Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

I've Moved

2011-11-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

Did you guys know blogs don't write themselves? Boy have I learned my lesson. To prove it, I've started a new blog. I know, I know. Same name...but new mission. New experiences!! I need to be writing way more than I have been, so I'm looking for accountability and hoping for discipline.

Psychic Friends Network

2011-07-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Let us not dwell on the fact that I haven't posted in four months, but yet enjoy today's entry.

In short, I've now solved the mystery of how some people could spend $2.99 a minute (or more) on a phone psychic.

On a recent trip to New York City, a friend and I stumbled across a psychic sitting on an array of blankets on the stairs of Union Square. Her name? Ursula. We think.

I'm at a point in my life where I'm happy. If I'm being honest, my only concerns are that my parents are getting older, my gma is too, and that adulthood has brought on a lot of stress for my best friend sister.

I choose to take advantage of the "free" part of being both jobfree and manfree and am lucky to be currently living a largely CAREfree life. Things of the past are just that. So I was pretty open about what I could learn from a psychic.

One of the first things I learned - oddly enough - was that I need to let go of the past. But we'll get to that. So I sit down. She tells me my faith is being tested. My mind quickens. My first thought is that she means by sitting down with her I am offending God. I then realize that maybe she means that my faith in HER was being tested. Which was much more the case. She's big into eye contact and once I meet her eyes a calmness comes over the whole thing and I don't say a word for like a whole 10 minutes. True story.

So she cuts some cards and I pick some stones out of a bag. One of the stones has the picture of a bracket-type thing, one is blank, and I forget the third one. The cards - in order - are "playfulness," "sharing," and "hanging on to the past."

I was obviously cool with the first two, but had really thought I had reached some closure regarding anything of substance from the past, so the last one threw me for a loop. But then she started talking about my "sacred womb" and I stopped thinking about anything but what she was saying.

So this sacred womb of mine...at the beginning she made it sound like I will eventually birth a gaggle of children...then she started talking about seeing the spirit of a child around me. A child just waiting to be born. (Akachawhat?) She followed that up with the fact that I'll be surprised with the "miracle" pregnancy. (Is not every pregnancy a miracle?)

She then started talking about my fairy godmother. Not biological but spiritual. She's my guardian angel and a symbol of my conscience. Ursula told me not to ignore my conscience. And went on to say whenever I haven't been able to find my keys, it's my fairy godmother telling me not to leave or go wherever I was going. When a call is dropped, it's her preventing me from saying whatever I was gonna say.

All I can assume at this point is that my fairy godmother is slightly behind in the times when I think drunk texting is appropriate.

She told me I was very spiritual. So spiritual that I should wear all white. Even white underwear. At this point I really wanted to protest because when wearing white you wear nude or light pink underwear. It's one of the few cases I break my matching rule. She told me I could also mix in some blue here and there. It should be said at the time of my reading I was wearing a charcoal grey shirt, black shirt, and - you guessed it - charcoal grey underthings. She told me I was a light for all around me...which reminded me of something one of my first bosses said. She told someone of our initial meeting for my interview that I was like a ray of sunshine coming into the office.

Ursula had me. Our eyes were locked and I was soaking it up. I wanted to hear everything. She told me I needed to write. (Keep in mind I said absolutely NOTHING to her, so she had no way of knowing that's what I do.) She told me I had to write about my experiences. Share them with people. (the sharing card, remember?) People needed to hear my stories. And I needed to get head shots because people will want them for this sharing thing I'm going to do.

At this point, I'm like what the heck do I need to share with people? I mean besides these blogs of random happenings or adventures? I wasn't kidnapped and held hostage for 18 years. I hope that isn't part of my future. She didn't mention anything about anything horrible like that happening...

I'll regress slightly to discuss the playfulness card, the description of which basically made me feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I'm enjoying life. I'm LIVING life. Her one suggestion here was that I spend an entire day quiet and in nature and then see what comes out when I finally speak. Whoa. Sounds awesome and challenging and now all I have to do is find a day to do it.

And now we come to the "hanging on to the past" card. Ursula keeps talking about an event. Thankfully nothing horrific has ever happened to me, so I translated it to be that out of all the little things said and heart hurts that have happened there must be something I haven't let entirely go. She talks about writing things out and freezing them or throwing them in the ocean (both closure tactics that have been recommended to me before). She said to find a method that works best and get it out and away. Which brought us to the first stone I had pulled out...The bracket. Today (which meant Sunday) was the first day of my life. Nothing before that can have any effect on my future. She said talking of those things give them a voice and allow them back in, so she said not to let a word of them leave my esophagus.

Just plain ole good advice.

She said to make decisions as if I were watching someone else. What advice would I give another person in that situation. She said to - for right now - decide and not do. I'm still decoding that one, but I think it has something to do with time and preparedness? Or again, permission to not do very much right now besides get in tune with myself.

So Ursula ends the session and I can't help it. I lean in and I'm like, um, so this sacred womb? What? A-isn't every womb sacred? B-are we talking immaculate conception? B part 2-am I going to carry the second coming? She basically launched into a safe sex talk wherein she told me to be v careful with whose seed (sic) I let enter my body and to use protection if I don't want that person to be my baby daddy. Because the kid is just waiting to be born. Whiskey. tango. foxtrot. I didn't ask her if it was a boy or a girl. I didn't ask who the baby daddy would be. I felt like I left with this weird Choose Your Own Adventure.

Following the reading, I went further into the square and sat down and started regurgitating everything she had said. Which is of course where I realized that she mentioned nothing about my love life. I wanted to go back right then. I mean, I guess there will be guys around if there is to be a baby daddy, but still. When? Who? And how the heck will I meet him?

So then my friend finished her reading. Which while equally spot on, was nothing like mine. (We compared just in case.)

As far as the validity of the reading and where I go from here...I don't find anything blasphemous in what I was told. Everything was good. I feel like I was basically told I'm on the right path, and to not freak out because eventually I'll have a kid with some sort of divine purpose. No big deal. I'm excited to see how it all pans out, but you know, in a total carefree way. That being said, I do wish I had a direct line to Ursula. I guess that just means I'll have to make more trips to the Big Apple. I can do that.

As Time Goes By

2011-03-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

My gma, Mary Imogene (insert last name here) turns 88 today. So now, in no particular order, 88 things I love about her.

1. Her stories. (Not to be confused with her "stories.")
2. The way she listens to my stories.
3. How comfortable I am around her, talking to her.
4. Fake snoring.
5. Her love of children.
6. The look on her face when she opens the door and I'm standing there.
7. The way she stands at the door until I drive out of sight.
8. The way she says "yesterday."
9. Her willingness to be my "plus one" at events back home.
10. Her philosophy that if a guy doesn't like me, he must be gay.
11. Her hugs.
12. Jim White.
13. Delilah.
14. Bedtime convos.
15. Her understanding.
16. That she says "Missourah." (She's the only one I let get away with it.)
17. She remembers what foods I like. And makes them.
18. The way she loves Taco Bell.
19. Her laughs.
20. Her denture-less smile.
21. She's always a phone call away.
22. For recipes.
23. For directions.
24. For advice.
25. For gossip.
26. The way she talks about soap opera characters like they're relatives.
27. Yet didn't hold it against me when I got a job on a show that replaced them in the daytime schedule.
28. Our calls just to chat.
29. The way she talks about my granddaddy.
30. Her compassion.
31. A picture I saw once of her crawling down a hallway with one of my older sibs on her back.
32. How she uses a shopping cart to avoid using a cane in public.
33. When she holds on to me to avoid using either.
34. The way she's aging so gracefully.
35. I'll never wring a chicken's neck, but don't have to wonder what it's like because she's told me.
36. The time she taught me to de-bone a chicken. Over the phone.
37. How she signs cards "Love you, Grandma."
38. The way she talks about "old" people.
39. The way she's smarter/sharper than people give her credit for.
40. The way she never minded that we kids used to immediately run to her pantry for the cookie tin.
41. Her friendships.
42. Without her, I would have never met Miss Ruthie.
43. She talked my mom into letting me use tampons.
44. We wear the same shoe size.
45. All that she's seen.
46. Her love of her children.
47. Her love of her children's children.
48. Her love of her children's children's children.
49. Her lack of pressure because I haven't reproduced.
50. Her strength.
51. Her faith.
52. Her faith in me.
53. Her faith in my dreams.
54. The way she's not a fan of people who hurt me.
55. The way she tells me when she sees my ex (on tv) and is brutally honest about how he looks.
56. Her honesty.
57. The way she knows what I'm thinking without me saying a word.
58. The way she smells.
59. How you can take her shopping, pick out several outfits, only to have her get someone else to take her back to return them.
60. Easy silence.
61. That she's not infallible.
62. The way she used to humor me when I told my own mom "I'm gonna tell your mom."
63. I don't remember her ever saying "no" when we asked to spend the night.
64. The way she lights up when surrounded by family.
65. She always has gum. And always more than one variety.
66. She's not fat, she's fluffy.
67. She makes me laugh.
67. She's always on my side.
68. She's everything a best friend should be.
69. "She took care of me when I had blood in my urine and chicken pox." (Taken from an essay I wrote about her in elementary school. Thankfully for my 7/8 yo self they were separate occasions. I still can't imagine what that teacher must have thought of that essay.)
70. She let us swim in our underwear.
71. The way she says "ohhh" when excited or happy.
72. Her pats.
73. Her winks.
74. The way she gets her hair done every Friday.
75. How she still calls it a "permanent."
76. The way she humors me when I try and fix her hair.
77. The fact that she's a trailblazer. Nobody else in her fam has lived to be this old.
78. She produced four contributing members of society (who then went on to produce 11 more, who then went on to produce 12 more. No jail or rehab in the bunch...yet)
79. Her sweetness.
80. The random cuss.
81. "Let 'er rip." (even when you're at Red Lobster)
82. The way she gets excited when I call.
84. Her voice - often imitated, never duplicated.
85. She's moved several times, but never changed the candy drawer.
86. Her housecoats.
87. Up until she gave me her sewing machine, she still did most of my sewing fixes.
88. Without her I wouldn't be here.

A Day in the Life

2011-02-20T15:46:00.001-08:00

I'm watching Eat Pray Love.
I read the book several years ago. I loved it. I related.

The thing is, I can go to Target and see couples and remember what that felt like and miss it, but then I look at life now. I'm prepping to go to Africa for 5 weeks. I didn't have to ask anyone's permission. Get anyone's opinion. Justify the trip. Explain that I need to do this for me. Have someone feel like I didn't care enough about him because I didn't invite him. Except for my boss, I didn't really even need to schedule it with anyone.

(I'll have friends in tow, so it's not like I'm venturing off alone a la Elizabeth Gilbert.)

One day I'll be in a long-term couple again. And I'll be excited. And we'll go to Target. But for now this is my life. And it fits. I have to take advantage of the lifestyle that I've become accustomed to. And crave. To a fault? Perhaps.

I just got my taxes done. And once again I was penalized for being a successful single person with no kids or mortgage. I refuse to get in over my head with a mortgage. Truth be told, I have issues signing a one-year lease, so I'm not sure I'm at the point to even contemplate a 30-year mortgage. But I'm saving for it, and one day when that time comes, there will be someone watching my episode of House Hunters who says "What a great down payment!" My thing is, I don't want to be house poor. And I don't want to buy what is essentially an apartment, but is called a condo. And I for SURE don't wanna settle. On anything. Or anyone.

Real estate in LA is crazy. Especially in the neighborhoods I would want to live. And how long will I be here? Is there any way to know? Luckily, I don't currently have to worry about it. So I won't.

The weather is doing a perfect little thing lately. Beautiful sun one day. Rain/sometimes with thunder the next. That means the sky is blue and clear on the sunny days. The mountains within view have snow on them.

I have yet to get very far on my to-do list for while I only have one job. I just got my gma's sewing machine fixed, so the sewing should commence soon. I didn't hike as much this past week as in previous week, (I like to blame the intermittent weather), but I'll get back into it. A visiting friend this coming weekend means cleaning and (gasp!) baking will happen this week. I'm reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography in preps for my South African journey. It's 625 pages, so that should keep me busy. I haven't been writing enough, and I have no good excuse. I have multiple ideas. I want to finish the screenplay. The spec. The tv show idea that started as a joke, but now has legs and possibility...Just need to get better at scheduling and discipline I guess.

I've been watching a lot of Oprah. I love her BTS show more than the actual show. But she's big into meditation/quiet time and now watching Eat Pray Love, I'm reminded of its importance. So I'll leave you with this.

http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/

Start with two minutes. Work up from there.

Greetings From Skunksville, USA

2011-01-21T01:13:00.000-08:00

If you're a friend on Facebook, you may know that I've been struck down with what can only be described as the plague this week. You may think I'm being dramatic, and well, I guess since I'm still alive, it wasn't REALLY the plague, but I can't remember ever being so sick when it didn't involve a lot of quality time with the toilet. I spent two full days in bed and a third one on the couch and am finally starting to feel closer to fine.

I knew I was getting better when I took a look at myself in the mirror today and was horrified at the caterpillars crawling across my forehead. I'll take care of them tomorrow. Nothing like a good eyebrow wax to mark a recovery.

But first, this story. Or tale...

So I believe I've mentioned before the fact that skunks love my neighborhood. And how much one little guy in particular (aka Juan) loves my specific part of the neighborhood. As in my driveway, my front step, my welcome mat.

Don't get me wrong. Juan is freakin' adorable. We've watched him grow. Or her grow. I've never gotten close enough to tell the difference. We know Juan's coloring. We know Juan likes us. But we also know Juan doesn't realize what kind of havoc he could wreak (or reek!) on not only our actual persons but also our home.

You see, it's nothing to with inside and outside lights on, door open, tv on, and people talking to look over and see Juan chilling on the welcome mat...Yeah. Can't really walk away from the open door because I'm pretty sure the little dude would just waltz in and make himself at home.

So far he has only lifted his tail when FACING us, which would mean he wouldn't be technically spraying us, but still...nothing's an exact science...

Alright, so anyway, sorry if that is all old news, but it's only to tell you about what happened last night. Like I said I've been sick and I stepped outside to leave for my night job and my neighbor was on her step. Outside lights were on. We were talking. When all the sudden, she told me to look behind me. I didn't. I kept talking. Then - a little more forcefully - she told me to walk forward to her step..."right now"...That time I listened...once I got there, she told me to turn around...and there was Juan. Basically RIGHT behind where I was standing, as if he was walking up to me...Again he put his tail up, but he was facing us, and he didn't spray. Once he realized we were doing the stomping our feet and shaking our keys move so I could get in my car, he sauntered down the driveway and into the front yard.

Long story short, I need a screen door.

This Just In

2011-01-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

1. The adorable pair known as The Civil Wars ARE married, but to other people. I can't wait for the album debut on February 1. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead to purchase it.

2. I love Austin. Everything about it. It's the clear frontrunner in the Austin-Portland-Nashville race to be the next MAB city. The recent rains in LA have really dampened (pun intended) Portland's chance. I'm glad to know I have lovely friends to visit there tho because I do love it. That being said, if I were to get a fantastic job there or meet someone who wanted to move there I would likely not turn down that opportunity. After all...

3. I'm inappropriately very much looking forward to the movie No Strings Attached. All I can say is, I liked A Lot Like Love, the idea of a Period Mix makes me laugh, and some of the lines in the trailer hit home...so I have some hope for it...

4. I'm working on my 2011 To Do List. There are important things that I need to remember to do in the next couple of weeks like traffic school, and then there is everything else, which is all fun stuff. I'm especially excited to gain half of my life back when Let's Make a Deal goes on hiatus on Jan. 16. What will I do with all that dayside free time?!?! The list for that is growing too...I need to go through my lil garage thing and get rid of things I don't need or haven't used in forever. Trim it down/clean it out...I have a way of accumulating nothing at all...

Which brings me to the early stages of the list.

Daytimes will soon be filled with farmers' markets and flea markets and classes. Classes for sewing, classes for trapeze-ing, classes for some sort of physical fitness (either yoga or a combo pilates-yoga-barre thing offered in my hood), maybe cooking...sign language...all things of interest that I want to know more about.

2011 will also bring a lot of travel. To near and far away places. I started the year in Austin, and wouldn't mind going back (sxsw can you hear me?) But there are other places to go...like, Hicksville Trailer Palace in Joshua Tree, maybe Vegas, and um, oh yeah...AFRICA. So excited. And people just keep telling me to get more excited. By the time I actually go I won't be able to contain myself...post Africa I'm more-than-tentatively planning a bday trip back to the Kauai condo...and then I may have to hunker down depending on the job sitch...my parents are planning a trip out during the summer...and I feel like I should spend some time in Nashville this year to help my decision-making process...you know, just to be prepared for the next step...

Meanwhile, here I sit, in the last two weeks of double-dipping. Somehow I've made it six months. I don't know how. I've been very fortunate tho, so for that I am thankful. I want more space than my little bungalow offers, but the price is unbeatable for the locale and amenities (read offstreet parking, onsite laundry, no attached neighbors). And frankly, I want more space just so I can buy more chairs. I'm obsessed with chairs. I don't need lots of chairs. But I want them.

That'll do, pig.

Dance Me to The End of Love

2010-12-15T01:59:00.000-08:00

First of all, can I just say I have no idea what happened to my layout that cuts the right edge off all these videos. Not sure how to fix it or why it seemed to just change one day. So sorry about that.

I can't put into words how mesmerized I was by The Civil Wars show. I want to be in a room with them and just have them play and sing and never stop. Ever. I mean, maybe for sips of water and whiskey or to share little anecdotes, but that's it. I remember feeling this way about Glen and Mar.

Their chemistry is the stuff that envy is made of. Maybe I just love being in the same place as talented people in love singing about being in love. Or not being in love anymore. Or wanting to one day be in love. Again. Or still.

That's right. They use the word "darlin'." No need to win me over anymore, The Civil Wars...I'm already sold.

Nants Ingonyama Bagithi Baba

2010-12-09T23:46:00.000-08:00

It's happening.

When I decided to double dip, I knew I would be sacrificing things like sleep and a social life during the week, but I'm also reaping some mad benefits.

Over Thanksgiving break, I went to Kauai. On a last minute fare. Bought my ticket Monday night, left Wednesday, and came back Sunday. It was dreamy. Sure it took me a day to decompress and be still, but once I got to that place...whoa. I read a whole book by the time I came home. Magical. I'm seriously thinking of going back for my bday. I've got a friend who has parents with a condo. I'm basically one degree away from Hawaii.

To be in a place in my life that allows me to do such spontaneous things is thrilling. There are things I desire, but in the meantime, I will enjoy everything my current lifestyle has to offer.

Which brings me to Africa...or should I say, will...

It's been on my radar for a while, but I'm finally jumping in. And I'm super excited. I'll be volunteering for a bit and then traveling for a bit. I'll be playing with lil bits at an orphanage in South Africa. I'll try really hard to not fall in love with every single face, as I hear it's nearly impossible to bring them home in your carry-on luggage.

I'll be less resistant to falling for a Doctor Without Borders.

Speaking of movies, I've recently seen:

The Town: What can I say, I'm a fan of Ben Affleck the director. Throw in Rebecca Hall and Jon Hamm and sign my thumbs up!
Black Swan: I'm so polarized. I'm cool with Natalie being nominated, and maybe even winning. And I really liked parts of it, but I also was really not into other parts of it. That's how I am with Darren Aronofsky, tho.
The King's Speech: I liked this. In the way that I often enjoy true stories played out brilliantly thanks to people like Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.

Oh and that book I read Thanksgiving week? The Help. LOVED. LOVED. LOVED.
Currently on my nightstand: "Cassette From My Ex: Stories and Soundtracks of Lost Loves"...This collection of vignettes is the perfect bedside read. You read a few, think about music, turn off the lamp, enter into dreamland. I've now added Africa on a Shoestring (Southeast Asia on a Shoestring was my Bible during that trip)...and a book on Southern Africa...and I've pulled out my copy of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die...don't wanna miss anything big!

Wow. Watching Paul McCartney on Jimmy Fallon. Talking and now singing about John Lennon. Are those tears Jimmy has in his eyes? Really looking forward to the Paul Squared SNL this weekend. And tomorrow night I have the Aimee Mann Holiday Show. I've been in LA five Christmas seasons, and I've seen this show at least three of those years.

As for Christmas this year, I'll be heading back to the Lou for just under a week and then heading down to Austin for NYE with friends. I'm pretty sure that's the only way to follow up last year's Las Vegas Strip extravaganza. This year went by so very fast. The world spins madly on.

Baby It's Cold Outside

2010-11-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

Another winter in LA
Another apartment without heat

I've been here
I know this dance
The snuggie/chenille/gnome quilt combo

Curled up on the couch
Because that's where the tv is
And the music is
And the internet is

In the bedroom
there's the duvet
And the books
But you can't turn pages with gloves on
I've tried

Hard wood floors
Like a slap in the face
For the feet

No longer snoozing for sleep
But to avoid leaving the cocoon.

Footie pajamas seem perfect
Until it's time to pee.

Fighting Dragons

2010-11-11T00:15:00.000-08:00

So I'm still listening to The Civil Wars, and I'm excited to say I'll be seeing them play at my favorite local venue soon, but they're not the only music keeping me entertained.

Taylor Swift. Speak Now. It's the only thing I listen to in my car. And I listen to it REALLY loud. Weather permitting, with windows/sunroof open. Life is universal and has me relating to a 20 year old who has a wonderful way with words. I don't care what people say, I know I'm not the only one, and I've converted at least one person.

Joshua Radin. The Rock and The Tide. Great hiking music. Great anything music. Give me road to ride on and I'll come and see you in concert.

Mumford & Sons. So bummed I missed them when they played a sold out show here a few weeks ago. Because I super enjoy the way their music fills the air of my lil bungalow while I attempt to task it up in the mornings or on my days off.

Movies. I don't see nearly the number I once did. Long gone are the days of 6 screening weeks. But I have seen some good ones recently.

Mother and Child. I was lucky enough to have a friend with a screener as I somehow missed this in theaters. I liked it. The movie stars Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, and Kerry Washington, and follows their respective stories of adoption. Great performances and it ended with a Lucy Schwartz song...which is never a bad thing. Six months ago I would have had a very different perspective, but I'm glad that I waited. So I guess "missing" the movie in theaters was a blessing in disguise.

Blue Valentine. If you're my facebook friend, you know I loved it. It's exactly the reason I love independent film. The music. The acting. The story. The heart. I'm so afraid of overselling this movie that I don't feel like I can keep talking about it.

127 Hours. Impressive. James Franco. Aron Ralston. I still say I would have banged my head really hard against a rock if I were to ever find myself in the same situation. The strength and heart Aron exhibited in that astonishing and heroic moment is brought to life with beauty and talent. Danny Boyle knows what he's doing, but James Franco isn't overshadowed by the filmmaking...Dare I use the word "brilliant"... And you know what else? It made me wanna go on a hike. We've got a beautiful country and the scenery reminded me of Red Rock and Valley of Fire hikes. Rock scrambling. Good times.

I'm super excited to see Morning Glory. I love Rachel McAdams and I've worked in a newsroom. Win win, right?

On my nightstand (which is actually an antique child's desk, but still...):

A Gate at the Stairs: Lorrie Moore. I'm not in a book club, but my neighbor is. One day when I maybe only have one job and more free time, I'll be able to be in one again too...Until then, I'll read the books that other book clubs talk about...

I'm about 3/4 in...and have enjoyed it. It's been pretty quick but not super chick lit...which is a pretty perfect kind of book to read in bed.

YES!

2010-11-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

October - aka the second sh*ttiest month of 2010 so far - is over!!
November is here, it's sunny and I'm about to cuddle a newborn!
And I'm gonna drive with my windows down and sunroof open and grab some sammies from a neighborhood shop!

I'm in super high spirits, which I feel I have to mention before I post the link to the song I've been listening to all morning.

It's heartbreakingly awesome and duet perfection. And Good GOD the video is crazy beautiful. I want to be them and live in that house.

The Civil Wars. New favorite.

Are We There Yet?

2010-10-26T01:49:00.000-07:00

One day I'm going to own an Airstream...but before that day I'll have to have a truck to pull it and a house where I can park it.

But in the meantime, doesn't it look heavenly?

Dream fantasy would be to have the Airstream and travel around the states. And safety pin a baby's clothes all cool while my as-yet-to-be-met guy graffitis all his toys. But that's another song...

Fabric Of Our Lives

2010-10-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I'm never on here. So where do I get off dropping by now...well here I am, so in the words of Taylor from Kid Nation, (that awesome show that will never be done again) "Deal with it!"

Something's in retrograde. I get it. I get it. But it sucks. And I'm over it. So get in grade. Or whatever you have to do. Because this has got to stop.

Basically I'm here because I watched Brothers & Sisters for the first time tonight, and Sally Field said some amazing things, and I don't know where else to quote her. So heregoes.

"You have to give up the life you've planned to find the life that's waiting for you."

"Unacknowledged feelings are like a drunken cousin at a family reunion. They never shut up so you can hear anyone else."

1. I don't wanna be that cousin.

2. Thanks Sally. And writers.

That is all.

Not Like The Movies

2010-08-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

I could call this "Things I Hate" a la Daniel Tosh...but I'm not going to. I'm instead going to call it pet peeves. Hate's a strong word, and truth be told, I've now been driven home in a Rover and partially paid for one for an African village so I feel like an imposter to say I hate them. That being said...

(in no particular order)

1. Rovers. Land or Range. There's no need for them on the streets of any city. They're for villages. Like in Africa. For use in transporting things and people. I know of nothing more pretentious.

2. Wide-ruled paper.

3. Procrastination. My favorite frenemy. I've got sh*t to do.

4. Icing//Lotion//Sour cream.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I will likely never like any of those things.

5. Jersey Shore. I don't get it. I don't wanna get it.

6. The inability to Hipstamatic or play Words With Friends on my blackberry. This item could also be called #ihatebeingleftout but I very much enjoy both of those Iphone apps. Luckily I have friends that share.

7. PMS. Involuntary, unavoidable, and inescapable bad mood. I will use the word HATE here. Anybody wanna guess the inspiration of today's blog?

8. I feel like I used to be able to shave my legs every other day. That's no longer possible. Could THAT be possible? I feel like I have to shave every day or they're not perfectly smooth. Annoying. Should I devote some of my savings to laser treatments on my legs? South Africa or Australia would both be more fun if I never had to shave, right?

