Today we had our first matinee performance for LAUSD high school students. There was one problem: only 11 out of 80 students showed up. Something about them having a substitute teacher today and when that happens the kids skip school. We got the word right before we went on and the show went as schedule. It was a spirited performance for the kids especially. Let me tell you, those 11 kids paid attention to the story let us know that they were really in to it.

This had my heart beating a bit. 10 minutes to places and one of the guys I am understudying wasn't there. Oh sh*t!! Am I gonna have to go right now. At first I was a nervous, but then I stepped up and started getting my head right just in case it was really going to go down. I think I could have gotten through it and brought something to plate. I was ready!! At the last minute my man Roderick showed up. He had an audition and was running late. Whew!!!

Audition: "Border's Books" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one goes well enough, so we'll see. I mentioned this audition info to my buddy John. He called his agent and got an appointment too. I offered to watch his 4-month old daughter Hazel (I am her Godfather) while he auditioned. Let me tell you it's amazing the way people respond to children, especially women!! I should take her everywhere with me. It might be for selfish reasons though.

The other day I saw something that kinda disturbed me a bit. It was this: "'Fear Factor' Fives Nights a Week". Yeah, I didn't expect to see reality in repeats or syndication. I guess I should have known better. I am guilty of watching a little of it myself. I love "The Apprentice" and I enjoy "Top Model", but that's about it. Beyond that it's "Nip/Tuck", "ER", "Cold Case", "Without A Trace", "NASCAR", anything of "The Discovery Channel" and of course my motocross racing on ESPN2. Even just the two reality shows I watch prevent hundreds of actors from working in a given season, not to mention writers and directors.

This morning I read some encouraging news though. There are several scripted shows that are doing quite well. "Lost", "Desperate Housewives", "Joey" and "CSI: NY" seem to be doing quite well. It's still early and some of the hype may be from networks themselves. I hope they stay strong in the ratings. That will hopefully lead to more scripted programming for actors in the near future.

Audition: "IAMS" @ Ross Lacy Casting. Will I ever book for you again Ross? I sure hope so. You call me in more than anyone else and I can't seen to close the deal again. The audition today went pretty well, I think.

I was a bad boy in the waiting area. I saw a guy I hadn't seen in a long time and I was running my mouth and didn't fully read the storyboard. When I got in the room I wasn't sure what was going on. Actually, I think it worked in my favor because I totally committed to whatever it was I did. I was probably either really right or really wrong?

I have to say that I miss doing the show, although it's nice to have a break from going to the filthy downtown LA area. I am trying to get back on track with my drop-offs and the like. Running around during the day and rehearsing at night has definitely taken its toll on me. I'm exhausted. I need to get some rest and start fresh. I feel myself not getting things done, I have to find my center again. I really want to round out 2004 in a very strong way. I have to keep moving forward.

I find myself missing my mother often these days. It's hard not to think about what I was going through exactly two years ago. I was home in Virginia getting ready to go to Japan and my mom was slipping away. I was coming to the realization that she was, most likely, not going to survive. She was so happy that I was going that I thought for a moment that she was going to get better. They say its gets easier with time and it has, but when it hits me it hits like a ton of bricks. I feel like such a baby at times.

Of the 3 shows we've done today was the most spirited. They were really, really listening and following the story. Several were of Haitian descent and were really moved by the story. Afterwards we had a Q&A with the audience. I have heard rumblings of a condensed version of the trilogy in the future.

Tonights performance went even better than last night. The show is just getting better. It's cool to watch different things happen from night to night. It's truly a live performance, you never really know what is going to happen. After the show me and several cast members along with the writer, Levey Lee Simon, went to The Downtown Standard for drinks. Well, they had drinks. I had "two eggs, any style(scrambled) and an english muffin". I have to say it was one of the most interesting evenings that I've ever had..........ever. Did I say ever? Yeah, ever.

