Ms. Cheevious in Hollywood

My Zany Years Spent Working in Tinsel Town

MsCheevious

The Day I Worked for Food

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So… I know what you’re thinking. How does THIS girl get herself in a situation where she has to work for food?

Well, first of all, let me ask YOU this:

How the heck do you think I EVER find myself in ANY of the whacky and zany situations I get myself into, PEOPLE?  Huh?!

Let me quickly remind you of a few here:

Hmmmm…  There’s the time I caught on fire in “I am on FIRE!“

Then there was the time that my man M.C. Nugget (PS – you newbies should be informed here that I change everyone’s names in Ms. Cheevious-land to protect their innocence – or lack thereof – ha ha) and I had a bang up time at Super Bowl in Miami, and ended up having to sleep in the car because we were too “toasted” in “SAINTS Bitch!“

Or, there is always that time I tried out for the Lingerie Football League, in “Lingerie… Football…That Is“

And then there is one of my personal favorites, where I paid homage to none other than, The Rabbit, in “Long Live The Rabbit“

Ahhh… memories.

But there is no time like the present!  And guess what?  I am a resourceful person.  When times are a little tough, or finances,  clients or  whatever seem to have DISAPPEARED… well, guess what?  I take care of business.  I suck it up, and I go and get help from whomever can help me through the rough patch — even if it means getting public assistance.  Hey, I pay my taxes, and then some – especially in the years of plenty!!  But also, I have no shame.  You, my readers of all people, should know this by now.

BUT… and there is always a BUT… for me, that particular situation has actually occurred more than once in my life.  First, when I was not yet nineteen, had just given birth to my first son, AND let go from my job at the same time.  I applied for and received welfare, food stamps and medical aid.

After that happened. I vowed I was never going to be in that situation again, and would work to become a successful, happy and fulfilled business woman — that I would have an impact on people, make my mark on society and provide a wonderful life for my kids.

Oy.  That was a LONG time ago.  Those goals and dreams (some already realized) are still true today, but believe it or not, I found myself in the very SAME tough situation again some years later — well, except for the newborn-baby-in-tow part…  But I was in business, had one gigantic client that monopolized all my time, and against my better judgment I relied heavily on the revenue they provided my business.  When that company downsized, they cut me from their budget.  This not only impacted me, but all that I employed.  It was a very difficult time. I went through the very slow painful adjustment process, while the rest of the country also underwent tremendous economic turmoil.

And by adjustment, I do NOT mean in finances, or in changes to my lifestyle (though that was inevitable).  I mean truly painful adjustments, MENTALLY.  I slowly was slammed into the mindset that I was NOT making the money I had been, or had planned for, nor could I spend like I wanted, but also I was forced to be WILLING to take work when and wherever I could create it.  I was forced into adjusting my expectations of what I could GET for the service my business provided, while I slowly and simultaneously exhausted all of my personal financial resources — my IRA, my savings, and as I maxed out every credit card I had  (and they had BIG limits, let me tell you).  I even came close to the point of ruin, when things started to turn around — I credit my attitude and my unwillingness to give up or stop trying despite the obvious circumstances for that, as well as a few very precious people in my life who were there to assist, cheer and support me along the way.

But toward the end of the grueling and long and painful process, I was forced once again to seek public financial aid.  In the last case, FOOD STAMPS.

When I got the approval, I learned that the rules had changed the second time around.  In order to keep receiving benefits, I was required to report to what they called Work Fare, and put in so many hours of work at various public facilities.  For me, it was the Veterans Administration Hospital.

So, though I dragged my feet to the last possible day to report for work, I went in.  Yup.  I showed up in my Uggs, yoga pants and sweatshirt, ready to pay my dues.  But you know what?  I worked with a few great guys who were so incredibly nice – and so happy to have me helping them, folding scrubs in the facility’s gigantic laundry plant.  These guys were so sweet, and happy.  Go figure.

