The final email from my brother:
Dear Family and Friends,
Sorry for the late news from the mission. The week has been very busy. The team performed surgery on Monday through Thursday from 7am until around 8pm. Then the wait for the bus and again the 45 minute ride back to the hotel for a meal at the restaurant and then to bed at 11.
Friday we finished by 4pm and could catch a cab to do what we wanted until the party at 10pm. A few of us went to the city port area where a local surgeon bought us a few beers and a few local snacks. It seems that all the food in this country revolves around meat. The Adkins diet delight. The vegeterians on the team have suffered.
The party last night started at 10pm and ended at 3am with the 45 minute bus ride back to the hotel. Up at 8:15 to see some of the team off then back to a local market to see some local trinkets for gifts. The Paraguayan culture is limited to a few local customs developed by the Europeans and the indiginous Indians called the Guirani.
Leaving for the airport at 2pm and back home. Amen. A short stop in Brazil and Atlanta.
Hope to post some pictures soon.
K
Monday, September 25, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Paraguay 9/19/06
Another email from my brother:
Hello,
Sorry for the late entry. Sunday was a team day and we were out on a very polluted lake for a day at a club. Not much to do but the view was interesting and everyone had a chance to meet. Yesterday was crazy with a lot of work but all the kids did great and the parents are very happy. The kids, not so much.
Try to write again soon.
K
The past few days must be operating days, as we haven't heard from my brother. They do a lot of work in a short amount of time and it amazes me they can do it at all, considering how surgeries work in the US.
Hello,
Sorry for the late entry. Sunday was a team day and we were out on a very polluted lake for a day at a club. Not much to do but the view was interesting and everyone had a chance to meet. Yesterday was crazy with a lot of work but all the kids did great and the parents are very happy. The kids, not so much.
Try to write again soon.
K
The past few days must be operating days, as we haven't heard from my brother. They do a lot of work in a short amount of time and it amazes me they can do it at all, considering how surgeries work in the US.
Book List #20
The Rosetta Codex by Richard Paul Russo. It wasn't bad, but it looked better than it turned out to be. I wonder if he'll do a sequel, since the premise of the book was for a guy to go thru some pretty crappy thing in order to help and alien species regenerate. Seemed to be a lot of people suffering for little to no payoff. Maybe it was too much like real life...
Book List #19
I read the entire run of the comic Fables by Bill Willingham. Brilliant stuff. I hope the husband buys the next graphic novel soon so I can keep up. I prefer them to the individual comic, you get a longer read out of it w/o the high probability of damaging the goods.
N's Star Sighting 9/21/06
Brace yourself
I just saw Spike from Buffy......
I LOVE HIM
He was up at 2160 with casting. He has jet black hair now and was wearing all black. But he wasn't pale at all. I know it is all makeup but when you are used to seeing him pasty white you are kind of shocked. He is shorter than I realized though. And I think he looks older than I thought he was, but he still looked hot....
I just saw Spike from Buffy......
I LOVE HIM
He was up at 2160 with casting. He has jet black hair now and was wearing all black. But he wasn't pale at all. I know it is all makeup but when you are used to seeing him pasty white you are kind of shocked. He is shorter than I realized though. And I think he looks older than I thought he was, but he still looked hot....
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
GW and Bart
Ghost Whisperer has set up in our parking lot. Actually, I think we only have the extras and the minor cast out here, but it's quite a lot of trucks and trailers just outside the windows. We've been watching and pointing all day - some of the extras are interesting... and everybody's dressed in black, so it must be a funeral scene. I'll try to sneak a photo and post in from home later.
Bart the bear wrapped today and we're waiting for his trainers to call and let us know when he's done resting so we can go and get pics before he leaves. I really hope they don't forget, but I'd rather miss out than interupt his nap. Everybody's hoping to get a shot where they're actually touching the bear (I want a kiss, myself) but we'll be lucky to get close enough to get him in the frame. I'll post those pics, too, if they happen.
It's after 5 and the bear's still asleep. They figure he knows he's done and is doing that collapse thing a lot of us in the industry do when a job is over. But they said they'll let him out for a bit before they leave in the morning and we should be there around 8:30 if we want to see him. I think I can make that...
Bart the bear wrapped today and we're waiting for his trainers to call and let us know when he's done resting so we can go and get pics before he leaves. I really hope they don't forget, but I'd rather miss out than interupt his nap. Everybody's hoping to get a shot where they're actually touching the bear (I want a kiss, myself) but we'll be lucky to get close enough to get him in the frame. I'll post those pics, too, if they happen.
It's after 5 and the bear's still asleep. They figure he knows he's done and is doing that collapse thing a lot of us in the industry do when a job is over. But they said they'll let him out for a bit before they leave in the morning and we should be there around 8:30 if we want to see him. I think I can make that...
Monday, September 18, 2006
Paraguay 9/16/06
Another email from my brother:
In 1958 a man named Vernon Ray came to South and Central America from Frankfurt, Kentucky to work in the pipeline industry that was beginning to move the resources from South America to the burgeoning industrial countries to the north and in Europe. He became familiar with Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and in Paraguay he also became familiar with an Hungarian national who was forced from her former home by the Nazi party early in the 1940's. He was very successful in his work and for the next 11 years worked developing relationships throughout the capitals of South and Central America.
When he retired in 1985 and returned to Frankfurt, Kentucky he realized that he was bored. In 1987 he returned to Paraguay, the City of Asuncion where he met and married his wife 24 years earlier and they decided to build a resort on the banks of the Paraguay river where people from all over the world could come and discover the possibilities of business in Paraguay.
The leader of Paraguay at this time was a man named Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda who took the country by force in 1954 and ruled as a strict and grievous dictator. When I talked with Vernon Ray about this leader, he said he was my friend and always will be. He was good to Paraguay, business, and capitalism. One can only imagine the relationships that were forged here at the Hotel Resort Casino Yacht and Golf Club.
Mrs Ray died three months ago of breast cancer and today the guests at the hotel are as varied as ever. There is a convention here of dentists and dental manufacturers where dental chairs are in many rooms and where receptions are often overflowing with dancing, drinking, and free gifts and souveniers. The Mexican Embassy is sponsoring a golf outing with 2 starts - one at 7:30 and the other at 12:30. They are serving Tequila at each tee site where you can buy up to three drinks. Each drink purchased will lower your score by one point. Some may not finish the course. There is also a South American hard rock band that is giving a concert and all the members of the band and the tour group are are staying at the hotel. Almost all are dressed in black and have tattoos and multiple body piercings. All have their hair died black. Others are here with Operation Smile where they have screened over 458 children from the poorest of the poor in this country and have scheduled 150 to have surgery next week. They will be living in an army gymnasium until they are ready to go home and many that were turned away left with little hope that their children will ever have the opportunity to have the surgical repair again.
Paraguay is an interesting place and with a growing economy. Let us hope it will be shared by all.
Hope to chat again soon,
Love,
K
Now that's a golf game I could get into!
In 1958 a man named Vernon Ray came to South and Central America from Frankfurt, Kentucky to work in the pipeline industry that was beginning to move the resources from South America to the burgeoning industrial countries to the north and in Europe. He became familiar with Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and in Paraguay he also became familiar with an Hungarian national who was forced from her former home by the Nazi party early in the 1940's. He was very successful in his work and for the next 11 years worked developing relationships throughout the capitals of South and Central America.
When he retired in 1985 and returned to Frankfurt, Kentucky he realized that he was bored. In 1987 he returned to Paraguay, the City of Asuncion where he met and married his wife 24 years earlier and they decided to build a resort on the banks of the Paraguay river where people from all over the world could come and discover the possibilities of business in Paraguay.
The leader of Paraguay at this time was a man named Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda who took the country by force in 1954 and ruled as a strict and grievous dictator. When I talked with Vernon Ray about this leader, he said he was my friend and always will be. He was good to Paraguay, business, and capitalism. One can only imagine the relationships that were forged here at the Hotel Resort Casino Yacht and Golf Club.
Mrs Ray died three months ago of breast cancer and today the guests at the hotel are as varied as ever. There is a convention here of dentists and dental manufacturers where dental chairs are in many rooms and where receptions are often overflowing with dancing, drinking, and free gifts and souveniers. The Mexican Embassy is sponsoring a golf outing with 2 starts - one at 7:30 and the other at 12:30. They are serving Tequila at each tee site where you can buy up to three drinks. Each drink purchased will lower your score by one point. Some may not finish the course. There is also a South American hard rock band that is giving a concert and all the members of the band and the tour group are are staying at the hotel. Almost all are dressed in black and have tattoos and multiple body piercings. All have their hair died black. Others are here with Operation Smile where they have screened over 458 children from the poorest of the poor in this country and have scheduled 150 to have surgery next week. They will be living in an army gymnasium until they are ready to go home and many that were turned away left with little hope that their children will ever have the opportunity to have the surgical repair again.
Paraguay is an interesting place and with a growing economy. Let us hope it will be shared by all.
Hope to chat again soon,
Love,
K
Now that's a golf game I could get into!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Paraguay 9/15/06
An email from my brother:
Good Morning,
Early Spring in Paraguay means temperatures around 105 F, I learned that yesterday sometime around 4pm when I was at the hospital in a room the size of an average patient room with 20 other people all trying to screen for surgery or being screened for surgery. As this is only the second mission here for Op Smile, the crowds came early and we finally shut down screening at 9:30 pm. The poor speech pathologist did not finish until sometime around midnight as there is only one pathologist and everyone must be seen. We screened 257 patients and expect another 200 or more today. Fortunatly, cloud cover came in around 7 pm and the temperature dove into the 80´s.
The team members are great as are the in-country assistance from Peace-corp members and students from the American school. I am even getting a little better with my Spanish. It is like learning a language with a private tutor and in an immersion setting where you have to learn it to survive. Only I really don´t. The hard language is the language of the native indian people of Paraguay. Mixed with the Spanish, then the Portugese and then the freed slaves of Brazil and then the Europeans seeking a place to hide after WWII the people are of all size and color but the Indians still survive. The language is difficult to learn and consists of a series of vowel sounds. The word for wind is similar to making a blowing sound. I do not expect to learn much of their language. We have not had any time to check out much of the city except for what we see on the 45 minute drive to and from the hospital. Today we may finish around 6pm and with any luck make a team dinner with all the members who arrive today.
