Hey!
I've been on a little MySpace hiatus because I had to cram for my final exams and write a long-ass business law paper--but it's all done now!! WaHoo!!!! I took my Decision Theory final Friday night, Business Law final Saturday morning and Business Ethics final Saturday afternoon. I think I passed all--and that's really all I care about. I'm not worried about making A's or anything like that. I just want to at least pass. When I was an undergrad, I used to worry about my GPA and getting good grades, blah, bl, blah, bl, blah..... But you know what? Not one of my employers have ever asked me about my grades--it never mattered. So, I'm not gonna waste my time trying to make all A's--I just want to pass. Is that horrible? Anyway, I had to restrict myself from MySpace otherwise I would not have done my paper and been able to study for my finals. That's sad.......I know. But, only one more semester to go and I'm done!!!! WaHoo!!!!!!!!!
So, The Office totally rocked Thursday night! I loved it. I have hope for Jim and Pam now. I hope they don't yank that out from under me in January. I really want to see Pam take Jim into the supply closet and totally molest him by the season finale.
I'm going Christmas shopping today. I have a question that I hope y'all can help me with. We are going to visit a lot of Mike's family a couple days after Christmas and we're staying until New Year's Day. I need to take a gift to his aunt--and I have no idea what to get her. She's like 70-something years old and has everything. What kind of gift can I get for her? She likes to have parties, but she's to the point that she just always has them catered because it's too difficult for her to do anymore. She reads--but they have all kinds of books. Their house is absolutely beautiful. She doesn't have any pets--and doesn't want any. So, do y'all have any ideas? I appreciate any help!
"Bro's befo Ho's" - peeps--As Michael Scott says........
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Random Things That Piss me Off
Okay, one of my friends recently wrote a blog about the things that piss her off. With Christmas just around the corner, I thought that this was such a wonderful time to share this, so I decided to copy her. Here's my list:
1. Cashiers that do not pay attention their customer--especially when I am their customer. I think it is so rude for a cashier to be talking to friends, chomping gum, rolling eyes and head about, and then lazily look at me for money.
2. People who do not know how to properly drive on reversible lanes. For example, GA Hwy 78 has reversible lanes to help control rush-hour traffic. From 5-10am, there are three westbound lanes with an additional (shared) turning lane, leaving two eastbound lanes with an additional (shared) turning lane. They reverse at 10am. Why do people not know that there is a fucking turning lane and which one it is? There are several signs indicating which lane to use, so, WTF?! I have been going 50mph in a lane and had to suddenly slam on my breaks because the person in front of me decided the fast lane is now the turning lane. These people should not have licenses that allow them to drive on reversible-lane roads.
3. Passive-aggressive people. Really, this is a serious personality disorder people--get therapy for this, please! You are what is wrong with the world!
4. Suck-ups. How can y'all even look at yourselves in the mirror?
5. Hypocrites. Again, WTF?!
6. FOX News (unless it's being viewed strictly for its comedic value)
7. Teenagers - okay, just make that kids in general, but especially teenagers. Mark Twain once said that when kids are born, they should be put in a barrel with a hole cut in it. Once they become teenagers, plug up the hole. He was a wise man.
8. People who dress their pets in people-like clothing.
9. Bills
10. People who do things half-ass. Why do something if you're not going to do it right. I'm a half-ass student right now and it's really pissing me off. But apparently I don't give a shit because I don't seem to be doing anything about it. God, I am so fucking ready to be done with school! I'm no quitter, though. So, yes, I piss myself off. Deal with it.
11. Stupid, and I mean literally stupid, professors
12. People who want things from me, or want me to do things when I don't want to do them
13. People who do not keep their word--this is really bad people. If you give someone your word, keep it. If you absolutely cannot keep your word, tell the person before hand and apologize profusely. Then don't let it happen again.
14. Couples who speak baby-talk to each other. That's just gross you guys. You should seriously consider counseling.
15. People who use God to try and prove a point.
16. People who read blogs but don't comment. Geeze, just leave a little note saying hello--would it really kill you?!
Well, that's good for now. I know there are several other things and as I think of them I will try to update my list. So tell me, what pisses you off? This has proven to be very therapeutic. Thanks for the idea, Jan.
1. Cashiers that do not pay attention their customer--especially when I am their customer. I think it is so rude for a cashier to be talking to friends, chomping gum, rolling eyes and head about, and then lazily look at me for money.
2. People who do not know how to properly drive on reversible lanes. For example, GA Hwy 78 has reversible lanes to help control rush-hour traffic. From 5-10am, there are three westbound lanes with an additional (shared) turning lane, leaving two eastbound lanes with an additional (shared) turning lane. They reverse at 10am. Why do people not know that there is a fucking turning lane and which one it is? There are several signs indicating which lane to use, so, WTF?! I have been going 50mph in a lane and had to suddenly slam on my breaks because the person in front of me decided the fast lane is now the turning lane. These people should not have licenses that allow them to drive on reversible-lane roads.
3. Passive-aggressive people. Really, this is a serious personality disorder people--get therapy for this, please! You are what is wrong with the world!
4. Suck-ups. How can y'all even look at yourselves in the mirror?
5. Hypocrites. Again, WTF?!
6. FOX News (unless it's being viewed strictly for its comedic value)
7. Teenagers - okay, just make that kids in general, but especially teenagers. Mark Twain once said that when kids are born, they should be put in a barrel with a hole cut in it. Once they become teenagers, plug up the hole. He was a wise man.
8. People who dress their pets in people-like clothing.
9. Bills
10. People who do things half-ass. Why do something if you're not going to do it right. I'm a half-ass student right now and it's really pissing me off. But apparently I don't give a shit because I don't seem to be doing anything about it. God, I am so fucking ready to be done with school! I'm no quitter, though. So, yes, I piss myself off. Deal with it.
11. Stupid, and I mean literally stupid, professors
12. People who want things from me, or want me to do things when I don't want to do them
13. People who do not keep their word--this is really bad people. If you give someone your word, keep it. If you absolutely cannot keep your word, tell the person before hand and apologize profusely. Then don't let it happen again.
14. Couples who speak baby-talk to each other. That's just gross you guys. You should seriously consider counseling.
15. People who use God to try and prove a point.
16. People who read blogs but don't comment. Geeze, just leave a little note saying hello--would it really kill you?!
Well, that's good for now. I know there are several other things and as I think of them I will try to update my list. So tell me, what pisses you off? This has proven to be very therapeutic. Thanks for the idea, Jan.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Tag-You're It!
Thanks for this tag goes out to "Ascian in Rose," "Claudia" and "Fancy New Beesly."
So the point of this game is you post a blog about ten weird habits/random facts about yourself, and then "tag" ten people who then have to post a blog about their ten weird habits/random facts. You have to tag them in your blog and then post a comment on their page saying that you tagged them. No tag-backs are allowed.
So the point of this game is you post a blog about ten weird habits/random facts about yourself, and then "tag" ten people who then have to post a blog about their ten weird habits/random facts. You have to tag them in your blog and then post a comment on their page saying that you tagged them. No tag-backs are allowed.
1) I twist my hair when I'm thinking or distracted.
2) I played softball in school for four years.
3) I once (when I was 16) got a job at a "sit-down restaurant," Arthur's, and thought I was hired on to be a hostess, or cashier. I show up for work and the assistant manager shows me around. He then takes me back into the kitchen and introduces me to this huge vat of clams or oysters (which looked like slimy brains) and told me to take one, dip it in breading and place it like so on the baking sheet. He asked me if I had any questions. I told him no but said I needed to go to the bathroom and I'd be right back. I walked out of the kitchen and then out the front door, and ran. I only lived a few blocks away but I ran all the way home. I couldn't bear the thought of having to put my hands in that vat of brains.
4) My birthmark is in my eyeball. I have a brown streak going across the iris of my right eye. My mother has always told me it was my birthmark. I tried taking a picture of it to post on here but you couldn't really see the streak. You could see a good reflection of my camera in my eyeball though.
