It's so frustrating. A week ago I decorated the tree and then shoveled snow. The combination of activities led to aches in my lower back and right leg. I've been uncomfortable ever since. I thought yoga would help me stay healthy, but I've had more injuries this past year than I think I've had my entire life. So is it too much yoga, aging, too much yoga and aging? The only position I've found that relieves the pain is a yoga pose called legs up the wall. I love that pose anyway--I actually crave it many days.
It's also possible that my pulled/torn right quad has never healed, and the snow shoveling in particular may have exacerbated the injury. My back no longer hurts, but I do still feel pain in my right leg and hip.
But i've also been doing a lot more physically this past year, and recently. I spent nearly a week cleaning out my mom's house, and did much of the heavy lifting. I know I should be more careful with my back, but I feel a need to do things, to be physically active. Especially with less of my time programmed.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Buying a TV
The info is so confusing--I think I've narrowed it down to a 46" LED flat panel without CD--we don't watch CD movies; we're not going to watch CD TV. But then there's Internet ready (?). Even trying to get the best price--you have to know the exact model for comparison, and then different stores different model number where the differences between the models isn't clear. What's the difference between the Samsung 46" LED 6300 vs 6500 (that warrants a $200 price difference). The 6500 has something called "2010 Internet content service". What is that? I don't think the store I went to--Belmont TV--had the 6500, just the 6300. And the guy there told me plasmas don't come in sizes under 50", which turns out not to be true. But then the Big Screen TV store doesn't post prices on line like Belmont and HHGreg do, so I can't price compare with them. And then there are the armoires--not one but two. We never imagined they wold become obsolete. I tried to sell them at Upscale Resale, but they emailed me with this message: "Unfortunately, we cannot accept this item for consignment. As much as we would like to be of service, this style of furniture just doesn’t sell well in this environment." Translation, which I gleaned from reviewing a bund of articles from 2008 about what to do with obsolete TV armoires: no one will buy these dinosaurs--it will cost us more to pick them up and display them than we'll get from resale.
So we're keeping the armoires--we'll continue to use the one in the basement for our (old style) TV, and move the one from the family room to our basement yoga/workout room. How we'll get it down there is another story--we'll have to take it out the front door (won't go down curved basement steps) and through the garage into the basement. That reminds me--I'll check to see if RentalWorks rents furniture dollies--that might help. I've cleaned out both armoires and moved all the game systems to the armoire downstairs (to my son's chagrin, even though he hasn't touched them in years). Hence the dust and the wheezing and sneezing. But I can't move the armoire by myself, or I would. I'll just store a bunch of stuff in it that's currently lying on the basement floor--games and legos.
This (before Christmas) is supposed to be a good time of year to buy a TV, or I wouldn't be pursing this. Prices are supposed to go up some time after the first of the year. So much easier if I could do all of this myself...but everything's too heavy.
So we're keeping the armoires--we'll continue to use the one in the basement for our (old style) TV, and move the one from the family room to our basement yoga/workout room. How we'll get it down there is another story--we'll have to take it out the front door (won't go down curved basement steps) and through the garage into the basement. That reminds me--I'll check to see if RentalWorks rents furniture dollies--that might help. I've cleaned out both armoires and moved all the game systems to the armoire downstairs (to my son's chagrin, even though he hasn't touched them in years). Hence the dust and the wheezing and sneezing. But I can't move the armoire by myself, or I would. I'll just store a bunch of stuff in it that's currently lying on the basement floor--games and legos.
This (before Christmas) is supposed to be a good time of year to buy a TV, or I wouldn't be pursing this. Prices are supposed to go up some time after the first of the year. So much easier if I could do all of this myself...but everything's too heavy.
