Well, it only took five months for me to get out on a golf course in LA. It wasn't a good course, but it was free, so that was definitely a bonus. I had been trying to set up a game with a childhood neighbor's friends pretty much since moving here but for a number of reasons and scheduling conflicts, it just didn't happen. Thankfully, he and the two buddies he brought were cool dudes and fun to play with. I didn't play particularly well, but just getting out there was good. And, now I have some guys to play with every now and again. One of whom works for an elite agency. There is no chance I would be represented by them at this juncture, but it is good to know someone who shares an outside interest, that way talking shop is easier and more natural, and could also lead to some positive things. We all exchanged numbers, so hopefully I'll be playing quite a bit more than once every five months now, which is good.

Keeping in the spirit of following up with friends of friends, I met an industry professional for breakfast yesterday. I had met with him once before back in the fall for the obligatory, "yeah, sure I'll meet with this random dude because he says he's your friend" breakfast. Thankfully he didn't think I was a big loser, and agreed to meet with me again. While there are certainly other factors to gauge how well get-togethers go, a one I sort of focus on is the length of said meeting. Maybe these folks don't have somewhere they have to be at a certain time, but they could absolutely lie about that fact and get outta there. Regardless, I feel like it was a good meeting. I mean, it wasn't really a meeting in the business sense of the term, we just "met" for breakfast and discussion. We went to this french café in Culver City, which was pretty tasty. I had the 3-egg (organic, of course) omelet with bacon, spinach, and goat cheese. It came with a small arugula salad and I got myself a coffee as well. We chatted about what movies/tv we had seen, select performances, "that guy", the process of getting a movie made - all sorts of things. We also talked about my upcoming classes at UCB, and how great of a thing it was to do. First, to stretch the boundaries of comfort, to meet other people (some of which you may click with and go on to do your own content with), and to see what areas you're talented in. We got a little more in depth into finding things you are good at, and really being the best at them, while managing the things you were not as talented in. Basically, the journey is important to success, which I guess is a little esoteric, certainly so LA, but also true. It is imperative to find the things you are good at, and really hone those abilities so you (and others) can "pitch" yourself. Potential is way harder to pitch than the tangible, something I am finding out all to well right now. Lastly, he is going to try and make it to my "graduation showcase" and give me honest notes, something we also discussed - finding people who will give you honest feedback whether it be good or bad. He also energized me about reading and writing more, which is a good thing, no doubt.

The last thing I'll leave you with is a few thoughts from a workshop I took this past Saturday. A few of the shows this particular casting associate works on are: Sons of Anarchy and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Both great shows (in my opinion), but the first is a drama and the second a comedy. I initially was attracted to the Sons angle, but quickly learned that this workshop was going to skew more towards comedy. There were a number of people who performed who got some really good laughs. I happened to go last, and managed to get some laughs myself, which really is quite a good feeling. I thought I did an OK job, but wasn't really sure I left much of an impression. While at the gym yesterday, I got an email from my consultant (the girl who passes along workshops she thinks I might enjoy) saying how much both the employee who produced the workshop, and the casting associate enjoyed what I had done. This news made me feel pretty great. There is always kind of an empty feeling after workshops, or auditions for that matter, because there is rarely any personal feedback. I mean, you can sort of tell, but nobody is really all that interested in telling each individual what they thought. So, it has been a pretty good week or so, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next couple of weeks bring before I throw myself headlong into the world of improv, which I have less than zero idea whether I will be good, decent, or terrible. Regardless, it is sure to be an adventure as well as a learning experience.

Till next time.

That guy, and other news

So I just did something that I am super nervous about. I signed up for improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) here in LA. Everyone keeps saying how beneficial it is and blah blah blah. Not much of a story here, except part of the class is a mandatory performance. Live. In front of people. Whats that you say? An actor with a little stage fright? Well, I haven't done anything live in front of people since Chief Osceola was running around Lake Silver with no shirt on. That was the 4th grade, so I'm a little rusty.

