Damn, It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta (or, Life is Swell)

Greetings friends, family, and Internet strangers. Time for a life update.

London is brisk again, Christmas lights are starting to spring up in shopping areas, and I have a cold, so it really is getting into winter time. Thankfully the box that my mom shipped arrived last week, so I have my winter coat, plus some extra sweaters ("jumpahs") for variety and warmth--plus a whole box of Emergen-C (stuff of the gods).

Obama Nation is off to a great start, and I especially like being able to feel unashamed when I say I'm an American here now. Before the election I had to preface my nationality with, "Sorry, but." Now I can actually take some pride in it!

However, a big, fat BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! to California, Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas for stripping rights away from gay and lesbian couples last Tuesday. That's a bit of bigotry we don't need, and it'll change over time.

It's my blog, and I'll rant if I want to, rant if I want to, rant if I want to...

Anyway, on the personal front: life is grand. I'm settling into my long-term temp job at Variety Club Children's Charity--to the point where they've actually said that I'm welcome to stay with them through March if I'd like. My current plan is to uphold the initial six-week commitment that I made and then see what progress I've made on production job applications by then. Maybe I can stay through Christmas, and then look into short-term production contracts for the New Year.

I also recently had two exciting production interviews, one with Nickelodeon that was scheduled a month ago, and one with an independent company called Lone Wolf TV. I can't hold my breath for either, really, because I think they both want longer commitments than the one I can make due to my visa situation: I can only work until March 15th.

Nickelodeon needs someone to begin in January and work on a full eleven-month contract, which is basically impossible unless they sponsor me. I'm not holding my breath on that one. The manager at Lone Wolf seemed a little more willing and able to take me on through March--I really loved the vibe there and think it'd be such a good fit--but again, I don't want to get my hopes up over something that may not be feasible.

At this rate, I'm in a comfortable position; my current options are "good" or "better," which isn't a bad situation by any means!

In other news, I visited my great aunt and uncle on Saturday, which was fantastic--and I'm hoping it'll lead to more family time in the weeks and months to come. They live in the house where my grandparents used to live--and where I used to stay whenever we came here on vacations when I was a little kid. I have a lot of good memories there, so it's always cool to make more.

By Sunday, Daniel and I went to the Spirit of Christmas festival, where we loaded up on sample chocolates and bought some early Christmas presents. (He says he doesn't like Christmas, but then suggests stuff like that, so I don't know what to believe.) I bought some goods for my dad and stepmom, my buds in New York (Caitlin, Carrie, and Anders--something for them to share), and my aunt Krys, though I still have a lot more shopping to do. Good thing it's only November 11th and I don't need to get ahead of myself at all, eh?

I couldn't be happier on the relationship front. The last thing I want to do is jinx anything, but I'm realising that this is basically the kind of relationship that I always hoped for, but started to believe didn't exist. Prove me wrong.

I'm feeling festive, though, probably 'cause I'm really enjoying myself these days. "The suspense is terrible. I hope it'll last!"