I had a really good audition for "21st Century Insurance". The cool part was that we had to be actual policy holders. That alone should make the competition pretty small. To top it off I had a great, true nightmare story about another company which led to my switch to "21st". I would love to get a callback on this one.

I got a last minute call this morning to see if I was available to work on "Good Morning Miami" tomorrow. YES!! Cool!!

I also gave blood at the SAG office which was really cool. I need to do that more often. While watching blood leave my body I got word that I booked that role on "Gilmore Girls". The only problem was that it also shoots tomorrow. Oh well, I guess I'll get them next time. Late this evening my brother calls with a status report on my mom. He sounds really troubled, I am going home.

Oh my, what a day or should I say days. I have always been careful to not take the highs and lows too seriously in my life. This 9/11 anniversary stuff is really hard to shake, as it should be. Seeing and hearing the images and sounds of a year ago coupled with family illness has had me in tears more than once over the last couple of days. I cannot imagine what those that have lost loved ones are going through.

Adding to that my mother is in the hospital back in Virginia Beach, VA. My family, fortunately, hasn't had a lot of medical problems to date. Or it could be that they work too hard to notice them. The reality of "mom's in the hospital" is mind blowing to me. None of us in the family are quite sure how to take it, but I can tell that my mom is concerned. The doctors think that they may have to remove her gall bladder; I am hearing that many people have this done and it's not too serious. They are also many other test being done and they suspect that "something" may be cancerous. It's just weird hearing my unshakeable mother shake. I have been talking to her several times a day for the last couple of days to keep abreast of the situation.

I audition for a recurring role on "Abby", a UPN sitcom, and it goes well. The Casting Director, Gilda Stratton, was happy with my performance and said she was bringing me back. Cool, it's another possible recurring role!!

Today I audition for "Gilmore Girls" over on the Warner Brothers lot. As I was getting closer to the lot I noticed lots and lots of smoke in the air. With the 9/11 anniversary rapidly approaching I couldn't help but have a very nervous feeling. Had something happened on the lot or nearby? I hoped not. After I parked I asked the security what was going on and they said it was a brush fire. In reality it wasn't that close to the lot, it was in Glendale. It was weird because I've seen numerous fires on television, but this was the first time I'd seen one up close. I could even see the flames; I could also see houses that were in the vicinity. I really felt for those people.

How in the heck did ANOTHER bat get into my apartment?!?! That's it! I can't open my windows at all. I mean, my screens are closed!! Is this a sign? If it is, it's funny, but not really.

Alright, this is how it went down. I'm in the lab, (at my desk) taking care of some business and I see something move in my peripheral vision. I glance over and it's a &*^%$#$&&* bat!! WHAT!!! In a flash I back up in my chair and hit the deck trying to get away from it. This is the 3rd time this has happened.

I live in a studio so there aren't too many places to escape. I’m babysitting my girls son, Gabriel, and he is sleeping on the couch. I abruptly wake him and dive into the bathroom. He has no idea what the heck is going on. We hang in there for a minute to gather our thoughts; he is delirious.

I have these visions of getting bit on my neck just like in the movies. So I'm standing in my bathroom not believing that this has happened AGAIN. I have to get to the light to turn it on so I can see the thing flying around. I grab my pajama bottoms and tie them around my neck and put a towel around Gabe’s. Shut up, it ain't funny!!! No, go ahead and laugh I can take it.

So after a moment we make a break for it to the front door of my apartment and get outside. I open the door a sliver to peer inside and see it flying around in circles. I then take Gabes’ towel in my hand to try to knock it out of the air with. So I'm standing outside my apartment door with a pair of pajama pants tied around my neck and a towel in my hand………with a child. Thankfully, no one came into my apartment building and saw us.

I was not going to get bit by this flying rat!! So finally I get brave and enter the apartment. I don't see the bat anymore. Awwww man! Is it hiding? Did it escape? If I don't see this flying rat again and get it out of here I will not be able to sleep. So I’m creeping, trying to find it to no avail. I HAVE to find it.

I’m terrified of going into the kitchen, but I have to. I slowly creep in there and don’t see anything and then finally I see something moving. There it is!! I slowly grab a plastic container, never taking my eyes off of it and get a broom to pin it in the corner. At this point, I am sweating bullets!
I get the container over it, a piece of cardboard under it and scoop it up. I noticed a little drop of blood when I was picking it up; I guess it was a little “police brutally”. Hey? What’s a brother to do? I pay the rent here. Anyway, I ran downstairs and let him go and he flew away. By this time Gabe was fully awake and thought it was pretty cool and exciting. It was, but not really. This does NOT need to happen again.

My audition today for "Ford Focus" went really well. At the audition we were supposed to fill out a conflict sheet to declare whether we had car conflicts or not. I was reluctant to fill it out because I didn't want my "Honda/Japan" campaign to possibly prevent me from getting a callback. I called my agent and we decided to say "no" since I don't have any U.S. automotive conflicts.

I also got a call from my theatrical agent with an appointment for the new ABC series "Push, Nevada". It's a very small role and they wanted to know if I was interested in going on tape for producers. I told her I would think about it and let her know tomorrow. Of course my first instinct is to say "yes." I'm an actor, I wanna act!! BUT! Since I manage myself I have to be smart and think about the bigger picture. In the end I decided to say "no" and wait for something more substantial on the show. Also, there is always the possibility of "Good Morning Miami" calling this week or getting a callback and/or booking one of these several commercials that I am going in for. I also think there is power in saying no to certain roles. Of course I could be wrong.

KSA calls with a request for more photos; I'll have 50 delivered to them by this afternoon. So, I'm back in the saddle after the holiday weekend. It has been unusually hot in LA; thankfully my A/C is working in my car. I'm out in the field doing my drop-offs to commercial facilities. Usually after doing drop-offs I get more auditions, I don't how much of a connection there is, but it seems to work. I worked three days last week, but I didn't have any auditions which means I may not work this week. When I was @ Chelsea Studios I saw Susan Havins and her associate Dea Vise. Susan Havins Casting is the company that cast the "Honda/Japan" spot. I had never auditioned for her before and I just wanted to formally introduce myself to her. As I approached her, she knew who I was and thanked me for the picture frame and thank you card that I dropped off for her. I told her how much fun we had on the shoot and she seemed genuinely happy that we had a great time. She then informed me that they have plans for us to shoot 2-3 additional "Honda" spots. Wow!! That sound like fun!! Oh, yeah I have an audition tomorrow.

YES!!! I am excited to officially have a recurring role on a TV series. We filmed the third episode of "Good Morning Miami" and as usual I had a great time. I do very little, but I am being established early in the development of the show. Who knows what it could lead to?

I have to say that what I'm experiencing right now is surreal for me. Sometimes I cannot believe how things are developing. Even though it's happening in the exact form that I have planned, it's just funny to be in the storm of it. I have always been concerned about things happening too fast in my career. I just don't want to skip any steps.

The beautiful thing about the position I find myself in now is that I don't have to start from the beginning. What I mean by that is that as actors we normally start with a submission (1st base), audition (2nd base), callback (3rd base) and then hopefully a booking (homerun). We can get to 3rd base all day long and not score. That's a really good thing, but it doesn't pay the rent. So it made sense to me to put myself in a stronger, more rooted position. I figured with a recurring role I get to "start" at 3rd base with a lead off toward home plate. That way I won't have to go to bat every time. When the call comes from the casting office it is to check my availability. No pre-read, no callback, no nonsense. It's much more efficient and a recurring role will help to raise my profile.

Back in the saddle on Stage 16 and it feels good. I take a look at this week's script and as expected it's just a couple of lines, but hopefully that will change in time. They put me in several scenes so hopefully I'll just become a staple on the show.

I relayed the message to Suzanne about Martin Landau and she perked up just the same as he did. She also told me that she dated Martin when she was fourteen!

Remember that "Grounded For Life" audition last week? The one where I was curious if my agent got some not so glowing feedback? I asked her today and she said no. I also asked if she would put a call in at "Providence" since CD Susan Bluestein had told me to keep the material. I was hoping for a callback, but they probably moved on without me.

Also one of the series regulars on "Good Morning Miami", Jere Burns suggested that I have a name other than "stage manager". I elected "Scott". I don't know if it will stick since none of the writers or producers were on stage at the time. My brother Jeff's middle name is "Scott". On "Frasier" my characters name is "Jason", that is one of my other brother's middle name by coincidence.

YES!! I get the news that "Good Morning Miami" is bringing me back tomorrow. It'll be for three days. My first recurring role!! I am really excited to be working with this group of people.

Tonight I attend a SAG "Conversations" event. The guest speaker was Academy Award winning actor Martin Landau, he spoke for two hours and afterwards we got to have a word with him privately. It was really cool to hear about his experiences in Hollywood & New York and how he has made it work for so long. I mentioned to him that I was working with Suzanne Pleshette on "Good Morning Miami" and he lit up like a light. I had a feeling he would know her, she being from Manhattan and him Brooklyn. He said to be sure to say hello for him to Suzanne. I also got a photo with him with my new digital camera.

