kerryingon

Jan 8 - Jan 14 really stepped it up for the new year. I’d say that even if it wasn’t only the second week of 2012, pinky swear. Recappalous:

• First ever Lincoln Center audition. Lincoln Center, you guys. My favorite place in all of New York City (tied with my fountain, obvs). The most incredible pieces of art come out of these buildings and I got to wander through the basement, where the dressing rooms are, where the costumes are created, where the rehearsals begin. I got to play with a man pretending to be a horse. Don’t even think that sounds dirty because it was so, so incredible.
• Audition for a new rock musical where I got to embrace my inner teen goth.
• What’s that? I must’ve gotten a new legit agent with all these auditions? NOPE. I’m a motherfucking hustler (stay tuned for next week when I say that out loud to a casting director).
• Apparently I can do a sick French dialect. And apparently I have a sick dialect coach amongst friends (actors, feel free to ask). Also: apparently, when working a dialect, I practice aloud to myself whist wandering in public. (this is awkward.)
• New voiceover class. I am very good at voiceover. Remind me when I forget, yes?
• New acting coach who hugged me at first introduction then rummaged her closet to help find me an oversized sweater from her own items.
• New vocal coach who can look at a song, turn it upside down and then explain in vivid, fantastic, monologue-esque descriptions including hand gestures and so much awesome. Singing is.. FUN. I’m not afraid of auditions anymore.
• Farewell to two of my bests heading back out on tour. Catch Damn Yankees or Mary Poppins if either plays near you!
• Feeling a hand stop me, realizing it belonged to you. Playing dress up in your clothes. Making you burst out laughing when I called you out on what’s been obvious to me for years yet brand new to you.
• Finally getting to see the most beautiful baby bump of all time. Visible joy & love pouring out all over those involved with said bump.
• Momma’s birthday. The adorableness of her telling me she has plans in the city and then fitting me in around that. Momma is the GREATEST.
• These words: “You just changed my life. Again.” / “That’s what I do!” / “Every day.”

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

Last two posts. Ready? Here we go! Week 51 was December 18-24 and any week involving Christmas Eve is obviously awesome. Here’s why else:

• The play ‘Suicide Incorporated’ at Roundabout Theatre Company was just as intense as the title sounds but also, luckily, funny and seriously well done. Some incredible actors and direction.
• Attempting to go to Macy’s during Christmas week is always one of my favorite things. Yes, this is weird.
• Playtime with Miss Nancy at a never-been-to-before coffee shop to add to my list of places to go back to.
• Meeting with an agent who remembered me from months ago. Heck yeah!
• And another agent who provided me with the most fun interview I’ve ever had.
• Speaking of meetings, a second interview occurred this week and gave me a great chance to practice battling through nerves.
• Drive by visit from my mom as she came to town for the night.
• Reunited with a best as she returned from LA and stopped in on her way to Vancouver. (Note to self: in 2012, perhaps you may want to get friends who stay in town? Perhaps.)
• Physical Therapy actually does work. WHO KNEW?!
• The delicious feeling of spending time with someone, saying goodbye, and finding ourselves meeting back up a couple hours later.
• Christmas shopping in it’s entirety on the 23rd of December. In a mall. In NJ.
• Christmas Eve with family and laughing so much that we didn’t notice everyone else had already left the gathering.
• Spending every day with my puppy. is. awesome.

OH MAN ONLY ONE MORE WEEK TO GO! x

Ladies & Gents. Down to the wire. Week 50 was December 11-17 and it. was. awesome. Mainly because I’m alive, healthy, happy and surrounded by love. However, these other things didn’t hurt:

• Best friend’s boyfriend’s birthday on 12/16. One of my favorite people in the whole world’s birthday on 12/17.
• I (super luckily) got to see HAND TO GOD at Ensemble Studio Theatre. An impossible ticket to get came via a last minute text. I got to reunite with a darling woman, run into many an industry folk AND, unbeknownst to me, there was a TALKBACK with the cast! There is nothing in the world like listening to creatives talk about their process <3 <3 <3
• Last minute holiday gathering party/attempt to bake vegan cookies together in my tiny kitchen/turns out I didn’t have anything we actually needed (“ohhh baking soda is not the same as baking powder??”) = hysterics ensued & love splattered everywhere.
• The pleasant reminder that saying yes instead of saying no basically ensures a whole lot more fun, people & laughter in one’s life.
• Auditions are not taken for granted! Every single one delights me so much.
• Catching up with my tour twin in a favorite nyc spot.
• “You just gave me goosebumps” as a response to a favorite how-did-you-meet story.
• Getting locked out & the relief of immediately having somewhere to go.
• Kind words exchanged; 4 am truths shared; grown up moves; best friend emails; bursting into tears in your living room and knowing you’ll still love me anyway.
• SHOPPING like a crazy person.

