Tuesday, December 15, 2009

five photos in five days: photo #4.



The first time I ever went to an audition at my agency, I had no idea what to wear. A button-down blouse, suggested one of my agent’s assistants. I was a college kid, 19-years-old to be exact, who lived in jeans and hoodies. Button-down blouses were for moms and lawyers. Besides, my arms have always been like those of an orangutan's, so I could never find any shirts that fit me.

But I went out to buy one anyway. It was blue. I bought it about an hour before my audition. I was as busy back then as I am today, and an hour before the audition was the only time I could go get this button-down blouse everyone was so keen on.

It was blue. That lovely cobalt blue that was so popular back in the late 90s. (Did I really just say late 90s like it was decades ago?) And it had ¾ sleeves, so in reality, it fit just fine. It was blue, it fit, and it was a button-down blouse. Jackpot.

I arrived at the agency, rockin’ my new button-down blouse, running my memorized lines in my head (it was an audition for the now bankrupt Adelphia Cable), batting my bright-eyed, well, eyes, and ready to go. In other words, I had the word “NEWBIE” written right. across. my. forehead.

My agent’s assistant, Monica, welcomed me in. “How do I look?” I asked, proud of myself for following directions and being so prepared.

“Next time,” she replied, “make sure you iron it before you put it on.”

Right across my middle was a crease from where the shirt had been folded—folded right on the sale table I’d picked it up from at the store. I looked like someone had stuck a bottom half and a top half of me together, the crease being the seam of the parts.

The photo above is from a commercial shoot I did last month for an eyeglasses company.

I wore a sweater.

with love from Pittsburgh,
Laura

2 lovely bits o' feedback.:

Eileen, Founder, Organizer, Mayor and Chief Cook And Bottle Washer of the Anger Management Girls. said...

You know, that's funny. Your generation didn't grow up like we did. We would never think to put on something that wasn't ironed, even if it didn't need it.
My mother even made sure our underwear was ironed before we put it on.
(I'm serious)
I argue with my adult kids about this all the time. They look at me like I have ten heads.
Thank God for wash and wear!

This story reminds me of the time my aunt went on a date. She thought she looked great. Hair done, great new dress. Everone was looking at her and she's thinking, damn I must look good. About an hour later she noticed she forgot to take her bedroom slippers off before she left the house.

laura said...

eileen,

hilarious! i can just imagine what an "interesting" outfit she had on with those slippers!

i'm totally a wash-and-wear girl. i love knits, hate to iron, can't be bothered with fussing over my clothes. i'd live in sweats if i could.

but i admit i'd have to sometimes rock a pair of stilettos. i do love my shoes, girl!

xoxo,
Laura