scents

I was reminded today of why scents are so good...
so good at separating that thick wall
the wall between the present and the past.
For just a moment we are taken back.
As I unpacked my boxes one by one
little treasures inside
my own little time capsules-
August is a long time to be without your things.
I open the smaller box
it says "fragile"
I carefully open it up
the scent of something takes me back
a myriad of memories flood me
a feeling comes over my body
I smile as I unwrap the scent burners
I rememeberd the last time washing them out
hoping the smell of that day would stay in them.
It did.
The scent of moonlight serenade
my favorite yankee scent.
I forgot where I was
then I remembered
the journey so far-
it has seemed short now
long then.
Bike rides, dinners pulled together on ten dollars, long talks, car rides, bottles of wine, ice cream, running in the woods, swimming pools, coffee & cigarettes...
it all comes back to me.
Two or three of you come to me
I miss you but have begun to move on...
one sticks out among the rest
always a soft spot in my heart
traces of green fuzz have followed me here because of you.
"It is good to see you again George..." what I wanted to say-what I felt.
"I almost didn't recognize you without your beard" so Dot says, perhaps she was right.
Warm arms around me all night-feeling you this close I felt safe for the first time in a long time.
I wake up and can no longer find the strength to go back to sleep
I want to stay here forever
I'm behind several hours-I don't care
this will end too soon...this moment where I can digress...going back a bit.
Few words spoken
many questions left unresolved and yet answered
a connection that never dies
comforting as always.
Sad to say good-bye--the finality of it all has hit.
Give me a show to keep me busy.
There is too much time.
Connections come and go-
realizing "this is your life" right now--
a trippy exerpience.
Back in NYC.
Resolutions? I suppose. Soon.
-Justin

oh yeah...

Is Christmas REALLy over?
I've had no net access for a week
it has in some ways been heaven.
The holidays were amazing...
Ending the show was very sad and emotional for a lot of reasons.
I was sad to have left so quickly but everyone was in my thoughts as I headed back to Ohio.
Austin and I had the funnest and most humorous trip back to Ohio.
I ran on literally like 2 hours of sleep. Got back to Ohio...ate a big breakfast and then showered and did what I've been wanting to do...put my pjs on and sit in front of the tv. Now that was amazing. But i'll write more of the happy, jolly stuff later....
for now...let me just say I probably have three hernias, pneumonia, and God only knows what else from my eventful move which officially ended about an hour ago when the headboard to my bed was brought in.
Just to give you an idea I spent all week relaxing at home, eating tons, etc...come two days before I am set to get my rental moving truck and head to BG to get my stuff I get some kind of nasty cold. It gets better, then worse, then better...blah blah. I say goodbye to the fam and set off to BG (I havent been there since August)...first of all not used to driving the huge ass truck with no rear view mirror...awkward! I go to BG and see all of my friends who I worked with for 5 years in SFA...it was surreal and crazy because the entire time I just felt like I had never left. It was great seeing them and I wish it could have been longer. Then off to Michael's to put everything in my truck which went very quickly and so we had time to get a drink with some friends and then just relax a bit and watch a movie...which was great. I intended on waking up at 4 a.m. this morning and heading to NYC. Didn't happen. I woke up at 8:30 and left at 9. I was overwhelmed as soon as I hit Cleveland (I'm sorry Jodie I didn't get to see you...I had no e-mail access over break and thought I'd hear from you...we'll talk soon)....anyways...I'm thinking..."am I really doing this all by myself?!? Damn this sucks and it's all radio the entire time...no cds, tapes, or even an 8-track player!!??! I digress...
I of course as I drive go through the emotions of relieving the break and thinking through my life which was great. I hit New Jersey way too late and after some truck return drama because of finding out I can't return it early unless I want to take it to Long Island just pushed me over. Where the FUCK am I going to park? I'm already dreading driving in NYC! So traffic of the GW bridge was nuts and I was at a stand still for over an hour. My GPS system in my phone worked great until my battery died as soon as I merged onto the Triboro bridge. This of course fucked with my entire world...my parents would be calling and would be worried as hell...how would I let Mandy know I was outside because I surely can't just leave the truck by itself in the middle of the street! I find the apartment (yes it's that different driving from walking)...park out front and lock it all up and turn the flashers on run up and frantically tell her that I HAVE to get the truck moved because it's in the middle...in the meantime my hot mess self who has been wearing a grey hoodie, a 1969 GAP hat, grey sweat pants, and my new little casual shoes...oh and glasses...MEETS my other roomate for the first time. HA! Great impression. She just moved in today...and thank God her dad was such an angel because he helped me load everything up. I owe that man BIG time! We get all my shit up the stairs...including the black leather couch that will NOT fit through the apartment door-but somehow we managed to get it in...I stand in my room just dazed as to what to do next. I have put my bed "together"...and while the apartment is in a messy array of boxes (mostly mine--how many scores and books can one seriously have?!?!?) I worry that my BUDGET rental moving 10' truck will get towed. Because after driving around 10 blocks for an hour I FOUND a parking space...or what appears to be a parking space on the street next to some other cars. I only pray this isn't a fluke--perhaps after my day it's not a wonder that I'm a tad bit "half emptyish". We'll see...somehow I can't seem to muster the strength to walk a block to make sure it's ok. What can I seriously do about it now anyways? Hopefully it will be fine there until Tuesday morning when I haul it to the Astoria BUDGET.
Lesson learned: Pay people to move your shit...with the cost of gas these days it's just about the same....otherwise just buy new stuff.
More will be soon...for now I'm going to shower and crash for a LONG time...Tomorrow more unpacking and hopefully a productive day of getting it all together.
Hope the holdays were well.
XO
Justin

