Basically this is the narrative I was assigned in grade nine. It was really fun to write. Of course with my fickleness I now want to be a makeup artist but at the time this was written, this was my dream.

Where I’ll Be When I’m 35

6:00 AM, March 27, 2027 I’ve been sitting in this makeup trailer for two hours already. Glancing in the mirror I notice that my face is now a greenish-blue hue. I don’t even look human, but that’s the point. I act on a Science-Fiction show; of course I’m not always an alien. Being an alien is part of the plot for the next episode.

7:00 AM, Finally with the makeup I looked in the mirror. I was barely recognizable as a Wraith (the Wraith are the bad aliens on the show). I walked out of the trailer and into costumes and props. Mike, my husband’s best friend, gave me a huge and heavy black robe and a stunner weapon. I went to change into the bulky costume.

8:00 AM, I grabbed a coffee and a gooey cinnamon roll from the cafeteria. Trying not to mess up the makeup on my lips and stuffing hot icing in my mouth I made my way to the first set. My co-worker and best friends were waiting for me in the ‘Gate Room’.

“Hannah, finally we can get this scene started.” Pete, the director, said. I jumped into action pretending to fire bullets at Jack Mason, a character for the show I work on. I had to jump off a balcony while firing the P90 as well. Fun stuff. I love my job.

9:00 AM, The balcony scene is still going on. Every time I hit the mattress there’s this annoying hissing sound. I rubbed my shoulder and ran back up the stairs to do “one more take”.

10:00 AM, Sometimes picky directors are very annoying! I had to do that scene over and over. Thank goodness it’s coffee break time. I grabbed a cappuccino and sat with my co-stars. We had a great conversation about wormhole physics and cheese. I have the greatest friends.

11:00 AM, I rubbed my stiff shoulder, I’m getting too old for this. At least this scene is less physically painful. All I have to do is stand over a bed with my stunt double in it and look scary.

12:00 PM, Finally its lunch break, because apparently I’m not scary enough for a Wraith! Ryan appeared with McDonald’s, what a savior! The twins, Colton and Vaughn, ran to me and grabbed my legs, making walking hard. They were used to weird makeup, at first the kids were scared of it though.

“What’s up at the Andromada Galaxy?” My husband, Ryan Sheppard asked me as he kissed the top of my dread-locked wig. I laughed and picked up the four Happy Meals,

I gave the twins theirs and we sat down at the nearest table. I watched as Vaughn and Colton compared toys.

1:00 PM, The makeup is gone! Well the weird stuff is, now I just look pretty. Ryan is in this scene so I’m happy. I love the fact that our characters are supposed to like each other. I don’t even have to act. The twins are playing in the props room with Uncle Mike, the props guy, who isn’t even related to us, he asked the kids to call him that. It’s one of their favorite things to do.

2:00 PM, Ryan and I were sitting in the mass hall set waiting for the call to action. This was a tense scene where our characters’ true feelings should show. Easy enough, seeing as it’s hard not to love Ryan.

“Action!” The call was made and we started the scene.

3:00 PM, “I can’t triangulate the position of the Wraith Dart. We need that weapon Major!” Ryan’s character, Colonel Erik Dane, said to my character, Major Rylee Griffin.

“I’m trying Sir.” I said, desperately pushing buttons and switching crystals in a device. We were supposed to be under heavy weapons fire from an alien ship. The action sequence had to be perfect.

“It’s a wrap!” Director Pete said after the last shot. I almost shouted for joy. I couldn’t wait to see it on TV.

4:00 PM, Only one more hour of shooting. Mike said he’d take the kids to the park until dinner, since he was coming to our house. They hopped in his VW Passat and waved goodbye. I had to get back to the set but I made sure they were buckled and okay first.

5:00 PM, Ryan and I stopped at the local grocery store on the way home to pick up super, I got some steaks that Ryan could barbeque and some romaine lettuce for a salad. We went home and made supper, taking our time because Mike and the kids weren’t here.

6:00 PM, We all had dinner, with the lively conversation that I was used to as a kid. Colton and Vaughn got into a little fight about who was the best on Rescue Heroes but other than that it was a normal dinner.

7:00 PM, Mike was playing with the kids in the back yard while Ryan helped me clean up. We slid the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and touched hands. I smiled as he grabbed my hand and kissed it, even if it was dirty.

8:00 PM, Mike went home and Ryan and I put the kids in bed and went to the living room. We had a hard time deciding on which movie to watch, we finally settled on Pirates of the Caribbean, an old classic, it was still on DVD!

10:00 PM, I couldn’t help falling asleep during the movie. I woke up in Ryan’s lap and giggled as I realized he was asleep too. I poked him until he woke up and we went to bed. I slept really well.

6:00 AM, I woke with the sound of my favorite oldies song on the radio, Sweet Symphony by The Chucky Danger Band. I got up and got ready for another day on the set. I love my life.