This morning I had my audition for "Grounded for Life" at Liberman/Patton. I don't think it went all that well. I read for owner Cami Patton and associate Tim Payne. As Tim was walking me back to the room he said that they had tried to get me in for the last episode, but I was working on "Good Morning Miami". It sure felt good to hear that.

I go in and Cami introduced herself. I had read for her some time ago and it was good to get back in there. She gave me a little run down of what they were looking for and for some reason I kinda froze up. It was different than what I was thinking for the character. I don't know what happened, but I was like a deer in headlights. It was three different scenes that I was reading, the 1st & 2nd scenes went pretty good, but the last and largest one just didn't go too well. I was speeding through like I was just trying to get it over with. I don't usually do it, but I must admit I was kinda kicking myself after that one. Next!!!

A couple of hours later my agent calls and the first thing she asked was how the "Grounded for Life" audition went. I immediately told her what happened, she doesn't normally ask. I was wondering if she got bad feedback. I just let it ride. The reason why she was calling was to check my availability for "Good Morning Miami" for Tuesday thru Thursday of next week. Yes!!!

This week has been pretty busy, thankfully. I've been babysitting my former girlfriend's 6 year old all week. He's been going with me to do drop-offs. Now he says he wants to be an actor. I think he knows my agents better than me now!!

I've had four auditions this week and they all have gone really well. I have another one tomorrow for "Grounded For Life"; it is a pre-read with Cami Patton. Today I read for "Providence" for the third time. I have yet to get a callback for it, but today she told me to keep the sides. Hopefully she'll bring me to producers. We'll see. Also today I went in for a "Pepsi/Frito-Lay" spot that shoots in New York. It's a funny spot and I think I am really right for it; hopefully I'll get a callback.

What a nice surprise this morning, the casting office for "Frasier" called to check my availability for Thursday-Tuesday. Cool!! They should know something by the end of the day. Regardless, I'm still on their radar.

Something funny happened today. I bought a digital camera a couple of days ago; let me tell ya this gadget is too cool for words. Anyway, while dining at Swinger's this afternoon I spotted Gun's and Roses guitar legend Slash. I'm a big rock and roll fan so I just had to get a photo with him. He was really cool about it; he seemed surprised that I recognized him. I'll have to add it to my "Hot Shots".

More internet drama, well not really, but sorta. I post on several internet acting forums and sometimes I get in the hot seat over what and how I post. I fully understand what I am doing with marketing/PR thing, which is something I know very well. This wasn't about marketing or PR; it was just about sharing my experiences. What happened this time was that I posted something about "booking dates", the reason I posted it was to reinforce how important it is to take those dates seriously. That's was the bare-bones of it.

Someone responded saying that" I am the type of guy who doesn't mind eating steak in front of others." WHAT!!! This particular person, in my opinion, is kinda negative in general so it would make sense that he would see it as me bragging. I don't really know him personally, but I have read his post online for several years now. I find him very funny, but in that kinda negative/pessimistic kinda way. If he knew me I don't think he would have written what he did about me, but he is entitled to his opinion. After a couple of exchanges the moderator of the board adding his opinion of my "online persona" I responded and emailed him personally. We had several private e-mail exchanges and got to know each other a bit better. In the end he seemed to change his opinion about me quite a bit.

I'm back in the saddle at "Good Morning Miami". We are back to re-shoot the pilot as some changes have been made in the cast and the script. I'm glad my small part remained. I had a great 3 days of shooting and I think this show is going to hit big. After all it has the "Will & Grace" team behind it. Of course, I may be biased. Anyway I can't wait to see it.

DAY FOUR "Honda/Japan"-Today we started work at Zuma Beach and then moved out into the Santa Monica Mountains. I just had the best time; this spot is right down my alley. Today I got to skateboard, play Frisbee, go camping, sing "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and ride a mountain bike. We really earned it on this shoot.

The mountain bike portion had me so charged up that I almost got myself in trouble. I grew up riding BMX bikes and presently have a mountain bike. I wanted to just ride to my hearts content, but I had to follow the script. Craig and I took a couple of dry runs down the specified hill and then it was camera time. On the first run Craig went over handle bars right next to me. He was okay and we were right back in the saddle. A couple of runs later I went over the bars too. I wasn't hurt either; we both were wearing the necessary safety gear. I would love to see it on film though!!

A couple of shots later we wrapped four days of shooting!! It was definitely one of the most enjoyable projects I've ever been on. I thanked everyone for a good time. The producer, Ron Ishimoto asked me to do him a favor. "Sure, what do you need?" I answered. "Practice your snowboarding please." YES!!! See ya in October!

DAY THREE "Honda/Japan"-Today we shot in West LA. Unlike yesterday, it was quite cool since we were near the beach.

Today was water day. Yeah, we spent a good portion of the day soaked and wet. Hey! Somebody's got to do it right? It was about as real as it gets, having someone spray you with cold water over and over again. The producers/director seemed really happy with the footage that they were getting.

Also, the producer was telling me about the second spot of this campaign. If this spot performs well we will be doing another one, possibly in October. This next one will be centered on snowboarding! WHAT!!! He said that it may be in the US or not. We have to find snow. Have passport will travel. I am so fortunate and to think that I didn't even have an appointment for this spot. Go figure. Oh yeah, I also got word that the "Good Morning Miami" schedule is going to work out. YES!! I did not want to lose that gig.

DAY TWO "Honda/Japan"-Today we shot in Bellflower, CA. It was hot as could be and I really felt it. For me, it got interesting really early. We were only on about the second shot of the day and I started feeling a little weird. Now I'm not a "False Alarm Frank" type, if you hear me complain, it's for real.

So we're in the middle of this shot, they are shooting print as well as film so it's taking some time. This feeling came over me and my life went into slow motion. All of the sudden I thought I was going to faint. No REALLY faint!! As in fall on my face and wake up with a bloody nose. I started thinking about how embarrassed I would be if I had to interrupt the shot. Ten seconds later the shot was still going. We were getting directions to laugh and joke around. I was ready to collapse. I kinda made a motion to the producer that I needed water, but he didn't see or hear me. Then I tried to laugh to keep myself alert just to get through the shot. All that was really doing was using my last bit of energy. At this point I felt like I was going to black out.
This is all happening in about 2-3 minutes. Mind you, the last thing I wanted to do was to interrupt the job that 40-50 people on the film crew were doing. Again my life was in slow motion and going slower. I could not believe that I couldn't make it to the end of this take. I was starting to sway on my feet.

As embarrassed as I was going to be for stopping in the middle of a take, it would have been worse if I actually collapsed and fell on my face and started bleeding. This was the last straw. If we didn't cut in the next 5-10 seconds I would just have to stop.

Now I became two different people, lethargic Stephon and another guy who was watching this all happen. I mumbled to the producer "Ron, I need water......no, I need it now." They immediately cut and I fell back towards the mini-van and slid to the ground. Right away there were 10-12 people around me with water, a smoothie, and shade just trying to cool me down. I could not believe this was happening to me. We broke for about 30 minutes and the set paramedic kept an eye on me to make sure I was cool to start working again. It was at this moment that I found out that I was not invincible. WHAT!!! Drink lots water kids!! Anyway the rest of the day went on without a hitch.

DAY ONE "Honda/Japan"-Today I start the first of 4 days on the "Honda/Japan" commercial. We are shooting at Dockweiler State Beach; it is very close to LAX. I believe there was one plane per minute flying over us. We were shooting the print part, so we weren't recording sound. I haven't really done print before, so this was new to me. I don't think I am interested in doing more either. Unless, of course, it is part of some other kind of booking. I just don't plan on pursing it.

The commercial we are shooting is for a new Honda minivan that is for the Japanese market. It is a top secret job, any time it not being photographed they keep it covered up. We had a great time and the filet mignon for lunch was nice touch.

Mini drama with scheduling. It seems that there is a mix-up with my book out dates. I work Wednesday thru Friday and also Monday. I am supposed to start "Good Morning Miami" on Friday the 9th with the table read. They knew I wouldn't be able to make that, but they thought I would be there Monday. Anyway, I hope we can work it out.

Okay so I go to the "Honda/Japan" fitting @ The Standard. I mean it was so surreal. I have dreamed about when I would go back there in this same position. I thought we would go into a room and have the fittings. Nope, they had us parading around on the pool deck in the craziest clothing. In the end they asked me to wear this pink pair of Lee Jeans everywhere I went until the shoot. Yes PINK! WHAT!!! They didn't want them to look brand new. I said of course. I'm a team player and all, ya know down for the cause. Anyway, the next day I ran into the stylist and his assistant at Old Navy. Thank God I was wearing them! I was so proud! PINK JEANS!!!

It was cool too see some people that I used to work with. I saw one young lady I worked in the restaurant and she told me that she saw the "Pizza Hut" commercial with Carmen Electra in Berlin, Germany. I knew it! I believe they were running that spot here and abroad without paying the talent, maybe Carmen Electra was paid for international use, but I wasn't.

