Looking Back

I’m currently laying on my lovely hotel bed in the wonderful little city of Denton, Texas full to the point of exhaustion thanks to the pounds of Tex Mex I ate earlier at a place called Chuys. Chuys, that’s really the name. I still can’t get over it. I half expected Chelsea Handler’s little nugget assistant to be serving my food in a sombrero and roller skates. Much to my disappointment, he did not.
This little slice of heaven is apparently a pretty popular chain around here? Am I right, Texans? Well it sure seemed to be tonight anyway. Every single booth and bar stool was full, not to mention the all-you-can-eat nacho bar had a line through the door. That’s right, an all-you-can-eat nacho bar! That sounded more like a challenge to me than anything. Well challenge accepted, I ate all I could and then some. 
So even though Chris and I don’t usually eat at chains in Chicago, if the city got a Chuy’s we might just have to change our attitude a bit. Because Chuy knows his stuff.
Fine Tex Mex indeed. 
Anyway, because I have to get up by 7:30 a.m. in order to catch the continental breakfast tomorrow morning, I’m attempting to whip out a blog post tonight. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s missing a free breakfast. Even if said breakfast is just mini cereals and cold bran muffins. I sure love me a mini cereal box, they’re perfect for plane rides, and also for distracting yourself in a sales meeting. But because I’m pretty much in a refried bean coma at the moment I’m having a bit of writers block. 
So when I’m drawing a blank for something to write about I’ll often go back into my older posts and see what I was up to one year ago around this exact time. This is something I’ve been doing since back in the day when blogging was called “keeping a diary,” and my blog was really a sweet navy blue journal from Limited Too with an actual lock and key with the words STAY OUT JORDAN sprawled across the inside cover. Although back in the day what I was doing year to year was more along the lines of “being totally bored at school” and “wish I didn’t have track practice tonight.” So what I’m getting at is that I don’t like my brother reading my blog so STAY OUT JORDAN, just kidding he doesn’t read anyway. But seriously, I found a little gem in the archives from a year ago I have to share a few excerpts from. 
Written on the night of my very first class at The Second City:
“Once upon a time I got this bright idea I wanted to take classes at the Second City. Well those classes start tonight. And I want to know what in the hell I was thinking. A. My cold is in full force and I am drippy, raspy, and all over shitty feeling. B. I just want to lay on the couch all night. and  C. I hateeeeee meeting new people/trying new things. I know “C” is pathetic. But it’s true. I’m already all uncomfortable and awkward for myself thinking about walking in tonight and not knowing where to go. Or where to sit. Or who to talk to. Or what to wear. And how to fit in with the “type” of people who take Second City classes. {The over zealous thespian/ aspiring comedian/actor type.} I become that type only after a lot of drinks… ” 

Whoa judge Judy. Look who went on to become the “over zealous/aspiring comedian/actor type” anyway. I sound so snotty and judgmental I can barely read it. I then go on to say,
“Oh me and my damn bright ideas. I am soooo dreading 7:00 p.m. tonight. But I think deep down I just know I need to do this. If not only just to say I gave it a try. It’s been on my “life list” for about ten years now… So tonight when I’m super uncomfortable, and pretending to be on my phone, or trying not to let my face get super red and blotchy, I will remember Chris Farley was once here. I will be in the exact same classroom where all the greats started. So I guess that right there makes it kinda worth it. At the very least it will give me new stuff to blog about on Wednesdays.”

Sorry for all the improv heavy posts this week, as you can tell it’s just been on my mind. And reading back just from a year ago reminds me of what an asshole I used to be and how doing something I wouldn’t normally do (like improv) has really made me better at life in general. At least I like to think so. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I would have let my shitty attitude win and never would have attended that first class last year. I think I’d always still be wondering what could have been. Kinda funny when something you dread doing turns out to be the best thing ever.
And this is all coming from the dorky girl currently repping her Second City “YES AND” t-shirt.
The most basic rule of improv: Yes, and.

Moral of the story, always follow your internal compass. Even my pessimistic self one year ago couldn’t shake the feeling I should try something I was scared of doing. And one year later, I am so very glad I did.
yes and?

