Walk YOUR Path, In YOUR Time

Sometimes seeing others living out their dreams, while you are still struggling, can be disheartening. In my opinion, two major things can happen to your emotional self; one, you either feel defeated, become jealous and bitter, with the mind to give up, or two, you see that dreams can be a reality, and turn other's successes into motivation.

The key to allowing other people's success to add fire to your belly, is to understand that everyone has to walk a different path before they reach their target. Timing is everything, and though you may want to believe it's your time, if things aren't happening, there's a reason as to why not. Your time will never be the same as someone else's, and neither will your journey. You must stay focused, and keep to your own path so that when opportunity rears its head, you're ready to grab a hold as tight as you can. Continue to follow your path, as the destination will eventually come.

When you see others doing what you want to be doing, you may think, "Why can't that be me?" or " What did they do differently than me?" The answers are, you aren't them and because you aren't them, whatever they did wouldn't have worked for you anyway.

Remember to follow YOUR path, embrace YOUR journey, believe in YOURSELF, and believe YOUR time is coming! Trust the process and never try to fill someone else's shoe. YOU are your own Cinderella, so don't break YOUR glass slipper, only to find that all the others don't fit.


“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
― Heraclitus


“We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.”
― Henry Ward Beecher

My Voice Tape for Maserati

I got a random email the other day, to see if I would be interested in sending an audition voice over tape for a Maserati commercial. Of course I was interested, however they needed it by the end of the day, and I was out all day with my son. In my mind I was thinking, how on earth am I going to find a quiet moment to record my voice, not only that, but Casting didn't have an audition script yet, so I was told to find my own.

My son and I were already out, delivering presents around town. Luckily he fell asleep, so I parked outside this weird part of town, and quickly tried to find a script. At first, all I could find were these terrible car salesperson scripts, and all I could picture was an overweight man from Texas, standing in front of a huge cactus sign, speaking to camera in a loud and exuberant way. My imagination can sometimes get the better of me. I finally found a script for Mercedes, which was written in a smooth and sexy way. I thought 'Yes' this is it; I am half way there. Needing to record before Amari woke up, I copied the script, as quickly as I could, from my phone onto receipts I found in my car, with a pencil I found in my purse.

Without hesitation, I opened my smart recorder, and recorded one take. The sound of my voice must have awaken Amari, because all of a sudden I heard him crying. "Oh no...why oh why are you awake baby...sh sh sh sh sh," was my natural instinct. His eyes were wide open now, and I was not getting him back to sleep, so as quickly as I could, I recorded another take. Luckily, my son stayed quiet. I listened back to the 2 takes I had, and wasn't happy with either. Optimistic, I tried to get one more in, and to my surprise, I was able to do a whole 3rd take without any background screams. Exactly a second after I finished the 3rd take, Amari started to ask why we had stopped, and I thought please oh please let this last take be good. I listened back, and was thrilled that it sounded great. Relieved, I sent the wav. file off to the production team, and went back to my day, delivering presents with my very outgoing, talkative son.

Welcome to my mummy entrepreneurial life.

5 Ways to Stay Ready In Between Castings and Jobs

It's always important to be prepared for when your agent or manager calls with an audition, or a job. At this time, I would like to share with you 5 ways I stay mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared for that call.

1) Drink plenty of fluids, mostly wine, because this helps keep me sane when I am not getting calls regularly.
2) Eat a lot of junk food, especially lots of comforting ice-cream, to again, keep me mentally and emotionally sane when no calls are coming in regularly.
3) Exercise by walking my Shih Tzu everyday, because I have to.
4) Sleep most of the day as this helps me forget that I'm not getting calls regularly.
5) Rest my voice and don't sing, just incase I get nodes before the call.

JUST KIDDING

The 5 ways I really stay ready in between castings or jobs are:

1) Drink plenty of water...like a lot...all day long!
2) Eat a healthy diet full of greens and fatty acids, to keep the brain going and the mind sharp.
3) I try to practice yoga everyday, and I do walk my dog because I have to, but it's great to get the fresh air and meditate during this time.
4) Getting enough sleep is the tricky one for me, as I am a mommy, and there is never enough time in the day; however I try to nap if I have too. Without sleep my brain doesn't function at it's fullest potential.
5) I try and do my vocal exercises everyday. The voice is a muscle, and needs consistent working out to remain strong and flexible.