I received a call from the producer of the "Honda/Japan" spot. He wanted to schedule a fitting. The fitting is going to take place at Hollywood Hotspot the Standard. I worked there for nearly 2 years!! I laughed out loud!! It made me think of the times that the 11pm-7am graveyard shift was just too much. I would say to myself "one day I'll come back here on someone else's payroll and NOT have to park a car or take a drink order". I think that day will be Monday. I know it probably sounds silly, but I guess it's the little things. Now just send me to Japan! LOL!

My agent calls today to tell me that the pilot for "Good Morning Miami" is being re-shot. I'm glad that I am still in it. It is going to overlap with the "Honda" shoot a little, but it should work out.

Today one of my brother's leaves to go back to Virginia, he had been in town for a week and a half. It was great to finally have him here in LA. He had never been this far away from home and he was able to see what I do on a daily basis.More to come.....

I get the word that I booked the "Honda/Japan" spot!! This is really good news. It is on-camera commercial, internet, print & movie theatres. They are also saying that the same 3 guys may be doing more spots in the future. It feels good to have gotten this with no appointment. Also, my buddy Greg tells me that he booked one of the leads in a film that shoots for 6 weeks in South Africa. Cool!!

Today I attended a free career festival @ one of the many acting schools/workshop places around town. It was just something to keep me busy and learn more about the specific industry professionals that were in attendance.

YES! We get a callback as a group; well 4 out of the 6 of us did and it went great. The whole callback session was groups. It was one of those rare situations where I really felt the job was mine. We also knew that they were only going to hire 3 of whatever group they chose. Oooops. I began to think about if I got the job but Craig didn’t. Ewww! Anyway, my agent called later in the afternoon to say I was still in the running.

This is one of the main reasons I get in my car everyday and do drop-offs. You never know what you might run into when you are out in the field.

Alright!!! Another commercial audition, and this time I was requested by the casting director Jeff Gerrard. Cool! This is where I am trying to get-on the list of being in demand at least somewhat. The audition went pretty well but not great, it shoots in Dallas in a couple of weeks. I would LOVE to go to Dallas in a couple of weeks. Time will tell I guess.

On the way home I stopped by Chelsea Studios to drop off photos to commercial CD's. Actually, I wasn't even dropping of for me I was doing for some friends. I usually carry their photos with me as well. I had already dropped mine the other day.

Anyway, as I am crossing the street I see a group of four Caucasian crossing as well. I'm thinking "what the heck are they going in for"? I figure I look just like those guys; other than being black of course. As I get closer I see that I know one of the guys, Craig Welzbacher. We have attended workshops together in the past.

Craig asked me if I was here for "Honda/Japan". I say no, but I will check it out and see if they are seeing African-American guys as well. Craig gives me the low-down on the situation. Turns out, Craig was the one with the appointment actually a call-back. He was told to bring 3-4 of his friends. So he gave me the green-light to join his group. Thanks Craig!! We went in and had a great time. A callback would be nice. This is one the main reason that I get in my car everyday and do drop-offs. You never know what you might run into when you are out in the field.

Today I went to Broadcast Preview @ the Television Academy of Art & Sciences. What they do is to show a preview of all of the new shows for the upcoming fall season. I was surprised to actually see quick shots of myself in the pilots for "Life with Bonnie" & "Good Morning Miami". Hopefully they will really be recurring roles.

My first appointment since I've been back. I go in for "Providence". I felt like it went well enough. Hopefully, I will get a callback this week. On Monday I have a request appointment for a commercial. Things are starting up. Yeah!!

Today I attended the public hearing on paid casting director workshops in Van Nuys. Interesting to say the least. The day consisted mostly of people who are in support of workshops expressing their feelings. I must say I was surprised that very few people who are against them even bothered to show up. It seems, to me, like a mostly stupid debate. I mean if you don't want to do them then-DON'T!! It ain't rocket science. An interesting thing to me is that most of the people say that they don't learn anything in these seminars. That's fine, but they try to get me to say the same. How can you not learn anything? The outcome one way or another won't affect me all that much, but I would like to remain a choice for those who might want to use the tool.

Back in the saddle!! I'm home, here in LA once again. I am so ready to rock & roll. My vacation was great, but now it's time to get busy. Call my agents; stop by so that they "see me in the flesh". So much of this business is "out of sight, out of mind".

Today, on my last day of vacation, I went to a get-together with the core group of friends that I grew up with. I hadn't seen these guys in from 8-11 years. This was a wonderful culmination of great vacation.

My last day in NY. I get breakfast in Harlem, shoot down to the Village to find a hat and some earrings and back up to the Samuel Beckett Theatre to see my friend Gillian Foss in a play. It was a wonderful piece by Mike Leigh titled "Smelling a Rat", also in the cast were Michelle Williams from "Dawson's Creek" and Eddie Kaye Thomas from "American Pie 1 & 2". Gillian and I worked together at The Harley Davidson Cafe. I got to speak with her briefly after the show and off to Newark International Airport I was.

My birthday was yesterday the 28th and my NY friends Genine & Chanel took me to see R&B singer Teena Marie to celebrate. While she was buying the tickets I stayed in the car since it was double parked on 42nd Street. Right at that moment a limo pulled up, I thought it might be Teena coming in for her sound check. It was and I got a photo with her. Yesterday, I also got to hang out with a fellow cast member of the play I was in back in '97, Marcuis Harris.

Today I went to the site of the World Trade Center. To say it was unbelievable would be putting it mildly. To actually be in the space that I've seen in such a tragic way was something I can't even describe. I can't even imagine what it was like 8-9 months ago. I got off at the Brooklyn Bridge stop on the 4/5/6 subway line and was walking toward the memorial hearing the typical "sounds of New York". Ya know the hustle, the bustle, the confusion, the tension. As I approached the memorial all of that stopped. It seemed like that city block, in the middle of downtown NYC, was protected. There was a feeling of calm in the air that was something I had never experience before in such a normally frenetic place. Once I actually got to the site of the many buildings that were no longer standing, I was speechless. My older brother used to work in one of the towers; I had been in the towers and have a photo that I took from the top of one of them. I hope we, human beings, never have to experience anything so tragic ever again.

YES!!! This morning I am on my way to the Big Apple! Yeah!! New York City! It's been almost 2 years since I have been there. Kazarian-Spencer & Associates (KSA), my commercial agency in LA, just opened an office in NY. I'll stop by to say "hi", I just want them to know who I am because you never know. I really want to keep a solid connection to NY. I also stopped in to see my former NY theatrical agent, Penny Luedtke of The Luedtke Agency, just to say "hello" and see how she is doing. This trip to NY is also to see some old friends that I haven't seen for a while, some of which I worked with at the, now defunct, Harley-Davidson Cafe in mid-town Manhattan. I have very fond memories of living in New York and may one day again in the future. Oh yeah, I got a ticket on Orbitz.com for 85 bucks traveling from Virginia to NYC. WHAT!!! That is cheaper, faster and just better all the way around than the Greyhound bus I usually take.

Twice this week I visit my former acting teachers classes. I normally stop in to get a dose of the early Meisner exercises and watch scenes being performed. It is always a good experience and it brings back fond memories. Since I have New York and LA experience, many of the students wanted to ask questions of me. It's kinda weird being in the hot seat with people actually listening to what I have to say.

Okay I'm back home and ready to rock & roll. I contact the two agents in town, that I know of, one of them has a "Bell South" audition for me the following Tuesday. It's in North Carolina at the regions most important casting office, but it's 300 miles one way. It kinda felt like it was a cattle call so I declined. The other agency never called me back.

YES!! I am out of here!!! I'm on my way to LAX to go home to Virginia for damn near a month. This is what I have been working for, to be able to do exactly this. Go home and spend time with my family. I am probably staying a little too long because there is still work to be had in LA, but I need a break. I routinely burn the candle at both ends.

Monday morning and I want my mommy!!! No, seriously my arm has gone absolutely nuts. I go back in to the doc first thing and he sends me to a specialist a Cedars-Sinai Hospital. They check to see if I have any blood clots in my arm. I seem to check out okay and by the next day the swelling has subsided. Whew!!! Not cool. Doctor appointments mess up my damn schedule!! Anyway, thankfully it seems to pass.

WHAT!!! Okay it looks like I have to go to the doctor, my arm is out of control. Seriously. So I go in and, believe it or not, the process was pretty painless. The doctor didn't really know what it was; he thought that I had been bitten by something. They X-rayed my elbow, which was fine and put me on medication. The doctor tells me to come back on Monday or at least call.

Also, I have audition for "Pizza Hut" today. The interesting thing is that it is same CD and director as the "IBM" spot I recently booked. Rumor has it that they use a lot of people over and over and don't do a lot of callbacks. Cool!! That's why they were on my target list.

Okay, I have to know if anyone else has ever experienced this before. I grew up in Virginia Beach, VA; and around dusk we could count on bats coming out. We would throw things in the air that they would chase. Probably not too smart, but when you're twelve you do what you gotta do for fun. I always thought it was weird that we never saw one of these bats up close, meaning like road kill or something like that. We would see squirrels & birds, but never bats. I was always fascinated by seeing bats on any animal program. In reality, maybe I didn't "really" want to see them up close but.....The question is this: Has anyone ever had a bat fly into their apartment or home? How can I have never seen a bat up close growing up, but I move to Hollywood and it happens twice? YES!! I'm like freaking out, between the earthquakes and the bats I'm a mess. It happened the first time back in early '99; the second time was last night.

