My Signet Ring

For my sixth grade graduation, I got a signet ring.

Embarassing? Absolutely. But I guess I don’t regret it.

In sixth grade, I got a signet ring because we were given a choice. For some reason, I did not want a something a normal sixth grade boy would want (e.g. a pair of nice slacks, Yankee tickets). I wanted a gold ring with my initials on it… So after getting fitted for the ring, picking out a design, and a color, I (with great anticipation) received it in June of 2000.

Over the course of the next couple of months, I learned to regret my decision. Even worse was the fact that the ring didn’t fit my pre-pubescent doll hands. Logically, I wore it on my thumb.

This brings me to my point that certain things could mean so much to an individual for brief moments in their life. Being 12 years old at the time, it was difficult to see the bigger picture. But now, it is easier for me to see a decision in the grander scheme of things. These days, I have to be careful with decisions that are bigger than, say, choosing between pappardelle and linguini for my veal parmesan. The lesson I’m learning is that I have to know what I am giving up when deciding whether or not to take a job or go away for the weekend. In other words, trying to heighten my self-awareness.

Sadly, I lost the signet ring on a bike ride the very summer I got it. Maybe, it was God just trying to give me a push in the right direction.

And yes, the pappardelle. Please.

Personal Security

I realized today that my most difficult password for all the accounts everywhere are for this very blog and my ESPN fantasy accounts…

What’s the deal with that?  For some reason, I am not concerned with people invading my facebook, emails, and paypal accounts and stealing all my personal info.  But when it comes to unnecessary blogging and trying to bench all my starters in my free baseball league – you will have to go to “Die Hard With a Vengeance” limits to figure out my passwords (not a very good Bruce Willis movie, the original is way better).

Continuing on my limits conversation from the other day…apparently I enjoy living on the edge when it comes to safeguarding (fancy nerd word) my information.

One site you should visit before unsubscribing me from all my Yankee Candle newsletters is blondebeats.wordpress.com – no password necessary.  It’s a decently awesome chill music website that my sister started.

Limits

In the last 24 hours, I have witnessed (1) a man dig through a train station garbage can for a certain section of the newspaper that he wanted, and (2), have a couple sit right behind me on an empty LIRR train car and promptly start necking for the duration of the trip from Penn Station back to Long Island. This makes me think of what a person’s limits are and how they affect one’s actions.

On a deeper level, when does a person know when something is just unacceptable or disgusting? I mean, I am no prude, I’ll eat food that has fallen on the ground or share someone’s drink. But to risk contracting HIV for the Theater section of the Sunday New York Times? I don’t think so.

The other end of the spectrum brings one to a different question: how far would I go to get something I want/need/desire? These days, I would like to think that nothing is stopping me from doing something. But, as for most of us (WTF makes me an expert? IDK), certain preconceived fears stop me from doing so.

The cheesy line: “nothing is stopping you except yourself.” Cheesy? yes. But true? Another yes. Whoever originally said that had to get over himself, but I guess he’s right because he didn’t stop himself from saying it… [whatt????]

I have to make a deal with myself that nothing will stop me. Push myself to the limit by not saying “No” to something, just because I might be afraid. I believe I am close to achieving this mindset, but reality tells me differently.

Maybe I should start reaching into more trash cans to get want I want…figuratively speaking of course. Limits should be pushed, not accepted.

In the meantime, just stop doing annoying things and let me continue to be somewhat sociopathic.

Odds

Roger Federer won today.  Who the hell would have thought that would be the outcome a year ago?  The way I see it, he pretty much became the player he was years ago to pull through and tie the record for most tennis majors won ever (if I read that article right).

We are living in an incredible generation of sports.  Seeing so many great players play their respective games. E.G. Federer, Djokovic, Woods (?), LeBron, Kobe, Messi, Crosby, Brady, Pujols.  Just to name only a few!  It is obvious to many, but just to be able to comprehend it and put it into words makes me think…  Does every generation get to ever experience something like this?

Continuing on the Federer point, one can never know when the end of the line is if that person stops trying.  I’m sure Roger could have easily packed up years ago with all the money he’s made through tennis and his endorsements and lived on a private island for the rest of his life with his solid wife and all the mojitos he can drink.  But, the fact is that he didn’t.

Federer continued to fight for what he believed in and he won Wimbledon today.  He beat Djokovic (something I didn’t think would happen) and Murray to win this major.  By playing fiercer and stronger, he overcame odds that were not exactly promising.  The world just has to wait for the next one to see if he still has that incredible drive.

Apartment Search

So, I have recently decided on staying in NYC to pursue acting (as opposed to moving to LA). Ergo, I have to find an apartment. This 2BR apartment represents a full-time transition to city living. As opposed to the temporary sublet I had between March and May, wherever I end up will be for a full year. It is an exciting venture to be able to stay in NYC. Instead of transplanting myself to Los Angeles where I am unfamiliar with nearly everything (except for the knowledge that it doesn’t snow), I will walk the wintery streets of Lexington this January from audition to audition.

The convenience of this decision is undeniable. I will be able to continue taking classes at Upright Citizens Brigade and Strasberg. I will also continue to use my current “connections” to create multi-million penny films. Sometimes, in life, you need change to drive you – but, in this instance, I feel that the stability from consistency will help me move forward. Only time will truly tell though, as LA is postponed for yet another year.

And, oh yeah, if you know of any 2BR apartments available for not too much $ – let me know.