It's a Wrap!!

I and I slaughtered LA!!! Our itinerary was jamm-packed and damned if we didn't do almost all of it - and me with a puss-filled eye (Yes, by Sunday my cold had mutated into my eye with an infection - that or I caught some bacteria amongst all the humanity shopping at the Alley - more on that later)...still recovering from the cold but boy was Saturday night worth the Sunday hang-over.

I arrived in LA with a bang-literally! We got rear-ended on the highway on the way back to my friends place - small tap, all things considered but I was not thrilled as I was squished into the back seat - HELLO! and welcome to LA. The Standard Hotel in Hollywood, after some introductory champagne to calm the gitters (this was to become a theme) and a quick change was our one-stop for Friday night at midnight...shared their world-famous burger and a bottle of Veuve - way cheaper in LA and boy do American's do a stiff pour - as we would find out the next night. The waiter was super-cute and super vacant just as I imagined LA would be ;-)

Saturday morning started with my stocking up on my Victoria Secret lipglosses and a stroll around the Grove Mall with a Starbucks...gotta say disappointed in Anthropologie - the only other store there I wanted to check out -- guess it's been copied and done to death. Back to home base and I arrived --- out for the Oscar red carpet walk-about...many pictures were taken...and I spotted Lainey and the CTV crew on a break!!! My friends said we had to say hi - Hello, it being my idea to stalk her at the Roosevelt Hotel (we left our cards and a copy of our itinerary with all my notes on the outfits I planned to wear) where she and the rest of the crew were staying -and all of a sudden I get all nervous - like what a silly idea actually saying hello and thank you for saving me from hours of drudgery and toil with my daily gossip fix pick-me-up...WTF??? Me, nervous?? But I decided - we did have to say hello and we doubled back for some pics, intros to the crew and Tanya Kim...and a bit of gossip - of course I did most of the talking...as only she can, managing to get in that she just flew in from set on Friday - killing it! and Lainey promised to give us a call after she was wrapped.

Fully satisfied I had accomplished my only stalking goal -- (see my last post, below) we wandered over to Rodeo Drive and marvelled at all the money and cheese on display - Gucci, Prada, and Coach to name a few stores we visited and drooled over. I was confused as to why a potato-sack-like dress one could get at Old Navy was over $1900.00 - I explained "It's Prada" with the appropriate disdain one has for the fashion-ignorant suffusing my tone. Our friend was running low on blood-sugar even after our A-list lattes from Urth Cafe...good thing we had a 5pm reso at the Peninsula Hotel for high tea. Not that we saw any stars...although I kept insisting that some loser with bad hair and his collar up was Patrick Dempsey. I am sure he wished he was due to the amount of times he passed back and forth between the bathrooms and the bar. Gotta say pretty sweet deal for the high tea experience - $24 gets you all the finger sandwiches and pastries you would ever want along with fantastically aromatic tea (see pic above) I got the Russian Caravan although the majority of our party opted for the Belvedere house blend.

Off for a rest and shower and pre-drinks before deciding to forego the reso at Chateau Marmont for the reso at Koi, seeing as In Style Magazine said it was the place to go pre-Oscar-Saturday...and I had some random vip-list after party lined up that I thought was at the Marmont but ended up being the Monte Martre (heehee)....Boy was Koi the right decision as there is nothing like by-passing a huge and envious line-up and sidling your way past the huge and menacing bouncer at the door to make your way into gastronomic heaven!!! There is something to be said for making reservations a month in advance.

-more post-LA tomorrow.

LA Itinerary:

Highlights will include: Burgers at the Standard on the Strip upon arrival; High-tea at the Peninsula Hotel; praying on the red carpet the day before and stalking Lainey at the Roosevelt Hotel across the street to see if we can get our photos onto her site; Chateau Marmont on the Saturday and invited to a birthday party; cruising Rodeo, the Grove, Santa Monica and Gallery Row; a hop to the Getty for my art fix and lunch at their resto and of course lunch at the Ivy - which will be a ghost town on the Monday when we plan to go as all the A-listers will have an Oscar hangover so chances are we will be the only A-list ladies there! ;-)

The moment we've all been waiting for...the Oscar goes to....and the actual Oscars pausing only during commercials for discussion of dresses and bad speeches...and stalking the Vanity Fair party apres.

