In elementary school, children can’t wait til recess. Older students make all of their plans for lunch break. I’d just as soon be working. I suppose that’s an attitude of many in this recession. I’m relieved that I’ve been a starving artist for so long that the recession means little to me, except that I hoped to buy a house. That’s not new. It’s been a dream since I was in junior high and I started scouting when I was seventeen. I found the perfect investment in Oakland, CA when I was nineteen or twenty. That house, indeed, turned out to be a gold mine. For somebody. I’m not sure how people do it, but it always seems to come down to a willing uncle making an investment. Or if you’re really wealthy, you just live somewhere in your parents villa or penthouse in the city.
So I’m watching these great deals come and go because, even though I’ve heard it a million times, it’s actually impossible to buy anything “for a song.” If that were true, I’d own parts of the bay area that George Lucas overlooked. Meanwhile, I’m lucky to be here in the mountains. I’ve been looking in Los Angeles for a place just for me to stay. It seems more economical than the two of us with the three dogs trying to find a place. Who am I kidding? Even if I found a landlord who was enthusiastic about three labs, the rent for such a place is something I can’t wrap my head around. Because I’m way up here, I have had to turn down three auditions, but I’ve gone on four or five others in the last two weeks ranging from a go-see for modeling to an agent’s meeting.
I nailed one for the theater. They knew it and I knew they knew it and they knew I knew they knew it. What I don’t know is why I didn’t get the part. The next day I had the opportunity to use my indie artist fame to get a free ride to Vegas for a movie premiere. Because of my auditions, I could only stay for the night. My host and his companion were immensely more interesting than the film, so I hope to meet with them again. I believe I could’ve won everyone a lot more money at the craps table if I had, but it’s always better to quit while ahead. Just after getting back to the lake, I was invited to another audition at the Church of Scientology’s “Celebrity Center.” I stayed a few days to take some of the courses the Center offered, one of which has inspired me to send out my unsolicited voiceover demo to unsuspecting agents. As soon as I got home, I got a call back but missed the call due to some weirdness with the service that also forced me to explain myself to some friends.
So, forced to go to recess, I’m going to get my demo together. While I market, I’m also reflecting, researching, planning, and learning. Something big must be on the horizon because this is one of the longer calms I’ve had before my storms. And if it’s not, well, at least I won’t get mugged up here in the mountains while the economy is going to hell in a handbasket.
That brings me to my money saving tip which is not as sexy as a Sophisticated Hobo tip, but… If you don’t have food filling it up, putting empty containers into your fridge cuts down the energy use and saves you MONEY. It also saves a lot of cabinet space if you’re living in an older home with a teeny, tiny kitchen. And it’s fun to watch people open each container hoping for some left over lasagna 
My hero this week will be my new friend, Danielle, who has in her the calm decisiveness needed to create and protect peace… or at least, comfort, for those she keeps company with. And, well, Jon’s success coming at the heels of some seriously mind blowing debt and presumable failure is the kind of inspiring story the motivational speakers thrive on. Thanks, Jon and Danielle.
I’ve continued the Christmas Vacation story in several parts at www.amyarena.com and on myspacemusic/amyarena where I also have a clip of the upcoming album and will post more in the weeks ahead.
Be dreaming,
me
