Listen Up!

So, Sweet Tarts has me convinced of something: I have opinions that need to "simma down now".

My family knows this. Classmates (especially in my history, English, and writing classes) knew this. Fellow actors and theater classmates know this. Everyone I watch TV with and go to the movies with knows this. Friends, co-workers, and bar strangers know this.

The movie Big Fish taught us it's rude to discuss politics or religion with anyone, unless THEY bring it up and want your remarks. I decided to follow that rule. Everything else I considered fair game. The moment a subject is brought up, I feel the need to inject my two cents - whether it's about movies, traffic laws, books, Facebook pictures, poetry, TV shows, singers, clothes, whatever. I have to say something. And I like surrounding myself with quick-witted, intelligent people who argue back.

Sweet Tarts had enough of it the other night and decided to demonstrate to me that listening was key, even if my opinion was right. She observed that I have mostly been hearing other remarks and opinions but not absorbing it. That is, not listening.

Did she touch on the reason I can't get along with everybody? Have I been alienating myself acting like this?

This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to try an experiment to see how different things are if I don't opine. People may not care; in fact, I expect most people not to care. However, I am interested to see how I am treated if I keep my mouth shut. That's all.

So, starting right now, February 27, I vow to not speak my opinion of any subject unless otherwise asked to by someone. And even then, I'll keep it pithy. I vow to do this for the rest of the year.

It's going to be hard for me. I'm going to hear comments I blatantly disagree with and have a fear someone's free speech will influence me (by me not saying something back). But I think my listening skills will improve. And then perhaps I'll empathize better and grow up a little more.

SAG, Sweet Tarts, and the Apocalypse

If 2012 is the last year for humanity, then it truly sucks I'm going to be deprived of a future my good fortunes are setting me up for.

I've been out here 22 months at this point. Not the richest college graduate, but nowhere close to packing up. For 22 months, I've struggled and soared. The first 37 days of this year have been complete soaring at this point. It's answered prayer, and it's also scary as hell in terms of when it trends downhill again.

One facet of my good fortune was becoming SAG-eligible. For 22 months I've sought to get eligible to get into the prestiguous film performer's union. I've emailed casting directors, communicated with fellow SAG actors, sweet talked production assistants, and just hustled. Nothing doing.

Then, two Saturdays ago, I got Taft Hartleyed into the Screens Actors Guild at a little movie shoot and voila. Now that step is complete. I'm actually working background on a major motion picture starring some big names this week. On the SAG side. Yes! This is good. I won't completely join SAG yet. But I plan to join AFTRA very soon. Now you're asking what AFTRA is... That, reader friend, is another story.

Universal Studios decided it was time for me to have health benefits, so that should be a relief to my dad. I credit Universal Studios for keeping me in the game. I won't be there forever, but if I hadn't been there at all, I wouldn't be getting into this position.

Finances are increasingly managable, health is above average, I'm reading and writing more, work is plentiful, the weather's great, family is coming to visit, ...

And this year has brought along my special friend I'll call Sweet Tarts here (girlfriend being too normal a term for someone so extraordinary, but that's what she is too). Sweet Tarts is one of those people who comes along and reminds you of all the good friends you've had at this point and contains every last one of their better qualities. Most importantly, and selfishly, Sweet Tarts has given me this second wind, a gentle nudge deeper into my aspirations. Sweet Tarts is a muse, of sorts.

I gave myself ten years. I'll be 34 when I take a look at my life out here. Nearly two years in, I'm not in dreamland but I'm setting myself up for it. I hope you find good fortune too. For this dude, 2012 is about new beginnings at this point and not a silly, fairy-tale apocalypse. Good stuff.

Oh! And I haven't even mentioned my favorite sports team winning it all.

Thought of the Day

I like watching movies and TV because I don't have to say anything to feel everything. It's the whole reason why I can't and won't give up.