Ms. Appleby Lives

Ms. Appleby has recently come back into my life. She was my first professional acting job in Los Angeles. I didn't always love her, but, especially now, she has become very precious to me. Ms. Appleby taught me the business. I met some great people on the set and learned how to act in front of a camera. I fell in love with film and television. Ms. Appleby opened that door.

Beyond the work, Ms. Appleby has introduced me to some very generous people who have given me the gift of an interest in my character. They have sent me messages saying that I have had some little impact on their lives. They tell me that I encouraged their interest in education; that I was the kind of teacher they would like to have. It is, for me, a little bit of immortality to be remembered.

My career has not been as successful as I would have liked. To be honest, I act now more as a sideline than with any real hope of a full-time career. Sometimes our dreams are bigger than our ability to accomplish them. My dreams, however, have been fulfilled to a certain degree. I have my union cards. I've been on successful prime time television. I was a part of Powers Rangers' first season which went to the top with a bullet. I've gotten to do work that I love. And I'll continue, God willing, to do this thing that gives me so much bliss as long as I'm physically able.

Ms. Appleby reminds me that I am foremost an actor among all the other things I do. It is for this reason that I have renamed my blog. Ms. Appleby was a wise old broad, she was the original wise nobody. She had to be. She taught anything the school asked her to--English, Science, History. You name it, she taught it. She dealt with Bulk and Skull and those other pesky morphing teens. She may not have been a pretty girl, but she was warm and caring and had a commitment to her mission--the education of her students.

So, Ms. Appleby, thank you. I dedicate this blog to you and hope that some of your wisdom will creep into these musings of mine. We'll keep to the high road, remembering that we are both educators. May our students always learn something from us.