A Love Story In 3 Acts

Shooting Range

Husband,

Do you want to go the shooting range on Saturday? It's not cheap but it may be fun and it's for a good cause. Let me know.

da Wife

I have never fired a gun in my life (BB guns don't count) and I've always wanted to try it. Then again, we could go to Santa Barbara instead.

Voting Enabled

I walked down to the elementary school this morning and voted. I had pretty much made up my mind over the past week who I wanted to vote for and I even took the time to look at the different propositions in the state and make decisions on those. I felt mature and prepared which is almost too much for 8am.

The polling place was dead when I went in - no lines or anything. They didn't even check my ID which is probably an issue. It was actually more difficult to figure out how to get my paper ballot scanned than anything else - they should have had a diagram or something.

I've done my part - now I'll have to see what happens come November.

While Getting Groceries...

I had to stop by the grocery store last night to get some frozen veggies (love those steam-in-the-bag kind!) and had a star sighting - I walked right between Juliette Lewis and the frozen waffles. I figured I'd eventually see a celebrity at that store since it's at the base of the hills. Then I managed to walk out right behind her. She's prettier in person but very tiny.

Wolverine

My assistant just got hired to go to Australia and do payroll on Wolverine (the US crew). I am so jealous. I would totally bail on Boston to go there for 4 months.

I know the accountant on that show so I sent her an email and said the next time she goes Down Under she'd better take me with her.

Hopefully he'll need to ask me lots of questions and then I can get an autograph from Hugh as payment. Especially since this is the guy who decided he didn't want the Boston job because he didn't want to do payroll anymore.

Man, I am so jealous.

HSM 3

I will try to get something, but there's nothing really official. Mostly it's sheets of paper taped to the walls that say "HSM 3 Please take a seat" or "HSM 3 Please sign in".

Not that exciting but I'll keep my eyes open.

Star Sighting

Last night, while out for my birthday dinner, the husband and I saw William Sanderson (from Blade Runner, Newhart, and Deadwood to name just a few). We weren't sure at first it was him, but when we heard him speak we were certain. I love that guy. Such a good actor.

I told the husband as we were leaving how much I liked that restaurant and he said it was only because I keep seeing celebrities there (it's where I saw Navarro) but I like the food and atmosphere, too.

Speaking of stars, we stopped by the tattoo shop on the way home and made my appointment for my birthday tattoo. Tomorrow at 3pm I'm getting the sun/moon/stars tattoo on my left shoulder cap. It's supposed to take about 2 hours and I'm excited. Thanks for the great present husband. Everybody thinks it rocks!

Casting

They are casting for High School Musical 3 on the same floor as my new office. I wasn't sure what it was because the signs only said HSM 3 and since I'm old it didn't register. Today the signs are spelled out. I should have figured it out yesterday when I kept hearing people singing... There are a couple of other casting offices on this floor and it's fun to walk past them on the way to get water or use the restroom - they're so eager and nervous and diligently going over their lines. I always wonder if they hope/fear I'm someone who could affect their career.

There goes the singing again. At least it's good.

Cute Puppies

Bored Again

It's time to go home and I've got almost everything from my office packed up. The only things I'm leaving behind are my pilates ball, my electric stapler, and some extra adhesive. It looks like I'll be able to come back for a few days next week - for what I don't know. It's so boring and unless the payroll company gets their shit together I have nothing to do.

Blech.

Day 1

Today is my first day at the Boston show. It's been a good day - I think I'm going to like working with this group. I only brought a limited kit with me and the one good blue pen died within the first 30 minutes. All I could find was a black pen and I don't like to do payroll in black - blue shows up much better. But that was the worst that happened unless you count the fact the other office went home at 5:30. I'll have to see what time I get home before I decide. My commute is only about 15 minutes instead of an hour.

I go back to the guinea pig movie tomorrow and Friday (at least). I have to pack up the rest of my stuff and hope the holiday report gets sent over. And Friday they're having cake to surprise me for my birthday. Yum.

Accident

I forgot to mention the accident on the lot this morning. I didn't see anything but the aftermath but our clerk saw the whole thing in his rear view mirror.

There's an underground parking garage on the lot and when you go down the ramp to enter, you have to make an immediate left. It's dark but not that narrow. If you're not careful you can cut the corner too close and the change from sun to dark can mess up your vision. Apparently there was a man working on a grate - he was set up in the right hand lane just after the turn. He had cones and stuff set up but it was still a dangerous spot.

The clerk said he thought about it as he was entering, that the man was not in a good spot and that there could be a problem. The SUV that entered after the clerk was the problem. The woman driving it went right over the cones and the man's leg. She claimed she didn't really see the cones and didn't see him at all. He claims he got dragged by her car. The clerk saw the SUV hit the guy but didn't see any dragging and did see the guy get up afterward and run after the car. He figured the guy was ok if he could do that much.

The whole thing is just kind of screwy. The guy was in a bad spot at a bad time and the woman probably wasn't paying a lot of attention. At least no one is really hurt.

Boston

The acct from my Boston show called me this morning. Apparently they're trying to cut $5 million out of the budget and there's a chance it will shut down. She wanted to let me know it would be ok if I started looking around - she wouldn't be offended.

Until we know for sure I'm going to start over there 2 or 3 days a week. The UPM said he doesn't want to lose me and she agrees. I'm probably not going to start looking until next week or after. If I put my name out I'll get calls and I'm not ready to abandon Boston yet. She thinks they'll know something by the end of next week.