Yes, these five practices are common sense, and incredibly important, but you wouldn't believe how difficult they are to uphold in the business of life.

Keep motivated, stay positive, and be prepared for when opportunities come knocking, because that is when you'll have the best chance at being successful.

http://hunnybentertainment.com

Being A BOSS! The Realness Of Being INDEPENDENT

To be an independent artist is great because you're your own boss, but it's not an easy route for sure. Many don't understand what it truly takes to be a successful indie artist; the amount of work and time that goes into the job is unremitting. You don't have any partners helping split the workload or financial burden.

I built HunnyB Entertainment as a platform for my music career, and in conjunction with my husband's production company NHD Productions, we create everything from the music production, to the composition, the lyrics, the recording, the mixing, the mastering to then the marketing of the record. We also produce our own music videos, find and hire the directors, the editors, the makeup artists, the wardrobe designers, find the locations, and create the concepts. After all this we then have to continue marketing the song along with the video. HunnyB Entertainment is also moving into producing music videos for other artists.

To be independent, means securing your own gigs, being online scouting for performance opportunities, even radio opportunities.

As an actor, I do have an agent, but having a boss mentality, I don't sit around and wait for my agent to call me with an audition. I am actively seeking work, networking, building relationships, attending workshops because I want people to know I exist. Along with being time consuming, you also have to be part of different online memberships which aren't cheap.

I have also written a feature film entitled "Feel The Beat," which I want produced. It would be nice to find a production company to back me, but if not you better believe I will produce this film on my own.

This is the truth about being independent. It's a lot of time, money, and energy. The fact is, I am building a business alone, from inception to the completed product, and then pushing it out the public, hoping and praying it will be receptive.

It's hard work. I won't lie, I cry myself to sleep some nights. I give and give and give, and sometimes receive so little. Other businesses try and take advantage of you, and it can be deflating. But a boss never quits and keeps grinding.

The work never ends, and sleep is almost non existent, however the rewards are greater than great! The entertainment world and business are my passions, and to be able to do what I love is priceless. I work very hard, and sleep hardly because I want to succeed, and I can't feed my family on passion alone. I will continue to build HunnyB Entertainment as a brand, and hopefully one day look back and say, "Wow look at this. My sacrifices were all worth it."

HunnyB Entertainment will be an empire!

I AM A BOSS!

Colour Blind Casting

I know this is a very touchy subject, but one that has to be talked about and addressed. The lack of colour blind casting, has been an ongoing struggle for many ethnic minority actors, through the ages, and still continues to be an issue even now. The opportunities are more yes, but I still see theatre companies producing shows that could allow for more diverse casting, but don't.

I am seeing many more television shows being made for multi ethnic actors, which is fabulous, however we are still being type cast. Also, without a doubt, the movie industry still needs to catch up.

Selma star David Oyelowo recently admitted he had to leave the UK to find roles as it was revealed almost 60% of British films over the last 10 years failed to cast any black actors.

A few weeks ago, I decided to see which shows Stratford, in Canada, had planned for it's season, and after going on their website, it was revealed that they were producing A Chorus Line and A Little Night Music. I clicked on the cast list for both shows, and to my delight, 2 of the lead roles in A Little Night Music were black women. Amazing! However, they only had 3 performers of colour in a cast of 19 and in A Chorus Line, only 5 performers of colour in a cast of 32. Even on the creative team for A Chorus Line, there was not 1 person of colour, whether it be black, asian, hispanic, mixed race or any other. The creative team of A Little Night Music, had only 1 person of colour out of a team of 19.

I go online to many UK theatre production sites, and when pictures of their non race specific shows pop up, I see mainly white faces.

I believe that change is happening, and one day I hope to be on the other side of the table, producing, fighting for more diverse casting.

For now though, I will continue to hone my craft, and hopefully continue to be blessed to bring characters to life, as honestly as possible, despite the colour of my skin.

Letting auditions go!

How many of you artists have finished an audition, and then it takes you a whole 48 hours, even longer sometimes, to let it go? Either you replay your performances in your head, or try to remember what you might have said to the panel. What did the panel say to you? Was it before or after you sang? Did their facial expressions say, "oooo I like her" or "I'm bored?" Did I babble too much? Was I supposed to memorise the script, even if I got it last minute and they only said to familiarise myself with the material? Did I sound nervous? Should I have maybe belted there? Was my skirt too short? Maybe I shouldn't have done that neck role to loosen up before I sang. Did I seem desperate?

Obsessing over an audition that's finished can be so detrimental. I have travelled the wrong way trying to get home, because my head was still in the room. My brain almost feels paralysed after a casting; I can't think.

So how do we let the casting experience go, and just move on with our lives? I DON'T KNOW! HELP!

I wonder if the answer is in this saying, "If it's meant to be, it will be?" No point wasting away 48 hours of your life on a couple minutes you will never get back. How many times have I had amazing auditions, yet have never gotten a call back, then had what I thought were sure losses, and then got the job. We can analyse a casting to death. At the end of the day, we will never know what was really going on in the heads of the panel, and if we were in the moment, we will never be able to truly replay the performance. 

I am so guilty of over analysing everything, that it literally can consume my whole day. This needs to stop. The obsession needs to stop. We work so hard, and for so many hours, for 2 minutes in a room. We get invested, and so yes, it's tough to just LET IT GO! AAAAHHHH....if someone has the answer please help?

I am in rehab now, courtesy of my husband, and will update you on my progress, as well with any methods that seem to work.

God Speed!

NEXT...

Importance of Planting Seeds

As an actor and a recording artist,  I  frequently get asked how I feel after I've not gotten a job or 20. I say, "Its ok I've planted a seed." Planting seeds in this business are extremely crucial. It's vitally important not to look at one casting as a step but more like a bridge, leading you to future opportunities. The more seeds you plant, the more you'll get known and the more likely you'll get work.

Planting seeds are not limited to castings but also to networking and meeting industry people. You want others to know your name, to know you exist. Eventually your seeds will grow and so will the opportunities. The opportunities will  become more substantial with time. Allow whatever it is you are growing to mature.

If you're a musician or a singer, put out music. Let people hear you and plant those seeds.

Go out and do things. Even if it's free or you might not see yourself right for the job. If you do a good job, whoever is behind the hiring will remember you.

Put yourself out there and see what comes back. If you're patient and determined, you'll be on the right track. 👍🌟

Embrace Your Voice!

Embrace your voice. This can be easier said than done. It took me a long time to figure out how to love my voice. I have a naturally classical sound, and so whenever I use to sing contemporary songs, I felt I sounded funny. Because of this, I would try to remove the vibrato and the warmth would go. Then I remembered a voice coach once saying to me, "Your voice is your voice, and is what makes you unique." This was such simple advice, and yet resonates with me until today. Why would I want to sound like all the other pop artists out there? I have something special to bring to my music, and now write songs to incorporate all that I am able to do with my vocal chords. I can do things that a lot of recording artists can't do, and I need to embrace this. My voice is my voice and I love it! Don't be afraid to challenge yourself, play with different sounds, but don't ever wish you sounded like someone else.

Sing with confidence, sing with passion, sing with love!

The Importance of Marketing Your Music

Musician: "I work so hard on making such good music, and the people who have heard it say my music is amazing, so I don't understand why I only have 150 listens? I mean I put it on Facebook and Twitter, and promote it as much as I can. How do I get more likes and listens?"

Ok guys, this is an ongoing problem and a frequent complaint from most artists. I am learning how to market my own personal music everyday as well, and it takes time. You can have the best music in the world, but if it's not being marketed properly, or at all, then who's going to know about it.

It is of absolute importance to spend a lot of time pushing your music out to reach new fans. Putting a bunch of songs out is not going to get you heard. You need to spend time getting people to listen to what you already have. How do you do this? You need to target music forums, sites, blogs, internet radio that already have a mass following. This is how you will reach several music lovers in one go.

You must make sure your presentation is on point. You want the fans to get excited at what they see and then at what they hear. First impressions are everything.

