The Wirk auditioned for a TV commercial

Have you ever auditioned for a TV commercial?  I recently had my first audition for a TV commercial and let me tell you about that experience. 

First I was asked by the casting agency if I'd like to audition.  ****  "Sure, why not?" is what I told myself. 

Next I filled out a profile with my measurements and other vital stats.  ****  This was a hilarious experience.  If I've been measured since high school, I don't recall the experience.  Needless to say my numbers have changed (i.e. not drastically, but yes - they changed).  I located the tape measure and sought some privacy away from my husband to measure my waist line.  When I came back and gave him the number, he laughed and said that there was no way that my number was actually my waist measurement.  For a physical challenge, he asked me to try on his jeans to see if I'd fit.  Hellooooooooo.  I've played this game before and YES, men's pants are big on me.  Ultimately my husband and I figured out the problem.  I measured my waist line sitting down.  Whatever.  I'm not a seamstress.  How was I supposed to know?

I needed a photographer so I asked my friend to shoot headshots for me.  I've been asked for professional headshots at work before, so I thought that I could kill two birds with one stone.  I was correct.  The shots were/are perfect for my needs.

Finally, I reviewed and memorized the sides.  I only needed to learn one page of material, but I went ahead and memorized both pages.  For someone, like me who can remember song lyrics from more than 20 years ago, I should've recorded my lines and listened to them over and over and over and over again to facilitate this process.

When it came time to actually audition the whole experience took 10 minutes.  I was paired up with another person and we both took two, on-camera takes.  One of us would do the lines we studied, while the other person did a cold read of the other lines.

All in all, it was a fun experience!  As I left the studio, I took a look at the other people who were waiting to audition.  It was also interesting to see people that look similar to, but yet different than, me in one room.

Here are my 3 takeaways from the audition:
1 - I'm not ready to quit my REAL job (i.e. which is actually a career that I'm extremely passionate about).
2 - I have more empathy for Joey Tribbiani (i.e. the character from Friends) now.  Maybe his character is smarter than I give him credit for... 
3 - I'm still a big nerd when it comes to being on camera.  At sporting events, I'm the girl who secretly wishes that she's put on the jumbotron, but the minute I see myself I "duck and cover".
4 - I'll stick to background work (i.e. for now).

What an experience!


THE WIRK

Kings Dominion reminds me of Kings Island, which then reminds me of the Brady Bunch

I grew up going to Kings Island in Mason, Ohio for my amusement park experiences.  Actually, I remember watching a Brady Bunch episode and noticing that they were at Kings Island too...  I just did a quick Google search and it looks as though it's been 40 years or so since that episode was filmed and 3 of the Brady Bunch cast members were at Kings Island a few days ago!  Weird how the world and my timing works...

Watch the original Brady Bunch "The Cincinnati Kids" episode with some pop-up video flair (i.e. that I found on YouTube) here:



Anyway, a few weeks ago my husband and I made our inaugural visit to Kings Dominion is Doswell, VA.

Maybe because I'm older and bigger, but it seemed as though Kings Dominion was smaller than I remembered Kings Island to be.  It's been ages since I've been to Kings Island, so I really can't remember... 

For the records, when it comes to Cedar Fair properties, my favorite has to be Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio!  ****  If you're a roller coaster aficionado and you haven't been to Cedar Point, you're only cheating yourself.

Intimidator

Since it's the motion of the ride and size doesn't matter, my husband and I enjoyed our trip to Kings Dominion.  We took advantage of the Fast Lane Plus wristband and rode most of the rides we wanted with minimal waiting time in line.  For those of you that have the means, and who don't want to risk spending most of the day in a line, I HIGHLY recommend the purchase.  According to the park's website, you'll need the "Plus" option in order to "Enjoy all of the Fast Lane attractions PLUS, unlimited rides on Intimidator 305 and Volcano."

Dominator

Take a break between all the rides and enjoy a funnel cake and/or soft pretzel!  Eating is half the fun...

Towards the end of the afternoon, my husband had a headache so I didn't have a chance to ride the Berserker (i.e. the pirate ship).  That was fine...  I remember that ride from my youth.  Honestly, I can ride any roller coaster, but I swear...  Nothing tickles my tummy more than being on the end of that ship (i.e. high in the air) and you feel like you're going to fall out right before you swing down!

