Goodbye 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hope your 2008 is great!

Star sighting and a tangent

Last week when I was Christmas shopping, Asher and I ran into Kirstie Alley at Anthropologie.

I wasn't as lucky as Asher, who last night went to see a screening of Francis Ford Copolla's new film Youth Without Youth with a Q & A with FFC at the end. How lucky. He also ran into the stars of one of my favorite movies this year Control (Sam Riley and Alexandra Maria Lara-she is in Youth Without Youth) Asher liked the movie a lot, it is a very artsy movie, reminiscent of Italian and French New Wave, so expect to not understand it at first viewing. (like 8 1/2, I had to watch it twice)

Speaking of Asher, he was featured in a British comedy website called < href="http://www.channel4.com/4laughs/feature/4laughs_a_day/nov/nov28.html"> 4 Laughs
I guess one of their writers found him on Youtube and featured his Transformers spoof. You can she that spoof as well as other videos at www.youtube.com/asherglaser

There you go star sighting and a tagent.

I am getting new Neighbors

I can't wait, we are totally going to be BFFs.

What I have been doing lately

Cleaning.

One thing about Los Angeles that you do not consider when you move here is how dusty you how gets from smog (car pollution)

I feel like I am constantly dusting something and vacuuming up stuff.

Lately I have been on an anti-clutter rampage, but am overwhelmed by the fact that first you must lay out all the clutter and then decide what to do with it.

Since I have been inside a lot I haven't seen any celebrities.

what have I been up to-general

I have had a lot of friend who have had birthdays lately, so pardon the hiatus.

Including Asher's birthday last weekend. We spent a nice day together, got massages and went to a French restaurant that has been in L.A. since 1927 call Taix. It reminded me of a 60's supper club that you would find in Mad Men. (another ploy to get you to see the show)

I have been watching a lot of Netflix. I love Heroes!!! I am a late comer to the show, but I think being able to see it all in a row is better than trying to remember what happened in episode 2 when it becomes important again in episode 17.

Another series I have just found and love is Carnivale It reminds me a lot of Twin Peaks. Too bad the show ends abruptly at the end of season two.

Next week begins Asher and my film noir week. I let you know what we watch.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving today.

Eat lots of turkey and take lots of pictures and send them to me.

Star sighting

Yesterday I didn't realize that the person holding the door open for me at Starbucks was Rachel Griffiths. Yet another daft star moment for me. At least I said "Thank you" instead of something stupid like "You Rock"

Soliel Moon Frye (a.k.a. Punky Brewster and the girl who hits too hard on Friends) opened her environmentally friendly kids store called Little Seed last week on Larchmont, I'll let you know if I spy her next time I get Starbucks.

best burger joint

The Counter Look at this website and I dare you to not be hungry.

This is the place I chose for after beach time fun with the fam. The Counter is by far the best burger joint out there. You can build your own burger, and not with your standard tomato, avacado, and four different cheeses, but you can choose, brie, pineapple, turkey burger, veggie burger, carrot strings, wasabi mayonaise, ginger soy glaze or an English Muffin for a bun instead of the plain old bun. Or scratch that be healthy and take out the bun all together and put it all in a bowl.

Mmmmm the counter.

Happy Halloween

I love Halloween. It is the only time Cleopatra would ever be seen with a Transformer.

Oh.....

....how you laughed at my itinerary, but we actually got quite a bit done and covered a lot of ground.

Sunday:Beach day
After a leisurely, not intentional, breakfast at Tart. We headed to Manhattan Beach. Here are some pics:

I was very excited to show Evan the Ocean for the first time. Unfortunately at first he wasn't so excited about it at first.


But soon got over it and made sandcastles with grandma, Brandon and Fruncle Asher. I think everyone was amazed by the fact that it was 70 degrees in October. On a walk along the sand we were attacked by seagulls and entertained by a pod pf playful porpoises. (these proved to be elusive to my camera, and I spent most of the time trying to figure out my camera, instead of watching them jump into the air)

Here is a picture of Evan a bit more excited at the beach.

a break in the vacation reporting action

Instead of reporting to you about the family vacation, I am taking a break to ask for some happy thoughts this Wednesday. Asher has an important audition for a current NBC show.

