Just got home from my mom's house in Phoenix, where I had the BEST stuffing I think I've had in recent memory. It was just a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner all around: the turkey was delectable, the stuffing sang to me, the mashed potatoes were buttery and to-die-for. And then there was the cranberry sauce with mandarin oranges! MMMmmmm. Good job, Mom! Oh, plus the table was set beautifully -- I swear, it was like eating a meal in one of those tv shows or foodie magazines.
We also went shopping on Friday in Scottsdale, to this consignment maternity/children's store. That was successful, as I got a couple pairs of pants and a shirt or two. Oh, and we picked up a used Baby Bjorn infant carrier thingie. You shoulda' seen my mom and me trying to figure out how one attires oneself with said baby carrier. Mother slipped it over my head, and I had one arm akimbo through a slot, before a nearby mother took pity on us and showed us the ropes. It was like watching a martial artist make chop socky moves look effortless.
In other news, I've picked up a gig producing a spec television pilot episode over the next three weeks. Long story short, it's a script by my young fire-in-his-belly writer-friend (the same work I've been mentoring him on over the last several months) and the project's been accepted into the LA Film School's December production cycle. It's all very, very last minute, but the school provides all the equipment, craft services, students to crew the shoot, and money toward production, so YOW. Yay!
Well, I'm stiff and swollen from sitting in the car so long, so I'll sign off for now.
Gobble, gobble.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Pop!
Today is the first morning I've awakened "popped out." Until now, when I'd get up, I looked thicker around the midsection, but not popped out. By the end of the day, it was a different story. Well, today, there's no mistaking, there's a definite baby bump, right out of bed. I've abruptly reached the stage where I can't make most of my clothes work. :)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Data Entry -- Agghhh!
First day on the new temp gig today. Data entry, oh joy. Booorring. But, it's this food-related charity org, so at least all employees get free lunch every day. Cool. Free food.
By the end of the day, I started getting all swell-y -- ankles, mid-section -- and uncomfortable. Audrey's getting fussy about getting squooshed as I sit for long durations. I think I felt my first foot sticking out this weekend. :) I want to tell her that it's only gonna get more crowded in there.
Tonight, we went to see visiting-from-Austin-former-LA-residents friends (Jim & Laurie Halfpenny) at a local club. Jim played a bunch of tunes from his CD -- I'm gonna hope that Ken adds the appropriate link here, so that you all can check out Jim's music. It was lovely, just him and his acoustic guitar, and it was great to chat with them for a little while afterward.
Now it's time for bed.
By the end of the day, I started getting all swell-y -- ankles, mid-section -- and uncomfortable. Audrey's getting fussy about getting squooshed as I sit for long durations. I think I felt my first foot sticking out this weekend. :) I want to tell her that it's only gonna get more crowded in there.
Tonight, we went to see visiting-from-Austin-former-LA-residents friends (Jim & Laurie Halfpenny) at a local club. Jim played a bunch of tunes from his CD -- I'm gonna hope that Ken adds the appropriate link here, so that you all can check out Jim's music. It was lovely, just him and his acoustic guitar, and it was great to chat with them for a little while afterward.
Now it's time for bed.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Today's screening in LA
It's been a good day.
I didn't expect to feel my stomach in knots at the screening, but it was. I think there were maybe 100 (?) people there, and I saw many familiar faces which made me feel happy and grateful.
Our main adult actor, Michael Emerson (who played the dad in the movie), and his lovely wife, Carrie, came to the screening, too. That was a kick -- the audience really love his performance, and it's a treat to see people approach him with praise and appreciation. Plus, he's a genuinely nice guy. I'm glad he got to come to the screening before heading back to Hawaii to continue shooting "Lost" (he plays Ben (aka "Henry Gale"), the leader of The Others).
This was a cut of the movie, the final version, that I had not seen before. Kat and Stacy and our editor cut nearly 10 minutes off the version some of you have seen, the festival version. I like this edit very much - some scenes deleted, some added, some shortened. The theater space was gorgeous, and the panel afterward was gratifying.
(left to right) 5 experts from the Di Di Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, Kat, Michael, Stacy, and Lorie is the red splotch standing under the bright exit sign splotch on the right side - guess my camera doesn't handle low light situations well:
There were many people on the panel and in the audience who found the movie cathartic, authentic, and moving -- that's quite a gratifying response as one of its producers. I'm glad it spoke to those people, and that they shared what they liked about the movie.
The theater from across Wilshire Blvd:
"Boycott" is another movie, not a directive!
Di Di Hirsch SPC setup a table in the lobby:
(left to right) Kat, Lorie, Stacy before the screening (consarnit camera!):
Afterward, a group of us met up at the Farmer's Market to nosh and kibbitz. I met some new people, fellow LA folks as it turns out, and that was fun. We exchanged contact info. Though driving to the Farmer's Market (the Grove - outdoor shopping area/destination) was, predictably, a pain in the ass -- traffic was backed up on Fairfax the entire way. Argh.
Back home now, settling in for the evening. I have a new temp gig that starts tomorrow - as an Admin Asst at some sort of non-profit. The gig's supposed to go until potentially Dec. 8th. If it does, it'll pay for two months of my exorbitant health insurance premium ($500/month) and our flights back to DC for Christmastime, which is a good thing. Speaking of insurance, Ken found out that we can cover the baby under his policy once she's born. Also, we can try to add me, too, after the birth, now that we live in CA. (different rules or something from Texas).
I didn't expect to feel my stomach in knots at the screening, but it was. I think there were maybe 100 (?) people there, and I saw many familiar faces which made me feel happy and grateful.
Our main adult actor, Michael Emerson (who played the dad in the movie), and his lovely wife, Carrie, came to the screening, too. That was a kick -- the audience really love his performance, and it's a treat to see people approach him with praise and appreciation. Plus, he's a genuinely nice guy. I'm glad he got to come to the screening before heading back to Hawaii to continue shooting "Lost" (he plays Ben (aka "Henry Gale"), the leader of The Others).
This was a cut of the movie, the final version, that I had not seen before. Kat and Stacy and our editor cut nearly 10 minutes off the version some of you have seen, the festival version. I like this edit very much - some scenes deleted, some added, some shortened. The theater space was gorgeous, and the panel afterward was gratifying.
(left to right) 5 experts from the Di Di Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, Kat, Michael, Stacy, and Lorie is the red splotch standing under the bright exit sign splotch on the right side - guess my camera doesn't handle low light situations well:
There were many people on the panel and in the audience who found the movie cathartic, authentic, and moving -- that's quite a gratifying response as one of its producers. I'm glad it spoke to those people, and that they shared what they liked about the movie.
The theater from across Wilshire Blvd:
"Boycott" is another movie, not a directive!
Di Di Hirsch SPC setup a table in the lobby:
(left to right) Kat, Lorie, Stacy before the screening (consarnit camera!):
Afterward, a group of us met up at the Farmer's Market to nosh and kibbitz. I met some new people, fellow LA folks as it turns out, and that was fun. We exchanged contact info. Though driving to the Farmer's Market (the Grove - outdoor shopping area/destination) was, predictably, a pain in the ass -- traffic was backed up on Fairfax the entire way. Argh.
Back home now, settling in for the evening. I have a new temp gig that starts tomorrow - as an Admin Asst at some sort of non-profit. The gig's supposed to go until potentially Dec. 8th. If it does, it'll pay for two months of my exorbitant health insurance premium ($500/month) and our flights back to DC for Christmastime, which is a good thing. Speaking of insurance, Ken found out that we can cover the baby under his policy once she's born. Also, we can try to add me, too, after the birth, now that we live in CA. (different rules or something from Texas).
Friday, November 10, 2006
On the job
So, I got a temp gig today at the Writers Guild (WGA). Yay! I interviewed with another temp agency on Tuesday this week - this gig is through them. I'm minding the phone in the contracts department. I have two more hours to go...
Yep...
My ankles are swelling inside my happenin' boots from sitting here motionless.
Yep...
Okay, well, that's all I have to share, I guess.
Yep...
My ankles are swelling inside my happenin' boots from sitting here motionless.
Yep...
Okay, well, that's all I have to share, I guess.
Wild and crazy sighting
Yesterday, while out to lunch in Beverly Hills with Kat and Stacy, I saw Peter Gallagher (the actor who plays Sandy on "The O.C.") We were eating at this organic cafe called Urth Cafe -- before I was pregnant, I really liked their decaf iced mocha (baby doesn't like coffee that much). It's not cheap, but it's got good food and desserts.
Well, after that excitement, Fate dropped us one more celeb sighting over our grilled paninis and salads - Steve Martin. I was pretty excited about that one. I wanted to drop my fork and point, but instead I subtly pointed my fork and slightly nodded my head in his direction to clue Kat into his approach. Stacy was inside refilling her coffee, but I think she saw him when he returned from the other direction later...
Yep, excitement city. :)
Oh, Ken and I went to our second super-duper ultrasound today. Audrey is still a girl, and she's currently 9 ounces. Everything's ducky -- all limbs, organs, etc. are within spec, ranges, etc. Yay!
Ken:
Here's a good shot of Audrey with her hands up (just the way I sleep!):
And here's an H.R.Giger painting I snapped at the Museum of Modern Art :
Just kidding. Actually, that's Audrey's spine and rib cage. Looks alien to me, but doc was quite pleased with her development.
Well, after that excitement, Fate dropped us one more celeb sighting over our grilled paninis and salads - Steve Martin. I was pretty excited about that one. I wanted to drop my fork and point, but instead I subtly pointed my fork and slightly nodded my head in his direction to clue Kat into his approach. Stacy was inside refilling her coffee, but I think she saw him when he returned from the other direction later...
Yep, excitement city. :)
Oh, Ken and I went to our second super-duper ultrasound today. Audrey is still a girl, and she's currently 9 ounces. Everything's ducky -- all limbs, organs, etc. are within spec, ranges, etc. Yay!
Ken:
Here's a good shot of Audrey with her hands up (just the way I sleep!):
And here's an H.R.Giger painting I snapped at the Museum of Modern Art :
Just kidding. Actually, that's Audrey's spine and rib cage. Looks alien to me, but doc was quite pleased with her development.
Monday, November 06, 2006
DC Screening Update for "jumping off bridges"
Before I forget --
Washington DC, 11/15
Wednesday, November 15th
7:00pm
AFI Silver - 8633 Colesville Road
Tickets are FREE
Filmmakers in Attendance (my co-producer, Stacy Schoolfield, will be there)
Ken and I won't be back East until Christmastime.
Washington DC, 11/15
Wednesday, November 15th
7:00pm
AFI Silver - 8633 Colesville Road
Tickets are FREE
Filmmakers in Attendance (my co-producer, Stacy Schoolfield, will be there)
Ken and I won't be back East until Christmastime.
Baby stuff
So, I don't have a temp gig today and I've been doing some internet research on baby stuff. I've printed out this one list of newborn essentials from Consumer Reports, and I've started reading forums on some local parenting/new-baby sites. Here's a rundown:
People hate LUVS diapers - they leak. Good to know. They like Pampers.
Don't buy a whole bunch of baby bottle nipples until you see whether baby likes that particular kind. I plan on breastfeeding - I don't know for how long - but, I know we'll need bottles for storing breast milk. A little further down on my list is to start wrapping my brain around researching breast pumps.
Don't buy a bassinet - buy a "pack-n-play" that has a bassinet included.
A baby bouncer and/or swing is a good thing if you're ever home alone and need to do dishes or take a shower. :)
People don't like bottle warmers or wipes warmers. I don't think I'd be interested in either of those items anyway.
The Boppy Pillow seems to be popular.
A light stroller that can securely hold an infant/baby carseat is preferable to full-on "travel systems" strollers.
I've also made some phone calls to some local thrift stores, asking if they carry any maternity clothes. I've had one particular Goodwill Store recommended to me to check out. I think I'll go there this afternoon. I still fit into most of my clothes, but I want to get out of the house.