WE DID IT!!!!!! Yup, "For The Love Of Freedom" Part III: Christophe (The Spirit) Passion and Glory" is officially open. After 7 weeks of rehearsal we are out for the world to see and it felt good. Actually, it felt great!!!! There are still some things to tweak, but we were on fire. It was like everyone had 15-20% in reserve to unleash when the butts were in the seats. It truly felt like an ensemble, we were all there for each other and more importantly the Haitian people.

I am so honored to be a part of this production. These artists, in front of and behind the scenes, are amazing to say the least. I have had so many incredible things happen for me in my years in the business and this is without question another one.

After the performance we had a reception that sealed the love and commitment to the piece. There was so much support in that room that we could tell that people were moved. It will only get better from here on out.

Audition: "My Wife & Kids" @ Kevin Scott Casting. This is the same office that called me in from a drop-off about a month ago and I didn't go in on my agents advice. It went really well. It was a couple of lines and I felt like I brought something to the table and left feeling good about it. Kevin seem really happy too. He's doing two shows right now so hopefully he'll call me in for "Half & Half" again too.

Rehearsal tonight really popped, I think we had a real breakthrough. It felt so good for me and I was feeling it from everyone else. In doing such a large production it is truly a collaborative effort; we all need each other.

Today, my agent left a message with another producer session for "Still Standing" @ Deborah Barylski Casting. I returned the call and told her that I decided to decline the appointment. It's one line and I have to be more selective. Several weeks ago they brought me in for a larger role and hopefully they will again. I mean if it was booking maybe I would do it, but I didn't want to audition for it. They say there is power in saying no..........I sure hope so.

Audition: "Untitled Comedy Central Project" @ Pamela Azmi-Andrew Casting. I had a great audition for this one. I don't know if I'll get a callback, but it was a lot of fun. I felt like I made a strong, committed choice. The character was a DVD reviewer who broadcast his show from a brokedown van in downtown Los Angeles. The DVD's are bootlegs that he gets from movie theaters. It's great timing since I am riding the bus downtown to rehearsal everyday.

Audition: "Best Buy/Virgin Mobile" Industrial @ Cathi Carlton Casting. The audition goes well, we'll see.

Rehearsal tonight was a really tough one; we are still making the adjustments working on the set and some things are a little confusing. The was no question that the director is expecting more from us and I am sure we will deliver. My frustrations come from the percussion beats that we march to. Part of it is that fact that I don't move all that well, but that has improved a lot. The things that the beats are not set in stone. It's like a moving target with soldiers doing one thing and the drummer doing another. It absolutely drives me crazy. It's like two moving targets just hoping to match up and that's not going to work. One group, either the choreographer or the rhythm section has to set it and the other HAS to match it. That way there is much less room for error. I have no problem admitting I screwed up, trust me, but if the rhythms changes every time I do it what the heck am I supposed to do. Ugh!

Shooting "The O.C.". My call is @ 9am at Zuma Beach. I thought this was a good sign because it was where I shot 1 of the 4 days on the "Honda/Japan" commercial.

While in make-up I met Alan Dale who plays "Caleb Nichol" and he was very nice to me and quite funny. The production van took us to the location where we would be actually shooting. It was "Caleb's Mansion" and can you say "unbelievable?" I had never seen anything like it. In real life it belongs to a former NFL player.

My shot was first up so we started rehearsing right away. That is when I met Melinda Clarke who plays "Julie Cooper-Nichol". She was very nice, funny, professional and quite pretty.

Next I met Nicholas Gonzalez, he plays "D.J." on the show. Another really great, funny and intelligent guy. We actually had lunch together and chatted about things other than acting. I must admit that I wondered WHY is his character a "pool boy/lawn guy" whatever. Is it because he's Mexican? Stereo-types I guess. Couldn't he have been anything else? Anyway, he's working and he's quite talented. I expect to see big things from him.

Teen star of the show Mischa Barton who plays "Marissa Cooper" was late because she was shooting 2nd unit stuff at another location. When she arrived she seemed a bit frazzled, but pleasant. After working on "Good Morning, Miami" I saw first hand a lot of what is expected of the stars of a show. When she saw that I was in the scene with her she very nice to me. I can't believe she's only 17 or 18. She is very, very pretty in a natural kind of way.

