» Playtime

Will Date For Food!

Angela Shelton — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:37:14 +0000

Will Date 4 Food is my latest comedy. It’a a book (and a movie)

It all started with Online Dating and Restaurant Guide (for girls who can’t afford to eat out).

Please Like us on Facebook!
facebook.com/willdateforfood

Designer Jennifer Welker designed the Will Date 4 Food logo and we love it!!

Are You Hungry?

Whether you think this site is funny or you’ve had to date for food too, we have awesome T-shirts, mugs and even a thermos food jar for when you need take-out!

The book will hopefully be out by Christmas or maybe Valentine’s Day. You know me, I will keep you posted. The movie is having a table reading in LA and I will also keep you posted on that. In the meantime, please follow the site http://willdate4food.com/ as I share the dates and how-tos. It’s a comedy, people, but sometimes you really are just hungry.

Here’s to comedy!

Next I’ll be sharing about my book series, The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton. I tell ya, you break a leg and you sure get a lot of writing done!

Friends, Fans, Followers

The Waiting Game

Angela Shelton — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:29:20 +0000

Photo from ElisenWonderland.tumblr

Sometimes, even if you are constantly creative, you still have to simply wait. As a screenwriter you wait on notes from producers. As an author you wait on your editor. As an actor you want to hear if you got the job or not. As a filmmaker you wait on the money to arrive. As a producer you wait on the artist. I’ve worn all of those hats and sometimes have on more than one at a time. Most of the time while I wait, I simply start another project. I was waiting on editor notes so I started writing another book for example. I was waiting for one of my screenplays to be read after a certain TV season, so I just wrote another movie. But sometimes the waiting can be frustrating and you literally have to figure out what to do with yourself.

Now, I have taken on dirt. I’m going to play in the dirt. Yep. My mother and my grandmother always had impressive green thumbs. After my grandmother passed away last month I was wondering what I could possibly do to continue her work in this world. I decided that while I wait, I’ll create something else I can wait on, a garden. I announced I was going to try this before, but after her death there is something sweeter about trying to grow a green thumb. Now, I’ll wait until the rain stops so I can get back to the dirt. While I wait on the rain, I’ll go back to the book.

6 Ways to Downsize while Expanding your Mind, Spirit and Wallet

Angela Shelton — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:29:56 +0000

After seeing another friend of mine have to sell her house after supporting a starving artist husband – I had to take a long pause complete with long sigh. I’m not saying we shouldn’t help each other, that’s what makes the world tick, I’m saying we need a reality check, especially those people (men and women) who take care of everyone else to the detriment of themselves.

First of all, it is called Co-Dependent. Been there, done that, know all about it. Read Codependent No More.

Second of all, it’s high time we all got smarter, downsized, lived within our means and grew more instead of giving way the farm. Plus, you can give away more once you have more anyway – for those who still give give give everything away (pointing to myself).

How can you downsize while growing?

1. Grow Your Own Food

Don’t give me that, “I can’t because I’m in the city” because there are rooftop gardens, planter boxes, pots to have inside plants and there are community gardens in most cities -

The price of food is rising, so growing your own is super valuable. Then you can learn to can – and that’s sexy. Bet you didn’t think I’d say that, but it’s true. I’m going to learn this summer – watch me!

I’m using the Garden Planner from GroOrganic – http://gardenplanner.groorganic.com/ – to plot and plan my garden and I haven’t even found a spot of dirt yet to put it in but I’m looking!

I have never had a green thumb either, but I’m researching to see just what I can and should grow to be able to eat greens daily, then can and pickle food. I’ll probably start blogging about it in the spring when I can get my hands in some dirt. What do you think about that?

2. Drink Water, Don’t Waste It

Watch where you’re spending in your house. You may not think leaving the water running is costing you anything but it is.

The Pedal Valve – http://pedalvalve.com/- is a great way to save. It’s a foot pedal to turn your water one. Smart! No more excuses to leave the water running while you’re shaving fellas! I want one of these.

Also the Evolve Shower Head – http://evolveshowerheads.com/ – saves so much water. I have one myself and it’s so clever and doesn’t take away from the water pressure like I was worried it would. We want to conserve, but we still want our powerful hot showers, right?

Even if you live where you have a well, and not in a city like Los Angeles, conserving water is key. You can save it to use on your garden!

3. Work Your Body instead of your Wallet

Save money on all those gym memberships (pointing to myself again) by getting your exercise by walking to do your errands and riding your bike to lunch. Find trails in your area like the ANT created.

