Check out Ken Levine's Assessment: http://bit.ly/xV5Xfx

ACTORS! We’re insecure and yet we gravitate to the most insecure industry of all. Crazy!  And there’s so much to stress about  –

Aging | Looks | Relationships | Who’s Hot when you’re NOT | Keeping our Cool | Staying in the Mix | Timing.

PILOT SEASON: The ULTIMATE Test!

Well, here we are again at the beginning of Pilot Season. And this one is getting off to a slightly late start because Networks are still picking up Pilots… every day (and it’s almost February!) Nine Pilots were announced Friday! Half-hour Comedies are especially late — and I predict we’ll hear about a lot more pick-ups in the next couple of weeks, now that Comedies are back in a BIG-RATINGS-WAY.

I like to stay on top of what’s happening because it gives me something to discuss with my Agent before it’s too late.

PILOT PICK UPS – STAYING IN THE KNOW:

TV Tracker
It’s awesome! Expensive, but AWESOME, I subscribe to the daily alerts so I know when a Pilot has been picked up. I get an email alert with the logline, network, writer, producers and director for each project.

Deadline | Hollywood
They send out the emails for FREE, but they don’t contain all of the info in a concise way. Still, FREE is a big PLUS!

Futon Critic
You can go to the site to get the news releases.  But, I miss the old Futon Critic where they’d have Development Season Info by Network. I guess that’s a thing of the past.

To Know or Not To Know –

I love knowing that Great Minds I really respect (and would give anything to work with) like Jason Katims, Dick Wolf, David Kelley, Ryan Murphy, Greg Malins, Greg Berlanti, Kari Lizer and others are creating new shows that haven’t been cast yet — and that all of the Networks and Cable stations are looking for TALENT.

Look my way — please — I’m over here!

Some Actors stress about knowing. I can horriblize with the best of ‘em — TRUST ME —  but I actually like to know — especially at the beginning of Pilot Season because Opportunities give me hope – and I’m really big on HOPE!

I’m hoping to FIND THE FUNNY in front of a live Audience that laughs hysterically for 22 episodes… and then the HIT Series will be picked up again next year and the year after and the year after that… (and then I won’t have to go through Pilot Season again! ahahaha!)

F I N G E R S      C R O S S E D !

Liked that? Check out:

• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!
• Resolutions Revisited
• INFOLIST: Oh, the possibilities…

Let 'em roll!

The best part of Holiday Shopping is in the DISCOVERY. When you happen upon a SPECIAL FIND you know it.

I love gifts that make people smile or Oooooo and Ahhhhh or go –

“Wow, how do you find this stuff?”

Gifts don’t have to be expensive. They just need to be THOUGHTFUL– and CAREFULLY SELECTED, so the recipients know you “get” them. (When someone “gets” me, I feel all glittery inside — ‘specially a certain someone!)

12 FUN FINDS (most of which I wouldn’t mind getting btw, ahaha!)

• BANTER BANNERS  @$10 (“Good Times” ,“Celebrate” , “No Place Like” –  everyone LOVES them!)
• QUOTABLE MATCHBOX PACKS @$11.95  (“Shine Eternally”, “A Great Flame Follows a Little Spark”)
• JONATHAN ADLER SUGAR POP CANDLES  @$38 (a yummy companion to the quotable matchboxes)
• JAMES PERSE T-SHIRTS for Guys @$45+ (soft and comfy like the faves he can’t give away)
• SPLENDID TANKS FOR WOMEN  @$38+ (great colors and styles for every shape)
• MEN’S SOCKS FROM BARNEYS @$19+ (solids, stripes, designer-y to classic, from England and Italy for every closet and budget)
• ANTIPAST SOCKS FOR WOMEN @$30+ (the ultimate in cool Japanese style — I love the lacey-netty-sparkly ones)
  
• SUE DEVITT LASH INTENSIFIER TREATMENT AND LENGTHENING MASCARA @$49 (for fabulous flirtatious lashes – promise!)
• Macally Mini 7-Port USB Hub @$19.99 (seriously, I don’t know how I lived with out this before – it gets all of those ugly computer wires off your desk)
• MAGIC TRACKPAD @$69 (when I upgraded my Mac to Lion I got this and it’s just like using an iPad, or iPhone — so much easier)
• TRUZZLES $69.99 + (French, fabulous and the perfect table accessory for anyone who lives in style or wants to)
• Dexter Ice Truck Killer Thumb Drive @ $39.95 (you MUST know someone you’d like to give the finger to, ahaha!)

Thumbs up!

