It's Only the Beginning!

That is exactly how I feel right now after a super charged meeting with our new accounts and development person for The Blake Aaron Radio Show. We have this incredible, positive energy around us and we are gaining steam. Who would have thought after a two-year journey of what felt like a zillion auditions and another zillion tries at online voice submissions...all, to find myself back at my two passions: radio and fitness. If I could add event management in, I would be living the dream! Of course, the fact that I'm healthy and my family is healthy is a dream. Truly. So, we are adding affiliates and getting requests to be on the show...I feel alive as a co-host and I know I am wired for this. Same with personal training. Changing lives and turning folks onto pushing iron and working hard. Wow! So, I'm still going on a few auditions...had one last week for a tailgating infomercial. Got paired up with a guy who obviously decided to "take charge" of the scene. Whatever. His energy would have sucked the life out of me before but I'm "experienced" now so I can block it. I think he bugged the casting directors, too, but who knows, maybe he got the husband role...I Didn't get the gig, but I felt really good about my performance. That's what you hope for in an audition. Also, did a VO for a USC thesis movie and my newscaster role for Justified is getting screened with the movie this Friday! I'm sure just when radio and fitness gets busier than ever, I'll get a bunch of auditions for gigs that seem "perfect" for me. That's the way it goes. Until then, this girl is feeling oh so optimistic and I sincerely hope that all of you have something in your lives that is giving you optimism and giving you a charge; something that uses your inherent talents; your experience...your education and/or your training!

Back From the Dead

Okay, not really. Just haven't been around for a while. Interesting thing when you absolutely have to make some money and everything else stops being a priority (with the exception of your family and your health...and, a nice glass of wine once in a while.) The good news is, I have been incredibly booked with personal training clients and really enjoying my time with all of them. Have I been on some auditions? Yes, a few here and there, but haven't been able to get to all the L.A., castings. Darn it. Really miss that drive. I was up off Santa Monica Blvd., last week, though. Paired up with "my husband" in a Dell Computer audition. We were supposed to be driving in a van and I was supposed to pass my laptop to my son in the back seat. Funny thing when you don't pay attention to directions. I forgot and proceeded to get up (out of my seat in the van that my husband was driving) and walk behind my seat to place the laptop down (on the box behind me). That resulted in a polite, "Okay, let's do that again. You can't get up, you're in a van driving along the countryside." What? I get up and walk around all the time on our road trips...shit...such a simple direction, but my mind was on other things, like the client I had to cancel to do this 10-minute audition and getting back to the OC in time to pick up my kids from school. At least my actor-husband messed up, too. Other good news, my radio show is doing really well. Check us out: The Blake Aaron Radio Show-Thursdays, live, 3-6p/PST on 88.5/KSBR and streamed on ksbr.net. We are in the process of syndicating so I will keep you posted on our progress. The BA Show is a 3-hour artist interview program with live jamming between the star of the show, jazz guitarist Blake Aaron and our guests. I'm a co-host - sort of a clean version of Robin Quivers! Overall, my life...all good...no swine flu, yet. And, I'll be back more often. In the mean time, get your holiday shopping done early so you can actually enjoy the season and give yourselves a 7:30p cut-off time for eating until Dec. 30th and you'll save yourselves a ton of calories! NEW PODCAST POSTED for more ideas. Check out my link! Cheers!