In other acting news, I was at an audition yesterday for a student film. It was a graduate film at one of the best film schools around, so I was kinda pumped about it. I'm sure I killed it, so don't worry about that. But, the reason I'm telling you about this, other to keep you informed, is that I continue to come across people I can't believe exist. Let me set the stage for you a little bit. I walk in the room, and there are probably about 6 other dudes in there, the casting is obviously running a little behind, no big deal. I spy the sign-in sheet, so I go over and put myself on the list and sit down to go over the sides while I've got some time. Then, HE walks in. I didn't immediately know it was him, but I found out pretty quickly. Upon crossing the threshold, he, loudly, asks the room where the sign-in sheet. 6 heads look up and motion to the only table in the room, which also has a notepad and pens on it. AKA, the sign-in table. So he signs in and sits down two people away from me. He then starts with general niceties, "Hi, whats your name?" etc. Since he is a person away, I don't answer, or engage in any way. Then he begins this conversation, as loud as possible, about how most student films are total [crap] and he was surprised that this one "flowed really well, and didn't try to hard, the writing was actually pretty good, and not pretentious at all." I had to relocate. Not only could I not concentrate on the sides, I had to stifle my laughter at this clown. I go get water. Come back to hear him saying "Daniel Day-Lewis is overrated, and frankly just not that good." Ok, kid still auditioning for student films (I forgot to mention that he studied at the Strasberg theatre in NY before moving to LA. I also neglected to mention he dropped out after 6 months of a 2 year program) here's a little tip: hating on two-time Oscar winners isn't really gunna get you very far in the acting world. Also, who doesn't like Daniel Day-Lewis? I mean, seriously. Next, he launches into this whole big rant about how he hates it when no one is talking in the lobby before auditions because it's so stiff. He likes to be loose when he auditions. To which the other (now 7) heads looked at each other in inward laughter, not believing this guy was for real. Numerous people relocated because he was talking, yet he never picked up on the fact that no one else wanted to talk, to anyone, let alone his annoying self. I know I may not get the part, but I hope he doesn't either. I dont even feel bad about saying that.

Through too many connections to write, I had a meet and greet with the Head of Casting at MTV (scripted shows, not reality, though maybe I should sign up for Real World 117) this past Tuesday. We met for coffee. He had an expresso, I had green tea. So LA. I really only expected for it to be a 15-minute sit down, the obligatory "someone asked me to do this, so I'm going to, but I'm not that pumped about it" meeting. Well, an hour and a half later, I was proved wrong. It turns out that I'm doing a lot of the right things, which was nice to hear. When we were done talking he encouraged me to continue to email him with future questions, and if I were to meet with any agent/manager/casting director he would be happy to put in a good word on my behalf, assuming he knew the particular person the future me would be meeting. A very productive meeting, I think. I sent him a thank you note.

One of these days, I will post about some awesome thing I just booked or something, but until then, you will continue to get posts about people I don't like and meetings that may or may not go well. My improv class doesn't start for a couple weeks, but I imagine you can expect some posts about people and events from that. Till then.

All the way Back

After six months in Afghanistan and an odyssey home that included locations like Tarin Kowt, Kandahar, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Ireland, Canada, Louisville and Chicago I made it home just in time to enjoy Christmas with all the family in Orlando, Florida.

Minus the L's who arrived later in the week.

Captain was happy to see me.

I enjoyed spending time with the boy king P and meeting our new addition L. Despite being sick during the first part of our time L was perfect. Her demeanor must have come from BML's side.

L's boat ride in the Bear Suit.

Yay Yay worked really hard for that P smile.

We spent time at Gilchrist, took in a Magic game and played some golf, but our most fun time was spent in the kitchen preparing meals and readying the house for our many guests. P showed me his love for flying machines and even invented a new game called copter, which both exhilarates and frightens him, and I know it worries LDL, but he always wanted "more."

I got to see the judge at work in Jacksonville, hearing some exciting testimony on patent infringement and rounded out the Florida sweep with a trip to Pensacola where I saw some of our family there.

Now I'm all the way back in San Diego, enjoying a house filled with new furniture and new roommates. We've enjoyed the MLK weekend preparing dinner for friends and a cousin new to the area. Now it is back to the grind where all the problems I left behind still remain. I guess there truly never is any rest for the weary!

and so it begins...

