2018 Mind & Body+ #NoExcuses Challenge

It’s about that time. The end of the holiday season is the New Year. Let’s get prepped now. I mean you are done with shopping, right?

Please note that I don’t like resolutions that are outcome based, but I love challenges that are input/effort based. You control what you put in. Focus on that and the results will come, or at least that’s the theory I’m working with.

Check out the video and let me know if you’re down for the 2018 #NoExcuses Challenge.

The apps mentioned are Duolingo and Freeletics. Go get em!

BONUS: start before the New Year and get some 2018 momentum.

My PureView of the Hollywood Sign Hike

Last week, I was in Portland and the change of scenery was great, but you gotta come home, right?  My friend John reminded me that we often forget how interesting the place we live can be.  With that being said, I decided to share one of my favorite hikes in Los Angeles.

In my pursuit of entertainment fame and fortune…or just the ability to pay my bills by doing what I love…I sometimes need perspective.  It’s the kind of perspective that tells you that your awesome even when you can’t get a meeting or a referral or an audition.  Yes, perspective feeds the ego and shuts out negative talk because OBVIOUSLY “they” are the one’s missing out.

OK, enough of that (for now).  Let’s get to the hike.  Every picture was taken with the Nokia Lumia 1020.  Most were taken with the Nokia Camera app, but some were taken with Fhotolens and 4Blend HDR apps.  Finally there are some panorama shots taken with the Nokia Panorama app.  I’d like to say that this was a sponsored piece.  Seriously, Microsoft, Nokia, etc…I’d LOVE to say that this is a sponsored piece.  How ‘bout it?

Yes, there’s the hike.  The picture above is on Beachwood Drive which takes you to the trailhead.   Much like going to the movies or watching TV, the sign reminds you of your destination for the entire journey.  Keep reading past the break to experience the journey with me.

Take Control – A JD Rant (with video)

Slogans have meanings, my friends.  I can tell you that breakfast CAN be the most important meal of the day, but this is not a blog about nutrition.  This is a blog about taking control and motivating yourself to move forward in your career.  It’s all about the #NoExcuses mantra and with this video, I’m not just taking about it, I’m being about it!

One of my motivations was my friend Jenna who I know because she runs a group for on-camera hosts on Facebook.  Proactive, right?  Well, today she took it another step.  She was asking for suggestions for a new DSLR camera, so that she could use that tool to take control of her own career.  This is in the rant, but if you want to follower her awesomeness on Twitter, I got the hookup for you.  Get thee to Twitter and follow @jennatimetweets.  Hit her up with some #NoExcuses props…you know, after you finish with this blog! 🙂

Toilet Humor

If you are a friend/follower on Facebook then you know that the apartment building I manage, recently had all of the toilets replaced.  This picture is of the old toilets being stacked up in the garage for removal.  I was having trouble with captions.  Some good ones:

• All New Game of Thrones
  • THE crappiest parking job
  • Public bathroom from Hell
  • You’re in the drivers seat
  • Got gas?

Feel free to chime in in the comments section if you have more suggestions.  Did the fun stop there? Ummmm.  NO!

What The Juice

I am a Midwest-raised, meat eating, beer drinking man, who is about to embark on a 10 Day Juicing “Reboot”.  As my friends’ son says, “What the juice?”.

It all started when my neighbor was getting rid of stuff in her apartment.  She called me and asked if I wanted her juicer.  I expected that she’d have a half-working cheapo model, but I still said “yes”, as I had thoughts of trying such a challenge.  I must have made a #NoExcuses manifestation, because this was a really nice Breville, in great condition.

What’s next? Read on, my friends.

Jessica Chastain & #NoExcuses

I saw Zero Dark Thirty the other day at a SAG Awards screening.  The big bonus was a Q&A with Jessica Chastain hosted by Janelle Riley.  I was always a fan of Jessica’s work, but now I am a fan of her general process of approaching life.  Before she was famous, she didn’t JUST take class (although, she is Juliard trained) and she didn’t wait around for people to give her work.  She created work for herself.  She didn’t get discouraged. She embodies what we’re talking about when we say #NoExcuses and #NoRegrets.

I shot this quick clip at the the start of the session and she gave us some great inspiration.  Obviously, this was taken with my Nokia Lumia 920 – a Windows Phone 8 device.

Sharing Amazing

Today I posted on my Facebook status that “Today is Friday! Do something amazing and earn the weekend!”  My friend Steffanie turned it around and asked me what I was going to do.  Hmmm…people don’t usually turn my orders around on me.

I had to do the building paperwork this morning, so the amazing had to wait for the afternoon.  Of course, as the day goes on more and more things get in the way, but I will not let that get in my way.  This is 2013, which I’ve declared the Year Of The Hash Tag.  That means it’s a paradigmatic shift in my existence to a #NoExcuses, #NoRegrets life.  Amazing HAD to happen!

DalyDose of Les Miserables

OK, Christmas is coming up and that means family and presents and worship and…and…big movie openings, obviously.  One of the biggest that is getting all kinds of hype, is Les Miserables and it should make a ton of money.  Watch the trailer here and then get my quick review.

Here’s the Trailer

aaaaaaand now…your DALYDOSE!!!

DalyDose of…6 WEEKS!

There are just about 6 weeks left in 2012.  Did you make a bunch of resolutions for yourself that you didn’t keep?  Well, now is the time to tackle those issues and we have apps for that!

I am starting up a goal orientated fitness plan for these last 6 weeks and I challenge/invite you to join me.  DO NOT WAIT for New Year’s to get this done.  Let’s do it now so we can work on bigger, better things in 2013.  Read on to join the challenge. Links to the apps, the plan and a little motivation, after the break.

I haven’t quit acting…

I was having a discussion with a friend the other day and it came up that since my last agent quit the business, I haven’t looked for another.  That prompted her to ask me “Did you quit acting?”.  I responded that “No, I haven’t quit acting…but I have stopped auditioning”  That’s an over-simplified response, but it felt right and most closely articulated my current perspective.  She didn’t get what I was saying and thus she doesn’t really get ME.