Yep, that's right, I have my social security number! I'm official! This clears the way for me to do a few other things on my to do list, because in the U.S., your 'social' is a key ID and everyone asks for it. Today I also had my first audition. It was for a short film about a young woman going to considerable lengths to bargain with Death in the hope that her deceased fiance will be returned to her. I read for Death, using a British accent. Somehow that seemed appropriate, as Death in this script is all-powerful, impatient and mischievous. And you know, Brits are usually cast as the baddies in American films.
The audition was held at the American Film Institute, which is a beautifully situated school, nestled in the Hollywood hills with lots of trees and a stunning view of the city sprawled out beneath it. For all the concrete ugliness that constitutes a large part of LA, there are occasional glimpses of genuine beauty. Driving along any of the north-south boulevards of the San Fernando valley road network and you see the hills rising up ahead of you; approaching the valley on the 405, at a certain moment you see the valley laid out beneath you, nestled cosily under a shimmering blanket of smog.
The week so far has also included more yoga (still loving it) and another acting workshop (with more general awesomeness from Vinny) and new Dexter. Can't help it, I just love that show and I love that I'm here to see the premiere of the new season. I'm also seeing ads for Where the Wild Things Are, which I'm dead keen to see; both because I love the book and because it was filmed in Melbourne. Yes, while I'm enjoying LA and am busily establishing my new life here, I do miss dear old Melbourne. The weather has been a little cooler here the last couple of days which has revived my desire for coffee. When it's hot, I don't miss it, but when it drops below 80 (fahrenheit) then I feel the caffeine demon whispering in my ear. Or maybe that's just my subjugated personality.
Two more sleeps till real bed!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Coffee snobbery and yoga
It's been a relatively quiet few days for me after the shopping frenzy. On Friday I went to my favourite yoga class at Black Dog in Sherman Oaks. When I was in LA last year I was at Black Dog two or three times a week doing Anusara yoga and loving it. I returned to Melbourne with good intentions of continuing regular yoga practice but after a trying a couple of classes that didn't really rock my world I slipped easily back into the gym routine of step and pump classes with all my gym pals. Now feeling travel-stiff and yoga-less for nearly a year, compounded by sleeping on an inflatable mattress since arriving in LA (did I mention my new, grown-up, proper bed will be delivered this Friday and I CAN'T WAIT?!!), it was great to step back into a familiar class with my favourite instructor. By the end of the class I felt simultaneously fatigued and invigorated; perfect! Today I can feel the work on my body and am planning on checking out an Ashtanga class tomorrow morning.
Sleeping on an inflatable mattress encourages one to rise early, even on a Saturday morning. Which can be a good thing in LA at this time of year when it can reach 30 degrees (or the 80s, fahrenheit) by 10am. I got up and went for a walk in a nearby park. It was lovely, but unfortunately not as shady as I hoped for so after one circuit I'd had enough sun and headed home again. It's a big park with lots of playing fields and this morning it was alive with kids' soccer and baseball matches.
Once home again I then took a stroll along Ventura Boulevard, a busy strip filled with restaurants, cafes and shops of all kinds. Think Chapel St, but twice as wide and three times as long. Halloween is but a month away and there are several large costume shops dedicated to all manner of Halloween paraphernalia; from costumes (usually either elaborate affairs complete with masks and rubber prosthetics, or teeny tiny slutty versions of superheroes and cartoon characters) to home and car decorations. Pumpkins abound and Starbucks has a special coffee for the season: a pumpkin spice latte. Out of curiosity I tried one; it's more like a dessert than a coffee (and I declined the offer of extra cream), very sweet, not unpleasant, but not what I would call coffee either. But then perhaps that's exactly it's appeal. Starbucks seems designed for people who don't actually like the taste of coffee. Of course coffee snobs like me don't actually like the taste of Starbucks.
