When I was young, in the days of covered wagons and when I used to have to walk 5 miles in the snow to get to school— you know, here in Florida, I had a dream. 

I wanted to write. I wrote all the time. I couldn't help it. It poured out of me. 

And then I grew up. I went to school, paid for on my own dime. I worked two jobs and I eeked by. And the thing was I stopped writing down the words that came to me. I stopped dreaming that dream. I had to make a living and I took the first real grownup job that came my way.

Banking.

Me and numbers, that's as big of a contradiction as Miley Cyrus and singing. 

Throughout my life, that spark remained. I could feel it there, in my soul, just biding its time. 

And after far too many years, I reignited that spark. 

And because of those years I wasted on debits and credits and prime rates, those years where I tried to forget my own dream was ever there, my biggest piece of advice to young people is: Listen to that spark. Dream those dreams, no matter how big or how wildly unpractical they may be, take a chunk of those days when your responsibilities are still small and just close your eyes and jump. Nothing in life happens without chance. Try on the dream, so that you never have to listen to that awful whisper that haunts far too many of us as the years unwind.

That dreaded,"If Only."

I know a girl with a dream, so much like mine.

Bunny Fitzgerald came into our lives as a young, bubbly teenager. She was and still is actually, this pixie of a girl, with velvety, doe eyes and a spirit overflowing with charm and just a fiery zeal for life.


And then there's her beauty.

She is a stunning young woman with an incredible resemblance to Rachel McAdams.


She used to babysit my girls when they were small, even though she was only a few short years older than them. They loved her. And more importantly, so did I.

The first time she ever babysat for me, after she successfully put 3 happy girls to bed, she picked up the toys and then? Then she cleaned out my refrigerator.

Let me repeat that. She cleaned out my refrigerator.

When I came home, I nearly wept at the organized, sparkling shelves. If I could, I would have adopted her on the spot.

In high school, Bunny found Drama and the second she entered the classroom she knew she was home.

And the Dream began.

Bunny immersed herself in acting. She performed in almost all of her high school plays throughout all 4 years there. She competed in state competitions. She lived her dream.

And she was good at it. So good, she nailed straight superiors at district competitions. So good, she was awarded Most Talented at her high school. So good, she won a scholarship for Drama.

And that was when the real world came a-calling.

In the middle of writing this post, I needed more information than Bunny was freely giving me. You see, she'd left out all of these awards and accolades in her bio. She'd left out the part about how really talented she is. I had to push and poke, until she finally gave up what I was looking for and in the process, I saw something in her that is such a barricade to so many struggling artists—that nasty, little bugger called self doubt.

At the end of her high school years, she convinced herself that maybe she just wasn't good enough, that acting was more of a pipe dream, a dream more suited to a little girl than a young woman who was on the verge of stepping into the real world.

After much deliberation, Bunny chose a more practical major—nursing.

Shortly after that, she switched to Education since Math and her were not friends.

I, too, am not friends with Math. In fact, I do believe Math hates me. But this story is about Bunny and her lack of friendship with Math and, more importantly, her dream.

And so, Bunny decided to become a teacher, a noble profession, indeed. Her dream of acting was now locked away in that small space that rests in everyone's heart. The space that never dies, that remembers what it felt like when you were 10 and were asked the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

And we all knew at 10. We all knew before we were even aware of things like Practicality and The Odds and Responsibility and Limitations, that our own destiny awaited each of us as an actress or a ballerina or a writer or a doctor or even President of the United States.

Because we didn't understand that dreams oftentimes are just that. We only knew in those sweet days what stirred inside, the first faint rumblings of what we were capable of and the endless possibilities that innocence brings.

After high school, Bunny stopped acting and focused on college and her quest to become a teacher.

But her dream stayed there, still flickering, right under the surface. She missed acting.

Two years into her new life, her boyfriend urged her to return to the stage. He knew how much she missed those days. He'd heard the stories of her talent. He wanted to see her in that dream.

She decided to audition for the play, "Closer".

She'd been away for so long, she wasn't sure if she could do this. She wasn't sure if she still had it in her. She went to the audition, full of self doubt. This would be her first time auditioning before people who had no idea what she was capable of and the talent she possessed. The people in that front row, judging her didn't care about "Most Talented" or scholarships. They just wanted to see what she was made of.

When she got there and saw the huge crowd of actors lined up, waiting their turn to audition, she almost ran out of the building. She couldn't do this. She couldn't. But something kept her there, that spark, that feeling of being exactly where she was supposed to be. Instead of taking off, she called her best friend, a theatre major at Emerson and poured out her angst, her worries that this was too big of a hurdle, that she didn't stand a chance. Bunny's friend pleaded with her to stay.

