Good Times

Participated in another Holiday Bazaar.  The Grout Elementary School.  Did not sell much but met some really nice people.  I love how this organization helps the vendors.  I needed help with someone carrying my table.  So grateful.  Got the help I needed.  Makes a big difference in unloading and loading again. 

Getting some action selling on Etsy and have a few commissions.  It's not much but that's fine for now.   Enjoying the knitting. 

Got my nails done.  They are my REAL nails.  Manicure and polish.  They look GREAT.  I hope I don't break them in the next three weeks.  I haven't had a manicure with my real nails for over, maybe, 20 years.  I have a great nail salon which really makes the difference.  Not having acrylics saves on money too.

Put up my tree.  So far no real problems with my cat ruining the tree experience.  I actually love how I have decorated my tree.  No ornaments.  Something I have always wanted to do.  Just ribbon and bows with white lights.  I am wrapping my presents to match the ribbons and bows on the tree.  

Going to the movies with a friend tomorrow.  Have been going by myself for quit awhile now.  I really enjoy going by myself. 

I am enjoying my time off.  I have been committed to going to the gym.  And I am LOVING it.  I feel so much better.  I am trying really hard to stick with the gym and making it a part of my life that I cannot do without like I use to do when I was in my 20's and 30's. 

Thanksgiving will be with my Mother's side of the family.  Looking forward to it.  My brother has been wanting to involve me a little more on that side of the family.  I rather enjoy my Brother thinking about me.  I don't know how to react to it though.  Take it slow and be aware. 

West Lin HOliday Bazaar 2015

What a delightful experience.  I have grown to really like selling my wares at this event.  I think it is my 4th time. 

Received compliments and made a few sales.  Not my projected goal but nonetheless = I sold 4 items.  Did not have much competition this year.  My knits were a stand out and far as quality goes.  As well as uniqueness. 

It was my first experience = using my Smart Phone while at this event.  I could actually do business and did not have to wait until I got home to use my computer.  I kept FB friends posted as the day went along.  Never done that before.  Now that I have a Instragram account = I posted pictures as the day went along.  Posted when I sold and item and could show what item it was.  It was SO MUCH FUN. 

Love my Smart PHone.  I know there are friends that will tell me "I told you so".  But it is so true ~ I don't know what I would do without  my Oh so Smart Phone.

I only had 3 or 4 hours of sleep so I got a bit sore moving and walking a lot during the day. 

I knit a new Hat.  It is always a good selling point to see me knitting while people shop.  Watching me knit = that is.  And, of course, I posted on FB and Instragram on

my progress while knitting my hat. 

Life Is Moving Right Along

There is no procrastination goin on.  Get up, look at my list, do everything on the list for that day, can celebrate in the evenings knowing that I did everything I was suppose to do to live a relaxed and peaceful existence.

New hair-do.  Gotten so many compliments = going to keep this one for awhile.

Relationship with BillieJean is less stressful.  Still have issues but I have a better understanding with my animal.  For now.  Have to do new rituals.  These rituals have made her happy.  I guess.  I am not a Cat so I think with human reasoning.

Seeing all these wonderful screener's.  I have been collecting a lovely film library.  Still have my free pass until December so I have seen at least 20 films on the big screen.  I will be extremely educated when I get to vote this year.

My Holiday events are coming up.  Looking forward to them.  I have cleaned my inventory and knit new items.  Have not sold one item on Etsy and it is already November.  Not a good sign.  I have had requests for some knits but no one has followed thru as yet.  Let's see what happens when I get to sell in person.  Sure hope I can let go of some inventory and make a small profit this year.

I am still going to pursue looking for a bakery job.  I would like to go back into the food industry.  I would also like to be a part of the baking process = if that is possible.

Have a very complicated reading coming up.  Why would I think it would be easy.  I only seem to attract myself to difficult projects.  Sure hope I can handle it.  The woman who runs the new "Reading Parlor" seems to think I am the right person for this particular role.  Glad she has faith in me.  Since I am not very trusting these days, we will see.

