Well, due to conflicts with the talent's schedule, Holidate has been postponed a week. I'm still on the team - good thing I have nothing better to do with my time. It will now be August 24-28.
I realize that in the business of the last few days I completely forgot to mention that my third and final roommate, Brianna, arrived Thursday morning. So now the house is oficially complete.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Challenge: 100
Hello loyal readers,
I have finally setup Challenge: 100 which has its own blog, here:
If you want to know what it's about, check it out. The blog serves an entirely different purpose than Becoming Successful, so it will not be as "gadgeted."
Enjoy!
I have finally setup Challenge: 100 which has its own blog, here:
If you want to know what it's about, check it out. The blog serves an entirely different purpose than Becoming Successful, so it will not be as "gadgeted."
Enjoy!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Allow me to introduce myself, Miss Assistant Producer. Nice to meet you.
I HAVE A JOB!
I'm going on tour and coming to location near you.
So I got the touring job that I wrote about forever ago. I leave September 20th and will be back in mid-November. If that stretch of the tour goes well, then I will do the spring rounds with them which spans mid January through mid April. :)
I'm going on tour and coming to location near you.
So I got the touring job that I wrote about forever ago. I leave September 20th and will be back in mid-November. If that stretch of the tour goes well, then I will do the spring rounds with them which spans mid January through mid April. :)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Let them eat cake!
Sam and I have now completed our TV-inspired, 2-day, unfortunately expensive, but impressively entertaining cake project. We have been watching a lot of Cake Boss, Food Network Challenge, Ace of Cakes, and Amazing Wedding Cakes on TV, and eventually we were like: "I wonder if we can make a cake." There was only one way to find out!
We made a cake shaped like a purse, which involved the following basic steps:
1. baking the cakes and making chocolate butter cream icing
2. stacking and filling the cakes
3. carving the shape of the purse
4. crumb coating the cake
5. putting the cake in the fridge for one night
6. making marshmallow fondant (NOT easy)
7. dying the fondant desired colors
8. rolling out the fondant and covering the purse
9. decorating the purse with fondant and piping details
10. eating
It was kinda fun, but I think I have had enough of making cakes. Here it is, though:
This morning I had a GREAT interview with the production manager of the Theater @ Boston Court. We spoke for well over an hour about school, theater, their season, motorcycles, you name it. She said she would definitely hire me next season, which is nice but doesn't solve the immediate need.
Joe and I then walked to the mall so I could get a pair of sneakers (only $12 - awesome) and he bought me lunch at Chipotle.
When we were vegging at my apartment afterward, my phone rang and it was a surprise interview for an executive assistant position for which I applied a few days ago. They want to bring me in for an in-person interview, unfortunately the dates they want me to be available for an interview are during my obligation to Holidate. UGH. So they're going to get back to me, but I can either go in at the end of this week (if the interviewer's schedule allows), or the week after next IF the position is still available. I think I'm screwed for this.
We made a cake shaped like a purse, which involved the following basic steps:
1. baking the cakes and making chocolate butter cream icing
2. stacking and filling the cakes
3. carving the shape of the purse
4. crumb coating the cake
5. putting the cake in the fridge for one night
6. making marshmallow fondant (NOT easy)
7. dying the fondant desired colors
8. rolling out the fondant and covering the purse
9. decorating the purse with fondant and piping details
10. eating
It was kinda fun, but I think I have had enough of making cakes. Here it is, though:
This morning I had a GREAT interview with the production manager of the Theater @ Boston Court. We spoke for well over an hour about school, theater, their season, motorcycles, you name it. She said she would definitely hire me next season, which is nice but doesn't solve the immediate need.
Joe and I then walked to the mall so I could get a pair of sneakers (only $12 - awesome) and he bought me lunch at Chipotle.
When we were vegging at my apartment afterward, my phone rang and it was a surprise interview for an executive assistant position for which I applied a few days ago. They want to bring me in for an in-person interview, unfortunately the dates they want me to be available for an interview are during my obligation to Holidate. UGH. So they're going to get back to me, but I can either go in at the end of this week (if the interviewer's schedule allows), or the week after next IF the position is still available. I think I'm screwed for this.
NOW HERE'S MY LATEST SCHEME:
I am going to throw an idea out there, and depending on the response I get I might pursue it. You know how people get sponsored in relay races and walk-a-thons? As in, I might sponsor a runner at a rate of $0.50 per mile who is running a race for a good cause. Well, what if I nominated myself to be sponsored for a personal weight loss challenge? You all could consider sponsoring me, say at a rate of $1 per pound, and if you chose to sponsor I could give you access to a private blog where I would track my weight and diet and exercise habits for all of us to share. If you would be interested in sponsoring, or if you think this is stupid let me know. I am trying to find a way to entice myself into changing my life for the better. I cannot control the job market, but as my dad told me the other day on the phone, "Maddie, you're 22. If you don't have your health what do you have?" Anyway, I think it would be a 2 or 3 month personal challenge, and I think it could be a really interesting way to go about getting into better shape.
