33 Days.

In 33 days I graduate from college.

Right now I'm at home in Lancaster, South Carolina, trying to find something to do now that my parents have gone to bed. I've been meaning to get this blog started for a while, so now that I'm away from Furman University (my soon to be alma mater) for 24 hours or so it seems like a good chance.

A lot of things are going to happen in the next 33 days. I'm going to complete my senior thesis to be able to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. I'm going to perform the monologue "French Fries" as a part of a collection of monologues entitled Talking With by Jane Martin with the Furman University Theatre Arts department. I'm going to be in at least 2 more improv shows with Improv!able Cause, Furman's own improv comedy troupe. I'm going to try to spend every waking moment with some of the best people I've ever met in my entire life and will ever meet. I'm going to laugh. I'm going to cry. I'm going to savor every moment. Through all of this I've got to find time to eat, sleep, do homework (?!?), and maintain some sense of sanity. Daunting? You betchum, Red Ryder...

I wish I had a dollar for how many times in the last year I've been asked, "So what are you doing after you graduate?" I'd have many dollars. At some point last spring, I realized that some shifts in the nature of my passion and drive no longer made continuing my chemistry education a viable option. The months that followed that were really scary as I had been left with no way to answer that dreaded question when someone posed it to me. However, at some point last fall, I decided that the answer to the question was this: "I'm moving to Chicago."

To do what? You know... I'm not quite sure yet. Step numero uno is getting a job. Something that will pay for food and a roof over my head. Probably chemistry related because I'd like to think that's where I'll have the most luck. After that... anything goes. I want to do improv. I'd love to continue doing theatre, but I think I'll have more opportunities and better luck continuing with improv. I think I can do it. I think I've got the chutzpah to see what I can do in that city.

But, I could be wrong. That's what the next few years of my life are for, right? Taking risks. Falling on my face a couple (dozen) times. Experiencing and learning about 'life' outside of the realm of formal education in a new city with old friends (did I mention that 3 talented young men whom I have loved working with and playing with over the last 4 years will be there, too? Well... they will be). I'm ready. I think.

But first... the next 33 days.