So, I have DEFINITELY been slacking on the ol' blogg-arooksy duties for sure!! Accept my apology as I vow to never allow such a gap of time between posts again!!
So, since my last update in March many many things have happened. The most important of those things being my trip back to Nebraska to make the official move TO L.A.!!! That's right, Charli and I are officially California residents!! We signed the Census, registered the vehicles, and even have our Cali I.D.s!! It's funny to look at my NE i.d. next to my CA i.d.. One I'm not smiling and pale, the other I'm boasting an ear to ear smile and tan. I'll let you do the necessary algorithm to find out which is which. :)
Charli and I found an amazing apartment complex in Carson, CA. It is like living in a resort, seriously. We have lush park-like courtyards between all of our buildings. These courtyards are hosts to stainless steel grills that are connected to underground natural gas lines. (no charge to us and they never run out!) There are fountains all across the park which create a romantic ambiance, which is accentuated by the overall quiet atmosphere of the community. We have a nice pool and hot-tub that are both kept along with the rest of the property by our full-time maintenance crew. Most everybody we've met so far are friendly neighbors and we get along pretty well. It's taken a few people quite some time to get used to Bella because she's so big, and some people are still a bit timid around her. I just reply: "She's a sweetheart, you can google 'Friendliest Dog' and find that labs come in 2nd behind Goldens."
Charli found a job that's just up the street so that she doesn't even have to get on the freeway. That's a huge bonus for the both of us because it gives us more hang-out time!! Hang out time here in Cali is even more important than in NE because we don't have the support group that we had back home. For me I could be in Bangladesh and not really be effected as I haven't been near home since I was 17, but Charli has a great relationship with her parents and has seen them at least weekly her entire life. They have been awesome to us and it was sad to say goodbye when we took them to the airport after they helped us move out here. Charli is a very strong and independent woman, and she loves it out here, but of course she understandably needs more hubby time when she's away from the NE fam.
School Updates:
I passed Basic and was recommended to take Basic II, my instructor was Lisa Schurga. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdLdty-z5mI
I was as excited as a Lakers fan on game-day when I found out that she would be my instructor for Basic II as Charli and I had seen her perform multiple times at the Groundlings and she is one of our Favorite performers!! She turned out to be awesome and the class was so much fun!! She had a teaching style that was very personal and honest. She said that I made a huge improvement from the beginning of class to the end. (those kind of comments always make you wonder: "Did I start out good and finish amazing, or start out horrible and finish okay?" Hmm...)
Best part about that, is that I PASSED!! Yup on to intermediate for me!! Woo-hoo!!! When I got to Intermediate I was having fun right away!! We focused on characters Characters CHARACTERS!! It's tougher than it sounds to come up with some good characters, which may seem unbelievable to some of you that ROB would have ANY problems coming up with characters. We were told to pick people that we know and use them to base the characters off of. After talking to a buddy that was having a hard time as well, we both decided that it was because we were "Imitating" these people, and not using them as only a base and creating a new character from there.
Needless to say I didn't move on from intermediate, but not because I didn't pass. It was because I booked my FIRST paid "acting" gig!! Yup it's official folks, you can call me a Paid Actor!! Hehe. I showed up to a fitting on a Thursday night for Transformers 3!!! It was just to be a background actor (Extra) but it's friggin' Transformers!!! :D I ended up getting cast for a "Physical Training Soldier" and showed up to set and hopped in a sexy all black uniform with a tight black tee on. There were about 15 of us and we were doing push-ups and what not to pump up our bods for the big screen. However, there ended up being no need for those characters so they sent us back to wardrobe to change into regular military uniforms. I ended up showing up the next day in my own uniform, so if we get to see me walking across the screen in the back...maybe we can sneak a peek at my name just above my pocket!!
