Can I decide to decide?

I have had a tough couple of weeks, I'm not going to lie.
I actually cried for the first time a couple of days ago which I don't know why it didn't come sooner. Most days I spend alone and make the most of the fun times I have with the people I have met here. It is funny how you forget how to make the most of a friendship when you are back in your own country. It is a very lonely world in a new city.

It took me a while to realise I have done more than what I was capable of doing.
Achievements:

1) Not knowing anyone before I arrived and making many many friends by putting myself out there. Very nerve wrecking but no point in sitting staring at 4 walls. This also led to a lovely person lending me a car.

2) Have met 8 industry Producers. 2 Casting Directors, 2 Talent agencies in 2 months these are from my own arrangements not accidentally.

3) Secretly gained VIP entry to two events ;) yew!

4) Didn't have to buy any towels! Go to a hotel and just ask for them! and get a free breaky while you are at it. You know that free food tastes better.

5) You can also get into Madame Tussauds for free if you know how and get half price tix to Universal Studios. Twist and Turn :)

6) Travelled on my own in some cities in USA

7) Did get a cafe job without a Visa - its doable.

8) Caught the bus everywhere in LA for the first month and a half. Try it. You'll know what I'm talking about!

9) Saw some famous peeps! and some people from Neighbours (australian show) - don't know which thrilled me more haha!

10) Went to the Playboy Mansion. Saw Heff - think he'll need an oxygen machine soon. Men where gross/seedy, food was great!!! stuffed myself silly.

11) Went to a CAA Halloween Party.

12) Became a volunteer for screenings and met some lovely people and watch great movies!

13) Had some free cupcakes from Sprinkles - Follow them on Twitter!!

14) Supported and relied on me, myself and I. Not many people can do that.

I'm sure I have missed out on some other points.

So besides looking like a con artist, which I don't have a problem with you thinking I am (hehe) I really don't think many people would have achieved what I have in 2 months living in a city where you don't know anyone. It wasn't easy but everyday I told myself, "if it isn't easy you have to do it!"

And over these 2 months I have looked at my plane ticket. I hadn't felt right about going home until the last few days. Things have been building up and not having family or close friends supporting you, living in an apartment on your own it f'n hard!! I have decided that I need a break, I need to go home for now. Recharge. Right now I don't have the energy to go out and fight. I sound ridiculous but I have experimented and I am the one that knows and I have been trying 100% everyday. For now I have done what I can. I am going to enjoy xmas, enjoy friends and family, help organise my sisters wedding. be home. That makes me smile. I know I will be back here in LA. There is no way I can't finish what I want to do here.

To everyone who has read my blog - and I am not sure who has. I wish I could have written more truthfully about vip-ing my way into events but the Internet is to accessible! I had a great time! I also wish I could have gone more in depth about my meetings with Producers, the Producers I met where all very supportive so I do not want to jeopardise my career or ruin trust.

Also if you are coming to LA - be nice and be honest. You will meet the right people. You will know who is fake and you wont have to speak or see them ever again so use them right back! Be what you want to be and be who you are. Don't fight time, just relax, Take your time. I never realised I could take my time, I like things done. I speed throughout my lifes learning curves, studies, I learn quickly etc and I think that is why I won awards and as to why I am so aware of different types of people, I know who to trust straight away. You must trust yourself first and you will go anywhere you want.

I am happy that I have come to the decision that I want to go home for now. I was stressing about what people would think of me coming home. Well I have not given up so why should I care. I love the fact I have learned now, I don't care what people think of me. I really don't! It's fabulous and I love it. I used to think about what people thought of me, I wasted a lot of time and opportunities. If I can sit in front of a Multi Million Dollar Producer and talk about my strong points (that may be an inch of their strong points) and not worry what he/she is thinking well that's wonderful! That's what I have learned on this trip. Who really cares? Do what you want! and I am going home happy! Happy with my achievements here and happy to go home and recharge, happy to come back full throttle. Yew!

Thanks for reading everyone, by reading you are supporting and believing me. Even it if it just one person (Thanks Emma! for your support)! I have really enjoyed my time here. It's been hard but no losses.

