My day started off by going to see my daughters play at school. I simply cannot believe how big they're getting!! And they have a birthday coming up in like two weeks...time doesn't stop does it?? Anyway the play was cute, but my girl is so shy She reminds me of me when I was her age...I didn't really come out of shell until college! But since then it's been on...lol. All in good time I suppose.

After the play I went to a meeting to discucss the promotions for "Let's Talk". I met with the director/writer, Michelle, and cast members Tasia Sherel, Janora McDuffie and Lamman Rucker. I cannot say enough about how amazing and dynamic this group is. We came up with some ideas to really try to blow this film UP! This project has truly been a blessing for me. Oh, and it turns out that the film is going to air the same day as the BET Awards, which is very cool in terms of marketing potential. We're also planning another screening towards the middle of May, so stay tuned for more info!

Oh, also the India Arie video I did is out...that is one talented sista! Check it out, but remember one very important thing...if you want to see me make sure you Don't Blink! LOL! There are a couple of images of me, but they go by fast. To make it easier on you, I'm in pink and I have a scarf on :) Click here for the Video then click "I Am Not My Hair". Enjoy, it really is a great song!

Audition: Building Our Home (I think this is a print audition)

Looong day. I did some promotional modeling today, which is not much fun but pays pretty well. Luckily, there were some fun people in our crew. Thanks Dave, man...you made my day bearable :).

Callback: BellSouth @ Kery Patton

I think every black actor in Hollywood between the ages of 25 & 45 was at these callbacks. It was like Medea's Family reunion...lol! One guy was like, I'm waiting on someone to to bring in the barbecue. I rarely see so many of "us" in one spot, but it was cool.
This town is so small its crazy. I see the same people over an over at auditions...one guy has played my husband or friend like 3 times in the last month. He calls me "tetris", because that's what you can usually find me doing while I'm waiting for a commercial audition. I'm addicted...lol. Anyway, it was nice to be surrounded by so much love...I'm truly glad to be in the number.

I had an interesting day of drops today. I start out like I always do with my list in hand and my hat pulled way down...I usually like to be kinda incognito, almost like I'm just a courier. I start by going over to Culver City where Strong Medicine used to be. Now, I've dropped off there I don't know how many times and it's always the same routine...drive in, give the envelope to the guards and drive off. This time, however, the guard told me that it would get there faster if I took it up myself. That happened THREE times today...and there I was looking like a courier! No make up, tank top and jeans...looking totally busted...LOL! It's cool thought, and for the most part I was able to drop and keep it movin'. That is until my Last drop of the day.

I stopped to drop Dee Dee Bradley for Veronica Mars. I go in and drop my picture in the bin and I see Alison Mize (Dee Dee's associate). I said a quick hello and turned to leave but I noticed she headed right toward the bin to get my picture (which happened to be the only one in there). Aaargh...I would much rather have my picture just "appear" than be all conspicuous (and I was conspicuous quite a few occasions today...what's up with that?!) Anyway, I hurried out of the building and was pretty content that I'd finished all of my drops in a decent amount of time. As I walking toward my car I hear someone yelling my name. I turn around and who was it but Alison!! What?! She's in the parking lot calling be back. I went back and she asked me how old I was. Oooh...that's a tough one. I dropped for a really young role and I didn't really want to say my own age....so I said a different one...not crazy different, but different. I lied! I don't make a habit of lying about my age, I'd much rather just decline to say...but I did... She was like really, you're that young? I was like, why, do I look older?? She said that she'd pulled my picture for one of the older roles but she didn't realize I was so young. She said that it was hard because I'm right in the middle of the two age ranges they use alot. I know what she means, I'm too told for high school, but still kinda young for a high school teacher.

