Day 37: We must Use Social Media to Create Opptys

I received this retweet from a twitter follower from Paris this am:

RT @jeanlucr 940 million social media users in the worldhttp://j.mp/axXZad

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Huge for us actors and writers!!!

We have no freaking excuse on not getting our art out. I mean this is HUGE. If you read the article you will see the following stats:

1. Facebook has the most users

2. Myspace is next

3. Twitter is next

Most usage of social media comes from South America and the least from our Asian sisters and brothers!!!

Linkedin is good only for business networking. BUT it has its niche.

I am really excited about these stats.

Here are my user stats:

1. I am on Facebook and I have 572 "friends"

2. I closed my myspace page

3. I have like 455 followers on twitter

4. I have 0 blog followers

5. I have 186 contacts on Linkedin

I interact the most on twitter. Its my favorite.

However, by looking at those stats above I have 1213 people.

For my next quarter I will increase that number and also get some services out to those people as well.

Here's my next quarter media to do list:

1. Attend the virtual social media summit ( because I feel this social media boom is just like when we had that tech boom with computers and every other fad---soon we will all be upgraded but for now we have social media) http://www.socialmediasummit10.com/

2. Get my myspace acct opened again. It may be a lost trend to some---yet some are still using myspace and I need to capitalize on that for support of my dreams.

3. Start a fan page on facebook---even if my fans start out as my family. Its my fan page so be it.

4. Add more video to my You Tube channel.

4. Increase my overall followers, friends, fans, etc...by more than 100% by July 2010. I'd like to have the pull or reach of at least 15k to 25k people. If more I'd be happy as well.

Anyways---we artist must really jump on this opportunity.

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Day 36: If You Ask For it, Expect it & Be Prepared

I pray all the time...in every way. I pray in the morning when I wake up and at night before I go to sleep for rest. I may be mid sentence with someone and excuse myself to go to the bathroom and simply pray. Needless to say, I have a lot of believe that prayer works and that we should all pray for our desires, for our family and friends, and for situations of all kinds. To be honest, all of us are living off of someone's prayers. We just don't know it. Imagine that! You recieve a blessing and little do you know its because your ex boyfriend prayed that you would meet your soulmate and you do. I think this happens every single day.

Well, for me I receive all types of blessings daily. I mean not to brag but I am one lucky or fortunate or blessed lady. YET...I have not been prepared this quarter to take full advantage of my blessings because I have not been ready for them. Let me explain. This is real talk here. Well technically, real bogging here. So beware!!!

Example# 1: I submitted for lots of auditions and I received lots of call backs...yet I did not budget for the gas it would take to full up my car to travel back and forth to these auditions. Therefore, I did not go to some of them. Solution: Cut back on some fee based social activities and use that money for travel for acting and also education. To be REAL...the money I spent on the Jay Z concert or even the Gilberto Gil concert = 125 together. That could have filled my tank up for several auditions.

Example #2: I have been waiting for a while to submit for this online acting contest. Now its down to the wire and I need to first learn my lines and then get someone to record the freaking audition tape. I have known about this contest for a few months now. Yet---I believe I was afraid of something---maybe afraid of winning. Solution: When I see something I want, immediately place it in my calendar to obtain. Dont wait.

Example #3: I have done large submissions to acting agents and for the most part when I email my headshot--I get a response, but when I mail them out---I get nothing. My feelings get hurt for a while and I stop for a bit and next thing I know the next month has come and I start back up. YET I could have used that time to just get the hell back up and keep pushing. Solution: Start accepting the fact its not about me for other people. Yet its about me for myself. When I get rejected or dont get something keep it going and dont stop. Dont ignore the rejection...just know that I am passing by a "roadblock or so" and keep it going and do something each day.

This list could go on and on...but from this last qtr I see that I need to reposition how I use my money and use more for my dreams. I also need to be prepared for opportunities since I get a lot of them, and lastly, forget what people think or if they reject me---thats their deal. I am my own big deal. Keep it moving.

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Days 34 & 35: Some Days You Will Crash...

