Too Busy To Be Sad

First week of the London Film Festival is done. I've met a million interesting people, while working 16-hour days and running around like a crazy person. Two weeks to go!

I'm starting to feel, once again, like things are possible, like things aren't so grim and difficult. The good thing about being so busy is that I don't have time to think. I've been thinking for a year. Only thinking. And not acting. It's time for some action!

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Yesterday was the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which I've been training for for the past couple of months, to raise money for the MS Society. My friends Eric & James convinced me to sign up in June, and I did so hesitantly, seriously questioning whether I'd even be able to finish. But boy did I improve quickly.

In July, my goal was to finish. In August, my goal was a time of 2:30. When it came to race day, my goal time dropped down to 2:15 or under. In the end...?

2:04! I couldn't be more pleased. A special thanks to everyone who supported me and the MS Society in the race. If you haven't had the chance to donate, it's not too late to contribute. Contribute here.

Down & Out in London

I got back last week from an amazing visit home to Vancouver, which was incredibly rushed and stressful and busy, but also fantastic and rewarding and great. Being home made me realize how much better my quality of life would be if I moved back. Vancouver is such a beautiful, special place, and things would be a million times easier if I went home. But while I tremendously miss friends and family and the delights of the city, I know that Vancouver isn't going anywhere. And the only thing that got me on the plane back to London was knowing that I always have the opportunity to life in Vancouver. I won't always have the opportunity to be elsewhere.

And really, I think the last thing I need right now is the comfort and safety of home. As much as I want it, as much as I want to feel safe and secure, I know that continuing the struggle is probably going to reap the best rewards. I need to fight these battles. These are the adventures I need to learn from, this is how I'm going to fill my mind with characters and stories, ideas and inspiration.

I hate living the life of a vagrant, which is what I've basically become as of late. I want my own room, my own safe quiet space. I don't want to be a burden to friends, and I don't want to continually feel uprooted, adrift. But this is just for a season, and I know that it is offering me opportunities that I would otherwise not gain. I'm starting an internship for the next few weeks at the BFI London Film Festival. November, I'm thinking seriously about arranging a research trip for a project I'm working on, which is something I could potentially only really do under these circumstances. A lot of good can come from this period, I just need to try and not be so disheartened. Things will pick up and carry on.