Hello all you lovelies! I hope everyone has had a superb summer. The past few months have been full of change and I figured what better day to fill you all in on all the new developments than the first day of of a new season?  Today is the first day of Fall and with the leaves changing in the east and the winds changing in the west, I will share my changes here….

 

July was a particularly difficult month. Loosing a pet just never seems to get easier. Not sure if you love cats, or dogs, or lizards, or birds, or E. all of the above, but whatever floats your boat, the loss of a pet just sucks. Humans are resilient beings and time does heal, but there will always be a little place in your heart that stays tender to each lost loved one. I have experienced a lot of loss over the years including pets, family, and friends. I wish I could draw a picture of the kaleidoscope of little tiny spots that fill my figurative heart. Its funny though because the spots aren’t black holes of void, they are spots full love and fun and stories. Transactions and circumstances that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I know its cliché but its better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. I would love to hang the drawing of my spotted heart so that every day I could see, together in one place, all the people and things that I have loved.

 

Over the summer I DID attempt to attack the pineapple drink brigade but alas, I was only able to imbibe in one. And that one was created by a temp bar tender and tasted like poop. It was supposed to be a vodka drink with thyme, lavender and lemon but I’m pretty sure she just gave me ginger beer over ice with some tequila in it. Despite the unsuccessful flavor, the experience was super fun.

When August arrived, my six year stint with my beloved Regular Show came to an end. I have thoroughly  enjoyed every moment. JG, the show runner, is not only creatively brilliant but he is amazing with collaboration. Always supportive, he was fabulous at pushing his team to be the best they can be. And the success of the show was a result of that. I will miss Mordecai and Rigby. Yes, I know that they aren’t real, but their stories were very real to me. Fun, dynamic, exciting. The rest of the crew, also fabulous, have become family to me. Its not easy in the entertainment industry to find a production where you get to work side by side with such talented people who have no ego issues. I’ve been blessed to have been a part of such an amazing team.

Mid August the studio awarded me three weeks vacation to replenish my soul. In my industry this is known as the  joyous hiatus, a time eagerly awaited by entertainment employees with high hopes of fun and relaxation and often times exotic travels. Knowing I was to return to CN mid September technically allowed me to relax but unbeknownst to  more than a few, I had a lot going on behind the scenes regarding work. I was called into a few interviews at other studios and the entire three weeks I spent in negotiations and trying to figure out what direction to follow. A champaign problem for sure, but stressful all the same. I did take two days to myself  to do absolutely nothing. One day I spent in Malibu, the other in Laguna. Both equally amazing.

I had forgotten what it felt like to not have a deadline over my head. I had forgotten how to relax. The lull of the ocean waves and the glorious sounds of bird song pulled me back to “me”.

Also during my break I did a ten day Ballet “bootcamp” This was intense but fun. I wanted to see what life was like as a professional ballerina. I took 2-3 hours of barre each day (including 3 pointe classes), pilates, weight lifting, and cardio. I ate super clean too.  I think the experience was marred a bit by not knowing how to really pace myself and the stress of work negotiations but over all it was amazing. On the negative side, I was SO SORE. omg! I did get a few massages but I think by the end of it I was actually more stiff and less flexible! I think next year i’d like to do a 7 day ballet camp instead. A camp that is planned out for the dancers because I think  I may have been over training- just a little ;).

Of course I always leave at least some time for fun with MSM and friends. Summer isn’t summer without at least one visit to the Cinespia outdoor screening, this year we saw True Romance. We also danced the night away at a few concerts (Psychedelic Furs at the Pier was particularly amazing), shared cocktails at Sunset, and spent time lounging at the beach. I attended a UT alum BBQ where they flew in Salt Lick from Austin! So yummy. My great great great grand “little” from KD came to visit and we shared lunch in Temecula. It was an enjoyable and lively Summer!

 

Now I sit here typing at a new work station in a new location-  a location I can’t divulge just yet because I’m not sure how permanent it is. Still waiting for negotiations to be closed. But its all VERY exciting.

Change is scary but its GOOD. Rather than calling it “change” I’d like to think of it as its synonym, “development”. Its so important to keep on moving forward. To keep on growing and to keep on pushing yourself past what feels comfortable. I love and appreciate MSM for pushing me to take this position even though I was terrified and worried that I “wasn’t ready”. Learning new skills, expanding my network….I feel ten years younger. I am rejuvenated and re-energized. Who knew that all the heaviness I had been feeling was all because I had ceilinged out at my old post. Its ok to need to move on. Its actually imperative. I’ve known some amazing people who seem to have the talent of knowing when its time to push for growth. They know who they are, and I want to take a moment just to say Thank You all for listening to me and for nudging me to make a move.

Although my hiatus was mostly stressful, it was a well needed break from my comfort zone (where I was actually comfortable but necessarily 100% happy). Ripping me away from my “normal” allowed me the time to get pushed back on track.

Keep on learning ya’ll!

Toodles for now.

xo

QJ