Radio Silence

Oh dear! I've been off the radar for a while!

Since I last posted I have moved, started collecting unemployment checks, turned 27 and spent more or less every day in some state of inebriation. How have you been?

My new place in Koreatown is AWESOME!!! It's a huge house and I have a huge room and many many pet ants...

I've seen a few movies this summer, the only ones worth mentioning are The Bourne Ultimatum and The Simpsons Movie, which were both great. The other week I won tickets to see Maximo Park at the El Rey, which was pretty cool as I've been trying to save money by not spending it on music. Though I did buy tickets to see the Cure at the Hollywood Bowl in October. It's the Cure! You can't miss the Cure!

I am very excited about a few trips I have planned for the end of summer: first going to Denver for the wedding of my dear friends Jake and Katie (tragically, I was unable to arrange for a gigolo to accompany me a la The Wedding Date, so warn the bachelors!), then going camping on Labor Day weekend in Northern Cali, which promises to be pretty cool and very, um, rustic, then finally getting back to civilization and visiting Derrick in SanFran.

I thought being unemployed would suck, but so far, I'm having a damn good time!

I've been tagged

Sara just tagged me...

Apparently I have to list 7 random things about myself then tag 7 other people (Myspace, here I come!):

1) I was born in Hawaii, so my mother tried to convince me to list "Native Islander" on my college apps to get me into better schools (turns out "smart woman from the South" was minority enough).
2) The first school I attended was Echole Maternelle St. Andre, in Bordeaux, France.
3) I spoke Hindi as a small child with my Indian ayah, Philomena.
4) Everyone I've met since I turned 18 and moved away from South Carolina has commented on my lack of accent. Sorry dudes, I learned to speak from the TV, not my neighbors.
5) My middle name is the maiden name of my mother's great-grandmother, nee Bridget Falvey. I really wish they had gone with Bridget instead.
6) I worked 2 jobs (1 full-time, 1 weekend) for 10 months to pay rent when I first moved to Cali. Not recommended.
7) I'm in a kickball league. My team's record is 0-5 and 4-5. Next week we win!

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.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Um, yeah, you could say I've been having too much fun, except I ain't never had too much fun! So Tuesday I went to this industry thing, and finally got to see Metal Skool (because midnight on a Monday is past my bedtime, apparently). Afterwards I eventually made my way to another karaoke Tuesday (though technically I didn't arrive til Wednesday) @ Guy's North, which is fortunately very near my place. Unfortunately, I was painfully hung-over on Wednesday (word to the wise, don't end your night with a "bay breeze," that's all I'm sayin'), only to come home and discover the hot water was out in the whole building. Meaning my only option was to wake up early on Thursday and go to the gym, where I hoped the water heater would be working. Finally made it to The Dive on Highland for drinks Thursday night before meandering over to the New York Dolls/Television Tribute night at Safari Sam's--the highlight of which was Peppermint Creeps, hands down, you don't even know. I think I get tonight off--I hope so anyway, cause this weekend will be filled with my first appearance at the book club I joined in January, kickball practice, probably the Walkmen, and a very special 70s karaoke night @ Guy's on Tuesday. Not to mention laundry and packing for my trip to New York next week!! Am I excited? You bet your ass I am!! Life can NEVER be too much fun!

Hip, hip, hurrah

Three cheers for bizarre sex dreams on Monday morning! Not quite as exciting as bizarre sex on Monday morning, but somewhat less messy.

Less thrilling, finding out your Dad had to have his beloved dog put to sleep--he will be missed (the dog, not my dad).

That notwithstanding, been generally having a good time (even in my sleep, apparently) recently: saw a Dodgers game, went whale watching and finally saw Grindhouse last weekend, and of course made the Tuesday night pilgrimmage to karaoke at Guys in Studio City. Saw Hot Fuzz this Friday (hilarious!) and finally made it to Redwood downtown on Saturday (awesome '80s music, I could have danced all night). Spent Sunday slightly hunover and mostly inert, gearing up for another busy week.

Shit! I almost forgot!

