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!

Let it Snow!

I am watching CBS News Sunday Morning and at the end of the program there are beautiful photos of snow falling.  I must admit the photos are amazing and for a moment I am back in time in the Ohio of my youth.  I loved waking up and looking outdoors at the Winter wonderland.  I also loved watching cats and dogs play out in the snow and eating snow.  It is a far cry from Winter in southern California.  The weather drops to 57 degrees and I am bundled up in my pajamas and blanket.  Excuse me while I place a log in the fireplace!  Brrr!!!! 

I spoke with my Mom the other day on the phone and she sounded a bit depressed.  It is always a difficult time of year for us because my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews are still in Ohio.  My parents like to come out West to see me as well as my brother who is in Nevada.  This year has been the first year that they have been unable to come out to visit us and I know that is weighing heavily on my mind as well.  I know there will come a time when either they or I will not be able to travel anymore and that will be hard.

Earlier this month I traveled to Nevada and when I was there last month I had forgotten how stressful traveling can be.  I momentarily thought of bringing my wheelchair but didn't want to bother anyone with it.  And I must be honest, I really didn't want anyone to see me in the wheelchair, either.  Oh, vanity!  And then of course I regretted it when I almost fell face forward in a Mall (twice).  It scared me because the first time I tripped over my own feet, I thought what was that?  And then when it happened again, I knew, okay this is my body saying you are overdoing it and pretty soon you will land on your ass in front of all these people.  

I told my husband the next time we travel, no matter what I say, we are taking the wheelchair.  And then we did take it with us.  And yes, people looked at me.  And yes, I was okay.  I didn't die.  I actually had more energy.  At first I didn't want to bring it into the hotel, I left it in the car. But then I realized I was not going to be able to make it through the hotel and the casino.  We called down to the front desk of the Luxor Hotel and explained the situation. They were so kind!  They sent someone up with a wheelchair and the Security man escorted me to the front entrance of the hotel to the Valet parking attendant where we picked up our car.  I didn't have to walk at all!

It was amazing how much better I felt.  Instead of pushing myself to try to look (normal), I used the devices I had at my disposal to save my strength for things like eating.  As a polio survivor we have to monitor our strength and not overdo things.  With assistive devices likes using my leg braces and wheelchair for long walks, I save a tremendous amount of strength. Although my arms are kinda weak.  It may look easy rolling yourself around in a wheelchair but trust me, it is not.  I did buy a nice large vinyl bag which attaches to the back of the wheelchair.  I can put my purse in there and small packages.  It saves my arms and then I am free to look around and enjoy myself.

I remember when I went to the doctor and talked with him about changing my lifestyle.  No more walking in the grocery store.  Ride the scooter, place the groceries in the cart. No more taking the groceries out of the car and into the house.  Have the other family members do that.  No more running the vacuum cleaner.  No more doing 4 loads of laundry.  Better to do 1 or 2 daily loads daily and then go rest.  Little changes mean I am not totally exhausted by the end of the evening.

I have to say dear readers, that I was really reluctant to share this aspect of my personal life with you all.  But, life changes and we must change too.  And as much as I would like to deny that this is my life today....this is my life today.  I loved being a dancer in high school.  I loved dancing in musicals.  I loved going on long walks, loved sledding in the winter time.  Loved going to the parks in the Fall and taking the children on nature walks.  I loved walking on the beaches of Key West, Bermuda and St. Thomas.  I loved traveling alone to London and walking in the shops, museums and riding the Underground in the city.  These are all memories now and I smile to myself that I was able to accomplish as much as I did.

Time for a cup of tea and another log in the fireplace.  Good Sunday morning.  Friend me on Facebook, private message me your address and I promise to send you a Christmas card.  

Throwback Thursday

I am so thankful to have a really good day today.  If you are on Facebook, be sure to send me a friend request to my FB page Lisa A Zion.  I love that they have Throwback Thursday for everyone to dig into their old photos and show everyone what they looked like back in the day.