9. Cats. I won't ever kill them or anything. I just don't feel the need for them in my life. I prefer the wild neighborhood skunks (as long as they don't spray me) to my neighbor's mostly-outdoor cats who are convinced they rule our little region.

10. Lazy lazyness. By this I mean lazy about stupid things. Like hooking my air conditioner to the window. D-U-M-B. Just do it already. (This is what I tell myself while I'm doing something else but way less important, like watching multiple episodes of "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant."). I'm gonna put it out there now that I will hook it up with 2 weeks of the end of heat. Rendering several hundred dollars of money not well spent.

Ok. That's enough for now.

Things I'm loving.

1. being surprised with phone pix of my nephews and nieces.

2. getting texts from my nieces and nephews.

3. good music. right now. Pandora.

4. great friends.

5. beach days.

6. opportunity.

7. inside jokes.

8. neighborhood walks.

9. thinking about traveling.

10. writing again. wheels in motion.

I'm ticketed for Vampire Weekend/Beach House and Ray LaMontagne/David Gray. I'm super excited for both. My evening job has hampered my concert habit, but I'm gonna give it a go for these two shows. I'll sleep when I'm dead. I need some great live music like whoa.

I haven't seen a movie since Inception. Quite possibly because I don't wanna erase that as my last cinematic experience (Jon Hamm, remember?). That being said I have quite a few I wanna see...

Random ending:

I'm notorious for being horrible in a crisis. Mostly because I tell people I am. I mean, why have people thinking they'll be in good hands? Anyway, this feature makes preparing for an earthquake seem doable. That being said, I've already mentioned procrastination and laziness...so I'm thinking going with my original plan of hooking up with someone more prepared still stands as my best option. I mean, can you picture me using a wrench to turn off gas and water? Hahahahahahahaha....Good luck to me.

If We Were Children, I Would Bake You a Mud Pie...

2010-08-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

aka "How I spent 40 hours in New York City."

Friday afternoon/evening:

Arrived. Endured a two hour tour of the city courtesy Super Shuttle. Great moment on the subway when I had a realization of where I was and what I was doing and how happy I was about both things. Dinner with Emily at Peanut Butter & Co. Caught up and reminisced. Back to Hotel Harlem to do the same with Erin. Talked over wine as she packed for a wedding in the Hamptons. Dahling.

Sat morning:

Up. Times Square. Met up with Ellen for MORE catching up and reminiscing. And walking. And lunching. This time Ruby Foos. Signature drink. Next stop Trust. (The play starring Zach Braff.)

Three things made me sure I was loving this play:

1. The quote "I don't do brown." (Pee is yellow.)

2. The music. Specifically the scene change where "Maps" was playing and Braffers was mouthing the words. If you didn't know, that's one of my all-time favorite songs.

3. "Sh*t can them." Perhaps only two people in this world know why I enjoyed hearing that phrase on a stage so much. But I did.

The play was very well-written, and greatly acted. I kept calling it a movie because that's what it felt like. I wasn't ready for it to be over. I felt like I blinked and it was intermission time.

What surprised me most about this show, was that I was probably one of less than 10 people under the age of 50. And it was partially set in an S & M club. Old people are kinky. A couple of groups with younger teens left during the first act. I wasn't complaining tho.

Caught Zach on the sidewalk afterwards. Shook like I've never shook before. Worse than Oprah. Ridiculous. God knows if he would have invited me to grab a drink or bite to eat (like I was OF COURSE fantasizing about) I would have been a complete mess. Eating would have been out of the question for sure.

Off to TKTS to get tickets to a show Saturday night. I had 5 possibilities, which made making a decision once I got to the window super pressure-filled. In the end I went with A Little Night Music. Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch are Broadway dames. How could I go wrong?

I walked around some more, read at Bryant Park...ate dinner at a sitdown restaurant all by myself...and just meandered around the area until it was time for the show. The crowd erupted when Elaine took the stage and then again when Bernadette did. I really felt a part of something. Some weird Broadway lovers club or something. I enjoyed the story. The pinnacle for me tho was Bernadette singing "Send in the Clowns." Wow. And her facial expressions throughout the play. GREAT comedic timing. Elaine also definitely has a way with delivery.

Headed back to Harlem and hit the hay.

Sunday:

Early morning exit. Back to LA in time for a nap before work. This weekend was what weekends are all about! Carefree fun with friends combined with new adventures!!

My next two days off in a row isn't until the wkend of September 11th. That means I have a month to decide what I'll do then!

My Date With Don Draper

2010-07-27T23:41:00.000-07:00

I first met Jon Hamm in an elevator a couple/few years ago at LA Center Studios. We were both working there at the time. I at ReelzChannel (RIP), and he at a little show called Mad Men. A show that - at the time - I had never watched an episode of.

So there we were, just he and I. In an elevator. It sounded something like this:

Ok no it didn't. We were going up, not down. Here's what it really sounded like:

Me: Hi. (I'm guessing I started the convo, but I can't be sure.)

JH: Hi. Do you wanna go to the movies in a few years? (Of course he didn't say this, but I'm foreshadowing!) In reality, we made small talk and got to talking about what shows we were working on. I said Reelzchannel. He said Mad Men. (He was also wearing a suit.)

Me: Oh my gosh! The lead of that show is from St Louis and so am I! (As you can imagine I was excited to share this revelation...which made his reaction all the better.)

JH: (extending his hand) Hi, I'm Jon...Nice to meet you.

(Elevator doors open. It's his floor. What do I do??!!)

Me: (leaning my head/upper body out of the elevator yelling after him) Congrats on all your awards!!

MORTIFIED.

I went home that night, immediately queued every single Mad Men episode I could get my hands on and caught up on the series in less than a week. That's not an exaggeration. I owed it to my fellow St. Louisan!!

I feel like I saw him another time between then and this summer. I feel like he had long hair and scruff. But I can't immediately remember where or when that was. So I guess nothing dramatic happened.

THEN. A couple/few weeks ago, I ventured over to a restaurant around the corner from my house. It's called Home. My house and the restaurant, coincidentally. This time we weren't alone. But if we were it would have probably sounded something like this:

I'm being dramatic. But you get the picture. I was with a group of friends. He was with his lady of like 10 years. (You know, the cute endearing one from Notes From the Underbelly? She also played one of Jack Bauer's cohorts on 24.) So there was her, and presumably their dog, and a trio of young girls I pegged as sisters or nieces or something...Long story short the only exchange that day may have been a glance.

So TODAY. I've been wanting to see Inception, but with my work schedule, fitting in movies can be difficult. I've only got a certain amount of free time. I was going to see it yesterday, but then I hung out with friends instead, so I pushed it off to today. I went to brunch and then hemmed and hawed about it. Did I really wanna see it? Yes I did my neighbor said. So I went. It was a 1:30 on a Tuesday. Movies are only $6.50 @ 1:30 on a Tuesday. I was stoked. That's less than half what I usually pay to see a movie in LA.

Ok, so I walk into the theater. It's dim in there. I prefer to sit toward the back, exactly in the middle. So that's the general direction I was heading. There was a row with ample leg room. (This particular theater removed rows of seating to provide that ample leg room and I thank them for that.) There was a gentleman sitting on the aisle. Then there were 3 empty seats. And then there was another gentleman. It just so happened that the middle empty seat was dead center. Divine!! Here's what it looked like:

back of theater

- - x - x - x | | - - -

(lots of seats)

front of theater

I'm the middle x.

The previews play. A preview for The Kids Are All Right. I saw it. I loved it. And I love this preview. I love Mark Ruffalo. I wanna clap at the end of the preview. Is that weird? I didn't clap. A couple more previews. I notice the guy between me and the aisle has checked his phone. I hope he's not one of THOSE I say to myself. But he puts the phone away. Then out of the corner of my eye, I realize he eats his popcorn out of the bag, like without getting his hands dirty. I quit paying attention to him. The movie is about to start and everyone has said, "Do not look away for a second!" "You have to watch every moment!"

Sometimes I get ancy in a movie and will adjust my position. I did that a few times. Stretched my legs out a few times.

(Sidenote: I'm REALLY all of the sudden paranoid about a phenomenon I've been told about called "secretary spread." Supposedly it's what happens to butts if you sit too long. Oh dear GOD in my night job do I sit a lot. So much that I'm seriously considering getting an elliptical in here. I don't want anything spreading. Ever.)

So back to the movie. I remember two parts where laughing happened. I won't spoil them here, but it was group laughing which I enjoy...you know, when the humorous moments are subtle, but everyone gets it.

Ok the movie's over. I hop up pretty immediately and follow the guy between me and the aisle out of the theater. We hit the sunlit area of the concession stand, and as he's putting on his sunglasses and confused about which way the men's restroom is, I see his face. It's Jon Hamm. The man I just fawned over Sunday night whilst watching his attempts to smooth talk a lady out of the cab and up the stairs to her door.

It wasn't only my top spinning, it was my HEAD spinning as I ducked into the ladies. I couldn't pee fast enough. I had to get out of there. I had to tell someone. EVERYONE. (Not everyone THERE mind you, everyone I know...duh!) Maybe we would come out of the bathrooms at the same time. What would happen then? I don't get nervous around celebrities! Why was this so exciting?? Why had I...How had I not noticed?? Does this movie induce dream states? If so, wouldn't it be ZB and not JH? I hope he doesn't think I only sat there because he was sitting there. Why is that lady looking at me like I didn't wash my hands? I JUST washed my hands! (And you think the things I say OUT LOUD sound like a scattered mess. Try being inside my head!)

Naturally, I had walked to the theater, so when I came out and didn't see JH anywhere, I went on my Mary way and booked it up the hill to mi casa so that I could burst into my neighbor's apt to tell her that "OMG I just saw a movie with Jon Hamm!" To which she replied, "See? See? You were supposed to go today!"

So the next time I see him, which, don't worry, won't be out in front of his house...I plan to ever so subtley hum this song:

I think he'll get it.

PS So I came into work and told my boss today's story. My boss knows Jon Hamm. I knew this already. My boss was like: "Why didn't you talk to him? I'm your connection. Just mention me." Then he asked, "Are you blogging about this? You should blog about this." And a little voice inside my head yelped, "Please don't encourage her and this behavior!" Just kidding. It's fun. Living in LA is fun. Living in Jon Hamm's neighborhood? It's just the icing.

Save the Date

2010-07-26T00:14:00.002-07:00

Because I've just proposed to my heating pad.

I love nature's little surprises!!

It's confusing when you're hot temperature-wise yet require the use of a heating pad.

In other news, Jon Hamm was written on my Bachelorette cast list in invisible ink. That's clearly why you didn't see it there. I mean, why would his name not be among the others? He's my neighbor. We've had one on one convos before. He's funny as all get out and sexy.as.hell.

In other other news, I randomly saw Elijah Wood the other day at work. I say randomly because I was standing there talking to a coworker when I felt someone looking at me so I looked over and there he was standing next to a tree smoking. I said "Oh, hi!" and then continued my convo. Elijah Wood is not on my Bachelorette cast list.

I'm excited to be hurriedly planning a 40 hour trip to NYC. 40 hours is crazy, I know, but it's what I do. I mean, remember when I flew to Ireland for like 4 days for a concert? These things happen and spice up life.

I've decided if I'm gonna be there, perhaps I should catch a Broadway show as well. (I'm going to see Trust, which is an off-Broadway play ZB is starring in.) I'm thinking Mary Poppins or Avenue Q. That being said, I haven't looked to see what's playing, so maybe something else will strike my fancy. Excited to see some familiar faces too.

Mondays and Tuesdays are my dayside days off. I'm in serious need of a sleep-in so the timing couldn't be better. As a matter of fact that always seems to happen. I get through the double days fine, but definitely end up tired. Sundays are my Fridays/Mondays. Wednesdays are my Thursdays/Mondays. It sounds confusing, but it works. Especially on pay day.

Love on the Box

2010-07-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

There are several reasons why I will never go on The Bachelorette:

1. I'm not a whore.
2. I would never do anything on tv I wouldn't want my gma to see. (Let's face it, what would the show be without multiple makeouts, hot tub humpings, and fantasy suite overnighters?)
3. I can barely handle the drama and pressure of one relationship at a time.
4. I have a problem being myself on camera.
5. I would never want my overthinking and insecurities to be broadcast worldwide to millions.

That being said, I have an AWESOME idea for what my season of The Bachelorette would be. Wait for it...The CELEBRITY version. That's right. All 25 of my guys would be celebrities. My favorite male celebrities. How many times can I say celebrity? A lot...

So here's my list. I realize some of them are married. That's not my problem. This is a fantasy. I have also left some "insert heres" as I'd like a little element of surprise during the limo meet and greets.

Zach Braff
Taylor Kitsch (Riggins!!)
Seann William Scott
Ryan Gosling
Bradley Cooper
Andrew Bird
George Clooney
Chris Evans
John Cusack
Dave Salmoni (insert tiger growl here)
Blake Mycoskie (TOMS Shoes!)
Zach Galifianakis (pure entertainment value @ the house!)
Braylon Edwards
(maybe insert professional baseball player or another indie musician here)

Married schmarried:

Ben Folds
Dierks Bentley
Paul Rudd
Mark Ruffalo
Jason Bateman
Derek Luke

They're gay, but I'd love to have one on one dates with them anyway:

Anderson Cooper
Neil Patrick Harris

Gone, but not forgotten:

Jimmy Stewart
Cary Grant
Gregory Peck

I mean, seriously. Can you imagine this group of guys in one house? I'm picturing the last three walking around in black and white. It's pretty magical in my head. Basically I wanna be entertained. Make me laugh, play me music...you get the picture. I feel like I'm probably leaving out someone I really like, but let's assume I mean for them to be one of the surprises.

PS Why did Braffers have to look so good last night on Jimmy Fallon?? He's making it super hard for me to not pay several hundred dollars to fly to NYC for 40 hours and see him in his Off-Broadway play.

Guess Who's Back...

2010-06-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

I know! A new blog entry! I can hardly believe it myself.

Life as of late has been a rollercoaster, but it’s summer! And I’m about to be a new age! And I’ve decided that both occasions make wearing bras or pants obsolete! More bikini tops and tank tops, leggings and dresses!

"Rather than hold on to a broken dream I’ll just hold on to love…"

(I can’t take credit for the line, but I can fess up to having Alicia Keys’ “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” on repeat for a few days last week. And like a month last year, when the lyrics obviously made a lot more sense.)

But it’s June!

So I’m switching the song to Katy Perry “California Gurls” because I can. And because I love her nomatterwhatanyonesays.

Now the advice seeking part…Every guy I’ve ever dated I’ve known through someone. I mean, that’s how this thing usually goes, right? Well, lately, I’ve been considering other options…and I’m not talking the internet. Been there. Done that.

Which leaves me with chance encounters. Case in point. Today. Just now. At lunch with a friend. A brand new Prius pulls up. An attractive guy gets out, opens the back door to get his dog, and starts walking across the street. His loose scarf swaying in the wind, his tousled not-too-long hair not quite flopping, and his loose long sleeve button-down looking perfectly relaxed. The hipster de mes reves. It was like a mirage. Did I mention he was wearing aviators? Because he was.

I point him out to my friend (who confirmed his attractiveness), and assume aloud that a guy like that doesn’t just come into a place like this solo…he’s obviously meeting someone. He goes inside to order and returns. Still alone. The counter girl brings out his number and Diet Coke. Wait a second. Diet Coke? He’s obviously gay, right? My friend says maybe not. Maybe he’s a model or an actor. Neither of these things interest me so I poo poo the possibility.

Then we wonder what the next step is. (It should be mentioned here that said friend is happily married and no longer has to worry about these things.) And this is where the advice comes in. How do you pick up total strangers? Starting conversation I obviously get and can handle, but how do you translate that into a date? I’m on the brink of 30 + 2, shouldn’t I know these things by now?

Of course our first idea was to use the dog. But the dog abandoned me by sitting on the opposite side of his table from the walkway I would use to pass them by. I contemplated just sitting down at the table with him and being like “So how does this work, I sit down, say something witty, and we spend the rest of the afternoon wondering how we’ve lasted this long without each other’s company?”

Now THAT would be ballsy. But SO risky. And remember, I’m not wearing a bra or pants so that’s quite a first impression to make.

In the end, we left without saying a word. Chickens.

But a similar thing happened over the wkend while camping in Big Bear. On a liquor run at the grocery store, my slightly inebriated friend picked up a traveling journalist for me. I met up with them in line and she had him primed for me. She told him that I, too was a journalist…we shared some chit chat about romantic things like the oil slick that will soon surely float into the Atlantic Ocean and up the Mississippi River. He, too, was tousled, more rugged than hipster, but sometimes I go that way. Think a slightly-less attractive, straight, but work-ethically-similar version of Anderson Cooper.

And I’m not sure how that conversation ended. There was a likely-presumed-empty invite to the campsite, there was knowledge that he was staying at a hotel in town for the night…but I didn’t bite the bullet. And that’s where I fail, I guess. That’s the step I don’t take.

I can flirt, and enjoy doing so. A lot. Especially via text. I just need help with the follow through part. Let’s get serious, none of this info is shocking.

In other news, I have no movie or music reviews to post here. I haven’t seen a movie in WAY too long. As far as music, I’ve been listening to a lot of depressingly awesome stuff on Pandora…And I just realized that Martie and Emily (the sisters portion of the Dixie Chicks) released the debut album under their new group: Courtyard Hounds. So I’m downloading that as we speak to check that out.

Oh and yeah, how about that earlier part where I mentioned camping? I loved it. I mean except for the freezing part the first night. I love being able to get out of the city so easily. To sit around a fire chit-chatting with new friends. Under a blanket of stars that looks impossibly real. Unlike my last camping experience on the Colorado River, this place had bathrooms! What luxury!

There is something to be said for fresh air and no distractions or obligations. No schedules. For someone who now watches copious amounts of tv on a nightly basis for occupational reasons, I didn’t even miss it. It was refreshing to know that my healthy relationship with the boob tube is still in full effect.

There’s also something to be said for going camping with a group of people who bring things like brie. I heart brie.

We vowed to camp more this summer. To explore beach camping, which again, is SO accessible. We walked around and scoped out others campsites. We daydreamed over tents with doors and Airstream trailers. Yes please!!

In the words of Regina Spektor, “Let’s get a silver bullet trailer, and have a baby boy. I’ll safety pin his clothes all cool and you’ll graffiti up his toys.”

Ooh speaking of! My gma gave me her sewing machine, and there’s a place down the street called Home Ec that has sewing classes. I super sucked at Home Ec the first time around, so I really feel like it’s time to redeem myself.

Until next time…someone teach me how to pick up boys. Kthxbye. I mean, it’s ok for me to not wait for them to pick me up, right?

I Miss Paris and Other Thinks I Am Thinking

2010-03-03T00:22:00.000-08:00

When I say miss Paris, I mean I've been looking at my pictures and remembering the good times and trying to figure out when I can go back and who I can beg to go with me. Because altho I love Paris, I love it BETTER when I'm not there alone.

Speaking of...(in a roundabout way)...as I am back on the hunt for what will be like my 7th Netflix address in Los Angeles, I've discovered something. My list for what I'm looking for in an apartment has grown to a length longer than my list of desires in a potential manfriend.

Apartment:

1. offstreet parking.
2. laundry (onsite if not in the unit)
3. hardwood floors (preferably dark)
4. upper floor (read as nobody living above me)
5. strongly prefer my own entrance to the outside. no more stinky hallways.
6. character
7. less than $1500 a month (yes I realize how disgusting this number is to anyone not living in LA or NYC)
8. I have a specific neighborhood in mind, a 2 mile radius that I will only go outside of in the case that I find THE ONE in one of my other 3 possible, but slightly less desirable neighborhoods.
9. gas stove
10. finally, I know it's superficial, but I really hate doors on a shower/tub combo.

The other thing is that in order for me to feel good about an apartment, I have to take some time with it and soak it up and (hopefully) get that "this is it!" feeling. If not immediately upon entry, definitely after sitting on the floor of the living room for a few minutes post walk through. Sometimes I have to bring a friend in for a second opinion or call my dad and describe everything in detail until he (or the friend) gives me the push I need to sign that little piece of paper. Leases...ugh. I mean, you have to be sure about these things. You're gonna LIVE there.

I can only imagine what it's going to be like when the special magical time arrives that I encounter my first house hunt. Like for a real house where a mortgage is involved. God bless that real estate agent in advance.

PS I know it sounds like I'm asking for a lot, but my last apartment had all of those things. Unfortunately it also had a lot of drafty windows and no heat. But it looked good.

So the list of qualities in a manfriend:

1. Make me laugh.
2. Be intellectually stimulating.
3. Be creative.
4. Love God.
5. Like kids.
6. Love me. In a way that would make it impossible for you to look me in the face and lie.

That about covers it. I could throw in things like "nice smile," "good arms," and "preferably able to play more than one musical instrument," and that would still not be as many things as I'm looking for in an apartment.

Now if only I could find an online service that somehow combines searching for available men and vacant apartments, I'd be set. Well I mean besides craigslist...

Open Letter to Alberto S.

2010-02-17T23:29:00.001-08:00

Hey Alberto.
It's me.

The real person behind the number you've been giving to all your creditors.
It seems you've really got yourself into a financial pickle.
The people from Kentucky call at least twice a day.
New Jersey also sends its love, as does Ohio and a couple other places.
I mean how many different debt sources can one person have?

Seriously.
I'm glad it's just my phone number and not my entire identity.
I truly am.
But all the calls are getting old.
And when I tell them I don't know you, I can hear the doubt in their voice.
Like they think I'm hiding you or something.

I think it's time you take responsibility for your life. And your finances.
Grow up already.
And get your own phone number.

Thanks.

Sincerely,
MAB

2010 is the Year of The Tiger

2010-02-17T00:32:00.000-08:00

This blog is not a tiger.

I mentally wrote a blog about how awesome vacations are. Those of you with mind reading capabilities know how awesome that blog is.

You know what law I love? The one in Oregon that prevents me from pumping my own gas. Yeah it's lazy, but you know what? It's also AMAZING.

Skiing is hard. So hard that we decided it doesn't make sense that rich people enjoy doing it so much. All of the prep and rentals and dressing and getting those ski boots on and off. I mean, I felt like I was birthing a child. Then you throw a slick mountain edged with trees into the mix? If I was rich, I would pay someone to ski and describe it in detail while holding a fan in my face so I could get the sensation. Then I would push that person down and say "Wait til your calves wake up tomorrow" as I walked away carefully sipping my piping hot (but not scalding) vanilla chai.

I mean, I can't wait to do it again.
In all honesty, I wish I could just be awesome at it already.
When at the beginning of the class I picked up random skills quickly, I told my ski instructor that Picabo Street was my sister. Unfortunately it was quickly exposed that my real sisters don't have the athletic ability of a Picabo pinkie. Well, Melody did some hurdles in high school, but that does not a Jackie Joyner Kersee make. It's like my entire immediate family was absent the day God was handing out any talent related to sports. And Matthew, winning wrestling matches by forfeiture because other schools didn't have someone small enough in the featherweight category does not count.

As a Katy Perry fan, I have a problem waking up to her doing Proactive commercials. Avril Lavigne, Jessica Simpson and Kelly Clarkson do Proactive commercials. I feel like KP is totes on another level. I simultaneously feel like if KP is using it, then I should too, because, I mean, look at her. My disappointment in her commercial choice dissipated a lil bit when KBM informed me stars get a million dollars to do it, and even Diddy's done it. Somehow that made it better.

I feel like I should check in with her twitter now. I've been so disconnected. Ok, she seems to be fine. And Taylor Swift is really enjoying Japan.

I just remembered something else to say here but now I forgot. I just looked at flights to Paris next week. Because a - it's Paris. And b - Swell Season is performing. But while I'm spontaneous, I like to think I err on the side of caution when it comes to complete financial irresponsibility, so I'm gonna hold off...

Having said that, I'm thinking about biting the (in this case v yummy) bullet and really spending some cash on a bed. I got rid of my hand me down version, which means on that day sometime soon when I open the pod, there won't be a bed in there. I've joked about wanting a Four Seasons mattress instead of an engagement ring, but now a part of me is v tempted at not waiting for some dude to buy one for me. I want an awesome bed like everyone talks about: "oh I can't wait to get home to my own bed!" A bed like that requires commitment and permanence tho, not two of my strongest personality traits. So we shall see.

Until then, I'm living on borrowed ground and counting my blessings. My taxes are done (and I came out on top), I'm sort of employed, I'm gonna see Peter Gabriel live in concert with a 52 piece orchestra...it's a good time to be MAB. Laissez les bonnes temps roulez. (Tiger, I'm talking to you.)

Things I Like A Whole Lot Today

2010-01-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

It's 2010.
Maybe I'll blog more this year.
I'm on Day 2 of no red meat or poultry. So far so good.
I also ran yesterday. Or jogged. Whatever it was, it wasn't fun.
Boot camp starts in a week. I hope the tops of my thighs have forgiven me by then.

So heregoes.
Happy things.

1. I got to see not one but TWO fun-loving couples I know while they were in town. Being off on a wkend has its perks!!

2. While waiting at the Bellagio valet, the old man next to me answered his Iphone. There's just something about an octogenarian on an Iphone that I found awesome.

3. Being outside without a jacket on - On January 2nd.

It's my goal to pop in here with positive thoughts and things every now and again.
Cross your fingers.

So that was Monday...

2009-12-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

So a girl walks into a nail salon and asks for a wax.
Girl lays down and esthetician says "Oh wow."

Life without Eyebrows Julie is really tough guys. REALLY tough.

C'est Ma Vie

2009-12-04T21:56:00.000-08:00

I returned a top today. I told the salesgirl I couldn't get it zipped up no matter how hard I tried. and I couldn't turn it to the front, zip it, and then slide the zipper to the back. (a method sometimes useful with back zippers.) After explaining my troubles (including the commentary that my chest is in no way too large to prevent a zippered top), the salesgirl looked at me and informed me the "top" was actually a highwaist skirt.

Mademoiselle Fashionista strikes again.

I Feel Like I Should Blog

2009-11-12T23:33:00.000-08:00

Things I'm thinking about:

1. Camping!
2. Work. And how I'm not thinking about work. Because tomorrow is a new day.
3. Visitors!!
4. Frank Turner. I think I'm only creatively obsessed. His show quenched a need to hear great live music in a small intimate setting.
5. All the movies I wanna see.
6. How I'll cross An Education off that list tomorrow!
7. How long I will be back into updating this blog and twitter.
8. How much I enjoy the outdoors here and how that's the unexpected icing of this job.
9. Up in the Air. Sure this should be like a 5a or something, but boy does it look sexy!
10. My fam and how excited I am to see them in 12 days.

