tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44834074550904540532024-03-13T04:19:06.739-07:00Kev~Bot's ReelLifeKev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-54164139947270092212015-11-03T10:48:00.002-08:002015-11-03T10:48:36.181-08:00A Year in Los Angeles<br />
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About a year ago, as many of you are already aware, I uprooted myself from Nashville, Tennessee and traveled across the US to Los Angeles. That trip was a huge adventure, as was the idea and meaning of the move. I wanted to move out to Los Angeles to act.<br />
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Sure, acting is available in plenty other states and cities. Chicago, New York, "Atlanta", and others are all booming mecas for actors and their skill sets, but Los Angeles was where I chose to be. Film is what I wanted to be a part of. Don't get me wrong, I love the stage and would work gladly there, but film was what my overall idea was when I traveled those many miles out to plant myself in Los Angeles.<br />
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So, I did just that. With some savings, I moved out here. I bounced from couch to couch, using my savings as a lifeline while I did nothing but build my reel. I've worked on about 28 films since I've been out here in Los Angeles. Some of them I've never seen (and probably never will), some of them are completed and online, and a couple are supposed to be making circulation through the festival circuit. I've been in music videos, a few commercials, and short films galore.<br />
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Now I've been out here a whole year. I've met good friends, tasted good food, found a place to live and call my own (albeit its pricey to live out here and I'm eeking by) and I've even got my survival job at a coffee shop. Life is going, and I'm planning on making sure it keeps going, as smooth as possible.<br />
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Here are 3 rules I've learned about Los Angeles this past year that has helped me maintain my trajectory as well as my financial well being.<br />
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1) This city kicks you when you are down, so it's best to get up as soon as possible.</div>
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What I mean is, if you lose your job, your car will break down. If your bike gets stolen (which inevitably, it will) you'll find it for sale at the pawn shop a month later. If you're cast in something too good to be true and pays well, or something you're excited about, it will almost always get canceled last minute. These are things I've learned. Los Angeles takes no prisoners. You got to have a thick skin to make it through this place, and a good idea of why you're trying so hard.</div>
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2) For every actor in the city, there are two people trying to separate actors from their money</div>
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This one is self explanatory. You need to keep your eyes on the prize, but also on your wallet. This entire city is built around an industry of film and television. Thousands of people flock to this place to every day to be a part of that industry. So, it makes sense that, thanks to the millions of "actors" in this city, there would be a sub-industry devoted to preying on them. Classes for $300, headshots for $500, that "showcase" for $150, the actor's "symposium" for $300, UPDATING headshots on all the websites cost you about $15 each (with 6 new headshots you need to update) and those websites yearly fees which run you between $79-$150. These numbers are all within the reach of someone working a low paying job, but they're not cheap. And they add up. You need to be smart with your money out here.<br />
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3) There is ALWAYS something happening</div>
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This rule is much more fun. Somewhere in the city, every day, at any time of the year, there is something going on. A masquerade, renaissance fair, the County Fair, movies in the park, and s forth. This city contains so many people and is so big that there is no end to the activities available to be had. You need to keep your eyes open and your group ready if you want to get to them. (Traffic is another whole post) but, if you're willing to risk traffic, you can find something to do daily! And oftem times, they're free.</div>
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I miss home desperately. I find myself wishing I could have some home cooked meals with my family, some Nashville hot chicken, a night at the Sounds stadium, or a Monday night swing dancing with my friends back home. I want to sit on the patio of Tennessee brew works and relax with a Basil Ryman. I want to see all my friends and family I've left there in Nashville, but I moved out here to act. If there was enough work back in Nashville, I would have stayed, but I go on more auditions here in LA in a week than I was going on in a year in Nashville. This is where the work is, this is where I need to be.</div>
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I miss home, but I'm making another home here, surrounding myself with friends, establishing my own space, and working on making a name for myself in this industry.</div>
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So, readers: </div>
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Thank you for all your support this past year! Thank you for believing in me and wanting to hear more out of me. Thank you for finding my life interesting. It is both humbling and a massive ego boost to know that my life out here is something worth reading about. So, I will try to keep living a life worth reading about(and hopefully worth watching on the big screen). Lastly, I'll try to keep writing about it so you can keep reading about it!</div>
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Thanks for your support!</div>
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Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-43379255980213963672015-06-12T17:43:00.003-07:002015-06-12T17:43:48.923-07:00Treading Water but Still Moving<br />
Sometimes you feel like you've been working very hard, and sometimes you don't. Sometimes (and often this is how I feel) you do a whole lot but you still feel like you've gone no where. You feel as though you have accomplished nothing, that you should be doing more or should be constantly working on things when you are taking a break.<br />
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I have trouble with finding that balance between work and play. I used to believe I was above having an addictive personality, but the older I have gotten the more I believe that is not the case. I OBSESS over things for a long time, then... I'm done. Off to the next project, the next game, the next thing. I draw a lot, but then I don't draw for months, I work non-stop then I'm done, I read 3 books then I won't read another for months, my brain works like this.<br />
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It can be beneficial.</div>
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If I set my mind to something that I want, I'll often achieve that in short order due to this obsessive character trait. But, I also get into slumps. With some of my hobbies and pass times, I feel fine obsessing over them. Dancing, for instance, is something I never feel guilty doing even if I am obsessing. It's inclusive of others, its a skill I'm developing, and it is something that, most of the time, elates me. Video games I view as a valuable hobby. I love it, its been something that I've done for years and years, and I have no issues with putting time and money into it because it is a hobby.<br />
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However, video games sometimes consume me. A new game I've been wanting to play can eat away days of my life in a short period of time. Granted, I would most likely spend that much time in the game eventually, but I've been known to sink a days worth of hours (that is 24 for you who don't know) in a matter of 3 days of playing.<br />
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Once I realize this, I pull away from these things, these hobbies. I focus solely on work, on finding a job, on things that are supposed to be "grown up stuff".<br />
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On my most recent trip to Nashville, which was wonderful by the way, I was speaking with my momma. She always has words of wisdom for me, truths she sees that I often overlook. Usually, these are hidden amongst the other conversations. Its funny what your brain latches onto. She mentioned that I have hobbies too, and that booking roles and being in films wasn't my only thing. There is more to life than that.<br />
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That is the dumbest, most simple thing and yet... I forgot. I simply lost site of fun and games and hobbies and almost all other aspects of life because I've been so hung up on booking roles and being an "actor" when what I need to be is a person, a human being who happens to excel at acting. Its so simple, but sometimes you lose sight of important things in your own life that are, if you were looking from the outside, glaringly obvious.<br />
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Food for thought.</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GPqrMtOA0r4/VXt733sbyiI/AAAAAAAABQ8/kxDX46Wlks0/s1600/20150518_185336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GPqrMtOA0r4/VXt733sbyiI/AAAAAAAABQ8/kxDX46Wlks0/s320/20150518_185336.jpg" width="180" /></a>My trip to Nashville, my home, was absolutely wonderful. I hung out with my brother, drank my body weight in beer from Tennessee Brew Works, and played video games. I saw some great friends that I always love to see when I'm in town. I danced at The 5 Spot, watched Harry Potter with my sister, and played board games with my family (something we hate/love to do. Much bickering during, but everyone remembers playing fondly). My dad made me pan fried chicken, fried in lard (that's something I can't get out here in CA because everyone here is a peasant when it comes to proper cooking. I haven't tried "every" restaurant though, so maybe...) My momma and I had great conversations and I even got to see my grandmother while I was in town.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krhT0vmW5MU/VXt73CWtoYI/AAAAAAAABQ0/88rruSzw1Xs/s1600/20150520_121418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krhT0vmW5MU/VXt73CWtoYI/AAAAAAAABQ0/88rruSzw1Xs/s320/20150520_121418.jpg" width="180" /></a>I can honestly say, the hardest thing about living out here in California is being loved by my family so much. It is positively heart wrenching every time I leave Nashville to leave them. The plane ride is me questioning my decision of leaving Nashville, of leaving my friends and my family, and every time I wonder if I made the right decision.<br />
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So far, I think I have. I hate missing parts of their lives. I hate being so far away I can't be there for them in person, I can't see them and eat with them and simply be there. I'm days late on news of their lives and the happenings in them and that is terrible. However, I would be bored living there for long. I've always wanted to adventure out, to see the world and live a different life than the one I was living. I can think of nothing else that I want to do with my life than act. To survive on this would be beyond wonderful, to thrive would be beyond asking, but I'm still here.<br />
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I've left almost everything I love in Nashville to work in this city of Los Angeles.</div>
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Thanks to my trip home, I will try and keep in mind that I need to play here too.</div>
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Being a person is more important than being an "actor".<br />
My momma taught me that. </div>
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Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-50369032071210413882015-03-25T16:53:00.002-07:002015-03-25T16:53:38.749-07:00New Orleans from That Old Trip<br />
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Many of you followed me across the country as I posted daily things about my life on the road as I moved out here to Los Angeles. Well, I did videotape some of it as well. I had intended to get more footage than I did, but I was more interested in the experiences for myself rather than filming them so I could remember them late.<br />
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However, I did manage to film quite a bit, and I made something of a highlight reel for your viewing pleasure.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2NifKh2udwo/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2NifKh2udwo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Enjoy the video!<br />
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As an update to last week.</div>
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I was committed to eaking out a living doing this acting thing, and I for sure still am. However, the well has all but run dry. I was working quite prolifically and then... nothing.</div>
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I like eating, sleeping, and having a place where I can do both in comfort.</div>
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SOOOOO!</div>
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I've been job hunting. I dare say, it is much more difficult out here than I anticipated, and while it is a shitty, dead end job I hunt for, I'd rather entrench myself here and work on getting more gigs than crawl back home.</div>
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I love home, I would love to be home, but home isn't for me right now. </div>
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Sticking this one out, even if I have to crawl through some shit to do it.</div>
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Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-49489405861177641232015-03-09T13:25:00.002-07:002015-03-09T13:25:41.294-07:00Moving, Filming, and Financial InsecurityI realize feigning like I'll write another post soon and on a time schedule is probably not my best move, people don't like to be jerked around and it seems that's all I do when I make promises. So, no promises, but a statement. I'm going to work on making these normal again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and Lauren at Blues Liberation Front</td></tr>
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I'm no longer roaming around the city, a vagabond with no home. I moved in with two lovely people.<br />
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Joey, a fellow from Nashville and a friend of a mutual acquaintance between us,<br />
and Megan, a sweet heart from Chicago who has sailed the world and seen it's wonders.<br />
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Megan comes with a +1 named Zoey who is an absolute treat. She has hair all over her body, she's always excited to see you, she's mellow, and she never makes a peep. Honestly, I'm worried Joey and Megan might kick me out and then just give Zoey my room.<br />