Too many artists make the music and then sit back thinking, 'it will happen; someone will notice me and the people will catch on.' No they won't!  You have to show them. There are hundreds of thousands of artists trying to do what you're doing, so how do you stand out?

As independent artists, we don't have the budget to pay a team to do our marketing, so we really need to put on our business hats, and research ways in which we can reach new audiences.

Make make make the time! Don't start on a new single or album until you have marketed the crap out of your current one. Don't post it a million times on Facebook or Twitter; you'll lose followers and your friends will tune you out. I have artists send me Facebook messages about their projects up to three times a day. I don't even take the time to read those artists posts anymore, when at one time I use to. I just see their names, and then erase. Of course you should still promote on these social media sites, but don't flood it.

Target your core audience and find those music forums. Sell yourself to the writers, the bloggers, the music enthusiasts and the radio producers. Perform live gigs when you can. Make music videos. Sell your music in the street. Do whatever it takes. Then it will catch on!

We are hustlers as well as creators. So create and then hustle. It will pay off.

I'm still hustling, but I see results one day at a time, one fan at a time.

Let us all succeed together!

Peace and Love

HunnyB

Prayers for Orlando, and my recent projects!

Okay, okay, I know it has been AGES since my last blog but I am a busy person. No excuses though right? So much has happened since my last post, and it would take me days to recall every detail, so I will sum it all up for you. However before I do so, I want to take this moment to say how saddened I am for all the losses in Orlando over the weekend. Both the shooting at Pulse Nightclub, and then the shooting of Chistina Grimmie, have really shook me. We move on the best we can from one tragedy, and then another strikes. It's like my heart will be forever broken, as there is no time to heal.
Prayers to all those suffering from these tragic events.

As an entertainer I hope to bring joy to people's lives, and so even in these grim times, I will continue to create and make music, and films to uplift, and inspire.

Last month I had the honour to attend the Canada International Film Festival in Vancouver, as my feature screenplay, "Feel The Beat" won the Royal Reel Award. I have been working towards getting the film made, and pray that over time, this will come to fruition. I have submitted the screenplay to other film festivals, in order to garner more praise, in hopes to attract investors, other producers and distributers.


We have also just finished production on my fourth music video for our new unreleased single 'Anniversary.' The music video is currently in post production, and we hope to launch the video and single later this summer 2016. I learned something extremely vital while shooting this video. Life changing actually. When one is shooting a bath scene, in a video, or film, never fill the bath with warm water, as you will sweat, the makeup people will hate you, and you'll look like a melting clown. Fill the bath with cool water, to stay fresh and dry. That's my tip of the day!

My partner and I have also recently launched HBE Films, a film production company that focuses mainly on music videos, but will also produce corporate videos, commercials and films.

Keeping me even more busy, has been the theatre show Kava Girls. I have been blessed to be cast as Salma Austin, in this three hander about understudies in the West End and their life perils. Kava Girls will tour the UK over the summer, doing minimal dates, over the next couple months. This show has been a blast to do. The amount of laughing that goes on each day, will force me to need botox sooner than anticipated, for these future laugh lines that I will be developing. At least my stomach muscles are getting a work out.

Last but not least, NHD and I are working on my 2nd album. We are cooking up a bunch of new songs, and can't wait to SHARE! Speaking of music, The Voice UK contacted me to audition and I am not sure if I want to. What do you think? I mean, I never hear from the winners again.

Alright, I am going to stop here. I have to go for my run while the sun is still out.

Hugs

HunnyB

My Ten Pointers On How To Write A Great Song!

Of course there are a lot of elements when it comes to writing great songs, and everybody will have their own opinions of what that is. I want to share with you ten pointers on how to write a great song.

1) Never try to write a song to please the listeners or your fans. You really will never know what it is they want exactly. A song should reflect your feelings and emotions. The listeners want to connect with YOU, and this can only be done if the song was written for you, and not for them.

2) Explore. Don't be stuck in one genre when writing a song. There is no formula that will guarantee a hit. The best magic comes from when you explore, and try new things.

