happy thoughts

Please think happy thoughts for someone having surgery today.

It has been a long time

So, I haven't been the best poster lately. I have done a bit more exploring lately and taking a general break to bring you better posts. Such as:

Maybe the Newsroom isn't the best place to spot celebrities
What are they wearing
Runyon Canyon-Canyon for the Dogs
Who I have seen lately

So, I haven't dissappeared. I just had writer's block, which happens. I missed your emails. Email me when you get the chance.

Busy, Busy, Back Soon

This weekend I will be helping shoot a movie. I promise to bring back notes from the set. Sorry if I am nelecting you all.

I am here's current events

I saw a story about a shark that they discovered that can walk. That puts a whole new spin on the Jaws thing doesn't it?

State Fair time

(taken by Mel Melcon for the Los Angeles Times)

Everyone in Minnesota knows about the Minnesota State Fair. It is an institution. Although it was something that I liked to avoid because of the WT fanny pack, zuba wearing folks factor, I did go every once in a while to see what new uber calorie food they had concocted and stuck on a stick. Some of these foods included:

Deep fried pickle on a stick
Chocolate dipped key lime pie on a stick
Deep fried snickers bar on a stick
Deep fried twinkie on a stick

It is now state fair time in California and I think they might have us beat. On the cover of a local paper I saw the fair food to end all fair food. It is a fried chicken filet sandwiched between two krispy cream donuts.

When I tell people that I saw this I usually get two reactions
1) That I am lying
2) A gasp and or look of pure horror

It is true folks, I cannot make this up. Now Minnesota has to step up and find something so calorie ridden, so greasy, so amazingly fattening that you can feel yourself getting gaining weight when you walk by it and, of course, put it on a stick.

Something i miss about Minnesota 2

Lately when I log into my perosnal hotmail account I see a story about where to spot the best fall leaf displays. There is a slide show that I am watching lately to remind me of what I knew Fall to be when I was growing up.

Here Fall looks very much like summer and winter very green, but mostly brown. It doesn't feel like Fall, and the only reason I know it is Fall is because it is September

I miss the way fall smells; very earthy and damp with a hint of bonfire. I wish someone could bottle that up and send it to me.

Me and James

There was a time when I didn't read. I don't know why, I just wasn't really interested in what I felt my options were book wise. The Scarlet Letter, Frankenstien, The Grapes of Wrath. I know you are screaming, "But these are classics! How could you not read them?" Well, they never really spoke to me. In 10th grade I had basically given up on ever reading anything that I would enjoy ever again. (Oh, the things you decide when you are a teenager.)

So sulking around at Art School dressed in black, doing Physics tutorials after school I was asked by the teaching assistant what I liked to read. And I said "I read nothing and I am a Nihilist." (I made that up.) Him being a writer and all he was saddened by the fact that I didn't read and passed me his latest copy of Granta. This issue was called Crime and had an interesting story in it called Dick Contino's Blues by James Ellroy.

It was the sad and somewhat true story of a polka accordian player named Dick Contino who was suspected of being a communist in the 50's. He wasn't, but to prove his innocence he had to infultrate communist groups in 1950's Los Angeles and rat people out.

Why this short story spoke to me I'll never know, but it did. From then on it changed what and who I read. And after that I read and I read and I read.

Last Sunday I had the chance to meet the man that changed it all, James Ellroy, at the Skylight bookstore. where among other things he read from the Black Dahlia.

His life has been an interesting one, his mother also was a victim of murder and like the Black Dahlia this murder has never been solved. He also did a couple of homeless stints and slept at the park 5 blocks from my house.

I feel like such a nerd, but seeing him was more intersting than running into any of the gossip rag stars of the week. And I got his autograph.

I guess the movie isn't doing so well. I am debating on whether or not I want to see it, but I will have to finish the book first.

Super 8

Today I have been here for 8 months. I can't believe it.

Dirt

Yesterday on my way to work I had to stop to allow a scene to be shot of Dirt Courney Cox's new show about trying to break into the world of paparazzi. I honestly do not know anything about the show I might watch just to see the scene I saw being filmed.

Not for the weak of heart

Last night I read two emails that I kept from September 11th.

One from an ex-boyfriend is now living in New York, who quit his bike messenger job a few days before the planes hit the very buildings that he delivered to day after day. The days following when false calls were being made that there were bombs still in the city. Tales of a city crippled with grief that was as thick as the asbetos south of 14th street.

Two an email from a friend of a friend who was diverted to Canada from Newark on his way home to Los Angeles. The passengers passed around the only 8 cell phones with enough battery to call loved ones to say that they were okay. They ended up there for 3 days and celebrated a fellow passengers birthday there in a church's lunch room where they also slept. He said that the Canadians were so nice to all of them, he said that he was going to send the church a donation check for Christmas and I wonder five years later if he ever did.

On my personal email account I kept a folder for all of my emails from that day and the days following the event from friends, family, friends of friends, etc. I don't know why.

I am lucky enough to remember a time when traveling was not scary, when your loved ones could meet you at the gate and hug you and kiss you goodbye. My kids and their kids will never know what that is like.

I will probably sleep through the five year anniversary as it will come at 6:15 a.m. my time. I have no interest in watching t.v. tomorrow at all.

What I have been up to

Things have been relatively quiet for me lately so not a lot to report I am afraid. Just a lot of relaxing. I have talked to a few of you as of late and it seems like the overall concensus is that there are a lot of broken or malfunctioning computers out there. My own laptop is on the fritz.

I have been reading a lot as well. Trying to get into The Corrections by Johnathan Franzen so that I can finish it by book club.

I had two star sitings in the past week. Shawn Wayans standing out side of KooKooRoo on Larchmont. He is as tall an muscular as he is on television. I also saw Anthony Kedis, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, at M Cafe de Chaya this fabulous macrobiotic cuisine spot on Melrose. Coincidentally enough right around the corner from Pink's.

Anthony Kedis is a lot smaller than I thought. He has such a huge stage personality that I was really surprised how Prince sized he is. I remember being so in love with him in Junior High.

Also, I am planning to see James Ellroy talk about the Black Dahlia on Sunday at Skylight Books.

It would be great to hear from you. eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

Things I miss about MN

Basements

Because when it is really hot, like today, there is nothing better than laying on the cold floor of your basement. It is like an oasis that is 20 degrees cooler than the first level of your house. It also can protect you from tornadoes, which they never have in L.A. I don't miss tornadoes though.

knocked two things off my list in 3 days

Two things that I wanted to accomplish this summer are now knocked off of my list.

First, attending a Dodger's game.
Wednesday night I went on a double date to a Dodger's game. They played against the Cincinatti Reds and completely clobbered them. At the saddest point the Dodger's hit three home runs in a row. Asher happened to be in line getting Red Vines and missed the entire thing. His trip to concesssions was a 25 minute trip, my trip to the ladies room and to get a Dodger Dog was 35 minutes. It is surprising to me that with all of the Dodger food stands and the food court that you have to stand in line so long.

I did happen to exprience a human wave that actually worked. Which probably hasn't happend since the '80s.

Doger Dog: just okay.

Second, seeing a concert at the Hollywood Bowl.
Tonight I saw John Williams with the L.A. Philharmonic. It was spectacular and I haven't really experienced a crowd so into that type of music before. Hoots, Hollars and there was a hilarious moment when they played music from Star Wars people in the audience pullled out their light sabers.

The third is having a hot dog at Pink's, but I am having a hard time finding someone to go with.

Hello...is there anybody out there

Where is everybody anyway. I haven't heard from any of you in a while and I am wondering why I am getting the cold shoulder.

Write me.

eyemheer2@yahoo.com

One night in Lompoc

Does anyone remember that '80s song "one night in Bankok"? Probably not, it was a one hit wonder.

It was 3 weeks into the California Heatwave of 2006 and I was on my last leg. The consistent heat made me loose my spirit so I said "We have to drive north" So we did one weekend.

(I think my smile is going to fall off my face in this picture. Or melt)

I think we stayed in the last hotel room available on the coast.

