Excited. Terrified. Excitified!

The first thing that happens after you meet someone new, let's say at an artsy loft party, or at some bar filled with shrieking drunkards, after the awkward repetition of names and during the obligatory sweaty handshake, is the categorization: "So.  What do you do?"  Or perhaps, the equally generic, "Where are you from?" 

Let's pretend we're shaking hands, and smiling sloppily at one another.  Aaaand let's be classy and pretend we're at a gallery opening in Chelsea.  I say, "I'm an actor.  I'm from New York."  Scratch that.  "I'm from LA!"  Okay so, that's technically a lie.  On October 2nd, I will officially be living in Los Angeles.  Living is an overstatement as well, as I don't have an apartment yet.  Or a job.  I have a car.  That's a start, right?  The truth is, I've never been to a gallery opening in Chelsea, but I have been to lots of lofts and lots of bars, and I have lived in New York for the past six years.  And now...now I'm moving West!  Huzzah!

To continue this fun introductory, I grew up in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and I came to New York to go to the larger-than-life Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and I never, ever, never thought I would ever move to LA.  I love snow.  I love rain.  I love seasons in general.  New England is great.  The MTA is my buddy.  When I was a child, I subsisted on Cheerios, apple juice, and dreams of Broadway.  Now, as an adult, or something resembling one, I find that my goals are still in essence simple: to support myself solely through acting.  In theory, easy peasy. 

Meh, forget that. Even in theory it's a complicated, mean little task that makes you feel like one of those little dogs who poop on the sidewalk and then some primitive urge tells them to bury it, but try as their little nails might, that's cement you're scratching at little puppy, and you're just one sad, sad little dog  pushing against a big city.  Regardless, it's my chosen profession!  Now is the time for adventure!  After six years I found myself burnt out on New York, and wanting to change something and then realizing I have nothing holding me back from trying something totally new and who the heck knows?  Maybe I'll love LA.  Maybe I'm secretly a westerner trapped in a pale Pennsylvanian's body, dying for palm trees and the PCH.  Sure, I was raised and trained for the theater, but most of the work I've gotten in the past year and half has been in film & TV, and that's exciting.  This move away from all my family and friends is truly exciting!  And so freaking scary I am going to throw up.  Just kidding!  What kind of introduction would that be?!  A gross one.   

Well, I'm off to continue packing up my life into some boxes (I have cut down my total boxes of books from 4 to 1.  I'm so sad to leave all my Harry Potters behind.  For now.)  and finish putting David Sedaris on my ipod, because, hot dog, I'm driving across the country on Friday!   Oh my god, I'm driving across the country on FRIDAY.  Here goes... 

Comments

[Cole Matson]

Godspeed! And welcome to the blog!

[Laura H.]

Heey Teresa!I hope you enjoy LA! We will be so happy to have another Reilly on the west coast. I can't wait to see you in November(ish)!

-Laura

[Lauren]

Teresa,
You are such a fun writer! Looking forward to more of your stuff on here!

[Stacey Jackson]

Welcome! I can't wait to hear more from you.

[Cassie]

Let the adventures begin. I hope to live vicariously through you...

[Teresa Reilly]

Thanks for reading! I'm thrilled to be in such great company on Unscripted.

[Butterfly Mama]

Remember to look out the window a lot on your adventure.
Don't just eat at Burger Kings because they're fast--try the Mid-west food, the Southern food, the Western food.....L.A. food?
When you do stop for gas, look down at the ground....even the bugs will look different from New York bugs and Pennsylvania bugs!
And remember to look at the sky....it changes color from state to state!

[shawna]

haha i would like to picture you roller skating down the boardwalk wearing a terry cloth jumper and pigtails!

if it doesn't snow over christmas, i will send you some in a little box.

[Tom Kiesche]

A new face, or have I been sleeping? Either way, welcome... Now, I'm going back to sleep.

[susan]

Hello and safe journey!

[Evelyn White]

Welcome!

[ming ming]

Say Hi to the Quiche for me.
And don't forget to use your turn signal.
Welcome! And Good luck!

[Caity Shay]

Yeah, I echo all of the above - you're a really good writer.

I'm making the move myself in 10 weeks. However, I'm further east than New York - I'm moving from London. I'm terrified. it has been so much hard work so far, securing a visa etc I can't begin to tell you. I'm so excited, but so frustrated that I have ten long weeks to wait!

[Teresa Reilly]

Thanks for reading, Caity. I feel your pain, moving is so ridiculous. And exhilarating and wonderful and scary. The good news is, you already know the language! The bad news is, we drive on the other side of the road. The other good news is, the dollar is worth poo in London, so you'll be rich when you get here! Keep me updated on your move. -t