So That Happened

Every now and then something happens that reminds me of my own, and others mortality. It freaks me out. Last night was one of those instances. There were five of us in the car and we pulled up to our destination pretty sure we'd be looking for parking for hours. The driver, Gina, is blessed with being Italian and thereby always getting the best parking spots, or as she likes to say "Italian parking spots". I was beginning to believe all the hype of being Italian with this parking spot on a Saturday night. It was right in front. So we filed out of the car and were waiting on the sidewalk for Gina who was still in the car. We were talking about something or another - probably the validity of this whole Italian parking spot business - when we heard a crash. Not just any crash. I metallic glass loud bang clearly coming from the other side of our car that was not in view. And the first thing that ran through my mind was that Gina was dead. I thought a car had sideswiped as she was getting out. And then I looked on the street and couldn't see a car, and everyone we were with was panicking...like WTF just happened. Running to the car. I was still standing shocked on the sidewalk and there was a crowd growing on the other side of the street and I kept hearing, "Oh my God" and shocked murmurs.

I finally snapped out of it enough to go see just WTF had happened. Mind you, this is only like 10 seconds later. And I go around the car where the rest of the group is and see a biker moaning and standing up and Gina staring with wide eyes. She's alive! Holy shit, it was scary. I immediately scan the area for damage to people and property and someone grabs the bike out of the street and someone on the other side says "This is the second time I've seen that this week!" The guy must have been going fast, and with perfect(?) timing, Gina had opened her door, sending him to the ground and her door back way farther than it was even supposed to go. Crazy stuff.

The biker gets up holding his head, muttering about a concussion but he seems...okay. People okay - check. I walk over to him with authority like some sort of doctor or something and check his pupils. Thank you ER and Grey's Anatomy. I "assure" him his pupils are the same size and ask him basic questions and ask about his vision. He seems to take stock in what I say and is like "that's good". Eh...I wonder if I should have told him I don't actually have a PhD.

Anyway, long story short, the biker eventually moseys down the street with his uninjured bike, amazingly. Assuring us all he's okay. (I so hope that's true!) And meanwhile at the car, the new problem has arised that the door no longer shuts. It's a regular old competition between all the men to see who can get it shut. Lots of slams - resulting in the door bouncing back. A metal on metal sound that clearly illustrates that this door is effed. The valet guys come help us and after 30 minutes of failed attempts at realigning the door, we finally reach the conclusion that it has to be tied shut so the car can be driven home. The problem with that is all the interior lights staying on will most likely drain the battery over night.

Gina finally speaks up that she has triple A so we call them to see if they can have better luck with the door. They don't and they end up just retying it and showing her how to disable the battery overnight. We are trying to convince Gina that the night is clearly over - seeing as it is now 12:30 and her car door is not lockable. She doesn't bite and insists on at least getting a drink. What a trooper. I would have not been functioning after the whole ordeal. Actually wasn't functioning for a bit there, and it didn't even happen to me.

Anyway. How easily that could have been a car. How one second we're all joking and laughing about Italian parking spots and the next, something like this happens. So fast. Just unbelievable to think about. And things like that do happen. That's the crazy part. I mean luckily everyone is okay, but I can only imagine a fraction of how people feel when something so out of the blue happens. Eh.

So this is a friendly reminder to check and double check when opening your door to the street. Sheesh. What a night.

Interesting Development in the War on Pirates

and on our own soil!

What Goes Around...

Apparently there are worse things than getting bad notes! Thank you world for that discussion we had. I'm proven wrong. Again. Yes, thank you.

Sorry just a little "You're right, I'm wrong" message I had to send out to the universe.

Now to the good stuff. Okay so I love Televisionwithoutpity.com and read it on the regular. Well nooooowwwwww, a show I am working on, in a creative kind of way, has a forum there! Yes. So basically where I used to bitch and moan and say things are brilliant, people now get that same opportunity to do with me! And an episode in which I co-edited had a post, "The editors did...". So not only are people posting about my show, they are posting about me! In a small, tiny way. But my mind is blown. And I would love to pimp the show here but know a lot of the people that Google it and would rather not direct my bosses to my blog. Soooo, let me just say it's on The Learning C, the day after Mon, every night at ten pm. Look it up. Watch it. And get your mind blown.

