Turn the tables...

 So for an interlude between my 20 question guest spots, I thought I would bring you some questions that were asked of me, by my friends.

The first set is from my friend Julie, who was my last guest 20 questions spotlight. This is what she had for me....

1. Earthquake, volcano, tornado or hurricane?


I must be crazy, but I would definitely be a storm chaser. Tornado, for sure. "It's a twister, it's a twister!"


2. What type of character would you most like to play in a production?


All characters have a story, and that's what I love about acting. You can dive deep into another world, and use your imagination and creativity. I love emotional work. *Think Evan Rachel Wood and Mickey Rourke, in "The Wrestler". Their relationship was so raw, with so much going on underneath, it really broke and captivated my heart at the same time.

3. You're a passionate person - what world issue do you find yourself the most drawn to?

How do you really pick...one? My strongest passions are with our environmental future on this planet, ANYTHING to do with animals - (captivity, cruelty, rehabilitation, adoption), and Child Slavery and Sex trafficking.

4. Dream band to see in concert?

I knew this question would be in here, and again it is so hard to just name one.......aye.
I will have to say, Radiohead.

5. What is the most extravagant purchase you have ever made?

My trip to Europe.Worth every penny.

6. A word that you like? 

Explicit.

  **Next up is questions from Ella. Here's what she had for me.....

1. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? ("World Peace" does not count :/)

Animal cruelty. 

2.  If you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books/movies would you want to be stranded with? (yes, the desert island has a home theatre hidden in a cave...)

Three books would be: A Clockwork Orange, The Lord of The Rings, and The Book of Awesome.
Three Movies would be: The Four Feathers, Gone in 60 Seconds, and Dazed and Confused.

3. Tell us something about you that most people don't know...

I've had 3 tubal ear surgeries.
I had a strong desire to join the Air Force, but I am happy with how things turned out.




xoxoNDR

20 Questions with one of my nearest & dearest....Julie Foster!

1. Were you named after anyone? 

I was named after my Dad's girlfriend from 6th grade. He had a crush on her, and I guess always

liked the name. My middle name is apparently a female adaption of my Dad & Grandpa's first

names. 

2. Do you like your own handwriting?  

I love my handwriting, even though it still looks quite childlike to me at times. It's starting to look less neat and tidy though, and I find myself pickier about what kinds of pens I use when I have to handwrite things of importance (maybe it's because I actually have fingernails now). It must be the technology taking over, because I find myself writing less than ever, and scrutinizing it when I do.

3. What would your superpower be if you could choose one?

I would be invisible in a heartbeat. The badass in me would rob banks, steal people's drinks off the bar, trip people for kicks, and peep over people's shoulders to see what they're looking at on their cellphones. Just general up-to-no-goodness. Plus, there is no way you wouldn't be really stinking rich. It would just be too easy to get everything you want, and I'm selfish and greedy like that.

4. Are you an Optimist or Pessimist?

I'm mostly a pessimist. If there is a way that something won't end well, I'll overanalyze the hell out of it. I've become more optimistic the older I get, but the realist and critic in me knows that all that glitters is not gold, at least in this little life of mine. I just found that dealing with it as it happens is easier than hanging on to the idea that every thing will turn around for the better.

5. What do you collect?

I collect owl objects. So far I have a wall-hanging, a Bath & Body Works fragrance diffuser, a couple of little home decor objects and a little keychain watch. I've been scouring Etsy for more vintage 70's owl decor, but so far have not purchased anything. I also collect pessimistic thoughts too, apparently. Oh, and music!

6. What are your favourite smells?

I love the smell of freshly laundered linen, pumpkins, red wine, vanilla anything, campfire (but not on my clothes after), coffee shops (especially when getting my Skinny Vanilla Latte fix), and roasting meats.

7. Coffee or Tea?

I like both coffee and tea. Coffee is my go-to in the morning, like most. I like a cup of herbal decaf in the evenings in front of the t.v., especially in the colder months.

 8. Wine or Beer?

Beer over wine. I love wine when I get around to drinking it, which isn't often, and I have to be in the right mood. Beer covers all moods, really. I love to slam a cold beer, and can go through a bunch before it's too late. I like most beer, except Guinness, which can end a St. Paddy's right quick.

9. What is the best thing you've ever eaten? (Where?)

I'm not a foodie at all. I love food in general, but I do get upset when I eat something and I don't like it - especially in a restaurant. I actually get sad about it! I would have to say that I love Chachi's Mac & Cheese. I like simple foods, mostly because I'm down to eat almost anything. I've had amazing pad thai, sushi and seafood meals.