Major announcement lost in all the hullabaloo--Jake and Katie tie the knot in August! Yay! Can't wait to party with the Georgetown gang in Denver at the wedding! And thanks to everyone who called me to discuss this most important development on Sunday, so sorry I only had 5 minutes to chat. We will dish all this dirt and more, soon, I swear!

Easter Parade

Had a very un-Pascal weekend: in observance of Lenten abstention, had a crazy all-you can eat sushi dinner on Friday w/ super-trooper from the OC Carol (took her 2.5 hours to get to the Valley-ouch!) & roomie Allison, followed by adventures in Downtown w/ Linda and crew. Original plan was to hit up El Cid, but dinner did that in. Then we were headed to a random warehouse party Downtown, but when we got there it was overrun with teenagers (despite the fact that I got carded to see Blades of Glory, which was hilarious, I do not count myself in their number) and the door was being manned by a bum, literally. So we went to Bordello instead, which was really cool and is allegedly in an actual house of ill-repute. And the bartenders were appropriately attired for the theme. How cute. Saw some random band playing gypsy music from the '30s which, I was drunkenly instructed by Brian, is the root of jazz. You learn something new every frickin' day. Thanks to Andrew for keeping us entertained even after the music stopped. Saturday was off to a very slow start, but we managed a successful shopping trip to buy a wedding present in the ghetto (that's so accurate, I don't even want to get into it) and a dress for Carol for her sis's wedding (not in the ghetto, thank god). Inadvertently had a mocha and carrot cake for dinner (I swear I thought I'd have time and appetite left for a real meal!) then trudged to Dimples for a couple drinks and about 8 rounds of Happy Birthday (my advice, if it's not your big day and you just want a fun night of watching your friends embarrass themselves in Burbank, go to Sardo's instead). Learned a couple polka steps outside of NoBar before beddy-bye time, finally. Showed up for Prince's fabu bar-b-que in less than stellar shape. Still, couldn't help but have a wonderful time with such an energetic host and lovely company.
I know you think I must be done, but I actually spent last night at the House of Blues on Sunset. I couldn't bring myself to drink a drop and left before the show was over to get home and get some zzz's (also got a parking ticket--boo!). Since there's no rest for the wicked (and I am wicked indeed), I'm headed to not-lame karaoke with the crew tonight. Tomorrow I sleep!

Undercover Brother is an idiot

I wouldn't let this guy drive my Corolla, let alone a $1.5 million Ferrari. Of course, I will never own a $1.5 m car...at least the car's owner has some perspective: there are, in fact, "worse things happening in the world."

Hoya Saxa Baby

Finally, all the money I spent on a Georgetown education is paying dividends in the form of NCAA glory! Woo-hoo, let's go Hoyas! I'm no basketball expert (I don't even know the rules, actually, and this was probably the first game I've ever watched the whole way through), but if you missed today's game in which the Hoyas kicked UNC's ass, you really missed something special (particularly for us chronically disappointed Georgetown fans). Even a dilettante like myself can briefly tell you what happened: down six at the half (44 to UNC's 50), the Hoya's came back to tie it up at the end of regulation (81, 81), then dominated the 5 minute overtime period, earning 15 points while allowing the Tarheels only 3 (96 to 84). Kick ass!
I just have to wonder, when do these guys study for their mid-terms :o)

Spring has sprung

I know I'm becoming Californicated becuase I (like most of the Southland, judging by traffic) rejoiced in the climbing of temps over 70 degrees by immediately decamping to the beach, which was lovely. But I do know that highs in the mid-sixties and lows in the 40s for a few weeks does not deepest, darkest winter make. However, it is still quite nice to have some warm temps and not have to bring a cardigan/jacket/hoodie everywhere. I will feel completely the opposite in July and August when it's approximately a thousand and 12 degress in the Valley, and too hot to sleep without AC even at night (fortunatley, I bought a great little window unit last summer that makes it possible to get some zz's even when it's 85 degrees at midnight).
Happy Daylight Savings Time!

I hate it when this happens!