I don’t know what I expected.  I guess I pictured some chop shop like out of the movie Oliver, where people were there slaving away, and unhappily taken advantage of.  But no.  These guys were some of the best people I’ve met in Los Angeles.  They’d go the extra mile for you without blinking an eye.  I was hot, because I didn’t know to bring a pony tale thingy… so they got a fan and put it on me…

Now — I know what you are thinking.  ‘Oh yeah… of course they gave you a FAN…’ with images of THIS in your head:

But come ON people.  Let’s get real.  Remember?  I was in my UGGS and yoga pants, a sweat shirt and my hair was curly – with the laundry environment causing it to get static electricity.  I looked more like Phyllis Diller in front of a fan… HA!

HA!

But really – honestly people.  I am trying to make a point here.  It’s that I was brought to a low place, having gone through the removal of several layers of ego and some pretty lofty levels of finances.  But I survived and am still here to kick some ass!  Aren’t I?

I suppose that is why I was able to walk into that laundry facility and sing R&B tunes and dance a little while I folded scrubs and finished my entire giant bin in my short time there. I felt so good after working two hours at the V.A. Hospital, it made me think about what we all do with our days trying to “enjoy” life.  How we spend so much of our VALUABLE energy and effort “trying” to make a “life” for ourselves — a life that we think is acceptable… and here, these guys were HAPPY, and kind, and TRULY did enjoy life.  It made me kinda jealous.

So for this holiday season – can we all take a minute and remember that we are NOT ALL THAT?  Not any one of us is beneath volunteering or putting our time in – especially when we’ve received public assistance!  And that brings up a point.  Not any one of us is beneath applying for and receiving public aid, or assistance from others.  Get real.  Get help if you need it.  And give back when you can.

Stay tuned next week – cuz I’ll be friggin FREEZING in a small town north of Boston for the holidays – and I’ll probably wanna’ kvetch!  YAY!

Love you people! Mmmmmphhhuuuuuhhhhh!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

Selfish “Finds” To Get You Through The Holiday

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Just a quickie… but thought I’d share some of my little secrets (and interesting tidbits) for staying energized, looking younger , keeping in shape, and — well — not sucking over the holidays.

SO – HO HO HO

HERE WE GO – HO HO HO…

1. Mobile Blood Pressure Checker – the computer mouse that is a blood pressure monitor! When you’re online freaking out about gifts arriving on time, you can rest assured you are able to continue in the frenzy without having a heart attack! This little baby will warn you if you’re getting too tense – so you can STEP – AWAY – FROM – THE  – COMPUTER for a while!

2. Better Oats – Oat Fit – Yummy oatmeal that tastes like pancakes or cinamon rolls and only 100 calories! WOO HOO! I add fresh fruit and nuts when I’m feeling generous in my diet…

3. Eye Care.  We ALL need a little sumthin-sumthin to avoid those LINES over the holidays, right?!  Well, I use an incredible eye treatment (and skin care) by an awesome company “esente” – if you check out their website, the founder Victoria Nash is on the home page.  She’s never had surgery and she has 10  (count ’em, TEN) grandchildren! She developed these all natural (no filler) products.  Try them! You’ll like them.  For the eyes, I specifically recommend the Defining Eye Silk (oh my god, your eyes will FEEL ten years younger, even if they aren’t).

There ya go people.  Go get ’em.  Stay tuned for my blog entitled “The Day I Worked For Food“.  It’ll warm your heart and remind you of what really matters in life — something you may need after THIS completely and utterly selfishly minded post!  HA!

Have a fantastic day my lovely adventurers!

Love you people! Mmmmmmmphhhhuuuhhhhh!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious


Power Chick. Super Hero Status Confirmed

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Off to work today my pretties.  Working on an event that  is my own little brain child… well, sort of.  You know how every once in a while you get truly inspired or jazzed about an idea that is concocted between you and a best friend?  You and he/she come up with the next great self-help book, kids fantasy novel, campy movie idea, or whatever / wherever the conversation takes you?

Well, I suppose that is how my little event came about.  My girlfriend Britt , when I was branching out into entertainment PR use to constantly say, “We need to set up drinks with some other girls I know in the business… we need to get you networking.”  We mentioned some rendition of this, among other ideas that might help each of us expand, learn and grow in our businesses / arts many times.  Then one day I just did it.  I’d met a few ladies over the last couple of years who were very active in their chosen entertainment industry fields (and beyond)… not too many… but certainly enough that I was interested to set up drinks and commiserate with more than one of them.

And so it was, the Power Chicks – Power Drinks gatherings took shape. I set it up where we’d meet for happy hour at a popular Los Angeles bar or restaurant, on a date that worked for the majority.  There was no agenda, no name tags, nothing.  Just some intelligent, talented, busy and happy-to-be-in-the-business ladies getting together to talk about what they do, what they are up to, or whatever they feel like.  As questions came up, we  asked or answered them.  It was and is pretty simple.  After the first gathering, I got a sense that if it continued to be this easy and different from formal “networking” groups,  it could actually last.

So, tonight, in honor of the official leap into Fall – with Halloween – we are hosting a Power Chicks gathering of a different nature — at one of the gal’s homes.  I opened this one up to the ladies to invite and bring their own gal-pals.  The normal five or so gals has grown to about thirty, and we now have a full-fledged event on our hands.

Why, you may ask, am I telling you all of this “WORK” stuff?  “This does not sound at all Ms. Cheevious-y” you may say.  Well, for one, you gorgeous individuals… because…  don’t you see?  On top of all my other glorious, perfectly fitting nicknames, I’m also a POWER CHICK now, as well! Isn’t that AWESOME?!!

Let’s see if I can recap for you some or all of the various monikers I’ve collected over the past few years:

1) Yummy (given me by M.C. Nugget, because I say it a lot, and because hey –  I AM)

2) Sherwood (once MC knew it was my given name, well he added that to the list… and it IS a name I grew up with)

3) Brat-tay (because as part of the Sherwood Girls, this super-hero name matches my know-it-all personality)

4) Jabba (also given me by MC, but only when I do a really funny impersonation — just about every time I feel like I’ve eaten too much – which is immediately following just about every meal)

5) Jiggly-Puff – or – Puffy the Hut (another couple a names –  by – you guessed it – MC (he likes nicknames) because when I get bit by insects, and – let’s face it – I AM YUMMY, after all… they bite… OFTEN… and when they do, I puff up, and get swollen and it sort of jiggles some times.  Not pretty people… but pretty funny).

6) Any other number of various monikers, mostly used by M.C. because he is just one of those guys who will come up with an appropriate name on the spot, such as Hottie McHottelstein, Jabba the Puff (a cross between Jabba and Jiggly Puff) and of course my normal, every day monikers of Lisa Jey and Ms. Cheevious.

7) But now, I am also a POWER CHICK not to be messed with in any way, shape or form.

And then, there is the “for two” part.  Hellooooo…  did you notice the FULL name of the event?  Power Chicks – Power Drinks? Here is our fall gathering “logo” below.

That’s right.  What self-respecting Power Chick can’t hold her alcohol?  I know I can, and I do.  And that is what this post is about: Moi.  HA!   And my super-hero status, confirmed.

Okay.  Don’t all puke at once.  Had to have a little fun with this one.  Ya’ gotta give me that.

So, while I am concocting and sippy on Pumpkin Martinis, and commiserating with my other Power Chicks, I hope you are preparing for a simply fabulous weekend of dressing up like whimsical fairies, sniveling pirates, ghosts and witches…  and not all at once or in that order.

Enjoy yourselves RESPONSIBLY my lovely men and women!  I know I will try!

Love you people!!! Mmmmmmmmppphhhhuuuuhhhhhh!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

Speaking of the Twins…

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No, not THOSE twins!

  • I say this on Twitter, and I’ll say it again “Get your mind out of the gutter… it’s blocking my view!”

No – this is about J-Lo doing Gucci ads with her twins!

No, not THOSE twins.  Her KIDS, people (refer to bullet point above)!

Basically J-Lo is modeling with her kids Max and Emme for Gucci.  They’re cute and all, but tell me – what do you think?  I think J-Lo is one HOT mom, and hey – more power to her!  If she wants to expose her kids to modeling and such, that’s fine by me, though I’m sure she isn’t wondering what I think.

Hey, it’s not like the kids don’t see cameras and press everywhere they go anyway.

But enough about what I think.  This is a hot button for many – especially in the wake of all the very sad teen suicides and bullying.  Parents, single moms, single men and women — it seems everyone has an opinion of how kids should be raised.

