Well, I have to assume they moved on without me for the “KFC” spot. Dag! BUT I also didn’t get a release from my avail, which I usually get. So maybe I’m still in the running…..I won’t hold my breath though. NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got some great news from a friend, she booked her first national commercial for “Comcast”. I am particularly tickled because a year or so ago she wanted to take a commercial course with a teacher around town. I had no problem with that particular teacher, but I thought Craig Colvin would be a better choice because he is a working casting director who is on the pulse of what is happening in the industry. I actually went to his office, spoke to him directly and passed on the brochure to her……..and to her credit she acted on the information. She learned alot from the course and gained much more confidence. Through mailings she had some meetings with commercial agents but they passed on her. Around this time Craig started calling her directly for auditions. I think she got callbacks on 2 of the first 4 and booked the 4th one. It was a non-union spot so she didn’t have to join SAG just yet(she’s SAG-Eligible). She approached one of the reputable agencies that previously passed on her and they were eager to sign her since she had just booked.

Well months passed and that reputable agency did very, very, very, very little to help her in ANY way, BUT Craig Colvin kept calling her whenever he could for both union and non-union commercials. This is the first SAG commercial she has booked. It just shows the many ways to move forward in this career. Have a great shoot and I hope you make a ton of money on it!

Callback/Avail: “KFC” @ Ross Lacy Casting. YES!! This is for the spot I went in for on Tuesday. The audition was really funny. It was a take off of “The Jerry Springer Show”. I had a great time during the original audition. I told them “I just came to get my ‘Jerry Beads’”. “JERRY!, JERRY! JERRY!”

Well, the callback went great….I think. The director said it was funny and allof the rest of ther crestice team laughed. When I signed in I saw that they are having another round of callbacks tomorrow/Friday for the food. I guess they want to see how the actors interact with the chicken. I can tell you that I interact with chicken really good. So I guess they will see who they like from the callbacks and then bring them back for another look. I hope I get another callback.

I ran into my friend Margaret Easley at the callback. Actually we auditioned together at the first audition. I met Margaret while doing a "US Postal Service" commercial several years ago. Although I see her on TV more than I do in person I think she is just a great person. I am always more inspired after talking to her. This time the topic of discussion was buying a condo or house. This is something I am a little bit obsessed about these days. I think buying property will make my relationship with Los Angeles a much better one. So I am trying to get things together (credit, savings, etc.) to make that a reality. Plus, I think the housing market is going to burst in the near future. At least I hope.

Audition: "Eve" @ Powell/Melcher Casting. Ewww…this one goes ok. I think I made the character a little too charactery. Maybe I was more sketch-like and less mutli-camera comedic. Gotta work on that.

What a day today! I was driving around like a madman, but I got it all done. Three auditions, plus a dentist appointment and a workshop. I'm beat...and it feels good.

Audition: "Kellogg's" @ Ross Lacy Casting. I auditioned here just yesterday and this one went well.

Audition: "TGIF" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. I felt good about this one too. Actually, really good, I felt like my partner and I gave them something different. For better or worse!

Audition/Producers: "Boston Legal" @ Valko/Miller Casting. Cool, that didn’t take long to get back in this office. I was there just two weeks ago. I did my thing, so we’ll see what happens…..if anything.

Audition: "KFC" @ Ross Lacy Casting. I am so overdue at this casting office that I won't even talk about it, actually I am overdue in a lot of casting offices.

I got my first call today from my new theatrical agent, Caleigh. She was going to submit me for a series regular role that required a sketch and stand-up background. She called to see if I had that background, unfortunately I don’t, but it was great to talk to her. She is so energetic that it’s catchy; I am really looking forward to working with her.

Audition: “GE” @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting. It’s always a pleasure to audition here and anywhere else for that matter, but this office doesn’t usually do callbacks so I always feel like I’m really close. Gotta think positive!

FINALLY she's here!!! I became an uncle for the 5th time yesterday. Nikita Fuller was welcomed into the world @ 6:30am in Prague, Czech Republic. My brother, Tommy, has been living there for the last 5 years. I went for a visit in 2003 and it sounds like I need to plan another trip soon. The proud parents will hopefully visit the US in the Spring.

While running on the treadmill this morning (trying to maintain my girlish-figure!! I do live in LA!) I thought about how fortunate I am. I mean things are really good for me. Sure, there are some elements of my life that could be better, but I am definitely on the right path. Let me tell you, I know firsthand, what it's like to "not" feel like I'm on the right path and it can be challenging.

Yeah, I'd like to have parking, more in my savings account, buy a condo or house, get married, have children, become a better performer, finish my script, book more substantial roles in TV/Film/Commercials and Stage, learn how to ride Motocross better, do more consulting, be a better boyfriend(during the times when I am one), have a relationship with my father, get my oil changed in my car and two tires, etc. But I gotta tell ya, I am moving forward in almost everything I just listed and that is a great feeling. Step-by-step baby!!!

Today I went to see Casting legend Sheila Manning and Breakdowns Service mastermind Gary Marsh speak about commercial casting. Let me tell, it’s incredible how things have changed since I arrived in LA 7 years ago. Sheila said that she hasn’t used a VHS tape in months. Normally she would put audition on a VHS tape and have to FedEx it to New York, but now all of the sessions are uploaded to a virtual network. The client, ad agency, director, etc. can literally watch the auditions within minutes anywhere they have an internet connection. Crazy, it happens so fast.

The sessions was quite informative and I will definitely use the tips they gave to give me more of a chance to book commercials. I need all the help I can get!! Matter of fact, I might take Craig Colvin’s Commercial course to brush up on my skills.

I found out from the casting associate that the role I went in on for “Boston Legal” was cut from the script. That was good to hear. Now I know at least one reason why I didn’t book it. Hopefully, they will bring me back in very soon for something else.

Busy day on tap, three auditions. This is the way I like it....until I get burned out and I’m screaming to get the ^&%* out of LA for a bit, which I feel happening at the moment. I definitely have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this city. Maybe “love/hate” is a bit strong, how about “love and “why the ^&* can’t I park there!!!” relationship. Don't get me wrong LA has been great to me, but sometimes I just want something a bit slower paced.

I have it pretty good as it is, spending about 6+ weeks a year at home on the East Coast. There are some things that could change my perspective like........and........yeah those things would be an interesting addition.

Audition: "Wal-Mart" @ Joe Blake Casting. This goes well and I think I'm right for it.

Audition: "The George Lopez Show" @ Zane/Pillsbury Casting. This the 3rd time in the last 3 weeks that I have read for this casting office. I haven't booked yet, but I think I am doing my job right. I just have to stay on the course of doing good work and the rest will work out......right?The character is a guy who is about to get married and he's getting some counseling about it. Ha! Sounds like my life! Moving right along….......The audition went well. They gave me a little redirect and I felt like I gave them what they asked for.

Tonight I'm conducted an orientation for another group of actors from Actor's Connection in New York. They are in LA testing the market. This was a nice, spirited session. At times I felt like a street preacher. I love to talk about things that I'm passionate about and I'm really passionate about business. Not just show business, any kind of business.

Audition: "Aftershock" @ Pemrick/Fronk Casting. Okay, I was late getting to this audition because I was talking to the New York group. I don't usually have appointments at 7:50pm, but I'm thankful. I've been trying to get into this casting office for years. They cast tons of independent films. It was a little weird because even though a lot of people were in the waiting room I was taken in immediately because they paired me up with another actor I hadn't even taken my jacket off yet when I was brought in the room.

The other actor wanted to talk about another project we had worked on together. It was great to see him, but I didn't want to talk about it right then in front of the Producer, Director and Casting director. So that started off a little weird, but I think I recovered and got back on track. When I came out of the room I ran into a dear friend of mine which was a really nice surprise.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have a new theatrical agent. Well not exactly a new agent, but an additional agent at my theatrical agency. Her name is Caleigh and I already like her. She is young and energetic and even knew who I was when I walked in her office. I know that if my existing agents brought her on board she must have her stuff together. Caleigh was brought in because one of the partners, Josh Schiowitz, is relocating back to the New York office.

Callback: "Tostitos" @ Deborah Kurtz Casting. YES!! The audition was fun and I felt a little connection with the director. On the way out one of the other actors in my group said that he knew that it was already cast. I don't know why he said that, but he seemed convinced of it. I didn't let it get me down though, I'm still gonna hope for the best. Those Tostitos tasted really great. I could eat those all day on set…..well not all day……..well yeah, all day.

Class tonight was a little different since it was Halloween and a lot of people didn't show up. We did monologues, it's been a long time since I've done one, but it went well.

Audition “Boston Legal” @ Valko/Miller Casting. This office pre-reads me quite often and I go to producers every time, but I haven’t booked since “Ally McBeal” in 2001. I think it’s time to change that.

The audition went well enough to get a callback for a couple of hours later. Since I was way down in Manhattan Beach I took time to visit my favorite store - Costco!! Ha!

Anyway the callback went well, I felt, so we'll see what happens.

Audition: “Office Max” @ Jeff Rosenman Casting. This was a lot of fun. I knew the session director and the lady I was partnered up with and we had a great time. I am right for this, call me back!

Audition: “Tostitos” @ Deborah Kurtz Casting. It goes well enough. I tried to get in on a “Sunny D” spot that was going on at the same time, but I was unsuccessful.

Tonight was the second episode of a series that my friend Jonathan Julian has a recurring role in called “Noah’s Arc” on the Logo Network. Actually, he’s been in everything episode so far. He got this role from a self-submission on Now Casting about 3 years ago. It was funny, shot well and definitely pushed the envelope.