For the past few days I have been just "blah". Just confused. It was as if I had crashed and just laid in the street and was looking at the clouds. I was down and I did not want to move. I had to just lay there----It was a surreal moment for me.

But what I realized is...we all will crash ( metaphorically-speaking) but in real life we will not be dead. We will simply rise up from our crash, dust ourselves off, and move forward. We will be fragile....yet will move forward with all of our bruises, blood and all.

We will crash...and get up from that crash...and move forward.

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Day 33: Operate from a Whole Heart

Let's be honest, how many of us are deeply honest to ourselves and our story? Most times we let others tell our story and most times they get it all wrong. Its up to us to tell our story. In fact, I feel that ---its one of our duties.

Well yesterday, I had a dear friend send me a invite to an event about relationships and etc. I am not sure why the friend sent flyer to me because I am not located in Atlanta, well then again I do travel a lot so maybe she thought I'd like to know about event. Anyhow---the event was hosted or so by a woman that was a Christian and the book is called, " Resurrect a hoe". I think thats the title. First and foremost---anytime I am invited anywhere to any event I look at people's credits. I don't mind if a person does not have formal education---but there better be something that helps me get to what you are teaching about. Well this woman ---was going to talk about relationships, yet she is not married. For me case closed. I was not attending her event.

However, there is a deeper point I'd like to make from this story based on the title of a Book. The author said she wrote the book for other Christian "hoes" and that it would help them. For me something just does not feel right about that title and about out right claiming it when in fact from the authors view---she is a woman that had depression, low self esteem, materialistic, etc. So to call herself and her readers a "hoe" was accepting a negative energy. My advice for the pastor would be to operate from a place of love, a whole heart, with her readers and herself. You were not a "hoe" nor your readers, you were in pain and you needed God to help you. Don't identify with a negative name--in exchange for a positive direction.

I am relating this all back to acting...when we act, regardless ---if our characters are "good" or "bad" we must operate from a whole heart. We must see the love point of view from our roles.

We must judge our characters based on names---we need to understand them with no judgement. Most of all we must not judge ourselves for our POV.

Also ppl---we must check the sources of our leaders. Everyone is not qualified.

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Day 32: Be Your Biggest Fan

I remember in college when I was on the swim team it felt so good to hear my family and friends cheer me on! Likewise, it felt so good after a play I was in last year how audience members came up to me afterwards and said that I was good and they really thought I was a drunk :) All the praise felt so Good! However, they praise is so much sweeter if I am my biggest fan. Its so much sweeter if I go ahead and approve myself before anyone claps for me. In the event that I am running against someone it helps to be my biggest fan and tell myself---you an do it girl!!! Because you know what? The voice of a fan can be unpredictable. Everyone is not going to believe in what you do. Thats fine---as long as you are your biggest fan. I am my biggest fan...are you?

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Day 31: Don't Nobody Love you Like You Love You Do

So today I did a video cold reading. Yes the one I was supposed to do like 10 days ago. Well while doing so I recorded other footage and what not and I was pretty much all over the place. BUT I hot an AHA! Moment when I watched my video.

I looked at myself for the first time behind the closed door of my house and I saw a person that I love and I loved how she looked, how she was trying to go after her goal and how serious she was taking her career. I was loving me!

After doing several takes of the film I saw one where I was like wow---I look kinda sexy. A physical trait I never knew until now. I also saw how I spoke and how I did not like the appearance of my teeth. I saw a lot and as the saying goes---the camera dont lie.

I just learned so much by taking a good look at what God gave me to work with. I can work rather well with my tools.

Here's the You Tube Video of the cold reading:

I want to improve how I feel about my physical looks. I pledge in 90 days to look a tad bit more healthy than I do now. I am not sure what will be done to my teeth by then. I am currently undergoing treatment at UNC Chapel Hill School of Denistry...but I am not sure if I will have teeth pulled or not by July 1st. I will see...

