Remembering Gram

I cried myself to sleep last night;
contagious laughter and unconditional love––I miss her beyond imagination.

Life Lesson

I didn't book the job;

Which saved me from backing out of two—already contracted—gigs.

I was struggling with the decision and asked God to intervene.

I told myself that I'd be happy with whichever outcome I was faced with; to my delight, I feel confident in the answer the Universe sent me.

Sometimes booking a role on TV is not as important and maintaining an existing agreement.

When It Rains, It Pours...

I receive more opportunities to work on television while I’m out of town working on other creative projects;
which means my creative energy is so powerful that people are attracted to me more when other people are exploiting it.
...or, that life.
I’m going with the later.
Of course, I’m 2000 miles away from LA when I receive offers to work on a new television series––ever the professional––I turn down the spot on the small screen to honor my first commitment, only to return to my hotel room to another email from my agent with a second offer on an already established TV show.
...when it rains, it pours––was the response I received from both my husband and my manager.
My motto has always been, “If it’s meant to be, it will be.”
So I said yes to the second part and now I have to wait and see if I can break a contract (which, in 20 years in the industry, I’ve only done one other time) and work coordinate a costume fitting around a national holiday and an overbooked flight.
Today I’m going to let go, and let God.

Back To The Present

During my morning reading, journaling, and meditation my mental roadsigns brought me here:
You are here.
The present moment;
A powerful force against fear, doubt, and uncertainty.
I don’t need to know where I’ll be next year at this time;
Nor do I need to focus on what I’ll be doing next week, tomorrow, or even tonight.
Over, and over, and over, and over, and over, again––I bring myself back to the simple truth:
this moment (literally this very second that I am typing) is the only thing that is real.
I can’t change the past or predict the future; when I’m present I don’t need to––because I remember––the past cannot be changed and the future will never be here.

Them Pains...

The dull but incredibly irritating pain in the forward part of my head is softened only by the rich, sharp rumbling in my stomach;
I Googled “upper stomach pain” to discover that––thanks to years of an ibuprofen addiction––I most likely have a peptic ulcer.
So...I get to deal with that, while on tour.
#TheGlamorousLife

Faith; Light.

It’s easy to have faith when everything is going “my way”;
Faith––in its very definition requires that you trust especially when things aren’t going your way.
How do I find that light––that positive energy––in total darkness?
Accepting that God, the Universe, a powerful being greater than I, has a plan.
In the midst of doubting, I remind myself of the countless moments when that force intervened in my life; that has to be enough.
Returning to the breath and letting go of the fear––absolute surrender––in times of massive negative energy is the only way through; like a flashlight illuminating the trail through the overgrown forest, faith is the only light I need.

So Long...

I just dropped my mom off at the airport––on her birthday no less––after a beautiful week of lounging by the pool, eating out at delicious restaurants, and shopping; a lot of shopping.
I often write about saying goodbye––a universal salutation––that never gets easier for me.
Today’s farewell was more challenging than usual, primarily because I’m flying out of town, too.
Instead of going back to Colorado with mom, or to Hawaii with Jeff, I’m going to work––while most people in LA rage about their 60 minute commute on the 405––I flair my nostrils and lose my shit going through the TSA PreCheck line.
I’ve willingly paid money and submitted a complete background check (both hands fingerprinted), and still I stand and wait.
But I digress, I’m feeling sorrowful.  Even after five days of fabulous, undivided quality time with my mom––I feel like I need more!
Add on the layer of leaving my husband and two puppies for nine days and I drop into full panic mode.
It’s moments like these that I’m grateful for the nerds of the world––like Steve Jobs––for using their mighty brainpower to create devices and software like iChat... Now if someone would just figure out how to teleport humans across thousands of miles in a nanosecond...

Six Word Essay on Family

Love and sass, the perfect combination.

Too Much Caffeine...

Too much caffeine after 3 p.m. has me:
writing my blog entry for the day at 12:14 a.m.;
doing laundry;
cleaning the kitchen;
obsessing over what to wear tomorrow;
choreographing projects in my living room, while binge watching Bloodline on Netflix;
eating almond M&M’s that my mom left out the coffee table;
sharing cat videos from YouTube to Twitter.

International Yoga Day

Free flowing breath;

Mindful mediation calms the chatter and useless  ambience in my mind;

My soul awakens with the joyfully focused energy in the room;

Passion, creativity, peace, balance, and presence; a harmonious practice of evolution and light.

Mom's Back In Town...