Callback: “SBC/AT&T” @ Francine Selkirk Casting. This goes well. I mean, it was really simple, but everything felt really good. This spot should run a lot since it’s launching the new, merged company. It pays double scale and double scale residuals…NICE. I would love to get this spot. I guess time will tell.

Tonight I started a new acting class with Amy Lyndon. I think it’s going to be a good class to help me make better, more specific choices in my work.

Okay, my call time for the 48-hour film project I’m doing this weekend is 7:30am. The name of the project is “Cast THIS”. The film is to be no longer than 8-minutes, has to have certain line of dialogue, a certain prop, a certain character name and the genre given to our team is comedy. All of these guidelines came down last night @ 7pm. That is when writer, producer, actress Julia Flint starting writing. By 1am we all had the script. We had a read-through @ 8:30am and started shooting shortly thereafter.

The story is about a disgruntled casting director trying to cast a project. I play one of the actors auditioning for the project. I knew several of the actors from Actorsite. It was a fun, amazing experience. I still cannot believe that we got it all done. I see “we”, but I really mean “them”, I was just a piece in the wheel. Thanks Julia!

Go-see: “Pfizer” Yeah! A print go-see. This one is quick, fast and in a hurry. Cool, I’ll take it however I can get it.

Audition: “Citi Advantage Card” @ Alyson Horn Casting. This went really well. I have booked through Alyson in the past.

Audition: “Coors” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. Cool, I just auditioned here yesterday. This is where I had my first audition in LA on July 29th 1998. This on goes really, really well. We had a ball in the room. I have yet to book in this office, but that will change……. And I hope soon.

Audition: “Honda” @ Ross Lacy Casting. That makes three really great auditions today. Now let hope for some callbacks!!

Audition: “SBC/AT&T” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. This went really, really well; which has nothing to do with whether I’ll get a callback or not. That’s okay, as long as they keep giving me the opportunity to book. Eventually I’ll score again.

Check this out. As I was walking back to my car after the audition my phone rang. It was an “818” number I didn’t recognize. I thought maybe I left something at the audition and needed to return. So I answer my phone and it’s Alison Mize from Deedee Bradley Casting. She had just received my postcard and wanted to congratulate me for booking my first Guest Starring role. She had a lot of compliments for me. I had to tell her that the episode has been pushed and it won’t air on Thursday like it said on all of the 131 postcards I sent out. She said, “So what, the important thing is that you booked it”. Thanks Alison.

I did a scene for her at an event a couple of months ago and she commented that she was glad to get to see me work because she sees my photo all the time and now has a little more to go on. I was speechless. It was such a nice thing to do.

I’ve been trying to get in that office for a good while and it’s nice to know that all of the drops, postcards, etc. are not in vain. Hopefully, I’ll get in to audition in the future. My day was already going well and that just made it even better.

This was my first commercial audition in several weeks so I have a feeling that since it’s been a little slow lately commercials are going to pick up.

I am participating in the 48-Hour film festival with several other actor/producers/writers, some of which I know from the Actorsite Networking Group. The production takes place this weekend and we had our cast and crew meeting tonight. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. Oh yeah, since I got the surprise that the “IBM” commercial is being used worldwide I was able to make a donation to the production of the short film. It wasn’t much, but hopefully it will help with the craft services cost or something. In my future I really hope to be a philanthropist on some level. It can’t always be money; there are many other ways to give back.

At 6:30 my phone rings and it’s 2 commercial auditions for tomorrow. YES!!! Then @ 8:25pm I get a call for a third audition. I couldn’t believe my agents were still putting out calls. Actually, I’m not shocked. It’s just a good feeling to have such a great team to work with. Matter-of-fact after interning last week at Nancy Nayors office last Friday I’m going to send a thank you note to my theatrical agency just to let them know that I appreciate what they do and have done for me over the years.

Okay, it’s official. The episode of “Love, Inc.” has been delayed to who knows when. The good thing is that the person who gave me that info has seen the episode and said that it turned out really it’s very funny. That person is also close to one of the creators of the show and said that s/he would lean on him to bring the nerds back. Cool. Oh well, 131 postcards went out yesterday with the wrong date on them. Ooops.

Tonight I conducted another orientation for a group of New York actors testing the waters in Los Angeles. There a fun, energetic group with lots of questions about how the LA market works. I definitely don’t have the answers, but I’ve picked up some ideas along the way.

Ahh! What a day today was. I was planning to sleep in, but it was not to be. After a bunch of stuff I had to do this morning I was on my way home to grab a couple hours of rest. Right then I received a call from Janine @ Nancy Nayor Casting asking if I could intern for the rest of the day. They were swamped with submissions and needed help to open them.

So I arrived to a whole lot of submissions for 3 different films they are working on. The first thing it did was amaze me I get any appointments at all. I mean, there were so many submissions to go through. Boy, this is a tough business we are in. Fortunately, I bought my own letter opener with me.

When you go through over 1,000 photos it’s interesting to see what other actors’ methods are. I couldn’t understand the rationale of not stapling the headshot to the resume at all. You would think that attaching the two things would just make sense. I also noticed a lot of duplicate postcards. That seemed to be mostly people that were using labels. In this particular office they were addressed to three different people, but in reality the went in to one stack.

I can tell you that, from what I saw, everything gets looked at. If the submission had the right project and a character name it went into the stack with all of the agency submissions. So THAT was encouraging, but I gotta tell you the odds are……..well.

This was timely because I am in the midst of sending postcards for my appearance on “Love, Inc.” this week. Actually, they may have changed the date because there’s a different episode listed on tvguide.com. I’m kinda in limbo because I don’t want to send them with a date if it not going to air, but I need to get the word out that I booked the job.

Audition/Producers/Tape: “According to Jim” @ Zane/Pillsbury Casting. Cool, I just had a good audition with them last week. It’s all about getting them to trust you and to keep bringing you back. Of course, you wanna book too…..eventually. It went well so we'll see.

Audition/Producers/Tape: “Joey” @ Greenstein/Daniels Casting. Here's another casting office that recently called me to producers. This is what I’ve been trying to accomplish, so maybe I’m getting somewhere. Actually, I found out that the role I went in for on “Joey” a couple of weeks ago was cut from the script. I just have to keep my momentum up in these offices and build up a following. I felt good about this one too.

Airing: “Hot Properties” on ABC @ 9:30pm. I’m in one scene as a doctor. Okay, so while reading a review of the pilot yesterday I had a sneaking suspicion that I was cut from the episode. I was right, they left that scene out, so maybe they'll call me back in for something else.

Although, I haven't seen the "IBM" commercial but one time, I found out today that they are using it worldwide. Let me just say that is a good thing.....a very good thing and a big surprise.

Audition: "In Justice" @ Zane/Pillsbury Casting. I auditioned for a series regular role on this show back during pilot season. So now I'm going in for two smaller roles, on tape for producers. It goes well, so I guess we'll see....or we won't.

Airing: “Weeds” on Showtime @ 9:30pm. I don’t have Showtime, but one of the other actors I worked with has a copy I’ll be able to see. He informed that my brief appearance was made even more brief through editing.

Audition/Producers: “Monk” @ CFB Casting. I’ve dropped off 2 or 3 times to this office this season for various things. They do call me in too. Actually, I booked a small part on “Weeds” which airs Wednesday the 5th on Showtime. This will be about the fourth time I’ve gone in for “Monk” and hopefully I’ll eventually get something on the show.

CUT TO:

Ooops! This didn’t go too well. At least I don’t think it did. As soon as I walked in one of the casting directors starting talking about the episode of “Weeds” airing this week. I thought that was cool that she actually remembered the particular episode that I was in.

The role I was reading for just had a couple of lines that ran pretty much together in the scene with a continuation to the very next scene. I chose to just run it all as one scene instead of doing one line, cutting, and then doing the other line. It was totally my fault and my flow got kinda jacked up when they broke it up into two separate scenes. It said “Start” and “End” on both pages, so I have no one to blame, but me. Ewww!

I bang the pavement hard with drops this morning. Last week was kind of quiet and I would like this week to be different. I was really hoping to get a callback for “The Unit”, but it looks like they moved on without me. I think I’ll get back in that office before too long.

I had a list, mostly from the Actorsite to go on. About 18 different drops, I knew I wasn’t going to do them all today because they were all over the city and I have be careful of my gas consumption. The Actorsite list usually has many addresses that I haven't heard of and I don't know where they come from. That's cool though, it keeps me busy. The Actorsite is where I found the original listing for “The Terminal” and walked to the casting office, dropped off my photo and booked a role. Speaking of the “The Terminal”, I am still waiting for home video residuals which are MONTHS late…….did I say months? I won’t get into it, it’s sore subject with me right now……

So my first drop is way out in Pasadena and the traffic most of the way there is horrible. Well, at least I got to talk to my brother, Todd, in Virginia. We talk business practically everyday and I love that.

It seemed that almost every drop I did today was at an unfamiliar address. So I was totally feeling like “why am I driving waaaay out here? Traffic sucks. I should just blow these off today and go home and feel sorry for myself.” That’s when my alter-ego in the passenger seat looked at me and said “dude, stop bitching!” There are times when I just don’t feel like doing it. Sometimes I pull out my bag of tricks and sometimes I carry my ass home.

Today I opted to pull out the bag of tricks and see what I could find. It was my alter-ego (also me) telling me to "Keep it moving!", so that is what I did. I get to the first one in Pasadena and hand my photo to the receptionist and totally felt like it was a waste of time. I had to laugh, BUT I followed my own advice of “nothing is a waste of time, because you never know what the future will bring”.