I was a photographer taking a photograph of the family at the mansion. My character even had two assistants. They were really cool and I hung out with them most of the day. It was a great day in Malibu!!

Today we had our first full run through. I felt like it went pretty well considering it's still a work in progress. My marching is coming along, but I still have work to do. There is one scene where my character, a soldier, is really drunk. I thought this was funny when the director gave me the note. Ironically, I've never had beer, wine, liquor or coffee in my entire life. It will definitely be one of more fun scenes for me in the play. A nice surprise for the entire cast was that we have Monday off because of Equity rules. Works great for me because I am shooting "The O.C." tomorrow.

REHEARSAL, REHEARSAL and more rehearsal. The zero hour is rapidly approaching and the production shaping up. The director, Ben Guillory, seems to be happy with our progress, but has a firm hand under our asses to keep us in line. He doesn't hesitate to let us know what he thinks.....good or bad. It's a huge show with a lot of people, lot of props, accents, fight choreography, music, dance, etc. I think it's going to be great!

After 9 hours of rehearsal I attended a party with some of the other cast members. It was organized by people of Haitian descent some of which will be seeing the show. It was a little weird knowing that they are the direct descendents of the characters that they play is about. We introduced ourselves to the party guests; I think they will enjoy the show.

Fitting: "The O.C." Dag!! The traffic to Manhattan Beach is always a lot of fun, but there is a Costco near there and you know I am a big fan of Costco....polish sausage and a drink for $1.62....including tax......can't beat that!!

Anyway, they had some really cool shirts set up for me. They even told me that I am going to have two assistants in the scene. The said I shoot Monday in Malibu, but I haven't heard anything from production yet.

Audition: "Best Buy" @ Craig Colvin Casting. It audition for Craig pretty often, usually get callbacks, but have never booked. One day I am going to get in there. This one is for a "nerd type" so it's right down my alley! It goes really well and I am right for it, I think. Next step: callback. Ha!!!

Callback!!: "CBS Showcase" @ Fern Orenstein Casting. Yeah!! it went pretty well, I think. I did what I wanted to do in the room. Regardless of what happens it was a big confidence booster for me. Dag, what if I am chosen for the showcase? Hmmmm............

It's getting ready to get "down and dirty" with the play. We are heading into "tech week". I'll pretty much be there everyday for the next 11 days and I am ready to rock and roll. I still have work to do on my marching steps. I have to get out of my head and stop over-thinking the routine and feel it. It's hard for me, but I'm getting a lot better.....I think......I hope......I better. 11 days and counting..........

Today is the 11 year anniversary of taking my first acting class. Wow, I'm still here. I'm not surprised, but it's still kinda surreal to me. I think about all of the experiences I've had and it really puts a smile on my face.

Sometimes I sit and look at my screensaver which has 300-400 pictures. A lot of has to do with my experiences in the business. I've met some really special people along the way as well. I look forward to that continuing and I also look forward to having more of a connection to people outside of "acting stuff". I think that might be why this play is so intriguing to me. It's something that really happened and the people involved are really invested in it.....and I'm still performing. For some reason I feel that 2004 is setting me up for something. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm going to ride with it.

DAG!! This rehearsal schedule is getting the best of me. My usual staying up until 5am is rapidly changing because I am so exhausted after going to the gym, doing drop-offs, auditioning and trying get these dance/march steps correct. It feels goods though, because I'm doing what I moved here to do.

WHAT!!!! I cannot believe this. I got a callback for the "CBS Showcase". Yeah, the one I did the "hiccuping" monologue for. I can't believe it, I thought that train wreck was over. Oh well, I'm going to go in there tomorrow and try to kick the door in with a new commitment to the material. I know, I should have done that first time. I tried, but you it's always better in the car on the way home.

Audition: "The Island" @ Lisa Fields/Alison McBride Casting. This a huge Michael Bay-directed film starring Ewan McGregor & Scarlett Johansson. This audition went really well, I think. I would really like to work with the legendary Michael Bay.

