Sunday, November 11, 2007
2/365-- Hillary
Hillary-- generous, open, encouraging. My first real acting class outside of college. Helped me believe in myself enough to try it again, for real this time. Whatever career I have, I owe to her. Exercises, safety, risk. Pride, learning, teaching.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
This week.....
has just basically sucked, for the most part. The kids were really off this week. I'm still not sure why, but REALLY off. I'm really not feeling well... my thyroid needs to be checked, BIG time. I am feeling the fatigue, and the lack of ability to physically do stuff, which makes rehearsals (and learning lines!) tough. I'm doing fairly well learning my lines, but there are two scenes that are real bears and that's driving me nuts!
EVERY DAY (except Friday), there have been HUGE accidents-- and not just one or two, but a LOT of them. On Thursday, it took me over TWO HOURS to get to work. And I've been asked to do several extra things for work, as well, which I really don't mind doing, but right now I don't feel like I have the time. It's really hard to coordinate having everything I need where and when I need it for work, which is yet another stress, and I'm finding it hard to get up in the mornings (yet another reason for me to know that I need my thyroid checked, IMMEDIATELY). And I'm just feeling in general, depressed about everything that's going on and am afraid to look at my 401(k) right now.
And on Wednesday, I'm up in my room teaching and one of the guys comes up and says, "You'd better check your car. You have a flat tire!" Well, it wasn't quite flat, but it was getting there fast. And it was fine (to the eye) that morning, although I had noticed a little vibration and pulling when I braked the night before, so it was a slow leak, apparently. Called AAA, and they tell me that my membership has expired, and they didn't get my check for the renewal BACK IN AUGUST. ::SIGH:: NOW, you tell me? Anyway, I had to pay by credit card (they were really nice about it), and now I'll have to try to find the check (which won't be easy since the bank doesn't return cancelled checks anymore).... anyway, the guy who came out was very nice. He put air in it, and I put some more in a bit later, and then went to get it fixed. Cost me $25 and 2 hours of time!!!!
We got our info for our benefits enrollment for next year. I was HOPING that it would be better. It's not. The medical coverage is not a problem (although it's expensive, when I hear what other people are paying for theirs, I feel lucky). It's the Rx that I can't stand. They changed two years ago to a particular company, which was then 'taken over' (I guess) by Caremark. I HATE Caremark. I hate them with a passion. The first thing they did was IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, the increased our co-pay. When called to ask why, the only answer I got from them was, "We're not your insurance company, we're just an administrative company." Yet, EVERY SINGLE COMMUNICATION avenue goes to them, so you can't actually TALK to anyone at the insurance company... but Caremark won't give you any answers. They tried to push a generic thyroid med on me. Now, that would actually sorta be ok, except for the fact that the generic is NOT 'bioequivalent' as they tried to tell me. Their definition of 'bioequivalen' is a TWELVE PERCENT difference in effectiveness. In this case, stronger. Now, for some medications that might not be a problem. For thyroid, it's enough to land you in the hospital. Not to mention that you don't necessarily get the SAME generic each time, and each one is a different strength, so you can never regulate it... and thyroid hormone has a very small margin for error. THEN they sent a notice that they were not going to cover another med AT ALL. So, for two years, every time I go to pick it up, I get, "Don't you have insurance?" And have to explain the whole thing to them-- and then this SAME insurance company that won't COVER it has the NERVE to tell the pharmacy that they won't permit a refill because it's too soon! TWICE. Morons. If I could have, I'd've stopped paying the premiums, because it was simply costing me more money-- they weren't paying for anything... but it's part of the package with the medical coverage, all the same premium.
Anyway, so now we're going to have Rx coverage through BC/BS. Okay, fine. Except that EVERY SINGLE brand medication I looked at (and I looked at a lot, just to see), is what they call a "Tier 3" -- with a very few exceptions that are "Tier 2." "Tier 1" are all the generic ones.
Which means, you pay a co-pay (relatively small one) for a Tier 1 med. A $25 copay for a Tier 2 (a 'preferred brand" med) and for a 'nonpreferred' one (Tier 3), you pay FORTY FIVE dollars, PLUS the difference in cost between the generic and brand, up to the cost of the script. Which means, again, I'll be paying premiums and getting nothing in return. Oh, it just INFURIATES me how they can take advantage of people. And how we spend SO MUCH on health care costs, and get relatively little for it, in comparison to other countries. We have one of the most expensive health care systems in the WORLD, and yet we are FORTY FIRST in life expectancy among the industrialised nations.
