Last weekend Danielle invited me to The Viper Room to see Electra.  I think she is so talented and cannot wait to see where her career goes.  This was the first time I was introduced to her music and had no idea what to expect.  I left The Viper Room a new fan!  Her sound, lyrics and vibe was just what I needed.   Her dad is even in the band. I know first hand you have something special when you get to collaborate with family.  Positive vibes to Electra and her band, your music touched my soul.

http://www.electrabarakos.com
http://www.myspace.com/electrabarakos
http://www.twitter.com/electrabarakos
http://www.youtube.com/ecbmusic

Little did I know last week at this time I would slip and fall causing the worst injury I have ever had.  I wish I could say it was from a gnarly match or even a batched spot but nooooooooo I slip and fall at home?  I'm such a nerd.  Anywho, I was not going to let a bruised rib keep me from going to House of Blues Sunset to see Alice in Cooperland.  I'm not going to lie, it was difficult.  I was in so much pain but it was totally worth it.  I feel like a jerk because I have no clue who this opening band was but they were great!  I googled every band that HOB billed but none of them seem to be this band.  Hopefully I will see them again and get my facts straight :)

I LOVE Antichrist Superstar!  He was so dramatic and theatrical I couldn't help but become a fan. I told Danielle the show was like wrestling.  You become someone else, put on a show and tells a good story.  Antichrist Superstar had different sets and costume changes that helped illustrate the story being told.  The stilts!  I love that he came out in stilts, I mean you can't be a Marilyn Manson tribute band and kayfabe the stilts.  The main event, of course, was Alice in Cooperland.  Danielle scored these tickets at her work so we had no idea that Alice in Cooperland exist.  A few weeks ago we were telling our mom that we were dying to see Alice Cooper.  Last year we got close but it didn't happen.  When Danielle got the tickets we looked them up on YouTube and after about 30 seconds of watching the video we were sold.  Isn't life grand.  Okay, so we didn't see Alice Cooper but I'm okay with that.  The energy Alice in Cooperland and Antichrist Superstar brought to the House of Blues stage was so inspiring.  I took that energy with me to CWF Hollywood and let me tell you something, I kicked ass!  Positive vibes to the fullest to Alice in Cooperland and Antichrist Superstar.  Keep the music alive amigos!

Click here to see more pics!

 

I was on YouTube looking up recent footage so I can update my reel and I came across this gem.  I did this back in April and had no clue what I was in for.  I keep trying to land a gig as one of those hot Latinas that wear cute outfits and either dance or act in comedic scenes but never have lines.  The first time I thought I was got booked for that type of gig I ended up being on a Spanish dating show.  I had no idea that it was a dating show until they literally started to shoot.  I thought, what would Joey Tribbiani do, own it.  So I did.  Well, when my amiga Amber Jean called me to join her on this show I thought it was that dream booking but found myself on some sort of American Idol type deal.  They gave me some dialog, I memorized the lines and they totally went off script.  So I just pulled another Tribbiani.  How about the bad editing job they did on trying to make it look like we got topless.  OMG.  It was fun and I wouldn't give that experience up for the world.  Lesson learned, I MUST learn Spanish so I know what I am getting myself into when getting booked in Spanish TV.

When The Mertzes and I got home I got an email alert from LA Casting saying there was a rush call for he project I am booked on.  I emailed the casting director to let him know if he needed to book more talent I have a sister.  He immediately replied and now Danielle will join me today which mean crazy Goonie adventures!  I love when we are able to work on set together.  Any gig is a better gig when you have The Martinez Girlz.  Last Friday I had a gig with Daniel Baldwin.  The entire time I was there I thought dang, I wish Danielle was here.

I had a blast working with Daniel Baldwin, he's a hoot!  We had some cool conversation that left quite the impression on me.  I believe this film is called The 420 Movie and will be out sometime next year.  I played one of Baldwin's little hussies ;)  I was in so much pain during this shoot.  The day before is when I bruised my rib but I totally no sold it the entire time.  Once I got home I felt I was able to finally relax, ice my rib and went right to sleep.  Positive vibes to Daniel Baldwin and the rest of his movie shoot.

