All In A Day's Work

Wenesday, July 15: Honor request to complete taped audition. Submit via www.

Friday, July 17, 3:05 pm:

Never mind that I was in the middle of my first meal of the day, well into the afternoon hours. It was a hold day, and my son and I had already performed the second of three audition requests, during his free time. I had released him to do boy things based on my hunger. He was soon off with his film mate, The Aussie, as he also had the day to do as he pleased.

My dinner was delicious! Rice, veggies . . . it couldn't get any better, any more satisfying.

The phone rang.

3:33 pm:

An energized, and slightly frenzied manager's assistant was on the other end of the line. Casting loved his tape ~ could my son resubmit with a few changes ~ by 3 pm pacific time??

Egads.

3:37 pm:

I finally wrangled my server, paid my tab, and headed to the car, ready to find my son and get to work.

3:41 pm:

Enroute, the phone rings.

Mistake!! Can I put the actor on a conference call, before 3 pm pacific time?

But of course ~ consider me on standby.

3:45 pm:

Phone rings.

Agent on the line. Repeat of previous information. Confirmation of standby status. Arrive at apartment, look for son.

3:47 pm:

Found son, phone rings in hand, cleaning lady turns on vacuum cleaner, baby cries.

3:48 pm:

Door shut, baby sequestered with friend, Agent, Casting Director, my son and myself in conference.

3:57 pm:

Conference completed, changes requested, committment to retape established.

3:58 pm:

Cleaning lady exits room. Baby plays contentedly. Son and friend are nonplussed. They want to go rock climbing.

Mom faints.

4:00 pm:

Mom drives to gym, wondering how she managed to get herself into all of this, when all she really wanted was . . .

LUNCH.



:D

A Strange, Yet Wonderful Thing . . .

. . . happened tonight.

We're living [almost] in the lap of luxury. King size beds, feather pillows, down comforters; each our own room and bath; a full kitchen, living area. Not opulent, but sturdy and functional.

The biggest plus?

Maid Service.

At the snap of my fingers I could cause the hotel management to dispatch personnel in a flash, to distribute and tend to our needs.

We don't do that.

But we could.

But we don't.

Yet, there is no doubt it is nice to return home at the end of a long day to a bed crisply made, and fresh towels in the bath.

Not to mention the dishes done, and room tidied, and vacuum run.

I've not let it go to my head. After all ~ I've passed on service more than once: let the maid have my room taken off her list for free. Everyone likes to be relieved of a duty or two now and again.

Today, I released the maid.

No service, please.

None. Zip. Nada.

The place was well-lived in by days end.

How surprisingly delightful, then, was the moment when ~ without being asked, my son, the actor moved into the kitchen and spruced it up, just as if he were home and had his normal, routine kitchen duty.

Wow. His upbringing really is sticking with him.

How cool. :)

Wild Wacky Weekend

It should have come with a warning tag. After all, who knew when the wrap came Thursday evening that what lay in store was not rest and relaxation, but rather a hodge-podge of "what can we do next" type of line up that left the parental units gasping for a time out!

Michael, The Aussie, Ashley, Stephanie, The Leading Lady, Jack, Israel, Keller, Romy, ?, Lauren, Carson, Dillon, ?, and Caroline

Bowling . . . a movie . . . a 4th of July picnic with fireworks . . .

The Leading Lady, The Aussie, Big Jack, Dillon, Jack, Ned, Israel

. . . rock climbing . . . ROCK CLIMBING?!?!?

Uh, yeah. Rock climbing. :P

Some highlights:

I'm not yet certain as to whether or not we wore them out, or wound them up! The day will tell, as it's another humdinger on tap! Tape rolls at 9.

Boys Will Be Boys

It was the first official "down day." A day to relax, be relieved of any pressing need to be here or there at a specified time. Of course, as the first official weekend in a new area, who wanted to sleep all day? It was time to hit the sights of the surrounding city!

The Actor and his new pal, The Aussie were very jazzed about the prospect of an all-day-do-nothing! They inquired of The Leading Lady and the ever-so-cute Supporting Actress their plans.

Alas! Family plans would take them away . . . it would just be the boys ~ and I? The Driver.

We decided to hit the mall first. I inquired of The Actor the whereabouts of the stroller I had brought inside the night before. Gallantly, he opened a foyer closet door, revealing the item inside. Perfect. Please get it out for me.

That's when the first sign of boyish antics were revealed.

The stroller was over sized, or the closet miniature . . . either way, it didn't want to come out. It would take the skills and muscular effort of them both:

Pull! Tug!!

And then, we were off.

As the official driver, my first instructions were: If you see us in the mall ~ you don't know us!

Harrumph!!

However, I graciously complied.

I was a bit surprised when, after about two hours, the boys located me, ready to go . . . and in no way worried about being seen with me. :P

We then traveled to a local retail store, where they purchased several boxes of "poppers" ~ the fire-cracker-like little pods that snap loudly when thrown on the floor.

And then, a request for McDonald's.

Herein I learned something very cool.

In America, we've nicknamed McDonald's "Mickey-D's" or "McD's" . . .

In Australia? McDonald's is lovingly called: "Macker's."

I like it. :D

While at the Macker's counter, we realized ~ we've been shielded from the population at large. Those we've come in contact with have been those who discretely interact with us, sans any groupie behaviors.

Not so at Mackers.

You see, The Aussie approached the counter to order . . . and the clerk thrilled over his accent.

"You must be here as an exchange student?" she pried.

"No, I'm here working." he carefully responded, his brogue betraying his heritage.

"Working? You? You're so young!" - she pressed the issue.

"I'm an actor." The Aussie stated bluntly, hoping to pass over the discussion.

Like that was going to happen.

The clerk shrieked. "OH MY GOSH!! A REAL LIVE ACTOR?!?!?" and so on . . .

Pretty soon both boys were simultaneously amused and chagrined as the tumultuous flap had it's way with the Macker's clerk.

Finally seated, I couldn't help but delight in the boys lack of regard as to what had just happened.

They wolfed down their burgers as any normal teen boy would be wont to do, and turned their attention on making noise with those firecrackers . . .