There and Back Again

Lull....

2012-02-23T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well, this week sure has been like being through the Looking Glass. I just feel like my head hasn't been on straight at all. Yesterday I kept thinking it was Tuesday all the day long, and I completely missed my normal Wednesday blog day. Thank goodness there isn't a large contingency of readers holding their breath for each Wednesday to roll around. I think I'm coming out of my post staycation lull, though. Thank goodness. I was having a lot of trouble getting up motivation to do much of anything, so mostly I spent the week forcing myself to yoga classes, working, knocking small things of my to-do list, and journaling. Oh. And watching both seasons of Downton Abbey. So good. It's like BBC crack. Except PBS...

I also have a new gluten free/dairy free obsession. They're called Lara Bars... and they are amazing! They market themselves as "energy bars"... and though I can't really see any actual INTENSE nutritional gain from them, they are most delicious and make a fantastic snack! They come in a variety of flavors, some of my favorites thus far being pecan pie, peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter chocolate chip, key lime pie, and cappuccino (though there are SEVERAL others, many of which I haven't even tried yet), and the real kicker is each flavor contains no more than 2-9 ingredients! For example, the peanut butter and jelly flavor is just dates, peanuts, dried cherries, and salt. Pecan pie is dates, pecans, and almonds. I don't know how they are so amazing... but they are. Nom nom.

On the career front, I have a meeting next week with a writer I worked with last year on a new play called, "Dear, Mortimer." He wasn't very clear in his message on what exactly he's been working on--I think a new play and perhaps a screenplay--but he seems to have held auditions this past week, and he wants to meet with me and one other actor from last year's production about something... so we shall see. I enjoy doing new work, but with the goals I've outlined for myself, I really want to do work that will progress my career, and if this venture would take a like of time away from my goals, I may have to say no... but, again, we shall see!

If nothing else, I need to stay busy! When I have free time, it's no bueno for Brittany.

But... the most exciting thing is tomorrow I pick up my Blue Print Cleanse, so I will spend Saturday, Sunday, and Monday doing house cleaning on my innards. I just can't wait to taste those juices again--especially the Pineapple, Apple, Mint one... YUM!

Reset

2012-02-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm sitting at my little Ikea counter in my little studio apartment drinking coffee out of my ~~little~~ ginormous mug trying to catch up on life. My mom and sister arrived a week ago today for a NYC adventure, and boy, was it that! I completely ignored my entire life and obligations, and it was glorious. Unfortunately, now I have the task of remembering where I was and getting back into the right state! (Well, state of mind... not STATE as in NY... that's the nice thing about staycations!)

We ate and drank our way through the city, like us Kriger girls like to do, and I'll just give you a lil highlighted version of what we got into! The first 2 days were spent scouring the city for a birthday dress for me and boots for my sister and momma. I felt that for my 27th birthday, I wanted to have a grown up birthday at a nice restaurant with nice cocktails, nice food, and nice clothes... but I didn't realize it would be so difficult to find the perfect birthday dress in NY! (Trust me, it was difficult... I even considered just wearing my birthday suit!) But I ended up with a beautiful Alice and Olivia dress (which I can't find pictured on their website... so you'll just have to use your imagination) and we had a WONDERFUL dinner complete with a most delicious surprise birthday cake compliments of my momma! We went out for a few more cocktails after dinner and returned home at a respectable, adult hour.

After returning home at the respectable, adult hour we had a day of recovery that involved ordering in room service and finally making our way out of the hotel by 2 in the afternoon. The next few days were spent eating at delicious restaurants and exploring NYC's finest attractions--the Tenement Museum, The Guggenheim, The Merchant House Museum, and the sensational, experiential theatre phenomenon--Sleep No More. Google it... it was AMAZING.

It was an absolutely wonderful trip... and rather bittersweet as it was probably the last Kriger girl vacation of this sort. With that sister moving off to Germany with her husband and future children... I expect the next time I see her she'll be a few months pregnant... and we'll be in another country... so... that's crazy! The future is such an exciting little beast, all full of surprises and twists and turns...

So now it's back to the old grindstone. To get back into the swing of things I am resetting my body. Today I began another 30 day Bikram yoga challenge--so I will be done with that on March 15, and I also received a coupon from the Blue Print Cleanse for 20% off my next cleanse... so obviously I took advantage of that, and next weekend I will reset my stomach and body with a 3 day cleanse. Ever since Thanksgiving I've been tottering on the top of the gluten/dairy free wall... and with this staycation I completely fell off. So it's time to reset my food intake and get my body back to feeling its best. And lastly, I've signed up for a seminar in which I will be working with 3 of NYC's top casting directors in film, tv, and legit theatre. So I have a lot to work on... and I'm excited to refocus.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week, and that you had a WONDERFUL Valentine's day. I love you!

One Day At a Time--This is Enough.

2012-02-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

"...Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.

Happiness is a journey." ~Ida Scott Taylor

I stumbled across this quote on the interwebs about a week ago, and it has been on my mind ever since. I think now that I find myself in this wonderful life place, I want to share it with as many people as I can. This quote so beautifully expresses the way I am attempting to approach life and is so eloquently expressed that I feel it MUST be shared. You know that warm bubbly feeling that starts in the pit of your stomach and then works its way up into your chest before it explodes onto your face as a smile? That's what happens when I read this quote.

"Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."

So beautiful. So HARD TO DO.

I often find myself reminiscing over the past and wishing I was back in certain places or times. Or worrying about the future and where I am headed. But... I think that if I just wake up every day and let life happen without getting in its way, enjoy EVERY moment, and put forth my best effort in EVERYTHING I undertake... well... the future will take care of itself. And I've started to notice this little voice in my head... I like to think it's God. Call me crazy, but I think if you listen you really can hear Him talking to you. And if you listen to what He says, you will stay on track.

I just want to share a set of what SEEM to be individual experiences I had this week that merged to form a series of events that culminated in what I think is evidence of this philosophy.

Saturday while I was at work one of my peers was asked to come in early for her Superbowl Sunday shift. She was closing that night and was jet lagged from her recent trip to Europe. Understandably, she was expressing to me that she was very tired and couldn't imagine coming in early. I was scheduled to come in at 6 pm on Sunday, and had a full day planned of errands and writing and coffee. However, the little voice in my head told me to offer switching shifts. So... I did. And we did. I felt nervous about this decision, because I knew it was going to be a long day, but I also knew the little voice in my head shouldn't be ignored. You see, I had just decided to take a class that's going to cost me a good bit of money... so I told myself that any extra money I made would go towards the class. So, Sunday morning my alarm when off early to go to early yoga before going to work early to face Superbowl Sunday. I ended up working a 13.5 hour shift, but at the end of the day made enough to cover the cost of the class. Monday rolled around and I was wiped, but I woke up, went to yoga, and then headed to my voice lesson with my new voice teachers who were recommended to me by a new friend/mentor, Rance. This very same friend/mentor (Rance) is the one who is holding the class that I decided to take that my Superbowl Sunday shift will now pay for. Rance had a voice lesson at the same time, and when we were done he suggested we grab coffee together. I had planned to go to Starbucks (aka my office) to get some work done before work at my bar that evening, but the voice in my head said to go to coffee with Rance. And so I did. While at coffee I told Rance that I signed up for his class, and we started talking about what my next steps in my career should be. A woman walked in the door, saw Rance, and said hello. Turns out this woman was a casting director that I have respected and wanted to meet since I first moved to New York and read an article she wrote that inspired me when I was feeling very glum. It was, for me, as exciting as meeting any celebrity. I felt like I was in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.

And who knows, if I hadn't listened to that little voice to switch shifts on Sunday, things could have turned out completely differently. Or they could have been the same... but I doubt it.

(For the sake of clarifying, there are several voices in my head. Not in like, the crazy, schizo way... but you know, there's the voice that says, "hey, Britt, eat a pint of Ben and Jerry's" or "sleep in... snooze through that alarm," or "buy those shoes... you don't need them... but BUY THEM." I do not think that all the voices in my head are God. And I do think I have original thought. But I also think that I can tell when it's God or the Universe or Mother Earth or WHOEVER talking to me. Because it's usually something that I know is a good idea, but I wouldn't usually do. Like when Harry Potter takes Felix Felixus in The Deathly Hallows, and he hears that voice that tells him what to do... So basically, this outlook on life can feel JUST LIKE MAGIC.)

When the Student is Ready...

2012-02-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

Hey y'all!! Happy New Year! (a month late...)

Happy Ground Hog Day!! (more appropriate) That darned lil ground hog saw his shadow. Or didn't. Whichever one means 6 weeks of more Winter. Though... this Winter has been so mild that I can't complain. Not at all. But who cares, really? Talking about the weather is so boring. It's what you talk about when you have nothing else to talk about. (Admittedly, it gets me through a lot of conversations.)

Oh man, guys. I've had a lot of caffeine today, so I apologize if as you read this you start thinking, "man, this blog is nonsensical/crazy/what is she TALKING ABOUT???" I'm already thinking that. But bear with me. I have a lot of things in my head. A LOT.

I started this blog 6 months ago because I felt lost. I WAS lost. (Which is why I felt that way.) So, if you'll remember, I thought, hey, why not start a quest like Frodo... granted, mine was a self imposed quest for balance while his quest was thrust upon him to destroy ultimate evil... but lets not split hairs. For me, it has been an epic quest. I had no idea that that tiny idea was going to flourish into what it has. This little blog has saved me. No, I didn't blog a lot during this journey (woops), but the fragment of an idea that it represents is what saved me.

I have never really understood that age old saying: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears" (or something like that... from Karate Kid... or something.) NOW I do. And y'all, this student is FINALLY ready (bout time, right?) and all kinds of teachers are appearing.

A couple of months ago I was on the phone SOBBING to my mother that I had lost all hope. And I really thought I had. I have never felt that way before... it was like... I had to make myself an empty vessel... just completely hit rock bottom so that I could truly appreciate what was coming my way. I almost don't want to revisit that day in my mind, because it was like everything that I believed in died. But that day is done. I do believe. I believe there is love in the world meant just for me. I believe that I have something special to do. AND I AM BACK ON TRACK TO FINDING IT.

It's so hard when you're in that dark place to ever imagine being hopeful, happy, or alive... ever again. And it's taken a LOT of work to get back to myself. The positive girl who almost always smiles... who inspires other people to smile... who smiles to strangers on the street and says "bless you" when someone sneezes. Who truly believes that there is good in everyone, and she can find it! The girl who knows what she wants and GETS IT. The girl who says she's gonna do something and then DOES IT. I lost her. And I'm willing to bet that hard days will hit me again, and she may start to stray... but I refuse to lose her ever again. And I won't. Know how I know that? A few reasons.