They had a huge meeting yesterday and the dumas director actually asked the question "do we need to have more than 3 people in the accounting office?" Well, only if you want your crew and vendors paid correctly and on time... Like cutting down on the accounting staff will save your movie. If you want it saved don't pay the star $20 million or cut back on your own salary. Or maybe don't pay the DP $20K per week.

I told my assistant about it and she's decided to go ahead and look for other work just in case. I completely understand but it's too bad. I think we would have worked well together. Hopefully it'll all still work out.

Push

I found out today my Boston show is pushing for 2 weeks. The accountant still wants me to start next Monday but she has to talk it over with the UPM. Luckily he likes me and maybe he'll let me start. Otherwise I have to decide if I'm going to keep coming down to the guinea pig movie or take some time off.

The problem with taking time is the push might last longer than they think or the show may go away all together. Then I'd have to find something else. Not really a problem but a hassle.

Weekend Activities

Saw Cloverfield this weekend - it was a hard movie for me to watch. I still have trouble with 9/11 imagery and they used it very effectively. It's hard for me to decide if I liked it or not - I feel odd saying I enjoyed it when it's so dark. But it wasn't a bad movie either. It's just tough.

Didn't do much else this weekend. We got the Vespa fixed - just a bad battery after all. I'm really looking forward to riding it - I'd forgotten how much fun it was. We took Sofie to the dog park both days of course. I did some chores and ran my Roomba (which I love). I could use a day off where I don't have to even get out of bed.

Freak

Abacus

One of the 2nds gave everybody an abacus for Christmas and I just spent 10 minutes trying to figure it out. I found a website that had a tutorial but frankly I don't see the point to it. They said the person using the abacus does the calculations in his/her head and uses the beads to keep track. I always thought it would do some of the math for you. It seems like it should but I think it'll take longer than 10 minutes to be able to manipulate it easily and understand what I'm doing.

But then what else am I going to do? I finished the JJ Abrams script for Superman and it was abyssmal. I had to stop and tell my asst about whatever foolishness was going on at the moment. It was just not good.

Pleh

Consistent

I know my posts aren't all that interesting, but it doesn't really matter since I don't think I have any regular readers. One thing I am proud of is the fact I manage to post something almost every day (helps that I work on a computer for 10-12 hours a day). I read some other blogs that are good, but if they don't post on a regular basis I get bored with them.

Anyway, got the Vespa towed into the shop this morning. I was embarrassed to tell the guy it hadn't been ridden in a while but I can't help that I work an hour away in crappy traffic and it's cold/rainy out. I hope it's just a dead battery.

I've started packing up my office. Mostly just the toys and frivolous stuff so far. I did toss a few old memos but most of it will have to wait until next week. I wonder if I should cull the toy herd a bit. I'll have to see how many boxes I end up with.

Scooter Fix

I'm finally taking my Vespa to the shop tomorrow. I'm a horrible person for letting it get to this point in the first place because if I had riden it more often it probably wouldn't be dead. But it's really hard when it's an hour commute in heavy traffic and I'm not comfortable lane-sharing. But I'm planning to ride it to the new office come the 29th even in the cold. I can't wait. I hope I can get it shipped to Boston...

Ouch

I got my eyebrows done on Saturday (waxing, tweezing, trimming, etc). She did a great job and I was really happy until I realized yesterday that I must be really sensitive to the wax because the skin around my brows is red and irritated. It's also breaking out. Lovely. I've been putting neosporin on them which makes them look odd, but it's helping.

I also bought more sugar scrub for my lips as I left the cocoa one at home for K to use. They didn't have that flavor again so I got cinnamon sugar and it's good but the cocoa is better.

We finished shooting yesterday and I start my new show on the 28th but I still don't know when I'm going to Boston. Sometime in February I guess. I'm kind of glad I'll be at home for my birthday this year. Last year was a bit sad, leaving 2 days before.

Shrine

The husband and I went to the convention at the Shrine yesterday to sell off some excess comics and books. We didn't do as well as before but not too bad. We got rid of some stuff and that's always a good thing.

There was a woman there dressed as slave Leia - full costume. I was really impressed because I was freezing in jeans and jacket and she was half-naked! What a trooper - I hope they made extra money because of it. Her husband(?) was dressed as Han Solo so I'm sure he was just fine.

Work is still very slow. We were done with the payroll by 11am and since we're supposed to finish shooting tomorrow this week won't be any more time-consuming. I really don't know what I'm going to do to occupy my time. There's just not enough work for 2 of us. I guess I'll need to get more scripts to read. At least those aren't as obvious as a book or magazine.

I did clip coupons at my desk this afternoon. That was obvious...

Job Offers

Got an email this morning from an accountant I've talked to before, but never worked with. She's choosing between 2 shows, one going to Connecticut and the other going to Portland. Man, I would love to go to Portland but I had to tell her I'm already booked.

I did make sure I mentioned my interest in case my Boston show went down.

Total Bullshit

A friend sent me the following link:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092008/business/payroll_company_is_casualty_of_writers_s_20817.htm

The headline places blame for the payroll company's demise solely on the writer's strike. But if you read the article, others claim the company was already faltering and the strike was just the final straw.

But what really hacks me off is the claim that people won't be getting their paychecks. TOTAL BULLSHIT!. There's no way the studios and unions would allow that to happen and I know for a fact the payroll was diverted to 2 other payroll companies on Tuesday morning for processing. Everybody will get their money and it will be sooner rather than later. Sure, some productions will lose out on deposits, but the crews will get paid. That's a non-issue and inflammatory.