My mom and step-dad stood on the curb at LAX waiting for me with a smile and a boatload of suitcases––they’re only staying a week––but unlike me, they don’t mind checking bags.
Per mom’s request, we headed down to the South Bay (where I grew up) to eat at one of our favorite restaurants.  The hole-in-the-wall greasy family operated Mexican café was every bit as delicious as it was twenty years ago... the only difference is the reaction my body has to it.
Apparently overly-salted foods with too much dairy and lard don’t sit well in my yoga body; I think my stomach literally said, “Gurgle, gurgle...YOgattaBeKiddingMe!”
We decided to watch a movie when we got home and without missing a beat, my mom pulled out a bag full of candy and chocolate; some things do not change...and I LOVE it.
I’m in heaven when my family is in town; my waistline is in hell...

Now Boarding

When your flight to LAX gets delayed,

Seek out a flight to Burbank;

A shorter flight to an airport closer to home, with a lot less traffic...

Always find the silver lining.

Call Time; Truth on Tour

The 5AM wake-up call thrusts me out of bed;
I step into a blisteringly hot shower hoping that the heat will help peel my eyes open.
Still not awake I get dressed in a zombie-sleep-like rote.
My viens are begging for caffeine;
Starbucks won’t open for another 20 minutes.
I remind myself: you are living the dream! The life you chose for yourself; so get excited and be grateful

Show Business; Old Friends

I landed in Sacramento last night and realized an old friend is in town starring in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Sacramento Music Circus.
While at dinner, I reached out to him, and within 30 minutes I was meeting him at his stage door for a final dress tech rehearsal!
It might be one of my favorite aspects of the artist’s life;
No matter where you are in the world––if you’ve worked in show business––there’s bound to be someone you know...putting on a show.
It was such a pleasure catching up with my friend and watching him take the stage in the title role; he’s a star, on stage and off!

Traveling

The airport is where I get most of my busy work done;
Watching people pass, some are off to a fabulous vacation, many are headed to a 3 star hotel, and some don’t even change out of their pajamas;
Traveling is so un-glamorous.

Today's Present

What good are tools if I don’t use them?
Getting trapped in my head about circumstances that cannot be resolved with logic.
Enter, Faith.
I close my eyes and practice my meditation;
what good are tools if we don’t use them, right?
Breathing in slowly and releasing the doubt.
Every day invites a new opportunity to find awareness:
I can’t solve tomorrows problems––but I can be present today.

Note To Self: Take Action

When it feels like nothing is happening, take action.

A simple, positive step—no matter how small—can change the way you feel and approach the day!

Unique and Unexpected

During my morning reading and meditation, I was reminded that “my purpose is to share joy through the blessings I’ve been given.”
I needed that reminder today.
Time and again, I forget just how powerful a smile and a positive attitude is;
my life has been a series of opportunities that were born out of my relentless, passionate, steadfast approach to my dreams.
It may not be the path that I mapped out when I embarked on my adventure twenty-one years ago, but just like a trip to Disneyland––the best rides are the ones you have to go out of your way for.
And the most rewarding experiences thus far have been those where I engaged with a likeminded group of people and created something unique and unexpected.

The Tony's; Acceptance For All

Last night, while watching the Tony Awards telecast, a tidal wave of gratitude whirled me around my living room.
I was singing and dancing along with the talented actor-singer-dancer (triple threats) that the theater community––unlike many in LA––praise.
How fortunate I was to find a home in the theater community so early in my life; deep in the closet (at a performing arts high school––no less), or once I finally came out (on the stage at Radio City Music Hall––of course), I found joy, love, laughter, education, inspiration, and art among the men and women who pour their soul (and soles) into the work that they do.
Is it a coincidence that the community that accepts everyone; encourages everyone to find their voice; inspires the world to dream; celebrates their heroes by honoring them during Pride month?
I’m sure the Gay mafia has something to do with it... I joke, but seriously, thank God for theater––it is more than entertainment; it’s history, art, education, inspiration, love, laughter, and acceptance––and it just might help a kid living in darkness, step into the light!

That's Showbiz...

I sat in judgment—it is, after all my job—and I watched the young performers as they flooded the stage with passion.

It reminded me that artists of every age are constantly seeking to connect and share their stories without criticism, which is ironic, because we're at a talent competition.

But hey, that's the ugly part of showbiz; you know?!

Voices In My Head

We all have them, though some will deny their existence—out of fear, shame, or being labeled crazy—but lurking in chaos or even in the stillness, a voice judges every circumstance.

