Back to the City

So my trip to Missouri is over-- and frankly, I miss being there! I never really realize how great it is to be out of LA until I get away and have to come back. Don't get me wrong, I am choosing to live here and I am SO blessed to still be in this city. However, it was so great to be around a family, in a small city, on a ranch. His town has about 1,700 people in it -- and it felt like everywhere we went he knew someone. We went into town to eat and we parked, rolled down the window and left the key IN THE IGNITION. No problem. LOVE that.

On Friday-Saturday we were at the Roots and Blues festival in Columbia. Around 20,000 people came through to eat barbeque, shop and listen to music. His dad owns a beef company and they were selling BBQ at the festival. I got to join in and help with Grant, his parents and his 3 brothers::

It was fast-paced and hectic, but I had so much fun. I got to know everyone really quickly.

Sunday-Monday we just rode horses, drove around town, hiked, and enjoyed his ranch. At one point I was driving a Four-Wheeler through a freshly harvested corn field--yea, Dad, be jealous.





It was an AMAZING trip. This place is GORGEOUS and I hope I can go back soon.

Next stop is TEXAS in 6 weeks!!! I am soooo excited about this, I miss my family so much.

Grant will be joining me for a portion of my trip so now its his turn to be the newbie :)

I am so glad everyone will get to meet him.

Now it's back to reality in L.A. and it is not so sweet. For now, I am grateful to have a job, and a great community here. Being away makes me realize that no matter what I am doing in this city, it is always beneficial to get out for a while!

Missouri I hardly know you..

So, due to recently developing events in my life--I will be taking a trip to Missouri tomorrow and returning to L.A. early next week.

I have never been to Missouri and I am SO excited to be getting out of L.A. to spend a little time in the fresh air. It's been 4 months since I have left so it is looong overdue. For example, I was in Hollywood yesterday, walking to my friends house and::

#1 - I was approached by a man asking me directions to the Church of Scientology..ummm nope.

#2- Had to dodge a guy on the street using a bush as a urinal. Sick.

#3- As I was driving away, a random guy ran up to my car and kissed my driver's side window. Thanks, but no thanks.

All this to say, for those of you who think Hollywood itself is glamorous and awesome-- hate to bust that bubble, but it just isn't.

SO- The reason I am heading to Missouri??

The date that I mentioned in a previous post, Grant, is from there and he has graciously invited me to go to his family's ranch and spend some time with them there. Be expecting some photos of ranch life coming your way. My dad will be uber-jealous I am sure!

I fly out of LAX tomorrow, and Lord willing will be landing in Kansas City tomorrow evening!

::Music Edition::

Recently, I have been getting into some new music thanks to my many musical friends. It helps to have friends that work for music supervisors and they get free stuff all the time and give it to their friends (legally, thankyouverymuch)

So now I would love to share with others. Love it, or hate it. It's just some suggestions...

FIRST AND FOREMOST::

MUMFORD & SONS

This band is hands down my new favorite. At first I thought maybe they were a little too folksy..
I mean, come on now. This picture.

(I dig it, but some may find it to be a little too much folk/indie/hipster)

But give it a chance!! They are on my blog playlist over there (#2) -------------- >

SOO great. Especially when driving. I started listening about a month ago and I. cannot. stop. I am seeing them live in Hollywood in October--can't wait!!

Favorite Songs::

"Roll Away Your Stone"--

It seems that all my bridges have been burned
But you say 'That's exactly how this grace thing works’
It's not the long walk home that will change this heart
But the welcome I receive with every start

(little sample of lyrics)

"Sigh No More"

"Awake My Soul"

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE

LOOOVE this chick and her band as well. Sometimes I jog to it. Sometimes it's just on in the kitchen. Either way:: good, clean fun. I have also put one of these tunes on the side playlist as well.

Favorite songs::

"Dog Days Are Over" (made popular on the Eat, Pray, Love trailer) ---> #3 on playlist

"Drumming"

"You've Got the Love"

CHRISTOPHER WRAY

This guy is my friend and everyone should give him a listen. It's pretty jazzy and soulful music. I just have to say I know him personally, and his girlfriend is one of my best friends in L.A.

CHECK HIM OUT!

http://www.christopherwraymusic.com

OTHER FAVORITE BANDS AND MY FAVORITE TRACKS::

LOCAL NATIVES--

"Airplanes" (#4 on playlist)

"Camera Talk" -- good for running!

VAMPIRE WEEKEND--

"A-Punk" I dare you to listen and not want to jump or tap your foot. Try it. Nope. You cannot.