You’ll spend less in gas and you’re keep your butt and thighs nice and firm too.

4. Save 5 Bucks

Image from Pachd.com

I learned this from Marci Liroff and Bonnie Gillespie who host the Your Actor MBA site with Mitchell Fink.

The concept is to save 5 bucks every time a 5 dollar bill comes into your world. Take every 5 dollar bill and put it in a safe place. I use one of my old wooden handbags since I collect hats and bags. You’ll be surprised how many you collect too, my little bag is now full of them and I’m moving my collection to a big hat. The rule is that you can’t touch it. If you borrow from it, you have to replace it. You’ll find that you start looking out for 5s when you do this. Bonnie Gillespie Facebooked that she had over a thousand dollars in no time. I’m not quite there, but it is fun to watch it grow. Then use it for something wise – like getting your new shower head or water pedal!

5. Get In Touch with Reality

If you have a credit card, stop using it. Seriously. Stop coming up with excuses to spend money like “It’s Saturday!” “It’s Bobby Burns Day!” “It’s raining.” Etc etc.

Make an excel spreadsheet of every single bill you have, including sites like your Flickr account and your Blip.tv Pro account. Even the eight dollars a month or twenty-five a year adds up. Even that Netflix account, can you justify it? I personally love my Netflix and cut other bills out in order to keep that one. But what about renting from the library instead? Go through your bank statements and see what is dinging you, especially those internet accounts that ding you monthly.

Make a list of everything you spend any bit of money on, along with your rent/mortgage, health care (hahaha), car insurance etc etc. Total the monthly expense. Ideally, you should have a savings account with six months worth of that total for a cushion. Reality check much? Not many of us can say we have that, especially those who support others before themselves. What do you pay in rent or mortgage? Do you make four times that a month? Hmmm…. reality check? Maybe it’s time for a roommate?

What are some clever realistic ways to save? Since you probably have internet, what about cutting out any large phone bills and Skyping instead?

Even my friends who are millionaires and billionaires are downsizing. Yes, I know some very rich people and they have been lecturing me about all of these things. They are rich because they are smart with their money. They buy used cars. They shop at discount markets. They sold the extra horse. They eat at home most of the week. And they don’t hand out money to everyone either. They look after themselves and their family first. But they do love to give advice on money I’ve noticed and how to save it. Number one is to stop spending it.

6. Have Some Fun – For Free

Don’t beat yourself up about it. The best entrepreneurs in the world hit rock bottom, sometimes more than once. Play Monopoly for fun. Create a Vision Board and put pictures and words up of the life you want to create. I made one with the barn house I want to live in since I have a dream of writing from a farm and emailing scripts and books to LA and New York. Now I’m looking for a plot of dirt.

Watch that Funky Monkey video in the video box to the right and tap while visualizing something inspiring like you being financially independent. Have a pot luck with friends and all bring a dish. Save money by making a frittata for brunch out of last night’s leftovers.

What are some ways you’re having fun instead of freaking out?

How are you saving?

How are you downsizing?

Most of all – how are you taking care of yourself?

Morning Dance Workout!

Angela Shelton — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:14:15 +0000

Thanks to my friend Jared’s Facebook wall, I found this video!

Oh joy to the world, the dance has begun!

I suggest we all do this but repeat the whole thing on the right side. I dare you to film yourself doing this and share it.

Double dog dare you.

Bunny Suicides

Angela Shelton — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:32:58 +0000

Sometimes I get sad, sometimes I get depressed or mad and when I do I like read The Book of Bunny Suicides

Whether it’s because I’m on DSL cable instead of high speed internet, or if my feet are cold or I hear one more sad story where the innocent are falsely accused or abused sometimes I need to just stop and have a laugh. Especially if it’s one of those I give up and quit days, the bunny makes it all funny.

PS: that tape he’s putting in is Fatal Attraction.

Daily Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey can also bring a giggle or jiggle to my gut.

Warm Whiskers are also toasty and roasty and I wish I had a whole collection!

Sometimes you just have to laugh.

Body Scans and Pat Downs Humor

Angela Shelton — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:44:42 +0000

So the humor begins… My mother just forwarded this to me. Oh lord. Please follow her on Twitter @fourletterwords

Happy Turkey Day

Angela Shelton — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:34:42 +0000

Here’s some love from Stirring Up Trouble days! Back by popular demand (without the full info…)

I’ll slice up some more pieces for you if you want, including Chocolate Gravy Biscuits.