When I put the video about together I racked my brain to where this footage was.  I had a D'oh moment when I realized I accidentally put it in a different file folder.  These two definitely brought positive vibes to me soul during this shoot.  I think it's radical when two strangers can come together and connect for art.  ONE Love!

So on Friday I started my day filled with excitement to work on a project with Danielle.  We both went into it with a positive mind set and ready for action.  Little did we know that we would be challenged the entire time struggling to stay positive.  I'm not trying to be negative, just being real but this was one of the worst experiences I have had on set in a long time.  Thank goodness Danielle was with me or I think I would've lost my mind.  There's a reason for everything and besides becoming a stronger person through this experience I believe my purpose on this shoot was to share my thoughts/feelings with another actress.  We had a deep, meaningful conversation that was brief yet needed to happen.  That being said positive vibes to everyone on this shoot, even the ones who threw nothing but negative vibes to me and Danielle.

 

We got home super late from the shoot and being at home was quite the reminder we live in Hollyhood.  I am so grateful to have a place to live but boy living on this street is draining.  I pray that Danielle and I can move (sooner rather than later) to a place that will allow us to have peace at night especially after coming home from the day we had.  Living here has brought a realness to my life that helps keep me in check.  It's easy to get lost in the wrestling bubble that exists when you are in the business.  Positive vibes to my neighborhood and all the ugliness that has been a constant reminder that life is real and so is darkness.  



Here I go again, crazy Shelly running around getting lost.  With every bump in the road is a lesson and it's up to us if we learn the lesson or ignore it.  If you ignore it you end up with the same results over and over again.  What did I learn?  Always have at least $5 cash when venturing to parts unknown while taking public transportation.  Had I had just $1 I could've made it to my gig on my own.  The guys were really cool about having to pick me up and it gave us a chance to get to know each other before shooting.

I had so much fun on the shoot.  I played the girlfriend who just wants to be loved by her man.  I can't wait for the final product to come out.  Comedy is my favorite genre to work in and it adds so much when you can be comfortable with the people you are in the scene with.  It's kind of like a match, after you have a good match with someone you worked for the first time the creative juices flow and you can't wait to work them again.  That's what happened on this shoot.  I can't wait to work with them again. 

 

Here is the completed project I was involved in.  Again, super silly, super fun and I hope to play with these boys again.  

I can't wait to share with all of you the latest videos that we have been capturing as The Martinez Girlz take on Hollyhood.  I feel so inspired and full of life.  This summer had it's ups, downs,  disappointments and blessings which all gave me the life lessons to become a better version of myself.  Praise be The Lord for He is good and may His Love endure forever.  No matter what you believe in (or don't) may your day be filled with positive vibes that lift you up as a human being so that you are a better version of yourself today than you were yesterday.  ONE Love!

I wasn't able to broadcast #savewrestling the podcast live a few weeks ago so Danielle and I took the prerecorded segments to the hills of Runyon Canyon.  Run to the hillllllllls, run for your liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife.  I think it's fun to take podcasting outdoors.  If we had a better microphone it would be choice so until then sorry for the audio issues.  We are just two girls just trying *points finger in air ;)

Speaking of Runyon Canyon a few days ago I made new record time in getting to the top of the canyon in 10 minutes!  I was struggling mentally that day and needed some inspirado to kick my booty into gear.  That's when I put on Mickie James song Strangers and Angels.   It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear and lit my soul on fire.  I love you Mickie, thanks for continuing to inspire xoxo

So the day started off well.  I went to 7-11 for coffee and a Homer donut with an eager mindset because I knew my gig was near the beach.  As per my experience the day before I made sure to have a couple of bucks on me in case I found myself transferring on a bus that doesn't accept the Metro Tap card.  I was on the metro and that's where it began.  Mayo called.  He was so rude and negative making things harder than they need to be.  After his rant I asked "...are you done? Is this why you called me to tell me all this?"  He said yes and then I said "okay...bye" then hung up.  I tried so hard to shake negative feelings towards him which then led to me thinking about other struggles in my life.  I found myself going in a downward spiral mentally and kept praying for peace.  I took a moment after my prayers and peace is exactly what I got.  I understood the situation in a different way.  You can't control how other people act and react.  You can only control how you act and react.  It's so simple but something I lose sight of that sometimes and it takes me down depression road. 