I learned from C (his wife) that N (his son) toured Duke and really liked the law school. He is touring the East coast and checking out all the really expensive and difficult schools he may be able to get into. I love the fact that all new lawyers must buy their parents a condominium upon graduation even if they don´t help with the cost of school. Great profession!
Talk to you soon after I get more time. Off to the morning meeting and then to work.
Enjoy the day!
K
Good Morning,
Early Spring in Paraguay means temperatures around 105 F, I learned that yesterday sometime around 4pm when I was at the hospital in a room the size of an average patient room with 20 other people all trying to screen for surgery or being screened for surgery. As this is only the second mission here for Op Smile, the crowds came early and we finally shut down screening at 9:30 pm. The poor speech pathologist did not finish until sometime around midnight as there is only one pathologist and everyone must be seen. We screened 257 patients and expect another 200 or more today. Fortunatly, cloud cover came in around 7 pm and the temperature dove into the 80´s.
The team members are great as are the in-country assistance from Peace-corp members and students from the American school. I am even getting a little better with my Spanish. It is like learning a language with a private tutor and in an immersion setting where you have to learn it to survive. Only I really don´t. The hard language is the language of the native indian people of Paraguay. Mixed with the Spanish, then the Portugese and then the freed slaves of Brazil and then the Europeans seeking a place to hide after WWII the people are of all size and color but the Indians still survive. The language is difficult to learn and consists of a series of vowel sounds. The word for wind is similar to making a blowing sound. I do not expect to learn much of their language. We have not had any time to check out much of the city except for what we see on the 45 minute drive to and from the hospital. Today we may finish around 6pm and with any luck make a team dinner with all the members who arrive today.
I learned from C (his wife) that N (his son) toured Duke and really liked the law school. He is touring the East coast and checking out all the really expensive and difficult schools he may be able to get into. I love the fact that all new lawyers must buy their parents a condominium upon graduation even if they don´t help with the cost of school. Great profession!
Talk to you soon after I get more time. Off to the morning meeting and then to work.
Enjoy the day!
K
Paraguay 9/14/06
An email from my brother:
Good Morning!
Hope the world is good for you today. In Paraguay the clouds are coming in and it is expected to cool down a little. Not sure how cool. Yesterday afternoon we toured the hospital. It is a 45 minute drive from the hotel and is on a military base where the hospital is not used. This is my idea of a military. All the uniforms, a calvary, very nice police ground and no killing people.
We returned to a meeting where we all were introduced to the members of team Paraguay and then to a dinner in one of the 5 restaurants at the resort. Dinner was similar to a "charssussaria"(sic)where a small salad and fruit buffet complimented coal fired brazziers that were brought to your table. On each were grilled steaks, sausages, blood sausage, ribs, chicken, a pork. At the main table were 7 or 8 chutneys with which to cover the meat. Very good idea, similar to a Brazilian steak house. I went to bed around 11 after reading Jeffery Sachs book " How To End Poverty". I will let you know how it goes.
Today after breakfast and the team meeting we head to the military grounds and the hospital to start screening. We are expecting between 350 and 400 children today and they are all staying in a covered tent on the grounds until they find out if they qualify. If accepted and they live away they will stay in the military gym. Maybe Rumsfeld should look into this as early recruitment!
I will take a lot of pictures and show them when I return. Have a good day and try to enjoy all the things that will happen to you today.
K
Good Morning!
Hope the world is good for you today. In Paraguay the clouds are coming in and it is expected to cool down a little. Not sure how cool. Yesterday afternoon we toured the hospital. It is a 45 minute drive from the hotel and is on a military base where the hospital is not used. This is my idea of a military. All the uniforms, a calvary, very nice police ground and no killing people.
We returned to a meeting where we all were introduced to the members of team Paraguay and then to a dinner in one of the 5 restaurants at the resort. Dinner was similar to a "charssussaria"(sic)where a small salad and fruit buffet complimented coal fired brazziers that were brought to your table. On each were grilled steaks, sausages, blood sausage, ribs, chicken, a pork. At the main table were 7 or 8 chutneys with which to cover the meat. Very good idea, similar to a Brazilian steak house. I went to bed around 11 after reading Jeffery Sachs book " How To End Poverty". I will let you know how it goes.
Today after breakfast and the team meeting we head to the military grounds and the hospital to start screening. We are expecting between 350 and 400 children today and they are all staying in a covered tent on the grounds until they find out if they qualify. If accepted and they live away they will stay in the military gym. Maybe Rumsfeld should look into this as early recruitment!
I will take a lot of pictures and show them when I return. Have a good day and try to enjoy all the things that will happen to you today.
K
Paraguay 9/13/06
One of my brothers in is Paraguay right now, working on an Operation Smile mission (where doctors go in and fix cleft palates for free). This is his 3rd or 4th, not sure. I know he's been to Russia and Cambodia before...
Anyway, I asked him if I could post his emails here and he agreed. The only changes are to spelling and grammar as necessary.
Dear Family and Friends,
Hello from South America. I arrived in Paraguay about 2 hours ago and am now in the hotel and will write more later.
Talk to you soon,
Love K
Hello again,
Sorry for the short message but I was requested to be at a lunch and team meeting and had to go. The flights down were not bad. I managed to secure aisle seats and met the team manager for the Indianapolis women's nba team next to me. I learned quite a bit about women's professional sports.
Sao Paulo, Brazil airport was nothing great and once they found a plane that worked we arrived here in Paraguay only a few minutes late. While early Spring here, the temp is in the 80s and all the flowering trees are in bloom. The land is hilly and covered with the tropical plants and scrub trees familiar in almost all of Central America and Mexico. The hotel is as nice a hotel as I have ever stayed at for an Operation Smile trip. The lobby is beautiful, the rooms are huge and all have leather sofas and chairs with mini-bars and huge bathrooms. Seems strange for a mission to have such a nice place. It is situated on the Paraguan river that borders with Argentina across from the hotel. There is a casino nearby but I have not seen it. The pool is huge and has a golf course behind the hotel. Pretty nice place to stay if you are in Paraguay.
The city is large and reminds me of a city in Mexico. I have not seen the poverty familiar with many of the trips but have not been out much. Almost all of the nicer stores and hotels and offices have armed guards outside for protection. That always seems a little strange.
I am heading out for a hospital tour at 4pm. Will try to write more later.
Love K
Anyway, I asked him if I could post his emails here and he agreed. The only changes are to spelling and grammar as necessary.
Dear Family and Friends,
Hello from South America. I arrived in Paraguay about 2 hours ago and am now in the hotel and will write more later.
Talk to you soon,
Love K
Hello again,
Sorry for the short message but I was requested to be at a lunch and team meeting and had to go. The flights down were not bad. I managed to secure aisle seats and met the team manager for the Indianapolis women's nba team next to me. I learned quite a bit about women's professional sports.
Sao Paulo, Brazil airport was nothing great and once they found a plane that worked we arrived here in Paraguay only a few minutes late. While early Spring here, the temp is in the 80s and all the flowering trees are in bloom. The land is hilly and covered with the tropical plants and scrub trees familiar in almost all of Central America and Mexico. The hotel is as nice a hotel as I have ever stayed at for an Operation Smile trip. The lobby is beautiful, the rooms are huge and all have leather sofas and chairs with mini-bars and huge bathrooms. Seems strange for a mission to have such a nice place. It is situated on the Paraguan river that borders with Argentina across from the hotel. There is a casino nearby but I have not seen it. The pool is huge and has a golf course behind the hotel. Pretty nice place to stay if you are in Paraguay.
The city is large and reminds me of a city in Mexico. I have not seen the poverty familiar with many of the trips but have not been out much. Almost all of the nicer stores and hotels and offices have armed guards outside for protection. That always seems a little strange.
I am heading out for a hospital tour at 4pm. Will try to write more later.
Love K
N's Star Sighting
So C just pee'd next to the guy who played Xander on Buffy. I saw him earlier, and wasn't sure if it was him, came into the trailer and told C who went to see....
that made me lol - thanks, I needed that. Did Carlo happen to get a look at the guy's package? big? little? bent?
I hadn't thought to ask, so I just did, trying not to get embarrassed as I asked it. And he said he has a hard enough time looking at actors there is no way he could look at his package. But I'm going to say he must be small. C said he was grumpy so I think that he was trying to distract him from looking at the little man....
So Xander has a little man. No wonder Willow went lesbian...
that made me lol - thanks, I needed that. Did Carlo happen to get a look at the guy's package? big? little? bent?
I hadn't thought to ask, so I just did, trying not to get embarrassed as I asked it. And he said he has a hard enough time looking at actors there is no way he could look at his package. But I'm going to say he must be small. C said he was grumpy so I think that he was trying to distract him from looking at the little man....
So Xander has a little man. No wonder Willow went lesbian...
Bart
My boss and I went to set to hand out paychecks, then went up to see the animals. We got a little lost and ended up with the grizzly bear - actually, we came around a corner and saw him galloping across a field and stopped in our tracks (didn't see the live wire at first). But there he was, playing with his trainer in a field. Bart has to be kept separate from the other animals because he's afraid of the giraffes. He doesn't understand what they are and it makes him too aggressive.
The trainer had some tree branches that he would hold out at Bart, who would delight in running at them and batting them out of the way. It was so cool. He and the trainer would romp and wrestle and play tug-of-war with the branches and it was amazing to watch him move. His fur rippled and changed color as he ran and he would throw his head around to show his cockyness. I did notice the trainer had a big club tucked into the back of his pants - his daughter said it was because the bear doesn't feel your fists. Yikes!
Anyway, it turns out these are the same trainers who worked with Tank from Doolittle 2 and the original Bart from The Bear. This Bart isn't the same one or even an offspring, just a namesake. His mom was poached in Alaska and they got him at 3 months. He's 6 years now, and 1100 pounds of what equals an 18 year old human. So he is a bit full of himself. It was a treat to watch him play and I hope we get the chance to see the rest of the animals today.