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Day 30: No Blog Comments---> GOOD

I have no blog comments on here and I am so happy. I am so nervous in taking my dreams VERY serious for the first time. I cant even lie---I am not strong. If it were not for my God----I am not even sure I would have the bravado and esteem to REALLY dive into my dreams still at 32. I mean I am not addicted to age or anything but I have been going at my dreams for many years now...and what I have done is go hard and then fall back and ease up. Then go HARD again and ease back. It has been as if I am afraid of what success will mean.

I certainly dont get why its taken me so long to get to my first dream career destination---but I have a feeling its linked to not being steady with my career aim. I have allowed myself to get side tracked by bad lovers, temp career downgrades, family issues, money, etc. I am sorry but that cant hold me back any longer. Because in all honesty there will always be problems. I mean as I type right now I am in love with a man that is being a total jerk...BUT I have been a jerk to him as well. But the point I am trying to make is that even though its a total low point with this man. I have to keep on pressing with my dreams. I still want him and if the heavens co-sign on my desire...I will be matched with this Haitian hottie :) eccentric Haitian man...ten years older than me...man. BUT I like him a lot and it is what it is.

Off topic. The point is I may never speak to Mr. Brooklyn ever again. Besides I have some things going on myself. BUT I must carry on with my dreams...and do them every single DAY. EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Oh well...I am so glad I dont have anyone viewing this blog right now that I know of...GOOD. Because I am so at a point that I dont like what I see---but I must start somewhere and I have started NOW---

Consistently working towards my dream...

MDoWell

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Day 29: Don't Run...Just Roll Your Sleeves Up

Its almost spring time and that means we have to purge what has not worked yet for us this year! As a matter of fact spring is tommorow. So for me I have slacked on my daily schedule, not followed up with helpful friends and etc...so Its my personal time to spring clean and also spring plant as well.

If I find a "bad weed" or one hard to clean out...I will get to it. Some matters just take more time to handle and love and care for.

Rolling my sleeves up to tackle my much needed spring cleaning!!!

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Day 28: I'm not Irish But I'm FULL of LUCK

We create LUCK :) This is my belief. Today I got a email about an commercial audition and it was a easy confirm. I saw that they needed a young girl my nieces age so I brought her luck today too :) I hope she gets into acting so her my sis and I will be in biz together!

Let's create LUCK today.

Happy Patty's Day!!!

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Day 27: Go Higher...Not Lower

Dig a grave for your bad memories. You wont be needing them ever again :) I learned today that some ppl dont want to get better. They just want to do what they need to get by. Not what 's needed. Just do what they can to get by. Ppl that think that way and myself have nothing in common.

I always go beyond whats expected. Its just me...

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Day 26: Start Fresh Each Day

That's all I have to say---start fresh each day. 24 hours you have.

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Day 25: Go The Direction Your Heart Leads You...

This whole past week I followed my heart. Rather this whole year so far I have strictly followed my heart in all ways than one...and you know what I have been deeply satisfied and deeply more successful than any period in my life. This shows me that my life message is deeply internal. This tells me that my life map can simply be pulled from my soul...my internal self and not my external self.

This is really a breakthrough year for me already.

I simply followed my heart instead of my head and I am happy. Not perfect..but I am at peace. Ive been honest with my interests, my love life, my career life, my health, and its like its all coming full circle.

Thing is going with you heart my not be the right choice on paper or in society. For an example I was born a Christian and for the most part I have no desire to part from which I was born. Just like I was born black and I have no desire to go through my history and pick apart all the reasons I am not black...because to be honest I am of everything. BUT going back to my religion. I knew deeply that I have not been pleased with my Christian experience were I live now...so I basically started search and one thing after another led me to Buddhism. Now I have not converted, but I have been reading about Zen and there practices and I feel at home. I feel I am learning. I feel as if I am making progress in my spiritual growth.

This is not something I would of done with my "head" but it is something I am doing my following my heart and spirit,

I feel that after my position so far in this year...following my heart is way to bliss.

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Day 24: The Never ending Actors "Shopping" list

Well I purchased a tripod for my camera today. I am going to start record myself doing my favorite monologues and post them on you tube. Who knows where this will actually lead...but I know that when I take action...the earth moves for me. It makes a new way for me...so I know that by me taking the step to buy the tripod and learning how to upload to You Tube...I am prepping for the earth to move in my favor.