So I made my transfers only to find that I was going in the wrong direction LOL  Once I got back on track I felt pretty good about everything.  I went to the address I was given and there was no one there!  It thought to myself great what if this is the Craig's List Killer after me.  I literally walked around in circles only to find there was no filming going on at that location.  Everything seemed so shady.  The fella who booked me started calling to find out where I was and eventually I made it to the right location *enter eye roll. 

It was a bummer city deal that they didn't use me the way they said there were and as result I wasn't paid.  I did enjoy my time on the beach though.  As I said in the video it was all worth it to spend some much needed time at the beach.  My only regret was not calling Mariah to come grab a drink with me because goodness knows I needed one!  Oh well, next time....

Well, as the old saying goes if at first you don't succeed try, try again.  The week before I tried to re-register but I got all mixed up with the bus lines and didn't make it on time.  I'm glad it worked out this way because A, I now know those bus lines and B, Danielle got to come with me!  I have gotten some great gigs from Central Casting and I want more.  A few months ago I got a call to be on Dexter and when they asked me for my Central Casting ID my profile was expired and I lost an opportunity. 

Danielle had the opposite problem.  She thought this whole time her membership expired but she's good to go until the beginning of next year!  Oh those Martinez Girlz LOL we are such nerds.  Now we are back on track and are ready for whatever the future holds and hopefully it holds lots of cool gigs that help inspire and shape who we are.

 

 

On Sunday after CWF Hollywood Danielle, Peter and I headed on down to The Sunday Nite Stu for a fun time.  Shout out to Mary B the OG and Doug Powers for always supporting The Martinez Girlz!  I couldn't help but laugh my arse off when Jamie Kennedy showed up with his silliness.  Make sure to check out the video above to see all the shenanigans.  

If your like me you cannot get enough bagels.  My fav is an everything bagel with cream cheese.  I have limited my bagel in take due to the high carbohydrates it contains until I discovered Bagel Thins.  My body is so sensitive to carbs and this alternative is perfect for my lifestyle.  You got to keep it tight but that doesn't mean you have to give up all the foods you love.  If you just look around you will find alternative so that you don't deprive yourself.  When I used to heavily diet I would always deprive myself which led to over eating when my body and mind couldn't take it anymore.  Well thank you Bagel Thins because we're not gonna take it anymoooooooooore! 

Yesterday was one of those days!  I woke up bright and early, felt great and after I made this video it seemed one thing after another kept happening.  Life can be frustrating at times but I have learned when you have a day filled with bumps in the road you got to just go with the flow.  If you allow yourself to get stressed out it could lead to anger and/or depression.  I refuse lose my cool just because things aren't going according to plan.  We can't control everything we can only control how we act and react to situations and experiences. 

So on my way home I was praying and ask The Lord to bring me peace.  I was able to let go of the negativity and when I got home the ex texted me and finally agreed to send the paper today!  Hopefully it will arrive by Monday then back to the courthouse on Tuesday to FINALLY become Martinez again.  Phew....what a crazy couple of months.  From my grandma dying to people I love no longer being in my life to yesterday, crazy!  Today was a tough one for me all the craziness sat on my shoulders and I broke down.  I just got off the phone with my amigo Jon Bolen and I feel so much better.  I needed to let everything out instead of holding it in like a tough gal.  Even tough gals need a good cry sometimes.  Okay back to editing now, thanks for listening and supporting me everyone.  It truly means a lot to me.  Positive vibes, ONE Love.

