Day 102 - Yay for money and Yay for auditions!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

So today was a work day at Jon Wolter's office.  I've been trying to temp in between all the craziness I have going on otherwise. I actually LIKE going into work at Jon Wolter's office.  We often barely deal with each other, but everyone is really nice and truly respectful.  It's a good environment to hang out in.  Plus, I think they like me.  I'm certainly their first "go to" person.  That always feels good!

While at work, I got a call from my agent to come in for a voice over audition.  I cleared it with work and off I went for an audition!

I LOVE THIS BUSINESS.  Seriously, it's fantastic getting called in for stuff.  I love the agency.  I'm eager to book something so they decide to keep me on!  I love that I can just jump at a moment's notice into the office, spend 5 minutes there going over the copy, go in and record, and be out of there! It's great!

On the way back, the CTA buses were running sloooowwww!  I finally got back and finished the day up. It was a good day all-around.

No workout today, but I'm thinking I might be getting slightly bored with my routine...may need to switch it up soon!

Calories Consumed: 960

Workout: NONE

Day 66 - Run-down and Voiceover Promotion

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

So today I felt like crap.  I felt run-down and just ick.  I tried to get motivated to get up and get going and I just didn't have it in me.

Guess I am taking today as a recovery day.  I hate when my body tells me when it needs stuff.  I mean, I'm glad it does, but I wish it and my mind would be on the same schedule.

Anyhow, it wasn't too much of an issue since I had a real goal in mind: Send out round 1 of my voiceover promotion postcards.

It's such a crazy/different type of promoting.  The marketing on this side of the business is nothing like the other side.

I know once I get into it and get my groove it will get easier.  It just feels like craziness while I'm trying to get it done the first time.  The learning curve is HUGE.  I just have to accept that I don't "get" it yet and know the next time or the next next time will come easier.

I did complete it, though, so I know that it was important to get on that train and see it through this week.

Now.  Most importantly, I need to realize that it is just as important for me to schedule time to work on THIS as it is to work on my business with my sister-in-law, Carrie, as it is to schedule time to meet with my  mom to plan/work on the wedding.  Whew!  I am surprised there are enough hours in the day/in the week to get everything done!!

That's always been my issue.  I never feel like I'm getting enough done.

I look at my apartment and sigh dreadfully that there is SO MUCH I could do to make it more habitable and feel less cluttered and organized and BLECH.  I feel overwhelmed by everything we have to do every single day/week: Dishes, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, laundry, cleaning the mammal's cages, dusting, changing the sheets, grocery shopping, etc, etc, etc.  It all becomes WAY too much after a while.  When does one get to take a break?  And will I ever get a break where I feel like I'm done?  Where everything really is in its place?

I might have to start triaging my life like I triaged my career.  I decided to focus on film and voiceover for the moment.  I'm not auditioning for live theatre, (although I've recently been handed two separate opportunities that I'm, of course, not turning down), and I'm really making sure my focus has my attention.  I think I need to do that in my apartment.  I need to tackle one project at a time and just realize that it's got to be completed before I'm allowed to tackle the next one.

For example:  My photos.  Oy vey!  I have so many and I want to scan them so I don't risk ever losing them.  BUT, I also have to go through them.  I have two boxes (bigger than shoe boxes) FULL of photos as well as many photo albums.  This project will take quite a while to get through.

Then there are the cross-stitching projects I've started and never completed.  They live in my closet and I miss working on them.  I love to cross-stitch.
Same thing with knitting.  I have a 1/2 completed  project I'm trying to finish for my best friend.  UGH.

Ok. I guess I need to write a real list of all the projects I plan/need to complete in order to really get a clue as to which to tackle and when.

This could take years. :)  Sigh.  But if I really give myself a goal to work on these things, maybe I can actually get them done.  I'd be happy giving myself an hour a week as long as I'm DOING something. Even if they take a long time, it's better than not working on them at all.  At least I can say I'm making SOME progress, right?

First up:  My best friend's gift. I was hoping to complete it by her birthday which was in January. If I can complete that by MY birthday (it's the taint of March...March 16th. --- taint the Ides, taint St. Patrick's Day--) then I can send her a holiday/birthday gift on my birthday and that would be sort of like getting it on-time. ;)

Ok.  Going to bed and going to wake up strong.

Today's Goal: Postcards. No excuses. = SUCCESS!

Tomorrow's Goal: Get back to the routine

Calories Consumed: 913

Workout - NONE

Day 63 - Grey's Anatomy and Proud of me

Sunday, January 24, 2010

So today I dove back into the workout with a vengeance.

