OMG! Once I pay off all my credit cards...I am DONE! I've had to use them in lieu of cash because of how I get paid in this crazy business I'm in ... butttt that I love so much. So with all that has been going on in the economy...yes it has affected us too.. a sista is trying her best not to fly off the handle with these credit card companies.
Now, I am a pretty responsible person minus the credit I've accumulated and didn't pay back when I got paid. But I pay my bills on time. But dang...when a sista is experiencing some hardship...why is so difficult to get a helping hand. If you've ever heard, "they set you up to fail"...well it's the truth. But that's why it's important to be well informed and on top of your finances.
For months I've been calling companies, trying to get some help to just pay them SOMETHING. I mean I don't want the late charge. I don't want my account to go into collections. I just want some help making some kind of payment. WTH? GEESH!
I just have to take a few deep breaths, meditate and pray. I know all I'm going through is for a reason. It's definitely teaching me a WHOLE lot. The list is long yall. lol. But the lesson will pay off ... and let's hope the callback I received today will too!!!
I got a callback today for one of the castings I went on last week! Wish me luck!! No...on the other hand...pray for me.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Faith Based Business
This week I went on 4 castings/auditions and so far, no callbacks. I figured out soon enough that I would need to rely on my faith to make it in this industry. But in figuring that out, I learned that clients have in mind what type of person or people they are looking for when they put together a casting/auditon. On a rare occassion you may come in and wind up being something really special and the client may choose to go in another direction. But for the most part they already have a pretty good idea of what they are looking for.
So with that in mind, I don't look at other actors or models as my competition. Shoot, who knows how long they've been in the game. Things may be just starting to pay off for them and they've been going at it for some years now. However, I deal with the rejection by finding ways to better myself. What can I work on? What steps can I take to evolve? What can I do to stand out. And in that time, I've also found ways to create some additional income. Because as most actors/models know...getting paid is sometimes a lengthy process. We still got bills. And for most of us who are passionate about it...we aint going back to the 9 to 5 business.
Furthermore, we are in a recession. I'm not happy about it. But I'm not mad at it either. It has pushed many, including myself, to come out of their shells. Forced them to become creative, find their niche, pursue dreams and just do things they would have not thought they'd ever be doing.
Being in business for yourself is challenging. But wouldn't you rather be challenged doing what you love than working for someone else helping them be successful doing what they love.
No I may not book every audition/casting I go to BUT...I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. You see what GOD has for me has already been written. So if I didn't get a job...it wasn' t for me. So I keep it moving and maybe I'll get the next one. Only GOD knows and I'd say HE knows best. : )
So with that in mind, I don't look at other actors or models as my competition. Shoot, who knows how long they've been in the game. Things may be just starting to pay off for them and they've been going at it for some years now. However, I deal with the rejection by finding ways to better myself. What can I work on? What steps can I take to evolve? What can I do to stand out. And in that time, I've also found ways to create some additional income. Because as most actors/models know...getting paid is sometimes a lengthy process. We still got bills. And for most of us who are passionate about it...we aint going back to the 9 to 5 business.
Furthermore, we are in a recession. I'm not happy about it. But I'm not mad at it either. It has pushed many, including myself, to come out of their shells. Forced them to become creative, find their niche, pursue dreams and just do things they would have not thought they'd ever be doing.
Being in business for yourself is challenging. But wouldn't you rather be challenged doing what you love than working for someone else helping them be successful doing what they love.
No I may not book every audition/casting I go to BUT...I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. You see what GOD has for me has already been written. So if I didn't get a job...it wasn' t for me. So I keep it moving and maybe I'll get the next one. Only GOD knows and I'd say HE knows best. : )
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Rain Rain Go Away...
I know we should be thankful for all GOD produces ... even the rain. But ummm...isn't it supposed to be like summer. Well I'm taking this lesson in rain-onomics. lol..yeah I made that up. I notice people's attitudes and demeanor when it rains...its well...not so pleasant it seems.
With all that may be going on in our lives ... if you're reading this...well the Lord got you up this morning. So whether its raining, sunny, snowing, hailing .. you get the picture... learn to be thankful that you got up to witness it. That's enough reason to be smiling any day.
With all that may be going on in our lives ... if you're reading this...well the Lord got you up this morning. So whether its raining, sunny, snowing, hailing .. you get the picture... learn to be thankful that you got up to witness it. That's enough reason to be smiling any day.
Eric Roberson..R&B at its best!
If you've never heard him sing or if you've never even heard of him. Please please please...pick up any one of his albums. I saw him last night at SOB's in NY. Pure fun and entertaining. Eric hosted the show but sang in between acts. There were four total. V. Rich being the best of the four. Annnd he is representing from my hometown... DC. You guys should definitely be on the look out for him.
