The Electrifying Bionic Showgirl

The Academy Awards were on last night, and while we had a fun little get together with friends, the show wasn't that exciting this year.  I have a theory that the Awards Show is good every other year.  I was super into them last year with movies like 'Black Swan,' 'The Social Network,'  and 'The Fighter.'  I saw almost all the movies in 2009 as well, like 'Slumdog Millionaire,' 'Milk,' and 'Doubt.'  Don't get me wrong, there were some great nominations this year, but compared to last years Oscar Party hosted by my friends, Dale & Thi, nothing was going to compare to the fun and excitement of that!

I had a Commercial Audition today in West Hollywood for the Broadway Show 'Follies' which is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre here in Los Angeles.  I got there right on time, signed in, and in a couple minutes, a girl looking very much like Marilyn Monroe walked out and said good luck.  Apparently, they had my headshot on file, which is why they called me in, and B* recognized me right away.  Awesome :)  I wasn't even sure what role I was auditioning for, and the only information they gave me prior was to wear form-fitting clothes that I could do a little choreography in.  When I got into the room they showed me was a 2 second clip of a show girl moving across the stage.  M* & B* told me do some dance steps, and to move elegantly and gracefully.  No problem!  I slated and then did a couple dance moves, turns, and smiled, and the audition was over in 30 seconds.  Before I left they commented on me being Lindsay Wagner the 'Bionic Woman,' we had a nice laugh over it, and then I told them that my brother is also Robert Wagner.  Hopefully, I made a strong and personable impression on them!

My usual Yoga Class on Monday evenings has been postponed for another couple weeks, as I found out tonight, Jo is in Australia.  I tried a new class tonight, and the duo of Noah and Christina kicked my butt.  It was a level one class, but they said, technically two with attitude.  Yes it was!  I felt like every 15 minute increment was another half hour!  I gave myself props because I held up well, but it was so different from my usual class, I just wasn't used to it.  I'm really looking forward to Jo being back in late March.

Earlier in the day I received a phone call to confirm my availability on Friday for the '1000 Ways to Die' shoot, and then just 2 hours later got another call saying the show was being put on hiatus.  They said when they start shooting again, they will definitely call me back in to film, but I'm just hoping the show isn't permanently cancelled.  What a bummer!  But then this morning while I was getting ready for my audition, I was curling my hair, and all of a sudden felt a jolt through my wrist that went up my arm.  I didn't want to assume the worst and kept curling my hair, when literally, on my last section, I started to unwind it, and POP, sparks fly, and another jolt.  Pretty sure I was electrocuted...ok, shocked, for those less dramatic...twice!  Thank goodness I didn't start myself or anything else on fire!  So that was the end of my curling iron, but it got me to thinking about the quote, lightning never strikes twice in the same place...perhaps I'm on God's good graces today and I have some luck coming my way :)  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

*Side note:  I spoke to a Conair Representative about the Curling Iron who said because I was no longer under the 2 year warranty, that there wasn't much he could do, but he would send the claim to the Warranty Department and hopefully they could help, super nice guy, and I appreciated his help.  After the conversation I just had with a Supervisor, Doug, in the Warranty Dept, I wish they had never called me to 'help'.  They said they would send me a new Curling Iron but I would have to pay for the Shipping of my old Curling Iron, and also write a check to pay for the Shipping of the new one to me.  That may only be $10, but with all that hassle, it would be easier to just go to Target and get the same model for $17.  OR buy a different brand because it concerns me that a product that actually shocked someone, and had sparks fly off of it, would be the consumer's fault.  I guess I'm lucky it didn't start a fire or injure me, because who knows how they would have tried to 'fix' it.  Like I said, I would have rather never heard anything back than be insulted and disappointed by their lack of customer service.  I don't think I'll be buying any Conair products in the future.

Cues & Chalk

After Dinner on Saturday Night, Neil and I decided to go out and have a drink, and do something we don't normally do, so we went into Gabe's for Karaoke (which is not our usual night we go in), to play some darts or pool.  No cocktails for me, so I ordered a Blue Moon with a splash of OJ, because I can't drink soda either...no hard alcohol is proving to be a challenge and I like it!

