90210 #2

I didn't work at all last week, so it was nice to finally get a text for a job. Unfortunately, it was all the way in Redondo Beach.

It was freezing cold when I got to the Performing Arts Center. That was base camp, but we were shooting at the Wayfarers Chapel. They wanted to use me as a gardener, but I waited and waited and wasn't used. Even the crew began asking if I was going to be used.

Then we moved to the estates near the Trump course in Palos Verdes. There, I was finally used as a gardener raking some leaves. I knew that I'd be done after this but thankfully, we broke for lunch first and I got to eat.

Then we all got on the shuttle vans and headed back to the Performing Arts Center where I was wrapped. I thought about stopping by Jansen's or BeeJay's but instead, I just went home and took a nap until it was time for dinner since I only got about four hours of sleep last night.

(written 3/1/12)

BONES #4

The call time was pushed back to 11AM which was kind of nice because it allowed me to make some breakfast before leaving for Fox. However, when I checked-in, we were NDBd so I got to eat another round. Instead of eating a lot though, I just ate fruit.

Our first scene was shot outside. It was one of those episodes where it's a show within a show. So they were at a lot and they were consulting on a show based on them. But then a real murder occurs. They were looking at some sprinkler heads in the scene and I was paired with Jeremy, a guy who I'd worked before on Lab Rats.

We discussed the state of the union vote and he convinced me that if there are no specifics in the contract, why would you vote yes? It's like signing a contract that is vague. So unless specifics are listed, then I probably will vote no on the merger. I like the idea of the merger, but we need more specifics.

Then we were placed inside the stage to be FBI agents. Simple crosses were the deal, but it took forever for them to finally use us in the scene. We didn't mind though since overtime is rare these days. The only issue for me is that I'm supposed to meet up with Ash, Amanda, Josh, Jansen and Tam to party up at Medusa in Silver Lake.

I thought about rollin' as soon as I wrapped, but I figured it was too late. But then Amanda convinced me to do it, so we went back to my car, smoked, snorted and I dropped. It was a fun night but then we decided to move the party to Ashley's. She was a little paranoid about all the noise, but we kept going.

Ashley's Indian lawyer friend was all over Amanda, so I didn't really get a chance to spit any game. Instead, I lamely tried to get her to hang out with me on the couch, but that didn't work and I just ended up going home around 5AM.

(written 2/20/12)

MEETING AMANDA MORRIS

Ashley's sister Amanda is in town, so I told Ash that if she wanted some babysitting, I could hang out with her. So I headed over to Fairfax and met Amanda who lives in Marin. I asked her if she wanted to do some hiking and she was down.

So I took her to the Baldwin Hills Scenic View and the massive steps that went all the way to the top. She was able to do it even though she's a little more petite than Ash. It was tough going down too and we were a little sweaty from the working out.

When Ash got home, we went to New India Sweets & Spices for some dinner. Ashley's lawyer friend came over with his dog and we all hung out for a little while.

(written 2/20/12)

PAIR OF KINGS #4

I hadn't worked this show for a really long time, but I was booked as a regular islander. It was a pretty easy deal but no chance to really rest either. We were either working a scene, or we were changed into a more formal scene where it was hot as hell underneath all the layers of clothing. It was unpleasant, and the PA Tia made us all work even though the cameras weren't really pointed at us. Apparently, one of the kings has left leaving the black king and another unknown triplet to take his place.

It was a pretty long day, but it was made shorter being able to hang out with Kay the Japanese chick who I'd worked with on I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

(written 2/20/12)

REST FROM THE HACKING COUGH COLD

I woke up still with a cough, but thankfully, my body has responded with enough mucus to calm it down.

I looked at some of the lozenges I had purchased and realized that I was supposed to take two lozenges, one after the other. After I'd done that, it seemed like my cough subsided and I only coughed when I felt like there was mucus or if it was somewhat itchy. I love that point in a cold when you start coughing and you start feeling better because it's not that bad anymore. However, I do notice that even though you think it's over, it sometimes keeps going longer than you realize.

