In the words of Rihanna "Big cities. Bright lights."

Last night was kind of a big night for me. And by kind of, I mean, "Holy shit this is a moment I will never forget!" That moment, my friends, was my premiere on the silver screen. I was on a freaking movie theater screen, yall!! Me. A short film I did called Midsummer was part of an event called the Houston Summer Sneak Peek, where four short films all made by Houston filmmakers were screened for the public. The event was sold out, which means 500 people saw me perform. It was amazing and exciting and scary and nerve-wrecking all at the same time. As the opening credits to the film began I was chanting in my head, "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God." I even wanted to throw up in my mouth a little...but I didn't.

The River Oaks Theatre Marque. How cool is that?

What made the evening that much more memorable and exciting were the fact that my co-workers were there to support me. I work with the most amazing group of people. People who who have kids at home and who live out in BFE and have piles of work to do but who all put those things aside in order to come to my movie premiere. That's rare. So to my colleagues I want to say thank you. Thank you for encouraging me and for supporting me. It really means a lot. Yall are the greatest group of people to have by your side as your character lights a joint with her sisters on the silver screen. I feel truly blessed to work alongside people like you all.

My MMI Peeps
Not everyone in this photo was able to make it last night, and there are others who came that aren't in this photo (It's the only office photo I had, OK?! Get off my back). Movie attendees missing from this photo are: Susan Oakland, Kay Kayachith, Shane Baker and Maggie McDonald. Thanks so much for coming out, guys!!

For those of you near and dear to me who couldn't make it out last night, I am defriending you on Facebook right now. Just kidding. What I really want to say is that hopefully there will be many more chances for you to catch me on the movie theater screen.

Last night was really incredible, and my dream is to relive that feeling over and over again.

Girls of Midsummer
L to R: Director, Renee Edd; Actress Emily Hervey;
Actress, Sarah Stubbs (Me!) and Production Asst, Anna Peterek

Proud to be an American

Yesterday was the 4th of July. (Happy belated Independence Day!) My friend Erica and I met up with our co-worker Rick, his girlfriend Daniella and her sister Emilia (oh and Cha Cha and Cachito, they're dogs) at the Miller Outdoor Theater to catch the fireworks. Parking was insane, but once we got settled on the hilltop with our cooler of water, beer, carrots, ranch dip, turkey slices, cheese and a whole loaf of bread, which Rick repeatedly made fun of us for, we no longer cared that we just lugged all that crap a million miles and up a hill. Yes, a million miles. I kept count.

The weather was pleasant. It wasn't so hot that you wanted to shave your head and lie naked in a tub of ice, so that's always good. And once the sun set it was even better. The Houston Orchestra played patriotic music, and then it was time for fireworks. As I stood there watching those beautiful bursts of color and light shoot up into the sky I became overwhelmed with appreciation and pride and hope. I was so grateful to be an American, to live in such an incredible country where freedom is not a privilege but a right. I was also proud to be an American. I looked around me and saw Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Indian-Americans all together gazing up into the sky and losing themselves in the power of those fireworks. You see, those fireworks were much more than bold colors and bright lights. They represented humanity, peace, and hope. It felt almost magical looking up into the night and feeling like anything is possible...And it is. Life is full of so many amazing moments. Sometimes we forget that and take for granted the little miracles that happen every day. July 4th reminds us how far we've come as a nation and how wonderful life in America is.


I want to say thank you to every member of our nation's armed forces--past, present and future. So many have fought and died so that we could enjoy our freedom and our liberties. So that we could have a voice and be heard. Thank you. Thank you for you selfless sacrifice. For those who have died, may you live for eternity in a special place in Heaven, and for those who are still fighting, may God bring you home safely.

God bless America!

Too legit. Too legit to quit...Ever

So, I'm a legit actress now...well, once I turn in my signed contract I will be. And I am so stoked about it! Yesterday I met with a talent agent from Pastorini-Bosby Talent (PB Talent), Houston's most well-known agency. They saw a couple of monologues that I did and offered me representation. Yesterday's meeting was to discuss how the agent-talent relationship works and get a contract.