It was a nice break and the drive up the 101 was by far one of the most awe inspiring drives I have had the chance to take.

My man, the face of beer

So, as some of you may know. My uber talented boyfriend shot another commercial yesterday for none other than Bud Light. I will not even begin to prognosticate when it will be released. I will let you know if I have any news.

Happy Birthday Mom

My Mom was a tropper with all of the traveling that we did, her husband being a spy and all. But with raising the Amazing Mandu, Coey of Minsk and myself she still had the energy to teach at the Cambodian orphanage. They used to like the way she pronounced hamburger.

They also picked up a lot of her sayings and it strange to this day to walk through the markets to hear people calling out."Fur cuts, get your fur cuts here. Highlights, extensions, fur cuts"

Currently she is living in the Nordic woods, retired with the former international spy and I hope that she is enjoying her birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Here 3; Larchmont

Here are the places in my neighborhood, in my neighborhood...



Larchmont Village.

The first time I visited Larchmont Village, I felt like I had been transported to St. Paul Minnesota. It made me a bit homesick. In fact sometimes when I feel a bit on the homesick side I take the long stroll down there to see the little shops and trees of the non palm variety.

Larchmont is home to many celebrities, James Spader I have heard among others. My co-worker says she sees Victor Garber quite a bit strolling down Larchmont Blvd.

What I also go back for, and quite often, is a slice of cheese pizza at The Village Pizzeria which has the best pizza this side of the Mississippi. I know that being from the Chi-town area I am supposed to by default love Chicago style pizza, but I have to confess that I am a New York pizza lover through and through. This is the best pizza in town; anybody who tells you anything else is full of it. You have to be good if your cheese pizza alone is phenominal. My recommendation though is that they put Tapatio on the tables.

Larchmont is also home to cute boutiques, Larchmont Village Wine and Cheese shop (great sandwhiches to go a picnicing) and will soon be home to a Pinkberry, which is all the rage here I guess.

More star sightings

Well, as I was dining across the way from Ford's Filling Station, the restuarant owned/ran by Harrison Ford's son, I saw Scott Wolf who was on Party of Five most notably, but is on Everwood and the new show The Nine, which seems like The Inside Man meets Lost. (Hopefully no Polar Bears)

I was also followed by David Krumoltz down Larchmont to the drug store. Currently he is in the show "Numb3rs" and has been in a lot of random movies.

By the way I love IMDB It is the best movie reference. So if ever you are up late at night wondering what was that name of that movie with so and so and whosits whatsits go here and never spend another sleepless night.

Little Miss

It is so great to finally walk out of a movie and say to yourself "This is why I love going to the movies" while almost crying from happiness and from laughing so hard. I loved Little Miss Sunshine. It has been so so long since I saw a movie that I truly am enamored with.

Go see it.

Although it is a movie centered around a little girl trying to get to a beauty pageant, it is not for young ears.

Here....2

..... Raleigh Studios . The oldest running studio in the country. Check out their history page. What they don't tell you is that Bette Davis is said to haunt the halls.

Here....

... are the places in my neighborhood, in my neighborhood, in my neighborhood, so here are the places in my neighborhood, they are the places that I see each day.

Since the move, I haven't really let you know the new places in my neighborhood. Now that my scenery has changed I welcome you to the first edition of

HERE ARE THE NEW PLACES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.



This is a view of Paramount Studios from their Bronson Gate. The first time I saw the studio, I have to admit that I was a bit dumbstruck. A number of moments since my move I have had to pinch myself, because sometimes it is hard for me to believe that I am actually living here. Not like I cried or anything, but this is what you think about when you think of Hollywood and now I get to see it every day.

My new apartment overlooks part of the lot. Unfortunately I am at work during the day, so I do not have any star sightings to add. Click Here for a historical overview. (Another can be seen on their website.)

So, far my marching infront of the studio with a sandwich board that reads "Discover Me" has not worked. So I have moved on to neighboring ..........

Friday, August 4th

Please cross your fingers, think happy thoughts, pray, chant, send positive energy, say rosaries or whatever it is that you do for someone who is having surgery today.

Thank you.

I AM HERE's tips for staying cool this summer

These aren't in any order:

1) Eat Watermelon. There is nothing better than eating watermelon fresh from the fridge when it is hot.

2)Go to a movie. I know this summer has been a hollywood suck fest, but all movie theaters have air conditioning.

Note: to Hollywood, could you make better movies for next year's heatwave?

3) Drink water, but not too much. Drinking too much water also depletes things that you need. Switch up to Gatorade and if you are in a bind, try this trick I learned in a restuarant.

Add half a packet of sugar to your water. You can grab a packet of sugar from Starbucks, they are everywhere.

4) Buy an ice pack and keep it in the freezer. For this summer I bought myself a Mr. Happy freezer pack. (pictured above) USE OFTEN.

5) Don't take the city bus. They are overcrowded and there isn't enough air conditioning in the world that is goign to lower 100 people's 98.6 degree body heat in that small of space.

6) Go to work and work late. They also, like the movies, have air conditioning.

7) Travel north. It is always liable to be cooler up north. Except for the Chicago to Minneapolis trip. It is never cooler in Minneapolis, the humidty becomes more tropical.

I hope these tips help you to stay cooler in these last few weeks of summer.

Do you have your own tips? Email them to: eyemheer2@yahoo.com

Random Star Sightings over the last month

When I went up north I actually saw the big dipper, but those aren't the stars you are probably interested in.

At a martini party a month or so ago I ran into Lisa Marie Presley . She is a lot tinier than I thought, which has become true for most celebrities that I have seen. She is also prettier in person, which is always good.

I ran into Mr. Seaver! Alan Thicke I alway wondered what happened to him and there he was at a golf course on the 4th of July. Other club members that I saw were....

Richard Kind and Jeff Garlin .

That is it for now.

For the second time in my life

I walked out of Miami Vice. It was just that bad. This is not something I do very often, in fact it was only the second time I have ever walked out of a movie. My advice to you, is grip your wallet and run as fast as you can away from the theater.

Sweet Relief

It is day 3 of the cool down and I am feeling much better about life. I am sure that you have all heard about the Heatwave that has gripped California since July 1st (My official date, the media puts it at July 16th) It has been a long month of trying to stay cool.
Part of the reason that I haven't written is that our computer is in the room we have named the Sauna. Also, I was so hot that I think that some of my brain cells evaporated.
It has been difficult to be in California during this month. This summer has been especially difficult for Californians, they have never dealt with so much humidity. As a veteran of Minnesota, the humidity didn't bother me as much as that there is no relief to the heat. At least in Minnesota it rains every couple of weeks. I actually had a dream about thunderstorms last week. Maybe I was subconciously trying to tell California something.
I cannot explain to you in words exactly how hot it was because I don't think that words like that exist in the english language or if so young children are not aloud to hear them.
Just know that it was hot and that I lived through it, but like all Californians I am on my last crabby leg.

Shooting on my block

Today they are shooting scenes from The Shield today in my neighborhood. They are down the block a bit, so I can't report anything from my building, other than low flying helicopters.

update...update...update....

Yes, I know that it has been a while yet again. The heat has really melted my brain. More about our heatwave later. I will now retire to the only room in our lovely apartment that has air conditioning and write some posts about what I have been up to. To tide you over please busy yourself by watching my boyfriend's commercial on the bud light website

Go to view all TV ads and if you scroll over them he is in the one called Zagar-pick up game. He is the one who gets shot in the neck with a blow dart.

Finally!

did.....

.. you miss me? I missed you too. My email box has been pretty lonely as well.

And the best place to spot celebrities is...

...The Newsroom on Robertson.

While there one Saturday afternoon while family was in town we saw Pauly Shore, two of the band members from No Doubt and Natalie Imbruglia.

So, if you are itching to see some celebrities while in Los Angeles, this is the place to go.

Finally

Just when I thought the whole kkbbcasting.com contest was a sham, Asher found out that he is indeed one of th 20 finalists. Thank you all for voting.

