Although it's not official, it looks like they're going to add 3 weeks of work to the schedule, which has us finished the day before Thanksgiving. Then we get 3 weeks of wrap and it'll all be over. The acct came in today and gave me a pep talk, which I don't really need. I'd pretty much planned on staying here thru the bitter end. It's just too much trouble to try and get something new and if it's on location, that's just a hassle I don't want right now. I mean, I finally found a bootcamp!
The animal coordinator was in yesterday talking about having elephants, giraffes, zebras, wolves, and grizzlies. Man, I hope I get to set that day...
And I got N's birthday present, but I can't say what it is because she's an occasional reader. But it's really good.
If we end as planned on the 13th of December, the husband and I should still be able to drive home for Christmas. I'd like to go - it's been awhile - and I'd like to take the dog. I think K would enjoy a game of "filthy nose" with Sofie.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Pancake Meow
I've been checking out the website www.pancakemeow.com for a while now, ever since they were featured on Daily Candy. They finally have something back in stock and I ordered a cupcake necklace for my niece for Christmas. And yes, I ordered one for me, too. How could I not? They're so cute and they smell like yummy things!
Erdedo, would your little ones like a cupcake necklace for Christmas? Send me ideas for colors and flavors if you think they would. And if I don't hear from you soon, I'll assume your life is crazy-making and send you an email...
It's too bad this woman is working out of Georgia... I'd offer to go into business with her because these things look like so much fun!
Monday, August 28, 2006
Rich Kid B-Days
I've been meaning to blog about this for awhile...
Several weeks back, the husband and I drove down to UCLA to scout parking for a class he was taking. On the way back, we drove thru Beverly Glen canyon. It's prime real estate in any of the canyons, even though you're either right on the road with no yard or you're on stilts over a 45+ degree slope with no yard. It's also mostly only 2 lanes with the occasional turn lane. Anyway, we saw the balloons and signs for a b-day party and noticed a town car pulled up in front of a house. The town car was dropping off some child so we had to slow down to pass, but the thing that really caught our eye was the Belle who was greeting the guests. Yes, there was a woman who was hired to dress like Belle from Beauty and the Beast and stand by the side of the road and greet the guests. And it was a NICE costume, something you would have made special rather than just rent. I bet she was sweating like a pig in it... We also wondered of there were more Princesses inside or if some poor guy was sweating like a pig in a Beast mask.
Sp my point is rich kids get way cool birthday parties and guests better show up in some swanky car if a Princess is opening your door.
Several weeks back, the husband and I drove down to UCLA to scout parking for a class he was taking. On the way back, we drove thru Beverly Glen canyon. It's prime real estate in any of the canyons, even though you're either right on the road with no yard or you're on stilts over a 45+ degree slope with no yard. It's also mostly only 2 lanes with the occasional turn lane. Anyway, we saw the balloons and signs for a b-day party and noticed a town car pulled up in front of a house. The town car was dropping off some child so we had to slow down to pass, but the thing that really caught our eye was the Belle who was greeting the guests. Yes, there was a woman who was hired to dress like Belle from Beauty and the Beast and stand by the side of the road and greet the guests. And it was a NICE costume, something you would have made special rather than just rent. I bet she was sweating like a pig in it... We also wondered of there were more Princesses inside or if some poor guy was sweating like a pig in a Beast mask.
Sp my point is rich kids get way cool birthday parties and guests better show up in some swanky car if a Princess is opening your door.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Portland?
That acct who claimed I flaked on her wrote me an email today:
I recall you had some travel plans in the works, but are you working? Just wanted to say hi, I might have something else happening, it's a good (payroll) gig for the right person.
I wrote back that I was on EA until Thanksgiving but thanks for thinking of me.
I just got back a response - hang on...
Darn, but glad you are working... if you know of a nice payroll person, the gig is a good one, as I mentioned.
I suppose I could get more info, but EA is going to be fairly easy-money and I won't have to deal with packing stuff up and going somewhere.
Oh, and where else could I get to say "the giraffes are here"?
I recall you had some travel plans in the works, but are you working? Just wanted to say hi, I might have something else happening, it's a good (payroll) gig for the right person.
I wrote back that I was on EA until Thanksgiving but thanks for thinking of me.
I just got back a response - hang on...
Darn, but glad you are working... if you know of a nice payroll person, the gig is a good one, as I mentioned.
I suppose I could get more info, but EA is going to be fairly easy-money and I won't have to deal with packing stuff up and going somewhere.
Oh, and where else could I get to say "the giraffes are here"?
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Bootcamp
I'm quite enjoying my new bootcamp. Today was #5 and I'm able to keep up with almost everything. I still need to work on my rope jumping skills, but it's going well. I'm so glad I found these guys - the gym was so boring.
Did I mention I finally got the payroll files on Tuesday? They were waiting for us when we got in, sitting out on the front walkway. I couldn't believe anybody would think that was ok, especially since the boxes weren't sealed or anything. It's not like they're filled with names, addresses, license number, social security numbers, etc - everything you'd need to rack up some swag on somebody else's dime. That woman is such a moron.
Did I mention I finally got the payroll files on Tuesday? They were waiting for us when we got in, sitting out on the front walkway. I couldn't believe anybody would think that was ok, especially since the boxes weren't sealed or anything. It's not like they're filled with names, addresses, license number, social security numbers, etc - everything you'd need to rack up some swag on somebody else's dime. That woman is such a moron.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Carnival
The husband and I went to the carnival in the park on Saturday night. It was fun, but most of the rides were 2 person minimum and the husband's not a fan of that kind of stuff. Still, I rode one loop ride and we played some games, winning a stuffed tiger and a plastic sword, both of which are displayed in my office. I do wish we had taken Sofie with us but we didn't think dogs would be allowed. Of course, other people had their dogs...
Speaking of dogs, we went to the dog park Sunday evening and a couple of people got into an altercation about poop. I couldn't really make out most of it, but there was one guy (who has abusive dogs) who was confronted about not picking up the poop. It started out in front of us when a guy from the dog park mafia (a group of people who are ALWAYS there and who always sit in a big semi-circle) was talking to the other guy. They wandered over towards the mafia and the next thing I know, some woman from the mafia is screaming and they're cussing at each other. Then they're grappling and she's yelling for someone to call the cops. Then I'm pretty sure she kicked him and then he kicked her and the whole time they're grabbing each other's hands or shirts or wrists (hard to tell - they drew a crowd). They finally got broken up and she's yelling about the cops and how he can't just punch her in the face and he's walking back to his litttle clique cussing and muttering. We saw her on the phone, but the cops didn't show while we were there and the 2 groups pretty much stayed away from each other. I really don't know anything more than that but the guy's dogs are going to get "accidentally" kicked one day if they don't start behaving better - they really are bullies and Sofie usually ends up under my chair or in my lap if they're around.
Speaking of dogs, we went to the dog park Sunday evening and a couple of people got into an altercation about poop. I couldn't really make out most of it, but there was one guy (who has abusive dogs) who was confronted about not picking up the poop. It started out in front of us when a guy from the dog park mafia (a group of people who are ALWAYS there and who always sit in a big semi-circle) was talking to the other guy. They wandered over towards the mafia and the next thing I know, some woman from the mafia is screaming and they're cussing at each other. Then they're grappling and she's yelling for someone to call the cops. Then I'm pretty sure she kicked him and then he kicked her and the whole time they're grabbing each other's hands or shirts or wrists (hard to tell - they drew a crowd). They finally got broken up and she's yelling about the cops and how he can't just punch her in the face and he's walking back to his litttle clique cussing and muttering. We saw her on the phone, but the cops didn't show while we were there and the 2 groups pretty much stayed away from each other. I really don't know anything more than that but the guy's dogs are going to get "accidentally" kicked one day if they don't start behaving better - they really are bullies and Sofie usually ends up under my chair or in my lap if they're around.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Not Intimidated...
