I feel cooped up. The newness of working on a studio lot (at least this one) is wearing off. Now, it's simply that I'm back to cube-ville. Office-ness. Buzzing with the rest of the drones. Maybe it's just me, just today. I'm not really engaged. I'm watching the clock. I'm feeling impatient.
Corporate life is not for me. Unless it's my corporation.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Stars in the lunch line
Celebrity sightings today:
Stood in sandwich line with Alysso Milano.
Stood in cashier line with Coby Bell.
Fairly busy at office today. More later.
Stood in sandwich line with Alysso Milano.
Stood in cashier line with Coby Bell.
Fairly busy at office today. More later.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Manifesting Destiny
A friend of mine receives messages from angels, which she shares with an email list nearly every day. One of her recent postings from the angels concerned developing awareness of one's desires clearly in order to manifest them most efficiently and lovingly. Along those lines, this afternoon I decided that I want my monthly income to exceed $10K a month, net. As soon as possible. :)
I also desire to build/produce the credits/films to be able to join the Producers Guild, and to win an Oscar. These desires sound fun and exciting to me. They're my rudder. Don't know what the rest of the path looks like, but that's okay.
Also, I keep mindful of stretching beyond my fears to keep putting things out there. This afternoon, I struck up conversation with someone in the break room who's a consultant and worked off and on in publicity at ALL the studios over the last 9 years. She was a fun source of "reads" on each studio, as well as the tumultuous changes that have been taking place here at Paramount. Then, later in the afternoon, I took a deep breath and called someone over in the Acquisitions department (actually, she had called my boss earlier this afternoon, so it wasn't a completely cold call on my part) to see if I might meet up with her on the lot sometime to pick her brain about acquisitions. She was very responsive, saying she's not the right person (b/c she was helping out with publicity on something over there) - but, that she'd put her mind to thinking about someone to refer me to. I felt very proud of myself after that phone call.
It's been a good day. They've all been pretty good days. Driving home at night has sucked pretty badly, but the days have been good. So, I guess I need to work on tapping into a true desire for a happy, blissed out drive back to Malibu each night. :)
ASIDE - the last couple days at work, I've been fielding calls left and right from publicists, producers' assistants, etc. re: attending upcoming premieres and a shwanky Night Before Oscar Party being thrown at the Beverly Hills Hotel. FYI - Sean Connery, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Martin will NOT be attending. But, Jamie Foxx, Salma Hayek, William Shatner, Ang Lee and others WILL be. Fun.
I also desire to build/produce the credits/films to be able to join the Producers Guild, and to win an Oscar. These desires sound fun and exciting to me. They're my rudder. Don't know what the rest of the path looks like, but that's okay.
Also, I keep mindful of stretching beyond my fears to keep putting things out there. This afternoon, I struck up conversation with someone in the break room who's a consultant and worked off and on in publicity at ALL the studios over the last 9 years. She was a fun source of "reads" on each studio, as well as the tumultuous changes that have been taking place here at Paramount. Then, later in the afternoon, I took a deep breath and called someone over in the Acquisitions department (actually, she had called my boss earlier this afternoon, so it wasn't a completely cold call on my part) to see if I might meet up with her on the lot sometime to pick her brain about acquisitions. She was very responsive, saying she's not the right person (b/c she was helping out with publicity on something over there) - but, that she'd put her mind to thinking about someone to refer me to. I felt very proud of myself after that phone call.
It's been a good day. They've all been pretty good days. Driving home at night has sucked pretty badly, but the days have been good. So, I guess I need to work on tapping into a true desire for a happy, blissed out drive back to Malibu each night. :)
ASIDE - the last couple days at work, I've been fielding calls left and right from publicists, producers' assistants, etc. re: attending upcoming premieres and a shwanky Night Before Oscar Party being thrown at the Beverly Hills Hotel. FYI - Sean Connery, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Martin will NOT be attending. But, Jamie Foxx, Salma Hayek, William Shatner, Ang Lee and others WILL be. Fun.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Time On My Hands
I've been reading other people's blogs. I've had some free time at my temp gig and computer/web access, so...
For someone who's fantasized about being an author since third grade, I feel like I don't have much to write. I read others' blogs, and more often than not, they're earnest, inspiring, provocative, deep, and bells-and-whistles full. I admire the ideas, observations, and questions they raise - and, they often insert more photos and links than I do (yep, still haven't figured out how to download pix from my camera phone).