5) Believe it or not, I'm shy. I have to force myself to speak to strangers and make small talk. It doesn't come naturally to me. I do try and do it though. However, once the alcohol starts flowing all shyness disappears. Funny, uh?
6) When I was four years old I decided I was going to run away from home. I guess I had had it with my parents and was going to liberate myself from their oppresive rule. So, I packed my Barbie-doll suitecase (that Barbies were stored in) full of my white t-shirts and underwear. I remember thinking that I would just wear the outfit I had on over and over again. I made myself a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich and set off for a new and independent life. I walked to the second house past mine, stopped, sat down, and ate my sandwich. My dad came, sat down with me and convinced me to come back home.
7) I took an art class in the 7th grade. We were learning to draw people and the teacher had students take turns being the model. We had to stand very still atop a drawing desk in the center of the room. The day it was my turn to be the model I climbed up and stood in position. The next thing I remember was being slapped in the face by the art teacher. I had fainted, fallen off of the table and onto the floor. The teacher slapped me to "wake me up." I had locked my kness. Lesson: Don't lock your knees when standing for long periods of time. You will fall, hit your head and get slapped in the face by an art teacher.
8) I asked Mike (now my husband) out on a date, while I was a student in his class. It was the second class I had taken with him. He was a brand new professor and had just received his PhD. He told me to ask him again once the class was over. I was so embarrassed!!!! But, apparently not embarrassed enough to keep me from asking a second time. That was the only time I had ever asked a man out.
9) I started a protest one year while I was in high school. It was the first year that our school system was recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. day as a school holiday. The problem was that only the city schools were observing the holiday and closing the schools. The county schools (which I attended) did not get to close. I thought a terrible injustice was ocurring and staged a protest, by encouraging fellow students to not attend school that day. My friend, Angie, and I hung out with some new people and drove around and just had a good ole time. The next several people were suspended--including me. But justice was served! Today, city and county schools are closed on MLK Jr day--just not due to my protest. ;-)
10) I got arrested once for hitting a girl over the head with a beer bottle. It was part of a big ruckus in a bar and I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I did. I was banned from the bar for a month. Luckily, nothing really happened, I just went to a different bar for that month. 
I hereby tag: Tee2, Bra$$ Knuckle$ (who never writes blogs!), King Matt (also who never blogs!), Karen, Corybelle, Lori, Dave, "Traveling Cats", Josie and James Gunn's Red Hat.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Santa, Family, Food, Movies & Advertising
So turkey day is over and now the malls, convenient stores, and even fruit stands are on a selling mission until Christmas. Actually, I do remember seeing Christmas shit in Walmart and some drug stores right before Halloween. Did anyone see people hang up Halloween lights this year? There were several houses around here that strung Halloween lights like they do their Christmas lights. What the fuck is up with that shit?!
I had my family in for Thanksgiving dinner and a couple of days following that. I cooked--and yes, everything was edible. It turned out pretty damn tasty if I do say so myself. Well, maybe with the exception of the dressing. I fucked that one up. I didn't want to cook StoveTop out of the box, so I bought the Pepperridge Farm stuff along with some celery and onion and all of that. I forgot the sage, though. Oh well, I think there was enough other shit to eat if people couldn't stomach the dressing.
On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I wrapped up the last of two projects I'd been working on. That project was called Junior Salesman. It's a short film for a student at the Art Institute of Atlanta. The plot is as follows: There is a young guy, Nick, who starts his first big job as a salesman at a local Volkswagen dealership. Today is his first day on the floor by himself. I, Joanna, walk in and become his first customer. He is obviously very nervous and clumsy. I am a business professional who knows what she wants and doesn't have a lot of time to coddle this kid (which makes him even more nervous). I tell him I'm interested in a new Jetta, we walk to the lot, I like the car and as we get ready to test drive it together I pull off and steal the car before Nick can get in it. Nick freaks and realizes he didn't follow protocol and get my license. So he decides he's going to draw my likeness on a flyer and hand several of them out to people on the street, in hopes that someone will recognize the drawing. But, Nick is careless and leaves the original flyer on the copier, where his boss, Mark, finds it. Little does Nick know that Mark is my husband and I have stolen the car as a practical joke, initiating Nick to the company. Mark calls Nick into his office and scares him by questioning his abilities, I pop my head in and ask Mark if we're still on for lunch and Nick about freaks when he sees me. I leave but then immediately return handing Nick the key to the car and welcoming him to the company. Mark reminds Nick to next time copy the license. I thought it was a very cute story.
There were three cast members for this little short film: Joanna, played by me, Mark, played by Kent Igleheart (he and my husband, Mike, went to the same college at the same time--odd uh?!), and Nick, played by Brad. The director's name is Whitney, her assistant is Valerie and the sound guy is Chris. All three are students at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Here are some photos from the set:
Funny little side note. The storyline had to change slightly when we discovered the Jetta was a stick-shift, or straight drive. Originally, Nick and I were suppose to walk down to the lot, he shows me the car, he pulls it out and then as we're switching places I jump in and drive off. However, Brad had not driven a stick since he was in high school and it was proving to be a little difficult. So, we changed it. Nick got in the car, realized it was a stick, got out and told Joanna he didn't know how to drive a stick shift. So Joanna offers to pull out the car, she does so slowly but then just as Nick goes to open the passenger door Joanna drives off. I liked that. I thought it actually fit Nick's character a little better anyway.
The other project I wrapped up is the feature movie, God Is Dead, with which I had my very first audition ever. I did not get the part but I was able to be part of the movie as an extra and I ended up with a few lines. Thank you, Matt! The company producing the movie is Mavin Productions. Let me just say that everyone involved with this production was super nice! I think they did an excellent job keeping the extras moving and we didn't have to sit around for hours at a time doing nothing. The location was awesome and the extras didn't have to wait in some room with folding chairs.
Here is a brief synopsis of the movie taken directly from the web site: "Rowan is an emotionally-handicapped twenty-something; never is this more evident than when he has no response to his girlfriend Cate's profession of love. But when an invitation takes him to a strangely surreal party, he is forced to take a closer look at parts of his life rarely analyzed: his relationship with his surrogate mother Rena, the engagement of his friends Lucius and Corrine, the possibility of a future without Cate, and the single most influential moment of his life - the death of his parents. What he discovers will free him." There are also some photos taken on set posted here. Here are a just a few pictures I took on the last night:
So, now I'm looking for new projects. I'm also hoping to get a professional headshot done really soon. I have started working with Southern Screen Report, in marketing and selling advertising. SSR has a MySpace page now, so please request to be its friend by clicking here. Anyone interested in placing an ad? If you know of anyone just let me know. Right now the print edition has a readership of about 7500, and growing.
Okay, that's it for now. Beware of Santa Claus's in drug stores, convenient stores and selling fruit.
--Paula
PS
I saw Running With Scissors last night and was utterly disappointed! The director totally fucked it up. I absolutely loved the book but the movie sucked! I don't think it's even worth renting.
I had my family in for Thanksgiving dinner and a couple of days following that. I cooked--and yes, everything was edible. It turned out pretty damn tasty if I do say so myself. Well, maybe with the exception of the dressing. I fucked that one up. I didn't want to cook StoveTop out of the box, so I bought the Pepperridge Farm stuff along with some celery and onion and all of that. I forgot the sage, though. Oh well, I think there was enough other shit to eat if people couldn't stomach the dressing.
