A Gift From Sam

I'm pretty sure SLJ is getting the crew a gift of some sort. His assistant has called twice now to confirm the number of people on the crew and the number of actors. The only reason she'd need to know that is to order giftages... I hope it's something nice.

Done Dog Day

Sof and I are about to pack it in. She's had a long and full day of getting scratched and laying around. Not to mention the solo forays down the hall to visit people in other offices and other shows. She's been quite the hit and I'm glad I brought her in.

I realized I don't have much to blog about on this show because no one is doing anything crazy. There's no drama to relate. It's very nice and I hope it lasts...

I do hope they get the A/C fixed soon. I'll be bringing in the fan tomorrow since I won't be weighed down with dog supplies. I don't have a lot of real work to do but I'm hoping to get a start on stuff for next week and go to set at call so it's not so friggin' late when I get home. That totally sucked last week getting home after midnight. So we'll see what I can do when I don't have to keep an eye on the pup.

Sofie At Work

I brought Sofie into the office today because I was pretty much done on Tuesday. She's kind of bored now, just lying on the floor behind M, but it's been a good day for her. Everybody up and down the hall, even from other shows, thinks she's just adorable. She's had her butt scratched so many times you'd think it'd fall off.

Andrew's mom in Transpo gave her some treats and Sofie stops by that office every time we pass hoping for more. I'm going to need to stop by the store and get some since she likes them so much.

I do wish she was a bit more shy. She tends to get up and wander off by herself and then I have to track her down. But I think she likes it here.

Day Off!

I am outta here for the holiday. We all have tomorrow off and since I have to work Friday to pay everybody, I get a 6th day. The A/C doesn't work very well in this building but it's supposed to be fixed on Thursday. I need to try and remember to bring in a fan or something.

Happy 4th of July!

Bring Sofie

Husband, bring Sofie down to the office. Andrew the Transpo dog is here today...

One Of Us

Sped, if you decide to get a Vespa let me come shopping with you. They are the best! I love mine and don't know why I don't ride it more often. Of course, I won't take it on the freeway since the top speed is only 60, but there are plenty of surface streets in LA! I do know it can get kind of hot in the summer because I also won't ride without a jacket. I know it's not much protection, but it's better than bare skin in case I wipe out. And there's helmet hair... but I really do love it. And your commute is so close it would be perfect for you. Ooh, I'm so excited for you.

Rare Monday Free Time

It's supposed to get over 100 this week. Our corner office facing the afternoon sun is a sauna. I hate being all sweaty/sticky at work. Sitting on a Pilates ball ain't helping.

It seems this show may turn out to be fairly nice after all. The crew is small enough that if I can get everyone to turn in their paperwork by Sunday I can get thru it all on Sunday. The problem lies in the cards that come in on Monday (and Tuesday and Wednesday...) When I get late stuff it throws everything off and I never seem to catch up. Most of today has been pretty stress-free. Of course, I have a small stack of cards that are waiting for resolutions so tomorrow will be hectic with the adjustments. But still, nothing like last week.

The auditor is here and I'm hoping to get thru my paperwork sooner rather than later. I came in early this morning and got the filing caught up, so it should be good. I'm hoping to have as good a reputation with Sony as I do with Universal. Makes the job hunting easier. Actually, my friend A just sent me an IM to see if I was interested in something. No details yet but it would start right after this one. I thought I'd take some time off, at least a week, but if the offer is good...

Margarita

I don't know if I posted this recipe from the day we started drinking at work at noon...

6 oz Corona
6 oz (1/2 can) frozen limeade
8 oz tequila

Throw it all in a blender, add ice and away you go!

courtesy of Stevie L (my boss from Used Guys)

Another Working Sunday

I just finished going thru all of the start paperwork. There's a couple dozen, not too bad. My stack of timecards isn't too thick and I hope it's as clean as last week. We've got Wednesday off since the 4th of July is a union holiday and payday won't be until Friday. I get Wednesday and Saturday off and get paid for a 6th day on Friday. Nice.

I rode the Plum into work this morning. It definitely takes longer going surface streets, but I tried Riverside today and it's the fastest route. I'll have to see how it is during the week with traffic. It's a nice enough ride but still not the same as just cruising around.

I have to find my shuffle. Lost again... I'm streaming the local pop station which will be annoying once they start repeating. But it's better than silence.

Alright, enough timed killed - have to get back to work.

Job Offer

I just turned down a Jerry Bruckheimer/Michael Bay show (Prince of Persia: Sands of Time). They need someone to start in 3 weeks and I'm booked until the end of August.

The acct has called me before (to do the reshoot on The Break-Up) but I was already planning on going onto Used Guys and had to turn him down then, too.

I'd be more upset if it didn't seem like it was going to be a huge show with some "difficult" people. I don't really need that kind of headache.

I do need to email Brian and thank him for the referral, though.

How Green Does That Make You?

I heard a story from the POC on this show about an actress he worked with on Charlie's Angels 2. Now, I really like this actress and don't want anybody to think otherwise but this story makes me wonder.

Anyway, she's very green and does a lot for the environment. She even made the production company rent electric golf carts instead of the regular gas golf carts. Then she goes out and buys her assistant a $70K Hummer. Ummm, since when is a Hummer a green vehicle? And does she pay for the dude's gas? It must cost hundreds to fill that thing up every week. Maybe she's just off-setting her carbon footprint with the golf cart stuff...

Now I Know

I sent a timecard out to Sara to approve because I thought she was the department head for makeup. Turns out I was wrong - Allan is the dept head. I knew he had the title, but I also know he is Sam's personal makeup guy. Experience has taught me that the star's personal crew is rarely responsible for the rest of the dept. I would rather have made the error I did than to send him something and have him get mad because I would dare to bother him with such trivial matters.

How did I find this out? He called and left a message "just so I would know in the future and avoid any mistakes." How thoughtful! But really, he was fairly nice about it on the message. I'm not worried and now I know who to hold responsible.

Tattoo News

I forgot to mention: the husband said I could get some work done on the tattoo on my hand! I want to have the colors adjusted and add some vines. I don't know when that will happen, but yippee!

Working On A Sunday

When I came in on Friday, it looked like I had a huge pile of payroll. Now that I'm actually working on it, it's not so bad. It's pretty clean and if I had the production report for Friday I'd be in really good shape. Too bad the DGA 2nd 2nd dropped the ball on that one...

I saw another coyote Saturday morning. It was down in the park at the other end of the block. I kept an eye out to make sure it wasn't coming our way, but I never saw it on the street. I know Sofie's too big for them, but it makes me nervous all the same.

We didn't go to the movie last night. It didn't start until dark and I knew I had to get up this morning and go to the grocery and to work. I have to be lights out by 10pm to make that schedule. It may have to wait until this show is in wrap. I need to check the website and see what's coming up. Plus I had a nasty headache.

Anyway, I should get back to my timecards. It's getting close to done even though it doesn't look like it - there's a big stack of construction cards but they're only 3 days and really easy.

At Work

Because I didn't get done in time yesterday and went to set late, I had to come into work today and get my SAG (Screen Actors Guild) paid. They can grieve you for paying even a day late and it's such a pain in the ass. I really don't want to be here and people have started dropping extra stuff on my desk, things to fix and such. No. Not going to happen. Just waiting for the checks and I'm gone.

