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Saturday, May 27th
Halucinations in the witching hour
music: Something Happens, Coldplay, James, PWEI, Travis
mood: Big Sigh.
It's a good thing I can laugh, becuase if I didn't, as they say, I might just cry. It's been a long week and I've been uncharacteristingly, inexplicably meloncholy and restless the last few days. I've got very little spunk, very little fight in me. Literally walked out of a conversation that was going south rather than explain. I hate that. So unlike me. I was trying to apologize too. They were having none of it. I don't think I've ever walked out on anyone like that. I did give warning. I did say, I would walk out if he didn't give me two seconds to explain. And so I did. I don't feel good about it. Headed straight for the shower. Such a fish, head straight for the water to unwind. Good to have a healing element. Didn't unwind me all the way though...
Partly I'm just warn from work and sleep dep, partly there's just the air of illness in the air. Serious Illness. Last week I had some severe car wreck dreams. In true Susannah form I tried making the dream turn humorous, but to no real avail. Car wreck to waterslide might have done the trick but not being able to control the yellow innertube of death my dream proved just as frustrating. Even when someone else was in it. And then it had to all turn into a race. The concern was still present, the tension still about upon waking up. I saw two very bad accidents on Sunday on the road, and have been nearly hit twice by a car that ran a STALE red light in a residential area and by a car that decided it would turn in front of me quiet suddenly. I almost hit a snake tonight on the way home as well. It's deer season as well, which is great becuase I see the fawns starting to appear in the front yard which I love, but of course the temptation of the dark and winding road up to the palace becomes a test as I try to make sure I don't hit anything alive. I have to rein the jeep in on those curves he likes so much.
I'm checking for all the signs, I'm keeping aware and being extra cautious, but there's just this fog in the air that's hanging that makes me real nervous. Someone I know. I hate it. And then again, maybe it's all a hallucination. I was in uber clumsy mode tonight, the wear taking its toll. Starting at 8pm tongiht at rehearsal, I just started to break down. My head and heart weren't in it. Tom and I chanted Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie respectivly to try to get ourselves motivated, but rehearsals on Friday nights are not even solved by visions of lovliness (and bad assness as well). I got a call about a work issue, which ended up being COMPLETELY my fault, which I can't STAND! It doesn't happen often, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more, but still, I hate that it happens at all. Clearly at capacity here though. I fixed it only to spill water all over the rehearsal table. Almost slipped and killed myself on the water as I was getting up to get paper towels. Then out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw dead bodies piled up under the stage. And it wasn't like oh those LOOK like dead bodies, in my head I was like "oh my gosh, why are there dead bodies under the stage". Brief thought, but weird.
So I got home and have a long day tomorrow of blood donation, theatre storage clean up, Director interview and seeing a show, and I should have gotten some sleep. But I can't, becuase thoughts are all a zoom zoom in my brain to the point of almost being tooooo exhausted. If it weren't dark and if my body hasn't already betrayed me this week I would have tried exercise to ry to get myself back in synch, but I'm liable to end up in a ditch in this state I think. Best to keep it basic. So I turn to the blog. I empty, freeing up thoughts and synapeses, hoping the z's can fit in there soon. And I watched Saint Ralph on my laptop in bed. Great flick. Canadian. Campbell Scott, underrated actor...such a nice actor. A really sweet nice film. I know I should not say this, being mostly agnostic, I'm sure it will have some repercussions, but I've noticed quite a few movies where I find the priests to be more than attractive. Stigmata had Gabriel Byrne, Mr Phoenix in Quills, Campbell Scott in Saint Ralph. Not sure what that is all about. I'm sure there's a deep psychological explaination somewhere, and a screenplay about it perhaps as well. Back to the film though. I don't know if it's a brilliant film, but I really enjoyed it. 4 out of 5 Rutgers/Rockwells/D'nofrios. I've not quite enough power I'm sure to get another one in before I do indeed pass out. I hope. Nothing worse than being tired and needing to sleep and not being able to, and not being able to be productive at least. Well...actually...lots of things worse...but you gotta let a girl have a little melodrama yes?