Hard to get (re) started
Not sure why I stopped blogging--maybe it was all the turmoil surrounding my Mom's move. But it is very difficult to get (re)started--I've been thinking about it for days. I was surprised to realize I hadn't blogged since early Nov. So much has happened--we sold my Mom's house and she has moved close to my brother. I keep getting sick--not sure whether it's dust allergies or the weather or both or neither. I had a feder yesterday--the thermometer turns red and beeps loudly to announce 100.3. I slept much of the day and feel somewhat better, but as soon as I do I overdo the activity and get more congested. I think it started with having to clean out my mom's house--done in two separate trips for a total of about a week's time. So much dust kicked up. And then I helped organize the music at church--maybe more dust. And we're talking about getting a flat-screen TV for our family room--an adventure in itself--so I was cleaning out the now-obsolete armoires to get ready for the change. Lots more dust. Even though I still have the house cleaned every 2 weeks, they obviously don't dust behind the TVs. And I didn't pay much attention, especially in the basement. So I'm thinking I should skip yoga today and try to take it easy. So much to do, so worn out...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Not working (for pay) is hard...
I had an opportunity to join a small non-profit organization--happened very quickly. I had thought it would part time; thought that might tide me over until I'm able to make some money teaching yoga and/or doing voice acting work. But the job would be full time, at pay that's pretty standard for nonprofits, which means not much. I feel guilty not taking work with so many people out of a job, but I said I wouldn't go back to an office environment. Especially full time. And with much less flexibility than I had in my previous job.
But this event does show that I'm still grappling with my new life. Right now I'm doing everything on a volunteer basis. I'm still torn between wanting to leave my past work life behind and clinging to it as a possible way to earn some money. I feel pulled in many directions, with many emotions. Sometimes I'm comfortable volunteering and studying, other times I'm restless and want to be occupied with something outside the home--that pays.
So if I take the full time job, I'd be less able to teach or voice act, if something comes along. Like I'd given up on my dream. But it is scary.
But this event does show that I'm still grappling with my new life. Right now I'm doing everything on a volunteer basis. I'm still torn between wanting to leave my past work life behind and clinging to it as a possible way to earn some money. I feel pulled in many directions, with many emotions. Sometimes I'm comfortable volunteering and studying, other times I'm restless and want to be occupied with something outside the home--that pays.
So if I take the full time job, I'd be less able to teach or voice act, if something comes along. Like I'd given up on my dream. But it is scary.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
What do you wear to an Open Call
Here I am, trying to forge a new life as a voice actor/yoga instructor/volunteer. So what do I wear now? I knew that I would be put "on camera" at the talent agency "open call to obtain representation." So I fretted over what to wear. I didn't want to look either too casual or too businesslike. But I also didn't want to buy anything new. Although I almost succumbed on that one--I wanted to buy a new tote that would be suitable for a voice actor. Not that I know what that is. I first was going to take my University of Michigan tote bag (big block M), but thought that was too casual. I certainly wasn't going to take one of the bags we use for the beach. But my work bag seemed a little too conservative. The more I thought about it, though, it seemed OK. It's a Brahmin with pockets and zippers. A little narrow and stiff, but I couldn't find anything that popped out to me that wasn't expensive. If I felt like I had the money I probably would have bought a Coach tote. But (for once) I didn't go to the mall, and stuck with my work Brahmin. For now. I told myself I'd look at what other women were using to carry around scripts/water/snacks/pencils--the stuff one needs for voice acting. Then I'd buy one after I started getting voice acting jobs.
I first thought about wearing a flowy skirt with sweater, but since it was raining, I went with a Talbots mix and match--soft red sweater, white rib top, skinny soft navy pants. I looked awfully business casual-y, so I threw on a scarf I really like but have never figured out how to wear. In fact I picked out the colors of the outfit to go with the scarf, not the other way around. I practiced different kinds of draping, which I don't know how to do. How do those French women do it? I put on a string of pearls, but that didn't seem to fit with a drapey scarf. I ended up just wearing it hanging down--I couldn't figure out how to tie it loosely like I seen older French women do in photos. I felt different, with the scarf--more artsy and flowy. So I told myself I'd buy more once I started getting paid for voice acting. (See a trend here?)
I figure I'll wear some drapey scarf to the (former workplace-sponsored) holiday parties--to show my different new life. I never wore scarves at work, because I figured I'd get them dirty/spill coffee on them/get them caught in something. I didn't feel I could pull it off. I think I could, now.
The other woman who showed up for the "open call" around the time I did looked more businessline than I did--dark tailored clothes, business-type bag. I tried not to stare at her, lest she think I was eyeing the competition. Maybe she didn't know what she was doing, either, so I decided not to go by her example. Maybe she was like me--looking for a new way.
