CSI...not so great

Back at it. I've hit the ground running with a big audition today for CSI: NY and tomorrow for a new show this fall called Vanished. My CSI audition was a complete mess. I wasn't myself and I could feel myself getting nervous, which very rarely happens. Blah. I'll try to make up for it tomorrow.

No Place Like It

I'm home. I realize that I didn’t share much of the details about my 53-day journey…so here are fifty things I have been busy doing:

1. Flying. (From LA to Dallas to Houston to Atlanta to Orlando to Dallas to Orange County.)
2. Driving. A Chevy HHR with my picture on it. 3,750 miles.
3. Sleeping. At eight different Hampton Inns.
4. Wearing Pajamas most every day.
5. Eating out every day for 150 straight meals.
6. Gaining Weight (about ten pounds)
7. Losing Weight (about eight pounds)
8. Doing Radio Interviews.
9. Giving away Bobble Head Pens.
10. Giving away T-shirts.
11. Giving away Starbucks gift cards.
12. Making web commercials that never seem to make it on the website.
13. Sweating. (FYI, Texas, Georgia and Florida are hot in the summer.)
14. Losing my Blackberry and all of the information inside.
15. Buying a new Blackberry.
16. Returning my new Blackberry because it was broken.
17. Getting another new Blackberry.
18. Turning down about eight auditions.
19. Embracing the simple beauty of the text message.
20. Hanging out with local improvisers in LA, Orlando and Atlanta.
21. Eating at the original Chick-fil-A (the Dwarf House) in Hapeville, Georgia.
22. Getting rained on during fireworks at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia.
23. Getting rained on at Disney World.
24. Getting kicked out of an LA Dodgers game.
25. Getting kicked out of the CNN Building in Atlanta.
26. Getting kicked out of Downtown Disney in Orlando.
27. Getting kicked out of a mall in Houston.
28. Doing improv with my friends Mike, Jarrad and Marla.
29. Finishing 4th place at a Texas Hold Em tournament at a bar called B-52’s in Atlanta.
30. Watching Nacho Libre. (not what I had hoped for)
31. Watching A Prairie Home Companion (not at all what I had hoped for)
32. Watching Superman Returns (surprisingly what I had hoped for)
33. Waiting patiently for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
34. Getting new songs on i-tunes.
35. Listening to Rich Mullins when I get sad.
36. Pondering Dallas Willard’s comments on pity.
37. Strangely missing Kentucky when I was in Atlanta.
38. Strangely missing Ohio when I was eating at Buffalo Wings and Things.
39. Strangely missing Las Vegas most everyday.
40. Not-so-strangely missing home.
41. Missing Eli’s birthday, Aidan’s pre-school graduation and all the little moments of the last month.
42. Talking to Debbie everyday on the phone.
43. Writing the great American screenplay. (12 pages down, 100 to go.)
44. Loving my new Mac.
45. Having huge breakthroughs in regard to life being a journey and my identity as a pilgrim on the journey.
46. Talking about Jesus with my new friends.
47. Praying differently.
48. Preparing to come home and help some friends through a memorial service.
49. Counting down until today.
50. Being grateful for the time away and the refining power that it has. Nothing has made me value what I already have than leaving it for a month. I’ve come home a better person.

Every Bedhead must come to an end...

Disney World Today.
A Mall Appearance and a Radio Interview Tomorrow.
Flying Home the Next Day...Priceless.

Florida is wet

In Orlando now. It has rained everyday and is supposed to continue through Tuesday. The end is very near now...five days.

Atlanta wrapped.

We finished early today...we went to a 10-K race in downtown Atlanta. This was our last work day here. Tomorrow we have a day off...then on to Orlando. Only five more work days and eight more days until I make the five hour flight home to OC.

We are going to Stone Mountain tonight to watch fireworks and then to the Georgia Aquarium tomorrow to hang out.

I wish I was having a BBQ at home...or at the Caldwell's house in Vegas...but we'll make the best of it here.

This is day three of a very strict diet for me...I think that I've gained about ten pounds since this thing started and I'm hoping to return home without them.

ATL

Day three of eight in Atlanta...thus far I have really enjoyed my stay here. We're going to a Braves game tomorrow which should be fun. We are staying 1.5 miles from The Dwarf House, which is the original Chick-fil-A. I've eaten there twice already and will definately be back. It makes me happy.

12 days left!

Time to come home yet?

I'm on a two-hour break before heading to downtown Houston for our last stop here. Tomorrow is a day off and then we fly to Atlanta. It's hot and humid in Texas. 17 days and I'll be home. That sounds like a long time, but it feels short compared to the 53 day contract that I signed back in April. I miss my family, but the end is near now.

Everyday is different, but also very much the same.

Peace.

Oh no.

My Blackberry Saga continues. I left my phone in a cab about eight hours ago and it is still MIA. If you have called, sorry. I'm going to have to replace it tomorrow if it doesnt turn up...

It is unreal how losing your cell phone can effect you. I've felt naked all day...like I can't function. (Not that I can't function naked...those were two different feelings I guess.)

Anyway, maybe the universe will let my phone find me...if not I'm getting my third new blackberry in 13 months...

Deep in the heart of Texas...

I've been in Dallas for about five days now...it's hot and very different than LA. It reminds me of Ohio with Las Vegas weather. The people are generally very nice and excited to see us. They think the stuff we are doing is cool. We spent a Day at Six Flags and another at the Fort Worth Zoo. The zoo was my favorite venue yet because I like zoos and we were given a tour before the park opened.

I miss everything about home. Debbie and the kids first of all, but also the work at church and in Hollywood. Strangely, I've missed my friends from Vegas more than ever. Just part of being alone I guess.

It's not a crippling or anything, just noticable. I'm actually very glad to be removed from the people and things I love because it is making me love them more and helping to sharpen my thinking about the future. I look forward to coming home a little different.

My new friends are great. They bought my dinner tonight at Olive Garden for Father's Day. We have had a lot of laughs and some very deep and spiritual discussions. I'm happy to be on this particular journey.

For Eli

HAPPY BIRHTDAY BUDDY!

I'll be home in 27 days....have a great day. I love you.

Daddy

Improv Matters

I wish I had more exciting things to report from the road, but time is passing quickly as we work in different venues and places along the way. The promotional work has overtaken the perfomance work of late. I have been able to see Debbie and the kids a lot so far...they spent the weekend at the hotel with me and we had my team over for dinner last night. I was very happy that Deb could meet them. It's the same old story and probably the deepest reason why I am an actor/improvisor...there is, generally speaking, an instant friendship, respect and understanding among fellow actors. This seems magnified among improvisors since trust is so important in the craft. I was glad to bring that feeling to my home for a few hours.

But...now begins the time away. Exactly one month as it turns out. A week in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. I fly home the morning of July 13,

Hopefully the next four weeks will move as quickly as the first three.

Peace from the journey...

Long Day Again

We are in Anaheim for two days before flying to Dallas. Debbie and the boys are here at the hotel with me. We had a twelve hour day today. To those of you who keep calling to check in, thanks! I hope to have some down time to call you all soon.

Things are good...no more panic attacks and the team is getting along.

Peace.

From the Hampton LAX

The last few days have been very busy and it looks like it will continue. The filming and performing is great, but the promotional stuff is difficult work. I get to go home for two days after work tomorrow. I'm very ready for that...which is daunting considering I will be gone for 29 straight days coming up. Overall, I'm still pretty happy about the whole thing.

I'm OK

So, I went to the doctor and she's pretty sure that I did have a panic/stress attack. She urged me to see a psychiatrist, which I will do when the tour is over or sooner if I have another episode. All of the heart tests came back fine. Thanks to all of you who checked in on me.

Today marks the official launch of the website (www.hamptonbedheads.com). Feel free to visit. We also had a full page ad in the USA Today and Wall Street Journal today. We were at Hilton HQ in Beverely Hills early this morning and have a few hours off before hitting the Dodgers game at 5:00. It's work for sure...but fun for the most part.

I'm getting lots of emails and calls...thanks for the support and keep them coming...I'll have slower days coming up to return the favor.

Maybe I'm Stressed?

I'm home tonight and tomorrow, then back to LA for the official launch of the tour. Things went well overall with training and our first show was great. On Friday I had what appears to be a panic attack while watching X-Men 3, which may or may not be a commentary on the film. I nearly fainted. I'm going to see my doctor here in OC tomorrow for a check up. They tested my heart, blood pressure and sugar levels and found them normal. I've never really had anything like that happen before, so it was a little freaky.

I think I'll pull through...

It's On...

Just finished the first day of media training. It was actually rather fascinating. Our trainer was in the White House press corps during the Reagan administration. He had some cool stories and taught us how to not say stupid things on the radio. The Hampton website will launch June 1. It's www.hamptonbedheads.com, but you won't be able to see it until June.

There will also be a full page color ad in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today on June 1 showcasing my messed-up hair if you are so inclined.

