Tonight I went out with several people that I used to work with in New York at the Harley-Davidson Café. Can I tell you that I love these people? I experienced some of the best times of my life in New York. We laughed and traded stories for hours. It was great to hear about how everyone is doing. We are all growing up and changing (some absolutely shocking, others not so). It was an unbelievable job to have as an actor trying to make it in the City. I think the thing that made it such a great experience was that we knew it was magic in the making while it was happening. I wish I had more photos of my time there. Even though I don’t talk to them all of the time I really feel a strong connection to many of them. There are times where I would love to go back to 1995-98 for a couple of days. I don’t necessarily miss living in New York, but I really miss the experiences that I had.

As I sit here and type, I think that Los Angeles has been freakin incredible for me as well. I’ve had a great life, there isn’t a whole lot to complain about. There is a lot more that I want to accomplish and I feel like I have what it takes to accomplish it.

I count my many blessing on a continual basis. Not everyone is so fortunate as I. Lately there have been things going on around me that have made my heart heavy. A good friend of mine who had a brain aneurysm about 18 months ago had another situation recently and had to go into the hospital. Fortunately, she seems to be okay. Another friend lost her mother after a lengthy illness. I know, first hand, what she is going through and what lies ahead and I can hardly even talk about it. It’s so painful. A fellow actor that I do workshops with had one of his legs amputated last week after complications from a blood clot.

Between these, real life, situations of people that I know personally and watching the news sometimes you just wonder what is going on in the world.

The flipside of all of this is the children. Kids just equalize so much for me. I spoke to my younger niece and nephew this morning and I can hear them growing up over the phone. It’s truly amazing and inspiring.

Last week I changed a couple of diapers of my Goddaughter, Hazel. The act of doing it wasn’t the most pleasant thing I’ve ever done, but she was really cooperative and made it easy on me. The laughter of a child is one of the most pleasing things sounds I have ever heard in my life. I really hope to have children of my own one day.

Nothing but cricket sounds going on right now, but I’ve been doing my best to try to make some things happen.

SFX: Pager going off.

Cool, it was my commercial agent with a “Mazda” audition for this afternoon. YES!! And a couple of hours later my theatrical agent called with an audition for “Malcolm in the Middle”. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go in on “Malcolm” at first, but after discussing it with my agent I decided to. We don’t how many more seasons the show will be on the air and it looked like there was a slight possibility of the role returning.

Audition: “Mazda” @ Lisa Fields Casting. It goes really well and I think I’m right for it.

Audition: “Malcolm in the Middle” @ Stiner/Block Casting. I wasn’t clear that this was a pre-read, if I had known that I probably would have passed on it. Anyway, it was one of those really small ones where it’s kinda hard to figure out what is going on. I could make a choice and risk being way, way off or ask the CD what is happening in the scene. Barbie Block was very nice and gave me the low-down on what was going on.

To be honest, I didn’t feel like it went all that well, but I was funny. She gave me a callback to producers for 30 minutes later. The callback was nothing special for me. Actually, it was kinda frustrating because I used to be so good a getting these 1 to 5 line roles. I don’t want to get good at it again, I need to book more substantial roles and move on. Matter of fact, I think I am going to start a new acting class in the next couple of weeks.

Audition: "Miller Lite" @ Joe Blake Casting. Well I guess I'm available since I'M NOT IN NEW YORK!!! I'm kidding, I'm just glad to get seen.

It's official, I've been released from the "Levi's" campaign. They decided to "go another way". Imagine that!

This is something I've been thinking about for years; being a consultant for actors trying to move forward in the business. It's not a new thought, I've been considering it for years. I also think, in the future, I'll write a book and do motivational speaking engagements. I think I have something to say that can help others. There are specific reasons why I haven’t already done it, but I’m working on that. As it stands now I speak/consult quite a few times a year. I don’t go out looking to do it necessarily, but that may change. I would really like to do it in different markets around the country. Hmmmm……interesting.

Cricket sounds and drop-offs. That's about all that's going on with me these days. It has been very, very quiet.

I'm still on hold for the "Levi's" print job. I really don't think I'm going to book it at this point, but I guess no news is good news. The dates are March 3rd-6th and it shoots in New York, go figure. I’ve even taken if off of my schedule, so I think I’m mentally done with it. NEXT!!!

