My friend JG from college came into town on his way to San Diego...to go to Joshua Tree...
I know, a strange way to get there.
After the airport run, we headed to Alegria on Sunset. Although I am in love with the carnitas, I have this lingering addition to the enchiladas suiza. I think I just want a delivery system for that salsa they put on the enchiladas.
In the spirit of "Yes and..." I ordered the honeydew aqua fresca.
Hello heaven. It was so refreshing. So simple and delicious. I didn't care at all that I was getting a major case of brain freeze drinking it all down.
Even though it was school night, I forced myself to take JG to the Dresden. A fun local spot with cheesy / awesome live music.
Staking out some prime real estate at the bar, I saw this guy walk by who looked familiar.
OH MY GOD. It's Marshall from How I Met Your Mother and Freaks and Geeks!!!
JG - I have to go to my car to get my phone so I can call LZ. She loves him!
He was with some friends who looked like typical Los Feliz hipsters. I wasn't sure if they were wearing the hats for function (to stay warm) or to look "cool." I wish he didn't have his shirt open so much...his chest hair was popping out to say hello. I was a bit disappointed after seeing him b/c he seemed like he was more "cool" than "geeky."
And I love geeky. :)
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
What Not to Do
I hate late afternoon interviews. We are desperately trying to find someone to join the team as two other people turned down our offer. Gee...they must have better intel than I did before joining...
I'm gearing up for my own job search. I hate interviewing. That awkward process of selling yourself. Maybe if I tell myself I like it, I'll start to believe it. Anway, I figured interviewing people for my old job is a good way of getting ready to interview myself.
Although I freak out about getting questions I can't answer...I know that I am not as bad as the people I've seen. They've sucked for a variety of reasons. I think one of the worst things I've seen is the candidate who sucks the life out of you by just being in your presence.
You know those people who seem perfectly nice...but they just seem to have some endless air supply which allows them to continue chatting away without a break. It's like a bad game of double-dutch. I'm just inching forward and pulling back. When is it my turn?!
Then they don't seem to take the hint when you are moving them along...Are these people clueless? How are they in normal conversations?
"Well, it's getting late. I better get going."
"OH. You want to play one more round of Taboo? How about a game of crazy eights?"
The sad thing is that it's happened quite a bit...someone seems good on paper and then their personality just ruins things. My analogy for this is like when you open a box of chocolates. From the outside, you think the piece you pick up is going to be awesome. You take a bite and that nasty cherry liquor comes out. YUCK! I thought you had a caramel center!
Lesson learned...strive to be the caramel center!
I'm gearing up for my own job search. I hate interviewing. That awkward process of selling yourself. Maybe if I tell myself I like it, I'll start to believe it. Anway, I figured interviewing people for my old job is a good way of getting ready to interview myself.
Although I freak out about getting questions I can't answer...I know that I am not as bad as the people I've seen. They've sucked for a variety of reasons. I think one of the worst things I've seen is the candidate who sucks the life out of you by just being in your presence.
You know those people who seem perfectly nice...but they just seem to have some endless air supply which allows them to continue chatting away without a break. It's like a bad game of double-dutch. I'm just inching forward and pulling back. When is it my turn?!
Then they don't seem to take the hint when you are moving them along...Are these people clueless? How are they in normal conversations?
"Well, it's getting late. I better get going."
"OH. You want to play one more round of Taboo? How about a game of crazy eights?"
The sad thing is that it's happened quite a bit...someone seems good on paper and then their personality just ruins things. My analogy for this is like when you open a box of chocolates. From the outside, you think the piece you pick up is going to be awesome. You take a bite and that nasty cherry liquor comes out. YUCK! I thought you had a caramel center!
Lesson learned...strive to be the caramel center!
Martin Lawrence & Co
Not a likely bunch of celebs, but I managed to see a string of them on my way to Starbucks on the lot.