 

Here's some radical footage of behind the scenes shooting with RVD for my Sprinkles series.  I originally worked on this project with my then boyfriend and when we broke up I began to ask him for footage.  It took literally years to finally get it from him BUT timing is everything right?  Shooting the Sprinkles series was such a learning experience as an actress.  It was tough, we did everything ourselves.  I remember running is 8" heels on the beach thinking I was going to break my ankle LOL.  Oh the memories! 

 

 

When I got the footage it was incomplete so I thought why not make a little teaser with it until I figure out how to complete the series.  Revisiting this footage really sparked something inside of me.  Something that I needed to be reminded of and I take that with me and will apply it to each performance in acting and wrestling.  A huge gracias to Rob for being Uncle Slam and doing such a great job slamming the Nazi's.  



 

On our last morning in Osa Mountain Village I decided to take one last hike with Flaca and Tilly.  I am SO glad I went.  It was such a beautiful morning, dare I say the most beautiful morning I had experienced while there.  I had been there for five days feeling, learning, growing and this hike put all those experiences in order which allowed me to let go of so much.  While taking in the gorgeous view everything seem to settle in and I knew I was leaving that mountain a stronger, wiser version of myself.  So priceless.  So real.  

 

Leaving the villa was hard but I will be back one day with Danielle.  We decided to save up for a year so we can go!  During our drive the breaks went out in the car.   Thank God we didn't get into an accident.  As per usually it all worked out and the little bump in the road became part of the adventure.  I was playing DJ during our drive and when I played When Doves Cry by Prince EVERYONE in the car was feeling it. During the silent part of the video that is the song that is supposed to be playing but YouTube pulled the old heel move on me and muted it.  Once I get caught up with all my footage from last month I am sure I will edit it again.  Until then, deal with it!

 

I love the restaurant we ended up at.  They had great food and such a cute layout.  I'm sure our driver didn't appreciate the travel drama but I enjoyed it!  Driving through the crazy roads then through water was radical.  Like a safari :)  I wish I got more footage but perhaps it wasn't meant.  Some things are just not meant.  That's what I learned on this trip.  You may plan or expect things to go a certain way but when it's not meant life has a way of showing you.  It's then up to you to receive it, learn, grow then move forward or to be stuck in something that's not meant.  From little things to life changing things what's meant to be will be.  So cliché but it's true.  I will ALWAYS treasure EVERY situation/experience I had on this trip from trying to get there to leaving.  Huge thanks to Kevin for bringing me and to John for allowing me to tag along.  ONE LOVE!

Yes, I take karaoke seriously.  Not too seriously though.  Serious enough to perform my little heart out!  One of the songs I always do is What's Up by 4 Non Blondes.  Usually Danielle performs it with me but since she wasn't here I filled in for her. 

Aerosmith is special to my heart and I was filled with joy when Kevin joined the locals to sing this amazing song.  I don't wanna close my eyyyyyyyyyes....I don't wanna missssss a thing, cuz I miss you baby and I don't wanna miss a thiiiiiing!

The second song on my set is You Outta Know, I have my reasons and in this performance I gave it my all.  Darn that chorus, I just can get down...yet!

Danielle and I are such Grease nerds it felt good to sing this song in Costa Rica.  Last time I sang it  was years ago when I was in TNA.  This song reminds me of that time in my life and how Amazing Kong and I bonded whole heartedly with this song.  So Pebbles, this ones for you!  Love, Janice xo

I felt so bad.  Kevin kept telling me how wonderful his experiences have been at Osa Mountain Village but when we went this time things were different.  It seemed what brought the community together was the eating experience.  We went came they were in between cooks and the restaurant was closed.  On our last night the new cook arrived and I finally got the experience Kevin had been telling me about for months.  What made it extra special for me is Strangers in the Night was playing while we walked up to the restaurant.  That's MY SONG!  I am often found humming, whistling or singing it randomly.  Not only am I stoked that I got the full experience but it made me so happy to see Kevin enjoy himself the way he remembered.  I'm not saying we had a bad time but I definitely know how it is to revisit a place expecting the same type of environment only to be let down that things have changed.  Yay Kevin!  You got your night :) 

After we ate we joined the locals at the bar for some karaoke.  I'm not sure how many of you are aware of this but The Martinez Girlz love themselves some karaoke.  I never have had the chance to do karaoke while with Kevin and I was radical to see he was down.  I learned a lot, felt a lot but I think my absolute favorite night was this night.

