New attitude...

After a lot of soul-searching, thinking about my career, my personal life, my personal goals and dreams, as well as what I want to use whatever success I come upon in my career for, among many other things, I am feeling peaceful...at ease, yet plunging ahead to fulfill my dreams and my purpose for being here...yes here, on Earth. Sounds big, huh? Well, it is. And I have found it to be so important for us humans to take a moment to evaluate our lives and who we want to be, what we want to achieve, and how we can best use the gifts we have been given in life.

There are amazing things all around me. Wonderful artists, opportunity, nature...everything seems to be right here. And it is...I feel as if I am exactly where I am supposed to be. In Los Angeles, California. I needed to write that out, because it is easy to overlook how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to pursue my dreams with the support of people who love me. Now, the purpose of this blog is not for me to pat myself on the back...just to get it all out ;) A couple of months ago, I had a tough time...in a good way. Oxymoron? naaaah...its how I go through things. I have learned that about myself over the years. Its like a hard workout session. I'm running uphill, so hard, and it hurts...but then at the end it pays off and becomes a very positive thing for me. It feels so good. So, from time to time, I really take a look at myself and what I want to make better. At this point, I am feeling very ready. Ready to sing. Ready to act. Ready to use the gifts I have been blessed with to the fullest.

My first year in retrospective:

**I moved into an apartment by myself and was able to get a job to support.

**I have spent the first year here in LA getting on sets doing extra work, or background, which is such a good first step, I think. I still do it from time to time, because I think it is fun! Some people here don't like it, but it can be looked at as a great learning experience...and a way to get some extra cash. One of the highlights of my extra work days so far was when I was able to be on my favorite show's set for several days: Glee. It is my goal-show, for sure! So it was cool to see how it works.

**I've also been in an AMAZING acting class for six months. The support that circulates through that room is wonderful. It is a major part of my week, and I have developed some true friendships as well as contacts from it. I feel myself improving every week, which is saying something! Not every class hits home with people...I got really lucky. :)

**Auditions have become a more regular thing: which I am so excited about! Commercials, a feature produced by the American History X team, and pilots and webisodes. Every single one is a learning experience, no matter what. I actually LIKE to audition now! Pshh, never thought I'd say that.

**Independent feature supporting role in August of this year. A great learning experience.

**Casting director workshops--so helpful, in my opinion.

**Made a commitment to volunteering at Children's Hospital a few hours a week :)

What's next:

I have decided to cut a vocal demo to put in my package. After a lot of prayer and meditation, I found that music is so supplementary to my life. My voice has been warming up for this my entire life...and, like I said before, my goal would be to be on a show like Glee...where I can implement my two loves: singing and acting, and tap into my show-choir love!!!

I have been working my ass off at the gym and have been eating better to just become healthier in general.

At the beginning of the year, I will be putting together my reel so I can have that for agents and managers. Its time. I am going to go ahead and pay for it myself and have friends and director contacts for good cameras.

So, 2009 was a learning year...in many many ways. I've learned a lot about myself, who I am, who I want to be, and how to best use my abilities in singing and acting. Now its onward..here goes...

Sending love, as always.

Its finally freezing (drr..well, it's cold)

Ahh, just when I begin to think I live in a weather-wise abyss of perfection, it rains! And it's cold! And there is snow on the mountains in the distance! I live on Earth! Now, one might ask: why wouldn't you want sunny 70 degree weather every day?? My answer is this: everything in moderation. I like to feel the seasons from time to time, and where I am so grateful for the sunny California weather that sets in nine months out of the year, I do enjoy my 4 days of rain per year and right about now, I love bundling up in my sweats. Feels like snuggly home.

I worked my ass off today. Pshh, well, I've been busting it every day it seems lately. Which is an amazing feeling. I don't thrive well off of a scant plate. I find if I am listening to good music, I can do just about anything. Music=invincibility.

Currently on my playlist: Anything Michael Jackson. Gah! What a man...

I've got a casting director workshop tonight, which at its end next week I will be auditioning for three different commercial casting agencies. I've got an audition tomorrow for a webisode series. Yay! And I am, of course, trying to be more active. This town just does that to people...its kinda awesome.

Loving life, pretty much.

