Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Actor, Teacher...tempt-ed?

Job: Children's Acting Coach

Description: We are looking for a fun and outgoing person who loves acting as well as teaching it. We are looking for someone who is passionate and professional that can transform our talent into amazing actors as well as someone that works well with Children ages 4 to 12. You will be working in a upbeat environment with a professional outlook on the forward moving, fast paced entertainment industry. Pay is competitive. Must be able to start work immediately. Please attach resume.

I had an interview today. It went well. The agency does everything from modeling to acting so I kind of felt like I was in "The Devil Wears Prada" - though the interview wasn't nearly that harsh - or an episode of "America's Next Top Model" seriously. The place was swarming with absurdly fashionable people. I hope I get the job. They're supposed to let me know by Monday. I think I might bring a thrift-shop kind of balance to the place. With any luck I won't get caught up in it all.

As an added bonus, they said that if I have talent (from their entirely subjective point of view) I could use all the benefits of their agency. And that, my friends, would not just be a foot in the door, but possibly an entire leg.

Wish me luck!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Don't Stop Me Now

This is my theme song of the moment. It's originally by Queen, but this is a cover by a British band called McFly that I found on Youtube and I really like it. So...there ya go...

Thursday, October 25, 2007

A little class

Update!!! Here are some entertaining happenings from my life...with some other stuff.

First and foremost, the job hunt continues. I've applied for several things, but nothing has really gone anywhere yet. I'm going to be an extra in a movie on Monday, but other than that, I don't have much. If I wanted a career in sales I'm sure I'd have a job by now (though if I really wanted a career in sales, I'd probably still have a job in the first place.) I'm considering doing an alternate route to licensure to get a teaching certificate and then becoming either an upper-level elementary teacher, i.e. 3-6 grade, or a High School teacher - drama/English/Spanish, something along those lines. Until then I guess I'll just keep subbing and looking.

Today I did initiatory work at the temple and one of the workers was very hearty in his "Amens." It made me laugh every time he said it. Always with such gusto.

Then I went to two very different, yet equally enjoyable classes.

First was institute. This is the first time I've been to an institute class in almost a year. I loved it! We talked about the Abrahamic covenant, and it was just amazing. I loved being immersed in the scriptures, I loved learning new things (i.e. in Malachi when it talks about "the fathers" it's not necessarily talking about our ancestors. "The Fathers" is a title for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (D&C 27:10) - interesting.), I loved the feeling. And it wasn't even false-doctrine preaching, super Mormon institute either. It was very spiritual and very Christ-centered. It made me want to take an institute class every day. But as my schedule is rather erratic, that's not going to happen.

My second class was a hip-hop cardio class at the gym. So much fun! I don't know that I'm really cut out to be a hip-hop dancer, but it was fun anyway. I think in the event that I ever memorize the dance it might actually look pretty cool...after some tweaking to make it my own. As of now, though, I kind of just look like a scrawny white kid who happens to have a little rhythm, but it was still SO MUCH FUN!!!! I love dancing. Love it! I could do it all day. And sometimes I do.

The other day I was teaching 3rd grade and one of the students asked, "How many girlfriends have you had?" I replied, "Two." He said, "What the heck is wrong with you? I've had like 14." I like how something must be wrong with me since I've only had 2 girlfriends. Though when I thought about it in the terms he's thinking, I counted and I've actually had 7, so eat that Mr. 9-year-old!

At the mall I was accosted by a very gay foreign man who proceeded to subtly insult me while exfoliating my wrist. I just had to laugh and refuse to buy his product. I hate sales-y people...and then I found $20...

Monday, October 22, 2007

Friendship et. al.

From A Thousand Splendid Suns:

"In that week, Laila came to believe that of all the hardships a person had to face none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting."

How true. It really is torture sometimes.

"How many times had she, Hasina, and Giti said those same three words to each other, Laila wondered, said it without hesitation, after only two or three days of not seeing each other? I missed you, Hasina. Oh, I missed you too. In Tariq's grimace, Laila learned that boys differed from girls in this regard. They didn't make a show of friendship. They felt no urge, no need, for this sort of talk. Laila imagined it had been this way for her brothers too. Boys, Laila came to see, treated friendship the way they treated the sun: its existence undisputed; its radiance best enjoyed, not beheld directly."

In this regard I think I'm more like a girl. I see friendship more like the moon. Something to be enjoyed directly. One should bask in the beauty and marvel at the wonder of every change and phase. Even the not-so-pleasant changes.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

A conversation...

Jeff - I'm bringing my new babies home today - Larry and Nadine.

Greg - And exactly what type of creatures are Larry and Nadine?

J - Well they're adorable and slimy and twins.

G - So they're Canadians?

J - Ha ha ha - PRECISELY!

G - Wonderful! How noble of you to have rescued them!

