I wanted to blog about moving to the fabulous Las Vegas...

But I haven't found anything positive about it yet.

Keep tuned.

-Amber

its my day o f f

Hello darling!

I have been thinking a lot lately and wanted to record my many scrambled goals, thoughts and questions rolling around in my head. Maybe it will help me to sleep better, who knows?

- I want to make a demo reel. Do I think I have good material for a great demo reel? Not really, but I can shorten it up to make the good reactions I have be the focus, instead of the horrible sound and cheezy lines... I don't know how to edit, so I will have to pick out a couple scenes I want and ask a friend to do it for free or cheap. (Which means low priority, which means I will have to wait forever for it to be done) But hey, I want the advantage of having a reel! 

And hopefully that reel will get me work, better work, with which I can fashion a lovely new reel out of!

-I want to learn out to edit. I cannot possibly afford (time or my non-existent money) to go tot film school or anything elaborate. But I do own a lovely little macbook, with basic video editing software and I have youtube. You'd think I'd be able to make something useful out of it.... I wish someone could teach me how to edit a reel or little short films / music videos I might want to make. just for practice. 

-I got a new job! God always has a way of reassuring me I'm not a total screwup when I feel hopeless and broke. I started at the Intercontinental Hotel Los Angeles Century City (yes, that is the full name) as a front desk agent thanks to my good friend actress and director, Anna. The job pays well, and it is my first full time job with benefits.  I like this security! Being able to afford things and pay off my debt slowly but surely is fabulous. However I do not like being unavailable. I haven't been able to go to a single audition since I've started and I haven't had much of a social life either. But now that I am less worried about learning everyones names and the computer system (a real, complicated pain, i might add) I can focus on executing my precious time off on what I want. (which unfortunately, is damn near everything.)

-I've had to walk almost exactly a mile to work every day and I dont mind the walk, I feel good and my legs are adjusting to the demands of standing for 8 hours straight much better than I thought. I've also lost 2 pounds from walking. (no diet this month, i'm too broke to buy healthy foods, not too mention too tired to care much). However, I wish the hotel had a better parking solution, as I have to search and fight for a new spot every day on Pico...

-I cannot wait to find a new apartment in LA! I dont know how much I will be able to afford yet. I am thinking I'll be able to swing anywhere from 600-800 a month if it includes utilities and I don't need a new car :/

I haven't decided whether I would prefer having a roommate or not, I suppose it depends on the roommate. But here are some of the things I would like to see in my ideal apartment search:

1. Parking! Parking included, no fighting for a spot at my own place! I want my own parking spot or permit, and I need to feel safe parking and walking to my apartment. 

2. Location. I need to be close to Century City/ West LA (my job and Ryan) while still being close to Hollywood and freeways for auditions. I am hoping to find something off Santa Monica Blvd, Olymipic or Pico.... all very busy, diverse areas near everything I need. Also considering West Hollywood, Beverly Hills (I know its ridiculously expensive and boring but it is so close to my work!!) and Santa Monica...

3. Space. The smaller the better. I'm never home and I never sleep. I just need a place to keep my crap. I do not want a lot of clutter or a lot to have to clean. a studio or loft would be superb for now until I can afford a nice apartment and a social life...

4. Perks. I would IDEALLY love to have a pool, fitness center, running trail nearby, and washer and dyer (I don't mind paying, I just need it there), and cable and wifi of some sort to use. I would also really really, really really, REALLY love rooftop access or a balcony with a great view. But I realize that is asking for more than my share of good luck in LA, so I'll stick with finding a safe place to park.    ;)

5. Month to month rent would be ideal as I have no idea where I'll be in 6 months to a year from now. Also being able to get a kitten and keep it there would be nice! I want a little black kitten so badly!!!