Neil and I set up to play some pool, put our quarters in and started our first game.  There are two tables at Gabe's, and no one is playing at the table next to us, and this guy comes and puts down a roll of quarters...A ROLL!  Neil and I look at each other, we're playing for fun, and clearly playing together, why would someone put down quarters on a table when there is an open table next to us?  Then I get called to sing, and I figure they'll move to the next table, and the guy actually asks Neil if we're going to finish our game or not?  I could understand if the other table was full, and in that case, I would have passed my turn to sing so we could finish our game and be polite to those who fairly put money down, but this was kind of ridiculous.  Literally, seconds after the game is done, the guy is putting his quarters in and racking the remaining balls on the table.  Neil and I decline the game (and trust me, we would have won), but it was more the principle of the matter...we were there to have fun and play together and someone came in to be competitive and just weren't in that kind of mood.  So I got another buck in quarters and put money in the table next to them.  Neil and I were able to play in peace for the rest of the night :)

Both of us got up to the mic to sing a couple times and I didn't even plan on it, but sang a new song, and did 'Joey' by Concrete Blonde.  I can't wait to do it again when I actually know it better because it's a good song choice as Simon Cowell would say.  Neil killed 'Why Georgia Why,' by John Mayer too!  I'm going to be Hosting Karaoke on Saturday Night this next week because I'll be filming for '1000 Ways to Die' on Friday, so it was kind of nice to get a feel for the Saturday crowd.

And if you're wondering who won the pool game...it was definitely a good match but Dubbs came out on top...I'm sure a re-match is in order.  Perhaps that's why you always want to play Darts, Daly ;)

Scary Stories!

Last night I Hosted Karaoke at Gabe's and we had another slow week...what's going on out there, Friends?  I thought last week it was a day after Valentine's Day thing...then perhaps it could be because everyone's preparing their taxes and realized they have overspent...and then I heard it...we've got a couple people out, regulars and some co-workers who are sick with Bronchitis!  One thing my Mom always said when we were little was, put a coat on, put your hat on, put your gloves on, it's cold outside, you're going to catch a cold.  As I got older, I learned you can't catch a cold from being cold, so that would always be my response, to which I would hear from my Mom, well, it doesn't help, so put your coat on.  California is living proof that it can be absolutely beautiful outside, it was 80 degrees today, and people are dropping like flies!  So many people are sick or have been sick with Bronchitis in the past month or so.  I've been lucky so far that I haven't gotten it, but trust me, I've been washing my hands non-stop, keeping warm, and trying to stay healthy so I can avoid it this season.

Anyway...we still managed to have a good night at Karaoke even though my main customer was, Mustard.  Yes, his nickname was Mustard...I didn't ask any questions.  He liked to sing and kept me entertained, so I really can't complain :)  My new song of the night was The Ronette's, 'Be My Baby,' from 'Dirty Dancing.'  I want to work on it more, because it was a really fun song.  I also got back to a couple songs I haven't sang in a while like Pat Benatar and Tracy Chapman.  I did get offered my first drink of Lent, and turned that Margarita down pretty easily...thank goodness I had an audition today, so I had a good excuse to say no.  Karaoke was pretty low-key and I was glad to get to bed early for my audition today!

My audition was for a Horror Film, and was a cold reading with the sides available at the audition, so my only prep was making sure I was relaxed, comfortable, and confident.  The drive to Manhattan Beach was quick, and it was in a neighborhood with some beautiful houses.  It went fairly quick, and I did the scene 3 times, three different ways, and felt like I was really able to give a good range of emotions and different takes so I hope the Director will be happy when she sees the footage.  After I read the scene the Writer had me tell a scary story, so I told her about my old Waitressing job at Siebkin's in Elkart Lake, Wisconsin.  The building was totally haunted and I used to have to open at 5 am for Breakfast and I was there all alone until guests would come down around 6 am.  I heard noises, pots and pans clanging, water running, lights would switch on and off, and I even saw ghosts and pictures moving.  One day I was so scared I locked myself in the freezer...I have no idea what I was thinking, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.  At least the ghosts seemed friendly, just family of the the family that currently owned it, and from time to time they would make their presence known to the staff and even guests.  Oh how I miss that job.

I also spent some time today looking at Casting Workshops and found a couple in the next month or two that look really good, so I can get some more training in!  I got a re-shoot date for the '1000 Ways to Die' story for next week, so I'm excited for that.  I've got some left-over Olive Garden, picked up 'What's Your Number,' at the Redbox, and the apartment to myself...I'm a happy girl.