First, I saw a few actors coming out of a soundstage exit. Johnny Lee Miller in shorts (wasn't he cold?) and then Richard Schiff (Toby from The West Wing) popped out. They were heading to their trailers, but no one was chatting. Are they friends? Lunch buddies?
Then I was walking down the little avenue to Starbucks when I saw Martin Lawrence joking around with some folks. He wasn't bothered much by the crazy squirrels running around. He jumped into a black SUV. The car seemed a bit too big for someone who wasn't so big...
The last leg of my journey brought Tom Cavanaugh (sp?) from Ed. I don't know what he's working on these days, but he was chatting away on his cell phone looking a bit lost sitting by himself on the curb. I had seen him earlier in the morning wearing some hospital gown under his jacket. Now he was tall in real life!
Too bad I had to go back to work. :(
First, I saw a few actors coming out of a soundstage exit. Johnny Lee Miller in shorts (wasn't he cold?) and then Richard Schiff (Toby from The West Wing) popped out. They were heading to their trailers, but no one was chatting. Are they friends? Lunch buddies?
Then I was walking down the little avenue to Starbucks when I saw Martin Lawrence joking around with some folks. He wasn't bothered much by the crazy squirrels running around. He jumped into a black SUV. The car seemed a bit too big for someone who wasn't so big...
The last leg of my journey brought Tom Cavanaugh (sp?) from Ed. I don't know what he's working on these days, but he was chatting away on his cell phone looking a bit lost sitting by himself on the curb. I had seen him earlier in the morning wearing some hospital gown under his jacket. Now he was tall in real life!
Too bad I had to go back to work. :(
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Batteries
When I was at the video store today, I made a quick stop at the Ralphs next door.
Rent Waitress...but DO NOT rent The Nanny Diaries. Just trust me...especially on the latter.
While I was in the checkout line, my eye wandered around to the battery kiosk. OH MY GOD. I need AA batteries!
This may not seem like anything interesting, but I was standing there wondering why it took me 2 months to buy the batteries. Somehow it was ok for me to sit and rotate the dying batteries in my remote to get the VERY LAST bit of juice from them. I had to press buttons 4-5 times before anything would register. I would fast forward and then rewind then fast forward...it was kind of a nightmare watching tv with a remote without fresh batteries...yet I did it.
I came home and couldn't put down the remote. It was whole new world. Things happen when I push buttons! I get the channel I want. I can stop the dvr when I want!
It's weird how you can go through life and not make changes that would make things easier. I find that I'll just deal with the frustration b/c it's not a big enough deal to take action if it requires going out of your way. But then when you finally make the effort...it's like...why didn't I do this sooner? I wonder how many other things I'm doing that would fall into this category...
It doesn't take much to make me happy sometimes. :)
Rent Waitress...but DO NOT rent The Nanny Diaries. Just trust me...especially on the latter.
While I was in the checkout line, my eye wandered around to the battery kiosk. OH MY GOD. I need AA batteries!
This may not seem like anything interesting, but I was standing there wondering why it took me 2 months to buy the batteries. Somehow it was ok for me to sit and rotate the dying batteries in my remote to get the VERY LAST bit of juice from them. I had to press buttons 4-5 times before anything would register. I would fast forward and then rewind then fast forward...it was kind of a nightmare watching tv with a remote without fresh batteries...yet I did it.
I came home and couldn't put down the remote. It was whole new world. Things happen when I push buttons! I get the channel I want. I can stop the dvr when I want!
It's weird how you can go through life and not make changes that would make things easier. I find that I'll just deal with the frustration b/c it's not a big enough deal to take action if it requires going out of your way. But then when you finally make the effort...it's like...why didn't I do this sooner? I wonder how many other things I'm doing that would fall into this category...
It doesn't take much to make me happy sometimes. :)
Pomegranate and Dark Chocolate
In my quest to eat as much as possible before my midnight fast (doctor's orders for the annual checkup)...I discovered these new ice cream bars from Haagen Daazs. It's from there "reserve." Dunno what that means...is the flavor combo going to go back into a vault for 5 years? Is this Disney?