EVERY DAY (except Friday), there have been HUGE accidents-- and not just one or two, but a LOT of them. On Thursday, it took me over TWO HOURS to get to work. And I've been asked to do several extra things for work, as well, which I really don't mind doing, but right now I don't feel like I have the time. It's really hard to coordinate having everything I need where and when I need it for work, which is yet another stress, and I'm finding it hard to get up in the mornings (yet another reason for me to know that I need my thyroid checked, IMMEDIATELY). And I'm just feeling in general, depressed about everything that's going on and am afraid to look at my 401(k) right now.
And on Wednesday, I'm up in my room teaching and one of the guys comes up and says, "You'd better check your car. You have a flat tire!" Well, it wasn't quite flat, but it was getting there fast. And it was fine (to the eye) that morning, although I had noticed a little vibration and pulling when I braked the night before, so it was a slow leak, apparently. Called AAA, and they tell me that my membership has expired, and they didn't get my check for the renewal BACK IN AUGUST. ::SIGH:: NOW, you tell me? Anyway, I had to pay by credit card (they were really nice about it), and now I'll have to try to find the check (which won't be easy since the bank doesn't return cancelled checks anymore).... anyway, the guy who came out was very nice. He put air in it, and I put some more in a bit later, and then went to get it fixed. Cost me $25 and 2 hours of time!!!!
We got our info for our benefits enrollment for next year. I was HOPING that it would be better. It's not. The medical coverage is not a problem (although it's expensive, when I hear what other people are paying for theirs, I feel lucky). It's the Rx that I can't stand. They changed two years ago to a particular company, which was then 'taken over' (I guess) by Caremark. I HATE Caremark. I hate them with a passion. The first thing they did was IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, the increased our co-pay. When called to ask why, the only answer I got from them was, "We're not your insurance company, we're just an administrative company." Yet, EVERY SINGLE COMMUNICATION avenue goes to them, so you can't actually TALK to anyone at the insurance company... but Caremark won't give you any answers. They tried to push a generic thyroid med on me. Now, that would actually sorta be ok, except for the fact that the generic is NOT 'bioequivalent' as they tried to tell me. Their definition of 'bioequivalen' is a TWELVE PERCENT difference in effectiveness. In this case, stronger. Now, for some medications that might not be a problem. For thyroid, it's enough to land you in the hospital. Not to mention that you don't necessarily get the SAME generic each time, and each one is a different strength, so you can never regulate it... and thyroid hormone has a very small margin for error. THEN they sent a notice that they were not going to cover another med AT ALL. So, for two years, every time I go to pick it up, I get, "Don't you have insurance?" And have to explain the whole thing to them-- and then this SAME insurance company that won't COVER it has the NERVE to tell the pharmacy that they won't permit a refill because it's too soon! TWICE. Morons. If I could have, I'd've stopped paying the premiums, because it was simply costing me more money-- they weren't paying for anything... but it's part of the package with the medical coverage, all the same premium.
Anyway, so now we're going to have Rx coverage through BC/BS. Okay, fine. Except that EVERY SINGLE brand medication I looked at (and I looked at a lot, just to see), is what they call a "Tier 3" -- with a very few exceptions that are "Tier 2." "Tier 1" are all the generic ones.
Which means, you pay a co-pay (relatively small one) for a Tier 1 med. A $25 copay for a Tier 2 (a 'preferred brand" med) and for a 'nonpreferred' one (Tier 3), you pay FORTY FIVE dollars, PLUS the difference in cost between the generic and brand, up to the cost of the script. Which means, again, I'll be paying premiums and getting nothing in return. Oh, it just INFURIATES me how they can take advantage of people. And how we spend SO MUCH on health care costs, and get relatively little for it, in comparison to other countries. We have one of the most expensive health care systems in the WORLD, and yet we are FORTY FIRST in life expectancy among the industrialised nations.
1/365-- Mom
Got this idea from http://backporchervations.blogspot.com/ -- a very interesting idea.... each day for 365 days, choose one person you've known who impacted you and write a certain number of words about them (could be your age, or another number you choose). Started with a guy who wanted to celebrate turning 40 in an unusual way. Here's his original.
http://www.logolalia.com/40x365/
OK, here goes....
Muv-- amazingly strong, beautiful, courageous, loves animals, able to do anything. Still, doing more than those half her age,-- "What am I supposed to do? Just sit here?" Green thumb (wish I'd inherited that!). Classy, determined, always positive. My hero.
http://www.logolalia.com/40x365/
OK, here goes....
Muv-- amazingly strong, beautiful, courageous, loves animals, able to do anything. Still, doing more than those half her age,-- "What am I supposed to do? Just sit here?" Green thumb (wish I'd inherited that!). Classy, determined, always positive. My hero.