1) I'm writing this blog to remind me.
2) In singing, acting, drawing, dancing, cooking, swimming, skateboarding, quilting, kayaking... ANYTHING IN LIFE... there is a technique. A way of approaching the skill that makes it easy and something that you can call upon at any time. And guess what? I learned the technique to being happy! It's a SKILL, and, just like any other skill, some people are born with it. I definitely was. Others have to try very hard to learn a skill, if they are passionate enough to want it. I was lucky enough to be born with it and then raised in a home where I was blessed enough not to have to WORK to maintain that happiness. But life is hard. And it throws you curve balls. If it didn't, you wouldn't appreciate the good times. So when I was thrown hard times... I literally had no idea how to deal. But I'm taking an online course right now that's called: "Magical Manifesters: Find your gold. Create the Blueprint. Make it Happen. A digital course for creative individuals." It might sound hokey to you... but it has literally given me the tools to maintain my positive outlook on life. And I am so very grateful. And I am still learning.

So one of my goals with this course is to write a blog once a week. So... there. It's out there. I'm gonna do it! And share with you this journey. Because it is blowing my mind.

Deck the Halls (Not the JERKS)

2011-12-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Man. How did I function on a daily basis before I went to yoga?

I feel like I am constantly barraged by the stupidest people in NYC. Probably that's because I work in a bar. Thanks to my yoga practice, I'm much more capable of handling it these days--my blood pressure doesn't boil quite as high, and I manage to smile at people instead of cursing at them or making rude hand gestures behind their backs. I know it's sad that that feels like an accomplishment... but this city has a way of making the nicest person become a foul mouthed, rage-filled, JERK.

I'm proud to say that 9 times out of 10, I return people's rudeness with a smile. Still working on that last one... to make it a 10/10.

However... it's CHRISTMAS! And what is Christmas if not a time to write a letter to dear Santa Claus? (Side bar: SantaCon. I don't know if you've heard of it, but it's a day when people dress like Santa/Snowmen/Elves/Penguins/Christmas presents/anything else imaginable and then pub crawl all over NYC--starting as early as 8 am--I worked the evening of SantaCon at my bar. I have never seen so many drunk, inappropriate, handsy, frat-tastic, and STUPID Santas in one room. I am not addressing this letter to any of those Santas. Should it get intercepted in the webosphere by one of THOSE Santas, please send it to the North Pole. Where the real Santa is. Thank you.)

Dear Santa,

I haven't been a very good girl this year. But it wasn't my fault. I tried really hard to be a very good girl, but it took me a long time to figure my life out. I made some mistakes, but I think I paid for them... and I've changed my ways and become a much more whole person. I'm ending the year as a VERY good girl who has matured a heck of a lot and figured some big stuff out. For that reason, I hope you've removed me from the "naughty" list, and put me on the "nice" list. Also... I only have a few requests this year for Christmas... but they might be rather hefty. I hope you can deliver.

1. PLEASE LET THE WEATHER BE CONDUCIVE FOR FLYING ON CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 28, AND JANUARY 1ST. If any of my flights are missed/delayed... my entire holiday will be ruined. I'm so scared that there will be some crazy blizzard on Christmas Eve that will make me miss Christmas at home. My connecting flight is through Chicago... the weather be crazy there. Please don't be crazy. And then, on the 28th I'm flying through Atlanta to St. Louis to get to my friend's wedding. PLEASE DON'T HAVE FREAK WEIRD WEATHER IN ATLANTA. Then on January 1st I fly back to NY--it's a direct flight... but PLEASE DON'T HAVE A FREAK WEIRD BLIZZARD IN NYC (though I guess that wouldn't really be very weird, it would be appropriate... but I still don't want it). I have a very important audition on January 2nd that I DO NOT WANT TO MISS. So please get your weather elves on that one.

2. Please get me some representation. I know this might take some time, so I don't expect it to be underneath my Christmas tree... but I've set a goal for 2012 to have representation by May. That will be nearly a year after I first began seeking representation... and I think a good goal. It's so frustrating to see agents working with people I know I am just as talented as, but also knowing that I'm not very commercially appealing for representation. There are a million blonde, cute, girl next door types out there... I just have to work harder to prove that I am marketable and worth them representing. So, dear Santa, can you PLEASE send an agent or agents to my showcase that would be interested in representing me? It would make the whole process a whole lot easier.

3. It's almost time to renew my lease. I really don't want my rent to be raised... so it would be really fantastic if you could send a little elf to Fran, my landlord (of the meow mix "meow meow meow meow" campaign), to negotiate my lease renewal. If she raises my rent... well.. I'll have to resign, because moving would probably cost as much as the raise in the rent... but... I'd really rather not have to pay any more per month.

I think that's all... as I grow up, I desire less and less presents on Christmas (side bar: I still love presents, so ya know, take that with a grain of salt) and spend more time looking forward to the traditions of Christmas. And especially just being with my family. I'm really excited to see my two big sisters this year, and so happy that I'm blessed enough to be able to take time off work to travel and spend time with loved ones.

However... I really would love a Kindle Fire...

