What a joy to wake up to! You’re not alone in asking where Donna is when she was missing, I know many of us felt the same!
I love that you’re unashamed in talking about your love of work and your ambition, but still being a mom and having a full life. I know we all wonder how we can have it all and have to find a balance.
As a woman in her 20s, I love the recent trend of women deciding that their age isn’t going to restrict their ambition. It gives me a lot of hope for what my future will be.
Don't sell yourself short, Janel. You also have the massive privilege of uplifting others. In addition to the delicious morsels from the show, we're also reminded by the gift of your words that no matter where you are in life we all have ups and downs, and that little slices can help you navigate them. I'm finally retired, but working very hard at not working. Keep on wanting something.
May your days be filled with extra butter and strawberry jam, and may they all feel like Mondays.
I enjoy how you write so visually, filling scenes with meticulous details such as "getting up early and heading out to a set before the city wakes, my coffee in my mug, my hair wet from the shower." Thanks for bringing us along, Janel.
Loved reading "What's Next". Listening to you describe your feelings about acting in the West Wing gives a wonderful sense of what it felt like to be a part of that stellar team that created the best show ever. (Think I'm about to start my 6th binge thru WW....)
As a recent retiree (originally from NYC where slowing down was not an option) my daily quest is to find something purposeful to occupy my time. Let me know what you find!
This is my favorite piece you've written so far. My daughter (now 19) wanted to be an actor for a while; in local productions she played the youngest Von Trapp daughter in "The Sound of Music" and Annie in "Annie", and she got an agent and started going to auditions...and she even got cast in an episode of "Outlander" (and made some pretty good money for a pre-teen), although her scenes were left on the cutting room floor. But she hated the rejection from every failed audition more than the work she actually got, and eventually she just stopped auditioning. I really feel the pain and angst behind the audition process, with artists who just want to *create* forced to beg for every crust.
The good news is that my daughter has turned into an avid Josh-and-Donna shipper - we're onto our third watching of your show together, and yours is her favorite character. So that's something! :)
‘Can a person have FOMO for something that took place in the past?’ 100% - can’t watch Bridget Jones without painfully remembering the time during a general election years ago when Hugh Grant came to campaign for a candidate in a nearby constituency whilst I was stuck knocking doors on a ridiculously steep hill whilst in the midst of a torrential storm. Friends still talk about how great it was and no amount of gin takes away the want to have been there too (and just how freezing cold it was)!!
Another absolute joy of an essay - can’t wait to read the next one! 🩵
what a great way to start my day! as a 23 year old looking for another job, i really felt that ‘want something’ as i have to navigate that job search while simultaneously living my life.
Want something.” What a phrase! Even after my retirement from my nursing career, I’ll find myself wanting…something. Specifically working with new families. My job was guiding new parents through those crazy first days at home. But nursing no longer offers that…luxury. Now it’s “get the most done with the fewest staff.” And that’s too bad. Because I think new families “want something.” Thanks for the joy of reliving those days!
After an expensive month I'm finally able to subscribe! Loving reading these, for saddo's like me without many friends the West Wing became my family to get me through tough times. Thanks for doing this Janel, your "want something" has been a gift for all of us.
Is that the feeling I’ve had my whole life? The “want something”? I feel like I have always wanted something more, something bigger, something more significant.
What a joy to wake up to! You’re not alone in asking where Donna is when she was missing, I know many of us felt the same!
I love that you’re unashamed in talking about your love of work and your ambition, but still being a mom and having a full life. I know we all wonder how we can have it all and have to find a balance.
As a woman in her 20s, I love the recent trend of women deciding that their age isn’t going to restrict their ambition. It gives me a lot of hope for what my future will be.
Want Something! Oh you really really nailed it, Janel. Every one of these pieces is a gem. Each and every one. Thank you for writing. xx
Oh Joanna...❤️❤️❤️
Don't sell yourself short, Janel. You also have the massive privilege of uplifting others. In addition to the delicious morsels from the show, we're also reminded by the gift of your words that no matter where you are in life we all have ups and downs, and that little slices can help you navigate them. I'm finally retired, but working very hard at not working. Keep on wanting something.
May your days be filled with extra butter and strawberry jam, and may they all feel like Mondays.
I enjoy how you write so visually, filling scenes with meticulous details such as "getting up early and heading out to a set before the city wakes, my coffee in my mug, my hair wet from the shower." Thanks for bringing us along, Janel.
Loved reading "What's Next". Listening to you describe your feelings about acting in the West Wing gives a wonderful sense of what it felt like to be a part of that stellar team that created the best show ever. (Think I'm about to start my 6th binge thru WW....)
I'm on either 13 or 14. Sheesh... The salve at the end of a day.
Wow! I wonder how many people have done that many viewings?
🙋🏻♀️
My guess, Larry, is others have done many more!
As a recent retiree (originally from NYC where slowing down was not an option) my daily quest is to find something purposeful to occupy my time. Let me know what you find!
Great writing Janel, keep them coming! My favorite line from that scene is: Fans: ‘We love you Josh!’ CJ: ‘It helps not to know him.’ 😂😂
This is my favorite piece you've written so far. My daughter (now 19) wanted to be an actor for a while; in local productions she played the youngest Von Trapp daughter in "The Sound of Music" and Annie in "Annie", and she got an agent and started going to auditions...and she even got cast in an episode of "Outlander" (and made some pretty good money for a pre-teen), although her scenes were left on the cutting room floor. But she hated the rejection from every failed audition more than the work she actually got, and eventually she just stopped auditioning. I really feel the pain and angst behind the audition process, with artists who just want to *create* forced to beg for every crust.
The good news is that my daughter has turned into an avid Josh-and-Donna shipper - we're onto our third watching of your show together, and yours is her favorite character. So that's something! :)
‘Can a person have FOMO for something that took place in the past?’ 100% - can’t watch Bridget Jones without painfully remembering the time during a general election years ago when Hugh Grant came to campaign for a candidate in a nearby constituency whilst I was stuck knocking doors on a ridiculously steep hill whilst in the midst of a torrential storm. Friends still talk about how great it was and no amount of gin takes away the want to have been there too (and just how freezing cold it was)!!
Another absolute joy of an essay - can’t wait to read the next one! 🩵
what a great way to start my day! as a 23 year old looking for another job, i really felt that ‘want something’ as i have to navigate that job search while simultaneously living my life.
Want something.” What a phrase! Even after my retirement from my nursing career, I’ll find myself wanting…something. Specifically working with new families. My job was guiding new parents through those crazy first days at home. But nursing no longer offers that…luxury. Now it’s “get the most done with the fewest staff.” And that’s too bad. Because I think new families “want something.” Thanks for the joy of reliving those days!
The ideal life is work as play. What's not to love?
I must say... I really love the tiny little challenge of trying to figure out what's is Gail's fish bow in each episode!
Lovely, thanks Janel for sharing with us.
”I have a gorgeous, weird life like everyone, and here I am still living it.” Carrying this mantra with me for the rest of the week 🩷
After an expensive month I'm finally able to subscribe! Loving reading these, for saddo's like me without many friends the West Wing became my family to get me through tough times. Thanks for doing this Janel, your "want something" has been a gift for all of us.
Is that the feeling I’ve had my whole life? The “want something”? I feel like I have always wanted something more, something bigger, something more significant.