Countdown to flying to Birmingham for holidays: 13 days. woot woot!

So much love,

Katie

wow...its been a while.

What have I been doing since July?

Well, I am still in acting class, loving it more and more every week (that's a good sign!). I'm learning and growing constantly. I filmed an independent feature in August which was a wonderful learning experience...everyone had a voice in it because everyone was learning!

You know what? Why harp on the past? This is where I am now...and I'll be better at this blog thing. As I said, I'm loving acting class. My weekly dose. I am auditioning!!! I've learned to treat it as a performance. I have to. Its my chance to act for an audience, essentially...and it is the only way to make it to where I will actually be working. Even if I get 100 no's before I get one yes, the audition room is where I am a performer, other than when I am in class. Auditioning is so surreal. Its like you're not even there. On the ones that I've been on, I can't remember a THING I did in the room. Maybe its my mind's way of protecting me from overanalyzing. Thanks, mind! So all is well. I'm working on my skills and putting myself out there. I really would love to get back on my singing. I am always singing anyways...but mainly just around my apartment. I reallllyyyyyy miss singing in public. :(

On a non-professional note...I wrote a friend an email a few weeks ago telling them about things I've been thinking about...I'll take a little bit from that and put it here. Obviously, some of the private details will be taken out.

Recently, the inevitable question has entered my mind: why am I here? Other than the tugging at my heart that pulled me here in the first place...and has yet to lead me another way, I feel that whatever success I have here, small or large, will be so that I can give to others. And I don't mean to sound like some kind of martyr or something. I'm real...and I do have things that I will want to do in my life (for myself, my family, my loved ones, etc) with whatever success I have as well. A part of this evaluation period I have been in has been accepting that a lot of the people I love are really far away from me...therefore I send love really far away. Solution: find a local outlet for that energy as well! I have discovered a part of me that I think deep down I always knew was there. I have tapped into it in the past. Through several different avenues of inspiration, which I would love to go into at a later time (too much to explain in one email), I have decided to place that energy into spending time with kids at the Children's Hospital here in addition to sending it all over the country to my other loved ones. So I acted on that, applied, and I am going to an orientation this month! I already feel so much better. I am also looking into Big Brothers Big Sisters. So there :)

So that's kinda where I am..As usual, my thoughts are longwinded and I am always soul searching...especially lately. I'm very thankful as well...for everything I am able to do and for everyone in my life. :)

I'm bad at this lately...

Seriously...its been like 3 months since I've written anything substantial...but here I am! Weee! 

The past few months have been crazy! 

I'll take it back to May.

Ashleigh came to town in early May and we celebrated my birthday with friends on my rooftop. So fun! It was nice to have Ashleigh here to spend some one on one time with her. She spoiled me and bought me about 87 presents...including a George Foreman which I often put to good use. Kabobs are neat. She also helped me add to my ever-growing cameo collection. Love 'em! We visited The Abbey, both of our first times. This is a fabulously gay club where there is a very convincing transexual who performs there every monday. Makes the $14 mojito worth it, right? Anyway, so that has become one of my favorite places in the city. Its on Robertson and Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood...the heart of "Boytown". Gah, I love this city ;)

Nicholas came to town in late May!! We had such a great time. We went to XIV, a super trendy new restaurant on the Sunset Strip and had happy hour specials on the patio. Amazing! I love date night. We walked around Silver Lake  (one of my favorite areas of town) and had some great times together. Met my LA friends at The Abbey later on in the trip. These are all pretty mundane details but thats why I can't wait this long to post. BAD KATIE! 

Last month, me and Ashleigh and Scott met in Austin with Nick and Erik. REUUNNIIIOOONNN. We had silly times. Floated down the river with beer. Class all the way!!

I started taking acting classes!!!!! Stan Kirsch is my teacher and I love the class! It is so all encompassing. He used to work with Leslie Khan, who is a very reputable school in this city, so I was excited to get cracking with him. When I went to my initial consultation, the first thing he did was teach me something I had never heard before. good sign, eh? Then, I went home that night and watched my ritual episode of Friends and HE WAS ON IT! Ahh star alignment. So I took a leap of faith and signed up. I've learned SO much. I realized that I really NEED to be in class. Get the rust off, ya know? It's definitely a necessary step for me. So I am happy with that. Understatement!!!