Crackberries, Trippin' and ROI

I have been focusing more on radio and fitness lately and less on my acting and VO stuff. A welcome break from about two years of insane L.A., driving, wacky non-union casting calls and endless internet VO submissions. One day, after a pretty cool gig - that at one point would have left me dancing on clouds yet now left me feeling comfortably grateful - I started to think about my ROIs (return on investments). It's a frightening concept if you give yourself time to think about it in depth. But, it also gives you clarity and direction. And, there's no better time to quietly reflect than on a vacation, (before you upgrade to a crack-phone, of course). The term "trippin" is, quite honestly, correct. I prefer the non-drug altering type, but whatever...it hit me at the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The ROI for the family that has been carving away at this monument is tremendous in an almost immeasurable way. I can't do the story justice without writing several pages but it did remind me of this: when we are pursuing our dreams, sometimes the sweat and tears amount to buckets and sometimes they come fleetingly. Sometimes the returns are tangible and sometimes, not. And, when we are in the middle of it, it's hard to know if what we are doing is worth it. Especially if you don't know what IT is. When was the last time you took a time-out from your normal schedule and traveled at least a few hours (or mega hours) to get perspective on IT? It's difficult to do unless you are AWAY from that which stares you in the face everyday. Standing in front of this gigantic, beautiful, barely-finished carving, thinking of the sacrifices and the poignant stories that follow the Native American Indians...visualizing my home and my daily activities and my frustrations and my joys and how MY personal journey affects those I care about so deeply, it suddenly became easy to distinguish the better choices I've made. I'm not saying that the hours driving to downtown L.A., or Burbank weren't worth it, I'm just saying that I have a better perspective on my big picture ROI and how the smaller pieces fit into IT. So...I'm feeling really good and super "freed" up to enjoy right where I am; to accept that I am really diggin' radio and fitness right now (even though I used to tell myself that I had moved on from those careers and that I needed to focus on acting and VO work); to accept that I can go on auditions once in a while and that I can pursue some VO gigs when I feel like it; that it was okay to change my podcast from bi-weekly to monthly and that if I were to join another realm of life (the next one after this earthly one), that I would have done a good job with my RIO's and my Blackberry, for God's sake! What about YOU? What about IT? Oh, yeah, and what about those Crack-Phones, right? Addicting? Hell, yes. I can see how that might happen, especially when I figure out how to work it. Thank goodness I got my phone during the last two days of our trip. I refuse to become one of those annoying Crack-Berry Heads! Especially, now that I have Crazy-Horse-Memorial perspective. It's time to get your own, or renew it. And, may you find peace and joy while you do!

Hits, Misses and Pole Dancing

Agent called for two auditions yesterday: one of them for a very nice job. Had plans to take the kids to Huntington Beach with friends. Hmmm. What to do. I went pole dancing...just kidding. More on that in a minute. Of course, I kept my plans with the kids and friends. It was worth it. I am one who hates to miss opportunities, but either way I would be missing one and in this case, I didn't want it to be Southern Cal Beach fun. It's getting easier to skip an audition and not feel like my career will be over...assuming a "career" started. Oh, yes, and my very shortened scene on Gene Simmons Family Jewels has sparked quite a few calls and comments. I feel like I've done very little in my short "career," yet I've been on national television twice and in the Los Angeles market several times, among other things. Time to count blessings and stop comparing myself to Jennifer Aniston. On to pole dancing. Now, that was f-ing crazy fun. My friend celebrated her 40th and rented a party bus for about 25 of us (couples). We drove around and had our cocktails in between bar stops. Sat right next to a pole in the back of the bus. Need I say more? A lot of latent sexual expression around us. Be honest. Wouldn't it be fun and liberating to have a few drinks and be encouraged to pole dance to a cheering group of adoring friends? Yes, I did a little myself and I don't even feel that pent up! Felt like college, again. Damn, that was fun. When is the last time you really had a crazy, fun evening/day? If it's been a while, don't wait. Make plans and go enjoy the beauty of being alive!

