You guys, I’m going to do something that I haven’t done in a long time … I’m going to write a 5 Things Tuesday post. Crazy, huh?

You’re like, “but Jo, where’ve you been?” 

I have no legitimate answer besides the fact that I was lazy and I just didn’t feel like writing. I mean, life got busy. Shoots were happening left and right and I just got caught up in other things. 

But anyways - enough of my hiatus. Let’s talk.

Here are 5 things that have at least happened in the last month that I was gone:

1  MAKING THE CUT - So big thing happened recently, I officially made a sale on ImageBrief. I haven’t talked much about this site but I’ve been submitting work to them over the past few months with the hopes that some advertising firm or publishing house would buy the rights to one of my photos.

Well, they bought two photos. And it’s frickin awesome. One of them is a selfie of my sister and me! It’s so crazy. But yeah … check it. I made the cut. Can you find my name?!

It’s super tiny, but I promise my name is on there. One day I’ll be one of the “big earners” I hope.

2  WRITERS GUILD WISDOM - Besides ImageBrief, I’m still doing my hustlin’ thing. Random photoshoots here and there. Assisting on a catalog shoot. Retouching some photos for another company. Etc etc.

All this fun stuff, I know. But I also got to shoot an event for the Writers Guild. And at that event was a bunch of TV writers who were taking their weekend off to mentor a handful of military vets on how to create great story. And I loved that. How awesome is that?!

But it didn’t stop there. We also had the opportunity to hear Glen Mazzara talk about life as a showrunner for The Walking Dead and what he learned from that experience.  

It’s very encouraging to know that the best piece of advice he could give is threefold: create great material (and keep at it), have the motivation and drive to really hustle at it, and have connections. Super legit, but it all ties in to everything in what makes a creative business flourish. You have to keep at. Whether you’re a writer, a musician, a photographer, an artist or whatever. When you’re creating, you just got to keep at it. But it also takes motivation and connections to really go anywhere. 

It was just really cool to hear it come from him, you know? 

3  EPIC RAP BATTLE - Speaking of The Walking Dead, did y’all see this epic rap battle between Rick Grimes and Walter White??  

Personally, I think Walt is more badass than Rick Grimes. But every time I watch this video I need to think that over. Rick is pretty ruthless too. I mean, seriously. 

What do you think?

4  BIZ BUYOUTS - So in recent news, Handsome Coffee Roasters officially was bought out by Blue Bottle Company. If you haven’t had their coffee, I’m sad for you because it’s crazy smooth. But it’s around for another month before it officially changes. I’m just glad I was able to snag a H/CR mug at Unique LA last weekend. It was expensive but worth it.

Also, another company was bought out recently. My friend Chase started this web-based Quickbooks/Shopify integration company about two years ago and he’s been working his butt off that whole time. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard within so many hours to get a company off the ground. But he did it. Because he and his partners sold the company last week to Intuit for $30 million. 

I KNOW. RIGHT!? Crazy.

Chase is now officially retired at 27!  

Why didn’t I get into the tech business? Oh yeah, that’s not my forte. S’all good though.

5  FRESH OFF THE BOAT - I really debated over this last one.  Should I talk about the fact that I ordered a case of east coast beer to enjoy with some friends … or do I talk about the newly released teaser of the upcoming Asian-American comedy?

It’s aptly titled Fresh Off The Boat, which seems a bit shallow but it works. it’s actually biographical since it’s about foodie and chef extraordinaire, Eddie Huang.  

Dude - I’m both excited and scared about how this might will play out. An Asian American family adjusting to Orlando, Florida? The sheer fact that it’s a real story, based on real-life experiences, that eventually churned out this incredible chef (he’s the founder of BaoHaus), and eventually became a writer and a TV personality.

I’m for it. Let’s hope it goes over well.  

Now that I’m thinking about it … this all ties back to #2 above. This all came from true life experiences and now is coming to ABC. Crazy. I love stuff like this.