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Feb 14th I was to be out of the apartment I had in Glendale. I met Megan and Joey that day on the 14th to ensure that all 3 of us were not shit faces and could actually room together. Happenstance brought us together, and it turns out that none of us are crazy<br />
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(I wouldn't say that Kevin, a lot of signs point to you being...) </div>
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QUIET!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasty chair out in the desert with The Hundreds</td></tr>
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Once established, we were off to the races finding a place. Unfortunately fortunate of me, I was filming all week, from the 15th-21st. I had a shoot that went from Sunday to Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon I had a UCB class, Wednesday evening I drove out to the desert with a bunch of strangers and we filmed there until Friday evening when we drove home and got in late. Saturday I worked on a show and Sunday I did that show at UCB Franklin... it was a busy week.<br />
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During that time, Megan and Joey hunted for, found an apartment, and put in the applications. I needed a place, I trusted them to make a good judgement, my judgement was not misplaced. Our apartment is better than I deserve. Wood floors, my own room, nice kitchen, closets upon closets of storage, large bathrooms, washer and drier, my own parking space... this place is very nice. </div>
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So, now I live in North Hollywood, and I will until next Feb. Hell, I might keep living here next year, who knows. That's a long ways off.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard of the Apartment</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan and Joey on the "balcony"</td></tr>
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Of course, it dawns on me that I've been living out here for 5 months. 5 months I've been out here. I have seen many sights, walked many places, done many things, and I've still got savings left.<br />
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Everyone, you may applaud. </div>
I made a budget, and then I tossed that budget and did what I wanted, and somehow I kinda stuck to that budget.<br />
Of course, those savings I have left are dwindling rapidly now that I've got bills to pay. I am avoiding getting a "real" job like the plague, but its getting to the point that I may need to...<br />
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Here is my reasoning behind not getting a "real" job. </div>
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Nashville is great.</div>
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I love Nashville, I love the people in Nashville, I love the things in Nashville.</div>
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I could live in Nashville and work a shitty, dead end job and have a pretty good time.</div>
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L.A. is fine.</div>
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The people I hang out with are great, but most other things, while fun, are things that can be trumped by Nashville. </div>
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I love Nashville, I think L.A. is fine.</div>
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So, if I love Nashville and I think L.A. is fine, I am not going to live in a city that I think is fine and work a shitty dead end job when I could live in a city that I love and work a shitty dead end job.</div>
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I moved out here to act and damn it I am going to!</div>
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I've met so many actors out here who are all doing what I'm doing. They are working at getting in and making it, but I know a lot of them are bogged down with their shitty dead end jobs. They are consumed by them. "I can't, I'm working tonight." "I couldn't make that audition because no one would cover my shift." "I'm a server and every night I'm working on the threshold of hell."</div>
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Not to mention I worked the food industry in Nashville where the vast majority of people have manners and they seem to forget those manners when they are at a restaurant. I've met a lot of people from here. Manners are not something people are into here, nor is common courtesy a large thing. </div>
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I don't need that... not in my life.</div>
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So, I'm scrambling around, hunting for paying gigs and jobs around town. Picking up shifts here and there, working on keeping my head above the ring of debt that acts like a black hole for so many people.</div>
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I'm an actor, I'm living in LA, and I'll be damned if life gets in the way of me doing what I'm here to do.</div>
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What could go wrong?<br />
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MORE PICTURES DOWN BELOW<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan and Munchkin, board game night #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo shoot with Jamie. Tim Burton themed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink's Hotdogs are quite good</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirt is a big deal out here. Squirt is a big deal, period</td></tr>
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I've started taking classes at UCB, or <a href="https://franklin.ucbtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Upright Citizens Brigade</a> for those not in the know.<br />
Improvisation out here isn't a suggestion, its a requirement. It seems mildly daft that EVERYONE be required to have training in Improvisation, but I suppose when you have 5 million people claiming to be actors and you want to thin the herd, you pick up on some useful skill and toss the ones without it. I get it, but for some people its just not their cup of tea.<br />
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Luckily, I am not some people and I think its wonderful! I've been wanting to take classes on Improv for a while now, and even attempted (and failed) to start a small Improv group in college. Finally, 2 books and plenty of dreams and ideas later, I bit the bullet and got myself started down the path of learning, in a controlled environment, the craft of improvisation. Here are my thoughts of the process.<br />
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Imagine believing in yourself and knowing you are going to be good at something, then getting into the class room and picking apart every single thing you say and do. Starting out Improvising, in the fashion taught by the UCB, is like distilling embarrassment and then pouring it on yourself in front of everyone. <br />
I want to be good so bad, but I also know it takes time, and the classroom environment as a good place to do that because everyone else is on the same page. Also, many of the "students" there are fun to be around, so we've been to a few shows outside our class together. Its been a nice place to plant myself and meet some new people, and I think I'm beginning to understand the basics of what I need to do on stage. Like I said, it takes time like anything else.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieHansonPhotography?fref=photo" target="_blank">Jamie Hanson Photography</a></td></tr>
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I got new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieHansonPhotography?fref=photo" target="_blank">headshots</a> done. Not because my old ones were bad. They are great. I got new headshots done because they were beardless, and I was lazy and didn't want to cut my beard. Also, beards are in so I wanted to get in on that action.<br />
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Mostly I was lazy.</div>
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I had an idea of how I wanted the headshots to look, and I definitely wanted to get them as close to "Me" as possible. I think this one screams my name, and so I chose it. I have some others that are close, but my gut reaction had me stop on this one mutliple times. Narcissism has its moments, and looking at 200+ photos of oneself for half an hour can pay off.<br />
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Who says Facebook doesn't teach you anything?</div>
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I've been busy filming things!</div>
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Discovery ID has a show called Cry Wolfe, a recreation show about PI cases. That is about the extent of my knowledge of that show, save that I ALSO know you can see me in an episode sometime in the future, most likely in the fall of this year. I won't give you details or anything, but I'll be sure to keep you posted when they tell me it will air!<br />
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I ran into a friend from high school randomly at an audition, which is rather strange being so far from home. She invited me out that night, I met her friends, turns out they are in the Graduate Directing Program at UCLA. One of them has a film she is making next week. I auditioned. Now I'll be filming next week.<br />
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On top of that, I've been cast, just yesterday, in another shoot happening next week, and that one is going to be paying the bills somewhat, so I am thrilled about working on that set and getting some money to help pay for that fun thing called rent.<br />
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SPEAKING OF RENT!</div>
I'll be homeless this coming Saturday... again. Alone and homeless on valentines day. (Don't Capitalize a capitalized holiday) Should be fun. Not sure if I need to be OUT by Saturday, or if Saturday is my last night... I should find that out.<br />
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At any rate, I'm working on finding a place to stay. Again. I'm tired of moving all my stuff around. I want to find a place, move in, and plant myself for a while. I feel like when moving out is on my horizon I am so distracted. I'm not nervous about moving, or worried about where I'll end up, but it occupies my mind constantly. I toss and turn in bed while my brain says<br />
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"I have to pack my room up, shove it into my car, and find a place... I guess I'll stare at my ceiling all night and think about that."</div>
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Like I said, I'm not worried. Things work out, and its all an adventure. I'm happy to be able to have such an adventure. I've got nothing and no one tying me down, holding me back, and a multitude of people, many of who will read this blog, supporting me along the way. I'll be fine because this is all part of it! I'll be fine because I choose to be that way.</div>
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Sorry for the delay readers. While I'm not worried about moving, it has occupied my time in the form of hunting for a place to stay. I'm still doing that, but I needed to post something for you. I needed to post something for me. Its nice to have this in writing: Therapeutic, cathartic, another synonym of those previous words.</div>
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Thanks for reading, thanks for the support, and I'll be a better, more diligent writer in the future.</div>
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Promises promises</div>
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What could go wrong?<br />
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Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-7778464085850171432015-01-26T11:52:00.002-08:002015-01-26T11:52:30.822-08:00Business, Bars, and Kosher FoodI apologize for my absences. I was stricken with a fever a week ago and have been wallowing in it ever since. I haven't felt particularly excited to write, not sure why that is, but here I sit. Writing and eating a large bowl of off-brand Honey Bunches of Oats (like, $3 cheaper for twice as much, count me in). I've discovered, after giving Almond milk a second chance, that almond milk is shit and I don't like it. It tastes funny and has an awkward consistency. Coconut milk is that way to go, if you happen to be going that way.<br />
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A had dinner with friends! A potluck of sorts. Pasta and bread and Italian dishes, a side salad, and I made a meager sampling of some garlic chicken thighs. I got to see the ladies who posted me up when i was homeless, so that was nice, and we all hung out and talked and there was a cake of some caliber. A birthday was celebrated, and friends were present to celebrate. There was much rejoicing.<br />
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There is a barcade in town called <a href="http://eightytwo.la/" target="_blank">82</a>. Old school towers and hipsters as far as the eye can see, and food truck parked inside the place, and a line that takes about half an hour to get through. All of these things are great (except for the line). Lauren, Josh, and Sean, the roomies I stayed with the first week I was here, were all present for this trip. We had fun playing the Dirty Harry Pinball Machine on someone's quarters, then we moved on to Space Invaders. <br />
In the center of the game hall was a Street Fighter Tower which was connected to the projectors over the bar. You got to watch the competitors beat the shit out of each other on the screen. Needless to say, it was pretty cool.<br />
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Lastly, there was TRON. I love TRON. I love the movies, I love the games, and I loved that they had them there for our enjoyment.<br />
After a few hours there we decided to call it quits, and we said our farewells. I headed back to my car which was parked a ways away as the rest of the crew decided to hit up Taco Bell. I told them to enjoy crapping their pants. They laughed, but deep down... they knew I was right.<br />
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I'm here to act. I keep telling people that, then they ask what else I do, and I say... nothing. Of course, I do other things, but If they are asking about how I'm making money, I'm not.<br />
What I am doing is spending money. Spending a lot of Money. I recently spent the hellatious amount of money required to sign onto an Upright Citizens Brigade class. I am now $400 lighter of pocket, but if you plan on doing anything out here whether it be commercial, theatrical, or a job as a low level employee at McDonalds, you MUST HAVE IMPROV EXPERIENCE!<br />
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If you are laughing, you think I am making that up. I am not.<br />
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Improvisation is the thing to have here. You must be trained in it, extremely experienced in it, probably spending something like 2 years and $10k on training of improv before you can be even considered for this job you are applying for...</div>
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Oh, and it's a non-paying gig. </div>
