I've got a job :)

So, it's official. They want me to stay. Yay! :) I don't have the final, final details, yet, but this is where I'm working for the foreseeable future.

Houston, we have a domicile

It's a one-bedroom, with TWO gated parking spaces. Laundry in the building. Maple floors, balcony, pool. Third floor in 4-story, 100-some-odd unit building. Galley kitchen, dining area. Don't know the square footage, but it ain't big -- still, we're used to small spaces with our house in Austin. The apartment has as much, if not more closet space than we're used to. And, it's in a gorgeous, centrally-located neighborhood that seems to be heavily Jewish -- lots of Hebrew lettered-buildings (schools, study centers, not sure if I've seen a synagogue, yet) on nearby busier streets and men with long beards and yarmulkes. The houses and landscaping in the neighborhood are really pretty; I want to go walking and exploring and smell all the flowers. :)

The lease will start April 15th, and the landlord agreed to lower the rent by $125/month and stagger our security deposit payment to help us manage our cashflow while moving, selling the house, etc.

Yay!

Celeb Sighting - Attention Fellow Trekkies

Oh yeah, and I walked past Brent Spiner (Commander Data) yesterday on my way back from lunch. :)

Almost there, I can feel it

Had an interview yesterday with the Top 10 Movie-Guy in Venice. Went perfectly well, and now I know I want to stay at Paramount in the Creative Services group. Yay! They've made very positive noises to me about staying around, and I've made very positive noises to them in return. Now, I'll just have to ride out this week and see what sort of permanent opportunity we'll come up with. Yay!

Oh, Gail M. will get a KICK out of this - the Paramount friend she put me in touch with, Cindy Walker, is the right-hand woman of the boss of this group! When I realized that, it was like the big affirmation from the Universe that yep, this is where I'm supposed to be right now. :)

In other news, I looked at an apartment this morning before work. It's in Hancock Park (which is my dream neighborhood) and has TWO covered, gated parking spots (tandem parking)!! It's a one-bedroom with a balcony; there's a pool. The guy who owns it/landlord seems really nice, diffident almost. AND, he's agreed to lower his asking price by $125!

There's ONE MORE place I'm scheduled to view on Thursday at mid-day in another desirable (but, secondary) neighborhood. Then, I'll be able to decide, I believe.

Yay, yay, yay. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Follow the bouncing ball

I could probably be a cab driver by now, I've driven around LA so much. :) Okie kiddies, pick up your maps of LA and follow along:

Dropped off my time sheets to the temp company in Burbank (Olive Ave and Buena Vista) yesterday, and in between, checked out some apartments in North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, and Burbank. Liked Toluca Lake the best, but ALL of it seems to be under the flight path of nearby Burbank Airport. Plus, it's over "the hill," from which there are only two main roads (101/Barham and I-5) to go south into Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc. I've learned from friends out here who've done that commute before, DON'T DO IT!

So, I headed south into Silver Lake (Hyperion Ave) and Los Feliz (Los Feliz Boulevard), which are areas just south of "the hill" and between Interstate 5 on the East and Route 101 on the West (west of Route 101 is downtown Hollywood...). Both have hilly parts, with Silver Lake having steeper, more winding hills/streets. I don't want to live on a steep hill, but Los Feliz has possibilities.

Kept heading west on Hollywood Boulevard and entered a part of Hollywood called Thai Town. I liked that area, and I found a promising apartment complex that had the amenities we're looking for - haven't heard back from the manager, yet, to view the listing, though. Then I saw a cute Spanish-style, stucco 6-plex further west, just south of Franklin Ave and west of Cahuenga. Also, haven't talked to manager, yet.

Then there's West Hollywood, which is really cute. Lots of apartment buildings of different styles, including really appealing (to me) Spanish-style, European-style courtyard 4-, 6-, and 8-plexes. The challenge is, PARKING. I'm only looking at places that offer off-street, preferably gated parking with the rental, but since we're looking at 1-bedrooms, that means only 1 parking spot. I've talked with a couple residents at a couple of these places about street parking, and they've told me they've spent as long as 2-3 hours driving around searching for street parking.

Yeah, don't want that.

It's all good, though. The next couple weeks will present new listings for places that'll come available mid- to late-April, when we actually want to secure a place. Plus, remember the Top 10 Movies job listing (below)? Well, that guy called me to interview - yay! So, this next week, I'll interview with him, plus work with the Creative Services group at Paramount for the week, and likely have more clarity about which opportunity(ies) to seize upon.

I'm really happy.

Don't worry, Ken, one more month, and we'll be together! And, then you'll be able to feel this newness with me and for yourself. XOXOXOXOXO

Limbo Land

Right after the long-anticipated premiere of Jumping Off Bridges was over and Lorie returned to LA, I noticed that our adventure (starting a new life in LA, in case you forgot) had entered a new phase. The novelty of this blog has worn off. The novelty of moving to LA, but not yet, has worn off. The novelty of living apart has worn off. I miss my wife.

During her visit here we decided she's gainfully-enough employed, so we're putting our house on the market in April, and I'm moving to LA in May. All the pertinent cogs are in motion. Soon... soon.

And now for something completely different...

Celebrity Sightings - SXSW Trip

Forgot to mention, on my plane ride back to Austin for the film festival, Kris Kristofferson was seated a few rows behind me.

Then on the flight home, Juliet Lewis was seated a few rows ahead of me.

I also briefly talked with billionaire businessman/movie mogul, Todd Wagner, at a semi-private party during the fest. After kibbitzing a little over the shrimp appetizers, I made myself walk away so I wouldn't seem like a stalker. I still probably stayed too long. :)

A special thanks to Laurie H. for introducing me to her former co-workers and friends who were in town for the fest (thus, my being in the same place as Todd Wagner). I'm glad Laurie and I got to hang out for a while!

Drat - No cats!

So I came across this one apartment yesterday, which I drove by to check out last night. It was dreamy, in a terrific location. I found it when I called about a different listing that turned out to be more expensive than Ken and I want - but, which accepted cats. I asked the guy if he had other properties coming up that were in our price range and found said dreamy digs. Called today, all atwitter, to follow up and alas! No cats! Agh!

Big sigh.

On a completely different note - I'm writing a shout-out here to the two GMs in my life. They both had surgeries on the same day this week, and both came through as best as one could hope for. Neither of them is big on sharing personal stuff with folks, but I'd like y'all to send as many healthy healing strong happy blessed thoughts to both of them as you can!

I'm temping at Paramount Studios again. This time, I'm in the Creative Services group. These few folks (3 or 4, total) coordinate/create all the DVD content/extras for all the DVDs Paramount (and now Dreamworks) puts out. This morning, when I arrived, I hit it off with the woman in charge - I like her vibe a lot. I'll be here all next week, too.

This weekend, I have a bunch of legal paperwork to digest, sign, process, etc. And, I'll likely be driving around again, looking at apartments.

I'm beginning to think I might end up working at Paramount for awhile...? Though, I applied for a job last night which asked one to list one's Top 10 Movies of All Time in a cover letter. I thought that was pretty cool.

Let me see here if I can remember my 10:

Amadeus
8 1/2
Ninotchka
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Alien
Girl on the Bridge (La Fille Sur La Pont)
Aliens
2001: A Space Odyssey
Ghost Dog
You Can Count On Me
Honorable Mention to "Truly, Madly, Deeply" b/c of Anthony Minghella's directorial choice to show Juliet Stephenson's grief in all its puffy, messy, unprettified glory - and, b/c Alan Rickman rocks.

So, I sent that off last night, all happy with my selections. Then, just before nodding off, I thought, 'Fargo!' How could I neglect the Coen Brothers' "Fargo?"

:)

Butt in the chair

I've been emailing and faxing resumes in response to job ads all day today. My buns are numb. And, I have almost overwhelming urges to continually get up and go get snacks.

It's a bit aggravating to me how much "teeth gnashing" I go through during this process. I find a listing and copy it to a list I'm keeping of jobs to apply for. Then, I go back to that list and highlight the job openings that still strike me as possible/desirable. THEN, I get caught up in this warp or something - maybe it's all necessary - just psyching myself up to write the cover letter and send the damn thing off. Since last night, I've rewritten/formatted my resume - which is a good thing. Now, I have three versions to use for different openings...and, I've used each format today for different postings.

