Dreaming Of LA And Rainbows

I missed the rainbow that stretched across the sky in Hollywood several weeks ago.

Gorgeous.

 And when I think of my home in Los Angeles, this photo, captured by my friend Chip Latshaw, perfectly illustrates the romanticized vision of LA that I have frozen in my mind for the time being.

Now when I think of downtown LA and Skid Row in particular, I don't generally equate that part of town as being beautiful. In fact- rundown, dirty, sketchy- are a few words that cross my mind.  Yet, this photo is so beautiful and inspiring to me.  Thank you Chip for enlightening my mind to a whole new perspective! I think many true Californians can appreciate this photographed moment.

I am feeling sentimental, yes, as I miss my home in California more than anything.  I am disappointed that I did not move back as I had planned. What I really need is a change of environment and to escape the winter season for a bit. I lack a tremendous amount of inspiration which has been holding me back for the time being and keeping me from really "putting myself out there."

This blog entry is really just a way for me to kick myself in the ass and say, "Kristin! Get a Vitamin D tablet already and eat an orange!! Get over yourself and go play in the snow!" Yes, this season always proves every year to slow down work-wise no matter if I'm on the West Coast or the East Coast.  And every year I have to remind myself that I can't measure my self worth on how much or how little money I make.

And as I worry of missed opportunities in Los Angeles, I realize my reasons for staying in New York far outweigh the reasons for  going back to LA. I got a good start in New York this past year and worked more than I ever did in LA . I figure it can only get better from this point on. And like they say, "Tis greener on the other side." No matter where you are.

So here's a toast  (me holding up my imaginary champagne glass to all those reading this holding up imaginary champagne glasses) for those who feel similar this Holiday season, who wish it could just be over, or feel lonely, or missing someone, etc, or all of the above, to encourage us to embrace the season with Joy and the New Year with hopeful expectations and blessings.

And I am praying that Somewhere Over the Rainbow that "the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."

Or if I can just find a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow, perhaps behind the Hollywood sign, that would work too.

Thurgood Marshall Front Row Fashion Show

Is this dress not GORGEOUS?!  Seriously. I was contemplating walking off the runway and slipping out the back door. Do you think anyone would have noticed? ;)

I recently walked for designer Angela Dean of DeanZign in the 4th Annual Thurgood Marshall Front Row Fashion Show.  This event has become one of the largest fashion shows in New York City that not only showcases the talents of emerging and established designers of color, but also celebrates icons who have influenced the fashion world with their style and commitment to their art.  With Sherri Shepherd hosting, honoree celebrities such as  Naomi Campbell in attendance, and a tribute to Michael Jackson, it was exciting to await backstage ready to walk down the runway.

Its also nice to run into a familiar face when working on jobs. I met model Jacob Thomas working my first NYC fashion show during Couture Fashion Week. I am wearing an outfit for Walmart, which got absolutely no media attention whatsoever. Why is that? Don't I make Walmart style look fashionable? :)

On the contrary, it was easy to find photos of myself online with DeanZign. When I walked onto the stage with this gorgeous creation, the audience applauded. And that felt wonderful!

And here I am WORKING it.

L'Oreal Seattle and Los Angeles

I finished up the L'Oreal West Coast Tour last week, ending in Los Angeles. The company generously extended my plane ticket date and I had an amazing additional week visiting and reconnecting with good friends. I have missed California so much!

Modeling these three shows with Lauren and Nikita has been an incredible experience and I am truly thankful for these two new friends. I'm looking forward to working with them on upcoming projects and hopefully L'Oreal again at some point (Paris maybe?) And fingers are crossed. 

So does this mean I don't get to have my hair touched up every two weeks anymore? Well, that's a bummer! :)

My first time in Seattle!! What a beautiful city. 

On top of the Space Needle

Los Angeles

With our beautiful show director Maya

Our Asian hand signals 1, 2, 5!  At a restaurant in Venice Beach

.

And of course a video of our Los Angeles experience!

Big River

I saw a wonderful production of Big River by the Actors Co-op in Los Angeles over the weekend. I absolutely loved it! 

 Now I may be a bit biased  because there are a few reasons why I love this musical in the first place. Growing up, Mark Twain's novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was one of the books I reread over and over as a child. When I saw my first professional musical in Washington DC during a Junior High class trip, imagine how ecstatic I was that part of our itinerary included a dinner theatre production of Big River! I fell in love with how the story, which was already so familiar to me, was brought to life on stage with music. It was also one of those defining moments when I suddenly realized just how utterly amazing, and what a work of art, theatre can be. 