Tomorrow, I've got an appointment with yet another staffing/temp agency. And, I spent the better part of Friday combing part-time job listings and responding to some of them.
Our second super-duper ultrasound is scheduled for this week, Thursday. Ken'll have to post any image(s) to the blog afterward. Oh, and by the way, Mom, on the previous ultrasound image of Audrey we posted - that's not her nose, that's her fist in front of her face! I put that realization together last week... I saw Audrey's profile during the scan, itself, but the image actually obscures her full face b/c her hand's in front...
Ha ha. Yeah, THAT would be a big nose. :)
People hate LUVS diapers - they leak. Good to know. They like Pampers.
Don't buy a whole bunch of baby bottle nipples until you see whether baby likes that particular kind. I plan on breastfeeding - I don't know for how long - but, I know we'll need bottles for storing breast milk. A little further down on my list is to start wrapping my brain around researching breast pumps.
Don't buy a bassinet - buy a "pack-n-play" that has a bassinet included.
A baby bouncer and/or swing is a good thing if you're ever home alone and need to do dishes or take a shower. :)
People don't like bottle warmers or wipes warmers. I don't think I'd be interested in either of those items anyway.
The Boppy Pillow seems to be popular.
A light stroller that can securely hold an infant/baby carseat is preferable to full-on "travel systems" strollers.
I've also made some phone calls to some local thrift stores, asking if they carry any maternity clothes. I've had one particular Goodwill Store recommended to me to check out. I think I'll go there this afternoon. I still fit into most of my clothes, but I want to get out of the house.
Tomorrow, I've got an appointment with yet another staffing/temp agency. And, I spent the better part of Friday combing part-time job listings and responding to some of them.
Our second super-duper ultrasound is scheduled for this week, Thursday. Ken'll have to post any image(s) to the blog afterward. Oh, and by the way, Mom, on the previous ultrasound image of Audrey we posted - that's not her nose, that's her fist in front of her face! I put that realization together last week... I saw Audrey's profile during the scan, itself, but the image actually obscures her full face b/c her hand's in front...
Ha ha. Yeah, THAT would be a big nose. :)
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
I want my Obi-Wan
Okay, I'm trying not to freak out. I don't have a temp gig today. Haven't had one, yet, this week. It's noon on Wednesday; I've got some laundry going. Just nuked myself some mac and cheese. And, I'm ignoring the little voice in my head that's asking, "what are you doing????"
I'd call someone, but I don't know who. I'd go somewhere, but I don't know where.
I've got a task I can work on in support of our upcoming LA screening of "jumping..." but somehow, I'm not making any headway there either.
Yesterday, I spent most of the day researching building blocks for a new business plan... I have these clear moments, where I see what I could do, what I want to do. And, especially now, in my second trimester, I'm feeling more capable, settled, ambitious to keep plugging away at my career goals. AND, especially b/c we moved out here in support of those goals, and we're currently facing yikes! financial challenges right now. I feel motivated, to put it mildly, to make headway on getting paid to make movies.
But, I have moments/days like today where I have too much time on my hands, and all these questions start pinging around, doubts. A bunch of "shoulds" + impatience = frustration, worry.
I'm meeting with this writer again on Sunday about a script/idea that I pitched to him, and that he's enthused to write. It's a suspense-mystery-drama story. He also has a horror script he sent me to read as a writing sample (it's not a slasher horror, more of a ghost story), which he's also asked me whether I want to take on as its producer. Short answer is, "I don't know, yet."
It's well-done; he's a polished writer (which is good, considering I'm working with him now on an idea of mine). I have a couple problems with the third act -- right now, as it is, it doesn't speak me personally enough to sign on. But, then, I get the questions -- what if he addresses my third-act concerns? It is a horror script (and a ghost story, which is more my speed than Friday the 13th Part 25), and those types of projects are "hot" right now, more sellable as a genre than other types of projects. And, it would be relatively "cheap" to make, b/c it's fundamentally a simple story/set-up, number of characters, locations, etc. It could be a good complement to the one we're developing together...?
I have another story idea which I want to develop. It's also a "genre" script - a techie heist/action movie. I'm going to find a writer (a la Chris above) who likes writing for that genre and seek to develop that idea into a script, too. So I think, if I have the suspense/drama, the techie heist actioner, and a competent horror script -- hey, that's a good selection to have in the basket and start shopping for money and attachable elements (actors, directors, etc.). And, if one of them isn't as personal to me, so be it. Right?
I guess today, I wish I had a mentor. Someone in the industry, more experienced, to whom I could "soundboard" all this stuff, these questions in my head. Someone who'd have a suggestion or an insightful question that would aright me when I start to wobble.
Oh Great Genie of the Universe, I want a mentor!
I actually have someone in mind. That's why I've started putting things down on paper and researching stuff... There's an experienced producer, with whom I interviewed several months ago. I didn't get the gig, but he said I made a good impression, and I asked to bring him something to review when I had something... he agreed.
I've been thinking January. I'd ping him again, pursue a chat, coffee, meeting, something in January. But, now that I'm sitting here typing, I've just thought, "I have questions now." Plus, I'm working on putting irons in the fire now. Why not touch base with him again now?
See, questions again.
Is there a right answer? Not just one, probably. Right?
I thought so.
I'd call someone, but I don't know who. I'd go somewhere, but I don't know where.
I've got a task I can work on in support of our upcoming LA screening of "jumping..." but somehow, I'm not making any headway there either.
Yesterday, I spent most of the day researching building blocks for a new business plan... I have these clear moments, where I see what I could do, what I want to do. And, especially now, in my second trimester, I'm feeling more capable, settled, ambitious to keep plugging away at my career goals. AND, especially b/c we moved out here in support of those goals, and we're currently facing yikes! financial challenges right now. I feel motivated, to put it mildly, to make headway on getting paid to make movies.
But, I have moments/days like today where I have too much time on my hands, and all these questions start pinging around, doubts. A bunch of "shoulds" + impatience = frustration, worry.
I'm meeting with this writer again on Sunday about a script/idea that I pitched to him, and that he's enthused to write. It's a suspense-mystery-drama story. He also has a horror script he sent me to read as a writing sample (it's not a slasher horror, more of a ghost story), which he's also asked me whether I want to take on as its producer. Short answer is, "I don't know, yet."
It's well-done; he's a polished writer (which is good, considering I'm working with him now on an idea of mine). I have a couple problems with the third act -- right now, as it is, it doesn't speak me personally enough to sign on. But, then, I get the questions -- what if he addresses my third-act concerns? It is a horror script (and a ghost story, which is more my speed than Friday the 13th Part 25), and those types of projects are "hot" right now, more sellable as a genre than other types of projects. And, it would be relatively "cheap" to make, b/c it's fundamentally a simple story/set-up, number of characters, locations, etc. It could be a good complement to the one we're developing together...?
I have another story idea which I want to develop. It's also a "genre" script - a techie heist/action movie. I'm going to find a writer (a la Chris above) who likes writing for that genre and seek to develop that idea into a script, too. So I think, if I have the suspense/drama, the techie heist actioner, and a competent horror script -- hey, that's a good selection to have in the basket and start shopping for money and attachable elements (actors, directors, etc.). And, if one of them isn't as personal to me, so be it. Right?
I guess today, I wish I had a mentor. Someone in the industry, more experienced, to whom I could "soundboard" all this stuff, these questions in my head. Someone who'd have a suggestion or an insightful question that would aright me when I start to wobble.
Oh Great Genie of the Universe, I want a mentor!
I actually have someone in mind. That's why I've started putting things down on paper and researching stuff... There's an experienced producer, with whom I interviewed several months ago. I didn't get the gig, but he said I made a good impression, and I asked to bring him something to review when I had something... he agreed.
I've been thinking January. I'd ping him again, pursue a chat, coffee, meeting, something in January. But, now that I'm sitting here typing, I've just thought, "I have questions now." Plus, I'm working on putting irons in the fire now. Why not touch base with him again now?
See, questions again.
Is there a right answer? Not just one, probably. Right?
I thought so.
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