YES! I'm an actor.

Often at parties i find myself defending the fact that i'm an actor. Someone asks "what do you do?" and i tell them. I get the weirdest looks or blank stares. Like, 'you're kidding me, another one?' Yes, i know there are many here. But then i have to endure the lectures: it's a rough business, a lot of competition, have i seen you in anything? blah blah etc etc. Like these people are the first to tell me it's hard! You don't think i know this? Are you giving me some kind of revelation that i will decide, 'oh you're right. I better quit now'.

Most of the time, this stuff comes from people who aren't directly involved with the business and haven't tried it themselves. So then i find myself defending my career choice and trying to prove that i am good enough to make it in my career/life choice. And that i'm strong enough to withstand the pressure. That i am used to the rejection (and use it constructively) and that I actually enjoy this whole thing!!

Seriously, i love all of it. I love auditions. I love theatre. I love learning the business side of this biz. I even love doing student films and extra work! Sure, extra work sucks most of the time, but on days when i have a fabulous time on the set, it only gets me excited for the future when i have speaking roles and my time on a set will be even more fabulous. I've worked on shows where everyone is so nice, and i would think, 'i can't believe that it will actually get better than this'. I love my job, no matter how small the part in a production is.

So when i'm defending my life choices to some stranger who doesn't understand what living a passion is, i do get just a little frustrated. The judgements are made and people feel they need to give me a dose of reality. But then, they are probably saying these things because they subconsciously need to tell themselves the same thing relating to their own life, and find excuses for not being successful with their own passion. I love acting! I am serious about what i'm doing. I know i have only been here in LA for a year and i'm just gaining experience, but i have been acting since i was 13 years old. It's the only thing i want to do. I love everything about it and look forward to learning more. Why am i telling you this? Really, only because i am reassuring myself.