*Another day in the saddle at rehearsal for "For the Love of Freedom". I'm getting a 'little' less nervous these days, but I am still freaked at the notion of not being ready to perform. The thing is that I'm covering 3 different roles and two of the actors are usually at rehearsal and one of them is rarely there. I end up rehearsing as that character and am so consumed with that that it's difficult to keep up with the other characters that I'm covering too.

I'm starting to get to know more of the cast members as well. They are a really talented bunch and I am honored to be a part of this production. For some reason it feels really "East Coast" to me, what ever that means. I don't just kinda safe.

Also, often times there are other actors who aren't in attendance for various reasons so I sometimes end up reading those roles too. It's funny because I'm torn between being the actor who is always available to fill-in and the guy who just wants to blend in and kinda be invisible. I just don't want to get in too far over my head. My instinct is to "be there, be there, be there" and my head says "be careful, are you sure you can handle this?" It may just be fear of the unknown. Thus far, my instinct has won out and I haven't failed to step up to the plate to help when I can. The director sees that I am always close by and seems to really appreciate it.

I'm sure many actors have done much, much more. I'm trying to change the way I do some things in my life these days. This is perfect, it wrecks my confidence at times, but perfect.

Something that's really interesting for me with this experience is watching the director and thinking of my father. I can't pinpoint it just yet, but something is going on. It's like he says things that I "think" my father would say and even says them the way i "think" he would say them. Sometimes I could close my eyes and think I'm hearing my father. The is shit that has never happened to me before. It's either really right or really wrong.

Admittedly, I almost didn't even go to the meeting with Ben, but a friend told me I "had" to go. Even as I drove there and parked I was reluctant, but she was like a bird on my shoulder that kept me on the straight and narrow. I gave up the control that I usually have and went for it. I am thankful to both of them for this experience thus far.

Audition: "Toyota" @ Cathy Carlton Casting. This one goes really well too! I've booked through this office twice in the past and would love to score again. I don't know who is directing, but maybe it's the same one who has hired me twice before. I think I am right for the spot.

DROPS!!!!!!! Hours and hours were spent in the car today. Gotta keep those fires burning. It's all good though, it's amazing how much casting is going on out there. I even dropped for a daytime soap today. I'm not even sure why to be honest, I rarely if ever pursue soaps. Plus I owe AFTRA money!! I had a friend with me and it was good for her to drop hers so maybe that's the reason.

I did a drop-off a couple of weeks ago at Pemrick/Fronk Casting for a film and my buddy, William Gregory Lee, booked the lead in it. He will be shooting in Vancouver for 4-6 weeks. Good for him. I don't know what it is about him, but it seems that if the project does 'not' shoot in LA he has a much better chance of booking it. He been to South Africa, New Zealand, Vancouver, New York, Hawaii, the Carribean, etc. all for acting. I wanna go somewhere too!

Audition: "V-8" @ Craig Colvin Casting. This one goes really well. It's being directed by film director Kevin Smith. I've gotten really close to booking with Craig and Kevin in the past so hopefully I can take it a step further this time.

Audition: "Wanda Sykes Comedy Central Promo" @ Francene Selkirk Casting. The audition goes alright I guess, I kinda got tripped up by the copy. I think I'm right for it though.

I am still sore from rehearsal two days ago. My arm is killing me from one of the moves we were doing. BUT I think I'm going to start attending more of the rehearsals, even the ones I am not in. I really want to get this piece under my skin. I'm not really a "quick-study" so it takes me longer than most to get things. Plus I always have tons of questions, I over analyze things. When I don't "get it" I lose confidence.

It happened again today! While doing a drop-off at Raleigh Studios the guard let me on the lot. Actually, it seemed it was my only choice since I couldn't leave the photo at the gate. I'm usually a little weary of rolling up to the offices on the lot, but I just left it at the door and bounced.

Also, I did a drop at Tepper-Gellegos Casting and they were seeing actors for a "Chevy" spot that I felt I was right for, so I scoped out the joint to see what I might be able to do. The session runner ask my name to see where I was on the list. I told her I didn't have an appointment, but I was repped by KSA. She asked my name and called her boss upstairs to see what I should do. The answer was to leave my photo and they'll see. On the way home I called my wonderful agents at KSA and spoke with Angie. She passed the word to one of my agents, Brooke, who made a call and got back to me. The verdict is that I should get seen on Wednesday. Cool, I'll take that.

Okay, tonight I audit the scene-study class that the director, Ben Guillory teaches. This guy is the shit! Sorry, I don't know how else to put it. A four hour class and he left no stone unturned. Of course, I'm still getting to know Ben, but he sure seems like a great guy. Simply auditing that class will help me in rehearsal for the play.

Rehearsal: "For The Love Of Freedom". Okay no one told me that we were rehearsing with the choreographer today. It was more like an aerobic work out. I was sweating like a pig. I thought I was going to pass out right there in the gym. I'm not much of a dancer in the first place so these movements really had me like a deer in headlights. I did the best I could and I'll keep working on it. It felt really great because it was all a part of the journey to the characters that make up the production as a whole.

After having such an incredible experience with "The Darker Face of the Earth" in New York and Washington, DC I was concerned about getting involved in a crappy production of some sort. This is only my second theatre experience and both of them have been Black theatre. This is great because, thus far, most of my work experiences have been very, very mainstream projects. You don't get much more mainstream than "Friends", "Frasier", and Tom Hanks. So this is a quite welcome change.

Don't get me wrong I am very thankful for those mainstream gigs, they are a lot of fun and they pay the bills much better than this play.........trust me. It's just that I'm getting to learn about Black history and having an incredible acting experience at the same time.

I have felt like a little bit of an outsider because quite a few of the other actors already know each other and some were involved in the first two parts of the play. That is quickly changing and I'm feeling more and more like part of the team.

The director, Ben Guillory, is quite incredible as are the actors that I'm working with. I think this was the right theatre piece for me to get involved in.

2004 has been an incredible year for me. I have gotten some important things accomplished in my personal life. Of course there is still many more things to do, but I am at least giving attention to them like I haven't in the past. I haven't really made a lot of money or booked a lot of jobs, but I have faith that I'll be able to keep the lights on through it all.

RANT ALERT:

It's been 21 months since I lost my mother and it still stops me dead in my tracks if I think about the wrong thing at the wrong time. It's amazing, it can be a song, a photo or any other seemingly insignificant thing that can completely put me on my ass. I mean to the point where I have to pull over in my car or even just go home. Just writing about it brings tears to my eyes.

I write that because as I was watching Ben direct rehearsal today I thought of my own father and wondered what the heck goes through his mind on a daily basis. Also, I was talking to a friend on the phone and her father beeped in on call waiting. I thought to myself, "That's so cool." Unfortunately, I don't believe that I'll ever have that. I don't think about it a lot, but when I do it's a tragic thought. I feel like an orphan often times.

Funny enough, the topic of this piece is something that my father would really be interested in. Too bad he'll never hear about it. I left Virginia Beach for New York nearly 10 years ago and my father has not one time picked up the phone to see how I'm doing. He wouldn't even know my phone number unless someone gave it to him.