My ideal roommate would be a 20-30 yr old female, clean and friendly. Preferably someone with high ambitions in the entertainment industry so we could understand if not support each other's goals not to mention crazy schedules and sleeping hours. Or someone who is quiet and doesn't mind me hardly ever being home. My ideal roommate would be a fellow actress or model or director who understands auditions, "image", pressure and creativity.

I think I've said too much but at least it's not swimming around in my head anymore. There. its out there, and if anyone wants to look for an apartment with me, I would be delighted! And I wont hold you to any of my ideals. They are just me thinking about what I would want....

-Does anyone know of a good place to sell computer parts? I have a 250 GB RAM for my PC laptop that I never used but my uncle threw away the damn packaging, it was worth $55.00. I would like to sell it if I could find the right place to go to.....

-Does anyone edit and put together demo reels for free or for trade? I can't imagine it would take long, I don't have much material :/

-I'm sad that I've spent the entire summer indoors. Not once have I gotten to get to the beach :(

-Yes, I do get discounts on many hotel chains now. Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Hotel Indigo, and Crowne Plaza. at least 20 % for me and 15% for friends and family depending on availability, so let me know  if you need the hook up!

Blue Bloods the movie cast:

There is no easy way to say that the Twilight series has come to an end (*tear) but ever since then I have been trying to find a decent book to get into. I run into a few good ones including the magical trilogy by Libba Bray "A Great and Terrible Beauty", "Rebel Angels" and "The Sweet Far Thing" (which is by far one of my favorite series now and I can't wait to list the cast for that as well, seeing how I fit the main character's desciption perfectly, muahaha..)

Anyhow this book, "Blue Bloods" is like Gossip Girl (NYC it-girls) and Twilight (vampires) put together.

What more could you need right?

(apparently a solid story line... the ending was very anti-climatic.)

However I still believe this could be made INTO a great movie, if they changed a few things to make it more interesting and less cheesy.

When reading the book I pictured this sweet, red headed texan character named Bliss to be played by one of my favorite actresses, Jayma Mays (Heroes) and so I thought it would be fun to cast it. 

I dont really want to break down the book for you but fans of the book will recognize each character easily.

There are brother and sister twins in the book, Mimi and Jack Force who kinda had a thing together in a "past life" so I thought Blake Lively (who is also a perfect blonde vampire looking actress) and her real life beau Penn Bradgley (spelling) would be perfect for it since they also fit the book's description.

Alexis Bledel would be the main character, Schuyler (pronounced sky-lar) because she is the most beautiful dark haired, innocent blue eyed  pale actress i could think of for the role. Her character is very goth and gritty.

I'm tired and i've been meaning to post this dream casting for a while now.

if you have any questions, complaints or better suggestions (i DARE you to find a better Bliss) let me know!

xoxo

am

oh and ps!

new episodes of GG start sept 1st! eeek!!!

pps!

Twilight the movie's release date has been changed to earlier than dec 12th! ill find out when!

My Dream

I remember arriving at a beautiful old house in the country, with a long wooden fence around the backyard. It was a summer house of our or something, and we shared it with a few other girls and families, as it was huge. it had 3 stories above ground, each with a rustic balcony with sun chairs. the house was made of wood on the outside, like a cabin almost, but white plaster on the inside, well decorated and neat. Earlier in the dream we arrived through an elevator and looking at the buttons i realized this house had 16 stories to explore. we went to the top and settled in. I'm not sure who i was with, it was a girl. we went out to the balcony that over looked the other two lower balconies and the back yard. The back yard is set in a forrest, fenced in lightly with long wooden posts. it had a pretty rounded-yet-not-circled pool with plants near the deep end. there was people bbq-ing out back and they were all nice and happy. 

I saw Mimi (my grandma, who raised me, so for everyones sake, ill just call her mom) arrive with 2 lady friends and settle in on the level right below me. as we were getting settled, i heard a shout and looked over the balcony on the 2nd level.

There was a big beautiful fire burning the forrest near our house. I asked them to put it out and they said we cant, but its fine, we need to get rid of some trees. I thought, alright, we can spare the fence and the trees but i hope it dosnt get closer bc we only have a garden hose.

