Busy Weekend

My cousin and his wife were in town this weekend from Seattle. We had a very busy time. We took them to Disneyland, a party at a friends house, a benefit wine/cheese tasting party, a comedy show, Hollywood Haunt (a Halloween Party in Hollywood thrown by the one and only V), and gave them the full LA tour. It was fun. We gave them a taste of a normal weekend with Jon and Heather.

Here is a picture from the Hollywood Haunt Halloween party (it is a very candid picture the photographer at the party took). It was great fun however it feels like Halloween in Hollywood is just an excuse for girls to dress skanky. As for me, I dressed up like a little kid and whore my onesy pj's (you know what little kids where with the feet built in and the zipper that starts below your knee, you know you whore it as a kid) and Jon was a guido from New Jersey. We didn't have much time to prepare costumes so this is what we came up with. It was a good time!

Fire!

Last night when we were driving home from visiting a set we saw in the distance a bright orange light in the night sky. It seemed far away but yet very close. As we got closer we realized that the orange light was a fire and we were headed right for it. The fire was directly next to the freeway on our drive home. (the picture above is what it looked like when we were driving up to it and the picture below was up next to it, taken from my camera phone)

We pulled over to take some pictures. I couldn't believe how close we were to a real fire. We could feel the heat. We were so surprised they didn't close the freeway down since it as literally touching the cement wall that separated us from the fire. After a few pictures we took off and learned later that minutes after we left they closed the freeway down for hours. I was so happy we made it threw. It was such an experience.

Work Pictures

I hope you guys watched my fun fight on Friday night on Ghost Whisperer. In cased you missed it, I did a fight that was suppose to take place inside a computer game. Since we were supposedly in the video game we shot the whole fight on green screen. Here is a picture of me doing a ratchet (an air pressure thing that yanks you powerfully through the air). Because I was doing the fight in stilettos and a bustier it made some of the stunts in the fight a bit more difficult. When I was doing my ratchet the jerk vest (a type of harness you wear that they attach the cable to) was a special kind that didn't go over my shoulders so it didn't spread the power out over my body it basically pulled my whole body from my ribs. On the first rehearsal I thought it cut me in half. We ended up putting something in between my body and the harness that helped but let me tell you the first one was a dosy. Next time I know and as dad says "live and learn or you don't live long." I stand by that.


Also it is not easy doing a double kick back flip in giant stiletto heals. It throws your whole weight distribution out of wack. It was fun though. Here are a few pictures from the fight.BTW did I mention how great Jennifer Love is to work with. She really is an amazing person!


Did you watch Terminator this week? If you did, did you see the two terminators fighting? The other terminator was a stunt girl who is also a contortionist. She is amazing and her body can do some crazy stuff. Summer (the actress) ended up doing most of the fight on film. I would rehearse it and set it up for cameras but Summer did most of it on film. She is great and the fight turned out really good. Here is a picture of me in Terminator make up. It was fun make up to wear.

On TV tonight

Watch Ghost Whisperer tonight on ABC. I am doubling Jennifer Love Hewitt on the show tonight. I have some fun pictures I will post after the show airs. Also watch Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles on Monday on Fox. I am doubling the terminator girl Summer Glau (her character's name is Cameron).

I have been bad about letting you guys know when I am on TV. Sorry it is hard to keep up with it. I worked the past couple of days. I worked over 17 hours yesterday. It was such a long day but it went well.

Home from Europe

We arrived home from Europe Saturday night. Unfortunately a lady on the plane next to me got me sick. She was blowing her mucus all over the place, so I woke up Sunday with a nasty cold. I am feeling a tinny bit better thankfully because I am working today. I feel so bless to have had this wonderful vacation and come home to work. I am working a few days this week (on Heroes and Ghost Whisperer) and next week (on Sarah Conner Chronicles).

Here are a few pictures from our trip. We took over 400 pictures and tons of video. I
will post some more pictures when I have a chance.(The top picture is of us in Rome)


This is a picture of us in Monco. They yachts were amazing.

Here we are in Tuscanny in front of the villa we stayed at. My favorite place I stayed.