I was a little bummed, but two things made me feel better. One, I really do think I need to focus on younger roles...the other role was mid-thirties and that's just too old for me right now (though if I had been Honest maybe she would have at least been willing to give it a try!). Two, it's very cool to know that I'm in her files and she is considering me for roles! I met her a while back at a workshop and I think my performance was ok, but nothing spectacular...so finding out I'm in her files was a nice surprise. I wonder if the postcard I sent her last week had anything to do with her pulling me for this episode? I always say no work is in vain...it's things like this that strengthen that belief. Very cool!

My two lessons for today: 1. Honesty really is ALWAYS the best policy 2. Looking like a bag lady while doing drops probably isn't a great idea...lol.

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I was accidentally watching Prison Break tonight and who do I see but my girl DuShon Brown from play called "The Rabbit's Foot" I did at the Chicago Theater Company. Congrats girl!!!! You did a great job! Keep doin' your thang!

First Screening of my film Let's Talk!! Let's Talk has been invited to screen by the Black Hollywood Resource and Education Centers 13th Annual Sista's are Doin' it For Themselves Showcase!!!

Raleigh Studios - 650 Bronson Ave - Los Angeles,
(Melrose Ave. across from Paramount Studios)
Chaplin Screening Room
RSVP - 323/957-4747 (seating is limited)
Saturday, March 25, 2006

Doors open - 7pm
Admission - $10.00
Parking - $4.00


Let's Talk Publicty Photo

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How great was this event! Everyone did such great work and Let's Talk got really positive feedback...a few nice older women even asked for my autograph..lol. It's funny cause I thought they were kidding until one handed me their program and a pen! I met a variety of people from entertaiment lawyers, to music producers, to other filmmakers asking me for my information. I talked to one filmmaker and she asked me if I was able to work in NY as a local hire. Ummm...Yeah! I would so love to go to NY. Truth be told if I had more money and NY had more studios I'd be there right now. I'd be nice to live closer to my friends and family...that would be really nice.

Anyway, back to the film, hopefully this is just one of many screenings...and I plan to promote the h*ll out of each one! I mailed out over 250 postcards for this screening using a new service by the post office. You can design your own postcard, upload your database and the post office will mail them for you. It worked out GREAT, and saved me so much work! I was a bit worried about the picture quality, but they looked really good. Of course it did take hours and hours and hours (lol) to get my database in order, but not having to deal with labels or stamps made it ALL worth it. I'll definitely be using it again!

Oh, and Let's Talk has an official air date (Yay!) - June 27, 2006. I'll post the time slot when I find out.


Postcard I designed..these turned out really well.

Audition: BellSouth @ Kari Peyton Casting
Audition: The DL Chronicles @ Tawana Williams Casting

My auditions went ok, but it was just a strange day. I was a bit distracted and had a few "moments" today. It was kinda tough, but I know it will pass.

Audition: The Initiation of Sarah @ Weber Casting

This is my second time auditioning for Paul & Ivy. I met Ivy at a workshop and have interned in their office from time to time but I haven't been there in a couple of months now. I wondered if they remembered me from my intern days and called me in, but during the audition I saw my headshot in their pile and realized that it was actually a headshot from a drop a did a week or two ago. I had written the name of the role I was submitting for below my picture...I guess they ended up pulling it for this project instead. So if anyone wonders if drops work...Yes they do! It's not always in a tangible way, but I think it certainly helps to do your own self promotion...at least until you don't have too anymore.

Anyway, the audition went well, fingers crossed for a callback :)

So, I started working a few nights a week at this club here in Santa Monica...I was working an event tonight and I met this woman. We talked for a bit and before I walked away she asked to see my hand. I guess in retrospect it was an odd request but it happened too fast for me to think anything about it. Anyway before I knew it she was reading my palm. I must say I'm not a big believer in that kinda stuff...and I probably would have never let her see my hand if I knew what she was gonna do...lol...but there I was having my future told to me by a woman in black velvet with a gold sequins hat complete with a feather.

