This morning we shot the last of the footage for "Let's Talk". Ben Ramsey of Ramcity Productions let us use his house for hair and makeup (we actualy shot a few scenes at his house as well). I'd seen him around but hadn't really gotten an opportunity to talk to him until today. He is a really big guy which is funny because he is sooo nice. Like a gentle giant...lol. He told me that I'd been doing a good job and asked me how long I'd been in LA. I told him a little under a year, which he seemed very surprised to hear. He said he'd seen actresses take years to get to where I am. That totally took me aback. I was like, "I wouldn't exactly say I'm anywhere special. I'm just working on working like everyone else." He looked me and said "Trust me. I know what I'm talking about." He talked about how it usually takes about 5 years to really start making a dent here in LA. I told him that I'd worked in Chicago and that my whole plan when I moved to LA was to hit the ground running and figure out as much as I could (and as fast as I could) about how the business worked here. I told him as soon as I got here I started doing workshops and found people that were doing well in the business and bascially imitated what they were doing. Many times I didn't even know why I was doing something...but if certain people were doing, so was I...LOL! Things have changed a bit since then. I mean, I still look at people more successful than I am (and that's ALOT of people) and try to pick up a few tips and tricks of the trade...but because I have more of an understanding of the business, I don't have to blindly follow everything they do. I also told him that I am ALL about business. I mean, I bet I can count the number of clubs I've been to since arriving to LA on one hand! Don't get me wrong...I'm not a "stick in the mud", but I came here with a purpose and I'd much rather be working on my website or a new mailing than waiting in a line trying to get into the newest Hot Spot. I'm on a Quest for Success...and a whole bunch of partying ain't on my agenda right now (ummm...Mekhi's house excluded...lol)! He was pretty impressed and he told me he'd like me to talk to an actress friend of his. It's so amazing to me that I've done so little...yet people feel I can be of help to them somehow. That's crazy to me!! I'm not so sure that I have anything important to share...but whatever I have, I'll freely give. My mama used to sing a song that said "If I can help somebody along the way, then my living will not be in vain". I truly believe that.

Ok, so then I was off to a Watts Elementary school to finish the footage for the project. I went into an actual classroom and worked with some 5th grade students. The kids were sooo much fun!!! There was this one kid, Kevin, who already seems destined for show business..lol. I used to work with kids back in Chicago and I have to say this experience made me miss it. I got a lot of hugs on the way out which was very nice. The photographer who was shooting the still shots said that the kids really came alive once I got there...he was this old kinda southern man, he said, "You had a wonderful repoire with them. When you came in, it was like somebody pushed a button!" I gotta say out of all the compliments I've gotten on this project...this one meant the most to me.

I was suppose to meet with Pacific West Artists today but I had to cancel. I'm just sooo tired from such a busy week...plus I wanted to go shopping for my son's event tonight and after rushing and running around all week I just couldn't do it again today! I really just couldn't! It kinda worked out, I wanted to do a bit more research on the agency before I decided whether or not I wanted to meet with them anyway.

My son had his band concert tonight...he was so handsome in the new outfit I bought him (suit, dress shirt,tie and shoes). I RARELY go on shopping sprees so this was a very special treat...and you could tell that he felt like a million bucks. Even his sister commented on how great he looked. She said, "Wow Gabe, you look SO presentable!"..LOL...you could tell he was on cloud nine. His performance was really great too...I video taped it while my girl took stills. Everyone once in a while in the midst of our very chaotic life, I look and my children and think...huh, MAYBE I'm doing something right...lol...Maybe! Time will tell.