Happy New Year!

A new year,
A fresh start-
Ordinarily around this time of year I spend time reflecting on the past twelve months;
My accomplishments, adventures and personal growth.
More so when I was younger, New Years Eve left me with a sense of sadness. Most likely because I spent a lot of time concentrating on the things I didn't achieve, or the time I didn't get to spend with the people I love most.
Thankfully, as I got older, I began to understand what it truly means to live in the moment.
There are always improvements that I strive to work towards in my life, both personally and professionally. Nevertheless, I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunities I had in 2011.
I trust that as long as I focus on the positive evolution of my life, I will continue to enjoy an amazing journey!

Six Word Essay- Year End Review

All of my goals were accomplished!

Workout at 7,200 FT

It's not that I'm against working out on vacation-
I'm just not sure how I feel about an hour of Zumba class at 7,200 FT high.
Shockingly, I found myself actually enjoying the sassy cha cha cha combinations!
Despite the lack of oxygen-
I knew class had to be near the end when I found myself double over gasping for air!
To my surprise, we were only twenty minutes in!
Luckily, I made it through the class, and thoroughly enjoyed walking out into the mountain air!
It was invigorating.
However, I don't know if I'll go back on Saturday...

Vacation Binge!

No pressure-
Hiding from all forms of contact and communication,
No obligation or stress;
Lazy mornings.
Trips into town for coffee and local papers.
Movies and food!
Entirely too much food!
Guilt free indulgence in everything sinful.
Vacation binge. Pure bliss-

Six Word Essay on Colorado Winter Wonderland

Sparkling powdery snow in every direction!

A Day With Dad

As a kid, I took for granted spending time with him;
Backpacking, bike rides, soccer games-
Then of course the heated debates, we both love to win!
Obviously I get that from him.
As an adult, I value every second I get with him. Even when we don't see eye to eye-
I appreciate the unconditional love he shows me. He is wise, passionate and supportive. I grow ever minute I get to spend with him. The older I get, the more I value the time I get with him. Any day with my dad, is a wonderful day!

Merry Christmas!

The best Christmas present I could wish for! My adorable niece spent the entire day in my arms!

A PEACE of Strength...

After enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by my moms husband Steve, my grandma and I were getting in the car to go home. Grandma struggled with zipping up her purse- and after several failed attempts because her hand was shaking (from the Parkinson's) she gave up and started giggling.
I saw the struggle, the effort, the frustration, the release and then the beauty of her willingness to accept where she is at and make peace with it...
It was at first sad, and then incredible to me. My Grandma Shaffer is the strongest person I know.
Life is short. Her faith is strong, and she's not going to waste a second of it worrying about a zipper!

My Little Italian Grandma's

The only thing better than an Italian grandma...
Is two!
Short and sassy,
Full of love!
They make delicious meatballs too.

Colorado Adventure

After twenty two hours, three major snowstorms, an overheated radiator
and no sleep...
I still managed to find the time to pose for a black and white photo!
...priorities!

Making It Happen!

Just had an amazing meeting with our new friends at Shed Media!

Taco Tuesday!

Mexican food is my favorite!

I know that's a bold statement from someone who is Italian.

Trust me, I love my macaroni and meatballs too!

Thai food is also high on the list...

But there is nothing greater than the crisp salty crunch into a succulent hand crafted carne asada taco piled high with; sour cream, cheese, lettuce, tomato and guacamole!

TGIT!

Tuesday's are all you can eat tacos at one of my favorite spots in LA: Marix!

I'm so glad it's almost happy hour!

I'm raging for a lard fix! 

Mondays

Mondays are the perfect opportunity to deal with everything you didn't get done Friday!
...and that's about all.

Holiday Party in Malibu

Super sized mansion with a flawless view of the ocean,
Man-made snow piled sky high- Perfect for sledding!
Celebrities shoving their mouths with gourmet catered food,
Alcohol flowing from every direction.
Reindeer pissing in the snow;
Money is no object.
This is how the other half live.

Six Word Essay on Friends.

They know when to pour wine.

Addicted to Words...

I'm not a huge gamer. I grew up during the original Nintendo generation. I played on the original Game Boy device with the black and grey graphics and have a vague recollection of Atari...
It's not that I didn't have fun playing hours of Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros. or Contra, but I just didn't seem to excel at it like many of my friends.
I was far more preoccupied with acting out skits, watching too much TV and (poorly) rollerblading around my cul-de-sac.
Plus, I'm a very competitive person by nature. I hate losing! I'm not a poor loser, I just hate that I can't be brilliant at everything!
So as I grew up, I focused on the things that I was good at which also happened to be the things I enjoy the most.
Now, in the generation of the iPhone, social networking and gamers collide.
One of the easiest was to stay connected to a long lost friend is to engage them in a friendly competition...
Enter- Words With Friends. The fun online game of Scrabble.
I never thought I'd allow myself to play something I'm terrible at (I'm currently losing six of the eleven games I'm playing) nevertheless, I find it incredibly addictive.
The strategy. The satisfaction of using a "Q," "W," and an "X" at the same time! Learning new words... and yes, even the competition is fun for me.
I guess I've grown up a lot since Third Grade, when I threw the Monopoly board across the living room after my dad swooped in and stole Park Place right out from under my nose!
Yep! It was like that...

