I Who Waiteth (A Thank-You and Hindsight Note)

"Everything cometh to him who waiteth, so long as he who waiteth worketh like hell while he waiteth." - A friend who heard it from his aunt who may have gotten that from someone else.


I'd say it's been long enough. I've packed up essentials and will drive across the country to attempt an acting career in California in a few hours. This is not a blog that explains the plan but to reflect on how the plan has gone up until this point. And to say thank you.

I've been waiting for this for a long time.

When did this start? The beginning was high school. I found a way to attract positive attention sophomore year in high school in Mr. Bryan's first period drama class. I remember that class and the people fondly. I was an extra in "Welcome to Carnie" and the prince in "Cinderella". Easy as pie. But it was enough experience to arouse curiosity and to crave more. I went to the theatre competition down at Troy University that fall of 2002 and was mesmerized by this whole world of theater, specifically people getting in front of people and performing something. I remember looking up to the senior class and wanting to fill their shoes. I couldn't imagine having so many lines and having so much of the show depend on you. I was content to stand rigid in the background.

It would take a while to get ready. I performed in many more high school shows, and I remember the moment when I gave up keeping up a guarded persona. I surrendered my modesty and just went for it. I found the most extreme or interesting way to play someone and went for it. I remember playing Preacher Haggler in "Dark of the Moon" in the fall of 2004. I established a voice, mannerism, and character, that I knew were ridiculous. But I just wanted to plunge in and be someone else -- personal maintenance being a non-issue. Preacher Haggler was the moment I knew I had found the ability to push a button and to become someone else at any point. I would never be normal again, if I ever was.

I graduated high school in 2005 but wasn't mature enough to do anything with my interest. I decided the primary goal was moving to LA. I wanted to do movies and TV, though theatre would always be there. I figured I could go to college there after taking a few classes at UNA. No big deal. Work a little in Florence. Take the basic subjects. Transfer colleges. Use college as a way to acclimate oneself into the area. I targeted UCLA, primarily because of its renown film/tv/theatre department and location.

But, nope.

Despite two big attempts, UCLA wouldn't accept me and I had to stay and finish school in Florence. I conceded my life would continue for a little while longer in Florence, something that became increasingly frustrating.

UNA was a great small-town school. The three theatre teachers I had were excellent, and I was thankful for the productions I got to be involved in. And I picked up book knowledge, of course. I also learned to ignore pretense and be yourself. I can't tell you how many times in college I lacked words for peers, and there was a disconnect. Much like how the world operates.

Was college that bad? Yes and no. The problem is that north Alabama moved at a different pace and thought differently. There was not an atmosphere condusive to me. Sure, there were artsy people, well-crafted play producations, a well-organzied film festival, etc. But I wanted more and a bigger scene. I wanted a population of people who pursued, breathed, and knew arts and entertainment. A culture to grow into. To get noticed to a degree. I wanted to be surrounded by people who weep during the movie, jot down ideas for a TV sitcom at coffeehouses, and head home arguing points after a play.

And disliking college was not disliking UNA. I would have grown tired of any college in the US. It wasn't UNA, though like any college, it had its problems. It was the going to school ten blocks away from where I were born and raised that begged the question if I was getting anywhere. It became increasingly deadening and turned me selfish. The last two years were about me and what I had to do to get out. Tunnel vision, so to speak.

Why did I need to finish? No better reason just to have that piece of paper to show I had some level of committment. No other reason. I never planned on college itself landing me a job.

I couldn't have survived UNA without family and friendship. I mean survival in the sense of getting a degree. Had it not been for Dad, Grandmother, Samuel and an arsensal of friends that seemed to be in rotation, I would have gave up college and already been out there. Without experience and knowledge.

There are specific people I wanna give a shout-out that accompanied me and inadvertently gave me more drive the past 4 years:

Thanks WENDYS HATER & YEATA HANA for your friendship and hard-edge honesty. You always find the excitement and drama in an otherwise dull environment. You are the people that spice up life and make it all the more easier to bear in difficult times. We aren't the same, but I love your company. You're the closest family members.

Thanks JEANIE WEANIE and RON/CON for your friendship and always being available to talk. Even though you guys cannot get out often, you are some of the wisest members of the family. Thanks for not being mad over the long periods I didn't drop in and holding it against me.

Thanks MARINE GIRL for your friendship and no-nonsense nature. Thank you for maintaining a sharp, sensible honesty and support. You're the coolest thing in the desert right now, and I'd like to meet your new family soon.

Thanks PHYIR for your friendship and accompaning me through my first job. It was possible to find ways to ignore and not confront co-workers through it all but you hung with me. We were goofy, and the goofiest moment caught up with me and was my ticket out. I never thought you'd marry first.

Thanks RELIENT KAYE for your friendship and teaching me I'm not the ladies man. I didn't know how to treat a woman until I met you. You are a beautiful person and though we have not had a conversation in a while, I can tell you're on your way to an ideal future. Doing what you wanted served you well.

Thanks SIMPLE THINGS for your friendship. I was happy to know such a bright personality. You have figured out the best of what life has to offer quickly and more mature a person than I was at that age. I love you for it; girls should take notes. You are a genuine, small-town personality, and you are well on your way to a honeymoon.

Thanks PRINCESS VITOR for your friendship. Even though I don't see you a lot anymore, you have the knack for just picking up where we left off. The long nights we spent at that damn theater were more fun than anything I did socially on a college campus.

Thanks AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE for your friendship and the ability to conversate about anything, anytime, anywhere in the country. Our ages are different, but our interests are the same. I'll be your wingman and hang out anytime. I consider you my godfather.

Thanks POP CULTURE for your friendship. My longest-running friendship. The arts have kept us together, and I'm gonna miss your noggin when it comes to crucial movie/tv/music references at a moment's notice. I appreciate you pulling for me. I'm pulling for good health and a happily ever after for you.

Thanks WORDSMITH for your friendship and extreme kindness. Not many people would keep careful correspondance with someone from far away, but you did and identified my passion immediately. Everyone that knows you is a better person because of it.

Thanks SUPREME CHANCELLOR BOSS EDITOR for your friendship. You are the most mature, driven person I know. I've always been infatuated with you. I apologize that we can't get along anymore but that doesn't mean I don't love you. We are too opinionated, driven, and stubborn for our own good. And we're going to be successful.

Thanks FITZTONGUE for your friendship and always being willing to kill some time playing games. And to just sit around and talk about lots of really cool stuff, no worries. It keeps us healthy and our minds sharp. California better have people like you or I'm coming right back.

Thanks MISS PETTIGREW for your friendship and giving me the time of day as I make my exit. You have become the go-to friend very quickly. Your personality is addicting. I'm at complete ease with you. Your intelligence is evolving and your demeanor is mesmerizing. You deserve a lot of respect after dealing with me.

Thanks SAMUEL for looking up to me, though if you knew the half of it, you may not. You have excellent common sense and intelligence. Toughen up and you'll do great. I'll always be here for you. I love you.

Thanks GRANDMOTHER for being my mother and raising me those years. I can't begin to repay or thank you but I'll keep working to impress you more. If I sat on my butt and did nothing, you'd still give me everything. We throw around the word "nice" but you are the nicest woman I've known. Would I have even made it through high scool without you? I love you.

Thanks DAD. Your mellowness and laid-back nature doesn't mean you're disinterested. You gave me the foundation early and have left all the decisions up to me. We look, think, and act differently, but you are the model of a man. I love you.

On to the next act...