Ohhh that sounds good.

I'm tired. I love my life and I'm so happy I'm where I'm at with it-but I need a vacation. The whirlwind of the past few months has finally hit me in the face the past two weeks. Within three months I have managed to move to NYC, have breakdown and go home for a while, come back, find the most amazing day job with a great company, get into an off-broadway show not even auditioning, see so much art, make new friends, get my own space in the city....I've managed to live out of one large suitcase and a briefcase carrying my lap top for 3 months...I've moved around the city while waiting for a new home....I've learned the train system...I can navigate without fear through city now...I've seen so many things...performed 8 performances a week for a few weeks on top of working a full time day job....I've learned more about myself than ever. Point is...this is great and I'm so thankful but it's time for a break. I need perspective and this is going to happen starting Saturday night after the show closes when I head back to Ohio for a week. I'm longing for Sunday when I am home to just sleep in bed and not wake up to an alarm, not have anything on my plate, to move into the tv room or the big screen room and just vedge in my flannel pjs and not move all day. I need this and I will be getting it. So much is wonderful and has come together...for now I've gotta just enjoy the next few days. When I come back I should be all settled into the new place with furniture.
I probably wont be writing for a while...so much love and happy holidays to everyone! Here's to a new year!
--Justin

2007

1) DRINKING BUDDY(S) OF THE YEAR?
All the college gang...especially Nicki.

2) LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest
friend) -
Austin

3) NEWCOMER AWARD - COOLEST NEWEST
Quite a few to name.


3) HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR?
Getting my masters & moving to NYC

4) LOW POINT OF THE YEAR?
The entire month of September (yikes...never wanna do that again)

5) BEST HOLIDAY?
Christmas!

6) YOUR SONG FOR 2007?
Debussy's Clair de lune...got me through some rough patches...especially in September.

7) MOVIE FOR 2007?
The Holiday

10) WHO DID YOU SPEND VALENTINES WITH?
I don't even remember valentines day. gosh!

11) BEST RELATIONSHIP
All of my friends.

12) WHAT WERE YOU FOR HALLOWEEN?
I was nothing. I sat in and watched scary moviews with the girls.

13) RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR?
Toms beats it always.

14) KISS OF THE YEAR?
hmmmm

15)LOVER OF THE YEAR?
as always my wonderful hand.

16) BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR?
Staying in NYC.

17) WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?
To follow through with my resolutions...get back into the yoga studio and just live day by day.

18) MOST STUPID IDEA WHEN DRUNK?
To open the window of the cab and yell at the people in Times Square.

19) TV SHOW OF THE YEAR?
Six Feet Under because I watched the entire show from beginning to end in the spring.

20) MOST LOYAL FRIEND(s)?
There are a few.

21) BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR?
Ummm everything has been change even before coming here.

22) BIGGEST douchbag AWARD?
Ohhhhh there are several of those awards one could hand out.

23) NEW YEAR RESOLUTION?
To stop a few bad habits, be more positive, get back into Bikram Yoga every day, become more stable financially, and just live each day to the fullest.

Kindness

There are moments and days when I'm overwhelmed by a simple gesture that comes as a huge surprise. It can be the smallest thing that someone does or says. This morning was one of those moments that caught me off guard and in a very good way. Karma is good...well actually people are good...