My agent, Cindi Davis, was so friendly and personable, which made me feel very comfortable right from the start. She said she saw my monologues and that they were terrific, some of the best she has seen (I almost cried when I heard that, just sayin'). She asked me what classes I've taken, and when I said none, she said, "Wow. That's impressive. You just have that natural, God-given talent to act. You don't see that anymore." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I kept asking myself, "Is this real?" I can't even begin to describe how I felt at that moment and am still feeling now. When you want something so much, with your whole heart, you feel protective of it. Your sensitive about it and fearful that you may lose it. And for me, that fear of loss, that I might have to let go of a dream I've had all my life, is what kept me from going after it. I was scared that if I tried acting someone might tell me I'm bad and that would destroy me. So to hear that I'm not only skilled but have a natural, God-given talent is unlike anything I can describe. It makes me want to smile and cry and laugh and scream and jump up and down and stand completely still. It's a moment you want to get lost in and never find your way out of. I'm still living in that moment now.



We all have dreams. From the time we are little we all aspire to be something. And as we grow up those dreams change and manifest and expand and some go off our radar all together (I could not have been a paleontologist. Me and heat and dirt and digging. Not friends). Some of those dreams are HUGE and outlandish and fueled by hope. They are dreams you fear you have a one in a billion shot at reaching, dreams that others tell you you'll never fulfill. But it is so important that you not listen to those people. Ignore anyone who tries to convince you that you can't have something. Even, no especially, when that person is yourself. We are often times the biggest road block between ourselves and our dreams.

My biggest dream is to be an actress, to be on the big screen, to walk the red carpet and win an Oscar. Are those big dreams? Yes. Are they hard to achieve? Yes. But will that hinder my ability to go after them? NO. For the longest time I let myself keep me from pursuing my dream. I provided myself with excuse after excuse. And then last year I decided that I was no longer going to set by and watch my dream dissipate, leaving me with regret and constantly asking, "What if?". The feeling you get knowing that you are going after what you want is almost as good as getting what you want. So many people don't even try to achieve their dreams, so just making the effort is a great step forward.


I still have a long way to go before reaching my ultimate goal and a lot of obstacles that I will have to overcome on the way, but I just have to take this one step at a time, day by day. And then one day I'll look up and be standing on top of the world : )

I know this post is long and likely even boring, but I just want everyone to know that you CAN have anything you want. Anything. You just have to be willing to work for it and, at times, fight for it. When I was little and told my mom I wanted to be an actress she was completely supportive but said, "Just know that no one from Hollywood is just going to come knock on our door one day and say 'We want to put your daughter in a movie.'" In other words, you have to work for what you want. So please, please, please, if you have a dream, no matter how big or small, go for it. It's yours.

Before I shut up I want to say thank you to my amazing family for the unconditional support and encouragement. I am so, so blessed. Without my family and friends behind me, empowering me to keep going, my dream would always be just a dream. Thank you for giving me the strength to follow my heart. I love you all.

So it turns out I's gots skillz

So Tuesday night was a big milestone for me. It was the screening of the first movie I ever acted in, and it was the first time I ever watched myself. Needless to say I was a nervous wreck...on the inside, of course. You wouldn't have none that I simultaneously felt the urge to vomit, pee on myself and cry. I hid it well...I am an actress after all.

My Aunt Linda was there for moral support. For family and friends reading this who feel a bit perturbed that you didn't get an invite to this screening, unclench your fists because I didn't invite anyone. Linda found out because she is a member of the film group. And the reason I didn't tell anyone was because this was my first movie and first screening. If I was horrible, I didn't want all my loved ones to witness it. So anyway, Linda was there, which was great because should I have needed a hand to squeeze or a leg to dig my nails in to, I had one.

As the movie played, I anxiously awaited my scenes. The way I felt watching myself on TV is hard to explain. It's almost as if I was watching someone else, like it didn't sink in that that was me. Me. I was, of course, analyzing and critiquing every little thing I said or did. I sat on the front row, and once the movie was over I remember thinking, "Am I going to turn around and meet a room full of people scornfully staring at me, shaking their heads in disappointment? Or will I see smiling faces that produce words of praise?" I sat there a while, fixed on the blank TV in front me, awaiting the courage to turn around and see the audience reaction. When I finally did, I was met with...compliments, congratulations, hugs and smiles. OK, Sarah. You can breathe now. You did it.

To hear from my peers that I am talented, that I did an awesome job, that my acting is pure and believable was an incredible moment for me. One I will never forget. In that moment I finally had the strength to believe in myself. Having never had others watch me before, I could only hope I had talent, but I no longer have to hope for it, I can say I have it. And that is a moment of self worth I am grateful to have gained.

This screening was just the motivation I needed to keep pursuing my dream. One that I now feel is attainable.

Excuse me Motherhood, you can take a number and wait.

Disclaimer: Some names and photos in this post have been changed to protect the identity of those involved...and maybe also to appease their mother. Mostly the latter.