Shoppers of the world Untie!

You will notice a new L.A. link on the side of my blog. It is www.dailycandy.com
It isn't really an L.A. blog exactly. You may notice that you can choose a different city depending on where you live or where you are jet setting to. (wink, wink)

What is Daily Candy anyway?
It is basically a girls guide to where to shop, where to eat and what to do.

What Daily Candy says about itself
"DailyCandy, a free daily e-mail newsletter and website, is the ultimate insider’s guide to what’s hot, new, and undiscovered — from fashion and style to gadgets and travel. As useful as it is entertaining, it’s like getting an e-mail from your clever, unpredictable, and totally in-the-know best friend. The one who knows about secret beauty treatments, must-have jeans, hot new restaurants — and always shares the scoop."

I also love the watercolor art.

Ladies, have fun.

Interview with Gaga

Which celebrity were you from the celebrity quiz that I put in the blog before you came?

I was most like Grace Kelly of course!!!!!

When you got here what shocked and/or surprised you the most?

The thing that surprised me the most
was the footprints at Grauman's.....were they really that small????can't believe that
all those stars were midgets!!!

And all those famous places were just around the corner
here and there. Kitson's...are there any others??? piles of jeans and tees like in any
ordinary teen shop.....but hundreds of dollars!!!


What was your favorite meal?

Favorite restaurant.....your birthday
place


What is one thing, besideds me, that you would have taken back with you?

The flowers were outstanding
especially the roses!!

Want to have a Whole
Foods here....and would love a croissant and crepe from the market......very much like
Paris.

What is one thing that you wish that you would have done, but didn't?
would have liked to walk the Rodeo Dr. area.


What did you think or L.A. traffic?

Traffic.....about the same in any large city.

too ht for a better title

California is hot.

test

I have my own cartoon!

Maybe the Amish have it?

The title of this blog pretty much sums up how I am feeling lately about technology. If I didn't depend on it so much, I would pick up and move to Pennsylvania and commune with the tech free society. I write this as I am plugged into my ipod.

Why am I so turned off? Well between the phones dropping, the power going out and rebuilding databases with fatal errors at work, my phone therefore my internet has been down at home. Also, my digital camera is toast and Asher's needs a new chip, but they don't sell that chip anymore. They have upgraded to a new chip format, leaving all of the Fuji cameras that are more than two years old completely futile. (Who knew digital cameras were made to be disposable)

It has really just left me feeling very annoyed. If you don't hear from me in a while again it is because the tech. gods are frowning upon me once again.

Vote for Asher

The love of my life, Asher, has entered into an online acting contest for Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang . If you haven't seen the movie go out and rent it. I was pleasantly surprised.

Anyway, because we live in the time of reality shows and everyone is so very keen on the online voting thing, you can view and vote for Asher's scene.

I would like to warn you before giving you directions on how to access it that the language in the scene is very adult.

That being said, please go to www.kkbbcasting.com and look for his scene. Unfortunately they keep shuffling which page he is on. Currently he is on page 5. His scene is Scene 2-The Apology. Since many of you do not know what he looks like, he is wearing a blue polo and is standing infront of the palm tree that is in our back yard. Please give him 5 stars.

Any questions please call me or email me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

Break in the action

I will be getting back to my family's California adventure shortly, but first two things....

incredibly cute pictures of my nephew!

Amanda and I will be putting together a baby Evan blog and details will come soon.

The next will come item will b e in my next post.

Interview with Coey

Which celebrity were you from the celebrity quiz that I put in the blog before you came? Debbie Reynolds

Before coming out to Los Angeles, what did you think it would be like?
I thought it would be sunny, palm trees, and stars everywhere.

When you got here what shocked and/or surprised you the most?
I was surprised that it was very "carnie." A lot of the hot spots were holes in the wall and very spread out.

Her definition of "Carnie" is:"Well, you know. It was like everyone was trying to sell something like the fair or a carnival. The Kodak and Chinese theaters were seedier
than I thought they'd be. Everything wasn't as clean and well kept as I
thought it would be. You know what I mean by carnie."

You had the chance to see several celebrities, What was that like?
It was cool to see the celebrities. I thought I would be nervous to see them, but it was like they were regular people, hanging out and shopping or grabbing lunch with their friends.

What was your favorite meal?
My favorite meals were the banana nutella crepes, and also the shrimp pasta at Off Vine.

What was your favorite sale?
My favorite sale was the $68 Vera Wang wedding dress (quelle surprise).

What is one thing, besideds me, that you would have taken back with you?I would have taken back the palm trees and sun - along with more sale items (besides you)

What is one thing that you wish that you would have done, but didn't?
I wish I could have shopped on Rodeo Drive - and gone to the beach more often - and seen more of the celebs on my list.

What was your favorite thing that you did?
My favorite thing was hanging out with you - and also going to the beach - the hotel was great, too.

What did you think or L.A. traffic?
LA traffic was bad - but no worse than most holiday traffic. I thought it was interesting, though, that most of their side streets were like the highways in MN.

I didn't think it would be this way either

My first thought of Los Angeles was ehww, why would anyone want to live here? That thought came from the comfort of my own couch in Minneapolis before ever visiting here. L.A, as I knew it, was the place of my mother's gossip rags and ET (coincidentally taped right across the street from where I live now.) L.A. was a booming metropolis filled with designer stores, celebrities everywhere, a 24 hour Vegas-like party land, where if there aren't droughts and fires, there are mudslides, if no mudslides, there are earthquakes. ( All of this coming from a girl who lived in the land of blizzards, tornadoes and insane humidity )

I think that is what shocks people when thy come here. L.A. is very underwhelming.

I know that last statement sounded very bad. I don't exactly mean it too be, sometimes when things are less than what you expect that can be very good. Take for example the fact that I thought that I had to buy a whole new wardrobe before my first visit, because I would seem so midwest . I liked that when I got here, I was pleasantly surprised that it quite honestly didn't matter what you wear here. You could wear nothing at all, not like girls here don't try.

The things about L.A. that is played up so much in the media and is so underwhelming are things like ...

Robertson, Where all of young Hollywood shops and the site of The Ivy-Is actually only 3 blocks long. Just this little blip on the radar of Los Angeles.

The Kodak Theater- The sight of The Oscars, is inside of a shopping mall. Yes, it is true. You have to pass Nine West in your Manolos and Versace to get to your seat. You could possibly stop for some Could Stone if you get there too early and want to avoid Isaac Mizrahy's uncomfortable questions and bad touches.


Walk of fame- The stars of the acting greats are flanked by stars for the not so acting greats and former Laker Cheerleaders, turned singers, turned... The site of the Chinese Theater is also the sight for panhandlers dressed in costumes.

Anyway, this is not to deter you from ever coming here. There are many things about Los Angeles that I love. I just know that it is a shock to find out that the mighty wizard is just a man pulling switches behind a curtain.

The Farmer's Daughter

The The Farmer's Daughter is by far one of the cutest hotels I have ever laid my eyes on. Gigham Cutains, demin bedspreads, lattice work canopies, and the water pump faucet. I don't know how they pulled off modern and country, but they did.

This hotel used to be a dive, that served well for the people who wanted a cheap place to stay so they could walk over to be THE NEXT CONTESTANT ON THE PRICE IS RIGHT. Recently it was gutted and turned into an award winning design hotel.

The Farmer's Daughter is also in the heart of shopping paradise. Hence my choice for my family to stay. It is right across the street from the historic Farmer's Market . (Often a subject in my blog due to my banana nutella crepe addiction), The Grove and the ever so boutique-y 3rd Street.

This is going to sound like I am in cahoots with their marketing people, but I'll go ahead. If you a looking for a place for you or your family to stay and really get the chance to do the whole LA thing stay here. I know that the website makes it look like this is a hotel for young beautiful people, don't let that scare you off. If you aren't 23, have millions of dollars or have a faux-hawk you can stay here and feel equally as comfortable.