Happy things, thinking in the positive. I am using Ron's cool ergonomic kneeling chair at work. I'm improving my posture, I think. It's a goal yes? My hip doesn't hurt, but then again that could be due to the fact that I brokedown and took some anti-inflamitories, not that the chair is helping. Still, no pain is good. GOt a chance to walk to the farmers market today and spend lunch outside the office for once, which I always like. I resisted te urge to buy all the flowers they had there. It was a close call. Kim and I had a great chat and a great lunch. I love the little old man that plays acoustic guitar on the patio of the Sonoma Chicken Coop downtown. He so looks at peace, as if he really wouldn't like to be doing anything other than playing. He's what I picture an angel to be in a way. Never says a word, just smiles knowingly. Other good, we have hired a new full time girl so in the next month or so, there should be some relief in that arena I expect. Good. Good. I got to wear a fantastic vintage hat for our photoshoot. If I ever got to be a wealthy eccentric, I would collect vintage hats. We walked by a hat store on Mother's Day in Tiburon and my mom clutched on to me and said "no" when she saw it. I get excited by hats. Which reminds me, super happy, Young G (AKA roommate Justin) called from Disneyland tonight and told me he was getting me a souvenir. He asked what type and color of hat I would like. I suspect it is a pirates of the carribean hat...but it might also very well be a princess hat. I love prezzies! Yea prezzies. He also got me free passes to the advanced showing of the Omen remake, but unfortunately I have a reahearsal on Monday the 5th. Ed also offered me Giants tickets that night, but I still can't go which klls me because he has amazing seats behind home plate. I don't like baseball, but good seats a sunny night, beer, and live sport, nothing like it...well actually...lots like it...but you know what I mean. I will however have the 6th free, no rehearsal and will go see the Omen then (6/6/06) SOOOOOO excited. Gotta love a good scary movie. And that is a most excellent way to end Le Blog. Bonne nuit mes anges. Soyez sûr. Soyez bon. Soyez.
princess on 05.27.06 @ 01:19 AM PST [link]
Sunday, May 21st
Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting!
music: Rain
mood: achy
DISCLAIMER: What follows is not spell checked, written with contacts as they dry in my eyes and on a laptop (smaller keyboard)...read with caution...=]
Well the weekend has come and gone all too quickly once again. I spent today clenaing the house while Jimmy was in Canada, Scott was skiing at Squaw, Justin was asleep and andrew was in Davis. It had reached ciritcal mass, and with allergies and pollen and such, in addition to it raining and me unable to spend time in the sun gardening, I dusted, scrubbed, mopped and vaccumed. I treated myself to huge amounts of chienese food, some wine and a soak in the hot tub.
The weather held out on Saturday though when Espe snagged free tickets to the Sunset Magazine Festival where I got some exercise walking about, fantasized about a big garden of my own one day, made a lay out of orchids, and saw the Shoalin Monks in a kungfu demonstration. This was HUGE. I had to laugh when my brother said, oh hey, there isn't enough Kung Fu in my life, we have to see these guys, but by the end of the demonstration I was in total awe. There were a set of 8 year old triplets who were doing things that you haven't even seen in movies. Out of control cool. And they did this Chi focusing thing that brought back memories of my attempt at Akido. One of the masters broke a metal plate on his head. One monk, about 19 or so did an entire exercise with a whip which was bitchin in every way. This group of monks is apparently the only sanctioned group outside china and they are starting a temple and kungfu school in San Francsico. I already know Espe and Sandy's kids will be taking Kung Fu. =]
You know you are hot when you get hit on by the man asking for change outside the coffeeshop. Oh yeah, not only did the man ask me how old I was, and how much I weigh, but also if I had $1.75 and if I was single. I told a bit of a white lie with a smile, flattered and yet, surprised that even when down on you luck, he still had time to hit on chicks. He was quite a catch. I wasn't worthy to be honest. I should be so lucky. But he was satisfied when I told him I was dating someone. I could just see the conversation going on much longer in a direction I think would have been even harder to get out of, and I was already late for work. Sometimes polite is easier, and I am sure I am dating someone in a paralell universe, so it wasn't all a fib.
What better way to to spend a rainy day then watching movies? And here are the reviews:
Went to see the Da Vinci Code with Martin, Nad, Lisa and Vanessa. Martin and I are in the bookclub and had read this ages ago as one of the selctions, and Nad had just finished it two days ago. Lisa is Nads wife, Vanessa is Martin's current....girlfriend? Coworker? uh... female companion. She was so very nice. Liked her a lot. Laughed a lot. The book I thought was okay, but either I'm smart or the author underestimated his audience. I knew the ending 60 pages into the book. How then is a movie that is supposed to be based on suspensse going to stay supsensful? Cheap cinematography tricks. After reading reviews about how it elicited laughs and hisses at Cannes I was prepared for it to suck major donkies. Perhaps it was the prickly pear margarita, perhaps it was my low expectations, but the film did not wholly suck. I'll let you all judge for yourself, but I'm going to give this 2 3/4 Rutger/Rockwell/D'nofrio. It follwed the book and though there were uber cheesy moments, I think they did a decent job. Not total crap for sure. I only looked at my watch twice. It did not however merit applause afterwards. Save it for real art please. I was more amused at saying good by to my iinternation crowd ( I'm a tad out of practice, but I got three out of the for right} NAd who is Indian, but grew up in England was a single kiss on the cheek, Vaness who is Chinese and I had never met was a handshake, Martin, British through and through (think Arthur Dent's doppleganger) a kiss on each cheek ( I missed this one, I went for the single cheek, he's been hanging out with the frenchies too much) and Good old Lisa, American, A hug. All good. But I digress... as usual.
