The beginning

I never got to do yesterday’s ten minutes but I wanted to make sure I got back on the horse as soon as possible.

It’s been a while since I have written consistantly in this blog and in the time that I have been writing in it I have never mentioned my girlfriend. I think there are many reasons. I didn’t want to come off as overly sappy or turn this into a “me and my girlfriend” live journal type of space. I also think I wanted to blog about stuff, like politics or education. But I always come back to myself and my own reflections. So here is our story.

Once upon a time there was a theatre teacher (that’s me). And this teacher taught at a school, as they often do. And this school allowed for student teachers to come in their last year of undergrad to get some real in the classroom time. One such student teacher was named Erin.

Erin wanted to teach English. She was placed with a friend of mine named Emily. Emily taught eighth grade language arts. Emily was one of our social organizers on the campus. She had gotten a group of teachers to meet once a week for some pub trivia at a local wing joint in South Austin. One night at these competitions Emily said, “I’m going to hook you two up.” I laughed and didn’t think of it much after that. I had been single for a long while and while I wasn’t really trying hard to find a girlfriend, the idea was appealing. Erin was extremely beautiful and, even though it was difficult to show it (being so self conscious), she was great fun to be around.

I started eating lunch with Emily and Erin almost everyday. Erin started to join us at trivia. Through this interaction I eventually felt comfortable enough to ask her out. But it wasn’t that simple, was it? I might feel that kind of connection, but does she? I had no clue what she thought of me. I knew that if I didn’t ask her that I would lose my chance, either because her time on our campus would run out or some other guy would ask her first. So decided it was now or never.

We met for trivia that Wednesday night. I don’t think we won but even if we had I don’t think that would have stuck out in my memory. I remember, we settled our checks and everyone got up to leave. Erin got up to go to the restroom. I hung back by the table waiting for Erin to come back. Emily and Matt stopped, wondering why I was waiting alone. I practically shoved them out the door explaining that I was going to ask her out. After Emily and Matt left I went back to the table. Erin came back and there was some small talk as we walked out. I don’t remember if she asked me or if I asked her, but somehow we decided that she was going to give me a ride to my car...which was in the same lot. So we got in and buckled up. Nerves set in. We pulled up to my car and I blurted out the words, “We should grab dinner sometime.” She claims this completely took her by surprise, but she did agree.

I asked for her number. She gave it to me and being clever I called her to make sure it was her number. Her phone didn’t ring! We laughed about it as I got her voicemail. I then got out of the car. As she drove away I did a celebratory fist pump (ala Tiger Woods), only to find that Emily and Matt had stayed behind to find out the results of my endeavor. Emily suggested we go out to Mug Shots to celebrate. She called Erin to invite her out as well. Fun was had by all.

That was the beginning.

Demand better food!

Writing and stuff

So I’ve decided I will devote ten minutes a day to nothing but writing. I have been reading alot lately about writing, as a craft and a hobby. They all say the same stupid things. “Don’t let yourself get distracted,” “Never stop writing.” “Live passionately”

While I agree with most of these sentiments it is far harder to do them than to type them. So here is my attempt.

In the vein of writing I have never really done much. I have done a great job ignoring my blog. I have started four plays in the last 6 months and I occasionally open up the files to see if anything else has kick-started in my head (which is usually useless). I enjoy writing. It just seems as though I am always able to find something else to take it’s place.

The ironic thing is that reading all of this advice about writing is inspiring and gives a certain sense of fulfillment. But it is false. I have also been reading about productivity. Has this made me any more productive? No. But I have certainly learned many different techniques that will supposedly make me more productive. I have even put a couple into practice. But changing habits is hard.

My desk is still cluttered with text books, papers, play scripts, props, video cameras, video camera chargers. I want a clean desk with nothing on it. I wish I could use my personal computer on the districts website(not that it would make me any more productive).

I want to lead a minimalist life. I want my life to be uncluttered by things. This is hard for me because I also want things! Earlier this week my car was broken into (not technically because they didn’t break anything, I just left my car unlocked in front of my house), they took a couple of watches out of my car and my gum. The watches were my grandfathers. One was a ten year service watch from Roadway and the other was a Bulova pocket watch. I’m not sure how much they were worth (and to be honest I don’t really care). I did have the intention to get them restored and maybe wear them. But now that they are gone I feel the slight pang that they are gone. Maybe it was the best thing for me. I have too much stuff. Mostly excessively sentimental stuff.