If any Farmer's Daughter employee reads this and could tell me the color and maker of the paint for the red color on the sink wall of the double rooms you can email me here at eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

Never American Airlines, Never again

It is May 25th, I get a call at 10:30 a.m. from my mother and sister saying that their flight from Chicago is cancelled due to mechanical difficulties. Not to worry they assure me, they are on the next flight.

They call back. No, they are two of 104 people waiting to get on the next flight. No next flight for them, but their luggage gets to go.

There have been people waiting since 8:00 p.m. May 24th to go to LAX. They are still waiting with my mother and sister.

They will be on the 2:30 flight. They have brought in an extra plane to make up for the cancelled flight. This flight is cancelled due to mechanical difficulties. The next flight that they are able to book will arive at LAX at 7:30 p.m. May 26th.

They are on standby.

They will be on the 3:55 flight, but they aren't.

The 5:15 flight that they are loaded aboard cannot take off because the pilots have been flying too long. They get off to be put back on stand by.

Next flight no.
The next flight no.
no.
no.

Finally at 11:55 p.m., a mere 13 hours after their original flight was scheduled, they are able to leave. After they board and disboard two planes, after two flights are cancelled due to mechanical difficulties, after spending $100 in airport food, they get here at 3:00 a.m.

Repirations from American Airlines zero dollar and zero cents. Food vouchers a little too late.

?

When you last left I AM HERE, she was not yet 30 and she was going have family in town. Yes she did and survived all of these things. She even survived the Rapture, but why on earth hasn't she written?

We may never know.

The next few entries will try to determine why.

Evan David Blog

Some of you might have gotten this link already, but for those of you who haven't, here is a link to Amanda's Evan blog She is posting daily and I will be posting pictures shortly.

So far there are 4 entries, be sure to click the read more button on the welcome page, if not you only get the entry that is most current.

It looks like a Evan is progressing wonderfully. I am crossing my fingers that he can come home soon.

Caring bridge is a great service and if you have some money to spare, it looks like a great place to donate.

My Nephew the most adorable in all the world

I think the title says it all.

I AM HERE reaches the 800 mark

I have had over 800 page views of I AM HERE. I am very excited. I have had visitors from Spain, Singapore, Great Brittan, China, Germany, Chile and of course the U.S. How crazy is that?

Anyway, I hope you like my blog. I will be getting back to some features, adding other new segments and updating more often.

Let me know what you think at eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

A California native moving to Minnesota

Finally something here moving out there.

My favorite grocery spot in town Trader Joes is opening a location in St. Louis, MN park of all places. When it opens you have to go. I am not sure how to describe it, but as my mother would say, it is for the people who like "Coffee shops and hummus parlors."

All joking aside, when it opens you should go. It is the best of an organic grocery co-op without membership dues and clerk attitude.

I am Debbie Reynolds, who the heck are you?

Here is a little quiz to occupy your time. I have family coming out to visit in a week and a half and thought that they might like to know which star they are most like before they come out.

Ever wonder which movie star you are most like?
Well, a team of researchers got together and analyzed the
personalities of movie stars. The gathered info has been incorporated
into this quiz.

>> There's only 10 questions so it doesn't take long. Number your
>> paper from 1 to 10, then Answer each question with the choice that
>> most describes you at this point in your life, and then add up the
>> points that correspond with your answers. Send this to all of your
>> female friends (including person who sent it to you) with your
star's
>> name in the subject line. And don't be a butt and ruin the fun by
>> not responding! ;) -
>>
>> Don't look ahead or you will ruin the fun!
>>
>>
>> 1. Which describes your perfect date?
>> a) Candlelight dinner for two
>> b) Amusement Park
>> c) Rollerblading in the park
>> d) Rock Concert
>> e) Have dinner & see a movie
>> f) Dinner at home with a loved one
>>
>> 2. What is your favorite type of music?
>> a) Rock and Roll
>> b) Alternative
>> c) Soft Rock
>> d) Classical
>> e) Christian
>> f) Jazz
>>
>>
>> 3. What is your favorite type of movie?
>> a) Comedy
>> b) Horror
>> c) Musical
>> d) Romance
>> e) Documentary
>> f) Mystery
>>
>>
>> 4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were given
>> only
>> these choices?
>> a) Waiter/Waitress
>> b) Sports Player
>> c) Teacher
>> d) Policeman
>> e) Bartender
>> f) Business person
>>
>> 5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
>> a) Work out
>> b) Make out
>> c) Watch TV
>> d) Listen to the radio
>> e) Sleep
>> f) Read
>>
>> 6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
>> a) Yellow
>> b) White
>> c) Sky blue
>> d) Teal
>> e) Gold
>> f) Red
>>
>>
>> 7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
>> a) Ice cream
>> b) Pizza
>> c) Sushi
>> d) Pasta
>> e) Salad
>> f) Lobster Tail
>>
>> 8. Which is your favorite holiday?
>> a) Halloween
>> b) Christmas
>> c) New Year's
>> d) Valentine's Day
>> e) Thanksgiving
>> f) Fourth of July
>>
>>
>> 9. If you could go to any of the following places, which would it
>> be?
>> a) Reno
>> b) Spain
>> c) Las Vegas
>> d) Hawaii
>> e) Hollywood
>> f) British Columbia
>>
>> 10. Of the following, who would you rather spend time with?
>>
>> a) Someone who is smart
>> b) Someone with good looks
>> c) Someone who is a party animal
>> d) Someone who has fun all the time
>> e) Someone who is very emotional
>> f) Someone who is fun to be with
>>
>> Now total up your points on each question:
>>
>> 1. a-4 b-2 c-5 d-1 e-3 f-6
>> 2. a-2 b-1 c-4 d-5 e-3 f-6
>> 3. a-2 b-1 c-3 d-4 e-5 f-6
>> 4. a-4 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-1 f-6
>> 5. a-5 b-4 c-2 d-1 e-3 f-6
>> 6. a-1 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-4 f-6
>> 7. a-3 b-2 c-1 d-4 e-5 f-6
>> 8. a-1 b-3 c-2 d-4 e-5 f-6
>> 9. a-4 b-5 c-1 d-4 e-3 f-6
>> 10. a-5 b-2 c-1 d-3 e-4 f-6
>>
>> NOW, take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:
>> (10-17 points) You are MADONNA:
>> You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have fun,
>> but you may take it to extremes. You know what you are doing
>> though, and are much in control of your own life. People don't
>> always see things your way, but that doesn't mean that you should
>> do away with your beliefs. Try to remember that your wild spirit
>> can lead to hurting yourself and others.
>>
>>
>> 18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY:
>> You are fun, friendly, and popular! You are a real crowd pleaser.
>> You have probably been out on the town your share of times, yet
>> you come home with the values that your mother taught you. Marriage
>> and children are very important to you, but only after you have
>> fun. Don't let the people you please influence you to stray.
>>
>> (27-34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS:
>> You are cute, and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that no
>> one takes the chance of losing.. You never hurt feelings and seldom
>> have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and
>> calm most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you
>> are worry-free.
>>
>>
>> 35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY:
>> You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to
>> enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a
>> family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a
>> Birthday. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the
>> real thing.
>>
>> 43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN:
>> You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached with a
>> plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap
>> from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you
>> consider "real friends". You teach strong family values. Keep your
>> feet planted in them, but don't overlook a bad situation when it
>> does happen.
>>
>>
>> (51-60 points) You are ELIZABETH TAYLOR:
>> Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get
>> it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word
>> is your bond. Everyone knows when you say something it is money in
>> the bank, You attract the opposite sex. Your intelligence
>> overwhelms most. Your memory is the next thing to photographic.
>> Everyone admires you because you are so considerate and lovable.
>> You know how to enjoy life and treat people right.
>>
>>
>> Now put your Movie Star in the subject line, then forward and
>> share with your friends.


Please email me and tell me who you are. As much as I have missed bloging, I have also missed hearing from all of you. Drop me a line, as always at eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

Mother's Day a little late

I missed writing an ode to Mother's Day on my blog. For that I feel horrible. I just got internet today in fact.