Bad Notes

Okay I'm sure there are worse things in this world than sitting through a screening in which the notes just keep on coming, but geez. It's tough in my job to sit and have something you've worked on for so long get torn apart so easily. Which is what happened yesterday. Not that the notes weren't spot on or anything. Unfortunately they were. Of course I've had worse. When I was in college, a screening one time went so badly that the director walked out of the room, leaving me behind, humiliated and scarred for life. Which is when I learned to grow some thick skin, which is easier said than done. Because man, right when I think my job is a walk in the park, something like this happens that shows me there's a reason I'm making money at this. It's hard. It's really effin hard. And now I have three days to sit and focus and churn out some genius stuff, or I fear my job is on the line. So of course I'm motivated now - which is definitely one upside to this whole thing. But I have a lot of people counting on me, which makes this whole thing worse when I let, even for a single second, the thought slip into my head that maybe I'm just not good enough. Which if you ask my mom, is just not true. And if I had a weekend before the cut was due I'd feel better, but I don't. So I'm chaining myself to my desk today and buckling down and going to figure this thing out. It's days like this I wonder why in the world I went into this crazy business when you are repeatedly setting yourself up for someone out there to Mitchum Huntzburger you.

Anyway, that's my current thoughts on my flagellation yesterday. That and, why do I insist on dressing up for these things! When you are being torn to shreds, it's almost worse when you're wearing cute shoes.

Why I Limped Off The Elevator

No, I wasn't hurt! I was faking! It was after work on Tuesday and I had pulled into my driveway around 7:30. It was a rather non-productive afternoon at work and I was feeling exceptionally lazy. I park in the basement of my building, and with two rather small stairways to go to my apt on the second floor, I opted for the elevator. I always hope it doesn't stop on the first floor, so my laziness isn't revealed, but on this day, no such luck. Someone stepped on, I asked what floor, and he said 4. Four is a far more reasonable reason to take the elevator, so feeling a bit silly for my 2 flight rise, when the doors opened on 2, I limped out. My concern for what my neighbor thought of me made me laugh.

Work is going pretty good. I feel like I'm doing a better job than anyone expected, already ahead of schedule enough that they put me on someone else's project for a day to help them catch up. I got the owners of the company presents for Christmas. CDs of the Stars, my favorite band. Now I just feel weird about it. It's not like I talk to these people a lot or anything, I just wanted to show them some appreciation for everything that they do. I think I was the only editor to get them something. I blame my Southern roots. And I feel a teensy bit awkward now. Especially since one of them barely said hi to me in the hall post-gift. I had left them on their desks before Christmas, and surely he had received it by then. Was he feeling awkward too? It kinda seemed like it, and that's not what I had planned at all.

Anyway, today is New Year's Day, 09! I'm sick. In fact, I was so sick last night I fell asleep at 10pm and woke up at 3am, thus missing the ringing in of the new year. Tonight I'm having a murder mystery dinner party at my apartment, which means I need to push through whatever it is I have by tonight. Lots of vitamin C, Zinc, Green Tea, cold medicine. It also means I need to clean my apartment, and finally finish unpacking. I know, it's been 2 months! My bedroom isn't quite finished because I was waiting for my friend to finish the whale on my wall. Yes, you read that correctly.

Anyway, I should get to cleaning and germ fighting. Happy New Year and here's to not caring who knows you are lazy!

Thanksgiving Playlist (subject to change without notice)

The Pitch

Let me start by saying I'm officially moved! Yay! And secondly, I believe I may be starting a new blog. That's right, I know. My friend has nearly completely convinced me and since we've been talking about it, ideas have been flowing. The premise is basically my paranoia. It will be my outlet for every disease I think I have, or how I think I'm going to get fired, or basically anything that I'm worried about. Apparently, everytime I see her I'm convinced I have another disease and she thinks it would be hilarious. So that will be coming soon i guess.

