Are You Kidding Me?

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Happy 4th of July!  I would like to thank the military men and women around the world who are fighting and serving our country.  We love you!

We are working our real estate business and were working with an older woman and her husband.  They want to downsize as their children have all moved away and their large home is too much for them.  They have a good sized lot, large pool and a two story home.  Her husband was starting to have health difficulties too.  So I advised them to work with us and we will help them find a single story home.  The idea of moving after twenty-five years was too much for her.  She decided to stay put but thank you for showing me all these other homes.  We had taken her and her husband out on several occasions to see single story homes in their price range. She didn't want to move unless we could help her find a home that was exactly the same property taxes as what she was paying now.  Now, to try to find a home in Temecula for $250K is pretty near impossible.  She wanted us to look in Murrieta for her too.  Those prices are also pretty much impossible to find. But we did look.  Long story short, we have stayed in touch with her for almost one year.  And then I find her house listed on the MLS with another realtor.  I called her and asked her why didn't she call me?  

She said that the other woman told her that it is better to have one realtor who will find you a home and sell your home at the same time (double commission).  Good for the realtor, bad for her.  I told her I was hurt that she didn't call me when I have been working for her for the last year.  She said she was sorry but "before I knew it, I was signing the papers."  And she was laughing.  I was furious, but professional.  I hung up the phone and ...

Yesterday, she called me to ask my advice.  Her house has been on the market for two weeks.  Slightly overpriced, in my opinion.  She had received an offer and she didn't know if she should take the offer or wait to see if any other offers would come in.  I told her I am not your Agent.  You should call your Agent and discuss with her what your next step should be.  She just "oh, okay."  Do you believe that? 

I am not telling tales because she is not my client.  The fact that found my phone number pretty quickly to ask my advice but somehow couldn't find my phone number when she was getting pressured to sign a listing agreement sucks.

Where is the loyalty?  I am not a pushy person by any means but come on, people.  When you are talking on the phone, when I have gone to your home on numerous occasions, when I give you advice, drive you in my car to see other homes.  And you can't make up your mind what to do and then tell me when I do decide to sell, I will call you.  And then she never does!  Ugh!  

She is lucky I didn't tell her to jump in the lake.  

I'll bet you are wondering what this has to do with acting right?  Well, as actors we have to spend a lot of money.  Money for training, classes, head shots, gas money, make-up, clothing, costumes, shoes, etc.  It is not cheap.  And neither is renting an apartment in LA.  Many times, they expect actors to work for copy, credit and meals.  The copy is a copy of the final film, credit is your name in the credits and a meal is usually a cold slice of pizza.  

After so many films like this, hopefully one knows how to act properly on the set and one can eventually audition for a speaking part.  There are a lot of people who like staying in the background and become professional background actors.  This is something I have never aspired to do. 

If you want a professional actor, pay one.  I know others in the film industry feel this way too because we must all pay our dues.  And then there are those who try to get into this business by way of a shortcut, (sleeping with someone for a SAG voucher).  I heard a story on the set once of a shoot for a music video with some hip hop artists.  There were a bunch of people who just looked like they walked in off the street (hookers) and they were not wearing panties.  The wardrobe people had to ask them to please go across the street to the drug store and see if they have any panties for you to put on.  Ridiculous.  

Being on the set is never boring.  And neither is real estate.  End of rant.  Enjoy your 4th of July!

News!

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So as you may have surmised I had to put my acting career on hold for awhile to get my real estate business going.  It has been great getting to learn a new profession and I have always loved real estate, architecture and getting to meet new people.

But now I am back!  I met with a new Agent in LA yesterday.  Yes, I have a new agent!  What I like about her is she is working constantly.  We had a great meeting and I am now represented by KMR.  So excited to join this agency.

So now I will need new head shots, business cards, etc.  And also, two of the films I worked on several years ago will be out this year.  I will let you know as soon as I know more.

I love being a realtor but I do miss being creative.  So come on, universe!  Bring on the auditions and the acting jobs.  I am ready!