Work has been slow, but I have recently joined a few casting groups and have really been putting myself out there. And last week, I got a call from someone whose friend I gave my business card to 7 months ago and he cast me in a feature film!!! Independent. For festivals. I'm excited! I need to get in front of a camera asap. I am going to a read-through today! 

 

Boring post,  but its something! More thoughtful post later :) 

Slap on the wrist!

I've really been slacking here. Tooooo bussyyyy to blogggg. Updates soon. Promise. Mom and Dad are in town now :) So next week...

In short...

More to come later...but here's the jist...

I started my first acting class in LA last week. It was bumpy but my rusty wheels are re-greased! I am in it! Rehearsals are underway full-force. Classes are Thursday nights and last about 5 hours! LOVE IT! 

I got stuck in a Scientology commune for 12 hours last Saturday. It was interesting for sure. No, I am not a Scientologist now. 

Been working a lot and studying for this class. It feels SO good to have a script in my hand again. 

Loving life. Missing the bf daily, missing friends and family. 

OH. MY. GEEEZ.

So...I have worked-count 'em- 24+24+24+14+24+24 hours since last monday...that's 8 days. Lets tally that up: 134 hours oooohhhh myyyy. Hey, its money I suppose. I am due for some ME TIME! I start my acting class on Thursday, so I am preparing for that as well...while I work. :) I am so excited! More later. Gotta go WORK!

Also, I would like some unique flute glasses.

Online social overload!

Wow...

Now I am on twitter, facebook, AND blogging. Something is bound to be neglected, but I shall do my best. I am working A LOT this week...and I am talking 82 hours. I'm a hustla. I picked up 3 extra shifts this week so I am going to be WIPED OUT!!! worth it for the moolah. So this week is work work work, but I'm sure there will be adventures to be written about. Have a lovely Friday. Six Flags Magic Mountain and then rooftop mimosas/brews on Saturday for Mark's bday celebration! Wee!

Homemade goodness...

I made a pizza...from scratch! at work today :)

Unpaid work=payoff later

Research Research Research...

I've decided to take matters into my own hands! This so-called "industry lull" is doing nothing for me...so I've got to do stuff for myself. Use it to my advantage! So I've been researching all kinds of classes and casting director workshops. Work work work!!! It does make me feel so much better to be productive! I've got a meeting with Stan Kirsch, a fabulous teacher, on Thursday! Wish me lots of leg breaking :)

Yowza, it's been a while...

Here's the lowdown....

I went to Vegas 2 weeks ago and it turned out the club I went to had a "special guest" who turned out to be JAY-Z!!! say whaaaaat?! I climbed into someone's VIP section and was-I'd say-20 feet from him and P-Diddy. I was unenthused about "Diddy" (saying any of his 18 nicknames makes me uncomfortable), but seeing Jay-Z was cool (his nickname doesn't bother me. He doesn't impose it on people...jigga what?) So that is the highlight of the trip but it was pretty amazing. I had lots of drinkies...free drinkies. 

Then it was my birthday last monday...wee!! I had to work that night but that didn't stop my weeklong festivities. I love my birthday. Is it a little self absorbed? mmm, probably. But I don't care! Excuse to go out and "rage" a little bit as Californians say. Ashleigh came to town Thursday and we did lots of fun things...beach time, rooftop vino and LOTS of giggling, The Abbey-the most fabulous gay bar I have ever experienced topped off the weekend. By the way, this is the extremely abridged version. 

I'll add photos later-for now you will have to just enjoy my beautiful words. 

The past week...

Soooooo....

I went on a movie set last week, and you never really know who will be there, and who else did I see but Andrew Keegan. Where is my Bop Magazine?! haha it was fun. I played a drunk girl. Stumble-stumble.

Thursday, I flew to Austin to see me my man-fellow-boyfriend. Loved it. It was pretty fantastic seeing the Nicholas again. Three months since last time I saw him in person. He took me out for my birthday on Saturday night at a Cuban restaurant. We proceeded to party our little tushies off on 6th Street in downtown Austin. I had the best chilidog of my life. And I met a sawweet little puppy!!! That's all in a nutshell, but basically I had a great time. And I got to see Erik and Scott! And I spent mucho time with my fellow. Lucky lady. 