Running Late

I'm supposed to be at set right now. Actually, I was supposed to be at set an hour ago...

I have some late timecards that I've been waiting for from the payroll company. Usually I tell people who turn their cards in late that they will get paid late. It's the only way to manage the paperwork. But this late group includes the hair and costume crew for Jackson and I really don't want to start off on the wrong foot with that group. You never know what they'll say to the actor that may come back to bit you in the ass.

So it's better to make everyone wait for checks and have all of them then to go out on time and not have particular people.

Ah, the politics of payroll. I hate it sometimes.

True To Life

In our script, they mention the house backs up to an arroyo and kids come through to steal and vandalize.

Well, life imitated art last night as some of our set dressing got swiped out of the back yard by kids coming through the arroyo.

Maybe now they'll put a security guard back there...

Bingo

Rock-N-Roll Bingo finally has a game scheduled for this Thursday and although I've been wanting to go, I'm not so sure about this one. The charity is AIM's Life After Porn Scholarship Program... It's an adult's only night with a couple of adult film stars.

Maybe I'll wait for the next one. I really don't think porn stars need my money - whatever happened to sugar-daddies? I do wish they would give a bit more notice. I check the website almost every day and this wasn't there yesterday.

Help-Out Gig

I just got off the phone with my friend C. She's keying a low-budget show and needs some help with the payroll. I said I would help her out on Saturday. And yes, husband, it's paid. Shouldn't be too hard since the show started out non-union and everyone got a flat deal. They had to go union but they still have their deals - very little to do other than break cards, no checking the production report and crap. That's what takes all the time.

And this Saturday is The Haunting at the cemetary. We are going, aren't we husband?

Cheesecake

One good thing about working with an office full of men is they like it when I bring in baked goods. Last week I brought brownies and today it was blueberry cheesecake. I think I'm going to take a week off before I bring in the next item, but it's nice to have someone appreciate my baking. I love to do it but the husband and I can/should only eat so much!

Fucking Agents 2

The independent lawyer called my boss and told him that Dumas agent called to complain. The lawyer said he did send the contract back to her for the missing signatures, didn't she get it? Her response was she got it, but thought it was an executed contract and filed it away. So he says, well, if you had looked at the letter that I sent with it, you'd have seen what was missing and all of this could have been resolved. So now the ball's in her court and once she gets the DP to sign it and sends it back in I can pay him.

Do you think she'll call to apologize?

Fucking Rigging Grips

Speaking of not taking any crap, I got the time cards for the rigging grips this morning and the key and the best boy both have days where they indicate they didn't take a lunch. I called EG to ask him about it.

FC: Hey EG, I got your time cards and you indicate no lunch on a couple of days...

EG: Yeah, that's from the scout and from loading the truck.

FC: OK well, I have to check with the Prod Supervisor and make sure that's approved.

EG: That's ok, you can change it, whatever the PS wants, we don't care.

FC: Well, if you didn't care then you wouldn't have put down that you didn't get a lunch... But I'll check on it anyway.

PS basically said HELL NO and called him about it. Tired of the bullshit and not taking it anymore. Thanks N for the inspiration.

Fucking Agents

I hate agents.

I just got off the phone with the agent for the DP. He's been working for a while but hasn't signed his contract. Actually, from what I've heard he did sign his contract but not completely - it was sent back for the rest of the signatures...

Anyway, the studio won't let me release any checks without having a signed contract on file - they actually have to give me the green light. So I'm sitting here with a stack of checks that I can't send anywhere.

This bitch agent calls and starts trying to rip me a new one, trying to scare me into getting the DP a check. She's talking a mile a minute and won't let me say a word. In bits and pieces I manage to tell the tale about the half-signed contract and she snaps that no one sent it to her. I reply that I wasn't involved in any of that and she starts talking over me again. Finally, I tell her that if she's not going to let me get a word in edgewise, there's no point in the conversation. She yells, "GO". So I tell her that I am the bottom of the food chain and I can't do anything until the people who hire/fire me tell me to. I suggest she contact the lawyer who is negotiating the contract and the Dumas says that's it's an independent lawyer who has nothing to do with the studio - EXCEPT FOR THE FACT HE'S NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACTS!!!

Anyway, she doesn't like what I'm saying, which is basically that I can't help her and won't be cowed by her intimidation tactics and hangs up. Good riddance. Agents are leeches who need to feel like they earn their 10% but they don't need to take it out on me. I'm not putting up with any crap any more.

Hot/Cold and Drills

Our wonderful corner office gets all of the afternoon sun. Yesterday got a little hotter than normal because Wednesday night was the first night it wasn't ridiculously cool. You wouldn't think you'd need a jacket at 9pm in June... Anyway, the guys called maintenence and had them turn the a/c up a couple notches to combat the lack of natural over-night cooling. Apparently they thought it would be a good idea to set it at 55 and leave it there all night long. It was freezing when I came in this morning. The accountant was already here and his nose was all red. He's been sick and finally got over it, but could feel it coming back - made him grumpy. He was going to send the clerk to buy a sweatshirt somewhere so I jumped in and said I'd planned to go to Sears to buy a new drill - I could get him a shirt...

So off I went to Sears with my gift card and $50 from the accountant. I had to search for the shirt, hard to find in June in SoCal, but finally found a nice green one for $7. When I went to pay, there was an old man trying to return some t-shirts. Apparently, he had bought several shirts and some were made in Guatemala and some were made in Thailand. The ones from Thailand were fine, but the ones from Guatemala didn't fit right. So he wanted to exchange the G shirts for some T shirts because the G shirts didn't fit right. And he had to make sure he got the same colors because he had already bought several shirts and didn't want to duplicate. And the shirts he bought were only $5 and were the new shirts also going to be $5. The poor cashier had a bit of an accent and she kept telling him they had the same "ting" (thing) available for $5 on the floor. He didn't understand what she meant but she finally got him to go out and have a look around and I was able to buy my shirt. He was back and complaining by the time I was done but I didn't stick around to listen.

I went off to the tool dept and a nice salesman asked me if I needed help. I told him the number of the drill I wanted and they got it out of the cabinet. It was on sale so I decided to get a laser level, too. I've been wanting one for awhile for hanging the larger pictures and curtains. I used the gift card my oldest brother gave me for Christmas and went back to work. Took all of 30 minutes and the guys in my office liked the level and thought I was smart for buying a corded drill.

Test Pic

I haven't posted as many pics as I'd like on this blog. I download my camera onto my laptop and then upload everything to Shutterfly. But when I blog, I'm usually at work (slacking) and I don't have my laptop with me. Well, I just ran this test to see if I could pull a pic off Shutterfly and get it to post. Voila! The Smoky Mountains in December of 2004. Pretty, isn't it?

Now I'll be able to post pics all the time - once I get them off the camera, into the laptop, and onto Shutterfly that is.

Thanks, David

The construction coordinator came in today to get the checks for his department and as he was signing for them, told me on his last show the payroll acct didn't have his/her act together and he was going to get spoiled by a well-functioning payroll dept. It was a very nice compliment and I appreciate him saying it. I work hard to make sure people get paid right and on time and that rarely gets noticed. The few times there's a problem are all people remember. Thank dog it really has been only a few times!

