I'm Done! I'm Done! I'm Done!

[Ruddigore]

Great job & great track record! Congratulations on earning your degree!

[jadechow]

In fact, though, I should say that I actually worked as a Massage Therapist on feature film-sets around the country for over 10 years --- now THAT is very LA!

Congratulations!!!! That is an amazing accomplishment and at quite a pace too!

So, massage any famous people? Do tell.......

[Anastasia]

Yes, jadechow! I almost exclusively massaged famous people from the top A-list actors and directors to the top comedienes (sp?), singers, writers, newscasters, athletes...

I would say that my skills as a massage therapist helped propel me to that position, but it was the same work ethic, professionalism, and focus that I used to get this degree that helped me stay at the top and flourish. Now I work as an Alchemist/Behavioralist ('Coach' is the word others use) to guide others in the process of setting and reaching their goals. The reason I want my Phd in Psych is to back up my writing/speaking in this field.

I do respect client privacy, and in that regard, I won't divulge personal - or negative - details about them, but I do feel comfortable telling you that some of my very favorite clients included the late Paul Newman, the warm-hearted Whoopi Goldberg, and the spectacular filmmaker Cameron Crowe.

Billy Bob Thornton and Hugh Grant were really fun characters. In fact, most of my clients were really great, except the rare few that were way too full of themselves. I wasn't that impressed as I was doing massage so I could keep working as a Shakespearean stage actress and I felt that many of my fellow unknown stage comrades were as talented as some of the 'stars'. The Hollywood machine can be so much hype!

[Katterina]

Congrats on a job well done! You deserve a nice break after all that. cheersmate

[Anastasia]

I guess I'm taking a break. I don't feel like doing anything. How long will this last?

[taylor]

Wow, that must be difficult to give up a job that few in that industry are even fortunate enough to get their foot in the door. Having lived there, I've seen so many people who migrate there with aspirations of being involved in that whole Hollywood scene or being the next "De niro", but they quickly get a dose of reality when they're waiting tables to make extra "dinero":mad: .

Sorry to hear about your accident and hope you get better soon. The irony for somebody like me is that a massage therapist is getting massages. Well, at least you won't get ripped off and know if this therapist knows what he or she is doing:hurray: .

[Anastasia]

It wasn't hard to give up at all. I had actually done 'on-set' massage for about 15 years, and was in the massage field for about 20 total. My body couldn't take any more - I'm petite, only 5'2" and already had a hernia surgery from lugging that massage table around. Plus, as I said, I was an actress and I also did script consulting. It was a fun - though demanding - gig while it lasted, but I was more than ready to move on.

And, yes, I absolutely walk what I talk. I get regular massage, and see it as necessary to health, not hedonistic!

BWT, most of my work with these high-profile folks was not in the LA area, it was in SF, Aspen, Chicago, Seattle, Martha's Vineyard... Only a few years of it were in LA, and that was just by accident.

I like the pun: DeNiro or dinero. Good one.

What do you do, Taylor?

[taylor]

It wasn't hard to give up at all. I had actually done 'on-set' massage for about 15 years, and was in the massage field for about 20 total. My body couldn't take any more - I'm petite, only 5'2" and already had a hernia surgery from lugging that massage table around. Plus, as I said, I was an actress and I also did script consulting. It was a fun - though demanding - gig while it lasted, but I was more than ready to move on.

And, yes, I absolutely walk what I talk. I get regular massage, and see it as necessary to health, not hedonistic!

BWT, most of my work with these high-profile folks was not in the LA area, it was in SF, Aspen, Chicago, Seattle, Martha's Vineyard... Only a few years of it were in LA, and that was just by accident.

I like the pun: DeNiro or dinero. Good one.

What do you do, Taylor?

Acting and script consulting? You are way too cool for me. I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut.

I'm every woman's dream, a divorced, unemployed guy, with a kid hilarious . I hope they don't toss my application for the next season of the Bachelor.

I actually am going through somewhat of a mid life right now. I owned a franchise for many years and before that my background was in sales and customer service. Currently, I'm thinking about the possiblility of starting a new business or another career altogether. Good luck with your next pursuit but it sounds like you make your own luck which is the way to go.

[Anastasia]

Aw, depends how you look at it, Taylor. Being divorced means that you are the sort of man who choose to commit. Being unemployed is transitory, and having a kid brings out the materal instincts. You'll do all right. You better HOPE that they toss your app for the Bachelor - those guys are the losers!

[P00057870]

Congrats -- another busy person can show it can be done. Thanks for sharing!