Disclaimer 2: None of the kids featured in this post are up for adoption...just sayin'

So yesterday evening I babysat my nephew Percy (fake name), 5 on the verge of 6, his brother Elias (also fake), 2 1/2, and our cousin Alex, also 2. As always, when I babysit I get a small dose of motherhood, but last night, with 3 boys, I got a dose that no spoonful of sugar would help go down.

I brought Alex and his big brother Joe over to my brother's house around 6pm. Pizza arrived promptly after...and the evening began. (side note: I don't include Joe in the list of kids I babysat because he's 13. If you have a couch and a laptop, done. I will say that it was helpful to have him there to go outside with the boys so that I could clean up. But I am ahead of myself here). I begin preparing the dinner plates one by one, while simultaneously participating in this conversation.

Percy: Alex, stop. I can't hear the movie.
Me: Alex, come play with that toy in here. Elias, you're food is ready.
Elias: Yay!
Me to Elias: What do you want to drink?
Percy: Alex, stop it.
Me: Alex, come in here, please.
Elias: Orange juice.
Me: Percy, ready for your pizza?
Percy: I don't want pizza.
Me: Well, you have to eat dinner.
Percy: But I don't want pizza. Alex, stop!
Me: Well how about a sandwich? Alex, put the toy down it's time to eat.
Percy: OK.
Me: PB&J no crust?
Percy: Yes.

Then once all three plates were ready, the next scene plays out as more of a monologue.

Me: Elias, come sit down and eat. Alex, don't put your fork in the toy box. Percy, you need to go eat your sandwich. Alex, Elias, come back to the table and eat. Percy, don't forget to eat your blueberries. Alex, where's you fork? Here Elias, wipe your hands on this not the table.

Fun times. After everyone had eaten, Joe took them all outside to play soccer, which gave me a LITTLE break to clean up and start laundry...That would be my laundry for those wondering. My dryer broke, and I had a load in the wash so I brought it over to dry it. Just clarifying in case you were thinking, "Wow. When she babysits she does the laundry too? Lets hire her." Umm, negative. I hate washing my own clothes, so I'm definitely not washing yours.

The cleaning break was short-lived, however, because I knew it would be a hard task for Joe to watch all three boys while also trying to entertain himself. So there I was following Elias around the yard because he held a baseball bat that I just knew was going to end up smacking Alex, who liked to stand in swinging range from Elias. Once Elias dropped the bat, I seized the opportunity to put it away. I turned my back for one second and a loud cry ensues. I turn around to see Elias in tears with skittle-flavored drool running down his chin. While frantically trying to figure out what happened, I discovered that he was mad at Joe for tickling him. So inside I go with Elias, who I clean up and put PJs on. Then in comes Percy. "He hurt my finger." "Who?" "Joe." "How?" "The ball." "Joe, what happened?" "I kicked the ball, and when he went to catch it he jammed his finger." "Percy, let me see. It looks fine. Are you OK?" "Yeah." "OK. Let me clean your face and get your PJs."

Bedtime was a feat all of it's own. Getting one kid to sleep can be taxing, three was damn near impossible. I put all three boys in Percy's bed to read to them. It was a good idea in theory. Things were off to a good start, but then Alex wanted to get down. I decided to lay him on the couch with Joe until I got Percy and Elias to sleep. I continue reading but am interrupted by fits of laughter. Elias is flopping about like a fish out of water. Percy starts laughing, which makes Elias laugh and inspires him to keep flopping around. I put my adult voice on and threatened to separate them. That method only worked for a grand total of 5 minutes. So I had to stick to my word and take Elias to his room and rock him. After he is good and drowsy I lay him in his bed...and he cries. I walk out and see if he will soothe himself. He does. Score! Then down the hallway comes Alex. Talking. That wakes Elias up. He cries. I go into Elias' room, and Alex, being curious as to why there is a crying baby, follows me. As I am rocking Elias again, Alex lays on a pillow-chair...and starts playing with a toy on the ground. I want to get him to stop, but Elias is sleeping on my chest so speaking in my normal voice may wake him. So I start whispering firmly, which if you've ever tried is not really that authoritative. "Ssp. Alex. Stop. Ssp. Hey. Stop." He eventually got the message. I put Elias back in bed. He cried again. I lied and said I had to use the restroom and would be right back. It worked. I didn't come back.