Penny for your thoughts.
I am going to throw an idea out there, and depending on the response I get I might pursue it. You know how people get sponsored in relay races and walk-a-thons? As in, I might sponsor a runner at a rate of $0.50 per mile who is running a race for a good cause. Well, what if I nominated myself to be sponsored for a personal weight loss challenge? You all could consider sponsoring me, say at a rate of $1 per pound, and if you chose to sponsor I could give you access to a private blog where I would track my weight and diet and exercise habits for all of us to share. If you would be interested in sponsoring, or if you think this is stupid let me know. I am trying to find a way to entice myself into changing my life for the better. I cannot control the job market, but as my dad told me the other day on the phone, "Maddie, you're 22. If you don't have your health what do you have?" Anyway, I think it would be a 2 or 3 month personal challenge, and I think it could be a really interesting way to go about getting into better shape.
Penny for your thoughts.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Everyday is a winding road
Today I actually showered. And brushed my hair. And went out into the world. Saw "Julie & Julia" (which I highly recommend) and "500 Days of Summer" (which I don't).
I also cooked some awesome pulled BBQ chicken only to discover that we are out of bread, so I ate it straight out of the pot. I am as classy as ever.
My friend, Joe, is trying to send a stage management gig my way. I am a bit skeptical of the entire project, though. Joe was interviewing to be the set designer, and he asked the writer/director/producer guy if he had a stage manager, to which he replied "what's a stage manager?" It would only be a few hundred bucks (I said I wouldn't do it for less than $400), and probably a 40 hour time commitment spread out across the month of September. But I just don't know if that's really something I want to commit to.
I wish I would hear back about the touring job. Yes or no I just want to be able to commit to something.
----
I am not entirely sure what I am doing anymore. I feel like an elephant trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle. Am I trying to force myself onto an industry that just doesn't want me? Is it me? Or is it them?
I just want someone to sit down with me and tell me what to do. Maybe that's why I am good at school, there's no end of people telling me what to do there. I think I am just starting to feel defeated (which isn't a new feeling), but even worse than that, I am starting to feel apathetic about it.
I got a lovely care package from my mom (THANK YOU MOM!!), but in it came the summary of my student loans. I.JUST.CAN.NOT.LOOK.AT.IT. I want to call them and have someone explain to me what everything means, and have them listen to me when I explain that I don't have a job or money, and have them say--we'll that's all right, we can take care of you. But I know they won't, because they just want to suck my last few pennies away.
I thought I grew up a lot during college, but I am pretty sure I just found the tip of the iceberg. Now I'm discovering that 90% of the mass was actually under the water, and until now I was just too stupid to look under the surface.
And really, the hardest part is that I am alone. I have a few friends here, but no one I really confided in before. Maybe I just wasn't ready for this.
I also cooked some awesome pulled BBQ chicken only to discover that we are out of bread, so I ate it straight out of the pot. I am as classy as ever.
My friend, Joe, is trying to send a stage management gig my way. I am a bit skeptical of the entire project, though. Joe was interviewing to be the set designer, and he asked the writer/director/producer guy if he had a stage manager, to which he replied "what's a stage manager?" It would only be a few hundred bucks (I said I wouldn't do it for less than $400), and probably a 40 hour time commitment spread out across the month of September. But I just don't know if that's really something I want to commit to.
I wish I would hear back about the touring job. Yes or no I just want to be able to commit to something.
----
I am not entirely sure what I am doing anymore. I feel like an elephant trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle. Am I trying to force myself onto an industry that just doesn't want me? Is it me? Or is it them?
I just want someone to sit down with me and tell me what to do. Maybe that's why I am good at school, there's no end of people telling me what to do there. I think I am just starting to feel defeated (which isn't a new feeling), but even worse than that, I am starting to feel apathetic about it.
I got a lovely care package from my mom (THANK YOU MOM!!), but in it came the summary of my student loans. I.JUST.CAN.NOT.LOOK.AT.IT. I want to call them and have someone explain to me what everything means, and have them listen to me when I explain that I don't have a job or money, and have them say--we'll that's all right, we can take care of you. But I know they won't, because they just want to suck my last few pennies away.
I thought I grew up a lot during college, but I am pretty sure I just found the tip of the iceberg. Now I'm discovering that 90% of the mass was actually under the water, and until now I was just too stupid to look under the surface.