Balance Check-In

2011-11-13T12:53:00.001-08:00

So, I started this little blog about 3 months ago. I set a list of goals for myself, and I feel like the time has come to check in and see how I'm doing on those goals.

1) Create a schedule for myself.

I don't know that I have a rigid schedule for myself, and things do vary week by week depending on how much I'm working at my bar... but I think I've done a pretty good job of giving myself some sort of accountability for my time. I go to yoga at least 4 times a week, sometimes 7. Wednesdays I have my theatre company meetings, Thursdays my monologue class, and the other days of the week are spent with yoga in the morning, a break to do "acting homework", and then heading to my bar job. I still waste time... but I've gotten so much better about actively pursuing life.

2) 30 Day Yoga challenge

Yep. did that. Unfortunately, I didn't keep up my running. Actually, it's not unfortunate. It was a very deliberate choice. Running is REALLY bad for your joints, and I feel that with yoga I am getting an adequate work out. Sure, when the NYC Marathon happened last week, I felt a little twinge of sadness in knowing I will never run it... but... I did a 3K and that was cool. Now I'm on the yoga train!

3) Project Get and Agent

This is still in the works. However, I've learned a LOT about the business end of acting, and feel like I am definitely on the right track. I've met producers, casting directors, and agents, all of whom were lovely people who didn't bite my head off. Sure, I don't have an agent yet... but that's ok. I will. And I'm very proud of the work I've done. Since I started this blog, I've been cast in and performed in 2 shows, one of which was Off-Broadway. No, I'm not where I thought I would be when I was 26 years old. But... at least I'm not barefoot in a trailer, pregnant with a good for nothing husband. (Because that's the only alternative.)

So... on checking in... I'm very proud of how far I've come. It's still a struggle every day to get out of bed... some days way easier than others... but I am happy with how my life has progressed. However, I think it's time to set some new goals. Because I do feel I've gotten a little complacent, and we can't have that! I have to keep moving forward.

1) Resume classes at UCB

I took Improv 101 at UCB over a year ago, and it was amazing. It helped me figure out that I don't want to do musical theatre. It pushed me to realize that I love doing comedy and straight theatre. My goal for 2012 is to complete all 4 levels.

2) Being production on my web series

I met a girl at an audition for Steel Magnolias, and though I did not get cast, I am so grateful that I went to that audition. She's such a cool person, and we have begun collaborating on a web series together. We wrote the pilot. We are figuring it out as we go along. It is going to be a stressful disaster, but I hope that at the end of the stressful disaster, we have something we're really proud of.

3) Travel somewhere cool

I love to travel. And... I never do it. Sure, I go home to visit friends and family... but the last time I went on a destination vacation, it was Orlando, FL. I live so close to so many cool things... and I never ever see them. Prince Edward Island. Salem. Concord. Boston. Washington D.C., Niagra Falls.... etc. So that really needs to happen. Getting out of NYC is good for the heart and soul, and DEFINITELY helps one maintain a sense of balance.

So... onward and forward! And hopefully not like that little baby elephant in Planet Earth who gets seperated from his mom and then ends up following their tracks in the wrong direction. That makes me SO sad.

Eastern Medicine

2011-11-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

I've done it! I've realized that I have achieved so many of my childhood goals! I just should have been a bit more specific...

Growing up, I wanted to be a starving artist. I thought the idea sounded so romantical. I imagined myself eating soup in a cold apartment surrounded by my art, and probably not receiving any critical acclaim until I was dead and buried... like Van Gogh and Monet and all the great painters. Doesn't that just sound SO romantic? Woops. Be careful what you wish for!

I always wanted to live in a brownstone... and now I do! It just happens to be in the middle of Harlem...

I never wanted an office job, to be a teacher, to have any sort of "real" job... all I ever wanted was to be an artist. I tried coming up with ways I could be an artist and make money... like interior design. But ick. I hated that.

So I've been thinking a lot recently about happiness and what I need to do to feel rooted in life. Would a 9-5 job do that? I think it would bring me comfort and a sense of stability... but I think I would be giving up on my dreams. And since I've already achieved them (in a sense) I think I owe it to myself to see where they end up. Maybe they will end up in comfort and a sense of stability... I just have to wait a little longer.

And for that, I am so grateful for Eastern Medicine. Western medicine sucks. If you're sick, you basically have to have a lot of money to make you better. Or a job that offers an insurance plan that will make lots of money to make you feel better. Since I don't have that, I am so grateful for my Eastern Medicine. I swear by Bikram Yoga. SWEAR BY IT. If I miss classes, I feel like crapola, and odds are if I miss 4 in a row, I'm going to get sick. I can wake up feeling lost, sad, and full of anxiety, but I head to my yoga studio and by the end, my head feels a little more clear, and I am much more capable of facing my day.

I don't know how long I will practice. I'm only 3 months in, which is basically a blink... but I like to imagine that I can make this a life long practice. One of my favorite sayings our instructors always spout during class:

If you can, you must.

So I guess I must.

Ouch.

2011-10-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

I broke my heart yesterday.

That's right, folks. I single handedly broke my very own heart. How does one do this? Answer: In my case it took reading two articles from the New York Times. I'm temping this week for some extra cash with my favorite Hedge Fund/Finance Company/I'mNotSureWhatTheyDoButIKnowTheyHandleLOTSOfMoney, and this means hours sitting in front of a computer with little to do but answer phones every once in a while. Which means spare time to get the things I need to do done. Also, it used to mean hours of sitting on Facebook... but since the last time I worked here, they have blocked Facebook from the system. Which has been good as it has made me much more productive.