Reality Shows and Costco

I was training a client today in the gym and someone came up to me and said "I saw you on TV last night." I was surprised since my L.A., spot isn't running. It was the Gene Simmons Family Jewels show that I had shot last year. I am just happy that I made the cut, even though I was only on camera for about 7-seconds! My older son said "cool, mom, is that it" and my younger one just noticed how much shorter I was than Shannon. So much for impressing my kids. Good thing, really, since that kind of stuff shouldn't be that important. Want to impress your kids? Bring home lots of snacks from Costco. I did that tonight and now, I'm way cool! Much cooler than a one-and-a-half-second clip on a national promo for Ugly Betty on ABC TV or a seven-second-clip on a national reality show on A&E. No comparison...now, that's reality...All good and very quite theses days. Had an audition for a credit repair spot. The director trusted me with the "hardest prompter read" so I felt pretty good about that. Had a terrific time hosting the radio show I do with Blake Aaron last Thursday afternoon. He had a gig so I filled in by myself. My in-studio guest was Steve Oliver and he so cool and hip. More on that later. Done with audio books. Hangin' in my closet talking to a mic (by myself) for two hours a day just doesn't float my boat. Well, now I know. Heading to the Queen Mary with the kids tomorrow and hoping that the boys can all "just get along" for the day! It's so beautiful in Southern Cal right now, hope you have an abundance of beauty in your lives, too!

Rats and Radio

Okay, my life has continued to remain as crazy as ever, with the addition of a rodent that was eating us out of house and home. Yes, a nasty rat. We finally caught it in a trap, that our exterminator set for us...on the kitchen counter of all places. OMG! Gross. At least the little bites out of our apples on the center island will stop...yeah, the ones that I blamed on my boys. Anyway, radio comes into play again, my friends. I have, over the past several weeks, come to the scary realization that after doing all these various jobs and gigs, that I truly miss radio. I dropped out of my improv troupe. Very tough decision for me. Hate to let anyone down, but I just couldn't juggle everything anymore. Wouldn't you know, the very next day after making that decision, I got a call from a host asking me about joining his smooth jazz show. The thought of being able to do radio again was overwhelmingly positive and energizing. Focus on something I love and I know I'm good at for a while and relieve myself from constant auditions and rejections. Sounds like a nice break. Isn't it amazing how we can strive for something, spend time and money trying to obtain it and then come full circle and realize that we might just want to re-focus on something we've already done?! Give me a f-ing break. Well, I am kind of there. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy these fun acting gigs and I enjoy doing my podcast and some of the VO work, but I love radio, especially on-air, live, in-studio stuff. If I do get back on the air, I will definitely bring more to the table, after almost two years of acting, VO work and countless auditions. I believe everything we do is shaping us for what lies ahead. So, here I sit, hoping that my energies can work into more radio work so I can feel good about going on less auditions and driving in less traffic...speaking of acting. I got a free Oreck Air Purifier for agreeing to do a testimonial - but, they ended up not needing me...which was all good with me, especially since I love my purifer...perks, baby. Take them when you can! Wrapping it up, I am feeling a bit strange about my current situation. I should have a segment airing on an A&E show soon, I just had a commercial running in Los Angeles but I am more excited about backselling jazz songs, again. Peculiar, being "talent" and even more peculiar, how our life sometimes travels in complete circles! All good, though, since you know I will be at the next audition my agent sends me to, full of anticipation and hoping to nail it and the job...oh and BTW, Lady Chatterley's Lover is done and uploaded. Whew! I had to say the C-word several times. I love the F-word and hate the C-word with just as much passion...one thing I did learn from this novel, nothing has changed in regards to sex and relationships! Shalom!

In the Closet and On the Stage

Well, I am now into the sex scenes in Lady Chatterley's Lover, trying my best to record during the day before my boys get home from school. I'm actually glad I'm recording at home in my bedroom closet. Can't imagine doing "pick-ups" for an audio engineer..."ah, pick up at penis and can you soften the p..." So f-ing crazy busy right now, too, so I can't really enjoy this book as much as I want to. Have tons of PT clients, now, and since my improv troupe is performing starting on June 12th, our rehearsals have picked up. And, I need those, since I often S-U-C-K in the games. The good news, I have a character to work on for our soap opera "General Incompetence" which will be the last part of each show. I am now the office slut, Candie. The one who slept with the boss to get her job and will open her legs for just about any other male species who can move her up the rung. Should be fun, although we have to play it clean so no f-bombs, darn it. Anyway, lots of time rehearsing non-rehearsed skits, so we can look like we know what we are doing on stage. Trying to stay positive and hoping that I won't get gonged too often. OMG! Can you imagine the crickets in the room scenario if a game doesn't go well. Somebody shoot me. Good news...have a television commercial running and just got a free Oreck Air Purifier for an infomercial testimonial. Hopefully, it will work so I can tell the truth...not that infomercials are exaggerated, or anything! Peace and Love from Candie...who still needs a last name. I suggested Licious...too over the top?