1127 is quieter today.  BML is back to work, CMD left a week ago, RBD III just walked out the door, FTD has officially started full time school again, and RBD Jr. is back and forth from Jacksonville.  But it was so so so good while it lasted.  P man coined a new word in our family, dobie.  He usually used it when he was really, really happy.  P would walk around the house, most of the time in just a diaper, singing "dobie, dobie, dobie, dobie."  I think it is safe to say that we have all been "dobie" for the past 10 days or so.  But we have to go back.  Back to finding work negotiating contracts, finding work as an actor (know anyone???), providing blankets of freedom, learning, judging, and little person raising, and of course I can't neglect to mention LTD who does all the work holding us together.  We are a thankful bunch, we have many blessings. 

Over the holidays I have loved watching the aunts and uncles play and cuddle with my babies.  I don't know why, but there is something different about watching all of them interact than when someone else is with them.  They each have their own special things they do with the babies, and they are all so so loved and cherished.  So much that I have to tell P most of the day today that they are gone, but they will be back soon to play.  Back soon to watch him try to ride his bike, back soon for tickle fests, and copter, back soon for impromptu trips into the pool, they'll be back soon.  But we'll miss them while they are gone.

Here's a picture of us, minus the judge and BML (busy working.)  We're dobie. (it's about 60 degrees, P made us wear hats.)

Did we fail to mention RBD III is back!!??  He is, safe and sound.  We were too busy being dobie.

Baby girl....too big already for the bear suit.

Baking.  A favorite activity.  P makes great cookies! (apologies to Auntie Tess, who also loves to bake with P, I can't access pictures from NC yet...)

Tee ball.  Keep your hands and face clear!

Boating around sunset.

Copter!!  Uncle RBD III has perfected 2 full rotations of flying high...awesome, and heart pounding.  P always wants "more!"



 I love the uncles with the babies.  Adjusting hats, important piece of outer wear on our walk.

Thanks for keeping up with us during our hiatus!  In other news, both P man and sweet L have been sleeping at the same time for an HOUR!!! I wish they would have told me their plans, I would have taken a nap myself.  But then, you wouldn't get this post and we would lose all 16 of our faithful followers.

Long Winters Nap

Well, hello there readers. I know, I'm sorry. I bet you dont even recognize me anymore. Maybe with some time, you'll be able to forgive. I sure hope so.

So, since the last time I wrote to you, I have had a number of adventures. The week before Thanksgiving I said "see ya later" to LA, and headed to Orlando, if only for a minute. LTD picked me up at the airport and we headed immediately to Pensacola, Fl. That's right, I was in Orlando for exactly as long as it takes to drive from the airport to the city limits. I dropped LTD off in Pensacola and continue to drive to Fairhope, AL for a friends wedding. If you have never been to Fairhope, and I don't know why you would have, you should go. It is a lovely town, and I had a lovely time. Since I'm updating for a number of weeks, I'll keep things fairly surface oriented, not too many details. But, at the reception for this wedding, they had these grilled cheese sandwiches. Now, I know, you're wondering how a grilled cheese sandwich could possibly make a non-detailed post. Well, they were delicious. Little triangle pieces of bread with ample amounts of pimento cheese slathered in between the slices, the chefs generously applying butter as they brown to perfection on the grill. You're mouth is watering, I just know it. Anywho, after the festivities, I picked LTD back up from Pensacola and headed to Orlando.