 Several years ago, I saw Deaf West Theatre's version of Big River. What made this production spectacular was that the actors were deaf. They hired additional non-hearing impaired actors to speak the lines and sing. The hearing impaired actors portrayed the action of the story and signed. The "actor teams" would create an incredible movement piece with sign language that  complimented one another during the musical numbers. It was SO BEAUTIFUL that I had tears in my eyes almost the entire time. And looking out into the audience during intermission it was incredible to watch the majority of the audience communicating with their hands. It was a sight to see. I convinced all my friends and family to accompany me to a second performance. 

So I am very happy that my visit to LA happened to be at the same time my very talented friend Sean Hankinson was performing as the lead, Huck Finn, at the Actors Co-op's production of Big River. 

 Yes, I may be a bit biased, but I am also a harsh critic when it comes to theatre productions, especially in Los Angeles. And I say with confidence that this is a musical worth seeing. 

 And I was able to find half off tickets through Goldstar! They are also great for cheap entertainment tickets in general.

  

After the show with my best friend Erin, Sean, and another friend Alicia from Chapman who I haven’t seen for years!  

The Invisible Dog walk

I spent Sunday afternoon taking a leisurely walk in Brooklyn with my invisible dog. About 2000 people did the same. (This number seems a bit exaggerated to me, but that's what the other sites are saying...) Nonetheless, a whole bunch of us walked the streets with harnesses attached to leashes, sipping on coffee, having lunch at pet friendly cafes and visiting pet stores to purchase doggie treats for our canine friends.

I participated in Improv Everywhere's most recent mission.

My friend Lauren Reeves invited me to come to the "top secret" shoot. All I knew about this particular improv group is that they are known for going pants-less on the subway. So I was very relieved when people started walking out of the "secret" building with their invisible dogs and no missing clothes.

Watch one of their most famous stunts that took place in Grand Central Station. Its pretty awesome.




My favorite moments of the day were all the children who were so joyfully excited to be petting my invisible dog. One little girl who was participating insisted that she was walking an invisible Iguana. For me, well, I decided to walk the spirit of my childhood dog, Sparky.

Hell Froze Over Is A Winner!!

Hell Froze Over was screened at the New York Television Festival over the weekend and won the Outside The Box Award, and was also recognized in The Hollywood Reporter! I am very excited for my friend and star of the show Tracy Clifton, and the creators of this fun and innovative web series. 

Just in case you need to be refreshed, Hell Froze Over is about a girl who goes and dates every guy she's ever rejected. But don't just take my word for it! Go to www.hellfrozeover.tv and check it out yourself. 

And make sure you look for me in Episode 103 Threesome and the After Date Interviews :)

Watch Glee!

For the past few weeks I have been seeing posts on facebook and hearing friends talk about how awesome the new tv show Glee is.  Finally, I sat down this evening and watched the first three episodes. 

Needless to say I am hooked. 

And now I have a new crush. ;P

So if you like song and dance, rooting for the underdog or just feel the need to nourish your "inner creative nerd", then watch Glee. 

Now I wish I had not given up on those expensive singing lessons years ago.... 

L'Oreal San Francisco

This past weekend was incredibly fun and I LOVE how L'Oreal styled my hair. I worked with two beautiful models Lauren Reeves and Nikita Kwong. 

The best part is I get to do it all over again next weekend in Seattle!

I had a good 5 hours before my flight home and got to see a good friend that lives in the Bay area. He took me to this amazing Chinese restaurant called the House of NanKing. Its so amazing that its worth noting here :) 

 

And my floral detox tea had a flower bulb in it, and within 5 minutes it bloomed! 

I'm easily captured in awe at little things like that :) Cheers!

I Need A Vacation!!!! But I Had A Perfect Birthday :)

Can I tell you how utterly uninspired I have been for the past several weeks? So much so that I cannot motivate myself to get on to my computer and write out a blog entry. I need a vacation. BADLY. I have found that people living in NYC need to get away more often. Everything is so intense- the work, the night life, and never having "alone time" away from crowds that are within 10 feet of you constantly.  I feel like I need lots of little breaks to keep myself refreshed but I feel I haven't been able to get away. And no, going to LA is NOT a vacation. I want to take a cruise near the Mediterranean or Asia. Or perhaps a trip to Brazil or Costa Rica or... I could go on and on. I'm looking to get away end of December or January. I figure that is perfect because I rarely book much work at that time. 