10. Mac or PC?

I love PC still, just as I still stick to Blackberry. Am I afraid? Find Mac a little bit daunting? Who knows... all I know is that my ex had a Macbook and I couldn't figure the damn thing out. I'll stick with the tried-and-true for now!

11. What are you listening to right now?

Round the '2' - Limblifter. I wish this band was still touring - I would love to see them with The Watchmen...maybe all opening for The Hip. I would DIE a good old beer-fueled Canadian death!

12. What career would you pursue in another life?

I would LOVE to be a music journalist (but not the "enemy") I don't care which era...but preferrably now - for the Austin scene, the NYC intimate club nights, the variety of festivals, etc. There are so many bands out there in the past 5 years making waves and paving a new path for our musical future. I would love to pursue them, talk about them, learn where they get their ideas from and be a part of the bigger picture one day for the up-and-comers. The blend of new sounds, electro beats, and visionary ideas is amazing! Think: Pictureplane, James Blake, Youth Lagoon, Burial - this music is ridiculous.

13. What sound or noise to you love?

I love faaaat dubby beats, a whip-your-head-around guitar riff or electro build-up, the sound of people whispering because it trips me out, ocean waves, rain/wind/loud thunder (when I dont have to walk in it), my cat's "happy to see you" meow, kid giggles (especially my niece's), the din of a thousand people in one place for one thing

14. What sound or noise do you hate?

I hate the sound of the radio calling in at work, screaming babies on airplanes and in restaurants (unless I know the baby, then I don't care), kid toys, my cat's "can I have a treat even though I know you're sleeping" meow, women with screechy voices, alarm clocks

15. Mountains or Beach?

Beach all the way. I'm not a cold-weather person and a klutz, so anything mountain-related makes me cringe unless it includes Spanish Coffee in a fire-warmed lounge mountainside. I don't do anything outdoorsy, unless it's in sunshine and beside lapping waves. I can stare at the ocean for hours and love every minute of it.

16.Cook or Bake?

I'm a much better baker than cook. But then, I'm not a sweets loving person, so I can't win. I can't really do either very good.

17. Do you go to restaurants and movies by yourself?

I do now, and just recently, and rarely. I've gone out for dinner by myself several times, mostly because I was either craving something or didn't want to cook. I took myself on a date one night...dinner, movies, walk in the park - the whole nine yards. I like my company, but sometimes I feel like if I spend too much time with myself, I'll go crazy.

18. A Waitress spills a tray of food by your table. You are with a small group. What’s your first instinct?

If a waitress spilled food by my table I would totally help her out because it's in my nature to do the polite thing...but if she was my waitress and she was a bitch, I'd probably look, assess the situation and do nothing - because what goes around come around. Trust me, I've had bitchy waitresses. I don't care what happened to you at home, I don't bring my shit to work and neither should you.

19. What is your favourite fairy tale?

I don't really believe in fairy-tales...and this all goes back to the pessimistic, realistic, critic in me. Nothing happens overnight. Nothing happens for free. Things take work...love takes work...finding the right shoes doesn't equal everlasting love. I wish I did believe in them, maybe my expectations would be different...but I'm not a romantic.

20. What would you tell the 13year old you?

I would tell her to get off the path she was on. She was a narcissistic, foul-mouthed, school-hating cretin. I would have said to strive for a proper education, stop being selfish, and respect your parents because they really are smarter than you think...be more intelligent in your choices, don't take advantage of others and especially don't let them take advantage of you...be more independent, be proud of yourself and like you for you, do the best you can and make the most of it. Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't worth something, because you are. Love yourself, and be someone who is willing to be loved.

I'm not sure where to start, and quite frankly where to end. But I'll give it a go :)

I've known Julie since I was in Grade 5. Having a friend for that length of time, is just so precious. She has seen me at my lowest of lows, my highest of highs, and everything else in between.

Julie is my music soul sister. I can always count on her, for knowing practically every song I send her way, and always having some to send me back. 

She is the forever kind of friend, and always will be. Time can pass between our visits, but we pick right back up from where we left off. It's magic. She has my back, and I will always have hers.

She is a beautiful person inside and out, and I am so happy that she is starting to realize this for herself. She has an amazing family, and I am equally close to her sister, Laura (who I hope fills out these questions as well - hint). 

I have many great memories, and I look forward to so many more. 

Cheers to you, doll. You have come a long way, and I am so proud of you. Thank you for being there for me, thank you for your honesty, and for being such a big part of my life. Love you long time.

xoxo NDR

When in doubt, just take the next right step...

