Beginning of June Update!

Just a few updates---I have officially moved into my apartment with my roommate, Jodi. There are boxes everywhere, still, but everything is here. We've signed the lease, and it is ours! I feel so incredibly blessed. I live in a great location for opportunities in the entertainment business and to join community based events. I get to drive by some of the studios every day, and that keeps the dream alive!

I've also been writing more songs lately. Unfortunately, they all deal with the same person and situation, and though I love the songs I've written about that, I think it's time to put that subject matter to rest for a while. I have two more song ideas in my head for that, and a few more written down. Once I write those, I'm going to be finished with it. I believe that will put my total songs about that personal matter to 15. That's the length of a decent album. Haha!

On the job front, it's an uphill battle, my friends. I'm still hosting at a restaurant, but moving as put me quite far away from it, so I'm hoping that I can find something closer. Gas is not cheap, (Though, I found myself rejoicing when I saw it was $4.03 the other day.) and traffic is so unpredictable. I'm hoping to get a graveyard shift at a hospital or even work on a studio lot. We'll see what happens!

I feel so happy to be out here. For the first time in my life, I'm not always wishing to "get out" or just to be somewhere else. I'm where I've always dreamed of being. Such a nice feeling. I do still miss home, sometimes. I've found my southern accent coming out more and more here lately. Haha. Luckily, there are a lot of Texans here. :) I just feel so lucky that I get to wake up in sunny Los Angeles, knowing a live close to where the magic happens both in music and film. I get to see mountains every day. I marvel that palm trees grow right next to trees I'd only ever seen in Colorado. I sit in wonder at this beautiful place God has created. Thank you, my Adonai. :)

(Note: The picture above is of one of the balconies at the El Capitan. I went to see the new Pirates movie there, and met Jerry Bruckheimer. It was amazingly surreal. I was walking toward the ladies room, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone was looking at me, so I turned and said, "Hello, how are you?" [I remember thinking he looked familiar, but I thought he was someone I'd met that I'd just forgotten his name.] He replied he was fine, and I said, "I'm glad," and walked off. As I was going down the stairs, I said to Jodi, "I think I just met Jerry Bruckheimer." I resolved that if he was in the same place when we went back up, I'd introduce myself. He was, and I did. He was very nice, and just a little reserved. You just never know who you're going to run into.)

Kara And I Being Silly! Whimsidork!

It Can Happen To YOU!!!

It hurts how stupid I can be, sometimes. There are some situations in life you hear about, but you never think they will actually happen to you. Here is an example of one of those situations that happened to me.

I got home tonight a little before midnight from work, tired and ready to be relaxing. I had to park a few blocks from the apartment because there was no parking nearby. As I was walking, I situated my car key between my right index finger and my middle finger, so that if an attacker came along, I'd be able to swing my arm and hopefully injure whatever body part the key found. As I crossed my street onto the opposite sidewalk, I heard someone say, "Hey." I turned around, and there in a newer-model Volkswagen Jetta, was an Indian man in his mid-to-late 40s. Thinking he may need directions, I replied, "Yes?" and stepped just a few feet from the car. "Do you live around here?" he asked. I told him I lived a ways down the street. He said he was looking for an apartment, and I asked what address. He didn't have an address that he was looking for. Then, he said he was looking for a rental. At this, I thought, "Aren't all apartments rentals?" That should have been a red flag. I also noticed, there seemed to be no luggage or boxes in the back of his car. Another red flag. I then proceeded to tell him about Westside Rentals and how you register and look for apartments on a website. Then, he said, as he was in the middle of the road in his car, that he'd better pull over so he didn't get a ticket. I told him he wasn't going to get a ticket, but he pulled over anyway. Then he changed subjects, "How old are you?" "In my 20s," I replied. He introduced himself as Chris, and we shook hands. "Are you single?" That question, though, I replied, "Yes, I am," was finally the one that made me realize that this was not a good situation. He asked if we could talk for five minutes, to which I said we could not because I had a friend waiting for me that was ready to go. He pleaded with me, but I was firm that I had to go, and walked away. I heard him speed his car the opposite way, and then I ran home.

So many mistakes made.

1) It's almost midnight. Why the freak did I even stop to talk to this creep? I should have just said I was in a hurry, kept walking, and kept an eye out for his return.

2) Why did I even tell him I lived down the street? I mean, some would support this because it means that someone might be expecting you, which would ward off an attacker because he would want to have as much time possible between taking his victim and someone finding out. However, I just opened up a new can of worms by telling him this because, now he knows a young girl lives on this street. You can bet I'll be watching my back oh, so carefully.