Our ego is powerful and ready to crush everything in its path; even if it means self-destruction.

With a deep breath and faith, I silence the useless chatter and proceed with my day.

I'll listen when my voice instinctually guides me away from danger; cautiously aware that danger may exist in my mind. 

The Boyband Above

The two-year-old toddler that runs back and forth across the drum-like hardwood floors in the condo above ours has most likely never heard the word “no” before; but I assure you his parents hear the thunderous response that I pound out on the ceiling above––and while I’m not proud of my passive-aggressive response––it sure stops the one-man-boyband from creating his “music.”

Pep Talk

The power of the present;
I constantly seek to be here, awake, now.
On my best day––when I’ve floated through yoga, nailed an audition, typed out ten pages of quality writing, spent hours laughing with friends, and receive an unexpected residual payment; when a river walk with my puppies feels like a momentous event or a trip to Starbucks with my husband is the most important thing in the world––I have no doubt that I’m presicily where I’m supposed to be.
It is on those days––when I wake up and feel an unexplainable lump in my throat, that what I’m doing is not important or I feel compelled to throw in the towel and stop creating––that I remember that I’m human.
That superhuman high of being present is only accessible to me when I release the hate speech in my head; that self-doubt that does nothing but stop me from living the most inspired life I can.
I imagine these thoughts are similar to many of the people my age. In fact, I’m positive it’s what many refer to as a midlife crisis.
However, I feel no crisis, I truly know exactly what my purpose is––and I’ve pursued it my entire life––it’s just getting much more challenging to maintain the determination, tenacity, and faith as I watch my friends and peers advancing in their careers.
Again, this is not unique to me, I know, but it feels real today.
So I honor my feelings, take a deep breath, and release the energy into the universe; the day is still young (even if I’m not) and all I have is this moment, it’s time to smile and take positive action to be present.

LA Morning

The birds chirp loud as they prance for crumbs on the patio at Starbucks;

You can almost ignore the car alarm that blares on at the two-decades-past-its-prime car dealership across Ventura Boulevard;

Not even the windy rush hour traffic can muffle the pointless security feature on a tired used car.

Be. Here. Now.

The rage comes back from time to time;
Reminding me that no amount of yoga, Zen, meditation, Presence, or spiritual enlightenment can make me perfect.
I’m an imperfect soul––seeking to be a more evolved, aware, and gentle;
Through my setbacks I gain perspective and discover that I still have work to do.
A constant work in progress––with an emphasis on release.
Be. Here. Now.

Humanity In Action

Watching people fighting each other to be the first to shove their overpacked bags in an overhead bin, is a reminder of how much shit we—collectively—try to force in other people's space.

Your baggage should not be someone else's issue; yet here I sit watching grown men argue about who has more status—it's always the one with an ego the size of his waists. 

Pass The Bar on Tour

One drink at a higher altitude is like two drinks at sea level––or so they say––so two drinks in, I’m really four.  I always forget that hanging out with twenty year olds on tour, can really be torture.
Twenty-year-old me is rolling his eyes, but truthfully, booze on the road are brutal.

StressCON 5.0

Yesterday––despite my tools, Zen, yoga, and faith––I jumped into StressCON 5.0. My malfunctioning brain launched me towards my To-Do list like a fireman rushing into a fire; the problem is that I was holding the match.
When does a creating a habit create despair?
I’m entirely in favor of forming patterns and staying focused, but I’m ready for balance and I accept that I hold all the power.
Like Dorthy waking up in Kansas; I can leave OZ whenever I decide to (REALLY) trust the process and stay present.  I know that it is in the NOW that I will find the answers to the most important question: what can I do today?

FriDAZE

Driving around LA on a Friday afternoon,

I'm reminded of how crazy traffic is; how selfish most people are; and that I should never drive in LA on Fridays.

I'll Eat That, Too...

Whenever I face a complimentary (included in the price of the very expensive suite) hotel breakfast buffet, my former-fat-kid emotions return;
Even after years of yoga, Zen meditation, and plenty of career and colleague validation, I fight the instinct to drowned myself in extra salty eggs, buttery breakfast potatoes, and an overdose of sweet rolls.
Just when I think I’ve reached my bursting point, I like to cram down a toxic level of citric acid in the form of fresh cut pineapple, hand-squeezed grapefruit juice, and four cups of executive-level coffee loaded with heavy cream (did I mention I’m lactose intolerant?)
What can I say, I’m a sucker for the word “free”, and when on vacation (or work) I allow myself to be free with my feelings...even if it means eating them.