The road to where?

I feel suffocated.  Like I seriously can not breathe right now, yet I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs, “WHEN WILL I GET TO WORK IN MY CRAFT?!!!!!!!!!” My God.  How much patience does one have to have?  I’m so fed up with everything and everyone right now.  I deserve better.  Yes I do.  I’ve promoted people and products that I actually believe in for free, with the belief that if you do good for people that good will come back to you. 

I want to audition.  Now.

Not for a part as a hooker, or a drug addict.  Not for a stereotypical, Aunt Jemima finger snapping, head twisting urban role.  I want to audition for a part that has multiple dimensions.  I want to breathe……life……into…..a….script.  I’m sick of Hollywood and the quasi whatevers.  How about YOU PEOPLE give someone with training and passion a chance to audition for a part that means something?  Politics suck.  You email someone as a follow up and they never respond.  How about YOU PEOPLE keep it real and say thank you but don’t expect an answer because I don’t respond to my emails.  That is way more truthful and respectable than just simply not answering. 

I can not breathe.  Its like I’m having a panic attack 24/7.  I left the country 2 weeks ago just so that I COULD BREATHE. and I did……I was breathing so well.  So relaxed.  You know why?  Because, although I wasn’t in ANY OF THE FILMS that were showing, I was around the film makers, directors, producers and actors that created the body of works that ultimately became part of the film festival. I HAD TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY, just to network with people in my craft.  I nearly cried on the plane back to Los Angeles.  You know why?  Because I had to go BACK to a 9-5.  Back to a life where I’m struggling just to maintain focus of my dream.  To maintain focus. To maintain. 

Where is this road leading to?  I know where.  To an Oscar, an Academy Award.  That is EXACTLY where I’m headed.  I just wanted to document the struggle in the meantime. 

Maybe a producer will come across my blog and say, you know what?  This girl Anji is fearless.  I want HER in the next project that I produce.  I want untapped talent, raw and UN-manipulated talent. 

Talent that is willing to GO the distance.

I feel suffocated and I can’t breathe. I need to spread my wings and fly.

 

Anji Ray

Geraldine Chaplin Speaks at IFF Panama

Charlie Chaplin’s Daughter, Geraldine Chaplin Speaks at IFFPanama

Crowne Plaza–Panama–The Place To Meet

By far, two thumbs up. This hotel offers something that most hotels often fall short in, and that is customer service. My first thought when I arrived was, “Wow”. Before I could fully step out of the taxi, Bellboy supervisor Aristoles Vallester took my bags and with a beaming smile from ear to ear, welcomed me to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. You could literally feel a sense of ownership and pride. Immediately, I knew that this trip was going to be a very pleasant one.

I was then greeted by the Front Desk supervisor, Nilka Thyme who also had a smile that was so warming that I thought perhaps she knew who I was beforehand. The check-in process was effortless and I found myself in my spacious hotel room with a breathtaking view of Panama City.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel is located in Panama’s banking district and is also surrounded by a ultra-hip night life and boutique restaurants and shopping. It literally is The Place To Meet, offering 4+ conference size meeting rooms with accommodating projector screens and a buffet-style catering set-up.

The Crowne Plaza also offers a business center with private computer stations and internet connections. Their concierge, Ventura Morales was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. When it comes to traveling, getting my bearings and understanding the area literally keeps me on schedule and he was an absolute saint in helping me achieve this.

Additional amenities include a 24-hour, fully equipped fitness center, sparkling pool, clean restrooms with showers, a beautiful outdoor lounge with plenty of space and a gorgeous view of the city.

The hotel room itself was extremely comfortable with oversized bathtubs, a generous vanity area, WiFi access, mini-bar, flat screen television with cable access and HDMI input. The beds were so comfortable that I felt like I was sleeping on clouds. (LOL, if I only knew what clouds felt like).

Another plus was La Galeria restaurant which I graciously indulged in every morning. Offering a buffet style of traditional Panamanian foods, fruits, breads, cheeses, and juices I highly recommend starting your morning off with breakfast at La Galeria. Rightfully named, La Galeria offers visually stimulating pieces of artwork hand crafted by local artists and available for purchase as well. Need help deciding what to eat? Ask Food and Beverage Manager Juan Peralta or A & B supervisor Itzel Fernsodg. I came down a little late for breakfast one morning and Itzel asked me if I would like an omelet and actually MADE it for me. This is what I mean when I say that the team here goes above and beyond to make you feel welcomed.

The only advice that I would give is to make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get around if you are on a schedule. Due to the current construction of the subway system, the traffic gridlocks around 2pm to 6:30pm daily. It is best to either walk to surrounding establishments such as Multiplaza Mall (which took me one hour by cab to get to on my 2nd day here); the mall is literally less than 2 miles away.

The only advice that I would give is to make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get around if you are on a schedule. Due to the current construction of the subway system, the traffic gridlocks around 2pm to 6:30pm daily. It is best to either walk to surrounding establishments such as Multiplaza Mall (which took me one hour by cab to get to on my 2nd day here); the mall is literally less than 2 miles away.

The best means of transportation is via taxi. I refuse to drive in Panama unless it is to an outside province and even then I think it might be wise to hire a driver. Whatever your reason for being in Panama, the Crowne Plaza will help you achieve your travel goals and leave a lasting impression. I definitely recommend staying at The Crowne Plaza, a disappointment doesn’t seem to be an option here. Cheers and enjoy your stay in Panama!

Outre Baby Soft Wave

The Struggle

Quick entry:

As an actor, I sometimes get FRUSTRATED having to survive financially OFF SET. Its like, really? really?  This is what I have to do to keep a roof over my head and hold true to my dreams.  Really?  I REALLY have to go through unbearable situations just BECAUSE I have a dream? Wow.  I guess this is what it means to PAY YOUR DUES in this industry.  WALKING to an event on Melrose Avenue tonight, I was able to check my attitude as I passed Alexander McQueen, Madison, and a plethora of other high fashion stores that some only have been blessed to see in the magazines.  You know what, because I’m in a confidentiality agreement, I cannot speak on the specifics of my stress causes, but I can say this:  THIS WILL NOT BREAK ME. I came here for a specific reason, and that was to act.  I WILL ACT, I don’t care how long it takes or how many trials I have to get through to get what I want.  Bottom line.  

I’ve seen many people that I started out with in 2004 drop like flies because life was kicking LIFE out of them.  I’ve been sad when they regretfully just “gave up”.  Man, I’ve seen it and I REFUSE to let that happen.  So, if you are intentionally trying to piss me off and stress me out, please know this: GAME RECOGNIZE GAME.

Thank you world for taking the time to read a glimpse into my life.

#THEcompleteEND

xoxo 

Anji Ray

 

Subscribe...

Reblogged from :

Why Spike Lee Won't See "Django Unchained" [VIDEO]

Reblogged from The Urban Daily:

Quentin Tarantino's slave western has been drawing criticism from the day the trailer was released and comments from the controversial director have not helped.

RELATED: Samuel L. Jackson On Gun Control, Django & Attracting Black Moviegoers

VibeTV caught up Director Spike Lee, who has had issues with Tarantino's work in the past, to get his thoughts on "Django Unchained."

Read more… 126 more words