Around 2:00 am, I'm busy doing research on my computer and I get up to get a drink. I live in a studio, so there aren't a whole lot of places to go. The only light on was the one on my desk. As I walk back to my work this thing flies past my face. WHAT!!! I hit the deck!! I jump up and turn on the light and see it again. I dive out the door to gather my wits. I prop the door open hoping it would fly out, but it didn't. After a while it ran into a wall and fell; I ran in got the broom and held it hostage. I could think of nothing else but rabies, lockjaw, foaming at the mouth and getting shots in my a**. I called a friend to come over and help. Finally I put a cup over it, let it go out the window and it flew away into the darkness. I have to know that this same thing has happened to others. Or maybe, I will indeed, be the next Batman. Also, last night I noticed that my left arm was swelling up. I didn't know why, but it was getting worse by the minute. Looks like I might have to take advantage of the SAG insurance I have worked so hard for.

Nice surprise! My mom calls me to tell that I am on "Frasier" right now!! WHAT!!! It's not even Tuesday night, I guess it was filling in gaps for some shows that have been cancelled. I liked that episode; maybe they'll bring me back one day.

I just got released from the "Apple" industrial that is shooting in San Francisco. Oh well, it felt good to get that close for something that I didn't have an appointment for. WARNING TO ALL APPOINTMENTS: If you don't come to me, there is a good chance I will come looking for you!! BEWARE!! LOL!!

YES!!! My commercial agent calls this morning to inform me that I am on avail for the "Apple" industrial. It is a 3-day shoot that would travel to San Francisco. This would be really nice right before I go back East for summer vacation.

Today I had my meeting with the writer from the AngelCiti Film Festival back in November 2000. We met at Swinger's, a local eatery in town. As soon as I saw him I remembered talking to him and that he was from Florida. We got to know each other a bit and discussed the script. If and when it does come together it could be up to a year away. He seems to be really interested in having myself in the lead role. I would really like to be a part of this project. I really liked the script and it would be a great vehicle for me. So we'll see what happens.

In my continued hustle to get more commercial opportunities, I drop off my H/R to the many commercials facilities around town and see what is going on. Occasionally, I am able to actually get seen for whatever is being cast. The way I figure it, I'm not going to get an appointment for everything that I am right for and it's nobody's fault. I can try though and try I do. The beauty of it all, for me, is that most people are going to hesitate in pursuing their career. Since I know they are casting projects everyday that I am right for, it is up to me to try my best to get seen. Today I was able to get seen for an "Apple computers" industrial. It went well; I think I am really right for it so hopefully I'll get a callback.

The other day I received an e-mail from a writer whose screenplay I read at The AngelCiti Screenplay Festival 18 months ago. We played phone-tag for a couple of days and finally got to speak. First, he tells how hard it was to find me. I'm thinking that I am very easy to find. The kicker was that he didn't know my name. He had seen an "Icehouse" beer commercial that I did a while back and recognized me. He mistakenly though it was a "Dominos" spot and still didn't know my name. He has a friend that works in commercial casting and mention this to her. He was able to tell her what my dialogue was in the spot and she vaguely remembered it. By coincidence, the office that she works for cast the spot!! So he starts watching all these tapes and finds it and then me.

When we finally talk, he tells me that he's written a new script that is in pre-production. Based on reading his short 18 months ago at the AngelCiti Screenplay Festival there is a part for me in his new feature. So he is sending it to me to read and then meet this week. You never know how these things will show up your life.

Okay, I got to shoot it. Of course I missed another audition while I was there, but my wonderful agents at KSA got me rescheduled for the following day.

The shoot was great; it's a really funny spot. Me as a 'hardcore rapper' is hilarious in itself. Hopefully it will actually run. Yeah Mr. Pytka is a bit abrasive, but I didn't have any problems with him. I think he is so good at what he does that he just gets impatient. I mean, I would like to think that I would never treat anyone that way no matter how successful I become, but that's just me. I even got to shoot hoops which I haven't done in a while. Joe has a portable basketball court at every shoot he is on, that is something that seems to really make him happy. So a great experience all the way around and on to the next thing whatever that will be.

Since pilot season has finished I have been concentrating on commercials like a mad man. While working on a couple of things last month I missed several commercial auditions, one was an avail. Ouch! I have never taken my commercial appointments for granted, but I understand that I'm gonna miss things from time to time.Yesterday morning my agent calls with an appointment for that afternoon for a spot that was to shoot this week. When I got to the casting office they said it was to be booked that night and work today (Wednesday). It called for a 'hardcore rapper' for IBM to be directed by the legendary Joe Pytka. I have been targeting this office/director for some time with drop-offs, postcards, etc.

I didn't get the call last night so I figured they moved on without me. This afternoon I was dropping off a new photo to my agent and joking with them about all these callbacks and avails with few bookings. This evening I get the call that I've been booked on the spot. Me as 'hardcore rapper'? Thankfully I didn't have to rap!! Anyway, it's IBM Worldwide, national & internet. I think I've heard all of the Pytka stories. My agent even cautioned me of his abrasive style. I can't wait!! He was my #1 target of commercial directors to work with. Now let's hope they don't change their mind in the next 12 hours. LOL!!

Well, its official "Good Morning Miami" & "Life With Bonnie" are on the Fall Schedule. Unfortunately, "So Downtown" didn't get picked up by the WB. If it all works out, I'll be appearing on both shows this fall. We'll see.

Okay, well it looks like McDonald's moved on without me. That's okay; I'll get 'em next time. Today is the day that NBC announces their fall schedule. I know that "Good Morning Miami" will be on it, but what I am not sure about is "The Bonnie Hunt Show". I saw the pilot and I think it has a really good chance. Plus ABC has a lot of space for new programming. Rumors has it that it will be on the schedule, we'll know officially tomorrow.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY*Today, May 10, is my 7 year anniversary of arriving in New York from Virginia Beach, VA. I remember it like yesterday. My buddy, William Gregory Lee, and I were leaving on the red-eye Greyhound bus to Port Authority 42nd Street. I had a grand total of bucks, no job, but a temporary place to stay. What the heck was I thinking?

I went from living a relatively normal life one day to sharing a bed with Greg in the "Hell's Kitchen" section of New York for 4 months. That section of NYC is much, much nicer these days than it was in '95. My acting teacher in Virginia Beach was telling us that we needed a minimum of ,000 a piece before we could make the move. Maybe that was why we didn't tell her that we were leaving.

I used to walk through Manhattan with the challenge of somehow making sense of it all before I left. I mean with the big buildings, mass transit, filthy streets, the snow, etc. I grew up in the suburbs; this was like moving to Mars. I didn't want to feel like I ran away from the metropolis. In the end, I was very happy with the circumstances of my departure.

Greg and I almost came to LA first. I shudder to think of not having my NY experiences under my belt. Not only as an actor, but as a person. It is/was priceless for me. Make no mistake; I am glad I am in LA. I'm just glad I went there first; it was instrumental in my relatively smooth transition to LA.

My buddy and I often talk about the day we met, September 22 '93, and the fact that we are still here doing what we actually said we would do. We have both been fortunate to travel and work with some really special people.

Last night, after talking about it over the years, we actually sat down and starting writing our first screenplay. Ya know, just putting down ideas and seeing where it leads us. Neither of us have any experience in this, but we are just going to go for it. I feel so fortunate to get to do this for a living that, at times, I can hardly believe it. I am trying to "taste" every moment of it along the way. So if you catch me taking pictures in my dressing room on a set somewhere don't laugh!! I save all kinds of mementos from my experiences. I am not waiting to "arrive" to start enjoying the journey, everyday is a great day. Has it been rough at times? You better believe it!!

Has it been a "struggle"? Mmmmmm, I don't like that word, I think 'struggle' is largely a state of mind. I have had many 'challenges' that have shown me what I am made of. I will say that I am glad that I have a lot of these experiences behind me and hopefully I can keep moving forward.

I feel fortunate to have so many to share with and to share with me in return. We are all in this together, I say let's keep going!!

Also, this evening my commercial agent calls to let me know that the McDonald's spot is still being cast. Cool, there is still a chance then. We'll see.

One step closer. They call to check my availability because the dates have changed from Thursday/Friday to Saturday/Sunday. This would be even better since weekend commercial shoots pay more.

YES!! I get a callback for "McDonald's" and it goes really, really well.

The "McDonald's" audition is a blast!! My callback ratio has increased greatly over the last year or so, hopefully I'll get one here.

MAY 1st '02*I guess the slow-down has started. While I was working on those recent gigs I missed a couple of commercial auditions. One of them was an avail for Red Lobster national!! That is kinda hard to take, but that is how it goes sometimes. Today I dropped my car to the shop for some work; it is across from Chelsea Studios. I always stop in to see what's going on; maybe I can squeeze my way into something. I was in no hurry since I was catching the city bus to get home, so I stake out the place for an hour trying to make it happen. I had my eye on this McDonald's spot, but it didn't look like it was gonna happen. I was not totally sure of the types and the session runner was a little crazed. Oh well, at least I tried. Three hours later my wonderful agents @ KSA call with an appointment for it!! Just goes to show we never really know what our agents are doing behind the scenes.

