while you're gone

have you ever done something so stupid but you then have to stand there and just pretend like it never even happened? i know i can't be the only one. my major malfunction today? i was walking into my garage and... well, i hit my head on the still opening garage door. i wish i was lying and i wish this was an untrue story but this actually happened. i guess i'm not as short as i thought i was... or as smart. i honestly want someone to tell me that they've done something this dumb but i am pretty sure that nobody has ever done anything this stupid.

You know, those moments tend to get deleted from my memory pretty quickly. But you know when they come back? Those random sleepless nights when your brain decides to replay the director's cut of every embarrassing thing you've ever done. I'd say your garage door story isn't even that bad. If anything, it's the kind of thing that's hilarious five minutes later. I refuse to believe nobody else has done something that dumb, people walk into glass doors (me), wave back at people who weren't waving at them (me again), trip over absolutely nothing (probably me, as well), send texts to the wrong person (not me, 'cause I double-check everytime)... humanity is basically held together by moments we'd rather not remember. The only difference is that most of us are lucky enough not to have an audience when it happens.

That's exactly the mindset that probably separates the people who last from the people who don't. As much as it hurts in the moment, use it as fuel instead of letting it crush you. Yeah, you just hang in there 'cause it's the thing you'd keep choosing time and time again. So when you say you couldn't imagine doing anything else, I completely understand that. The hard days somehow become part of why you love it so much, feels much rewarding than if all days were easy.

congratulations on ending the days lying on your sofa! i know it was relaxing, but you're right, some sunlight is good every now and again. jokes aside, that sounds exciting and i already can't wait to see what the project's about! along with watching the witcher, of course. i can't blame you with multiple days at the beach, though at least you know what you can do once you're done filming, right? i don't think i'd ever move permanently back home to florida, no. i appreciate it, but i like new york a lot, even with my complaints about the cold. you should definitely try surfing! and let me be there in that moment to witness any wipeouts. and perfect, the tickets are booked, and june 10th is officially marked on the calendar! i think it'll be a great concert. it was nice meeting up with you in napa too, and i loved the hot air balloon ride! maybe we can find some place in dublin and do it all over again, while we're there. did you end up having to go into filming right after napa?

Some sunlight was definitely good for me! It's exciting, I can't wait to start filming. I'm going to brush up on my Spanish a little since my co-star is Spanish, a big win on my end. Yeah, making it a traidition to head Down Under after wrapping, pack nothing but sundresses and insecticide, and stay there for a few months, then come back to rainy London feeling completely recharged. Oh, complaining about a place but not wanting to leave it is such a real sentiment. I love my dear London, couldn't leave it forever, but I'll complain about it every chance I get. That's rude of you, sir. You sound far too eager to witness me getting absolutely humbled by a surfboard. Is O Children part of the setlist? If so, it's definitely going to be a good one. Oh, absolutely, we should. Doing it again in Dublin actually sounds like a bit of a tradition in the making at this point. Thankfully, no! I should be starting soon enough, but I've had that sweet little window between vacation mode and work mode, time I had no idea what to do with. What about you?

>You have no idea how much comfort that can bring a person. Especially about letting a story close gracefully rather than letting it just hang there, makes things in my career seem more full? More a sense of achievement for? The unfinishedness of some things can carry, both for the people making it and the people watching. Trusting your instincts on something as massive and layered as The Witcher is no small fete but again you made it look so easy yet you are the most important audience and thought on that in the end. Its amazing how you can spend months, sometimes years, living in this hyper-focused bubble with a certain story and living in certain characters... then it's gone? It’s like a phantom limb for a while after though. I hope you are getting some well-deserved time to just breathe, step out of the mundane for you. You should be incredibly proud.

Right? That's exactly it. At some point you just have to trust your gut, because when you've lived with a story for that long, there comes a moment where no amount of second-guessing helps anymore. You're so right about that strange feeling afterwards too. You spend time completely immersed in a world and in these characters, thinking about them every day, and then suddenly they're not yours to carry anymore. "Phantom limb" is actually a perfect way of putting it... your mind is somethign else. I think that's why having a proper ending matters so much, it gives everyone, including the people who made it, somewhere to place all that time and emotion. Thank you, love, that really means a lot. I'm definitely trying to enjoy a little breathing room, for a bit before diving headfirst into the next thing. If nothing else, it's a good reminder to appreciate the journey before chasing the next mountain.

that's completely fair. i've seen some videos of people who did it as a hobby and people caught wind of it and tried to take advantage of it. with what we all do, having something that no pressure and that you just genuinely enjoy is really one of the best outlets. you're so sweet but i'm not sure about this one. maybe i'd give it a try but nothing too seriously. who knows? maybe it'll end up being some way to help with the creative process with writing songs.