I guess that the one thing I can say about Mothers, is that no matter how bad you feel at times your Mother knows exactly what to say or do to make you feel better. All my Mom has to say is...

"Oh, no honey"

These three words aren't big words, but the way she says them just makes it all right.

Happy Beeelated Mother's Day see you in 10 days.

My one regret

The one thing that I regret about moving to Los Angeles is that I do not have the opportunity to be with my sister as she changes and grows due to her pregnancy with my nephew. She did allow me to post ONE picture of her, but I am forbidden to show her face. I am sure that there are others of you who also would like to see a pregnant picture of "The Amazing Mandu." So, just this once you have the opportunity.

I wish I could be there and it makes me sad that I am not.

Pregnant women are beautiful Mandu. Happy early Mother's Day.

My favorite photo from last week

This is a photo of the 300,00 people who took to the streets last week in Los Angeles. This is the famous Wilshire Blvd. the scene of last weeks May 1st protests.

Did you miss me?

I missed writing too. I am going to try to remember as much as I can from the last few weeks so that I can keep you up to date on these last few chaotic weeks.

Featurettes to come:
Busy week for L.A.
What are THEY wearing 2
A new round of here are the places is my neighborhood
New Photos

I will have internet soon at my new apartment so posting won't be so intermittent.

Email me when you get the chance. I miss getting emails as well.

Moving Day

Today and tomorrow are moving days. I hope to be back again writing by mid week.

A side note

The cover above the fold photo of the Los Angeles Times made me ill today.

Whirlwind weekend, whirlwind week

I hate that I haven't been able to keep everyone posted to what I am doing here. I hope that everything settles down and I can get back to writing on my blog.

I did have an end to the star sighting drought. This weekend I saw "http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0908794/"> Mike Wallace , Giovanni Ribisi and that cute badboy doctor on Grey's Anatomy.

Moving... again

I hope you didn't get too attached to my other address because I am moving again. I will be sending out my new address via mail and email shortly.

I am so excited to be moving. Let's hope this one lasts a while.

Lizards and waterfalls and flip flops Oh My!

I spent my Easter hiking in Temescal Canyon with Asher. Had I known I was going to go hiking, I would not have worn my brand new flip flops. No, I do not need reminding that I am a city girl.

Unfortunately the French Crepe place was not open for Easter Breakfast. I will have to cash in my raincheck for that next weekend. We headed to Mani's which is also a really great restaurant for the health conscious hipster type. I guess that would explain some of the clientel, but the Mani's crowd is actually a pretty eclectic group. The menu is huge and I have never been disappointed with anything I have ever had. If you have the chance to go on the 27th you should. They are participating in the dine out for AIDS project.

I also saw Lucky Number Sleven.

All and all it was a pretty good Easter.

Happy Easter!

To clear things up

Some of you were wondering if I was moving because Asher and I are on the outs. This is not the case. It is just time that we strike out on our own.

Thank you for your concern.

Hiatus

I have gotten a couple emails asking where I have been. I have not died and the rain did not wash me away. I have been apartment hunting. I hope to get back to blogging soon.

Huh?

It has done nothing but rain here for 3 days straight with intermittent rain the 3 days before that. Did I move back to Minnesota without noticing?

What are THEY wearing

I was asked by a reader "What are they wearing" Well, the most essential item every L.A. woman must have is strangely huge sunglasses. Every girl/woman from 16 to 49 is wearing capital B Big sunglasses.

Why? They leave a little to the imagination. They leave passers by asking "Is that someone?" Often times the size of these sunglasses obscure facial features so it is so hard to tell who is who. I think this is why they are so popular. Even secretaries are being mistaken for primetime stars.

So if you are a woman and moving to L.A., go out and buy yourself big @$$ sunglasses. That's what I did.


This photo is taken from the Bebe eyewear collection. I do not want to get sued for using their picture.

Happy 43rd!

My father celebrates his 43rd Birthday today.

Married at 8 and had his first child at 13, things were often rough for us. He had to support us on his weekly paper route while my mother, 11 at the time, stayed home with me. He was often teased at school for liking girls by his friends who wondered why he was not able to attend the daily treefort meetings anymore. Having a knack for trapeze artistry he took the family along when he joined the circus. On the circus route my sister, Mandu, was born when my father was merely 15. We were often babysat by the bearded lady. Her name was Tammy. The money coming from the circus was not paying the bills, especially with two children. It was then that the CIA approached my father and asked him to become an international spy at the age of 17 1/2.
At 19, my last sister, coey was born in Minsk where we would spend the summers. The remaining 24 years my father has been stopping evil in its tracks. Although he says it has been a lot slower now that the cold war is over. I hope this email finds you in Tunisia, Paris or Vaasa. By the way, this post will self destruct in 30 seconds.

Happy Birthday! I love you Dad!
(I hope this gets to you soon. I have been trying to get intouch with you at home, but you are on the internet.)

from my cell phone

Here are some lovely flowers taken by my new cell phone.

New Link

I am not sure if you noticed but I added a new link to my blog. You can find it underneath the link to my email address.

I have started to look for other blogs about Los Angeles that you might find interesting. LA Observed is a blog that I have recently started reading which posts news about Los Angeles.

Lately some of the bigger news here is about the protest and rallies centralizing around the Sesenbrenner Immigration Bill. To make a long story short this Bill would reclassify all illegal immigrants as criminals at large. A lot of the recent post are about this.

My aim in pointing out this blog to you is not to make some sort of political statement, I just tought that maybe some of you might want to know what the other non-celebrity Los Angeles is like.

I will continue to add other Los Angeles based blog addresses down the right hand side of this webpage.

Here aren't the places in my neighborhood

I was asked whether or not I lived close to the famous Chateau Marmont . The Chateau Marmont is a hotel and residence where celebrities like Scarlett Johansson live. Although it is not in my neighborhood per say, it isn't that far. I would say it is in the neighborhood next to mine.

There are many reason's why the Chateau (we are on a first name basis) is famous. One of the more notable is becasue Jim Belushi died there. Many stars have used this hotel as a refuge including Paul Newman, Bob Dylan, Marilyn Monroe and others. The hotel is also located on the famous Sunset Strip most notably depicted in the film "Sunset Boulevard". "Sunset Boulevard" was the first movie about LA that I watched when I got here two months ago. It is a great movie and I recommend seeing it especially if you are hint hint preparing to come see me hint hint.

I have frequented a place across the street the Chateau Marmont called Wacky Waffles. (pictured) I haven't tried the waffles yet. So far I haven't seen Scarlett Jo there either. Something tells me that she hasn't "gone Wacky on the Sunset Strip."

I do live not too far from the Chateau Marmutt which is a dog day care and parlor. I am sure some Hollywood dogs have sought refuge there.

Lost my muse

Since I have been working a lot, I have had a hard time thinking about what to write in my blog. So, if you have any questions for me fire away. I will be happy to answer any and they may give me some ideas on what to visit or write about.

Email me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com

Here are the places in my neighborhood (part 5)

The Kabbalah Center

My theory that Los Angeles is a very mystical place might very well be true.

Los Angeles is home of the very famous Kabbalah Center of Los Angeles where Madonna, Demi, Ashton and others frequent. I do not know too much about the religion, but they do have a free introduction to Kabbalah on Monday nights and online courses.

It isn't very close to where the Scientologists hang out. I think if they were on the same turf they might rumble.

A friendly little poll

VS.

Eventhough Los Angeles is in a warmer climate, people still love their coffee. I figure that there are two types of people in LA; people who like The Coffee Bean and those who like Starbucks. There really isn't another option. You are either one or the other. The Bean and Starbucks both know this too. If you go anywhere in Los Angeles they put these two coffee giants in close proximity to eachother either directly across the street or within a few blocks.

I am a Coffee Bean girl and if I find a Starbucks I will make the 2-5 block journey to find the Bean; even if it is raining and I am wearing bad shoes. The Coffee Bean's Iced Chai Lattes are the closest thing to heaven that I can imagine. They are the perfect blend of chai, milk and vanilla powder. Really. It just tastes like bliss in a cup.