------------> listen over there #5

"California English"

"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"

PASSION PIT--

"Little Secrets" (#6 on playlist)

"Let Your Love Grow Tall"

EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROES--

"Home" (#7 on playlist)

"40 Day Dream"

Also check out MUSE if you want some good rock to run / workout to. GREAT, GREAT BAND.

THE END--- You are welcome! (I hope)

I also went to a wedding last weekend in Hollywood in a 90 year old movie theatre (which also serves as my church, Ecclesia).

It was super beautiful and fun. This was my date, Grant. He is great.

Yeah..aaand.... that's all for now.

Have a great week!!

Weird, weird Emmy weekend.

SO, again I am failing at blogging. However, that is probably O.K. considering I doubt many of you are waiting with baited breath to know what is going on in my life. It's pretty boring most of the time..

Last weekend was a little more interesting because I worked the Emmy Awards in downtown Los Angeles. I have been through awards season in the winter and it was ROUGH. This weekend, however, was rather smooth. I did have some moments where I thought.."Huh, look at what I am doing right now..this is not normal.."

One of those moments was on Sunday night during the Red Carpet show. I was by the E! 360 Camera, just sitting off to the side and watching everyone. Kevin McHale (Artie from "Glee") comes up to get his photo taken. He is, however, upset because the button from his jacket has fallen off.

We happened to have a sewing kit and I mentioned to him that I knew how to sew a little (thanks mom). He was super excited about this and promptly removed the jacket and we sat and chatted while I fixed his button.

So, there you have it. I sewed on THAT button. My big accomplishment at the Emmys. He was really, really nice and during his interview when they asked him who his suit was by, he said the designer and mentioned that a girl named Ashley fixed his button. So basically I am a designer now.

When the Red carpet part ended and the show was about to start, I began to clean up our area. This is when I spotted an envelope with Claire Danes' name on it. I open said envelope and inside are her tickets to the show. I didn't know they gave out tickets if you were nominated (which she was) I just kind of figured it was an automatic entrance thing.

Anyway, I realized she probably would want these tickets. So I went upstairs to the lobby and began to squeeze myself through the crowd looking for Claire Danes. This is when I had a moment of "What am I doing right now? This is not normal.." I am pushing through the cast members of my favorite T.V. shows in search of an actress who doesn't know me-- but I know her-- in an effort to return her Emmy tickets. Weird.

I had no such luck finding her and went back downstairs. Her husband and her publicist or manager or assistant or one those members of celebrity entourage types were looking for the tickets. I gladly handed them over and was done with that situation. One thing I always think after an awards show is how unnecessarily crazy they are. It's just so weird to have that many people working endless hours to prepare for people to walk into a building and receive awards for doing their jobs. I love them, I watch them, I am choosing to work them. They are still crazy when you break it down.

Other than that, things are pretty good. I can't believe I completely missed a TX summer this year. First time in my life. I think the hottest it was here was 90 degrees for about 4 days, so I am NOT complaining. I don't even have AC in my house and for the most part we don't need it. I am grateful for that Southern California weather.

I hope to see my family soon though!! It's been so long and my little nieces and nephew are getting so big!! I will definitely will be there for Thanksgiving and hopefully sooner if it works out.

I will also get back to blogging more regularly. I think I have 3 readers now (all related to me) so I am sure they are just DYING to read these :)

It's Been Awhile..

It's been almost 8 weeks since I update the blog--which is CRAZY!

I got to go to Houston about a month ago and visit my family and my new nieces.

They are SO perfect and adorable.. I even got to be on baby duty a couple of nights! I say I GOT to because I don't have to do it every night. God bless Chris and Callie!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!! They are beautiful and my nephew is growing up so fast too. I miss seeing them. This time around I had actual conversations with Carson. One of my favorite things was seeing how elated he got when we went to their back yard to play with some toys. We were throwing tons of plastic balls into the air and then running around to pick them up-- he was literally falling over he was laughing so hard. I love being around kids like that!

I got back to LA and I have just been working a few press junkets on the weekend. I have been able to work at the "Eclipse" junket, "Jonah Hex", "A Team", "Inception" and "Despicable Me".

Now, some may be excited to see the cast of Twilight. I, however, am very pumped to see more classic people, such as JULIE ANDREWS.

Here are a few screen shots of the junket I worked...this is the my creepy/sort of picture::

I was obviously a little out of it...helping with the set-up, drinking coffee.

I will say, I LOVE the weather here in June. It's been about 70 and sunny every day. This weekend for the 4th of July, I will be going hiking and spending some time at the beach! Should be fun!

I will update again soon..hopefully with more exciting and wonderful news!

I feel like a grown-up..and I don't like it.