For you so-cal people, we have a gig at Westside Ecclectic in Santa Monica (In the Third St. Prominada next to the food court) this coming Saturday at 9:30 pm. It's an hour of long form improv and the unofficial kick-off.

More to come....

Punk'd

The auditon went well today. I was there over an hour...it was much like the first two times. The producer remembered me. Ashton was there for the first part and then left. He had a beard not unlike one the others on Lost.

I certainly did well enough to get the part, now it's just whether they want me and whether I am available.

I leave in a few hours to go to the Hampton Inn near LAX. Three full days of training in Beverly Hills and then a few days off before the tour starts June 1.

Argh.

Months ago I auditioned to be a series regular on Punk'd. They called my agent today and want to see me again Wednesday afternoon...straight to Producers (Ashton Kuthcer and a few others). This would be great news if I WASN'T LEAVING FOR SIX AND A HALF WEEKS THE NEXT DAY! I'm guessing that someone didn't work out...it has to be a short list. This will be my fourth callback.

Argh. Well, I'm going to go meet with them anyway. I'm rather certain that filming would begin before July 17 though.

So it goes...

Jehovah-Nissi, Neurosis and I-pods

Six days left before the tour starts. Tonight is my last Lifelines meeting...I'll be teaching on Exodus 17-seeing Yahweh as the One who Fights For Us. Imagine the peace that would invade the planet if we trusted one greater than us to do the fighting. We can barely be trusted to love, how could we possibly be trusted to fight? This is generally why I am a pacifist...not because there is never a time for battle, but because there is no human being wise or loving enough to discern when that time is. At least I am not.

As I prepare to leave I am excited about performing and having a steady, good-paying job for seven weeks. I'm excited to spend time in new places with new people. But, I'm less than excited about leaving home for so long-mainly leaving Debbie and the boys, but also my work with Lifelines and in Hollywood. I'm auditioning very well this month and getting callbacks...you hate to leave when you are in a zone. See why this career path is so screwy? You hate BOOKING because you can't audition to BOOK the next gig...it's just dumb like that.

In other news...I now have an ipod which came with my new computer....as a result I have, really for the first time in my life, been able to actually choose a soundtrack for my life. I have found a few things about my musical tastes. 1. I'm a lyricist more than a musician. If I can't understand and connect with the lyrics, I tend to not care about the sound. 2. I'm very across-the-board in musical syles. For better or worse, here are the most common artists in my ipod: U2, Rich Mullins, Counting Crows, Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins, Billy Joel, Green Day, Mindy Smith (we went to college together), Bruce Hornsby, CCR, Bob Dylan, Norah Jones, Elton John, Indigo Girls, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Nirvana, John Mayer, Oasis, and The Eagles.

Guess I don't really rock too much...it is a little jarring when Green Day follows old blue eyes on shuffle...but it's me.

Beach

In a rare fluke our entire family was home this afternoon, so we took the car into the dealership for a check up and wasted a few hours at the beach. The new camera loves the new mac...my pc wouldn't acknowledge it.

Guess I didn't get the poker commercial...I have a 3:30 photo shoot tomorrow morning in Hollywood...so I'll be taking a nap in a few hours and heading out. Enjoy the pics.

Book of Doyle

Had a callback today for an online poker commercial with Doyle Brunson. I feel like it went well. It shoots Wednesday, so I should hear in the morning if I got it...maybe would have heard already though. It would be nice to knock out a commercial before leaving next week...

Legoland

We have spent the last two days at Legoland in Carlsbad with the Caldwells. Overall, a good time was had by all. Eli loves roller coasters...I tolerate them, but something about seeing his excitement helped me like them more. Aidian's a little more fearful of them, which is odd because he's a pretty adventurous kid.

This is the last full week before my tour starts. I'm waiting to hear back from a few auditions and have booked a little print gig for Nissan. Other than that, not too much is planned.

The kids picked out Debbie's Mothers Day gifts which included a candle, a book and an electric can opener. Good times.

A Better Day

I have seen the light...converted...started over...begun life anew...

I have bought a mac.

It's a good thing...kind of like joining a cult though...a tragically hip, technolgoically superior cult.

Also, I'm getting a lot of submissions for the My Take writing contest. Pretty cool stuff from all over the world. Visit www.mytakefilmcontest.blogspot.com if you haven't yet.

Pictures from my new camera

Here are some pictures from the new camera that my buddy Steven gave me. That's Aidan at home and a few pics from Hollywood.

Just for fun...

I had this brainstorm tonight that might work...might not. I've started a writing contest through my production company. If you want to play along, feel free. It's a simple concept. I've posted the rules for submission at www.mytakefilmcontest.blogspot.com.

That's all.

Hectic few days

I haven't stopped since Friday. I spoke for Tim at The Crossing this weekend on David and Goliath. Overall I feel like it went ok, but I felt a lot better about the last two attempts than the first two. On Monday I worked on an industrial video shoot and yesterday was packed with errands and paper work associated with the Hampton gig. Several meetings today and an audition in Beverly Hills...

It looks as though I did not get the TV portion of the Hampton project. I could tell in the room that I wasn't giving the director what he wanted...some sort of face that I couldn't produce on command. Commercial acting is this odd mix of "subtle" yet entirely produced and manipulated. I think it's much harder than typical film or tv stuff...for me anyway.

All for now.

Back at it.

Thanks for all of your comments on the last post. I'm always struck by the diversity of my friends across the world. I actually think it's something I'm quite proud of. I had an audition today for a series regular as the host of an ABC reality show. It's kind of Extreme Makeover meets ebay. It's already been sold for a summer run though. I didn't feel great about it, but stranger things have happened. Tomorrow is the final callback for the TV commercial for the Hampton campaign...which is seperate from the web, print and improv tour that I have already booked. It's a little odd because I will be auditioning for the people who just hired me in Chicago along with several other guys who auditioned here in LA earlier this week. Part of me is very confident and part of me isn't. I have another commercial audition tomorrow as well. They should start slowing in a week or two since the shooting days will start to conflict with the tour.

We are settling into the house nicely. We've been here exactly one month, but this was the first week with all of us here everyday. The kids are loving the backyard and the extra room to play. Debbie meet several neighbor ladies at a birthday party last weekend for one of Aidan's pre-schoolmates. It's starting to feel like home.

And one last note, Terry from Survivor rules.

I'm a Hampton Bed Head

OK, so I got the Hampton Inn gig. I flew into Chicago on Wednesday and the callback was all day Thursday. The first hour of the callback was short form improv, a la, Who's Line is it Anyway. That was my first clue that I might do well. They brought in 8 improv actors from LA, 8 from NYC and 8 from Chicago. By 5:00 they had selected six guys and two girls for the job. The job includes web commercials, print and a seven-week tour across the nation doing improv and marketing for Hampton. I was made the manager of the western/southern tour which goes to LA, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. We are in LA for at least eleven days which is a great bonus in terms of spending extra time with Debbie and the boys. All of us are also being considered for a naitonal commercial series for TV...

I almost didn't go because I was worried about leaving my family for so long, but it seems right to both Debbie and myself...the Hampton people were great about considering my family and placing me in the west. They also said that Debbie and the boys could visit and stay for free at the hotels. We are concluding in Orlando and may attach a family vacation at Disney there.

For better or worse you will be able to follow me around the nation via the website when it launches in late may. (The same day the tour starts-May 25.) We will be making short films of our adventures and posting them on the site. The campaign is called "The Bedheads" and we will be wearing messy hair for the entire tour as we travel around entertaining America. Shakespeare it aint, but it's a real gig.

More to come...

Yep.

I'm going to Chicago tomorrow...I made the final 14 for the Hampton Inn Improv project. I don't know if I want this job or not, but I'm going to go see what it's all about. They will let six go after Thursday's auditions...the other eight are offered the job.

San Francisco was great today. It is one of my favorite places on the planet. We shot all over town and I had a lot of fun. Today was the 100th anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake...a very interesting day to be there. I awoke at 5:12 am to the earthquake sirens blaring in memory of the exact moment the quake hit. Needless to say, I was pretty confused and not feeling too secure in my hotel room on the 29th floor.

I'm glad to be home, if just for a few hours. If you are a praying type of person we could use some help in discerning this job if it's offered...

What will be...

This week could go so many different ways...It's hard to know how to plan for it. Today at 3:00 I fly to San Francisco to do the Intel gig. I fly back tomorrow at 10 pm. (That much we know for sure.)

A few days ago I audutioned for what amounts to a traveling improv team. It's part of a Hampton Inn promotion and may also include national commercial spots. They auditioned improv actors in LA, NY and Chicago. They called to say that I was in the top ten from LA and of the top 30 overall. They will be selecting 14 to fly to Chicago Wednesday for the final callback. They will be deciding tomorrow, so I won't know if I'm going until a few hours before the plane leaves.

