" The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." 

4 Totally Random Things I Am Learning About!

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While I so rarely get the opportunity to sit down and write about things of my own interest, it is officially Spring Break so I am taking the time to write here about things that are of particular interest to me. Right now I am incredibly blessed to be spinning the plates of 5 different writing clients plus teaching plus studying, so writing here on ye olde blog takes the lowest rung on the priority ladder, but! here we are making a list (which is what we just LOVE.)

1. Self-discipline. Can you imagine?! Me? Self-disciplined? Well as the years creep up I'm hoping that I count as more mature than I used to be and a bit more committed to growth with every passing year. So self-discipline is slowly but surely making its way into my life. I'm beginning to be a more thoughtful eater. (My personal trainer's words ringing in my ears: "Do you WANT it or do you NEED it?") I'm committing to making sweating a priority since part of my career depends in large part upon physical fitness. In addition! I'm finding great success using the Pomodoro Technique when it comes to getting shtuff done. If I can knock out a shorter item off my list in the 25 minutes or less I feel like a warrior.

2. SEO. Do you even know what this is?! Full disclosure: I didn't know what it was until a year-ish ago. But it is a huge, huge integral part of making any sort of money by spending time on the internet. Messages on web sites with a little strategy can be optimized for maximum potential. Aka: the people who are searching for your product find it because it's popped up towards the top of their google search. Man, this is so key for world wide web work (alliteration!) and I'm finally GETTING it! Feels good. Feels a little tedious too. (But good.)

3. How to write a thesis. Oh man. A lot of the master's thesis stuff is straight up BORING but the good news is, you get to decide what you write about. Lucky for me I figured out a way to cover two things I'm über passionate about: social media and the BROADway! As Sophia Grace and Rosie would say, "IT'S SO GOOD!" The whole kit and kaboodle should be completed by December. I will keep you posted. But, spoiler alert: it's gonna be awesome.

4. Cooking! Again, can you even believe?! With the advent of the boyfriend's move to the Hill City (yes my name is Hil and I live in the Hill City.) I have the motivation to cook some solid meals. One of my new year's resolutions was to learn how to cook 3 new meals and I think I have done just that! Thanks Real Simple, Pinterest, Sister and Mom!

So tell me...what are you learning about?

7 months later thoughts. :)

Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I haven’t blogged in 7 months. 

And it’s kind of an awkward place to begin. Well, it’s awkward to try and figure out what to write.

Here are things that I’ve been thinking/have been going on. 

Illustration by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.

After a solid year of long distance somehow I get to live near my boyfriend now. It’s magical and warm and fuzzy and an adjustment--in the best way. I love having him to hang around with. He is so sweet and supportive and what-you-see-is-what-you-get. His presence in my life makes me a better person. For sure. It starts with just illuminating the parts of me that need to grow. 

I’ve never been so cognizant of my own need for growth. Don’t confuse that for self-loathing or something. This is an accurate, unemotional knowledge that my natural, first inclination is to do whatever I like. And sometimes--no, maybe all the time--the most rewarding, best, most honorable thing to do is the total opposite. And it might even make you happier than you thought the thing you so wanted to do did. This is stuff I’m chewing on these days...

It’s been a year and a half since I performed in a musical really, really. I miss it so. What’s wrooong with me? Most people stop doing that by age 12 and don’t miss it. Why does soaring music and touching storytelling mean so much to me? Why do I so passionately love something that I will probably never make a decent living doing? What then, bright-eyed millenials?!

I’m still in love with the internet. Maybe more than ever. I think I could qualify as a Twitter evangelist. Never in the history of the world have we been privy to so much knowledge at our fingertips. You there, with your computer, can learn about virtually anything you want today, with that. That’s inSANE. What kind of privilege/responsibility is that?! Aren’t we supposed to be doing something remarkable and world-changing with this kind of tool?

What am I doing to leave the world better than I found it? 

2012 is off to an unusual start. I think this will be a great year. A year of growth, maturity, goals being reached, milestones achieved, celebrations, and love. 

Don’t forget: you’re living your story. 

My 9th post. Or "The One where she rants and tells you her vision statement."

 O. M G. Well HEY!

Lookie there it’s July 21^st and we haven’t chatted in like, EVZ!

Geez, it’s been a busy summer. It’s been a fantastic summer!

In fact, I don’t think I can adequately absorb/digest/weigh this summer until it’s over. So I won’t try to. But, I’m pretty sure it’s the best yet/ever.

I’m trying to not be too tired. And I’m also trying to do everything I want to do.

After I left New York in January I knew upon my return I wanted to make use of all the opportunity for growth/improvement/skill-strengthening that New York provides in a way that other cities just don’t. So I enrolled in dance classes, voice lessons, and even a stand-up comedy class.

Now if you’re confused and you’re all “But Hil, like, aren’t you in grad school studying communication? What the what? I don’t get it. Just decide already! I’m bored of you not fitting in a specific category. Auguagh!”