I spent the afternoon trying to nap, but instead, I ended up watching tv, making tea, playing COD and some internet surfing. I wanted to rest because I want this cold gone. I got a text from Brandi that I'm booked on Pair of Kings tomorrow. I'm surprised the show is still going, but hey, it must be popular. I hate the rate, but work is work.

After dinner, I shaved and showered and then worked on my taxes. I realized I didn't do much of anything today. I wanted to at least do some laundry, but nope. Nada.

NCIS #6

It was off to Desncanso Gardens again for a stand-in recall. This time, we had to shoot inside, but first, there was a scene outside in the backyard that had to be shot. Unfortunately, it was raining so it was cold and it wasn't pleasant. Also, although I was standing in for the main bad guy, I wasn't used at all since I wasn't really needed.

My cold was in the in-between stage. My throat was raw as hell and it seemed like nothing I used to fight it was working. It was lozenge after lozenge, slippery elm bark tea after tea. I had to wait until my body started to produce mucus to combat it and that's why it's in between.

Later, we shot inside and it was a little better since it was warmer, but there was a lot of waiting around for nothing. I actually only stood in once since again, the actor was used for blocking and focus. The fun thing was that they were using guns and blasting, so it was loud and I can't wait to see what it looks like.

It got dark and it got really really cold. Mary Pham was there again so we talked about her web series and got to know each other a little. Then they decided to wrap me, right after I just got in to overtime. I probably could have squeezed a little more time in if I hadn't gone outside. George, one of the PAs noticed me hanging out by the warmers and asked Tony the AD if I could be wrapped and I was. Oh well. At least I could go home.

I talked to Jared and Shirl a little about life, ate dinner, then rested because my throat was not feeling very good. I used some of the snort relief and that helped me feel good enough to go to sleep.

(written 2/14/12)

CAL BABY CAL

My cold has already reached my throat and it will likely progress to my chest, but hopefully, it won't be too bad.

After lunch, I watched Cal defeat UCLA pretty easily. The odd thing was that they were 3 point underdogs. What an easy bet!

Then it was time to go out with Jansen, Ashley and Josh in downtown LA. We went to a launch party for a brand that was part painting, part clothing and part accessories. It was fun seeing a bunch of different types of people, but probably mostly college educated. I met this one chick Lea but I couldn't convince her and her friend to join us for some drinks we were having at another bar.

We ended up somewhere else downtown for drinks and then the night ended at Ashley's.

(written 2/20/12)

THE FINDER #2

I was booked as an orderly and got to Fox pretty early. There was no traffic and there was only five of us booked. It's a SAG show and it was the last episode of the season.

We were shuttled all the way to Pasadena, so pretty much everyone took a nap on the way there. We went to the Huntington Library. Little did I realize how huge that place was. The last time I was there was during summer and we didn't walk the grounds since it was too hot.

We were told it would be a short day for us since we were only shooting a quick little scene with no sound. They were right. We were wrapped after about six hours, but there was still traffic on the way back home.

I started my s&s cold treatment and played Bovada in the evening.

NCIS LA #5

I thought I'd be standing-in for the same guy as yesterday in Descanso Gardens, but this time, we were shuttled from Paramount to Plymouth street off 3rd. The home became the Vietnamese consulate and I stood-in for Andy Tran who played the consulate's security guard.

I didn't do anything for a few hours, but when it was time to stand-in, it was work for a few hours straight. A few gunshots, a guy dies on the consulate's gate and a few cars pulling away were pretty much the order of the day.

I was in such a hurry to leave, I forgot to ask the PA for a parking sticker. Luckily, a veteran had an extra one and gave it to me. But then I realized I'd forgotten my chair in the shuttle van! So I drove back to where they were shooting and waited for the van to return.

Then I drove home in traffic which surprised me a little since I felt like there wasn't much traffic when I drove home earlier in the week at about the same time. How weird.

In sad news, Elena hasn't returned any of my FB messages. But at least I got some correspondence with Carly from down under and I also found out that make-up to break-up Ashley is single again. Sheesh!