Then I went inside and ran around the house looking for something and exploring. I met up with 2 other girls who ran up and down the many stairs with me. the middle step on every landing seemed to be a big dip, instead of a step. and oddly enough it was full of soft, slippery pasta noodles.  Fettucine, actually. Mimi and her friends got changed while ran around the house doing god knows what. I remember overhearing it was Mimi's 65th birthday and i had forgotten how old she was.

Then I kinda woke up shut off my alarm and couldnt shake the dream, so i went into another one.

I was in a bed (yeah, no crap. haha) and the bed was half in, half out side a tall, shallow cave. the spiders started crawling in my bed so i squirmed and got out. when i got out, i was no longer half awake, but fully immersed in my new dream.

I was in a outside party with friends at night. there were two sides to the party, but i cant remember what. some really annoying girl was there, and i had to fix all her mistakes she made to the party. The party was good, but by the end of the dream i was struggling to escape the party.

when i gained half awakeness again i was thinking "get UP. get up. get up. get up! get up!!"

So I think the last dream had something to do with falling back asleep even though I knew I had to wake up to get to the bank on time. I woke up 10 mins past the bank closing. dangit!!! I cant never get to the bank on saturdays!

anyways, I know this is getting long but this is mostly for me anyways, as i believe dreams are a way of getting your attention about things. I can NEVER remember mine so I thought I'd write it down real quick before i did anything else and use the website Cassie gave me: www.dreammoods.com  to decipher some of it.

-Grandmother- represents protection and unconditional love.

-Mother- Life, guidance and comfort. Dreaming that you are having a conversation with your Mom denotes a matter that has preoccupied your mind and you are not sure how to deal with it in your waking life. it indicates unresolved problems with her. Hearing her call out to you signifies you have been negligent in your duties and responsibilities, you are pursuing the wrong path. To hear your mom cry denotes illness or affliction.

-House being on fire- you need to undergo some transformation. also highlights passion and love for those around you.

-House- represents your own soul and self. the attic, or top, represents your intellect, the basement represents the unconscious. if the house is empty, it is feelings of insecurtiy. of the house is shifting, it suggests personal changes and changing your belief system. If you live with others in your waking life but dream that you live alone, you need to take your independence.

To clean your house, suggests needing to clear out thoughts and seeking self improvement.

If the house is old and run down, it represents your old beliefs, attitudes and how you used to think or feel. a situation in your current life may be bringing up those same feelings.

-Pool- a pool of water indicates that you need to understand and deal with your emotions, you need to dive right in (thats funny bc i stepped over the pool, very carefully.) alternatively, a pool may indicate your need for cleansing. you need to wash away the past.

-Smoking- signifies a need for a break. also indicates yu are trying to shield yourself and others against your emotions. you have trouble letting others in. (hahahahahahaha wow.)

-Steps/Stairs- efforts in achieving your goals, ambition and material gains.

-Pasta noodles- To see noodles in your dream signifies an abnormal appetite and desire.

-Cave- the cave signifies refuge or the unconscious mind.

-Party- suggests that you need to get out more and enjoy yourself. also a reflection of your social skills. if the party is good, you are confident, if it os bad, you are might lack social skills.

-Baby in pool- Babies may represent an aspect of yourself that is vulnerable and helpless. If you dream that you forgot you had a baby, then it suggests that you are trying to hide your own vulnerbilities. you do not want to let others know of you weaknesses.

-Elevator- Going up signifies that you will quickly rise to status and wealth. you may also have risen to a higher lever of consciousness and are looking at the world from an elevated viewpoint.

Thanks for reading. this particularly detailed dream has been very insightful!

xoxo

The Creeper aka El Viejo

So I work at a Japanese food place.

There are several regular customers, though one always makes a point of standing out.

In fact there are so many regular customers that we have 5 Daniels. One Daniel always makes his stay more memorable than the rest.

