Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jul 17, 2011, 6:32 pm
It was hot and exhausting but the first day of filming on Left 4 Dead has wrapped.  I barely recognize myself in these pictures but I just shake my head and laugh.  I had fun blasting zombies and still am trying to fully master simulating the subtle recoil of the fake M16 assault rifle my characte...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jul 8, 2011, 2:45 pm
Image by MadMup via FlickrAfter several months of extensive treatment for my panic disorder, at what I believe to be one of the best facilities around, I'm almost done and better than ever.  My CBT therapist has been very impressed with my rapid progress and thinks only one more session is needed.Â...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 29, 2011, 4:12 pm
Previously on U N L O A D E D: Changes of stories. Threats of eviction. A bike vs. Jeep chase. A tragic turn of events. In All Seriousness Well now we have come to the final chapter of my domestic odyssey.  Or have we?  I hope so as the mental and emotional toll on me have been heavy. I'm not wri...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 26, 2011, 1:16 am
Previously on U N L O A D E D: A mysterious "fire." Accusations of almost burning the house down. Advice from a fire fighter friend that refuted the landlord's account. Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! Confronting the landlord on what happened or could not have happened based on what my fire fighter friend told me...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 22, 2011, 5:22 pm
Previously on, U N L O A D E D: A suspicious fire...... No evidence of anything being burnt..... Changing stories once certain facts come to light........ Irons In The Fire I figured placing a call was in order to an old friend who had been a fire fighter for 10 years.  I'm sure if I explained to h...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 20, 2011, 1:42 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, what is about to unfold is a true story of deception, chaos, anarchy and betrayal. I've been put through the ringer these past 48 hours and I will share it with you here to preserve what little sanity I have left. I was at a bar, talking to lady friend, when suddenly I got a ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 13, 2011, 12:42 pm
Some people are big on college and high school reunions but I've always felt awkward at the prospect of going to one, so I usually avoid such situations. That was until recently when I received a text message from a friend I keep in minimal contact with. I was broke (I had some coins) and really not...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 7, 2011, 8:40 pm
I'm stating this now for the record; I HATE MY DAY JOB!  Or rather, I hate corporate chain restaurants which is what my day job entails.   I have discovered that corporate restaurants have the uncanny ability to make the simple complicated and the complicated into a shambles because they are slav...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 4, 2011, 11:58 pm
Well here is an opportunity that fell into my lap and I'm really excited about it because it's a great one.  I'll be starring in a 6 episode miniseries based on the popular video game franchise, Left 4 Dead. The video game is about 4 survivors fighting off zombies and attempting flee to safety.  L...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jun 3, 2011, 1:11 am
I'm speaking about a small but very vocal group here and it concerns you cranky middle aged white dudes.  I run into you at bars, I run into you while out running errands, I run into you walking down the street.  All of you have no hesitation in opening up to me and telling me about how the countr...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - May 28, 2011, 1:54 pm
Would ordering a burger sans pickles, ketchup and mayonnaise be cause for a verbal altercation with a fast food employee? It seems to be so for one disgruntled buffoon at my local Wendy's.   Al I wanted was a double burger without the above mentioned toppings when the employee who was making the bu...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - May 25, 2011, 2:47 pm
It was another night of drink and merriment after a brutal shift at work. I was thankful for the release and to put the prior events behind me.  This was graduation weekend for all the local universities and anyone in the restaurant business knows how demanding that can get.  So after a night with...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - May 20, 2011, 10:33 pm
Every few years some attention starved individual (or assembly of crackpots) comes up with a prophecy that the world is going to end and 100% of the time they've been wrong.  Anyone recall the Y2K bug? Boy, was that event a dud. This latest revelation about the world ending comes in the flavor of m...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - May 17, 2011, 12:01 am
Well, I didn't think relief was in sight anytime soon for my nasty bout with panic disorder but I'm glad I was wrong.  My cognitive behavioral therapy has been paying off in spades.  I haven't been having any attacks or overall anxiety for a few weeks now, over three actually.  This is a promisin...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - May 9, 2011, 8:35 pm
This was a short film I did for some very ambitious film students.  Typically these film making hopefuls don't have the vast resources that the big studios have at their disposal unless you go to a place like NYU or something. You should see the toys those kids get to play with. My goodness.  Anyw...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - May 6, 2011, 12:28 am
I think all of us can recall an instance where we have started a new job and have been unclear about all the new names and faces that surround us.  We're being bombarded with new information and are trying so hard to do our best yet details blur.  Only time will sort them out and make them second ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Apr 30, 2011, 1:10 pm