Bad Fit

I found a link to a fat acceptance blog today. I've been looking at some of the posts and the blogger takes the time to point out different instances of negative attitudes about fat people in the media.

I think I went to the site hoping to find some inspiration. I mean, I'm fat but I don't intend to put my life on hold because of it. But the blog isn't meant for me because I don't intend to stay fat. I know I will never be as thin as society says I should be but I also know I am fat because I eat too much of the wrong things. I am trying to get back to what I think is an acceptable weight (about 32 pounds from where I am now) but there will always be people who will say it's still too heavy.

It's weird to be in this gray area - unhappy with my body but living my life. It seems I'm being told I can't have it both ways; if I'm out there living, then I can't diet and if I'm dieting, I must have put my life on hold. Sorry, neither one fits.

Shit List (cont'd)

Today I heard from AD, the first asst camera guy who is also missing his check. Either KK didn't tell him jack or he was testing me to see if I would tell him the same thing I told her. Plus he had the nerve to question whether or not I had even cut checks for them! Like I enjoy dealing with assholes who think I can't do my job... Anyway, he was all for a stop-payment until I reminded him of the 72 hour rule. He decided to give it one more day. The camera department is usually filled with prima donnas (because they are so close to the actors all day) and they drive me nuts.

I need to find out who the current Postmaster General is so I can direct complaints to him/her. Hang on... John E. Potter. Look out, John. I'm sending KK and AD your way.

Poor Puppy (from Fark)

This pic makes me laugh out loud, although I feel bad for the dog. It must have been very confused when it got hit in the side of the head. It's so earnest about catching that ball.

Shit List

I've got the first person on my shit list.

The camera department didn't come by on Thursday to pick up their paychecks nor did they call to let me know what to do with them. So I mailed them on Friday - which is standard operating procedure.

KK (the B camera 2nd asst) called yesterday to ask if I had held them or mailed them and I said mailed on Friday because no one had asked me to do something different. She assumed they would get them yesterday. She called again today because they haven't received them yet. It wouldn't have been a big deal but she had the nerve to say "the checks you supposedly mailed". WTF? I couldn't let that go by - I replied "there's no supposedly about it, I put them in the mail on Friday". What a bitch. Did she really think I was just going to take that? I hate that passive-aggressive crap.

Anyway, I offered to have them stopped and recut but it takes 72 hours for the payroll company to get authorization from the bank to recut a check. She's going to call me back...

Twilight Zone Fave

One of our favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone stars Sherman Hemsley as a math professor who offers to sell his soul to the Devil for the solution to an equation. The Devil, played exquisitely by Ron Glass, decides to take him up on the offer. Sam must then come up with a way to save himself.

Ron plays the Devil as a cool cat - all jazz and smooth voice. His t-shirt message changes each time you see him and I can't remember a damn one... Anyway, he spends most of the episode telling Sam all the things he can do and see and become because to save himself, Sam must give the Devil a task he can't accomplish. It seems hopeless until Sam finally says "Get lost." Of course, the Devil is just about as all-knowing as God so that's what does him in.

The point of all this? Ron Glass has been cast in LVT! I hope I get to meet him, but I don't think I can tell him to "get lost" without an explanation. After all, it's been 22 years...

Vespa Sunday

I got up at 5:30 on Sunday and walked Sofie, then took the Vespa for a spin. I drove down Lankershim to Ventura and took it thru the pass to Mulholland Drive. I headed up Mulholland all the way to Laurel Canyon and came down to Ventura again. I had such a good time and it was so nice out I turned around and went back up and around. I even stopped for a minute at the little park with the overlook. I would have stopped at the Hollywood Bowl overlook but it was foggy on that side, couldn't see much.

It was a great ride and I did better than I thought I would. I didn't drive fast and never crossed the center line, although I came close on a couple of curves! But there wasn't any other traffic and I had already decided I would pull over if someone got behind me. It's the first time I've ridden the plum when I wasn't going somewhere. It's a totally different feeling to just cruise than to commute. I think I'm going to try and do it every week.

World Premiere

I went to the world premiere of EA last night. I thought it was going to be just a cast and crew screening, but it really was the premiere. They had a red carpet and everything, even though I was shunted off behind the press - not important enough I guess. Anyway, while waiting for C I saw James Kyson Lee (Ando from Heroes), Rachael Harris, and David Hasselhoff. There were other actors from the movie attending but the ones I would have recognized I didn't see and the ones I saw I didn't recognize. Besides, I spent a lot of time thinking someone looked familiar only to realize it was the construction foreman or something. The big names saw the movie in the Gibson Amphitheatre and the rest of us saw it at the AMC.

I thought it was fine, not great but not terrible either. I think kids may like it more than adults but I hate to be responsible for someone seeing/not seeing it because of my opinion. When I worked at BBV, I used to get out of reviewing movies by claiming I liked Mom and Dad Save the World. Now, if I truly love or hate a movie I will say so, but most don't fall into one of those extremes.

C and I went to the after-party for a few minutes. She wanted to go home and see The Sopranos and I didn't want to stay by myself (and I wanted to take Sofie to the dog park). We got caricatures, had dessert, got our goodie bags and left. The bags weren't fabulous but a nice touch - an energy-saving lightbulb, some granola, discount zoo passes, a tote bag (can you see the eco-friendly theme here?). Hasselhoff did walk right in front of us while we wandered around... boy, can you say sunscreen? He needs some spf 100 and some moisturizer stat.

I still stand by my theory: the more peripheral you were to a movie being made, the more you dress for the party/premiere. Actors are exceptions because they have to look good all the time, but you just know some of the people there had never worked on a movie set in their life. But it's fun to watch.

Lolcats

I've been checking in on "I Can Has Cheezburger" ever since I saw it mentioned on Slate. I enjoy the cat pics and the captions, but I can't manage to read the comments. Trying to decipher some of that stuff makes my head hurt.

I can't decide if I feel superior because of that or not. Would it be wrong to feel superior? Probably. Who am I to knock somebody else's fun. Most likely I'm just jealous I can't think of anything to comment.

Movies Among the Headstones

I was talking to C today and she told me the Hollywood Forever Cemetery was screening Harold and Maude on Saturday. I vaguely knew they showed movies there but it never occurred to me to go see one. I checked out the website and it looks like fun.

http://www.cinespia.org/home/

Anyway, I'm not sure H&M is the movie I want to see but how cool would it be to see The Haunting in a cemetery? What do you think husband? Maybe we should go.

Apology

The woman from CAA sent me a very nice email apologizing for the woman who called yesterday.

"That's ridicules and I will call the agents and let them know...I am in contact with production office's on a daily basis and it is not appropriate for people to treat you or anyone else like that. I deeply apologize on behalf of CAA."

It was nice of her but I cracked up because of the misspellings and grammar errors. I know I can't type worth shit and often make mistakes, but you'd think with an apology you'd be more careful...

My Morning So Far

I was on the phone when I walked into the office this morning. AR told me I had a call from CAA (the uber-agency) but I told him I couldn't take it. I wish now I had because the bitch on the other end was rude to him and told him that it was inappropriate for my office to call CAA accounting and ask for I9 info on an actor, that it wasn't the "proper route."

Well, I didn't call them. A very nice woman from the agent's office called me yesterday and asked what I needed from them and said she would forward the request and email me some check authos. When I wrote back to her this morning to thank her for the authos, I told her about the rude woman who had called, just so she knew someone was pulling the "I'm an agent's assistant" bullshit with us. I'm not putting up with that crap anymore.

Especially not after Trachtenberg's people got away with calling us bozos on KIA. Man, I loved holding her check after that - helps that she couldn't sign her contract in a timely manner...

Poor C called this morning, too. She's working on a little $1.3 mil picture and someone tipped off the unions to them. Now it looks like she'll have to switch over and deal with paying everybody as union. I hope they hire her some help for that.

Push

I didn't even know it was a rumor but it was confirmed today - we are pushing 1 week. Apparently the script isn't ready because the director has spent all of his time working on his plays instead of his movie. Whatever. We only had 3 actors anyway (maybe 4 but I haven't seen any paperwork so I don't count it).

I'm pretty sure I told the husband at least a week ago I thought we might push. He had asked if I thought we'd shut down and I said no, but pushing was a possibility.

Push - to not shoot on schedule. It's not a big deal - shows do it all the time. It can be a hassle for accounting, though. Now we have to extend rentals and purchase orders one more week. Luckily we haven't been that busy so there's not a ton of stuff to deal with.

Patio Umbrella

I bought a glider set that I just love but the umbrella doesn't fit the space I want to put it in - it either hangs over the wall into the neighbor's patio or pushes the gliders out into the walkway. I only have a few options and only 1 doesn't involve spending any money. I could buy a half-umbrella, I could buy a sun shade, or I could cut 3 ribs on the umbrella I have so it becomes a half-umbrella.

The husband says to leave it where it is now, but I don't like it because I don't want a view inside the house. I want to see nothing but the patio when I'm gliding. I also don't think it's a good idea to leave it next to the drain. I'm going to have to ponder this awhile. I was all set to cut the ribs, but it's probably not the best idea even if it is the cheapest one.

Dead Drills

I took pics of the roses but totally failed at getting them downloaded. I also took pics of Quincy and Sofie and did nothing with them, either. I have 3 or 4 cd's that I want to put into my computer that are just sitting at home somewhere and my drill died so I need to buy a new one.

That last one I think I can handle while at work. Since they're not paying for lunch yet, I can take an hour and go out. There's a Sears within walking distance and I think I'll go use the gift card my brother got me for Christmas that I forgot I had. I don't know what I'm going to get yet, but something with more power than the 6 volt I have now. I wasn't sure it had died because the first problem showed up while I was screwing in some lantern hangers out on the patio. I just thought the wood was really hard. Then the drill died while hanging some metal strips in the kitchen (for my magnet collection). I figured if it couldn't handle drywall, it was done.

Speaking of the patio, the landscaper I tried to hire never called back (it's been over 2 weeks). I guess I'm just going to have to go at it myself. I asked N for some suggestions on plants that grow up instead of out and she suggested irises. I was thinking irises, too. She's going to look in some of her gardening books and let me know.

By the way, I didn't go riding this weekend. I pruned a dead bush back to the roots instead. It needed doing and the patio already looks better, but I wish I'd gone riding. The commute isn't convienent on the scooter and I don't ride as much as I'd like. Maybe this coming weekend.

Weekend Plans

I'm going home now. I didn't mean to stay this late but there's more payroll than I thought and I didn't want to leave it all 'til Monday. I don't switch my week until next weekend...

I got a newsletter from the SoCal Scooter Club. Most of the stuff they do is over the hill and I don't think I'm a good enough rider for that. But I've been inspired by a blog (Scooter in the Sticks) to take my Vespa out for early morning rides on quiet streets. I'm thinking of getting up early Sunday and driving up Laurel Canyon to Mulholland and heading east to the 101. Seems like it might be calm and peaceful - just what I need.

Have a good weekend.

Red Velvet

One of our prospective caterers came by today with cupcakes to bribe us - love the perks! Anyway, he brought chocolate, coconut, carrot cake, and red velvet. All of them had a huge mound of icing - triangular with sprinkles at the top.

The APOC and I were looking at them, commenting on the fact there was so much icing it made the cakes twice as tall when she says "I found out what Red Velvet is."

I'm thinking "Is there something about RV I don't know? Isn't it just cake dyed red?"

She says, in a conspiratorial tone, "It's just white cake dyed red."

I think "duh" but keep my mouth shut.

Apparently this caterer puts white cocoa powder into his to give them more of a flavor...

But really, do people not know that there's nothing special about red velvet cake other than the color? It's like A from EA trying to tell us that a Bundt cake is a specific flavor of cake, as opposed to just a shape. Whatever.

Jobs Part 2

I told my current boss about the 2 inquiries I got today not because I want to leave, but because I want him to know that I can get another job, that people call me to work for them rather than me having to send my resume out. Part of me thinks it's vain and the another part thinks it's a form of job security. And by "security" I mean "treat me right or I can can be on another show tomorrow".

Killing Time

The husband wanted me to amend something. He's not against stripes, just patterns. He says most patterns look stupid. He tends to be right... at least when it comes to the crap I pick.

There's an article online about coyotes and how they're spreading all across the country. They had a pic of one so now I know for sure it was a coyote I saw while walking Sofie.

Damn, there's something bothering me and I wanted to blog about it, but I can't remember what it was. My memory is terrible. I'll just stay logged in until it comes back to me.

In the meantime, should I be excited about the Harry Potter theme park in Orlando? Doesn't matter because I am.

The roses are blooming. We were so worried about them not making it and today 2 buds are opening. I'll take pics tonight and get them posted.

I can't think of it and I have work to do. I know how to log back in.

Jobs

My friend A just sent me an IM asking when I wrapped and would I travel to Germany... I had to tell her I'm booked until August but Germany sounds fantastic. Not sure what show it's for but MM says Speed Racer is shooting there.

I also got a phone call from an accountant I worked for a couple of days when I went down to help out on CWW at Paramount. He's doing Frost/Nixon and wanted to check my availability. I'd love to work with him, since he did DaVinci Code and will be doing Angels and Demons.

Random

The CNN website usually has a poll asking some "relevant" question about the day's news, usually with 2 options. I wish they had a permanent 3rd option where you could indicate "I couldn't care less about this issue". That's the one I would pick almost all the time.

Has Britney hit rock bottom? Who gives a shit?

Sometimes I get caught up in my job and how cool it is to be dealing with famous people. Today I sent paperwork for Will Smith to fill out so I can pay him. Wow - Will Smith. Then I realized this is probably as close to him as I will get - I won't even be able to say for sure he fills out/signs his own stuff. So while my job has its cool moments, pushing paperwork isn't one of them.

I'll let you know if I do get to meet him...

Fark has a thread going about boobs and I have to say I posted a comment. A woman was talking about having cleavage envy and I totally get that. I wish I could get that look but the girls just don't want to play along. I'm happy with my size, I just wish they were firmer and perkier. Maybe if I got a better bra...

And apparently there are women in the world who don't know if they can lick their own nipple. How can you not know that? As much as I hated KIA, I miss the office full of women where I could just open up that discussion and everyone would join in. I've gotten enough weird looks in this office to mostly keep my mouth shut about everything except the most innocuous. Bummer.