Lady Chatterley and Ugly Betty

Two new women in my life. Starting a new audio book on Sunday and hopefully, watching myself in an ABC promo for one of their popular television shows! Okay. A surreal day. Shot a promotional piece for ABC and Ugly Betty today on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, across from where Jimmy Kimmel tapes. About 12 of us were picked and selected into two groups. I was in the first group. We walked out on the sidewalk and near the shoot location. Tourists and passersby were already starting to stare. Then the producer (or someone important from the show) pulled me aside and told me that I was going to be featured with lines and in front of the other four. OMG! I'm standing there doing my lines...people start gathering around us and taking pictures. I'm in front of the Kodak Theatre on the corner of Hollywood and Highland on the famous Walk of Stars. It was f-ing crazy! This is certainly not a huge deal for big-time actors, but for me, being in the exact spot, taping a national promo with tourists and a bunch of peeps watching as if I/we were celebs...it was like the first big event I did for Mark & Brian/KLOS Radio. They were so big and so popular. Listeners and fans were asking for my autograph and picture simply because I worked with them. But, this time was different. I was the talent. Whether or not I get as much face time as I actually filmed - ask me if I care. It was the BOMB. On to Lady Chatterley. Starting my recording of this classic book on Sunday. I guess there is a line about weaving flowers in pubic hair, or something like that. Dude, cool. Bring it on. My husband's hoping it will put me in the mood! Hey, maybe that's why he suggested I pick that novel for my next audio book...

Conduit and Improv Terrors

Having a lot of fun with my personal training clients and currently working on getting my small groups together. I recently did a free sample workout that included a short meditation exercise at the end. Often times, people are in tears and very emotional during and after the meditation. Well, this time, one person literally had an epiphany about her life and is in the process of major transformation. Wow! We can be conduits for the spiritual realm and certainly for God, and I guess, not even know it. My point, then...your words and actions may have impact on others in ways you'll never know - both good and bad. Don't take your energy and personal power for granted and share your strengths anytime you can. God...the universe...our guardian angels...we never know who needs us and who, here on Earth, is perfectly poised to use our messages or words to make necessary and incredible life changes...Okay, enough airy-fairy, preaching, but just had to share.

And, on to the acting world...the improv troupe I'm in has booked GIGS...yes, real-life improv performances in front of real peeps who will be either laughing, starring with the crickets in the background or booing, perhaps. OMG! I am in over my head, but I'm in and I'm going to see this through. Just hope I don't tell someone to "fuck off" if I get boo'd and walk off stage into the abyss, never to be seen or heard from again. Okay, now I'm getting dramatic! But, actually, I would love to tell someone to F-Off at least once in my lifetime. Someone who deserves it, of course. Admit it, you would, too! BTW, have a local spot running on tv right now. Pretty cool. Peace Out, Amigos!

