Today, I’m filming a 2 minute introduction video as part of an application to go to Cannes in May. It’s freaking me the fuck out.

I’ve applied to hard things before – I went to grad school, I remember what it’s like to ask for a reference letter and make sure to have at least a month for everything to go wrong because it always does. I remember the stress of only having 200 words to express you, your research, why the research is important, why you are the one who needs to be doing it, and which of your future children will be named after your supervisor. It’s a stressful kind of organization that I feel completely fine with – except for this video thing.

Being on camera really is a skill, or at least it’s something that gets easier the more you do it – just like eating vegetables. It’s the Brussels sprouts of mass media. And I am having trouble finding the Cheez-Whiz that will drown out my fear and self consciousness like a blanket of yellow-orange plasticy goodness. Or another less messy metaphor. I know the key will be to relax and focus on letting whatever it is that I’ve got shine through, and not the anxiety of wanting it so much. If I can do that, I think I have a very good shot at being in Cannes in May. And getting out of having to name any future children Andrew.

P.S. 100% of the title of today’s post came from HERE, at Ladies Against Humanity, who rock my socks and need to get on making me some cards I can actually use.

P.P.S. Did anyone else know that Brussels sprouts has a silent s? Sesame Street lied to me.