It feels as though lately, I have SO many things to do, and want to do. I get overwhelmed super easy.

Like for instance, I have a stack of books on my night side table, and I look at them and get anxious. Why?!? I shouldn't feel that way. I LOVE books, and have since I was a child. It used to be the only way I could fall asleep. It's like part of me wishes I could clone myself, and I could read all of them at once. But then, where is the fun in that? Books are thought provoking. They are meant to be enjoyed, and savoured. They take me to another place. Gahhh, I know, I know, one page at a time, one book at a time.

I had been trying to figure out what to do for classes. I finally signed up for a class. BOOM. Very excited for that. By the time I start up again, it will have been nearly 2 months since I graduated. I certainly have felt the void. So that's another thing off of my list.

I have a HUGE list of movies and TV shows I want to see, but I know I'll get around to pinging those off of my list. I recently started watching "Mad Men". Wow, am I ever hooked on that show. Great writing, I absolutely LOVE the era. There are a few interesting twists and turns as well. Solid.

So with that happening, I also have been been battling back and forth lately, as to what direction I am actually heading in? But really, do I need to be going one specific way? I love to act, so I am going to continue with classes. I love to sing, and I'm looking at going back to lessons. I love to write, and try to do that everyday. I am also going to sign up to volunteer at the S.P.C.A. I started this process a while back, and never followed through. Animals are near and dear to me, and if I can't have an animal where I live, then I must be around them some other way.
Most recently, I have discovered, just how passionate I am about world events. Pretty much - just standing up for what I believe in. I even found myself on Langara's website today, looking at their "Peace and Conflict Studies" diploma. Good gravy! I'm like a neverending student!

But that is what life is all about, isn't it? Learning, growing, loving - Evolving.

I vow today, to never limit myself. Take it one moment at a time if I need to, and to never doubt myself. There is never one set plan. It can be changed and added to.
In a book I'm reading right now titled, "God Never Blinks - 50 lessons for Life's little detours", there is a chapter titled, "When in doubt, just take the next right step".  How true is that? The steps we take don't have to solve all of the future questions you are going to have, just take the next right step for YOU, for the moment.

Sigh. Ok. Lets do this!
xoxo NDR

Let's get down to some BIZ - 20 Questions with Catherine Lough Haggquist

1. Were you named after anyone?

As far as I know, my Mom and my Grandmother and a couple of kick-butt English Queens.


2. Do you like your own handwriting?

I like my printing as I do it confidently. My handwriting I do more cautiously and so I find I hesitate in my thoughts more when I write.

3. What would your superpower be if you could choose one?

Mind control.

4. Are you an Optimist or Pessimist?

  I am cautiously optimistic and believe in preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.    

5. What do you collect?

Shoes. Luckily I am in a profession (and of a foot size) where I can justify my collection by renting them to productions.

6. What are your favourite smells?

Baking and spicy food.

7. Coffee or Tea?

Coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee. Then herbal tea to calm down.

8. Wine or Beer?

Wine for life, beer for NASCAR.

9. What is the best thing you've ever eaten? (Where?)

Any meal my husband has prepared for me

10. Mac or PC?

PC

11. What are you listening to right now?

The NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch is currently in the lead.

12. What career would you pursue in another life?

Actor

13. What sound or noise to you love?

Little kids laughing, especially when they crack themselves up.

14. What sound or noise do you hate?

The thud after screeching tires when you don’t know who or what was hit.

15. Mountains or Beach?

Beach

16. Cook or Bake?

Hey, whatever you want to do is fine by me, just please deliver it to...

17. Do you go to restaurants and movies by yourself?

Restaurants. I often use solo dinner dates with myself as recharge time between classes, meetings, auditions, or coaching clients. I like to sit silently and reflect or do some writing and going by myself gives me mental space. I like the “shared memory” of movies and like to go to those with others.

18. A Waitress spills a tray of food by your table. You are with a small group. What’s your first instinct?

To smile at her and ask her if she is okay.

19. What is your favourite fairy tale?

Any story that contains a Fairy Godmother. I like the notion of some unexpected advocate showing up in your life and encouraging you to shift your perspective in search of your best you. And they have wands.

20. What would you tell the 13 year old you?

Break more rules.



