Day Zero Update

Time has been whipping by lately, and I can't believe that it's been four months since I last updated on the Day Zero project. I've ticked a few more items off the list, bringing me up to 36 out of 101. Tomorrow, we head off on a cruise to New Zealand, which will mean at least one more item off the list, but until then, here are the ones that have gotten the big check mark.

Travel Goals

         Go to Tasmania

In October, Partner-in-Crime and I flew to Tasmania for a week. Before moving to Australia, if you had ever told me that Tasmania was somewhere I would travel to in my life, I would have laughed (and probably said, "wait, where is Tasmania?"). Recently, I was talking to someone who hails from Tassie, as they call it here, and told him what an amazing time we had on our trip. He said, "tell everyone. People think Tasmania has a bad reputation." I told him I thought Tassie would be better off if it remained a bit of a secret. Its charm is in its pristine scenery and its laid back attitude.

Professional Goals

        Teach a class or master class

Recently, I was a mentor for a program supporting emerging playwrights and directors. I had such a fantastic time working on that program and, as part of it, I led two workshops on dramaturgy for the participants. I very much hope I'll have more opportunities to teach.

Projects, Food, and Craftiness

-         Make a recipe box

Instead of making an actual box, I decided to go next-generation and build my "box" as a private blog. This gives me the ability to search for recipes, ingredients or themes (i.e. - "bring to a party" or "breakfast"). Plus, if anyone ever asks for a recipe, it will be easy for me to email the link. I miss the classic nature of the recipe card box, but in reality, this system is so much more practical.

Personal Health and Wellbeing

         Get a hot stone massage

 

I did this just today, thanks to a Groupon I bought back in September. I have never been so blissed to heaven in my life. What a great goal I set for myself.

 Join a gym

I finally broke down and made the investment in joining the gym. I ended up joining a large chain here, which has been pretty good because it frees me of the excuse of it not being convenient to home or work.

Things to Watch

         See Kathy Griffin perform

My crummy cell phone picture of Kathy Griffin
at the Opera House.

I was elated when Kathy Griffin announced dates in Sydney, and rounded up a few girlfriends for a night out at the Opera House. She was every bit as funny as I'd expected, and some of her best material was stuff she'd tailored for Australia. One of my favorite observations was that Julia Gillard looks just like Tilda Swinton, and that she and Julia are "fellow 'rangas" (a disparaging slang for red-heads, which I am not going to deign to tell you the ridiculous origin of). She also had good fun with Oprah's Australian visit, saying that Oprah told everyone that she'd "discovered a new city. It's called Australiaaaaaaaa." Every bit of the show was a riot.

Things to Buy

      Invest in the perfect little black dress

 When I was in the States, I was on my umpteenth trip to Ross, when I saw this gorgeous Calvin Klein cocktail dress. I had no intention of spending any more money, so dragged the dress into the change room with me to talk myself out of it (obviously). It was almost like the dress had been fitted to me. I could not say no. I wore it for the first time to the aforementioned Kathy Griffin show. And, guess what ... I discovered that it even has pockets!

My big investment? $25.
I would make ritual sacrifices to have a Ross here.

That's the wrap up for now. I'll be back with more tales of life and so forth when we get back from visiting the hobbits our cruise.