Jon driving the Ferrari in Monoco. He smiled the whole time!

The Eiffel Tower at night. So romantic!

In Tuscany Italy!

We are having the most amazing time in Europe! So far we have been to London, Paris, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Florence and now we are in a Villa in Tuscany. I cant even begin to tell what an amazing time we are having. I will write in detail all about our trip when I get back home but I will tell you Jonny got to drive a Ferrari in Monte Carlo on the F1 track. Anyone who knows Jon knows that was like a life time dream come true.

I think for me I am most enjoying the food. We keep saying we are eating our way through Europe. I definitely will have to diet when I get home or the actresses will fire me, but until then I am enjoying every second. One of my highlights so far was the Eiffel tower all lite up at night. It was so romantic being there with Jon. I have been to the Eiffel town when I was in High School but having my husband there was just amazing and it was all light up so beautiful. It just twinkled.

I am also loving Tuscany. I cant wait to come back. Tomorrow we are headed to Rome and on Saturday we are headed to Spain. I miss my dog but I am so loving this trip! (This is a picture of where we are staying in Tuscany)

Vacation time!

Jon and I have been working like crazy this year with little time off and have decided to take a vacation. We are headed to Europe for 2 weeks! I am so excited. With buying a new house, fixing it up and working I am so in need of a vacation. It is hard to turn work down for a vacation (it is my first time turning work down for personal reasons ever!) but I guess you have to do it. In our jobs we don't get 2 weeks paid vacation or anything like that. You only get paid when you work.

We leave tomorrow and start our trip off in London then Paris, Cannes (southern France), Monaco, Florence (staying in Tuscany), Rome and that is just the first 8 days. From Rome we head to Marbella Spain for a week on the Mediterranean in a villa.

I am especially excited to go back to Spain because we will be staying only 30 miles away from Malaga where I decided Jon was the man for me. The summer before we were married we lived in Malaga for the summer and lived in a youth hostel and had the most amazing time. I have a couple of restaurants I am really excited about going back to.

There are 4 of us going on the trip, Jon, me, Rita Jon's mom and our friend Amy. It will be Jon with three ladies traveling around Europe. It should be an amazing adventure! I will be sure to share pictures and stories once I get back.

In case you missed it

In case you missed the VMA's last night here is the link to the Pink performance I was in.
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1593810&vid=272675
I am walking behind her during the barrels sparking. You can tell it is me because I have on the skirt. They wanted the brunettes in the front so that is why it is hard to see me.

Here are two pictures from the VMA's. There are a bunch more but my friend is emailing me so when I get those I will post them. We got one with Pink after the show. It was so much fun! Pink was so nice and great to work with. Backstage they were serving Dom Perignon champagne which is always a treat. Probably one of funnest jobs.

On the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday Night

I am working on the MTV Video Music Awards that air live tonight. I am not doing anything crazy but it should be a really fun day of work. Award shows are always fun. I am in the Pink (the singer) performance so look for me however I really doubt you will be able to see me. I am going to be in punk rock cloths which is very much out side my element so it will be like Halloween. I am excited!

Wish I was at the Rodeo

Every Labor Day weekend growing up was spent in my home town , Ellensburg WA, at the 25th largest Rodeo, The Ellesnburg Rodeo. I haven't been back since I graduated high school. Every year I keep trying to get back but every year something comes up and I am not able to make it. This year was no exception.

I would love to take my husband from New Jersey because he has never been to a Rodeo and it was such a big part of my life growing up. I wonder if it would be as fun now that I don't have to sneak into the beer garden and that I am an adult. Someday I will get back. Perhaps it will work out next year.

I am in!

It is official, as of today I am a member of the elite stunt group, United Stuntwomen’s Association. The members are made up of some of the top stuntwoman in the business including amazing legends like Jeannie Epper who doubled Wonder Woman way back when, Shauna Duggins who doubled Jennifer Garner in Alias and Electra, Stacey Carino who doubled Meagan Fox in Transformers, Debbie Evans who is the best stunt driver (male of female) in business (she did the driving for Angelina Jolie in Wanted) and many more. It is an honor to be a member of this group. Feel free to check out our website at: http://www.usastunts.com/ I am not up there yet since I just got in today.