J - I may be hard to reach for the next few weeks. We're going to be engaging in intensive speech courses with Lar and Nad. May goal is to have them dropping their consonants and calling everyone "guys" by Christmas.

G - Brilliant! you're an inspiration to us all!

J - No no. I don't need recognition. I merely want to help make the world I know a reality for all people.

I never did find out exactly what Larry and Nadine are...maybe they really are Canadians...

West Side Stories

I'm substitute teaching right now to make money until I find something more permanent - in the event that I actually do. A lot of my teaching jobs are on the west side of the valley. Now I don't mean "west" in the same sense that I live on the west side of the valley - which I do - I mean way out west. Like the other side of the tracks west. It was really interesting to see the difference. Here are some highlights:

In one class period alone I had no less than 5 girls wearing giant hoop earrings. Keep in mind that these kids are 14 years old.

On the way back from lunch I saw a fight break out on the street corner.

I felt like a minority.

I was thrust back into my own schooldays during one period when I noticed students passing notes. This isn't necessarily unique to the west side, I just thought it was funny. And I sure hope I was more discreet in my note passing than these kids.

Later that day I had dinner on the east side. It was good to see the label whores, the cookie cutter Utahans with big hair, and all other forms of conformity in their glorious rampant-ness. The thing is I'm not sure where I fit in better...

Back to normality...

Ok, now back to the good stuff. Here are some funny things that I've discovered, or that have happened to me, or that just are, from the past little while. I've been wanting to post them, but just haven't, so enjoy:

I watched a movie called "Black Sheep" with Annie, Andrea, and Jessica. Now, this is not the lovable Chris Farley film - oh no. This is a random horror movie from 2006 which was filmed in New Zealand. It's about flesh-eating sheep. Yes, flesh-eating sheep. You can find details here. Funny in parts, rather gruesome, completely laughable, some Wayne County leanings, and definitely not worth the price of rental. At least there was some eye candy, so it wasn't a complete waste. The best part was I had to call 5 Blockbusters before I found the movie in stock. This means that at least 4 other people were watching the movie. I'm sure all of them were thinking the same thing we were - "What the ----?"

I checked my stat-counter for this blog and decided to see what key-words people were using to find my blog; "midnight at the oasis instrumental" was among them.

Speaking of my stat-counter, I've noticed that someone from Bozeman Montana keeps pretty frequent tabs on my blog, but I don't know that I know anyone from Montana...at least I can't think of anyone that I know in Montana. Who are you?

I went to a breast cancer walk at Liberty Park with a friend last weekend and I loved seeing so many people there to support the cause. One of my favorite things to see were the many different slogans: "Knocker walkers," "The Bestest of the Breastest," "Save Sue's Boobs," "Save the Ta Ta's." One of the my favorites of all time is "Save the Hoo-ha's" which my family and I took upon ourselves to shout frequently, and at the top of our lungs at a University of Utah football game last year. I love making people feel uncomfortable.

The following websites have brought at least a smile to my face - if not more:
Fashion no no's of the elite, and people who mock them relentlessly.
Men who look like old lesbians.
Albi the racist dragon.

I think it's funny when people inadvertently run backwards on the elliptical machine at the gym.

Cool video of someone with too much time, among other things, on their hands:

Double Rubiks Cubes

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Of interest

I received quite a lot of feedback about my last post. There were some interesting things I noticed that I'd like to share.

1 - Almost everyone that wrote me in one way or another, said they'd felt the same way at some point. I think that's fascinating. Apparently, though not surprisingly, everyone feels left out, left behind, not important etc. etc. etc. I also think it's interesting because one would think that would make people more aware of their friendships and realize that everyone feels that way, thus inspiring us to make sure no one feels that way on our account.

2 - No one who wrote me apologized. That wasn't the reason I wrote the post, and it's not that anyone had a reason to apologize, I just think it's interesting that no one said anything along the lines of, "I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel that way..." etc. Again, not that anyone needed to. Most people offered assistance and sympathy, but no one offered to make amends. On that note, I'd like to apologize if I've ever made anyone feel like that. It's one my least favorite feelings; right up there next to uncertainty and an empty pan of brownies. Just give me a gentle reminder if I'm ever the perpetrator of that feeling in your life.

3 - None of the people who had caused my most recent frustrations said anything. The people who wrote me were people who have never really made me feel the way I was feeling. I guess that just proves my point.

4 - More than one person mentioned Rock-A-Doodle. I think perhaps we may need to have a group viewing of this priceless piece of cinema and commiserate together.

Ok, so I don't know that I'll actually plan a Rock-A-Doodle party because it's seems to be my lot in life that when I plan something people just don't show up. But I may buy the movie and watch it alone with a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate...though anyone is more than welcome to join me. ;)

So that everyone knows, I'm feeling better. In fact, I had a one-man dance party yesterday and totally rocked out - it was joyous. I think it's because I've finally gotten to a point where it doesn't matter. I've got lots of great friends who do care. Some messages came from some rather unexpected places and made me realize - once again - how lucky I am.