This afternoon I've been hammering craigslist (kind of an online trading post and therefore the go-to place for everything from shared housing - tick - to second hand furniture, cars and sexual partners). Me, I'm just looking for some basic furniture; a desk and chair, and a floor lamp. Houses in LA (and the rest of America for all I know) very rarely have ceiling lights. It takes some getting used to that there is usually no light switch near the dooor when you enter a room. You must reach for a lamp, or several lamps, and so light comes gently from corners of the room instead of directly overhead. I must say it's quite a flattering lighting arrangement, and cosy, but it can be annoying not to have that one strong light filling the room from above. That said, in this heat it's a blessed relief to hide away in a cool, dimly lit apartment.
I'm listening to INXS. I heard an old INXS song played on the radio the other day - Devil Inside. It was great to hear, I hadn't realised that INXS were that well known in the U.S. So today on my Ventura Blvd meanderings I popped into a second-hand CD/DVD store (wittily called Second Spin) and found myself a copy of INXS' greatest hits. Loving it. I've had another pang of pop cultural patriotism in discovering that Kylie Minogue is playing the Hollywood Bowl next weekend. I'm dying to go! Tickets are still available, I just want to find someone to go with me. I suppose I could go on my own but I'd rather not, it would be so much more fun with company. It seems our little singing budgie is starting to achieve recognition here in the States. Yay Kylie!
Sleeping on an inflatable mattress encourages one to rise early, even on a Saturday morning. Which can be a good thing in LA at this time of year when it can reach 30 degrees (or the 80s, fahrenheit) by 10am. I got up and went for a walk in a nearby park. It was lovely, but unfortunately not as shady as I hoped for so after one circuit I'd had enough sun and headed home again. It's a big park with lots of playing fields and this morning it was alive with kids' soccer and baseball matches.
Once home again I then took a stroll along Ventura Boulevard, a busy strip filled with restaurants, cafes and shops of all kinds. Think Chapel St, but twice as wide and three times as long. Halloween is but a month away and there are several large costume shops dedicated to all manner of Halloween paraphernalia; from costumes (usually either elaborate affairs complete with masks and rubber prosthetics, or teeny tiny slutty versions of superheroes and cartoon characters) to home and car decorations. Pumpkins abound and Starbucks has a special coffee for the season: a pumpkin spice latte. Out of curiosity I tried one; it's more like a dessert than a coffee (and I declined the offer of extra cream), very sweet, not unpleasant, but not what I would call coffee either. But then perhaps that's exactly it's appeal. Starbucks seems designed for people who don't actually like the taste of coffee. Of course coffee snobs like me don't actually like the taste of Starbucks.
This afternoon I've been hammering craigslist (kind of an online trading post and therefore the go-to place for everything from shared housing - tick - to second hand furniture, cars and sexual partners). Me, I'm just looking for some basic furniture; a desk and chair, and a floor lamp. Houses in LA (and the rest of America for all I know) very rarely have ceiling lights. It takes some getting used to that there is usually no light switch near the dooor when you enter a room. You must reach for a lamp, or several lamps, and so light comes gently from corners of the room instead of directly overhead. I must say it's quite a flattering lighting arrangement, and cosy, but it can be annoying not to have that one strong light filling the room from above. That said, in this heat it's a blessed relief to hide away in a cool, dimly lit apartment.
I'm listening to INXS. I heard an old INXS song played on the radio the other day - Devil Inside. It was great to hear, I hadn't realised that INXS were that well known in the U.S. So today on my Ventura Blvd meanderings I popped into a second-hand CD/DVD store (wittily called Second Spin) and found myself a copy of INXS' greatest hits. Loving it. I've had another pang of pop cultural patriotism in discovering that Kylie Minogue is playing the Hollywood Bowl next weekend. I'm dying to go! Tickets are still available, I just want to find someone to go with me. I suppose I could go on my own but I'd rather not, it would be so much more fun with company. It seems our little singing budgie is starting to achieve recognition here in the States. Yay Kylie!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Shopping!
The credit card has had a workout these last couple of days. First up was renting a car. Sadly, it's essential to have wheels in LA; you can get around without one, but the distances to travel and the heat this time of year make it sweaty, uncomfortable work. And right now I'm having to do quite a bit of running around setting myself up. Upon collecting my rental car around noon on Tuesday, I went to the bank to set up an account. All smooth sailing there, they're very happy to have my money and won't charge account fees.