(Please share your SPECIAL FINDS in the comments — I’d love to know about more!)

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• HALLOWEEN & the Scary Job Market!
• INFOLIST: Oh, the possibilities…

Feelin' it

Life is not exactly according to plan…still…there are so many reasons to say “Thanks!

Hug everything and everyone you have!

I’m THANKFUL that –

Liked that? Check out:

• FEELING CONFLICTED: ER Volunteer
• Hearing Voices or Am I Just Getting a Headache?
• Back to the Grind: VOLUNTEERING IN THE ER

Halloween Holly

October 31^st feels frightening, even if you’ve got a job. BUT… if your next gig is as invisible as a ghost, get CREATIVE!  When the door creeps open, step into the unknown.

Last Thursday I go to a BIRTHDAY DINNER for my firecracker-sports-agent-cousin-Jaimie at that new SBE (Katsuya group) restaurant next to Dan Tana’s: Mercato di Vitro.  As I pull up, I’m relieved to see that Kirsten Dunst’s Prius is even dirtier than mine. I head over to a table covered with family style platters of Artichoke Chips, Hen of the Woods Whatever, Buffalo Mozzarella, Osso Bucco, Primi Pastas…FUN, FATTENING and DELICIOSO!

Unexpected Opportunities for the Unemployed!

During dinner Jaimie starts stressing about not having enough time to get her “Holly Go Lightly” ensemble together before the Soho House Saturday Night Halloween Party. She asks what I’m gonna be –

Your Halloween Stylist!

GETTING THE JOB DONE –

Friday I’m up early and online – printing Audrey pics, searching for her LBD. Luckily The BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S dress is “THE dress” right now, so I find versions at every price from Theory to Bottega Veneta. Thankfully Jaimie is flexible about price ‘cuz she’ll wear this dress to her gazillion business events afterwards.

I start out on 3^rd Street Promenade. First stop: Forever 21 for jewels. The price is right, but the look’s not quite. So I move on to TIARAS at a kiosk, where I get recognized (embarrassing!) Next I go to the Tobacco Shop, but they’ve just sold out of their last cigarette holder (F___!)  I walk a few blocks and snap shots of LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, POINTY PUMPS and DARK SHADES at Fred Segal Santa Monica (knowing Jaimie has back-ups at home). I get into my car and head over to Ursula’s Costumes at Wilshire and 26^{th .} Never ever go to a costume store the day before Halloween weekend. I wait in line outside for twenty minutes, but when I get in I find a gold cigarette holder, yay!

Feeling jewelry-challenged, I go to Wertz Brothers Antique Mall and discover original multi-stranded pearls with rhinestones and the perfect earrings from the 50’s and 60’s. I email pics of the best to Jaimie and she makes her selection.

When I get home, on youtube I find a How-To Do Holly’s Do and send the link to my cousin. Jaimie Is THRILLED with my performance as a STYLIST (even though she doesn’t go for my Burberry Trench idea or borrow her friend Sarah’s cat).

I’m waiting for a debrief on the party (if she’s still sleeping in, it’s a GOOD SIGN.).

Even though I’ll be an ER Volunteer again for this Halloween, I feel less worried about the job situation.

If Acting doesn’t work out, I’ll just be something else next year. Ahaha!

Happy Halloween!

 (what are you gonna be?)

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• Gifts To Put On Your Wish List! (under $100)
• FEELING CONFLICTED: ER Volunteer

breathing in the beauty

Today…the PERFECT L.A. SUNDAY –

Cool

Crisp

Optimistic Air!

A Lovely Blue Sky filled with PROMISE and AWESOMENESS.

Running along the beach, I feel free and so fortunate to live here. Still no answers, but my future’s in front of me and there’s POSSIBILITY in that.

Wherever you are, make the most of it.

ENJOY!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwJ-g0iJ6w

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• Gifts To Put On Your Wish List! (under $100)
• HALLOWEEN & the Scary Job Market!

not the time to cop an attitude

Are you Half-Full?

My mom was (even to the end). And she really-really tried to pass her look-on-the-bright-sideness to me.  I thought about her A LOT on Friday…

Lucky or Unlucky, depending on how you look at it.

It’s a typical I’ve-planned-too-many-things-Friday when I realize traffic isn’t cooperating. The thing is, since they started construction on the 405 (which seems like for.ever ago) there’s no way to know how long it’ll take to go anywhere in this city! I get up early and head to the Westside, because I’m addicted to Steve Ross’s classes at Maha Yoga and the juice cleanses from Pressed Juicery at 26^th & San Vicente.

