Staying calm in a time of crisis.

Lucky, from The Great Motorcycle Pizza Tour recently posted about the trials and challenges we as bikers go through in certain situations. He said, " Things work out. I've had some bad experiences (who hasn't?), but they always turn around. Maybe I'm unusually lucky - it's not just my nickname, after all."

This reminded me of the many times I've had those kind of experiences of my own.

Here is just one example of staying calm during a crises.

One day while riding my Harley, my aftermarket Kuryaken forward controls shifter peg set up separated at the front ball joint where the shifter peg meets the shift rod lever and moments later, I ran out of gas. I was stranded, alone , and felt like panicking. The stress was killing me. But instead of panicking, I calmly assessed the situation. I looked at the separated ball joint. I'm not sure if it was defective, or if it just rattled apart or what. It was now like a dislocated socket. I was able to manage to put the two pieces back together, but I could not get the separated pieces to stay together. The ball joint needed a mechanical press or something like that to get the two pieces securely and permantly put back together. Of course I had nothing like this with me on the roadside, so I combed the ditches to see what I could find to temporarily fasten the two pieces together. I found an empty paper cup and straw that someone had discarded. I took the straw and used it as a tie to hold the shifter assembly together, and was so calmed down and relieved after that, I realized all I had to do now was hit the reserve and I should be on my way. Too bad I was unaware that my battery had also died. I was realizing that this was a comedy of errors. Before I left for this ride, I knew that my battery was dying. But I took the bike out for a ride to see if I could charge it up. I never anticipated that I would have a mechanical failure, and run out of gas, causing me to have to re-start the bike along the roadside. I was however, lucky enough that I had my cell phone with me. (I never ride without my cell phone.) So, I called my wife and asked her to bring jumper cables. She said she would be there as soon as she could. Now that I knew my wife was coming to my rescue, I was calm once again. I also knew that I have a bike trailer at home, and should the battery not jump start, I could rely on that as a last resort. I wasn't about to ask Mrs. M. to unload all the stuff out of the trailer, pull the heavy trailer out of the shed, hook it up and then drive it to me, only to find out after arriving that I could jumpstart the bike & ride it home. That might piss her off and may be way more work than necessary. It was a gamble either way, but I said just the cables were fine . I could always come back with the trailer if needed. I was just thankfull she was willing to bring me cables, and a ride home if I needed it. All that was left to do was wait for her. The Mrs. finally arrived, the jumper cables were hooked up to her SUV and my bike, and I was able to jump start life back into the motor.

Alas, I was finally back on the road with my wife following me home to make sure this comedy of errors did not go any more wrong than it already had.

In the safety and calmness of my own shop garage, including the right tools, repairs were made. The ball joint coming apart must have been a fluke, or not properly pressed from the factory or something, because it is still holding just fine today. A new battery was purchased, gas put in the tank, and the bike was back on the road.
Calmness, ingenuity & perseverance prevailed. (And yeah, the cell phone and wife as back up are always a good thing.)

Mrs. M.,
I know you're reading this, so thanks for saving that day for me!

My Makeup Look: Joy O Designs Test Shoot

I'm pretty excited because I recently updated my makeup arsenal from MAC. And I learned some great application techniques that allowed me to do my makeup myself for my test shoot with Joy O Designs.

I thought it'd be fun to let you know how I did my makeup and what products I used. You know, a little insider stuff...what female model doesn't want to know about makeup? LOL. Mind you, I don't wear makeup on a daily basis and only for when I have shoots and castings but the girl in me can't help but be interested in makeup for what it's worth!

My skin type is combination (dry cheeks and oily T-zone--forehead, nose, and chin) and I have eczema so my complexion is naturally slightly discolored. I got lucky and had the manager of the MAC store advising me that day so she totally filled me in on what I would need and showed me how to apply everything.

This is a picture of me the day of my test shoot (ah, the perks of having a photographer for a boyfriend!). The designer told me to go natural with the look so I kept it simple with foundation, powder, light pink lipstick and mascara with no eyeshadow.



So how did I get that natural look? First, I cleansed with the Clinique 3-step mild facial cleanser. Then I applied a Biore pore strip to minimize the appearance of my large pores (which I hate!). I followed that up with the Clinique 3-step mild facial lotion, which is their term for toner. My oily T-zone loves toner! Afterwards, I moisturized thoroughly with Atopalm MLE Cream, which is a special skin care item that is only sold through online retailers. It's unscented and created by dermatologists so it's ideal for those with sensitive skin, and skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and acne.



The line of Clinique 3-step facial cleanser, based on skin type.



Biore Pore Strips (I only use them on the day of shoots or once a week when I can't stand my pores anymore on my nose).



The line of Clinique mild facial lotion (toner), based on skin type.



Atopalm MLE Cream. A bit pricey (between $25-36) but worth it. I haven't used a different moisturizer in three years! It's great for prepping the skin for makeup.

After this skin care preparation, I let the moisturizer sit on my face for 5-10 minutes. Makeup always goes on smoother when your complexion is well moisturized. Once my face was ready, I used a makeup brush to apply my foundation. Then I used a large brush to apply my powder to take care of shine and followed up with brow powder to fill in my eyebrows, using an angled brush to line them. After my foundation and eyebrows were taken care of, I then applied two coats of mascara (with no eyeliner as requested by the designer) and used a lip brush to apply my lip color.


I used to use MAC's spray on foundation, but the MAC manager put me onto this liquid foundation that contains spf 15 (it comes in handy for protecting your complexion from those harmful UV rays!). To apply it evenly, I used a makeup brush and basically painted it onto my face and used my fingertips to blend when needed.


For powder, I used MAC Mineralize Skinfinish and used a large brush for application.



Brow powder definitely comes in handy, especially for my crazy eyebrows. Angled brushes are ideal for getting the right lines and blending naturally.



Sometimes I find that the MAC Zoom Lash tends to make my lashes a little clumpy so after I apply one or two coats, I follow up with a regular unused mascara wand to break up my lashes. The lip brush works wonders for applying my lipstick evenly, whereas using the actual tube of lipstick tends to make the color get caught in the creases of my lips. Since I didn't use any eyeshadow, I made sure to apply foundation and powder to my eyelids as well. Had I chosen to wear eye color, the foundation would serve as a great primer.

All in all with practice, I can do this makeup look from start to finish in about 10-15 minutes max. Often I'll get up very early just so I'll have plenty of time to apply my makeup. It takes practice but if I can manage it, knowing full well that I hardly ever wear makeup, then I know you'll be able to do it, too!

Test Shoot for Joy O Designs

I had the great opportunity to come across a model casting for a jewelry designer who was in need of a new face for her jewelry company. After checking out the website and seeing that not only was it legit but popular on the red carpet, I knew I had to submit. So I sent along my photos and information and got a reply. The jewelry designer's name is Joy of Joy O Designs and she was very interested in meeting with me so we set up a date and time for a test shoot at her boutique in San Francisco.

I made sure to get there early with plenty of time to find parking. She told me to bring simple, plain black tops, wear my hair in a ponytail and wear makeup that was more natural. Joy was such a sweetheart and we clicked immediately. We were joking and getting to know one another the whole time. It was nice to talk to a client who was genuinely interested in what I was doing and the feeling was definitely mutual. If you're ever in the San Francisco area, I highly suggest visiting her boutique for the cutest jewelry, handbags and clothes (she owns the store with two partners who do the bags and clothes).

Because it was a test shoot, we did a simple set up in her office with her digital camera. I got to model some of her newer pieces which hadn't been displayed yet. She also expressed the desire to do more involved photoshoots down the line with an edgy fashion or editorial feel. I made sure to let her know that despite my height, I definitely knew how to do fashion and editorial, which she was very happy to hear.

Here are some of the test shots we got from that day. All in all it took a little less than an hour:

This necklace is slated to appear in Lucky Magazine (not my test shoot photo, though!).

The awesome thing is that a few hours later after I got home from the shoot, Joy let me know that she would love to work with me so I'm the new face for her latest jewelry line! Very exciting...we're hoping to schedule our first shoot with her new photographer this coming Monday but nothing's been finalized yet. As her regular model, I'll be working with her once to twice a month as new items become available. As you'll see from the Joy O Designs website, her jewelry has appeared on Eva Longoria and Anne Hathaway...Joy even showed me the actual Thank You note that Eva sent her, thanking her for the earrings! Can you say cool?