Sometimes I wonder if what I'm doing ever crosses his mind. Or if he hears about "California Wildfires", "Earthquakes" or even the "price of gas" does he remember that he has a son out here. I honestly don't know. I haven't spoken to him in over a year and even stopped calling on his birthday.

I don't know. I mean I'm not perfect, but I do try to do better. It's just kinda disheartning know that I may have spoken to my father for the last time and we are both still here on earth now.

END OF RANT

Audition: "Hyatt Hotels" @ Deborah Kurtz Casting. This one goes well, I portray a waiter. Go figure. I hope that isn't a sign of things to come.

Rehearsal: "For The Love of Freedom". One of the actors that I am understudying wasn't there so I got to work for the whole 3 hours. That made it a lot more fun for me.

Finally!!! It's been almost a year since I've worked on a sitcom. Today I worked on the CBS comedy "yes, dear". I auditioned for a different episode about 3 weeks ago, but didn't book. Last week they called my agent and offered me this role. It's the first time I've been hired without reading for the role. It's a small co-star, but it's a first and I was flattered.

While talking to my agent we considered not taking the role because of the pay and the size, but I believe "the more you work, the more you're gonna work." Bills, bills, bills baby!! AND, it's always good to meet new producers, directors & writers.

The shoot was quick-fast, I was done in 3 hours. It seemed like I spent most of it in the make-up chair. The make-up artist put so much stuff on my face that I felt like Michael Jackson in 'Thriller'.......well not really.

I got to work with kids for the first time. They were the cutest little professionals. Anyway, I portrayed an orderly in a rest home.

This is the fifth season for the show, but it's a mid-season replacement. I have no idea when it will air.

Tonight I did a workshop with sitcom director Mary Lou Belli. Can I just say "incredible" it was unbelievably informative. She regularly directs UPN's "One On One" and "Eve". She gave us tons of insight into the realities of doing the job in half-hour comedy. She has even written a book called "The Sitcom Career Book". Needless to say I will be getting her book ASAP.

Audition: "That 70's Show" @ G. Charles Wright Casting.

Audition: "CitiBank" @ Beth Holmes Casting. I just dropped of there the other day.

What!!! After a week of hearing nothing I get a call from the stage manager of "For the Love Of Freedom" asking if I can be at rehearsal in an hour. Huh? Yeah, I can make it in an hour and a half.

So 90 minutes later I'm at rehearsal with no script and no idea what roles I am understudying. Then, the director, Ben Guillory approaches me, thanks me for coming on such short notice and explains everything to me. He then informs that I am covering 3 different roles. WHAT!!! I've never covered a role in a play before much less 3 roles. I am completely freaked out. Yes, completely.

BUT!!! This is something that I need to do.....something that I want to do......something that I will do.The rehearsal was a lot of fun and one of the actor I'm covering wasn't there so I was able to actually rehearse. I have a feeling this is going to be a pretty special experience for me.

Drops usually work pretty smooth for me, but today I ran into a situation where I have never been so unhappy to get on a studio lot. I was doing a drop at Culver Studios for an "Untitled Albert Brooks Project". I approached the guard at the gate just to explain that I wanted to just leave in the drop box/mailroom whatever. You would think that they get that a lot right? Anyway, to my horror he calls the casting office to get me a walk-on. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I don't want or need a walk-on. He was just being nice, but it screwed up my approach. I didn't want to draw focus in this situation, just get my photo in the pile. So he gives me directions to the bungalow and I don't even go inside. I just left it at the door and bounced out of the there.

On the way out I walked past the stage where I worked on the pilot of "Life With Bonnie". That brought back pleasant memories of being a working actor. Ha! Imagine that? A working actor.............

Yes!! Audition: "SBC Global" @ Francene Selkirk Casting. This audition went really well and of course I hope to get a callback. My first audition in LA was @ this office on July 29th, 1998 and I got a callback.

Also my agent calls to say that I've been offered a small role on CBS's "yes, dear". It's just a day of work and of course I wish it was more, but I feel that's it's good to be working. The role doesn't help my quote, but that isn't everything. I'm just glad to be back on a set. You never know what these things can lead to. I auditioned for a different episode a couple of weeks ago and didn't booked and now they are using me for a different role in a different episode. That's cool that someone remembered me.

Drops, drops and more drops!! It's amazing how I drive around this town on a regular basis. Between the driver seat in my car and the chair at my desk my ass is sore!!!!!! That is all going to change because I have committed myself to going out more often. I even got a library card a couple of weeks ago. So more time on my mountain bike, more time just doing different things is in store for me. I wish I had a dirt bike out here...one day.

During the drops today I stopped by Henderson/Zuckerman Casting and I happened to see Dori Zuckerman. She informed me of a project they had coming up and said she would bring me in for it. I hope to score again at this office. I booked a job early in the year for them, but the project lost its funding.

Today is the table read and first rehearsal for the play that I guess I am understudying in. I say "I guess" because I haven't really been told for sure. The name of the production is: "For the Love Of Freedom, Part III: Christophe (The Spirit) Passion and Glory". This is a powerful piece to say the least. It is a story about the Haitian slave revolt.

After the table read I still had no idea what role(s) I was understudying and did not get a script. I was a little confused and had to leave a tad bit early. I figured, they have my number they'll call when they need me. In truth, I was overwhelmed with not knowing what was being asked of me. I avoid giving my word to something I cannot do. At the same time I feel that there is some magic happening with this show. So I'm down for the cause.

Finally!! The postcards are gone. It took longer than usual because I'm using old postcards and I had to get a little creative to make it work. Hopefully, my theatrical appointments will spike next week.

Later I dropped by my theatrical agency; it's always great to see my agents they are wonderful ladies. One of the agents informed me that she's leaving the business. This news totally caught me by surprise, I was speechless. She became a first-time mother late last year and wants to be with her daughter.

Don't get me wrong, I'm only about 10% upset. I think it's an absolutely beautiful thing that she is doing. Her daughter is sooooooo cute and sweet. Everytime I go to the office she is so happy and playful. I don't know how they're going to keep her out of show business, she seems like she should be doing commercials already. Makes me want to have a family of my own.......soon.......well maybe not that soon.

So what does this all mean for me? I'm not sure really. At this point things are still being worked out. I've been told the options are:

Hiring a new agent.
Bringing in a partner.
Merging with another entity or vice-versa, etc.

You never know how these things will play out. I don't have any reason to believe I would be dropped from or leave the agency. I'm very happy there and have been for 6 years and I have reason to believe that they are happy having me as a client as well. BUT!! Sometimes new energy comes in and they tighten up the client list. You never "really" know where you stand until you really know where you stand. So with that being said I have to be prepared for the phone call or letter saying that I've been dropped from the list. I've put my game face on for a potential agent search just in case. I believe things will work out just fine though.

Audition: "NEXTEL" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This audition goes really well. Of course I'd love to get a callback. The last time I was at this office I got a callback and the time before that I booked the "Michelob Ultra" spot. Hopefully this is a good thing because this spot shoots in NYC and I would LOVE to go to NYC next week. Back to the postcards!