PS: Cooking your bird upside down like that does cause it to fall apart, juicy and moist. It tosses the traditional carving turkey out the window. This one you can pull apart with tongs and place on a platter. Put about 4 cups of chicken broth and another half a stick of butter along with a squirt of Braggs liquid aminos in the bottom. Yummy.

Breaking Up ~ Comedy

Angela Shelton — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:25:52 +0000

Oh I just had to share this one. There is always truth in comedy. Why oh why are people stuck in repeated cycles? I know, I know! (she says with her hand eagerly raised)

Perhaps comedy can help.

Break-ups: The Series — Tim & Emily from Ted Tremper on Vimeo.

Watch the series on Breakups.us!

Your Life Soundtrack

Angela Shelton — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:39:14 +0000

What is your life soundtrack? While watching Ohdoctah on his Wednesday show, this question came up too. It got me pondering what music makes my heart sing, brings up an old lovely memory, inspires joy, a broad smile or spontaneous dance moves. I have an extremely eclectic taste in music and there is not much that I dislike.

If I was deserted on a desert island

and I could only have one collection it would without a doubt be Led Zeppelin:

When I need some inspiration I listen to Yolanda

My teens were formed around goth music

I love the Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division, Bauhaus, Love and Rockets and my favorite Tones on Tail:

At anytime of day, I’m game for Whiskeytown

I super duper adore Jeff Buckley

And of course the classic Pure Imagination!

will always get me dancing.

What’s your life soundtrack?

Dance Away Drama

Angela Shelton — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:52:32 +0000

Inspiration can come in all shapes and sizes.

Drop the Drama

Dance Party!

There’s nothing like dancing to life spirits. My friend Kate teaches Nia dancing. She came to the healing retreat this past week that I was at and took us through a Nia Dance that was so beautiful, amazing and emotional. It was another perfect moment of completion and transition since I had met Kate years ago when she got on stage and beat the bat with me in NC. That was the moment that both she and I made a commitment to stop self abuse and self hatred. To see her in all her glory and beauty today is awe inspiring.

In honor of Kate and in gratitude for Sean, I dance in my office chair.

Dance!

Let’s Get Physical

Angela Shelton — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:12:51 +0000

How many times do we stay out of and not connected to our bodies? I know a woman who did triathlons for years. After suffering a major car accident she’s having to figure out ways to let off the stream that used to run her never-ending engine since she can no longer run like she once did. She was intensely athletic as a way to literally run from painful memories by the way. The escape route out of the past isn’t always drugs or alcohol, sometimes people become the super achiever or the work-a-holic. (Quit talking about me) It got me thinking how so many of us forget to be in our bodies while others work their bodies to the point of exhaustion until something like an accident makes you stop and think. I’m guilty of both sides of that spectrum. For this woman, she’s having to stop running and sit, which is opening her mind. For others it may be time to stop sitting around and start running or doing whatever else it is that brings you peace and clarity.

There’s even an application for runners on Facebook now to give you motivation!

I personally love my bicycle, oh let me count the ways. I also love to dance like an ecstatic nut. I can’t even begin to end my ode to dance without exploding with glee. And yet, that playtime is the last on my list on too many days! After my own back injury I have been apprehensive about getting physical due to fear of the greatest pain I went through in my life. I guess it’s kind of like fear of new love after you’ve had your heart broken. Well, it’s time to get back in the saddle.

I have my eyes on these Five Fingers Shoes!! I’m daydreaming of dancing and hiking in them – perhaps at the same time. Maybe I should and start shooting funny dance videos – dare me!

Here’s a lovely video with my favorite bike and new fav young filmmaker too!

And just for fun, and some eye-candy, here’s a video of some other things you can do while dancing:

What do you do that gets you into your body and lifts your spirits? And if you’re unable to be physical at the moment like the woman who suffered through a car accident or those of you with fibromyalgia, what do you do on the inner that helps you express your energy?

I Love You, Squish!

Angela Shelton — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:19:32 +0000

Here is the talk I did that the 2010 TED X in Asheville!

See how you can squish yourself or someone else today. Just try it. It works.

Here’s the “I heart you squish” T-shirts. The backwards one is great so you can see it in the mirror. It’s a great way to start a conversation.

How much time to you spend on negative stuff? Thinking about it, talking about it, worrying about it? Squish works in so many ways to change those thought patterns and actually “squish” them away. I’d love to know how you use it and how it helps. Please comment about your squish-abilities!