I never really get to go out in NY but the last two days I've been invited out and have really had a good time. Thanks to my NY homies, T. Blockett, W. Borno and B. Christian for hanging out with a sista. You guys are a blast!
But um...yeah...make sure you pick up some Eric Roberson!
I never really get to go out in NY but the last two days I've been invited out and have really had a good time. Thanks to my NY homies, T. Blockett, W. Borno and B. Christian for hanging out with a sista. You guys are a blast!
But um...yeah...make sure you pick up some Eric Roberson!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
To Blessed to be Stressed
Sometimes the people you least expect to be a good friend, to look out for you or even give you a few encouraging words, wind up being a special part of your life.
I have been so blessed through my short time as a full-time, professional model/actress. The amount of people who have continued to look out for me has been amazing. GOD is so good. I can't say it, pray it or replay it enough.
Be appreciative for every opportunity or interaction you have. Even it turns out to be not so good. You know, not many people can say they are fullfilling thier dream. But I can ... and I have still managed to pay my mortgage, eat and travel to every casting and audition I was available for. I'm not saying payments haven't been late or worry hasn't set in, but things worked out.
I don't know how I forgot to mention this person in my first blog, but I definitely want to thank M. Pierson for opening her heart and home to me. She is the one person who hung in there with me before I started acquiring friends in NY or had friends move there. Now, I can kinda give her a break and rotate a little bit. But thanks for the talks, the meals, the books, and the advice you offered during and continuing through this process.
Being a child of GOD certainly does has it's perks!
I have been so blessed through my short time as a full-time, professional model/actress. The amount of people who have continued to look out for me has been amazing. GOD is so good. I can't say it, pray it or replay it enough.
Be appreciative for every opportunity or interaction you have. Even it turns out to be not so good. You know, not many people can say they are fullfilling thier dream. But I can ... and I have still managed to pay my mortgage, eat and travel to every casting and audition I was available for. I'm not saying payments haven't been late or worry hasn't set in, but things worked out.
I don't know how I forgot to mention this person in my first blog, but I definitely want to thank M. Pierson for opening her heart and home to me. She is the one person who hung in there with me before I started acquiring friends in NY or had friends move there. Now, I can kinda give her a break and rotate a little bit. But thanks for the talks, the meals, the books, and the advice you offered during and continuing through this process.
Being a child of GOD certainly does has it's perks!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Art of Noise
OMG! New York is busy, fast paced and LAWD...just so LOUD. If my patience was being tested today... it sho nuff was. From kids screaming at the top of their lungs to pedlers begging for money (this all on the subway mind you). I'm not saying that where I come from people aren't loud or beg for money but today it was magnified to epic proportions. But then everything in NY is.
So how do I tune it out...throw on my headset and pump some sounds on my ipod. Simply Red "I keep holdinnnnng in on..." Ahhhhh...perfect. Cause LORD, it's only by the grace of GOD that I haven't fallen off yet! Thanks LORD ... and the apple company too!
So how do I tune it out...throw on my headset and pump some sounds on my ipod. Simply Red "I keep holdinnnnng in on..." Ahhhhh...perfect. Cause LORD, it's only by the grace of GOD that I haven't fallen off yet! Thanks LORD ... and the apple company too!
Adapt 'frustr' ation
So I'm all excited about starting my blog and last night I couldn't even read up on all there is to know about my blog site, settings and all that good stuff...features, FAQ's, etc. because my laptop is dying. Well why not just plug the adapter in and all better right...NOPE. The adapter is not working. Why you ask? The heck if I know.
I just got this laptop in November ... so why isnt the adapter working...well I call dell. Sooo of course they can't say hello without charging you $50 because my warranty has expired. Does anyone NOT want to be an adult anymore. I mean owning a home, paying bills, working...its so overated. The tune that goes through my head is... "I don't wanna grow up...", well you know the rest.
DANG!!! can a sista just make a dollar out of fifteen sense so I can afford to pay for every little issue that arises unexpectantly. So if anyone knows where I can get an adapter for a dell inspirion 1526 for FREE... let a sista know please.
I just got this laptop in November ... so why isnt the adapter working...well I call dell. Sooo of course they can't say hello without charging you $50 because my warranty has expired. Does anyone NOT want to be an adult anymore. I mean owning a home, paying bills, working...its so overated. The tune that goes through my head is... "I don't wanna grow up...", well you know the rest.