Then again, this can all tend to feel like busy work.

I keep reminding myself to stay open, be patient. Ultimately, I do have faith that whatever needs to happen is happening.

So, why is it SO tempting to crawl under the covers to try to turn off my buzzing mind? Arrgg!

Back in Ack!

Here I am, back in LA. When I arrived Saturday, picked up my car from the "way-out-in-podunk" long-term parking lot, started driving out to Gayle's house in Malibu, and had a little freak out moment. The newness and unfamiliarity of everything leapt back out at me. Felt a little unmoored, limbs akimbo (figuratively), ACK! as Bill the Cat would say. Stopped for an iced mocha, called Ken, and he talked me down. :)

Sigh.

Okay, so we had an INCREDIBLE turn out for the film. One sold out show that turned away over 300 people, and one screening at the Paramount Theater that practically sold out its 1200 seats on a Thursday afternoon. We had an amazing response to the film. Lots of great buzz was floating around the festival. Below are the reviews that I've found so far.

http://www.filethirteen.com/reviews/jumpingoff/jumpingoff.htm

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2006-03-17/screens_roundup10.html

http://aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=22771

http://www.jackkysermoviereviewsandmore.com/archives/jumpingbridges.htm

It's quite satisfying to read them, to say the least. As we get into more film festivals domestically and internationally, I'll note it here in the blog. No big news to share re: distribution deals, yet. But, again, I'll keep the blog posted.

No temp gig today. Posted several emails to folks to stay in the loop and pursue informational interviews. Went to the bank, the store, the gas station. Need to apply to some jobs I've found and work on my 2005 bookkeeping, etc. Currently cooking a roast. Rather domestic of me, no?

One foot in front of the other.

Lorie's gone :-(

She took off this morning.

During her visit we decided to sell our house in April and I'll move to LA in May! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

SXSW Premiere Day

HI.

Imagine I stand before you at our premiere party. I've had 1 1/2 drinks that include a liberal amount of vodka, and I'm feeling a happy buzz. Our screening sold out this afternoon. It was a happy conundrum seeing so many people line up for tickets, but who unfortunately wouldn't be able to get a seat in the 250-seat cinema. I wish I could've expanded the screening space!

People that we invited and hoped would show up to view the screening, did. And, then they made appearances at our Premiere Party, too. Yay!

My favorite moment was right at the end. The last shot fades to black, the end-credits song begins, and the credits begin to scroll. It felt like such a moment of accomplishment and closure to see our names scroll past. And, it felt so awesome to watch the multitudes of names that followed -- I could see the faces that went with each name. I was reminded of meetings and shooting days. Heat and sweat. Focus and determination and camaraderie, and I was proud. And, I was touched by the silent, respectful heed that the entire audience paid to the rolling credits. You could hear a pin drop. That was pretty cool.

Walked back to our house afterward to drop off my sister-in-law, Cindy, to be picked up by her sister. What a great coincidence that she's in town while my movie premieres! I was so happy that I was able to squeeze her into the screening. I liked hearing her thoughts on the movie, who her favorite character was, and why.

All is good right now. Ken and I went for pizza with friends, Scott and Reed, after the Premiere Party. Home Slice pizza on South Congress is REALLY good. After my booze consumption and two slices of pizza, I'm just about ready to crash. Good times. :)

Lorie's Here!

I picked her up at the airport today at 3:50pm. She'll be in town until Saturday 18 attending the premiere of Jumping Off Bridges and other SXSW events. We're very happy to see each other! What else can I say?

Highs and Lows

You know how I said before that I haven't blogged so much before b/c I didn't want to wrestle with how personal or impersonal to get? Well, suffice it to say - today I've had a sharp little "down" moment (totally brought upon myself, which frustrates me), and conversely, a triumphant little "there you go, Lorie!" moment.

Friends and family who are close to me have seen the writing on the wall more clearly (or with more conviction) than I have in the past. Though I am now fully engaged in traveling a new path, I sometimes can't help looking back on the other path I was on and feeling grief and frustration.

