Episode 20: The Long Month Of February

For the past week I've been pretty stressed out financially.  In mid January I got my California health and dental insurance situated and decided to go in for a check up at the dentist the first week of February.  There I found out some disappointing news about a cavity that could possibly lead to a root canal.  The bad part is that my dental insurance would cover none of it, it only covers cleanings and fillings. The good new's is that there's a chance that I won't need a root canal?  You see, I don't really take care of my teeth all that well so I guess I'm lucky that I have a chance at all.  I had to get a deep cleaning (which isn't covered by my insurance either) these past two days and they also let me know that not just one tooth but two may need root canals.  All in all the bill could range from $320 to $3,200.  I've been weighing my options financially and it looks like no matter what, the month of February and March will be heavy in work to pay everything off.  I'm hoping to pop out two fifty+ hour weeks out of Lyft before my next dental appointment where they'll know for sure what procedures I'll need to get. So if I end up not having to to get root canals I'll earn a good amount of money in the process.

It is what it is unfortunately.  What matters most is how I respond.  LETS GO!!!

ACTING UPDATE

While driving Lyft I've been passing out my information to director's, producers, actors, or just cool people that are in the business.  I've been writing my information on index cards to pass out so I decided to get business cards printed so I can easily pass out my information while looking more professional.

I've also started talks with friends to start up a new youtube channel.  So if anyone has any friends that want involvement, please let me know!  I'm still brainstorming as to what our "niche" will be and we'll try to get content on a monthly basis focusing on comedy videos. Hopefully starting in April.

Episode 19: DonMacatangay.com

I've been very productive since the New Year and LeiOut weekend was my "exception".  I quote LeiOut because I didn't work Lyft much that week and focused on making my acting website and finished up my Comedy Acting Reel.  Oh and let's not forget how I couldn't make it to watch finals Sunday because I was a bit indisposed,  let's say I turned up a bit too much during Sunday.

(Here's the link to my website and my Comedy Reel if you haven't seen it yet.)

DonMacatangay.com 

 I'm also still 22 runs for 22 days since the new year.  Today I ran in Hermosa Beach so I could take advantage of their mulch path to take some stress off my knees.  During the beginning of my run I was passed by someone so I took the challenge and tried to stick with him.  To make it short and sweet, he smoked me.  I went with him for about a mile before he ran me into the ground.  I'm proud that I've been so consistent running everyday since it's starting to become a habit but now I have to start picking it up so I can find my rhythm before I pick up the mileage .  

DISNEYLAND HALF MARATHON REGISTRATION STARTS FEBRUARY 10TH!!

But I'm thinking of doing the Tinkerbell Half just so I have the excuse to dress up as Rufio but that would mean I would have to wait until May 2016... SO MANY DECISIONS TO MAKE!

ACTING UPDATE

These past few days I've been really submitting myself to try to get audition's.  Hopefully a few of them pan out.  Now I probably need to start working on my dramatic reel so I can diversify in my submissions and just put more on my website.  If anyone has any suggestions on what my next project should be with acting, let me know. That can range from what video's I should shoot next or to what steps I should take to just be more successful with acting.

Episode 18: New Year, New Job.

2014 I experienced THE lowest and probably some of the highest points of my existence, which makes 2014 the most defining year of my life.  From my experiences I am truly embracing my priorities.  It has been almost 12 days into the new year and I feel that I have been really responsible.  I've ran everyday, been avidly using my climbing gym membership, working Lyft A LOT, and now getting started with my pursuit with acting since I have a "stable job".

I'm ready to make things happen in 2015! And here's 2014 in pictures!

LYFT

The morning of New Year's Eve, the day following my return to Los Angeles, I had my appointment with the DMV to register my car to California.  The Monday previous I decided on Geico for car insurance so that left with just registering my car. As unlikely as it appeared, my goal for that day was to get my car registered and be able to drive for Lyft that night.  By 1pm I got that all done and messaged Lyft with my updated information, so it all depended on when Lyft could get that done.  A part of me was hoping they wouldn't because I was a little nervous.  But around 5pm I was approved and I decided to start work at 9pm for New Years Eve.

To the right is the list of the distances of each ride I had that night.  I won't lie, the first ride I was pretty paranoid. After that it was as if that's all I wanted to do.  I started playing scenarios in my mind as to where the best places to go at certain times.  There were a lot of different characters but to my greatest surprise was that no one seemed to be ass holes.  I ended up working a little later then I initially intended but I got into bed by 4am and actually woke up the next morning to work again.  Since I've begun with Lyft I have had almost a grand total of 80 separate rides.

My only worry with Lyft is the wear and tear on my car so I've started to wait for notifications from my apartment instead of driving around wasting gas and putting miles on my car.  If a ride takes me to a place that isn't close to my apartment then I'll find a spot to park and read a book.  If the location isn't busy I'll drive to a location where I think it will be.  If I'm close enough to my apartment then I'll go home to wait for the next notification.