On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I wrapped up the last of two projects I'd been working on. That project was called Junior Salesman. It's a short film for a student at the Art Institute of Atlanta. The plot is as follows: There is a young guy, Nick, who starts his first big job as a salesman at a local Volkswagen dealership. Today is his first day on the floor by himself. I, Joanna, walk in and become his first customer. He is obviously very nervous and clumsy. I am a business professional who knows what she wants and doesn't have a lot of time to coddle this kid (which makes him even more nervous). I tell him I'm interested in a new Jetta, we walk to the lot, I like the car and as we get ready to test drive it together I pull off and steal the car before Nick can get in it. Nick freaks and realizes he didn't follow protocol and get my license. So he decides he's going to draw my likeness on a flyer and hand several of them out to people on the street, in hopes that someone will recognize the drawing. But, Nick is careless and leaves the original flyer on the copier, where his boss, Mark, finds it. Little does Nick know that Mark is my husband and I have stolen the car as a practical joke, initiating Nick to the company. Mark calls Nick into his office and scares him by questioning his abilities, I pop my head in and ask Mark if we're still on for lunch and Nick about freaks when he sees me. I leave but then immediately return handing Nick the key to the car and welcoming him to the company. Mark reminds Nick to next time copy the license. I thought it was a very cute story.
There were three cast members for this little short film: Joanna, played by me, Mark, played by Kent Igleheart (he and my husband, Mike, went to the same college at the same time--odd uh?!), and Nick, played by Brad. The director's name is Whitney, her assistant is Valerie and the sound guy is Chris. All three are students at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Here are some photos from the set:
Funny little side note. The storyline had to change slightly when we discovered the Jetta was a stick-shift, or straight drive. Originally, Nick and I were suppose to walk down to the lot, he shows me the car, he pulls it out and then as we're switching places I jump in and drive off. However, Brad had not driven a stick since he was in high school and it was proving to be a little difficult. So, we changed it. Nick got in the car, realized it was a stick, got out and told Joanna he didn't know how to drive a stick shift. So Joanna offers to pull out the car, she does so slowly but then just as Nick goes to open the passenger door Joanna drives off. I liked that. I thought it actually fit Nick's character a little better anyway.
The other project I wrapped up is the feature movie, God Is Dead, with which I had my very first audition ever. I did not get the part but I was able to be part of the movie as an extra and I ended up with a few lines. Thank you, Matt! The company producing the movie is Mavin Productions. Let me just say that everyone involved with this production was super nice! I think they did an excellent job keeping the extras moving and we didn't have to sit around for hours at a time doing nothing. The location was awesome and the extras didn't have to wait in some room with folding chairs.
Here is a brief synopsis of the movie taken directly from the web site: "Rowan is an emotionally-handicapped twenty-something; never is this more evident than when he has no response to his girlfriend Cate's profession of love. But when an invitation takes him to a strangely surreal party, he is forced to take a closer look at parts of his life rarely analyzed: his relationship with his surrogate mother Rena, the engagement of his friends Lucius and Corrine, the possibility of a future without Cate, and the single most influential moment of his life - the death of his parents. What he discovers will free him." There are also some photos taken on set posted here. Here are a just a few pictures I took on the last night:
So, now I'm looking for new projects. I'm also hoping to get a professional headshot done really soon. I have started working with Southern Screen Report, in marketing and selling advertising. SSR has a MySpace page now, so please request to be its friend by clicking here. Anyone interested in placing an ad? If you know of anyone just let me know. Right now the print edition has a readership of about 7500, and growing.
Okay, that's it for now. Beware of Santa Claus's in drug stores, convenient stores and selling fruit.
--Paula
PS
I saw Running With Scissors last night and was utterly disappointed! The director totally fucked it up. I absolutely loved the book but the movie sucked! I don't think it's even worth renting.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Who's Better? Pete Townshend or The Edge
Okay, so Wednesday night I saw The Who!!!!!!!
The concert was awesome. The Pretenders opened for The Who and I had almost completely forgotten about the wonderfully talented Chrissie Hynde. I'm telling you, she fuckin' rocked that stage! Isn't a woman rocking on a guitar sexy?! She totally won me over. I've always wanted to play guitar. A couple of years ago I bought a guitar and planned to start taking lessons, but one thing led to another and I never followed through with it. I really want to learn. I have a book, so I think I will start using it to practice. Okay, I so want to be a rock star now. Just kidding. Maybe in another life or something. I am gonna learn how to play the guitar though.
I took some pictures of The Pretenders. Then, while they were changing the stage I asked some guy behind us to take a picture of me and Mike. You can see the monitor behind us. As soon as The Who took the stage I reached for my camera to snap a shot but my camera battery died. I was so dissappointed. So, here are some photos of The Pretenders and Mike and I waiting for The Who to take the stage. There's also a picture of me in my new Who t-shirt. It's a very cool t-shirt!
Needless to say when The Who took the stage the whole audience stood and remained standing for quite some time. For the ladies out there, let me just say that even though Roger Daltrey is 62, he can still move all over that stage and he's definitely still "doable!" Very sexy! Here's a picture I found from Google:
Pete Townshend blew me the fuck away!! Damn, that man can play! I, like so many others, anxiously waited for Baba O'Riley (my favorite Who song), Won't Get Fooled Again and Who Are you (second favorite). After they played Baba O'Riley Pete told the audience that the band was never quite sure why everyone like that song so much. I remember being a teenager and hearing it on the classic rock station. I once called the radio station and requested they play "Teenage Wasteland." The DJ was so rude to me and refused to play it for me because I didn't know the correct name of the song--Baba O'Riley. That DJ was a jerk. But, I wonder how many other people out there called it "teenage wasteland." Anyway, watching and hearing them play most of favorite Who songs was excellent!
Pete:
I'm still just so amazed at the sound that Pete can make come out of that guitar. I thought back to the U2 concert Mike and I attended about this time last year. The Edge also played his ass off and put out this huge sound. I started wondering which one is a better guitarist--Pete Townshend or The Edge. I don't think I'm really qualified to determine the answer. So, please tell me your thoughts. Who is a better guitarist--Pete or The Edge? Also, please let me know if you were able to see them in concert and what you thought about it.
Later.
The concert was awesome. The Pretenders opened for The Who and I had almost completely forgotten about the wonderfully talented Chrissie Hynde. I'm telling you, she fuckin' rocked that stage! Isn't a woman rocking on a guitar sexy?! She totally won me over. I've always wanted to play guitar. A couple of years ago I bought a guitar and planned to start taking lessons, but one thing led to another and I never followed through with it. I really want to learn. I have a book, so I think I will start using it to practice. Okay, I so want to be a rock star now. Just kidding. Maybe in another life or something. I am gonna learn how to play the guitar though.
I took some pictures of The Pretenders. Then, while they were changing the stage I asked some guy behind us to take a picture of me and Mike. You can see the monitor behind us. As soon as The Who took the stage I reached for my camera to snap a shot but my camera battery died. I was so dissappointed. So, here are some photos of The Pretenders and Mike and I waiting for The Who to take the stage. There's also a picture of me in my new Who t-shirt. It's a very cool t-shirt!
Needless to say when The Who took the stage the whole audience stood and remained standing for quite some time. For the ladies out there, let me just say that even though Roger Daltrey is 62, he can still move all over that stage and he's definitely still "doable!" Very sexy! Here's a picture I found from Google:
Pete Townshend blew me the fuck away!! Damn, that man can play! I, like so many others, anxiously waited for Baba O'Riley (my favorite Who song), Won't Get Fooled Again and Who Are you (second favorite). After they played Baba O'Riley Pete told the audience that the band was never quite sure why everyone like that song so much. I remember being a teenager and hearing it on the classic rock station. I once called the radio station and requested they play "Teenage Wasteland." The DJ was so rude to me and refused to play it for me because I didn't know the correct name of the song--Baba O'Riley. That DJ was a jerk. But, I wonder how many other people out there called it "teenage wasteland." Anyway, watching and hearing them play most of favorite Who songs was excellent!
Pete:
I'm still just so amazed at the sound that Pete can make come out of that guitar. I thought back to the U2 concert Mike and I attended about this time last year. The Edge also played his ass off and put out this huge sound. I started wondering which one is a better guitarist--Pete Townshend or The Edge. I don't think I'm really qualified to determine the answer. So, please tell me your thoughts. Who is a better guitarist--Pete or The Edge? Also, please let me know if you were able to see them in concert and what you thought about it.
Later.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
What the hell is "The Gay Store?"