I was able to meet most of the cast and they were all very nice. We worked our tails off and I won't get into any more details as we signed confidentiality agreements concerning the film. I don't believe that anything that I said above was in breach of that, beings that our lil parts got cut anywho. I worked there for about 10 days from 6a-9p which made for a decent paycheck at the end. However, as I mentioned above I missed out on finishing my Intermediate class. I've registered for the next one that starts in August, so wish me luck that I'll do well in that one!! Also, I met a few good people who may become good friends on set of T3 and one of them is helping me to get into a few more improv classes that are outside of the Groundlings. I'll keep you updated on any happenings with that.
Oh P.S. I also got to sneak another lil extra role on Rizolli and Isles, a new show starring Angie Harmon and Loraine Bracco. I was just a runner in the crowd of a marathon scene, but twice I was placed right NEXT to Angie....keep an eye out peeps!! :D
Good Chattin' at ya,
-Rob
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What classes am I taking, you ask? (post from March that never got finished)
So I've been thinking...."Goodness I must not have explained the classes that I'm taking to very many people." There have been many questions as to what exactly it is that I am doing in California. Well, it's pretty complicated really, yet shouldn't take long to explain. I'm basically filling a void that has been vastly distracting me for years. I truly don't know where the paths may take me, and I will be okay if they don't take me very far. The true destination of a path never stepped on will never be known.
I am taking Improvisation classes at the Groundlings Theatre and School. The Groundlings have a Core Curriculum that is very competitive and requires students to be 110% 100% of the time. Take a look at this link and you can see detailed info. Go on the left hand side and click on Groundlings School.
http://www.groundlings.com/start.htm
I'm taking Basic right now which is the first of the Core Curriculum. I started with Intro to Improv workshop A and after that I opted to skip Workshop B and move on to Basic. To enroll in Basic required a live group audition that was thankfully low-pressure. It was set up like a small class with the Instructor giving us a few quick lessons and then turning us loose to perform a two person scene. We're given this: "Okay class, let's give them a relationship." Class: "Brothers" Instructor: "Okay, you're brothers, go." From there you're expected to produce an entertaining scene that follows a few basic rules. I passed the audition and went right on to Basic my instructor is Jordan Black.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0085359/
He was style is a bit "cut-throat" with no time for mistakes and definitely no excuses. At first it was intimidating, but I'm thinking that it will only be a strengthening process.
Okay, for those friends and family that have been asking when I will be performing:
Again, it's complicated, but again it shouldn't take long.
A person must Pass Basic, Basic II (if instructed) Intermediate, Writing Lab, finally Advanced.
But to ELABORATE on that: Many people take Intermediate more than once. Once they pass intermediate, writing lab is next. There is a YEAR (give or take) wait list for Writing Lab. If you fail writing lab...there is no retaking it, you are dismissed from the program. If you pass Writing Lab, then you are placed on another YEAR (give or take) wait list or Advanced. If you pass Advanced, then you have to be INVITED to join the Sunday Company. If you perform well in the Sunday company you have up to around a year (not quite sure on this one) to perform with them and possibly be invited to the Main Company. Also to note, there are so many people that are trying to go through this program that the passing students seem to be needles in a haystack. So, a simple "Performance" at the Groundlings is NO "Simple" task. We can only hope that someday I could make it that far, but simple math shows us that it would take years to get that far. If I make it to the wait-list, I'll fill my time with taking other classes, such as Voice Over and Acting. Gotta make sure that I'm well rounded, no? :D
Wish me luck!!
I am taking Improvisation classes at the Groundlings Theatre and School. The Groundlings have a Core Curriculum that is very competitive and requires students to be 110% 100% of the time. Take a look at this link and you can see detailed info. Go on the left hand side and click on Groundlings School.
http://www.groundlings.com/start.htm
I'm taking Basic right now which is the first of the Core Curriculum. I started with Intro to Improv workshop A and after that I opted to skip Workshop B and move on to Basic. To enroll in Basic required a live group audition that was thankfully low-pressure. It was set up like a small class with the Instructor giving us a few quick lessons and then turning us loose to perform a two person scene. We're given this: "Okay class, let's give them a relationship." Class: "Brothers" Instructor: "Okay, you're brothers, go." From there you're expected to produce an entertaining scene that follows a few basic rules. I passed the audition and went right on to Basic my instructor is Jordan Black.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0085359/
He was style is a bit "cut-throat" with no time for mistakes and definitely no excuses. At first it was intimidating, but I'm thinking that it will only be a strengthening process.
