Tell Me I'm Okay

Tell Me I'm Okay

 

 

 

List my ailments, but tell me I'm okay

List the probabilities, but tell me I'm okay

Give me facts, but tell me I'm okay

Explain the risks, but tell me I'm okay

Scare the life out of me, but tell me I'm okay

Lie to me. Tell me I'm okay.

Pray for me. Tell me I'm okay.

Smile. Tell me I'm okay.

Hug me. Tell me I'm okay.

 

 

Do whatever you feel you need to, but tell me I'm okay.

Migraine While Traveling

So yesterday I was out of state working and I had the time of my life. My job was called "The Energizer" which meant I got to dance around and get everyone pumped. Believe me, I'm very good at my job. Toward the end of the night I felt it: the spidey sense. I knew a bad migraine was coming. I even warned the masses of the upcoming storm.

So I drove to my very dirty motel. On the way, I experienced the most excruciating pain that I had such a difficult time driving. People kept honking, flashing their brights, and riding my bumper. It was raining as well, by the way. Perfect weather for angry drivers to put me more into harms way.

Well I finally got to the motel room and I had hardly any energy left. I was grasping the last spoon so tight it hurt more. I checked in and walked into my room. The door barely locked but I had no energy left to go to the front desk and ask for a more secure room (dumb). The bed sheets had cigarette burns and spots of blood (seriously run for the hills). So what did I do? I curled up in the fetal position on top of the bed and didn't move. I had zero energy for crying, screaming, or anything but lying still. I rubbed my temples, silently prayed, and debated calling 911. After two hours, I finally got the pain level lowered so I could sleep. 

So the moral to the story is...be safe. Migraine hurts but don't be stupid. I should have went to the hospital and properly got treatment. Be careful out there, spoonies!

Speed Dating

Speed Dating

So by now many of you have seen me post Bouncy Boxer Media's newest film, "Speed Dating." (https://youtu.be/_QcqLqtdvYM) This is the first project my partners in crime, Lexi Balestrieri and Chelsea Wolf, have fully taken the reins on. I wrote the screenplay and was line producer as well as first-time editor. I learned so much with this project. 

The idea of "Speed Dating" is to introduce some characters who will be featured on our upcoming web series, "Relation Shipwreck," which will premiere this summer. The series is currently being filmed and we are doing it all ourselves. Thankfully, we have many filmmakers who are helping us make the concept into a reality. 

When you work with independent filmmakers, you compliment each other. The energy you bring to the table is easily contagious. We strive as women filmmakers to create a positive outlook on our projects. The support of the local and international filmmakers has been humbling.

So if you haven't already, please watch our film, subscribe to the channel, and watch as we grow in our journey. With each set, we learn what works and what doesn't. We've come so far this past year and we will not stop.

 Photo: Bouncy Boxer Media founders Chelsea Wolf, Lexi Balestrieri, and owner Stefanie Davis doing a Q&A after the premiere of "Mograine Hell." 

Quote About Hope

Today is the first day of the Migraine Headache Awareness Month and the first blog topic is:

Favorite quote about hope, and how does it apply to your migraine?

If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him. -Paulo Coelho

Sometimes I feel like like my pain decides when it's time to strike and at the most inconvenient time. This quote reminds me to move on and not let the pain take over my life. I'm way too busy to worry about my next migraine attack. I'm not fully living my life if it's in fear for the next migraine. 

"The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association." - See more at: http://www.ahmablog.com/2015/06/migraine-headache-blog-challenge-1.html#.VWyoQc29KnM

The Transition

Many have already known, but it's time to tell the world that I'm transitioning out of my full time retail job to chase my dream!

Wait what? How is that possible? 

Well here goes:

1. I have been doing promos since last fall, but my availability has been limited due to a retail job. So starting June 1st, I'll be working hard to book enough promos to make a living.