Monster in Law: As uneventful as expected. I watched in my post jacuzzi coma until I saw something out of the corner of my eye run across the room. I spent the next 20 minutes looking for it. It was a mouse. I called him Pete. Pete was a bit discombobulated. I think I must be a mouse whiseperer and not know it. this is the second mouse in broad daylight that has run to my general direction. When I was in Miami on my layover to clearwater, there was a mouse hiding by the ticket counter at the gate. He ran right to me, stopped dead in his tracks and then ran back. he did this about 4 times. No one else in the airport saw him. I could hardly contain myself he was so friggin cute. And I wanted to help him. And then I thought about one of my favorite books when I was growing up, A Crikct in Times Square...which had a mouse named Tucker in it. And I thought what a playground for a mouse an airport must be...Free travel...now there's a good story. But the mouse in the airport didn't have a name that I know of. The one in our house now is named Pete, most definately Pete. Justin brought the cats in, (Destiny and ironically enough Mouse) to see if they would help to corner him. This was much against my pleaseding that I could get him myself or we could just leave him be. The cats were of no help though,completely oblivious. I gave up, I figured he got in, he can get out. I left a tortilla chip for him, just in case he was hungry and couldn't find his way out again before too long. But yeah... Monster in Law...Mice are more interesting. =] 1 1/4 RRD's
Casanova: Loved the scenes of Venice. They did justice to my city for sure. Music and costuming great. Could do without the plot, acting, and script. Venice was the star of the movie. Over all I was more impressed with the interview with heath Ledger who had a shaved head in the bonus features. I can't wait for that to come back into style. Yeah bald. Over all I'll give it generous 3 RRD's for beautiful lighting in a city I am all too fond of.
Family Stone: Suprising acting from some actors I'm not huge fans of. Sarah jessica parker is really annoying at first, so much so you really want to slap her, but it works. Luke Wilson's role is no stretch but he fun to watch. Diane Keaton, Claire Danes and craig T Wilson all do well with their roles. Rachel Griffiths wins though for biggest bitch. another one of these people you just want to slap, but she needs to be like that for the story to work. What surprised me was how emotional this film was but still enjoyable. Its not a Donnie Darko depressing ( which by the way, depressing as it is, its a BRILLANT film, 4 1/2 RRD's) but it's based in very real, unadulterated life, but it's heavy. Don't watch it alone, don't watch it if you need a pick me up, but see it for the acting and the message. Think similar but not nearly as good as the Royal Tannenbaums.
Next in the Queue is Broken Flowers ( Which Ihope reminds me nothing of Lost in Translation), Saint Ralph, and Tristan and Isolde, with palo alto high school grad James Franco. I'm still bummed I missed Jame's directorial debut at the cinequest film festival. I had free passes and I can't remember what it was but, I think I had to housemange that night or something.
Torn up about Barbaro the Kentucky Derby winning horse who broke his leg in the Preakness. His chance for survival after 6 hours in surgery is only 50%. I've always been skeptical of Horse Racing. I haven't spent nearly enough time around horses but I wager they have the same insticts as dogs. You can not take the herding instincts out of shepherd, this I know. But is a horse like a human when it comes to the thrill and determination to compete. The same way ( as a former athlete) I can't see why someone involved in sports would taint their accomplishments with drugs, I wonder if a horse is naturally driven or trained or both to compete even through pain. Its all a bit sketchy how this injury occurred. And yes you see olympians hurt themselves. But I guess becuase it doesn't seem as FREE, it makes me worried that it is abuse to some degree. I know I put my body through a lot, but at the end of the day when faced with surgury, physical therapy or quitting, it was a total no brainer to me. Can a horse just do that when egged on my a trainer, owner and jockey all wanting to profit. Horses in the wild run. They run for fun, they run becuase they can, and probably becuase they want to...I don't know. Bottom line, you can't tell a horse to stay off it's feet for 6 weeks to heal. This isn't uncommon, champs have been euthenized before, several times. I just hope he makes it.
And on a final note...every girl wants to feel desired. No one wants to feel used. I know there are times when it may be a fine line. I suppose I just ask the people in my life to act fairly towards each other. Try to put yourself in someone else's shoes and ask yourself if what you are doing is moreal, ethical and kind? And if you have even the smallest doubt it is not. Don't. I know it's all smoke and mystery, the details aren't neccessary to get into, there really aren't details but suffice to say, but I imagine I'm good enough to deserve honesty even if I can't have perfect or real ya know?
Must get my beauty sleep...long day of work and publicity photos for CA Suite tomorrow.
princess on 05.21.06 @ 10:53 PM PST [link]
Friday, May 19th
Republicans
music: Mashups
mood: in the zone
Two items for your pleasure...
1) I am horrified this is not a joke on saturday night live. Watch the Energy video. Let me remind you, there are plenty of natural things that are not healthy...hemlock..arsenic...tabacco...getting hit by lightning....some peple... jeesh.. I did laugh, but only to keep from crying.
2) Go to google home page. Type in Asshole, press the "feel lucky" button... I'mnot sure how long you will be able to do this....but it was brilliant. I was mad at google for getting into china and letting them sensor information on Tibet...but this is partially making up for it.
The stroms are coming in...just a few more hours of work....
Stay wicked!
princess on 05.19.06 @ 01:40 PM PST [link]
Thursday, May 18th
The Art or Fast Food
music: the sound of silence....more of less.
mood: Are we there yet...
I know food has a tendency to run my mood, but let’s talk a little bit about the concept of fast food. Let’s take a moment to analyze those two words. FAST and FOOD. Now certainly there are those that define fast FOOD as hardly food. I have a special relationship with fast food. Fast food (can I use that term a few more times…oh you betcha) is indeed sustenance. It is used in situations when I am going to eat it so quickly I may not even taste it. I therefore don’t care so much about the food part other than to ensure it will prevent me from dying. Food is 1) a hangover cure, and being that I don’t get hung over, nor even drink enough to get hung over, I have used fast food for this purpose 3 times in my entire life , and 2) to stop the hunger cranky time bomb. So barring any solid eating plans, if I am caught unawares in the 15 minutes from, man I’m hungry to EVERYTHING SUCKS, ROAR, I resort to fast food.
At 10pm last night I debated if I could make it home and get a bowl of cereal before I gnawed off my own arm, went for a stray kitten or actually died from starvation (do NOT, laugh, you would be surprised how fast a Greenwood can work through the fat reserves by panic alone). Assuming the risk I would not make it was too great, I pulled into taco bell. There were 2 cars in front of me.2 cars. 1, 2. TWO. How many? Two.
Now, let’s examine the word FAST and think about that for a moment shall we. What would you consider fast? A minute to order. Let’s be generous. A minute per person in the car, I think that’s very generous. So worse case scenario, I should be ordering in 3 minutes. I felt like Jack Bauer in 24 (yes the show I don’t watch) the clock is ticking. Presumably these people are hungry too. They are eating at 10pm, they choose a FAST food location. So here’s my beef, no pun intended. If you are in line to order FAST FOOD, order fast. There really isn’t that big of a difference between the items on the Taco Bell Menu. Same basic ingredients dressed up a bit differently. Whether or not you want any hot or mild sauce….not a life altering decision in most cases I would wager. Doesn’t require a great deal of consideration in my opinion. But it’s a two way street…if you are a FAST FOOD establishment, do not, I repeat, do not give your customers options. I know it is wholly unamerican (and un Californian, land of culinary exceptions) of me to suggest this, but the difference between ordering a chicken grilled stuffed burrito full stop, and a chicken gilled stuffed burrito, with no sour cream, no tomatoes, extra cheese and a side of guacamole is 1) too complicated for the evening shift staff of any fast food restaurant 2) doesn’t have corresponding cash register keys and will require a manger to make the adjustments to the price and 3) require a lengthy discussion on WHY it costs what it does all of which are unacceptable when I am hungry. Assuming there are no additional language barriers from orderee or orderer (though I’m pretty sure chalupa is chalupa in Manderin, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Swahili, and Canadian) even with these options we should be able to eventually proceed in a somewhat reasonable pace. Oh, but no…because there was another flag on the field. Let me just say that once you say that’s all, you also may not change your mind and make them add everything up again. It’s about this time as the cars pile up behind me that I am concerned 1) there will a riot with me in the middle and 2) I will in fact die.
