Money

Wow! Busy busy busy.

I have an addition to my current fast-paced job - I am now going to be a security guard for football matches. Guess it's time to put my money where my mouth is regarding my claim to be 'tough'. Still, work is work. I'm also trying to help my parents book a trip here so they can see me graduate and also so they can watch my play - and general tourist things, which is also difficult as (due to lack of cash) we don't have Internet at our flat as of yet.

The play is going well - we had rehearsal this evening - though a couple people have dropped out and others were sick this evening. However, as my musical director says - at least this is regular play stress rather than crazy stress like we had previously. However I believe we have a very solid cast, so I am hoping for an amazing turnout on opening night (and the following performances, of course). This also means I have to build a website for the society, create a Paypal link, and do random other things such as secure funding, find costumes, and even 'edit' an existing puppet.

I'll be teaching dance in a prestigious studio starting in November as well as in a swank local pub, so I am hoping that starts to look up.

Unfortunately - money is still an issue. I am hoping this gets resolved soon, as living overseas isn't cheap. I had to turn down my teaching gig at the very first convention I'd have been teaching at, which is a horrible shame for me (and them - as an event organizer myself, I hate to put people out because I know how hard it is). I feel very guilty but plane tickets are ridiculous at the moment for some reason and I can't go even though I know I'd be paid. So that's the bad news of the moment. I hope the organizers can forgive me and will keep me in mind for future events - and that this particular occurrence doesn't mean the end of ever being able to teach at a workshop for other dancers again. It worries me a great deal - plus I was really hoping to see other dancers I know there. There aren't a lot of 'dance geeks' around to hang out with so these are always great opportunities for us, and I hate the combination of missing this chance as well as looking like a flake to the dance community at large.

On the other hand, there is a local Arabic Arts festival coming up that I'm going to, and will be performing at (hopefully). I've also updated my website and I'm hoping that brings in more business. What is it about this dance business that seems to demand the dancer is *already rich* before she or he begins?

Slacking!

Wow, I seem to be slacking with my blog once more!

I've been reminded it's National Novel Writing Month. I should get on that, since I do have a few waiting to be finished, and after all this year is about making a success of myself. I keep intending to write updates on my goals. I suppose I will do that next.

In other news, I am *broke*. Which is odd, since I have a job and therefore should have more money than I did, but apparently the world has different ideas. I think it will be a bit of a stressful time before I get my next visa.

I tried out for a television show, but I don't think I was successful as they wanted someone Scottish. Also I think that my theatrical upbringing is fairly apparent, and doesn't translate well to film. Amazingly, I've been told that people who go to acting school here *actually get* careers in acting. As an American, this surprises me. I think it's a much better way to go about it, but it still surprises me - so the lack of any training on my resume probably doesn't impress.

We finished auditions for the play and cast everyone, but since no women auditioned I will have to play a small role. I am a bit nervous about that because my voice still occasionally cuts out without any warning and I hope that it will have recovered by the time we go onstage.

My job continues to be very stressful and busy, but oddly I enjoy it. It's better than watching the clock.

Unfortunately my dance aerobics class was cancelled. I have a regular dance class starting Monday night, so I have high hopes for that. Also, I have spoken with a fairly prestigious dance school and they are willing to let me teach Thursday evenings, and I am excited about that, impatiently waiting their letter of invitation.

So far, I feel like I am making some progress. I just wish that success would someday equal money.

Auditions

Today are the auditions for the play. I am a bit nervous! There doesn't seem to be enough time in the day, or jobs available, or money in the bank.

I am supposed to go back to the US for a weekend to teach at a convention; I am not entirely sure about whether that's a good idea considering the cost won't be covered. However, this year was about me making something of my own life rather than trying to do it for others, so maybe I should stick with it.

I feel like I've made some progress, but sometimes I wonder if happiness itself isn't what my real goal is. I haven't had a lot of it and I've had a difficult life; is it success? Money? Accomplishments? I wonder whether all of that would bring me happiness after all. Of course I will be able to accomplish a lot of things and seem impressive to others, but what I'd really like is to feel comfortable in my own skin and quietly happy - no regrets, no anger, no sadness.

I'm not entirely sure how to get there from here. But I'm trying.

Whew

Lots of things going on here. I'm still getting over being ill. I also almost lost my voice teaching dance aerobics - guess it may take a while to recover from the surgery.

I started working at a very busy office that reminds me of the girl's job in the Devil Wears Prada - except without the snooty boss. I'm actually enjoying it a great deal, and it's *such* a relief to see my bank balance starting to become reliable again! I'm hoping to somehow get this as a permanent gig. It's a tough old world out there and I am lucky to have found a job at all in my situation. The next visa I have to apply for may be trickier.

I sent in an audition form; we'll see how that pans out. Speaking of auditions, the play auditions are Monday! I am looking forward to that, although I'm exhausted.

A trick I recently learned: if you have microwave butter popcorn and no microwave, tear open the bag and put it into a wok with some olive oil on the bottom. Cover it and start shaking the wok when it begins to pop - AMAZING. Of course, you can do this with regular kernel corn as well, but it's particularly good with the microwave butter type.

I am going back into weightlifting, as part of my dedication to being more fit. There is a competition Oct 31st and I am going to enter. That should be interesting!

Otherwise have had a lot of fun at various pubs (only drank 1 night out of the last 16), listening to ceilidh music and teaching a bartender how to make absinthe properly. Once all of this is in place, I will begin to focus on my language learning and publishing my book again.

I am hoping that I won't remain sick too much longer.