Gym Rat Out

I have been having a really hard time getting back to the gym since my trainer left. I'm not sure why but I don't respond well to change. Every morning I get up at 5 to walk Sofie, but haven't managed to get my gym clothes on. This morning I did manage to get dressed and get in the car, but instead of turning left towards the gym I turned right, drove around the block, and went back to bed. Maybe it's progress, maybe not. I know I have to go back and I will. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

Out of Business

One of the payroll companies shut its doors today with no notice. Luckily they're one of the smaller ones but what a nightmare for those shows! The payroll accts had to fax their stuff to one of the other companies, along with all the necessary start paperwork. And the accounts payable crew has to try and get its data saved and transferred to another operating system.

I'm so glad I'm not having to deal with any of that. I'd be a raving bitch.

Back To Work

It's back to the daily grind on GF. We have 7 scheduled days of plate unit and miniatures and then it's all over. I don't know what my last day will be but I hope it's soon. Actually, the show is ok I'm just tired of the commute and we've been really slow. There really isn't enough work for 2 of us but the accountant wants my assistant to go on the next show with him so he's not going anywhere.

I feel like I've had this idea before but there's nothing else going on to write about. Maybe we'll blow something up this week...

2 Cuties

Quiet Day

OMG I am so bored today. I have no work to do and the phones are out. I was thinking I may get some calls from people who haven't gotten their check yet but not gonna happen unless they call my cell phone. I actually just walked around and gave out timecards so people could fill them out and give me some work.

If it wasn't for the money I would have stayed home in bed. Maybe we'll all get to leave early and I can check out the tattoo shop - I need to find out how much it's going to cost to have a little work done on the one on my hand. I want to have the colors adjusted and some vines added.

I'd like to start checking out housing in Boston but we still don't have a production office. Not really any point to it without knowing what area I need. I'm hoping to get something within walking distance or maybe bike riding distance. I have no idea what to expect although Sped has friends who are from there so maybe they can help me out once I know where I'm going.

No More Trainer

I found out this morning that my trainer is moving to Texas on the 4th of January! AARRGGHH! What am I supposed to do now? I made my New Year's resolution to eat less and exercise more and lose 45 pounds by the end of the year. I thought I was being realistic and was motivated to make it happen. Then he doesn't show today and my gym partner tells me he got a job offer over Christmas and he's leaving. Damn. I mean, I know I'm off to Boston in February for 5 or 6 months but it's so not fair. That's the 3rd trainer I've lost since I've had a trainer. Basically that's all of them. I must be a trainer jinx.

But maybe the husband will let me take the $400 a month I'm not spending on training and buy an elliptical machine for the house. He could use it while I'm gone and I promise to use it every day (and I'm only going to the gym for 4 days a week now). What do you think, husband?

Going Home

OK, I'm back from seeing the family over Christmas and I had a great time. I missed the husband and the animals, but it was very nice spending all my time with my family. My niece and nephews are older and a lot more fun to be around. We played in the leaves and kicked a rock around (soccer-rock) and baked coffee cakes and basically just amused ourselves.

My sister paid for my niece to get her ears pierced as a present and because she was nervous, I said I'd get my right ear pierced with a 2nd hole. I already had the 2nd one in my left ear from college but never thought about getting the right one done. It worked well because she got to see how easy it was before having to go through it. I'm a good aunt because it kind of hurts and I keep getting my hair wrapped around it (which I had to lie about when my sister-in-law asked me if I'd had any trouble because my niece didn't want to wash her hair).

Anyway, it was good to see everyone and makes me wish I'd keep in better touch, but I know I won't. It's nothing personal but you can't help but get caught up in your own life. There's a chance my older nephew and my #2 brother will visit me in Boston, but who knows what'll happen by then.

Bee-llorina

Our construction accountant's dog on Halloween.

Slow Day

Call wasn't until 10:30 this morning and we finished handing out checks around 11am. Now we're sitting at our desks with nothing to do until 6pm.

I have already called to schedule a pick-up of the old gas grill that was abandoned at our townhouse (it's next Thursday Husband). They won't take the propane tank but I'm thinking of dropping that off at Lowe's or somewhere in the middle of the night.

I also called the HOA managment company to find out who is responsible for the entry system. It's still ringing up the old disconnected number and I'd like to have people be able to call us properly when they come over.

Then I called AAA and found out I don't have coverage to have my Vespa towed to the shop so I went ahead and called the guy the shop recommended. I have to call him at 9:30 in the morning to have them come by around 10. I don't know how long it'll take to get it fixed but I hope it's fast, easy, and cheap.

I passed a furniture shop that's going out of business and I'm thinking of stopping on my way home and checking out the dining room sets. Not that I really need one, though. Actually, I need to see if CB is going to get off work early enough to go to bingo.

Bingo!

The last bingo of the year is this Thursday. I can't really tell what charity it's sponsoring but I haven't made it yet and I want to go! Husband, what do you think?

And if you don't wanna go maybe CB will go with me...

Merry Christmas!

Free Rice

You can go to www.free rice.com and play a fun vocabulary game and do some good. Each word you get right donates grains of rice to stop world hunger. The thing only started in October and they've already had over 9 billion grains donated.

From ICHC.Com

Kitty Porn!