The moment she looked at my hand she said "Ohhh, you're very free!" Ok, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out...lol. Then she told me that I was also very, very protected. Hmmm...angels watching over me. She told me that in addition to being protected that I was very psychic and that when I have a problem I should just ride around in my car and ask the angels for my answer. She said that I have healing hands and that in my past life I was a nun which contributes me being so free this time around. It's kinda funny...as a young girl I used to think I'd become a nun...huh, I haven't thought about that in years.

Then she took my hand and held it with both of hers and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened her eyes she said, "Hmmm, who died?" I gotta say that struck me. I mean I have to admit I'm a little fragile these days, but I was determined not to cry in front of this stranger...I gotta start keeping it together a little better. I told her that my husband passed away. She gave my her condolences but then told me that there was a spirit that was very close to me. Now, I'm not getting reeled in or anything...but I can believe that E is here with me, I really can. I think of him so often...he was really one of a kind, I miss him. Of course, it could be someone other than E. There's my wonderful, amazing, beautiful Grandmother, and my daddy. Three people I love and miss dearly...but I know they are watching over me.

She told me that my voice was a gift and that I should be making money from it...and that I was gonna do alright this year, but next year things would really take off for me. Now THAT I'm not buyin...lol. I'm ready for greatness any day now :). She also said that there was another marriage in my future and another child if I want it. That's exactly what she said, "There's another child, if you want it." How strange is that?...now that one got me.

Anyway that sums up my first psychic experience. Interesting...yes, but till not really my thing.

Callback: Miller Light @ Ross Lacy

This was the longest callback ever! They must be casting a bunch of spots...hopefully I'll be a part of one :) Hey, Conya, thanks for all your help lately girl!! You've been bailin' a sista out!

Audition: Miller Light @ Ross Lacy
Audition: Ipod @ Francine Selkirk-Ackerman
Audition: Sprite - I had to cancel this one as I now have a soft-drink conflict :)


Cool, I missed the original Miller audition on Wednesday so I'm glad it came back around...it went well.

After my audition I decided to go by Francine Selkirk casting (the casting director for the Mountain Dew spot). Earlier this week Tracy, Francine's assistant, called and asked me to mail in 2 headshots and resumes for the taft-hartley paperwork. Well, I don't really care for the whole "mail" thing, and I thought seeing her in person might help to speed up this whole paperwork process, since I'm not actually considered eligible until the paperwork is in SAG's system...And I found out that getting in the system can take a while if the paperwork is delayed on the production end. I also decided to pick them up chocolates as a "thank you". Now, mind you, they had very little to do with me getting that commercial, but I figured that since they were doing my taft paperwork, and this business is all about relationships....a little thank you couldn't hurt!

I got there with my two headshots and two boxes of chocolates with a thank you postcard on top in hand. The office was very busy and I wasn't sure where to go since I didn't really know what Francine or Tracy looked like. I walked into the office and this girl stopped me like I was up to no good or something...I guess they're leary of strange actors popping by...lol. She asked who I was looking for and I told her I was looking for Tracy. She was all like, "For what?" I told her that I was suppose to bring her two headshots. At that point a woman (that I'd later learn was Francine) asked me if I had been tafted, I said yes and she asked my name. I told her I was Jillian...and she was like "OH, Hi!! I'm Francine! Oh, and you got your voice back!" The girl I was talking to moved aside so I could go in and Francine came over and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek...wow, didn't expect that...lol...they were soooo nice, and she even remembered that I'd lost my voice last week, which I thought was crazy! I thanked them all and gave them the chocolates which they seemed to appreciate. I chatted with Tracy about the taft-hartley paperwork and she said she'd get it in in the next day or so...awesome! I thanked them again and as I was leaving Francine stopped me and said, "Hey, did call you for Ipod?" I told her no, and she told me to go over and audition...and I did :). Now THAT's what I'm talking about...lol. How awesome is that?!
My mama always said if you take one step, God will take two. I know all my work is not in vain and I know that I have the favor of God over my life...and that is an amazing feeling!!

