My Christmas Present

The husband bought me a beautiful journal last night for Christmas. I'm not really into writing a journal, as I have a perfectionist streak that doesn't like my handwriting, but it's something I need to start doing as part of my new "lifestyle change" - aka diet.

I've determined to lose the weight I've gained this past year and writing down what I eat and how I feel about all of it is supposed to help. I used to try and use notepads and the like, but I thought I'd do better if I had a nice journal. So that's what the husband got me.

Now I have to do my part and lose 32.4 pounds. I'm aiming for June 1st.

Yeah Sped and Dan!

Sped and Dan,

Thanks for picking up the gold Mickey Mouse ears for Erdedo, having them "emblazoned", and shipping them to her in time for Christmas. You guys rock!

Katchow

Is This A New Trend?

The husband and I decided to go to Universal Citywalk for dinner last night. On the tram ride up the hill (we had taken the subway) I noticed the Saddleback steak house. I've never been there, but I'm always up for a good steak, so I asked if we could try it out. We made our way to the host stand and were told it was a 15 minute wait. No problem there. The host grabbed a pager and as I reached out to take it, she informed me there was a $20 deposit! Now, I kind of fell into a stupor and didn't really hear what she said next, but the husband told me later that she went on to say the deposit had to go on a credit card. So, not only did they want me to put up $20 for a pager they felt was necessary, but I had to give up my plastic for it. I said no way and we turned around and went to our first restaurant choice. Is this a new trend? Are other restaurants asking patrons to fork over dough for a pager? And what if I was paying in cash? Would I be turned away? I know these places have to deal with the foreign tourists, some of whom may not be up on the pager customs of American eating establishments. But I'm not going to give my business to any place that asks me to become financially responsible for something I didn't request. If the pagers keep getting lost/stolen, find another system.

And we had a very nice dinner at Karl Strauss, no deposit necessary.

Editors

The schmorons in editorial once again attempted to fax their timecards to my voicemail. At least this time I didn't get a snippy note saying my fax machine doesn't work...

Back to Work

We're on hiatus this week, but I still have to work to make sure everyone gets paid for last week. Sometimes it really sucks to do payroll. Everybody else has the week off and can travel or just relax. I have to schlepp into the office all week. I'm particularly bummed because all of my family made it to my folks house for Christmas and I miss seeing them.

I did find a nice surprise on my desk when I came in - one of the producers got everybody a gift card to Virgin Megastore for Christmas. I'm not sure if it's the entire crew or just the production office, but it's pretty cool of him either way. Too bad the nearest store's been shut down ever since the roof collapsed during a rain storm. I'll have to go over the hill to redeem this and the parking there sucks.

I had some bad tuna or something on Friday and spent all of Saturday either in bed or on the couch, when I wasn't trying to get whatever it was out of my system. Not a great way to spend Christmas Eve - the husband took good care of me though.

We watched the Doctor Who Christmas Invasion last night. It took a while to download it off the internet, but the husband was determined to get it as soon as it showed up online. I thought it was pretty good, but I don't usually like scenes where people play at being in terrible pain - looks so fake to me. But I think David Tennant is going to turn out to be another good doctor. I just wish Rose would dump Mickey or vice versa - someone needs to buy a clue there. It's too bad Captain Jack won't be in the second season - yummy!

I really should get back to work. I'm really close to being done and I just want to get out of here asap. I figure I'll have to come in all 5 days this week, but I'm going to try and be Johnny-half-day as much as possible.

I gave my blog address to a woman I work with. She said she enjoyed it, which is good. Now I have to decide if I'm going to censor myself or not. I don't want to, but she shares an awfully big office... we'll see what happens. I do have to tell a story about her; she works as a Producer's assistant (not the same one with the gift cards) and is often around the set and the stars. One day, Dillon asked her what she did, then asked her where she lived (since he's from NY, I guess it's an issue for him). She answered that she lives in Hollywood, then excused herself. She said it was flattering, but what a cheesy line! Anyway, she drew his name for Secret Santa and gave him an autographed headshot of herself. BRILLIANT! It's so typical for actors to give crews autographed photos as gifts, so combined with his lame attempt to pick her up, this was the perfect turnaround. You Go T!

Rock Star Sighting

While on set today, bringing joy and cheer in the form of white-jacketed paychecks, I got to breathe the same air as a rock star. I was in Hudson's trailer, paying her hair and make-up people, when she entered followed by her husband. Not that either of them acknowledged me, as he was telling her something about "needing to come up with a business plan," but there he was and I had to squeeze past him to get out the door. Once again, a famous person turns out not to be all that tall. Taller than me, though, so I'd say about 5'8". Super skinny, too, with big hair.

It's always interesting to see famous people doing normal things. A husband talking to his wife about finances - could've been anybody.

TV Commercial

They were shooting a Bud Light beer commercial outside our offices yesterday. We noticed a crane being set up in the morning and watched from our third floor windows as they set up a traffic signal and made the parking lot look like a busy downtown street corner. There were about a dozen extras all dressed in business attire and one man who looked like he should have been a basketball player- very tall and solid. He was dressed in an orange/gold shirt and khakis. The premise seemed to be that drinking Bud Light would make a person light. They bball player stepped up to his mark and fake hit the crosswalk button. As he looked around, he noticed the beer floating next to his head. When he grabbed it, they cranked him and the beer up into the air with the crane. It was awesome! He made it almost up to the third floor where we were cheering and applauding. It took forever to get the shot off and we all really needed to get back to work, but we just had to see that guy yanked 30 feet up. They did it several more times, but I only saw the first one.

It was kind of fun to watch the crew scurry around. We were mocking them and playing like MST3000. The beer handler was our favorite. He was the guy who's job it was to mist the beer bottle just so - had to make it look cool and refreshing, I guess. Every time somebody touched the bottle, he'd come along and wipe it down, then mist it again. What a job.

Star Sighting

While driving to set for lunch today, we saw Ben Stiller in his car. Nancy thought he looked a bit on the smaller side. I don't find that odd in the slightest - I think most actors are shorter than they seem on the big screen. He was driving an older convertable Mercedes, black.

My dad is coming out to visit for a couple of days at the beginning of January. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also a bit nervous. My dad is a great guy, but growing up I was afraid of him. He was one of those "wait 'til your father gets home" kind of dads. He once told one of my brothers, if not all them at some point, that if they made my mother cry, that'd be it for them. And he spanked. Not without merit, but he spanked.

We never seemed to have much in common, me being a girl and all. He never really participated in my band/orchestra concerts or Girl Scout activities. The only time I think I really impressed him was when I had received a scholarship thru the theater program at the university and at the reception, the construction guys told him how good they thought I was. They told my dad I was the only student to get a regular credit in the program for the current play because of my good work. I think that made him stop a moment and realize I wasn't a girly-girl. How could I be? Growing up at the tail end of 6 boys is bound to have an effect.

So he's coming to visit and I want to show him around town - he's never been to LA. There's the walk of fame, the observatory, Mulholland Drive, the tar pits, etc. But I wonder if I'm trying to plan so much so I don't have to worry about what we'll talk about...

I guess we'll see what happens. I do know I'm going to take him to set on the final Thursday and show him around. I don't know yet if I'll take him in while they're shooting, as he's practically deaf and may not realize he needs to be silent at times. I hate getting busted for that kind of stuff. It doesn't happen often and it's not usually my fault (anymore), but it's embarrasing to have them yell at you in front of the entire crew. But I will show him around Universal - hopefully I'll be able to borrow a golf cart instead of having to take my car or the tram.

1/2 Price Sale!

The husband and I went to see Good Night and Good Luck this weekend. I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but I ended up really enjoying it. The cast is fantastic and it's amazing to me that the subject matter is true history - that I could go and pull up the footage and transcripts for myself. It seems like that kind of stuff couldn't happen today, but I don't think we're all that far off. I know I should be more political, but I have no hope with the current administration. I did mangae to hurt my back while watching it. I tend to slouch in my seat and this time it caught up with me.

Anyway, we were running errands afterwards - had to stop by my salon and pay D as they only take cash and I went in expecting to get just a trim but walked out with color after she showed me my roots - and the husband wanted to go across the street to the cancer shop and see if they had any good books for sale. It was their winter clearance and everything was half off. I couldn't believe when I saw Dept 56 Dicken's Village buildings in the window! We love those - we've been collecting them for a few years now. We ended up buying almost everything they had - 5 new buildings! Now our collection is too big for our display space, even though the husband did a great job displaying what he could on the dining room table. We're going to have to invest in a piece of plywood or something.

Some on-set news - I was handing out checks on Thursday and Dillon passed by and brushed shoulders with me. I wondered if I was supposed to be thrilled, since there was plenty of room to pass without making contact - I don't know why he was so close. Maybe he thought he was doing me a favor. I guess he did, since I can blog about it.

Also, Wilson's naked butt is not his own - there was a butt double used in this movie. Sorry ladies.

Friends Shouldn't Make Friends Cry

On the way home from work last Thursday, I decided to call Sped. I had gotten a really random text message meant for Isaac ("Isaac thanks 4 caring but I'm done and that means 4 U 2 leave my family alone. I don't need or want U 2 go over to my grandma's and cause more drama. U started it and now I'm finished and I've moved on. Oh yeah U got Up bear back and U proved that U can B more of an asshole") and it spooked me. I replied that they had the wrong number ("wrong # ass") and about 2 minutes later, my phone rang. It was a private number and I chose not to answer it - I figured once they heard my message, they'd realize I wasn't Isaac and they'd need to resend their message. Now I wish I had answered, because I don't understand what they meant by the "bear back' comment (unless they meant "bare back" - I know what that means). I also want to text the number and ask if Isaac showed up at Grandma's or not.

Anyway, that's not what this is about.