Love my new Hair style.  The best hairstylist I think I have ever had.  Truly.  She does exactly what I imagine or explain.  Her costs are so reasonable and her shop is so cozy and easy to get to.  Dani Myers.

These Pictures Took Over 30 Years To Get

I have been trying to get my Prom Pictures from my High School for years now.  Finally I found a woman who would help me.  I'm so happy.  At some point the school said that I was never a student there.  I graduated from School in Germany and so I did not have the school mail me the correct year books.  I did not know the lay out when they were designing the year books.  Did  not think to ask the school.  I was only a kid and too excited to become an adult to think about things like this.  Or to think that they would even matter in life. 

But as you age these....things.....become very important. 

Post Birthday

A few things have happened since I last wrote.

Opened and Closed a show.  "Our Town". 

It turned out to be glorious.  A big success for Portland Center Stage.  I was very impressed.  A few life altering events happened to and for me during this show.  I have really needed to look within.  Deeply.  These events really hurt my feelings but I think, in the long run, they were all for very special reasons.  I guess I am grateful. 

I have been having a really lovely Birthday Month.  Closing night was a, sort of, private - in my own head Birthday party.  A beautiful Birthday gift from Julio.  One of his magnificent necklaces.  Just what I wanted.  Went to the movies and treated myself to a double scoop of Ice Cream.   Peanut Butter Crunch and Mint Chocolate with a bit of Whipped Cream.  Yummy.  In the dark watching a great movie.  Just like I use to do with my family when I was a kid in San Francisco.  Today I visit my Brother and some of his family for a Birthday celebration.  His first born - Grace.  It's her Birthday today.  I know so many Libra's.  Facebook is loaded with Birthday's in October. 

The leaves are changing but the weather is Summer.  Very strange. 

Getting ready to do Holiday Bazaar's to sell my knits.  Need to start studying for a reading I will be doing. 

Went to church yesterday with Carrie and Gordan and their daughter Laurie.  Had some very important revelations.  Very important.  Loved the newly started choir.  I don't know.  Should I be going to this particular church?  Anyway,  it was a very special day for me personally. 

Thinking about my future.  I feel at peace and looking forward to whatever shape I make of it.  Glad I am not acting at this point.  I place too much on what people think of me.  If I am not an actor I am nothing.  That is what I think.  I have always thought that.  Always.  If I am not an actor what do I have to offer people? 

A Month Has Gone By

Heat Wave. 
The worst Summer I have experienced in Oregon since 1994. 
Had to get a fan.  Could not afford a portable air conditioner. 
I managed to get really creative and find ways to stay cool. 
Went to the mall, saw movies for free with my SAG/AFTRA card, wore cold packs all the time, took cold showers, sprayed myself in front of the fan. 
Did not have much of an appetite.  Probably had a bit of heat stroke. 
Had to plan to do maybe two things a day.  That's it.

Strange fires from California into Oregon.  Dangerous and unsettling.

Stayed to myself most of the time because I was in a bad mood.  Could not breath in my house.  It was like an oven.

Did JAW this year.  It was great.  I did two plays.  "Colchester" and "Miller Mississippi".  I am very proud of my work this year.  I don't normally say such things but I overcame some wonderfully challenging issues.  I never gave up.  I don't anyway but this was something that was a risk and I was up to the challenge even in the middle of a heat wave.  At least the theatre was cool and air conditioned.

Changed my house up a bit.  Redesigned, downsized.  My house feels larger and uncluttered.  So glad I did this.  After "Our Town" my new life starts and I want to be ready for it.  It is a big step and will be for the rest of my life.  That took a lot to type that in right now.   But I am ready.  I am organized and feel confident.
Another big change:  I am getting my very first Smart Phone.  2014 Samsung Galaxy Core Prime.  Had major troubles getting this phone.  Century Link has become a really bad company to work with.  It was a nightmare to unbundle and then the customer service at Verizon was unbelievably bad.  Really bad.  On the FIFTH day of hell I walked out of the Verizon store.  Went home.  Cooled down and then went on line.  Then called Verizon and spoke to this customer service guy.  Within the hour I had my phone.  NO PROBLEMS, everything was explained beautifully.  Wasn't put on hold for over 3 hours.   Wasn't given the run around.  Will be getting the phone  by fed ex.  I will battery up and then be learning how to maneuver in and out of my smart phone.