Today is the first day for my commercial agency, Kazarian-Spencer & Associates(KSA) in the their new location. I wanted to stop by and check it out. The place looks great and I got a chance to chat with my agents, Alicia & Brooke, for a bit. We talked about stocks, buying property, girls, girlfriends, old girlfriends, new girlfriends; everything but acting. While we were talking Alicia was quietly submitting me for a project. Seconds later, while we were still talking, I got the audition! YES!! I guess that's LA Casting at work. Things really move fast these days in the business. Back to the drops.

Drops-offs, drop-offs & more drops-offs!! A never ending thing......

Today is my 6 year anniversary of moving to Los Angeles. I almost feel like I really live here and not just here for my career. I've definitely found out that I'm an "East Coast Guy" whatever that really means. LA has treated me well though. Oh yeah, David thanks for lunch to help me celebrate my 6 years.

Audition: "T-Mobile" @ Lisa Fields Casting. This one went great.

Audition: "yes, dear" @ Dava Waite Casting. Kari Kurto calls me straight to producers. It goes alright, I guess.

Today I had a meeting with Ben Guillory at the Robey Theatre. I will admit that I didn't want to go at first because I thought they would ask for a monologue. I hate doing monologues. I met with Ben him several years ago and ironically he brought me back "because" of the monologue I did for him then. Go figure. I complained about it then too. Anyway, we had a great conversation and with no monolougue this time.....thankfully. He is getting ready to go into production on a play and asked if I would be interested in understudying. I told him yes, so we'll see.

I get another bright and early start this morning to attend the Cable Preview at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. It was kind of a blur, but it seemed like of a lot of reality and documentary type stuff.

Audition: "Fun With Dick and Jane" @ Debra Zane Casting. YES!! This is the project Deb said she would bring me in for when I spoke with her last month.

Audition: "Honda" @ Ross Lacy Casting. Another husband dealio with an absolutely stunning wife to audition with. It goes really well.

Audition: "7-Up" @ Toni Cervantes Casting. This one goes really well. CALL ME BACK!! ooops.

Yeah!! Another callback. This time for the "IKEA" spot I went in on last week. I would be nice to get back on the commercial map. I have two spots out there, but they aren't running much or not at all. The callback goes really well. We'll see.

Also, I get a same day call for a commercial audition @ Craig Colvin Casting for "Best Buy". I have yet to book for Craig, but I have come close many times. The audition goes really well.

More drops. It's encouraging to see the shows are definitely back in production, hopefully I'll start getting some theatrical appointments soon.

Drop-offs are the order of the day. I couldn't imagine riding around in Burbank without A/C like I did in my old car.

Today I'm scheduled to do a mentoring session at The Actorsite in North Hollywood. I'll just be sharing strategies with actors. It's still funny to me that anyone wants to hear what I have to say.

Today I attend the Network Preview at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Some of it was really entertaining; some not so. At any rate hopefully it'll be a great season for a lot actors.

Ha!! Bright and early this morning I get a call from the casting office for a callback for the "Crest Vanilla" spot. The callback goes okay, not great. I felt stiff and not in the moment.

Audition: "IKEA" @ Joe Blake Casting. Another husband thing and it goes well. Hopefully I'll get a callback.

Audition "Crest Vanilla" @ Pamela Starks Casting. Another husband dealio, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

IT'S ON!! Audition: "Sara Lee" @ Lisa Fields Casting. Yeah, this was a nice way to ease back in to auditioning. I had a really good time with a super hot "wife" in the audition. I don't think I was all that right for the spot, but I'll let "them" make that decision. I always feel kinda funny about the "husband" auditions. One day though......in real life too.....I hope....I better.

Back in LA. That's good right? Yeah, that's good. (note to self) "This is where I work and make a living". I can't complain, I just had a wonderful 3 week vacation. It was all possible because I live and work in LA.So let's try this again. "Back in LA". Yeah!!!! It's time to make it happen. I'm looking for a really strong end of the year. There are some things I want to accomplish. Some are acting related, some are not.

Yeah!! Back out on the MX track and it's on!! My goal was to stay up and finish the races. I feel that I'm faster than both of my brother's, but I have a habit of crashing. So, I need to "slow down to move forward".

In the first moto against my brother Jeff he beat me to the first turn. He went through some mud and it got all over my goggles. I could only barely see out of one eye. I did the best I could for a lap trying to wipe my goggles as I was riding, but I was only smearing it and making it worse. Finally I slid out in a turn and stopped and cleaned my goggles. Now with clear vision I was moving and making up time on Jeff. Then, a little while later I went over a turn and had trouble getting the bike going again. I got beat.

The next moto was Jeff against my brother Todd. Jeff got a strong start and led for 3 laps of the 4 lap race, but Todd passed him and won the moto.

Next up, me against Todd. I won the race to the first turn, but Todd passed me half way through the first lap. I stayed on his wheel for two laps ready to make my move. At the begining of the last lap I went for it. I was all set up and dove deep inside to put pressure on him to take the inside line, but I slid out. I couldn't get the bike back up and started in time. I got beat again!! Todd is the champ.

I'll be back in December. Of course I won't get to ride again until then while Jeff and Todd will ride at least a couple times a month. I'm still confident that I can take those guys.

I've been here in Virginia Beach for 2 weeks and I feel like I have a new routine. Actually, I am thinking about staying for another week. I have to see if I can justify it. I like it here, I want to go motocross riding more and I like spending time with my family, but I need to make a living too. Maybe I should carry my tail back to LA on schedule to make some money.

Ahh man!!! I missed another audition. CFB casting associate Corbin Bronson called me directly with an appointment for tomorrow for "Monk". Obviously I can't make it, but he said he'll call me again. I really want to work on the show, hopefully it'll happen this season.

MY BIRTHDAY!! I am so SORE!! My body is aching and it will get worse before it gets better. Oh well, it's the price we pay for our fun.

Today was the big motocross day for my family. My nephew and my brothers Jeff & Todd have their own bikes. Since we are one bike short we trade off when we ride/race each other. While we were packing up to go to the track my brother Jeff surprised me with another bike for me to ride. He spent $3600 bucks so I wouldn't have wait around to ride. WHAT!!! Yeah it's a very slightly used 2004 Yamaha YZ125, it's beautiful. So now we have a 2003 Honda CR125, a 2001 Suzuki RM125, a 2001 JR50 and the YZ. We are set. Eventually my sister-in-law and niece will get bikes too.

Okay the race, it was a mudfest and not much fun. We considered it wash. Honestly my brother Jeff had the best day. He's a little slower, but doesn't make that many mistakes. I can't tell you how many times I fell. There was a point where I was officially "not having fun".

We will try to get back out there next week, but it's supposed to rain most of the week. We'll see.

Today I get a call from Henderson/Zuckerman Casting to work as a reader this week. Can't do it.My theatrical agency calls with an appointment for NBC's "Las Vegas". Can't go. I didn't even know they were back in production already. That's 3 calls in 2 days, hopefully it's a sign of things to come when I return to Los Angeles.

Budd's Creek Maryland here we come. Today I along with my family are attending the US National Motocross Series stop in Maryland. We spent a long hot day in the sun and had a blast. There was a lot of great racing and a lot of great laughs to be had.