12 minutes later I got to order. I took 20 seconds, and no I do not want a drink, just give me a goddamn burrito. I haven’t had much luck with burritos lately I guess. I had exact change ready, unlike SOME novices. Were it not for the blatant disregard for the rules of fast food and violation of these rules by the cars in front of me, I may not have had to beat the crap out of them. Okay, that last part wasn’t true. I had 30 seconds left before I was rendered not responsible for my actions. Burrito was unwrapped before I left the drive through and once more I was saved from the brink of starvation, said burrito inhaled before I drove up my driveway 2.4 miles later. I hope we all have learned a little something from this parable. NEXT..
WEIRD dreams. I dreamed I was with my friend Adrienne Wilkinson and we were purchasing the “pajama” discount tickets to Wizard of Oz for SUNDAY MAY 29th. Don’t ask why there would be a discount for wearing pajams to the Wizard of Oz. I said DON’T ask. I was in Row E seat 10, but Adrienne wanted E 1 or E 26. I’m not sure why I am making bizarre fictious social plans in such detail in my sleep. The 29th is not a Sunday, but on the calendar in my brain it was. I hope I don’t have the wrong date and miss the show when I go back in my dream to see it. Even as I am typing… I understand part of where these things may have come from. I was in fact listening to Wicked the musical yesterday at work. Also during one of the scenes I was rehearsing for last night I was told to “jew” it up a bit. Being an honorary Jew (my roommate from college, all for years, Adrienne Misheloff nominated me) my intonation is widely commented on as being Jewish. That or British…don’t ask. That and I have the Jewish spelling of Susannah. I’m sure there’s a past life that explains the connection to “my people”, but I digress. Point being I love how a brain just does a mash up of the days bytes. Think how many short films in ones brains go unmade, unseen to the public, and maybe even detected by ones own conscience.
Loser of the week: San Jose Sharks. Lost in game 6 to the Edmuton Oilers. That is what you get for booing a teams national anthem. Poor form fans, you jinxed it, the Karma police pulled your team over and its all your fault. That and not shaving. I love hockey, I respect the players (skating on ice, with a stick…from a non land animal, you are like my super heroes) but SHAVE. Or grow and trim your facial hair in a logical fashion. Having your face look like an accident may not be avoidable in the teeth and scar department, occupationa hazards, but I’m pretty sure if you can move like that on the ice, you can use a razor. Or on your salaries have someone else do it that know what they are doing. Hell I will do it. That soul patch…not sexy. Let’s try to raise the bar on personal style a bit. If you can’t win you can still look like a winner. I’m not asking for Prada uniforms, or even for you to change your colors to something more masculine, I’m not telling you to even cut your hair. Just shave. That scruff and the side burns, not required to keep you warm.
Winner of the Week: The Hot tub. Good to know that when you come home to a disgusting kitchen, and some of the roommates have become your own personal button pressers, you can sit alone in the dark, with the view of the whole silicon valley and soak your irritation away. Until that is you realize you are probably about to be bitten by spiders. DIVE DIVE!!! Best to have the lights out so you don’t see what you are missing…..
I have a great weekend of NOTHING but reading and personal projects (read, laundry, gardening, and room cleaning) planned. I am going to try DESPARATELY not to go into work this weekend except to report on Sat. The weather is supposed to be warm with some showers. My favorite. Have a good one!
princess on 05.18.06 @ 11:19 AM PST [link]
Tuesday, May 16th
The Restless Natives
music: Amos, Augustana, Hootie and Walk the Line
mood: Hopped up on the Java
Some simple observations from the last days that have elicited a smirk on my face....
Our day with out an immigrant protests made me laugh. It's so PC to call it a day without an immigrant. Let's face it, we aren't sending troops to our canadian borders. It's a day with out a mexican, okay? Otherwise technically, I'd be out there right? I may be a native californian, but when you can trace your ancestors back to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, you're technically an immigrant. We, the US are one of the youngest countries in the world (top 6 youngest being East Timor, Palau, the Czech Republic, Eritrea, Slovakia and Bsonia/Herzegovina), with the exception of the 35 million native americans (who if you subscribe to the Bering Straight theory that even they "immigrated" from Siberia 16,000 years ago) we are all immigrants. What they needed to call their protest was Day with out an illegal immigrant. I have no issues what so ever with immigrants, being one myself as we have established. What I have a problem with is freeloading. I paid taxes on forgiven credit card debt last year, and yes our taxing system is wickedly unfair in some instances, and of course I think our alien population should be paid fairly, given benefits ASSUMING they play by the rules, and enter this country with a visa just like everyone else. I understand that by regulating this as we do with every other country it will increase the prices of things, but then we treating people fair and equal, and doesn't that get us just a little bit closer to what this country was supposedly founded on?I knw I know, dream on, but seriously, think of how many new jobs would be created to regulate it, think of if we paid LEGAL aliens fairly, think how much more they would be able to stimulate our economy. Maybe the math doesn't all work out, but I would feel better about it,and THEN these immigrants would have a real case. Until you pay taxes though, until you are a citizen, I'm sorry, but your rights aren't exactly protestable in my humble opinion. On a side note, I would like to have seen what the environmental impact was with 250K immigrants not going to work. Bet the air was cleaner with less cars on the road.