Okay, for those friends and family that have been asking when I will be performing:
Again, it's complicated, but again it shouldn't take long.
A person must Pass Basic, Basic II (if instructed) Intermediate, Writing Lab, finally Advanced.
But to ELABORATE on that: Many people take Intermediate more than once. Once they pass intermediate, writing lab is next. There is a YEAR (give or take) wait list for Writing Lab. If you fail writing lab...there is no retaking it, you are dismissed from the program. If you pass Writing Lab, then you are placed on another YEAR (give or take) wait list or Advanced. If you pass Advanced, then you have to be INVITED to join the Sunday Company. If you perform well in the Sunday company you have up to around a year (not quite sure on this one) to perform with them and possibly be invited to the Main Company. Also to note, there are so many people that are trying to go through this program that the passing students seem to be needles in a haystack. So, a simple "Performance" at the Groundlings is NO "Simple" task. We can only hope that someday I could make it that far, but simple math shows us that it would take years to get that far. If I make it to the wait-list, I'll fill my time with taking other classes, such as Voice Over and Acting. Gotta make sure that I'm well rounded, no? :D
Wish me luck!!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Visited by an Angel....now the City lives up to it's name.
(click this link to see why the Hollywood Sign doesn't look like the Hollywood Sign)
So...the wifey landed L.A.X. Airport on Friday the 12th. I swung in to pick her up about 2:30 p.m. and as soon as I pulled into the pick-up lane at Frontier Airlines I spotted her at baggage claim. I wasn't sure if she would be able to hear me, but I blew out our signature "Kugler Call!" It's a simple whistle that is trademarked to Charli and I....just trust me on that. Her ears caught notice of this attempt, and she turned towards it's origin to see a Husband that had been more than anxious to see his wife after 6 weeks apart.
It seemed to take forever for that peculiarly green suitcase to make it's way out of the turnstile curtain of hope. As in: "I sure hope they didn't lose my luggage." I would have gone right to her, but leaving the car parked in the pick-up only area and not expecting a wallet emptying, bank robbing ticket is ludicrous. The luggage arrived at last and my better half was finally closing our distance apart to feet instead of miles that measure over a thousand.
Almost tripping over our own smiles, we embraced each other in an long lasting air-tight hug. So long lasting in fact, that the couple in the truck thought it necessary to give us the "Get a room or get out of our way" honk. We took this suggestion to heart and jetted right to the Hoke's place and got ready for some din-din-Morris. Yes, I said din-din-Morris.
We went to a BEAUTIFUL restaurant, "The Sky-Room," for an amazingly delicious 4 course meal.
Our table was right next to a window that was in view of the Long Beach Harbor. We were treated to their Valentine's special which included a long-stem red rose and a small box of chocolates. It felt great to treat ourselves to a little slice of the high life. However, a place like this can remind us quickly why they are only graced with our patronage on a once a year at best basis. GULP!!
After walking out with our palates satisfied and our pockets confused, we returned to the Hoke's for yet another wardrobe change. This time however, comfortable clothes were welcomed as Charli was anxious to break out the "Flippy-Floppies!" We successfully down-dressed and went to tie one on over at the Clawson's. Zach Clawson, his sister Jess, and girlfriend Andrea live just a few miles down the road here in Long Beach. Wait a sec, I might have offended a certain two little someones by lack of mention in the Clawson household. That would be Mr. Tucker (Malti-poo) and Ms. Tia (Min-Pin.) There, I threw back a Tecate Light and the Mrs. K was mingling with the crew. The 2 hour lapse in time was taking it's effect on the visiting beauty and we called it what seemed to be an early night, but for her it was well after mid-night.
To start Saturday off, we went to take a peek at some apartments that we've been interested in.
