It's Elf Time Again

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Whew, what a week. Busy as always and guess what? It is Elf time again. Took some new photos in elf attire and hoping to land some SAG commercials. It's a great time of year to hire some elves to help Santa!

I had an audition on Saturday for a short film. The role called for a woman to be either homeless or in a shelter. And she may or may not be crazy. Right? So guess what? I killed it. I had two pages of sides. Not memorized but I felt pretty good about the lines and the character. I went in dressed on the dowdy side and no makeup at all. If you are homeless, you don't care what you look like. There were about 5 people in the room but I didn't let that throw me. I asked a few question about my character then proceeded. Next thing I know the director asked me to do it again but this time standing up and I read with the writer. I think it went really well and I could tell they were very excited. I haven't felt that good about an audition since I auditioned for the play, The Medea Complex. I was thrilled driving home and I sure hope I get the role. It starts shooting in November which is just around the corner. I will let you know...

The episode of Dexter that I auditioned for was on tv today. It's funny because I freaked myself out and did a terrible audition. There were 4 lines in Espanol and I totally flubbed them. And to top it off, when I saw the episode tonight the woman who got the role only said 2 lines. Now whether they cut them because they changed the dialog or perhaps they cut them because she couldn't speak any English, I don't know. But to think I came this close to landing a part on Dexter. ugh! Oh well, that job was not mine. It's too bad too because that would have given me an opportunity to work with David Zayas whom I interviewed awhile back. He is very nice and it would have been great to share some screen time with him.

Everyone I talk to tells me how slow it is right now. I am actually thinking working as an Extra right now just for the cash. My friends tell me I shouldn't do it but hey acting is acting. And some money is better than no money.

Trying to keep my attitude positive and I do feel like there has been a shift in the planets or something. Good things will come my way soon, I can just feel it. I just want to be able to pay my rent, eat at a nice restaurant once in awhile, see my friends and perform on stage. I don't that is asking too much of life right now. Oh and a job. I need a job!!!

I saw an old film with Edie Falco today. She looked so young and you know, she just filled the entire screen. Just love her and look at her fine work in The Sopranos and now in Nurse Jackie.

What is happening in Las Vegas? Well, I was supposed to go there 2 weeks ago but then my plans fell through. But I've heard that no one was winning on the casino floors. And hotel prices are plummeting, trying to get folks to come to Vegas. Unemployment is still bad and folks are still losing their homes to foreclosures. Is anyone winning in Vegas? Doesn't look like it. So my advice is this. Hang onto your cash. You'll thank me someday.

Watch It

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Wow, my friends are booking gigs left and right and I can't wait to watch them. Andy booked a role in the Tom Hanks movie, Larry Crowne. Karen booked a role on No Ordinary Family. Jonathan booked a part on Big Time Rush. Well, I have some things coming up too. I did two days work on Nickelodeon's Gigantic. Don't know when it will be on TV but hopefully soon.

And, I have another audition!!! It's for a commercial and that is really all I can say for now. Many times we cannot speak about the project so wish me luck!

This is a strange business. We all go out for roles and some roles are perfect for us and some are not. I am accustomed to doing plays so commercials are quite a bit different. They are usually only 60 seconds. When we haven't worked for awhile or taken classes, you can get rusty. So it is up to me to keep working, keep training. I am working on losing weight, eating healthier, exercising in the pool and drinking plenty of water. I am also working on my Spanish. There are more and more roles lately for bilingual people and any language fluency is a great skill to have.

I am also becoming a more rounded person by reading and writing. I enjoy reading so much that I usually read one or two books at a time. I was going to Barnes & Noble but now since I haven't been working, I have been going to the library.

Well I heard yesterday that one of my favorite journalists, Rick Sanchez was fired from CNN. I am so disheartened. How many Latino anchors are there on TV? Giselle Fernandez, reporter John Quinones, Geraldo Rivera. Anyone else??? Just goes to show you really have to watch what comes out of your mouth. It sounded as though Rick was really jealous to Jon Stewart. Jealousy is a terrible thing. Green envy is a terrible thing. This business is so competitive that we cannot waste time being jealous of other people or their success. It makes you want to work that much harder on yourself to be better. I don't compete with others, I compete with myself. And if I have a bad audition or take a bad head shot, I learn from that experience and I work harder to make it better the next audition or the next head shot.

