20 Something in LA LA land...

Romantical

So, funny enough, Valentine's Day last night was more just like any other night that we hang out and cook dinner.  Sure, I came home to find bags and boxes of chocolates and candy, and a beautiful card.  Also, the two glasses of wine that were already poured and the cheese plate he prepared didn't hurt.  We exchanged some little things we got for eachother, drank wine, talked, cooked dinner, and watched Lost.  Actually, it was kinda perfect.

We are really celebrating this Saturday night, when he is taking me out to a super fancy seafood restaurant on the ocean, where we will be able to eat oysters (OK, just me) and lobster (both of us) while guzzling champagne.  Cannot wait.

Work has gone full speed ahead with the strike ending - at least for me.  C is still out of work because the show he was working on hasn't officially been picked back up.  It's a bit of a bummer for him, although he has rarely had any time off since he moved to LA 6 years ago, and when he does, he never worries or stresses about it (like I do), and always manages to find a job pretty quickly.  Cross your fingers for him. 

This weekend should be fun - tonight, dinner and drinks with friends, tomorrow night is our fancy dinner, and Sunday is open houses.  Loves it.  I hope all of you had a fantastic V-day and have an even more fantastic weekend!

LA

I woke up yesterday morning to a text from my best friend who lives an hour south in the OC. At 8:15 am: "YAY!!! The Strike is OVER!!!".  I Immediately run to my computer and quickly check out the various websites that constantly give me updates on industry-related news.  Hmmm, I see that the writers are moving into formal talks... ok.  I also see that film A was greenlit, and that Ashley Tisdale (who I just saw yesterday) is attached to Film B... but nothing about the strike being over.  Maybe I was just reading wrong?

I quickly text back my friend - "Where did you read that?", thinking well, maybe my friend in fashion has better sources than me?

"I didn't.  I heard it on the radio... I think Ryan Seacrest?"

Reason #45,627 you shouldn't believe what you hear - especially from Ryan at 8 am.  What a way to wake up!

Last night, over pasta and wine with a girlfriend who also works in my industry, something pretty interesting happened.  My friend just got a new job working for a huge studio, in the same field as me.  Therefore, after we get past the gossip of our lives - you know, relationship, gym, asshole who gave me a parking ticket that day, we move onto what else?  Work. 

The restaurant was pretty small.  Cozy and loud, but small.  Most tables were practically on top of us.  We didn't think twice though, to talk about our jobs in detail, including industry names.  All of a sudden, she leans in and kinda whispers to me "do you realize almost everyone around is eavesdropping?"  I hadn't, but as we continued to talk, I did in fact notice.  You know you are in LA when you are talking about your job (or the jobs that we have) and every table (prob. 75% actors) is trying to get the latest info and find out just who you are.  Surreal.  I hated it.  Now can you just imagine being Britney?

1 day

Thankfully, last night I FINALLY slept over 8 hours, although it was quite interrupted by the strange sounds... but at least I did sleep.  However, I would be seriously concerned with myself if I didn't considering yesterday was one of the BUSIEST days at work ever.

I woke up extremely early by C on the phone.  Please understand that it's an absolute miracle for C to be awake before me, but to be on the phone and alert before I've opened my eyes is out of this world.  Well, he was both so I decided to forego my extra hour and wake up.  Immediately, I was given assignments: get some advil in travel packs for him, another moisturizer, go to the bank, grocery store, etc.  Normally I would politely tell him to please do these things himself but I looked in his eyes and knew that he NEEDED help.  He was exhausted and stressed and a bit anxious about what this job has already done to him.  He started last Thursday and ever since then, his phone is CONSTANTLY ringing, the emails are constantly binging, and the sleep has been put on the backburner.  I really felt badly for him, so of course I ran his errands instead of going to the gym.

He and his crew were working out of my offices yesterday (same network) and it was crazy.  I was sitting at my desk and all I heard were people calling his name... over and over.  He wasn't kidding when he said this was stressful.  On top of that, my day at work yesterday was going to be INSANE... my partner and I had planned on it, and then we were going to teach a workshop afterwards.  I get a call at 10 am from her that she had been throwing up all night and couldn't get out of bed.  Of course I told her not to but what then transpired for the next 6 hours was HYSTERIA.  My phones were OUT OF CONTROL, and I was in 4 hours of casting all alone.  NUTS.  Somewhere in that craziness, C left to go to Tucson, and I left my crazy day and happily came home to sit on the couch and immerse myself in TV.

I spoke to C for a while last night and was grateful for at least that.  When he was in Europe last year for 3 weeks, I think the hardest part was that I couldn't talk to him every night before bed like we've done now for over 4 years.  But then I had my jealousy dream and now I'm a bit unsettled. 