I've realized this job has an expiration date so I really have to be on my game as I'm not working.  My goal by the end of the year is to be able to support myself financially through acting.  That, is an over optimistic goal from someone that has gotten less than 5 paid acting gig's in the past 3 years.  I'm really hoping that this demo reel really starts casting me into roles.  I know it's a long shot but I believe I can do it.  LET'S GO!

Help me out by downloading the Lyft app using my referrel code or link!!

Referrel Code: DON043869

https://www.lyft.com/invited/DON043869

Episode 17: 361 Days Until Christmas

Another great month in the books.  All or at least most of my friends know that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. This might be blasphemy but I don't look at Christmas as the birth of Jesus, even though it is, it's much more than that. "It's... it's the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we... we... we smile a little easier, we... w-w-we... we... we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be!"

Sure, Christmas is "commercialized" but that's a damn excuse!  That doesn't stop you from going out and doing something nice for someone else.  Whether it be opening the door for people passing by, giving a friend a call that you haven't seen the past year, or even just making someone smile.  It's that time of the year you put other's before yourself in hopes that you carry that through the new year.  I love Christmas.

November was a terrific month and it just rolled into December and I dare say that this Christmas has been the best Christmas I've had.  I started it off meeting with a bunch of friends and many of them are into their career's or have started a family and It's really cool to see everyone with this new found confidence as in you can tell that they've had some experiences and they've all matured in different ways. We're all growing up.

THE ULTIMATE BAR CRAWL

That following Saturday was the night of the Ultimate Bar Crawl.  I don't even know...  That day was just amazing, from beginning to end.  From bar to bar we accumulated more and more friends and finally at the last bar we just took over the entire dance floor.  I'm not going to even try to put this experience into words because you just had to be there!

THE DISC EXCHANGE

One of MANY Christmas Miracles that happened this past week was my meeting with a Lauren Mestitz.  Our story began on January 15th, 2012 when I stumbled upon a disc at an ultimate tournament called Leiout.  On the back of the disc was a name, Lauren Mestitz, and the next day I contacted Lauren through Facebook to let her know she left her disc at Leiout; to her surprise, and my own, she had never been to the tournament before, so someone must have stolen her disc and left it in Los Angeles.  Luckily she was working/living around the Chicago area and I was returning in August for the Huizenga wedding BUT I got a little distracted and forgot... for two plus years... BUT ANYWAY on December 19th I messaged her back and was determined to reunite her with her long lost disc. FINALLY on December 22nd,  I met up with her at Fair Game, a friends board game shop in Downers Grove.

This is exactly what happened.

CHRISTMAS/ CHRISTMAS EVE

Before we get into Christmas Eve I MUST mention that my brother and his girlfriend, Becca, are now ENGAGED! It has definitely been a long time coming, they have been going out for almost a decade.  For the past few years we have started going to Becca's house for Christmas Eve, before going to Christmas Eve service, and they've had the same awesome food every year; which is something I look forward too. 

After Christmas Eve service we went to pick up my mom from work but were a few hours early so we went into a break room and learned one of the board games I bought for my cousins kids, Angie and Maria, to prepare for Christmas festivities the next day.  I've bought my cousins kids presents in the past and I try to make them themed.  This year is board games.  For the younger Aiden and Andie I got them the german game Der Schwarze Pirat (The Black Pirate) and for the older Angie and Maria I got them the game Smash Up (click on the game titles to see reviews and game play if you're interested).  Once buying their games I opened and learned how to play them before giving them their presents so they could go home with something they knew how to play.

I knew when I was little the last thing I wanted to do was read, let alone read rules to a game. UGH...

This Christmas was particularly special since three cousins that we normally don't get to see brought they're families out.  I can't remember when it was the last time we've all been together.  Sure we were missing one cousin that went to Dublin but I guess that's a valid excuse.  I just hope that it becomes a new Christmas tradition.

FILM STUFF

For all the awesome stuff that has happened, I'm ready to get back to LA to get some work done.  I'm as motivated as ever; go big or go home. 

I've officially pushing straight forward with the Lyft gig since I couldn't think of any other option that would allow me to have a flexible schedule as Lyft would allow me.  I've been stalling to transfer everything to California but the more and more I think about it the more I know that this is the right decision.  I'm on the final stretch to get my car insurance (thanks to everyone for your suggestions, it's really helped a lot), I have my title and the day after I get back I have an appointment at the DMV to get my car registered or at least find out where I can register my car.  Hopefully I'll have that all done before New Years hit's so I can work that night.

I also am almost done with my demo reel.  I really need one or two more different scenes for me to post it online before I start fully committing to submitting myself for auditions. See you soon LA.

Brainstorm With Me!

The last time we left off on my epic journey I was becoming a Lyft driver in hopes that it would free up my days for auditions.  WELL THROW THAT OUT THE WINDOW!  They're telling me I'll need to change my license plate and car insurance to California, which is understandable.  At first my insurance company said Lyft shouldn't have a problem with it since I don't own the title to my car, my dad does but I digress.