Once there, if I make it there, they will cut the 14 down to 8 who will be contracted and immediately go into shooting commercial spots. It would involve about six weeks of travel this summer...and I'm not honestly sure if I really want to be gone that long. They have only said that it "pays well" which could mean anything.

If it comes to that we will be needing a lot of discernment to walk through the decision process in a short amount of time.

I'll post when I hear from them.

Good Things...

Debbie and the boys get back tomorrow morning. Bachelorhood is overrated. It will be nice to be back together again. My buddy Gregg Stokes has come through yet again...I will be doing my third project for his company next week. I fly to San Francisco Monday to do a "man on the street" video for Intel. Looks like fun. I also found out today that I am on avail for a project in Las Vegas next week. Good things.

Being a loner this week I was able to watch two movies, both of which were great. I saw Walk the Line on video a few days ago. Also, I saw Thank You for Smoking at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood before my Cold Reading Class a few nights back. It was very witty and well done. I liked it a lot. Now I'm going to watch Good Night and Good Luck.

So...Good Night. And, Good Luck.

I'm on TV TONIGHT!

I just found out...

8:00 pm on the HISTORY CHANNEL. I play "Doug" the father of a girl who has a near death experience. I'm unsure of the exact title of the show...something about Heaven.

Finally back home

I haven't stopped to think for a few days now. Debbie and the boys left Thursday night to go to Indiana for the week. The next morning I shot a commercial for Lending Tree all day until Lifelines. It was close. I wrapped at 5:00 in LA and pulled into the church parking lot at 6:55. Today I read for the casting director of How I Met Your Mother. It went well.

I'm home now and very tired. I was considering going back to Vegas this week sometime, but now I'm unsure if it will work out with my audition schedule. I'm going to crash tonight and see what tomorrow brings.

Tomorrow is my 33rd birthday. Perhaps some great epiphany awaits...I'll keep you posted.

We're in

We have made it in the house! For the most part things are in order now. The cable and internet was hooked up yesterday. We have been enjoying the little things not associated with apartment living: doing the laundry without going outside, hanging pictures on the wall after midnight, getting the mail without a key, etc.

We had a huge team of people help us move this weekend. Thanks so much to you guys if you read this.

Movin on up...

Tomorrow is moving day. We have a crew coming in the morning and should knock it out rather quickly. Deb leaves tonight to make the big 30 mile trip up to Venice Beach with her friends from Vegas. The kids are going to Knott's Berry Farm all day tomorrow with our friend Lori and then spending the night with another friend.

So, let's review:

1. Debbie's Saturday: Fun at the beach with friends.
2. The boy's Saturday: An amusement park and sleepover.
3. My Saturday: Moving crap.

I'm not really bitter...it's just fun to complain. The house will be so much better for our family.

This week held four auditions, two for major parts in indie films. I'm back on GH monday. I feel like something is going to come in soon. I'm auditioning well.

House Dwellers, yet again

We got in the house early today! They called and said we could have the keys this morning. We are still planning on moving all of the heavy stuff on Saturday, but Debbie can get the kitchen, etc moved in before she leaves for the weekend.

I drove down to San Diego today for an interview with a film producer to play a leading role in an indie film. Looks promising, but it's definately too early to tell for sure. By the way, it's about twice as far to drive to San Diego as it is to LA, but takes about the same amount of time due to less traffic.

Off to teach a class at church now, and will return to my "half-packed" apartment to watch a freshly Tivo'd American Idol tonight.

Keepin' Busy

This week went by very fast for me. Five auditions and two cold reading workshop classes made for a lot of time commuting. Today I read for a commercial for a Japanese chewing gum that is made of green tea and claims to prevent tooth decay. I did very well and hope to hear back...it was a comedic improv audition. I was playing a dumb American...the role I was born for I think.

I rather butchered my Philly accent at the Hardees commercial on Monday, but beyond that I feel like I'm auditioning better than ever. I'm going up to Vegas tomorrow to meet with some people who might be interested in making a feature film with my production company. I will turn around and head back Sunday.

The packing officially starts tomorrow here at the apartment as we prepare to move across the street in just seven days. Next week will be busy as well. I'm back on General Hospital for at least one day apart from getting ready for the big move Saturday.

I taught on Jonah and Matthew 12 tonight at The Crossing. They are now posting my teachings online at www.thecrossing.com. Look for the "Lifelines Messages" and you can listen online or podcast if you want.

That oughtta do it for tonight. I have to get up early and hit an audition in Venice Beach before driving to my meeting in Vegas.

Sorta Booked

I booked a print gig for Harrah's Casino in Reno this weekend...then they pushed it back due to the weather there. They plan to reschedule in the coming weeks. I had a commercial auditon yesterday for Hardees/Carl's Jr. doing a thick Philly accent. I worked really hard on it, but I still feel like I didn't nail it. Callbacks are Friday but I'm less than hopeful on this one.

I have another audition for a film tomorrow and yet another on Saturday.

Will update again soon when I have more time....

Little Good Things

This week so far has been good. Tonight Debbie and I celebrated her birthday at our favorite new restaurant around the corner from our house. It's called Chat Noir, and it ain't cheap. But it was a wonderful birthday treat.

I've also had some auditions come in. One Friday for an AFTRA industrial, a film next week and an interview for another film project. Still working on some of my own projects and enjoying easing back into a producing role.

Just 15 more days until we move into the house...excited to get in, just a little less than excited to pack again.

Weekend wrap-up

This concludes a very active weekend. I had four auditions and had to turn another one down because I couldn't fit it in on Saturday. I have another tomorrow at 20th Century Fox. It will be my first time at FOX and I always love being at the big studios. I'm auditioning for a non-speaking role on a sit-com pilot. I would play a Russian basketball player.

Eli and Aidan got haircuts today and are looking quite daper. Debbie turns 32 in a few days! We are the same age for about three weeks each year and then I'll lap her again. 33 is just around the corner for me. Most people date Jesus' death at that age and I've always associatde that number with him and his life. I feel it will be a year of communion with him in a new way.

Producing, Following

I went to the SAG Signatory Seminar at SAG HQ last night to learn more about producing low budget indie films. It was helpful in that regard, but I also discovered that I happened to be one of the only actors in a room full of producers. I was able to give my card to a few people...I felt very sly.

Out of nowhere I have four auditions this weekend. I officially give up on trying to figure anything out in that regard. Take them as they come.

I'm meeting in a few hours with a potential partner for my LLC, Rebel Pilgrim Productions. I have about ten projects that could or could not happen this year and I'm realizing that I need help on the business side.

Lifelines is tonight and it will be nice to continue the journey through Matthew. We are in chapters 11 and 12 now and Rabbi Yeshua continues to reveal himself as a radical socio-economic revolutionary, mystic teacher and powerful leader. I regret how misunderstood he is in our culture, particularly among the religious. But why should we expect him to be any more palatable today then he was when they killed him? It's nice to be a part of the revolution.

Oscar Night and I'm Teaching Improv Classes

My favorite Oscar moments:

5. David Letterman cameo-nice.
4. The comedy that Jon Stewart actually influenced, ala the "campaign videos"
3. Reese Witherspoon's speech. Very real and authentic.
2. Philip Seymour Hoffman winning. He's superhuman good at acting.
1. Every time George Clooney was on screen. This is gonna sound a little gay, but I can't take my eyes off of him. I predict he will be president in twenty years.

My least favorite Oscar moments:

5. The theme of downplaying DVD's in favor of cinema. Don't beg, just make better movies.
4. The countless montage videos. You could tell Jon Stewart hated them too.
3. Ben Stiller. I reall really like him, but the green suit made me feel weird.
2. Winners bringing props (bowties, penguins, etc.) It feels less than humble.
1. The celebrity reporter people asking stupid questions. They are embarassing.

And in other news...

I've decided to teach a four-week Saturday morning Improv class. I've gathered about six students via Craigslist and will limit it to twelve. E-mail me if you are an interested Orange Countian. The cost is $30/class for four weeks. It will start sometime in April.

SLOW

So much for pilot season. This has been the slowest audition season since I moved to socal in July. I've only had two auditions from my agent in the last two weeks and only one from self-submissions. I have to assume that it has something to do with joining the unions, but it's driving me a little crazy. I've tried to focus more on writing and producing...some good things from that I guess.

By the way, the new house is a done deal. We move in April 1. No foolin. The last thirty days of apartment living should go by quickly.

I'm going to go stare at my cell phone until my agent calls now.

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...

Another One

I shot another sit-com pilot tonight. It was a lot of fun...much like the last one. It's independent without a buyer, being shopped, etc. We shot it in a studio near downtown LA. Desperate Housewives is shooting there next week. Pretty cool. I was to be a guest star, but they had me improv a bunch and bumped me up to series regular. I go back one day next week as well. (That's a big deal if it does get picked up...not so much if it doesn't.)