They are located in Carson just off of the 405, which is key, and right next to a nice shopping center, which is dangerous. Dangerous because the lady doesn't need an excuse for more shoes!! Wait....am I the one that likes to have shoes?! Not in the way of "OMG Sally....I totally have to have that pair," but more in the "These shoes are for running…these shoes are for mowing the lawn…these shoes are for everyday wear...these shoes are for business attire...these shoes are....." okay, I think we've covered that subject. There are many different opportunities for living in Los Angeles, but renting with a 80lb Chocolate lab seemed to prove more difficult than expected. These particular apartments are EXTREMELY dog friendly and they provide for such a resort-like experience we should feel at home no problem!! Also, if you looked at the site, you probably saw the fountains....and the POOL. It's a little hard to beat sun-tanning poolside in February!!
Next we headed to Huntington Beach. There we pulled over to a little parking lot with a meter that accepts credit/debit cards...always nice. It was surprisingly only 1.50 for the hour and we used that time to trek along the beach to the pier and Charli was able to see "Surfers in 'Real Life'" for the first time. Also, she was introduced to the cool breeze that can make 75 turn cold real quick!!
Saturday evening I took Charli to the Groundlings Theatre in Hollywood to enjoy a night full of sketch comedy. The show was great, and she was able to see what I have hopes of someday becoming. It was a late show, so we didn't make it back to our car until midnight. We arrived back at the Hoke's about 1 a.m. and headed straight to bed.
Sunday was spent driving around just to see a few things in the Carson area to see if it would be a fit for us. We peeked into Ikea, and found that it is a store that can fit our designing needs to the t!! A person could spend all day at that store, so we had to peel away to get back to our day.
The evening was spent at the Hotel Maya in Long beach, which is probably the nicest hotel that I've ever been in. We fell asleep pretty early after a weekend that seemed to wear us out!! The comforting atmosphere that this place provided us made it hard to resist a looming slumber.
This morning we woke up ridiculously early to ensure an on-time arrival to Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. We packed up our gear and were out the door by 6:30 a.m.. Charli had an interview at 9:30 with an Accounting Placement Agency that represents employers who are in the market for a new hire. Of course we made it there with almost 2 HOURS to spare, so we took in breakfast at Denny's. It's funny to me how many different things that I showed my wife in Los Angeles, yet I'm not for sure if I saw her face light up like it did when I typed "Denny's" into the GPS!! We munched down our breakfast and then drove around the neighborhood just to oogle over what we found to be $2.5 million dollar homes. Charli had her interview and it went quite well. We'll be on stand-by as to the status of that...but if they have ANY clue as to who they have on the job-market the right employer will SNAG HER UP in a heartbeat!!
We tried to go to the Hollywood sign....and technically did....but if you read the article on the website I posted at the beginning of this blog, you'll understand our debacle. Regardless, we snapped a few pics that will actually end up being much more significant than many other people have ever been able to claim. I'm not sure if the sign has ever been covered like this in the history of it's existence. Also, the trip into the neighborhood surrounding the sign was well worth it. We were constantly blown away by the different construction types we were witnessing. There is such a change from house to house, mansion to mansion, estate to estate, that it makes the interest in viewing them that much greater.
After the sign, we knew that our time was coming to an end and we did all that was possible to slow the sands of time as to lengthen our stay together. Nonetheless, the minutes were ticking by and the flight time was drawing near. I reluctantly drove her back to the airport where I had to leave my gorgeous bride in the midst of the thousands of people that crowd it. I gave her a few extra kisses, to include the cheeks and the nose. I hopped back in my car and made my way back on the freeway. It was merely minutes before I had turned on the blue-tooth and made a call to tell her how much I missed her. She wasn't surprised one bit, and that assures me that she knows how much I Love her.