Audition: Producers for "Less Than Perfect" @ Mossberg/Anthony Casting. I auditioned for the pilot of this show a couple of years ago. Another one that didn't go all that great. I don't think I made a strong enough choice. With the really small roles you know it's not about you, but you're still a presence and you need to be there. They are getting harder for me to do.

Audition: "CBS Showcase" @ CBS/Fern Orenstein Casting. They want a 1 minute monologue. ARGGGHHHHH! I hate doing monologues! I'm gonna embrace it and try to do the best I can.
True to form. I started out pretty ok, but then had a sizable "hiccup" and sorta recovered. Anyway.............

Audition: "Fun With Dick and Jane" @ Debra Zane Casting. YES!! They are giving me another shot! I auditioned for this film a couple of months ago and obviously didn't book. Ooops, this appointment was postponed. I sure hope it's rescheduled in the near future.

I have to admit that every time I see an "Ocean's Twelve" ad, and I see a lot of them these days, it gives me this feeling I can't quite describe. Ugh!! I mean I see stuff all the time that I auditioned for, but knowing that I was actually chosen by Steven Soderbergh and it didn't happen. No, I'm not bitter. Ha!! Anyway, I kinda think these things are a sign that I am on the right track. I'm sure most of the working actors today have some sort of story like that. I am so fortunate that CD Debra Zane and Associate Tannis Vallely haven't forgotten about and bring me in every chance they get. Ugh!! There is another "O12" poster.................

YES!!!!! I think I had a breakthrough tonight at rehearsal with the dance/marching steps. The wonderful choreographer, Ayana Carr, pulled me aside as soon as I walked in and gave me the special attention I need. It really boosted my confidence. I'm still goofy as hell, but I am much, much more on the right track. No, I'm not goofy, I just have two left feet when it comes to dance.

I am so fortunate to be a part of this production in the company of all of these talented performers from all over the country and world. I look at them and just in awe of many of the performances. It is really a whole new group of people that I didn't know previously. Many of them have done a lot of theater and I haven't so that is probably why our paths haven't crossed for the most part. This won't be the last show I do in Los Angeles. Hopefully next time it won't be as an understudy, I don't think I am too crazy about the understudy thing.

Okay, today was the first day of rehearsal in the actual space that we will be performing in. Since we are performing downtown the adventure started for me before I even arrived at the theater.

I am exploring options for parking since we are in downtown LA and parking absolutely sucks. I digress. I weighed my options other than driving and decided on mass transit. Today was my first day riding the bus today. It would have been much easier to drive and pay $3-7 dollars to park, but it also would have been much more boring. So I took the route less traveled.

It worked out quite well; it took about 35 minutes and cost $1.25 each way. I don't know that I'll do it everyday, but the option is there.

Rehearsal, it was a long day. Productive, but long. These dance/marching moves are kicking my ass to say the least. I just cannot dance to save my life. I am pretty even-keeled and don't get frustrated by too many things, but this is just killing me. I might be a little hard on myself, but it drives me crazy. I have to say that I have received quite a bit of support from the other cast members. I feel like I'm started to whine about it and I have to stop it and use that energy to concentrate and get the routines down. I do not want to be the weak link, if there is one.

I have to say that I am really working with some wonderful, talented and interesting people. I'm really trying to make it a point to sit down with everyone, even if just for a moment, and learn something about them. People come into your lives for a reason.................right?

Anyway, the bus ride home was a little more interesting. A man who had had a little bit too much to drink chose to sit really, really close to me on the bus. I thought we were dating!! It so reminded me of being back in New York it wasn't even funny. I didn't know if he was trying to pick-pocket me or what. "Good luck; I have very, very little money I thought". He kept apologizing to me, finally he got off at his stop.

Some of the sights were a bit depressing downtown. There are so many people who look as if they have such a hard life. It really reminds me of what I have to be thankful for.

Audition: Producers for "The O.C." @ Patrick Rush Casting. Patrick cast me in an episode of Jennifer Love Hewitt's "Time of Your Life" several years ago. It's time to strike again!!

