for your VINformation

In 2007, I wanted to:

• …to continue to build upon the momentum that my fledging career already has.

I believe I covered that one pretty good. 2007 was probably my most profitable year to date for money earned by performing. My first three months rent were paid from Santaland, the next six from 5 Takes Latin America and the final three from The Bernie’s Commercials. I was asked to join and maintain a great relationship with the Emerging Artist Theatre Company. I also been able to develop relationships with come of the better casting agents in the city, one I hope will continue into 2008.

The next level is well within my sights.

• …to get my SAG card – only two waivers to go.

I didn’t get my SAG card this year, but I’m getting closer. The better auditions are within my reach and all the post-carding seems to actually help. The writers strike has put a crimp on that quest right now, but I’m still going on.

• …to take more pictures.

I carry a camera around with me everywhere I go and take as many pictures as I can, I also bought a video camera as some of you may know and continue documenting my life. I’d say I had this one well in the bag.

• …to live a healthier life.

This one, this one didn’t go quite as planned and is my biggest disappointment of 2007.

I stopped smoking, I started smoking, I stopped smoking again and started again. I lost weight, I gained weight. I exercised every day, and not exercised for months…a very mixed bag, indeed. I need to re-up on this resolution for next year, I don’t want to be a 40 year old fatty, wheezing stroking all my cats…

• …to read more.

This one I did pretty well. I added a number of memoirs to my growing collection. Grown-up books. a bunch of travel guides, even a few novels.

• …to write a book.

Well, I didn’t do a book, but I did get this blog up almost daily – 718 posts, does that count?

• …to keep in touch with my friends.

I did a pretty good job with this one, keeping up with my blog and my friends blogs and sending out sporadic emails and posting bulletins on the MySpace and videos on the YouTube. I certainly put myself out there, whether or not people read and watch…that’s not up to me. I don’t want to be a bother.

• …to see a Broadway show a month.

I started out the year keeping this one up easily, didn’t quite workout. I haven’t seen Xanadu yet!

• …to get into a Broadway show – I said they were goals…

Ok, this one is a draw.

I didn’t make it to the Broadway stage this year, but I did have a TV show on the Travel Channel all summer, that’s gotta count for something…

• …to get my reel posted on online and use it to help me get an agent.

The reel went up, got updated, got updated again and I still don’t have an agent. Aside from sliding my pictures under their doors, I’ve done everything I can possibly do. I seem to be function well working as my own representation, I want the 10%!

I also used my You Tube to post plenty of vlogs and mini-movies. It is a cheap hobby that gives me much pleasure. In 2008 I’m going to try to get something up bi-weekly.

• …to put some money aside to go to Amsterdam again.

Ok, I’m not going to Amsterdam. but I do have money put aside for a trip, in early January. So technically, this one’s on the fence. I’m not sure where I’m going…I may just save it for my trip to Vegas in February or March to catch the Bette Midler show.

My one year project is over.

I decided one year ago to stop and pick up every single penny I saw on the streets on New York City. Each and every one, whether heads up or heads down – in my mind each penny was a gift from god set out to make me stop and appreciate the small, simple things in life.

I can’t prove scientifically if any actual luck was gleaned from these pennies, but I have to believe some did. 2007 was my most successful acting year to date – with 5 Takes and Bernie’s, I’ve got a great survival job I like which allows me all the time I need for auditions and I’ve got great amounts of  hope for 2008.

I was wracking my brain as to what to do with all the  collected coins and I came up with a few ideas:

• Get them all polished and bagged with a lucky certificate of authenticity and sell them on eBay for $2.00 each.
• Toss them in with the over one million penny collected during the Penny Harvest now on display at Rockefeller Center.
• Somehow mark them and drop them throughout the city to let other people share in the luck.

Well, here’s what I’ve decided. I’m going to take all 409 pennies to Atlantic City and feed ‘em into a penny slot and take my chances with Lady Luck.

I’ll keep one – for luck.

I’m headed out to Atlantic City, for a little blackjack, a little buffet – with free steak, thank you Wild Wild West Casino – and a little slot machining.

Wish me luck, I’m bringing the rent; I think I can double it, easy.

They changed the definition I submitted, but it’s still my word.

Mamarazzi Forever!

UPDATE:

The definition on the Urban Dictionary wasn’t changed, it isn’t mine! It was submitted all the way back in January of ‘07.

Apparently, somebody in Canada is just as clever as me, but quicker to the draw!

I officially abandon my Mamarazzi quest.

Now, all in one place, you can watch what they’ve called "almost perfect cabaret…"

I finally had a moment to upload the final three songs, to give you all of Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular! For the first time, all in one place the musical numbers:

• I’m So Excited!
• The Remembrance Medley
• Christmas Now!
• My Simple Christmas Wish
• Christmas ’round the World
• Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?
• Xmas is Cumming!
• The Crazy Bells of Christmas Medley
• Baby, It’s Cold Outside
• The Encore

Keep your eyes open, a Making of Fruitcake is sure to show up soon.

And please, if you watch it and you like it, don’t forget to rate it!

Feel free to forward, Tom and I need to become the next viral phenomenon…

I’m off for a week.

My next day of work is Jan 4th when I shoot the next series of spots for Bernie’s.

I’m going the pack up Christmas and do some cooking and go to Atlantic City with Tom to lose some money and I’m going to do nothing.

It’s a VINcation.

I haven’t gone grocery shopping in over three months.

