Though I haven't even cracked the small screen, I am now receiving a paycheck as a California resident. This entire time, I haven't really felt like I permanently lived here, because I have never had a job here. I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to look for a job outside of my field, it just materialized.
Christmas is coming, and I decided I wanted to make some extra money. I took as many scripts as I could handle from the screenwriting competition and randomly found myself a job. Being unemployed, I feel like a great use of my time is to visit the gym, at least every weekday. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a sign at my gym that they were hiring at the front desk.
I got the job almost immediately. I haven't mentioned it until this point, because I wasn't sure if I could keep it. I will be leaving for Chicago for almost three weeks, and in my experience, jobs like this do not allow you to stay onboard after leaving for an extending period of time. Yesterday, I found out that my job will stay be waiting for me when I get back.
The gym's location is close to the wife's place of employment, are during the same hours when she is working, and are flexible enough for me to take on a new internship or have meetings around it. Though it doesn't pay much, it's nice to have a paycheck and have something to keep me busy.
In other news, I have encountered a new challenge in my quest to break through the small screen. It's nothing I can't handle, but it certainly affects my perspective. Stay tuned to learn about this new hurdle...
Friday, December 9, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Handling Frustration
A lot of my blogs are about how positivity and faith lead me to know that I will break through that small screen. However, I haven't talked about how I persevere through the discomfort of not having a job. Between internships, I've been bored. It's no fun applying for jobs and new internships, and there are days where I am frustrated.
I've had this part-time script reading job to keep my mind engaged and put a small of money in my pocket. But sometimes, there are no scripts to read. I try to take these times to write screenplays of my own. When I don't feel like writing, I watch streaming episodes of Netflix. When Starbucks' WiFi is too slow for that or I grow tired of watching Lost, I read a book. I do my very best to stay motivated and trust that the perfect opportunity will present itself.
I've spoken about the wife, and how her job helps pay for us to survive in LA. But I haven't spoken of how we believe in a prosperity consciousness. All religions have some kind of writing that involves God providing wealth for believers. Even non-religions speak of a law of attraction, indicating that if you believe in something, including money, that it will come to you.
We focused on faith, believing that we can thrive in LA. The fact that we haven't gone a day without a place to live or food to eat serves as a reminder to us that our faith worked. This kind of reminder serves to prove to me that I will find the perfect job at the perfect time. I appreciate all of you in your support and your positive energy in making this happen for us.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A Potential Crack in the Screen
I've been quiet for awhile because my last internship was top secret and I thought it was best to minimize content on the internet about it. Therefore, that means that my internship, that was supposed to last three months, only lasted one. It wasn't that I couldn't hang, and I wasn't fired. A month into the internship, we had the "internship talk". Based on a assessment, we realized that it was not in our best interest to stay.
I learned a valuable lesson from the internship...I am not interested in talent management. If I dip my toe into management, it would have to be literary management. I am far better suited and interested in working with writers, as opposed to actors. I appreciate the lesson, it wasn't something I knew before I got into it.
However, if one read my bio, it can be clearly seen that I am interested in development, and that has not changed. An interest in management stemmed from the fact that everyone recommended that if I would like to get into development, a management company or an agency was the best place to start. I may have mentioned this in an earlier post, but several months ago, I made an appointment to speak with a partner at a major management company in Beverly Hills.
I had the appointment yesterday, and it went far better than I expected. He expressed a willingness to help me and asked me to send my resume this morning. He is forwarding my resume on, and for the first time since I have arrived in LA, I have a lead on an opportunity to actually speak to someone who works in television development.
It has taken me six months to meet someone who can and will connect me with someone who presently works in the field that I moved here to break into. This is by no means a complaint, simply a statement that contributes to the proof of how difficult it is to break into the industry. If I thought it would be easy, I wouldn't have started a blog to document this process. Hopefully, this meeting will lead to a crack in breaking through the small screen. Thank you all for your support.
I learned a valuable lesson from the internship...I am not interested in talent management. If I dip my toe into management, it would have to be literary management. I am far better suited and interested in working with writers, as opposed to actors. I appreciate the lesson, it wasn't something I knew before I got into it.
