Home Alone

Elizabeth, NJ – Feb. 23, 2010 – Ah bliss! Rainy day. Nothing pressing. Up early for breakfast but decided to slip back under the covers and listen to Don Imus on the bedside radio and doze a little.

And so I did.

Then it got to be 11 A.M. and “Topper Takes a Trip” was on Turner Classic Movies.

That did it! Definitely a day to take a day off. It’s actually been a long time since I had a true day of rest. And so now, at 2:44 in the afternoon (Eastern Standard Time), I am still in my pajamas. Hair askew. Dixie left a couple of hours ago so it’s just me and Cyrus, their arthritic dog about the size of a VW bus. He’s curled up behind me, keeping me company. Dogs do tend to be social creatures.

I just got the most wonderful news! My friend Andrew is a stockbroker and he explained some financial matters that I did not understand and I was kind of sweating. Isn’t it refreshing that there are people around with expertise? I guess that’s why some people are reporters and some are stockbrokers.

My whole purpose in coming to New York was to plug in to media work, especially commercials and TV series. For the past 10 years, I’ve been wondering if I’ve “got the stuff”. Back in my 30s when I lived here, there were a whole bunch of guys my age trying to do the same thing. But this is now. Plus I’ve had a ton of experience in appearing on television. So I’m going to get caught up on my union dues – several thousand dollars worth! – have a professional head shot made and get some coaching from a successful commercial actor.

And then hit the streets. I mean, that’s why I’m here!

An explanation about Elizabeth, NJ. My sister Dixie and her husband Richard have lived in Elizabeth for many years, running a Christian outreach organization. They have very graciously allowed me to live here in their very large home. I have set a departure date of the end of July. I’ll sleep in the upstairs bedroom, pick up after myself, clean off the crumbs from the kitchen counter.

Very generous of them. And it’s delightful to re-establish the intimacy and spontaneity that you can only experience when you’re living under the same roof with people. Chatting over coffee in the morning. A quick conversation in passing during the evening. You establish an emotional and social texture. She and I haven’t lived under the same roof since I was in high school and she was in junior high.

Way cool!

Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis