Leah's Story

Wow…

just a few weeks ago (Easter Sunday) marked the year anniversary of the day I put in my notice at my townhouse of 7 years in Studio City..   Letting Go

10 months of #GypsyMode  

10 months of not having a physical address of my own.
10 months of having the majority of the little possessions I have left in storage.

Many people when they hear my story think it’s incredible and awesome, to have survived 11 months floating around the US from job to job, houses, apartments, hotels and such.  But more than likely, they typically end with something like.. “I don’t know how you’re not exhausted.”

Truth is.. I am exhausted. Very much so. 

In my last update  Month 8   I had just arrived in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nashville in one word was peaceful. 

In 2 words was peaceful and amazing.

Me and my Kitty, moved into a beautiful room with the most comfortable bed ever, at my friend Marilyn’s beautiful house on an acre of land in Brentwood, Tennessee just outside of Nashville. I was there as  temporary live-in child care, for her 3 sons age 2, 4, and 10, until their full-time au pere arrived.

I had such a nice time with her 3 sons during the weekdays, mostly dropping off and picking up from school, and spending time at the local play-bounce-climb-type houses with the little one.  It felt nice to have a routine, and on the nights and weekends I spent a lot of time at the ymca, going to yoga and pilates classes.

I even met a Reiki Master/ Kundalini teacher and took her weekend Reiki Certification Level 1 & 2 Classes, and am now officially a certified Reiki practicioner.

I got to spend quality time with Marilyn,

as well as my friend Michelle who just moved from LA,

and quality time with my friend Kendra, who moved from LA a few years back. 

I felt grounded and stable and peaceful.

I met with an agent there who is interested in repping me for tv and film work in Nashville and the South East part of the country, and I even went out on a date or two.

I made a new friend, Laura, at the reiki workshop, and the two of us took a 24 hour trip to Atlanta for a Kirtan event with Krishna Das.

It was a pretty awesome month. 

So why am I back in LA?

Good question.

Mainly because the panel I had pitched to Wonder Con was accepted, and happening on March 30th,

and also because, my car, my other kitty, and all of my belongings are here, and a friend just happened to be going to Australia, and invited me to stay at her gorgeous apt in Westwood, CA and pet sit for her, during the exact time-frame I was planning on being here… and because… I’m not sure where else to go.

But yet, I feel like I’m just doing the same things over and over.

I still have dreams of being a successful working film actress, both on-camera and voice over, and I still know in my heart, that I’m an amazing host/interviewer and belong on our music related show or something inspirational ala Oprah style……  so back to LA it is… but… 

I have to be honest… outside of the Wonder Con Panel,

which was freakin’ incredible, scary, exhilarating, and inspiring Read More Here, LA hasn’t been so kind to me this month. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve gone roller-skating with friends, I’ve attended the red carpet for Ladies & Gents, and I’ve spent time with the Ms In The Biz Contributors

But yet… I’m feeling the same old pangs of loneliness. Not having a best-friend here, or a romantic interest, or a business partner to spend time with, or someone to bounce ideas off and create things with…  

Friends that you thought you’d spend time with, but now, don’t have time for you.  Projects that you thought we’re close to happening, but once again are delayed.

I feel isolated. I feel out of the loop.  I feel like I’m back in that hamster wheel, spinning my wheels and getting nowhere.

A month in LA, and my bank account has been wiped dry..

Just a few hours ago, I was 10 minutes late getting back to my car from a nice leisurely walk to a business lunch, and just as I rounded the bend, I spotted my car on a tow truck about to be towed away. It cost me $232 to get my car released, and they still left a $93 ticket on the window.    

That $300 walk, just wiped me out, with no paychecks in sight for 3 weeks.

And speaking of paychecks, I’m managing a promo gig on the weekends this month, and I’m just not feeling it.  It’s hard work. It’s below my intelligence level and it’s not in the entertainment industry.

I’ve struggled and fought so hard to live this non-traditional 9-5 lifestyle so that I could enjoy my life, and live a creative life in the entertainment industry. Right now, I’m not doing either. 

This has been an incredible year of growth.  It really is amazing that I’ve spent 10 months “on the road” and have only paid rent once, in my month in manhattan (www.adventuresinnewyork.tumblr.com)  but now what?

HOW DOES IT GET BETTER THAN THIS?

I’m excited to be writing for Helenna’s fantastic new online mag/blog http://www.msinthebiz.com , I’m excited for a few projects on the horizon, one having to do with vampires, and one being an animated cartoon!

… but…

I want more than this for my life. There has to be more. 

I want to feel stable. I want to have my own home again.

I want to unpack my suitcases for more than a few weeks at a time.
I want to get my cherished memories out of storage.

And most importantly, I want to be able to sustain a $300 fine/ticket, without it wiping me out.. 

My birthday is in a few weeks.

My birthday last year, was the day I moved out of my townhouse and gave it up to the universe…. 

What I want more than anything for my birthday, the last one in my 30’s is to stop running so much, to stop working so hard with nothing to show for it… to truly feel like I belong, and have a nice, spacious, sunshiney place of my own to call home for me and my kitties.

A sexy, productive, passionate, man by my side would be the icing on the cake. 

I want to WORK in my chosen field. I want to act in films. I want to voice amazing cartoon characters for animated shows and films. I want to be a host and a public speaker. 

And I want to make a difference in this world.. something bigger than just me.

It has been a blessing to be able to just let go of it all, and travel where the wind takes me like Mary Poppins, but I want more. I am capable of so much more, so much love, so much creativity, so much to give back.  

How, what, where, why…  where do we go now?

 “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” 

― Anaïs Nin

Just a quick note to let you know about a business I just launched, “Coffee Chat Consultations”.  You can pick my brain for one hour, over coffee or tea, about a large variety of areas for creative professionals (actors, musicians, producers, writers, models, etc). I customize your consultation based on your needs and knowledge, we can discuss anything from the basics on up, in a one-on-one setting.

I met with my first client yesterday, and rather than clog up your email with a long list of my references and experience, I’ll let this amazing testimonial speak for me! :)

 “I’ve been in this town a dozen years (mostly as a writer) and only recently have been encouraged to pursue acting. I learned more from Leah in an hour than in the last six months! Awesome leads. Hire her! Very grateful. She’s providing an excellent service!” — Daniel Halem

If this sounds like something you or someone you know might benefit from please check outhttp://www.leahcevoli.com/coffee-chat-consultations/ 

Special Discounts only for my Coffee Chat Clients are coming in daily, and include discounts with my favorite head-shot photographer , my favorite makeup artist; discounts at my favorite hair salon and nail salon, and many more to come!

Thanks for reading, hope the adventure you’re currently on is a fun one!

~Leah Cevoli

P.S.  I just completed my level 2 Tibetan Reiki Certification and would love to assist you with some vibrational energy healing.  If you’re feeling stuck, and would like me to clear some of that out for you, let’s schedule a healing session asap!  

Love Donation ($10 suggested)

 Written for my regular column, “Adventures in Randomness & Rock n Roll” for Talk Nerdy To Me Lover

Yikes, I haven’t done a Gypsy Mode Update in 2 months!  For those of you that don’t know about Gypsy Mode— this is how it all began: Click Here

So, since giving up my townhouse in LA, without having a new place locked down, I’ve become quite the Gypsy.   The other day, I couldn’t help but relate to Metallica’s “Wherever I May Roam”… “Roamer, Wanderer, Nomad, Vagabound, Call Me What You Will…”

Now granted, I may not be travelling in style, there’s lots of busses, taxis, and trains, but I always end up somewhere wonderful in the end. 

In the last update, I explained how my Tour Managing gig ended 10 weeks early, and I was venturing to New York: Month 6 Update

I spent an entire month in Manhattan, and started a whole new blog, which you can check out here:  http://www.adventuresinnewyork.tumblr.com   

The general theme of my month in New York was Yoga. And more Yoga. :)

Month 7, which was January, saw me all over the place, working tradeshows and conventions.  

I started the month with a super-ooper-duper gig in Philadelphia and literally got to walk in the MUMMERS DAY PARADE!

If you’re from or near Philly, you know that this is pretty much something that every kid dreams of doing, especially an Irish/Italian girl from South West Philly! :)

Next Up was the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas!  I worked six, very, long days at the convention center, with a great group of gals: 

I had a ton of fun in Vegas, made lots of money, spent a few nights with some old friends who moved from Palm Springs to Vegas, and then ended up staying with Jen Friel & Steph Belsky in an amazing, penthouse condo walking distance to the convention.  Not only did it make life that much easier to walk to work, but oh it was sooo luxorious!

And yes, that’s me on the stripper pole in our living room!

Vegas ended with an incredible treat, and I was gifted with tickets to see my old friend Blas Elias perform with the Blue Man Group!  It’s an incredible show, GO SEE IT!

After Vegas, I took the (new route!) Mega Bus up to Los Angeles for four days.  Originally planned on checking in on my Kitty, my car, moving all of my scattered-amongst-friends-homes-belongings into one location, and seriously finding and settling in on a new home to move into come February.

When I arrived in LA at 6am on a Saturday morning I discovered that my lil Hybrid car was in need of some major repairs. I was blind-sided by this, and so the next 2 days was spent worrying and what not while waiting for the first available appointment on Monday. Long story short, it’s a big repair. The hybrid battery needs to be replaced. I spent a few hundered dollars trying to do a quick temp fix so that my friend that was renting it could continue to rent it while I was roaming, but I ended up spending that $200 for nothing and having to refund her 1/2 of the january payment.  Needless to say, the four days in LA, cost me more than all 8 days in Vegas combined!! 

I had to rent a car, in LA which is so odd, since that’s the ONLY city in this country that I actually have a car in, but I did manage to get all of my belongings moved into one location. Unfortunately I only got to look at 2 possible living situations, but I did get to see quite a bit of my good friends, AND.. even made to one of our Talk Nerdy To Me Lover, Trivia Nights!!  YAY!

My time in LA was way too short, and before I knew it I was back in Philadelphia where I spent 6 days working at the Philadelphia Auto Show

And from there it was off to Atlantic City, New Jersey for five days at the Boat Show!

I spent two nights in the Borgata Casino, compliments of my cousin Bianca, this hotel is voted the #1 Casino in Atlantic City.. Oh, it was soo nice. I felt like Cinderella at the ball, I took bubble baths every night, ordered room service, and even jumped up and down and giggled like a little girl.

It really helps to have awesome, cozy, comfy, luxourious places to stay when you’re working these long, crazy, hours, on your feet, and talking and talking to hundreds upon hundreds of people while keeping a smile on your face. It’s exhausting! The only thing I want to do after working at a tradeshow is RELAX! 

It was bittersweet though as on Day 3 my Iphone was stolen, and I have yet to recover it.  It’s just a phone, and it’s just a material possession, but it was quite challenging to be on your own, in a different city, travelling, and working without a phone.  NO ONE has payphones or phonebooks anymore, and everything I do is connected to an App on my Phone, from banking to public transportation.  

I also got myself back into Acting Classes in Philly for the month of January, which was really great and helped fill the hole in my heart from not doing much performing or creating while I’ve been in Gypsy Mode. I’ve mostly just been bouncing around from job to job, but haven’t been around a group of creatives in so long. It felt SOOO good to get up and perform. I worked on a really great monologue in class, from a romantic comedy, and rocked it.  I SO want to star in a romantic comedy in this lifetime. 

And now… It’s February…

Nothing panned out for a new place in Los Angeles, and truth be told I don’t have enough money saved up yet anyway. I refuse to go back to LA and live hand to mouth like I have the past 13years. I want a savings account and a cushion for emergencies and dry spouts.

It’s now Month 8 of Gypsy Mode and I’ve decided to spend some time with friends in Nashville.

I have 3 really great girlfriends here, and one of them reached out to me with a temporary live-in Nanny position for her 3 sons, until the full-time au pere begins in March…

So.. Viva Nashville… and oh, look THEY do have payphones here!

I’m excited to see what this month holds. It’ll be a different pace of life, and an all-around different schedule with different priorities namely an 11yr old, 5yr old, and 2yr old.. but at the same time I plan to get a lot of writing done, get a solid work-out routine going, I’ve got a new website being designed, and I have a very cool announcement about a panel I proposed that got accepted to Wonder Con in Anaheim on March 30th.  YAY!

                                      Live Love. Love Life.

                                                  XOXOX

In the last #GyspyMode update, I filled you in on my Tour Managing Gig in Philly,

Just as soon as the Gig started, it ended. 10 weeks early. $10,000 early.
No joke.

So now what?

Well first and foremost, I went to Vegas with my girlfriend Leila Porreca.

It was a work-playcation and the first order of business was Guns N’ Roses. I covered the show for Rock Over America..read all about it— > HERE  and after a crazy night of rock ‘n roll I got a VIP tour of Eli Roth’s Goretorium, www.Goretorium.com   I have a 2-part exclusive look for Daily Dead News, read part one —> HERE

Oh, and there’s some Vegas pix over on www.mobli.com/LeahCevoli

And then… I took another leap of faith.

The job was over, and I found myself in the suburbs of Philly, with no income flow, a tiny creative flow, and no car (my lil hybrid is back in LA, and the work truck was gone).

After a long week of intense heart-to-hearts with my parents, my sisters, and my sister-friends, I have found myself in mid-town Manhattan.

Me and my Keifer kitty. (He seems to have stabled on his thyroid meds, fingers crossed).

My awesome sister-friend Tanya Perez, happened to have a spare room for rent. My awesome sister-friend Tina Norris, happened to be in town and available to drive me, kitty, and a butt-load of belongings from Philly suburbs to NYC.

So here I am.

We moved in last night.

Tanya and I went to yoga today.

My friend Alan Kistler and I had dinner tonight.

I feel good.

The goal is to work work work like only a crazy freelancer (aka actor/creative type can do).  And I mean 2-3 shifts a day.

With sights set on the west coast mid-January.

So we’ll see what happens.

I’m submitting to tons of Indie Films, Commercials, and even Background work. Why not?  I havent done background in years, and never in New York, but ya know what, it’s sag work, helps towards my health insurance, and even though it’s background it’s still being on-set… and I havent been on set in like 7 or 8 months.

And of course promo-tradeshow-production work, whatever comes up.

I’m excited about the future.  Legendary just put out on an update on production status, and Space Command is full throttle ahead.

I’m also in the midst of pre-production with sister-friend Denise Vasquez for a fundraising/live event called “Be Brave Be Bold Believe” which is going to benefit anti-bullying and suicide prevention organizations.  This will take place spring of 2013 in Los Angeles.

Oh, and I’ve recently begun assembling a group of phenomenal panelists for a panel I’m presenting to the 2013 Convention circuit.  “Women, All Shapes and Sizes Welcome”, we’ll be discussing body image and issues in the entertainment industry, along with personal stories and healing.

So excited about that!!

But at the end of the day… I want a home. Of my own. With a gorgeous man by my side, holding my hand, sharing adventures, and living life fully.

Namaste.

It’s 1am on Dec 31, 2011.  So, technically it’s New Year’s Eve.

The past 3 months back in LA have been really challenging, after driving 5 days across country alone, my house was a disaster area, my new roommate completely bailed on me, I sprained my ankle so severly that it’s still not 100%, and then to top things off my beloved Mustang breathed her last breath the week before Thanksgiving on the 5 Fwy.

It’s just about enough to make any gal, throw up her hands and yell UNCLE! I give up!

But something, and I’m still not sure what that something is.. keeps me going.. something happens like.. my acting coach calls and offers me a work-study, or I have a really fun film audition, or I’m on avail for 10 days for a commercial that I really wanted, or I get to spend more time with my fav Geek Girls from our Comikaze panel…. these things refuel me when I feel as if I’m on empty.

