things i've been thinking about

well, the writers' strike is in full force, with everyone just having gone back to the table to actually try and sort out an agreement. while my previous post about it not really affecting my career is sorta true, it also turned out to be sorta not true. residual effects are widespread. also people around town are vehement if they happen to be opposed to this action, and i am constantly resisting debates when i'm at my survival job and elsewhere. all i can say is what i tell all the debate vultures: "i really hope they are able to resolve this quickly, and in a way that has positive results for everyone." i do, after all, believe not only in a union's right-to-strike (could be growing up near detroit and in the autoworker's union family or just common human decency) but also in this particular strike. and not just cuz i think it'll save our union trouble in the months to come.

on another topic, i am preparing for the end of the year. which means slowdown time around here, and with the strike that comes early this year. end of year for me means a closeout/review of the past year, professionally, and a revamping of my 5-3-1. that's goals set for 5 years, 3 years, 2 year, and 6 months. i do this every december or january. in glancing over this years goals as the months have passed, i've realized that for the 3rd year in a row, i have overshot on my goals. now this could, if i were a different person, upset me, make me think i had repeatedly failed or underachieved or whatever negative thought-beast takes roost in this particular circumstance. however, i am not a different person, and i think i've figured out it is far better to believe you can do more, shoot for the stars, and get as far as you can, than to aim low and give yourself goals which do not challenge you personally or professionally. i seem to have that skill in the bag. :) ergo, i'll be aiming high again this year and for many to come.

the other thing i've been thinking about in terms of goals: i have a list. 2 lists actually. one list is of women whose careers i admire, whose professional footsteps are ones i'd like to follow as i continue on my career journey. the other is of people i would like to work with, directors & actors. wanna hear? okay, here goes, in no particular order.

professional footsteps meryl streep (duh) laura linney judi dench cate blanchett holly hunter hellen mirren maggie gyllenhaal jodie foster drew barrymore glenn close susan sarandon kyra sedgwick joan cusack

work with everybody on the other list, natch clint eastwood peter o'toole gene hackman george clooney ellen burstyn johnny depp ben kingsley sidney lumet craig gillespie jeff bridges tim robbins kevin bacon john cusack

okay, so that's what i got going on in my brain right now.
these lists are certainly missing a few names that aren't on the tip of my tongue right now, but for the moment, in case any of you fabulous people is googling yrself, maybe you wanna know you're on my A list.

cheers