The construction acct still hasn't brought me the payroll files and she's been off the show since 7/25. This is the email I wrote her today:
K,
I need the payroll files for construction. At this point, I don't care if you've cleaned them up or not. Please bring them by as soon as possible so I can get on with my work. Someone is usually here from 8am until 7pm. If you need to come by at a different time, please let me know and I will arrange to be here. "The acct" is aware of the situation and if no one has told you yet, he has said if the files aren't here by the end of this week (yes, today) that he would have to inform MM (studio executive).
This is what she writes back:
Hi "film-chick",
That is news to me however we don't have a driver available until Monday. I made arrangements earlier today to have them delivered on Monday. If you have any questions I can be reached at 310 or by cell 310. They are ready to go.
K
What I didn't notice was she cc'd the acct and the studio exec with her response - wtf? Did she think I was going to be intimidated by that? I just spoke to the acct and he said he thinks she's going to do it all this weekend and have it brought on Monday, that the driver thing is a smoke screen because it's not done yet. And it is not news to her because we told her last Friday the acct wanted them by the end of this week. She had notice and did nothing about it... stupid cow.
K,
I need the payroll files for construction. At this point, I don't care if you've cleaned them up or not. Please bring them by as soon as possible so I can get on with my work. Someone is usually here from 8am until 7pm. If you need to come by at a different time, please let me know and I will arrange to be here. "The acct" is aware of the situation and if no one has told you yet, he has said if the files aren't here by the end of this week (yes, today) that he would have to inform MM (studio executive).
This is what she writes back:
Hi "film-chick",
That is news to me however we don't have a driver available until Monday. I made arrangements earlier today to have them delivered on Monday. If you have any questions I can be reached at 310 or by cell 310. They are ready to go.
K
What I didn't notice was she cc'd the acct and the studio exec with her response - wtf? Did she think I was going to be intimidated by that? I just spoke to the acct and he said he thinks she's going to do it all this weekend and have it brought on Monday, that the driver thing is a smoke screen because it's not done yet. And it is not news to her because we told her last Friday the acct wanted them by the end of this week. She had notice and did nothing about it... stupid cow.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Caroline's Cakes
I ordered my parents a Montana Gold cake from Caroline's Cakes in Maryland (www.carolinescakes.com) for their birthdays. I don't think Caroline's really needs the extra attention, but it was declared a success. 4 layers of chocolate cake covered in rich caramel icing. Yum.
Mom and Dad? Send me one!
Mom and Dad? Send me one!
A-M
I just finished the letter M in my crew list. I'm at 870 lines. This does not include construction (I don't have those files yet and isn't that turning into an ordeal...)
Snakes
We were supposed to have the cast and crew screening of SoaP on the 15th, but they decided to push it until the 22nd. I guess they didn't want to risk having anyone see it before the opening. I was definitely going to go when it was early, but now that it's behind everyone else, I'm not sure. It's not really my kind of movie.
Weird Things at the Prop Dept
Driving in to work, I pass the costume and prop departments (they share a building). The loading dock faces the street and this morning, I caught a glimpse inside the prop dept. Either someone is coming to pick up the life-size Jesus-on-the-cross, or the prop people are making a statement...
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
TourTip
A quick tip for anybody taking the Universal Tram Tour: most of those cars you see parked right up next to the stages belong to actors and other VIPs. Each one has a name-plate on it, so when they're driving you around, you can look for names and see what kind of car JK Simmons and Jerry O'Connell drive. Those trams move slow enough, it shouldn't be a problem...
Dancing
Dancing With The Stars is looking for people to be on the show, specifically women who are out of shape who want to get fit while learning to dance... yes, I'm thinking about it.
