A Clear Channel - Day 148

Easy breezy day on the set of PROM. As grateful as I am for work, I'll be glad when I book movie roles that I can really sink my teeth into. Everyone was pleased with my work today, but I want to "feel the burn". (A little voice is saying, "Be careful what you wish for.") I say, "Shut up!...Bring it on!!!" How else am I going to win my Oscar?

A Clear Channel - Day 147

I love these new blogger stats. It shows me I don't have as many views to my blog as I thought, but it's OK. I notice that at least one person from the Ukraine has read my blog. I have 70 people in the US and 2 people in Canada who have checked out Carlease's Bits N Pieces at one time or another.
Can't stay up too late tonight, I have a 7AM call for my film shoot tomorrow. Today we had a "story conference" which is a fancy name for a table read. It was at Disney and the entire cast was there. It's a big one! Mostly high school kids. Very cool, hip, fun and talented high school kids. I'm very excited to be a part of this project.
In between all the excitement, I had two lengthy phone conversations with my god-brother about my Mom and he put some things into perspective for me. Looks like another trip back east is forthcoming. First I'm going to wrap up this film project which should take until the end of August.
Well, I thought I was so smart linking my new mobile phone to my computer only to discover I've erased all my contacts from the phone!!! At least they are on the computer somewhere...don't have time to deal with that right now. Gotta get my beauty rest so I'll be ready for my close-up.
I love you Danny Chisolm...just the way you are!!

A Clear Channel - Day 145

Today was the first day in a long time that I had no specific agenda. Not that there's anything wrong with having an agenda, but sometimes it feels good to wake up whenever your body tells you to and then decide on what you're going to do that day. The only thing I knew I really needed to do today was get my car washed and while I was out, I ran a couple of other errands. I love spending time at home and believe me I have about a million projects to do around here. Part of the reason I feel so overwhelmed with my sudden care giving status, is because I don't feel I have my own stuff in order. So that's what I'll be working on during the month of August while I'm working on this movie. After my filming is done, we'll see what needs to be done next. My first shoot date is Monday, the first day of shooting for everyone so I'm gonna go read the latest revision of the script before I go to sleep tonight.

A Clear Channel - Day 143

Today was a wonderful day. Very healing. It started with my interview on the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival's new cable show, SPOTLIGHT. I was interviewed by Florence LaRue of the Fifth Dimension. We talked about my solo show, FIFTY! It Doesn't Look This Good On Everybody and because of my mom's recent changes in her health, the interview was a lot more emotional than I had intended. Florence and the entire production staff was great and Florence didn't let me leave the theatre without of word of prayer for my Mom (who's name is also Florence by the way). I will always remember her for that.
Later today, I drove down to Manhattan Beach and strolled along the pier. Although I am no swimmer (I almost drowned during a water aerobics class in Turks & Caicos) there is something calming about being near the ocean. That's why I live 10 blocks from the ocean. So why did I leave my home and drive down to Manhattan Beach? Because tonight was my first djembe lesson at an adorable little school in that area. For those of you who don't know, a djembe (pronounced GEM-bay) is an African drum. I've always wanted to learn to drum and I'm going for it. I think I'm pretty good at it even though I've already injured myself. Nothing a little ice won't cure.

A Clear Channel - Day 142

Today I had a very lengthy and uplifting phone call from my friend Julie Rice. She and her sister have been caregivers for both of their parents so she had a lot to offer. What I liked about our conversation is the way she first shared her experience and then let me know that she really understands me personally and what I am going through. She never preached or told me what to do. She did suggest that I take a week to just focus on me. Carlease Week. I am definitely taking her advice. I made a list of pampering and things I really like to do but have put off for various reasons. The first thing I did when we hung up this morning was call all my agents to let them know I was available for work. I had a voice over audition at 4:30PM. Since I'm going to be here for a month to be available for this Disney movie I'm working on, why shouldn't I be out there creating even more work for myself? My mother wants me to hurry back to New York, but why? I've got to have a plan and specific purpose the next time I visit. I can't just go back there to hold her hand. So Carlease Week has officially started. The "physical therapist" is in place and my mother seems to be taking to her quite nicely. I'm gonna step back a little bit, let them get acquainted and find their own rhythm. Right now I've got to unbraid all this hair.