I’ve been close to empty a lot the past few months.

I decided to stay in LA for the Xmas Holidays. My first time ever, in mylifetime, that I wasnt with my family on Xmas Eve & Xmas.

My thoughts behind it were a) I could probably book a bunch of holiday freelance gigs, b) I was just on the east coast for an entire year, and c) maybe it was time to be an adult, and create my own holiday traditions.

Some of those thoughts turned out to be valid; I did book a really cool holiday gig delivering expensive cookies to every studio, law firm, and mngmt company in town.  I did embrace my own interests/traditions and attended a new moon meditation on the Santa Monica beach for Xmas eve, and on Xmas morning I attended a heart-opening kundalini workshop at Golden Bridge.

However, I have concluded that the christmas carols were right. They’re always right, I should know that by now. ‘There’s no place like home for the holidays’.

Until I have my own family, or at least a significant other, there’s really no where else I’d rather be then lounging around my mom & dad’s house drinkin hot toddies, eating Gmom’s Xmas cookies, and watching A Christmas Story and other classics for the 1000th time.

So the holidays are basically over, and I’m feeling a sense of calm strength. I’m ready to tear down some walls, kick open some doors, and blast thru some levels of resistance and fear that are standing in my way of really reaching and embracing success.

Tomorrow night, or later tonight if you will.. I’m going to attend a 3hour New Years Eve Workshop at golden bridge yoga, complete with an Indian Feast aftewards… I will be chanting, breathing, mediating, and releasing what doesn’t serve me any longer, and welcoming in all the goodness that awaits me in 2012.

The past 30 days have been a roller-coaster of emotional ups and downs.

At the end of August I said goodbye to a very dear friend of over 13 years. It was a tragic passing, and unfortunately the circumstances surrounding his passing were tainted with hollywood drama, and the weeks since his passing were tainted with stupid facebook drama. As someone who was more like family than a friend, I found myself having to deal with a lot of it.  By choice of course.. I could have turned a blind eye, but I along with his family and closest friends, have been dealing with a lot of shit to keep his memory in a positive light….

but along with the drama, there has also been a lot of wonderful, loving, warmth surrounding his passing.  He was an east coast boy, living in la for 8years now, and the outpouring of love from both coasts has been tremendous.  I met up with a group of east coast friends at his services, who have instantly become very special ppl in my life. People that I wish I had known while he was alive, but am so grateful for the connection after his passing.  Myself along with many of his closest friends have organized tribute concerts on both coasts for our friend.. you can find out more info here:

www.johnnygtribute.com

This is not the first time I’ve lost a friend tragically, but it never gets any easier.. so I’ve had my ups and downs with this, mostly crying quietly in moments of peace and laughing and delighting at all of the many signs he’s been sending to so many of his loved ones. Johnny was very spiritual and a believer in signs, and boy has he been sending them.

Career wise/ lifewise.. I decided it was time to head back to LA for awhile.  After a year on the east coast, I felt grounded enough, and relaxed enough to jump back into the go-go-go energy here in Cali.   I had an amazing year on the east coast, and really was welcomed into not only the acting community, but was also welcomed whole-heartedly by the east coast agents, casting directors, and sag community.   In the past year, I have been invited to speak at my former high-school, college, marketing classes for actors, and the philly sag conservatory community.  It is with a somewhat heavy-heart that I bid my farewells to all of those ppl that made my year in Philly so productive and fun.  But as I reminded them, it’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon.. I have definitely accomplished the bi-coastal connections and career energy that I was seeking.

Just before I headed west I had *the* biggest audition of my life for a feature shooting in Pittsburgh.  10 pages of sides just for the audition, with 2 of my 3 scenes being with an actor who is beyond a-list status.  Fingers still crossed as it’s only been 2 weeks, an amazing opportunity.. life-changing role.

