Undesireable #1

I recently read that the Masters Degree is the new Bachelors Degree, that anything less won't make the cut. A lovely little factoid, isn't it? Something to mull over while you can't sleep after the stress and anxiety has kicked in.

I am a girl that has always sworn by my New York driver's license, that I will never leave the city, that I couldn't live outside of the five boroughs. And yet I have found that I am now in a desperate need for a change of pace. I need a break. If I could, I would just pack my bags and move back to Europe - live for a while in a completely different place, get my feet wet again.

I have never seriously considered doing something other than writing since I started college. Not ever. Not in a million years. And now that I am out of school, now that I am ready to put my degree to work, the only thing that I can think to do is anything but. I am now kicking myself for not being practical, for not getting that degree in International Affairs or Politics. Maybe then I'd have a job doing something that matters. Maybe then I would be making a difference. Maybe then I would be changing someone's life.

Maybe I'm just losing it.

E

I Hate Vacations

No, I do. I really, truly do. They tease you with their fancy hotels and expensive champagne, and then - BAM! One week later you are sitting on a cross-country red-eye filled with annoying kids and reruns of Lock Up Raw. You've guessed it! I've just come home from an amazing (all expenses paid!!) trip to California, only to be stabbed by the cold knife of reality.

Now that I am back in New York, I am only reminded of the stressors that I have to face: the heat wave, contest deadlines, bills, and my never-ending job search. Meanwhile, I am doing all of this with jet lag. Gone, are my blissful memories of walking along the cost of Sausalito and sipping champagne cocktails at The Fairmont; all that remains are my unpacked bags and the awkward tan lines on my chest.

The oddity of it all comes from the fact that - despite working on a deadline - I was never stressed on my trip, not once. I never thought about the jobs I should be applying for or the draft of the script that I need to edit. I only focused on myself. And it was amazing. Is there a way to take that type of peace with you when you leave? Because I sure as hell want to.


E

Leaving on a Jet Plane

A Writer-Friend of mine recently pointed out the fact that I never stay in one place for very long, that I am always traveling and moving, changing things up and looking for a new start. However, the reality of this didn't really set in with me until today.

Being unemployed has given me the gift of travel. In a way, I am living the New Yorker's dream: I spend my waking days in the city and my weekends on various trips out to the "country" - as one friend put it. I have been back in Brooklyn for three hours after going down to Virginia to surprise my dad for Father's Day and am already re-packing my bags for a woodsy camping adventure at Hollywood Club up in the Adirondacks. Three weeks after that, I am jetting off to San Francisco and Napa for a week, then heading back to Virginia with some friends, and then possibly spending a few days in the Poconos.

But is all of this for the best?

I am, without a doubt, having a blast on all of my trips, whether it's going to the races or to a party in Rhode Island, but I am then - in turn - spending a considerable amount of time away from the work place. I am writing less, applying for jobs less, looking for apartments less. Is a balance of all of this possible, the reality and the play?

-E

The Job Crunch

So, to keep my sanity levels in check, I have decided that I must live under the assumption that I am the norm for young writers. And by norm, I mean unemployed.

Is there some sort of twisty trick to making this unfortunate reality go away? Just disappear? Because currently I am sitting in an apartment that I can barely afford trying to figure out a way to make my job application - out of all of the thousands that these companies are getting - seem worth while. I am one VERY small fish in one VERY large pond.

And by fish I mean amoeba. And by pond I mean ocean.

On one hand, this lets me live a great New York life. I go out of town almost every weekend and I have plenty of time to write for my self. I get to set my own schedule and act as my own boss. And - for the first time - I can get a tan AND work at the same time.

But there comes a point when none of this pays, when my ConEd bill comes and I have to figure out how to dish out the extra cash to support my AC habit. What then?

-E

Is This Real Life?

I am unemployed. I am broke. I am an artist. Today, it all feels official.

For the first time in my life I have the time to write what I want, whenever I want. No master, no authority figure. On one side, it is liberating; the only rules and bounds that I face are those that I have set for myself. The other side of the coin, however, comes with a world of uncertainty and fear.

Writing is great, but paying my rent is even greater.

A travel journal, originally, this place has seen all sides of my opinions and view points - from my thoughts on Glee to Pat Robertson - so now, it is time for another shift. This will be my outlet, a portal into the life of a nobody Brooklyn writer trying to become a somebody.

For some preliminary information about my writing side, I am a film, theatre, and television writer with an odd love of pretentious literary fiction (I do hold a BFA after all, so it comes with the territory). I am terribly opinionated. I like what I like, and when I really hate something I always have a reason. Hate then, is separate from appreciation. I can appreciate a piece and yet truly hate the way it is written (cough, Virginia Woolf, Gertude Stein, cough), and I think that this is a necessary awareness for all writers. Appreciation of voice. Because, answer me this: what is a writer without their voice?

