I'm sitting here in my apartment watching ALCS game 3 between the TX Rangers and NY Yankees and with each pitch I feel like I miss NY even more.
One thing that comforts me is that there is a train that runs a few miles away. At times I can hear the horn and it is very reminiscent of the sound of the LIRR running behind my backyard.
On a brighter note; I started classes at the Beverly Hills Playhouse this past week. I've lined up the first 3 scenes I'll be working on and can't wait to really get into it. It also helps that my first scene is from Mean Streets. I'll be playing Johnny Boy, DeNiro's character. I can't wait to unleash the NY nuance all over that class, and I welcome any critique from my teacher. Even if he wants me to change everything about my performance, that'll only give me more to do and to work on. The great thing about this class I'm involved with is that the environment is a very supportive one and the people in the class with me seem very talented and I look forward to working with everyone.
I noticed something in my neighborhood the other day that made me laugh to myself; A woman was calling to her dog and commanding it...in spanish. This led me to wonder if dogs are multi-lingual animals. Do they adapt to their surroundings in respect to the language or dialect they are raised in? Or do they just get fed up with being yelled at, no matter what language, and say to themselves, "I can't take this person's jawing anymore. I better just go inside and keep quiet." Maybe I'll conduct a little verbal experiment on my landlords' chihuahua, Panchito. Results to follow...
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
My Death Star is not yet fully opperational...
...I moved in yesterday and I've been heading back and forth to Target trying to furnish it little by little. There's only so much that one person can fit in a cart in one trip, especially when some of those things are dressers and hampers and appliances and such.
Also my landlord says we'll be getting internet in another week or so. With that said I'm currently writing this from a Startbucks and putting up with the homeless loony sitting across from me and talking at me. We all know I'm a polite guy but there's only so many times I can smile, nod and say "Yeah, I know right?" Sharing a table with him was the only option when I needed to find an outlet so that my computer will run with it's crap battery life.
But that's just one more thing for me to do; stop into the apple store and see if I can rectify that problem.
Well, I'm about to exit this quaint corporate coffee establishment and say for one last time, "Yeah I know right?"
Also my landlord says we'll be getting internet in another week or so. With that said I'm currently writing this from a Startbucks and putting up with the homeless loony sitting across from me and talking at me. We all know I'm a polite guy but there's only so many times I can smile, nod and say "Yeah, I know right?" Sharing a table with him was the only option when I needed to find an outlet so that my computer will run with it's crap battery life.
But that's just one more thing for me to do; stop into the apple store and see if I can rectify that problem.
Well, I'm about to exit this quaint corporate coffee establishment and say for one last time, "Yeah I know right?"
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Random Musings (here's where the title starts to make a little more sense)
It doesn't really feel like I've moved out of home yet, maybe because I still have my set of house keys on my keychain.
On a side note, my temporary roomie Ashley informed me that this was goin' on last night...
...Full moon with Jupiter directly under it.
On a side note, my temporary roomie Ashley informed me that this was goin' on last night...
...Full moon with Jupiter directly under it.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Biggest Baby Step I've Ever Taken
Ever since I've been living at home after college in Glen Head, Long Island (or as it has lovingly come to be known as Glen Dead) I have been comfortable in knowing that my life would be a very simple series of baby steps leading up to something greater. For the past two years it seems as if that was exactly the case, and now I've taken a running leap off the staircase. Thankfully, instead of landing on my face and chipping a tooth or worse, I've landed in Los Angeles and am about to sign a lease for an apartment in North Hollywood.
Almost as soon as the ball dropped and the calendar turned from December 31, 2009 to January 1, 2010 a strange new feeling came over me. It was a feeling that made me smile, something new and rare as far as waves of unexpected emotion go. Over the following days in early January I found that this feeling was not just limited to myself. Close friends of mine were also feeling this seemingly inexplicable emotion and through some conversation it came out that the feeling was more a sense of something big on the horizon, and in the past 9 months it became even more evident that this is exactly what was happening.