Shooting Mountain Dew Commercial!
Audition: American Crime (pilot) @ FMW Casting

Back on set, but this time our call was 7:30am which worked out a little better for me. I got my own trailer today :), my trailer-mate wrapped yesterday so I'm flyin' solo! I know it's silly but I was really excited to have my own closet sized trailer...lol. I even had them take her name off the door...lol...normally I wouldn't have bothered them, but I was having trouble scrapping it off myself (and I tried!)..lol.

It's funny b/c the shoot is about this guy and his friends at a carnival, and I am the only girl! It's so obvious that BBDO is the reason I'm in this particular spot, and I started to feel a little funny about it. But I stopped and told myself that I deserved to be here like everyone else and I enjoyed every moment. As I was sitting with the guys waiting on them to set up a scene a woman from BBDO came up to me and told me that she'd like me to meet the Mountain Dew reps. It was weird being called out of the group like that...but cool b/c it was sort of confirmation that I did deserve to be there and that I should celebrate my accomplishments and not belittle them. I met with the woman from Mountain Dew/Pepsi, and a few others from BBDO (some I'd spoken with before), and they were all very cool. They all wanted to hear the whole story of how I'd gotten there. I told them about FFF and thanked them and we chatted a bit before I made my exit. I left them with a great feeling, I am sooo blessed. They told me that they plan to run the spot alot and everyone is very excited about it. There's animation involved which apparently the animators from Jurassic Park are doing...and the production company did the Diet Mountain Dew spot with the sharks that's running like CRAZY now. Hopefully this one will follow in its footsteps!

The other actors were all awesome, very talented young men, and we had a lot of fun on the set! Tate, Chris, Brandon, Terrell, Boris and Phillip, you guys are awesome...good luck in all your endeavors!!

Oh, and I missed my audition...but it is ALL good, I know there will be more where that came from :)


My new trailer sign..lol


The "Friends" of of the spot


Terrell, Me & Chris in makeup


Pickins are slim ladies...we gotta take what we can get...lol


Our final goodbye with Tate, the Hero guy


Our final goodbye portrait :(

Shooting Mountain Dew Commercial!

AAAArgh! My call time was 5:30am(!) so I had to do ALOT of juggling this morning!! I didn't get home from the video shoot until after 11pm, I didn't get to bed until like 1:30am, AND the set is and hour away! Oh well, I gotta make it all work...hopefully this will become a regular occurrence...lol.

I got to set and they showed me to my trailer...awww my first trailer (although I did have to share it with another woman from the shoot...it's ok, I'll have my own soon enough :). After breakfast and makeup we were rehearsing before the sun even came up. Everyone was cool, but it was a loooong day. At least 12 hours...helloooo overtime :)! I was exhausted but it was fun and it looks like we'll be back tomorrow...hopefully I'll be a little more rested by then!


My little shared trailer


My cat nap. I was soooo tired!!


The Set

Shooting India Arie video today!

This was an absolutely awesome experience! I really did not expect much from a video shoot, I figured there would be a lot of video dancers and me...lol. But I met so many cool people who are really doin their thang...it was very cool. India's back up singer and his wife were in the video...he's working on his own CD and she's a dancer. Terrell Carter was part of the mix, you might know him from the Tyler Perry plays and movies...that boy can SANG, and he is TOO fine...I don't think I even realize how good looking he was until I saw his website...lol. There were many other young men and women on the move that were part of the shoot too...it was a beautiful thing.