So on to the next; it was in a neighborhood. First, I’m thinking that I’m in the wrong place so I double check the street and lo and behold I AM in the right place. It’s a house with a big ass dog barking in the back behind a fence. The spot was a little “hoodish” and I was like “yo, I’m outta here!” Then I was like “I drove all the way out here, I GOTTA drop this off, who knows what I might be walking away from”. For real though, I was kinda nervous about rolling up to someone’s front door.

I took my own advice and went for it. I walk up to the door looking for a drop box or something so I can “stick and move and be OUT”. NOTHING. I’m thinking somebody is going to come out on the porch and say “HEY get away from my shit!!!!!” At this point I’m laughing inside because I rarely get nervous in the field, but I was sweating bullets.

The front door was one of those heavy, black, metal security doors that you can’t really see into, but they can see out of. I couldn’t tell if anyone was looking at me so I was trying to be cool, but not really and finally I hear this voice. Oh sh*t. I couldn’t see who it was. So I ask “Can I drop this off for the casting?” Finally, I could sorta see who I was talking to; it was an Asian woman in her 60’s who didn’t at all look "Hollywood". She doesn’t know what I’m talking about, so I say “uh, can I leave this for the movie?” she replies “huh, moobie?” I’m ready to apologize and head back to my car and right then she says “KYC ProoooDuctions?” I say “Yeah!” and she opens the door and takes it and even says “thank you”. I thank her and breathe a sigh of relief. I head back to my car, but not before giving the barking dog “da finga, beeeyotch". Peace!

After a couple of wrong turns trying to get out of this very unfamiliar place I head to Sunset Blvd. for my next drop. But even this was an address I had never been to. The attractive receptionist greets me warmly and points around the corner to a woman who was sorting photos.I politely hand her my photo; she glances at it, then sees my name and looks right at me. Her look was so abrupt that it stopped me in my tracks. I was startled, so I said “Ha, have we met before?” she kinda nodded. I honestly didn’t recognize her so I said “ok, well, hey have a great day” and hopefully, gracefully made my exit. What a day.

Next stop was another unfamiliar spot on Las Palmas. The three women were very nice and responsive to me being nice and friendly. Whew, some normalcy.

Even when I got to Sunset-Gower Studios the security guard was a little weird, like I was the first actor to drop off a headshot. Anyway….back to work……………

Audition: "The Unit" @ Bialy/Thomas Casting. I did a drop at this office a couple of days ago, my second or third this season for "Bones" and "The Unit". I guess it helped me get in because the casting assistant said she sees my photo all over the place. I don’t know if she meant around town or that particular office. Anyway, that’s great to hear.

A little more than a year ago my longtime theatrical agency, Badgley/Connor joined forces with Schiowitz Clay Ankrum & Ross.

Up until now, it wasn't an official merger. I was still repped by my longtime agent, Erin Connor, as well as the new ones, David Ankrum & Josh Schiowitz, but this week it became an official merger.

Actually, I hadn't been officially under contract since my last one expired 3 years ago, so this "felt" new and exciting. I must admit I was a little surprised when they informed me that they are using Standard SAG Contracts. Cool, I expected a GSA.

So the official new name is Schiowitz, Connor, Ankrum, Wolf, Inc. Teresa Wolf is in the New York office. Ironically, Teresa was one of my agents for a short period of time years ago in New York @ The Luedtke Agency. I'm really happy with this group of people on my side, including the office manager and interns.

I've never worried too much about not having a demo reel, but now I’m more ready than ever to really get one together. Don't get me wrong, I know it can only help me as long it's solid material, but I've always felt they were much more instrumental in getting an agent and since I have rep I’ve concentrated on other things.

Anyway, they stated that it's becoming very important to have a demo reel available online. This is what I needed to hear AND from who I needed to hear it from in order to get my butt in gear to get my reel together. They said the online demo is becoming an actors' pre-read.

We, as actors, hear so much about it from the companies that provide the service, but hearing this particular thing from my agents means much more to me. They gave me a print out of four different services I could choose from. Hopefully, this “Love, Inc.” episode in a couple of weeks will be a great start.

Audition: “DuPont” @ Craig Colvin Casting. I really like Craig, he is a great guy and very busy casting director. I’ve had many, many callbacks for Craig in the past, but have yet to book. I even recommended my former girlfriend take his commercial class and she later started getting auditions through him and eventually booked a commercial that he cast. I’ll keep trying, my day will come!

Audition: “Tyco” @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting. Another chance at this “Big Dog” of commercial casting. It goes well, although I think my partner was very new to commercials. I was careful not to follow his lead.

Wow! Today is my 12 year anniversary of being in the entertainment business. I have to say that it’s been an interesting ride. I’ve had many, many high points and some not so high points, but through it all I have maintained my sanity.

Thinking back to that very first Wednesday night class in Virginia Beach, VA when I met William Gregory Lee seems so long ago. By the very next week, we became somewhat of a team. I think the most important thing for us was our vision of believing we could do it and not being afraid to try. It was never, even for a moment, a question of whether we would pursue this business on a grand scale or not. Most of the class was hedging or kinda testing the waters, we chose to jump in the water with our clothes on. I don’t know if that was the best way to do it, but it’s what we did.

Looking back, that blueprint is what freed us into the world of "what could be". We were off running and know one could stop us, not even our teacher, Sylvia Harman, who wasn’t very supportive of our determination, in the beginning. She was a great teacher, but I don’t think she understood what "our" realities were. So we had to do what we had to do…..and we did it.

Since those early days, I’ve yet to work with anyone else in such a partnership, but even that didn't last too long. Greg and I stopped working so closely together after moving to New York; even though we shared a bed for 4 months in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan. THAT was a whole ‘nother story!

We remained and still are very good friends, he is making big moves here in Los Angeles as we speak. We often talk about what is happening in our respective career and it's all good stuff.

So here I sit in 2005, obviously, older and more experienced than I was in 1993. Often times I wonder what the future holds. Will I be doing this in another 2 years, 5 years, 10 years; will I go back home to Virginia and sell Cheesesteaks with my family; will I write a book and become a motivational speaker/mentor to college students and other actors embarking on a their careers as actors…….I don’t know………I really don’t know. Maybe I’ll become a Honda salesperson, get married and start making babies. Ha!! Could be, could be not. In reality, I think it’ll be combination of all of it. I really love what I do. I think I'm where I should be, doing what I should be doing, but I also know there are so many other things I want to do as well. I am a very fortunate man.

Callback: “Listerine Pocket Mints” @ Joe Blake Casting. Another callback. YEAH!! It goes well, very simple stuff. It sure would be nice to book something…..soon.

Okay it looks like it's official, I've been released for the "Vodafone" spot. It's fun to get close, but it's much more fun to book.....but you knew that. Back to the drawing board.

I guess no news is good news. I expected to be released by “Vodafone” by now. I’m kidding, but I did expect to hear something. Well, I’ll have to assume I’m still in the running. I know it shoots Tuesday and/or Wednesday of next week. So maybe they're booking them on Monday or maybe they have already booked and I didn’t get the memo. I usually get an official release. Time will tell………

Audition: “Listerine Pocket Mints” @ Joe Blake Casting. This goes really, really well and I think I’m really, really right for it.

Callback: “Vodafone” @ Maryclaire Sweeters Casting. This callback goes really, really well. The director just wanted it to be very small and real. Sometimes, I feel myself doing a little too much; it may be just facial expression or indicating, but this time I got it right……I think. I guess time will tell.

I guess “Joey” moved on without me. That’s okay, because I felt I did a great job and I’ll get another chance on another day.

I read in the trades this morning that ”Love, Inc.” has been moved from Thursdays at 9:30pm to 8:30pm. Now it directly follows “Everybody Hates Chris”, THAT is great news….really great news. Funny enough, I was talking to one of the regulars about how it would be a great thing to be in that slot. I am in the fifth episode of the season airing October 20th…and hopefully more.

Just as I'm getting all my stuff together to do some drop-offs my agents calls with an audition this afternoon for "Joey" @ Valko/Miller Casting. Cool, I'm glad I was still close to home so I could change clothes before going to it.

The only problem is that I have a commercial audition at the same time. I'll try to get in on that early then go to the other side of the hill for "Joey".

Audition: "Sears" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one is really, really fun. I'm not sure if that means it went well, since I don't know what they are looking for, but it was definitely fun.

Audition: "Joey" @ Valko/Miller Casting. I went in for one of their shows 3 times last year and was called back each time, but didn't book. It's time to score again.

I was reading with the associate, Peter Pappas, with owner Nikki Valko observing. When Peter started the scene I was like a "deer in headlights". Why? Because I was given the wrong material and the wrong character. Ooops. I got the right sides and left to prepare.

Okay, back in the room and ready to do it. The first read goes well, they redirect me and it goes even better. They give me a callback on the spot for 2 hours later @ Warner Bros.

I get word that I'm on avail and have a callback for the "Vodafone" commercial I went in on last week.

Callback: "Joey" @ Valko/Miller Casting. As expected, Kevin Bright was in the room at the callback. I read it once, got direction and read it again. Regardless of what happens, I felt great about my performance. Kevin directed the episode of "Friends" I did back in '99.

While at the audition I spoke to Collin Daniel & Brett Greenstein. Colin is the one who brought me in for “Frasier” several years ago. They informed me that they are the new Casting Directors on “Joey” starting with the next episode.

