kerryingon

She: “I think it’s a really great idea actually. Let’s write a treatment.”

Me: “Okay! Great!” (pause pause pause) “Uh.. what’s a treatment?”

You’re in New York City.

They will be prettier than you,

smarter than you,

faster than you,

ahead of you,

bolder than you,

better dressed than you,

more cutthroat than you,

pushier than you,

and a million other things that you will see every day.

They came from small towns just like yours

with big dreams - just like yours.

They, too, were the school president,

the cheerleader,

one of the popular girls.

They’ll be in line at that audition,

in the same subway car,

at the same bar.

They’ll have a better resume,

a better boyfriend,

a better apartment,

a better social life

and a better wardrobe.

They’ll stroll down the streets

(they wear heels every day)

with smiles on their faces,

something shiny on their body

and arms linked through another’s.

In that moment you will wonder if they’re more alive than you

(they aren’t)

or if you’re missing something they have

(you aren’t).

You will wonder if maybe it’s time to go have a life

where you don’t see dead rats every day

or can purchase a box of cereal for less than six dollars.

You’re in New York City.

Everybody here came from being the best somewhere else.

They’ve got all of these things on you

but you’ve got

you.

And try as they might, they can’t buy it in a store

or drink it from a glass 

or laugh it into existence.

They can’t offer what you can because you are the absolute best at being you.

It really is that simple.

If you wear the same dress,

pin your hair the same way,

do what you’re told

and sing a perfect 16 bars.

They will never even see you.

Rock your converse,

sing whatever you feel like

and don’t complain about having to wait all day

just to hear “thank you”.

After all, this is what you came here for, right?

You. Not them, just you.

Yes, it’s true, internets. ROUND TWO IS HAPPENING.

You followed along for every awesome week of 2011 - all 52 of them had awesomeness to rock the fuck out to - and now we shall dance in the glory that is 2012.

Week 1 was Jan 1-Jan 7:

• After a swift kick in the pants from my momma, I went full throttle back into my career and have seen the glory that is the universe responding to your hard work & choices.
• First voice lesson (in, oh, I don’t know, a year?) with my brand new kick ass teacher.
• First time I’ve felt pure JOY while singing in…YEARS. (see: above)
• I signed up for multiple ECC auditions and went to my first one back on my game.
• Attended a great, free workshop on the whole “move to LA/stay in NYC” debate. Yes, these workshops exist.
• Contacted for three awesome auditions - two at literally the exact same time (while the phone rang, an email popped up). The words Lincoln Center were involved.
• Changed up the furniture in my room, updated my shower curtain, cleaned the whole apartment, feng shui-ed the place .. fresh takes on a new year :)
• Finally saw WAR HORSE (at Lincoln Center, not at the movies). Sobbed, covered my eyes, verbally responded out loud, made friends with my seat neighbors, etc. Testimony to the beauty that is this show: Nick Jonas was there and everyone ignored him. Everyone.
• Farewell dinner for my bestie leaving town to go on tour (again) and a farewell party for another darling friend leaving to go on tour (again).
• Playdates with pals I never get to see and pals I get to see a lot. You are loved, dear ones.
• HENRY RETURNED TO NYC after a few months of keeping his grandma company in NJ. Let us rejoice! I love that bear so much.

Why do this? Why track the awesome? WHY NOT?! Every day comes with new adventures and incredible joy. Instead of focusing on the frustrations, annoyances and blahblahblah of the day - focus on the GREAT. Kerry On, friends. Go forth and live awesomely! xx

The Joy of Quiet in today’s NYTimes.

Favorite part: “I just take walks and read and lose myself in the stillness, recalling that it’s only by stepping briefly away from my wife and bosses and friends that I’ll have anything useful to bring to them.”

Favorite irony: reading it on my Mac which was positioned next to my iPad which was just next to my iPhone while some TV show played just to provide me with background noise and a few magazines sat waiting to be read. Tomorrow.. tomorrow, I will meditate.