We also got a special treat in the middle of the shoot. The amazing Jennifer Lewis stopped by (her daughter Charmaine was also in the video). She sat down with us and shared some of her wisdom of life and this business...and she had ALOT! She was exactly as you have seen her in films and TV, big, loud and fabulous, but she was also very generous and almost motherly to us. I can't even explain the positive, strong energy that she possesses...you cannot not be affected by her presence. She gathered us around in a group and told us we could ask her anything. She explained the importance of honoring our moments and living in the moment. She said if you guys are gonna dance...f***ing dance! She was like, this girl India is global, and this video is gonna be shown in Egypt and Denmark, and Norway and to take advantage of our chance to effect the world, and not to view it as a small thing, but as a privilege. She was like, "do you know how many people want to be in your spot? Everybody doesn't have what it takes to be a star". She said you can't shrink back; you have to live in your greatness. Then she said, "I'm one of the baddest Mutha F**** you're ever gonna meet! But you know what; I'm no better or worse than any of you." It was sooo empowering, just really, really amazing.

I asked her what she knows now that she wishes she would have known when she was our age. She talked about not hurting yourself, whether it is with drugs, alcohol, sex or lies. She talked about treating people right and being honest. She said that when you live in honesty on a molecular level your cells are laughing, and when you live in lies your cells are asleep and not in harmony. She believes that it is this that causes sickness and tumors and disease or Dis-Ease. I have to say that she really struck a cord with me and I was really close to tears (I'm a sap, I know!), but then they called me to do some stand in work for India. I was like, "Man! I'm gonna miss everything!" She looked at me and said, "Trust me, whatever you're supposed to get, you'll get." As annoyed as I was that I had to leave...I really believed her. She's the kind of person that just affects you.
Anyway, later that day I got an opportunity to talk to her one on one...it's weird but she seemed so I don't know, motherly and wise...I just felt like I could ask her for advice. I told her that I agreed that people were able to effect each other on this real intangible level, and I asked her what to do when you're trying to live and honest, good life and you come into contact with someone how is full of lies and dis-Ease. I asked her how to move forward when this negative person has truly affected you on this intangible level. I felt almost like a child as I looked at her with my eyes half filled with tears...she looked at me like she understood every word I was saying and every word I didn't say. She told me to honor my moments, to be hurt if I was hurt, to cry when I needed to cry and then to move the F**K on! LOL, I'm not kidding that's EXACTLY what she said. She told not to keep going back into the situation b/c that would just create more negativity....she told me to remove myself from it, live in my hurt moments, and eventually "all that sh*t would become boring and I'd move the f*ck on"...lol. Did I say how cool she was?? Did I?!?

Oh, and at one point Jennifer, Terrell, India's backup singer (I wish I could remember his name!) and I got to sing together....talk about a moment! It's funny that I would even attempt to sing with the likes of the three of them, but after her talk to us I decided that I was not going to shrink back. Now I can't SANG, but I can sing, and I decided to live in my greatness :) And when we sang the last note of His Eye Is on The Sparrow the room was silent...it was simply beautiful. Thank you Ms. Lewis, you are one of a kind!

Gosh, I met sooo many others...India's mom was so sweet (she has to be like the most supportive mom Ever), the choreographers were cool (I actually knew one of them from Danielle Eskinazi's office...small world!)...the photographers were cool (the photographer and DP both told me they'd like to do a photo shoot with me...I got to know them thanks to me agreeing to do stand in work!)...and Malcolm-Jamal Warner came through and actually joined us in the video shoot.

Great day, great energy, great people, great time! God is sooooo good :)


Out little song fest. We sang 'His Eye is On the Sparrow' and Aretha's 'Think'. Did I say that was awesome :)?


Jennifer and I


Terrell and I


Me and India during my stand-in work


Malcolm & I


India's back up singer (I wish I could remember his name! He was such a cool guy!), his Lovely wife and I


Cool folks from the shoot. Look out for them, they're doing they their thang!

Audition - Straight to Producers: Help me Help You (Pilot)@ Greenstein/Daniel Casting

Cool, I dropped to this office about a week ago! This audition went pretty well. they gave me a redirect which I did well for the most part...but I did flub a few lines. The producer said it was a perfect adjustment, but I know better...lol.