-Mr. K
After the sign, we knew that our time was coming to an end and we did all that was possible to slow the sands of time as to lengthen our stay together. Nonetheless, the minutes were ticking by and the flight time was drawing near. I reluctantly drove her back to the airport where I had to leave my gorgeous bride in the midst of the thousands of people that crowd it. I gave her a few extra kisses, to include the cheeks and the nose. I hopped back in my car and made my way back on the freeway. It was merely minutes before I had turned on the blue-tooth and made a call to tell her how much I missed her. She wasn't surprised one bit, and that assures me that she knows how much I Love her.
-Mr. K
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Man who couldn't escape the snow.....
One may think it strange for a person to find joy in hazardous conditions, yet I am known for being anything other "normal." In the weeks before I left Nebraska, it's terrain was commonly blanketed under the most beautiful form of accumulation; snow. Snow usually brings danger and hard work along with it's beauty, and of course less than desirable outdoor experiences. As many of you know, I have more than an everyday interest in this particular weather, as there is a monetary gain in it's appearance. Many days in December were spent behind the handles of my Tecumseh "Snow-King" walk-behind blower, and on the seat of a John Deere riding tractor. The first of the tractors utilized a blade (plow) to push the snow, but it was deemed useless against the hordes of flakes that had built themselves to unmeasurable heights. (well....I didn't have a ruler...so technically..) I turned to the father in law (Papa Kent) for a better weapon to battle this common enemy. He took no time to provide me with THE 445!!!
"THE 445!"
I was able to use this monster to trample any and all snow that was in my way!! She saved my back, yet offered no protection against the whipping winds and slicing frozen particles. I spent hours on end clearing driveways, and even entire streets. She put forth her most valiant effort as long as I kept her thirst quenched. There was no need to tie her to a post as I hopped off of the saddle to put the shovel to work on the places she couldn't reach. She waited patiently for me with a low purr as to let me know that her rest is appreciated, yet her hunger for more snow is unbearable. Upon my return home, I would park her in her newly renovated stable and make my way to the back door as I am cheerfully greeted by our lovable Chocolate Lab named Bella. I shake off the snow from my flannel coat, and start to remove the various layers that have allowed me to endure the sub-zero temperatures. My skin begins to throb as it is reintroduced to the warm temperatures of our home. My beautiful wife has hot cocoa in hand, as she always takes care of me. My back is aching from sitting in the same position for so long, and strained from the little snow that I did have to shovel. I welcome the cash and checks that are sitting on the coffee table, yet am thankful that I am done for the day. "I can't wait to be in California."
I arrived at LAX on January 2, and relished in the 75 degree weather. The acclimation process was about week as my body had had to adjust to the warmth. We went for a few jogs on the beach and went to the park in tee-shirts and shorts. Anthony and Carly took me to on a trip to Big Bear City where their friend owns a cabin. There was evidence of prior snow fall, but only the remnants remain. We took their little boy sledding down an area that had just enough snow to accommodate our sleds, more ice than snow. The temperature lingered around the 40-50 degree range. We came back to Long Beach and again enjoyed the rise in temp to around 75.
Just more than a week goes before Carly goes stir-crazy and suggests another trip back to Big Bear. We were warned of the storm that was heading that way, but we Nebraskans fear NO WEATHER!! We packed up and headed out. About a quarter way up the mountain we encountered the snow and pulled over to tackle the job installing the tire chains....a pain, but a necessity. The Ford Escape hauled us on up the mountain and we arrived at the cabin in the late evening. Snow was falling at an increasingly heavy rate as the night went on. We experienced a few flickers of power outages, and used our testicular intuition to get the furnace up and running as not to slowly drift into hypothermia during our slumber.
When we awoke, we were greeted with a monumental amount of snow outside our door. As the day went on, the number of inches piled up. As the inches piled up, they turned into feet. The power continued to be an intermittent commodity, but we made the best of it by playing board games and downing various brands/kinds of liquor and beer. We took photos (below) to document this occasion.
Big Bear City, CA
(Only about 2 1/2 Hours from Long Beach)
(these are NOT drifts...this was ACTUAL ACCUMULATION!)
After hours of back strain, we were able to get the car out of the driveway, but only out. We luckily found a neighbor that had a $2500 (as he stated) snow blower to save us from a trip to the hospital due to overexertion. Thanks Charlie and Farley!! (yes..those are of the neighbors that helped us!!)
