Dunkirk NY – I’m not one to make resolutions. At my age, resolutions are rather pointless. As Popeye used to say, “I yam what I yam,” and for the foreseeable future I don’t see that changing all that much.
This doesn’t mean there aren’t things I can’t change. As I look forward to 2023, there are a couple of things I see changing. In no particular order, here they are:
- I believe my active acting career has come to an end. I do not foresee any theatrical opportunities coming my way, and I don’t intend to search for any. I simply think my time is up. As an old white male, the current theatrical zeitgeist has no use for me; and to be perfectly candid, I have no use for it. I have nothing really useful to contribute to the current political and social justice conversations taking place, so I believe the best thing I can actually contribute is to step away and let others have their opportunity to create the theatre they want to see. I’ve had my fun, I’ve had a good career and a good run, and now it’s time to let others have their careers and fun (although I think theatre as “fun” has all but disappeared; it’s all too serious at the moment). This is NOT to say I might not consider a fantastic opportunity should it materialize. In this business I don’t think you ever actually, completely “retire.” But on the whole, it looks like the end has arrived. I’m OK with this.
- I will be looking for more creative opportunities in the following areas:
- Podcasting. I enjoy doing my podcast for the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, but I’d like to do at least one more that has more of my own interests and concerns at heart.
- Local theatre. If I do any theatre at all, it’s probably going to be of a local nature. And my preference will be to direct, not act.
- Writing. I’d like to get this blog a bit more active (doesn’t every blogger say that on New Year’s Day?). To do this, I have to get over the psychological hump I have about “having something to say.” I think I need to leave that more to the reader, and perhaps change my perspective to “having something someone wants or needs to hear.” I would like to write a short book on acting, as I believe the Stanisalvski method is not ideal for the 21st century anymore. I’d also like to write more haikus. To do this, I need to get out more.
- Get moving. I am not a workout freak by any means, but I need to get out more and get moving. The pandemic had me walking a lot more, but as other situations that needed my attention came about, I lost the rhythm and routine. I need to re-capture that this year. 30 minutes of walking at least every other day should not be this hard to build into the day.
- Traveling. I am not at this point what that might mean. As AML’s foot continues to heal, most thoughts about traveling will have to take into account how much she is capable of doing. I do not think international travel is on the horizon yet. Travel is always difficult because the worst thing about traveling is the actual traveling. I do not like the process involved in getting on flights and flying; everything about it completely sucks, and serves as a discouragement against traveling. But perhaps next year things will ease off a bit, or I just might have to suck it up and take one of those pre-arranged tours. Maybe at my age they are not so bad after all.
- I have to spend some time considering where I want to spend the final years of my life. Right now, and for the next few years at least, where I am is fine. But it will not be fine in another 7-10 years. There are a lot of factors to consider, and unfortunately the final decision will no doubt involve a lot of compromise. This is all in the nature of long-term planning, but at this point, 5 to 10 years is now considered long term
I think that’s about it for now. AML won’t be out of a restrictive leg device until around St. Patrick’s Day, and in the meantime I’ll be mostly in the house attending to her needs, cooking meals, doing wash, etc. It will be dull, but there is no escape from it. Generally speaking, I am hoping that 2023 will be able to offer a bit more freedom in my life, a bit more of doing what I’d like to do, and less of doing things I am obligated to do. And perhaps that’s the 2023 goal in a nutshell: more freedom, less obligation. -twl