Whether it was new jobs, promotions, moving out, starting college or just the most basic life changes (i.e. cutting your hair for the first time in 3 years), more and more of my friends seem to be experiencing these new positive changes in their lives and I could not be happier for all of them, no matter in what form they manifest themselves. This also started to bring me to the realization that as I was preparing to move from NY to LA I was very busy and didn't get a chance to see all of my friends before I left. I'm not a fan of goodbyes and I didn't make the last time I saw my friends about that. Because in reality I'm only a phone call away from those that I care about, plus it will only be a few months before I see the Atlantic again. And when I really started to think about the people that I wasn't able to hang out with, it only made me realize even more how blessed my life on Long Island has been.
It was probably somewhere in Pennsylvania that I almost brought myself to tears while driving and thinking about these people and how much a part of my life they all are. And for that there is no goodbye fitting enough. To actually say goodbye would be to dismiss something that is so deeply embedded in my being and whom I have grown to be. It would be the biggest lie ever to try to convince myself of. Instead of goodbyes I tried to make the last time I saw these people about all the good times we've shared and will always carry with me. If I didn't say it then, I would like to say now (without being too cliche); thank you, all, for the good times and the bad, the sweet and the sour, if you will.
I was especially thinking of you all while staring out across this...
Almost as soon as the ball dropped and the calendar turned from December 31, 2009 to January 1, 2010 a strange new feeling came over me. It was a feeling that made me smile, something new and rare as far as waves of unexpected emotion go. Over the following days in early January I found that this feeling was not just limited to myself. Close friends of mine were also feeling this seemingly inexplicable emotion and through some conversation it came out that the feeling was more a sense of something big on the horizon, and in the past 9 months it became even more evident that this is exactly what was happening.
Whether it was new jobs, promotions, moving out, starting college or just the most basic life changes (i.e. cutting your hair for the first time in 3 years), more and more of my friends seem to be experiencing these new positive changes in their lives and I could not be happier for all of them, no matter in what form they manifest themselves. This also started to bring me to the realization that as I was preparing to move from NY to LA I was very busy and didn't get a chance to see all of my friends before I left. I'm not a fan of goodbyes and I didn't make the last time I saw my friends about that. Because in reality I'm only a phone call away from those that I care about, plus it will only be a few months before I see the Atlantic again. And when I really started to think about the people that I wasn't able to hang out with, it only made me realize even more how blessed my life on Long Island has been.
It was probably somewhere in Pennsylvania that I almost brought myself to tears while driving and thinking about these people and how much a part of my life they all are. And for that there is no goodbye fitting enough. To actually say goodbye would be to dismiss something that is so deeply embedded in my being and whom I have grown to be. It would be the biggest lie ever to try to convince myself of. Instead of goodbyes I tried to make the last time I saw these people about all the good times we've shared and will always carry with me. If I didn't say it then, I would like to say now (without being too cliche); thank you, all, for the good times and the bad, the sweet and the sour, if you will.
I was especially thinking of you all while staring out across this...
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Photos from the road.
Here's the link to my photo album of the cross-country road trip, just in case anybody doesn't have facebook and would like to see what I got to...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37967&id=100000206409721&l=3a7c672506
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37967&id=100000206409721&l=3a7c672506
Thursday, September 16, 2010
My Road Trip In a Nutshell...but not literally.
As the name of my blog suggests, I like to think I'm a clever guy. I'll probably wind up changing it when I think of something better.
At this moment I'm starting my wake-up routine, which consists of sitting up in bed and meandering around the internet until I've hit all my daily info sites or until I've seen enough useless information, whichever comes first.
Since this is the first post since I've left home I should give a breakdown of my drive;
Day 1- Thursday morning I left LI at around 7am on less than an hour of sleep. I had been up the night before putting all my cd's and dvd's into the travel cases. I also just tend not to sleep well the night before big events. I think the last time I barely slept before an event was in San Diego, with the family, the night before going to Disneyland. What can I say, I was too excited to sleep. I think I also tried to chalk it up to an uncomfortable sleeping arrangement. Anyway, that first day I drove about 600 miles taking frequent stops for gas, food, bathroom breaks and just to stretch and make sure I was awake. I drove out of NY, slipped past Jersey and through one of the longest states to drive though, Pennsylvania. I made it to Delaware, Ohio between 9 and 10pm, where I crashed at a friend's dorm. Thanks again Michele!
Day 2- On the way out of Ohio I stopped at an Amish style restaurant called Der Dutchman. They had great clam chowder, and their grilled cheese with ham was way more than just a grilled cheese with ham. It was around these parts that I really started to see the appeal of living in middle-America. After leaving Ohio I drove through Indiana, Illinois and made it to St. Louis, MO.
