The House, etc

They have officially accepted our application and offered us the rental house across the street. It was a little iffy at the end. They were worried about the insecurities of our finances. Half of our income (Debbie's commissions and my acting work) is never sure or secure. There was about 30 minutes when it looked like we wouldn't get it. It was a little rough on my ego...to be a home owner for 8 years and then not be accepted as a renter does things to a man. But, they called back and said they felt good about us afterall.

So...we go over Sunday to inspect the house closer and sign the lease. We would move April 1,which means that, yet again, Debbie will be gone during moving day. She has this uncanny ability either be out of town or deathly ill when we move. Since it's so close though, I'm hoping we can gradually take things over and just move the big furniture on the first.

We're tired of moving. Since leaving our first home in Vegas less than four years ago we have lived in six different places. We hope to be in this house until we can afford to buy our own...so that puts the over under at 18 years, but you never know...

In other news...I have a beard because I have an unwritten policy that I don't shave between auditions. I haven't had an audition since Monday.

But...things have opened up in other ways. It looks as though I may be writing and producing again. A friend of mine from Las Vegas has met a man who wants his life story turned into a feature film. It looks like there is already some money for it. I would write, co-produce and play the lead. It will be a period piece set in Las Vegas in the fifties surrounding a casino cheat. That's all we know right now. I'm going to interview the man in April and we'll go from there. Gerald Gordon would direct and much of the team from my last short would be involved, but it would be more in the $200,000 range. My guess is that if things come togehter quickly we could shoot in the fall.

A similar situation is developing with a feature comedy here in Orange County.

I've also been forcing myself to write regarding spiritual matters three days a week. It looks like something may come of it. Too early to tell.

Busy Weekend, Possible House, New Baby (not ours)

I had a very busy weekend. Friday night I taught at Lifelines and then went to Debbie's office party. Saturday I had an all-day rehearsal and an evening performance in Santa Ana. Today was full of meetings. Most of the chaos was worthwhile, but I have enjoyed NOT doing anything for a few hours tonight.

Last week was slow, though I did audition and get called back for a Boston Market national commercial. I don't feel like I got it, but I'll know for sure by tomorrow afternoon. I have another commercial audition tomorrow for Ameritrade. The auditions have definately slowed down since I joined SAG. I was averaging about five a week and now it seems like two or three, but the difference is that all of them are for good paying gigs.

In other news, it looks like we may have found a house to rent across the street from where we are living now. It feels huge to us compared to our last few places, but I actually think it's a little smaller than our first house in Vegas. Still, it's 3BR/2 Bath and has a really big yard for the kids. It also means that both kids can attend the same school where Eli is now, which was important to us. It stretches us a bit financially, but it seems right. We should know for sure in a few days.

That's all for now...I should be an uncle again the next time I post...Debbie's brother Dave and his wife Sarah are delivering as we speak!

A remarkably uneventful week

I think that I am finally not sick...at least not very sick. That took forever to get over. I went to Boulder City this week for the film festival. It was good to see some old friends including Sean Critchfield, Dale and Darren. This week was the first week since August that I did not have one audition all week. That does things to a man. Makes you question everything. I did have one scheduled for today, but we were unable to work Debbie's work schedule to allow me the time to get to Burbank and back. I sent a very needy e-mail asking to reschedule...we'll see if they buy it.

No word from the big one last week. It seems right to assume nothing will come of it, but I did OK and maybe he will remember me someday. It's all about patience.

We've started looking for rental houses in the same school district we live in now. In the last four years our family has lived in five homes and the next one will be the sixth. I'm ready to live somewhere more than one year and I'm definately sure I don't want it to be this apartment. I'm sure it's very American and a little self-absorbed, but I'm ready to live somewhere with a back yard and a laundary room.

Film Festival

Some people have asked for info on the Dam Short Film Festival in Boulder City this week. My film is called "Happily After Forever" and shows during the Nevada showcase, this Thursday night. All the info is at this website: www.damshortfilm.org.

Obligatory Update

Still sick. Being sick reminds you how wonderful it is to be well. I haven't heard either way from the big audition. I have no auditions scheduled this week as of right now, though I am planning on driving to Boulder City on Thursday. My film, Happily After Forever, is playing a festival there.

Peace.

Recap

I know that you are all waiting up tonight to get an update on the big audition. You're thinking if Joe really hits it big, I can hit him up for a few bucks...

Well, it went very well. I had probably done the scene 100 times before getting there and the one that actually counted was in the top 20 of all my efforts. Just a little nerves, but definately not as nervous as I was when I first started all of this.

I saw this guy: Mystery Guy. He said Hi.
I saw this person walking her dog. Mystery Gal.

Being at Paramount was pretty cool. Then I read for Jeff Greenberg, who is a veteran casting dirctor for shows like Cheers, Frasier, Wings, etc. He has several shows running now including According to Jim, Four Kings, Out of Practice, Stacked, etc...So even if nothing comes of this I think that I did well enough to help my cause to get guest-star auditions for those shows. It was definately an exciting day. Lots of real Hollywood moments. I actually was able to get there early and spent some time meditating on a park bench in the middle of Paramout studios. It's very strange where the paths of life lead a person.

After that I did the Kellogs audition which I don't think I will get, but William Shatner is in it and it would be nice to get an autograph for my Trekky Dad.

I guess that's all, here's to Hollywood and keeping the Prime Directive.

Big Audition

Of course it would happen this way. I was literally in the doctor's office waiting for her to come into the room. I woke up with a fever and a very sore throat. As I'm shivering and coughing, my agent calls with the most promising audition yet.

Tomorrow I will read for the leading role in a sitcom pilot also starring Paul Reiser (Mad About You, etc.). It's at 11:00 on the Paramount studio lot. My agent had me come to the office tonight and rehearse it with her. I'm ready for it...wish I wasn't sick.

Oh, by the way...it's a virus. Nothing I can do but wait it out, take vitamins and advil, and chew on ginger (this according to my new groovy Indian doctor-lady whom I really like.)

I also have a Kellog's commercial audition tomorrow and a meeting with a potential personal manager. Hopefully I can convince myself I'm not sick until tomorrow night...