And really, the hardest part is that I am alone. I have a few friends here, but no one I really confided in before. Maybe I just wasn't ready for this.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
It's been a big day
This morning I met with Rebecca Baillie who is a CMU alum and the production manager of a nearby theater. We got coffee and got to talk a bit about what's going on with me, what her company does, and so on. She was amazingly nice, and definitely a good hand to have shaken. I do wish that having coffee weren't such a standard fallback - I just don't drink the stuff!
My computer bit the dust last night. I bought a new one today (it was cheap, so I am crossing my fingers as to how long it lasts). I spent $800 between the computer, warranty, tax, external hard drive, and a pair of speakers. The computer I bought seems like it should be a good fit for me, I just read a very positive review here:
PNC Bank didn't let the charge go through, not sure why, so I had to put it on my credit card. I have to call PNC to figure out what's going on, since I know I had the money in my account.
To help pay for the computer I got my first paying job today! I am going to be a PA on Holidate:
The specific job title is Sequester PA. The concept of the show is that two women trade cities to date men in different places. I will be staying with the woman traveling to LA, and pretty much taking care of any of her hospitality needs (groceries, dry cleaning, coffee, etc.). I get a free hotel room for a week, it'll be pretty exciting. The phone call was really rushed, so I do not know how much I will be making, but I suppose anything is better than nothing, eh?
I will be sure to keep you all posted as I know more about the project and the position. The best part is that since it is only the 16th through the 21st of August, I could still accept the stage management and touring positions for which I am still under consideration.
So cool. :)
My computer bit the dust last night. I bought a new one today (it was cheap, so I am crossing my fingers as to how long it lasts). I spent $800 between the computer, warranty, tax, external hard drive, and a pair of speakers. The computer I bought seems like it should be a good fit for me, I just read a very positive review here:
PNC Bank didn't let the charge go through, not sure why, so I had to put it on my credit card. I have to call PNC to figure out what's going on, since I know I had the money in my account.
To help pay for the computer I got my first paying job today! I am going to be a PA on Holidate:
The specific job title is Sequester PA. The concept of the show is that two women trade cities to date men in different places. I will be staying with the woman traveling to LA, and pretty much taking care of any of her hospitality needs (groceries, dry cleaning, coffee, etc.). I get a free hotel room for a week, it'll be pretty exciting. The phone call was really rushed, so I do not know how much I will be making, but I suppose anything is better than nothing, eh?
I will be sure to keep you all posted as I know more about the project and the position. The best part is that since it is only the 16th through the 21st of August, I could still accept the stage management and touring positions for which I am still under consideration.
So cool. :)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tale as old as time
Well, I just got done working as a PA on a short film called The Bedwetter. More information on the film and the production company here:
They loved me :). And it was possibly the most positive group of people I have ever worked with. Anyway, I spent 5 long days with them and it was a wonderful experience. My duties ranged from daily errands, grip work, cake decorating, properties coordination, and child wrangling.
The film is very promising in terms of quality, and I have been promised invitations to all screenings and festival showings :) I can't wait. The writer/director of the project thought I was one of the best things on the face of the earth and has eagerly agreed to be a reference for me to help find future work in the television and film industries. It's really nice to feel appreciated.
One of the other crew members gave me a hot tip on some shoes I should consider buying since my feet have really been killing me (as a PA its poor form to ever sit down when it is not an official meal break, so working 12 hour days can be really rough on your feet). The brand everyone recommends is called Red Wings - they run a bit expensive, but apparently they really do the trick. As soon as I have a job (and if it is in this industry) I will be checking them out.
Also, just a shout out to how small the world his, Michelle and Barbara (the two women in charge of The Bedwetter) knew 1 other grad from Carnegie Mellon - and that is actually why they opted to hire me off of my craigslist inquiry. Her name is Maxine Lapiduss--sound familiar? She was the woman I was planning on working for when I moved out here. Hah.
I got home on Monday at 3:30 PM, talked to my mom on the phone, and immediately fell asleep. I didn't wake up until 11:00 AM on Tuesday. I suppose that's my body's way of telling me I was exhausted. I took yesterday as a rest day. Built a shelf, did some cleaning, unpacked my books, etc. It was nice to get a break.
Today I woke up, showered, cleaned, and went to see a matinee of Funny People all by myself. Just an hour ago, I threw a load of laundry into the washer, and Sam and I were watching a bit of TV. All of a sudden we heard a crashing banging which I immediately thought was someone breaking into our apartment. We both shot up and ran down the hallway to find that our washing machine had eaten itself.
Unfortunately my clothes had not reached the rinse cycle, so I rinsed them out as best I could in the shower and threw everything into the shower so we'll see what happens. I have already filed the maintenance request, so we'll see what happens. UGH.
TTRs:
Crafty: pet name for craft services (industry catering)
Flag: A rectangular metal frame lined with black soft goods, used as a light blocker
C-Stand: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Stand
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