Cheat Day

Wednesday is my traditional cheat day, but I find I'm less interested in splurging as much as I used to. The husband and I get fast food for dinner, but I'm more likely to eat my regular food during the day than to have more fast food or take-out. I do have more off-plan snacks, but even with those it's not a free-for-all. I'm choosier about what I eat (where before I used to eat whatever was available).

Now if I could just limit it to Wednesday and not let it bleed into Thursday...

Rush at the Hollywood Bowl

Rush is playing the Hollywood Bowl on July 23rd and I really want to go. I emailed C and she likes them, too so we're trying to make plans. Just have to get the husband to say it's ok to spend the money... What do you think, husband?

Spring Cleaning

I've been unhappy with the state of my clothing for awhile now. Stuff was either too small, too boring, or too ugly. The husband took me shopping on Saturday to try and fix the situation. We got 2 pairs of jeans and 3 tops. I'm actually wearing a yellow shirt right now and I never wear yellow. It's growing on me. The husband doesn't like patterns or stripes so everything is a solid color. That may bother me at some point but I think I need that right now. I think I need to look normal.

I spent about 30 minutes going thru my closet yesterday, trying stuff on and getting rid of things that didn't work anymore. I was surprised to find some things fit again, but there were things in that closet that even a thin person shouldn't wear. I'm going to get rid of more - I just don't have the attention span to do it all at once. Now I need to find a sale... It's sad that as I unpack, I find things that I don't really want anymore. I wish I had realized that before we moved, but nothing can be done about it now. I just need to box it up and wait for yard-sale day at the complex.

Star Sighting

The husband and I went over the hill to Amoeba Music on Sunday. I went to look for the new Rush cd while he went upstairs to check out the dvd's and replace our lost copy of Shakespeare in Love. When I got upstairs, I found myself 3 feet from Kevin Smith. He was looking at the dvd's, too. I noted his presence, thinking I finally had something interesting to blog about, then went off to find a used copy of YM&D. The husband and I wandered around a bit, picked up Gojira and Charlie Chan volume 2 then went down to pay. We ended up following KS down the stairs, where he was stopped at the bottom and asked for an autograph. As the husband noted, the glasses worked for a while but people started recognizing him. Anyway, KS went one way and we went another and we still ended up right behind him in line. That's where we spotted Snakes and even though I'm not sure I have a credit, we picked up a used copy. The husband warned me he was going to have to separate my movies from his collection so people wouldn't think he actually watched that crap ("Crap Movies the Wife Worked On" as opposed to "Quality Viewing Chosen By the Husband"). Whatever.

Ocean View

If I had done the MM surfer movie (and they were looking for payroll), I would have had an office right on the beach over in Malibu. Really, the building is on the ocean side of the Pacific Coast Highway and the acctg office is in the back. Nothing to see but sun, sand, and surf. Of course, the drive sucks and the accountant isn't a nice person...

Thursday

C and I went to Prosecco for dinner last night - I love their seafood risotto. We had a good time and she loved her wrap gift (an Angry Little Girl handbag that said F*CK all over it). I knew it would be perfect for her as it combined 3 of her favorite things: purses, the color green, and the word F*CK. I have risotto for lunch today - yum.

The husband said I could buy my fat replica so I ordered it this morning. He did say I wasn't allowed to bring it home - he doesn't want to see it. Not a problem during the week, but I may need to put it in a paper bag for the weekends so it's handy in case I'm overly tempted.

Man, it feels like Monday all over again. I'll be glad for the 3 day weekend. I'll have 1 day to do chores, 1 day to unpack stuff, and 1 day to lie around and do NOTHING. Heaven.

Random Caused By Bored

I decided to click on my profile and see how many hits I've had when I saw that my age is listed as 251. WTF??? Then I realized I put in a false birthyear - the husband says not to use the real year as a safety measure.

Eh, I'm bored. I have work to do and the important shite gets done (like getting start packets together for producers who we will probably never see and having the director's people send me revised/corrected paperwork) but the rest of it just kind of sits. I wonder what else I would do with my life if I had the opportunity. Bake stuff, maybe. I love to bake. I really should take some decorating classes, but really I just like to bake. I'd like to paint, too but no classes. Just buy some canvas and paints and brushes and go for it. Abstract stuff and flowers. Pottery seems like fun but way too easy to mess up. I don't like the failure option.

It'll get busy soon enough, we start shooting June 11th and they've got a Gaffer and a Key Grip on now. Plus construction is ramping up and there should be some drivers coming on soon. The studio requirements are becoming second nature, which makes me feel better about it all.

Vespa Clubs

I've been noodling around on the internet, trying to find a scooter club in SoCal to join/try out. I don't think I'm cool enough for most of them...

I don't ride my scooter on the freeway and I don't lane share. If anybody out there knows of a club that would fit, let me know.

And if anyone can tell me it's OK to ride a scooter that only goes 59 mph on an LA freeway, I'd like to hear from you, too. Yikes, that just wigs me out.

Gross But Motivating

The leader at my WW meeting has a 1 pound replica of human fat that is absolutely disgusting, but such a great motivator that I really want one. I finally looked for one online and they're about $30 with shipping. I've asked the husband to consider it. There is one guy who sells a 1 ounce version - you can carry it around with you more easily but I want the 1 pound version. It's much more visual and meaningful. Sometimes you go in and "only lose 1 lb" and it's nice to be reminded just how much that is.

Please husband?

Location Swap

We were supposed to shoot at a house in Calabasas, but it looks like we're going to end up in Walnut. Wherever that is... at least the homeowners aren't both lawyers! Always a mistake getting a location from a lawyer.

I finally returned a phone call from an accountant named Tallie or Taline or something like that - hard to understand. I didn't get to speak to her so I have no idea what show she's doing. She had called Friday to check my availability. I left a message that I was booked. Who would want to leave a show where you're the only chick? Even if it's 3 to 3 as to who likes men...

Faux Stone

I ordered some samples of faux stone to use around the fireplace and it came in today. Have to say it's kind of ugly at first look. Seems a bit orange yet dirty. But then again, it's growing on me. This will end up being something the husband will have to get involved in, at least minimally. They do have other colors - that may solve it because the website pics still look good.

Bunny Suit

They're shooting a Comedy Central pilot today and even tho I have no idea what it's about, I do know there will be a man in a bunny suit running up and down the halls of an office building. Kind of surreal.

Coyote

Saturday morning, I got up at the usual 5 am to take Sofie for a walk. I have to get up at 5 during the week and it's just easier to keep the same schedule on the weekends.

Anyway, Sofie had been pulling to go towards the church all week, so I decided to take her that way since we had the time. We walked down the block, then up and around to the parallel street. It was dark there, not a lot of lights from the houses or anything. I don't know what made me look backwards, but there in the middle of the street, as calm as you please, was a coyote. It had seen us but Sofie hadn't seen it. When I stopped, it looked at me and I said "go on" - I surprised myself by how calm I sounded. It walked on a bit and when it stopped, I said "go on, get out of here." I was still calm, not yelling or anything. Well, it walked past us and headed off to the left sidewalk, disappearing behind a car. I kept watch to see where it would reappear but it didn't. It must have gone back the way it came but I didn't see it go anywhere and that's when I started to freak out. I picked Sofie up and walked her down the street to where the lights were brighter. I put her down but it wasn't until the bicyclist passed us with the radio blaring that I felt safer.

