Stating My Purpose. Part 1

November 29, 2009
Well, its been months now right since I began this blog – which I began as an effort to keep me diligently checking in with myself in my MFA process… or “trek” if you will…

So this week I’ve been hunkering down to finish up my Statement of Purpose – something I’ve been pondering and wrestling with for some time now but not actually putting words to paper. I had a flash back to freshmen year of college, staring at the computer screen for my first term paper. Oh, how I’d forgotten the joys of writers block… although this writer’s block has lasted about two months: I have to write my statement of purpose. This week. Ok… so I’ve read some blogs about this little statement… that helped, although it was a mild form of procrastination.
- Sites to check out:
o http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm
o http://speakcoffeetome.blogspot.com/2008/08/mfa-statement-of-purpose.html
o http://creative-writing-mfa-handbook.blogspot.com/2007/08/tips-on-statement-of-purpose.html
My statement of purpose? My purpose in life? Who knew people got so hung up on life purpose right? I thought I was fine coastin along but wow, nothing like writing a three page diddy to figure out what kind of person I want to be in this world!

So I sit…. A few minutes, a few lines, a few thoughts before bed a couple nights a week… clearly, not enough to have any continuity or depth. Uh-oh. God and the distractions these days are relentless! I spent two hours on facebook suddenly today posting updates on my statement of purpose status…. Without writing statements of purpose. I AM a freshman again, except I ask myself, do I have the fortitude to pull an all-nighter to finish!? Maybe I should invest in a case of ramen, red bull and cheetos and revisit my collegiate youth, I mean I am getting in the headspace for college right?

Ok… purpose…purpose…what a fine balance between being realistic and idealistic… modest and confidant, honest and impressive… down to earth and wildly hilarious. Ok remember my sarcasm doesn’t always read as, well, humor.

Call dad. It is his birthday. He gives solid advice, as usual. I will aim to save the world. No, wait, help people… be a better person? Later can’t read my chicken scratch notes and decide a six-hour break is needed. I’ve lost the afternoon, missed a dinner party and sit myself down for a little pep talk… candles, soup, tea, blanket, music… ban on facebook…

Nice after an hour I’ve got several chunky paragraphs!

My new rule is I have to spend 20min a day working on it… and hour at “rehearsal” in my room working on my monologues. And 20 min doing other misc. “school” or acting related work…

Ok, more purpose later…whew what a doosey.