And now, I write this blog entry because I get free wi-fi on my flight to San Francisco  (how awesome is that?) So I figure I'll make the most of my in- flight wi-fi experience and force myself to write. I'm feeling better already!

I blame some of my lack of enthusiasm on my recent birthday. Every year it seems I get unmotivated and overly critical of myself. Its like I get depressed because another year has gone by and I still don't feel a sense of accomplishment. I guess that's what happens when I want and expect, well, EVERYTHING! And nothing has turned out perfectly the way I want it to. I suppose that's just the Virgo in me...

So its a good thing I have good friends that don't let me stay in my room and mope on my birthday and don't go along with my "I don't care if I do anything on my birthday this year..." attitude. 

I have friends who came to support me in my first Improv show at The PIT. I took a class and we had our graduating performance on my birthday. 

Here is a photo of me in class practicing improvisation

And then, I spent the remainder of my birthday on a rooftop with my closest friends in NYC. Look at this view! Amazing. Its just another reminder of how much I appreciate this city. And it inspired me a bit too :) 

A performance and a rooftop celebration. Just another typical day in NYC. And for me it was the perfect birthday. 

A Reminder To Be Careful

This is just too sad and it angers me. I'm not sure how he got a way with it for so long. What's even more disturbing is that he is relatively a well known designer.

For us models and actors that freelance using craigslist and other similar services, we need to take every precaution and always trust our intuition. I once drove to an audition in Los Angeles and ended up at a house. This isn't all too uncommon, but usually when this happens there are casting signs, open doors and other actors around. The house was quiet and I felt uneasy. I waited in the car for about a half hour and drove away. It very well could have been nothing, but it wasn't worth risking my safety to find out.

So just a quick reminder to be careful.

LA fashion designer gets 59 years to life sentence

L'Oreal Booking (and a brief history of my hair)

What will I look like with coppertone- reddish hair and fringe bangs? 

The fate of my next hairstyle is left in the hands of the L'Oreal styling team. I suppose a change would be good. I'm not really crazy about my current style and have been indecisive about whether to go back to my chic Victoria Beckham hairstyle, or grow my hair out long like it used to be before I chopped it all off.

Red hair and bangs is definitely not what I had in mind, but let it be done!

The best part is I get to travel to Washington and then California twice. The last show is in Irvine, CA mid October. I was hoping to visit Los Angeles around that time anyway so it will be perfect. I'm going to ask if I can change my plane ticket for a later date. Paid trip to visit home. Awesome! 

Now a trip down memory lane....

 Personally, I think the cut on the left at that exact length in that photo works best with the shape of my face. It just sucks because every time I try to match that style some hairdresser messes it up. Not even Tony and Guy can get it right! 

And then my long hair (sigh my long hair).... I miss it. Long hair completely changes my look, but I feel like it matches who I am on the inside. And as I'm saying this I realize how ridiculous that sounds. Why is hairstyle such  a big identity issue with women? Or maybe just with me? Or maybe with actors and models because then we have to change ALL our photos. Or maybe I'm just vain. Maybe I just need a change. Maybe I should just shut up and eat chocolate.  

Yes I will do that now.

:)

Competing in The New York Television Festival...

At the end of last year, I worked on the web series Hell Froze Over.  I got to shoot an episode with my wonderful friend Tracy Clifton, who is the series lead. Today, it was selected to compete in the The New York Television Festival. 

Hell Froze Over is about a girl who decides to go date every guy she has ever rejected. Does it lead her to find true love? Well, we'll have to wait and see.

Here is the episode I'm in. Enjoy because it may be the only time you will get to see me having a threesome ;)

Threesome

My One Wish

It was an absolutely beautiful summer day on Saturday, and a good friend and I were sitting on an outside patio in Hell's Kitchen drinking Sangria. Out of the blue she suddenly asks,

"If you had one wish what would it be? And make it good because you only get one."

It was too easy. Without thinking much about it I blurted out, 

"I wish my wonderful and gorgeous future husband would walk right up to me now and offer me a part in his movie because he is a successful producer and makes a bunch of awesome films, and we will start a production company together and travel the world filming and acting in them and we will have a place in New York and a house on the beach in Marina Del Rey (or maybe Hollywood Hills) and I will see my Bebe  billboard ad on the Beverly Center when I'm driving up La Cienega in Beverly Hills."