Monday, November 5, 2007
...Oh, and.....
I guess I should add to the avalanche hearing our alleged president say that to have his AG nominee answer questions about waterboarding would be giving terrorists the 'playbook' about what we would or would not do.... OMG!! As the one senator said, I WANT my president and AG to be CLEAR to EVERYONE that the US does NOT condone and will NOT allow torture! Aside from the fact that that just drags us down to their level, it DOES NOT WORK. It has been proven time and time again that information extracted through coercive methods is NOT reliable. It's just NOT. And to think that we have someone who is supposed to represent us who thinks that it's ok! I am just really depressed right now, about a whole lot of things....
Where are we.......
and why are we in this handbasket??
WHAT is happening? It seems that just in the last week or so, the whole world is suddenly collapsing. We have the situation in Pakistan, where at least 1500 people have been arrested for DARING to protest the martial law imposed by a dictator they didn't ask for... and Bush's response is, "I would hope he would take off his uniform." @@ I mean, seriously????? What the heck is THAT about? And he's STILL giving him aid and STILL says this person (absolutely not any better than Saddam Hussein) is a 'partner in the war on terror.' ::SIGH::
Gas prices have jumped THIRTY CENTS in just the last couple of weeks-- and they say it is only going to go higher-- another 20 cents or more! Very worrisome, especially with the SEVENTY FIVE percent increase in electricity costs in the last couple of years, and now they're asking for MORE! That apparently just wasn't enough!
And, now, the writer's strike, which is actually hitting much closer to home right now. With my friends in the Guild who are being hit hard by this immediately, it worries me, with the SAG contract coming up soon, and the possibility that SAG may go out sooner in support of the WGA, this could last for a LONG, LONG time. We're talking through the fall of next year. Last time, it was 22 weeks... that's going to impact me and a LOT of my friends. :*( But, the thing is that the WGA is NOT asking for unreasonable concessions, and SAG is going to be asking for the same for us actors. If they don't get it, neither will we. But, this is going to devastate a LOT of people, not just writers, actors, directors, etc.... but all of the tech crews, the catering crews, and everyone else who supplies goods or services to the film/television industry. All over the COUNTRY. But, the producers are acting like they're asking for the moon, and as if THEY have been SO accommodating. PLEASE. They never even made a COUNTER proposal to the proposal of EIGHT LOUSY CENTS per DVD. HOW is that asking for something unreasonable??? And if it is, why not make a counter? That IS what negotiating is supposed to be about, isn't it?
I'm truly starting to get a little scared about the future...... may God truly bless us right now, and protect us from our own mistakes.
WHAT is happening? It seems that just in the last week or so, the whole world is suddenly collapsing. We have the situation in Pakistan, where at least 1500 people have been arrested for DARING to protest the martial law imposed by a dictator they didn't ask for... and Bush's response is, "I would hope he would take off his uniform." @@ I mean, seriously????? What the heck is THAT about? And he's STILL giving him aid and STILL says this person (absolutely not any better than Saddam Hussein) is a 'partner in the war on terror.' ::SIGH::
Gas prices have jumped THIRTY CENTS in just the last couple of weeks-- and they say it is only going to go higher-- another 20 cents or more! Very worrisome, especially with the SEVENTY FIVE percent increase in electricity costs in the last couple of years, and now they're asking for MORE! That apparently just wasn't enough!
And, now, the writer's strike, which is actually hitting much closer to home right now. With my friends in the Guild who are being hit hard by this immediately, it worries me, with the SAG contract coming up soon, and the possibility that SAG may go out sooner in support of the WGA, this could last for a LONG, LONG time. We're talking through the fall of next year. Last time, it was 22 weeks... that's going to impact me and a LOT of my friends. :*( But, the thing is that the WGA is NOT asking for unreasonable concessions, and SAG is going to be asking for the same for us actors. If they don't get it, neither will we. But, this is going to devastate a LOT of people, not just writers, actors, directors, etc.... but all of the tech crews, the catering crews, and everyone else who supplies goods or services to the film/television industry. All over the COUNTRY. But, the producers are acting like they're asking for the moon, and as if THEY have been SO accommodating. PLEASE. They never even made a COUNTER proposal to the proposal of EIGHT LOUSY CENTS per DVD. HOW is that asking for something unreasonable??? And if it is, why not make a counter? That IS what negotiating is supposed to be about, isn't it?
I'm truly starting to get a little scared about the future...... may God truly bless us right now, and protect us from our own mistakes.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
Well, she most certainly did help!!!! I think she gave me the key, and I hope I can do what she wants me to do!!!!! She helped a lot, and was very positive... but she told me that my headshot was 'REALLY, REALLY bad," and not to send it out to anyone... I knew it wasn't great, but I didn't think it was HORRIBLE. Oh, well... off to NY I will be. I didn't want to spend that much money, but it will be worth it to FINALLY have a headshot I can get work from.