I learned today that when you "grocery" shopping for what you are deeply hungry for in life. You are then fed.

I am glad I bought the tripod. Now I need to beta test it and do some dry run throughs.

I am hoping the first week in April to start releasing some work.

I am actually excited.

Any action is good action when it comes to acting :)

Oh and last night I read the actors access ( related to breakdown services) and they had two newsletters for actors and the info was GOOD. I reconnected with The Creative Coalition---going to join this year. It also gave some info on current productions and etc.

I also joined this Google group impossible casting...

So things are getting better and better.

Like I said for the actor...any action is good action...

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Day 23: The "First Fruits" of Yesterday's Gardening

I did some "planting " yesterday for a bit and I received the following "first fruits"

1. Weekend work---background work for a great Durham based filmmaker

2. Invite to audition for the PlayMakers Repertory Company at UNC Chapel Hill for its 2010-2011 season.

3. Invite to submit video cold reading for a NC school of the Arts student film.

So the First fruits are good.

I will keep on going for today...

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Day 22: Gardening Today

Planting headshot submission seeds...

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Day 22: No Words

Sometimes I need to just sit back and look at whats going on in the world and see trends and catch the wave I can ride :)

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Day 21: It Takes a New Yorker...

I believe it takes New Yorkers smart mouth to get a party started. One I know said some rather crass things to me yesterday unknowingly. Hurt me to my core, but was also an invitation for me to really challenge myself and my dreams.

I bet them yesterday and they did not agree to my bet that I would be a featured actress and sale a feature script before they could direct and write a feature film. They did not agree to the bet. Yet, I challenge myself to hit my goal despite them.

Anger can be a blessing.

In this situation it is...

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Day 20: Love Starts with the Truth

I have this friend that appeared back in my life last year. As soon as I saw that we were not going to have a fairy tale romance...I optioned to run. Oddly, this time I did not run...I stayed put. I optioned to be his friend. I am bluntly honest with him...and it made me see that true love ( not just romantic) starts with the simple truth.

Love of self starts with your simple truth.

I think this friend has given me one of the greatest gifts...and it all happened during one of my very turbulent years.

Love Starts with the Truth.

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Day 19: Gabourey Sidibe

I love her story. That's it for today.

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Day 18: Inspiration Can Come From All Over

Ive been sick for the past few days and just down right bed rest. Yet here and there I would get on twitter to check out tweets and etc...so this am I saw a tweet from Beverly Smith a NYC based event planner, etc...and she tweeted live from the ESSENCE Magazine's Women of Hollywood Luncheon and she just totally blew me away with her tweets. It just gave me inspiration to where I seek to go and be. It helps to find inspiration in everyday life...because when its all said in done. Most people don't go after their dreams and conquer them at all. Its just a little too much for people.

Here's a few of her tweets ( I hope she does not mind):

" Last night at the Uptown Magazine fete for Lee Daniels, gave me LIFE! No VIP areas cause if ur there then u r VIP, right?" via @bevysmith

"Just finished my Dinner With Bevy event w/Uptown Magazine & @belvedere_vodka honoring Idris Elba,FAB.com if i do say so myself!" via @bevysmith

"Queen said the biz wasnt that hard 4 her,she used 2 hang w n Brooklyn n the 80's what can Hollywood say 2 her! " via @Bevysmith ( from Essence Women's Luncheon)

"Taraji just laid us out w/anoither word, Queendomness! When i tell ya'll im so glad i quit my gig 5 yrs ago,cause if not i wouldnt b here!" via @bevysmith

* This tweet sent shivers up my spine..." Laurence Fishburne is preaching,telling Gabby S 2 take time 2 meet all the legends n the room,get knowledge because she needs it 2 sustain!" via @bevysmith

I will end with that one. I would like to be invited to that luncheon one day. Bevy's tweets just gave me a glimpse of where I am headed. I feel odd still moving up at 32 years old. But I am not able to give up. So I must continue on with my dreams.

