fun math?

thats right baby,

im back.

I have a brand new mac book. I'm pretty sure any ounce that Ryan does not own of my heart, belongs to Alice (my mac book's name). There is just simply too much to catch up on. First on my agenda.... to list my agenda, i suppose. let's use bullets.

• fun math
• list of jobs I've had in the small amount of time I've been offline.
• Ryan
• Christi
• film and la la land
• starting on whats inside my head, in the positive sense, lately. mainly life stories and secrets.

Very well, then.

Fun Math.

Yes, those two words did just come together, if only once.

I am looking into a proper job. You know, one with above minimum wage rates, health insurance and benefits? To tell you the truth I've never really considered this before but in talking to Christi *(a very helpful new friend i will get to later) I found that an insurance company is hiring RIGHT NEXT to my house. Literally, within walking distance. Starting at around 12 to 15 and hr full time, 8-5. I could really use that kind of money, especially after having to take out a payday loan for rent this month.

I've been thinking about said "cube" job for the past few days. These are the terms that I have come to. pro's and con's.

• PRO'S: Money. around $480 a week, rounding down to the starting pay of 12 and hour. a week. and they pay weekly. Benefits. Wheter or not it comes with discounted health insurance plans (which im pretty sure it does) I would be able to afford to get my teeth cleaned, get birth control and adderall renewed. I can't even think of how fantastic that would be. and if i had adderall, i could work harder. Also, It is within walking distance from my house. I could save a ton of gas and car problems, and get into better shape! Also, if i ever wanted to transfer (which I couldnt ever see happening) I could transfer to any smaller office from corporate. 
• CON'S: It's tedious, and I'll be surrounded by people older than me that dont understand actors. Which I suppose doesnt really matter, but how can I pretend to be someone I'm not at lunch break? (I guess I could "act", hehe) It's from 8-5 every weekday (and no, i dont know that for sure. maybe i could work later in the day somehow, or 4 days a week instead of 5, incase central casting decides to passout SAG vouchers like hot cakes when I can't take them again. long story....) 8-5. More getting up early (which im NOT good at.) which would mean so many things; being late unless i could run to starbucks every morning or have adderall, not being able to have a social life as all my friends are servers and they start work at 5, have to see my family more, as i will have the EXACT same schedule as them (gag!) and I have a feeling i'll be seeing even LESS of Ryan. I'll be getting off work and he will either still be at work or be getting off around midnight..... in LA. and because I have to get up at 7 (at least) I wont be able to go out late. ever. Also, I risk having my family getting the idea that I'm suddenly becoming responsible and giving up on acting in some way, while at the same time disappointing my acting friends, thinking ive given up on my craft, by taking a life consuming "day job". Another worry is that I won't be any good at it, or i'll end up getting fired for waking up late or missing work for a film.... Or even worse, missing a film for work. It's true, you are constantly disappointing SOMEONE in this crazy industry...

Now keep in mind I'm mostly just getting my ideas sorted and venting right now. Also keep in mind that my pro's and con's are listed in order of importance for the most part.

$12/hr x 40/hrs a week = $480

$480 x 4 weeks = $1,920 a month.

right now im making about $400-600 a month. depending on how many hours i manage and how many gigs i land and how much i eat.

The next numbers is just for me, they dont make sense bc i've rounded up and not explained them....

cell bill= 140 on a bad month of overages.

wamu cc= 700 total to pay off

wells fargo cc= 2000 total to pay off

car insurance= 600, twice a yr, due next month.

rent= 300

bare minimum living expenses= 100/ month.

this month with loan (add $300)

140

600

600

100

300 for cc's

=1,740

anyway,

remaining cc debt= 2700 (rounded way up)

minus 1 month of work's paychecks= $780

minus 1 month of work's paychecks=$1,140 LEFT OVER.

*********So, 3 months of solid work, debt gone. I think I can do that...***************

I think I will try that.

hello?

does this work?

R.I.P laptop...