I first thought about wearing a flowy skirt with sweater, but since it was raining, I went with a Talbots mix and match--soft red sweater, white rib top, skinny soft navy pants. I looked awfully business casual-y, so I threw on a scarf I really like but have never figured out how to wear. In fact I picked out the colors of the outfit to go with the scarf, not the other way around. I practiced different kinds of draping, which I don't know how to do. How do those French women do it? I put on a string of pearls, but that didn't seem to fit with a drapey scarf. I ended up just wearing it hanging down--I couldn't figure out how to tie it loosely like I seen older French women do in photos. I felt different, with the scarf--more artsy and flowy. So I told myself I'd buy more once I started getting paid for voice acting. (See a trend here?)
I figure I'll wear some drapey scarf to the (former workplace-sponsored) holiday parties--to show my different new life. I never wore scarves at work, because I figured I'd get them dirty/spill coffee on them/get them caught in something. I didn't feel I could pull it off. I think I could, now.
The other woman who showed up for the "open call" around the time I did looked more businessline than I did--dark tailored clothes, business-type bag. I tried not to stare at her, lest she think I was eyeing the competition. Maybe she didn't know what she was doing, either, so I decided not to go by her example. Maybe she was like me--looking for a new way.
I Hate the Wall Street Journal...
There's a concept in yoga--actually, there are many concepts in yoga, all of which seem to have at least three components. Yoga has eight limbs; each limb has multple what--branches? Then there are five classes of chitta vritti which create pleasure and pain. Chitta vritti isn't one of the eight limbs; I'm not sure what it is. And five causes of chitta vritti create pain. Yes, the both have five, but they're different. I got this from attempting to read the intro in BKS Iyengar's Light on Yoga. It may be the most confusing 35 pages I've ever read. He has a newer edition of the book with a new introduction, but i bought the original because it was cheaper. So I don't know if it's any less confusing.
Anyway, one of the five causes of chitta vritti creating pain is avidya, which is "expressed and experienced in four different ways..." (of couse) (according to TKV Desikachar in his book, The Heart of Yoga). One of the four forms of avidya is raga, or "the desire to have something whether we need it or not." Or maybe I was thinking about the first limb of yoga--yama (ethical disciplines, according to Iyengar). Looks like yama has five something, a couple of which have to do with non-stealing/non-coveting. As in, "...if he [the yogi] gathers things he does not really need, he is a thief." (Iyengar, p. 34.) And "...one should not hoard or collect things one does not require immediately."
Simplify; take only what you need. I don't see anything about envy, but I'm sure it's embedded in these. These concepts resonate with me and I aspire to them. Until I read the Wall Street Journal, and I catch a glimpse of how rich people live. I think of myself as well off--certainly compared to the people i encounter through my volunteer work, and compared with a lot of people in this country. But I don't know any rich people, and I probably would have no idea how differently they live--if it weren't for the WSJ.
I read it because we get it--my husband's subscription, not mine. It's much less business-y than it used to be, but with that comes a lot more articles about haute couture, wine, shoes, handbags--did I mention haute couture? Take the WSJ Magazine that came with yesterday's paper. The Oct/Nov magazine. In it is an article about shearling coats. They look nice--then I see that the prices range from $995 (looks like a sweatshirt) to $6,990. And "there's no smarter way to put your best foot forward than in a leather oxford" ranging in price from a cheapo $$375 (company aptly named "Rag and Bone" to the John Lobb $1,290. But it was really the "How to Buy" section that filled me with revision and secret envy. How to buy...rare wines, vintage cars, estate jewelry, helicopters, HELICOPTERS???, the safest facelift, investment handbags--like the Kelly, as in Grace Kelly. Who is/was Jane Birkin, anyway--seems like her biggest claim to fame is having a bag named after her.
Who are these people? Reminds me of Stephen Colbert's segment "Colbert Platinum". For members only; if you're not a member, leave the room now. But of course I stay, and enjoy hearing very rich people made fun of. One part revulsion, two parts envy? I'd like to be able to say I can afford to buy a helicopter, I just choose not to...Not so sue about the facelift, or the handbags.
