I Fought The Fridge...

Well it's been a week since the move.

I'm happy to report that no one was crushed by the fridge.
I'm sad to report that I had nothing to do with the move of the fridge. I left that up to those who were confident about moving it.
I'm embarrassed to report that I almost fell down the stairs while carrying a large wooden chair while joking about falling down the stairs.

Yeah.

It's been a long week of running around, spending money and settling in. I'm so happy it's almost all complete. Moving is a pain in the ass...I don't recommend it at all.

So with this part of the transition over, I'm hoping to have enough wherewithal to focus and get my life on track. It's a New Year and I'm going to make the most of it.

Ruth vs The Fridge

Wow! It's amazing how time has gotten away from me. Life has a way of getting in the way of life, doesn't it?

Life has been presenting many challenges to me of late and as much as I'd like to think I'm rising to the occasion, I find myself paralyzed and stressed out. And not in a stressed out gnashing of teeth kind of way. More of a silent suspenseful, what's going to jump out from behind that closet door kind of way.

For example, I'm in the process of moving. Which is stressful in and of itself, but right now, that stress is compounded by the thought of moving my fridge.
Down a flight of stairs.
Across town.
And into a new place.

I already have trouble walking down stairs just carrying my purse, so trying to navigate a flight of stairs with a heavy appliance seems like a task of herculean proportions. I have several friends who feel that it's not that big of a deal, but if we're only as strong as your weakest link, I'm scared. The weakest link being me, of course.

I've had to do a few things.
1. Put my fear aside. Honestly, what's the worst thing that could happen? I mean, of course, I could be crushed by a fridge at the bottom of the stairwell, but what are the chances of that happening?
2. Put my faith in my friends...and their ability to move heavy objects. I have strong friends who have strong husbands. Well, a strong friend with a really strong husband and a sister who does a lot of heavy lifting on a daily basis. That and I have faith in that and my medical insurance.
3. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger. Well, let's hope for strength gained. We'll see how it goes. I'm for sure going to have to eat my Wheaties in the morning.

I was going to try to bring this around to some kind of point about overcoming adversity, but whatever. We'll see how the move goes and I'll save the triumphant speech for when I've actually overcome it.

Peppermint Bark Ice Cream

This post has nothing to do with Peppermint Bark Ice Cream other than it's the holiday season and I just happen to be eating it right now.

It's so good.

Thanksgiving has just passed and now it's full speed ahead to Christmas and the New Year. Good times. As always, I'm looking back over the past year and my first reaction is to wonder where the time went. But changing my outlook a bit, I realize that 2009 has been a pretty good year. Although I haven't made huge strides in my acting career, I've been able to get several time consuming tasks out of the way which will making auditions and getting myself out there a lot easier. I've remained employed at my 9-5...which is awesome and getting myself in a good place will help with the next leg of my journey.

I've also seen many of my friends have success in their various endeavors which has made me so happy. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my friends pop up unexpectedly on my TV screen. They are all an inspiration to me and giving me a reason to stop resting on my laurels and get my head in the game. One friend that I'm especially proud of is Jason Rogel. He's booked several gigs this year and is so deserving of all the success he's been experiencing. The sky is the limit! His latest and greatest is an indy film called 'Splinterheads'...which I would love to see...so in a shameless plug, please demand it come to LA. There's a red carpet somewhere with my name on it.

View all Splinterheads tour dates

Well, that's it for now...back to getting ready to usher in 2010!

Fun With Self Portraits

Does anyone else thing that all these social networking sites have really fed into our narcissistic tendencies? Where/when else is it okay to talk all about yourself, go on about your opinions, what you think, what you're doing, where you're going, and not to mention making it perfectly acceptable to sit in your car for 30 minutes taking pictures of yourself?

Although I embrace my vanity to a certain extent, I refuse to think of this quest to take the perfect self-portrait as such. It's art! It's a document. A document of my new haircut. Half of which you can't see. A document of me at this time in my life. A document of...me. Ok. Let's call a spade a spade. It's vanity.

But it is a pretty cute picture, right?

Hair Cuts

So I got my hair cut today. I go to one of these little hole in the wall shops here in LA and I really have to say the my hairdresser always does an excellent job. Then again I'm pretty easy. I figure whatever may go wrong only has a matter of time before it grows out. Thank god I haven't haven't had a single disaster.

