'Fornia Thoughts

Operation Terror -- Mark Bingham

So I got cast in a movie last year called "Operation Terror."  It was my first movie (and only movie so far), and I actually had speaking lines and everything, which was pretty cool right ??  

The character that I played is named Brice Miller, but he's actually based on a real person -- Mark Bingham, the hero who helped take down United Flight 93 on September 11th.  It was an unexpected honor to play this character -- who I respect immensely.  I attended the Bingham Cup rugby tournament in London and New York, and I actually met his mother -- who is a big supporter of the gay rugby tournaments.

Anyway, I think it's an interesting coincidence that I was the person that was cast as this character, and I hope that anyone who sees the movie will forgive the fact that I was 44 when I played the 31 year-old Mark Bingham.  Also, I haven't seen the movie yet, so I hope it's a favorable representation and a good movie.

Here's a link to the clip:  Operation Terror

 

Doppelgänger

My friend Tony Mills found what he thinks is my doppelganger.  He's a train conductor and a bodybuilder.  His name is Bob Mayo, and he has a web site here:  NABBA USA (bodybuilding competition web site).  I think this is so cool...

According to wikipedia:  

In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger (German "double walker")  is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune. In modern vernacular, the word has come to refer to any double or look-alike of a person.

The word also is used to describe the sensation of having glimpsed oneself in peripheral vision, in a position where there is no chance that it could have been a reflection. Doppelgängers often are perceived as a sinister form of bilocation and are regarded by some to be harbingers of bad luck. In some traditions, a doppelgänger seen by a person's friends or relatives portends illness or danger, while seeing one's own doppelgänger is an omen of death.

Here's the video of Tony finding him on the train:  

 

 

My Singing Attempt

When I lost my job last year, I decided that I was going to be fearless about trying ANYTHING in the pursuit of an acting opportunity here in Hollywood.  Afterall, when in Rome do what the Romanians do...yes that was a joke.  So I submitted my picture for a singing competition where the judges would be behind a wall, and hear me singing without seeing my face.  I had to also tell a story about why I would want to enter a singing competition.  So I told them the story that I had always wanted to try singing, but never really knew if I could sing.  I told them that where I was from, guys didn't sing.  You kinda had to choose either sports or the arts.  You were considered a big "faggot" if you were singing, so I guess that made me too scared to try.  Anyway, the casting folks heard my story, and they were interested in having me audition for the competition.  They asked me what kind of song I would sing if I was picked.  So I said I thought I could sing country.  They thought that was too predictable and boring, so they asked what else I could sing.  I started naming some songs on my i-pod -- which included Mary J. Blije.  They liked the idea of a big white guy like me singing Mary, so they scheduled me for an audition.   Then I tried singing a few different songs, and I ended up just picking a song that really moved me, and tried my best to sing it.  I picked Adele's "Someone Like You" -- before it was a huge hit here in this country.  Boy oh boy was that a huge challenge for me, but I gave it my best shot. 

I went to the audition, and they liked me, but said that they could tell I was nervous, so they asked me to video myself singing the songs, and send them back.  The songs below are the ones I submitted for my audition.  

Long story short, it turns out that I can't really sing. <<< sigh>>>>  Just kidding.  I don't really care.  I'm just proud of myself for trying.  Singing is hard.  I have a lot more respect for singers after trying this.    

1. My cover of Keith Urban's "Without You"

 

2. Adele's "Someone Like You" (super hard song to sing)

 

3.  Cover of Corinne Bailey Ray's "Girl Put Your Records On"

 

Daily Affirmation

I am thankful for my gifts and opportunities, and open to giving and receiving love.

Voice Over & Teleprompter Acting -- Wonderware Software Asset Manager

Here's another acting job that I booked.  We filmed this on a green screen and a green floor, and the lights were so hot that they had to keep taking breaks to cool me off and to dry off my sweat.  I'm a sweaty freak!!

 

 

Fall Music Gym Playlist

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes 

We'll Be Alright  - Travie McCoy  Lazarus (Deluxe Version) 

Save Me, San Francisco – Train 

All Your Life - The Band Perry 

Keep Me In Mind - Zac Brown Band 

Sexy and I Know  It – LMFAO 

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 

We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) – Rihanna 

My Body - Young the Giant 

Better With the Lights Off (feat. Chris Brown) - New Boyz

Love Done Gone – Billy Currington

Not Over You -  Gavin DeGraw 

Beautiful People (feat. Benny Benassi) [Main Version] - Chris Brown 

The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie - Red Hot Chili Peppers 

Long Hot Summer - Keith Urban 

Beautiful Mess - Diamond Rio

You Lie - The Band Perry

Take a Back Road - Rodney Atkins

She Ain't You - Chris Brown 

Different - Ximena

 

Ladder 6

Here's another project that I did. It's a very nice tribute to a true miracle story from September 11th at the Twin Towers. I am the voice of the dispatcher in the animated clip. It was an honor to be involved with this. Those men are true heroes.

http://spiritclips.com/films/laddersix

 

 

Nice Birthday Message

Since Facebook posts are so fleeting, I decided to capture this one on my blog, so I can remember it.  Here's the sweet birthday message that my mom left for me.  Thanks Mom.  Love you too.  My birthday was August 16th.

 

Word Twist

Hello my name is Mike, and I'm a Word Twist addict.  It's been one day since my last game.  This is a screenshot from facebook...

 

Momentum

Three things I LOVED...

(1) My ex bf did the sweetest, nicest thing that made me cry a little and smile a lot.  He bought me a new pair of shoes for my job interview today -- an early birthday present which I really needed.  The new shoes really did help me feel more comfortable and confident at the interview.  Hope he gets a lot of love from the universe.  He deserves it.

(2) The momentum and support that I got after asking for help from friends here in LA and on Facebook last week.  People are sending me more job leads and potential sources of help than I have time to chase down, and I am very grateful.   

(3) This message from my father after sending him a link to the Ximena video...

Mike,   Thank you for sharing the video.  I enjoyed the music and the dancing and especially your life  guard acting!!!     You really did make a big splash at the end!!!  Most likely you had some practice at our pool in Scaggsville.     Love Dad