Life – Page 3

I Work Out

I’m currently in the process of trying to get right. Like everyone else, I came into the new year with goals to drop weight–but not for the sake of resolutions or simply being healthy but because I’m going to Greece in August! I’m going to be on a yacht cruising around Greece and I need to look my own personal very best. I mean there will be Facebook photos and Greek men! When I think Greece I think John Stamos, Greek gods, Kostos (the guy from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and John Stamos again.

So with that in mind, I have made it a personal mission to workout and eat right. However there is one problem. Sure, I miss all the unhealthy foods that I’m not supposed to eat but I can deal with that. It’s the working out part.

Whenever I go for a run, the whole time I ask myself why? What am I running for? Who does this for fun? So then my friends suggest that I try other exercises such as Zumba or Crossfit. Now that I think about it–these are probably are NOT my friends. Who would encourage me to go to a class where I am reminded that I am one of the rhythm-less black girls (see post here) or do Crossfit? Nothing about Crossfit seems fun to me. Actually it seems dangerous. If I was looking for ways to die while losing weight-I’d just go find some FDA unapproved diet pills and take without consulting my doctor.

The problem with working out is also that I am a sweaty girl. That whole “girls don’t sweat we glow” saying is a lie! To the point it effects what time I workout. For example: If I have to be at work by 8, not only do I have to factor in the time to shower and get to work after my workout, I have to take in consideration how long it will take to cool off before getting in the shower. If I don’t cool off before my shower, I will start back sweating after the shower. Yeah that’s a 4:30AM wake up call. No thank you!

Then there is the pain. I get it, no pain no gain. But when the idea of walking down the stairs is too painful, then we gotta reconsider. Who are these folks who endorse “the burn”? That sounds like torture. It sounds like literally walking into the gates of hell and jumping into the lake of fire. After a “great” workout why do my arms feel like spaghetti and my legs have no feelings?

But even with all of my griping and complaining and my eternal hate for working out- I will still do it. Because John Stamos.

January 29, 2015March 24, 2015 by Twilla Amin Categories: HealthTags: Church, confessions, feature, Fitness, get fit, Greece, John Stamos, Life, look good naked, Resolutions, Single, vacation, working out 1 Comment

Boredom

My life is boring. Like seriously, if you were to ask me what I did for fun I would not be able to answer and if I did answer, I would have to say that my Sunday naps are the highlight of my life. I like to read, I like to travel, I like to shop and I love to sleep. Most of my everyday life consist of writing, editing or running the day to day operations for LackToast Entertainment. Wow…I even managed to make that sound mundane.

Why do I share this with you? Maybe because I have this strong urge to hop on a plane and go explore the world. Get lost traveling in Brazil, hiking in Peru, sleeping on the beaches of the Mediterranean…doing anything but sitting in front of my computer and staring at youtube videos of cute kittens!

I want to LIVE! If you are calling me dramatic right now, you may be justified. I realize that there are more things in life to write about and to concern myself with. However, I am too bored out of mind to even care! I need to shake things up. I’m 31 and I have never had a one night stand…mostly because it’s out of my character, I’m scared of STD’s, I feel like sex is a bit more sacred than that and I would hate to randomly get preggers by a fly by night fling (yeah I know the chances of that happening are slim to none)…I digressed.

Basically Bible camp ruined any of my chances for walking out the free liberated life style. I need suggestions to add more excitement. Like choosing mango sorbet over vanilla ice cream, sprinkling Tajin on my fruit and veggies or maybe ordering a quesadilla instead of a salad at Chipotle. Help me people, I am desperate. Any suggestions?

June 18, 2014June 18, 2014 by Twilla Amin Categories: My rantsTags: confessions, Life, Life Issues, rant, Retrospect for Life, safe sex, smh, Solutions Leave a comment

Commitment Issues

The next time I talk to my friend and he tells me about how he and his picture perfect family (wife and two kids) spent the day together doing nice family things and I respond “how blessed you are” and then he replies “you got your siblings” I promise I will say some unkind words!

