Beograd-New York

30 Rock shoot, part deux

2009-10-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

One of 30 Rock's assistant producer, assigned to take care of me and the other actress playing in the same scene, escorts us to one of sets, where Tina Fey is already shooting her solo scenes.
"Hi I'm Tina, nice to meet you..."she says to both of us, shaking my hand and the other woman's.
"Hi, I'm Maria, pleasure to meet you..."
I'm not going to bug her with prounancing Marija.
It was...pretty normal, like it wasn't the Tina Fey.
Then we sit with the writer and two directors, and another 20 assistant-somethings, and watch Tina's solo shoots from the high chairs with black fabric back. The makeup artist touches my face up once in a while.
There were really many people in the studio, during the shoot. I have no idea what all of they do, but I'm sure there is a job for every single one of them.
They are everywhere behind the cameras. They watch the shoot, they laugh, because Tina is genuinely funny, and everyone seems to worship her.
"Tina's great, " one of the makeup artists told me while I was in her chair.
And yes, she really is.
She was very easy to work with, and I have to admit, I was a little nervous. Not only because the shoot, but becuase of working with her. Nervous in a good way. I even laughed once during our shoot, so they had to redo it. Damn. In that moment, I felt like an amateur. I was embaressed. But she was really funny, and it was almost impossible to keep my mouth closed. Tina just said to the director: "Should we do it again?" and we did.
In the first scene, we were told to dance with Tina, in the 80s style, with our hands up. Then try to get in front of her. Steal her spotlight. Yeah, right.
In the second one, it was only me and her.
"You can touch me whereever you'd like, " I said something of a sort to Ms. Fey. Yes, I did. Let me explain.
The scene described that Tina's character is touching the Russian girl awkwardly. So I gave her permission to do whatever necessary for the scene to be good. For the sake of art, and comedy!
At the same time, the director told me to look at the camera, and ignore her, because "I'm a professional, " meaning, a pro actress in the scene.
To that remark Tina joked at her own expense: "And I'm just an idiot amateur..."
A scene was shot in front of a fireplace with candles. And my hair had a lot of hairspray on it. Ms. Fey warned me to be careful during the shoot, and not get my hair close to the candles. She pointed the same out to the directors. How thoughtfull of her.
Then the pizza feeding scene. That was also hilarious to shoot. I was feeding Tina Fey pizza.
I wish I could remember every little moment of that shoot, every conversation we had while waiting for another take. I remember clearly how funny, pleasant and normal she was every step of the way.
The shoot was a success and the directors shook my hand and thanked me. I told Tina it was a pleasure to work with her. She was whisked away fast after that.
And Alec Baldwin was watching the part of the shoot. And laughing.
It was a great experience, all around. And I got paid for it, of course.
My hairdo lasted for another three days, in a slighty different form. It went with me to L.A, the day after the shoot. How appropriate.

30 Rock shoot

2009-10-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

After the interview/audition for a featured part on 30 Rock, I was sent to fitting. It's a huge closet-room, with three people workin, I guess a seamstress and costume designers? So the woman who plays the Latina and me are given several outfits to try on. They are funny, and cheap, and trying them on was a bit embarrassing as it was fun. It was like releasing your inner " slut" if you have one. A lot of polyester, leopard patterns, flammable materials...too short, or transparent or both.
I'm trying a dress on. I come out for the designers to see me. One says: "I think you have it reversed..." The big hole is suppose to go in front, not in the back. I felt like I was already in a comedy.
After they chose costumes they liked on us, and photographed us for the director to see, we were released with the 11AM call time for the shoot.
The day after, I come back to the same Silvercup Studios, go to the same holding, where we wait for the wardrobe and makeup, before the shoot. So the assistant producer, whose sole job on this day is to take care of me and the other actress, explains where the craft services are so I can grab a drink and maybe a bite. I go down, to the ground floor, through some very long hallways, and out to what it looks like a storage area. But this bare-wall, grey area, high and cold, is what connects different studios where different scenes are shot. I get to the craft, which is a long table with food and drinks on it, anything you could think of from pastry to coffee. I grab a small pastry, and next to me is Alec Baldwin. He's wearing a dark gery suit and has tones of makeup on his face. He's obviously shooting somewhere near by. I don't want to behave like a layman, so I behave like a professional, just saying hello to him, normally. He says hello back, while he munches on something, and I get some tea and leave. There were several other people around there, including Tracy Morgan.
But I'm here to do a job, and I don't want to be away for a long time fro where I'm suppose to be, so I go back to my holding room. From there, two of us were escorted by an assistant producer to the wardrobe, where they had a different outfit picked out for me--a short leopard dress and green platform sandals, two sizes too big.
They liked it on me, and then they send both of us to makeup.
To get to makeup, you go past the craft services again, but Baldwin was there no more.
We bumped into the blond, young actor who plays the paige on the show. Kennan? He was nice, said hello as well, and left. Then, Jane Krakowski walked in. I believe hers and Tina Fey's dressing rooms, are just off the makeup and hair room. So I had my makeup done, in the 80s style, then my hair, and I looked ridiculous. My hair was huge, and I had way too much makeup on me. While it was done, Tina Fey walked in, and soon, another makeup artists was doing her simultaniously as mine. I could see her in my mirror. She had her back to me. When I was done, Jane Krakowski came to me and said something along the lines: "I don't think we were introduced... Hi, I'm Jane."
"Hi, I'm Marija Stajic, it's a pleasure to meet you...You were great in Ally McBeal..."
"Thank you," she said. "Are you Polish?"
I guess my accent...
"No, I'm Serbian, but you're of Polish origin...right...Krakowski?"
"Yes..."
We chatted for a another minute. The Slavic connection.
She was very nice. She's very thin, and also had a lot of makeup on her face. But, hey, it's TV.
As a matter a fact, everyone there was extremely pleasant. Everyone was smiling while working. "It's such a happy work environment," I remember thinking...
I also remember Ms.Fey joking while they were doing her makeup and putting the wig on for our scene.
Then I was taken back to holding.
The lunch. Tina Fey comes in and has lunch with everyone else, the production line, in this big communal dinning room, with million buffets, again, with anything I could possibly think of from fish to desert.
The lunch is done an hour later. We are still waiting for our scene to be called upon, in our costumes. It's already the afternoon...
After lunch? It's such a long story...
Tune in tomorrow :)

How I got a part on 30 Rock, or one thing Isabella Rossellini and I have in common...kind of

2009-10-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

One January day, I was blissfully window-shopping in Grand Central Station after a New England Clam Chowder and Oyster lunch in my favorite restaurant in New York City-Oyster Bar.
My phone rings. I pick it up, even though I didn't recognize the number (I rarely do that), and on the other end is a casting director I registered with more than a year ago. I completely forgot about it since she hasn't called me in a while.
"Are you available to come to an interview for a featured part on 30 Rock this afternoon a 5pm?" she asks. It was about 2pm. "Sure," I said. Even if I had something else, I would have cancelled it.
So I go home, get ready and take a cab to Silvercup Studios in Long Island City. Those are the home studios of Sex and the City, and Sopranos, which is obvious from the posters in the lobby. My name is on the list, so I'm sent up to some floor.
There was another young lady there, waiting to audition, but she looked completely different than I. She was pretty big, and had dark hair. Then others starts coming. Attractive African-American girl, an older attractive Russian woman, a non-attractive Caucasian one who likes to talk a lot...
Then one of the assistant producers comes to bring us to the 30 Rock office, where there are cubicles, with computers, and then separate offices along the walls.
There are pictures of Tina Fey and the whole cast from different magazines and papers everywhere.
The assistant producer said the director is busy so she'll bring a writer and a producer to help with casting. One by one, we get into this small office, with TV on the back wall, a table next to it, a long desk and comfortable chairs. There are two men sitting down, smiling, one younger, blonde, one, dark-haired, middle-aged. There are both producers/writers of 30 Rock, but at the time, I had no idea how big or important for the show they were.
They ask us to act out different situations--dancing, feeding each other pizza...
Silly, right? But it's a comedy, and if Tina Fey can do it, so can I, I thought.
So they do this a couple of times, mix us up to act with each other, then they took a couple of minutes, and the female assistant producer, Ms. B., said that I and the young woman with big mouth, have gotten the parts.
I actually kind of knew it, for myself. I was so right for the part. They were looking for one Russian, and one Latina woman. Also, I know I can act.
But I was surprised for my partner. Actually, she wasn't really my partner. All the shots I did, I did with Tina Fey. The "Latina" woman, was alone in one shot with Ms. Fey. She was besides herself when she heard the good news. She kept saying that she didn't expect it either. We both thought that the attractive African-American woman will get the second one. She was good, but I guess she didn't fit what they were looking for.
The shoot was set for the morning after, 11am. So I went home, this time on the train, very excited about tomorrow.
To be continued...

How I also met Isabella Rossellini, in the same week

2009-10-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

A friend invited me to Hearst's reception, in Hearst building, stone-throw away from Central Park, dedicated to Italian fashion and lifestyle campaign Hearst is launching with Italian Trade Mission in New York City. Isabella Rossellini was one of the guests.
When I arrived, at the door, there they were--my friend, standing with Ms.Rossellini and a couple of Italian gentlemen. So my friend introduced me, right then and there, to Ms. Rossellini, as an actress and a writer. She's very warm and quite beautiful from up close. She smiled, shook my hand and said:" Oh, really? " "Not nearly as accomplished as you are...(unfortunately)...I admire your work..." I said. "Thank you," Rossellini said, charmingly. She was wearing a black suit and red lipstick. She has a stunning smile!
One Italian gentleman turned out to the head of Italian Trade Commision in New York City. He later had a funny and inteligent speech, mostly in English, on the 44th floor of Hearst building. I can't remember his name for the life of me...will get back to you on that.
When I got to the reception hall on the 44th floor, I was stunned by the view. Oh my God, it was heavenly. That is, by far, the best view of New York City I have ever seen. It wasn't only the height, it was also the location. I've been on the 40 something floor before, but on the East side and far from Central Park. Pale in comparison. Here, you could see the whole Central Park, the whole New York City from those floor-length windows.
"Would you like a Bellini?" a waiter asked as I was walking into this spacious, glaced conference room, drawn by the windows, with nothing but tables with drinks and a podium.
"Yes, please, " I said. After all, looking at the New York City from the 44th floor with a glace of Bellini, is...for the lack of a better term--heaven! The waiters have also been bringing me these delicious little snacks every minute--salmon this, truffle cheese that... Yummy!
I soon realized, even mesmerized by the view, that I didn't bring my camera. So I asked one of the nice guys from the retail business I met there to take a picture of me, with the view. At least something to remember these moments by. Not that I can forget.
The main speaker was the impressive Valerie Salembier, senior vice president and publisher of Harper's Bazaar. She had a long detailed speech on the launch of the new Italian fashion and lifestyle campaign in the United States, with slides and music.
Ms. Rossellini came to the podium just for a minute to thank the speakers for inviting her. But she was, obviously, the most popular guest there. It took me a while to get to her again.
You'll probably think I'm crazy but I gave Ms. Rossellini my postcard on the way out, saying that, being an actress, I would love to talk to her some time about her career. She took it, put it in her pocket, and smiled. She's not going to call, of course. But at least I tried. I also introduced myself to Ms. Salembier as a freelance writer, which is what I also am.
Gave my card, congratulated her on the speech...Blah, blah...
Then I left, buzzed with three or four Bellinis (they're served in a tiny champagne glass, in my defense,) the view, and the whole atmosphere of power around me.
p.s. I really need to publish my book. But I need to finish it first.
p.p.s. I am either an ultimate Renaissance woman, or, for the lack of a better word, confused. Or I have ADD.
p.p.p.s. "It's good to be the King..."

How I met two presidents in one week, part deux

2009-10-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

One September day, I found out that Serbian President Boris Tadic will open one of the seven days of UN’s General Assembly’s Debate. And I have a pass.
I was stopped about six times even before I entered the UN building on 46th street and 1st Avenue of New York City. The surrounding streets were barricaded, with police officers and security guards on every corner. I had to show my badge about 10 times before I actually got to the General Assembly's amphitheater. Every door, every elevator had security. They even stopped me once on the 3rd floor, for not having my badge on display.
Just as I walked in, and decided on a seat behind the Bulgarian desk and media, and with a great view of the Serbian desk, there he was. President Tadic walking to the designated Serbian desk, with Vuk Jeremic, Serbian minister of foreign affairs, and the entourage. I didn’t know that the President of a small country needs so many people in his entourage to speak at the UN. But, New York City IS a popular tourist destination…
It’s about 3:05pm. Tadic gets up from his chair, tall and handsome, and walks toward the podium. Then goes around it. Then emerges again from behind it. There are still hundreds of seats empty in the huge hall, while people from all parts of the world are constantly coming in. There’s constant motion on the floor.
I realize that with all these people walking every which way, I can get on the delegate’s floor too, and follow Tadic after his speech. A light bulb... A smile...
Tadic spoke for about 15 minutes, mostly English but some French as well. He spoke about climate change and global consequences, as well as Serbia’s role in addressing the global warming. Then he spoke about Southern Serbian province of Kosovo and how its independence is a violation of international law. We applauded.
After the speech, he went through a special speaker’s door. I rushed between the desks, and followed the rest of the Serbian entourage, consisted of three young women, two blondes and one brunette, and several other men besides Mr. Jeremic. They looked familiar but I couldn't place the names with the faces. On my way behind the stage, I bumped into charming Ms. Kori Udovicki, who is an Assistant Administrator and Director for Europe with the UNDP. We exchanged cards and went to greet Mr. Tadic. Behind the podium was already a short line of foreign dignitaries, wanting to talk to Tadic. I patiently stood in line, waited for only several minutes and introduced myself to Tadic, offering my hand. “…Congratulations on the great speech…” among “It’s a pleasure to meet you." And my name of course. He said HVALA couple of times and smiled. And then he said to Mr. Jeremic and the rest waiting there, that he has to go.
On my way out of there, feeling lucky and full of myself, I bumped into Srgjan Kerim, an extremely nice Macedonian Diplomat and former President of the United Nations Assembly. I hand in my card again. And walk out, to the streets of my beloved New York City, happy and optimistic.

