My interview with the New York Post, tv shows and more!

Quite a busy winter here in Toronto. Calling it the winter
that wasn't.  How was my winter?  Busy.

In January, I was in touch with an associate producer,working with a food
network,  The producion company was seeking people planning over the top cake parties,
much like the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastra, on TLC.

I qualified.  I've been planning my book's cake party, for
Being Mystic, it seems, since Jesus was in the manger.

Waiting dragged on for almost a month, when the truth
was revealed.  The associate producer expected me to
pay $3,000 for her carpenter's to construct a table, to
share with other people.  Excuse me, for $3,000 my cake
should have its' own suite at Trump Tower.

If your production company was short on funding and you
need angel investors why try to hide it?

Then February arrived, along with an audition for another
tv pilot.  This one was going to feature cold case murders from
Toronto over the past decades.  I had my audition at the
Gladstone Hotel.  After surprising the casting agent, with
info about the female victim, whose photo I held, of the
grusome murder scene, he seemed impressed.  It was
Elizabeth Short, a.k.a., the Black Dhalia. 

I went home to wait for news.  No response came.  Gee,
if you need $3,000 for your project I can link you up with
an associate producer crazy for cake. 

Shall I continue?  Oh yes, lets.

There was the interview I had for an upcoming March feature in the New York Post.
That too, began with an email, in January.  The interview took place
over the phone in March.  Again, I qualified.  The snag? Certain people
didn't want their names in the New York Post.  I'm not one of them.

The New York Post, and any of its columnists, can call me any time.

But, my friends, lawyers on the Upper East and West side, aren't so
obliging.  One requested either a pseudonym or just initials be used.
The freelance writer refused.  As 20/20 says, What Would You Do?
Do you sell your friends down the (East) river?  Just so you can be
mentioned in the New York Post?  I knew my name is Betsy Balega
not Judas Iscariot. 

But wait!  There's more!  In April 2 New York based casting directors
showed interest in me for their 2 new pilots.  Yogi, are you reading this? Deja vu all
over again.

Since I don't have video clips on my website, I directed them to the Being Frank show, episode 40.
Apparently, they liked the clip and asked for more.  I am still waiting to
hear back.  But, not holding my breath or my life.

The good April news for Being Mystic, is that it is excerpted and reviewed
on the Spiritual Lounge website.  Why do things go easier for me
in India than in North America?  Must be karmic.

Like attracts like in the univese.  This June I am at the Niagara Falls
Literary and Arts Festival.  And oh,  OWN is looking for interesting
stories for their new doc series.  I contacted them via Corus Entertainment.
They're on the guest list for my cake party.  And no, they're not
seeking $3,000.

Ain't life grand?

It sure is.

Betsy Balega

Billy Crystal is The Artist

Were you as happy as I was when Billy Crystal opened the 84th Oscars?  Certainly you were.  After an 8 year gap bigger than the Grand Canyon, it was a blessing to have Billy back.  No one can replace him, and be a hit host, unless you can raise the dead Bob Hope or Johnny Carson.  Loved his salute to the now defunct Kodak Corporation, christening the building where the awards ceremony was held,  as the Chapter 11 pavilion.  Were you surprised The Artist won?  You should not have been.  It was the best film throwing us all back in time in  this high tech gadget age to a simpler era.  Yes, there was crime, mobsters, liquor, sex, love, drugs and debauchery back in the Roaring Twenties, but thank God we didn't get updated every 3 nano seconds to remind us how screwed up we are.  That would take another 9 decades.  Congrats to Christopher Plummer, a grand old man, at 82.  Overlooked so often in the past, now he is so relevant.  Where was Jack Nicholson?  Oh, that's right George Clooney has taken his place, along with Brad and Angie.  Hey!  What was that remark Crystal made about Billie/Angie?  Oi vey!  With Mr. Pitt no more than 20 feet away.  Billy, you sure know how to hurt a guy.  Let sleeping dogs lie.  And speaking of them, how 'bout that Uggie?  It's the year of the Dog.  Forget that 'ole Chinese Dragon.  He's so last month ago.  And hats off to Marty.  Hugo is playing down the street at the Mt. Pleasant Theatre. Yes, I'll get there eventually.  If you haven't seen all 9 top films, there's no time like the present.  Enjoy~!


Betsy Balega
February 26, 2012   

The Winter that Ain't Happenin Baby!

Well, 2 days ago Puxatawny Phil, my old neighbor, in Pennsylvania predicted 6 more weeks of winter.  His cousin Wiarton Willie, to the north agrees to disagree this year.  Usually these 2 Psychic Rodents agree but not in 2012.  Phil senses more snow, ice, perhaps even, dare I say, an Alberta Clippr. Dear Old Willy begs to differ.  Wil says spring is a swing around the corner.  I must agree with the Canadian groundhog.  Why you ay?  Well, how about because in Toronto our temps have been in the 40's this winter, albeit farenheit not celsius and that's still okay with me.  Yes, more to confuse Canadians this winter.  This is the Winter That Ain't.  It ain't too cold, it aint too snowy, it's ain't bad at all.  My deepest heartfelt sympathies goes out to our brothers and sisters in Europe, who are living through a deep freeze.  Somehow dear old Toronto has been spared this fate.  No matter where you are reading this, having a fantastic February.

Betsy Balega
Febryar 4, 2012

2012 on Tuning in with Betsy

Yes!  Like school kids in  Canada, I'm back from the holiday break.  Hope everyone had a fantastic 2 weeks of celebrating and bringing  in 2012.

Tomorrow Tuning in with Betsy returns to Blog Talk Radio at 2:30 for a brief recap of what to look forward to in this special year.  Every years is special but with Planet X zooming around, sun spots getting in an  uproar and wacky weather headed our way it's time to feature 2012 once again.

Listen in!

Betsy Balega