Monday, August 14, 2006
The Purge Continues
I got thru my button collection and my shoes this weekend. I'm barely keeping any buttons, since I never wear them and I got rid of 10 pairs of shoes. That leaves me w/ 22 pairs now, but I think that's acceptable.
I need to speed up the process, but it's going to turn into a matter of space. I'll need more boxes and a dedicated place to stack them. But I have to get rid of the junk. Too much crap.
I need to speed up the process, but it's going to turn into a matter of space. I'll need more boxes and a dedicated place to stack them. But I have to get rid of the junk. Too much crap.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Liquid Explosives
Did I mention I'm totally wigged out by the new terror attacks they've foiled in England? I'm going to have to avoid the news outlets for awhile if I don't want to end up with another stress-induced allergic reaction.
But I have to mention one thing - right after 9/11, the husband and I were flying from visiting our families in TN back to CA. I had a bottle of water that I'd just gotten at the gas station. When I went thru security, they made me take a drink of it to prove it was ok. Now, if the security guy in TN can check on that 5 years ago, why are they treating it as if it's a new thing?
Scary.
But I have to mention one thing - right after 9/11, the husband and I were flying from visiting our families in TN back to CA. I had a bottle of water that I'd just gotten at the gas station. When I went thru security, they made me take a drink of it to prove it was ok. Now, if the security guy in TN can check on that 5 years ago, why are they treating it as if it's a new thing?
Scary.
Crazy Eyes
I'm wearing the contacts I got in San Diego, but no one has said anything yet. I should have gotten something more outrageous.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
London
My current boss is going to London in September to do Tim Burton's Sweeny Todd with Johnny Depp. Yes, we've all metioned to him how much we'd like to join him but it's not going to happen. This will be the 2nd movie he's done with them (the 1st being Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).
Makes you wonder why I get stuck in Shreveport...
Makes you wonder why I get stuck in Shreveport...
Book List #18
Started a book called Bandbox by Thomas Mallon that I got in Santa Barbara. It's about the staff of a men's magazine during the 1920's. There are a lot of characters and I'm not always the best at keeping track of who everybody is. It's a quick read, though and that's always good.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Sofa
We're finally going to be able to get rid of the last half of our sectional. We're donating it to the doggie daycare Sofie goes to and they're picking it up on Friday. Now I can put the furniture I bought off Used Guys into the "study" and get it out of the garage before I get a letter about it. Did I mention I got a letter about my kitchen window? It's a garden window and because we're on the first floor I put a window cling in it that looked like leaded glass. It was very pretty and didn't cut down on the light, just provided a bit of privacy. It wasn't colored or anything and had been up for a couple of years. Well, last week I got a letter to take it down and I spent time on Sunday putting up new curtains. It looks fine, but it's not as nice as the cling. At least I got rid of some stuff while doing it. I really need to get the purge going.
Work is really boring right now. There's no good gossip and nothing to do but clean-up until September. I swear if I hear anything good, I'll pass it along.
Work is really boring right now. There's no good gossip and nothing to do but clean-up until September. I swear if I hear anything good, I'll pass it along.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Crew List
On every show I've ever done, I made a cheat sheet of everybody who gets hired and how much they make. There's other info on it too, stuff that helps me do my job. Well, I knew the crew lists I had inherited weren't complete, so when I was out on Tuesday, I collated the lists and asked my clerk to pull out any files that weren't included. She only got thru the P's and the stack was about 4 feet tall! I was so pissed because it meant I had no choice but to go thru each individual file and make a whole new list. There's gotta be more than 600 files and wouldn't be surprised if it was closer to 800. And some people will have more than one entry, because rerates have to be separate so there's a trail. It's going to be a great list when I'm done, I'm just glad I've got until Thanksgiving to get it done!