So, these past few weeks have been a rude slap to the face of the real world. 

Started last week with a small car collision in my parking structure at work.. 

I was backing out of my spot- no one was coming- and as I slowly backed on out, a guy came around the corner and skidded along the back left side of my bumper. I think it's a mutual fault thing, but of course that means you get to pay a deductible to get it fixed..woooohooo.

This was then followed by a trip home to see that our washer was leaking into our kitchen. AWESOME. This is the ONE appliance our landlord is not responsible for. So that means a fee to pay a repair man to come look at it. wooohooo again. (sarcastically)

I am calling repair men and insurance companies and sounding like my parents...When did this happen to me?? 

One GREAT thing to look forward to is that I am going to TX on Thurs!! I haven't been since Christmas time and I am so ready to visit! Can't wait to see my new nieces and the rest of my family and friends! 

Joseph comes to L.A.

About a week ago, the great Valerie Millard (klotz) came to visit me!! 

It was the best to have her here and get to show her around!

I have been trying, since she came, to convince her to just come stay here until Jon gets back in August---OFFER STILL STANDS! :)

We did all the typical stuff, like going to the beach, driving around Beverly Hills etc.

Of course we made the classic stop by the set of the Office in the valley...


The Farmer's Market on Saturday in Santa Monica is AMAZING and fun..so we stopped there too!!

Sadly, it was chilly so the beach wasn't really as nice as usual. That did NOT stop us from making it fun with a little photo session..

Hollywood::

We also went to a comedy show at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Hollywood--which is something I had been wanting to do, so that was fun!!

All in all--- GREAT trip! Photos are compliments of Valerie and her lovely photo taking skills!

(the reason this blog is entitles "Joseph some to L.A." is because Valerie and I are big fans of the song "Cotton-Eyed-Joe". This began when we were about 9 and we were riding home from church on a Wednesday night. For some reason we sang it over and over and thought it was hilarious...sorry to my mother who was driving us home that night. Joseph is a shared name that we both use... If I ever need it I may make it my stage name. Thoughts?? :)

I also booked my flight to come home for 4 days in May to meet my new nieces!! Can't wait to see them and the rest of my family!

From snow to sand

This weekend I traveled up 5,100 feet to Lake Arrowhead. It took about 2 hours to get there and let me say we drove UP A MOUNTAIN. I left 75 degree weather in L.A. and stepped out into the snow when we arrived. That was crazy to me. We stayed in the cutest cabin, compliments of my roommate who knows the owner. 

We shot our little short film Friday night until about 3:00 am Sat. morning. We slept and then finished up Sat. evening at about 10p.m. I made the drive back to L.A. that night with my friend and went to the beach on Sunday. Can't complain about that at all!

I have to say thank you to those who tried to watch Cold Case on Sun. night after the game. Unfortunately, it was a To Be Cont... episode and I guess the flashback scene I was in will be on next week. Let me also say, I CANNOT guarantee I am seen. I don't know what they edit until I watch it. I do love knowing that everyone is so supportive! 

I will post the finished product of our thriller from this weekend after my friend is done editing. 

I have a small event tonight that kind of came out of nowhere. I don't want to talk about it now because I am not sure the outcome, but I will be sure to update if I find out anything. I may need some prayers because it could involve a small change depending on what happens....

More to come!!

Dun Dun Duuuuunn...

I am traveling to Lake Arrowhead in Big Bear, CA this weekend to shoot a little, fun short film with my roommates and some friends. Ironically, we have decided to make it a thriller. 

I say ironically because I don't watch horror films. Not my thing, but since its short and not a slasher, I can enjoy it. I am sure I will post the finished product!

Valerie, my loyal friend has notified me that my episode of Cold Case airs March 28th. 

I doubt you will see me, but I was there :)

Also, I am starting an acting class on Tuesday in Santa Monica for FREE because my friend's agent got us in. Acting class=great. FREE acting class= spectacular. 

That is pretty much it! I don't have a lot else going on..which I can't complain about!

OSCAR WRAP UP

This past weekend was the Adademy Awards--which also means, end of awards season!

I had a lot of fun--but I am glad to have a little bit of the weekend back. 

I started out the week in the office just doing random tasks--- including bling-ing up this E!

It was about a 25 hour working weekend for me--so some of these pictures show how ragged I was becoming. I feel like I look a little puffy and sleep deprived, so please ignore :)

It was a great weekend nonetheless and I am so grateful I got to work one of my favorite shows.

The MOST exciting part was that after the show was over, my roommate from college Mallory was here! She came in on Sun. and joined me up in Hollywood for the end of the show. 