For now bye bye and I will be Down Under in a few days!! I can smell it :) desert. no i don't live in the desert and I don't have a kangaroo or a Koala in my backyard!!!

xx

LaLaLife is good

So things have changed considerably since my last post. you read that the excitement of my week was watching hocus pocus (seriously - i love that movie!) but when you think about it being in LA and a movie being the highlight of your week?? ok.

I was totally stressing about buying a shitty shitty bang bang (car)..
little did I know you had to get the car to have a smog check (for faults..) and if you bought it not knowing you would have to pay more money...then get it registered with proof of smog..then obviously gas...parking money..etc. I have no job. running low on cash...it really wasn't working out without a job (or a working visa - which is making it 10 x harder getting ANY job, so yes, i am not a weird person that can't get a job, i don't have a bloody visa - giving me the shits to be honest - as you can imagine)
last week i had been going to cafes/retail/restaraunts etc asking for a job - 'where are you from?
'australia'
'do you have a visa?'
'i'm on a tourist visa but i have a SS'
'sorry can't hire you but some places will'

After many attempts of trying to get a job, finding a car - i was thoroughly exhausted. i took one day as time out. i thought to myself, i just can't afford to get a car, i can't get a job without a visa. all was failing. i told my family i was coming home november. i had actually given up. i tried everything. i was at my lowest point. couldn't go further.

at that moment of giving up - my friend msg'd me saying i could borrow her car. amazing. i have known her for just over a month. i couldn't believe it & forever thankful. so taking it as a sign. i must stay. I believe it is a sign. I am going to stay. stick it through. make it happen.

Saturday Nights

Firstly, this picture makes me laugh. (from post secret)




I guess my fridge is not as full as I'd like it to be - if you are worrying about me.. donations can be made here

ha.

anyway. so glam lala land. how has my week been? slow. however i have met
2 x Casting Directors
1 x Talent Agent
3 x Producers
Just for meet and greet. I am surprised and happy that are taking the time to meet me. Although there are lack of jobs, they offer great advice. Definitely recommend this when you are looking for a job. Don't just look for a job. Meet with people. It will open more doors.
So. That probably added up to about 5 hrs of my time this week. And the rest? I am researching hours and hours, sending emails, making phone calls to meet with more people. It may seem amazing to you - but I know the time behind this. And it is soooo slow. And gets hard without friends/family to occupy yourself around the clock!

My next dilemma($$$) is getting a car. So i guess there will be less food in the fridge. why am i getting a car? for the people in LA, you know already. For the people else where, well when you come to LA, you will see! i'm not sure which takes longer - walking or catching the bus? probably the bus.

Tonight is Saturday night. and here i am in lala land - west hollywood(!!!). in my apartment. and that is what it seemed like until Hocus Pocus came on! Lame? hey you come to LA and do what I am doing....!

This post probably doesn't make sense - I am so distracted by Hocus Pocus & I have been to Salem :)

attn: Perez Hilton

I would love to be your P.A. or your p.a's p.a...

I think you would love me too.

Hire me!

x

time is money, money is time

argh.

today i woke up feeling stressed. i have this months rent covered but going to be just scraping through next month, if i stay.
it seemed like a set back. i think it is because i didn't accept i was really, well, scared. i finally admitted it to myself and now i don't feel scared. i don't know what is with that? it has made me more determined to stay out here as long as i can. if i must work in a cafe/bar etc job then i will. i will stick it through, i will do it because things happen for people who try.
this is by far the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. coming to LA not knowing anyone. still not really knowing anyone. i can't go over to my best friends house and complain/vent/cry about:
there is no real coffee here!
no thats not all ;)
about:
not having a car(!)
mexican men being sleezy - sorry if you are mexican and aren't sleezy but can you tell them to stop staring and saying 'hey baby' *shudder*
the homeless that can be a little daunting at times whilst catching public transport
not having my friends here
not having my family here
going home to an empty apartment
waking up to quite
not knowing what is going to happen each day
listening to my mind go a little insane
listening to my heart telling me to stay. relax.
not being able to call home at certain times (time difference)
not getting the jobs i want
not being able to get a car because i dont have a job
not being able to get certain jobs because i dont have a car!
riding to get groceries and having a heavy backpack on the way back - one trip my backpack strap snapped haha was so bad but funny at the same time.
regretting i ate a jar of nutella. it was over 2 days, ok?

ah. enough. i sound like i only complain. i do enjoy my life in LA, that is why i am staying. unfortunately/fortunately i want to work in film/tv production. i am there, just between me and the job is a fence. although the fence didn't stop steven spielberg .. i'll meet the right person who will believe in me. and that is all. it will happen. it doesn't help being impatient :o)

Kardashians open Famous Cupcakes

Here is the opening! watch my vlog!
click here :)
sorry was semi awkward opening, right!? should re-do it..