However, if one read my bio, it can be clearly seen that I am interested in development, and that has not changed. An interest in management stemmed from the fact that everyone recommended that if I would like to get into development, a management company or an agency was the best place to start. I may have mentioned this in an earlier post, but several months ago, I made an appointment to speak with a partner at a major management company in Beverly Hills.
I had the appointment yesterday, and it went far better than I expected. He expressed a willingness to help me and asked me to send my resume this morning. He is forwarding my resume on, and for the first time since I have arrived in LA, I have a lead on an opportunity to actually speak to someone who works in television development.
It has taken me six months to meet someone who can and will connect me with someone who presently works in the field that I moved here to break into. This is by no means a complaint, simply a statement that contributes to the proof of how difficult it is to break into the industry. If I thought it would be easy, I wouldn't have started a blog to document this process. Hopefully, this meeting will lead to a crack in breaking through the small screen. Thank you all for your support.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
I like to call myself a master juggler, but this week, I dropped the ball. This weekend, I volunteered and attended the Screenwriting Expo, managed a web project, entertained a friend from out of town (shout out to Lucy Loo), finished screenwriting coverage assignments, and had an interview before and after the weekend. With all of this scuffling, I broke the cardinal rule of interview preparation.
While working as a office production assistant for a film called Out West, I received two calls on the same day. One was for an unpaid talent management internship position, and the other was for a paid executive assistant position at a commercial agency. Because the executive assistant position was paid and because I had some issues confirming the interview, I spent all of my spare time and energy on that company.
Therefore, I was somewhat unprepared for the internship interview. I mentioned that I had a job interview on Monday, and indicated that I would take the paid position, if offered. I never expected to receive a call on Friday night with an offer for the internship. The only reason an unpaid internship posed a conflict was because there is a real opportunity for growth, specifically doing what it is that I am interested in and an opportunity to connect me to the kind of industry people that I want to be connected to. None of this is true for the paid position. The real dilemma was posed when they wanted me to start immediately, and make a three month commitment.
Though I think I would like to work at the commercial talent agency, I think the unpaid internship is a better decision to achieve my career goals. I will not get a response from the paid position until about two weeks. Therefore, after the interview with the commercial agency, I called the management company and agreed to start the next day.
I walked into the management company completely unaware of who their clients were. So when I was individually introduced to members of The Rej3cts, I nodded and smiled politely, having no idea that I know their song, and that they are a YouTube sensation. My bad. I hope this lesson will not only prevent me from making this same mistake, but will inspire the four of you who read this blog, not to make the same mistake yourselves.
Stay tuned to find out if I am offered the paid position, what I will do if I am offered it, and to read about my adventures at either company.
While working as a office production assistant for a film called Out West, I received two calls on the same day. One was for an unpaid talent management internship position, and the other was for a paid executive assistant position at a commercial agency. Because the executive assistant position was paid and because I had some issues confirming the interview, I spent all of my spare time and energy on that company.
Therefore, I was somewhat unprepared for the internship interview. I mentioned that I had a job interview on Monday, and indicated that I would take the paid position, if offered. I never expected to receive a call on Friday night with an offer for the internship. The only reason an unpaid internship posed a conflict was because there is a real opportunity for growth, specifically doing what it is that I am interested in and an opportunity to connect me to the kind of industry people that I want to be connected to. None of this is true for the paid position. The real dilemma was posed when they wanted me to start immediately, and make a three month commitment.
Though I think I would like to work at the commercial talent agency, I think the unpaid internship is a better decision to achieve my career goals. I will not get a response from the paid position until about two weeks. Therefore, after the interview with the commercial agency, I called the management company and agreed to start the next day.
I walked into the management company completely unaware of who their clients were. So when I was individually introduced to members of The Rej3cts, I nodded and smiled politely, having no idea that I know their song, and that they are a YouTube sensation. My bad. I hope this lesson will not only prevent me from making this same mistake, but will inspire the four of you who read this blog, not to make the same mistake yourselves.