Well, this has not been a good week for me at all. While I've been open about getting professional treatment regarding my bout with anxiety and panic disorder (and making great progress) there have been setbacks that really make things feel awful. I've been made to feel inadequate, unstable, lesser ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Apr 25, 2011, 3:38 pm
There's no way around it, I'm in therapy for my panic and anxiety disorder and it's the best move I could have made.  I've written here before that I've been relapsing and overall my quality of life has taken a nose dive from it.  Still I managed to act and perform through it (I hear my performanc...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Apr 21, 2011, 12:59 am
Well, as usual Passover took me by surprise (the Hebrew calender and Gregorian calender do not mesh well so these Holidays are a moving target every year) and despite my best efforts, I could NOT attend the Seder being held by my beloved surrogate Jewish family. For a solid week I tried to get peopl...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Apr 17, 2011, 1:10 am
You ever get the feeling that you can't tell if you're on the way up or down?  I'd say that's the prevailing mood with me these days. Pros Saw myself on TV on a major show as featured background.  Fit in better than I thought. Saw flickers of potential to be more than just a guy sitting there. H...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Apr 13, 2011, 12:47 am
So it was a non speaking role as an "extra" but as far as extra work goes, this is as good as it gets.  This is what they call "featured background." You're front and center and ready to freak out because you're so involved with what's going on with the principle actors that you think any mistake w...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Mar 29, 2011, 2:19 pm
Made it onto my first movie poster for the short film The Cornerman. What do you think? Do I look ghoulish enough as the bad guy? Really excited about this and can't wait for the final cut of the film to come out. The cast and crew were a pleasure to work with. I hope this short goes far on the fest...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Mar 29, 2011, 12:36 am
And I couldn't be more thrilled.  The show is fantastic, it was a pleasure to work on, the writing is great and the acting is best in class.  What more could a struggling actor ask for?  Well, there's more but....you know what I mean. While my uncredited role throughout seasons 2 and 3 helped pay...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Mar 26, 2011, 12:04 am
The title says it all, I've been asked to do a TV interview on a local public access show that won't be seen the world over but marks a first for me. The first being that I've never been interviewed about my work as an actor before. This is exciting in some ways yet awkward in other ways. I mean, ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Mar 23, 2011, 2:11 pm
I come clean, prior to my birthday I had spiraled into a depression over some things and kept it hidden very well from those around me. As my birthday approached, I was tortured with ugly memories of family and their abusive nature toward me while growing up. Now this whole post isn't going to be ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Mar 14, 2011, 9:00 pm
Like many of you, I've been (with great sadness and concern) following the news on the horrible earthquake and tsunami that's devastated Japan over the past few days. The death toll may be well into the thousands, nuclear reactors are melting down and aftershocks still hit the nation. With news of...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Mar 7, 2011, 10:56 pm
Having always felt that I had a face for radio, the lovely Helena from the blog New Horizon has awarded me with the Gorgeous Blogger Award anyway. Ladies, I can go for months without food and water with compliments so keep it up. This award requires that I answer a few questions and then pass the...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Mar 3, 2011, 11:26 pm
After missing a few background gigs on major TV shows down in New York due to scheduling conflicts, I'm pleased to announce that I will be in a short film shooting this weekend. I can't tell you how much I need to do this as it gets my mind off things and gets me back into doing what I love. Desp...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Feb 27, 2011, 11:39 pm
It started with a Facebook status update about two female friends. They hadn't seen each other in a long time and had a lot of catching up to do. For most of the night I was ignored by them which was fine. I couldn't be bothered because Carmelo Anthony was making his debut as a New York Knick and...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Feb 23, 2011, 12:32 am
I was feeling blah today but I saw myself on the FX boxing drama Lights Out and I was instantly put in a great mood. I saw some of my other acting buddies in it also and all of them looked great. Just when I question why I'm doing this to myself, something comes on TV and for a few seconds, there ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Feb 21, 2011, 11:13 pm
I've been working just about every day at Outback and am also going over the character I'll be playing for the short film Throwdown which will begin shooting soon. I really think I can nail this part and look forward to finally shooting it. But I must tell you that I've been unbelievably tired an...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Feb 10, 2011, 5:03 pm
It brings me great pains to recount this new realization I've came across recently. Actually, some of my female friends are citing this as some sort of major breakthrough. I see it as weakness and something I must stamp out immediately in order to preserve my masculinity. Our first scene unfolds i...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Feb 6, 2011, 11:42 am
Having been out of acting action since December, I felt my acting skills were going to be a bit rusty. I was pleased to learn that I had two auditions slated for the same day at a local university, but I was nervous that I'd fold from not using the old acting instrument so to speak. The student di...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Feb 3, 2011, 1:15 am