I love amusement parks... and funnel cake...


THE WIRK

Chris Dickerson is the hero with his walk-off 3 run homerun ~ Orioles defeated the Tigers

 My husband is from the UK, so he's impressionable when it comes to US sports.  I was able to spark his love of baseball (i.e. at Orioles Park in Baltimore last year), so it was a no-brainer that I needed to take him to watch Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers take on the Baltimore Orioles. 

Miguel Cabrera at bat

Prince Fielder is a big man...

It was a gorgeous Friday night for a baseball game and as usual we couldn't help but indulge in the food on the concourse.  I had the compulsory funnel cake and cheesesteak sandwich, and even had a bit of his soft crab sandwich from Old Bay Seafood.  I'm originally from Southwestern Ohio.  When you say "seafood", I think of Red Lobster and I get excited.  ****  If you say you don't like Red Lobster, I think you're lying.  It's good.  Have you seen this sandwich?  If you look closely, you can actually see the crab's shape.  After some coaxing, I reluctantly took a small bite of his sandwich.  It wasn't for me, but he enjoyed it very much.

We were behind home plate and to our surprise there were plenty of Detroit Tigers fans around us.  Seeing as though my husband and I really didn't have a dog in the fight, we appreciated the offense from both squads.

The flow of the game seemed to favor the Detroit Tigers, but the Baltimore Orioles' bats had been HOT in previous games (i.e. which were unfortunately against the Washington Nationals) so I knew that you should never count the O's out. 

I expected the Orioles to rally, but I NEVER expected to see Chris Dickerson hit a walk-off 3 run homerun in the bottom of the 9th! 

Moments like that are exactly why true fans don't leave the park until the final out is called.  Orioles win!!!

THE WIRK

Brian McKnight's concert at The Howard Theatre ~ $1/minute

Brian McKnight performed at the Howard Theatre and I went to check out the show.  I'd seen him perform at least one time prior, so I knew what to expect (i.e. ballads and very little, if any dancing/choreography).  He still hits the notes and plays the crowd favorites.  He even performed some of his newer music. 

I listened for my favorites and took in the crowd when I was "bored". I caught the earlier of two shows that night so I have to admit that I felt that the best word to describe the performance member is "uninspired". 

Is it just me or does a member of his band, like the song more?

When I am bored at events, my mind starts to wander.  Next, I start calculating the price per minute for the event that I'm attending.  ****  This is also a calculation I perform prior to booking a spa appointment for a massage.  I'm a "value for money" girl for experiences that can be repeated so try my best to find a quality spot that offers the service for $1/minute. 

It wasn't my first rodeo...  Brian McKnight performed for about an hour, so at approximately $60 for the ticket, I'm satisfied.  However, something tells me that the lady, he brought on stage, received the most for her money!  See for yourself below...

THE WIRK

Rescheduled Rihanna concert or full refund? I'll take the refund.

I decided to skip Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour on April 24 in Baltimore.  It was a rescheduled date, since she had laryngitis earlier.  Originally I looked forward to the concert, but as the date approached I had a change of heart.

I'd seen/heard Rihanna perform before.  I heard her when she opened for Kanye West on his Glow in the Dark Tour in 2008.  She also performed (i.e. a year or so ago) during an NBA All-Star weekend, and I thought it was great.

However, last week I just couldn't motivate myself to go and see her again.  Maybe it is/was all the entertainment news about her and Chris Brown.  With their make ups and break ups on display for everyone with internet access and entertainment television, all that on and off and on and off again, turned me off.  When given the opportunity to receive a full refund from Ticketmaster, I pounced.

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm just not a Rihanna fan anymore.  I enjoyed her early material (e.g. "If it's Lovin' That You Want", "Umbrella") but in hindsight I had buyer's remorse and wasn't willing to pay approximately $140 to see and hear her newer material.  Yes, there are are couple of her newer songs I enjoy, but there aren't ten.  There may not even be 5.

Further, with all the Chris Brown nonsense, Rihanna just seems so "emotionally heavy" and drama filled that I didn't think I would've enjoyed the show.  Different strokes for different folks, but personally I think all of that mess sends a bad, mixed message to girls.

I'm sure if you're true Rihanna fan, you enjoyed the concert.  You may have even had the time of your life.  I was happy I was able to stay home, and I can't wait to see the full refund appear on my credit card statement.  I can watch the light-hearted, happy Rihanna anytime I want on youtube.