Day 3- After walking around an overcast and slightly rainy St. Louis taking pictures of the arch and the Mississippi, I headed out of town and made it to Oklahoma City, OK. This area of the country is not nearly as populated and everything is very spread out.
Day 4- This was a light travel day to Amarillo, TX. This city is how I would imagine Long Island minus all the small family owned businesses with about twice as many gas stations and restaurants thrown in. The main part of the city sits on about 5 miles of interstate 40 and is a rather lively area. Somewhere between Amarillo and Albuquerque I started to see mountains in the distance. This was comforting.
Day 5- I booked it out of Texas (which was better than I thought it would be) and through New Mexico to get to Flagstaff, AZ. Flagstaff was also a pretty cool place, not in temperature, but in essence. While in the motel I began to plan out my last few days on the road. Once I realized what the next 2 days held in store I threw my arms in the air as some sort of sign of victory...nobody would have known had I not just said so.
Day 6- *This is the point that I started writing this entry* On this day I took my time with everything. This was the beginning of the last 2 days on the road and I would be driving less than 300 miles each day. I veered north off the planned route to visit a little place many call The Grand Canyon. If I tried to describe it I wouldn't do it justice. All I can say is that you must must must MUST see it in your lifetime if you haven't already. It's the most indescribable, jaw dropping, kick you in the face, dumbstruck awe I have EVER experienced...even more so than when the Red Sox won the World Series...twice...in four years.
After dragging myself away from one of the greatest sights in the world I made my way south back to interstate 40 and after about 120 miles I then headed north again. After crossing the Hoover Dam I stumbled onto a quaint little town called Las Vegas. I know what you're thinking...what happens there stays there, Siegfried and Roy, wolfpacks, wild times with Wayne Newton and Cousin Eddie. But no. Alas, Vegas can be just as boring as Martinsville, Illinois when you go by yourself on a Tuesday night. When I arrived at the LV Hilton around 9pm I needed to shower before doing anything else. Once I cleaned myself off I got a drink at a bar on the casino floor and watched some SportsCenter highlights. By then all of the restaurants were closed so I got another drink or two and took a walk to find something to eat. Once again I had to settle for a sub-par sub at Subway.
Day 7- The last day on the road to LA was finally upon me. After having lunch with a friend I hadn't seen since high school I left the electric oasis to drive through the Mojave desert. By the way, thanks Jarrod for showing me Capriano's. The sandwiches there were probably 100 times better than even the best Subway sandwich.
The Mojave lived up to it's reputation by throwing 100 degree heat down on it's residents and travelers. However, the view and drive through the mountains made up for it.
I soon made it to Barstow, CA where I squeegeed off my windshield for about the 50th time this week and finished the Capriano's "Thanksgiving sangwich." Yes, you heard me. It's a sub consisting of turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing. They call it a "Bobbie," and a small is 9 inches.
About an hour or two after leaving Barstow I finally arrived in LA and pulled into what is possibly my favorite spot on the Pacific, Santa Monica Beach. While there I indulged in what was probably one of the only real meals I had the whole trip at Bubba Gump on the pier. I thoroughly enjoyed the salmon and veggie skillet and then headed back inland to Studio City, which is where I am now finishing this post a day later.
Thirteen states, 3000 miles and seven days later. Here I am.
At this moment I'm starting my wake-up routine, which consists of sitting up in bed and meandering around the internet until I've hit all my daily info sites or until I've seen enough useless information, whichever comes first.
Since this is the first post since I've left home I should give a breakdown of my drive;
Day 1- Thursday morning I left LI at around 7am on less than an hour of sleep. I had been up the night before putting all my cd's and dvd's into the travel cases. I also just tend not to sleep well the night before big events. I think the last time I barely slept before an event was in San Diego, with the family, the night before going to Disneyland. What can I say, I was too excited to sleep. I think I also tried to chalk it up to an uncomfortable sleeping arrangement. Anyway, that first day I drove about 600 miles taking frequent stops for gas, food, bathroom breaks and just to stretch and make sure I was awake. I drove out of NY, slipped past Jersey and through one of the longest states to drive though, Pennsylvania. I made it to Delaware, Ohio between 9 and 10pm, where I crashed at a friend's dorm. Thanks again Michele!