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I have been workign out. I have a small workout room in the complex I currently reside and its been nice having access to it. Problem is, I got sick and decided to not move for a week. So, I boosted my metabolism, lost 6 pounds, and now I'm just sitting here like a barnacle on the futon in my room being skinny as hell. Not my best move. I need to get back at it.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-IG05nHHy3vY/VMaTdO8gOWI/AAAAAAAABAs/BtgLKwMh8to/s640/20150121_170908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IG05nHHy3vY/VMaTdO8gOWI/AAAAAAAABAs/BtgLKwMh8to/s640/20150121_170908.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a> I finished a shoot for Benny Friedman last week. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIPCHjFC9yk" target="_blank">Here</a> is one of his videos, not the one I am in. Three days of shooting with a good crew and team. Timing may have not been their strongest strength, but they were nice and a lot of fun to hang out with on set. They fed me as well, so that was nice. Everything was Kosher food and it was wonderful. I prefer bacon in my life, but kosher food cannot have meat and cheese together so I never had to worry about dairy in my food. Well, except for the pizza they had one day, but it had no meat, so they won that round.<br />
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<a href="https://lh5.ggpht.com/-IZij_GessOU/VMaTeA92ycI/AAAAAAAABA0/RNPS7QR_YiU/s640/20150120_184400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IZij_GessOU/VMaTeA92ycI/AAAAAAAABA0/RNPS7QR_YiU/s640/20150120_184400.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>We filmed and ate at a place called MexiKosher and it was wonderful. Even met the chef that started the place, something of a celebrity now thanks to Top Chef. Its worth the drive if you are ever here in LA, and they have a Kosher Bacon Sauce for the food that is out of this world good.<br />
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Lastly, I finally played Settlers of Catan, a board game I've been wanting to play for a very long time. If you get the opportunity, play it, its quite a bit of fun! I also went to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beardedmenwest" target="_blank">The Bearded Men West's Dungeons and Dragons Improv</a>. That is one of the greatest improv shows, and that crowed was huge! You have to go.<br />
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All in all, I've been a mix of busy and lazy. I'm conscious of the laziness and forget that I've also been busy. It never feels like you've done enough. Guess I'll keep moving... well, not moving too much.<br />
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I'm lucky to have parents who have stayed together for all these years of my (an their) life. I'm even luckier that they grew up in the same small town and that you can walk between their parent's (my Grandparent's) Homes. That is just great!<br />
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We had Christmas Eve dinner and presents at my dad's place, late night mass, then off to bed for Christmas morning at my Mom's.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best shirt ever</td></tr>
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I'm 25 years old. A man in the world's eyes. I can't for the life of me sleep on Christmas. Have never been able to. Its like I've got all that magic stored up in my little noggin, but my worldly and calloused heart doesn't receive it like it used to, so I'm just stuck, awake, left with my own thoughts as I lay wishing for sleep on Christmas Eve.</div>
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That got dark.</div>
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On a lighter note!</div>
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I'm 25 years old. A man in the world's eyes. Luckily, I am no such thing to my mother who bought my brother and me Pokemon for Christmas! </div>
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As they say, giving is way better than receiving so, here is my master gift. One gift to rule them all.<br />
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STORY TIME!</div>
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Back in the 90's there was board games. One such game of board was called "Forbidden Bridge", and it was good. It was so good, in fact, that we played it til the pieces ran away. We were left with on broken game and multiple broken hearts.</div>
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Since then, each family member, at one Christmas or another, has searched far and wide for this game. You could buy pieces of it till you had a full set again off of ebay, but that would cost you upwards of $300. (We loved that game, but come on)</div>
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Kevin, the favorite son and best sibling (that's me), during his journeys came upon the fabled "Forbidden Bridge" by a chance acquaintance back in Nashville. Bryan, keeper of all things that are both board and game, happened to have a pristine copy of the game, "Forbidden Bridge". Kevin purchased this game and hid it away until the time of the great unveiling known... AS CHRISTMAS!</div>
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It was good.</div>
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Moral of the story: </div>
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Play board games cuz they dank as hell bruh!</div>
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Christmas always seems to come right before New Years Eve, and the same was true this year. I had no plans. Ended up in a cabin with my brother and some friends. Drank, ziplined, burned stuff, drank. It was a blast! Thanks Kathleen for the cabin Trip!</div>
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I also went dancing when I was home. It was great seeing all my dancer friends again and hanging out at the 5Spot again. I missed that crew.</div>
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I also got to see Jack, Blythe, Sean, and Natalie when I was home. You have no idea who they are, but I do, and they do. Hey guys! Thanks for the great time. You made an excellent case for me to just stay in Nashville and hang out FOREVER!</div>
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But... now I'm back in LA.</div>
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Looming on the horizon is that omnipresent force known as "Responsibility", and my only tool for stopping its crushing embrace of anxiety and fear is Motivation. Sadly, Motivation seems to be missing right now. I miss home already. I liked being a couch barnacle and having to do very little. I like eating good food and doing nothing with my time. I like not having rent to pay.<br />
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More importantly, I like my friends and family being so close.</div>
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Damn, being an adult is hard. Even harder when you move away from home.</div>
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I suppose I'll get my feet under me soon. Hopefully my writing will improve when I do.</div>
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"What the f#!k is Kevin up to?"</div>
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Luckily for you, I've designated the day of the SUN as the day of days to report about what the f#!k I am up to.</div>
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Here's what the f#!k I am up to.</div>
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THIS PAST WEEK! I think the most exciting bit has been, and the part that was hardest to keep from making an entire post about, was bed. I have been without a bed since October. It had been 57 days since I slept in a bed and I was hurting for it so bad, I didn't even know I was hurting for it so bad. I'd love to say I slept like a baby, angel, or other thing that sleeps real well, but I didn't. All I did was sleep like I was on an overnight drunk then woke up and felt that "sleep hangover" you get when you still haven't gotten enough sleep and you whole body hates you. I felt that the first few nights until I got caught up on sleep... so I must have been supremely sleep deprived.</div>
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This makes sense. I mean, I am super thankful to my roommates that posted me up these past few weeks, but when one roommate works until midnight and the other works at 5am and your air mattress is by their front door, sleep isn't something you get much of. I've passed through that gauntlet and made it to the end. For that, I deserve praise.<br />
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The new digs are nice, a tad girly but tidy, and my roommate, although I have seen very little of her, is nice. She gave me Korean style pot stickers because she wasn't going to eat them so that was cool! </div>
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Flowers on the bed. Watch out ladies. (I've since replaced the bedding with my own, manlier dressings) </div>
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The below pictured item is the elusive washer/dryer. It's cousins around the city eat quarters and bits of your soul, but this wonderful piece of machinery resides in unit, and has become as a close friend: never asking money or commitment from you, and only wishing to help you by washing your clothes...<br />
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FO' FREE!<br />
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"But what else has been happening Kevin? Anything work related?"</div>
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I'm glad you asked. YES! Lots and lots of work related things. I got signed on to 2 websites where I can find and submit myself for roles. These two websites have absolutely been helpful getting me to auditions and in front of casting peoples.</div>
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Granted, most of the jobs I've been called to are student films and non paying gigs, I am still happy to be working so prolifically. This week alone I have had 13 auditions, 1 short film for a student, and later today I'll be shooting a promo video/commercial that I am pretty excited about. Again, while these aren't paying...<br />
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(and a depressing thing that is as ALL AUDITIONS COST MONEY! Gas, parking, time(is money), I'm watching my bank account siphon through my fingers as I stupidly walk around saying "this is fine!" )<br />
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...I am happy to get in front of people and do my thing. I've auditioned as fiances, boyfriends, teenagers, "FREELANCE SCIENTISTS", computer wizards, stoners, and many other things. I basically wake up, shower, and I'm out until late auditioning. I'm "working" constantly, and that is gratifying.</div>
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It is also surprisingly tiring. I never realized how powerfully draining switching from role to role is until I have to play 4 roles in 3 hours with the same amount of enthusiasm, poise, and creativity all the while driving like a mad man across town in between just to make sure I make it to my next audition in time to find parking. It is emotionally draining and I have come home multiple times and found myself in a bad mood and skinny as a damn rail because it dawns on me that I never ate anything.</div>
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Good things do happen though, and funny weird things to. Obviously I've gotten people's attention and have been cast in things which is good, but I've also met some new people and had some adventures throughout. For instance;</div>
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In passing I mentioned, waiting for an audition, that I had an audition south in Longbeach, and Kirstin, the girl that I was waiting with, said she did to. I mentioned it was for some "Shakespeare modern day Hamlet" and she said "... me too..."</div>
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So, disregarding all of the advice she has ever received about how to handle strangers, Kirstin accepted my invitation to ride together and hopped into my car to head to Longbeach. Lucky for her I am not a creeper and we had a nice drive together through rush hour traffic. We even stopped off and ate Thai food after the audition.</div>
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This past Friday, to get myself out of "work" mode, Lauren and I snuck off down to the "Atomic Ballroom" to dance the night away with swing, blues, and some other dances I don't know yet. It was quite the set up, and the crowd was diverse in age ranging from highschoolers (a lot of them actually) all the way up to some older ladies and gents, one who I can only imagine was 70 something. (that old man was easily the greatest dancer out there. Spry and able to lead the follows with a few simple gestures. I was pretty thrilled to watch him). Lauren and I took a blues lesson which was fun, but my first priority is to learn 8 count Lindy.</div>
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The dance community is a lot different here than in Nashville. Now, I do have a biased opinion as I love my home town and the dance community there rocks (go to the "5 Spot" on Monday nights and check out the "Jump Session" on Friday Nights at Nashville Swing Dance Foundation!).</div>
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I know them, I know how most of the follows move, and I was doing it at least once a week. Here everyone is so technical. I had one girl get frustrated with me and just started muscling me around and leading herself which threw me off. It is a different vibe here and I am still searching for my place in the swing community. Also, I feel as though I have plateaued and need to finally take some lessons to move over this little blockade. I need some new moves in my repertoire, and, while most of the ones I know I have stolen, the ones I want to know now I need to really focus and learn if I ever want to know how they work.</div>
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At any rate, it was a fun night all in all and I'm happy to have checked out the dance community there.</div>
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So that has been my week. Busy like the words in this post. I will hopefully stay busy all this week.</div>
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Christmas is fast approaching and I'll be back in Nashville soon. I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends and family for sure. Its hard coming home to an apartment and thinking you'll call someone up only to realize that they are literally thousands of miles away. But that is how it goes. At least I'll get to see them over Christmas and the new year!</div>
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Til next post!</div>
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<a href="https://lh4.ggpht.com/-fwjNG9-XJZ4/VITUVS22YiI/AAAAAAAAA34/TD840KvUXeY/s640/20141202_190630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fwjNG9-XJZ4/VITUVS22YiI/AAAAAAAAA34/TD840KvUXeY/s640/20141202_190630.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a>My week has been much more reserved than previous weeks. I am attempting to settle into these new environs and have successfully bought food from a super market. That is cool. I've made some good things, like a pasta with Italian Sausage and Pan Seared Brussels and Italian Sausage with toasted Sour Dough (Sausages were the Manager's special. Can't say no to them prices). I've also failed miserably with this horrifying concoction of a can of condensed french onion soup, rice, and lentils. It may be possible to make that edible, but you'd need more knowledge of cooking and more tools of the trade than I have at my disposal. We won't talk about that any more, it was a sad meal.<br />