I'm not a jealous girl.  If I act jealous, it's mostly to make light of a situation and honestly, I think it makes C feel sorta good.  I trust C more than a girlfriend should probably trust their boyfriend, but I just know that if he is anything, it's loyal.  I think he would break up with me before he cheated on me.  So normally, I wouldn't be worried. But yesterday I saw one of the women with whom he is working very closely on this project and is constantly calling and emailing him and vice-versa.  And she's adorable, and petite and blonde.  He loves the blondes!  Anyway, they are in such close contact everyday and I'm not naive, I know that when you are in stressful situations in other cities with someone day in and day out, things could happen.  I'm going to try to not let my mind go there but he's been gone one day and it already is.  The worst part is, I have no way of knowing what's really going on.  Ew.  Now I just feel sad and gross. 

let's bounce

Last night my partner and I forced ourselves to go to a networking event.  The reason I say "forced" is because honestly?  The idea of leaving my cozy house on a rainy night to be forced to drink and socialize with people I don't even know doesn't usually sit high on my "to do" list.

Either way, we felt it was our "duty" to go and show our faces.

The same things always happen at these events.  You walk in with high hopes, grab a glass of wine, then you find the same circle of 5 that you know and talk to at all of these parties, and basically never mingle to meet new people.  Then you're standing around in a circle wondering why you dragged yourself to go out when you see these people all of the time anyway.

An hour and a half into the party, my partner and I looked at each other and in unison said "let's bounce."

Oh well, at least we tried.

Meanwhile, the new project is a go.  The people we're working with have NO idea what they're doing, at least not in the capacity that we understand is correct, so it's proved to be a little difficult so far getting everyone on the right page.  However, the deal is signed and thank god for that considering I keep hearing the strike wont be ending anytime soon. 

Tonight is the 4th night of Hanukkah, and C and I are celebrating at my mom's tonight with the whole fam.  Should be nice and relaxing and where there's a lot of latkes, there are a lot of smiles.

Have a great weekend!

Waiting

Not much to report here.  These last couple have days have been pretty mellow... and it's sorta freaking me out.  My partner and I got a 6 week job for an internet project - one that doesn't need WGA writers so it's a go.  Unfortunately, we have yet to receive good information from the company or even a deal, and so we just wait.

And waiting?  Is one of the hardest things for me to do.  I am the first person to call myself impatient.  Have always been.  If I want something?  I want it NOW.  Whether it be a job or a boyfriend or chocolate or shoes.  For example, C and I have been eyeing this amazing camera which retails for $500 plus, and I obviously can't afford it right now but of course, it's the only thing on my mind.  Same thing for the Nintendo Wii which reminds me, I've really got to play that more often!

Anyway, I kinda feel like it's the calm before the storm, and any minute things will start happening, and I wont have a second to breathe (or eat, hopefully) and before I know it, I'll have to leave town (C and I go to Colorado & Chicago on the 17th) and then it will be the new year and (hopefully) the strike will end but then HIOLY SHIT we'll have two projects and we'll become INSANE.  Meanwhile, I can't do anything so I spend my time reading blogs and watching TV.  And Facebook.  Are you guys on Facebook?  I know some of you are, but I just got into it yesterday and before I know it, people from all walks of life are finding me or I'm finding them, and I know I NEVER wanted to get on another site like this after Myspace but then just found myself... so c'est la vie.

Also, yesterday my friend wanted me to go to the mall with her so she could pick up a couple of things and I was very adamant that I didn't want to join because I have a bit of a shopping problem.  She finally coerced me into joining and sure enough?  $100 were spent at Sephora.  But damn!  My makeup looks H-O-T today!

And last night? Just as C and I were about to leave to grab dinner, we both started smelling gas (not the farting kind!) coming from our stove.  I immediately expected the worse (meaning, I prepared for my apartment to blow up) and called the gas company, who told us to stay away from the stove, keep the apt. ventilated, and wait for a technician to come out.  So, 45 minutes later, no technician, and C and I both feel woozy.  I'm sure it was in our heads but still I called them and told them that we weren't feeling good and it was too cold to sit outside, so they moved us up to "priority".  Yeah, note to self - if ever a gas leak, always complain of feeling nauseous and sure enough someone will be at your door within minutes.  Well, after all that drama, it looks like the only problem was that the pilot light wasn't lit.  DG = Genius. 

Just another day in the life.

Dig me out of the hole please???

I have a headache.

It could be from a: going out last night and drinking wine, a margarita and a couple of beers in the span of 4 hours, b: not sleeping well enough or c: I feel like my life is falling apart.

I'm thinking it's definitely a three-way tie.

I'll start with how my life is falling apart.

As you all know, the writer's are still on strike.  My employment has been a bit up in the air since that Monday two weeks ago, but I remained positive.  We heard from sources above us that they wanted to keep us on as long as possible, which would have been a blessing, and therefore, I kinda pretended like everything was going to be alright.  I should have known better.

