TheatreLand

So yesterday was a cold and dreary day here in London. It was pouring and only about 50 degrees, if that. I had a pretty down day, opting to take it easy. It was, after all, a Bank Holiday! So, I ran a few errands and stocked up on fun Brit bits and bobs to tote back with me! I got a jar of Sticky toffee and I hope that it is considered a solid. I don't want to have to check my bag! The security guards are going to think I'm mad! Sticky Toffee, Jaffa Cakes, and Build-a-Bear regalia! Good times! So, after grabbing an early dinner, I headed back to the hostel. My roommates and I got into an interesting discussion and we spent a couple of hours debating American politics, including the Supreme Court and the threat of prayer in school and the ban on abortion. I spoke about the integrity of the constitution and 1 girl (a 20 year old American christian) said I was being very reductionist. I said yes, I was. I had to be! In a room full of people, you will not find even 2 people who wholly agree on every last thing. It boils down to the constitution. You have to remove everything else. The constitution is the bottom line. And if prayer in school is instituted, it is an attack on the very foundation of the United States. The United States will no longer exist as it was conceived. And what then?? What will be next? Once the 1st amendment is shattered, the country is exposed and vulnerable. It will no longer be a secular or free society. Great men and women have given their lives to fight for these very basic rights and freedoms. They are probably rolling over in their graves! The US has veered so far away from what is was and what is was supposed to become. It was be a dark day in history and the beginning of the end. What's upsetting is that the US has the opportunity to be something truly amazing. Unfortunately, too many people are wrapped up in their own "morals" and their own demand that everyone assimilate to what they feel is right to realize what they will be giving up. To live in a free society, you must have a certain amount of tolerance. You may not like something, in fact you may loathe it, but you must recognize and accept that they are free to do as they like - just as you are. It is part and parcel of living in a free country. If rights continue to be stripped away, the US will succeed where the Nazis and the Fascists failed. The passage by Martin Niemoller, a Protestant minister and Dachau survivor, sums up the dangers of apathy and self righteousness:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Anyway, the girls said they never thought about it that way. All I can hope for is that they start to think beyond their upbringing and their bibles. And they enlightened me, as well! I had no idea that Obama has a huge following in the collegiate world! That's interesting! They say that he is "young and hip." Ok.... well, he's not my first choice, but I'll take him. Anyone other than a white, christian republican male will do. That night, deep in thought, I fell asleep loving the view over South Kensington that my room affords me.

Today has been a good day, so far! I woke up early and realized that it is my last full day in Europe. So, my mood has been somewhat diminished. I headed out early and boarded the tube to Leicester Square. I had to go to British Actors Equity!! I sat down with the Membership Manager and hashed out all the details of my move to London! I got the London Actor's "Bible" which lists everything you need to know about a performer's life in the UK! He also directed me to the website that I need to get myself on. It's similar to Actor's Access and Now Casting, except you are only allowed to post your CV if you are union and have professional credits! So, it truly is an online database for Casting Directors and so forth! AA and NC are overloaded with anyone and everyone who claims to be an "actor." We chatted for awhile about the UK industry and life in London! It was great! So, glowing from the prospect of living and working in London, I headed over to Leicester Square and had a quick lunch.

And that brings to right now. Sitting in an internet cafe on Charing Cross Rd., writing my last blog in Europe. Wow.... I don't want to leave, really. But I'm so sick of hostels, that I'm looking forward to my own bed. So, I have really intense mixed feelings. And I don't know what I'm going to do.... I have a lot to think about. And some big decisions to make. If I move to London, my life and career take a very different path. Plus, it will take at least 6 months, because of my cats. Hmmm.... it's not something I can jump into lightly. I'm planning on continuing this blog even after I get back, so I'll let you know. I'm also going to post a blog summarizing my time in Europe. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Well, my time is almost up. I'll see you on the other side of the pond... tomorrow. Yikes.....