In the meantime here is a related picture.

pictures and stuff

Wow! What a week and a half.

I have been working hard to prepare for my family's visit and now I am recovering from all the fun.

One thing that I learned early about my nephew is that he likes to pose for pictures. Which is nice especially since you want to take as many pictures as possible. This is a picture of him and Mandu at Cafe Marmalade at the Farmer's Market. This is day one of the trip. I hope to bring you all of the day by day pictures and what we did.

Day One Star Sighting: Dave Navarro
You may know him from Rock Star INX, Rock Star Supernova or as Carmen Electra's ex. I know him from Jane's Addiction which was one of my favorite bands in High School.


I am glad that this weekend was not the week of the visits, because a lot of north of where we were is currently on fire.

Did you know?

That it is banned books week? Why don't you celebrate by reading a book that has been banned once or almost banned like:

The Whitches- Roald Dahl
Fahrenheit 451-Ray Bradbury
To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee
Don Quijote- Miguel de Cervantes
Farwell to Arms- Hemingway

Can you imagine half of what we read in high school English was once banned?

Here is another great book website that some of you may be able to assist with.


The Book Inscriptions Project

Basically you take a picture of a cover of a book you have and a picture of the inscription in it and post it. It is a very interesting to see the motivations on why people give other people books.

Star sighting-lost in the melee

I did have the chance to see teh wonderfully creepy James Spader a couple weeks ago with his lady and his dog. They live somewhere in my neighborhood.

I have been.....

busy busy busy.

Last weekend I went to San Jose to visit my friend. We also went to Santa Cruz for a couple hours. I remember Santa Cruz when I was younger because it was a very popular skateboard label. I love beach towns they are very cute and manage to keep their main streets very non-commercial.



(Here is a picture of me eating an ice cream cone as big as my head)

I went to a cold opening of a new restaurant in Culver City. A cute little italian cafe, that definitely had opening night jitters. The food was good, when we finally got it, but I hate when server argues with you when you get something you didn't order.

I saw Keiffer in his SUV in Los Feliz. I know he is having troubles lately.

Mainly I have been brainstorming and spring cleaning for my visitors coming up. I cannot wait!!!

I am mad about mad men

My favorite show as of late is AMCs Mad Men

I do not get AMC, but it appears on On Demand (cable service) the day after it airs. I am a complete addict. I watched it last night and I am already counting off the days until next Friday.

1) the production design is amazing. Someone has to win an award for this one. There is a scene in a grocery store with all of the 1960's era labels throughout the entire store. It must have taken days of work to pull off that one shot.

2) most of the actors really haven't been in a lot of other shows. (Yes Nicole, that is Connor from Angel)

3) like the early sixties the actresses are not twig girls.

4) Finally it really interesting. It is interesting to see a time when everyone smoked, the Kennedy-Nixon presidential race, how different advertising was.

If you do get AMC I recommend watching it, and if you want something to add to your netflix queue, you might have to wait a while, but it is worth it.

Caution, like most prime time cable shows, this is not for young viewers.

Powder Blue

Just a note. I found out what film they were shooting at my favorite Thai restuarant. The film is called Powder Blue. It stars Jessica Biel, Patrick Swayze, Forrest Whittaker among others.

Read a synopsis of it Here (Sounds very uplifting)

Celebrity sighting i am most jealous of

Although I wished it were me, Asher sighted Quentin Tarantino this weekend at the restaurant he works at. He was having a quick drink before seeing Superbad at the Mann's Chinese 6 and then came back after seeing it.

So jealous.

I don't know if I did have the chance to see him if I would have said anything. I loved Pulp Fiction, I loved Kill Bill Volume 1. More importantly I love the fact that he introduced me to one of my favorite directors of all time, Wong Kar Wai . Through Tarantino's now defunct distribution company, Rolling Thunder pictures, QT gave a few unknown directors their chance at American audiences. One of those directors was Wong Kar Wai and his film Chungking Express. Every year since that fateful day in 2000, I have watched Chungking Express every year on my birthday.