Goin' Home Early

I have to say there are times I dearly love working Sunday through Thursday. I love having Fridays off to run errands or make appointments and I love being alone in the office on Sundays - I can blast my music and sing along. Even better, I can leave when I'm done - I don't have to kill time waiting for 6 o'clock. Like today! It's only 1:30 and I'm all done with everything in my basket that I can do w/o more information. I think I'll run by Target then take my dog to the park. Yay for me!

Oh, yeah. I took the job in Boston. I'll be doing The Surrogates with Bruce Willis next spring. I leave late January or early February and will be there until June/July.

Sped, come visit me!

Doctor Appt

I have to go to the cardiologist tomorrow and get a blood pressure monitor that I will wear for 24 hours. It's supposed to prove/disprove my high blood pressure. We'll see. I have to say I haven't had any more episodes since I've been on the medication but it's the lower dose so I can't be that bad off.

It would have to be on payday, though. I'm probably going to look like a science experiment when I'm handing out checks. I'm not looking forward to all the questions but questions are better than people just staring and trying to pretend there's nothing unusual going on.

LolNixon

Sick

Boy, you forget to take your allergy meds for a couple of days and you start hacking up a lung! I hate live Xmas trees...

12/9 Pic

Griffith

The husband suggested we go up to the observatory last night and it sounded like fun. We didn't realize the DWP Xmas light show was at the same freeway exit and it took us about 45 minutes to go about 5 miles. But once we got past that it was fine. The view of the city is amazing from up there - lights going on forever. And it seemed you could hear everything - dogs barking and distant traffic and everything.

The remodel is nice, but I'm glad they seemed to stay in the era in which the observatory was originally built. Nothing was jarring. We didn't stay to see the show - I want to do that sometime but it was cold and late.

On the way home, driving down Las Feliz, the husband saw 3 coyotes crossing a side street. I only saw one but I pointed out to him how fearless they are. It was only about 9pm and Las Feliz is a busy, well-lit street.

Speaking of coyotes, I saw one this morning but it already had something in its mouth so it wasn't all that interested in us. I don't know what it was and I don't really want to think about it. I just know the coyote ducked through the hedge into the yard across the street with it.

12/6 Pic

Happy St Nicholas Day!

I'm about to go home and veg out - today's been a long day.

The POC's dog was in the office today and he decided to come by my desk and piss on the floor. Luckily he missed my foot and the big stack of actor files. I yelled to her about it and she came and cleaned it up - hopefully it won't stink tomorrow. Then again, I'm not here tomorrow so what do I care?

I went out to set to hand out checks and managed to get shunted off the freeway because they're doing a lot of construction and I missed the fact I was in an exit only lane. I think it took me longer to get to set than it did to hand out the checks. Some days it takes forever to find everybody but this was zip in and zip out. I almost went to Target (which was right across the parking lot) but I hadn't eaten lunch yet and wanted to get back in time for the 2nd unit catering.

Then it was clean up and research. I had to wrap my head around a SAG project and check some numbers. Took longer than I anticipated because it was based on stupidity and that's not a language in which I'm fluent. I got it done, though.

Did I mention I pinched my palm in my mondo stapler yesterday? I've got a red mark and a dime-sized bruise. At least it doesn't hurt anymore and the medic gave me a whole tube of Arnica. Yay free stuff!

I also got a call from an accountant about a job but she spoke so quickly I have no idea what her name was. It's a Sony show, but that's all I know. The timing may not work out - she's going to call me back. We'll see.

I forgot today is St Nicholas Day. It's also Sofie's birthday - she's 3 (we don't actually know when her birthday is but we know it's around this time and St Nick's Day is as good as any).

Today's Pic

Rebates

Ok, so I'm a slacker at times. I got a front loading washer and dryer back in January when we moved into the townhouse and there were 2 rebates available for the washer ($150 from the power company and $35 from the gas company).

I'm just now filling them out... It's sad because I'm usually really good at getting my rebates. I guess this time they didn't factor into whether or not I bought the things so it wasn't as urgent. My real estate agent paid for most of them as a gift.

But if they both come through that's $185 for Christmas!

Gatlinburg (Pretty)

Another Gig?

I just got back from talking to the UPM - he's putting my name for a BW show in Boston. I'm so flattered and excited. We'll see what happens.

Work And No Work

I just talked to T about her next job and it's pending. Apparently they are waiting to confirm the star will actually be available to shoot - she might do something else. It's a music diva and funnily enough I worked with her sister several years ago (it's not JLo).

Anyway, I'm not nervous about it becasue something will come up - it always does. I just hate turning down work (the NOLA gig). It's the whole "bird in the hand" aspect. Plus I think I'm afraid the accountant will take it personally.

But mostly I'm bored. We're in a holding pattern waiting for the payroll company to send over some edits. I've surfed and played and even done some work, but I'm all out now. My assistant has gone over to the AP side to help them out but I don't so that anymore. It made me bitter when I would help them and they would never help me. So here I sit, bored and looking for something to occupy the next hour.

The UPM wants to talk to me but he was eating lunch with the producer when I went by earlier. Maybe I should go check now...

Nix the NOLA

I talked myself into taking the show in NOLA then talked myself back out of it.

The pros are: extra money from per diem and possibly housing, having a job lined up, going to NOLA on someone else's dime, my own rental car.

The cons are: being away from the husband and the animals, no Idle days, 5 months stuck in NOLA, finishing 1 month before the strike, no scooter.

