Tomorrow was originally the day I was to arrive in New York to take my Mom to see a new baby in the family but instead I have to run around getting police reports, figured out what to do with her damaged car, try to get some answers from doctors and health care administrators and deal with her insurance company. What a turn of events. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I get a call from a family friend, who starts telling me what he thinks I should do in a weird and wacky way, then sort of insults me because I happen to be a little emotional about this potentially life-changing time in our lives.
I'm also emotional because I'm put off by the people in my life (and my Mom's) who have given us the impression that they would be there if there was ever a need. Where are those people now? Some people are all mouth and no action. In a situation like this, I'm not going to beg anyone to help me, but don't say I can count on your support if you don't mean it. This will all work out, I just know it will, with or without help from the flakes. Who needs them anyway. Like I said before, I'm putting all my trust in God on this one, to guide me one step, one day at a time.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
A Clear Channel - Day 107
Took the day off (so to speak). Got away from worrying about things I can't do anything about right now and let a very special someone take care of me today. Tomorrow we will seek out answers to some very important questions and prepare for Tuesday, a day that promises to be the type of day I don't even have the words to describe.
After a beautiful breakfast, and an afternoon at the African Marketplace in Brooklyn, my sweetie took me to a good old-fashioned house party BBQ. I didn't expect to know anyone there and I didn't until a high school friend of mine showed up, one of the baddest bass players around, Barry Johnson! We had been trying to connect for a few years now, but every time we were on the same coast at the same time, our schedules conflicted. Today's meeting was indeed fate. He had a lot of insight into my situation with my Mom and we will definitely connect while I'm here which may be a while. I'm so uncertain about the future right now. I just pray that I know the right move at the right time. I trust that I will because I trust in God.
After a beautiful breakfast, and an afternoon at the African Marketplace in Brooklyn, my sweetie took me to a good old-fashioned house party BBQ. I didn't expect to know anyone there and I didn't until a high school friend of mine showed up, one of the baddest bass players around, Barry Johnson! We had been trying to connect for a few years now, but every time we were on the same coast at the same time, our schedules conflicted. Today's meeting was indeed fate. He had a lot of insight into my situation with my Mom and we will definitely connect while I'm here which may be a while. I'm so uncertain about the future right now. I just pray that I know the right move at the right time. I trust that I will because I trust in God.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
A Clear Channel - Day 106
Got my Mom a new phone today. What a pleasant experience. The people at AT&T in Fresh Meadows were awesome. So patient. They set everything up for Mom in a way that I could understand. They even sold me a bluetooth for my Sprint phone so I could get an instant rebate. Back at the "facility" I showed my Mom how to use it and chatted with a couple of her guests. Mr. Pringle (the handyman....hmmmm) and a neighbor Mrs. Miles. It was fun catching up and hearing about her daughters Brenda and Debbie. We used to play on the block together when we were little and now Brenda has a 30 year old son!! It's hard to imagine especially if you have no kids.
No drama today, but I'm still tired so I'm going to bed after this short blog. Mom is doing well. We're looking forward to seeing her doctor on Thurs. We're ready to move on...we don't like this "facility".
No drama today, but I'm still tired so I'm going to bed after this short blog. Mom is doing well. We're looking forward to seeing her doctor on Thurs. We're ready to move on...we don't like this "facility".
Friday, May 28, 2010
A Clear Channel -Day 105
It's been quite a long, emotional day. Being an only child, a baby boomer with an elderly parent, I knew that this time in my life might come. I just always prayed that I was prepared for it and in some ways I am, yet you can never really prepare for change. There's so much going on with my Mom right now. First dealing with the accident details themselves, her health/recovery and then what next? I'm grateful for my program, clarity and friends who are guiding me through this whole process. I've always experienced my mother as indestructible, invincible, tough as nails, take no prisoners. Her demeanor is quite different these days which makes it easier to get along with her but I'm not familiar with this new Mom, so it feels very strange.