Audition: "Sons and Daughters" @ ASG Casting. Oh, no! The traffic lights are broken! What the heck is going on in Los Angeles. Wow, it really makes you appreciate when things work like they are designed to. I didn't know if the audition was going to be rescheduled or what was happening. When I finally arrived at the casting office the halls were dark, only lit by candles. Fortunately, the camera was battery operated and the room had lots of natural light.

This audition was all improvisation. They wanted three different ways and I gave it to them. All in all, a good time.

Finally, the "IBM" call comes in and.........I've been released…..again. Ugh! I was hoping to get to work with Kevin Christy again. Oh well, I get 'em next time.

Shooting: “Love, Inc.” @ Paramount Studios. Yeah, show night!! Cool! This is the first live audience gig in about 3 years for me. It’s going to be a long day, but not too demanding because we’ve already shot about 4 scenes. Get this? After running around like crazy all week, I don’t have any auditions today. Just chilling and concentrating on one thing.

In and out of make-up in a flash and I’m ready to rock and roll. We run the two scenes I have left and I’m done until lunch. I actually did the intelligent thing during my break. I didn’t yack on the phone or fiddle with my PDA; I took a freakin’ nap and it was great.

During lunch I get a welcoming call from my agent. Well, most calls from my agent are welcoming, but this was especially. I am on-hold for the “IBM” spot I busted my butt to get to yesterday. Yeah!! They should know for sure on Monday. Funny enough, one of the other “nerds”, Kevin Christy, is already scheduled to shoot an “IBM” next week. We both currently have “IBM” spots running. The difference is “Mr. Christy” is a bit higher on the totem pole than myself because he rarely has to audition for “IBM/Pytka” anymore. He’s done several spots for them. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m working on it.

Okay, locked and loaded. It’s time to put this thing in the can. The audience is in place and the cast is in the make-up room doing the speed read before we go on stage. The energy is electric; the cast and crew is confident in what we have to present tonight. Scene “A” starts out with a bang. My first scene is “B”; we do a take, get a notes and do another take, then a pick-up. Production tells us that we’ll pick it up later, after we let the audience go, to get it “clean” without the audience laughter.

I hang around and watch some of the rest of the scenes being shot. Next up for me was scene “M”, the last scene of the night. This time we had a really rough first take. We got re-writes/notes and did another take. Both takes had great parts and not so great parts, but I guess between the two of them we got it right. They said they would release the audience do pick-ups for this scene as well.

Before the pick-ups I got a chance to talk, one on one, with the director Arlene Sanford. Arlene is rare in television directing in that she does ½ hour multi-camera, ½ hour single camera, one hour drama, one hour dramedy and film. She told me a bit about her journey and said to keep doing my research. I’ve always felt it was best to get to know writers/producers and directors in this manner.

After pick-ups we were done for the week. It was great experience. Lots of hugs and “thank yous” were going around. When I was thanking Executive Producer Adam Chase, I mentioned to him that I my first TV job was on “Friends”. He was a writer/producer on “Friends” and wrote the episode that I was in back in ’99. Adam mentioned that to the 1st AD of "Love, Inc.", who was the 2nd AD on “Friends” when I worked on it. The first day on “Love, Inc.” we all thought we knew each other but couldn’t remember from where; at the last hour we figured it out.

The way the story line of “the nerds” goes there is room for us to return. I won’t hold my breath, but you never know….I’d love to go back for another episode.
After a crazy week, I want to thank both of my agencies for making many extra phone calls to accomidate my schedule. I worked all week plus had six auditions and was able to make all of them. Thanks!!

Shooting: “Love, Inc.” @ Paramount Studios. Alright, today I gotta keep my game face on. We are pre-shooting two of the four scenes I’m in and I have two commercial auditions.

There was no script at my door this morning so that tells me their are no re-writes or they are STILL re-writing. As soon as I get there they are ready to run one of the scenes I’m in. So I grab a white script, yesterdays was blue, I start doing it. Yup, there are rewrites! I like the new stuff, the old stuff was cool, but this is better and better for me. When I first walked in the director, Arlene Sanford, hardly recognized me because I was clean shaven. I look like a college kid!!

Of course, I’m plotting and planning how I’m going to slip out to the “IBM” audition. I simply CAN'T miss this appointment. I don’t want to miss the other one either, but “IBM/Pytka/TLC/Loree Booth Casting situations are pretty unique in my eyes ABD it’s not looking good.

So back to work……I go into make-up to get all pretty and whoa!! They don’t usually spend that much time on me, but this make-up artist really laid it on. Oh well, I’m pretty………pretty made up. Geez.

I get into wardrobe as the nerd, which was a pretty cool outfit. I’d wear it in my regular life, maybe I really am a nerd. That’s okay with me. We do a camera blocking of the scene and the new dialogue that I got is great. It worked well for me. Then the stand-ins take over. My stand-in is a woman……WHAT!!?? I’m kidding, she was a very nice woman.

It’s time to shoot!! These are pre-shoots so there is no “live audience”, although there is a lot of people there. It goes really well. The next scene was in a night club and that one went well too. We, the nerds, worked mostly with Reagan Gomez-Preston and Vince Vieluf. Vince is really funny and non-stop energy, Regean is very sweet and really, really hot. Reagan even made the comment that “these guys should come back on the show” in front of the writer. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if they brought us back in the future; our situation isn’t resolved by the end of the episode.

So now I’m trying to get released and it’s not working. I must be driving the 2nd AD, Michelle, crazy by now. It seems that everyday I have had a request to leave for an appointment. I would never be high-maintenance unless I had to.

An hour goes by and I’m still there. I could have been gone and back by now!! I understand from their point of view, they are paying me to be there, but still………

After a while one the other production guys, Kevin, comes by to pick up my contract and I ask him about the likelihood of me leaving. He suggested that I go ask again. I was walking down the hall to the 2nd AD’s office and I spotted her walking towards me. She released me and said to just return after lunch. So I called my agent right away and she called casting and they said I could come by right now. So I made it. Then production called and said that I didn’t have to come back until tomorrow. Cool! So now I can make my other audition too.

Audition: “IBM” @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting. Yup, it goes well.

Audition: “Expedia” @ Deborah Kurtz Casting. This one goes well too, I was paired up with Rachel, who I worked with in a “Denny’s” commercial several years ago.

Shooting: “Love, Inc.” @ Paramount Studios. Today things were pretty routine on set @ “Love, Inc.”. Surprisingly, there were no rewrites for the “nerds”. We had a great time with lots of laughing. We also had a network run-thru which seemed to go well. I have had the best of luck with fitting in other auditions. Right before lunch I slipped away for a commercial audition. One of the other “nerds”, Jeremy Guskin, wasn’t able to attend rehearsal today because he booked a national commercial for “Del Taco”. Go Jeremy!

Auditon: “Capital One” @ Ross Lacy Casting. I barely made it to this and back during my lunch break. It goes well.

The 2nd AD, Michelle, calls and asked me to be clean shaven for tomorrows pre-shoots. I already shaved my little goatee and now they want to be clean, clean shaven. The other two are younger than me and they want us all to look about the same age. So they are having me shave and telling them NOT to shave. I guess I’m getting older.

I have two commercial auditions tomorrow and I really hope I can make them both especially the “IBM” one. Oh yeah, I finally saw the “IBM” one I did back in June. It looks fun, totally different than what I envisioned. I like it, I hope it runs a lot.

Shooting: “Love, Inc.” @ Paramount Studios. It was great to finally get a job on this lot again….or any studio lot for that matter. I think the last time I worked here was my second episode of "Frasier". That was October '02.

I remember it vividly and it was, without question, the hardest period in my life. Things were going great in my career and terribly in my personal life. Just a day before I'd returned from Tokyo, Japan shooting a commercial for "Honda" and "Good Morning, Miami" had me scheduled to work right after finishing "Frasier". Right now, as I close my eyes I can see myself outside of Stage 25 where "Frasier" and before that "Cheers" was filmed. I was broken down in tears talking on my cell phone to my younger brother, Todd, back in Virginia. We were both coming to terms with the fact that we were losing our mother to pancreatic cancer.

She took sick and her condition rapidly deteriorated, but still, we believed that she would recover. It was about this time that we realized her time with us was ending. Exactly one month later, again on the phone with Todd, this story repeated itself @ CBS Radford while working on "GMM". I was in my trailer crying my eyes out just before going on stage to shoot the episode. Mom had really taken a turn for the worse and I was praying it would end soon. The next day, November 15th 2002, my prayers were answered. After traveling back and forth to Virginia numerous times with little hope I was relieved for her to be able to rest.

Sorry about the sad story, it just kinda came over me.

So back to the present. I find Stage 19 and the first person I see is Kevin Christy. Kevin is playing one of the other nerds. He and I worked together a couple of years ago on a pilot presentation for the BBC.

The morning starts with cast introductions and a table read of the script. Cast and crew were all very nice and personable. At that point writer/creator, Andy Secunda and director Arlene Sanford realized that me and one of the other "nerds" had been cast in the wrong role. Ooops! So we switched and read it as requested. It was fun and funny. Following the table read the writers got together for notes and we were released.

I told the 2nd AD that I had an audition on the lot and asked if it was okay for me to go. She said "cool".