I may think of more but basically I feel better now that I'm going to say no than I did when I thought I was saying yes.

Christmas Allergies

I am allergic to evergreens, have been since I was young but didn't realize it until I was 27 or 28. The office has put up a live tree and I can already feel my sinuses responding. Bring on the OTC drugs!

Trying to Bust the Crew

Is it wrong that I hope I caught a crew member double-dipping on another show? One of our set dressers turned in his start paperwork and it had a piece from another show in it. That show is on the same lot but I think they are using a different payroll company so it wouldn't get found that way. I'm waiting for the other payroll accountant to call me back and let me know. I really want to bust them.

Star Sighting

The husband and I went to a local grill for dinner last night and I saw David Navarro. Have to say he's a hottie - love the beard.

Idle Days

When you work on location the production company pays you "idle days". Basically it's a half day of pay each for Saturday and Sunday to compensate for any jobs you may have missed out on if you had been at home. It's in the union/guild contracts and most studios pay it to everyone who travels (except for the lowly production assistants).

Guess who doesn't pay idle days to accountants? The studio who wants to hire me to go to New Orleans. Umm, I don't think so. The whole point of going on location is to make extra money through idle days, housing, and per diem. Why go if there's no benefit?

I think I'm going to have to say no - just not worth it.

NOLA 2

I have officially turned down the WWE movie - just don't want to do an independent film on location with Renny Harlin.

As for the studio project, I called the accountant and told him I was interested, but needed more info before I made a decision. He doesn't have all the details yet so it may not happen anyway, but it's still a possibility.

NOLA

Is this a sign? I've gotten 2 calls today on shows going to New Orleans. One is with Sony (called Mardi Gras) and the other is a wrestling movie by the WWE.

I've never been to NO and I'm not sure I want to go. If I do, it would definitely be on someone else's dime.

I would like to work on location after this guinea pig movie is over. If the actors strike then I want to make as much money as possible. I'm just not sure I want it to be in NO.

Something Cute

1909-2007 JRT

Well, Granny passed away on Thursday morning and it's been non-stop since then. The husband called me around 9:15am and told me the news. I started looking for plane tickets, tried to find a dog-sitter (ended up calling the kennel), called the cat-sitter, called the funeral home, and found a replacement for myself at work. All this while trying to finish getting paychecks out. Thank dog my assistant is good at his job - I'd have never made it without him.

We took the red-eye back east and basically ended up being awake for over 24 hours. Took a short nap when we got in then drove down to the funeral home. It's a blessing she lived in a small Southern town because they did so much to help us out. We finally figured out where her first husband was buried (in her family plot since her parents outlived him). There was a spot left open for her so that's where she went. Otherwise she would have been buried head-to-head with her daughter which might not have gone over so well...

Anyway, we picked out a casket and a suit, wrote the obituary and arrainged for the service. It took less than an hour.

Time to go home and crash now - more tomorrow.

Bookworm

I've had a game of Bookworm going since Saturday or Sunday. I was over 500k points and still going strong. My stupid computer did an automatic update last night and restarted itself. Gone, it's all gone. Damn.

Clyde

Nothing new on Granny at the moment but with the help of my mom we've just about found out where her first husband Clyde Roberts (the husband's grandfather) is buried and whether there's a plot for her with him. He apparently died in 1966 and there's a good chance something was done then for her. Not a fun topic but there it is.

Write a will, keep it current, and let everybody know where the damn thing is.

Granny

The doctor from the nursing home called this morning to tell us Granny had a stroke over the weekend and it doesn't look good. Apparently she's been declining for the past week or so. Of course, the woman is around 100 so it's not surprising. We don't know how much longer she has but I do know Betty was called to her "deathbed" on a pretty regular basis and she pulled through.

I've been calling the nursing home and the funeral home, trying to find out if Granny had any arrangements set up and no one knows of anything. I've arranged it with the funeral home to get a plot (only $300 for the land and $500 for the digging and the tent/chairs, etc).

Now all we can do is wait for the call, get tickets, and fly east. We'll pick out a casket and schedule the service when we get there.

Strike Stuff

Whenever someone opens the door, I can hear the honking of car horns in support of the writer's picketing the studio. And I've been reading about several shows that are shutting down because the actor's won't cross the lines.

I wonder how long it'll last - the support, I mean. It's all good now because most people haven't had a chance to NOT get a paycheck...

Anyway. We got new script pages today but they're dated 11/3. I wonder how accurate that is.

Question for the Husband

Can I relate your tales from the picket line?

Writer's Strike

The husband is a member of the Writer's Guild and has been called to duty this week - he's picketing outside a studio during the afternoon shift. Therefore I feel I have the right to say something about what's going on...

Although my job hasn't been affected and probably won't be, there's no guarantee I'll be able to get work when it's wrapped. Come January, if the strike is still on, I may be out of luck. There are some people who are out of luck now and more who will get laid-off in the coming weeks and months. Despite all that, I think the writer's are doing the right thing.

I read a comment on a news site - the author compared selling s script to selling a painting. Basically, if they create a painting and sell it for $1000 that's all there is and they shouldn't expect any more. Fine, but what would happen if the buyer of that painting took that image and made postcards and magnets and coffee cups and mouse pads and umbrellas and t-shirts and tote bags and prints and anything else you can think of - and walked away with $1 million dollars? Would the painter still feel ok about it or would they want a piece of that pie?