I'm not sure if it's a marketing push that's created this pomegranate phenom. I see that fruit everywhere. I don't mind it one bit since I love it. I can't get enough of those little fruit juice seeds. They have a little burst of flavor every time you crunch down on them. A little tart and a little sweet.
The bigger question is why I just filled out a Facebook profile. I probably have profiles on MySpace and other sites b/c some friend invited me to their network. But why do I sign up when I have no intention of ever really using it. Maybe I'm too old to take advantage of this whole new world on the web. I'm pretty much an email and yahoo maps girl. I can't keep track of all of my login IDs and PWs. Stop the madness!
I'm not sure if it's a marketing push that's created this pomegranate phenom. I see that fruit everywhere. I don't mind it one bit since I love it. I can't get enough of those little fruit juice seeds. They have a little burst of flavor every time you crunch down on them. A little tart and a little sweet.
The bigger question is why I just filled out a Facebook profile. I probably have profiles on MySpace and other sites b/c some friend invited me to their network. But why do I sign up when I have no intention of ever really using it. Maybe I'm too old to take advantage of this whole new world on the web. I'm pretty much an email and yahoo maps girl. I can't keep track of all of my login IDs and PWs. Stop the madness!
Bertolli Frozen Dinners
One of the challenges on Top Chef was to create something you could freeze and then cook later without the meal tasting icky. Cleverly sponsored by Bertolli and pimped out by Rocco DiSpirito (what ever happened to The Restaurant?). Some of the things the contestants created didn't look so good, but strangely enough the Bertolli creations seemed "delicious."
I always wondered what those chefs eat on a regular basis...a lot of the food they deem inedible are things I don't think would be too bad...I mean how could ill prepared brocollini be the worst dish prepared in 3 seasons? Would they throw me in jail for eating overcooked eggs? Whatever.
After throwing in 6 packs of the chicken "healthy" ramen noodles into my basket, I realized I was at Albertson's to pick up a Bertolli dinner. And yes, you can buy the "expensive" $0.59 healthy noodles vs. the 8/$1 unhealthy ones. But be aware they are all packaged in green plastic...so don't pick up the wrong variety by accident.
Why do I get so distracted by roaming the aisles? Focus.
Hello meatballs. Hello gnocchi.
These are fun for anyone who wants to feel as though they are cooking at home without actually cooking. You don't even have to add anything! Not even water. Throw it in a skillet pan and cover. It's so easy and you have the dishes and pans to clean after to make you feel as though you cooked. And no pressure to buy ingredients that you have to use before they go bad.
As if anyone who knows me would expect more? This is a step up from takeout though...
But I can make some mean baked goods. The best oatmeal raisin cookies around...
I always wondered what those chefs eat on a regular basis...a lot of the food they deem inedible are things I don't think would be too bad...I mean how could ill prepared brocollini be the worst dish prepared in 3 seasons? Would they throw me in jail for eating overcooked eggs? Whatever.
After throwing in 6 packs of the chicken "healthy" ramen noodles into my basket, I realized I was at Albertson's to pick up a Bertolli dinner. And yes, you can buy the "expensive" $0.59 healthy noodles vs. the 8/$1 unhealthy ones. But be aware they are all packaged in green plastic...so don't pick up the wrong variety by accident.
Why do I get so distracted by roaming the aisles? Focus.
Hello meatballs. Hello gnocchi.
These are fun for anyone who wants to feel as though they are cooking at home without actually cooking. You don't even have to add anything! Not even water. Throw it in a skillet pan and cover. It's so easy and you have the dishes and pans to clean after to make you feel as though you cooked. And no pressure to buy ingredients that you have to use before they go bad.
As if anyone who knows me would expect more? This is a step up from takeout though...
But I can make some mean baked goods. The best oatmeal raisin cookies around...
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Linked In
This has been tested...you can unlink crazy people who managed to get accepted into your network without them getting a notification. I accepted an invitation from someone who turned out to be a stalker. I'm not kidding. It felt like that movie single white female without me being white.
