Audition Tomorrow

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Yes! An audition tomorrow for a really cool (and easy) project. I am hoping I do well enough to book this gig. It pays really well and I know my agent would love it if I get the gig. So keep your fingers crossed for me. If I don't get this, I swear I'm moving away, far, far away.

I was looking up some old friends today and heard from one of them. She is involved in the Rotary Club. I was glad because they do so much for so many. The Rotary Club is trying to wipe out polio around the world. I was asked to be a guest speaker at one of the local chapters. It was very interesting. And they presented me with a book on all that the Rotary International is doing around the world. I felt quite honored.

I have to get an early start on my day tomorrow. I am very tired today. I took a bath, got dressed. Made out a grocery list, went to the store. Came home and started making some home made soup (caldo). Dinner came out really good. I also sent out two job resumes and then received the email notification of the audition tomorrow.

It's a little chilly in the air but I can't complain. I feel so badly for everyone back home who are going through a really rough winter. I don't know how they do it. It gets down to 50 degrees here and everyone complains. I myself get some logs and throw them in the fireplace. Gees! But when you are a polio survivor like I am, then it is imperative that we stay warm. I am sitting here on the sofa with a blanket over my legs and a pillow for my back and I am still in pain.

I really don't talk about it much. At least, I don't think I do. But being an actor with a disability is not easy. We also have our own little group. There are some that are hearing impaired. There are others with cerebral palsy who are in wheelchairs. There are some that are blind. Some have speech impediments. I know I am lucky to be as mobile as I am. I wear leg braces at home. I also have a cane for balance. I have a wheelchair when I get too exhausted to walk. Lately, my back has been hurting and my head feels like it weighs as much as a bowling ball. Yikes!

Any other polio survivors out there??? Or others with disabilities? Because I would love to hear from you. One of the other wonderful aspects of having post polio syndrome is the sleep apnea. I have a CPAP machine to help me breathe at night. It is a godsend.

I go to the doctor again soon. But what am I going to say? It's the same old thing again and again. Unless I get a new body, the complaints will be the same. What's the use? Who cares about those of us who have post polio syndrome???

How Foolish

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LA Casting is looking for a cat woman. Not a hot cat woman like in Batman, but a real cat woman to interview. Oh yes, you must not have one or two cats. You must own a minimum of twelve cats. Don't you want to make a fool out of yourself on national television for $100?

What is this world coming to? Is reality television the death of real acting? I am so sick of the Housewives of ... (name your city). I am sick of the I Almost Died because.... and Ghost Stories of celebrities, blah blah blah.

That goodness for the power of the remote control. There are times that I watch the History channel which has better programming than most programs. And thank goodness for PBS. I have an interview lined with someone coming up for a PBS program on Tuesday night. So be sure to catch up on my articles for Latino LA magazine.

I am working on some clown material. And guess what? I have actually learned how to make balloon animals. It was kinda scary at first. My cats got scared of all the balloon rabbits and dogs around the house. I can't explain why I need to do this. I wrote an article once on taking clown classes and now here I am actually doing it. I guess my point is sometimes as an artist we have to do things that don't make sense to anyone else but us. And I felt the character of a clown calling me. It may lead to a future role. It may lead to nothing at all. But it was something that I needed to do.

I may start writing again soon. I may have to. Well, I guess I am just so sick of how some people in this industry uses others to get ratings for so little money. Where is your dignity, people?

okay, no more bitching. New head shots... trips to LA ... interviews to line up and people to see. a busy week... no rain, please. sunshine and a trip to the ocean.

What's My Line?

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Hello again and welcome to What's My Line... just kidding. I am sitting home on a Saturday night with my laptop. The television is muted because I can't seem to concentrate on two things at once. I am thinking about the leftover Chinese food in the refrigerator. But it's too late to eat and I had a chocolate candy bar today which I probably shouldn't have eaten. However, I have been craving chocolate and once presented, I had to eat it.

I watched my friends on the new episode of Pit Boss. Yes, I worked with Sebastian and Ronald on a film pilot last year. We had a really good time playing the role of angels in heaven. My other friend, Lexi is rehearsing for a new play. I am still waiting to see my episodes of I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant and Childrens Hospital.

I spoke with my former boss, Rick Najera (pictured here with me). I saw him recently at the CBS Diversity Showcase in N. Hollywood. It was good to see him again as I interned with him last year when he was Senior V. P. @ Movido TV. I really enjoyed working with Rick, he is such a talented and gifted writer and actor. I recently read his play, Diary of a Dad Man and I cried. It was very moving. I hope to be able to write as well as Rick does someday.

It's very exciting to see your friends working so hard on projects and then I get to watch them on television or in film/theater. I know there is so much work and training to get to that level. I may have to write another show for myself since I am auditioning but haven't really booked anything significant for awhile.

So far away from little Ohio. I sometimes wonder what my high school friends would think about how far I have come. I was very shy but I was very interested in theater and had started writing too. Now I write for a Latino magazine and I have been on television and a few films. They probably would be very surprised. Who keeps in touch with folks from high school anyway?