3) Write what you know. I was told this a long time ago and it has stuck with me till this day. When you write what you know, you become more deeply invested in your lyrics, and then the song becomes more meaningful to you. This allows the listener to hear your truth and feel your real emotions, whether joyful, sadness, anger, etc.

4) Make sure your melody compliments your lyrics. If you are writing a happy song, make sure you write in major chords and not minor, though sometimes you can play around. Also, make sure when you are writing a melody to stay true to the natural inflection of the word when spoken. So if you sing the word " everywhere," write the melody so the highest note is on the first 'e' of everywhere, because when you speak the word, the inflection of the first 'e' is the highest point of pitch in your voice. This is not mandatory, but it can really make a difference.

5) If you feel stuck with rhymes, use a rhyming dictionary. Sometimes, when we struggle with expressing how we are feeling, a good rhyming dictionary can give you many interesting ideas on how to say what you feel.

6) If a song comes out weird, go with it. When I wrote "Poisoned Love," my producer NHD and I thought, this song is strange. Let's finish it, but it probably will never be released. The song, after a year, grew on us, and we decided to release it. Now it is the most played single, of all my singles, on radio shows. I wrote what I was feeling, and believed in the song. I didn't scrap it because I was scared people wouldn't understand it. I wrote the song for me, and to my surprise, my listeners loved it.

7) Play Play Play Play Play! I can not stress this enough. Sing different variations of the songs melody. You never know what you might discover.

8) Imagine who you are talking to in the song. Is it you talking, or someone else talking? Are you talking to someone or about someone?

9) Make sure the hook is catchy, and your listeners are able to sing along.

10) Tell a story

Peace and Love

HunnyB

Go for it...Bye Bye Fear!

Another week, another blessing! I had such high hopes for this week, and so far it hasn't disappointed. I am between agents at the moment, as my first agent here in the UK was the worst communicator and was blatantly disrespectful. Needless to say, we just didn't work. Last week I sent 3 emails to some top agencies, and to my surprise, secured a meeting with one next week. Yay me!

We are also almost finished our new single, "Anniversary" and are now in pre-production for the music video. It has been a year since my last music video, "Poisoned Love," so we are super excited! I have been feeling extremely creative these days, and truly believe that whatever you want to achieve is possible. I have removed all fear from my life, and now just Go For It! People say that there has to be a formula for how you do things. What formula? Who came up with these so called formulae, and why can't new ones be set in place? I am all about doing what feels right, and grabbing the bull by its horns. Who knows where it may lead you.

For example, today is Hump Day with HunnyB. This is where I post a video of me singing on You Tube. Two Years ago, I would have never done this. Not because I didn't think I was good enough, but because I was afraid no one would care, or watch. I didn't want to be the artist with 5 views. This superficial need for views (even though it is important), was keeping me back from sharing my gifts. I needed validation for what I was doing. I still don't now if people will care, or take the time to hear me sing, but that can't stop me! I sing because it brings me joy, and I hope it does the same for others. Even if only one person loves what I have done, that video of me singing affected that one person, and that one person matters a great deal.

Toss fear out the window, go for it 100%, and never apologise for putting yourself out there.

Love and Peace

HunnyB

Performing at a Charity Luncheon for Pensioners!

Today was a very interesting day on stage! I loved every moment of it, as I always do when I'm performing. The show was a charity luncheon for pensioners or aka senior citizens. There are a lot of positives to performing for pensioners, the first being that if you sing off key, the majority of them wouldn't even know (bad joke I know). The audience was absolutely lovely, and very receptive, except when I tried to sing directly to them. They would turn away, like I wasn't even there. Either they were scared of me, I smelled, or they were sleeping and didn't want to be bothered. It was a long show to be fair! The seniors were actually an amazing audience, with huge applause after each number, and even some woooo's from those feeling adventurous.

The show took place at the Business Design Centre, which is a lovely venue, and the room was spectacular. The sound engineer was on point, and all the performers were first class. I sang a few covers and a couple of my originals, which were met with delight. I wanted so badly to tell the crowd that they can purchase my songs on iTunes, but I didn't want to confuse them with the technology talk. I also wanted to plug my Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter, but again I thought this might be a lost cause. I mean, even if they did have a social media site set up by one of their grandchildren, would they know how to follow me, or even remember that my tag name is @itsmehunnyb? This day was truly for them though, and it was such a pleasure to see the smiles on all their faces. To be one of the reasons for those smiles is what brings joy to my life.

