TV debut!

Well today was definitely an interesting day at the store when Lala Vasquez, former MTV VJ came into the store to film her reality show. My friend had NO intentions of being filmed, so apparently I just made my first TV debut as a store clerk! Well it really wasn't that exciting and I kept thinking to myself, 'camera adds ten pounds, suck in, don't look directly into the CAMERA!" Well that last note failed when they tried to film me solo behind the cashier desk and I looked straight into the lens. Let's hope my really awkward and embarrassing face doesn't make the cut...oh god.

The other day I also had my first paparazzi experience although they were not after me...but I did manage to find myself on Just Jared in the background clearly laughing at the same thing Sophia Bush is finding hilarious...

Let's say AMAZING. The store was completely dead as it is Memorial Day weekend down here in the states. I am actually suppose to be up in Minden, Ontario this weekend preparing for the summer as a Camp Counselor (oops). I had a quick speaker phone chat with my fellow staff/friends which made me all the more excited about my return. I am actually glad that I have such a wonderful job to return to because I know how hard it is going to be to say goodbye to this place. The weather is finally as nice as it is back home so let's hope it keep up!

The Ladies Barber Shop

Yesterday was nothing but boring in Beverly Hills! I was helping out around the store since it was an extremely busy day. Many of the girls' friends stopped by and one of them made a very funny comment on how the store is like a man's barber shop but for ladies. It totally is the Beverly Hills hangout; people come in and out all the time, whether you are a regular customer, just stopping by to say hello, or to hang out and waste your afternoon surrounded by fabulous clothes!

Prior to the peek business hour in the afternoon the girls casually dropped a bomb on me which they found hilarious because they didn't think I was going to react that way. I mean, they knew I was Canadian but they didn't exactly expect me to turn the color of that giant purple dinosaur when they said Mike Comrie would be stopping by. For those of you who are not avid hockey fans, he plays for the Edmonton Oilers. Well I made a b-line for the stalk room and hid in there but was quickly found...by Mike Comrie. Wonderful! Luckily my face had calmed down a little and I even managed to have a conversation with him. We chatted for a bit and some Canadian jokes were cracked when I turned on the heat that day instead of the air conditioning - he had my back on that one. Anyways he was SUPER nice and I've got to say H. Duff is a really lucky girl to have him. I considered asking if he knew the relationship status of Colton Orr but I thought that would be pushing it a little. sigh.

Also Joanna Garcia came into the store at the same time (she played Chace Crawford's girlfriend on G.G. at one point) and was possibly the sweetest person ever. She hung out for a while - she is a good friend of the girls - and gave me a hug before she left and wished me luck withe everything. HOW SWEET IS SHE? Anyways, I know adore her.

Who knows what will happen today but I've had a slow start to my morning so I must be off!

OH, and apparently I almost took at Mila Kunis yesterday when chasing my friends dog down the street. What is with me and trying to take out celebrities? Apologies Mila, I didn't see you. 

Freaks to Freaks

This past weekend my Dad came out to visit me. It was really nice having him out here and we were able to do some exploring together since I haven't really gone much farther then Beverly Hills and Hollywood. We went down to Venice Beach and checked out all the freaks and body builders and watched people with strollers lining up to apply for medical marijuana. We then drove out to Malibu, had an huge brunch and did some shopping. We drove pass the Pepperdine University Campus and it was AMAZING. Every inch of the campus has a view of the ocean and it is just spectacular. Although it almost looks to amazing...a little bit like Disney World where everyone is happy-go-lucky and walks around in salmon coloured pants with zoo animals printed on top. Besides that, apparently it is extremely religious. Now, there is nothing wrong with that at all but after talking to a handful of people, it's like the extreme opposite of Venice Beach. Maybe a bit cult-ish?

I am realizing everyday how much time I have left and although I am SO excited to go back to CAMP, there is so much that I want to do before time runs out.  I know this is an extremely short post but I didn't want you to be waiting around as long for the next one. Time is ticking!

"So Much Cooler Online" -Brad Paisley

Well today was my big day for my head shots! I am not going to lie and say I was SO nervous! Normally I am thrilled when I get tagged in photos on facebook (even though I un-tag about 75% of them - it's like altering your appearance, not physically, but to the cyber world - Heidi should have just done that).

After getting my makeup done, they immediately started shooting. I did three separate looks and I think they all turned out well but I won't really get to see them until tomorrow. I got a chance to analyze some of them after each shoot and it's amazing to see how you translate onto camera. I noticed that my one eyebrow is naturally higher then the other, I have really small eyes and an extremely round head. How great. Well as I was critiquing myself from shoot to shoot I realized all I was really doing was tearing myself down and I wasn't feeling any better about myself as the day went on. But then I realized that if I started doing that to myself then there was no room for anyone else to do it. Now you might be thinking that what I just said is even more twisted then breaking down every inch of what I think is some sort of dis-morphia, but in this business there is ALWAYS going to be something wrong with you that you can't fix (or choose not too - Heidi has permanently scared me out of all plastic surgery, so thank you 'my-size-bride-barbie'). All of these things that I might not like, someone will and maybe what I have is what someone is looking for in a role - apart from my acting skills. So to conclude my day, I like myself as is. I may have large cheeks for all grandparents to squeeze and invisible lashes without mascara - BUT I have great hair and I am a natural blonde so SUCK. ON. THAT. 

