Dear Neo-Futurist mailing list,

Two weeks ago when I was in Chicago I went with friends to see TMLMTBGB.  This is pretty standard.  I do this every time I come home.  But this time while we waited in line, my friends and I shared what minimal plans for the future we have and where we thought we would be.  No telling how those plans will turn out. 

As I watched the show I had the moment I always have: I would love to be a Neo-Futurist.  That would actually be the coolest thing in the entire world.  But this time was different than times before, because it could actually be real this time.  I could make that a plan.  Or at least a dream plan.

So I have just signed up for the Neo-Futurist mailing list so that I know when auditions are.  I'm making plans. 


love,
hannah

Dear first snow at school,

Last first snow at school? We've been waiting, and you arrived tonight by streetlight.  I was with my cast, and two ran out to dance in the snow: one to get into character, the other because she's from California.  So now you're here.  I can almost start making snowflakes.

In other news, after using my blog as a tech theater complaint forum last semester, it should be said that I did five hours today in the costume shop and it felt so good.  Being in the theater building from three to eleven felt so good.  Strange? I don't know.  I made plans to do it again on Friday.


love,
hannah

Dear man sitting next to me at Dunn Bros,

You look a lot like Steve Jobs, that was the first thing I noticed.  Then, a whole twenty minutes later, I noticed that your briefcase next to me was in fact not a briefcase at all but a dog carrier.  Sir, your dog is tiny.  And adorable.  And because we are in a public space I tried to not squeal, but for real, that thing is adorable.  You are working hard so I texted my friends instead of pointing and squealing, there's a dog right here!

And then you go to the bathroom and ask me to watch your dog, pretty sure that means you saw me sneaking fervent, longing glances at your super cute pet.  Well sir, you gave me permission.  I didn't open the carrier, I promise.  After you came back we started to talk about Jilly.  Jilly! What an adorable name for a two-pound dog with tiny eyes and teeth.  I wish I had taken a picture.  You say you bring her around in the case to socialize her - I will socialize with her!

I was kind of pleased to find out that she's wearing that leopard print harness because it's the only thing small enough for her and not because you're making a fashion statement.  I'm such a girl, I want your tiny dog.  Please come back to Dunn Bros.  I don't know if you're allowed to bring a dog in, but I don't care. 


love,
hannah

Dear seven billion people,

This actually blows my mind.  I remember when I read the articles about reaching six billion, and I was in second grade.  And we will reach eight billion by 2030? I find this a little terrifying.  How did this happen? How are we going to make this work?

Seven billion.

In less than two hundred years the world's population has increased by five billion people, but don't worry, by the end of the century we should balance out at ten million.  No worries.  I should be dead by then. 

I'm not sure why this troubles me so much.  But, to be fair, I'm also really troubled right now by the length of Kim Kardashian's marriage.  Seventy-two days? She was only married for seventy-two days before she decided that was it? Kim, a college course lasts longer than that.  You couldn't even manage an intro course in marriage co-taught by the esteemed Kris Humphries.  If you only got married to this dude because his name also started with "K" and you just really wanted a wedding I will be severely disappointed.  Cause apparently that's what we do now that we have seven billion people on the planet: we have ridiculously extravagant and publicized weddings which allows us to make something like eight million dollars for every day we're married.

Maybe this is why I'm worried.  If seven billion people watch Kim Kardashian's wedding or try to emulate it or even care about Kim Kardashian's wedding then we've got a huge problem on our hands. 

Well, you've made it K-Krowd, spell check recognizes your last name.  You're only a group of seven people in a world of seven billion but spell check knows your name. 


love,
hannah

Dear manicure,

I don't think I will ever be able to do my nails this well.  Sometimes I catch myself just looking at my nails.  What a life.


love,
hannah

Dear Birthday Week,

In my house we have a thing called birthday week.  We even go so far as to have "birthday month" although only my mother and brother get to fully take advantage of that while my dad and I share a birthday month.  Birthday week merely extends the celebration of your birthday and allows you to do whatever you want for even longer.  My mother is a big proponent of birthday week and though I have claimed its privileges I wouldn't say that I have embraced birthday week.  I think it's one of those things where your response has less to do with the thing itself, and more about how you were raised with it; it's not that I don't like birthday month, it's that was a big deal for other people and consequentially it wasn't a big deal for me. 

Not so this year.  For whatever reason, I decided that my twenty-first birthday was going to be an all-out celebration.  Maybe it's because Harold Camping said that the world actually was going to end, but year twenty one was going to end in style.  I went all out for birthday week: I blew off homework, cancelled rehearsal and spent the week at Playlabs 2011 at the Playwright's Center (more on that later) planned a big party and then an official excursion the next day.  The world hasn't yet, and I may have just had the best birthday ever.  And then the weekend ended with my friends gathered around, watching You've Got Mail and trying to work.  (Some of us were successful and some of us were absolutely not.  I was both.) 

Perhaps the best part is that the celebration isn't really over because I'm headed home next week to celebrate with family and friends.  Oh, and I'm going to see a play next week. 

I may actually like birthday month. 


love,
hannah

Dear last five minutes of being 20,

Look at you go! This has been a pretty amazing year, as documented through this blog. 

I'm more excited for this birthday than I have been for any other.  And it's strange though because American culture does place some significance on this birthday, it lies only in one's sudden ability to drink legally.  I'm not so much interested in the drinking that comes with this birthday, so I can't say why I'm so excited.  I just am.  I've gone all out this week, doing Birthday Week in a way that honors the birthday legacy of my family.  And I have two days of celebration planned.  Two days!

I suppose this is the last birthday I'll actually be excited for.  Only a few more years before I start counting backward.  I'm more curious about what lies ahead, so I won't be leading the countdown.


love,
hannah