the flight

as sure as the day is long, time flies with an efficiency that can only be described as avian. it moves both silently and effortlessly through space, propelling us forward into more a mature and perhaps critical state of mind. we become more aware of consequence and seemingly imminent failure. as red wine will stain the pages of a book we must embrace the new imperfections on the each page and make adjustments accordingly.

the importance of art is becoming clear to me once again. for i had momentarily lost it. lost sight of its purpose and meaning and the sheer amount of sway it can have on individuals, communities, and the world. i am back in the theatre again amongst strangers with whom i know nothing and yet almost everything about. the next three weeks will be devoted to self growth and discovery. prior engagements will stand, however it will be about me. i see great things in the future. i can reach them. touch them. feel them. yet i have not yet figured out how to grasp on.

i feel a shift. change. adjustment. i've matured. i must remember the youthful naivety to bring fresh ideas to the table and use practical experience to breathe life into them.

it is time to create.

a lot to think about

i found out yesterday that one of my coworkers has an extremely rare form of cancer. currently it's in remission, however there is a 100% certainty that it will return. it has in every case that has been recorded. in the same spot. could be a year. could be ten. and then a small piece of the cancer will break off and travel through her blood stream and the cancer will spread to her lungs. inevitable.

the question is, how do you move forward with that news? what gives you the motivation to continue? where do you spend your time?

now is the time to be proactive. now is the time to create. you never know what life is going to throw at you. so get moving.

it shall be called...

the Gallery Theatre & Co.

i am currently taking a course on entrepreneurship of nonprofits. lo' and behold. ready made course project. brace yourselves, y'all, in 7 short weeks i will have a full fledged business plan for this bad boy.

turning point

i am in two courses this quarter. one of the courses is non-profit entrepreneurship. we will be crafting a business plan for a "new ventrue non-profit" over the next ten weeks. we will also be analyzing an established non-profit's business/management model (i will be looking at the minnesota opera) to compare and contrast to our own. i expect great things over the next ten weeks.

just stalling

i do not have a name picked out for this company yet. nor have i really been working on this with any sort of do-diligence. i missed a post about a week and a half ago. i did have a wonderful fantasy this week that i was discovered by a crazy rich donor. i have come to the conclusion that money is going to be the easy way out of this!

i have two textbooks that i would like to work my way through before i start my next courses in april. i'm hoping it gives me a little insight and a leg up. hopefully i will enjoy these courses more and will help me gain insight on how to run this thing.

i really need to make this magic happen.

questions and answers

this week i'm going to be speaking a the founder and director of the Rochester Aria Group. i hope to gain a little insight from someone in the business who has had success on a local level.

well, looky here!

i'm meant to be in the arts. even the color career counselor thinks so:

You're a CREATOR

Keywords

Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

emotionally exhausted

i will not lie. i had scheduled to post this LAST monday and just never did it.

i spent 7 days cruising the caribbean with the family and the folks at carnival cruises and was able to read part of moss hart's autobiography and another book about successfully building theatre companies during that time. each book was inspiring and frightening at the same time. i just have to remember to not doubt myself. failure is an ugly word that i refuse to associate with.

in talking with many people over these last few weeks, the need for a name of this production company has been moved to the top of my list. i would like to have something picked out by the last day of february.

i had the fortune of meeting the musical director for the broadway across america production of dreamgirls. i got to spend a few days with him, hearing about his fab nyc lifestyle/connections and listening to projects and music he's been working on. i also got to see dreamgirls which i enjoyed much more than i thought i would. congrats to sam and the cast!

i've started my class for winter quarter. a masters in mgmt for non-profit agencies is a short 21 months away (which is also when i am planning on opening these shenanigans. (that's september of 2011 for those of you who do not enjoy math.))

i am debating whether or not to audition for the chorus of minnesota opera again in may. mending a few old connections might not be a bad idea right now.

2010 is about 1/24 of the way done and i already have more on my plate than i know what to do with. alas, better than to sit and have nothing to do at all.

inspirational

i was packing up my desk for a move at work today and came across a bunch of fortunes that i've recieved over the past year. i'd like to share some of them:

AQUARIUS: be simultaneously well-grounded and energetic. Keep your feet on the ground as you attempt to reach a new personal best. Find ways to derive excitement from repetitive tasks.

-you will soon embark on a business venture.

-now is a lucky time for you - take a chance.

-your talents will bring you the highest status and prestige.

-you will always possess a charm and sense of humor that attracts others.

-courage is the mastery of fear - not the absence of fear.

-aim high, time flies.

-you will overcome difficult times.

-your talents will be recognized and suitably rewarded.

-there are many unexpected & thrilling surprises in store for you!

-YOUR CHOICES WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

it's oddly inspiring to read these little tidbits. i'm ready to conquer the world. after a little vacation...

reflection

the holidays are in full swing and looking back, i believe that i started this blog last march. i have not come far. it's silly to me that this is so difficult. this year has presented a difficult plethora of deviation from the status quo, but the one thing that has remained constant is my love of art. it can still stir emotion, create elation or placate me in a matter of moments. i believe in the end this love will guide me on my life journey.

i went to a dear friend/colleague's "preview" doctoral recital last weekend. it was exciting and sad at the same time to hear her sing. she has come a long way in four years. i feel like i've lost my edge. i also ran into my old opera theatre director. it has always easy for me to slough off the suggestions of my family (ie grandma and mom, aunts. etc.) that i should get back into singing, but when someone that really knows what they're talking about tells you, "you shouldn't let that die," you think, "crap. what have i been doing with my life?"

perhaps it would be easier to get back into it if i could focus solely on singing and not have to deal with a mind-numbing eight hour work day every day. sadly, that eight hours a day is a means to a living (or at least food and booze).

i took a class over the summer that dealt with "the Power of Purpose." one thing that i did take away from it is that the fear, or even a slight apprehension, of failure is no reason to not try something, because there is no guarantee of success. ever. it is all what you take away from it in the end.

i've identified two legitimate elements that should help focus this process.

one. learning how to obtain financial backers.

two. making time in my schedule where i can be fully vested in this project.

i am being proactive in both of these areas. i will be taking a few classes over the next few months that deal with donors, volunteers and financial management for non-profits. i have also been trying to schmooze with some people that i see great potential in. build friendships. create excitement in the idea of furthering art. i have also set random reminders on my calendar to check up on my progress. each time a reminder goes off, i'll post something. this way we'll both know if i'm being a lazy ass or not.

on that note. it's time for a food coma. merry christmas to all. even if you don't celebrate, you can still enjoy a day off in honor of it.