I spent as much on my first ones several years ago (not including hair and makeup) as a couple of names I've been given, so I guess it will be worth the investment. I just have to find time to spend a day in NY, and that's not easy, either. Not to mention either driving up there or trying to carry what I need on either the train or bus. ACK! Oh, well, we'll see, but it's going to HAVE to be NY.
We really worked on 'strippping,' as she calls it-- distilling it down to the very basics. It was EXCELLENT, and 'grueling,' but very definitely worth it. I really DO understand now why I haven't booked a whole lot of film/tv auditions I've gone on. Now, I have to work on the 'vulnerability.' Tomorrow's scenes are tailor-made for that, so hopefully I can really nail them! We discussed what types we were, and she was very clear and straightforward, even blunt about what was good and what didn't work, so it was VERY valuable. I'm hoping tomorrow will be just as good.
Then I went out with T's class for dinner. I only went really because of the special guest who was there-- and it was great to meet him! :) However, $25 for paella that had shrimp and mussels in it (which I didn't/couldn't eat), a salad that had mussels in it (which again, I couldn't/didn't eat--although the waitress brought me a separate side salad with no seafood, which was very nice of her, and the salad was ok), and some chicken thing which I don't THINK had seafood in it-- we'll know for sure in the next few hours!-- just was NOT worth it. Oh, well, the company was great and that's all that really matters!
I spent as much on my first ones several years ago (not including hair and makeup) as a couple of names I've been given, so I guess it will be worth the investment. I just have to find time to spend a day in NY, and that's not easy, either. Not to mention either driving up there or trying to carry what I need on either the train or bus. ACK! Oh, well, we'll see, but it's going to HAVE to be NY.
We really worked on 'strippping,' as she calls it-- distilling it down to the very basics. It was EXCELLENT, and 'grueling,' but very definitely worth it. I really DO understand now why I haven't booked a whole lot of film/tv auditions I've gone on. Now, I have to work on the 'vulnerability.' Tomorrow's scenes are tailor-made for that, so hopefully I can really nail them! We discussed what types we were, and she was very clear and straightforward, even blunt about what was good and what didn't work, so it was VERY valuable. I'm hoping tomorrow will be just as good.
Then I went out with T's class for dinner. I only went really because of the special guest who was there-- and it was great to meet him! :) However, $25 for paella that had shrimp and mussels in it (which I didn't/couldn't eat), a salad that had mussels in it (which again, I couldn't/didn't eat--although the waitress brought me a separate side salad with no seafood, which was very nice of her, and the salad was ok), and some chicken thing which I don't THINK had seafood in it-- we'll know for sure in the next few hours!-- just was NOT worth it. Oh, well, the company was great and that's all that really matters!
Friday, November 2, 2007
....And so it begins....
WGA has decided to strike. This is going to impact pilot season BIG time. The studios are so greedy.... the agreement they have right now with regards to dvds, downloads, etc... all the 'new' media... was reached in the 1980s, LONG before they had the impact they have now. Yet ANOTHER indication that studios (and thus the entertainment industry) are now run by 'suits' who care ONLY about the bottom line, and couldn't care LESS about the creativity or the quality of the product.
The last time this happened, they mad reruns of old shows (like Dark Shadows)... just reused scripts. Not going to happen this time... the entire sets are going to be shut down.
And whatever the agreement is with WGA is going to impact the negotiations with SAG and determine whether we actors strike this summer. I can only hope this is a very short strike. As both an actor and someone who loves tv and movies. ::SIGH::
Me, I have to worry about the workshop tomorrow... I REALLY want to nail these scenes and hope that she will call me for pilot season (if there IS one at this point!)..... or have some good advice on how to take my career to the next stage. Not to mention improve my booking rate re: film/tv. And, most of all, I think it will be fun!!!!!
The last time this happened, they mad reruns of old shows (like Dark Shadows)... just reused scripts. Not going to happen this time... the entire sets are going to be shut down.
And whatever the agreement is with WGA is going to impact the negotiations with SAG and determine whether we actors strike this summer. I can only hope this is a very short strike. As both an actor and someone who loves tv and movies. ::SIGH::
Me, I have to worry about the workshop tomorrow... I REALLY want to nail these scenes and hope that she will call me for pilot season (if there IS one at this point!)..... or have some good advice on how to take my career to the next stage. Not to mention improve my booking rate re: film/tv. And, most of all, I think it will be fun!!!!!
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