The trainer had some tree branches that he would hold out at Bart, who would delight in running at them and batting them out of the way. It was so cool. He and the trainer would romp and wrestle and play tug-of-war with the branches and it was amazing to watch him move. His fur rippled and changed color as he ran and he would throw his head around to show his cockyness. I did notice the trainer had a big club tucked into the back of his pants - his daughter said it was because the bear doesn't feel your fists. Yikes!
Anyway, it turns out these are the same trainers who worked with Tank from Doolittle 2 and the original Bart from The Bear. This Bart isn't the same one or even an offspring, just a namesake. His mom was poached in Alaska and they got him at 3 months. He's 6 years now, and 1100 pounds of what equals an 18 year old human. So he is a bit full of himself. It was a treat to watch him play and I hope we get the chance to see the rest of the animals today.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Busy but Bored
My boss is totally swamped right now and is hating her job. She keeps repeating "this was supposed to be easy" as she slogs thru the animal wrangler budget. I knew when she offered me this gig and said it would be easy it was a lie, but I'm doing ok... Of course, I'd be doing better if I didn't waste time blogging and surfing. I actually saw a photo online today of a cat with bacon taped to its side. I have to say, I think all of my kitties would be up for that...
The husband has taught Sofie a new trick. Actually, she's been doing it for a while now, but he's gotten her to do it on command. She's always liked to lick my nose (to be specific, the inside of my nose). I'm not sure if my snot is especially tasty or what, but she really likes it. So the husband decided to announce that I've got "filthy nose" which is her command to stand on me and attempt to clean out my nostrils, sometimes clear up to my brain. It's not something we do in public. And she won't do it to him no matter how much I try.
The husband has taught Sofie a new trick. Actually, she's been doing it for a while now, but he's gotten her to do it on command. She's always liked to lick my nose (to be specific, the inside of my nose). I'm not sure if my snot is especially tasty or what, but she really likes it. So the husband decided to announce that I've got "filthy nose" which is her command to stand on me and attempt to clean out my nostrils, sometimes clear up to my brain. It's not something we do in public. And she won't do it to him no matter how much I try.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
How Fast Were They Going?
There's a small side security gate off of the main security gate I go thru every morning. It leads to the building where I worked on Dupree. Anyway, yesterday as I was driving in, I noticed the guard from the small gate standing in the drive, waving cars by. As I passed him, I wondered what was up, why he was blocking the lane, so I turned my head to look. Sitting there in the road was a golf cart, fully engulfed in flames. Not little sparks mind you, but 10 foot high shooting flames and roiling black smoke. For some reason, I laughed out loud at the sight. It wasn't crashed or tipped over or anything, it was just sitting there burning. The fire trucks came about 5 minutes later and that was that. Hope no one got hurt.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Clockwatcher
The 1st is at it again - haranguing people about their hours... The clerk left 15 minutes early last night to get a haircut. She came in at 7:30 this morning to "make up" for it. She still got called into the office. I heard the 1st say something about how we're trying to keep regular hours and people can't just change them willy-nilly (no, she didn't say willy-nilly, but it's what she meant). It's such a friggin' power trip that I just do not get. If the work is getting done, who cares if someone leaves a little early? But I guess the clerk forgot to tell her she needed to leave early and didn't give her a chance to bestow permission...
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
VFX Day 2
The lion saga continues... the prop guy told us today that while the lion was loose, no one was quite sure where it was. The trainers shouted for everyone to freeze and then crept around the set looking for it - had to be careful not to startle or provoke it. With my luck, I'd be the one they found shaking in the corner with the lion licking my hand or something... most animals like me but that's going a bit far.
I did make it to set today, but the animals weren't out yet. They were running the motion control camera back and forth and it got boring real quick. But on the call sheet we have: owl, ravens, chimps, raccoons, foxes, wolves, kangaroos, alpacas, ducks, geese, lemurs, and rams. I'd like to see the lemurs.
I did make it to set today, but the animals weren't out yet. They were running the motion control camera back and forth and it got boring real quick. But on the call sheet we have: owl, ravens, chimps, raccoons, foxes, wolves, kangaroos, alpacas, ducks, geese, lemurs, and rams. I'd like to see the lemurs.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
VFX Day 1
Today on set they have lions, grizzly bears, tigers, baboons, yaks, orangutans, and reindeer. I hope I get the chance to go down there - I brought my camera! I'll post pics if I make it and don't get mauled or eaten.
I called down to the 2nd AD earlier and when he answered, I asked if he had a second. His response "not right now, we have a lion on the loose." Honest to dog I thought he meant they were working the lion and everybody had to stay alert. Nope. The lion had gotten out of its harness and was wandering around the stage... No one got hurt, but after Steve Irwin this weekend I'm sure people were pretty freaked out.
I called down to the 2nd AD earlier and when he answered, I asked if he had a second. His response "not right now, we have a lion on the loose." Honest to dog I thought he meant they were working the lion and everybody had to stay alert. Nope. The lion had gotten out of its harness and was wandering around the stage... No one got hurt, but after Steve Irwin this weekend I'm sure people were pretty freaked out.
Friday, September 01, 2006
It Annoyed Me
My desk at work has been bothering me for a couple of weeks. Specifically, I could tell there was some paper stuck behind the bottom drawer but I couldn't get to it. Today I managed to get the drawer out and retrieve the papers. To my surprise, they were dated 3/18/90 and there were about 50 sheets! That stuff's been stuck in there for over 16 years and no one took the time to dig it out in all that time. Does that kind of crap only bother me? Guess so...
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Staying
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Shreveport 2
I found out the Dallas movie is shooting in Shreveport as well. They have a house in Dallas (a $55 million dollar spread) that they're going to use for Southfork, but most of it will be in Shreveport. I wonder how the original Southfork people feel about it?
Anyway, they really have no idea when they're going to start so it probably won't work out for me. That's ok, because I'm not in any rush. I have plenty to do right here on EA.
Anyway, they really have no idea when they're going to start so it probably won't work out for me. That's ok, because I'm not in any rush. I have plenty to do right here on EA.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Shreveport
I went in to tell my boss about the phone call I got for Dallas and she told me Mo had asked me to call. Mo is another acct I've worked with, but she's only recently moved up to being the key acct. She had called me while I was still in Santa Fe to do an Eddie Murphy movie in Rhode Island. Well, it turns out that didn't go as planned and they're doing it with a different studio in Shreveport. The timing works out really well with EA and the husband and I are really considering me taking it.
So we were talking about it last night and I commented I didn't want to take as much stuff with me as I did to Santa Fe. The husband said he didn't think I'd taken that much, but I mulled it over and finally realized what I'd meant. I don't want to take as much of ME... I have 3 months before I'd have to go and I want to lose as much weight as I can before then. I need to lose 40-50 pounds total, but I'd like to lose at least 20 before November. I haven't been trying that hard but maybe this is the motivation I need. I didn't have any nice clothes in SF but I have drawers full of cute stuff I can't fit into right now - I want that to change.
I think I'm going to follow the WW plan, but not go to meetings. I know how the system works but going to weigh-in just doesn't appeal right now. I'm debating posting the real numbers on the blog, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. Maybe just a pounds lost running total...
So we were talking about it last night and I commented I didn't want to take as much stuff with me as I did to Santa Fe. The husband said he didn't think I'd taken that much, but I mulled it over and finally realized what I'd meant. I don't want to take as much of ME... I have 3 months before I'd have to go and I want to lose as much weight as I can before then. I need to lose 40-50 pounds total, but I'd like to lose at least 20 before November. I haven't been trying that hard but maybe this is the motivation I need. I didn't have any nice clothes in SF but I have drawers full of cute stuff I can't fit into right now - I want that to change.
I think I'm going to follow the WW plan, but not go to meetings. I know how the system works but going to weigh-in just doesn't appeal right now. I'm debating posting the real numbers on the blog, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. Maybe just a pounds lost running total...
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
From DH4 to Dallas
I finally got out of working on DH4. I talked to the acct on Tuesday and told her my answer was still no.
When I got home, there was a message on the machine asking about my availability for the Dallas remake. So I was right, there's always another show.
When I got home, there was a message on the machine asking about my availability for the Dallas remake. So I was right, there's always another show.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Take No For An Answer, Already!
I didn't call the acct for DH4 back yesterday. I'm a bit peeved that she wouldn't take my "no" on Friday. But she's called and left a message this morning and I have to deal with it. Why should I feel guilty for not wanting to work like a dog for the next 6 months? I really need to just take it easy and have a life and make my rate, even if it only goes to November. There will be another job, there always is. And yet, the guilt is there.
I'm going to do my best to ignore it.
I'm going to do my best to ignore it.
Monday, July 24, 2006
CROWDED
Turns out leaving Saturday was a good idea. They stopped selling tix around noon because the fire marshal was "having concerns." That place is like a mile long! Well, maybe that's exaggerating, but it's friggin' big.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Comic-Con
The husband and I went to Comic-Con again this year. He took the train down Wednesday afternoon and got checked into the hotel and got the badges. I came down after work and got in around 9:30. I was surprised at the number of people still leaving the convention center after preview night. We drove over to Coronado to find a grocery store, figuring correctly it wouldn't be as crazy as the one downtown.
On Thursday, we picked up raffle tix for the Solomon Grundy action figure give-away. The Professor wanted one and it didn't take much effort. Turns out the husband and I both got one. We're going to sell ours on ebay. Spent the day wandering around buying books and looking at all the stuff. I bought myself a pair of contact lenses that are SUPER GREEN! They had others that were white, some totally black, some that looked like cats' eyes... I couldn't choose so I went with the GREEN ones. I may order some more online now I know I can wear them. http://www.cosplaylab.com/proshop/cosmeticlens.asp
Saw some interesting costumes, but nothing spectacular. Did see one woman in a revealing outfit whose very long hair was the only thing covering her ass. And it wasn't an ass you'd want uncovered. Wow.
On Friday we hit a couple of panels and wandered around the floor some more, but it was uncomfortably crowded and warm. After some discussion, we decided it wasn't worth the hassle to stay until Sunday and decided to leave early. We didn't even buy tix for next year - we'll have to make other vacation plans or hit a different con.
After a last bit of shopping on Saturday morning, which wasn't too bad crowd-wise, we went home. I think it would have been pretty bad later, once the late-risers had made their way in and the Saturday attendees had all been processed. As it was, we had a nice drive home and went to pick up the dog. Silly how much we missed her.
Over 100 degrees at home and felt like an oven. Better than San Diego though, which was maybe high 80's - low 90's but felt like a sauna. Instant sweat.
On Thursday, we picked up raffle tix for the Solomon Grundy action figure give-away. The Professor wanted one and it didn't take much effort. Turns out the husband and I both got one. We're going to sell ours on ebay. Spent the day wandering around buying books and looking at all the stuff. I bought myself a pair of contact lenses that are SUPER GREEN! They had others that were white, some totally black, some that looked like cats' eyes... I couldn't choose so I went with the GREEN ones. I may order some more online now I know I can wear them. http://www.cosplaylab.com/proshop/cosmeticlens.asp
Saw some interesting costumes, but nothing spectacular. Did see one woman in a revealing outfit whose very long hair was the only thing covering her ass. And it wasn't an ass you'd want uncovered. Wow.
On Friday we hit a couple of panels and wandered around the floor some more, but it was uncomfortably crowded and warm. After some discussion, we decided it wasn't worth the hassle to stay until Sunday and decided to leave early. We didn't even buy tix for next year - we'll have to make other vacation plans or hit a different con.
After a last bit of shopping on Saturday morning, which wasn't too bad crowd-wise, we went home. I think it would have been pretty bad later, once the late-risers had made their way in and the Saturday attendees had all been processed. As it was, we had a nice drive home and went to pick up the dog. Silly how much we missed her.
Over 100 degrees at home and felt like an oven. Better than San Diego though, which was maybe high 80's - low 90's but felt like a sauna. Instant sweat.
Jobs
I got a call from a Sony show (Super Bad) that I would have been happy to work on except it's on the Sony lot - that would mean commuting over an hour each way every day. Put that on top of the 10 -12 hours I spend at the office on a normal day and I'd lose it. It was nice of K to recommend me, though.
I also got the call from DH4, but I had already decided to turn it down. I really don't want to work that hard right now. I called the acct back to turn it down and she wouldn't really accept my answer. She kept trying to talk me into it, saying how it wasn't going to be that hard with 2 people and a clerk. Then I found out I wasn't even her first choice - the first person she called didn't want to go to Baltimore. So she's desperate and I told her I'd think about it over the weekend so she'd leave me alone. I had already told my boss on Evan I was staying, so that's that.
My big plan now is to work on Evan until November, then get my sister to come visit me, then get another job after she leaves. We'll see what happens.
I also got the call from DH4, but I had already decided to turn it down. I really don't want to work that hard right now. I called the acct back to turn it down and she wouldn't really accept my answer. She kept trying to talk me into it, saying how it wasn't going to be that hard with 2 people and a clerk. Then I found out I wasn't even her first choice - the first person she called didn't want to go to Baltimore. So she's desperate and I told her I'd think about it over the weekend so she'd leave me alone. I had already told my boss on Evan I was staying, so that's that.
My big plan now is to work on Evan until November, then get my sister to come visit me, then get another job after she leaves. We'll see what happens.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
N's Star Sighting
Email from N:
Celebrity Sighting... CSI Gary Dourdan-Warrick
I could have wet myself I was so excited. I walked within a foot of him... I love that show and am completely beside myself that they shoot it right here...
Which one is he? I don't watch it that much.
Tall black guy
big hair? he's a hottie
good for you!
He looks hotter in person and either the sun was hitting his hair just right or he got some nice red highlights... and I'm not sure but I think he checked me out and then did another check after I passed by him. So when I got to 2160 I had to use the restroom and make sure my ass looked decent. Though it was too late for that.
Can I put this in my blog?
Yes but only use my first name...
Blogger's Note: I want to point out that it is quite possible that the man did check N out. She's a hottie, too!
Celebrity Sighting... CSI Gary Dourdan-Warrick
I could have wet myself I was so excited. I walked within a foot of him... I love that show and am completely beside myself that they shoot it right here...
Which one is he? I don't watch it that much.
Tall black guy
big hair? he's a hottie
good for you!
He looks hotter in person and either the sun was hitting his hair just right or he got some nice red highlights... and I'm not sure but I think he checked me out and then did another check after I passed by him. So when I got to 2160 I had to use the restroom and make sure my ass looked decent. Though it was too late for that.
Can I put this in my blog?
Yes but only use my first name...
Blogger's Note: I want to point out that it is quite possible that the man did check N out. She's a hottie, too!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Long Live Hamilton
Hamilton is dead. I don't know exactly when he went, but I just got up to get some water and noticed he hadn't eaten his pellets. I picked up his bowl and he's laying at the bottom, all gray and still. I don't know the life expectancy for a Betta, but considering he went to Santa Fe and back in tupperware, he probably did pretty good. I'll cry about this later, but right now I have work to finish.
Reset
I had my interview today for DH4 aka Reset. I haven't gotten an offer and I may not, but I really don't know if I should take it if I do. It's going to be really big and crazy-making - big 1st unit, big 2nd unit, 72 day shoot, 2 weeks in Maryland. They plan on having 2 fully functional payroll people but I forgot to ask about clerk(s). It'll go thru January. As the husband pointed out, it's my chance to do a big project and get a taste of that world.
Or I could stick with EA and make the same money for a much easier workload (relatively). I'd only be employed thru October though and I may regret passing up this chance.
Maybe I should flip a coin...
Any suggestions?
Or I could stick with EA and make the same money for a much easier workload (relatively). I'd only be employed thru October though and I may regret passing up this chance.
Maybe I should flip a coin...
Any suggestions?
Monday, July 17, 2006
Wrap
I didn't make it to the wrap party. Not that big a deal since I don't really know anybody on this show. The only regret I have is not going to the location, some place called the Xanadu house. Supposed to be super-cool. Oh well. If it's that great I'm sure someone else will hold the wrap party there.
I'm trying to decide if I should stick with EA through the VFX stuff or move on, possibly to DH4. I took this job with the intention of staying, but that all changed when the schedule got squashed. I started looking, then the schedule got picked back up. So if I stay on this show, it'll go to November and if I take something new it'll last much longer. But this show could be easy while a new one will not. I'll figure it out, I guess.
I'm trying to decide if I should stick with EA through the VFX stuff or move on, possibly to DH4. I took this job with the intention of staying, but that all changed when the schedule got squashed. I started looking, then the schedule got picked back up. So if I stay on this show, it'll go to November and if I take something new it'll last much longer. But this show could be easy while a new one will not. I'll figure it out, I guess.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Coco
Sped has pics of her new dog posted on her blog. She also says her mom has been sending boxes of toys, beds amd other things. This just goes to show that I am not Ma's favorite, as she hasn't sent anything for Sofie! Not that I'm jealous, but it's been a running joke for years that she likes me better...
My mom on the other hand has grandkids from other siblings and has no need to consider her dog her grandbaby. Really though, I think my parents grew up in a generation where a dog was a working animal or just a pet, not the member of the family we consider Sofie. Oh well.
My mom on the other hand has grandkids from other siblings and has no need to consider her dog her grandbaby. Really though, I think my parents grew up in a generation where a dog was a working animal or just a pet, not the member of the family we consider Sofie. Oh well.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Screenings
Went to the cast and crew screening for Dupree on Tuesday. It wasn't that good. The movie didn't have any spark, except for the lascivious dream sequence. There wasnt' any chemistry between any of the actors and I blame Dillon, who just didn't fit in.
I also got my tix for the screening of Snakes. That'll be in August and I'm so looking forward to it. Although I usually hate movies like that, I'll be there.
The wrap party for EA is on Sunday out in Malibu. It's on the beach somewhere and I want to go, but I still have to do payroll and with Comic-Con next week, I'm already on a short week. I guess we'll see how today goes.
I also got my tix for the screening of Snakes. That'll be in August and I'm so looking forward to it. Although I usually hate movies like that, I'll be there.
The wrap party for EA is on Sunday out in Malibu. It's on the beach somewhere and I want to go, but I still have to do payroll and with Comic-Con next week, I'm already on a short week. I guess we'll see how today goes.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
DH4
The offices for DH4 are moving to the Universal lot on Thursday and I'm going over in the evening to interview. I'm not sure what I'll do about taking it, but I want the interview at least.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
F*cking Camera Dept
I got the camera timecards in today and those fucks had the nerve to send a copy of the contract with them. Specifically, it was the page about 6th days and they circled the part that said they were due a 6th day...
AS IF I DIDN'T KNOW!!! IT'S ONLY MY JOB YOU DUMB FUCKS.
I showed it to the acct and he's going to show it to the UPM. I don't know what will happen, but I am so insulted and pissed off.
I'm debating a response - either sending them their timecards back with a note saying if they don't think I can do my job they can break their own damn timecards or sending a note asking them if they could come by the office and take care of the rest of the crew, since they obviously know my job better than I do.
Damn, I'm grinding my teeth I'm so mad.
AS IF I DIDN'T KNOW!!! IT'S ONLY MY JOB YOU DUMB FUCKS.
I showed it to the acct and he's going to show it to the UPM. I don't know what will happen, but I am so insulted and pissed off.
I'm debating a response - either sending them their timecards back with a note saying if they don't think I can do my job they can break their own damn timecards or sending a note asking them if they could come by the office and take care of the rest of the crew, since they obviously know my job better than I do.
Damn, I'm grinding my teeth I'm so mad.
Ugh, Sunday.
Back at work this Sunday, barely after 8am, and I'm already pissed. I got 2 post-its on my door and both of them were stupid. The 1st was from the 1st asst acct, telling me a journal entry I'd done wasn't posted yet. I KNOW THAT. It's actually sitting in her basket with a note on it asking her to audit it for me. If she had done that, I would have posted it. The 2nd note is about a guy who didn't get paid because I didn't get a timecard for him. It's asking me to call the best boy about it. I CALLED HIM ON FRIDAY. Dumas probably doesn't listen to his messages. And off course I don't have any of my paperwork. I'm going to have to call security to come and let me into the production trailer again.
I can't wait until this shit job is over. If I get something else lined up, I'm so bailing on them.
I can't wait until this shit job is over. If I get something else lined up, I'm so bailing on them.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
I Hate This Show...
If I haven't mentioned it yet, I need to add "taking over another person's show" to my list of things not to do. Ugh. It's been a crappy week but at least everyone's getting paid on time.
Our star wants to take a little vacation before going back to work on his sitcom, so he'll be done on Monday instead of Tuesday. This means we'll be shooting Saturday and Sunday to make up for it and the stuff we fell behind on. I'm working tomorrow (6th day) and my asst will be coming in on Sunday. I also found out I'll get to pay the actors this week. What fun! There's a boatload of them (pun intended) and I'm already struggling. It's not going to get better until I get to leave for Comic-Con. Hopefully by then it'll be more under control.
The payroll acct from VA told me today he's finally reached his bitter stage and he's ready to set people on fire. He even has a list.
The POC just came in and asked who was paying the actors now. I told her I was. She commented it was a bad week to switch, as there are 50 stunt players and 20 new day players. F*ck me. I wonder if it's too late to dump it back on VA?
Our star wants to take a little vacation before going back to work on his sitcom, so he'll be done on Monday instead of Tuesday. This means we'll be shooting Saturday and Sunday to make up for it and the stuff we fell behind on. I'm working tomorrow (6th day) and my asst will be coming in on Sunday. I also found out I'll get to pay the actors this week. What fun! There's a boatload of them (pun intended) and I'm already struggling. It's not going to get better until I get to leave for Comic-Con. Hopefully by then it'll be more under control.
The payroll acct from VA told me today he's finally reached his bitter stage and he's ready to set people on fire. He even has a list.
The POC just came in and asked who was paying the actors now. I told her I was. She commented it was a bad week to switch, as there are 50 stunt players and 20 new day players. F*ck me. I wonder if it's too late to dump it back on VA?
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
A Day Off
I got my home office set up today. It's in the breakfast room, in a little nook. Now I just need to take care of my plants before they all die...
Monday, July 03, 2006
Days Like Today...
make me hate my job. Actually, I still like my job but I hate not being able to do it well. I struggled with the friggin' payroll for over 22 hours and I'm still not done, but the stuff that's left is late or problem stuff and I'm not as worried about it.
Basically, it took me forever to do my job and it bothers me. I mentioned the difficulty I had to the accountant and he acknowledged that coming into a show midstream is much harder than one would think, as there's so much that's just stuck in your head from doing it week after week that a newby has to look up. I'm glad he's aware of it and not just thinking I'm a slacker or something.
Anyway, I'm about to head out. I'll probably come in tomorrow and finish up the animal wranglers, but there's not that many and I can clean that up in about an hour. I have to go be nice to the husband for taking care of me yesterday. I know I was a bitch to him, but he stuck by me and helped me more than he'll know. It may have seemed like nothing, but it meant a lot to me.
Basically, it took me forever to do my job and it bothers me. I mentioned the difficulty I had to the accountant and he acknowledged that coming into a show midstream is much harder than one would think, as there's so much that's just stuck in your head from doing it week after week that a newby has to look up. I'm glad he's aware of it and not just thinking I'm a slacker or something.
Anyway, I'm about to head out. I'll probably come in tomorrow and finish up the animal wranglers, but there's not that many and I can clean that up in about an hour. I have to go be nice to the husband for taking care of me yesterday. I know I was a bitch to him, but he stuck by me and helped me more than he'll know. It may have seemed like nothing, but it meant a lot to me.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
DH4
I got a call on Friday about DH4. I'm going to have an interview, even though they're not sure if the movie will be in LA or in Canada (payroll isn't allowed to work in Canada). They're just trying to be proactive. This coming week is screwed up with the holiday, so I probably won't interview until next week. We'll see.
EA
I'm sitting at my desk, preparing to do the payroll for EA. I'm not looking forward to it because it's been since February/March and SoaP since I did real payroll, not just prep and wrap stuff. Plus, I don't see the timecards from set. I think they're in the production office which is in the next trailer. I'm going to do the stuff on my desk first, then I'll have to call security to come down and open the prod office for me.
I have heard some interesting stories on this one...
- there was a bike shop going out of business in the town in Virginia where they were shooting and the director decided to buy everyone on the crew a bike. Everyone.
- a baboon freaked out one day and knocked down one of the child actors - they think it may have seen it as either a playmate or a threat, since it was the same size.
- a transpo van hit a bear.
- some teenagers thought it would be cool to light up a joint while checking out the set. They decided the police officer working security was a fake (all cops on movie sets are fakes, apparently) - they got arrested.
If I hear more I'll pass them along.
I have heard some interesting stories on this one...
- there was a bike shop going out of business in the town in Virginia where they were shooting and the director decided to buy everyone on the crew a bike. Everyone.
- a baboon freaked out one day and knocked down one of the child actors - they think it may have seen it as either a playmate or a threat, since it was the same size.
- a transpo van hit a bear.
- some teenagers thought it would be cool to light up a joint while checking out the set. They decided the police officer working security was a fake (all cops on movie sets are fakes, apparently) - they got arrested.
If I hear more I'll pass them along.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Job "Search"
A friend of mine from Snakes im'd me yesterday to see what I was up to. I told her about my job at EA and she said she's working on Die Hard 4 and they're looking for payroll. The accountant has a reputation for being a real hard-ass, but I sent my resume anyway. Actually, she doesn't just have a reputation, she's on the "list" of accountants you shouldn't work for unless you're desperate. But I've only ever had a problem with one acct so far and she wasn't on that list... I'm willing to give it a chance. (After reading over my shoulder, the husband pointed out at least 2 more than I've had issues with that I had apparently blocked from memory.)
Why am I sending out resumes? Because all the 2nd unit work on EA was cancelled last Monday. I am no longer guaranteed employment until September. It seems the 2nd unit crew that was hired was doing crap work and they can't use most of the footage. So the director is going to put together a rough edit and see what's needed. No one knows how long that will take so no one is making any plans beyond a regular wrap, which is usually 4 weeks for me. So 1st unit is done July 11th, a stunt unit is done July 12th, and I should be done about 4 weeks after (no calendar at hand...).
Why am I sending out resumes? Because all the 2nd unit work on EA was cancelled last Monday. I am no longer guaranteed employment until September. It seems the 2nd unit crew that was hired was doing crap work and they can't use most of the footage. So the director is going to put together a rough edit and see what's needed. No one knows how long that will take so no one is making any plans beyond a regular wrap, which is usually 4 weeks for me. So 1st unit is done July 11th, a stunt unit is done July 12th, and I should be done about 4 weeks after (no calendar at hand...).
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Flag Burning
I'm relieved the flag burning ban didn't pass because if it does I'm going to be forced to burn a flag in protest. I think it's just ludicris to try to criminalize flag burning when there are millions of people in the good ol' US of A doing things to the flag that are just plain wrong. Those tatty car flags that should be retired, flag decals, flag clothing, flags flying unlit at night or in the rain... all of those are the result of ignorance while burning is usually a statement of some sort, with some kind of intent behind it.
So if it comes up, I'll be there with my matches protesting the loss of freedom to protest.
So if it comes up, I'll be there with my matches protesting the loss of freedom to protest.
Star Sighting
We had dinner at Daily Grill before the movie last night and Cheryl Tiegs and her family sat at the table across from us. She's aging very well.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Probably Best Left Unsaid...
Th 1st Asst Acct just showed me a gift she got from one of her assistants - a carrot-shaped vibrator. Then 3 minutes later, she walked from her office to the kitchen to reheat her lunch and commented how she didn't understand how anyone could make veggies taste like fish...
Umm, carrot-shaped vibrator?
Sorry, had to.
Umm, carrot-shaped vibrator?
Sorry, had to.
Superman
While waiting to get my car smogged this morning, I was watching one of the morning "news" shows. They mentioned a review of Superman Returns and commented that there were some late night showings tonight since it opens tomorrow. When I got to work, I got online and bought 2 tix for the 10pm show up at Universal Citywalk. It's a surprise for the husband, but I had to email him so he wouldn't make other plans... so SURPRISE!
When the first Christopher Reeve Superman came out, my husband made his mother come and get him out of school so he could go to the first showing. He was a strong-willed little boy.
When the first Christopher Reeve Superman came out, my husband made his mother come and get him out of school so he could go to the first showing. He was a strong-willed little boy.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Only in LA?
There's a small plane flying over the studio today, dragging a banner for a new tv show. Do they do this stuff in other cities? I can't imagine. Of course, they also have some of the biggest billboards (advertising movies and tv shows) I've ever seen here. Maybe the ones in NYC are bigger, but I haven't been there to see them.
Santa Barbara
The husband, Sofie, and I spent the weekend in Santa Barbara. I left work early on Friday and we drove up around 4 o'clock. Traffic wasn't great, but I'm sure it could have been worse. We ended up staying the the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort because they were just about the only place that took dogs with a vacancy. We got upgraded to a suite, which was very swank.
The city was hosting it's Summer Solstice Parade on Saturday. Apparently it's the biggest parade of the year in Santa Barbara. It looked like a lot of fun and Sofie did pretty well in the crowds. She's such a sweet looking dog she always gets attention from strangers.
We ended up staying to Sunday and when we left we drove thru Ojai on the way back. We'd never been there before and they had a used bookstore we wanted to check out. It was a nice drive in and the bookstore was ok, but it's open air and even though the shelves are covered in case of rain, a lot were sun-damaged and dirty. I opened one up to look at it and there was a little bug crawling inside it. Even so, I'd like to go back to Ojai sometime and stay for a day or two, see what it's really like. It seems like a nice mountain town, but the husband said it seemed manufactured to him, like too many people from LA had moved in...
I think my favorite thing from the trip was eating lunch on Saturday out on the greenway by the beach. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach itself, but the city has a nice wide strip of grass between the beach and the road. The 3 of us ate and laid in the sun and just had a nice time doing nothing.
The city was hosting it's Summer Solstice Parade on Saturday. Apparently it's the biggest parade of the year in Santa Barbara. It looked like a lot of fun and Sofie did pretty well in the crowds. She's such a sweet looking dog she always gets attention from strangers.