So I was afraid to de-link her. What if she gets a notice and starts her reign of terror again?! I linked in my friend MC and then took him out of my network. No notice to the person you are freezing out. :) You won't show up as a contact anymore, but they won't get an email alerting them to the fact.
Christmas means giving.
So I was afraid to de-link her. What if she gets a notice and starts her reign of terror again?! I linked in my friend MC and then took him out of my network. No notice to the person you are freezing out. :) You won't show up as a contact anymore, but they won't get an email alerting them to the fact.
Christmas means giving.
Ben Stiller
E&G were down visiting last weekend. On Sat, we managed to make it down to Disneyland. I always forget how fun it is during the holidays with everything decorated. Especially the NBX themed Haunted Mansion. I wish we had time for Small World, but I was excited to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride. It's a sad thing when an adult likes a ride b/c you get to shoot lasers at targets for points. I suppose there is a hidden competitive person inside of me...
When we were wandering around the big store in Downtown Disney, DG came over to tell me that he and E had spotted Ben Stiller in the shop. The scary thing is that I didn't hesitate to throw down the shirt I had in my hand to follow them.
He was standing around with some VIP host and his daughter. I don't know why I'm always shocked at how little these stars are. He was tiny. On a good day, he is a few inches taller than me. If I'm being nice, I can give him 5'8". And so little...why were his thighs smaller than mine?!
Of course I forgot about him 2 secs after I saw him b/c DG drew my attention to the softest Eeyore plush. Again, why am I hugging this stuffed animal out in public? So soft...
The trip was complete after I got my grubby little paws on the beignets at from the jazz kitchen restaurant. I love that they dump them in a bag with powered sugar that you can shake up. It's almost like making shake and bake pork chops. Yes...that used to be a signature dish of mine in high school.
When we were wandering around the big store in Downtown Disney, DG came over to tell me that he and E had spotted Ben Stiller in the shop. The scary thing is that I didn't hesitate to throw down the shirt I had in my hand to follow them.
He was standing around with some VIP host and his daughter. I don't know why I'm always shocked at how little these stars are. He was tiny. On a good day, he is a few inches taller than me. If I'm being nice, I can give him 5'8". And so little...why were his thighs smaller than mine?!
Of course I forgot about him 2 secs after I saw him b/c DG drew my attention to the softest Eeyore plush. Again, why am I hugging this stuffed animal out in public? So soft...
The trip was complete after I got my grubby little paws on the beignets at from the jazz kitchen restaurant. I love that they dump them in a bag with powered sugar that you can shake up. It's almost like making shake and bake pork chops. Yes...that used to be a signature dish of mine in high school.
Why Am I Crying?
Granted it wasn't a long sobbing cry. A few tears hanging on to my eyelids for dear life...Don't roll down my cheeks!
I was sitting in my office talking to one of the few genuine people in my team. Just feeling a bit out of control. Sometimes it's tough to roll with the punches when you feel like everyone has a fast pass to the front of the line to make your life sucky.
What BH reminded me of at the time was that I am in control. He was right. In an instant, I felt better.
I have to keep my eyes on the prize (new job) and not get sucked into the drama where I work. It's funny that the new assistant who left a hair salon to work in a more professional corporate environment told me that she too feels like she's in high school. All I can say is that I'll graduate and the rest of them can stay in summer school all they want.
I was sitting in my office talking to one of the few genuine people in my team. Just feeling a bit out of control. Sometimes it's tough to roll with the punches when you feel like everyone has a fast pass to the front of the line to make your life sucky.
What BH reminded me of at the time was that I am in control. He was right. In an instant, I felt better.
I have to keep my eyes on the prize (new job) and not get sucked into the drama where I work. It's funny that the new assistant who left a hair salon to work in a more professional corporate environment told me that she too feels like she's in high school. All I can say is that I'll graduate and the rest of them can stay in summer school all they want.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Danny Glover
TW and I were walking back from Starbucks today. Another escape trip from work. When we passed by the "Lost" building, we saw the advisor-campaign guy on Rob Lowe's team on Brothers & Sisters. I knew that Rob Lowe must have been nearby...but TW wouldn't wait with me!!!