Audition: “Threshold” @ Ronnie Yeskel Casting. Get this, it’s at Paramount Studios as well, literally 50 yards from Stage 19 where I’ll be working on “Love, Inc.”. I did a general drop for “Threshold” several weeks ago, maybe they just got it! Ha! The mailroom at Paramount is notoriously bad from what I hear from casting associates. Or maybe my agent submitted me and I was called in, the old fashion way. Hey, I’ll take it however it comes.Ironically, I dropped off there for some friends while I was on the lot for "Girlfriends". Then when I went back later in the day for the producer session for "Love, Inc." I was given the wrong building and was kind of lost. I walked in to the casting office for "Threshold" and Ronnie was the one who gave me directions.So I'm in the waiting room with several other actors hoping it doesn't take too, too long. Right then Casting Director Chuck McCollum enters the room. He's getting his stuff together to begin the session and spots me.

Chuck:
Hey Stephon. (then approaches me) Are you okay for time?

Me:
Yeah, I should be good. Thanks.

Chuck:
Just let me know if you need to go in early, because I know you're working on the lot today.

Me:
You're reading my mind.

Chuck:
Yeah, I talked to your agent and he told me what was going on.

Me:
Thanks, I really appreciate it.

Chuck:
No problem.

Ya know, it was a little weird because I didn’t want to be “that actor”, the one who gets special treatment. I guess it was okay because my agent spoke to him about it ahead of time. At the same time it was great to be reading for another job while on a break from a booking. I always wanted to experience that. As a reader I would see that all the time, actors auditioning while on break from a series or a film.

So I get in the room and read it once. I felt good about it and they gave me direction. I took the direction and got a callback on the spot for later in the afternoon.

Next, I hurry back to "Love, Inc." and the timing is perfect. We run a rough blocking of 3 of the 4 scenes and are released for the day.....it's only 12:15pm.

Callback: "Threshold" @ Ronnie Yeskel Casting. I didn't recognize any of the actors from the pre-reads, so this must have been the “straight-to-producers crew”. Anyway, the callback goes pretty well, I jumbled some words a little, but I think the character was intact. We’ll see.

Audition: “Vodafone” @ Mayclaire Sweeters Casting. I barely made it to this one. Actually, I was about 40 minutes late and the very last one to be seen. The session runner had to put me on tape by myself instead of the groups of five he had been doing since there was no one else there. Again, we’ll see, hopefully I’ll get a callback.

Wow!! What a day today was. I worked, made all three of my AND did a bunch of drop-offs. Tomorrow is a new challenge.

YES!!! So the call comes in…….…and…………I’m BOOKED! Yeah, I’m so excited. It’s one of the computer nerds on UPN’s “Love, Inc.”. This is my first show with “Guest Star” billing, which totally caught me by surprise. I knew the character was in at least three scenes, but I wasn’t aware that it was a guest starring role. It should be a lot of fun.

Right after my agent, Josh Schiowitz, called with the good news the CD, Susan Vash, called with congratulations and the details. I got a chance to thank her for calling me directly when she had trouble finding me through my agent. She was like “Of course! When I want to find someone I don’t stop until I do.” Thank you Susan!!

An hour later I get a call from my agency confirming that I should still go to the callback for "Girlfriends". It crossed my mind that "Love, Inc." and "Girlfriends", if I book, may shoot at the same time, but I didn't want to be too presumptuous and ask; I figured I'd cross that bridge if and when I got there. They were being proactive!! They found out that "Girlfriends" doesn't shoot until later in the month. Yes!! I like my agents.

I was determined to make something happen this week. I hit the ground really hard with the drops on Monday morning and Casting Director Susan Vash called me that afternoon. Of course, this specific situation wasn’t a result of my efforts this week, but it worked the way I designed it to work.

Which is:

1. Stay really, really busy hustling to create opportunities.

2. Know that everything done to further my career means something. It may not always be tangible, but it matters in the big picture. Sometimes it takes years to see the result of an effort made today.

3. Don’t worry about what my agents are doing, I trust that they are doing their job. I realize I may be in the minority on that.

4. Remember that I get 90% and my agents only get 10%. So I need to do my fair share.

Callback: “Girlfriends” @ Susan Goddard-Smythe Casting. This goes really well and I think I’m right for it. Regardless, I think Susan will call me in again and the season is still young.

Audition: "Girlfriends" @ Susan Goddard Smythe Casting. The audition goes great. Susan is incredibly actor-friendly. There were about 6 different smaller roles and I was to chose 3 of them to read. She worked with me like any actor would want and was very specific with her direction. She eventually got me where she wanted me. Hopefully, I’ll get a callback.

Audition/Producers: “Love, Inc.” @ Susan Vash Casting. This character is perfect for me; it’s one of three computer nerds trying to attract women to date. Ha!!! Anyway, interesting enough the casting director called me on my cell phone. She had an old resume which had the old number for my theatrical agent on it. Cool, I’ll take it however I can get it. Remember those direct contact numbers for situations like that.

This goes great too! I felt really good about the character, a computer nerd. Ha! It fit me perfectly! The room was full of the usual suspects; director, writers/producers, casting, camera operator and reader. It just seemed to click for me, even though I kinda chewed up a little bit of the dialogue the character was intact. They laughed a lot. I guess it’s wait and see now.

Afterwards I stopped by my theatrical agency to say good-bye to the office manager Michael. He is moving on to do some different things in the business. I met Steve who will be his replacement. I also got word that an official name change of the agency is in the works, probably sometime in the Fall. I'm really happy with my agents....I am fortunate.

YES!! I get the call that I am one of the “choices” for a role in “Love, Inc.”. They won’t know until tomorrow, but she said it “looks very strong at this point”. Alright, I’ll take that.

So what happened today?

• I had 2 auditions.
• Both were at Paramount Studios.
• Both were reading 3 different roles.
• Both of the Casting Directors names are Susan.
• Both scenes are with African-Amercian females.
  

......hmmmm

Audition: “e-bay” @ Shane Casting. This one goes well. As I was leaving, I thought how amazing it is that I even got an appointment for this commercial. There was 6 men of virtually all types in my group. I’m sure I know 100+ men that were right for it, but not everyone will get an appointment.

I look at it this way:

I go from one of the 10,000’s of men that are right for it
To fewer that have representation
To even fewer who are actually submitted by agents
To even fewer that have agents whose submissions get looked at
To WAY fewer who get appointments, maybe 100-200 I’d think.

To all of that I say “wow”. I am very fortunate. Thank you KSA!

Audition: “TBS Promo” @ Beth Holmes Casting. It goes well, simply and easy.

Audition/Print go-see: “Adidas” @ Vicki Goggin Casting. WHAT!? This is like the fourth print go-see I’ve had this year. I’m actually getting less surprised when I get calls from the print department. Thank you Jenny & Rose! I even finished those drop-offs from yesterday.

GASSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh! Many are saying to boycott Exxon. I’m not sure what it’s all about, but I’m jumping on the bandwagon. BOYCOTT EXXON!! BOYCOTT EXXON!! I’m sure there are many others that are laughing all the way to the bank too.

I did drops all day today and I am exhausted. I didn’t even get them all done, I’ll finish tomorrow……I guess.

Audition: “CitiBank” @ Joe Blake Casting. This one was mostly improv and it was a blast. I was paired up with Wayne Wilderson, who is also a KSA commercial client who I see him on TV waaaay more than me. We had a great time. Hopefully, we’ll both get called back.

Audition: “That 70’s Show” @ G. Charles Wright Casting. I really wanna get on this show! I’ve auditioned for it a couple of times now and hopefully I’ll score one of these days. I felt great about the audition, so we’ll see.

After I left I went to do drop-offs at some of the other offices at CBS Radford and ran into Craig Welzbacher. Craig is the one who let me in on his callback for the “Honda” commercial 3 years ago. We both booked and got to go to Tokyo, Japan for additional spots. He’s a great actor and a great guy.

Then I went over to the “Will & Grace” casting office where another friend was auditioning. I dropped an updated photo and resume. They are currently casting 4 shows.

This is where something really, really cool happened. I was looking for Jeff Greenberg’s office, which I believe has moved, and spotted David Kohan. David, along with Max Mutchnick created smash hit “Will & Grace” and I worked for them on “Good Morning, Miami”. We chatted for a bit, he was testing out a new road racing bike. He asked what I was up to and said “when something comes up, we’ll get you right back in there”. That was cool, they are doing “W&G”, “Twins” and “Four Kings”. I won’t wait by the phone, but hopefully it’ll turn into something in the future. I just like having as many possibilities as I can out in the universe.

Reader: “Dreamgirls” @ Debra Zane Casting. I just have one question. How in the heck did I get so lucky? Today I had Tisha Campbell and Raven sing to me. I mean SING to me. Let me tell you, those women got skills! It was unbelievable, I walk in the door and 2 seconds later Tisha is right front of me spilling her heart out in song. It’s painfully obvious why these women are stars…there is no question about it. Also, they are both very, very nice and personable.

Go-See: "Verizon" @ Brigid McBride Casting. Another print go-see?! Yeah! This is the third print go-see this year. I hope I can get another avail that would eventually lead to a booking.

YES! Back in the saddle as a reader for "Dreamgirls" @ Debra Zane Casting. As I've said before - simply amazing. It's such a great thing to see the other side of the business in such a high profile office.

Today, I was treated to the most amazing singers - and they “was all up in my grill” singing to directly ME!! It was like a dream come true. One of the songs was Jennifer Holidays' version of "And I'm Telling You". It was crazy. After the first actress/singer performed, I had goose bumps. They even had a pianist. It was completely surreal. Fortunately, for everyone, I wasn't required to sing. The other scenes had dialogue so I got to work too..

As I've said before, being a reader is an incredibly insightful way to learn about the casting process. I got a chance to see and hear some really cool things; I’ll wait to see the final product on the big screen. Ooops, I forgot, I myself auditioned for it several weeks ago!! Maybe I’ll be in it too! I probably would have heard by now. Well, who knows, it doesn’t start shooting until January.