Flying Cars and the Return of the Zit

Always happy to get castings so I have to start off by NOT whining about my drive to Sherman Oaks, today, although I would have given my right arm for a car with wings. I swear - I'm done complaining about my drive. Just had to mention that I envisioned a bat mobile or jet fueled hydraulic pumps sprouting out of the sides of my Honda mini-van, so I could fly away over all the nasty, backed-up traffic on the Ventura Highway...okay, onto the real stuff...my chin zit showed up again. Weird, ya know, since today's audition for a VERY BIG JOB was an infomercial for a vacuum cleaner...didn't I deal with this same zit during my filming for the Mop & Go infomercial? Hmmm, what is going on here? OMG, it will become my personal brand...the gal with the zit on her chin. Lovely. Anyway, the casting agency probably saw about 20-25 women for this, but as they say, you have to swing the bat to get a home run...or, something like that! It's so crazy, this biz, and it's sort of like gambling or childbirth - bare with me, I've done both. You take chances and spend money on it (gas, your time, wardrobe, headshots, etc.) and hope for a few small pay-offs here and there and a few big ones, too! Or, childbirth. Painful and a bit scary, but you forget about it right away, especially if you book a job - even a small one. Don't you all want to jump into this biz, now!? Yeah, right. Stick to Vegas and c-sections! Shalom and Peace on this upcoming Easter weekend! (BTW, I did book a testimonial job for an ad agency. Thank Yooouuu! The pain is gone already!)

Freakazoids on Melrose

Whew! Two days in a row of driving the 101 North into Los Angeles. Traffic, accidents, traffic and more accidents, oh, and more traffic. But, I did book a gig. The paying kind, again, so all good. Melrose Avenue is too f-ing fun. Crazy shops, boutiques, tattoo parlors and freakazoids walking around mingled in with the trendy, corporate types. Love it! What is it about being around funky, different people? A ZZ Top-looking guy riding a motorcycle with a suit on...a clown-juggler-mime looking character eating a sandwich next to me in Subway, and a beautifully-muscled, seriously cool "brother" chatting on his cell phone, inside some very expensive sports car, parked right next to my lovely, soccerMom-Honda Odyssey van and a few homeless or downtrodden folks mingling about. Today's audition - I don't think I was their type. You sort of get that inkling when the casting director asks the person before you to stay in the hallway for callbacks and then says, "thanks for coming in," to you. Whatever...it's the biz. Anyway, my zits have cleared up, just in case you're wondering...ah...yeah...and I am really enjoying my personal training job at Total Woman. Co-hosting on KSBR tomorrow, too. (ksbr.net). I am into so many different things right now. Just seeing what sticks, if you know what I mean. What kinds of things are you hoping might stick? "And, did I mention, I just shot a steamy love scene in a new flick starring Ashton Kutcher...APRIL FOOLS! Peace Out!

The Mop and The Zit

I know what you're thinking, gross. How in the world do those two things tie in together. Let me explain. I shot my testimonial for the Spin & Go mop this afternoon. This morning, to my horror, I awoke with a fairly large red bump on my chin. Being no stranger to acne breakouts, I knew immediately, I was in for a battle. Can't touch it. Don't mess with it. By God, don't try to squeeze it. How is that luck? I get a fairly large gig, good pay, and I bring along my friend Mr. Pimple. WTF?! Anyway, as they lighted my shot, all I could imagine was the zit growing larger by the moment, literally taking over the entire camera lens and looking grosser by the minute. Truly, it wasn't that bad, but try doing your lines (faster than you had planned) with Pimple-Land on your mind. What a drag. Anyway, got through it and I believe the client was happy. I can't imagine him saying, "hey, you didn't have a zit in the audition" or "can we shadow that zit on her chin..." but that was what I was imagining. And, yes, I covered it up with make-up. Still, I knew it was there. I'm sure it will be gone by tomorrow morning, so I can look really good for my spin class...and, no, I am not adding a pic to this post! Here's to adult acne...making you look like a teen when your middle-aged. (I still don't feel any better.)

The Sound and The Mop

Spent all day at 100.3, The Sound in Los Angeles yesterday, filming and interviewing. Seriously, fun! I could do that for a job, as in everyday. Hopefully, the footage will be as good as I think it is. The Sound is a newer rock station in our market. And, Whew-Hoo, I booked that infomercial/testimonial for the Mop & Go I auditioned for last Sunday, when I was driving home actually thinking I actually had a chance on that one. For once, I was right, in a good way. (Verses the self-talk that goes something like this..."well, that sucked. I definitely didn't get that job.") This is such a strange biz. I'm all excited about a mop...