I also was invited to a fantastic fashion event held by 'Simply Stylist' .. will have a vlog there for you soon!

Other than that, I went to the roger room and there where some actors from Home and Away and Neighbours for oz soap fans!Was good to chat to them!

Holy Doritos

My Doritos commercial has been accepted for the crash the super bowl competition! let's hope it wins and gets shown the Hollywood Bowl!

Balibo

I don’t usually write movie reviews. I either love movies or like them or can’t believe I wasted 2 hours of my life on them.

Balibo. An Australian film. A film that has educated me.



Why, they ask are the Australians not helping us?
When the Japanese invaded they did help us?
Why, they ask are the Portuguese not helping us, we’re still a Portuguese colony
Who, they ask will pay for the terrible damage to our homes

My main answer was that Australia would not send forces here…. That’s impossible. However, I said we could ask that Australia raise this fighting at the United Nations – that was possible.

At that, the second in charge rose to his feet, exclaimed, “Camarade Journaliste”, shook my hand, the rest shook my hand and we were applauded because we are Australians.

That’s all they want…… for the United Nations to care about what is happening here. The emotion here last night was so strong that we, all three of us, felt we should be able to reach out into the warm night air and touch it.

Greg Shackleton at an unnamed village that we will remember forever in Portuguese Timor.”




Produced by Arena Films, based on the Indonesians invasion on East Timor and the five Australian TV Reporters who where killed in 1975.

The film interweaves with a veteran journalist, Roger East (Executive Producer Anthony LaPaglia) who starts off brave, unafraid and blunt until he meets Jose Ramos-Horta (Oscar Isaac) the secretary of Foreign Affairs who wants to save East Timor and tries involve East to help him. East refuses until Ramos-Horta leaves him the photographs of the Australian reporters who are missing in the town of Balibo.

The story is told though Roger East and Jose Ramos-Horta, giving the film much more significance. This technique of story telling adds a lot of suspense because both of the men know that there is more at risk than the five TV reporters.

The film rewinds back a month with the use of snapshots showing the Australian TV Reports: Greg Shackleton (Damon Gameau), Gary Cunningham (Gyton Grantley), Malcolm Rennie (Nathan Philips), Brian Peters (Thomas Write) and Tony Stewart (Mark Leonard Winter)saying goodbye and departing there loved ones to leave for East Timor. Bear in mind they are all under the age of 30.

Throughout their journey, they where constantly warned of the danger of filming in Balibo, however, they wanted to film the invasion hoping it would force the world to pay attention to what was happening to the lives in East Timor, unaware of the dangers that lay ahead.

Some scenes, unbearable to watch, Balibo creates an extreme patriotic empathy carrying important messages to the worlds society, the film speaks of great importance in holding those in high power, accountable for what happened in history.

Balibo is a political thriller that tells the true story of crimes that have been covered up for over thirty years.

“Balibo is a story that demands to be told”. - Connolly

"I couldn't concieve why Australia could not help when we where only an hour away" - Anthony LaPaglia as to why he wanted to make this film - AIF, Los Angeles Screening. "We only had one make-up artist, one person in costumes and sometime the actors would hold the boom on their days off. The crew of 18 all helped each other."

Trailer:


Greg Shackleton’s Last Report:

West Hollywood Book Fair

Ep#2 is up! That Perth Girl - goes to The Hollywood Book Fair sorry bit squishy..!

Vlog!

Here is my first entry for 'That Perth Girl™' video series! A quick intro. first one - would love suggestions! have some pics/vid of playboy party!
hope you enjoy.........
Episode #1 (link)