People have been asking "any new projects, Mary?" and much to my chagrin, I have nothing exciting to report in the career arena (hint hint: let me know if you're casting any productions and need a quirky brunette who can cry on cue)... HOWEVER, the word "project" could have many possible interpretations, and so I choose to answer the question by talking about my new cats upon whom I am conducting an experiment.

Toilet training. 

Others have gone before, as evidenced by the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg2eLEUncug&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1edDfzluXE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWtS7kmIv4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G46kV73rzt4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ug7WEUxH68&feature=related

It's embarrassing, it's disgusting, it's downright inspiring.  I too strive to live a "litter-free lifestyle."

Week one involved keeping a regular litter box in the bathroom.  No problems there.  I even used another box to elevate the litter box closer to the height of the toilet towards the end of the week.

Weeks 2 had us put the special Kitty Training Pan into the actual toilet and close the seat over it.  The first day with this setup was a bit dodgy.  Ocelot and Pie-Face (those are the cats' names) both investigated the new litter pan but seemed reluctant to actually use it.  Finally in the evening, our senses were assailed by the unmistakable aroma of cat byproducts.  Both cats had given in.  Abundantly. 

Week 3 continues swimmingly.  In a few more days, it will be time to purchase flushable kitty litter and cut the first hole in the training pan.  After that it's just a matter of time, increasing the size of the hole little by little until all the litter is gone and only the toilet remains.

It's exciting.  Every day I am one step closer to fulfilling the dream of making my own YouTube videos of pooping cats.  So anyway, that's what I'm up to.  I'd like to hear what kind of project YOU have going on!

For all of you residents of the beautiful Southeast, I will be at Florida Supercon May 23 - 25.  I have new pictures, and will be autographing plastic bananas as well!

Please check out http://www.floridasupercon.com/ for more info. 

I hope to see you there!!!!

:)
M

Three years in L.A. and little progress has caused me to re-evaluate my desire to continue pursuing a career as an actress.  I cannot thank everyone enough for your support, encouragement, and belief in me.

But the time has come to give up the ghost and move on.  I have purchased a 40-acre llama farm in Peru and am selling all my belongings in order to make the move there with as few material posessions as possible. 

The llama farm is self-sustaining.  I have a cute little 2-bedroom bungalow equipped with all the modern amenities, including dial-up internet access, so I will be able to update my myspace page.  My flock will bring me enough income to pay for food and the occasional trip back to the states to visit family.

I intend to live out my days in the tranquility and solitude of a shepherdess.   Farewell, mad L.A.  The llamas are baying for my arrival... 

It's taken me WAY too long to get these up here, but better late than never:

http://maryvotava.shutterfly.com/action/slideshow?caid=67b0de21b35fabf2051e&a=67b0de21b35fabf2051e&auto=1&idx=-1&m=1&d=1202720605461

Love,

M

I bet many of you don't know that I make other animal sounds besides the infamous monkey screech....

Well, once Tom Green heard about my "special talent," he invited me to be a guest on his show which airs on www.tomgreen.com - no doubt to show the world that there ARE people out there who are *almost* as silly as he. 

The taping was a blast - everyone was super friendly and whole process was about as painless as it gets in Hollywood.  Tom was extremely gracious and gave me a beer after the show.  One of the P.A.'s took a photo of us which will be added to an album here as soon as I get a copy.

Here is the show, for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.tomgreen.com/?video=975

Love and Bleating,

Mary

I want to wish everyone an ENORMOUSLY HAPPY 2008 - I have a feeling it's going to be a great year for everyone!!!

My holidays were spent with my family in the Seattle area.  I had a ton of fun and lots of heart-to-heart conversations with the people I love most in this world.  My nieces and nephews continue to make my heart swell with pride as they take after their silly auntie Mary.  On my birthday, David's 4 demonstrated their ability to slide down the laundry chute at my parents' house, and on New Year's we drilled a hole into a fireplace log and stuffed sparklers inside. (The blaze was magnificent).  Michelle's horde made great sledding buddies, traipsing with me up the side of a snow-covered hill with nary a complaint.

Because I have so many photos from the holidays, I again opting to post them as a shutterfly album rather than make more albums here on my profile:

http://maryvotava.shutterfly.com/action/slideshow?caid=67b0de21b35e7128a4d5&a=67b0de21b35e7128a4d5&auto=1&idx=-1&m=1&d=1199850427772

I'm excited to be back in town and intend to create some big breakthroughs in my career this year.  I don't know how, but I declare it will happen.

