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LIFE IN THE GROOVE starts here with my practical approach to living strong and balanced so you can still have fun. I'm currently featuring Beachbody products and other favorites along with video and audio to help keep you on track. Let's create days worth living and a life worth loving!
Think Like a Rich Person – Intelligence
Really spending some time evaluating my ROI. What is your return on investment – on your daily, weekly, monthly, etc., activities and responsibilities? It isn’t just about cash. I know that, but there is nothing wrong with making sure you don’t throw it away, either!
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Railroad Tracks
During an interview with Paul Bradshaw, Pastor Rick Warren used an analogy with railroad tracks to describe our existence on Earth. The short interview has traveled the internet for quite a while and is certainly worth reading. Why the significance, now? Because I think many of us operate our daily lives on multi-train tracks that cross over and under and around each other; sometimes, entangling themselves and eventually halting or crashing several cars or the entire train. I just survived a mini-crash with cars intact, but I left a few behind for another conductor. My train is moving much better now and the cars that are connected belong with each other. Journey is much better. This, my friends, is the problem with being good at multi-tasking, or if I may say it without sounding pompous, pretty damn good at a lot of things. Not sure why it has taken me this long to finally figure out which cars should be in my train, and how to focus on one set of tracks instead of 20 lanes of interstate, but it did. Ever had one of those moments of clarity? Like, what-the-fuck-am-I-doing clarity. Those are rich. I tend to fall into things because I like variety and challenges and I like accomplishing a new endeavor. But, at what cost, right? So, where does that leave me? With a focus on radio and fitness, yes, but in a way in which I can reach more of you! I’m settling into a few PT clients; my weekly radio show that is steadily gaining momentum and molding my new fitness business as a Beachbody coach, which allows me to support and motivate an unlimited amount of people. I guess I’ve always been ashamed or fearful of admitting that I want to do BIG things. It feels grandiose and conceded. But, I’ve left that cargo behind for someone else. I got a strong “hit” and several messages that made it clear and I trust my faith and the energy of this universe. I now have just a few cars on just a few tracks and I can manage those and keep them fueled properly. I know that just because I can do something well, doesn’t mean I need to take it on. I am profoundly grateful for this clarity and focus and I hope and pray that anyone reading this has found the same. I won’t say that I’ve wasted a lot of gas on the interstates, because I am who I am from my experiences and I appreciate all of them, but it’s reassuring to know that I can choose to jump track for a quick ride to an acting or VO gig, but I won’t be re-attaching that car to my train. Got too many cars? On too many tracks? Going too fast? Going the wrong direction? Lost in transit? Carrying loads of shit? I feel you. Take care of it. You can thank me later!
Posted in balanced life, clarity, focus, inspirational, motivational, multi-tasking, stressed out
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The Supermodel and Bloodshot Eyes
I seriously cannot believe how long I have been away! Life simply just moves us in so many directions! No excuses and not feeling bad about it. It is what it is! All good, in fact. Still blazin’ the trail with Blake on the weekly radio show. Gaining steam and in the radio biz, it often takes several years. Fitness and training. Ca-ray-z! Lovin’ it, as they say. Decided to take a casting this week in San Diego. Drive from The OC to SD is lovely and I’m not being sarcastic. Quickie as usual. Really love that I was right behind Miss SD Supermodel…right…5’8, 120-ish, long black hair and, well, attractive. Fine. Stunning. Whatever. You never know. Producers might be looking for short, muscular and average all-American gal who would never be mistaken for a model. Coolest thing. I don’t care. Of course, the next day, I get a referral to submit for a narration job. My friends, that is how it works. Nothing, zero, nada, goose egg and then two talent opportunities within 24-hours. I know this happens to you. Let’s roll with it. Whatever. As long as the oil doesn’t somehow end up in the Pacific, I’m looking forward to getting up tomorrow and starting another day! I’ll let you know if I book either job! By the way, Lucy the Dog is reminding you to get a designated driver this weekend. She has a legit reason for her bloodshot eyes, but not a good look behind the wheel! Be safe and help keep the rest of us that way, too! God Bless America!
It’s Only the Beginning!