Normally, when Jon is home and I'm working out, we throw West Wing on.  I love having TV shows on DVD because they are the perfect time to do a cardio workout!  42ish minutes.

Today, though, Jon was sleeping a bit late (he's allowed), so I decided to pop in my newest TV show, Grey's Anatomy.

Ok.  I resisted watching this show.  FULLY resisted.  It sounded kinda dumb, no offense.  But, honestly, I've truly fallen for it.  It's funny and fun and it gets me through my cardio.
*I'm only on episode 4 season 1 so please, no spoilers! ;)

Other than that, Jon and I went to go see my friend and former teacher, Scott's, show at Act One.  He directed a one-act by Horton Foote called Laura Dennis.  It was performed by the first year students (it's a 2 year conservatory).  They are half-way through their first year.  I thought they did a very nice job, considering.  There is some real talent there.  Others have some work to do, but they are really on the right track.  It's lovely to see that. :)

Food shopping and dinner rounded out the night.  We were tired but not sleepy.

I am still feeling a bit stressed and sad about my communication problems with Lisa.  I hope we get a chance to see each other and resolve this.  She's one of my best friends and one of my maids of honor for my wedding.  It would be a shame if this causes us any more grief.  However, I realize I am seeing things differently than I used to.  I'm happy about my life changes, but I do realize that often it's weird for people who have known me for a while, (especially through the really bad times) to see a change in me.  I mean, I am not only changing from the outside, I'm changing on the inside.  Cheesy-sounding, I know, but I'm really happy with who I'm becoming.  And I'm really proud.

When I was at Act One, I realized how frustrated I was all the time.  I was sad and angry and anxious.  I was never content with myself.  I thought the world was against me and I had limited time to reach my goals or I would be a failure.  I saw myself as the one with the most experience and the oldest and it scared me how shameful I felt being back in school.  I thought there was something wrong with me.

I don't feel that way anymore.  I made some big decisions upon leaving school and it's never too late to change your life, I feel.  So, here I am.  I'm changing it.  And I feel great about my choices.  It's always a journey and a process.

Today's Goal: Back on the workout track!

Tomorrow's Goal: be careful eating at Mom's for dinner

Calories Consumed: 1090

Workout:
       Cardio:
           42 minutes
          (1 - 10 minute sprint; 5- 1 minute skaters)
           8 minutes cool-down/stretch

      Strength Training:
           30 push-ups
           50 back rows (15 lbs each hand)
           50 biceps curls (12 lbs each hand)
           50 triceps curls (12 lbs each hand)
           50 chest flies (12 lbs each hand)
           50 shoulder press (12 lbs each hand)

Day 53 - Migraines and Madness

Thursday, January 14, 2010

So today was ick ick ick.  Suffice it to say, I had a migraine.  I still feel awful and I just want to sleep forever!

Short post today.  I did, however, get in some workout.  Trust me, I'm even surprised.  Jon and I got no domestic stuff done, though.  And that's unfortunate.  We have cages and laundry to do. :(  But I was happy just to get rid of the migraine and get in some workout.

I have a not-so-good feeling about this weigh-in tomorrow.  What with my small workouts and extra recovery and caloric overload and cramps this week, I'll be happy with a small gain.  Ugh.

I hate bad weeks.  They feel like they undermine all the work!  Even though I technically DID work out.  More than many!  It's just frustrating.

So, there it is.  Tomorrow may be an ick day just because of the scale. And because of my need to sleep during the day! This weekend proves to be a very busy one with filming.  I will definitely try to get the blog posts up in a timely manner.  But if I'm late-ish I will catch up.

Today's Goal: Do my cardio before Jon gets home from work = FAIL (but I did get my cardio in so that's good...)

Tomorrow's Goal: Get enough sleep and enough water.

Calories Consumed: 1011

Workout:
       Cardio:
             3 minutes warm-up
             30 minutes jog/run
            (6 - 1 minute sprints-skaters)
             5 minutes cool-down

       Strength Training
            50 back rows (15 lbs each hand)
            50 biceps curls (12 lbs each hand)
            50 triceps curls  (12 lbs each hand)
            50 chest flies  (12 lbs each hand)
            50 shoulder press  (12 lbs each hand)

Day 44 - Inspiration and Perspiration

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

So today was awesome!  Work was "meh" but after work was awesome!

First, I got 60 oz of water in before 5pm today!  AND I had filled up the water bottle again to have for my work out!  I knew I'd hit that 80 oz today and I totally did! I smashed it! I filled the water up AGAIN for dinner!  So all in all I probably got 90 oz in today.  GO ME.