Stay tuned to find out if I am offered the paid position, what I will do if I am offered it, and to read about my adventures at either company.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
My Experience With "The Help"
Over the last month, I have been in a lot of conversations on Facebook and in Hollywood (sometimes literally, in Hollywood) about the film, The Help. I have read and heard all kinds of controversy about the film, but I am grateful to finally have been able to experience the film for myself. I was especially grateful that the experience occured in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
My wife's family reunion was in a community center in Jonesboro, which is the biggest town closest to her hometown. The community center featured a small museum about Jonesboro's history. I saw pictures of the graduating classes of the colored high school that stayed open until the late 60s, even though schools were desegregated over a decade earlier. There was an exhibit dedicated to Debbye Turner, the pride and joy of Jonesboro, who was Miss America in 1990. She competed in Arkansas for years without a state title and had to compete and Missouri to move on to the Miss America pageant. I was told that her race probably contributed to that issue.
I have been to Arkansas with her two other times, but I was never exposed to Arkansas's culture like I was on this trip. My experience was taken to a new level when my mother-in-law, my wife and I went to see The Help. As we were walking to the theater, my mother-in-law ran into two high school classmates who had just left the movie.
They spoke of how much the movie touched them, and the three of them reminisced about their childhoods in Arkansas. The classmates were Caucasian, and they insisted upon the fact that they could not have afforded to have maids, but if they did, they would have never treated them the way the women did in the movie. One woman spoke of how hers was the only white family on a block of African-Americans. They remembered the whites only pool being shut down because black kids would throw things into it, out of protest. The white classmates couldn't blame them for doing so. They reflected on the separate, yet "equal" facilities. As we walked into the movie, we giggled about how the classmates seemed to feel as if they needed to apologize on behalf of their race.
A lot of the controversy I have heard about them film relates to how most of the team involved in its creation are Caucasian. Regardless, I think it was a terrific film. In my eyes, the color of the content creators did not affect the quality of the film and the truth in this story. This film, and my weekend, shows how far we have come in this country.
The huge theater was filled was filled with Caucasian people, and my mother-in-law said that the first time she went to see the film, it was filled with Caucasian people then. Clearly, the book that the movie was based on had a major impact on the culture of the south, and it continues to do so. Movies like this, is what inspired me to move out to Hollywood in the first place.
My wife's family reunion was in a community center in Jonesboro, which is the biggest town closest to her hometown. The community center featured a small museum about Jonesboro's history. I saw pictures of the graduating classes of the colored high school that stayed open until the late 60s, even though schools were desegregated over a decade earlier. There was an exhibit dedicated to Debbye Turner, the pride and joy of Jonesboro, who was Miss America in 1990. She competed in Arkansas for years without a state title and had to compete and Missouri to move on to the Miss America pageant. I was told that her race probably contributed to that issue.
I have been to Arkansas with her two other times, but I was never exposed to Arkansas's culture like I was on this trip. My experience was taken to a new level when my mother-in-law, my wife and I went to see The Help. As we were walking to the theater, my mother-in-law ran into two high school classmates who had just left the movie.
They spoke of how much the movie touched them, and the three of them reminisced about their childhoods in Arkansas. The classmates were Caucasian, and they insisted upon the fact that they could not have afforded to have maids, but if they did, they would have never treated them the way the women did in the movie. One woman spoke of how hers was the only white family on a block of African-Americans. They remembered the whites only pool being shut down because black kids would throw things into it, out of protest. The white classmates couldn't blame them for doing so. They reflected on the separate, yet "equal" facilities. As we walked into the movie, we giggled about how the classmates seemed to feel as if they needed to apologize on behalf of their race.
A lot of the controversy I have heard about them film relates to how most of the team involved in its creation are Caucasian. Regardless, I think it was a terrific film. In my eyes, the color of the content creators did not affect the quality of the film and the truth in this story. This film, and my weekend, shows how far we have come in this country.