3) He's looking for a rental...All apartments are rentals...Unless he's looking for a condo. This man isn't sure what he's talking about. No luggage or boxes, looking for an apartment to "rent" at NIGHT. Should have been a HUGE red flag.

4) Changing the subject from "apartment hunting" to "let's get to know each other." "Can we talk for 5 minutes?" Inevitably, if I'd said yes, he would have gotten out of the car to "talk" which probably would have lead to kidnapping, rape, or even sex-trafficking. Thank goodness I AT LEAST knew not to let him get out of the car around me.

5) We shook hands. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I DID THAT! Even as I did it, I knew I shouldn't have. Ladies, WE NEED NOT BE SO FRIENDLY! He could have taken hold and pulled me into his vehicle, and I'd never be heard from, again. DO NOT TOUCH STRANGERS!!!

I think a lot of us girls think when an attacker comes, it'll be all showy like the movies. There will be a surprise attack, some physical altercation where we can use our martial arts skills that we think we know, hit him a few times with our purses, and get away. However, I'm discovering more often than not situations that lead to kidnapping or worse often start a little more "innocent." For example, remember when we were little and we were taught not to go with strangers offering free candy in their vans because they would kidnap us? Now, these low-lifes use that same kind of tactic to prey on women through their words and malicious smiles bathed in a fake syrup of sincerity, "You're so beautiful. I find you intriguing interesting, and I possibly might love you and marry you one day. Let's talk for a little while. Will you go out with me?" I have had TWO men drive up next to me now, and show "interest." The first was in broad daylight on a busy road last week, and second was the one I just told you about.

Now, family who reads this, know that I AM OKAY, and I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN.

You can bet I debated on posting this story. I hate admitting when I've messed up, but I'm hoping by reading this someone will be better off for it. The Lord would not let me sleep in my bed tonight until I wrote this and posted it. PLEASE, SHARE WITH EVERY LADY YOU KNOW.

"Just Gotta Have Faith"

Hello! It's a beautiful sunny day here in LA. I just got home from my internship a little bit ago. I've been interning with an agency for two months, now, but I had to put in my two-weeks notice today. The jobs that I'm pursuing want more availability, and I have to focus on making ends meet more than doing what I actually want for a while. I have truly loved getting to know the agents I work with, and the business from their point of view. I'll miss going there every Monday and Wednesday.

On the job front, I start training to be a hostess tomorrow at a restaurant. I'm hoping to eventually become a waitress there. Also, I met with a nannying agency last week, so I'm hoping I'll get sent out for interviews soon, and if that picks up, I'll make it my full-time position instead of waitressing.

I've been feeling quite down on myself lately for not having a good job. I'm down to the wire on money, and I've been worried sick over it. I've only been out here two months, and I really don't want to send myself home. I believe God has control over everything, though, so I'm hoping He's just trying to teach me to have more faith and patience. Haha!

So, in conclusion, things are moving, slowly but surely. "Just gotta have faith"---Thanks Violet. ;)

Blessings,

Lindsay

Music Video for Moby's "After" Edited By BK Garceau

Hey, y'all!

Here is a music video that I had the pleasure of being a part of! It's a new Moby song called, "After." My wonderful friend, BK Garceau III edited it beautifully, so check out his other videos, too! If you have a Vimeo account, please comment on the video, too, because BK would enjoy some feedback. Thanks!

http://vimeo.com/23476133

MOBY - "AFTER" (Hello, Future) from BK Garceau, III on Vimeo.

God Bless America

Tonight, the world received the news that the United States killed Osama Bin Laden. What news! My first reaction was disbelief. It has been ten years since the brutal attack on our country, and I had lost hope that we would ever find him. My second reaction when I realized it was true was sadness. I found myself feeling sorry for him. Yes, he did terrible things and he deserved to be brought to justice, but I really wanted to hug him. I am one of those people that always believes in the good in people. I figure, if we show them enough love, they'll turn from wanting to hurt others. I know this may not always be true, but I'm sure it could help someone. My third reaction was a mixture of relief and wanting to celebrate. He is gone, and we'll not worry about him, again.

I do fear retaliation. I am not sure what that future will hold, but I know we'll meet it well. People may say that fairytales are not real and that they set us up for a fall. However, there is one concept that is always right and true. That good will prevail. He is good and He will prevail.

I love the United States and what we stand for, and I am glad good people are willing to fight to keep us safe. I am glad we are a country founded under God.

God Bless America.

Bishop of London's Sermon

The Bishop of London wrote a really powerful speech for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and I wanted to share.

Written transcript of the Bishop of London's speech:

http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/blog/2011/April/29/The-Bishop-of-London-s-Sermon

Video of the Bishop of London's sermon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1vh-zWt9h8