Much love, joy, and success to everyone this year!!!  I hope to see many of you at the FX con in a couple weeks.

Love,

Mary

I am super-duper excited to announce that I will be a guest at the 2008 FX INTERNATIONAL at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on January 25 – 27.

This will be my first official appearance as "Monkey Woman" since the WWTBAS Season 1. 

Check out www.fxshow.com for information and details.

I hope to meet lots of you there!! 

Love,

I have always wanted to see Japan, so when my friends Cheryl and Brad invited me to come stay with them in Yokosuka (where Brad, a Lieutenant in the US Navy, is doing a shore tour) I was all over it like ugly on an ape.  I just got back from a 10-day visit, chock full of exciting adventures and interesting conversations.  Three main things I took away from the trip:

1) Japan is a BEAUTIFUL place and the people/culture an extraordinary testament to how human beings really can coexist in order, harmony, and integrity.  Although there were very few public trashcans, there was nearly no litter to be seen.  The trains always ran on time, to the second.  People wore medical facemasks in public if they had a cold, so they wouldn't get their germs on others.  Tipping is an insult, because the honor of doing a good job simply for the sake of doing a good job is more important than getting extra pay.  Everyone I met was polite and friendly.  Japan is truly an amazing place!

2) Before making any uninformed judgment about the war in Afghanistan/Iraq, please do your research, and better yet TALK TO SOMEONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY BEEN THERE.  I had the honor of speaking with Brad and hearing about his experience serving there for over 6 months, and it was truly eye-opening.

3) "Sumimasen, unagi wo kudasai."  Translated: "Excuse me, could I please have eel?"  Possibly the most important words to know in Japanese.  With them, I could walk into any sushi-go-round knowing that if eel wasn't already on the conveyor belt, I was not without power.

Because pictures are worth a thousand words, instead of writing a 100,000-word description of everything that happened on my trip, I uploaded a bunch of photos to shutterfly (too many to post here) and invite anyone who is interested to take a look:

http://maryvotava.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b3554ce6844b

Happy halloween and arigatou gozaimasu for reading!

I keep thinking I need to post an update on my life, and keep rationalizing not doing so for the sole reason that I don't have any earth-shattering news to report, or superhero updates.  But, as per usual, I have been up to plenty of no-good and will summarize in the following bullet points:

  I have worked on small roles in several indie features that will be cropping up in IMDB soon, and next weekend will be shooting a very cool short called "Ultimatum," which will hopefully get some notice at the festivals.  Everyone involved is uber-professional and talented.  It's an extremely well-written piece and has been a ton of fun to work on so far!

  I am participating in the Landmark Education Introduction Leader's Program, which is sure to be an intense learning experience for the next 29 weeks.

  By taking a couple lessons with a golf pro named Tom Page, I am finally managing to make consistent contact with the ball.  My drives are actually making it past the 200 yard sign! 

  A couple months ago when I still had time to dink around on a Saturday with nothing else to do, I randomly decided to take a gun class at the local firing range (about the time I posted the photo of me holding a 9mm) and discovered a natural talent for nailing targets with lethal accuracy.  After telling my parents about it, I learned that this is actually a genetic trait - it seems both my mom and dad were considered quite the "sharp shooters" in their day.  Nothing lately floods my body with endorphins like renting a Sig .40 and putting holes into paper.

  My friend Kati introduced me to the wonderful world of adult kickball.  Yes, kickball, like we used to play in the 2nd grade.  Yes, full-grown adults forming teams and divisions and leagues and playing games against one another before going out to drink beer.  It's a blast! 

As always, I appreciate everyone's support, messages, and comments.  It warms my heart when you check in, and makes me feel less alone in this world to know I have friends (ones I've met, and ones I have yet to meet) out there pulling for me.  I have nothing but gratitude for everyone in my life.  Thank you for reading this, and I wish you blessings in abundance!

Love,

Mary

I just got links to "WWTBAS?" trailers from the U.K. (apparently they are having a special season marathon this weekend) and am LITERALLY FALLING OFF MY COMPUTER CHAIR LAUGHING! 

There are a few others, but of the ones I saw, I thought these were the funniest.  If anyone hasn't seen these...check them out NOW!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKldndFoH2Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A7khihA31U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUBrq_EMX9g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEANw1G-BPY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvzBmtxYKqc

:)
M