God blessed me with a voice, and has allowed me to use my voice to build a career. It is also my duty to use my voice to give back. I love to perform, and I thank God everyday that this is what I get to do.

A true artist will sing wherever and whenever they can, for whomever! Never forget that!

Peace and Love

HunnyB

Why Some Radio Stations Make Me Sick!

Today I was approached by a radio station to submit music for airplay. I thought this was so nice of them to notice me, so I looked them up. Not to my surprise, they were charging artists for airplay by selling different promotion packages. Some of you may think that this is okay, because everyone needs to make a living, however I think this is taking advantage of the artist. We all know that most artists are vulnerable because of their obsessive desires to succeed brought on by extreme passion. They have little money, and yet will spend what little they have to try and Make It!

Companies that use this knowledge to make a profit off these artists yearning for a break, make me sick. If you are going to establish a radio station, do it because you love music and want to support musicians. We need your support! You also need us to have content to play. Why don't you charge the big names who have that kind of money? Oh yes, that's right, you can't, so why prey on the little people, so to speak? Make your money from advertising. We spend hours and hours, and a lot of coin recording and preparing one track. Most times, these tracks are never played on a station, and are only heard by friends and family, but they are made with love. If you love the song as well, then play it! Don't play it just to line your own pockets, but do so because you care. If you don't care, then 'Fudge Off.'

I am all for investing in yourself. I do time and time again. I believe in the saying, 'If you don't believe in yourself enough to invest in yourself, than why should anyone else?

Please stay away from the companies that try to exploit artists. You don't need them! Keep filling up that bucket one drop at a time, and soon you will be overflowing with radio stations playing your records, free of charge, and full of support!

I want to give a big shout out to "Desert Deb's Crystal Cavern," "Duggy Degs' Music Show," and "Blackberry Soul radio," amongst all the other radio stations who have played my music, and who have been a huge platform for my career.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I am eager to sing you a love song, but can't since this is a blog :( However, I have a few love songs that will be coming out very soon, and I can't wait for you to hear them!

Speaking of love, I would love to hear what you all did for Valentine's day? I had the day to myself to rest, as you all know I wasn't feeling well. Then my handsome husband and precious son came home bearing gifts of roses, chocolates and champagne. We then went you for a lovely meal, and when we came home, there were rose petals all over the bedroom and bathroom, with gifts on the bed!

When I started my career in the music business, everyone use to tell me that I had to remain single, and that being seen in a relationship would hurt me more than help me. If that was the case, I would be a lonely musician, without a husband to share my successes with, and a son to give the world to. They are the inspiration for my art, the push to my drive, the warmth to my being, and the beat to my heart. I am better at being an artist, because I have them to love, and them to love me.

My advice to all up and coming artists out there would be: Don't be a puppet on a string, and let someone dictate your life. If you have fallen in love, and have to choose between that person or your career, then pick both. They can work together, if you let them. Be bold, be brave, love whole heartedly, and don't let the games in the music business deter you from being the best artist you can be!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love HunnyB

The Importance of Rest

Dear sleep,

I need you. I know you haven't been my friend lately and I'm sorry if I've offended you, but I need you back. I have so much on my plate and I can't afford to get sick anymore. Please come back to me.

Lately I have been struggling with my health. I am not sure if it's a flu, exhaustion, or both. I am not just a dreamer but a doer and with that, I put work first and sleep last. The consequences are that I am now battling feelings of pain. It's as if my whole body has been hit by a truck .

I have to perform next Sunday for over 200 people. I am singing 6 songs and have a lot of rehearsing to do. I am afraid that I will not get better in time to rehearse like I need to.

Sleep is our best friend, and despite how busy we are, we need to learn that lack of sleep will have so much more of a negative impact on us, than maybe not finishing everything we had planned for that day.

It's hard when you're a workaholic like me, but the consequences are not worth the extra hours.