When Stacy and Kat put up the Storie Productions website a couple years ago, Stacy set up a blog for me. I think I wrote in it twice. It's not that I don't have things to think about (those who know me well just laughed out loud), ponder, celebrate - it's just that I didn't want to share stuff that was too personal, or that I felt needed to be kept private vis a vis producing "jumping off bridges."
Now that I'm out here on this adventure, especially without Ken or anything familiar, now I'm ready to blog.
Ok.
Ready for some deep thoughts here.
Deep, deep, deeeeeepppp.
Okay, maybe on my next entry. :)
For someone who's fantasized about being an author since third grade, I feel like I don't have much to write. I read others' blogs, and more often than not, they're earnest, inspiring, provocative, deep, and bells-and-whistles full. I admire the ideas, observations, and questions they raise - and, they often insert more photos and links than I do (yep, still haven't figured out how to download pix from my camera phone).
When Stacy and Kat put up the Storie Productions website a couple years ago, Stacy set up a blog for me. I think I wrote in it twice. It's not that I don't have things to think about (those who know me well just laughed out loud), ponder, celebrate - it's just that I didn't want to share stuff that was too personal, or that I felt needed to be kept private vis a vis producing "jumping off bridges."
Now that I'm out here on this adventure, especially without Ken or anything familiar, now I'm ready to blog.
Ok.
Ready for some deep thoughts here.
Deep, deep, deeeeeepppp.
Okay, maybe on my next entry. :)
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Potpourri
Sniglet of the day: huffuffle. Meaning: The scooting trot pedestrians resort to to cross the last bit of crosswalk before the stoplight changes.
Synonym: Scuttuttle.
Thought of these terms while driving in to work this morning.
Last night was a poopy night for me. Feet hurt (had my happening boots on yesterday, and the Paramount lot expands in all directions - walked a lot), head hurt (caffeine withdrawal? traffic angst?), spent 2+ hours in traffic, total, and an oncoming car on Sunset Blvd turned in front of me for one of those screeeeech!-slam-on-the-brakes-nearly-go-boom moments, Gail's brother is visiting, so I felt like a third wheel at the house, AND I forgot my snack bag, so I was wicked hungry by the time I left work. Not a happy combo.
Felt overwhelmed and missed Ken, bad. The loosey-goosey-ness of everything got to me, and I cried.
The day, itself, went fine. I'm temping in the Special Events/Marketing department. These are the folks that coordinate movie premieres, among other things. Right now, there's a lot of activity around the March 8 premiere of "Failure to Launch" in New York. I've been answering phones, taking messages mostly. Also, paring down a storage area full of old swag from prior events. No alphabetizing, yet. :)
Note about my happenin' boots above - as anticipated, yesterday I observed the de rigueur dress code of studio folks - expensive jeans or pants, business-casual knit tops or button-downs, and pointy shoes. I sat on a bench during lunchtime, talking with Ken on the cell phone (another ubiquitous activity), noting pointy shoes and pointy boots everywhere. For the record, my boots are pointy-ish - not actually honed to fine, stilletto points, but not totally rounded either. I felt passably cool. Ha.
Celebrity sightings: none, yet. Though my boss here had a meeting yesterday with Paula Wagner, Tom Cruise's producing partner. Not in this office, though. Ha, again.
More later.
Synonym: Scuttuttle.
Thought of these terms while driving in to work this morning.
Last night was a poopy night for me. Feet hurt (had my happening boots on yesterday, and the Paramount lot expands in all directions - walked a lot), head hurt (caffeine withdrawal? traffic angst?), spent 2+ hours in traffic, total, and an oncoming car on Sunset Blvd turned in front of me for one of those screeeeech!-slam-on-the-brakes-nearly-go-boom moments, Gail's brother is visiting, so I felt like a third wheel at the house, AND I forgot my snack bag, so I was wicked hungry by the time I left work. Not a happy combo.
Felt overwhelmed and missed Ken, bad. The loosey-goosey-ness of everything got to me, and I cried.
The day, itself, went fine. I'm temping in the Special Events/Marketing department. These are the folks that coordinate movie premieres, among other things. Right now, there's a lot of activity around the March 8 premiere of "Failure to Launch" in New York. I've been answering phones, taking messages mostly. Also, paring down a storage area full of old swag from prior events. No alphabetizing, yet. :)
Note about my happenin' boots above - as anticipated, yesterday I observed the de rigueur dress code of studio folks - expensive jeans or pants, business-casual knit tops or button-downs, and pointy shoes. I sat on a bench during lunchtime, talking with Ken on the cell phone (another ubiquitous activity), noting pointy shoes and pointy boots everywhere. For the record, my boots are pointy-ish - not actually honed to fine, stilletto points, but not totally rounded either. I felt passably cool. Ha.