I headed back out to my car in the parking lot behind the bank, noting the royal blue jaguar parked nearby. I guess the day was just going too smoothly so as I cautiously backed out of my carpark, I bumped into something. Shite! I thought I'd checked all my mirrors, but I guess I didn't double-check the rear view. The jaguar. You see, the last time I checked, it was sitting quietly in its parking spot. But while I was checking left and right for oncoming traffic, the jag slid out of its spot and into my blind one. Aargh! I haven't had a bingle like this for years. So stupid. Thank goodness I opted for the comprehensive insurance coverage at the rental place. I sheepishly drove back and returned the car, filled in the accident report, handed over the jaguar's details (driver: an elderly man, very upright posture), and was furnished with a replacement car. All very easy actually. Welcome to LA! I went home and busied myself with the less risky activity of unpacking my suitcases and hanging my clothes on new coathangers.
In the evening, I attended the first of a series of 8 acting workshops I've signed up for with one of my favourite instructors. Vinny is an actor and brimful of energy and passion for actors and the art of acting. He calls his workshops The Sport of Acting, because acting is a physical activity and the best actors train and practice their craft as hard as elite athletes. It's a practical, energetic philosophy. Anyway, it was great to get stuck into it, this is what I'm here for and I feel like I belong.
With extreme caution I ventured out again this morning. I MUST get a bed! A real bed, not a cheapie futon. This is an investment in my adulthood and my health. I've never bought a proper bed before, I can't believe how long I've slept on futons, and over much of this past 12 months, on a sofa bed. Oh, the luxury of a real bed; a glorious, cushiony, well-supported mattress. Bliss! I arrived shortly after the place opened so I was the only customer. Like Goldilocks, I skipped from bed to bed, trying out different degrees of firmness until I found the one that was just right. Delivery next week, can't wait.
The next item on my list, and somewhat more modest, was a printer/scanner. This is simply essential to have, so that I can print out scripts etc. I got a good deal on a wireless printer that was on sale, and then because I got the last one and the box was a bit damaged I scored an extra 12% off. It's like magic being able to print from my laptop without being physically attached to the printer. I guess the novelty will wear off, but right now I can't control the little gasp of delight I emit when the printer kicks in.
Speaking of gasps of delight, I keep seeing ads for the new season of Dexter which is due to start screening here on Sunday. Woo hoo! It doubles up with Californication. Double woo hoo!
I headed back out to my car in the parking lot behind the bank, noting the royal blue jaguar parked nearby. I guess the day was just going too smoothly so as I cautiously backed out of my carpark, I bumped into something. Shite! I thought I'd checked all my mirrors, but I guess I didn't double-check the rear view. The jaguar. You see, the last time I checked, it was sitting quietly in its parking spot. But while I was checking left and right for oncoming traffic, the jag slid out of its spot and into my blind one. Aargh! I haven't had a bingle like this for years. So stupid. Thank goodness I opted for the comprehensive insurance coverage at the rental place. I sheepishly drove back and returned the car, filled in the accident report, handed over the jaguar's details (driver: an elderly man, very upright posture), and was furnished with a replacement car. All very easy actually. Welcome to LA! I went home and busied myself with the less risky activity of unpacking my suitcases and hanging my clothes on new coathangers.
In the evening, I attended the first of a series of 8 acting workshops I've signed up for with one of my favourite instructors. Vinny is an actor and brimful of energy and passion for actors and the art of acting. He calls his workshops The Sport of Acting, because acting is a physical activity and the best actors train and practice their craft as hard as elite athletes. It's a practical, energetic philosophy. Anyway, it was great to get stuck into it, this is what I'm here for and I feel like I belong.
With extreme caution I ventured out again this morning. I MUST get a bed! A real bed, not a cheapie futon. This is an investment in my adulthood and my health. I've never bought a proper bed before, I can't believe how long I've slept on futons, and over much of this past 12 months, on a sofa bed. Oh, the luxury of a real bed; a glorious, cushiony, well-supported mattress. Bliss! I arrived shortly after the place opened so I was the only customer. Like Goldilocks, I skipped from bed to bed, trying out different degrees of firmness until I found the one that was just right. Delivery next week, can't wait.
