Tonight on my ER shift, I’m walking down the hallway and I see this little Kid (two or three-ish) running around in circles, just outside Gyno (the room I NEVER want to be in).

The thing is, kids aren’t supposed to run around the ER–

It’s dangerous.
There are a gazillion germs.
Sick People aren’t really into Wild Kids.

So I pop into the room and ask the Mom if she wants me to play with him, which is a rhetorical question ( I think that’s the right usage) – because the Mom is flat on her back on a gurney, so of course the answer is, “Obvi.”

ER Volunteers Need To Be Creative

I say, “I’ll be right back” and go into the Storage Room (where the ice machine is) and grab a bunch of cups. Since I’m not sure if it’s allowed, I kind of hide them under my Volunteer Smock, which no one notices, since no one would ever actually look at someone wearing such a hideous outfit.

Back in the room, the Kid (notice how I don’t use names — I’m getting SO good at this Patient Confidentiality stuff) and I sit on the floor building cups. Yeah, yeah – I know there are a disgusting germs on the floor, but I try really hard not to think about them. Usually I don’t ask personal questions about why patients are at the hospital, because I figure they’ll tell me if they want me to know.

So as we’re building our architectural cup masterpiece, the Mom mentions that the Kid was born here two years ago (oh—I guess that makes him two- duh!)  So I ask if it was a happy experience (expecting a “yes” since the best reason to come to a hospital is when you get to take home something besides a bill) but she says, “No.” Apparently she and her husband didn’t think the doctor and nurses were the nicest (oops!)

Sometimes It’s Hard To Know What To Say

She goes on to say that her husband (who’s away on business in Chicago) insisted she come into the ER tonight to be checked because she’s spotting (I didn’t even know she was pregnant.)

I say, I’m really sorry and she goes, “But, tonight’s a completely different experience. Everyone’s so nice and attentive.” Whaaa?

Isn’t it weird she thought things were bad on a good day and good on a bad day?

(Has it ever happened to you where something turned out good from something bad or vice versa? Let me know in the comments.)

facing fears

CASTING DIRECTORS (CD’S) are just PEOPLE, right? At least that’s what I keep trying to remind myself.  And like People, some get you, some don’t. Usually I’m pretty good about getting “a sense”-- but sometimes the perceptive part of my brain totally sabotages me.

I tend to walk into the room, and immediately get judge-y about what the CD is thinking. So in addition to remembering my lines, this whole other conversation is going on in my head about whether or not the CD thinks I’m right for the part and this all happens before I even open my mouth to say, “Hi, I’m Evie.”

Basically it’s a no-win situation, because before the CD has decided what he/she thinks of me, I’ve already decided for him/her and it sort of becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ugh!  If I could just reverse my thinking, I could make the self-fulfilling prophecy a positive one instead of a negative one.

Listening to CD’s  -- A Confusing Mix

Feedback that just makes me nuts because it’s so not helpful includes classic lines like--

They decided to go younger.
They decided to go ethnic.
They decided to go a different way.

On the other hand,  sometimes CD’s call me in much later for something else,  because they really liked me before (but I didn’t know that then because I didn’t get a callback.)  It might not happen right away, but when it does, good feedback after the fact is really nice to get.

My favorite CD’s are super easy to be around. They smile (and actually mean it),  give good notes and allow do-overs when they like you. Even when I’m not right for a part, when I’ve just auditioned for a pro and I get the message that I’ve done well, I leave feeling good about the process.

Of course the best feedback of all comes in the form of an INSTANT CALLBACK (sometimes before I even have time to get home.) That’s when I’m filled with “Glee”--
It makes me feel all sparkly inside. Ahhh…

(What makes you feel all sparkly inside? Let me know in the comments.)

I’m the first to admit that unexpected hotspots can be sizzly, but after last night in the ER, I’m going to be a lot more cautious in that particular creative department, though you’d think I would’ve learned that lesson by now (oops!) Keep Reading»

I find myself living the life “in-between” (auditions, romance, a JOB,) so I need to create ways to Keep Reading»

Here’s a list of faves that make life EASY and FUN:

1) Laser Stars (Turn your living room ceiling into the most beautiful night sky you’ve ever seen.) Keep Reading»

So, I think the cake went over well. Keep Reading»

Be Brave.
Step Up.
S U R P R I S E Someone Special.

After all, It’s February 14th.

Take a chance.
I am!

the way to his heart?

Waited till the last minute?

I luv romance!

Only three two one day till February 14th.

If you’re looking for Valentines or Romantic Packaging to go with, Keep Reading»

Even though VALENTINES DAY is too often associated with–
stress and expectation (depending on who’s in your life or NOT)
my mom taught me that it’s an opportunity to do something–
Thoughtful and  U N E X P E C T E D.

On February 14th when I was about four, I helped her make my Dad’s favorite Chocolate Cake in the shape of a Keep Reading»

Meet me on Melrose

Not only do I have to
ACT like “the girl,”

I have to
LOOK like “the girl.”

Audition PRESSURE!

This requires creative thinking since, as you may have guessed, my fashion budget Keep Reading»

My new Mino HD Flip and I went out on our First Date to The GROVE to see “Up in The Air” and had SO much fun.

It’s my new BFF!
From now on, we’re gonna go EVERYWHERE together!

Luv, Luv, LUV it!

Here’s the movie of our “date” — hope you love it, too --

Yeasayer “Amblin Alp” -- Special Thanks! Awesome!

everything fits

The Actor’s Goal in EVERY Audition is to get a

CALLBACK.

It’s the green light that means, Keep Reading»

My number's missing zeroes

My Facebook Fan Page

Makes me feel a little– Keep Reading»

who knew?

It was pretty crowded in Triage last night when this Caretaker-like Woman, very normal seeming, came up to me carrying a (seemingly harmless) brown paper bag.

She was  trying to dispose of old hypodermic needles Keep Reading»

Clothes Matter

The Right Wardrobe is important–

in Films & TV (that reflect Real Life)
in Auditions for Films & TV (that reflect Real life) and
in Real Life.

First impressions Keep Reading»

uncomfortable for everyone

It’s a roller coaster ride of opportunities and BIG (nauseating) dips. It’s like any scary new door. You’ve got to walk through and–

Look your best,
Feel your best,
Be your best.

But, there’s only so much an actor can do.

Sometimes CD’s and Producers aren’t even sure what they’re looking for, so it’s impossible for you to know. And sometimes even when they’re blown away by your performance, some Hot Keep Reading»

This is SO worth watching (even though it’s a tad bit long). We can all be inspired over and over thanks to @boxofcrayons.

You taste it already (right?)

It’s January and time to start F R E S H. There’s this whole New Year ahead to get things right.

If you’re like me, your head gets in your way –
over-stressing, over-stressing, over-stressing.

My cranial conundrums are about nailing auditions, getting call-backs, staying optimistic, making life more meaningful, yada yada.

Surely you have a list of your own revolving worries. Everyone does.  So, to help with your head “aches,” here’s a list of — Keep Reading»

Problem or Possibility?

I have this recurring N I G H T M A R E.

I’m alone in a stark, white room with no windows, no doors. Keep Reading»

A new start, yay!

Your wonderful blog comments have encouraged and inspired me to
Reach Higher.
Dream Bigger.
Expand My Personal and Professional Horizons. Keep Reading»