Last night, I finally got the new RAM needed for my laptop and sent it over to Jerry's house to have him install it and fix my laptop. Well, it didnt matter because by the time he got to it, the hard drive had crashed. CRASHED.

*sigh*

So, I either need a new hard drive around $100, and then try to install the new RAM $60, and then ty to fix it again.... or just buy a new laptop. (at least$500) I am not in a position to do ANYTING right now, unfortunately, as I have no real steady income. So, I'm not going to do anything about it, except use other people's computers (which dont work so well because my reume and most of my photos are on my laptop. Good news is, Jerry saved a backup of my data, mostly music and pictures, AND my resume (thank God!)

I am back to extra work right now. Today is my day off. Though tomorrow will be tricky, I have 3 birthdays to get to, after work (because ER called me back for thurs)! Cassie is having her 22nd bday (yay!) party in hollywood, which I can probably make ater work bc she stays up late. However, my grandma and cousin Tim are having their Bdays together at my house tomorrow afternoon! errrg... maybe I will see if I can do a night call tonight so I can be there tomorrow...hmm..

In the mean time, I have taken my focus off of acting for two reasons. One, it is STRESSING me out really bad, bc there are sooo so many things that I want to do, but can't do right now.

Two, bc I am broke and I barely have enough gas to get me to auditions and I need to focus on getting my credit cards paid off, getting my car fixed, getting my laptop fixed or buy a new one and focus on moving out of BFNohwere (aka simi), and I can't do any of that without a steady, good income. And I can't focus on making money if I'm focing on trying to act.

Unfotunately.

I'm not saying I'm quitting, or giving up. Just the opposite in fact. I am preparing myself for a career of rainy days, auditions and submissions, all of which I need money, a car and a laptop! As much as I hate it, I need to focus on money right now. I'm not saying that during this time I won't be doing little short films here and there that I can afford to do, but I wont be doing anything too time consuming. I don't know where I'll be working next, or even durning the hiatus, but I'll find something!

Promo work.... well, as me and my good friend Cassie have come to find, promo work is easy and a great source of money..... IF YOU EVER GET PAID! I worked an event for Latinconcepts inc back in March and I was about to call them AGAIN, (6th time) and demand to know where my check was... and then it just came in the mail today. whew! I got lucky. But one thing is for sure! I WILL NOT BE COUNTING ON PROMO WORK EVER AGAIN, UNLESS IT PAYS CASH SAME DAY.

I'll probably pick up a serving job and just work as much as humanly possible till have the money I need to move out... if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear em :)

Also, Ryan is finally moving out of Simi! (yaaay!)

As of June 1st (hey, that was my goal!) Ryan will move in with his college friends, Johnny and Jackson (who just happen to be a producer and an actor/writer). He will be living in LA, off of olympic/pico. I am so happy for him!

In the mean time, please keep me in your prayers as I rough it out these next few months....

xoxo

going green?

I have recently become fascinated with the term "going green".

I have never been one to particularly care about the environment. I've always been one of those old fashioned, God-gave-us-animals-to-eat, fur-is-for-wearing, trees-are-for-paper kind of girl.

However, (maybe it's just living in LA, around a bunch of new age liberals?) I have recently been more aware of how much people waste. Not only that recycling is important, and I intend to be better about that (I go thru ALOT of water bottles a week), but putting less crap into your body and your home is also important.

I'm not sure what "Going Green" means. But, having just watched an Oprah earth day special, I am inclined to blog about it!

First, Recycling. Recycling has been around for a long time, and you can make money doing it! I used to save all my water bottles and soda cans and recycle them at Ralphs parking lot, along with bringing all my spare change I'd find in my room and my car, and make about 20 bucks just cleaning out my car! I do it about twice a year, when things really accumulate. You should try it if you ever have a day for cleaning and whatnot. It doesn't take long and you can make a major dent in land fills. 

Next, Organic! What does organic mean?