My hairdresser, Audrey, cracks me up. She for some reason seems to think I work at a restaurant. I don't. She's selective about what she calls me out on in regard to my hair. When I casually mention I'm thinking about coloring, she says no, I don't need to...besides it will only make my hair more dry. How did she know I've spent that last month and a half trying different shampoos and conditioners trying to achieve moisture nirvana? She compliments me when I do a good job on straightening my hair in the back, but tells me my curling iron is too hot. How does she know I push the heat setting to 11? But she never calls me out when I take the scissors to my own hair or when I reappear with subtle highlights. I know she notices. Is she toying with me? Does she figure I'll eventually disfigure my look so much that I'll learn to leave well enough alone? I just can't tell. She's keeping me guessing.

Win-Win

There are a few things that I'm not a big fan of in the acting game.

Monologues would have to be number one in my book. While I often find myself speaking out loud to no one at all, it's usually something along the lines of 'please do some laundry' or 'you forgot to take that damn library book back again' but never long speeches revealing my deep inner thoughts and conflicts. Monologues, in my opinion, are just unnatural.

Improv. It's not that I can't think on my feet, I'm fairly quick, really. It just something about improv that rubs me the wrong way. It's always a lot of fun when I've done it, but somehow I don't look forward to doing it. Maybe because it seems like everyone else is? Who knows? I've decided to get over my attitude toward improv and am now in an improv class. Maybe appreciation comes from really giving it another try? We'll see.

Cattle calls. Something about an open casting calls makes me itchy. So many people. So much time. And it usually involves standing in the heat. I haven't gone to many open calls, so my experience is limited at best. When I did go, I was driven by stories of actors who have been "discovered" at a casting call. The pessimist in me, however, says that my chances improve if the casting director saw my picture before hand and specifically asked for me rather than just showing up sight unseen. But thousands of people show up to casting calls and from those casting calls shows get cast, so it has to be benefiting someone, right?

Well a friend's experience this past week has really spoken to the optimist in me. On Monday, she had gone to an open casting call for the touring production of 'The Color Purple'. She texted me right after and said that she was invited to a callback on Wednesday. We texted back and forth then she said they called and asked her to come back the following day, Tuesday instead. The next day, she texts me to say that the second audition didn't go as well, she was expecting to read for a certain part and she got a bit tongue tied and was really upset with herself. I tried to be encouraging and let her know how proud I was that she went and that it would all work out. That this wasn't the end, it was just the beginning. Well, later that night, she was called back again...to read for the part she wanted. I told her to put it all out there, no regrets, no holding back. Well that's just what she did and I couldn't be more proud of her. Of course it would be awesome if she is casted the part and gets the opportunity to perform around the country. I would love for that to happen. But what is most awesome is that she went and did it. And what she came back with mentally is invaluable. The confidence to do what we do with no regrets. The ability to give something her best shot, full out and not hold back. The lesson that anything is possible, even at an open casting call, in the midday heat with every actress in LA trying to one up you. Now that's priceless.

The Rainbow Connection

I just returned to LA from a wonderful week away in Seattle. Our family reunion was last weekend and it was great being able to spend some time with cousins, aunts, uncles and friends that live so far away. Of course with a family like ours it never seems like enough time.

While in Seattle, we visited the EMP. What a cool museum. We jammed on some instruments, saw Jimi's busted up guitars and even saw the glove and jacket Michael Jackson wore on Motown 25 when he debuted the Moon Walk. But the coolest thing I got to do was to be a muppet! There was an interactive exhibit where visitors could experience what it's like to be a muppeteer. It was so freaking cool that I'm seriously considering a career path change. Ha ha...I wonder what the audition would be like. Two contrasting muppet monologues? I hate monologues. Maybe a muppet improv? I can barely do improv myself, much less with a muppet. Maybe I need to rethink this.

Wow...

I've been so lazy. Lazy about a lot of things, but one of the biggest is keeping up with keeping up!

The point of this blog was to keep up with what was going on with me as an actress...so I guess you can see how things have been going, huh?

Somewhere along the way, I decided to take on regular work, which is the antithesis of being an arteeest, right? Well, I'm actually pretty happy about my decision because the regular 9-5 has allowed me to keep my head above water during this financial downturn.