As we were walking back to the bridge, I noticed this tall man in a dark suit.
DANNY!!!
No, I didn't scream. But I was excited on the inside. He was in Lethal Weapon!!!
I'm still wondering what his deal is. Have you heard him on the show? Why is he speaking so slowly? It's really distracting...it's like watching someone sing off tempo.
Oh well. Maybe a brat pack sighting next time.
And by the way, I was talking to a guy at work about movie prices...those brat pack movies were $4.50 back in my day! The same time period when I paid 35 cents for the T in Boston.
As we were walking back to the bridge, I noticed this tall man in a dark suit.
DANNY!!!
No, I didn't scream. But I was excited on the inside. He was in Lethal Weapon!!!
I'm still wondering what his deal is. Have you heard him on the show? Why is he speaking so slowly? It's really distracting...it's like watching someone sing off tempo.
Oh well. Maybe a brat pack sighting next time.
And by the way, I was talking to a guy at work about movie prices...those brat pack movies were $4.50 back in my day! The same time period when I paid 35 cents for the T in Boston.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Walk Hard
I didn't think this was going to be funny. I never turn down free movies...so I went on Friday night. LR invited me to be her plus one at the press screening. And when I hear press screening...I know there will be free candy!!! How did I forget how good gummy bears are?
I was pleasantly surprised. I saw the preview and thought the movie was going to a combination of funny bits and some stretches of blah. I found myself laughing through most of the movie. Lots of the dialogue was so ridiculous in a very clever way. I even laughed at the end of the credits when they had a little surprise.
It was really cool seeing all those improv people pop up in the film too. It was fun trying to spot the other random famous folks through the film. Why is Eddie Vedder so cool and handsome? Try and spot Jack White...And I even liked the music! I found myself tapping my foot along while chomping on my gummy bears.
Fun for the holidays...go check it out!
I was pleasantly surprised. I saw the preview and thought the movie was going to a combination of funny bits and some stretches of blah. I found myself laughing through most of the movie. Lots of the dialogue was so ridiculous in a very clever way. I even laughed at the end of the credits when they had a little surprise.
It was really cool seeing all those improv people pop up in the film too. It was fun trying to spot the other random famous folks through the film. Why is Eddie Vedder so cool and handsome? Try and spot Jack White...And I even liked the music! I found myself tapping my foot along while chomping on my gummy bears.
Fun for the holidays...go check it out!
Ramen is Back
Well, it's back in my diet. I was roaming the supermarket aisles last week, and I discovered "healthier" ramen noodles. Apparently these have 80% less fat than the delicious but toxic variety we all cooked in college in those tiny hot pots. (Why does our tea taste like beef top ramen?)
YEAH!!!
Now I can make my little snack of cut up ham and my noodles. Why does this make me so happy?
And why can't I eat just one pack? I think I've gotten over eating two packs of noodles...for now. It's mind over msg, right? Still, I don't see how half a pack is the official serving size. For a little person?
YEAH!!!
Now I can make my little snack of cut up ham and my noodles. Why does this make me so happy?
And why can't I eat just one pack? I think I've gotten over eating two packs of noodles...for now. It's mind over msg, right? Still, I don't see how half a pack is the official serving size. For a little person?
Bermuda Triangle
How did I spend $150 the other day at the Verizon store when I didn't think I'd have to spend anything? This always happens. It's like the eye doctor visits...don't I have insurance? How did I just spent hundreds of dollars on things I thought were covered? Oh - I have to pay extra if I don't want to wear coke bottle glasses or have anything made past the 1970s style-wise.
LZ stopped by to pull me from the velcro-like couch (you know, once you sit, you can't tear yourself away or is that just my lazy butt?). She mentioned having to figure out her calling plan / new phone, so I said we could go together so we could have moral support. :) This was after we sat around trying to figure out what to do so we wouldn't be lazy bums all day.