The studios make money from the advertisers but the ads don't run by themselves. They are embedded into scripted content that someone created. That someone deserves a percentage of that profit. It's not like most of the people are millionaires. Yes, they make good money but they don't work 52 weeks a year and they aren't guaranteed to work from one year to the next.

Anyway, not many people read this blog and the ones who do already know what I think about the strike. I'mnot trying to change any minds, just clearing my own.

Scam Update

We finally heard back from the casting director about the background actor...

"ALSO, I spoke with our "friend" MS. It is a big long story, but bottom line is that he WAS a part of a scam (KS had to leave for another shoot, and supposedly called a friend who called MS to come and "replace" him). MS claims to be innocent in that he didn't know he was doing anything wrong, just trying to get work, needs money...etc... He claims that he can't even get in touch with KS. I yelled at him and told him, of course, that he will not be paid for that day, etc... I have also since had KS kicked out of his service for this. I told MS that if he needs money, he should get a job."

I do love it when people get busted.

Payday Surprise

Today is Thursday which is payday for the film industry. Our checks were ready early so I called the different off-production departments and told them to come and get 'em. The Special Effects department called back to ask if there was anything we needed from them and I said "roses, any color" then asked Colin what he wanted (fireworks). The SPFX Foreman joked about bringing Colin a 16lb bomb - I have no clue what that actually is but said we'd take it out into the parking lot and blow it up.

When the SPFX PA showed up, he had a dozen red carnations in a beautiful bouquet for me! Some people look down on carnations but to me, a flower is a flower and they are all pretty. I got a coffee can out of the trash (no vases) and cut the stems down. It's sitting on the file cabinet and it's really nice - makes me feel appreciated.

Now if I could just get that actor I helped on the phone to cough up...

Oops

I just did the math on the costumer that I've been overpaying for the past 6 weeks (@ $4/hour). She owes us $1694.00. Luckily her check for last week will cover it but I'm giving her the option of having it split over 2 checks.

Damn I hate making mistakes like this. I had to write a note to her and tell her I fucked up and apologize and I just know she's going to call. Plus I found out she's Jack's costumer of choice. Lovely.

Tattoo Drama

Damn, that tattoo shop is filming again and I just know my tattoo isn't cool enough to get me on the show and they probably aren't taking appointments. The only think I could do is a walk-in and then I'd have to deal with the artist I want being there and the price being right.

Getting a tattoo shouldn't be this much drama.

Pissy

This morning I was pissed off at everything. I don't know what was wrong with me but it wasn't pretty. I snapped at everybody that came into the office and then blamed it on the fact it's Monday and that's "payroll day" - my busiest day. But we weren't that busy because we both worked yesterday. I was just a bitch.

I'm over it now but I can feel it simmering just below the surface. I know it won't take much to tip me over the edge. This sucks.

The worst thing is I've tried to get into it with different people as a way to vent and no one has stood up to me. That extra who tried to pull the scam called looking for his check but didn't put up a fight when I told him he had to call the casting director. And the agent's assistant who I keep calling about the actor's start paperwork is too dim to even bother with - he says he's tried to fax it 3 times but we haven't seen it. Of course, this is the same paperwork he said was on it's way to us last week. Dumas.

I just want to leave early enough to take Sofie to the park and stop to get her some food.

Invaded

We're shooting today so the office is full of the regular crew and I don't like it. I like being here all alone on Sundays, blasting my music and cussing the crew out loud. At least there's a dog... the POC brought in her dog Lance aka Donkey. He's a chihuahua mix and pretty cute. I wish I could hvae brought Sofie but I'd never get the timecards done with her here. She'd be much too excited about going back to work for me to deal with.

Husband, if you get bored you couldbring her down for a visit.

Oh, and I just found out they've added 3 more days to the schedule. I've already warned my boss I'm going out of town for Christmas no matter what.

Late Night

Now we have a 2nd Unit working nights. I don't know if it's something that was always planned or if it's because we've gotten behind schedule and they have to pick up the pace. I thought we were supposed to be out of the warehouse by now, but that was an old schedule so I'm not really sure of anything.

The point is I sent the assistant out to set at lunch with the checks for the 1st Unit and I'm going tonight for the 2nd Unit. Call is at 8pm and I'm hoping to get there around 7:45 and get out asap. Anybody who isn't there is going to have to wait for the mail.

At least it's not as bad as LVT where I was out on set until midnight and then still had to drive back from Walnut. This set's not quite on the way home but it's also not 45 minutes in the other direction.

Oh, and we're shooting on Sunday and everybody will be in the office. I hate having people in the office when I'm breaking timecards - it's so distracting and I cuss like a sailor and call people names when their timecard is wrong. I like working one day a week all alone.

Just thought of 1 positive - catering! They'll be serving "breakfast" when I get there which means a free dinner. Thanks Walt!

Just Wrong

From the "what were they thinking?" file...

Annoyed

I am so annoyed right now. The studio is auditing the show - not a big deal as every studio audits every show. What is annoying me is the auditor obviously has no idea how to do payroll. I can tell by the questions she asks me. How on earth can I be audited by someone who has no idea how to do my job?

Ouch

I've been back to my boot camp 2 days in a row now and I have to say my quads are killing me. I can barely walk and stairs are murder - I'm like an old man hobbling around. Why I chose to wear a skirt and dress shoes I'll never know. At least they're not heels.

