Back in LA

I wanted to do a posting right when I got back, but both my jobs had me scheduled to work every single day for 6 days in a row! That means I've been doing 16 hours days ever since I got back to California on June 14th. I'm defintely exhausted, but I am in a good mood right now for a few reasons. One is that I got my car back a few days ago. I must say, it looks almost brand new. It was so clean and shiny. I mean, cleaner and shinier than I have ever had it. It looks really good which is great because I can take some pictures of it before it gets dusty. I'm going to try and sell my car and get a smaller car with much better gas mileage. The Explorer was great in getting me out to LA, but I really don't need it anymore. In addition to that, I had to get my car smogged so I can finally register it in California. I've been bummed the last few days because one of my co-workers told me how his friend got a smog check on his car and it failed, and he had to pay like $500 to get it repaired up to California's emission standards. So, I went on the website for the smog test sites and it talked about all these tests they do and how California's standards are higher than the federal standards. I just KNEW that my car was going to fail the test. My car is from Ohio and we don't have smog tests there, and I haven't had any maintenance done on my car since I bought in 2005. So, I go to the smog test center all depressed, but somehow it PASSED!! Every test! It out me in the best mood. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that perhaps this was a result of my car accident. The accident cost me know money out of my pocket, but there was some internal damage in my engine. Maybe whatever they fixed in there cleaned up my engine a bit and caused my car to pass the smog check? I guess we'll never know, but I'll pretend that's why it happened. If so, then it was worth it in my opinion. $500 is one month's rent!!!

In other news, Transformers comes out July 4th. Don't bother trying to look for me though. All of the scenes I was in were pretty wide shots. I'm only mentioning it here because I am going to see the movie with my favorite crazy of all time. The one and only Pam!! If you need a refresher on who she is and why she cracks me up, click here. She was in the movie with me and I CAN NOT wait to see it with her. I'm going to be laughing so hard. Here is an exerpt from an e-mail she sent me last night:

If you are getting this note that's because I have a ticket for theTransformers movie with your name on it! I can't believe this day is almost here!!!!!! We are in my Arclight member preferred seating row O, seats 20-24. Right now, this is the attendee list: Me, Kris, Joe, Nicole, Cole, with Douglas on reserve.

[Three long paragraphs left out by me]

Pam,

Beloved of Optimus

Yes, that is how she signed her E-mail. It was not made up by me. This is going to be so hard. The Arclight theater is this movie theater here where they have movie premiere's all the time. There are absolutely no lights in the theater. It is completely black when the movie starts. Also, there is no noise or cell phones. If the light from your cell phone screen is seen, even if you're just text messaging, they will kick your ass out. They don't play at the Arclight. You will get kicked out for talking to. Yall know I can't control my laughter. I hope Pam only makes me laugh at funny parts in the movie, but I know that's just not going to happen. Also, I'm going to take my camera this time so you all can see what this woman looks like!

Here's the positive quote before I go to work (of course):

"Through persistence, you can be one of those happy, victorious people who not only chases dreams, but who catches them! The persistent person also persevers long enough for their dreams to catch up with them!"

Catherine Ponder, The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity

Home Sweet Home

I am posting this entry from home in Columbus. I am so excited to be home and I have really felt the love from all my family and friends. It feels good to be back. I've been all over town non-stop since my plane landed. I'm a little tired, but it is definitely worth it. I'm actually not wanting to go back to Los Angeles in a few days. It's not that I don't want to go back to L.A., it's more that I don't want to go back to my jobs because I hate them so much and it's really getting to me! I work SOOOO much, and for what? I'm able to pay my bills and everything, but I have no extra money (yet), to do anything else. And I'm going to start (trying) to pay back one of my student loans starting next month! I swear, if it isn't one thing, it's another. I'm going to be praying so hard, and when I get back to L.A., I'm going to be working so hard to really book some commercials, and work on getting a theatrical agent and getting auditions for some television shows and movies. I refuse to be broke for much longer. I'm going to be rich and be able to do and go anywhere I want, and I plan to work for every bit of it. Not looking for any free passes here.

Anyways, I digressed a little bit. I just wanted to leave a brief message that I was at home and having fun. And Lin, if you're reading this, what great weather we are having in Ohio! It is supposed to be sunny and mid 80's every day that I am here....just like in Southern California. Although, I kind of was hoping for a thunderstorm or two. I have not physically heard thunder or seen lightening in over a year! I kind of miss it.

Well, I'm going to continue enjoying my last couple of days here and "pretend" that I love my jobs back in LA, because that is the only way I'm going to have the energy to get up in the morning and go. All I know is that I've actually made a lot of progress here in my first year and I really hope things just keep moving forward!

Wish me luck!

Today Is My Birthday!

I made it through another year and I'm certainly thankful for that. I've accomplished a fair amount of things over the last year, and I just want to keep moving forward, not looking back. Today I am a quarter of a century old. I know there are some crazies reading this right now, so in other words, I'm 25, lol. I guess this is considered a milestone age, but I'm not sure. All I know is that my car insurance should be going down now! I thought I was going to make it to 25 without having been in a car accident, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Hey, at least it wasn't my fault, right?

I'm woking later today, and I'm working every day up until I fly back to Ohio for my long awaited vacation. I'm going to celebrate my birthday in Columbus because, right now, I'm just busy with work and I'm exhausted. I'm hoping that when I'm in Ohio, I can get relaxed, re-energized, de-stressed and be able to come back to LA and really pursue the acting with fire in my eye! I can't explain how much it excites me to think of all the opportunities and possibilities that will come along with me being able to make a living doing this, most notably the travel opportunities. It's what I really want to do. I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be right now. I just need to be patient a little longer because some great things are about to happen. I can feel it!

Along with this birthday post, I'm posting my new headshots. Yes, I got headshots re-done again for the last time for a while. I put them on some other websites and they've gotten a good response from my friends, so hopefully they will get a good repsonse from casting directors as well. Wish me luck! I was never really too thrilled with my last set of pictures, and neither was my agent. I'm glad she suggested I re-shoot. I actually feel good about these pictures, at the gut level, so I know I got it right this time. We'll see.

Going to be bed now, but not without the positive quote first:

"Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it."

- Jack Canfield: Author, Chicken Soup for the Soul.

I wholeheartedly believe this now. I've heard it from too many separate sources. I asked to be in Hollywood, even when I thought there was no way possible for me to do it. And a way was made for me. You have to be pro-active!

I'm Going Home!!