What’s yours? Inquiring minds what to know.

(You can read all about the Gucci campaign here. but be sure to post your thoughts here!)

Can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Love you people! Mmmmphhhuuuhhh!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

Are Hot Bodies Dead?

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I only ask this question because I finally completely my SPX Fitness training, and was officially added to the schedule at the renowned founding studio in West Hollywood. This guy, Sebastien Lagree, has more press from making celebrity hotties look fabulous than many a-list movie stars!

Anyhoo, I was added to the schedule last Saturday, and as of today – my grand debut taking place in just a few short hours –  still no one has booked one of my classes!  A brief perusal of the schedule revealed that there are many classes with no one in them – or so it seems. I wrote it off to people not wanting to commit – so “L.A.”  They’ll just show up knowing if there are 10 slots available it’s a good chance they’ll get into the class.

Meanwhile, I wrote to another teacher on the schedule – one that I enjoy taking her classes – to let her know I was now teaching. What I got was a response from an annoyed individual who has trouble filling her own classes. She saw my addition to the schedule as “cutting in to her pay.”

Now.  This was ME she was talking to.  She may as well have been speaking Russian.  I just don’t understand the mentality.  I got on the schedule, and the first thing I did was spend several hours designing a flier and event for Facebook. Then I spent MY OWN MONEY promoting it with an ad to people who are interested in fitness.  This may sound foreign to fitness professionals (“What? Promote your classes with your own money?”), and I suppose it is a little “outside of the box,” but it’s only natural for me.  You don’t make the big bucks or succeed at some things by merely waiting for the people to show up.  You have to put yourself “OUT THERE.”  Ya know?

I have to admit, however, the entire process had me second-guessing what people are after these days.  My mind went to all sorts of scary, frightening places, like ‘perhaps people don’t care if they are fat and unhealthy these days…’ or ‘maybe “FAT” is the new 30’, and this great gem, ‘maybe my jokes about being Jabba have been taken seriously, and the minions are following too closely — too literally…’  (trust me — my brain will go places I have no control over some times).

But after much thought and deliberation I have to conclude that NO – hot bodies are NOT DEAD.  They are alive and well and thriving — especially in the US, and even more so in Los Angeles!  People desperately want to be fit, healthy, good looking and feeling fine.  They WANT to be able to go into a store and fit into the most fashionable clothes with ease — and look GOOD in them.  I have to believe there are still people out there who WILL take my class because — well — great minds and bodies think alike.  Ya know?  (Inserting obligatory disclaimer here — SOMEONE will take offense or think I am being narcissistic — No. I am not saying “Oh! Look at Me!  I have a great mind and a great body, and if you do too, you’ll take my class!”  No.  I have lived a life with plenty of lessons that have finally brought me to the place of being comfortable in my own skin, and proud of the hard work and the intricate journey my life has taken me on. It’s not for whimps, this life stuff, but I tell ya, if you can find a way to enjoy it, and be HAPPY with who you are, always striving to be who you want to be, and never letting go of your dreams and goals – well then life’s difficulties tend to fade.  So, do I think I have a great mind?  It has its moments, but I’m partial.  Do I think I have a great body? I’m doing alright.  It’s more about what others say, and express to me… that they want what I have… and I am a marketing person – I listen to the pundits).

Well anyway, the other instructor also said people would probably show up to my class tonight on the fly – which is what I suspected.  Stay tuned.

Here are the ads, and promo photos I posted on the FaceBook events I added.  I said “Get Your Six Pack Here”… because HEY, that IS what you’ll get!

I hope you are inspired to get in, stay in and be thrilled about your SHAPE people.  This is what makes life – and the “enjoying every moment” part – worth living!

And if you live in Los Angeles and would like to attend my Tuesday and Thursday night classes, well feel free to check out the details here.

Have a wonderful week my lovely fitness fiends!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

Are You a Friend of Bill?

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It happened to me a while back during one of those expensive lunches. You know the kind… where I pay for lunch because I want to represent you (as your publicist), the fabulous Movie or TV star that you are?