In other news, it's Election Day!!! How exciting! Also, my mom just called and said she thinks she has appendicitis. She's drinking the contrast stuff now and has a test at 2:45 est. She sounds so sad! That sucks. She recently had her gall bladder removed so this is just one more thing to add to her plate. Ugh. Anyway, not quite the way I wanted the day to start, but hopefully she'll be fine and it will be a kidney stone or something. She can pass it and be on her way. Okay, well off to the shower.

Moving Stress........Again

Oh my gosh. Lists and lists and plans and fears are circulating like no other today. It's Thursday, and for those of you counting, two days to my official move in. And my apartment is wrecked. Wrecked! It seems packed, kind of, but now that it's so close, I'm realizing yet again, why I hate moving. It's all the little things. Like how last night I carted my 5 gallons of emergency earthquake water, that I had forgotten I had, to the new place. How I had bought a towel rack that I want to take with me, and my shower head in the shower. The curtains hanging in my living room, and how I need to replace the white blinds that were there. Stressed out yet? It is doable in 2 days but I'm working too. So regular packing I had planned plus all these tiny things that I'm remembering, all after or before, (doubtful), work. Not to mention the sheer dirtiness that has stirred up by my moving. And everytime I think I'm making progress, I open another cabinet and sigh. And Friday is Halloween and I'm not sure if I have the time to do anything. Which means cancelling the small plans I had, which was expected. And I don't even remember when or where I'm picking up my Uhaul. Although, I must admit, I'm getting so much help this time for the actual move, I'm nearly speechless. As of right now, I have 6 definites, and 3 maybes. That's a lot of man and woman power. However, that also means that I have to have everything ready to go at 11 when everyone gets here. Including having the doughnuts and coffee I promised. I feel like I've moved lots of things to the new place, as I had this awesome 2 week overlap, but now, it seems insufficient. Which is astounding because, Geez, most people and most times I've moved, there is no overlap. Anyway, I may try to get a few things done this morning, so I should probably get to it. Just getting that off my chest. Expect a relieved and/or post-mortem on Sunday. Cross your fingers for no disaster.

This Is More Than Coincidence

I've always been paranoid that I have a strange balance between my social and work lives. When one is going great, the other one starts sucking big time. Belief to the point that when good things happen I sit and wait for the other side to fall apart. Well, now, officially, this has become more than paranoia. It is fact. And I even have proof if you're interested.

Wow.

-BCT

More Day In The Life Of---

friend: [my boss] won't let me have lunch! i have to type while she eats!

me: bitch! call BBB

friend: i hope she gets an allergic reaction to the stupid sanwich

me: yeah seriously

friend: then i can go home early

me: dont forget to close this window!
haha

friend: she is still complaing about her food

me: ugh
well im going to go to osh
and get paint or look at it

friend: have fun!

me: i have 3 hours to kill

friend: wow

me: you want me to bring you food?
at least 3 hours
i can say its a "surprise"

friend: no bc i wont have time to eat it but thank you

me: who cares
maybe it will remind her you are a person
who eats to survive
and i can give her dirty looks
and offer her a spit muffin

friend: that is very generous of you

Remember That Time...

We were walking down Hollywood Blvd, even though we never go there because I know how freaked out you get. But it seemed like a good idea at the time. The guy on the skateboard didn't know about your fears and whipped past us, wheels loud on the pavement. But I held you close, and could sense you by my side, so I didn't turn around to check on you because I felt your feet beside mine. I literally could feel you trembling in fear, but I tried to hurry through the busy streets hoping that we'd be at the next block soon. And I heard people screaming, but that's normal for Hollywood. And cars honking. And I turn and look and you have somehow escaped me and the footsteps behind mine were not yours at all, but Jack's instead. You have fled to the street, attempting to get to the other side where you may feel safer, and I see the car coming, and thinking back now I don't know if it was really going that slow or if, in an act of natural human masochism, my brain wanted me to remember every detail so that when I played the moment over and over again, I could forever picture it seamlessly. And in slow motion the car stops and you guys just stare at each other. I have no idea what I say then, but I am panicked. And you somehow make your way back to me, probably because I'm pulling you there with my words, but you are subdued, and odd, and I can't stop shaking. And when we make our way back home, you lay on the couch in peace and hopefully thankfulness, and when I attempt to hug you, you yell at me! And that's when I know that you know I wasn't looking behind me, and I totally feel like a terrible friend now.