This is attempt #2 at going home and I'm going to make sure it happens, no matter what this time. I think it was meant to be. I'm flying on the new airline, Skybus. Skybus made Columbus, Ohio (where I'm from) their home base, and as of right now, all of their flights only fly to or from Columbus. In addition to that, they do not fly into LAX (or any other major airport, but into the Burbank airport (and other smaller airports). My new apartment is 5 miles from the Burbank Airport and almost 30 miles from LAX. It's like it was created just for me!

I'm uber excited. I really love Los Angeles, but I NEED to get away from the hustle and bustle of this city, just for a few days. With everything that's gone on in the last month, it's just been stress, stress and more stress. Plus, I haven't seen any family or friends from Ohio since I moved here. It will be a whole year as of June 29th. That's too long!! No one should go that loing without seeing their mother!! Can't wait to see my mom and everyone else and eat, eat, eat good food the whole time I'm there!

Skybus is a brand new airline and all their planes are brand new as well. The use full size Airbus A319 jets and all of their flights are non-stop!! I really like that part. No connecting flights, no long layovers in airports. It's great. Also, there is no business or first class on this airline. The entire cabin is full of leather seats and the aisles are wider than on most other airplanes. The inside of the plane looks like the picture on the right, I think. One of my co-workers has a friend that flew on the very first Skybus flight on May 23rd, and she said she really liked it. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes!

Transition 2: Complete

I'm FINALLY moved into my new apartment! I couldn't wait for this day to get here because I absolutely hate everything about moving. It's so stressful. I will still be somewhat stressed out until I get all my stuff put away because I hate clutter. I hate when my room is a mess and I get stressed until it is clean. Anyways, my roommates are really cool and I live in a good area as well. It certainly isn't West Hollywood where I could walk anywhere, but it's a good safe area. I am, however, going to miss living on the Sunset Strip. It really spoiled me being so close to everything, but oh well. I will NOT miss the stupid alien transportation and parking people though. I had gone so long without getting a parking ticket, and then I got one on my very last night in West Hollywood, as if the city just had to get me one last time. At least the ticket got put on my rental car and not my real car. My car is in my mom's name and she gets mad when I get parking tickets, haha.

As far as my jobs, they are boring and I hate them. They are just for money. One day very soon I will be able to quit these jobs and support myself acting. I can feel it. I just got some new pictures done (my last set for a while) and my agent really liked them. I'll post them in the next few days. So, once they get retouched and printed and I get settled in my apartment, I think I can really get into high gear as far as the acting is concerned. With everything that's been going on, it's been sort of slow because I've had to skip auditions and stuff like that.

That's it. I am 100% determined to keep a positive mind frame no matter what. Sometimes I have to read positive quotes over and over again, sometimes I have to really just sit (and almost meditate) and visualize in my mind the things that I want. Don't underestimate the power of the mind. Here is the positive quote:

"If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."

- Mary Engelbreit: Innovative artist, illustrator, publisher

Many Changes Are Coming

It's really late right now, but I'm writing here because I've gotten so lazy it's kind of ridiculous. Yes, I've had a lot on my plate for the last month, but there really isn't a reason why I can't get on my computer and type if people want me to. I think it's great that people are asking me to post. I guess when I do write, it is still somewhat interesting.

Ok, first things first. A lot of changes are happening rigtht now and as soon as I move into my new apartment, hopefully everything will return to normal. I'm moving next week. I'm excited. I found some really cool roommates after a long and exhausting search. So nice to know there are normal people out there. Secondly, my car is still being repaired but it is completely being paid for, so that's good. They can take as long as they need though. I have saved SOOOO much freakin money in the last month on gas it's crazy. I mean, I know I have a gas guzzling Explorer, but I didn't realize it ate SO much gas. The Toyota Camry I'm driving now gets such great gas mileage. I mean, I have saved nearly $200 in the last month!!!! You know what that means. When my car is done being repaired, I am immediately going car shopping. Do you know what I could do with an extra $200 a month????? A bunch of new clothes first, and then paying back some student loans!!!

Another change that will be happening has to do with the people I call friends. Friends have been a rocky subject in my life for as long as I can remember, mainly being that I can't seem to keep them! I have no idea why either. I just go through them every couple of years and the way that these friendships end is the same way every time........they just stop talking to me. It's so weird. Of all the friends that I no longer am in contact with, I have not fallen out with a single one of them. Never a fight, argument, etc. etc. I know they say that some people are only meant to be in your life a short time, blah blah blah, but I don't think I have one friend that I can say, "we've been friends since we were kids". Honestly, it's something I take seriously because I've also never had a set group of friends that I hung out with on a regular basis. The friends that I have usually can't stand each other. Will I ever get this right? I don't like losing friends (I don't think anyone does), but I have friends right now who are doing the same things. For instance, I am busy. Very busy. I work 2 jobs, go on auditions and have been dealing with a lot of stuff over the last month. Yet, I find time to call my (few) friends to ask if they want to hang out for a bit or something. One just never responds, the other constantly has other plans with friends from work, etc. It's just really annoying and inconsiderate if you ask me. I mean, if one of my friends called to hang out and I had plans with other friends, I'd ask them if they wanted to come or try and make time for them, but that's just me. I thought that's what you're supposed to do. Don't get me wrong, I have new friends from my jobs, but that doesn't mean I want to lose the old ones. Obviously this topic angers me and I'm venting now, so I'll stop. Just had to get some thoughts out.

In other news, the dark clouds that have been hanging over me are starting to part, as I said before. I just can't wait for things to get back to normal. I get up, go to work, hang out maybe, go home. No more looking at apartments, no more meeting CRAZIES, no more having to deal with insurance companies. I just want get back to having fun. In the meantime, I am going to get into personal training at the gym I work at. I figure, why not put my medical knowledge to use, get paid a lot more, and NOT have to deal with the jackasses who like to cuss the front desk people out! haha I think it'll be fun to be a personal trainer because I am a bit of a health freak anyway, plus I'll have the potential to make enough money doing that, to where I won't have to have 2 jobs. But.......of course I would just love for the acting to take off, then I won't need a regular job period!

Well, I think I've gotten all the stuff I need off my chest for now. Here's the positive quote:

"The key to regaining your wonderful feeling of personal empowerment and control is to decide, right now, no matter how good or bad you are feeling, that you are going to do your best to make the best of it. Reach for the best feeling thought that you have access to right now, and as you do that again and again, in a short period of time you will find yourself in a very good-feeling place. That is just the way it works!"