All of WKW's movies are beautiful to watch and I have a good chunk of his movies in my personal library. I can't wait for My Blueberry Nights to come out this winter.

Thank you QT.

Odd Coincidence

Lately Asher and I have been catching up on an ill fated television series called Undeclared . I really liked the show and was bummed when it was canceled. It was one of Jud Apatow's first project, Freaks and Geeks was another. Both were great funny shows that I really liked, but it was before people recognized his genius and he brought you movies like Anchor Man, 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Those two television shows only lasted a season.

I wonder if those channels are kicking themselves now?

Mr. Apatow is one among many director/producers who uses the same actors over an over in many of his films. For example:

The mentioned films are all Apatows:
Will Ferrell- undeclared, anchorman, kicking and screaming (w/ mike ditka)
Steve Carrell- Anchorman, 40 year old virgin, knocked up
Seth Rogan- freaks and geeks, undeclared, 40 year old virgin, knocked up superbad

Another actress who has made it in a lot of his films/tv shows is Carla Gallo who after seeing Undeclared again I wondered what she was up to. Besides random small parts in Apatow films, after seeing her in Superbad, we ran into her at a tea house on Sunset and Vine.

How strange.

wow

Heatwave is an understatement.

I cannot believe how hot it was here last weekend. According to the thermometer/clock at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax on Saturday it was 105 and of Sunday it was 114.

There really wasn't too much you could do to escape the heat, it didn't help that last weekend was a pretty dismal weekend for movies.

I watched movies in the only room with air conditioning in my apartment. I am sad that i didn't set up wireless in the apartment but I am afraid that I would have wrote.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31ST 2007
I got off work and I wish I could have stayed in the air conditioning because it is so hot in my apartment

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST 2007
I went to Superbad and I thought it was super bad and it is still hot.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
ME KRISTEN. HEAT MELT BRAIN.

MONDAY, SEPTMBER 3RD
HOT. not as hot but hot. I am going to BBQ i don't want to, but I can't do nothing the entire weekend. I will suffer through it.

I do have a lot to write about, and now that my brain has re-constituted, i will write about it next.

Asher's YouTube Sketch

Here is a link to Asher's YouTube sketch- The Bourne Residency

click here

If you do want to comment you do have to sign into YouTube, but if you don't want to sign in and make an account email me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com

Popcandy

I have finally found an entertainment blog that I love. It is not who is sleeping with whom, who is going to jail, rehab, both. It is more about which shows are cancelled, which shows got picked up, what is coming out on DVD, music books, Lost discussions, little pop tidbits.

Please take a look at the blogstress I am most envious of, you can see her at Pop Candy

You'll get addicted. I sure am.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today is my Mom's birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom. Can't wait for you to visit!

Movies, movies every where

It seems like every street in my neighborhood is filled with unmarked trucks and craft services. Part of Rimpau was turned into Frat row. My favorite Thai restaurant was closed last week to shoot a scene, when I really wanted pineapple curry. Across the street they are shooting Nip/Tuck across the other street they are shooting Indiana Jones 4.

It seem that everywhere I go someone is shooting something. I'll keep you posted to let you know if I spy anybody.

What I have been up to again

Wow, my vow to post more often sure isn't working.

What I have been up to.

Sick. I caught that nasty cold bug that has been going around. Asher had it gave it to me and now it is lingering a bit.

It has been in the 90 degree range again and also humid which reminds me a bit of old Minnesota and not in a good way.

"Going outside it like jumping in a jar of Mayonnaise" as my dad would say.

Again alas my computer is in the room w/o air conditioning, so that posting has been not as appealing as normal.

I have seen a few movies:
Bourne Ultimatum - I am not a big action fan, but I would like to say that I have liked all of the Bourne Movies. Asher is currently doing a spoof comedic short. I will let you know when it is on YouTube.

La Vie en Rose- (The Movie about Edith Piaf, not about the Belgian boy who likes to wear girls clothes) Anyway, I loved Edith Piaf's music so I finally went to see a movie with my only friend who knows who Edith Piaf was on its at night in town in a dinky theater in Los Feliz.
1) The make up artist was AMAZING. The people who played the younger characters actually looked like them as their older selves. The lead, who is a year older than my self actually looked the part of her as an older woman, unlike what they did to Angelina Jolie in Good Shepard as a 60 year old woman with just extra white powder and a couple gray hairs.