I have an 8 x 10 black and white photo of myself that was taken many years ago by a photographer friend.  I was dating my boyfriend at the time and he is now my hubby.  His band was taking outdoor photos in downtown Toledo, Ohio (where we were living back then).  We were all taking a break on a lovely Saturday afternoon and after walking around downtown for awhile we stopped so sit in the grass of the beautiful old courthouse.  So I have made this photo my profile photo here and on Facebook.  Such a happy time and it brought back some lovely memories.  

Now to change the subject.  I went to see my favorite hairdresser today in Temecula.  Now my hair looks lovely again.  I told her that when I become rich and famous I will take her to Hollywood with me!  We were supposed to go to LA tonight but hubby decided he didn't want to go after all. It was just as well because I was pretty wiped out and fell asleep at 6:00 p.m.

Most of you may know that I am a polio survivor.  What this means is ever since I had gotten polio it has always been with me.  It never goes away and there is no cure.  When the polio epidemic hit our country there was a massive scramble to find a cure.  Some kids and adults got bad batches of the polio shot.  To this day my parents don't exactly know how I got it and why my other siblings did not.  But, I was an infant and I'm sure my immune system was down and maybe that is why I got it.  So now that I am older, I have noticed things like being forgetful.  I do use tools though to help me remember.  Thank goodness for Outlook, my iphone and post-it notes!

So tonight was a night where my body just crashed.  When I was younger I would fight it.  But now I know that if my body says "rest", I'd better listen and rest.  Sure enough, I feel better now.  It is a strange feeling though because all of a sudden my body will just shut down and then I realize that 2 hours have gone by.  

Being a disabled actor can be a challenge. There are many of us in Hollywood. There are actors that are blind, deaf, missing limbs, little people and people with mobility issues.  We don't want to be treated differently; we just want to be able to audition and show what we can do too.  I am a trained Actor and a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.  I am proud of my accomplishments and I do want to do more work.  It really gets my goat when actors without disabilities are hired to act as characters with disabilities.  We are working with the powers that be to try to change that.  It is a challenge, sometimes.  But I continue on.  

I count my blessings everyday.  I had a good day at work, I got my hair done, got some much needed rest and I am headed to Las Vegas this weekend.  Life is good!  

Want to see some of my work?  Well you can find me on You Tube or just Google my name.  You can even read some of my previously published articles when I interviewed celebrities for Latino LA.

Ciao!

Happy Wednesday!

So excited!  I went to San Diego yesterday to take my CA Salesperson's exam and I passed the test!  I will soon be a licensed Realtor and will be able to represent buyers and sellers!  This new chapter in my life is one that I have been looking forward to for so long.

As many of you know, I am an experienced mortgage loan officer.  I loved helping people through the financial process of buying their home or refinancing.  The idea came to me last year when, unfortunately I met some realtors that just did not have their S**t together.  I knew I could do a better job.  Many times people think only of their pay check instead of what is best for their client. So the idea was there but then this past Summer my husband encouraged me to go for it.
I can't wait to begin.

 I spoke with my current boss today about it and he was very kind and supportive.  I am very lucky to have worked with many wonderful people throughout the years.I live in this area for 20 years now and know the area well.  I have also purchased two homes so I know the entire process both from a financial perspective as well as working with many realtors.  So if you want to Buy a home in Southern CA, let me know.  I will help you every step of the way!  If you want to list your home, let me know!

What does this have to do with acting?  Well, what I have noticed when I am applying for acting jobs is that they are looking for real professionals now.  No more people who have scrubs. They want actual nurses.  They want actual doctors.  They want actual realtors too.

People have no idea how hard actors work.  They constantly must audition.  They have to spend money on head shots, classes, wardrobe, business cards, marketing materials, postage, etc.  And it is not cheap to live in Los Angeles.  You have to have good transportation because everyone drives here.  You simply cannot get around without a car.  So many of my actor friends are struggling from pay check to pay check.  Many of them rent for years and don't have any significant savings tucked away for a rainy day or for their retirement.  It breaks my heart.  They are so talented and yet when it comes to actual net worth, many of them only have the clothes on their backs.