HUMIDITY!!! And it feels good. I am so glad to not be in LA right now. I just really needed a break and here it is. When I get back to LA I will be ready to make it happen, but right now I want to spend time with family, cut grass, motocross ride, go to the beach among many other things.

Tonight I get a call from casting director Ricki Maslar to participate in a script reading for a director next week. Obviously I can't do it since I'm on vacation, but hopefully she'll call me again soon. She cast me in an independent film several years ago and I hope to get in her office more often.

I didn't get a chance to see and thank "The Terminal" casting director & associate Debra Zane & Tannis Vallely at the screening so I stopped by the office today. They are just the nicest people and were very sorry that my scene in "Ocean's Twelve" was cut, but I am more thankful to be in a position were that could happen. It happens all the time and it's nobody's fault. I'll get 'em next time. Deb & Tannis gave me the heads up on another project they are doing this Fall. I always feel great when I talk to them.On my way out of the office I ran into Lee Thompson Young of "The Famous Jett Jackson" fame. I chatted with him for a moment and told him that I did a voiceover for his character several years ago. We got a laugh out of it. Nice guy.Tonight I am going home on the red-eye flight to Virginia Beach, VA. I am SO looking to this. LAX here I come!!

Tonight is the cast & crew screening for "The Terminal". I can't believe I made the final cut of the film. Just about everything I shot was there. It was a first for me to see myself in a studio film. I hope for many more to come.

INT. Stephon's Apt 6:29pm.

SFX: (Phone ringing/Caller ID-Private Caller) Usually that's my agency.

Stephon:
Hello.

Brittany(agency assistant):
Hey Stephon? It's Brittany.

Stephon:
Hey, how are you?

Brittany:
Great and you?

Stephon:
Fantastic.

Brittany:
Debra Zane called. She was asking if you are attending "The Terminal" screening tomorrow night.

Stephon:
Oh yeah, I'll be there.

Brittany:
She's a big fan of yours. You've been in the office twice and booked twice.

Stephon: I'm a bigger fan of hers!!

Brittany:
Anyway, she called to inform us that your role in "Ocean's Twelve" had been cut.

Stephon:
Aww really? Oh well, it happens like that sometimes.

Brittany:
Yeah, she said they were doing a lot of rewrites and it was cut. She wanted to give you a "heads up" so you wouldn't find out at the screening.

Stephon:
Well, who knows maybe they'll write it back in.

Brittany:
Maybe.

Stephon:
I hope I actually made the final cut in "The Terminal".

Brittany:
Huh?

Stephon:
Yeah, you never know until you know. I guess I'll find out tomorrow night. Thanks.

Brittany:
Sorry, see ya.

Stephon:
Bye.....

LA actor orientation for a group of actors from the Actor's Connection in New York visiting the LA market.

Mentoring session @ Actorsite.

Still just counting the days until I go to LAX for my flight home. To pass the time I've been spending an insane amount of time at the gym and riding my mountain bike. I'm in training for the "Fuller Motocross Challenge". My two younger brothers are talking a lot of smack so I really need to go home and represent on the dirt bike. I am the reigning champ, but this time it's a much longer track. I'm not too concerned about my skills but my fitness hasn't been tested. They ride pretty often, but I haven't ridden since December.

NOOOOOO! I get a call for an audition. It's cool though, it auditions and shoots this week. Also this director doesn't usually have callbacks. Audition: "Sony" @ Loree Booth/TLC Casting. I think there is something that I am right for in this spot. The legend Joe Pytka is the director and I have worked for him before. Maybe that will work in my favor.

I WANNA GO HOME!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to get to Virginia, I just need a break to do something else for minute. I am in shut down mode, I stopped doing drop-offs about 10 days ago. Honestly, I don't want to have any auditions before I leave to town. I'll print postcards before I leave and send them from Virginia before I come back so I can hit the ground running. I'll be fresh and ready to rock n roll.

Film: "Dear Frankie" @ the DGA. I enjoyed this film.

I had a meeting with my tax preparer today and I was looking at my earnings over the last 7 years. It was quite interesting to look at the flucuations over the years. When I look at the raw numbers it seems that best thing I ever did was to resign from waiting tables. When I stopped waiting tables my earnings more than doubled the next year. Go figure. I hope I didn't just jinx myself!!

Film: "The Notebook" @ the DGA. I really, really enjoyed this film. Parts of it reminded me of my mother which made tears flow. Parts of it reminded me of my father which made me think of how tragic the lack of a relationship between us is. The rest of it made me look forward to being in love with someone and having a family.

Okay today I am shooting a role in the indie feature "Three Wise Women". Again this is the project that my friend Jennifer Fontaine is producing. She is living proof that it can be done. A lot of people talk, but few walk it. She and her team are walking it. I am so proud of her. The biggest surprise was I showed and found out that I was getting paid!!! I just hadn't really thought about that. I knew it was a SAG contract, but I thought it was deffered pay. As they say "you go girl!!"

"Shrek 2". Funny, really funny.

YES!!! I have a callback for the "Lowe's" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. While I am signing in at the callback is see that the production company is "Schofield Films/NY". Hmmmm......... That is the same production company that produced the "Ford Expedition" spot I did in Brooklyn, NY back in July '98. When I went in the room the first person I see is Stan Schofield, the director of that spot. I said "hello". I'm not sure if he knew who I was, but it was good to see him. He was really a pleasure to work with back then. At any rate the audition went well and we'll if I fit in the spot anywhere.

I called the ad agency for the "Tufts Health Plan" commercial to see if I could find out what the projected run is. I left a message, they returned my call with the information and offered to send me a copy.......I didn't even have to ask. Cool!

I so often think about how fortunate I am. It was just about a year ago that I saw the casting notice for "The Terminal" on the Actorsite website and dropped off my photo. Here it is a year later and that drop-off has lead to some pretty cool things:

Both are big budget studio filmsBoth were cast by the same casting office (Debra Zane Casting)

Both were from dropping off my own photosBoth directors first and last names start with the letter "S" (Steven Spielberg & Steven Soderbergh)

Both directors are Oscar winnersOne of my characters works in an airport, the other is a flight attendant

Both films star Catherine Zeta-Jones

How do these amazing things continue to materialize for me? I can't really answer that, but I'll stay faithful to the plan I hatch 10+ years ago. Often time I simply "wow".

What is going on with my life? Sometimes I feel I really know and other times I have no clue. It's not that I'm unhappy or disenchanted about the way things are working. Actually, things are quite well. It's just that there is so much more I want to do. I am really feeling the itch to go back to Virginia Beach and work in the family business or start up a new one with my two brothers.

This is not a new thought for me. I have always planned to make this happen in some form or fashion, but lately the urge has been quite strong. I actually thought about the notion of really doing it. The problem is that I really like what I do here in Los Angeles. I guess that's not a problem really.

I have a connection with my little brother Todd like no one else on this planet and I look forward to working together with him. I don't see myself severely cutting back my time in LA, but I am thinking about. Everything starts with an idea.

It was scary to even think about the reality of doing it. I know I was really serious because tears came to my eyes just pondering the notion.

I usually get kinda weird about things in May/June & December before I go home for vacation. I think I'm just a little rundown and need a break.