We ended up staying to Sunday and when we left we drove thru Ojai on the way back. We'd never been there before and they had a used bookstore we wanted to check out. It was a nice drive in and the bookstore was ok, but it's open air and even though the shelves are covered in case of rain, a lot were sun-damaged and dirty. I opened one up to look at it and there was a little bug crawling inside it. Even so, I'd like to go back to Ojai sometime and stay for a day or two, see what it's really like. It seems like a nice mountain town, but the husband said it seemed manufactured to him, like too many people from LA had moved in...
I think my favorite thing from the trip was eating lunch on Saturday out on the greenway by the beach. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach itself, but the city has a nice wide strip of grass between the beach and the road. The 3 of us ate and laid in the sun and just had a nice time doing nothing.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Book List #15
I started reading Alice Hoffman's The River King. I've read several of her books, but stopped after they butchered Practial Magic by making it into that dreadful movie.
Anyway, this one is as good as I remember her work being. She has an interesting style that
flows so well, you read and read and read and don't even realize how much time has passed.
Anyway, this one is as good as I remember her work being. She has an interesting style that
flows so well, you read and read and read and don't even realize how much time has passed.
Pics As Promised
This is Coco, Sped's new dog. He has a few health issues and I'm sure some abandonment issues, but he's found himself a good home.
Sped, for some reason he reminds me of your dad. No offense meant to either party. Maybe it's the tilt of the head and the suggestion of a mustache.
Hopefully he and Sofie will get along.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Coco
Sped got a dog, but not the little white poodle mix (the finders took her home). No, this one is a 4 year old Shih Tzu that was given up by its elderly owner who was going into a nursing home. Pics to follow when Sped sends them along...
Morning...
I haven't heard from Sped whether or not they got the dog. Hopefully she'll let all of us know pretty soon.
I had a contractor come in this morning and take a look at our bathrooms. I want to have them redone and needed to find out what kind of money we're looking at. He seemed like a nice guy and he was recommended by N&J, so that's good. I realized talking to him that although I know what I want to accomplish, I have no idea what I want the final outcome to look like. Bit of an issue, there. For the guest bath, I want to hide the litter box and for the master bath, I want a soaking tub. That's about as far as I get...
I got my invite for the cast and crew screening of Dupree. It's on July 11th and I think I can make it - it's right around the corner at Universal Citywalk. The billboards are going up all over town and while it's a nice picture, it makes Hudson's nose look very pointy.
I had a contractor come in this morning and take a look at our bathrooms. I want to have them redone and needed to find out what kind of money we're looking at. He seemed like a nice guy and he was recommended by N&J, so that's good. I realized talking to him that although I know what I want to accomplish, I have no idea what I want the final outcome to look like. Bit of an issue, there. For the guest bath, I want to hide the litter box and for the master bath, I want a soaking tub. That's about as far as I get...
I got my invite for the cast and crew screening of Dupree. It's on July 11th and I think I can make it - it's right around the corner at Universal Citywalk. The billboards are going up all over town and while it's a nice picture, it makes Hudson's nose look very pointy.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Another Puppy
This is Trooper. He belongs to my cousin Lou who has just recently moved to LA.
Lou didn't say what kind of dog Trooper is, but he looks a bit like a Rottie...
I'm very glad my life is full of people with dogs.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sped's Dog (Hopefully)
This is the dog Sped and her man are hoping to adopt. She's about a year and a half old and was found and taken to the pound. The people who found her said they wanted her, but Sped is hoping they change their mind.
They have to be there at 11:30am on Wednesday and if the finders don't show, the pup is theirs. I hope they get her. I'm not really into this kind of dog, the poodle mix, but she looks pretty dang cute from the pic.
Good luck guys! Fingers crossed.
Day 1 On Evan Almighty
Welcome back to Universal! I've got to say it's nice to be working in LA. The commute was so nice and tomorrow I'm going to be able to ride the Plum to work (had to bring in my kit today - needed the car). I have my own office for now, but when the payroll clerk comes back, I'll be sharing. Everybody seems nice and it should work out fine.
I've been chatting with the payroll guy from Virginia, J, and he seems to be nice as well. We're both replacements and luckily neither of us is all that thrilled with the paprwork that began this show. When he finally got the chance to send me the crew list, I couldn't believe how useless it was - ok, not totally useless but not great, either. He didn't take the time to fix it because he thought the woman who started the show would be coming back and he was so damn busy. But I'm very unhappy with it after only 1 day. If I had taken over when he did, I think I would have done some revising.
The schedule and stuff is up in the air. Nobody really knows yet when the crew is coming back to LA. I'm very glad that J is planning on doing the payroll for this week and just having me cut the checks. It'll make the transition much easier.
I've been chatting with the payroll guy from Virginia, J, and he seems to be nice as well. We're both replacements and luckily neither of us is all that thrilled with the paprwork that began this show. When he finally got the chance to send me the crew list, I couldn't believe how useless it was - ok, not totally useless but not great, either. He didn't take the time to fix it because he thought the woman who started the show would be coming back and he was so damn busy. But I'm very unhappy with it after only 1 day. If I had taken over when he did, I think I would have done some revising.
The schedule and stuff is up in the air. Nobody really knows yet when the crew is coming back to LA. I'm very glad that J is planning on doing the payroll for this week and just having me cut the checks. It'll make the transition much easier.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Book List #14
Death Train to Boston by Dianne Day is my current read (it's the next in the Fremont Jones series). The format of this one is a bit different from the others but I'm enjoying it and will continue to read the series as I can find the books. This one has a lot to do with Mormons - an interesting group of people, to be sure. Not being very religious, I find people who are devout fascinating in a "sleeps-on-a-bed-of-nails" kind of way. I'll let you know if it ends well. That really is my biggest complaint about anything - they hook you and pull you along, then just drop you at the end. So far DD hasn't done this to me, but I'm always wary.
Book List #13
I read Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella: Curiouser and Curiouser Adventures in History by Michael Olmert. I actually finished it before I left Santa Fe, but I didn't have the time to blog about it. Basically it's the history of various things that we take for granted like playing cards and umbrellas. It was an ok book - some of the topics were interesting and some were not...there were some entries that had better info in the endnotes.
Back To Work
I start EA tomorrow. We're in a trailer in the Muddy Waters lot. They don't travel back until the 24th, so I'm not exactly sure what they'll have me do this week, but I'm grateful for the paycheck. I'm also grateful this job is so close to home. I rode my Vespa to the store this morning and I'm looking forward to commuting on it.
And Sped, the last post wasn't about you. I know you're working on it and I also know it's not easy. But I do appreciate it.
And Sped, the last post wasn't about you. I know you're working on it and I also know it's not easy. But I do appreciate it.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Stupid Cows and Lying Bastards
I hate people who don't do what they say they're going to do. I can't go into it more here, but believe me when I say there's a reason and it's a good one.
Home
I made it home about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. It was so nice to finally pull into the garage and just be home...
The drive from Santa Fe went fairly well. Because the furniture guys came early, I got to hit the road about 3:15. We made it to Flagstaff and I got checked into the hotel and got the cats and Hamilton unloaded, ate some dinner, and went to bed.
While getting ready to leave the hotel, I spent about 15 minutes rounding up cats - Darby being the easiest to catch as she walked up to me while I was sitting in front of the carriers. Quincy I scared from under the bed to under the desk where I was able to scoop him up. Baxter was more difficult. I ended up having to pick up the bed to get him to come out. He tried hiding behind the trash can in the bathroom, but I unhooked his claws from the carpeting and got him loaded, too. I did find a brand new issue of Hustler between the mattress and the box springs while I was shifting the bed. Makes you not want to think too hard about sleeping in a hotel bed.
Anyway, there were a lot of deer and elk crossing signs around Flagstaff and I do believe I saw the remnants of something of that nature trying to cross the road. There was a DOT service truck on the left shoulder, and I saw the biggest roadkill I'd ever seen in my life, along with a huge bloodstain. I'd hate to see the vehicle that got hit, considering the condition of the animal (I think elk by the size and color).
Anyway, I listened to an audio book for most of the trip - Fluke by Christopher Moore. It was pretty funny and the constant sound of a voice kept the kitties quiet most of the time.
Today I get to unpack the car and try to get the suitcases and boxes unpacked, too. That's always the hardest part for me, getting everything back into it's place. I have to stay focused, though, because when that's doen I'm going to do my spring cleaning and try and weed out at least 30% of the crap I own.
The drive from Santa Fe went fairly well. Because the furniture guys came early, I got to hit the road about 3:15. We made it to Flagstaff and I got checked into the hotel and got the cats and Hamilton unloaded, ate some dinner, and went to bed.
While getting ready to leave the hotel, I spent about 15 minutes rounding up cats - Darby being the easiest to catch as she walked up to me while I was sitting in front of the carriers. Quincy I scared from under the bed to under the desk where I was able to scoop him up. Baxter was more difficult. I ended up having to pick up the bed to get him to come out. He tried hiding behind the trash can in the bathroom, but I unhooked his claws from the carpeting and got him loaded, too. I did find a brand new issue of Hustler between the mattress and the box springs while I was shifting the bed. Makes you not want to think too hard about sleeping in a hotel bed.
Anyway, there were a lot of deer and elk crossing signs around Flagstaff and I do believe I saw the remnants of something of that nature trying to cross the road. There was a DOT service truck on the left shoulder, and I saw the biggest roadkill I'd ever seen in my life, along with a huge bloodstain. I'd hate to see the vehicle that got hit, considering the condition of the animal (I think elk by the size and color).
Anyway, I listened to an audio book for most of the trip - Fluke by Christopher Moore. It was pretty funny and the constant sound of a voice kept the kitties quiet most of the time.
Today I get to unpack the car and try to get the suitcases and boxes unpacked, too. That's always the hardest part for me, getting everything back into it's place. I have to stay focused, though, because when that's doen I'm going to do my spring cleaning and try and weed out at least 30% of the crap I own.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Yippee!!!
This is it, my last day in Santa Fe. I'm so happy to be going home that I woke up all thru the night, but couldn't go back to sleep after about 6:30am, even though I had my alarm set for 8. I'm washing my sheets and my last dirty clothes. I've gotten cash and a tank of gas. I'm about to take my cable stuff back and drop off the last of the Goodwill. I still need to find out about my microwave and gate cards, but those aren't a big deal. When the laundry's done, I can load up everything but the cats into the car. Then I'll play freecell until the furniture guys show up, when I'll drop my keys off and vamoose!
My next blog will be from home.
My next blog will be from home.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Bandelier
I made it to my final Santa Fe destination - Bandelier National Monument. It's a canyon surrounded by mesas that has been visited/occupied by humans for 10,000 years. I enjoyed the scenery, being on the canyon floor with a creek and all the greenery, but I have to say I prefer Mesa Verde for the cliff dwellings. The ones at Bandelier are mostly gone, so you only get a hint of what it must have been like. Still, seeing all the caves in the cliffs and knowing that a good portion of them were someone's home is surreal.
The geology around here is one of the most fascinating things. When you drive thru on the interstate, it looks like nothing but barren desert with the occasional tumbleweed. But if you get off that path and out into the country, you find almost-alien landscapes everywhere. I would love to know what it was like to be the first white man to find Slot Canyon or to look down into Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier - and then to try and explain to others what it was you'd found. Then again, with the West being new, maybe fantastic discoveries were the norm. Either way, it would truly suck to come up to one of those canyons in your covered wagon and have to find your way to the other side.
The geology around here is one of the most fascinating things. When you drive thru on the interstate, it looks like nothing but barren desert with the occasional tumbleweed. But if you get off that path and out into the country, you find almost-alien landscapes everywhere. I would love to know what it was like to be the first white man to find Slot Canyon or to look down into Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier - and then to try and explain to others what it was you'd found. Then again, with the West being new, maybe fantastic discoveries were the norm. Either way, it would truly suck to come up to one of those canyons in your covered wagon and have to find your way to the other side.
Packing
I got up early this morning to wait for the UPS guy. I had left my 2nd apaprtment key with the husband and realized on Saturday that I'll probably have to turn it in when I leave tomorrow. So he took it to UPS for delivery today. They're supposed to be here by 10:30am, so we'll see.
In the meantime, I decided to drag most of my stuff down to the car to see what would fit. I think I can get everything necessary in, but I won't be able to see very well out the back. And in the end, it's going to be a game of shoving stuff in wherever there's a space.
I won't be taking the cat tower or the litter boxes. Nor will I be able to take the sweet little table we got at the Abq flea market. Now that I think about it, I also probably won't be able to fit the little stick-vac, either. Oh well. Me and the kitties fit and that's what counts.
In the meantime, I decided to drag most of my stuff down to the car to see what would fit. I think I can get everything necessary in, but I won't be able to see very well out the back. And in the end, it's going to be a game of shoving stuff in wherever there's a space.
I won't be taking the cat tower or the litter boxes. Nor will I be able to take the sweet little table we got at the Abq flea market. Now that I think about it, I also probably won't be able to fit the little stick-vac, either. Oh well. Me and the kitties fit and that's what counts.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Santa Fe Train
When I got to the train station, they told me they were sold out. If I had known then what I knew now, I would have left immediately. Instead, I stopped to look at the postcards and was still there when someone new came in and said they had a few seats left.
Riding a train like that is really more of a social event. Since we were on the "hotshot" we only went to the Galisteo Basin overlook instead of all the way to Lamy. Turns out we went right thru town then down thru El Dorado, which is where AJ lives. I'd already seen that scenery.
I sat behind a woman who had 2 little girls with her (3 & 4) - her granddaughters or nieces or something. She kept telling the one to stop touching her mouth because of some germ she had in it. Then the conductor warned us that there was a potential for the windows to come down unexpectedly if we hit a rough patch - this nearly caused hysterics as the woman yelled at the younger one that she was going to get her hands and/or head chopped off if she didn't stay away from the window. At that point I got up and went to stand on the flat car (with railings). That was nice - until I realized I was going to have one helluva sun burn. I tried going back in, but the woman was by then yelling at one of the girls to move out of the sun coming in the window and when she didn't move fast enough, grabbed her and bodily moved her about 8 inches to the left. I went back out... I did spend the return trip inside the car, but on the opposite end and practically asleep - I know I dozed off for at least 20 minutes. Might have had something to do with the Corona.
So all-in-all, the train ride was a bit of a bust. Afterwards, I got some dinner on the plaza and wandered the shops, then went home and took a little nap. Now it's time for bed.
Tomorrow is Bandelier and more cleaning.
Riding a train like that is really more of a social event. Since we were on the "hotshot" we only went to the Galisteo Basin overlook instead of all the way to Lamy. Turns out we went right thru town then down thru El Dorado, which is where AJ lives. I'd already seen that scenery.
I sat behind a woman who had 2 little girls with her (3 & 4) - her granddaughters or nieces or something. She kept telling the one to stop touching her mouth because of some germ she had in it. Then the conductor warned us that there was a potential for the windows to come down unexpectedly if we hit a rough patch - this nearly caused hysterics as the woman yelled at the younger one that she was going to get her hands and/or head chopped off if she didn't stay away from the window. At that point I got up and went to stand on the flat car (with railings). That was nice - until I realized I was going to have one helluva sun burn. I tried going back in, but the woman was by then yelling at one of the girls to move out of the sun coming in the window and when she didn't move fast enough, grabbed her and bodily moved her about 8 inches to the left. I went back out... I did spend the return trip inside the car, but on the opposite end and practically asleep - I know I dozed off for at least 20 minutes. Might have had something to do with the Corona.
So all-in-all, the train ride was a bit of a bust. Afterwards, I got some dinner on the plaza and wandered the shops, then went home and took a little nap. Now it's time for bed.
Tomorrow is Bandelier and more cleaning.
Tent Rocks
Fark the plan, I got up and went to Tent Rocks this morning. Beautiful! But the 5 miles of gravel road sure sucked.
Anyway, I left about 7 and got to the trailhead by 8. Decided to do the Canyon Trail, which is 1.5 miles in and out and goes thru Slot Canyon then up to the top of the mesa. I was the only person around and it was so quiet - really just amazing. You walk along the canyon floor and the sides go up above your head and there are trees growing out of the rock. The sky was blue and the sun was low enough that a lot of the trail was still in shade. Then the view from the top was 360 degrees. There was a hawk or something soaring above the canyon catching the thermals. They've had a fire, but not too recently - there were a lot of burned trees in fantastic shapes but a lot of green, too. The signs warned about rattlesnakes, but all I saw were birds, lizards, and a couple of chipmunks. I also saw jack rabbits, but that was on the gravel road on the way in...
When I went back down I passed a few people, but mostly I was alone. I hit the Cave Loop Trail at the junction and basically took the long way back. I'm so glad I went and I'm super-glad I went first thing in the morning!
Pics to be posted soon!
Anyway, I left about 7 and got to the trailhead by 8. Decided to do the Canyon Trail, which is 1.5 miles in and out and goes thru Slot Canyon then up to the top of the mesa. I was the only person around and it was so quiet - really just amazing. You walk along the canyon floor and the sides go up above your head and there are trees growing out of the rock. The sky was blue and the sun was low enough that a lot of the trail was still in shade. Then the view from the top was 360 degrees. There was a hawk or something soaring above the canyon catching the thermals. They've had a fire, but not too recently - there were a lot of burned trees in fantastic shapes but a lot of green, too. The signs warned about rattlesnakes, but all I saw were birds, lizards, and a couple of chipmunks. I also saw jack rabbits, but that was on the gravel road on the way in...
When I went back down I passed a few people, but mostly I was alone. I hit the Cave Loop Trail at the junction and basically took the long way back. I'm so glad I went and I'm super-glad I went first thing in the morning!
Pics to be posted soon!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Last Days in Santa Fe
So I've made some plans for myself for my last days in town. Yesterday I killed time with K before she left, which meant having lunch, shopping on the plaza, buying pottery and shoes, and having gelato (man, that stuff's good!). I then went home and had dinner and watched Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...
Today I got up and started the laundry and packed up all my clothes, books, and non-essentials. I also packed up everything that needed to go to Goodwill. Then I went to the aformentioned lunch. I came home, did more laundry, surfed the net, then loaded up the car and took the stuff to Goodwill. Then I got a mani-pedi with French tips on both fingers and toes.
Tomorrow I'm getting up early and going to Bandelier National Monument. They open at 8 and I plan on being the 1st one in - I heard it gets crowded. I don't think I'll be there more than an hour or so, but I'm leaving it open. I do want to try and catch the train ride at 2pm. It's the short route that goes to a scenic overlook, but it's a restored train and it might be fun.
Monday I was going to go to Tent Rocks, but I have to wait for a package and it may be too hot later in the day. Then again, sweating would be good for me. I suppose I could go to Tent Rocks tomorrow and the monument on Monday...
Tuesday will be spent washing the sheets and loading up the car. After the furniture is gone, I'll pack up the kitties and we'll be off. I think I'll drive at least as far as Gallup, maybe Flagstaff. I'm kind of glad I have some free time to get everything together and still do some sight-seeing, but now that it's so close, I want to go home.
(I brought Hamilton home with me on Friday and to keep him safe from the cats, I put him on top of the fridge. Didn't realize until today that it's cold up there. I went to feed him and he barely moved, much less went after the pellets. Now he's sitting on the shelf in the closet.)
Today I got up and started the laundry and packed up all my clothes, books, and non-essentials. I also packed up everything that needed to go to Goodwill. Then I went to the aformentioned lunch. I came home, did more laundry, surfed the net, then loaded up the car and took the stuff to Goodwill. Then I got a mani-pedi with French tips on both fingers and toes.
Tomorrow I'm getting up early and going to Bandelier National Monument. They open at 8 and I plan on being the 1st one in - I heard it gets crowded. I don't think I'll be there more than an hour or so, but I'm leaving it open. I do want to try and catch the train ride at 2pm. It's the short route that goes to a scenic overlook, but it's a restored train and it might be fun.
Monday I was going to go to Tent Rocks, but I have to wait for a package and it may be too hot later in the day. Then again, sweating would be good for me. I suppose I could go to Tent Rocks tomorrow and the monument on Monday...
Tuesday will be spent washing the sheets and loading up the car. After the furniture is gone, I'll pack up the kitties and we'll be off. I think I'll drive at least as far as Gallup, maybe Flagstaff. I'm kind of glad I have some free time to get everything together and still do some sight-seeing, but now that it's so close, I want to go home.