Two more things I just remembered to be excited about:

1. Friday Night Lights. So glad I'm finally on this bandwagon. It hasn't disappointed.
2. I have pre-ordered a fantastic bike that I won't get to see in person until January 11th. Good things come to those who wait, right?

Oh and also...I was watching the second ever episode of Ally MacBeal - because I never had before, and when you don't have a tivo you turn to free episodic television - and guess who I saw in the background as an uncredited extra? Jon Hamm. He's really turned things around since then, hasn't he? Speaking of Mad Men, I'm really proud of January Jones lately.

I leave you with this. Once upon a time I wrote an Itunes Playlist of sorts to post here on this blog that I have sadly ignored for far too long. (Sad for me, because I like a record of my life, obviously.) Anywho...

Of this particular selection I said:

"I feel like this song is inside me, and listening to it feels more familiar than anything else I know."

Dramatic? Sure. But I can't explain it any other way. Enjoy.

32 Flavors and then some...

2009-09-23T14:55:00.001-07:00

Things I'm loving right now:

A. Overhearing the following two things as I did my line interviews yesterday:

1. "She must write the jokes for Wayne Brady."
2. "I think she's the warm up and the line is part of the show."

SO flattering. Neither are true. I just have a gift for gab and banter...

B. This song:

It's on my peptalk playlist. (The one I listen to in the morning to wake me up and get me ready to chat up the peeps.) But it's also great for impromptu jumping jack seshes. I will forever be in debt to "Adventures in Babysitting" for introducing me to Edwin Starr.

C. This video and the message it contains:

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Obama why?
PS I heart funny unkempt Jon Hamm.

Waxing Poetic

2009-09-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

So today was to be my first day off since like the third wk of August...you can imagine what this means my eyebrows looked like.

If you know me you know I'm sort of obsessed with the grooming of my eyebrows. Furthermore, you know that I have an on-call relationship with my waxer, Eyebrows Julie. She's amazing. But unfortunately, she's also in LA. I am in Vegas.

So I set out to have someone else control my caterpillars. As luck would have it there was one of those Asian nail places next to my bank-inside-a-grocery store establishments. These, too me, are the only places to get your brows waxed. But they're not all up to snuff.

I knew I wouldn't find a Julie. I also felt like I was cheating on her as I laid on that white papered bed next to the lil crock pot of wax. I reiterated (as I always do when someone else does my eyebrows) that they're really easy. That all I need is clean-up. Yes, please follow the natural arch. (I'm so blessed!) No, no thanks, I don't want them any thinner. I just don't want hair growing from temple to temple.

There's always a little bit of a panic as the first swipe of hot wax crosses over what feels like the exact MIDDLE of my brow. I mean, you never know what you're going to get, and if there is one beautifying thing I am high maintenance about, it's (random, I know) my eyebrows.

To me clean eyebrows really freshen the look of one's face. My face in particular. I always feel prettier when I get my first glimpse of my new brows. Unless they've been screwed up. Then it's immediate meltdown. Eyebrows are important.

So there I was, as Lucy used a magnifying light to identify every random hair in my eyebrow line. This had never been my experience before (not even in Paris!). She commented that the fact I had eyebrows on the side of my upper nose was VERY unusual. She said this with a giggle. But for some reason I liked her so I went with it. Then she started waxing my nose. Like the tip of my nose. Who has hair on the tip of their nose? I mean I've never seen that I have. But there she was, coating my nose in hot wax. As I laid there thinking about pores, and whether this new wax would make me break out, (It better not!) I relaxed into the zen field that for some reason, waxing sends me into.

And then. It was over. Moment of mirror truth. And while they weren't Julie perfect, they weren't half bad. And the only panic I felt was that I spotted a few more grey ones than I've seen in the past. Eventually, I won't be able to pluck the grey ones, as they'll change the shape of the brow. Or I'll have to become one of those people who dyes their eyebrows. Seriously?

This blog brought to you by Random McAllIdoisworksoIcantalwayshavesomethingexcitingtotalkaboutrightnowRandomson.

Sleepy Tigers

2009-09-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

Remember when I used to use song titles for blog titles?
Remember when I used to write a blog?

Here are 10 things I learned at work today:

1. People younger than me have 5 kids.
2. Like several people.
3. Like people who look like they are under 20 years of age.

(I blame the midwest. And Utah. And I can say that as someone who is from the midwest and has been to Utah. In addition, the aforementioned were from the midwest and/or Utah. Proving my point.)

4. There are lots of different ways to say housewife and/or stay-at-home mom.
5. The coldest part of LA is BrrrrBank.
6. Sometimes I like people just because they look like a quirky version of Taylor Swift.
7. And because they're getting married on 9-9-9...a day I would have LOVED to either have a baby or get married. I like numbers divisible by 3.
8. I'm also really into people's names.
9. I like making people happy and being responsible for good memories.
10. I don't like it when people I like don't win.

What day is it?

2009-08-14T21:56:00.001-07:00

Remember when I used to blog?

Looking back at a few oldies but goodies makes me sad I haven't in a while. As I was telling a friend earlier tonight, people don't like me sad and serious. They like me fun and bubbly and hilarious. People including me.

I've had an interesting summer. Lotsa traveling, which we all know I love...and I found myself very inspired during a day in June on Long Beach on Koh Phi Phi in Thailand. I had all intentions of publishing the epiphany here, but there have been things that have gone down since then that will require me to edit a majority of it, but the bones are still there. And may one day show up here.

I've seen beaucoups of movies. I've been to some shows. I've lost some L-Bs and chilled with some hoes...(it rhymes!)

So I'm gonna try to come back to this. And have fun things to say. And fun pictures to show. Because I'm fun. And I am having fun. With fun people.

PS...I came across this book in Barnes and Noble and almost started crying. I know it's a collection of essays or whatever, but have you seen the subtitle to this blog?? I felt robbed. I mean, perhaps it's not the most original idea. A whole generation of girls love Judy Blume, but still!!

Living Under June

2009-06-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

In lieu of a full blog that I keep promising, I offer this slice of life:

MAB: Oh my gosh, there's actually a song called "Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand!"
My mom: Did one of your friends write it?
MAB: No mom, The Who did.

"Daddy I Don't Want You to Leave Anymore"

2009-05-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

(if you don't watch Jon and Kate Plus 8 just skip this post...I'll work on another one for you soon.)

I know I haven't blogged in a while, and I have mentally blogged several times and not written them down. Which sucks. Because then we would all be caught up.

But we're not because I didn't and here I was watching Jon and Kate Plus 8 having chest pains. I decided to document the changes/difference I kept noticing because I'm sitting here watching it and dissecting it by myself.

1. Separate diary entries. Like they can't even stand to be in the same room.
2. Him continuing to say he didn't cheat. Maybe he didn't...
3. Her palpable anger. Because she doesn't care what he says, she "knows what she knows" (my words inferred from her actions, not hers)
4. Jon wanting a wkend off.
5. Kate yelling at the kids when they tried to interrupt her camera time.
6. The room of girls watching tv. I just feel like that would have never happened before.
7. How fixed up Kate was every time she left the house. Heels and all. It's a marked difference.
8. Jon's sports car.
9. The interaction/lack thereof between Jon and Kate when Jon first got there. I all but yelled at the screen when she so blatantly ignored him.
10.The way Kate calls Jon "him" and he calls Kate "her."
11. Kate wearing sunglasses on the cloudy day as she lamented about the paps.
12. Kate's increased interaction and reference to the filming.
13. Kate's overall "putting on a show" attitude. Keep in mind. I've watched this show since it was an hourlong special and have defended her in the past when others hated her. (Just to put it in perspective of how it's even too much for ME now...)
14. The only diary entry when they were on the couch together. Break.my.heart.

PS I was thinking it could be your last family picture too Kate...

Where did the female field producer go? It was a guy asking questions this time...

Do I want to know how it ends up? Sure. But do I more importantly think they should stop the show and take care of what they need to take care of? MOST DEFINITELY.

They think they're doing what's best for the kids...But you know what? I can't almost guarantee those kids will remember all this crap and awkwardness and the bad looks and harsh/hurtful words.

My mom thinks it's fake and all for ratings. I feel like I have such a history of watching them that I would have seen that coming. And Kate said tonight they've been having more problems in the last six months (like what, right after the vow renewal??)...I can't imagine ruining your family for ratings, but I also have a feeling they wouldn't be where they are (marital problem wise) if the show didn't exist...but maybe they might. Maybe those issues would have reared their ugly heads anyway. I mean I get the whole people changing part and if you don't change in a way that's compatible...DUNH DUNH DUNH.

Oh marriage. Just when I had a glimmer of something and thought you couldn't get less attractive...maybe the Here Come the Newlyweds reality show will help. Haha..

Dear Ingrid Michaelson,

2009-05-09T22:30:00.000-07:00

I loved you before Old Navy sweaters came into play.

I loved you before I saw you in person and knew that you had red hair and glasses. Just. like. me.

I love you live on stage.
I love you recorded.
I love that you make fun little youtube videos when you're out on the road.
I love that I feel like you GET me.
I don't even get me.

You are able to conjure up some of the most beautiful, heartfelt, sentimental - and yet sometimes fun and silly - lyrics I've ever heard.

I'm a lyrics person. A words person. I hear a line in the background of a tv show or movie and I'm jotting it down to google later. And then I'm rewinding the scene so I can pay attention to the dialogue. Because while I was supposed to be listening to them, I was listening to you. (Or other fantabulous musicians like you.)

Oh that's right, when I was mentioning all the things I love about you I failed to mention how I love that you play the piano, or ukelele, or guitar...

Is that how you spell ukelele?

Anyway...I think it's safe to say that I probably started Itunesing you as a result of some amazing Grey's episode a couple years back. And then my whole love affair with the Hotel Cafe happened, and well, the rest is history.

Which brings me to now. Tonight. I was watching this week's episode of Grey's. Two songs got to me. I didn't even have to look up to know that the second song - the one playing during the wedding - was you. I may have even whispered: "That's sounds like Ingrid." I'm not sure if it was out loud as I was the only one in the room. I am sure that it was not as creepy as it sounds.

I just really REALLY liked the song. In the words of Lynette Pomeroy, "Nobody DORs after week 11. Nobody!"...er...I mean..."Way to go Paula!" I mean Ingrid...You've done it again.

In case you're wondering...the other song that piqued my interest was Matthew Mayfield's "First in Line."

Both are available on Itunes.

There Are Angels in My Angles

2009-05-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

I should know better than to torture myself with babies (Congrats Chris and Laurie!) and weddings all in one day, but I guess we all like a little spoil in our apple.

I've always said that when I get married the one thing I will gladly spend the most money on is photography. I love LOVE photography, and an inspiringly creative wedding photographer is perhaps the most crucial part of my hypothetical wedding plan.

Several years ago, I stumbled upon a San Diego photog and instantly fell in love with her work. It was very journalistic and candid in nature, which I am a huge fan of. I even emailed her. We bonded over Grey's Anatomy (that was back during Season One when I was madly in love with it) and joked that when I finally did meet my McDreamy I would look her up. (Eds note: Apparently she's moved from soCal to Oregon...of course...lol)

Then tonight, as often happens, I went bouncing from blog to blog until I stumbled onto this. First of all, I realize that the people in this couple are crazy attractive and photogenic, but if I could mimic nearly every detail of their special day and call it mine, I would. His socks. Her yellow strappy shoes. Not really in love with her dress, or the flowers (except for the throwing poms part!) and I'm not totally sold on the whole candy table thing...but I'd take everything else. I love grey and yellow. The group shots in the hotel lobby?? Do not get me started. And if you further stalk into their engagement sesh like I did...you will rightfully assume that I am in love with it as well...her dress? Yes please. The yellow balloon? So cute. The lightposts at LACMA??? Don't you know that once upon a time NDG and I were grumpy, and so we went there and just laid in the lights and pondered life?? I LOVE LAMP. (I would prefer to also throw in some beach shots, but otherwise? Perfection.)

So I think you get the picture. I super love those pictures. But here's what bums me out. That I didn't think of it all - and do it all - first. Sure I can take some of what I see and make it my own, and nobody I would invite to my wedding went to that one. And I hope to have a destination wedding so that would add a bit of flavor as well...but still. I don't want MY day to be a total copycat, you know?

I guess it's a good thing there's still a part of me that freaks out if I think for an extended period of time about getting married...lol...

Pop culture wise, still reading Jane Alison's The Sisters Antipodes. No excuses for how long it's taking me to read this book. I've also now started studying my Southeast Asia on a Shoestring book. So excited about Cambodia. (it's the first country I've read about in there...lol...)

I haven't seen a movie in a theater in 35 days and I'm in shock. I have a few on my list that I wanna see, but just haven't gotten around to it.

Thanks to Netflix (and in two cases, Hulu), I've seen several movies...I've yayed or nayed them here:
His Girl Friday...Yay...Like there was ever a question as to whether I would like this movie.
The Future of Food...Yay...Farmer's Markets...Boo...Monsanto
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices...Yay...("Damn the man! Save the Empire!")
North by Northwest...Yay...I liked it that I had just been to Mount Rushmore
Elegy...Yayish...I didn't love it but didn't hate it...I think I remember some sexy parts.
Sophie's Choice...SERIOUSLY? I remember being preoccupied with Meryl's teeth. Sometimes they were capped, at least one time they weren't. I know that's not what I was supposed to be paying attention to. I guess Yay. If you wanna feel like poo. I was too disturbed and stunned at her choice to cry. Which then led me to wonder if something wasn't wrong with me.
Nothing But the Truth...Yay...Sure I figured it out, but I thought it was clever.
Life After Tomorrow...Yay...It was a Hard Knock Life for the girls who starred in the play...like that one girl from Kate & Allie. I loved Kate & Allie. SJP and the girl who plays/played Lily on As the World Turns also show up...

In honor of the passing of Bea Arthur, I'll leave you with this picture of me with my favorite Golden Girls: my gma, her 98 year old friend "Miss Ruthie", and me. Talk about BFF.

Celebrating St Louis

2009-04-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

Several years ago when I lived in St Louis, my roommate and I took the same week off work and spent 5 days being tourists in our own town. I think often when you live in a place, it's easy to forget all that city has to offer. It's also easy to, once in suburbia, get so comfortable that crossing the river to head to "the city" doesn't seem worth it. Oh, but it is. And it's in the hopes of continuing my city loving lifestyle that I ventured over the river and into the 314 to find a little fun.

Thursday.

I started off (as promised in my last blog) at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. Where the tulips are in bloom.

There were tulips of every color. Daffodils too. And even tho this tree has not leafed up yet, and the sky looks ominous, I love this picture. (Perhaps those - and it's seemingly natural, yet arranged, symmetry - are the reasons I love it tho.)

From the Jewel Box (the interior of which was more green than flowery), we headed over to the Saint Louis Art Museum. I should mention here that the fantabulous thing about Forest Park is that most everything you do there is free. We paid $1 to get into the Jewel Box, but the art museum is free, as is the zoo (if you park on the street). I can't remember if the history museum is or not. The weather was iffy is the only reason I chose the art museum over the zoo. I LOVE the Saint Louis Zoo. It's much better than the San Diego Zoo that gets so much credit. For me, it doesn't live up to the hype. Except for the pandas of course. I love me some San Diego pandas.

Ok so anyway, the art museum. They're apparently planning this big renovation that according to the models looks like a horrible idea. If you clicked on the link you can see how beautiful and artistic the building is. Well now they're going to add on this super modern part. I'm not a fan of the plan. I was a fan of the photography on display. And an angry sculpture involving a whole bunch of broken glass. They also had a Camille Pisarro painting. I fell in love with his impressionism work when I lived in Paris. It's hanging in the same room as one of Monet's waterlilies, so that room really took me back.

After art, it was time to eat. Our tour of St Louis was going to continue at favorite Crown Candy. Unfortunately the line was out the door, and the place is super small with only like 5 tables so we had to skip it because of time constraints. We instead headed to McMurphy's Grill.

Remember how I used Delancey Street movers in LA because I believe in the rehab cause? Well what that org does for former prisoners, McMurphy's (and the St Patrick Center) does for former homeless men. Such a great cause. I believe it's so important to give people tools that better lend them to success in the outside world.

Next stop: Washington Ave and Levine Hat Co. So fun to just peruse the racks and racks of hats. It's in a super old building and I loved climbing the narrow stairs to the second floor past the antique elevator. I also super loved the Angelina cloche.

Time was almost up but there was one more stop on the spontaneous and unplanned itinerary. The George Fox Steedman Architecural Library. It's located in the Fine Arts dept of the Central Public Library downtown. (which, ironically, was designed by the same person who designed the art museum and the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park). So anyway, this article says this particular room is only open to architects and students, but we asked the fine arts librarian, and he unlocked the door and let us into a whole new old world. I'm a big fan of 1920s era architecture and this room with all of its built-in bookcases and huge fireplace did not disappoint.

I felt like it was a special treat that he let us into see it so I didn't dare whip out my camera. But I'm definitely willing to take anyone who wants to go back.

Friday Night

Ellen and Hannah, two former Reelz coworkers, were passing through the StL on their way across the country. I picked them up at their hotel downtown and showed them that St Louis rocks in the way of treats.

After Ted Drewes, I took them on a glitzy drive and showed them things like Shrewsbury. Then I figured out the right way to go on Chippewa and we headed to the Central West End. I used to LOVE going out in the Central West End. In addition, the weather Friday night was perfection. LA kinda weather. So we walked around for a bit and stopped at one of my old fave spots - Llywelyn's. Since the weather was so nice, we ventured out back to the beer garden and enjoyed some cider.

Not sure yet what this week holds in store...
I'm looking forward to eventually making it to a Cards game...and I know my gma wants to venture into the new Super Wal-Mart by her house, so I will definitely have to temper that with something a little more high brow.

Then next weekend, I'm planning on taking advantage of the nice weather by heading to the lake with my dad and at least one bro. Fishing is the main goal, but don't you know I'll be reading and sunning too...

All This Time

2009-04-15T23:27:00.001-07:00

I've just spent way too long reading my own archives, remembering my old life, and missing it. A lot. My job. My celebrities. My town.

I had a terrific day here today. I spent it with my grandma who, hands down, is one of the best friends I have. We both enjoyed a day of shopping and talking and walking around.

I'm upset that I don't have any movies or concerts or anything to talk about. True, I have three Netflix movies waiting to be watched, and I'd like to see a couple at the theater...but I'm still waiting for my unemployment check to show up so I have to kinda put a pause on the whole extracurricular activities thing.

Such a different life for me right now. And I'm not necessarily freaked out about the job situation. I know it's tough times and I know that I'll get another job. And I'm having fun with family, hanging with my gma, playing with the kids. I'm going to get the opportunity to visit with some old friends in the coming days and I'm looking forward to that too. I guess it's all just an adjustment.

Speaking of adjustments. I'm currently reading The Sisters Antipodes. It's the true story of two diplomats who after falling in love with each other's wives SWITCH FAMILIES. The memoir - it's a true story - is written by one of the four children involved, who was 4 when the switch went down. Crazy.

Going to head to the Jewel Box tomorrow. I love me some Forest Park.

In Case You Missed It...

2009-04-07T10:48:00.001-07:00

Did I ever tell you I was on The Price is Right?

Well thanks to all things online and magical, you can watch it here.

We had a hookup for the seats which means we were not eligible to play. We still got a lot of face time.

Enjoy!!

Attitude of Gratitude...

2009-04-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Keeping you on your toes posting back and forth, but I figure since the other blog should be strictly about traveling that this entry belongs on this blog.

I admittedly do not do well under stress. The past couple of weeks have been extremely stressful sending me into crisis mode. Shocker here: I don't do well in crises either.

So I'd like to give a "shout out" to the people that got me through those last moments. Cleaning, packing, laughing, bitching, listening, witnessing, crying, etc. I know it wasn't easy all the time. Or any of the time. But I appreciated it all.

Dad, Nicole, Melody, Patrick, Barb, Katherine, Kait, the one mover from Delancey whose name I can't remember but whose words meant a lot...seriously, thanks.

I realize other people also listened to bitching and stuff but these peeps kept my head out of the oven and feet on the balcony. However I appreciate and am grateful to everyone. You included.

Nicole also took an amazing picture of us in crazy cleaning mode. In light of this blog thanking her, I hope that she posts it somewhere, maybe Facebook, or maybe just in an email sent to my gmail. Love you mean it.

I also loved the mix tapes, snacks and Japanese charms given to make my roadtrip more enjoyable.

While I'm thanking people, I might as well thank in advance those people who have opened their homes to me as I journey through the western US...

Tara (who is also sending me off with a Barack book (the Dreams of My Father one) on tape so his smooth voice can guide my path), Elena, Heidi, Jill, Elliot's friends in Bozeman (?), and probably a Motel 6 somewhere between South Dakota and Nebraska. Thank youse toose.

And so it is...

2009-03-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

I am so so SO upset I didn't take a before picture. So upset in fact that I asked (only HALF jokingly) them to empty the pod and reload it so I could get a before shot. To say we fit a ridiculous amount of all of the furniture I love into this incredibly small space is an understatement.

The morning started with the movers shaking their head at my load and its intended destination and me in my closet, hugging my knees and crying to my dad over the phone. Two hours later, the pod was full to the point that it was a game with the guys asking me what ELSE I had to put in there!

I again used Delancey Street Foundation. I so believe in the cause and think it's a win win for everyone. The guys aren't allowed to except tips so in lieu of money, I gave them all MAB hugs. I'm not sure who needed it more at that point, me or them...who are we kidding...ME.

I spent my tonight (I refuse to call it my last night) eating sushi on Beverly with Lucy Liu. I embarrassed Kait by saying "with my girl Drew" (a la the Destiny's Child song) under my breath when Lucy walked into the restaurant...

I hit the road tomorrow for San Francisco...

For all the tales from the TRAVELS of a Fourth Grade Nothing, tune into my new companion blog, Rollin' With My Gnomie.

See you there!

All the Things She Said

2009-03-11T00:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. I know. And lots of stuff has happened (gma bday trip, last day at work, big trip planning, the price is right) (not a job tho, so don't get too excited.) So I have lots of stuff I could write about, but not really into it at this exact moment. So I'll entertain you with a couple of random things I've said recently:

"I might shave my legs this week."

(Sexy, right? I just haven't felt like it lately. I'm not making a feminist statement. I just prefer brainstorming over doing anything that isn't hygienically necessary in the shower. (For some reason I think the clearest in the shower and in bed at night when I can't sleep.) Anyway, it's weird because I'm really particular about maintaining hair in other places (eyebrows and underarms, etc.))

"She can be a lesbian, but she canNOT play soccer."

(This was in reference to my hypothetical daughter. I have friends (and a sister in law) who played girls soccer, and I realize it did them no harm. I just have an irrational fear about the way the legs of the girls who play soccer look. Mainly like tree trunks. Fitness good. Tree trunks bad.)

"These are my people."

(I went to a taping of The Price is Right. You've seen it. You know the crowd. Well imagine that crowd dancing around like it's a wedding reception/prom in the 80s (that's the kinda music they play to pump up the audience before the show). Hilariously awesome.)

I get into moods where I listen to one song on repeat over and over and over. Lately it's been these two:

Awards Wkend Roundup

2009-02-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards

1. I was there.
2. Mickey Rourke brought the crazy. and the moment of the night. (fyi it's uncensored)

3. press room. I heart them. No other place I could speak so easily with people like Penelope Cruz, Dustin Lance Black, Philip Seymour Hoffman and the others...

(the rest of these are standout moments from my red carpet experience)

4. Jon Hamm is hot. Hotter when he stands against the wall because he is there to show his support to his lady Jennifer Westfeldt and not take any of the focus for himself.
5. Rachel Weisz did the same thing for Darren Aronofsky.

6. gladiator sandals with ankle cuffs. no thank you. as a matter of fact there were a lot of weird ankle high shoes that I wasn't a fan of. Sorry Rachel Weisz. I know they were fancy because they had the red soles. I learned on Oprah that means they're Christian Louboutin or something...

7. The British reporter who used "ridiculous decolletage" to describe Mariah Carey's busty red carpet look. And the rest of the people asking what the heck she was doing there.

8. I know my Olsen twins! It was so Mary Kate and so not Ashley.

(it should be mentioned that other reporters would come up to us and ask who people are and what movie they were here for. too bad we won't be there next year (or next week!) to help them.)

9. Haaz from the Visitor. Not only did he recognize me but we had a good convo about playing drums in your underwear vs in the buff...(thanks A2.)

(I'm currently super distracted by the sound of a very newborn baby crying outside my apartment. I'm wondering if someone has left one on my doorstep.)

10. Jenny Lumet, writer of Rachel Getting Married, also remembered me and came up and gave me a hug.

11. Anne Hathaway responding graciously and with eye contact when I told her I liked her dress. I wasn't lying.

12. Andie MacDowell's laugh. I think I wrote this note down because I found it annoying, but maybe I liked it. I can't remember now.

13. Alec Baldwin avoiding the red carpet, walking behind the crews and chatting up the homeless and other fans who had gathered along the boardwalk. I was glad to witness the exchange because for a second it made me like him.

And the Oscar goes to...

(I was not there.)

1. Ok with show open but not with Anne's dress change. Preferred the red carpet look.
2. Penelope Cruz! I talked to her yesterday!
3. Old winners giving prizes to new winners is gonna take forever. (see #15)
4. Dustin Lance Black! I talked to him too! LOVED his speech.
5. Aniston presenting off to side so as not to be face to face with Brangelina. Cut away of Ang anyway. Then shot of Brangelina once Aniston moved to centerstage. Subtle. REAL subtle.
6. Stiller as Joaquin.
7. James Franco in comedy skit. The guy's got range tho. He's not just a great comedian.
8. This musical number is time consuming. We get it. Hugh can sing. and dance. AT THE SAME TIME! Beyonce could learn a few things.
9. I wonder if it's the same drummers from the Grammy Radiohead moment. If so this is like their best month ever.
10. Was I the only one that enjoyed the preview for The Proposal? (It was a commercial.) I mean, Betty White! People, get excited.
11. So many produced packages this year. How do you get those jobs?
12. When accepting on a group's behalf, thank everyone's wives and kids, not just your own.
13. How excited Danny Boyle got for the sound editors win.
14. The way Liam Neeson held on to Frida Pinto.
15. I know I didn't like it early on but seeing the best actresses make such great eye contact with the nominees warmed my heart. I loved the exchange between Shirley and Anne.
16. Sophia Loren, meanwhile, looked scary. Goldie Hawn kinda did too.
17. I literally hugged myself when Kate won. Loved her movie. Loved her speech. Loved her dad and his hat and his whistling for his baby girl.
18. The DeNiro and Sean Penn exchanged.
19. How excited Robin Wright Penn got when Sean won. I was not very happy that he forgot to thank her after that reaction.
20. Seeing everyone take the stage when Slumdog won. I LOVE THOSE KIDS!! Jai HO!

In other news, I finally finished reading Julie and Julia. I look forward to the movie. I just enrolled in a travel writing seminar, so that should be fun. Oh and I LOVED Sunshine Cleaning. It was a little more drama than comedy, but it was exactly like the trailer. I laughed. I cried. You get the picture.

Icebergs Are For Penguins

2009-02-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

It's a song...look it up...

This afternoon I walked into the offices of MPRM (one of the pr houses here) and it felt like the Cheers theme should have been playing. Everyone said hello to me by name, and then I ran into ET Canada's photog and he was glad to see me. I'm really beginning to feel the difference in environment at Reelz. I mean, I certainly noticed it immediately, but I really think it's starting to have its effect on me. Not many people were left after the first round of layoffs, and it seems like barely any of those that were actually show up. It's hard out there for a social butterfly like myself. So, needless to say, it was the reception I needed. The visit was quick as I was only there to pick up my credentials for the Spirit Awards, but it was nice.

Then it was onto a screening of Adventureland. But NDG and I arrived early so we ducked into Book Soup to pass the time. Somehow, even tho I'm a crazy lover of books and old school bookstores, I had never been to Book Soup. The travesty of this escapes me. I was ready to move in. And that's before I looked up to see David Hyde Pierce walk in and peruse the shelves next to me. The girl behind the counter was reading in between customers, and that tickled me too.

Book Soup is set up like an old bookstore, but it has new books. I loved the feel. I stalled in the children's and cookbook sections. I tried to figure out what book I could cook my way through a la Julie and Julia so that I could get a book-then-movie deal. I flipped through A A Milne's books of poetry for children and got excited about the day when it will be ok for me to have entire bookcases devoted to kid books. The latter part of my visit was spent in an attempt to find out what color my parachute is.

The book seems like a good idea. But not at $18.95. Because, HELLO, I don't have a job (and neither does anyone who is really gonna get any use out of that book!). Luckily, I have a library card and a library within a block of my apartment. Done and done. I also reserved a copy of The Year of Living Biblically. Because I'm apparently currently into books about year-long projects. I just need to figure out what my year-long project-turned-book can be.

Adventureland. I liked it. I wanna go there. It really made me wanna ride the bumper cars. The soundtrack is fun. I even liked Kristen Stewart. Yeah I said it. And I meant it. And I think I'd be ok if Kristen Wiig just randomly popped up in every comedy or dramedy ever made.

I see Sunshine Cleaning tomorrow which I'm pretty excited about. Instead of weaning myself off all these movie screenings, I'm trying to jam as many in as I can before I'm not eligible for them anymore. Free movies rule.

Since I don't really like the Adventureland trailer, and I love the Sunshine Cleaning one so much that I tear up basically every time I see it, I'll show you that one. I hope the movie doesn't disappoint me.

What She's Doing Now

2009-02-17T20:54:00.000-08:00

In the past week I:

1. hosted Day Old Bachelor, which means I cooked dinner for myself and two friends.
2. was declared cavity free, but was told my gums are receding on one side due to overbrushing.
3. broadened my career search past tv production.
4. hit the town at 10p for the first time in probably (likely) years...lasted til maybe 2a...
5. celebrated a friend's bday at Disneyland.
6. ate Sonic...and reaffirmed that my body refuses to accept fast food as an option.
7. watched a lot of Family Guy.
8. saw a tranny walking to church and regretted not being appropriately dressed so that I could follow her.
9. saw the movie The Class and didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
10. had one of the best celebrity sightings ever...Paul Dooley (the dad from Sixteen Candles!!!)
11. respected NDG's wishes that I not run up and hug him from behind whilst quoting the movie.
12. experienced KDL's homemade pot pie and cleaned my plate.
13. laid in bed and listened to the rain.
14. laid in bed dreading to get out of bed because of how cold my apt is/was/might always be.
15. applied for a lot of random jobs. second asst to executive? sure. foundation writer? natch.
16. covered a story about Osama bin Laden for an India-n news network. (it's called freelance!)
17. tried Tagalong ice cream. Yes please.
18. watched Heavenly Creatures, Chop Shop and Shattered Glass. Enjoyed all three.
19. continued reading Julie & Julia and wondered what's taking me so long to finish it.
20. made a batch of 4-dozen cookies (oatmeal craisin with the occasional chocolate chip) that garnered more kudos at work than any story I've written.

I probably did other stuff but it was probably more mundane. My dentist has suggested a Sonicare to curb my vigorous brushing. This week I have a couple of screenings I'm excited about (Adventureland and Sunshine Cleaning). I'm also covering the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. Fingers crossed that I at least see Zach Braff running down the carpet again this year.

Prude Looks Like a Lady

2009-02-13T00:25:00.001-08:00

Tonight I went to the airport to pick up a more-than-friend. I was shocked at the number of people waiting for the arrivals. I would say there was well over 100 people standing around waiting at the bottom of the escalator. Even for LA, that's a lot...especially since this terminal only services two airlines.

As an avid people watcher, I enjoy this part of it. Someone's loved one walks out those doors and the person goes crazy. Such a variety of reactions. Kids at the end of a business trip are my favorite. (Daddy!) But then sometimes the moms get just as excited to see their grown kids or new grandbabies. Perhaps tonight the influx was related to the impending wkend holiday, but whatever it was...love was in the air.

For whatever reason, I'm not a PDA person. Because I really don't like to see others do it, I don't participate in it. Hand holding, peckish kisses, hugs, etc...I'm cool with. Tonsil hockey and dry humping in public, not so much. Long story short, I saw a lot of people go at it tonight. Like "get a room" style make out sessions. In the case of one couple in particular, (they were garnering stares from other people too, it wasn't just me) her dress was so short and they were so into it, that they very well may have been having actual intercourse right there near baggage claim. They moved their hot action to the wall behind me, so thankfully I didn't have to watch it any longer.

I realize these are the extremes...but does it mean I more than like my guy less or missed him less because I was cool with a smile, peckish kiss, and a hug? Are we already in that comfortable place and past the exciting place? Am I missing out on that animal love that apparently can only be quenched in the throws of public passion? Do I care?

As I was contemplating all these things, I realized that my initial problem upon arriving at the airport was the crowded reception area. The idea of all those people watching me react like I watch them react. (I'll say it again, I'm a fan of indirect attention.) So clearly it's the publicness of the display of affection and not the display of affection itself that I have an issue with. For some reason, that realization comforted me.

Then I came home to find out about the horrible plane crash in upstate New York, and I thought about all of those people in that reception area that experienced something completely different tonight. I think I fly so much, and the people I know fly so much, that I take for granted our safe landings. I mean I know I take a lot of things for granted, but whenever you head to the airport to pick someone up (especially when it's LAX!) you're just trying to streamline the process. I went in tonight because I had the time, and wanted to make the gesture. More often than not we do curbside pickups without a second thought.

So if you think of it as embracing someone who returned to your arms solely by the grace of God, maybe getting a little more amorous is called for. I just think, for me, a tight, lengthy-ish hug conveys it better than a tonsil molestation.

One Moment in Time

2009-02-09T00:20:00.000-08:00

For our graduation, my fifth grade class performed Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time." Back then she was somewhat of a role model and inspiration. At least everyone thought so. Perhaps when she sang "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" maybe she really meant "I Wanna Snort Coke and Smoke Crack With Somebody." BOBBY! Whatever she was then, we know what she is now. A trainwreck. I just hope Jennifer Hudson was imagining old Whitney as she celebrated her own moment in time tonight at the Grammys.

1. When recollecting my favorite mentionables of tonight's ceremony, I have to start with JHud. It's shocking that we may have never known about her without American Idol. I admire her strength. I said it at the superbowl party I went to, and I will say it now. I can't fathom the courage it must take to stand in front of an entire world that knows the recent horrible hell that has surrounded you and changed your life, and still sing your heart out like that. I think it was obvious her performance tonight was a demonstration of gratitude to God for getting her through these last few months. It felt so intimate. I sat on my own couch, tears streaming down my face, never wanting to hug anyone more. I have a feeling she got several good tight squeezes tonight. I sure hope so. PS I love choirs.

2. I also love me some marching band. Which help to dull the sting of Radiohead not performing "House of Cards" like I was thinking they would. What is it with me, them and that song?!?!

3. Coldplay. They just know how to perform. I've been to a lot of concerts, seen hundreds of artists, and the one of theirs I went to a few years ago still ranks in the top 5. They have such a great energy!! I also loved how Chris Martin was genuinely shocked (really?!) and excited about winning awards. And how they apologized to Paul McCartney for the Sgt Pepper ripoff outfits.

4. I actually liked how everyone reacted to Sir PM's presence. Jennifer Nettles will never forget the moment she won a Grammy and was able to thank a Beatle because he was sitting right in front of her.

5. MIA. OMG. Performing at the Grammys on your due date. And dancing around like that. Wow. Big ups. I only wish I could forgive you for that see-through ladybug costume, but something won't let me. Maybe if you would have gone into labor and Lil Wayne, Jay Z and a Freshly-Fro'd Kanye would have helped you deliver the baby on stage, I would have forgotten about it. But you didn't, and I can't.

6. I love how Neil Diamond forgot that it wasn't the 80s and took to the crowd like he ruled it. Admittedly, he still looks the same, and I love me some Sweet Caroline.

7. Miley and Taylor. In the words of Annie Lennox...WWHHHHYYY? I love Taylor. I strongly dislike Miley. The only thing I feel like they have in common is they both dated JoBros. That does not a BFF make, Miley. I felt bad for Taylor because it's such a cute song and Miley butchered it with her white trash look and husky voice. Next to Taylor she looked like she was a 24 yo mother of 3 with a two pack a day habit. I'm not kidding. And that's insulting to any 24 yo mother of 3 with a two pack a day habit. Ugh.

8. Dear Carrie Underwood, what were you wearing? Ps I think your stylist might be jealous of you and out to ruin your beautiful look. The end. As for you Leann Rimes, not that I care, but your dress choice and decision to not brush your hair made it a hands down competition as to who looked better you or Sheryl Crow. Ps Sheryl Crow is like 20 years older than you and looked a MILLION times better.

Ok enough snark...maybe.

9. Katy Perry. I love you. Acoustically. In a small venue. Singing the songs that you wrote from the heart. But I get it. You've got $120 utility bills to pay too (LA is RIDONKULOUS (sp?)). So you went all poppy. I can accept it. And for some reason I liked the visuals of the giant fruit and the whole descending from the ceiling in a giant banana thing. I just didn't feel like you were really into it. And again, that's totally cool with me. But if you're gonna sell out, like it. Ok? Love you mean it.

10. After Robert Plant and Alison Krauss stole the show with all those wins, I was all, is "Raising Sand" really that good? Have I totally missed the bus? Then NDG texted me back: "No. the voters are old as sh*t."

Because You Love(d) Me

2009-02-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

Please go here and give me lotsa stars so that I can spend the last half of 2009 in Queensland. What's in it for you? A place to visit in Queensland. Not to mention a warm fuzzy feeling. What's in it for me? A light at the end of the tunnel.

Big hugs.

PS He's Just Not That Into You wasn't so bad. Not an Oscar winner, but enjoyable. The guy next to me with the horrible mucus-y phlegm issue? Well, I wasn't into him. Luckily he wasn't with me, so I just got up and watched the rest of the movie from a different vantage point. It's one of those movies a la Love Actually that has several different storylines, so if you're not into that, probably stay away from this. I like it when lives randomly intersect, so I was good. In addition, I'm pretty sure everyone will find someone or some story they relate to. Because everyone, at some point in their lives, has been lookin for wuv, twue wuv. I hope you find it.

In closing, please view and rate. From every computer you touch. Thanks.

Let it Rain

2009-02-06T00:39:00.000-08:00

My relationship with Grey's Anatomy has been on the rocks lately. Like for the last two or three seasons. Or maybe since halfway through season two, but who's keeping track? Anyway, I keep watching, wanting so badly to get that first season feeling back.

Tonight I paused it to take a call from a friend who I hadn't talked to in a while. Our discussion turned to our respective relationships and the questions we have about relationships in general. Loves of lifetimes and the realization (or lack there of) of fairy tales and love stories and happy endings. The concept of marriage, the roller coaster of reality, you get the drift.

Basically I'm an overthinker and way too analytical and cynical.

So then like 40 mins later, I unpause Greys, and the very next line - I kid you not - is:

"Don't spend all your time wondering what you are or who you like or whether it's right for you or wrong for you. Just let yourself be happy."

Thanks Shonda.

I also (natch!) liked the whole storyline about applying intense pressure in the form of tight hugs to slow the nervous system. AND when Der told Mer "I want your crappy babies. All of them." There's the Le Sigh I've been waiting for.

And then that cliche proposal almost happened and they lost me. And then the "crossover" that wasn't really a crossover at all this week teased me into sitting through an entire episode of Private Practice, which I haven't watched since the pilot because I don't like it. And I don't like Kate Walsh. Probably because she played the wife, but whatever. I did like it when she said "I don't need the Super Friends."

I also obvi hated the whole vacuum storyline (except for them incl the cute midwife, which should probably be an oxymoron because I'd never want my lady doctor to be a guy I'm attracted to). Anyway, I'm way freaked about vacuums and forceps and would much rather a doctor cut me open to get my baby out.

So they duped me with the whole crossover and I fell for it...hook line and sinker...speaking of, an ark might be in order to get me to work tomorrow. For the most depressing day ever. Somehow I think tomorrow (the last day for the first round of layoffs) will be harder than my own last day. My own last day will be hard because I'll be freaking out financially and for the loss of routine. But I feel like tomorrow is when the reality will hit. I've met some great people (and got to continue friendships from previous employers) and this town is really small and I really do think we'll KIT and all that, but it really is the end of an era. A short, 2.5-year era, but still an era. I mean, we launched a network. Started from scratch. Only to have it crumble beneath us, by no fault of our own. If they wanted it to rise out of the ashes, they should have relocated to Phoenix, not Albuquerque.

Tangent anyone?

Back to the drama of Seattle Grace... next week is supposed to be a crossover too. Wonderful. Addison - even as an EX wife - still gets to waltz (or "walsh" in) and screw things up...UGH...No fair! (She says while stomping her feet.)

I'm gonna go to bed to a lil Smoky Mountain Rain. Only Ronnie Milsap can help me now.

1986

2009-02-04T22:52:00.000-08:00

The other night I was laying in bed and time traveled back to elementary school. I started by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and then singing the Dooley school song (remembered in its entirety) and the Texas state song. (yes, out loud. if you ever wondered how exciting sharing a bed with me could be, there it is.) I was surprised at how well I remembered the Texas state song. I wavered between being upset that I couldn't remember the entire thing, and freaking out that I could remember as much as I did. Texas is psycho with the self education, y'all.

Then I started thinking about p.e. and what a crock of sh*t it is. I mean I get the need for physical education and stretching and exercising. The part I don't agree with is the picking of teams. A - what does it matter if you can or can't play volleyball as a fourth grader? And 2 - if you're uncoordinated and not athletic (like I was, and still am) all that team selection ever did was make you feel worse about yourself, resent the entire idea of p.e., and increase the separation you felt with your peers. More often than not I was in the last two to be picked and Coach Alvarez would often make a team take me. I could have cared less to play any of those crappy organized sports. It would have been more fitnessy beneficial to have me stretching in the corner or something. I've done yoga. I know the benefits of stretching. I write this not for pity, but for perspective. Is there a reason they make you do all that crap? I mean I wasn't an overweight sedentary child. I don't know...I guess I just don't want my child (who will most likely inherit his or her awesome lack of coordination from me instead of getting the more attractive sarcastic wit) to feel like crap about it.

So yeah...if I'm not laying awake at night trying to figure out the future, I'm delving into random memories of my past.

I liked recalling Bear Bucks and the time my mom left nursing school to come get me because I was sick or injured or something. I remember how important that made me feel. I also remembered our principal hugging us when we got to school. Maybe I owe my love of hugging to Mrs. Wysong.

In other news, I just saw the movie Amelia with Hilary Swank. I wish I could tell you to see it. But I can't. Richard Gere was a joke. I did love seeing Ewan McGregor's face, but I'm not sure that had anything to do with the movie. It didn't know what it wanted to be. A love story or the story of a woman's adventurous spirit. I basically only really enjoyed the last 15 minutes of it. I'm bummed the whole movie couldn't have been like that 15 minutes. I would like to know more about Amelia. If only there was an awesome movie about her. Wunh wunh.

I applied for the island job today. It could take up to two weeks to find out if my audition tape will be in the running. At that time I will send the link out. Until then, here's a couple of outtakes. You should know that I was getting tired of doing all this on camera stuff so started drinking wine about it. You can imagine the change in atmosphere. Before I forget, I wanna thank Team MAB for helping making the video happen. From ideas to shooting to cheering on to editing. I've got great friends.

Unfortunately we didn't have time for outtakes in the actual video. But they're fun to watch now.

Wait for It

2009-02-04T00:08:00.000-08:00

We made my audition video tonight for the Best Job Ever.
It's pretty awesome.

I'll show it to you soon. And beg you to view it over and over and rate it highly and tell your friends to do the same. In the meantime...a little "making of" action.

Apologies to NDG for doing what she asked me not to. If you (NDG) really hate it, I'll remove it. Thanks for your help. I had super fun.

For the Movies

2009-01-29T16:57:00.000-08:00

(It's a sexy rock song by Buckcherry. Check out those varied musical interests!)

I've seen a lot lately, so I'll just kinda start with the most recent and hope I remember to include everything.

Fanboys. So here's my dirty little secret. I've never seen Star Wars. Like the good ones. I saw Episode 1 while living in Paris because my male charge was obsessed with the series. But as for the classics, I never got around to them. They're in my queue, so I'll see them eventually. But I reveal this because Fanboys is a movie all about Star Wars. Said fanboys are obsessed with Luke, Leia, Darth, the Wookies and the rest of the them and make a trek to Lucas ranch to see Episode One before it's released. The movie has been in Hollywood turmoil since it was made like three years ago. From what I hear the version that will be released next month is closer to the original idea and not the second reincarnation. So here's the thing. Having never seen SW, I was pleasantly entertained by this movie. It was an enjoyable, heartfelt movie with a great 90s soundtrack. I laughed out loud several times. I would recommend it if you're looking for something fun, and it would be a good date night movie.

I'm using some of my spare time to clean movies off my DVR that I've randomly recorded thinking that I might wanna watch them someday.

Longford. It's based on the true story of a Lord in England who befriends prisoners, including a female child killer. His friendship with her is obviously not looked kindly upon by the public. So yeah, it's super cheery. The performances are really good and the storyline fits in well with my interest in all of those true crime shows. But the movie is deep. So I guess if you're in the mood for something deep...

Woman on Top. I'm not sure why I recorded this movie. It stars Penelope Cruz and was on IFC. It wasn't horrible, but wasn't great. The male lead is that guy from "Good Morning Miami." I feel like I see him and his family all over town, so I was like "really? you're in this movie??" Random.

The Wrestler. Wow. There are obvious reasons this movie is nominated for academy awards. Mickey Rourke became Randy. Marisa's fabulous, and I'll be one happy girl if my body looks anywhere near that good in 11 or 12 years. Director Darren Aronofosky shot the movie documentary-style which super works. Unfortunately I had no idea of the brutality of wrestling. So the first half hour was really tough to watch. I have a method of staring at the exit signs in theaters when I don't enjoy what's happening on the screen. Luckily I was sitting in the comfort of my own living room so it was a smaller screen to avoid. I also immediately messaged Melody and asked her not to let my nephew watch wrestling anymore. I mean I used to be afraid he'd put some kid in a headlock, not take a staple gun to his face! So if the first third of the movie is physically brutal, the rest of it is emotionally brutal. I was so stressed out and tense it was ridiculous. I was like "This is why people only see funny movies!!" But I feel like the sign of a good movie is when you can get emotionally involved and attached to the characters. The Wrestler succeeds.

Gran Torino. I loved this movie. I know. I wasn't expecting it. When it ended I actually sighed outloud, "Oh Clint!" Then I was asked "Are you crying?" To which I proudly replied, "No! I've got something in my eye!" Truth be told, I laughed AND cried during this movie. I liked the old man growl. I liked his racist remarks because it reminded me of how my grandpa was (altho I like to think my grandpa wasn't quite as racist, you never know).

So I've seen all the nominated movies now. It was such a great year for performances.

I'm currently reading Julie & Julia, which is soon to be a movie starring Miss "I've got doubt!" herself, Meryl Streep. I'm enjoying the book, and it kinda makes me wish I cooked. Or at least had a copy of Julia Child's infamous cookbook. I think the latter is a much more acceptable goal. Although in my most recent effort to use all the food I already have before going and buying more, I discovered that I have a lot of baking ingredients, which I have now founds recipes for. I mean, if anyone can live off oatmeal craisin cookies and lemon bars, it's me, right?

All Will Be Well

2009-01-27T22:29:00.000-08:00

Today's song title comes to us from The Gabe Dixon Band.
I love this song...and it's kinda my mantra right now...The next line in the chorus is "You can ask me how but only time will tell."

So I've come up with a backup plan. Something to look forward to should a job not present itself by April 1st. I'm with Reelz until the first week of March. I'm giving myself the month of March because that will be three months that I've been looking for a job.

Should I not have a job by April, I'll be hitting the open road. I've decided that it would be a better use of (WAY less of) my savings than to spend around $1550 a month to sit in this apartment. Don't get me wrong I LOVE this apartment. And this town. But times in the biz are bad right now, and I really think that taking some time off and away is the answer for me. (It usually is.)

I should mention now that I will not at any point stop looking for jobs nor do I consider this a permanent exit outta LA. I love my friends, the ocean, and the weather too much.

My tentative plan is to crate my stuff up and store that crate/pod here (that way when I come back or if I get a job somewhere else, either way, I can have my stuff.). I will then hit the road heading North...mostly along the coast, stopping in San Francisco to see friends, Napa Valley to drink wine, do the Avenue of the Giants and drive through trees. Yosemite? Lake Tahoe? I dunno...Then I'll make my way to Portland (!!!) and Seattle and over to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and the Black Hills and Badlands and Mount Rushmore and the Corn Palace...you get the picture...doing whatever I want all day long. Journaling, (blogging?) and taking pictures along the way.

I'll eventually end up in St. Louis. Most likely on a twin hideaway bed in my grandma's sun porch. She doesn't know it yet, but she'll be cool with it. From there, I will collect (and save) my unemployment checks, travel to New York, Chicago, Knoxville (oddly enough that's where HGTV is!), and Nashville, and keep the job hunt alive. While at the same time spending quality time with family. (instead of expensively sitting on my couch in my pajamas watching Netflix...which I will have done for the month of March.)

Should September arrive with no job. I will first and foremost be super upset I lost. Because my backup plan is much more fun when I think about it ending on an island in the Great Barrier Reef. Truthfully I haven't thought any further than September because I figure I will either have a job (somewhere!) or be in Queensland.

And I'm gonna keep that dream alive for a little bit longer...

So wow...I finally got it down on paper. It looks crazy, but it's something I've been wanting to do, and this may just be the opportunity to do it.

The Wall

2009-01-24T16:47:00.000-08:00

While driving home from the PGA brekkies this morning (which I very much enjoyed, thanks T!), I spotted a new mural on a building along La Brea.

On the side facing the street are depictions of Rosa Parks, Dr Martin Luther King and President (!) Barack Obama.

On the southside of the building is the following inscription: "Rosa sat so King could walk. (I'm paraphrasing because I'm not sure if he was referred to as Doctor, Martin or King.) King walked so Barack could run. Barack ran so we could fly."

LOVE!!!

If it's not raining tomorrow, maybe I'll go by and snap a picture.

UPDATED AS PROMISED:

Add It Up

2009-01-23T22:01:00.000-08:00

Let me preface this all by saying: I know I am lucky. I know there are millions of people in the world worse off than I am.

Since a employer-sponsored meeting with the unemployment folks, I have been crunching some numbers. And, well, if I thought I was freaking out before, now I have the numbers in front of me and WHOA! somebody needs a central line of xanax.

(Note: Xanax does not sponsor these blogs. I get no reward for mentioning the drug by name. However, should a xanax rep be reading this and think that would be appropriate...Awesome.)

Ok so the way it works (in California at least) is that when you're laid off and need unemployment assistance, they look at the amount of money you earned the previous year. (In this case Sept 07 - Oct 08.) So they take that year and divide it into quarters. Then they take your most profitable quarter and base your amount off that amount. That being said, the highest award given is $450 a week (before taxes) for anything over $11k a quarter.

As I said, I have been blessed to be in an industry whose salaries correlate with a comfortable cost of living out here in Los Angeles. And again, I repeat, I KNOW there are people worse off. But I make considerably more than $450 ($415 after taxes) a week. Obviously I understand that unemployment is not there to keep me at my current comfort level, but that amount barely covers my rent. Seriously.

The last time I made those wages, I was just out of college, splitting a $680/month rent + utilities. I didn't have a car payment. Then I moved to San Diego and barely made much more but somehow managed to pay $650 a month in rent. (PB&J baby!) Well now I pay $1450 a month. Plus utilities. Plus a modest car payment.

You can see my panic.

It's a double edged sword because altho I fantasize about sitting at home in a housecoat anxiously awaiting the mail-lady with the next Netflix delivery, I also know that that won't work. Well, not after the first month at least.

My parents have graciously offered to let me move home, and the more I look at the job market, the more I'm trying to accept that idea as a (TEMPORARY) option. People are suggesting I downsize apartments, get a roommater, or move out of my fun vibey hipster neighborhood, but moving costs money too. Deposits and moving companies...yuck! Don't get me started on the roommate thing. I'm pretty sure the next situation like that I'll be involved in is cohabitation. Like with a boy.