The late 45 year old man works construction and drives a white construction van, other wise known to most young girls as a rape van. (you know, the dark windows, big side sliding door to just drive by and kidnap someone in, like in the movies?)

He is balding, and tries to cover it up by buzzing his salt and pepper hair. He leans entirely too far over the counter and smells like a construction worker, as in, sweat. 

He had the nerve to ask me last week, "So when are you gonna go for a ride on my motorcycle?"

Me: (taken aback, regains composure, searching for an obvious excuse) "Oh, it's too hot for riding motorcycles, I don't think so."

Daniel: "Oh. Well then. Let me rephrase it. (Leers) When are you gonna go out on a date with me?" 

Me: (studying his older-than-my-dad body) "Oh. *laughs hard* I'm taken."

Daniel: "Aw! Thats too bad ... Well, I guess I won't flirt with you anymore..."

Me: (under my breath) "yes please... don't"

.....................

NEXT DAY.

He returns.

I notice, to my dismay, I notice he does not have a wedding ring, which my spanish sushi maker friend Emily asked...

Daniel: "Hi there... You know you broke my heart yesterday."

Me: (glaring at his lewdness) "Oh, did I? Thats really too bad."

Daniel: laughs nervously, "You don't care much do you?"

Me: (putting extra ice in my glare, while smiling) "Nope."

................

TODAY.

I saw his phone order and dreaded the day already

. Oh, crap. HOw am I gonna avoid the creeper today. I really don;t want to have to deal with him. 

So i found a prefect way to avoid the bastard. 

I saw him get out of his rape van and i went straight into the bathroom and re-arranged my hair in several different fashionable styles before I decided I wanted to come out to a Daniel-free store.

It worked, and since there is no Spanish word for "Creepy Old man" Emily and I call him "El Viejo" when he is around... "The old man".

its pretty fun.

oh and whats better is I wont HAVE to deal with El Viejo anymore. or this fast food job anymore.

I just got a long waited job offer from Intercontinental Hotels as a front desk agent, full time at 13/hr!

This is the best day ever!

Goodbye fast food.

Goodbye minimum wage.

Goodbye El Viejo!

jobs.

I thought for fun, and for most of my dear friends who have wondered about my mysterious work history, which is elusive, even to myself at times, I would post a fun list, oh, im also the queen of run-on sentences and bad grammar, so get used to it :)

I will start at the beginning of my employment journey. High school. McEachern High school to be exact.