(I brought Hamilton home with me on Friday and to keep him safe from the cats, I put him on top of the fridge. Didn't realize until today that it's cold up there. I went to feed him and he barely moved, much less went after the pellets. Now he's sitting on the shelf in the closet.)
Hypocrite
I met with B for lunch today. She spent quite a bit of time telling me about all the crew who agreed to do WH then jumped ship for one of the other shows coming into town. I couldn't help but think it's exactly what she wanted me to do.
But the Rueben and potato salad were very good.
But the Rueben and potato salad were very good.
Friday, June 09, 2006
So, What's Really In It?
The husband called me today to tell me Sofie will no longer be eating her regular brand of dog food. Of course, I immediately think he's heard some news report that it's been tainted or contains horse. No, he's just found a better brand for her - Old Yeller dog food.
I couldn't believe it, figured it had to be some kind of joke. But apparently it's for real and it's made by Disney. Some exec was even quoted as saying they didn't think there'd be a problem since most people wouldn't remember Old Yeller. Yeah, right. I've never seen the movie and I know what happened at the end.
So I just had to ask if you got a free cartridge in every bag. Or if Sofie, upon hearing the news, got so excited she foamed at the mouth. Or if there's a little message on the bag that says the food has nothing to do with what happened to the dog in the movie and that your dog won't need to be put down after eating it.
Why on earth would anyone think naming a dog food after a dog that gets rabies and has to be shot by its young owner is a good marketing ploy?
I couldn't believe it, figured it had to be some kind of joke. But apparently it's for real and it's made by Disney. Some exec was even quoted as saying they didn't think there'd be a problem since most people wouldn't remember Old Yeller. Yeah, right. I've never seen the movie and I know what happened at the end.
So I just had to ask if you got a free cartridge in every bag. Or if Sofie, upon hearing the news, got so excited she foamed at the mouth. Or if there's a little message on the bag that says the food has nothing to do with what happened to the dog in the movie and that your dog won't need to be put down after eating it.
Why on earth would anyone think naming a dog food after a dog that gets rabies and has to be shot by its young owner is a good marketing ploy?
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
This Couldn't Have Happened Last Week?
I got a call from B this morning - her payroll person gave notice and she wanted me to come over and finish for her. I tried telling her no, that I had taken another gig, but she kind of brushed me off, saying I hadn't started yet and they'd understand. I told her I had to talk to the husband. I had no intention of backing out on EA, but as I told the husband I could offer to help B next week (only) since I was here anyway. He said not to, that B had never gone out of her way to help me. But I didn't want to burn any bridges so I ended up making the offer. We'll see what happens. When I asked my UG boss if she knew of available payroll people, she said she'd ask around. I casually mentioned B asking me to take over and having to say no because of the other gig and my boss commented that I shouldn't flake on EA, that B should understand because she wouldn't want me doing that to her. That pretty much crystalized it for me. I didn't realize until then that I was mad at B for asking me to go back on my word to EA.
Of course, that didn't stop me from colluding with my boss from Dupree - she sent an email to my EA boss, telling her she'd gotten me to jump ship for her new show, claiming not to know who I was bailing on... luckily they're very good friends. I don't know if the EA boss will fall for it, especially since we fooled her while on Dupree into believing I'd become a heavy drinker who couldn't do my job anymore...
Of course, that didn't stop me from colluding with my boss from Dupree - she sent an email to my EA boss, telling her she'd gotten me to jump ship for her new show, claiming not to know who I was bailing on... luckily they're very good friends. I don't know if the EA boss will fall for it, especially since we fooled her while on Dupree into believing I'd become a heavy drinker who couldn't do my job anymore...
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Sad News
My boss told me today that Ralph's mom had to put him down on Saturday. We all knew it was just a matter of time - I could overhear her tell people the vet had said his brain just wasn't communicating with the lower part of his body anymore. I'm not sure if he took a turn for the worse or if she just decided not to let him suffer anymore. At least, as she said, he got to go home and he got to go to the beach one last time. That was his favorite.
When the husband came to visit the last time, he would spend time petting and scratching Ralph. We were all surprised by the noises Ralph was making, a kind of deep-in-the-chest grunt of pleasure. He really enjoyed the attention, that's for sure. And he liked having Sofie around, even if she was too scared to really play with him.
Ralph, you good dog.
Book List #12
I picked up the next Fremont Jones mystery Emperor Norton's Ghost while I was at home this weekend. Since my trip back to Abq was so time-consuming, I managed to read the whole thing. If I'd known, I'd have brought the one after that as well.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Baby Birds
The eggs in our hanging lantern hatched. I don't know how many chicks there are, if all 4 made it, but there seem to be at least 2. It's funny to watch and listen to them, because it's very quiet when mom and dad aren't around. Then one of them shows up, probably with food, and the little ones go nuts with all the chirping! As soon as the food is gone and the parent flies off, it's totally quiet again. I'd love to take another peek, but not if it's going to cause problems.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Huh?
This is an email conversation I had with a friend of mine who's a 1st assistant accountant. I had sent out a general email to a bunch of people to let them know I was looking for work.
>So you totally flaked out on the Accountant I'm working for now. LOL. How are you guys? Everything going well? I talked to PG. yesterday. RB
I wrote back to ask wtf he was talking about.
>I'm finishing up a show with DD (the email offer). She is heading to Portland to work on another show. She got your resume and said you wanted time off. Then she said you took another job. PG is being considered for the Portland job, if she wants it. RB
This is my response:
>Oh my god, I can't believe she said that. Here's what happened: I got this email late Wednesday night:
"I got your resume from my friend DA. I am a production accountant prepping a $20 mil feature to be shot on location, and am looking to hire a payroll person. Are you available to interview next week? The job would start July 10th for payroll, with non-affiliate benefits, airfare, housing and per diem. The rate is $xx00 plus vac/hol for 5 or 6 days (5 day shooting schedule). The BTL is not massive. Let me know if you are interested in getting together, DD."
I wrote back to her on Thursday morning and told her I was out of town until the 16th of June (on a show that is shutting down), that I needed to know where the location was, and that I had previous plans for the week of July 17th but that otherwise it sounded like a good offer. I never heard anything back until after I wrote to her today to let her know I had taken a show. She wrote back:
"Hi there. That's fine, the week off was problematic, DD."
Now, who sounds flaky? I tried to get more info from her and didn't hear jack. I can't wait around for someone and if she thinks I don't get more than one phone call at a time, she doesn't know anything about me. It's too bad because Portland would have been cool.
I haven't heard back from RB, but N had this to say:
"What a bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm totally putting her name on my list"
I'm right there with you N! No way will I work for this woman - calling ME flaky...
>So you totally flaked out on the Accountant I'm working for now. LOL. How are you guys? Everything going well? I talked to PG. yesterday. RB
I wrote back to ask wtf he was talking about.
>I'm finishing up a show with DD (the email offer). She is heading to Portland to work on another show. She got your resume and said you wanted time off. Then she said you took another job. PG is being considered for the Portland job, if she wants it. RB
This is my response:
>Oh my god, I can't believe she said that. Here's what happened: I got this email late Wednesday night:
"I got your resume from my friend DA. I am a production accountant prepping a $20 mil feature to be shot on location, and am looking to hire a payroll person. Are you available to interview next week? The job would start July 10th for payroll, with non-affiliate benefits, airfare, housing and per diem. The rate is $xx00 plus vac/hol for 5 or 6 days (5 day shooting schedule). The BTL is not massive. Let me know if you are interested in getting together, DD."
I wrote back to her on Thursday morning and told her I was out of town until the 16th of June (on a show that is shutting down), that I needed to know where the location was, and that I had previous plans for the week of July 17th but that otherwise it sounded like a good offer. I never heard anything back until after I wrote to her today to let her know I had taken a show. She wrote back:
"Hi there. That's fine, the week off was problematic, DD."
Now, who sounds flaky? I tried to get more info from her and didn't hear jack. I can't wait around for someone and if she thinks I don't get more than one phone call at a time, she doesn't know anything about me. It's too bad because Portland would have been cool.
I haven't heard back from RB, but N had this to say:
"What a bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm totally putting her name on my list"
I'm right there with you N! No way will I work for this woman - calling ME flaky...
Job Hunt #2 - Over!
I got the call this morning from EA - I've got the job and I start sometime the week of June 19th. Should be a nice gig, since they only have 11 or 12 days of shooting on 1st unit when they get back to LA and then a couple of months of 2nd unit - which is all on stage with animals and trainers and a small crew. Plus I'm just down the street at Universal so I'll get to ride my Vespa to work everyday and only have a 15 minute commute.
I never did hear back from the acct who sent the email. Too late now.
I never did hear back from the acct who sent the email. Too late now.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Book List #11
I finished Fire and Fog and moved right into The Bohemian Murders. I realized why I like Dianne Day so much - her characters have the usual sorts of miscommunications and misunderstandings, but she doesn't drag them out. Fremont, the main character, is a very reasonable woman and usually confronts the issue at the first possible opportunity. Not like every sitcom made today. Damn, I hate watching the convolutions people go thru because they misheard a conversation or something. So even though I have other stuff to read, I'll probably plow thru these in short order.
EA - Who Needs 'Em?
I got an email today from an accountant I've never worked with before. She got my resume from a friend of hers, who I have worked with...
She's doing a $20 million show on location and needs someone to start July 10th. The rate is good, the benefits are good, and the timing is good. Now all I need to know is where the show is before I can say if I'm interested. Plus, I told her I needed to have July 19-23 off for Comic-Con. Well, I didn't actually say it was for Comic-Con, I just said I had previous plans.
We'll see.
And EA better get off their bums if they think I'm doing the show without even being made an offer.
She's doing a $20 million show on location and needs someone to start July 10th. The rate is good, the benefits are good, and the timing is good. Now all I need to know is where the show is before I can say if I'm interested. Plus, I told her I needed to have July 19-23 off for Comic-Con. Well, I didn't actually say it was for Comic-Con, I just said I had previous plans.
We'll see.
And EA better get off their bums if they think I'm doing the show without even being made an offer.
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