On the bright side I started working with an actual production company!  I'm still on-call with them so I don't have an actual schedule, but at least I have my foot in the door.

My acting career has progressed next to nil.  I've been working on my reel but I have yet to finish it.  I have plenty of scenes for it but probably not the range I was hoping for.  I believe if I shoot just one more scene I'll be ready to release my demo reel and start submitting myself for work again in January.


In other news this past week we shot and got our Christmas cards printed! Here's our teaser:

I actually just finished filling them all out so they're all ready to be mailed.  Maybe you'll be getting yours in the mail soon!

I'm also extremely excited to head back home for the Holidays.  I'll be back in Illinois from December 16th- December 30th.  During that time I hope to get ready for 2015 and plan out exactly what I want out of the year and how to get it.  Any suggestions or brainstorming with me is extremely encouraged because I think I need help bouncing idea's off of other people.

A Blog of THANKS

WOAH it's been almost a whole 2 months since my last blog post, THAT IS TERRRRRRRRRIBLE!

I can't help but talk about this month because it has been non-stop action.  This month I've been really focusing on what I need to do to promote myself better so I filmed a few scenes for a reel but I feel like I need more variety to show more of my "range".  With the scenes I shot I feel a little dull.  I need to show more of my "bouncing off the walls" part of me which is how I usually am.

If you want to know how awesome my month has been just look at my instagram:  DonAMacatangay

Here's a little teaser:
http://instagram.com/p/vHcyARFE3J/?modal=true

As of right now I've been scheming to see what I need to do to have my money last me as long as possible.  I've finally decided to become a Lyft driver and try to work nights as I go on audition or work on set during the day.  Since auditions and working on set aren't a for sure thing Lyft will be a flexible job that will allow me to work whenever I please. MEH, I think it's a good idea.

Every Thanksgiving I usually think of the people that have done acts of random kindness for me.  Something people don't know I do is that I try to keep a list of those acts.  This list goes back to college.

Angie Yang - helped with my run club logo in college
Kevin McPherson - covered 2013 One Love One Beach entry fee
Goat - covered 2012 Beach league
C-Note - Covered 2012 Beach League jersey
Licious - covered 2013 Beach League and jersey
Kate and Matt Shaff - offering help whenever I can to see me succeed
Alex and Eileen - Allowed me to stay at their home as I was homeless for a few months and then let me store my stuff there until I returned.
Tony Hightower - spoke with him on the phone for a while about health insurance and Obama care when I was turning 26.  He was a representative for Obama Care and he went out of his way to help me on the phone that day.
Scott and Julie Hill - Allowed me to stay at their home in Seattle before and after the boat gig
Levi Seif -Allowed me to stay at his home in Seattle before the boat gig
Joanna Whitney, DK, Mandee Mallonee, Kwok, Stephen Guerin - helped me on my resume as I reached out to production companies for work
Adam Leene - random film advice and support
Lindsay McDowell - Helping me with my reel, offered me support and straight up encouragement
Tom Becker - being so willing to act in all the scenes I've asked him for

Parents - don't get me started.

There just has to be more and I'm sorry if I forgot you but HEY, I'm human and I forget to write things down unfortunately.  It's just great to look back and see that people support you.  Doesn't matter how small or big, because just the act alone helps you push forward, and in case you do fall back you'll have someone to catch you on the way down but at the same time not taking those sacrifices for granted.  I'm a lucky guy so I give thanks and hopefully someday I can make it up to these people and let them know that their sacrifices were not in vain.

First Month Down

CLICK HERE to see my Hawaii trip late August in this sweet album!!

It's been a little more then a month since moving into the new apartment.  Besides unemployment it's been great.  Looking for a job has been a challenge and continues to be.  I guess I'm technically not unemployed since I work very part time at Art Zone and I'm on call with a production company that has me e-mail them weekly to see whether or not they have work for me but as of yet I haven't gotten any work from them.  The first 2-3 weeks of September I avidly applied to production companies.  Since acquiring the "job" at the production company I have been working on my acting resume and keeping in contact with my commercial agent.  I've also been working on putting together my acting reel to better help with finding auditions.

The last few days I've been losing focus.  I hope after writing this blog it steers me in the right direction.  I need to keep on pushing forward applying to production companies, finding leads, calling my agent, submitting to casting calls, finding appropriate scripts for my reel/memorizing the scripts I have thus far, and running consistently every morning.  I am almost done with editing the Palatine Cross Country Documentary I've been working on for the past couple years.  I want to finish it ASAP.

Family Portrait

This past weekend we had our housewarming party and damn it, we know how to throw a party.  I wished I danced more but I found something better to do.  Next time, I'll dance more.

So here's to blogging, working out, and keeping focused more consistently.

Oh, I have a date this Thursday.  Wish me luck, eh?

Later Days,
Don