VEGAN...day 1 and going strong...

So, I've been weighing in my mind how much I want to become vegan again and what the cost of doing so is to me. I started listening to one of my favorite podcasts again today...Vegetarian Food For Thought...and realize that I will not be at peace with myself until I start living the only way in which I know is compassionate to the animals, all animals, that I love so much. And following a vegan diet is the only thing that makes sense to me. I've been putting off the decision due to my love of sushi as well as the quick foods I am able to make, such as eggs for breakfast, and whatnot. However, the podcast I listened to was so moving and made me realize the decision should not be about me and my convenience given the animals that suffer for my expense. Granted, I follow a mostly vegan lifestyle most of the time...I believe it is time to once again (this time for good!) lead a life of compassion 100% of the time. I've always had a connection to animals I cannot describe. There's something about them that just makes me realize that a part of my calling in this life is to give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Aside from acting, it's what I find the greatest joy in. And there are so many great organizations out there to support in the efforts of animal rights.

I highly recommend Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's blog as a starting point. If you've ever been interested in animal rights, what that means, and realize that ignorance is not bliss when it comes to the cruelty our society inflicts on these animals, I believe she will help you along your journey...just as she is doing in my own life.

Vegan Recommendation:
Coconut Bliss Ice Cream. I discovered this by accident at Whole Foods and cannot imagine going back to any other ice cream. It comes in about 6-7 assorted flavors, of which Dark Chocolate and Cappucino are my favs. It is made of only coconut milk, agave nectar, and then depending on the flavor Fair Trade cocoa, coffee, etc. It is incredible, soy and gluten free, and has a low-glycemic index.

For today, that is all...wish me luck on my journey.

biggest day in my acting career so far...

OMG, I got to watch Meryl Streep shine on-screen. I'm not one to get star struck easily...but that woman deserves star-struckedness. (my new word) Someday I will be opposite her with copy instead of just a server in the background...but I have to say, it was a dream and amazing opportunity to watch her today.

I'm ridiculously tired and have to get up at 4am for another 6:30am call...so headed to bed. Will write more details of the experience after Wednesday.

Holy crap, I freakin love Meryl!

IM FINALLY IN LA!!!! (NoHo to be precise)

So, reporting on my first week of the move...

First of all, I'm sick so that sucks...but I have a wonderful man who has been taking care of me and it's given me more time to apply for jobs and watch FrenchMaidTV, as I have an audition tomorrow.

I've already had one audition for a Nickelback music video, and am set to have 2 different auditions this coming week (so far, anyway.) Also going to Toyota on Tuesday as my "Check Engine" light came on during the move and apparently my car has a faulty computer that is making the gear shift work harder than necessary. I will find out on Tuesday if this is covered under warranty, which I was told should be the case. Cross your fingers for me as a new computer would cost me around $1100; needless to point out, but money that I do not have to spend.

Anyhoo...it's been a great week so far. I will feel more comfortable when a real job comes my way...but I have no doubts that it will happen soon. I'm excited with all the audition opportunities that occur everyday and which I'm actually getting called in for. I did some extra work on a set for a commercial being shown in Virginia on Friday and it was a fantastic experience...though it is the reason I am sick today as it was a 13-hour day on-set in little clothing and the weather outside was freezing (45degrees) and wet...not to mention there were no heaters around. Nevertheless, it was cash in hand that day and I met some fantastic people.

Not much else to report...I'm absolutely loving living with Joey and Sadie is enjoying the constant attention she gets now that one of us is usually home most of the day. Look forward to reporting more good news soon...

Everyone please keep in touch with me via email...i'm on it constantly these days as I look to secure a regular job as well as submit myself on acting gigs.

Much love and many hugs to all.

engaged and moving...

So I will update this coming week with pictures and all...I just wanted to say to anyone who doesn't already know...

I'M ENGAGED!!!!!

Yep, and we're moving to LA in the coming couple of weeks. I'm beyond excited, and nervous, and a little stressed. Never lived with a love before so it should be fun and interesting. Not to mention, I look forward to not having to drive 40 miles daily to see one another. Just keeping fingers crossed a job will come quickly.