Whereas I think Starbucks Coffee tastes like burnt dirt. Even their lattes come on too strong.

Not to judge, but I am, I think that the people who frequent these two coffee giants are different too. If I were more of a nerd I might write a socio-anthropology paper about it, but I am not that motivated.

Email me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com and let me know if you like the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or Starbucks.

I wonder if anyone at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will read this and offer me free Chai Lattes for a year. One could dream.

Amendment

A few days ago, I posted a foward I received about Ovarian Cancer. I has since deleted it, since hearing that the information in it isn't necessarily good information. I am now replacing it with a website that offers free testing to low income women if you click on a button on their website. It is very simle to do and please do so as often as you can. Please click here

Winter in Los Angeles

For the rest of my life I will remember this commercial that played during he Minnesota winters.

It is a spoof on Wagner's Opera "The Ring of the Nibelung". In the commercial Brunnehilde lashes forth with her mighty sword and sings to the tune of "The Ride of the Valkyries" .....

"Velcome to Vinter, in Minnesotah, here is your fuel bill..ha..ha..ha..ha"

In Minnesota there is a marked change of seasons. You know that it is spring becasue there is nothing but mud everywhere. You know that it is summer because it is so humid that when you go outside it feels like, to quote my Dad,"you jumped in a jar of mayo" In Minnesota there is no question whether or not winter is upon you. By far my favorite season in Minnesota is the Fall, but even that is very definate. Not only do the leaves change and fall gracefully to the ground, but fall smells so different from any other season.

This has lead me to ask...

"Exactly what happens in winter in Los Angeles?"

The answer to my question was that it rains. As many of you know, I have been here over a month and in that time, it has rained six times. I am not sure if that is normal, but it definately is no winter I have ever been familiar with.

Who I saw over the weekend

This weekend I saw:

Joel Murray . You may know him as Bill Murray's younger brother. He also co-starred on Dharma and Greg. I was fortunate to see him at IO West (formerly Improve Olympic). IO West is a famous Improv place where a lot of actors and Saturday Night Live members get their start. They also have IO in Chicago and if you ever have the chance to go, you should. I promise that you will laugh.

I also saw Ian Ziering who was on 90210.

eye m a stranger heer miselph

I received this book as a gift from my Secret Santa in my book club in Minneapolis. I don't think that I could have found a book title more perfect for my adventure out west. Because I do feel like a stanger here sometimes. There are little things out here that make me feel different. Like the way that I talk-My boyfriend and roomate love it when I say "soup", how absolutely ecstatic I am when the sun is out, how shocked I am about how much of a pain in the a@@ it is to recycle here and I think that I am the only person who will walk nine blocks to the grocery store. People in Los Angeles love to drive- see L.A. Story as an example.

After saying all that, I love it here.

"I'm a Stranger Here Myslef" by Bill Bryson is a collection of essays about his life in the U.S. after being away for 20 years. Mainly this book is commentary on how the culture of the U.S. has changed since he left, how absurd Dental Floss hotlines are, how blinded you can be by choice and his technology woes. His essay about doing your taxes is particulary funny, you should read it by April 15th.

If you want to laugh, because so much of what is out there to read right now is so "gloom and doom", pick up this book. I think we as people of this culture have really lost the ability to laugh at ourselves; it isn't until we learn that less people are injured by guns in England then are sent to the emergency room for being injured by bedding here in the U.S, that we realize how silly everything is.

Note to Author: I am sorry that I did not submit this review to you beforehand as stated in rule#27 in your chapter called "Rules for Living". I hope you accept my review as purely amatuer and not significant in any literary circle.

I can see your aura

One thing about Los Angeles is that there is no shortage of Thai restaurants, strip malls and phychics. I guess that LA is a very mystical place.

I mention this because I was given a card from a phychic who said that she would love to a do a reading on me becasue she is getting strong spiritual energy from me.

The thing is that she was not the first person to say such a thing to me. My question is do I take that as a compliment and move on or do I start my own physic studio and use my untapped powers? I see that there is vacancy a couple blocks down in a strip mall next to a Thai place that would be a perfect place to set up shop.

Oscar Night

Doesn't it seem like the movie choices from year to year get worse and worse? I can say that 2005 was probably one of the worst years for film. It seemed like it was the year of the remake or sequel. (Come on, who really needed to see Cheaper by the Dozen 2) There wasn't one movie that came out last year that I was truly excited to go and see. With that being said, the movies that are nominated tonight are the best of 2005 and I cannot even begin to figure out who is going to win the prize. For those of you who are going to have an Oscar party tonight, if you'd like you can print an Oscar ballot and play along click here and go to printable ballot.

My dream picks are:
Best Actor Leading- Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Best Actress Leading- Reese Witherspoon (although it will probably be Felicity)
Best Documentary- March of the Penguins

As a side note, I can't believe that "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" is an Oscar nominated song.

Have fun and let me know if you will be coming this way for the Oscars next year. I am trying to get the skinny from a friend of mine who is interviewing on the red arpet tonight. Hopefully the movies in 2006 aren't as bad as 2005.

Employed

I never thought that I would be able to say that word again. Employed. I am very happy to be working. I wish that I can describe to you what it is like and tell you all who read this where I work, but here is the one rule all bloggers must and should abide by:

NEVER TALK ABOUT WORK ON YOUR BLOG.

Why do you ask? Because people have been fired for writing about work in their blog. Good or bad things, it just doesn't matter. Writing about work in your blog goes against the confidentiality clause you sign in your employee handbook.

So, just know that I love it so far, the people are great and I know that in the long term I am going to be very happy there. I work with someone from Minnesota. (What a small world)

I'll write people individually soon about the details. I know some of y'all are reading, but haven't dropped me a hello. If you want to be included in the details please email me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com

P.S. The afore mentioned sending of an informational email only includes friends and family

Here are the places in my neighborhood (part 4)

Today I went to Toast to celebrate MY NEW JOB that I am starting tomorrow. Some of you may know Toast from the gossip mags. Although I did not see her, Paris Hilton frequents this local breakfast hot spot. It is an absolute zoo during the lunch hour and on the weekends so, if you want to see a glimpse of young Hollywood while eating some really great food, plan accordingly.

positive thought

It is down to me and another girl for a job that I am really excited about. They are down to checking our references. I know that my references will all say nice things about me, but what if the other girl's references are equally as good.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Oh-lympics

Today the Olymics draw to a close. I can honestly say that I watched one or two events this year, and that was only to see if Asher's commerical was going to play. It didn't. If I hadn't seen pictures from the set I would think that he was joking with me.

I remember being excited when I was a kid to watch the Olympics. I remember my sisters and I would go to this frozen over swamp next to our house and try to do the tricks on our super dull skates. (Some of you may remember the swamp from one of our Christmas pictures) None of us ever executed a triple toe loop, but we had fun trying. I don't know what happened to make the Olympics so unexciting for me, maybe becasue I know that I am too old to go outside in my mittens and tutu and attempt a triple anything. I guess it wasn't exciting for anyone else becasue this year's Olympics was one of the least watched in history.

Note: I am going to stop guessing when the commercial will play. When I see the first in the series of three I will send out a blog alert.

Mr. GH

I saw George Hamilton today in the drug store. He has a way of making errand running so classy.

I love the '80s

Although I was too busy talking to a friend to realize, I passed by Anthony Michael Hall during my hike today. It was rather strange since I have seen him a lot on television lately. He is a staple of the "I love the '80's" series on VH1 (Which I recommend watching now, just so we can collectively laugh at ourselves. Oh, come on you know you had big hair.) His co-star in Weird Science, Kelly LeBrock, is also on VH1 on the "Celebrity Fit Club."

A lot of you will know him from the being part of the "Brat Pack". He was in a lot of popular '80s movies like Sixteen Candles , The Breakfast Club and Weird Science. John Hughes was the god of '80s film and wrote parts especially for Anthony Michael Hall.