Generally being fabulous and feisty!!! 29.5 hours to go!!!!

resto review

In case anyone is actually following my sometimes topical, sometimes stream of consciousness banter...I thought I would follow-up on a few promises:

First - a review of Crave Restaurant - Well we were there on Valentines night, and while the teeny tiny bar was packed on arrival, it was by no means couple-full - more groups like us.

(I was there first, after 20 minutes of trying to find parking - fyi - east side of Main Street there is under construction so no parking there...although my friends seem to have found parking very near no problem) I engaged in chit-chat with a lady who was taking herself out for a VD drink...and we were seated 20 minutes or so after our scheduled time - no problem as by that time the bar had cleared and we were content to catch up with our own chit-chat.

Shared appetizers of nachos and a tempura tuna roll - if I could have all my sushi deep-fried from now on - please and thank-you. The nachos were good, but not mouth-wateringly great. Then, still not content to limit myself to one entree - I shared the buttermilk chicken cobb salad and the ribs and fries with the birthday girl. Gotta say -both were great - especially the meat portions - and because I am definitely a 'salty' over 'sweet' anyday kind of girl - these were particularly satisfying. This was all accompanied by 2 bottles of Dragonfly? Dragonbull??? a very reasonably priced Australian Zin - which I will definitley look out for on our liquor store shelves in the future. Great pairing with our entree choices - full-bodied but not overwhelming...very heavy yet silky on the tongue with absolutely no aftertaste!

And the fact that I mention our waitress at the end is due to the fact that she was everything a waitress should be - attentive without being obtrusive; knowledgeable without being know-it-all and efficient without being crass - no one likes their plate cleared before they're done;-)

This was finished by some cupcakes we smuggled in - a Beaver Birthday tradition...and we waved goodbye with a rousing chorus of thank you's to the chef, Wayne Martin. Ushered out into the cold rainy night - full and sated - Happy Valentines Day indeed.

the 3-month or year cycle

I used to think my life ran in 3 year cycles of renewal - i.e. every 3 years new and marvelous things would happen to me - in my career mostly. IN '96 I got my first professional theatre gig...By 1999, I had booked several film gigs including a recurring role on a series...which was promptly cancelled after NBC f^$cked up their airing schedule putting the World Series between episodes 2 and 3, killing the chances of anyone remembering to actually watch the show even if they liked it. The writing was pretty good, and I am not just saying that - better than a lot of schlock on TV right now...but I do have fond memories of the current husband on Gilmore Girls tucking me into bed. I digress...

SOoooo, this only lasted 2 cycles, because in 2002 nothing extraordinary happened - I had moved to Toronto in 2001 hoping to continue my successful climb, but it got stunted instead as I exchanged my fabulous one-bedroom in Van and pretty secure day job for a walk-up with 2 roomates and a serving job....and the occastional gig at Second City did not seem to compensate.

Accordingly, this theory fell by the wayside, when I went back to school in 2003 and finally changed careers in 2004. (Those of you in the know, are aware that I am slowly but surely trying to work my way back into the "BIZ" with an audition here or there...as you can never kill the beast)

BUT, as I reflect on it now - one can say that 2005 saw me back on the cycle- as I got my first and pretty spot-on industry-wise job in my new industry (that of managing culture and heritage) and moved back to Vancouver. At first, the first 5 months especially, I thought this perhaps a very bad move - missing the hustle and bustle and friends of back east, but in hindsight I believe the move back has allowed me to grow and reevaluate life goals in ways that being busy keeping the wolves at the door would not.

I had that kind of weekend - reflective, reevaluative, renewing...so I signed up for eharmony - yes I am paying the psychological internet gurus to help me find a mate...I have paid more for worse things - they are hanging in the back of my closet, unworn.

This came about by accident really. Not having any plans on a Saturday night, seeing an advertisement on the side of a vehicle while shopping for groceries lead me to the website - knowing 2 other sane individuals who had tried it with moderate to very good success...so why not? 2 hours, 200 questions and my friend on the phone to help me fill out the 'how do your friends see you' questions...I'm in...when does the offer I sign up for end? Curiously 3 months from now on the very day of my birthday...also the deadline I have given myself for creating professional karma...Suddenly, I have a very good feeling about 3 again.

NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO

I just received some news that alters some plans, no big deal really, but it instantly changed my OK mood today into one of sullen darkness. When I have an idea in my mind of how things are going to go – they should go that way! I hate alterations in plans – especially when the other person was the one who insisted on painstakingly planning every moment of our trip. Now I am arriving alone – again no big deal. I have taken a ferry from Africa to Europe alone; slept in Italian overnight trains alone; strolled the streets of Paris alone and yet I was not supposed to arrive in LA alone! AAhhhrrggghhhh!

That is okay, said person may still make it and will meet me there. I will kill it with my friends with whom we are staying and have a fabulous time. But probably end up paying an arm and a leg for a taxi – alone. Petty thoughts really…in the grand scheme of things I am still going on a mini-break as Bridget would say…and that is all good.

It is time to go home and practice my chanting – NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO. Yes, the Buddhist phrase that is the answer to all things. Better get back to reading about Nichiren Daishonin and his practice. That will calm my irrational thoughts…yes, I am a sometimes practicing Buddhist – and lately I have gone back to chanting. Chanting is good. Must chant now…

Happy Valentines Day!

Here they are - my Valentines crushes - boys and a girl...ah Diego has always had a certain something for me too...but I would take either one, or both - together...ahhhemmm...apparently Valentines day is making me randy...and I just re-saw Dirty Dancing Havana Nights on the W network the other day (the first time was in a department store in Lisbon, yes a department store with a multi-plex). Actually - go out and see a dance movie today --- isn't that the ultimate way to celebrate Valentines? I love dance movies - Dirty Dancing (all time fav), Strictly Ballroom - played that soundtrack over and over! The recent Step Up was priceless - even that recent one with Antonio Banderas was good - why? Cause they make you feel good...and it always ends in a dance off for love! Except for maybe Saturday Night Fever - don't go see that one today...

And Eva Green - the dress, the body, the wild hair...and the talent...what I envy most is the talent...and the sex scenes with Daniel Craig...

Not buying anything for anyone - except my girlfriend - but it's her birthday - we're all going to Crave on Main Street - first time, I will report back..http://www.craveonmain.ca. I did just get some 'Dora the explorer' stickers from a co-worker...will decorate my agenda with them as I did in high school - or maybe I will hand one out to each of the ladies this evening.

A very close and long-term friend has lost her father recently 'You always think you have enough time' we don't - go out and tell those you love that you love them...

xoxo

thanx again to lainey's site for the photo sources

I was wondering what to go on about today as I have no big plans on the weekend, and I am looking forward to that, do not get me wrong - I am also looking forward to the digital cable at my parents house this weekend - a trip out to the ever diminishing Surrey estate is in order...

SO god bless www.laineygossip.com for showing me the way - Daniel Craig. Casino Royale should be nominated for Best Picture, I would say in place of The Departed - action flick for action flick it is the better picture. The Departed did star my other new found love - Leonardo DiCaprio, fully sealed when I saw Blood Diamond - a disturbingly graphic film...but damn he is hot in it!

and so is Craig...in a suit, in swim trunks, in casual khaki's -- ever since I saw him in Layer Cake, I have had an adult crush (defined here as girl crush in that teenage way that you know you will never have them - except now you add -- "in bed"@ the end just like Chinese fortune cookies) Never say Never (Again, another Bond film) because Daniel and I are going to be in the same city on the same day - doing the same thing - watching the Oscar's in LA!

Going to the VAG tonight www.vanartgallery.bc.ca

Pay by donation evening is now Tuesdays and not Thursdays. Not pleased to see that their Fuse events have gone up from $10 to $15 dollars. Hasn't Kathleen secured enough funding?

Going to see 2 photography exhibits that I have been waiting to check out - Fred Herzog - the prolific Vancouver photographer who saw the 'colour' of the everyday and everyman (personal interest and project research) and...Acting the Part: Photography as Theatre., 'one of the first exhibitions to explore the transformation and wide variety of staged photographs from the 19th century to the present. It includes nearly seventy photographic treasures.'