Feeling mellow after class and carrot-coconut juice I figure I’ve got plenty of time to make it to my Acting Class in West Hollywood. WRONG!  Heading east, there’s gridlock everywhere. Sunset’s backed-up. Wilshire’s backed-up. So I end up driving through the residential streets – meaning stop sign to stop sign —  through Westwood, then Beverly Hills — and that’s where I realize I’m running out of time. So I  sorta scoot through one intersection, forgetting to yield to the guy in the truck to my left. Oops! Two blocks and multiple flashing-lights later I get BUSTED!

As the tallish, good-looking Bev Hills cop approaches, I blurt out –

I know exactly what I did!

Surprisingly, he comes back with –

Well I don’t think you did it intentionally so I’m going to give you a warning ticket for the yield issue, but a correctable ticket since your brake light’s out.

(Whaaaa? My brake light’s out ?) But actually, I’m so effing relieved I won’t have to deal with Traffic School that I thank him and ask him what that means. He says I just need to go to any Police Station for an inspection after I get the brake light fixed.

After class instead of procrastinating like I usually do, I go to the Hollywood Toyota dealer and get my Pruis brake light replaced. Then I go to the Police Station in West Hollywood for my inspection… But when I go to pay my $15.00 inspection fee, the cops there start laughing because their computer system’s down so they can’t charge me. Yesss!

On my way home, I call Niles (don’t worry, I use hands-free) and playback my story. He tells me I should stop and buy a lottery ticket on the way home, since it’s apparently my LUCKY day.

Would you call it LUCKY or UNLUCKY?  Depends, right? Mom would say “LUCKY”  but for as for me — well um,  I’m still working on my Half-Fullness. Ahahaha…

Liked that? Check out:

• Braving TV’s Pilot Season
• Monday Morning: Being Human
• Hollywood Flip: Staying Focused

stay open

Do you know about INFOLIST?

If you live in L.A. and you’re in or wanna be in: “The Business”– chances are you get emails from INFOLIST. It’s a free fun service that notifies you regularly about entertaining opportunities (NOT solicitations).

Right now for instance, you’ll see postings for—

•  “fitness models wanted”
• “everyday people who love to dance (with crazy dance moves) wanted for national telecom commercial — huge pay!”
• “a Jeff Goldblum Concert”
• “a red carpet party with the SONS OF ANARCHY cast”
•  ”casting opportunity for a newborn baby on PRIVATE PRACTICE” Man, actors are getting younger and younger! Soon they’ll be casting embryos!

You Never Know What You’ll Respond To –

I’m especially intrigued by:

People Who Want to Apologize – Casting non-Airing Pilot for New TV Show — Plus, Get a FREE Trip to New York!”

(um, what about IRENE?!)

I should click on that INFOLIST link and submit –

My list of candidates I’D LOVE TO SEE APOLOGIZE!

1. that cute guy who asked for my number but never called!
2. that adorable dress on sale that was a zillion sizes too big to buy!
3. that casting director who called me back a million times but gave the job to the other girl!
4. that zit that visited when they took the ER Volunteer Group Picture (so I didn’t go —  obvi!)
5. that clerk who was talking on her cell while ringing me up… wrong!
6. that streaming movie that stalled right before they were about to kiss!
7. that bus driver that took up two lanes and made me late, again!
8. that mean girl from college who thought I stole her bf even though they were on hiatus!

So if you haven’t checked out INFOLIST yet, definitely DO.  Whether you take them up on an opportunity or not, at least your emails will make you LOL!

P.S. I hope my younger self will apologize to me for saying that anyone who hasn’t won an Emmy by age 28 never will…

(Who should apologize to YOU? Or is it TOO LATE to apologize and WHY?)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePyRrb2-fzs

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• Braving TV’s Pilot Season
• Resolutions Revisited

the place to be

Hanging out on a quiet Carmageddon weekend gives me time to write about my latest finds east AND west of the 405 –

New L.A Faves…

James Perse: (Beverly Hills and/or Brentwood Country Mart) : Lightweight and comfortable beachy sexy chic… great shorts and cotton dresses. Mmm… I’ve been living in it this summer.

Pressed Juicery: (Brentwood) : 3-day basic juice cleanse is a great way for non cleansers to detox from the summer vacay Rosé.