Before we left my place, I called to take advantage of some deal I received - sign up for 1 year and get 1000 minutes. Ok. Sounds good. No need for a 2 year deal! Not sure why committing to 2 years is such a big deal when I let 8 months go by without any decisions...
I got to the store before LZ. No one aside from the store people were milling about. The lady at the door made me sign in on the computer. WHAT?! No one else is here! Of course after I punch in my information, she tells me that I'll be next. Uh, ok. Does she not realize no one else is in the store?
"Leslie...Leslie you are next."
Why was the guy looking around the store for me? He saw me come in and no one else was in the store! So random. I won't be too mean as he was pretty nice while he suckered me out of my money and got me to sign up for 2 more years.
Apparently the 1 year deal I called about didn't have anything to do with getting credit for a new phone. I had to sign up for another 2 year contract. And I have no idea what kind of phone I just bought. When someone starts talking about options and downloading stuff, memory cards...zzzzzzzzzzzz.
I got a basic phone and somehow paid another $70 for bluetooth...which I have no idea how to connect. ARGH! I figure I'm getting weird charges to my brain since I never use my earpiece, so using the bluetooth thing when I figure it out can't be worse. Help?? Anyone?? Those directions are written in the same english as parking street signs...
Oh - and I just looked in the bag...I have some weird cell phone "leather" carrying case. Why did I pay for this? I know I don't want it. Was that package deal really worth it?
My friend GB called to invite me to hang out with him and DG tonight. I missed the call because I couldn't understand why I was hearing a doorbell ring. Is that from the tv show? I don't think my doorbell sounds like that. And it's louder. Well, my phone ring is a doorbell sound...clearly it's going to take me some time to figure out how to use this one too.
My new goal is to master call waiting. Why do I always hang up on the first person?!
LZ stopped by to pull me from the velcro-like couch (you know, once you sit, you can't tear yourself away or is that just my lazy butt?). She mentioned having to figure out her calling plan / new phone, so I said we could go together so we could have moral support. :) This was after we sat around trying to figure out what to do so we wouldn't be lazy bums all day.
Before we left my place, I called to take advantage of some deal I received - sign up for 1 year and get 1000 minutes. Ok. Sounds good. No need for a 2 year deal! Not sure why committing to 2 years is such a big deal when I let 8 months go by without any decisions...
I got to the store before LZ. No one aside from the store people were milling about. The lady at the door made me sign in on the computer. WHAT?! No one else is here! Of course after I punch in my information, she tells me that I'll be next. Uh, ok. Does she not realize no one else is in the store?
"Leslie...Leslie you are next."
Why was the guy looking around the store for me? He saw me come in and no one else was in the store! So random. I won't be too mean as he was pretty nice while he suckered me out of my money and got me to sign up for 2 more years.
Apparently the 1 year deal I called about didn't have anything to do with getting credit for a new phone. I had to sign up for another 2 year contract. And I have no idea what kind of phone I just bought. When someone starts talking about options and downloading stuff, memory cards...zzzzzzzzzzzz.
I got a basic phone and somehow paid another $70 for bluetooth...which I have no idea how to connect. ARGH! I figure I'm getting weird charges to my brain since I never use my earpiece, so using the bluetooth thing when I figure it out can't be worse. Help?? Anyone?? Those directions are written in the same english as parking street signs...
Oh - and I just looked in the bag...I have some weird cell phone "leather" carrying case. Why did I pay for this? I know I don't want it. Was that package deal really worth it?
My friend GB called to invite me to hang out with him and DG tonight. I missed the call because I couldn't understand why I was hearing a doorbell ring. Is that from the tv show? I don't think my doorbell sounds like that. And it's louder. Well, my phone ring is a doorbell sound...clearly it's going to take me some time to figure out how to use this one too.
My new goal is to master call waiting. Why do I always hang up on the first person?!
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