DevinRitchie.com

2 week down in New York City, while I’m still not Carrie Bradshaw I am making a lot of progress. First and foremost… I moved into my awesome new room! (pictures below). I dont have any stuff besides my 2 bags of clothes, and no I dont get to keep the bed. SO it will be the floor for a little while. The M train goes right past my window and is pretty damn loud and has woke me up a few times, but I am told I will get used to that in time though. Having a room makes all the difference in the world, I have somewhere to call my own and somewhere that I can decompress and not be in anyones way. So good.

Rooftop sunset ft. Mitch and Madeleine

2nd awesome news… I have an interview on Tuesday! It’s at a temp agency that Ryan Nicolls hooked me up with. I am super excited about that. I have been passing out resumes and applying at a lot of craigslist jobs for the past week. I might actually take a job being a figure model for art classes, why not? Its good money. For art. Right? But hopefully this temp agency will be able to get me some consistant work soon.

3rd awesome thing… I got a call back to ComedySportz NYC! Even though I have been doing it for like 3 years in Sac, my recommendation from Sac CSZ only got me as far as the invite only auditions, then I thought I did pretty poorly, and asked to stay late, but this wasn’t a good thing exactly, it was the people they needed to see more from, some bad and some good. But I made the callbacks anyways! They had 34 invited to audition and then cut it down to 12 for the callbacks and I was one of them! The competition is pretty fierce so I gotta bring my fucking A-game this Wednesday. I heard about both the interview and the callback today #winning

Other than all that, things have been going generally great. My classes at Upright Citizens Brigade are getting better and I believe I am beginning to prove myself. I also realized I have a lot to fucking learn. It’s humbling to go from a little pond to the fucking ocean.

Earlier this week when I came home from my audition I was in a bad mood(mostly because staying late at the audition caused me to miss the play The House of Blue Leaves which I had a free ticket to and features Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ben Stiller and Edie fucking Falco CARMELLA FUCKIN SOPRANO. So pissed). But Maggie and some friends Naomi Solomon, and Cousin (Maggie’s

Brenden, Cousin, and Madeleine

cousin Brian who everyone just calls “Cousin”) were making dinner and a few other friends including my roommate Naomi came over with beer and cheese and we had a cute ass dinner in our backyard that totally turned my night around. Thats what I love about the place I live. Not to mention there is always something to do, whether its just going to Beauty Bar, or little skips(the coffee shop my roommates/friends work at/run), or some party somewhere. I definitely couldn’t have landed any better in New York.

That being said, I really do miss my California family. I still want to be at those parties making people take shots, getting in trouble at the club, or just sitting around smoking cigarettes and eating pizza at Danny’s. I wonder about Pam casting The Full Monty and what Mayhem is up to. It really just hit me the other day that I will not be at my brother and sisters birthday, this kills me. This is the first time this has happened and birthdays are kind of a big deal to us. I have to do something like super extra special for them. AND THEY ARE HAVING A CANADA THEME PARTY. I COULD HAVE DRESSED LIKE A MOOSE. But these things are gonna happen I guess, its just settling in that I actually moved to New York(still doesn’t feel totally real) But it’s for the best in the long run. I need to be doing this shit right now.

Danny BBQing

It still feels a little like summer camp and I am trying to switch out of vacation mode into I live here mode. Which is difficult. Especially when meeting people and trying not to spend money or buy drinks. But I have been pretty good lately, (have hardly gotten all that drunk here at all!) I have been tagging along with Maggie to social things, BBQs, art shows, parties, or just walking dogs. Rooftop barbecues watching the sunset with friends that I hardly know yet. It feels pretty amazing. I want to soak up this feeling of newness and vigor while it lasts before I get used to it and jaded.

Regardless of how the jobs, auditions, money, or anything serious are … this will be an amazing summer. and maybe, this might actually work and I can survive here.

My Room! (bed not included)

Me and Cousin Brian urging Tim Muldoon to move here.

Oh, you know. Just being epic.

Heres the new coldplay, totally a Brian Eno track. pretty sweet.

Peace

Hey everybody!

I have been settling in here in New York City. A room became available at the house I am staying at so I am moving in here. YAY! so easy and awesome. It is a REAL room (much unlike the others I had checked out) with 4 walls, a door, a closet, and air conditioning. It’s in Bushwick in Brooklyn, its described as an “up and coming area”, basically because it is a hipster bohemian artist community that doesn’t have the affluence of an area like Williamsburg (which basically looks like Berkeley and all the lame hipsters live there). This area is still gritty and has more character. The best thing about this place though is my roommates, a group of  about 9 people live in the house which is divided in two but thought of as one. They are all friends and mostly work in the same places. Artists, film makers, musicians, etc. (basically the cast of rent). They seem to really actually care for each other and have been nothing but super supportive in trying to help me get along here. I cant help but think it was fate that this place opened up right when I got here. We also have an amazing backyard right under the M train that we all hang out in and have barbecues and bonfires. I really feel accepted and am so glad I don’t have to live with some craigslist strangers.

