Is that a no?

Since I've been back in NY, I've been auditioning regularly but have also been applying to, what feels like, a million jobs; thank you craigslist. As I look at the amount of emails my "Sent" box, I wonder how many of my resumes were actually received, read, considered, and rejected. Sounds like a lot but when you don't get a response, you begin to wonder.

With auditions, even if you don't hear from casting, you hear through the grapevine that so-and-so got the gig. If that's not the case, it's still more tangible to believe that someone was a better fit than you, whether you agree or not. With submission via email, if you don't receive a phone call or return email, it's as if you clicked the send button and your resume disappeared into thin air. I am really curious what happens on the other end. Does my email get received, read, but rejected? Does someone actually read my resume and decide that I'm not a good fit or that the previous sender would be better?

I would love to hear from several employers as to what actually happens "on the other side." I always read in the newspaper that there are no jobs and the unemployment rate is rising.  Then, on the next page, there will be an article saying "x" amount of jobs have been approved. Since all that does is confuse me, I'm more interested with what's happened when an employer receives resumes and cover letters. It's not about the college diploma, that's almost always a given even when some of the jobs I see and submit for don't list high school diploma as good enough . If not that, could it be experience? Here's an example:

I submitted for at least 12 coat check jobs at various clubs/restaurants about 2 weeks ago and heard back from none. I have coat check experience, in a museum, but still, coats are coats. From auditioning, I can only assume that the other submissions were from people with 5+ years coat check experience or just experience from somewhere more appealing than a museum. Since I've gotten no response I'm left playing a guessing game as to why I haven't heard back or just forgetting that I ever submitted. The other possible idea is that employers pick the first "x" amount that fit the description, delete the rest, and don't look to see what they may have missed. Considering that the majority of jobs I apply to are from craigslist, I could see this as a possible reason for not hearing back. Either way, this topic is one that plagues me every time I get ready to submit my resume for an entry-level type job. Let's not even get into the amount of frustration felt by those who were previously at the top of the chain, lost their job, and are now over qualified.

What about the others?

Yesterday, I spent majority of my day relaxing and watching a marathon of, "I Used To Be Fat." It's a documentary type show by MTV that  follows obese/overweight teens as they work with a trainer to lose weight before heading to college and/or the real world. The show is great. I couldn't stop watching and was so amazed by the transformation of the teens in under 100 days. They endured grueling workouts to help their self esteem and pretty much save their lives. The teens averaged about 250lbs each and it was interesting to see how each story varied in terms of how much weight they lost and how fast the lost it. Some lost weight instantly, while others, it took more than a week to see the scale change significantly. While, I personally can't relate to these teens, I was still captured by their struggle yet willingness to change their lives for the better. It made me wonder though, what about the people who go through the same issues but not on the extreme level?

Where are the reality shows that could probably reach the mainstream industry? What about the people who want to lose between 5lbs  and 20 lbs? Don't the health guru's always say that the last 5lbs are the hardest? Call me crazy but I'd actually like to propose a push for reality shows that really reach to people without going to the extreme. Yes, many people in our country are obese; yes these shows are a nice way to make people "wake up, " but what about something less urgent but still interesting. How about a story dealing with a guy that used to be an athlete and in great shape but an injury/illness/family emergency caused fitness to take a back seat. Now he's got "x" amount of days to get back in shape before "y" event. Or a female trying to lose baby weight. Even someone who has a to lose 5 lbs in 2-3weeks for a friends wedding. Whatever the story, I'm sure many people are going through this and could relate to this more than the extreme worlds of "Biggest Loser," "I Used To Be Fat," and so on. I would even love a story about someone who wants to get in shape but just can't motivate themselves. I think about how hard it used to be for me to get up and go to the gym and about the many people who join the gym but don't actually keep up with it. To me, the things would be cool to see and relate to. The more relative it is, the more I, the viewer, will be influenced and take action to better my life.

In the next few posts, I think I'm going to be blogging a series of pitches/thoughts of things I've always been curious about. This all stems from attending a free writing class through Gotham's Writers Workshop. It inspired me to re-visit my former love; writing.

I am 24 and proud!

Happy Birthday to me! I am 24 years old today and I'm happy about that. I told myself a few weeks ago that I needed to snap out of that whole, "oh jeez I'm getting older" thing. If I want my life to remain positive, I need to start accepting myself and not living in the past.

I truly feel at 24,not 21, that I am becoming an adult. This past year really served as my transition phase. Maybe it was because I had my first professional dance gig which meant I had to act accordingly. Maybe it was who I was surrounded with and how they taught me life lessons in between all the dancing, singing, and acting. Or maybe, I just grew up. Either way, when I arrived back in New York, I felt the change. I approach things differently in life; I am strategic with my decisions. And, to be honest, it feels good. It doesn't feel rushed. I'm not feeling alone or confused. It's as if things just fell into place.

I am a professional dancer who is consistently auditioning while exploring and beginning to understand how the entertainment industry functions. I am searching for a part-time job while I audition but when I have free days, I'll submit for background work. When I'm not doing that, you can find me at Gold's Gym, Broadway Dance Center(though my card is expiring soon) Yoga Sutra, or Chelsea Piers(gymnastics). And with the leftover spare time, I can be found hanging out with good friends or simply sitting and reading. I like where I am at this moment. I don't know if I ever realized this the other years; I think I was so busy running around like crazy. But now, at 24, it's all about reflecting and making sure to enjoy the moment.