Casting Insider Offers Advice on Nailing Your Audition

Jason is a good friend of mine from College. He knows his stuff and is a delightful person.
This is a good read....
Casting Insider Offers Advice on Nailing Your Audition

Swearing...I Can't as a Mom

Well, hell.  I love swearing.  Though I'm considering giving it up because I am a new mom.  However, I reserve the right to use strong language as a professor (sometimes swearing helps me make a point when teaching acting).  Muthafuckah!  Okay, I don't usually use that one or G.D.  Jeez, the last time I used G.D. was when I was in my twenties, I had moved to Nashville, and cussed in a supermarket near an old craggy woman -- who clutched her chest at my profanity.  I thought I almost killed her.  That was the last time I carelessly let that swear word fly.

Strong language is so odd, isn't it?  We give power to a series of sounds that can be offensive to some and like old friends to others.  I remember fondly getting used to saying the word "hell."  I was in girl scouts, in 8th grade, and at a dude ranch retreat with some of my closest friends.  I said "hell" every other word.  I felt like I was all powerful and an adult, a heady feeling. Please note Lady Pac Man was the big new thing at this time.

I like swearing.  I like the way it tastes in my mouth.  I like the way it sounds.  I like that when I swear it's usually playfully - not out of anger.  I like that if I hurt myself on something I have a great word to accompany my anguish.  I like that when I swear you can tell I'm from Chicago.  Sigh.  Well...I guess I'm going to have to come up with my own renditions of strong language as a mom.  Boy, I already miss the F bomb cracking from my lips... Perhaps I shall defer to the classic expletive in GHOST BUSTERS: "mother puss bucket!"

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin

Looks Can Be Deceiving

There are times when I look at a part of my life or a piece of my life and how it's working and it looks to me like it's dead...so I want to chuck it - throw it away and make room for more...whatever.  Just the other day, I was about to toss what looked to be a dead plant into the compost; I forgot.  Today I walk out to my garden and that very plant is sprouting and has it's first bloom on it.  I didn't know it was a perennial!

Which got me to thinking that I might be quick to throw things out if they don't seem to be working.  Now sometimes things just need to be thrown out, re-gifted, or donated to the local charity - and sometimes that's the best choice.  I'm not talking about those times.  I'm talking about the times that I have no patience to learn the lesson of the dormant plant.  What's the living truth inside the seemingly ugly exterior?

Am I being too metaphorical?  Perhaps.  But in every day's lessons lives the beauty and splendor of life.  I have to take it where I can get it! 

Where are your life's ugly truths that make your life an unexpected treasure?

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin, photo credit: Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin

Asking for HELP

There are times in your life when you can't do it all - even if you wanted to!  Asking for help can be a challenge, but a lesson that all who are wise need to embrace.  It takes a village, right?  I'm also including all of us who are people, not just parents, not just children...people.

When I was growing up I loved when a person I loved recognized I needed help without my asking for it.  The offer of help was such a relief!  As an adult, the offers are more rare - especially because I WANT to be able to do it all and others sense this in me so they don't offer.  I still cry with relief when my husband sees I'm at my wits end and need some help - and he offers silently and without judgement.

However, no one can read my mind.  It's up to me to speak my needs and tell others when I need help.  I was pleasantly surprised at the positive responses I received from family and friends who came to my rescue...because I asked and I received!

When is the last time you asked for what you needed?  You just might get it!

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin

How Do You Connect With Family Who Lives Far Away?

In this day and age of computers, we have many more options than snail mail to connect with others.  The communication can take all sorts of forms, depending mostly on the computer savvy of the people interested in communicating with each other.

Skype.  You and family or friends can set up a free account with Skype that allows free international phone calls along with the capapbility to use a webcam so you can see each other as you talk.  This is especially fun with new babies who can't talk - but family can see the little cherub!

Flip Camera. This little handy camera is this generation's version of the home movie camera.  It's great for short movies or little one-sided excerpts from life that you can share through YouTube.  Very fun!

Email.  Not as personal and possibly not as exciting as receiving snail mail, but fast and convenient!  This is the most popular form of contemporary communication - perhaps even beating out texting (which many family members don't enjoy) as well as the telephone!

If you have a way you like to communicate with your family that isn't listed, feel free to add your suggestions!  The world gets smaller every day and keeping in touch with loved ones makes everyone's world a better place.

 Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin

Nothing Sweeter than a Smile

I was blown away by the power of another person seeing me and, as a result, that person's face lit up like I was her first Christmas tree!  I don't think there's a better feeling in the world than the transformation I witness in another: exuberance at my entrance!  (This isn't just about my little girl giggling and wriggling at my appearance, it also happens with good friends.)

I'm human.  I want people to like me.  When people I like really like me too, that feels GREAT.  I've learned over the years that I have to wait to decide if I want a person to be a friend.  Sadly, I've experienced rejection if I seem too enthusiastic about a person before they have decided they like me.  Don't you remember those "friends" who jilted you in grade school?  Well, sometimes it still happens as adults, but we learn to bury the feelings faster and more efficiently.

Well, today I want you to remember that you can deeply effect someone's day.  Remember what a smile can do for someone else.  You don't have to jump up and down when you see her or break into giggles, but a little grin can give you both joy that keeps you both smiling throughout the day!

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin

Getting Older is Cool

This weekend was delightful for me because I was able to see three amazing women who I had not seen in MONTHS - one of the three I had not seen in two years.  How great it is that I have friends who I like enough - and who like me enough - to reconnect even after time and life has intervened!?  Yep, I'm a lucky gal.

What's even cooler, (dare I say magical?), about these relationships is I feel as if we never stopped talking in the interim.  You know these people!  You pick up right where you left off.  These are good people!

Just when I think I'm alone in this world and have to suck it up and do it all myself (makes me tired just to think about life that way!), up pops some terrific friends to remind me I'm not alone.  I have shoulders, and babysitters, and strong women to count on. Thank you ladies!  You know who you are! 

Take a moment to reach out to someone today who you haven't spoken with in a while.  He or she will be glad you did!

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin