Earthquake!!

I'm temping today and this happens. Holy cow, my equilibrium is totally shot. I still feel like the building is moving, and I'm expecting an aftershock at any minute. Please, not while I'm driving!

Here's the news I have so far: It was felt in Las Vegas & in San Diego. Magnitude of 5.8, aftershocks in San Bernadino already (though very small). Lasted probably about 30 seconds. I'm ok, just wonky and dizzy.

Matt is pitching his show at a network today. A very memorable pitch indeed!

A sign of things to come.

This last weekend was very hectic but very fun and we enjoyed every minute of it!

Friday we got up at the god awful hour of 5am and headed down to San Diego with Matt DeMille, Cindy, Don, Jeremy and Rian for Comic Con. The Gamers: Dorkness Rising at long last, screened! It was amazing, and I must say that my performance as "Barmaid" was enhanced by the big screen (if you see it you'll know what I'm talking about). It will be released next month at GenCon, but if you can't wait that long, see if you can get it from Netflix. You'll also be able to order it on Amazon (and according to Amazon, David Duchovny is in the movie). Holy s***, isn't that cool!? I'm so proud of Matt and the Dead Gentlemen. They've worked so hard and waited so long for this. Check out Matt's blog for details on our visit to Comic Con and more good news.

Saturday night I went out with Paige and Paige, and had a horrible hangover the next day.

Sunday night we went to a screening for The Empire Hotel, on which Matt has a writing credit. It was a fun premiere and I really enjoyed the little details in the pilot.

Saturday night we are finally going to see a concert at the Hollywood Bowl! Eric Idle, of Monty Python fame, is performing and we're going with a group of friends. We have nosebleed seats, but who cares. I can't wait!

80 acres and loving it!

Approach to the house! I can't wait!

I got quite a few snapshots of Sarah over the week. She loves the camera. This was my favorite of the bunch.

Jessica and her team won the division championship game!

l-r: Dad, Sarah, Sharon, and Terry. I miss them terribly.

Katy, this picture is for you. This is Sharon's garden, and it's HUGE. All kinds of fruit and veggies. Sharon picked strawberries every other day, and Cherries early in the week. I think I'll start with something smaller when Matt and I get a house though! :)

Sharon with her dahlias. They are just about ready to bloom!

This is the view across the street.

Their sweet dog, Casey. I miss her.

Front yard kitty, M.J. Back yard kitty, Jack, was unavailable as he was mousing.

Sunset on Four-Mound prairie.

Casey running to Sharon during our walk on my last night.

Ready to go home...well, in a way. I loved being with my family.

Cascade mountains, and HELLO Western Washington!

Mt. Rainier from the air.

Goodbye, Golden Girl

Estelle Getty

July 25, 1923 - July 22, 2008

As many of you know, one of my favorite shows is The Golden Girls, and Estelle played the wise-cracking Sophia with wit, charm, and understanding. She will be greatly missed.

Hazy eyes

I can't sleep here. I don't know what my problem is. Well, last night I know. We went to a birthday party over in Silverlake, which was really fun, and then went out to the 101 cafe afterwards for late night dining. I made a bad choice and got a chai tea latte. Guess who was up until 4 in the morning and slept only 4 hours, POORLY? Perhaps this is preparing me for motherhood, who knows. All I know is that I'm getting crankier by the minute and want to go back to sleep. But each time I try to lay my head against that pillow and close my eyes, they just pop right open again.

So with this situation, I've spent the morning putting new recipes in Master Cook thanks to Cindy's trick (Thank you, Cindy!) and trying to muster up some calm, peaceful energy so I can go to the Hollywood Farmer's Market. It's a nice cool morning, and I don't want to waste it being grouchy.

And pictures to come from my trip to Washington. I had a great time, and am homesick. It was nice to be taken care of in that motherly way.

Peace & Quiet

I am finally relaxed and can sleep at night. I don't sleep much, but I sleep hard and then take a nap in the afternoon. I am so lucky to have an Aunt and Uncle who let me laze around their home. I think my favorite part of this trip is that I'm being mothered. Sharon makes breakfast, lunch and dinner, asks me my preferences, wants to take me shopping, and I just love it. It's been awhile since some one has taken care of me in that way.

I can't imagine being any where else right now, amongst 80 acres of nothing, hearing the birds in the morning, watching the sunsets from the prarie, and watching deer graze in nearby fields. The air is so crisp and clear late at night, you can see the stars without hardly any light pollution. It's just magical. I wish I could stay longer, but I'm just going to have to make more of an effort to come back more often.

Off to Spokane!

This afternoon I'm taking off for Spokane, WA. It's a much needed vacation from life in the big city. Peace, quiet, and family. My Dad is even coming over to my Aunt's house so we can see eachother. I have gifts for my younger cousins, and I just can't wait to see everyone! My Aunt Sharon is like my second mom, and my Uncle Terry, well, he's just a hoot and we have great breakfast conversations. He still teases me about sleeping in. When I was a kid, I'd sleep until 11 or noon. Now I sleep till 8 or 9, but for him that's still over sleeping since he gets up at 5 or 6!

Sharon and Terry have a great big yard, and about a third of it is Sharon's garden. They have a dog, cats, and used to have chickens, cows, and horses (so I hear). They own 80 acres just outside the city. I'll be in the middle of nowhere, and I can't wait! :)

I will blog if/when I can, but will bring home lots of pictures. Unfortunately I won't be beating the heat. Sharon says it's supposed be in the 80's all weekend and in the 90's by next week!

4th of July weekend

Cindy and I at a great cantina in Santa Monica. The mojito's were fantastic!

The Santa Monica Pier. Weather was hot and the water was very refreshing.

Katy and I in our new floppy hats!

Pedicured feet in the sand.

View from my beach blanket.

Even at the beach, we couldn't get away from advertising.

The biggest sunflower I've ever seen!

It was a great weekend!

The neighborhood

I went for a much needed walk this morning, and even better it's before the heat of the day. Once I get off the major street (that I just happen to live on) the neighborhood quiets down and I feel like I'm back in time, somehow. If I ignore all the fancy cars and focus on the lovely bungalow homes, I can hear the birds chirp and say hello to my fellow walkers. I found a really nice path today that leads to Bronson, which in turns leads to the western entrance to Griffith Park and the Hollywood Sign. So many different colors, and the blue sky as a backdrop to all the palm trees is quite beautiful. I know people don't like coming over to visit, mostly because the parking situation is dire. But if you ever feel the need, come over early in the morning and I'll show you around.

A trendy evening with friends

What the eff??

By the time I took this picture, I'd had a few too many...

"Ok, you're driving...." "Nuh-uh...you are..."

Self portrait with the trendy hairstyle (I'm growing it out and saught help from my hairdresser on how to make it look cute for the evening).

The soon to be newlyweds, Kari and Paul. Congratulations!

The best sweet potato fries. EVER.

My drink...it had peach brandy in it...it was awesome.

Almost done...

My last day is tomorrow. I can't believe it. This job has caused sleepless nights, many tears, fits, and temper tantrums. On the upside, it has brought me to a place that I would not have found otherwise. A place within myself. I am stronger, more independent, not afriad to say what I think, and by leaving this place behind, I can take these qualities and make them part of the person that I did leave behind about 6 months ago - happy, thoughtful, excited, and positive.

This holiday weekend is a definite cause for celebration! I hope you all have a safe and fun holiday!