DANG!!! can a sista just make a dollar out of fifteen sense so I can afford to pay for every little issue that arises unexpectantly. So if anyone knows where I can get an adapter for a dell inspirion 1526 for FREE... let a sista know please.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Bringing You Up to Date
I'm calling this space into my life as a fulltime model and actress ... my bloggery ... for the obvious. Simple explanation, it would be more like a diary if it were pen to book...but I decided that because of how most of us communicate these days... THE INTERNET ... here I am. Sharing my experiences in this rewarding yet challenging industry. But also as an open door for anyone pursuing or fullfilling their dreams, but dag on it...just feels like giving up, crying, cussing somebody out, screaming at the top of your lungs. Any verb that helps you get it all out and then bring you back to why you are doing it all in the first place. You love it!!!
Wish I would have thought about doing this 2 years, 3 months and 6 days ago when I first decided to quit my job and pursue my dream of modeling and acting. But one can't live in the past. But boy...I have some stories. So for all intent and purposes, I guess I should recap up until this day which has been a blower but also just another chapter in the pursuit of my dream.
Before I quit my job in march of 2007, I went to L.A. with 2 of my girls who were out there for their own purposes. I visited a few agencies to see what type of feedback I would get. Like 30 min or less after leaving one of them, I got a call. Long story short and the norm, they would represent me but I needed to live out there on the west coast. So I had it in my mind that I was gonna rent my spot and try to find a place to stay out there and try this thing out. But I had been submitting to NY as well, and when I started getting interest in that market, I'd figure I could stay in my house, that I hadn't been in that long, and just make the commute up to NY when I was called for castings and auditions. So being blessed with a brother- in- law who is from NY and whose mom still resides there, and friends, J. Greene, T. Blockett, G. Brooks and R. Barry....I've been able to make the commute and have a place to lay my head when I come in town.
Let me tell you this process has been challenging, overwhelming, joyous, memorable...that's just to name a few...but there have been times I have wanted to Q U I T! But I cry it out and ahhhhh....I start to feel better. GOD has truly helped me through it. His guidance and love have kept me together, along with the support and love of my family and friends. But back to today. Cause I gotta get that out so I can press on.
Well my normal pick of transpo is the greyhound or peterpan bus lines because its darn cheap. Well today...I get to the new carrollton station and the bus is there....early. Eventhough I bought my ticket online, I still need to pick my ticket up at the booth. So the bus is there early and I get there about 712am...bus leaves at 720am...hurry out the car...scurry to the booth...but as I'm doing that...I'm peeping out the amount of people waiting to get on the bus. NOTE: this bus has people already onboard from the DC station. I get to the ticket booth. Nobody is there. So of course I'm like ...not today...I have an audition at 110p...I've got to get on this bus. So I scurry back over to where the bus is...I ask what's going on... PROBLEM! It's not enough room on the bus for everyone. WTH?
So I've learned from picking the bus up in DC that they will not fill up the bus because they have to allocate enough seats for the passengers in New Carrollton. Ok so that didn't happen because its still about ten of us left. The bus driver says they're gonna send another bus in 20 minutes. YEAH RIGHT! So I've also learned from riding the bus for over 2 years and seeing so much unprofessionalism and nonsense with this company..I already know ain't no dag on bus coming in 20 minutes. Mind you I'm catching the 720am bus because I have to be in NY by 110p and the next bus out of New Carrollton doesn't come until 1020am.
So we are all waiting....and waiting....and waiting. This dude with tattoos all over his face and neck and earrings in his lip and chin compliments me on smile. Takes me away from whats going on for a minute because I'm thinking to myself...why? Not why is he talking to me but why all that on his face and stuff...
Anywho...I already have in mind that if the back up bus doesn't get here by at least 830am...I'm gonna have to dish out some money I don't have to buy a train ticket...that's right $124 ONE WAY...the bus is $25 ONE WAY. My face ... PRICELESS. The guy in the booth comes out to tell us something I already know... that the next bus is at 1020a. But this is also after one customer has already gone over about 10 min ago to assess the situation which couldn't be assessed because no one from the DC station answered the phone. If this had been a couple years ago...I'd been so HOT and tearing up. Crying over something I have no control over. But because the spirit of GOD dwells within me...I did what I had to do with some complaint and a lil attitude...but I got it together. Had to go ahead and get that train ticket. Thanks Greyhound!
Soooo...this brings me to my audition...which I felt I would do pretty good except I learned the wrong lines. I mean I was somewhat familar with the lines they wanted me to know but I wasn't fully prepared. Anywho...first read was pretty good...second read....ummm...well let's just say...I'm not thrilled about it. But hey...I need to be more prepared! Lesson learned...money burned or earned...let's just hope they are a little forgiving and its money earned. I need to get my money back for that train ticket.