I was really looking forward to 300 (those who know me well know my love of half naked men duking it out on film), but the reviews came in and apparently it sucks ("as violent as Apocalypto and twice as stupid" is not high praise in my book). Bummer! The advertisements looked so good. I really thought they had something. Guess I'll save my $10 and wait for the DVD...

Fool for love

So, in a dumb carpe-diem kinda move not to be repeated for a good long while, I gave my number to random guy at Wang's last night (yes, there's a lot wrong with that statement, don't remind me). I should have known when he made me pinky swear to call him back, but I honestly thought it was a joke. Until I got home about a half hour later and had both a text message and a voicemail from the needy motherfucker. Come on, wait at least until the next day--it's not that hard, you'll sleep through most of the transition. Add to that he's too young and not my type and all my good intentions for being more open and less judgy go right out the window. No fucking way I'm calling a guy who's managed to irritate me within the first hour of our acquaintance. I will freely admit that had he been hot this might be a very different post, but he wasn't so this isn't. You gotta be hot or smooth (or at least not irritating), you can't not be either.

That was relatively painless

Inspired by Sara, I decided to update the look of my blog, which I've been considering for awhile, but reluctant to tackle in the new Blogger. Wow. that was pretty simple. Sticking to the provided templates for the time being, I was able to click, cut and paste to bring over the elemenst from my old template to the new. Changing text colors was a snap. I would prefer a little more control over layout and background colors, but that is beyond my willingness to dive into self-taught HTML editing right now.
This is especially encouraging as I am severly sleep deprived due to some weekend excesses and checking out Great Northern and the Pity Party at the Viper Room last night (which has the surliest doorman in the city, possibly the world).
Hope you're having a lovely Tuesday!

Random Review

I'm totally going to bash a movie I haven't seen and will probably never see, solely on the basis of it's advertising. Based on the billboards and internet banner ads I've seen, Black Snake Moan has to be the worst piece of crap out there right now. (The reviews on Metacritic bear that out, though it didn't score as low as The Number 23.) "Everything is Hotter Down South"?!? Yes, I grew up in the south and I left it eagerly. The weather is gross, the culture doesn't impress me and the accents make me nuts (not to mention the industry I work in is centered in LA). However, there are things to like about the south and it's not really that different from the rest of the country (it's the same endless wasteland of rest stops and strip malls that swarm American freeways across the country outside of cities and farmland). And I can tell you from experience that the San Fernando Valley gets hotter than most places in the south (and dry heat or humid doesn't make that much difference @ 120 degrees). "Everything is hotter down South" tries to evoke the Southern gothic cache of Tennessee Williams or Faulkner. But, while those guys certainly wrote about crazy, libidinous southerners, they never chained a mostly naked Christina Ricci to a radiator. That's overkill. I have to assume that, recognizing the risible result of their billboards, the marketing department thought "It's hard out here for a nymph" was a stroke of genius, calling to mind the (improbable) Oscar winning song from Hustle and Flow, the last movie by this director which I laughed at and never saw. In any case, from the reviews I've read, it's pretty clear the marketing department didn't have much to work with. How else are you gonna sell a movie about Samuel L. Jackson chaining Christina Ricci to a radiator by the director of Hustle and Flow?

Tempest in a styrofoam yogurt cup

Pinkberry, apparently, is all the rage. Personally, I find it pretty inexplicable. While I would never in a million years dream of risking a parking ticket and endureing an hour long wait in line for fro-yo, I was tempted to taste the wonder for myslef when the chain opened a new store in my 'hood. The experience left me wondering what all the fuss was about. I paid nearly five dollars for a cup of sour (in a yummy way) frozen yogurt that was swirled around so the middle remained empty then topped with fruit. Whoop-de-fuck. If I froze a fruit-on-the bottom yogurt then up-ended it (flan style), I would end up with the same thing (and more yogurt) for less than a buck. There's nothing wrong with Pinkberry, there's just nothing so super-freaking-duper about it either. And $5 for a mostly empty cup is a rip-off (it would be a rip-off even if it were full, seriously).