100 Facts

WOW! This has been a long time coming. Everyone asks, "So tell me about yourself," and it's implied that it means OUTSIDE of the acting world. I never really thought I had anything to say. After being inspired by my dear friend Erin Cronican, I decided to make my own list. I had no idea it would be as easy or insightful as it was!

1 I misspelled my middle name (Kaitlin) for the first 16 years of my life. My mother corrected me when I was filling out a tax form!

2 I was either going to be Greylon or Jennifer. My parents chose Jennifer because it was 'unique' (spoiler alert: Jennifer was the most popular baby name in my birth year!)

3 My parents didn't name me Greylon because it was the same name as our Golden Retriever. Not kidding.

4 It's pronounced 'PON-tin.' :)

5 I could survive solely on fruit, cheese, bread, fish, tomatoes and Jamba Juice (this makes up 90% of my diet).

6 I always give up on these lists because everything is about performing. I can't help it--my everything is all things artsy!

7 I gave up the clarinet at 11 because I couldn't hit the high notes without squeaking.

8 I always desperately wanted to become proficient with the piano.

9 I wear zero make-up as much as possible.

10 However, you will NEVER find me without earrings! (It's my one girly allowance.)

11 I am atrociously bad at athletic ventures. My classmates can vouch for this. I was a catcher (who never caught the ball) in softball, and I threw elbows like mad in basketball.

12 In fact, I was SO bad compared to the other kids, they threw me into occupational therapy when I was 7. My fine motor skills are through the roof. ;)

13 I am more blissful in water than any other element. Give me a bath, a pool, a lake, a river, a sea...

14 ...This may be in part because 2 of my 3 astrological signs are water (Cancer sun, Scorpio rising, Gemini moon).

15 I am naturally very, very friendly, gregarious and cheerful. It is not an act. Most people ask me, "Are you ALWAYS this happy?" Basically, yes. It's because I'm super-resilient.

16 My resilience has saved my ass MANY times, and it's one of my favorite traits. :)

17 I am an only child.

18 I was a latchkey kid.

19 It may not surprise you that, due to #s 17 and 18, I talk to myself more than most. Like, I talk to myself in long-form monologue for hours on end.

20 I grew up an extremely lonely and extremely isolated child. I was a major outcast and had no friends. While I could easily have become a sociopath, instead I became an exceedingly imaginative and creative person to comfort and entertain myself.

21 I am engaged, and will be married next year (2011). :D

22 My theme song is J.J. Jackson's "It's Alright." No particular reason, but it's funky and bouncy and resilient! It runs through my head every day, and has since I was 14.

23 My favorite music genre is funk/disco. I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some funk.

24 I was a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding when I found out that Michael Jackson died. The mobbed up owner of the place said offhandedly to me, "Ey, Michael Jackson's friggin' dead!" I was scarred. I'm an avid fan, and I'm still trying to deal with it.

25 Thankfully, Prince is still alive. Who I love just as much. I think he is a GENIUS and BRILLIANT and I have a tremendous thing for him. XD

26 I am a lefty. But the big secret? I was SUPPOSED to be a righty. I just sucked the fingers of my right hand and wanted to multitask, so I forced myself to write with my left hand.

27 If you get me past my inhibitions, I will dance like I'm on Soul Train!

28 I've never, ever had a cavity.

29 I actually ENJOY going to the dentist. My dentist and I are BFFs.

30 I'm Jewish. What, I don't look it?

31 I was raised without religion, but I always had a Yiddishe Neshuma--a Jewish soul. I recognized this when I was about 15, and I finally converted to Judaism formally in 2009.

32 I form close bonds with people easily, and I'm a fiercely loyal friend.

33 If I let them, Cracked lists will dominate my life.

34 I am a rabid user of LUSH body products (it's also my non-acting gig).

35 I have a bunny! She lives freely in my apartment. Her name is Moo, and I adopted her for my birthday. She is amazing. If you let me, I will talk about her to you for hours.

36 While I am a bit disorganized, you will find that my planner is the most organized, crazy, color-coded explosion of data! My closet may be messy, but my schedule never is.