Yogahop (Santa Monica): Summer jams blasting keep you on a zen cloud as you fly through your downward dogs. a few classes and you’ll look lean and cute in that suit! Trust…

Malia Mills (Brentwood Country Mart): Have you waited 5 years to buy a new bathing suit? I did. Til now. Amazing bright colors, mix and match, best bandeau’s, butt-puckering bottoms… classic and hot.

ilovewildfox.com: (interweb); Kimberly of Wildfox couture will keep you up-to-date with her blonde beach slightly French aesthetics. Just check in with her to time to time when you’re packing for a weekend jaunt or styling. your house… or perhaps just to be reminded how good cherry red nails look in summer. I heart her taste.

Los Angeles Leakers (interweb): Need some hip hop to liven up your beach bbq? Here ya go. Download away or just peruse the latest jams to drop… you’ll be the first to know.

Frank Ocean (your car): download his mixtape, “nostalgia”, immediately. It’s a must have for the remaining months of PCH cruising summer. A MUST HAVE.

Noshi Sushi (Koreatown): Uhm, this hidden gem of a sushi joint in east L.A. is the best thing that has happened to me all summer. Super crazy reasonable prices, chill red booths (strange and awesome), coy waitresses with an amazing sense of humor, and sushi that tops all the best I’ve had (even Katsuya).

iPod repair clinic (Beverly Hills adjacent): iPhone/iPod woes? Want to convert your black iPhone to super slick white? Whatever your wants, Joe Kempe will make it happen. He’s fast, affordable, super nice, and a total computer genius. I cracked my iPhone screen and went right to his office (the back of his house). I used the next twenty minutes to swing by the car wash on Pico, right around the corner, and returned in my clean Prius to a sparkling new iPhone screen!

(So what are your latest L.A. faves? Share share!)

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• Gifts To Put On Your Wish List! (under $100)
• HALLOWEEN & the Scary Job Market!

he needs a bear hug

Arrivederci vacay!
Last night it’s back to my dreaded reality (ugh!) Running late, I’m already in deep do-do as I listen to three escalating voicemails from Charlayne, translating to: “Where the F are you!?”

The ER is a Zoo –

Triage is backed up. A worried Mommy carries in a little cutie whose curly blond locks are now stained blood red from a nasty fall. Then there’s this seven year-old scared kid who limps in with his Mom. And a nice voluptuous Latina who in-between constant calls on her cell, apologizes as her “UNCLE” upchucks all the way to the men’s room.

As I escort the limping kid (now on the verge of tears) to Bed 18, I try (unsuccessfully) to cheer him up. We pass by Dr. Adam COUGHING as he finishes up dictation on the phone –

ADAM: You’re BACK!
ME: You’re SICK!

I’m thinking: “Have you seen a doctor?” when I realize he sees one every time he looks in the mirror (ahaha!)
I covertly dial: 310 274 0101

After his unconvincing, “I’m really okay, COUGH COUGH!”  Dr. A disappears into 18 where the kid is now really worked up. I sort of peek from the doorway and see Adam pretending to check different parts of him with a tickle here and a tickle there, saying “Does it hurt here? Or here?” And the kid actually laughs. So I’m kinda loving Dr. A right now.

I get beeped on my phone (oh, yeah – the delivery guy) and I run out front. When I come back carrying a bag from Nate n Al’s I see Adam coming out of 18 –

ADAM:  I guess I’d better go home COUGH.

ME:  Here. Matzo ball soup with extra noodles.

ADAM: Aw, that’s something my mom would do.

ME:  Not what I was going for.

ADAM:  No chance (cute grin) COUGH!

ME:  K, well um feel better.

ADAM:  Already do.

As he COUGHS his way out the door I realize I do too. Being back isn’t so bad after all. Ahaha!

Liked that? Check out:

• Hearing Voices or Am I Just Getting a Headache?
• Courage: The Heroes who have it
• Valentines Day: The Way To His Heart

mick is like the energizer bunny!

Keeping your cool, following your instincts and St. Laurent trench coats are always in style.

know what else is TIMELESSLY COOL?

old photos of your parents
case study houses
coffee table books
Aretha Franklin
good friends
Shell Silverstein’s The Giving Tree
Molton Brown bath product
a little black dress
city lights from Mulholland Drive
Joan Didion
Shu Uemura eyelash curlers
star gazing
mornings after night rains
European vacations
Rolling Stones
Louis Vuitton wallets
globes and atlases
The Troubadour
monograms
Monopoly
needlepoint pillows
old signs
French boys
British accents
Latin lovers
grandparents
first class
train rides
ski lodges
rainbows
Apple
Tom Hanks
Barcelona Chairs
“please” and “thank you”
levis and a white tank
finding the funny

(what would be on your list?)

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• INFOLIST: Oh, the possibilities…
• Braving TV’s Pilot Season