NCIS LA #4

I was booked as a stand-in today but I hardly did any standing-in. The bodyguard did pretty much his own standing-in the entire day since they were running out of time and needed to go. They were running out of daylight and there were dogs being used that jumped on the guy so it was just easier to set focus on him. So most of the day, I just watched them and stayed kind of close in case they needed me.

We wrapped around 6PM so there was a little bit of traffic on the way back, but it wasn't too bad once I got past the 605 freeway.

RINGER #4

I booked myself for today's call and it was not a very fun one. We were placed as NY pedestrians and told to basically walk up and down a street in downtown LA. There was probably a ton of pollution and it rained for a little bit at one point, but the good news was that I ran into Michael Palma who I worked with on Couples Retreat a long time ago. It was fun catching up and connecting.

I also talked to a dude Craig about politics and the state of our world and economy, so the intellectualizing was fun. And then I also talked to weird but cool Elena Gharibian who I hope to connect with further down the line.

Some people had to stay, but most of the rest of us were wrapped with about half an hour of overtime which isn't bad considering we actually wrapped about 7.5 hours in. Since we got out about 4:45PM, there was no traffic going back home.

After dinner, Jansen treated me to a movie with popcorn. I bought the drink and we watched Chronicle. It was a very cool movie and much better than I anticipated. Highly recommended.

(written 2/8/12)

KIND OF A FRUITFUL DAY

I listened to an mp3 about motivation and even though I understood it, it did nothing as far as motivating me. But I did get some things done.

I spent a lot of time looking for the mah jong books I'd borrowed from the library. That led me to a few other things. But in the end, I realized I'd already returned them and that's why I couldn't find them.

Meanwhile, I did a little organizing in the kitchen area desk. It's not completely de-cluttered, but it's getting there. At least I got my 2012 Central Casting folder set-up.

I cleaned-out my car while I was looking for the books. I figured it was time to get everything out of there so I could sort through them.

I also walked to the library to return some books and pick-up another. I wanted to workout, but like the motivation thing I listened to said, what's the best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So just do anything that puts you on the road, and then it could lead to another step and another down the line.

On my way back, I called the Central union line to see if I could get work. I got a message from Joey's List that Parenthood couldn't use me tomorrow, but I didn't feel too bad since I didn't even know I was a possibility. So Claire listed something for Ringer and when I got through, she used me and I booked myself. How cool is that?

TRASHED

My date with destiny was to head back out to West Hollywood to see if I could get it in with the Aussies, but I didn't hear from them so it didn't happen. Jansen told me I could head out to Brea, but I felt so wasted, I just could not get out of the couch. So all I did was chill all day and crash all night.

(written 2/6/12)

REVENGE

For some reason, I thought this show was Ringer, but Elana (who books the show) reminded me that it was Revenge when she called and said I didn't have to try to rush there. Apparently, the show needed another corrections officer to get there sooner, but they just changed a visitor into an officer.

The scene was supposed to be Riker's Island in New York, but we went to Monterey Park inside a former women's center. This was cop central and I had no idea there was a central location for all the sheriff's in LA County. I got suited up in a uniform with a belt that had mace and then got ready to shoot.

I stood in a hall in one scene and then was inside an office next to a shower in another. It was easy work and the best part was talking to a guy who looked mean, but was actually an actor who had finally decided to get trained. He did two years of Meiser study and now kind of looks down at extra work since he's looking for something more meaningful (i.e. lines).

Afterward, I headed out to West Hollywood where Michelle Lee and company were staying. It's a good thing I got the address because my phone had died and I had really no idea if they were going out or staying in. The good news was that they were staying in and the place was amazing. It was nicely designed and it was a party house.

I got to meet some of their friends but I took a fancy to Michelle's friend, the lovely Carly Snodgrass. Oh my was she cute, but when you're rolling, I think everyone seems that way. I felt wasted the entire time and it was too hard to concentrate on anything except trying to be cool and not freak out.

Jansen and the girls (Vanessa and sister and Tam) and I took advantage of the hot tub, but then Michelle and company got tired since it was already 4AM after all. We all left and that was that.

(written 2/6/120