Emmy Party

On Saturday night we went to an Emmy Party to Celebrate those nominated for best stunt coordinator. We went last year and it was so much fun and this year was no different. The party had a 1920's theme so a lot of people dressed up as mobsters and flappers. There was a live swing band that Jon and I took full advantage of. We danced to much and had such a great time.

Today I worked on The Sarah Connor Chronicles doubling a guest star girl. It was a fun stunt but a stinger. Jon is at the Dodgers game tonight. He is getting spoiled with VIP tickets that include all you can eat and drink. It should be fun.

We have been working so much lately which is great but we have had little time to enjoy the summer, so tomorrow we are doing to the beach to enjoy the sunshine. I am super excited except my body is a little bruised from some stunts so I look like a battered wife in a bathing suit which I think is so funny!

Earthquakes and Work

I know the earthquake was a few days ago but I haven't had a chance until now to write about it. I was leaving my chiropractor's office (every stuntman has one) I was on the top floor of a building and before I went down the elevator I decided to use the restroom. I was on the toilet when the quake hit and because I was in a tall building the rocking and rolling was accentuated. I jumped off the toilet and went back to the doctors office because you never know if the earthquake is going to get bigger and I didn't want to get stuck in the bathroom. Had I not used the restroom I would be in the elevator when the quake hit. I guess my small bladder helped me. Kinda funny place to be when an earthquake hits.

I am doing some water stuff this week for work and I have to jump off a 20 ft plat form into water. When I was younger I use to jump off bridges so it is funny that bridge jumping has ended up being work training.

When Jon was younger he was a junior cadet for the police which paid off this week. Jon was the stunt coordinator for a low budget movie and ended up also being the technical adviser for the police. Here is a picture of Jon and a some stunt guys he hired for his movie.

Bad Blogger

I have been a very bad blogger lately. Both Jon and I have been so crazy I mean crazy busy that we have had no spare time for anything except sleep and work. I have been working 6-7 days a week 12-17 hours a day and a two hour commute and sleep has been hard to come by. I have been working on Heroes (doubling Ali Larter), Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles (doubling Summer Glau and another girl), a Bollywood moive (playing a character), the Ghost Whisperer (doubling Jennifer Love Hewitt) and a couple other smaller movies. I am now the regular double on most of these shows. I feel so blessed to have been in LA for two years and doubling these girls on such great shows. It has been really fun and I have been doing some very fun stunts. I must say I need to visit the Chiropractor on my next day off (not sure when that is going to be).

In the middle of our working spree I made a quick trip to NJ for my sister in laws wedding in New Jersey. It was a fun time but a very short trip. Here is a picture from the wedding.

Also, my mom flew and aunt flew out over July 4th weekend and redo my back patio. We worked our butts off and it turned out great. It was a great time. Here are before and after pictures of our patio.

Working on Heroes

I have been doubling Ali Larter on a movie and this week I was hired to double her on Heroes. It was a big step to double and an actor on a movie and on their TV show. She has been great to work with. I work on the movie again this weekend to finish up the movie. The movie will be great and you will have to see.

Jon is back in Boston working on a the Bruce Willis movie the Surrogates. He had a hard day of stunts today and I have very happy for him. He really is becoming a great stunt guy. He flies home Saturday afternoon and works on another show Saturday night. Busy busy. Sometimes work leaves little time to sleep. I know he will be tired when he is done but he needs to rest because he is doing a car hit next week. It won't be shot like mine and as brutal luckily but it still will be a tough stunt. I am proud of him.

Tired

I have been working like crazy which is really great but I am really tired. I have had two days off in the last three weeks and I have been doing some physically hard stunts where I am bruised and banged up. It is crazy when you are working 14 hours a day and commuting 3 that you have little time to even sleep. I love to work and in this business you have to take it when you can get it. Jon has also been working a lot which is also good because if SAG goes on strike at the end of the month (which could happen) we will be all set.