OMIGOD!! I didn't get fired, replaced, written out or anything else. Second, thanks Julia Flint and Kimberly Crandell for coming out to support me. It was a pleasant surprise to see the two of you there and it means a lot.

The shoot: After a noon start we had a camera rehearsal to tighten up our movements and work out the new dialogue.

Lunch: Boy are they feeding us well on this gig! This is like mom's cooking! Well, not really but sorta.

I gotta say that so much of what has happened in the last month is kinda surreal for me. I ask myself how these things keep happening. In reality, it is happening in the exact way that I planned, but still.

I've been reading a book about the industry "Showrunners", the ones that really make a lot of the big moves in the TV biz. When the two of them walked by and spoke to me. I just shook my head, after speaking back to them of course. WHAT!!

Not 5 minutes later while I was still reading, two women were coming from the other direction. I was stealing a glance at them thinking I recognized them. They looked at me and spoke; it was Amy & Wendy Engelberg, Executive Producer/Writers of the pilot "So Downtown" I worked on a month ago. It was a very small role that my agent didn't really want me to do, but I felt otherwise. They asked what I was working on and told me that they were still editing their show. They said they'll see me again in the future in a larger role. WHAT!!

The shoot:

We were shooting with a real studio audience, so the energy was great and honest. The "Bonnie Hunt" audience was made up of background actors. As each scene was shot the writers were huddled in front of the monitors and anything that was flat was rewritten on the spot. The actors got new lines right then and there and it was shot again right away. Yup!! Live audience, 4 film cameras running, studio heads, network heads, agents, managers and James Burrows, the top comedy TV director in the business!! ACTION! Cold reading skills are so important. Myself, I only had a 3 lines and nothing changed on set, just several times during the week. I was kinda under the radar, so I could do a lot of observing and learning. The shoot was "smoove like butta", this pilot is hot!! I'm sure NBC will promote it extensively. Also, I'm hearing talk of me being around when it goes in production this summer. We'll see.

Afterwards the producers invited the cast & crew to Mexicali, a nearby restaurant to celebrate. Hopefully, I'll see them in July/August.

Today we had the studio & network run-thru for "Good Morning, Miami". It was really, really funny stuff. We had a full studio audience and it was filmed with one camera. Myself, I'm just happy to still have a job. In the sitcom world, especially, the script is a moving target. There are constant changes to fine tune. These writers are incredible to say the least. There are 6 regulars and I have seen the guest cast dance like this:

Last Saturday at the table read 5 in the guest cast.

Tuesday 2 in the guest cast.

Wednesday 5 in the guest cast.

Saturday (today) 4 in the guest cast. One role was written out (one of the new ones for Wednesday), one role was totally changed on the spot (she was brand new today). Keep those cold reading skills primed!! The pages we received just before going on stage were still warm!! I and one other actress have remained in every version so far.

At Monday's camera blocking rehearsal we have already been told there will be changes. Not necessarily anyone written in or out, but at least dialogue changes.

Tuesday, we shoot. Who knows maybe I'll actually still have a job. LOL!!

For me, it's fascinating to watch these writers/producers create this stuff first hand, then to be a part of molding and shaping it.

Tonight I attended a rough cut screening of "The Bonnie Hunt Show" pilot. It was hilarious to say the least!! It isn't hard to tell why she is a viable "lead" for a show. She really drives the vehicle. I was barely seen or heard, which I figured would be the case. The part that was interesting was getting all kinds of wonderful marks from Bonnie and the 1st AD. Bonnie was saying that I was the only one of the "production crew" on the show that wasn't a Second City friend from Chicago and that I came right in and was able to keep up. Why thank you, LOL!! It wasn't that hard, I've had lots of cold reading practice. Separately, the 1st was thanking me for being able to switch roles the way I did. I HAD 2 LINES!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm smart enough to know that getting compliments from Bonnie, her writing partner Don Lake, the 1st AD & others is where you wanna be.

I had a great time, but there wasn't a whole lot for me to do. It was a treat just to watch this woman work with her team. What was really cool was when I was leaving the studio and one of the PA's was at the security gate. He had kind words for me. I kinda shrugged it off, but he said that he had seen "all" of the rough footage and I was very funny. I will be surprised if this show isn't on the ABC Fall schedule. For me, it isn't so much about this particular job; it's more the relationships that I am cultivating.

Just checking in with what has been going on the last couple of days. Tuesday morning I get the scripts for both "Bonnie Hunt" & "Good Morning, Miami". Tuesday is shoot day for "BH" & the first day of rehearsal for "GM, M".

My agents had worked it out and "GM, M" was aware that I wouldn't be there for the first rehearsal. I only had a couple of lines so it didn't seem like a big deal. When I open the "GM, M" script I see that more than half of the guest cast was gone and there were some pretty significant changes in the script. "Omigod, have I been written out?!?!"(I have this thing were I think I am going to replaced everyday, weird huh). No. They wouldn't have sent me a script if I was no longer part of it. So I start looking for the changes. My role had changed a bit, now I was in the opening scene with the series lead and it was more than a couple of lines.

One problem, I WON'T BE THERE TO REHEARSE!! I am @ "BH" shooting! I was curious as to what this would mean, if anything. So the entire day at "BH" and wondering if I am gonna get replaced "GM, M". I am not freaked out about getting replaced, it happens. I sorta feel like I will have arrived when it does happen. I would think that quite a few big name actors have been replaced, fired, written out, sort of a right-of-passage maybe.

Towards the end of the 12 hour day @ "BH" my agent calls with my call time for "GM, M". I'm still employed!! LOL!! I was expecting more changes in the script Wednesday morning. Of course there were changes that included me, plus they added 3 characters. When casting directors' say that things happen fast, they mean it. Keep sending those postcards. The small roles that pop-up at the last minute are, most likely, being cast from their files. It is interesting actually witnessing the process in real time.

Wednesday 9AM-I meet 2 of the 3 new cast members and we table read the new script with director James Burrows. After that, we do a blocking rehearsal. Later we do a run-thru with the producers and entire "Will & Grace" writing staff, working each scene as we go. 4 more days to go, I am curious to see if I will survive the rewrites...........Oh yeah, the third role hadn't been cast yet. Doesn't matter, it was cut during the producer run-thru. Things happen fast.

Tonight I finished my week on "The Bonnie Hunt Show" pilot. It was a complete blast. Definitely a loose set to work on. She is truly in the moment. You never know what she is going to say or do. Since she was also directing, it was just a barrel of fun. I just had a couple of lines, but I am her wardrobe person so I stick pretty close to her at all times when we are in the TV studio on the show. David Alan Grier is hysterical to say the least. Many of the cast had worked with Bonnie before; it was like she opened her address book and called her friends. Quite a few being from Chicago's famed Second City. One guy met her last year at a charity event at his school and she told him that if she gets this pilot he'll be in it. He was there on his first TV gig ever.

Talk continued today about my role coming back in the future. We'll see; I am not holding my breath. When I said thanks and goodbye to her tonight she even said I'll be back. Anyway when this show goes into production this summer make it your business to get on it. Not only is she very talented person to work with. She is wonderful woman; very working-class. She told me that she got a few breaks early in her career that encouraged her to keep going. You might think that she would be going nuts since she is the Star, Producer, Writer and Director of the show. She was cool as ever.

Today I participated in the table read for "Good Morning, Miami". For me, it is almost surreal to get to rub elbows with the people that I have since moving to LA. This was no exception, when we read Suzanne Pleshette was on my left and premier TV director James Burrows was on my right. I asked myself "how did I get here"? First we read it for James and Dave Kohan & Max Mutchnick; they are the writers/producers of "Will & Grace" and are behind this pilot as well. It was very well received by just us in the room. Forty-five minutes later we were scheduled to read it again for the network brass. The producers wanted all us to stay in the bungalow so that we would be presented to the network as a team. There were 40-45 people in the room. It was just weird to walk in have all these people applauding us. "How did I get here?"

Anyway we read it again with great responses from the room. You can really tell why these actors are working constantly; they really take the words and give them life. The show is already picked up for 13 episodes and since I have a very small, but sorta significant role there is talk of it recurring. Time will tell. I finish "The Bonnie Hunt Show"on Tuesday & start "GM, M" on Wednesday.

Alright, I'm still employed!! Today we had the run-thru for the network (ABC). They are the powers that be and their opinions count. It went well and, to me, things look really good. There is a bit of talk about my new role recurring. Wouldn't that be nice? A couple of series regulars and even casting is saying "it looks good", we'll see. Not being one to count my chickens before they hatch, I must say it looks promising. I'll believe it when I see it; in the mean time it is exciting. My commercial agent calls and has an avail for me for "Red Lobster", but I have to cancel because I am not available for both shoot dates. It conflicts with "Good Morning, Miami" rehearsal. I guess I gotta take the good with the not-so-good.

I wake up this morning and the new "The Bonnie Hunt Show" script is outside my door. I casually open it not knowing what to expect. They have written a new character for me and worked it into another scene. It's a smaller part but a better part. I am now her wardrobe person!! She gave me the wink and said "this works out better for you huh?" YEAH!!

So if the show gets picked up hopefully she will need her wardrobe guy close by, ya think. After all, it is a morning entertainment talk show like "Regis". We had the table read today for the studio and it was hilarious, tomorrow is for the network. Hopefully, I won't get written out tomorrow. LOL!! Also, the original role that I had been cast in hadn't been filled today; one of the writers read it. I guess someone will be there tomorrow. Lastly, from what I understand the "Good Morning, Miami" pilot that I start next Wednesday is being directed by the acclaimed James Burrows. Gotta Keep Movin'!!

It's amazing what can happen in 3 hours, today was a some kind of day. I go to rehearsal for "The Bonnie Hunt Show" this afternoon and after going through wardrobe I was taken to set. First Bonnie wanted to talk to me. HUH? Some questions had come up about the scene I'm in.

They thought something could, in a round-about-kinda-way be look at as racist. She wanted to know how I felt about it. HUH? Yeah, she sat me down and we discussed it for 10 minutes, just her and I. Obviously, the decision was hers and hers only, but she wanted to know if I wanted to just do it or switch with the other guy in the scene. She said if the show gets picked up she would bring me back to do another episode.

So I'm thinking. Should I step down (the other role was smaller) or step out altogether. My mind is racing a mile a minute. I figure if I step down, the other role has fewer lines. If I step out, Bonnie will look out for me later. She will be actively trying to make something happen for me. Not a bad way for her to remember me I feel. I'll get paid for week either way.

I tell her that I trust her judgment; I feel the show will be picked up and I'll see her during the season. She thinks I made a smart move (believe me, I know it ain't about me, it's gonna be her decision). I had previously checked the IMDB's of all of the regulars and guest cast and she had worked with about half of them before. Also, the way I looked at it, there wasn't really anywhere for my character to go, as far as coming back on the show.

This leaves the door open for her to write something for "me" in this project or another. She shook my hand and gave me her word. Cool and surreal at the same time. I am still due to be there tomorrow so who knows what will happen between now and then.

I call my agent to fill her in on the details. Ten minutes later my agent calls back with an audition for a pilot called "Good Morning, Miami". It's from the same creative team as "Will & Grace". Tracy Lilienfield & Katherine Eckert are casting @ CBS Radford (last week while on the lot for something else I did drop-offs to everyone over there I could find). I was in Culver City, so she said to just get over there when I could.

Soon as I get on the lot I see Daniel Spanton, he's reading for a different show, love to see others in the field. The role is just a couple of lines, BUT it's the stage manager of a morning show. Yeah, you know what I'm thinking. They gotta have stage manager, right!?! Before I even got home I found out that I got the role, and it's already been picked up for 13 episodes. All that happened in 3 hours. I could get used to this.......

Today I attended the table read for "Life With Bonnie" it was hilarious. Seeing Bonnie Hunt & David Alan Grier go at it was a real treat. On my way to my dressing room I found a room that had the entire cast of the pilot on a wall. I always wanted to see my photo on the cast wall. We all know it's in enough trash cans around town, this is a nice change of pace. LOL!

I guess it helps to "not" wait for the phone to ring. While not waiting for it to ring I got word that I booked a role in "The Bonnie Hunt Show" pilot. David Alan Grier is in too. It is part single-camera/part-multi camera. The table read is Monday and I work a couple of days during the week.

The week started with a BK audition. Got a callback/avail, but didn't book. Went in for another AFI film and had a callback today. I really want to be a part of this project; it would give me a chance to really embrace a character. I also worked on Tori Spelling's pilot "So Downtown". During lunch saw Tom Hanks, wife Rita Wilson and powerhouse manager/producer Bernie Brillstein on the CBS lot. Two mega-stars in a week!! I saw Denzel and his Ferrari @ Fox.

This one really caught me by surprise. One of my theatrical agents is retiring. She's been in the business all of her adult life and has decided to shift gears. Good for her, from what I can see she really deserves it.

On Thursday I went in for the "The Bonnie Hunt Project" @ Deborah Barylski's office. I read for two different smaller roles. Can I tell you that Deborah & Lynn Mason are two of the nicest casting people I have ever met? They sat me down and ask questions about me. I have never met anyone from this office before and they seemed to really care about what was going on with me. They seemed happy with my read, thanked me and I was on my way out as a call came in for Deborah. I was gathering my things and Lynn asked me to stay for a moment. They called me back in the room, gave me direction which amounted to dropping the script and doing an improv of an outline of the scene. It was even better this time. They sat me down again, explained to me how Bonnie works. Then Deborah told me she was going to recommend that Bonnie hire me. She even told how to handle the table read. It just seemed weird that she was telling me so much about the project and how Bonnie worked. I mean they were not large roles at all and didn't seem like they would recur. Hey, I'm not complaining it was just different. All of this time no other actors were in the office. She said that since it is a pilot it has to be approved by the network and the studio. Getting this role would be so above the call, because I am just so happy with what has already happened. She has never worked with Bonnie and is hiring these roles herself. I feel great that she is willing to send me straight to the table read without the filter of a producer session, and on for a pilot no less. I am not waiting on the phone to ring on this one.

This was the worse audition ever I think. It was for "Burger King". It was supposed to be our first audition. It was funny at hard it was to shake all that "actor stuff" of being polished but not really. So I made the choice of only looking at the copy once in rehearsal. Then I would "really" look stupid. I left feeling like it was really bad/really good. I just hope I can be as bad/good today.

Today makes it a full year since I left my overnight job waiting tables at a Hollywood Hotspot on the Sunset Strip. What a year it has been. I didn't leave the job because I had a lot of money. Yeah, I did have several minor things going on at the time, but nothing that guaranteed cash flow. No, it was more of a leap of faith for me. I felt I was doing about everything in my power to further my career and I had to move to the next level somehow. It was time to cut the safety net.

The job was killing me dead in my tracks. I had been working graveyard (11pm-7am) for 2 1/2 years, in class, auditioning, attending CD workshops and not sleeping at all. The big question I had to ask myself was "will it be harder to stay in this job or will it be harder to leave and possibly have to come back?" My answer was to take my chances now!! So I did. I requested a 3 month leave of absence. My plan was to get some things done that I couldn't get to before, my website, a voiceover class and a dance class. Fortunately, I was able to do all three, no more excuses.It has been an interesting year. I have been challenged like never before. I have also booked jobs like never before, but most of them have not paid a whole lot. That is okay because it has given me the opportunity to build my resume. When I left the job on March 25, 2001 my tentative return date was June 29, 2001. That date came and I was no where to found, I wasn't going back with out a fight. I've had ups and downs throughout, not emotionally or mentally, mainly just financially.

At times, it really made a difference when that steady cash wasn't coming in. Which made it clearer to me why I am concentrating on TV & commercials at this point in my career? I've had to call my old job a couple of times just to "check the temperature" of a possible return. I remember doing it once at the end of September and then booking 2 gigs that week. I also remember almost not being able to go home for X-mas, having to give up cable TV, trying to keep my cell phone and pager connected and let's not get started on my car issues. Just got cable back and things are looking up. All in all it's been wild jugglin' the money, not being able to afford reprinting photos and having to use alternative methods.

For whatever reason I have really enjoyed the challenged, it lets me know that I have a pulse. A year later I still stay up all night, the graveyard schedule is etched in my mind. I normally go to bed between 3-5am. My agents know I made the jump and have been really understanding of it all. I have auditioned for gigs that they might prefer I didn't, but I just wanna work. I feel like I am emerging from the woods and I won't have to go back, but who knows. With the survival gig thing I have changed my tune from "I am on a leave of absence" to "I used to work there". I hope it stays that way. It's really been a blessing to have a supportive family and friends some of which I have never met. Thank & Peace!!

I booked a small role in the pilot "So Downtown" @ Greg Orson Casting. I'm glad I got it, because I twisted my knee while making a "strong choice". Ouch!! It still hurts! My agent did not want me to do it, but I needed the money.

More tangible results from all of those appointments from last week. I felt really good in the room for almost all of them, which is a feat in itself. I booked "CSI" and a commercial for "24hr Fitness".

Man, I just cannot seem to get it right these days. Many more things are going wrong than I am used to in my life. I am going through it right now myself. Since getting back from the holidays I have had so many issues it ain't even funny. I returned from back East on the 4th, my car broke down on the 6th and had to be towed. My computer has a bad attitude; I have had to add memory and a new hard drive this week. Thank the Lord for my little brother who is a computer tech back East. He has spent hours on the phone with me to get me back up and running. Right when I got all of my software installed again I got a virus and had to wipe it all again. When we wrapped for the evening on this pilot-presentation that I am working on my car wouldn't start "again" and had to be towed (fuel pump). My cell phone works sometimes and my pager doesn't wanna vibrate anymore. All of this is holding me up from getting my postcards out. I'm not complaining, so many things go well for me that I gotta take the good with the not so good. Besides it builds character. It has been pretty slow audition-wise, but I'm still trying to stay in the mix the best I can. I will make it through this, I swear. I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!!!