No word on the four auditions from Wednesday, but I did my best at all of them. I would like to land a commercial soon to have some residual paychecks roll in. It's really freakin' expensive to live here.

I got my SAG card in the mail yesterday. It does make everything seem more real and legitimate. All that and we hooked up our Tivo this week. (It was our Christmas gift to each other.) It's way cool.

4

Four auditions tomorrow. Three of them came in after 6pm today. That beats the previous record of three in one day. Just call me the Kobe of auditioning.

Slowing Down

I took Aidan to school this morning, came back home and crashed until noon. I haven't had a full night's sleep in over a week. It was nice to catch up. No auditions yet for this week. I'm shooting a small role in a TV Pilot called "The Imposter" this weekend though.

It's nice to be home...

Comedy Show Tonight (Sat)

Some of you asked....and this was the easiest way to let everyone know. I'll be performing with the OC Crazies tonight at 8pm.

Location:

DePietro Performance Center and Don Cribb Theater
809 N Main St.
Santa Ana, CA

I think tix are $15...

Keepin' On

I joined SAG earlier this week, so I'm a real actor now I guess. No getting around it really. It means, at least at first, that auditions will slow down a bit. I'm no longer permitted to do projects that are non-union. I read for a small roll in a Sharon Stone movie and also had an interesting audition for Hugh Jackman's body double in another. Normally it wouldn't be too exciting to be a body double, but it sounds like this is a green screen thing where I would actually be acting a lot opposite of Hugh...I think he's very talented so that would be cool if it happens.

I have another audition tomorrow for a romantic comedy. So...a few less auditions since joining, but from here on out they will all be worthwhile projects.

I leave for Las Vegas to do some convention work Monday. I'll have to work eight hour days like a grown-up. Good pay though.

For you OC locals, I will be performing in a sketch comedy show with the OC Crazies on Saturday, January 21. It's the same theater as last time. I'll post the details here next week.

Mac Attack

I just want to thank Miah, Greg and Robb for convincing me that I need a Mac. However, I think that they should take their passion to the next level and organize an international fund-raising effort for the cause. I mean, talk is cheap. I'd be happy to accept the check for such a worthy cause.

Humbly...

Joe

Can I do today over again?

All of my technology has conspired against me...

I dropped my Blackberry into the toilet. Let me know when you are done laughing.

...

Ok. So I had to buy a new one today. Turns out they cost more the second time around. That's why they are also called Crackberries.

The good news is I had my old one backed up on my home computer so I wouldn't have to re-enter all of my info. The bad news is my home computer is currently the technological equivelant of sandstone. (By the way, thanks for the help Miah, but it won't even let me get online to download the program. I'm going to have to take it to a pro.)

It's days like this I want to be Amish...

New Year's Computer Virus

Argh. I was doing a websearch for this director that I worked with last year and my computer was attacked by "spysheriff" adware. It has shut down everything including access to the internet, norton anti-virus, and even the ability to click on "my computer." If you have had this happen please post a comment as to what I should do...

Until then I'll be suffering by using my laptop only...I know, it's rather sad.

A suprisingly busy week

Hollywood pretty much shuts down this week, but somehow I ended up with five auditions...had a callback today for a national SAG commercial for www.moveon.org, a political organization backing the democratic party. I think they were trying to get me to say what political party I affiliate with at the callback, so I told them I was communist. They laughed. I was sort of serious.

I did have a good audion and chemistry with the people in the room though. They will call by tomorrow night if I got it. It shoots Monday.

Last night Debbie and I went on a real date to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary coming up in a few days. We haven't been able to go out as much lately as when we lived in Vegas. It was a very good night. We saw "The Family Stone" and we both loved it. There were a few trite and predictable parts, but the actors were phenominal across the board and the story was strong. I actually cried for the first time in a movie theater since Mr. Holland walked into the gymnasium to a standing ovation.

Deb's working a lot this weekend and I'll be hanging out at home with the boys. Going to Lifelines now...it's birthday night.

Merry Christmas.

Holiday Plans, Devil Girls and AFC North Champs

Christmas approaches...

I'm looking forward to the holidays this year. It's always hard for me when work slows down, but once I embrace it, it's a good thing. Today is Eli's last day of school, both he and Aidan have the next 16 days off...

Mom and Dad are visiting in early January and it will be nice to have them here. Dad hasn't been out since we moved here.

In between Christmas and their visit Debbie and I will celebrate our eleventh wedding anniversary. In a bit of payback for the last two years (in which I had to work on new years eve, our anniversary) Debbie has booked a party and will be away for most of the day and night. It will be odd being at home with the kids on NY Eve as we normally spend it with our friends in Vegas. Odd, but fun in its own way. We can watch a little Spongebob and call it a night. That's the way a 32 year-old father is supposed to party anyway. Heck, we might even pop open a few fruit boxes and do some Capri Sun shots...

Almost forgot two important things:

1. I booked a part in a SAG feature film called Devil Girl. I play a televangelist...which should be very fun. It shoots in early January.

2. How bout them BENGALS? I have no idea how to live life with my football team still playing in January...it's all so backwards. Maybe the Reds will make the playoffs too! I know, one miracle at a time.

Only 95 shopping days until my birthday...

We have wrapped the sitcom pilot. I spent the last few nights filming. I actually think it's going to be funny when all is said and done. Debbie had a big night last night with three of her parties going down at the same time. So...a very busy weekend for our family.

I'm working on General Hospital on Tuesday, but that's all that I have scheduled next week at this point. The Holiday lull is in full swing I have a feeling.

Friday was very cool. Lifelines organized a holiday meal for the local homeless people. I was able to spend a few hours hanging with some friends from Lifelines, as well as our guests. It was good to hear stories from them all and offer what little we had to help.

I received a copy of "Emerging Churches" by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger in the mail. I was interviewed for it three years ago. It was very interesting to see my own persepective back then and how it has evolved in one way or another. I've only skimmed through it, but it seems like a good resource for anyone out there struggling to translate the gospel into the life and language of the emerging culture.

Back to work, or not...

I'm neither auditioning nor working tomorrow. It's the first weekday in awhile where that is true. It's amazing how the insecurities of it all come crashing in on a day like that. You'd think that actors are neurotic enough, but the freelancing aspect of it pushes us over the edge. Things should start slowing down as we approach Christmas though. No matter what, the sitcom pilot shoots this week on Friday and Saturday. That will be nice for many reason, not the least of which is that it shoots less than two miles from my house.

I've been logging my auditions and it looks like I have a chance of hitting 100 auditions since moving here in July. That's unbelievable, especially considering it only accounts for half a year. If you had told me that I would have had 100 auditions in my first three years here, I would have been ecstatic. Granted, some of it has to do with my union status. I'm currently able to audition for both union and non-union projects. I'm now an AFTRA must join and will be a SAG must join after my next SAG gig. I'm thinking I will be joining both early next year. After that I can't work on any non-union projects, but the auditions I do go on will all be significant.

I did book back in Vegas for a convention in mid-January through a friend at church here in Costa Mesa...a little confusing I know. I'll be there four days on the convention floor running a game show both. Another great case of "who you know." Thanks, Bill...

Short Update

It's been a busy tiring week or two. The Punk'd callback went well overall. They had me there for almost three hours. They kept letting guys go and it went from 40 guys down to 9. Then they called us all in and the executive producer said we were all great and that we were going to do more improv. About 90 minutes later they let me go, along with another guy. About four guys were left there after we were dismissed, so I'm not sure if that means that they got it, or if I will hear back from them. It was the most exhausting acting experience of my life: three hours of improv with the constant possibility of being cut. I'm still recovering.

The last two days I've been working as a writer on the sitcom pilot. The script is complete as of an hour ago. Shooting late next week.

GH is over for now, but they said they will call again.

Days of our Life...

For all of you asking, it probably won't be worth the effort to try to see me on General Hospital. I think the six episodes that I appear in begin the week of Christmas. I pretty much just stand outside of the hotel lobby and let people in and out. No lines yet. I finally read for the casting director on Thursday and she said they will continue to use me as the doorman, and possibly some other speaking roles in 2006. So, it's definately a good thing, but nothing to spectacular on screen.

The bigger news is that I have the third and probably final callback for a series regular on Punk'd this coming Monday afternoon. That would be a pretty big gig for me at this point. One of the regulars last year is a new SNL cast member this year and some of the others have appeared in Ashton's movies, etc. The actual work itself would be well suited for me. It's not much different that what I did for two years at Tony n Tina's, except that people would have no idea I was acting...but I'm confident it's something I could do well.

All of this and the sitcom pilot that I've been working with is now in pre-production and should be filming just before Christmas. The year is definately ending in a chaotic burst of activity.

As for life in the family, we are all doing pretty well. The kids are excited for Christmas and we have decorated the apartment. Debbie is a party-selling machine. Stuff at church is good. I started a series in Matthew last night that I plan on continuing into the spring. It's good to spend time in the gospels. Jesus makes me want to follow him, even when his followers don't.

