahh ahh!) forward to 5 days later, I get the e-mail and the sides. While I was riding the bus to go eat some deep dish. I literally yelped and scared the homeless lady selling shampoo in the back. And, of course, immediately called my mother.

Honestly, in the grand scheme of things ie. being an actor, this really isn't that big of a deal. It doesn't mean you have the part, and sometimes it doesn't necessarily mean you're being considered for the show at all. It just means you were ok enough for the director to want another chance to see if you can rise from your mediocre monologue to perform a decent cold reading. That's basically what the first callback boils down to.

But, honestly, to me, it means so much more.

I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but it's only my third audition, and I was non-sucky enough to get calledback. It means I'm here for a reason. It means I have something that one director may like. It means I learned something from my 4+ years of college classes...? (urm?)

It's just reassuring more than anything. It's something tangiable (not physically, but the in your head, gooey kind of result) that I can call home about and tell my mom. Something worthy to brag about, even if it's really not worth bragging about. And it feels like a baby step toward my goals. You only get one first time, and I totally sucked donkey balls at my first Chicago audition. BUT, I survived to get my first Chicago callback. And before it even happens, I am just proud of myself for making it this far.

Now I just have to conjure up some voodoo Meisner bullshit to get me through my callback, which may be easier said than done.

Chicago, I AM IN YOU!

Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly. ~Robert F. Kennedy
Oh, hey there world, guess what? I'm still alive and kickin' and living in Chicago.

Yup, that's right, I'm living in this bitch right now.

It feels like a whole year went by within this past week. So many horrible or awesome things happened, and it's definitely a miracle that I am sitting in this Starbucks, hitting my computer keys and shit.

Which, by the way, I live in a like majorly Hispanic neighborhood. And my roommate and I thought we were the only gringos within spitting distance. Then I found the Starbucks down the street, and discovered where all the hipster whities were at. It's an odd phenomenon.

Anyways, UPDATE!

The Apartment Drama of Everlasting Horribleness: My roommate and I (I'll just call him Gabe, to protect his innocence (like he has any left, bahaha) for those passersby who may not know who is is, just in case-ies) thought we might be homeless for a while. We left on Tuesday with the assurance of our realtor that it would be ready when we got here. It wasn't. So, a helpful tip for those relocating halfway across the country: never trust your realtor. And don't move when it's balls hot outside. It'll make you want to stab a kitten with AIDS....or KAIDS if you will...

But, it all worked out with some pleading, knee begging, and general ass-kissery. We moved in on Friday and have never looked back.

Now, the great work begins. I can finally do what I came here to do. Audition, take classes, meet other people as crazy in love with theatre as I am, etc. I had my first audition last night. I forgot how nerve wracking it was, and how out of practice I am. I didn't completely bomb. There was no pants wetting or upchucking, but I definitely didn't do what I know I can do. Blame it on finding out about it the day before, exhaustion, or pure nerves. Who knows? But, I'm just glad I got the first one out of the way. The stigma of "OHJESUSMYFIRSTCHICAGOAUDITON!!" is now gone. I've done it. I auditioned for a show. Now all the other ones will be easy peesey. Like, "So what? This is audition number 384."

I haven't had that many yet, but I'm working toward it.

I've scheduled some more upcoming auditions. My next one is Saturday. I've looked for classes, finished my actor site, updated headshot/resume, and started networking. Too bad I don't get paid for doing all this shit.

Speaking of getting paid, I'm not yet. As in job wise. As in, I need to find a job wise...

That's what today has been for. I've been craigslisting all morning while drinking my McDonald's iced mocha (sorry Starbucks, it's like 2 bucks cheaper). Job hunting is hard and not as fun as audition hunting. BUT, it's nice that everything is over the internets and e-mails now. I don't have to hit the pavement to plead/knee beg/casting couch-it just yet. I've come to accept that I don't care what job I have during the day (except no McDonald's due to the "locked in the freezer" incident I had in 2005...those who have heard that story should get a good chuckle). But, I just need to find something. Hopefully my background as a day care worker/book seller/barista/hotel clerk/magical unicorn party girl can help me find something.

But, as I end this post to go drop of my headshot/resume for a season audition, some final thoughts: I've been exhausted and stressed from moving here/unpacking and just trying to get situated in a completely different city. Thank god for the people I have here already, because they've been my lifesavers. But, last night I had one of those moments. I was riding the train to my first audition in Chicago, listening to my "pump up the jams" audition music. Riding the train and walking to the theatre, I just stopped at one point, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath in. I took it all in. That moment was just pure, unadulterated joy. I did it. I am doing it. What I've talked about for a year, what I saved up for working a shitting day job in west Texas, what I've been training for since I quit basketball to do theatre in high school...it's here. It's now. I'm just so happy to get the chance to do something that is probably so incredibly stupid and crazy, but it's what makes me the happiest girl in the world. It's better than chocolate, better than alcohol, better than sex.