That is exactly how I feel right now after a super charged meeting with our new accounts and development person for The Blake Aaron Radio Show. We have this incredible, positive energy around us and we are gaining steam. Who would have thought after a two-year journey of what felt like a zillion auditions and another zillion tries at online voice submissions…all, to find myself back at my two passions: radio and fitness. If I could add event management in, I would be living the dream! Of course, the fact that I’m healthy and my family is healthy is a dream. Truly. So, we are adding affiliates and getting requests to be on the show…I feel alive as a co-host and I know I am wired for this. Same with personal training. Changing lives and turning folks onto pushing iron and working hard. Wow! So, I’m still going on a few auditions…had one last week for a tailgating infomercial. Got paired up with a guy who obviously decided to “take charge” of the scene. Whatever. His energy would have sucked the life out of me before but I’m “experienced” now so I can block it. I think he bugged the casting directors, too, but who knows, maybe he got the husband role…I Didn’t get the gig, but I felt really good about my performance. That’s what you hope for in an audition. Also, did a VO for a USC thesis movie and my newscaster role for Justified is getting screened with the movie this Friday! I’m sure just when radio and fitness gets busier than ever, I’ll get a bunch of auditions for gigs that seem “perfect” for me. That’s the way it goes. Until then, this girl is feeling oh so optimistic and I sincerely hope that all of you have something in your lives that is giving you optimism and giving you a charge; something that uses your inherent talents; your experience…your education and/or your training!
Posted in My Journey, Uncategorized
Tagged Blake Aaron Radio Show, KSBR, radio, smooth jazz
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Back From the Dead
Okay, not really. Just haven’t been around for a while. Interesting thing when you absolutely have to make some money and everything else stops being a priority (with the exception of your family and your health…and, a nice glass of wine once in a while.) The good news is, I have been incredibly booked with personal training clients and really enjoying my time with all of them. Have I been on some auditions? Yes, a few here and there, but haven’t been able to get to all the L.A., castings. Darn it. Really miss that drive. I was up off Santa Monica Blvd., last week, though. Paired up with “my husband” in a Dell Computer audition. We were supposed to be driving in a van and I was supposed to pass my laptop to my son in the back seat. Funny thing when you don’t pay attention to directions. I forgot and proceeded to get up (out of my seat in the van that my husband was driving) and walk behind my seat to place the laptop down (on the box behind me). That resulted in a polite, “Okay, let’s do that again. You can’t get up, you’re in a van driving along the countryside.” What? I get up and walk around all the time on our road trips…shit…such a simple direction, but my mind was on other things, like the client I had to cancel to do this 10-minute audition and getting back to the OC in time to pick up my kids from school. At least my actor-husband messed up, too. Other good news, my radio show is doing really well. Check us out: The Blake Aaron Radio Show-Thursdays, live, 3-6p/PST on 88.5/KSBR and streamed on ksbr.net. We are in the process of syndicating so I will keep you posted on our progress. The BA Show is a 3-hour artist interview program with live jamming between the star of the show, jazz guitarist Blake Aaron and our guests. I’m a co-host – sort of a clean version of Robin Quivers! Overall, my life…all good…no swine flu, yet. And, I’ll be back more often. In the mean time, get your holiday shopping done early so you can actually enjoy the season and give yourselves a 7:30p cut-off time for eating until Dec. 30th and you’ll save yourselves a ton of calories! NEW PODCAST POSTED for more ideas. Check out my link! Cheers!
