What's Up Bad Karma? What are you doing here?

     Y’know that song “I’ve Seen Better Days” by Sublime?  That’s today’s theme song.  Apparently, I did something awful and had to make up for it today.  In any case, I never knew so many things could go wrong in such quick succession.  Looking back on it, it's really quite comical.  So for your enjoyment, I have provided a play-by-play of today's adventures in Wonderland:

• Drove onto the backlot for work this morning and found someone in my assigned parking space.  Parked in visitor parking.

• Came into the office and set up my computer.  Only to receive the blue screen of death.  Twice.

•  Went on a wild goose chase in search of unavailable lamps.  Yes, lamps.  Eight lamps.

• Asked a store employee if he knew of nearest bank was for check cashing purposes.  Was given directions to a two-mile circle back to an ATM in same shopping center.

• Used POI function on GPS to find closest bank.  Was given directions to same ATM in shopping center.  Did not follow them.

• Used memory to find closest bank and parked.  Threw GPS unit at backseat.  Scared woman in next car over, resulting in a stink eye in my direction.  Was charged a whopping FIVE DOLLAR FEE due to lack of account with said bank.  Eff them.

• Realized that not one, but BOTH pinky nails had broken below the quick.  Also noticed other nails waiting to break.  Now investigating estimates for acrylic nails for Halloween. 

• Sat down to eat lunch, impossibly hot and sweaty.  Remembered finding a hair clip in my purse last night!  Rifled through purse, only to realize hair clip had been removed upon said discovery.

• Also discovered that brand-new Pend-a-flex zip pouch zipper was broken, and change spilled out into purse.  Now have to remember to zip extra hard when zipping pouch.  Likelihood of remembering?  About 50/50.

• When trying to tell parental units about terrible day, was dismissed for televised baseball.  Because obviously that’s more important.

•  Parents think I need an attitude adjustment.  Likely an accurate assessment.  Hate when that happens.

Upsides of today?

• No run over the hill, so no rush hour traffic.

• Bosses seem more impressed with me in both the areas of organization, and sarcasm.  So they're being a little nicer.

• Noticed that the two office storage closets are labeled "TWEEDLEDEE" and "TWEEDLEDUM."  Meant to be?

• Got to watch dailies of footage with “Big D.”  This movie is gonna be hilarious, so I’m gonna make you all see it.  However many of you there are.

Here’s hoping tomorrow will bring a better theme song.  Cheers!

I Wanna Be Dirty, Too...

     Okay.  It's official.  Tonight was the night of the Rocky Horror Glee Show.  Instead of my traditional lengthy post, I will sum up my feelings in just a few sentences.

     Since the start of this show I have felt a specific connection to the character of Emma Pillsbury.  She is the character with which I can relate the most.  And after her performance in tonight's episode, I only love her that much more.  See below:

EndlessYouTube - Glee - Toucha Toucha Toucha Touch Me [FULL SCENE HQ] 2x05
 (Sorry it's small.  If you click full screen it's a better visual.)

Other notable highlights to Gleek out about include (but are not limited to):

• Kurt playing Frankenfurter.  Period.
• Sam, Finn, and Mr. Schue displaying they're ab-tastic bodies.  Yum-my.
• John Stamos being hunky Dr. Carl rockin' out to Eddie's "Whatever Happened to Saturday Night."  I am just WAITING for the moment he decides to drop a "have mercy" in his dialogue... for the remaining Uncle Jesse Devotees bringing in extra ratings.
• Scenes from next week:  PUCK COMES BACK!!! YAY!

Until next time, friends...

The Most Unbelievably Ridiculous Day of My Life...

     ...that is of course second only to the day I met Lance Bass.  Hang on kids, you're in for a long one...

     Let me preface this by telling you that on Friday, while I was on my way off to San Diego for the weekend for my friend Brittany's birthday and a show, I was told about a potential job in LA.  I believe I have made it somewhat clear that LA is not where I want to be right now, but I made the phone call anyway.  I spent an absolutely FABULOUS weekend in San Diego (By the way, if you're reading this and you're in San Diego, there is a second performance next Monday.  You can find out more about it here.  Actually, check them out anyway, 'cause they're friends of mine and they're really awesome dudes.)  ANYWAY!  On the day I drove back home, I got a phone call from the guy about the LA job, and THAT is where this ridiculousness began.

     I was asked if I could meet with him for coffee at 8:30 this morning.  That's a little early for me.  Especially since I've been sleeping in everyday (among the very few perks of unemployment).  But, I got up, got ready, and after getting lost among the million locations, arrived at the designated Starbucks.  After a very comfortable, casual interview, he asked if I could start immediately, as a Post-Production Assistant on a movie (which has some of my favorite actors in it, by the way, but my lips are sealed as to who).  I drove over to the studio (and had a few issues at the security gate), made my way to their office, and filled out a stack of paperwork.  Then I found out that I get a BADGE (with my picture on it and everything!  I feel so official) with all kinds of access, AND my own parking spot.  Getting to the spot on foot, you should know, requires crossing a very steep hill horizontally.  It's more difficult than it may sound.  And probably amusing to watch a girl in heels attempt it.