That's exactly it, though. It starts feeling like another job, and that's why you gotta protect that little thing that's solely yours. I could absolutely see painting helping with your songwriting. Not because you'd suddenly become some world-famous painter, but because sometimes creativity just needs a different door to walk through. You sit down thinking you're painting a flower or a landscape and somehow end up with an idea for a lyric or a melody. Brains are weird like that. And that's the beauty of it, it doesn't have to be serious. It can just be you making a mess, switching your brain off for a couple of hours, and seeing what happens. If something comes out of it, great. If not, you still got a relaxing afternoon out of it, which is a win in itself.

okay, i can't blame you there. i imagine i'd need cue cards in that position and i'm not even talking for something like you'd be doing where you're required to memorize multiple pages of dialogue? get me in front of a camera on day one after a flight like that and it'll be a miracle if i'm able to introduce myself properly. but they really do, i used to be good at adjusting my schedule to whatever it needed to be with no issues and i can't remember exactly when it stopped being easy but i'm wondering if it's something that naturally goes away once you reach a certain stage? like some sort of "you can no longer stay up until 2am and not suffer (for what feels like) forever" checkpoint. we have an album coming out next month so i did have to jump back into things pretty quickly but i got lucky and had about a 24-hour grace period? so it definitely could've been worse.

Yeah, I think there's a point where your body stops negotiating with you and starts enforcing its own rules. You think you can still do the late nights, early flights, constant switching between time zones, and then you're hit with the realisation that recovery time has doubled and your brain now comes with mandatory buffering. I do think there's a bit of a "new settings unlocked" moment at some point in life where your tolerance just shifts and you don't get the memo. That said, I'm impressed you still managed to get that 24-hour grace period in. Sometimes you really do need that tiny buffer to pretend you're still a functioning human before everything kicks off again. And I suppose there's something nice about being thrown straight back into it with an album coming out, even if it does feel a bit like being launched into the deep end after a holiday. Is the album coming out soon?

it really does. i was told very early that the brits won't give a standing observation to just anyone, so i was nervous but they were on their feet every night. you stop that right now. one, you are far too sweet, thank you. second, of course you have that. anyone would be a fool not to fall in love with you. we are. always going to milk these things. i loved catching up in napa but now i just want more. yes, when we get time we just have to make it happen.

We Brits might seem like tough cookies at first, but once you've won us over, we'll let you know about it. We're just not always the loudest bunch when it comes to showing our affection, so the fact they were on their feet every night says everything, really. Just speaking the truth here, love. Flattery will get you absolutely everywhere, Rach. They don't have to fall in love with me, as long as they like me, that's enough for me. I'll have to start filming soon, but before that happens, I'll be tracking you down wherever you are. Napa was lovely and all, but a few days was nowhere near enough, and I refuse to believe we've exhausted our ability to get into trouble together just yet.

you were a teenager when you first started the witcher, right? must have been a fun set and crew of people to pretty much grow up with. i'm glad you guys were able to get use and ahve a good time working with Liam. Not a lot of people handle a switch like that as well you guys had. I'd seen some interviews from your last press run from last season, seemed like you guys were all getting along. it could have been my moment! i honestly didn't even know they were recasting until they announced jamie took on the role. i'm kind of excited for him and see how he brings in this new era for those movies. they do suit me and i just have more fun to do them. but also, sometimes i feel like i need to step out of those comfort zones, just need to wait for the right role to come around.