How I met two presidents in one week

2009-10-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

Monday. September 2009. I got invited to a reception featuring American President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S.Ambassador to UN Susan Rice. No, it wasn't a dream. It happened in famed Waldorf Astoria hotel in midtown Manhattan. I don't think I have to describe how excited I was. I mean, I have loved Obama since the famous speech during the Democratic Convention in 2006. "Skinny kid with a funny name" one. I volunteered some of my time to his camping's offices in 2007, even tried to persuade potential voters in Clinton's New York City that Obama is the right choice. "But she is a woman, and my Momma is a woman, " one Hispanic gentleman tried to persuade me that a woman should be the head of the country, which I agree with completely, in general. So you could imagine how hard it was for me to shoot this one down. "I agree," I said, "but not this woman."
Back to Waldorf Astoria, where I also met Bush two years ago, and bumped into Angelina Jolie with two of her....how many kids now? I lost count.
I arrived two hours and 15 minutes before the reception is suppose to start. The line is already long to enter the ballroom, where Obama, Clinton and Rice were to speak before they shake hands with some of us and have pictures taken.
So after standing in line for two hours, and sitting in a chair with my back in pain from standing for two hours, in a gorgeous ballroom, with balcony sittings in a circular construction, featuring gold as it's primary color, and crystal chandeliers, for another half an hour, the three musketeers finally appeared, enveloped by rivers of bodyguards. There was no way for me to actually get to the President, who was protected from the chosen mob by a cordon, and bodyguards, of course, with mean looks on their faces. Who can blame them. It's a serious job.
So first Ms. Rice spoke, who I also met couple of months ago during a basketball game with her employees, and who is a super woman who I immensely admire. She introduced the guests. Then Clinton spoke. Then Obama. Honestly, I think they are both smart and accomplished people I should listen to, obviously, and I did as much as I could, but my mind was set on how to actually get to the President, actually meet him, tell him something, shake his hand. The speech was, from what I recall, about thanking U.S. UN for its important and hard work, and the current economic crises.
Anyway, I would have been very disappointed if I didn't actually meet Obama, so my husband, knowing this, came to me amongst the mob. "Come over here," he said, pulling me out of the crowd and I just left my spot trusting him. "Go here," he said pointing to the small area of the room much less crowded and reserved for --children! And their parents. There was no time to waste, so even being a little uncomfortable and looking around to see if someone is going to ask for my child's birth certificate and kick me out of there, I excepted the opportunity as an intelligent gift, waited for the President to be right in front of me and extended my hand. "It's an honor to meet you Mr.President..."
He shook my hand, and the rest is a blur.
I know there were cameras snapping all around me. And that I was happy. I even got my picture taken with the children and the President. I'm waiting for those patiently. Shame on me.
Tomorrow? How I met another President. Stay tuned...

I hate Dell

2008-08-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

My new Dell laptop heats so much that it almost burned my legs once. Not only from below, but also on top. The touch panel is barely that-touchable.
So I contacted Dell through a chat on its Web site. The agent No.1 offered to replace it right away. But the idea of me shipping my laptop didn't appeal to me, especially so close to my trip to Europe. I was actually planning on taking it with me.
So I tried to troubleshoot-clean the vents and upload something the agent told me, but it still seemed too hot.
Then I decided to go through the drag of the replacement, and I called them. The agent No.2, and his manager assured me that someone will call me in "one to two business days" to talk about the replacement. It's been more like a business week.
So I called again. Yesterday. I put my phone on the speaker and after about 55 minutes of a wait I finally got a person to talk to, who, to my great excitement, transferred me to another department. And then, that other agent transferred me to another one, and the third one to the fourth one, and the fourth one? Back on the automated system I was on five minutes before that, for almost an hour.
I was furious, but also had to go somewhere, and frankly, I could not have been on the phone for another minute-that's how sick I was from everything.
So I tried again, to chat, last night, and again, this morning. But this morning, I've had it with them. They still wouldn't replace it, but they offered to repair it. Repair? A brand new laptop?!
So I said, rather wrote, that I will contact the lawyer in the family about the fact that Dell's new laptop almost burned me. It's a safety issue. They called within couple of hours. And they are shipping it tomorrow. Please don't tell me intimidation doesn't work.
What doesn't work is niceness. With these companies. Only. Of course!

Unread of Hamlet

2008-08-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

I had my last Shakespeare class last Friday. My wonderful teacher even teared up while telling us to continue reading Shakespeare out loud, and with each other, something along the lines of what we did in class. It's amazing how Shakespeare's words come alive when one reads them out loud. And you understand more.
You really do.
So I was laying in bed, thinking about that, and I found myself very motivated to actually organize a read with my peers. There's a great lounge in my building, perfect for this kind of occasion.
So I sent an e-mail to all my classmates. Most of them responded with excitement and confirmed. Some of them said they can't make it, right away. Some of them ignored the e-mail.
But at the end, almost all of them dropped out for one reason of another-health, rehearsals, travel...
Anyway, I didn't want to be the one to cancel. So I made a pot of coffee and went to the lounge to wait to whomever shows up.
One person showed up. C. Bless her.
We talked, had coffee and yogurt pretzels. We read a bit of Hamlet. It's much harder with just two of us. I became tired fast.
I actually skipped two good auditions to do this read. And people didn't show up. But they would pay $250 for more-less the same thing, and show up for that. Because they payed? Go figure.

French Hell

2008-08-07T04:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was not a good day for me. Not at all.
I had to get the French visa for a brief visit at the end of August. Living in the States, I forget I need visas, so M. and I bought our tickets to Paris, and booked two hotels in Paris and Rouen, without a chance for a refund. All this, even before I even submitted for my visa.
I never had a problem with getting a visa before, in Belgrade nor in D.C. So, I figured, it won't be a big deal in N.Y.C. as well.
But, they wanted me to schedule it online. The first available appointment they had was Aug. 6. And I'm taking off on Aug. 12.
Not much room for error. Story of my life.
O.K., so I thought, I have all the documents they request, and the appointment, so it still should be the same day deal.
When I got there, there were 30 people in line already at couple of minutes before 9a.m. They all had the 9 o'clock appointment. Ridiculous!
And when you get inside, there's only four people working. But to get inside, you have to go pass a stocky African-American bodyguard, who looks and behaves like you're going to prison. No kidding. He cuts you with his eyes and has a sharp tone of the voice. No politeness. So when I managed to pass him, with his searing eyes on my appointment confirmation, I found myself int he line at the top of the stairs.
So we all waited and waited. Standing. Even though we had appointments. They had a technical "glitch," they said. They couldn't take fingerprints. For about an hour. Then they started working.
And in front of my eyes a French woman and a man, kept sending people back to get more information, more documents. I was starting to worry. And you pay $55 before they even take a look at your documents. Non-refundable!
So, after two hours of waiting, I finally got to the window. Guess what? He wanted me to call the hotel in Rouen and find out the zip code?!Oh, yes!
So I had to go downstairs, call Travelocity, and get the zip code. And come back up, so they can process my visa.
I was actually lucky. They told me to come back at 3p.m. I assumed, and hoped, it is to get my visa. That was at approximately 11:30a.m.
After a short wait in the afternoon, I got my passport with the visa. One woman is front of me did not.
Have I mentioned that there was no bathroom not even chairs for all the people who were waiting?!
I was completely drained when I got home.

Brideshead Rivisited

2008-08-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

M. and I have seen the new Brideshead Rivisited today. We both wanted to see it due to the great preview on TV and Emma Thompson. It also reminded me a bit of two of my favorite movies-Atonement and English Patient.
It was a good movie, maybe even very good, but not perfect. The acting was, however. Perfect, that is. I wish Thompson was more in it, though. But as M. rightly pointed out, this movie is based on a book.
It just seemed a bit too fast. Everything was going on fast, with trailing on some important aspects of relationships in the story. The viewers are left with not really knowing what happened to some characters and why. And also, with questions at the end of the movie, and not just the existential ones.
Anyway, you should see it. The acting is brilliant, or lack there of. The story is interesting. There's no boring moment. And it's not too long. If anything, it feels unfinished, hurried.
Oh, yes, and with some stunning shots of England.

A year?! Already?

2008-08-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

It's August 1. It's exactly one year since M. and I moved to New York City. And we both agree on the impression that the year went by so fast. It's a bit scary, actually. I don't want my years to go by fast. I want them to last forever. Especially the good ones. Like this one.
So many things happened in the past year. We moved. M. changed his job. I tried to find a journalistic job. I failed. I started taking acting classes. I started auditioning for the first time in my life. I got my first part in the States. I got payed for the first time to act. I was in the same room with Mr.Big:)
Went to Aruba. Got another cat. Got my niece! Got to know this amazing and cruel city really well. Went to two Broadway plays. Went to three Off and Off Off Broadway plays.
Showed New York, proudly, to my parents. Started writing my book. Failed to get a UN job. Read my first Shakespeare in old English....
Today was also my last Shakespeare class. It was a good course, all eight weeks of it. I loved the teacher, and most of my colleagues. And I've learned a lot.
Now I know a monologue from Julius Cesar. Among other things. I was Portia, Brutus's wife.
And I might take another one in the fall.
When I look back at it? It seemed like it was too years ago.

Devil Wears Prada

2008-07-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

I realized tonight that I actually love all the movies Meryl Streep is in. Well, maybe not all, but most of them, at least the ones I've seen.
M.and I have seen Kramer vs.Kramer several weeks ago, and tonight-Devils Wears Prada.
The only reason I wanted to see the Devil is Streep.
During one of my early auditions, someone asked me who my favorite actress is. "Meryl Streep, " I said, without even giving it a second thought. She absolutely gives herself completely to the every part she takes. And she's always brilliant.
She's absolutely the star of the Devil. She actually is the Devil.
The movie is very entertaining in general as well. Stanley Tucci is in it too, as well as Anne Hathaway, and they're both good, Tucci even great, as is a minorly known British actress, or an American, acting with a British accent.
Anyway, if you like Streep, and fashion, in a good, light movie, see it.

Not enought cells?

2008-07-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

You know how American doctors only call you when there's something wrong?
Well, I got that kind of call yesterday.
Sometimes, I don't answer my land line when I'm busy doing something else. If it's really important people will call my cell phone as well.
And when I heard my Nurse Practitioner Surrogate-For-A-Doctor leaving a message on my answering machine, I sank into my sofa.
I really got scared. And then I ran to get the phone.
It seemed like an eternity while she was introducing herself again to me and starting to explain why she's calling me.
She's talking, and I'm thinking:"It could be bad, really, really bad..."
And then she said:"The first test was fine,but the lab ran out of cells to perform the second one..."
I swear to you, it's the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
I asked her, nicely, feeling revived, for an explanation.
She said that there's a law that requires the lab to use 100,000 cells to perform a test, and they didn't have enough for both, and she didn't know how many she was getting since they are invisible..."
I thought for a second that I was dreaming. Or maybe watching a Sci-Fi movie.
Nope. It really happened.
She asked me if I want to come back to the office so she can take more of my cells.
I wouldn't go back there if they would pay me. Well.
Anyway, the first test was important, That one is fine. The second one is just a formality.
For that one I need to find a real doctor. Hopefully the one who went to school to take cells.

Three cappuccions, one latte

2008-07-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

M. and I have spent our Saturday in Greenwich Village--one of my favorite areas of Manhattan. I actually had an audition to go to, which I did, hungry, got myself a headache and could barely pronounce words let alone get the part. But I did get a call to come audition again for another play. I guess that's something.
M. was waiting for me at Gizzi's, a small, cute-looking coffee shop. Unfortunately, its cappuccino was just mediocre, as was a blueberry muffin I gorged after my audition.
Then we went to Jack's, a tiny cafe just several blocks away from Gizzi's to try it out, since M. read about it somewhere. The atmosphere was casual, pleasant and inviting, and M. liked the cappuccino there, but I thought it was just o.k. Maybe a bit strong for my taste in coffee, which is a lot of milk and sugar, as well as foam, a little bit of weak coffee,
Then we walked along Perry street where tourists were taking pictures of themselves in front of "Carrie's apartment," from Sex and the City. Beautiful street, I'd like to add, filled with trees and colorful brownstones. Loved to live there. No wonder they chose the location for the show.
Today, we went to the Sicafe, on the Upper East Side. I thought that its latte was good, and cappuccino mediocre, at best. This time, M. agreed with me. Sicafe is a bit bigger than the ones in Greenwich Village as well as more modern and expensive looking.
We also checked out Dylan's candy store, a huge, flamboyant, fun and expensive candy store, that, according to a sweet 70-something lady on the street, is owned by Ralph Laurent's daughter. It's great for taking pictures and gifts, but not really for actually buying candy. It's a bit pricey, but what would you expect for such a shiny, tourist-attracting spot.

Sleepless, healthless

2008-07-25T05:55:00.001-07:00

No wonder married men live longer than single, and married women less than the "less" fortunate ones. I know this from my own example, since my husband is trying to shorten my life every night--with air conditioning!
I woke up, again, with a headache bigger than my head, and runny nose. There's no other reason for it than the noisy air conditioning he can't sleep without. And I can't sleep. Period.
This is the second time within a week that I woke up feeling stuffy, and not my best. And I am sure it's because it's too cold in our room all night long, plus the quality of sleep is deprived. There's your recipe for sickness.
And I have an important audition today. And another one. And my class.
I can barely keep my head on top of my shoulders.
I can see how the earlier generations may have been wise when I thought they were conservative--by sleeping in separate rooms.

Chauvinists on the DC Balkan list

2008-07-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

I got into an e-mail fight with couple of men from the same list we subscribe to.
It all started when some idiot sent an offensive note and picture to everyone on the list, including me. It was offensive primarily to women, but I would think to all mature human beings.
The most I can say about it is that it was a photograph of a bicycle in the shape of a woman, followed by crude and vulgar comments.
So, off course, I reacted angrily. And promptly, and sharply. I was not about to have this filth sent around without showing loudly how outraged I am. To everyone on the list.
Other people jumped in. Some were trying to subside the argument. But some really put oil on fire.
So it mostly turned into a back-and-forth fight between this complete idiot calling himself Daniel and me. He was not only justifying the guy who sent the offensive picture and note, but encouraging him and tapping him on the back for it?!
After a while, I realized that I'm getting too drown into the argument with a complete loser out there. Why would I do that? I was just wasting my time, and some nerves. I hate to admit but it was getting to me--the whole human stupidity, in the worst form.
So I wrote to this Daniel that he is a fool and a red neck, and unsubscribed from the list.
I was happy to see later that my sister picked up where I left of, but she was much more subtle in her punches. She called his problem a "small penis" complex. As you can imagine, a sexist and a chauvinist didn't like that. After a few more e-mails, she off course, knocked him out of it.
So proud of her.

Actor's Reality

2008-07-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

I was invited to participate in an Actor's Reality TV show in Manhattan. There was approximately 20 to 30 of us there. In this refrigerator of a TV studio.
It was a very modest version of American Idol for actors--not nearly as much publicity and only two judges. One was a woman who works with hip-hop artists and the other one some guy-- award winning director.
And the games began, to last for three hours. First all of us did about 30 seconds worth of monologues. Then we got the feedback, and about half of us were called back, into the second round, to do an improvisation. And I was one of them.
I did get a 19-year-old female partner who did not help me at all with the improv. But I wasn't shining either. I did improvs in class, but this was different--NO time to think about it, they give you the situation and the characters and say: "action," I've never seen my partner in life before, and she wasn't good. Also, it was all in front of the camera. It was just o.k. We didn't screw up but it wasn't funny. And usually they are supposed to be funny or really interesting.
Anyway, this funny short big hair guy Scott won. He was pretty good. Mostly funny. And reminds me tremendously of my Californian friend Brian.
I wonder what my doppelganger is doing now?