Today I conducted a workshop called "Perspective of a Working Actor" @ The Actorsite. I better get a job soon or the title will be "Perspective of a Wannabe Working Actor", LOL!! Anyway, about 20 actors showed up with great questions. I have a feeling I’ll be doing more of this in the future.

Audition: "DirecTV" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This goes really well and I think I'm right for it. How about a callback?

I attended a showcase tonight with personnel from 6 different casting offices. A scene from my script was read again and it went great. It was a little different read than the first time, but just as good. I'd considered reading it myself, but when I got there I overheard two actors already rehearsing it. There was a copy there from the last time it was read. It was weird to walked up and hear my words being rehearsed. I didn't tell the actors that I was the writer; I wanted to see what they would do with it. I was nervous, not as nervous as the first time, but nervous nonetheless. It was cool to watch and see the reaction of the audience. Wow, I gotta finish this thing!

My appearance on CBS Comedy "Yes, Dear" finally airs. I shot this last August.I have been doing really hardcore drop-offs for the last three days in the rain and I am tired. Matter a fact I am taking tomorrow off. I am sleeping all day. I’m sure I won’t, I’ll find something to do. Get this; I haven’t had a commercial audition in almost a month. That is odd for me, I’m sure it’ll pick up soon. Right??

Audition/Director ''Sister's Keeper" @ Barbara McCarthy Casting. It's a feature film. Ahh!! This one went really, really well. I read it once, he gave me direction and I delivered it like I knew I could. YES!!

Tonight we finally had our performance at the NAACP LA Theatre Awards. Our tech call was @ 4:3O pm, but we didn't get onstage until 6:30. Things were running late. Once we got on stage we didn't even get to run through our scene one time! The scene was pretty simple, but we have a few cues that needed to be set. Oh well, I guess we'll be winging it. Four hours later when we finally went onstage we rocked the house! Yeah, we did our thing. The scene was crisp, concise with a distinct beginning, middle and end. Of course, the technical part left a bit to be desired, but our job was the acting and we represented The Robey Theatre Company quite well.

The actual glitz of the show really snuck up on me. I'd only been thinking about the scene work, but when I showed up to the tech rehearsal on my freakin' skateboard I found what it was all about!! Yeah, I just hadn't really thought about it until I saw all these stunning women wearing evening gowns in the lobby. WHAT!?!?! Yeah, and then I walk in with my skateboard. Go Stephon!!

Anyway it was cool to be backstage with Larry Fishburne, Keith David, Tatyana Ali, Glynn Turman and many others. Tatiana’s manager or one of her "people" asked her to take a photo with “the soldier’s” (us). That girl is HOT!!!.....and sweet.

I have to tell you, I was honored to be included in the piece and in the company of the fine actors involved.

Audition: "Peep Show" @ G. Charles Wright Casting. Ahhh!! I think I bombed this one. I was being put on tape for producers. The first time I read was pretty good, I felt, but when G. gave me the re-direct I fell apart. I don't know why.

I felt I was really right for it, but when he gave me more info on the character it just threw me. When it was over, I went and sat in the lobby and looked over the sides to see where I went so horribly wrong. I could’ve gotten it right with another moment, but, often times, you don’t get “another moment”. This one really hurt. Oh well, on to the next!

Audition/Producers: “In Justice” a pilot @ Zane/Pillsbury Casting. This goes really well and I think I'm spot on for it.

Audition: “Bottoms Up” @ Dori Zuckerman Casting. Ah, this doesn't goes so well. I'm not sure what is was, but I didn't connect all that well with the character.

Another heavy day in the streets for me. I haven’t had an appointment for more than 2 weeks so I need get on the stick. I mean, I need to be on the stick all the time, but I ‘ve had so much other stuff going on that I’ve been a little distracted. Anyway, I got a lot done today and tomorrow there will be a least as much again.

I stopped by to see all of my agents today. I shared my colonoscopy experience with my commercial agent, we had a good laugh with that. My print agent, Jenny Vavra, assured me that I am still on hold for the “Levi’s” job in New York and my theatrical agent greeted me with audition for Wednesday for a pilot.