LAX to AUS

Alrighty...

So I am on my way to Austin to see my manfriend, which has hit its overdue date by far. I am on the plane listening to a little Radiohead, a little Placebo. Strange, I am so excited and in such a good mood but all I want to listen to is dark shhtuff. And I really need to use the designated lavatory. I have a window seat. Here goes this song and dance. Something that always weirds me out a little about using those spacious little powder rooms is that I can see every single person, man or woman, short or tall, large or small, knowing that their naked little (or not so little) rump is sharing the same porcelain. I like to give the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they all hover. Hmmph. Riiiiight. 

Anyways, so yeah, I realllly have to go. So the woman next to me sleeping soundly. It would not be very neighborly to wake her up, so I'm like "Ok, I'll just wait till she wakes up." Aisle seat guy seems quite alert on his laptop. Why don't I take this time to strategize. The ever bewildering conundrum: crotch or butt? Which is the better way to scoot? I generally go butt, but I discovered that there is a hole in my leggings near, err, there which caused me to strategically choose my undergarments. Oops. So crotch it is. My sleepy neighbor wakes up. Time to make my move. I unbuckle. And then...noooooo...laptop guy fell asleep, laptop very conveniently placed on his tray table. Damn. Guess I'm holding. Then I had a thought. A mildly silly one. What if there were rest stops off exits in the highway in the sky? It's kinda Jetsons, yes, but if we can travel in a flying bubble from continent to continent in mere hours, it doesn't seem like that big of a stretch. Ahh, what I would give for a 7-11 at 35,000 feet.

I never got to go to the bathroom.

Okay, so I got a boo-boo today. I was running in Hancock Park (my usual chosen route) and I passed this really nice-looking older man eating an apple and walking a very large puppy. I passed him, with a wave and a smile, rocking out to shuffle mode on my iPod. About half a block later...it happens. (cue: ominous cinematic music). I lose my stepping. And literally, fall on my face...as in, I scraped my chin. And, as the picture suggests, scraped my knee like a second grader. I wish I had a video. It was one of those moments where I got up like, "okay, I got lucky, no one saw." Oh,  but alack and alas. The man I had just passed and his puppy were running up to help me. It was so sweet, and it was one of those very genuine "oh my god, are you ok? what can I do to help?" things rather than an "OH SHEEIT, YOU JUST BUSTED!!! HAHAH" kind of moment. but I just kind of hopped up, waved and smiled again, this time a bit more awkwardly, thanked him for being so nice and ran away. It was one of those moments where I uncontrollably giggled when I tried to replay it in my head. So not only did I bust my ass, err-face, on pavement, but now I am the girl that's running and laughing at the same time...Things that make you humble. 

 I am in love. 

loooong weekend

(ahem) 

I've been out of the bloggy loop for a few days. I had a 24 hour shift at work on Friday and then I took Mandy to the airport. I had from then (Saturday) until now off. On Saturday a friend of Mark's birthday celebration was a bonfire on zee beach. I was 

hoping that I would get some background work either today or yesterday buuuuuttttt some weeks are slower than others I suppose. For easter, I walked down to this episcopal church that is right down the street from my apartment and it was really beautiful. Went to a cookout that night. Been running a looot lately. There is this beautiful neighborhood a few blocks from my apartment called hancock park that makes a 3 mile run

 seem like nothing. Me loves. Here's a picture of me and my pseudo-sibling.

Yesterday, I saw Steve Wosniak drive by on a segway. So that was random. 

Day off...

So yesterday was sorta miserable. I was sick at work. funnn. So today I went all out on my day off. I woke up (not too early) and did PowerYoga which thoroughly kicked my ass. I ran some errands, got my eyebrows waxed, and washed my particularly sludgy car. I was actually embarrassed when the guy took my ticket. So then I came home and went for a run/powerwalk for an hour! Trying this whole getting into shape thing. I really feel better about life when I am exercising a lot. WHO KNEW! 

