The subway is great, but the Tube has cushioned seats

This is my building
Well, so far, my ingression into the "other coast big-city life" has shown me that an office in NYC looks very similar to an office in LA, I don't own enough pairs of boots(Converse just don't work in the rain), and although a NY accent is charming on my dad, it's fairly annoying on nasaly, obnoxious women that are talking much too loudly on the subway.

I haven't updated the blog in awhile, because I haven't done much other than work, or go to work-related events(they usually seem to involve karaoke) and be sick. It's finally starting to feel like the workload is slowing down alittle though...or at least falling into a more regular pace, and my throat no longer hurts. I've also been able to go out into the field a couple of times, which is way more fun than sitting in the office all day long. One day I showed up to work, and me, Michelene(my boss, and Dorothy(a PA) all wore purple. We thought it warranted a picture.
I also haven't updated because I borrowed a camera from Kristen, but couldn't get the pictures off of it, until today, when after closer inspection of the camera bag, I found the USB memory card reader that had been in the front pocket all along. Sometimes my observational skills amaze me.

Anyway, I finally moved into my new apartment. So far, it's pretty nice, but I do miss the privacy of having a house. I'm not fond of smelling my neighbors incense when I open the coat closet(hopefully it won't seep into the coats), and the clicking up the woman's heels upstairs can be slightly annoying, but I guess that's the way apartment life goes.I will take more pictures once everything is set up, but here are some from my first night there, as well as some outdoor shots of the building. The interiors are of the living room and kitchen. My room is very similar to the living room, except slightly smaller. (I'm writing this blog from work, where the Mac I'm using doesn't have Photoshop...so the pics are straight from the camera to you).




Last weekend it rained, or at least drizzled for the entire weekend. However, on Sunday, it cleared up alittle, and I remembered that this event called Art Under the Bridge was happening in Dumbo, which is the area of Brooklyn where the Brooklyn Bridge Park is. Basically, Dumbo is full of art galleries...so during the weekend they all had open-houses, and there were lots of exhibits, sculptures, etc... around the neighborhood. I met up with Kristen, and then Whitney, and walked around. It was really cool, and I wish it hadn't been raining, and I'd gone sooner. I tried to take some pictures of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, but it was hard to keep the camera still enough(where was that mini-tripod from Mom when I needed it.) I did however, get a pretty cool picture of me, one of the sculptures, and some random photographers.
Also, there is an exhibit called The New York City Waterfalls. (http://www.nycwaterfalls.org) I'd seen it from the Manhattan side, and it was really cool. At night, it looks like waterfalls pouring out from thin air. One of the
waterfalls is at positioned right by the Brooklyn bridge on the Brooklyn side. I tried to take a picture of it...once again a tripod would have been handy, but it's still kind of a neat picture.

Also, I forgot that Kristen sent me some pics from my day of wakeboarding on the Hudson River with her, her boyfriend Jose and their friend Don(who owned the boat). It was really fun, and I managed to remember how to wakeboard! I was told that normally wakeboarding on the river is hard, because it's usually pretty choppy since there is a current....but is was smooth as glass that day. I wish I could go more often. I attempted to jump a few wakes, and was going to try again, but we got pulled over by the lake police for riding on the bow(we didn't know!). Luckily they just gave us a warning, but it kind of ended the day on the lake...but not before Rosie O'Donnell(who has a house near Don) sped by in her boat. Here are a couple of pictures that Kristen took...I wouldn't normally post a picture of me in a bathing suit on a public forum, but I think it's a funny picture, and I look happy:)

My 2nd week in NYC started off pretty good. On Saturday, I moved in with Kristen. She's got a cute little studio in East Harlem. It's been good. She's been a great host, and so far sleeping on the couch 2 feet away from her bed has been fine.

On Sunday we, along with 2 of Kristen's friends, went to Fire Island. It's an island that runs along the southern coast of Long Island. No cars are allowed, so the only way to reach it is by ferry. So, we got up early Sunday morning, took the a 2 hr. train ride to Bay Shore in Long Island, then caught a 30 minute ferry to the beach. The part we went to was called Ocean Beach. When you first arrive, you walk off the ferry to this cute little village, and racks and racks of locked-up wagons. Apparently everyone on the island has a wagon, and uses it to transport everything and anything.

One of the girls with us asked some "locals" where the beach was. They gave us directions, and said "There will be a beach to your left, and another to your right. The one on the right will have a lot more people, because it's the drinking beach." We, of course, chose that one...even though i was fairly nervous about drinking on beach, after reading the signs saying NO EATING, NO DRINKING, NO GLASS - $500 fine. However, everyone around us seemed to think it was fine...so I gave into peer pressure. And, no ticket.

We layed out, went swimming and laughed at all the buff Long Island meatheads with funny accents. I think I saw a jellyfish. After the beach, we headed back into the village for dinner. We randomly picked a restaurant, and ended up having the lobster special, as well as Rocketfuel, the official Fire Island drink (a pina colada with a shot of amaretto poured over it.) Of course the one girl who had a hamburger, and wasn't wearing a lobster bib, was the one person who kept getting hit with flying lobster bits and juice.