Had errands to run (police station, towing place, getting my Mom and new cell phone) and people to talk to, one in particular who was not very nice. I told the insurance representative about it and let her know I have people on the "inside". One thing I have learned from program, is to call on help. I used to think I could do everything by myself (guess who I got that from?) but today, I know I can't. It's easy to go it alone when you know what you're doing but why suffer when you don't? The other thing I have learned is to receive help from those who are genuinely offering assistance and don't waste time or energy on those who obviously aren't there for you. And then there are those people who may think you don't need anything from them or feel they have nothing to offer, so you need to be unafraid and very specific. I'm learning to recognize people's individual strengths and ask for back up.
Right now I'm asking God for a good night's sleep. I'm gonna let myself rest until my body is ready to get out of bed or the phone rings, whichever comes first. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Had errands to run (police station, towing place, getting my Mom and new cell phone) and people to talk to, one in particular who was not very nice. I told the insurance representative about it and let her know I have people on the "inside". One thing I have learned from program, is to call on help. I used to think I could do everything by myself (guess who I got that from?) but today, I know I can't. It's easy to go it alone when you know what you're doing but why suffer when you don't? The other thing I have learned is to receive help from those who are genuinely offering assistance and don't waste time or energy on those who obviously aren't there for you. And then there are those people who may think you don't need anything from them or feel they have nothing to offer, so you need to be unafraid and very specific. I'm learning to recognize people's individual strengths and ask for back up.
Right now I'm asking God for a good night's sleep. I'm gonna let myself rest until my body is ready to get out of bed or the phone rings, whichever comes first. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Clear Channel - Day 104
Arrived at JFK at 2AM (almost 24 hours ago). After a decent night's sleep, I gathered up some stuff, bought a cute little floral basket and some NY style Chinese food and went to see my Mom. I don't want to call this facility a nursing home, but it's sorta....like.....a ....nursing home. Neither one of us is particularly happy about that but until I really get all the info I need, that's what we're dealing with. For now.
I feel like I'm entering a new chapter, a new phase of my life and it's a bit scary. It's certainly unfamiliar territory for me, caring for my Mom. Even though we've lived 3,000 miles away for a quarter of a century, she's always been the strong one. In control and running things 24/7. If anyone has seen my solo show, you have an idea of what I'm talking about. All of that is about to change, I can just feel it. I've had my "moments" already, but I will not let my Mom see me upset. I've got to be strong for her like she's been for me all these years. For the first time ever, I heard her say today that she doesn't know about living in her house any longer. Wow. That's big. So what next? We don't know. The most important thing is her recovery from the car accident and I trust and pray that God will show us the next step at the right time. I have some amazing friends to support me through this (Thank you Parker, Danny, Cindy and Donna) and more importantly, I'm home.
I feel like I'm entering a new chapter, a new phase of my life and it's a bit scary. It's certainly unfamiliar territory for me, caring for my Mom. Even though we've lived 3,000 miles away for a quarter of a century, she's always been the strong one. In control and running things 24/7. If anyone has seen my solo show, you have an idea of what I'm talking about. All of that is about to change, I can just feel it. I've had my "moments" already, but I will not let my Mom see me upset. I've got to be strong for her like she's been for me all these years. For the first time ever, I heard her say today that she doesn't know about living in her house any longer. Wow. That's big. So what next? We don't know. The most important thing is her recovery from the car accident and I trust and pray that God will show us the next step at the right time. I have some amazing friends to support me through this (Thank you Parker, Danny, Cindy and Donna) and more importantly, I'm home.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A Clear Channel - Day 103
Worked on the feature film HOP today. Recently whenever I show up on set, people from all departments remember me from other projects we've worked on. One of the cameramen knew me from HEROES, there were other familiar faces too but the highlight was the 1st A.D., Michelle. I instantly remembered her from the film BOUNCE. I worked on the last day of shooting on that film, the day Ben Affleck gave her his car, a sporty red convertible Mustang just because she liked it so much!! That was several years ago. She said she still has that car, her son is driving it now.
HOP was a fun set to work on. Everyone was friendly, the director was just adorable and everyone seemed to be having a good time. His wife was part of the casting process and ended up playing the role I originally auditioned for. Once again, the food was amazing. The cater from New Orleans threw down (lunch) like it was some one's family reunion. I'd better do a lot of walking while in New York which shouldn't be problem.
