“From Surviving near Disaster to becoming a barfly”
Life is especially good since I survived being mowed down by a motorist a few days ago! I was walking home from my morning expedition to the gym. The stoplight said green. I walked. A woman in a blue compact took her right on red and drove straight towards me. The strange thing was that she was looking right at me. Anyhow, I always wondered what I would do in a situation like that…like when you have those “falling” dreams and always wake-up in time. This time, I froze! She stopped inches away from my recently sculptured body. I looked at her in amazement and she looked back at me through her cracked window and said in her best valley voice : “I’m sorry”! Her tone betraying any real remorse. In fact, she sounded annoyed. Anyhow, not to be morbid but it was my first near death experience and let’s just say that I’m now a bit trepidatious crossing the street.
I went to see the new movie “Hollywoodland.” It’s great. Diane Lane. Now that’s one classy actress I’d like to emulate. She’s simultaneously strong and vulnerable . And her sexuality is so mature. Like the way I imagined Anna Karenina and all those other ethereal ladies of fiction, with whom I spent my lazy hours reading and living vicariously through. I felt for Ben Afflect’s character “George”. Like his Superman, I feel I’ve been a bit pigeon-holed in this town. “Funny quirky character girl”. I can do so much more. I’m a dynamo at drama. Someone take a bet on me. I dare you.
My little studio apartment is such a mess. So messy that my building manager walked in my apartment and told me it looked like I had robbed myself! It’s very challenging living in a studio. I am literally busting-out of my closets. If you go to get a cup of sugar in the kitchen cabinet, you may find a box of headshots instead. And where the headshots should be kept, you may find the toilet paper. But it’s affordable and it’s by the beach.
I’m taking on another play “Savage in Limbo” at the Strasberg Theater in February. Playing a spectacular Barfly! I’ll be doing double time with my one-woman show. The Hooker and the Barfly. Sounds like a good book title. Speaking of, I better get going on writing those chapters. I don’t want that literary agent to think I’m not serious. It’s very hard to focus with so many interests. But I’m grateful I have them. I have a good friend who told me that she’s never discovered her passion in her life. I knew mine early on. Even when it didn’t make sense. That’s not to say I haven’t doubted my choices and their worthiness ten time over.
Rosh Hashanah started last Friday. I’m excited and ready to take stock, take responsibility (the tough part), renew my vows and start fresh…with the highest intentions. Of course. Happy New year to all!
Written by Rachel Bailit