Celebrity sightings: none, yet. Though my boss here had a meeting yesterday with Paula Wagner, Tom Cruise's producing partner. Not in this office, though. Ha, again.
More later.
Current State of Bachelor Ken's Kitchen
I walked into the kitchen tonight and had to capture the moment!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Sunday Driver
So, I took a drive up to 5555 Melrose today, the address of Paramount Studios. I got really excited when I got there. Just this rush of adrenaline and good feelings. There are two parking lots across the street from the studio gates - I've been told to park in one of those during my temp gig. So, I eyeballed those and then drove up to the Security Guard station within the gate to ask how far the building I'm s'posed to report to is, walking-distance-wise. The guard clued me in, then I drove onto the lot, pulled a U-ey and drove out. My first studio lot driving experience!
I did a fair amount of reading last night about the latest news on Paramount. They have new management, and their parent company, Viacom, just bought Dreamworks SKG, too. Apparently, they've pink slipped all manner of folks in all departments from the "old regime." In the domestic distribution department, they laid off 109 of 129 people in the whole department at the beginning of this year! So, you know what that means? That means, they're looking for New Blood! And, guess what I've got? Blood! And, it's new to them! So, there you go. :)
I did a fair amount of reading last night about the latest news on Paramount. They have new management, and their parent company, Viacom, just bought Dreamworks SKG, too. Apparently, they've pink slipped all manner of folks in all departments from the "old regime." In the domestic distribution department, they laid off 109 of 129 people in the whole department at the beginning of this year! So, you know what that means? That means, they're looking for New Blood! And, guess what I've got? Blood! And, it's new to them! So, there you go. :)
Friday, February 17, 2006
Next Temp Gig
Just found out from the temp agency that I'll be working at Paramount Studios next week. I'll be helping the marketing team that's launching a romantic comedy called "Failure to Launch" with Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. Yay! Sounds like I'll be stuffing swag bags for the premiere, stuffing envelopes, and doing other miscellaneous stuffing...? Who knows - there might be alphabetizing to do, too. Watch out!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Californian humor
You know you're from California if:
1. Your coworker has 8 body piercings and none are visible.
2. You make over $100,000 a year and still can't afford a house.
3. You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.
4. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.
5. You can't remember . . is pot illegal?
6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.
7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown,
and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.
8. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
9. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.
10. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in theU.S.
11. The guy at 3:30 pm at Radio Shack wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like Dick Van Dyke really IS Dick Van Dyke (or maybe it's Max Gale?)
12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
13. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
14. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."
15. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cellphones.
16. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.
17. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????
18. Both you AND your cats have therapists.
19. The Terminator is your governor.
20. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one.
1. Your coworker has 8 body piercings and none are visible.
2. You make over $100,000 a year and still can't afford a house.
3. You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.
4. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.
5. You can't remember . . is pot illegal?
6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.
7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown,
and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.
8. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
9. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.
10. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the
11. The guy at 3:30 pm at Radio Shack wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like Dick Van Dyke really IS Dick Van Dyke (or maybe it's Max Gale?)
12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
13. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
14. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."
15. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cellphones.
16. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.
17. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????
18. Both you AND your cats have therapists.
19. The Terminator is your governor.
20. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one.
WKRP...
Hey there. I'm sitting at my temp job at a radio station in Los Angeles. I started Tuesday. The station is all-talk and sports. My favorites. The people here are nice. There's a lot of "buddy" and "win win win" phrases that float about among the wide ties and booming guy voices. Kind of like working with several of my own Wojo's.
Got home last night to Gayle's and took a nap. I was SO sleepy! Traffic's been fine, so it hasn't taken me hours and hours to get back and forth, but the level of boredom has been pretty high. Let's say it's a good thing I can alphabetize. :)
I haven't worked in a cube sea for seven+ years. I haven't missed it. Although, it's been interesting to observe office dynamics. Watching "The Office" on tv, I'd forgotten just how accurate it can be in depicting the banalities... Also, one has to slip into this automatic mode - up at 6 a.m., shower, eat, drive, arrive, sit, futz, alphabetize, futz some more, go to bathroom, sit, get something to eat, sit, go to the bathroom, chat with neighbor, futz and alphabetize some more, get parking validated, go to the bathroom, look for leftover newspapers, sit, write a list, write a list of lists, pack up, go, drive home, undress, nap, eat, sleep. Wake up, do over.
And, I don't have a computer in my cube - I'm currently borrowing someone else's.
Where's Dr. Johnny Fever when I need him?
Got home last night to Gayle's and took a nap. I was SO sleepy! Traffic's been fine, so it hasn't taken me hours and hours to get back and forth, but the level of boredom has been pretty high. Let's say it's a good thing I can alphabetize. :)
I haven't worked in a cube sea for seven+ years. I haven't missed it. Although, it's been interesting to observe office dynamics. Watching "The Office" on tv, I'd forgotten just how accurate it can be in depicting the banalities... Also, one has to slip into this automatic mode - up at 6 a.m., shower, eat, drive, arrive, sit, futz, alphabetize, futz some more, go to bathroom, sit, get something to eat, sit, go to the bathroom, chat with neighbor, futz and alphabetize some more, get parking validated, go to the bathroom, look for leftover newspapers, sit, write a list, write a list of lists, pack up, go, drive home, undress, nap, eat, sleep. Wake up, do over.
And, I don't have a computer in my cube - I'm currently borrowing someone else's.
Where's Dr. Johnny Fever when I need him?
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Rubbing shoulders in Malibu
Talked to Ken tonight on the phone. Just hearing his voice and talking about nothing in particular made me miss him accutely, suddenly. Sniff.
Went to bank and Radio Shack today in Malibu. Or, the "Bu" as Tracy Marsh calls it.
Celebrity sighting: Dick Van Dyke. I was signing my charge slip at Radio Shack as he walked in and talked with cashier guy. Kept my eyes peeled for Britney Spears near the adjacent Starbucks next, but no luck.
On Sunday, I hooked up with my friend, Sara, again. Had lunch with her and two of her friends. Very nice. We ate right near the Kodak Theatre where they hold the Academy Awards. There's a display there, kind of museum-like, where you can read all about Oscar history, hold a real Oscar, etc. Yep, I picked it up. It was heavy. It gave me a little thrill. I felt very much a geek. Sara showed me how to use the camera on my cell phone, so her friend could snap a shot of her and me in front of a super-sized Oscar statue outside the museum-y place. All I have to do now is figure out how to get the photo off my phone onto my computer...
After lunchtime with the ladies, I met up with Lisa Marsh's sister, Diane, who lives in Culver City. We met at the Pier in Santa Monica. Walked around a bunch. Strolled up to the Third Street Promenade, looked in all the shops. I got a ham, cheese, and spinach crepe late in the afternoon. Reminded me of Paris, France with all the crepe vendors in stands on street corners. It was yummy, and girly, and fun. Diane's grown her hair out past chin length since the last time I saw her at Greg and Lisa's. It's very becoming on her.
Didn't get the two-week temp assignment referenced on Gayle's answering machine last Friday. They assigned someone else. Sigh. Saw a few more want ads tonight on this one website I've been tracking. Will respond to those openings and keep checking in with the temp agency.
BTW - Sara has met George Clooney at some actors or writers event in town. She says he's very handsome in person. :)
Went to bank and Radio Shack today in Malibu. Or, the "Bu" as Tracy Marsh calls it.
Celebrity sighting: Dick Van Dyke. I was signing my charge slip at Radio Shack as he walked in and talked with cashier guy. Kept my eyes peeled for Britney Spears near the adjacent Starbucks next, but no luck.
On Sunday, I hooked up with my friend, Sara, again. Had lunch with her and two of her friends. Very nice. We ate right near the Kodak Theatre where they hold the Academy Awards. There's a display there, kind of museum-like, where you can read all about Oscar history, hold a real Oscar, etc. Yep, I picked it up. It was heavy. It gave me a little thrill. I felt very much a geek. Sara showed me how to use the camera on my cell phone, so her friend could snap a shot of her and me in front of a super-sized Oscar statue outside the museum-y place. All I have to do now is figure out how to get the photo off my phone onto my computer...
After lunchtime with the ladies, I met up with Lisa Marsh's sister, Diane, who lives in Culver City. We met at the Pier in Santa Monica. Walked around a bunch. Strolled up to the Third Street Promenade, looked in all the shops. I got a ham, cheese, and spinach crepe late in the afternoon. Reminded me of Paris, France with all the crepe vendors in stands on street corners. It was yummy, and girly, and fun. Diane's grown her hair out past chin length since the last time I saw her at Greg and Lisa's. It's very becoming on her.
Didn't get the two-week temp assignment referenced on Gayle's answering machine last Friday. They assigned someone else. Sigh. Saw a few more want ads tonight on this one website I've been tracking. Will respond to those openings and keep checking in with the temp agency.
BTW - Sara has met George Clooney at some actors or writers event in town. She says he's very handsome in person. :)
Sunday, February 12, 2006
What's Ken Been Up To?
[Oh no! More boring blather. Quick, close your browser!]
Lorie says I'm not blogging enough, so let me tell you everything I've done for the last 17 days since I left her in LA.... just kidding, but I will give you some highlights.
[When I say "you" of course I'm referring to you two, mom & dad. Surely you're the only ones still reading this post. Hi mom and dad!]
In the last 17 days...
Handyman Ken has finished a kitchen remodel, reconfigured a dentist's office computer network, and started a townhouse make-ready job which is ongoing.
Bachelor Ken has been staying up too late watching tv/futzing on the computer/listening to CDs and talk radio - all at the same time, sprawling luxuriously in his big bed, using all four pillows, hogging all the covers, leaving his dirty laundry and dirty dishes all over the place, setting the thermostat just where he wants it, ignoring all of Lorie's plants outside [I say if it can't survive on it's own in Texas, it doesn't belong in my yard, dammit!], and going to sleep with talk radio on loud enough to hear every word. I'm considering moving the TV and all the A/V equipment into the bedroom for a true multimedia snoozing experience. I'll never have to leave the bed! Handyman Ken and Bachelor Ken don't get along.
Social Ken continued with his various discussion groups (way too boring to go into) and hanging out occassionally with friends. For example, last night I spent 4 hours at Scott's place watching Bill Hicks DVDs. That guy was brilliant. Too bad he's dead. Today I went to a brunch at Cindy's house where a group of us ate delicious food, socialized, and learned how to make sprouted unleavened wheat bread [contains only ground sprouted wheat and water - AMAZING, simple and so healthy!] and a centuries-old fermented health drink called kombucha. Check out the photos of Cindy's crazy house. You can walk from the back yard right up onto the roof and every bedroom has a loft - I love it! And it's for sale if you're interested.
Husband Ken has been missing Lorie a lot, but I have a strong feeling that she and I are in this adventure together. I'm looking forward to her return on March 9th for the SXSW film festival! This blog and frequent phone calls help keep us connected.
Lorie says I'm not blogging enough, so let me tell you everything I've done for the last 17 days since I left her in LA.... just kidding, but I will give you some highlights.
[When I say "you" of course I'm referring to you two, mom & dad. Surely you're the only ones still reading this post. Hi mom and dad!]
In the last 17 days...
Handyman Ken has finished a kitchen remodel, reconfigured a dentist's office computer network, and started a townhouse make-ready job which is ongoing.
Bachelor Ken has been staying up too late watching tv/futzing on the computer/listening to CDs and talk radio - all at the same time, sprawling luxuriously in his big bed, using all four pillows, hogging all the covers, leaving his dirty laundry and dirty dishes all over the place, setting the thermostat just where he wants it, ignoring all of Lorie's plants outside [I say if it can't survive on it's own in Texas, it doesn't belong in my yard, dammit!], and going to sleep with talk radio on loud enough to hear every word. I'm considering moving the TV and all the A/V equipment into the bedroom for a true multimedia snoozing experience. I'll never have to leave the bed! Handyman Ken and Bachelor Ken don't get along.
Social Ken continued with his various discussion groups (way too boring to go into) and hanging out occassionally with friends. For example, last night I spent 4 hours at Scott's place watching Bill Hicks DVDs. That guy was brilliant. Too bad he's dead. Today I went to a brunch at Cindy's house where a group of us ate delicious food, socialized, and learned how to make sprouted unleavened wheat bread [contains only ground sprouted wheat and water - AMAZING, simple and so healthy!] and a centuries-old fermented health drink called kombucha. Check out the photos of Cindy's crazy house. You can walk from the back yard right up onto the roof and every bedroom has a loft - I love it! And it's for sale if you're interested.
Husband Ken has been missing Lorie a lot, but I have a strong feeling that she and I are in this adventure together. I'm looking forward to her return on March 9th for the SXSW film festival! This blog and frequent phone calls help keep us connected.
A Special Hello To Lorie From Pho Hoang!
I had lunch today at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant. During my 5-year computer job a few blocks away, I ate here almost every day.
Chicken vermicelli with eggroll drenched in fish sauce spiked with hot red pepper sauce, rare eye round steak cooking under your nose the soup is so hot, and oh my, the thick coffee slowly dripping into a cup of condensed milk, mmmmmmmmmm!
This waiter's been working here at least as long as I've been coming here. Still don't know his name. But I just learned today that he used to live in LA! He says look for pho around Valley Blvd and San Gabriel Blvd, if I understood his broken English.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Owwie
Worked at Lisa and Tracy's house this week, doing some gardening, then painting, and my forearm and hamstring muscles are way sore! But, it was lovely to work in their backyard garden on Thursday. Beautiful day, lovely plants, and physical meditation. Lavender grows fabulously out here. I smelled like potpouri when I was finished. And, I really like the color Lisa selected for their master bedroom - this really, really pale blue. Sounds boring, I guess, but it's really soothing, yet uplifting in person.
Got a voicemail from the temp agency Friday. Sounds like I'll likely have a two-week gig somewhere, starting Monday morning. I'll be up and ready to go Monday, phone them, and we'll see what we'll see. I was gone from 7:30 a.m. Friday until 10 p.m. that night! Went first to this Women In Film Networking Breakfast down the road in Malibu. It was nice enough. Nothing exciting to report. Met this cinematographer guy, whom I enjoyed talking with - we exchanged info. I also met this distribution lady (lots of experience with home video distribution), Adrianna, who's programming a Women Filmmakers sidebar at the Newport Film Festival in Rhode Island. She asked to see a screener of "jumping off bridges." If she emails me to follow up, we'll see what happens. Then, I was off to Lisa's. Afterward, I got sidetracked at Border's for awhile. :)
I got my new cell phone in the mail this week. I don't get reception up at Gayle's house, so today was the first day I actually heard it ring. I didn't know it was my phone at first! It's got all sorts of goo-gaws, photo capability, web browsing, etc. So far, I've managed to figure out how to dial out and how to answer it. Oh, and I figured out how to save a phone number from an incoming or outgoing call. I don't know, yet, how to actually retrieve that info when I need it, but I do know I've stored numbers in there somewhere.
News alert to Gail M. - yes, I did shave my legs for the hosiery application process!
Celebrity sitings: Saw Max Gale at the Networking Breakfast (he played Wojo on "Barney Miller").
Missing Ken factor: manageable.
I'm sitting here thinking I should write something more witty or poignant... Yeah, hm... I got nothin'. There you go.
Got a voicemail from the temp agency Friday. Sounds like I'll likely have a two-week gig somewhere, starting Monday morning. I'll be up and ready to go Monday, phone them, and we'll see what we'll see. I was gone from 7:30 a.m. Friday until 10 p.m. that night! Went first to this Women In Film Networking Breakfast down the road in Malibu. It was nice enough. Nothing exciting to report. Met this cinematographer guy, whom I enjoyed talking with - we exchanged info. I also met this distribution lady (lots of experience with home video distribution), Adrianna, who's programming a Women Filmmakers sidebar at the Newport Film Festival in Rhode Island. She asked to see a screener of "jumping off bridges." If she emails me to follow up, we'll see what happens. Then, I was off to Lisa's. Afterward, I got sidetracked at Border's for awhile. :)
I got my new cell phone in the mail this week. I don't get reception up at Gayle's house, so today was the first day I actually heard it ring. I didn't know it was my phone at first! It's got all sorts of goo-gaws, photo capability, web browsing, etc. So far, I've managed to figure out how to dial out and how to answer it. Oh, and I figured out how to save a phone number from an incoming or outgoing call. I don't know, yet, how to actually retrieve that info when I need it, but I do know I've stored numbers in there somewhere.
News alert to Gail M. - yes, I did shave my legs for the hosiery application process!
Celebrity sitings: Saw Max Gale at the Networking Breakfast (he played Wojo on "Barney Miller").
Missing Ken factor: manageable.
I'm sitting here thinking I should write something more witty or poignant... Yeah, hm... I got nothin'. There you go.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Movin' and Shakin'
So, today I got up a half-hour before my alarm was set to go off. Yep, that's right - I got up at 6:30 a.m., and I was wakeful. Not a common occurrence for this night owl, but I worked it this morning. AND, I blow-dried my hair, put on mascara, AND a pair of hose. OMIGOD. Putting on pantyhose is basically, torturous, but it IS fun how slippery smooth one's legs and butt become under one's clothes with them on.
My breakfast meeting got switched to lunchtime, so I left Malibu at 8:15 to get up to my 9:30 appointment in Burbank. Got there almost exactly at 9:30. Thankfully, the Santa Ana winds have been blowing the last two days, so all the smog that had been listing in the Valley from last Thursday's test drive has been blown away to God knows where. Without the smog, it's actually pretty over that-a-way.
