Darien DeVries

I’M HERE!! Kudos to Don for the packing and driving with me.  What a saint!

Happy to be settling in. I cannot thank enough my welcome wagon for making sure that I felt all loved upon arrival.  Not only is my gracious host allowing me occupation of his spare bedroom and use of the whole house, but he’s totally fun and has the house stocked with delicious boozy goodness. Many thanks to John & Kristen for helping me unload the heavy stuff from the truck and get it into my room. And I must say that my room is looking pretty spiffy and has become a cozy Darien den! Now to get the other stuff I won’t use so much out of everyone’s way.

In a few days I will be off to Reno to spend time with dear friends before Burning Man. This year it’s really a wonderful gateway to the new dimension of my life. I think it will spark some creativity before attending the Conservatory. It is also where I will be meeting up with Arleth before we *BOTH* start school! We shall shenanigan like  no shenanigan has ever there shenaniganed!!

And let the zany adventures begin! My awesome friend Quinn took me out with her last night to some pubs and aside from some jackassery, a good time was had by all. We saw a cool band, danced, and had some philosophical conversation with a slurry drunk Irishman named Seamus (Shamis?).  The evening finished off with In-N-Out Burger. Om nom nom!! Hooray for a fun girls night out!

I have been receiving lots of mail  from the Clown Conservatory with different interesting things to read and contact info for my fellow classmates. And class starts in
2/12 weeks!! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! I can’t wait!! eeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Needless to say, I have been walking on air since last Wednesday. You know you are truly happy when even dealing with the DMV can’t ruin your mood. And last Wednesday, anyone who saw me can attest to the exhilirated squealing and jumping up & down.  I have not felt like that in 10 years.

First of all, thank you to everyone out there who supported me in this first part of the adventure. Your kind words, prayers, positive energy, and love really helped me along. You remind me that I’m not alone on this crazy life path and that I have plenty of loved ones watching over me.  Special thanks to: Jon for his role as cameraman and video editor for my audition videos; Mike for his contribution as cameraman for the second audition; Steven, Dennis, Maggie, Kevin, and Ron for the astounding letters of recommendation; Roxanne for the inspiration and guidance; Clare for the headshots. I could not have done it without you guys.

Now that I’ve gotten over my little Oscar- wannabe moment, some ramblings of my mind…

It has been very surreal these past few days. My last day at my job was yesterday. It was bittersweet. While I will miss the people – my students especially – I will not miss the daily grind of office clothing, fluorescent lighting, and making numbers. I wish so much success on my students and hope they will continue to stay in contact with me. It is strange not having a job at this moment. I have enough saved to take care of rent until my relocation, but it is unnerving not knowing when next I will have income.

I am so thrilled that the next chapter of life is beginning. So excited that I start school in September and develop myself further as a performer!  And also relieved that I have these next 6 weeks back home with my family to relax a bit, practice skills that I’ve not had the energy/time to put in before, and reconnect with friends and family. A fellow performer will be visiting me and we can work on skills and putting a show together. Hopefully, she will also be attending the Clown Conservatory as well!

Upon return, I have about 4 weeks to pack up my life and move to the bay area.  It is a good time to purge myself of needless possessions, though I find it very difficult. I will have to call upon some good friends to help me prioritize my belongings – and of course, drink my booze. Yayfun!

I will miss my SoCal friends very much. Especially the Wives. and the Boggards. They have become my family over the past 6 years and while I know I will see them at the holidays and performances, I shall miss singing with MWOW weekly. That’s it, NorCal friends – you gotta step up! =D

The rest of my life is happening and I am actually going for my dreams.  It is an amazing feeling to lose that paralyzing fear that stops one from pursuing their passion. I had it for so long that I can hardly believe that I am where I am right now, especially with how I was feeling two months ago. May this feeling last forever. I truly am in love with the world and cannot wait to spend my life doing what I need – and *want* – to do.

*sigh* I had better get some sleep before my flight!

Take care, friends.