PLEASE HELP ME WITH MY CAR SO I CAN GET TO WORK!

CAR-LESS IN THE VALLEY. RIP SOULPATCH.

Apparently, I do not have good car karma.

In high school, my rusted-out Chevy Impala poured rain inside the car, soaking me and my date. In college, another rusted Impala lost its drive shaft, landing me in a ditch. When I worked at Disneyland, the hood of my Toyota Corolla flew up on the freeway, blocking my vision, but miraculously I pulled off to the shoulder without hitting anyone. A few years ago, my Chevy Cobalt decided to keep dying on the freeway, causing my brakes to stop working, making the car extremely unsafe to drive.

After the Cobalt fiasco, I got a pre-owned 2013 Kia Soul, and I named her “Soulpatch.” She has been very good to me these past two years. And I should note that all of the cars I’ve had in the past were regularly maintained with oil, tires, tune-ups, etc.

On the morning of Tuesday, April 15, Duffy and I were on our way back from Palm Springs. Just as we passed Morongo Casino, Soulpatch started sputtering badly, and I discovered that I was having trouble accelerating. I pulled off the road, got on my phone, and started to look for a nearby mechanic. I found one in Banning who unfortunately spoke very little English. But he very graciously gave my engine a diagnostic and told me that my 4th cylinder had no compression and was not firing. I asked if I could get back to Los Angeles, and he did not seem hopeful. He put some oil in (since the engine was guzzling it), and Duffy and I traveled at 40 mph on the shoulder of the 10 freeway back to Sherman Oaks. I am beyond grateful that we made it back in one piece without the car blowing up.

The next day, I took it to my mechanic, who charged me $150 to tell me that it would cost around $9,000 to get a new engine. As I drove it slowly home, smoke started to pour out of it (worse than when I dropped it off), and it is now in my parking space.

WHY DON’T YOU GET A REAL JOB?

Believe it or not, I have actually had some folks say this to me. As an actor, I have had to hustle every day of my life in order to make ends meet. When I’m on stage or in front of a camera, life is fantastic and full of possibilities. And when I’m not…things can get dark. So to those who question my ability to hold down a job…I actually have 5 jobs right now:

1. Musical Theatre Teacher at a school in Sierra Madre

2. Musical Theatre Teacher at a university in Northridge for elementary school kids.

3. Massage Therapist

4. DoorDash

5. Acting in a hit, Broadway-bound show

6. Taking other writing or hosting gigs on and off to bring in some extra money. (So I guess that’s 6 jobs.)

And even with all of this good fortune, I am humbled that I am in dire financial need when a crisis like having my car die happens.

WHAT I AM HOPING TO DO.

I am looking to crowd-fund at least $8000 so I can get to my various jobs. Period. Any donations that I am able to get will go to pay for the following:

1. Getting Soulpatch fixed (if she is indeed fixable...which seems unlikely) so I can drive to the distant locations where I am employed.

2. Getting a rental car until my car is fixed.

3. If Soulpatch is unfixable, using the money to purchase another cheap car to get me from point A to point B.

Unfortunately the timing for this is horrible. All of the projects I have going on are happening all at once and I am having to rely on friends or Uber. I usually get paid every other week, so the timing of having funds available is just not happening right now.

It is truly humbling and embarrassing to have to ask for help. But I just don't have the strength or time to take on yet another job to pay for this car crisis. So I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart if you are able to help me and my little Duffy out.

And if you happen to know of anyone in the L.A. area looking to sell a reliable, good-working car...I'm all ears.

I am forever grateful.