So, I've been asked quite a few time about the name of my page (or my url, rather), The Gay Store. Here's the story:
Well, earlier in the year I decided to start an online retail business. I got the idea one year while at Georgia Pride. My cousin and her girlfriend always come down for Pride and we go and walk around and spend money and have a good time. Well, year before last I noticed that the vendors were missing something that I thought could sell really well--those car-magnet ribbons designed in rainbow colors.
I told myself I would rent a booth and sell them the next year (this past June). So, I did rent a booth, but I didn't sell the rainbow car magnets. I sold other magnets, stickers, body jewelry and just a bunch of shit like that. I would've done really well had it not stormed like hell. It stormed so badly that they had to close the park Friday evening, an hour after I set up and then again on Sunday as I was setting up. But, Saturday I did pretty well--just not enough to break even. I totally would've broken even had I sold on Friday and Sunday. You can see how gray the sky looks in this picture.
Anyway, I started an online website, www.thegaystoreonline.com, to sell my shit. The only problem was that people didn't want to buy it online. So, I started a MySpace page after Shane urging me to do so, in hopes of increasing (or should I say prompting a) sales. It didn't help sales one bit but it did provide me with a new drug. I'm now addicted to MySpace. It's like crack, only I don't get the wonderful side effect of weight loss. So, I closed the online store (I still own the domain name though, along with a few others) and tried selling my stuff on e-Bay. That wasn't so hot either.
So, that's why my MySpace page is titled thegaystore. Now, here are some fun pictures from Pride. Deanna and Jessica didn't make it down until Sunday, for the parade, and then they had to turn around and go home. However, my mother and my other cousin, Jon, came to help me with my booth. Here we are at WetBar.
And this one was taken by my mom next to the pool at the Hampton Inn in Atlanta.
Okay, that's the end of my blog.
Well, earlier in the year I decided to start an online retail business. I got the idea one year while at Georgia Pride. My cousin and her girlfriend always come down for Pride and we go and walk around and spend money and have a good time. Well, year before last I noticed that the vendors were missing something that I thought could sell really well--those car-magnet ribbons designed in rainbow colors.
I told myself I would rent a booth and sell them the next year (this past June). So, I did rent a booth, but I didn't sell the rainbow car magnets. I sold other magnets, stickers, body jewelry and just a bunch of shit like that. I would've done really well had it not stormed like hell. It stormed so badly that they had to close the park Friday evening, an hour after I set up and then again on Sunday as I was setting up. But, Saturday I did pretty well--just not enough to break even. I totally would've broken even had I sold on Friday and Sunday. You can see how gray the sky looks in this picture.
Anyway, I started an online website, www.thegaystoreonline.com, to sell my shit. The only problem was that people didn't want to buy it online. So, I started a MySpace page after Shane urging me to do so, in hopes of increasing (or should I say prompting a) sales. It didn't help sales one bit but it did provide me with a new drug. I'm now addicted to MySpace. It's like crack, only I don't get the wonderful side effect of weight loss. So, I closed the online store (I still own the domain name though, along with a few others) and tried selling my stuff on e-Bay. That wasn't so hot either.
So, that's why my MySpace page is titled thegaystore. Now, here are some fun pictures from Pride. Deanna and Jessica didn't make it down until Sunday, for the parade, and then they had to turn around and go home. However, my mother and my other cousin, Jon, came to help me with my booth. Here we are at WetBar.
And this one was taken by my mom next to the pool at the Hampton Inn in Atlanta.
Okay, that's the end of my blog.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Red Hats, Hot Lesbian Love, Salons and Changing Flat Tires
Hmmmmm...........where to begin.
Let's start from the top, of my head that is. Dude?! What the fuck is up with the red hat? Well, I've joined a cult. An internet cult that is. It's called James Gunn's Red Hat Nation. (I highly suggest you join by clicking here. My mother was always afraid I would run off a join a cult. I guess she knew I possessed cult-like-following characteristics. I hadn't joined one for all of these years so I decided to quit letting her down and just sign the fuck up.
James Gunn's Red Hat Nation actually started due to a fan of James Gunn, Tee2. See, James Gunn is the writer/director of SLiTHER, and writer of Scooby Doo 2, and some other shit. Well, he used MySpace to promote and market his movie, SLiTHER. He wrote blogs and provided fans with interesting behind-the-scene-pictures and other fascinating tidbits. One of the pictures showed him wearing a red hat.
Well, needless to say, everybody started ragging him about it. (C'mon, you've got to admit it really deserved a good ragging.) So, Tee2, being the brilliant artist she is, started photoshopping red hats on people. She's a freakin' tagger! (That's a graffiti artist for all you old folks out there.) Next thing you know, people are doin' it to themselves and James Gunn starts Red Hat Nation. No one knows where this going to lead, but Tee2 did provide us with the Mothership (so at least we know there is a higher purpose).
Also deserving an honorable mention is Maddy, maker of this excellent orientation film, soon to be shown to all new recruits.
Hot Lesbian Love
Last night I watched Loving Annabelle part of the line up of the Out On Film Festival, and got to meet the writer/director, Katherine Brooks.
Let me start off by saying that I first learned about Katherine Brooks here on MySpace. She befriended me and then I followed the promoting and marketing of her movie. MySpace is excellent for marketing and promoting!! (See Salons further down) Since I've been following Katherine's success and watched the clips she posted from time to time, I really turned her into this celebrity in my mind. So, when I met her last night, I was like all fucken nervous and shit, like I was meeting Angelina Jolie or Borat. Luckily, I did muster up the courage to ask for a photo and told her that I was one of her MySpace friends and how I'm addicted to MySpace. She was nice and said she's addicted too, and she said she has to take like three days off from MySpace in order to get work done. She's very thin, short and beautiful. Just like one of the lesbians from the L-Word. I guess they do exist--maybe only in Hollywood though.
On to the movie. I liked the movie. I have to say I was sort of disappointed though. The first half of the movie seemed really rushed and didn't flow as fluidly as it could've. However, it was like watching an entirely different movie once we got to the sex scene. The overall quality of the movie improved as did the scene changes. The storyline and acting was good. During the Q&A, following the movie, Kat (since we've met, we roll like that now) acknowledged the continuity problems in the first half of the movie. Basically it all came down to the budget. She couldn't disclose the exact budget for the movie but she did say it less than a million. So, she said if one part of the movie was going to be great she wanted it to be the sex scene. "At least the sex would sell the movie"--which I would have to agree.
Salons
I got an interesting request from Image Film and Video yesterday. Gabe, the new president and CEO of Image, thought it would be cool to do a salon on Pimping MySpace. Basically, the salon would cover how to use MySpace to promote and market yourself and/or your movie. Since I'm addicted, he asked me if I would like to give the salon. I said yes.
Here is the web site description of a salon:
So, I'll be doing a Pimp MySpace salon at Image in March. Now I have a reason to be on MySpace constantly--RESEARCH! Ideas, comments and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. (Please!)
Changing Flat Tires (in the drizzling rain)
On my way home from the screening last night I had to stop for gas. After filling up, I started rolling off and felt and heard this kaplump-kaplump sound. Sure enough, I had a freakin' flat tire. Luckily, I was still in the station lot and I pulled my Jeep out of the way of the pumps. It's about 11:00pm and there are a few cutomers in the parking lot. I look for my jack and get the tire iron to loosen the lug nuts (before I jack it up). I take off my spare tire (luckily all Jeeps come with a full spare, not a donut) and roll it to the side. Then I jack up my Jeep. I take of the lugnuts and remove the flat tire. I go to put on the spare but it requires that the tire be lifted into position. Well, I had major back surgery in August and I'm not suppose to be lifting heavy things. I still try but I cannot get it on. Mike is out of town so I can't call him (plus, it's ridculous to call him to drive all that way for like 10 seconds to lift a tire). Meanwhile, several cars and trucks and have pulled in and out, looked at me, but not one person offered to stop and help.