1. Publix Supermarkets: My first job, forced upon me, in every literal sense by my Mimi, who not only believed in strong work ethic, but not able to spoil me, pushed me to apply as soon as legally possible, "or else". Mind you, "or else" in Mimi-talk meant horrific devastation on my part, including but not limited to: Groundation, Cell-phone confiscation, Sunday-morning-orange-rolls-depravation, good-cooking-depravation, constant nagging as well as phone nagging, and removing the door to my room, followed by my bathroom, if I did not comply, if none of these worked (and they usually did, despite my strong will to have a ferris buller-style summer) Mimi could always threaten to ship me back to California, although, those threats were usually saved for special occasions (like buying an eyebrow ring, skipping school, and hiding my boyfriend in the closet). But, we can laugh about it now! (I hope....) This was my longest job to date, spanning 3 years of my young life. I worked as a Cashier, Stock-girl (the only one, which was perfectly fine by me, seeing as I got spoiled and never had to show up on time or lift heavy things.) Dairy-girl* (*worst job ever, loading and unloading milk pallets that constantly broke and spoiled. Spent my entire shift in a feezer or fridge, pushing dairy around. ) and last but not least, the Bakery! I loved my job at the bakery even though by the time I finally got to the position I wanted ever since I started (decorating pastries and cakes) I had one month before I moved to California.
2. Bruster's Ice Cream: My first "second" job. I got this job after convincing Mimi this had the best benefits (free ice cream) by bringing her home our favorite "double chocolate chip" ice cream everyday. I worked this a few days a week, for a couple hours, mostly cleaning, gossiping to my openly gay theater friend/manager, Jay and "sampling" every flavor. One of the most fun jobs I've had. Carefree, silly and ice-cream and hot fudge everyday... mmmm.... Oh, and I instantly became more popular when my friends realized I was a free-ice cream giving Goddess. That doesnt hurt, either.
3. Forever 21: the second day I landed in california, I went job hunting. I didn't know anyone out here but my family, and I certainly couldnt stay up till 3 in the morning watching Zoolander in my undies, eating leftover pizza with my uncle, (trust me) so I went in search of fun loving girls like me. Enter Forever 21 asian chicks. I got hired the day of my interview and started working a couple days a week, seeing employees come and go like hot cakes. I worked there for a month before I realized 2 things about retail: 1. The girls that work here are fake. 2. Retail SUCKS. (especially the pay) 
4. Johnny Carino's Italian: I quickly applied here, mostly out of the love for their garlic bread. It also had a huge NOW HIRING sign over its newly constructed building. I worked at Forever 21 and here for a while before sticking to real money. I eventually worked my way up to server, and met my first friend, Hannah. Hannah had sparkly eyeshadow and a cute blonde, emo hair cut. I knew we would be friends immediately. (Mostly out of missing my cute emo-haircutting friend Erin, back home). Hannah also cut hair and  soon adopted my short pixie cut of 06. I made lots of money serving here and loved Carino's very much. My British friend Jane and I played several pranks on each other and I finally understood how people could love the place they worked. Sometimes we made fun of a fat angry woman called Kristen to ourselves. The evil Kristen eventually became a manager somehow. Then the Evil Kristen made my life a living hell, and after several servers threw in the towel and quit, I put in my two-weeks notice, convinced I would go to a better restaurant, one where GM's and managers were nice, and patient beings who didnt snap all the time, and micro-manage you. I've never quite found that restaurant...
5. Red Robin: I applied here mostly, again, out of the love for their steak fries. I got hired as a server, yet after training they made me host for 4 months. I made several friends here that have come and gone but most might remember Alli Byer. She was a server at the time and a friend of ours, Ashley, invited me over to her house for a post-halloween party. I had no friends and hated boys, having just broken up with my ex of 2 and a half years, so I obliged and made all of my current great friends there around her bonfire (Michaela, Brenda and Mike). I eventually made it to expo, with promise of becoming a server. After 6 months of barely being able to make rent off of a host/expo wage, I had to quit.
6. Life's A Beach: I'm not kidding. I worked here and Red Robin around the same time. I was desperate for a job, so I got a job somewhere I swore I would never step foot in, a tanning salon. I worked here for almost a year making many fun girl friends, meeting a girl named Michelle who ended up being a whole lot of fun. too much fun. That girl got me in way too much trouble (i.e: Nate, Vinnie) I eventually got so burnt out working every waking hour, I kept coming in late for work, and got fired for the first time in my life. (boo.) It was actually a pretty scary and dumb experience, and if you know me, you've heard the story...