Now I feel like my life can truly begin.

So I crammed my life in a U-haul...

Tonight marks my last night in Midland, Texas, United States, North America, The World.

Holy. Shitballs.

I know people always say "Oh, I have so many emotions going on right now, I just can't explain it!", but honestly, that's how I'm fucking feeling right now. Just a shitton of emotions going on in my lil ol' brain. Let me give you a sneak peek of some of my thoughts right now:

• Praise holy bejesus, I finally get to leave this godforsaken wasteland!
• Shit, I haven't even finished packing yet.
• Damnit! I have to pack all night instead of enjoy my last night in town with my friends and family.
• Wait...I'm moving more than 2 hours away from my family for the first time ever...JESUS CHRIST!
• What if something bad happens to my family and I'm not here?!?!?
• Why do I think I can do this?
• Why am I am actor
• What if I go there and fail miserably and have to become a prostitute?!?!
• How do I make a guy "holla" for "a dolla"?

Etc. Etc. Etc.

You get the idea.

I've been awful about updating up to this point, but a summary of what has happened since we last had this chat. The acting gig in Dallas turned into a bridesmaid gig instead, so I got to spend a month with the bride/bffle traveling across Texas, visiting friends all over the place, doing some theatre-y things, and getting that bitch married.

Now I'm back in Midland, getting ready to leave. Tomorrow. My dad and I will be driving up north in a u-haul (to find my part of it allllllllll). But seriously, it's like a fucking 20 hour drive. Sheesh. But, I am ecstatic to finally be getting up there and starting this new chapter in my life.

So, I'm here, sitting on my couch and trying to enjoy the last few moments I'll have with my family for a while. I will miss Texas (mostly for the people), but I am SO ready to leave. I'm at this exciting time before I know what will happen. That moment when I feel like anything is possible. It's probably the exhaustion goofing with my head, but I like this feeling. The world is my oyster and stuff! I know I am not the best at what I do, but damn if you meet anyone who will work harder than I will!

Bleg, enough of this sappy stuff. Goodbye Midland, goodbye Lubbock, and goodbye Texas! Send some good juju my way (and just in the Chicago way in general, lots of people are headed up there). I hope to update more about my adventures in my soon-to-be-home-in-like-3-days-Chicago!

New news is better than nude news

New news in the journey from Lubbock to Chicago. And all good, actually. I believe an update is in order!

Huzzah!

It has been a few weeks, but a lot has actually happened to make my move more official and a happier experience.

1) Finally broke the news to my parents. Well, technically my mother, who then in turn told my family. My mom just happened to be in Lubbock for a night, so I figured that was the best time to break it to her. I was nervous as holy hell. I've never been further than a 2 hour drive away from them. And I honestly didn't know how she would take the news. Would she cry? Outright refuse to help? Throw Pad Thai noodles at me (My mother doesn't carry around noodles in her purse. We were at an Asian restaurant.)? And my family is very WASP-ish, minus the whole rich thing. We bury our heads into the ground when dealing with any major issue, or we discuss it once and pretend like it never happened.

Anyways, to summarize: I was concerned. So, we went and had dinner, and I brought up my plan (to be discussed later in this post) as I sat cringing, waiting for her response. Surprisingly, she took it well. She asked me those general mom questions that deal with me not turning to crack as soon as I leave her nest. Then she was very positive about it, offering me advice for moving. Later in the week, my dad sent me texts about it that were also very supportive.

All in all, the family reacted better than I could have hoped. The hard part was over.

Number B) To make this period of change in my life even more awesomer, I was offered an acting gig in Dallas that fit perfectly in my kind of schedule plan (hold you horses, I"m getting to it). A friend of mine wants to do a show and asked me to do it for her. A chance to act as a lead in a badass play with a badass director in a badass city?

HELLS TO THE YEAH!

So, hopefully that will come to fruition. I need to act again. I've missed it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay hard.

And, finally, letter 12323) ....The Plan!

I actually sort of have a plan.

I have dates now for how the next 3 months are going to go. Now, nothing is truly official, except the date that I"m leaving Lubbock. Because my lease is up, and I would prefer not to be a squatter (at least in Lubbock. I'd be ok with being a NYC squatter). So, the plan as of right now:

Leaving Lubbock April 29
Midland for 2ish weeks
DFW for most of May, beginning of June
Leave for Chicago mid-Juneish

A lot of it is ish-dates as of right now. It'll depend on the show. I don't necessarily have to be in Chicago by a certain date. I just want to get there soon and start. I feel like it's this Chapter 2 to my life that I need to begin. I have a shitton of stuff I have to get done here before I can ever think abut moving (like a show, lol), but I'm motivated to because I have a final goal. I have dates. I have plans. It's exciting!

