Where the Hell Have I Been?

It’s been over a week since I updated with any kind of info that might be of interest. Of course, I’m still reeling from the loss of Estelle Getty. Seriously, if I think too much about it, my chin starts to quiverin’. Very sad about her death.

Let’s go backwards in time. Oh please, won’t you join me in my exploits of the last week…or so?

I turned 34 on Friday. I don’t believe I’m in my early thirties any longer. I’m mid-thirties. For Godssake. Is that how I should say it? Mid-thirties. I received a huge number of well wishes via Facebook (speaking of Facebook, I think I might get rid of that page), MySpace, and my email. Have I had the time to email everyone back; thanking them for the kindness? No. On top of my busy-ness, I’m a lazy-ass loser. There.

Project Runway SPOILERS in the next paragraph. BEWARE!

Project Runway premiered last week. Love it. I’m excited for this new season. That Asian dude that got canned? I’m happy. He was WAY to cocky to begin with! Second week, was sorry to see the cute little guy go; but he did deserve it. What a wretched project!

Watched the final two episodes of Legally Blonde: The Search for the New Elle Woods (or whatever it’s called). Was quite entertaining and made me ill watching the girls deal with those impossible audition pressures. Made me queasy. Yecch.

The other half did not make his planned trip to Chicago…I’ll spare the reasons why. However, this left him in LA for my birthday weekend. That was nice.

Movie maniacs over the past days. Two freebie previews; just had to wait in line. We saw Madagascar 2; which is not completed, so it was very cool to see storyboards and incomplete computer animations pop up during the film. It was much more fun than I would have expected, and now I must take a gander @ the first film. Of course, I liked the penguins the best.

Also, saw a freebie of Death Race, the remake of the Roger Corman classic (which I’ve never seen). This one had Jason Statham and Joan Allen of all people; as the overlord warden. She was fabulous in a villain role, and Jason Statham showed some upper region skin, and even a nice shot of his bare ass (from a distance). I have to say that I LOVED this movie. There was no filler, no BS, just pure adrenaline and action fun. I would highly recommend seeing this once it’s released. Loud, crazy and violent. Good times; if that’s what you’re in the mood for.

On my birthday, we met up w/ friends Jason, Lorri and Candis for an early morning showing of The Dark Knight. This movie didn’t alter my life, but it was a genuinely good time. Heath Ledger lived up to the hype, but I was also pleasantly surprised by the amazing work of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. I think I was more taken w/ his character; and certainly his character’s journey. The Joker was wacko from the get-go. Great cast, great fun. I also had a great deal of sadness seeing locations from my beloved Chicago. I do miss that place.

We had two other freebies; which we weren’t able to make…one was Paranormal Activity, which I blogged about many months ago. Bummed that we missed out. Also didn’t make it to a preview of the new Judi Dench film, which was at the AFI. Oh well.

The big news of the past week! I FINALLY got a job! Can you believe it? I originally interviewed for this dog/cat food company receptionist position, but didn’t get it. However, a week later, I heard from the HR person, and they wanted to know if I would be interested in an Executive Admin Asst. position. It would be half time working on things for the office, and half time working as a personal assistant for the founder/owner/president. I met w/ him as well as the CFO, and they hired me that day. It’s a pay increase from the receptionist position, so that’s a nice treat. I started on Wednesday. So far, so good. I’m just so glad to have an income again, but still wondering where my life is going. A full time office position (although thankfully no weekends or evenings –well, an occasional evening I suppose) leaves no room for acting job hunting. We’ll see. The company is fabulous so far. Everyone’s very young and hip, and everyone brings in their dogs, and I get to wear jeans and sandals every day if I want. I’ll be doing errands for my boss, thus I won’t be stuck everyday in the office. Hour lunch. Benefits and a review for a raise after 90 days. For the summer months, we get out @ 3pm every Friday, something they’re trying to get going for the holiday season (Turkey day to New Years) as well. On Friday (and I think they do this almost every week), they took an hour off, got food and treats for the office, to celebrate the arrival of me and another new employee, and to say goodbye to someone who was off to grad school. Next Friday, we’ll take off an hour in the day to have a bridal shower for another employee. So whatever needs to be celebrated will get us an hour of hanging out and eating. Seems to be a very good fit. My commute by bus is about an hour, and w/ a car about half hour in the morning and about 45 minutes in the afternoon. I think this will be a very good place to work.

I had that audition for the game show; Bingo America on Tuesday. I think I did okay. It shoots toward the end of August, so even though I’ve heard nothing, I still could get on. Had to take a written trivia quiz, take a photo and then give a brief background, and why I’d be a good contestant. Then I had a practice round w/ another hopeful. I did okay, but still pressed my buzzer too early, too often; which meant they would not use that question. Oh well. We’ll see.