Having said that, I'm still done. I'm done being plan B, done being disappointed, done putting effort into people/things/whatever that don't give back, done worrying about it. I'm more than willing to respond/reciprocate, but for now I'm done initiating. That may mean an interesting dating life, and some lonely nights ahead, but one can only take so much. At this point I figure it's not my loss because let's face it - I'm a damn good friend. I'm funny, moderately attractive, an excellent cook, and I own season one of Ducktales, the first episode of Fraggle Rock, and a huge lovesac. Plus I make a mean pan of brownies, and I do it often.

I'll most likely get back to my socially proactive self eventually, but until then, you know where to find me.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Backup - not so much.

Once I planned a birthday party and no one showed up. Not one person. I sat on the curb in front of my house and cried. Granted this was quite a while ago, but I feel like sometimes it's rather typical of my life.

More often than not in my life I feel like everyone's backup plan. I'm an afterthought, a contingency, in the event that there's absolutely nothing else going on, plan B, just in case, if I find the time, priority number 2 if I even get that high. And frankly it sucks.

Now I realize I'm looking at this from a completely subjective point of view, but really life is about perception.

It just seems to me like I invest a lot into friendships and don't get nearly as much back. I've kind of felt like that for a lot of my life, but lately it's sort of been intensified. I feel out of the loop, forgotten, left behind. I feel like all I hear is, "I'll definitely come next time," or, "Sorry, something came up," or...or...or...

The only time I can remember where I didn't feel like that was when I moved away from Cedar. I had a little going away party and pretty much everyone at least made the effort to drop by. But I think that's because I was moving several hundred miles away.

Well I'm kind of tired of it. When do I get to be what comes up? When do I get to be plan A? When is it my turn? Perhaps I'm being whiny and immature. Perhaps not. All I know is it's how I feel.

Almost like the following lines from "Into the Woods":

"Am I not sensitive, Clever,
Well-mannered, Considerate,
Passionate, Charming,
As kind as I'm handsome
And heir to a throne?

You are everything maidens could wish for.

Then why no?

Do I know?

The girl must be mad!"

I know I'm not prince charming. And I certainly hope I'm not that arrogant, but I do think I deserve more than insincere commentary and empty promises.

So, I'm done. Done being second string, done being the guy no one thought about, done being the doormat. I'm done.

Sorry for the rather negative tone of my posts lately, it's been a fairly turbulent few weeks, so here's a funny picture. It's really not an optical illusion, that I can see, but it is funny. Children have the ability, more than anything else - possibly even brownies - to make me smile:


After I had a good cry on the curb, I went to see Rockadoodle with my family. I felt better.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

And the hunt continues

Just an entertaining encounter in my job search today. I've mostly been looking at what's available online and I came across the following:

Actor/Actress
Company: Phoneactress.com

Description


You could be working for the largest telecommunications company in the world! Do you have a charming voice? Do you love chit chat? If so, you may be the perfect candidate for telephone acting! You MUST have an open mind and a very charming voice! Paychecks mailed WEEKLY! Flexible Hours - full/part time or work as an independent contractor setting your own hours! Complete and total anonymity! We employ hundreds of women and men nationwide and entertain over 10,000 clients daily. Our top agents earn $15+ per hour. (hourly rate plus bonuses) You must be an adult, have a private area of your home to work from, and a very positive attitude! Please call 1-800-325-6608 for more detailed information regarding this position! Sound like a fun and easy way to earn money? It is!

A bit sketchy? I think so. But nonetheless entertaining. Maybe I'll apply...

Monday, October 8, 2007

sub-par...get it?

I substitute taught today. I was in a kindergarten class for the first half of the day and a third grade class for the last half. Here are some highlights:

During a math test in the third grade class a youngster proffered, "Raise your hand if you believe in Jesus!"

One of the questions on the math test said "Write 2 things that you are sure will not happen." One of the students wrote, "The living dead become real, the world blow up today." I wonder about this lad's home life.

Kindergarteners have to pee a lot.

In other news my day was spectacular. This week is looking much, much better than last week. Kids and shopping fill my heart with exceeding joy. I got both today. Annie and I bought new Halloween decorations at Gardner Village and they're pretty much awesome.

Tomorrow the job hunt will begin anew. Keep a little prayer in your hearts for me! Not so much to find a job, because I'm not too worried about that, but more to survive the job hunt. I hate that.

And since I know everyone is supremely concerned, it looks like last week is pretty much wrapped up and over with. Resolutions have been achieved, happiness has been restored, and life is back to normal...well except for my cold, I've still got that, though I think I may have passed it on to someone...