First, slow your roll. Second, here’s my explanation. My BHAG if you will: (Oh snap. Yep, she did!)

I’m not satisfied with the explanation that to be an actor you have to love acting and nothing else. I’m not satisfied with my only option other than performing being waiting tables. I like other things and I will go criZAZY knowing that for the rest of my life I’m performing a fraction of the time and doing something where I don’t have to use my noggin and sick vocab skills (alright I could benefit from a Word-A-Day. I said it.) Do you get what I’m saying? It just doesn’t seem to be that out of the question to get a master’s degree in communication, build my expertise on topics like social media and cognitive dissonance theory, and still pursue performing and artistic-like things too. So for right now I’m in the “off season” of my performing career. I can’t audition hardcore because I’m committing the next 9 months to grad school. Even though the idea of booking something random does indeed sound more fun when I look at life big picture-style I know I want this master’s degree and this is the best time to get it. So when I’m finished with it I will be more knowledgeable academically and practically in the communication field and I will have also been working diligently to be ready to audition professionally again. When I come back to the pro acting scene next year I want to get an agent and start auditioning for both legit and commercial work. There is a great big world out there and the possibilities are endless. By gauging where I was mentally and experientially circa four years ago I can predict that I’m going to run across some really unimaginable opportunities in the next few years.

In other words: I’m being mentored by a female professional comic who was a finalist on Last Comic Standing and we’re kind of related and I didn’t even know her when I watched her on Last Comic Standing when I was 18.

The world is one beautiful possibility.

So anyway, now that I’ve written all that I’m recognizing that my vision may be better shared across a table in a coffeeshop with a warm vanilla latte in hand but hopefully you’re catching on.

In addition to my slow and steady approach to performing that I’ve been doing lately, I’ve also gotten to do some freelance writing. That is always good. I would really love to do that in a that’s-how-i-pay-the-rent kind of way. One day I hope I do. Right now it's more like, the utility bill than the whole rent but hey, at least it's paying for my showers! And too, right now I’m doing more than I did last year so I think that’s a step in the right direction. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I may or may not be the guy who writes telemarketing scripts and I LOVE IT. It’s the ultimate persuasive conversation! I’m into it.

What else can I tell you…

Today the heat index rose to 105 in New York and I’m officially o.ver. i.t.

If I have to be side-swiped by one more sweaty stranger I may karate chop someone. I’m sick of it! I’m so sick of being so close to people who I don’t know! I have a strong sniffer and these people don’t smell that good! I just don’t like it and I’m ready to go back to having a car and personal space. Please and thanks.

It makes me wonder: would I go bonkers living here for more than 6 months straight? I’ve yet to do that. Could I survive? Would I just be cranky and pushy all the time? These days I’m going for “sweet.” (Full disclosure: Since my boyfriend is the ultimate sweet I’m really realizing I’m more sweet ‘n low than sweet so I’m trying to become more sugar/spice/everything nice) And I just don’t know if “sweet” and “Hil in the city” can coexist and live in harmony! Ah, musings.

Come ON! Gorge.

In other news my fashion taste is officially evolving into something less bare feet/flowers in the hair and more Kate Middleton classic princess. I just can’t help it! I think my style honestly fluctuates between flower child and classy dame and right now I’m totally on classy dame! Give me a true waist and a classic periwinkle to the knee and I’m yours.

This blog post has been all over the place but I think this is me apologizing but saying “NO APOLOGIES.”

Come see me perform at Gotham Comedy Club on August 1^st at 9:30pm? I’m SO EXCITED and SO PETRIFIED!

Feelin It! Ep. 1

1. hellogiggles.com One of its founders is my career/fashion inspiration:

This is Zooey D. (duh.)

And it's just so fun, funny and cute!! Check it out. It's one-stop shopping for hours of procrastination.

2. Hitting two birds with one stone. For me that is dance class! Exercise, endorphins, and getting better at a marketable skill (for an actress) feels so great! I am so not wasting my time! I'm utilizing it! Huzzah!

3. Stand-up comedy class! I'm taking a stand-up class with my incredibly talented cousin Cory Kahaney. And while I've never written jokes before I'm suddenly incredibly inspired by every absurdity I encounter on a daily basis. Pigeons! Nutella! Gay ex-boyfriends! Therapist mothers! Minister fathers! Jewish Grandmas! LAWYER SISTERS! COME ON!!! I'm love love loving looking at the world with this perspective. So much of life that incites some sort of reaction in us is really funny if you're looking for it. Whoot!

4. Being in a couple! Who knew weddings were FUN? I mean, I love a party and I love to dress up. But I didn't know how fun it was to have someone specifically to slow dance with or take pictures with. JC and I have 2 more weddings in the coming weeks and I'm all for it. Bring it on! I already love the cake--now I love the rest of the festivities too. 

