It's been a momentous month, August has. Here are the highlights:
- I am now the Assistant to the Director at Ithaca College's L.A. Program, as of this week. This came out of the blue; a couple weeks ago I received a call from the ICLA program's Chair (a good friend of mine through teaching screenwriting at I.C.). They needed a long-term temporary Assistant to start ASAP, as theirs had accepted a job teaching first grade and would be leaving just as classes start up this semester. I jumped at the opportunity, because: a) I know everyone there b) the work isn't tough but it also isn't boring c) I get to be around students and assist them in various ways d) it's 10 minutes from my apartment, and I don't even need to think about a freeway, e) I feel like I'm still part of the Ithaca College family. And there are bounteous perks to this job, which make it even more lovely. They will have to open a formal search to fill the position permanently, which I will apply for when the time comes. Meantime, I'm delighted to be there, making the job my own, and decorating the most spacious, awesome office I've ever had.
- I spent a week living with the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJs) Los Angeles in their House of Discernment last week, before starting the new job. I have begun the long process of discerning a religious vocation, either to ultimately take vows or to become an associate member of an Order. There is a lot to this process, it is not to be rushed, and certainly there are many things to be considered - not the least of which is whether I'm cut out to live in community. That is, in fact, the biggest consideration for me. I know where (and with whom) my heart and soul lie, I know the personal lifestyle I have already chosen to live, but this piece about living in community is a biggie for me. In the meantime, I am working, getting my finances in order after being unemployed for 9 months or so, establishing some stability for myself, and getting the divorce under way. These are all important elements that will have to be satisfied before I would be able to move ahead with any other vowed vocation plans, anyway. Time is something I have, and abundant blessings, besides. I am also now searching for a Catholic parish that will feed my soul, although I intend to maintain connections with the Episcopal church I've been so blessed to be a part of since March. Their prayer group and interfaith community service programs (Feed the Hungry and Family Promise, namely) will continue to be a part of my life.
- My Space: 1999 novel will be set back one month, but we're putting together a chap book for the Convention here next month. Best of all, the man who has written the foreward is a beloved cast member from the show. More on that as things progress.
- Screenplays are coming along - revisions, submitting to competitions, etc. The great thing about my "day job" is that I'm off the clock most days at 5:00, and my brain isn't totally leaking out my eyeballs, so there is room, time, and space to continue writing.
- Many a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening over the last 2 months have been spent in Griffith Park at the Independent Shakespeare Company's Free Shakespeare Festival. Earlier in the season they did "Winter's Tale," as well as "Midsummer's Night Dream," which is still running, and "The Comedy of Errors." The season ends Sept. 2, then they'll have other productions in their studio in fall and winter. I am so blessed to have been introduced to this Company and to many of the actors and the founders, via my roommate. If you're ever in L.A. in the summer, you must check out their shows. They are phenomenally talented, creative, and bring Shakespeare alive. They have actually been instrumental in my writing process this year, inspiring me and reminding me why I write.
And hey, August isn't even over, yet! It's hardly believable that I've been here eight months, already. My life has changed so much, as has my vision for my future.