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Also on food, I've not made one in a long time but I've reverted back to my college days and made my "famous" Heart Stoppers.<br />
This is what it is. Feel free to make them in your own home if you are tired of your arteries not being clogged!<br />
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Kevin's "Famous" Heartstopper</div>
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Ingredients:<br />
Bologna<br />
Bacon<br />
Egg<br />
2 Slice of Bread (Your choice)<br />
Mustard<br />
Mayonnaise <br />
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Fry the bacon in a pan.</div>
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Fry the bologna in a pan.</div>
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Fry the egg in a pan.</div>
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Fry the toast in a pan.</div>
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Slather on mustard an mayo.</div>
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Die a little </div>
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Feel free to use that recipe any time, any where, and always give credit where credit is due. (Unless no one will know, then take the credit yourself. You didn't earn it, but who is gunna know?!)</div>
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This week I also met up with some friends of friends from back in Nashville. One of those relationships where "I know someone out where you are going to be so you should both meet up and be friends because we are friends then we have more friends" type things. BUT! wtf else was I gunna do?</div>
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I met up with them in Glendale at The Hermosillo, a brewery thing there, and we had a good night drinking beers and chatting about this and that. I've noticed a strange thing here in this city, and maybe this is just me, but there are two types of relationships that start in the city. </div>
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1.You have the people who meet you and keep their distance. Maybe they already have too many friends, maybe they hate you, I don't know.</div>
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2.Then there are the people who welcome you into their lives with open arms. Its kind of like meeting up with an old friend and catching up, except you need to catch up on their entire lives because you just met. </div>
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Number 2. is the majority of people I have met here and its been overwhelmingly nice to have so many new faces in my life. In particular when new faces are basically the only thing in my life.</div>
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Of course, perhaps these people are always like this, perhaps its my perception, perhaps its just me (I'd like to think I'm personable and nice and approachable). Whatever the case, its been fun meeting all these people who genuinely want to find new, fun people to hang out with.</div>
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I have again invaded Corey and Emily's home, my surrogate Thanksgiving family, for Emily's Birthday. This was last night, it started at 8pm, I left at 5am. It was a romping good time. </div>
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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!</div>
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I had a bit of a hiccup this week. I came out here because I am an actor (IMDB can be quoted as stating that fact) and there is work for actors out here. Sure, there are already a lot of actors out here, but I happen to be a well above average individual when it comes to that skill, so I moved. I suspected it would be hard, intended to not have an easy path, and set my teeth and came.</div>
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I've had an overwhelming amount of success since I moved out here. I've been in 4 films with speaking roles, 2 of which I was the lead,1 supporting, and one featured, and I've been on 4 more sets as an extra. I feel like I am making strides in the right direction. Well, maybe not "strides", perhaps waddles, or like... inches, but I've felt like I have been working and doing things, and I've had more auditions in the past month than I ever had in the entire time I was in Nashville which makes me think I've made a good decision. (I still miss you Nashville)</div>
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I have had 3 major auditions/roles since I have been here that I was very excited about. One of them was the Nightwing Webseries I believe I mentioned where they left and never informed me so I didn't get to audition. A let down but a short hurdle to jump. The next was a student film that I am still waiting back to hear about and hope I got. If I get it, I will have sweet telekentic powers (mind bullets) and that just sounds fun.</div>
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The last exciting audition/role, and most sour of defeats, came this previous Tuesday. I placed my name in for a role in a film, a featured extra role on a SAG/AFTRA pilot. I figured If I got it I would have only 2 extra things left before I became SAG eligible. That would be optimal.</div>
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That night I got an email stating that they wanted me for the PRINCIPAL boyfriend role, and that they would Taft Hartley me, which means I would be SAG eligible basically as soon as the shoot day was done. This was unbelievable. I was thrilled, ecstatic, and ready for that to go my way. I promptly responded with the all clear that I was available, then gave up 2 auditions for paid work that would have been on the same day as the shoot.</div>
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Wednesday rolled around.</div>
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Thursday...</div>
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Thursday night and I've got no script, no shoot schedule, no information, and a slowly, sinking suspicion that I've been duped.</div>
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Friday was a rough day. I'm usually pretty good about picking myself out of the mud of self pity, but this time I had sunk pretty deep. Took me pretty much all Friday to pick myself up and feel decent again.</div>
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Its not that I was depressed about not getting the role. I was, of course, but the major defeat was suffered psychologically. I came out here with the full knowledge that 3 years minimum was going to be my run time to get even close to where I want to be, 5 years more likely. </div>
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But! To have the carrot of success dangled in front of your face so early, then to find out its actually a gilted turd wrapped in a bow with the words "Eat shit" all over it... thats a heavy defeat.</div>
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I wanted that so bad. I thought I had it. That was what got. That was what was difficult to shirk.</div>
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My father poignantly stated when we were watching the World Cup:</div>
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"If you aren't willing to cry when you don't get what you wanted, you didn't want it bad enough in the first place"</div>
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I suppose to be defeated so hugely, to take that hit so hard, I wanted that role desperately enough to feel it. I'll take it as a win. At least I know my wants are directed that way, now its all about setting to my conviction and sticking with it.</div>
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I will get to where I want to be. I won't take anything less.</div>
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What could go wrong?</div>
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On my trip here, Tio, one of my kind hosts, told me I wouldn't feel like I had totally moved away from home until I had found a routine in my new city. This is apparently true. I'm getting closer and closer to finding that routine. I've just signed for an apartment and I'm so close to getting my own space. I feel like that is the first step. Then (hopefully) some income. I don't know how. I'd prefer to just do extra work and all that but most likely I can get a job at a brewery somewhere. (Hire me Golden Road) I figure if I'm not working in my passion I should part time in my other one.<br />
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I'm also frightened by this prospect of sameness. I like to feel challenged and different. I like new things coming my way. If I find a routine then I'll get comfortable with it, settle in, get a job and start adulting... hard. But I will have to work doubly hard to maintain some type of interesting things to keep me sane. Its so easy to slip into routine and realize four months later that you have done nothing interesting with you life, always waking up, going to work, and spending all your money going out with friends on a specific night. I want to maintain that sense of adventure, and routine, while it helps alleviate stress of my daily life by giving you a map, it also can trick you into never deviating from that map. Its a dangerous game and I know me. Gotta stay on it and keep interesting things happening to me.<br />
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Of course, in a city this weird its hard to miss out on weird stuff. One of my crowning moments was getting to see Harry and Libby again after a 2 year stint of "kinda keeping up" on facebook. You know, a 20 something friendship.<br />
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Two years ago in the fall of 2012 I cast aside my American bonds and rode a plane over the ocean to spend 3 months "Studying" in the UK. I traveled to the University of Kent, Canterbury and thought I was prepared for all the festivities that awaited me. <br />
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Turns out, as a senior at a well to do party school in Tennessee, I WAS prepared, and had a romping good time. </div>
However, I wouldn't have been as successful at it had it not been for my flat mate Libby and her boyfriend Harry. Libby me to Harry the first night we were there at Uni and Harry and I were inseparable after that!<br />
(If you have ever heard any story from my UK trip, Harry was most likely involved)<br />
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We had discussed meeting up in California as I planned on moving here and he was going to study abroad in San Francisco, so as I left I always kept that in mind. Now, years later, that thought has come to fruition.<br />
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I met up with Harry and Libby on Santa Monica pier. Upon their arrival, I heard them and had forgotten what a "proppah" accent was, and they reminded me that I sound VERY American. We walked the pier, rode the Ferris Wheel, and I had the pleasure to introduce them to their first funnel cake. <br />
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After Santa Monica we scooted down, at the sun's sinking, towards Venice Beach and watched the skateboarders be generally awesome on in their cement jungle gym. It was a great reunion and I'm happy to say I got to see them. Harry and I have made plans to meet back up and Libby will just have to wait! I'll be back over to the UK soon.<br />
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Thanksgiving was swiftly approaching though you'd never know it. When people say the Holiday "Black Friday" I find it so repulsive. Every Fiber of my being is opposed to Black Friday. The only thing Black Friday is good for is showcasing the shit of humanity and creating a "Holiday" for other countries to use as fuel against America. Its a disgusting display of avarice and consumerism that has taken over our other, slightly less disgusting, Holiday where we eat ALL of the food and say #blessed. <br />
We had a Hoiliday where we ate beyond our capacity for the sake of celebration and said....<br />
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"No, they still don't hate us enough for having all the food... we should kill each other for XBoxs.... that'll show 'em!" </div>
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While I do HATE WITH A PASSION Black Friday, Thanksgiving is still a grand Holiday. People joke and say its about us killing the Native Americans but its actually about family. Hokey as that sounds, Thanksgiving in my family is important. I adore the food and the company and the kitchen as people tell me to "GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!" Its such a loving, tender environment. And ssitting around a table and talking about things is just wonderful and I missed my family this year.</div>
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Luckily, I had a surrogate. Corey, a friend here in town, invited me to spend it with him and his Framily (Friend-Family) this Thanksgiving. People who have been here, know each other, and probably got their shit together so the food will be good? Sign me up!</div>
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The bulk of the guests arrived at 4:30pm and the festivities began. We drank (I was in charge of beer. I did not disappoint), we ate, there was music, we ate, no one danced, we ate, everyone else was done eating, I ate. It was a great time and I was, in fact, #blessed, to be invited to the Thanksgiving festivities with Corey, his wife, and all their friends.</div>
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Capping off the evening we played Heads Up, which I do believe EVERYONE else played on thanks giving as well. Its a sily game where you put a phone on the head and people try and tell you whats on the screen without SAYING whats on the screen. There are videos taken, hilarity ensues. "You coulda beena contenda" was the line of the evening. It was a blast.</div>
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Thanks for the invite Corey!</div>
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Post Thanksgiving I spent more time with my roommates. As I am not paying rent I do my best to be useful. My usefulness, and by my I mean my car's, can be measured. That measurement is 64x28x29.5</div>
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It happens to be my credit score... bad joke.</div>
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It happens to be a fridge. Guess what. It fits in the back of an Envoy. NEWS TO ME! But it was a lot of fun minus all the hard work. Sarah had a friend come and help us, and she commandeered a dolly for use in the fridge's exodus from its home to its new resting place, which was very useful. </div>
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I think, the moral of the story is that if you let me stay for free, I will be sueful to you... keep that in mind my friends... keep that in mind.</div>