And I was hurt by the fact that my parents didn't really care to spend time with me but I cannot let that stop me. We have a dysfunctional family and it will probably always be that way. I won't be side tracked by their drama. I need to stay focused on my dreams. It's easy to give up. It's easy to blame other people. What is hard is keeping a stiff upper lip when you go on audition after audition after audition and you still keep professional. I like to read stories of how others have gone through tough times and didn't give up. Throw in the towel, no way! Do I always have the support of my family? To be honest, no. But I know that I have to be true to myself and I do think I have something to offer. And even if I don't get the job, guess what? I still win. I win because I gave it my best and I put myself on the line and another casting director who didn't know me yesterday, knows me today.

Silly Me

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Well, as mentioned in a previous blog my parents are now in Las Vegas. They are staying with my brother who lives there and is an entertainer working at the Imperial Palace. My sister and her boyfriend have just arrived in Vegas too and they are talking about going out to lunch, shopping, etc. Now my sister Mary lives in Ohio with my parents and they all see each other every week. I live in CA so I only see my parents when I visit Ohio or when they come out west.

I told Mom that I can come to pick them up and bring them back to my home but they didn't sound interested at all. Isn't that nice? I have a beautiful guest bedroom all ready for them but they want to stay in Vegas. They live on social security so I know they don't have much money with them. Nothing worse than being in Vegas with no money but yeah, let's stay there in Vegas. Maybe I'll see them next year sometime cause I am not going to go to Vegas. Silly me for thinking that they wanted to see me. Now back to the slot machines!

Audition at CZAT on Formosa in LA. The job was for a Host. I do have some hosting experience but not a whole lot. It's funny because the job did not specify that they wanted someone with a ton of hosting experience. Sometimes I don't think they know exactly what they want. Oh well, moving along. Next!

Did you hear that another young person killed himself just for being gay? What the heck is going on in these small towns? This is a shocking week. For heavens sake, we must help our young people come to terms with who they are. When we had all the ridiculous posings over Prop 8 I realized that our small town is also not very tolerant. Hate filled signs everywhere, people using their children to wave Yes on Prop 8 signs everywhere. I decided to do something about it. So I marched into our local PFLAG office and decided to sign up as a volunteer. I got tired of all the bull I was seeing. So if you are also outraged at the recent suicides, please stand up and do something about it. PFLAG could use volunteers -- gay and straight. All are welcome.

Silly me for thinking I was missed by my parents. Silly me for being worried that I didn't get a part. Do I have a wealth of experience from which to draw emotions as an actor to the stage. Oh yeah, you bet!

Hooray for Hollywood

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An audition, finally! It has been very slow for me lately. Too bad I'm not in the age group that is very popular right now 18 - 24. When I was that age I didn't have a clue about show business, modeling, money management. I did have some experience under my belt and some training but nothing of the caliber that I have now. Where are the rewards for experience?

I think I did pretty well so we shall see what happens next.

One of my friends and former teachers was going to be on an episode of No Ordinary Family and her scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. I felt so bad for her but that is happened to all of us at one point or another. She is so talented too so I am not worried for her because I know she will land on her feet.

Too bad about Jimmy Smits new series, Outlaw. It is not doing that well in the ratings and I think it will get canceled. If you watch the commercials, he looks so angry all the time. And who wants to watch an angry screaming guy? Not me. He was so good in the series Cane. Too bad that got cancelled because of the writing strike by the WGA.

It's good to see Tom Selleck back on TV again and I heard that his new series Blue Blood has gone through the roof. Good for him. Let's see an Irish Catholic family of cops, yup sounds like a winner to me.

Another good new series is Detroit 187 which I heard is actually filmed in Detroit. Love Michael Imperioli ever since he was on The Sopranos. Another cop film and I do like his character.

Here is hoping that the new series will bring more work into Hollywood and more work for us actors too. Don't like reality tv except for the Amazing Race!