The start of the year has been great and sad all at the same time...but for the first time ever, I didn't make any New Year's resolutions. I'm not sure why. Perhaps because I've never really gone through with them...besides getting on a workout kick the first of the year like everyone else and writing in my journal daily for all of a couple weeks, I've never had much success with them. So, instead of wasting time to write down anything, I'm doing things...and as I've done Tony Robbins a few times, I know doing is a lot better than planning to do. I have a lot on my plate right now...but i'm looking forward to all that's ahead.

again, will write more soon. will also share pics. for now, I'm in a good place. but I miss you Julia Vega. dearly.

Oh, other big news...gonna be an Auntie!!! :O)

been awhile...

Howdy to the few who read this thing. I apologize for the absence but a lot has been going on and I just haven't had the motivation to write. However, "anonymous" left a comment requesting I post something and so I thought why not update on my life and all its happenings.

Let's see, currently I am sitting at work and getting paid to blog. Really, that's only because everyone is in CA today at teambuilding and I'm cold calling. Fun times. Now you see why I'd rather be blogging.

First of all, I started serving at a fabulous new restaurant in town. It's called True Food Kitchen at the Biltmore Fashion Park at 24th St & Camelback (in the space that was previously occupied by Coffee Plantation). If you have yet to check us out, I suggest doing so. Not only because you may get the wonderful privilege of having me serve you, but also because the food is absolutely phenomenal. It's a brand new Fox Restaurant Concept (Olive & Ivy, Sauce, Bloom, North, etc...) that has partnered with Dr. Andrew Weil to create a menu that "nourishes the mind, body and spirit." I've tried much of the menu to date and have yet to find anything that I didn't love. All of our produce is bought from three local farmers, and truly (not just because I work there) some of the best food Phoenix has to offer...especially if you're a health freak. Joey can vouch for the Turkey burger being the best he's ever had, along with the amazing sweet potato hash. Anyway, if I haven't sold you...you're crazy. Come see me!! Oh, and try the "medicine man..."

Went to my first ActorFest this year. It's basically a networking event for actors that happens once a year in LA and NY. A lot of acting coaches, casting directors, agents, managers, etc. show up to the event. I made some great contacts that I will definitely be calling come January when I've made the move. It was amazing and exhausting all at the same time. By the end of the 10 hour day, I was done talking about the industry for a while...well, until the end of the night when I picked up the book I had purchased by Scott Sedita, a coach I look forward to working with. (you know, although the grammar rules have changed with regard to the use of prepositions at the end of a sentence, it still feels weird to do so...it's just not right!) Anywho...

What can I say besides the fact that I am ECSTATIC!!! The idiot is on his way out of office and for the first time in eight years, I was happy when I went to sleep election night. Though the crazy Republicans still proved why I need to move away from AZ (Prop 102 passing (WTF?!) and McCain winning), I'm happy overall I don't need to reconsider my move to LA...Joey and I had seriously been thinking Canada was a great option!

Carved my first pumpkin this year :) What can I say, never been much of a Halloween person. Sure, candy is great but I prefer dark chocolate and never really got dressed up so the pumpkin thing I never really understood. Joey insisted I have my first experience and I figured, why not? I'm happy to report I was proud of my pumpkin. Funny thing was I didn't realize my pumpkin was a "leaner" when I picked him out at the store. So, once he was carved, looked like he had had one too many drinks. Still, LOVED it!

Will try to keep up on here...hugs to all. I suppose this is it for right now...

racketball

I just got beat...BAD! But I also have not played in a long time and look forward to getting better with regular practice. I'd forgotten just how much fun and what a great workout the sport it. Joey was definitely going easy on me...but I think if I got better at controlling my aim, I could beat him at some point. He told me I had great strength behind my shots...right now I'm just inconsistent not to mention my reflexes seem a little slow. If that was my workout daily, I would be excited to go to the gym regularly. Though I will admit, the gym is getting to be more fun, rather than just a chore. I think it's because i'm seeing improvement and there's really no better motivation than toning up, losing weight...basically seeing the fruits of your labor.

Dave is tomorrow. I'm beyond excited. Though I wish i'd won tickets :( Because then Joey would join, no matter how much he wasn't looking forward to it. I'm also wondering how different the concert will be from the last two years I've gone since a vital part of the 5-man band passed away earlier this week. Major sadness. I wonder how it will affect the band going forward. I guess only time will tell.