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Until next week!</div>
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What could go wrong? </div>
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I've been here three weeks now. Needless to say, I no doubt have been something of a nuisance on the people's lives whose space I am encroaching upon. I enjoyed their hospitality and the fun times we had, but I knew that I needed to let them get their lives back in order. So I started my search for a new location.</div>
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In between when I made that decision and where I am now, I have done some shit!</div>
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I got on with an audition Monday while I was on set for a film Johnny Whitfield was doing. Both of those things were exciting! First, the speaking role in Johnny's film was a blast. Mostly improv supporting with another guy. We bumbled through trying to pick up some girl at a party and said the most outlandish BS on set. It was a blast and Johnny is a boss for giving me the chance to be on set.</div>
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The audition I got was for a webseries about Dick Grayson as Nightwing. Needless to say, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to audition for a supporting role in that. I'm a big fan of comics and in particular Batman, so I was jazzed and working up to that audition all week.</div>
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I also visited Venice Beach. Let me tell you, that place is crazy! </div>
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My experience was as follows:</div>
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I parked a bit off and walked a few blocks to the beach.</div>
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My first experience was the smell of some stanky skunky marijuana.</div>
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I was offered, by people in green scrubs, medical marijuana license.</div>
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They claimed that "The Dr. was in."</div>
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A homeless woman screamed profanity at a man as she searched for things in a trash can.</div>
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Skateboarders and people on bikes are mad if you are on the bike path.</div>
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They don't give a shit if they are biking on the "no bikes" path.</div>
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Lots of people selling "Art" along the walk. Some of it was good.</div>
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I didn't stop anywhere from food, but I want to try something.</div>
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The sand on the beach is like fairy dust between your toes.</div>
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I walked through a literal shit-storm of seagulls. </div>
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POOP EVERYWHERE. </div>
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I walked away poop free.</div>
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I accidentally bought a Regae CD for $1.</div>
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I decided not to go back until I had someone to enjoy it with.</div>
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Venice Beach. Tis' a silly place.</div>
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So Friday rolled around and I told my roommates I would be gone by Friday, so I was. I am lucky in having numerous friends here in town and so I hopped into the car and drove to my friend Sarah's apartment. IIt was a win win as I had a full bed and she had no bed, so she gets to use my bed while I'm subletting another apartment! WIN!</div>
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But, I haven't really seen her since I moved in. I've mostly seen her roommate Molly and Molly's cat, Beatrice. They are both awesome as well. In fact, the first night, before I'd met either, I was sitting, like a peasant, in their new apartment. I was reading a book by street lamp light through the window as they neither had lights nor internet. It was some pilgrim shit. Molly walks in and I introduce myself (she was expecting me). She said "Nice to meet you... wanna go to a show?" Naturaally I said yes. We hopped into the car and went to a rock show in NoHo somewhere, then headed off to Paolis'. This may seem like your classic Italian Restaurant, but no! They were an Italian Restaraunt, bar, and Karaoke venue... it was great! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beatrice is a fluffy kitty.</td></tr>
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Here is some proof.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly expressing herself with some Florence + The Machine</td></tr>
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That was a romping good time, and good thing to. Remember that audition I had been so excited about, with Nightwing and scheduled at 7:22pm? Well I drove an hour through rush hour traffic, arrived at 7pm, and informed the girl at the front desk of both my arrival and my impending audition. She apologetically informed me that the people who rented that space had already left... at 6pm.</div>
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Now, I'm not saying they are required to call me and inform me of their plans, but I'm a non-union actor auditioning for your webseries that wasn't going to pay me ANYTHING if I was cast. It would have been beyond courteous to inform me that you were leaving. And in this modern age with the technology we have, it would have been no harder than a few key strokes on your phone. Maybe they forgot, maybe it slipped their minds, maybe they couldn't find my information. I want to believe they simply forgot, or couldn't reach me... I want to believe.</div>
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With my venting done and my night set back on track with some fun karaoke, I was blessed with an email about a Lead role in a student film, and so I spent my weekend filming and doing what it is I cam here to do.</div>
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I'm flustered about the audition and the gas I used getting there, but its all going to come out the same in the end I suppose. Keep on trucking, keep on hustling, keep on trying. That's all I can do I guess.</div>
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Almost forgot, I ate a delicious hotdog from The Infield, a baseball park themed hotdog stand, and they rocked my socks off. Cheap and delicious, what could be better? </div>
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Also, if you have never tried a "Fatburger"... damn son, that burger is bonkers! </div>
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I should eat more healthy stuff...</div>
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Well, what could go wrong?</div>
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I am blessed to have nice friends, in particular ones who think of me when there is money to be made. Shortly after my last post I received a call from Chloe about a catering opportunity for her work. They would have been short staffed and so she requested I join them for a jaunt back into the world of catering.<br />
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I promptly agreed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Kevin from catering.<br />
Obviously working hard. </td></tr>
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It was a mostly uneventful... event. The DJ played plenty of decent songs, the Best Man said things in his speech which we funny and riskay all at once, there was a table packed to the brim with cookies, and I discovered and solved a problem with the plumbing in the kitchen we were using at the event space. Thanks Grandpa Elmo for those crash courses in how pretty much anything with a motor works. Its nice to be useful.<br />
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The most interesting and funny part of the night was my new friend I made at the wedding. I was busy running food here and there, snagging glasses off tables and being a generally smiling and helpful person when I met eyes with an older gentleman, probably in his late 60's. I smiled and asked him how his evening was doing as I went about my common catering things. I suppose at this point we became best friends as he sought me out and asked questions and bantered with me the rest of the evening. While it was fine and nonthreatening, the vibe he was shooting me wasn't all together my cup of tea. Either way, I was a nice human being and made an extra $20 on top of the night's pay. A funny cap off to a funny night.<br />
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Sunday I hopped in with Lauren and my current housemates and we snagged some seats at the Upright Citizen's Brigade for some good ol' Improv shows. $5 a pop for that was an easy amount of money to spend on good entertainment, and Kiran, one of my house mates, was participating in one of the shows. It was a great show with the fledgling comedic improvisers and I was happy to be a part of it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiran and the crew after the Improv show at UCB</td></tr>
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At this point I have been to multiple auditions at USC and I must say that if nothing else, the students of USC are worshipers of wheeled transportation. Bikes create a peninsula out into walking paths, their chains and bars capped through their wheels as people zip to and fro on longboards and skateboards and scooters and golf carts. Everywhere you look there is some form of transportation run on human power. Its not particularly important, but I found it an interesting thing to witness.<br />
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I spent a majority of the week going to auditions. Two Monday, two Tuesday, a meeting with a manager Wednesday and another auditioning Thursday. Somewhere along the line I should have stopped and snagged some rest. I have yet to do so. To late now as I spent Tuesday on to today with a damn head cold. Its unhelpful at auditions and an all around bad time, but thems the breaks. New city, little sleep, little food, and you find yourself sick. Spent most of my week snotting and sneezing and pounding Advil and Muscinex down my face. Enough to keep myself moving.<br />
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The good news, I got cast in 2 films. One is a short for some student project and the other was a filmed scene from the Movie "Catch Me If You Can". I actually just finished Catch Me last evening (yesterday). The director and crew were all very nice and professional, they all worked in their respective roles. It was pretty seamless and we were working and waiting at nice increments where it was not unbearable. My co-star was a charming young woman and I was happy to have met her. She was not at all quiet or nervous about being there which has often happened, and I had a lot of fun working with her. Also, she had some added cool points as she was just in a film called "Batgirl Rises" which is cool to me.<br />
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I think the biggest news is that I've found my own place. I'll be subletting a place in Glendale come Dec 9th which I am very excited about. I cannot wait to have my own space. I am beyond a doubt certain that the roomies I am with now are excited to have me to be in here anymore either, which makes sense, so it is almost a win win. A little bit more time and I'll be moved into my own space for at least 2 months. More than enough time to figure myself out.<br />
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All in all, it was a fine week. I feel like I'm making progress even though I've got no idea where that is taking me. I'll keep you up to date best I can, in particular about this stupid head cold.<br />
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More auditions this week, more rehearsals this week, more work this week.<br />
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What could go wrong?</div>
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Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-36051344232515703612014-11-08T10:37:00.002-08:002014-11-08T10:37:37.576-08:00Week 1: LA is StrangeI say this with the utmost respect for the city. I mean, I live here now and hating the city I live in would be a bad move on my part. All that said, its such a strange place.<br />
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We're a mile from the ocean and the most popular places to eat are hamburger places. I love hamburgers, and so far I have had Habit, The Counter, In an Out and plenty other burgers from places who are not necessarily known for their burgers. That just seems like that's where people want to eat, so that's what it has been. They've been good, but lets get some of that (irradiated) seafood I know and adore.<br />
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EVERYONE has some place to be, and they need to be there faster than you... no matter what. People race me off the green light, they cut me off, they can't quite figure out which lane they want to be in, but they are pretty sure it is ALL OF THEM, and then, when they are half in your lane driving sideways down the 405 they are inevitably still in the wrong 3 lanes and need to be in the 3 lanes over.<br />
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You become something of a hermit because you think: "I should go out and meet people/Get food because I'm dying" and then you remember the last time you did either of those things it took you 20 minutes to find a parking spot. The rest of the time you were there hoping there wasn't some sign stipulation that is going to leave you with a ticket or a towed car.<br />
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These are my first impressions but they have certainly left impressions so far.<br />
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All in all though, I'd say I'm doing pretty well. Within 5 days of being in the city I had an audition schedule for a film and was going to be an extra on a friends movie. I've quite possibly found a temporary place to live where I'll be able to have my own space up in NoHo. I've got another audition looming on the horizon and I've done some fun stuff.<br />
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The fun stuff.<br />
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I hesitate to say "fun" for this, but I signed on with Central Casting. Background work is definitely worth the effort. You get paid... you read books... there is a lot of holding. Good times.<br />