The next item on my list, and somewhat more modest, was a printer/scanner. This is simply essential to have, so that I can print out scripts etc. I got a good deal on a wireless printer that was on sale, and then because I got the last one and the box was a bit damaged I scored an extra 12% off. It's like magic being able to print from my laptop without being physically attached to the printer. I guess the novelty will wear off, but right now I can't control the little gasp of delight I emit when the printer kicks in.
Speaking of gasps of delight, I keep seeing ads for the new season of Dexter which is due to start screening here on Sunday. Woo hoo! It doubles up with Californication. Double woo hoo!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Home at last
Monday morning first priority: the social security office! On good advice, I took myself to the nearest office first thing in the morning to avoid the notorious queues. Mindy said to me, "You might want to take some reading material." I didn't need it. Straight in, security checked with the magic wand, got my number and called immediately to the counter. A simple form to fill out, and 5 minutes later I was out of there. What a breeze! Within two weeks I should have my number and be ready to work.
It was a beautiful day in Santa Monica, so I sought out a nice spot for lunch; somewhere shaded but out in the open air. It was then I discovered I had lost my debit card. I knew instantly where I'd left it; in the atm machine I used yesterday. I'd taken out a large amount of cash to pay my rent, and had been so concerned with gathering it safely away and scurrying back to the car that I left the card in the machine! All atms should be designed not to deliver the cash until the card has been removed. So suddenly my leisurely afternoon was filled with the urgency of getting online to contact my bank and cancel the card. What a nuisance. At least I have my credit card so I should be fine, but grrr! so cross with myself. At least I knew where I'd left it, and it's unlikely anyone else got their hands on it. Fine then.
The fun part of the day, the moment I've been waiting for, was moving into my new home in Sherman Oaks. This is a really nice part of the much-maligned Valley (oh, those coastal snobs!) and I have a good feeling about the apartment and my new roommate, Emily. We can talk up a storm! After two years of travelling back and forth between LA and Melbourne, not really settled, not really having my own space, it feels great to unpack my suitcases and allow my mind to consider making a home here.
It was a beautiful day in Santa Monica, so I sought out a nice spot for lunch; somewhere shaded but out in the open air. It was then I discovered I had lost my debit card. I knew instantly where I'd left it; in the atm machine I used yesterday. I'd taken out a large amount of cash to pay my rent, and had been so concerned with gathering it safely away and scurrying back to the car that I left the card in the machine! All atms should be designed not to deliver the cash until the card has been removed. So suddenly my leisurely afternoon was filled with the urgency of getting online to contact my bank and cancel the card. What a nuisance. At least I have my credit card so I should be fine, but grrr! so cross with myself. At least I knew where I'd left it, and it's unlikely anyone else got their hands on it. Fine then.
The fun part of the day, the moment I've been waiting for, was moving into my new home in Sherman Oaks. This is a really nice part of the much-maligned Valley (oh, those coastal snobs!) and I have a good feeling about the apartment and my new roommate, Emily. We can talk up a storm! After two years of travelling back and forth between LA and Melbourne, not really settled, not really having my own space, it feels great to unpack my suitcases and allow my mind to consider making a home here.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
L.A. landing
This is serious Mum. After a couple of trips to Los Angeles over the last two years I have been lucky enough to acquire a green card (in the lottery - yes the lottery, it's not an urban myth) and on September 17, 2009 I arrived at LAX and was welcomed as a new resident of the United States. Wow. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity, which will allow me to pursue my acting career. Oh no, another actor in L.A! Worse, another Aussie actor in L.A. I know it won't be easy, but I'm ready for the adventure, come what may.
So here's the first official entry of my first official blog. Facebook be damned, it's too slow and clunky to use as a surrogate blog. My dear friends and family back home in Australia, I hope you enjoy the read. I'm missing you already, but so very excited about what's ahead of me and I'm happy to be here in the city of angels.
Has it only been three days? I landed on Thursday morning at the dreaded LAX, widely regarded as one of the most hideous airports in the world. Constantly under construction, it's very busy and host to numerous airlines. One walks through institution-grey corridors, along newly renovated walkways with blue carpet, travelators and curious wall murals that change colour, to the intimidating bank of about 40 customs counters and finally through to old brown linoleum baggage collection halls and arrival gates.