Exhaustion

I don't know how people do it sometimes...
there are people who do 8 performanes a week for YEARS. I can't imagine.
I'm utterly exhausted right now after only two weeks of a three week run. This was the first weekend we did 4 shows in one weekend. Yesterday was by far the most difficult day to get through. Robert was right when he said it would test your endurance. I'm so thankful that I have this right now and that I've been able to do this show because it has done wonderful things for me in more ways than I can explain. However I'm exhausted and it's Monday...when most people just dread Monday because it's the start of a week and meaning the end of a restful weekend--I'm having a hard time finding the light at the end of the tunnel because Monday evening is my only real night off and I am finding myself exhausted....and worrying that I wont find the energy to continue through the rest of the weeks performances. I very much wanted to call in today to the office and take a mental health day-i probably should have because as the day continues I'm finding that not one cup of coffee is really waking me up and more so I'm dreading the cold weather outside for my lunch break. No matter how much sleep I'm getting I'm still feeling a bit out of it-spacy, and well just plain exhausted. No matter what happens once the show starts I'm reminded of why I love performing because even for a brief period of time we're all able to forgtet what's happening in our lives-how tired we are-or how under the weather we feel. Regardless of all of that I'm most looking forward to arriving back in Ohio...sleeping in....and having that day of being in my flannel pjs....curled up on the couch under a quilt with a cup of tea or hot chocolate...and watching tv and just vedging and not moving once. I think I've earned this day-who knows maybe I'll have two or three. So the plan is to head back to my apartment today after work and immediately get the domestic affairs of my life taken care of (laundry, groceries, organizing) and then take a massively long shower, dinner, and be in bed before 9:30 if possible because the rest of the week is work and show...and then Friday the office closes at 1:30--I'll head back to my apartment...get my stuff together for going home on Saturday...take a long nap and then do a show...and then Saturday sleep in...do two shows and say goodbye to everyone since that will be our closing and then head back to Ohio. I'll be in Ohio until the 29th ish....I'll be in Zanesville from the 23rd until the 28th and then in BG the 28-29th to get my things and then I will be uhauling my things back to NYC and then hopefully off to Massachusettes for the New Year with my boys.
Is it Friday yet?
Justin

Dreams

Saturday night I had the strangest dream....
I'm working on figuring out what it means-though I have some vague idea.
It starts off as one of those familiar dreams
you know the kind when while you're dreaming you actually recognize and feel like you've been there before-
you know what's going on because you've been there before-or at least you can sense that.
My dream begins with me and one of my dearest guy friends back in Ohio
he is driving and I'm the passenger...and all I can remember is that we are driving near large trees...and the only image I have is of him yelling "Oh SHIT!" as if we're about to hit something. And then as soon as I remember this I have another memory....we are both sitting in the same car slammed up against a tree and he says "we've been out like this for 16 hours." And then that's it....in the dream I keep playing through these things over and over again trying to figure out what has happened to him and then what has happened to me. I'm then surrounded by groups of people in a store that seems very familiar....I tell them what has happened and they tell me that I've died and that I'm now in my next life. I was extremely overwhelmed in my dream with pain and with saddness....primarily because I didn't know what happened to my friend and more so I was frustrated with the fact that I could never speak to those people I loved again--they had disappeared--my entire life as I knew it had disappeared and yet I was still standing there and was being forced to let go of it and start over. I continued to be frantic in the dream-just so unsure of what I wanted to do with my life and just feeling lost and being unable to deal with the reality that I had died and had no time to say goodbye or really think about it.
Freaky?

Karen

Ok...so tonight after the show...
Antonio and I are walking up to 42 and 8th and we decide to stop by the theatre where Young Frankenstein is playing with Megan Mullally and Andrea Martin.
I've been dying to stage door it to see Megan Mullally. So we do it...
She walks out and is GORGEOUS...
she comes to us and signs our programs...
and for shock value or whatever Antonio says the following to MEGAN MULLALLY...which I will NEVER forget....
"Just so you know we're gonna have the best sex ever tonight because of this..."
She replies..."Because of Young Frankenstein??"
He says..."no because of you..."
And she gives us an odd look and then smiles and keeps walking.
HA! A true memory one will NEVER forget!
HA!