Well, the audition went well. I had a couple of laughs with Patrick and the two writer/producers in the room. Several hours later I get the call that I book the role. YES!!! It was cool to talk to my agent about money and billing. It still another "co-star" role, but she inched my quote up a little and made sure I am the first "co-star" listed in the credits. It's all about making progress. I think I may take some of the other co-stars off of my resume and keep the highest regarded/most current shows. It won't be easy because I have been fortunate to work on some really good shows.

Audition: "Tyco" @ Toni Cervantes Casting. This audition goes well and I think I am right for it. Call me back!!

I stopped by the new location of my theatrical agency today. I wanted say hi to my long-time agent Erin and meet Josh Schiowitz, David Ankrum and Michael the wonderful assistant. I wanted to bring something to the office that they could use; so I brought a huge box full of 10 reams of paper. That's a lot of paper and it's really heavy too. I think it weighed more than me!! Anyway, they all got a kick out of that. Josh is in New York, but I did meet David. He seemed like a great guy and greeted very warmly. It's only been 4 days of the new set-up and my phone hasn't stopped ringing. I could get used to this.

Audition: "Center of the Universe" @ Valko/Miller Casting. This office cast me on "Ally Mcbeal" in 2001. They received a postcard on the right day at the right time and brought me in to audition and I got the role. The audition goes well, I think I could have done even better.......of course you get great ideas 'after' you leave the room. About 10 minutes after I leave the room my agent calls me with a callback @ 12:30. Cool!! The give me a note of adjustment.

The callback goes well. I really think that Casting Director Ken Miller was pulling for me, maybe it was my imagination. I think I am really right for this and it seems that it would be recurring. We'll see!

Tonight at rehearsal we run the first act of the play all of the way through. This cleared up some things for me, because I have been so confused as to who I really am. This helped a lot, but I sure have some work to do on those dance/marching steps.

Audition: "Still Standing" @ Deborah Barylski Casting. Ms. Barylski cast me in the pilot of "Life With Bonnie" in 2002 without going to producers. The "Still Standing" read goes okay. Deep, deep down I think I know why and I'm okay with it.

Audition: "Hyundai" @ Michael Sanford Casting. This was a last minute call and it goes well.

Today is the first day of the new merger situation with my agency. BINGO!! I get two calls for theatrical auditions. I hope this is a sign of things to come. They really seem like they have it all together, I am excited about the new set-up.

YES!!! Today I went to the AMA Motocross Championship at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, CA. Since I don't have a wife or kids yet, this is my passion. I am such a fan at these races when I get to see the top guys, I'm like a kid in a candy store. I even missed rehearsal today.....oooops!

Here we are again, the 3rd anniversary of a terrible human tragedy. I think it's one of those times where most of us will remember exactly where we were or what we were doing. I know I do.

Today I went in to the office to say goodbye to my agent Kelley; I damn near teared up. I mean she was the first person I saw at the first meeting I had when I flew to Los Angeles from New York. She was an assistant then and I just a great woman. I always hear horror stories about agents and I am happy to say that I have only had great experiences. Even when I was in New York freelancing with half of the town I always worked with good people. Anyway, I am really happy for her and excited about what the future holds with my new agency configuration.Two weeks and counting until previews for "For The Love of Freedom" things are getting more serious at rehearsal....sometimes a little tense, but it's looking really good. There is a lot to do to get things right before we present ourselves. I think the show is going to be incredible.

YES!!! Callback "V-8" @ Craig Colvin Casting. I felt like this callback went really well. Of course, I would love to book this, but we all know how that goes. You just have to move on.........see ya.

Audition: "Jack-in-the-Box" @ Alyson Horn Casting. I've booked through this office before and it's time to do it again. This one goes really well too. Callback? We'll see.

Drop-offs in action! Yesterday I dropped of at a several casting offices all over town, one was Kevin Scott Casting. Kevin cast UPN's "Half and Half" and ABC's "My Wife and Kid's". I did a general drop with a post-it attached.