Second, my workout was awesome!  Yes, I watched another episode of the West Wing!  And I did my cardio.  I did a different grouping of sprints and I really enjoyed it.  Man, the West Wing totally helps get me through my cardio. :)  I'll have to find another show to take its place when I finish the series!

Third, I finished the cardio well enough before 7pm which was my ultimate goal.  Today was the first episode of Season 9 of The Biggest Loser.  If you wanna talk about inspiration. Wow. These people and the challenges and the entire process blows me away.  Jon and I don't have TiVo or a working VCR so Tuesdays are really my day to be certain I can unwind and watch my ONE important reality show.  I cried at least 7 times last night.  There's so much pain, but there is so much accomplishment too!  LOVE THAT.

I finished my strength training during the first hour of the show.  Jon made dinner and we watched the weigh-ins. 

After that we caught up on the news via MSNBC and Keith Olbermann/Rachel Maddow and then bed!  Really great day.  I felt fantastic. :)

Today's Goal:  Drink 80 oz of water = SUCCESS!!!!

Tomorrow's Goal: Do my full workout

Calories Consumed: 1080

Workout:
        Cardio:
              3 mintues warm up
              45 minutes jog/run/invis. jump rope/skaters
             (5 - 1 minute sprints - skaters)
             (2 - 5 minute sprints - invis. jump rope/fast-runs)
              8 minute cool down

         Strength Training:
              50 back rows (15 lbs each hand)
              50 biceps curls (12 lbs each hand)
              50 triceps curls (12 lbs each hand)
              50 shoulder press (12 lbs each hand)
              50 chest flies (12 lbs each hand)

Day 42 - Freezing and Blue Agave syrup

Sunday, January 3, 2010

So today started out like a great Sunday morning.  I had no major obligations in the early part of the day and I was lazily getting myself out of bed to get going. 

I worked out to The West Wing.  We have the episodes on the computer but I am just getting through the series for the first time.  Love this show.  It really makes the workout go so much faster! For those who are interested, I'm in season 5, Episode 19.

I've rediscovered tea, again.  It tends to happen during the ridiculously freezing cold winters of Chicago.  I remember just how comforting a nice cup of tea would be and am always thrilled to have it warming up my hands.

However, The Chicago Diner has introduced me to a new love.  Blue Agave nectar/syrup.  Um, seriously this stuff is off the chains!  It tastes like a buttery honey syrup but has a low glycemic index (yay for me!) and is the same calories as raw honey!  Yet, it's so sweet you can use less and still have an amazing flavor! I feel like the blue agave plant reached down and patted my head in a loving gesture and showed me the ways of the future!  AMAZING.

So, yes, I have that in my tea or in my organic peanut butter (it's never sweet enough for me), or on toast.  Mmmmm.  It's a must-try!

After all that I went to rehearsal at the location of many of our scenes for the film.  Amazing.  So much fun.  A couple of us were there and we did some improv with our characters. It was a blast. :)

Tomorrow, work work work!  1 more week!  Next weekend is the film!  Woo hoo!  I'm going to try and keep up the blog, though.  I like having this blog to reflect and keep an account of my workouts and progress.

Today's goal: 2- 5 minute sprints during cardio = SUCCESS! (thanks West Wing!)

Tomorrow's goal: drink 80 oz of water

Calories Consumed: 1176

Workout:
       Cardio:
              3 minutes warm up
              47 minutes jog/run/invis jump rope/ football drills
              (2 - 5 minute sprints)
               8 minutes cool down/stretch

        Strength Training:
              50 back rows (15 lbs each hand)
              50 biceps curls (12 lbs each hand)
              50 triceps curls (12 lbs each hand)
              50 chest flies (12 lbs each hand)
              50 shoulder press (12 lbs each hand)

Day 20 - Changes and Chanukkah shopping

Saturday, December 12, 2009

So today Jon and I had a TON of shopping to do for the family Chanukkah party scheduled for tomorrow morning. We ran around like crazy trying to fulfill the required list and had a pretty good time, considering the frustration factor!

Most wonderful, other than spending the day together, was getting to eat at Orange. I adore Orange. It is whimsical and fun and has amazing "frushi". (Fruit-sushi! A MUST try when visiting our fair windy city). I took home the bulk of my lunch expecting to eat it for dinner or breakfast/lunch on Monday.

