Monica Durazo dot Com

Wearing my bluetooth, sunglasses, seatbelt — I managed to video myself driving around for work yesterday.

Ever wonder what I sound like from the passengers seat? HA! eeeek. Its horrible! Thank God for windows.

We all know, I am a newbie to blogging. If you heard Ian Fernando’s interview with me a few weeks ago, it’s evident. I’m a rook. If you visited my site yesterday — it’s clear. Not paying the web hosting bill? Infant blogger!

So Bizphere.com wrote this pretty awesome post about the power of networking…Uses this site as an example.

I think the post is SPOT ON! I totally agree. Had it not been for John Chow, Shoemoney, Ian, Jani, EVERYONE — I would have 3 readers. My BFF, my Mom (hi MOM!) and the random person who stumbles (eh? that’s an blog word, right?) the site.

So check the bizphere post out.
PS. besides, the post calls me “a beauty.” Awwwwww! I love this post. ;o)

Started this new job recently and if you’ve been following at all, I haven’t really talked AT ALL about it. So many reasons WHY I dont talk about it. Comes down to my need to protect the income I have. If, lets say, I would say something that my “boss,” who happens to be one of my best friends, reads whatever I write the wrong way — then I not only loose a friend, but I loose the job. So…mums the word. For now.

I will say this — working for a friend. Not always the BEST idea. Has it’s upside, ya. But the definite down slope? Always there.

Beyond that, in “other news,” the documentary on “aliens” that I auditioned to host has come down to the top 3. I’m one of those 3. I meet again with the producer/director this weekend. HE IS A TOTAL NUT JOB, but is willing to pay a decent amount for a day’s worth of work. I guess if it’s in the cosmic waves, I’ll get it. If not, moving on…

Tomorrow I have audition for an infomercial — hahaha! SHUT UP! I know what you’re thinking. Infomercials are so cheesy! Yes, yes they are. I’ve done one before for EVERLAST workout equipment and YES it was EXTREMELY cheesy, but that’s the life of an aspiring performer.

One infomerical at a time, right?

IF none of this works out, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. Visiting Disneyland for face character auditions (AGAIN) on Sept. 2. Auditioned before, and EVERYTIME I get to the “finals” (wigged as Snow or Jasmine) but ultimately NOT CHOSEN. But seriously, there are thousands that show up to audition and only a few are chosen each time. So to me, I take any ANY validation I can get!

OOOOH the rejection. It is everywhere.

Price is Right is auditioning for a new Barker Beauty…I KNOW! It’s Drew Carey now, but, tradition. So hard to change…

Their open call is next FRIDAY?!?! I think. Standing at 5′2 I doubt I would have a chance. But awesome oppurtunity to try. Think I may go — just for a cool video. ;o)

Ok first of all, sorry to my — two? — readers who may have visited the blog yesterday.

It was, for lack of a better term, inaccessible all day. How sad!

That incident is a window into the life of a single parent. Bills are lucky to be paid on time, blogs are fun — but low on the priority list (awwww…now the true colors come out, right?) and babysitters are few and far between. Therefore, bills are paid last. Blogs are neglected.

Hope you understand. Be back later….

mmmmm hmmmm….what you’re about to see here is only half of the foods I enjoy eating everytime I’m in Tucson. I got lazy and stopped filming — like didn’t get the Menudo, the tamales, tortillas, chile colorado, raspados — any of that.

But what you will see here is an appetizer of my favorite Tucson treats. Some things that only exist in that city. All of which I recommend you try (if ever in that city), EVEN if, they look like a ball of…well just watch the video.

It’s a small world after all.
But really? This small….?

So I decided tonight to take Alyssa to see a movie. She has been dieing to see The Hulk, and though out of theaters already, there is this small dive theater that for a dollar shows the older movies. Anyway, long story short — we go there.

We approach the theater totally unsuspecting, or unaware that walking up within a few ‘teen feet of us is Michael (the recent ex) and his new-but-old girlfriend!

I was in total shock.

See I haven’t seen Michael since I before I left to Nebraska. That was probably over a month and a half ago. Lately I really haven’t thought much about him and figured he was off living his life far away from here.

Anyway they didn’t see me and I’m glad for it. Talk about AKWARD! No thank you. I’ll pass on that meeting. See, we’ve been down that reunion road before — shortly before he “left” her for me, I had run into them in a bar. Now after he has “left” me for her — I run into them again. AKWARD!!!!

OC….I swear.

I can live next door to someone for years and never see them. Then I get involved in this twisted love triangle and run into the other two –like a bad car accident.

Oh well. Back to my life. Just thought it was ironic.

Searching YOUTUBE tonight was humbling.
Found random outtakes from TAC. Made me laugh. Check some of these out…

Apparently I’m all about family, lately.

SOMONE NEEDS SOME FRIENDS!!!

Anyway, here we are in Tucson, the last night b4 heading home. This night, Norma’s bday.
EVERY night, in a restaurant somewhere, my family is celebrating a bday. FREE DESSERT! It’s just the cheap way we roll…. ;o)

So we all know I had a BAD “bug” problem back at my old apartment complex (btw, have moved into my new place!!!). Anyway, in total disbelif last night, guess what I turned my “new place’ kitchen lights onto…

thats right. Hitchhiking ROACHES!

When I saw those two flithy bugs , I fell to the ground, in a solo mellow, Oscar worthy, dramatic moment — and sobbed.

THIS IS MY NIGHTMARE!!!!

So, in anger, I wrote this letter to Lyon Management — the “reputable” apartment complex management company that bestowed me with thier 8 legged curse. I cc’d the Director of Public Health and Director of the Fair Housing Board.

