Email Etiquette

Whether writing a personal note or a professional response;
Keep it short and direct.
REMEMBER NOT TO USE ALL CAPS UNLES YOU WANT THE PERSON TO THINK YOU'RE YELLING AT THEM OR REALLY EXCITED ABOUT EVERYTHING!
Consider that not everyone understands "tone."
So a disclaimer: "The tone of this email is urgent, but caring..."
Helps clarify your point.
Finally, please remember that adding a period doesn't take up more time, so use punctuation, just like you were taught in school.
Thx! (Oh yes, short hand doesn't save time, it just looks foolish.)

Production Sunday

Mission accomplished!
Sunday business meetings aren't always ideal-
Thankfully, we made progress on some necessary evils.

Island In Between

In the midst of a heavy production schedule,
I will be traveling to Catalina Island for a wedding-
I feel like I'm caught in one of those cheesy tweenage action adventure films; Journey To An Island Wedding and Still Attempt To Meet Your Deadline!
Not to say that I won't have fun,
I just feel guilty for leaving all the work that still needs to get done.
The things we do for friends...

Six Word Essay On Destination Weddings

I love my friends, but seriously?

Check's In The Mail...

I finished the job, WELL I might add...
So why haven't I been paid?
As a small business owner, I'm always disappointed with companies that don't value their Independent Contractors.
Don't mail me the check, hand it to me when I finished the job you asked me to do.
It's just good business!

That's A Wrap!

We wrapped on an awesome new project last night;
I love when dance and television collide,
Intelligent Latin women, full of passion and talent...
It doesn't hurt that they're all gorgeous!
We got what we needed from them,
Now the real work begins-
The most important part of the story:
Editing.
Ugh. It's a thankless job, but it has to get done.
Let's sell a show!

I'm So Hollywood

Nothing like a jam-packed schedule in LA;
Shooting a fun sketch for some friends with their own cabaret show in New York,
Then off to choreograph fifty 5th graders through the enchanted forest,
Next stop power lunch with industry friends,
Followed up with a full night of production on our next TV adventure.
The glamorous life is less less attractive when you don't have time to breathe.
Still, I love creative productivity!

Walk, Walk, Jazz Run, Step Tilt.

The life of a chorus dancer is still the same;
Show up,
Sign in,
Warm-up,
Learn the combo,
Dance,
[Cuts]
Sing,
And scene!
When they're fun (like today's audition for Elf) they remind me of how much I love musical theatre and performing on stage.
I made it to the end of the audition, and the director and choreographer seemed to enjoy my performance, so fingers crossed, I get the job.
Which I REALLY need right now,
Because the 42 block walk home was very humbling.
Ten years later, and I'm still shuffling off to an audition with a backpack and bittersweet attitude.
You can take the chorus boy out of New York, but apparently he'll just keep living like he did there!

The Tone Of This Post Is Passive Aggressive

So much for a day off.

My Sunday just went from a day at the beach, followed with a glamorous night with friends, food and The Emmy Awards-

To work, editing and a lot of stress.

I guess I just don't work hard enough to deserve a Red Carpet

Saturday Mornings at Starbucks

A steady line of cranky customers waiting for their caffeine fix-

That will not stop me from enjoying my morning check-in.

Catching up on world news with my New York Times iPhone app,

Visiting with friends,

Meeting new neighbors,

People watching and of course listening to juicy gossip from the shady characters at the next table.

I love Saturday mornings at Starbucks!

Apple is Becoming Too PC (Pun Intended!)

I think my iPhone 5 is watching me.
In fact, I'm positive that the iOS7 update is a collaboration between Apple and Big Brother;
Recording our every move,
Keeping tack of our online interaction,
Reporting our every step to the government, or worse...
Advertisers!!!
Don't even get me started on the new design. It's too safe. To sterile. To clean. Too PC!

Random Observation

My grandparents were right!

The older I get, the faster the weeks go...

Live in the moment.

Random Thought about Writing

Writing keeps me fresh.
I love to tell stories, share experiences and express my emotions.
I don't follow rules-
Free flow,
Limitless,
Creativity.
Activating my ability to think!

Crisp and Chill

It's a brisk fall day in LA.
I love the rolling fog along the Hollywood Hills.
If it weren't for the palm trees,
I'd swear I was on the east coast!
I'm going to get outside and take a hike...
Breathe in some of that crisp air,
Regroup, refocus and revitalize in the chill!

How Much Is That Condo on the Corner?

I spent the entire morning daydreaming...
Online shopping for a home.
I love to pretend that I'm on Million Dollar Listing;
I play both the Realtor and the client looking for a home!
Making an offer on a dream condo in West Hollywood.
That's the phase of life I'm entering.
Will I sacrifice space for location?
Probably.
More money, less room in a fabulous, safe neighborhood.
We put it out into the universe, we're searching and I know it's going to happen.
VERY SOON.
#Christmas2013 #BestGiftEver!

Six Word Essay on Sunday Brunch

Eating eggs after noon is awesome!