And speaking of the native poulation, we took a ferry to Tiburon for Mothers day. There we walked into a place called the Kokopelli Gallery which was as you may have guessed a Native American Art and Jewlery store. As we walked in I saw a shirt that was SO my dad. Mom came in and I showed it to her, she cracked up, Dad walked in, and I told him I found a shirt that was EVEN more DAD than "I Heart my Attitude Problem". He laughed. Dad is frugal, and doesn't let his children spend money on him. He barely put up a fight though when I told him I was getting it for him. And HERE is the shirt. I'm not sure where else then northern California you can get away with selling this shirt. Even Arizona and New Mexico are somewhat conservative no? Classic.
Does anyone else think it is funny that POP TARTS is sponsoring the American Idol Live tour?
I saw a woman walking down the street today with a stroller that had bottles of water in it. I wonder if she knew her baby was gone? =]
Great line in California Suite that I have...life immitating art and EVERYONE around the table last night bust up over it, pointing at me, though I failed to see the humor...I AM a princess.
Billy: Why didn't you ever run for Governor Hannah? I always thought you'd make a helluva Governer.
Hannah: Becuase I don't think a democratic system really works. Offer me a monarchy and we'll talk.
HERE is yet another reason why I love my job. Ron whipped out his video camera unbeknownst to me...I played along....this is one way I suppose we relieve stress around the office...
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom...the Susannah
And on that note...Back to work...
princess on 05.16.06 @ 12:01 PM PST [link]
Thursday, May 11th
Hot, Hot and Not
music: Dexter Freebish New Album...nice!
mood: wicked awesome
Ladies and gentlemen, I survived Florida, and what's more, I had a VACATION. Yes, a real one. True I crammed two weeks of Sun and Surf into a sleepless 48 hours, but it was fantastic. Upon arrival after my red eye flight I immediately went pool and beach side for drinks and shashimi. Yuh-mee. I caught up with Allison, who somehow I can't see 400 miles away but we are inseparable after travelling across the country. It was good times. There was sunburn, a steady intake of beverage including mango daqs and sorority specials. There were no shoes, and nothing but bkini and tanktop. AAAAHHHH yeah. Not a lot of eye candy or culture in Clearwater florida, but certainly the essentials for temporary escape. Loved the glf, the palms and the mild humidity. 88 is a good thing.
Rehersal dinner included the Burrito debaucle which was essentially about me being in cranky hungry mode for 4 hours on cinqo de mayo while the 1 waitress, helping our room of rehearsal dinner guests (of which several showed up who had not rsvped, doh) tried to get our orders straight after the computers broke. The scene was something out of a Ben stiller movie, everytime I THOUGHT my food was coming, after everyone else had theirs, it wasn't, twice it was a beef burrito instead of a chicken burrito. I survived though. Meanwhile the parking lot of this cantina was like a girls gone wild video waiting to happen. Is it aways spring break in Florida? I got flashing beer swag and glow in the dark thingies. ALso made a new friend. A bald black man named courtny who was super friendly and well past trashed but VERY entertaining. We laugh about it now, but prior to me getting some food in my stocmach (at 10pm) I was a bit on edge to put it mildely. At least Jason understood. Jason (who has found himself a WONDERFUL fiancee) and who was a good friend in college was SO on the same wavelength in regards to the 15 minutes he has before hungry turns to cranky. At least I'm not the only one.
The ceremony itself was fantastic. fun, sweet and Julie looked AWESOME. It was only 50 guests (plus 100 mosquitos who I rather think were crashers and judging by my ankles, had no need of coming to the reception since they already ate me!), and the gardens were nice. A bit on the cheesy touristy side, my moms garden spoils me to be sure, and having been to Bushcart gardens in Victoria, I knew I wouldn't be blown away, but lots of lizards anyway. No sleep literally on Saturday as my 6am flight Sunday required me to be on my way to the airport at 4 and at 3 we were at the Iquana Bar post partying. Grits and grease at the all night diner didn't help and made for an embarrassing puke session on the plane. I'll save this for an in person story, but is was groady. My performance in Danville was fun and sleep was even more fun.