     More cool stuff?  I have my own desk, and a key!  I am also, the only girl in a group of guys.  They asked if I had any problems with language, and since I have a mouth like a sailor and I speak fluent sarcasm, I explained that there would not be an issue.

     Among my duties is ordering and picking up lunch for everybody.  Here's where things get really crazy.  On my way to the little cafe, I was singing along to some of my favorite "Glee" tracks, because my I believe that my iPod houses a very insightful magic elf that chooses songs timed perfectly in accordance with the events of my life.  And when I walked into the cafe, who should be seated at a table by the door but MATTHEW FUCKING MORRISON!!!  Oh my god.  This experience far trumps any Gleekout I've ever had.  I was professional, and didn't approach him, but rather reveled in his presence and allowed him to enjoy his lunch, free of interruption.  Of the few words I heard him say, he sounded very polite.  Yay!

    After I returned, I had a small panic attack when I discovered that my fancy new badge had seemingly evaporated!  I managed to obtain a second badge (feeling like a full fledged idiot for having lost it on my first day) and kept close tabs on it for the remainder of the day.  It wasn't until much later that I found it face down, on the ground, next to my car, not very evaporated at all.

    I did do a lot of driving today, but some of that driving was in a GOLF CART, by myself.  I have never driven a golf cart before today, and with all the hills I had to drive on I seemed to be facing impending doom.  I was quite literally chanting to myself the alternating mantras "Please make it up the hill" and "I'm gonna die" going uphill and down hill, respectively.

    Among other cool things about the place I work are the movie posters decorating the hallways, and the sign on the mirror in the women's restroom that reads "YOU ARE NEITHER AS SHORT OR AS WIDE AS YOU APPEAR IN THIS EVIL MIRROR."

     So while I am excited about this super nifty opportunity (and the residual high from seeing Matthew Morrison in person, just a few feet from me) I am feeling a little bit like this kid, when it comes to my efforts to go back to San Diego:

     And last but not least -- if you've managed to stick it out this long -- I have provided a treat.  When searching Google images for the image you see above, typing in "kid on a leash" also resulted in this gem:

     ...and as ugly as that little guy is, it's hard not to find him irresistible.

GLEEK OUT!

     Okay, in case you haven't figured it out by now, I am a complete and total Gleek.  Never in my life have I watched a show that made me emote out loud the way Glee does.  And that includes Friends.  I was first introduced to the show last summer by my friend Rachel who showed me the pilot via Hulu.  She was shocked I hadn't seen it, and after she showed me that very first episode, I was hooked.  If you haven't joined the Glee bandwagon, I HIGHLY recommend giving the show a try.

     As season one rolled on, the more hooked I became.  I found (and continue to find) so many moments in the show, from song choices, to day dreams that hold significance in my own life.  This show makes me (forgive the cliché) laugh, cry, scream, jump around... it's pretty ridiculous.  Well, I suppose, I'm pretty ridiculous, but that's not really the point here.  The point is simply to explain to you, my deep, unabashed love for the show.

     That being said, season two has taken a while to warm up to the Glee I have come to love.  The first few episodes were alright, they had their moments.  Mostly, however, I've been disappointed.  And being disappointed in anything you love that much is a hard feeling to come to grips with.  Rachel's diva routine grew tiresome about as quickly as a fat man with a jump rope, and the Britney/Brittany episode was basically just a compilation of music videos without any real storyline.  And Glee is nothing without a storyline so full of heart that the viewer cannot help but relate.  And then, I saw last night's episode, and my faith was restored!

     Watching Kurt make eyes at newcomer, Sam, just about made my whole night.  The song selection was fantastic, the performances were spot-on, and yes, I had a complete and total "Gleek Out."  AND, as if the episode weren't good enough on its own, the previews for the upcoming Rocky Horror Glee Show sent me into a squealing fit so long, that my mother actually asked me to leave the room.  I would go so far as to call it a full on Glee-gasm.

     Why a Rocky Horror Glee-gasm?  I'll tell you!  They have already conquered songs from the musical "A Chorus Line," a show, and more importantly, soundtrack very near and dear to my heart since I was 12 years old and my class did a number in our annual Variety Show to "One," which if you don't know, is the finale of the show.  Now that they are attempting Rocky Horror, I am even more excited.  This is because, the year before my class did "One," a group of us did "Time Warp," and I even had my own tap solo, wearing a costume that made me look vaguely like a ladybug with an afro.  No, I don't have pictures, and even if I did, I wouldn't show you.  So there.

     So to make a long story short (too late!), here's to Glee, for a successful episode, and hopefully, many more to come!