I digress, anyway I can't say that I liked the movie,it was very choppy and I wish that I would have learned more in a 2 and 1/2 hour movie. Marion Cotillard was amazing as Edith and if you want to see her and the music I would go.

Star sightings.
I went to a pool party with at one of the Heartbreakers houses. (Of Tom Petty and the, )

I am still reading like nobody's business.
Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides
The History of Love by Nicole Kraus

I need to start reading "No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy. Does anyone have it that they can lend to me?

Email me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com

I Am Here Celebrates 150!!!!

This is my 150th post since starting I Am Here in January of 2006.

I received two votes for the favorite post of my blog which are:
1) 4/22/07- Celebrity foot in the mouth-itis (a.k.a. I think you are the bomb)

In that post I never revealed which band leader I said that to. As a special treat I will reveal the subject of one of my most embarrassing moments.

Black Thought of the Roots many of you might not have any idea who I am talking about, but that saves me a bit from embarrassment.

2) My grandfather discovers the fountain of youth. I would like thank Mr. Schnider for helping me fill in some blanks in the story.


Well here it is 150th post. Thanks for reading.

Bridge collapse in Minneapolis

I am sure most if not all of you have heard about the collapse of a 35W bridge today in Minneapolis during rush hour traffic. it is on Yahoo, CNN, BBC as well as local MN news.

Reaching anyone in Minnesota this afternoon has been extremely difficult. I just want to let you know that both my sisters and new brother in law are ok.

what I have been up to

Posting photos:
Did anybody get a chance to look them over? I haven't heard anything. Here is a teaser.



Devouring books:
In the last few weeks I have finished Laurel Canyon, The Namesake , After Dark , and started A History of Love. It has been so hot, I really haven't wanted to do anything else.

Sighted a celebrity:
She played a role on Heroes. Cute as a button.

Saw a movie:
Sunday afternoon I went to see The Simpsons movie. I laughed a lot. I think though that you definitely need to be a Simpsons fan to enjoy it, but if you are you will really really laugh.

"Spider Pig, Spider Pig does what ever a Spider Pig does"

Speaking of laughing, Hot Fuzz came out on DVD today. Clearly the funniest movie of 2007.

One hunded and fifty

Next week sometime I am Here will celebrate its 150th post. (Can you believe it?)

I would like to hold a contest for your favorite post over the last year and a half. Please nominate posts to me by Wednesday.

Could they be???
5/20/07- Best birthday of 2006 where my Grandfather discovers the fountiain of youth
5/09/07- My fire pictures of Griffith Park
4/22/07- Celebrity foot in the mouth-itis (a.k.a. I think you are the bomb)
4/01/06- My Dad's Birthday (introducing the amazing Mandu and Coey of Minsk)

Email me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com

In the swing of things

So I am back, rested and ready to post again, I realized that I really hadn't posted that much in July. I hope to change that in August.

Pictures are now available on Snapfish. If you did not get a link, please check your junk mail or send me your email address, because I do not have it.

Also, I am dying to see more photos so please pass them along.

Email me ay eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

A post I meant to post before I left

I haven't written in a couple days, because it has been really hot and my computer isn't in the room with the air conditioner.

At the Beverly Center on Saturday I almost ran into, literally, my other Alias crush Michael Vartan No, I didn't tell him he was the bomb. I looked him dead in the face and probably gave him a snotty look for almost running into me. Smooth.

I guess I have a way with celebrities.

i'm back

I flew in late last night, that is why there are no pictures today. My plane arrived at 11:00 p.m., got home at midnight went to bed around 12:30 which is like 2:30 a.m. central time. I went back to work today.

This post will be short because I am going to start downloading my 300 plus photos. I will be putting together another snapfish album. I think that is the best way to see everything and order pictures that you want. You can sign up for snapfish by just creating username and password, entering in your email. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ENTER IN YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER , ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER UNLESS YOU BUY PHOTOS.