However, I am very good at finding things to procrastinate. Yesterday I discovered a series of articles from 2009 that the New York Times ran on modern love. How my generation defines love. And... it was heart breaking.

I live under a rock, I think. I truly believe that my Prince Charming is out there. He's just... lost. I recently realized that I have been living my entire life waiting for Him. I really thought that He would be here by now... I would truly think things like this: "I'm not too worried that I don't have health insurance, because surely soon I'll be married and then I can join His plan." Or: "It's ok that I don't have a lot of savings--He does and He will be able to help me pay off my student loans." SNAP OUT OF IT BRITT. I realized that I was living my life waiting for HIM. I'm almost 27 years old. I can't live like that.

And so yesterday, I broke my heart. And a little piece of me gave up. A little piece of me grew up a little bit more. A little piece of me died.

And, if you are interested, here are the links to the two articles that did it:

Heart Breaker #1

Heart Breaker #2

Basically, one is written from the p.o.v. of a young woman who is having the same luck in the dating world as I am, and the other is written from the p.o.v. of a 21 year old guy. And... his is the one that really broke my heart. Because he basically says that boys don't want to settle down. There are too many options. They're always looking for the next best thing.

Ouch.

I don't really talk about dating with anyone except my close friends. To be quite honest, I never even REALLY tried it until this year. This year has been a series of unfortunate events in dating: there was the alcoholic personal trainer who told me I was a skinny fat girl, going to lose my looks in 5 years, and that I was decent looking; the "really sweet finance kid" who turned out to be a real idiot; the actor who stopped dating me when I became a vegetarian; and a series of other guys (an ex-government employee who lived in Japan for 2 years and now works in a sushi restaurant, an actor/magician, an ex-model/actor, another actor, and... a soap actor--is anyone else noticing a pattern here?) who I suppose, according to the young woman's article, I dated... but... never more than 2 dates... and now if I see them... it's like we never dated at all... which I guess is... fine...

My older sister got married when she was 19. I was 7. I thought "Ok, I guess you get married at that age." when I hit 19, I realized that I was NOT ready for marriage. There was no way. But maybe by my mid-20's.

My other older sister got married at 24. I was 22. I thought "No way. No way do I want to get married any time soon. I have too much I want to do. But maybe by the time I'm 26."

26 has come and almost gone. And dating in this city is hard. And a lot of the time, I'm really lonely. And one by one my friends are getting married. And yet... somehow I've maintained hope that he's out there somewhere. Until yesterday. Those evil articles made me realize that I'd better get used to the idea that it might just be lil old me for a while. And so maybe I'd better go ahead and make a life for myself that I love... and maybe, if I'm lucky, one day when I'm happy just being me... He'll find me.

Oops...

2011-09-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Darnit. I started out SO WELL.

I just discovered this new layout... which I really enjoy. I can't change the colors/have my gadgets/anything pretty... but I still like it. Maybe they'll make it more customizable soon.

The good news is that the reason I've been so absent is I have been a whole lotta busy. Bulleted list to fill you in? Ok. If you insist.

I successfully completed my 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge, and I truly feel amazing.
I bought a new computer which will make my entire life so much easier.
I am currently developing a web series with a new friend I met at an audition.
I was cast in a new dark comedy which will run at the end of October.
I completed my first season with The Actors Project NYC and had a very successful showcase. No, I still don't have an agent, but I was asked back for another season and am going to MAKE IT A PRIORITY and really put myself out there.
I chopped my hair off.
Since I chopped my hair off, I am getting new headshots done tomorrow with Peter Hurley.
I am working on designing the logo for the new bar "Hair of the Dog" opening in December.
I am still going to yoga almost every day.
Still working at my damn bar...
Designing a series of yoga shirts.
My mother came to visit and we had an AMAZING TIME.
Started a new 10 week monologue class at The Barrow Group Theatre Company.
Sleeping when I get a chance... or if the following bullets don't distract me:
Dating/making poor decisions about men(boys).
ALLY MCBEAL IS STREAMING ON NETFLIX
XFILES IS STREAMING ON NETFLIX
The return of Modern Family, Parks and Rec, Community, How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock, Dexter... etc.

So... I know everyone is busy, and I need to prioritize things a bit more. Like... maybe those last 4 bullets aren't so important...

I promise to pop in more often. I'm so bad at this... but I will try harder. Thanks for stopping in. Next post will be way more awesomer (grammar). And just so you feel reading this wasn't a complete waste of your time, enjoy this awesome article:

http://gizmodo.com/5843117/scientists-reconstruct-video-clips-from-brain-activity

Armageddon...?

2011-09-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

Well, August wound down in a very dramatic fashion. I kinda feel like August had an identity crisis and thought it was March... coming in like a lamb and going out like a lion. Between the earthquake and the hurricane making headlines in NYC within a few days, I was certainly searching the skies for the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse.

Honestly... New Yorkers are SO dramatic. I mean... I'm pretty sure that New Yorkers believe that NYC is the center of the universe. No. Not pretty sure. 100% sure. So much so that a mere few hours after the earthquake happened (which was really just an aftershock of the earthquake that actually was in VA and caused actual damage there), there were already t-shirts for sale which read "I survived the NYC earthquake." Really? REALLY PEOPLE?