Testimonial Time and Getting Screwed

Two auditions over the last several days, both for testimonials. Funny thing, after I was done, I actually wanted to buy the product and service! Hate to admit our dirty little secret, not that you don't already know, but those are "posers" and "fakers" when you see ads with satisfied customers. Well, not all of them...but, most! Anyway, felt good about both the companies so that helps! In fact, I was feeling really good about today's audition so I was happily driving home from Marina del Rey - all good and thinking to myself, "what a great day" - until the driver in front of me, who appeared to be going around a car that unexpectedly made a right turn, actually didn't and I couldn't stop in time, thereby slightly tapping the back of her bumper...enough to leave a small imprint of a little screw from my front license plate on her rear bumper. Back to f-ing reality. Nothing like getting screwed by a screw...If I do get lucky enough to book one of the jobs, the pay will probably be eaten up in "bumper" charges. Whatever...working on a new VO job and get to write as well...should be starting a new infommercial VO job tomorrow...now, if I can just not jump anymore rear ends...okay, you know what I mean! Drive carefully!

Did I just See Two Naked Women?

Yeah, I think I did! I will be filming a newscaster role for an independent film called Justify. Really nice production values; a great production/directing team and a role that I know I am suited for so I am thrilled that I will have a clip from this. Recently saw the trailer on the movie, which is incidentally getting festival interest, and saw two naked women getting it on - yes, they were hot, too...not that I noticed...ewww. And, not that I wouldn't have agreed to the part, I just didn't realize that it was a festish film. Okay, now you are all interested, aren't you?! What a coincidence that I just did my last podcast on intimacy, too. Anyway, have new headshots that I love, yet all of the sudden I have been getting more VO than on-camera. Go figure. I guess I need to redo my VO reel... Improv class is going well. Love being the most inexperienced and unprepared...umm, NOT...but, it's so good to be out of one's comfort zone. A lot of F-bombs flying in there and I have a real love affair with that word, so that makes it fun. Picked up some PT clients...whatever it takes! Hope you are all surviving the lay-offs. Peace Out!! :)

Stretch Thyself

Recently shot a Sammy Hagar music video at Chapman University. Song is called "LOUD," and it's rather quite rockin' out! Not sure when and where it will air...speaking of which, the Wayne Brady "You&Me" video is playing on his site. If you look hard enough, you might see part of a blade of my hair on the left side of the screen...yeah...but, still fun to do and be a part of. So why the title Stretch Myself? Because I am in an intermediate Improv class at South Coast Rep that is a challenge for me. Everyone else in the class has had improv classes and/or a lot of theater. Yikes. You really gotta think fast and have lots 'o trivia stored away. I'm having a hard time even accessing "six one word movie titles" in about 20-seconds and that's just during the warm-up exercises. Anyway, I'm feeling a bit anxious about all of it, but I know that's a good thing! Instructor and classmates way cool, too! Also, I just signed a contract to voice and edit for an audio book company. I have a beautifully-written, ancient literature piece called Adam Bede that is "kickin' my ass," and is certainly a big s t r e t c h for me as a VO artist - the endurance aspect of it, really. The text is quite enjoyable, thank goodness, although I have to read a bunch of Huckleberry Finn-like slang such as "we'i wenup to the brook and sawitdunn fullo'rain"......and, finally, this isn't a stretch, but I just landed a role as a reporter in a non-union feature film. This is one of the roles that I have been wanting to play - a natural fit, I would think, so I'm looking forward to reporting about a dead body or something like that! I kind of feel good about 2009, which seems odd, since our economy is in such turmoil. But, we have new national leadership, and I am getting some work, so I'll ride this positive momentum as long as I can!