I’m going to try to describe how amazing tonight was. Ok….So I was invited to see Whip It with Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Daniel Stern, Eve, Juliette Lewis and many more great actors. It just so happened that my friends Paul and Monica (who move here right before us from NC) happened to be attending as well. Our group sat together through this electric and fun story about a girl who leaves the pageant world behind to join a roller derby all the while being underage.

Anyways it was hilarious and just plain great. I was just completely and utterly impressed. Now the great thing about this screening was that….I was laughing the whole time so when the credits ran I was already pretty happy with everything--but then they brought out the chairs for several of the cast including Juliette Lewis, Eve, Daniel Stern, Shauna Cross (the writer of the book and the screenplay) and several other main characters to the film. Each person spoke about their part in the film and took questions from the audience. Then all of the actors took photos, signed autographs and just met with fans. I even got a picture with Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers, Old School, Basketball Diaries).

In the lobby there were hors d'oeuvres and beverages and the actors stuck around to talk and socialize….it was just wow….really cool. Everyone spoke pretty candidly about how sweet and great Drew was to work with. They spoke about how great of a director she was, especially for her first time. You could tell by watching the film too…that she really put all of herself into it.

Anyhow folks…If you’re in LA and you don’t belong to film independent….you need to join. I wasn’t a member, but after tonight I’m joining. It’s under a $100 for the year and you get several free screenings a month. I can’t say enough how amazing this experience was for me as an actor but anyone can benefit from it!

That’s just another night in LA. They only way this night could have been better is if Asia could have been with me. Hopefully next time!

Let me tell you. I have been getting my hustle on. I have been working my day job 40+ hrs a week, taking a 2 year Meisner course which meets once a week for 3.5 hours (plus 2--1 hour class rehearsals), rehearsing for a showcase that I’m doing in October (with a great scene partner), and I’ve been upping my auditions. I was also in the Groundlings Level 1 course which I passed on to the next level yesterday. Unfortunately, they don’t offer a class this time around that fits in my schedule so I’ll have to wait a little while to do my second class.

Let me say this though…Improv is just amazing. I think learning improv can help everyone, not just actors, but especially actors. I can totally feel it at my auditions….Just the positive energy…Improv frees you in your daily activities… Like say for instance if you’ve planned to go to the beach and it rains (for you non Southern Californians because of course it doesn’t rain here), you could always just go with it and still have a good time. Or you could just be bummed that your vacation was ruined…I’m just saying….I would pick option A and enjoy myself regardless.

Anyhow…So I totally miss my family. I talk to them every other day probably and they are just so great and positive. When I first told them I had planned to move out west to continue pursuing a career in acting, they seemed to think it was just something I needed to get out of my system. Now they have a much better idea of where I’m at in this pursuit and my dad even mentions to me that I should buy a house and quit wasting money on rent. If I ever have enough money I’m going to move them out here….if they would have it, because I know they would love LA minus the traffic.

Also, I really miss my friends. Last night I got a drunken call from two of my best friends Phil and AJ (oh and Lindsey too). It was great just hearing from them. It is great having friends that no matter how long its been since you talked you can always pick right back up where you left off. It’s freaking wonderful. And Phil even asked me to be a groomsman in his bachelor party…er… I mean wedding (sorry Lindsey). Phil asked me mentioning that he was buying all of his groomsman a shot of alcohol and that I needed to walk to a bar so he could order me a shot. He called it while I jogged to the tavern and we all took a drink together. Want proof…That’s me there in the middle.

So anyways, life is great--very busy but great. Oh and did I mention I’m getting married in April…Elvis style? Say whaaaaaaat?! Yeah. Asia is a huge Elvis fan so it has been her dream to be married by him. OK, not really but we are getting married in Vegas and if I can have my way…cheesy Elvis style. It’s a bit easier and cheaper and we love each other…I don’t know how many people plan a cheesy vegas wedding sober, but we are so what up?! I love that woman more than anything and I wouldn’t’ be here following a dream without her.

PS: Josh is a Shakespearian actor that eats cereal for every meal.

This is my first blog since getting to LA and my first blog ever on this site. So what can I say... Thanks for coming to my site and thanks for your curiousity. I plan to keep you all updated on my life here in LA. My auditions, projects, improv, classes you name it. If I'm having a fat day...you'll know. Maybe I've got some goals and I want you to hold me accountable. Maybe I need someone to babysit. I don't have any kids...but I do have two dogs. You in?

To date I'm have been in 3 classes since being in LA (and I'm currently in all three now. I'm taking an on camera auditioning class with Mark Sikes, Improv (basic) at the groundlings, and an on camera commercial class with Judy Kain and Francine Selkirk-Ackerman. So far I'm loving them all. I'm also really learning how amazing improv can be for an actor at any level. My audition skills are just getting better and better since I started at the groundlings. That place has changed me. Anyhow. I'll leave the seriousness alone for this first blog. I'm going for a jog up at Runyan Canyon. Asia and I are getting a better digital camera so when that comes in I'll throw a bunch of pics of the city up here. I've included a fun cartoon my boy Josh drew of Asia (my fiancé), myself, and himself (Josh - aka one of my best friends) playing rockband. More about Josh later as well.