Are doctors suppose to waste your life or should insurance do that?

2008-07-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

I had one of my annual doctor's appointments on Monday. I ended up waiting and waiting before one of the office employees came to tell me that my medical insurance does not accept this doctor and that they are working on it. I thought that was strange. I did find her name on my insurance Web page. So I waited. Got more frustrated. Went outside to eat. Talked on the phone. Flipped through magazines. Froze my bones in the waiting room. Then the same person came out, apologized profusely and offer to reschedule, since the other doctor, who accepts my insurance or my insurance accepts her, is in the operating room. All this after an hour and a half!
So I said yes, rescheduled for today and went home thirsty for blood.
I called my insurance right away, of course, and they said, and I quote: "I don't know what they are talking about..." Typical. They are throwing balls into each other's courts over my back. The insurance said they will call them and get back to me.
Never did.
So I went to my appointment today. I only waited five-ten minutes which in N.Y.C. apparently is a speed of light. When it comes to the wait time in doctors' offices.
At the end, I wasn't examined neither by Doctor No.1 nor Doctor No.2.
I was examined by a Nurse Practitioner. I am stunned.
Please, if you happen to read this, do not ever go to Murray Hill OBGYN on the 28Th. st.

Audition. 21. SoHo. Gelato. Handcock. Popcorn.

2008-07-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

I had a very active Saturday. Got up early. Went to the gym while doing the laundry(The laundry room is on the same floor as the gym. Good or Bad?)Got ready and walked to Cafe Emilia in East Village, with M., where I had some crema cappuccino which translates into cappuccino with a 1000 calories, and M. had eggs and a plain one. Not together obviously. Cafe Emilia is an extremely friendly place, run by real Italian brothers with great inexpressive, creative food and coffee. This was my second time. One of the brothers didn't even charge M. for eggs since the wait was a bit longer than it should be. How often do you see that? M. of course was impressed and tipped him almost as much as the eggs would be.
Then we went home to rest, since I had a scheduled audition for a radio show in SoHo in the evening. We had, what in seemed to be, a five minute nap, and went back on our way.
The audition was fast and fun. I read a script in three different characters-myself, an older Russian woman, and a child. It was really fun, but it all depends on how much they like my slight Eastern European accent. I can't really speak without it. Unless I practise the text. This was a cold read.
Then we went shopping-I bought a beautiful dress in Forever 21. Then M. took me to this tiny gelato place on Mott Street, and we walked with our huge gelatos in our hands to the Union Square. We decided to see any movie we might enjoy, even on a superficial level. We saw Handcock, since that one was not a long wait. It actually wasn't bad. It was entertaining. Even funny at moments. And surprising. But far from a work of art.
We came home almost at midnight. And we didn't turn into pumpkins.

Out! Out! Quickly!

2008-07-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

If I don't have to be somewhere in the morning, I try to work out. I get bored easily so my workouts last about 30 minutes, which is all one needs in a day to stay healthy. But yesterday, even though I didn't have to be anywhere, I had to get out. Out! Outside of my building, not only outside of the apartment.
I only had one goal going out-to have pictures from the concert developed. But the drugstore I do that in, is literally across from my building. So I had to think of other things to do, to stay out and moving. I went to the post office. I checked out several stores. I even went to DMV to ask about what I can do with my international drivers licence--something I've been avoiding for almost a year. And I had lunch with M. in Bryant Park.
The reason I had to be out was the concert the night before. I made me so restless.
p.s.The throwaway camera pictures were as bad as expected. I guess I just have to go to another Bregovic's concert. And bring digital camera. And flowers.

New York on Bregovic's feet

2008-07-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

I've been to the concert of my life so far, yesterday in Lincoln Center-Goran Bregovic & Wedding and the Funeral Band's one.
It was phenomenal, everything, that is. Amazing music, singers, trumpet players, and the whole concept of the interaction between Bregovic and the crowd.
At first, people were sitting down in their comfortable chairs. But that became increasingly difficult as the songs were becoming faster and tantalizing--people were dancing in their chairs, with hands, bodies swinging as much as they could, singing...
Finally couple of girls got up, and then I said: "I can't stand it anymore, I have to get up!" So I excused myself to the people in my row and run to the front of the stage to join a person or two dancing over there. Then everybody got up! It was a goose bumping moment. A collective trance! And it stayed that way for another two hours!
I had to get back to my seat because I was dying of thirst. And when I wanted to get back, it was impossible to get so close to the stage. But I still got my fair share of dancing in the aisle. And singing in front of my seat, "Ruzica si bila..." so loud that people were turning around to see who's singing.
I've never been to Bregovic's concert before, but now I am a convert. I will go to the every one I can from now on.
Even when the band allegedly finished its concert, people were stomping their feet loudly( including moi) and Bregovic came back twice, but like he was trying to brush us of, just thanking us with his hand on his heart. But then he sent just two flute players, which provoked laughs in the audience. It was funny compared to the previous strong, loud, moving music. But then the whole band came back and stayed for a while, playing the most popular songs, such as Kalashnikov.
Some kind soul videotaped it last night, and here's the link.
It's Mea Culpa for not bringing my digital camera, but a throw away one. Can't wait to develop those.
I wish I had remembered to bring flowers as well, so I can meet him. Oh, well...next time?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3temUF8mNQs

Do not travel on July 6

2008-07-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

I had the longest trip from D.C. to N.Y.C. ever, and last night. I don't know what possessed M. and I to leave at around 5:30 p.m.on Sunday after July Fourth. It took us almost six stuck-between-the-cars-barely-moving hours, what usually takes four.
But, we didn't really have a choice. We were in D.C. for only two and a half days, and that went by really fast. Between mine and M.'s family, we didn't have time for anything else. So we couldn't leave sooner. We didn't want to arrive sooner either, so we wouldn't be stuck in the July Third traffic. No one thought of July Sixth.
And yes, we couldn't leave much later either, because then we would be tired, and M. had to be at work early Monday. So, yes, we were stuck, literally and figuratively.
The point of this blog? Do not drive during holidays, unless you live in Omaha,Nebraska, as M. elegantly put it last night.

Soho weekend

2008-07-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

My mother is visiting. And I am conveniently free this week, free from teaching and being a teacher. My student ran away to Portugal. And the Fourth is halting Shakespeare until next Friday. So I have plenty of time to show her around N.Y.C.
I actually took her to a wacky audition in SoHo on Saturday. We waited for about 40 minutes in line in front of a small gallery where the audition, one-on-one, was held. When I finally went in, she stayed outside and watched. Cute.
It was funny and strange because this young director asked me to change characters every 10 second while doing my monologue. It was challenging but in a good way. I came up with several different, somewhat, characters, and it was kind of fun, I guess. Then he asked me to dance, so I did a little cha-cha while talking about why I dance alone. And then, I was a homeless man...
Did I mention that this was all on camera?
Anyway, it was fun, and afterwords we met M. in Aroma, a cafe in SoHo, with comci-comca cappuccinos and lattes. Then we went to Bloomis where my Mom got a mini makeover, for free. A Sisley woman offered her moisturising and make-up. Then we had free Nespressos in the cafe section of the Bloomingdales. No, not everything is free in N.Y.C. Au contraire. We were lucky. Then we went to Little Italy, which was incredibly charming, with closed off main street and thousands of people dining and shopping. My Mother said it reminded her of Greek coast in the summer. I could see the Mediterranean influence.
Our Italian lunch in a random picked restaurant was just o.k. It was also the first time to have your tip decided by your waiter. Ridiculous, but there really wasn't much we could do about it, and it wasn't worth it. I can't remember the name of this restaurant, but it was on the left corner of the walking street and the open one. Exactly a block away from Soho, from my beloved Cafe Roma. So, don't go there.

Thievery Corporation in Central Park

2008-06-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

M.and I went to the Thievery Corporation's concert on Thursday night, in Central Park.
The summer stage at the park reminded me of a scene in Novi Sad's Petrovaradin Fortress, during one of the biggest music festivals I've ever been too-Serbian Exit.
I'm really bad with estimating numbers and I don't really understand how people do that accurately, but the stage was full--both seating and standing areas. Hundreds and hundreds of people...
Several not-well known warm-up groups played, before Thievery actually started playing for only an hour and a half. I didn't come to the beginning of the whole concert, of course. It officially started at 5 p.m. Five hours at a concert is a bit much for me. Too much time standing or seating on long, metal benches without back support. So I showed up at 7 p.m. Still too early.
But when Thievery came on stage, at 8:30p.m., they came with a bang! Their music is really moving, and original, with Middle Eastern influences, and Portuguese and French as well as English lyrics. The music was enhanced by projections of different short, silent movies, or moving pictures behind musicians.
All in all--Great concert, great venue. I'll see them again any time. Just hope there will be no introductory musicians.

Book. part II

2008-06-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

I started writing again. It's been a couple of months, but what's important is that I'm writing again. My book, that is.
All of a sudden, couple of days ago, I just felt an urge to write my book again. Maybe it has something to do with me being a bit tired of the "acting business," meaning auditioning and trying to get an agent. Not that I'm doing much on that front, but I ought to.
Also, one of M's friends became a very successful writer since I met her in 2002. So it can be done!
This writing thing took me places I forgot about. Good and bad, from the past. Took me to other people's lives. I'm trying to combine mine with other people's interesting, unique experiences, and add a drop of fiction. Hopefully, it will be eatable.

"I love my kitty" crying pack

2008-06-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading "me", you know that my kitten-fostering attempt turned into an adoption. Since I don't trust the Bronx shelter I got my Sylvester from, I took him to a vet today. Petco in my neighborhood has a good vet once a month, at reasonable prices, which is not what you can say for regular Manhattan vets. Since my kitten looked perfectly healthy, I just wanted to make sure he truly is, for Nina's sake mostly, since they eat from the same dish.
The older, male vet recommended 4 in 1 vaccine pack, plus dewormer, plus Feline leukemia vaccine. Last year, a different young, female vet advised me that I don't have to give my indoor cat any of these vaccines, only rabies. This one said that he totally disagrees with her. So I let him give my kitten "I love my kitty" pack. They warned me that he might be lethargic and not eat, which is exactly what is happening right now, and making me a bit worried. His eyes are half open when he's at all awake. But, they said, it's normal for 24-48 hours. Makes me doubt if I should come back in four weeks and get another "booster" they recommended, or is he fine the way he is?
A Serbian vet once told me:"If your kitten eats and plays, the only thing you need to give him is a dewormer." And rabies, of course, but later. S. is not old enough. He's less than 13 weeks old.
Is it all a gimmick to get the money, or cats really need all these vaccines to stay healthy, even if they are only indoors??????
Anyone?

Slow on the acting front

2008-06-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a bit slow on the acting front for me recently. I've purposely missed several good auditions due to...I guess...tiredness? I don't know, I just don't feel like auditioning lately. Maybe because I'm teaching now, and taking classes, so I'm busier than usual. Or I just had enough, for now.
Then I feel guilty about it. I mean, I'm not going to have a chance to live in New York again, for a while, probably, so I shouldn't waste my time here, right?
But sometimes, I just feel like strolling Manhattan, with barely any make-up on, and in my jeans and sneakers. Not exactly the audition gear, if you know what I mean.
And I really feel like going to Serbia. It's been way to long.

Brooklyn

2008-06-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

After 10 months of living in New York City, M. and went to Brooklyn. We were invited to a little dinner party so we decided to go a bit early and check it out.
We went to an area under the bridge, where the famous Grimaldi's pizza place is. There's also an ice cream place there, and some kind of an amazing telescope through which one can see people in London?! I cannot vouch for it because the line to actually look through it was way too long for me, but people were looking through the huge lens and waving to someone on the other side.
The view of Manhattan was remarkable. The Brooklyn bridge itself is a sight to see, as well as the little pier from which we watched Manhattan and boats going under the bridge. It smelled and felt like vacation on a coast somewhere.
So, despite of my Manhattan snobism, I would like to go back there when there are less tourists around, and actually have the great pizza, ice cream and wave to Londoners.

Turkish delight

2008-06-14T09:30:00.001-07:00

We went to a Turkish party last night. Met couple of people there, knew couple already.
The first couple of interesting young women I've introduced myself to, turned out to be Albanian.I was actually looking for someone female, interesting and single to introduce my friend I. too. Off course, only I can set up my Serbian friend with an Albanian woman.
I actually didn't mind that they were Albanian. Neither did our Serbian company. But the girls did. They disappeared just a couple of minutes after I said where I was from. But they disappeared politely, with smiles. Gotta give them credit for that.
I did meet an interesting Ukrainian woman, who danced the whole night close to us. I liked her even more when she complemented my dress, and how I look. Good taste, these Ukrainians have.
The food was disappointing, and the lack of drink variety. But the party was a success--full big loft of people dancing for hours, to a "creatively" compiled dance music. I hope the Turkish DJ doesn't do that for living. He was combining Turkish songs with old American hits.

Hellish Fifth

2008-06-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

No, I haven't forgotten about my blog. It's just busy raising two cats:)
This is the first day in ten months that I've wholeheartedly hated New York.
On my way from work, on the Fifth Avenue, a woman hit my big purse, hanging from a shoulder. It didn't hurt, but it was a hit. She lost her phone during it--it fell on the crosswalk. Then she swore, of course, not at me, but I guess, in general. Like it's not her fault. And it was.
Second, another woman stepped on my shoe behind me and took it off on another sidewalk on the same Avenue. Then she just kept on walking like nothing happened?! I had to stay at the crosswalk for couple of seconds and get my shoe back on my feet, while loudly protesting at the woman's quickly disappearing back. I couldn't believe the rudeness.
Then later, again, on the Fifth, a food cart slightly hit M. The guy with the accent at least apologized, but it could've been serious. M. did touch something hot on the cart.
I will try to avoid the Fifth like plague. I suggest you do the same.

Cat trouble

2008-06-09T09:29:00.001-07:00

I've sent an e-mail to my friends and acquittances in New York and D.C. this morning. The content was about looking for a good home for my foster kitten, since Nina, our cat started to hiss at me as well, for smelling like the kitten, I guess?
I also posted a flier in my building.
And then, I got a response from one of my actor-friends who is a nice person, lives with her family in New Jersey and wants a new cat...Oops. My eyes watered up immediately and not out of happiness.
This kitten is absolutely adorable, and as I'm writing this, he is playing around me and just knocked down one of my frames pictures. But he is also so needy and clingy. Part of me loves that, as M. can tell you. But part of me doesn't like him meowing when he doesn't want to be alone. It would be 90 percent better if Nina would actually let him play in the same room as her, or even better, play with her. Nina's after all barely 14 months old. She's a young cat as well. And she's a girl, but obviously with no maternal instincts.
So I finally opened the door and let the little guy out. At first, Nina was sleeping in our closed bedroom, and he was playing around me in the living room. But then Nina wanted to come out. There was hissing and cornering. So I took him back to his room, and he's once again happily playing around me, while Nina, I suspect is in front of the room. She's not coming in. And she stopped hissing.
So, this fostering is a tricky thing, if you love cats as much as I do. But you should see him sleeping with me, with his little gloved arm around me. To die for!

