The WIFM Under the Hats

Yesterday, at the very end of the WIFM post, I suggested that what’s in it for you might be under the hats. You’re probably wondering what in the world that means. So, let me try to explain.

I’ve worn a lot of hats.

(Not literally. Hats don’t look too good on me usually. Unlike one of my favorite bloggers, Havi, over at The Fluent Self who appears to be stunningly gorgeous in any hat she puts on.)

But I’ve done a lot of different things in my life. I’ve occasionally been surprisingly successful. Sometimes, I even meant to be. I’ve also stood in my own way with truly astonishing frequency.

You might find some of what I’ve learned helpful in your own journey. There’s a good chance that something in my life might resonate with something in yours. I’ve certainly done enough different things.

I’ve been a cashier and a secretary.

I’ve been a business owner.

I’ve been an actor and a director, an award-winning playwright and an audition coach.

I’ve written fiction and non-fiction—and gotten some of it published. (More to come!)

I’ve done some programming, website design and software training.

I’ve been down the Intercoastal Waterway in a 20 ft boat. (19 days on the water. On a 20 ft boat. With my husband. Still married. Achievement comes in many forms!)

I’ve been on my co-op board for like half of my natural life. (Maybe it just seems that way.)

I’ve been an extra on a Law & Order grand jury, and I’ve actually been the foreperson of a real jury. (Wow! Was that an experience!)

I took up exercise at the ripe old age of 44 (or 45). (Part of that “ripe old age” thing is that you don’t always remember exactly when something happened.) So, I’m not a jock, but I know some things about physical (un)fitness.

I’ve chickened out of lots of opportunities and seized a few. Some of them worked out great! (For example, I once stood at a stage-door and asked one of my favorite actresses in the world to read my play and got so incredibly lucky that she did a reading of it. Talk about taking a fire walk! There’s gonna be a fire walk post. Count on it.)

I’ve met with Broadway producers and Bowery bums.

I’ve lived in Sunnyside in New York City and creekside in Florida.

I’ve been married for 20 years. Or more. (Sometimes, it seems like a lot more. Those of you married any length of time know what I’m talking about.)

The whole thing has been quite an adventure – for someone who is basically a couch potato. Then again — “All serious daring starts from within.” –Eudora Welty

And this blog is another adventure. If you want to come along, we’re just going to set out on the Yellow Brick Road and see where it takes us. It’s probably going to start out in a tiny, tiny spiral pattern, almost turning in on itself. And then it’ll open up and branch out into cornfields and forests and castles with Wicked Witches and Wonderful Wizards along the way. Or head off into some other worlds entirely. You never know what you’ll find!

See you tomorrow! On the road.  Wearing our hats.