Friends, recently, I feel like I can't tell up from down. Is it the lasting effects of the brain tumor? Just me getting older? Tough adjustment coming out of quarantine? Who's to say? Probably all of the above.
One of the things that have me topsy-turvy is two consecutive weeks of film work. I'm over the moon to be working, of course, but they're long, surprisingly tiring days. Also, with covid and all, that tacks on at least two extra days for testing, sometimes a ways away at the filming location. Again, this is mostly a good thing because the testing days are paid, but it does crowd the schedule. And it always somehow slips my mind that I have to make sure Hazel isn't home alone too long, which sometimes means hiring a sitter.
Lately, I can't stop thinking about high school. How did we do it? Six hours of school starting at 7:45 am, homework during and in-between classes, more homework after school, plus rehearsals, club meetings, and plans with friends. H-how??? I guess we were used to it.
I'm also no longer an on-time person for anything but work. I've always valued punctuality. It was something I prided myself on. But now? Can't seem to get out the door. If I say, I'll be there 'round noon? Best expects me at 1:30. As I said, this doesn't include work, so it's not the end of the world, but "To be early is to be on time" is so ingrained in me (Thanks, Mr. Brodie!) that I feel absolutely horrible for being late. 99% of the time, no one cares. And no one else in the world is on time, so why should I be? Well, because I hold myself to a higher standard.
Slowly but surely, I'm adjusting to this new me. I guess? Maybe it'll go away, and I'll be back to the smart, organized, punctual Allie that I used to know. But it scares me. It makes me feel as if I'm losing my mind. Sometimes I don't recognize myself.
Hayden is very patient with me, though. He doesn't seem to mind me a few marbles short.
Good news, though! It seems I'm eligible for the Union, SAG-AFTRA. I have three vouchers for days of work. I was told you needed three vouchers to be eligible, but more accurately, you need to prove that you were paid to work three full days on a Union production. So once I'm paid for my recent two days, I can submit my pay stubs for verification.
Then, somehow I need to come up with the $3,000 joining fee. It looks like SAG has a credit union, so I'll be looking more into that. And I'll be putting off my LA trip to save. Or maybe I'll land a big fat commercial and I'll have the whole 3k outright. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me, won't ya? Thanks.
Next up after I join the SAG is applying to agencies. There are plenty that take non-union actors, but I want to show I'm serious and dedicate. I want to find an agent who sees I work hard and will work hard for me. And preferably, I'd like an agent with Disney connections so they can go to bat for me for Felicia Hardy.
See? I've got a plan. Who said you couldn't plan your future?
I'm watching: Loki, Dragonball Z, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
I'm reading: The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences: The Ghost Rebellion, Black Cat: Vol. 4 (and every Black Cat-related comic book I can get my hands on)
I'm listening: Mythology (a Parcast podcast)