Boring Jones

2008-06-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

M. and I just came back from the nearby movie theater. We saw...no, not Sex and the City, but Indiana Jones. He actually wanted to see the Iron Man, but I thought that movie is ridiculous. Surprise, surprise...
O.K. I'll start with telling you NOT to see it in the theater. It is, at the very best, mediocre, and that's if I feel generous. The story is absolutely unbelievable, but in the worst possible way of that word. For one, aliens?! Give me a break.
Russians and aliens, during the cold war, I believe. The only thing selling this movie is Spielberg, Lucas and Ford. He, of course, did not age gracefully. But we already knew that. Karen Allen neither. Ford did not impress me with his performance either. He was an older, more tired, less attractive version on himself, from the 80s.
And Cate was just o.k. for me. She is a good actress but I guess Spielberg wanted her to overact the Russian woman in charge.
The movie is so packed with personal issues such as Jones' son, and his wife-to-be almost left at the alter, and the wedding...all that in just a little over two hours, though it seems longer. These topics were only brushed upon, so superficially that I was wondering why he brought them up in the first place?!
I think that sometimes the long break is anti-creative. This is a good example.

Home battleground

2008-06-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

My life has changed dramatically since we got a kitten last night. I've been spending most of my time in our second bedroom with him, playing, cuddling and reading. M. is in the living room with Nina, who is not the happiest cat in the world right now.
We introduced them to each other last night, hoping that the sheer smallness of Tax and Nina's obvious seniority, as well as different genders will help them get along. The little guy wanted to play with the big, orange cat, but our female Garfield wouldn't hear of it. Instead she was hissing and growling at him like her life depended on it. And then she left the room.
Since then, we kept them apart. Nina of course hears him meow when I'm not with him. It's amazing how fast kittens cry Mommy for the surrogate. His meow is way to strong for his size, and very high noted.
But he makes me so happy. He sleeps on me, or next to me. He is so tiny and fragile, that makes my eyes wet. I'm so glad he's safe and with me. No one in the world could take a better care of him.
Last, but not least, he turned me back toward my beloved Laza Lazarevic. Since Tax, I've read two of his stories, again, and they are not that short--about 65 pages for both. And I'm loving every minute of it. I've never dreamed that a sound asleep kitten and a a great book could make ME happy?! But they do. At least for the time being.

Little Taxy

2008-06-04T17:24:00.001-07:00

Foster Tuxedo

2008-06-04T15:04:00.001-07:00

I have been waiting for a little tuxedo kitten since 3:30 this afternoon. I signed up and got a blessing from M. to foster a kitten or two, once in a while. We both love cats, and I feel so sorry for them in those cages in Petcos or shelters, not to mention the possibility that there might not be enough room for all the homeless cats out there.
So, we are supposed to take care of this little guy for a week or two. I am so looking forward to it! I wish I could say the same for Nina, our cat. She's such a spoil queen of the house, and we also read that female cats are very territorial.
That's why we plan to put the kitten into the other bedroom for a day or two, and then introduce them to each other. It's also a good test for Nina, to see how well she would get along with another cat. That's why we got a male kitten to foster. That, and the fact that it's probably one of the cutest things on this earth.

Super cleaning

2008-06-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

My mother left today. It's always a bit sad when a person you care about leaves your home, even if it's just for several weeks.
She was here briefly and I wanted to make her stay as fun as possible. I took her places she likes, like the home stores and affordable shoe stores as well as Bloomingdales. And I felt guilty for not cleaning the place really thoroughly before she came, or getting some help in that. She, of course, cleaned our whole apartment despite my nagging and asking her to go out or to the gym with me. She just can't be here without cooking or cleaning. Period. I really didn't want her to do that. I wanted her to see New York and enjoy herself. And she did, for about a half of her stay. But the other half she spent in my apartment, perfecting it.
I'm not a very homey type of person. I clean only when visible dirty or when I have guests. And I did clean her room and bathroom before she came, but obviously not up to her high standards. And they are high indeed. Even those several times M. and I got the maid to help, she still found a few flaws to the job. The ones I would never even notice.

ABC's unique gifts

2008-06-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

I took my mother to ABC yesterday, at the beloved Union Square. ABC is an extremely large, six level furniture, and everything else you could think of, store. It is glossy, and flashy, in a good way and shiny and extremely expensive for the most part. It is also connected to the hand-made chocolate cafe, as well as one of the best tapas restaurants Pipa and her sister Lucy.
I usually don't buy much jewelry for myself. I think that I have too many as it is, since it's M's favorite gift as well as a Serbian one. But there they were! Beautiful, hand made designer earrings with Swarovski crystals, but not gold not silver. Copper and nickel, I believe. The salesgirl told me and mother something of a sort.
When I realized that they go from $18 to $180, I decided to treat myself. I wanted to get one little ones for my Mom as well, but she wouldn't hear of it.
So I found this adorable blue-turquoise pair of hanging roses, with two clear crystals. They go so well with my face and they made me happy for a couple of hours. Not that I generally am not happy. I am.
I would definitely recommend this spot for you if you are anywhere close to the Union Square, and whether you need a unique gift for a woman, or a chocolate kick.
I think the jewelry designer's name is M. Negrin.

Bloomi's, Nespresso and the open Lex

2008-05-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

My mother came to visit last night. She's been staying with my sister in Washington and helping with the baby. I guess they needed a break from each other.
I was looking forward to her visit, since I like to take her places and brag about how fun the city I live in is.
So I took her to Bloomingdale's first. But on our way there, the Lex Avenue was closed for the piazza, an open market, that stretched from approximately 42Nd until at least 56Th, or 57Th street. The international vendors had everything from food and drinks to arts and crafts. My mother loves outdoor markets, so she enjoyed the first New York one, and I enjoyed seeing her excited about it.
In Bloomingdale's, we got an offer for a complimentary make-up. While she was under the skilled hands of one of the Clarins' make-up/sales women, she kept smiling and saying how much she enjoyed the treatment.
But afterwords, they wanted us to buy stuff. A lot of stuff. I swear, the same African-American lady, who did my Mom's make-up, wanted us to buy at least 10 different skin care products. Talking about greed. They were priced from 20 something to 100 and something. All together, at least $500 worth of skin care, such as five different moisturiser for every wrinkle one might have on his or her face. They kept offering us gifts, free lipsticks if we buy... I asked my mother, what does she need. She said nothing, since she still has her needed skin care at home. So I said, thank you, I'll buy a lip product for myself, and we'll think about the rest. "There's just too many of them, I can't buy all of them, and we don't really need anything right now..."
Oh, boy, was she unhappy! I could see her thinking: "I did that makeup for one $20 product?" But, her approach was wrong. She didn't ask us if we're interested in buying Clarins. She just literally approached us with: "Come one, I'd like to do your make up for free..." Wouldn't you take it?
So, the little harassment by Clarins women spoiled the Bloomingdale's experience a bit. But then, we went to Nespresso. We all loved that, M. my mom and I. She especially liked the free yummy cappuccinos they made us to show how their machines work. And they didn't harass us to buy them afterwords.

Holiday sleep deprivation

2008-05-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

M. and I decided to trick the holiday traffic but driving down to D.C. area early on Saturday morning. Very, very early. The initial plan was to leave at 5a.m., at the crack of dawn. Instead we left at 5:30a.m.
We ended up sleep deprived, of course, and depending on caffeine. We had to nap at our destination, and I, the non-New York-to-D.C.-driver, half-alive, half-asleep, on the passenger seat, half-down, half-upright, managed to steel a couple of Z moments.
The strategy worked on our way there-there was barely any traffic and we made it in a record three and a half hours, or so.
Not so much on our way back. We left on Tuesday morning at 6:15a.m., still exhausted despite the whole 45 minutes of extra pillow-hugging. I had to struggle to keep my eyes open, again. I didn't succeed at all times. Then, I was lucky to have couple of hours before work, upon arrival. M. wasn't that lucky. I'm still amazed at how he made it through the day.
Anyway, we still got hit by the bad traffic around Baltimore, Philadelphia and of course New York. It took us four and a half hours, with only two very short stops.
Overall, did our strategy work? Maybe on our way to D.C. We hate the heavy traffic so in a way it was justifiable. I can't even imagine how the traffic was on Friday and Monday, the Memorial day. I guess sometimes gamble pays off, sometimes it doesn't. Gamble with traffic, that is.

La vie en Rose

2008-05-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

Last night I've seen one of the best movies ever--La vie en Rose. It was amazing in every aspect. Not a boring moment in the movie, impeccable acting, a workout of a sort for the viewer with the unconventional back and forth story line, but it all pays of at the end, when everything comes together.
For all of you who don't know anything about La vie en Rose, it's a French movie about a French singer Edith Piaf, who lived until 1960s.
The principal actress M. Cotillard is a true revelation. Who ever found her deserves kudos as well. Not a single moment of overacting, and she had totally transformed herself. She became Edith Piaf who looks and moves and seems as a completely different person.
I predict she will go for the stars. She certainly has it all.
It's one of those works of art you really must see. Really.

My first paid voiceover...hopefully

2008-05-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

I've done my first voiceover job in New York City yesterday. The best thing about it, I didn't even know it was a job!I thought it was a test recording! I've been to so many auditions and I acted for free that I forgot that I should get paid for work.
Oh, was I happy when I got an e-mail with the invoice and a nice figure for a half an hour job!
I love voiceovers! It was so much fun! I got four and a half pages of text in English and Croatian to voice, read into the ether! If I knew it were a job, I would've been completely relaxed, as appose to nervous. I was a bit nervous. Mostly because there was one word I've never seen before-concatenate. I know, you're probably thinking, how come I've never heard this word before, it's so common, blah, blah...
Well, believe it or not, I've never seen it before. Not in the GRE book, not at AU.
So, it made me more nervous, especially because it appears more than once in the text.
Croatian was easy, of course. English too, for the most part. I made couple of mistakes, but luckily it wasn't live. These things almost never are. If you make a mistake, you just start over, and then someone over there edits it. Sweet!

Macbeth

2008-05-21T19:34:00.001-07:00

I saw Macbeth on Broadway today, with Patrick Stewart. I saw it with my former acting class, the Shakespeare on Thursday nights I forsaken for Shakespeare on Friday days. It's the same teacher though.
It was good, though, I have to admit, I didn't understand half of it.
The acting was good, though it was my first Shakespeare on the stage, so I'm not sure if overacting is what is expected. The production was good as well, as far as the whole dynamic and the stage decoration goes. That was very creative and original.
But, again, I didn't understand half of the story. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that I'm not a native English speaker or with the fact that I haven't read it in English. I could swear I read it in Serbian, but I couldn't remember the story,
Oh, well, it was a useful experience. I guess...
We had balcony seats, which was like watching Shakespeare from a cliff. Literally. I mean, I didn't even think that that kind of steepness was safe. If you ever go to Lyceum theatre on Times Square, check the balcony. But don't if you're afraid of heights.
The audience was raving about it by clapping and ovations. I guess they read the book. Or know old English. It must be one or the other.
So, if you know the story, and can live with no leg room for two hours and 45 minutes, go ahead, see it. Acting is really good. And it was placed in some other time, not Shakespeare's. I'm guessing Russia?

Teaching, yet again

2008-05-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

I got another job today, to teach at a foreign language school in N.Y.C.
It's just a job-ish because I don't know how long it will last and it doesn't pay much. But, on a more positive note, I start tomorrow, with three classes scheduled.
It's kind of funny that after teaching in Belgrade, moving, working as an interpreter, getting my Masters, getting into acting, I'm back teaching again, for almost the same amount of money per hour as in Belgrade. But it's better than nothing. And it's a nice, comfortable job, that is paid, as appose to my acting endeavors. This way, I get to take classes and audition. I don't know if I could do that with a full time job. Though a full time, fulfilling job would have its advantages. I guess everything has its price. Hopefully, the "sabbatical" of a sort I'm taking now will pay off one day. There's nothing more I'd like, love, than to get a good part on a good TV show or a film. But the stage would suffice as well. For now.

Yesterday's Happy Hour

2008-05-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Happy Hour was a success! All three shows were practically sold out. Sort of. Well, most of the seats were taken. And I actually watched the 8p.m. show from the last row, and laughed. It was fun! I mean, it's not Shakespeare, but you know that before you buy your ticket and get your beer.
People were laughing, enjoying themselves. There was some interaction between the audience and couple of actors in couple of scenes. Some acting was better than other. But all and all, I must admit, it was much better than I expected. I was a little sceptical about it, but I needed the experience and the credit. And I got it without compromising myself, i.e. being in the scene I didn't want to be a part of.
Both of my scenes went well. I didn't drop a line. I didn't screw up in any way. I was nervous. I don't know if the audience saw or felt that. I don't think so, but I cannot be sure. My voice was strong at all times. So, I'm actually pretty happy with the whole thing.
M.and two of my Serbian friends showed up, bringing their friends. I was grateful. My family wasn't able to come, nor friends from D.C. I was a bit disappointed that no one from my acting class showed up. Oh, well, they are actors as well...
We finished the evening at our place with some Bellinis and snacks. I wanted to thank them for coming. It felt good knowing that someone came to see me...

Happy Hour

2008-05-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

The day of the big performance! It's not big, really, it's a small theater, and I'm doing it for the credit and the experience, but still, I'm sure it will be a bit nerve racking tonight. There will be people, watching...
So, if you're close to N.Y.C., come!
It's at 10p.m. in The 45Th. Street Theater, which is located on 354 W. 45Th. st., between 8 and 9Th Avenues. It's the Happy Hour, written by Joelle Arqueros. The $25 ticket includes two or more beers, that's how fun it is;-)

http://www.chekhovtheatre.com/productions/ticketsales.html

Please come if you can, and bring friends. I would love to see you there.
Wish me to break a leg!

As promised, my dear niece

2008-05-16T18:36:00.000-07:00

Gray, rainy, productive

2008-05-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

What an awful New York Day. It was barely a day, barely any light around. It was raining all day long. How do you stay happy on a day like this? Wherever you were, I hope you were not in N.Y.C. proper. It was not a pretty site, especially not in Midtown, where they ripped some streets around the Third Avenue, so on top of the dust and mud today, they add to the grayness. And depressivness.
I was trying to be productive. Indoors. I was planning on writing but that didn't pan out. Instead, I did a lot of necessary straightening up, since I'm a bit on a messy side. So is M. Perfect combination.
I also spent half of the day submitting myself back and forth for the auditions. I practically have the whole next week booked, with mostly auditions, and one recording.
Thighs are moving along:)
I'm actually performing tomorrow. I'm just a tad nervous, which will, of course increase when I hit the stage. I just need to make sure that I know the lines standing on top of my head and while tortured, so I wouldn't forget them under stress. Thank God I took improvisation! It's a life savior!