...should be good, couple those with a good ol' B.C. Binning retrospective (one of the first BC artists I ever researched at my stint at the VAG in '97) and it should be an evening of inspriration...also can't wait to the the Kyohei Sakaguchi photos that available for sale:

The work of Kyohei Sakaguchi, recently featured in NEXT: Kyohei Sakaguchi, examines the significance of non-traditional and informal architecture. In the past few years, he has documented an elaborate sub-culture of architecture that includes diverse types of temporary and semi-permanent houses built in public spaces by homeless persons utilizing scavenged materials.His photo-based book titled Zero Yen Houses, published in 2004 by Little More, Tokyo, is the first in Sakaguchi’s planned series of books documenting informal architecture. Describing the house featured in this Artist Edition, Sakaguchi wrote, “Although this one [house] resembles a Japanese restaurant, it is not open for business. A man lives alone in this house. The green plant and discarded public telephone help to further the atmosphere.”

I have been thinking of starting my art collection...

Mmmmm....art, an RRSP or another vacation this year?

Hurray for Hollywood!

20 days to the Oscars and I am going to be there!!!!!







Well in LA anyway...I will be star stalking at the Ivy, eating at the Standard, trolling West Hollywood with my latte in my lulu's...and throwing back martinits at the Chateau Marmont.
CAN NOT WAIT!!

Although I am told the place is a ghost town on that day cause everyone is busy primping and getting sewn into their dresses for the main event...that's ok, will go down to the red carpet the day before. My itineray will be announced soon...can't wait to go to the Getty...Melrose, Beverly Hills, and troll all the A-list vintage stores...suggestions are most welcome.

this weekend

So after a glorious, yet cold sunny week, we are in for rain on the weekend, well that's fine with me cause I got a lots planned and much like Katie over here who is my visual (not cerebral, lord knows what she's thinking) inspiration for the weekend- I am all business...

-1 baby-shower for twins, check
-1 accompanying soon-to-be-bride for 1st dress shopping excursion, check
-1 possible BOD meeting to determine new salary of Executive Director, check
-1 drop-off of clothes at consignment store, check -1 leaving work early cause worked overtime this week to get to several warehouse sales, check
-1 possible attendance at new movie this week, check
-1 attending artist party accompanied by my ladies, check
-1 contact with family and senior loved one in ill health, check
-1 Audition for independant theatre - check...I am back on the trail for fame...

"I am sooooooo busy"

The culture gods

Okay so I had to steal yesterdays front page of the Review section of the Globe and Mail at my one of 3 coffee shops near the office...and not because Justin Timberlake was on the cover re: his concert 2 nights ago in TO (who cares that it was his birthday yesterday, like, every radio station had that as an announcement) but I digress...it was because of this article:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070201.wmuseums01/BNStory/Entertainment/home
I find this article at once alarming, hilarious and totally hypocritical...Three issues to discuss

1. While other mid to large cities or small communities struggle to provide services and venues for their cultural offerings...Abu Dhabi is building a cultural Disneyland to shed its perceived associations with terrorism. WTH?

2. And the Canadian firm fronting the plans are well known globally and locally – they are experts in their field and have established many benchmarks in cultural and museum planning. They work all over the world on multi-million dollar projects all the time. I wonder then how they can justify paying educated, creative and student-loan strapped individuals on their staff less than it requires to live modestly in a metropolitan city and then ask them ‘You don’t have a dog to go home to at night or anything, do you?’ – i.e. you are in for some long underpaid hours and you better like them. As rewarding as the work may at times be, anyone can tire of being underpaid and underappreciated. And I am talking shockingly so….which leads me to:

3. I often wonder about the gap in salary that Master’s degrees can offer…I have a friend who works long hours, she is not passionate about the work, but she makes 6 figures and travels a dozen times a year for pleasure while those with a congruent degree struggle to make ends meet at a job that they feel makes a difference, and that they began with passion. As long as employers and the economy continue to undervalue liberal arts degrees, we will continue to get underpaid while the MBA’s and LLB’s of the world toil at what they hate but gain an enormous and disproportionate amount of the ‘collective pot’.