Once back in Orlando, it was time to celebrate P-man's birthday(the L clan was in town for Thanksgiving). The kitchen was decorated the night before with streamers and balloons, most notably a life-size(I guess life-size for a fictional character is hard to gage, but it was large) Elmo balloon. I didn't really know how much the kid loved Elmo until this trip, but he loves Elmo, a lot. For the big day LDL, BML, LTD, Pman, Goose, and I all made the trip to Disney. Originally, I didn't think a 2-year-old could really enjoy Disney. I was later told by a family friend whom I was recounting the story to, "Aw, no man. Kids love that [stuff]." Which, of course is the truth. Pman loved riding Pooh, and pointing out all the animals, even the ones only he could see(they weren't imaginary, he just saw them when others couldn't. The kid is impressive. BML and I took his on Dumbo, which was a lot of fun, however, we did get a few looks as maybe an "alternate lifestyle family." As LDL mentioned in her post, Pman also loved Jungle Cruise, although it was the site of his one and only meltdown. Granted, it was nap time and the line was pretty long. It was also fairly evident it was coming as he started to get a little loopy and decided that taking a sip of his water and spitting it all over himself was funny, which, of course it was. The Country Bear Jamboree was also a bit hit, but P missed some of the show because he was very taken by Buff, Max, and Melvin- the lovable animal heads on the wall (buffalo, deer, and moose respectively). A very successful day to day the least. And tiring.

We were minus RBD3 for Thanksgiving, but still managed to have a decent time. The food, was, as always, quite delicious and provided me with meals for a number of days to come. I don't know how many of you have had LTD's chocolate meringue pie, but, well, let's just say it would be featured in my "last meal". This is generally not a real healthy eating time for me. I have a problem with holding back when there are all sorts of deliciousness around me. So, I didn't hold back. And I was ok with that.

My next adventure was accompanying LDL, Pman, and Goose back to Annapolis to help pack up for their big move to Otown. More than once, I was called "Daddy" by strangers referring to my wrangling of Pman. It was too early to try and correct them. I was a little nervous about how the plane ride would develop, since I dont fly with 2-year-olds very often. But I learned quickly that for these 2 hours(or so) the best thing to do is to give him whatever he wants. Which was really just food and "birds". And ice.

While in naptown, my responsibilities were pretty much just either to play with Pman or to pack. These often overlapped, and really the majority of the time was spent playing. There were at least two games he enjoyed very much. The first, was me carrying him as we ran in the field behind the house. This got tiring quick. Not because I didn't want to do it, but because I physically got tired and could no longer do "more". The other started as an accident, I think. P was balancing on my stomach when he drooled on me. I laughed and said something along the lines of "ew, P, dont drool on me." So, of course, he loved this and thought it was hilarious. After playing and packing for a few days, I drove the volvo down to Orlando to begin the L clan moving process.

Next up is Wilmington, NC. Another wedding. I rode with a few people, which was a little ironic, since I pretty much had passed Wilmington on my drive down a week earlier. I had been to Wilmington once before for a 4th of July weekend. I vowed never to come back. Not because the city isn't great, because, it really is a cool place. But, because, well, nevermind, it's not important. The wedding weekend came and went, with all the functions being fun, and once again I left saying, "never again."

Before Christmas, 1127 saw the return of FTD and RBD3. We all had a great few days, which included a lazy Christmas day the like of which haven't been seen before at our house. One of our main goals was to make sure the house would be ready for the arrival of the L clan. 9 family members sleeping under one roof. I believe everyone was quite dobie (I hope everyone passed the reading comprehension portion of the last post). We really spent the next few days just hanging out and being together. I know it had been, but it never really seems that we've not all been together in recent memory.

New Years Eve came and we had a nice family dinner before a few people headed out and a few people headed to bed. It was good to see some friends before heading back to the West Coast in what would be a few days. Oh, at this party, there was some incredibly good food. Chicken and pulled pork sliders, really good sushi, and my favorite bacon-wrapped dates. I probably had 20. I don't think I'm really exaggerating much at all.

Well, I think you probably saw the pictures of the walk in which P made us all wear hats since it was so cold (60 deg). It was a pretty great send off to cap what was a wonderful 6-weeks bouncing around the southeast. I forgot to write about a Christmas party, which was great, but the best part was that it ended with viewing some old family videos with great friends which led to gaffawing as they always do. Shortly there after I FB'd (I would actually like to see everyone's reaction to that to see who immediately understands, and who never gets it) that "I'm sorry you didn't have my childhood." I was obviously meant as a joke, but I just can't imagine anyone having it better than us.

Fin.

long time gone

one of us will blog soon.  promise.  hopefully.  we've been together.  it's been awesome.