Another one of today's highlights was listening to a young actor excitedly call his "dudes" throughout the day to tell them his scene was with Chelsea Handler. The rest of the time he was rehearsing his lines over and over again. Then he found out he would be missing out on an audition tomorrow because he had to return to the set of HOP. They weren't going to get to him today. (Just like me on that SONY spot yesterday). It happens sometimes. He was freaking out because he didn't want to audition for this part he felt he was right for on tape. He wanted to do it in person. As we were signing out, I apologized for ease-dropping (even though I couldn't help but hear him through our thin honey-wagon walls) but I told him Steven Spielberg cast me from a tape for The Terminal and I gently reminded him that the director for this movie was not in the room when we auditioned. He was so appreciative for that. See? Ask Stage Mom, I'll hook you up. One of the things I found out about him is that he's a comic, so I invited him to do a set at Laugh-A-Latte. It was so nice to be a witness to his passion for his work and this business. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of him. I'll let you know when I do.
Well God has been showering me with blessings lately. He obviously has a plan. My cup runneth over. I've got jobs, money and peace of mind. Now I can to NY and give to my Mom.
HOP was a fun set to work on. Everyone was friendly, the director was just adorable and everyone seemed to be having a good time. His wife was part of the casting process and ended up playing the role I originally auditioned for. Once again, the food was amazing. The cater from New Orleans threw down (lunch) like it was some one's family reunion. I'd better do a lot of walking while in New York which shouldn't be problem.
Another one of today's highlights was listening to a young actor excitedly call his "dudes" throughout the day to tell them his scene was with Chelsea Handler. The rest of the time he was rehearsing his lines over and over again. Then he found out he would be missing out on an audition tomorrow because he had to return to the set of HOP. They weren't going to get to him today. (Just like me on that SONY spot yesterday). It happens sometimes. He was freaking out because he didn't want to audition for this part he felt he was right for on tape. He wanted to do it in person. As we were signing out, I apologized for ease-dropping (even though I couldn't help but hear him through our thin honey-wagon walls) but I told him Steven Spielberg cast me from a tape for The Terminal and I gently reminded him that the director for this movie was not in the room when we auditioned. He was so appreciative for that. See? Ask Stage Mom, I'll hook you up. One of the things I found out about him is that he's a comic, so I invited him to do a set at Laugh-A-Latte. It was so nice to be a witness to his passion for his work and this business. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of him. I'll let you know when I do.
Well God has been showering me with blessings lately. He obviously has a plan. My cup runneth over. I've got jobs, money and peace of mind. Now I can to NY and give to my Mom.
Monday, May 24, 2010
A Clear Channel - Day 102
There's no business like show business... I got paid today to sit around and eat snacks, check in on my Mom, get updates from my cousins and enjoy a really good lunch. Am I complaining? Absolutely not!! I was working (or supposed to be) on a SONY PSP commercial with child star Bobb'e Thompson. I was going to be his Mom in this spot. It was quite a different vibe from the GEICO spot last week. Today was a little chaotic but I can't say it came from the director but from someone else in charge. I didn't get the feeling the he was someone who people enjoyed working for. Everyone seemed a bit nervous and sometimes confused. I had way to much on my mind to even get involved, so I stayed out of the way until needed and that moment never came...I was released at 5:30PM with many apologies from the director for not getting to me. They even forgot me at lunch. I was hanging out in a sort of Zen garden with the craft services guy and thought that things had gotten rather quiet. Then I overheard someone ask him if he was going to lunch. I stuck my nose in that conversation and was immediately escorted to the shuttle to take me to base camp where lunch was being served by the same catering company as the GEICO commercial. Yummy! I had the most fun with the wardrobe, hair and make-up crew. I live literally moments away (I could have walked to work) so all in all it was a decent day.
Spoke to my cousins and my Mom who has been relocated from the hospital to the rehab facility and she's not impressed. Just one more day here, working on the movie tomorrow and then I'll be right by her side...hopefully to take her home. I know she would prefer that. As soon as I secure this rental car, my mind will be at rest. For now.
Spoke to my cousins and my Mom who has been relocated from the hospital to the rehab facility and she's not impressed. Just one more day here, working on the movie tomorrow and then I'll be right by her side...hopefully to take her home. I know she would prefer that. As soon as I secure this rental car, my mind will be at rest. For now.
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