These movies, although extremely popular and ones that I have watched a few times each, came too early for me to appreciate them. For example I was 8 when Sixteen Candles came out and could not understand the anti-authority angle of the Breakfast Club at age 9. In fact I did not see it until after I was 21. During this time, I felt more commonality with Hughes' Mr. Mom than any of his teen movies.

Weird Science is on Comcast's On Demand right now. I am feeling kind of nostalgic so maybe I'll watch it today.

6 of 1....

I am sitting at the computer taking break from writing post interview thank you notes. A phenomenon that I am new to as I have not tried looking for a job for six years.

Looking for a job, is very frustrating and is probably the reason I stayed in my old job for way too long. It is not the thank you notes that bother me. (Although, they have given me another business idea) It is the fact that I seem to always have to choose between

a) getting a phone interview or going to an interview

or

b)having a job scheduled the same exact day from the temp. agency.

Take this scenario. I have a phone interview scheduled on a Monday for a huge national company who just opened an office in Los Angeles. On that same day, I get called for a day job for this women who owns a restaurant and is looking to start her own film production company. She wants to hire someone permanently at part time with the option of fulltime once the production company starts. Wouldn't that be an awesome job, but since I am having a phone interview for a fulltime job, I stay and wait and wait for a call that never comes.

So, next week I have and interview at a company that I am really excited about, but have a week long job for the temp. angency. So here is the thing, I am always choosing between the possibilty of money fulltime or sure money for a day or week at a time.

So, as my mother would say.

"Six of one..."

What she doesn't add for the saying to be complete is "half a dozen of the other"

lesson learned

The reason I have not posted in a while is because of the painting project that turned into a fiasco this week. You see, we did not know that you cannot put laytex paint over an oil based paint without a primer coat first. After painting our bathroom, we realized that you can wipe the paint off with a sponge. So we are in the process of peeling, sanding, priming and re-painting. Not as fun as it sounds I assure you. I promise that I will have some posts for you all soon.

By the way, it is so nice to hear from everyone. It has been great keeping in touch with y'all.

Remember you can always write me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

A break in the action

I apologizing for not posting over the last couple of days. I have been busy with interviews, day jobs and Valentine's Day. I promise to get back on track tomorrow.

Here are the places in my neighborhood (part 3)

The 3rd Street Dance studio is where they practice for a certain dance show currently on television. Today I saw Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin on their way to practice. Actually she just practices and he is there to be supportive.

Here are the places in my neighborhood (part 2)

The Ivy





Some of you might know The Ivy as the place the first Bennifer broke up, or as the place that TomKat ride their motorcycle to. I walked past it today on the way to the grocery store.

There is no water in Coldwater Canyon

Here are some photos from Coldwater Canyon, where I spent part of my day at today.

Yes, I went hiking, don't be shocked.

show me the monkey!!

In Los Angeles there are a lot of billboards and advertisements everywhere. It is no Tokyo, but there are a lot. When they are trying to push a movie or television show particularly hard, the specific show's billboards seem to be everywhere. The past few weeks the movie/show that is winning the billboard contest is the new Curious George movie. Rather strangely though, the movie/show with the most billboards usually doesn't do all that well. Take Emily's Reasons Why Not starring Heather Graham that lasted one episode. Those billboards were everywhere when i first got here. Or Blind Justice , that cop show about the cop who went blind but still wanted to remain on the force and had to rely on his other senses. I think that one lasted maybe one season. Alias , don't get me started about Alias, how I loved thee, will now be on its last season. The list goes on. I am waiting to see how Curious George does at the box office to see if the curse will live on

me-having fun

This is me at the Fugees concert on Monday. This was their first concert since deciding to go there separate ways in 1996. Asher and I were part of the 8,000 people who got tickets to the free concert. What was also cool, besides the fact that they are awesome live, was they they completely closed down Hollywood and Vine for the concert. (i.e. a big part of the Walk of Fame.)

To learn about the Fugees click here .

It's a boy!!!!

So as many of you found out yesterday, my sister and her husband are going to have a baby boy. We all knew it would be. I am very excited to be an aunt and can't wait for July.

My other sister and I are already battling for the coolest aunt prize. I think I might win.

Here are the places in my neighborhood (part 1)

I live a few blocks from Cedar Sinai Medical Center. Some of you may know Cedar Sinai from the gossip rags, because a lot of celebrities get treated there. You may have heard the name in the news recently because Lou Rawls passed away at csmc.

Call me cheesy, but the thing I like about Cedar Sinai is that it sits on George Burns Road and the street that crossed directly through the medical center is Gracie Allen Drive. There, George and Gracie, although figuratively, get the chance to meet again.

For those of you who do not know, basically for those of you who are young and are readers who are not in my family, Gracie Allen and George Burns were a comedy duo/husband and wife team who had a popular radio show in the 1930s and a brief, but successful leap to television in 1950.

Gracie died from illness in 1964 and George Burns died in 1996 at the age of 100.

I remember seeing an interview with George Burns later in his life; the interviewer asked him about his longevity and asked him how he felt about being over 100. I think that the interviewer was surprised that living for a long time did not make George happier. In fact George said, and I am going to paraphrase, that every day that he lives, keeps him one day farther from seeing Gracie in heaven.

Could you imagine living that long without the person you love? I hope it never happens to me.

I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

Sorry, I couldn't pass up a bad '80's song lyric reference.

Anyway, If you happened to notice a week or so ago, I put a visiting counter on my blog. (It is on the right side below my archived posts in green with black numbers) So far I have had 30 plus viewers of my blog and many repeat visits. Thank you StatCounter . It was interesting to see that I have visitors from Australia, Canada and Japan.

What sort of bummed me out though is that I really don't get a lot of emails at my blog email address. So, if you are reading I Am Here, please send me a note at eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

Thanks and happy reading!!

Superbowl???

Is Asher's commercial going to play during the superbowl?

I know that a lot of you are asking if Asher's commercial will play during the Superbowl. The short story is that I am not sure. The long story is that in order to find out if it is going to play, it is a long process of phone tag to the prodution company, Budwieser, etc.

So, if his commercial does play, he is in one of a three spot deal. The story is that this American guy gets a roomate from the Amazon and during their bonding they find that the only thing that they both like is Bud Light. Asher will be in the commercial where they play basketball and he is the one who gets shot in the neck with a blow dart. Surprisingly, I have also seen a couple other non-Bud Light blow dart commercials lately, so don't be confused.

Above is a picture of my man, so look out for him at the Superbowl and if not there we are thinking the Olympics.

When Clutterholics Fall in Love

Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui

Before I moved out here, Asher told me about all of these Feng Shui books he had borrowed from the library so that we could use them to redesign the apartment. I thought that was a very sweet gesture, because I have a good boyfriend who wants me to feel comfortable in my new surroundings.

When I got here a couple weeks ago, and we began the endevour of Feng Shui-ing the apartment, I realized that I had met my soulmate. He keeps every movie ticket stub, receipt and phone bills from 2003, just like I do. In a former period in my life, I might have found this endearing, but having to move boxes and piles of old bills, etc. to rearrange the apartment, seemed like such a waste of time.

For those of you who really know me you can go ahead and laugh. You can, I give you permission. This is coming from a girl who in her last three apartments had a laundry basket full of papers, receipts, magazines, paystubs from 2002, buttons, tags off of clothes, etc. that I just moved from place to place. Never threw it away, I just moved it.

After a day or two of the purge, I picked up one of the library books called "Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston. Usually, I do not like books like this because they are kind of New Age-y, but other than all of her incessant testimonials from all of the people who used her clutter clearing principals, it was very eye opening. I guess I learned a lot about myself and why I keep all of this, for lack of a better word, crap.

Did you know that clutter keeping is heriditary? Not that I am blaming anyone, but thought it was interesting that there is yet another thing that gets passed down from generation to generation.

I dedicate this post to Janie, who upon first coming to my apartment in Mankato, tried to throw away a candy bar wrapper off of the floor, but was stopped by me because I wanted to tape it into my journal.