Audition: "Sprint" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This goes well. My callback ratio isn't the greatest at this office. Hopefully that will change; at any rate, I had a great time.

Tonight I attended, what was supposed to be, a SAG Presidential Debate Meeting. The only problem is that the opposing side chose not to participate. I usually attend a couple of meetings a year and more often than not I leave with not such a great feeling. To be honest, I sometimes wonder exactly what side the higher-ups of the Guild are on. I don't pretend to know the real in and outs of all the contracts, but some things just seem weird. I could never understand why "we" hired Bob Pisano, the former the CEO that recently resigned. I mean, he was on the board of directors of Net Flix the whole time. I don't blame him for not giving up his seat on the board, I’m sure he was making a lot of money but I don't understand why SAG hired him. I believe it was pretty obvious what side he was on...and it wasn't ours. I don't know, it just seems that SAG, in so many ways, is playing catch up while the producers watch us fight.

If you, like me, used to not too much attention to the Guild stuff that comes in the mail I beg of you to check it out. We need guidance and soon. We have to have more informed voters so we can all earn a living in this crazy business. As I wait for my residuals for “The Terminal” it pains me to know how little of the pie we get while the studios get so, so much. On the surface, it seems to me, that if we actors were aligned with the directors and writers we could get our fair share.

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This is an email I received as an example during a recent negotiation. It shows how things can be:

Thank you SOOO much for your recent email. I have tried till I'm blue in the face to explain what happened to me on the movie Seabiscuit, which you referenced in your email? [Note: we pointed out that the Writer and director of "Seabiscuit" each made $650,000 from DVD sales.]

Please feel free to share this information in ANY of your materials as it will further breakdown HOW LITTLE will show up in the actors' pockets and how MILLIONS of dollars will be lost in the future.

A few key points on "Seabiscuit" and another movie I worked on, "Catch Me If You Can".
Seabiscuit - pay rate for me: 1 day, Scale plus 10%. "Take it or leave it." Sound familiar? I took it. THINKING, great book, big movie, big budget, RESIDUALS - WRONG!!!!

The movie grossed over 200 million at the box office, then went on to become the #20 Top Selling DVD of ALL TIME at 6.6 MILLION UNITS. But I had to split the 12 CENTS that actors got for each of those 6.6 MILLION UNITS with 90 other speaking roles!

Net pay for me for one day: $538.00
Residuals: $458.00 - And that's for EVERYTHING - DVD, Cable, Pay TV.

Films of this size are skipping cable and syndication and cutting right to cheap, mass-produced DVD's which offer PURE PROFIT.

Now I will use Catch Me If You Can as my other example:
2 days at $800 (my quote at the time - you'll see why fighting for your quote is worth the risk of losing the job.) [Note: this is also a good example of why the proposed 3% increase in minimums is meaningless.]

My residuals for Catch Me If You Can: $5,200. Almost 3 times my initial salary. Same 200 Million at the box office - BUT - not anywhere near the DVD sales of Seabiscuit. BUT - A LOT of HBO, Cable and Pay-Per-View.

The DVD issue is worth sending these guys back to the table. Any penny above what we have now is worth MILLIONS in the long run. The STARS have to come out on this since they have even more to lose than we do. They came out late in the Commercial Strike - I say - bring them out now.

I will send your email to all my friends with that thought in mind that ANYTHING we get above NOTHING now is worth the good fight. WE MUST NOT be fed this b.s. from up top. They misjudged us when they tried to sell us on the merger and on the dues raise. I think they're doing that here, too.

Yours in Brotherhood,

[Name deleted at writer's request.]

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Is that a wake up call or what? Arm yourself with knowledge and then vote!!

Audition: “Diet Pepsi” @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting. YES!! I’m assuming this is another Joe Pytka-directed spot. I recently did the “IBM” spot for him. Cool.

Word on the street has it that the role of the young husband is being recast on the ABC Comedy “Hot Properties”. I worked on the pilot and in the same scene with the husband. So, of course, I’m wondering that when they recast it are they going to re-shoot the scene……and are they going to hire me again. I know they replaced one of the four female leads so I’m wondering if they are just going to re-shoot the whole pilot.

Anyway, I talked to the casting associate today and she said they only re-shot the females leads scenes. So I guess I’m safe.

Drops, drops and more drops. Other than that it’s been cricket sounds round these parts as far as appointments. That’s cool, I had a busy week last week and was hoping to book something. I didn’t……….yet. All of the auditions went well and I am very happy about that. I’ll get something else soon.

I talked to the ad agency for the “IBM” spot today to see when it might start running. She said it was going to through market testing at the moment and they should know next week and she’ll call me then. I hope it test well!

Audition: “Bailey’s Irish Crème” @ Melissa Martin Casting. It goes well and I think I’m really right for it, so we’ll see.

Audition/Producers “My Name is Earl” @ Dava Waite Casting. It’s an NBC comedy starring Jason Lee & Jamie Pressly. Dava has called me in twice before, for "Yes, Dear" & "Hot Properties" and I've scored both times. I'm ready to be 3 for 3.I was happy with how this one went, it was quick-fast in and out.

Audition: “Dreamgirls” @ Debra Zane Casting. This is the feature film starring Beyonce Knowles, Usher Raymond, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. Debra and casting associate, Tannis Vallely, have been very loyal supporters of my career. It’s funny that I got an appointment for this because just last week I had to fight the urge to drop another photo to their office for a new Steven Soderbergh project that I think they are casting. Steven cast me in “Ocean’s Twelve”, but the role was cut before I even film it. I don’t know if I’m right for anything in the project, but I’ll try and try again.

Their office, just down the street from my apartment, is a film casting gold mine. I do drops there on a regular basis. As individuals, we sometimes think the casting community forgets about us and in many cases, it’s true. They have so many others from which to choose. I’m trying my best to prevent them from forgetting about me; without being a nuisance. When this call came from my agent I said “YES!!”

I gotta tell ya, getting to read @ Debra Zane's office is a pure treat. It's more like a rehearsal or even shooting. Tannis runs the camera, they put a wireless microphone on you, they have studio lights and Debra is actually in the scene with you!! I mean, as an actor, you kinda have to switch gears because it's odd to get that much attention during an audition. Oh yeah, they schedule actors in 20-30 minute time slots. WHAT? Yeah, so you rarely even see another actor while you're there. These people really want to help you be the absolute best you can be.

When I arrived I had 5-7 minutes to warm it up in the space where I would be reading. They gladly answered my questions and we put it on tape. In the end I was happy and they seemed happy so we'll see what happens.

Audition: “Gilmore Girls” @ JaM Casting. I actually booked a role on this show back in September of 2002, but I wasn’t able to do it because I was already booked on “Good Morning, Miami”. So here is another shot for me. It’s for two episodes.

I felt really good about the read; at minimum I think they’ll bring me back if I don’t book this time. The only thing I didn’t like was that my character yelled in the scene; he was breaking up a fight. I was pretty loud in the room, but I don’t think it was a deal breaker.

Wow another audition?! Almost. Before I even got this message for the appointment I got the message that it had been cancelled. It was for "Strong Medicine" and Lori Sugar Casting, but the role was written out of the episode. They said they'll get me in for something else soon. Cool, at least I'm on the radar. I've auditioned and gone to producers for the show 3 different times, but the last time was like 3 years ago. I will keep trying.

Callback: "Cheese Nips" @ Mimi Webb-Miller Casting. This was from last week; the same office where I got into the little spat with the session runner. She was there today and approached her, tapped her on the shoulder and told her "that I was on my behavior today". She just laughed; I told her that I felt horrible about it and even wrote about it in my journal. She said she told her boyfriend. We are fast friends now; things usually work out. Anyway, this callback went really well. Time will tell how it really went.

Tonight I attended the wrap party for the film on “Easier, Softer Way”. It was a great time to say the least. It was held at Mekhi’s crib. Can I just say “Oh sh*t!”? His home is unbelievable; I just shook my head……did I say his home is unbelievable? What a great guy he is to open up his residence to hundreds of people.

It was cool because I got to see many of the actors I was a reader for during the auditions. I didn’t know who landed a lot of the roles until I saw them at the party and on the gag reel. Ya know, I have a friend who works at one of the Hollywood Hotspots on the Sunset strip and he often invites me to stop by there for private parties and such, but I never go because………I don’t know, it just seems weird for me to show up with no connection to the event. Plus, I’m not any good in the network or schmooze department so I think I would just be uncomfortable. This was different; I had a real reason to be there and felt like part of the group. I had never been to a wrap party of this magnitude that I had direct connection to. I could get used to that.

One of the first people I saw when my guest and I arrived was the Big “O”. No, not Oprah….Omarosa from “The Apprentice” fame. Admittedly, I was never a big fan of Omarosa, but I figured I would give her a chance to prove me wrong. She was shooting pool with another woman that I later found out was her mother, “Mamarosa”.

I had seen and heard about her beefs with Janice Dickinson on her new show. So I decided to ask her about it. The first thing she said to me was “Do you want to be next to get beat on the pool table?” I just laughed and said, “no, I’m not too much of a pool shark these days”. So we got to talking about her situation with Janice and I have to say she was really cool; at least with me. She’s no dummy; she’s working it and extending her 15 minutes of fame into who knows what. So I must say that after talking with “Lady O” my opinion changed….for the better. I mean, I don’t know that we’d, like hang out, but she definitely wasn’t the monster she’s portrayed to be...at least not then. Oh yeah, she’s very, very “womanly” with many curves in the right places.