They will send you a couple emails here and there, but you can erase them.

If you do not get an email from me by Saturday, perhaps I do not have your email address. You will get an email from my blog address at eyemheer2@yahoo.com so check your junk mail. Also, if you do not get an email from me please email me at the same address eyemheer2@yahoo.com.

Pet Peeve number #1

I think this has jumped to the top of my list as of last night.

My number one pet peeve is people who think that they can leave their kids and/or pets (this includes kids and pets under your temporary supervision) in a car for 5 hours in temperatures upward s of 90 degrees or downwards of 30 degrees.

It is too hot/cold, this as we are beginning to see everyday in the summer months is fatal.

The thing that surprises me most is that it will happen tomorrow in Tenessee, the next day in Chicago, the next day in Missoula.

Never leave your child or pet in a car alone.

4th of July -picture post

Sister, sisters

Some of you may know I went home for my sister's bachelorette last weekend. ( I can't believe it has already been a week)

It was great seeing everyone and getting a fix before the wedding. (Which you shouldn't mention to Nicole that it is 3 weeks away, it just stresses her out.)

Before....

... I talk about my trip back home, lets take a moment to look at some pictures of the cutest little boy in the world.

posts in the wrong order

There is a new post that I actually worked on before my 3 year anniversary of knowing Asher called " I am obsessed with my Netflix queue" I just don't feel like copying it and pasting it and deleting the old one so, take a look at the post. Even though it doesn't look like I posted anything new.

3 is the magic number

Three years ago today, I met Asher at the high school graduation that I didn't want to go to.

Moral of the story: Sometimes when you do something you do not want to do, something amazing might happen.

I am obsessed with my netflix queue

Before Asher left for work today, he made me promise to not be on my Netflix queue that long. I am surprised he hasn't called me yet to check in with me. We are both constantly adding movies to the list and we are now up to 427. I think Netflix does not let you add anymore after 499. So we aren't that far off.

I have had a few people ask me for recommendations. Here are the last 10 movies I have seen that I have liked. (In no particular order)

1) Extras -Season One.
This is the new series from Ricky Gervais, the creator and star of The Office. (It was a show on the BBC before it hit America) In this show he plays an aspiring actor, with a horrible agent that mainly gets work as a "Background Artist" It is extremely hilarious and his partner in crime Maggie played by Ashley Jensen always sends me screaming with laughter. You may know her as the seamstress on Ugly Betty (Which they film across the street)

2) Rome - Season One
This time period is very interesting to me, so I thought I would give it a try, plus I heard so many great things about it. It is great, but what makes this series so great is the feature on the DVD that allows you to get pop ups that give historical information. I couldn't imagine ever watching it when it comes on HBO, because you do not get this great feature. One thing about this show as many of you know with HBO shows, there is A LOT of nudity and very adult situations. Although it is very historically accurate, I wouldn't let your 14 year old watch it for their report on ancient Rome, if you catch my drift.

I think one of the main reasons we have so many movies on our queue is because we do not pay to have HBO

3) For Your Consideration - Christopher Guest
It is not the best of his mockumentaries, but better than A Mighty Wind. That whole group of people are so funny. Catherine O'Hara is a scream. No, she did not get plastic surgery for real, she is just doing that with her face

4) Lackawana Blues - This also was an HBO production. Great story of a young boy raised by his Grandmother and all the crazy people living in her boarding house. Great music.

5) Bonnie and Clyde- I just saw this movie for the first time. I didn't know that Twiggy was so in style during the days of Bonnie and Clyde. Maybe it was Bonnie who invented Mod. (funny how Faye's make up looks exactly how it would have walking down the street in the 60's)

I was surprised how much I liked this movie, it is a movie that a lot of people talk about and sometimes that can ruin your viewing. It was strange to see Gene Hackman with so much hair. I think I could have done with a little less screaming from Estelle Parsons though.

6) Jesus Camp - It doesn't matter how you feel about religion, this has to be one of the most unbiased documentaries that I have ever seen. I think that this film is a lot more about the power of charisma than religion, even though it takes place in several Evangelical churches.