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Day 17: You Get Off Track...You Get Back On

I weighed myself today and guess what? Ive gained weight! I knew I felt it with the tugging of my clothes yet I did not feel like confirming it with the numbers of my home scale. But you know what? I love myself so much that I know I am not perfect and I know that I will get my body ready for the bikini of my choice this summer. See that happens when you love your self so much. You know that you will fall off, and you know that you need to get back on the path to your dreams.

I have fallen and I have gotten back up!

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Day 16: Instant Comfort

I am sick today so this post will be very short. In a nutshell, I watched the film, "Hurt Locker", yesterday and it made me realize that when you are hired as a actor in a film ---you must become instantly comfortable with your cast mates if you want to do justice to the story being told. In this film it could have been done better...but it was done well.

Like instant grits...what allows you to become instantly intimate or comfortable with a cast mate? For me---its by deeply knowing the background of my cast mates in their times of being under pressure...if that even makes sense.

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Day 15: Fame Will Hunt Me Down

I have this habit Ive never told anyone about...I watch people with fame or celeb status and Ijust think to myself..."If Only I had that Fame..." I'd use it for something more than VIP at nightclubs, a salary, or a certain lifestyle...

I have always thought this way. I have always thought I could use the medium of fame in a more useful way than anyone I see on screen or magazine.

Thing is for the past few years or so I have not walked into my professional destiny...all the way. I have been focusing on what would do with the fame...instead of doing what I love and letting fame hunt me down.

I surrender to this...and I will allow my gifts to elude out of me...in turn Fame will hunt me down.

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Day 14: Satisfying My Professional Sweet Tooth

I love sweets. I love chocalate cake, doughnuts, cupcakes, cheesecake, sweet drinks, fraps, sweet coffee, sodas...you name it. Thing is all of these things add to my waist line so I must take them in ---in moderation. I desire great health.If I dont---I will gain wait. Which I have done so far this year.

So what does this have to do with acting or writing? Well I have learned that I LOVE indie films and foreign films. However, focusing all on those films will more than likely keep me broke. Just like a lot of sweets will keep me fat. It is what it is.

So a rule of thumb for me is to keep my professional sweet tooth alive; yet in moderation due to myoverall and dire desire a life Luxury. I will not settle with my lifestyle. Just like I will not settle for bad health.

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Days 10-13: Living In the Present

I have this really bad habit that I live about 75% of my life in the future. My sister actually pointed this out to me just this year. While this is what motivates me to keep moving towards my goals. It does not allow me to enjoy the "right now" time I have on earth. Its a habit that has also held me back in regard to my dreams.

Likewise---do you ever notice the really good actors are always in the "NOW". It can be a film made in 1980...but if the actor killed the performance...the performance will resonate with you today.

Well over the past few days I took a break from my goals to simply enjoy my life. I took in some catch up time with one of my old college friends and then I caught a Jay Z concert. I promised myself that I would try my best to stay in the moment in all I did over the weekend. Oddly, I did and then again, I did not.

Examples:

1- I went to a party and I just closed my eyes and danced. I danced alone and with guys, I reflected on what the song meant to me. I chatted with people and really took in the moment. When I took in the moment---I took in the smells, the noises at the party, the surrounding conversations and the temperment of people with me. Oddly, this was very hard to do without loosing focus.

2. Then the next day while "living in the present"...I succeeded greatly. When speaking with people---I really paid attention to all non verbal language they were bring to the conversation. I was also able to use my body language as well to communicate.

3. I messed up during the concert. The concert was of Jay Z, Jeezy, and Trey Songz. The only artist I wanted to hear was JayZ. However, with living in the present instead of retorting to my cell phone to see what was up on twitter or facebook or check my email. I could of simply learned from the people that like Jeezy.

4. After the concert I took notice that the majority of the concert goers were of a different class than myself, or should I say...different definitions of what I nice after party venue would be. Nevertheless, I blocked myself from enjoying whatever city I was in---because of this difference. I did not live in the present.

All in all I learned that living in the present in my own life is vital to be becoming the best actress of all time. Yep---I just copied Ali's little phrase :)

But seriously---living in the present is a gift its self.

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