47 Days

Today I had one of those awesome work-outs where you really feel like you worked hard, and know the hard work is paying off.  I suppose it didn't hurt that a couple who was working out at the stairs when I was, asked if I was training for something.  Nope just working hard to look and feel my best :)  Yesterday is my usual Yoga day at Yogaglo, and unfortunately, my class got cancelled, so I did Yoga at home for almost an hour, semi-following a practice that was on On Demand, but also incorporating the poses and techniques I've been doing weekly at Yogaglo.  So this week has started off incredible!

Today is Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras aka the day before Ash Wednesday, for us Catholics.  I like to give up something for Lent, and usually I give up Soda, Fast Food, Junk Food, and Candy.  I don't drink a whole lot of soda, or go out for Fast Food that often, or even eat candy that regularly, but when I add them all up, it becomes a challenge.  Subway does not count for junk food, and ordering a Grilled Chicken Salad at McDonald's is acceptable, in my book anyway.

Right now, I'm thinking of adding no hard alcohol, to what I'm giving up.  I'm not saying I'm going to buy a bottle of wine every night, because that's not helping me, but if I feel like a glass of wine or a beer if I'm out watching a sporting event, I'd like to partake in the festivities!  Most people during Lent have one cheat day a week, but since I'm not cutting everything cold turkey, there are no cheat days for me.  I will say this though, any candy I still have in the house is fair game, and I have a little bit of Passion Fruit Vodka left...besides it was Valentine's Day last week, and all that candy was on sale on February 15th.  Maybe I'll just have to eat or drink it all tonight!

So in 47 days I will be craving a Root Beer, having Taco Bell, getting a DiGorno Pizza, eating some Cadbury Cream Eggs, and enjoying a Vodka Tonic.  I'm predicting on April 9th I might be sick...

What's for Dinner? Part 3.

On Saturday Night I wanted to do a nice big Dinner, something special, because it had been so long since I cooked something 'fancy.'  First I set the apartment with candles, grabbed some of the petals off my roses, scattered them on the table and put on the Swingers & Standards Music Channel on TV.  Then I started cooking...

The Set Up!

*I picked those little white and purple flowers when I left Church on Saturday Night and they are currently making my apartment smell amazing!*  

I wanted a Mexican Feast, so I decided to make Chicken Fajita's with Spanish Rice, Corn, a Salad to start, and also needed dessert, so I baked a Cake. 

Here are the ingredients needed for tonight's "What's For Dinner?'

Chicken Fajita's

1 Lb Chicken Breast

1/2 an Onion

1 Bell Pepper

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1/2 Cup Water

Fajita Seasoning

Tortilla's

I bought Del Monte canned Corn because I was looking for a specific flavor.  Normally, I would steam corn or use frozen, but the canned Corn fit my meal.  I also got Rice A Roni's Whole Grain Spanish Rice and just followed the recipe. 

For my Salad I used both Arugula and Butter Lettuce, topped with Mushrooms, and did a Catalina Dressing to keep with my Mexican idea.  I just looked it up, and Catalina derives from a Kingdom in Spain.  Pretty cool and glad it fit with my theme :)

Chicken, Peppers, and Onions sizzling away!

I cut my chicken breasts into strips and then heat a pan and put my olive oil in, once it was warm, I added my chicken which sizzled away.  Luckily, I had my apron on, so I wasn't getting spattered by the hot oil.  While the chicken was cooking, I cut both a yellow and orange bell pepper in half, used a half from each, and cut those into strips.  I also cut an onion in half and chopped it.  Make sure the chicken is cooked completely, and no longer pink before you add the water, fajita seasoning, and your vegetables.  I let that cook for a few minutes, so the vegetables were still crisp, but everything had taken on the fajita seasoning and had a great flavor.  Then I loaded a tortilla with my fajita fixings, along with some Mexican Cheese and Sour Cream.  It was a fairly simple meal but I was glad to try something different and out of my comfort zone.

A Mexican Feast!

Good Cake.

My water glasses are actually from a Sushi Restaurant and originally Sake was in them.  They've got a beautiful Japanese design on the inside! 

My cake was a Pillsbury Yellow Cake Mix and Pillsbury Milk Chocolate Frosting.  Why fix what isn't broke ;)  One of these days I'm sure I'll figure out a great recipe for cake and frosting, but with minimal time, I needed a meal that was going to be fairly quick and simple.  I added Sweet Tarts Hearts to the top to make it special.