In summation, the return to the hard work in the snow was surprisingly welcomed. It helped bring a piece of home to California. Though we ended up being snowed in (mountain hwys were closed) for an additional day without power, we have NO regrets about this memorable experience. 5+ feet of snow in CALIFORNIA...who would have thought?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.
Well, obviously it's not Kansas that I have departed from....yet the I don't know that anyone would have related the quote: "We're not in Nebraska anymore Bella."
The weather out here is the first thing that is a noticeable change from "The Motherland," but it is surely not the most dynamic thread in the woven blanket of change that surrounds me.
Case in point, as Carly (Mama Hoke) and I go to the grocery store the cart that I grab has what seems to be a mud flap on one of the wheels. This was obviously a broken one, as the flap had fall under the wheel and the cart would not move. I was joking to myself, what is this....a "parking boot" for shopping carts?! Sure enough, that is EXACTLY what it was. Many of the carts in Los Angeles have a plastic "parking boot" attached to one of it's wheels that has an electronic device inside. Once the carts are taken past a designated distance, the "boot" will activate and make the cart immobile!! Can you believe that!??! It's flabbergasting that this is such an ordinary/unnoticed piece of the shopping experience. Stores have problems with customers taking the carts from the store to their homes, and leaving them there. What's hilarious about this to me is that it is one of those things that locals don't even think about, it's just how it is. However, naive Mid-Westerners like myself think it necessary to whip out the camera phone to document such a remarkable sight and send it to Leroy and Cletus back home!! Oh the simple things.
Charli and I have been looking at places to live out here.....this has actually been a fun experience. We've looked at buying vs. renting and decided that the best bet is renting first to get to know the city and have more of an idea of where we would like to live, and what we can afford. We've had our talks about the move, and it seems to just make sense. We're young and have no children (well...of the human kind..."We Love You Bella!") We've got plenty of time to experience California, and if we find that we don't like it, we can move back to NE and start our little family there!! That's right.....little Kuglets!! We're definitely planning on adding to our Horde, but need to have more financial/geographical security before birthing any little monsters!! I've known plenty of people that always talk about "wishing" they could move and experience more of the world....well WHY NOT??!! Charli and I like to live such an active lifestyle that it just makes sense to move to a place that can facilitate our need for the outdoors. Today has been chilly...and it's 60 degrees.....in January folks....need I say more?
Job hunting is actually pretty tough right now, because I'm trying to keep my schedule open as much as possible for my classes at the Groundlings, and also to be able to attend recommended shows at the Groundlings Theater. We all know why I moved out here, and that is my main priority. I can't "afford" to get a job which requires me to put all of my focus/attention (which is rare to harness in periods over 47 seconds in the first place) into learning a skill that will overshadow my purpose for the move. So, I'm looking for a flexible part-time gig that will allow for some income, yet cater to MY needs. If I have learned anything during my short time as an adult....it's that NO ONE will take care of you better than YOU. Letting people put their agenda as YOUR top priority, even though it may seem the "nice" or "right" thing to do, will most likely do NOTHING for your self confidence, self worth, or self improvement. Too often we allow ourselves to take the path of least resistance, but our lives are much more complicated than simple electricity....and we need to remember to treat them as such.
One of the most important things that I have learned in my 2 classes at the Groundlings is that it is so important NOT to draw attention to YOUR OWN mistakes/faults/discrepancies. For some reason, society has trained us into thinking that it is necessary to put ourselves down we make mistakes. I have been a true testament to this, and am doing all that is possible to look at life through broader vision. We can not change what has happened, yet we have the truly superhuman power to change the way WE VIEW the results and therefore the future.
-Rob K
The weather out here is the first thing that is a noticeable change from "The Motherland," but it is surely not the most dynamic thread in the woven blanket of change that surrounds me.