The Benefits of a Head Cold

    Yeah, I know, hard to imagine that there are any benefits of (to quote Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada) feeling "like Death warmed up" besides maybe the ability to play hooky from work or school.  However, since I don't really have any obligations at the moment, I'm just stuck in a bed, trying to find ways to feel better.  So I've made a short list of the little comforts that make being sick easier.

• I never imagined I would say this, but at least I'm at my parents' house, where my mom is just about the best nurse around.  When I was little, she used to give me a bell so that if I needed anything, I wouldn't have to yell.  And, when she brings me food, she takes the time to make it pretty.  Like this:

• My cat seems to know when I'm unwell, because she has rarely left my side.  Granted, she knows she gets some love out of the deal, but she comes and sits next to me while I do mostly nothing.  It's a nice comfort.

•  I have plenty of time to catch up on the TV shows I've missed, and movies I wanted to see.  Thank goodness for DVR.
• I don't feel at all ashamed of enjoying Disney movies like The Princess and the Frog.  I had heard that it was a good movie, but I didn't realize just how much I would love it until I watched it last night.  Sorta brings back memories of the days I had the chicken pox and took oatmeal baths while the soundtrack of The Little Mermaid was playing.
• And, last but not least, more time to blog about absolutely nothing particularly important for the enjoyment of complete strangers!  Hooray!

What would YOU like for breakfast, Johnny?

MUFFINS!!!

     It's okay if you have no idea what I'm talking about.  I hope you do, but if you don't, here ya go.  Enjoy.

     So, the other day, I was feeling very "chef-y" and as luck would have it, we had a few bananas that were going bad on hand.  And one of the best things to do with bananas that are on their way past ripe is make banana muffins.  I cannot give you the recipe, because it was created by a very close, family friend.  I can however tell you that when made in mini muffin form (it makes enough to create your own mini muffin army) they are so delightfully pop-able, that it really is -- wait for it -- hard to stop.  Here are a couple of images of my banana mini muffin battalion:

     The nice thing about this particular recipe, is that it works well in most forms.  You could bake regular sized muffins, or a loaf, and the taste would be just as awesome.  There are nuts in the original recipe, but for the sake of  time and laziness, I left them out.  Also I'm not so much a fan of nuts in my baked goods.

     In other news, I forgot that babies are little germ farms, so as a result of my day of volunteering at Lisa's preschool, I have a little head cold.  Started in my throat, now it's in my sinuses, and I am struggling to understand how one person can create so much nasty crap.  I have already gone through one box of Kleenex, and I'm making a dent in a second one.  If only weight loss was as easy as blowing one's nose.  C'est la vie!

Everybody Should Run Away from Home Once in a While...

     When you live at home after living away, there is almost certainly going to be some drama that goes down.  This week happened to be a particularly difficult one, resulting in a phone call to my old roommate, Lisa, and asking if I could come crash with her for the weekend as a means of escape.  Plus, she has a new condo that I needed to see.

     I will preface the rest of this blog by telling you that our efforts at photographing ourselves during our adventures were pretty sad, so I'll just post this picture of us instead:

This was my last night in San Diego before I moved... we were dancing to Piano Man.

     Anyway, upon my arrival to San Diego, I was given a tour of her condo (which is huge, and beautiful, in case you were wondering) and then we prepped ourselves for Oktoberfest in La Mesa.  We even took the trolley, just so neither of us had to drive.  We went once before, a couple years ago, and sadly, it's not quite the celebration we were hoping for.  If I were to describe it in the most simple terms, I would say it is basically a street fair with beer and sausage.  We did pop into a beer garden and have a couple, and we did have a sausage because it was the most Oktoberfest-y thing we could do.

     After that, we trolley-ed back to go to my favorite local pub (which, as it happens, is where the picture above was taken) for some beer pong.  I should tell you, that we walked from the closest trolley stop, which was more of a walk than either of us expected.  I showed up looking like I just got out of the shower, and that is why we have no pictures from this particular event.  After that, we hung out at my friend's house and waited for a ride back to Lisa's place.

     The next day was fairly uneventful.  We went to a bar in Pacific Beach to get our favorite sandwiches, and spent a lot of time watching movies and TV Shows.  I spent the night, with every intention of leaving in the morning.  I figured I would go meet Lisa for lunch, deliver her keys and parking pass, have a conversation about life, and be on my way back home.  This is not what happened.  Well, the going home part didn't happen.

     After our life conversation while the babies were napping, Lisa asked me to stay with her for the rest of the day, so I spent the last half of Monday volunteering at the preschool she works at.  That sounds like I did a lot more work than I did.  Mostly, I just played with the babies.  Good times.

     Now, I have returned home, to my parents' house.  Still feeling like maybe I should have stayed one more day, but I ran out of money.  Oh well, I'll be back soon enough.