Dreaming

Unsure of my emotions with everything right now
I run away and hide in so many ways
realizing the issues that alas I have.
Finding reasons to push you away
I move further and further back
this isn't real
it's not going to work
and I feel it's too much-
thoughts in my mind.
Have I created this?
I think so.
I get to the core of it
and I tell myself to stop thinking
to just go with
but settling is what it feels like
could I be waiting for the impossible-
that which does not exist?
Do I foresee the end already
and have no reason to want to deal with it.
I'm unsure in so many ways
I'm closing up
as always.
I don't know what I see
or who I see as I sit across that room
at that dinner party
and I smile.
A fragment of myself
I'm still not letting go of.
wanting a non existent you to walk in
it's what I've wanted
yet when it happens
it feels too soon-always
as if I need to continually hold out longer.
I cant wait forever.
The mystery is intriguing
the work is not.
He stares me in the eyes
I stare back and this quick glance makes me feel good again
is it just sex and mystery
and beyond that it's awkward
difficult
hard to deal with.
Unsure-
I'm a creature of myself
the pleasure of my own company
crazy-yet true.
I cant run as fast as you any more
I've done that.
I also don't want to lead
funny because I don't want to be led too much-
I'm a contradiction
hang on
the ride could be bumpy.
-Justin

A deep one

I read an article yesterday-
it reminded me how important my instrument is to me-
it made me think of you
everything it said made sense
negating everything you have said in the past
everything warped in my head
is it me?
I used to ask often
even as I read.
Perhaps it's my thinking that's wrong
perhaps I rely on the instruction too much.
no.
probably a combination of both.
I found myself angered as I read
more at myself than you.
at myself for not listening to the inner voice for so long.
That voice saying this probably is too much.
Now many months later
here I am
reworking everything
picking up the pieces
attempting to nurture the colors
preserve what is there
and find what is me.
This is what you wanted
you asked for this all along
it was what you wanted.
somehow I might not have been ready.
This is for the peace
peace I need to make
for angry and untrue words
spoken amongst us
others lighting the fire.
I adored you
admired you
trusted you.
I can't be angry anymore
because I have to pick up the pieces
I can no longer blame you
for the weight that I'm working on getting rid of
the tension
the thinking
and the wanting to be perfect
the wanting to be someone else.
Without you I never would have been able to learn this
this has made me stronger
this will make me better
for this I thank you.
I'm nailing the coffin right now.
-Justin

same same same

We humans are funny creatures...
we often think that when we make a huge change that our lives will forever be different and that the world will be perfect-our habits will change and it will be great. When I came here I found myself strangely being able to wake up earlier than normal and move quicker than normal-of course I'm terrible because I hit the snooze at least 2 or 3 times before getting up. This is an awful habit, and one that has been causing me to have too many close calls in the morning. For the longest time I could sense myself just going through the day with SO much energy and just going on the energy of the city. Now I'm finding myself strangely going back to not wanting to get out of bed like I always have and realizing that I'm TOTALLY not a morning person. I think the world would be a much better place to be if we all could start our days after noon. In college I used to hate getting up in the mornings...I would lay in bed and just set the alarm for 10 more minutes, which would feel like 3 hours-or occassionally I would have a mental health day and stay home and just sleep in and then watch tv and relax. Every day this week no matter how early I go to bed and make sure I get at least 8 hours of sleep I still find myself just wanting to lay in bed longer. Perhaps this is the inner midwestern in me that will never go away, who knows. It's irritating and I'm the only one who can stop it. This morning I think I hit snooze at least 6 times before actually getting up and jumping in the shower. The sun hasn't been shining here and now we're supposed to get some of this winter storm which should add a nice mix-and the snow is so pretty here. But it's hillarious to me that I still feel like I'm in college sometimes when I wake up in the mornings and just want to stay in bed-but alas I remember that I have a real job to go to and a sold out show that an audience has paid good money to see....and this puts so much into perspective. Things are rolling along well though...I'm anxious to see some of my family this weekend and then next weekend after the show closes to go home for a week and just do nothing for a while. The winter will awaken new things....I'm anxiously awaiting.
XO
justin

Number 3

Panic attacks are sudden, discrete periods of intense anxiety, mounting physiological arousal, fear and discomfort that are associated with a variety of somatic and cognitive symptoms[1]. The onset of these episodes is typically abrupt, and may have no obvious trigger. Although these episodes may appear random, they are considered to be a subset of an evolutionary response commonly referred to as fight or flight that occur out of context, flooding the body with hormones (particularly adrenalin) that aid in defending itself from harm. [2] Experiencing a panic attack is said to be one of the most intensely frightening and uncomfortable experiences of a person's life. (Bourne 2005).