I can’t believe we’re in our last week of this year! I get so excited for new years. SO MANY NEW AMAZING POSSIBILITIES are on their way to us!! Check back for 51 and of course, 52. You’re seriously beautiful, see you soon! xx

P.S. google the hand to god videos!! do it!

This past week, 11/27-12/3, was the 48th week this year! You guys! 4 weeks til 2012! How are you going to make the end of 2011 amazing? Personally, I have no idea.. but I am certain that it’s going to be an incredible 4 weeks. Let’s discuss why this past week was awesomesauce, shall we? Let’s shall:

• Muppets! I was literally dancing in my seat AND I ate popcorn. These things together make for one super swell movie experience. My company was pretty neat, too.
• Lincoln Center’s Winter’s Eve Festival is like the holiday spirit throwing up all over 59th-66th streets. In other words: I LOVED IT.
• First night of the new MTC show ‘Close Up Space’ which was darn good. Michael Chernus is a masterclass in acting. At the party after it, Rosie Perez (who is also really great in the show) came over to me because she was so excited to spot someone shorter than her. Thus began one of the funniest, most random conversations of my life.
• If Rosie Perez & David Hyde Pierce weren’t enough unexpected encounters, the next morning I ran into Jeremy Jordan (!!!!!!!) & then later, Brooke Shields. It was a(n) weird awesome day, internet.
• I willingly went to a doctor’s appointment.. if you know me in real life, your jaw just dropped. This reminded me of the great lesson from Mister Ronen that just because I used to be afraid/unable/etc before, doesn’t mean I am anymore. “In the past, I used to ________ but now I _________.” LIFECHANGER.
• My amazing roommate (college, but I will refer to her as that for life) finally returned from being away doing shows. She’s so talented that she always works but sadly that means I am almost always missing her. Within 20 mins of being back together, we already planned & executed a successful secret mission.
• An unexpected run-in on the street made my heart dance. Even more than Jeremy Jordan’s did and that is saying something, my friends.
• I picked up my guitar again. I started writing songs again. A lot of them :) :) :)
• The Etsy Holiday Handmade Calvacade in Williamsburg = rooms filled with adorable things to buy + hipsters. SWOON.
• I went to an EPA (Equity Performer Audition). For theatre. Even though I wanted to puke, I still went.
• After taking part in a workshop, I emailed a company to tell them I should work for them. This week, we had a meeting!
• This.
• I sang this song all week.
• This week, I hung out with/talked to two of the boys I dated last year. Thus proving to me that I have excellent taste in humans & that I’m almost completely nothing like the person I used to be. My heart is so happy to catch up with both of them.

This week really did knock my socks off. I was super lucky and got to see so many people that I love in one short stretch of 7 days. Thanks for making my life so much more awesome, friends.

Now: look at week 49 square in the eye & tell it there’s a new sheriff in town. Make it the best 49th week of a year in your life thus far! Go forth, internet! Be awesome! ;) xx

The week of November 20-26th was the 47th week of this year. Is that not a little bananas? We’re getting so close to a brand new year! Here’s what was all sorts of awesome about it:

• Tea party gathering at Alice’s Tea Cup - one of my most favorite places in all of NYC. Not only is there tea (obvs) but there are fairy wings, crowns & feather boas.
• Saw one of the best plays I’ve seen this entire year. If that weren’t enough, one of my most favorite humans was in it and another one of my most favorite humans came with me to see it.
• Went to a fancy schmancy balloon party the night before Thanksgiving at an apartment that overlooks where the giant balloons are blown up for the parade. Overlooks it! I got to see the Energizer bunny balloon (and many others) from ABOVE. Blew my mind (pun intended). Upon leaving, we spotted Tim Burton getting to see his new balloon. Pretty darn neat.
• I did a few really, really brave things that I honestly never thought I would do. There is a very strange feeling that accompanies these types of things and I imagine it must be rare to experience in life.
• Thanksgiving this year….included VEGAN food!!!!! The greatest success ever!
• Birthday party for two of the little ones in my family & loving all of their faces <3
• Reunited with my beach, my car, my best friend and… my baby puppy man <3 <3 <3

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving with the people you love the most.