Some kind of mix up meant that Mindy and I missed each other at the airport so I had to catch a shuttle bus to Santa Monica. The young man ushering the shuttle buses and helping with the luggage pronounced me a beautiful sight. American men just say things like that, and seem to mean it (although perhaps this one was hoping for a tip). After a 14 hour flight it was a surprising but welcome thing to hear. Finally arriving at Mindy's apartment I gratefully slept for a couple of hours before forcing myself up and out into the world, hoping to beat jetlag. It didn't really work, but I did get on the internet to start looking for share accommodation. Emailed about half a dozen prospects, and had heard back from most of them by the evening. Lined up two appointments Friday afternoon; both asked me how long I'd been in town, and were equally surprised by my answer; "oh, about 36 hours."
The first place was a winner. Great location, great apartment (2BR, 2 bathroom), great roommate. Loved it. The second place was a beautiful house with a large split-level backyard, swimming pool and jacuzzi. It's home to a family who rent out the bedroom of their eldest son who no longer lives there. Obviously. Would be kinda weird otherwise. And cramped. They were lovely but I think it would have felt like I was moving in with my parents, so despite the luxuries afforded there, and the very reasonable rent, I had to say no. I looked at another place on Saturday morning, in Hollywood. Sounds like the dream, huh? Turns out Hollywood as a suburb is pretty sketchy, and I didn't feel completely comfortable there. The room for rent turned out to be in a converted garage behind the landlord's house. The other occupant of the garage had only been there two weeks. He seemed like a nice enough guy but I knew instantly that this was not a place I could call home. It was a place for teenage boys to pretend they're in a rock band. Shudder, no thanks.
I contacted the first place and happily was accepted, so I move in on Monday. YES!
So here's the first official entry of my first official blog. Facebook be damned, it's too slow and clunky to use as a surrogate blog. My dear friends and family back home in Australia, I hope you enjoy the read. I'm missing you already, but so very excited about what's ahead of me and I'm happy to be here in the city of angels.
Has it only been three days? I landed on Thursday morning at the dreaded LAX, widely regarded as one of the most hideous airports in the world. Constantly under construction, it's very busy and host to numerous airlines. One walks through institution-grey corridors, along newly renovated walkways with blue carpet, travelators and curious wall murals that change colour, to the intimidating bank of about 40 customs counters and finally through to old brown linoleum baggage collection halls and arrival gates.
Some kind of mix up meant that Mindy and I missed each other at the airport so I had to catch a shuttle bus to Santa Monica. The young man ushering the shuttle buses and helping with the luggage pronounced me a beautiful sight. American men just say things like that, and seem to mean it (although perhaps this one was hoping for a tip). After a 14 hour flight it was a surprising but welcome thing to hear. Finally arriving at Mindy's apartment I gratefully slept for a couple of hours before forcing myself up and out into the world, hoping to beat jetlag. It didn't really work, but I did get on the internet to start looking for share accommodation. Emailed about half a dozen prospects, and had heard back from most of them by the evening. Lined up two appointments Friday afternoon; both asked me how long I'd been in town, and were equally surprised by my answer; "oh, about 36 hours."
The first place was a winner. Great location, great apartment (2BR, 2 bathroom), great roommate. Loved it. The second place was a beautiful house with a large split-level backyard, swimming pool and jacuzzi. It's home to a family who rent out the bedroom of their eldest son who no longer lives there. Obviously. Would be kinda weird otherwise. And cramped. They were lovely but I think it would have felt like I was moving in with my parents, so despite the luxuries afforded there, and the very reasonable rent, I had to say no. I looked at another place on Saturday morning, in Hollywood. Sounds like the dream, huh? Turns out Hollywood as a suburb is pretty sketchy, and I didn't feel completely comfortable there. The room for rent turned out to be in a converted garage behind the landlord's house. The other occupant of the garage had only been there two weeks. He seemed like a nice enough guy but I knew instantly that this was not a place I could call home. It was a place for teenage boys to pretend they're in a rock band. Shudder, no thanks.
I contacted the first place and happily was accepted, so I move in on Monday. YES!
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