Back to my birthday. We had a blast w/ our little group. We saw the film, then went to (I guess our new regular joint), BJ’s in Burbank. Had lunch and were then able to convince Candis to join us for another movie. We went and saw Mamma Mia again. Wasn’t as mind-blowing as it was initially, but I didn’t have second thoughts about adding it to my “fave” movie list. Still loved it. Candis seemed less than impressed…but she did love Amanda Seyfried. Once Pierce Brosnan started singing, the entire audience erupted into laughter. Give him a break. I think he did amazing! Also, Lorri baked me some birthday cupcakes…all with a theme I would, no doubt, find comfortable. Zombie cupcakes…some w/ gummy brains (red velvet cake w/ cream cheese frosting) and the others w/ chocolate cake, chocolate frosting and green sprinkles (for grass) and little gravestones, which I’m anxious to include in my zombie collection (assuming we ever get our stuff from Phoenix). Thanks to you, Lorri, they were so sweet. They were also very tasty. They were gone by the next morning. The other half and I are sows. Get over it.

We’ve discovered that Thundarr the Barbarian is on Cartoon Network’s Boomerang channel. I’ve been watching it every night @ 10pm, followed by Jonny Quest. Great old favorites. Who cares that they suck now!

Also, last weekend, I was Assistant Director (AD—for when I want to get the proper lingo) for a short that was shot in South Central LA. Great experience and some fun people. Another credit to add to my expanding crew resume. Where do I put these credits? I guess I’ll figure it out. It’s called A Life in the Life. I’ll keep you posted on the progress. Also, I believe the second half of the shoot for Big Bother will be coming up soon. Looking forward to that as well.

I’m watching a Sarah Brightman concert on PBS right now. Thought you’d like to know.

It’s funny how much my weekends now mean to me…working three days and I can’t wait for the weekend. Well, if you think about it, the last time I had a full time job was in August of last year. Being back to that schedule will take some getting used to. My wakeup time each morning is going to be 6:30am. Ugh.

I’ve done absolutely no writing. I’ve got 4 projects on the table right now. The other half is going out all day tomorrow, so I’ll take that time to get some work done. So much on the table. Today I got laundry done, so I should be able to concentrate on creative stuff and not worry about the every day stuff I need to do. Dammit, I need to do it. I need to get some projects completed.

We’ve now got DVR, so we’ve been recording things left and right. We’ve been able to get caught up on this season of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. Still going strong, it’s a great treat to watch. We’ve found out she’ll be performing next door (how cool is that?) @ the Kodak Theatre in December. We better be stable by then, cuz I don’t want to miss that! I love me some Kathy!

We watched a film on Logo Channel (you know, the channel for homos?), called Mambo Italiano. Paul Sorvino’s the only big name (he was awesome!), and it was actually quite a sweet film. About an Italian gay who finally comes out to his family. It was very funny, great editing and with plenty of touching moments. It’s a few years old, but might be worth checking out…if you like gay things.

What else to discuss? I don’t know. I’ve been lax about checking in w/ everyone. I’m a dorkus malorkus.

Last I talked to my mom, my uncle is doing okay, but has definitely changed. He’s very impatient and grumpy now…as well as absent-minded. Can you blame him? It’s kind of up in the air about what will happen now (does he move closer to his children?), but he will be starting physical therapy. Still hoping for a full recovery. Hang in there.

I was about to update on French Toast and Ready to Go, but then realized nothing has changed. Nothing at all. Thus, I’ll spare my avid readers of 1, and await further developments before I say another word. How’s that?

I need a vacation. I’m thinking a spa vacation in Vegas. Oh my God, that sounds so flippin’ good. Make it so.

Oh, also, we took a journey to the “Boystown” of this area; in West Hollywood (Weho—for us locals). Compared to my beloved Chicago, it was quite a letdown. Not impressed. Alas.

Coming up, a very lengthy “Local Actors Spotted” entry…many new names to add. Yeah!

We need to vacuum our floors. Seriously.

Finally, we are in love w/ our location. We’ve strangely become regulars at the Hooter’s across the street (also regulars at California Pizza Kitchen—we get free appetizers all the time!). Every weeknight, from 3-7pm, half price on appetizers (at Hooter’s). For us po’ folk, that’s a good deal, and we like to see boobies. Truly. One of our regular waitresses is a long lost twin (albeit another color) of friend Lorri.

Anyway, I like to get in amongst the crazy tourist crowds, but when I get sick of that scene, I am only a few steps from home. This place rocks. Now, if we could just get our new drapes, and our belongings from Phoenix.

It’s funny though, cuz what we’ve been living with for this amount of time (we’ve been in our apartment for over a month already; have been in LA for almost 3 months, and have been out of Chicago for 4 months—wacky!) has been perfectly fine. It just shows how little you can get by with. But, I do want my stuff, to bring me the comfort of home…and to complete the nesting instincts that have been unfulfilled since we started packing (and held our garage sale) back in August of last year, while still in Chicago.

I’ve decided that I don’t give a shit about the fact that I have always been, and will always be, the biggest, nerdiest person on this earth. I just don’t care anymore. I’m never going to change. And that’s that.

I believe it’s time for a change w/ my hair. Having had the same style (basically) for the past thousand years, I’m going to let me hair grow, but already, I’m irritated by it, and I look like a loser.

Like you care about any of this. J