Well guess what? Today they called my agent and asked if I would audition for the role of the "FedEx guy". It was 3-4 lines and my agents did not think it was a good idea. I knew they were right, BUT I had a different angle on the situation. I rarely if ever read for UPN or WB shows. Meaning that I don't get many calls for those shows; sometimes but not often. Most of my appointments are for really mainstream projects, not too urban not too ethnic. So why not take the chance and see what happens? Great question right? Well here's a great answer. Because I need to be more selective with these smaller roles if I am going to do them at all. It should, at least, look like it's going to recur or some other really good reason. Of course movies are a little different. I'm trying to move up the food chain and I believe there is some power in politely declining.

THIS is one of the major things I need my agents for and they are there in my corner. In all honesty if the casting office would have called me directly I most likely would have auditioned for the role even though I know I shouldn't have. I'm an actor and I wanna act. They left the final decision up to me, but let me know what they thought. They never turn anything down without running it by me first. In the end I decided not to audition for the role. It felt good to do that even though I would have loved to get a chance to book and work in front of the live audience again. On to the next........

Another day of drop-offs. From Culver City to Burbank and Studio City to Paramount Studios. It never ends and it was hot as fire today. I'm so thankful for my newer car. I can't imagine doing this in my old car, but I did it last Summer. Sometimes it seems so easy. I went to a place in Culver City and walked right into the production office and handed my photo to a very willing employee. She said "oh, this is for Donna. I'll take it right to her" and proceeded to do so. So that photo went straight to "Donna" "out of context" meaning out of the hustle/bustle of a typical submission. Now I don't expect to get seen for the project, but who knows, maybe I will.Last month one of my agents informed me that she's leaving the business to be a full-time mother to her new baby. I am so sorry to be losing her as one of my representatives, but I can't think of a better reason to go. I am very, very happy for her.When she informed me that she was leaving she also told me that the dynamics of the entire agency was going to change, but she wasn't sure how. The owner of the agency, Erin Connor, was going to hire a new agent, bring in a new partner or merge/be merged with another entity. I wasn't sure where all of this would leave me. You never really know in these situations.

THE MERGE/THE PURGE

Today on my home machine I had a message to call Erin at the
office. I don't get many calls directly from Erin so I admit I was a little nervous. I didn't think it was a booking, because I hadn't read for anything in the last week or so and if it was an appointment she would have left it on my answering machine. I wondered if this was how it's going to go down. Would she say "Stephon, were sorry, but we've decided to go in a different direction and unfortunately we have had trim our roster............." I returned the call and both agents were tied up on other calls. I hadn't heard anything back 90 minutes later so I called again and they were still tied up. I could tell that things were happening, but I didn't know what. My heart was beating, I mean REALLY beating. I've kinda had my game face about the notion of getting dropped since I first heard the news last month, but the reality of the actual call is another thing.

Finally the agent who is leaving, Kelley, called me and gave me the news. Badgley/Connor is merging with Schiowitz/Clay/Ankrum & Ross. Each agency is bringing clients with them and each agency is leaving clients behind. THAT was my next question.

Stephon:
"Wow, okay..........uhh.......alright.......so what about the purging?"

Kelley:
"Yes, the purging. Erin is taking you with her".

Stephon:
"Cool, I feel quite fortunate".

Kelley:
"Yeah, there are many that won't be making the transition with her.

Stephon:
"Wow, this is weird. It's been six years Kelley. I always tell people that I have 7-8 fabulous women representing me and I love it. Now I have to deal with men? I'm kidding.............."

So that's how it went down. I'm still with Badgley/Connor, but I'm also repped by SCA&R. It's sort of a merging of the each agencies list and the names will be combined in some way as well. I have only heard great things about Josh Schiowitz & David Ankrum. I'm excited about the future of this. If I had to get out and look for new rep, of course I would have done it, but there is a lot going on in the agency business and I would not want to be on the market right now. WHEW!

