Hey Everyone,
I hope you are all having a terrific holiday season now that we are at the tail end of it. I wanted to share something I wrote last week while I was home. Please take whatever you will from it, and have a wonderful, positive 2003! My love and thanks to all of you who have given me so much as friends, family, fans, or just passers by...
A Horse in 2003...
One of my annual traditions, it seems-when I come home for a whirlwind stay in Massachusetts, is to rummage through my things at home.
Boxes upon boxes of memories-a tattered box set of CS Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia," a prize for winning the poster contest in 4th grade, promoting the 4th grade book fair-I was a true marketing genius, even at the age of 9. A rolled up, coffee-stained, autographed poster from the Hingham Civic Music Theatre's production of Evita (I was 11 and it was truly my introduction into musical theatre-this spawned not only my career, but a brilliant 6th grade biographical report on Eva Peron).
Countless photos, my brothers and I at very young ages-what the viewer clearly does not know from our cherubic faces was that my ass was most likely beaten to a pulp after it was taken (for reasons, which were NEVER my fault, despite what they may have said). Fond memories, all of them.
Then my journey through the boxes took a slightly different turn. I came across a letter from a friend. One I hadn't spoken to or seen in person in 2 years or so. She tells me of her house in Colorado-endless renovations-commiserations with me regarding my (then) broken ankle and pursuant surgery. She says that she is working hard on a new play, which is being workshopped by the Sundance Institute. She has this beautiful house and is hoping to be done with all the restoration by January. Most of all it seems, she is hoping to have enough free time in the coming years to get a horse. After all, that's the whole reason she moved to the country. But she fears she wouldn't be able to take care of an animal like that properly with the business of her life. We lost her in January…almost a year ago now. Lung cancer had metastasized to her brain and it all happened far too quickly for doctors to do anything about. Gladly, her play went on to have a life after her light was gone. But I don't know that she ever got her horse…I take that back. I am certain that she got her horse and wherever she is now, I can only imagine she is galloping towards horizons far brighter than anything any of us has ever seen.
A lesson this time around. Seems like this trip home was about more than tearing up my mother's house, leaving it for her to clean up after me. Take your time, friends. Use it and treasure it. It has been an interesting year for me, filled with some wonderful triumphs and some disappointing tragedies, but nothing that I will let stop me. My friend inspired me to no end…she inspired everyone who came into her life, come to think of it. She did the things she wanted, overcame many obstacles, and in my eyes, lived her life as a true success-in every way you may measure it. She taught me that living your life as a success, will indeed make you one.
So this season, make your life a success, mine is a success because I have met and kept in my heart, some of the most incredible people this world has ever seen. And I thank you for being a part of my life…I know it is not always easy, believe me, but thank you for loving me, in whatever way you do. It does not ever go unnoticed or unappreciated. Have a wonderful 2003. I hope that this year provides you the opportunity, to get your horse.
With Love,
Jamie
with love from Jamie at 4:09 PM
HEY THERE!
yet another new layout! hope you like it! Sammi is evidently back in the world of the living thankfully and is kicking butt on making everything look great! Check out the news section for info on the show I am doing at the Duplex...I am producing and performing in it and desperately need to sell tickets to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
I saw the Gypsy of the Year today with David Friedman...it was absolutely incredible. Thank you BC/EFA for doing such incredible work as always!
Also...there is a link around here somewhere for Kevin Lillard's anime fan pages. where, evidently I am the personality of the week this week...there are some embarassing pictures and some lovely things Kevin wrote as well!
I'll be performing this Sunday at the Donnell Public Library on 53rd Stret as part of John Znidarsic's Arts and Artists Christmas show. I'll be singing a new song by my friend Pat and lyricist Tim Mathis. it's an uplifting little number called "Christmas Alone." That is open to the public and I believe starts at 2 or 3, I'll do my best to get more info on it soon.
that's about it for now...Hope the holidays are finding you happy, healthy and sane!
Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 9:43 PM