With all of this being said I don't see myself walking in my agents' offices and saying "Thanks for everything, I'm leaving" anytime soon. I still have a lot of work to do in this business, more countries to visit, more characters to explore, more legends to work with, bigger checks to deposit, etc. My agents have worked hard, they believe in me and I have put in a lot of time and dedication to get where I am. I can't just walk away from what momentum I have...........at least not now.

I'm sure this anxiety will subside a bit once I get back to Virginia in the middle of June, but I definitely have an itch that may need scratching.

I became a godfather this afternoon. WHAT!!! Yeah, my friend of about 20 years Jonathan Julian became a first time dad and blessed with me with being the godfather of his daughter. Hazel Bashir was born @ 3:54 this afternoon. Incredible!

Audition: "Lowes" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This audition goes really well. It felt great all the way around; from the drive there to finding parking, reading with two fabulous actors and not getting a parking ticket. A couple of years ago I did get a parking ticket while at a callback at this same casting facility. Hmmmmm........

Today I received a call about the indie film I booked a couple of months ago. It's called "Three Wise Women" and it's being produced by my friend Jennifer Fontaine. I shoot on June 2nd. It's great to see actors getting their own projects up and running. Many people talk the talk, Jennifer is walking the walk. Go girl!!

Cricket sounds. Can you hear them? I think it's time to leave town

Audition: "FannieMae Foundation" @ Pamela Starks Casting. It goes well.

Wow! It was 9 years ago today that I moved to New York from Virginia Beach, VA. What a ride it's been. I can't believe some of the experiences that I've had along the way. It boggles my mind that I've traveled to Japan, Spain, Washington DC & Miami all for acting work.

I remember arriving at Port Authority NYC @ 6:30am like it was yesterday. The first thing I noticed was that the weather was much cooler than what I was used to in the month of May and course how filthy 42nd Street was. The next thing that woke me up was how much cash I "didn't" have.

My buddy, Greg and I, had a ton of stuff with us so we needed a taxi to get to our destination on 46th & 10th. By this time I was wide awake to the fact that my life-savings of $200 wasn't going to take me very far. WHAT!!!

Arriving on 46th St. in Hell's Kitchen was a "you are no longer in Kansas" message to say the least. I had visited NYC many times before, but now I was going to be living here. Let the games begin, and they did...........

..........9 years later I find myself in Los Angeles feeling pretty good about things. It's definitely a roller-coaster ride, but I am extremely fortunate.

I must say as time goes by I find myself really wanting to do other things. I don't know, I miss working with my hands. Not that I ever did too much manual labor, but things like changing the oil in my car and cutting the grass.I am trying to figure out a way to divide myself into about five different people so I can do all of what I want to do. One can be a motivational speaker on a book tour, another playing stick-ball with his kids, still another cooking with the "wifey", another waxing my 2 little brothers asses on the motocross track with my sisters laughing and lastly getting to work with Denzel Washington in a film. Wait!! Maybe I just need to plan better and get my priorities straightened out. Perhaps? Probably. Oh well.

YES!!! Today I went to see a motocross race out at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino. I love this sport, I just wish I got to ride more often. It feels good to be really impressed by the talent of others. I feel like such a fan when I attend the races. I've been fortunate to work with some really big names in the TV/Film business, but when I see these MX riders I am just as impressed with their talent if not more. It was a good day that totally made me forget about a lot of things.

Today I dropped off a "thank you" card to Sheila Manning @ Sheila Manning Casting. That is who cast the commercial I recently shot. I wanted to get in and out quickly and not get in the way. She was at her desk when I walked in and didn't expect her to know who I was; and she didn't. She said "can I help you?" I told her I came to bring her a thank you card and she perked up. I was trying to leave right away, but she started talking and was racing to open the card so she would know who I was. She saw my name and the name of the spot I did and was very thankful for the gesture. We chatted for a bit and she told me what the original concept for the spot was. I told what a great time I had working with Franklin Cover from "The Jefferson" fame. I also gave her some other info that she didn't already know and she was delighted. This is the second booking I've had through her office and I think she might remember me from now on. At any rate she keeps bring me in. Thanks Sheila!!

I have an ADR session for the "Tufts Health Plan" commercial today. This is good news because it indicates that the spot is going to run and I didn't get edited out. I had one line to due and I was in/out in a flash.

More drop-offs are the order for the day. I am really trying to get an audition for "XXX2". I did another drop-off at that office today. Maybe they'll write a scene with me and Ice Cube chasing the bad guys. Or maybe not.

After a long, hot day behind the wheel I received a call from Brooke, one of my commercial agents @ KSA. She just wanted to let me know that they are really happy to have me as a client. They check in on this Long Assssss story from time to time and get a kick out of it. They are wonderful agents and wonderful people; the type of people that I like to be associated with. I plan to booked many more jobs, travel to more places and cash more checks with them in the future. Go KSA!!

I am SOOO excited about my life. They are so many things I want to do in this world. I really have a vision of working in the business that my family has had for 24 years. I've had this vision since before I left Virginia Beach to begin my acting career almost a decade ago. I feel that if my father wasn't running the business my brothers and I could be wildly successful. My father lacks the vision that my brothers and I have.

It's just one of the many things I think we can do. A friend recently asked if I was thinking of leaving the acting world to pursue other interest. No!! I just plan to add many other things to my life. For instance I would love to be a talent agent or manager, a Honda salesman, an auto mechanic, a photographer, etc. I can't forget that I also plan to be one heck of a father, husband and continue to be a supportive brother. In due time, in due time my son.

Audition: "Holiday Inn Express" @ Ross Lacy Casting. I had to take my shirt off. WHAT!!! I'm no Calvin Klein model and my body is far from that, but I went for it. Maybe they are looking for a thin black guy. Anyway, it goes well. One of these days I am going to book for Ross again, it's been like 4 years.

Audition: "Monk" @ CFB Casting. This is my second time to producers for the show. It went really well again, hopefully eventually I'll go the distance and book. Afterwards I had to catch up on my drop-offs and it was hot, hot hot!!! I am so glad that I got another car to tackle this part of my job, it makes such a difference. A/C is good!! For the car and the apartment!!!

Call time-6am. Shooting "Tufts Medical Institute" @ LA Center Studios. The shoot goes well, I did a full day of sitting around before I actually got to work. That's the way it goes sometimes, it was just great to be on set again. The spot starts running in the Boston area on May 10th.

Audition: "Safeway" @ Beth Holmes Casting. Just yesterday I was talking to my friend Marvin about how I rarely get appointments at that casting office. The last time I talked to Marv about a specific something I hadn't gotten in on I booked it and it was "Friends", maybe this is a good sign. Anyway, the audition went really well.

I had my fitting today for the "Tufts Medical Institute" commercial. That was a great thing since I didn't have any auditions scheduled, at least I got paid to be fitted. At the callback I saw Franklin Cover, he played "Tom" on "The Jefferson's" years ago. I got a chance to talk him a little, he's a really nice man. I also will be working with Marianne Muellerleile. I worked with her on the pilot of "Life With Bonnie". She is a series regular on the show and plays "Gloria" the housekeeper. This woman works constantly and is still so greatful to still be working. She is a really good spirit.