Fortunately, I have worked in many positions and I have learned valuable things in every job I've ever had.  All of my former jobs has prepared me for the new job.  I have worked as a clown, as a secretary, as an intern at a studio in Hollywood, as a meter maid where I wrote parking tickets.  I worked at a bank and in cash management.  Working with lots of money taught me to take a closer look at my own financial situation and start making some good choices for my family's financial future.  This includes being a home owner.  So being a lender and now being a realtor will be wonderful in terms of helping future customers.

Buying a home should not just be for the wealthy.  I am so glad to know about the VA program to help veterans who can buy a home for no money down!  Thanks for reading my long blog.  Can you tell this is something I truly care about?  Absolutely!  I will keep you posted on my progress.


Ciao!

Good morning, America!

I was lying in bed and wondering where the time had gone. One moment it is 8:00 a.m. and the next moment it is 1:30 in the afternoon. Why is it that time seems to be slipping away? I wonder if this happens to everyone, or is it just me? When my children were young I couldn't wait till they got older so they could do things for themselves. Now there are many days when I wish I could go back to those days and just really take it all in and enjoy the moment. 

So last week I had an audition in LA with Mr. _________ Director, who I shall call Mr. New Up and Coming director.  The part called for a young grandmother. I decided to go for it because I am a young grandmother.  (yes, it's true).  I wasn't going to go for the audition but I know and like Mr. New Up and Coming director and I like his work.  So I contacted him, expressing my interest in this new film and I received the script.  It sounded wonderful and I had to go for it.  The character was interesting and she and her daughter had some issues.  A nice role!  No Latina maid -- no grandma in the kitchen making tortillas.  No Latina Nanny pushing the ninos in the baby stroller.  An actual good role!  And for some reason, I took it upon myself to make this grandma a beat up grandma.  Someone who had distanced herself from her only family, her daughter.  I imagined her like Graziela in the musical, "Cats".  Someone who had really been through the mill and had lost her way.  So I went to the audition wearing a turtleneck blouse and a long, long skirt.  No make-up, hair pulled back and glasses.

Note to self:  Never go to LA looking like a school marm.  I could tell by the look on Mr. New Up and Coming director's face that this was not the look that he was looking for.  I berated myself (in my head) and I followed him into the audition room.  I met the Producer.  Very nice, young woman.  I sat down next to another actress who was reading the part of the daughter.  We had an emotional scene where I put my all into the scene.  I was given some direction from Mr. New Up and Coming director to make my character less angry, and more humble.  I listened carefully, and we read the scene again with me making a major adjustment to my lines.

He liked it!  She like it!  I felt good about it.  I left the room feeling that I had done a really good scene and acted my ass off.  I didn't get the part.  Note to self:  Never go to LA looking like a school marm.  

Why wasn't I true to myself?  I normally would never leave the house without my makeup on.  I am a young grandma and I love dresses.  And I love my black patent leather Calvin Klein heels. And I love my Michael Kors handbag and my black Guess sunglasses.  The truth is, as an Actor we make choices when we get a script and we see the character a certain way.  We decide to show the world this character.  And my choice was that my character had seen better days.  She had gone through tough times, been knocked down by life more times that she would like to admit but she keeps living.  So I made a choice and I stuck to it.  Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose.

So, this part was not mine.  I saw an article about the actress who was chosen for the role.  She looks very nice.  I have seen her at some auditions that I have been on for other projects.  I did not read the article because it still stings too much.  But I know if the Universe had wanted me for that part, I would have gotten that part.  I do know this.  I know how to act.  I know how to take a character and make it my own.  I know how to dissect a scene.  I just need to remember that I need to be true to myself.  I could have gone in that audition room as Lisa.  Not as the character. It's okay.  Lesson learned.  Next time I have an audition, I am going in there with my black hair neatly styled, orange Calvin Klein dress, Michael Kors bag, black heels.   I will act my ass off and this time as myself.  And even if I don't get the part, I know I will have done my very best and be proud that I have done my best and then leave it to the Universe.  Amen!