Be awesome :) xx

You guys. Internets. Friends. Strangers.

I have fallen off my Most Awesome Week Ever horse.

Fallen off, yes, but now? Getting back on!

The good news here is that somewhere right around week 35 is when I finally began to settle into my life in this beautiful city. I don’t know what happened except I just decided I should accept living here as a gift that lots of people don’t ever get. I challenged myself to start referring to my apartment at home and the house I grew up in as “my mom’s house” or “the NJ house”. I reminded myself of the great lesson I was taught in the fall of 2010 by basically a complete stranger, that home is within. Home is wherever I am, wherever the people that I love are and the inner peace that lives in our souls. And even more shockingly, after recently being on the west coast for awhile, I found myself (hold on to your hats now) actually missing my city.

Who would have ever thought?

The other good news here is that I am definitely not recapping 12 weeks in full detail. I like y’all way too much to do that. But you best believe I’m gonna give you some mega highlights! Shall we? We shall:

• Weeks 35-37 found me back in rehearsals & performing in my first play in NYC since 2008.
• Week 37 also saw the birth of the beautiful Miss Ayla Harper & all of a sudden one of my best friends and her amazing husband became parents.
• I saw many shows including: the amazing production of Newsies at Papermill in NJ, Bring It On at Center Theatre Group in LA, Jersey Boys (finally), Zoe Kazan’s debut play as a writer, We Live Here, the LCT3 show All American and The Book of Mormon (again). I started to actually audition for theatre again & took my first Musical Theatre class in years.
• I met Kristin Chenoweth. Strange but so important.
• I took a really great weekend business intensive and had a breakthrough realization that I want to be on TV. The very week I decided to focus on that, I managed to get myself auditions on Law & Order: SVU and a new Nickelodeon pilot. Without an agent.
• One of my best friends returned from being away on work & we got to watch her television producing debut. Two more got engaged. Two returned to the business with flying colors. My friends are amazing human beings & I’m so proud of them.
• I formed an acting accountability group to keep myself on track & keep myself surrounded with awesome, like-minded folks. I’ve decided to buckle down and get legit reps here & got myself in front of eight agents last week.
• I spoke up & asked for what I wanted several times despite knowing it could really burn me if it didn’t work. However, this technique of bravery seems to totally work.. like personal-emails-from-CEO’s-&-offers-for-meetings-type-of-“work”.
• Traveled to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sausalito & San Diego with one of my best friends to see more of my best friends. And my second best city.
• I blindly emailed a manager I’ve been wanting to meet since I was 11 the night before I left for CA. She emailed me right back & a few days later, we had a great (but intense) meeting. LA does not mess around.
• I made two mega life decisions. They were “woke up one morning & just decided it” kind of things but really, they were a long time coming. And they feel so good.
• Life Coaching rocks, Voice Over rocks. Henry pup extra-rocks. Making every decision with Love rocks.
• & everything else that I am surely not writing about here. Girl’s gotta have some secrets, no?

Don’t get me wrong, dear hearts. There have been various things in the past 12 weeks that were not so fancy, lovely, beautiful & exciting. There were tears, there was struggle & there were lessons to learn - but that’s not what we’re here to focus on, are we? We’re here to see the absolutely incredible joy that is life and splash around in it like puddles of awesome. Truth is, once you start seeing it, it’s impossible to not jump in.

Might keep up, might not. You’ll have to wait & see ;o) Sending you Love & gratefulness always, xx.