I think the people I work with think I am little crazy because I just don't hold back when I am doing stunts. I give my all and sell out every time and believe that if you don't have a heart for stunts don't waist my time. I love stunts and it is my passion and I am happy that I have the honor to make a living doing it. Yes, it is hard when I come home all banged up but the adrenaline rush I get is amazing. I use to pay people for stuff like that now I get paid for it. I couldn't be happier with my job.

However with working so much we have had little time to spend on our house. We still have some stuff in boxes and still have many projects that are in limbo. I guess we will get to them in time. My mom and aunt are coming out in July to help so that will be really great. In the mean time we are pluging away. If I haven' returned your phone call don't get mad I will call you soon. cheers!

Keeping Busy

Between being new home owners, working and working out I find little time for anything else lately. I did manage to go to the Dodgers game last night for my friends birthday.

The hair people on the movie I am working on had my hair highlighted by the girl I am doubling's hair colorist to match the actresses exactly. It is still blond just a different shade now. They did this last year when I worked on National Treasure 2. It is great to get my hair done and not have to pay for it. I love it!

Jonny flew to Boston on Tuesday to work on a movie called the The Surrogates. He gets home next week. I miss him! Normally I would go with him but I have to stay here to work. I have been busy working with little time off which is good since our SAG contract with the producers is up at the end of the month and SAG could strike. Who knows if we will or not but it is looming over the business right now. We will see. I am not too worried about it. If we do strike it is vacation time!

Ouch...

Whenever people find out I do stunts I get one of two answers, you guys are crazy or I have always wanted to do stunts and think that is so cool. To those who think we are crazy, they are right. However, I think people who sit behind a desk all day are equally as crazy. To those who want to do stunts, next time you look down a flight of stairs think about running and throwing your self down those stairs over and over again because the camera man keeps missing the shot or next time a car drives by you as cross the street think about getting hit by that car. That is how I and many other stunt professionals see the world.

I have been in rehearsals all week for a big fight. I can't give details but let me just say it will be brutal and I mean brutal. I am so sore and beat up just from rehearsing and walking through it with pads on and in my work out cloths. Sometimes I stop and think about what I am doing and think it is crazy that I get paid to do this. To those out there who want to do stunts we are all a little crazy but I wouldn't want it any other way.

5 Year Anniversary - Hard at Work

This is Jonathan. Heather asked me to put up a quick post in regards to today being our 5-year anniversary. She can't do it herself because she just booked a job doubling the lead actress, Ali Larter (from the TV show Heroes), in a movie called Obsessed. She got the job, and started work, yesterday and will be on it for the next month, which is why she's working on our anniversary. It's a huge gig and we're both really excited about it. I couldn't be more proud of all the success Heather has had in this business...and in just about anything else she does.

People ask me all the time why I got married so young (22), and if, and how I'm still happy, being that we were married before we had a chance to "really experience life and see what's out there". I always tell them the same things, "that I found the right one early, and I knew then that Heather was a gift and blessing unlike anything I had ever had in my life before, and that I couldn't let it go". I thank God everyday for putting Heather in my life, and not a moment too soon.

Reflecting on our journey that's taken us from NJ to CO, WA, HI, and now CA, I can't imagine the last 8-years without Heather, and wouldn't have made the journey and be where I am today if I didn't have this partner to take every brazen plunge with. It sounds cliche, but it's actually the honest truth that I love Heather more today than I did yesterday or 5 years ago or 8 years ago and our love has grown through every step of our journey together.

As to being married young for the past 5 years...I wouldn't have it any other way and I'm truly blessed to have had as good a 5 years with the love of my live and best friend as I have. I've missed nothing and gained everything.

Sadly, they say in this business you can tell how successful a stuntman is by the number of marriages he's gone through. Well, I guess we'll just keep on being fantastically happy failures for the next 50+ years or just go on trumping the statistics. Heather and I have a tendency of doing that anyway.

P.S. Happy early Birthday to Heather on May 28th!

Jon is in Indy

Jonny worked on the new Indian Jones movie that came out yesterday so make sure you go see it. I am not sure if his name is in the credits or not. With big movies like this there are just so many stunt people who work on it they usually don't put in everyones name. We haven't seen it yet but we will this weekend.