The next day, I woke up extremely early to tape fashion police and then Mallory and I drove to San Diego where..

I met up with my dad who was in town for a mission checkout trip! We went to L.A. the next day (no work Tues) and walked around Venice, did a little E tour, and had some AMAZING sushi in Manhattan Beach. My dad had to go back to San Diego Tues. night and Mallory flew out early Wed. morning. For about 12 hours it felt like TX had come to California and I LOVED IT!

This weekend is my nephew's birthday and I am SO SAD I am missing it!!! 

This week is his 2nd birthday and I am sure it will be great!! I love him and miss him!!

Next on the visitors list is the lovely Valerie who will be here in less than a month for a weekend!! 

Can't wait!!

Only on Friday

This is what I did on Tuesday night -- >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5P54zQDlvI

My roommate is an editor and she needed help with a shoot at the Troubadour in Hollywood. 

There was a band playing called Dinosaur Jr. and granted, I had never heard of them, but I filmed this little bit of the crowds outside and of the concert. It was fun to run around the venue adn film. I haven't gotten to do any little things like this in a while so I enjoyed it. 

I found out the episode of Cold Case that I am in airs March 11 and is called "The Last Drive-In"

So ominous right?  :)

Oscars are next week and I think it is going to be crazy busy so wish me luck! 

And finally-- THIS is what I did at work today. 

My hat says "Only On Friday". Right after this my boss Jeremy pushed me over in the box and it took me a good 3 min to bust out. Being an adult is so hard. 

 

ONE MORE THING--

OK so I have been updating a lot this week--- but I have a little exciting thing to add..

I got a call yesterday from a casting agency that I joined when I moved here- they mainly cast extras- and she told me they had a part for me on "Cold Case." Now, this is random because usually you have to call in to hear what shows are casting extras- which I haven't done a lot of because I have been working. Apparently I fit some type they are looking for. This is also random because they are shooting a scene in a drive-in set in the 1970's and they need waitresses. I guess that's my "type" :)

They are shooting today and tomorrow and thankfully I am able to get out of work early today and I will see about tomorrow. 

The cool thing is that the agent told me there is a possibility for me to have lines-- which would mean I could become SAG eligible just like that! Let's hope that happens-- I will update! It is definitely supposed to be featured which means you will probably see me..but you never know, it can get cut. Just thought I would update that little bit of exciting news! 

Have a good week!

THIS. IS. ADORABLE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBCNgnaFVI8

I DARE you not to laugh/smile/tear up at THIS!

I mean I don't have any babies, nor do I need/want them at this point in my life but Oh. My. WORD. 

Just something to brighten your day :)

ONE YEAR

Also, I mentioned this in my last blog, but as of this Sunday, Feb. 7, I will have lived here in L.A. one year. 

This is not THAT big of a deal considering living in a place one year isn't too much of a stretch for most people. But, I was unsure how long I could make it here and I have to celebrate a little bit. 

I was thinking over the past year and some highlights were::

* Moving in with my friend from high school who I had not even seen since we left for college-- and we formed a great friendship that is MUCH stronger now. 

* I had no job lined up when I came here and in 365 days I have been a barista, personal assistant, nanny and now a production assistant.

* I got to be an extra in a movie and on a TV show. Hopefully more of that this year..

I feel like such a nomad most of the time. I never know what is coming next. Literally if you asked me where I will be in 6 months, I have goals and an idea, but there is NO TELLING. I could end up in Africa for all I know. It is sort of indescribable because I literally have no one relying on me. Each decision as far as work and living is dependent on my circumstances and whether or not I can make it there.  A lot of my friends from Texas have started getting engaged, married or pregnant. --hopefully in that order :) 

I feel so far removed from all of that sometimes, but I know God has had His hand on this whole journey. As soon as I think it's ending or changing he opens another door right in front of me. I am willing to leave whenever I feel like that is what He wants, but for now I am here. 

I have some goals for this year and I am posting them to keep myself accountable!

They are::

* Really invest and stay involved with my church instead of just attending. 

* Take an improv. class

* Get my Screen Actors Guild card

* Learn how to knit

* Read more books

* Paint more

* Become more stable in my finances and living situations

* Really work on expanding my friend circle

I also started a workout program that is based off of the P90X workout yesterday. My friend and I don't want to look like little muscle-men, but we are doing some intense stuff every day for 90 days-- so we will see if I live through it!

THANK YOU if you even read all of this rambling! 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all the prayers and constant support. 

I know it's not THAT big of a deal for someone to move out of state and try to work etc. but there are definitely hard days where I don't want to miss out on everything back home. I also have trouble seeing the purpose sometimes but I am so grateful for all the encouragement. 