2. Filming has picked up due to the summer so I'll be continuing to work on other projects as well as my own.

3. The money I make with promos and acting go toward bills and travel for new opportunities. So far I'll get to explore more of Northern Florida, North Carolina, and Washington DC! How awesome is that?

I want to blog more, especially with this new direction in my career. I want to keep video documenting my migraine symptoms as well as write more screenplays for the future.

The sky is the limit and I'm ready to soar!

Photo credit: CVI Productions for the upcoming feature film, "The Legend of Kate Kensington" where I play the main character's sister.

Goodbye 2014: A Look at an Amazing Year

Well I've been on a hiatus from blogging lately, but I need to get back into the groove. So many exciting things have happened in 2014!

1. Promotion - In January, I was promoted at my "day job" from seasonal key holder to Assistant Manager. It's a job I enjoy, but it isn't my career goal at the moment. I went full time to gain the income I needed to support headshots, acting classes, paying bills, and reducing debt.

2. Busch Gardens - I auditioned and booked roles in the live entertainment events of Howl O Scream and Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Due to the need to work more than my full time job would allow, I transferred to another store and became a part time manager. This allowed me to keep the freedom of pursuing my passions. Howl O Scream was an amazing experience and I met so many talented people. We all still keep in touch and hopefully will remain friends for a  while. Our characters were cannibals fresh from the mental institution, which was a joy to portray. We used improv the ENTIRE time we were on set. We did have our beginnings to our madness which was reset several times during the performances, but that made it more enjoyable for the viewers. Being in the atmosphere really helped me develop this character and maybe even turn her into a short horror film with the others. For Christmas Town, I was Santa's helper, Dimples the elf. This required a LOT of improv skills, but was so worth it. To see the magic in each child's eyes was simply breathtaking.

3. "White Angel" - In the spring and summer, I worked on a superhero feature film in Daytona. For this film, I was portraying a bully turned snake villain. The latex makeup was stunning and I built a great relationship with the cast. Can't wait to see the finished product.

4. "The Legend of Kate Kensington" - In the fall, I booked a supporting role on the upcoming thriller, "The Legend of Kate Kensington," where I play the main character's sister in flashbacks. This role required deep emotion and really pushed my limits. A piece of the scene can be found on my reel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtTdPOwFGbo&list=UU2u9UpH0OZO-2qzxBH9K9vA

5. "Migraine Hell" - In the summer, I announced I'd be pursuing my first writing to come to life. "Migraine Hell" is about a chronic migraine patient's follow up appointment that goes hell-ish. I'm very excited to film this in January 2015.

6. Indiegogo - For my first film, I launched an Indiegogo campaign that fell flat. I did most of the steps I thought would help it become successful, but it wasn't. I did two promotional teasers to build hype, an interview type video to show each cast and crew and why they wanted to be a part of this project, and of course used social media to share as much as I could with proper hashtags. The crowdfunding process is extremely difficult and stressful, so I will not be doing it again anytime soon.

7. Bouncy Boxer Media - For my self-publishing, I used my Bouncy Boxer Media name, but this year I decided to expand it to film. In 2015, I'll be using this company to make as many things as I can. Every beginning filmmaker starts somewhere. For me, it'll be in YouTube videos, short films, a web series, and spoofs. I want to tap into many aspects of filmmaking to see what my niche is. So far, I'm loving producing. I have control over the start to finish of the project (which being a control freak and a writer comes in handy) and I learn so much. I've built some great relationships with established filmmakers who can help me learn so many things.

8. Balloons! - Toward the end of 2014, I made a connection with a special events company to learn balloon artistry. This will become a side gig for 2015 to make extra money for debt payoffs. It's challenging, but I will learn more with each balloon. Kids love it!

9. Brand Ambassador - One of my other side gigs was to be a brand ambassador for marketing companies. I loved every gig I booked and look forward to many more!

In closing, 2014 was pretty great. I started to challenge myself and make goals for the future. Now 2015 will be about putting plans in place to reach those goals and learn everything I can. Keep a look out! I'm excited!