I have never had much success with Backstage mailings, daytime television or student films. So this is welcome news for me. I was starting to think it wasn't meant to be because I always would have some sort of problem when I would get an audition. Hopefully this is the first of many.

I almost forgot what it is like to have a commercial audition. After only having one the entire month of January I have one today, Yeah!!

I finally got a call for "Charmed"!! It's a small role straight to producers for tomorrow. I am almost certain it was from recent postcards because my agent didn't really want me to go in on it. I don't know. It seems quick but fun. Hopefully this will get me started for the season. It seems everyone else is busy. I have been doing commercial and theatrical drop-offs for the last couple of days and it seems to be pretty busy.

I just got home from the third edition of the ABC Talent Development Showcase. This one featured African-Americans in partnership with the Robey Theatre Company. The Asian-American showcase in conjunction with the East West Players was in October. The Latino showcase in conjunction with Nostros was in December. All kinds of industry professionals were in attendance. Nan Dutton & Sandi Logan told me that they just received my postcards. Yeah!!! I wasn't one of the 14 participants. I auditioned last week, but wasn't chosen. The director said that there will be more in the future so maybe I'll get a chance then. What a way to get seen, I'll bet phones will be ringing for those actors in the weeks to come. They were really, really good. They put up a total of 7 scenes each was male/female that ran about 5-7 minutes each. It was a very entertaining evening. Other than Nan & Sandi I saw directors Paris Barclay (NYPD Blue), Craig Ross (Blue Hill Avenue), Manager Jane Bloom, Video/Commercial CD Twinkie Byrd and all kinds of other actors and actresses from TV & movies. Last but not least even Will Smith was in attendance and he sure seems like a nice guy. The event was produced by Kim Hardin who is the director of Talent Development Program & Casting. I am so, so glad that I attended I really got to do some networking. Thanks for the tip Leilani.

Man, I just cannot seem to get it right these days. Many more things are going wrong than I am used to in my life. I am going through it right now myself. Since getting back from the holidays I have had so many issues it ain't even funny.

I returned from back East on the 4th, my car broke down on the 6th and had to be towed. My computer has a bad attitude; I have had to add memory and a new hard drive this week. Thank the Lord for my little brother who is a computer tech back East. He has spent hours on the phone with me to get me back up and running. Right when I got all of my software installed again I got a virus and had to wipe it all again.

When we wrapped for the evening on this pilot-presentation that I am working on my car wouldn't start "again" and had to be towed (fuel pump). My cell phone works sometimes and my pager doesn't wanna vibrate anymore. All of this is holding me up from getting my postcards out. I'm not complaining, so many things go well for me that I gotta take the good with the not so good. Besides it builds character. It has been pretty slow audition-wise, but I'm still trying to stay in the mix the best I can. I will make it through this, I swear. I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!!!

I've been trying to get into the office of "NYPD Blue" for a long time. Postcards, drop-offs, mailings and a workshop with Scott Genkinger. Of course the call comes today; straight to producers for a guest-starring role. The catch is I am on the East Coast until Friday night. I had checked out with both agents, I missed a commercial audition the day I got here. Oh well, as I said hopefully there is a lot more where this came from. Guys and gals I gotta feeling that '02 is gonna big for all of us.

YES!! Today I am shooting a "Wrigley's Extra" National commercial. It's the same director that directed the "California Lottery" spot I did in June. I played a grocery store cashier. We actually shot in a grocery that was open. I had numerous customers try to check out in my line. I guess I really looked the part. My buddy Marvin did a "Wrigley's" spot a couple of years ago and he said it ran really, really well. I hope the same for me.

In my quest to move up the food chain in my career I have figured that I have be more selective with the roles that I audition for. This week I turned down auditions for two major shows in offices that I would really like to get into. It feels kinda weird to not audition when a casting director call and request you, but I think I have to say no to some things in order to move up the chain.

YES!!!! Today I get the word that I booked a "Wrigley's Extra" national commercial. It is through the same casting director, production company, ad agency and director of the "California Lottery" spot I did 6 months ago. When my agent called me with the appointment; she told me I had been requested. This is what I want to happen more often. I shoot on Friday 12/7. NEWSFLASH!! This evening my agent calls to tell me that I am not to show up on set for "Flipside". WHAT!!!! There had been some mistake in the union paperwork and we can't start shooting this weekend. It has been postponed till January.

COMMERCIALS COMMERCIALS & MORE COMMERCIALS. For the last 3 weeks it has been incredibly busy for me commercially and I love it. Also, my callback ratio seems to have improved greatly. That is something that I have been working on. I have had a callback or avail for almost everything I have gone in for. Now I just want to book something.

Last night we had a table read for the pilot presentation that I am doing.It is called "Flipside" and it is set in a record store. The presentation is a collection of scenes for the BBC in London. It will be presented to them and who knows from after that.

I'm back in the saddle at Henderson/Zuckerman Friday reading for a director session. I read 40-45 actors, some I know from workshops to actors that I often see on TV and in movies. 4 were working, on "The West Wing", "Grounded for Life", "The Parkers" & "Spin City" and snuck over for the audition. Several more were working on films. Today, for the first time, I got to sit in on a meeting with an actor who was being offered a part in the film. When I was there on Tuesday there was an actor being talked about for a certain role, today the director watched his demo and the deal was made.

It is so interesting for me to see how the business works at this level. A lot of what I've seen are actors who work at a level where the little things don't count as much. If I had a dollar for every actor who did not bring a headshot with them I could have filled up my gas tank!! No headshot or resume, no resume, it's not stapled. You know what? I didn't matter one bit, they all got seen just the same and the people in charge didn't even seem annoyed by it. I guess when you are with DBA, ICM, Endeavor, Gersh, AAA, UTA, Innovative, etc you have more pressing matters than photos.

I would say the biggest thing they all had in common was confidence, you can tell that these actors have and are working, and a lot. The director is a dream, giving "clues" before an actor reads, redirecting and even shaking hands when they enter & exit. Oh yeah, I also read with K. Callan, author of the New York & LA agent books and met one of the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Nice!!! That's it.

Today I worked as a reader @ Henderson/Zuckerman Casting. As always it was a great experience. I was reading about 10 different roles, 30-35 actors so it was kinda crazy. It is interesting seeing so many different actors and their choices on the same material. They called actors without representation, from workshops all the way to actors & actresses represented by Endeavor, WMA & ICM, etc. The business talk that I hear is eye-opening as to how this business really works. It makes it so clear that we are in a "business". They asked me to come back on Friday to be the reader for the first director session. I highly recommend being a reader if you get the chance.

I just found out that I booked a pilot presentation called "Flipside". It is a fun part that should give me some good film. I was surprised that I got the callback because my pre-read wasn't too hot. I think it was because I was so right for it. I'll take that. I'm not sure which SAG contract it is, but it isn't paying much. That's okay; I just wanna do the work. It felt good to talk to my agent about us possibly not doing it. I'm really looking forward to it. I shoot in early December. Cool, now I get to do another postcarding.

I have always been very big on the postcarding of CD's/agents/managers or whoever's attention you are trying to get. Recently I changed my strategy a little with my postcards. They were getting kinda jumbled up with info, so I went to larger size. I switched from a 4x6 card to a 6x8 card. It is more expensive all the way around; they cost more, use more ink and are 34 cents to mail. The flip-side is that I get more bang for my buck. Since it is larger I can put a small resume with selected credits "and" callbacks, airdates, representation, another photo and the like. It is a nice cross between a regular postcard and a full H/R. The way some CD's are now about opening envelopes I think postcards are even more valuable to my business, so the investment didn't bother me too much. This morning my agent called with an appointment from Andrea Cohen Casting for a guest-star on "Nikki". She received my postcard this morning and said it was "the most effective postcard she ever received". I have never met her or anyone from her office before, so this feels really, really good. Now I gotta rock da house!! Hopefully, I will get more of these guest-star auditions in the future. .

This week I called a meeting with my theatrical agency. I have been with them for 3 years and feel fortunate to be on their roster. I called the meeting because I feel like I am at a crossroads in my career.

I'm trying to look down the road and wanted to get their opinions on a few things. I feel like after 3 years I am just now coming into my own with this agency. They took me on from a mailing from NYC with virtually no credits. They are a guest-star agency and I have never been a guest-star. At the meeting we discussed things like managers, demos, photos, turning down auditions/roles, pilot season and the like. I left the meeting with a really good feeling of being in the right place. The notion of turning down an audition is almost crazy to me, but in order to move to the next step I'm gonna have to. Adding to that is that I do not have a day job and "a brother gotta eat right!!"

Anyway, 3 days later I turned down an audition for a major show that I have been trying to get in for. My agent was very supportive and would have let me go in if I wanted to, but "we" decided not to. We're gonna wait for something a little more substantial on that show. I hope those 180 postcards I sent out this morning for this upcoming "Ally McBeal" airing drum up some business for me, it's been a slow week.