BOOKED!! India Arie video.

This shoots tomorrow at Sony at 730am. Which is kinda an issue b/c I have my fitting for the Mountain Dew Commercial is at 10am & I just got a call from my commercial agent with an audition for Miller at 10:40am. Hmmm...I think it's time to make a few calls!

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Everything worked out, they told me if I brought tons of options I could skip the fitting....things really do have a way of working out!

I spoke with my ex today for the first time since the "flyer" incident. He has been very persistent in trying to contact me and thus far I have refused to speak with him.
I was a little surprised at what he told me. I guess I expected him to try to convince me that he wasn't a bad person, and had just done what he had to do. But what he said was that he wanted to be a family, that he loved me and was in love with me. He said that he'd made mistakes but he was really ready to give his all and he wanted to have a future with me. Huh...I really wasn't expecting that. I told him that we had a chance to have all of that, we really did, but we do not anymore. I told him that everything we had was in the past and that I didn't want a future with someone like him. We went back and forth a bit. He told he that if I took him back that I wouldn't regret it, and that he was really ready for me this time...more ready than he's ever been in his life. I told him that we live, we make mistakes and we win some and lose some, and the truth is he has lost me....and that's OK...it's just life. I told him that though I wished him no harm I didn't want any further contact with him. I wished him luck, and said goodbye.
And though it was the right thing...it was sooo hard. And I cried. It's never easy to say goodbye to someone that you love...even when you have to.

As I look toward the future I cannot help but be excited. I know that there is so much in store for my life. I feel like I've been living in a fog for the last year and a half of my life and the sun is FINALLY beginning to shine. I mean, I moved to LA last Jan right after a terrible breakup, I was totally alone, brokenhearted and really depressed...then my ex got sick with Cancer and he tells me of all the awful things that went on behind my back...then we manage get back together...we get married...he passes away...then I come back to LA alone again...then I become involved in a relationship that was really no good for me from the very beginning...then I find out the man I was seeing was really a liar and a cheater and had been so from the beginning...THEN the tragedy that happened earlier this year... well, let's just say that's enough to break a girl down...lol. But the beauty is...I have come through it all...and I still have my sanity, joy in my heart, and hope for the future, which is nothing less than a testament to the beautiful redemptive nature of God. And it is now time to look back on all that hurt and all that pain and as the pastor said this morning, wave goodbye to it. It no longer has a place in my life...it's time to press toward my future.

Audition: India Arie Music Project "I Am Not My Hair"

Hmmm, kinda surprised to get called back in for this since I accidentally missed it yesterday...they must've really liked my h/s?? We'll see...

And she (finally!) BOOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm shooting the Mountain Dew commercial next week!!!! Helloooooo Mr. Taft-Hartley :) I got the call from Tracy at Francine Selkirk's office today, I have a fitting on Tuesday and I shoot Wednesday or Thursday or both. Only thing is I am soooo sick! It started yesterday and it's only getting worse. My voice is just about gone and actually when I talked to Tracy she said she had the same thing last week. I guess it's my own fault...I haven't been taking great care of myself lately, but that is changin!!

I had a photo shoot today for Let's Talk with the fabulous Fernando Escovar. He was a very cool guy and has shot so many celebs from David Beckham to Eva Mendez to Shaq to Carmen Electra...and the list goes on. We were there to take some promo pictures, including a shot for the DVD cover. Ok, let me just say that Fernando is AMAZING. I am truly not the most photogenic woman in the world but these pictures were HOT!! Of course it helps that my co-star is a ridiculously handsome man :) I soooo wish I could post some here, but I have to wait until the film is released....but trust me they are really, really cool! I can't say enough about how beautiful this project has been. Michelle, the director/writer/prod, is truly one of the most amazing people I've met since moving here. I'm very thankful that she chose me to be a part of this project.