Organic foods are produced without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers , human waste, or sewage sludge, and they were processed without radiation or food additives. The livestock are reared without the routine use of antibiotics (which i think is a little weird) and without growth hormones (what woman needs MORE hormones!?) Organic food is better for you, and actually better for the livestock. Even though it is a little bit more expensive, it could be worth it just for the taste and quality. Studies show that organic apples are sweeter than regular apples, because there was no chemical ripening. (gross?!)  

There are many things you can do to help the environment. Most of them are expensive, like Whole Foods, and Hybrid cars. But if you care to pick up your trash and show big companies that your money would rather go to environmentally friendly and healthy products, they will listen. Already, you cant go to a supermarket without seeing "organic" "less sodium" and "made from recycled paper" on lots of products. The market listens to what you spend your money on, so *IF* you have the luxury of choice, make the right one.

Hope this was helpful... I kinda feel like I'm just rattling now...

And yes, I'll still be having bacon for breakfast, my turkey sub for lunch and steak for dinner, because I there are some things a girl just can't give up. (fancy chocolates, manicures and a great shoe collection, just to name a few...)

xoxo

walking-bob-marley-song-am-i

My internet is still down, I think it has something to do with my laptop, not the connection now... Bummer.

In any case!

Hello Lovelies!

I return, if only for a moment (and sadly, without pictures) to remind you, well, I'm still alive :)

I have been laid off from Mavericks, pretty much due to no reason at all. I have been unfairly phased off the schedule and I don't know why. I thought I would be moving out June 1st, but, as I have lost my job, and any source of income, that seems very hard to do right now. Also, my potential roomate is thinking about having her boyfriend move in instead...... what? ah, well, forget that!! 

So after much worrying, stressing-out and praying, I have finally come to peace with my current situation. I have been rather depressed lately (as I get when I am broke) because of many factors:

• I finally have all the time in the world to hang out, go out on auditions and do fun stuff, but no (gas or shopping) money to do it with. I never seem to have the time to enjoy my money, or the money to enjoy my free time (i.e. looking for a job).
• Mimi was out visiting this week from Atlanta. It was a good visit, she stayed in my room for 3 nights and we got some really good talks in. However, as I greet her the first day, she says with her hands open for a hug "Ambie!! How are you!? I've missed you!! I have cancer!" ....what? just like that?! WHO DOES THAT! anyway, she is having surgery next week on her head to remove the cancerous lump, then allowing herself one day to recover before she goes back out to grand rapids!
• When I finally get the guts and the research done to MOVE OUT on my OWN, my plans get foiled!

So, That is why I have been stressed and moody lately...

Good news-

After visiting with Mimi and having the prayer support of Ryan and Mimi the past few weeks, I am feeling a strange peace about everything. Like, Just like a walking-Bob-Marley-song-peacefulness.  Its nice. And it's keeping me sane.

I'll probably be back to extra work until I figure out my next plan of attack, which is fine, but boring :(

k, I have to get off this computer now!

GOOD DAY!

At last I have a chance to blog!

Hello lovers!

I return, if only for a while, from the sweet comfort of my boyfriends abode. I am using his internet for the time being, as my laptop is still unresponsive.

Lets catch up, shall we?

**WARNING: LONG BLOG AHEAD**

This past month I have had lots of wonderful things happen. and some bad things.

Lets start with my brand shiny new modeling agency, PEAK MODELS AND TALENT. Peak is based out of Valencia, and they are totally sweet, nice people. I have already had 2 audition opportunities since joining with them last month (better than I can say for my old agency... *cough...cough..S.A.S...cough*)

I look forward to more *paid* modeling jobs in the future, as well as fit modeling, which is wonderful!

Also I was offered a role in a short mini-series written by Matt Herington, the writer of another short I (and Cassie, oddly enough) were in earlier on in the year. However, it never finished because of editing/crew issues.

The series is about two brothers getting into a lot of trouble and always managing to get out of it, basically. (Sorry, Matt, I'm not very good at describing plots!)