Fridays with Shakespeare

2008-05-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

I've managed to reschedule my Shakespeare class today. I'm very happy about that, since the previous class is going to be held, now without me, from 6:30p.m. on Thursdays, for four hours. By 9:45 p.m., I'm ready to put my book down, not analyze pentameters. I'm not a night person. I swore off all night shoots, after the When in Rome, except for a speaking part:)
The new date and time is almost perfect-Fridays from 1 p.m., starting June 6, and ending August 1. It would be ideal if it were another day of the week, but it's still much better timing for me. And this Shakespearean course will last two months, not three. I think that's all I want to spend on Shakespeare. It's good to know it, but there are other courses I need to take, to advance my acting skills.

Working Tuesday

2008-05-13T19:50:00.001-07:00

Busy, busy, busy Tuesday. I read for a small, independent movie, for the director, a small, cute, screaming-out-loud gay guy, in--Chelsea!That went really well, and I almost, almost got the part. I'll find out next week, hopefully.
Then I took a Law and Order Intensive, where I read, with another 15 or so people, for one of the show's casting directors. She's young, unpretencious, and so nice. I was pleasently surprised. That was a good learning experince. Plus, now she has my resume and my headshot, in a different pile, I hope.
One gets Law and Order parts through agents though. I don't have one yet. I freelance with one. But she only sent me for a video once. I didn't even get that one:(
Oh, well, it was a good, working day. Now I need to read the Comedy of Errors, for my class on Thursday. Not exactly a light, bed-time read, if you know what I mean.

One fine day

2008-05-11T08:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the Serbian Consulate in New York City, to vote. The weather has improved, much, so I decided to walk. I'm not working out much lately anyway. Due to my laziness.
I had a scheduled "rehearsal" for the Happy Hour right afterwords. I put "rehearsal" because I was only supposed to watch since I've missed a lot of them, being in D.C.
After I voted for the pro-Western Democrats, of course, one of the people I know from the Consulate introduced me to a young Serbian journalist working for the Frankfurt Vesti or News. She wanted to talk to me, or interview me. Well, I like that. I enjoyed it, even though it was short since the same man brought another lady for the same reason. This lady turned out to be an actress working in N.Y.C. Oh,my God! I was so excited. I introduced myself as an actress as well, and told her that I would love to meet her Serbian actor-friends and maybe work with them some time.
She gave me her phone number, and when I mentioned that I briefly worked for the VOA, she said she's heard of me. Oh, my, I'm getting famous;-)
So after the journalist took my picture, asked me why I voted and we chatted a bit, I went to the rehearsal. After about an hour and a half, the director asked me to come next Saturday at 5p.m. and to perform at 10p.m.
I told him I was ready for my two scenes. And I am.
So all and all, a great day! I walked back home, contently. Very.

Miserable New York

2008-05-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today is the most miserable day I had since moving to N.Y.C., weather wise. It has been not only rainy non-stop, but also cold and windy. So your umbrella is almost useless. I was wet with my umbrella the moment I stepped out of the building.
So when I realized that I'll be cold, wet and late for an audition unless I get a cab, I couldn't get one for 10 minutes. I was standing there, on the street for about five of those ten, hailing already taken cabs, while getting more and more wet. Finally, I gave up, started walking, when I saw one that had a light on, on a perpendicular street. I considered myself lucky. So I got to my audition, only half wet and frustrated, but on time.
On top of all that, my belly was hurting. But it was a good, scheduled audition, the one I couldn't pass. Despite the ideal day to stay in bed and read, or write. If you can.

By Acela to Shakespeare

2008-05-09T05:58:00.001-07:00

I'm back in New York City and full speed ahead. I came back on Acela, a fast, business class train that stops maybe four times between D.C. and New York, and the whole trip lasts 2 hours 45 minutes. Nicer, newer, bigger seats, more leg room, and the bigger price, of course, but for me it was definitely worth it. I get anxious traveling when it lasts too long. I'm afraid of my next overseas trip as I write this. But I guess the excitement of the arrival helps with the stiffness of my rear and the general nervousness.
I was so tired on Wednesday and just watched TV all day. But yesterday, I've tried to catch up with my schedule--e-mails, auditions, submissions, mailing, shopping, faxing, printing...No, I'm not running a small business, just trying to come up with some kind of a career. I also worked out and did some laundry. Very exciting.
But the biggest news is my new class:Shakespeare.New teacher, new classroom, new colleagues, and definitely, an entirely new subject. I've only read Shakespeare in Serbian, except for couple of sonnets. I liked it, in Serbian, but in English I need "No fear Shakespeare" to understand.
The four hour class concept is a bit intimidating, but it went by fast except for the last 45 minutes, during which I was hibernating.
I like the teacher, she's very animated. Three of the colleagues I know from before. Good.
The class will be work, but so what. I have time. Now more than ever. So bring it on.

It's a girl!!!!

2008-05-06T15:28:00.000-07:00

We are so happy that my sister got a girl! We all wanted a girl. Not that we wouldn't love a boy. But girls are just cutter. Also, I grew up with a sister. I wouldn't even know what to do with a boy. But I can certainly teach a girl to go shopping, or use make up, or about boys:)
She's adorable! It's only a cell phone picture because this auntie doesn't have her act together yet.

Being in hell

2008-05-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

I have never understood why women have to suffer so much in order to have a child. Also, why men don't have to suffer at all. It's the most unfair situation in the entire world, that I can recall. Who ever created us, either God or the nature, must be a misogynist.
At first, you get so nauseated for at least three months, and there's no cure for it. Then you carry the baby who gets heavier and heavier inside yourself, inside your belly for nine months! And then you give painful, long birth. Any sense in all that?
Why couldn't it be easy like, for example, I believe hens have it. Now, I don't know if delivering an egg for a hen is easier than a baby for a woman, but it seems that way, from my perspective. Then penguins too! But fish seemed to be the most advanced in that.
It is ridiculous, most outrages unfairness in the history. And there's no end to it in sight. At least the slavery and other injustices have been undone. This one? Not any time soon. Not in my lifetime.
I know, they came up with epidural and the C section. Let's see. The epidural is a huge needle in your back. I want to see how many men would volunteer for that. And the C section? It's the whole operation. Someone is cutting your body. And you have a long recovery period and a scar, of course, if you wake up from it. Outrageous!
No, I'm not pregnant. You're guessing already. My sister is in labor, and I'm in hell.

Gazuza's

2008-05-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

We met old, good friends, R. and J. in Gazuza last night. It's a cocktail bar/restaurant in Dupont Circle in Washington D.C. Besides great mojitos, such as the delicious mango one, they have good sushi and an outdoorish terrace. I wrote outdoorish because, it's kind of outdoors, but still indoors, with the view of the street but covered from three sides.
It's an interesting place, in the best sense of the word, despite the slow service and flirty waitress, who, I could swear, at some point addressed M. as "honey." Of course, no one else heard it, or pretended not to. No, I'm not paranoid, nor jealous, at least not this time. It was kind of funny. And ridiculous. She was very flirty and "leany" with J. as well. Maybe is Gazuza's way to beat the competition.
This place did have a good, really yummy "Dragon roll, " with eel and salmon, avocado, I believe and some other stuff.
But if I were you I would go for the mojitos. And only with girlfriends. As an experiment, of course;-)

Palomar

2008-04-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

M. and I checked into the hotel Palomar last night. It's a beautiful, modern, new, fancy hotel in Dupont Circle in Washington D.C.
It would be quite pricey this time of year, but M. has some work to do, so we got a good deal that will be payed by his employers.
After we checked in, there was a cocktail hour in the lobby. So we grabbed a glass of good wine, and sat next to an artificial fireplace in a packed lobby until M. had to run to a meeting.
I stayed in my small, but very nice room until I finished my red wine, and then all perky and full of energy decided to go to the gym. The sculpting room, as they call it, is also small but with all the equipment one needs for a nice, short workout. They also have water, and fruit in the morning, towels. There were only two other men there besides me. After my nice 35 minute workout, I decided to take a bath. I usually shower, but being alone in a nice, clean hotel room, made me wanna take a bath. And I did. It felt great, so relaxing. Afterwords, I slipped into one of the leopard robes they give you to use while you stay in one of their rooms. You can also buy it for $120 if you really, really like it. They are nice, one leopard, one zebra, but not $120 nice.
Then M. came back. We ordered Armand's pizza, our favorite D.C. pizza and watched Elizabeth:The Golden Age and the Idol.
A perfect, relaxing evening. I felt like I was on vacation, not back in D.C. where, until recently, I've lived for three years.

D.C. audition

2008-04-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

I went to my first audition in Washington D.C. today. I wanted to compare the experience with the ones in New York, plus try to get a paid job. I could stay with my sister for a while, and babysit.
When I came to the Arena Stage Theatre, there was no one waiting in line, despite it being an Equity Principal audition. Deference number one. Then, the auditioning space was huge, humongous compared to the ones in N.Y.C. It looked more like a dancing space than an acting one.
The casting person was a pleasant, younger, dark skin and haired man. He laughed throughout my monologue. I must admit, I was flattered. And a bit distracted. That never happened before. They usually laugh once, or just smile several times, but he was really entertained. Then he asked me if I'm based in D.C. I explained the situation.
So I was in and out in five minutes. That happened before in N.Y.C.? Maybe once.

Hristos Voskrese

2008-04-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Virginia! And happy Easter, if you're Orthodox. It's Serbian Easter today, and my family is recovering from a feast in Saint Luke's Orthodox Church in McLean.
First there was a long service. We only came for a brief part of it. God forgive me, but Serbian Orthodox services can be tedious and long. The priests are chanting in Old Church Slavonic for most of the two hours while the believers are standing, Yes, standing, for most of the two hours. It is not easy. But I guess that's not the primary concern of the church. Then there's a Communion, and kissing the icon and the cross held by the main priest, and giving and receiving of the colored hard boiled eggs, then blessing of the food, and finally gluttony.
The food was really amazing, in the tastes and variety. I don't eat meat and I still came out with more than I can eat in my plate. Sauerkraut meal was my favorite. And the home made bread, pogaca, my mother made was out of this world. And not only because she made it. In fact, my family is quite critical of each other.
And the desserts? Everything from a chocolate cake to cannollis. Yummy. Pure decadence.
So chatting with our Orthodox friends, and easting and drinking, we spent our cloudy Sunday afternoon. And then had to take a nap at home. To digest. And woke up on time for dinner.

When in New York, or Rome

2008-04-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

A lot going on lately. I got a background part in the feature film When in Rome. I'll be working in the Guggenheim museum, and a night shift. I know, it's not ideal but it's an opportunity I don't want to miss. I've never worked on an actual film before, never been to Guggenheim and never really worked the night shift. For better or worse. Also, I'm off to D.C. on Friday for maybe a whole week, so this is in a way the last little background effort before the hiatus.
As far as my play, the next rehearsal in Friday 9 a.m. I have no idea how I'll be able to pull out a good rehearsal after an all nightie. I'm hoping, the shoot won't last the whole night, but maybe until 3 a.m., so I can still get four or five hours of sleep? Wishful thinking.
I also had my last class at my studio, with the current teacher of the Scene Study. I am seriously thinking about taking a Shakespeare class, since I need to work on my accent but I hate voice classes. They are extremely boring. Also, there will be a Shakespeare play in the near future cast in my theatre, so I'm hoping this course might give me an edge.
A lot of things on my mind. On top of all that, I've taken my family today to the Staten Island Ferry. Great ride. Wonderful view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. All that after we refused to wait in line for an hour and a half to see the same statue, up close and personal. Thank God!

Free beer at Happy Hour

2008-04-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

My parents came to town, and I got a part in a play. My life has changed dramatically in just couple of days.
Now I go to rehearsals every morning and go out sightseeing every afternoon. I don't have time for anything else. And I've been chronically tired ever since we stayed up until 3 a.m. at the Balkan Party, in the U.S.Mission to UN, on Saturday.
The rehearsals are hectic, more so than in my wildest dreams. Michael Chekhov Theatre seems well established, but small and poor. They do a lot of productions and have a lot of actors, but I don't think they are getting paid. I know that my cast of about 20 people doesn't get anything, not even the comp tickets for family and friends.
It's a bit ridiculous, that I put in a lot of time and effort, and M. has to pay to see me. I mean, it comes out of the same bank account. But the director says the theatre is struggling so I guess they need every dollar that could come their way. Or every seat.
Also, he expects us to solicit the audience. That is also a bit absurd. I mean, of course I'll invite people, but I don't want the whole audience to consists of family and friends. I guess they don't put any money in advertisement and invitations. They count on their actors doing that for them. As well,for free.

Nespresso, doll-faced Persian

2008-04-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

M. has mentioned Nespresso several times. So finally today we went to the Upper East Side to check it out.
It is in this fancy neighborhood, with Armani and Valentino types of stores across and around it. But it looks great! The atmosphere, the service, the comfortable, leather armchairs and sofas, great tasting and looking coffee, spring water they pour you, instead of tap. There are two separate modern looking, smaller bars and a shop, with Nespresso machines and coffee to purchase. They actually make you free espresso or even cappuccino to show you how the machine works and how good their coffee is.
I would definitely recommend this coffee place. It gives you an unique experience, and it's definitely worth the price. And it's close to the Central Park.
On our way back, from the park, we stopped at a "puppy place."
I can't pass a place with animals without going in and taking a look at them. Or several looks. Well, this puppy place, has many, many cute puppies, and three of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen in my life, except for my girl Nina, of course.
They were doll faced Persian kittens. I held one little 10-week-old cuddly, furry boy, and I was melting. Guess how much he costs. $1,800, a couple who was considering getting him told us. I know! Crazy, ha? He is really adorable. It was hard not to keep him. But thinking about all those poor cats in shelters, it would be a sacrilege to buy a cat, when you can and should get one out of the shelter.

Happy Hour

2008-04-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one to whom all the things happen at once?
Over and over again, I get a job offer when I'm traveling or leaving that city, or something or a sort.
Well, I got a part today in the next production of Michael Chekhov Theatre Company's Happy Hour. It's a funny little play in which I have two vignettes, one to open the show and one to close it! Perfect! It's a great opportunity to have a good credit, invite people to see me, including the agents and casting directors, if I'm that lucky so they would actually show up. (They probably will only if I suck that night, pardon my French:)
I would be jumping up and down, but my parents are coming this weekend and we are supposed to go to D.C. for a couple of weeks, and spend time together with my sister and her newborn baby...
Now I have rehearsals all next week and half of the week after that. And then performances on May 3, 10 and 17.
The performance dates are actually o.k.
The rehearsals the week after next are killing me!
But I like my little part and it's sooooo hard to get one in this cruel city.
So I'll scramble.
But please come, see me. Everyone has to pay something, including M. and the rest of my family. But it won't be much, I'm sure. And I'm not getting paid, you know that. No one pays you to act in N.Y.C., unless you're a star.
So it will be in 45th. Street Theatre. I'll know the exact time on Monday...

