I think it's way past when a blog should have been put up. First and foremost...I hope you're all doing well. Now let's catch you up on what's been happening for the past month and a half, shall we???

Since I last wrote time has flown by and my days and weeks have been packed with work, meetings, auditions, lessons, errands, chores, a couple of weddings and on the rare side, down time. During this gap of time I had done some research into getting new headshots and looking up photographers. While the current photo I use still looks like me (2 1/2 years later) and have gotten some good use out of it, I feel that an update is needed and a new story needs to be told. I've changed in 2 1/2 years and what to be able to show that. So after a few meetings with some photographers (I met with about 5 whether in person or over the phone), I found one. During my search I met with those who were so freaking affordable your jaw dropped or so much your jaw dropped. I talked to a couple over the phone and just in those brief conversations I knew they weren't for me. I remember being told that if you're not comfortable with your photographer or the session it'll show in your pictures. And I've seen that. And don't want that. So my search continued. I met with a young photographer named James Kilduff. I instantly like him and the vibe was good. We met in Prospect Park (he lives on the other side of it) and while we were walking to some of the locations he uses, we chatted about everything. What he does, his makeup artist, what I'm looking for, etc. The locations he showed me were awesome and I was happy to hear he does some studio shots, too. It'll be nice to have a variety to choose from. And he works with you. If you're not liking how something is going or if you think the session is going well, he'll listen and work WITH you to get a good product (after all, you are paying them so why don't you get a good job out of them, right???). I knew after that meeting he would be the photographer for me. He's rates are very affordable and I would recommend him to my fellow actors. His website is www.jkbkphotography.com. As of now, I am scheduled to get my new shots the beginning of October but due to some unfortunate work situations, I might have to push them until later in October....boo.

Anyway, on to other things now. The audition season has begun and I am getting back into the swing of things. To jump start this year, I, along with 2 other friends (Jackie and Deanna) went to the open call for the National Tour of "Hairspray". If this audition sounds familiar to you, you're right. Although it was a dance call so if you'd like to refresh you memories on that experience please refer back to the March 3rd blog. Anyway, I met up with those 2 and we had our day planned out. Since there was a good chance of them typing, we were like, "OK. So we'll get typed out, go to Red Mango, head back to Brooklyn, get in the car and head down to Jersey for our "girls' night out". Jackie and I had a wedding for a friend of ours the next day in South Jersey...made sense. We were like, "We wouldn't even be disappointed if we got typed out"...we just wanted Red Mango....so good. So we're waiting...and waiting........and waiting until we FINALLY get in the room, lined up and getting looked at. Names are being read off for those they'd like to have come back and DANCE...see why I referred back to the previous blog about the dance call??? We're hearing names (none of them ours) and we're like, "YES...Red Mango here we come." I'm sorry...we're obsessed. Then Jackie gets called. Ok...no problem. A few minor adjustments to the day..."Nicole Patrick". I know my face had shock and fear all over it when I looked up and said, "Yes." I instantly got a small knot in my stomach and let out a huge breath of air only to have Jackie not even bat an eye and say, "Breath. It'll be fine." How did she know???

Having not brought dance clothes, the 3 of us rush back to my apartment in Brooklyn to change and then rush back in time for the dance call...all the while we're trying to remember the dance steps from last time and practicing them on the subway and the platforms...quite entertaining for anyone who saw us.

To make a long story short, Jackie and I went (the choreographer was great), did the dance (mine was all right...NOTE: not a dancer but hey at least I didn't run out this time), weren't asked to stay to sing, went to Red Mango, back to Brooklyn, down to Jersey and had a really great girls' night out.

The next day was my (and Jackie's) friend's, Aimee, wedding. What an absolutely beautiful ceremony followed by a fantastic reception with an even more gorgeous bride. Jon, Jackie and I had such a good time. THANKS, AIMEE!!!! :)

After Aimee's wedding, birthday BBQ preparations were underway. I must have made the same list about 50 times....plates, burgers, rolls, beer, pretzels.....writing and re-writing to make sure I didn't forget anything. The weekend of the BBQ came and Jon and I were really getting things ready. I had thoroughly cleaned the apartment so all I had to do the day of was a quick dust and vacuum again. Perfect. Jon had outdone himself (the BBQ being my gift) and bought veggie platters, guac and chips, a TON of beer....you name it we had it. I got some things ready so all I had to do was either pop it in the oven, uncover it, or put dressing on it the day before. One of those things that was put together early was my "World Famous" (yeah, right...) Taco Dip. Although on this particular day I almost didn't have taco dip but Cat Stew instead....let me fill you in.

Let me begin with what goes into Taco Dip. It's 3 layers...cream cheese on the bottom, chili (with no beans) and then topped with a couple kinds of shredded cheese. Now you need to spread this cream cheese onto a cookie sheet and sometimes it's easier but on this particular day, it was not. The cream cheese was not looking even enough and I was tired. Finally, after what seemed like a short lifetime, the chili was ready to be put on. I grabbed one of the cool cans which, by today's standards, has a pop top...pretty cool. So I lift the tab and it makes that "pop" sound when the freshness seal has been broken. Please note what my counter at the time also looked like....packed with brownies cooling, bags of chips everywhere and bottle of liquor. The only space I had was where I was making this dip. Well my little one, Dima, must have thought the can of chili was a can of cat food and comes running over, look up at me and make a cute little face. So I say to him in a silly voice, "No, Silly, this isn't food." I guess he didn't understand me since he then jumped up on the counter, into the freshly smoothed out pan of cream cheese which must of surprised the crap out of him thusly leaping over (and breaking off 1/4) the cooling brownies, bags of chips and bottles of liquor. Having everything unfold so quickly and no time to save anything, I just stood there and screamed out of shock and pissed-offness. Stressed out already I was standing with the palms of my hands pressed again my tear rimmed eyes only to have Jon nonchalantly walk in and go, "What happened?" REALLY?!?!?!?!? After everything was cleaned up and thrown out, I was thankful for being OCDish and buying and extra cookie sheet, cream cheese and shredded cheese. As I popped open another can of chili, I made sure the little terror was nowhere in sight and proceeded to finish my work.

Sunday came and after 10 hours of sleep all weekend long (keep in mind I worked roughly 13 hours all weekend), the BBQ was here. It was a great time and even better to see friends whom I haven't seen in awhile, missed and company I enjoy the most.

My birthday came and went which was a relaxing day. Jon and I walked around Manhattan a bit and then came back home. That's it really. Nothing too exciting since the day before was a packed day.

Well, I will end this blog for now but another will soon follow to fill you in on the end of August until present time. Until then............