I Play the older brothers (the more sensible one) girlfriend, who ends up being kidnapped and held hostage. It will only take one day of filming so far, though there are more episodes to be filmed. I will be shooting that Monday morning at 9am.

Which just so happens to be right BEFORE I get to see MIMI!!! :)

Mimi Is my grandma, but she raised me from 11yrs old to now, and she is who I consider a "Mom". She is fun, VERY PATIENT, and a very wonderful lady. I invited her out to cali-for-ni-a for some sun and good times over her 65th birthday. She is widowed and all alone in Georgia now that I left, so she (and I) are very excited to spend time together. I hope you all get to meet her while she is here, you'll love her.

One downer is, I need I new job.

And recently I have come to the goal that I want to move out of my room and into my own apartment by (around) June 1st.

I was paying off my credit cards (slowly but surely) and saving up a bit of money but something always happens when I do that... I am now getting my hours at work significantly cut. I went from 4-5 days a week, to 1 or none at all. I have tried everything I can to get more hours and make more money where I am at, but it just is not possible at this point. So after much deliberation, I have decided to do 1 of two things:

1. 
   
   
   Get a new job or get a second job I can work Mon-Fri, and work my little butt off to save up as much money as possible until June, then put in my two weeks notice after I have already found a nice serving job in NoHo, and move into my new place, with a secured job, and start going out on auditions again, from time to time.



2. 
   
   
   Submit submit submit. As much as possible for promo jobs, (mainly, bc they pay the best) and also modeling/acting gigs, and any temp gig I can get to make money here and there, while still going out on auditions and filming here and there. Hope that I get a great paying promo gig that will allow me to get a job in NoHo, and move into my own place.

I vote for situation number one, mostly because I'm sure it will work.

So if anybody knows of any great places that are hiring, let me know! I just applied at a hotel in Simi, for a front desk position. Boring? Yes, but it pays well, and I can amuse myself just about anywhere.

I also had a photoshoot at Studio A (just a little TFCD thing) with Ryan and Cassie. We had a great wardrobe stylist/Designer Brand1982, an MUA and several photographers and abour 7 models total. I got to wear a beautiful Brown grecian hand made gown and Cassie wore a fantastic flapper-length creamy, laced play dress. Ryan stuck mostly to headshots:)

I also had a fun shoot with JC Olivera in Simi, over by the old railroad station, and I cant wait to see how those came out! I'll post them asap, when I get them, but it might be awhile, as he travels quite a bit...

Last but not least, Cassie and I went to Malibu Beach today and caught up, both got "cute" little sun burns on our backs, and tomorrow, after my audition for a Sorority Web-series in LA at noon (yay!), we shall have a girl day! Full of pampering, nothing in particular, and pinkberry!

Good DAY!

no internets

i know i know.

i havent been keeping up my blog.

my room is under-going construction, new door and finishing the windows, so there is not elecrticity most of the time and its very dark. i havent spent much time at home lately because of the fact that my room is a war zone, everything piled onto my bed by construction workers. yay.

I have been working all weekend and i worked this morning and now i am about to go back to work to cover somebody else's shift, because why? because i need the money!! duh.

Tomorrow i have the day off and Kevin, Dad and I are going to celebrate my little brothers birthday which was thursday. Happy 16th Birthday Brock!!

oh, and guess what? I have an agency again!

**PEAK MODELS**. check em out. www.peakmodels.com and no, im not giving my hopes up, thinking ill be a supermodel or anything, i just like to know that im being submitted for stuff:)

and the search for a legit agent continues....

oh and i wrapped "Room For Rent" yesterday and it was really funny, even though my part was very small... but you know what they say, there are no small parts... only small actors. and let me tell you, i was not small! lol.

oh and i saw the movie Leatherheads with my Dad yesterday. It was good, very "old hollywood" and fun. not the fastest-paced movie ever, but still worth seeing, probably with your parents. because thats who its aimed at.

gotta go back to work now!!

hopefully ill have an internet connection to call my own soon!!

xoxo