I hate smug married/coupled up people’s condescending remarks to single people. Okay, I know he probably wasn’t trying to be the smug douche that he came off as…in fact I can say that some of it had to do with me and the fact that I am pretty much over being single. But c’mon people in relationships! Do I really need to give you a list of what NOT to say to people who are single?

I won’t give you a full list but just know that some of the things on the list include: 1) I remember when I was single, it was so much easier or 2) you are so lucky, you don’t know how good you have it or 3) you’re not lonely, you have your mom/dad/brother or sister.

Seriously? If you say these things, you deserve to be kicked in your throat. But that is not why I am writing. I am writing mostly because I had my own personal “aha” moment. I realized that although I am over being single, I have not committed to the idea of dating.

I am probably one of the few women who HATES dating. The entire process is so phony to me. Everyone sends their representative, says all the things that they think you want to hear, plays childish dating games and ultimately end up wasting precious time and emotions. Listen, I am over 30. I don’t have time to play college games. What are we doing? Can I get to know the real you? If you are only looking for sex, I am not the one. If you are only looking to “kick it” go away. These are the things I hate having to sift through. I don’t understand why it takes so much work.

I am fine with committing to my career. I am fine working long hours and sacrificing sleep for something I know will yield a benefit. When it comes to dating, I am not willing to do the same thing for a maybe. And I can admit that I’m tired of my heart being hurt so I am extra cautious. I really just have a low tolerance for bullshit. Is it possible to date without the crap?

My biological clock is ticking and I currently am the living version of Katherine Heigl’s character in 27 dresses… how’s the online dating scene?

May 29, 2014April 3, 2015 by Twilla Amin Categories: My rants, The Black SJPTags: confessions, Dating, Douche, Life, Life Issues, Love, rant, Relationships 1 Comment

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

April 3, 2014April 3, 2015 by Twilla Amin Categories: Career, Film Fatale, The Black SJPTags: 20 something, assistants, Career, Church, Hollywood, intern, Life, Life Issues, Los Angeles, Retrospect for Life, Toast Tip, ToastTip 1 Comment

Confessions of a Frequent Flyer

I love to travel. I live for the opportunity to visit a new place, observe the culture, sample new foods and absorb the history. It’s something about a new place and different people that reminds me how beautifully diverse our world is. *cue PBS documentary music* However, I wish there was an alternative to getting one place to another. I know driving across the globe is not an option but I kinda wish it was.

As a person who travels frequently one would think that I enjoy flying or at least get used to it but the truth of the matter is flying kind of scares me! Take off and landing terrify me! It is the moment when all sort of stuff goes on thru my head…most of which includes the plane exploding.

When I tell folk how I really feel about flying, they are quick to remind me “yeah but flying is safer than driving a car.” And to them I have two answers… 1) statistically speaking the more I fly, the more I am at risk of being in a plane crash and 2) how often do you hear of someone walking away uninjured from a plane crash? Not often because there is no such thing as a plane fender bender. Plane crashes are catastrophic and there is no way to water that down.

As if the risk of plummeting from a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet wasn’t enough, I come across this article and this one which only confirms that I should be just as concerned while I am in the air. Please read the links so that you can be just as bothered as I am. And allow me to highlight the following:

Pilots sleep during flight? Who is flying the plane dammit?!?! A computer? Is that what happened to the Malaysia flight?

Those oxygen mask only provide you with a 15 minutes supply of air? How am I supposed to breath with no air?

There is so much about these airplane truths that make me uncomfortable! The one about people stealing life jackets really did me in.

No! Not cool! Souvenirs? You people ought to be ashamed? Putting other passengers’ lives at risk because you want to have a memory of your flight to Topeka? It is there for emergency situations not your sentimental purposes!

So no, I don’t like flying…at all. For now I will continue to book my tickets all for the thrill of another stamp in my passport. Maybe on my next flight, something this cool will happen:

Seriously how cool would it be to have this be your serenade for take off and landing? What if flying was a Disney experience…it would be the happiest flight (read least terrifying) flight ever!

March 26, 2014April 1, 2014 by Twilla Amin Categories: My rantsTags: confessions, Life, Life Issues, rant, smh, Solutions Leave a comment