Anyhow, a friend set this lunch up because she knew the guy (who is a regular cast member of a fairly popular TV show). I knew only a few things about my girlfriend – as we were fairly new friends – 1) She is an aspiring actress, singer/vocalist, 2) she had been a model, 3) she is an AA member… and a few other details…  but that was it. Because she was an aspiring actress, singer, and general entertainment fiend, for all I knew, she knew this guy because of the industry circles they both ran in.

So, I’m sitting there, giving my schpeel, when the guy comes out and says, “Are you a friend of Bill, Lisa?” To which, I looked at my girlfriend and said, “Which Bill? Do I know Bill?” At that, the two of them exchanged knowing little glances (*whatever*) until my friend FINALLY said, “It’s a question we ask that let’s us know if you are in AA.”

In that moment, I graciously laughed and muttered something about being married to someone once who was Bill’s friend.

Even though this particular incident happened a while back, when I remembered it the other day, I was a little miffed by it all over again! So, guess what?  It goes in the blog.

Forgive me if I sound harsh or angry… because, well this kind of thing upsets me (right up there with how suddenly it is virtually impossible to get good customer service here in America.  We invented it, yet now somehow “IT” is nowhere to be found). It’s not earth shattering – my miffed-ness at this incident.  It’s simply general miffed-ness that makes me want to get in someone’s face about it.  So I figure we are safe here on my turf.

No. This is not an AA post. I am not a recovering alcoholic, though I do love to get my booze on, and some out there might wonder. And I am not at ALL  dissing people who belong to AA and are in recovery.  In fact, I applaud the AA organization and all those who make healthy choices, one day at a time. No. This post is about that little question…

First of all, what IS that question about? It’s like SABOTAGE to pose a question like that, and then exchange “knowing” glances. WTF? In ANY situation it would be considered rude, but when I am buying lunch and it’s obvious I am doing so to obtain business – – well it’s just criminal.  Sometimes I just get such a flash of anger in instances like these, I like to daydream about reaching over the table and choking the duck confit I just bought right outta the offender.  Ahhh… just typing that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

And, aren’t the prime ingredients for true recovery (aside from abstaining from controlled substances) to be honest, transparent and forthright? Yes they are, boys and girls. And trust me I am an authority – after being married to a recovering alcoholic who led the drug and alcohol group at church, and who subsequently fell HARD off the wagon and managed to help demolish our family in the process. Yes, I know a little something about the tenets of Alcoholics Anonymous. But apparently, that little tidbit escaped me, even after 14 years of marriage to one of its members.

But in terms of that little question — why the secret “handshake” so-to-speak? And why did they think it was acceptable at a professional lunch meeting? I didn’t know this guy. I had never even heard my girlfriend (or ex husband, for that matter) use the phrase. Didn’t their mama’s teach them ANYTHING about basic manners?

Listen, I GET the whole club or support group deal. I’ve been there for various reasons at different times in my life – mostly for support during a “bumpy” marriage, way back when – but we didn’t give a secret code to our group or cause. Perhaps we needed one — some butt-ugly name like Malificent or something. Then we too could have been proud members of the jilted housewives club and not been ashamed! AND the members could have gone around saying something “housewife-y” and with a British accent, like “So, Susie… have you had tea with Malificent?” appropriately exchanging “glances” when someone looked confused or uncertain. Wouldn’t that have been nice?

You get the point.  MEAN, people. Just MEAN.

But that’s why I am here — to buffer you from the clique-sters who would make you feel stupid!  Now if you have learned anything from Ms. Cheevious while reading this post, what do you say if you’re ever asked, “Are you a friend of Bill?”

If you are not a member of A.A., you promptly and loudly reply, “Oh no. I know who he is, but I can’t stand the fat bastard.” (Not that “Bill” truly IS a fat bastard… but the question is so preposterous, I think it’s warranted!)

If you are a member, I implore you to say, “Why don’t you just ask me if I belong to AA?” and see what they say.

So there you have it people! Have a scrumptious week of tea and crumpets with Malificent – or Bill – or whomever you choose!

Love you people! Mmmmmmmmuuuppphhh!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

PS) Please keep your wits about you my lovelies. If you do struggle with alcohol abuse, this is no laughing matter. Get some help, visit AA or investigate checking into a long term alcohol rehab program.

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious