No matter how much you plan ahead for a cross-country move there are many little details that fall through the cracks. Here are some things I forgot during my move:
*a can opener
*Zach's birth certificate so I can get his California work permit
*any and all tools (hammer, screwdriver, etc.)
*sunscreen
The past 3-4 days have been jam-packed with activities. Zach has been meeting with agents and managers, worked in the recording studio, had a photo shoot and tried to get some sleep!
I've tried my best to settle him into a normal routine during the last 36 hours. We have started daily homework assignments since his school has been very helpful in making sure Zach does not fall behind in his studies.
We have a meeting with a potential agent tomorrow afternoon...Which could be a huge help with his school work...Why? Come back tomorrow (I hope) for a lesson in California law!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
We're Here! Now What Do We Do?
The carefree excitement of arriving in Los Angeles lasted about 12 hours. The excitement was replaced by this thought...Where am I going to live???
There are many options but (of course) none of them have easy solutions. One of the beautiful things about LA is the ability to rent for 1-3-6-12 months. How much money you are willing to pay per month helps determine the length of your lease.
Another thing you have to take into account when you move to LA is you are doubling your household expenses. Rent, groceries, utilities, cable, etc. Plus, every apartment/sublet/rental has to run a credit check/background check that can take 24-72 hours.
Monday morning was filled with looking at apartments trying to find one to suit our needs. One of the places featured a gym, tennis courts, movie theater and a doorman. The next building we looked at had a landlord that should be an SNL character, no storm drains so a half-inch of rain almost caused a flood, a lack of people renting apartments and a location next to a tarot shop/sub shop.
Hmmm...Which one do I choose?
Tuesday is paperwork day so the boy can become a professional working actor. More details soon.
There are many options but (of course) none of them have easy solutions. One of the beautiful things about LA is the ability to rent for 1-3-6-12 months. How much money you are willing to pay per month helps determine the length of your lease.
Another thing you have to take into account when you move to LA is you are doubling your household expenses. Rent, groceries, utilities, cable, etc. Plus, every apartment/sublet/rental has to run a credit check/background check that can take 24-72 hours.
Monday morning was filled with looking at apartments trying to find one to suit our needs. One of the places featured a gym, tennis courts, movie theater and a doorman. The next building we looked at had a landlord that should be an SNL character, no storm drains so a half-inch of rain almost caused a flood, a lack of people renting apartments and a location next to a tarot shop/sub shop.
Hmmm...Which one do I choose?
Tuesday is paperwork day so the boy can become a professional working actor. More details soon.
Friday, January 20, 2012
How did I become a Dadager?
There have been a few times in my life that something seemed like a good idea so I decided to give it a try.
1. I once decided to hop a train to see where I would end up when the ride was over. The answer to that idea was 172 miles from home and a lack of cash to get home. How to test a friendship? Call on a random Sunday afternoon and ask for a ride home when you are 172 miles away from the person you are calling.
2. Here is another "great idea" that I tried one day...I decided that the best time to learn to drive a stick shift was at the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Orlando. I was given a 5-minute lesson on how to shift gears and then I got in the car and took off on the track. I was going 110 MPH when I realized I didn't remember how to shift the gears when I decided to slow down and leave the track. Was I scared? YES! Did the car survive? Yes...Thanks to pure luck!
The latest and greatest good idea?
Moving to Los Angeles with my 13-year-old son and becoming his dadager.
What is a dadager? In my mind, a dadager is a guy that is a dad first and then a manager of his child's career.
You can google the word dadager and almost all of the results are of a negative nature. Stories of Jessica Simpson, Beyonce, Michael Jackson and the fathers that guided them (or pushed them depending on your point of view) into a show business life.
All of these stories are not exactly the positive reassurance I was looking for when I went to the internet.
I get the feeling that many of you are asking the same question? Why become a dadager????
The flip answer is "Why Not?". The real answer is found in the timing of my life and his career.
As of last July, I was unemployed for the first time in 12 years. My free time quickly became time to spend with the boychild as I took him to various acting gigs. We also went to Los Angeles in late August for a week of meetings and auditions. The kid killed!!!! The idea of going to Los Angeles and trying to get some work while he has "some heat" became less of a dream and more of a reality.
After two-three months of debating the idea we made a famly decision to load up the (red pickup) truck and move to Beverly in January 2012. Which means...We are moving this weekend!
I'm creating this blog to serve many purposes:
***A creative outlet for me
***A way to keep various people updated on the boy without having to do a daily mass text or e-mail
***A running account of our LA adventure
***A chance to show not all dadagers are evil, money-hungry and eager to experience fame through his child
***Provide a resource for parents thinking about taking their child to Los Angeles to become a working actor
I will do my best to provide a daily update of life in LA once we get to town next week.
I hope the experience is more "I Love LA" and not "Welcome To The Boomtown".
1. I once decided to hop a train to see where I would end up when the ride was over. The answer to that idea was 172 miles from home and a lack of cash to get home. How to test a friendship? Call on a random Sunday afternoon and ask for a ride home when you are 172 miles away from the person you are calling.
2. Here is another "great idea" that I tried one day...I decided that the best time to learn to drive a stick shift was at the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Orlando. I was given a 5-minute lesson on how to shift gears and then I got in the car and took off on the track. I was going 110 MPH when I realized I didn't remember how to shift the gears when I decided to slow down and leave the track. Was I scared? YES! Did the car survive? Yes...Thanks to pure luck!
The latest and greatest good idea?
Moving to Los Angeles with my 13-year-old son and becoming his dadager.
What is a dadager? In my mind, a dadager is a guy that is a dad first and then a manager of his child's career.
You can google the word dadager and almost all of the results are of a negative nature. Stories of Jessica Simpson, Beyonce, Michael Jackson and the fathers that guided them (or pushed them depending on your point of view) into a show business life.
All of these stories are not exactly the positive reassurance I was looking for when I went to the internet.
I get the feeling that many of you are asking the same question? Why become a dadager????
The flip answer is "Why Not?". The real answer is found in the timing of my life and his career.
As of last July, I was unemployed for the first time in 12 years. My free time quickly became time to spend with the boychild as I took him to various acting gigs. We also went to Los Angeles in late August for a week of meetings and auditions. The kid killed!!!! The idea of going to Los Angeles and trying to get some work while he has "some heat" became less of a dream and more of a reality.
After two-three months of debating the idea we made a famly decision to load up the (red pickup) truck and move to Beverly in January 2012. Which means...We are moving this weekend!
I'm creating this blog to serve many purposes:
***A creative outlet for me
***A way to keep various people updated on the boy without having to do a daily mass text or e-mail
***A running account of our LA adventure
***A chance to show not all dadagers are evil, money-hungry and eager to experience fame through his child
***Provide a resource for parents thinking about taking their child to Los Angeles to become a working actor
I will do my best to provide a daily update of life in LA once we get to town next week.
I hope the experience is more "I Love LA" and not "Welcome To The Boomtown".
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