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Indiegogo

Finally!  I had some difficulty starting this blog because so much time has gone by but now it looks okay.  Sorry it has been so long since I've blogged but life can get so busy sometimes.

I have been keeping myself busy and being creative.  I have taken up sewing and find I love it.  It can be frustrating at times but I have learned to read instructions, follow the patterns, and have learned that there is a seam ripper nearby if needed.  I have made several skirts, a tank top and pajamas.  I want to make a one piece dress for myself but I have to make another trip to JoAnn Fabric store for materials.

I have been keeping up with my voice lessons and I am loving singing again.  My new voice teacher, Kathy is very knowledgeable.  She is helping me get to that next level in my singing.  She has a sharp ear too and I love that.  She told me about an audition opportunity at the theater.  I had to go in with my best 90 seconds of a country/western song.  I sang a song I love by the late, great Patsy Cline.  I was supposed to look country too but of course, I couldn't find my boots and don't have a cowboy hat.  I went to the audition not really trying to get the job which was a chance to sing in public at a fund raiser for a local organization.  I went to the audition to get some experience of singing for strangers.  So, I got the music, and was more worried about getting the look right than properly warming up for said audition.  So when I got there, I sat down and this gal was singing her heart out.  She was really good, too!  Then this lady got onstage and called me up to the stage.  Yikes!  I gave them my music and I stood onstage in front of six judges.  I felt like I was on American Idol or something like that.  The music started and everything else fell away.  I looked up and just got into the song.  I gave it my best and I think they liked it because everyone started clapping.  As I was leaving, this lady said "good job, Patsy".  That was a compliment, indeed. 

Then, I came home and had about 15 minutes to rest and start getting into character for my next assignment.  I was booked to do facepainting at a child's birthday party.  I had to dress like a truck driving theme.  I wore faded blue jeans, a plaid shirt and a baseball cap.  I wanted to do the whole white trash thing so I wore a long blonde wig and put in green eyed contact lenses.  I was a site to behold.  The children had a great time and I was there for 2 hours. 

I am having a great time with my clown character.  I've learned how to facepaint and I am learning how to make animals from balloons.  It is not as easy at it looks.  I do all of this to promote my clown character.  You have to juggle schedules and crying children.  You have to entertain and yet make the mothers happy.  I am learning!

I acted as an Angel in a pilot for a film called, "It's Gawd".  Gawd is not happy with how things are on earth and his Angels are not happy with Gawd.  It was a great time and I got to work on a "green screen" for the first time.  It was pretty cool.  The director was very kind and he loved my work.  He is currently seeking funding to continue the film.  If you would like to contribute at any level, it would be appreciated.  The website is Indiegogo.  http://www.Indiegogo.com  I just donated too.  So check it out and I think you'll like what we've done so far. 

I recently returned from filming a major motion picture in Las Vegas.  I worked background in the film for two days.  I can't say the name of the film but it is big and it will be out next year.  I'll say more when we are allowed to. 

I have several more bookings coming up in the next few weeks plus we are having family come for the holidays.  It is getting hectic!  Trying to remain calm but I may need to schedule a quick weekend trip to Arizona for some much needed rest and relaxation. 

Random Thoughts

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger left California in far worse shape than when he first took office.  Why no one is saying anything about this is beyond me.  Jerk went back  to making films and his wife went back to him.  Go figure.

Many of the former realtors, loan officers, title and escrow people that I knew are either unemployed or working elsewhere.   According to one of my realtor friends, it will be another two to five years before things turn around.  In the meantime, if it was not for the HARP II program initiated by President Obama, many would not have been eligible to refinance to these low interest rates and stay in their homes.  I don't see Mitt Romney coming up with any ideas to help folks stay in their homes.

Stay away from Arizona!  So many are being pulled over and asked to show their papers that they actually were born in this country.  I have no desire to ever do business with or go to Arizona.  It's a shame because I always wanted to see Sedona.  But I refuse to spend one dime there until the political climate is better.  So take that, Governor Jan Brewer and your lacky, Sheriff Joe Arpaio. 