Though I have agreed to continue to do about 5-8 hours of extra work each week fo our sister site in Arizona, for a nice contract hourly fee and though I had sworn I would give myself a break, the lure to audition for California Suite, a tight, witty, and moving play by Neil Simon. Just 4 actors (well 4 and a passed our prostitute) in four scenes which take place in the same hotel in california. Visiting couples fro London, New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago deal with various scenarios. The movie starred Maggie Smith, Alan Alda, Michael Kaine, Bil Cosby, Walter Mathau, Richard Pryor and many others. I auditioned, poorly mind you, still exhausted from my weekend, and was plesantly surprised to find my good friend Michael Pease waiting to audition as well. How it was that I could play poker with him the week before and exchange emails with him since then and we did NOT know we were auditioning I'll never know but I was thrilled. I've known michael for probably close to 10 years and never been in a play with him. And now that changes, becuase we were both cast. Our other actors are a girl named Wanda who I adore. I've both auditioned with her and had her audition for me, and she is great. She's a nurse and is dating one of the founding members of Netflix, which kicks ass. We were talking at auditions and at callbacks afterwards about stuff and she was mentioning how she auditions for everything, gets a lot of callbacks and never gets cast. She has been thinking about giving up, just doing some volunteering. And I told her, do not quit. She will get cast. I was so right. The directors heard us talking in the hallway well after audtions and then just asked us to come back in to get scripts as they had cast it. Tom, our other gent, and my husband in the 3 scenes seems quite the fun one. Think a middle aged sinatra, married, kids, and going to vegas on business. I don't want to know what he does. =] Rehearsals start monday...this will be great fun....just the low key tight theatre experience I need right now.
In other news, my Hot or Not score I noticed has increase from a 6.2 to a 6.6. What does that MEAN exactly. And I ate an Outback steak house for the first time. The Awesome Bloossom/Bloomin Onion was hella greasy but yummy. The steak...very respectable, their beer selection...pitiful. I just think back to Australia and the Redback and Crown Lager. Even Coopers was good. Watched both overtimes of the sharks and edmuton oilers game last night. INTENSE! Sharks lost but are still 2-1 in the playoff series. I would love to see them get the cup. I would also like free tickets to the playoffs, but even my good bud Adam at the HP pavillion said not likely. oh well...
Winner of the week: Mom of course being that it is her weekend, Danville, CA for being BEAUTIFUL, and going barefoot. Oh and sick bags on planes. Those are good too.
   
princess on 05.11.06 @ 10:09 AM PST [link]
Monday, May 1st
Vandals and Sandals
music: Squirrel Nut Zippers
mood: Brighter than Sunshine
Oh what a glorious weekend. The sandals and flipflops I have been wearing all winter have been flung off, and its barefoot time! The sun was out, the house relatively quite (roomies still skiing, in Stockton, or in Davis, so just Justin and I until Sunday evening) and spring was sprung in many most excellent ways. It becomes apparent each time this year how much I really love the sun and what a doofus I am for thinking I could seriously live anywhere where there wasn’t a good 9-11 months of sun. High 80’s projected for my 3 day excursion to Florida, oh yeah, even better then the mid 70’s that kissed the terra firma at the highland palace this weekend.
Vandals: Sun even makes me deal with crisis better. I walked out after getting groceries (filet mignon, mmmmm) and found someone had slashed at some point during the day my back window. Had it still been raining I’m sure I would have been angry, I mean I LEAVE the doors unlocked so vandals won’t do that. If they want the stuff in my car, they can have it, (they took my ashtray, stupids, now I have no place to put change for you to steal) but don’t friggin slash my window you tools. But the sun tempered my response. So I shrugged and though that’s a shame, but hey, it’s sunny. It’s time to take the windows out soon anyway, the top will come off (of the jeep, you naughty people you), I’ll win the lottery and then $300 to replace the gapping slashed section won’t be a big deal. I don’t care for the poop head that did the dead, but hey, if it makes them happy, super. I have to focus on harvesting my freckles. Priorities.
Speaking of priorities, I supposed it was football draft weekend because I kept getting sports alerts from yahoo on my phone. One day I will figure out how to unsubscribe to that whole enigma. Until then, did I mention it was sunny? Ah yeah.