American Indian actors quit Adam Sandler movie over names

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Have you read the headlines that came out today?  Well, yours truly was given an opportunity to audition for this film.  And when I got the sides (a few pages of the script) to read and study, it was so offensive that I immediately called my Agent.  I asked her to get me out of that audition.  I refused to be a part of the nonsense.  Now I am not Native American but I do have that in my ancestry (according to my father) and I absolutely refused to go on that audition.  So now when the shit hits the fan, why are people surprised.  I am surprised that Adam Sandler would be a part of such a silly film.  But then again, I am not a fan of Adam Sandler and what goes around, comes around.

I received some strange FB messages lately from some guy who says he is a retired service member.  The message was full of praise, etc. and he wanted a photo of me.  So I say why not?  I am big on the military and if this guy served our country, what harm can an 8 x 10 autographed photo hurt?  

And then I received an email from a guy I haven't spoken to in two years.  I was really hurt because I thought we were friends.  He is also a fellow Actor (and I use the term loosely).  I am very careful as to which projects I choose to be a part of and this guy would do anything for a buck.  From putting on a leprechaun outfit to whatever, this guy would do anything when he sees a camera.  Anyway, I was supposed to help him with a financial deal and then he bailed on me at the last moment and I lost a nice paycheck because of him.  He would also do things like not tell me about auditions and then he would go on them and then tell me after he booked the job.  He even asked me how I found the time to work full time, go to LA for auditions, and write and produce my own material.  His own wife does not work and he constantly called her lazy.  I realized that with friends like that, who needs enemies, right?  So after I got screwed out of a nice paycheck, that was it.  I was out.  And then he has the nerve to email me?  Forget it.  You screw me over, don't even try to contact me.  Cause guess what?  I will ignore you.  

So I hope all of you out there in cyber space are doing okay.  I am fine and dandy.  And with that, I'm out.  Oh, and by the way, I did not get that last role. But I did get a chance to audition for Jamie Babbit. How many people can say that?  I got a chance to see her and even more importantly, she got a chance to see me!

Audition and a Callback

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On April 4 I had an audition for a TV show, "Married" on the FX channel.  On Wednesday, April 9 I had a callback.  I met a Director who I have had the pleasure of knowing her work for many years.  We have, in fact, many of the same friends.  Although I had never met her before, I was very familiar with her work.  I think I did a good job.  I did my scene and was given a new direction to try something else. So, crossing my fingers as I haven't heard anything yet.  I believe this episode is to film around April 21 in Santa Monica.

Real Estate is going great.  I love it.  We took our new client out last week to preview homes and we saw about 8 homes yesterday.  I love to help my clients find the home of their dreams.  Today we doing an open house.  I have my goodie bags ready to go and my water bottles.  Hopefully, I will meet some more new clients.

It is 7 am and we are meeting our client at 9 am before she goes to LA.  No worries, I will just have to pace myself.

Proud of my sister Linda, who went to the Detroit Institute of Art to see the new exhibit featuring the work of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.  I really want to see it before it leaves Detroit so it looks like I will have to plan my trip soon.  Of course I'll have to try some hot dogs and chile at the world famous Tony Packos restaurant.

Well, time to have another cup of tea and get out of bed.  Happy Sunday!

A Lovely Day

Today is a lovely day.  It feels like a Sunday; but is actually Monday.  If you get a chance to go to the movies may I recommend "The Theory of Everything".  Such an amazing film and the acting is wonderful.

I got a chance to catch up on some laundry (isn't my life so interesting).  And some paperwork.  There is so much to do all the time that sometimes I just miss doing normal things like dishes, laundry and sweeping the floor.  I am meticulous when it comes to our home.  Perhaps I was born in the wrong era?

So I am sitting on the sofa and looking out the window towards my pool and I see two guys peeking their head over my fence.  It turns out that they are interesting in fixing their portion of the neighbor's fence.  Hmmm, it is very discerning.  What are they doing?  If they rattle their side of the fence won't it affect my side of the fence?  Time to do some investigating.

Last week was wonderful.  I got a chance to see my two sons.  I got a chance to sleep in a little and now I am catching up on paperwork.  Being a realtor is not as easy at it looks.  I was a mortgage loan officer for seven years and I know that this will help me be a good realtor.  Taking the California exam was tough but I got through it and all is well.