This morning I realized I didn't take my meds yesterday. I actually had to think through the days before I accepted the fact I had forgotten instead of the possibility of it still being Tuesday. Maybe that's why I was a bit of a basket case last night...

Husband, when you read this remind me I need to get the number for the HOA so I can call about the insurance. I keep forgetting and didn't have time this morning when I remembered.

Busted

I got myself all worked up over the possible phone confrontation with a driver. We had this guy call and say he'd been shorted 5 hours - a claim I take seriously because I don't make too many mistakes. Usually it's because they didn't write their times down correctly on their timecard (yeah, sounds easy enough). Anyway, we pulled the file and took a look at the carbon but it was illegible. Turns out the guy had had 2 timecards stacked together and the info from the 1st one ended up on the 2nd one as well. I couldn't read jack and what I could read made it look like I didn't know what I was doing!

I got the payroll company to fax over a copy of the original (after finding out the Transpo Coord didn't have one). I was totally vindicated - the non-carbon white was clean and unchanged and paid correctly. I showed everything to the TC and he said the guy had wanted to be paid for an extra day to change the oil on the vehicle but was denied. Turns out the vehicle and the guy both came from the same place - the place that changes the oil...

Anyway, I got all psyched to call and tell the guy he wasn't getting any extra hours but he didn't answer. I had to leave a message. I figure he'll call tomorrow and try to bully us even though I told him he needed to call the TC.

It wouldn't have been so bad except when my asst asked him what hours he had worked each day he kept changing them to make them longer - in the end he was 6 hours short. Dumas.

Tax Queen

I know how nerdy this is going to sound, but I just figured out how the state of CA calculates its income tax. I've been trying to figure it out for years. I can do Federal taxes, as long as I know the current value of a deduction, but CA had eluded me... Damn, maybe I need to get out of this business

Good News

Sofie has an infection - that's all it is. I have to take her to the vet on Friday to get a check-up but it's nothing serious. Whew. I really hated to think something might be wrong. She's going to break my heart one day.

I bought my ticket to go "home" for Christmas. I'm really looking forward to seeing my family but I'm going to miss the husband and the furry kids. The ticket was more than I wanted to spend but I didn't know until last week when/if I would be able to go at all so it's not like I could have gotten it sooner.

Anyway, time to go home and finish the laundry.

Tattoo

I just submitted my application for a tattoo w/ Hannah at High Voltage. I really just need to find out how much it'll cost before I can decide when to get it done. I will be getting the tat, just don't know when...

Cranky

My Vespa is dead, my dog still has an unknown lump on her back, and Dumbledore is gay.

It doesn't bother me that Dumbledore is gay - I just wish JK didn't feel the need to be so damn subtle about it. They may not have gays in Iran but the Wizarding world must have the same ratio as the Muggle world. Now we have to deal with months of people parsing every word for a clue and the weirdos who think HP promotes witchcraft are going to be burning books faster than ever. Not only witches, but gay witches - the horror! It makes the baby Jesus cry.

Anyway, I'm at work and I'm cranky. At least I'm almost done.

James Stephens

"Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will."

Sofie Update

Dr Liz thinks Sofie has an infection, probably from a bug bite. She got a shot and some antibiotics but they also did a biopsy - which the vet said looked mostly like pus. We'll find out for sure tomorrow when the results come back. Think good thoughts for my little puppy girl.

Boner Pie = Kirk

Boner Pie is the new Kirk. I'm so disgusted by the thought I don't think I'll be able to see the movie. Man, sometimes it sucks to know what actors are really like. Makes it harder to watch them on screen.

Knowing who's really gay doesn't bother me. I find that I feel sorry for people who think they have to remain closeted. But knowing someone is a prick or a druggie is a bummer.

Maybe Not...

Even though the battery has been nothing more than a thin red line all day, the iPod is still playing. Not sure what's going on with it but it's brand new and better not be fucked up already. I'll have to plug it in earlier tonight when I get home and see what it looks like tomorrow.

So Soon?

I charged my iPod last night and if I had to bet money, I would bet that it said it was fully charged this morning. But now it's reading nearly dead! WTF?!?!?!

If it dies on me today I'm going to have the husband show me what I did wrong, if anything. So bummed.

Sofie

When I got home last night, the husband showed me the spot on Sofie's back where there seems to be some kind of mass under the skin. I had noticed it the day before (or maybe it was Sunday) but had somehow managed to think it was just her spine - bumpy from the way she was laying. I mean, I knew it was wasn't something I had felt before but it didn't dawn on me that it might be a problem. Anyway, he noticed it yesterday and now she's going to the vet to have it checked out. We're waiting until tomorrow because that's when Dr Liz works and we don't really care for the other vet at the clinic.

I'm trying not to wig out about it because it doesn't seem to be hurting her unless you poke at it for too long. I have no idea what it could be and don't really want to go looking for stuff on the web. I'm just going to wait until tomorrow and see what Dr Liz says. Fingers crossed for the little girl.

Damn Funny 2

The husband sent me a better link (and told me I misspelled "World"):

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd242/filmchick_stuff/WW2.gif

Damn Funny

The husband sent me this link (click on the post that says World War 2 Online Game).

http://p082.ezboard.com/General-Discussion/fshocklinesforumfrm2

A Contender

So maybe KIA wasn't the least professional show I've ever worked on... one of the actors on this show signed the Exhibit G as "Faggot". Very nice.