WORKING Actor

I was only actually on the set today at General Hospital for 15 minutes. I was at the studio for about four hours. I'm glad that I'm going back the next three days to try to understand it all a bit more. Soaps are definately different than the film and tv I've done so far. There's a good chance that everyday will be non-speaking. They originally weren't sure, but after seeing it all today I'm not planning on it.

However, I am getting to read for the casting director on wednseday before work. I'm not sure why really. I asked a guy today who has been doing background and "under five" (small speaking parts) at GH for years about it and he seemed surprised. He says its rare for them to do that. Who knows? I shouldn't try to figure that stuff out. Just enjoy being there and whatnot.

I will be able to make my Punk'd auditon tomorrow as well as an industrial callback. I don't report to GH until 7:00 pm and should only be there a few hours.

All for now...

Lazy Saturday

Spent a few days in Las Vegas for Thanksgiving and had a good time. We decided to drive back at midnight on Thanksgiving which was a good decision in terms of traffic, but my sleeping schedule is a little off.

Debbie has a big party that she booked today so I'm planning on taking the boys to see Chicken Little. It's always a crap shoot taking them to the movies. Sometimes they love it, but half of the time we leave early.

I taught at Lifelines last night from Romans 13. It was just one of those nights when it felt a little rough. I usually have five minutes to teach on Birthday night (the last friday), but I had 25 minutes this week. Just felt a little off, but I'm sure something good was happening underneath. I was a little sleep deprived and carb-hung over from Thanksgiving.

I'm excited about working next week. I don't really know what to expect. I also booked a little industrial video that shoots friday. So it looks like I will be on General Hospital Mon-Thurs then working again on Friday. I have an audition Tuesday for Punk'd on MTV as a series regular. (One of the guys who tricks the celebrities...) I hope that I can work it around my shooting schedule. I generally do very well at improv based auditions. One of the most frustrating things about it all is that everytime I book I have to pass up auditions. I think that's a big part of why it is so hard to work constantly as an actor.

I'm off to enjoy doing nothing...

GH

I was hired to work on General Hospital all next week...very small role, but five shows in four days. I play a doorman. Never been on a soap set. Never really watched a soap for more than five minutes...so this should be interesting.

UFO's , Jessica, and a new car

Much has happenned since my last post. Nothing too major, but all the same...

I had the callback friday for the UFO series. Crossing my fingers on that one. It went well...not stellar, but well. Afterward I ran into Jessica Simpson at the Arc Light Theater bookstore. She was reading US weekly and talking to her mom on the cell phone about the story in the magazine being untrue. Rather surreal, but left me pretty much unphased.

The van is still in the shop, but it will only cost $300, which is good considering they quoted me anywhere between $200 and $2000...I have a rental pick up truck now which is quite the gas hog.

And...we went ahead and bit the bullet on the new car. Traded in the Montero after a solid five year run for a Toyota Corolla. Not a sexy car, but very practical and much better suited for my travels. The savings in gas will nearly pay for the car payment each month.

Today was one of the busiest days since moving here. I had three auditions in LA this morning. They all went very well and, though I rarely say this, I'm almost certain that at least one of them will call. They were smaller projects and the directors were present. If they don't come through, no big deal. But a few of them are multiple day shoots starting after Thanksgiving. After my auditions I taught at church for Tim and followed that with my first performace at The OC Crazies. Good times. Debbie and the kids came. Aidan said I was funny. Eli said it wasn't fun because he couldn't run in the theater. Fair enough.

Tomorrow I teach three more services and follow them with the monthly Lifelines leadership meeting at Steve's house...then, Lord willing, I sleep!

My van door fell off and other stuff...

Quite a day. I had an 8:30 call this morning at a house in North Hills, north of LA, for the Age of Empires III commercial. It went great, but on the way there the sliding door in the minivan flew open and broke on a freeway exit ramp. I was pulling off of the freeway because I could tell the door wasn't fully latched. As I hit the gas to turn onto a street the door flung open and came off track...losing a few bolts. I managed to fix it enough that it stayed "on", if not closed, for the drive to LA. Basically, I drove over 100 miles today with the door stuck open though. I'm getting an OK paycheck for the commercial, so I'm hoping it will be a wash with the repair bill...

ANYWAY...this was a 60 second comedic spot...very funny in a silly "Bill and Ted" way. I wore an authentic British Red Coat soldier costume complete with knee-high boots, fake sideburns, funny hat and a real sword. They had my measurements all wrong (too small), so I could barely breathe, but it was good fun all the same.

I also found out today that I have a callback Friday to be the host of a new TLC/Discovery Channel show about UFO's. I feel strangely qualified for it. They are looking for a real host, not someone playing a character, so I would be my skeptical self investigating UFO sightings all over the USA. Here's hoping it goes well...would be a regular TV gig that could exercise both the creative and scientific sides of my brain.

That's all for now...gotta go to bed so that I can get up early and take the van into the garage...

I booked.

Finally! I actually booked the old fashioned way: through my agent. I have booked five projects since leaving Vegas but all of them were leads that I dug up myself, or someone who knew me throwing me a bone...thanks again, Gregg.

I booked a commercial for a video game (Age of Empires III) that shoots next week. I play a colonial British soldier...go figure. It is non-union, so no residual money but it is a definate monkey off my back. It's nice to think back to that full casting office and know that for some reason I was chosen. It means it can happen again.

I pre-spent some of the money on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." I took the boys to see it in the theater and they both loved it. They are watching it with Deb now. There is something about giving a gift to someone you love on a regular day...not Christmas or a birthday. It makes it more real.

Something's gotta happen...right?

Well...ten auditions in ten days. That's really good. I'm getting out there and I'm actually doing very well in each audition. I could use a booking for the old self esteem though.

I have joined the "OC Crazies", the longest running improv troupe in Orange County. They have their own theater and they are directed by an original member of The Groundlings, where I trained a few years back. My first show with them is in two weeks. It will be nice to get back to where it all began three years ago. Improv is still the thing that is the most fun for me. It's good to be back.

The TV pilot shoots in three or four weeks.

All else is well. Family is good. Life is moving fast.

Boo.

This may not be the prettiest picture, but it says something...Eli went as a policeman. He was accidentally a sexy policeman because we haven't done laundry and didn't have any clean undershirts, so he showed a little chest. Aidan was a pretty cool spidey. We went to the OC Fairgrounds for a big Halloween bash and they loaded up on candy. Pretty cool.

Uncle Phaph (the spelling is uncertain...that's Deb's brother Dave) and Aunt Sara are here but they leave tomorrow. It's been a nice visit.

Four auditions in 24 hours and I'm a little fried. I'm starting to recognize other actors at auditons now which is nice. We talk about the parts we aren't getting together. It's struggling actor bonding-you wouldn't understand.

Things progress...

Nothing too exciting or devestating to report. School is going a little better for Eli it seems. My audition classes end this weekend and I can tell that I am auditioning better. Hopefully they will pay off, or at least pay for themselves, by helping book something soon. The sit-com progresses. We may shoot in two weeks. An OC based improv troupe has expressed an interest in me joining...which would be a nice return to the roots of it all. They want me to come watch them preform this weekend. I'm writing a bit more when I can find the time. Lots of creative plates spinning right now.

Debbie is at a rehearsal tonight for Lifelines, the recovery service. We have a band and sing the last friday of the month. It's also birthday night when people get chips for years of sobriety. I really enjoy those weeks.

For all of my talk about TV last blog I really only watch three shows every week: LOST, SNL and Commander in Chief. It kind of stinks that I like Commander in Chief so much because I would definately watch EARL and The Office which are on at the same time otherwise. When we are rich I will get Tivo. Then I can watch five shows a week.

More Actor Ramblings

Well, turns out the cast my part in The Metrosexual before I even got to audition. I was pretty depressed when my agent called with that news. I'm prepared for not getting anything I audition for, even a third callback...but I wasn't prepared to get the call that the audition was cancelled. For some reason that stings a lot more.

But...the pilot is going well. I'm very involved and have pretty much become the casting director now. It's fun to have agents and managers calling me and kissing up. It's a strange industry that can turn on a dime like that. I'm holding auditions tomorrow for three roles...then I have an audition in LA tomorrow night and another on Friday. I'm learning that the more roles you can play (not actor "roles", but business "roles") the better your odds all around.

I've started looking for a manager this week as well. I've never had one because every agent I've ever had had convinced me that I don't need to give away another 10-15%. I'm not desperate for one, but I'm looking for some help to break into the networks.

Eli has been sick and home from school for two days. He seems almost back to normal tonight though (fighting with Aidan and all that.)

Off to watch LOST now...it has been nice to watch TV this season. It's the first autumn in three years that I haven't been stuck in the basement of the RIO every evening.

Good Things.

