Riverside Walk

What We Do For The Stage

Some of us are having to make some pretty drastic changes for the stage. AJ no longer looks like a werewolf and soon I'll... have shaved legs...

Check, Check and Check

I feel like a brand new person today. This past week was full of ups and downs, but ultimately has lead to a very fulfilling start to the weekend.

Poor Lauren was sick for a couple of days this past week. AJ and I had to take her to the hospital right down the street after her temperature ended up spiking to 104 Monday night. I went to the back with her while AJ headed back to the apartment. We didn't end up leaving until about 1:30 in the morning, but hey, I couldn't care less about sleep when it comes to taking care of my buddies. I have the Momma to thank for that quality. Luckily she was back on her feet to her ol' firecracker self in no time.

In other news, I have been made Director of Photography for the Film Noir movie she will be acting in next summer! Rob (the director) and I have been conversing non-stop about the project and our favorite films. He even wants to cast me as a grungy sniper for the film. Next summer is going to rock!

Lauren and I met up with the writer we will be working for in October to look for wigs and costumes. In this photoshoot we will be portraying the characters of Tamsin Silver's upcoming book, "Moon Over Manhattan". It's sort of a fantasy/sci-fi genre, so we will be in lots of black with crazy-cool wigs and swords and tattoos and fake piercings all that jazz... I think this photoshoot is going to convert me to goth... Watch out, Salem!

This morning (actually at 12, when I woke up...) I made enough eggs and AJ made bacon to feed him, myself and Hannah. I was so proud of myself I took a jog with AJ. I was even SO proud of myself for having went on a jog, I had a victory donut, and brought one back for Lauren.

Saturday Subway Madness

What... a... day...

It all started with a subway trip to visit Lauren up at the apartment she was "house-sitting" on Central Park West. As I got to the station at 175th st, I heard the train approach, stop, and the doors open. I quickly swiped my card and, for fear that I would miss the train, jumped the last five steps down to the platform. Needless to say, I completely ate it... Luckily the folder I had slid underneath me so I didn't ruin my shirt, only my elbows. No blood, just a good scab on each one.

So I take my seat, too embarrassed to look up at anyone who may be looking back at me. Next thing I know, this nice lady hands me two band-aids. "Ooh, that looks like it hurts," she says. I thanked her gratefully. We began chatting and laughing, and she says, "hey, if you're an actor you know how important it is to catch the train." I laughed and said, "well that's funny because I am an actor!" Turns out she was a fantasy/sci-fi writer and was looking for a cast to do some photography for her new book to be released soon. She asked if I'd be willing to send her a headshot and I was happy to say yes. She then informed me of her hard time finding a short girl with black hair and blue eyes in this city. I told her, funnily enough, that my roommate was also an actress, with black hair, with blue eyes... "YOU'VE JUST SAVED MY LIFE!"

Lauren, being the big fantasy/sci-fi buff, was ecstatic... to say the least...

I'm proud to say that not only am I looking out for Lauren, but Lauren is looking out for me, too! Next summer, she will be acting in a small indie film. She's been talking with the director about it for about two weeks now. Today, she asked him if he'd like some help directing any of the scenes. In short, Rob was very enthusiastic to accept my participation on the project, and offered me any sort of work I'd like to do with it (be it acting or directing any and all scenes).

At this rate, it looks like I may not be returning next summer.

Hurricane of Greatness!

So, for the past week and a half, we've been readying ourselves for a supposed vicious hurricane called Earl. We've stocked up on Nutri-Grain bars, oatmeal, water, apples, etc... As Friday came to a close, we braced for a night of gale-force winds and heavy rain.

However, to our surprise, we woke up to quite the opposite. The sun came up through a cloudless sky and a cold breeze passed through the apartment. I believe this is the first time we've only had one fan on in the whole apartment, and it feels as if we've got fully working air conditioning. And with a full bowl of oatmeal, an apple and a Nutri-Grain bar as my breakfast, I'd say this is by far the best morning I've had up here so far.

New York Heat

It's 8:00pm here in the big city, and the temperature couldn't be more unbearable, it seems. While there is a nice breeze passing through the streets, the heat has been making its way up to our apartment for a few days in a row now. There are fans in nearly every room and still the sweat drips like dew from a heavy leaf, somewhere out in the jungle.

And yet, life goes on. AJ and I made turkey and bacon sandwiches for ourselves and Lauren tonight. We spent a few minutes on the fire escape, enjoying the savory combination of dinner, breeze and a red sky on the horizon.

And now, since we have cable, we are watching football. Life may have its difficulties, but it sure is good.

A Special Thanks

Thanks for all the great response on the new headshots. I need to give credit where it's due for a fun photo session to my photographer, Dave Mead. He's a real pro, based in Austin, Texas but will accept an assignment from New York to LA and all points in between. You can find Dave's work included in Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone Magazine and Texas Monthly to start. He's focused his camera on the likes of Cheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, Queen Latifah, Coldplay, Tom Petty, Billy Idol and I don't have room to mention the sports greats! You just have to check out his website. Besides being a great photographer, Dave drives an awesome old, orange truck (he's a University of Texas grad) that has been spotted in Sonic tv commercials! He's got a great, laid back style (not sure he owns a suit), a wife who is a stylist by trade, does a lot of work in NYC and they have two of the cutest baby girls ever! (Imagine growing up with a camera trained on your every move....those girls have it made right out of the shoot!)

So, a huge Thank You to Dave for his time spent getting hundreds of great images taken for the few that I've posted here.....just don't have room to lay them all out there!

Website: davemead.com

Special link: magnificentspecimens.com (hairy guys from a beard and mustache competition in Alaska, images hung in a collection for several weeks this past summer in the Chelsea Market...watch for an upcoming 2011 calendar based on the best of these)