Something was nagging at me most of the day. I'd had a dream the night before that wouldn't stop flashing in my mind:

I was invited to a very sparse OLD apartment by a friend. We were on a "break" from a seminar and were just looking for a place to rest before we had to be back in the main room. It was only too late that I realized my ex owned/lived in this place. While trying to make it as NOT awkward as possible when I saw him standing at an entrance that I didn't even

KNOW existed (you know how dreams are), holding a guitar (no clue why), I quickly got up and grabbed the bizarre project I was working on (with safety pins), and quickly fumbled my way out the door. On my strange jump down the steps I accidently jammed the pin into my thumb causing it to rip through the flesh. I was bleeding. A LOT. My friends, whom I'd been invited up to hang out, with had already gone back inside the seminar and I told them I'd catch them on the next break, but I needed to take care of this bleeding thumb. I searched for a sink, but the only one I KNEW of was the one in the weird apartment I'd been in for 2 hours. So back up the stairs I went hoping my ex would be gone. The door was cracked, I looked in and he was standing there naked (I only saw the side of him, but it was obvious he was not wearing clothes). So I walked quietly down the hall to a bench to wait until he left to go wash my thumb. He heard the floor boards creak and came busting out of the apartment with a towel on (thank goodness) and demanded: "WHAT THE F*** ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

I tried to respond and he cuts me off: "NO! GET THE F*** OUT OF HERE!" I show him my thumb and say, "I'm just looking for a sink to wash my thumb! As you can see it's bleeding!"

He says, "I DON'T F***ING CARE!" And then I woke up before I could retort.

It was weird.

When I have dreams about him, he's almost ALWAYS the sweetest, nicest guy. Proving he's changed and a better person. Or something. In this dream, I pretty much believe that's what would happen if he saw me today.

While I'm not sure why I had this dream or what it actually represents, I'm hoping my brain is taking the side of, "You made the right choice walking away", or something. Maybe the changes I'm making in my body are also, finally, working their way into my brain.

Or maybe I'm just afraid to awkwardly run into my ex.

Today's Goal: Make a healthy choice at lunch = SUCCESS!

Take my multi-vitamin = FAIL! I can't believe I forgot to take it!

Tomorrow's Goal: Try to get some cardio in (long long day tomorrow)

Take the multi-vitamin!!!

Calories Consumed: 881

Workout:

Cardio:

3 minute warm-up

45 minute (jog/run)

4 minute sprints (invisible jump rope)

3 minute cool-down

3 minute stretch

Strength Training:

100 regular crunches

100 reverse crunches

100 oblique crunches

4 rounds of Pilates 100

100 regular squats (10 lbs)

100 regular pulsed squats (10 lbs)

100 plie squats (10 lbs)

100 plie pulsed squats (10 lbs)

Day 19 - Weigh-in Week 3 and Trust

Friday, December 11, 2009

So today was a weigh-in day. I'm VERY happy to report I lost 2.2 lbs!!!! Huzzah! MUCH better than not losing last week, but I'm aware that sometimes my body is not always on the same time-table as I am. :)

To celebrate, I decided to work for my mom and plan out some Christmas/Chanukkah gifts. We're having our Chanukkah party on Sunday so I have to be finished with, at least, a few of those gifts by then!

I think today would be a good day to say that I use the word trust as a better depiction of how I feel I should "let go" than the word "faith". I find having "faith" usually starts me thinking about a whole mess of religious/spiritual things. If I say, "I'm just going to trust myself" or "trust my body will comply" I am not as unclear. Semantics can help when sifting through all the crap buried deep within the self and in the past. So, that's what I mean when I speak of "trusting myself". It helps me to stay focused and trust that I can do something.

Today's Goal: Be nice to myself at the weigh-in = SUCCESS! :)

Tomorrow's Goal: Make a healthy choice at lunch and take my multi-vitamin

Calories Consumed: 899

Workout:

Cardio:

46 minutes (jog/run, invisible jump rope)

3 - 1 minute sprints

3 minute warm up

3 minute cool down/stretch

Strength Training:

100 push-ups

50 back rows (15 lbs)

50 biceps curls (10 lbs)

50 triceps curls (10 lbs)

50 shoulder press (10 lbs)

50 chest flies (10 lbs)

Day 18 - Setting Goals and Recovery

Thursday, December 10, 2009

So today I accomplished many things. Although, none of them were workout related. I took my full day of recovery to the extreme. I slept late (I haven't picked up that 3 week temp job yet so I had the day off), and I cuddled with my dog a lot.

I did ALMOST finish one of my many Christmakkah gifts. Also, I started the process of sending out my promo materials for my website. That is definitely a process. I know I will get better/faster at it as the time goes by, but for now, it's a bit daunting!

