living vicariously

step awaaayyy from the champagne

Yesterday I had lunch by the ocean with my favorite friend. She's amazing. We went to the Ivy in Santa Monica, and then for a walk on the promenade. Was supposed to be a relaxing day, but by the end of it we were exhausted. She decided to stay for the evening. Had a beautiful dinner in Hollywood at Dolce. Very romantic. She didn't want to drink, but somehow champagne was involved in our table setting by the end of dinner... Have no idea how that happened... The place wasn't very crowded. The conversation, however, was extremely interesting. We covered everything from relationships to fun things to do in a tanning bed. You'd be amazed at what we could come up with....                              

After dinner we were supposed to hit some of the Emmy after parties, but ended up bored out of our minds. Drove to a couple places, but didn't see anything worth hanging around for.

Had to cancel my photo shoot today.. Had a few things going on that couldn't be rescheduled. Also had to go to the doctor with my friend. That's always fun. I don't mind needles, but I hate the smell of rubber gloves.

Have to go to my acting class tonight. Unless if you've ever been to this class,  you can't imagine the personality overload involved. When I leave after 5 hours of it I just want to sit alone in my car and be silent. I'm not repressed, or depressed, and I wouldn't call myself a "struggling actor"... Most of what I do on camera involves being a personality. And my personality is perky and fun. Not sad and angry. So sometimes I feel bad for being so content with my life, while others are trying so hard to figure it out. They come to class and get their emotions out, crying, screaming. That's tough for me. Not much anger inside...I just don't have time to be unhappy.

And is it too much to ask for the city to change a few rules for me?  Like the trash service... Maybe let em start a little later than 7am... I'm sure the workers would like to sleep in as much as I would. And I don't cause a mini earthquake outside of their home first thing in the morning. Really, I don't ask for much... Am considering running for mayor next  year sometime... 

McQueen for Mayor.

get your popcorn ready...

I just went grocery shopping in Beverly Hills. Standing outside of the store were the most adorable little boy scouts in their uniforms selling popcorn. As I walked by they attacked me. I think they must work on commission here. Back home they were supposed to be sweet, and charming, and ask if you would help em out a lil... Here they're crazy.

So, I ran into the store to escape, and yelled over my shoulder that on my way out I would stop by to donate. Or pay them not to hurt me.. So, keeping my promise, I stopped by the booth on the way to my car. They were all trying to pressure me into buying this enormous box of popcorn for about $100.  Ok, so, I like to donate just as much as the next girl, but what are the boy scouts doing here? Raising their prices? or could it be the sign on my back that says "I won't know the difference."

I picked the small box of popcorn, because I don't really like popcorn. I paid them $30. Could have walked back into the store and paid $4, but these boys were just so cute. And persistent. Then one offered to help me with my bags to my car. Then he wanted a hug. I have to draw the line somewhere... 

exciting friday night...

I spent most of the day yesterday with a girlfriend, doing girl stuff. By the time I got home last night I didn't feel like doing anything. Sure, if the right person was around I may have gone out.. But otherwise I'm content to stay home with a glass of wine. I played some poker online. Did very well. Lately I've been having great luck online. That's kinda what it takes, not as much skill involved online in my opinion. But it does sharpen my skills. Have been working on the mathematical part of my game instead of relying so much on the psychology side...

A friend of mine needed help with an essay for a class, so by the end of the evening I was working on that for her. Not that I mind.. It was a nice break from the poker table, and it gets my mind working a little.

Now I'm multitasking. Am cleaning my home, while playing poker, and working on my business. Figure I should get all of this finished today, cause tomorrow I don't plan on being inside at all... My girlfriend is coming to visit, and I'm sure we'll end up at the beach all day. And out all night... No more staying home alone for me...  

Disappearing act.

I finished a photo shoot with one of my favorite photographers. We're going to start working on a story together. Photos, not words. Photo journalistic style. Right now I think he's looking into some B&Bs up north as the location.

It's been kind of a slow week for me. The days go by so quickly even when I'm doing nothing. My days usually consist of a meeting or two.. But lately I've been stale. I'm hoping to book a shoot next week for a big magazine. I've got to talk to them Monday about the details... Am trying to balance the print work with the hosting work right now. Not sure which I prefer most...

I want to be able to have more entertaining stories to tell, but sometimes I have to hold out some of the specifics. Lately I've been thinking that some people are watching me too closely. Not exactly stalker style, but similar. Gives me an uneasy feeling.

So I've been surrounding myself with my friends and laying low for a while. I have about 5 projects I'm working on right now, so hopefully I'll have a bit of good news soon. Until then I'm incognito.

I've been playing a lot of poker online lately. Been doing really well. It keeps me entertained... I've not been playing much live action. I miss it. Went through almost two months of straight poker every day, and now it's been a few weeks since I've played live. May be heading to Vegas to play a little this month. Not that I couldn't find a good game here in LA, but I hate running into people. It's such a small community in a way. Everyone knows everyone... Possibly a charity tournament coming up, and maybe a home game or two... hopefully.

I'm headed to a small airport tomorrow to fly for a bit. I wanted to go on Tuesday, but I got distracted..  Am going to take most of the day and enjoy it. Not going anywhere in particular.. Just up.

puppies and planes

The past few days have just been crazy. Meetings here and there, running around town. I enjoy these times. I love having somewhere to be.

I'm working on closing a deal right now for a syndicated television show. Big network deal. It's kind of on my shoulders now. My manager put the deal right in front of me, so if I mess it up it's all my doing. I like it this way. I need to be responsible for the successes and losses. Contrary to popular belief, I don't get everything handed to me. Ok, maybe sometime. Good luck seems to follow me around like a puppy.

Speaking of puppy, I want one. I have a fit every time I see someone else with a dog. I'm completely jealous. Am considering moving to a building that will allow me to have a pet.

My personal life is going really great. I love having people around me who make me become a better person. I've always been good at surrounding myself with the best people. Being in LA sometimes makes that difficult. But I'm meeting people now who are really nice. I'm healthy and happy.

I have a photo shoot today. Nothing too huge, but it's work... The weather has been really great here lately, so I'm actually looking forward to it. My last shoot was in the evening, up in Malibu. A little bit chilly. I normally like to have at least 4 days notice before I shoot, but I just found out about this yesterday. No prep time, but I've been really good lately, diet & exercise, so I'm not too worried.

I've scheduled to renew my pilot license on Tuesday. Guess it's been a couple years now, and I have to keep it accurate. Am considering going out of LA for the day to fly around. The weather has been great, and I need the escape. There is something great about the freedom, the loud silence, and the rush I get from being up above the world. All alone. No phone. Nowhere to be. Just me.