THE WIRK

Reds prevent being swept by the Nats on Barry Larkin's birthday

Today is Barry Larkin's birthday.  If you don't know who Barry Larkin is, you don't know anything about baseball.  I'm from Ohio, and the Cincinnati Reds play an hour away from where I grew up.  My "first team" was the Reds.

Today the Reds wrapped up their series against the Washington Nationals, and today the Reds won (i.e. preventing a sweep).

It wasn't the most exciting baseball game.  I was late to Nationals Park and by the time I left the Diamond Lounge (i.e. with a full plate of food) the Reds were up 2-0.  Ummm, ok.  Hoping that the Nats would rally back I sat through the rain and some horrible Nats pitching.  Ross Detwiler (i.e. who usually comes through for the squad) wasn't able to get it done.  Don't even start me about Henry Rodriguez's speed and complete lack of accuracy...  At least, I didn't have to see Tyler Clippard on the mound today...  Ugh...

The Nats are off to battle the Atlanta Braves on Monday, and Stephen Strasburg will be on the mound.


THE WIRK

Mike Tyson's Undisputed Truth ~ Up Close and Personal in DC

Friday night I went to see Mike Tyson perform his Undisputed Truth show.  I was there, front row, dead center...  When I heard Mike was coming to DC, I bought my ticket right away.  I wasn't going to miss it.

I don't remember when it was, but a year or so ago, my dad told me that a casino offered him a chance to meet and greet Mike Tyson.  My dad isn't like me.  He couldn't have cared less.  I, on the other hand, looked at flights and tried to determine whether I had the energy to rearrange my schedule and go.  Needless to say, the trip didn't happen.

Friday night, I took one of my pink boxing gloves to the Warner Theatre and hoped that Mike would sign it. When I got to the show, I noticed on the memorabilia table, that there was an autographed Mike Tyson boxing glove.  I asked the guy and he said that Mike autographed a bunch and they were give aways at a previous show.  That was the last one left.  Yes, I grabbed it.  The glove is MINE and if you want to make an offer (i.e. which I will refuse, because it's my newest "precious thing"), feel free to reach out.

 

When I was younger, I played Mike Tyson's Punch Out.  I could only beat Glass Joe and maybe the guy after him.  My brother loved the game.

I watched Holyfield v Tyson.  I remember the ear.  When I saw Evander trying to get into the Georgia Dome (i.e. without a ticket, so he was denied) at a Falcons game, I'll admit I tried to get a good look at his ear.

I've stayed at the Canterbury Hotel in Indianapolis.  I didn't think he was guilty.

I never really watched Mike Tyson fight.  "Pay-per-view" never happened at my house, and I remember Mike's fights not lasting very long at all anyway.  He dominated.  It was basically a no brainer.  Mike Tyson would win. 

Shoot to Friday...  When the curtain raised, I had Mike Tyson sitting on a stool, staring right at me.  WOW.  Look at his face.  That is intense.  The former heavy-weight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, was right in front of me, and I was ready to hear what he had to say.

Mike's Undisputed Truth isn't all about his career.  He shares his feelings about his mom, dad, Cus D'Amato, Muhammad Ali, Robin Givens, Don King, Evander Holyfield, and his kids.  He covers a lot of ground in 90 minutes.  I'm not going to spoil the show for you by telling his jokes.  If you want to know what he has to say, go to his show. 

In front of a packed house (i.e. I turned around and looked), Mike performed the cliff notes version of his life.  As he talked about the various stages of his life, slides flashed on the screen.  The images added color to the well thought out script.  The tough times were made lighter with some self-deprecating humor and I get a sense that Mike really is happy now.  Mike Tyson is entertaining.

At the meet and greet after the show, I found him to be very gracious and polite.  I told him I was a fan, that I used to play Mike Tyson's Punch Out -- but that I wasn't very good.  He smiled and said, "Thank you."

Photo credit: Kevin Hulse

He's obviously not ready to fight, but he looks fit.  He looks happy.  He reached his hand out for a handshake and although he looks intimidating, it was like I was reconnecting with an old friend.  As I walked away he asked, "Who are you here with, ma'am?"

I simply replied, "Myself.  Just me."  I wouldn't have missed it for the world. 


THE WIRK