Vacation Occupation

Is it weird for me to love to say what I do when I am traveling? Perhaps I should explain. I love saying what I do when I am traveling because I say what I do in my head: I am an actor; I am a writer. Is it a lie? Nope, because I am those things. It is just fun to practice saying out loud in preparation for the day my bills are paid with my craft.We are heading off on a vacation shortly. My husband and I haven't been on a vacation just the two of us without an agenda since our honeymoon. We've had incredible family trips, wedding weekends, short overnight stays. But this is a week long real deal vacation. To say we are ready for a release after the past few years is an understatement.We love traveling and we do it well together. We enjoy exploring, eating, drinking, and learning about a new city or culture. It's our jam. The last big vacation we had, we went to Europe with my family. While there, since we are so delightful, many servers and bartenders would ask where we were from and some even asked what we did. Honestly, that isn't a common question in Europe. It is mostly where you are from since people are more interested in that than what pays your bills unlike here in the US. My European friends have told me when they ask "what do you do?" they mean what makes you passionate, makes you tick. When I was asked, I would say an actor and it felt incredible to say. In fact, it sparked a delightful conversation with one server in London who also was an actor and we shared our reels with each other.This trip, I will be saying I live in New York City which I missed saying. It sparks a wonder in people who have never been. What is it like? What do you DO there? I am a writer and an actor. Aren't I? I mean, why shouldn't I say that? I am actively writing so I am going to say it and try it on for size.It's like wearing a new outfit you might have been nervous about debuting because it is a little different than your usual style. Does it fit right? Is it a good color for me? But you put on a brave face and step outside and see what happens. Being a writer is comfortable to me since I've been writing since I was little. It is more saying it out loud as my occupation to other people and bracing for the follow up questions: What do you write? Have I read anything you've written? Will it feel like a lie? Will it sound like I am scraping the barrel?God, it's the same as acting, isn't it? What do you act in? Have I seen anything you've been in? Natural questions but damn, they can sting when your answer is "Well, I took Kate Winslet's plate away in Episode 4 of Mildred Pierce." That being said, I have gotten over the need to prove myself to anyone who lives outside of the world of creative endeavors. It's very different from interviewing and securing a job in software engineering, for example, and understandable many folks don't realize that.And to many, taking away Kate Winslet's plate is fucking awesome (it WAS fucking awesome and one of my favorite on set memories of all time. She's incredibly funny and brilliant.)I digress.There is nothing wrong with my actual job that currently pays my bills. I honestly don't mind saying what I do though it isn't extremely interesting and always feels blah when I do mention it. I merely relish at the opportunity to say I live in New York and I am a writer/actor. I mean, that's what we are here fighting for, isn't it? It feels good. It feels like an intention (which I have been big on lately). I am putting it out there into the universe. Or at least in the bar where my husband and I will ultimately make friends with the bartender. As I mentioned, we are delightful and excellent patrons having worked in bars for years so, people will want to know about our amazing selves. Obviously. I like my vacation occupation. I don't think it's a lie; I think it is my true self. I am working towards making it the job that pays my bills. In the meantime, vacation and real life Rachel is a writer/actor. It doesn't feel strange when the words leave my lips; it feels right.