movie trailers

Hello, world.

It’s been so long since I’ve done this that I feel as if we’re on a first date, again. Honestly, I’m a little nervous. It’s been a while since we’ve spent any time together. Will you still like me? Will I say something funny or interesting, and will you laugh? Will we be able to regain that sense of mutual interest and connection? Will you text me later and say you had a nice time?

I promise that if you do, I won’t wait another eight months to respond. 😉

The past eight months has flown by in a whirlwind of activity. Work, kids, husband, friends, travel, work, kids, husband, work, family, work, PTA, kids and work. It’s all been good, mostly.

My job, which I started nine months ago, has been going pretty well. After six years as a stay home mom, I took a part-time position working for a music publishing company as a music coordinator and personal assistant. It’s been fun. We create and license orchestral music/sound design for movie trailers. I love music and movies, so it seemed like a good fit, although I have no previous experience in either industry. As it turns out, my penchant (read OCD) for detail and organization lends itself nicely to the trailer music industry. A lot of people ask me for examples of what we do. Did any of you happen to see the debut trailer for The Last Jedi? The epically moving, raise the hair on your arms music in that trailer just happens to be ours! Yes, it was a BFD. We celebrated the next morning after the release of the trailer with mimosas and French omelets. Just in case you haven’t seen it…

Later, my daughter asked me, “Mom, what did YOU actually do to contribute to that movie trailer?” I couldn’t tell if she was mocking me because she thinks I’m lame, or if she was looking for proof that I’m really as cool as I tell her I am. So I was honest with her and said, “Not a damn thing. My job is to do all the other stuff, so the people I work for can focus their time and talents on creating music for projects like this.” I’m pretty sure she took that as validation of her initial assessment, which is that I’m lame.

Despite how well my job is going, I will admit that I’m still waiting for my lightening bolt. For a long time I’ve had this sense that there’s something I’m supposed to be doing, yet I have no idea what it is. It’s like there’s a thin veil hanging over my life, and I can’t quite see through it, but I know the answers I need are on the other side. I’ve always envied people who understood their talents. People who have a clear vision of their path in life. Some people know without hesitation what they are meant to do. Their talent and drive toward that goal manifests itself clearly for them. For me that has never been the case. Despite doing well in the career/jobs I’ve chosen, I’ve always struggled to fully grasp my sense of purpose, and after celebrating another birthday this past September, I feel a sense of urgency toward whatever self-discovery needs to take place in order to put myself on the right path. I’m not afraid of hard work, I just want to realize what I’m supposed to be working toward so I can get on with it. Is it too much to ask to wake up one morning with a hand written note beside my bed that reads,

Dear Wanda,

You are destined to become a dolphin trainer. Please make arrangements for whatever training is necessary to complete this task and file your application for employment at Sea World, as soon as possible.

Your welcome,

The Universe

I think I would take a clue like that seriously. I tried asking my kids what they think I’m good at. Their answers are ridiculous but I love their honesty. My son says stuff like, “You’re good at snuggles, Mommy. And you make the best meatloaf.” He also told me I was good at being a mommy, and he suggested I open up the baby factory and have another one so he could be a big brother.

So that’s where I’m at. Attempting to support one company on it’s path to greatness while I strive to discover my own. If any of you can relate, it would be awesome to hear about it. And by the way, to those of you who reached out to check on me during my little blogging hiatus, I want you to know how much I genuinely appreciated that, so thank you! 🙂

It’s been too long since my last post. I’ve actually started and discarded several posts. I can’t seem to finish one, either because my thought runs out of steam, or I just feel like I’m rambling about something no one would really be interested in.

So, instead of an organized essay of sorts, here are a few things that have been on my mind lately…

Politics. (Insert a deep, prolonged sigh, accompanied by an eye-roll). I know everyone has talked the election of 2016 to death, and I’ll be honest and say that I’ve written and deleted this paragraph at least three times. I’m over editing myself because this topic is so polarizing and divisive that I hesitate to even discuss it. Generally, I don’t discuss politics with many people. And I’m breaking my own rule here, but I feel so strongly about this that it almost hurts to not say something. To say anything. It hurts to stay quiet. So, very carefully, I will say this…for those of you who voted for Donald Trump, well, I hope that works out for you. For those of you who didn’t vote for Donald Trump, well, hold on to your butts. In a few days this shit is about to get real. Time will tell if he has what it takes to be an unconventional yet effective President, or if he is truly a man-baby-twitter-whore who can’t find his ass with both hands unless Kelly Ann Conway draws him a map. And for all of us, I think this election cycle has been a great reminder of how a democratic society works. We all have a responsibility to be involved, no matter what side you align yourself with. We can’t wait for others to do the heavy lifting. Whether we understand politics or ignore it because we’re intimidated by what we don’t understand, we all have an obligation to participate. Congress takes advantage of your willful ignorance, and apathetic people are easily manipulated. So get involved. Be the change you want to see in the world. Whether it’s in your community, local or state government, get involved. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what issues matter the most to me so that I can take steps to participate and do my part. I hope you will too.

In other news, I got a job. That’s right! This girl got a J.O.B.! After six years of being a stay home mom, I am officially employed again. And you know you’ve re-entered the workforce when you have to disclose on your job application that you were technically arrested in 1992 for Disturbing the Peace, because that shit is a misdemeanor and stays on your record FOREVER. It’s ok though, because they hired me anyway. I’ve been really bored since Bryce started first grade. I volunteer a lot at the school, but I had a few days a week where I just felt like I was wasting time and brain cells. And apparently the universe agreed that I was ready to go back to work and just handed me an awesome opportunity. A friend of mine owns a music publishing company, and they have hired me as a part-time music coordinator and personal assistant. The company creates and licenses music for movie trailers! How flipping cool is that?! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before and I’m having a blast learning this whole new industry. So, thank you universe!

My dog Mavis, who is now nine months old, won’t stop shitting in the house. It’s making me crazy. It’s like she’s decided that she’s too good for grass. She pee’s outside, no problem. Then she comes to the door, runs upstairs and poops on my bedroom rug. I refuse to let this dog believe that she can just drop heat anywhere her little heart desires. I am the alpha in this house! She spent the morning in her kennel because she pooped on my rug after she had already gone out this morning. Mind you, my entire house has wood floors. When she poops, she always uses the rug. When I came home I went to let her out. In defiance of being put in her kennel she refused to come out. Fine. She can just stay there. So she did. Then a few hours later I came home again and pulled her out of the kennel and took her outside. She pee’d, then wanted to come back in. But I know her game. I made her stay outside. She tried to wait me out. She even sat there shaking and giving me her sweet little sad eyes. Oh, she is such an actress! It took about fifteen minutes, and I swear she huffed at me, then walked to the grass and pooped. Ha Ha! Today I am the winner!

I miss books. I’ve been so busy between the holidays, kids and my new job that I haven’t read a new book in months. I have several in my kindle that need my attention, but if any of you have a good recommendation I am always looking for new books.

That’s about it for me. My life goals for 2017 are set. Community service, learning a new industry, becoming a dog whisperer and reading more books. I think that’s a good list. What about you? I missed a lot of New Year’s posts in the past two weeks. I’d love to hear some of your resolutions and goals for the year. 🙂