As many of you know, Ming had his second spinal surgery just before Christmas last year at which time he was advised by the surgeon not to resume his job as a dairy hand for our neighbours, or to do any manual job, ever. That was a hard pill to swallow but he swallowed it and, since recovering from the surgery, he has spent the last few months throwing himself into acting auditions (most of which have required him to travel the 200 kms to Perth by train or bus, and vice versa).
He scored many bit-parts: a music video, a ‘student’ in a university advertisement, a couple of paid roles; he has also created a portfolio and is now listed on a website for aspiring actors. In fact, Ming has done so much acting-related stuff in the last few months that I have had trouble keeping up. With no vehicle, and no driving licence, he learned how to use public transport, stay in youth hostels, but he also relied on friends and family for accommodation and transport. It has all been enormous fun and a huge learning curve in so many ways and Ming has become a better net-worker than I have ever been and Anthony’s gregariousness shines out of him.
None of this, however, has proved to be lucrative yet, so Ming started to apply for jobs at restaurants and yesterday he was told that the restaurant, where he has only done a few casual shifts, want him full-time now. I am so elated for him and proud! But he and I are also grateful for the fact that a relative of a friend of one of the owners of this restaurant put in a good word for him. (I haven’t included names here, in order protect the innocent, just in case Ming drops a tray or something haha!)
Today, Ming was working there, so a friend and I went for lunch and it was so weird to watch him in action. The place was very busy and apparently, once he goes full-time, he will be jack-of-all-trades. It was great to watch the way he interacted with customers – he is a natural!
Tonight, he’s gone up to Perth (for the last time for awhile, due to getting full-time work) to play the part of a character in his friend’s university film assignment. He auditioned and got the part last week and here is the irony: he was picked as the character of a son who struggles with his father’s dementia, despite nobody in the film crew knowing his background. I am still a bit gobsmacked.
Anyway, of course I am rejoicing at all of this good news for the white-haired boy (despite no longer being a natural blonde); he will no longer go slightly insane in the nursing home and resort to playing on Anthony’s walker!
So happy and proud of Ming!
jmgoyder 