Case in point, as Carly (Mama Hoke) and I go to the grocery store the cart that I grab has what seems to be a mud flap on one of the wheels. This was obviously a broken one, as the flap had fall under the wheel and the cart would not move. I was joking to myself, what is this....a "parking boot" for shopping carts?! Sure enough, that is EXACTLY what it was. Many of the carts in Los Angeles have a plastic "parking boot" attached to one of it's wheels that has an electronic device inside. Once the carts are taken past a designated distance, the "boot" will activate and make the cart immobile!! Can you believe that!??! It's flabbergasting that this is such an ordinary/unnoticed piece of the shopping experience. Stores have problems with customers taking the carts from the store to their homes, and leaving them there. What's hilarious about this to me is that it is one of those things that locals don't even think about, it's just how it is. However, naive Mid-Westerners like myself think it necessary to whip out the camera phone to document such a remarkable sight and send it to Leroy and Cletus back home!! Oh the simple things.
Charli and I have been looking at places to live out here.....this has actually been a fun experience. We've looked at buying vs. renting and decided that the best bet is renting first to get to know the city and have more of an idea of where we would like to live, and what we can afford. We've had our talks about the move, and it seems to just make sense. We're young and have no children (well...of the human kind..."We Love You Bella!") We've got plenty of time to experience California, and if we find that we don't like it, we can move back to NE and start our little family there!! That's right.....little Kuglets!! We're definitely planning on adding to our Horde, but need to have more financial/geographical security before birthing any little monsters!! I've known plenty of people that always talk about "wishing" they could move and experience more of the world....well WHY NOT??!! Charli and I like to live such an active lifestyle that it just makes sense to move to a place that can facilitate our need for the outdoors. Today has been chilly...and it's 60 degrees.....in January folks....need I say more?
Job hunting is actually pretty tough right now, because I'm trying to keep my schedule open as much as possible for my classes at the Groundlings, and also to be able to attend recommended shows at the Groundlings Theater. We all know why I moved out here, and that is my main priority. I can't "afford" to get a job which requires me to put all of my focus/attention (which is rare to harness in periods over 47 seconds in the first place) into learning a skill that will overshadow my purpose for the move. So, I'm looking for a flexible part-time gig that will allow for some income, yet cater to MY needs. If I have learned anything during my short time as an adult....it's that NO ONE will take care of you better than YOU. Letting people put their agenda as YOUR top priority, even though it may seem the "nice" or "right" thing to do, will most likely do NOTHING for your self confidence, self worth, or self improvement. Too often we allow ourselves to take the path of least resistance, but our lives are much more complicated than simple electricity....and we need to remember to treat them as such.
One of the most important things that I have learned in my 2 classes at the Groundlings is that it is so important NOT to draw attention to YOUR OWN mistakes/faults/discrepancies. For some reason, society has trained us into thinking that it is necessary to put ourselves down we make mistakes. I have been a true testament to this, and am doing all that is possible to look at life through broader vision. We can not change what has happened, yet we have the truly superhuman power to change the way WE VIEW the results and therefore the future.
-Rob K
Saturday, January 9, 2010
My very first blog.....
I've officially been in Southern California for an ENTIRE WEEK!! The adjustment from -2 to 75 degree weather was definitely a welcome one! I'm staying here with some friends who I met in Nebraska a few years back. They live in a cute 2 bedroom condo in Long Beach (which I'm slowly learning to separate towns from L.A.) It is literally a 5 minute WALK to the beach and there is a running/biking/blading/segwaying trail along the harbor. It's funny to see the people on the segways, especially coming from NE weather and thinking it is heaven to be able to run along the beach in January. If you're not familiar with the term segway, it's the 2 wheel stand-up personal vehicle that Paul Blart mall cop uses to protect the mall from heinous criminals!!