Anyway, one of the five causes of chitta vritti creating pain is avidya, which is "expressed and experienced in four different ways..." (of couse) (according to TKV Desikachar in his book, The Heart of Yoga). One of the four forms of avidya is raga, or "the desire to have something whether we need it or not." Or maybe I was thinking about the first limb of yoga--yama (ethical disciplines, according to Iyengar). Looks like yama has five something, a couple of which have to do with non-stealing/non-coveting. As in, "...if he [the yogi] gathers things he does not really need, he is a thief." (Iyengar, p. 34.) And "...one should not hoard or collect things one does not require immediately."
Simplify; take only what you need. I don't see anything about envy, but I'm sure it's embedded in these. These concepts resonate with me and I aspire to them. Until I read the Wall Street Journal, and I catch a glimpse of how rich people live. I think of myself as well off--certainly compared to the people i encounter through my volunteer work, and compared with a lot of people in this country. But I don't know any rich people, and I probably would have no idea how differently they live--if it weren't for the WSJ.
I read it because we get it--my husband's subscription, not mine. It's much less business-y than it used to be, but with that comes a lot more articles about haute couture, wine, shoes, handbags--did I mention haute couture? Take the WSJ Magazine that came with yesterday's paper. The Oct/Nov magazine. In it is an article about shearling coats. They look nice--then I see that the prices range from $995 (looks like a sweatshirt) to $6,990. And "there's no smarter way to put your best foot forward than in a leather oxford" ranging in price from a cheapo $$375 (company aptly named "Rag and Bone" to the John Lobb $1,290. But it was really the "How to Buy" section that filled me with revision and secret envy. How to buy...rare wines, vintage cars, estate jewelry, helicopters, HELICOPTERS???, the safest facelift, investment handbags--like the Kelly, as in Grace Kelly. Who is/was Jane Birkin, anyway--seems like her biggest claim to fame is having a bag named after her.
Who are these people? Reminds me of Stephen Colbert's segment "Colbert Platinum". For members only; if you're not a member, leave the room now. But of course I stay, and enjoy hearing very rich people made fun of. One part revulsion, two parts envy? I'd like to be able to say I can afford to buy a helicopter, I just choose not to...Not so sue about the facelift, or the handbags.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Am I Represented?
I have no idea how my "open call for representation" went today. I don't even know if I'm represented, but I think I am. The guy who interviewed my said they would "push my voice out there" whatever that means. Took me an hour and a half to get there--during the tail end of rush hour in the DC area. But then again going anywhere across town can take an hour and a half any time of day. I got to the agency about a half hour before the beginning of the "open call" hours--about what I had planned. Fortunately someone was there--it's in a small building with only a few employees. I had to use the bathroom really badly and I didn't see anywhere nearby. Some quaint little shops--seemed like a nice part of the Baltimore environs--but no Starbucks or other kind of cafe where I could have stopped.
So I waited about 1/2 hour. Only one other person--another woman--was waiting. So I felt better than if 50 people had been milling around--"open call" can mean anything, can't it? I came prepared with reading material (yoga books), so I didn't get nervous waiting. I'm fine with waiting as long as I have something to do. When I was invited in (I arrived first, so was the first person to be interviewed, the interviewer said he'd put me on camera and I could start my monologue, if I had prepared one. Well, I hadn't, since all the email said was: "we'll put you before the camera, and answer any questions you may have". And since they tell you not to contact them, I didn't know they expected a prepared monologue. So I asked him how much time he wanted me to speak--he said a couple of minutes--so I said I would talk about why I wanted to do voice over work. I don't really get unnerved by not knowing what to expect--I actually kind of like it. I have no idea how I did. I felt pretty natural (although I heard a few "ums" when he played back the first part) and a few times I had a little trouble coming up with new descriptive words. But the 2 mins. went by quickly and I wasn't nervous.
Then he sat down with me to talk about how they operate--they get calls for work and match people--but he really didn't give any indication what was in store for me. He said a lot would depend on the demo. I had mailed in a demo, head shot and resume a few months ago, but he didn't have any of that. Almost like different portions of the business (which seems to consist of maybe 5 people) don't communicate with one another. So it's not clear how they even contacted me for the "open call".