My appointment took three hours - filled out paperwork, which took just over an hour. Had a sit-down interview with Cindy, and she gave me the rundown on what they do/provide to the industry. We talked about my resume and me a little, my goals and gameplan. Their agency services the major studios and television networks primarily, which is cool by me. Most of their placements are for positions like Executive Assistant. She asked when I was available - next Monday - and said to start phoning/checking in that morning to see if they'd have an assignment for me, and to keep calling every morning afterward...
I'm helping Lisa paint again this Thursday and Friday - plus, there's a Women In Film breakfast in Malibu Friday morning. So, starting (calling in) next Monday is the PLAN. Oh, and while I was there, I also had to do the computer testing on Excel, MS Outlook, MS Word and a typing speed test. I got a whopping 63% correct on my Excel test - yay for my limited, functional ability in creating spreadsheets! And, I got something like 60% correct on MS Outlook, although I've NEVER used it ever before. MS Word, I aced, and lo and behold! I type 60 WPM. I didn't find a section of any of the tests that awarded me points for blow-drying my hair, but really, there should've been. :)
I left the Burbank office to head into LA for my lunch date, and I FORGOT my Thompson Guide (big book of LA street maps). Well, I've learned that the receptionists at the temp agency don't know how to get downtown to Pico Boulevard from Burbank. I ended up going south on 101, looking for an exit for Pico, which is a long East-West boulevard. Needless to say, there is NO Pico exit off the 101. I ended up going south on the 110, then taking the Wilshire Blvd exit, heading west.
Many lights and turns later...I spent A LOT of time driving through Korea Town today. Sigh.
I arrived 30 minutes late for lunch, but happily Julie was able to grab a bite to eat with me after all. We compared wedding proposals and wedding rings (she's getting married in November) and talked about how she ended up living in Van Nuys, where she used to work before Goldwyn, etc. It was fun.
Made my way back to I-10 West toward Santa Monica, stopped for an iced mocha, and came home to Gayle's and played tug-the-bear with Lily, the chihuahua for 10 minutes.
Whew, I'm glad to be out of those hose!
My breakfast meeting got switched to lunchtime, so I left Malibu at 8:15 to get up to my 9:30 appointment in Burbank. Got there almost exactly at 9:30. Thankfully, the Santa Ana winds have been blowing the last two days, so all the smog that had been listing in the Valley from last Thursday's test drive has been blown away to God knows where. Without the smog, it's actually pretty over that-a-way.
My appointment took three hours - filled out paperwork, which took just over an hour. Had a sit-down interview with Cindy, and she gave me the rundown on what they do/provide to the industry. We talked about my resume and me a little, my goals and gameplan. Their agency services the major studios and television networks primarily, which is cool by me. Most of their placements are for positions like Executive Assistant. She asked when I was available - next Monday - and said to start phoning/checking in that morning to see if they'd have an assignment for me, and to keep calling every morning afterward...
I'm helping Lisa paint again this Thursday and Friday - plus, there's a Women In Film breakfast in Malibu Friday morning. So, starting (calling in) next Monday is the PLAN. Oh, and while I was there, I also had to do the computer testing on Excel, MS Outlook, MS Word and a typing speed test. I got a whopping 63% correct on my Excel test - yay for my limited, functional ability in creating spreadsheets! And, I got something like 60% correct on MS Outlook, although I've NEVER used it ever before. MS Word, I aced, and lo and behold! I type 60 WPM. I didn't find a section of any of the tests that awarded me points for blow-drying my hair, but really, there should've been. :)
I left the Burbank office to head into LA for my lunch date, and I FORGOT my Thompson Guide (big book of LA street maps). Well, I've learned that the receptionists at the temp agency don't know how to get downtown to Pico Boulevard from Burbank. I ended up going south on 101, looking for an exit for Pico, which is a long East-West boulevard. Needless to say, there is NO Pico exit off the 101. I ended up going south on the 110, then taking the Wilshire Blvd exit, heading west.
Many lights and turns later...I spent A LOT of time driving through Korea Town today. Sigh.
I arrived 30 minutes late for lunch, but happily Julie was able to grab a bite to eat with me after all. We compared wedding proposals and wedding rings (she's getting married in November) and talked about how she ended up living in Van Nuys, where she used to work before Goldwyn, etc. It was fun.
Made my way back to I-10 West toward Santa Monica, stopped for an iced mocha, and came home to Gayle's and played tug-the-bear with Lily, the chihuahua for 10 minutes.
Whew, I'm glad to be out of those hose!
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Cloudy skies...