I dropped off for that pilot a couple of weeks ago, but they probably submitted me as well. Also, I got a direct call from Henderson/Zuckerman Casting for a film audition for Wednesday. I did that drop just this past Friday in the rain. Cool, two auditions for Wednesday!

Congratulations to my good friend Jonathan Julian. He has a recurring role in a series called “Noah’s Arc”. It is being described as a black, male version of HBO’s “Sex and the City”. He booked this from Now Casting almost two years ago and they finally got the funding to shoot multiple episodes. I think they have an order for 6-7 episodes and he is in 3-4. He even gets to travel to New York for one of them. It will debut on the Viacom-backed logo network this Summer.

Another friend, Jamie Aynes, book a “Papa John’s” commercial and another episodic. I'm not sure, but I think this might be her first commercial. I hope it runs alot and she makes a ton of cash. I’m thrilled for both of them. I hope that I can join the club of the working actor again soon.

Drops, drops, and more drop-offs today in the rain. I haven't had an audition in two full weeks. That should change next week. Right?!?! I better get some new postcards out Monday now that I have an airdate for "Yes, Dear".

Well today was the day for the "big" procedure. Which turned out to be not that big of a deal. I gotta tell you, this doctor stuff brings out the absolute worst in me. I think I'm generally a very nice person, but when I go to doctor/dentist if find myself apologizing for my bad attitude. I just hate going to get checked out. I was warned about the new levels of humility that I would find while preparing in the 24 hours prior to the procedure. I found every level and more.......ewww.

So here goes, I check in with the nurse. The first thing she asked me was if I was in the movie "Dahmer". I told her "no". She then gave me a gown and told me to strip to my socks. I did that and waited for her to return. She came back and took my blood pressure and set up the IV. Then I was wheeled back to where they would do they work. They put some Vicodin or Valium-type stuff ( I don't remember what he said) in the IV and a mouth piece in my mouth and it was lights out...........I woke up........later. I do know how long later, but I remember nothing.........NOTHING.

It's scary that a drug can do that to you that quick. Well, I guess it would be great if I was getting a face-lift or breast implants. When I woke up I felt like Anna-Nicole Smith must feel all the time.

Now I know why they required that I bring someone to escort me home. I was a complete wreck when the doctor explained the results afterwards. I remember them giving me my clothes to get dressed, but I have no recollection of dressing myself. I don't remember getting in the elevator to leave either. Scary. The doctor said everything looked normal. Cool.

I don't know why I'm losing blood, or from where. I don't know why my iron-levels are low or why I'm completely exhausted so often. I'll start taking vitamins, eating more vegetables and sleeping more than the 4-6 hours a night I now get. That better work because I'm done with doctors for a while.

Back on the subway. I'm on my way to another workshop. This time I skated from Wilshire & LaBrea to Wilshire & Western and caught the subway to the last stop on the Red Line which is North Hollywood. When I got off the train I had know idea where I was. I actually had to ask a police officer where I was and how to find Burbank Blvd. It was a great feeling to explore something new. I just got the call that my car is ready, I'll pick it up in the morning.
So I got the results for the MRI I had a couple of weeks ago. They say that my hip is fine, but there's a cyst on my spine. Huh? The discomfort is totally coming from my right hip. The cyst is nothing to be concerned about I'm told. I just don't understand how it could be coming from my spine; IT'S MY HIP DARN IT!!! Anyway, I'll schedule the physical therapy and call it a day.

Can you hear the crickets? I sure can. That’s cool though, I’ll just look at this as the calm before the storm. It seems that I’ve been so busy doing “whatever” lately that I’m not too stressed about not having any auditions.

I need to get some routine maintenance done on my car. So, since I had a workshop in Burbank tonight, I decided to drop off my car to the mechanic on the way home so I wouldn’t have to do it in the morning. The only thing is that the mechanics’ place of business is in Studio City and I live on the other side of the hill in Miracle Mile. I could’ve gotten a ride, but I wanted to, somehow, make it a bit more interesting. YES!!! My new skateboard!! Yeah I gotta skateboard for Christmas. My buddy’s car was stolen last year and my old skateboard was in it. I really enjoy skateboarding, I suck, but I enjoy it. I pretty much skate everyday at some point. Even if it’s just back and forth to my car from my apartment.

