Amphibious Endeavors Through the Swamp

One of my New Year's resolutions was NOT to blog more.  But I realize this would be a good goal to adopt.

SO MUCH IS HAPPENING!!!

Thus far, I've been horribly sick (second time in a row and no, it was not the dreaded F to the L to the U, though it came dangerously close - I'd like to thank pure blueberry juice and also carrot/orange juice for their support.  Not to mention the countless gas stations which provided me with their largest water bottle available.  Oh, and gummy vitamins............which are NOT for toddlers).  In the midst of sickness, however, TWO theatrical auditions came my way. One for a sweet sexy little role in a black and white indie noir flick and the other for (doot, doot, doot, DOOT, doot, doot, doot, DOOT) DAYS of Our Lives.  Yes, like sand through the hourglass, so were the beautiful actresses pouring through the door to compete for two series regular roles on this enduring soap.

I also had three commercial auditions - Toms Eyewear, Miralax (no, I am not above a commercial suggesting constipation problems. Come on, you can't go your whole life and be regular), and a callback for Sudafed where I hop around in a bikini in a room full of people with laptops pretending to jump off a dock or a cliff. Hilarious and fun.

Of course, when it rains, it pours. I was successful at keeping my temperature down around 100 even, but just walking to my car and back was exhausting.  So in between rest periods, it was of dire importance that I somehow break slightly - JUST SLIGHTLY - the solid wall of mucous holding my vocal chords hostage. Otherwise, I was sounding like Gollum's ugly sister upon opening my mouth.  The key to this?  Water.  No, not just to consume, I'm talking about steaming in it, sitting in it when bubbling hot, rinsing off with it, breathing it, dousing myself over and over and over.  Yes, that's right. I am talking about Korean bathhouses. Perhaps "spa" is a more appropriate term - or less scary - but I went downtown for three days in a row to STEAM this bile out of my system and get my voice back. Like Ariel from Ursula - I had to earn it with great effort.

You don't understand, though.  I have stumbled into a fascinating new world by going to these bathhouses.  Women - naked, uncaring, beautifying, scrubbing, soaking, steaming, talking, relaxing, RESTORING - um, it's amazing.  It's totally liberating.  And FYI, steaming is TOUGH to do for a long period of time.  I got light headed every time and had to take breaks. But these other ladies - these hardcore spa-divers - they flit around from room to room like it's a sampler platter and it's their duty to their bodies to enjoy water in every form.  These ladies were amphibious and the environment infectious. 

Enough about that. What's ahead for me? I have my voice back. I am still coughing up unwanted goo - at least for a couple more days.  I am waiting to hear back about auditions.  I have a pilot my friend wants me to shoot on Thursday.  I am shooting three new scenes for my reel next weekend.  Workshops are out there waiting for me to sign up and I have a gift certificate so what am I waiting for?!

I will leave you with this fun bit for now: I saw a certain big celebrity recently at a party.  Have I ever been attracted to him? Um, yes, but not in the "he's my celebrity crush sort of way".  As he was leaving, he turned to lock eyes with me and gave me that special twinkle in his eyes, tight little cat-ate-the-canary smile, and the most elegant little wave of his fingers, a hidden message of flirtation. Now, I don't swoon.  But I do relish.  I will take a secret exhange of energy like that any day.  So as I fell into the arms of sickness the next day, I didn't have to forget that I am wanted.

You are too, my friends.  And in La La, that's all that matters.

Let the Levy Break

BACK from some marvelously relaxing holidays. A little TOO relaxing if you are flying back to the home you left at 16.  No, no, no, I LOVE my family you guys - but I am just ready to GO here. Audition, audition and audition, please.  January is a busy month with many self-motivated projects to better the ol' career, so here we go.

Took a workshop today at AA Studio - the one and only John Levy.  He cast ER, now he casts Southland and Shameless.  I just watched the second season of Shameless (missed the first), but an interesting ensemble show.  Emmy Rossum is the most interesting to me. I like and admire her character. William H. Macy is a scoundrel to the Nth degree, so it's hard to love him. He's a bit obvious at times, but love his animation.

I prepared a scene as Ann from SEX, LIES & VIDEOTAPE (1989, people) - she just found out her sleazebag husband is sleeping with her sister, so she runs over to Graham's house. This is after being really freaked out about his "hobby" and his filming her sister (or her sister ASKING to be filmed) and not really wanting to get in touch with him despite completely being intrigued by him.

John wasn't giving feedback. He really just said "Great. Very nice work, Where are you from?"  I assume he was fine in his watching the scene.  I am trying not to listen to myself, but oh its hard. I hate that I do that. As an actor, I need to feel it naturally and be aware again of the beautiful impulses that come along.  When will I get to act with someone real who is not a reader?!  Not to put down the reader, he was great. I mean to have someone off of which to REALLY play. I should be approaching him like I want to illicit a reaction from him, huh? Yeah, that would be helpful.

Anyway, we'll see.  John Levy is casting Southland, but he made it clear that not many of us pretty people get on that show. Unfortunately, my headshots are glam glam but my reel is gritty and nitty.  How often do they look at your reel though? Not often.

Actually the old reel is getting revamped this month.  Hooray!  Part of my strategy of the new year.  Very excited and been working on the material for awhile. More posts to come and Happy New Year!