Let it go like Zozobra
In last month’s blog I talked about being consumed by my day job. I’m happy to report that with the support of family, friends, and the savings I built over the summer, I can take Spooktober to refocus on my creative goals! Other highlights will include sleeping 8 hours a night, eating three meals a day, and unclenching my jaw.
Here’s my Spooktober plan:
publicly release “The Piece” as it’s festival run is winding down
draft a new short film project, to produce in 2025
continue writing and editing sketches for SponsoredBy (sketch comedy team if you’ve missed the last two blogs)
attend all the networking meetups, shows, and coworking sessions I’ve skipped the last few months
acting and modeling gigs?!?! (less in my control)
Have fun doing spooky seasonal things.
I have to remind my perfectionist little butt that these things are not as tangible as a checklist with “deep clean the kitchen” on it. Writing may contain more staring at a computer screen than putting words on it. Acting may be more auditions but a similar amount of rejections. Not every networking event will forge a connection. Regardless, living the dream is also pursuing the dream. I’m very fortunate right now that I have at least a month to give these things my full attention. I’ve well aware not everyone can take this amount of time for themselves. I try to be as open about finances as I can on this blog because I wish more people were open about their creative work/life balances in general. It might make the journey less lonely.
Sante Fe
Northern New Mexico was ten times more beautiful than I imagined. Someone book me a western out there because I have many more trails and ski areas calling my name. The best fun facts, are the fun facts no one asked for in the middle of awkward pauses between conversation topics. Here are some fun facts for your next stilted convo!:
Did you know, there are about as many french bakeries as there are taquerias? I forgot the french briefly conquered this area.
The UV rays are 10% stronger at this high elevation. Cowboy hats are not only for style if like me, you’re pale as a ghost.
Russian goats populate the steep ridges along the Rio Grande because Europeans can’t leave things alone.
George RR Martin owns half of Sante Fe, and single handedly kept the tourist rail line going. This train is of course is covered in Wolves and Dragons.
Los Alamos, the town that hosted the Manhattan project in the 40’s, is still fully operational as a nuclear testing facility. Yes, the locals are still mad about it. And yes, it’s kinda creepy.
Many people are allergic to Juniper…including this dedicated hiker with snot running down her face.
Ponderosa Pines smell like butterscotch.
Every year around labor day, the town of Sante Fe builds a 60ft tall clown stuffed with the woes and worries of every citizen who wrote down their troubles on a slip of paper dedicated to Zozobra. Zozobra is then burned to the ground with much ceremony and the woes are released for the year. You bet I added a paper.