So, I see two teenage boys in a car looking over my way as they drive by me. I flag them down and ask them to please just lift the spare and place it into position. They did so and I was greatful. I tightened the nuts and put the flat in the back of my Jeep. Now, being a self-sufficient and independent woman, I specifically learned and know how to change a tire, just for this reason. However, being a human being, I think it's rude that not one person stopped to offer their help. So, if you ever see anyone trying to change a tire by his/herself, please be kind enough to offer your help.
Let's start from the top, of my head that is. Dude?! What the fuck is up with the red hat? Well, I've joined a cult. An internet cult that is. It's called James Gunn's Red Hat Nation. (I highly suggest you join by clicking here. My mother was always afraid I would run off a join a cult. I guess she knew I possessed cult-like-following characteristics. I hadn't joined one for all of these years so I decided to quit letting her down and just sign the fuck up.
James Gunn's Red Hat Nation actually started due to a fan of James Gunn, Tee2. See, James Gunn is the writer/director of SLiTHER, and writer of Scooby Doo 2, and some other shit. Well, he used MySpace to promote and market his movie, SLiTHER. He wrote blogs and provided fans with interesting behind-the-scene-pictures and other fascinating tidbits. One of the pictures showed him wearing a red hat.
Well, needless to say, everybody started ragging him about it. (C'mon, you've got to admit it really deserved a good ragging.) So, Tee2, being the brilliant artist she is, started photoshopping red hats on people. She's a freakin' tagger! (That's a graffiti artist for all you old folks out there.) Next thing you know, people are doin' it to themselves and James Gunn starts Red Hat Nation. No one knows where this going to lead, but Tee2 did provide us with the Mothership (so at least we know there is a higher purpose).
Also deserving an honorable mention is Maddy, maker of this excellent orientation film, soon to be shown to all new recruits.
Hot Lesbian Love
Last night I watched Loving Annabelle part of the line up of the Out On Film Festival, and got to meet the writer/director, Katherine Brooks.
Let me start off by saying that I first learned about Katherine Brooks here on MySpace. She befriended me and then I followed the promoting and marketing of her movie. MySpace is excellent for marketing and promoting!! (See Salons further down) Since I've been following Katherine's success and watched the clips she posted from time to time, I really turned her into this celebrity in my mind. So, when I met her last night, I was like all fucken nervous and shit, like I was meeting Angelina Jolie or Borat. Luckily, I did muster up the courage to ask for a photo and told her that I was one of her MySpace friends and how I'm addicted to MySpace. She was nice and said she's addicted too, and she said she has to take like three days off from MySpace in order to get work done. She's very thin, short and beautiful. Just like one of the lesbians from the L-Word. I guess they do exist--maybe only in Hollywood though.
On to the movie. I liked the movie. I have to say I was sort of disappointed though. The first half of the movie seemed really rushed and didn't flow as fluidly as it could've. However, it was like watching an entirely different movie once we got to the sex scene. The overall quality of the movie improved as did the scene changes. The storyline and acting was good. During the Q&A, following the movie, Kat (since we've met, we roll like that now) acknowledged the continuity problems in the first half of the movie. Basically it all came down to the budget. She couldn't disclose the exact budget for the movie but she did say it less than a million. So, she said if one part of the movie was going to be great she wanted it to be the sex scene. "At least the sex would sell the movie"--which I would have to agree.
Salons
I got an interesting request from Image Film and Video yesterday. Gabe, the new president and CEO of Image, thought it would be cool to do a salon on Pimping MySpace. Basically, the salon would cover how to use MySpace to promote and market yourself and/or your movie. Since I'm addicted, he asked me if I would like to give the salon. I said yes.
Here is the web site description of a salon:
Each month IMAGE provides informal, educational salons, which are free and open to the public. Salons cover a variety of issues dealing directly with independent film and video making. Previous salons have featured guest speakers offering their expertise on such varied topics as grant writing, digital filmmaking, and animation. Our Winter/Spring series promises a wealth of information and networking opportunities.
So, I'll be doing a Pimp MySpace salon at Image in March. Now I have a reason to be on MySpace constantly--RESEARCH! Ideas, comments and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. (Please!)
Changing Flat Tires (in the drizzling rain)
On my way home from the screening last night I had to stop for gas. After filling up, I started rolling off and felt and heard this kaplump-kaplump sound. Sure enough, I had a freakin' flat tire. Luckily, I was still in the station lot and I pulled my Jeep out of the way of the pumps. It's about 11:00pm and there are a few cutomers in the parking lot. I look for my jack and get the tire iron to loosen the lug nuts (before I jack it up). I take off my spare tire (luckily all Jeeps come with a full spare, not a donut) and roll it to the side. Then I jack up my Jeep. I take of the lugnuts and remove the flat tire. I go to put on the spare but it requires that the tire be lifted into position. Well, I had major back surgery in August and I'm not suppose to be lifting heavy things. I still try but I cannot get it on. Mike is out of town so I can't call him (plus, it's ridculous to call him to drive all that way for like 10 seconds to lift a tire). Meanwhile, several cars and trucks and have pulled in and out, looked at me, but not one person offered to stop and help.
So, I see two teenage boys in a car looking over my way as they drive by me. I flag them down and ask them to please just lift the spare and place it into position. They did so and I was greatful. I tightened the nuts and put the flat in the back of my Jeep. Now, being a self-sufficient and independent woman, I specifically learned and know how to change a tire, just for this reason. However, being a human being, I think it's rude that not one person stopped to offer their help. So, if you ever see anyone trying to change a tire by his/herself, please be kind enough to offer your help.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Follow up from before........
It's over!! I'm done with my job. WaHoo!! Yesterday was my last day at work. Do I feel sad at all? Only because I'll miss a few people but other than that, Nope! A new day is dawning and I want in on it.
Okay, so I started volunteering at Image Film and Video this week. The first thing I did was contact other volunteers and try to establish some sort of schedule. I labeled some DVDs for the film festival and then helped Garrin with some MySpace stuff (which was the most fun part). Atlanta's LGBT, OutOnFilm, film festival is coming up in November (10th-16th) so Image is trying to get everything ready for that. I think it's going to be awesome! Help spread the word by clicking on the image and adding them to your friends list.
Copy & Paste on your page.
I thought I might have royally screwed up another opportunity for film experience, with The Woman's Angle, because I mixed up the meeting date. I had missed the initial meeting of this project but planned to attend the second one. I established contact with woman spearheading it, Tracy Martin, and promised to be there at the second meeting.
The meeting was scheduled for Oct. 11 but I put it in my head and on my calendar for Oct. 12th. On the night of Oct. 11, I was checking emails and decided to review The Woman's Angle site in preparation for the meeting the next day. When I read the date on the site I about shit. I immediately emailed Tracy confessing how much of an idiot I am for getting the dates mixed up and profusely apologized. Luckily, she took pity on me and is granting me acceptance. She suggested that I team up with someone as opposed to taking the whole project on myself, since I have NO experience. I full-heartedly agree with her and feel relieved that I won't have to do it all by myself right out of the gate. I think this is going to be an awesome learning experience!!
I have also been pestering Mike's cousin, my cousin-in-law Robert, who lives in L.A. and has been in the film industry for some time, for his advice. Since we never use to talk except at family gatherings and stuff, he's probably wishing I never quit my job. He has been helpful though. He actually directed a feature film, Jacks or Better, and won Best Director for it at the Dances With FilmsFestival. They also have a MySpace page.
My husband, Mike, heard from his editor yesterday that his new book Carpetbaggers, Calvary and the Ku Klux Klan should be out in March. If you haven't already added Mike to your friends list, and you like to read, please add him. Mike is an excellent writer and hopefully one day he'll be a well-known author. He's also writing a couple of popular novels (which hopefully might actually pay him for writing).
Everything seems to be clicking right along. Mike has been so supportive of me. He is awesome!! Now if I can just find something that comes with a paycheck, that would be icing on the cake!!
Okay, I'm off to a birthday party for my friend's two-year old daughter. Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Quick update......more to come
I don't have a lot of time this morning, but I wanted to let you know that I quit my job! Friday is my last day. WaHoo! I just can't take the commute any more. I seriously think I'd lose my shit if I knew I had to drive all that way to deal with people I'm tired of dealing with for any longer. Meanwhile, I'm looking for another job. I am going to a career fair tomorrow.