Then came Hurricane Irene. The entire situation reminded me SO MUCH of Katrina. The way the media was acting like we were all surely going to die, and the way the public was half concerned, but mostly just excited for the excuse to drink away the weekend. I must admit, I got a bit nervous. When things like this are being shown on television, it's hard not to:

I mean, 1 of 2 things could have happened. What occurs in the above mentioned video (worst case scenario) and what really happened. Honestly, I feel like NY has gotten a lot of flack for over reacting, what with evacuations and shutting down the entire MTA service for 2 whole days... but... having seen first hand the devastation of Katrina (in a city that was a little "laissez faire" about the whole thing)... I'm glad NYC was overly prepared. Because if it HAD been bad... well... lotsa people would have met a soggy end.

However... Irene actually did cause a lot of damage and death and devastation along her path... but just like the media focused on New Orleans after Katrina, NYC seemed to be the main focus of Irene. Maybe that's just because I live here, though. Was it like that in the rest of the country?

And now we come to a day that actually DOES involve NYC, and actually DOES deserve all of the media attention it garnered in the past and will continue to receive. It's September, and although September 11th is my beautiful sister's birthday, the 2 year anniversary of my moving to NYC, and the first day I'm allowed an alcoholic beverage after having given up the juice on August 9th... it's most importantly the 10 year anniversary of the tragic event we all refer to as "Nine Eleven". I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. Every September 11 since that fateful day has been a little nerve wracking to the general population. But this year... the 10 year mark... I don't know... it's just a little scarier.

Do you think people felt this way in the years following Pearl Harbor on December 7th? I mean... these days I'm willing to bet that at least 1/2 of the US population doesn't even know anything significant happened on December 7th. In 50 years, will the US population feel that way about September 11th? Crazy to imagine.

However, I'd like to leave you on a little more positive note. Here's an article I found after googling "Come on Irene." You know the song "Come on Eileen"? Well, at my bar, the entire weekend of Hurricane Irene, "Come on Eileen" was mistakenly requested as "Come on Irene." It's an interesting little article which may help to explain why I hate talking on the phone so much, and yet enjoy Skype. Just l'arn somethin' new ever' day, y'all!

Paula Dean, I Am Not

2011-08-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

Well, folks, here we have it! My first attempt at a video blog... in a series I have dubbed "Britt's Kitchen." I know. REALLY CLEVER TITLE.

When my sister and I were little girls, we would sit at the kitchen table with bowls of ice cream in front of us and a spread of sprinkles and syrups pretending that we were the hosts of a cooking show. We would wait until our ice cream was melted down to resemble cake batter, and then we would prepare our "cakes" by combining the different "ingredients" (ice cream toppings). So... now I have realized that dream of having my own cooking show by videoing myself cooking... And it is REAL professional. Especially the watermark on the video which informs you all that I am using unactivated editing software. I apologize for the amounts of technical difficulties I had in losing footage, camera cards filling up, and batteries dying... but hope that you enjoy the 16 minute long cooking show that I made.... that took me 4 hours to make... I swear it won't take you 4 hours to make this cake. Tops 1 hour... That being said, here is the video, and below is the recipe (if you want to avoid the 16 minute video, all of the steps are included in the recipe listed below)

I have the recipe as it appears in my cookbook, but then in
parentheses I put the things that I did when I made it, just so you
can choose whichever you want!

Prep Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 30 min
Serves: 10

7 tablespoons dairy free margarine, plus extra for greasing (I usually use "I
Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Pam for greasing... not 100% dairy
free, but pretty close)
8 oz dairy free dark chocolate, with at least 70% cocoa solids (I used
Baker's unsweetened chocolate squares that were 100% cocoa)
6 eggs, separated
2/3 cup fruit sugar (I just used normal sugar)

Topping: (This is the thing I never got around to making...)
5 oz dairy free dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids
scant 1/2 cup chestnut puree
3 tbsp fruit sugar
2 tbsp dairy free margarine

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly grease an 8 inch springform cake
pan with dairy free margarine and line the bottom with a circle of
baking parchment (I just used my brownie pan, though I did line the
bottom of it with baking parchment. I think that's important because
the cake can be very crumbly and I think that helps hold it together)
2. Break the chocolate into small pieces and place in a large
heatproof bowl. Rest the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water,
making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water; stir
from time to time until the chocolate melts. Add the margarine to the
bowl and continue stirring occasionally until it completely melts and
is mixed in with the chocolate. Remove from the heat.
3. Put the egg whites in a mixing bowl and whisk using an electric
mixer until they form stiff peaks. Add the sugar and continue
whisking until they form glossy peaks.
4. Lightly beat the egg yolks in another bowl, then stir into the
melted chocolate mixture until well blended. With a large metal
spoon, carefully fold in the whisked egg whites until they are
thoroughly mixed in.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the hot oven
25-30 minutes until risen and cooked around the side, but still
slightly soft in the middle. Insert a skewer into the middle of the
cake and if there is only a little of the cake batter sticking to it,
the cake is ready. Take the cake out of the oven and leave to cool in
the pan about 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to
cool completely.
6. Meanwhile, prepare the topping. Melt the chocolate as above. Add
the chestnut puree and sugar and stir well, then stir in the margarine
until thoroughly blended. Remove from the heat, leave to cool, and
serve with slices of cake.