I AM lucky in that I live month to month. (See how that wanderlust and fear of commitment comes in handy??)

So we'll see. I'm really hoping something falls in line before March. That's when the freak outs will really hit as my last day on the job is March 8th. I've got some savings, and I know that I'm going to be fine, and that everything will work out how it's supposed to. I just would prefer a heads up.

Tomorrow morning I'm getting up bright and early to attend the PGA Breakfast. (That's Producer's Guild of America)...not sure who I'll meet, but I'm definitely taking business cards. And I'm seriously considering heels. (Gasp!) Let's face it, I just hope the scrambled eggs are yummy.

Footnote to Mom: I am really not popping xanax like they're tic tacs. I'm exaggerating. I just like to purge these thoughts from my mind, so I write.

My Life Would Suck Without You

2009-01-21T16:54:00.001-08:00

What if I went all Grey's Anatomy and only titled my blogs after songs? That would be fun.

I'm sitting here waiting for everybody and their brother to call me back and say that my resume is unbelievable and they need me in their office...STAT. Until that happens I'm watching My First Place and House Hunters dreaming about the day I'll get to buy a house. And when I feel like it's time I take a time out, I pick up the book I'm currently reading...The Soloist (the book the movie is based on)...and fall back in love with a story all about strings.

My place also currently smells like freshly baked cookies. They're cooling on top of the stove as I type.

So I know I haven't released by 2-ot-9 to do list, but basically this is it:

1. find a job.
2. improve posture.

(alternates, based on the success of #1)

3. TRAVEL. (still need the Grand Canyon, and well, if I get that Australia job...woo hoo!)
4. finish laser treatments.

Yesterday was an amazing day. I loved watching history happen in the company of coworking friends. I'm pretty much obsessed with Malia and Sasha and the love that is so incredibly visual between Barack and Michelle. At Last. Wow. Not even Beyonce could ruin that lovely moment for me.

And did you hear about the scavenger hunt the girls got to do at the White House last night that culminated in finding the Jonas Brothers behind a door??!! How I wish I could have been the person to get to plan that hunt. And/or see their faces at the big reveal!!

While the rest of the country has been in a deep freeze, we have been having the best January ever. It's supposed to rain tonight or tomorrow or something, but just in case you were wondering why I struggle with the idea of ever leaving soCal...

The weirdness at works means I don't work full days. Which means I get to do things like go to the beach after work. The sight, smell and sound of the ocean is like nature's xanax. Seriously.

I found a purple sand dollar.

There was a fire. And hot dogs. And smores. And stars. And waves crashing. And planes leaving town.

Then my cousin James came to town and we took advantage of the weather every chance we got. Like walking through a bit of Griffith Park to get to the Observatory.

This is our reflection in a mirrored wall at the Getty.

The gardens at the Getty:

I mean seriously. You could see the ocean! And mountains! And downtown!

In "sometimes I'm driving to Chinatown and hear a weird noise and find a nail in my tire" news...James got to see a slightly grittier side of the city, rarely exposed to tourists.

The Vitess guys were awesome tho, plugged my tire for $15 and sent me off with a warning about the hyper police in the area. California is in some dire straits, and they've decided more tickets is a way to get some revenue in. We've already been warned about IOUs for tax rebates, and understandably, the unemployment fund is dwindling as well. Hopefully it's not empty before I get my share.

In these times, it's refreshing to find an entire dinette on the street while walking to the grocery store. Because sometimes you have an empty dining room, and although it didn't bother you by being empty, the fact that it's now nicely arranged makes you feel slightly more complete.

Best $10 grocery trip ever.

Tomorrow is Oscar Nomination Day. And the one year anniversary of Heath Ledger's death. A year ago tomorrow I was (verbally!) consoling P Diddy in a lounge at Sundance. I had just interviewed John Stamos and Phylicia Rashad in a surreal moment only a fellow child of the 80s would understand. And then the alert came across the room via Blackberry and everything changed.

Tomorrow I'll be up - and at work - super early (5h30a anyone??). And I'll write a story about the best actor and best supporting nominees. And like Jan 22, 2008, I'm pretty sure I'll be talking about Heath a lot.

Fingers crossed for Kate Winslet. And Sally Hawkins (I obviously don't need her to win, but I think she belongs up there with Kate, Anne, and Meryl). And for "The Reader" to have a Best Picture nod. And for Milk to get some love. That's really all I'm asking for this year.

Real Talk with Katy Perry

2009-01-13T10:37:00.000-08:00

So apparently I'm going to talk about Katy Perry all the time. To be honest, sure, I thought UR So Gay was humorous. And I can understand the catchiness that is I Kissed a Girl. I'm most onboard with Hot N Cold tho...so when I randomly sat next to her hair dresser on my way to StL for Christmas I was excited to learn she would be playing my fave indie music spot here in LA. The Hotel Cafe.

Last night I learned at her show that she started out at the Hotel Cafe. Last night I also fell in love with everything that is Katy Perry in a small venue. Despite having the flu she played the sold out show like a champ. She looked good. She sounded good. She interacted with the crowd and "got real" with us.

The music was great. She did a few songs just her and the guitar. Other songs there was an accordion involved (and we all know how much I love those!). She did play Hot N Cold, but a much cooler, acoustic version. Everything else seemed real indie roots and I just loved it. (She's got a bigger venue show coming up here in LA that will probably be more rowdy.) I just found the Cafe to be the perfect place to really hear what she had to say. And then I fell in love with this song and thanked her for writing a song that seemed just for me.

The only problem is that I much prefer her acoustic stuff to what is on her album. Which sucks because you can't find recorded versions of it. Which makes me fear that her Brick by Brick will be like Sara Bareilles' Satellite. A song that I rarely - if ever - get to hear.

I'm sitting here at work. Because although we've been laid off, we still have to come to work for the next 60 days. The combination of there not being much to do and there not being a lot of incentive to do it makes this the most awkward environment ever. So this is what it feels like to be a lame duck. I bet Bush just wished it was next week already. I know I do...ZING!

Ok so the Golden Globes...let's start with the ceremony.

Moments:
1. Kate Winslet squared. So happy for her. So. SO. happy.
2. Sally Hawkins. She's my Glen and Marketa of this year. The person who recognizes and talks to me on all the carpets. Such a sweetheart and well deserving of this award. I enjoyed Happy-Go-Lucky. I also liked her interaction with Emma Thompson.
3. I basically liked Emma Thompson all day...red carpet and ceremony. She was awesomely hilarious.
4. Mickey. Oh Mickey. You thanked your dogs AND you're friends with The Boss. Does it get any better?

Slumdog and Mad Men. Kudos.

Red Carpet Moments:
1. I spent much of the day obsessed with Lara Spencer's (The Insider) posture. She's very tall and lanky, but has the most incredible posture of anyone I've ever seen. The way she carries herself is mesmerizing. I then learned that if I worked out my upper back muscles, I could have posture like that. I'm seriously considering it.
2. I saw Elizabeth Perkins taking pictures of Ricky Gervais with her camera phone. I told her he would probably take a picture WITH her if she asked.
3. I saw Tom Brokaw. And Tom Cruise. And the Mad Men cast. And a whole lot of other people.
4. Drew and Jessica as Grey Gardens. Hilarious and hideous all at the same time.
5. We saw a lot of people as we were one of the last outlets before the door. We weren't getting any interviews, so we both just decided to be fans.
5a. I yelled to Kate Winslet that I loved The Reader. I then wanted to continue to yell that it wasn't that I didn't like Rev Road, I just loved The Reader MORE, but that's a lot of stuff to yell out when they're whisking her past you.
5b. I yelled to Neil Patrick Harris that I LOVED him on SNL. I mean, COME ON PEOPLE!! The digital short that NBC Universal just pulled off youtube may be one of the best things I've seen on tv in a while!!

5c. Tom Hanks came running through at the last minute. I couldn't pass up the chance (and really had no filter at that point) so I just yelled out "Run Forrest Run!" He laughed and other people started chanting it too. (Yes that was a risky and non professional move, but OH SO FITTING. And he thought it was funny.)

-----------------

I had a panic last night after receiving one email saying one of the friends of friends I've contacted is limited by a hiring freeze and then having a meeting with another company that does not currently have any jobs available. AWESOME.

I know I'm good at what I do. I know I have a lot of people pulling for me and passing along my resume. But it's those quiet moments laying in bed at night when the reality hits and I'm like WTH (like that one better, mom?) am I going to do? Like really. I think I may need more xanax.

A word on awards...

2009-01-09T23:46:00.000-08:00

Favorite moments from the Critic's Choice awards:
(in no particular order)

1. Seeing Brangelina on the carpet. Never gets old. I also for some reason got excited about seeing Richard Gere. But that's just because I never have before. Other notable red carpet item was how fabulous Evan Rachel Wood looked.
2. The end of Anne Hathaway's speech when she talked about her daddy. I teared up because I could say the same exact thing about mine. (Sorta paraphrasing but almost exactly: "And finally, I'd like to thank my dad for showing me that there are good men in the world, and that I am worthy of the love of good people.")
2.a. The reaction in the press room to Angelina's stink eye during Anne's speech.
3. Running into Josh Brolin in the hall backstage.
4. Talking to Anne, Sean Penn, and Danny Boyle in the press room.
5. Being told by a publicist that I always ask the best questions.
6. Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky) spotting me and waving as she was leaving the press room. I also love how much this moment cracked Gerrad up.

Speaking of G-rad...we (not on purpose) coordinated our outfits and looked like this:

We've got the Globes Sunday. I'm excited.

So today was it for Dailies. Weird. I've never been laid off before. I've never worked on a show that got cancelled. Not a good atmosphere. The top shelf vodka helped. They decided to end the show with the first story of the first show that aired back in September of 2006. It just so happened that story was mine. It was called Actors Firsts, and was about the early beginnings of some of today's top actors and actresses.

I'm really afraid the magnitude of all this hasn't hit me yet. The financial fears are more than kicking in, and I'm making plans to subdue that impact. But the thought of going from spending so much time with a group of people to not seeing them as much...that's what I don't like to think about. We spend so much of our time working that those are the people that occupy our days and our lives...and the days of our lives.

I've obviously left friends and coworkers before. But this feels like the disbanding of a family of sorts. And I'm also usually not good with change unless I'm the one dictating it. I continue to be excited about my next adventure. But I'm gonna miss a lot of faces. Like my beloved officemate Ben. Who I talk about frequently on here and who I respect and enjoy sitting across from more than I could have ever imagined. I talk a lot. I can be flighty. I'm the office social butterfly, and decorate my workspace with lots of toys and pictures of Zach Braff and other boys I like. I have weird personal phone conversations. And yet Ben fought the good fight with the powers that be begging for us to remain officemates. We've been roomies for two years. That's longer than some marriages last. I have a feeling that in my next job I'm going to have a question and I'm gonna look up and expect him to be there and have the answer. Because he always does.

We've definitely had a good run. I know he's cheering me on and wishing me nothing but the best, just as much as I am him.

Well, that happened...

2009-01-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you come into work and find out you don't have a job after March 8th because your company that's all about movies has decided that the real Hollywood is in Alba ker key. (I refuse to learn how to spell it correctly.)

Read about it here.

This afternoon our company president bought us ice cream. Because we're four, and our big brother ripped the head off our baby doll. (I'm serious. They really did get us ice cream.) We ate it while I made jokes to said company president about the lunacy of it all.

I'm not as freaked out as someone who lives in an apartment that costs $1450 + utilities should be. I had been unsettled about the company for a while, and it's nice to finally know what is going on. I had also been getting the itch that it was time to move on, and I feel like today's envelope is proof that someone else agrees with me.

So what now? Well that's a big question. I have a lot of plates spinning in my head at the moment. (And I wonder why my insomnia has returned?!) Is it time to leave LA? Where would I go? Portland? Nashville? Somewhere else? What would I do once I got there? Am I ready to say goodbye to this industry? What else would I do if not this? True to my form, the answer to all of those questions is, at the moment, "I don't know."

I've got 60 days. A lot can happen in 60 days. I've put out a lot of feelers. Unfortunately it's just not a really good time for any industry, and mine is not exempt. I understand that. I understand that this is a sign of the times. And that it is what it is. I also, however, understand that unemployment will not pay my rent.

So I'm gonna tighten my belt. Save as much of my earnings as possible. This morning's $55 street cleaning ticket will not help. (PS Thanks a lot LA!) But seriously. I'm gonna be ok. I am looking forward to what life holds in store and the next adventure.

I feel really bad for my cleaning lady, who at this moment is likely scrubbing my toilet for the last time. I mean, if I'm gonna rationalize paying for my satellite and internet, I've got to give up something...Actually part of me thinks the satellite should be the first thing to go. But then I remember that whole digital conversion thing and that rabbit ears won't work. Quel domage!! It's definitely tempting. After all I could just keep the $12 Netflix membership instead, and pester my friends to let me come over on How I Met Your Mother and Mad Men nights.

Starting a Revolution from My Bed

2009-01-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

Don't get freaked out. I told you it's one of the two warm places in my apartment. We're lucky I'm not blogging from the shower. Yet...

OMG The Reader. I hate to hype movies (so quit reading now if you hate reading hype before seeing a movie...I don't give any spoilers tho) because I've found that it's better to go into a movie with little or no expectations and then be BLOWN AWAY like I was with this one. Despite whatever happens awards season, The Reader is the best picture of the year. Filmmaking genius. Amazingly crafted. Subtle. Provocative. Profound. A lot of big words, basically. Some of them are Kait's.

Funny...off subj...a song from when I used to club in Paris just came on my Itunes. It sounds like an old friend saying Hello.

Back to The Reader...I won't lie, at the beginning I was all WTF (sorry, mom, but if you see it, you will agree.) I hadn't read this one so I had no clue what it was about. But unlike Revolutionary Road, I didn't feel lost (as I think one might seeing RR without reading it). And once I got past the initial shock, I fell in love. Right along with the characters of the movie. The rest of the cinematic experience was nothing short of me feeling in my seat what they were putting into motion on screen. I felt compassion. Disgust. Confusion. Love. Tears trickled down my cheeks. My chin quivered. I wept silently.

If I could smelt an Oscar in my apartment and hand it to Kate Winslet tomorrow, I would do it. And still feel like I was tardy. I also would like to give mad props to David Kross and Ralph Fiennes. I've had a thing against Ralph ever since he was such a good asshole in The Duchess...but I forgave him today. These two men play the same character at different ages, and they did such a great job learning each other's mannerisms...the transition seemed seamless.

Here's the trailer, and again, apologies for the build up.

Oh and I forgot to mention that I also recently watched Doubt. I came away wishing Philip Seymour Hoffman preached in real life because he was marvelous at it. Viola Davis is amazing. Her 12 minutes on screen are perhaps the most captivating. And I know every one is saying that, but it's true.

Here's pictures from my Christmas in St. Louis. Enjoy!

Christmas 08 Album

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret...

2009-01-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

I have no excuses.

I'm not sure why I haven't been blogging lately. But I miss the recollections as much as you miss the updates. In preparation for my annual to do list I looked at last year's to see what I had accomplished. In doing that I noticed that I had also given a play by play of my time spent at home. And here I sit having not even posted a blog on my whirlwind Ireland trip yet.

I guess I've kind of been in a funk. I'm feeling better these days and I'm not sure whether to attribute it to the trip home, the time off work, the return of the sunshine or a combination of the three.

An update on what I discussed last time. I've decided not to winterize my windows. After pricing what many considered the solution, I found it to be a waste of money for the month or so I have left of cool temps. I have to remind myself of that decision basically every second that I'm not in bed or in the shower because those are the only warm places in my apartment. I'm managing tho. My friends who visit? Not so much.

Oddly enough after mentioning Katy Perry and Zooey Deschannel (vicariously through her new movie Yes Man, which I enjoyed), I ended up sitting next to their hair dresser on my flight to StL. Oddly enough the guy who sat on my other side also ended up in the same spot on our flight home. I thought maybe that meant something until there was a girl waiting for him at baggage claim.

My trip home was good. It was longer than usual but I was able to see everyone and do everything I went to do. I spent a day Driving Miss Daisy (that's what we call taking my gma on her errands). I spent another day with my oldest nephew and Godson, Ned. Doing just whatever he wanted (Roman Holiday style). We ended up seeing Bedtime Stories, which neither one of us hated. I would like to personally thank whoever cast Russell Brand in that movie.

I was in town for two Sundays which means I got to go back to my old church one week and go to my gma and parents' church the next. I was able to dine with old friends on more than one occasion and randomly run into others while shopping.

I played hot wheels and Old Maid and Go Fish. (I don't know who enjoyed those card games more, me, my 4 yo nephew or my dad.) I watched my niece perform gymnastics while braiding another niece's hair while pointing "NeeNee" out to yet another niece. I made cookies with my mom!

I ate fried turkey and beef brisket and TOASTED RAVIOLI.

My dad's family had scheduled their Christmas for New Years, but that didn't stop my cousins from finding time to get together while I was in town. Which of course led to us trying in earnest to remember the order of things in our traditional family singalong: "We are SISTERS we are one!"

It was a good time and a much-needed break. I'll be back in a couple of months for my gma's bday (I promised her last year I would come back for her bday every year), but it won't be for nearly as long.

Best out of the mouths of babes moment:

Melody: Hunter, who do you think is older? Me or Aunt Mary Anne? (Note: I am by 16 months and one day.)
Hunter: Mommy.
MAB: Why? (secretly hoping she looks older or something ;) )
Hunter: Because she has kids and you don't. (zing!)

My favorite blog reaction from my mom:

"I don't like it when you say WTF."

Pictures uploading now.

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On a completely different note. Have you ever totally loved a song only to find out that you probably don't really love what it's saying because you would never dream of speaking so vulgarly?

When I worked at E! I always used to sing the line "From the window, to the wall!" And all the girls sitting around me would laugh and I'd be like, what? All innocent like and finally they were like..."Do you know the next line of that song?" And I of course said no, so they enlightened me, and well, I still like the song, but I really only sing it loud and proud when I've been drinking. I moreso have it in my head as a humorous memory.

Anyway, so now the song in question is Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire." This song comes on and I wanna rock out...so last night I can't sleep and I'm wasting time on the interweb and I look up the lyrics. Holy Mother of God. (Out of respect to my own mom I won't link to lyrics or youtube.) Then I watched the video which is also kind of weird. But I just can't get enough of a good feeling listening to it. It makes me wish I knew someone who had rock band so I could bang some drum sticks like whoa.

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Movie time!

To recap:
Yes Man - yes
Bedtime Stories - sure. definitely better for kids than Marley and Me (which I loved, just not for kids.)

In preparations for covering (!) both the Critics Choice and Golden Globes this week, I've used my long weekend to see the rest of the award nominees. And buy this dress.

That one is for the GGs. I'll wear the one I wore to the Benjamin Button premiere to the Critics Choice Awards.

So back to the movies.

So far this weekend I've seen Revolutionary Road, Wendy and Lucy and Last Chance Harvey. I'm getting ready to go see The Reader and wouldn't be surprised to see myself at The Wrestler tonight. I'm feeling like skipping Gran Torino, but might watch a screener of it this week.

Ok, so Rev Road. I read the book first. I really found it helpful in not only prepping me for what would happen, but also explaining everything behind what we were seeing on the big screen. Performances are what stood out. I don't think it's Best Picture worthy. I'm not against it being nominated in that category, but I really think Slumdog Millionaire or Benjamin Button would - and should - win over it. Most enjoyable for me was the performance of Michael Shannon as John Givings. The entire audience I was sitting in loved every moment he was on screen. NDG and I agree that we're not sure why he hasn't seen a supporting nomination yet this awards season.

Wendy and Lucy. Obviously a Michelle Williams vehicle. And she's realistic and you're fine watching her do absolutely nothing for more than an hour, but then all the sudden I didn't get it. And when I say "it" I mean her motivation at the end of the movie. I won't say more than that. As someone who only occasionally wishes she had a dog, I understand I'm not exactly a pet person, but I don't understand why a pet person would make the decision she does. None of this makes any sense to you, the reader of my blog, but I just can't yet wrap my head around this one.

Last Chance Harvey. Probably my favorite movie of the weekend so far. SO relatable. I was in love with the dialogue. I loved Dustin Hoffman, and after one particular speech I wanted to hug him so bad I could barely stand it (that's the daddy's girl in me tho). I loved the way the two talked to each other and *got* each other. Emma Thompson said things that made me think the writer of the movie was somehow in my head, using my feelings for fodder. I don't consider myself middle aged yet. But I think all anyone is looking for is that companionship...that person that clicks. But I also agree that after not having it for so long, you're so comfortable in the disappointment that the possibility scares the sh*t out of you.

It makes me sad that this isn't playing wide yet. I think my parents would really enjoy it.

There are some really great performances out there this year. Dustin in that one speech garners a nomination. But Sean is amazing as Harvey Milk, and Frank Langella embodies that Nixon role. It's a tough call. Sean seems like the front runner, tho, and I'm ok with that.

Alright I gotta scoot to The Reader. As soon as the photos are uploaded and I come up with a to do list, I'll post them. I'll try to be better about blogging in general so that I don't have to complete these marathon sessions so often.

Sometimes I relate to Katy Perry...

2008-12-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

Like when she tells Fabulous magazine:

"I say what I think. I’m a real person, not some manufactured pop tart who’s afraid to step out of the hotel room. I am flawed. I swear, I have the occasional cocktail, I pick my nose and I fart. I’m not running for any presidential campaign at the moment. I’m a sassy girl."

I eat Pop Tarts (Brown Sugar Cinnamon, natch). Since I don't sing in public, I won't be mistaken for a manufactured pop tart. But I relate to teh sassy, and should you be in the car when "Hot n Cold" comes on, I'll singalong. KNOWING that it's cheesy. I also imagine myself in this video with Taylor Swift. That probably makes it worse, doesn't it.

Is it wrong that I'm 30 and I wish I was friends with her? We both like stripes. Probably no more wrong than that I'd like to meet Amos based on two seconds in one of her videos.

The survivors of last week's massive layoff had our first meeting yesterday. It makes me sad that the staff of the new ReelzChannel Movie News doesn't even fill up a conference table. Afterward I was praised by a coworker for being so blunt about my feelings and questions about the new plan. My bosses know what I'm thinking anyway (I have a horrible poker face.) My one boss even told me before the meeting that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I just feel like we have a right to ask questions and voice concerns.

I leave Friday for the STL and am looking forward to a break from the life.

In movies news...

The Tale of Desperaux...Boo. I went and saw it because I thought the mouse was cute. I do not in anyway recommend this movie to anyone. Children nor adults.

Valkyrie...I went into this DREADING it. I came away pleasantly surprised. Tom Cruise works for me when he's in uniform. They made it make sense that he wasn't speaking with a German accent, and I think a German accent would have made it worse. Again, I didn't know the story of the true events so this was another learning experience for me. And I felt bad for the guy who had to go around Germany during filming looking like Hitler with the stache and all. The fact that Germans tried to kill Hitler 15 times is crazy to me. The names of all of the officers did get a little confusing. But Tom Wilkinson shines as he always does. I swear that man can do anything. Such a chameleon. I've wanted to hug him since he played the dad in The Last Kiss.

Speaking of Tom, I also watched Recount this weekend. The movie has gotten a lot of award attention and now I know why. The performances are top notch. Unfortunately it also makes you more disappointed in the system and is upsetting because it's like people were just deciding which votes counted for who and then the court decided when enough was enough with the recount (before the recount was over!) and then Gore threw in the towel...no matter who you wanted to win, I would think watching the system fail is never enjoyable.

I'm going to see Yes Man this afternoon. I'm excited because I was there when Jim Carrey bungee jumped off the bridge in Pasadena. And now I'll get to see it in the movie! We'll see how the rest of it treats me.

Then tonight I guess I'm going to do something about sealing my windows. I live in an old apartment and it refuses to hold heat. I conducted an experiment this past weekend in which I cranked the heat up to 80 and let it run for 15 hours. By hour 15 the temperature in the house had risen to a less-than-balmy 70 degrees. Which, while noticeably warmer than the usual 60 degrees that greets me in the morning, is not a cost effective way to heat my place. I know hot air is coming out of the vents, so that can only mean that it's escaping through everywhere else.

I haven't turned the heat on since, just use a space heater and heating pad in my bedroom at night...but that means I walk around wearing blankets and coats and scarves. This morning when I came out of my bedroom it was less than 60 degrees in my apt..I think it said 57. and that is a rude awakening.

I realize it's much colder in the midwest and northeast right now, but my blood is no longer equipped for it.

NDG Wisdom

2008-12-12T13:59:00.001-08:00

Nicole just sent this to me. It's funny cuz it's true?

Winter Song

2008-12-11T23:10:00.000-08:00

Ok so I totally suck at posting the Ireland blog but you're about to find out a little bit about the past week and why I haven't blogged.

First things first. I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button last weekend. And I liked it. A lot. It's like NOTHING you've ever seen before. Yes it is three hours long. But the guy who wrote this also wrote Forrest Gump. Which was also long. And who didn't like Forrest Gump??

The story just blew me out of the water in how new it was. In a time where it seems like every movie is a sequel or remake or adapted from a book, this is new. Although it is adapted from an F Scott Fitzgerald short story, which is derived from a famous Mark Twain quote, but still. I didn't know any of those things going into it.

I was glad for the three hours because it took me an hour to get used to - and stop focusing on - the incredible makeup and start paying attention to the love stories at the core of the movie. I think people of all ages will find this movie relatable.

I then covered the Benjamin Button premiere Monday night. To say it was pandemonium would be an understatement. I have seen Brangelina in red carpet action one other time in real life. It was this past year's Film Independent Spirit Awards when she showed up with a baby bump. For some reason showing up with Brad's parents made the place go ape shit. I now know it's because it's the first time they've ever been seen on a red carpet with Angelina. It's obvious they like her (they had also apparently liked Jennifer Aniston a lot). She actually walked them down the carpet and Papa Pitt had his arm protectively around her and she and Mama Pitt conversed and were equally appalled when the still photogs started booing Sharon Stone.

The energy of the night was super crazy and then it all went too fast and all the sudden Brad Pitt was walking by me answering a question from the guy before me. But he did make eye contact with me. I will hold on to that moment. That and the moment that Angelina talked to me from across the carpet. I also might have kept yelling "I'm from Missouri too!" to Brad's parents. Whatevs. You do what you got to do in those situations. And yelling is often at the top of the list.

So I was all keyed up from my crazy premiere night and then Tuesday happened. Tuesday my company joined the ranks of many in my industry my doing a massive layoff. 63 people to be exact. Which is more than a third of the company. There had been rumors something was going to happen Wednesday, but they decided to get us when we weren't expecting it. Luckily (?) I was not given an envelope. But many of my friends were. Under California law, however, when you let go (it's either more than 50 people or one third of your company, I'm not sure which) you are required to give them 60 day notice. So it's kind of concerning because they thought they were doing this huge money saving thing and in fact they won't start saving money until at least February. It's just all very weird.

In addition to the layoffs, they're basically cancelling the show I work on. Yeah. They're planning on going with a MTV news type thing where it's like 4 3-minute interstitials a day. I'm not sure how it's all going to shake out, but it's been a crazy environment the past few days.

And then today was Golden Globes nominations. I love award shows. I love movies. I love finding out what movies I love get nominated. I was at work at 5:15 this morning. Here's the package I did.

The only top nominated movies I really have left to see are Doubt, The Reader, and Revolutionary Road. I'm reading Rev Road right now, but can't wait to see it. I'm seeing Tale of Desperaux this weekend. Mostly because I just can't get enough of looking at that lil mouse with his big ears on the billboards. I also really wanna see the French movie A Christmas Tale...not sure if that will fit into the wkend sked tho.

Here's hoping for a better week next week. and good drinks with good friends this weekend. Tis the season.

Marley and Me and Me

2008-12-06T11:01:00.001-08:00

After seeing Marley and Me last night, I'm pretty sure I am not emotionally capable of having a dog. I have a feeling this post might contain spoilers just because I can't talk about the movie without talking about what happens in the movie. If you've read the book you know what's going to happen.

I guess I steered clear from the book because I probably read the description and had the foresight to see myself sobbing while reading it and valued my wellbeing enough not to do that to myself so knowingly.

I did however see the movie. Mostly because others wanted to and I thought it seemed like it was going to be cute. And it was cute. Don't get me wrong. It's actually a GREAT movie. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston are perfect. We were all talking afterward how natural they seemed and it didn't seem like acting at all. This is Owen's first movie post suicide attempt and seeing him play with the kids was enough to bring me to tears, not to mention the carefully crafted relationship he seemed to really have with the dogs. (and you could tell when they changed dogs, especially one time, but you get past it.)

The other thing was that this screening was open to the public. This is where it went wrong because I guess a lot of people saw a puppy on the poster and assumed it was a kid movie. For some reason the studio didn't set them straight as they walked their little lambs into the emotional slaughter that was this movie.

As Tory said as we were leaving, Marley and Me puts Old Yeller to shame. Seriously. Not a kid movie. And again, not just because of the dog, but because there are other things that happen in the movie that we actually heard little kids asking about. Things little kids shouldn't have to know about.

It opens on Christmas Day. And it is a good movie. Gerrad and Tory said it followed the book perfectly. Gerrad said it's better than most of the award season movies he's seen. (Frost/Nixon and Milk are very much award worthy tho, but I'm just saying that's how good it is.) And it's very well put together. Just bring hankies and tissues. And no kids.

As we were walking through the mall to leave, we saw a woman with a couple of dogs and were immediately like, "oh my gosh, does she not know what's going to happen?" I was so upset (read HEAVING sobs) after two hours of watching a pretend relationship with a dog that I can't imagine forging my own relationship with a dog and having it reach its natural conclusion after like 14 years.

--------------------------

I see the The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tonight, as I'm covering the premiere on Monday night. I had been hoping to get through a day without crying but I guess that probably won't happen as I heard this one's a tear jerker too.

It's also almost 3 hours. Which means we're gonna be late to the Aimee Mann Christmas Show. But hopefully we'll get there in time for me to hear some "O Holy Night" and feel a little better about everything.

--------------------------

I realize I haven't posted an Ireland blog. I promise you I have notes and the best of intentions. This week has not been a great one and next week is looking to be worse. (Seriously. My boss actually said "Have a good weekend. You'll need it." as we left the daily meeting on Friday. Awesome.) So maybe I'll put it together if I have time tomorrow.

The Littlest Prince

2008-12-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

Now that I know how good kids are at relationship advice, I REALLY can't wait to go home for Christmas.

UPDATE

So maybe I do have a little advice giver in my kid mix. The following exchange happened between my younger sister and her nearly 5 year old son after a phone call between she and I.

Hunter: Who is sad?
Melody: Aunt Mary Anne
Hunter: Why is she sad?
Melody: Her work is making her sad and her friend is making her sad.
Hunter: Call her back.
Melody: What?
Hunter: Call her back and tell her to eat a plate of spaghetti. That always makes me feel better.
Melody: But you don't even like spaghetti.

One Thing Before I Go

2008-11-25T21:49:00.000-08:00

I'm frantically doing all those last minute things you do before a trip...you know, panic, pack toiletries, check email, make sure everything is in its place, figure out what contents of the fridge won't make it to Sunday...but I also managed to fit in a screening, and boy am I glad I did.

Frost/Nixon. Wow. I was unfamiliar with the whole Frost/Nixon interview. You could say - and be right - that it was before my time. But I also have a knack for not being interested in things historical. History was always my worst subject. I used to joke that I only liked the 20s.

That changed tonight. I have a strong desire to soak up the whole background of this story. I've obviously heard about Watergate. But until today I was unaware of a woman named Rose Mary Woods who stood by her man, President Richard Milhouse Nixon, and explained away an 18 minute silence by claiming desk acrobatics. (Thanks Tory!) Then tonight...the interviews...the AMAZING performances by Michael Sheen and Frank Langella. The context of the story. I dunno. I was immediately captivated and despite a nervous stomach frozen to my seat for the entire two hours. And now here I am hungry for more information, wanting to watch the real interviews. Or at least watch All the President's Men in its entirety.

It's the second movie this week to spur some historical interest. Friday night I saw Milk. If I loved Frost/Nixon, I LOVED Milk. The 30th anniversary of Harvey Milk's death is Thursday. I was only 5 months old when he died. But watching that movie, I felt like a part of his team. I've participated in 3 rallies against prop 8. And it broke my heart to see that we are in effect still fighting his battle. Sure he made great strides, but the basic inequality still remains in the minds of a LOT of people. Sean Penn does an amazing job. Gus Van Sant. Seriously. The POVs alone are incredible. An entire shot through the reflection of a whistle on the ground? I thought I was gonna go crazy in my chair I got so excited. Nominations please. Now is this a movie for all audiences? Why shouldn't it be? I don't get why so many people fear homosexuality. And before I'm questioned AGAIN. I am straight. Yes I'm sure. No that does not mean I've tried it. I just know I like boys. You can be a 30 year old straight single female. As anyone who's ever been in a relationship can attest to, it's a hard thing to be successful at.

I had the following convo with my sister on the morning of the most recent (downtown/nationwide) rally.

Her: What are you doing?
Me: I'm getting ready to go to this rally for gay marriage.
Her: You support that?
Me: Um yeah.
Her: Is there something you wanna tell us?
Me: Uh, that I have a lot of friends that I love and support.

Yes for Kait. No on 8.

Here's another pic I took on that hot and sweaty November day.

That FDR knows his stuff.

So in closing, Milk YES, Frost/Nixon YES. Prop 8 NO.

I was able to finish reading Angela's Ashes so I feel like I'm really ready for all the midwest/western region of Ireland has to offer. I'm stoked and I'll take lots of pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for life, love (even when the romantic kind doesn't go your way), and the pursuit of happiness.

Erin Go Brea.

Just Like Heaven

2008-11-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I interview former costars on the same day. Take yesterday. I talked to Reese Witherspoon at the Four Christmases premiere and Mark Ruffalo at the junket for What Doesn't Kill You.

A little background.

Back in Toronto in September, I interviewed Mark for Blindness. When he saw me back then, he was like, "I know you." And I was like, "I don't think so." But he was sure of it. Our interview then went super well and we had a good time and his phone rang and he wanted me to have extra time and then we started talking about dining in the dark, which I did in Paris and he is interested in doing.

Fast forward to yesterday and the junket for What Doesn't Kill You. The movie is based on the life of the director and it involves crime and drugs and prison. Mark played the main character and I interviewed him and the director together.

Ok so I was sitting in the hall waiting for the interviews to start. Mark walked down the hall and was saying hi to all of the other reporters and then he got to me. He was like HEY! all excited like and grabbed my hand. He was like, "How are you?" and I was like, "You've lost so much weight! Why are you so skinny?" And the other reporters were like, "What do you have going on with Mark Ruffalo?"

Then I went into the other suite to interview Amanda Peet.

Next it was my turn for Mark and the director, Brian Goodman. I walked in and introduced myself to Brian and asked Mark if the weight loss was for a movie and he said it wasn't and asked if it was really that noticeable. And I answered yes, but maybe it was just the beard that was emphasizing it. Then I told him he looked emo. To which he said "what IS emo? that's a younger generation term." I rolled my eyes and told him we are in the same generation and that he isn't that much older than me. Then he said "yes I am." Then I said "no you're not." And then I started talking to Brian and Mark said "yes I am."

For the record, I just looked it up and Mark is 40. I am 30. I would consider that of the same generation as he's in my dating age window. Also for the record, he is married with children and we are not dating or going to date.

Ok so I interview them about the movie and they're both really emotional and the junket people are trying to wrap me, but they're still talking and I'm not going to cut them off so I let them talk and we go over time but we're in this crazy emotional conversation. It comes to a breaking point and I say something they agree with and scoot to the edge of my chair to signify the end of the interview. I then stand up (which as it works out is right in front of them) and I look at these guys and Mark's eyes are glistening and I'm like I feel like we need a group hug right now. They both opened their arms and stood up and we had a hug. And then Brian came in for an individual hug and Mark peeks over his shoulder and says "He's single."

It was a moment. And one that I needed. I was super anxious and nervous yesterday to the point where despite having things going on in my private life I was pretty sure I had to be experiencing a sixth sense signalling the Big one. That's how freaked out I was. I never, well hardly ever, get nervous before junkets anymore. And I almost puked twice yesterday morning. Needless to say, I needed that hug as much as they did. I immediately felt better after the junket. Then I went home and slept away the afternoon and felt like a champ going into the premiere last night.

By the way, I would recommend Four Christmases. I found it entertaining and relatable (despite not having divorced parents). I laughed out loud more than once. It's exactly what it needs to be. A holiday comedy. It also features a chubby Tim McGraw who you might not recognize at first. As soon as it started I was all, this is going to make me want to go to San Francisco. And it did. Until last night when I found out it was shot in Venice. (california, not italy). wunh wunh. The director is Seth Gordon, who did The King of Kong (the arcade gaming documentary), which I super love.

I see Milk tonight, and I am finally getting the internet hooked up in my house tomorrow. 5 days and some change until Ireland. I need it.

A Love Letter for UWink

2008-11-17T11:57:00.000-08:00

Dear UWink,

I'm just going to say it. You're the best thing that's happened to winking since Sarah Palin. It's like you saw me coming. Supportive in my company's desire to watch Sunday football, but carrying a book for self entertainment. Not knowing what to expect, but being prepared for the typical sports bar. Then this happened:

Sports bar? Yes. HUGE screens adorn every wall-ish space...I think there were at least 7 in the room we were seated in. And they're as large as some screening room screens. Several different games can be shown at once, and they were quick to project the game we were apparently there to watch to a screen within our eye line. So service? A+.

As a fan of self checkout, I basically devoured the touch screen monitor at our table. Being able to order our drinks and our food ourselves, indicating what to hold or add. I was having way too much fun and we weren't even playing the games yet! The only issue we had with ordering was that we couldn't indicate "on the side." But we survived.

We got spinach artichoke dip and some wing-style things. Both were yummy. So food? (snackwise at least) A. The rest of the menu looked appetizing, so I'm anxious to get back when I'm hungry enough for a whole meal. The one downside? No spinach salad...but I'll forgive them, as that's a common "miss" on menus.

Finally it was game time. We were most entertained by Zillionaire, a trivia question in the vein of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? I also enjoyed group games where we played against other tables in the restaurant. Superfun. We won the game where you find the differences in the two pictures and came in 4th out of 16 tables in the word scramble (which was actually kinda hard). Needless to say, I can't wait to go back. A+ for fun.

Your new friend,
MAB

In other news, my throat hurts from all the smoke I'm breathing in. It feels and smells like someone is standing in front of you smoking and exhaling right into your face. The sky over downtown and my part of LaLa Land looks a lot better and bluer today tho. There's still flecks of ash floating around, but yesterday they looked like flurries and it's not that bad today.

What I don't understand about these fires is why they were so ferocious about burning down homes. In my time out here it seems very rare that so many homes will be burned down. It's usually a lot of acreage and some out buildings. So many people homeless. I liked what Gov Schwarzenegger said yesterday about helping everyone out. Then I kept repeating: Remember when he really is our governor?? for like 5 minutes because even tho that's been the case almost as long as I've lived here, I still can't get used to it.

In other LA news, I got a street cleaning ticket today. $55. W.T.F. First of all, that's just ridiculous. Second of all, not only is it RIDICULOUS, but WTF is that money being used for? They made over $300 on my block alone this morning. As someone who as of late has walked several miles of LA streets, they are in SHITTY condition, and I wanna know how my money is being spent.

In other walking in LA news, I participated in the nationwide no on 8 rally. It was so hot here. Like 90 degrees. I bailed after a few miles. I had already stood in the sun listening to speeches. Mayor Villaragoisa gave a GREAT speech and then gave it again in Spanish and then went back to the fires. Drew Barrymore said she wished she was gay in her speech. Lucy Lawless, Ricki Lake and Marissa Jaret Winokur were also there. (Paging Tracy Turnblatt.) The heat SUCKED but the crowd was amazing. Several fun signs - and outfits - were spotted.

I have pictures, but still no internet at mi casa. I've come to the realization that I am going to have to swallow my pride and call Time Warner as they are the only ones who can give me what I want. Boo monopolies.

Before I go. Ben Folds. BRILLIANTLYAMAZINGSPECTACULARFANTABULOUS. He played everything I would have asked for. Old. New. Fast. Slow. GREAT crowdside manner. He taught us things. He talked to us. He let us sing. If I would have been in the front row he would have touched me. He apologized for not coming to LA more often. He did two encores. He played two and a half hours. I was in heaven the entire time.

Sometimes...

2008-11-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

It's like Rosie Thomas is in my head. Even when I'm not in that place where I sometimes go.

For the second day in a row, her song "Sell All My Things" has come up randomly on Pandora.(and no, not on a "Rosie Thomas - Sell All My Things" channel!!)

Here are the lyrics:

In a little while I'll feel better
Gonna travel around the world
Gonna see it all...

Gonna go to Paris, maybe Rome
But I'll feel better miles away from home,
Gotta figure some things out...

So sell all my things, I'm not coming home...
There's nothing there to keep me there...
Just heartache and headache and worries and things that'll bring me down
My head feels much clearer being here

In a little while I'll feel better
Gonna spill my heart to every stranger in every town
I'll visit castles in Ireland, have some fella play the violin and play a song for me...

So sell all my things, I'm not coming home...
There's nothing there to keep me there...
Just heartache and panic and worries and things that'll bring me down
My head feels much clearer being here.

Again, I'm not in that place right this second, but I definitely vacation there. And that part about castles and violins in Ireland? Well I'll be there in a couple weeks.

I'm also still very much enjoying Tunde. Mostly for the couplet "Never put her roots down, Daddy always kept movin, so she did too." But also because I love that part of the movie.

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Congrats to my Cousin Amanda and her husband Bill who are doing an AMAZING thing for FOUR kids. They're adopting them!! Three of the four are birth siblings and able to stay together because of the generosity of A & B. Way to go, you guys!

Irish Eyes Are Smiling

2008-11-12T12:51:00.000-08:00

I leave for Ireland two weeks from today. TWO WEEKS. That's crazy! I need more sweaters! scarves! a new coat? I figure I'm just getting my Sundance shopping done early.

I'm only going to be there for 3 days really when you figure in the flying times and stuff. But I have quite a few things I want to see and do while there.

Swell Season. In a church. The reason I'm embarking on this random cross-Atlantic adventure.

2. The Cliffs of Moher. I like pretty things.

3. Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet. I'm not usually into the whole "hanging out with a whole bunch of other tourists" thing, but this sounds fun.

4. Angela's Ashes Walking Tour. I like sad things.

Buskers? Yes please. Pints and good Irish brogue convo? Done and done.

So yeah, I'm planning to stick to the west coast...Shannon, Limerick, County Clare...I'll save Dublin for another time. I'm staying at a quaint B & B and still trying to figure out how I'm going to stomach a multi-course homemade breakfast.

Why I Walk

2008-11-10T23:34:00.000-08:00

Pictures of a (Peaceful) Protest

2008-11-06T14:44:00.001-08:00

I walked more than 10 miles last night in support of my friends and a cause I believe in. What started as a rally turned into (mostly due to the restlessness of my group and one behind us) a march from WeHo up to Sunset all the way to CNN and then to Hollywood and Highland and back. The police, altho they looked menacing in their riot gear, were super nice and helpful and supportive. I love the energy of an event like that. My battle cries for this proposition have been "Yes for Kait, No on 8" and "If straight people can marry gay people, why can't gay people marry gay people?"

I liked it when I figured out I could replace the chant "Eat More Rice!" when I got tired of repeating "Equal Rights!" They sound the same.

The magnitude of the crowd. Numbers wise we've heard 2500, 5000, up to 10k.

Blocking the Sunset Strip.

It was like a parade. We had spectators. I liked when Kait yelled at them to join us. Even better when some of them actually did.

This is outside Hollywood and Highland.

I match the Gap Baby. When the chant switched to "What do we want?" I answered: "That baby!" "When do we want it?" "Now!"

This isn't over.

Miles walked: More than 10

People: Thousands

Times I had to stop at a liquor store for water: 1

Number of feet that still hurt: 2

Number of times I got hit on and had to tell someone I wasn't a lesbian: 1

Thanks to all the people who honked. Or waved. Or cheered. Or stopped their cars. Or cried at the sight of our magnitude. Here's a couple of videos from the event. The first is the sit in at CNN that was sorta anticlimatic. The second is what happened when two groups came together at Hollywood and Highland.

Happy Election Day!

2008-11-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

Oh...and No on Prop 8.

F is for Fox

2008-11-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Being so far away while my 7 nephews and nieces grow up can be (obviously) difficult. My fear of course is that they won't remember me. That each of my visits will require one of those horrible warm-up periods that ends the day I leave.

Somehow, we've avoided that for the most part. I'm not sure if it's been my increased visits this year, or pretty consistent phone relationships or just that their parents do a good job of keeping me on their minds. Whatever it is, it's working and I appreciate it.

Which brings me to this story. I talk to my younger sister Melody every day, every other day. We've been pretty consistent communicators since I left St Louis 5 and a half years ago (!). Even when I lived in Paris, we were constantly on Skype. To the point that Hunter (shown here) - even at 2 yrs old - knew what the computer alert was for my online status, and would call my name at the computer.

So yesterday Melody calls me because when they got in the car Hunter (now 4.5) asked "Are we going to see Aunt Mary Anne?" Melody answered no but then called me and passed him the phone. The following is a remembered transcription of our convo.

Me: Hey! How was trick or treating? Did you get lots of candy?
H: I dumped it all on the ground!
Me: OMG! Your mom and I used to do the same thing! What's your favorite?
H: Swedish Fish!
Me: Swedish Fish? Really? That's a funny candy for a kid to have be his favorite. (I wasn't being as unsupportive or condescending as this sounds.)
H: It has numbers on it. (He means letters.) Are you going to be at Grandma and Grandpa's when we get there?
Me: No sweetheart I'm sorry.
H: Are you coming to my house for Chicken Day? (Melody in the background yells "Turkey Day!")
Me: (laughing) No, I'm going to Ireland.
H: WHAAAAT? (This wasn't whiney. It was hilarious. Like WTF?)
Me: I'll be there at Christmastime tho.
H: Ok I love you and miss you.

Of course then I go to Walgreens and all I see is a ginormous bag of Swedish Fish Halloween candy. Had he not just been bragging about his loot I would have stuck an address label on it then and there.

My wkend was pretty chill. It was fally and rainy here and I heard precisely third claps of thunder on Saturday. To say thunder is a rarity in the city of Los Angeles is a gross understatement. It was glorious.

I lounged on my couch Friday night and watched Paranoid Park and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Believe it or not, I had never seen the latter. I loved it. Paul, Robert, the music, the comedy, the bike riding...SO fun. Saturday I saw Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I found it entertaining and I laughed more than I thought I was going to. Saturday night we ventured to a nearby bowling alley that was neither completely ghetto nor shi-shi. I was reminded how bad I am at bowling. I mean bad. During the second game it took me like 5 frames to get my score past 6. I wish I were lying.

Yesterday it was off to try out the swap meet in my new-ish neighborhood. Walking around we discovered that we would be better off if we knew some Spanish for haggling purposes. Or at the very least, to ask "How much?"

The wkend was capped off with the hanging of the curtains. After 4 visits to Bed Bath and Beyond, I finally got everything right - the length of the curtain rod, the projection of said rod, the length of the curtains, the number of panels...who knew it was such a project to try to block out 99% of the light??

Of course laying in bed in the now pitch black room I realized how "dark" dark is. And it still took me 2 hours to fall asleep.

But I was here at work by 6h30a...woo hoo? I'm on mornings again this week. I also had a satellite intv with Anne Hathaway about her new movie Rachel Getting Married. I would have liked it (the movie, not the intv) MORE had it not made me nauseous, but I liked it. Anne was nice to me and I got her to laugh, so I feel good about it. I have another SMT (sat intv) with Paul Rudd later this week. I'm glad he won't be able to see me dazed in his attention.

A Brand New Day

2008-10-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

Last night, as I laid in bed lamenting my lackluster evening on the red carpet (it does happen) and trying in vain to get some sleep before coming back into work at 7 this morning, I had an epiphany.

One day this past June, I sat on the floor of the Caribbean. And not only did I sit there, 60 some odd feet from the surface, but I took off my mask (not once, but twice!). It was my least favorite part of scuba training (as you can imagine) but I was successful at taking it off, not panicking (too bad!) or dying, and replacing it. All too often I feel like I forget my own strength. I appreciated the memory that (like many of mine lately) was a little too easy to forget.

As I said, I came into work early this morning. The drowsy drive to work ended up being worth it tho as I turned my car to face east, right into a beautifully vibrant cloudy sunrise. ROYGBIV. It seemed every color of the rainbow spread over downtown like a spider web (pls forgive the Halloween-themed analogy). The red orange and yellow creeped over the horizon so brightly that I briefly wondered if the entire Eastern half of the state might be on fire.

I just purchased my tix to go home for the holidays. "Purchased" meaning "used frequent flier miles." The tix were gonna be way expensive. Luckily I had the miles. So note to StLans...I'll be in from Dec 19-28...done and done.

I didn't realize I was feeling this way until Pandora told me I was. That bizatch is smart.

It's Been a Week

2008-10-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

What I've been up to since last I posted.

1. I interviewed Clint Eastwood. At the Changeling premiere. I hadn't seen the movie yet but I had read a fabulous LA Times piece about it. I loved that piece so much I emailed the reporter about it. It's because of her that I asked Clint intelligent questions that he appreciated.

2. I ate here. Halibut steak with a side of wine and sweet potato fries? Yes please.

3. I saw Changeling. I was glad I had read the background and knew about the story. I was glad I had met all the men in the cast and knew that in real life, they were really nice guys. It's a fantastic and amazing story, and one we almost didn't hear. Christine Collins gets the kudos on this one.

4. I took a 9.5 mile bike ride in Santa Monica. The ride included a trip to the farmer's market, a beachside view, and great time with friends. I more than once exclaimed "I feel like we're little kids riding around the neighborhood!" But let me emphasize to you that I am not a workout person. I need to be. I keep saying I'm going to get a bike, I just don't know which one to get. A cruiser or a multi speed? I rode a 3 speed cruiser and kept it on the same speed the whole time. What does that mean?? I enjoyed the ride tho. Hopefully I'll enjoy the Intro to Pilates just as much.

5. I saw the Dave Brubeck quartet perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. I love the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The acoustics are the best I've ever heard. This was my second concert there and I can't wait to return for a Chamber performance. That's right, I'm 80. Well maybe I'm not, but Dave is. Over 80 in fact. And as I was shaking his frail hand backstage, I marveled at the fact that a man who could barely walk to the piano could play it so magically and nimbly. I was not used to seeing jazz performed in such a large venue, but I got used to it, got into it, and enjoyed myself immensely.

6. I interviewed Ron Howard. And Ben Stiller. And the guy who is going to play Edward Cullen in the Twilight movie. They weren't the only ones, but it was the Hollywood Film Awards carpet and it was crazy and they were the names you would recognize of the peeps I talked to.

I'm not sure what I've done since then (aside from getting a lot of random bug bites on a daily basis). My Ireland trip is as planned as I plan such jaunts. I do need to still reserve a rental. I drove on the wrong side of the road and dealt with roundabouts in Grand Cayman, so I'm not worried about that. I am slightly worried about operating a stick shift with my left hand, as manual transmissions are like $100 cheaper. Since I know how to drive a manual, I should take advantage of the talent and save a few bucks.

It rained today in LA and Corey Haim got engaged. I'm pretty sure that means the apocalypse is near.

I'm on my way out the door for the kickoff of the AFI fest. I'm happy to know that my cleaning lady came today and everything will be so fresh and so clean clean when I get home. I don't have any Halloween plans. I go back and forth as to whether I'm ok with that. I do enjoy a good Halloween party, and loved attending the WeHo celebration a few years back, but it's pretty late in the game to come up with a costume and make plans, so chances are I'll make it a Netflix night.

That was just the longest run-on sentence ever.

I wish I was a little kid and could trick or treat. But not the kind of trick or treating where it's cold and sleeting and you have to wear a coat over your costume so it really doesn't matter what you're dressed up as anyway.

The end.

All in a Day's Work

2008-10-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

I like these guys:

This one seems to like me. Or at least my question:

There seems to be some perplexing going on here:

See Role Models when it comes out November 7. Seriously. You won't be sorry. Unless you're not a fan of laughing until a little pee comes out.