I 'm perplexed. Can someone explain why two women that I'm good friends with, and a third that I'm getting to know, are taking shots at each other in an effort to get me to pick them over the other as the "true friend?" None are interested in me sexually, but we are close, PLATONICALLY. One will...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jan 31, 2011, 1:20 pm
This ridiculous monstrosity (pictured left) does not do justice to the the one I saw not long ago on the snowy streets of my neighborhood. I had been returning home from a round of grocery shopping when I saw a woman pushing a large camouflage baby stroller through a narrow path amidst the snowbank...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jan 27, 2011, 10:39 pm
With all of the chaos and uncertainly in my life right now, I have formed the strong desire to escape my ills . One way is by devising a fictional clinic that I can run off too in my mind's eye. The clinic has a few key features: It is located in a peaceful area and is a campus like setting near t...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jan 25, 2011, 12:48 am
Once again I have come to count on my dear friend of many years, Cindy, to cure my TV fix. She has a wonderfully large HD flat screen which I helped her set up not all that long ago. It has become a minor ritual of ours to watch TV over a bottle of wine, cheap wine as neither of us can afford the ex...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jan 21, 2011, 1:05 am
Far be it from me to say that I've never worked up a sweat and been in need of a shower. We've all been there and it's a part of everyday life. My problem lies with those who work up a sweat, work up another sweat, and another and somehow feel that showering is optional after everyone in a 60 mile r...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jan 16, 2011, 12:49 am
One morning, not so long ago, I awoke embracing an attractive woman in her bed. All was quiet, still, peaceful. Her back was to my chest, our hands were interlocked, and she would occasionally rub her foot along mine. Her warmth against me felt nice, comforting. Most of our clothes were still on but...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jan 12, 2011, 2:32 pm
Well my friends, a terrible snow storm just hit us and people are still struggling to dig themselves out even though the snow ceased this morning. People are cross country skiing down my street and others are sledding down desolate roads. It's a time to stay inside or have fun with the snow outside...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Jan 9, 2011, 1:14 am
Well, I've lost my Internet and AT&T will not turn it back in until I pay an outrageous fee for installation of their U-Verse service which at this time I simply can't do. Thank goodness for my iPhone and being able to update my blog with Mail2Blogger. Times are very tough right now and food and nec...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 30, 2010, 8:05 pm
Well, as of now things are so uncertain and up in the air that it's hard to remember that 2010 wasn't all doom and gloom. There were a lot of things that I should be grateful for and proud of. I forget to remind myself of that and usually am too hard on myself. I wouldn't treat my friends that wa...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 27, 2010, 11:32 pm
I don't know if this is an actual term but if I were to put words to what I'm feeling, it's certainly the title above. It hasn't been too long since shooting wrapped on "Nurse Jackie" but I am going nuts waiting for things to pick up after the unofficial but very real winter break ends. Yeah, there...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 26, 2010, 2:58 pm
Hello friends! Did everyone have a merry one? Even though I don't celebrate Christmas, I had to run the gamut of questions regarding what I did for the holiday. To compound things, I was also wished a Merry Christmas by many friends who know I don't celebrate it but were just trying to be nice. ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 22, 2010, 1:46 pm
The Mixologist is not just my dear friend and bartender, but also cuts my hair. I enjoy going to the hair styling school she attends because the price is cheap, she does an outstanding job, and I get to check out all the pretty young hairstyling hopefuls that run the salon floor. Yes, my friends, ...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 18, 2010, 9:11 pm
Well hello to all!! Sorry for vanishing for a bit but the last week has been quite busy to say the least. The majority of it has been devoted to wrapping up season 3 of "Nurse Jackie." It was exhausting, stressful, but still rewarding in the grand scheme of things. Really, it was great to be par...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 12, 2010, 3:50 am
All sorts of news happening right now. And here we go. The Good Wife Saw myself playing an Assistant District Attorney on the Good Wife. I try and grab pictures whenever I can, so here you go. Unremarkable but it was a good payday on that show and I like good paydays. Blood Wedding I find it f...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 7, 2010, 10:28 pm
I've had my fair share of encounters with weirdos and freaks, but what happens when two from my past are sitting right next to me in a crowded bar with nowhere else to sit? This gut wrenching ordeal unfolded at my favorite watering hole. A place where sanctuary and socializing amongst friends is ne...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 4, 2010, 2:15 pm
With the holiday season in full swing, it's very likely production on many shows in the New York City area will slow way down for a bit before picking up briskly again in spring. That means I need a second source of income, pronto! It's been tough making ends meet, but I seem to be making some prog...
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Ricardo L. posted an article on Unloaded - Dec 1, 2010, 1:01 am
She was beautiful and I was madly in love with her. And then suddenly, she was gone. I wasn't aware of the cause I just new it was sudden and unexpected. I found myself standing in an oddly lit gallery with pictures of peoples faces on the walls. Black and white portraits, their eyes closed. T...
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