Why do women volunteer so much?  One of my heroines, Suzy Orman said that women do not value themselves enough.  Women volunteer more than men.  We should ask for pay for our time!  It is bad enough that women are not paid as much as men and we constantly bake the cookies, take care of the kiddies.  We carpool, we volunteer at school, church, libraries.  We do not ask for payment in return.  We do not save as we should.  We do not put enough away for retirement.  We need to be more savvy when it comes to finances. 

Eat more veggies and eat less meat.  To those of you who read a previous post on the documentary, Forks Over Knives, you will be pleased to learn that not only did I lose weight, my cholesterol dropped over 100 points.  And you can have delicious food, fruits and drinks and still look fabulous.

To those readers who have just joined me, thank you for reading.  Don't forget to join as a regular reader and I promise next time to have more Hollywood news.  Hollywood tomorrow! 

Sew What

What a crazy month it has been.  I had company visit.  I've been seeking acting jobs.  And my niece moved in with me.  My niece is taking some time off from school, the Ohio State University and asked to move in during the summer.  No worries, of course!  It has been interesting having a young person in the house again.  I've forgotten how loud they are, how addicted she is to her I-phone and how she loves to stay up late talking on said phone. 

The acting career has not been going well lately.  Sadness!  But I can't sit around waiting for the phone to ring.  So, I've started sewing again.  And guess what?  I love it.  I forgot how much I love sewing.  I took sewing in my freshman year of high school and even though we only made an Apron, I enjoyed the feeling of having something to show for my efforts.  Many years later I took it up again for a short while and actually made two dresses but raising 3 children and working full-time left very little time for sewing.

I am petite and therefore spend a good deal of time trying to find something that actually fits and so it just made sense to start sewing again.  I found some beautiful champagne colored fabric and black lace and now I have a gorgeous skirt!  I also made a yellow, pink and blue skirt.  These are fully lined skirts and the zippers got easier to put in.  I found that doing a hem by hand looks much nicer and I iron as I go along which makes things much easier.  Paired with a silky white tank, I now have some beautiful options in my closet.

My sister visited recently and I took her to JoAnn's fabric store.  We chose a lovely fabric and she loves the new skirt I made for her. 

My next sewing project is a navy shift dress.  Ooh, can't wait.  And yes, occasionally they do look for actors who really do sew. 

Forks Over Knives



Take Care of your Health:
I watched a great documentary "Forks over Knives".  If you haven't seen it yet do yourself a favor and watch it.  Make sure that you have your loved ones with you as you watch together.  This documentary talks about a plant based diet and the health benefits you derive from omitting meat and dairy from your diet.

I do enjoy fish, shellfish and sushi.  However, I am now going to eliminate dairy.  That will be a little tough for me as I do enjoy milk, cottage cheese and love cheese!  I am not considering this as a diet.  I am calling this a new lifestyle, one in which I will be much healthier.

I have started this diet 2 weeks ago and have lost 5 pounds.  My skin looks better and I have more energy.  I'm going to keep this going and so dear readers, follow my blog and I'll let you know how I am doing.

Get regular check ups:
How many of you have health care?  Most of us do.  We pay for it and if we don't take care of our health, we'll pay more in the long run.  I make it a point to get an annual physical.  I see my dentist 2 to 3 times per year.  I see my optometrist.  If you do this, you'll stay on top of health issues so they can be treated early.  It's great piece of mind to know that I am doing well. 

Hollywood News:
My niece is moving in with me!  I am very excited that my niece, Analicia (22 yrs. old) will  be arriving this Saturday, June 2 to move in with us.  She has an interest in modeling and has modeled in Chicago.  She has expressed an interest in acting and so I will advise her as to how to get started in this business.

The Economy:
I believe the economy is getting better.  Gas prices have come down a bit and there were many travelling by car over the Memorial Day weekend.  Airline prices are up a bit but people are still travelling.  We are expecting 7 family members to come and visit us over the next 3 months. 