And I actually filmed an episode of Pit Boss last year but it never got televised and probably never will. No worries. Once I become a big TV star, they will probably drag it out, dust off the spider webs and air it.

Oh, did you hear that George & Ann Lopez are getting a divorce? So sad. I remember interviewing him last year for the Kidney foundation. They were both there. She was giving an interview to someone else and I was standing in the wings. I heard the guy ask him if George was pretty well set in his career when they met and Ann said he didn't have $5 to his name. She was the one who was casting and he came in looking for a job. She said he didn't get the job but he did get her. I thought that was so sweet. I feel badly that another Hollywood couple has bit the dust.

My friends are working hard on their careers and I have to step up my game. It felt good to see the Hollywood sign, rehearse my lines and go in on an audition again. I just know that there is a job with my name on it. I just won't give up, it's not in my nature.

Happy Fall

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I am coming to you live from my backyard and I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Fall. As for me, it is 100 degrees outside and I just got out of my pool. I've hung up my swimsuit and I'm sitting here on my chaise lounge in a towel. And sunglasses. I have a cool drink on my stand (lemonade) and I'm listening to Andrea Bocelli.

Don't know why I've been in such a funk lately. Well yes I do know why but I'm not going to get into that right now. My last blog I was talking about getting on a plane and leaving San Diego for anywhere. But actually, I have been missing Seattle big time.

Several years ago my hubby was in a position where he was in charge of the west coast. He had some business in Portland and we have some friends up there. We decided to mix business with some vacation time. We flew up to Portland, rented a car and after his business was concluded we spent some time with our friends. We had a lovely time seeing the city. We spent one day on his boat and saw the city from the water. So many bridges. I really enjoyed Portland. After a few days we left and drove up to Seattle. What a blast. I couldn't believe how beautiful the scenery was.

I am from the east so I missed the evergreen trees. I also missed the seasons so much. I believe we were there in July and the weather was quite cool up there. Unfortunately, I only brought southern CA clothing so I was freezing up there. Fortunately our friends were kind enough to loan me a jacket. Can you imagine wearing a jacket in the middle of July? But there ya go.

Is anyone from Seattle? I'll tell ya I would love to retire up there. I know you get tons of rain and snow but it's such a beautiful city. I am sitting in my backyard surrounded by six palm trees, tons of bushes, roses and of course a lovely pool. We have a little fountain that I water daily and the birds just love to come and take a splash. We have a lovely jasmine bush that the hummingbirds love. I love to just come back here and relax in the shade and enjoy the lovely warm weather.

I remember growing up in cold northwestern Ohio. The doctors would always tell my mother that the best thing she could do for my polio legs was move to the southwest. And here I am. And now what am I thinking of? Moving up north. I don't know, I really miss the seasons. Fall was always my favorite time of year.

And it's still strange to cook a Thanksgiving dinner in the oven when it's 80 degrees outside. I guess I'm feeling a little homesick. Not for Ohio but for my family. I have a huge Latino family. It's not unusual to have 36 people in the house and that is not everyone either. Sometimes when I go back to visit I get a little overwhelmed.

One of my favorite photos of my eldest son is when he was around 4 years old and we were playing in the leaves. He had a cute little jacket on that his grandma Mary Ann had bought for him. He looked so happy. Now he is in Italy! I wonder if he misses us and if he remembers those days?

This is my dream home. Sitting in my backyard, relaxing from a swim and typing away on my laptop. Should I work on my book? Should we go out to dinner or cook on the grill again? Decisions, decisions. Yes, I think going out to dinner is in order. A nice shower, a sundress, splash of perfume and a little makeup. Walk into a restaurant with my hubby's hand in mine. Can life get any finer than this?

Dysfunction Junction

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My friend, Patty once said Lisa, I think my family is dysfunctional. I said who's family isn't? At some point in time you will recognize that your family is crazy. The only family that isn't is on TV and that of course, isn't real. I had to laugh because that is so true. Remember in "Back to the Future" when Martie went back in time and saw his little future Uncle in the baby play pen and said, 'better get used to these bars, kid". And sure enough, his Uncle would land himself in prison later.