I miss my friends from some of my old jobs back home. When I worked at the police department I made some good friends. Most of them were men, police officers. They really looked out for me and I learned so much from them. It's a shame how you only hear about the bad cops, not the good ones. They've probably all retired and moved away to a warmer climate.

I remember how I would keep some writing tablets and plenty of pens in my police car. During my half hour lunch period I would find a shady tree. I would park the car, go into the trunk of my car and retrieve the writing tablet and start writing. I wanted to go to Los Angeles so badly. I had never been there but I was there in my imagination. I pictured the tall buildings and the crowded streets. I'd picture myself going out for auditions and finding my way through the maze of LA traffic. And now here I am. I don't know how I envisioned that for myself but I did. It seemed so real to me, like I was seeing the life I should be living instead of writing parking tickets and directing traffic. And now -- here I am. Who says dreams don't come true?

I have an interview to set up -- I have some research to do. I have friends who are performing at a comedy club and I'd like to support them. I have friends to catch up with. The only constant thing about life is change. You have to adapt to change. I miss the ways things were sometimes. But then again, you never know what is around the corner.

How Do You Measure Success?

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I am very pensive lately. Perhaps that is because this is a new year, perhaps because we recently lost Uncle Ted who was 88 years old. I recently contacted a long lost family member. We went to high school together and now we live on the opposite coasts. I started thinking of other high school classmates.

There is the girl who cheated on weekly tests and became class President. There is the girl who was supposedly my best friend and we haven't spoken since graduation. There is the girl who was killed in a snowmobile accident and didn't live to see her 18th birthday. There is the boy who was my boyfriend for two years but then we broke up our senior year.

I went to our class reunion and I was shocked by how many looked so much older in only ten years. I wonder how many children we all had and how many are grandparents today. I wonder who retired, who died and who became really successful? And then how do you measure success?

Well, my friend left Ohio for Florida to work with his father. His father had a painting company. He painted offices, small companies and residential homes. He left Ohio way before I did. We tried to stay in touch but after his divorce and remarriage, we lost contact. I have been through so many jobs and now here I am going on auditions and working every now and then in commercials, film and the occasional television show.

What is really funny is that this is always something I wanted to do, even in high school. I went out for every high school play. I went out for community theater roles. I was a dancer at the football games and yes, I was in the Glee Club. I wrote for our high school newspaper. I was very active. And now, I am working with a Hollywood director and auditioning for national commercials.

I remember being on the lot of Sony Studios and taping some promos for Jeopardy. We drove by the studio where they filmed the Wizard of Oz. I remember thinking that I am walking on the same lot that Judy Garland walked on. I am in the same space that Joan Crawford worked in. It was awesome. And it took me back to the end of our school year where there were predictions. My goal was to be working on the lot of MGM Studios. Wow. So I am taken out of the past and into the present. Back to the fake store fronts at Sony. Hey, there goes Cameron Diaz walking by.

I may not have a huge Hollywood contract. But I am exactly where I wanted to be all those years ago. I don't know what everyone else was thinking and where they envisioned themselves many years later. I was thinking of Hollywood and how far away it was from Toledo, Ohio. And how do you get there, to the end of your dreams? Simple, you take one step at a time.

1st Callback of the Year

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I received a call from my agent that I had a callback for a commercial. I hadn't even gone on the audition, it was straight to callback. That was nice. It is for a regional commercial, California only. Crossing fingers!!!

I went to the CBS Comedy Diversity showcase. It was so good. I have auditioned for several showcases but in truth, you have one minute to act in a comedy routine that is original material. Now that I saw what was involved, I was amazed at the phenomenal talent out there. The showcase was directed by Rick Najera. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Afterwards, I went to the above audition and then had dinner with some friends. What a great day!!!

Today I found a cousin that I have not spoken with for several years. I am so happy to connect with him again. We practically grew up together. It's nice to stay in touch with family.

Well, I am off to watch the Golden Globes.

I Will Join

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I was so excited when I woke up this morning. I couldn't wait to grab my cup of coffee so I could be wide awake when I called the AFTRA office. I am ready to join and be a full member of the actors union! It is an exciting time to be an actor. I remember when I first moved here and started out as a background extra. I didn't really know anyone and so I learned so much through trial and error.

My background is in community theater and Shakespeare in the Park. Television acting and film is very different from live theater. So it took me awhile. After some training and auditioning I finally got some roles. It has been several years later and now here I am eligible to join SAG. Anyone can be an AFTRA actor, you just have to pay the dues. However, I wanted to do it the right way by auditioning and getting roles.

It is very exciting to go out on auditions, even non-union auditions and give it your all. It is also very exciting to get that telephone call from the casting director who says, congratulations you won the role. I never get tired of hearing that. I've heard stories of some gals who do unscrupulous things to get a SAG voucher or two. But of course, they never last because they have no talent. I would rather pay my dues and earn my way into the union. And now I have!

I received a message today from a young lady that I worked with last summer. She knows of someone who is hiring and asked me if I was working. Nope, I wish. And she asked me to send her my resume and she will forward it to someone else. Yay! I was just putting it out into the universe that I need some $$$$ and a job and then she contacted me.