Something Good

The husband helped me set my new iPod up last night and I've been listening to it all day. It makes me happy to have access to all of my music. Makes it less traumatic the bastard broke into the house and stole all my cd's. I just need a holster for it now so I can stop yanking it off my desk with paperwork.

Another good thing... being done for the night and going home. I haven't done every last piece but if I work on what's left, it'll take too long. I'm in a good place for tomorrow and it should all be fine.

Even More

7) Why am I paying the POC a 6th day when the football is still over at Gate 2?

8) Why are grown men, who've been in the business for 20 years, incapable of putting down an out time for Saturday? Now I have to call and hope they call back with the info today so I can actually break the timecard...

9) Since I had a conversation with the trainee about the round trip mileage (that it's 26 and not 60) you'd think she'd be able to get it right on her own timecard... nope.

10) Someone broke one of my Halloween decorations. I found it sitting on my desk this morning. I hope they confess tomorrow.

Still Pissed

I've decided to keep the blog open and continue listing reasons why I'm Pissed - it's going to be a long day...

5) Our start packets have an Equal Employment Opportunity Data Collection Form in them. The very first sentence states they are VOLUNTARY. There is no reason no half fill one out then write "Don't Ask" over the ethnicity selection area. If you don't want to fill it out don't waste my time, just throw the form out.

6) It turns out the well-know older British actor who's starring in this movie is a bit of a prick (at least to the Asst Prod Offc Coord who's trying to book his travel and hotel accomodations). Bummer. You win husband.

Pissed

4 reasons why I'm pissed off and I've barely started working...

1) I don't know what my assistant does all day on Friday when I'm not here but it doesn't seem like much. I didn't leave him with a lot to do and while all the important things are done, it doesn't look like he got to anything extra. You can't tell me the filing and the PA adjustments took ALL DAY.

2) I got a note saying the UPM is coming in tonight and I should leave the payroll outside his office - no taking the work home for me today.

3) The football (the file full of all the papers from the set, including the timecards) is not in the office. I had to call the Production Office Coordinator to ask where it is. Well, it's out at Gate 2 because she didn't want to wait for it on Friday because it was late and it was raining... Now I have to go and get the crap.

4) The stack of start cards is over 3 inches think and most of these people probably started on Monday. I hate when they don't turn the stuff in right away. We could have gotten through most of this during the week. Bastards.

Tattoo

This is the tattoo I want to get on my left arm (on the shoulder cap). I'd love to get color but I think it would look better in black and gray. I can't find a good picture of the vine work I'd like to have done on my right hand. Something more substantial than ivy but not a thick Tarzan-vine, either.

Stuff

I just found out an old boss mine is taking credit for a spreadsheet of mine. I don't think so! Damn, I knew I shouldn't have sent her a copy. That's what you get for trying to be nice. At least I took out some of the formulas so she wouldn't have everything.



Happy Birthday Sped! I didn't forget, I just didn't manage to call. But you should have gotten my card...



I haven't been writing much because there's not much happening and it's been busy. The 2nd unit finally finished after destroying a couple of cameras and several cars. The schedule keeps changing and that's throwing some of my work off. For 2 weeks I've worked 6 days, which is good for the paycheck but bad on the housekeeping.

My computer at home isn't hooked up to the internet so I can't upload any photos from the fair or anything. I also can't update my iTunes (the husband got me an iPod Nano for our anniversary). I have to figure out how to collate the music on the laptop with the music on the desktop and get it all on the iPod w/o losing anything (since that bastard crook stole my cd's).

I still want a tattoo and may try to get it this weekend of the husband agrees. I need to go and talk to the artist and see how much it'll be. Plus I'm still trying to decide on exactly what I want.

The husband wants me to go home for Christmas and I probably will. I need to talk to the boss about my timetable. Bleah, it's all so much right now. I just want to crawl back into bed.

A Day At The Fair

The husband and I went to the LA County Fair on Friday. It's the first time we've been in the 7 years we've lived here. I have to say I wasn't that impressed. They had some exhibits but mostly is was booths selling stuff, food stalls, and rides. The stuff for sale was the kind you could find at any flea market - not much in the way of arts and crafts. I was hoping for a lot of deep-fried food on a stick but there wasn't much of that either. We saw Snickers, cupcakes, smores, and chocolate dogs (which turned out to be Tootsie Rolls).

More later, gotta get to work.

Office Shui

Someone told me I had negative pictures up. I hadn't thought about it but they're right. I didn't pick them because they were negative, I picked them because I thought they were funny. I guess I need to bring in my personal stuff and liven the place up. It's not like we won't be here until January...

And we finally hired the villain - I am so stoked! Welcome to G-F Bill Nighy! I am totally going to ask for your autograph.

Hover Cat

Not my cat, but I always wondered what they looked like from below...

Over It

I can't believe how much I don't care about this job. I have a huge stack of payroll to break and I just don't care. Usually I'd be in a huge panic about getting it all done but not anymore. There's so much that's more important than stressing about this. I will work on it and try not to stall, but I won't kill myself over it.

All Better

Sofie is off quarantine! She's got to finish all of her meds but she's been cleared to go back to the park and interact with other dogs. I'm hoping to take her over tonight but I'm not sure I'll get home in time.

I finally had my stress test today. My blood pressure got low enough and everything looks fine physically. They did decide to keep me on the pills and even added a new one. Lovely. But I'm going back to my boot camp tomorrow even if I have to do the granny version. Yay!

Now I just have to get the eating back under control and maybe I can clear up all the blood pressure issues.