7) The Conversation- Francis Ford Copolla
Another Gene Hackman film. This movie is a great example of the power of misunderstanding. I loved it when I saw it. Loved it when I saw it again. I liked seeing Cindy Williams in a drama, very unexpected.

8) This Film is Not Yet Rated- A great documentary about a directors quest to get his film approved by the ratings board. Very interesting and enlightening. Especially all the ways major motion pictures were cut so that they were acceptable for the ratings board. This movie is not for young viewer.

Note: the head of the ratings board for the past few decades died earlier this year.

9) Very Long Engagement- You may know Audrey Tatou from Amelie and DaVinci Code. I think that this is her best since Amelie. It is a great love story that takes place during/after World War I about a woman who goes to great lengths to prove that her fiance is indeed alive and not dead as reported by the French Army. Jodie Foster has a cameo and in French at that.

If you like this movie, I think you will also like Kubrick's <> Paths of Glory.

10) Empire of the Sun- Spielberg
I think that this movie is one of the forgotten Spielberg films, and I can't figure out why. It is great. It takes place during World War II in China during the Japanese occupation. Great acting from Bale, John Malkovich, Joey Pants, and on. Yes that is Ben Stiller, what is he like 14 years old?

Also, Netflix Friends has been down for 4 days and it is driving me nuts.

I hope I helped you add to your lists.

Happy Father's Day!!!!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad and all the Dad's who read my blog!!

Thing I miss about Minneapolis-#7

Mom and Pop coffee shops.

There really aren't too many of them left in Los Angeles. If you want coffee around here the you have to go to Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Peet's. (Henceforth referred to the BIG Three) I like Coffee Bean, don't get me wrong, but they are missing the whole coffee shop experience that I am used to in Minneapolis. Most of the places here don't even have a place to sit down and god forbid have a bathroom.

In the coffee shops in Minneapolis, you could pack up your laptop, ipod and/or a good book and just sit and read. They are great places to hang out, people watch and be alone amongst the people. In Los Angeles, coffee shops are filled with stressed out multitaskers. It is hard to concentrate, when there is this loud guy, trying to make a deal for all to hear and women who are not paying attention to their kids.

"Mommy, Mommy, watch me twirl."
"Be quiet now, Dakotah, Mommy is trying to have a conversation with Lilian."

This constant loudness really doesn't make coffee shops all that inviting, especially for writing. Also, I feel like the baristas at the BIG three, just really want you to get out of there as fast as you possibly can. If you are there longer than an hour they look at you like you are a zoo animal.

There is a collection of shops on Beverly and Faifax-ish, a place called Stir Crazy next to where I get my hair done. But honestly it is pretty much the BIG Three that have taken over.

I miss sitting coffee shops so much.

Best Place for clothing 2006

I mentioned this den of temptation in my last post. The clothing store that calls my name way too often -Last Chance. Even the name has a sense of urgency.

"If you don't get it now, it is your last chance."

Last Chance is this great little store that offers overstock designer merchandise and slashed prices as well as not as well known designers at crazy low prices. There really is a wide range of prices, you can get a dress for $300 or a dress for $40. Also, everything is organized by color, which I really like.


Do I sound like a commercial?

Food Celebrity

1st read this article

Some of you might know that I work in Culver City, which has now become the new "it" spot for all foodies, art lovers and interior designers. It has become so great working there but the temptations financially are overwhelming. I am doing my best, but there is one store that I will mention in my next post, that calls my name way too often.

I did have the chance last week to go to Ford's Filling Station which is owned and operated by Ben Ford. He has been a very successful chef here in Los Angeles, but it seems that all this is overshadowed by the fact that Harrison Ford is his father. It does probably boost business a bit, which is good. Ford's is always crowded.

I actually saw him there and sat right next to him. I opened a restaurant once, so he probably lives there at this point, restaurants do not start making a profit until, the two year mark and that is if you are really on it. A hint for anyone out there that wants to open one.

I was happy to have my "Last meal" there, I call it last meal because I really need to buckle down to get in shape for the wedding this summer. I picked the most fried extravaganza I could off the menu, the Fish and Chips. I was very impressed, as it is hard to find fish and chips in this town. (Healthy, Healthy, Blah, Blah)

I liked it, I would go back.