Be careful what you think, what you say and with your attitude. I had a disappointment today and I was sad but I refused to let it deter me from what I wish to accomplish. And then I saw Jim Carrey on the Actors Studio and he was so positive and confident. And he said that even though he went through some tough times too, he always knew that he would be successful. He was so inspirational. I was never a big fan of his until I saw him in the Truman Show. Comedy is so difficult (for me) and he can do comedic acting as well as drama.

I am staying positive, Jim and to the universe: yes, I am ready. Ready to work. Ready to learn. Ready to meet new people. Ready to earn some good money. Ready to take some chances. Ready to travel. I know who I am and I am ready.

Move it and Lose it

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Yes, I have joined Dr OZ's weight loss program. I really enjoy his television show and I like how he breaks everything down so that I can understand. I am not particularly fond of diets and I have tried a few but nothing seems to work. I have gained weight over the last three years and I seem to have reached a plateau. I will lose a pound or two or gain another two pounds and still hover around the same weight. This year will be different.

The plan is very simple and it should take about one year to get to my goal weight. The meals are very sensible. And they encourage physical activities to get into shape. Now I have to be sensible and not injure myself. I have decided to use resistance bands one day and the next day I will do Yoga. The following day I will see if I can walk 20 to 30 minutes. I miss playing tennis. I have my rackets but no one to play with. So maybe later this will be an exercise that is something I will be able to do. In addition, I was given a caloric intake amount for my height and weight. I must log everything I eat and drink and it adds up the calories. It is amazing how one little flour tortilla is over 300 calories! Yikes!

The other thing going on right now is I missed an audition for Jesus Christ, Superstar. Now, I love that show and have always wanted to be in it. However, it is at our local community theater and I just don't have all that time to put into a show that is not paying anything. I talked to my agent and she told me what I already knew. Theater is good training for an actor. However, I am at the point in my career where I want to make some money and I can do that in television and films. I have missed opportunities to go on good commercial auditions because I was doing a play. I can't miss anymore opportunities like that. That means making the tough choices in my career. But this is my career and I have to take it seriously.

My clown classes are coming along nicely. I have received some good make up tips, learned how to make some animal balloons and am working on my character. I look forward to my other upcoming classes.

I received a letter from AFTRA. I am now an AFTRA must join. I have worked on several jobs last year at the union rate. That was great. And now I am eligible to join the union. The television shows are either AFTRA or SAG. For the first time ever, the majority of television shows are now AFTRA. So once I join, I will be eligible for submitting to AFTRA projects. I'm so excited. I remember when I received my letter from SAG that I was SAG eligible. It was so exciting. Joining both unions was a goal of mine and now it is within grasp.

Things are coming together for me and this is a very exciting part of my life right now. Believe me, this is such a competitive business. I remember all the people that encouraged me to keep going. If people only knew you have to go on ten auditions before you get one role. There is so much rejection. But if you keep your eye to the prize and do the work that it takes, you can move forward. I have several upcoming programs on television and it is nice to receive those checks in the mail. It is even more exciting to audition and win a role, and then perform it. I sent out thank you notes to all the casting directors that hired me last year. I want to thank them and remind them that I am ready and available to work for them as a professional actor.

My new business cards have come in and I am ready to hand them out. I am working on a new, healthier me and my bod will look better too. I am connecting with my girlfriends and looking forward to 2011.

Happy New Year

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Happy New Year to everyone out there in cyber space. I am so excited because I read in my horoscope that I will have a good year and this will be followed by 12 more years of prosperity. It also said that the last two years have been difficult (true) and that my hard work will finally come to fruition this Spring. That sounds good to me and so far this is true.

In Hollywood it is difficult, but not impossible to make your dreams come true. One of my favorite actors is Mark Ruffalo. I never thought I would ever meet him and I certainly never thought I would ever work with him. However, two years ago I received a phone call from Rich King casting. They wanted to know if I would be interested in working as a featured background person in Mark's new film. The project was a SAG film and would soon be submitted to the Sundance Film festival. Of course I said yes and that is how I got my third SAG voucher. He was particularly looking for performers with disabilities. Now how often does that happen? Oh yes, the film is called "Sympathy for Delicious" and I got to be in a scene with Orlando Bloom. When we finished shooting the scene and we wrapped for the day I told Mark, "I am a big fan of yours". And he said, now that I've seen your work, I am a big fan of yours, too! And he hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. See, dreams do come true. I just saw "The Kids are Alright" and it was so good. I was invited to the screening last Fall and wouldn't you know it, I got really ill. I had two tickets reserved at the Arclight theater. My friend, Andy Arias was going to be my guest and the tickets were in my name. Andy went anyway and he got to talk to Mark. I was so upset but it was one of those bad days when my legs were not working and I was sitting at home pouting.

I am very excited for the new opportunities coming my way, some are in the works as we speak. Keep the faith, people! You will be seeing more and more of me in person, in print, on television and on film. I am getting better and better as I hone my craft and encouraging those that I meet along the way.

I am sad that we lost some friends and relatives last year. However, I know they would want us to continue living and loving those around us.