Tomorrow is a fairly busy day. I'm "working" for my mom so I'm running errands for her business. Then Jon and I meet up with her and we go over the list for the wedding. Ugh. That will be slightly stressful. Then, Jon and I head home. So! I have the morning to get my workout in! Or, at least, the majority of my workout. I suppose I can do the weights at home later, if need be.

Tomorrow is weigh-in day! Fingers crossed...

Today's Goal: Submit to agents = SUCCESS!

Tomorrow's Goal: be nice to myself for the weigh-in. Good or bad, I'm looking/feeling better.

Calories Consumed: 1108

Workout: None - recovery day

Tomorrow is Friday! Hopefully it won't be so blisteringly cold!

Day 17 - Decorations and Fear of Success

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

So today was a good day! I got most of my entire list of "to-do's" out of the way. One of those things included decorating!

I have not been in the holiday spirit for the past few years. After a horribly sad and gut-wrenching break-up with my ex, I've just not had it in me. Each Christmas and Chanukkah comes along with a "meh" from me and while I'm not Bah Humbugging my way through them, I'm certainly not infused with a happy spirit.

This year, something in me has changed. I'm delighted by Christmas! Jon and I had to do laundry so I found a Santa Hat in my small box of decorations and reindeer antlers (with jingle bells!) He put on the Santa hat and I put on the antlers and down to the laundry room we went. Merrily! It was really fun!

Here's a picture of my decorations for this year's Christmakkah!

I also spent a lot of time learning about promoting my voice over demos. I could feel the fear rising in me each time I read more about it and tried to envision how I was going to afford all the postage and all the time and effort it would take! I finally had to force myself to take a big breath and realize that I CAN DO THIS. I just have to remind myself there will be a learning curve. There always is. I'm human.

I don't want to be afraid of success. I am very proud of the work I did on this demo. I just need to do that little bit extra work to get it out there and in the right hands.

Next step: SUCCESS. At least, that's what I'm envisioning now. :)

Today's Goal: take multi-vitamin and cardio 45 minutes = SUCCESS!

Tomorrow's Goal: Submit to agents.

(Technically it should be a recovery day but I may get a workout in)

Calories Consumed - 991

Workout:

Cardio:

45 minutes (run/jog, invisible jump rope)

Strength Training:

100 regular crunches

100 reverse crunches

100 oblique crunches (each side)

4 rounds of Pilates 100's

100 regular squats (10 lbs)

100 regular pulsed squats (10 lbs)

100 plie squats (10 lbs)

100 pulsed plie squats (10 lbs)

* I think in a week or two I am going to have to step up to 12 lbs!

Day 16 - To-do Lists and Alone Time

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

So today was a very productive day! My workouts were great, I met my goals and I covered my to-do list. All in all a great productive day!

To-do lists. I always put WAY too much on my lists and, thus, never feel fully accomplished even when I get a majority of it finished. I'm taking a tip from my friend, Becky, who has been posting lists each day of things to accomplish.

She learned: "a person can only really do about 6 things in any given day and do them well. Any more than that and you are overloaded. Often just those 6 things can have multiple steps that have to be completed before they are considered done."

I like that.

So I'm limiting my already busy life to only 6 things on my To-do list. Today, I accomplished 5 out of 6. And I feel really great about that!

It's about finding the little successes in life. I know I tend to say to myself that I haven't done enough. I should push harder, work harder. Well, then life just sucks all the time. Seriously. Without a few successes along the way life just feels like a big ball of crap that I have to keep rolling up the hill. It, inevitably, rolls back down and I have to start pushing again.

It's not really living.

I have also become to cherish my alone time. I used to be so anxious growing up that people didn't love me and would forget about me. I feel so much more fulfilled and my anxiety about those things are less. I really love spending time with me, these days. I'm pretty cool. And this blog has helped to make me focus on me and what I am doing positively in my life. That's a wonderful change from where I was even 2 years ago!

Tomorrow's Goal: take my multi-vitamin, do 45 minutes of cardio

Today's Goal: take multi-vitamin = SUCCESS

add push-ups to strength routine = SUCCESS

Calories Consumed: 901

Workout:

Cardio:

45 minutes (jogging)

3 minutes (warm up)

5 minutes (cool down/stretch)

Strength Training:

100 push-ups

100 biceps curls (10 lbs)

100 back rows (15 lbs)

100 triceps curls (1o lbs)

100 shoulder press (1o lbs)

100 chest flies (10 lbs)