No Regrets

I had my close calls in acting that could have propelled me into a different direction, but for one reason or another it was not meant to be.  I've auditioned for staring roles on tv shows, speaking lines in film, numerous national spot commercials and even was up for a contract regular role on a soap opera.  If any one of those would have came to pass my life right now may have been different.

Many times I look back at those auditions and situations and wondered "what if".  But as time goes on I have come to realize that it simply wasn't my time for that so why have regrets.  This goes for the rest of my life as well.  There were times growing up when I wish I had done some things differently to avoid embarrassment or some sort, but what if I did.  My life now could have been worse off or much different than it is now and for what?

For instance: back in high school I am reminded of a time when I was in class and my shirt was stolen right from under my desk.  I mentioned this out loud and nobody fessed up about anything.  The teacher did what he could but it was obvious this was going no where fast.  Looking back on that I know how I could have handled it and most likely got my shirt back in the process, but at what expense.  What if the person who took it got pissed off and decided to teach me a lesson one day?  I've always been able to take care of myself, but if you don't see it coming or run into a person who just doesn't give a sh*t....well, you just never know.

So as much as I would have liked to have made different choices at times I realize that each one of them I made has led me up to who and where I am today.

Being A Professional Temp

For years I have joked that I am a professional temp.  When asked what that means I've replied with, "Someone who can turn a 3 week job into a 3 month job".  All while not being noticed.

The key is to do just enough to keep your job but not so much as to work yourself OUT of the job.  Bosses really only care about one thing- getting the job done.  They don't care how long it really takes or how much the company is spending on a temp to get it done... only that it is being taken off of their plate and the temp seems to be doing their job well.  I came to realize this early on and it has paid off in longer term employment.  Not only that but I have been recalled for that same company several times.

So anyone out there looking to do the temping game to supplement their self employment "real job"... do yourself a favor and stay under the radar.  The one thing bosses hate more than anything is to be shown up or proven wrong.  Do your job at a steady pace, show that you can work independently and you will have a job for quite some time.

Finally... My Prints Are Up For Sale

Over recent years I have dabbled in getting my photos from my trips overseas together and sell them.  I've had some sales and stockpiled some frames but never created a website... until now!  Just this weekend I was finally able to put up a new website selling my prints.  It only has about 6 places to start but at least I have something started.

http://jalanphotography.com/Prints.html

We'll see how quick it gets going... although I do expect it to be slow before people catch on.  I'm just happy to get this part behind me and now I have something to provide when asked.

Dumbing Down to Fit the Masses

After all of these years on this planet I have just recently learned one valuable thing.  Sometimes a person can actually be "Too Smart".  I've lived my life knowing that my mind works differently than most.  I pride myself in my intellect, my quick wit and my way of life.  But it comes at a price.

Not everyone has the patience to deal with a person like me.  I like to speak my mind (keeping it tasteful) and catch people off guard when I can.  But apparently that rubs many people the wrong way.  Not to mention it is tough for someone to keep an intellectual conversation with me when all they want to do is unwind.  Stumped I decided to work on that part of my life.

Just today I came to the realization that I need to dumb myself down more.  I have to work on not being on my toes at all times and just go with the flow.  This is not just for friends but for all other parts of my life as well.  For instance at a temp job... bosses don't want to know that their employee is smarter than they are for obvious reasons.  And here I was thinking that all of that "doing things on my own" stuff was helping my cause.  Also, in acting it seems CDs, agents, producers, directors and everyone else that has some control wants to keep that control.  They are more apt to work with a "ditsy" actor than someone who can call them out.  Which again is understandable.

So, I plan on taking this new found info I've learned and start applying it to my daily life.  Not because I feel this is what people want from me, but to make my life more enjoyable.

Sacraficing For the Kids

Had a conversation with my wife about future trips yesterday and she got me thinking.  How much more do I really need to explore right now?  Sure, I would like to visit Russia and Australia but I have been going non-stop for the past 7 years and feel it's best to leave some of this stuff for later down the road.  The problem I found is... I liked planning the trips (almost as much as actually going on them). 