Posted in acting, auditioning, jazz, radio
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Crackberries, Trippin’ and ROI
I have been focusing more on radio and fitness lately and less on my acting and VO stuff. A welcome break from about two years of insane L.A., driving, wacky non-union casting calls and endless internet VO submissions. One day, after a pretty cool gig – that at one point would have left me dancing on clouds yet now left me feeling comfortably grateful – I started to think about my ROIs (return on investments). It’s a frightening concept if you give yourself time to think about it in depth. But, it also gives you clarity and direction. And, there’s no better time to quietly reflect than on a vacation, (before you upgrade to a crack-phone, of course). The term “trippin” is, quite honestly, correct. I prefer the non-drug altering type, but whatever…it hit me at the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The ROI for the family that has been carving away at this monument is tremendous in an almost immeasurable way. I can’t do the story justice without writing several pages but it did remind me of this: when we are pursuing our dreams, sometimes the sweat and tears amount to buckets and sometimes they come fleetingly. Sometimes the returns are tangible and sometimes, not. And, when we are in the middle of it, it’s hard to know if what we are doing is worth it. Especially if you don’t know what IT is. When was the last time you took a time-out from your normal schedule and traveled at least a few hours (or mega hours) to get perspective on IT? It’s difficult to do unless you are AWAY from that which stares you in the face everyday. Standing in front of this gigantic, beautiful, barely-finished carving, thinking of the sacrifices and the poignant stories that follow the Native American Indians…visualizing my home and my daily activities and my frustrations and my joys and how MY personal journey affects those I care about so deeply, it suddenly became easy to distinguish the better choices I’ve made. I’m not saying that the hours driving to downtown L.A., or Burbank weren’t worth it, I’m just saying that I have a better perspective on my big picture ROI and how the smaller pieces fit into IT. So…I’m feeling really good and super “freed” up to enjoy right where I am; to accept that I am really diggin’ radio and fitness right now (even though I used to tell myself that I had moved on from those careers and that I needed to focus on acting and VO work); to accept that I can go on auditions once in a while and that I can pursue some VO gigs when I feel like it; that it was okay to change my podcast from bi-weekly to monthly and that if I were to join another realm of life (the next one after this earthly one), that I would have done a good job with my RIO’s and my Blackberry, for God’s sake! What about YOU? What about IT? Oh, yeah, and what about those Crack-Phones, right? Addicting? Hell, yes. I can see how that might happen, especially when I figure out how to work it. Thank goodness I got my phone during the last two days of our trip. I refuse to become one of those annoying Crack-Berry Heads! Especially, now that I have Crazy-Horse-Memorial perspective. It’s time to get your own, or renew it. And, may you find peace and joy while you do!
Posted in blackberry phones, clarity, life challenges, perspective, vacations
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Hits, Misses and Pole Dancing
Agent called for two auditions yesterday: one of them for a very nice job. Had plans to take the kids to Huntington Beach with friends. Hmmm. What to do. I went pole dancing…just kidding. More on that in a minute. Of course, I kept my plans with the kids and friends. It was worth it. I am one who hates to miss opportunities, but either way I would be missing one and in this case, I didn’t want it to be Southern Cal Beach fun. It’s getting easier to skip an audition and not feel like my career will be over…assuming a “career” started. Oh, yes, and my very shortened scene on Gene Simmons Family Jewels has sparked quite a few calls and comments. I feel like I’ve done very little in my short “career,” yet I’ve been on national television twice and in the Los Angeles market several times, among other things. Time to count blessings and stop comparing myself to Jennifer Aniston. On to pole dancing. Now, that was f-ing crazy fun. My friend celebrated her 40th and rented a party bus for about 25 of us (couples). We drove around and had our cocktails in between bar stops. Sat right next to a pole in the back of the bus. Need I say more? A lot of latent sexual expression around us. Be honest. Wouldn’t it be fun and liberating to have a few drinks and be encouraged to pole dance to a cheering group of adoring friends? Yes, I did a little myself and I don’t even feel that pent up! Felt like college, again. Damn, that was fun. When is the last time you really had a crazy, fun evening/day? If it’s been a while, don’t wait. Make plans and go enjoy the beauty of being alive!
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Reality Shows and Costco
I was training a client today in the gym and someone came up to me and said “I saw you on TV last night.” I was surprised since my L.A., spot isn’t running. It was the Gene Simmons Family Jewels show that I had shot last year. I am just happy that I made the cut, even though I was only on camera for about 7-seconds! My older son said “cool, mom, is that it” and my younger one just noticed how much shorter I was than Shannon. So much for impressing my kids. Good thing, really, since that kind of stuff shouldn’t be that important. Want to impress your kids? Bring home lots of snacks from Costco. I did that tonight and now, I’m way cool! Much cooler than a one-and-a-half-second clip on a national promo for Ugly Betty on ABC TV or a seven-second-clip on a national reality show on A&E. No comparison…now, that’s reality…All good and very quite theses days. Had an audition for a credit repair spot. The director trusted me with the “hardest prompter read” so I felt pretty good about that. Had a terrific time hosting the radio show I do with Blake Aaron last Thursday afternoon. He had a gig so I filled in by myself. My in-studio guest was Steve Oliver and he so cool and hip. More on that later. Done with audio books. Hangin’ in my closet talking to a mic (by myself) for two hours a day just doesn’t float my boat. Well, now I know. Heading to the Queen Mary with the kids tomorrow and hoping that the boys can all “just get along” for the day! It’s so beautiful in Southern Cal right now, hope you have an abundance of beauty in your lives, too!
Posted in acting, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, reality shows
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