I really tried to make this blog PG rated but I couldn't think of a better sentence to end that little monologue with. My apologies, mother.

Last night I went out to celebrate Bradley Cooper's ex-girlfriend's birthday - sigh, life can be so hard sometimes - which was a lot of fun. We had a group of girls get together with a handful of cupcakes which no one ate (welcome to LA) and headed off to the bar... OK, well I was the only one who ate a cupcake but it was the size of a two bite brownie, so sue me. Anyways, the only point to this story is that I saw MCLOVIN from Superbad out! He really looks the exact same in person. And he looked very Canadian in his plaid shirt considering everyone else was in a blazer of some sort - WOO representing! I don't know why I thought it was so funny, but I figured I would share it with all of you anyways.

Tomorrow I have my dad coming out to visit me which I am so excited for! Until next time! Also, all of you should download the song in the title of this post. It is hilarious.

It's about time...

I am TRULY sorry that it has taken me this long to update you. I haven't spent much time on my computer lately so I haven't really had an opportunity to keep everyone in the loop!

Well The Hills has disappointed the girls in the store for the second time now by canceling their plans to film. After days of helping re-merchandising, cleaning and re-stalking the store, it was all for a large nothing, although the store has really never looked better.

But on a happier side of things, Sophia Bush came in after her appearance on the Late Show with Craig Ferguson. She was wearing a ring from the store that one of the sisters designed and they did a HUGE close up on it! Everyone was ecstatic and even Sophia couldn't believe they did that either! She is unbelievably sweet and hilarious. Here is a link to the video and CHECK OUT THAT RING, it's real diamonds and it is just insane - my sister would love it. Click Here: Sophia Bush on Craig Ferguson.

I have some friends down in LA right now visiting which has been so fun! It is strange when you are with Canadians because for some reason their is just such a mutual understanding of everything. Also, you aren't interrupted as much. For example, if you step on the heel of a Canadian's shoe, the person whose foot you stepped on will be the one to say, 'sorry'. Well you wouldn't believe how many times in a day people step on your foot because apparently it has just become second nature not to notice! Every time I apologize for anything they instantly know I am Canadian because we say 'sorry' instead of 'sahrry'. (I think I have spoken about this before).

Anyways, my friend Lorne is coming down tomorrow for the summer and I am BEYOND excited to see him. I can't wait to show him around because I really have started to feel at home now and not as much as a foreigner.

On Wednesday I went to a USC party with a friend who goes to school there. I can honestly say it was so much fun and so much different from any party I've been to at a Canadian University. The highlight of the visit though was driving down their street of all the sorority and fraternity houses. This street is essentially the 'Aberdeen' of Queen's and let me tell you...they are COMPLETELY different.

My friend LIVES in the EXACT SAME HOUSE that LEGALLY BLONDE WAS FILMED IN. It is actually a sorority house and it actually looks like that. Their frosh week is called Rush and instead of getting into your 'cover-all's' and getting dirty...you learn to HAIR FLIP.                               I. am. not. kidding.

I mean these are serious mansions with serious rules. Boys are kicked out at 2 am, no boys are allowed upstairs, and their is a point system based on how many events you attend and you must introduce all the girls in your sorority as your sister. I wish I was kidding but this street is filled with miniature White House's - as in mansions with big white pillars. It was like I was walking down a set of a movie. The Fraternities are even COOLER. These boys houses look like modernized restaurants on the outside...but on the inside they have full sized basketball courts, squash courts and look like they should be in a book about modern architecture. They are actually insane. By the way...there isn't just one or two of these houses... it is about three blocks long. If you ever come to LA you need to check it out because it is beyond anyone's imagination. There are also some strange looking ones. I mean one sorority looks like Barbie's dream house and one looks like John Belushi's Animal House.

But here is an example of the boys... AS IF

To bad 34 Aberdeen doesn't look like this.

Anyways, on a note about ME, I am getting head shots done next Wednesday and I am beyond excited! My friend suggested this photographer to me and he looks amazing and has done some very recognizable people. I will post a few as soon as I get them done and you can all tell me which one I should use to send in with some resumes.

I think I will be busy all weekend but I will update you with some fun stories as soon as they happen! I promise I won't leave you hanging for long. On a shopping note: I found leather high waisted hot shorts at the flea market last weekend for $7. I know - you are beyond jealous.

Small World

My short visit to San Diego is coming to an end today. It has been wonderful to lay out, blend in with California crowd and to hang ten on a surf board (potentially this afternoon - if I brave the Pacific Ocean). After this, it is back to reality and to really give a shot at this acting gig.

