Hollywood in Chicago

Industrial video. That was my first 'extra' job.  It was exactly as boring as it sounds. Truth be told, most extra jobs involve hours of sitting around (they usually advise you to bring a book) and then about 30 minutes of 'walk from here to there.'

And repeat.

And repeat.

And repeat.

The director for this video was new at her job. (That's the excuse I'm making for her. I don't actually know if that's the case.)

We filmed the video in a warehouse-type place that was located next to an intersection of railroad track lines.

Why was this a problem? Well, the warehouse didn't have any soft surfaces that would absorb sound, so if an extra sitting in the far corner of the upper level (off set) so much as whispered, it was picked up by the microphone on set.

CUT!

And if any of the three, count 'em, THREE trains went by, we couldn't record.

CUT!

The building was old, so the heating system made noise. The solution? The director had it turned off!  Did I mention we were filming in DECEMBER in CHICAGO?! None of us could feel our feet when we wrapped for the day.

That was my introduction to being an extra.

Now I'm in a feature film. An actual Hollywood, big-budget, well-known actor-filled production.

When the extras arrived to sign in for the first day, we were greeted with a buffet HOT BREAKFAST complete with waiter who squeezed oranges for our juice!

Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore!

I'm back...sort of.

Sorry I've been away so long, but several changes have occurred in my life and I thought it's time I shared them.

First and foremost, I left the job I'd had for more than 12 years.

Why?

While at this job, I created most of the back-office procedures that they continue to follow to this day, moved the company's office three times in 12 years and saved them literally thousands of dollars by renegotiating vendor contracts?  When I left, they gave me a gift certificate for 50 bucks!

Are you feeling the love?

Needless to say, I don't miss it. And only ONE PERSON from the office has stayed in touch (despite so many of them expressing their shock and disappointment that I was leaving.)

Okay, enough of that.

Like so many around the world, I found myself unemployed.  (No, I didn't leave full-time employment without a backup plan. Simply put: the plan failed.)

But you know what?  Life doesn't suck...at least as much as I thought it would. Yes, I don't make NEARLY as much $$$, but here are some great things that exist now that didn't for more than 12 years:

• I no longer have to wear a cordless phone on my hip when I go to the bathroom!
• I can eat my lunch whenever and wherever I want (and I actually get to eat lunch every.single.day.)
• I learned how to cook and surprisingly enough, I'm a FABULOUS cook!
• If I save and save and save, I can and do still get to do a tiny bit of traveling (mostly to Spring Training in Arizona.)
• Working out has become a much bigger part of my life.  And for folks over 40, you KNOW that's critical because hey! that muffin top has a cute name but there's nothing cute about it.
• Grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning and all that mundane stuff that was always crammed into the few hours available on a weekend is now done on weekday afternoons and is followed by a walk along the lakefront or maybe (if I'm good) a gelato!
• Since I'm working several part-time jobs, I control my own schedule! I haven't done that since I picked my courses in college.
• With a little research, I've figured out the cheapest movie theatres, the TONS of free stuff to do in Chicago and where the best consignment shops are. (A girl's still gotta look good, ya know!)

But I have to say, the most interesting thing I've done lately is/was totally out of my comfort zone. I've been working as an extra in videos, TV shows and now a feature film!

It doesn't pay much and it does take a lot of time, but you know what?  Sitting on my butt at home doesn't pay ANYTHING. And I get to watch some interesting actors at work - - close up!

You never know what's gonna happen next, but I'm ready.

ACTION!