Keeping the house

2008-04-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

My parents are coming over from Europe this weekend. It will be my father's first time in New York, ever.
So I decided to get some help. A housekeeper, since neither M. nor I enjoy cleaning. I do it only when I really, really have to. M. only does the dishes. We do the laundry together.
I called one whose card I found in our laundry room. She said she charges $80 for two bedroom, two bathroom apartment. I thought that was very reasonable.
This morning she shows up on time, with another young woman. O.K., I guess, two is better than one.
They were very young, much younger than housekeepers I've seen before were. Late 20s, maybe 30. And they looked nice, you know, nicely dressed and wearing makeup.
They spoke Portuguese between themselves. I didn't ask them where they're from. Brazil?
They did a very good job. There was a lot of work, I must admit. Dust bunnies every where, for one. So, I'm giving them a check and a tip, and one of them asked me:
"So, would you like to schedule cleaning for every week? Or biweekly?"
"Well, I'm not going to be in New York for a while, so maybe when I come back...
I was thinking more of maybe once a month?"
"Well, then it would be $120, if it's once a month, you know, 'cause there's more work to be done. If it's biweekly you can keep your current price..."
I said I'll think about it. $120 seems a bit pricey. But I don't know if I want our place cleaned every two weeks either. Is there such a thing as too clean? It's just seems like an unnecessary luxury.
My lungs should be grateful for our guests:)

Spike Heels

2008-04-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on my scene from Spike Heels with my partner E. It's been a learning experience, of course. We put the scene together through different steps, almost every week. First we read it in class, then read again, then did the scene improvisation, then did the scene with script in hand, then finally put it up without the script. Tomorrow will be our third time putting it as an almost finished project, if E. comes to the class. She might have to pass, due to other obligations.
So, I am Lydia, if you recall. A rich woman whose fiancee just postponed their wedding, and she thinks it has to do with Georgie, his slutty female neighbor. She also finds Georgie's clothes in her fiance's apartment just before the scene starts. So my current problem, with my character is that I am not angry enough in the beginning of the scene, at a woman whom I think ruined my life.
It is really hard to start the scene enraged! I'm supposed to be angry through my words and my actions simultaneously, while thinking about my lines and next steps...
It's work, let me tell ya.
From my limited experience as an actor, acting for TV if much easier than stage. You can screw up, and the camera rolls again. Not so much of a luxury on the stage. You have to think quickly, and act as well.

Cuban Motion-Latin Movements

2008-04-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

I've missed my second dance class-to-be due to the Law and Order shoot. It was a simple choice for me, but I still wanted to make up for it. So I rescheduled for Saturday. Actually, I just asked them to put me into another class on Saturday.
But on that day, I had two auditions that lasted longer than I expected. When I got done with them, I was starving. And I had to run to the rescheduled class. And it was a beautiful day. Not an ideal situation. So I lied, and said I was sick and can I come to another class this week? They said I can only come to the couple of "all level" classes they have. So I did. Today. I took Cuban Motion and Latin Body Action.
It was great! It was more of a workout than a regular dance class. There was no dancing in pairs, but only by ourselves, in front of a mirror. The fact that we were all women, except for one poor guy in the last row, gave it more of an aerobics class feel.
I've never done any Cuban dances before. So this was new to me. And interesting. Just a bit challenging, which is good.
So we learned a bit of Merengue and a bit of Salsa. Just the basics. What else in a 50 minute group class.

Law and Order, with me in it

2008-04-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yes! I finally got to be on Law and Order, even if for just a minute and with only pantomiming words. But I was ecstatic yesterday anyway!
The shoot was in the Law and Order studio, at Chelsea Piers. Everything on that floor was Law and Order, even the kitchen. It said on the door:"Law and Order kitchen!"
My scene was in the courtroom you usually see when you watch the show. I actually thought it's the real courtroom. Nope. It's a set. Outside of that room, it's a big mess--lights, cords, concrete...
I was told to go outside the door and when they say "action," I walk in, "talk" to one police officer, then to the other, try to find a seat in the courtroom filled with junkies, pimps and prostitutes, in disgust, since the lawyers, the court system or something of a sort, is on strike!
So, I was standing outside this courtroom door, waiting for the call, and smiling, even laughing from how good it felt to be there. Here I am, on the set of my favorite show! After only seven months in the city. Hey, back in August, I didn't even know how this city works, let alone the world of acting.
The only better thing would be to get a speaking part on the show.
So I started networking. I put my cards on Law and Order board. I met Linus Roache,the guy who replaced Sam Waterstone, who by the way, is sooooo nice. I met couple of other actors and I gave my card to the guy who was managing the background talent, saying: "I'm actually an actor..."
At first, I thought that all of the people there are actors. But last week and this one, I found out that most are, but some not.
At the end of the night, I was happy with how I behaved. I was proactive this time. I felt so good about myself. Hopefully, something will come out of it. If not, there's always the next time. And believe me, this is only the beginning.

TurboTax sucks, so does Verizon and Toshiba

2008-04-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

I've spent an hour and a half with a tech support guy from Toshiba this morning. I swear, my ear was numb. We never planned on being on the phone for that long so we never bought an "earless" phone. That would be o.k. if they would have been able to help, but alas...
M. spent at least two hours last night on the phone with Turbo Tax and Verizon people, due to the fact that he can't e-file our tax returns. You already know where I'm going with this, right?
Turbo Tax support said call Verizon. Verizon said call Toshiba. And Toshiba? Guess!
You're right, Toshiba said call Turbo Tax.
Idiots!
So I had to yell a bit at the Toshiba guy. And he caved in. Yelling usually works with tech people. I guess it scares them off. With M. it's just the opposite. So I would try not to use that technique on husbands.
Apparently, we have a problem with sending and receiving large files. I can't upload a video to my blog or You Tube. Or e-file taxes.
So we can call them again. Round and round we go. I bet they will keep transferring the responsibility to each other. Until one of them is lucky enough to figure out the problem. Yes, it's nuclear physics. Or whatever you guys say...

Becoming Jane

2008-04-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

I've actually seen a movie recently that made an impression on me, and lingered with me for a while. I haven't seen Becoming Jane when it came out because The New York Times' review of it was just o.k. When there are so many movies out, you have to use some tools to sort them out and decide which ones are worth seeing in the theatre and which ones on your sofa. That's why we have Netflix.
But I do love Jane Austin. Especially movies made out of her books, such as an amazing Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice series with C.Firth. So, I was intrigued by Becoming Jane.
It turned out to be great! Again, McAvoy was very, very good, and the lead actress, Anne, was not bad as well. Not as good as him, but just fine. The story itself is interesting, romantic and you can't really predict what is going to happen at the end. Unless this movie is historical and you know of Jane Austin's life, as well as her novels.
It made me a bit sad though. And it made me think about life, and choices we make. And how they determine the rest of it. And do they? Or are they not ours to make at the first place?
Now, don't think I've told you how the movie is going to end. 'Cause I didn't. But you should see it. And then tell me what you think. And did it make you think.

Help them survive in our world

2008-04-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was not a fun day for me. I was physically exhausted from being on a shoot for 12 hours, as well as spiritually down for not being braver and more aggressive in my acting career. So I've turned into a couch potato for at least half of that day. Luckily I had a dancing class I've already payed for so I had to drag myself out. But for about half an hour before I went to it, I've been switching channels, when my eyes got stuck on Oprah. It was about animals, who I love, and about shelters and euthanasia. So I switched to it.
It made me cry. For real. As it did Oprah.
Now, I don't watch Oprah usually but I do respect her. Sometimes she bring up important issues, such as the animal situation in the States. And she supports Obama. Wise woman.
The following sad and sobering event I saw that day on TV, I've never seen before. They showed a day in a shelter, when a worker has to decide which healthy dogs to euthanize, because, and only because,a lack of space. It broke my heart. They showed the whole thing, every step, every move, and as painful as it was to watch, and as it makes me sick to my stomach even now, I believe it was important to show, and see, because it is the truth, and because people need to see it, and remember when they are buying a dog or a cat from a breeder, or when they give up their own pet because of an inconvenience.
That picture of poor, cute, innocent dogs being put down to sleep, will stay with me forever. They said that millions and millions of dogs and cats are euthanized each year only because of the lack of space in the shelters. Really, how cruel are we?
Now, I feel sorry for the poor, destitute people. I really do. And I want to help. But I feel even more sorry for animals because they don't have our brains to make their good or bad choices and suffer consequences. They try to survive in our world. We won't let them roam our streets, but we don't necessarily put all of them in homes either. We kill them because there's no room for them?!I almost don't believe that. But it's true. Unfortunately.
What I did right away is give some money to ASPCA. Then I went to the Petco in Union Square and gave some more to the shelter that has cats for adoptions there. Then to Petco close to me today, to sign up for fostering.
I want to ask you to do whatever you possibly can, even if it's inconvenient, to help these poor animals stay alive. You can either adopt from a shelter, not from a breeder, or foster until that shelter finds a home for the animal. Or you can give them money, so they can have more room for more animals. And make sure your pets are spayed and neutered.
Please, just do it.

The true Mr.Big

2008-04-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, I know you really wanna know stuff about Mr.Big.
Well, he's a goofball, in the best sense. He was joking all the time he was on the set.
Mostly with the show's producing team, but once with us, background actors. There were couple of actors-speakers on the podium of this amphitheatre, and he was joking by inciting a protest against what they were allegedly saying. It was kind of funny.
He did got angry once, and swore for messing up a scene, and stoped acting while they were still rolling. "Chris, you know we're still rolling," the director, Norberto Barba said. "Yes, I know we're still rolling but I_________, so there's no point of continuing when I__________." So, he's passionate about his work. Of course. Who wouldn't be.
He also threw a bottle of water to a friend/colleague/team member, half way across the theatre. It flew a long way. It could've hit something and burst, or someone, with people all around and cameras....Goofy. I told you.
But he was smiling a lot. And he looks a bit older than on TV. But still good. Really good.
I'm a big fan.

Mr. Big in the same scene as me!

2008-04-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

I was really looking forward to being a part of such a huge show like Law and Order:Criminal Intent, even if I just appear in it for a few seconds. I was looking forward to it for the experience, for the prospective contacts and for shallow reasons, like meeting Mr.Big.
What I actually got out of it is no contacts, exhaustion and bitter-sweet aftertaste.
The beginning was great! I got picked to walk into the couple of scenes. In one, I was just in front of a principle actor...I was jumping up and down within, like a little girl. And I kept staring at Mr.Big, like one as well. Hey, I'm a big Sex and the City fan. And Mr.Big made that show what it is.
After about eight hours into the shoot, I got so tired and nervous about not really having a good chance to actually meet Chris Noth. Yes, he passed me several times but I was too much of a prude to get up and stop him or something. Also, I didn't wanna be thrown out of the shoot. That would be so embarrassing. So I did nothing. Unfortunately.
I could've given my postcard to other actors or assistants as well, but I kept waiting and waiting until it was too late. It was my fear that was keeping me down.
By the time we were leaving the set, after a 12 hour day, I was too dead to do anything.
So, yes, I saw them. And yes, I'll be in the same scene with them. And I can put it on my resume. But I didn't do what I really wanted--try to open the door for getting a bigger part.
I feel so little today. Even though I didn't really lose anything. Except a possibility of a great opportunity. I might never have another one:(

Long night for Criminal Intent

2008-04-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

So you know I've registered with several background talent agencies in the city, right? That's how I got the call for Law and Order in January, while I was, unfortunately, in Aruba. Well, I did have a great time. Something's gotta give.
The same agency advertised for someone I can be the other day. So I called them. And they said:" Are you available on Thursday?" I was thinking for just a second. "Yes," I said. I lied. "All day?" "Yes" again. I lied again. Well, not really. I just thought, I'll postpone the dance class I should have had tomorrow.
And then she said to call her back today. I did. Then she told me what to wear and not to wear, and to call again tonight, for my directions and time. Nothing about the tiny part, if you can even call it that, or the money...Never mind, really.
But, it's midnight, I'll turn into a pumpkin and they still don't know the time and the place of shooting Law and Order: Criminal Intent tomorrow?!
So I have to stay awake and wait. If I wanna do it. And I do.

Evaluation or presentation?

2008-04-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

I had that half an hour private evaluation class at the ballroom and Latin dance club today. It wasn't at all what I expected. This Russian instructor, obviously a pro, was more trying to impress me with what he can do, than focus on what I can do. He has a really big ego, I must say. All he made me dance, for just a bit, was cha-cha-cha and samba. And there are 10 dances I use to know.
Samba I couldn't really remember. It looked familiar and I could remember doing some steps a long time ago, but I couldn't remember the technique then and there. He didn't give me much time anyway. Cha-Cha I did remember, and I did dance a bit, but he found many flaws in my moves--posture, hand movements, hip movement.
Well, you can imagine, I wasn't happy about that.
Then he offered private lessons. I said I was interested in the group ones. Then he said he'll write that I was level I. Level I?! That's a beginner, I said. "Not necessarily," he defended himself. But he put in level II. There are five levels. Five is professional.
So after that, he went with me to register. Thursday works best for me this month, so I let him and another person talk me into taking a Level I class of Samba and Cha-Cha. It's with a great teacher, they said. I guess I do need it for Samba. But for Cha-Cha? Will see.
Anyway, I might try to switch to Level II Rumba on Fridays. It seems to make more sense. But then again, I won't know how fast and how useful these classes really are until I try one.
Also, I might have an acting gig on for Thursday. I don't want to get my hopes up yet though. I'll find out tomorrow. And let you know, of course. Keep your fingers crosses. Pleeease?

Lets eat flowers

2008-03-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

Darkness in the city

2008-03-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

Could New York City be any darker, any more miserable looking than today? Don't get me wrong, I love this city. I usually walk around with my heart pounding with excitement, and thinking of how lucky I am to have a chance to live here. The open space, the beautiful buildings, old and new, the parks, long streets, surprises around every corner(good and bad), an amazing variety of people and things to do!
It is as alive as it can be. And so fast. It's definitely a city for young people. I don't know if I would like to live in Manhattan when I'm old or with kids. Well, knowing me, probably yes.
But today, it's like I want to be anywhere but here. It's raining, and there not even a flicker of sun. Barely enough light to see in front of your nose. It's a perfect museum day. Or a movie day. Or a writing day....Well, I don't know about that:)

Sarajevo, the ghost restaurant

2008-03-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

M. and I went to Queens today. It was only our second time in that part of New York City.
The first time was on New Year's night, when we met our dear, old friends in an apartment for a small but exclusive party. Four of us, at some point, were looking for this Bosnian place called Sarajevo, but in vain. It seemed that we had the wrong address. We settled for Egyptian seafood. Not quite the same thing.
So this time, when we decided to go to Queens for Serbian food shopping at the Euromarket, burek in Sarajevo cevabdzinica, and exchanging some essential house stuff at Target, M. looked up the restaurant's address again.
And we looked for it. Again. And we passed the same streets, the same industrial, storage area, areas that Matt said looked like from Law and Order, and still haven't found Sarajevo. It's a ghost restaurant.
When we came home, M. called them.
The address online is 34 st. It's actually on 34th. Avenue. Not quite the same thing.

