The Life of Brian

So it's 2:30 am as I'm starting my first blog entry. My good buddy Jeff Pack started a blog when he moved to LA, and it's freaking great. Totally Pack in every way, shape, and form. Anyway, back to my story.

I decided about a month and a half ago to take the plunge and move to New York. I'm looking at the words I typed, and I still really can't believe it. I've lived in Atlanta, GA ever since December of 1990 (I was 12 when I moved here, and I lived in Lilburn, GA from the time we moved down here until 2002, with exception to those 4 years in Athens at UGA, about a year in Lawrenceville, another year in Roswell, 6 months in Alpharetta, and the last 2 and a half years in Midtown, right in the heart of the city). I remember quitting my day job back in 2005 with the intent of moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting, but I'll be honest, I chickened out. Deciding to uproot myself from the place I've called home for the past 17 years has really been one of the toughest decisions for me on a personal level. I've made some truly life-long friends here, people I consider family. Friends like Stack, Matt, Vinnie, Chapman, Kelly, Melissa, Nelson, Pack, the entire improv troupe (www.pitimprov.com, if you haven't seen a show, you're doing yourself a disservice. They have one this Sunday at the Pro Actor Studio in Buckhead, doors open at 7pm). The list goes on and on. You guys really have no idea how much y'all mean to me, and I thank God everyday (or for Star Wars fans, I thank the Maker) for each and every one of you. I couldn't be blessed with better friends than I have now. I was floored to see the turnout for my last PIT show 2 weeks ago. I can't thank you guys enough, and I think the first scene with Matt and I basically showed everyone how I feel about leaving. I don't think it's really hit me yet that I won't be seeing everyone everyday like normal, and it'll probably hit me when I'm on the plane. The thing about it is, I realized something recently. We all have dreams, whether it's being a successful actor, a doctor, or a dream of world domination. Whatever it may be, if you're not willing to go for it with everything you have, what's the point in having it anyway? I let fear cripple me from going to Los Angeles. Do I have enough money, who can I stay with, how will I get around? A wise Jedi master once said "fear is the path to the darkside," along with, "do or do not; there is no try." Damn, Yoda really knew what he was talking about. I think his logic applies in this situation. For me, remaining afraid of Los Angeles, and having a "what if this happens, what if that happens" mentality left me in a very stagnant state, which to me would be comparable to the aforementioned "dark side." Sure, nothing really bad has happened, but am I any closer to my goal? For anyone who hasn't seen "The Secret," I highly recommend. It's amazing what positive thinking, and vision-casting (shout out to my boy Dave) can do for making things happen. Instead of saying "what if," say "why not." Interestingly enough, I think they should change the name of The Secret, seeing as it's not really a secret any more, but I digress. As it applies to me, I've had what can be described as a bit of an awakening when it comes to acting. Maybe it's me getting older, or who knows what, but ever since I made the decision to move to New York, I've been so clear and so focused with my goal that I set for myself, I've never believed in anything more than I believe in my goal. I decided that I need to try NOW. I'm the only one who can make this thing happen for myself. I don't want to wake up one morning and be 38 years old going to a job I hate, working for some jerk I don't like just to survive (I know I sound crazy when I say this, but if I had some corporate job making six figures, and I was doing something I hate, I would consider myself a failure; then again, some people can't resist the power of the dark side). Maybe it's a bit selfish, but I'd rather go through the pain of not seeing my friends than never trying at all. It's not to say I'm not going to miss my friends; I'm picking the lesser of 2 evils. I know that all of my friends love Bri for Bri, and they want to see me succeed. I know it's going to happen, and it's only a matter of time (if you're wondering what said goal is, I prefer to keep it private, however, if you're reading this and you know me, you should have a pretty good idea what I have in mind). I basically spent the day getting my stuff into my storage shed (by the way, I used U-Hual in downtown Atlanta. For anyone planning on renting a truck to move, don't use them, and don't make a reservation via the web. It gives you a random close store, and I scheduled my pick-up at 12, and didn't get the truck until 1. So I lost an hour of moving, and when I had to bring the truck back, I sat in an hour of Atlanta traffic, which I will not miss one iota). Your best bet is to pick the closest place to you and call them that day and see if they have a truck.

The days of my leaving Atlanta have now turned into hours, and my "See you Later/See you on the Screen" party is tonight (2/29) at Fellini's on Ponce at 7pm. If you didn't get the evite, consider this as such, I'd love to see everyone before I ship off. Should be interesting to see who shows up (Chapman had a great title for it, which I'll avoid using as of now). Know that if you're reading this blog and you're in Atlanta, I'm going to miss you. Take solace in the fact that:
A) I'm moving to New York, not Jupiter
2) I'm in great health, and I'm not transubstantiating
D) With free long distance on cell phones, texting, myspace, email, and cheap plane tickets, trust me, I will be calling, sending messages, visiting, etc. When I find a place, all of my friends are always welcome, in the words of the legendary Steve Perry "With Open Arms."

It's a bit cliche, and I've said it before, but I think a quote from my favorite 20th Century philosopher, Frosty the Snowman, applies here:
"I'll say good-bye, but don't you cry, I'll be back again someday!"

And such is the Life of Brian...