Writer's Diet, Day 2 - Typing Tuesday

Breakfast of champions - a green smoothie made of spinach, kale, strawberries, mango, banana, and chia seeds. Full of fiber and sweet goodness!

Before being pulverized by the Magic Bullet --

And after!

I learned how to make these from my friend Ruth from Dublin, Ireland. Check out her blog Kitchen Greenie!

Also baked up a multi-grain croissant from Trader Joe's. (You're going to see a Trader Joe's trend today, for sure.)

Ended up looking pretty much like the package - super yummy!

Spent the bulk of the morning and afternoon typing, typing, typing. I write all my fiction longhand in blank journals and I'm not always diligent about typing up my work. I just finished a long short story - sounds like an oxymoron, I know - and I'm eager to get it transcribed so I can start editing and filling in the holes.

Hence, a day of typing. I have Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) from too much typing at MIT, so I use an ergonomic keyboard --

The danger of working at home is always getting distracted by household errands. Like re-covering my burner drip pans in aluminum foil --

After typing up almost 10 pages of writing and completing a few more tasks for the short film I'm producing, it was time for lunch!

I know, I'm not in college any more, but I'm a sucker for mac and cheese and these are so easy. I added some frozen veggies to make it slightly more healthy --

And steamed up some black kale with Bragg's Amino Acids--

Ate while catching up on the latest episode of Top Chef Masters. My money's on Takashi Yagihashi to win it all!

Was still feeling munchy while watching, so I devoured a handful of Lemon Crisp Cookies --

And the last two cheese straws in my pantry --

Stuffed and satisfied, I finished typing up my story - 23 pages in all! - and got ready for my commercial callback.

It was in an office shared with a modeling agency, so I was surrounded by glamour shots like this --

Ignored them - this spot was mine! Callback went well - we'll see...

Then I drove to Burbank to see my man.

Yes, I have a new man in my life. His name is Jack.

I bought him that Boppy. He's the newborn son of my friend and frequent guest blogger Christopher Tillman. Cutest kid ever!

The Tillmans always have fun snacks around, like these Jungle Animal cookies. They're like Circus Animal cookies, but green and shaped like jungle animals!

While there, I sent a few more emails for the short film, then heard about another commercial audition for tomorrow - I'm on a roll!

Ended my night with drinks at The Federal Bar with JulieAnn, a diversity exec at NBC Universal. We caught up on television chatter and gushed about Downton Abbey while enjoying a spread of appetizers --

In addition to being an amazing creative spirit, she's a deal hunter like me. Check out her fashion deals blog Champagne Clothes on a Beer Budget - fabulous!

And so ends another day in my life - is this interesting at all?

Writer's Diet, Day 1 - Manic Monday

I've had a few requests to do more day-in-the-life posts chronicling my creative days as an actor/writer, so I'm diving back into Writer's Diet mode - an experiment in which I blog about everything I do for my career each day, a la my friend Lynn's blog The Actor's Diet.

This week's experiment is dedicated to the memory of Lynn's father who just passed away. To honor him and give a shout out to Lynn, I'm also going to snap pictures of what I'm eating. (Fair warning - I eat a lot of crap because I'm in denial about my metabolism changing as I get older.)

Started my week with an audition (YAY!) for a new TV comedy. Hot as hell in the Valley, but the office was blissfully freezing. Was met by this sign in the waiting room --

Waiting room was full of other Asian-American actresses reading for the same role - clearly they're just going to pick someone - hope it's me!

Headed to Coffee Bean to check email and write until lunch. I'd woken up with an epiphany about a short film script I've been contemplating, so I was eager to get my notes down.

Justified my free WiFi time by buying a Naked Green Machine. I'd made a green smoothie in the morning but left it at home, so this satisfied my sweet craving.

Lunch with a talented friend at The Veggie Grill. Got the Santa Fe Crispy Chickin' sandwich with a side of Mac-n-Cheese --

Amazing! I love The Veggie Grill - apparently so did this employee from The Counter --

Took my leftovers and drove up the 405 to spend the rest of my day at The Writer's Junction.

Ah, my creative home. I swear that without this place, I wouldn't have a single piece of finished writing. Enjoyed some tea in the lobby while doing some brainstorming --

Then snagged one of the writing rooms for the day.

Beat out an outline for that short film idea, finished my Veggie Grill leftovers, then got notice for a commercial callback for tomorrow. Loving this Monday!

Then the great John Lopez called mid-afternoon to ask me to produce his latest short film and I said absolutely. Spent the next few hours in producer-mode, sending emails and creating pre-production schedules and preliminary callsheets. This will definitely make this Writer's Diet week more interesting!

Dinner was a Crunchy Slaw salad from Trader Joe's I'd stashed in the fridge last week --

Yes, I ate the whole thing before remembering to take a picture. More writing and producing until one of the regular night crew came in with sweets --

A banana crisp-type invention - to die for!

Day 1 over - until tomorrow, dear readers!

The Hump Day Update: Video Distraction Overload Edition

My lack of blogging lately is due to two factors. One, I've been focused on developing a TV pitch that's actually going to be heard soon. My days have been a mix of focused bursts of writing and Olympic-level procrastination.

Two, the summer heat wave that hit Los Angeles this past week has inspired more laziness than creativity. The earthquakes have been fun too.