I was seventeen when we started shooting and nineteen by the time it actually aired, so yeah, those were basically my college years. The switch took some getting used to, but it had to be done, and funnily enough, the very first scene I shot when we came back was with Liam, so it was a bit of a plunge straight into the deep end. He made the whole process a lot easier. I genuinely thought they were bringing back the entire original cast once I heard Andy Serkis was returning. But I completely understand Viggo not wanting to come back after all this time. That said, I'm really excited for Jamie as well. He's a fantastic actor, and I think he'll be smart enough not to try and imitate Viggo but instead make the role his own while still honouring what people loved about Aragorn in the first place. I get exactly what you mean. Hopefully that role comes along sooner rather than later, because I'd love to see what you'd do outside your comfort zone too.

oh freya, for you, i think we deserve to make it all happen. even in our fantasy world of reprising xena: the warrior princess, we can certainly fit in some bottle smashing there. you've given quite the spiel. i think it's time we take it to the lengths of greta gerwig and bring robert tapert back on board. we can be old or new characters, but i'm sure we'll be loved all the same. i'm telling you... it'd be a disservice if they don't let two badass women battle it out with swords. oh, stop it, you! flattering me will just make me want to fight you less. honestly, let's pack up, head to new zealand, and do our own fan-created version. i think people will kill to see it. which one of us has karl on speed-dial, though? should we go on a look-a-like audition process or do we not have time for that?!

You've convinced me. Forget pitching it quietly, let's drag Robert Tapert back into this whether he's ready or not. I genuinely don't care what we do anymore, I'm certain the people would eat it up. Don't think I didn't notice you trying to disarm me with compliments. That's a dirty tactic, and worse, it's working. Can't help but At this point it feels less like a joke and more like a business plan. We'll shoot the whole thing ourselves and let the internet sort out the rest. That's the real issue here. I certainly don't have him on speed dial. We'd have to track him down the old-fashioned way and politely explain that we've already cast him without his knowledge. Worst case scenario, he puts a restraining order against us so we set up auditions, I have a feeling we'd get a very long line.

i get that. seems many were enjoying the hot air balloons. i ended up not doing so but i liked seeing the view of them going into the air. i get the thrill of it though. never been one to go after thrills on my own. it really does like i'd take bungee jumping over that though bungee jumping is equally as terrifying. i went to the paint and sip with one of my group members. it was a lot of fun though even though i suck at painting.

See, that's where you and I differ, because I think I'd take the hot air balloon over bungee jumping every single time. At least with the balloon I can pretend everything is perfectly safe and civilized while panicking. Bungee jumping is just voluntarily throwing yourself off something very high and hoping physics continues to do its job. I don't think I have that kind of faith. But I get what you mean, though, watching all the balloons take off was almost as nice as being up there. It looked like something out of a film. Half the fun is ending up with something that looks absolutely nothing like what you intended and then proudly displaying it anyway. At least you had wine as an excuse if things went horribly wrong. Are you straight back at work? Missing vacation too much?

That is also a possibility. Then again, I think it's harder for Americans to try and nail a British accent than the other way around. But Harry Potter does help. God knows I've tried to sound like Ron Weasley but failed so hard. It does sound pretty perfect and I promise that one day I'll go on that road trip and let you know how it goes. Uhu, keep telling yourself that. Think it might be fine until I get to one of those roundabouts. Are the seagulls that aggressive there? I've had my fair share of attacks back at the coast in California and always thought they were the worst. It's sadly going to have to wait as I'm already in Spain. Filming starts sooner so already there to do some preparations and getting to know the area a little. You know it. I'll like keep some kind of video journal and then send them to you.

You might be right, which is probably why we're always so impressed when we hear an American absolutely nailing it. I don't know if you've seen My Lady Jane, but Emily Bader's British accent was genuinely spot on. It's funny, we use Friends as the go-to for an American accent, and you lot use Harry Potter as the reference point for the British one. Did the Ron accent slowly morph into Hagrid halfway through? The seagulls are little menaces; California ones sound almost polite in comparison, ours will absolutely go for you if they even suspect you've got food. And that sounds like a shame about the timing, but also kind of exciting that you're already in Spain getting into it all! Definitely keep that video journal idea, I'd love to see it, you'll have plenty to film and I'll expect full coverage when it happens.

you too? i'm shocked! i thought for certain you'd be working on something, though at least i wasn't alone in basically fading into my bed covers. i appreciate the forgiveness too, and at least we can say we're officially out of hibernation mode, right? going home to australia to visit your friends and family sounds nice indeed, along with the beach days! i don't think you can get much better than that. i sort of understand where you're coming from on that lifestyle when it feels pretty similar to coming back to florida after being away. at first it's nice, then i get a little itchy and restless and remember why i had the urge to leave in the first place. though at leas you'd be believable as a surfer, if that means anything. i'm happy you want to see nick cave with me! he's kicking his tour off in dublin next month, and it sort of feels like the perfect time to go. so i'll order two tickets and make it official. in the meantime, i hope you're going to napa, that we can hang out while we're there.