Followed pretty quickly thereafter by resignation and acceptance. Though, the Task Master voice in my head will pipe up sometimes to give me shit about water-under-the-bridge details... agh. Sigh.

In other news --

Damn, the commissary burns their beans - just went for an iced mocha and bleck!

Tomorrow, I have not one, but two contiguous lunchtime dates with two different women. One is a friend of Gail M's named Cindy. Cindy's in Special Markets in distribution - so, I'm curious what that actually entails, plus Gail thinks we'll get along really well. The other is with a creative executive at a prodco on the lot that has made several films which I like very much ("American Beauty," "Down With Love," "Big Fish"). I called her up and said I'd like to meet her during lunchtime and quiz her a little about her job and how she got there. Yay, for me. :)

I also had a chat yesterday with a fellow temp (who is becoming a friend, I hope) whose neighbor might be needing/wanting someone to sublet her apartment for several months while she attends to her recently-deceased father's estate in San Francisco. I'll follow up on that possibility when I return from Austin. That could work out really well, in terms of enabling me to get out of Gayle's hair in a timely fashion while also navigating the sale of our house, Ken moving out, etc. We'll see.

Re: Austin. I leave Thursday. Yay! I can't wait to hug Ken at the airport. And hug him again in the baggage claim, and the parking lot, you get the idea. My (former) partners and I are meeting up Thursday evening to sign necessary partnership paperwork with the attorney. Ironically, our attorneys are also dissolving their partnership. That, strangely, makes me feel better.

Saturday is the premiere and the premiere party. Plus, Clark R. is throwing us a celebratory lunch Saturday before the premiere. Not only is he a nice guy; his mom was the former governor of Texas (interesting tidbit, no?) It kind of feels like I'm going home for a wedding weekend. The Taskmaster voice says I should (have been) be more involved. The rest of me knows that would've been unwelcome and muddied up the waters, frustrating everyone.

On other days, I have meetings and screenings and panels I'm going to, including the premiere of "The Cassidy Kids" Sunday night. My friend, Tasca Shadix, is one of its co-writers, and she's flying in from Scotland for the big event. I look forward to seeing her and cheering on her film (though I still want OURS to win the Audience Award).

It'll be cool to sleep in my own bed, with Boo Boo curled up in my right arm pit and Tom stepping right on my bladder. Ah, home.

Hi to Lorie from Buster!

We used to have a Tibetan Terrier pound dog named Buster. Here are three pics at our house many months ago:





For various reasons, we thought he'd be better off staying in Austin when we moved to LA. Fortunately, we found him a great home with a friend of a friend. Today I visited him there for the first time and took these photos. He now has a huge yard to play in and two doggie pals to hang out with! He seems very happy.

Domicile hunting

Tonight I don't like LA very much. Drove around a fair amount after work, driving past addresses I had noted from rentals listed on craigslist.org. In a way, this was fine b/c now I won't have to drive to those addresses tomorrow, and I have a clearer idea of some areas/streets I don't like/want to live at. For instance, I don't want to live in Koreatown. On the other hand, the enormity and expense of the city are making me feel "ehhh" right now. Bluh.

I thought to myself on the drive home even if/when money is no object, the way I feel right now, I don't know where I'd want to live around here. Sigh.

Oh well. Bedtime.

Odds and ends

Really busy last couple days - there was a premiere last night, "Ask The Dust," with Salma Hayek and Collin Farrell. A LOT of activity yesterday and the day before. Today's quiet, yay.

I'm pooped. Just dog tired. Ready to go home now. Getting really antsy to see Ken next week.

Tomorrow, I'm going to check out some apartments. I was telling my mom last night (hi Mom!) that I'd like us to put the Austin house on the market by the end of May at the latest, maybe April, if Ken can swing the details. My lovely hostess out here, Aunt Gayle, has company coming in the months ahead. So, I want to be mindful to get out of her hair (guest room) sooner rather than later. I believe I'll be able stay busy with temping full-time for the foreseeable future, so that should enable me/us to pay for an apartment out here while the house is for sale...

I'm tired of being apart from Ken. Done, done, done. It's time to go home and make some cat sandwiches with Ken (pick up feline and hug your spouse).