Two down. One to go. I must mention that at this point I had some perspiration going on. Was I jogging? No. On the treadmill. Nuh-uh. Doing exercise of any kind? Nope. But I now think putting three small kids to sleep at one time should be a part of the triathlon competitions. Lets see them do that. I took Alex into another room and sang to him until he fell asleep. Or maybe he just pretended to be asleep so I would stop singing. Either way, baby number 3 was out.

My brother and sister-in-law arrived home shortly after Alex went down. I gave them a brief recap of the night then scooped up Alex and headed out the door. It was there on the front porch with my purse on one shoulder and a sleeping baby Alex on the other that I realized that having this life would be completely satisfying. That motherhood, with it's snotty noses, sleepless nights and temper tantrums, will be the most fulfilling life of all....Not now, though. I'm good just babysitting. So motherhood, even though I turn all the lights off and pretend I'm not home when you knock on the door and don't answer the phone when you call, one day I will open the blinds and put out the welcome mat and be glad to have you. But how about booking a vacation until Mr. Right comes knocking on my door first? Deal?

I dedicate this post to Joe, Percy, Elias, Mason, Alex, Max and Everett. My boys. I love you all so much and enjoy every minute I spend with you. You give me all the perks of motherhood because I get to see you laugh and play and grow and learn...and then when you throw a fit or fall down and scrape your knee or have too much sugar, I get to go home : )

Joe (this pic is two years old)

Percy & Elias

Mason

Alex

Max

Everett

Sawyer Park, I dub thee King Douche Bag. Now kiss my ass!

I am livid! Why? Because last night a Houston sports bar - Sawyer Park on Washington Ave - would not let my best friend in their establishment because, get this, his pant legs were too baggy. For real? Like for real, for real? Turns out they were for real.

News flash Sawyer Park, you're an effing sports bar not an upscale club. People wear casual clothes to sports bars in case you missed that memo. And let me make the point that my friend's pant legs were no baggier than any other guy's pants that we saw inside. No. Baggier. It was the lamest excuse I had ever heard of, and I am outraged and appalled. Lets makes this clear, we are not talking about baggy pants in the sense that the waist was at his knees. He does not sag his jeans. The actual portion of his pants leg was too baggy according to the Ass Wipes at Sawyer Park. What they hell do they want, effing skinny jeans?

The douchey doorman could not even maintain eye contact with us because he knew he was being a shit bag. When I asked for the manager, that ball sweat asshole could only keep saying, "We have a strict dress code." Oh really? So you need to be snazy to go to a sports bar now? That means the guy inside with the t-shirt, khaki shorts and tennis shoes on should have been asked to leave, right? Oh no wait. That guy was white. Yep, I went there. I pulled out the race card. And I'm white. It was obvious that the real reason they would not let my friend was in because he is black. And here's the kicker: he's not even black. He is Puerto Rican and just looks black. As we looked around the bar, we noticed nothing but white people there last night. Coincidence? I do not think so.

So Sawyer Park, I hope termites infest your wood-structured bar and rid this world of such a trashy, ass backwards, piece of shit establishment.

The ultimate look in douchebaggery

Google the mind reader

Inspired by a blog post made by The Bloggess (http://thebloggess.com/?p=5585), I decided to put random words into Google to see what its Sylvia Browne-robot predicts I'm going to type. Remember Google, when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me...but mostly you. Then I made note of my favorites and have decided to share those with you. You're welcome.

Word typed:
-Was...
What Google assumed I was trying to ask:
-Was Jesus black? (yes, this is exactly what I was going to ask! that's incredible!)
-Was not was (now you're just fucking with me, Google)



Word typed:
-Can...
What Google assumed I was going to ask:
-Can I has cheeseburger? (umm no, but i'll gladly give you a grammar book)


Words typed:
-How about...
What Google assumed I was going to ask:
-How about that ride in hangover? (what state is hangover in? i'm pretty sure i've been there)
-How about a friendly shrink? (as in a psychiatrist, or you want to make me really small while being nice about it?)



Words typed:
-What do...
What Google assumed I was going to ask:
-What do tigers dream? (i bet they dream about biting your head off for asking such a stupid question)

"I cannot wait to maul the moron who asked about my dreams."

Words typed:
-Why does...
What Google assumed I was going to ask:
-Why does poop float? (you must have eaten something really light that day)

Words typed:
-When might...
What Google assumed I was going to ask:
-When might you hear the miranda warning? (when your ass is being arrested)

Umm, what's sticking out of this guy's stomach?

Word typed:
-Where
What Google assumed I was going to ask:
-Where is Santa right now? (when it's not christmas he always goes on a cruise. duh.)