9 days down. Place to live? Check. Friends? Check. Job? … Not so much. I put on my nice suit and nice boy face and hit the streets and handed out my resume this week, applied at jobs on craigslist, and applied at a temp agency. Nothing yet, but its only been a few days. I cant lie, I am a little worried. I need a job to survive much more after this first month or so. All I can do is keep trying and applying. I keep reminding myself that I have only been here for a about a week and to have a job right now would be nothing short of a miracle, but still.

Image by bondidwhat via Flickr

Image by silverfuture via Flickr

My classes at Upright Citizens Brigade have been good. REALLY slow and basic, but everyone needs to start in them, I got pretty frustrated because clearly a lot of people in my class are not there for the same reason I am and I have a fire in belly to do so much more and I am learning how to say “yes, and”, Not to be an asshole, but I know this shit. I pulled my teacher aside after class this week wondering what else I can do to advance and how I can be one of those people on stage, he assured me that there was no short cut but also gave me a list other places to go to and work, he also encouraged me to either join or create an improv team and just perform as much as possible. I felt dumb for asking cause I guess thats the answer I was expecting. I have to learn some more patience because even any semblance of success will take me years and years to achieve. Which is fine, I just need to prepare myself for playing the long haul here.

I have been spending a lot of time walking around getting the lay of the land of the city. Ryan Nichols and I walked around central park the other day (which is amazing!) and I started to get the idea that anything you want can be found here. Opportunities here are truly endless which makes it actually easier to live in.

Everyone I know here is not from here. We all left our homes (mostly California and Florida in this house) in search of something. It has a special home for lost souls feel to it. Which is I guess what I was, and still am. Most people here came here for a new beginning, I certainly did. This is it. And I love it. I am treated like I am young here, which is refreshing. My friends here are late 20’sish. They moved here when they were my age too, many under the same kind of circumstances. I am used to being a bit of a veteran scene kid/club goer/ ARC theatre kid, here I am a veteran nothing. I actually like that. I also love that I don’t have a reputation here. I have always had one, something people associate with me or my family before meeting me. I don’t want to be the tragic kid or the party kid or anything like that. I like being mysterious for once even if it just for a few weeks.

I keep having the thought “god, San Francisco would have been so much easier”. It would be, but it wouldn’t be new or exciting to me. It wouldn’t challenge me to the extent that I am trying to. I know I’ll come back there one day, I love it. But for this time in my life I have to try something and challenge myself. I have been winning my challenge so far. One week down, friends, place to live, haven’t gotten ridiculously drunk (just some beer buzzin), and I actually applied for jobs. Go me.

I don’t know what next month, week, or tomorrow is going to bring me. But I survived a whole week in New York City. That says something.

If you want my address message me.

Peace. Say hello to your mother for me.

-

Exactly 2 weeks left before I move! I might have found a tiny room to rent from a friend of a friend, and a couple job opportunities. AND I already registered for classes at Upright Citizens Brigade (improv theatre), and get this it starts THE DAY I get there. I get there at 8am and class is at 3pm. I’ve been mapping out how to get everywhere and looking up New York survival guides trying to educate myself and get in the mindset.

It doesn’t even feel real right now. Mostly because there is nothing else to do. I have set everything up, and really all there is left to do is pack and twiddle my thumbs.

So I am trying to spend as much time mentally preparing, doing a lot of improv, getting healthy, and trying to see my friends. The issue is since it doesn’t feel real to me, it probably feels even less so for my friends. Especially to those among them who think I am coming back. I’m not having a big blowout goodbye party, I just want to have some chill hangouts with individuals before I go. But people are kinda like “you still have 2 weeks, I’ll see you” but these two weeks are gonna be busy and they are going to fly by and I’m free now. Oh well, I guess I’m just nervous about leaving and losing some friendships.

Getting new head shots done tomorrow. After that I pretty much just gotta print some new resume’s, take some old clothes to goodwill, knock over a bank, pack, see my friends and GTFO. Feels weird.

I have a couple improv shows left in Sacramento, but the one I want everyone to come to is tomorrow, Cinco De Mayo. MAYHEM long-form improv at 8pm performed at Comedy Sportz on Arden and Howe. I have a few other regular shows, but this one is only $5 and its unrated (meaning NOT family friendly) so y’all might enjoy it more. So if you are in Sac and free at 8 on Thursday COME! We will party afterward for Cinco De Mayo!

Does anybody know any good New York survival guide books? Or generally any books I should read? I likely wont have cable or a computer for a while. **ahem going away present idea… no wait. just money

I have been working on a blog that is a very extensive list of everyone person who has made some sort of impact on my life in Sacramento. I post a favorite pic of me and them, a favorite memory and why I like them/ what I have learned from them. I am nervous about because it is so damn cheezy and I don’t want anyone to feel left out if they aren’t on it. Also it kinda reads like a eulogy. I dunno, maybe I send them as messages instead. Theres like 70 people lol. Thoughts?

Anyways I’m gonna enjoy my last couple weeks here immensely and I hope to see as many of you that I can.