In an effor to meet people and hopefully change my career path, I'm gonna start volunteering at Image Film & Video. They are a nonprofit organization that runs the Atlanta Film Festival and OutOnFilm Festval, Atlanta's gay and lesbian film festival (which is 19 years old!). Check out these web sites OutOnFilm and Image Film and Video. I attended a salon they had last night which was great. I got to meet several people, including Image's new President/CEO Gabe Wardell and its new Festival Director Dan Krovich. They both seem like excellent men with a lot of plans for Image. I also met Garrin, the marketing director and Elizabeth the education program director. I will be doing volunteer work for both of them. Monday, October 30, Image is a having a "Local's Only" horror-film screening which sounds like it will be a lot of fun. The films that will be shown will only be done from local film makers. Anybody can come watch them, so I hope my Atlanta friends will come. Dress up!!
Okay, I will write more later but I have to go to work now. Ugh!! I know, it's almost over, but still.
It's almost Office Thursday!! WaHoo!!!!
In an effor to meet people and hopefully change my career path, I'm gonna start volunteering at Image Film & Video. They are a nonprofit organization that runs the Atlanta Film Festival and OutOnFilm Festval, Atlanta's gay and lesbian film festival (which is 19 years old!). Check out these web sites OutOnFilm and Image Film and Video. I attended a salon they had last night which was great. I got to meet several people, including Image's new President/CEO Gabe Wardell and its new Festival Director Dan Krovich. They both seem like excellent men with a lot of plans for Image. I also met Garrin, the marketing director and Elizabeth the education program director. I will be doing volunteer work for both of them. Monday, October 30, Image is a having a "Local's Only" horror-film screening which sounds like it will be a lot of fun. The films that will be shown will only be done from local film makers. Anybody can come watch them, so I hope my Atlanta friends will come. Dress up!!
Okay, I will write more later but I have to go to work now. Ugh!! I know, it's almost over, but still.
It's almost Office Thursday!! WaHoo!!!!
Monday, October 2, 2006
Do Dodge Chargers deliver hot people?
I didn't go back to work today. I was tired and sore and I'm squeezing another day out of my fmla. I go back to my doctor tomorrow for my "release to work."
The reason I'm tired and sore is because I've had a pretty busy weekend. Sunday, I took my mother-in-law shopping for clothes. This doesn't sound very tiring but she suffered a stroke a few years ago and is in a wheelchair. So having to load and unload a wheelchair can be a little tiring, but dressing and undressing a person who has very limited mobility on her right side is downright exhausting.
She also has apraxia, which is basically a speech disorder. Her mind functions correctly (most of the time) so she knows what she wants to say but when she speaks, something completely different comes out of her mouth. She's just as surprised as we are to hear what she finally ends up saying. She can say some pretty funny stuff. For example, she looked at me the other day and said, "You can get some food for yourself?" After 20 minutes or so, we finally figured out she was asking when she was going to go shopping for clothes. She is taking a trip to see a friend and she is completely fixated on the trip, and dressing for it.
She lives downstairs from us in an in-law's suite apartment. She can use the phone and when she wants something from me or my husband, Mike, she calls us. She recently called me and left this message: "Hello, Walter, this is Michael. Uh, I mean, Michael this is Walter. Uh, I mean.....Nevermind." She spent so much energy trying to introduce herself in her message when chances were pretty good I could've probably guessed who was calling me. (Walter is her nephew, by the way.) She called Mike and told him "I can tell you the secrets of the children." She just wanted to know if he was going to have lunch with her. She often says the same phrase over and over again but it will have a different meaning each time. She has a good sense of humor about herself though and that counts for a lot! She's a good lady.
Then yesterday, Sunday, I spent the entire day on location of a short movie shoot. I was only an extra so it's nothing to get real excited about, but it was more experience. I waited for like three and a half hours though before I actually went into the scenes. The short takes place in a jazz bar, and there are a couple bad guys, a jazz singer and a guy who stumbles into a ongoing plot and creates confusion. It'll be neat to see the finished project. There was no pay, it was meals/copy and credit. Anyway, the name of the short is Jive. I'll let you know when I get a copy of it. It was fun once I started doing something. The people were very nice.
So, today I am looking for a new job. I saw an add for salespeople needed at Landmark Dodge. I have no sales experience and almost all of my work history involves healthcare management, but that's all I can find around my neighborhood right now. So, I called the Dodge guy and emailed him my resume. We'll see what happens. I think it's probably easier for a woman to sell a car to man than it is for a man anyway, right? I could just say something like, "Damn, you look HOT behind that wheel! Don't tell my husband I said that." That should be somewhat persuasive. Thoughts? Especially you guys out there.
It's Monday. Only three more days to a new episode of The Office! WaHoo!!
The reason I'm tired and sore is because I've had a pretty busy weekend. Sunday, I took my mother-in-law shopping for clothes. This doesn't sound very tiring but she suffered a stroke a few years ago and is in a wheelchair. So having to load and unload a wheelchair can be a little tiring, but dressing and undressing a person who has very limited mobility on her right side is downright exhausting.
She also has apraxia, which is basically a speech disorder. Her mind functions correctly (most of the time) so she knows what she wants to say but when she speaks, something completely different comes out of her mouth. She's just as surprised as we are to hear what she finally ends up saying. She can say some pretty funny stuff. For example, she looked at me the other day and said, "You can get some food for yourself?" After 20 minutes or so, we finally figured out she was asking when she was going to go shopping for clothes. She is taking a trip to see a friend and she is completely fixated on the trip, and dressing for it.
She lives downstairs from us in an in-law's suite apartment. She can use the phone and when she wants something from me or my husband, Mike, she calls us. She recently called me and left this message: "Hello, Walter, this is Michael. Uh, I mean, Michael this is Walter. Uh, I mean.....Nevermind." She spent so much energy trying to introduce herself in her message when chances were pretty good I could've probably guessed who was calling me. (Walter is her nephew, by the way.) She called Mike and told him "I can tell you the secrets of the children." She just wanted to know if he was going to have lunch with her. She often says the same phrase over and over again but it will have a different meaning each time. She has a good sense of humor about herself though and that counts for a lot! She's a good lady.
Then yesterday, Sunday, I spent the entire day on location of a short movie shoot. I was only an extra so it's nothing to get real excited about, but it was more experience. I waited for like three and a half hours though before I actually went into the scenes. The short takes place in a jazz bar, and there are a couple bad guys, a jazz singer and a guy who stumbles into a ongoing plot and creates confusion. It'll be neat to see the finished project. There was no pay, it was meals/copy and credit. Anyway, the name of the short is Jive. I'll let you know when I get a copy of it. It was fun once I started doing something. The people were very nice.
So, today I am looking for a new job. I saw an add for salespeople needed at Landmark Dodge. I have no sales experience and almost all of my work history involves healthcare management, but that's all I can find around my neighborhood right now. So, I called the Dodge guy and emailed him my resume. We'll see what happens. I think it's probably easier for a woman to sell a car to man than it is for a man anyway, right? I could just say something like, "Damn, you look HOT behind that wheel! Don't tell my husband I said that." That should be somewhat persuasive. Thoughts? Especially you guys out there.
It's Monday. Only three more days to a new episode of The Office! WaHoo!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
I'm having my own lttle pity party.....
This morning I was part of a little short video that was being made for a church, to promote their singles group. There were three women and three men and we met at a local tavern at 7:00am to shoot the film. We had to dress like we were going out for a night on the town. We did scenes that had men coming on to women and the women were disgusted and bored. The shoot lasted until 10:30am. Since I have never been on a set before this was pretty neat. Even though there's nothing very romantic about being in a short church film it was neat just to see how everything was done.