Jobs are still hard to find but I noticed there are more acting jobs out there for television series and feature films.  I would like to do more television and I do enjoy working on feature films. 

Ch Ch Changes

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Wow, I haven't blogged in awhile my life has been so hectic lately.  It looks like there is a new format.  I'm not sure if I like any changes right now. 

In any event so much has changed in the past month I can't even keep up with me.  As usual in the acting world, there are slow times.  Should I find a job? Should I keep my schedule open to audition opportunities?  Should I start some home remodeling?  Travel to Vegas? See my parents?

I decided to do some home remodeling.  I hired a painting contractor. The hard part was deciding on colors.  Finally after a week I decided on the colors.  We painted the guest bedroom ourselves since that was a cinch.  But the painters got the big job of the master bedroom and bath.  Beautiful but they had to push me back a week because of a previous job. 

I spoke with my parents back in March about visiting in April. It is difficult to make any plans because I may get hired on an acting job then I won't have any time to spend with them. But I made an executive decision and selected dates for them to come visit.  Then I decided I really would like to fix up the guest bedroom a little nicer for them.  That was when we decided to paint. 

The painters pushed me back a week. Then they flew into Vegas to visit my brother. Then I received a call from my agent with a script.  I read the script, very funny stuff with a great character role for me.  I loved it and agreed to do the film.  I got a contract and of course the week when my parents are all set to visit me is when I am filming.

So my brother agreed to keep my parents for another two weeks while I am filming in LA.  I learned my lines, practiced in front of the  mirror, thought about wardrobe suggestions and did some back story history on my character so I knew who she was.  Once I reported to the set it was a piece of cake.  I absolutely loved it.

The set was in downtown LA and my set for my character was amazing.  I met with my director who was quite charming and met my co-star.  I reported to wardrobe, hair & make-up.  The glam team made me look gorgeous and the whole day was amazing.  Before I knew it, I filmed all my scenes and was wrapped for the day.

The next morning, I filled up my car, drove from LA to Vegas to pick up my parents, drove them to my home and spent the weekend with them.  We had a lovely time in San Diego and then I drove them back to Vegas. 

My parents couldn't believe how hectic my life is but that is the way it is. Many people freak out when it comes to change but life is ever changing.  What I have learned is we must be flexible. This life is not for everyone but I have learned to keep my schedule open, keep my life open for new opportunities.  I have learned to go with the flow. 

I am blessed to still have my parents with me. They continue to teach me about patience, unconditional love, sharing, thankfulness and grace. I always learn something new from them. I love to spoil them and show them a good time.

So Vegas this week and LA next week.  Better take my vitamins.  Be sure to check out my IMDB page.  And click Like.  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2973617

I Am I Said

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I am I said to no one there...and no one heard at all not even a chair. Yup, Neil Diamond knows how to sing it. Sometimes I feel that way too. I'm feeling a little melancholy these days. I found an old friend on Facebook. We were young single and had our whole lives in front of us. We were dating our boyfriends who became our husbands. And we had our first children around the same time too. Many years later and here we are. We both have 3 children only she is now divorced and living on welfare. She told me she has an Obama phone. I didn't know what that was and had to Google it to find out what the heck she was talking about.

I left Ohio for California and I am living the life I only dreamed about when I lived there. I am taking acting classes, visiting family in Las Vegas and looking forward to family visiting next month.

I am also taking better care of my health. I am seeing a new doctor and went thru the barrage of blood tests and seeing a new neurologist. My wheelchair was delivered to my home yesterday and as I was signing papers for the driver he said to me, you don't look like you need a wheelchair. He obviously did not see my leg braces lying on the floor.

I went to the grocery store today and rode on the little in store scooter to do my shopping. As I was paying for the groceries the young lady asked if I needed help taking the items to my car. At first I said no. Then I remembered my doctor saying that I should not be afraid to ask for help. So then I said yes, I would like some help. She took the bags out of the cart and loaded them in my car for me. I shouldn't be afraid to ask for help. But polio people like to be independent. We are so accustomed to trying to look like everyone else that we don't know when to ask for help.