Peace

Cute baby Ash!

The Devin Ritchie Comeback Tour kicked off a few days ago! the Golden Girls(My mom, Grandma, and I)picked up Aunt Liz and headed down to SoCal. We have just been going out to eat, catching up with family, and celebrating my Uncle Jim’s birthday. Which mean lots of wine, food, and gossip. This trip so far has been good because I got a better picture with my baby cousin Ash. (thats the best we could do.)

On Saturday night Dustin York came over and had Chinese food with us. He is doing good, graduated from CSULB and working on short indie movies.

Later that night I met up with Bryce Marck and Matt Marr and Brandon Boone. The boys have an improv troupe called “The Gentlemen Improvisers” and they had a show that night in Fullerton and they invited me to monologue for them. After a couple pitchers of beer and some beer in the show (they just let you bring open containers into the theatre!) I was ready to monologue. They guys did great and it great hanging out with my them again. I wish I could have actually partied with them and hung out for a few days, but schedule didn’t permit.

I had originally planned on staying out here for a few days hanging out with people, but my mom planned this awesome wine tasting road trip that was hard to pass up, also a ride home.

Next on the Schedule is to go to Temecula to visit my aunt Claire and uncle Jim’s new place and to go wine tasting. Heres a quick overview

Wilson Creek- Beautiful Winery, most famous for the Almond Champagne which was just ok. I like the blends here. Good Syrah and Viognier

Van Roeckel- Come for the Champagne and the baked brie in a sourdough roll. Not the reds… Nice guys though

South Coast- Ridiculously huge winery/gift shop/spa/ whatevathefuck. I didnt taste here because it was so crowded and expensive.

Monte Del Oro- Gorgeous property and views. Glass floor with a barrel room under it! Awesome. Loved the zin and the cab franc. Not so much the whites. Someone gave me the rest of there tastings… so I wanna say I had like 12 tastings here…

Robert Renzoni- I was getting a little drunk by this point…. but they had music. The rest of the places had slips of paper to mark off how many tastings you have had. Which was weird, I’ve never had that, its a little rude right? But Renzoni had poker chips. Bonus point. I tweeted that this was my favorite but I honestly couldn’t tell you why. Tomorrow I will take notes.

Afterwards we all had dinner and I finally got to meet my cousin Jeff’s two little girls Isabel and Sabrina

Yeah, adorable.

Then back to a new hotel and I spent some time in the hot tub by myself while it was storming. But I moved the patio umbrellas around the hot tub so I wouldn’t get rained on too much

Peace out, next stop Santa Barbara

Hey yall! Good news, Blithe Spirit had an awesome run, pretty full houses…. AND I got the Irene Ryan Scholarship Nomination from it! wooooowooo.

Basically I only get the real scholarship money if I actually win the whole national competition… So, probably not. But my school has had people in the regional finals the past couple years and its a great way for schools and theatres to see me.

Pretty much all my friends came to the show and assured me that it was good. Despite my vain attempts telling them not to see it, turns out I was mostly insecure.

I feel real good about it for the first time now that’s its over oddly enough. I guess its hard for to feel proud of something I have such a pivotal role in whist doing it. Oh! I get to design the Othello poster for ARC. AND a one man show coming thru the school. I was a consultant on a photo shoot last night. ^_^ hell yeah paid design work. And I did a comedy sportz remote show last week. Feels good to being doing improv and design again.

Oh and a big thanks to Team Devin for coming to the show in full force! With new members Audrey Singleton and Andrea Mochetti. And original members Kyle & Jenny Ritchie and Corinne Weeck! <3

I have spent the few days  detoxing myself and staying in redoing my moms bathroom. Needed a few days off drinking after the weekend, there was some celebratory shots…

But the bathroom! This is mostly my Grandma’s bathroom, and had been previously tacky, poorly painted white, ugly counter top and cracked sink. Oh and gross ugly floor. Nothing had been done to it since the 70s. Which my mom had decided to put my theatre posters in, which was cool until all my friends were on them, staring back at you while you were doing your business.

So I ripped up the floor(all 3 layers of it), sanded the walls, pulled out the cabinet, mirror, sink, and toilet. Painted the walls a light green color (chinese jade), put new floor in(peel and stick linoleum tiles) , new cabinet(dark oak), new sink, new toilet, new flooring, built my own cute little back splash with little blue kinda abalone tiles.

Check it out

Awesome right? I feel all handy!

It was totally old and gross before. Now its all fresh and so clean and modern. All in all it was a pretty easy couple day project. We really wanna get the resale value of this house up…. Next up… The Kitchen (Dun DUN DUNN)

The play is over, my dui class is almost up, and so are all of my obligations in Sacramento. It is time for me to do something not in Sacramento. Its time for change. It’s time for the Devin Ritchie Comeback Tour. Coming to a city near you. Dates and details coming soon. I have saved money and now I’m shaking shit up. I am visiting a lot of friends and family in a lot different places. Get excited. And prep your couch cause I’m gonna sleep on it.

Peace