After dinner, we got got back on the ferry to head back to the train, just as the sun started to set. I tried to take a picture, but some woman stepped into my frame, just as I snapped the shot. It was a fun day, although I think we'll have to find a closer beach....5 hours traveling was pretty rough.

First Day of Work

I made the commute to work today, and was only 5 minutes late. Unfortunately, I'd been planning a coffee and a bagel on the way, and because I was late, I didn't want to stop. It wouldn't have been a big deal, because I could have just run back out to one of the little carts after 30 minutes or so...but at about 10:30am, it started POURING rain. I swear I think there was a lightning bolt right outside our window. So...no coffee for me. And, I was starving by the time lunch rolled around. So...tomorrow, I'm leaving 10 minutes earlier.

I had a decent weekend. I went out with Kristen to a dinner party at one of her friend's house on Friday. Drank Brooklyn lager, and talked to a lot of people from Oklahoma. Then on Saturday, I went to a METS game. A friend of mine from LA is in NYC working on Top Chef, and had the day off, so some local PAs he's befriended invited him to the game, and he invited me. It was fun, and kind of historic since they are tearing down Shea Stadium this year to build a bigger one. I didn't actually watch much of the game...but I did see a Marlins fan get thrown out for getting alittle out-of-control(as security came to take him away, everyone in the stands around us pointed at him and chanted "asshole"). After the game, we went to a Putt-Putt place right by the stadium where they had cheaper beer, and played a game of golf. I totally kicked ass.

Overall, nothing too exciting, but a good way to kick-off my stay.

Little Old New York

Welp...a new adventure(hopefully!) has started. I'm starting my 6-month stay(give or take a few weeks) in NYC!! Writing it down, it's really dawned on me how long that is.

The flight from LA was long, but good. I flew Virgin America, so I had my own personal TV. You have to pay for movies, but TV is free...so I watched some music videos, 3 episodes of Top Chef(randomly, I saw Whitney's name in the credits. she's the girl I'm staying with right now), an episode of Ghost Hunters, and finally finished up with America's Best Dance Crew. I also caved in and bought some food...but it was pretty good and probably worth it.

As we were flying into NYC, there were thunderstorms in the distance. The lightning was crazy. I really wanted to take a picture of it...but the fasten seatbelt sign was on and my camera was in the overhead compartment.

The cab ride was easy. $40 and some change, although after tipping it was $50. The cabbie was nice though, and stopped the meter a little early because we got stuck behind an ambulance that was parked in the middle of the street. We had to back up down the street and go around the block.

Tomorrow, I'm getting up early and taking the train into the city with Whitney. Then, I guess I'll go buy a map, and a metro card, and wander around until it's time for me to meet up with Michalene(my new boss). Tomorrow night I'm supposed to meet up with Kristen and go to a dinner party...so that should be fun.

I'm excited, but nervous too. And...feeling alittle homesick for Silverlake, and my house...although Whitney's apartment is in a basement, and has linoleum floors, so I feel kind of at home. But, I'm sure as soon as it's daylight, I'm not tired from traveling all day, and I start doing stuff...everything will be fun and exciting.

I'm going to bed now. More soon!

Does this mean I'm a grown up?

Yesterday I signed up for health insurance. I decided if I'm going to be riding my bike more, and possibly learning to surf, I should get it.

Maybe soon I'll get it for free, but for now, Goodbye $118/month.

Earth Day

Last night was another benefit for Mike. It was a good turnout, and I think everyone had a good time. The best part was that Maggie won a helmet in the raffle, and since I've decided to try and ride my bike to work, it came in very handy. Although it was a scary ride(there's no bike lane on Sunset in Hollywood), I am proud of myself for getting up this morning and doing it. On my elevator ride to my office, a man asked me if I rode my bike to work today since it was Earth Day...I didn't even know it was Earth Day, but once I found out, I felt even cooler for riding.

A funny side note about the party last night. Maggie and I went separately to the party because she had to work late. We both went home and changed after work. I chose a shirt belonging to her, and she chose one that belongs to me. When she eventually made it to the party, this is what we saw.Also, I finally hooked up the scanner to my computer, and scanned in the pics from Chippendales when we went to Vegas...woohoo. Look at those muscles!

2008, 4 months in...

Apparently, nothing has happened this year worthy of being written about. Or maybe, it's more that Maggie is back, and we do the same things, I don't feel quite the need to update, because often, I am just repeating what she said. But....I like having a blog, so I thought I'd give a quick rundown of what I've done so far this year, and maybe try to update more often.

January
Maggie came back to LA with me and the first couple of weeks of the new year were spent finishing up Celebrity Fit Club.