First, C was given his last day - November 30th.  It freaked us both out because lately, he's been the "breadwinner" and "caretaker" and money has been flowing pretty well to be honest.  However, he is really the practical, rational one and kept on saying "it will all be okay.  We'll be okay."

Then came this last Friday.  We knew we would hear on Friday whether or not our deal would be extended, since we wouldn't be coming in on Monday if we weren't gonna be paid for it.  Friday morning, my partner and I get a very promising phone call from a higher-up saying that they 99% would keep us on.   So we smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief, and went on about our day.

4 pm comes around and we get another call.  This time, the news wasn't so pleasant.  We were being "let go" to "enjoy" the holidays and they would bring us back in the beginning of January to resume our jobs.  The reason I actually understand.  The strike could be very long, and most likely, won't be resolved until the beginning of next year anyway, so our services wouldn't be needed anyway until closer to the end of the strike. 

Understand?  Sure.  Pissed and sad and worried?  Definitely.

C and I went to a movie and tried to take our minds off of it.  It worked temporarily but what really made me sleep well was seeing the news that the two sides agreed to at least meet and negotiate on November 26.  Hey, it's progress.

Yesterday was a great day considering.  We started it off by going to a spinning class TOGETHER - yes, you read that correctly, I got C to go with me and he LOVED it.  Then an afternoon softball game and a friend's party at a local bar last night.

Which brings me to my meltdown this morning.  I woke up hungover which is NEVER a good start to a Sunday and went to check my email.  I received an email from my car insurance which basically said that it charged me some exorbitant amount of money (which I assume am SURE is wrong because who gets charged $649.46 for ONE month of car insurance???) but I can't do anything about it because it's Monday.  Then I went to check my bank statement and took a hard look and what I have, what I need to pay in the coming weeks, etc...

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Tears started streaming, breathing became shallow.

I feel like I am in a hole that I can't get out of. 

Not sure if you remember but I was unemployed for a bit over four months this summer waiting for this current job opportunity to open up for me.  Therefore, for a lot of 2007, I was not making a salary. I was handling it ok, budgeting myself in a way that I would be alright considering my salary would be constant once the job started. 

But now I'm back to no salary.  But there is still my car payment and car insurance and health insurance and phone bills and cable bills and electricity bills and gym payments and RENT, and yes, every 5 weeks I have to get my hair touched up and hello? I also have to EAT.  SO really, I am royally fucked.

I feel better now, a couple of hours after the meltdown.  I spoke to my sister who always gives me good advice and offers monetary help should I need it.  C always helps me by being supportive and hugging me and telling me we will be ok.  He always tells me how we will one day be rich and successful and look back at "that time in our 20's where we had no money at all and thought we could be homeless etc" and laugh and slap our knees.  When will that time come?

See, I know that one day, all will be okay.  I just feel like as the years go on, financially I should be better and better, not worse. So in that aspect, I can't help but take it a little personally and feel like a slight failure.

My headache did go away though.  It's the small successes too.

This sucks.

So, I'm officially out of a job tomorrow.  (Unless, something happens to extend us, which we'll know later today).

This strike sucks.  Yes, it's needed and important and I understand WHY they're striking, but it still sucks.  You know what else sucks?  Crossing the picket line every morning coming into work.  Makes me feel like a jackass but hey, what can I do.

The job market in LA will self implode in a few weeks I assume.  People that would never do a certain job because a) it wasn't an interest of theirs or b) it was "below" them will be applying to them now.  My partner and I posted that we needed an assistant a few weeks ago, and even though we aren't hiring right now, the resumes KEEP pouring in.  And from people that are WAY overqualified for the gig, or have NEVER done anything in this arena.  I can only imagine that this is the way it is everywhere.

C and I are both feeling the effects.  As of right now, he'll be off November 30th.  Isn't this all just fantastic timing?  Right before the holidays.  No presents this year.  Hell, maybe no plane trips either.  Shit.

Last night over a glass of wine (yay! I finally had one!), C and I wee trying to think of some good ideas for another project which does not include writers.  I, personally think it's a great idea so I'll keep you guys posted.

C leaves tomorrow night for a weekend in Lake Arrowhead and I'm surprisingly okay with it.  Not that I wont miss him, but I'm excited for a girly weekend. 

This morning I went to the gym for the first time in over a week and wow - did I feel the burn.  To be honest, I go to the gym so often that I liked being sick and having a real excuse for not going.  It gave my body a break and allowed me to sleep in.  Sometimes, we all need a break, right?  And it's cold out anyway, so really?  Who needs to be skinny?  I actually should be fattening up for all of those months of living off Top Ramen.

Strike!

Hollywood is on the verge of imploding.  No, there isn't a terrorist threat and yes, the wildfires are over.  Just when things were going well, BAM! Comes another bump in the road.  Starting as soon as tomorrow morning, all Union writers will be striking.

