With so much going on in this part of the world, this little journal feels like it’s been neglected lately. That’s my fault – I’ve let myself fall out of the habit of updating it because of my recent schedule. I’m aiming for a nice break coming up in about 3 weeks, and I can’t wait!

I’m not complaining – my schedule is of my own doing, and I’m grateful for the work and opportunities I’ve been afforded.

But on the flipside of that, I’ve learned a good lesson the last 6 months: “If you’re pretty sure you should say no… say no!” I made a schedule a year ago that I knew was going to make January thru June really tough this year, partly because we needed the money, and partly because there were several good opportunites to do worthwhile projects with worthwhile people. So although I’m right now feeling a little tired and wrung out, it’s a good kind of tired: a lot of work has been done, some great collaborations built lasting relationships and friendships that I’m lucky to have, grateful to have. And it’s been a great time of learning, as well; theatre lessons, life lessons, old lessons that I’d learned long ago and forgotten, and some brand new ones!

“Practice rather than preach. Make of your life an affirmation, defined by your ideals, not the negation of others. Dare to the level of your capability then go beyond to a higher level.”
Alexander Haig

So, a couple more projects to bring to completiion and, then, a short summer break. I’m looking forward to the break – a lot of quality family time! I’m also, though, looking forward to what will come after the break – a series of very exciting new projects and a schedule that I’m a lot happier with because it allows me the time to really dig into the projects. Also, it allows me more time to focus on the families I want to be with: my family at home, and my families at my job. Less running from place to place to place, which is how I’ve felt the last 6 months, and more focus on the handful of things that are the most important to me. That’s what I’m the most excited about in the upcoming year; the people I’ll be spending it with, and the time I’ll be able to spend with them working on what we’ve chosen to work on… whether it’s bringing a great script to life, or a ferocious game of Uno over a bowl of popcorn!

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”
Albert Schweitzer