I’ve been having some difficulty staying present these past couple weeks. In the past, living in New York and being broke as hell was the dream. I was working hard, playing HARDER, and living my best life. Why is it that when such good things happen to us - We don’t believe it.
Being on tour is an amazing experience. Right now we are on the West Coast. Last week was Thousand Oaks, California, and this week San Jose. However, I’ve never been further west than Minnesota until right now. That was a trip I’ll never forget. Actually, I’ll tell you a little about it right now.
My father was receiving his Doctorate in Theology at Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He thought it would be a grand idea if we drove from Maryland all the way to Minnesota.
Seventeen. Hours.
Actually, it turned out to be a blast. Thanks to car Wi-Fi and my magnetic personality, we had the most fun as a family. When we got to Saint Paul, my sister and I headed straight downstairs to the hotel bar. There were free drinks, and I’ll let you do the rest of the math. Cut to my sister, me, and my parents judging our life choices.
We had an incredible time, and not for one moment did I question should we be there. Another grand idea that comes to mind was Will’s visit to New York last summer. This one was a doozy.
I got off work at Motel Morris around 10 p.m. on a Friday night, then headed to the Museum of Sex to meet Will. His company was throwing an event, and I was there for moral support. Okay, I was there to socialize and drink for free - Sue me. That night ended, like most do, drunk at a McDonald’s at two in the morning. The good life.
The next day, by God’s grace, I didn’t have to work my shift. Will and I explored Central Park, visited my apartment in Harlem, went to dinner in Union Square, and somehow ended back up at the Museum of Sex. A group of us decided, after a couple drinks, we should head uptown to Hell’s Kitchen. With all the liquor in my body, I thought it would be a grand idea to get us a car. Now, there were about 6 or 7 of us, so a regular Uber wouldn’t suffice. I saw a man in a big black truck, knocked on his window, and then 5 minutes later I was sending him money on Venmo to drive us to Hell’s Kitchen. Looking back, was it the smartest choice I’ve made? No. However, it was a New York summer night and anything was possible.
The next morning Will and I headed to brunch at Cafeteria. Afterward we got drinks at Motel Morris, and probably had alcohol poisoning at that point. A couple of my coworkers got off and we convinced them to come with us to a rooftop day party. I knew we were in trouble when our waitress came over with a huge sign saying THIRD ROUND and sparklers in tow.
I woke up the next morning and couldn’t move. I think it took me about three days to recover from that weekend. Actually, let’s call it what it was: a bender. I bring these stories up because not for one moment did I feel off. I was literally broke as hell in both stories, and acting jobs were a pipe dream.
So, why is that I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop? My last post I talked about the six years I worked to get where I am. 2017 Nurney would slap 2019 Nurney in the face right now.
Tonight, during the show, I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. Oh, it’s worth mentioning I’m a Swing so I’m not on stage every night. I’ll tell you about what that means later. I looked around to see palm trees, people strolling, and mountains in the distance. I took a deep breath. Instead of my old friend Winter Wind, (see my old posts to find out who that is), I was greeted with another old friend.
The present.