Okay...back to work!

Ahhh...back to grindstone. First of all...I wanted to give a quick "thanks" to all who read this blog, your comments and well wishes truly make it all worth while.

Had a great time off with friends visiting, we packed in some great adventures! Camping on the beach, wine country, hiking, Venice beach, shenanigans in Koreatown...to name a few.

Friday was back to the ole' grindstone for me though, and this time it would bring me out to Mira Loma Prison complex for the tv show "Monk", and I would be playing the role of "visitor".

Once I Google-mapped the address, I must say...I was a little unhappy to be driving the hour and a half jaunt on a non-union voucher wage, but alas, it was work...and hey, it's not like I was getting 18-life!

Turns out, the ride out was very therapeutic, as I was able to drive through the mountains just as the sun was rising (and traffic free I might add), listening to some great music...can I just say, California scenery is completely mind-blowing at times.

Once over the pass though, the clouds darkened, lightning bolts lit the sky like a row of cheap motel room signs well past their prime, skeletal remains littered the roadside, coyotes howling like there was no tomorrow...it was apparent that I have arrived at my location...dun, dun, dun...Mira Loma County Prison.

Okay, so maybe not quite like that, but it was serious business being there as we were within feet of the actual inmates. When we checked in, we were given several rules but the top 2 were: 1. Stay 20 feet way from the prisoners at all times, as well as ZERO eye contact and communication and 2. Stay 5 feet away from all fences at all times, as the guards could/would mistake you for a convict up to no good, and then...who knows?

After check in, I tried locating the bathrooms, while all the inmates (actors) were sent to wardrobe to get their 'prison blues', and as I neared the fence where the real inmates were having their "yard time" I overheard them yelling at the actors "Hey baby...(whistle, whistle), come here..." and some other comments not so playful. It was hilarious to see some of the actors expressions though, as they were helpless and just had to sit there and take it.

Once the filming started, it went rather smoothly. It was winter again (apparently in the rest of the country), so us visitors waiting to get inside the gates, were decked in our warmest attire, while it was 100+ in the desert. I was just happy I wasn't playing an inmate, as they were directed to be out in the yard lifting weights, running around playing football and basketball...umm, no thanks! Sure, it looked like fun to working out and playing, but that desert heat is no joke.

Heatstroke aside, this was a great location to be working on, it was a treat to be given the opportunity to see a live, working prison so up close and personal.

The entire shoot lasted about 10 hours, and we were released a little after sundown. I am not sure the air date on this one, but should be on in 4-6 weeks. As with all these shows, I will update this blog with dates as they happen.

For now though man, I am just happy to be out, tasting real food again, smelling the fresh air...and I ain't never goin' back!

...unless they call me tomorrow with a SAG voucher.