After two weeks and giving up hope, I received a third callback for the feature film, The Metrosexual. They are supposed to start filming November 2, so we should be getting close to the final decisions. At first I was called in for a supporting role, then called back to read for the lead. This time they want to see me as the sidekick. I definately fit this character description better than the others. I've read the script and this character is in most of the movie...a very big part. That's Tuesday.

Also, the sit-com pilot that I mentioned earlier is progressing very well. They have pulled me into the writing and production meetings. I haven't signed a contract yet, but they verbally promised to make me a writer and co-producer...which could be a very big deal if it gets picked up, financially speaking. We have a writer's meeting tomorrow.

Nearly Normal

The weeks are starting to develop a pattern, which is kind of nice. We are getting used to school and pre-school, though Eli has been experiencing some "bully" issues. Debbie has been working most everyday and enjoying it. I'm averaging about four auditions per week and seem to be working at least once or twice a month on something. The teaching is still a rewarding thing for me on Friday nights. So far so good with church as a whole. Being part-time is great. I have no desire to return full-time...actually less than ever, but it has been nice to use my teaching and leadership gifts on a regular basis.

I have an audition tomorrow for a small part in a feature film and I also have my third class at Margie Haber Studios. They have been good for me. I can feel some sort of breakthrough coming soon with them.

The state of Nevada sent us $275 because they ran a surplus last year and wanted to return some tax money. It almost made me want to move back. Almost. I promptly spent it on new brakes for the mini-van. There is nothing more exciting than getting unexpected money in the mail...and nothing quite so depressing as using it to fix a car.

Tar Pits, Heaven and a Booking

Here we are at the La Brea Tar Pit Museum in LA this weekend. Memaw and Papaw Colbert were here and we had a nice visit, though I wasn't able to be around much at all the last two days. Monday I worked all day on a one-hour documentary for the History Channel called "Heaven." I played the father of a ten year old girl who died and came back to life a few minutes later. The project was very interesting considering my background and all. It should air the first of the year.

Today I had my first of eight classes at Margie Haber Studios. I'm pretty sure that it will be a good thing for me. I had a quick audition for a cell phone commercial after that and then drove back to the OC to meet with a producer/director who is making a TV pilot in the vein of The Office/The Comeback/Curb Your Enthusiasm. We had already spoken on the phone and he offered me a leading role after the interview. He's a music producer breaking into TV and the project sounds very fun. They want me to be a writer as well. It pays a little upfront, plus some on the backend...and it could be big if it gets picked up. They will be shopping it to Showtime, HBO, etc. I'm not banking on it being my big break...but I am excited to collaborate and work in my favorite genre-mockumentary.

I'm hoping for a third callback on the film that I read for last week. It seems within the realm of possibility. As always...we shall see.

Tomorrow is a virtual day of rest. Debbie will be working and I'll take care of the kids after school. Doug and Jennifer Parks are coming in Thursday which will be nice.

Well...I'm going to bed now. I've been up before 5:00 am two days in a row. Most of you know how rare that is...

A Day in the Life...

The last 24 hours of my life have been marginally interesting. Here is summary for those of you who wonder about the life of an aspiring (on a good day) or struggling (on a bad day) actor.

YESTERDAY 2:00 pm: All I know is that I have one audition at 3:45 the following day for a feature film called "THE METROSEXUAL". (I've spent the last few days with Gregg Stokes, so I figure I'm ready.) It is a very small part-one scene.

YESTERDAY 2:30 pm: I'm taking my kids for ice cream after school because Debbie is still working. An e-mail comes in on my Blackberry from a casting agent in Santa Monica. It informs me that I have an audition tomorrow at 11 am for a new NBA video game. It is primarily voice over, but they would use my likeness as well. The character is a Jerry McGuire type agent.

YESTERDAY 2:50 pm: Getting back in the car to take the kids down to the beach to eat the ice cream, though Aidan has finished his by now. (Eli has barely made a dent.) My cell phone rings. It's the producer of a TV show called "History of Heaven" on the History Channel. She calls to put me "on avail" for the following Monday for the a role in the TV show. Being on avail means you are almost hired, but something could still fall through. It also means that I shouldn't accept any other jobs that day until I hear back. I have her promise to call me by the end of the day the Wednesday either way. It's a non-union job with relatively low pay, but it's TV which is better than commercial work.

YESTERDAY 4:15 pm: Back home from the beach. As we walk in the door my agent calls with another audition for the next day at 11:15 in West Hollywood for THE MAN SHOW on Comedy Central. I would be the voice of a monkey who says "Nope." That's it. Pays $700 plus residuals. I tell them about my other audition which conflicts.

YESTERDAY 4:30 pm: My agent's assistant calls back to say that they were able to move The Man Show audition up to 10:30.

YESTERDAY 7:00 pm: After dinner I leave the apartment to study the sides (scripts) for my audition. The Man Show is pretty easy. The others take some work. I return home at 9:00.

TODAY 7:00 am: I wake up and put on my suit since the agent role is early in the day, take a change of clothes with me for the film audition, and drop Eli off at school on my way to LA. 40 miles, 100 minutes later I arrive at the casting office on Beverly Blvd. (This is the worst time of day to drive in.)

TODAY 10:15 am: I sign in for the Man Show audition, fill out a size card (as always.) I wait my turn and go in to read the line "Nope" three different ways. Edd Hall, the old announcer for The Tongiht Show, is there too. We have the same agent. On my way out I find out that the project films Monday...and I am on avail. I say nothing.

TODAY 11:00 am: I make the 12 mile trip from West Hollywood to Santa Monica quickly and sign in for my Video Game audition. It's non-union. (SAG is currently negotiating with the video game industry as to contract specifics anyway.) Pays $1,000/day though. I'm the first for the day and the Casting Director seems very pleased with my performance. I do my voice over auditon first, then some movement in front of the camera. I have now had my first two V.O. auditions ever, on the same day in the same hour. Weird stuff like that happens all the time. I change clothes in the mini-van and get an oil change, lunch and read a few chapters of Margie Haber's book.

TODAY 2:00 pm: The History Channel calls to confirm. I work Monday. I call my agent to let them know. Now I hope that I DON'T get the Man Show because they will conflict.

TODAY 3:30 pm: I finally arrive at the tall office building on Wilshire where my film audition is...on the twelth floor. I walk in the lobby and the elevator is broken. After ten flights I vow to go to 24 hour fitness and transfer my membership, which is still based in Nevada. I sign in and wait. I'm the last for the day it appears. The CD calls me in and immediately says, "I'm surprised we called you in for this role." I used to ignore these things, but I say, "Is there a better role for me to read?" She says, "No...just read it. You're too good looking though." (Sometimes what is bad for the career is good for the ego...so I read.) She gives me direction and has me read again. She looks at my resume and says "Groundlings and Second City?" "Yeah, I have an improv background...500 live improv shows in Vegas." She gives me the script for the film (rare), and tells me to come back Friday and read for the lead. "He's Jewish and you aren't. Other than that you are perfect." I leave and get to my car parked on La Brea at 3:59 pm. They start towing at 4:00 and there is a parking cop behind my car. I smile at him inauthentically and drive home. 40 miles. 2 hours. (This is the worst time of day to come home.) This concludes my third audition of the day and my 19th audition for the month of September.

Well, there you have it. No day is typical. This one was a little more action packed than normal. We'll see what's next.

Help.

Argh! My last two auditions have not been pretty. They were both for big SAG projects and I pretty much choked both times. I used to be so freakin' confident at auditons, before I knew any better. Since moving here I have struggled with SAG auditions because I psyche myself into believing everyone else in the waiting room is a pro and I'm still this non-union wannabe...even though I could join tomorrow and probablty have as many credits as most of them...blah, blah, blah.

So, I drove immediately from my big Coca-Cola audition to Margie Haber Studios and signed up for Audition Technique Classes. Margie is very well known around town and has lots of clients you would recognize. I had taken a workshop with her in Las Vegas last year and she remembered me after a few minutes, which was nice. They have three levels and they placed me in the middle one, which is probably best. The advanced level is really for people who have a lot of SAG film and tv credits and the beginning level is mainly for people who have only done theater and commercials...I'm definately in the middle. Classes start next Tuesday and run four weeks, eight sessions. I need them.

Otherwise, we are doing ok. Debbie's parents come in this weekend to visit for the first time. That should be nice. We will get to go on our first real date in four months! Babysitters are hard to come by these days.

Back Home...

I had a great shoot in Las Vegas and Sacramento on the Intel project. It was very fun and refreshing to work with Gregg Stokes and his team. I hit the ground running with two auditions today and three more scheduled this week. I have always noticed that I audition better after working a few days. We'll see if anything comes of these.

This Friday the little film that I produced premieres at a film festival here in LA. Gerald, the director, is coming down for it. It will be nice to spend a few days with him.