I just wrapped up 4 days working "Frasier". What a great time. The pre-read came from meeting Colin Daniel in a workshop (he told my agent). It was interesting to watch and be a part of how one of the hottest comedies on TV does their magic. First, the cast and crew are some of the nicest people I have ever worked with. The script was a moving target even while we were shooting. I received a new script everyday I worked. After every run thru the writers would meet & tweak.

The first day of rehearsal we had an audience of 25-30 people. I am not sure who they all were, but they seemed to know what they were doing. The 2nd day they there was even more people. I thought it was interesting that the director was not at the producer session. I met her on-set. It was cool to watch Kelsey's $1.6 mil per episode opinion go up against 25 people. As one of the exec producers he has a very important voice. He is an extremely charismatic man and a joy to work with. Both of my scenes were with him, in the first scene "Roz" greets me by name. That gives me some history; officially I work in the mailroom at the radio station. The rest of the cast John, Peri, Jane, David were wonderful as well. The two recurring players in the episode were hilarious. CD Jeff Greenberg was there everyday including the filming of the show. I had never met him before and he is really nice & personable. Casting associate Collin Daniel was quite visible as well.

At the cast read-thru 12 minutes before going on-stage we still didn't have the new pages in the script. When we received them they were still warm from the copier. In one of my scenes we were shooting material that had never been rehearsed. Can you say cold read improvisation with Kelsey Grammer? I had a fantastic time working with them and wanna take this credit and help me get more gigs thru mailings, postcarding, my agent or whatever. I am definitely not waiting for the phone to ring to get back on the show, but one of the recurring players said he would be surprised if I don't come back. I got other encouraging words as well. Hmmmm. I guess time will tell, huh.

I have always had the attitude in my career of not taking the "Peaks & Valleys" too seriously. I think it would drive me crazy. I am saying this because I just found out that "Danny", the CBS comedy starring Daniel Stern that I worked on last week has been cancelled. That's too bad; I would have liked to see that scene we did. Also, the cast & crew were so nice, but that is the nature of the business.

So as I sit here cranking out my 150 postcards highlighting the "Frasier"/"Danny" bookings and the upcoming "Ally McBeal" airing, it's bitter sweet. On the one hand "Danny" is gone and on the other hand the "Frasier" episode that we are shooting tonight is airing very soon, next Tuesday the 16th. I have had too many blessing to be down about anything in this business. Back to the postcards....

Okay, I had a pre-read yesterday for "Frasier" that went pretty well, 2 hours later my agent calls to tell me that I have a callback. I am told that whoever they book goes straight to the stage to work. I get to the studio early because I am told that they might add another scene.

I get there and get the new material, go outside to look over it because I didn't wanna go in too early. I go in and read with Colin Daniel, it goes well (I know Colin from attending his workshop). Everyone had to wait because it was an immediate booking; I was ready to leave because I had a commercial audition on the other side of town. I'm standing there with my bag on my shoulder, keys in hand reading Variety. They ask one of the other guys to go in a second time. Great. Then they asked me to come in again as well. GREAT!! I did it again just a little different for variety.

After a couple of minutes Colin came out and my life went into slow motions. He announced the names in a blur "Stephon & Jill (the other role they were casting) will be staying)". In a split second I was thinking "wow, good for Jill & Stephon!! At least I'll be able to make my other audition". Then it dawned on me that "I" am Stephon & Jill is right next to me!! WHAT!!!

We went to the casting office to call our agents and shortly after that I was blocking the scenes with Frasier, Daphne, Roz and Niles. It is 4 days of work. This has been a great week, 3 days of work + at least 2 next week and 4 auditions. When I was finished I called my commercial agent and still made my audition that I missed in the morning. These postcards, mailings, drop-offs & workshops are really doing the trick for me. Most of my theatrical credits are from doing all of the above.

Every time I do a postcard blast things happen. Who knows, but I like to think that they help. I sent out 150 last week and today I get three calls for auditions: "Gilmore Girls", a "Sears" national & "Frasier". The last month has been pretty slow for me, but most everything that has come up has been through postcards, drop-offs, mailings & workshops. That is all the more reason to keep going.

Today I had a co-star role on the new CBS comedy "Danny" starring Daniel Stern. It was the hardest I have ever worked for 1 line. No complaints from me and I was able to turn 1 line into 3 or so. Depends on how they edit and what they use. I didn't feel like I got a lot of coverage, but that's okay too. The main thing is that I had a ball, there was a bit a rough-housing going between Daniel, myself and one other actor. He was great and more than willing get rough with us. This should be a fun scene to watch.

The way I got the role was I dropped off a photo to Rebecca Quiroz, associate @ Ted Hann Casting, who I hadn't seen in a while. They weren't in session when I showed up so I had a chance to chat with them. They sized me up for an upcoming role of "Larry", an hour later my agent called with an appointment for the next day. The next day I read for "Larry" it goes alright. "Larry" ended up getting cut and I got the role of the usher.

Something else that caught my attention were the dailies. There was a point when one of the regulars was having a tough time with the dialogue and I heard someone say "...are we still rolling? I can't show these dailies...." He was half-joking, but it made me think about who sees all the raw footage. I don't know. It just made me think. I've heard of the dailies helping to create a buzz for actors before, I've also heard of them giving bad buzz to an entire project.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!! My cash flow is getting low. I left my restaurant gig six months ago not because I was making a lot of money, but more of a leap of faith. I felt that I had to leave in order to move up to the next level. In the last year I have booked 14 jobs in TV, Film & Commercials, but it hasn't added up to a lot of money. It really makes a difference when you are totally relying on acting income. For the last month it has been looking like I might have to consider going back to that part-time gig. I'm not going to do it without a fight though. Today I actually called my former manager to see what the deal was. She said she had been waiting for me to come back. It had been really slow since September 11th, but to call her in a week. NOOOOOOOO!!! I don't want to!!

I attended the SAG/CSA Joint Seminar this past Saturday put together by the SAG Casting Committee. It was hosted by Matthew Barry of Barry Green-Keyes Casting. Other CD's in attendance were April Webster, Donna Dockstader, Mark Teschner, Mark Paladini and Cami Patton. I attended the noon session, but they had a 10am & a 2pm session. Other CD's were Lisa Beach, Mary v Buck, Eric Dawson, Jane Jenkins, Meg Liberman, Nancy Green-Keyes, Ruth Lambert, Katy Wallin & Gary Zuckerbrod. We didn't get to read, but we did get to give them our photos. My agent just called me with appointment for Matthew Barry for the Film "Friday after Next" starring Ice Cube. I also have a callback for the film "Exposed" through Erica Arvold. After it being slow for several weeks this week has been really busy. Keep it coming!!

A day that no one will ever forget. Depressing, sad and tragic to say the least.

Today a story about paid Casting Director Workshops is to run on an LA radio station. Most people know that I am someone who finds these workshops useful in my pursuit of the business. There are several different views on this subject. Some find it to be extremely disturbing, others feel like it is a tool that is at their disposal if they so choose.

Anyway, after the story ran one of the more popular forums that I routinely go to is heating up with comments. I post that, in short, I don't feel like either side is making much progress in the winning people over to their respective sides. It didn't take long for this thread to get really hot and some of it was directed at me. That's cool with me I can take the heat. After a couple shots back and forth I was shown the door. Meaning get out, "ya can't visit no mo". I had been banned. WHAT!!! Yeah, they banned me until December 31st '01. The way I saw it was that the owner of the board took shots at me with crazy figures of what I had "supposedly" invested in workshops over a specific period of time. I shot back that I felt that it didn't really matter. I don't think he liked that. OOPS!!!

Today I shot a co-starring role on "Ally McBeal". They treated me very well. I got to work with Ally, Ling, Fish & Glenn (James Marsden). I even had a stand-in!! It was definitely the nicest trailer I've ever had. When I arrived on-set the director and producer greeted me and said they were glad I was able to do it, I got the same greeting from Ken Miller & Kara Lipson from Valko/Miller Casting. Since I knew there would be lots waiting, I prepared packages for the two other David E. Kelley shows that shoot/cast at Raleigh Studios "Boston Public" & "The Practice". So, I'll see how it turns out. It could be a nice, quick, funny shot. I'm trying to get a nice reel together for pilot season. It airs Monday November 5th.

"Foot in mouth syndrome" Around 11am I get a call for an appointment for "The Guardian" at 1:45pm. It is a fun role as a guy in a gay club. I call my buddy, Greg Lee, to help me go over the material. We work on it and come up in a strong choice. I go in for the pre-read with Chuck McCollum and Jeanne Bacharach at Sony Studios. It goes well, they give me a re-direct and I deliver. I get a callback on the spot for an hour later with the director and writer. I get to the callback and wait another hour, which is no problem. I finally get in the room; I am usually pretty good about getting in the room and getting to work. The director got up to introduce himself and then the writer did the same. This is where things go really, really bad. I continue to the other woman (Jeanne Bacharach, the CD) as if I am meeting her for the first time. IT'S THE CASTING DIRECTOR WHO GAVE ME THE CALLBACK!!! At that point I figured out that I had really screwed up. I was so embarrassed and I went down in flames. I felt so stupid, because I was right for the part and I nailed the pre-read. I guess it happens, huh.