Adventures in Voice Over Acting

Yesterday, Colleen went to a voice over convention. I'm still not entirely clear on what happens at a voice over convention, but I do know that Colleen needs to be a voice over actor.

Anyway, she went to the convention and didn't know she was supposed to have headshots and a prepared script to read in front of agents. Everyone else had scripts from actual commercials, but with only 20 minutes before her audition she had no choice but to write her own commercial. So she quickly invented a product called Herpinol and wrote a script.

After the convention Colleen met up with me and Piper and we were dying over her day. Her script is pretty much the best thing ever. We couldn't stop reading it in front of the camera - and apparently the casting call requested only women with long, brown hair and bangs to audition. Here are the best reads of the night.*

Herpinol: take back the night you got herpes.

*Please note that none of us are making fun of having herpes and do not think having herpes is funny. Did you know that one in five Americans have genital herpes (yet at least 80 percent of those with herpes are unaware they have it)? To learn more about herpes please go to the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm

DIMy: Office Pegboard

I have lots of hobbies, which means I have lots and lots of supplies & tools.  Having things tucked away in drawers and boxes makes it a pain to clean up, which means I just have things all over my desk.

I decided to build a wall mounted storage board to hang scissors, punches, tape, rulers, and Cute Overload calendar.  Below it I installed a shelf to put glues, reference books, and my stapler.

I used an 8 ft. piece of white molding and cut it in half. Using wood screws, I attached the molding on the top and bottom of a 2'x4' sheet of pegboard.

Then I hung the pegboard on the wall using pegboard spacers (you don't want it flush on the wall or the hooks won't fit).

• Peg board
• Moulding
• Pegboard hook kit
• Wood screws
• Wood glue

DIY: Office/Studio Makeover - Stage 1

This weekend I tackled my office/studio.

The previous owners had painted it a sea green color. Abe liked it, but I hated it so I repainted using Valspar brand paint and chose the color Creme Fraiche (soft white).

First thing to do was to organize the desk. We have so many cords and contraptions that it took over 1/4 of the surface space.

The previous home owners had left an Ikea shelf with wine rack in the basement. I installed that under the desk and moved everything electronic down below. It needs some more work, but it's a major improvement.

While cleaning up I found two empty Crystal Light canisters. Colleen had given me a housewarming gift wrapped in pretty paper and I saved it. I wrapped the canisters in the paper with a little Mod Podge.

I left the top on one of them and cut some holes so I can store my seam rippers - I'm always losing them.

For the grand finale, I took a 8 ft. piece of white molding and cut it in half. Using wood screws, I put the molding on the top and bottom of a 2'x4' sheet of pegboard. Then I hung the pegboard on the wall using pegboard spacers (you don't want it flush on the wall or the hooks won't fit).

I also reused a shelf the previous home owners had in the room, but I moved the location.

And finally, the fun part - organizing and enjoying my clean space!

Beacon Weekend

Saturday was spent with one of my best friends and her friends and family. There is sadness surrounding the circumstances, but there is also laughter and hugs and lots of love. XOXO.

There was also delicious food and good times with the Cat Paint app.

On Sunday, Abe and I went to DIA: Beacon for a members' tour of the new space for the Robert Ryman gallery. I don't know if you're familiar with his work, but it's mostly just different shades of white paint on square surfaces.

I have to admit that I think most of it was baloney art talk, but I did find the curator to be very interesting and knowledgeable. I would say that this gallery at DIA was always my least favorite, but after the talk I can appreciate the pieces.

Probably the best part of the whole tour was looking at all the hip, modern eye wear. At least 80% of the people in the room wore glasses. I'm thinking only 50% of those people had prescription lenses.

After the tour there was a small brunch. I ate 2 chocolate croissants. They were small!

Pawsgon, Take Me Away

If Paws realllllllly likes you, AND if your hair is a little greasy, AND if Paws is feeling especially kind and loving, then maybe you will be one of the lucky few to get a bath from him. He likes to bathe people when they are watching tv so he can creep up behind your head while you recline.

Abe got a bath tonight while eating tomato soup.

Then Abe brought out a very strange, but very cute, dessert plate for me and him to share while watching Millionaire Matchmaker.