Now, for my pity party......having been out of work since mid July for back surgery, I am seriously dreading (which is really much too weak a word) having to return to work on Oct 2. I really need a new job! I live in Monroe and I work in Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital--it's 49 miles one way. In Atlanta traffic it usually takes me close to two hours to get to work and another two to get home--three and half to four hours each day spent commuting amounts to a part-time job, around 20 hours per week. My job is okay, I manage doctors' offices and some hospital programs, but I'm tired. I'm tired of doctors doing whatever they want to do, making my job harder because I'm responsible for their compliance. I'm tired of dealing with staff issues (sick babies, flat tires, or whatever other reason they can't come to work). I'm tired of feeling unappreciated and unsupported by my bosses. And, the idea of driving two hours to deal with all of that really depresses me.
I'm in my last year of MBA school and I plan on seeing that through but I have no idea what I want to do with it. There's really nothing around Monroe. The next closest towns (Loganville, Snellville, Athens) don't have that many opportunities either. I really don't want to stay in healthcare but I don't really know what else I can do. Ugh!!!!! I wish I were rich and didn't have to work. And, I don't think stuffing envelopes, buying/selling property or cold calling are legitimate "work-at-home" businesses. I seriously would rather have another major surgery than return to work. That's sad. I'm sad. I want Thursday to come because of the season premiere of The Office, but I don't want it to come because it's one more day closer to October 2. Ugh!!!! This totally sucks!!
Now, for my pity party......having been out of work since mid July for back surgery, I am seriously dreading (which is really much too weak a word) having to return to work on Oct 2. I really need a new job! I live in Monroe and I work in Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital--it's 49 miles one way. In Atlanta traffic it usually takes me close to two hours to get to work and another two to get home--three and half to four hours each day spent commuting amounts to a part-time job, around 20 hours per week. My job is okay, I manage doctors' offices and some hospital programs, but I'm tired. I'm tired of doctors doing whatever they want to do, making my job harder because I'm responsible for their compliance. I'm tired of dealing with staff issues (sick babies, flat tires, or whatever other reason they can't come to work). I'm tired of feeling unappreciated and unsupported by my bosses. And, the idea of driving two hours to deal with all of that really depresses me.
I'm in my last year of MBA school and I plan on seeing that through but I have no idea what I want to do with it. There's really nothing around Monroe. The next closest towns (Loganville, Snellville, Athens) don't have that many opportunities either. I really don't want to stay in healthcare but I don't really know what else I can do. Ugh!!!!! I wish I were rich and didn't have to work. And, I don't think stuffing envelopes, buying/selling property or cold calling are legitimate "work-at-home" businesses. I seriously would rather have another major surgery than return to work. That's sad. I'm sad. I want Thursday to come because of the season premiere of The Office, but I don't want it to come because it's one more day closer to October 2. Ugh!!!! This totally sucks!!
Friday, September 15, 2006
My very first audition ever!!!!!!!
Hey, y'all.
Yesterday, I had my very first audition ever! I read for a part, Leah, in an indie movie titled "God is dead." Leah is not a main character in the movie but she does have a respectable presence. Plus, since I'm just now starting this acting thing, I'm no where near ready to try for an advanced role. I was SOOOO nervous! I tried to hide my nervousness--I don't know how well I pulled it off though. It was also very exciting.
I studied the sides (script) for Leah's part for a few days prior to the read. I had imagined that a conversation had already been going on when Leah begins speaking, so I began the scene with a little "can you believe this" laugh. I also felt like the other character that Leah was talking to (Leigh) wasn't really paying that close of attention to what Leah was saying, so I kinda didn't acknowledge Leigh's comments between the first couple of lines. I also felt like Leah should be a little underplayed--not a lot of emotion, but enough to show that she has character but it's gonna take a lot more to get it to come out.
Anyway, I walked into the room and there was the casting director and two other men sitting behind a table. The table had a monitor on it and both men had clip boards and other stuff. I brought in a headshot of myself, but it was homemade because I haven't had a professional headshot taken yet. I will be getting one though. The casting director took a photograph of me anyway (I didn't smile--why, I have no idea--I don't know what the hell's wrong with me). I also do not have a professional acting resume, so I wrote the casting director a little letter explaining that I was new to acting and just attached my regular resume to the letter. (I know, I'm such a dork.) There was a camera in the room and I had to look into the camera and state my name and the part for which I was reading. I started the reading and the casting director read the part of Leigh. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes.
I have no idea what they thought of me. They said that they will have callbacks on Sunday. So, I guess I will find out today if they would like for me to come back in read again. If I don't get a call back at least I can say that I gave it shot. Plus, the film will need extras and so forth, so I might still have a chance of being in it--just not as Leah. That would still give me something to start my acting resume. I don't really know exactly what casting directors look for in a reading. I don't know if I gave them what they were looking for. I don't know if my interpretation of Leah was right or not. I don't even know if it matters. If anyone can shed some light on this for me I'd greatly appreciate it.
I do plan on taking acting classes and some improv classes too. That is also bound to help me. In any case, I had a great time and I plan on auditioning for roles as often as they come available. Wish me success!
Hugs!
--Paula
Yesterday, I had my very first audition ever! I read for a part, Leah, in an indie movie titled "God is dead." Leah is not a main character in the movie but she does have a respectable presence. Plus, since I'm just now starting this acting thing, I'm no where near ready to try for an advanced role. I was SOOOO nervous! I tried to hide my nervousness--I don't know how well I pulled it off though. It was also very exciting.
I studied the sides (script) for Leah's part for a few days prior to the read. I had imagined that a conversation had already been going on when Leah begins speaking, so I began the scene with a little "can you believe this" laugh. I also felt like the other character that Leah was talking to (Leigh) wasn't really paying that close of attention to what Leah was saying, so I kinda didn't acknowledge Leigh's comments between the first couple of lines. I also felt like Leah should be a little underplayed--not a lot of emotion, but enough to show that she has character but it's gonna take a lot more to get it to come out.
Anyway, I walked into the room and there was the casting director and two other men sitting behind a table. The table had a monitor on it and both men had clip boards and other stuff. I brought in a headshot of myself, but it was homemade because I haven't had a professional headshot taken yet. I will be getting one though. The casting director took a photograph of me anyway (I didn't smile--why, I have no idea--I don't know what the hell's wrong with me). I also do not have a professional acting resume, so I wrote the casting director a little letter explaining that I was new to acting and just attached my regular resume to the letter. (I know, I'm such a dork.) There was a camera in the room and I had to look into the camera and state my name and the part for which I was reading. I started the reading and the casting director read the part of Leigh. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes.
I have no idea what they thought of me. They said that they will have callbacks on Sunday. So, I guess I will find out today if they would like for me to come back in read again. If I don't get a call back at least I can say that I gave it shot. Plus, the film will need extras and so forth, so I might still have a chance of being in it--just not as Leah. That would still give me something to start my acting resume. I don't really know exactly what casting directors look for in a reading. I don't know if I gave them what they were looking for. I don't know if my interpretation of Leah was right or not. I don't even know if it matters. If anyone can shed some light on this for me I'd greatly appreciate it.
I do plan on taking acting classes and some improv classes too. That is also bound to help me. In any case, I had a great time and I plan on auditioning for roles as often as they come available. Wish me success!
Hugs!
--Paula
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Customer Service
I've known a lot of people in my life that seem to mellow with age. Things that used to bother them hardly phase them anymore; and they've become much more patient. But I haven't. I'm just the opposite. I'm thinking something must be wrong with me because my patience has actually decreased and I get upset when dealing with rude people like cashiers, telephone support people, salespeople, coworkers, etc.. I have a big problem with the current behavioral standards in businesses.
Recently, I needed to by a watch battery. I went to the local Wal-mart (which I hate Wal-Mart but it's the closest store to my house) with watch in hand in search of a battery. The batteries are kept in the jewelry department and finding someone to help you there is always difficult. I finally spotted two employees stocking marked-down fashion jewelry, laughing hard and heavy with each other. I interrupted their inane banter and asked them to please help me open my watch and remove the battery so I could replace it with a new one. The teenagers looked at me as though I had just asked them to paint my house but one reluctantly stopped stocking and walked toward me. She asked me if I bought the watch there, at Wal-Mart. I told her that I had not, but I know the battery size is universal and it should be a commonly stocked model.
