Lisa Zion with Michael Patrick Spillers

What a day, first I hear that Jay Leno's last show was tonite. I remember when he first got the Tonite show. He was struggling to keep the good ratings. But I knew he would do well. And after about 2 months, he was into his groove. I actually got to go to a taping of the show. And I heard that he never gives autographs. But they had a question and answer period before the cameras started rolling. I raised my hand and he called on me. I told him it was my birthday and could I get an autograph? (It wasn't my birthday)! So of course in front of an entire audience what is he going to say, no? So he said sure, so I ran down to the stage and he gave me an autograph and a kiss on the cheek! Ha! You gotta take chances people! The best to you, Jay you are amazing and that is why people love you.

I am going to the Abilities Expo tomorrow in Anaheim. The Abilities Expo is for folks who are disabled and for the caregivers that take care of them. It is great and it starts today, Friday and runs thru Sunday. I have been invited to the Christopher Reeve party at the Anaheim Hilton. I'll be there!

Oh and for celebrity gossip... I just got invited by Monica Palacios to her birthday party at her home. I'm so excited. I will be attending. I am a big fan. Thank you, Monica -- I love you, girl!

I was also invited tomorrow to a LOGO taping of a comedy special. The event is on Saturday night. I have a free press pass waiting for me. Too many parties in one day!

Here is a photo of me with playwright and director, Michael Patrick Spillers. The editor of Latino LA published my latest review of the new play at Casa 0101 in East LA, "Always & Forever". It was my pleasure to interview Michael this morning. There is nothing like making a handsome man laugh first thing in the morning. You can read the entire review on http://www.latinola.com/

Call me anytime, Michael. Anytime at all... and that's all I have to say about that.

Buenas noches!

I'm Late, I'm Late

Oh, I hate to be late for anything and here I am running late again. It has been a hectic Memorial weekend. I did remember to get out my trusty U.S. flag in honor of our fallen heroes and our servicemen and women around the world.

And then I had to go in to work on Sunday! I only intended on being there for 4 hours and it turned into an 8 hour day. Yikes. I was so tired that I couldn't even jump in the pool to get refreshed.

But so you don't think the entire weekend was a waste of time, I did go to a play on Saturday night. It was really good. "Always & Forever" is playing at the Casa 0101 theatre in East L.A. Written and Directed by Michael Patrick Spillers, it is a story of young Latina, Alma. She is fifteen years old and longs to escape the drudgery of a traditional quinceanera. It is beautifully acted and written. Performances are May 22 - June 14. $15 general admission. For tickets call: 323-263-7684 or tickets@casa0101.org

Okay, now I have 15 minutes to get ready and leave for that four letter word, work. Ugh!

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Money, Money, Money

Oh, the things we do for money. I am working a temp job right now for a large bank. I can't say the name but the initials are WF. It's a stressful job and the hours suck -- and the only good thing is I do have mornings free to sleep late, watch The View or go to Hollywood (la la land) to go on an audition. Or two or three (please fairy Agent, send me on more auditions)

I recently went to Burbank for an audition and 2 days later had an audition for a commercial for Microsoft. It was pretty cool. There was no audition script (sides) so that means you never know what they are going to throw at you. Sure enough, I went in and said my name for the camera (slating). And I had to pretend I was playing soccer. Okay, go! I do not play soccer, don't watch soccer and I am not a soccer Mom. So I ran around like a fool cause the only thing I know about soccer is you kick the ball around, you can't use your hands and you can use your head to spike the ball if it comes near your head. Crazy, but I had fun and that's the main thing. Be flexible, learn to listen, take direction and be you!

Well, my friend and fellow actor Joseph S Griffo was upset with me because I was in Burbank and didn't tell him I was around. So I called him on my way up to my audition in Beverly Hills and after my audition we had lunch together. I met Joe when we were working together on a commercial for Capital One. We were both elves in the commercial called, Santa. You can watch it on You Tube. He was very nice. He is in a new commercial right now for Jack in the Box promoting their mini sirloin burgers. We ate outside. I was good, I had a salad and an iced tea. It was very LA, having lunch outdoors in Beverly Hills and talking about our acting careers. He picked up the check even though I did offer to pay for my half. See, there are still gentlemen out there. And I thought, what a nice guy! And as we were leaving, I gave him a hug and he grabbed my ass!