I haven’t eaten every meal out during that time, but pretty darn close. After living on doughnuts, pizza and Popeye’s Fried Chicken for the six weeks, I thought it was about time.

Besides, I was out of just about everything “big and bulky” -Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Seltzer, Cat Food, Cat Litter, etc., etc – and well, my cupboards were bare.

Long story short – $186.00 later – I get everything home and put away and notice something strange, I have nothing to eat.

My pretty girl Molly under the tree.

She’s getting older and she’s not as spry as she used to be, but I remember it was all down hill after eleven for me as well.

Vinnie’s tree is tall and skinny

and ornaments abound;

you can tell this tree is Vinnie’s,

as both Batman and Santa Claus can be found.

I created a photo website with all my pictures from the past two years of Santaland.

For those of you following the Santa & posts and are wondering just who the heck were all those people on Santa’s lap, at the Santaland Picture site, I name names!

Christmas Eve was a little Santa-heavy and I had nothing to do for most of the morning – in fact, I wasn’t scheduled to sit until 1:30.

After an hour of just sitting in the dressing room, I jumped up and went to the costume locker.

"I’m bored, make me an Elf."

"OK. Do you have a shirt preference?"

"Give me the ugly one."

Red pants, postage stamp smock, black pleather boot spats and velvet hat on, Bundles bundles to the Elf office for an assignment.

"Bundles, reporting for duty!"

"What are you doing?"

"I need to spread joy, send me somewhere for hour."

"Peek Exit. Send back Jingles."

That was easier than expected. There is an elf shortage after all.

The looks on the elves faces were priceless. It took everyone who saw me a moment to figure out it was me.

"Right this was to peek at Santa. Merry Christmas!"

"Right this was to peek at Santa. Merry Christmas!"

"Right this was to peek at Santa. Merry Christmas!"

"It’s just a peek not a visit, exit this way please. Merry Christmas!"

"Right this was to peek at Santa. Merry Christmas!"

It was a wee bit repetitive, but fun. The elves think Peek Exit is one of the worst jobs at Santaland, but to them I say – "Then you’re not doin’ it right." Almost everyone who came through was smiling and happy and wanted a picture with Bundles, and he happily complied – it was the perfect opportunity to be a little goofy, ’cause Santa is anything but…

It was as if 1998 and I had the whole world in front of me – if only I knew then what I know now.

Santa Came

Santa Saw

Santa Conquered

Until next year, same Santa time, same Santa channel…

Santa: "And what do you want for Christmas?"

Boy: "A reindeer."

Santa: "A stuffed reindeer?"

Boy: "No! A real one."

Santa: "Is your room big enough for a reindeer? They get very big you know."

Boy: "Yes, we’re rich, I have a big room."

Santa: "Well then, what about the poop? Reindeer poop a lot! Are you willing to keep everything clean?"

Boy: "We have people for that."

Santa: "What would like for Christmas?"

9 year old boy: "Nothing, I’d rather like it if you could help make the world a better place by continuing to spread love."

_______________

Grandmother: "Smile Jordan. Smile. SMILE! He won’t smile."

Santa: "Maybe…if you…stopped yelling at him?"

_______________

Child: "I want a transformer."

Santa: "They’re more then meet the eye, you know."

_______________

Girl: "Are you the real Santa?"

Santa: "Of course I am, everyone know the real Santa comes to Macy’s."

Girl: "Then why do I see netting on you face?"

Santa: "Well, that is a magic netting I put on my beard so all the cold germs fall off, no one wants a Santa with a head-cold on Christmas Eve."

_______________

Mother taking Pictures: "Santa, Santa, look over here. Adonis, look over here. Here, look here. Did you tell Santa what you want?"

Santa: "He hasn’t a chance yet, as soon as you’re done snapping away we’ll start the visit, Santa doesn’t want to interrupt…"

_______________

Chuck:

It was a lot of fun visiting you in Santaland. I hope to make it back again before it’s all over.

Mark:

Amy and I had the best time yesterday. We both remarked on the way to Macy’s that we had gotten ourselves really worked up over seeing Santa. Can I say that going into that little house has elevated the level of respect that I have for you as an Actor. I felt the amount of HEAT that suit was generating and having to stay in character. Holy crap,
man. You got some chops.

I really had the best time!
Thanks Man.

Aaron:

Thanks so much for last night. You looked and sounded great! I honestly thought that they had taken us to the wrong Santa at first!! Oh, and Alex said that you smelled Santariffic!!

I’m sorry that Sebastian wasn’t able to keep a conversation with you. According to Alex he was falling asleep on the bus on the way down to Macy’s (I met them, there), so he was very, very tired. But he loved it and was sooooo happy!! As soon as we were out of the room he was asking when he could come back and see Santa again.

Eric:

Hey Vinnie Claus!

Thanks so much for the unforgettable time at Macy’s. It was great seeing Madison stunned speechless. You make an awesome Santa.

Joanna:

Just wanted to say thank you for getting my friend Jennifer and me and the 2 Henrys into see you. The VIP treatment was awesome. You looked amazing and I’m so thrilled that my Henry didn’t scream or cry and was truly fascinated by you. You are a very adorable Santa.

Hope to see you again soon outside of the North pole.

Happy holidays and thanks again.

Kevin:

So good to see you today. The kids were soooo excited by our visit. You make
a great Santa: Fun, kind, jolly and loving. It was very special.

Have a Merry Christmas and thank you again.