Full life and a full job?

2008-03-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

I had a 36 hour day. I swear. You wouldn't believe all the things that I've done and that happened to me today. But I hope you will.
I got a translating stint on Wednesday. So, I was working on my 15 page document for about three hours today. I also went to register with a casting agency that's looking for background actors for a feature film, 20 block from here. On my way back, I stopped at the Worldtone to look for my dancing shoes. They didn't have the historic red ones, but I took my time, tried about 20 pairs and bought one! Yay! These are for Latin dances, they are pretty comfortable and black.(I'll take a picture one of these days and post it.)
When I got home, there were two pleasant e-mails waiting for me--one, from Creative Media telling me that they've put my voice sample on their Web site.
http://www.cmdnyc.com/serbian.php
And the other from one of my blog readers, offering to put a link to my blog on his, and asking the same from me, because he likes it. Thank You!
Just before I've changed into my blue pajamas with Mini and Patty on the front, and sit on my brown sofa while listening and glancing to Canterbury's Law, I've came back from an introductory, orientation class at the ballroom club. The class was packed. I guess because it was free. There was a bunch of people, mostly women and some couples, and mostly beginners. It was kind of boring in the beginning for me, with the basic steps for English Waltz, Rumba, and Quick Step, but eventually it picked up with Merengue. I've never learned Merengue. It's so fun, even at the basics.
So I scheduled my private half and hour evaluation class for Tuesday and I'm starting to take a class the same week. The music and the moves reminded me of how much I enjoy ballroom dancing. Me being me, I kept thinking of "what were you thinking" by making such a huge break between the last time I've danced and now.
And now, someone invited me to audition next week as well. How do people who have full time jobs have a life at all?

The quest

2008-03-28T06:43:00.000-07:00

After I worked for only two hours in the morning yesterday, testing the other NYPD officer in Serbo-Croatian, I went to look for my red, ballroom dancing shoes. I went to one of the places this guy at the dance club recommended-Capezio. I was so excited, like a little girl, walking inside this big store, expecting to see my shoes on a shelf, and they would smile at me, and I would pay, and we would never be apart again:-)
But, the cruel reality was bestowed on me. Not only that Capezio didn't have my shoes, they didn't have anything resembling my shoes! Is is possible that tiny Slovenia makes better dancing shoes than New York City?!
Anyway, it's not going to be as easy as I thought. It never is, especially if you screw up something and then you try to fix it.
I came home and looked on the Web. Nope. I've sent couple of e-mails describing the shoes I'm looking for. I'm even asking my mother to bring the pictures with her from Europe.
Yes, I know, I am obsessed.
It's just that the idea of having those shoes again and forgiving myself for selling them for practically nothing way back when, would make me so happy. So happy.
Hopefully, someone in this city will have them or know how to make them. Otherwise, next time I go to Europe, I might stop in Ljubljana.

My old dancing shoes

2008-03-26T19:18:00.001-07:00

I've been pretty happy since M. and I moved to N.Y.C. Ups and downs, here and there, but over all, pretty content. This city's spirit agrees with mine. It's that simple.
I felt the same way about Belgrade. I did not, however, felt like that in D.C.
Still, I don't remember the last time I was as excited as today.
There's a ballroom dancing place about five block from where I live. I finally went to check it out today.
For those of you who don't know me that well, I used to balldance. Big time.
From when I was about 10 until I was 15, I was an active member of a dance club, and with my team, I performed and competed all around Serbia. Then the high school came. And raging hormones. And the management at the club changed, for worse. So I stopped.
But since I've grown up, or in earthly terms, in the last couple of years(don't laugh), I've wanted to do it again. I used to love it. It must be like riding a bike, or swimming. You never forget it.
So I set it up with this club to come for an introductory group class and then half an hour of a private one, which is only $20. So after all that, I ask the nice guy at the desk:" Do you know of place where I came buy the professional dancing shoes?"
What you don't know, and what I'm extremely angry, disappointed and embarrassed about, is that after I stopped dancing, someone asked me to sell her my professional, perfect, red dancing shoes, from Slovenia. And I did:( Shame on me. Those bloody hormones.
So I got excited about the ballroom dancing again. But mostly about owning those shoes again. That would make me so happy! I'm not going to rest until I find the exact match.
I told all this to M. He's a man, so I tried to explain to him how much these shoes would mean to me. So I said: "Imagine finding again something that made you so happy in your childhood..."
Well, I'm not exactly a psychologist.

Working, then shopping

2008-03-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

One of the most reputable language schools in this country called me earlier this week, to ask me if I can test NYPD's officers in Croatian. "Of course, " I said, smiling at the prospects of an easy, interesting work. I used to work for this school in D.C. That's where they got my name from.
The school's manager called again to schedule two tests for this week.
So, I went to meet with her today, as well as do the test.
The school's location, by the way, is excellent. I did use subway to get there, but it's a nice, tourist area, with a lot of good shopping. "Dangerous," but nice.
So the manager talks about what I need to do, she's concluding, everything is swell, but she never mentions my fee. So I had to ask.
"Since you're still our active instructor, you'll be paid as much as you did before--$10 per unit."
Me? In shock!
"I used to be paid $18 per hour, down in D.C., where the cost of living is much less than in Manhattan. Plus, I've been with you since 2005 and I have a Masters Degree now..."
She said:" Well..., you've must have had a government contract. "
"My students were military."
"That's why. If you're not comfortable with this fee, you could do this test today, and I'll find someone else for next time."
Yeah, right. There are Serbo-Croatian instructors waiting in line to work for $10. But I did the test. That's why I was there. And it was good. Interesting. Easy.
My test "subject" was a young police officer, who was born in Trebinje. He spoke excellently. But had troubles reading and writing.
Anyway, when I came out of the classroom, the manager said she talked to D.C. and they told her that I was paid $18 an hour. So, she said, she'll put in a request to pay me that much as well, for these two times. But next time, it will be $10.
Oh, that's fine. It's better than nothing. And it was kind of cool to get ready for work, and feel all smart and important.
I've worked for an hour and a half. Then, I went shopping.

Those Park Avenue Dentists...Again?

2008-03-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

Why do mini-medical emergencies always happen on a weekend? To me? Murphy's law?
One of my fillings came out couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday. Or was it Sunday?
I don't have a dentist in N.Y.C. and I love the one in D.C. I also trust him. He's not ripping me off and he understands my absolute "NO PAIN" philosophy of life.
So M. found me a dentist close to home, who accepts our insurance and has good reviews.
I walk into his office and he is an extremely young Asian man. A question mark lights up in my head. I tell him what the problem is and that I had everything done to my teeth only in December, including the X-ray. He still wants to do it, just to be sure.
"Won't the frequent X-rays fry my brain or something,?" I'm trying to be funny in the middle of a jam. "No, no, of course not," he says. Well, it's not his head.
But I let him do it. What was I suppose to do. "No, just do it with your eyes closed, you went to the medical school didn't you?" No, I didn't say that. Tricked you, ha?
So after he fries my brain a bit, he says that my tooth needs a fancy porcelain inlay filling. M. often says I'm spoiled but I never thought my teeth were too.
"I don't think my insurance will pay for that. It sounds expensive," I said, doubting him even more. He does have an office just off Park Avenue. Somebody has to pay for that.
"Well, sometimes you shouldn't think about the insurance, sometimes your tooth really needs something," he replied. I swear, that's what he said! O.K., that question mark is the size of my head now.
"I really need to know how much that would cost before you start doing it," says I.
"I can't check on that here, you have to go to the front desk and they'll tell you."
At least, he closed my gap temporarily. He knew I didn't buy it.
So the front desk assistant gives me the estimate. Guess how much?
Almost $900! For one fancy-shmency filling? Outrageous. Well, maybe the Wall Street people and Trumpists don't care about being ripped off by this just-out-of-school Asian Park Avenue dentist. But I do.
So I take my X-ray, pay for it and the exam, and leave. Happily.
p.s.Did I write about his before? I have to lay off those X-rays...

Let me not to the marriage of true minds...

2008-03-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

I went to two auditions yesterday. The first one was for a part in an original play.
It was in this tiny, scruffy, really old, run down theater, on W.36Th. st.
The playwright was nothing I expected. She sounded much more older, serious on the phone. In person, it was this shorter, plump African-American woman, with cheap clothes and a winter hat on her head, inside a room. But I was already there. And the play is interesting.
Her assistant was this younger guys, short, body-builder type with shaved head. Not at all what I expected. But I read my sides, and I read them well. So I was content because of that.
Then I met M. in this place he found on W.56Th st., named "Kachkaval."
It's a charming little Mediterranean cheese and wine place. I was taken by the atmosphere of wooden bar and tables, candles when the light was still outside, and abundance of cheeses and wine everywhere around us. We had tzatziki, amazing spinach-feta burek and a sampler of cheeses including a "Drunken Goat," my personal favorite.
After filling my belly, I went to the other audition, just a bloc away. This one was for a play in verses, something resembling Shakespeare. So I auditioned with my Spoonriver Anthology poem-monologue, which was just o.k. Then I read one of the poems they gave me. I'm not even sure I read everything right. I have to admit, all the Shakespeare I ever read was in Serbian. Except for several sonnets.
Like the one from Sense and Sensibility, which I believe is number 116.
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds,
Admit impediments
Love is not love which alters when the alteration comes,
Or bends with the remover to remove
It is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests
And it is never shaken..."
Yes, I memorized it a long time ago, after the mentioned movie. It was just so beautiful. I wanted to capture it. Maybe even impress someone:)

Streets paved with gold

2008-03-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know how often you read my blog (once a month? I applaud you:), but this one is kind of a comment to a previous one about a spoiled and ungrateful cousin.
Still interested? Scroll down...
Well, today I found out that the same cousin, who moved out of my sister's house after a month and a half, into his own apartment, has decided to leave the United States prematurely. Why? Well, the first job he had was too hard. The second job, as a life guard, is too boring for him. And the apartment, which I believe is in Alexandria and he pays only something over $300, is not comfortable enough for his nobility. Have I mentioned that he only graduated from high school? So, we're not talking about blue blood here, nor a doctor. And I don't even think that he made enough money to pay back the people he borrowed it from in Serbia.
I don't know what these people think. Money grows on trees in the U.S.? The streets are paved with the money? There are employers on the streets practically begging foreigners without papers and degrees to work for them, and put them in big, corner offices? I don't know what Hollywood is doing to the young European minds. Or is it parents?
In this case? I would say--parents!

A morning stint

2008-03-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

I've received a call this morning from Language Connections. This guy, Josh, said he has my resume on file and if I could proofread two documents--one English, one Croatian, and send them back to him and this Russian guy within two hours.
He said that I've sent them my resume. I remember sending my resume to several foreign language schools when I moved to N.Y.C., so I said--fine.
I took the job. I wasn't sure what to charge, but I looked at the Web and asked the language company I've been working for years now, as a telephonic interpreter, and came up with a modest price, that still seemed worth my while.
The documents were long and boring. It was basically a contract, written in lawyers' language, in two languages. It took me longer to check it out than I expected. And it gave me a headache. Boring things give me a headache.
But I already made my bed. And I don't go back on my word. Unless I have a very good reason. And you don't turn down a job, unless you have a better one.
So I found some discrepancies. I wrote a short report. And an invoice, a bit later in the afternoon. I did my job. I did it well.
Hopefully, I'll get paid for it within 30 days.

Oh, such a good Wednesday

2008-03-19T20:33:00.001-07:00

Today was a good day, even though it was raining for the most of it, and my casual tiredness hit me and never left me, until my acting class at 6:30 p.m.
There's something yoga-like to acting--it always snaps me out of everything.
I got a call from Berlitz for a one time gig, as a tester for NYPD's knowledge of Croatian, plus I got an e-mail back from an agency who wants me to register with them!
Now, I don't' know where these will lead, but they are good news.
And mine, and my partner's improv went so well, that the whole class laughed its a__ off many, many times. It was so hard for me to keep my face straight. Ever seen Seinfeld? Look at Jerry;s face when George says or does something hilarious.

Serbian Consulate making the day

2008-03-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

I tried to go to three auditions yesterday. Actually, I did make it there. But I didn't audition. The reason? They were Equity, of course. And I'm not. Not even close.
The first two were at the same place. One wouldn't even see Non-Equity people. For the other, the moderator said "Come back after lunch, but I can't say definitely that they'll have time to see you."
At the third one, I waited for about 40 minutes before the moderator said that they wouldn't be able to see anyone below number 28 at the Non-Equity list. I was 45. I should've come earlier. Well, maybe if I've seen the psychic that morning.
But, it was a good day. I went to the Serbian Consulate where I've met several very, very nice people, signed up for some stocks that the state is giving to most of its citizens, and signed the mailing list. Yes, I'm still a citizen of Serbia, but a permanent resident of the United States.
I asked them to invite me if there's a reception or a party. They said yes. Hopefully they will follow through.
They've recognized my name from e-mails I've sent them couple of weeks ago, about Serbian passport people not wanting to extend my mother's passport. They helped.
She got it, after five days of pleading and bringing more documents.
My point being, I liked the people and the atmosphere at the Consulate and I would like to be more a part of it. Hopefully, I will. One day.

How unsafe is this city exactly?

2008-03-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

If you follow the U.S. news, you must know that a crane on East 51st Street in New York collapsed yesterday killing at least four people. My mother has been saying, as long as I can remember:" don't walk below those things, you never know when they can fall..."
She is a wise woman. But I already knew that. M. thinks she's overprotective. I sometimes do too. But when she's right, she's right.
I don't know how many times I've passed beside or below a construction site, with an option of crossing the street and totally avoiding it. It's a bit harder in N.Y.C. since there's always construction, everywhere, but it's doable. If one is not too lazy.

Auditions, yet again

2008-03-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

I haven't auditioned for a while. A while being about three weeks. I've tried couple of times but there was always 40ish people ahead of me, and I swore that I will never again wait the whole day and not get seen, after that one time in Tribeca.
Well, today, I went to two. The first one was in the morning for a modern play with the Chekhov Theatre, and the one in the afternoon, for a TV pilot. It will, of course, be much more probable to get a part in the play than the pilot. There were about 25 women ahead of me, 20 minutes before the pilot audition started,for about 4 female parts. But I only waited for about an hour. God knows how many showed up after me...
It went really fast. I just read five or so sentences. I don't know if that's a bad sign or what. But it went fast with everybody, I think. And the nice director said that he will use all the actors if not for this one, then for future projects. I've never heard that before. It made everyone in the room happy. True or not.