-E

[yes, I am aware I used "their" for "his or her" - I hate that gender neutral thing.]

Big Apple or Golden Coast?

Lately it seems to feel like time is spinning on this rotating dial, constantly reminding me that my childhood is quickly dwindling into a thing of the past. I've just had my last midterm critique of my art school education and the calendar keeps reminding me that commencement is just around the corner. But what comes next? What is the logical course of action?

I have come to call New York my home, I've even vowed that I will never leave, and yet the more I look for jobs the more I am led towards LA. Is the move worth it? After applying to eight - yes eight - jobs at various production companies in Burbank and Santa Monica, the idea slowly began to grow on me. I began furiously checking Craig's List and the LA Times for real estate quotes and I did the math on how much gas would cost; I could rent a house for what I pay per month ... in Brooklyn.

It went without saying that the cost of living was lower out in La-La Land, but at what price? What about my life back home, where does it all go?

I then couldn't help but wonder, is the industry really only one sided? Is one side of the coin better than the other?

Home for the Holidays

Can you have culture shock in your own home town? I've been back in Virginia for 3 days and I am already baffled, startled, and confused by some of the things that I have seen and heard. Does my disagreement make me a "city slicker" or a snob? I don't think so, but I can't help but wonder if other people do.

I don't care what your politics are; I do care when you are racist and intolerant.

-E

The TED Is Coming to Pratt!

One of my favorite addictions (that I will opening admit to) is coming to Pratt this year! That's right, world -- the TED!

Who, pray tell, are they inviting, you might ask? Well, I'll just tell you ...

• Hosts
• Scott Heiferman
• Chris Kazi Rolle
• Speakers
• Dr. Haresh Lalvani
• Barbara Bush
• Nelson George
• Swoon
• Ben Bronfman
• Daniel Iglesia
• Dr. Prabhjot Singh
• Karl Chu
• DJ Spooky
• Nate Ball
• Ami Dar
• Tracie Morris -- (my old studio professor!)
• Sam Cochran
• Dr. Mitchell Joachim
• Fabien Cousteau
• William Katavolos

This is epid. That's right. EPID. I can't wait.

-E

8.4 Million New Yorkers Suddenly Realize New York City A Horrible Place To Live

As a masochistic New Yorker, I undoubtably love this city - despite my over-inflated Brooklyn rent and landlord who shuts off my water for a full day with out notice. But this is just beautiful ... and some days, true.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/84-million-new-yorkers-suddenly-realize-new-york-c,18003/

8.4 Million New Yorkers Suddenly Realize New York City A Horrible Place To Live

'We're Getting The Hell Out Of This Sewer,' Entire Populace Reports

-E

Baby Got Back!

After a month of internet silence ... I'M BACK! So much has happened, and I'm just that awesome that I'm going to list it all for you to out there on the internet to read. Because I know you're there. Somewhere, you are.

July 4th
Oh the lovely day of Independence! I kept up my tradition of heading to the West Side and hanging out in Hudson River Park. Must say, the fireworks this year completely trumped last years. By a long shot. But then again, having the majority of the fireworks actually be red, white, and blue does tend to actually help. Just a thought.

The World Cup
Spain won and I wanted to punch someone in the throat. This is not an exaggeration. I was going through security at JFK when time was up, and all I heard was this loud rumble of cheer from down below.

Las Vegas
In turn with the above, I was at JFK because I traveled to the fabulous city of sin for my friend Todd's 21st birthday. We sent the week gambling and living in luxury. That is all I'll say, because, well ... it was Vegas. I'm not even going to bother reciting the expected.

Rhode Island
I took another road trip to the lovely New England state of Rhode Island with my friends Abby, Cayla, Lauren, and Elizabeth. After a total of 14 hours in the car, we kayaked, lounged on the beach, swam in a river, drove through Providence, and ended up in good 'old Beantown. All in all it was an amazing weekend, complete with a souvenir sunburn :)

Internship
I got one! Simple enough! I applied to work for MTV Networks a few months back, scored 2 interviews, and was then offered a position with Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. Development and Production team! Literally, the only negative is that my office is in the heart of Time Square, aka Dante's 8th ring of hell. BUT, there is redemption! The studio is amazing AND there is a Starbucks right across the road!

Good Craic
And last, but never least, I spent some amazing quality time with some of my friends from Ireland! We went to this pub down on 1st and 1st called One and One, had a couple of pints, and mused over the dream that was our Irish experience. Conclusion? We all want to go back right now. And see Michael West's play at the Abbey Theatre!

Now, I promise I'll be around more to give my little quips and opinions on random miscellany. Just you wait!

-E

Oh hey, New York STATE.

So I have to go get one of these puppies this week because the state of New York hates me and wants me to give up my Virginia rights. Ok, so I ignored jury duty ... I didn't mean to! So now I have to go in and get yet another license photo and go through all of those fun shinanigans.

Here's to hoping I won't look like the crypt keeper this time ...

-E