I have always considered myself to be a self-described nerd, geek or what have you, today it was confirmed. While being fitted I was wearing a dress shirt that had a size 14 1/2 neck. After I got my tie on Matt, the stylist, said I needed to go down to a size 14!! I guess that makes me a "pencil necked geek". Oh well.

This morning my brother sent me this photo of my niece & nephew with Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes/N.E.R.D. fame. He was visiting our family deli to get a bite to eat. For some reason that I can't really explain there are a lot of really successful musicians from my hometown. In addition to Pharrell there is Missy Elliott & Timbaland and others. It's funny to go home and work at the deli and make a sandwich for him. What's REALLY funny is that he always congratulates me on what I'm doing. He'll go like "yo man, you really doing your thing. keep it up!!" That's cool and all, but this cat is setting it on fire. And he's a great guy too.

Callback: "Tufts Medical Institute" @ Sheila Manning Casting. The director is George Hickenlooper and he does films. So I did some research on him and found that he's directing an upcoming Jennifer Aniston film. I searched for a photo of him so I would know exactly what he looked like when I walked in the room. When I walked in he was the first person I saw. The audition went well I thought. It was me and a young lady auditioning together. There were no lines so he just had us improv a scenerio he gave us. He cut us off abruptly during both improvs. Either he hated us or loved us we thought. I guess we'll find out.........or not.

Audition: "IDT" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one goes really well and I think I am really right for it.

DING DING DING!!! Two hours after the callback I get the word that I am booked for the "Tufts Medical Institute" commercial. It's a Boston regional spot, so it won't run here. I'm just glad to be working.

Audition: "AT&T" @ ASG Casting. This audition goes really well. I usually leave my cell phone in my car when I go into audition just to keep the distractions to a minimum. Of course in this audition I needed a cellphone. My partner that I was auditioning with didn't have his either. Note to self: If it's a cellphone commercial audition bring your cell phone.

After the audition I stopped by to see my commercial agents to say hello. I was wearing a suit and I like for them to see me in different looks. I told them I was wearing a suit as a "diversionary tactic" so that they would forget that I haven't booked anything in a while and callbacks have been few. Ironically, they laughed and said "you do have a callback tomorrow we just hadn't called you yet". Cool!! It's for Sheila Manning too for the "Tufts Medical Institute" in went in on last week.

While at the office I ran into a guy named Biff who I used to wait tables with in New York at The Harley-Davidson Cafe. It was great to see him and good to see us still in the game making it happen.

Afterwards I went to see my theatrical agents with the same scheme. Kelley quickly reminded me that I had just booked "Ocean's Twelve" and I said "Yes!!, but there is a lot more to come". She assured me that things are well and I was one my way. I feel so fortunate to be with the agents I am with. It's been almost six years.

Tonight while watching "The Apprentice" I saw a promo for "The Terminal". I even saw myself, well the back of me. Actually, I didn't recognize myself at first because I forgot that i had dreadlocks when I shot. I hope my scene with the incredible Mr. Hanks makes the final cut.

Audition: "Verizon" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one shoots in New York. Do you have any idea how much I would love to go to NY right now!! First things first. The audition went really, really well. Maybe a callback is in order for me. They've been kinda scarce lately.

More drop-offs today. Beverly Hills has got to be the worst place to do drop-offs, there is never any where to park. It's like I need a partner so one of us could just stay in the car while the other ran inside to do the drop. I know that wouldn't work for me, I am much to weird in my approach and I would drive someone crazy. Or be driven crazy.

Not a whole lot going these 'cept for mny drop-off routine. I'm just going through my database scouring for any opportunity that might be out there for me. Since I got another car it could prevent me from going home for my usual month this Summer. I may need to stay in LA and keep trying to make things happen. That is not a pleasant thought, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Audition: "Tufts Medical Institute" @ Sheila Manning Casting. Quick-fast and it was over in a flash.

Audition: "New York Stock Exchange" @ Terry Berland Casting. Goes well.

Audition: "Hood Dairy" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. My last commercial booking, the "Michelob Ultra" (which NEEDS to start running) was through this office. Anyway, the audition goes well. Maybe lightning will strike again.I did a bunch of drop-offs today. Anything to keep busy, ya know. I'm telling ya, what I do with all of these drop-offs everyday is SOoooo "not" normal. I mean it's crazy. I find myself talking to myself trying to find parking going "WHYYYYYY". I know why, but sometimes it catches me off guard and I react like a normal person.

When I walked in Chelsea Studios for drop offs this morning I saw a gentleman putting 3 of each of his headshots in each box. I REALLY wanted to say something to him. I refrained, thinking there had to be something going on that I didn't understand. I didn't want to come off as a "know-it-all" so I stayed silent. Plus he was much bigger than me!! It bugged me all day though. I figured many people don't understand how and/or why I do what I do the way I do it. Maybe he had the same mojo going on.

This was a bright spot for me. Also while at Chelsea Studios I witnessed one of the employees for Craig Colvin Casting actually check the box while I stood there. WHAT!!! "They DO check those boxes?!! Yup! I saw it!" I mean there was only like 5 photos in it so he must check on a regular basis. Then I saw him glance at it again before he went back behind the counter. That gave me a lot of energy to keep on keepin' on. I really needed it today, because I ran into several parking problems, address problems and a PO Box place that wouldn't take a drop-off for Jeff Hardwick Casting. I'm sure tomorrow will be better.

Audition "SBC Global @ Cathi Carlton Casting. This one goes really well. I had four kids to work with in the audition. With kids, I find, you have to kinda go full force and break the ice with them. Otherwise they can be tenative, sorta surprised that an adult is even talking to them. I had a great time with these kids.

I went to see commercial CD Jeff Rosenman speak at the SAG Conservatory tonight and he was great. He relayed lots of insight into the casting process and the use of LA Casting Network.

On Friday my friend Jonathan gave me a tip on a commercial audition for "Buick" @ Lien/Cowan Casting. I dropped a photo at 8am this morning on my way to the gym and was prepared to wait and see. Then Jon called again after his audition to tell me that I really should be seen for it. For some reason I wasn't feeling the notion to go to the casting office and "stake out the joint". So I elected to call my agents at KSA and asked them about it, 10 minutes later I had an appointment. I went in and the audition went great. A callback would be nice.

Commercial audition: "Rite-Aid" @ Divisek Casting. This one goes really well, CALL ME BACK, I'm available!!!

Pilot audition: "Entourage" @ Walken/Jaffe Casting. It's a 1/2 hour episodic for HBO. This one goes pretty good, although I felt a little stiff for no good reason.

Callback for "The Rev" @ Henderson/Zuckerman Casting. It's a pilot presentation shooting in Vancouver. For this callback they added another scene, but we didn't read the initial scene from the first call. I liked the inital scene better. It would be nice to get on board for this one.

Audition "IBM" @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting. This is a Joe Pytka directed spot. The audition goes really, really well. I could see myself in this spot. I don't think they usually have callbacks so I have my fingers crossed. I worked for this lengendary commercial director about 2 years ago. I would really like to get back on board for another one.