Pray for my health and for my performance next Sunday! I need all the strength I can get.

Peace and Love

HunnyB

Expedia Film shoot with HunnyB

I am not sure if i'm supposed to be speaking about this, however today I had a very long, but rewarding day shooting a video for Expedia at their offices in London. The call time was early, but reasonable being 8am. Now I am a country girl, and have to commute into London for work. This is totally fine and easy, especially when I take the train, which is always, EXCEPT TODAY! I do not know what possessed me to think that driving into central London on a Thursday morning, in rush hour, was a good idea, but I did it anyway. Everything on the roads were smooth, and moving at a good pace, until I desperately needed to stop for gas. This literally took me five minutes, but in those five minutes, the traffic piled up enough for me to lose 20 minutes of time. So now i'm going to be late for my job. GREAT! As if I am not panicked enough, my phone decided not to charge last night. Now I rely on my phones satnav, or i'm doomed! I have no idea about these UK country roads, and especially London roads. You know in the UK you have to switch on the power to the outlet, and of course being from Canada, and not use to this, I sometimes forget, leaving me in almost disastrous situations, like having an uncharged phone. So my phone now has only 6% battery life, but by the grace of God, I drive by a petro station. I ask them if they have a car charger, and to my astonishment, they had one left, and it was universal. Hallelujah. Ok so this solved my dead phone issue and my no stanav issue, but I am now running 45 minutes late for my job. WHY DID I NOT JUST TAKE THE TRAIN! STUPID!

So here I am, in heavy traffic, trying to stay calm by listening to classical music, when my phone decides to say, "gps signal lost." Really? Now? Classical music could not help my panic at this moment. Here I am doing circles around Holborn, praying that my gps signal will be found. After about 10 minutes of circling, my common sense kicked in and I rebooted my phone. Yay, I have signal now! So finally, I find where i'm supposed to go, park and then finally meet the assistant, the producer, the director and the other actor. Shaking hands with them, I try hard not be too bothered about the fact that I am an hour late! Yes an hour! WHY DIDN'T I JUST TAKE THE TRAIN! I would have been early, gone over my script, had a tea, even a little nap, but nooooooooooo, I had to drive.

Anyway, being the brilliant actor that I am, I was able to knock out 13 pages of dialogue, ahead of schedule, making everyone forget that I was late. Did I mention, that I only got the script the day before? Oh yeah! All in all, the shoot was amazing. We had some great laughs, I met some amazing, talented people, and I even got to have a naked veggie burrito for lunch!

Not so bad for a day on the job with HunnyB.

2016

Ok, so we are now in February of 2016. The year is already flying by. I always want every new year to be the best one yet, but should we really put that much pressure on ourselves? I started off the year with a bang, having performed, and presented at the premier of the short film, "The Attentive Taxi Driver." I performed at the V.A.S.T.T event, which I will blog about later, and I have a film shoot for Expedia tomorrow. I am also preparing to perform, in a couple weeks, at the Business Design Centre, at a charity function for pensioners. This is all great stuff, but what happens when it stops, because it will!? How do you keep yourself motivated, and in a healthy state of mind? I am guilty for being a person who stresses out about life. I like having control of things, especially my career. I know that in the past, if the work slowed down, I would wallow in my self pity while eating buckets of ice-cream, especially Ben and Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup.

This year is going to be different. Despite how busy my year started, I parted ways with my acting agency, IAG. This is sort of a big deal, as they represent John Boyega from Star Wars, amongst many other well known actors. However, their lack of communication was terrible, and they were more worried about their fame and status as an agency, versus being great managers to their clients. In the past, I would have run to McDonalds, and ordered a chocolate milkshake with large fries, however this time I motivated myself. I started going to acting workshops, posting more videos of me singing covers on YouTube, even signed up for an on camera course at the Actors Studio starting in March. Now I have no time to be depressed.

Keeping oneself busy with ones passion is one way to beat the blues. I am sure it will work for me, so if you're in need, give it a try!

Let's make 2016 a year of positivity and inspiration. Take control of your emotions, and you will have control of your life!

Love and Peace

HunnyB

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My City - Performance By HunnyB

Performing is like water to me. I need it to survive!