Stupid Drivers

Okay, I had to write about this one after talking with my fellow actors before class last week. I think this is something we can all relate to, actors or not.

STUPID DRIVERS

I am on the road constantly as an actress and mother and the amount of stupid drivers is just amazing to me.

Let's just start by driving down my street. Now, if you drive a motorcycle, wouldn't you be more concious of your surroundings so as not to get into an accident? Then why would you not put your directional on to let me know your are going to stop and worst of all, make a U turn right in front of me as I come a 1/4 inch from making you meet your maker? Then we have the people who back out of their driveways and don't look to see if there's anyone else coming...I mean do they think they're the only one's who live on my street? Now, here's the best one (and I haven't even gotten off my street yet). I get to the end of the my culdesac, wanting to turn left onto the main road and there's a van in front of me wanting to do the same thing (or so I thought). All of a sudden, she starts to back up. I think okay, maybe she just pulled to far out in the road and she needs to back up a little..OOOOOOHHHH NOOOOOO, she keeps a comin'. I lay on my horn (something I don't like to do because what good does it do anyway?) and she finally stops about a 1/2 an inch from hitting me. She said she didn't look! Okay now, why wouldn't you look? Once again, are you the only person who lives on my street? OMG!

Finally I'm on the road on the way to the freeway headed to LA obeying all traffic laws (most of the time, hard to do with my car) and these people wait until you're right up on them and pull out in front of you and go 2 miles per hour causing you to swerve and slam on your brakes so you don't hit them! Really??? Why don't people put on their turn signal when they want to turn left..can't they see your waiting for them to go straight before you pull out? And why do people stop at green lights? Are they color blind? And what about when the sign says, "NO TURN ON RED LIGHT", why the heck do they lay on their horns and get soooo mad at me for obeying the darn traffic sign? Can't they read? Which brings me to my next subject.

We all know how they drive in other countries, making left hand turns from right hand lanes, driving 500 miles an hour on the Autoban not to mention cutting across 5 lanes of traffic just to make the exit (okay, so they do that here too). And forget about the traffic lights, stops signs and other drivers. And pedestrians BEWARE, you're taking your life in your hands if you think you come first. They will even drive on the wrong side of the road just to make the traffic light.

Well, we have laws here in the U.S. (not that anyone follows them..lol) like myself. I got a ticket last month for turning left out of no turn left parking lot..well there was no one coming..only the police officer that was hiding and everyone else does it, so why am I the one who got the ticket? I think we should enforce a Behind The Wheel training course for all people coming into this country, not just the written, before they get their drivers license. Speaking of the written, why is it in sooo many different languages??? Aren't we in the U.S where all signs are posted in English? (Well, I guess not anymore, in some cities I get lost..lol)

So, now I've finally made it to the freeway! Trying to get on the freeway is an adventure in itself, people just don't know how to merge. And who says you have to wait in line like everyone else to merge onto the next freeway, that's what the shoulder is for to take cuts. UGH! Why do people pull right out in front of you when they see you're coming up on them really fast and then go 5 miles an hour almost causing an accident? Do they think they're the only one's on the road? What about the people who do 50 miles an hour in the fast lane and a zillion people are zooming by them in the next lane..what are they thinking..even the speed limit in most places is 65. Why do people pull right out in front of trucks and then put their brakes on? Do they think the the truck can just automatically stop and not turn them into minced meat? And while I'm on the subject of trucks..what makes the truck drivers think I actually like the fowl language that comes out of their mouth, trying to pick me up while driving in traffic. Really men, learn the love language, okay? Not that I'm someone special, but come on.

What about the carpool lane. They make those double yellow lines for a reason gang! And I don't think children should get their license until they're at least 21. The amount of stupid kids on the freeway, especially at night is amazing...racing their little cars and trying to tempt me to race them...come on..against my car? And why do people leave their blinker on for miles and you're kind enough to let them in, holding up traffic so the person behind you honks...turn it off for goodness sake if you don't want to merge. Or better yet...I hate when "I" put my directional on miles before I have to get off the freeway and no one lets me in causing me to miss my exit??? WHY? Or what about when someone has their right hand turn signal on and they turn left...really? And why do people tailgate in traffic, we're not havin' a party!?! I mean can't you see we are not going anywhere. This guy honked at me last week because I didn't jump on the fact that the traffic had moved one car length..Guess he was in hurry to wait! And speaking of traffic, why do the drivers on my side stop to see an accident on the other side of the freeway, you can't fix it!