The "sales associate" quickly informed me that she could not help me since I didn't buy the watch there. She was dismissing me and walking back over to her friend at the same time. She told me that they were not allowed to open the watch since I didn't by it from them. I asked her if I could use the tool to pry open the back thereby relieving her of any responsibility of damage to my watch. She again proudly expressed the fact that it is against Wal-Mart's policy to open, or allow anyone to open a watch that was not purchased from that store. She began talking to her friend and I left.
I was so upset. This was such a minor thing--a watch battery. I had even told the girl that I would sign a paper stating that I wouldn't her or Wal-Mart responsible if something happens to my watch if she or I opened it. The blatent and proud refusal to help me with such a small thing was really unnecessary. It was ridiculous.
I drove to CVS drug store and presented them with the same scenario except it played completely different with the sales associate there verses the sales associate at Wal-Mart. The CVS employee took my watch and headed behind the counter to get his tools. He easily popped open the back of my watch and removed the battery. He replaced the battery and reassembled the watch. The watch did not work. The CVS employee was puzzled and he immediately opened another battery and placed it in the watch. Even after trying the second battery, my watch still did not work. He told me that the battery must not be the problem, since he tried two new batteries. He then told me he would not charge me for the batteries, even though he opened them. Needing a watch, I asked him if CVS sold watches and he showed me to their watch selection. I purchased a new watch for about $20 and then bought a couple of other items I needed, bringing my total purchase to $34. I left CVS feeling satisfied that I had a working watch and received excellent customer service.
The CVS experience is an example of excellent customer service compared to the service at Wal-Mart. Even though I might shop at Wal-Mart on occasion (if I desperately need something quickly at home), my customer service experience with Wal-Mart has greatly reduced my desire to shop there. I will stop at CVS and/or Publix if I need something on my way home in order to avoid having to deliberately go to Wal-Mart. Why are Wal-Marts policies geared to not providing the customer with great customer service? Why arent employees focused on providing customers with superior service? Why are customers viewed as thorns in most employees sides? I think the older I get, them more I value my money. Why give my money to companies that just look at customers and their requests as a liability?
I think the ridiculousness of people and policies truly disturb me and that's why my patience is descreasing. I don't like the fact that I have to deal with stupid people and/or their policies. We design the way things operate and behave, right? Do we really have to make things harder than they should be?
Recently, I needed to by a watch battery. I went to the local Wal-mart (which I hate Wal-Mart but it's the closest store to my house) with watch in hand in search of a battery. The batteries are kept in the jewelry department and finding someone to help you there is always difficult. I finally spotted two employees stocking marked-down fashion jewelry, laughing hard and heavy with each other. I interrupted their inane banter and asked them to please help me open my watch and remove the battery so I could replace it with a new one. The teenagers looked at me as though I had just asked them to paint my house but one reluctantly stopped stocking and walked toward me. She asked me if I bought the watch there, at Wal-Mart. I told her that I had not, but I know the battery size is universal and it should be a commonly stocked model.
The "sales associate" quickly informed me that she could not help me since I didn't buy the watch there. She was dismissing me and walking back over to her friend at the same time. She told me that they were not allowed to open the watch since I didn't by it from them. I asked her if I could use the tool to pry open the back thereby relieving her of any responsibility of damage to my watch. She again proudly expressed the fact that it is against Wal-Mart's policy to open, or allow anyone to open a watch that was not purchased from that store. She began talking to her friend and I left.
I was so upset. This was such a minor thing--a watch battery. I had even told the girl that I would sign a paper stating that I wouldn't her or Wal-Mart responsible if something happens to my watch if she or I opened it. The blatent and proud refusal to help me with such a small thing was really unnecessary. It was ridiculous.
I drove to CVS drug store and presented them with the same scenario except it played completely different with the sales associate there verses the sales associate at Wal-Mart. The CVS employee took my watch and headed behind the counter to get his tools. He easily popped open the back of my watch and removed the battery. He replaced the battery and reassembled the watch. The watch did not work. The CVS employee was puzzled and he immediately opened another battery and placed it in the watch. Even after trying the second battery, my watch still did not work. He told me that the battery must not be the problem, since he tried two new batteries. He then told me he would not charge me for the batteries, even though he opened them. Needing a watch, I asked him if CVS sold watches and he showed me to their watch selection. I purchased a new watch for about $20 and then bought a couple of other items I needed, bringing my total purchase to $34. I left CVS feeling satisfied that I had a working watch and received excellent customer service.
The CVS experience is an example of excellent customer service compared to the service at Wal-Mart. Even though I might shop at Wal-Mart on occasion (if I desperately need something quickly at home), my customer service experience with Wal-Mart has greatly reduced my desire to shop there. I will stop at CVS and/or Publix if I need something on my way home in order to avoid having to deliberately go to Wal-Mart. Why are Wal-Marts policies geared to not providing the customer with great customer service? Why arent employees focused on providing customers with superior service? Why are customers viewed as thorns in most employees sides? I think the older I get, them more I value my money. Why give my money to companies that just look at customers and their requests as a liability?
I think the ridiculousness of people and policies truly disturb me and that's why my patience is descreasing. I don't like the fact that I have to deal with stupid people and/or their policies. We design the way things operate and behave, right? Do we really have to make things harder than they should be?
Monday, July 24, 2006
WTF?!
Okay, WTF?! I built this web site that has been a total bomb! I started selling my stuff on eBay and that is going VERY slow. I've got an idea for a business but no capital to speak of and I have no clue as to how to get it off the ground. What gives?
So, I decided that I'd like to try acting. I use to act when I was much younger, in school plays and stuff. I sang in chorus for four years (not that I think I can sing, but I have been in front of an audience). So, yesterday, I searched the area ads for casting calls and open auditions. Everyone wants a headshot and a resume (an acting resume). I don't have one to speak of. So, what to do? Well, I'll still look around and see if I can find open auditions and then just pop into one and see what happens. Plus, I've got another year of school left, so I'm not able to act in plays that require me to be there every Friday and/or Saturday night. But, I could do some commercials. So, if anyone out there needs someone like me in their commercial, just hollar.
I need to do something other than what I'm currently doing, but make at least the amount of money I currently make. So, gimme some ideas y'all. Here are my requirements: it can't feel like work, it can't be utterly boring or painful, it can't have a lot of responsibility--especially with regards to managing people and/or their problems (car trouble, baby sick, overslept, etc), it should make me smile a lot and require me to use my brain--creative side mostly, but I'll engage the analytical side if needed from time-to-time, it should be aesthetically pleasing (lots of nice-looking people) and physically stimulating, and it should start after 9:00am and be done around 3:00pm.
So, anyone hiring????
So, I decided that I'd like to try acting. I use to act when I was much younger, in school plays and stuff. I sang in chorus for four years (not that I think I can sing, but I have been in front of an audience). So, yesterday, I searched the area ads for casting calls and open auditions. Everyone wants a headshot and a resume (an acting resume). I don't have one to speak of. So, what to do? Well, I'll still look around and see if I can find open auditions and then just pop into one and see what happens. Plus, I've got another year of school left, so I'm not able to act in plays that require me to be there every Friday and/or Saturday night. But, I could do some commercials. So, if anyone out there needs someone like me in their commercial, just hollar.
I need to do something other than what I'm currently doing, but make at least the amount of money I currently make. So, gimme some ideas y'all. Here are my requirements: it can't feel like work, it can't be utterly boring or painful, it can't have a lot of responsibility--especially with regards to managing people and/or their problems (car trouble, baby sick, overslept, etc), it should make me smile a lot and require me to use my brain--creative side mostly, but I'll engage the analytical side if needed from time-to-time, it should be aesthetically pleasing (lots of nice-looking people) and physically stimulating, and it should start after 9:00am and be done around 3:00pm.
So, anyone hiring????
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)