Ticket: Alas, my poor deluded vision of the superior court clerk having a heart and not cashing the check for my speeding ticket, was of course bogus, all hopes of meeting Officer Apollo were dashed as the speeding ticket was indeed cashed. Relieved to know the wait is over true, disappointed I suppose a bit that witty writing loses out to the letter of the law but no matter….I like to at least think it gave the clerk a second thought, and that perhaps Officer Apollo will show up to take me to a very expensive dinner as an apology for having to enforce the law on one such princess as myself. Just a second...that doesn’t sound like I have given up the ghost…hmmm…points for tenacity and persistence? Ever the optimist…sigh. NEXT…
Mexicans: I was a bit disappointed in our (San Jose’s) Mexicans up till now. Cleveland and Detroit had bigger protests in connection with the immigration “rights” and they got their acts together quicker. With the exception of LA and San Diego, I would think we could have done better. I’m almost embarrassed, I mean come one SAN JOSE…over a million people….and over 30% Hispanic or Latino. Don’t get me wrong I think if you are illegal you don’t have a right to DEMAND anything, but as far as protesting goes….I was just a little surprised we didn’t make the news. Perhaps all the illegal immigrants had to work that day. Don’t get me started about the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish either. Though probably an improvement…please…I HATE that I agree with our president, I promise it won’t happen again, but please, Do we sing the German anthem in Turkish? Do we sing the Italian Anthem in Romanian? No. NEXT.
Movie Recap: When I wasn’t warming my feet on the cement, sipping tropical drinks in the hot tub, grilling marinated chicken and steak, or sleeping in I was watching movies. I wiped out the Netflix last week and was slow to return so a trip to Blockbuster provided me with a veritable plethora.
Just Friends: Love Ryan Reynolds. Funny and good looking. Predictable movie, but some awesome lines. A no brainer but a solid 3 ¼ RRD’s.
Memoirs of a Geisha: Just okay. Not as sexy or moving as I would have liked. Great fan dances, so good acting, pretty true to the book, but over all, I wasn’t riveted. 3 ½ for Mr. Ken Watanabe, meow, a great score, and kimonos.
Shopgirl: Painful but in a real way. Ouch. Surprised it came from Steve Martin, a tad darker then his usual work. A well put together movie, and yet…brought the mood down a bit. Think Lost in Translation kind of depressing…poignant particularly with lines like “ so I can hurt now or later.” A tad close to home I suppose.
Loser maneuver: In my effort to garden the hell out of the side yard so that there would be optimal aesthetic view for hot tubbing I ran into lots of nature, lizards, snake, many a mating bugs, cats, spiders and….an extension cord. I was being SOOOO careful but the grass was so tall in some areas the chord was hiding and well…in addition to the weeds and grass I ended up hedge trimming the extension cord. At least I didn’t set the grass on fire. Good news is I live with an electrical genius. So rather then buy a 50 foot extension chord, he can fix it. I don’t think anyone will miss 6 inches. If I had a dollar for …
Lobby: So a few months ago, you may recall they were redoing our work building lobby like FOREVER? Well, the redid the lobby then sold the building to another company and then THEY tore up the new tile, carpeting and the walls…oh and the ceilings. It looked like a horror film or a sci fi set. Pretty cool, except they were working very loudly for the last two weeks and the dust and paint is everywhere. This and there was no warning or reason given for this. I’ll be interested to see if the finished project is any better then it was before. Something tell me, not.
PANIC: so here’s a funny tidbit. Monday afternoon a man walks in the office with a HUGE, just HUGE beautiful vase of flowers. Big, fragrant lilies. I’m thinking, whose birthday next door? The man reads the card, flowers for Susannah Greenwood. And I nearly have a heart attack….what the hell did I DO last weekend?! Oh…my…god. And I start to read the card … “Thanks for a wonderful weekend…” My heart is racing…WHAT is going on…?Wait for it…..It was great working with you….Espe…my sister in law and my brother. Seems the redecorating and cleaning/rearranging Espe and I did was a success and because they are the sweetest people ever they rewarded me with flowers, which are still going strong. I would have liked to see my face though…
Winners of the week: Margaritas because, hello, margaritas, the weather, cause, hello, sunny, drumsticks, cause YUMMY and Scott, cause he knows why.
Dinner with former roomie and still new mommy Anu, Poker where I attempt to win a speeding ticket work of quarters, lunch with Matt Singer (Starbuck from Rainmaker last year) and Dinner with the roomies at the LOFT bar and bistro crammed in before Florida Thursday night.
Later skaters…
princess on 05.01.06 @ 02:16 PM PST [link]
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