And then I drove across country with myself and my 2 cats.  It took us 6 days, as we really took our time, and stopped every night to stay with friends, eat dinner, have breakfast, and enjoy the ride. Plus, with the cats… I have to stop for the night, there’s no cat-naps at rest-stops w/kitties in the car. (no pun intended) lol

Driving cross-country alone is challenging, let’s face it there’s a lot that can go wrong, but it’s also so beautiful, such a meditative experience, and reconnection with your self, and our beautiful country.

So here I am.. back in Los Angeles.

I arrived to the most filthy, disgusting, home I have ever witnessed. No joke. The last time I was here was April, and I can pretty much say the subletter that was here from May onward, never cleaned. GROSS.  So My first day here was spent hiring cleaners and carpet shampooers and just totally cleaning from top to bottom.  And then on Day 2.. when I was planning on unpacking and rearranging my life…  I jumped into a hard-core workout with my friend Andy, and twisted my ankle trying to hop on one-leg thru 12 tires.   So that pretty much put a damper on the entire week.

I’ve been blessed to have a few friends stop by to check on me, but for the most part I’ve been alone with my kitties.  And that’s okay.. I’ve been slowly, slowly, unpacking things.. there’s a lot to unpack.. not just the stuff I brought back from the east coast, but the rest of my belongings that I had boxed up here, and put in closets and the shed. I guess I’m a little more than 1/2 way done.

There was a girl from the east coast who was supposed to move in with me, but she ended up flaking out, and got her own place somewhere else.  It’s funny, but I’m always most wary of the females who say “let’s be roommates, we can do x, y, and z together and it’ll be so much fun!”… and with good reason.  It’s a shame for her tho, she’s brand new to town, and I would definitely have shown her around and helped her get settled. Oh well. C’est le vie.

However, the universe has provided me with a most amazing roommate for November. And I am looking forward to the quietness of October and his arrival in November.

And lastly… in between friends passing away, moving 3000 miles, and twisting my ankle.. I have signed on to produce a really meaningful, powerful feature film. Untold, is the true story of a little girl who was abducted and raped when she was 8 years old. She jumped from the abducter’s car and survived.. Untold is her story. I am honored to be a producer on this project as well as having a small on-camera role, and doing some voice-over for the project… please check out our fundraising page.. every dollar helps:

http://igg.me/p/44174?a=93034&i=shlk

I’ve got some more career announcements coming shortly, as well as working on a new website, updating my hosting reel, and finally getting my very-first new and improved newsletter out thru mail-chimp (sign up here: http://eepurl.com/e6OeA )

Live Love. Love Life.

xoxo

I set myself a deadline of 12-31-2010 to start a new blog. There is still much customization to be done, but alas the blog is started.

Who am I?  I’m Leah.  I’m a romantic, free-spirited, adventurous, hippie-rocker girl from Philadelphia, PA.  I’m a sister, a daughter, a taurus, and the type of gal who wins online voting contests. (I just won free lasik eye surgery from Kremer Eye center! yay!).

I love rock n roll, karoake, road-trips, horror movies, spontaneous adventures, photographs, astrology, yoga, social media, and passionate people.

I’m also an actress, a host, a producer, a poet, and a voice-actor for the amazingly snarky hit series, Robot Chicken.

I’m currently producing 2 web-series, Livin’ On A Dream (an inspirational talk-show), and On The Road with Leah (a weekly vlog documenting my travels).

I’ve been living in Los Angeles, since 1999. A few months ago, I decided to sublet my place in LA, move back east, and try this bi-coastal thing.

So far, it’s been mostly about re-charging, and re-jeuvenating. I’ve started accupuncture, bikram yoga, svaroopa yoga, and holistic/spiritual counseling. After 11yrs in Los Angeles, I found myself running on empty.

I’m at a cross-roads, a fork in the road, letting my soul speak and trying my best to actively listen to what it’s saying.

And currently it’s saying.. WRITE!! 

Welcome to my blog.

Happy New Year!

Live Love. Love Life. Keep Rockin’

xo