I woke up poopy this morning. Been having dreams about being chased. The weather's turned foggy and cloudy.
Gayle was prepping breakfast for guests - her daughter, Tracy, and a former student of her husband's, Steve, who was in town from the Bay area. Booberry waffles and fake bacon - yummy. Steve works in speech recognition software development, linguistics, and a host of other quantitative, academic pursuits. I enjoyed listening to the three of them catch up on academic gossip, politics, his research, Tracy's work, etc. Though I, myself, was feeling mopey and sad. I'm glad I didn't have to talk much, b/c I really didn't have the energy to try.
Missing Ken factor: huge.
I called my fabulous guy this afternoon. It immediately perked me up. :)
Later, I went for another brisk walk up and down the hills of Gayle's neighborhood. The backs of my legs are sore, but that's good. Feels like I'm accomplishing something. I like looking at everybody's landscaping. I'm already compiling my list of plants for my future garden -- purple is going to figure prominently! Fernleaf lavender, royal blue/purple agapanthus, white roses, horsetail, fescue grasses, tiger lilies, blue lobelia, maybe rudbeckia (black-eyed susans) and this other yellow-blooming plant that I need to learn the name of, and these Coral Bells-like plants with purple flowerheads that I'm seeing everywhere. I also like these Norfolk pine-y pine trees that get huge. They're so elegant, and their deep green color is so dramatic, yet soothing to me.
[Don't blame Lorie for those links. K]
I guess that's all for now!
Gayle was prepping breakfast for guests - her daughter, Tracy, and a former student of her husband's, Steve, who was in town from the Bay area. Booberry waffles and fake bacon - yummy. Steve works in speech recognition software development, linguistics, and a host of other quantitative, academic pursuits. I enjoyed listening to the three of them catch up on academic gossip, politics, his research, Tracy's work, etc. Though I, myself, was feeling mopey and sad. I'm glad I didn't have to talk much, b/c I really didn't have the energy to try.
Missing Ken factor: huge.
I called my fabulous guy this afternoon. It immediately perked me up. :)
Later, I went for another brisk walk up and down the hills of Gayle's neighborhood. The backs of my legs are sore, but that's good. Feels like I'm accomplishing something. I like looking at everybody's landscaping. I'm already compiling my list of plants for my future garden -- purple is going to figure prominently! Fernleaf lavender, royal blue/purple agapanthus, white roses, horsetail, fescue grasses, tiger lilies, blue lobelia, maybe rudbeckia (black-eyed susans) and this other yellow-blooming plant that I need to learn the name of, and these Coral Bells-like plants with purple flowerheads that I'm seeing everywhere. I also like these Norfolk pine-y pine trees that get huge. They're so elegant, and their deep green color is so dramatic, yet soothing to me.
[Don't blame Lorie for those links. K]
I guess that's all for now!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Ah, the Smog!
Today I decided to do a trial drive up to Studio City and Burbank in anticipation of some meetings I have up there next week. My first meeting is breakfast at 8 a.m., so I wanted to test the driving route to gauge the time I'll need to get up there during morning rush hour. Well, it took me an hour from Gayle's house in Malibu to get to Studio City. So, for my 8 a.m. breakfast, I think I'll be leaving Malibu at 6:00-6:15 a.m. next Tuesday... yikes! Feels like D.C. all over again. :)
Driving today was uneventful, except for the smog. Several times as I drove north to the valley, I took off my sunglasses to see if they'd gotten smudged somehow. Nope, it was just the smog. It's almost inconceivable. The landscape can be pretty and soothing, when you can actually see it. Wow. Makes me even more grateful to be staying with Gayle. At least the smog can't pool very much right by the ocean.
Applied for another acquisitions/distribution job in Santa Monica today.
Celebrity sightings: zero.
Missing Ken factor: still manageable ( I just phoned him last night - said I wanted to hear his voice, so he obliged and spoke in phonetic nonsense for about 15 seconds - very nice)
Driving today was uneventful, except for the smog. Several times as I drove north to the valley, I took off my sunglasses to see if they'd gotten smudged somehow. Nope, it was just the smog. It's almost inconceivable. The landscape can be pretty and soothing, when you can actually see it. Wow. Makes me even more grateful to be staying with Gayle. At least the smog can't pool very much right by the ocean.
Applied for another acquisitions/distribution job in Santa Monica today.
Celebrity sightings: zero.
Missing Ken factor: still manageable ( I just phoned him last night - said I wanted to hear his voice, so he obliged and spoke in phonetic nonsense for about 15 seconds - very nice)
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