Posted January 24th, 2003 by Michelle

No relief in sight. I think it is going to be freezing in this city for a long, long time.

I worked today. Every person who came in the door had that shocked look that comes from living in arctic weather. The block and a half between the subway stop and the door of my job, which lately is my second home, is enough to freeze my face to the point of pain. And the first thing I did upon arrival at work was fall down the winding staircase that connects the locker room to the kitchen. Amazing. I landed on my ankle, which is currently elevated and iced. Yeesh. That’s the kind of foolish thing that I do when I haven’t had enough rest.

I’ve worked at this restaurant for almost two years now. This time two years ago I was in Kansas City, visiting my then-boyfriend, having just interviewed at the restaurant the day before I left on vacation. At the time I had jobs at three other unfortunate establishments, including a stint at a SoHo bistro that just about ate my soul. Not to mention the “rocker” East Village we-never-close-and-we-all-do-coke diner. And then my current job and I found each other, and it is such a beautiful match that it concerns me. It’s the only part of my life where I am very successful, and it’s the only thing I don’t want to do forever. Writing, singing, acting, medicine- all great challenges. Hospitality? Service? Somehow these skills were bred into me and, scarily enough, I even enjoy it. As far as my restaurant goes, believe the hype. It’s an incredible place to eat. Terrific food, terrific service, not ridiculously expensive. Never in my life have I held a job for two years. And yes, I did run away this past summer, but October found me back in “stripes” (our uniform) and describing our Filet Mignon of Tuna.

Truth be told, I was terrified of returning. I spent several days literally bawling my eyes out, just thinking about it. I was living in the woods, far away from the world of restaurants and theatres and I knew if I went back, I would have an incredibly hard time leaving again. I am way too comfortable, make just enough money, and am just good enough at it that I fear I will not leave in time. Also, it is so terribly time-consuming, and exhausting, and leaves me with so little time to write. And all my fears are realized. I’m entirely caught up in it again, working extra shifts to afford my apartment, not having touched the book I’m writing in weeks.

My life is what I make it, though. I can only blame myself for the choices I have made.

Monday morning I am going to an EPA call for Fiddler on the Roof. I haven’t auditioned for anything theatrical since I returned to the city but I am really excited about this one. That is, I’m excited because I’ll be singing one of my mother’s songs, which is terrific, but I am dreading the actual day. Every man, woman and child who is Equity will be fighting to be heard, so I am planning on getting to the audition in the wee hours of the early morning just to get a two-minute slot. Ridiculous. And only very rarely is anyone actually cast from these huge open calls. But it’s what you have to do. And I love the show, and besides not looking remotely Jewish I’m perfect for it. I’m also waiting to hear back from several emergency medicine centers who just might want to give me a part-time EMT job. This could be a really good week.