One thing I have been doing is watching plenty of videos. (Sigh, perhaps my next New Year's resolution should be a year-long hiatus from YouTube.) Here's the rundown of my latest obsessions --

My nerdiness has been in high gear thanks to the Mars Curiosity Rover landing. Here's the play by play if you missed the live event --


An MIT friend's husband works on the Curiosity team and the whole family is supporting him by living on Mars Time. Check out the teen son's blog MarsTimr for more on their adventures.

Also obsessed with two music videos - one from Sara Bareilles, directed by Jonah Hill --


And another made by a fierce Asian kid who replicated Beyonce's "Countdown" video SHOT FOR SHOT! Incredible stuff --


And of course, plenty of comedy videos --



Including my favorite "Call Me Maybe" parody video to date --



Yes, I'm a ST:TNGnerd. My favorite part is the Ferengi yelling, "CRAZY!"

And finally, as if we needed it, more proof that Joss Whedon is the coolest creative ever --

John Miyasaki, Theater Man

Acting with the hereandnow theatre company was my favorite theater experience in Los Angeles before my unofficial retirement from the stage. I made lifelong friends while exploring my Asian-American identity and learning all the best foodie spots in LA. (hereandnow actors are all foodies – score!)

hereandnow's artistic director John Miyasaki is still leading the charge, creating memorable theater and traveling the country with the group’s signature pieces. (Fantastic, anyone?)

John’s latest directorial effort is The Brahmin and the Tiger: and other stories of love, loss and courage in between, a co-production between hereandnow and Company of Angels.

In anticipation of seeing the show myself, I interviewed John. Leave it to a true artist to answer my standard Dream Lunch Date question by talking about an immersive experience rather than name drop celebrities...

---

What do you love about directing stage?

There are so many things I love about directing. I love it when [actors] get it. When they’re on stage and you guide them a little and let them discover…and something clicks. That moment of recognition. I love that.

Why should Angelenos see local theater?

They should see theater, especially this show, because it’s rare that we get to tell our own stories as a community. It gives us a voice.

It also gives us a history and a place to try things out - to come together and see the differences as well as the unique commonalities that if we look real hard, we can find.

Favorite theater experience as an audience member?

Bill Irwin and David Shiner did a show years ago called Fool Moon and it was one of the most amazing things I‘ve ever seen. It was a beautiful, beautiful show.

A lot of mime, a lot of music – the Red Clay Ramblers did all the music. And I think that I’ve noticed that a lot of pieces that I do have hints of that style from that show.

I also love Quidam. It's one of my favorite shows ever – mainly because of the imagery between the circus acts. I think it’s the best Cirque du Soleil show since the first one.

Dream lunch date?

To go to The LA Farmer’s Market because I love almost every restaurant there. Just after 2 o’clock and have an early dinner, then hang out and get drinks until the sun goes down and it’s real nice and cool. Basically have my own tapas picking and choosing from all the different restaurants.

Thanks John! THE BRAHMIN & THE TIGER runs until August 26, 2012. Get your tickets here!

How to Be Happy

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Money Monday: Keeping a Spending Diary

"But I hardly ever buy anything for myself!" you wail. "I just don't have enough money!"

But do you really know how much you spend on any given day? Week? Month?

David Bachcalls it your Latte Factor - all the "unnecessary 'little' expenditures that we waste our money on, without realizing how much they add up to."

Admit it - you have a Latte Factor. We all spend more than we probably should.

And in a business where every penny matters (those classes, headshots, & gas tanks cost money!), getting a grip on where your money goes is the first step to reaching your financial goals while accomplishing your career goals.

So start a spending diary. For one week, write down every cent you spend - at Starbucks, at Banana Republic, etc. You may be surprised where your money goes. Making changes for the better will be easy peasy.

(The last time I did this, I was shocked how much I spent on fast food. Bad for my savings account and bad for my health - so long Del Taco!)

What do you spend too much money on?

Getting Ready to Mix

How I get ready for entertainment industry networking events, like last night's CAPE Summer Mixer --

First, the soundtrack - I used to groove to the Waiting to Exhale albumwhen getting ready to be fancy, but these days I just use the time to catch up on podcasts. Last night's groove was the Suze Orman Show on CNBC. (What? I'm a personal finance nerd.)

Then, start with a modicum of fashion sense. Black shirt dress from Goodwill - only $8! Shirt dresses are still in, right?

Add a Ralph Lauren envelope clutch, also from Goodwill - also $8. Envelope clutches are still in, right?

Always remember to pack business cards!

On to the hair and makeup. I'm absolutely obsessed with this Beauty Blender dupe sponge from AVON!

Revolutionary - seriously. It allows for incredibly sheer foundation coverage, creates a clean airbrush finish, and feels amazing on my skin. And unlike the original Beauty Blender which costs $20, this sponge is only $4.99 from AVON!

I love this sponge so much, I want to eat it!

Then the hair. People always think curly hair is fancy, so I've taken to curling my hair whenever possible. Much easier thanks to all those how-to videos on YouTube.

Add a $4 belt from Goodwill, a borrowed pair of shoes, and I'm ready for a night of schmoozing! (I mean, networking!)

Had a great time at the mixer - saw a ton of friends, managed to eat one chicken skewer and a handful of chips, and smiled the night away.

How do you get ready for industry events?