37 I am fortunate enough to have a very regular acting gig--as an SP (Standardized Patient). I refer to it as my Kramer job, and I love it a lot.

38 My favorite movie in the entire world is The Big Lebowski.

39 My ALMOST favorite movie in the entire world is Troll II. There was a documentary made on it called "Best Worst Movie."

40 I am a horrorphile. I LOVE horror movies, horror stories, horror EVERYTHING, and the best part is that I'm genuinely scared (and I love it).

41 I think a huge part of the above is that I'm SO imaginative and self-entertaining that I postulate about these adrenaline parties all the time.

42 I read Stephen King books in chronological order. Why? Because his books always have sneaky internal references, and I wanted to start catching all the Dark Tower references strewn throughout the other books.

43 I don't drink alcohol, but I could live on Jamba Juice. (see #5)

44 I'm a barbershop singer.

45 I grew up in the sticks, and I was a member of FFA: Future Farmers of America.

46 I know how to artificially inseminate a cow. (See #45)

47 I learned about the perils of caffeine when I was 11, drinking cup after cup of iced tea and not being able to fall asleep for 4 hours. I'm very careful with my dosage!

48 I am forcing myself to learn Twitter. I thought I'd hate it, but it's actually even better for networking than Facebook!

49 It is a dream of mine to have a duck imprint to me and then live with me in my house. Also in my dream, it loves Moo (see #35).

50 My fiance says the above is fine, as long as I promise to name it L'Orange.

51 I drink my coffee iced year-round.

52 I love to craft with fabrics. When I get the urge, I make curtains or bedding or inserts for clothing. I'm not a seamstress by any stretch, but I AM creative, and I can attempt to sew.

53 I'm very into essential oils and their healing properties.

54 I know the entire rap to TLC's "Waterfalls" by the late Left-Eye (and I can do it pretty well, too!)

55 I'm very social and love to be with people, but since I was raised alone, I need a LOT of alone time.

56 I always knew I wanted to be part of a big, loud, outgoing family, and I've found that with my in-laws.

57 I love my parents dearly. That said, they are NOTHING like me. They're pretty reserved and introverted, and I'm a chatty bohemian weirdo.

58 I grew up with a big backyard, and for years I had this great 'fort' in the middle of a bunch of big pine trees. I kept plants and kid furniture there for years, and it was the best until some teenagers ripped it down.

59 My favorite holiday is SHARK WEEK. I am a shark-o-phile!

60 I wanted to go on the Australian Great White dive for my honeymoon. (see #59)

61 Call the ending laughable if you like, but I think "Stephen King's IT" is one of the most well-cast and well-done of King's movies. Tim Curry is insane!

62 "IT" is also my favorite book ever (and if the movie is great, the book is MIND BLOWING).

63 I used to have dreams that I joined forces with Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees and Pennywise the Clown, offering to be their goody-two-shoes friend in exchange for not being their victim.

64 I love to kayak, but only on my inflatable one (it's easier to take swim breaks)!

65 I went to Girl Scout Camp for about 8 years. I know oodles of camp songs, I can pitch a tent in a pinch, and I'm not too wussy for latrines.

66 I am so excitable that I will usually start to fix or create things without reading instructions.

67 I have been known to, unapologetically, wear Crocs with socks.

68 I am heartbroken that Willow and Xander never worked out.

69 I can't ever remember a joke for the life of me. The only joke I can't seem to forget is so horrifyingly inappropriate that I refuse to tell it!

70 I am a very visual learner. Memorizing copy is really easy for me, because I just have a picture of the text in my head.

71 Two words: FISH TACOS.

72 I think "Silence of the Lambs" is hilarious.

73 I am so, so touched when people share with me. I am in consistent awe and reverence of PostSecret.

74 I used to be nice and bubbly to everyone, then quieter and more introverted when I first started working a lot in NYC, and now I'm back to the first again. It makes me really happy to come full circle.