Day 2- On the way out of Ohio I stopped at an Amish style restaurant called Der Dutchman. They had great clam chowder, and their grilled cheese with ham was way more than just a grilled cheese with ham. It was around these parts that I really started to see the appeal of living in middle-America. After leaving Ohio I drove through Indiana, Illinois and made it to St. Louis, MO.
Day 3- After walking around an overcast and slightly rainy St. Louis taking pictures of the arch and the Mississippi, I headed out of town and made it to Oklahoma City, OK. This area of the country is not nearly as populated and everything is very spread out.
Day 4- This was a light travel day to Amarillo, TX. This city is how I would imagine Long Island minus all the small family owned businesses with about twice as many gas stations and restaurants thrown in. The main part of the city sits on about 5 miles of interstate 40 and is a rather lively area. Somewhere between Amarillo and Albuquerque I started to see mountains in the distance. This was comforting.
Day 5- I booked it out of Texas (which was better than I thought it would be) and through New Mexico to get to Flagstaff, AZ. Flagstaff was also a pretty cool place, not in temperature, but in essence. While in the motel I began to plan out my last few days on the road. Once I realized what the next 2 days held in store I threw my arms in the air as some sort of sign of victory...nobody would have known had I not just said so.
Day 6- *This is the point that I started writing this entry* On this day I took my time with everything. This was the beginning of the last 2 days on the road and I would be driving less than 300 miles each day. I veered north off the planned route to visit a little place many call The Grand Canyon. If I tried to describe it I wouldn't do it justice. All I can say is that you must must must MUST see it in your lifetime if you haven't already. It's the most indescribable, jaw dropping, kick you in the face, dumbstruck awe I have EVER experienced...even more so than when the Red Sox won the World Series...twice...in four years.
After dragging myself away from one of the greatest sights in the world I made my way south back to interstate 40 and after about 120 miles I then headed north again. After crossing the Hoover Dam I stumbled onto a quaint little town called Las Vegas. I know what you're thinking...what happens there stays there, Siegfried and Roy, wolfpacks, wild times with Wayne Newton and Cousin Eddie. But no. Alas, Vegas can be just as boring as Martinsville, Illinois when you go by yourself on a Tuesday night. When I arrived at the LV Hilton around 9pm I needed to shower before doing anything else. Once I cleaned myself off I got a drink at a bar on the casino floor and watched some SportsCenter highlights. By then all of the restaurants were closed so I got another drink or two and took a walk to find something to eat. Once again I had to settle for a sub-par sub at Subway.
Day 7- The last day on the road to LA was finally upon me. After having lunch with a friend I hadn't seen since high school I left the electric oasis to drive through the Mojave desert. By the way, thanks Jarrod for showing me Capriano's. The sandwiches there were probably 100 times better than even the best Subway sandwich.
The Mojave lived up to it's reputation by throwing 100 degree heat down on it's residents and travelers. However, the view and drive through the mountains made up for it.
I soon made it to Barstow, CA where I squeegeed off my windshield for about the 50th time this week and finished the Capriano's "Thanksgiving sangwich." Yes, you heard me. It's a sub consisting of turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing. They call it a "Bobbie," and a small is 9 inches.
About an hour or two after leaving Barstow I finally arrived in LA and pulled into what is possibly my favorite spot on the Pacific, Santa Monica Beach. While there I indulged in what was probably one of the only real meals I had the whole trip at Bubba Gump on the pier. I thoroughly enjoyed the salmon and veggie skillet and then headed back inland to Studio City, which is where I am now finishing this post a day later.
Thirteen states, 3000 miles and seven days later. Here I am.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Let's light this candle!
Welcome to this blog I've created!
In 2 days I will be traveling from my home on Long Island, NY to Los Angeles, CA. I will be setting up residence there while I pursue my career in the acting business. This blog's purpose is to keep friends and family apprised of my activities. Not every post will be in the form of an "update." This will also just be a sort of scrapbook of my own, in which I may post links that I find amusing, or I may just share a random thought I had that day.
Once I hit the road I'm sure I will have plenty to blog about, but the posts may not be daily. Either way I'm sure I'll have a lot to share once I finish the trip and am able to compile everything better.
Stay tuned...even I don't know what to expect.
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