More drop-offs. Cool!! The film that I auditioned and had a callback for about a 6 weeks, "Three Wise Women" booked me. I didn't get the role I auditioned for, but I got something. It's a SAG Experimental contract film. Yeah!!

The wardrobe department from "Ocean's Twelve" called today to get my sizes. That is a good sign, only 4 more months to go!!

Audition "Charmed" @ Leslee Dennis Casting. The audition goes really, really well. It was a pre-read so I can only hope for a callback at this point. This is about the fourth time I have been in for this show. I'm glad they continue to call me in and I really would like to book it one of these days.

I rarely get sick, but I feel something coming on. NOOOO!!!!! I have no time to get sick or be under the weather even for a day.

THREE YEARS!!! Today marks 3 years since I left my job as a waiter/valet at The Hollywood Standard on Sunset Strip. It's sometimes still hard to believe I have been able to make a living at this for this long. I'm not really surprised, but the reality of it is still kinda surreal. Here's to 3 more years and beyond!!Audition "Buick" @ Cathi Carlton Casting. The audition goes well. I see Cathi & Terry Berland on the way out and they both like my new look and photos. Cool, those are great CD radar's to be on. I've booked through Cathi's office twice and would like to again and SOON!! I tip my friend Jon off to this audition because he doesn't get nearly as many appointment as I's like to see him get. Anyway, he goes to the office and they agree to see him and he gets a callback. No callback for me though.

More and more drop-offs!!

Audition "Their Eyes Were Watching God" @ Robi Reed Casting. It's an ABC Movie of the Week starring Halle Berry. It is very, very rare that I audition for any of the African-American casting directors in town. So I was really looking forward to reading for Robi. It was 12 pages of sides, 5 different scenes, but it was only one line in each scene. I rehearsed it and went over it with my buddy Jon. I felt I found a beginning, middle and end in each scene while rehearsing, but when I got in the room it was over before I even got started. I'm like flipping pages and all I remember hearing was "great". Yeah right, I blew it. Oh well, next!

I gave blood today at the SAG office. I really wish I hadn't seen the size of the needle that they use. I know, I shouldn't have looked!!

I attend a "SAG Conversations" and the guest were the cast of "The Shield". This show keeps it real. They sound like they have a great time working together. Afterwards I spoke to lead actress CCH Pounder and told her I live in a building that she did many years ago. She got a laugh out of that. I really look forward to working on another hour drama show. Great stories from the whole cast.

I wonder how long it will take until I am used to walking to the driver side of the car. After 7 1/2 months of going to the passenger side it will take a little time to get back to normal.

Drop-offs, drop-offs & more drop-offs. I have yet to mail a single photo; I have decided to just drive them all around town. I did a bunch in Beverly Hills today. Parking anywhere in LA is difficult, but in Beverly Hills it's a complete nightmare. I was so glad when that part was over. It's so much work, but it makes me feel as though I am doing something for my career. It is so so much easier in my new car, I'm really happy with it.

Audition: Pilot Presentation "The Rev" @ Henderson/Zuckerman Casting. This is the project I was a reader for last week. It went really well, I felt. It would be nice to book something, ya know!! I also had a commercial audition for "McDonald's @ Steven Erdek Casting. I auditioned with two small children. One five and the other six, they were complete stars. I had trouble keeping up with these kids, they were great.

Audition "Wanted", TV pilot for Heidi Levitt Casting. Again, another drug dealer that I don't think I am all that right for. That's okay, because I just went in had fun with it. I was really happy with how it went. Heidi called me in from a old headshot in her files. I gave her my new photo and she asked me about my "Ocean's Twelve" & "The Terminal" credits. Pretty cool script from CBS and WBTV.

Finally!! The marriage is over and I'm so relieved. It was great while it lasted, but she doesn't do the things she used to do the way she used to do them. Sometimes you just gotta move onto bigger and better things. We spent some of the best times of our lives together. I remember driving across the country with her in the Summer of '99. That was after spending 4 years apart while I lived in New York and she in Virginia Beach, VA. It was wonderful being together again. I think I was in love. Yeah, I was in love.

We met in March of '89 and here we are 15 years later saying goodbye. The talk of separation had gone on for a good while. We tried counseling/repairs in an attempt to work things out, but it just got to the point where I didn't think it was worth the money.

She was beginning to bring me down and actually get in the way of my progress. After spending the day with her I would be exhausted. I looked forward to replacing her with a younger, prettier, sexier model. These feelings could not continue.

I feel that in most situations "what happened" is of very little importance. What is of the utmost importance is this: "What are you going to do about it?" So I had to ask myself that question. "Stephon? What are you going to do about it?!?! Are you going to sit and complain or are you going to take action?................"

I'm going to take action, I took action..........I bought a new car! Well, not brand new, but new to me. I love it! It is the exact car I wanted. I found it on http://www.autotrader.com/ (Thanks "mominbiz"! it's an inside thing between her and I).

The buying process was an absolute dream. The seller, Sean, is a business major from Taiwan. He is here in California studying for his business MBA. Thankfully, he was straight forward and honest. I think we are both stand up guys and we responded to that in each other. We were at the AFTRA-SAG Credit Union like it was a celebration, and it was. He was getting rid of his car to prepare for his return to Taiwan and I was gaining a vital tool that I needed to move forward in my career. Before we left the credit union Sean asked the loan officer to take a photo of us together. Ha!!I drove him back to Pasadena in MY new car and we talked liked we were old friends. I asked him non-stop questions about his country and his life in general. He had questions for me too. The heaviest one was "do you like to be called African-American or Black?" He was really concerned about offending others. I told him it didn't matter too much to me. "African-American" was preferable and probably more politically correct and yes, "Black" would probably offend some. I said most importantly it depends on what is in your heart, most people can tell what your intentions are even if it doesn't come out right. Ooooops! I haven't done a single single drop-off in two days!! WHAT!!!


See Ya, Nice to know ya!

'89 White Honda Accord Coupe LX-i

Code name: "Ivory"

Married: March 24th, 1989 20 miles

Separated: March 16th, 2004 231,223 miles

A new day has been born!!!

'98 Forest Green Honda Accord Coupe EX

Code name: "Cash Money" aka "The Green Hornet"

March 16th, 2004

Today I attended a free commercial workshop conducted by John Sudol. I always try to attend any free events I can find. I always pick up something I can use to get ahead. Free help is always a good thing in my book.

Afterwards I went to the memorial service for casting director Cecily Adams. She recently passed away after a bout with lung cancer. It was a beautiful celebration of her life. At the same time it hit me like a ton a bricks. I feel like I know what her husband Jim is going to face. I feel I know what questions her two-year old daughter will ask. It leaves a hole in my heart. I couldn't help from shedding tears as I listened to love ones talk about this wonderful woman. I never had to privilege to meet or audition for Cecily, but I heard a lot of heart-warming stories. It is so, so painful to lose someone. It's hard to believe that it is happening everyday to someone we know. We all go through it. Either we are experiencing it with someone or they are experiencing because of us. Sooner or later it will touch us all. R.I.P. Cecily.

