Then, This Happened...

What an awesome summer!  Fun times with friends of course, and I had the pleasure of traveling with my hubby.  We went up to WA to visit extended family, and had a much needed weekend getaway in Provincetown for some yummy seafood and awesome sandy beaches.

After months of praying and patience, both my husband and I got great boosts in our incomes and careers.  On top of getting some celebrity pub for AntiBling, my husband got a new job as a Project Manager at a Architectural Millwork firm, and one of the 5 huge projects he's working on is Carnegie Hall.  As for me, from August til now, I've received some great career surprises:  I discovered that I'm on the cover on a bridal webzine;

featured in a SamsungTV web promo;

I was called in by Jodi Angstreich from Laura Rosenthal Casting to audition for a Time Warner Cable commercial;
and a sketch video I did with a couple of my FLW castmates is featured on FunnyOrDie.com, Cheezburger.com, CollegeHumor.com, HuffingtonPost.co.uk, and is nearly at 1 million views on YouTube.

Also, I've made it my main focus to network and build relationships with the heads of network TV.  This past week, I just completed a 2-week class with Clint Alexander.  And later this month, I'll will be taking a 4-hour workshop with Clint, Trey Lawson, Janet Murphy-Butler, and Rori Bergman, and then a 2-week class with Trey Lawson.

Last year, a fellow actor, who is doing really well right now in the indie film circuit, gave me some awesome advice, which has really stuck with me. I know there are a lot of actors who spend so much money on 1-day workshop intensives, and then complain about not getting anything out of it. My actor friend told me to save my money and take the classes with the casting directors that are two weeks or more, because they'll have a better chance of remembering me and the work that I can do, and if I'm on point, it'll boost my chances of being seen and/or cast in future work.  He also said it'll make a world of difference between it being a 20-year journey to make a mark versus a 5-year journey. Guess which path I'm choosing... :-)

Everything is falling into place in the most awesome way, and I'm in a constant state of joy and gratitude. And I know as long as I keep pushing through the way that I have, that this time next year, I won't be trying to get work, I will be balancing my schedule with all the work I've gotten and will be getting.

Happiness is this!

Why Is It So Darn Hot?!

Things I learned this week:  Just because it's cheap, gluten-free, and nearby, doesn't mean it's good. Buyer's remorse every time.  So why am I a glutton for punishment?  It's too damn hot to go more than two blocks around here.  I purposely wore light-colored, loose clothes, walked only on the side of the street where there was shade, and still felt like I was suffocating.  I'll bear the frigid cold a/c for another 2 hours til it's time to go home, just as long as I'm not a sweaty mess when I get there.

I tossed and turned quite a bit last night, like I did this whole week.   Not easy to get a comfortable night's sleep in a small Brooklyn apartment with little ventilation.  We have a good a/c in our bedroom, but it's not strong enough to cool the whole place.  So anytime any hot air from the rest of the apartment creeps in (mostly because our cats hate closed doors), it get very stuffy.

I woke up an hour before my alarm because I dreamed that I missed it.  Man, I hate when that happens.

I was able to get back to sleep briefly but the damage had already been done; I knew I'd need some extra strong coffee to get through at least half the day.  It's not even 4pm, and I'm already getting the gluten-free taco itis. Oy. 

On an uplifting note, our editor sent us two versions of the rough cut of Velma.  That shot my excitement and energy level up 15-fold.  

And later tonight, my hubby and I got passes to a live taping of Mike Tyson's one-man show, Undisputed Truth, directed by Spike Lee.  I'm not big on getting photos with celebrities but I sure as hell won't turn down the chance to take a pic with Iron Mike if the opportunity presents itself.  I mean, to be that up close and personal with the face tattoo, who would pass up that chance?  But for some really odd reason, I have this image of him coming up to me all sweaty (like straight-from-a-fight sweaty), and he'd smell like corn chips, bbq ribs and Cristal.  

Yes, I know I have a very vivid and crazy imagination, but I think the 97 degree heat has fried my brain more than usual.  I'm definitely gonna need to take it easy this weekend.

It hasn't even been summer for a full 30 days, but it feels like it'll be over as soon as I really get to enjoy it.

The good thing about it still being summer, is the traveling Greg and I will be doing, and hopefully that'll include a couple of trips to the beach.

Also, I'll be completing the intro/theme song for Velma, launching episode 1, prepping for episode 2, and getting new headshots in a couple of weeks.

I figured out a way to not stress during my career journey:  I eliminated my self-imposed deadlines, and am doing everything I've wanted to accomplish and achieve at an even pace.  I feel more focused, disciplined, and clear-headed.  Nothing rushed, nothing half-assed or mediocre.  I'm keeping everything high- and professional-quality.  And if that means taking more time to get things right and/or at top form, then so be it.  I know the end result is gonna be spectacular, and definitely something I can be proud of, e.g., my music, Velma, my package/portfolio, etc.  I'm going at this full force, and there is no room for crap or half-assedness.

Hm, I think my coffee just kicked in...

What's going on now & What's coming up:

• Rough cut of Velma
• Fine tuning the Velma intro and theme song
• Velma trailers
• New headshots by Lauren Toub of LTShots Photography
• Upcoming performances with Fighting Laughter Warrior at Dark Horse and Legion Bar
• Launch of Why I Love Brooklyn radio podcast with my husband Gregory Malcolm