Check this—I’M SO PISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone know of a nearby cliff? I need to propel myslef off it….(kidding)

To LYON Management Supervisor and Dr. Mark Horton — Director of Public Health California,

I will make this as short as possible. I’m Monica Durazo a former resident of Forest Glen Apartments in Lake Forest, California.
****DISCLAIMER for all stalkers. I SAID FORMER! I do not live there anymore. I live in a whole other city– far, far away. Commence…*******

I was a resident from June 26 — Aug. 1. (though I was physically out of the apartment far before then). I paid rent on time, was never complained about, kept a tidy home — would’ve stayed A VERY LONG time, but was run out of that MONSTEROUS, DISGUSTING apartment complex by the infestation of roaches.

Here is the brief run down — followed by a video (that I encourage you watch) and photo of the grotesque unit I was forced (along with my 5 year old daughter!!!!) to live in.

First night of move in — roaches infecting our kitchen floor. We hadn’t even unpacked our clothing yet and were already overrun with these creatures. I call management. “Megan Manager” of the complex, assures me there had never been any complaints before (OF THIS, I AM NOT CONVINCED) and that they would rectify the situation immediately.

What you must understand is that rent in OC is not cheap. I paid $1295 plus water and sewage for a total of $1320 for that one bedroom dump. Not to mention the security deposit.

Any person would expect the apartment that is offered as “pristine” to actually be that, at LEAST UPON MOVE IN! I shouldn’t have been moved into an apartment with that sort of infestation. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MONITORED AND HANDLED LONG BEFORE I MOVED MY FAMILY IN!!!!

In order to professionally “treat” the pests — I was responsible, on my time, to move EVERYTHING that I had unpacked and put away in my kitchen — elsewhere. Working two jobs, a University student and the mother of a 5 year old, I hardly have that luxury of time. Inconvenience?….from the very apartment complex that claims “convenience right outside your front door…”

“where your days will be filled with convenience just outside your front door.” (lyonforestglen.com)

So I complied and moved everything out. “Bug man” sprays…NO CHANGE. Roaches in my cereal, roaches in my shoes, roaches in the bathtub. I complain again. We again, move EVERYTHING out (now if you dont think this is a hassle, go home tonight and move an entire room out and back in for the fun of it) — and again, NO CHANGE!!! at all…nothing. IN fact, there seemed to be more bugs AFTER the “treatment.”

By this time — and almost having fed a roach to my little girl by accident — not sleeping for nights for the feeling of roaches all over my body — and refusing to bring any type of food into my apartment — wasting MONEY that I shouldn’t have too on home roach killers, outside food, nights in hotels — I come to my senses.

FOREST GLEN APARTMENT HOMES IS A DISGRACE TO LYON MANAGEMENT! and no one should be allowed, for health reasons, (especially children) to live in that flith.

Neighbors of mine, I’ve asked, are also surrounded in roaches. But are trusting of management to eventually do their job. They rather chose to LIVE there, in that absolute pigsty, than speak up. I will not remain quiet….

How ironic is it that “Megan” the very land manager, doesn’t live on the property. Nor “Carlos” — the weekend manager.
************DISSSSSCLAIMER. I do love Carlos though. He is awesome. The only one kind, sypathetic and caring. CARLOS IF YOU READ THIS — LEAVE THAT PLACE! YOU DESERVE SO MUCH MORE!!!***********

I researched “roaches” on a simple “google” search — and one of the easist ways to prevent roach infestations is re-caulking cracks, sealing the doors ***ooooh! also that roaches can live THREE days without thier head! GROSS!*** — NONE of this was offered as a remedy. Only over and over again a pest control treatment that was a waste of time.

Now, if the argument will be made that “it takes time for these bugs to go away” — then in that TIME, I shouldn’t have had to pay rent. I LIVED IN THIS GARBAGE while Megan went home, while Carlos went home!!!

I invite you now, like I did them, to live in that, with your child, for TWO MONTHS!

Your management company has a far better reputation than this and deserves to keep that good name. I’ve sinced moved away into a nicer EQUITY managed apartment complex. Forest Glen was “kind” enough to allow me outta my MONTH TO MONTH contract — though I gave my notice anyway half way thru the previous month.

You should know that the problem was so bad (and I guarantee still is) that a few days after I moved into my new, clean, “CITY” apartment — NAME — the same size, color, roach creeps out of a box of unpacked goods. The BOX I BROUGHT OVER FROM FOREST GLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DO YOU UNDERSTAND MY ANGER!?!?!?! MY FRUSTRATION!?!?!

Here is the link to the video of the roaches! My daughter and I tried to be lighthearted about it as we posted this on my website — showing the FLITH that is FOREST GLEN!

The roaches, you will see, are in our FOOD!!!!

(here I attached the prior “bug video” posted on the blog entry below)

Shame on Forest Glen Apartment Homes and LYON management.

This letter has been sent to all family, friends and former colleagues in local media. I’ve also CC’d the Health Director and am forwarding to Phyllis W. Cheng of the California Fair Housing Board.

The response:
A response from a representative at the health department who assured me, in writing, that they would investigate the situation — attached a direct phone line and direct email.

AT LEAST.

The “response” from Lyon:
A voicemail message. NO apology. No “We’re sorry.” No “OUR BAD…” just a “if you have any more concerns please call 1-800-abc-defg” They did, ever so kindly, reiterate the fact that I was, in fact, “let out of” my MONTH-TO-MONTH contract.

Isn’t that sweet of them?!?!

In a surprise twist this morning — a mud party!

Check it out.