Later in the evening, I was able to speak at length with some people involved in the production of the film. I can tell you that as actors “we don’t know the half” of how some of these casting decision are made. There are so many variables that have nothing to do with the audition. Sometimes it works in your favor and other times…..well there are too many other times!!

While conversing with one of writers and leads in the film, Ronnie Warner, I found out a bit of the journey of the script. He shared with me how things came together for the film and that you just have to stay dedicated to “your” dream because other people will come and go throughout the process. I asked him if this was his first project that he’s written and gotten produced. What he responded to me with just confirmed my long-time belief of “anything can happen if you ‘truly’ believe it can happen”. He said “I ain’t never been on no movie set before this one”. Here he is on his first movie set and he is one of the stars of a film to be distributed by Sony. He also said that “he was naïve enough to believe that it could actually happen”. I say, congratulations Ronnie Warner for keeping your dream alive.

Today is my 7 year anniversary of moving to Los Angeles. I have survived……and cried(I miss my mom)…..and laughed………and thrived………

Whew!! Another day in the hot seat!! YEAH! I’m just trying to get it done, ya know, make it happen. I‘ve got to get these photos out there and KEEP ‘em out there. That is the key, staying power.

This new TV season is young and I’m trying to set myself up to have a nice, successful rest of the year. I would also like to eventually buy some property; that would make it easier for me to want to stay in Los Angeles. Not that I am trying to leave; it would just make it easier to really want to stay. I just my piece of the rock ya know.

I’ve been on the phone with my youngest brother Todd a lot lately. I mean we normally talk numerous times a day anyway, courtesy of Sprint free PCS to PCS. Matter of fact, often times I stay up until 3:30 am, 6:30 am for him on the East coast and we talk on his way to work and then I go to bed. We normally talk about business ventures back in Virginia Beach, but now it’s in a higher gear. I believe some things are ready to happen that will effect our family for years to come.

I connect really, really well with Todd; he understands me and he understands the way I think. He is definitely my ace. I can be kinda difficult sometimes because I am so curious about life and most people don’t have the patience to hear me rant. Not rant in the complaining sense; I just like to speculate about things……everything. I don’t blame them because I can go on and on……and on………and so on. I just love learning and listening…but I hate being misunderstood.

I’m really excited about my future, in and out of Hollywood. Then, another side of me says, “Truth be told; if I didn’t feel I was in such a wonderful position in my quest I don’t know that I’d stay in Los Angeles long term”. That may sound funny, but there are so many other things I‘d like to do in addition to what I’m already doing. The notion of going back to Virginia Beach to be with my family crosses my mind every week if not several times a week. Hmmm……maybe I’d feel different if I had my own family here in Los Angeles………maybe not. I’d have to get married first and that doesn’t seem to be in my immediate future. I couldn’t imagine raising a child here, many people do it successfully.

I feel like one of the luckiest guys in the world. I have a great team doing their part. Thank you Alicia, Brooke & Linda, Erin, Jeralyn, Kelley & Gordon, Cynthia & Pammela, Josh & David, Tracy & Kelly, Jenny & Rose, Michael, Steven, Julia, Hesper, JP @ Actorsite and many other special people at my agencies and various other places over the years. It’s great to work with, not only capable people, but nice, good hearted people too. I can’t believe it’s been 7 years already.

I come from a family of entrepreneurs; we’ve had a thriving, successful family business for over 25 years back in Virginia Beach. That is where the core of my business sense comes from. Even though I didn’t and still don’t see eye-to-eye with my father I learned a lot just because I was there working everyday.

As I was driving today to my first drop-off I thought about the fact that I am running my own business. I haven’t punched a clock in almost 4 ½ years. It hasn’t necessarily been easy. Actually, some of it has been unbelievably difficult and other parts of it have surreal, but I am still here doing my best to make it work.

I don’t know, today it just hit me kinda different and it really pumped me up and I’m usually pretty pumped up as it is. It feels great to be going after my future vs. just waiting to see what happens.

Audition: “Cheese Nips” @ Mimi Webb-Miller Casting. I guess I didn’t ruin my chances at this office for getting into a little “discussion” with the session runner last week. They called me in again. I think this one went pretty well; yeah it did!! Hopefully, they’ll call me back.

Audition: Short film “Robbers” @ AFI. It’s, if I understand correctly, a spoof on “Cops” called “Robbers” with a reality element to it. I felt that the audition went well.

Today is my day of work on “Easier, Softer Way”. Since I had a 12:30pm call I was able to get some drop-offs done in the morning. The first thing I notice after arriving on set was Danny Masterson’s name on the call sheet. All along I thought that Scott Grimes was playing one of the leads. Well I guess things change don’t they?

After checking in with the appropriate people and going through make-up and wardrobe I decide to go to the set and check out what they were shooting during the “hurry-up and wait” period. I catch up with Mekhi and Ronnie and say my hello’s and am meet Mekhi’s little brother; he’s a cool young cat who is looking to make moves himself.

The first AD on the shoot is Babu Subrumaniam; Babu directed the episode of “ER” that I worked on a couple of years ago. Matter of fact many of the crew are from “ER”. Mekhi is an actor’s director; he knows how to communicate to actors. He knows what he wants, is direct, but willing to listen. He also is the first to let you know when he likes something: you’ll see that big smile or hear him laughing out loud.

The scene was pretty quick for me; I was just in the very beginning of a larger set-up. All-in-all, it feels great to see what he’s doing and watch his career develop. I went to one of the open calls for “Clockers” back in 1993 in Philadelphia. Mekhi was booked for that film from an open call in New York. It didn’t matter how wrong I was for that character, I went anyway. Of course I had never heard of him because it was his first job. I was thrilled to get to work with him in 1997 in the film “Hell’s Kitchen”, again in 2003 on “ER” and now to be directed by him in “Easier, Softer Way”.

After I wrapped for the day I thanked Mekhi and said to call me if he ever needs a reader; he responded by saying he’ll call when needs another actor. I probably sounded like I was selling myself short, ooops. Anyway, he is a very down to earth, cool dude.

I spend an insane amount of time in my car doing drop-offs and stuff like that. I even drove out to Chatsworth today, Saturday, to drop-off for FOX drama “24” (nobody was there, I threw it over the fence to the security booth). I was in the area and didn’t wanna make another trip out there.

For the most part, I listen to AM talk radio. Whatever I can find, right wing, left wing, Dr. Laura, financial, real estate, computer, auto shows with a little Howard Stern and Tom Leykus thrown in for laughs….well the right/left wing shows make me laugh too…..and wanna cry sometimes too. I don’t listen to music that often, although I LOVE music but the radio doesn’t really do it for me and since some jerk stole my CD player a couple months ago I’m kinda stuck. So what happens is that I start feigning for some music in my car. Maybe I should put my old CD player from my old car back in…..

Actually, that was all prelude to saying that the new Mariah Carey CD “The Emancipation of Mimi” is really, really hot. Yup, I’ve been a Mariah Carey fan since 1990. I’m not like a fanatic or nothing like that. I don't follow her tour or anything like that, but I wouldn't mind seeing her live. I mean, I don’t know who “Mimi” is; I thought her name was Mariah. Maybe it’s like Puffy/P-Diddy or Prince and that weird sign thingy. Anyway, Mariah's CD is hot and worth checking out.

Audition/Producers “Just Legal” @ UDK Casting. Imagine that!! I was just telling a friend that I haven’t had an audition at UDK for three years. THREE YEARS!!! I still drop-off there, but I rarely get in. Matter of fact, I dropped there two days ago, but for a different project. I think the last time I auditioned there was when I worked on “CSI”.

Anyway, the read went well and it was great to see casting director Robert Ulrich whom I know through my friend William Gregory Lee. Maybe this will help me get back on the map at this office. No matter what, I will keep dropping off my photos.

After doing some early drops this morning I was looking forward to going home to chill, but my commercial agent called with an appointment for this afternoon. It was straight to callbacks for a “FedEx” national spot @ Mimi Webb-Miller Casting. YES!! This one goes well…sorta. I mean the read was good, but I had an issue with the session runner.

I like to think I’m a nice, understanding guy, but I don’t like to be disrespected for no reason. I could see that the young lady running the session was really busy so I tried to stay out of the way and have all my stuff ready. It just seemed like everything she said to me specifically was rude and nasty. Again, I understood that she was really busy. Well, the third time I’d had it and I told her that she was very rude to me numerous times for no reason. We kinda got into a bit and she apologized….I didn’t. I had no reason too.

I work as a session runner too and I know how busy it can get, but I do my best to treat people with respect. Maybe she was doing her best, I don’t know. Sometimes, people just need a reality check and I think we both got one. After a while, I got her attention and sincerely apologized. I didn’t want her to think I was a prick that just didn’t care about her because I’m sure she’s a wonderful young lady. I told her I understood that she was under a bit of pressure and that I was sorry. She accepted and even gave me a big hug! That, in itself, made the whole thing worth it! I’m kidding. All in all it was good experience with a little bump in the road. We all make mistakes, the important thing is what we do about them. We both will be able to rest easy tonight because we did the right thing and said we were sorry.

No news on the print job for Tuesday or Wednesday. I guess I’m still on hold, at least I hope so.

Cool! I get my call time for Monday on “Easier, Softer Way”. We are shooting in downtown LA.

More drops and more blood, sweat & tears out on the pavement. It’s amazing how empowered being out in the field makes me feel. Even if I’m not getting calls at a given moment; it feels great to be at least attempting to make it happen.