Today has been better. I'm glad you're okay, and hope you understand, but you are never going to Hollywood Blvd again.

A Day In the Life

friend: sometimes I Like to edit with my shoes off

me: word

me: so my online editor was talking all online to me today
im like can we talk in offline terms please
and he's like, uhhh
he was trying to confuse me
im like, tell me what you want
and hes all like well this is this and this so if you are delivering like this
and im like for the thousanth time, we aren't delivering like that!
and then i threw his keyboard on the floor and stomped on his mouse hand

friend: really?
jesus
sounds a little over the top

me: it was a scene
unscripted scene that is
he asked for it
i hate when people can't answer questions directly
im like why are you still talking, that was a yes or no question!

=======

me: i want that right now

friend:me too
im hungry1
!\\
so hungry i cant type

me: haha

me: (not haha like haha you're hungry, but haha to you cant type bc youre hungry)


=======

friend: ok so im getting my haircut tomorrow and its out of some woman's house. do i still need to tip her?

me: yeah im pretty sure
unless she says otherwise

friend: oh thats stupid
that just does not seem fair

me: yeah i dont know for sure though!

friend: well you are the 3rd person to say i have to
so im sure im going to be stuck with it

me: maybe it will be cheaper though

friend: ehh i thought so
she said depends on what i do but 80-100

me: ugh

friend: im sure bc i have thick hair she'll up it

me: thats pretty expensive!
she better weave in some gold

friend: i know!!!

Chilly Mornings and Other Observations

Oh my. It's so cold in LA this morning my toes are on their way to being frost-bitten. My nose is running and despite wearing a fleece and pants, I'm shivering. The real strange thing about the cold is that it's probably only 60 and I'm acting like it's in the middle of winter in NY. I'm so used to mild days, anything that strays is extreme. Also, most likely by noon today it will be 75 and sunny.

Wow, the stock market is looking quite scary, eh? That's a whole big economic discussion I'm not prepared for other than to give a Joey Lawrence, "Whoa" and move on.

Move on to.... Okay one of my biggest complaints with my dad is that he writes me emails like he is a college professor lecturing a class. The other day, I wrote him an email that was like, "Woo hoo! Check out my new apt!" He wrote me back and was like, "I'm happy to hear you are pleased with your new accommodations." It's like, "Accommodations"? Seriously? Digs, crib, apt, apartment, home, nest, anything! Accommodations is so formal. And then I'm reading some blog entries I've written and realize I'm totally starting to do that too! And I don't mean to do it! I tried to count the "quite"s in my last post and gave up. Is this pretenious talk hereditary? Eck, if so. I don't want to start emailing my friends with, "I would like to propose dinner for us tonight at the vivacious and loverly resturant located in Los Feliz on which we frequent." Or something like that.

That is all. Just a quick few things before my shower. *Pleasant day to all.

*This is purposely sophisticated.

And just for fun:



(Yes, that is "Strawberry Manilow")

Work n' Things

I just recently started a new job - one of many short-term gigs I've had in the past three months - but today I came to the realization that I've learned more about the industry in the past week with this job than the nearly 2 years I've lived here. Or maybe just became conscious of what I've learned.

It's such a small world out here in the industry.

I work in this small little office where it is me and an editor and two producers. They are rented out to us by the team of technicians next door. The editor and I started comparing companies we've worked for, and strikingly enough, they're nearly all the same. But him being in the industry longer, he has better contacts at these companies than I do. Friends. He hangs out with these people that I want to get jobs with again. Reputation follows you everywhere. You can't blow off a job or do a bad job, and not expect it to effect future employment.

Networking is so important that just calling it "important" seems not enough. This guy not only hangs out with these people, he's actually putting together his own show. To which I immediately said, "If you need an editor...".

I'm not sure my point is coming across just yet. I want to say laugh at every joke, say every idea is fantastic, but that seems so fake it's hard for me say. But that's what I would say for the mere fact that you don't know where you're next job is coming from.

Last week I was in the office by myself and became quite good friends with all the technician guys. Being as non-demanding as I could and grateful for every deck they hooked uo for me. This week I learned that these guys get calls all the time for people looking for editors. I told them I'd leave my resume with them and they said, "absolutely". An unlikely source for a job, but here I was gaining new contacts from computer technicians. Who actually, small world-y enough, know they guy who taught me about an important piece of editing hardware via phone when I lived in NY. Yet another connection that I never expected to make.

And lastly, and most importantly, in the nicest way possible, demand respect from your producers! It shows them you are worth it if you think you are worth it. This is lesson I brought with me from my last job where I was working in a cubicle and another editor told me to demand a bay. I didn't because I didn't want to be labeled "high-maintenance", and she ended up asking for me. When you make these requests and they are fulfilled, it tells you that your employer thinks keeping you happy and productive is worth the headache of rearranging an office for you. So I brought that with me to this job, and immediately on the phone, did something I never do, but said, "I'll do this job for x amount of money." Excuse the alegbra, but where x = more than the going rate for the position. By doing this I was telling them that I can get work for that amount, and that I'm worth it. A bit risky but the job in question I was quite over-qualified for. Then when an issue came up where I didn't think I was going to be making that rate, I immediately called my supervisor and said, "Am I actually going to make x with the hours that have become standard for us?" She immediately rectified the situation.

Anyway, it's been such an eye-opening week for me, successfully opening up 3 quite promising job opportunity paths. It's such a small world out here, that I almost feel like every job I apply to, I'm applying with many of my friends. Therefore it becomes all about contacts. Getting your name out there and your reputation too. Being fun to work with is almost as important as knowing the machines. Anyway, I feel like this is a jumbled heap of obviousness, but I had to get it out of my head. It's just interesting when you find yourself knowingly playing into stereotypes - stereotypes that are there for a reason.

Network, network, network!

Give Me A Brake...Light

Why is it that every car I get behind in LA has no brake light? I mean seriously people, get that fixed! It's so dangerous, especially when you have people like me who are texting or looking at their phones for info and all the sudden, you stop and I don't see that you stop because in my peripheral vision there's no bright light that comes on alerting me that you stopped forcing me to slam on brakes. And it's like a joke everyone is playing on me- "Oh my brake light is out, let me get in front of that car that has a bullseye on its front." I thought I was being paranoid, but last night alone, I counted, and for the total of probably five cars that I was behind, 3 did not have brake lights! I mean really! Especially when you're in a crowded city driving at night. And the one that irritated me the most was the one that was packed full of people, driving well below the speed limit, on a 2 lane road where I couldn't pass, and my general strategy of riding the persons bumper until they realized they were being an a-hole, only put me in more danger of not being able to stop when they would ride their brakes slowly, making it almost imperceptible to me that they are stopping. I know what your thinking, I'm the pot calling the kettle black on the whole a hole thing cause I'm riding their bumper, but this is LA, and when you're in a 35 zone, at least have the decency of going 30 so people who are using shortcuts to avoid traffic jams can actually come out feeling victorious in their knowledge of secret roads. And maybe since you don't have a brake light, you should at least put a blinker on when you turn so you're at least putting up a front that you care about the person behind you not slamming into you. And that's another thing, people need to learn how to use their freaking blinkers in this city. Someone literally cut in front of me the other day from the lane to my right to do a u-turn in front of me, just as I was, with blinker alerting my fellow drivers I was doing so, merging into the left hand turn lane, and this car had no blinker, completely disregarding that they were not the only people on the road, and when I honked at them, they had the audacity to look at me like I was doing something wrong, which is maybe the most ludacris thing I've ever seen. And I might not be the best driver in the world, and yes, I have little patience sometimes, but if you're going to drive around oblivious to those around you, don't come near me because I've had my fill of no brake-light, no blinker-using, speed limit driving people who probably don't have insurance, and who will probably just leave the scene after me or some other impatient driver fails to stop because they haven't signaled, like the kind of people in LA that don't ever stop for fender benders, despite the fact that it was clearly their fault, because they could give a crap that their $400 car got yet another scratch on it, and...yes I'm bitter. Some dude the other day, slammed into the back of my friends car at a stoplight, and then, proceeded to go around them and leave the scene. Well they messed with the wrong people, because my friends cousin who was driving, pulled out and followed the guy, getting his liscense plate number and then proceeding to pull in front of him, forcing him to stop, only long enough for them to get a visual on the guys face, who looked like he could care less that this was going on, and then my friends pulled over and were taken to the hospital for major whiplash and possible fractures on their body because they were in so much pain. LIterally. Anyway, I sound like a bitter old lady, but driving in LA is the most ridiculous thing ever. I mean for the most part, people are generally pretty good about being respectful and if you put your blinker on, someone will let you over. I even have patience for people that cut me off if they're using their blinker, but no signal jerks, are on my list.