Kodak Moments

2008-10-21T19:26:00.001-07:00

Guess what? I'm at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. You know what that means?! Vanilla chai and sleepless nights? Yes. But also, and more importantly, a photo blog. Remember when I went back to the STL to take the kids to see Bev Hills Chihuahua? Here are some of my fave pix from that trip.

L and Baby J. Looking at me with admiration.

His bib reads "My Aunt Loves Me." It's true.

Brotherly love.

If you're a serial reader, you know that my parents bought back a house we lived in when I was little. What you don't know is that me and Melody took first day of school pictures in this exact same spot. This wasn't his first day of school, but he was wearing a backpack and I couldn't ignore the similarities. Albeit 25 years later...(!)

Four on a gourd.

I love this picture. Even tho it makes me sad that my Nedro is so grown up.

On a side note, I don't agree with Whitney Houston on a lot of things, but I do agree that children are our future and that we should teach them young and let them lead the way. And with that, I'll leave you with this.

Stay tuned for his take on the debates.

Hope for the Hopeless

2008-10-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

We can't all be wrong.

Consequently, I very much enjoyed Sarah Palin's appearance on SNL. That opening was one of the best things I've ever seen on the show. And Amy Poehler...whoa. That's one serious baby bump. But you totally rocked it with the rap.

I had the junket this wkend for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. After my last blog about the movie, my friend Lyndsay had asked for my true advice as to whether she should see the movie. I told her if she was a film buff looking for a great film, sure. If, however, she was looking for an entertaining weekend movie...not so much. It was a great talking point to kick off my junket interviews tho. (Thanks again, L!) How do you tell your friends to see a movie that will break their hearts? I posed it to everyone. They all had thoughtful answers as to why the movie is so important and relevant and bigger than its heartbreaking story line. But I most enjoyed the response from the movie's director Mark Herman. "Sometimes it's good to get your heart broken." Wow.

After the junket (which also included a fun discussion about intrauterine hiccups with Vera Farmiga) I got my eyebrows waxed and unsuccessfully hunted for a new pair of jeans.

Then it was off to the Huntington botanical Gardens with NDG and pals. It was for an event called Drama After Dark: A Night of the Macabre with Poe and Gorey. I am not a haunted house or scary anything kind of person. (She says as she is obscenely obsessed with a book series about vampires.) But I am a literature person. And Poe was nothing if not a literary. Picture candlelit monologues of your favorite Poe works interspersed with flashlight walks through the gardens. It was super enjoyable, and beneficial, as I had apparently combined every Poe story into one crazy drama wherein someone was buried in the floor, and then bricked into the wall, and there was a Raven and a one-eyed cat...I've been set straight now.

There was a brief moment in the evening when I was sitting next to the youngest member of our party and we were discussing the challenges of growing up and the struggles of 6th and 7th grade. When she told me she was about to turn 12, I did the quick math and turned to her in horror. "Wait, so, you were born in 1996?!" I think she was in awe of my mad subtraction skills as she innocently replied "Yep." My horror continued as I told her that while she was being born I was in the middle of finals my FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE. WhuWhat? I have obviously met people younger than me and remember when several of my cousins who are now mostly grown up were born, but to sit next to someone and have them tell you they were born the year you graduated high school is a startling moment.

I had a Lazy Sunday lounging and reading and wandering around my neighborhood. Oh wait, then I bought curtains. Chocolate brown. To block out the sun in my bedroom so I can sleep past 7:30a on the weekends. I've never bought window treatments before, and I don't have a lot of confidence in my abilities to do so, but the guy who checked me out at Bed Bath and Beyonce told me I could return them if they're "all wrong." I think I might need a third panel as I'm attempting to cover the window and the door. I measured and everything, but curtains don't come in very many different widths so we'll see how it goes...

NDG and I capped off the weekend by seeing The Secret Life of Bees. I liked it. I cried tho. A lot. But not in the heartbreaking way of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This was more of a common-for-me movie cry wherein the tears run down your face and neck and don't stop until they're puddling somewhere near your belly button. Dakota Fanning brought it - and brought me to tears. A LOT. And I can't believe we never would have known about Jennifer Hudson had it not been for American Idol. That is crazy. Alicia Keys. On the cello. Great performances all around.

I read the book a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, so I'm always apprehensive about movie adaptations. As I walked out of the theater, I heard the woman behind me say, "she did such a good job of adapting it." Always looking for community, I turned around and said "I was just thinking the same thing!" I was looking right into the face of Regina King. You know her from Jerry Maguire, Friday, 227...We commisserated briefly about our love for the book and then went on our separate ways.

Then it was off to The Waffle for perhaps the best scrambled eggs I've ever had in my entire life. That's saying a lot because I love me some scrambled eggs and have them quite frequently. They were so fluffy and the color of perfection and super amazing.

I have a busy week ahead, but I'm mostly looking forward to it. I see Synechdoche, New York tonight. I was supposed to see "The Changeling" Weds, but now instead I'm covering the "Role Models" premiere. I super wanna see The Changeling, but I would much rather find myself face to face with this guy:

Not to mention my buddy Seann William Scott. I have high hopes for that red carpet. (If you'll remember, I luerved the movie.) I hope they're not too high (my hopes, that is...not the actors).

The title "Hope for the Hopeless" references the A Fine Frenzy I was jamming to thanks to Pandora when I began this blog. And now it's over. The end.

Insert Sad Face Here

2008-10-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

1. I'm not a HUGE dessert person. But I like cookies. Especially these:

But apparently I won't be able to get them anymore. This cloud's silver lining is that at least I can make snickerdoodles, so I know they can't take those away from me.

2. Then in MORE say it isn't so news.....THIS happens. I love Once. I love Glen and Mar. I'm going to Ireland by myself for craps sake to see them perform in a church because I can't fathom the awesomeness. But WHY??? Why rob this little movie of what it is so perfectly by turning it into something so produced? PS I saw Dirty Dancing the Stage Show. If that's any indicator...abort mission now. Please. For the love of God. No, seriously. I'm not kidding.

3. I could have met Dave Grohl last night. But instead I was seeing this. I love pajamas. And little kids. I knew this movie would be tough based on the storyline, but I had to see it, as I'm doing the junket this weekend. (See? this job - even tho it's a lot of movies and a lot of fun - isn't ALWAYS about fun movies.) This movie BROKE MY HEART. My chest literally hurt as I drove away from the screening room. There were heaves. I'll show you the trailer and I'll never speak of it again. The performances were great, but it's tough to call a movie like this "good" and I don't feel like I wanna tell anyone to see it. I've had a lot of talks since seeing it about *why movies like this are made. All I can figure is that it gives us a different perspective on a subject we already know was horrible.

4. My housekeeper isn't working out as well as I had hoped. I don't know if I'm being picky or if she's not doing a good job. Since I've asked her repeatedly to focus on the floors and have evidence that she's not moving things before cleaning, I'm leaning toward her not doing a good job.

Instead of posting my brother's comment to my previous blog entry, I'm going to throw in something we can agree on. Taylor Swift.

There's a reason I'm not political. And this week I was reminded of why.

Speaking of my bro and politics, I have plans to see W. tonight. I also wanna see Secret Life of Bees this wkend. And I have the aforementioned junket. I've met Vera Farmiga before and enjoy her, so that's my silver lining there.

Still enjoying reading the Twilight books. I literally read until I can't keep my eyes open anymore. I'd rather be reading them than just about anything else. I like how this series - as much as Harry Potter did years ago - is encouraging young people to read. I'm not into vampires or sci fi or anything, but Stephanie Meyer taps into that adolescent romance that I relate to all too well. Another cool thing is that if you go to her website, you can check out the songs she listened to while writing. A soundtrack to the book if you will. Music AND Books and a movie to boot? YES PLEASE.

Dear Joseph Gordon Levitt...

2008-10-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have said it better.

Remember When

2008-10-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

I talked about going apple picking and I told you that one day I would go to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and use their free internet to load them here? Well today is your day. I sit here on a patio too filled with smoke for my taste fulfilling the task. Seriously. I sat down in a corner away from everyone and moments ago was surrounded by heavy chain smokers. Best of intentions...

Anywho...apple picking...a photo essay.

Warning: This is apparently not the correct pole technique.

It was, however, successful, which is why I love this picture - and my ironic face - so much.

I did not spot Brer Rabbit. I did find some choice apples though.

At one point we took a walk up the road, and I got super parched (remember how I told you it was 90 degrees?), and there was no alternative but to "borrow" some water from this garden hose. That's how they do it in the country, right?

Um yes that is an old covered wagon. And yes I did trespass to take this picture.

As you can imagine, we were super picky about the apples that would become our cider.

Bleach water bath.

Hi little apple. I'm gonna grind you and press you and drink you all up.
Step one: Grinding.

After I gave it a whirl, I noticed these two boys looking longingly at the process. They were more than willing to give us a hand. That's Tony looking at the camera and his brother Ivan concentrating on the grinding.

All grinded up.

Ivan and Tony's work was far from done. Get to pressin', boys. Even their father was impressed with their team work.

As were we. That's a lot of cider.

A gallon in fact. Sidenote: I don't think this guy is "dressing the part." I think this is who he is, some gentle apple giant who enjoys chopping applewood and making cider.

We didn't see any. But I enjoyed the sign.

Ah, the last shot of the day. And perhaps the most hilarious. I'm eating ribs. Which I never eat. Probably because this is what I look like when I eat ribs. I'm surrounded by bees. I'm outsided out. I'm sporting the double glasses but they've fallen from grace. It makes me laugh every time I look at it and that's why I knew I had to include it here.

Sweller than Swell

2008-10-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

Alright so I kinda wrote this from the bottom up and it's going a bit crazy. I'll tell you that just when I thought Friday night's Swell Season/Iron and Wine show in San Diego was amazing (and it was!), the LA version at the Greek ROCKED MY SOCKS. Seriously. Here's a review. I'll spoil it and tell you that besides being an all around incredible show and having them singing everything I wanted and falling madly in love with their new stuff and covering not only Van Morrison but Neil Young, Glen brought out 80-year old Richard Sherman. He's the guy responsible for a lot of Disney music you know and love. He was spry and fun and led the sold out crowd in a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious singalong. Super surreal. And definitely an "only in LA do these kinds of things happen" moment. (Fast forward to when we got home and there had been a Mary Poppins skit on SNL. Fuhreaky.)

Here are a couple of songs from the San Diego show I found on youtube. They're of better audio quality than the ones I found online from the LA show...The first is a heartbreaker from the movie. The second is one of Mar's new ones.

I LOVE the repetitive part at the end of that new one..."every now and then on my mind" and then just "on my mind." BEAUTIFUL. I can't wait for the next cd. Seriously. OMG.

What the heck, here's more from that show...

here's another new song that i super liked (again better recorded audio than what whoever taping it at the greek got).

I'm not sure why I'm sitting here at work instead of following them around Europe right now. If I think about it for any length of time I'll be on the next Aer Lingus flight out.

They're in Paris on November 5...anyone??? Nevermind...they're playing a church in Limerick Thanksgiving weekend...that seems tailormade for an Irish jaunt, no?!? I'm seriously on Orbitz weighing my options, folks. I don't mess around. I think I have usable frequent flier miles. This is getting exciting.

I haven't even mentioned the Liz Phair Troubadour show which was also super crazy great. It was vintage. It was rocking. It was intimate, and again, she sang everything I would have written down on a list for her to play. She played Exile in Guyville all the way through and ended with Supernova and Polyester Bride. Thank you. I never dreamt a wkend chock full of concerts (one requiring a 5+ hour roundtrip drive for a 2 hour show) could so easily live up to the hype. It did.

PS That whole bailout thing went well, huh Wall Street? Guess it doesn't always pay to have the government in your pockets. Now you know how the rest of us feel.

Alright I have to get to work (on buying these tix to Ireland WHAT!) But seriously, I've only got a 4 day work week and then it's off to the StL to see Bev Hills Chihuahua and pick some pumpkins with the kiddos. Awesome.

5 Things I Learned from Kirk Cameron

2008-10-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

1. Marriage is universal. (Was he trying in some way to say No on Prop 8? I think so.)
2. He refuses to kiss another woman so they used his wife Chelsea Noble as a stand-in for the woman playing his wife during the movie's romantic scene.
3. First responders (police, fire) have a 75-90% divorce rate.
4. Don't follow your heart. Lead your heart. (That's the lesson he learned from the movie.)
5. Fireproof will be more helpful than Growing Pains.

(That last one came after I told him I was going to play the Growing Pains Theme Song at my wedding. Yes I did. Nobody was cutting me off and after more than 8 minutes I was over talking about Fireproof. We're lucky I resisted the STRONG urge to blurt out "Michael Aaron Seaver!")

His new movie is called "Fireproof" and it's basically a box office phenomenon.

The interview was via satellite. Which means I was on the phone and could see him, but he couldn't see me. Which means for the first couple seconds until our connection hooked up he was on screen repeating my name all sing songy like. Which means I was being honest when the first thing I said was: "I finally get the chance to interview you and it's via satellite."

He looked cute. The same. Put together. He didn't talk or act crazy. He spoke smartly and brought up the movie's title quite frequently. He was nice and answered all of my questions. There was afterglow.

I'm Basically Ione Skye

2008-09-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

I have glimpsed the future of elevators, and all I can say is...Go back.

They've installed the Miconic 10 at our studio. Basically you select the floor number from outside the elevator, then it tells you which elevator will take you to your destination. Once inside the elevator there are no buttons to change your path. It only stops at pre-programmed floors. Fuh-reaky. It's also humorous to me that a place horribly infested with mice, rats and roaches spends their money on a high-tech elevator system. Anyone who visits complains about the complicated layout of the building. Not being able to operate the elevators is only going to exacerbate that. OH! Except there are nice young men placed outside the elevators offering tutorials and informative flyers.

RIP Paul Newman. You did a great thing for KBM's grandma.

I had a great weekend. Lots of fun. I think the only I did because I needed to (excl the hygienic basics of course) was go to Babies R Us, which let's face it, is really enjoyable for me.

Friday night I watched the debate and then Across the Universe, which I would recommend to Beatles fans. Like my mom. (Stick with it through the trippy Bono part. Yes the movie would do better without it, but you'll still enjoy it as a whole.)

Saturday there were crepes and then later there was a steak-filled trip to the Outback, putt putt and batting cages. The latter three events encompassed a Suburbanight. Because that's where we have to go to do those things. I got a hole in one. And more than one holes in six. I chose skee-ball over batting cages as I neither bat left nor right, but moreso hope that would I ever need to beat up an intruder it wouldn't matter which side I was hitting from.

Sunday it was off to Oak Glen for some fall-ness. Well, I thought it was going to be fall. It's been super warm here lately (like 90), but I thought "we're heading to the mountains...and it's the end of September...throw the sweaters in the car!" Meanwhile it was 90 degrees there too. But we had a blast. Picking apples, pressing our own cider, panning for gold. And through sunglass lenses the leaves appeared to be autumn colors, so that was something. Lots of good pictures and video that - you guessed it - you'll see when I find time to walk down to the library or to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to use the free wireless internet.

I have lots of apples and pears and have plans for at least one pie and a cake that I saw them make on Take Home Chef. I'm ambitious. I bought a corer and am going to pick up a mandolin slicer and souffle dish on my way home. Frankly I like just saying mandolin slicer because it makes me feel kitchen smart, and I think if I don't slice off a finger it will be super fun.

Speaking of home... I've done it. I've hired someone to clean my one bedroom apartment. I've struggled with this idea for a while now, but have finally allowed myself the luxury. As someone told me, I'm also giving someone work, which these days is a good thing. It's just that I don't wanna spend the little free time I have scrubbing floors and toilets (well ok, just the one). I'm going to have her come over twice a month, which I think will be enough.

Meeting time! Woo hoo!

Rolling With It

2008-09-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

I don't feel much like blogging. I prefer the idea of a nap at the moment.

But I feel like I owe it to all of mankind to tell you to see the movie Role Models.

Paul Rudd. Seann William Scott. Enough said.

Here's the trailer:

Seriously I don't think I've laughed this hard at a movie in a VERY long time. And it's one of those movies where you're basically laughing the entire time. At one point I think most of us in the audience went into convulsions. And there was clapping at the end. I can't stress to you how often clapping doesn't happen at press screenings.

Ok enough hyping.

But really. See it.
If you were watching it with me I could interject "that's my work!" and "that's our lobby!" because they shot it at our studios. That's always exciting. I think I mentioned on here when I ran into Seann at the elevators. I now realize we probably could have totally been extras in a scene had we just gone up and visited like he told us to. Next time I'll remember it's all about the follow through.

Meeting my friend Katie for dinner tonight. We live in the same city but haven't seen each other since May...totally ridic.

This weekend I've got putt putt and picking apples on the agenda. And hopefully a lot of sleep. We'll see how that shakes out. (And so much for cleaning up the place!)

In computer news, I got my pc files transferred to my mac which sounds way sexier than it really is. Exciting nonetheless. Still trying to find a wireless internet provider...

A Tale of Two Bikes

2008-09-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

It was the best of times...it was the best of times...

Ok so this wkend went by so fast I still can't believe I'm already back at work. I didn't do a lot of really productive stuff but boy did I have fun, and that's productive enough for me.

Friday night it was Judd Apatow and Friends at the UCB. It was preceded by an awesome chicken burger and pear cider at Birds. Then came Judd...and his "friends." Friends like Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Kevin James and...ADAM SANDLER. Seriously. Adam Sandler stand up for 30 minutes? Yes please. Even if he was in character. Very surreal. I also really liked THIS girl. Very subtle and dry. I did not enjoy - and thanks to NDG's suggestion was able to escape - Andy Dick's set.

Saturday I went and test drove the aformentioned Chinese Flying Pigeon bike. It's super heavy and old school and I like it. A lot. But instead of buying it on the spot, I agreed it was better for me to testdrive a few other options.

Saturday night it was off to the bowl with an amazing Boar's Head turkey and provolone sammie. (Thanks Mayfair Market). The berries were da bomb. It was the best experience acoustic wise I had ever experienced at the bowl. I've never lucked out with good sound there, so I'm guessing it was our dead center seats. The talent didn't disappoint either. MGMT? awesome. Spoon? great as always. (I love me some brass!) Beck was super fun too. He played a great variety. The orchestra conducted by his dad came out about half way through. (I also love me some strings!) Super fun night.

Sunday morning I woke up super early and made good time to Long Beach to watch my friends compete in the triathlon. Bragging on their behalf there was a medal and awesomeness involved. It was the first time I had ever watched one. I've watched the LA marathon before but it still amazes me the desire of some people to do that sorta thing and call it fun. The range (age, size, skill level) of people participating was at the same time surprising and encouraging. Everyone was done in less than 3 hours. The winners were done in just under one.

Sunday afternoon it was more bike testdrives. I don't think I ever imagined that choosing a bike would be such a difficult decision. I just wanna ride a bike again. Sunday I tried a variety of bikes with more than one speed. And now it's like this choice I have to make. Do I go with the aesthetically stunning and unique single speed or pay a little more and get like 7 speeds and have to roll up my pants leg. It should also be mentioned that I'm physically attracted to the multigear bike I'm considering (the Giant Sedona). It also comes in a pistachio color similar to my Kitchenaid mixer. Everyone kept repeating that it basically just matters what I want the bike for. I want it to ride it. DUH. But how much do I wanna ride it? I don't know. I like the idea of riding it to grocery shop, and in parks and on the beach. Do I want to mountain bike? No. Do I want to competitively bike? H no. So yeah, my very own DECISION 2008. Any advice or comments on the subj would be greatly appreciated.

Speaking of DECISION 2008. I'm so done with this whole government thing. Stop volunteering for me to pay thousands of dollars to clean up the mess for companies that I have nothing to do with. The government couldn't help me pay for college (and already punishes me financially for being single and making a good living), why should I be required to help them bail out some ill-run corporation? I shouldn't. And McCain...Obama...stop with the mudslinging already. One of you should start talking about what you're going to do to fix things not what the other one is going to do to make things worse. People need solutions. Our country needs solutions. It's so annoying. I'm over it. And for the love of GOD can people stop trying to prevent same sex marriage? What does any of it have to do with you? That's right, it doesn't. Matter of fact it wouldn't affect you at all. So vote NO on Prop 8 and let them eat (wedding) cake. Me? I don't even like cake. And I'm not too sold on the whole marriage thing. But I'm straight and won't ever have to worry about someone else (like the GOVERNMENT for craps sake) telling me who I can or can't marry should I decide to do so. I've never been into political ads, but I like this one and think it creatively and effectively gets the message across.

(ok, stepping down from soap box now.)

Ok, so back to Sunday. After test driving and getting more confused about the bike decision...We headed over to watch this neat thing I had read about on Daily Candy. It involved a comedy troupe reading the transcript of the "Meet Me in St Louis" radio program. Super fun.

Afterwards we ventured to Yogurtland. KBM had told me about it earlier in the day. Talk about sensory overload. You pick the yogurt. You pick the toppings. You do it yourself. And then it's only like 3 cents an ounce. I got more than enough for like $2.50 (less than what I pay at Coldstone). And it's fat free fro yo! The only issue I have is the same I have with buffets because that's how the topping center is set up. I don't find that the most sanitary experience ever...but it was yummy and fun and I'll most definitely go back.

Then we watched some Emmys and I was reminded how annoying awards shows have become, which sucks because I really used to like them a lot.

I wish I could run into Jon Hamm at work today so I could tell him how much I enjoyed his reaction shot when Bryan Cranston won. I also liked the Ricky Gervais - Steve Carell moment as the Steve Carell moment topped my list last year. I'm still not sure how Carell was able to maintain his straight face.

Things I didn't do this wkend that I should have:

laundry
eyebrow waxing
swept up the place (wood floors in a second story apt get supes dusty.)

That is all.

I have The Raconteurs and The Kills tonight. Tomorrow I'm junketing The Lucky Ones and seeing Flash of Genius. Wednesday I start a 3 week stint on the 7a shift (God help me!) and see Role Models. (Seann William Scott? Paul Rudd? Yes please squared!) Shaping up to be another busy week.

NDG and I are co-dependent

2008-09-19T12:58:00.001-07:00

Duh.

We work in separate suites, and often have to use post-its to communicate as our schedules don't always coincide. She's collected mine into a wall mural. Sometimes I look at them and laugh out loud. She thinks that's funny.

If I had a scanner, I would scan them in because that would obviously be better. But I don't. So in the words of that girl from Kid Nation..."Deal with it!"

Here's some of the ones that still make me laugh.

"Your candle is very aromatic. This pen writes so smoothly. Are you trying to seduce me? Seriously. MAB."

"This is a little post-it with a big message. I miss you. Let's hang out. MAB" (this was written on one of those itty bitty post-its.)

(this one was written while she was away at Comic-Con last year): "Comic-Con makes me sad :( San Diego makes me happy. :) I'm so confused. MAB"

"Sometimes when you're in meetings I get real sad and look like this :( The End. MAB"

"dear ndg Once you're over 9 years old, consistently writing with pencils is hard. The more you know. <3 MAB" (this was obviously written with a pencil.)

"NDG - I wonder where you are. here are my guesses: 1. bathroom 2: edit bay 9 (if so, wunh wunh) 3. Katherine's office 4. walking around aimlessly (i like to walk around aimlessly). Please reply with your answer."

And finally:

"RocknRolla yourself! Pls don't hate that I have to be working. I actually should be working right now. LYMI! MAB"

Speaking of...I should be working right now...

Somewhere Between "So Much to Say" and "Be Ok"

2008-09-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

In other words, I'm a marriage of Dave Matthews and Ingrid Michaelson today.

NDG and I were just reflecting on how one kind compliment can change the course of a day. We crossed paths with a girl whose dress we admired here at the studio, and I told her we liked it. She had just hung up her phone and we supposed that maybe she just got dumped or found out a friend was losing a limb and was devastated until we told her we enjoyed her orange frock.

I wasn't having a particularly rough day, but having Amanda Foreman, the author of Georgiana: The Duchess of Devonshire, tell me this morning that I asked the best questions of her entire book tour was a definite mood elevator. I liked it even more when she asked me what I did besides this and knew immediately - and without asking - that I was a writer and that this job isn't the end all of my creative explorations.

Last night the girls and I took in a Mortified stage reading. I'm hooked. I loved it. Next month's event is already on my calendar. I wasn't religious to a journal or diary nor do I have the balls necessary to do such a public speaking event whilst a snapshot of my awkwardest stage is projected large enough for a room of hundreds to see. But boy do I enjoy listening to others' stories. (Not that I couldn't imagine looking at a picture of me and a certain high school crush while reading my schoolgirl poetry detailing a love so unrequited it could best be described in the lyrics of "Obsession" by Animotion.)

What else, what else.

I ran around my apartment all crazy like yesterday morning on a hunt for my keys only to realize I had left them in the lock the night before. GENIUS. (This is why when I post pictures of my apt I will not be showing the exteriors of the building nor in any way identify its location.)

The morning before I woke up cradling a pillow and rocking it like it was a baby. I'm guessing in my dreams it was. That same day I would find out that a friend back home was expecting and that my newest nephew is making life tough on my sister.

Mad Men. Dear Jon Hamm. I am trying. Ever since our awkward elevator exchange when I vowed to watch your series. It's up for a crazy number of Emmys this wkend. So I got the dvds on Netflix. I gotta say, I'm not sure what's wrong with me, but I'm really working hard to get through them. Maybe my mind is currently too scattered to focus on anything deeper than the new edition of 90210. It's highly possible. I will say that each episode I'm looking forward to the last 10 minutes or so when Don Draper exposes his true asshole-ness. I've heard nothing but good things about Season 2, so I'm anxiously awaiting catching up.

Grey's Anatomy comes back next week. Eh. We'll see how that goes. I'm definitely more excited for Pushing Daisies on Oct 1 and whenever How I Met Your Mother comes back.

I saw "The Lucky Ones" the other night. I like it. It's a different Rachel McAdams than I'm used to, but once I got used to it I liked her again. The movie starts kinda slow but I definitely enjoyed where it went. I was briefly taken out of it tho when, during their road trip, they go through St Louis. There's something that clutches my heart when I see the view of the Arch and downtown from westbound 40. They lost me tho when they were supposed to be driving west and instead they were on the service road in Chesterfield Valley (hello Lowe's and SONIC! (I've eaten there!) heading EAST. Quelle domage!

Actually, that happens a lot in movies, but it never ceases to annoy me when I actually am aware of the geography being assaulted. It happened with the Paris references in the Da Vinci Code and in Knocked Up at the end where they were supposedly driving to the east side but were in fact on the PCH headed for Malibu. At least I can understand that being used for beauty shot purposes.