Thus begins my last couple of weeks in Lubbock (39 days, if we are being exact). It's scary. I'm about to leave everything that I know and am comfortable with for a city in which I know 2 people and 1 English bulldog. But, I've got a whole lot of goals and dreams and plans and moxie. I'm ready for it. At least I hope so.  

Here goes nothing

For those who are just tuning in, who have followed my poor excuses for blogs before, or just randomly found this little ditty of a website, I would like to say, "Hello!"

Ah, it's good to be back in the bloggersphere.

Now, since this is my blogety blog, I figure I should provide some back story as to why I'm doing all of this. So, here goes.... My name is Christina. I live (as of right now) in Lubbock, Texas, the windy city of the south and home to some of the biggest haboobies (heh) ever to grace the Earth (I don't know if that's true, but it sounds shmancy). I am currently working at a hotel establishment in town while I try to find bits and pieces of acting gigs to do on the side.

Oh, yeah, by the way, I am an actor.

I'll let the faint waft of judgment settle in.

Yes, I'm an actor. I have a degree in Theatre (super bachelor's degree!). I have been out of school for almost a year this coming May.

Now, Interneter, you might be asking yourself, "Hmph, why is she still in Podunk Texas? Why hasn't she moved away or moved back home? Why are my pants wet? Rabble rabble rabble?"

Welp, those are very excellent questions. I decided to stay here after I graduated in hopes of working to save up some moolah, doing more theatre, and just chillaxing with my friends. Also, in the back of my mind, I was also hoping for a small epiphany to occur that would show me what the hell happens next. Because, let me tell you, I was not prepared for the push off the cliff that college so heartily gave me after graduation. So, for many reasons, I stayed in Lubbock to sort of figure out my life.

And then, one of those random happenstances occurred that sort of flipped everything on its head. For me, that happenstance was an impromptu trip to Chicago. A couple of my friends and I sort of just went to Chicago over the winter break to surprise a friend of ours. And during that trip, the epiphany I was hoping for hit me, out of nowhere.

KABLAM!!!

I remember the exact moment. We were all in Millennium Park. The sun had just set and all of the Christmas lights in the park turned on. The buildings were lit up with some Christmas lights. I have a picture of that moment too!

Yeah, I never stood a chance. At that moment, Chicago was Antonio Banderas in "Zorro", and I was that one bitch who just had her shirt ruined by his sword. I took in the city, fell in love, and decided right then that I wanted to move to Chicago. I had talked about possibly doing it, but after that moment, I just knew.

So, from that moment, and from that trip, I've been working towards moving to Chicago. I went back a month later to audition for grad schools, but nothing really panned out. I had some interesting prospects, but nothing that really stood out to be a formidable opponent to the wonder that is Chicago. Also, my family isn't too keen about me moving that far away. I've lived in West Texas my ENTIRE LIFE!!! This has been my view for 23 years:

I think I saw a...oh, nope, it was nothing except FUCKING FLATNESS EVERYWHERE!

I have a couple of obstacles that I still need to tackle. I haven't told my parents yet, officially. I'm waiting one or two more weeks before I break the news to them. I already have plans for this summer. Nothing official yet, still in the planning stages, but it's developing. Constantly developing, and that's all that matters. I've been dicking around Lubbock for a year, not really accomplishing a lot. I've had some good times, but I haven't been successful in the theatrical part of my life. Not any more. I want to take action. Follow my dreams and shit!

So, coming back full circle, this blog is here for my ramblings about my journey to Chicago. I want to update about leaving Lubbock, moving to Chicago, and transitioning into the acting world there. I'll probably rambling a lot about nothing. I tend to do that. I'm hoping this blog will be a way to stay connected with my friends so they don't have to Facebook stalk me to find out what's going on. And, while I do have a habit of "hitting and quitting" blogs, I will try with all my might to keep this one going.

Oh, and I decided this will be a mainly friends and passers-by blog, because I tend to curse quite a bit. If you don't feel comfortable with that, well you can go...to another website. :)

Fuck you Ms. Johnson! WORD!

Anyways...I digress. So, ta da! This is it! My blogety blog! I won't be updating for a while. At least not until moving becomes official or the moving date arrives without me realizing. BUT, know that I am excited...and anxious....and terrified...and batshit crazy about this! I hope you keep reading, because this journey will be fun. From one windy city to another. I feel like my life is finally about to begin.

So, here goes nothing :)