This morning I stopped by the offices of Breakdown Services to get a tutorial on exactly how the system works. Owner Gary Marsh happen to walk in while I was there and gave me the lowdown. Oh my! It's amazing.

What I really wanted to see was "what do the casting directors see on their screens?” I think it's valuable to "put yourself in their shoes, see what they see, and feel what they feel". He showed me the ends & outs of the system and I was thoroughly impressed. They have some new, interesting features to be added in the near future. I gotta step up my game.

On to Henderson/Zuckerman Casting to be a reader for pilot presentation "The Rev". I was there to be the reader for one actor, Tiny Lister. I think this role was written for him and the creative team just wanted to hear it. The producers, writers and director were in town from Canada for the day. I am supposed to read for another role next week. Mr. Tiny Lister is not tiny at all. In fact, he's 6'5" 285 lbs. He and I had a couple of nice moments before we got started. Things like me calling him a "punk". Yeah, it was funny; you kinda had to be there. Anyway the read was fun and the creative team seemed happy with what they saw. The greatest part was me getting in my Honda through the passenger door and watching Tiny get in his $100,000 Mercedes-Benz through the driver side door. I guess I'm mixing with right people, huh?

Audition: "Toyota" @ Melissa Martin Casting. This was at a new commercial casting that I had never been to before. It seems like a pre-requisite for any place that you have an audition for in LA has to have absolutely no parking whatsoever. None. I'm not complaining though.

Lastly, I go to the SAG Information Meeting this evening at the SAG Headquarters. I didn't leave there with a very good feeling about the state of the union. For some reason I am just really suspect on who is looking out for whom. It's not so much that I think the union leaders aren't looking out for the best interest of actors. I am just not convinced that they are. Not convinced at all. Of course the topic was "the contract extension" if that is what you call it. It was good that they allowed someone from the opposing side to speak freely throughout the event. I understand that these contract negotiations are extremely complicated, but it just seemed like the opposing side made more sense. What do I know?

MORE DROP-OFFS!! Today, I underestimated myself and ran out of photos. 87 degrees in the valley, no a/c, but I gotta keep movin forward!! Somehow, someway.

Henderson/Zuckerman Casting called today and asked me to be a reader tomorrow for a pilot presentation. Get this, it’s only for one actor. It’s a producer/director session for the lead, Tiny Lister. This is the same pilot presentation that they told me I would be coming in for next week, obviously for a different role. Again this is the same office that I booked a film role in last month, but that project lost it’s funding. We’ll see.

Back to the task at hand. DROP-OFFS!! I don't have any auditions today so this is a great way to keep my mind off of the fact that I have no appointments. I have a friend in casting @ CBS Radford who got me on the lot to do drop-offs there. I ran into a couple of people who worked on "Good Morning, Miami" over the last two seasons. I also saw "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz riding around in a golf cart looking like he was lost, LOL!! I bet he knows his way around that lot by now.

Okay, I’m sweating like crazy. I don’t usually sweat all that much but, mix 90 degree temps in the valley and no A/C in my car and you have Stephon drenched. I have to get this car situation taken care of and soon. It looks like I’m going to be hand delivering almost all of my new headshots. I haven’t mailed any, but I’ve dropped off a lot of them.

The first thing on the agenda today is, heading out to Encino to deliver new photos to Henderson/Zuckerman Casting. This is the office where I booked a part in an indie film last month, but they lost the funding for the film. Anyway, Cathy and Dori liked the new photos and kept one each. They also mentioned a pilot presentation they thought I was right for. Dori flipped through the script to check the age of the character and said “we’ll see you next week”. Cool.

Back out into the heat and my car won’t start. Every time this happens I just keep trying until it eventually starts. One day this is going to bite me in the a**. I gonna get caught somewhere on the way to a producer session. Oh no!!! After 25 minutes it starts. 25 minutes sitting in the 90 degree heat was no fun. Anyway, it could be worse. I guess. Sure it could.

Next, I continue on my way to Sun Valley to Lorna Johnson Casting. She cast “The Division”. I’ve been driving way out to Sun Valley for 2 years trying to get an audition for this show to no avail........yet. Some of my friends that I have dropped off for have been called to audition, but not me. I’ll keep trying. It’s hot, I stink and after a couple of more drops I am heading back to the ranch. I gotta headache.

This morning I went over to Debra Zane's office to give them a thank you card for bringing me in for "Ocean's Twelve" and to give them my new headshots. As a side note, I felt it would be good for me to be seen in the business suit I was wearing for my commercial audition later.

Debra and Tannis always greet me like I'm family when I stop by the office. I try not to stay too long, we usually have a couple of good laughs and I’m on my way. I offered them two different choices of my new headshots and they kept both of them. Cool.

Deb informed me that I am 1 of only 4 actors out of Los Angeles in the entire film. Most of the shooting will be in Europe. My scene shoots here in Los Angeles. My character is a flight attendant. All of the main characters in the film are in this scene as well. Yeah, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, My dialogue exchange is with Elliott Gould & Don Cheadle. I also get to work with Margaret Travolta older sister of John Travolta. Only 5 months away and counting.

Next stop, my theatrical agents’ office to deliver duplicates of my new headshots. My agents are really happy with how they came out.

One of my agents, Kelley, had her first child 9 weeks ago. I'd seen the child very briefly a couple of times, but this time I got a good look. The youngster, born just 72 days ago, is so so cute, precious and completely helpless. A beautiful sight.

Audition: "Boeing" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This is the office that I booked the "Michelob Ultra" spot right before the holidays. Maybe that'll give me an edge, LOL! The audition goes well and I think I'm right for it.

After my audition and doing several drop-offs I went to the gym to get my work out on. I saw this older gentleman who had to be 75-85 years old. We were next to each other while we were changed into our exercise clothing. He had tattoos all over his chest, back, arms and other places. He had the look of a “biker” or “Billy-Bad-Ass” to be stereotypical. As we changed, I noticed he was having difficulty getting his shoes and socks off. I immediately offered assistance and helped him remove his shoes, socks and pants.

I just thought it was interesting. Here is a guy who probably, back in the day was vibrant and strong, having difficulty undressing himself. He wasn’t completely helpless, like the 72 day old child, but one day he will be. A lot of us will be.

The cool thing was that he was very nice to me and even spoke to me when I saw him later in the pool area. If I see him again I think I’ll ask him about his tattoos and what they mean.

Why am I writing this? I don’t know……………………………it moved me I guess. It kinda showed me the full circle of life. Not in a bad way, it’s just life. I see a lot of things different since I lost my mother 478 days ago. She was such a strong woman, but in a matter of weeks was rendered completely helpless. She took care of me when I was completely helpless as an infant and I’m glad I was able to give something back to her.

Audition: Pilot "The Aisha Tyler Project" @ Basker/Hann Casting. I know partner Ted Hann. One day 2-3 years ago I did a drop-off to Ted's office and got an audition for CBS "Danny" and booked the role. I got to shoot it and work with Daniel Stern, but the series was cancelled before it aired.

Well the pilot audition didn't go all that great. I mean it was okay, but "okay" doesn't usually cut it. I think I was a little too serious for the situation. It is a sitcom afterall, so I will look at it as a lesson learned.