Then I remembered my kids and thought what a perfect opportunity for them.  I've been toying with the idea of taking them to Europe one day and I think it's finally time to really start putting that to work.  My plan is to take them to the first 3 locations I went to way back in 2007- London, Paris and Rome.  Since I've already been to these places twice already, it's one of the reasons why I've been putting this off with them.  But after more thought I realize it's time.  A smile appears when I even think about their faces when they first see the Roman Forum as I did. 

The main thing though is the NY trip next year with them.  This will be the first trip for them that will last more than a week (aside from visiting family).  If all goes well and I feel they are mature enough for the trip then I will put the Europe trip with kids plan in effect for 2015. 

LA- Great For the Career... Sucks For the Soul

It's been just over 10 years since the big move to LA.  Professional I have never been in a better place in my life.  Added to the fact that my wife and I have absolutely the best relationship we could ever hope for, how could I complain.  But the one thing that has been missing during this whole time here is an actual friend to count on.

There have been several potential people here and there but every time they run and do their own thing and turn out to be exposed as the selfish individuals that they are.  Can't really fault them, however, since this is LA and everyone here seems to be more about making a name for themselves somehow then being someone's friend.  Still it doesn't make it any easier sometimes.

It use to urk me when I finally meet a person I could hang out with only to find that they are on their way out of LA.  Now I realize why.  I mean in my 20s I didn't care who I hung out with.  One day you're at a club and the next in Santa Barbara enjoying some wine tasting.  But as I've been getting older it seems more and more that all I would really like is to just have some people I could truly count on to just hang with.  You know the ones that you can call up and they'll be over in a second.  Right now it just seems the only people that I can get together with are the ones that want to do happy hour to get work stuff off their mind.  Spending time with others shouldn't have to involve alcohol EVERY SINGLE TIME and if it does then what's the point.

Maybe this is why I've tinkered with the idea of moving abroad.  Somewhere to a smaller town that has actual family values.  Who knows if that will ever come to pass and if it does how would I still be able to advance in my photography.  That's the key.  I've found the perfect career and have the perfect family.... just wish I could balance that with the perfect group of friends.  Guess you can't have it all!

How Can I Afford To Go On Trips?

People ask me all the time... how can I afford to go on all the overseas trips I do every year.  I try to explain in short that I budget my money well but it's not just about that.  In truth it's the lifestyle I choose to live and not something you can actually teach to somebody else... especially if they are not willing to learn.  But I will try.

In a nutshell... I am not rich by any means.  I didn't come into a fortune, no rich relative is supporting me, and I am not dealing drugs.  I just found a way to prioritize the income that comes in to make sure that my expenses don't exceed it.  Aaaaaaaand, boring!  I know it's not sexy and probably not what you wanted to hear but it's really what I do.

For instance... I see time and time again people I know boasting about going to this movie or this restaurant.  Now once here and there is okay but every week I see this.  I start adding it up and figure they must be spending upwards to $150 a month on this alone.  Which comes out to $1800 a year.  There's your 2 plane tickets to Europe.  Then I see other people buying new clothes all the time and hitting the clubs like they're rockstars and enjoying "happy hour" every payday.  There's another $150 a month (your hotels and transportation taken care of).  And don't get me started on how much a smartphone plan cost which many people do not need.  Honestly, if you are living paycheck to paycheck and have a smartphone then I think your phone is smarter than you... but that's another blog.

There are many ways to save up money to do what you want in life.  Spending money like it's water is not one of them.  And I get it... you have friends that you want to hang out with, or family that you don't want to disappoint.  But when it is all said and done you have to ask yourself one thing- Will these people be there for me when I need them?  You might find out that the very people you are trying to please are the same people that could give two shits about you when you have nothing more to offer.

So while others are boasting about trying out that new Italian restaurant that just opened up down the road, I am actually going to Rome for authentic Italian food.  But hey... if going through life not knowing what's in your bank account makes you happy then by all means have fun.  Just know that I am not only having fun now... but I am saving so I can continue to have fun thirty years from now.