I mean he kneeds me...I mean like dough George...

Last night I was in bed around 9 p.m. I haven't been to bed around this time in forever. After having the craziest panic attack I was exhausted....no matter how much sleep I got I still woke up a bit late this morning...and am finding myself in an in between state of being rested, awake, and still tired. Perhaps I got too much sleep? I feel like my body is fighting off all of this crap that is going around here. I just need an entire day off- I haven't had one in a while. I also find myself wondering during this time how someone who has a major major role in the NYC theatre sustains everything about them...for example a role like Mama Rose or anything Sondheim.....8 performances a week...intense...every person in this show has a demanding role of some type and we are all wiped at times...doing two shows in one day was just interesting (I haven't done this in YEARS). Vocally technique is the only stability for you--which I'm learning SO much about...physically you just have to take care of yourself hard core....and there's so much you just have to do to prepare. This will be a huge test of my endurance...it's fun...exciting...and thrilling when the audience is sitting there....once my ass hits the train...I'm wiped out completely.
So my goals for the week are the following:
1. Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night
2. Cut back on coffee Consumption
3. Tons of water
4. Mucinex & I will be tight
5. Get sheets for my current bed
6. Get some grocieries
7. Laundry
8. Humidifier
9. Try to do as much as possible this evening.
10. Update ipod with Christmas music
11. Schedule coaching with LeeAnn for January
12. Remain sane.

Hey there Dalilah

There's an indescribable feeling that has come upon me lately...
perhaps it's the magic of the city that I'm finding to be great
Another openin'
Another show....
Years ago...
my dream was to be in a show in nyc
a run
to know what it felt like...
tonight it starts
I can't believe it.
I'm whipped from a week of long rehearsing
last night didn't get home until 1 a.m.
Up early...
tests your endurance
family in this evening
tomorrow I sleep in as late as possible
Matinee performance
nap
Evening performance
and then it all repeats.
Looking forward to a movie Monday evening
something completely different and relaxing
haven't been to the movies in months.
Next weekend more family
I can't wait...
then the following weekend we close and I head to Ohio for a week
then back.
Every day
one moment at a time.
Peace-
*J

Here It Is Kids....

*Ok the time is almost here....tomorrow is first preview-esentially opening....wich officially is Saturday. Come see it if you're in town....hopefully some reviews will be posted Saturday!*





A CHRISTMAS CAROL....
This unique and moving examination of Dickens’ words entwined with the soaring songs of the season returns to New York after a two-year hiatus. This extraordinary sold-out hit has been called “Beautifully crafted…A powerful punch of Christmas spirit [that] tell(s) the story the way Dickens meant it to be told.” (Offoffonline) and The New York Times called it “The best bargain [of NYC] Christmas Carols.”

Performance Times & Dates:
Previews: - December 7, 2007 @ 8:00 PM. December 8, 2007 @ 2:00 PM
8:00 P.M. – December 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 2007
7:00 P.M. – December 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 2007
2:00 P.M. – December 9, 15, 16, 22, 2007

Running Time:
2 Hours - One Intermission

Adapted by Stephen Wargo
Musical Arrangements by Dianne Adams McDowell

Producer:
Personal Space Theatrics
Stephen Wargo – Artistic Director
Joseph Guidetti – Managing Director

Director: Stephen Wargo, Assistant Director: Kevin Diamond, Production Manager: Mel Wadle, Stage Manager: Sarah Caddell*, Technical Director: Jon Furlong, Production Director: Nicholas Cotz

Cast: Robert Ian Mackenzie* as Scrooge, with Paul Aguirre (Fezziwig)*, Frank Anderson (Marley’s Ghost)*, Antonio Copeland (Ghost of Christmas Present), Stephanie Ferro (Fan), Kelly Francis (Elizabeth)*, Nathan Freeman (Young Scrooge), Justin Hall (Tiny Tim), Carol Hickey (Mrs. Cratchit), Kathleen Hinders (Mrs. Fezziwig)*, Andrea McCullough (Charwoman)*, Adair Moran (Belle)*, Nicholas Alexiy Moran (Bob Cratchit)*, John McCarthy Moriarty (Turkey Boy), Allyson Pace (Ensemble), Shelley Rae Phetteplace (Ensemble), Justin Randolph (Topper), Daniel Scott Richards (Ensemble)*, Steven Douglas Stewart (Peter Cratchit)*, Caitlin Thurnauer (Martha Cratchit), Michael Turay (Fred), Ryan Wagner (Ghost of Christmas Future), Emily Wright (Catherine), and Katie Zaffrann (Ghost of Christmas Past).