I was so impressed that this local did NOT miss a beat when singing Semi Charmed by Third Eye Blind.  They are one of my favorite bands and I know I couldn't have pulled it off the way he did.  Kudos amigo, kudos.  Much Love to Osa Mountain Village!

It was a little chilly but I got in the warmest pool.  I wish we had the opportunity to hang out at the pool more but it rained a ton while we were there.  I had a fun time hanging out just taking in the scenery as the clouds moved in on us.  It felt mystical.  Even though Kevin's back flip wasn't perfect it sure was better than mine.  Maybe I should've attempted it, dang it.  I dropped the ball.....

This was the day I truly bonded with Flaca.  I've been known to just take off and walk for hours.  That is exactly what Flaca and I did.  I didn't know where I was going but I knew with Flaca leading the way everything was going to be allllllright.  I was feeling inspired when I woke up and decided to wear my trainer's (Shannon Ballard) shirt.  It always comes back to rasslin'!  It has a different definition to me now and when I was on this hike with Shannon's merch on everything made sense.  My place in wrestling, what it has meant to me, what it currently means to me but all in all I LOVE WRESTLING.

I came across this beautiful butterfly paradise but unfortunately it was closed.  At the end of the road was the animal rescue, which was also closed.  It's all bueno, I know I'm meant to go there with Danielle anything less would be disrespectful to The Martinez Girlz code of honor.

That night we went back to the bar for some local fun.  I'm still not quite sure what Kevin and John ate but it was fun documenting it.  My favorite thing to do is have some laughs while listening to some tunes with good people.  That is exactly what the Osa Mountain Village bar has to offer.  I dislike clubs or overly crowded bars, always have and always will.  Thank you Osa Mountain Village for showing me such a great time.  Positive vibes to ALL of you!

I LOVE walking in the rain!  What a treat to venture into the Rainforest of Costa Rica while its raining.  The beauty I experienced is indescribable.  Kevin was excited to harvest our food but when we arrived to Osa Mountain Village we were told most of the fruit was not in season.  Poor Kevin, I know he was super bummed what he had planned for our trip was a no go.  We still had fun and came across these bananas Kevin beat out of a tree.

The bar at Osa Mountain is totally my vibe.  The locals are so friendly and were happy to have us there.  During the day I ate light and was rationing my water so needless to say when I drank some vino boy did it hit me!  I had fun though.  Once we got back to the villa I puked :(  It's been years since I threw up from alcohol, what am I in my 20's again?  Little Flaca was stayed by my side ever step of the way which brought me comfort.  Oh Flaca, how I miss thee. 

Finally I have caught up with all my Cost Rica video which means it's time to blog about them!  I literally went from The Gathering of the Juggalos in Cave in Rock, Il to Jersey to Costa Rica.  It's been a crazy month and this journey has been quite the ride.  I think the trip from Newark to Costa Rica set the vibe of the entire trip.  Go with the flow, you don't know what to expect and things may end up the opposite of what you thought they would.  It's all positive and I look forward to blogging my thoughts as I take you on my Costa Rica adventure.

 

I love that our driver made a stop for us so we could check out the crocodiles.  I have never seen crocodiles in their natural habitat but it felt like the zoo since we were so high up.  It was quite the treat to see Ethel's Costa Rican amiga while we pulled over to use el bano.  The ride up to Osa Mountain Village was so beautiful.  I wish I had better equipment so I could've really given you the full experience. My favorite part of Day 1 was meeting Flaca.  She's the community dog.  They found her and her mother lost and very thin.  Her mom passed away but Flaca is a fighter and now she's alive and healthy.  She's my Costa Rican angel.   Editing this video really came from my heart.  When I watch it back I can't help but get choked up.  What an amazing place Costa Rica is, if you're not careful you will find your soul becoming one with the land.  Once you open yourself up you fall in true Love.