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Everything changes

There's a reason people say, "When it rains, it pours." And it's not just because the rainstorm outside my window is producing more moisture than a fat man on the sunny side of the street during a Fourth of July parade. Last week was, to use another cliche, "one of those weeks." It's like one thing after another just kept happening. Now, most of the events of the week, in and of themselves, weren't necessarily anything to write home about, even with several of them combined, I don't think it would have been anything to cause a wanton disregard for one's health involving an abnormal consumption of chocolate. The thing is they were sort of overshadowed and tainted by something that, for me, merited some serious retail therapy (I bought Halloween decorations, foreign chocolate, and two pairs of shoes.) Let me elaborate:

There are two things that are important to know about me. First communication is of the utmost importance to me. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people don't communicate with me. Second, if you're my friend that means I care about you. And I always worry about the people I care about.

So at the beginning of this week I was experiencing a rather sudden, unexpected, and from my point of view, completely random lack of communication from someone who I consider a good friend. This is not good for my emotional stability. I know that this friend is having a rough time, but then again - aren't we all? Point being that I care about this friend and being ignored and avoided did nothing for my sense of being able to help. Along with not knowing what was going on and thus not being able to help, I was plagued with the feelings of uncertainty that can be expected in this situation. Uncertainty and I are far from being bosom buddies. I'd like to know, one way or the other, what's going on and what my position is in all of it - whether good or bad.

Now, those feelings of uncertainty caused feelings of insecurity, frustration, and even anger at some points in my week. So it would have been a tough week for me anyway, but let's add the following:

Monday I spent some time with a few friends from Provo and felt a little out of the loop. I live in the SLC, so that feeling is understandable I think.

Tuesday I was fired.

Tuesday night I met and hung out with a new person who developed a small crush on me during the course of the evening, and I'm not sure how I feel about it or how to deal with that situation.

Thursday night my cousin, who is a nurse, had her first patient death and was thus having a rather emotionally draining day (insert second important thing to know about Greg here).

Thursday I had a slight emotional breakdown resulting in tears of frustration/sadness/confusion etc. etc. etc.

Thursday I also started to develop a cold.

Friday morning my cousin was just getting home as I was leaving for the gym. I gave her a hug and we both started crying, so I was crying on my way to the gym and she was crying in the shower.

Saturday night I went to a sleepover and my frustrations with my abstracted amigo were sort of intensified, along with the out of the loop feeling being a bit reinforced.

It's been quite a week. Luckily I think I've resolved most of it. I sent a text to my close-mouthed companion basically just saying wtf? Apparently my mute mate is being a bit clammed up with everyone (though evidence from a few experiences during the week would seem to indicate otherwise, though I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.) So I expressed my love and willingness to help in the event it was needed. I guess at this point I'm just kind of resigned. Though I want to help, there's not really anything I can do as one can't exactly force one's way anywhere one is not wanted. I guess all I can do is just go about my life being happy, express my love for my seemingly cheerless chum, and hope for the best.

As for the rest of it, I'm really not that upset about my job, it's kind of a relief and I can now look for something a bit more fulfilling. I plan to substitute teach in the mean-time. The would-be wooer I think will just be a friend. My cousin loves her job and is doing better, consequently so am I. My cold is here for a bit, but luckily the sore throat went away. Because the rest of it is resolved, I'm feeling more socially proactive and don't care as much about the loop.

I'm also looking forward to a football game, wearing sweaters, drinking hot chocolate, spending time with friends both old and new, shopping for more Halloween decorations and a love sac, and searching for the job of a lifetime. Despite whatever, it's a new week, a new chapter, and in a couple of days some new shoes! I think it's going to be an awesome week!

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

The way of all the earth

In a not-so-unexpected, yet nonetheless slightly jarring series of events I find myself between jobs. My employers and I weren't exactly seeing eye to eye, as you may have been aware from the tone of past posts, and so we've parted ways. Luckily the termination was originated by the company which means I can collect unemployment. Nevertheless I am still jobless.

I'll admit it was kind of a relief. I no longer have to be frustrated with my employment. And I think this may be a blessing in disguise. I can now look for something more fulfilling and something that will allow me to pursue my interests/hobbies/talents.

So if anyone has ideas for employment or hears of anything they think I might like, feel free to drop me a line. Of course, I did just purchase a home in the Salt Lake Valley, so I'd prefer something that would allow me to live here.

And just to allay any fears that may be creeping into your hearts, I will still post about my adventures in the world, they'll just be a little bit more personal I think, and perhaps not quite so frequent or predictable. And I'm sure I'll encounter many happenings in my search for employment and my subsequent career paths that will be worth sharing.

Thanks for sticking with me for the past 8 months, hope all is well with everyone and I look forward to reporting more from the front lines of the working world!