Visa Las Vegas

Yes, I'm broke and facing imminent unemployment and an apartment search, but still I am headed to Vegas in the morning. The force behind this brash disregard of impending financial doom? Easy credit. Thank you Capital One, American Express and Chase for making my dreams of dissipation and debauchery a reality.
Karaoke on Tuesday was not a quickie and I'm sure I only meant to drink one glass of wine...so yesterday hurt a bit. UTIOG won't go on until 10:30 tonight and I need to be on the road before 10 am (I know, boo-hoo, but it is a really long drive to Vegas).
Had a really interesting conversation today about zombie movies and social commentary. It's not the zombies we're scared of, it's what they represent and how we respond. I love over intellectualizing my weird taste in film. Ah well, the only art that matters is the art that resonates, whether it's Picasso or Romero...

Movie Madness

Finally got around to seeing some movies this weekend. Did a scary double feature on Friday with Prince and the gang (no, that's not the name of a band...). Disturbia was much better and scarier than I thought it would be. We were all tense and jumpy in our seats. 28 Weeks Later was awesome, as expected. Less viscerally terrifying than it's predecessor, but more intellectually disturbing. And of course it left room for further installments. By Saturday, after spending a morning doing job applications (woo-hoo) I was ready for some tamer fare, so went to see Waitress, a sweet little movie that's managed not to be completely overshadowed by the murder of it's writer/director/co-star Adrienne Shelly. Though it's been marketed as a sweet bit of down-home rom-com fluff, the film takes a much more adult and realistic approach to the role that romantic love plays in it's characters lives and it's consequences.
Spent Saturday night @ the Scene in Glendale getting up close and personal with Bedtime for Toys, who are going to be huge.
Sunday was more debauched than ever at Prince's BBQ. Took it down a notch last night to play kickball and grab a quick(ish) cider @ Big Wang's with the team.
Tonight will hopefully be a karaoke quickie @ Guy's North.
Then the rest of the week will be relatively quiet, except for UTIOG at the El Rey on Thursday. And driving to Vegas on Friday. By the time I get back I'll have to start gearing up for Tuesday...

DIY

May is national masturbation month. I'm not sure how this was made official (if it ever was--I can only imagine putting that in the hopper...), but I heard about it on morning radio, so it must be true. In any case, I have some catching up to do, and so do you..suit yourself.

The undead are out to get me!

Wow, it's always a great sign when a movie gives you nightmares before you've seen it...I am thrilled to report that 28 Weeks Later (sequel to my favorite zombie flick--and I've seen a lot) is getting great reviews and I woke up, terrified at 3 am while dreaming that I was trying to escape from an evil virus and it's enraged victims. Awesome. I may have to do a double-header with Waitress just so I can sleep.
Actually, I think I'm probably just feeling anxious because a) my office was evacuated during the fire in Griffith Park this week (we're on the southern border) b) the fire damage was extensive and you can see the balded, charred hills from the freeway, which last week were green (if not lush--it's been a dry year) c) there's another fire raging on Catalina Island--a really beautiful, scenic place--which must be particularly difficult for residents who have to flee to the mainland and d) I have a month and a half to find a new job and my resume isn't even updated. Many things to be worried and stressed about. In any case, I'm headed out tonight, have a BBQ tomorrow and am gearing up for Vegas over Memorial Day weekend! So life doesn't totally suck.

Fire Season

Had a fabulous time in NYC! Thanks to Alex & Mike for hosting me and to Colin & Rebecca for making the trek north from DC--it was great to see you all!
The weekend was completely action-packed: the Brooklyn Museum, 3 Tribeca screenings, Prospect Park, The Upright Citizens Brigade, countless drinks, many meals (including hot-dog off the street--yummy!) and Spring Awakening, which was amazing and that's coming from someone who is not a fan of musical theater. In retrospect it seems like too much to fit into 5 days, but we managed (of course, there was no time for pilgrimage to MoMA--boo). I didn't even notice that I missed the opening weekend of Spiderman 3--maybe I can catch it next weekend...but I think 28 Weeks Later is opening.
Flew back last night just in time to enjoy the heat wave and the fires that even now are irritating my eyes and promise to turn my commute into sheer torture--woot. I already miss the Subway. Though I am glad to be back in my spacious dump in the Valley, listening to KCRW and hanging with the coolest karaoke/kickball crew this side of the Rockies. All my east-coast buds are welcome to partake of those benefits as well as the futon in my living room.

Get down tonight

I am on my way to the Big Fat Juicy Apple tonight, but couldn't let 70s karaoke night at Guy's North pass without me. So somewhat dolled-up and with my hair (which refused to feather) tucked under a hat, I made my pilgrimage. It was as crowded as I've ever seen it, though apparently some people did not get the '70s memo. Had a few drinks, danced a few dances, generally made a fool of myself and got to bed at 2:30 am (that's 5:30 am EST). I will surely sleep well on the plane tonight.
So safe travels to you all, wherever you're headed. I'll catch you on the flip side with tales of the city that never sleeps, a perfect destination for the Jess who rarely sleeps.