Don't worry, I'm gonna see if those bamas at greyhound will let me change my outgoing ticket to my return ticket. Cause a sista will be taking a bus back... We'll see what happens... Stay tuned.. And remember, challenges are opportunities for you to reach your greatness! Hang in there. It will pay off.
Wish I would have thought about doing this 2 years, 3 months and 6 days ago when I first decided to quit my job and pursue my dream of modeling and acting. But one can't live in the past. But boy...I have some stories. So for all intent and purposes, I guess I should recap up until this day which has been a blower but also just another chapter in the pursuit of my dream.
Before I quit my job in march of 2007, I went to L.A. with 2 of my girls who were out there for their own purposes. I visited a few agencies to see what type of feedback I would get. Like 30 min or less after leaving one of them, I got a call. Long story short and the norm, they would represent me but I needed to live out there on the west coast. So I had it in my mind that I was gonna rent my spot and try to find a place to stay out there and try this thing out. But I had been submitting to NY as well, and when I started getting interest in that market, I'd figure I could stay in my house, that I hadn't been in that long, and just make the commute up to NY when I was called for castings and auditions. So being blessed with a brother- in- law who is from NY and whose mom still resides there, and friends, J. Greene, T. Blockett, G. Brooks and R. Barry....I've been able to make the commute and have a place to lay my head when I come in town.
Let me tell you this process has been challenging, overwhelming, joyous, memorable...that's just to name a few...but there have been times I have wanted to Q U I T! But I cry it out and ahhhhh....I start to feel better. GOD has truly helped me through it. His guidance and love have kept me together, along with the support and love of my family and friends. But back to today. Cause I gotta get that out so I can press on.
Well my normal pick of transpo is the greyhound or peterpan bus lines because its darn cheap. Well today...I get to the new carrollton station and the bus is there....early. Eventhough I bought my ticket online, I still need to pick my ticket up at the booth. So the bus is there early and I get there about 712am...bus leaves at 720am...hurry out the car...scurry to the booth...but as I'm doing that...I'm peeping out the amount of people waiting to get on the bus. NOTE: this bus has people already onboard from the DC station. I get to the ticket booth. Nobody is there. So of course I'm like ...not today...I have an audition at 110p...I've got to get on this bus. So I scurry back over to where the bus is...I ask what's going on... PROBLEM! It's not enough room on the bus for everyone. WTH?
So I've learned from picking the bus up in DC that they will not fill up the bus because they have to allocate enough seats for the passengers in New Carrollton. Ok so that didn't happen because its still about ten of us left. The bus driver says they're gonna send another bus in 20 minutes. YEAH RIGHT! So I've also learned from riding the bus for over 2 years and seeing so much unprofessionalism and nonsense with this company..I already know ain't no dag on bus coming in 20 minutes. Mind you I'm catching the 720am bus because I have to be in NY by 110p and the next bus out of New Carrollton doesn't come until 1020am.
So we are all waiting....and waiting....and waiting. This dude with tattoos all over his face and neck and earrings in his lip and chin compliments me on smile. Takes me away from whats going on for a minute because I'm thinking to myself...why? Not why is he talking to me but why all that on his face and stuff...
Anywho...I already have in mind that if the back up bus doesn't get here by at least 830am...I'm gonna have to dish out some money I don't have to buy a train ticket...that's right $124 ONE WAY...the bus is $25 ONE WAY. My face ... PRICELESS. The guy in the booth comes out to tell us something I already know... that the next bus is at 1020a. But this is also after one customer has already gone over about 10 min ago to assess the situation which couldn't be assessed because no one from the DC station answered the phone. If this had been a couple years ago...I'd been so HOT and tearing up. Crying over something I have no control over. But because the spirit of GOD dwells within me...I did what I had to do with some complaint and a lil attitude...but I got it together. Had to go ahead and get that train ticket. Thanks Greyhound!
Soooo...this brings me to my audition...which I felt I would do pretty good except I learned the wrong lines. I mean I was somewhat familar with the lines they wanted me to know but I wasn't fully prepared. Anywho...first read was pretty good...second read....ummm...well let's just say...I'm not thrilled about it. But hey...I need to be more prepared! Lesson learned...money burned or earned...let's just hope they are a little forgiving and its money earned. I need to get my money back for that train ticket.
Don't worry, I'm gonna see if those bamas at greyhound will let me change my outgoing ticket to my return ticket. Cause a sista will be taking a bus back... We'll see what happens... Stay tuned.. And remember, challenges are opportunities for you to reach your greatness! Hang in there. It will pay off.
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