After being out and about all day, I make it home and it's pretty clear that my condition is worsening. I was all set to take my zinc and my airborne, drink my tea and get to bed when I got a very nice surprise. One of my friends brought over what has to be THE nicest, sweetest care package I have ever received. It had everything you could have asked for and much more...lol. From water, soup and oj to hand sanitizer, chapstick and a loofah...and sooo much in between...crazy right!? It was such a beautiful act of thoughtfulness, the likes of which I have not seen in a very, very long time. And it was such a blessing to experience because sometimes you can almost forget that this kind of behavior exists. We can get so used to the triflin people of the world that it can almost seem like kindness and caring are just some kind of urban legend. But no...it exists. There are good people out there who treat others with respect and kindness and compassion, and who truly practice "do unto others"...and we do not and should not ever settle for anything less. Thank you God for allowing me to experience this small act of kindness, which meant so much more. My mama would call it "a light in a dreary land".

And while I'm on the subject of God, can I just take a moment to say how AWESOME God is in my life. I mean really, really amazing. I am constantly in awe of His presence in my life. I am in awe of His love for me. I am thankful that he sticks closer than any brother. I am grateful that no matter what you go through and how you mess up that he says "Lo, I will be with you ALWAYS, even until the end of the earth". I am sooo thankful that in the midst of it all God will hold your hand, and bring you through and not let you fall and encourage you. I am thankful that for some crazy reason He chooses to bless me and grant me favor. I love and adore Him for who he is in my life. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that EVERY good thing that has come my way has been a blessing from God, and every bad thing will eventually work out for my good. I am thankful that Nothing shall separate me from the love of God. My heart is so filled as I think of his goodness and kindness and grace and mercy...my God is truly and AWESOME God ...I give him all glory, all thanks and all honor.

Audition: Chevy @ Danielle Eskinazi
Audition: India Arie Music Project "I Am Not My Hair"

I almost never go on video auditions, but I like India and this song so I'll be there.

Today was kinda crazy. My Chevy audition got cancelled at the last minute, which was kinda a bummer b/c I had to rearrange some of my plans to get there in the first place. Then, I get to the India project and realize that I'd gotten the times confused so I missed the cut off for the women...aarrgh! So I'm 0 for 2 and which means I cancelled my plans for nothing. Ah, no big deal though, I guess it happens like that sometimes.

Audition: Lee Jeans @ Skirts Casting

I actually declined this audition at first because the wardrobe was a bikini top and jeans...which I don't do, and nobody wants to see (trust me). But my awesome agent called me back and told me that I could still go and just to wear a fitted tank top. Much better! Thanks Nathan!

Ok, this audition went really well but it was REALLY funny! Me and two other girls went in for a group explanation the session runner told us what we were suppose to do. She said, first you're going to be chasing a butterfly...playful, fun actions...then your neighbor is going to come out and you'll wave and try to get them to smile....then get in the chair and do some beauty, fun poses...lastly you'll get up and dance (during the entire audition they played an upbeat song of our choice) and when I say money shot turn around so we can focus on your butt because well its a jean commercial.

Ok, cool. There's one girl in front of me so I leave the room and wait my turn. After a few minutes they call me in, I slate and they ask me what song I want them to play. I chose I Like the Way You Move by Outcast. So everything is cool we're exchanging funny banter and the song begins, right? So she says, "OK, butterfly!" Now I don't know what I was thinking, but somehow I'd forgotten all about the explanation and went back to 1991...LOL. For some reason I thought she was asking me to do the old "butterfly" dance....lol....and since that's what I thought, and Outcast was playin...that's exactly what I did!! It wasn't until I looked up at their perplexed faces that I remembered the instructions lol...I was like, "OH! The BUTTERFLY!"..lol. It was SOOOO funny, and SOOO embarrassing I can't even tell you!! Thankfully the rest of the audition went off without a hitch and overall I think it was one of the best and most fun auditions I've had in a long time! Sometimes those mistakes are little gifts from God :)

Heard from New York today and it looks like I'm close to getting that Mountain Dew spot. I'm not gonna get my hopes up just yet though. The girl who called was really cool and she also talked about more opportunities even after I shoot my "required" spot which is cool. She said she's flying into LA tomorrow and will have more info for me at the end of the week. Fingers crossed!