A Lot of Changes in My Life...For the Better!

Ah, so many things can happen in life. But I believe in blessings in disguise. It's time to catch up on what Dania Denise has been up to! =)

So for those of you that don't know, in addition to modeling I also hold down a full-time office job. Needless to say things got hectic from time to time with juggling castings, shoots, and my work schedule. My company doesn't know that I model (I learned the hard way from past experience to keep such knowledge to myself) so at times I ran myself ragged with making excuses and taking time off. If you're wondering why I don't do modeling full time, refer to my past post on the subject. Of course over time things change and boy have they ever!

My boss is a beast...totally disrespectful, doesn't particularly think much of women and we've butted heads since day one. But I bit my tongue and hung in as long as I could (one year to be exact). Well, I finally had enough verbal harassment and decided that it was time to get out and find a part-time job that would provide a steady paycheck but allow me enough freedom to take on as much modeling as I could without stepping on anyone's toes. So I started sending out resumes on my own time. The day me and my boss had our last blowout, I decided to stop being quiet so I complained about him to my other boss. I let her know that I felt unappreciated, disrespected and didn't deserve the way he was talking to me and treating me. I did what no one else at our company had done: I stood up for myself. And I made sure to do it with tact and professionalism. After that day I knew my time there was limited and hoped that a new job would come through sooner than later.

Now in addition to my new goal of pursuing modeling full-time, I also wanted to pursue my art full-time as well. I started my own art business, DDM Creations, last year. I specialize in murals, acrylic paintings, comic book art, illustration, business card and logo design, Photoshop art, and a bunch more. Additionally, being a writer/journalist, I also freelance writing gigs for a few websites (mainly eHow.com and Carefair.com). Well, I got lucky and snagged a job as the Store Artist for the new Trader Joe's opening up just a few miles away from where I stay. With my new job in the bag, it was just a matter of time before I would quit my office job and walk away from the corporate world forever.

Well, my company beat me to it. Upset that I had spoken out against him, my boss decided he couldn't employ someone who was going to "rock the boat." I came into work about two weeks ago, only to be told that they conveniently found someone who could do her job and my job and was more qualified so they were letting me go. Crazy, huh? However, I took it as a blessing in disguise and was very happy when they handed me my last check, which covered me for the rest of the month. I left happy and in surprisingly high spirits for someone who just got laid off. I haven't started at Trader Joe's yet so I've been enjoying the time off.

The saying "when it rains, it pours" tends to be used only for negative situations but in my case it turns out this is also true for good things happening! Soon as I left my job, I suddenly started booking modeling gigs left and right! Lately I've been doing 2-3 shoots a week and now that my schedule is completely open I can now do shoots on weekends, weekdays, early morning, late at night, whatever is needed! As if that isn't enough, I joined a networking website for my art and writing services and have been steadily snagging art projects and writing jobs as well. I've been doing all my favorite passions in life full-time and I cannot tell you how wonderful these past few weeks have been!

It took a long time for me to stop being scared and staying cushy and protected in the corporate world but now that I'm out, I know without a doubt that I'd do it all over again. There are so many shoots I've got coming up that I'll be posting again shortly to let you know all the details!

(The picture associated with this post is of me at my "home office." It's my main hub of all the networking, emailing, and casting work that I submit myself for. It's my favorite part of where I live! I was double checking driving directions before heading to an all-day shoot for a winery out of Healdsburg, California).

Answering a Reader Question #24

Anonymous Wrote:

Hi i understand everything you said about the contracts but what if you signed the contracted and they asked me to pay 250 dollars a year for three years for the website crap, plus an additional 20% which i know is normal when i ever get a job!. I've already signed the contract like a dummy and its almost a year and i've only been to one audition! How can i get out of this!

sign, Help I've been fooled!


Uh-oh! That sounds fishy to me. The 20% is fine but what's with the $250 a year stuff?! I know that many agencies (not all but some) now have additional fees due to website and gallery features that have their models on it, which is totally legit, but that price is pretty steep. I pay $9.00 a month to have myself listed online for one of my agencies (I have two, one for acting and one for modeling) and even then it isn't as much as $250 a year.

The fact that you've only received one audition does not justify the amount of money you are putting into it. If you haven't spoken to your agent about the lack of work, you should. Before severing ties or getting out of your contract you should do everything you can to communicate what you want your agency to do and how they can meet your needs. However, if you've been there and done that, it sounds like it's time for you to move on.

In order to get out of your contract, which all models are allowed to do by law, you'll need to refer to your actual contract. It should have a clause that explains what steps you need to take in order to opt out or terminate your contract. Usually you have to give a written notice but it varies from agency to agency. So take a look at your contract and see what it says. If you can't find your contract or it doesn't state such a clause then write a letter stating that you would like to terminate your contract effective immediately. You don't need to go into detail and you don't even need to explain why. Keep it brief and note the date you wrote the letter and snail mail it to the agency. Do not send it via email because it is easy to delete and you would never know if they received it or not.

I hope that helps and feel free to send me a personal email if you need help with this matter further. Good luck!

How prepaired for a burglary, or house fire are you?

This is clearly not directly related to motorcycling.

I recently ran across a post on Unbreakable bonds , where someone’s home was burglarized. It made me think about sharing some good advice to all my friends/readers out there in internet land.

I am an insurance adjuster, and I have a lot of claims that I handle for losses of this nature. In cases of a burglary or a house fire, you run the potential to loose a lot of personal property at once. Remembering what was stolen, or in case of a fire loss, what was burned can sometimes be difficult, especially if the list is long, let alone try to remember how much you paid for it, how old it was, where you purchased it, and trying to prove you actually owned it. My best advice to folks is to take an hour or so, get a camcorder, and do a video diary of each and every little thing that you would claim in case of a major loss. I mean everything! I know this will sound silly, but even include all of the little things like your underwear. You don't need each and every piece, but a general shot inside each drawer, etc. It gives you and the insurance adjuster a good idea of what you had, and also helps to discredit that you might be exaggerating your loss. Be sure to take close ups of model #'s on electronics, etc. This will help when looking for a comparable replacement.

Furthermore, watching the video after a loss while filling out a personal property loss worksheet with your adjuster, will help jog your memory and help you realize what might be missing that you would maybe not realize until much later when you go to look for it and use it. Many times these types of things get brought up long after the claim is settled because people forgot they had it until they went to use it and it was gone. You can’t possibly remember everything. As best as possible, getting all or most of your items listed right away without forgetting anything is important, because insurance claims do have statutes of limitations for coverage. Sometimes claims are limited to one year from the date of the loss for replacement cost coverage to apply, and two years for coverage to apply at all. Such is the case for the state that I'm in, and for the company that I work for.

Once you have the recording done and burned onto a CD, give the disk to your insurance agent to put in your file for safekeeping, or put it in a safety deposit box, or better yet, make an extra copy and do both. Saving receipts and owner's manuals is also a great idea.

Finally, remember to do an update disc about once a year. You don’t have to do the whole thing over, just video newly purchased items. Also, if you know you no longer own something previously recorded, make a verbal or written note for your file. This is also good for putting credit to your honesty in settling your claim.

I know this may sound like a headache, but believe me, if you ever have one of these losses, you'll be thankful you put the time in on this.

I know I spoke plenty of insurance jargon, and if you don’t understand something, please feel free to ask. You can ask me through comments, or my e-mail address is 1mrmotorcycle@gmail.com. Though I admit I don’t have all the answers, I’m happy to solicit any advice I can for free on what I do know.

Mr. Motorcycle

What to Do When an Agency Doesn't Have a Website

In this day and age just about everything is available on the Internet, most notably through websites. From the large corporations to your friends, just about everyone has their own website. So what do you do when a modeling agency you come across online does not have its own website to showcase?

Just a decade ago, many businesses weren't visible on the Internet via websites. Many dealt with business as usual. Modeling agencies also followed this path. Back in those days, you either had to call the agency, attend open calls, or simply snail mail your photos and hope for the best. Not all modeling agencies had snazzy websites that offered all the information you needed for submitting pictures or attending open casting calls. Of course this is no longer the case. Everyone knows that if you want to make an impact and a good first impression, you'll need a website.

It goes without saying that the large agencies (Elite, Willie, Ford, etc.) have the best looking websites chock full of information. Even smaller market agencies have their own websites, some not so impressive looking and others looking fairly credible. So what about that one modeling agency (or two) that doesn't have anything at all? There could be a number of reasons for this.

Just because an agency doesn't have its own website you can check out, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is a scam. But it should raise a red flag for you. In case you weren't aware, websites cost money. Some considerably more than others but even your most basic, seemingly "free" website still has its own costs"

1) Purchase of the domain name
2) Subscription to the provider of your website (monthly or yearly)
3) Misc costs (Graphic designer)

Small market agencies that don't make big bucks may not be able to afford website costs and choose to forgo having one. Maybe that agency is doing well as is and doesn't need the assistance of the website to bring in more work. We personally don't know the reason why a modeling agency doesn't have a website.

If you're not in the hot spot of agencies and find out that your local agencies don't have websites you can refer to, don't lose hope yet. You can do one of two things: call or visit the agency in person. Unfortunately, this is the only way you can make sure you know who you're dealing with, since you can't check it online. Phone them and ask what their photo submission guidelines are or when and if they hold open casting calls. Or simply drop by (with a parent or guardian if you are under 18) and see what they're all about with your own eyes.

Not sure if this agency is legit? Then you'll want to refer to my past posts to make sure you're dealing with an actual modeling agency:

What a Real Agency Does
Signing That Contract!

Variety is the spice of life.

WTF kind of bike is this????



They say variety is the spice of life. Well I guess not all of us can be content with just owning a bike for fun.



One of my friends, Scott Storms , owner/operator of Stormy Custom Bike Works actually owns this miniature Submarine, and it actually works. How cool is that!



I was at the shop a few days ago talking about what we were going to do with my license plate set up, and just had to take a few pictures, seing as it was at the shop. I had heard him talk about it several times before, but was amazed at how cool this thing really was once I got to see it with my own eyes.



He is having talks with the MN DNR, last I heard and it sounded like they were going to rent use of it once in a while.



I tried to talk him into painting it yellow. He wouldn't bite! LOL!

DOT Vs. Snell approved helmets

What is the difference between Snell and DOT approved helmets?

This is really interesting. I thought you should know.

First off, for this post anyway (SMF) will refer to the Snell Memorial Foundation, NOT Stupid Mother F*cker. LOL!

There are two key differences between a DOT and Snell approved helmet.
First, is the testing standards the helmets go through, and second, is the verification of the results.

The Snell Memorial Foundation (SMF) was founded in 1957 just after William Snell, A.K.A. Pete, died from massive head trauma from a race car accident. (SMF) is a non-profit organization that focuses on learning more about the components of head injuries, & how to prevent them by using helmets. Through their research (SMF) has developed the Snell standard for approving helmets. It is continually tested and updated every five years.

Although both testing processes are very similar, (SMF) requires their certified helmets to withstand a greater impact and absorb more force than the DOT approved helmets.
Both (SMF) and DOT standards drop the head forms on flat and round shaped anvils in order to simulate different types of impacts. However, Snell also uses an edged anvil that specifically tests the integrity of the helmet's shell.

DOT and Snell test each helmet two times at four different impact zones. DOT drops their helmets from 6 feet on the flat anvil and from a 4.5 feet on the round anvil. Snell drops the helmets from 10 feet and 7.5 feet on both anvils, which simulates a more severe impact.

While there is no guarantee that a DOT approved helmet has actually been tested, the purchase of a Snell approved helmet ensures that the product has been evaluated under scrutiny. A Snell-certified helmet also meets and exceeds the DOT standards.

The Beauty of the Modeling Business Card

As a model, comp/zed cards are a part of the industry. These serve as your calling card or business card, which lists your stats, contact info and your photos. Agencies use this as an easy way for clients to see who you are and what projects you'd be ideal for. However, for freelance models and agency represented models who also find their own work, you may want to look into having a regular business card for your modeling endeavors.

While comp cards are perfect for the industry, they are usually pretty large in size (much larger than a business card). Most agency represented models don't deal with the comp cards unless they bring them to a casting or go-see, and the agencies tend to keep them at the office. So what are you to do when you're on your own and see a great potential for networking or come across a client you really want to work with? Handing them a comp card is one solution but like I mentioned above, they are awkwardly sized and can be a nuisance to carry around. This is where the business card comes in handy.

The standard business card size is 2"x3.5", which is perfect for sticking into a wallet or pocket for safekeeping. Of course you can't fit all the same content onto a business card that you would a comp card but that's okay. All you need to do is make sure you've got a good headshot on one side and you can include a full body shot or other image on the other side. Also make sure to include your name, stats (optional but ideal), and contact info (you may want to avoid putting your phone number. An email address is fine or the number of your booking agent if you have one). Just as there are a number of ways to do the layout for a comp card, you can design your business card to fit your needs. Freelance models will find this especially helpful.

Many printing companies allow you to upload your own designs or you can build it using their premade templates. It's up to you. I personally love using business cards and have not really relied on my comp cards at all. After each photoshoot I do, I hand them out to the photographer, stylist and whoever else should need it.

A business card can be just the solution you need for getting your name and face out there to the right people at a price that won't break your wallet.

(In case you're interested in having a modeling business card done, I personally design and print business cards through my art business, DDM Creations (and for a fairly affordable price, too, much more affordable than the competition). I'm a Photoshop whiz so all you'd need to do is provide me with your images and what information and fonts you'd like. I can also upload and order your cards for you online and have them shipped directly to your address. So in a sense, all you have to do is wait for your business cards to arrive! If you're interested in this, shoot me an email--see my main profile page for my personal email address)

Motorcycle Helmets and helmet laws

I've been looking around for a while now for just the right motorcycle helmet. I want the "look" as well as comfort, and function. There are a million styles. Let the journey begin.

Yeah you heard me, I'm giving in and buying a brain bucket.

On my internet quest, I stumbled upon this great site that has a detailed map and breakdown of helmet laws, and provision's per state. (U.S. Only). Sorry if you are one of my non U.S. visitors.

For those who tour regularily, or not so regular, it may be something you want to check out. I thought this was too good not to pass on.

Check out the helmet law page link that I found.

This is a good one to add to your favorites, unless of course you always wear a helmet anyway.

Making lots of Money with Ads on a blog, Can it be done?

In general, I think those days are long gone due to the amount of people now blogging and advertising. It sounds ironic, because the mass amount of people blogging is a huge viewer ship for our eyes to see advertisements. Almost everyone I know who blogs has a Google Ad Sense, Amazon, or both on their site's side bars. It's Advertisement flooding. Most people who read blogs, have blogs, and have ads of their own, so they don't click on the Ads on other peoples blogs. As much as I read blogs, I've never clicked on a google Ad once, let alone purchased anything from one of their ads. No Amazon either. If I want something from Amazon, I know their website, and I know how to search for what it is I want specifically. Maybe I'm just not all that into Ads. I take it back. When I first got my blog going, I clicked on Google Ad Sense, and Amazon, to get their gizmos on my site. By the advise of some people I’ve read posts on to boost your rank, and traffic, the less cluttered your site is with nonsense ads, the more likely people will come back to visit your site. So, I've since removed them. I might put them back on someday. My traffic has increased substantially. The more I blog, the more content is out there to hit on through Google searches, etc. I don’t really think it has anything to do with having or not having Ads. on your site. Plus if I have more traffic from not having Ads., what difference does more traffic make?
I must admit, I do check my stats from time to time just out of curiosity, but the longer I blog, the more traffic I get, & the less I seem to be caring about stats, and trying to make money blogging.

Quite honestly the only thing I've ever purchased through a blog is a really cool Sturgis T-shirt that I got from The Beach Cruiser. Had it been on a Google Ad Sense Ad, or Amazon Ad in the side bar of their blog, I would have never looked at it, let alone purchased the shirt. I saw it through their Sturgis Store because it was a post, not a side bar advertisement. Side bar advertisements seem a little over rated to me. I could be wrong, but have chatted with some pretty big players in the blogging world, and they seem to sometimes have trouble making any dough doing this as well. Let me know if I'm wrong here. Hell, I'd love to be wrong on this one. I'd love for someone to tell me how I can make all this money blogging without it becomming my new full time job. Just some side mulah would be nice.

For now, I’m going to continue blogging for free and as a hobby. I make nothing doing this, but its fun, & entertaining.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy reading yours. Because of blogging, I get to talk with some of the greatest people on this planet (for free).

Are any of you making any money???? If so, I’d love to hear about it.

Disclaimer…..If anyone wants to give me money, I’ll gladly take it!
LOL!

My Modeling Song List for Photoshooots

I did a post a while back talking about playing music during a photoshoot to help get you into the right mood and help with posing. Did you know that Giselle listens to classical music during her shoots? It's true. It doesn't matter what your musical tastes are, as long as it gets you in the right frame of mind to pull off amazing images, it helps to put together your own song list just for modeling.

I have a few CDs that I use for modeling. I tend to update them from time to time, especially when certain songs get played out for me. I thought it would be fun to share my latest song list of my "Model Mix" CD that I currently use. This particular batch of songs have great beats that make my body move and totally make me feel sexy. Of course I don't use it for all my shoots and sometimes I'll choose more mellow music depending on the theme of my shoot.

It helps to ask the photographer you're working with ahead of time if it's okay to bring music. Most won't mind at all and may already have their own music ready to play. Sometimes you'll have to shoot with no music in the background but if there is a chance to play some tunes then go for it! Be sure to play music that is free of explicit lyrics (radio edit versions are ideal) and while many photographers are open to all kinds of music, it never hurts to be polite and ask what their musical preference is as well (they have to listen to the music, too!).

My Current Modeling Song List:

1) Britney Spears "Gimme More"
2) Eve "Tambourine"
3) Danity Kane "Damaged"
4) Teriyaki Boyz "Tokyo Drift"
5) Gwen Stefani "Yummy"
6) Ida Corr "Let Me Think About It"
7) Kat DeLuna "Whine Up"
8) Nelly "Bay"
9) Lil Mama, Chris Brown & T-Pain "Shawty Get Loose"
10) Nump "Grapes"
11) Baby Bash & Sean Kingston "What Is It?"
12) Pitbull & Trina "Go Girl"
13) Pussy Cat Dolls "Hot Stuff"
14) Vanity 6 "Nasty Girl"

A Ride Around My Home Town

Here is a video I made of a ride around my home town. I fashioned a home made camera mount on to the Goldwing and bolted down my cheesy little digital camera. Maybe not the greatest of cinema but not bad for my first effort at motorcycle ride video.
Enjoy the ride.

Vertical Vs. Horizontal #2

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Oh Fu@k!

My bike's gotta go into the shop to have a new rear tail light/license plate mount fabricated. I've got to do something, and figure it out fast, if I want to ride in the state of Minnesota without getting a ticket.

As of August first, Minnesota legislation piggy backed onto a bill, that license plates now all have to be mounted and displayed horizontally. This kind of Sh*t really pisses me off! I can't stand it that they are allowed to tag things onto other bills. Each one should be individual. This B.S. passed, and I'm pissed!!!! What's next, I ask???

See http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/PlBrochure/PlateFrame.htm for more details. I never even saw it coming until well after the law took effect. My friend told me three days ago. It was confirmed to me when I took my bike to Stormy's Custom Bike works yesterday to have Kenny checked out. Brad, one of the mechanics there gave me the e-mail address above that confirms it.

Had I got any prior notice of this, I would have feuded it guns a blazing!, O.K. maybe an Internet petition, and a letter to the State.

I wonder how this will effect other bikers visiting Minnesota, or just passing through. I wonder how hard they will push giving out tickets for violating this newly passed law.
Even though we don't have a helmet law here in Minnesota, when one of us Minnesotans are traveling through a state that does, and you ain't wearin one, You better bet your sweet @ss they won't give you a break, just 'cause you're not from there. Your gettin a big fat ticket my friend. I'm guessin they'll ticket anyone and everyone they can for this new violation here as well.

Fair warning my friends, fair warning... Don't say Mr. M. never told you so!

And to think, I just got my new low mount set up a short while ago.