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Gaga!!!!

Why....

do I feel so happy to see Paris Hilton cry?

Weddings, birthdays, movies, book clubs oh my

In order to explain to you how busy I am, I will try to give you a run down using my title as an outline.

Weddings

Asher and I attended a wedding of a good friend and fellow movie maker. Here is a picture of us there.

(aren't we cute)

I did have a star sighting. This guy who I kept staring at and thinking to myself "Where do I know him from??" I felt like an idiot, but I bet he gets that a lot.

Birthdays
Well, shockingly enough, I turned 31. I know, I can't believe it either. I must admit that I was very apprehensive about turning 31. I was having a bit of a crisis this birthday, one of those "What have I done with my life types of things?" I guess though now that I think about it I have done quite a lot, just sometimes as an office manager, it doesn't really feel like it.

I digress.......

So what did I do for the big day?
Went and got breakfast at my new favorite Eat Well. In Los Angeles sometimes it is hard to find normal diner food. It is near impossible to find someone who makes a standard hash brown. It is usually some kind of

"cubed potato with wasabi oil and tomato puree"

Which always sounds gross to a midwest girl who just wants a potato. (I know whose daughter am I)

So Eat Well, where you can find normal food.

We missed our movie, due to the breakfast wait, so it was off to a bookstore. Los Angeles, doesn't have a lot of mom and pop bookstores left. On a blog feature I hope to talk about the last remaining.

Then it was off to a massage and dinner.

Movies
I did mention my viewing of Vertigo at Hollywood Cemetery, but I did not mention seeing Once . This great movie about a struggling Dublin street musician who meets a Czech immigrant girl and they collaborate together and make some really great music. (I immediately downloaded the album from itunes. Think Damien Rice, but more consistent) I really loved this movie, and have recommended it to a lot of people. One disclaimer though it that the movie focuses more on the music, than the story and the majority of the movie is them basically sitting and playing together.

Book Clubs
I am now in two book clubs. (NERD ALERT!!!) I just love to read, thats all I got to say.

What I am reading now is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and Laurel Canyon by Michael Walker.

I just finished Timbuktu by Paul Auster and Special Topic in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl.

We have also had a house guest for the past two weeks.

I am tired.

Ch -Ch- Changes

I have re-worked my blog a bit. I noticed that there were links in my blog that people didn't even know were there because they were the same color as the rest of the text. Let me know what you think.

eyemheer2@yahoo.com

Take a look to see if any of the links are easier to read.

"Strange things are afoot at the circle K"

I forgot that on my way to Utah, I learned were San Dimas was. (Made famous by the iconic Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)

Tonight I went to see Vertigo in the Hollywood Cemetery.

Every Saturday during the summer in Los Angeles a group called Cinespia hosts movie in the same place were Charlie Chaplan and Douglas Fairbanks are buried.

I had a great time.

A picnic
cupcakes
and one of my favorite movies ever
What more could you ask for?

Best Birthday 2006

The best Birthday of 2006 award goes my Grandfather.

Here is his story:
My grandfather has always been an adventurous person. When he was a young boy in Waukegan, IL he was constantly dragged back to the house by his brothers, by the ear in fact, because he always wanted to see what was beyond the next block. At age 5 he spent the night at the Waukegan Water Tower. After being rescued his only thought was...

"Next time I will bring a peanut butter sandwich"

At age seven armed with a pack full of sandwiches of many sorts he built himself a raft and set his sights on crossing the Michigan, just to see if it actually led to this mystical land called Michigan.

When he got there, Michigan proved not to be as magical as he'd imagined.

He would escape any chance he'd get. At age 12 he worked as a tour guide in the Patagonia. Tourists that he still keeps in touch with comment to me about how at first they were apprehensive about having a 12 year old with a Chicago accent as their tour guide, but he did in fact prove to be quite knowledgeable about the Patagonian flora and fauna, or lack there of. He was just going to start a guide business with his friend, Jose De La Cruz Perez Schnieder, but his name was recognized by the American consulate and he was brought home, by the ear in fact.