Bird News
While walking Sofie this morning, I saw 2 crows chasing each other. They landed and the chasee looked pretty ruffled. Then I saw the chaser. It was a hawk of some kind. Wow. I knew they were working to get hawks into the downtown area, but to have one on this side of the hill is pretty cool.
In other bird news, I finally got around to taking care of my plants today. A lot of them suffered because I didn't take care of them when I got back from Santa Fe. Not sure why, just didn't... Anyway. I went to clean out the hanging lantern with the bird's nest in it and saw that one of the chicks didn't make it. Poor thing was dead in the nest. When I saw that, I had to throw the whole thing away. Couldn't deal with trying to pry it out.
In other bird news, I finally got around to taking care of my plants today. A lot of them suffered because I didn't take care of them when I got back from Santa Fe. Not sure why, just didn't... Anyway. I went to clean out the hanging lantern with the bird's nest in it and saw that one of the chicks didn't make it. Poor thing was dead in the nest. When I saw that, I had to throw the whole thing away. Couldn't deal with trying to pry it out.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Book List #17
While in Santa Barbara, I picked up a couple of books and just got a chance to start reading one of them - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. It's an odd book and I'm not sure how much I like it. The premise revolves around an 84 year old widow who marries a 36 year old gold-digger who wants to immigrate. The guy has 2 daughters and one of them starts out thinking this may be a good thing! WTF? Who in their right mind thinks it's about anything other than the money (other than ANS)? I'm going to finish it and see if it redeems itself, but it's not hopeful.
Book List #16
I read The Strange Adventures of Rangergirl by Tim Pratt a few weeks back. It was quite enjoyable and for some reason, Sofie really likes the sound of "Rangergirl." She tilts her head back and forth every time we say it.
Anyway, I hope he's writing a sequel.
Anyway, I hope he's writing a sequel.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
A Day Off
I took yesterday off as a personal day. I had everything done and didn't need to be at work so I took the time and got some stuff done around the house.
When I came in today, I found out the 1st asst acct was upset that I was out and asked T (the woman who got me the job) if she was going to say anything to me. T said no. So the 1st claimed the acct was upset that I had taken the day and T commented that he hadn't said anything to her. So it turns out the 1st is a control freak who thinks payroll is under her supervision. I hate that concept. I am not under the 1st's control and never will be. If someone tries to assert themselves in that manner, it's going to be ugly.
Either way, nobody has said a thing to me about being gone, except to ask if I'm ok or did I have a good day...
One bad thing about yesterday - some dumb bitch from Michigan was moving in and kept propping the door wide open (not the main door, the side door). Anyway, I shut it on her and she yelled at me that she was moving in and didn't have her keys and couldn't open the door with her arms full and yadda yadda yadda. I kept telling her to shut the door. It's a security issue and it needs to be shut. It got ugly and I'm sure I'm the joke around her friends today. But open doors are my pet peeve at the complex. Why bother having gates and stuff if you don't use them? Gotta stop before I get all pissed again.
When I came in today, I found out the 1st asst acct was upset that I was out and asked T (the woman who got me the job) if she was going to say anything to me. T said no. So the 1st claimed the acct was upset that I had taken the day and T commented that he hadn't said anything to her. So it turns out the 1st is a control freak who thinks payroll is under her supervision. I hate that concept. I am not under the 1st's control and never will be. If someone tries to assert themselves in that manner, it's going to be ugly.
Either way, nobody has said a thing to me about being gone, except to ask if I'm ok or did I have a good day...
One bad thing about yesterday - some dumb bitch from Michigan was moving in and kept propping the door wide open (not the main door, the side door). Anyway, I shut it on her and she yelled at me that she was moving in and didn't have her keys and couldn't open the door with her arms full and yadda yadda yadda. I kept telling her to shut the door. It's a security issue and it needs to be shut. It got ugly and I'm sure I'm the joke around her friends today. But open doors are my pet peeve at the complex. Why bother having gates and stuff if you don't use them? Gotta stop before I get all pissed again.
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