Well at least I know what I want. 

If you know any men that fit that description or know someone who can get me into a Bebe ad, by all means, please let me know!

30 Rock Vs.The Muppets

30 Rock is one of my favorite shows. Des in Real Life, a delightfully inspiring blog I follow, posted a link to Brian Lynch, a comedic writer who compares the cast of 30 Rock to the characters on The Muppet Show. So if you enjoy 30 Rock as much as I do, you will definitely enjoy this...

30 Rock is a rip-off of The Muppet Show

Castings And Exploding Cabs

I went to a casting the other day for runway. I was measured to make sure I met the requirement of being exactly 5' 9 1/2". (I always thought I was 5'10" until I moved to New York. They always bring out the measuring tape. There is no lying about your sizes here!)

Then, a woman who I assume was the designer,  asked for my comp card, flipped open my portfolio to the first page, and as she was turning to the second, abrubtly closed it shut and said, "Thank you!" 

And this is why I appreciate New York.

In Los Angeles, I received constant flattery and ego boosts.  "You're gorgeous. Your photos are beautiful. Your walk is perfect. We will definitely be booking you. Blah blah blah." 

Pure bullshit.

I always knew when they started talking like that I stood no chance. In New York, if I'm not what they're looking for, they usually at least give me the courtesy of flipping through my portfolio without saying a word, hand it back and say, "Thanks." Every single agency I walked into, except for the one who signed me and the others that were interested, did exactly that. Some gave me some helpful critiques. Others looked as if their day was being wasted on a bunch of wanna be hopeful models. 

This may sound harsh to some, but I am thankful for it. And when I do get a compliment it actually means something to me. Or when they do express interest in booking me, it seems like they usually do, even if it is for a different job several months later. Another designer recently took the time to tell me I was leaning to the right when I walked (must be from carrying my heavy bag all around the city!) I would never have caught that myself. In fact, he told me since he liked my look so much, to adjust it, come to his next casting and he would book me. So we'll see. 

And as I'm leaving my casting, I see a cab with smoke coming out of the windows. Then suddenly it burst into flames! And that was my excitement for the day.

Flirting 101

I booked a modeling job for a book on how to flirt. 

Really?!! Don't they know I suck at it?

Yes, yes I know.  I'm  endearing and naturally flirtatious in general. Thank you. Yes and apparently that's what the clients saw in me. However, when it comes down to flirting for real, I seriously suck. When I begin to realize I may actually be interested in someone, all my instincts fly out the window and I act aloof. And for those of you who know me, we all know how NOT well that has been working out for me.

So just know that models don't have it easy either, okay? In fact, the other models admitted the same thing. We were laughing and asking ourselves how we were all booked for this job. 

The author, and professional flirting coach, gave us step by step instructions. We covered body language, handshakes, eye contact, playing footsie's, mirroring, touch, and all that fun stuff. Then we shot some great photos!  The book won't be out until next year, so you'll have to wait to see my new flirting skills in action.

Until then, I think maybe I'll wear a sexy black dress and heels for a night out in the town, take what I learned from this job and see what happens ;)

New Fight Video!

Here is my fight video I filmed the other day. I worked with Andrew Dasz, who is an actor and stunt choreographer from Spain. I love how the cinematographer left the one shot of me clumsily tripping over the car in the final cut.  I may be able to defend myself from bad men and crime on the streets, but leave it to me to be tripping over my own two feet when dodging a parked car!

My One Year Anniversary

I have been in New York for exactly one year today. I could write a ten page report of my experiences in the city, of how amazing it has been and how disappointing at the same time and how much I've changed and how much more confidence I have because I feel at home here more than I ever did in California. I could go on forever about the energy I feel when I walk down the street that propels me to challenge myself more and more and how excited and grateful I become whenever I think to myself, "Wow. I live in New York City."

But I am way too lazy to go into specifics at the moment. 