Well, I'll be back to promoting The Witcher soon, and I've also just signed onto this new project, very contemporary Thelma & Louise coded, so my days of lying on the sofa like a forgotten throw pillow are officially over; I'll actually have to step outside again and let some sunlight hit these very pale cheeks. Right, can we say we're happy to be out of it? Not too much, but it is what it is! So you moving back to live in Florida… that's basically off the table, isn't it? Me being a believable surfer is hilarious, that's not something I've ever heard about myself but now you got me thinking I should try it more often and see if it sticks as a hobby. Of course! I'm really happy to come see Nick Cave with you, so it's settled! It was nice seeing you in Napa, that hot air balloon ride, just floating over everything in the morning light felt unreal, such a shame it ended so quickly.

Yeah, I can imagine how intense that must feel, leaving everything out there and still coming up short. That's quite admirable… the fact that it's "taxing as hell" and you still wouldn't trade it because of what it gives you in return. I relate in a smaller way with work on set, it can be physically exhausting, sometimes you're completely drained, but there's this weird satisfaction in it. Enjoy the break though, seriously. You've earned that reset before next season comes back around.

you really got me hooked saying they go further. how could someone not love that? i've been sleeping on things so you better believe that my fyp will be changing up soon. i'm not even sure where it's at right now since i haven't been watching much at all. can't think of a better way to get back into the game. but so besides the fruit drama, what else do you have going on these days? any fun projects?

I think a lot of people love it because it's entertaining, while others wonder why AI has become so prominent and why these kinds of things are happening. I have to admit I don't get those videos as much anymore, my FYP has healed, maybe because I stopped watching them all the way through. Some of them didn't even make much sense, and I'd end up staying for a minute for no reason at all, brainrot forreal. I'm going to be filming a contemporary Thelma & Louise-style movie soon, which is pretty exciting! And you? How's it going in the work department?

I can only view it as a massive hurdle to clear when you’ve spent years building a specific dynamic only to have that in a instant take away. But kudos to you for flawlessly acting through it and being as fabulous as you were day one in the role. That square one feeling is a special kind of exhaustion I think, using all your energy in learning a new partner. The fact that you managed to push through that and find your feet again says a lot about who you are as a performed, it’s never as easy as they make it sound but you make it look easy

It was hard, but at some point we all just accepted it was someone's choice and there wasn't much we could do other than bring it to a close as gracefully as possible. I think that's always the better option than leaving a story hanging mid-air and letting everyone feel that unfinished weight. You're so sweet, oh my. Yeah, especially with something as layered as The Witcher... but I guess you just have to find your footing, trust your instincts, and hope it all clicks eventually, even if it takes a minute. I'm honestly a bit in disbelief that I'm on your radar, let alone one of your favourite. The vibe now that the last season's wrapped honestly feels a bit surreal, like we've closed a huge chapter, and it's only now starting to properly sink in that it's really done. Maybe it won't fully sink in until the season's out, though.

those sound like really great ways to unwind. have you ever considered doing them in a bigger way or will it just stay being your peaceful outlets? honestly, you're right. i think there's most about me out there already but maybe i'll take some inspiration from you and take up painting or some other hobby to relax and give people a little bit of a surprise when given the chance.

They're really just my little escape from the real world for a while. I can't really see myself ever doing any of them full-time. I think part of why they mean so much to me is because there's no pressure attached to them. They're just mine. The second they turn into something bigger or more public, I feel like they'd lose that sense of peace and freedom a little. With how ridiculously talented you are at basically everything, I'm sure painting would end up becoming another thing people associate with you instantly. But I do think you should try it, or any random hobby, really. There's something nice about doing something purely because it relaxes you.