Sure it's not 100% at this point, but as I write this, writers are having a meeting talking about whether they should strike tomorrow or continue to work for a bit longer hoping to reach an agreement.  My feeling? Monday morning, there will be picket lines.

What does that mean?

Well, for the people all over the country and the world, that means that in a couple of months, there will only be reruns of all scripted TV.  That means reruns of Gossip Girl, Heroes, Pushing Daisies, etc.

But for a lot of people in Los Angeles who work in the entertainment industry, this means big problems.  If the writers aren't writing, then the episode can't be shot, meaning everyone from casting to craft service to grips to lighting to wardrobe to hair to props to accountants etc. will be out of work. 

Let me tell you, that is over 100,000 people out of work.  That, my friends, is SHITTY.  VERY SHITTY.

There are so many other business and therefore, people that will be affected by this too.  Restaurants for sure because every single day, hundreds of dollars are spent on lunches at each show.  Clothing stores, too.  Think about all of the wardrobe that is purchased for all of the shows you watch!  The same goes for companies that work in post-production - editing, distributing, etc.

I am not an expert nor a writer so I wont comment on whether I think the strike is "right" or worth it.  I will, however, share my INSANE fear of being unemployed and have NO other options, because there are thousands of other people vying for the few jobs that will still be around, mostly in reality. 

Last time there was a strike, it was in 1988, and it lasted for 22 weeks.  Let me tell you that if this one compares in length to that one, I am so screwed.

I also want to just mention that I really apologize for not having a lot of extra time to comment on your blogs.  Work is chaotic before this probable strike so you can imagine my days are a little insane.  BUT - I LOVE your comments and please, please BRING IT ON ladies ;)

Host Chat

Sorry about not posting yesterday, I think it was just one of those days where I kept saying, ok, I'll post after this. But that time never came. 

See, yesterday was one of those days where I had to wake up extra early to make it to my Bodyworks class (OMG I can't move) and then to the car dealership to get my oil changed all the way in Santa Monica, and then to work for a couple of things, and then see a movie with my partner because one of our friends is in it, and then last night I taught an actor workshop.

I teach workshops 1-2 times a month.  It's a good opportunity for me to make a little extra cash while also meeting actors that I normally wouldn't (um, there are literally 300 million of them out here).  I start my introducing myself to about 25 actors, and go on to talk about my experience, how I got into what I do and what my process at work is, and so on and so forth.  And then after that, there's a q & a, followed by my pairing them up and giving them scenes, which they get to practice for 15 minutes and then read for me and the rest of the class.  I will give them feedback and, if necessary, have them do it over with some direction. 

What I'm noticing lately is a recurring pattern in these workshops.  When I first started teaching them a few years ago, I was scared shitless talking to the group.  I always would have mini-panic attacks because hello?  They are all looking at ME! I would also wonder if I were saying what they wanted to hear and would always leaving thinking they thought I had no idea what I was talking about.

Now, I feel more than comfortable.  Yes, there are moments where I realize, hi, you are all still staring at ME, but I feel incredibly confident that I know what I am talking about and that I am a good source of information for them.  Plus, I'm funny.  And I normally wouldn't toot my own horn but it's true.  They ALWAYS laugh at my stories.  And at the end of my talking part, one of them inevitably always asks me the same question - "Have you ever thought about acting or having your own show? Your energy is amazing!  You should be the next Kelly Ripa!"

Every time I hear it I politely smile and say "no no but thanks",  but the reality is Kelly Ripa has the best darn job ever and if anyone out there is listening?  SURE I'll take over any day :)

PS - CONGRATS MOLLY!!! WE KNEW IT WAS COMING ANY DAY!!!

A look back

Did I tell you guys I used to have a blog?  Well, I did and I almost never go back and read old entries but it's still there and yesterday, out of boredom, I wanted to see what I wrote almost exactly 3 years ago today.  And now for your enjoyment:

September 16, 2004:

"On days like today, I truly hate being an assistant.

So I know that in many industries, particularly the entertainment industry like I am in, you have to start at the bottom. In my case, that meant doing a summer internship and after some months, getting moved up to a second assistant, where I was litterally getting paid candy money. But I loved the job: being on set, in a production office, around the actors, producers, writers, etc. So I did it.

And that was over a year ago. I am now a first assistant, and definitely getting paid better - standard assistant pay in this industry, but... some days I just wake up and think, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!"

I mean, I am a smart, creative, hard worker... when am I going to get my own gig? When are people going to start looking up to me instead of down?

When am I going to get my own assistant??

Well, as for now, I gotta run and get my boss coffee...

Don't you just love showbiz?"

Isn't that funny? Now I wont have my own assistant for another couple of months or so, but starting now is what I had been looking for for the last three plus years - and I couln't be more excited.

Have a great weekend!