And it's not as easy as just turning the plate. The mount backing plate is a piece of welded, polished stainless steel that I had to have custom fabricated, because no one makes good stuff for Sporters. Now not only do I have to physically make the change, and spend so more dough, It will change the look of the bike. Not for the better either I might add.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

The Dreaded Polaroid Camera

If there’s anything that makes my modeling boots shake, it’s the Polaroid camera. As a model, why on Earth would I be scared of a camera (and an old school one at that!)? Well, simply put, I HATE how my picture looks. I swear, I can never take a good Polaroid picture. Feel free to agree with me so that I know I’m not alone. Haha.However, as much as I dislike it, the Polaroid camera is a part of the modeling industry and one that you should get familiar with. Modeling agencies rely on their trusty Polaroid camera when it comes to taking snapshots of models for open casting calls, as well as those they invite for an interview. Some agencies, like Ford, actually post their models’ Polaroid flicks along with their professional photos on the gallery page of the agency’s website. Many castings and go-sees you’ll attend will also use a Polaroid camera to place your name with the right face.

Below are samples of Polaroid pictures taken of models:

So with all the technological advancements, why is the modeling industry so dependent on ancient photography equipment? Easy: it saves time and distinguishes those who are really photogenic. Using a Polaroid saves time because, unlike nifty digital cameras, you don’t have to transfer the media from the camera to the computer and wait to upload it. The Polaroid spits it out right then and there. Also, it’s like the truth finder…you can be the most attractive person on the planet but one single Polaroid can put you in your humble place! If you can manage to take great Polaroid pictures, kudos to you! But before you get scared at the thought of stepping in front of a Polaroid, just know that most agencies and casting folks don’t analyze the quality of the Polaroid like they would a typical shot from a photoshoot. For the most part, taking a Polaroid is simply to remind them who is who. Remember, they deal with a lot of people on a daily basis. If it makes you feel any better, get a Polaroid camera and practice taking pictures just for the heck of it. But if you don’t manage to master wooing a Polaroid, don’t lose sleep over it—this won’t cost you a shot with an agency or a really great modeling gig.

Now, as dreaded as I find my own Polaroid pictures to be, no one at the agency or casting office has ever said, “Oh, you look horrible!” Apparently, if no one is complaining, then I’m in the clear so while this may be a somewhat dramatic post on my part, I sometimes enjoy poking fun at myself and my still present insecurities. Yes, they do exist, even after 10 years! So breathe a sigh of relief, I’m totally human just like you. ;)

Sending Pictures to a Modeling Agency: Proessional or Non-Professional, Which is It?

There is still some debate as to whether or not aspiring models should send non-professional photos or professional photos to modeling agencies in hopes of seeking representation. My personal and professional opinion: non-professional photos all the way. There are some that may disagree with me, and that’s fine, but I will speak for a bit about this topic and why I suggest non-pro over pro.

In all my time researching and being a part of the modeling industry, 99% of all agency websites I’ve looked at specifically requested that aspiring/new models send in non-professional photos. Some even went as far as to say that those who sent in professional pictures would not be looked at. Case and point. When in doubt, go with what the agency states on their site or when you speak to them. No two agencies are the same so of course there are going to be instances where professional photos may be required but the majority of the time, all they simply want are snapshots. That means a digital camera, someone with a steady hand, and the right photos.

Why would a regular snapshot be more impressive to a modeling agency than a professional one? Think about it: just about anyone can look fabulous once you add makeup, hair styling, lighting techniques, professional photography and Photoshop…and I mean anybody. Agencies don’t care about that—they’ll see more than enough professional photos of you once you’ve been signed and start working. They see true talent when a girl or guy can rock a digital snapshot without the fancy tricks, lighting, and makeup. If you can look gorgeous with no makeup in a snapshot, that’s what an agency will notice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard horror stories of agencies and clients loving a girl or guy’s picture, only to see them in person—and they look NOTHING like the photo! How they think they can get away with this, I’ll never know, but it happens. So requiring non-professional photos is a quick way around that.

Now, the ONLY time most (notice I didn’t say “all”) modeling agencies will request professional photo submissions is if you are currently a model already with representation who may be seeking a new agent or a professional freelance model that has been getting work but now seeks agency representation. They state it pretty specifically on their websites. In this situation, of course it helps to submit professional photos because then they can look at your portfolio and body of work to see if you’re worth representing. New models don’t have that advantage so the picture requirements are slightly different.

This is why I stress doing your research on agencies you want to submit to. Don’t make the mistake of doing a pro photoshoot first and then planning on sending those images if you are a new model. Find out what is needed first and then take action.