The Perfect End...

...To a perfect week!

Between shooting and editing our next parody, booking a part on a cool new Disney television show, a fun filled adventure at Disneyland, Saturday brunch with friends in Beverly Hills, picking up a quick gig (and some ca$h) Saturday afternoon, followed by a birthday party later that evening- all leading up to a relaxing Sunday morning at home, before hosting a small gathering to watch The 83rd Annual Academy Awards!

That's right. It's Oscar time!

I"m sure it's no surprise that Oscar night happens to be one of the most exciting nights of television for me. Dating back to my early childhood, I remember demanding that my parents spend the day as if I were actually nominated for an award.

Every year that I sit and watch the telecast from whatever party I happen to be at or hosting... I'm inspired and encouraged to continue to stay focused on reaching my goals.

This year is no exception.

Especially on the heels of such an awesome week.

I'm grateful for this week because despite the highs and lows in my life and career, I was reminded that my path is clear.

As long as I live in the moment and work toward the things I'm passionate about, everything will fall into place.

It always has.

It always will.

Now, off to the kitchen. I've got food to prep and the Red Carpet pre-show to watch!

Happy Oscar watching!

Rain Drops and Recorded TV...

Swimming pools. Movie stars. Trendy nightclubs.
Los Angeles is known for a lot of things...
But not rain!
This is supposed to be the golden state!
When it rains in LA the world comes to a stand still.
So today became the perfect day to catch up with life...
I got a hair cut. Sent off my claim forms for my medical reimbursements. Paid bills. But most important, I was finally able to watch the twenty hours of recorded television on my DVR.
Call me crazy, but I'm unable to focus on ANYTHING if I know there are unwatched episodes of 30 Rock, Top Chef, Big Love or Gossip Girl!
I'm a freak. I get an incredible high from crossing things off a check list. Sometimes I even make lists of things that I've already done or can't help but do, like waking up or taking a shower- just so I can get the satisfaction of crossing it off.
So you can imagine how relieved I am to see an empty DVR box.
Now if only the pouring rain would stop!
One lazy day is all I need. I've got an empire to build!
...and a list a mile long that's not going to cross itself off.

Living The Dream!

I'm fully aware that I have a wonderful life-

I'll take it a step further and admit that this week has been a surreal experience.

A real LA moment! I'm living the dream...

Proof again that positive energy and faith can triumph over fear of the unknown.

On the heels of such a wonderful year in 2010- I've been really struggling to maintain a sense of calm and clarity. After a series of misfortunate events, I was starting to lose faith in myself and the path I was on. This lack of confidence really hit home after an embarrassing audition for a new television show that I had last week.

I was honestly questioning my path. It's so strange how fast confidence can come and go. One minute I'm elated to be receiving glowing reviews for a parody I'm in, and the next, I'm questioning if I'm ever going to work again...

Then, on Saturday while I was judging a talent competition out of town, I received an email for an audition for a new Disney television show. It was a last minute audition to replace an actor who the producers didn't feel was right for the job. The audition was Tuesday, and if booked- I would go straight to hair, make-up and wardrobe and then onto the sound stage to shoot the first scene.

Instantly my mood shifted. No matter how tired I was from sitting in a dark theatre critiquing the stars of tomorrow, my heart began to race at the thought of booking a Disney show!

I reminded myself (like I've done for the past fifteen years of my life) that "this could be the one!"

I arrived at the Hollywood Center Studios, in Los Angeles around 9:15 am. I auditioned along side four other guys that the producers and director were considering for the part. Once each of us had auditioned we waited in a production office and the producer called each actor in one at a time to find out if they were the lucky guy that booked the part...

Because I was the third guy called into the office, I assumed I didn't get it... However, to my delight, they offered me the part on the spot!
The next thing I know I was off to hair and make-up and then into my costume!
By 11 am, I was shooting my first scene on the new Disney show KICKIN IT!

I spent the entire day in heaven. I'm at the point in my life when I realize these jobs don't come around that often... so when they do, I want to make sure that I'm really getting the whole experience!

For me it's such an accomplishment that I was able to book a job on a television show so early into the year! Of course it's what I hope and pray for everyday- so when the circumstances actually arrive, I'm grateful to "live" in them fully.

And I did! I spent every moment on that set soaking it up!
And to be honest, I received all of the validation I needed to realize that this is my path.
I just have to remain true to myself and follow my dreams.
I've already accomplished so many of my goals in life- that occasions like booking a Disney job when you are least expecting it, is extra icing on my cake!
P. S. Don't you think I make a great Disco Dude!?!

Every Good Joke Needs a Button!

For February's video entry...
I thought I'd share a clip of a fun adventure to Disneyland for my friend Michael Cornacchia's birthday!
Michael is an actor... and the BUTTon of every joke!

Joan Rivers is Tenacious

You can say what you want about Joan Rivers, but I've got to give her credit... The woman is tenacious!
I'm sitting in a hotel room somewhere in Scottsdale, Arizona. I just finished judging performers at the worlds largest talent competition.
It can be such a soul crushing job at times- Honestly, how are you supposed to tell a person that their passion is not enough?
Sadly, that's what I get paid for.
When I got back to the hotel I turned on the TV and to my surprise the Joan Rivers documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work was on.
I've watched it once before, and loved it. So I decided to decompress and watch it again-
I'm so glad I did too!
She reminded me that regardless of what critics, industry professionals, family, friends and colleagues may say-
if you were born with the passion, spirit and soul of an entertainer, you're going to fight like hell to achieve your dreams.
I feel at peace again in my heart.
And more inspired than ever to conquer my next goal!

The Clouds Have Parted.

It's no secret that my year so far has been off to a rocky start.