I had known Sped wasn't feeling well, but I didn't realize until Thursday how sick she was. She's missed a lot of work and hasn't actually been to the office since November 8th. She was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr and was going in on Friday to be tested for MS. You could have knocked me over with a feather. He mom had even come into town to keep her company. Now, I know Sped loves her mother, but they don't always get along. When I heard she was in town I knew how serious it was.

The husband and I had plans for Friday, but I told her I could come down on Saturday if she wanted. We chatted a bit more, then hung up and I went upstairs and cried on the husband's shoulder. He told me to forget about our plans and get my butt down there first thing on Friday. I protested, since he's been getting the short end of the stick when it comes to plans lately, but he wouldn't budge. I called Sped and told her if it was ok, I'd be there on Friday. She acted pretty cool about it, saying I could drive her and her mom to the appointment since her mom can't drive a stick and the appt was kind of far. I found out from her mom later that it made her happy.

So I got up Friday and drove down there. We had a good time and it turns out that she doesn't have MS - which made her mom so happy she ate a Butterfinger. Kind of weird, but it made sense at the time. Friday night, as we were sitting around chatting, I told her she had made me cry. She apologized but I told her not to worry, someday I'd make her cry. Hopefully that won't be for a very long time.

Liar

If anybody read about my encounter with the Dumas who wanted to take his check on the plane home with him from Hawaii, I have an update. The guy still annoys me, even though he hadn't really done anything since then. Until today...

I went to set early today, since they are breaking for an hour and don't have catering. Everybody tends to bolt as soon as they call lunch and it's hard to find people. So when they finally finish, I ask Josh the PA to annouce that I'm there with paychecks and that I'm over by craft service (which means "free food"). He does and even dials thru all the radio channels to catch everybody.

So I stand at crafty for about 10 minutes, paying whoever shows up. M Douglas walked past and looked more normal today than the last time - no teeth sucking. He is pretty short, though. I'm 5'5" and he's not much taller than me if at all. But I digress.

After running out of people, but not checks, I make my way to the other side of the stage and find a few more crew. Josh the On Set Dresser is playing a video game on Dumas' computer and I chatted with him for a few minutes. That was about it - everybody else was gone and I went back to the office.

Then I get the phone call. Dumas calls and asks where his check is, stating he sat at his cart the entire lunch hour. I told him that wasn't true because I found Josh at the cart playing a computer game and Dumas wasn't there. His response was to say he just wanted to make sure he got his check and I cut him off saying that I wasn't going to mail his check, that would be stupid since I knew he was on set. Told him it would be coming down to set in a package. Then I took several hours to send it. Petty, but he brought it on himself. At least I didn't bogey it this time.

Annoying Ads

Driving in to work today, I heard an ad from a local grocery chain that just makes me nuts. In it, a woman is lamenting that she invited 20 people to a traditional holiday dinner, but doesn't know what to make. Duh. If it's a traditional dinner - the menu's pretty much set. Once you declare it traditional, at least in the US, most people assume turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, yams, pie, etc. True, if you're from another culture those items may not be what come to mind, but I'd say almost every culture has it's own idea of a traditional meal. So why is this woman such a moron? And who wrote this ad? They should be taken out, covered in turkey giblets, and left for the cats.

Greedy Bastards II

Just an update: the GB is going to get $90 in meal penalties this week. On top of the $11, 500.00 in salary and $800.00 in kit rental. Did I mention the $800.00 kit rental he gets each week? I think not...

Makes me sick.

I Passed!

I had my motorcycle course this weekend and even though I totally choked on the riding portion of the exam, I passed! Now I don't have to take the driving test at the DMV - I can just go and get my license.

This means that I'll be able to drive my Vespa to work again. A learner's permit doesn't let me ride in the dark, on the freeway, or with passengers. I don't think I'll ever risk my life on a California freeway nor am I likely to have a passenger, but since it gets dark here about 4:30 in the winter, I couldn't even take surface streets to work (I didn't think the boss would appreciate me running my scooter home at 4:00 everyday).

If I could train Sofie to sit on the seat behind me, I would so gear her up with a helmet, some doggles, and a leather jacket...

Greedy Bastards

I am so disgusted with a certain member of my crew. This man makes $11,500.00 a week. That's right, each week his check is for $11,500.00 That's not what makes him a greedy bastard, though.

The film industry unions have a rule regarding meal breaks. Basically, you have to break the crew every 6 hours for a meal. For every half hour (or part thereof) you don't break them, they get a meal penalty. The first half hour is $7.50, the second half hour is $10.00 (on top of the $7.50), the third and each succeeding half hours are $12.50 (on top of the $7.50 and the $10.00). It just keeps building - if you go over 1 hour 15 minutes, they get $30.00 ($7.50+$10.00+$12.50). It can get into some pretty big money. I once saw a BMW with a license plate that read "MPV" for "meal penalty violation." I totally believe a crew memner could bank enough in mpv's to buy a car.

Anyway, this jerk who makes $11,500.00 each and every week wants his meal penalties. Most people in his position don't even ask - it's usually a non-issue since they make so much. Man, what a greedy bastard. I've lost all respect for him.