** I met Cat just over 6 months ago at Vancouver Acting School. I would soon realize, that my Friday nights were never going to be the same. Cat teaches the Business class, and I can honestly tell you that without the BOUNTIFUL education I received from her every week, I would be probably be a fish out of water right now.
I looked forward to Friday every week. Particularly, because I never knew sometimes what was going to be asked of me, whether it was surprise interviews, call back questions from past classes, or a NEW and EXCITING detail from our life :D

This class was so essential, and I couldn't have asked for a better lady to teach it.
Cat just received her 70th IMDB credit, that's right, her 70th!!!! She is an amazing talent, and such an inspiration for me. (Honestly, if I could have found your clip from "American Dreams" of you singing Heatwave, it would have been on here for sure!!)
Cat also owns Biz Books, an excellent resource on finding books on anything in the entertainment industry. Check out the website

Another thing I take away, besides all of the information (my notebooks are plump), is the joy that exudes from this wonderful person. Not only is she talented and educated, but she is the most genuine and caring person. Cat,  you go above and beyond, thank you SO very much. HUA!
Keep doing what you're doing, because it has paid off, and I wish you nothing but continued success and love!

P.S. Then there is her husband Neil - BOOM. Power couples unite!! :)

Somethings you just don't ever forget

For information on Cat, you can check out her Facebook Fan page

If you are interested in a Business class, you can check out the schedule at Vancouver Acting School

You are a gem!
xoxo NDR

Introducing 20 Questions with Guest writers......First up - Michael "Showtime" Coleman

1.       Were you named after anyone?

Middle name (Robert) was after my Uncle Bob.

2.       Do you like your own handwriting?

Love. I have a nervous disorder that creates uncontrollable shakes and have dedicated decades to creating handwriting that looks nice.

3.       What would your superpower be if you could choose one?

Green Lantern

4.       Are you an Optimist or Pessimist?

Optimistically Pessimistic

5.       What do you collect?

Memorabilia from tv/film projects I've worked on

6.       What are your favourite smells?

Newborns, effeminate shampoos, perfume

7.       Coffee or Tea?

Coffee

Fringe, from the episode "Marionette"



8.       Wine or Beer?

Wine

9.       What is the best thing you've ever eaten? (Where?)

Single Malt Scotch (I eat it)

10.   Mac or PC?

Mac

11.   What are you listening to right now?

Rockabye covers for babies (Nirvana)

12. What career would you pursue in another life?

Actor/Writer/Coach

13.   What sound or noise to you love?

"You're first choice!"

14.   What sound or noise do you hate?

"They went another direction"

15.   Mountains or Beach?

Beach

16.   Cook or Bake?

Cook

17.   Do you go to restaurants and movies by yourself?

Lots. Love it. I consider it fun work.

18.   A Waitress spills a tray of food by your table. You are with a small group. What’s your first instinct?

Offer to help

19.   What is your favourite fairy tale?

The Princess Bride

20.   What would you tell the 13year old you?

Awesome, right? Just like we planned only a little better.

I first saw Michael’s posts on a website I often perused when I first moved to Vancouver, called Vancouver Actor’s Guide. After some messaging back and forth, and a determination to finally pursue my passion for storytelling, I found myself at his school on a winter's day, last December. After a audition and meeting, I was in for March 2011. No turning back.

Michael is the Artistic Director of Vancouver Acting School, 

Dream. Plan. Create

Over the last 6 months, I worked my way through the Full time “Intensive” program. Words cannot begin to express what I have taken away from that school. It felt like a second home to me, and still does. The people I have met there are phenomenal human beings. The amount of talent that walks in and out of that building, blows my mind. All of the teachers are busy working actors in the industry, and their insight is an asset. I am forever thankful for the skills and foundations I have built.
I am happy to be returning next month, to continue honing my craft, and to keep my saw sharp.

I will never EVER forget this famous quote:

"If you are not here to pursue this at the highest level, burn your headshots and fire your agent".

A special congratulations to Michael and his wife Michelle, on the birth of their new baby daughter "Belle" - an already die hard Canucks fan, I'm sure :)

Thank you Michael for contributing to my blog.

xoxo NDR - "HUA"

What say you?

I'm giving my blog a little bit of a refresher....it may or may not involve "guest" write ups ;)

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

I stumbled across this article in my trolling of the internet. It spoke volumes to me, and wanted to share.
xoxo NDR

Some people dream of success, others make it happen. Of course, you can dream as much as you like but waiting for things to happen gets you nowhere. Get active and start making things happen.

Whatever journey your path takes you on, the most important thing is to have passion in what you do.

How many of you went to college, got your degree, and ended up doing something totally unrelated to your major? Studying it did not make you passionate about it. It wasn’t your path.