I get to do the junket next week, and won't bring up the inaccuracies. It's my second junket with Rachel, which in my head makes us friends.

Alright I've gotta get to work. I'm excited about the weekend. I have a little Judd Apatow/Raining Jane action slated for tomorrow night. Then Saturday it's MGMT, Spoon and Beck - backed by an orchestra - which will be conducted by HIS DAD. How awesome does that sound? I'm super stoked. Then Sunday I'm going to cheer on a couple pals in the Long Beach Triathalon. After all, those who don't run cheer on those who do.

In case you were wondering...I want this bike:

It's Chinese. It's called "Flying Pigeon." And when I say I want it, it means I'm going to buy it unless I don't enjoy my test drive. And the one I'm gonna get has a basket on the front for grocery shopping purposes. And it's a girl version. (The one in the photograph is for boys.)

The end.

For the Love of Film

2008-09-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

The title refers to theme of this year's Toronto International Film Festival. Let's face it, there won't be a well detailed account of each day I spent in the Great White North. I'll include a couple of noteworthy tidbits here and we'll call it a day. I didn't end up having a laptop handy and I didn't take enough notes so I'm depending on my memory, which let's face it isn't fantastic.

(the first day)
Me: We're in a foreign country!!!
Jon: But everyone looks like us!!!

(the next night)
I was at one of the festival hotels for dinner. I had just followed a VERY skinny Thandie Newton down a corridor. I was walking up the stairs and looked over to the opposite curving staircase to see Gerard Butler. Then I watched as he checked me out and caught my gaze. Let it be known I was in no way dressed up. Let it also be known that I have never been attracted to Gerard Butler. And ALSO that I wasn't alone and my companion was witness to the happenings. So GB caught my eye and we shared this crazy captivating movie moment wherein I felt like I was dressed in the most flattering of evening gowns. That's the only way I can describe it.

I can still say I'm not super attracted to GB, but I can say I love the way he made me feel. And isn't that what we're all looking for?

No words were exchanged. We both continued our separate ways and that was it.

(some other day)
I was interviewing Susan Sarandon for her movie "Middle of Nowhere." I unfortunately hadn't seen the movie, but I'm usually pretty good about getting a conversation going wherein we get what we need and the subjects are so busy talking that they don't realize I'm not asking the specific questions that would reveal I haven't seen the movie.

So I'm interviewing Susan and the movie's director and somehow we totally get off track and start talking about drinking and kids drinking and pot. Susan feels that drinking and enlisting ages should be the same. She feels like drinking beer and drinking hard liquor should be separate issues. She repeated the advice that you never mix - and that sake and beer means you mixed. All the sudden the cameras weren't even there and we were just sitting at a table in a hotel restaurant. It was weird. But enjoyable.

That same day I had interviewed Anton Yelchin for the umpteenth time. (He's also in MoN.) He's good about remembering me and I enjoy talking to him. Later on in the week I would have a good chat with Paul Dano, who I've also talked to more than once.

I'm trying to think of other interviews that stick out. Jill Hennessy was super nice. As were the Culkin kids I interviewed. I found out I live blocks away from two of the actors in Deadgirl. I also found out I probably don't wanna see that movie.

Greg Kinnear and Alan Alda were lovely. Their director, Marc Abraham, is the brother of my old boss at E! so that gave us that all important red carpet connection and talking point.

As far as movies I enjoyed, I called The Duchess "heartbreakingly awesome." I get to interview the author of the book (which is based on a true story) tomorrow, which I'm excited about. I also enjoyed "Happy Go Lucky." When I told the movie's star Sally Hawkins that I wanted to be the main character's friend she replied in her Brit-ish accent "She would like you." And I was like, YAY! Funny. And of course "Slumdog Millionaire." Not since "Born into Brothels" have I wanted to run to India and pack my suitcase full of little kids to bring home.

I had fun finding out that one of my industry colleagues used to write an advice column for a bridal magazine. It was more fun when we started berating him with questions as to why boys do what they do and say what they say.

I passed on a trip to the top of the CN tower, but did enjoy the view from Panorama, a rooftop bar. (When I post pix, you'll see what I mean.)

We also had a nice dinner with these people. I loved the way father and son interacted. It was fun to watch.

I had an extra day or so at the tail end of my trip to hang in Toronto. It was rainy, so I ducked into the Royal Alexandra theater to catch the stage version of Dirty Dancing.

Things I loved:

-How much the girl playing Baby looked like Jennifer Grey (at least from my seat anyway)
-The amazing dancing skills of the girl who played Penny.
-I loved watching all of the "dirty" dancing live. It really made me wanna get back into yoga and become flexible again.
-the cheesiness of it all and how excited people got at the lines we've been quoting for decades
-the way I still tear up at Baby's convo with her dad on the porch. "You let me down too!"

There's a huge store that reminded me of the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. It's called Holt Renfrew and you basically can't afford anything in there unless you're uber rich. For instance I picked up the tag of a night gown that was either $300 or $3000 dollars. I'm thinking it was the latter. Seriously.

I also visited the Bata Shoe Museum. Mostly because I'm a girl and I like shoes and I wasn't in the mood for a history museum romp (the art museum is closed for renovation).

Well first of all, there was a lot of history. But it was shoes so that made it somehow more manageable. My favorite exhibit, however, was "On Pointe: The Rise of the Ballet Shoe." SO neat. It showed you how they came to be and how they are made and ballets were playing on the walls and famous ballerina's shoes were in cases. I was disappointed there wasn't more dried blood on the shoes, but other than that was totally into it. I never ballet'd, but I do enjoy wearing ballet flats. And movies about ballet like "Centerstage." Eating disorders and taboo love affairs? Count. me. in.

I liked this quote on the wall of the museum:

"I can identify the sound of your feet, for it is through them that life is moving in my direction."

It's a traditional Indian folk saying.

I also like this overheard saying (imagine it in a valley girl voice):

"You know what I mean, bitch?

Gerrad and I can do good impressions for you if you're interested.

I liked that I could watch "Ed" and "Night Court" in Canada. I was also strangely attracted to this show. If you could hear the theme song, you'd maybe understand.

Another favorite random moment occurred on September 11th. As I always do I recalled where I was 7! years ago. The hallway. Melanie. The Today Show. Steve's voice on the radio.

I walked as much as possible in Toronto because I love a good walking city. On this particular day, I was walking AGAIN about a mile or so away to one of the festival hotels. I was following a family of three down the sidewalk. Mom and little boy (who looked to be about 2) were obviously walking dad to work. They were walking slow and other business people were rushing to pass on the side. At one point the mom noticed me behind and pulled aside to let me pass. I told her I actually was enjoying walking behind them. (I didn't mean for it to be creepy, but it might have been.) I like remembering the pace of a child, which is such a contrast to the way we adults tend to rush around. I also liked being witness to this little family moment. As the family turned away from my path, the little boy kept looking over his shoulder at me. He finally stopped walking so as not to lose sight of me and we made eye contact. I don't know, this is all sounding creepy and weird, but sometimes I feel like you can garner a lot from the old souls that reside within children. I smiled and waved and kept walking.

Alright, that's enough for now...
I have some more randomness and a movie review from last night but that can wait.

Something to Tide You Over

2008-09-15T11:33:00.001-07:00

Movies Seen (in Toronto):
Waltz With Bashir
Who Do You Love
The Duchess
Happy Go Lucky
The Narrows
The Hurt Locker
Paris, Not France
Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (never have I ever seen such a mass walkout during a screening - press or civilian - seriously, like 40 people (about half the crowd) walked out of this movie. i stayed, as always, to see if it would/could redeem itself. it could not. sorry chris evans and ron howard's daughter)
Slumdog Millionaire (yes it's that good)
Gigantic

(I feel like there were more. I feel like there was only one day when i didn't see a movie. I feel tired.)

Celebrities Spotted/Interviewed:

Spotted:

Gerard Butler (story to come)
Thandie Newton
Colin Firth
Queen Latifah
Dakota Fanning (all grown up!)
Jennifer Hudson (a lot skinnier and taking off her heels to walk down a flight of hotel stairs)
Sophie Okonedo
Kevin Smith
Jim Sturgess
Bill Maher
Keira Knightley
Ralph Fiennes
Dominic Cooper
Jessica Biel
Allesandro Nivola (aka Mr Emily Mortimer)
Danny Boyle

Interviewed:

Youssou N'Oudr (he's the best selling African artist of all time)
Julianne Moore
Mark Ruffalo
Gael Garcia Bernal
Danny Glover
Fernando Meirelles
Anton Yelchin
Eva Amurri
Susan Sarandon
Greg Kinnear
Lauren Graham
Alan Alda
Emma Roberts
Timothy Hutton
Jill Hennessy
Rory Culkin
Kieran Culkin
Kevin Zegers
Sophia Bush
Paul Dano
Sally Hawkins (you won't know her probably (unless your Brit-ish) but you should)
Jeremy Renner
Anthony Mackie
Brian Geraghty

(once again these are only the names I think you might recognize. if you don't please see google, wikipedia, or let's face it, a modern movie. i kid, i kid...)

Random sightings weren't as plentiful around Toronto as they are in Sundance because Sundance is concentrated to one street, while Toronto is a whole city.

More details - and pictures - coming soon. I know I continue to promise photographs, but I'm still working on laptop and internet access issues.

Shred it and Forget it

2008-08-31T17:37:00.000-07:00

Can shredding be a hobby? Because I sure like doing it.

Things I've done so far this holiday wkend:

1. Felt yucky.

2. Saw Rachel Getting Married. I liked the part where the wedding guests chanted the bride and grooms names (his guests chanted his name, hers chanted hers) as she walked down the aisle. I'd like to incorporate this idea into my beach wedding dream fantasy, but "Mary Anne" is a mouthful. Perhaps just "M-A" would suffice.

3. Shredded lotsa things.

4. Got oil changed.

5. Tried to get computer situation remedied. Ended up getting treated like poo. Hello Pasadena.

6. Got new glasses. Hello Glendale.

7. Got a new do. NDG affectionately refers to it as a modern mullet...and totally cute.

8. Dinner at Freds. A restaurant not some guy's house.

9. Watched Dave Chappelle stand up until I fell asleep. Hello crazy Saturday night!

10. Got eyebrows waxed.

11. Tried a vanilla chai latte on ice.

12. Regretted it.

The only thing I have left for this weekend is a trip to Descanso Gardens and an apartment cleanup (Which would include finally taking pictures). I should also pack for Canada, seeing as I leave on Wednesday.

In addition, I've planned another trip back to the 314 (636) to be exact. I keep seeing signs for Beverly Hills Chihuahua and I can't imagine seeing it without the kids. So, come the second weekend of October, I'm flying thousands of miles to take my favorite little people to the movies. Laney thinks I live in a movie theater anyway. My sister Melissa is calling it the most expensive movie ever. I say it's money well spent.

Whisper Rock

2008-08-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I'm constipated in my soul...

(I'm borrowing that line from The Brothers Bloom. It's part of a petite - and wonderfully poop-based - monologue that Rachel Weisz's character gives. I heart Rachel Weisz.)

I had the weirdest hour in a while yesterday evening. On my way home from work I opened a bag of M&Ms in my car only to have them spray everywhere. I'm sure it would have been a fun sight from a passerby point of view, but having meltable things in the crevices of your car is not very "melts in your mouth not in your hands" cheery.

THEN I get home and take off my glasses to brush my hair. And they come apart. They're a $300 pair of Donna Karan glasses that are not even a year old. Needless to say they shouldn't just randomly come apart. I've worn glasses for 28 years now and I've never had that happen. I made a call and found out that they're still under warranty...YAY...but that only means that I get half off a new pair...uh WHAT?? I guess I shoulda read the fine print.

THEN...yep the fun weirdness isn't over yet...I walk into my bedroom and find an entire colony of ants (like hundreds of them) all over my underthings. I freaked out. Wasn't sure I was seeing what I was seeing (at this point I didn't have glasses on.) I immediately began ferociously spraying Raid at the pile of dirty laundry whilst alternately gagging at the sight. the thought of the sight. and then the actual sight again. I immediately took the aforementioned underthings to the dumpster and bagged up the rest of the Raid-sprayed clothes. I haven't decided yet about washing and reviving them but I think I might try since the ants were largely concentrated and grossly focused on the underthings in the group.

I had gotten too confident since returning from San Francisco. I had set traps and honestly thought I had the issue under control. The ants proved to me yesterday that I don't know what I'm doing and that I should always expect the unexpected when it comes to insect invasions.

YUCK.

After those three things happened I left the house with some trepidation a la "what ELSE is going to happen?" Seconds later the question was answered when I scraped the side of the house next to my narrow driveway for the first time. I realized right away and caused minimal damage, but still. Seriously???

My excitement for the Joshua Radin Record Release show at the House of Blues was waning yet remaining. I picked up KDL and we headed to the show. Where we promptly ran into an E! crew I knew. They confirmed for me that ZB was there. Which I knew was more than a good possibility, but confirmation is always nice.

I walked up to the merch table to purchase the cd and was told it wouldn't be out til sept 9. um, isn't the whole point of a record release show to get the cd out to fans ahead of time? oh well.

The show kicked off with "Today" which continues to be probably my favorite JR song. He wrote it while riding a train through France. I'm a romantic. He was backed with a full band which is different when you like a guy because he's amazing at just sitting up there with a guitar and pouring his heart out. I mean I still liked it, and his new stuff sounds great. I wasn't the biggest fan of his back up singer, but again that's because I'm used to him singing with Schuyler Fisk, Priscilla Ahn, or Ingrid Michaelson.

At one point KDL and I ventured upstairs as we had seen several Scrubs cast members go up and figured that's where we'd find ZB. And find him we did. Standing behind Shiri Appleby and playing with her hair. I think it was a good thing Joshua Radin was playing with a full band because it felt like the water-filled glass of my heart fell out of my chest and loudly crashed to the floor. It's funny the love that you can see in such a simple gesture. It's not as funny how much better I am at unrequited love than requited love.

More than slightly deflated (which I recognized even then as inappropriate) I went back downstairs to enjoy the rest of the show. Which I did. Especially when Josh came out for the encore alone and acoustic. He played Winter on stage and then walked out into the middle of the crowd to play the first song he ever learned on guitar. This is a Hotel Cafe move that I am very fond of. He spent most of the performance looking up at his friends in the balcony. I caught a couple of glimpses of the Braff but quit looking when Shiri leaned over and kissed his head and I again felt like some intruder on their cute little love story.

I'm getting way too dramatic.

I see Rachel Getting Married today which I'm super excited about. There's already Oscar buzz for Anne Hathaway which is exciting.

Tonight I have a friend's going away party at a beach bar.

This weekend I really need to get my oil changed and am now planning to clean my place really well so that I can spray some high powered bug killer all over. Seriously considering bombing the place while I'm gone in Toronto, but not sure how exactly to go about it or if it would really work or just ruin all my stuff.

Any advice anyone would have for ants who instead of searching for water or food enjoy women's underthings would be greatly appreciated. You can safely assume I will immediately get out of the habit of piling my dirty laundry on the floor. ANNOYING.

Of Screenings and Sightings

2008-08-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

2 days 4 screenings

First stop Pride and Glory. I liked this. I declared it to be my favorite Toronto screening so far. That being said, it felt long. And I was reminded of The Departed more than once. I also hate being reminded that cop corruption happens. With two brothers on the force I like to think that policemen really are here to help, but I realize that's not always the case.

The screening was on the WB lot right next to the Pushing Daisies stages. I think I've convinced you of how much I love Pushing Daisies, so I was super excited. Moreso when on my way out I encountered Kristin Chenowith (Olive!), Chi McBride (Emerson!), and Lee Pace (Ned!!!). I like it that I still get starstruck. I can't wait til that show comes back on Oct. 1. If you've not seen it. CHECK.IT.OUT. You've never seen anything like it.

Second movie. Miracle at St. Anna. I was excited about this movie. The trailer intrigued me. Probably because it involved Derek Luke and I really like me some Derek Luke. You can imagine my demeanor once he showed up at the screening to watch the movie with us. (PS Lo of The Hills fame was also there. I was introduced to her and we shook hands. Afterward I silently wished I owned and had been wearing a "Team Audrina" shirt. You should know she's not in the movie. You should also know that I'm not even watching The Hills this season.) Alright so I'm sitting in this movie with Derek Luke just a couple seats behind me and good LORD was it painful. Gerrad described it best as Spike Lee's Schindler's List. Except it's not as good. I agree we need to be aware of the plight of the buffalo soldiers. And it's only appropriate for a war movie to be gut wrenching and violent. But Dear Spike Lee, does there have to be violence against babies?

There had also been a violence against babies scene in Pride and Glory so I was already at my limit.

Basically this movie made ME hate white people. And I'm white. Needless to say I was glad when it ended nearly three hours (!) after it began.

I have a thing when it comes to screenings - and movies in general - wherein I don't walk out. I don't think I've ever walked out of a movie. Except for the time I was seeing Richie Rich with my cousins the year of the stomach flu Christmas and I had to walk out of the movie to throw up. I always figure I'll get some nugget at the end that will make everything make sense or tie everything up when basically it's because I don't wanna miss a thing. Ever.

Movie #3. Appaloosa. Dear Ed Harris, I am so sorry. I am so excited that you wrote and directed and starred in this movie. But I just can't jump onboard with the whole western movie thing. I liked you in this movie. (still talking to Ed). I liked Viggo in this movie. I was really intrigued with his facial hair and his hair parted down the middle. I couldn't help but feel like Jeremy Irons was imitating Daniel Day Lewis a la "There Will Be Blood." I looked at my phone to check the time way too much during this movie. I wish I liked westerns. I really do. Tom Petty "Learning to Fly" was an interesting choice for the credits. Dwight Yoakam would have seemed more apropos. But Petty reminded me of the good time I had at Outside Lands, so I left this screening with a smile.

No. 4. The Brothers Bloom. I LOVE Rachel Weisz. I've also always liked Mark Ruffalo. And I interviewed Rinko Kikuchi more than once during the Babel saga and enjoy her too. I'm not usually a huge Adrien Brody fan, but I was good with him in this movie. So why didn't I love it more? I can't put my finger on it. I liked SO much about it. But I didn't super love it. Everyone was great. I laughed out loud more than several times. It was visually stimulating. All things I like about a movie. Perhaps it was the whole four movies in two days thing. Or the fact that I had been up since like 6a to be at work by 7, and didn't get a nap and was tired. Or maybe I'm just being too hard on an enjoyable movie.

Things I'm excited about:

Joshua Radin's Record Release show tonight.
a 3 day wkend where the to do list incls getting a haircut, prepping for Toronto, and spending time with friends.
In Search of a Midnight Kiss. NDG and I are gonna see it. Yes, I still see movies for pleasure.

PS Luke Russert. You're doing a great job. I like how happy the greats (Tom Brokaw, etc) get while watching you.

Could Have Been So Beautiful...

2008-08-25T12:34:00.001-07:00

Party Through It

2008-08-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

62 hours in San Francisco. They went a little something like this:

Friday, Aug 22.

Arrive! Friends! Thai! Walk 3 miles into Golden Gate Park. The Black Keys. Radiohead!! No House of Cards. Two audio glitches. 60k fans. Crazy times. 3 miles out. with 60k other people. 40 min wait for pizza on the Haight. It was good.

Sat, Aug 23.

Brunch. Sean Hayes. The Coup. Devendra Banhart. BIZZO! Steve Winwood. Sick Regina. Rude crowd. That hippie girl just passed out and there is a rodent coming out of the ground! Soju cocktail? Fried garbanzo beans. Ben Harper and his Innocent Criminals steal the show. Matt Nathanson. I wish that I WAS Jessie's girl. It's so cold I can see my breath! (In August!) Tom Petty. (4 more audio glitches) GLORIA! They're shutting us out of the circle! Hello friend. Boys pee in bottles, that's why KMB likes girls. Hello Steve Winwood twice in one day don't mind if we do. Wedding reception in the park. What do you mean people don't offer to teach you braille at 11p when you're getting late night snacks at the quickie mart?

I kept wishing someone would have heard my distress about the House of Cards omission the night before and randomly cover it but they didn't.

Sun, Aug. 24.

Vanilla chai and biscuits and gravy. Bon Iver. Good winter indeed. Andrew Bird. Whistler. Cool Kids. Rogue Wave. Broken Social Scene. Wilco. I thought you were the man in love with me? Jack Johnson. Hula hoops and amazing Hawaiian singer. Cold noodles.

I can't help it. I like music festivals. I like meandering around and I like staying in one place listening to good music and reading a book (still Sue Monk Kidd). I like having a couple of people on a list to see and then playing the rest by ear. I like people watching.

I don't like johnny on the spots. I do like them better in the daytime and when I carry baby wipes.

I could have stood the temperature to be about 10 degrees warmer. But that's because I'm snobby and spoiled climate wise.

This was Outside Lands' first go at it and I would count it a success. It's my only festival this year. Bumbershoot would have meant 4 straight weekends out of town (it's next wkend) and I didn't wanna do that to myself.

I'd still like to do Bonnaroo, altho I'm not sure I'm up for the camping and crazyness it requires. The Mile High Fest in Colorado has also peaked my interest...

Finally...Drugs I or someone else with us was offered at some point this weekend:

Pot (duh!), ecstasy, heroin, and meth...Ok seriously? heroin and meth? REALLY? HEROIN? METH? Do those people even remember that they were at a concert at that point?

And with that, I gotta run and get some work done.

It's a Beach! It's a Baby!

2008-08-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

From Rachel and Ryan to Gwen and Gavin...basically I like couples who embrace alliteration. Anywho, Gwen finally had that baby. And that baby has a name. And that name is a beach.

Zuma Nesta Rock. (the zuma is the beach part. it's in the 'bu.)

It's a boy in case you were wondering.

If he looks anything like his big bro Kingston, he'll rock the world with that name.

I'm not here to make fun of baby names because one day I'll have a baby and people might make fun of its name.

True story. I have had dinner with the girl who is now the Stefani-Rossdale's nanny. Truer story I offended her with my anti Scientology convo (she was at the time, but is no longer, a scientologist). Truest story I couldn't be more jealous of her gig.

As far as last night goes...

Nick and Norahs Infinite Playlist. Loved the book. Liked the movie. One of my favorite parts of the book wasn't in the movie and that bummed me out. They strayed away from the book quite a bit I feel like, but several lines or happenings were similar. Michael Cera was great and the soundtrack? AWESOME.

When I got home I popped in "Hello Dolly!" into the old dvd player. It had been a rough day and, well, Hello Dolly worked to put Wall-E in a better mood so I thought, why not try it? I won't lie, it kinda worked. Oh Walter Matthau.

I actually used the quote: "Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It's not worth a thing unless it's spread around, encouraging young things to grow" in conversation today here at work.

In fact, I was gonna call this post "Puttin' On My Sunday Clothes," but then Gwen had the baby and today got a bit brighter.

SO that's where I'm at...trying to organize my Outside Lands wkend concert schedule (yes please to SF!), trying to get a little work done, trying to pretend like tomorrow isn't our host's last day...

Tonight...another screening...Rocknrolla. I've heard "action movie" and "Guy Ritchie." Hmmm.

Insert Smile Here

2008-08-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams Get Cozy

Thanks People.
Rachel is going to be in Toronto which I'm excited about. I like her. I like him. I like them.

Make me beleeeeeeeve. (she says with her eyes squinted tightly.)

PS You should know that the guest list for Toronto is nothing less than magical. It includes but is not limited to the Clooney-Damon-Pitt trifecta. (which might be awkward seeing as how Jennifer Aniston is on the list too.)

I leave 2 weeks from today. I have 7 screenings I'm scheduled to see (so far) before that. That's a lot of movies. Tonight it's Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. I've read the book and am very excited.

Too Little Too Late

2008-08-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

No good excuses really for the blogging absence. The bummer is I kept thinking of things to write and then I didn't so now those things are gone and all that's left to talk about is what sits on my brain today.

The new apartment. LOVE it. Pictures are forthcoming soon. I've got everything squared away but the bedroom, so I'm thinking I'll take pictures now. Leaving the stack of boxes in the corner not to be seen.

My bedroom (and the entire apt) gets a lot of light, and as someone who is much more comfortable in a dark, blinds drawn, enviro, I'm learning to embrace it. The morning sunlight wakes me up pretty early and I relish the moment of looking at the time and knowing I can go back to sleep for a little bit.

This morning, going back to sleep led me into some weird nightmarish dream wherein I got pulled over and the cop gave me all these weird tickets. I got one for "braking." I got one for "doing something to the lunch lady." (?) I think there was a third one too. And all of them were for like $1100. The weird(er?) thing was that I didn't get a ticket for drugs and paraphernalia. (I guess the weirdEST thing was that I had those things in my car. But it WASN'T my car. It was my "uncle's" porsche. I'm not sure which uncle tho as I was unaware ANY of my uncles carried cocaine or currently drove a porsche.) Like I said. WEIRD. What does it mean? And what the heck does a lunch lady have to do with it? There may have been a paint scaffolding involved. I kid you not. So I woke up (LATE) all weirdly upset, and while driving to work saw a cop pulled over on the side of the road and got a panicky feeling...

Didn't you miss me and my stories?

Things I've enjoyed since I've been gone...

1. Vicky Cristina Barcelona. I don't know that I've loved Woody Allen this much since Annie Hall.
2. Delancey Street Movers.
3. An interview with Kiefer Sutherland.
4. Walks in my new hood.
5. My 10(!) yo nephew Nedro getting his own cellphone and unlimited texting capabilities.
6. 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days. Not an easy mood-lifting movie to watch, but a good one.
7. The Olympics. Dear NBC, When people who don't enjoy sports are suddenly obsessed with watching them on tv and have emotional reactions to crazy triumphs (fingertip finish!), you have achieved something. Shoutouts to Lauren (aka Sparkles) who's in China working at the Games; Nicole B., whose "did you see that?" "are you watching this??" and "i'm totally crying right now!" texts make me feel less alone in my obsession; and of course, Uncle Bob.

I'll probably think of other things, but those will do for now.

Things you'll probably hear more about soon:

Sue Monk Kidd's "The Mermaid Chair." I'm currently reading it. Proximity to the library rocks.
Outside Lands Festival. This weekend. San Francisco. Hell to the yes.
Toronto. I leave two weeks from Wednesday. 11 days in Canada. I heart film festivals.