5. Drive. I've been reading some inspiring texts lately by Dale Carnegie, K. Callan, etc. Here's a grrreat quote from Will Smith. Wait, you know you're lucky you're about to read this, right? Ok, I'll share as long as you're grateful. 

(Ok, backstory: Will Smith's dad built his own refrigeration business. One summer he remodeled his ice house, tore down its old brick wall, and told Will and his brother to build a new one.)

"I couldn't believe it. He wanted us to build a wall 50 feet long and 14 feet high. I remember standing there and thinking, 'There's no way I will live to see this completed. He wants us to build the Great Wall of Philly!'

I remember hoping my father would get committed, because if he were in an insane asylum, then we wouldn't have to finish the thing. But finally we did. And I remember my father standing there looking at us, and all he said was, 'Now don't ever tell me there's anything you can't do.' 

He'd been waiting six months just to deliver that line. And I got it: there's nothing insurmountable if you just keep laying the bricks, you know? You go one brick at a time and eventually there will be a wall. You can't avoid it. So I don't worry much about walls. I just concentrate on the bricks, and the walls take care of themselves."

Summer Update

Well, as you can see, a month has come and gone since my last blog. And what a month it has been!! How can I even update you on all that has gone on?? Bullet points. Totally.

• Traveled back to Lynchburg to move my belongings from my parents’ house (it sold!) to my new Lynchburg home on Sandusky Drive
• Saw the following Broadway shows: Sister Act, Jerusalem, Jersey Boys, House of Blue Leaves, Rain (again), Anything Goes
• Got to accompany a handsome fella to the Bowery Mission Benefit (“A Night on Broadway”) at the Greenwich Country Club in CT. I heard exquisite vocals from six Broadway vets. It was an enchanting night.
• Landed an amazing gig at my dream employer: PLAYBILL! Amazingly I had many interviews this past spring for summer internships in the city. For one reason or another (timing, $, etc) none of them panned out. Though disappointed I still held out hope that the job I really wanted (Playbill) might post a job listing. Two weeks after I returned to NYC they DID. And I GOT IT. I’m so, so grateful. And unlike the indentured servitude of most NYC interns, I actually found a temporary job that pays! And I have a title too! “Database Manager” YEAH!
• Bought a package of 20 dance classes that are good for 3 months at a very well-respected dance studio here in town. I know as a performer I need to improve in this area. I also need exercise. I also need fun. Done! The tricky part has been scheduling these classes. But since I’ve already paid for them you better believe I’m gonna get my hiny to the studio!
• I’ve also begun private voice lessons with an excellent teacher--Natalie Wilson. It has been a joy to be back in the practice of studying singing.
• We took a trip to ORLANDO! I was a bridesmaid in my dear friend Heather’s wedding in Winter Park. It was such a joy to see her so happy and to introduce Juan Carlos to some of my nearest and dearest as well as to my old stomping ground. I encountered some super deep thoughts returning to the place I lived 4 years ago. What a different girl I was then...
• Orlando part 2: got to celebrate Leslie’s birthday on New Smyrna Beach, meet 8-month-old Connor Petersen, and visit Universal Orlando and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! JC even got to meet Spider-man. It was a pretty big deal. ;-)

JC and Spidey

Me & Mr. Conductor--heading to Hogwarts!

Kristin, Leslie, Me, & Heather

Since returning from Orlando I’ve got 2 and a half weeks to work a lot before we head back to Lynchburg for a wedding that JC is in! So as you can see, blogging has moved on down the list of priorities but LIVING is still pretty high up there! This summer is going by so fast. I’m just trying to savor each moment. I hope you’re doing the same. :)

Life Lessons from an Afternoon in Times Square

So a couple of weeks ago I moved back to New York for the summer. During this transition time I've been working a few random 1 or 2 day jobs. This week I signed up to work an event in Times Square that promoted making healthy choices. I found out it was going to involve minor celebrities, fun music, giveaways and games. Sign me up Scotty! Even though I didn't necessarily feel that I knew all the details about my assignment ahead of time, I gathered a few key concepts:

1. It was easy.
2. It was fun.

By Carlton via disneyetc.blogspot.com

Word. So when I showed up yesterday I was looking forward to it! But when I got there my mood began to gradually shift. Other people I was working with began barking orders and at the same time appeared confused and stressed. Who was running this thing? Why did they make seemingly simple tasks convoluted and complicated? Had they ever delegated and managed other people before? I got frustrated. I knew they were over-complicating our task and wigging out for no reason. (One minute games involving balloons and kleenex are not that deep people.) I started to feel grouchy and thought, "Well, at least I'm getting paid well for this." I knew I wasn't crazy when another girl I was working with noticed the wonky vibe too.  She said to me, "Why are they so tense?" And it hit me.

Though moods and attitudes are certainly contagious-they don't have to be!

Whoa!

I snapped out of my critical 'tude and decided to have fun with or without my co-workers support. This job was short, easy, and could be fun if I let it. So, I tuned out the angry elves and I let it. :-)