The huge theater was filled was filled with Caucasian people, and my mother-in-law said that the first time she went to see the film, it was filled with Caucasian people then. Clearly, the book that the movie was based on had a major impact on the culture of the south, and it continues to do so. Movies like this, is what inspired me to move out to Hollywood in the first place.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Learning Experience
As of this moment, I've lived in LA for three months, had four internships, volunteered as a reader for a production company and got a VERY part-time and low-paid gig reading scripts for a screenwriting competition. And as of this moment, none of those experiences even smell like they will lead to a full-time job in the near future. However, they have been the learning experiences that they were designed to be.
In Chicago, I believed that I wanted to be a development executive. Therefore, I got internships that were related to development. I got lots of experience reading and writing coverage for feature films, which is how I was able to get the job with the screenwriting competition.
My experience with applying for development jobs and talking to people in the industry have led me to believe that I should currently pursue a career in management. The comments from the last blog had me considering starting my own management company. But I have learned that the best way to meet people in the industry, is to work in the industry.
I've certainly been able to meet people in the industry outside of my internships. In fact, almost everyone I've ever met in the industry has come from Columbia College Chicago networking events or someone I knew personally that introduced me to other people who introduced me to other people...and so on. I especially enjoyed meeting a producer from Glee, my favorite show, at a 4th of July barbecue.
So obviously, if I want to meet more people in the industry through my internships, I need a new internship. I just got an email about a management internship five minutes ago, so we will see how that pans out. Though my internships don't appear to be leading to anything solid, I now have great references, experience, and something to do during the day to keep me sane.
So in this place of gratitude and appreciation, I know everything is all good right now, and will continue to be good. I appreciate all of the good job vibes you all have been sending out, and I'm happy to continue to receive them. Don't forget to update your subscription settings to get notifications about blog updates. Feel free to comment here, as opposed to Facebook. 'Til next time...
In Chicago, I believed that I wanted to be a development executive. Therefore, I got internships that were related to development. I got lots of experience reading and writing coverage for feature films, which is how I was able to get the job with the screenwriting competition.
My experience with applying for development jobs and talking to people in the industry have led me to believe that I should currently pursue a career in management. The comments from the last blog had me considering starting my own management company. But I have learned that the best way to meet people in the industry, is to work in the industry.
I've certainly been able to meet people in the industry outside of my internships. In fact, almost everyone I've ever met in the industry has come from Columbia College Chicago networking events or someone I knew personally that introduced me to other people who introduced me to other people...and so on. I especially enjoyed meeting a producer from Glee, my favorite show, at a 4th of July barbecue.
So obviously, if I want to meet more people in the industry through my internships, I need a new internship. I just got an email about a management internship five minutes ago, so we will see how that pans out. Though my internships don't appear to be leading to anything solid, I now have great references, experience, and something to do during the day to keep me sane.
So in this place of gratitude and appreciation, I know everything is all good right now, and will continue to be good. I appreciate all of the good job vibes you all have been sending out, and I'm happy to continue to receive them. Don't forget to update your subscription settings to get notifications about blog updates. Feel free to comment here, as opposed to Facebook. 'Til next time...
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Internship Mania
I had a lot of fun and met a lot of great people at the Pitchfest. As of this moment, no real life job has materialized from the experience. However, my presence there definitely reinforced my place in the Hollywood Universe. I got tons of great feedback and more people in the industry know my name than there were before.
Though there is no real life job at this moment, I got lots of pretend job opportunities...otherwise known as internships. Everyone I've ever spoken to about how they got a job here, started with an internship. I started a new internship at a production company known for making big films in the 90s. They haven't done a lot lately, but there are some projects on the slate.
Right now, I'm balancing two internships and I have interviews for two more. One of them actually looks like it pays real money. I spoke to a few others expressed interest, and the time has come for me to step up and reinforce that interest.
Though I am officially out of money, luckily, the wife is not. She's been working since Day 1 and web developers make far more than interns. So far, it looks like we'll be able to eat and keep a roof over our heads without my contribution. I wonder if that makes me a homemaker...
Stay tuned to find out how the meetings go!
Though there is no real life job at this moment, I got lots of pretend job opportunities...otherwise known as internships. Everyone I've ever spoken to about how they got a job here, started with an internship. I started a new internship at a production company known for making big films in the 90s. They haven't done a lot lately, but there are some projects on the slate.