--Esther and Jerry Hicks, Ask and it is Given

Oh, one more thing I forgot. For those of you that watch American Idol........you know the guy that Simon Cowell said looked like a bush baby??? Yeah, he and his friend checked into my hotel today, lol. I guess they are in town for the Idol finale!

I Am Still Here!!!

I'm probably losing tons of readers by not posting in a million years, but I'm here and I'm doing ok! Things have just been so hectic. Dealing with my car issue, looking for a place to live and working 70+ hours on top of all that, I'm exhausted when I come home and don't feel like typing. By the time June rolls around, my car should be done, I will (hopefully) be settled into my new apartment and I'm praying everything will just return to normal. This is crazy. At least I got a rental car and they gave me a 2007 Toyota Camry. I love it for one simple reason. I've had it for 2 weeks now and I've inly used a half tank of gas!!! In my Explorer, I would have already been using a second tank of gas in a 2 week period. That's really bad and as soon as I can, I'm going to try and get another car with better gas mileage. In addition to that, regular unleaded gas is about $3.45/gallon and the highest I've seen is $3.95. I'm just glad my car doesn't take premium!!!

Anyways, let's talk about some crazies because my stories are backing up. I'll start with 2 stories from the hotel. The first is about a lady we'll call Ms. K. This woman baffles me. I've never worked in the hotel industry before, so I had no idea people did this. Ms K. LIVES at our hotel! Nope, not for an extended business stay, not for any other reason than she just like to be waited on hand and foot. I checked out her file, and she has been living there since November '06. I looked at her bill, and it was upwards of $12,000!!!! I don't know what this woman's career is (I heard she is a writer), but I want to get into it, lol. She does get a special rate on her room since she is a "long term stay". Now, on top of all of this, she is a very demanding woman. She claims to be very sensitive to even the slightest noise, and demands that the hotel NOT put anyone in the room next to hers! Of course, the hotel tries to accomodate this and they use the room next to hers as the very last room to fill on a sold out night. If we aren't fully booked, the room next to hers doesn't get used. On the nights when we do have to use that room, if she hears even the slightest noise, she does not hesitate to show us her anger. The last thing about this lady is that she is addicted to the magazine "Us Weekly". Now, I'm not going to lie. If I am in a store, I may pick up one of the tabloids and flip throught it. Most of us do. But this woman, Ms. K., she goes nuts if her Us Weekly gets delivered late. She will ask us everyday, "Is my Us Weekly here yet?" She obviously seems to be one of those people that lives life vicariously through celebrities, hence her wanting to live at a hotel and be waited on hand and foot. I know a lot of people are addicted to celebrity lifestyles, but it's on a whole different level with Ms. K.

Now, for the other story. I was working the evening shift one night when around 8 pm, a nice looking Korean lady walked in and asked if we had any available rooms that night. As we were checking our system, she was constantly in the mirror checking herself. I thought it was weird, but didn't pay it any attention. I also noticed a guy hanging around the elevator area. We found a room for her, booked it for her, and gave her the keys. She and the guy went up to the room. Seems normal so far, right? Well, about an hour and a half later, she comes back down and says, "I would like to check out". My co-worker told her that would be fine, and that her credit card would be charged $229 for the room. I thought the woman was going to be mad and say the room was terrible or something and that she was going to find another hotel. Instead she said, "Ok". As my co-worker was checking her out, she is once again in the mirror fixing her hair and checking her make-up. At this point, I turn my back to them because I am, of course, laughing!! (I really need to get that under control!). The woman then leaves. Does anyone know what just happened here??? I didn't, I was totally oblivious. I asked my co-worker, "Wasn't that the lady that JUST checked in an hour ago?" My co-worker responds, "Yes, she sure isn't shameful about her booty call". Holy Sh*t!!! I totally didn't see it, and then I bust out laughing again. It made perfect sense. Her constantly in the mirror, the guy hanging out in the background, the hour long stay. What made it more funny was that, as many of you know, you don't need to go to the front desk to check out. You can just vacate your room and they will close the reservation. If she would have done that, we would have never known she was there for a booty call. Damn! $229 for an hour of passion! Hey, it is Beverly Hills.

Ok, I had something else to say, but I can't remember what it was, so here is the positive quote:

Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something!"

--Franklin D. Roosevelt

4/21/2007 -- The Accident

As everyone knows, I've been crazy busy working 2 jobs and now I have this car accident to deal with. Let me just tell you the events of my day on April 21st, because the whole day was a complete disaster! So, my morning starts off at 5:30 am because I had to get up and be at work at 7 am. Everything is going as usual, I get in my car, turn on my CD. In order to get to my job, I have to drive through the famous Rodeo Drive Shopping District. I pass through there, and by this point I'm less that a half mile from the hotel, with one more traffic light to go through. Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" is playing on the stereo. I'm approaching the intersection; my light is green. It's about 6:50 am now and there are hardly any cars on the roads because it is Saturday morning. I get to the intersection and start to go through it, when out of the corner of my eye I see a huge white pick up truck barreling at me. I slam on my brakes, tires screeching, and the truck hits my left front bumper, spins my car 90 degrees, and then he swerves and hits a 3rd car. Has anyone seen those car insurance commercials where 2 people are driving in the car and they are hit by another car? It was just like that. It happened so fast. I couldn't believe it. I'd never experienced anything like it before. At this intersection was a gas station, so we all pulled in there.

The man in the truck jumps out and immediately starts apologizing saying he can't believe he just did that. I mean, he was nice and offered all his information, but I was pissed as you can imagine. I have never been in a car accident before. Luckily, I wasn't injured whatsoever thanks to my hefty Explorer. I noticed that this guy's truck was a company vehicle for a Termite Extermination company, and I said a silent, "Thank GOD!", because I knew the vehicle would be properly insured. So, we call the lazy ass Beverly Hills Police and they refuse to come to the scene because "there are no injuries". Now, does that make any sense at all??? Shouldn't the police come out regardless to determine who was at fault, and more importantly if anyone was drinking or driving under the influence?!?! I just couldn't believe they would not come out.