7. Famous Dave's BBQ: Oh, Famous Dave's. I applied here out of no reason whatsoever! On a complete whim, I drove by and applied. I had orientation and training with the most handsome man I've ever laid my eyes on. He was thin (just the way I like 'em), with dark brown hair and impossibly blue eyes.  We ended up in the same training groups and after explaining to me that he also was into acting and was a Christian, I was sold. I also became great friends with Michaela who was a host there and is one of my best friends today. I ended up quitting after Mother's From Hell, and I lost it, walking out of the restaurant with several other servers, after a manager accused me of drinking on the clock (I didnt even drink off the dang clock!) and several orders went missing all day. Ryan and I have been dating for a year and a half now :) 
8. Starbuck's Coffee: I got this job out of desperation of not having a job all summer, after quitting Famous Dave's and almost giving up on the restaurant business altogether. I worked in the Simi Valley Mall, serving caramel frappucinos to 8th graders all day and making near minimum wage. I made several nice, optimistic friends there, who I was very sad to leave, when Quitting time came. I had started Extra work, or background work. I was working on real TV shows and movies. I was hopeful to become SAG soon and realized if I got a call in service to  book me everyday, I could make more doing extra work than I could at Starbucks, so I quit Starbucks, walking blindly into the glamourous world of non-union extra work with nothing but my film experience to go on....... (which was none.)
9. Extra work: Basically being herded and treated like dumb, annoying cattle all day (literally over 12 hours a day) in different locations through out southern california, starting at 6am. I never saw my friends and put many miles on my car before realizing this wasn't going to cut it. The great part about extra work is that you get to meet all kinds of new people (actors, writers, models, etc) and get ideas and connections from that. You learn what to do (AND what NOT to do) very quickly doing extra work if you are observant. I have met one of my bestest friends on the set of "Caveman" (Show based off of Geico caveman commercials, now cancelled), Cassie. I eventually cancelled my call-in service because it wasnt very good and I wasnt getting enough work after the writer's strike, and my rent being raised, for not being in college. hoo-ray.
10. Redfish: I applied here, hoping for a good, fine-dining restaurant to work in, but since I had Maverick's call me back first, and training interfered with Mavrick's WORK schedule (where I could make money right away), I quit after 1 day, regretfully, hoping I made the right decision. (I was wrong.)
11. Maverick's Steakhouse: I worked here at the beginning of the year. At first I thought this was the coolest restaurant to work in yet, non-corporate! Our Christmas party was consisted of closing down the restaurant early, having homemade mexican food carne-asda and guacamole, as well as shots of Patron Silver for everyone and an open bar. But at the time I was not 21, so I did not indulge, lest my new boss think me a lush. Eventually Days got slow and business came to a lull. I trained a new girl who started gossip and drama no body wanted and pretty much got phased off the schedule over a misunderstanding. The misunderstanding being that, I have no idea what happened. One day my boss was buying me dinner and asking my opinion on the new lights/paint job, and the next, he was telling me if I didn't stop behaving poorly, I could just leave. whaaaaaat? *sigh*  I wont even go into it....
12. The Secret Garden/Coco D' Amour: These 2 fine dining restaurants I almost forgot because I worked for them so briefly. I only worked there for my good British friend, Jane (See Johnny Carino's). She was a manager at both places, and you can even see what she is like when she is forced to be very serious on camera, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw3BWxJ8cGs and just fast forward to 00:23 or 06:45 seconds for Jane :) I also Worked for Coco D' Amour, a fun, tropical little restaurant in Simi Valley that unfortunately didnt get enough business. 
13. Sooki's Japanese Grille: This delicious, small version on Panda Express is located in the middle of nowhere (also know as a small part of T.O. called Newbury Park.) I work for a KOREAN man, who now owns the place, who makes sushi and shuffles in and out of the kitchen smiling and mumbling in half-korean-half-english, giving me gifts of fig-newtons or egg rolls when he likes me, and accuses me of stealing change from the tip jar. (we're talking nickels and dimes, here.) I make barely above minimum wage (which I understand, in california, its nothing, but in georgia, it would be enough per hour to get a two story home in Hiram complete with paved driveway and in ground swimming pool, but still. its minimum wage in california for a reason, its EXPENSIVE to live here!) I am currently weighing other employment options, as the last post suggests.

I really don't know how I've survived out here so far and it will be a miracle when I can pay another bill, much less rent anytime soon, but I'd still rather be here than anywhere else in the world. I love California. It's beautiful and full of the most interesting, driven people on the planet. Not to mention Ryan :)

I do hope you have enjoyed Amber's work history, in cliffnotes.

I also think

sincerely, for the record, that Ryan should start a blog on here :(