Right now, I'm balancing two internships and I have interviews for two more. One of them actually looks like it pays real money. I spoke to a few others expressed interest, and the time has come for me to step up and reinforce that interest.
Though I am officially out of money, luckily, the wife is not. She's been working since Day 1 and web developers make far more than interns. So far, it looks like we'll be able to eat and keep a roof over our heads without my contribution. I wonder if that makes me a homemaker...
Stay tuned to find out how the meetings go!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Timing is Everything
This time last year was the start of it all. I went to the Great American Pitchfest to pitch a screenplay and get a feel for the business. I had so much fun and had such great feedback that I didn't want to fly home. This time last year, I decided that I needed to get to LA asap.
I didn't expect an engagement and a wedding when I made this decision, but I didn't let our happy event slow me down. I have questioned whether I should have made such a huge step two weeks after our wedding and whether the date of the move was purely motivated by my desire to live here before I turned 30.
Though that was my primary motivation, I am happy I made the decision the way I did. The Great American Pitchfest is this weekend, and this year, I am working as a volunteer. I roped the wife until volunteering with me. Not only is it a ton of fun and an opportunity for us to hang out with some new people, but I will get to pitch at the conference for free.
This year, I am way more comfortable. I know my way around the area. the excitement about just being here has faded to being normal life, and I am much better at pitching. On top of that, my experience as an intern makes me feel like I have a better sense of the industry and I will be better prepared when I meet executives.
Last year, I came across a job opportunity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this year brings the same.
I didn't expect an engagement and a wedding when I made this decision, but I didn't let our happy event slow me down. I have questioned whether I should have made such a huge step two weeks after our wedding and whether the date of the move was purely motivated by my desire to live here before I turned 30.
Though that was my primary motivation, I am happy I made the decision the way I did. The Great American Pitchfest is this weekend, and this year, I am working as a volunteer. I roped the wife until volunteering with me. Not only is it a ton of fun and an opportunity for us to hang out with some new people, but I will get to pitch at the conference for free.
This year, I am way more comfortable. I know my way around the area. the excitement about just being here has faded to being normal life, and I am much better at pitching. On top of that, my experience as an intern makes me feel like I have a better sense of the industry and I will be better prepared when I meet executives.
Last year, I came across a job opportunity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this year brings the same.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Free food!
No job yet, but free food coupons for my birthday have been VERY helpful. I made sure to sign up for every place I could find giving out free birthday food in LA the week before my birthday, and luckily, some of these coupon expiration dates aren't coming up until the end of the month.
The wife is growing very tired of Mexican food, since that's where most of them are from, but we're surviving. To keep from going crazy, I took Grant's advice (see comment on last post to read his advice) and took an internship. Not only is it giving me something else to do, but I'm getting the kind of experience I need and want.
Getting the internship was ridiculously easy, I just applied and they gave it to me. It's a boutique production company where I not only make coffee and get the mail, but I get to read all of the scripts my heart desires and write my opinions about them. Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE opportunities to express my opinion.
So in the future, I will have examples of script coverage at a production company that will serve me well. Though I've only been there for about a week, I have more to say in my job applications than I did two weeks ago. And...I get a free, healthy lunch while at my internship. The pictures below are of the "cafeteria" where I eat my lunch. If I've got to be broke somewhere, it might as well be here.
If only I can find a way to get free gas...
The wife is growing very tired of Mexican food, since that's where most of them are from, but we're surviving. To keep from going crazy, I took Grant's advice (see comment on last post to read his advice) and took an internship. Not only is it giving me something else to do, but I'm getting the kind of experience I need and want.
Getting the internship was ridiculously easy, I just applied and they gave it to me. It's a boutique production company where I not only make coffee and get the mail, but I get to read all of the scripts my heart desires and write my opinions about them. Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE opportunities to express my opinion.
So in the future, I will have examples of script coverage at a production company that will serve me well. Though I've only been there for about a week, I have more to say in my job applications than I did two weeks ago. And...I get a free, healthy lunch while at my internship. The pictures below are of the "cafeteria" where I eat my lunch. If I've got to be broke somewhere, it might as well be here.