It's not that I'm not still thinking about it though.

To be honest, I need to get out of my own way. Time ticks away everyday and the regrets just grow bigger and bigger and bigger. It's time to put it all out there, but this time not give up or start listening to all those voices telling me that it might not happen.

So, as things go along, this blog may become less about the trials and tribulations of me and my struggle in the industry and more about me and my struggle as an individual. Should be interesting, right?

Oh, and a huge shout out to my good friend and inspiration, Jason Rogel, who's new indie feature length film, Splinterheads, is showing at the Maui Film Festival!

It's been an awfully long ime sine I've updated my blog. Sad that I've let it go for so long. But once again, it's a new year and it's time for a change. I'm going to take a page from my brother's book and make an effort to be the best me I can be. And that means blogging regularly, right? I suppose so.

Of course I missed the regular calendar New Year, so Chinese New Year will have to do. And to celebrate, I'll be heading downtown to celebrate. The Lunar New Year Parade and Celebration.

I'm looking for a good time amongst the peeps. Happy New Year everyone!

And So It Begins...

I love my new pictures! I just had some printed up and the search for a new agent begins. Fun stuff. In the mean time, writing continues as does submitting myself for smaller projects.

I did have a great experience this past weekend. I took a Commercial Casting Director Intensive class at the Orange County Commercial Actor's Workshop with Mariko Ballentine. It was such a great experience and I feel I learned quite a lot and received a lot of useful feedback.

So with my new headshots in tow, we're off to the races!

New Headshots!

I had some pictures taken last week by the amazing Carolyn Ozimok. I can't tell you how happy I am with them. I liked almost all of them, but thought I would share my favorite four.

Let me know what you think...

Happy Lunar New Year!

Gung Hay Fat Choy, everyone! Tomorrow is the start of a new cycle in the Lunar Calendar...the Year of the Rat. As I was born under this Sign, I'm pretty excited about the promise this year holds. I'm not leaving it all up to mythology...I'm looking forward to challenging myself and putting in some hard work.

Here's to the New Year! Again!

2008!

Wow, another New Year's celebration has come and gone. 2007 was great, but I am certainly looking forward to even bigger challenges and rewards this year.

Here's to 2008!

Readjustment

Well, it's been almost a week since returning from Paris and I think I finally have my head screwed on right. The jet-lag wasn't that bad, but I was walking around in a fog for a few days there.

I came back feeling really motivated and feeling like the sky is the limit...so being back at home is all about sustaining that feeling. In Paris we walked everywhere, didn't watch tv at all, and just really enjoyed our surrounding. And being at the festival with so many creative people was amazing. With this new found fire, I'm really motivated to work on a screenplay. I'm working [and reworking] the storyline and making a plan to get this done.

And speaking of motivation and new found fire, director Amber Sharp has a 90-day goal to get her series, Don't Go on the air. To see the challenge and how you can help, check out the website.

Even More!

More pictures from the Cineffable festival and Paris are on my flickr account...go see. Enjoy!

Pictures!

New pictures from Paris posted to Flickr. Check them out! Click on the photo link above.

May?

Lord, this year is going by quickly! What's new? Well, I just finished shooting a grad film called 'Coffee Run'. What a great time! The crew was awesome and the cast was great to work with. I had such a blast. I was really looking forward to shooting this project and I think that it will live up to my expectations in the final cut.

I was a little lackadaisical about sending out my headshots over the past month and because of that I don't have anything lined up at the moment. But after a good haircut and some mental rest, I'm back in the game and looking forward to auditioning. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Roscoe Lee Browne died yesterday. You may not know his name, but I'm sure you recognize his face, and definitely his voice. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Browne twice. The first time was after a performance of August Wilson's 2 Trains Running on Broadway. To this day, it is the best piece of theatre I have ever seen. He was gracious and signed my playbook and took a picture with me. The second time was at a bar in Burbank. I had gone for a drink after work and there he was, sitting alone in the corner. I approached him, told him how much I loved the play and he was kind enough to engage in conversation with me for a few minutes.

I'm glad that he has found relief from any suffering he was experiencing with his cancer battle, but at the same time, I am saddened by the loss of another of our great actors.

Note: 2 Trains Running will be opening this month at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Another of the original cast members and a friend of mine, Al White, will be performing.