Anyways, we all exhange information and I find out 2 important things happened. The guy driving the truck told me that when he got to the intersection and saw me, he actually hit his accelerator because if he had hit his brakes, he would have collided right into my driver door and me! So, it was a combination of him accelerating and me braking, that prevented a much, much worse accident. After the info exhange, I head to work, late of course. My car was actually drivable, but it is really messed up. I'm an hour late for work, in a terrible mood, and then I find out that the hotel's boiler failed and the entire hotel is without hot water!! This means that for the remainder of my work day, I have to deal with angry hotel guests yelling at us at the front desk. I'm antsy and anxious all day, thinking about a million things including the fact that this guy could try and say that he was not at fault, since no police came out to make a report. I really prepared for the worst possible outcome, especially since he provided an expired insurance card when we exhange information.

After I get off work that very same day, I find out that my landlord is putting my apartment up for rent since I apparently have been subletting this whole time, even though I thought I was on the lease. In order to stay, I'd have to sign up as a new tenant (which means he would raise the rent) and find a good responsible roommate. I had one potential roommate submit and application, but the landlord didn't like the guy's credit history, so I think it is just easier if I move. Another headache I have to deal with. So, you would think that was it for my day. Not so fast. Later on that evening, I went to IHOP by myself because it is so good and I wanted to eat something that would bring up my spirits. After eating, I'm walking homes. I come to an intersection and patiently wait for the "Walk" sign to cross the street. After the signal changes, I begin to cross the street, and there are no cars needing to turn. All of a sudden some dumbass cab driver speeds around the corner and almost hits me. Like, he had to swerve to miss me!

That was my Saturday. Did I do some evil thing to deserve some bad karma or something? Did I defy death twice in one day?? This better not be some Final Destination type stuff. Defying death once is one thing, but constantly having to run from it, I don't need to deal with that. So, to end this blog on a good note........The Termite Company's insurance company just called me an hour ago and told me that the guy driving the truck accepted responsibility and that I am clear to make an appointment with a body shop to get my vehicle fixed and to get a rental car, all paid for by them. Now, of course I don't wish that anyone would get in a car accident, but I'm kinda glad he hit that other lady, because with our 2 stories, there is no way he could have tried to say it wasn't his fault. My car was much more damaged than hers anyway. So, that news put me in a good enough mood to finally type up this blog post before I go to work at the gym of course. I just can't wait until my car is totally fixed and I get my roommate/apartment situation all straightened out so everything can return to normal (which really means I can get back to dealing with my crazies because I have a lot of those stories building up, just waiting to be told, lol). Why does all the bad stuff have to happen all at once??? Geez.

I can't leave without the positive quote:

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."

--Theodore Roosevelt

I chose this quote because, on top of everything that I just mentioned above, I seem to be going through a little dry spell in terms of my agent calling me and me getting auditions period. I'm just not getting as much as I was a few months ago. But I'm not giving up. I've come far enough, and accomplished enough in less than a year, that I think actually have a chance. I just need to be patient and persistent!

Transition 1: Complete

Damn, I'm glad I've got some good work ethic! I've finally secured and started my new job, so in terms of income, I'm good. I now have 3 jobs technically. I'm still registered to do background, I work at the gym and I now work at a hotel in Beverly Hills at the front desk. Easy jobs, but long days. In the next 7 days, I will be working 60 hours between the gym and the hotel. That means, I have 2 full days completely off. Most people would use those days to rest. I might, I might not. It depends on how I feel. That's the ONE good thing about doing background. You book yourself the day before. Now, seeing that the average day on the set is 10 hours (sometimes 12-14), if I did background on my 2 off days, I would easily hit 80 hours this week! That's pretty hectic, huh?? It's really not surprising to me. I mean, I was in medical school last year. I had long days like this all the time, and doctors do it regularly. I think I am built for this stuff. I look at it this way. I'm young. I'm single (for now). I have no kids. I'm healthy. Why the heck not work? I like to have money to buy the things that I want. If I took the days off, it would always be in the back of my mind that I could have made an extra $200 on those days. The trick, now, is to juggle doing auditions with all these jobs! Ahh.....the life of an aspiring actor. You gotta love it! Somehow, some way, it all has to work out. I've invested too much of my time and money into this for it not to! I'm claiming my success now! haha

In other news (for anyone who cares), my next transition is the roommate search. It is stressful, hectic, and I absolutely hate it, but that's life I guess. I put out an ad on a roommates website specifically stating what I was looking for. It included things like, someone my age, no druggies, no smokers, cool people, laidback people, people looking to stay for at least a year, no drama, etc. The responses so far:

• a guy my age that lives around the corner
• a guy my age also from ohio
• another guy a few years older than me that lives around the corner
• a 42 year old man (yes, 42) and his WIFE of 17 years
• a recently divorced 38 year old man with one kid
• a girl from (and currently living in) Russia!!
• a guy from India who needs a place in the US for 8 weeks!!!
• a guy who needs a place for the summer

Now, as you can see I listed the cool, normal people first, the first three. I saved the crazies for last. I just don't get it! For one, I specifically stated in my ad (in capital letters): DO NOT CONTACT ME IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING. I explicitly stated that I was looking for someone my age. The only people I would want to live with over the age of 35 are family members. It would just be too weird, wouldn't it?? I clearly stated this was a one bedroom apartment and that I was only looking for one other roommate. Why is a married couple even contacting me??? Can somebody out there explain this to me?!?! Am I missing something??? AHHHHHHHH

Enough of that, I have a headache all over again. So, I basically typed up this blog in about 15 minutes. I'm dead tired, but I know everyone is just dying for me to update (kidding!). It usually takes me a good hour to do a blog post, think about what I'm going to talk about and how I'm going to set it up, look for pics, etc. Well, you don't get pictures this time, but I won't leave out the positive quote.

"Do not waste your time holding grudges, even toward those who have treated you unjustly. You will meet such people along the way, as you rise toward success. Others who are not making the grade will try to hold you down to their mediocre level, but they can't if you refuse to be bothered by what they say or do. Nobody can keep your success and prosperity from you but yourself."

--Catherine Ponder, "The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity"

This quote is kind of random, but I think everyone can take something from it.

I Know I Know

I know it's been a millenium since I've updated my blog but I'm really busy and lazy at the same time. Hold tight for another day or two!

At Least It's Nice and Sunny

I guess one thing about phasing out background is that my posts can be a little shorter and to the point now (and more frequent, kind of......sort of......hopefully, lol). I've still been working over night so I've been able to enjoy our sunny and 80 degree weather here. Don't hate! A portion of the Hollywood Hills caught on fire last week in case anyone didn't know. Right behind the Hollywood Sign. I live at the base of the Hollywood Hills, about 2 miles from where the fire was. Some apartment complexes had to be evacuated, but no residential areas were damaged. They got it under control. Scary.