If only I can find a way to get free gas...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Go Karen, it's Your Birthday!
I'm going to say it out loud for all of the internet to hear. I turned 30 four days ago. I promised myself I would be here by 30, though I didn't expect to call it this close. I took the monumental day to serve as excuse to get to know some new LA friends. Not only did I accomplish this task, but I got the chance to celebrate it with some good Chicago friends too.
While my friends were here, I took that time out to relax and regroup. Looking for jobs is a stressful endeavor, and not just because it's annoying. In between looking for jobs, I have to write tons of emails and answer text messages about how I don't have a job and what I'm doing to try and find one. What comes with putting the word out that you're looking for work also opens up the floodgates of people asking if you've found it yet.
Though I haven't yet found a job, I have found an internship. I will be an intern at Perfect Weekend in Venice starting this Friday. Though it is unpaid, it will provide experience and connections that will serve as a proverbial handsaw to help me break through the industry's doors of steel.
So, while I enjoyed my birthday, I thought about what I've learned in LA since I got here, and one concept is ringing loud and clear...management. The ringing grew louder after I listened to a podcast with a manager at Principato-Young Management. I had an idea...maybe I should work harder to sell my consulting services.
I served as a manager in Chicago for two years until the economy fell apart. Consulting opportunities presented themselves over the course of the last two years. I've been walking around with business cards, touting myself as a media consultant, but I've played it down, just because I've been trying to stress that I'm looking for work.
I never really considered management before because my eyes were looking elsewhere. But I decided to stop and notice what was right in front of me, especially after receiving a call about some potential clients and networking opportunities.
As of today, the plan is to continue to set up more coffee dates with industry folks and apply for jobs, but I will also be sending letters out to managers at firms all over town to start making connections and creating opportunities on that front. I wouldn't build a website and start calling myself a manager until I have more of a foothold in the industry, but this gives me a focus beyond getting a job.
What do you all think? Any thoughts, ideas, questions? This is the perfect forum to present your comments. I will continue to update the blog, at least on a weekly basis, and you can always subscribe to be notified of updates.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Stepping Out on Faith
Stepping out on faith to achieve my dream is a really big deal, and it has scared lots of people, including me. A lot of us have dreams...but money, experience, proximity, a lack of opportunity and a myriad of other things prevent us from stepping out on faith to actually realize them. That's why they call it "stepping out on faith", right?
I've talked about moving to LA for a long time, and I will admit, I would have much rather done it a traditional way. I would have liked to have had a job, a lot of money saved up, a prepaid apartment, or something more than faith to make me feel secure.
As the clock ticks down to when next month's rent payment is due, I think about how after it's paid, that's it. It's been two weeks, and I have had one job interview. My second interview with that same company will be in about a week and a half. I interviewed with a production company that offered me an unpaid internship. I had a preliminary interview for an unpaid internship at another production company, with a second interview impending.
For the sake of this being on the internet, I will not divulge the names of each production company, but I am sure they will certainly provide a significant investment in my career. The wife suggested I pursue both internships and see which one leads to gold. If I choose that, there begs the question, how do I pay rent?
Ultimately, if this was going to be easy, everyone would do it. If living a life of gratitude, ease and happiness in times of uncertainty was indeed effortless, everyone would live this way. This is my opportunity to prove that I mean business, and I believe in the power of positive thought. Every day, I am reminded, that this is what stepping out on faith looks like.
I am eating. My rent is paid. I don't know what June will look like, but June isn't here yet. All I can do is have the faith that I had when I left, and trust that when June comes, everything will be all right.
I've talked about moving to LA for a long time, and I will admit, I would have much rather done it a traditional way. I would have liked to have had a job, a lot of money saved up, a prepaid apartment, or something more than faith to make me feel secure.
As the clock ticks down to when next month's rent payment is due, I think about how after it's paid, that's it. It's been two weeks, and I have had one job interview. My second interview with that same company will be in about a week and a half. I interviewed with a production company that offered me an unpaid internship. I had a preliminary interview for an unpaid internship at another production company, with a second interview impending.