Plucky

So, I watched Cameron Crowe"s movie Elizabethtown the other night. Although the reviews weren't very good, I found that I really liked this movie. The blurb about the movie described Kirsten Dunst's character as 'plucky'.

Don't we all wish that we could be 'plucky'? The kind of person that everyone loves hanging out with, the person who always has something witty and fun to say, is deep without being preachy, and is 'hard to forget, but impossible to remember'.

Well, not everyone is plucky. Plucky sometimes toes the line with annoying...with annoying usually winning out. But we all have moments of being plucky...especially while on vacation or around people we don't know.

I guess since I'm usually around people I know and won't be on vacation until July, I have months of being non-plucky. Hmmm...maybe I'll just have to write something in which the character I play could be considered plucky. Speaking of which, I just finished my first screenplay [that was a long lead in, huh?]. The first draft is being looked over by some friends for feedback and at that point, I'll start preproduction. HA! It feels so cool to say that. I'm just going to marinate on that for a little bit.

New Direction

Well, I'm feeling pretty good about myself.

I just finished my first screenplay.

I had the idea, wrote it all out in a night and have been proofing, moving things around and rewriting, rewriting and rewriting some more. I took a few days away and will look it over again with fresh eyes before sending it out the friends for their opinions. Hopefully they won't be too harsh.

Aside from that, the weekend is here and it's time for a little road trip. It's nice to get away and refresh one's senses with something new and beautiful. I'm looking forward to it. Open road, here I come...hmmm sounds like another idea for a screenplay...

Too Cool...

I just had the greatest experience ever! While trying to find my cousin's All-Star Game commercial, I turned on the Logo network and there I was. Me! Logo has been rerunning the Short Film program and I finally caught it. Although I've seen the film several times, it's still cool as hell to see myself on TV.

Upward and Onward! This is just the beginning!

Kudos!

I wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to some of my peeps who have some exciting stuff going on right now.

Congratulations to Jason Rogel on being cast in Corbin Bersen's indie film! Jason impressed Corbin so much that his part was expanded. Thank God somebody recognizes his amazing talent!

Congratulations to my cousin, Omar, for booking an NBC All-Star Game commercial! Keep an eye out for it during the game. Not only is he family, he's a very talented actor.

Congratulations to Carolyn Ozimok who decided to make a huge life change and dedicate herself to her art and her photography. What an inspiration!

As for me, the director of Triple Minority, Amber Sharp, has offered me a part in her pilot that will be shooting this month. It's called Don't Go and I like to describe it as a cross between Melrose Place and The L Word. I'll be reunited with some of the cast and crew from Triple Minority and am so excited we'll have the opportunity to work together again.

That's it for now...more exciting news on the horizon!

Welcome to the New Year

Ok, so we're a few weeks into the new year. I finally feel like I've recovered from the holidays and am ready to face the new year's challenges head on.

My agent and I are getting everything in order for pilot season and commercial auditions. I also just auditioned for a student film that I would love to be a part of. The audition went very well [no regrets!] and I should know midweek if I have a call-back.

Wish me luck!

It's The Holiday Season

The holidays are in full effect. Shopping, shopping shopping and gift wrapping is about to get underway.

Regardless, I'm still submitting for projects and think that I've found an agent that will be proactive in the coming year.

Also, check out the new Triple Minority website.

One Step...

I've been told a lot over the years that if I take one step toward what I want, my dreams will take a step toward me.

Well, long story short, I've really turned my focus to making my dream happen. It's only been two days and Steven Speilberg called today and wanted me to star in his next movie.

Ok, it hasn't been that dramatic.

What has happened is I have an audition for a student film on Wednesday, a shoot for a TV show on Thursday and a friend called to inform me that she's finished with her script for a TV pilot.

Not bad for stepping closer together, huh? Oh and Steven, if you have my number, don't be shy.

Renewed Goals

Well, I've taken a week away from the hectic buzz of LA to recharge my batteries over at my brother's in NoCal. It's been great.

Now that I'm running at full capacity, pictures and resumes of yours truly are going to be flying into the hands of theatrical and commercial agents all over town. With the film online and being the 5th most watched and 10th highest ranked for this season of shorts, I've got a lot to offer to potential agents.

If anyone has leads on agents who are seeking new talent, leave me a comment!