So, I was working at the gym the other night. You would be surprised at the number of people that come in all through the night. It still amazes me. The regulars come in every night, and they know me know, so it's cool. Anyways, the other night I was at the front desk and it was about 3:30 am. I see this car park in the parking lot and this guy gets out and is walking towards the door. He has a huge bag on his back, coats in one arm, miscellaneous stuff in the other arm, and a cigarette in his mouth. He is dropping things because he has so much stuff. It was pretty funny. He comes right up to the front door and then throws his cigarette butt on the ground and steps on it. Now, I know smokers work out too, but I was thinking, "This guy is crazy. Who not only smokes a cigarette right before they work out, but literally right up to the front door?" I mean, it's like he wanted to smoke for as along as he possibly could until he got into the gym. He then walks through the door. I glance at my computer screen, and then at him, and guess who it is? It's Danny Bonaduce!!! LOL From the Vh1 reality show Breaking Bonaduce (and from The Partridge Family of course). He looks just like he does on the tv. He's short. However, he was REALLY cool. He was a nice guy. You know I keep it real and wouldn't lie. He also came back the next night looking for some punching bags, but we didn't have any. You never know who you're going to bump into in Hollywood. Now, I just need Mariah Carey to waltz in one night.

Also, I was at the grocery store the other day and I ran into Christine Taylor, better known as Ben Stiller's wife. She is pretty and thing, just like any other actress. I didn't talk to her though. I wantedd to, but like I said, I'm not that kind of person. I did want to say something though because I used to watch this show she was on years ago when I was kid. It was a show on Nickelodeon called Hey Dude! Is there anyone my age reading this that rememebers that show? I never missed it.

That's it. Positive quote:

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

~Harriet Tubman

I really hope everyone (in America at least) knows who Harriet Tubman is. As soon as I saw this quote, I had to use it here. It really puts things into perspective. When I think about what hardships people have gone through in the past, whether it be the slaves during the Atlantic Slave Trade, the Jews during the Holocaust, the Native Americans, the first settlers who set up camp at Jamestown, Virginia, or even my own grandmother who moved 7 young children from Jamaica to the United States, BY HERSELF, it makes me think the things I whine about now are nothing! I have no right to be tired or inconvenienced. I have goals damnit and I'm not stopping until I achieve them! Who's with me??

It's Time For A YouTube

Anyone on the Sanjaya bandwagon? I'm not, because I don't watch American Idol, but here is a funny video that has been going around the net. It was shot right here in LA and in the video you can see a portion of the LA Film School. I've had many auditions there, lol.


Sanjaya Anthem

Add to My Profile More Videos

I Actually Have Something To Write About

My new task is to find some interesting things to write about since I can no longer write about all of the interesting sets that I've been on. I haven't found interesting things yet, but I think I can muster up a few things. For starters, I think working at the gym is going to provide me with enough "crazies" to write about, so that shouldn't be a problem, haha. For instance, last week the manager at one of our other gyms called me and asked me if I could work the overnight shift for a few days because the regular person got the pink slip and she needed a temporary fill in until she trained her new person. I reluctantly agreed. I needed the money, but I wasn't too thrilled about working from 10pm-6am, being the only person working and basically being bored out of my mind! For anyone who doesn't know me, I have a very short attention span. (My biggest fear before moving to LA had nothing to do with money. I was afraid of being bored to death since I didn't know anyone). Anyways, I worked 3 overnight shifts last week, and I loved it! It surprised the hell out of me. I liked it for a few reasons. First, there isn't much to do, but enough that I wasn't bored all night. Second, this is LA, so people come in all through the night and they talk to me and stuff. Third, since I'm the only one working, I can eat whenever I want and do whatever I want. Not to mention, on the first night, some young guy high on some kind of drug was starting fights in the basketball court and he got punched in the face and I had to call security and the police and he was escorted out. So, I was certainly entertained all through the night!

I'm also looking for another job because obviously the gym isn't going to cut it here in LA. It's really hard to find a good paying job as an actor. You need your days free (or a job that will let you out for auditions), you need flexibility and you need more than minimum wage. I've filled out so many applications that I don't ever want to see another one again. I haven't really found anything worthwhile until I saw a posting on the internet for a really good paying job that actually said "actors and artists welcome". That's pretty much unheard of. Most jobs other than restaurants (which I'm so desperately trying NOT to work at) don't like hiring actors because of auditions and stuff. So, I submitted for this job, but I knew that a thousand other people probably did too. Here's a sample of the message I got today:

Kris,

Your name has helped you with this interview. I have received an overwhelming response and would not have opened your email, had it not been for your name. I like your name.

LOLOL. Isn't that cool? I never would have expected a message like that. I guess I have to thank my parents for that one, huh? Thanks Mom and Dad. Now, this is just for the interview. I haven't gotten the job yet, but we'll see. Funny how things happen though.

Lastly, I have to mention a thing or two about the power of the mind. I'm sure everyone has heard about "The Secret". The thought that if you think positive things, good things will happen to you? I haven't read that book, but I have read 2 that are similar. Some of my positive quotes come from them. One is called The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity and the other is Think and Grow Rich. I'm mentioning these because they all talk about the Law of Attraction. I believe it and I have proven. If you think positive, then you will attract positive people and positive things (although I still attract the crazies, but that's how it's always going to be. I'm not complaining...I need to laugh). I moved here in July, and basically from July to December, NOTHING happened for me. As you can see from my very first blog entry in 2007, I wrote about how I was only going to think positive, use what I learned in 2006 and go from there. In January I was contacted by 5 talent agencies and I signed with one. In February I was booked in my first 2 film roles. In March I became SAG eligible. Today is April 1st and I just got an e-mail that I am being called back for another independent film (wish me luck and think positive for me!). I did have a bad week last week in terms of being a bit down, but today I got 2 e-mails: 1 about the job, the other about the call back. Is that not proof??? How could I not believe? I believe in pre-destiny, but I think it has to start with the mind. It's more powerful than we think. And if something is working for you, I think you should share it with others, so I'm sharing. That's just my two sense (or is it cents? hell, I don't know, you get what I'm saying).

Positive quote of the day:

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew."

~Saint Frances De Sales

Normal Happenings

Ok, I know I have been slacking on posting. I'm not even going to lie, I've just been lazy! Thanks for getting me in line Danni, haha. It's weird because it takes the biggest effort for me to start a post, but when I do actually start, I get really into it and then it ends up being 8 million pages long. I'm slowly phasing out doing background, so who knows what I will talk about in my blog in the future! It's been the "interesting" part of my blog I think. We'll see.

