Sunday, December 9, 2007

Moving on up....

So,…if you have not already heard…big things are happening in the Gutman family.

As of today we have been traveling nomads for just over a year. We have been part time residents of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Tempe, San Diego, Orange County and currently Seattle. We have been living out of suitcases and racked up tons of miles on the ol’ Grand Cherokee.

As of this month that crazy lifestyle will be coming to a close.

This month Eric was transferred to the Broadway cast of Jersey Boys. It was all very sudden for us. One day we were looking for housing in Houston and trying to plan a nice vacation. Then the next day we were suddenly looking for long term housing in New York.

It was obviously a very stressful month for us.

You see…we never wanted to go to New York. It was never in “the plan”. The plan was always to stay on the road for 1 – 2 years. After that maybe move back to Michigan…or maybe Chicago. Eric had lived in New York before and did not really want to go back…me? I have never wanted to go to New York.

I don’t look at myself as a sheltered person. I love to travel and visit new places. I like visiting New York…but never imagined I would live there. I admit it. I enjoy suburbia, I like having a car and being able to drive to the store. I like camping and looking at the mountains. I like a slower way of life I guess. I just look at New York as the complete opposite of what I am comfortable in. The subways? They scare me. I am totally going to get lost. Not having a car?? I am going to go insane. Living out of a shoebox and paying up the nose for it? I like having a house. Laundromats…no dishwashers or garbage disposals….oy.

So I guess I will have a lot to get use to. I am sure everyone thinks I am insane…and yes, I guess I am being negative. But…I am nervous about this whole move.

Don’t get me wrong…there are many thing I am excited about.

Lets first talk about how excited I am for Eric. This is every actors dream. To have a credit on Broadway…to be in the “big show”. Eric has so much talent and I am extremely proud that he is getting the recognition that he deserves. So, not only does he get to be on Broadway….but he is on Broadway in the hottest ticket in town. It will be sad to leave the tour family that we have had for the past year…but I know we will see all of them again soon.

It will also be nice to have a “home” for at least a year. Living in new cities is fun. I got to live in places that I had never visited and actually have time to explore like a resident vs, just being a tourist. However, it is kind of crazy living out of a suitcase. Just as you are starting to feel comfortable in a certain place you have to pack up and leave. So, now we will have a place where we can just put the suitcases in storage and actually unpack…for at least a year.

I am also pumped that I will not have to sell merchandise anymore. It was nice to have the same work hours as Eric. I really felt apart of the tour working at the theatre every day. HOWEVER….as you know….I am so over all the dumb questions.

What are the differences between the CDs…. (um…read the titles people they are clearly written on the dang CDs!!!!)

Do they sell these anywhere else for cheaper…. (do you ask this at every store you shop in?!?!)

Where are the Jersey Girls t-shirts…this is a sexist show! (hello?? The name of the show is Jersey BOYS!)

Etc etc etc etc etc etc etc…..

So once I am in New York I can finally quit the merch thing and do something a little more up my alley.

What else….

Ah yes…I am going to be able to do my S-factor classes again. That will definitely keep me sane. I am so excited to actually start back with my classes. Actually, when we found out about New York I immediately called the studio and signed up for the next session. Now I just have to figure out how to fit a pole in a shoebox apartment once we get to the city. Somehow I do not think Eric will object…

When we decided that we were going to go to New York I told Eric I was writing up a New York contact. In that contact there were a few things that had to happen in order for us to go there…

1. I get to do S Factor….Check…already signed up.

2. I get to have Pinkberry at least 3 times a week. Yup! That’s right…there is a plethora of Pinkberrys in New York. So, even though there is not one right next to our house (that could be dangerous to the wallet!) they are randomly placed around the city. I am really looking forward to working the yogurt back into my weekly routine.

3. I get a driver instead of taking the subway…so obviously I did not this approved in my contract negotiations. Oh well…I guess I will have to learn to ride the subway like everyone else.

So that’s the big news. I am going to become a New Yorker. Apparently the place that we are going to be renting over the next year has plenty of room for at least 2 air mattresses at a time. Therefore, I am already taking reservations. Please book your flights now to come and visit. I will take you on a tour of the city and we will stop at various pinkberrys along the way.

Seriously though…everyone likes to visit New York and usually flights are pretty cheap into the city…so I expect to see many friends over the next year!

10 comments:

Amanda @ Click. The Good News said...

CONGRATS!!!! that's is so exciting and i'm very happy for you both (even if you aren't coming for a visit now :( )

GOOD LUCK with the move to the big city!

Christy said...

Yay! It sux that you won't be coming to Houston, but now we'll just have to make a special trip to NYC to see JerseyBoys!
Please have a Gray's Papaya hotdog for me! YUM! :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Sarah - I too hoped that after Eric's tour of Jersey Boys was over you would be returning to Michigan so we could all be together but alas G-d had different plans for you & Eric - we are all so proud of Eric & wish you both the best - I was hoping to to see you in Cleveland but I guess I will hopefully get to N.Y
Love you both,
Bubi

Just Another Small Town Girl said...

Congrats girlie!!! That is so awesome and I'm sure you and Eric will have lots of great memories of your stay in NYC years from now when you're looking back on things =)

Jaime said...

wow, what big news!! and how exciting for eric, to be on broadway!!! i love broadway and saw several shows in NY when i was in college in the northeast. i will definitely try to visit you if i can :) in the mean time, i hope you guys make the most of your time there and enjoy a little bit more stability being in one place for a while.

Unknown said...

I kind of hated nyc when I first moved there but after a while I loved it. Basically anything you can possibly imagine is there and there is always awesome music, art, etc going on.

the subway isn't bad at all. it takes a few days getting used to and thats about it.

and there are tons of amazing daytrips you can take out of the city without having a car (down the hudson to dia:beacon or other little towns, upstate somewhere on the train, you can take the subway to coney island and the rockaways) and i'm really convinced that there is no other place in the world with as much good food as NYC.

Anonymous said...

Sarah, I am so thrilled for Eric. Broadway has been a life long dream of his and he has finally made it! How exciting. You have been a wonderful support for Eric and I love you for that. I'm sure you and Eric will make it work 'cause you are a great team. Dress warm and enjoy the journey. Love, Margo

Carol Gluckman said...

Sarah, I am so excited for both of you!! Fear not, there are beautiful mountains in upstate N.Y. and in New England. One of the best places I ever camped was in Maine. I am looking forward to seeing you guys in NY.

Love,
Auntie Carol

Mary said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm so happy for you two - I think that while it may be scary at first that it will be an amazing experience for you both! AND... now you'll be close enough that I can visit! :)

admin said...

Wow...That's a lot of travelling! What adventures! Good luck!