It is amazing to me how wherever someone is in the world, there is always someone that knows SOMEONE you know. For example, last week I was in the Apple store playing on an Ipad for about a half hour (I want) when one of the 'geniuses' asked me if I needed any help. Well I really did need help with a new Ipod but after a few minutes of talking and an awkward attempt to be my 'guide around Los Angeles', he mentioned an acting class he went to every Tuesday night. Well what do you know, my friend is in the same acting class as him and knows an extension of friends' of hers that I know as well.

I am in the most random Apple store in LA and the genius and myself have friends in common? This is so strange.

Besides all my friends that will be apparently VISITING ME (ahem...EHS girls...) their are a number of people that I have reconnected with down in LA that I haven't had the chance to see in years! It has been great catching up with them and remaking those old friendships.

On top of that I have had a number of friends or people who have reached out to me that are in LA and are from Toronto who do not know many people down here! The craziest connection so far is someone who goes to the same university as me (we have never met) and is in Beverly Hills for the summer as well (unbelievable). It has been so fun meeting these people and making those connections as well because at the end of the day, we can all help each other out ... and have a conversation with someone who won't interrupt you when you say 'eh', 'sorry' instead of 'sahrry', and our apparent 'aboot'.

Need to go even out my tan!

Given a road map.

This past weekend was just about as relaxing as it gets. I stayed in for the most part, didn't party and mostly hung out with friends and family. My cousin and I went out to 'Mr. A Jr.'s' house which resembled that classic movie, The Secret Garden. The view, to begin with, was out of this world, and since they were located at the very top of the hill - with an ocean view, might I add - you would be completely unaware that they had any neighbors. Both Mr. A and his wife were wonderful and welcoming and we ate the most incredible, completely vegetarian, meal with a handful of people and a good round of some pretty hilarious jokes. I think the highlight of the mini-voyage was definitely having a 'home-cooked' meal.

At the end of the dinner, Mr. A sat me down and really helped me figure out where I should really begin with my acting career. I realized quickly into the discussion that I have been here two weeks and although I have loved every minute, seen tons of celebrities and have shook hands with great people who are in the business, I have yet to do anything to help progress, let alone start, my aspiration to become an actor. As we discussed what I should be doing, I felt as though I was getting an inside scoop to the secrets of the business, when really it's like looking for your sunglasses when they are literally sitting on the top of your head. Now I don't want to give everything away because I don't want the rest of you going out and stealing all my roles. Yes, I am a bit selfish. But really he pulled out very normal, weekly magazine, flipped to a section that listed a bunch of TV shows (many of which I recognized), crossed off everything that was shot in New York or outside of LA - as well as everything he thought was personally lame or strange - and said ...

a) Call these numbers and ask for casting
b) Lie and say you are an agent or with casting
c) Ask for an address, send in your resume
d) Lie and say you love their work
and e) Dress the part when they call you in for an interview

...and apparently that was how he got started in the business and even got a handful awards for doing just that. I couldn't believe it was that easy to just hand a resume out when people are going to their wits end just to get represented by an agent. I mean, it's not as though it's by any means easy to get a role, but if you can read the fine print, their are ways to squeeze your way to the front of the line.

I am going to San Diego tomorrow to visit some family where I plan on laying out, working on my tan and essentially pumping up my resume (he also said to lie on your resume - example: he told me to say I could fly a plane just because my dad can...right). At this point though, what I am really looking forward to is the sun! San Diego, here I come!

Awkward Run-ins

My first moment of star-struck-ness kicked in yesterday when I saw Jake Gyllenhaal at a small restaurant post-hike of the Hollywood hills. As I go to take off my sunglasses I can see him waiting for his order to arrive. I do a quick assessment of myself and decide that it would probably be a good idea to keep the shades on (side note: a wise man once told me that girls in big sunglasses are hiding what they truly look like - thanks friend). At this point I looked like an overripe tomato and awkwardly try to slam my sunglasses back onto my face. At this point there is little room for improvement as I am still pretty disgusting from climbing up the side of a canyon (why I going to a restaurant like this, should really be my topic of conversation). By this point my friend has noticed him too and points out to me that I am the only blonde in the vicinity - and with his past record of girlfriends I may be in luck! Well I quickly whip my head around to look at him and he is looking RIGHT AT ME. At this point I am on the verge of passing out (this is the same feeling I got when I once shared that elevator with Kanye).

I had to walk out of the restaurant until he left out the back door with his order. I am such a loser.

On another note of awkward moments, I literally almost took Brandon Davis out while going for a run this morning. He was exiting out of a taxi (from an apparent late Friday night out) and we almost collided. Imagine I had physically harmed a celebrity? I mean, I might as well have just asked his taxi driver to drive over me on the spot or be sued by one of the youngest millionaires in the Northern hemisphere -he is an heir to a mass oil company, and a former ex of Paris Hilton. 

Well what a start to a weekend! Tonight I am going out of the Los Angeles area to visit the younger "Mr. A".  They have so sweetly invited me over for dinner along with a handful of other people who I will be meeting upon arrival.

I am still hot from my run because after almost knocking Brandon Davis to the ground, I ran in the other direction to tell you.

The Hills was suppose to be filmed in the store the other day but they rescheduled unfortunately. Hopefully they will do it while I am still around! Hope to have more updates for you soon!