Q: What keeps You Going? A: Old Men!

Where to Start?

I didn't know where to start when I came back to Cardiff this year... but I could surmise. First, I secured a few jobs that kept me in the black, and then I could properly assess. Why did I come to the UK and what was I hoping to achieve with my two years here? 

I think having the time pressure helps greatly. I've always been motivated and focused, but with a time bomb, I think, "if not now, then never." I have gained a sense of reckless abandon. And by reckless abandon, I mean I'm taking a few more risks than normal (but everything is thoroughly thought out, per usual for Sal).

So it's with great happiness and trepidation that I announce my plans to move to London.

I've talked to a lot of people about it, and what it boils down to is this: if I can find a reasonably priced home in London, then why not? Sure, I love Cardiff and the network I'm building here. I hope to keep in touch with all those who are close to me, but I just have to be honest with myself: are the acting jobs (for non-Welsh actors) in Cardiff?

No.

The fear is real. I know that taking this leap means leaving what is comfortable. I also know that Cardiff used to be one of the most uncomfortable places I've ever lived. As I said to Carol when explaining my potential move, "I believe my tattoo is a blessing and curse." 

I must pursue terra incognita. It is ingrained in me in more ways than one!

Fire Within

If there's anything I've learned from being in Cardiff, it's that I've got to make my own luck and that I must trust it'll be alright. Once upon a time, I used to make decisions by chatting to a lot of different people, weighing up all the options but never coming to any conclusion. The fact of the matter is: each option has pros and cons. There is no perfect answer to any challenge, and life goes on whatever you choose. Another thing I learned when moving to Cardiff, is that you've got to stick to your decisions for better or for worse. I remember Sal from last year. She hated her position in Cardiff, missed her friends, missed her home, felt defeated. To be frank, I didn't embrace my decision to come to Cardiff; I couldn't even accept it as a choice I made. With that mentality, I was hopeless.

"You were shy." -Coran

"I was depressed and socially unavailable." - Sal

"Well that too."

We had a good chuckle.

"Embrace Your Choices!" - Blonde Sal

Springtime & Quotes

As I sit here in front of the fire (that I just made, win), I must admit that it is frigid in the house right now, and that I dare not go outside for fear of the wind. However, earlier this week we had days reaching 18 degrees C, and I was stoked! 

Tuna, Cuke and Beetroot. Food Combo for Summer.

Well-cropped selfie, out in the sun.

Surely you've heard all the songs, springtime is for loving, for the birds and the bees and all of that. Although it's been warm and wonderful this past week, I was feeling a bit empty, and had some idea why. Perhaps it really was due to the fact that the weather was celebrating, and I was still hibernating. Perhaps it was because I felt I couldn't celebrate properly when alone. Regardless, some encounters from this week kept me going... could I venture to say, even rejuvenated me?

Older Man Encounters

Old Man strides into the Cafe.

"You know, my nephew's 80 years old today."
"Wow! ... May I ask how old you are?" -Mike, my boss
"Oh, I'm only 85!"

Mike and I look at each other, astonished by his input of "only". To be "only 85" is for the select few. Most of us who look upon old age think 85 is well past senile!

 Fabrizio speaks to me after Mass.

"Your voice made me have a tear in my eye."
"Oh no!..."
"No, it is the best kind of tear. It is a tear of the soul. Your voice gives me goose pimples of the soul!" 

Thank you, Fabrizio. Your joy, ridiculousness and enthusiasm make me so happy!

This next one has to do with Britain's Got Talent winner, the band G4.
No, we didn't chat or anything, but they were absolutely hilarious. I really appreciated how they finished all their ballads by raising their right hands in unison. I also appreciated their mashup of "someone like you", "let it go" and "firework", along with syncronised fist pumps. I really appreciated that they had handkerchiefs as props.

Whip out handkerchiefs in unison.

Surprise FLING! We'll throw them to our loving fans!!!!!!

Just FYI, I did not spend upwards of £30 to see them. I was ushering. Ushering with a disconcerted smile, sometimes singing along. What of it. I'm a fool.

Blind Date

Next week, I am excited to say I'm going on a blind date. I was invited to dinner by the church accompanist, and luckily we have a young man joining us as well! The only catch is that he's visiting our parish because it's Vocation Sunday and he happens to be in his fourth year as a seminarian (i.e. priest-in-training). 

It's not too late for us yet!

Our parish priest is also coming to dinner. Talk about overbearing chaperone!

I'm joking, guys, chill.

Until next week.