For the sake of this being on the internet, I will not divulge the names of each production company, but I am sure they will certainly provide a significant investment in my career. The wife suggested I pursue both internships and see which one leads to gold. If I choose that, there begs the question, how do I pay rent?
Ultimately, if this was going to be easy, everyone would do it. If living a life of gratitude, ease and happiness in times of uncertainty was indeed effortless, everyone would live this way. This is my opportunity to prove that I mean business, and I believe in the power of positive thought. Every day, I am reminded, that this is what stepping out on faith looks like.
I am eating. My rent is paid. I don't know what June will look like, but June isn't here yet. All I can do is have the faith that I had when I left, and trust that when June comes, everything will be all right.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
California Resident
When the wife and I were just dating, sometimes I would ride my bike 10 miles to her condo from work. Every time I did that, I felt like a superhero. I experienced that same feeling after driving across the country.
We took the northern route, staying overnight in Lincoln, Grand Junction, and Vegas. The leg from Nebraska to Colorado taught be about the gears that come with the car that I have never thought to use before and were skipped over in driver's ed because it was only for people who live in the mountains. I should have thought to educate myself before I left. But clearly, we lived through it.
I know lots of people have taken ridiculously long drives in a much shorter time than three days. But because the 5 1/2 hour drive to Des Moines used to be torture for me, this was an amazing feat. By the time we got to Vegas, the wife couldn't stomach the thought of another day in the car and jumped on the first plane home.
I dropped her off at 5am and crossed the finish line sometime around 9am. My first stop in town was checking out an apartment. By noon, I leased apartment in North Hollywood. I spent my first night on my friend's couch. On the second night, yesterday, I spent the night on my air mattress in my apartment with no electricity. It was cozy. That kind of thing that would've been torture in Chicago.
The last two days have been a flurry of emails, phone calls and credit cards being cancelled because of my "suspicious activity" in California. Next week is when the fun begins. Stay tuned...
We took the northern route, staying overnight in Lincoln, Grand Junction, and Vegas. The leg from Nebraska to Colorado taught be about the gears that come with the car that I have never thought to use before and were skipped over in driver's ed because it was only for people who live in the mountains. I should have thought to educate myself before I left. But clearly, we lived through it.
I know lots of people have taken ridiculously long drives in a much shorter time than three days. But because the 5 1/2 hour drive to Des Moines used to be torture for me, this was an amazing feat. By the time we got to Vegas, the wife couldn't stomach the thought of another day in the car and jumped on the first plane home.
I dropped her off at 5am and crossed the finish line sometime around 9am. My first stop in town was checking out an apartment. By noon, I leased apartment in North Hollywood. I spent my first night on my friend's couch. On the second night, yesterday, I spent the night on my air mattress in my apartment with no electricity. It was cozy. That kind of thing that would've been torture in Chicago.
The last two days have been a flurry of emails, phone calls and credit cards being cancelled because of my "suspicious activity" in California. Next week is when the fun begins. Stay tuned...
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 1
Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Technically, that doesn't really make it any different than any other day, but today is the first day of the rest of my new life. Most people who know me, know that LA was always on my brain. Whenever the opportunity would arise for me to visit, I'd be itching to move. But there's nothing like reality than when it's staring you in the face.
Yesterday was my last day at work. The obvious question was, "What are you going to do in California?" As of today, I have no idea. I know that I am getting in my car to camp out on my friend Robert's couch for a week. I don't know where I'm going to live. I don't know where I'm going to work. I don't know what is going to happen.
But I do know a moving truck will be bringing my stuff to California in two weeks. I expect to have a place to live by then. This fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants logic seems to scare the heck out of people who don't know me. Some people feel the need to reiterate the fact that the wife and I will be fine, as if they need to hear it to feel better themselves. The vast majority of my friends and family know this needs to be done, and know that it will turn out great.
