NOV 18

Wow, what a night!  Background.....Action!  I must have heard that a few hundred times.  Oh, along with let's do that "one more time".  Really?  Why does it take so many takes of  a bus pulling away from a curb?  I was on the Clara bus, with Ms. Jessica Beal.  We had a fun chat.  I can say she was very friendly and talkative with we extras.  It's all true what they say...a lot of waiting around and craft services is terrific!  I decided with all the extras, they wouldn't really remember one from another so instead of just sitting waiting to be called, I just told a few of the other extras, we're getting in the next group regardless.  Time for another "lineup" and we just joined ranks.  Next thing you know we're on the Clara bus and need to come back in a few days for the diner shoot!  Ha! Ha!  The saying is true, you snooze, you lose.  I don't know how many more 14 hour days I can handle, though.  Hopefully this will be the last one.  I don't know the story of The Blunderers, except that Jessica's character ends up at the bottom of a cliff. (and she's not looking for truffles)  It's not clear how she got there, but after a very cold day of filming with her I told her in order to speed things up, that we re-write the script and the bus driver did it with the ticket puncher.  She agreed and called it a wrap (that's movie lango for we're done)      Background....Action!

NOV 14

I can't believe it's November and my 2014 New Year's resolution only has one more month! But let's not get ahead of ourselves because I have decided on my November choice.  This is a unique pick because it was out of my control whether or not I could do it.  I actually tried this for my October resolution but it did not work out but now, for November, something I've always wanted to do but have never been able to or really not had the opportunity to is to be in a major motion picture!  Ok, so maybe I'm not the main character, but I got selected to be an extra.  I just had my fitting today and filming starts on Monday. I will be wearing an overcoat, hat, gloves and I don't know what they will do with hair and makeup.  My scene occurs at a bus stop.  That's all I know.  I'm guessing if you blink, you'll miss me.  I already decided that when the movie comes out, I'm going  to stand up in the theater and make an announcement that I am the gal in the white coat in the bus scene!!  Then, when the scene comes on, I'm going to shout....THAT'S ME!!  I will not be able to take my phone/camera on set but I will describe the experience in detail.  I wonder if I will get a line?  I'd better practice....these pretzels are making me thirsty....these pretzels are making me thirsty...these pretzels are making me thirsty....ACTION!

OCT 23

So October is here and almost gone and I don't think I've mentioned what my October resolution is.....so this is another struggle for me. I have chosen knitting!!  Looked easy.  I've always wanted to know how to knit.  Maybe my brain is on overload.  Maybe a person can only retain so much and then the cranium is full and cannot accept any more of anything!!  I feel I'm close to that point.  Even simple instructions are like rocket science to me...tie a knot....what?  A what?  How do I do that???  My poor dog thinks the ball of yarn, that I rolled, is a toy.  I feel like I have two left hands when it comes to holding the needles. So even though this is my October resolution, my scarf (if that's what it turns out to be) may not be complete until Christmas.  If all else fails, I guess the dog can have the ball of yarn, at least it won't go to waste.

SEPT 28

So I survived my first boot camp.  Well, if I'm honest, I only survived because I cheated just a bit. (You know, when the teacher's not looking, you take a quick breather) That was about the hardest physical activity I've done in a long time.  One hour of non-stop high intensity training.  We couldn't even break for water!  "If you need a drink, march yourself there an back...DON'T STOP MOVING!"...Yes drill sergeant!  I even asked as I signed in if this was a beginner's camp.  Oh, yea, I was reassured.  You can go at your own pace, they told me.  (Someone needs to tell Sergeant Carter)

You think you're in some kind of physical condition until you test yourself with something like this.  I walked into the building with a perky step in my walk and crawled out with rubber band legs and arms.  

SEPT 24

Ok, so it's already Sept 24th...did you think I was bailing on my resolution?  No way!  September is getting a late start because the class I'm taking doesn't start until Sept 28th.  It goes into Oct but it's my Sept resolution.  What is it you ask???  If my body holds out, I'll be in BOOT CAMP in a few days.  UGH!!!  What was I thinking?  (I wasn't)  I saw some painting classes and some cooking classes and even a cake decorating class but just wasn't getting excited about those and then I saw the boot camp and said yes, that's it!  Now I'm beginning to regret my decision.  We'll see.  My mind says yes....the body is saying leave me alone!!!!!

AUG 21

I passed!  Self defense class is over and yes, I passed.  I have to say, the last day was not easy.  They put us in "situations" and were not easy on us.  My only complaint (even though it was for my own good)  was that I did not train to be "attacked" by two people at the same time!  I actually took this very serious and tried to use the techniques during our situation training.  It's amazing what goes right out the window when the need is there.  Similar to natural child birth...what breathing???  I made some crucial mistakes on my last day.  They are clear to teach us to yell certain commands and it's not just to be having small chat with your attacker, but it's for your own breathing.  I put myself in a frame of mind,  I was screaming the whole time and of course was very quickly out of breath.  (My instructor thought I was asthmatic)  Hoping I am never in a situation where I have to use these things I learned but am glad it's in my subconscience and feel I could use them if needed.  Ladies, I highly recommend a self defense course like R.A.D...you WILL learn things.  It's actually recommended to take the class a few times to keep the techniques fresh in your mind.  Here's to empowerment....NO...STAY BACK....STRIKE!

AUG 8

So I've had two classes in self defense and I'm ready to do some damage! Actually, this is a completely new world for me...I can say I have never been in a physical fight in my life and hope I never have to.  Just listening to the description of what some of our "techniques" can do to another person is scary.  Officer Leising is very graphic in her descriptions and she doesn't hold back.  A huge part of self defense is awareness.  We are told over and over again to be aware of your surroundings.  Really love this class and have learned so much in just a couple of lessons.  We have learned many different "strikes" this past week and next week we get to practice them on Officer Carpenter!  This will give me much joy as I pointed out to Officer Carpenter that he got me TWICE for expired tags. STAY BACK!!...NO!!....STRIKE!!