75 When I am really upset, stressed or angry, I clean. You know I'm distressed when my apartment is neat and tidy!

76 I'm part of the Fat Acceptance movement. I'm very body positive and believe in HAES--Health at Every Size.

77 I did NOT always feel that way about my body. I spent most of my life in discomfort and shame, trying to morph my body into something it's not supposed to be at all. My quality of life has improved by leaps and bounds since I embraced FA.

78 I write almost exclusively in extra-fine Sharpies.

79 My ice cream of choice is Stewart's Fireworks--it's made with freaking POP ROCKS and it's so amazing!

80 If it required only passion and interest, I would gladly spend time doing field studies of animals.

81 I spent time as a nude art model. My first time, I almost passed out from terror! Afterwards, it was one of the most freeing things I've ever experienced.

82 I used to only wear second-hand clothes, but you can't really wash the Salvo smell from them. I considered my switch to new clothes as a Rite of Womanhood.

83 I give excellent massages.

84 I was once identified by an empath as a Healer.

85 I often have the sensation of breathing underwater.

86 I was a victim of a totally debilitating, mass identity theft. A ring of criminals posed as a production company and stole the identities of myself and a plethora of other actors, using our work papers. They opened up loans, slews of credit cards...it was an AWFUL time, but boy did I learn.

87 My one-two punch for colds are Ginger Chews.

88 My uncle owns Smarties. Yes, THE Smarties.

89 My favorite place ever (thus far) has been Alaska, particularly Juneau. It's northwestern rainforest! Giant trees and turqoise lakes and massive glaciers....guh.

90 I named my first car the Electrolyte Funk Machine.

91 I am a natural blonde!

92 I never took any of my proms seriously. The first time I went in a purple dress with a yellow boa, the second one I went as a hammed-up yenta named Fern, and the third time I went as a mob boss.

93 I've only broken one bone to date--my left arm, after falling off my bike when I was 10.

94 My favorite Beatles song is "Please Please Me."

95 I think that having your laundry done by a wash-and-fold is one of life's finest luxuries.

96 Ketchup is a staple with pretty much everything for me.

97 Even though I'm naturally goofy, I will socially put myself into the role of 'straight man' if it facilitates The Funny in a small group.

98 When I was little, my best friend and I thought there were monsters outside of my den, tapping on the windows. We would record audio cassettes of us yelling, "Get away, you monsters!" and play them as loudly as possible.

99 I have astigmatism.

100 I am a truly talented, enthusiastic and giving human being. :)

A Sizzling Summer

And not just because last week was host to 3 days that topped 99 degrees (THAT was fun). So, where did we last leave off? Oh right! JACK & DIANE!

I had a really, really fantastic time on the shoot. I did not get to meet Ben Foster (his grandma was ill), but I DID get to work with Juno Temple (Lola in "Atonement"), and she was just a gem. Everyone I worked with was so kind and professional, it was just incredibly affirming and encouraging. :)

This leads to...


...MY SAG CARD! I just received a lovely letter in the mail from SAG inviting me to be a part of the prestigious union. YIPPEE! So that will be in the works shortly. :)

Other recent excitement?

-I was called back for a commercial for Hasbro (Angela Mickey, CD)
-I auditioned for the lovely Stephanie Klapper (CD, Stephanie Klapper Casting)
-I finished my run of "Picasso"! It was so good.
-I auditioned for "My Big Gay Italian Wedding"
-I filmed my Actor Intro!
-I was called in for a REALLY exciting pilot, "Small Actors"
-I was called in by a favorite CD, Michael Cassara, for this year's workshop of "Fat Camp" (last year I was called back several times for Britta)

I am also taking a TREMENDOUSLY exciting intensive with PalmStar Entertainment. Their casting associates had cast me in "Jack and Diane," and it's so great to see them again! I'm doing different sides for them each week, and last week's feedback was really encouraging--"That was really, really great. I don't even need to see another take." I'm really looking forward to this week's class!

Oh, and today I had a slammin' "Hairspray" audition.

AND--this is the last news, I think--I got a nod in the lovely Bonnie Gillespie's column, "The Actor's Voice." She's been doing 'actor interviews' via e-mail for her column, and I submitted my own to her. Read it here in the "Your Turn" section!

More to come. These is exciting times. ;)

xx
Jen