Eli and Aidan seem to be adjusting better to first grade and pre-school respectively. It's fun watching them learn and take social risks. (Eli says he wants to be a Cub Scout. Debbie is worried that would put him on the fast track to nerd-dom, but I was a Cub Scout and I turned out...oh, never mind. Maybe she's right.)

VIva Las Vegas

I'm leaving now for my first of three roundtrip flights between now and Monday. Should be quite a whirlwind. I'm looking forward to it. I was able to squeeze in a few auditions this week as well. One for a TV show.

More when I get back...

It's Who You Know.

And I know Gregg Stokes. Gregg is directing a comedic video for Intel and asked me to be in it. So I'll be working three days next week, two in Vegas and one in Sacramento. I'm very excited about it. Unfortunately, I will have very little down time while I'm in Vegas to hang out with people. I fly in Thursday night, work Friday, fly home for my Friday night teaching commitment, fly back to Vegas friday night, fly home Sunday morning, fly to Sacramento Sunday night and back home Monday night. Crazy, huh?

It's nice to auditions pretty much everyday and then have a friend call and say, "You wanna work next week?" Very nice.

Lots of little things.

1. Labor day. It's actually a little depressing if you don't have a fulltime job. Luckily, the Caldwells came to visit which was nice.

2. Eli. He started first grade this week. We are all adjusting. He likes part of it and definately isn't too fond of some parts. Mom, Dad and little brother feel the same way about him being gone during the day.

3. Aidan. He turns four tomorrow. We've been playing baseball. He's good. He looks bigger all of a sudden.

4. Entourage. It's the greatest show on television and probably worth getting HBO for if you can afford it. It makes me want to be an...

5. Actor. Things have slowed a bit this week and last. A few auditions. Close call on a pilot, but no go. We had an audition for the entire family today. (Sometimes that use real families for commercial work.) It went as well as could be expected.

6. Chick-fil-A. We have been excited that there is a CFA within ten miles of our house. We go about once per week. Today we saw a sign advertising a new store...less than a mile from home. This is great news. After all, they didn't invent the chicken, just the chicken sandwich.

7. Katrina. I'm at a loss. I just know that many of my friends all over the world are doing remarkably selfless things right now because of it.

8. Football. Finally! Sure its unlikely, but for the first time in decades The Ohio State University and the Cincinnatti Bengals could possibly be world champions in the same year. Who dey?

Pilots and Photos

Well, it looks rather certain that I did not land the Nissan spot. Too bad. Today I had a callback for a sitcom pilot. It went well. They said the decisions will be made on Friday.

My acting website now displays some of my new photos if you are interested. Check out www.joeboyd.net.

Callbacks.

I'm all better. I was hurting for 48 hours...mainly just a fever. Then I woke up yesterday and felt fine. The body is strange like that I guess. Lets talk about the "callback" for a second, shall we? Before moving here I had auditioned in LA for about ten projects. I had three callbacks (second auditions) and booked once out of ten. Since moving here I have had thirty-five auditions and booked three smaller projects but no callbacks! (The projects that I booked didn't have callbacks.) So...yesterday was my first real callback since moving here. It was for a national Honda commercial. (The nation is Canada, but what are you gonna do?) It's a very clever and funny spot. Callbacks are at once exhilirating (you realize that someone actually liked something about you) and incredibly frustrating (you show up to find twenty other guys who look exactly like you that they also liked.) It feels like you have almost booked it, until you get to the audition then it feels like even more of a longshot than the first time.

I was talking to a guy waiting with me yesterday. He was saying that his wife always ask how his auditions go and he says "fine." "She hasn't quite got the grasp of the whole lottery system of commercial auditions," he said. When he said that it hit me. At this level...the callback for a major commercial...it's all about the client liking somebody's ear lobe or eye color or smirk more than the next guy. Somehow that relaxed me. So I went in and pretty much nailed it. Five times. They kept saying, "That was really great, just try this...", etc. I left knowing that in that moment I had completely delivered exactly what they wanted. I could just tell. Now I just have to wait this weekend to see if they liked one of the other guy's eye lashes or bone structure more than mine. Cause the other reality is, at this level, most everybody nails it all the time.

Sick.

I have gotten sick somehow. I was in bed for almost 24 hours with a fever and some stomach issues. I have to work tomorrow on a web-based teacher training video. So not getting well is not really an option. I'm also supposed to try to squeeze in an audition during my lunch break tomorrow as well. Should be an exciting day. Here's to hoping I don't blow chunks on the set.

Show me depressed..."Oh, I'm good at that one!"

It seemed rather vain to keep putting pictures of myself on my blog, but then I thought: What's more vain than having a blog in the first place? Since this journal is about my life and this week of my life has largely been about my new headshots, I figure I'll show off a few of my favorites. This one will be sent in for the CSI-ish shows. It reminds me of the guy on HOUSE for some reason. My agent hates my hair in this picture, but I'm going to keep it anyway. There is a lot of Joe in this picture. If that makes sense.

And...I booked again! (yea!), but it's still rather low pay (boo!). $100/day plus meals and gas money. I'd take that everyday if I could get it I guess. It shoots one or two days next week. I play a second grade teacher for a company that makes instuctional videos for the LA school district. I'll be working with little kids for the first time. We'll see how that goes.

I'm a little discouraged with no callbacks from the last few big SAG commercial auditions. I really thought that I nailed the DELL spot. They still may call, but at three days out, probably not. We are still doing well here and haven't gone seven days without a Las Vegas visitor, thanks to a surprise visit from Doug last night.

New Headshots!!

I just returned from a four hour photo shoot! I have over 400 pictures to go through now to choose 6 to post on the casting websites and 2 or 3 to mass reproduce for paper submissions. I couldn't be more pleased with my photographer (Dan Chapman, if you are looking...) or my proofs. My agent saw them and said, "We have a lot of work to do...these are all great."

I'm so glad that my first Hollywood headshots were actually the fourth time that I have had them taken. I finally know the different types and characters that I can play, and more importantly, the types that I get called into auditions for.

Tonight I have to trim them down to 50 so that my agents can make the final decisions. (My agents used to be managers, which bleeds through. I really like it that way. Everytime I see them they pretty much tell me what to do. (ie: get a haircut, don't wear that shirt in public, don't lose any more weight, etc.) In a business where nobody generally gives a crap about anyone else, its nice to know they care, even if it's mainly about the 10% they get from me. Advocates and blunt suggestions are harder to come by then you might think.

4 Auditions, 3 Shirts

I had a good audition for a Dell spot yesterday. It was the best I've felt in a long time afterward. We''ll see. Tomorrow I have three auditions: one for the LA school district, one for Diet Pepsi, and another for Pioneer. Tuesday I go to get my new headshots. I'm excited about having them taken so that I can have more options when submitting to people. Hopefully they will help me get more theatrical (film and TV) auditions. I have some new snappy shirts to wear. I guess if nothing else I get 3 snappy shirts out of the deal. One can never have too many snappy shirts.

Back To One!

The first time I was on a movie set they kept saying that and I had no idea what they wanted me to do...(see title). It means go back where you started and do the scene again. So...

Back to work! I had a rehearsal today for the comedic short that I will be shooting tomorrow and Saturday. It's funny...not very high brow, but funny. (There are more than a few farts throughout.) I have 7:00 am calls the next two days, so it will be early to bed, early to rise. Well, early to rise anyway.

Of course, I got called in for a great audition tomorrow which I can't do because of the shoot. It's a Volvo commercial that shoots for 7 days in Hawaii at 500 per day plus travel, food, 4 star hotel, etc. My agent is trying to get me an audition at the callbacks Monday, but I haven't read for this casting director yet, so that may not happen.

We signed up Aidan for pre-school today. Three days per week for the mornings. I think he will really like it. He always likes being in classes when we go to different churches. Eli finally said that he is excited about first grade. (He's not as big a fan of the classroom setting.) I hope he likes it.

I had to take the Keirsey temperament analysis for the first time ever. I came out an "INTP". It said I should consider being a mathematician or a linguist...the only two subjects in high school that I hated and didn't get A's in. But, also on the list were actor, writer and fine artist. The very first position on the "least common career choices" was "leader of religious organization." Hmmm....

It also said that other people with my personality were Plato, Einstein, Sartre, Descartes, Jung, and Tiger Woods. Which only proves if I was smarter or able to play g0lf I might have amounted to something by now. (I'm pretty sure that was a debasing self-destructive comment common to us INTP's...) It's really cool to say, "I don't believe in personality tests," so I'll say it now. I don't believe in personality tests. Too bad there's something to them.

I found at essay online about INTP's. We are less than 1% of humanity...so that explains a lot. Also, it says that many INTP's become artistic photographers. I can't tell you how many times I've thought about that. I've always suspected that I can see beauty...I just can't create it with paint or pencil. I'm mainly intimidated by the actual equipment, cameras, etc. It's time to move past that. I'm going to start becoming a photographer now. Read the essay here if you want.