Today is, most likely, going to be one of those days. I can feel it. It was two years ago today that I demanded that my mom go to the hospital for a medical check up. She went in that day and the next day she was admitted to the hospital. Little did I know that she was suffering from pancreatic cancer and we would lose her in two months. So needless to say this is a not a great memory for me. I still can't believe she's gone.This was not the best of days for me at rehearsal. We did dance/movement today for 4 hours. First of all, I am not a dancer and I don't move particularly well. So I have that baggage with me most of the time. The problem was that the choreographer and the percussionist were speaking two different languages. Not literally, but the choreographer was speaking in "counts" i.e. "and 1 and 2 and 3 and.....and 8" whereas the percussionist was speaking in "beats of the drums". They didn't match up. Well after about 30 minutes of miscommunication from them I was pissed and tired. I don't get riled up too often but I was PISSED, I even had a little outburst if you can imagine that. I don't expect them to hold my hand through the whole thing, but at least give me clear direction. After rehearsal a couple of them pulled me aside and let me vent. I explained my frustrations and told them I would keep doing my best to keep up. This same thing happened with the show I did in NYC, I'll get it eventually.

Audition "Saturn" @ Ross Lacy Casting. Gee, Ross calls me in quite often and I would really like to book something through his office......soon. This audition goes really well I feel. I booked a "Pizza Hut" spot there several years ago, but that was several years ago. Time for some new fresh stuff!!Tonight's rehearsal was a lot of fun. I wasn't scheduled to be there, but decided to attend anyway. I ended up getting to work quite a bit in a different character. The rehearsals are a great workout and I am the company of some really talented people. I am so glad I am a part of this production.

YES!! Callback "Toyota" @ Cathi Carlton Casting. It wasn't the same director that has hired me before, but that's okay I'd be happy to work for him too! It goes well, I feel, so time will tell.

Yesterday at rehearsal, the screen cracked on my HP iPAQ PDA, the little Pocket PC that I carry everywhere. WHAT!!!! I don't think I took a breath for 5 minutes afterwards. I just stared at it and said........well you don't need to know what I said.......it sounded like "%^$#&**&^%!!!" I use it CONSTANTLY for everything, scheduling, contacts, e-mail, tasks, notes, photos, etc. I know it's a chance that I take that I will either break it or lose it, but it still hurts.

My saving saving grace was that I purchased it at Costco and I am a HUGE fan of www.costco.com I don't expect them to take care of it because it would be so easy for them to say that I dropped it or somehow abused it. I didn't, I swear. I had it in a protective leather case in my side cargo pocket and I didn't sit on it or anything like that. I could see if I was rough housing or something like that, but I wasn't. I had just used it 5 minutes before I discovered it was broken. Ugh!!! Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Speaking of Costco, last month I changed my car insurance to Costco, yeah Costco. It's backed by American Express. Yeah, I had been insured by "21st Century Insurance" and didn't have any problems or claims, but I wanted to shop around to see if I could get more for my money. Actually, I stayed with them a little longer than I might have out of of guilt.

I did a commercial for "21st" in the Fall of 2002. It was a testimonial, so I had to actually be a policy holder. They even did a background check on me. I guess it came up clean.....or clean enough! Anyway, when the check arrived they included a bounus of $200 to thank me for being a customer. WHAT!!! I thought it was a mistake, I called my agent because I couldn't figure why I had been over-paid. I wanted to give the money back before I cashed the check. Needless to say I was quite surprised and that made me a customer of "21st" for longer than I might have been. To make a long story short my coverage went from:

21st-
Bodily Injury $15,000 each person/$30,000 each accident
Property damage $10,000
Including Comprehensive & Collision
Uninsured motorist $15,000 each person/$30,000 each accident

Costco/Amex-
Bodily Injury $100,000/$300,000 each accident
Property damage $100,000
Including Comprehensive & Collision
Uninsured motorist $100,000 each person/$300,000 each accident

For the same price, yup the same price. My sister-in-law works for one of the major insurance carriers and she has told horror stories of being under insured.

Cut to:
4:30pm-I just got back from Costco and they let me return my PDA and gave me cash back. This is really good news, I didn't want to spend several hundred bucks on a new one. Now I just have to wait for them to get them back in stock. Thank you Costco!!

*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.