Behind the Scenes, Preparing for Stay: Did You Say "Contest?"

Today was a blur, but damn, it was an exciting day!!! From the moment I woke up, there was not a moment of peace.  The day sort of went like this:  Woke up, showered, answered emails, tweeted, vocal warm up, rehearsed song, drove to Brooklyn, recorded for 4 1/2 hours like my life depended on it, drove to production office to review photos & resumes of actors and actresses auditioning for the video tomorrow, called management, got messages, drove home, gave a friend in crisis advice for an hour, cleaned the house, oh, shoot, I forgot to pick up my new publicity pictures...where was I?

Yes...answered emails, checked facebook, revised the script for tomorrow and writing this blog.  I still have to memorize my lines for the auditions!  This is so exciting!  Tomorrow there will be 3 women and 11 men coming to audition for the video for the new single, Stay.  We're looking to cast a man to play my boyfriend/husband of another and a woman to play his wife.  Although the part of the wife is a minor role, we need her.  And casting the man will be very important. We want to be sure there is good chemistry on camera between the two of us. We, the director and his staff, have made it clear we want it to be believeable that this man would be my boyfriend...not too young or too old. 

Today I stopped by the production studio to take a look at the photos and resumes of actors auditioning tomorrow.  May I just say that there are some BEAUTIFUL people in New York and New Jersey!!!  I mean, wow!  Not only are they beautiful, but they were all so pleasant on the phone.  I have to admit it's been fun searching for the right ones; wondering what they will be like when the "pictures" come to life.  I wish you could be a fly on the wall tomorrow, lol!

Anyway, I have to memorize my lines now...I haven't acted in a long time....I'm really nervous and at the same time, I am SO confident that the right people will show up tomorrow and we will have what we need for the next step.  By the way, the man I met in court yesterday called me today...AND he's single!! Hurray!!  There was only small talk because I was so busy, but I'll keep you posted on that one!  Navy Guy called today too, but I missed  his call, darn!!

In case you've not heard, we are conducting a contest where three fans (and a guest per winner) will win a spot to have VIP access to the filming of the Stay video, meet and greet with me and a special giveaways as well. If you're interested, visit http://www.judytorres.com/contest  PLEASE BE SURE TO READ  the rules for entry and finally email your photo with your information to contest@judytorres.com - that is the email address needed to submit your entry. It's going to be so much fun, and interesting for us to have that kind of experience together!  Going to rehearse now...man, my throat is killing me! Okay, I love you, buh bye!

More Humble Pie, Please?

Still sick, coughing up a lung at this point, but I think the new medication is beginning to work.  Got dressed, facebooked, myspaced, tweeted and flew out the door to go to work. I was assigned to assist the Haitian Congregation of the Good Samaritan Church in the Bronx, from 12pm - 6pm.  I was to go there, and call into the station reaching out to the listeners and asking them to bring donations.  Turns out these donations are for Haitians in the community who are stranded here.  They were visiting family here before the earthquake hit Haiti, and they are now forced to stay in NY.  They're completely unprepared:  no winter coats, not enough toiletries.  Some cannot even get a job while they're here due to lack of proper documentation.  I was told it costs almost $500 just to assist one person, one person!!!  

I was to call once an hour.  That's all I really needed to do.  I was moved by the interns who work at the station.  They were greeting passers-by with big smiles in spite of the cold.  I decided to go out and help.  At first I was surprised at my initial shyness.  It is a bit awkward asking strangers for money.  Hm.  Is that how homeless people feel when they ask?  I was getting too cold, my chest hurting from the cold dry air seeping into my phelgm filled lungs.  I'm sorry - was that too graphic?  LOL.  Well, I almost couldnt' feel my toes, and my feet were killing me about 2 hours in.  "That's it!"  I told myself. "I'm going back inside..." and then I was appalled by my own thought:  "I don't need to be doing this."  I had a diva moment - an ugly diva moment.  And then I watched her...this woman from the church...a stranger.

She had to be in her 50's or so, maybe 60's...right around mom's age.  There she was in a thin coat, literally running up to people from across the street with her little bag.  "Donations, please?  Can you help the Haitian people?"  I watched as she ran to the next person and the next, with questioning,  hopeful eyes.  And then, unexpectedly, she humbled me. She was crying.  She UNDERSTOOD the needs of these victims.  She was feeling with them, for them. She KNEW how much they needed because she'd been working with the families directly trying tirelessly to get them food, shelter, jobs, money, paper credentials.  I felt worse than ever.  I was ashamed of myself.  And she changed my mind.

I sucked it up, went to my car, put on my sneakers and got to work.  About an hour before we were done, a big Frito Lay truck came with a  LOAD of boxes with a little bit of everything; a school teacher brought along what his students had donated.  That last hour was a hard one.  The sun was going down.  We were all frozen; the running had slowed to a walk; we had become almost silent, but we went until 6pm.  

My fingers were curled and frozen stiff.  I think I dropped my nose.  And we all went inside and counted what we had collected $416.70. A great effort, but it costs $500 per person to help.  This woman was grateful  She hugged me, thanked us all and smiled.  I thanked her too - for reminding me that giving of one self is more important than feeling comfortable...she served me a piece of humble pie...and it tasted GOOD!!! 

If you would like to help the Haitian Congregation of Good Samaritan Church, they still welcome your cash donations, non-perishable foods, baby supplies, medical supplies, first aid supplies, and outerwear such as coats, gloves, boots, hats, etc.  661 East 219th Street, Bronx, NY  718-881-3779. Please help them.  Until today I didn't realize how big the need is.  Thank you and be blessed!!!