Whew. That was a rant. Excuse my negativity it just gets me all annoyed. The word pet peeve comes to mind. Okay have a good day and don't forget to signal!

Family Fued

I got in a fight this week with my brother, in what I can only hope is for the best. We are currently not speaking, which is bizarre to me because even when we'd punch each other mercilessly when we were kids, five minutes later we'd be watching TV together and laughing. The story is he went to a concert with some of my friends, a NIN concert I had no interest in, and as I was getting ready for my evening out, I get texts that he had just yelled at them because someone spilled his beer. Okay, not only was I embarrassed that my brother had gotten out of line with my friends, I was worried because he gets in these moods where the smallest things will set him off to an unbelievably non-rational place. Consider my night ruined. I tried to call him, but nothing. I got word he was calmed down and hoped that they had worked things out. Still with me knowing the next day I would have to confront him about it.

Cut to: The next day.

I try and get in contact with him all day and nothing. Finally at 8pm, I call and he answers. So I ask him what happened and immediately he starts getting defensive. The story was that he had gone to get someone a beer and when he got back, not only was everyone gone, but his $13 beer was spilled. Annoying, yes. So when they returned, he said, in a tone that isn't so sweet, "Someone spilled my beer! Someone spilled my -bleeping- beer!" Anyway, I told him as sweetly as possible that it wasn't the right way to deal with the situation and he said, "I can yell at whoever I want!" "I can be angry if I want to!" "I do what I want!" Then I told him at the very least he should apologize to MY FRIEND, to which he responded, "I'm tired of apologizing my whole life!" Now, I'm like, "Okkkay. Here we gooooo. Act 1, Scene 1." Over-dramatic much? Anyway, long conversation short, it went bad, then good, then suddenly, very bad. He wasn't listening to anything I was saying and was taking it as a personal attack, even though all I was trying to get through to him is that I was worried because he was showing signs of someone who couldn't control their frustrations, and then suddenly, after talking to a brick wall for 20 minutes, I snapped, (a sign the temper thing might be hereditary), and said, "You know what? Fine! Yell at your friends all you want, but don't you ever yell at MY friends ever again!" And hung up. And then silence. For two days. So yesterday, I wrote an email that as sweetly as possible kept my position but reiterated I just wanted him to be happy and to be able to control these things. And nothing! I'm so at a loss at to what to do. It's eating at me! I can't stand it knowing he's hating me right now. The good news is, something I said must have struck a cord with him because he did end up apologizing to my friend, via Facebook. So now I've told my sister, and she's all worried but I can't go to him now. I have to wait for him. I think? Anyway, I hope that he's doing some self-reflection and that he won't completely fall off the face of the earth, like my cousin did at about his age, where he cut off all communication from the family, dropped out of school, and is out roaming the world somewhere, rumor has it, Los Angeles.

Umm, so that's what's on my mind right now. And finding a new job, and a new apartment, and getting a response back from an old crush about a wedding (not ours), and keeping the bugs out of my current apt. But the weather is beautiful here now, and I love September and the ocean, and not working. I'm finding peace the best way I know how:



Not everything is bad right now, but things seem to never be perfect!