The true story about spoiled, ungrateful cousin

2008-03-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

My 21-year-old cousin decided that he wants to come to the United States. He borrowed the money for the ticket and expenses, partly from my father, got the multiple visa for three years because people in the Embassy know me, and just flew into Dulles planning on staying with my sister until he finds a job. He didn't have a job waiting in the States, when leaving Serbia. You know, what people usually do? Find a job and THEN move? He spent most or all of the borrowed money on clothes, shoes and God knows what else in the first month, couldn't find the job because he has no documents and only high school diploma behind him, and is still staying with my sister, going on two months. When my brother-in-law pulled strings to get him a good job, it was too hard for him, so instead he decided to go to a course for a life guard, while staying at my sister's place and not contributing to the household in any way--he doesn't want to walk the dog because he need to pick up poop, he sleeps until 11 a.m., he doesn't buy any food because he spent all his money on clothes and he's saving his paycheck for the room he's planning on getting, one day, he doesn't clean...he just eats and sleeps there. And asks for help and rides.
Have I mentioned my sister is pregnant?
When I finally said, enough is enough and you need to move out, and be on your own, he complained to his parents back in Serbia. Well, somebody had to put the foot down. I won't let people walk all over my sister because she has a good heart.
A true story, I swear. Decide, are you an adult who moves away from home and is independent or you're a kid who runs to mommy and daddy every time someone tells you that no one(expect mommy and daddy) is supposed to take care of you, give you a place to live away from home, feeds you, finds you a job, drives you...
Really, is it the Serbian thing? Just because our parents are related, I'm supposed to provide for you? If I wanted kids by now,I would've had them already. The same goes for my sister.
Now the extended family in Serbia is offended by me telling the truth.
This can only happen with Serbs. Really.
Well, I think we will all think twice when someone asks us to stay with us for two weeks. Or two days. Definitely. No Serbian guests or relatives for a long while.
No, the word for a week and a month in Serbian is not the same.

Acting front

2008-03-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a scene from T.Rebeck's Spike Heels with my partner from class, E. It's for our Scene Study class, which I;ve been wanting to do, forever. It's a great class. There are only two things bothering me about it. The time--I hate doing something important, creative, intellectual late in the evening. I feel I can't give it, to quote my character Lydia, "my best self." All I wanna do at 10 p.m. is watch TV. Seriously. Yes, I used to go out, but that was a year ago and before that. A lot of things changed when I hit 30. Especially at winter.
Second, there are too many of us in this class. Sometimes, not all of us get to perform. You can't learn acting from watching other people do it. Oh, No!
But, I like the teacher, and I've learned so much already. I mean, I started in October and already, it's a different field for me. I know what actors are talking about, doing, I understand the world...
Also, people are getting to know me at the theatre, which is kind of comfortable. I don't wanna be new everywhere all the time. It takes a lot of energy.

"What a crazy wooooorld..."

2008-03-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder if this world realizes how crazy it is. For example, only today the news were that the drinking water in New York City has 16 different drugs in it!Could you imagine that?! God knows what we're drinking. And the second one-- Governer Spitzer was caught on tape booking a prostitute worth $5,500 an hour! And you wonder where all the taxes went.
Serbia is not much better either. The government collapsed, again. Serbs are never, ever going to get along, and I wonder what the future would be like. Kostunica sounds and seems more and more like Milosevic. It is scary, at the very least.
I mean, what is wrong with everyone? When I hit 30, I started thinking how little time I have left on this earth and with people I love, and how to spend it as joyfully as possible, while helping others do the same. It seems to me that a lot of people don't think about their own mortality. They're trying to earn more money then they can ever spend, and by harming other people, in the process. I mean, how did all those drugs get in the water? Some greedy drug company must be dumping them somewhere,and not thinking that its own kids might drink it one day. And Spitzer has a wife and three kids! Did he stop to think about what he was doing to them, or he just didn't think, period. No one ever believes that he or she will be caught. But eventually we all do.
And Serbs? Unless they really believe in the after life, they better get their act together, and try to live their short lives in peace and prosperity. We should all remember that we don't have that much time left.

Movie not meant to see

2008-03-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

M. and I have been trying to see No Country for Old Men and Juno for months now. We also got these Regal Cinemas tickets as a part of our American Express rewards, so we thought, why not use it. But the closest Regal theatre is in Union Square, and it's not that we don't go to the Square often(we do), but the timing somehow, for the movie, was never good. Either we are late for one of those movies, or too early, or tired, or hungry...And when we finally today redeemed those tickets for Juno at 4:20p.m., the electricity went down! I am not kidding. We are sitting there, in a half-full theatre, excited while waiting for what everyone says it's a great movie, with our medium gigantic popcorn bag and a home-style lemonade with more ice than lemon, when the previews died, there, in front of us. Then they rose from ashes. And died again. For good. Someone came to tell us that the power is down and that we can use our ticket stabs any time. They even reimbursed our $6 bag of popcorn. Well, it was almost full anyway. And it's not like we are going to eat it walking out of the movie theatre.

Lydia I am

2008-03-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

My acting teacher gave me a scene to work with, and a partner. The scene is from Theresa Rebeck's Spike Heels, and my partner is my acting buddy-E. I've been in the same class with E. for three months now. We already had an improv together, which worked out well. She's nice and easy to work with. I'm trying to be the same.
In this play I am Lydia, a rich woman who's engaged to a sweet professor. The twist is that above my scholar lives a kind of trashy,good looking, swearing Georgie, who's really too good of friends with my Andrew. Or is it more than that? I confront G. when my fiancee postpones our wedding. On the same night, I also find Georgie's clothes in Andrew's apartment...Scary, ha?
As you can, no doubt, see, the scene is at the very least confrontational. But that is not the problem. The difficulty is that in this scene, Lydia and Georgie have friendly moments, where, for one, I am giving my heart out to one of my hearth breakers. And that will be really hard to do, and mean it. Really feel it.

Columbia

2008-03-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

I went to Columbia University for the first time today. It's on 116Th street, which is a long subway ride for me.
I went to meet a professor of Serbo-Croatian literature and language, who I found by googling, and who was nice enough to invite me to her office after I dropped her an e-mail just a few days ago.
Columbia's campus is amazingly big and beautiful. I used to think American has a nice campus.
When you get in, after you go through an alley with old buildings on left and right, you see an Acropolis looking building, with an Alma Mater statue half way on the long stairs. On the right side are three huge lawns, in front of another library. The buildings are beautifully old and I had a feeling I was in a European museum complex, not an American campus. Not at all.
This professor is a sweet Serbian woman in her 60s, who invited and encouraged me to come to some Serbo-Croatian events and seminars in the city. I believe that Columbia is the only University that teaches Serbo-Croatian in New York.
I was interested in employment. She said that there's no chance for that, not even for their own PhD students. She also suggested I get one. And for a moment, I thought about it. But then she said, it would take at least seven years?! Seven years?
My, that's really long. I don't know if I can commit again, to something like that. I mean, I'm already married.

3:10 to Yuma

2008-03-03T15:05:00.001-08:00

When M. ordered a Western from Netflix I wasn't exactly thrilled, as you can imagine. What I remember as Westerns are bunch or dirty guys shooting at each other. Period. And they certainly appeal more to manly tastes. But 3:10 to Yuma has an interesting title and actors, so I gave it the time of the day. It actually, to my big surprise, turned out to be a great movie. Both Bale and Crowe, were excellent, and the story just flows, grabs you in, and you can't wait to see what's going to happen. At all that, it wasn't shallow nor predictable. And the characters were clearly and deeply drawn, and there's a whole variety of them. The music was good as well. All and all, a pleasant two hours of one's life. You should see it!

Angry at Me, after Petrarka

2008-03-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

M.'s family invited us to Tribeca today, for a brunch. So, by chance, we ended up having another meal at Petrarka's. I really have been craving a brunch drink, such as Mimosa or Bellini, so I had a delicious Bellini, herb and goat cheese omelet, and a cappuccino. Not all at once, of course.
Service at Petrarka was as good as usual. My omelet was just o.k., kind of doughy, not eggy, which was a bit weird, but the parts with goat cheese were yummy. The mixed salad that came with it was good too, and had avocados, which I'm addicted to. Cappuccino was in this huge cup, and very foamy, which I also love. M. had black seafood pasta, which was tasty as well. All in all, good brunch, in an unusually empty restaurant on Sunday at noon.
Actually, I wanted to go to an audition today, but since I was tired after the brunch, I didn't. I also forgot what the audition was for. When I came home, I looked at my Backstage paper, and discovered that it was for a film. I was soooo disappointed. My organization skills are usually pretty good, but I haven't been using them lately. I mean, film is actually what I want to get in to, so I should make sure to put a "must" or an exclamation point next to that kind of audition. Otherwise, all my acting classes won't get me anywhere. You see, it's not only enough to know how to act, and to be at the right place at the right time, and to be perfect for the role. I realized that one needs more than all that to get into this amazingly wanted, crowded, irrational business in New York City.
I was so angry with myself today. I don't have that much time to get to where I want to be. And with all my restrictions, such as no nudity, no sex-simulations, and so forth, I better have my act together, and a great plan to stick to. And lots of luck.

Thank God for good vampires

2008-02-29T14:43:00.000-08:00

My mother has been bugging me to have my blood tested for months. And a doctor I saw when I was sick in September mentioned that I should have my cholesterol checked every year. But I am terrified of needles. And pain. Just frightened of giving any amount of blood. My blood is supposed to be only in my veins, and that's where I would like for it to stay. But I caved in, since I've been tired lately, had probably too many headaches, and I feel sometimes like something is stuck in my throat. And it's not.
So I set it up with my wonderful brother-in-law, who's a Doctor, to come to the medical office where he works and have a check up.
An extremely pleasant, younger African-American man was joking with me, while braving me to take my blood. "This is going to be so easy for you, you have great veins! Can we take a picture of her veins?..." When he got inside my vein, I felt it, that sharp pinch, and that was it. But I knew that damn needle is still in there, inside of me. "Breath," he said. The next thing I remember, the tiny room was turning black and closing in on me.
"Put your head down and try to lift your body up," the lab assistant said. He also used the wet napkin to wipe whatever little makeup I had on me. He put some water on my head and neck. I kept putting my head down, between my legs, and up again. I had a chocolate. It didn't help much. "Would you like a banana?" he asked. "No, thank you, you're so nice to me, I don't wanna take your lunch," I said.
"Look, I have a banana, and I want to give it to you. O.K.? It's very nutritious."
I smiled. And took the banana. I didn't feel like eating. But if it would make me feel better...I had a half. I felt sick....
It seemed to me like I've been there for an hour trying not to faint, and get my head up again. Finally M. came to pick me up and bring me home. I stayed in bed for the rest of the day. I felt brainless.
I was hungry when I came to doctor's office, because that's what I thought I was supposed to be. Being claustrophobic, scared and hungry while giving blood, proved to be a bad combination. And I'm the only person who goes to a doctor healthy and comes out sick.
Thank God for extremely helpful people!I asked my brother-in-law to give one of the Swiss chocolates I brought for his kids, to the nice lab technician. After all, I did eat his lunch.

Naked Cowboy

2008-02-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

I tried to go to three auditions yesterday. I write, tried, because on all three sites, there were about 40 people ahead of me, and the moderator told me to come back after lunch. I didn't feel like it since these studios are not that close to where I live, but are close to the Times Square. And don't really like Times Square. Subwaying back and forth, walking and still not being sure I'll be seen, since I'm not Equity...I didn't think so. So I left my headshots(like that would make any difference) and met M. for coffee, in a shape of a cupcake in Union Square.
On my way back from the last audition, I saw the Naked Cowboy. You must have heard about him, if not saw him. It's this guy who plays guitar in Times Square with only his cowboy hat, tidy-whites and cowboy boots on. LOL! People were obsessed with him, flashing pictures...I didn't spend much time there, because I don't like the Square,it's so crowded and flashy, I was on my way somewhere else and, the most importantly, it was cold! It couldn't have been more then 45F or about 7C at the time.Not exactly the underwear weather.
I asked M.: " Why do you think he's doing that? It' cold. I haven't noticed any place to put money..."
"Maybe he just likes the attention, "M.said. He certainly got plenty of that.
Maybe the city pays him?
Anyway, M. said: "Uh huh, what if I've told you I've seen the naked cowgirl..."
Well, let's just put it this way, mildly--I wouldn't be happy.
But, I swear, I wasn't looking, I just saw him...

Googled little me

2008-02-25T15:46:00.000-08:00

My mother found a girl with the same last name as me, on skype, and she lives in New York State. She insisted, so I contacted her. My Mom, as sweet as she is, doesn't understand how big New York State actually is. Anyway, this whole thing prompted me to Google my name, and this is what I came up with. There are a lot of Marijas out there, but these are all about me. Pure egoism. Enjoy;-)))

http://www.glas-javnosti.co.yu/clanak/glas-javnosti-09-10-2007/kroz-objektiv-citalaca-glasa

http://128.11.143.113/Serbian/archive/2007-07/2007-07-28-voa7.cfm

http://www.knjizara.co.yu/index.php?gde=@http%3A//www.knjizara.co.yu/pls/sasa/knjizara.knjiga%3Fk_id%3D88136@

Pilot in Tribeca

2008-02-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

I decided to go to an audition for a TV Pilot more than three weeks ago, as soon as I saw an ad for an open call. I knew there would be a lot of people, but I also knew, if I get there fairly early, I'll eventually be seen. I have that much experience.
So M. and I took the subway to Tribeca today. It was a freezing day in N.Y.C., but my mind was set on this Pilot. When we got there,I signed up as number 108. They were auditioning number 28 at the time. So M. and I went to get some coffee at Church lounge, M. read about somewhere. The lounge is amazing! New, fashionable, with an evening atmosphere and red lights at noon time. It's a bit pricey but worth it. When we got hungry, we decided to go to Petrarca across the street, and had great red house wine, mussels and grilled calamari salad. "Didn't we have thess exact meals last time,?" one of us, or both of us concluded after ordering our food. It was an easy choice from the lunch menu-tasty but not too filling, such as pasta would be.
We went back to the audition site, where they were auditioning number 66. So, we went back out again, walking around, checking out a cute home-store and had tea at a coffee place. When we came back, about an hour or so later, there was this huge line, inside, in front of the door to the casting director. I talked to the coordinator:" I'm sorry but we dropped the numbers when we realized, we won't get to everyone..."
Ridicilous, unprofessional people! I knew they're not going to get to everyone back at 11:30a.m! It was so unfair, but what can one do? They already formed this tight line, there was no order to it, just, what I call a "pushing" line. At a point, I realized that I might wait for another hour standing up, among people, hot, and still not be able to read for a part!So I gave them my headshot and resume and left.
Walking toward the subway, I wondered if I made a mistake. Maybe I should have waited? Why else the trip to Tribeca on a very cold day and waiting around, even if in nice restaurants and cafes. But I left. There's not much of a chance of getting one out of three younger roles, out of more then 200 people anyway! Still, I would've felt bad either, waiting like an idiot, or as I did, leaving.
I dropped the production company an e-mail. A nice one, but still informing them of what happened. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Let's see if they schedule another day, as they kept promising bac in Tribeca to disappointed actors...