The vegetation around here is so much different than back home, it's truly remarkable. The grass looks much different, and is kept very short. There are palm trees all over, but none are actually indigenous to this region. Yeah...funny isn't it? My favorite flower that I've seen so far is the "Bird of Paradise." Click here to see a pic:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkQe4Wohd3yhblNaDf7IesvmPOdw591oLDk7N6Z8dKWGnNZEWYyKl42fqklGZEV1jN1sO1mHt8KTnc28PBZO5sE_at6OZDWK1V_I-S211IWXo0IncbzitUmRNWGxGnmILLOE30_0Zd1mk/s320/bird_of_paradise.jpg
These flowers are commonly seen among the gardens on the short walk from the condo to the beach. It is one of my favorite things about the scenery so far!! I went for a jog yesterday, and I seemed to feed off of the energy of the ocean as it was more enjoyable than it was work. I'm hoping to get my body back into shape out here, and with weather like this there is no excuse for me not to!!
Classes just started at "The Groundlings" school and theatre. I'm taking the "Intro" class right now, which meets once a week on Mondays from 10-1p. I've only had one so far....and it was a blast!! It's about a 30-45 minute drive from Long Beach. The people that I'm taking classes with are very talented and seem to be some good prospects for new friends. Our instructor, Sean Hogan, is a down-to-earth goofball who has plenty to teach us. His ability to work with the beginner is superb and I'm excited to be as much of an absorbent sponge as possible. (yet without that nasty smell that sponges acquire after a few uses)
The Hokes (my host family,) took me to Big Bear Lake for a few days. It's about 2 1/2 hours North of Long Beach. We stayed in a friends cabin that resembled more of a 4-5 star resort!! The scenery there is very similar to the mountains of Colorado, but it's crazy that we went snow sledding in almost 50 degree weather!! I'll try and put some pics up on facebook. Of course we forgot our cameras, so the pics are on our phones. The windy drive up and down from the mountain was not so fun on the guts, as I had to have Anthony (papa Hoke) pull over a couple times so I wouldn't lose my lunch in the car!!
Well, that's about it for now!! I'm excited to see what next week has to bring!!
-Rob/Bob/Robert/Bobby
The vegetation around here is so much different than back home, it's truly remarkable. The grass looks much different, and is kept very short. There are palm trees all over, but none are actually indigenous to this region. Yeah...funny isn't it? My favorite flower that I've seen so far is the "Bird of Paradise." Click here to see a pic:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkQe4Wohd3yhblNaDf7IesvmPOdw591oLDk7N6Z8dKWGnNZEWYyKl42fqklGZEV1jN1sO1mHt8KTnc28PBZO5sE_at6OZDWK1V_I-S211IWXo0IncbzitUmRNWGxGnmILLOE30_0Zd1mk/s320/bird_of_paradise.jpg
These flowers are commonly seen among the gardens on the short walk from the condo to the beach. It is one of my favorite things about the scenery so far!! I went for a jog yesterday, and I seemed to feed off of the energy of the ocean as it was more enjoyable than it was work. I'm hoping to get my body back into shape out here, and with weather like this there is no excuse for me not to!!
Classes just started at "The Groundlings" school and theatre. I'm taking the "Intro" class right now, which meets once a week on Mondays from 10-1p. I've only had one so far....and it was a blast!! It's about a 30-45 minute drive from Long Beach. The people that I'm taking classes with are very talented and seem to be some good prospects for new friends. Our instructor, Sean Hogan, is a down-to-earth goofball who has plenty to teach us. His ability to work with the beginner is superb and I'm excited to be as much of an absorbent sponge as possible. (yet without that nasty smell that sponges acquire after a few uses)
The Hokes (my host family,) took me to Big Bear Lake for a few days. It's about 2 1/2 hours North of Long Beach. We stayed in a friends cabin that resembled more of a 4-5 star resort!! The scenery there is very similar to the mountains of Colorado, but it's crazy that we went snow sledding in almost 50 degree weather!! I'll try and put some pics up on facebook. Of course we forgot our cameras, so the pics are on our phones. The windy drive up and down from the mountain was not so fun on the guts, as I had to have Anthony (papa Hoke) pull over a couple times so I wouldn't lose my lunch in the car!!
Well, that's about it for now!! I'm excited to see what next week has to bring!!
-Rob/Bob/Robert/Bobby
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