Speaking of acting, I have some new classes coming up and I am very excited about them. It's a 4 week intensive improv acting class. Classes start on May 30 in Burbank. They are very reasonable and I am looking forward to starting. Improv is not one of the things I do best, so it can only help, right? Most of the time when you go on an audition they want to see you and they want to see what you can do. And since many times there is no script involved, improv is what they are looking for.

So, I'm off for a quick breakfast -- washing the car and off to my j.o.b. until I strike it rich and meet and marry an A-lister like Tom Cruise. And then I'll never have to worry about money again. And he can get me all the acting jobs I want on broadway or he can buy a studio and then I'll never have to audition again. Way to go, Katie!

Audition for a Spanish Soap Opera

Oh my! Didn't learn Spanish till I went to college. Was always laughed at by my family because I couldn't understand a darn thing. So who would ever think I would get an audition for a telenovela? My agent said they wanted to do a Meet & Greet which sounded very promising. I assume when this happens they've looked over your headshot and resume. And I assume they want to see if you really look like your headshot. So many times I have been waiting to audition and I see others holding their headshots and they don't look anything like the person holding the photo. So I can just imagine what the casting folks are thinking!

You know in those Spanish telenovelas, the women are always screaming at each other and crying. Very dramatic. I asked the Casting director. Do you want screaming and crying? She said, "can you do that?" Of course, I can! I'm an actress! I should have said it in Spanish. Claro que si! Si se puedo!

Anyway, my headshot is only 1 year old and other than my hair being a little longer now (I'm trying to grow it out), I still look the same. I am very proud of myself because I am on a diet and I've lost 5 pounds in one week. Of course, I was ill and didn't feel like eating much. But I have been good and you know sweets are my weakness.

What is your diet, I know you are dying to know. Well, for breakfast I have a bowl of Special K. For dinner I have a can of tuna, six crackers, cottage cheese and a cup of hot tea. That's it! Nothing else but water or hot tea for the rest of the day. And I feel great. If I get hungry, I can eat some unsweetened jello. Or I can have a piece of fresh fruit, or a salad.

My goal is to lose 20 pounds. So 5 down and 15 more to go. Also, you do need to exercise. So I am swimming. Or I can do low impact yoga. Okay, enough about dieting and exercise.

Everyone at work was talking about Star Trek. I'm so excited, I can't wait to see it. If I had some extra money, I would totally buy the outfit from the costume shop and wear it to the opening. I might even have my photographer take photos of me outside the movie theater. That would be so awesome. Just once in my life, I 'd like to be a Trekkie and be proud of it, too. I can't wait to see Marlene Forte in the movie. When I interviewed her daughter for Latino LA magazine, she told me that the role was going to be very good. Ah, can't wait!

Live long and prosper!
and buenas noche

Attack of the 30 Ft Chola: Sunday Shoot: Parties, Pink Lace Robes, Booze, Boobs & a MILF

Attack of the 30 Ft Chola: Sunday Shoot: Parties, Pink Lace Robes, Booze, Boobs & a MILF

La Bloga: � ZOETROPE: ALL-STORY GOES LATIN AMERICAN!

La Bloga: � ZOETROPE: ALL-STORY GOES LATIN AMERICAN!

Words, Words and More Words

This is my very first blog. I'm very excited because words are my thing. I have the Bee Gees song Words in my head now. Yikes! I'm a private person and writing and keeping a journal has always been my way of sorting things out. It slows you down. It helps put things in perspective. Some folks just go for it and end up putting their foot in their mouth. I like to sit back, watch and learn.

This year and last year have both turned out to be interesting. So often you wish things would happen and then when they do some of us are not prepared. Others over think things. I sometimes wish I were a director, like a film director. But then there are so many responsibilities. A film director takes charge, knows what she wants and pulls everything together.

I'm not that together. Yet. But I feel like I'm moving in the right direction. So welcome, bienvenidos. Sit back -- watch and learn. Or put your foot in your mouth.