And so she did.

She walked out of the audition, feeling euphoric, knowing that even if nothing came out of this, she'd given it her all and she had tried to touch that dream, once again.

The callback came.

Bunny snagged the lead role

And with it, her spark roared back to life. It was a tough, emotional show but it was the most fun she'd ever had in her life.

But even as she reclaimed her passion, there was still school and studies and a job and an internship looming. She managed to act in one more play, but then the new life she'd created, so very far away from acting, called her back. She couldn't manage the time to keep up with the acting. She needed to focus on becoming a teacher.

And still that spark burned, whispering her name.

What didn't help were the accolades she received for her acting. What didn't help were the people who told her she was wasting her talent, her God given talent.

And so, Bunny found herself at a crossroads.

Her biggest fear? Looking back and knowing regret, feeling that "If Only" inside her soul.

But at the same time, she had a practical, wonderful life plotted out. She had invested years of schooling. She had an internship. She had responsibilities.

What would happen if she shucked all of that and took this very big risk as an actress and it didn't work out? She didn't want to spend her life pursuing an elusive dream when she'd worked so hard to create a life and career full of promise and worth.

Two paths. One—a steady, sure good path full of fulfillment. The other—a risky path, certain to be full of stumbles and detours and no guarantees for success.

She didn't know what to do.

And then another path opened up right before her eyes. And she knew.

It was a contest, a competition for a walk-on role on the show, Mad Men.

Sponsored by Banana Republic and Mad Men, it is a chance for one lucky actor or actress to strut their stuff on that stellar show. Banana Republic has a website, RIGHT HERE, with the contestant's pictures and anyone is allowed to vote. 1 computer vote a day.

So, you know what's coming next, right?

I want this girl to know her dream, even if it doesn't last forever.

Or even if it does.

Bunny needs our help. There are some folks in the contests with hundreds of thousands of votes. Not sure, how people get that many votes, but I am not one to make accusations. Hmmph.

VOTE FOR BUNNY, RIGHT HERE.

The thing is, they are taking the top ten women and top ten men and giving them auditions.

What a Sasquatch sized foot in the door for any actor or actress.

If Bunny wins this, she says it will be her sign and that road, that road filled with bumps and stops and starts will be hers for the taking.

If she wins, I'm totally advising her to ask for changes in the script. I'm telling her she must insist that her character has a hot, steamy make out scene with Don Draper. And of course, Bunny will need a stand in for rehearsals. Bunny, I don't have much experience in the acting department, but I have tons and I mean tons of experience in the make out department. So, keep that in mind.
Seriously.

Bunny says she knows it's a long shot, but she also knows if she makes the top ten, that role will be hers. She knows this with all her heart.

And so do I.

Now, my dear, darling readers, will you help me? Wouldn't that be such a noble thing if we could all band together and help one person live their dreams? I'm in. You?

Here's the site.  Go vote.  Vote every day. You have over a month of hitting that little vote button. Make it as much a part of your life as brushing your teeth. In fact, when you brush your teeth, let that be your reminder to go vote for Bunny. Give the site to your friends. Tell everyone to help this girl and her dream, her great big dream.



Look at this girl. Doesn't she scream secretary to all those incorrigible ad men who are such chauvinist pigs, I just want to reach through the television and slap the smack out of them? Except for Don Draper, of course. Or doesn't she look like she'd be perfect as Betty's best friend, that smart girl who consistently talks Betty down from her crazy place, all the while, winking and giving Betty's hot husband Don Draper knowing looks? And wouldn't she be perfect as Don Draper's newest make out partner with a very capable stand in?

Please vote. Every day. Tell your friends and family and neighbors and co-workers and mailman and anyone who has a computer. Vote for Bunny. Keep her dream alive.

Bunny, whatever comes, know that you are an indomitable spirit. Wherever your path leads you, I know you will light up the skies with your passion. The world is yours, Girl. Go conquer it.

Today's Definite Download: "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserable. That Susan Boyle almost ruined this song for me. I swear, I just don't get the fanatical obsession over that woman, but I don't pretend to understand Lady Gaga either.

But then Glee did their own rendition and I fell back in love with this gorgeous song. With the incomparable Idina Menzel singing with Lea Michele, this song is rightfully back in the category of one of the great songs of all time. These two ladies do such a spectacular job, I've included a link, here, so you can hear for yourself how this song deserves to be sung.

No lyrics today, just enjoy the song. For Bunny, Dream your Dream whatever it may be.