Must go eat some dinner...about to get cranky from lack of calories...

my own personal pity party...

what is my issue today? am I just tired? hormonal? why do I have a big lump in my throat that I feel will burst and spring a waterfall of tears any moment? I thought I was fine and then the whole way home I cried. why is that? I know I'm bored with and can't stand my job anymore. thank goodness it is temporary but it's getting harder to get up for work everyday. I know I should be grateful because it's paying the bills...but even that is a hard perspective to keep anymore. I know I've become bored since I screw around more than I work, at least it seems to be the case. I love all these people because they're like my second family...it will be hard not seeing them daily in a month, but man I am done. I don't even know what I'm doing next...but it can't be an office, 9-5 job. I just can't do it anymore. I don't have the patience. what else is on my mind? something just seems off. I've been ridiculously happy for months now and something about today just isn't fitting into that puzzle. and now I've got all kinds of fears popping into my head. I need to stop thinking. I gotta go turn on a movie and just pass out and hope I wake up in a better mood tomorrow. After all, I do have a three day weekend this week and Dave is on Saturday night. Why is it that I'm surrounded by so many people that love me, have the love of my life by my side...and tonight I feel completely alone. Weird. Ok, done blogging...at least on here. goodnight.

LeRoi Moore 1961-2008

Sadness when I received Jay's text last night...the saxophonist from DMB died from complications from an ATV accident he had back in June. Dave will not be the same without this extremely talented musician. I can't say much because I'm at work and don't want to get caught this early "not working," but I had to say that I'm truly saddened by the loss of one amazing musician.

I Lose :(

So, I passed out yesterday in front of my tv at 8:30pm...found my way to my own bed at 11:30pm...and completely forgot about my blog. Sadness. Not necessarily because I lost period...honestly, being a slave to my man for a day not the worst that could happen...but it's the fact that I lost so soon. I honestly told myself that this was gonna go on for months before either of us had something more important to do, say sleep, that would bring about victory for one individual and utter failure for the other. Dammit, my failure came sooner than expected. Oh well, I plan to continue this new found need to write a little something everyday...no matter how trivial.

Nothing much happened today...couldn't force myself out of bed because although I had A LOT of sleep, it wasn't restful since I passed out and then forced myself up to go to my room. I hit my snooze starting at 5:30am...and didn't stop til 7:15. Oh well. I don't know where I would be without my snooze button.

I've gone to the gym 2 days in a row...and didn't want to go either day so things are looking up in terms of my commitment. When I called in to 96.9 today to win tickets, I was caller 22 the first time and 20 the next. You need to be 25. Another dammit. I really want those Dave tickets without having to pay for them...which I'm more than willing to do but in my current financial state, would rather not. We'll see...I have three more days of trying. Wish me luck. I must go juice for me and my love. Goodnight everyone...cross your fingers for my Dave tix!

Books on Tape

My first book on tape...So I've started listening to "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert on my iPod. Her voice is very soothing and I'm loving it so far. But I don't believe I'm going to get as much out of it as when I read the book and highlighted/underlined words/passages that meant something to me at the time. Currently, a friend has my book borrowed and i look forward to getting it back just to see what things struck out at me at the moment in time when I read that book the first time. It's always amazing to me how different words affect me differently in books, inspire me in different ways, depending on the moment in time, the snapshot of my life, in which that particular book was read. For instance, each time I've read Siddhartha, which I'd count upwards of about 10, every experience of the book was new.

i had first leant my copy of "Eat, Pray, Love" to my acting coach when I was done. She had told me that certain things I had marked in one way or another made sense to her, while others she could not understand. I'm sure even when I go back to see what ideas struck me in my first read through (mind you, when I say first read through...I read over things that touched me several times), I may not understand certain highlighted portions either. A lot has changed since I first picked up the book. For anyone who has yet to read this incredible book, I highly recommend it. Not since Siddhartha has a book spoken to me in much the same way. I also love Tolle's 'finding your life's purpose," but it's not as easily readable as the first two I mention. I'm looking forward to see what ideas move me in hearing Elizabeth Gilbert read her words aloud herself.

I got even more excited about the book because we talked about living abroad tonight. I've always known that at some point I'd love to move back to Czech to get to know the country as an adult, and not just the few memories I have of my childhood. I want to experience it all again. Not to mention, the Czech economy is spectacular right now...I believe my ticket in will be teaching English. i want to have an experience like Gilbert's...spend time outside this country and just travel every so often and stay months in a country unknown and get to know it intimately. I love the discovery process into the little quirks that are unique to every place I visit. It's hard to get that in days, rather than the months I'd love to have for exploration. First things first...acting career that makes the above a little easier. Must go get some zzz's...goodnight.