Education or even talent aren’t worth much without passion. So do the stuff that you love and you've always wanted to do because without it, you'll feel stuck and unfulfilled. If you work in a bank but your dream is to be a naturopath, then make those changes now. Make this year the turning point in your life. When you do what you love you will be rewarded — it will just flow naturally.

Look at those around you who just make things happen. They have a clear goal in mind and they know where they want to go. They don't always have a plan but they have the passion and the tenacity to make it work, and they achieve their goals as the end result.

Trust us when we tell you this. If something important to you, you WILL find a way. If it isn't, you'll find an excuse. It’s that simple. Find your way. Make it work, whatever it takes. Are you 10 kilos heavier than you should be? It is simple: Commit, go to that gym every day, no excuses, and train until you lose those 10 kilos. When you accomplish this, you'll have the confidence to do more. Set a goal and make it happen.

Want to stop smoking? Stop making excuses, take control of your circumstances before they take control of you.

Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life, it's about what you inspire others to do and when you do accomplish something as simple as quitting smoking or losing weight, you'll inspire others to do the same. Anyone can change the world, and everybody should try. And it all starts with your own life.

Stop waiting for the perfect time to do what you want to do. Do it now.



The Gossip Epidemic...

September 30th, marked the year anniversary of the death of Tyler Clementi. If you don't know who I am talking about, Tyler took his own life last year, after his college roommate secretly video taped him kissing another man, and then streamed it over the internet.  At just the tender age of 18 years old, Tyler felt that wave of despair, the way so many of us did when we were bullied, humiliated, rejected and exposed, and Tyler decided that he couldn't take it anymore. He jumped off the George Washington Bridge.
We've seen a huge rise in public awareness of bullying, and many organizations have launched in reaction to his death. 

I thought I would share a little about where I came from.

I lived 95% of my life in a small town called Powell River, on the Sunshine Coast. A coastal town surrounded by mountains, lakes and ocean. The only way you could leave, was by plane, or by boat, (as we all know as BC Ferries). If your dad didn't work in the mill, he was a logger, a fisherman, owned his own business, or worked out of town. I had many significant childhood moments there; late night sneak-aways, beach trails at night, 4x4ing up logging roads, teenaged kisses, cliff diving and hiking. I had my first experiences with parties, drinking, and was soon on the path to finding out who was good to hang out with, and who wasn't. I got my first tattoo at age 15.  I had days when I was on the top of the world, and days when I wished the world would swallow me up-- the way one can only wish when they are trying to find their identity throughout adolescence. My life was extremely ordinary in that regard. There have been and will be so many teens who experience these things in my hometown, and everywhere else.

The one big thing I can remember being made fun of about, was honestly, my lips. At present day, I can't imagine how and why that would be so "interesting" and provoking for kids to make fun of me for. I was called "fish lips", and people would pull their lips apart, mimicking their size.
The last I checked, women have paid some pretty solid money for new lips, so I am pretty happy with mine. 
A few of the people who made some of these jokes, have apologized to me. I'm lucky in that regard. I guess sometimes, it takes a little growing up and being outside of the school environment, to really put things into perspective, or maybe it was just those particular individuals, that wanted to make things right. Once school is done, everyone is on even playing ground. There really is no status anymore, well at least that's how it seemed to me.
I'm not innocent in all of this. School was really hard, and I certainly was far from perfect.  I had to ignore the comments, and defend myself. But it seemed I never had the right clothes, never could get the "trend" before anybody else, and whatever I did, it just wasn't enough. There were days, where I just didn't understand, what I was doing wrong? 

Things started to slowly change, when a bunch of my girlfriends started to skateboard - that really set a different precedent going forward. 
All of a sudden, I didn't have to keep up with the growing trends of the "in" crowds. I could be me, be different, and be comfortable in my own skin, surrounded by close friends, whom I still keep in contact with. We banded together, and didn't let the people get to us, and if they did get to us, we had each other.

I see how it is today, and it has become way more of out of control. 
We need to think about how our words affect others. A word or sentence that comes out of your mouth, regardless if you mean it or not, can impact someone else in ways we don't know, or sometimes, tragically find out. I have come a long way since that time, and in that process, I've learned so much about myself.

We have some some really good organizations that help with bullying.
Love is louder (www.loveislouder.com), was created by actress Brittany Snow, The Jed Foundation, and MTV to build and extend support to teens in crisis.
I really love their message. If we could all just take a step back, and look at it from outside the bubble. Respect is where it's at. Love is powerful.

To quote my lovely friend Andrea R. 

"The only power people can have over you, is the power that you give them".

xoxo NDR