With Arms Outstretched

When sharing in class, one of the best English teachers my tiny NJ school district ever had to offer would not allow us to precede our writing with a disclaimer. He wanted us to be courageous and proud of our work no matter what or who it was about, how it was written, or how it might be misconstrued. I'm sharing this because I'm feeling the desire to write an overdue disclaimer. I think about what it would say and it seems so moronic but the itch is there because I feel like some people may be misunderstanding my writing. Let me reread my first entry...please hold...Fuck it. It's all there. I didn't set out to educate anyone about the world of burlesque and expose the shows I go to as good or bad. I just felt like I wanted to share the personal struggles I'd be enduring on my journey into a very physically stripped down world and obviously the entries wouldn't be mere recaps of classes & shows. Aaaand, I just snuck in the disclaimer. hah I'm a jerk!

Anyway I had a really great past weekend and it made me take a deep breath for all angles of my life. I've been embracing these new and exciting things happening but some days it's hard to concentrate on the good. I'm getting over some huge things and trying my best (sometimes) to move on. The guy I thought I'd be with at this point in my life, will marry someone not named Tina Tassels (ha!), my real dad has been gone for 3 years come March 11th (which I'm still furious over), and I'm actually a struggling performer in NYC like I've always dreamed of being and it's not that fun! grrrr...All of that said, I'm trying - probably my hardest ever - to stay as positive as I can. The list of good in my life is far lengthier than the not good. I have plenty to be grateful for and will keep kickin and screamin trying to figure out what to do tomorrow.

Friday, I had the shoot with my friend Melanie McLean as I mentioned I would. It took me to Jersey City for the first time and I LOVED it. We had a really good time, got some great shots, and it was nice to be working with a friend! There's an outtake/preview. 

Earlier on Friday, a friend posted info about a commercial spot for the LOGO network. I emailed the contact and within hours was cast for Saturday's shoot...how cool!? I ended up meeting some amazing people, from all different backgrounds and industries that I'll definitely be keeping in touch with. That said the commercial is for a really amazing awareness campaign. I am honored to be a part of it and once I have a copy I'll share!

On Sunday, I made it a point to head to NJ to have dinner with my rents and to get my hurr did. My roots were growing in so bad! Now it's back to my "natural" color *wink ha!

Before heading to Dirty Jerz though, I had the absolute honor of taking World Famous *BOB*'s Ultimate Self-Confidence workshop. Holy shit. I refuse to share anything about it because EVERYONE should take it (coed classes are in the works, for now it's women only). We laughed and I cried haha but it's really what got me in the reflective mood. She has a one man show in town right now but I am countin pennies over here so I decided to pass on it and not beat myself up. *sigh She is the best and you should learn more about her here.

I ended up having a crazy huge experience on Tuesday but it's extremely personal and I'm not ready to share it, if I even do! Some of you will hear about it in person others might just read about it in a one act play form haha! I'm sneaky.

This weekend I know I will be sewing & working on routines. On Friday, I'm going to check out Calamity Chang's new weekly show Room 69 (Missed last week's premiere because of my photo shoot!) and from there I'll shoot over to Drive Thru Burlesque! The lineups are sizzlin at both spots. Right now, I have to pick and choose my social events so please forgive my not showing up to all/other shows... I'm trying!

I'm excited to say that my show in Staten Island is moving along. Once I have the poster ready I'll share the official advertisement. For now: SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY, MARCH 19 - MEAT MY FRIENDS!

Next Friday you can catch myself & some super talented ladies dancing at the Time's Up Valentine's Dance Party & Bike Ride. The invite is here.

Have a great weekend!

Ciao for now,

TT