Side note: I put unsalted crunchy peanut butter on top of my piece of cake... and it was DIVINE. DIVINE I TELL YOU!!

Gluten and Dairy and Vacation, Oh My!

2011-08-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm on my fourth day back in NYC after a wonderful vacation, and I jumped right back into my routine. Usually, it's really hard for me to leave vacations and return to the city. I used to start crying about 2 days before my return, and then the first few days back in the city were spent in a sort of bed of depression. Literally I would only get out of bed for food, water, bathroom breaks, or work. I'm glad to say those days are a mere memory that I only retain so that I can realize how far I have come.

My vacation was absolutely delicious. I've never been on a vacation to New Orleans before... I only ever went there on field trips when I was in school, or for Mardi Gras or random birthday trips throughout college. I really got to see the city in a new and beautiful way. A walk down Bourbon St. was very reminiscent of a walk through Times Square... Pretty darn awful, and something I would only repeat for special occasions. I suppose I got to see the more residential side of New Orleans... or the more "grown up" side.

That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the bars and night time fun the city has to offer. I mean, the first thing I announced upon arriving in the city was that I wanted a drive through daiquiri!!! That was something I grew up with and didn't really realize was out of the ordinary until I moved elsewhere... and not only are just plain old daiquiri shops non-existent (heck... even FINDING a daiquiri anywhere is tough), but drive through daiquiri shops have become a novelty I tell people about when they scoff about how Louisiana must be a terrible place. (Anywhere that will give you a daiquiri like it's a Happy Meal is NOT a place to scoff about.)

Louisiana is NOT a terrible place.

I had such a wonderful time there. Most importantly, it wasn't as miserably hot as I remember it being...

I went zydeco dancing, to White Linen Night (a night where everyone dresses in white and there is a street fair of sorts on Julia St.), Satchmo Fest (brass bands on Frenchmen St), wedding dress shopping with one of the most beautiful brides to be and one of my oldest best friends, and a steamy day at the zoo that turned into a monsoony day at the zoo. Not to mention catching up with friends I haven't seen in so very long...

With 2 of my favorite ladies on White Linen Night (Lauren changed...)

So, yes, it was a marvelous trip. Exercising was not on the front of my mind, and I suffered tremendously (potential slight exaggeration) trying to maintain my gluten and dairy free diet. I had to cheat a few times... just because there are not a lot of places that cater to a gluten and dairy free diet, and also... I was on vacation!! And since I am not willing to cheat on the vegetarian level... after my first meal where I saw no options and ordered my old standby--the salad--I realized it may be a "mission impossible" to stick to my guns. (At Johnny's po-boy I ordered a salad because I couldn't have any po-boys... and the salad was a huge bed of lettuce with baby carrots, an orange slice, and pickles on top)... well... I just couldn't do that anymore. So I allowed some gluten and dairy to creep back into my diet. Did my tummy suffer? Oh yes. Was it worth it? Heck yes!

However, I did have 2 very delicious vegetarian meals that were gluten and dairy free--one in New Orleans and one in Baton Rouge.

New Orleans:
Slim Goodies on Magazine St.

I was amazed at the options this restaurant had for vegetarians. The idea of vegetarianism is something that I don't think will ever catch on in LA, and I don't blame anyone there. The food is just SO good that to imagine restaurants without crawfish or shrimp is just silly. But to see it acknowledged on a menu that epitomizes a Louisiana breakfast... well, it was appreciated! This restaurant was open all during Katrina (well, not DURING Katrina, but during the recovery), and the only thing they could serve during that time was burger patties. So, they still have this burger on their menu--dubbed the Katrina Burger. However, I ordered a delicious breakfast called the Guatemalan. Eggs, avocado, black beans, and plantains--and I ordered a side of vegetarian chili. The dish was also served with tortillas: your choice of flour or corn. The fact that they had several options for dietary challenged people was great. I was able to have soy milk with my coffee, and they also served fake bacon! One downfall was that the restaurant was out of the corn tortillas while I was there, but the fact that they typically have the option still won them points. Overall, a winner for vegetarians and gluten/dairy challenged individuals!

The Guatemalan (I always start eating before I remember to take a picture...):

Baton Rouge:
Truly Free on Perkins Rd.

Truly Free is a new restaurant in Baton Rouge that was opened after a husband and wife team found that they had severe dietary restrictions, and there was nothing to cater to them in Baton Rouge. The wife found she is allergic to gluten and dairy, and the husband is lactose intolerant, so they decided to open this restaurant so that people just like them could have a delicious place to eat. And boy, was it delicious!! My mom and I spit the veggie avocado burger with baked sweet potato fries. The burger actually came on a gluten free bread, and was topped with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and some really spicy delicious sneak attack mystery ingredient. The baked sweet potato fries were good, if not a little soggy. We agreed that we would have baked them a bit longer. My friend Rachel ordered Eric's Wrap, which was a very beautifully presented dish indeed! You had your choice of wrap--she chose a rice wrap--and then it was filled with many different fresh vegetables and some turkey, as well.

