12
May, 2013

I haven’t posted anything on my blog in quite a while. Busy busy busy, currently without any regular child care help and my mind has been all over the place. It has been a productive and happy time, but nuts. Today, being Mother’s Day, I thought it would be a good night to gather some thoughts before I commence my cookie eating/tv watching binge. (Mad Men awaits!)

So I’ll share this… Something that I REALLY wanted to happen this weekend, didn’t happen. On Friday afternoon, I was informed that “The Newsroom” (HBO) might be bringing back my character from an episode I shot a co-star role for back in March. I was told it would work on Monday and maybe again the beginning of June and I’d hear over the weekend. Well, on Saturday, I found out they decided to cut the role from the script.

BUMMER!! I wasn’t pissed off, but I had a mini-mope fest, and then moved on. Too much other stuff to think about anyway. Who has time to waste feeling sorry for oneself? That’s one of the perks of being a single-mother/working actor: even when things are slow, it’s insanely busy, so one must move the fuck on, like a big girl.

Being a mom has also taught me a lot about appreciating what I have at the moment. Moms know that moments in life can be alarmingly brief, phases come and go and there’s something completely different looking you in the face in what feels like the blink of an eye. Sometimes not getting what you want can be the best thing that ever happens to you. And yeah, sometimes it just sucks balls, but life is such a great adventure when we learn to love what is happening at the moment. What other choice is there? It will be gone in an instant, so embrace it.

Here is my bright side of getting axed from The Newsroom:

- I was informed there’s always the possibility the character could come back in a future episode (there’s one more left to shoot in their season, so…)

- More importantly, Aaron Sorkin thought enough of me to write more scenes for me – and then chop them – but how cool is that?! I’ll take it. Honestly, it’s one of the most exciting indirect compliments I’ve ever received as an actor. Would it be totally gauche to put that on my resume?

“Aaron Sorkin digs me so much, he writes deletable lines for me”

I had a unique and memorable Mother’s Day weekend. I hope those of you who celebrated felt loved and appreciated.

To all the strong, beautiful, fun, hard-working, thoughtful, vibrant, intelligent, caring, compassionate, supportive, exhausted, talented, generous, selfless, stubborn, creative, loving, nurturing, driven, wise, wise-ass moms out there… HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! You make a difference in this world every day. You matter and you’re awesome. All the crappy moms can take a flying leap. You know who you are.

2 Comments - Leave a Comment »

Tags: acting • Amy Anderson • Mother's Day • motherhood • single mom • The Newsroom • working mom

22
Feb, 2013

This was a long, busy week for us and I told Aubrey she could have a “movie dinner” before bed. That’s when she’s allowed to sit in the ugly-but-comfortable-given-to-me-by-my-BFF-when-I-became-a-signgle-mom armchair and eat dinner from a tray while watching a DVD. It’s her favorite thing to do at night.

She picked “The Lorax” and snuggled under a blanket on our armchair. Then she offered to share the chair with me.

“Mom, do you want to sit next to me? There’s space right here for you mom and we can share the blanket,” she said, patting the tiny plot of cushion beside her.

As usual, I was scurrying around, busy assembling some sort of dinner, putting dishes away, filling the dog’s water bowl, throwing shoes on the shoe rack. I finally came back with food for both of us and again she offered, “And when you’re done eating you can sit next to me on the chair.”

Sometimes her clinginess is exhausting, but hers is truly the sweetest love I have ever known. It is genuine and pure. After we finished eating, we most certainly did sit together, sharing a blanket, on a Friday night. 

1 Comment - Leave a Comment »

03
Feb, 2013

Friendships that last! Viva Room 3!

Today, on this beautiful SoCal Sunday in February, Aubrey had a play date reunion with her old classmates from preschool TWO years ago, when they were all three years old. We were only missing a small handful of kids and their assistant teacher who has since moved out of state. Their teacher, Ms Erika, was able to come and it was a wonderful get together.

These kids have all gone on to new teachers and different schools, but after all this time, they remain friends. They still attend each others’ birthday parties and when they saw each other today, they ran to one another, yelling each others’ names, excited to play, snack and yes, bicker, as if no time had passed at all.

While I’d like to give all the credits to the amazing mamas (and papas) who have made the effort to stay friends and be nice, normal, sane parents who are respectful and kind to one another, I have to give the biggest shout out to their teacher, Ms Erika (and Ms Esmirna). They were special teachers who went the extra mile for our kids by creating a sense of community and respect in their class and the lasting friendships of our kids is the real testament to the difference these two women made in their lives.

Teachers – YOU CAN make a difference. What you do for children is so much more than teaching letters and numbers. Teachers of both little ones and older children, your classroom is a microcosm for life beyond the school walls. You are giving your students examples of leadership, respect, love, compassion, discipline, integrity and so much more.

Here’s to all the great teachers out there, fighting the good fight and changing lives. I hope there are many more Ms Erikas and Ms Esmirnas in Aubrey’s future. If you had great teachers in your life, count yourself lucky! They are a rare breed. What teachers changed your life and why?

Leave a Comment »

Tags: Aubrey Anderson-Emmons • play dates • preschool • school • teachers