Cuts, Bruises and Multiple Piercings

We took a few hits this weekend. Nothing major really, but lets just say we have been using our new health insurance. Eli cut his foot on a rock at the beach a few days ago. He's been to the doctor twice and they assure us that it's not a very deep cut, but he has it bandaged and hasn't been able to walk for three days. He's been crawling and hopping around the house.

Aidan followed suit by falling off the chair at the dinner table and injuring his finger. We don't think it's broken but it is very swollen and he reinjures it every few hours. I spoke at six church services this weekend and my throat is angry with me. I'm a little out of practice with the whole multiple church service thing...it can be more physically taxing than most people realize. Somehow Debbie has remained healthy, which is good since she is the bread winner now and all.

A few interesting things from tinseltown: 1. I booked another short film that shoots this weekend. It's very funny, in a potty-humor/SNL sort of way. I play the lead. It will be good to get in front of the camera again. 2. I have an appointment next week for new headshots with a fancy Hollywood photographer. My sessions in Las Vegas lasted about 20 minutes, this one will be 3 hours. I don't love photo sessions, but its part of it and I finally have a grasp on the sort of pictures that I need to get auditions I want. 3. I met a few interesting people at church with Hollywood connections. They are very excited about trying to help me, which is unexpected and exciting.

And oh yeah, Dennis Rodman was at church this Sunday and heard me speak, though I had no idea he was there and didn't see him myself. So...that's something I guess. A friend of mine went up to him and welcomed him, but she called him "Rodney." He didn't correct her.

I could have walked faster

I spent most of today on the 405. To be more exact, I spent over two hours on a ten mile stretch of the 405 between Santa Monica Boulavard and LAX. Friday afternoon traffic is the worst. I had planned on taking the 5 home, but the radio said to avoid it. It wasn't really as frustrating as you might think. I think I'm still just happy to be here. I didn't even plan on going into LA today but my agent had me drop off my headshots at a few places, one of which was CBS Studio City. The sumbission was for some comedy sketches on the Late Late Show. I normally watch Conan, so I had better catch an episode in case they call me in.

I taught on Jacob tonight at Lifelines. He was a real piece of work if you think about it. I told the story, but I still can't get my hands around God's capacity to bless such a selfish, manipulative jerk. That may be the point, maybe I'm that big of a jerk and God blesses me anyway. Who knows?

It has been a very Vegas weekend here. I saw Sean O'hair and Dale Neven in Hollywood yesterday, then Tim Dunfield and Gene-o were playing at a coffee shop last night in Fullerton. Sabrina spending the weekend here too. It's nice to be with family.

We haven't gone more than seven days without seeing someone from home. It looks like that may continue for a while...I like it that way.

Midweek Update

My ever practical friend Doug Parks came to town two nights ago and planted many seeds of doubt regarding my plan to buy the Prius. Allen's comments made me a little suspicious as well. I think we will be looking for something cheaper that gets good gas mileage.

No auditions this week so far, but I have two tomorrow. Debbie has been working more and more with the catering company, which she seems to really enjoy. It's a little strange for both of us to be working...a little odd that we now have three part-time jobs between us, but overall things are good.

I'm teaching again at the main church services this weekend for The Crossing here in Costa Mesa. That means I have the Friday teaching, two on Saturday and three on Sunday. I can see a Sunday nap in my future. I'll link the weekend message to my blog next week for those of you interested.

Booked.

My auditions thus far have, by and large, fallen into one of two categories: 1.) An interesting part that pays next to nothing or 2.) An uninteresting or embarrassing role that pays a ridiculous amount of money. I got an offer today. It's a leading role in a short film. It shoots for two days in Bakersfield next month. They're going to put me up in a hotel and pay me "a few bucks." But hey, it's a job.

Maybe I could land that nice Easter Bunny role to pay the bills...

Prius probability: 90%.

Auditioning at 18 mpg

Well, so far so good with the new agent. Two days and two auditions: a Nissan commercial and a video game commercial in which I would play the Easter Bunny. Ain't show biz grand? I think that I'm up to twelve auditions now in the last two weeks, and only one actual offer...which I turned down because it would shoot during the only time that I cannot work because of my teaching commitment. It would have been fun, but it didn't pay much. I'm learning that I tend to provoke a bigger than normal response when I audition, but that doesn't really mean anything. Most people get a "thank you" and that's it. I often get things like, "we'll probably call you back" and "the best yet" and "try to keep next Friday open." So I leave feeling confident and still never hear from them. I'd rather be obviously dismissed than so heartlessly toyed with...though I have booked a few times when I was sure that I had a terrible audition. You really can never tell at all what will happen.

They say you do 50 auditions in LA before booking...and I guess I have technically booked once here, for the American Idol spot. I have to admit, it's still a blast just auditioning. I'm living someone else's life.

I put 1,000 miles on the van last week. At this rate I will spend $4,000 this year on gas just from auditions. So...we may be trading the family van in on a hybrid Toyota Prius. If we do, that will make us a little more hip and green and eco-lefty. The kids might have to grow dreadlocks or something. I sat in one at the dealership and it feels like you are driving something from the Jetsons. You push a button to start it. I'll keep you posted.

A Fair Day

We just returned from the Orange County Fair which is taking place about two miles from our house. A new friend of Debbie's gave us free tickets and a free parking pass, which was very nice. It wasn't too dissimilar from the Ohio State Fair, which I went to every summer in Columbus growing up. I was a little surprised by that: lots of livestock and corn dogs and annoying hecklers trying to get you to pay three dollars to throw a dart at a balloon. The rides were very expensive, so we only did a few. I have never bought a photo after a ride, but for some reason I wanted this one. Eli and I did the log ride while Aidan and mommy rode the huge farris wheel.

This is my first weekday without an audition for eight days. None scheduled tomorrow either. Though I do have one for Thursday. It's strange that after a great week you can easily get discourged on the first slow day. I did sign with a new agency yesterday. (Stage 9 Talent) Telling my old agent was MUCH more difficult than I expected. She seemed hurt and angry. It sucked, but I'm pretty sure it was the right way to go. Only time will tell...

Double Agents?

I am the rare exception who actually enjoys the "struggling" part of being an actor. It's really three jobs. The first is marketing/sales. Basically, creating a brand. My brand is me. It's fun to have something to sell to the world. It's weird that its me...but at least I know me and don't have to learn all about SUV's or insurance or whatever else I could be selling. The second part of acting is research and networking. As a fairly nerdy guy, I can get into research. Always looking for the next project, the next person to partner with, etc. I spend hours each day looking for something or someone to help me out. The third part is the most fun: acting. It's the easy part in many ways...the reward of the other two.

Having said all of that, it looks like I may be about to do one of the parts of the business that I don't like. I have a second interview with a new agent tomorrow and I'm leaning towards signing with her. This would mean dropping my other agent, whom I like very much on a personal level. Everyone knows that it gets done this way. If I continue to work I will have to do this a few more times. But it sucks. I'm dreading the phone call.

I just need to make sure that I don't watch Jerry McGuire tonight and I'll be fine.

Mr. Mom

Debbie started her part-time job tonight at a catering company. I've been watching the boys and cleaning the house and whatnot. It looks like she will be working a lot on the weekends, but not much during the week, which will work out great for our schedule. It's been a long time since she has been in the work force, and never as a server. I hope that she enjoys it at some level. I think she will.

I taught on Abraham tonight at church. To me, his story is all about taking risks when God asks us to and then not trying to work out the circumstances apart from him after we take the risk. It's a good story to think about after a major life change.

Living the Impossible

Every few days I am reminded of something that happened to me four years ago. I was up late one night by myself watching TV. Things were difficult at that time-a lot of depression and emptiness and whatnot. Some channel was airing a two hour documentary on the making of one episode of Saturday Night Live. It followed the writers and cast and Lorne as they made the episode from nothing. Watching that show ushered me into one of the worst depressive moments of my life. I kept realizing, with every passing commercial break, how desperately I wanted to be a part of something like that. I had secretly dreamed of being an actor since I was a kid but had always pushed it away as "shallow" or "childish."

That night I added another word: impossible. I was simply too old at 28, too established, too submerged into my career, too "needed" by other people to chase a selfish immature dream. And I went to bed that night full of regret and grief. I think sometime after that I confessed to Debbie that I would like to take improv classes sometime as a hobby. I said this but I knew I would never take the time to do it. But the next Christmas she surprised me with the classes from The Second City. Then things started to change.

Today I was walking from an audition at the LA film school on Sunset to another audition on Hollywood Blvd. (For a guest star role in Barbershop, a sitcom on Showtime.) As I turned the corner onto Hollywood a fire engine with sirens blaring nearly knocked me over. I walked for a while and then looked down to notice the stars on the sidewalk. My right foot was on "Mr. Rogers." Then it hit me. I'm living a life that I thought was impossible four years ago. That's a remarkable place to be.