Being an actor is not easy. Being an actor with a disability can be challenging, but oh so rewarding too. Do you know other actors with polio? How about Alan Alda, Mia Farrow and Donald Sutherland? Speaking of actors with disabilities I am finally going to meet Geri Jewell next week. And two of my friends are in the new film, Mirror Mirror with Julia Roberts. I'm so excited for them.

Until next time!

Ah Yes

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Such exciting news I don't know where to begin. Guess who had an audition at Fox Studios? That's right! Me. I was notified by my agent that I had an audition for a co-star role on House. I can't really say anything else right now but I am keeping my fingers crossed for a callback.

I am taking some new acting lessons right now and very excited about that too. I am taking my acting to the next level after booking national commercials for Capital One, Starbucks and Pepsi. Now I am ready to do co-star roles. I may have mentioned how I butchered my audition last year for Dexter. Well, I was not prepared and it was a missed opportunity to show my best. But that won't happen again. This time I will be prepared.

Actors: gotta love em. I think we have our own language. We are only as good as our last performance and so we are always looking for more work. Work begets work. I am sharpening my tools. Voice lessons, acting lessons and constant networking. Oh and new head shots. I just got some new head shots the other day in Burbank. I was very pleased and you will soon see them online here and there. I sent 10 to my agent and she loved them all so that is a good sign.

If you all have any questions, please be sure to leave a comment and I will try to answer them. I had lunch with a friend yesterday and I was so surprised. She is a lovely woman but she volunteers her time all the time to friends. She is constantly picking people up and dropping them off. She works so hard for others (for free) and then she wonders why she never gets called in for any auditions. I try to tell her that it is okay to say No once in awhile and to be selfish with her time. She looks at me as though I am speaking French. I cannot understand why she is broke all the time and she doesn't understand why. Hello? Could it be because you work for free?

Oh well, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. How's that for a Midwestern saying? Once in awhile I will get nervous and out of my mouth will come another Midwestern saying. Crazy. You would think after all this time that would not occur.

Had a blast driving around Studio City today. It was such a beautiful day. My latest passion? Turtleneck shirts. When I am driving around LA, the hot sun is shining through the glass. The glass burns your skin. Then there is sun damage which is irreversible. So now I wear turtleneck blouses. They protect your neck and the decolletage area and your arms too. Pretty soon I'll be wearing a little hat and sunglasses just like Kate Hepburn. Oh wait! I do that too. Moving on....

Be $mart When It Comes To Finance$

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The other day I was talking about frugality and it is true, these are trying times. But as an actor it is important to be smart when it comes to finances. When I first became a professional actor and by professional I mean getting paid to act, I was so excited. I had done plays and student films. I had done industrials and even did make-up for indie films. I did extra work for $8/hr just to learn the ropes. As I got more familiar with acting and knew I wanted to do this for a living and not just a hobby, it became necessary to sit down with my family and have that financial talk.

Acting is not cheap. There are expenses for head shots, photographers, printing, postcards. You have to have reliable transportation to get to auditions and pay for parking. There are dancing classes and voice lessons and acting classes. You must have a decent wardrobe. You may also have a membership to a gym. Unless you are married to a sugar daddy or sugar mama, it takes juggling of time and finances to be successful.

When I first started getting paid for my work I put all my monies into the family account to help out. But then I quickly realized that acting jobs are hard to come by. And as soon as the money came in, out it went to help pay bills. Then I learned that it is important to put some of those monies aside for a rainy day.

Head shots should look like you. You cannot have a head shot from 4 years ago. They must be current. I actually have several that I use. A good head shot will get you an audition. It rarely gets you the job but it does get you in the door. So don't skimp on head shots.

On my last job which was a national commercial for Pepsi, I was talking with some of the other background actors. The moment I said that I used to be a banker I got every one's attention. Unfortunately, most people I meet on the set are good when it comes to being creative but they are not good when it comes to the business side of show business.