I don't miss going up to LA to audition.  But I do miss the many friends that I have made there.  Our lives are so different than I could have possibly imagined.  One of the nice things about getting older is the fact that we can decide who we wish to spend some time with.  Gone are the days of nightclubs and blaring music.  I really enjoy going out to dinner with friends and having a lovely bottle of wine to enjoy.  I like to treat my friends to brunch at one of the nearby wineries.  The views are amazing and my friends are so chic. 

Here is a new photo that was recently taken by a photographer.  It came out pretty good. 

Want to Stop Time

Oh, I wish I had the power to stop time.  Everything is so hectic all the time.  I thought all these gadgets were supposed to make our lives easier.  There is Facebook, and LinkedIn, and Pinterest and Instagram.  Then at work there are new CRM systems to learn.  Yikes!  All I want to do is meet people and talk to them and help them Buy a home or Sell their home.

I recently left the mortgage industry after seven years.  I am glad that I learned that industry but honestly it is so difficult pre-approving someone for a loan.  So many issues people have with credit and/or finances.  Some people are savers; and others are spenders.  How do you tell someone to stop spending?  People don't change their ways just like that.  But, if they want to buy a home they have to stop spending and really start saving.  It can be done, it just takes discipline.

So I am enjoying myself but I feel tied to electronic gadgets and that is just not for me.  I enjoy talking with people, meeting people and getting to know them.  One of my favorite pastimes is watching HGTV or DIY channel.  I love how people are shopping for homes and they fight a little about which home to buy or what they must have. And in the end, a compromise is usually called for.  I certainly don't want to be a person who gets in the middle of a husband who wants one thing and his wife who usually wants something else.  If they don't know what they want, how do I know what they want?

Well, it is getting to the point where I don't even want to turn on the morning news.  It is so depressing.  People hurting each other, crazy car chases in LA every other day.  That idiot Kanye West acting like a fool again and Bobby Kristina clinging to life in a coma.  Gees!  From now on, I am going to put on some music while I dress for work and start with some nice tunes in my head to carry me through the day.

If I could stop time -- just for a few hours each day, what a wonderful thing that would be!

Feeling Creative

Feeling creative today but my body is tired and so I must listen.  One of the things I miss doing is sewing.  I made some flannel pajamas and they came out really nice.  Not difficult, at all!  But I am afraid I overdid it again and today I am paying the price.

I found a small market near my home that makes the most wonderful guacamole.  I brought some home along with nacho chips.  Made some fajitas for lunch and everything was excellent!  I am trying to concentrate on the good things; not the bad things so I will talk about the nice parts of today.

Well, it is Sunday and February and it is 78 degrees outside and not a cloud in the sky!  This is the great part of living in southern CA.  This is our winter!  I lived in cold climates before and I don't miss them, well maybe a little at Christmas time.  But after Christmas, I am ready for this time of year.  Last year we were swimming on Mother's Day.

Do you believe I still have not celebrated Christmas with my family?  I was all set to have a wonderful Christmas celebration with the family but then I got bronchitis.  For 4 weeks I could barely speak, was super exhausted and fighting that illness.  I didn't want it to turn into pneumonia.  So I went to the doctor after 4 days and got some antibiotics.  The Christmas presents are still here and so I am hoping to see the family this week and distribute those gifts.  

I made some muffins this morning for breakfast, had some hot tea and some carrot juice.  Yum!  I wanted scrambled eggs and bacon too but I am watching my weight.  It is difficult that I cannot do much physically anymore and so that means eating less.  If you have two good arms and too good legs, count your blessings!

Sorry if I seem to be rambling today.  I was on Facebook and saw some of my friends still acting, still dancing, still writing and performing.  I miss that so much.  I haven't given up acting or writing at all, I just have been super busy and this is my first day off in about a month.  I told my agent I am ready to go back to work after being ill; so book me!  

My friend, Juan is in a current production of Mama Mia.  My other friend, Daniel is in the current production of Seussical.  We each must travel our own journey.  I enjoyed writing for Latino LA; but after 3 years I didn't want to interview other people on the red carpet.  I wanted to be on the red carpet and I think that will still happen for me.  

Well, I am starting to get tired.  So I will sign off for now.  Be good -- be kind to each other!