And last but not least! TEXTING, PUTTING ON MAKEUP, ( something I never do...lol) SHAVING, WATCHING MOVIES, etc., and the lookie loos who are driving by you trying to figure out what movie you are watching...why does it matter?

Some people just shouldn't get their license.

I'm not in the O.C. anymore!

Well, I've been pretty busy with auditions, callbacks, filming, classes, oh and let's not forget about family - my other job! Barely have time to read my emails, but thank you Steve Jobs for the IPAD, made for that "on the go person" so I never miss an appointment!

Whoo hoo! I got a callback for a commercial! I am sooo lucky, the only thing is, it's in Santa Monica so I have to plan my day around it.

Now, most of you know I have two 15 1/2 year old boys, one son and one foster son, that go to two different schools at four different times I know it sounds crazy but I am a devoted one! So, I think; "How am I going to do this?" Got it! Spoiled boys have to go to school at the same time and well, spoiled husband will have to pick them up and take them to the next school AND pick them up! Hmm! So, off to Santa Monica I go! 

But, there is one problem, I have an acting class in Hollywood at 7:15pm. Okay, so you say, well what's the problem Lynnette? I live in Orange County, that's the problem! My callback was for 12:30pm, now do I drive all the way back to the O.C afterwards only to have to leave by 4:30pm to get to class on time or do I stay in L.A.? I'm gonna have ta say no O.C., L.A. it is!

I get to my callback so excited and the CD says, "Gosh, I'm sorry, but you're the third person who's come in and there haven't been any callbacks yet." "WHAT?" I show her my printed out email (so organized) and she tells me that was a mistake. She said that was a general email to all those who missed their audition time. Are you flippin kiddin me??? "Missed their audition time??? REALLY???" Gosh, I learn something new everyday. Hmm! I didn't know you could miss your audition and have the opportunity to try again - how nice! Well, the CD knows I come from the O.C. and she says with a sad face; "I'm sorry but I can validate you parking." UGH! All that way for nothing! Oh well, my motto is, "It is what it is." So, I get to the gate and the guard says that will be $2.00. What, no, I told her my card was validated. She said sternly, "No it isn't". UGH! Well, I didn't have any cash on me so I paid with a credit card - thank you American Express! Okay, so now what do I do until 7:15pm since it's only 1:00pm???

I thought, well, my car needs to be washed so I'll just go to BMW to get it washed (free car wash, gotta save my pennies - gas, ya know). I drive all the way to _________ (well, I won't mention their name) and they tell me, "Sorry, unless you have service we don't wash your car". Okay?! So, then I decide well, I"ll drive to BMW in B_ _ _ _ _ _ I know there they must wash your car for free. But I'm going to be smart this time and call. They don't do it either. "REALLY?" I told them, well I come from the O.C. and the dealerships out there treat you like Queens, wash your car, give you water, they even have free Internet, TV, and a little cafe. Okay so I don't drive a Mazarati, but my car isn't exactly cheap. I guess I'm just SPOILED..

Well, what do I do now??? It's only 2pm? I brought my lunch cuz I'm on a constant diet (thank you HBO, lost 25lbs. so far - whoo hoo!!). So, I decided to drive to class. Beverly Hills is soo beautiful!! So, I get to Hollywood and look for a safe place to park for the next 5 hours and study my lines for my scene.

Okay, so here's the real problem. I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! I drive around and look for a nice fastfood place, but everywhere I went there were a bunch of homeless people around. NOW, I am not afraid of them, it's just that, remember, I have no cash and I'm the type of person who wants to save the world (that will be another story) so I felt guilty that I had nothing to give them and I didn't want them to think I was a stuck up snob (Yes, I do care what people think, even the homeless). So, yay, I find a Pavilions, whoo hoo!! By this time I'm ready to pee in a cup!! I run into the store, find the bathroom and it says 25 cents. OMG are you serious?? In Orange County this is, once again - A FREE THING. LOL! Remember, I don't even have a dime, thanks to my children. LOL! So, I think I'll just go buy some Atkins shakes and use my debit card to get cash back. I go to the register and what???? No debit card. Can this day get any worse? So I pull out my handy dandy American Express and ask can I get money back on this so I can use the bathroom? She said I don't know, let's see. Well, of course you know what the answer was - NO! By this time I'm about to cry! So I say thank you anyway and start to walk away. She stops me and says, "You can go to customer service and get a token". Are you serious????? All that trouble and I could've just gone to Customer Service for a token??????

