Why I Love New York City

Back in the city that I love.

 Where there are toilets instead of holes in the ground and driving laws to follow. Where I can order my vegetarian meal without wondering if it will come mixed with ground beef.  A place where clients don’t gasp in horror when they see I have short hair and where I  can walk down the runway and not hear the Star Wars theme song (this happened in 2 different shows!!)

But this isn’t a post about the oddities of China. I’ll leave that for later. As I return to NYC on Sept 11^th, I want to take this time to tell you why I heart NYC. 

1. When life overwhelms me I can get lost in the midst of the crowd and the noise and the lights and the hustle and bustle of city life and feel completely at peace.

2. It’s a place where I have gotten  yelled at by the person at the take-out counter for taking too long to order a sandwich (and there was no one waiting behind me!) only to finish our transaction with laughter. No lingering decisions. Gotta make’em snappy! 

3. Its  a city where I can get decked out  in my sexy black dress and heels  at any time of the day and not look out of place. 

4. Its a life where there is always something fun and interesting going on, a VIP event to go to and free drinks and dinners to be had. 

5. This city screams success. I’ve never met more amazing people anywhere else that go after what they want with such determination, And then get it.

6. It’s the race. It’s the adrenaline. It’s the fear of being left behind that keeps me determined to not give up.

7. Its so easy to meet people and have amazing conversations with just about anyone 

8. I run into people that I know constantly. It makes Manhattan feel small. So don't go burning any bridges here. You'll more than likely find yourself suddenly sitting right next to someone you know on the subway.

9. It’s a rollercoaster. I’ll be on such a high one day and have everything crashing down on me the next. It makes me want to keep coming back for more. (Wow now that sounds like a dysfunctional, codependent relationship... )

10. Because my dreams here really are, slowly but surely, coming true.  And the possibilities seem endless.

And if you love NYC as much as I do, make sure you check out these following blog entries from some of my favorite bloggers.

Only in New York - Lacey in the City

New York State of Mind - by Kid in the Front Row

Hey Amber Rae

 

Photo Credit 

From LA to NY, it was the best decision I ever made!

Be True To Yourself (and update your blog)

I'm back!

I want to give a brief thank you for all of you who take the time to read my blog and for the comments. I  thouroughy enjoy reading up on all of yours.  If you have yet to introduce yourself and/or have a blog to share by all means say hello!

I got a personal email awhile back from Modelina Michelle, a lovely girl from the Bay Area in California who is a petite model.  Not only did her email and kind support make my day (Thank you Michelle! :) but she also asked if I had any advice to give to those pursuing modeling/acting.

So it got me thinking... who am I to give advice? Who am I not to give advice? Well, its nothing you haven't heard before but now you get the Kristin version (I know you can hardly contain the overwhelming excitement you feel at this very moment). So embrace yourself....

It will give me a chance to post something in between my ever changing hairstyle, which I'm sure can become repetitive and boring... (ok let's get real here... it will be nice to fill in the gaps when I don't book anything for two weeks. No one will be the wiser ;)

So here goes nothing:

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!!

Overused? Yes, but I still love this passage from Hamlet:

"This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!"

If you listen to what everyone else tells you and try to conform to their sometimes well-meaning sometimes malicious "advice," you will be one sad and lost soul.  Know who you are and OWN it. And be proud. This makes the hugest difference in the casting process. And in life, well its just that much more fulfilling to think you are really that phenomenal! The doors of opportunity seem to open a lot more swiftly when I'm always checking myself to make sure I am working at, committing to and presenting my best and true self. 

I have been told my ears are too big, my teeth are too small, I need to shave my arms, I'm not a true model unless I get naked, I'm too tall and skinny for this modeling job, I'm too tall to be an actor, my freckles are too random on my face, I'm too nice, I'm too good, I'm not outgoing enough, I'll never make it in the business unless I'm a backstabbing bitch. I've also been giving countless "opportunities" to meet with certain people who can "give me success" if I suck their dick.

Classy, no?

And ironically enough, the people who criticize the most and act like  you should feel SO BLESSED to be getting their opinion, are the one's who have little to no credibility to their name. Its almost funny. And here's what I say to all that....

"I find nothing wrong with my ears or teeth and my freckles are cute. I'm not shaving my arms because that's lame. I'm too tall and skinny? Is this not a modeling job? I'm too tall to be an actress? Then get me a taller actor! Idiots. I'm more of a model than those naked, cross-eyed girls in your portfolio and by the way you're a bad photographer. It pays to be nice and I am awesome. And some of the best actors are introverts. And above all, I would like to keep my integrity and morale, thank you very much. So, in actuality, YOU can suck it!!!!

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.

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.