Avocado Veggie Burger with Baked Sweet Potato Fries:

Eric's Wrap:

Of course, the very best part came at the end of the meal when we split 3 desserts among us. Keep in mind these were all dairy and gluten free. But YUM you wouldn't have known! We got a stuffed red velvet cupcake, peanut butter and chocolate cookie, and a mint chocolate cookie. They were DELISH!! The red velvet cupcake was the groups' favorite, by far. It was just so decadent! The cupcake was dense and moist, but not so dense that it was too much, and the cream cheese icing that was on top and filled the cupcake tasted marvelous. It was creamy and not too sweet--I think because it was soy based... which we could detect, but not in a glaring way. The cookies were very reminiscent of pralines in texture--minus the melt in your mouth quality. They were definitely good, but I suggest trying the cupcakes if you only have room for one dessert!

Delicious Desserts:
Overall, it was quite an amazing trip. I'm glad to be back in New York and back to my routine. I just got home from day 4 of my 30 day yoga challenge, and I head to my second shift back at work this evening. Go whole hog, y'all!

A Brief Intermission

2011-08-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

Wait... Intermission? But didn't this thing just get started? I have, if nothing else in life, impeccable timing. Why in the world would start a blog and then skip town? Poorly planned? It may appear so... But I swear... I have my reasons.

I'm going to Louisiana tomorrow for a week. Well, a little under a week. But still. A nice break from the craziness that is NYC. For the first time ever, I am leaving NYC and don't really want to leave NYC. I have actual things to do when I get back. I actually feel like I live here now. Good Lord. It's about time. It only took me close to 2 years.

Things I have planned for my return to the city:
1) Create a schedule for myself.

I realized that I work best with a schedule. When I was in college and had classes to attend, I hardly ever skipped. I would arrange my life around those classes, and was pretty darn productive. In my life, without a 9-5 job... I have a lot of free time. Which is exactly what I need for my artistic endeavors. Unfortunately... I do not maximize this free time. When I return to the city, I plan on creating a Monday to Sunday schedule. Hour by hour. When I wake up. What I will do. And then, knowing myself as well as I do, I will create a system of rewards and punishments for myself for when I adhere to this new schedule. Yes... it's very reminiscent of those charts kids use that say "brush my teeth" or "make my bed" and then the reward is a gold star. My stakes are a little higher... more like "write a balance blog" or "work on artwork" or "monologue work", etc. My rewards will be more along the lines of "dinner with a friend" or "glass of wine" or "pint of Ben and Jerry's". However... I really do like gold stars.

2) 3o Day Bikram Yoga Challenge.

I've already signed up. This is happening. 30 days of Bikram Yoga. Every day, y'all. Yesterday I ran 3 miles and then went to Bikram Yoga. Today when I woke up... the hardest part of Bikram was getting my butt out of my door. But now that I'm home, I'm so glad that I did. I guess what I'm saying is... some days you feel like you can climb mountains. And others you feel like a mountain is sitting on top of you. Maintaining my running 3-4 miles at least 3 days a week is what's really going to be the challenge. I like Bikram so much more than I like running, but I have to maintain what I've worked up to in my running.

3) Project Get an Agent

I signed up for a monologue challenge with the theatre company I'm currently in. It's August 26. There are 5 guest judges who are all agents with different agencies. I will force one of them to fall in love with me, sign me, and then get me auditions. Maybe all 5. We'll see. There are 45 contestants total... but only one of ME! Also, in October I'll be doing a showcase for several agents that I will be targeting... so... come on. If I don't sign with someone... maybe I'm in the wrong biz?

So... I have a lot of stuff going on that requires a heck of a lot of self motivation. Hard work. Perseverance. And less socializing. ...I LOVE socializing.

Balance.

However, for the next week I will be hanging with some of my dearest friends in Louisiana. Three days in New Orleans with my best friend who's getting married next May, and three days in Baton Rouge. Bring on the humidity.

Oh, and just to keep you intrigued... Future planned blogs entail video blogs of me cooking delicious gluten and dairy free vegetarian fare, Dating and the City, and Deep Thoughts With Brittany.

I know. Sounds completely and utterly AMAZING.

Thanks for dropping by. See ya in a week!

Prologue

2011-08-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

I just got home from my fourth day of Bikram Yoga. I am drenched from the bone to the tips of my hair. I feel exhausted, energized, like crying, like laughing, and mostly like my quest for balance is well on its way.

I had another blog in which I moaned about my life and how horrible it was. It was not a happy place. I was not in a happy place. Then, in an attempt to move from that miserable place, I turned to every single vice imaginable to find happiness. (Well... maybe not EVERY single vice.) You know what? Those things don't make you happy. They may give you a euphoric illusion of happy... but mostly, when the euphoria fades... you're alone and crying and feel like poop.

Now I've made an almost complete 180 degree turn. (Is it 180 or 360 when you are the opposite? 360 would put you back in the same place... right?) I'm exercising, eating right, and trying to get my life in order.

Problem is, I GOTTA have some vices... otherwise I'm a boring, boring person. So. Here I am. On a quest. Much like Frodo and his ring. Or Harry and his Horcurxes. Or Tom Builder and his cathedral. My quest may not be anything so grand, but it is for me. A quest for balance.

Please join me in my quest. I want to share it. My trials. My successes. My recipes. And I want to hear from you, too. Because otherwise... I'm just Frodo without his Samwise. Or Harry without Ron and Hermione. Or Tom Builder without... um... Prior Philip?