Tourist destination: Santa Monica

This is why I felt like a tourist in Santa Monica, because I thought that it was a gorgeous day. I guess it was not a gorgeous day on California standards because I noticed several people, mostly women, dressed in wool, wearing winter coats and fully wrapped in scarves and other winter accessories. I know that it is January, but wearing your winter coat and scarf outside on the Pier is pure crazy. People you do not even know winter.

After visiting Santa Monica a few times, I still do not think that I have developed an opinion on whether or not I like it. It, to me, is basically an outdoor mall, which should be avoided at all costs on the weekend. Santa Monica has great people watching though, and maybe that it what brings me back.

The best place too truly people watch is by far the Santa Monica Pier. There truly are some characters like the neurotic juggler, who actually gets upset if you do not watch his show.

“Hey, do you want to see something cool?”

No audience response.

“I said do you want to see something cool?!!!”

Still no audience response.

“You are going to miss the coolest thing ever!!! I am going to balance this bicycle on my head!!!”

He does his act anyway even without audience participation and still goes around with his bucket asking people for money even though no one watched.

The Pier musicians are a wide range on Blues singers, Hippies and Classic Rock fans. This is what I like about the street musicians on the Pier; it doesn’t really matter how good or bad they are, whether or not they just sing songs with California in the title, they always, and I mean always, tell you who originally wrote and sung the song. I think that is really polite. I know that if someone was making money off of me, I would like at least a little recognition.

Warning to all female tourists: The public restrooms at the park building right before you get to the Santa Monica Pier are probably the worst public restrooms you will ever come across. I have done a lot of traveling in my lifetime and if I were to rate the worst public restrooms in America I would give these restrooms the blue ribbon prize. Go anywhere else in Santa Monica, but never there.

Tourist Stuff

Since my boyfriend's family is in town, we will be doing a bunch of touristy stuff this week. I am actually excited. The majority of these sights I have never seen before.

Due to the tourist extravaganza, I will be posting a little less often than I have been. I apologize.

Thursday

I missed a post yesterday because I was busy getting my information together for my registration at a temp. agency today. It was a bit nerve racking since I worked at my past job for six years.

Oh well change is good.

It is also nice having my own personal cheerleader.

One week mark

(View of downtown Los Angeles from top of the Beverly Center)

Minneapolis 30 degrees feels like 18
Los Angeles 63 degrees feels like 63

Today I celebrate the one week mark in Los Angeles. Technically it was yesterday, but I got into LAX at 11:30 p.m. and since there was only a half an hour left in the day, I am celebrating it today instead.

The first thing I did when I got up a week ago today was head to the famous Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax, went to the French Crepe Company and had what I consider heaven on a plate a.k.a the banana nutella crepe. I used to dream about the banana nutella crepe during my long breaks away from Los Angeles. Now that I am here 24-7 I can have the guilty pleasure whenever I want. That could be a problem though, it is within walking distance.

Mainly, as I have mentioned, I have been organizing a lot at a feverish pace due to Asher’s family coming to town. I think I have met my clutter soul mate. (This will be a post for a different time.)

I have been walking a lot and enjoying the nonstop sunshine. This is such a change from Minneapolis. We didn’t see the sun once from December 23rd to January 9th. So when I see the sun, like most Minnesotans, I want to be out in it. My boyfriend and other Californians assure me that I will get used to it and I wont feel so motivated to be outside all of the time. I really don’t see that happening anytime soon.

I have a lot of landmarks in my area and will be starting a blog series about the places in my neighborhood.

I am very happy and very excited about being here and so grateful that I am finally having a close distance relationship with my boyfriend.

When in doubt go vintage

Saturday night was my first L.A. party. I guess not my first L.A. party, but a party with people who are celebrities. What shocked me was that it was so normal and effortless; just a bunch of people hanging around chatting and having a few cocktails. I guess I am used to the drama club parties of my youth where everyone starts to talk over each other and try to put quarters up their nose. This was not the battle for attention fest that I thought it was going to be.

My other concern that people would be pretentious and label conscious. I have not and probably never will be anyone who can afford Prada sandals and $400 hoodie sweatshirts from Kitson. So I guess when I went out rockin’ my GAP trousers and H & M top, I felt a little Midwest. The thing is that people wear a lot of black here. (I know, my version of heaven.) I actually got a couple comments about my little handbag (pictured) So, note to self, wear a lot of black and when in doubt go vintage.

I know that you are all dying to know who was there. Well it was his birthday and the only other person I recognized was this guy . He played Dr. Joey Martin on All my Kids. I guess the place was crawling with Soap stars, but I didn’t know any of them. I haven’t followed a Soap since 1995 and the only reason I did then was because of someone I was interested in at the time. (Now that I think back that does sound kind of weird. Me pining after a boy who changed his college schedule so that he could watch Days of Our Lives.)

So, that was my first foray into the VIP party set and it wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be.

FYI

This is just a quick note, I have changed some of the colors in my blog so that people understand that there are websites that I have hyperlinked. Before it was hard to tell that I did that. Now if you click on the plum colored words it will link you to other websites. For example, if you want to know what other movies Amy is in you just have to click on her name. I will keep doing this throughout this blog.

So far-redux

My days so far have really been dedicated to unpacking and rehashing floor plans of how we are going to rearrange the bedroom and office area. But even in Los Angeles you do not have to go far to see the stars. Staying in the same apartment is none other than Amy Locane

Some of you might know her as the star opposite Johnny Depp in Cry Baby . Cry Baby is not the best of movies, but I remember liking it when I first saw it. The reason I liked it wasn't because of its story or that I happened to be in love with Johnny Depp, but because it was one of the first movies that I saw that was not the run of the mill Hollywood picture. I appreciated that John Waters didn't dumb anything down for me or blow anything up; there weren't two perfect Hollywood stars falling in love, it was a not as well known Depp and a girl from New Jersey.

I am tempted to ask her what it was like working with Johnny Depp and John Waters, but maybe I will wait.

By the way, I am going to a certain soap stars birthday party tomorrow night. If you must know he played Raul Guiterrez on the Young and the Restless for five years. i never watched the show, but I am sure someone out there might be impressed, because I know that that is one of the soaps my family watches.

Happy Anniversary

Today is my parents 33rd wedding anniversary!

Congratulations Mom and Dad! I hope I have someone to love me as long as you two have loved eachother.

Have fun at dinner tonight.

Love, your daughter

the metro

Little things about Los Angeles are weird to me, like that they have flat screen televisions in all of their city busses. These televisions do not play primetime television but a special loop of metro line programming. Yesterday, I rode the metro for the first time and found myself mesmerized by the amount of times that the television screen thanked us for being riders, that they provided national weather programming, I learned about a deadbeat dad who faked his on death and of another suicide bomber attack. All until this woman with a really big head sat infront of me.

So, if you would like to know what the weather is like in Kansas City or if you were wondering how your stocks were doing just jump on a Metro. It only costs a $1.25.

De-iced

In all of my flights over the years, I have never been in a plane that has had to be deiced before take off. If you are not familiar with Minnesota winters nor have you flown to/from locales that hit below freezing consistenly, deicing is:

"crews use heated glycol-based fluids to remove existing ice, then coat the airplane with ice suppressants to prevent new ice from forming."

Not very comforting is it.

I though that this was fitting since I was leaving Minneapolis for California. Minnesota had to get in one more jab before I left to remind me of another reason that I decide to leave, that nasty, bone chilling, nosehair freezing, winter.

I know a lot of people who say they love Minnesota winter. Those are the people who love to ice fish, snowshoe and snow mobile, but as many of you know, I am not that person.

I would like to say to all of you Minnesotans that I have a deep respect for all of you people who can stay out in a fish house for 12 hours at a time, all of you who can walk around in minus 30 degree weather, etc. without complaints. Minnesotans are a hearty people and deserve your respect.

Today, I was walking around in flip flops and 63 degree weather and I wouldn't trade it for the world.