Well, the lesson I learned on that day, was...NEVER BE WITHOUT AT LEAST A QUARTER FOR THE BATHROOM OR DOLLAR BILLS FOR THE HOMELESS and forget about free anything. LOL!

I'M NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!    

Well, I've been pretty busy with auditions, callbacks, filming, classes, oh and let's not forget about family - my other job! Barely have time to read my emails, but thank you Steve Jobs for the IPAD, made for that "on the go person" so I never miss an appointment!

Whoo hoo! I got a callback for a commercial! I am sooo lucky, the only thing is, it's in Santa Monica so I have to plan my day around it.

Now, most of you know I have two 15 1/2 year old boys, one son and one foster son, that go to two different schools at four different times I know it sounds crazy but I am a devoted one! So, I think; "How am I going to do this?" Got it! Spoiled boys have to go to school at the same time and well, spoiled husband will have to pick them up and take them to the next school AND pick them up! Hmm! So, off to Santa Monica I go!

But, there is one problem, I have an acting class in Hollywood at 7:15pm. Okay, so you say, well what's the problem Lynnette? I live in Orange County, that's the problem! My callback was for 12:30pm, now do I drive all the way back to the O.C afterwards only to have to leave by 4:30pm to get to class on time or do I stay in L.A.? I'm gonna have ta say no O.C., L.A. it is!

I get to my callback so excited and the CD says, "Gosh, I'm sorry, but you're the third person who's come in and there haven't been any callbacks yet." "WHAT?" I show her my printed out email (so organized) and she tells me that was a mistake. She said that was a general email to all those who missed their audition time. Are you flippin kiddin me??? "Missed their audition time??? REALLY???" Gosh, I learn something new everyday. Hmm! I didn't know you could miss your audition and have the opportunity to try again - how nice! Well, the CD knows I come from the O.C. and she says with a sad face; "I'm sorry but I can validate you parking." UGH! All that way for nothing! Oh well, my motto is, "It is what it is." So, I get to the gate and the guard says that will be $2.00. What, no, I told her my card was validated. She said sternly, "No it isn't". UGH! Well, I didn't have any cash on me so I paid with a credit card - thank you American Express! Okay, so now what do I do until 7:15pm since it's only 1:00pm???

I thought, well, my car needs to be washed so I'll just go to BMW to get it washed (free car wash, gotta save my pennies - gas, ya know). I drive all the way to _________ (well, I won't mention their name) and they tell me, "Sorry, unless you have service we don't wash your car". Okay?! So, then I decide well, I"ll drive to BMW in B_ _ _ _ _ _ I know there they must wash your car for free. But I'm going to be smart this time and call. They don't do it either. "REALLY?" I told them, well I come from the O.C. and the dealerships out there treat you like Queens, wash your car, give you water, they even have free Internet, TV, and a little cafe. Okay so I don't drive a Mazarati, but my car isn't exactly cheap. I guess I'm just SPOILED..

Well, what do I do now??? It's only 2pm? I brought my lunch cuz I'm on a constant diet (thank you HBO, lost 25lbs. so far - whoo hoo!!). So, I decided to drive to class. Beverly Hills is soo beautiful!! So, I get to Hollywood and look for a safe place to park for the next 5 hours and study my lines for my scene.

Okay, so here's the real problem. I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! I drive around and look for a nice fastfood place, but everywhere I went there were a bunch of homeless people around. NOW, I am not afraid of them, it's just that, remember, I have no cash and I'm the type of person who wants to save the world (that will be another story) so I felt guilty that I had nothing to give them and I didn't want them to think I was a stuck up snob (Yes, I do care what people think, even the homeless). So, yay, I find a Pavilions, whoo hoo!! By this time I'm ready to pee in a cup!! I run into the store, find the bathroom and it says 25 cents. OMG are you serious?? In Orange County this is, once again - A FREE THING. LOL! Remember, I don't even have a dime, thanks to my children. LOL! So, I think I'll just go buy some Atkins shakes and use my debit card to get cash back. I go to the register and what???? No debit card. Can this day get any worse? So I pull out my handy dandy American Express and ask can I get money back on this so I can use the bathroom? She said I don't know, let's see. Well, of course you know what the answer was - NO! By this time I'm about to cry! So I say thank you anyway and start to walk away. She stops me and says, "You can go to customer service and get a token". Are you serious????? All that trouble and I could've just gone to Customer Service for a token??????