Callback: Regents Bank @ Danielle Eskinazi

This is a callback I could have done without...just kidding...kinda. It went well, though I like my partner from Friday a little better.
I should really send Danielle a thank you postcard, she brings me in alot and I almost always get callbacks and avails from her. I haven't booked through her yet, but I'm sure I will soon (fingers crossed...lol). Anyway, it's cool to be kinda a regular in someone's office...hopefully there's more of that to come!

Today I was introduced to a LA legend. Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles...lol! I feel like I'm finally inducted into this city now (kinda like you don't know Chicago until you go to Harold's Chicken). My cousin who lived here before told me about it, but once I heard John Travolta mention it on "Be Cool" I really wanted to go, lol. I didn't know what to expect, as I am not normally a fried chicken eater...but it was off the chain! And it was really reasonable...my daughter, my friend and I all ate for $21 (including tip). It's not fancy, but it's definitely a nice after church spot.

I met with the director of my film "Let's Talk" today. I'm gonna help out with the website and retouch some of the production stills for the press packet. The film is now running about an hour with the commercial breaks and it looks soooooo great!! I mean really looks awesome..and I'm a pretty harsh judge (especially if I'm involved)...but this is really quality stuff. Everything came together so well, it was a true collaborative effort. Of all the projects I've worked on (with the possible exception of the play "Heat") I think I'm most proud of this one. It's scheduled to air on BET in June, but it's also going to many national and international festivals...which is cool. Oh, and it turns out that we couldn't get the rights to one of the songs in the movie so they are composing a new track which I might do the vocals for! How cool would that be?? I actually did some vocals for one of my films in Chicago but it didn't make the movie...it was a really cool experience though.

Ok, I have really gotta get in shape. I went to Dave & Busters tonight and I was competing against a friend of mine in basketball...I kid you not after ONE round I was winded...I had to take a break! I think its time for me to start working out again and reclaim my body. I'm not big...in fact just a couple weeks ago I as too skinny (I actually tried on a size 0 and they fit...not good or healthy for me!)...but I am out of shape, which my basketball excursion confirms. Maybe next week I can get on a better track.

Audition: Regents Bank @ Danielle Eskinazi Casting

Ok, so this audition was for a 20-something, 5 month pregnant mom to be. Yeah.....I know. They had a little pillow for me to put under my sweater, which was just really, really, really...something. Then my "husband" picked a flower for me as we looked lovingly at each other, at our new home and a picture of all the children that we would have.
They say that art imitates life, but sometimes, well....it just doesn't. But maybe that's for the best...a fantasy world is no place to live, though many spend their lives there. Reality, no matter how harsh, is a much better place...at least for me.

Audition: The Singles Table (pilot) @ Kozcara/Shevchenko Casting. This is for a series regular role!

This marks my first series regular audition in LA and my second time going out for pilot season. A met Alexis & Christine Shevchenko at Actorsite last year and since then Alexis has been one of my biggest fans...which is really cool. She's even set me up with a few agent interviews and was very excited to see me today. She asked me what I'd been up to and said that she was very excited to see that I had been submitted on this project. I did my audition which went well (but I must confess it went MUCH better in the car...lol). They laughed and Alexis said that I did a really good job. Then she smiled and said "I'm so Proud of you!". Could she be any nicer?? It's really great to have someone in your corner that way.

I left the audition feeling good, which is nice b/c earlier this week I had a few not so great days. Nothing too terrible, just kinda not the best. But I know good and bad days are to be expected so I'm not trippin...and I'm really glad to be feeling a little better right now.