Improv-ising

Before we get into today’s post, a little blog maintenance. A few friends of the blog have recently been blocked by the spam filter. I have unblocked everyone that was affected. If you do get blocked, please reach out to me directly (see “Contact” page) and I’ll take care of it. Blocks are a part of the very necessary spam filtering process. You can imagine the things that I see behind the scenes that never make public viewing on the blog: porn, phishing, Russian and Chinese comments, etc. Now that I am aware of this, I will be more diligent in unblocking friends.

I have committed to improv class, Improv for Film and Commercials, for eight weeks. January 19, 2023, my second class. So far, I have been making entire days of a class that doesn’t start until 7:30PM. You have by now read about the first class, my “Me” day. I have become rather fond of me, so we did it again.

I played early (4:50AM alarm, 5:50AM start) pickleball and afterward got my workout in (pickleball is an activity, not exercise, at least for me). Then I cleaned up a few days of Kandi neglect, i.e. there was a lot of shaving to be done! I packed up my work for the day and headed out the door at about 11:00AM. My outfit choice had to allow for me to easily try things on, even though I didn’t end up doing so. Cute button down blouse, skirt, opaque grey tights, a great business-like look if I say so myself!

First stop, actually first and second stops, Common Threads, a favorite thrift store (two locations). I casually browsed both locations, picking up three outstanding pieces at the second store. I got a great sweater/jacket, long length, will look fabulous with a blouse/skirt combo! I also picked up two outstanding blazers, both paired with a black skirt, will make for a great skirt suit combo. $10.20 all-in. I have noticed an appreciable increase in prices at thrifts, which has dampened my appetite for “new” (to me) items, but has focused me on special pieces for the wardrobe.

I then hit a Panera Bread and did some work, work. Checking and returning emails. I also tightened up my stand up routine, now having had it crystalize in my head on a recent run, when I usually think much more freely.

Next another thrift (nothing) and then I hunkered down at the bar/restaurant right outside my acting school for Happy Hour, margaritas and apps. I also had a scheduled Zoom call, which I took care of at the bar.

The Zoom call went WAY too long, for matters of productivity, for purposes of my attention span. I then walked out the door to be greeted by a sheeting rain and a thunder storm (remember it’s January in Cleveland….thunder storm?).

Improv class was challenging and wonderful! We watched on TV some things we did the week prior. Then we did some serious improv, which I very much prefer. I usually end up being a cranky old lady and I play that part well. I also had an improv partner for a particular exercise and we chatted a bit. We both started acting on about the same time frame and she’s been able to do so much more than I have. I explained to her the fact that I get much less work than I should have because I am trans (this has become very clear to me) and she told me that I was beautiful. That is by no means true, but is makes me very proud. And yes, being who I am has hindered my acting opportunities, but in the same vein, I would never have put myself out there as myself.

A very long day: 4:30AM alarm, head on the pillow at 11:00PM, followed by a 5:00AM alarm and seven hours on the road to Michigan for a sales call. Whew……..