Fred Cartmill...RIP

My grandfather on my dad's side died on Christmas day. He slipped into a coma on Christmas Eve so it wasn't a complete shock that he died the next day. However, the feeling of it being so final was a bit of a shock to the mind and emotions. My grandpa battled throat cancer a couple years ago and it went into remission. Then they discovered lung cancer. The family decided it was time to let Hospice help out. He was 81.

I'm glad I was with my dad when we heard the news. He handled it well, though he did need a quite moment alone, for as he said, "your father only dies once."

About an hour after he passed, my grandma went and sat with him for awhile and stroked his head. Hearing that was very poignant for me. They were married for 60+ years. What an amazing moment that must be...to sit and revisit 60 years of life with someone. It made me remember how all too human we are.

Peace. Love. Rest.

Aislinn

A month...for shame!

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I last wrote. My life has been so full...all good things, but I'm really looking forward to visiting my mom soon. And, it just so happens that she lives in Hawaii. Not a bad place to have to visit, huh? Though, the downside is that if I want to see my mom I have to fly halfway across the Pacific Ocean to do so. Or, wait for her to come to the mainland...which isn't until June. But, a little vacation in Hawaii is sounding pretty darn good right now!

One of the more noteworthy happenings in the past month for me is that my acting coach announced that he is retiring from teaching. I was genuinely surprised and sad. I was going to take a couple months off class due to being out of town a great deal, but I fully intended to return to class. I've struggled at times with sticking with the class (due to my feeling overwhelmed in life and my lack of confidence in my acting abilities), but knowing that it's come to an end makes me quite sad. I know there are other classes in town...but I'm not interested in them...yet. I'll give it a rest for awhile and if and when I'm ready to seek another class out, I hope I'll find the right fit.

But, Neal also told me that he has written a very short piece that he would like to shoot in the beginning of the year with me and a couple other guys from class. So, I'll still be able to work with him...it won't be an abrupt end. Actually, I'm grateful for Neal's confidence in my abilities as an actor. His confidence has gotten me several roles and I hope that he continues to think of me for future projects! After all, connections are key in the acting world!

So, I'll be gone for awhile...until the beginning of the year. I may have access to a computer at times, but I'm not sure I'll get the chance to write. We'll see...

Happy holidays!

Love,
Aislinn