I've revealed in several of last months blog entries, that my inability to maintain the positive outlook that helped me achieve so much last year, has been MIA.

I admit- ninety percent of my frustration is due to my lack of willingness to follow through with the recipe that has triumphed in the past.

Well, the sky may be gloomy and grey today- but a glimmer of light has burst through the darkness and jolted me back into action!

Everyday that I spend comparing my past achievements to my present circumstances, is a wasted opportunity to grow.

No matter how many times I've reminded myself of that idea this year, I've been unable to retain the knowledge-

Today the clouds in my mind have separated. I can either spend my energy lost in the haze of past victories, or I can set out to conquer new regions!

It's such an easy concept- Just be happy.

It requires so much work and faith to release the fear and doubt, and just stay focused on the "happy." But every time I remind myself what the worst case scenario is, it occurs to me;

I have nothing in life to lose, except a missed opportunity!

Just Say "NO!" ...sometimes.

There are moments in our life, when we ignore our instincts and decided to follow through with an idea or action to see if it plays out in an unexpected manner than we anticipate-

I'm not sure why we ever think the outcome is going to be much different than what we expect in our mind. In fact, I'm fairly positive that no matter how hopeful we are, if we go against our initial gut feeling, it may be our very own subconscious that is quietly plotting against us...

In other words, if I sense the inner feeling of dread or doubt and I proceed anyway, I imagine I will always have that emotion holding me back from achieving anything other than what I expected.

The end result is almost always what I feared it would be.

That's not to say that I don't thrive on taking risks, nor do I shy away from challenges. I love new adventures and respond well to change, as long as it agrees with my gut feeling.

But from time to time, I push myself to do something that goes against every safeguard that I have in place.

Call me crazy. Call me a gluten for punishment. Just don't call me a chicken.

I think because I'm so adamant against saying "no" to any of life's adventures, possibilities or opportunities, that I sometimes say "yes" to things that are designed for my demise-

No matter how hard I fight or push myself, there are things in life that are out of my control.

I'm so grateful that in my thirties, I'm learning and understanding that not everything has to be conquered! I'm finally realizing that turning down an offer or opportunity that I have no emotional investment in is not necessarily a bad thing! Actually, it's the smartest thing I can do for myself.

When I was younger, I thought if I said "no" too much, people would stop asking.

What I've come to experience is the exact opposite- The more I say "no" to the things that I know I'm not inspired to accomplish, the greater success I have at attaining the goals that I'm encouraged to master!

Last week my reminder came in the form of a terrible audition! It's hard to say "no" to an audition, especially in this economy... but it was an audition that I knew in my heart I was not right for- and I went anyway. I gave it my all, and in the end I still had a horrible audition. I left feeling embarrassed and upset.

Had I passed on the audition, I'm sure there is a part of me that would have felt like I missed out on an opportunity- however, I think the overall feeling would have been that I made the right choice, and I wouldn't have spent the following days in a state of emotional turmoil like I did because I went and did a sub-par job!

Oh well- life is a work in process. This week I learned that it is most definitely okay to say NO.

Faith

I cannot change the past.

I cannot predict the future.

I have an incredible opportunity to live in this moment now~

I know what I have to do.

I know when I do it, I get results.

So, with every ounce of energy I have-

I'm going to stop punishing myself.

Let go of my self-doubt, anger and insecurity-

And I'm going to let faith be enough.

Searching For Talent...

Waking up too early for a crappy flight.
Landing in a city you know you've been before,
taking the ground transportation to a hotel you know you've slept at before.
Meeting at the theatre to hear things you know you've heard before.
Sitting behind a judges table watching contestant after contestant perform for twelve hours or more-
Getting back to the hotel just in time for last call; order a glass of wine.
Sleep for five hours wake up and do it all again...
Not as glamorous as outsiders think.
It's not bad getting paid to watch talented people perform-
It just hurts the soul a little when they're not so talented...
This is my path-
I'm sure they'll find theirs too!

Peaceful Clarity.

After a rocky January, I was allowing the negative energy and doubt to slowly seep back into my day to day life. I've been aware of the unwanted feelings, but frustrated that for whatever reason, I haven't been able to release them and focus on the positive action and energy that lead to a successful and adventurous 2010.

So I decided to take a long walk along the beach in Malibu yesterday...

At the beginning of the stroll, I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. However, as I continued down the beach, I turned my attention to the crashing of the waves and the sun's warmth. It was difficult at first, but once I relaxed and let my mind rest- I noticed an instant change in my mood and outlook.

I was able to feel the sand beneath my feet, smell the salty sea air and enjoy the meditative flow of the ocean. I remembered again that every fear, doubt and insecurity is distracting me from what I know I'm capable of achieving. I took a moment to stand still, and with my eyes closed, I faced the ocean and thought about all of the wild journeys I've experienced in my life.

I was happy, proud and excited to move forward with this new year full of possibilities!

I was a little upset that I had to re-re-re-re-remember this idea, it's as if you make the realization, understand the point of life and see how easy it is to be positive, calm and accomplished- and then you go to bed at night, and you wake up forgetting everything you learned.

Then it dawned on me; setting goals and working toward creating positive energy and opportunity is important. But even more so, I'm grateful for moments of peaceful clarity- they don't come often and don't last long, so I try to live in them fully~

Question?

Does anyone else find it strange that I started to cry and experience honest feelings of sadness for Holly Madison after her "surprise" visit to the Playboy Mansion to congratulate "Hef" and Crystal on their engagement while taping an episode of her spin-off reality TV show; Holly's World?

I guess it's because I'm still super emotional from watching last nights episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta's season finale...

It just breaks my heart to see NeNe Leakes without her "happy."