So, I worked on the show ER last week and here is an amusing story. Back in August, I met this girl. She is 18. I don't even know her real name because I have a nickname for her. I call her "mischievous". I started out as a joke, but the name stuck, so that's what I call her. I had seen her a few times on some other sets back in November and December. But, until last week, I hadn' t seen her since then. I think it will be funnier if I post our conversation, rather than describe it:

me: Hey mischievous, it's been a while. Isn't this where I met you?

her: (hugs me) Yeah! Wait a minute, did you just call me "promiscuous"?

me: No, no. I would never call you that. I called you "mischievous", like always.

her: Oh, ok. I don't even know what "promiscuous" means. I just know that song by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland.

me: haha....well, ask one of these ladies around you.

her: I don't know what "mischievous" means either.

me: All this time and you never knew?? It means you're bad, you start trouble, etc.

her: Oh, well what does promiscuous mean?

me: Ask someone.

(I start to walk away)

her: (yelling) CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT PROMISCUOUS MEANS?!?!?!

random lady: SLUTTY! IT MEANS SLUTTY!

I have to admit, it was pretty funny. Nothing else terribly exciting happened that day except for one of the PA's telling us to walk briskly through the scene and a guy asked me if that means fast or slow. Hey, you can't know everything all the time, right? lol

Later in this week I was on a new pilot called Supreme Courtships. The only person I recognized there was Shane West, who ironically played a doctor on ER. This was being shot in downtown LA and I had to drive right through skid row to get there. Has anyone heard of "skid row" in Los Angeles? It's an area of downtown that is basically really run down. There are so many homeless people and there is garbage everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE! Like all over the ground. It's a sad sight to see. I was also on Close to Home again this same week. Typical day except I got to drive my car through a scene. Fun.

Working at the gym has been kind of fun. For the first time since I moved here, I can go to a job, make friends and see the same people everytime I work. Some people that have come into the gym while I've been working there include Hugh Laurie (House), Guy Pearce, Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) and some others that I can't remember right now, haha.

Positive quote:

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable."

~Helen Keller

And this one is dedicated to Jill, my blog buddy:

"To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human being."

--John Lubbock

**Although what Jill has done, and is doing for me, is HUGE! More than I can explain.**

Criminal Minds: Honor Among Thieves, Part 2

As for the rest of my day on Honor Among Thieves, I spotted someone sitting in one of the producer's chairs on the set, and I thought it would be good to introduce myself. So, inbetween one of the takes, I did just that. I told him my name and that I was Jill's friend, the lady who runs the Criminal Minds Fanatic blog. His eyes lit up and he goes, "Oh yeah, what a neat lady". This guy turned out to be Aaron Zelman. He is one of the writers for the show and a producer. Jill also mentioned her time talking with Aaron on her blog. He was a really cool guy and I talked to him for a few minutes. He had a coke in one hand and his writing pad in the other. I imagine Aaron would be able to empathize with me as a medical student. I mean, both of us have probably spent many nights in a small room, with a bunch of papers and a caffeine product to stay awake.

At around lunch time, I had a little conversation (actually rather lengthy) with Trish. Remember I mentioned her in my last post. I just wanted to mention her here again because she said some really nice things to me. I told her my story about leaving med school, coming to LA, blah blah blah. Most, actually the vast majority, of adults that I tell this to give me an adverse reaction ranging from a face that says, "are you stupid?", to flat out telling me, "ohhhh no, you gotta go back, you gotta go back" as they sigh and shake their head. This is why I don't share this story in person much anymore? I mean, what is the BIG DEAL??? They act as though acting is not a legitimate profession. I know that the chances of succeeding here are microscopic. I probably have a better chance of getting struck by lightening. That's not negative thinking, it's just the cold, hard facts. It's reality, from a statistical point of view. But how will I ever know if I don't TRY?!?!?!? Geez.....I've gotten so mad at one point that I really almost cussed someone out one time (I actually was in my head), but luckily my parents raised me to always respect my elders, and I do. So I kindly bite my tongue and just walk away. Look, I'm young, I don't have a wife or kids. I have no responsibilities. My goal is to have no regrets when this (meaning life) is all said and done. Now, back to Trish. She told me that I should keep up what I was doing here because she could tell that I was not happy in med school. She was very supportive and told me how her family kind of shot down her dreams when she was younger and it had a devastating effect on her. It's not right. Parents need to let go of their children when they become adults and let them explore the world. There is so much out there, and I just want to say that I feel I am where I am supposed to be here in LA. Thanks to Trish for her positive words and advice!

Toward the end of the day on set I was still trying to squeeze in a "Hello" to Thomas Gibson (Hotch) and Paget Brewster (Prentiss). Didn't happen! As Jill mentioned in her blog, Thomas had been having some long days and was really tired and stressed and I wasn't even going to go there. I mean, when he finished his last scene, it was like he vanished into thin air he was out of there so fast. I don't blame him. Paget was a different story. Inbetween almost every take, she would leave the set and go to her trailer. So, I couldn't really catch her to say "Hi". It's ok, hopefully I will get the chance to work on the set again!

That folks, was my time on Criminal Minds. I had a good time. I hope to see them all again and I hope Jill gets to come back for a visit.

This quote is not "positive" per se, so much as it is a true statement, which fits rather nicely with my rant from above:

"Countless numbers of men and women, both young and old, permit relatives to wreck their lives in the name of duty because they fear criticism. People refuse to take chances in business because they fear the criticism that may follow if they fail. The fear of criticism in such cases is stronger than the desire for success.
Too many people refuse to set high goals for themselves, or even neglect selecting a career, because they fear the criticism of relatives and 'friends' who may say, 'Don't aim so high, people will think you are crazy.'"

--Napolean Hill, Think and Grow Rich

Ahhhhh......where do I start? I know this quote is long but I relate soooo much to it. I literally had to read this quote at least once a day for 30 days leading up to my move from Ohio to Los Angeles. I was scared, but I did it. I know it was hard for my mom, and I know it must be hard for any parent. But if you are a parent reading this, please acknowledge it and at least think about. After all, what you want most for your child is for them to be happy, right?

The Letter Every Actor Waits For

I finally got my letter in the mail the other day and I thought I would share it with everyone. It really is a milestone in an acting career and I thank all who have shown support for me! Click on the letter to view it full size.