Well, it was bound to happen. I’ve officially missed a week BUT this is fantastic because it means TWO most awesome week posts at once! Here’s the recap for week 34 (August 21-27): 

• Roof deck hangout in the sun by a pool. On a roof deck we most certainly were not supposed to be on.
• A beautiful sun-drenched lunch in the middle of Central Park with some of my favorite humans and one of my favorite puppies … and an Earthquake.
• V/O audition where I got to play a rapping baby bird. The audition later that afternoon could not even compare.
• Last minute fleeing of the city to my favorite place.
• Hurricane - made me grateful for a little time away from electricity and for simple pleasures. (a LITTLE time away is the key part of that phrase.)
• Tornado - made me grateful I don’t live at the beach (yet).
• Being checked up on is sort of a fully awesome feeling.
• Scrabble should be played at least once a week.
• First ever life coaching session. (Oh hey, did I mention I’m life coaching?)
• Prioritizing and walking away from things that aren’t aligned with my life goals.
• Running = peace in my mind/heart/body. Can someone please remind me of this the next time I fall off the wagon?
• Actually listening to someone, letting them talk their thoughts out without making it about me or even taking my own wants into consideration. On the surface it felt like a gift for the other person but it was definitely a gift for me.

Refresh this browser in a bit for the recap of the Most Awesome Week Ever. 35. xx

Bad news here is that I feel like I’m quasi-sick. I don’t get sick so this is weird. (Editor’s note: totally figured it out. It’s the freaking storms! I’m the very model of perfect health. Carry Kerry on.) The good news is that it means my weekly recap is actually happening on Sunday! Miracles do happen! How awesome was week 33 (august 14-20)? Let us RECAP:

• Amazing afternoon caught-in-the-rain, life cleansing run (please see: “quasi-sick”).
• Voiceover auditions are absolutely still my favorite. Why yes, I can stand here in this recording studio forever and ever, amen.
• Crazy, Stupid, Love was not at all crazy or stupid. It was just really good. Note to everyone who ever makes a movie: cast Ryan Gosling and then make him shirtless most of the movie. It’s okay if it doesn’t go with the plot. (You. I’m talking to you. You got that? You sure? Good.)
• Took my precious furry, baby boy to the vet. $230 later we left. Note to everyone who is all awww I want a dog: TWO HUNDRED & THIRTY DOLLARS in under an hour. But it fits the bill (get it?!) of awesome because he is no longer itchy.
• Seemingly scary casting director’s entire face lit up followed by the words “oh. you NAILED that!” sure can make a girl’s day.
• First rehearsal for the new musical I’m doing. First time being in a rehearsal since (get ready) January of 2009.
• Inspiring meeting & lots of new web designing skills learned. From accidentally loosing several hours worth of work. SEE? It’s all awesome.
• Poetry through my phone, poetry through my ears, poetry to bridge the gap.
• Big girl conversations/learning how to ask for what you need from the other humans in your life. Learning how to say the difficult things.
• Blonde best friend got a promotion! Redhead best friend got a vacation :)
• Chipotle couch picnic for the win.

This is the first time in months where I can actually wish you an incredible FULL 34th week of the year! Make some impulse decisions, be a little crazier than you normally are, take a chance. If not now, when? Be brave, friends! You are all sorts of awesome :) xx

Hello Friends :) I hope you are having the most awesome of awesomest weeks. Week 32 of this grand year was pretty darn neat (although what week could compete with a Taylor Swift concert, you know?) Let’s recap August 7-13:

• I rearranged my entire apartment by myself. Yes, I feng shui-ed it. Yes, I got trapped by furniture - but only once! Not too shabby for a tiny chick.
• Reunited with my Osteopath. If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you know that there have been times where I can but barely function without her. Going three months proved to me that I can actually survive but I sure don’t like it. Seeing beautiful pictures of her gorgeous daughter? SO WORTH IT.
• Reunited with two of my best girlfriends from college for a long overdue dinner date.
• Reunited with another best girlfriend from college whom I haven’t seen in six months. This is a miracle amount of time. Wandering all of lower Manhattan, walking in circles due to being distracted by the conversation.
• Meals at ‘snice & Agave (thank you for the vegan option, non-vegan restuarant!!!) for the win.
• Priorities making themselves super clear to help me make super clear choices. Sometimes these priorities come from a slight crying jag but hey, still appreciated.
• A Thursday afternoon spent with one of the most positive people currently in my life. Realizing I have a super awesome support team that developed while I wasn’t even paying attention.
• Girlfriends from NJ finally coming in to visit, finally seeing my apartment, finally going out annndd nearly getting in a fight with a bunch of jerks who should not be allowed out in public. But we also gave ourselves rap names so the night was not a total loss.
• I still like cooking. It’s still weird to type/think.

GRATEFUL. See ya next week, bye! :)