Okay, so I drive from the workshop place in Burbank to Studio City and leave my car with the overnight tow truck driver at the auto repair shop. So here I am skateboarding along Ventura Blvd at 10:30 at night. I was trying to figure out the bus schedule, but I didn’t know which one to get on. So, I figured that I would skate all the way to the Metro station at Universal Studios. I LOVE riding the subway!!! I don’t do it that often, but when I do I just love it. It reminds me of being in DC, New York or Atlanta. The subway in LA is clean and efficient, but unfortunately, it doesn’t go many places.

I take the subway to “Hollywood & Highland” and figure that I’ll catch the bus down Highland to take me home. I didn't see any busses when I came up to the surface so I skate down Highland, turn on Santa Monica towards La Brea. That little section of Santa Monica was a little sketchy with many men dressed as woman and other people just sorta lurking. I kept my speed up and tried not to look like a victim waiting to be taken advantage of. Here is where it got quite interesting for me. As I was crossing at Beverly and La Brea someone in a gold Jeep Liberty beeped their horn at me so I looked back and waved. It was dark and I couldn't really see who was driving, but I instinctively waved back in case I knew them. As the SUV passed I saw that it was a Caucasion man that I did not recognize. Then, he motioned for me to stop. I just kept going...FAST...saying "Oh sh*t" to myself. What the heck was THAT all about. Anyway, a really weird feeling came over me. I was thinking, "He couldn't have thought I was a girl". Then, I thought, maybe he knew I was a guy and he was interested. NOOOO!!!! NOT ME!!! No disrespect, but I am all about the ladies. Strickly T&A!! Well, I'm kidding, not just T&A, I like 'em nice, with a big heart and a brain helps too. For starters, they just HAVE to be "born female". The "born" part is really important after skating down Santa Monica Blvd.

The plot gets thicker. When I approached the next block, Beverly and 1st, I saw that the same SUV was waiting at the corner. WHAT!!! Yeah, this mofo must be out of his freakin' mind!!! Anyway, I just skated past and kept moving at a nice clip. He then drove past me, slowed up and then took off and turned right at the next corner. When I got to the next corner at 2nd street I looked one block in to Detroit and there he was. Yo, this cat needs to stop. I ain't tryin' to say that I'm Billy Jack or nuttin like dat, but this dude f*&k around and get smacked up! WHAT!!!! Anyway, I made it the rest of the way home with out incident.

2 more days until...............

Today we had our first rehearsal at The Vision Theatre in Leimert Park. It’s the actual space that we'll be performing in. Being on that big stage was really cool. The space looks to hold about a 1,000 guests and the piece is coming along really, really well. The director of the entire evening is actor, director, writer, producer Ted Lange.

YES I’m still in the running!! My print agent @ KSA, Jenny, calls to tell me that the shoot dates for the “Levi’s” gig has changed and that I am still on hold. This is great because now it won’t conflict with the performance with the Robey Theatre Company at the NAACP LA Theatre Awards. Cool.

It’s been a very quiet week. I haven’t had an audition since last Saturday. Oh well, I’m sure it’ll pick up soon. 6 more days until.........

Another dentist appointment. Well, it's not so bad, just a routine cleaning. I always schedule my appointments on Thursday mornings because that is when “Yoshiko” is there. "Who is Yoshiko? You might ask." Yoshiko is a masseuse. She gives massages while you're getting your dental work done. Yeah, only in Beverly Hills.

The first time I experienced it I got caught by surprise. I heard this sweet, sweet voice flavored with a Japanese accent.

YOSHIKO:
Would you like foot massage?

I looked up and saw this attractive woman with a huge smile on her face and wondered where I was. Then, I was like "Oh sh*t" my feet are jacked up this morning. Then I said to myself, "she'll just have to understand".

STEPHON:
Oh yes, thank you.

Now when I go in my feet are fully prepped, at least the best I can do, nails clipped and feet dipped in cocoa butter. Yeah!

Between the electric massage pad in the chair at my back and Yoshiko taking care of my feet, dentist appointments are one of the highlights of my week.