I'm sure the coyote came out of Griffith Park, down the river all the way to my neighborhood. They come down looking for food and several people have lost cats and small dogs to them. Sofie's 23 pounds but I don't know how hungry that animal was, especially after the fire. I think I'll have to consider carrying a big flashlight or something.

Sly Little Dog

Sofie's bed is usually on the floor in the study next to the husband's desk - when he's working she would lay down and watch or nap or chew on something, but she'd be right there with him. A couple of weekends ago, we took Sofie to the groomers and when she came back, we discovered someone had left a surprise in her bed. We think it's Quincy because he's the most mean-spirited of the 3.

Anyway, I washed the cover then realized I'd have to wash the foam bed itself, as it stank. When I finally got it put back together and back in the study, Darby decided she wanted it. She'd climb in and growl and swat at Sofie whenever Sofie tried to climb in with her. Sofie would have been happy to share, but Darby was having none of it.

The husband called me today to tell me what Sofie was doing. She'd get in front of Darb and drop her front end down, then turn around putting her butt in the cat's face. It's her way of saying "play with me" and "sniff my butt, we'll be buds". She did this until Darby got annoyed and got up to confront her. Then Sofie scooted around and jumped into the bed! And now she won't share. Serves Darby right.

Either way, I've ordered another bed (the same kind) for the cats to share in the study. I'm pretty sure Darby will be the only one to use it, but that's ok. I'm just hoping it's too small for Sofie to want...

Dancing Cat

I snagged this from Fark - it makes me think the cat was about to get caught doing something it shouldn't be doing and broke into an impromptu dance as a distraction.

I really need to take more pics of my own kitties. Especially Darby now that she's appropriated Sofie's pet bed and smacks the shit out of Sofie every time she tries to climb in.

LVT Update

AK is no longer in this movie - he passed to do that film in RI with C Diaz. I feel like I should be more bummed, but it's not like I'm a huge fan. Hopefully they'll get someone better.

Boomshine

I figured out why I like this game - it looks like fireworks. I love fireworks.

Training

Tomorrow I have to drive down to Culver City and go to a training session at the Sony lot. It's going to suck for several reasons:

1) The drive to Culver City will take at least an hour each way (it's less than 20 miles on mapquest).
2) The training involves going page by page thru the manual.
3) Most of the training will be on the accounts payable side, which I don't really care about but will have to sit thru.
4) The AP guys will have to sit thru my payroll stuff and I'm afraid it may give certain people ideas about their ability to do my job.

That's all I can think of now, but I'm sure more will come to me and/or will reveal themselves after tomorrow.

This is the first show I've done where I've actively chosen to not help out with the AP in the beginning. I usually try to kill time by doing filing or whatever, but it's never reciprocated and I'm sick of it. So this show, I'm keeping to myself.

Missing

I feel bad about the little girl in Portugal who went missing, but c'mon... her parents left her and her siblings alone while they went to dinner. Who does that and doesn't think something bad is going to happen? Did they think they were safe because they were in some resort?

I do hope they find her and all is well but I also hope other parents learn some kind of lesson from this.

I'm Stealing This One

N sent me this on Friday:

This day is dragging along like a dog who has an itchy butt....

Brilliant.

Rhode Island

MC called me on Saturday to see if I'd work a show for her in Rhode Island. I would so love to work with her again, but 1) I'm booked and 2) I don't want to go out of town anymore this year (unless it's on something REALLY good). I told her to call me sooner next time...

Funny thing is both shows will star Ashton Kutcher.

Rose Bowl

I went (by myself) to the Rose Bowl flea market yesterday. I found the glider set that I wanted (2 glider chairs with a table attached in the middle that holds an umbrella - included). It was $330 but it's sweet and I'm very happy with it. I also bought a set of fossil rock bookends, an austrian-crystal toe ring, and a wrap gift for C. T doesn't do wrap gifts so there's a chance no one else will either, but I'm more than happy to keep the bag for myself!

I also potted the rose bush we got in honor of Betty. The husband and I picked it out on Saturday and I decided to repot it after our 5am walk. I didn't think the husband would be interested but he was. I really am sorry. But it needs a better pot so we'll pick one out and repot it together.

Besides my great purchases, I also got a nasty sunburn on my upper arms and neck - at least I wore my hat!

Fireplace

I just ordered 2 samples of faux stone for the fireplace. I intend to take down the tacky mirror that's up there now and make it look like a stone fireplace with a chunky wood mantle. Still working on that last part...

My Office

I've managed to get myself hired into an all male office. The acct, 1st, key 2nd, and clerk are all men. There is a chance the 2nd 2nd (still not the 4th Sped) will be a female, but the only female I know they've interviewed took another show. They were going to hire N, but she got a raise and bailed. So it's going to be a different experience than KIA where we talked about waxing, breast makeup, and anal bleaching...

Did I mention the one habit my boss has that's going to drive me bonkers? When he laughs, he actually says "hee hee hee". I don't know if that's his polite office laugh or if he has something for those truly funny moments, but one can only hope.

Old Pics

My brother sent me some funny animal pics a while back and I liked these 2, but I didn't want to save the email anymore - can't stand having 2 pages of emails...

The first one was called "Sad Kitty" and the second was "This Is Gonna Hurt".

Matt'ism

This morning, Matt coined his firm Matt'ism and I though you would enjoy hearing it too. Simply stated...

"Jesus was a baby, now he is a statue."

Marti and I believe he will get to know the school counselor quite well.

- from my brother in FL (back in August) about his son who goes to Catholic school

Bathroom Candy

The office building I'm working in is very swank. I think it was specifically built/designed for productions. My office has one wall of windows and the view is fairly nice.

One weird thing is the bathroom. Sure, it's clean and spacious and decorated, but there's a dish of candy on the counter. At first I thought that was nice, now I think it's gross. Who's going to take candy from the bathroom? Ugh.

Barbarians

I don't know what kind of barbarians I've gotten in with here, but they don't have Freecell on the computer! What am I going to do now to kill time? Thank dog for the internet...

2nd Day, New Show

I started my new show yesterday (Lakeview Terrace). I'm not really off that damned KIA as I'm still fixing things and doing a bit a payroll but I'm in my new office and that counts.

It's weird working for a different studio, having to learn their policies and procedures. I have to say I don't really like it, but I do need to branch out a bit. Working for one studio all the time only gets you screwed in the end.

I had to step away and look at the fire - Griffith Park over by I5 is burning and the smoke cloud is amazing. It's not anywhere near us damage-wise, but we have a great view of the flames and the water choppers.

Anyway, I'm not happy about being in the dark about stuff, but I ask questions and try to learn. It'll be ok. I can do the payroll already and that's the majority of the job. The paper-pushing can be learned.

I Forgot

to mention the best bit about the emails from Wednesday... I never actually wrote anything on the I9. It was just a ruse so I could let her know her little ploy to hide her age was in vain.

Ha!

How I Spent Wednesday

Or,
Why You Really Shouldn't Get Into It With Film-Chick.

CM,
I wanted you to know that while cleaning my files, I filled in your birth year (it's required). Even though you took the time to white out your birthdate, it's common knowledge that Arizona driver's licenses expire when you turn 65. Since I have access to a calculator, I did the math. Really, how vain is it to hide your age? 54 is not that old.
Sincerely,
film-chick


F-C,
An Arizona drivers license is issued for 25 years, mine does not expire at age 65. I never fill in my birth year because of age discrimination against women. Many women do it. You have assumed incorrectly, F-C, and I did not give you permission to adjust my paperwork. Is it the payroll accountant's job to judge vanity, too? My, my.
CM


CM,
It's my job to make sure the paperwork is filled out correctly and your fear of age discrimination cannot get in the way of me doing my job. Many of the things you have done on this show got in my way, but this will not be one of them.

The license may have been issued for 25 years at some point, but now it is issued until the age of 65 (see Section 2, page 7 of the Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide). If you were in a group who got a license before that went into effect, then so be it - I don't really care. I stand by the date I put on the I9. And unlike you, I did not attempt to disguise the fact that I added info to/"altered" your paperwork and I did not try to hide it from you. So permission be damned.

Saying that "many women" do it is a pathetic excuse akin to being a child and whining that all your friends are doing it. It's a legal document and must be filled out completely. Some studios will not allow a person to remain employed for something as stupid as being afraid to put down a birthdate (and yes, I speak from personal experience of having to tell a hair person to either fill it out or go home).

As for judging vanity, I did that as a woman - it had nothing to do with being the payroll accountant.
F-C

And if a license really is issued for 25 years, why is yours only good for 21? Maybe you should have thought that one out a little more...

F-C,
I take full responsibility for not putting my birth year on my I9. I stand by my intent and if you impose false information on my I9, I will provide guidance from an authority who can help me demonstrate my rights as an American citizen. It is against the law to force an American citizen to prove they are an American citizen, which is a catch 22 when a company requests information on an I9.

I feel you have been quite impertinent towards me. This is a prime example. As you have expressed no comradery as a co-worker, I know you only as a payroll person, therefore, I take exception with your need to vilify my character.

It feels to me that you do care in some obtuse way you care about me, as you have spent so much time to judge me. But I feel you have (below) expressed a need justify you meddlesome bully tactics. I feel sorry for you, F-C, and I forgive you.
CM

Oh CM, where to begin...
An I9 does not attempt to prove you are an American citizen. It proves you are eligible to be employed in the USA. Maybe you can have your authority explain that to you more fully.

I don't really care if you choose not to fill out your paperwork completely. The fact you are going to take responsibility for it surprises me, because it'll be about the only thing on this show for which you haven't tried to throw someone else under the bus.

I'm upset you think I'm being impertinent because I was going for rude. In all the years I've done this job I have always felt that people in higher positions than mine deserved my respect even if I didn't like them. You were the exception. There was nothing about your job performance that demonstrated to me you were even slightly capable of fulfilling the tasks your title required of you. Sure, you directed traffic around a condor and found a sound case, but those are not job descriptions of a Production Supervisor.

I do not care about you CM except to note your name as someone to avoid at all costs in the future and to make sure you know that there are people in the film industry who do not think you are capable of doing the work for which you are paid - it has nothing to do with your character. I don't care about your forgiveness and will sleep soundly at night just knowing I don't ever have to work with you again.

Done and done.

(I haven't done anything to the emails except adjust the names).

Hottie McHottiepants

Small pic, cute guy! This is the DOT Compliance PA from KIA. He was a really nice guy but not as cute in person (almost, but not quite). He may be an actor some day...

BMW Ring Help...

Does anybody know/remember a BMW commercial where the woman in it was wearing an emerald ring? Well, it may not be emerald but it is green... A friend of mine would like to buy that ring but she can't find any info on it. I've never seen the commercial and have been googling the internet, but I'm not that good at searches. If anyone actually reads this blog and has a clue, please let me know.

At least I managed to find Hiro's messenger bag, even if I can't afford it.

Cute Shoes

Sped,

I'm wearing my Tsonga sandals today - just like the ones you got in Santa Fe (black w/ green flowers). I so rarely wear cute shoes I thought I should share.

Katchow

Sofie Update

After spending $222 at the vet, it turns out Sofie is fine. Dr Liz couldn't find anything wrong with her after the blood and urine tests. There's still the possibility she may have some physical issue, like a tumor or stone that isn't shedding crystals, but it's not likely. If the problem continues the next step is an x-ray. We're monitoring the situation, which is already better and we'll see what happens. It's a lot to pay for peace of mind, but worth it.

The groomers bill was worth it, too, even though the effects were nearly wiped out during the trip to the dog park. We still have to dremel her nails, but she did smell better. She so hates the groomers even though they seem very nice to her. I picked her up and carried her inside and she started trembling immediately. I had to hand her over and run out so she wouldn't freak too much.

Sick Sofie

The husband and I took Sofie to the vet today. She acts like everything is fine, but she's piddling a lot. Wednesday night was 7 times in 14 hours. And it's piddling, not just marking. I wigged out about the possibility of bad pet food but there are over 20 things that can cause "excessive uriniation" in dogs. Whatever it is, Dr Liz didn't find anything in a cursory exam. We'll have to wait for the blood and urine tests to come back. In the meantime, she's still getting the chicken and brown rice instead of dog food.

Have to say, Sofie hated every minute at the vet's office. From the time we walked in her tail was down. Then when the vet tech came out to get us, she hunkered down and didn't want to go. I had to pick her up before she got dragged away. She kept hiding her face while the tech did his thing and when he left, she perked up as if to say "he's gone, we're done, let's go". Poor girl. It's necessary but it's so hard to do to them. And tomorrow she's going to the groomers, which she also hates. It's a bad weekend to be Sofie.

SOUP!!!

For some reason, I've been thinking about a woman I met when Sped and I took our 2 week cross-country trip after college graduation.

We were in Berkley staying with a friend of Sped, someone she met while studying/traveling in Europe. One of the housemates was a woman whose greatest desire was to be a homemaker. Her heroes were June Cleaver, Donna Reed, and Betty Crocker. All she wanted was a house with a white picket fence and to cook for her family.

She was a pretty good cook, too. At least the soup she made for us was good. Of course, she didn't call it soup. I'm not sure if I can adequately describe how she said it, but if you were to say soup very loudly, in a higher than normal pitch, and with a rise at the end, you may have it. It was SOUP!!! Maybe kind of like a siren ("woop").

Anyway, I often wonder if she got her wish. I suppose she might if she got off the heroin. Hmm, a heroin-addicted Donna Reed wanna-be; sounds like a movie. But that does explain why it was SOUP!!!

Messenger Bag

The messenger bag I want is available again. Still don't want to pay $162.50 for it, but it's very cool. Maybe I should see if a costumer could get me a deal... Probably not.

Elvis Buddha

Meow

I saw this in a Phx magazine a while back but just now got it scanned. I need to send it to Cocktaildoll as I think she likes Hello Kitty.

I really need to call and see how much it is.

Lucky Dog Day

I'm going home! And I got myself on an earlier flight! Damn, I'm so glad to be going home. I just wish this show was over - too bad there are still 2+ weeks left. I'm ready to put the lid on KIA. Packing didn't take as long as I thought it would and it'll kill me to sit around for 2 extra hours. Might have to talk to the moron PS.