Sassy Saturdays at Starbucks (The One In WeHo)

I love Saturday mornings in West Hollywood.
The young Hollywood socialites are still passed in some random venue,
The good looking guys from WhereEverVille, USA turned Hollywood Bad Boys are sneaking out of the aforementioned venue, making the walk of shame back to their crappy studio apartments,
And the fabulous, although somewhat older, sassy, funny men are laughing out loud at the latest celebrity scandal while trying to "one-up" each other with their nonsense and gossip over a delicious cup of Starbucks;
Pumpkin Spice Latté, naturally.
Happy Sassy Saturday.

Signs

I believe in signs.
Primarily because I've relied on indicators throughout my journey.
I wouldn't walk down a dark alley alone if I saw two guys with knives hanging around on the corner;
That's a sign of more trouble to come.
Every time that I've struggled with my career path or a major life decision, I've asked God for a direction-
Clarity, guidance, strength, wisdom.
A sign so that I may feel comfortable with my choice.
The past three months have been rough on me; losing my grandma, career setbacks and financial fears.  I began questioning, doubting and giving into fear.  I allowed the opinions of others to control my choices.
I lost Faith in myself and God.
(I should mention that I don't believe in coincidence, nor do I doubt the presence of a spiritual being greater than me; God.)
So it's no surprise that I find myself once again humbled and grateful for the sign I received yesterday.
It didn't take much, just a simple reminder in the way of a Scripture I saw posted on Facebook:
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
It was a direct answer to the questions I had while silently meditating in prayer.
It's a sign that I must hear, accept and trust.
It was an answer to my question of doubt.

Reminder on "Making It" in the Entertainment Industry

The ability to work, be creative and sustain a life for sixteen years in an industry that fights to crush your spirit on a daily basis, is a huge success.
That is the very definition of "making it" in my book!

Always Remember

Twelve years ago today,
Heroes emerged to save the lives of innocent victims.
New York City gathered against hate and fought fear with love and peace.
America united-
Freedom comes at a price;
Today, I am grateful for all of those selfless men and women who continue to fight to keep our country the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Random Thought:

After spending a wild night in LA with one of my oldest friends; dancing, laughing and reminiscing about our lives on tour it occurred to me:
I got to party like a Rock Star in Chicago, Europe, New York City and Los Angeles in my Twenties.
That's fucking awesome!
#Memories

Monday Madness

Errands to run,
Laundry to do,
Monday's in LA can feel like a zoo-
Traffic is stopped like a parking lot,
It's the daily grind...
Oh, coffee sounds good!
Quick trip to Starbucks,
It's my favorite spot!
#It'sNotAPoemIJustLikeToRhyme

Six Word Essay on Gigs...

Take every single job that pays!

Saturday In The Sun

Blue skies,
80 degrees with a gentle breeze;
It's the perfect pool day in LA!
Lounging with a book,
Laughing with friends,
Sipping mojitos,
But definitely NOT eating!
#CelebrityThinByThePool

Exhale The Fear

Woke up in panic,
Take a deep breath-
Exhale the fear,
Inhale Faith.
Life is short,
So I follow my dream,
Perhaps I'm blinded by the delusional state of mind I've lived in my entire adult life...
But so far, it's never let me down.
I continue to soar in the wind of unknown.

Dance 3. Looks 10.

That's not how the song goes?!
Sadly, that's how I felt yesterday at an audition.
Despite my yoga practice and all of the choreography and teaching I do,
The fact is, there are some things I just cannot do anymore...
Like extend my leg past 90 degrees!
Still, I can clean the floor with my style and story-
But don't ask me to do an eight count développé to penché!
It's just not going to happen.
P.S. I'll gladly keep my looks over my extension any day.
Plus, there are still those Broadway style, step touch shows that I'm perfect for!

Gentle Reminder:

I cannot let other people's insecurities effect me.
Nor can I let their fears become mine.
I must trust my path.
Keep faith.
Work hard
Stay healthy; mind, body & spirit.

An Open Letter to Winona Ryder

Dear Winona-
You had such a bright future;
Mermaids was good for you.
I'm sorry that Angelina Jolie out-shined you in Girl Interrupted...
But it's time for a comeback-
I know you've got more in you than Black Swan and playing Spock's mom-
Signed,
A fan

Sinking Feeling

I woke up today with a huge pit in my gut.
Life is full of unknown obstacles,
Especially if you're in the entertainment industry.
Fighting to remain calm, focused and confident that another opportunity will come along;
ASAP!
I hate feeling fear-
I must take action.
Part of "making it" in the game of life,
Is moving forward, evening while you're struggling to find a reason to get out of bed.
Don't say the "D" word-
Just get up and work.
Every step forward, is a step in the right direction.
R-E-L-E-A-S-E

September

Another summer comes to an end.
September is upon us;
Fall,
Back to school,
Pumpkin Spice lattes,
The daily grind,
Football games,
Layers of clothing,
The brisk chill in the air,
The smell of fireplaces at night.
Before long we'll be hearing Christmas music playing in drugstores!
Oh yeah, and rent is due!
Happy September