I am really wanting to do some things around my apartment. It's a bit too...how do you say...angular. I need some curves. My lovely ladyfriend, Caitlin has turned me on to this amazing website apartmenttherapy.com which has become my nuevo go-t0 site for inspiration. I kind of want to paint something really feminine a really bold color. Sayyy red? or royal blue?

Mark, Jenna and myself went to an art opening last night which turned out to be about a thousand people walking around a maze of art galleries drinking and eating strange ice cream puffy goodness. Hi-Fructose Overdose was the main display we went for, but we saw lots of cool artists and photographers' work. And the drinks were free. So that was neat. Example: 

Gustav in my life.

So today was pretty average, but productive...and exciting. So really, the "average" day here can be beyond satisfactory. One may recall my mention of Gustav Klimt from yesterday. Well, I chose my images and have since found 3 fabulous thrift store vintage frames. Ahh, resources at the drop of a hat. Bravah, Los Angeles.

I think this is how people do this...

Hmm...ok....guess this is where I tell you what I am up to.  :) 

Disclaimer: My little fingers are feeling particularly non exclamatory. So, imagine all of this with overwhelming excitement flowing onto your computer screen. Or-here- I'll get it all out.   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(ahem)

Well, as anyone who cares enough to know about what is happening in my new weird life, you already know that I live in LA now...have since the end of October. No sense in harping on the past. This is what's on my mind: 

I got a new driver's license and it looks like I have a mullet.  :( 

I have had Barry Manilow songs in my head all week. I went to Vegas for work from Monday till today and had a fricken blast. We (myself, Mandy-the woman I am a personal assitant for, and her production company partner, Peter) stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton where Manilow headlines. I have heard way too much about Lola's yellow ribbons to say the least. Food for thought: How does good ole Barry get his face to look like that? Surely genetics would've served him better. 

I just saw a commercial for a Natalee Holloway MOVIE on Lifetime. Too soon? I think so. Thoughts and prayers to your higher being of choice for her family. 

Vegas was fun. Peter drove and Mandy sat in the front, I was in the back and had special treatment because I am a Vegas virgin. We drove in and they took me right onto the strip. AWESOME!!! Really, it is everything one would expect. Bright lights, huge hotels, boobs, brothels, a casino here and there. Overwhelmingly exciting and gluttonous. In a good way. I really loved it. Anybody up for a trip? I'm game. Monday night we went to dinner and then we went to the Stratosphere where Peter insisted I ride not one, not two, but all three of the rides on top of the tower (I had mentioned on the way there that I love roller coasters). I obliged happily. So I dangled 110 stories in the air. Literally. The rides all hang over the edge. Kinda badass. Vegas certainly does cater itself to a smorgasbord of people. Kinda made me realize why America is known as the fat country. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know I could tone up as well. But...it's a health thing! Come on, America! Lets get sexy. The second day there was filled with meetings for Mandy and Peter, so I was along with them all day and then we hit the casino where I won a little bit and I do mean a little bit. Forty on a ten bet. Black jack. I find that playing the innocent little beginner behooves me. People give little tips. Hey, more than I had before right? Had some free cocktails that tasted like paper. 

Oh, did I mention that Tuesday night we met for a dinner meeting with 2 brothel owners? They wore lots of gold. 

Hey, remember when it was cool to describe things as "pimp"? Stream of consciousness. 

The ride from LA to Vegas is pretty much 3 1/2 hours of dirt and joshua trees. Made me think of U2. 

My love for Gustav Klimt art has been reinforced and I am currently looking for prints to frame for my little haven. 

In an effort to bring physical and mental harmony to my life (anyone who knows me is well aware that my mind has trouble not being on an effing treadmill) I have taken up the long process of perfecting Power Yoga. I mean, damn. It is very challenging. So I got a training video that is eighty minutes. A real ass kicker. So I am moving farther up and up per day working up to the full 80 minutes. Then, I will start going to classes. There is this awesome place in Santa Monica that is all donation. Thats what I'm talkin' about!! Wish me luck. 

Guess I'll post this link on my facebook or something. I miss everyone a lot! This blog thing is kind of fun :)

 

Come back!

Yo!

Ok, So I've never done a blog before so here goes...

Welcome...to my life. Via blog. 

Sometimes I get sick of typing, so be patient.