THIS JUST IN!! Ha!! I went in for a “Dolby” print job last week and just got the call that I am on hold for Monday or Tuesday. Cool! That’s 2-2 this year for print. Not bookings, but being placed on hold. I know that I don’t get paid for it, but usually you have to get an “on hold” before you’re going to make any scrilla(cheese, cash, dough, dollars, deniro, pesos or money). Hmmm…maybe there is a market for me in the print world too.

Lots and lots off drop-offs today and let me tell you it’s freaking hot outside, but I must continue!

My orientation session went well tonight with a group of mostly New York-based actors who are testing the waters in Los Angeles. The had great questions that answered from my point-of-view; which can be odd. My point-of-view that is.

Bright and early this morning I attended the Broadcast Preview for Fall programming. I saw a lot of stuff that I enjoyed, including the pilot that I worked on “ABC Comedy “Hot Properties”. I have to tell you that “Everybody Hates Chris” a single camera comedy based on the life of Chris Rock and narrated by Chris is very, very, very funny.

It’s a long morning, but it’s always inspiring to see all these new opportunities for acting work. I must admit that it feels great to see so many people that I know or have worked with in the past. PBS had a Bob Dylan special and I’m thinking to myself that I’ve been directed by his son, Jesse Dylan, in a “Pizza Hut” commercial with Carmen Electra. It makes me feel that I’m on the right track. I’m really excited by this new season and feel great things in the air.

From there I attended a registration for a SAG background company. I’m not sure how they got my stuff, they may be on my postcard list. Anyway, I went and now my name and photo is in the their books. I hope it wasn’t a mistake.

Lastly, Audition: “Sprint” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This one shoots in New York next week. The audition was great; my partner Scott and just improved our way through and had a ball. Hopefully, we’ll get a callback. How much would I love to go to NYC? Yeah, that much!

Go-see: “Dolby” @ Emily Mueller Casting. This took a whole two minutes including the paper work. Cool, I can take that. I'm gonna see what I can do to raise my profile in the print world. Actually, after I finished the "Dolby" go-see I scoped out the place to see what else was going on and saw another print job for "Nissan" going on. I figured I would go over and at least drop a photo for their files. The young lady running it said "Why don't just come in and get seen? We're seeing everybody." I was like, "okay, sure". Then she went in the room with my photo; she returned a moment later and said "ooops, I guess not". SHe happily took my photo for her files though; I'll take that.

Callback: “Charmed” @ Kimberly Lanae Foster. I didn't feel great, but definitely good enough. The only this is that "good enough" isn't usually good enough. I guess time will tell.

Cool, the call came in for the “Charmed” callback tomorrow. I got another call that TOTALLY caught me by surprise. Yeah, I got an appointment for a print go-see. I don’t go out for print very often, although I do have a print agent @ KSA. In all honestly, I haven’t given her the proper tools like a zed card so I don’t complain much. I’ll take what I can get…but I have been thinking about getting a card done so I can increase my chance of working.

Speaking of choices, I got a call from a commercial background company inviting me to a registration for their files. I did tons of commercial background in New York, but none here in Los Angeles. I’m not oppose to doing it, but I do audition on a regular basis and I wouldn’t want it to conflict with that, but I don’t audition ALL the time. I like having many irons in the fire so I can increase my choices. I think it’s good to be on-set, the pay isn’t bad AND it goes to my SAG insurance and pension. So I think I’ll at least go register and see what happens.

Audition: "Charmed" @ Kimberly Lanae Foster Casting. I told myself that I wasn't going to get caught up in too much small talk about her new position and just concentrate on my work. Of course I failed because I was so happy for her and wanted her to know it. So we chatted about it for a moment and got down to business. I had rehearsed it with my friend Jon and came up with some stuff, but we were wrong. She could tell my take was wrong before I even uttered a word and stopped me to give me more info. We did it twice and she said she's bringing me back for producers. Cool! I hope it, in fact, happens.

YES!! I got an audition for "Charmed" for tomorrow. I don't know if it was from my drop-off, an agent submission or their files, but I'm just happy to have an appointment. It's my first since getting back in town.

Big day today for drops. I had to pick and choose carefully because so many casting changes have taken places and my database isn't completely updated. Are they ever updated?

Anyway, one of the most significant changes, at least to me, is that Kimberly Lanae Foster is now the CD of WB drama "Charmed". I met Kim many years ago through my friend William Gregory Lee while attending a staged reading she had cast him in. The big deal is, at least in my mind, is that she is an African-American casting director casting a one hour, primetime drama WITHOUT African-American leads, AND for Aaron Spelling Productions.

I’m not saying it’s great because she’s black and I’m black so now she gonna call everyone who is black to audition. No! I went to producers several times for previous CD Leslee Dennis and her associate Megan Entriken; they were particularly great ladies too. I just think it’s great for Kim because I understand how she is making her dreams become her reality and I’m tickled to see it happen.

Needless to say, I made sure I dropped a photo over to Kim with a note of congratulations.

I was hoping to get back in the streets today to start doing drop and the like, but my body had other ideas. I am completely beat. Jet lag maybe? I don't know, but I'm going back to sleep!

Well, it's that time again; time to go back to Los Angeles. I'm cool with that....I need to check my mail anyway. I'm kidding, I just need a break to chill for a bit and I got it. I had a great time at home; it always resets my clock and enables me to fight for another day. My brothers and I did a lot of talking about some business things we plan to do. The future is really exciting....in the business and out.

Cut to: LAX

Wow, I really am back in town. I get to my apartment go through tons of mail and get in the car to see my agents. When I return from vacation I always want them to see me in the flesh. They are great people that I like seeing anyway. So hopefully, things will get moving soon.

Race day!! Yeah, my brother's convinced me to race today. WHAT?!

I haven't been this nervous in a while. Actually, "slightly freaking out" was more accurate. My strategy was to chill and do "my" thing, ya know, ride my own race. The number one goal was to not injure myself and goal number two was to not mess up the motorcycle.

Okay, first practice is up. I tried to get a feel for the track, but it all happened so fast. I was only able to get two laps completed before it was over. I didn't fall! That was a big accomplishment in itself! I have a bit of reputation for "going for it" and taking "dirt naps" as a result.

So I made it through practice and felt really good. We still had a couple of hours before our first moto was up. I went into shut-down mode. There was no smack-talk coming from me. None. I was just trying to calm myself and breathe; I didn't want to get on the line and tighten up.

Our first moto is on the gate; my brothers Jeff and Todd are beside me. 18 motocross bikes are singing at peak RPM's. BAM!! And the gate slams down! I hit the throttle hard and began to slide a bit so I backed off. Mud, rocks, saw dust, etc are flying everywhere. I see Jeff a couple a spots in front of me; I had a decent mid-pack start.

I made it out of the first and second turns without too much trouble. Up next was a series of about 12-14 small jumps called whoops. Whoops are notorious for bucking riders off of their bike. I went through them slow and steady and passed Jeff. I still hadn't seen Todd.

Out of the whoops there was a right turn which was a bit muddy. It wasn't that bad, but I was tentative and that is the wrong thing to do in the mud. You have to go for it and keep your momentum. UGH!! I was running pretty good and I went down. Yeah, my front wheel slid out on me. I really thought I was going to get run over by one of the many riders behind me. I had some close calls, but fortunately I didn't get hit. When I got up I was almost in last place; after a bit I got the bike restarted and on my way. Todd had gone down earlier too because he passed me; I figured I'd try to follow him and move through the pack some. I stayed behind him for a while until he started to get away THEN I saw Jeff; at that moment I became a lion on the hunt. I really wanted to finish ahead of him. I passed him on an uphill jump, in the air, one turn before the finish line. YES!!

All-in-all we did just okay; out 18 riders in the 125D class Todd finished 11th, me 12th & Jeff 13th. Todd and I definitely should have been in the top 8. Jeff rides cautiously and rarely falls and probably could have been in the top 10. Todd and I hate getting beat by him because he doesn't take chances. It's all good, he has his strategy and we have ours.

Back in the pits we all talked a lot of crap and got our laugh on. I felt pretty good about things and was ready to do better in the second moto. So we're back on the gate waiting for it to drop and NOOOOO!!!! I get caught in the backward falling gate AND stall the engine. I finally get the bike started and blast down the start straight. I was determined to make up time and was doing okay, much better than the first moto. I was passing some riders and moving forward.

There were a couple of jumps that I felt like I could do if I put my mind to it. It was a double to a step up to a double combination. I wanted to just go for it and see what I could do; I didn't want to regret not trying it. So I come around the corner and hit the jump and come up short with a bone-jarring landing. I was barely able to stay on the bike and kept moving forward. Then I see Jeff again and I really wanted to finish ahead of him and I go for the jump again and come up even more short. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have done it because I could've passed Jeff on the uphill, but I went for it. For some reason I was going even slower this time and landed right beside Jeff and then bounced into him. My bike started sliding and I bounced into him again and crashed in a heap. Again I thought I was going to get run over, but I didn't. I ran over to the bike got it restarted and was back in the chase.

Todd was in sight; he had wrecked a bunch of times too. He was in front of me and I was going to follow him to catch up to Jeff, but then Todd went down again. I ran out of time to catch Jeff. Todd and I were really frustrated anf Jeff was happy that he didn't fall. Jeff finish 10th, me 13th and Todd 14th. Our overall finishes were Jeff 11th, me 12th and Todd 13th out of 18 riders. Jeff was really happy that he finished ahead of us. None of us were particularly happy overall, but the great thing is that nobody got hurt and the bikes ran great. It was a great family day.