I am starting to dread the upcoming holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ugh! I do like New Year's because we can all get a fresh start on a new year and hopefully make everything better. Now I am a good person, and I am a good cook. To me, my idea of the holidays would be to gather my family and we all volunteer at a local shelter. We cook and serve food to those less fortunate than ourselves. Our children would see that we are truly fortunate. We would get a paycheck of the heart by doing something for someone else.

Or, we could rent a cabin up at Big Bear. Play in the snow, ride on a sleigh and throw snowballs at each other! My hubby and I can get away from cellphones and computers. We could toast each other with a nice glass of wine as we sit in front of a fireplace. We could keep each other warm at night!

Or, we could take a trip back east and visit our family in Ohio. We could eat wonderful food, cooking together, opening gifts and catching up on family gossip. Our kids could stay here at my California home and cook their own dinner. They only come to eat anyway, then they leave. They wouldn't even notice that I'm not there this year.

But no, I'll tell you exactly what will happen because it happens every year. I will spend two entire days cleaning the house to perfection. We will spend one whole day decorating the house and putting up the Christmas tree. I will spend two hours at the grocery store getting everything needed for a beautiful dinner and dessert including beverages and wine for later. The kids will promise to come help with the cleaning and the cooking but of course they never do. There is always an excuse for oversleeping, a hangover, partying too late with their friends or some other drama that prevents them from keeping said original promise. So of course, I will overdo it and pay for it later with polio aches and pains. I will not complain because frankly it does no good and I'm tired of hearing myself talk.

My husband will invite his brother Tony to come and spend the holidays with us. Tony will need constant care and attention because he does need it. He also eats like a horse. At least someone appreciates my cooking! He loves to watch sports, any sports on our one and only television set which means I can't watch what I want to watch. My husband will spend all of his time watching him and not paying attention to me. I will get hurt and start drinking way too much just to ease the loneliness and pain of spending another Christmas holiday alone.

My son John is stationed overseas and this will be another year that I will not get to spend with him and my grandson. My other son could care less about tradition. He comes to eat then he either leaves to go home or he leaves and spends time with his friends here. In any event, he leaves. Same with my daughter. Her friends are more important than spending time with family. They'll open their gifts, eat and then leave. All the preparation is over in two hours. Then I am free to put away all the leftovers and clean the kitchen which looks like a disaster area. After all this work, I will drop in bed from exhaustion or being pissed off and drunk.

Gee, I can't wait. The holidays suck big time. I hate them and I hate that this happens every year and I feel helpless but there is nothing I can do about it. What would I like to do? Get on a plane in San Diego and go anywhere but here. And to think, I signed up for this.

News from LaLa Land

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Auditions are being held for a project with actress Holly Robinson-Peete. They are searching for attractive women (30 - 45 yrs old) who are in need of some new tips and tricks in fashion and make-up. This must be a new show possibly Bravo? Did everyone watch Holly when she was on the Apprentice last season with the Donald? She looked fabulous and she is one tough cookie. I am not going for that audition but if this is you and you live in the LA area, go for it!

I heard about a low budget film that is looking for production assistants so I sent my cover letter and resume. And guess what? This is a non-paying job. I am so tired of folks wanting others to work for copy, credit and a meal. Now in Hollywood talk that means when the production is over and the project is completed you will get your name in the credits, they will feed you lunch while working on the set and you will get a copy of the film. In all the time I have worked either as an actor or a production assistant I have literally had to beg to get a copy of the work. I've only received two!!! Now if you are just starting out and have zero experience then by all means go for it. But if you have paid your dues and are eligible to join a union like SAG or AFTRA then join. It puts you in that professional category and you get treated as such.

Lots of new TV shows that are airing soon. I saw Hellcats and I saw Outlaw. To tell you the truth, I didn't really care for either one and I Love Jimmy Smits. I am looking forward to the new Hawaii Five-O. What new TV shows are you excited about?

I have been in a little bit of a funk lately and I am sorry about that. I have determined that yes I have polio but I am not polio. I will not let it define me. And I believe in The Secret. I am determined to be more positive and I know that positive energy will flow in me and through me and out into the universe. And the Universe will bless me with good things including a great job and new opportunities to audition and show what I can do. And that is the Hollywood minute from me!