Many people spend all their money as soon as they get it. But what if the next acting job doesn't happen for 3 months? Then how do you eat? How do you pay the rent? How do you pay for the next set of head shots? It takes planning. Believe me I love to go out to eat and I love a fine dinner with wine. But if I ate that way every day I would be broke all the time. So now, I try to remember those lean times. And then I put away the rest for that rainy day. And rainy days will come, even in southern California. So remember, be smart when it comes to finances.

Time to be Frugal

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Actors - Hollywood...I love my actor friends. They are so special to me. Creative artists, dancers, actors, poets, writers, directors, camera men and women. I talk to so many others in the business. What I am finding is that we are all going through difficult times. Gone are the days when we could spend away and not worry about tomorrow. But how can a girl still look during a financial crisis? Read on...

I have been thinking of ways to be creative, save money and still do what we need to do. One of the things I love to do is get a manicure/pedicure. However, it will cost at least $25 and then add a tip. Or, you can watch how they do it, buy the essentials and save yourself some money by doing it yourself at home. I buy those little spongy toe separators. I buy a pumice stone to take away rough patches around the heels of your feet. You can then easily clip away toe nails, scrub the heels with a brush and then use your pumice stone. Wipe and pat dry. Use moisturizing lotion. Grab an emery board and shape your nails. Use the tools to take away any cuticles. Use the base coat, then your nail color. Let dry and then use your top coat to set your color. It normally takes 20 minutes to 30 minutes but then you save tons of $$$ and have fabulous looking nails.

Dollar stores are a great place to buy some of the above items. I also like to buy make-up sponges, round cotton type make-up remover, bath sponges, shower gel and cotton swabs. I also found eye shadow collections, black eyeliner pencils and lipsticks. Then I was surprised to find black demi false eyelashes. Oh my goodness, I couldn't believe my eyes. I grabbed 3 packs and really I should have put all of them in my little cart. When I went back to buy the rest of them, they were all gone. You can also buy tissues, paper towels and pot holders for $1 each. Why pay more?

One thing I won't skimp on is good shampoo and conditioner. I go to a professional hair stylist once per month to keep my color looking fabulous and to keep my hair neatly trimmed. As an actor, my product is me and I owe it to myself to stay in top form. My head shots are current and it is up to me to make sure I look like my head shot. If I have a fabulous head shot and I come in looking all scruffy and unkempt then what are casting directors going to think? I buy Paul Mitchell products and use only the best for my hair.

Visit your dentist at least twice per year. My dentist and the assistants love me. They always ask me when my next film is, commercial or print ad. They know I rely on them to keep my teeth looking fab. My insurance covers two visits per year. With teeth whitening, veneers and regular brushing and flossing, my teeth always look great.

Get your sleep! There is nothing like a good night's sleep to keep your skin looking good, your hair and eyes sparkly. Don't exercise right before bed time. Get a regular schedule so you can get some good sleep. If you are a worrier and have something huge coming up, you know you need your sleep. Once in awhile it is okay to take a sleep aide like Tylenol PM. It has helped me when I need an extra amount of sleep. But never take alcohol with sleep aids. A big no no!

Never fall asleep with your make-up on. Always moisturize before you go to bed and after washing your face first thing in the morning. Use a sunblock of 30 or higher.

I ran into an actor friend once at an audition. Her hair color had faded and her hair was all frizzy. She had no make-up on. Her overall appearance was tired and unkempt. I, on the other hand, was relaxed and refreshed. My hair looked good, my clothes were clean and pressed. I arrived 15 minutes early and was ready to go. I had directions, extra head shots with me and was eager to audition. I could tell that she knew I looked great and she was a mess. I felt badly for her but just for a moment.

This is a very competitive business. We owe it to ourselves to be our best and give our best at every audition. You can save money and still look good. You can be the professional that you know you are. You owe it to yourself to be your very best and to shine. It's never to late to begin. These principles are the same if you are an actor, a banker, a salesperson, or a nurse. Until the economy turns around we can still look great and be frugal too.