Well, the lesson I learned on that day, was...NEVER BE WITHOUT AT LEAST A QUARTER FOR THE BATHROOM OR DOLLAR BILLS FOR THE HOMELESS and forget about free anything. LOL!

I'M NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!   

All You Need Is Love

Well, as the year comes to a close, I asked myself; "What did I accomplish this year?".
This year I have taken in a foster son, donated jewelry to help build fresh water wells in Africa, supported children through World Vision and Dalit Organizations and have given Boxes of Love through my church. As most of you know, I have a strong compassion for the homeless and less fortunate.

Now, I'm not bragging, this is just a a prelude to my story.

I went to an Acting Workshop in Hollywood a while ago and when I got there the only place to park was in front of a sleeping homeless man. The whole time I was in class, I kept thinking about him and was hoping he'd be there when I got out so I could give him some money. Yay! He was sitting next to his camp reading a newspaper. I went over and introduced myself and he told me his name was Lewis and shook my hand. We chatted for a bit, I gave him the money and off I went back to the O.C.
When I got home, I was soo excited to tell my husband about my new friend Lewis and that I had registered for the 3 day intensive that would be starting in 2 weeks. I kept thinking about Lewis and hoping he would be there when I returned.

The day finally approached so I packed up the Lasagne that I made the night before, some water bottles and bread and off I went. Yay! Lewis was still there sleeping so I quietly put the bag next to him with a note that said, "Have a nice day, your friend Lynnette from the O.C.", and went to class. When I got out of class, he was sitting there reading a newspaper. He thanked me for the food (he remembered me :-) ) and he asked me if I wanted him to wash my car. I said no thank you, that I didn't expect anything in return. He laughed and called me a crazy little blonde. You see, Lewis is a 7 foot African American man and here I am little Lynnette, 5 foot 2 eyes of blue..lol We chatted for awhile and I found out that he washed car windows, etc. at local gas stations for money. So, once again I rush home to tell my husband all about my friend Lewis and he thinks I'm crazy too. lol

Day Two: I get up early, pack Lewis a lunch and some cakepops that I had made for my boys (shhh don't tell) and off I go. Yay! He was awake! He shared with me an article in the newspaper about himself and how he was a rising Basketball Star until he lost his temper and had broken the nose of a very important person. He eventually got kicked off the team for repeateded violence and ended up on the streets of Hollywood. (Are you kidding me, this man was a gentle giant) I had to go to class so off I went.

After class he was waiting for me and asked me why I was so nice to him. I told him God loves a cheerful giver. Then I hugged him and back to the O.C. I went. Only this time, I stopped at the 99cent store and bought him all kinds of food, juice, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper (we all need that), socks (he had holes) and everything to wash a car inside and out.

My final day: I pack up the stuff and the food I'd made from the night before (I love to cook) and off I went sooo excited! I got there and he was sleeping so I wasn't going to leave all that stuff there. I couldn't wait for lunch time so I could surprise him. I told him..."Lewis, I have a surprise for you". He followed me to my car and he was in shock. He said why did you do that I am not needy. (not in a mean way) Because I wanted to...ya know he got tears in his eyes and said I can't accept these things. (Can you believe it?) I told him please and that I needed to get back to class, he just looked at me puzzled and then I handed him a Bible and said this is why I do what I do. It's all for God and perhaps I'm just one of His angels. So he hugged me, took the items and I went back to class. When I got out of class, he had washed my car spotless.

You see Tony Robbins has 6 important keys to life and mine just happens to be Love and Connection and I love to make people feel Special and Worthy of attention. Thank you Tony Robbins and thank you God for my ability to love.

As the Beatles put it "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE"!!

Oh and I really loved the class too!!!

Happy New Year and may God bless each and everyone of you as He has me.