Another successful and delicious Dinner that was actually very healthy and I was really glad to enjoy my leftovers today!

American Idol Recap & Karaoke

American Idol has started yet again, and while I don't watch the Auditions throughout the Cities, I get into it once they get to Hollywood week.  This year they seemed to have a lot of drama throughout group week, and as I watched each of the episodes I noticed a lot of people fainting, getting sick, and being unable to perform.  My question is, is it the show's fault for giving them such a short time to prepare and get together to practice and rehearse before the performance, and the contestants are just so exhausted, or perhaps nervous that they're fainting left and right?  I've never seen so many people going down in an American Idol season ever.  Or is it the contestants fault for not taking better care of themselves?  People are fainting out of exhaustion and dehydration, they need to be drinking water non-stop, and as singers, they should know this.  All of this drama creates good TV and since they've cut out so many of the crazy auditions, perhaps this is a way to get viewers to stay tuned.  Personally, I think it makes it look terrible and shows no regard for the people's health and well-being.  It is a competition, but Ryan Seacrest is the only person to show any concern when something like this happens.  It was nice to see all the contestants traveling to Las Vegas to perform 50's & 60's songs, which is a good challenge for them, and it looked as though everyone had pulled themselves together to perform to the best of their ability with no health scares.  At any rate, I'll look forward to when it's the Top 24 and hopefully everyone is prepared for the competition ahead!

Last night I had Karaoke and while I was hoping for my busy Whitney Houston Tribute Night, that did not happen.  The night was steady, but only had one Whitney performance.  We all had a lot of fun and it became a lively night as more singers and fun showed up!  My new song was Paula Abdul's 'Cold Hearted Snake' which was a fun little song to sing, and I completely forgot that she kind of raps throughout the song.  It was a nice surprise and challenge for me.  I closed the night with 'Cryin' by Aerosmith because it's been a long time since I've sang the song, and everybody in the crowd was jamming out with me, so I'm glad we all enjoyed ourselves and I was even happier that a couple friends of mine showed up to brighten my evening!

*Trust*

Wednesday was my first day of Hosting Karaoke since the tragic loss of the amazing and talented Whitney Houston.  I was hoping for a Tribute Night at Karaoke, but I think everyone was spent from Valentine's Day so the busy night I was hoping to have, was actually pretty mellow.  I'm hoping on Friday I can have a respectable Tribute Night filled with happy people who want to share their voice in honor of Whitney!  I was able to sing 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' which was received well, so at least I could get some love out there!  My new song of the night was a request from the Birthday Boy, Alan, so I sang 'Game of Love' by Michelle Branch.  A had a couple friends came in and kept the crowd entertained, and Jonathan and I sang 'I Got You Babe,' which was actually my first time singing that as well!  I was actually happy to have a rather slow night because it gave me a chance to get out of work early so I could get some sleep for my shoot on Thursday with '1000 Ways to Die.'

I was up ready and raring to go, very excited to be working on a project!  The episode of '1000 Ways to Die' was shooting at a residence in Van Nuys and I actually got there early so I did all my paperwork and then headed over to the wardrobe trailer to figure out my changes for the episode.  It's a fairly busy scene, so I had 6 wardrobe changes.  After that was all set, I went into make-up, and just 15 minutes later, I was all prepped for shooting.  Lucky for all of us with a noon call-time, so we got to have lunch with everyone.  I love my craft service :)  After lunch, the other 2 leads and myself headed back to the trailer to get ready until we were called to set.  We were waiting for a couple hours and then got the sad news that the shoot was cancelled for the day due to unforeseen circumstances.  We all parted ways and are hoping to be called back in to film next week.  Keep those fingers crossed!

  

I know that these things happen all the time, and some of us all hope we don't jinx things by saying 'hey, we're working on this,' or 'we're in this show,' or 'we just booked this commercial,' in fear that something might happen.  I've been cut out of 'The Office' before, gotten so close to booking a commercial, only to hear a couple hours later they went with someone else, and that person was a guy.  It would be easy to be sad and disappointed by all this, and trust me those are the first emotions that hit, but then I realize everything happens for a reason, and there's something bigger and better out there for me, and when the time is right, it will happen for me.  Patience and a lot of trust.  That's all you can believe in.