
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Crafts We Love #3

Craig’s List is a farce….unless you’ve got plans to drive a tractor in Iowa.

I hate Craig’s List. It has a smarmy way of making you think you can do anything you set your mind to – ya know, just like your 3rd grade teacher used to tell you. And you believed her. Just like you believe that Craig’s List will magically make your problems disappear. Need a date? Post on Craigs List. Looking for an acting gig? Search on Craig’s List. Selling your car? Craig’s List. Want to farm sweet corn in Iowa? Post your resume on Craig’s List. I did, and that’s what I got. Ok, so maybe using the word “adventurous” in the title of your want-ad opens up the floor for weirdos to attack. But really, people- I described no such inclination for the desire to work on a farm in Iowa and tend to this man’s three children while “farming sweet corn.” Yet, he thought that would be right up my alley. He was serious, too. I responded, letting him know that I couldn’t wait to quit my current job and head out to Iowa and asking him please OH PLEASE could my responsibilities include pig-sloppin’, butter churnin’, boot stompin’, and manure shovelin’. I could even wear my $300 Frye boots, since they’re really made for horse farmers. My theory is, if I’m gonna shovel shit, I should at least look extremely hot while doing so.
Even better was the email I got from some dude asking me to marry his cousin so that he could obtain US Citizenship. What the fuck do I look like- a mail order bride? Maybe this guy thought that since I liked to cook and knit scarfs that I would be game for his little house-wife show (I admit, I did put that in the ad). He even said I wouldn’t have to act like a traditional wife to this guy- we could just be roommates. Oooo, really?!?! WHERE DO I SIGN UP? I could only imagine the excitement that awaited me – would my future husband be from a middle eastern country and wear a turban and have back hair? Would I get to wait hand and foot on this dude while he beat me and made me his slave? Maybe he would even agree to throw in a little genital mutilation to sweeten the deal! Gee. Whiz. I was dizzy with anticipation. I mean, can you believe this guy actually thought I would be interested? He didn’t even offer me any money…..cuz then it would have been something worth considering.
But seriously, I had so many hopes for Craig’s List. Its like supposed to be THE networking site for underdogs. Like me. And yes, you could argue that these two guys were doing just that – networking. But I think its pretty safe to assume that I reserve the right to make the ultimate decision about my house-wife status.
I guess it would be unfair for me to leave out the part where I tell you that I actually did get a reasonable job offer from a respectable company that found me on Craig’s List. And I accepted. Much to the dismay of the corn farmer- I have to admit I was starting to like the idea of wearing bib-alls and boots to work everyday (but don’t tell him that).
-Fluffgirl
No James Dean

I was speaking with someone the other day and I don't remember what prompted it but his response was, "You shouldn't be afraid of death". Excuse me?! Maybe you don't care about yo'self but my life is precious and I am not too cool to admit I'm not trying to die anytime soon. Jesus Christ, I am not even in my botox years yet! Why are people so set on saying "I'm not afraid of death". Last time I checked, death really hurts 99% of the time and chances are your underwear will not be clean. I wear my seat belt, do not do hard drugs and use rubbers (I just like saying that word) in order to ensure I am not doing anything to increase my chances of
croaking. Billy Graham's got me going to hell anyway, so what's the rush? And for future reference, no, I do not want to go skydiving with you or do a line before we get on your crotch rocket and do wheelies on the interstate. That is just lame and if you're not afraid to die, you must be a loser with some self-hate issues. For the cutters, unsuccessful overdosers, and bitches starving themselves to "death", you're not fooling anyone because you'd probably shit your Baby Phats if you were actually about to die and that is so not cute.
Love,
Lady Chavez
In Defense of Vegetarianism #3

I can think of a million reasons to defend vegetarianism, obviously because I am writing about it every week. But, I'm thinking the number one reason is that you can get naked and stand in the middle of Times Square and no one calls you a slut, you're just militant or "looking for something to believe in" (that one's my favorite). I was never full-on naked but did protest numerous times in a chicken bikini (sorry I couldn't find any pics of a scantily clad Lady Chavez). Sometimes reporters would ask if it was demeaning but we would just say no and have them drop it to get to the topic at hand. No one really thought we were promiscuous or called us ho's for doing it. Well actually, one time, a car was leaving the KFC drive-thru and had cued up that song "Big Booty Ho's" to play when they passed us but that was about it...
Adventures of a Girl in La-la Land (Part One)

Like most people who arrive in La-la land, I came with dreams of career and wild successes. Unlike most people, I did not come with delusions of grandeur. I didn't move to LA to become the next big star. I came to work, to do what I love and pay my bills doing so. I'm still working on that one. I've learned to love shopping at the 99 cent store, which has name brand food and good produce rather than the junk most people think of. I've learned that savings is an incredibly valuable thing to have, but you've got to protect it with your life. And I've learned that to be happy and pursue what you love is more important than anything else.
Most people who move to LA to pursue "the dream" bail after they aren't discovered in a month. That's the average and it's astounding the people can be so naive to think that in a month they will be the next big thing. But I came with a plan. Get headshots, get an agent, get a "survival job," keep going...and never give up. Within a month, I had headshots and a survival job. I was making big bucks working as a personal assistant for an executive recruiter. The woman was a bitch and treated me like crap, but I put up with it. In a few months, I'd already booked my first gig in a short film, destined for festivals. We shot it up in Malibu and it was a fun time.
Eventually, I couldn't take the emotional abuse from my bitchy boss anymore, so I quit my job and acquired a new one working from home. Working from home doesn't really pay all the bills and can get isolating, but it gives me the flexibility to go on auditions, which is what I desperately need. I moved into my own one-bedroom apartment a hop, skip, and a jump from Hollywood, but I'm still in "the valley." (Where the term valley-girl originated :) I got a gig in a play in Hollywood called Eavesdropper and I've been performing on stage for the last 7 months. It doesn't pay, but it will soon. It's a way for my work to be seen. And it's paid off in a big way. A casting director came to see the show and casted me in a film. It's a small supporting role, but the proposed budget is about $65M. Of course funding isn't in place yet, so I can't bank on it. Mostly it just gave me confidence to know that I am good enough at my craft to get parts in films. Little successes keep me going in the fight that most people lose.
-Jess Raskins
Jess Raskin was born and raised in Virginia. She made her feature film debut at age 7 in John Water's Cry-Baby as Susie-Q opposite Ricki Lake and Johnny Depp. From there she worked in commercials and theater in the DC area. She attended the College of William & Mary, graduating in 2005 with a double major in Classics and Marketing. After doing the "smart" thing by getting a college degree, it was time to be risky! She packed up her stuff and moved to the City of Angels, 3000 miles away from everyone and everything she'd ever known. She currently lives in NoHo, a few minutes outside Hollywood with her three bunnies. Jess currently is performing in Hollywood in a play called Eavesdropper, which is destined to open in NYC in early 2008!!
Jess's Myspace and Homepage
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Kid Sister Runs Thangs

Saturday, August 18, 2007
Crafts We LOVE

Well, this week’s “Crafts We LOVE” feature kind of reminds me of those- only they’re way cooler and won’t make your friends think you’re secretly dating a Mexican hooker.
AND they’re made with bleach….we also love caustic agents.
Moth to Flame Studios
Love,
Fluff