Criminal Minds: Honor Among Thieves

Ok, I have a little spare time to talk about my time on the set of Criminal Minds on March 1st and 2nd, 2007. It all started off on Wednesday, February 28th when I received a call from the casting agency that I had been requested by the producers to work on Criminal Minds for the next day on a SAG voucher. I was so happy, and I immediately thought, "Wow, Jill must've talked to someone over there". She works fast. I knew that this was going to be my 3rd voucher and that I had was finally going to be eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild, something that EVERY actor is trying to do. It makes sense to note here that SAG vouchers pay more than double what the non-union rate is. It also is worthy to note that, at this time, this was the first week I started my job at 24 Hour Fitness. I ended up asking for a total of 5 days off within the first 2 weeks. Two days for Criminal Minds and 3 days for the short film, lol.

Anyways, I had to arrive to the set super early at 7 am. Luckily the show has great catering service and I gorged myself on breakfast burritos and pancakes. I was sitting there talking to a nice lady, Trish, that I had met when all of a sudden I hear, "Good morning!". I look up, and it's Jill! She was on the set the day before, but had come back to meet Mandy Patinkin (Gideon). Jill was with her CBS benefactor, who took some pictures of us, including the one on the left. Jill was then whisked off to the set and I went to the props department to get my badge and my gun, haha. After I had gotten to the set, I talked to Jill for a little bit and then I had to listen to what we were going to be doing for the day. I saw Jill talking to cast members, crew members, producers, etc. I am not going to lie, I had the biggest urge to politely barge in on their conversations and introduce myself as her friend, but I had to hold back! As an actor, to meet people with power on a personal level is a to-die-for event. I have manners though, so I didn't do that. Jill met with and talked to Mandy Patinkin in between one of the takes, she came out of the office, kissed me on the cheek and then was taken to the airport. I really wish she could have stayed longer.

Now it was up to me to meet some of the people on the set, especially the ones who played a part in getting me my 3rd voucher. I knew I needed to meet Scott David and Gina, the casting directors. I didn't know who they were obviously, so I asked one of the production assistants who Gina was, and he pointed her out to me after basically interrogating me as to why. I explained how I was Jill's friend, etc., and he was like, "oohhhh, ok". Everyone on that set knows who Jill is and they know her blog. I introduced myself to Gina and couldn't thank her enough. She was very nice, but she told me that Scott David had left for the day. Bummer. The crazy thing is that when Jill posted the picture of Scott David and Gina on her blog, I realized that I had in fact walked right past Scott David early that day, but I didn't know it was him. Maybe he didn't recognize me, if he even saw me. So, I sent him a postcard thanking him for everything he had done.

A little later on, I met Matthew Gray Gubler (Reid) at craft services. I introduced myself and then said I was Jill's friend, and he's like, "oh yeah!! How's it goin?" I'm glad I could be associated with Jill on this set. I talked to him for a few minutes and then he had to get back to the set. I wasn't able to talk to Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson (Hotch) or Shemar Moore (Morgan) because they were really busy and I didn't want to interrupt. I was NOT trying to get yelled at or make a bad impression that day, lol. I told myself I'd try to talk to them the next day, but little did I know none of them were coming back the next day. I screwed that up! Oh well.

Before I end this, did I mention that as soon as I walked onto the set, one of the first people I was Kate Jackson......from the original Charlie's Angels. Charlie's Angels was before my time, but I still knew who she was. It was crazy to be standing there next to someone who has done so much in this business and had such a successful career. Now, I will talk about the rest of this day and the next day on my next post. No, I'm not trying to drag it out. Yes, I'm going to finish it all on my next post. I've just been working crazy hours this week and I'm beat! Plus, I hate it when my posts get too long. I know no one wants to sit there and read for 20 minutes.

A Little Overdue?

I seemed to have gotten a little busy this week and slacked off on posting on this blog. It happens. Not much happened this week except work, so I'll get to it. My week started of on Grey's Anatomy. What's with me working on this show so much this year? I don't know. Anyways, a few days prior to this day, it was announced that all the stars of Grey's renegotiated their contracts and had all gotten pay raises. It just so happens that the day I was there, they were all in such a great mood. Coincidence? I think not! I would be too. They're getting some hefty checks each week over there. Ellen Pompeo was all smiles and running around and laughing. It was funny. They deserve it though. It's a great show and they've been in the news so much over the past few months that I'm sure that they are glad they have something to smile about now. I went from Grey's to Close To Home the next day. They love me on that show. They always have long days, which means $$$, and their craft service table is exceptional! No complaints there.

Wednesday and Thursday (today) I worked on How I Met Your Mother. What a hectic 2 days. They were doing a big wedding scene, and that means sitting at a table all day long. It was cool though because there were some really funny people at my table including an older lady who reapplied her lipstick no less than twice an hour each time saying gleefully, "Ok, it's lipstick time!". You all know how much I NEED to laugh! The most interesting part about these 2 days, however, was a conversation I overheard. There were 2 kids on the show and their mother was backstage with them, talking to two other people. I'm minding my own business (as always, lol) when she tells these people that she and her husband have a farm with many animals, including 47 horses, some bison, etc., etc. Then she said that a few years ago, she and her husband brought in the pet psychic to talk to her animals!!! Do you guys remember that show on Animal Planet?!?!?! My mom loved that show and used to make me watch it all the time (or maybe it was the other way around, lol). The pet psychic.......Sonya Fitzpatrick was her name. This lady said that Sonya was the real deal and she was blown away. She said her husband was a major skeptic but he was a true believer by the end of the day. Apparently Sonya was on the money with a lot of things that she could not have known, including a story where the bison told Sonya to ask her owners when they were going to build the new pen they had been planning to build for her! The lady said she was blown away because just a few weeks prior, they talked about building a new $5000 pen for the bison!

Hey, I am in no position to judge someone's personal story here. I wasn't sold on Sonya when her show was on. I watched it just to see what kinds of animals she was going to talk to next. And I certainly can't knock psychics either because 2 years ago, I went to see one myself, just for fun, ya know? Little did I know that this psychic was going to be so accurate. Accurate enough to predict details that I have certainly seen come true, including the prediction that I would meet Jill, who you all know as my blogger friend who runs the Criminal Minds Fanatic blog. I am going to end this post here, because a good storyteller is supposed to leave his audience wanting more, right?? hahaha On my next post I'll finally discuss my time on the Criminal Minds set 2 weeks ago!

Positive quote of the day:

"Everything that is created begins in the form of a thought impulse."

