While on set for Dragon Palace, I developed an awful blister between two teeth which I suspect came from a piece of celery in the witness protection program. The next day I went to help out this gentleman who's ideas I wasn't so certain about, and by this time, I'd been feeling rather ill and nervous partially due to the panic of a friend who thought I had an abscess.

It was hot.

I had to wear a lizard face on Hollywood Boulevard.

And I was expecting to get paid a dollar. One dollar.

I met another actor while doing some promo work. Well, where else are you going to meet actors? On set? Psshh. He said he'd done three indie films in Tucson and decided to come to LA. He said, "There's no better work, if you can get it." I noticed, of course, he didn't seem to like working much at all and rarely did anything until he was expressly told. Maybe that's a good thing for directors. I don't know. I thought he might not survive here, but I could be wrong.

Sometimes submitting and auditioning whoops me. As I've turned my attention to raising money to make my music video, I have even less motivation to jump through Hollywood's hoops. Moreover, I've received some copy to edit a reel, but these videos seems to be locked so I can't put my little montage together. Now that I want to seek out higher paying work, I need that montage to submit to casting agents who do more scrutiny than a headshot glance and, occasionally a resume perusal.

This month: Family, SAG, and Album Release

Gang-Related

Recently, I returned to Jersey to visit with my grandmother who newly transitioned to hospice care. Weeks later, I returned for her funeral. I hadn't committed myself to much during this period, except for being available for this mysterious process of death. While there, I stayed with Kim, the eldest of my first cousins, who often plays the role of big sister when we're all around. All of the grandchildren are girls and you'll note I didn't change my last name in marriage. I may pass down "Arena" yet.

You May Be!

I hate sales pitches that drag you along with exciting news and then force you to go to a site that has free opportunities to go to other sites that require your credit card numbers so I'll just get to it already! I can't stand the anticipation!

Recently, I was accepted into two companies with "dues paying membership." Dues paying membership? I'm an ACTOR, people. To boot, I'm just beginning my career in Los Angeles. How can I possibly afford dues?

About the Album...

Making this album has been quite the journey. I feel like I've caught you
all up in some Guns 'n' Roses strip tease of a record release promise.
Well, I have no promise because I simply don't know. It's out of my hands
now and when those who are in possession of it decide the timing is right,
it will be passed into your hands.

Now that I've reached the end, I listened to what has unfolded and I can't
believe that some of these stories, some of these ideas, some of these
experiences were mine. I'd easily take a few songs off to hide those
embarrassing parts of me the way you tuck away regrettable junior high
photographs of horrific hair and ridiculous clothing. Or the way you burn
them.

That would be an unfair rewrite of history.

Some songs I'd like to fine tune and others I'm already ready to remake.
However, if I keep going back I'll never go forward so I've finally let go.
I don't know how to describe it to you, which is typical of many musicians.
In fact, I read somewhere that you HAVE to learn how to describe your music
and describe it well if you want to market it properly. In fact, you should
be able to compare your music to someone if you want others to take an
interest. That's marketing. Artists just LOVE feeling like they can be
canned and labeled.

While I know you think that's humorous, I also know you're still wondering
what it sounds like. Would you settle for alternative pop? No, really.
One song is a lovely throwback to Sgt. Pepper's, another sounds like a Cher
dance hit made for Disney… without her voice, another is a
drum-n-bass/trip-hop conglomeration… Are you feeling a bit seasick yet? Me,
too.

I thought of calling this body of work a thousand different things to
describe the variety of it that is, indeed, me. My favorite so far is
"Dirty Little Whore" because the album just sorta gets around, you know?
And eventually, you'll have your hands all over her. And you'll be passing
her around, talking about her behind her back, but you'll love her in spite
of her wild inconsistency. We'll see. I don't want anyone confusing
theconcept with my dignified reputation as a person.

No matter what, sincerity lives wholly in each song. That is the thread.
The consistency. The genre, if you will. In keeping with that theme, I can
sincerely tell you I have no idea when it's coming. That's marketing.

- Amy

Selected Vocal Recordings

"Weather"
Featured Vocals, :brownstudy
Really Nice Recordings

"Rivers Norules"
Featured Vocals, JakGalt
GALT|Faculty

"Intro," Moses
Back-up Vocals, Moses
Jam Faction

"Burning Brightly," "Unity," "Truth Interlude"
Back-up Vocals, Ayro
OmoaMusic

Essential Sauce, EP
Lead Vocals
SF Midi Mafia

"Astral Waters," "Native Slipstream," "Agua de Beber," "Dance
With You," "Tribal Romance"
Featured Vocals, Henrik Libreo
Urban Loops

Amy Arena, self-titled album
Lead Vocals
Domo Records

So I finally found a job that doesn't require driving an hour through the forestry's Kern River canyon to get there. Worse yet, I happen to love it. I'm substitute teaching at a lock-down facility for troubled young men. They're extraordinarily polite and, because their length of stay is effected by how cooperative and active they are in class, they're oddly attentive. What more could a girl want than a a captive, responsive audience.

Well, the holiday is no time to sit down to write. Instead I've been working on this Holiday Greeting for you.

Amy's Holiday Video

I can't even figure out who I sent cards to already, so I've opted to not send anymore and aim for Valentine's as a goal. If not Valentine's, Easter. Yeah, waaaah. I got married again right before Thanksgiving and while I kept my Thank You notes very organized, I dropped the ball for the Holiday Cards. You'll get over it. Or cut me off of your own card list. It's incredibly empowering!