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Chloe works at Golden Road, and I was supposed to wait to go there with here, but after I signed on with Central Casting, I was already over there. I dropped in for a bear or two and had a blast tasting the deliciousness of this fun brewery. The gose was quite good.</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-SD45BzYL5AU/VF5gpi2qR0I/AAAAAAAAA04/JpaE-cyyTTA/s640/20141102_154949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SD45BzYL5AU/VF5gpi2qR0I/AAAAAAAAA04/JpaE-cyyTTA/s640/20141102_154949.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>I've been to Manhattan beach 2 times so far. Once was with a hamburger day date with Lauren. We tooled around and drove the streets looking at random things and getting acquainted with the city we live. There is a free aquarium on the pier which is neat and food and shopping all around there. Afterwords we snagged a bite to eat at counter that was something of a great experience. I may have sounded like I was complaining abut all the hamburgers earlier... I wasn't. The second time was with a friend from Nashville who happened over while she was touring colleges. They were both pleasant experiences.</div>
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I spent an afternoon (mostly because I was locked out of the apt) in the park across the street from where I currently stay. While it would have been convenient if I could have not been stuck out of the apt, I did enjoy enjoying the sights smells of the park. They had wild flowers of some caliber growing around the edges of the park and they were quite sweet to the nose. <br />
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One of my honorary flatmates had her birthday which was a blast. We went out for a mellow evening at a place called public school n Culver. It was a lot of fun and, while so much stuff here is supremely expensive, it was easily worth it to spend the evening with my friends here!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gracious hosts</td></tr>
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I went swing dancing. This was by far one of the better experiences I've come across since I've been here. I've been down and out on swing dancing since I left New Orleans those weeks ago, and I've been feeling anxious to find a place to go. Luckily, I finally sat down and looked for one on Thursday, found out there was a dance happening on Friday and it was 10 minutes from me. Snazzed myself up (best I can with what I got) and sprang on out the doors. I danced and laughed my way from 8-12pm at Rusty's Rhythm Club and met a lot of fun people while I was out. It was cathartic for sure as I had been feeling cooped up an anxious for a little bit. New city jitters.</div>
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I'm not sure exactly what life will be like here, but so far I'm doing good. There have been some moments when I want to just get back to what I know in Nashville, but every time I get an audition there is this surge of excitement. I know that for at least 5 minutes I get to act. For 5 minutes I get to do what I love and, if in the mean time I have to work some grudgingly boring job, I'll be fine because... every now and again I get 5 minutes that will eventually get me in the door. That is great.</div>
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I intended to make it to Las Vegas for Halloween, however, going to Vegas by your lonesome sounds bad, on Halloween sounds worse. So instead, I decided to head on into LA, as you know.</div>
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I spent my day traveling around the Culver City area and buying a few groceries and just walking through the mall. It was confusing because all these weirdos were in costume, but then I remembered the date! </div>
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I at at BJ's Brewhouse, and I can honestly say that I don't like their beer. Its as though they asked what was popular to make, made it poorly, then spent a lot of time making cool labels for their beers... Not impressed. At least they make good food.</div>
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Then I went back to the apartment and was so stir crazy I about went insane. I watched a few horror films: "Haunter" and "Fright Night". Classic fright night! (If you haven't looked up "Evil's filmography on IMDB... do it)</div>
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When Lauren and the crew came home, we all started getting ready for the evenings festivities. Lauren tosseda round dresses and costume ideas as Kiran worked on her "Deviled Egg" costume (which was a white shirt, devil horns, and a yellow yolk in the middle of the shirt). I was, of course, Captain America.</div>
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Sean came home and we all, after a bit of dinner, ran around down to the Culver City Hotel for some drinks and hangouts, then our party split up with some of us heading back home, but Sean, Myself, Michael, and 2 others all snagged ourselves an UBER and headed for West Hollywood.</div>
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THERE WAS A PARTY THERE!</div>
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THe party, as it turns out, was hilariously fun and everyone was having a good time. Tony Stark, Zombie Capone, some girl with a giant Tick on her, and Gollum were all in attendance. There was even a streaker!</div>
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I mingled and met some very cool people including a comedy troupe, The Glorious Act that We Do. I promised then I would watch some of their stuff (which I have yet to do) and also told them that it had better not suck. They seemed to think that was funny so I haven't made any enemies yet... which is nice.</div>
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Drinking, mild dancing, drinking some more, and an UBER home was how our night was spent. Once home, Mike parted ways with us, and Sean and I were left to get back up those daunting stairs to the apartment. Sean may have had the key, but I had the motor functions to use it. Once inside, I kept Sean awake with water, movies, and a nice purge of the stomach. I figured he'd prefer to feel bad tonight rather than HORRIBLE the next morning. We watched Cabin in the Woods, an old classic, and finally I passed out.</div>
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It was a hilarious and fun evening, and I got to hang out with a lot of fun, nice people. I am looking forward to more parties and work, and meeting new people for sure. <br /><br />This trip has been great. A fun look at the country and an exhausting, satisfying experience! I'm glad I made it, with or without the losses and gains I've found along the way. I'll for sure remember Bill and our adventures, and I am so glad for all the hosts and friends I've stayed with and met along the way.</div>
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But now, The Trip is over. I've got to work on making it not about travel, and about making a place for myself here.</div>
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I've moved to LA, I've got no job. I'm far away from a majority of my friends and family. </div>
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I'm technically homeless, and I'm completely confused by this cities layout.</div>
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What could go wrong?</div>
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I consider myself quite good at long distance driving now because I can go and go and only stop when I need gas, but once I got situated (On this couch I'm staying on) I was dead. MY hands were shaking and I was just tired as hell.</div>
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I spent the morning of October 30th, 1AB (After Bill), being tired but productive.</div>
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I searched and searched for housing and attempted to play with the dogs that live here. They weren't having that shit. Some stranger in their house and they just sat there looking at me...</div>
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Mostly the housing search has been a complete bust, but I wasn't expecting to find a place right away. That being said, I may start moving a few more things into my friends house here as they have storage space and I have things I'd like out of my car while I'm traveling around and looking where I can plant myself.</div>
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After a few hours I got bored and went to the gym in the facility and then cleaned their sink of dishes... you get really bored when you've been on the road for 2 weeks and, when you finally get to your destination, no one is around to hang out with. You sit around in an empty apartment all day twiddling your thumbs and, while you are working on things, it's still like... WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE?</div>
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Eventually Lauren came back and we walked her dogs. They pooped, she picked it up. Classic dog walking story. Then we sat around and ate a small dinner. The girls of the apartment were particularly excited about TV's offerings. </div>
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First, Bones was on which my momma likes so I was kinda up to speed on that one. Then SCANDAL. I tell you, those writers know their audience because the whole damn episode was "girl power!" all the way. I'm totally fine with that, but like... yikes on some of it. Lastly, How to Get Away With Murder was on. That was, while silly because I didn't know what was going on, and very enthralling show.</div>
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So, with TV night closing down, I took over the TV and watched Howl's Moving Castle. I you haven't seen it, it is great. I've seen it once before but it was here and so I watched it. </div>
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No where near the excitement offered by most of my trip, but this day had its pleasures. Mostly, it had its laziness. I'm anxious to get started on this whole "adult-ing" thing, but... I got time to watch cartoons I think.</div>
Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-27590069529678294892014-10-30T11:14:00.000-07:002014-10-30T11:14:27.114-07:00The Trip: Day 12So I decided after much deliberation and comments from others not to do Vegas alone. I had no real intention of doing it alone, I had every intention of finding some one willing to meet me there and explore the city with me. I was wrong and so I decided it was in my best interest to skip Vegas and head on into Los Angeles. I've seen the signs for Los Angeles. I'm so close to my final destination. I want to be there!<br />
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Its at this point our story takes a dark turn.</div>
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As I mentioned, I was unable to make this trip happen how it was intended with me and another individual. No one could or would come so I found myself alone. Well, almost alone.</div>
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Luckily, I had Bill Murray, my pepper plant and living companion since 2010. He was a volunteer pepper plant we dug up in our back yard and he was awesome. Couldn't be killed no matter how hard I tried! He was the best, and I referred to him as Bill. He was my buddy.</div>
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Well, as it happens, California is pretty strict on their border when it comes to foreign plants and produce. This hadn't even dawned on me as a possibility. </div>
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To explain where this is going, Not only have I had this plant since 2010, I've just made a trip across the country for just under two weeks with him. I've seen New Orleans, Austin Texas, Roswell NM, the Grand Canyon and places in between. I've walked the Grand Canyon and slept in freezing weather. I've done so much and seen so much, and my pepper plant, Bill Murray, was with me most of the time. I took him with me to eat a few times. He sat next to me while I slept almost every where. I looked insane carrying this pepper plant with stickers from places we had been all over his pot.</div>
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And, at the border of my final destination, a man grabbed Bill by the stem. Ripped him, roots and all, from his home, and tossed him like a piece of garbage into a bucket where they will no doubt incinerate him if they have not already done so.</div>
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Sadness is a strong feeling I had, but worse than that was shame. I was given the option to turn back with him and drive those 40 minutes back to civilization in Arizona to where I could have, and should have, mailed Bill back home. I could have taken him to someones store and let them have him. I could have left Bill in the hands of someone who may have taken care of him. For God's sake, I could have taken him up from the roots myself and murdered him.</div>
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Instead, I let some stranger kill him in front of me. I let him be murdered and I had every chance to save him. I feel ashamed, I am racked with regret, and my heart feels like it has been ripped from my chest.</div>
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I sold Bill out for personal gain. For my own selfish desire, I let an innocent die.</div>
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I Judas-ed Bill Murray, and now I have to live with that.</div>
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I drove the rest of the trip in silence. I may have cried. I may still cry. </div>
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I loved that stupid plant, and I killed him.</div>
Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-41126884650024838302014-10-29T08:28:00.001-07:002014-10-29T08:35:54.321-07:00The Trip: Day 11After those stars and the freezing temperatures, the only thing I could do was work on getting my car restarted. It took very little time as the LOA people no doubt have had to do this numerous times before.<div>
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My tent packed, my car up and running, and my tuna salad from a can (Bumblebee) eaten, I decided it was time to head to see this "big stupid hole in the ground" known as the Grand Canyon. I hopped in the car running on the taste of a dream still left in my mouth and no good sleep to find and just drove. Silence. Silence for my companion and thoughts streaming in and out of my head like a tide that can't make up its mind if it is low or high.</div>
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I payed some duckets, stuck a tag onto my car, and I was in. The grand canyon isn't as not-populated as you might think. There is a whole damn town inside the park. Grocery store, post office, the whole 9 yards. I went to the grocery store and snagged a cliff bar and some Hawaiin macadamia nut things that were very, very tasty. I decided no food I got in the grand canyon that was hot or cold would be worth the jacked up price to get it, so I stuck with my already bought almonds, cliff bar, the Hawaiin things, and some sunflower seeds.</div>
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From there, I drove to the visitors center and walked.</div>
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And for the rest of the day, know that if I haven't been telling you what I was doing, most likely. </div>
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I walked.</div>
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From the visitors center, I crested the hill and there it was. Off of Mather Point I saw the drop and then the huge expanse of land ahead of me. The grand canyon in all it's glory! I can't say it was breath taking as I've been jaded by movies and television, but I can say that to use the word "awesome" to describe it would be one of the first time's I've ever heard awesome used properly. It truly is awe inspiring.</div>
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From Mather Point I wound my way around the lip of the canyon. Not sure how long it is, but I walked from Mather Point to the Bright Angel Trailhead. I took stops and pictures along the way and it was a relaxing time.</div>
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At the trailhead, I went down. I wasn't about to go to the Grand Canyon and not be adventurous! I hiked down into the canyon a mile and a half, then I hiked back up. I would have gone further, but I was running on no sleep. Screw that.</div>
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Going up, as you might imagine, is not as simple as going down.</div>
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Once at the top, I found a spot, and I sat. People watching be something I do and some thing I do very well, I sat there and watched the people go here and there, talking all kinds of nonsense. I must say, I've people watched at a lot of places, but never have I ever come away thinking:</div>
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"There are beautiful people everywhere!"</div>
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And its true. The Grand Canyon is full of beautiful people. The languages are all over the place and it is something to hear Chinese and french being spoke on either side of you. Then there are the differences in style. What I would never consider wearing was worn by an entire bus full of people as just part of it. It's fashion and its not mine I suppose.</div>
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Most notably, the differences in faces of people. When I say beautiful, lets be serious, I don't mean everyone there was movie star worthy (A lot were, but not all by any means). I mean that there were such different structures of faces staring out of everywhere. Noses and eyebrows and cheekbones and lips all combined in the gorgeous hodgepodge of people walking here and there. It was incredible to see and it just struck me as something beautiful. Humans, all of us, looking different but all the same. I just thought that was something incredible.</div>
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4:30pm, I snagged a prime spot next to a tree close to the edge of the canyon, and I just looked out. A California Condor flew 15 feet above my head, and as the sun started going down, a whole lot of people jealously rustled behind my some what secluded spot. This sunset was mine, and I was not moving.</div>
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The sun crawled its way down the side of the canyon, and as its last rays went out behind the rim, i snagged my keys and went to my car.</div>
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I found myself, after about an hour, at Williams' Grand Canyon Hotel/Hostel. I met two ladies from France on holiday and we hunted out some food. We ended up at the Brewery (I may have influenced that decision) and at some tasty burgers (and a veggie burger for one of them) and then we drank some good beer. The beer was much better than I expected it to be, but I am totally okay with that.</div>
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After that, we headed back to the hotel and said our goodbyes. I was exhausted and my knees kind of hurt. I needed a good nights sleep, and I haven't slept in a bed for a long time. </div>
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Good Night!</div>
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<p dir="ltr">The International Museum of UFOs (or something) was everything I knew it would be. Newspaper clippings, first hand accounts, pictures and admissions from govt. Officials after the fact. "They weren't human!"</p>
<p dir="ltr">There were hoaky displays of aliens landing, and a really cool designed door from a Mayan site in south America that they had on display (probably one of the cooler things they had).  I Milled about the museum learning and snapping pictures and then looked through the end gift shop. About noon, I decided it was time to leave this place, so I snatched up my belongings, checked out, and I was on the road.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The breakfast at the Best Western was what you expect; sausage, ham, cereal, egg product. They had all the common stuff. I had a bit, grabbed boxes of cereal and some oranges and left. I figured I could stop on the way. I did eventually.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stopping for gas, I realized I was about starved so I went into the store. Inside was a burger joint known as Laguna Burger. I had a good feeling about it so I sat myself down at the bar and ordered.</p>
<p dir="ltr">1/2 pound of meat, mustard, hatch chiles, onion, pickles (Xtra of course) and some hand cut fries and I was in business. An absolutely delicious butger, and locally sourced if you are into that!  Lester and Thomas, the fellas working there did me right.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I got back on the road.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Out of all the places I have driven, New Mexico, I must say, made me feel the most adventurous.  Crawling plains and steep plateaus in the distance. The tree ed, earthy colors and the low sitting flora. For me it had such mystery and beauty about it. I was driving through and all I was thinking is that I would be back. I wanted to get to the tops of the plateaus and explore around them.  I'll be back New Mexico!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Driving driving, hunting for deer, driving. I didn't want to hit one of those deer or elk, but the last 200 miles were in the dark and I was on the edge of my seat.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Finally, I arrived at my KOA site and set up. 2 things. </p>
<p dir="ltr">First, using your car lights is a good idea to set up a tent in the dark UNLESS you don't have the car running. In the words of Forrest Gump, "I am not a smart man".</p>
<p dir="ltr">Second, no matter thetemperature, you are about to freeze your bollywogs off at night. Arctic fucking temperatures appearantly. I did not realize that, though it was cold, it would continue to drop down to the coldest shit you have ever tried to sleep in. </p>
<p dir="ltr">All that said, my battery dead, my phone dying and my nutskies frozen... it was all worth it to see those stars. Beautiful swaths of light striking every corner of that black nothing and I would sleep naked out here just to look at them. Insignificance noted universe, I get the message. Thanks for the view!</p>
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<p dir="ltr">The drive was long but pleasurable. Texas going west turns into hills and valleys and winding roads and ranches. It was amazing to see so many ranches, and the fences went on for miles. People told me that Texas was boring mostly, but I disagree. I've lived a majority of my life traveling between Tennessee and Illinois. Seeing the rest of what this country has to offer is amaizjng.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm not talking about the cities. I'm talking about it all as a whole! The towns, the people, the food(especially the food), and the countryside. Look at a map and Texas is some arbitrarily chosen color connected to Mexico and the rest of the US. THAT is borong. Seeing that that shape for what it is and mapping that out in your head, that's incredible! Brush and trees and creek beds dried up. Rocks and marments(mostly dead, but still) and the biggest damn trucks you ever seen. That was what I wanted to see, and I did.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As I neared my destination and crossed that state border into New Mexico, I was growing tired of driving. Most of it had to do with the suns ceaseless shine which, as a whole, I love. However, when it is pulverizing your retinas with its cancerous rays and you blink and see its circle in you eyelids, you grow weary of its embrace.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I pulled into Roswell NM as the sun went down, kicking and screaming, and throwing some final suckerpunches through gaps in trees right into my eye holes. I snatched up my phone, parked in a McDonald parking lot. As I decided my destination for the night, I heard a small sound to my right. Looking up, I about dropped some mud at the sight of a pair of blue eyes, connected to a one legged man in a wheelchair, peered into my car from the driver side. I decided at that moment, I would get a hotel.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I snagged up my room for a decent price. More than I wanted to pay, but cheaper than its usually $100+ rate.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Now, all I have to say about Roswell NM...</p>
<p dir="ltr">"I want to believe"</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tOIJ-c_KS_g/VE5cWHKkTdI/AAAAAAAAAwc/taEoX5RBgkc/s1600/20141026_121734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tOIJ-c_KS_g/VE5cWHKkTdI/AAAAAAAAAwc/taEoX5RBgkc/s640/20141026_121734.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IqOKra8YwF4/VE5cXZLUpxI/AAAAAAAAAwk/WgjuN96K-_s/s1600/20141026_174143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IqOKra8YwF4/VE5cXZLUpxI/AAAAAAAAAwk/WgjuN96K-_s/s640/20141026_174143.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uizjVGx1Z3Y/VE5ccADlVlI/AAAAAAAAAws/8AD0hPeq7Nk/s1600/20141026_180343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uizjVGx1Z3Y/VE5ccADlVlI/AAAAAAAAAws/8AD0hPeq7Nk/s640/20141026_180343.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If anyone's wondering, Texas bugs are juicy and they smear easy.</div>Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-17825996130764284532014-10-26T07:36:00.002-07:002014-10-27T07:36:19.147-07:00The Trip: Day 8I awoke from my slumber and milled about the place. I showered and fixed a small sandwich before I decided what I woulpd do with my day. Around 11 I hopped into the car.<br>
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I had met the owner of <a href="http://nxnwbrew.com/" target="_blank">North By North West Brewing </a>at Hopsfield and told him I would get him a <a href="http://www.tnbrew.com/" target="_blank">Tennessee Brew Works </a>Business card, and so I snagged some and headed for NXNW.<br>
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To my surprise, they were having their annual Oktoberfest! I got myself a mug and some tickets for beer and food, and I enjoyed a kielbasa with sour kraut and cabbage with my NXNW Oktoberfest beer.<br>
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Showing how small the world really is, I ran into a friend from UT Knoxville at the Oktoberfest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wu3FNIL5EfU/VE5XBa3goyI/AAAAAAAAAwE/J8QfOMym2GQ/s1600/20141025_135039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wu3FNIL5EfU/VE5XBa3goyI/AAAAAAAAAwE/J8QfOMym2GQ/s640/20141025_135039.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gw3j2FhqXSI/VE5XCfWMg3I/AAAAAAAAAwM/jSTFpEPVpFI/s1600/20141025_120459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gw3j2FhqXSI/VE5XCfWMg3I/AAAAAAAAAwM/jSTFpEPVpFI/s640/20141025_120459.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After that, I had planned on going downtown to attend an improvement class. Sadly, that class was not happening at the the time due to a miscommunication from the website to the real world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Instead, I walked around downtown Austin and people watched. It was fun, but I grew hungry and bought myself a Donner from Kebabalicious. It was spicy and delicious, and hut the spot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went back to Aarons apartment and watched a movie called "The Fall". It was visually unbelievable, and then I hung out with Aaron for a bit when he was home from work. After that. I went to bed. I had a lot of driving tomorrow.</div>Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-26953812448592845812014-10-25T09:16:00.003-07:002014-10-25T09:16:20.560-07:00The Trip: Day 7<div style="text-align: center;">
Pinballz Arcade!</div>
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My first stop of the day!</div>
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After snagging a bite to eat and all that, I headed out for the first stop of my day at Pinballz Arcade! It was a wonderland of old and new gaming towers encompassing a deep, 2 leveled gaming area. At the front you are greeted with pinball machines and the prize counter. <br />
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These are surrounded by games like Gauntlet Legends, XMen (Welcome... TO DIE!) and Ninja Turtles. On the opposite side sits one of my favorite machines, the Cyclone, as well as other ticket winning games. <br />
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Continue on back and you find the pinball area. Pinball machines eat the second level of the place, their 8bit sounds attacking your ears and their lights sparkling in your eyes, its hard not to walk around in amazement! <br /><br />
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Tucked away in a nook up front you can find old atari titles as well as Tron and Off Road, two of my favorites. Rampage was also there, and I had a great time munching on soldiers and wrecking buildings. It was just a fun start to a fun day!<br />
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I had some time to kill and had been requested to snag some Emergen-C and hand sanitizer, so I ran over to Wally World and grabbed up those items.<br />
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Afterwards, I drove on out towards Jester King. A brewery half an hour outside Austin.<br />
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Now, if you want to drink beer and get a feel for what I always thought Texas would be like, go to Jester King! Its out in bush country and its gorgeous! Connected to it is a Pizza place that, by all accounts, is delicious, but the feel of the place is just so... ranch. Its like a cowboy became a beer snob and made this brewery come to life by sheer cowboy will!<br />
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I met some fine gentlemen who invited me to sit with them at their table. Turns out, they are in process of opening up a brewery themselves,<br />
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Steam Theory Brewing Company<br />
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so keep your eyes peeled for these guys.<br />
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It was nice being able to share stories and discussions related to homebrewing over the extensive list of sour beers that Jest King has to offer!<br />
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Again, that Texas feel was prominent as the sun set over the compound and the spindly, bendy trees and bushes that speckled the rocky ground around Jest King. I felt so cool being part of the scenery here, and being able to experience it for myself!<br />
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At Jester King, they didn't just have their beer, and I am always, Always, ALWAYS ready to try some pineapple drink of some caliber. Beer, wine, mead, I want to try it all. These were two of the pineapple pleasantries I was privy to enjoy.<br />