--Napolean Hill, Think and Grow Rich

Everyone should really sit and think about this quote, because it's not just talking about material things. It's talking about success, happiness, wealth, health, etc.

I Finished My First Film!!

Today I finished my first film and it was a really good experience. The cast and crew were really cool people and we had a fun time. I'm posting a few picture here of where we shot, but I'll post more later because I'm waiting to get more pictures from some other people. We shot the film in a place that I didn't even know existed anywhere near Los Angeles. We shot on a beach on the far side of Malibu. The film is called Too Little, Too Late and the premise of the film is that the world has just experienced a global catatrophe: hurricanes, firestorms, tornadoes, earthquakes. The whole works. Everything is back to normal, yet everything is destroyed and we've been living on a beach for a while. I play a scientist that is struggling to figure out a way to get us out of this mess. I'm so entranced in my thoughts that I don't even realize my girlfriend is pregnant. It takes place on Thanksgiving and drama ensues! haha

As I said before, the location where we shot was beautiful. There were caves and hills. Waves crashing on the rocks. And on all three days we saw a seal, a bunch if dolphins and even some Gray whales swimming by. (The whales weren't breeching like in the picture on the left). I had no idea those kind of animals lived off the coast of Malibu. The seal was swimming right near the shore where we were filming. At one point, the dolphins and the whales were even pretty close to the shore. I'm talking about literally 100 feet away. If the Pacific was not ICE cold, I would have gotten in the water and tried to swim with the dolphins. I kind of wanted to see a great white shark get the seal, because I know there are great whites off the California coast. Is that morbid?? I better stop before yall start thinking I'm a "crazy". I guess I watch too much discovery channel. Anyway, I think the film is going to be good and I can't wait for it to be all edited together so I can watch. All the actors get a DVD copy of the finished film. That means if/when I ever make it back home for a visit, I'll actually have something to show everyone! Exciting!

Now, on my last post, Lin posed an interesting question. She asked now that I am SAG eligible already, how far ahead of the "normal" schedule am I here in Hollywood. It's difficult to say because there are so many ways to "mae it" here, but I will share this story. Right after the new year, I went into one of the background casting agencies and politley asked them if they could help me get my 3rd voucher. I explained that I had been doing background for 5 months and had 2 vouchers, and I didn't know why it was taking so long to get my 3rd. They looked at my like I was crazy and asked, "You've been doing this for 5 months and you already have two?" I was confused because I had heard so many people saying they got their vouchers within 2 months, are 3 weeks, or that they got all their vouchers all on one show. So it made me think I was really slacking. The people at the agency told me that while that can happen, it is very rare. Most likely those people were lying. Go figure!!! They told me that ON AVERAGE, people get about one SAG voucher every 18 months. That means it takes an average of 4.5 years to become SAG eligible. They told me they knew this one girl who took 7 years to get all her vouchers!!! Well, I knew I didn't have that kind of time. I had to make something happen here before June rolled around. So, my 3rd one came on March 1st which means it took me exactly 7 months to the day to become SAG eligible. Not bad, huh??

Positive quote of the day:

"The Way of all Peace... is to scale the mountain of self. Your journey through life is largely one of self-discovery. Life is designed to test the very mettle of your soul. The largest obstacle is the Self, with all of its doubts, worries, and inhibitions. To truly be yourself, requires breaking through the limitations we have imposed upon ourselves. The best way of doing this is to focus energy outward, toward others. By getting out of yourself, you will indeed find yourself."

--Sylvia Browne, Tenet #1 from Basic Tenets of Novus Spiritus

This is so true but WHHYYYYYY does it have to be so hard? I have certainly already realized that my biggest obstacle is myself. Why do I doubt myself so much? It really is a full time job to keep negativity out of your head and positive in. It literally only takes one neagtive thought (from you or someone else) to destroy the confidence that you've built up for the last couple of months. It sucks, but there is no better feeling than when you work at something and then succeed!

I Didn't Expect This

Here is a picture of my 3rd and final SAG voucher that allowed me to obtain my union eligibility, all thanks to my new blogger friend Jill. For anyone not familiar with what SAG vouchers are and why everyone wants them, I explained a little bit about them in an earlier post. Click here to read about it. With that being said, it is a relief to know that I can cut back on doing background a little bit. Hey, it can get grueling. I only did it full time to maximize my chances of getting the vouchers. I got myself 2, and Jill actually got me 2 as well. When I was on Criminal Minds this past Thursday, they weren't finished shooting some of the scenes, and we got recalled the next day to finish up, which meant another SAG voucher for me. You're probably thinking that I'm going to run to the SAG office and join now. Not so fast. I only wanted my eligibility. I never intended to join right away. I'm not going to get into the details of why I'm not joining right away because it's confusing and not really that important anyway. All that matters is that I am eligible and I can join anytime that I CHOOSE.

It's fitting to say here that ever since Jill mentioned me on her blog, I've been getting a lot of responses from people all over the United States, Canada and Europe, and i just got a hit from South America. The power of the internet is incredible. People have contacted me on my blog, through e-mail and through myspace. I think it's great. It is really cool to know that people have an interest in what I'm doing. All the positive comments and energy is such a good thing. It proves that there are great people still out there. Sometimes you start to wonder what the world is coming to and if any good people still exist, haha. I just wanted to say I appreciate all the comments and I do respond to everyone. It is really weird because when I moved to Los Angeles from Ohio, I created this blog for my family and friends to keep up with what I was doing so I wouldn't have to constantly tell the same stories over and over again. I only e-mailed this link to a few select people because I thought to myself, "I don't want everyone all up in my business". Everyone meaning former friends. I had no idea my blog was available to the public, however. Thank God it was. I've been able to come into contact with a lot of cool people and even meet one of them! This is a picture of me smiling because I'm happy. All of my friends have seen this picture, but it is one that I actually LIKE. That's rare!

Positive quote of the day:

I know life can be so tough
And you feel like giving up
But you must be strong
Baby just hold on
You'll never find the answers
if you throw your life away
I used to feel the way you do
Still I have to keep on going
Never knowing if I could take it
If I would make it through the night
I held on to my faith
I struggled and I prayed
And now I've finally found my way

~Mariah Carey, Make It Happen, Mariah Carey, 1990

I'll be the first to say that song lyrics sound cheesy unless they are sung, but it's the message we're after. I know I can relate to the first part of the verse. As for the last sentence, I don't think I'm there yet, but I'm on my way!