Surfing job to job, and couch to couch
Surfing job to job, and couch to couch
Natalia Lusinski
Los Angeles, Calif.

I moved to Los Angeles when I was 21 to pursue a career in screenwriting. Now, I'm 34 years old and still barely getting by.

I'm a television writers' assistant, and I've worked on some great shows like Desperate Housewives -- but since I'm on a freelance basis, my income is far from steady.

I've taken side jobs waitressing, writing dating ads, and even pet-sitting. Since I'm not making enough money to pay rent, I gave up my apartment and decided to couch-surf with a different friend each week for 52 weeks.

It's been more than a year now, and I'm still basically, homeless. To make matters worse, I have $99,000 in student loans to pay off (don't go to two private schools in a row!).

The good news is, even though I still barely have an income, I am extremely happy and have started to write a book about the whole experience. I'm calling it 52 Weeks, 52 Couches: How I Slept my Way Through Hollywood (Without Sleeping with Anybody) and I hope to sell it soon. In the meantime, I'll continue surfing from job to job, and couch to couch.



Last updated May 17 2011: 5:18 PM ET

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