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Now, by all account, the Pizza out there by Jester King is absolutely delicious, and I believe them because the line was INSANE by the time I was getting hungry, so the boys from Steam Theory and myself all rode on into Austin again and ended up at the Pint House. <br />
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I didn't ask about the mermaid beer girl there, but I'm sure she had a reason. She looked cool at least!<br />
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After pizza, I said my farewell to my new friends.<br /><br />
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Post pizza, Aaron, Tio, and I went to the movies to see John Wick. What a fun film that was! Violence, revenge, Keanu: everything you'd ever need to have a good time! After film, we all headed home and hit our respective pillows. It has been a long day! I'll have more to do tomorrow!Kev~Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02461987579834709919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483407455090454053.post-12962689960992619432014-10-24T09:12:00.001-07:002014-10-25T08:05:00.084-07:00The Trip: Day 6<a href="https://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZV7lxwHp8qY/VEp3Vw9uhII/AAAAAAAAAqw/x0eEMNxLCm8/s640/20141023_102326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZV7lxwHp8qY/VEp3Vw9uhII/AAAAAAAAAqw/x0eEMNxLCm8/s640/20141023_102326.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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The day started with a wonderful breakfast, made by my gracious, caring, and omnivorous host!<br />
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Aaron wizard-ed around the kitchen to create delicious, veggie and meat filled tortillas that hit the spot called my empty stomach. I provided some homemade pico (Thanks Mrs. Butrum!) and some hotsauce from Louisianna, and then Tio, Aaron, and myself tucked into our food.<br />
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After that, I lazed around Aaron's apartment and looked up the breweries I had already seen bits about online. I wanted to make sure I knew exactly which ones I would visit if I could only choose a few.<br />
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After that, Aaron and I went for lunch at Hopfields, and neat little eatery with a large beer selection. I drank a Belgian style farmhouse and ate one of the most delicious burgers I've had in quite some time. Homemade pickles and pickled jalapenos, whole grain mustard, caramelized onions. Magnificent to say the least!<br />
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Aaron and I parted was after this and he scooted off to work. Tio also needed to make some duckets so I was left to my own devices. I took a power nap and headed out for Austin Beerworks.<br />
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I did not choose wrong.<br />
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Austin Beerworks was absolutely a blast. The people were excited to be there, the staff was happy to be part of the scene, and the beer was quite tasty. The first introduction you have to some of the brewers is on a sign which I will place... here:<br />
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So that is what I saw first, and I new I had arrived.<br />
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Not only was that fun, their deal of $10 for 3 fills and an Austin Beerworks glass and I knew I had made the right decision of coming here first (Also, it was down the road from my place of residence, but that was that good 'ol convenient factor)<br />
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<a href="https://lh4.ggpht.com/-xlBBqwVreXE/VEp3yDbdN7I/AAAAAAAAArQ/HcTPlc4YeLI/s640/20141023_170545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xlBBqwVreXE/VEp3yDbdN7I/AAAAAAAAArQ/HcTPlc4YeLI/s640/20141023_170545.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>I drank my fill of Black Thunder, a German style Schwarz beer and the beer I was most excited about, as well as an experimental IPA and the Golden Fist, a Belgian style with a power 9% punch. I met some fun people who worked and played there, namely Olivia and Ryan (respectively). We had fun chatting about the beer scene, Austin in general, and laughing about my outfit choice which was IDENTICAL to another patrons. From the Henley and the shorts down to the TOMS shoes on our feet, we snagged a picture (sadly I did not get a copy) and laughed about it.<br />
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Post Beerworks, I hopped in my car (sobered up of course) and headed south towards the Violet Crown, a swanky movie theatre in Austin where you can sit in recliners and eat proper food while enjoying the film on screen. <br />
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I snuck into an early view of "Birdman" with Tio and we watched a great and strange film unfold on the intimate screening experience.<br />
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Finally, having my fill of food, beer, and art, I left for Aaron and Tio's apartment once more, hell bent on getting some decent sleep and waking up refreshed and ready for tomorrow!<br />
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The sunlight crept onto my little face, and it was time to get up. Faith snuck out the door after grabbing a sleepy hug from me and she was off to work. I rolled off the couch and started packing up my belongings. First my bag, then my electronics and shoes, toothbrush and all that jazz, then I grabbed Bill Murray and the car was loaded. I put the keys on the counter and closed the door behind me... I hope I didn't leave anything.</div>
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I tooled around the French Quarter and ogled the buskers and tourists. Snagged a shot of the Cathedral (gorgeous by the way) and attempted to grab a begnette. I failed... forgot to bring cash. </div>
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Faith called me and asked me what my plans were, so we met up for some lunch at Sammy's Food Service and Deli. I wanted my last flavors of NOLA, and Sammy's delivered: Comfort food with red beans and rice, spicy sausage, cajun fried chicken, and jambalaya. </div>
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After this, I filled up the gas tank and split for Austin. The original plan was to head half way to Austin and camp somewhere along the way, preferably the beach. I scrapped that plan when I couldn't find any good places that stuck out as beach camping. Kept on moving.<br />
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Just outside of Batonrouge I met my first hiccup. Car problems! A few calls, a lot of driving, 2 hours later and some duct tape, I was backon the road.<br />
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Funny enough, I drove all night through Texas, Night being the key word there. I have cleared a vast chunk of Texas and the only thing I got to see were the strange lights coming from the towering structures in teh distance and the neutral face of the tollbooth worker. I can't wait to actually see this state!<br />
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Another side note, Texans drive fast. Like, super fast. Mega hella fast. Speed limit through Houstin (A preposterously large city) is 75mph at some points. I was going 75mph. People were passing me and had to be going at least 90mph, weaving in and out of traffic.<br />
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Do you want dead? This is how you get dead.</div>
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Obviously the vast majority of drivers were fine, but there was a proportional amount of fast flying fiends that warrant that note.</div>
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For dinner, 1 hour outside of Austin, I opened my goodie-bag and peered in. I snagged a small can of "Chicken Spread" and crackers and opened the can. As far as I can tell, it was cat food. I was hungry, so I ate it, but all that means is I ate cat food.</div>
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My dad always asks:</div>
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"What's the difference between what you will and won't eat?"</div>
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The answer: </div>
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"24 Hours"</div>
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Finally pulled into Aaron's place or residence. Time for sleep!</div>
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Also, I was getting sick. So I slept away most of the day. Snuggled and wrapped in lots of blankets, I pounded water down myself and made sure I sweat a lot. My joints were starting ti get achy.<br />
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When I woke up around noon I was feeling a bit better so I hopped in the shower for the steam and knocked all the gunk in my nose out. Then, the only thing I was feeling was starvation. I hadn't eaten for quite some time and I was feeling it.<br />
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But, I waited. Food was important, but it was also important as to what kind of food. Upon internetting, I found that a place called "Luke" existed, only with some fancy shit over the U. I found they had what I sought, but at 3pm. So I waited.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stew</td></tr>
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When 2 rolled around, I hopped into my vehicle and took the drive downtown. I found a sot a block away from "Luke" for $3 and popped into my destination. A fancier, upscale place for sure. I snagged a seat a the bar and was shortly joined by a couple of gentleman who I believe were from a law firm.. Friend;y enough, but droned on about shady characters they worked with.<br />
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I was there for what they had, but I needed to wait till 3, so I ordered that days special. Seafood gumbo as my side and a White Gulf Shrimp Cuccuza Stew with smoked Pork Jowls on Jasmine Rice... Majestic to say the least. The gumbo was meaty and a blast of flavor, and the stew was magnificent as well. When I was finished with my meal, it was almost time. I ordered a beer and waited.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters are so damn good!</td></tr>
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When 3 o'clock hit, the girl tending the bar brought me my prize. 12 oysters, at oyster happy hour. Cheap, delicious, and for all I know nutritious. I sat there at the bar and ate the little boogers one at a time as I watched the men behind the bar shuck more for the upcoming rush for the happy hour. When the final oyster was gone and its shell turned over in a sign of solidarity, I leaned back to relax. My stomach full, my beer almost gone, my mind finally at ease. I knew that the only thing I could do at that moment was count my blessings.<br />
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I did so by ordering a second dozen.<br />
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Twenty four oysters for $12 was something you can't pass up, and I would have ordered more had I had a "wooden leg" as people often ask. What a wonderful thing to eat. I'm glad I'm on this planet to do it.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zeai9FRj9LI/VEfNlKm3HdI/AAAAAAAAApQ/0iBEoY_-y20/s640/20141021_194302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zeai9FRj9LI/VEfNlKm3HdI/AAAAAAAAApQ/0iBEoY_-y20/s640/20141021_194302.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>After this, I came back to Faith's and took a power nap. Shortly after, we were off to "The Spotted Cat". A live jazz joint. It was so great to hear more Jazz music, and particularly funny to me as I realized... all the dancers from last Sunday were here. It was great to hear the Jazz, and Faith, Anderson (Faith's friend) and I listened on intently to the music. <br />
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After a while, we headed towards a house party where there were tacos and margaritas for $5 all night. An eclectic crew was present: sugar skulled ladies and gents, a rooster with a kangaroo pouch, mother nature the stripper, some dude in a hazmat suit, and a couple lady-men were present. After a bit, Faith and Anderson left me and I was there alone. I danced with Beth, a swing dancer from London, and drank tequila as that's basically the only component of margaritas they had left. It was a lot of fun and particularly funny as I was just some guy there. Not in costume, just being something of a wall flower. Eventually I got tired and headed for "home".<br />
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Water water and more water, then off to bed. I suppose it's time I get to rambling on, but I'm going to miss this here silly town. Its been fun New Orleans, but if I stay any longer I might stay for good.<br />
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I woke up.</div>
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Always a good start to the day.</div>
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After the wake up period, I relaxed a little bit. Round 11, I grabbed my keys and met Faith for lunch. We had intended to go to the "Munch Factory" but they were closed on Wednesdays, so we ended up... at a Daiquiri shop. Naturally I snagged a fried shrimp Poboy, which was majestic, and a large Daiquiri. </div>
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After tossing the majority of the Daiquiri into a to go cup, I snagged my keys, said my farewells to Faith who went back to work, and I tooled around New Orleans. I drove by the lake in all its monstrosity. The breeze coming of the thing was quite relaxing, but the construction I was driving through didn't make for a perfect event of driving. </div>
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After that, I headed over to NOLA Brewing Company and tried my tastebuds at their beers. I had their Pineapple Ghost Pepper IPA, the Pineapple Coconut IPA, Their "Girl Stout Cokie" which tastes like a thinmint in beer form, quite majestic. Then I went on to taste the A.L.S. IPA. After those wonderful things, I tried the Grape Sour they had whose name escapes at this time, and then the Smokey Mary. All great beers, and always excited to try a Pineapple beer. (The coconut Pineapple Beer was something I am quite interested in trying my hand at)</div>
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After water, I slunk back into my car and headed for some oysters in the French Quarter. I drove around looking for a spot longer than I stayed in the French Quarter however as I needed to meet up with Faith and her friends for a movie. A dozen oysters and some Crescent Cities Beers later and I was headed back to Faith's.</div>
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I walked into the house, grabbed a large gulp of water, and then Faith and I headed out to see a movie called "Vi ar Bast"</div>
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After that, off to "Pal's" to snag a few beers and some Red Beens and rice, something I was excited about as someone who has never seen this tradition before, and someone who hadn't eaten dinner. We talked the night away at Pals and then drove home.</div>
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All I can think about is... I want more Oysters!</div>
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