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35 Comments

  1. August 1, 2013 / 1:58 am

    A year later when you're the next rising Tina Fey, or maybe Amy Poehler bc she's blonde, I wonder what you're going to be writing about this post – about the Chuy's part, especially ๐Ÿ˜‰

    And also, Chuy's is one of my faaaaavorite restaurants – did you get the green sauce??! So yum!

  2. August 1, 2013 / 8:28 am

    loving your posts lately. they make me want to get out and try something new!!

  3. August 1, 2013 / 8:29 am

    I live in the Dallas area and every time I see Chuy's it always makes me think of Star Wars! ๐Ÿ™‚ We lived in Chicago for a while and hot summers days like this always make me miss it!

    Laura@MiceInTheKitchen

  4. August 1, 2013 / 9:33 am

    It's crazy how much can change in a year! You took the chance and found something that makes you happy, which a lot of people can't say. "Shoulda coulda woulda" is one of the worst feelings ever and now you don't have to look back and wonder–and you totally have future on SNL ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. August 1, 2013 / 9:56 am

    Your metabolism must be insane, I'm jealous. An all you can eat nacho bar sounds pretty good right about now.

    So much can change in a year, it's amazing. I'm so excited for you that you're going for it, chasing your dreams. It's so inspiring!

  6. August 1, 2013 / 9:58 am

    We LOVE Chuy's!!! I can't believe you are in Texas- which would usually mean one could say how close you are, but this state is too damn big. lol ๐Ÿ™‚ Did you appreciate all the Elvis decor? heehee

  7. August 1, 2013 / 10:03 am

    I live in Dallas and have never been to a Chuys around here, but yes it is a chain. I have been to the original in Austin and it was great! Glad you enjoyed it! Also, I know this sounds weird because we don't know each other (other than me stalking you on here and instagram), but I am so proud of you! It takes guts to face a dream head on and you did it! And it paid off huge! Just so you know, I talk about you to my husband like you're my bff. "This blogger I love, Taylor, she is going to be on SNL one day and she will crack your shit up." Stuff like that. Good luck and kick ass! Whose house?! T's house!

  8. August 1, 2013 / 10:19 am

    I am often the same way about trying new things as you were a year ago. I almost always (99.99999% of the time) try to find(give myself) a reason not to do it. Think of all the opportunities I missed!
    I'm glad to see that you went anyway and are happy that you did! Even if you had hated the experience, you would have KNOWN that.
    It's definitely better to know than to always wonder!

  9. August 1, 2013 / 11:32 am

    This post is inspiring! I have had the desire to take an improv class but am too chicken. I'd love to pursue comedy writing as a hobby… but to take the comedy writing class you have to pass the improv class. So here I am, having never have had the guts to do what you did. Bravo!

    Glad you got to experience the magical goodness of Chuy's!!!

  10. August 1, 2013 / 6:43 pm

    Chuy's sounds delicious! I would love an all you can eat nacho bar!

  11. August 1, 2013 / 8:39 pm

    I want to visit Chuy's…that Nacho Bar sounds awesome!!

  12. August 1, 2013 / 9:10 pm

    That all you can eat nacho bar sounds amazing! I love me some nachos.
    Bravo for having the guts to go to that first improv class and making it all the way to where you are now!

  13. August 1, 2013 / 9:30 pm

    Welcome to Texas!
    I've been living here a year and still haven't made it to the infamous Chuy's! I keep hearing about it, though. I think I will make it a priority for next weekend!

    Britt @ One&20
    Wednesday Workout Link-Up!

  14. August 1, 2013 / 10:47 pm

    Chuys is basically heaven. They also have a jalepeno ranch that you have to ask for on the low down. It's pretty much perfection. Enjoy Texas :)!

  15. August 1, 2013 / 10:58 pm

    Welcome to Texas! I live just twenty minutes north of Denton! Enjoy the great food anf hot weather!!

  16. August 2, 2013 / 12:52 am

    After you mentioned Chuy's, I was completely distracted for the rest of the post. There is very little good tex mex in St. Louis, and certainly no good queso or jalapeno ranch. Consider yourself lucky. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  17. August 2, 2013 / 12:29 pm

    I love this post. So true that taking risks and challenging yourself is often how you reap the most rewards in life. I applaud you for doing it!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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