I will say this year has been incredible. I will never forget how I felt that first month I arrived. I was SO happy. Inevitably, I have been let down in many ways, which I was warned would happen while I was in my euphoric stage, and things have leveled themselves out. There are many times I want to run away because the city is so intense (and I hate not seeing sun for 4 months. HATE it). However, that one month in the very beginning has made this entire journey worth it. My heart had been telling me to make the move for years. I finally followed it. Moving here was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Chiseled Men And Street Fights In Brooklyn

I started my day off with an interview at Hollister clothing store. My friend recruits the models and told me to go in to interview. I got lost in a sea of chiseled guys and girls looking like they were ready for a beach party. I mean, I couldn't believe how many employees this store had on the clock! I guess if I were a customer and I had a difficult time choosing which color shirt looked better on me I could say, "Hey pretty boys, let's vote! 24 for green and 12 for blue. That was easy!" 

So I have no idea whether I will get the job or not. The pay is quite decent and the hours flexible, but I'm not really feeling the atmosphere. If they choose me great! Then I'll give it a go. Either way I am going to go back and get me a bikini. SO CUTE!!

And then, I got to head on down to Brooklyn and shoot a short film involving a fight sequence. Very fun!! And challenging. I shot with an actor visiting from Spain who is involved with martial arts and  teaches fight choreography.  It made me realize how much I miss Krav Maga.I felt like a bad ass.  If it turns out well, and I think it will, I'll post it in a few weeks. 

Is That Me On The Billboard?!!

My face popped up on a billboard the other day in the San Francisco area.

My friend  text me saying she thought she had seen me on a billboard. I told her it must be my twin. You see, I have this "twin" who works constantly. I have seen her in magazines. My mom had accused me once of not telling her I was in some type of national hair product commercial. I remember in my early teens seeing this girl on a commercial and she was the spitting image of me.  My twin gets all those gigs that I want.

I hate her. 

Actually, I'll just steal her tear sheets for a month or so and book me a campaign.  And then she'll be my biggest fan. Sound good?!

But the face on the billboard is mine this time. It must be from a stock photo shoot from forever ago. And I think its kinda cool :)

Maybe some day my photo will pop up again on a billboard advertising Valtrex. But let's hope not!!!

 

Quitting My Bar Job and Working Out My Ass

"We Raise The Bar On Raising Your Bottom" was the slogan on the cute little pink shirt I got to wear today while promoting Reebok's new EasyTone sneaker. 

A great job for models and actors is promotional work, and I find a whole lot during the summer time in New York. I quit my bar job last week after realizing that I was making just as much promoting. No stress, no stupid drunk people, no long hours, no staying up until 5 in the morning?!! No dealing with a brand new food menu and crazy drink menu and not enough bartenders on staff to make our drinks come out in less than 10 minutes making me look bad?!! Um. Yes. I will no longer be coming in. Thanks. Goodbye.

(Sorry just had to release some past frustration there...)

Of course I still had to deal with  people that don't speak any English, but now since I don't have to deal with money I can handle any foreigner!  I would come up to someone and give my awesome 30 second spiel on how the EasyTone sneaker shapes up your butt, thighs and calves while you walk, blah, blah, blah- only to get in return a blank stare and me realizing they understood not a word, as they promptly walked back to the tour bus.

I love it. I got to be at the south seaport which made the day even more enjoyable. I didn't get to keep the shoes I wore, in which I so secretly hoped I would receive. But that's okay. I'd rather have a pair or those Nike heels that feel like a sneaker! Have your heard of them?! They're sexy too. I got to find me a promotion for that...

Hello Blogger World!

Today I start my blog. I really have no clue as to what to write or what angle I want my blog to take. Ideally, I would like to focus on my career and share any interesting moments or insights that seem worthy of writing about. Eventually maybe some type of theme will surface. All I know is that I've been wanting to begin this blog for almost a year and now I am doing it. And here are some reasons why:

1. Because all the cool people do it! Like The Struggling Actress and Phoenix from Res ipsa loquitur - they inspire me.
2. Writing for me is a love/hate relationship. I want to start loving it more.
3. I need the practice of getting words out of my head.
4. I would like to hold myself accountable to my career. If I don't make anything happen then I won't have anything to write about, and that would be embarrassing! 
5. Having people read what I write scares me. I want to get over that.
6. I would like to see if I can actually commit to this... haha!
7. I already have two followers. I'm off to a good start so why not?!
   
8. Because I really am that awesome and interesting ;p

And so here we are. I don't have a name for my blog. I don't know how to set it up the way I want. I don't know how to post photos or anything, but that's ok.  I figure it will all come together sooner or later. So hello blogger world here I am !!