I have to shut my computer down and get it packed up. I can't leave all of it to Andy-Goat. I did manage to get to W-M last night to pick up a scorpion paperweight for the Haiku contest winner and some nightshirts for Granny. They have the best kind for what she needs. I put them in Fex today (on the company's dime). She'll have them Thursday.

This is it!

Last Night in Phx

This is it, my last night in Phx.

I was going to have the husband and Sofie pick me up on Wednesday, then realized it wasn't fair for them to drive 6 hours then turn around and go back. I also realized I didn't want to sit in the car for 6 hours, not get home until after 9, then have to go to work on Thursday. So I decided to fly home.

When I got in today, Megan was so excited to be leaving I got jealous. I thought about it for a while and realized the only reason I was waiting for Wed was because that's when the husband could come. I called T and got her approval and changed my flight to tomorrow. Yeah! Going home! Now all I have to do is finish packing. My office is done, just have to get the apartment cleaned out. I'm so excited.

Book List #32

Last night I finished Haunted Places: The National Directory by Dennis William Hauck. It's a state by state listing of a bunch of haunted sites, sacred areas, and ufo sightings. The husband got it for me because the building in Santa Fe where I was working was listed in it.

It was an ok read; some of the entries were fairly basic and didn't give a lot of detail, while others were more in-depth. They talked about photos that had been taken but didn't reproduce them in the book. It really needed a more careful proofreading than it got - nearly drove me nits with all the left out words and duplications. And I couldn't believe the addresses that were listed. Seems like a good way to get stalkers and crap looking for ghosts.

I thought about passing it along to N because she likes this stuff as much as I do. If the husband was still coming to get me then I would've traded it in at the bookstore, but I guess now she can readit if she wants.

Tired and No TV

When I came home yesterday from running errands, my Direct TV box and remote were gone. I didn't notice the box at first. I spent about 5 minutes trying to find the remote, then realized the box was gone. Weird, as no one told me they were coming to pick it up. I guess someone got overzealous...

It's not a big deal, really. I brought work home so I wouldn't be crazed on Monday and this just makes it easier to concentrate. I tried listening to the music on my computer, but it started skipping. I'm not sure how a computer skips, but it did.

Anyway, I'm sitting at the table picking my way thru timecards. I meant to start yesterday but I passed out on the couch. I don't know why I was so friggin' tired. Maybe it's all catching up to me. I slept off and on all day, then called Sped around 9pm. We chatted for an hour then I crawled into bed with my national directory of haunted places and finished it. The husband called around 11(?) and said good night. That was it for me.

I can't wait to go home.

Google Maps

I got this from my friend CH, the pilot.

If you've ever doubted Google maps for directions, then you are about to get edumacateded! -- C
1. go to www.google.com
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. click on "get directions"
7. scroll down to step #23

It's genius!

Huh?

Sped, what do you mean? Are you going back to the firm in Oceanside? I guess that's a good thing. I knew you weren't really happy but I didn't realize you were switching back. The commute is soooooooo much better at least.

And going to SF for a tat is fine by me!

It's Not a No

I finally got a chance to ask the husband about the tattoo and he asked me to wait. Which is fine.

But I hope you'll try to respond on the blog sometime...

Another Bail-Out

A (Clooney) show that I turned down is looking for help. T got a call from one of the finance execs at the studio, asking if her payroll person was available (he didn't know it was me). Apparently the payroll acct on the show is behind and they want someone to come in for a couple of weeks to help out. He doesn't want it getting around because the key acct doesn't know.

What I don't get is how the key doesn't know the payroll person is so far behind that the studio exec is looking for help. How does that happen?

Funny thing is, I've helped that payroll acct before on a Myers movie. I did extras while she wasted time putting happy face stamps on the paycheck envelopes. No wonder she's behind.

Unmotivated

Good Friday is a union holiday and nobody worked. I ended up going in for a few hours to get caught up on a specific project. Then on Saturday 4 of us went to Bisbee again. We stayed at the same cottage and visited with Cobin and Ray. Man, I love that place. I want to load up the husband and the dog and go there for a week of doing nothing but laying around. Knowing we were going made me buy a piece of clip-in hair (blue) and wear it for almost 2 days. I think I'm going to get some dye and try it for real, but not the permanent stuff - just the stuff that washes out. That's what Bisbee does for me, though. Makes me want to experiment and have fun without caring what others think.

We got back today around 1:30pm and I made my way into the office. I couldn't care less about doing payroll. I got a little bit done, separated timecards from starts and checked some coding, then left to pick up T at the airport. I brought the shit home with me but I haven't touched it yet. I did warn T that I was absolutely unmotivated today and that it would most likely wait until tomorrow. I just don't care anymore.

Sped wants me to get another tattoo and she wants another one, as well. I wish we'd made plans for her to visit me here, but it's too late now. I'll have to go down there soon, but I'd like to be at home for a bit before I travel again. And I think I'm going to wait on a brand new tat and just get the one on my hand touched up.

Right now, I just want to lay on the couch and watch tv, but I'd better try and get thru the easy timecards so tomorrow's not such hell. Blech.

Job Hunt Over?

That woman at Sony works fast, I've already gotten an email from an accountant.

The new show is called "Lakeview Terrace" and stars Samuel L. Jackson and Ashton Kutcher. There's a woman in it too, but I didn't recognize her and don't remember her name. It's shooting in LA and the offices aren't too far from home - just over in Glendale. It's a 7 week shoot and about 4 months of work.

I wrote back to him today and said I was interested, told him my rate and said if that wasn't a problem we should talk. Today's a union holiday so I don't know when I'll hear anything.

I did tell T on the way to the airport about it and her comment was "oh, shit". Maybe she should've sent her emails sooner...

Sony

I just sent my resume to an exec at Sony. She's the little sister of a producer I worked with on EA. I told her I would be done around May 7th, so we'll see if anything comes of it.

Is That A No?

Husband,

Should I take your lack of response to my tattoo question as a no?

da Wife

The Weekend

I'm not very good at posting, but I'm pretty good at writing to N. So I've started saving my emails and copying them into the blog - works for me...

T and I went to Bike Week out in Scottsdale on Saturday. She had a friend working at the Suzuki booth and he got us in free. It was pretty cool but kind of last minute. I had on sandals but I could've test driven a bike if I'd had on closed toe shoes. It was fun to people watch and to check out the bikes and gear. We also got fake tattoos - T got a spider crawling out of her cleavage and I got a Chinese Fu dog on my arm. They had a Vespa booth but they only had 2 Vespas showing (it was with the BMW's). They didn't have any gear or swag so that was disappointing. Then we went out with her friend to what seemed like a great bar with outdoor seating on the patio - white couches in groups. After an hour or so, the real crowds started showing up and it was an upper-end meat market. Not my kind of place but the food was good (appetizers/tapas).

The director's wife went home to Canada and he took the opportunity to go to Vegas for the weekend - they had to send a Teamster with him to make sure he made it back ok. He missed the first wrap party, which was as class-less as the kick-off party. They're having the "real" wrap party next Friday but a lot of people are trying to get out of town after wrapping Friday morning.

Um, Husband?

I forgot to ask, can I get a new tattoo while I'm in the hell that is Phoenix? I got an airbrushed Chinese Fu dog at the bike show on Saturday and it's put me in the mood.

What do you think?