My L.A. Story- A Reflection of My Time in the City of Fallen Angels

Seven years ago from April 1st, my plane landed in Los Angeles.  I was instantly pulled in by the sunshine and palm trees. I had big shades, big dreams and a 5 year plan that went something like:

• Get a production assistant job
• Write a script
• Get an agent
• Sell script
• Buy a condo
• Write another script
• Sell script that generates buzz
• Get a nice profile in Hollywood reporter
• Enjoy Hollywood and buy all the shoes I want

Well, I was able to get a really good unpaid internship when I moved out here, I mean what person with two degrees would turn down an internship with a celebrity (even if working for free was totally illegal).   Yeah that turned out to be the unglamorous version of the Devil Wears Prada…I go into more detail in this post.  Long story short, it was a typical Hollywood assistant experience.  Only this one didn’t lead to any great new opportunities.

As I tried to find new work opportunities, something called the Writer’s Strike happened. Productions ceased throughout Los Angeles and nobody had a job…except for people who worked in reality tv and I simply refused to sell out to reality television.  And as all my savings started to run out, of course I had to call on the bank of mom and dad (pretty sure they are FDIC approved). Asking for money always required that I gave a presentation…

Eventually that back up ran out…something about “we have four other kids in college, you’re the oldest and you have to figure it out.”

From that point life kinda spiraled into a downward succession of suckiness.  It was a dark place.  I was convinced that even though, I loved Los Angeles it hated me.  I call this period of life “L.A. Hates Me”. I choose not to dwell on the moments I had to face real life and get a real job that couldn’t cover my real bills because Los Angeles is a real expensive city and ended up real depressed.

I feel like I made it to the other side.  Living in this city toughened me up.  First it handed my ass back to me on a tray but then it toughened me…I would even say it bettered me.  I learned what I was made of. I realized that everybody has to go through some challenges to see their dreams come to life.  Bad credit, selling my car (to cover rent), facing evictions…none of that could scare me from pursuing what I ultimately wanted to do.

And here I am.  Not exactly where I want to be but doing what I love.  Biblically speaking, 7 is the number of completion. In the 7 years that I have been in L.A., I can say that I needed all those years to become the woman that I am.  I needed that time to develop my skills and to be comfortable in the fact that this is indeed what I want to do in life.  Although I always knew what I wanted to do in life, I now know that I have what it takes to succeed.

#ToastTip: Be positive, stick with it, keep the faith and you will soon see the light! #Church