At the CFC6 wrap party. Brian(prop master), Whitney(a producer of some sort), Mani(dealt with cast), Tad(my favorite PA)
On Jan. 18, my very last day in the office, while I'm trying to wrap up all of the loose ends, I get a call from Maggie. I can tell from the way she said my name that something was wrong. My first thought was "Oh crap, she's wrecked my car!" It turned out that my roommate Mike was hit by a car while riding his bike, and was in the hospital with a head injury. The rest of January was pretty much spent driving back and forth between Cedars Sinai, hanging out in the waiting room of the ICU, and sending out texts letting people know the progress and setbacks of Mike.

February
On Feb. 5, a couple of cool things happened. First, Maggie and I decided since we'd been spending so much time at the hospital, and my roommate had a few blood transfusions, we might as well do something nice and give blood. I hadn't given blood since college, so I was a little nervous. The nurse was awesome though, and didn't even leave a bruise...plus I got a sweet pink bandage.

That night we went to dinner with some friends for our birthday.We ate at The Red Lion which is a German restaurant/bar. It was fun. Lots of friends, good food, good beer(although not too much since we'd given blood), and Jim made us each a cake. Also, Mike got transferred out of ICU which put everyone in a good mood. After dinner, a few of us went across the street to Cha Cha Lounge...which is my favorite bar. When I walked up to show my ID...the door-guy just said "Hi" and waved me in. Yes!! Finally, after going to a bar for almost a year, I was a local. It totally made my night.

The rest of February was spent going to the hospital, going to art shows (one of my favorite things to do in LA...free and usually with free wine), and generally just hanging out. Finally on February 18, I started a new job....working as a Production Coordinator on a new show for CBS. I was pretty excited for the show, as it involved travel. I would be going to 4 different cities, and be away from LA for 8 weeks.

March
On March 5, I flew to Portland with my co-workers to begin setting up our production offices and prepare to start shooting. It turned out to be pretty straight forward, so by Friday, when we found that the crew and producers wouldn't be coming on Saturday as originally planned, we had the weekend to hang out. It was a lot of fun. I have quite a few friends in Portland and got to see some of them, and Myung drove down from Seattle and stayed the night, as well. We went out to some bars, wandered around Portland, and ate a lot! We also went to this really cool place called Kennedy School, which is an old school turned into restaurants, bars, a movie theater and hotel. It was cool enough that I went twice.Unfortunately, on Monday, we got word that the show had been pushed(put on hold) and we would be headed back to LA...where we would basically be laid-off for 2 weeks. I was pretty disappointed. Not only would I have to give up my sweet room at The Doubletree, but I was just getting into the groove of being on the road. The good thing was that now, I could go to SXSW.

So....Tuesday, I flew back to LA. Unpacked, repacked, got up super early on Wednesday to go to the office to turn in my Petty Cash, and then made it to the airport for a 11:45am flight to Austin. SXSW was crazy. It was the first year in awhile we were there not as a band. I was worried that it wouldn't be as fun, but we had a great time. We saw some bands, went to a lot of parties, drank a ton, ate at Chuy's, and walked all over Austin. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see most of my friends that actually live there. Guess I'll just have to take a trip back. The only bad part about the week was finding out that my show had been canceled, and i was unemployed!

April
So, that brings me to April. We had a 70's themed party last weekend. Great costumes, and even better food. I made a Crown Roast of Frankfurters and Maggie made a Watergate Salad. It was also a key party. As far as I know, the drawing of keys only went as far as taking a picture with the owner of the key...but who knows!

On Sunday, Maggie and I participated in a 24 mile bike ride benefiting Mike. It was really fun. Definitely one of the coosest things I've done this year. So many awesome people, many who don't even know Mike, came out. First we rode, then there was a raffle to raise money. I won a skateboard autographed by the guy who did all the Dogtown graphics back in the day.

On Monday, we drove to Vegas. Our friend Whitney is there working, and she invited us to stay in her room at the Palms. We had a good time...did some gambling, got in free to the clubs at The Palms, watched TV, etc... The best was going to see Chippendales. Whitney is a producer, so we got to say we were on a "scout". We got full VIP treatment. Free drinks, cutting the line to take pictures, and after the show all the boys came up and introduced themselves. SO FUN! I didn't win big at the penny slots, but I restrained myself and only spent what I brought. We also made ourselves hang at the pool, even though it was cold and windy!
the perks of being a producer...free cupcakes
Vegas skyline from a rooftop club

On the drive back to LA yesterday, we heard on the radio that part of the highway right outside of LA was closed, so we decided to waste some time in the desert, rather than sit on the highway. So, we stopped at Calico Ghost Town. It was pretty creepy. No one was there to take money, and we couldn't figure out what was going on. The creepiest part was a cave we found. We were too chicken to go in though....after about 10 ft., it turned a corner and we couldn't see anything. Then on our drive back to the highway, we saw a sign for The Whispering Winds Pet and Human Cemetary. We decided to check it out....it was very weird.