My Brother has moved to Oregon.  We are going to meet with our Uncle Earl to discuss Mother.  Every day things change with Mother.  I can't keep up with it all.  Her quality of life is what I am concerned with but evidently my Mother is handling the constant pain.

I have been loosing weight.  Slowly.  I am in day 75 of not eating bread or cheese.  It is remarkable how good I feel.  I DON'T MISS THEM AT ALL.  Two of my favorite foods in the world and I don't miss them at all.  Because of this change - I don't eat processed food anymore.  All natural now. Colored and natural.

Pictures of the LAST DAY OF JAW 2015.  Really wonderful plays this year. 

A Warm Sunny Weekend

My lovely Aunt Dorothy's funeral was on Thursday. 
I spent the whole day walking and thinking about her.  I went into a Sear's where she use to work.  Went to the movies where she and my Dad grew up.  Not in San Francisco (where they were born and raised) but here in Clackamas.  Those dark rooms where you can take yourself away into another world just to get thru a day in the life of my Dad and his Sister ~ my Aunt Dorothy. 
They both had such difficult childhoods but grew up with love for each other.   Protective love.  To mask their sadness they both had such great senses of humor.  Truly funny people.  Now they are together making everyone around them laugh in that place we call heaven.

It is Summer here in Oregon.  90 degrees.

Shot a really cool self audition tape for a independent film being shot in July. 
It has become the wave of the future.  Pretty soon we won't need casting directors.  Everybody now is shooting their own auditions more often than you think. 
You still need, somewhat, professional equipment.  You still need another actor to read with you.  You still need the video to look good.  I had people that already knew what they were doing.  I now need to learn how to do it myself.  I don't have a smart phone.  Need to open a YouTube or Vimeo account.  It's not as easy as one might think.  I'm sure someone somewhere is capitalizing on making money = teaching actors how to make your own audition tapes.

As you can see from the photo = we had a great time.  Finding just the right lighting, rehearsing, did several takes, learning how to transfer the video to Vimeo.  My computer is too slow and would have taken 5 hours to upload to Vimeo so they went home and did it all on their, totally advanced, computer. 

Tonight is the TONY'S.  I will be watching a few friends in some of the numbers.  I'm hoping they didn't snub too many of the shows.  I guess in any award show that happens.  You would think I would know better after all of my years in the business. 

Memorial Day

Turned out to be a really lovely day.  The sun was shining and I was lucky enough to be amongst great company.
Hula Hooping, Badminton, Hearty conversation, Fun food, Kid Playing, Balloon making, Chalking on cement stairs, Getting to see my friends fabulous new home and feeling at peace.
I don't get out enough and this was just perfect.
I'm just not good like I use to be at socializing.  I seem to get overwhelmed easily with crowds now.  That never use to happen......or maybe it did and just now I am recognizing and acknowledging it.   Maybe I am really more introverted and just never accepted it.
I have been having a happy and easy time off.  All my efforts with chores and events seem to flow with ease and grace.  No real problems.  No procrastinating.  Seem to be handling Mothers situation calmly and quietly and enjoying the challenges that come my way.
I had an audition = was called back = booked the job.  Start rehearsals in August.  The show closes on my Birthday.  Nice.
My cat, Camille turned 10 months today.  She was born on July 30, 2014.  She is a spicy cat, full of piss and vinegar.  Sure hope that changes in her 12th month of living.  
Going to try to see a dermatologist about taking that thing out of my left arm.  Nobody notices it but me.  I want to feel more confident when I wear sleeveless shirts and dresses.  Who knows ~  it might cause problems as the years go on.   Certainly don't want that.  Have to do it while I still have Insurance.