Another Day At The Apple Store...

I love technology when it works the way it's supposed to!

And I rage when it doesn't!

The iPhone is hands down the coolest gadget of the Twenty First century...

But when it freezes, I feel like I'm trapped in the Dark Ages!

When I go for help at Apple Store, I feel like I'm talking to the cast of Star Trek!

Please don't give me your advice...

Just fix the phone!

Thanks.

Productive Production!

I love when production meetings are productive!

Looks like January 2012 is going to be full of new adventures.

There may be a few old ones too!

Exciting!

You've Gotta Do, What You've Gotta Do!

Sometimes I get to do things I love...
Other times I get to perform for a bunch of drunk police officers for their annual Christmas party!
Life is full of compromises.
If I want to pay my bills, wear nice clothes and eat...
I have to accept that I can't be selective in the job opportunities.
It's not the first time I've danced as a back up dancer for a bunch of drunk men...
Sadly, I'm sure it won't be the last!
But nothing has been as awful as the time I catered for a billionaire~
It wasn't so much the general disappointment that I was serving (instead of attending as a guest) at the most amazing party I've ever seen...
It was that the chef thought that it was okay to call me: "Tray Boy!"
Oh well...
That's life.  I take the good with the bad.
Face it, you've gotta do, what you've gotta do!

The End Is Near...

Funny, the year always ends faster than it starts...

I remember sitting on a boat in Lake Tahoe this summer thinking about all the things I still wanted to accomplish before the end of the year.  In August it felt like I had so much time.  

Of course reality sets in.  Unexpected jobs, projects and deadlines make the days bleed together and the weeks fly by.

Next thing you know the door bell rings and family is in town for Thanksgiving. 

Despite the poor economy and the sneak attack of the holiday season, I'm really excited for Christmas.  

I'm looking forward to taking two weeks off, and focusing on nothing but spending time with my family and friends.  

It's been another amazing year both personally and professionally.  I'm grateful for the goals I've achieved and the growth I've made.  

I still have one more week of intense work.  I have to stay focused and driven!  After that, I'm turning my computer off, hiding from Facebook and taking a Twitter hiatus!

Another Sunday... Another Gig...

I need a vacation!

Kourtney & Kim "Fake" New York!

Here's our latest parody from A Group Production!

Look out Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries... The truth is OUT!

Lazy Day Off

I did absolutely nothing today...
And ate Taco Bell for dinner!
I feel like a lazy slob.
Thank God for the day off...
Next week is going to be crazy.

Long Day...

It's been a long day.
I'm tired and cranky.
The one highlight;
I was able to help some people sleep easier tonight...
So that's going to be my silver lining before I go to bed.
Goodnight.

You've Gotta Do, What You've Gotta Do!

Crisp white button down- check.
Geeky khaki pants- check.
Polished black shoes- check.
Big fake smile- check.
Tough times call for drastic measures...
I'm ready to Party Down!

Six Word Essay on Traffic in Los Angele

People don't know how to merge!

Great Day!

When the faith is there,

The passion remains,

The work is focused,

The energy is invested,

and the opportunity arises-

The dream comes true.

Lights. Camera. Kardashian!

She has more followers on Twitter than the President;
And more junk in her trunk than J-Lo...
Today our company shot a parody of the talent free, sex tape superstar celebrity- Kim Kardashian.
It was a long day!
Becoming a Kardashian takes a shit ton of make-up, false eyelashes and hot air...
Luckily I was prepared for the challenge!
I'll share it as soon as we get it edited.
Now, I've got to shower this hideous raccoon mask off my face!

Procrastination...

I'll do it tomorrow!
Maybe...

Shitty Days Suck.

Sometimes you're up.
Sometimes you're down.
Life is funny like this...
Release.
Deep breath.
Trust.
Focus on living in the moment.
Even if living in the moment means accepting the fact that you're having a shitty day.
Shitty days suck.
But I guess they're necessary.
At least that's what I'm told.

Use Your Pretty!

Working with kids is always an interesting experience.
They surprise you in every way possible-
Just when you think you've made a breakthrough, they remind you you haven't...
They're unpredictable and completely entertaining all at the same time!
Today during a dress rehearsal of the show I'm choreographing, I over heard this backstage...

Nine year old, "Don't just use your brain for pretty... Use it for fun too!"

2nd nine year olds response, "What?"

It made my day! ...And believe me, it was an incredibly long day!