You know how when you step on gum, you can’t get it completely off? Your favorite shoes are never quite the same because part of the yuck stays with you wherever you go? Like you’ve tarnished your sole?

That’s kinda how my soul feels about an school friend “B” who has now come back to haunt me where I volunteer in the ER. Six years have past, we’ve both become adults (supposedly) and the guy who came between us is probably in some residential facility, or wearing an orange jumpsuit or pumping gas in Oxnard. Clearly he’s not a part of her life or my life, but for some reason his past connection has had an indelible effect on our frenemy-ship.  Sad…   Keep Reading»

Be nice, or else…

On my ER shift, a Little Kid’s freaking out about having to get stitches, so I ask him if he can keep a secret? Uh-huh.

Wanna know our  SECRET CODE WORD ?

Yeah!…
…so I whisper: “Owww!”

Minutes later when  Dr. A dabs numbing cream on his wound, the kid yells, “Owww!” So I SHUSH! him about giving away the CODE WORD and he actually giggles — PLUS I get a “trying-not-to-smile-but-I-can’t-help-it” from Dr. A! So it’s a win/WIN of epic proportions! (My Mom would be so proud!)

Then in Triage, ANTHONY shouts at me for taking too many visitors back to see their Mom (c’mon Chan!) which is sooo frustrating! As I’ve said before — working in the ER is a LOVE|HATE situation!

ER Ambivalence —
THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WHATEVER! Keep Reading»

it reveals who you are

The sad news about Debbie Martin, Angelina Jolie’s Aunt, has stayed with me since I read the email alert hours ago. It’s like every day an onion is unpeeling, and we’re getting a glimpse into a very private and painful part of Angelina Jolie’s life.

That Girl’s Got Guts!

I’m in awe of Angelina Jolie’s COURAGE as she faces her genetic challenges head-on.  If we were in her shoes would we? Could we? There’s no way to know. Courage is required in-the-moment. We don’t know if we’ll meet the requirement until we’re called upon.

I’ve loved and lost someone extremely close to me to Ovarian Cancer. It’s tough on everyone. Beyond…  My heart goes out to Angelina Jolie and her family now that they’ve lost two loved ones to this awful disease.

Moments like these seem to put everything into perspective. Keep Reading»

what drives you?

What do you thrive on?
What’s the air that you breathe?
What needs to be part of the mix, to keep you interested?

In ACTING we figure out our character’s “Motivation.” Have you ever tried that exercise in real life with the people you know? Have you ever tried it with yourself?

APPRECIATION
Mira, my good-karma gal-pal at the ER, will do anything and everything, as long as it’s appreciated.  She thrives on smiles, “thank you,” and people who say, “you’re an angel” (even when she’s not wearing wings). But take her for granted, and she’s instantly over it – ready to move on— done, NEXT!

LOVE
There’s an Actress in one of my Acting Classes (I can’t name-drop) who is always falling in love. Se throws herself completely into each and every new relationship. Sometimes her love connections last two years, sometimes two weeks. But no matter what, she’s never discouraged in her search for a soul mate. She’s certain he’s out there. She’s so totally open to “romantic possibility” and baggage-free, I envy her. Keep Reading»

bad hair day?

1. Is your HAIR a HORROR STORY?
2. No matter how hard you try to style it like the stylists, do you end up with FRIZZ? 
3. Do you have MORE IMPORTANT THINGS to focus on than the mirror?

DON’T BLOW IT!

You’ll never ever need to blow a job interview, first date or audition again. Keep Reading»

who knew?

Forget Acting!

I should be a PSYCHIC!

All of my Comedy Pilot Predictions came true!  Too bad I can’t predict what’s gonna happen in my own “career”, Ugh!

Congrats to all behind the shows that were picked up!  Can’t wait for you to come back from the Upfronts, so we can MOVE ON to– Keep Reading»

This is the first Pilot Season where I’m just not invested.  Trying to figure out why.  More and more, it feels like the business side is overruling the creative side with FORMULAS being the FOCUS and that depresses me. It’s all about WHO THE NETWORKS WANT TO BE IN BUSINESS WITH – big name directors, big name talent. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but the emphasis on big name talent has changed Pilot Season for Actors like me. There are fewer and fewer opportunities if your name isn’t big.

BIG UGH!

And with all of the second-guessing and recasting, it’s even more stressful and exhausting. That’s part of it, but things just haven’t seemed the same since they stopped printing DAILY VARIETY. I miss my hard copies! I miss reading them leisurely over lattes and I miss caring about any of it!

I’m thinking about getting into MUSIC or FASHION or PHOTOGRAPHY – anything other than Acting, because living from one Pilot Season to the next SUCKS!

but while we’re on the subject… COMEDIES IN CONTENTION include: Keep Reading»