What happened to November?

Hello, there. I haven't written in a while because it started to feel like an obligation- and who wants to write when it feels like you have to? Forced writing usually results in uninspired dribble. But, even with that said, I do enjoy updating you all on what I'm up to because by reading this, you're showing in interest in my life- which is encouraging and very much appreciated. So, what have I been up to....

Recently, I started a part-time, government funded, job tutoring. So far, so good. I am working with a brother and sister combo: Ronald (1st grade) and Cindi (5th). Their mother doesn't speak very much English, so Cindi translates for me- which is a little weird when I'm updating her on Cindi's progress. Fortunately updates have been nothing but good news, as both kids are pretty darn smart and really don't "need" to be tutored. It always impresses me how Cindi translates with such patience and clarity, making sure she understands what I'm trying to say before she tells her mom (which has taught long-winded me to be more concise with my words). Being bilingual is definitely an underrated skill. I hope to learn a little Spanish myself during this process so I can communicate a little bit with their mom- anybody have any good phrases they want to teach me? Not only are both kids smart, but also respectful and easy-going. Maybe after I am finished tutoring them, I'll see if they ever need a sitter...

A couple weeks ago, I was back home for Corey Kelzenberg's wedding. Corey and I have been friends since pre-school. I still remember building forts in his basement; singing along with him to Radio Oz songs; running the pick 'n roll with him which always resulted in the perfect pass (and me being an assist-killer by missing the layup & scoring on the offensive rebound); debating why he can't give himself a nickname (i.e. The Riddler); writing the Homecoming Top Ten List together; various Xplosion Days; and just having a lot of laughs in each other's company. Definitely some great memories. Although Corey and I haven't been super close for a while now, I couldn't help but feel a little weird seeing so many non-Fridley friends at the wedding playing such a big role in his life. Even so, I still felt really close to Corey that evening- like we were back in 5th grade again singing song clips from the "Sounds of the 70s" compilation album. The joy of the past is amplified when reflecting on time apart.

The wedding had a wonderful ceremony, dinner and dance. It was an excellent evening. Corey and Megan (his wife) were very appreciative that I came back for their big day- which reiterated what I reasoned a month ago: I couldn't miss the wedding of the first person I called best friend. Congratulations Corey and Megan! May your marriage be filled with happiness, humor and humility! Amen.

Other things I've been up to: auditioning for various paying and non-paying gigs; finished the student film I started in the beginning of November; starting to write a few screenplays; moved into a new apartment about six blocks away from the old one (new address posted on Facebook); was an extra on CSI: Miami (that's right, it wasn't even shot in Miami) and got to watch a stunt double go up in flames; also got to be an extra on the film "The Secret Lives of Dorks" starring Jim Belushi and Jennifer Tilley (who I got to talk to briefly- I was 1 for 2 on making her laugh).

For my next blog entry please vote on which stories you would like to hear most (or hear them in person when I arrive back in Minnesota on Dec. 2oth):

1) Portraying Michael Phelps at Blouze-O-Ween

2) Fight Club Theatre Fiasco

3) Forget acting, we want the real thing for this audition!

4) Wait a minute, my character has to make out with a bikini model?

I'll leave you with the following fun fact:

The tallest actor in the history of film is Minneapolis born Johnan Aasen who is traditionally listed as 8' 9" (more info at http://johanaasen.com/index.html). His film credits include playing "Giant Man," "Circus Giant," "Very Tall Golfer," "The Giant," and "Colosso." Talk about being typecast. And I complain about not getting work as an extra because of my height...

Some New Poems

Instead of an update on the trouble I've been getting into out in LA (which is forthcoming), here are a few poems I wrote in the past month:

Where Dreams Go To Die (ode to Los Angeles)

Why this insistence on seeing your image on the big screen?

Why delay doing anything worthwhile until this mosquito is out of your system?

Why fulfill selfish-

Stop.

Why allow a poem to make you stay at home,

Leaving you with the harnessing feeling of

What if?

When dreams set they never organically rise again.

But what if dreams die?

Change the cliché

So you can sleep knowing

Success and passion

Are the difference between

How the world understands you and

How you see yourself.

Chase dreams until another exhausts your soul with excitement.

Acting is art.

Art inspires.

What does this tired world need more of?

Extra (By Way Of Specking): Day 1

9:00am. Follow buddy in thick morning traffic. Park. Get in van. Get dropped off. Ask if extra extras are needed. Scolded for riding in van- they are now liable for someone who is not signed up to work on the set. Wait. Ask again. Told to sit down. Eat breakfast. Wait. Approached. Asked if I ate. Say no. He seems satisfied. I'm in- someone didn't show. Sign voucher. Go to wardrobe. Wait (in scorching sun). Shoot breeze with other extras. Wait. My turn. Told to put on new shirt. Done. Wait. Not approved by one. Few minutes later, approved by another. Hair needs trim. Wait. Get trim from friendly stylist. Good to go back to home base. Wait. Start writing this poem. Hear “At least I have a job.” Get approved by assistant director. Get instruction. Cross street. Told where to stand. Get moved. Wait. Director explains what to do: we are dancing, having fun. Rehearse. Picture up. Rolling. Action. Dance and smile. Cut. Watch crew work. Wait.  Talk to fellow extra.  Picture up. Rolling. Action. Dance. Cut. Repeat (x 10). Shuffled under stage. About to sit down, shuffled back on stage. Wait. Picture up. Rolling. Action. Dance. Cut. Repeat (x 5). Shuffled under stage. Talk to fellow extra. Get picture taken in group of five. Wait. Shuffled on stage. Wait. Picture up. Rolling. Action. Cut. Get moved upstairs. Not enough time to film. 5:00pm. Break for lunch. Walk back to home base. Eat large meal in the dark. Eyes are bigger than stomach.  Same is true for half of the extras.  Talk to neighbor. Crew puts lights in room. Called outside on street. Get put in group of four. Talk. Rolling (?). Moved to different street. Talk. Get selected for scene. Rejected for height reasons. Stand by. Told to line up against wall for scene. Told to move down a few places. Wait. Still too tall. Back to street with unused extras. Talk to cop. Wait. Shuffled inside under stage. Told to go back outside. Wait. Lead back under stage. Wait. That's a wrap. Get changed. Instructed they need us tomorrow- call time: 11:00am. Fill out voucher.  Wait in line.  Turn in voucher. Get in van. Get dropped off. Get in car. 1:30am. Head home. Check in mail. Wait for minimum wage. Repeat process in 8 hours.

Only Read This Poem If You Plan To Act...

Every day take 4 deep breaths,

Sing 3 calming songs,

Dance uninhibited 2 times-

All for 1 goal:

To float a heavy heart.

I need release, relief, restoration.

I admit I need help.

The help of honest physical touch

And real supernatural love.

If I can't feel, I can't understand.

Give me more than mechanical, methodical numbers-

Give me a kiss of reassurance:

I am meaningful,

I am significant,

I am not wasting air.

Speed up my worth and slow down my ego.

Can I be ONE with the stranger at the gas station

And with the friend at the dinner table?

Breathing, singing and dancing can be done alone,

But goals are achieved by help from ANOTHER.

Please,

Hug me today-

I am waiting..........

(Reread title)

Feel free to give me any and all constructive criticism! Oh, and just in case you didn't get to see me as a Zombie on those MTV Halloween Promos, here are the links:

"That was my grandmother's vase:"

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/449982/that-was-my-grandmothers-vase.jhtml.

Zombie Dancing:

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/449147/future-love-live.jhtml#id=1624508.