Last night, my cousin described our last night in Chicago as reminiscent of the last episode of Gimme A Break. As a TV junkie, I thoroughly appreciated the reference and the honor of my life being described as a popular 80s sitcom. Now we're moving' on up to the west coast. Though today is the first day of the rest of my new life, I don't feel fear, excitement, or nervous. As someone who gets nervous around the idea of leaving for work in the morning (I always forget something important), this calm demeanor is new for me.
Stay tuned for updates...
Yesterday was my last day at work. The obvious question was, "What are you going to do in California?" As of today, I have no idea. I know that I am getting in my car to camp out on my friend Robert's couch for a week. I don't know where I'm going to live. I don't know where I'm going to work. I don't know what is going to happen.
But I do know a moving truck will be bringing my stuff to California in two weeks. I expect to have a place to live by then. This fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants logic seems to scare the heck out of people who don't know me. Some people feel the need to reiterate the fact that the wife and I will be fine, as if they need to hear it to feel better themselves. The vast majority of my friends and family know this needs to be done, and know that it will turn out great.
Last night, my cousin described our last night in Chicago as reminiscent of the last episode of Gimme A Break. As a TV junkie, I thoroughly appreciated the reference and the honor of my life being described as a popular 80s sitcom. Now we're moving' on up to the west coast. Though today is the first day of the rest of my new life, I don't feel fear, excitement, or nervous. As someone who gets nervous around the idea of leaving for work in the morning (I always forget something important), this calm demeanor is new for me.
Stay tuned for updates...
Friday, April 8, 2011
It's Here!
My adventures in Los Angeles will begin on April 21. If you've been following the blog, you know that the fiancee and I always planned to roll out right after the wedding. There was a hitch in our plan because our wedding was being considered for the show "Four Weddings" on TLC. If we had been selected for the show, I would have needed to stay in Chicago longer.
Based on the tone of this blog, I'm sure you can imagine that we weren't chosen. I got the news 6 days before the wedding that it wasn't going to work out. So during wedding crunch time, we had to figure out whether it was feasible, logical and and reasonable for us to move forward with our original plan. In between final wedding plans, we have decided to leave by May 1st.
I have staked out a place on a couch in Los Angeles and will solidify a place for us to live. The next couple of weeks will be packed with packing, farewells, and prayers. Stay tuned for info about jobs for me and the wife, working hard to pay the rent, and my life breaking into the industry.
Based on the tone of this blog, I'm sure you can imagine that we weren't chosen. I got the news 6 days before the wedding that it wasn't going to work out. So during wedding crunch time, we had to figure out whether it was feasible, logical and and reasonable for us to move forward with our original plan. In between final wedding plans, we have decided to leave by May 1st.
I have staked out a place on a couch in Los Angeles and will solidify a place for us to live. The next couple of weeks will be packed with packing, farewells, and prayers. Stay tuned for info about jobs for me and the wife, working hard to pay the rent, and my life breaking into the industry.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
News!!
My news isn't as substantial as it sounds. I guess it's like a broadcast news tease. I've been laying low for awhile because I have been focusing on modifying my mortgage. I felt like I shouldn't have recent posts about a move to LA, in case the bank became as sleuthy as people claim.
However, I decided to be honest with the bank. I told them that I was going to take advantage of their kindness and roll out on the first chance I get. Turns out...they don't care. They approved it anyway.
The wedding is in April and I am very excited. I've got some work trips planned through February, so once those are done, the job application process will get started!
In fun LA news, a script consultant that I like asked me to help them book a location in Chicago. In exchange, I'll get to take a free class (in LA) and get a free script consultation, which is worth at least $600. Big ups to networking.
Now that I'm back for good, stay tuned for more on the news front...
However, I decided to be honest with the bank. I told them that I was going to take advantage of their kindness and roll out on the first chance I get. Turns out...they don't care. They approved it anyway.
The wedding is in April and I am very excited. I've got some work trips planned through February, so once those are done, the job application process will get started!
In fun LA news, a script consultant that I like asked me to help them book a location in Chicago. In exchange, I'll get to take a free class (in LA) and get a free script consultation, which is worth at least $600. Big ups to networking.
Now that I'm back for good, stay tuned for more on the news front...
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