Ms. Cheevious in Hollywood

My Zany Years Spent Working in Tinsel Town

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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

Release the Chihuahuas!

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M.C. Nugget and I went to a dinner party in the Los Felis / Silverlake area of Los Angeles tonight. It was at a friend of Nuggie’s who I’ll call Nola here (because she and her hubby also have a home and live a good amount of time in New Orleans). Nuggie’s known Nola and her husband for many years, and she is somewhat of a retired (or perhaps trying to retire) television writer. She is a hoot, and though she claims she is not domestic (she orders carry out for her dinner parties) she was also the one of the mostest hostesses I’ve ever met. And the dinner guests were an interesting mix of people too. They seemed to love life as much as we do and (perhaps not so coincidentally) work in or have worked in the entertainment business. What made the guests cool too is despite their chosen career paths, they still seemed sane and have managed to hold onto their souls.

Fun fun times, I tell ya.

But on to the reason for my post: An interesting topic of conversation ensued at one point, because Nola is a dog lover. She was talking about her current dogs’ personalities vs. her previous dogs, and then comparing them to other breeds. Then the subject of Chihuahuas came up (don’t ask why) and she rolled her eyes. “Those dogs are very loyal to ONE person. You two could own one, but it would either like you or Nuggie. Not both.” She told us about how her son traveled around the world, and in one of his trips to one of those now “forbidden to outsiders” countries, he was introduced to a dignitary. When he went to the dignitary’s home, the guy owned hundreds of Chihuahuas, which served not really so much as guard dogs, but more along the lines of piranha.

I could totally picture it. Imagine how utterly annoying it would be for a thousand little chihuahuas to charge at you all at once! And the yapping — Oh, the endless yapping! Oy!

Well, I’m sorry if I seem irreverent, but hey – I am. This just cracked me up. I couldn’t help but muster up my most evil, Dr. Evil voice and say “RELEASE the CHIHUAHUAS!”

So, I’ve decided that instead of buying Nuggie a cute snorty, squatty, chubby bulldog that he could name after some cute little flower, I am now going to save up and by him a hundred Chihuahuas, just so when he gets most annoyed at various idiots, he too can say “Release the Chihuahuas!” in his most evil and sinister voice… or at the very least he can warn, “Don’t make me or my dogs go all Chihuahua up in your face…”

Wouldn’t that be simply grand?

Thought I’d pass that little tidbit on to you. Ten hundred thousand hay pennies to the person who can guess which country uses Chihuahuas as piranha… and no fair using BING.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Love you people! Mmmmmmppphuuuuhhh!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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

A Time to Laugh. A Time to Cry.

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That old song “turn turn turn” by the Byrds so resonates with me… (lyrics here).  I have been living and breathing the “time to cry” or “weep” part for many months now, and DAMMIT I AM TIRED OF IT.  It’s time to laugh people.

Here is my encouragement to you – because I am on a roll right now and resolved with my truly positive thoughts (heh heh):

Shed the weight of things past: disappointment, loss, poverty, fatigue, apathy… and get up and LIVE life.

BREATHE EVERY MOMENT of life in and smile.

Whatever your demon, it is time to let it GO!

No.

KICK ITS ASS and get rid of it.

That “thing” that has beset you and changed the YOU that you know and love — well, it has no more real estate in your life.  Evict it, and renovate and redecorate your life, and get on with it.  Okay? No excuses.  It is time to live FEARLESSLY.  Just do it.

That’s what I’m going to do.  Starting with GLOW – this weekend in Santa Monica – an all night celebration of art and people.

My sister Maven would soooo approve, and guess what?  In honor of her, I am movin’ on and movin’ up.

DONE.

As for you my pretties?  Get out there this weekend and get your GLOW on. I actually care for all of you – and hope only the absolute BEST for each and every one of you!

Love you people! Mmmmmmphhhhuuuhhhhh!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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

No News IS Good.

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When I catch up with friends, I like to hear their “new” news. It signifies that things are movin’ and shakin’ and people in my life are making things happen.

In that sense, of course, I assume the reverse is true as well. My peeps want to hear the new juice – the new gossip – when they catch up with me.  After a while, I think hearing the same old things just gets boring and can be such a BUMMER (no matter how great things are — even hearing about that next fantastic thing that happens to a person, in a string of five-thousand other fantastic things – well it just gets dull – ya know? I like texture people – and the same ole-same ole is dull no matter how it affects your world.  Now, if you have a string of five thousand FANTASTIC things going on, then tell me what new insights you have gained or new ideas you have formulated. THEN you’ve got my attention.  Kapisch?)

Lately people, my emotional and day-to-day life’s been so much of a broken record I’m tired of recounting it and trying to discover new and creative ways of stating it differently. And let me tell you, it greatly affects my ability to get jazzed about much and severely impairs my ability to develop new insights or ideas.  All the things I’ve talked about over recent months – recovering my business from the downturn anyway possible, the struggles through other personal traumas and loss, etc. etc. etc. It just gets exhausting — and — well…. OLD.

So, I’m here to say I don’t have any news.  And THAT my friends is GOOD.   

I will end today’s post with a list of things I am so happy and grateful for. Because that’s just the kinda gal I am.

1. My two kids – they are so awesome, and bring joy to my life. Joy, that is impossible to describe or express in words.

2. My family — the time I’ve been able to spend with them, albeit under very sad circumstances. And with the loss of our mother, loss of our sister, and other turmoil – they still keep going strong, remaining positive and pushing through. They are all an inspiration.

3. My boyfriend – M.C. Nugget – who has turned out to be such an incredible friend and partner.  We get things done together – and we spend tons of time together – laughing, crying (mostly me, actually, unless I surprise him with something he really loves – which I absolutely LOVE to do – then he just weeps tears of joy) – but lateley it seems more often than not, we rummage through the mess that remains at the end of a catastrophe together – and yet somehow we still maintain our hope for the future, positive attitude, zest for life and our own individuality – it is very good.

4. My career choices – I love PR and Marketing and I am good at it. I am grateful that I actually DO know what I am doing, and I conduct business honestly and without pie-in-the-sky promises. I am real and I get things done. I am grateful for that career choice. And I am grateful for finally going out there and getting certified to teach my very FAVORITE form of exercise – SPX Fitness! WAHOO!

5. Finally seeing the west coast of California by car – as well as so many beautiful places I’d never been – like Hearst Castle – alongside my love, Nuggie, who was also my tour guide.  That was just last week – and stay tuned soon for a video and/or photo blog!

6. My ability to create and see the fruits of unending possibilities. We do create our lives each and every day.  As a matter of fact, we have, each of us, put an inordinate amount of time into creating everything in our lives in this very moment.  I’m creating an ooie-gooey chocolate brownie with pecans right about now!  ha ha.  Just kidding.

7.  YOU.  People who read, are intelligent, have a voice, and express it.  Love you people!

8. My country.  I get to say and write about whatever the hell I want, and that is a fantastic outlet! 

9. Food, Booze, Sex, Parties, Fun Events, Stilettos, Sunscreen, Makeup, Fashion, Travel, Adventure, Good Hair Days. (What?  You didn’t think I’d let those slip through did ya?)

Now go out and create a REALLY GREAT DAY for yourself, would ya?  Don’t worry about anyone else’s day – just yours.  I am off to New Mexico to sing with my three sisters and Maven’s daughter at Maven’s memorial service.  I miss her so very much – but I am grateful for the imprint she left on all of us – but mostly for that which remains of her on me.

Love you people! MMMMMMPPPHHHHUUUUHHHH!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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

Certifiably Fit … Oh Yeah …

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I am always flattered and get a huge grin on my face when people ask me about my fitness routine.  It usually happens when I’m at the beach or in some sort of attire that reveals my arms or abs, and goes something like this:

“What did you do to get those abs, girl?”

OR

“You’ve got some GREAT arms!  Do you work out?”

OR

“I wanna know what diet YOU’RE on!”

Why am I so flattered, or why the huge grin?  Well, DUH.  I work HARD.  It is so great when someone else notices!

So, the answer – to put it simply – is, first, I love food – all kinds.  And I eat it (in moderation, generally).  But most importantly, I LOVE physical activity.  And if you’ve ever been physically active on a continual basis, and doing something you really ENJOYED, you know what I’m talking about.  I feel sluggish and jiggly-puffy (as MC likes to call it) if I don’t get out and DO something physical.  That may include anything from walking or riding my beach cruiser on the beach to an hour on the elliptical stair climber at the gym, followed by abs, arms and legs strength training.  But my absolute FAVORITE workout is found at SPX Fitness.  And I am now a CERTIFIED SPX Fitness Instructor!  WOO HOO! Yep!  I did it.  I went through the training, and am now an instructor of this incredible fitness method!

What does that mean?  Well, watch out people.  If you make it to LA and attend one of my classes, you WILL feel it (during and long afterward).  If you continue in the regimen, you will NOTICE the difference very quickly.  You’ll have abs, definition in your arms, legs and calves, and a sculpted, leaner body as a whole.  It’s simply fabulous!

You can see a video of this incredible workout here (look for the Rockit Body segment):

Rockin My Body!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryaZCrS-W-Q

Fun workout.  Awesome results.

That’s it for this week, people!  Have a FIT and FANTASTIC weekend!  I am off to teach an SPX Fitness practice class!  WOOP WOOP!!

Love you people!  Mmmmmmphhhuuuuuhhhhh!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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