He made it sound like there was a steady stream of work, but who knows? My session lasted about 1/2 hour--seemed like that's about what was alloted, since he signaled we were finished. But it seemed like a good amount of time. I got the impression from something he said that he may have been taping me as we were speaking--which is fine with me. And anyway, I have no way of knowing how long the other two women's sessions were, or what he said to them. I'm often better off not knowing too much.
When I left only one other woman had arrived. Maybe they recently got a request for a woman to act or do voiceovers, so called a few of us in. Who knows?
When I spoke with him, I told him I was just getting started--not my nature to embellish. He suggested I not do that when I got work; which I wouldn't. But I figured an agent should know what they've got. I did talk about what I thought my strengths were (from a voice acting standpoint). I just wasn't the mood to "sell" myself in a way that would have felt artificial to me.
He asked me how I would describe my voice--I answered by talking about the types of readings I liked the best--PSAs and children's books. He said he thought I had a "practical" voice--as in "if it works for her, it should work for me." Hmmm...my immediate thought was that I sounded boring. So I started speaking with a liltier voice and said I thought I'd be good at PSAs (which I referred to as PSRs at one point--oops).
Took me 1 1/2 hours to get home--this time because it started pouring rain when I was on the beltway--the kind of rain where you can barely see in front of you. And it didn't let up once it hit.
This is where doing multiple things comes in handy--I won't be waiting around for them to call. Or email. Or whatever it is they do.
So I waited about 1/2 hour. Only one other person--another woman--was waiting. So I felt better than if 50 people had been milling around--"open call" can mean anything, can't it? I came prepared with reading material (yoga books), so I didn't get nervous waiting. I'm fine with waiting as long as I have something to do. When I was invited in (I arrived first, so was the first person to be interviewed, the interviewer said he'd put me on camera and I could start my monologue, if I had prepared one. Well, I hadn't, since all the email said was: "we'll put you before the camera, and answer any questions you may have". And since they tell you not to contact them, I didn't know they expected a prepared monologue. So I asked him how much time he wanted me to speak--he said a couple of minutes--so I said I would talk about why I wanted to do voice over work. I don't really get unnerved by not knowing what to expect--I actually kind of like it. I have no idea how I did. I felt pretty natural (although I heard a few "ums" when he played back the first part) and a few times I had a little trouble coming up with new descriptive words. But the 2 mins. went by quickly and I wasn't nervous.
Then he sat down with me to talk about how they operate--they get calls for work and match people--but he really didn't give any indication what was in store for me. He said a lot would depend on the demo. I had mailed in a demo, head shot and resume a few months ago, but he didn't have any of that. Almost like different portions of the business (which seems to consist of maybe 5 people) don't communicate with one another. So it's not clear how they even contacted me for the "open call".
He made it sound like there was a steady stream of work, but who knows? My session lasted about 1/2 hour--seemed like that's about what was alloted, since he signaled we were finished. But it seemed like a good amount of time. I got the impression from something he said that he may have been taping me as we were speaking--which is fine with me. And anyway, I have no way of knowing how long the other two women's sessions were, or what he said to them. I'm often better off not knowing too much.
When I left only one other woman had arrived. Maybe they recently got a request for a woman to act or do voiceovers, so called a few of us in. Who knows?
When I spoke with him, I told him I was just getting started--not my nature to embellish. He suggested I not do that when I got work; which I wouldn't. But I figured an agent should know what they've got. I did talk about what I thought my strengths were (from a voice acting standpoint). I just wasn't the mood to "sell" myself in a way that would have felt artificial to me.
He asked me how I would describe my voice--I answered by talking about the types of readings I liked the best--PSAs and children's books. He said he thought I had a "practical" voice--as in "if it works for her, it should work for me." Hmmm...my immediate thought was that I sounded boring. So I started speaking with a liltier voice and said I thought I'd be good at PSAs (which I referred to as PSRs at one point--oops).
Took me 1 1/2 hours to get home--this time because it started pouring rain when I was on the beltway--the kind of rain where you can barely see in front of you. And it didn't let up once it hit.
This is where doing multiple things comes in handy--I won't be waiting around for them to call. Or email. Or whatever it is they do.
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