*- Member Actors Equity Association
Actors Equity Approved Showcase

Creative Team:
Musical Director/Conductor: Jamie Reed, Choreographer: Kate Vallee, Scenic Designer: Taline Alexander, Lighting Designer: Timothy Swiss, Costume Designer: Kathleen Leary, Sound Designer: Chris Rummel and Properties Master: Casey Smith


Venue:
TBG Arts Center, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor, New York City (between 8th & 9th Aves)

Transportation:
Subway – A, C, E to 34th Street, Buses – M20

Tickets:
$20.00 – General Admission
$17.00 – Seniors, Students, Children
$15.00 – Group Sales (Blocks of 10 or more tickets)
$10.00 - Ten Dollar Tuesdays – Tuesdays December 12 & 19,2007 All Tickets $10.00
$10.00 – Previews December 7, 2007 @ 8 PM, December 8, 2007 @ 2PM
TDF vouchers accepted

To Purchase Tickets:
Online: www.smarttix.com
Phone: (212) 868-4444 Mon.-Fri. 9 AM to 8 PM, Sat. 10 AM to 8 PM, Sun. 10 AM to 6 PM

Information:
http://www.personalspacetheatrics.org (212) 802-4537
312 West 36th Street, 10018 google map | yahoo map

Location: TBG Arts Center

Sigh

Ok...we are finally in our apartment! YAY!
Mandy went on Saturday afternoon and got in....I had massive rehearsals all weekend since we open this weekend....but it's amazing....new...clean...nice....and a breath of fresh air. More later...

My night was almost ruined though by a nasty cab ride....
It was FREEZING in the city on Saturday and I decided to take a cab from east midtown to Astoria....typically this is only about a 15 minute ride....the concierge at the hotel my friend was staying at and where I was staying with him for a few days found me a cab. I specifically told him that I wanted a cab that took credit card because I did not want to get cash because my bank was not in the area (and I was NOT about to withdraw and get charged a fee)....because even though there was a strike about the whole thing you still can't tell which cabs take credit and which ones don't unless you actually get into the damn cab. So he finds me a cab that he says will take me there and takes credit card...the guy kind of gives him attitude about making the trip-but whatever. I get in and alas he does take credit card. So I'm enjoying the quiet ride in the warm back to my new home. We get to the corner by my apartment and I swipe my debit card and the driver starts losing his shit on me, asking me if I had cash. I told him that I didn't and that I told the guy at the hotel that I needed a car that took credit card. I put the tip on there and he decides to not stop going off angrily in his broken English about how awful it is that now he will have to go and cash this and he'll only get this much money and blah blah....pushing me to the brink of going off right back....as I hop out and grab my things I look him square in the eye and I say...."if you don't like this then don't drive a Goddamn cab in New York City....don't bitch at me about your expenses and having to cash things...bitch at the cab company this isn't my problem--and on top of that just so you know you should feel lucky to at least have a job....so kiss my ass and if you don't like it go back to your own damn country or do something else." Probably not the best thing to say...but I was livid. I was shocked that someone would go off on me like that. I felt bad about the latter part of my comment because being here has made me really realize just how much of a melting pot our country is---tolerance is a MUST and acceptance is a MUST...but something snapped in me that caused me to freak out on this guy who could barely speak English in MY country serving ME and WORKING here. Why is it that our country is looked so down upon when we require everyone to speak English...or when we say "ENGLISH" is the primary language? You go to Italy, France, Germany, etc many will NOT go out of their way to speak English to you--and in France especially they will hate you for not speaking their language. I can only imagine other countries...so why are we so different? I'm amazed and irritated by this at all times-it's as if we have no balls...we want everyone to just kind of get along and we are SO afraid of offending anyone. Even myself at the commet I made I was repulsed and then I later thought about it....no...I think in some ways I was right. The point is...this is New York...I'm learning that something like that can just happen and then 5 minutes later you just have to brush it off and move on. With as many positive things as there are here...there are just as many negative things.
Ok...enough bitching. The next two nights are off from rehearsal and then we go into tech. I was whipped last night from a weekend full of 7 hour rehearsals. Yesterday we had Johnny Rockets in the East. Village and it was amazing!!! I need to o laundry and some small shopping....
Justin