Sigh

Finishing Projects!

Unemployed and finally getting some things off my to-do list. Here's the oil pastel pic I did this week! Not the best photo, but I'm pretty happy with it!

Are You Watching The Olympics?

It's my favorite time of four years. Summer Olympics. Here are my thoughts.

-I'm not feeling the synchronized diving thing.

-Men's gymnastics was breath-taking! And how adorable is Alexander Artemev? Until he talks to the camera that is. I know he's excited, and I'm hoping that's it, but he comes off as someone who I'd find extremely grating. He's adorable though, and what a way to end his first Olympic run! How amazing! What a fantastic opportunity!

-Jonathan Horton blew me away with his flawless night.

-Swimming is where it is at this year! I could watch Michael Phelps all day long. (I might be a "Phelps Phan", har-har. Okay my sense of humor is lacking at the moment, give me time.) He's maybe the most amazing thing ever. And, seriously, freaking adorable. Lovely and humble on camera, and I officially love him.

-More swimming, did you see the comeback by Lezak?! I know, I'm hitting all the obvious points, but WOW.

-Another semi-negative thought, not really getting into volleyball either. Syncronized diving I get, (the same thing for an hour, give or take a few nuisances you need slo-mo for), but I thought I'd be into volleyball, given the high scoring potentional the dream team from America has. But I drift.

I'm a day behind so I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the possible Olympic-record breaking swim tonight by Phelps, and women's gynastics too, but just wanted to tip my hat to fellow Olympic-watchers out there. Just fantastic as always. Love the Olympics.

I'm working through my last week of work on this show, after being extended and extended and extended, and this is seriously the last week. And I'm the last segment editor standing for the finish, (lots of responsibility, lots of glory!). I feel like I just did my freshman Olympics with these last few months. I'm beat and proud and tired and need a break! Next week there will be lots of re-couping. (And writing!)

Creatively Drained and Shaken

My current job, despite its perks, (weekly massages being the most notable), is creatively draining. I have a ton of unfinished projects I have piling up at my feet and I can't muster together a well formed sentence vocally, much less written. Not to mention the picture I saw the other day that made me want to draw it and frame it immediately. AND not to mention the music video I've been working on for almost an entire year (!!!) and can't seem to finish.

But the point of this post was to most eloquently describe the insane thing that I experienced yesterday. An earthquake. Yes, I'm sure you've heard. Well I felt it. Big time. As I wrote about here, I experienced my first earthquake last year. Well this time was different.

Backing up a little bit first, earthquakes have been on my mind big time lately. I can't explain it, but I've even mentioned it to a few friends lately. For starters, a friend had mentioned last year when the little one happened that she left her toilet seat up when she went to work so that if anything happened and she couldn't get home, her dog could get water. Well I never do that, mainly because my pup will and does drink freely from the toilet when I'm not looking. And I try to discourage her behavior by keeping it closed. Anyway, both Monday and Tuesday I inexplicably started thinking "Big One" and left the toilet seat up.

I also had friends in town this weekend and was telling them about my earthquake kit after seeing someone at a grocery store buying a gallon of water.

I left for work yesterday thinking about maybe taking my framed picture in the den off of the wall. No kidding. But I didn't, as I don't like to play into my own paranoia, or now should I say, physic senses.

Needless to say, when I realized I was experiencing an earthquake yesterday, I was shocked. It wasn't like last time. It came on slowly, at first sounding and feeling like someone was running down the hall, or a big truck was coming by. Slowly, or as slow as a 20 second total experience could be, it built until everything on my desk was shaking and the door the my office was unhappy on its hinges. I heard people outside in the hall and whipped open my door, immediately taking refuge in my doorway. "Earthquake!" people were yelling, and there were natives smiling a bit as people like me stood stricken in a doorway. When it seemed over, everyone was heading outside. I followed, still shaking, but no longer from the earth.

I spent the rest of my day waiting for the aftershocks. When I went home to check on my pup, my picture was still hanging strong.

But just another reminder of the thing that lurks on most SoCal residents minds: The Big One.

I'll be stocking up on even more earthquake kit items this weekend.