I think a total of 3 people read this blog, so maybe I should just call them (Valerie, Mom and Callie) but in case there are more, thank you!

I know 2010 will be great!!

 ²¹ Yet this I call to mind 

      and therefore I have hope:

 ²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

 ²³ They are new every morning; 
       great is your faithfulness.

 ²⁴ I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; 
       therefore I will wait for him."

 ²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, 
       to the one who seeks him;

 ²⁶ it is good to wait quietly 
       for the salvation of the LORD.

Red Carpet wrap up

So this past weekend was the Grammys and it was the last of 3 weekends in a row of Awards Shows!

I am SO glad these are over-- I had fun but I am ready for a little break. 

I love music as much as the next person-- but I wasn't sure if I was really that excited to go to the Grammys etc.

BUT--  it was really fun! I worked the Saturday before and sat in on a few sound checks. On the day of the show, they did a complete run-thru from the top with staging, costumes, lights etc. and I sat off stage to watch all the performers. 

That is the cool thing about this show I think--they actually perform at the awards shows. Nobody acts AT the Oscars--maybe they should! :)

This is a picture of my friend Cynthia and I before the show::

Again my position was at the 360 cam::

Last year, my dad and I came into L.A. on February 7th and it was the weekend of the Grammys-- we took a picture right here on the red carpet last year so I took a new one this year. Unfortunately he wasn't with me this time :(

Being at the 360 cam during the Red Carpet show is fun because you see everyone walk by and you can just observe. There were some CRAZY dresses at the Grammys so its fun to just watch the madness. This is a quick pic I took of Beyonce and I liked her dress::

So now I am done with awards until Oscars in March which I am super excited about.

On a different note, and let me just preface, I know this is silly and unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I am not trying to become a person who is obsessed with the artificiality of Hollywoood. I get that there is more to life. I promise. This is where I am working so I feel the need to talk about what I am up to on the blog.  

That being said-- last week I worked a press junket for "Valentine's Day", the movie. 

There are a lot of people I like in this movie, well because if you've seen the previews or the posters, EVERYONE IS IN THIS MOVIE. It is ridiculous actually. Only a few stars came to this junket--two of them were Jennifer Garner and Julia Roberts. I saw both of them... and can I just say I geeked out  A LOT. Especially Julia Roberts. If you knew me between the years of 1996-2005 you may know that I collected her movies and basically wanted to be her a little bit..

She said hi to me when she walked in and I think I just stared like an idiot. 

Jennifer Garner is another one of my favorites from ALIAS so basically it was a cool day. 

That is enough of that for now I just had to share. 

OK-- well my dad is actually visiting in March to do a check out trip for the mission trip this summer and even though its only for a day I am so excited! Valerie comes in April and that is going to be wonderful as well! Now I just need to get myself to TX sometime soon!!

Have a good week!

Behind the Scenes!

WOW... OK so let me at first say that I have no idea why this is underlined.. HOW DO I FIX THIS?! There's no button at the top..

Anyway, I apologize but this post will just be a little re-cap of the weekend! 

This was my first Awards Show with E! and it was REALLY fun! I worked 12 hours on Saturday and about 12 on Sunday too so that was rough, but it was worth it. Now for the pictures..

This was where I was hanging out on the day of the show.. I was taping down the cords with red gaff tape and we stopped to take a picture!

This was heading down to the red carpet before the show started...The guy is my other boss Jeremy, he is the Project Manager.

I allegedly was on T.V. for a split second on the count down to the red carpet--and I think it was actually right as I was taking these pictures for the Art Dept. 

Also, the rain was CRAZY! I watched as they took brooms and pushed BUCKETS of rain off the tarps covering the different positions. I think it was God's way of saying how silly it is to watch people walk into a building for 3 hours :)

I sat right on the curb next to the 360 cam and I took this picture of John Krasinski and Ed Helms 

This is a guy from Glee who I do not know the name of..

My friend Cynthia and I on the Red Carpet

James Cameron after the Avatar win

After Party interview room for E!

Catherine, Cynthia and myself

The next morning at 7AM, where was I?? Oh just helping set-up for Fashion Police. I was DELUSIONAL. 

This was after I woke up at 6AM, walked out to my car and noticed  I had a flat tire. I think I ran over something on the way home the night before. I changed the tire BY MYSELF. Thank you, thank you. And it stayed on! Even better!

All in all, I loved it! This weekend is the Screen Actors Guild awards, week after that is the Grammys -- and then first weekend in March are the Oscars. 

WHEW! 

Thanks for watching it if you did!