It was in the Patagonia though that he learned from Jose De La Cruz Perez Schnieder about the mysterious and elusive Fuente de la Eterna Juventud.

"What is a Fuente de la Eterna Juventud?" He asked Jose.

Jose could not tell him because it was so mysterious and elusive. My grandfather could not speak Spanish.

Under strict orders from his mother he could not do anymore escaping, due to it giving her a heart attack.

His adventures took a hiatus, instead he started a list. This list was his steps in finding la fuente de la juventud eterna.

Step 1) learn spanish to find out what la fuente de la juventud eterna in fact was
Step 2) Read about the Fuente
Step 3) Triangulate where it was
Step 4) find Jose De la Cruz Perez Schnieder
Step 5) Find the Fuente de la Juventud Eterna

Having accomplished step 1, 2 and 3 by his 32 birthday all that was left was to find Jose. This proved to be the hardest. Not only was Jose not in Patagonia where he left him, but he as well was on a quest to find la fuente.

He only allowed himself to feel discouraged for a day, when he decided that step 4 was just as important as step 5 and thus began his search for Jose.

Did he find Jose?
I often as myself that every once in a while, one thing I know for sure is that he did find La Fuente de la juventud Eterna, (The fountain of youth) because he never stops turning 39 and I still get carded for R rated movies even though I am 31.

Happy 39th birthday!!!!!

I have wanted to write his story for a very long time. Cursed technology.

What have I been up to? the literary edition.

Well, basically a lot of reading. Currently I am in two book clubs. (I know great idea, for all of the free time I have) This month they are meeting just a couple weeks apart and one was 514 pages so I have been busy.

What have I been reading:

Special Topics in Calamity Physics- Marisha Pessl
I know the title sounds like nerd fest 2007, but it really isn't as scientific as the title makes it sounds. It is a coming of age literary mystery. Think Nancy Drew with a lot less camp and a lot more time alone reading every book on the planet.

Timbuktu- Paul Auster
The story of the plight of the American homeless through the eyes of a dog. Sometimes goes on a few tangents, but the dog's owner is Schizophrenic after all.

Between book clubs I started Kitchen Confidential-by Anthony Bourdain and am eager to finish it.

So that is what I have been up to.

On another note, the Simpsons turns 400 tonight. Can you believe it has been on the air 18 years.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Mom! Happy 1st Mother's Day Mandu!

Belated return from Utah post

I made it back from Utah safe and sound. A lot of people have asked me about Polygamy since I have returned, shows you how popular Big Love has gotten. To be factual, the custom of polygamy is not as common amongst the later day saints as it once was. (See "Under the Banner of Heaven" by John Krakauer)

I sent out a link to my photos via email. If you didn't get it email me here eyemheer2@yahoo.com I wish that there was a way that I could narrate the photos some way on snapfish but I don't think that there is a way to do that. I am so happy that I have a new camera, it takes really great photos. My favorite is



If you have any questions about any of the photos shoot me an email.

I had a wonderful time in Utah, I didn't realize how beautiful it is. From the I- 15 Utah doesn't look too impressive, but once you get off of the interstate and go west about 20 minutes it is like you are in a completely different world. I think the tag line for Utah should be

"If you want to see what Mars looks like, just go east from the I-15."

We tried to visit as much a we could in 4 days Bryce Canyon, Kolob Canyon, Zion National Monument and The Hoover Dam. This is actually quite a feat. There were definitely places that I would have liked to stay longer like Zion, which I think is one of the most phenomenal places I have ever seen in my life.

Here is what I learned about myself:
1) I have a very intense crippling fear of heights.
2) I have a great boyfriend who did not tease me and helped me out quite a bit and helped me to see places that I wouldn't have seen.
3) The next vacation I take will have to be something that is located at a much lower altitude
4) Eventhough I really wanted to, I will never go to Macchu Pichu.

Correction

I heard many different reports about how many acres are in Griffith Park. I guess there are two to four time as many as I had previously reported. It keeps changing every article I read.

Fire pics

Here are some pictures from the fire that is currently still burning in Griffith Park. 600 + acres are destroyed out of the 740 acre park. These are pictures taken from a neighbors roof.






Although it looks like the newly restored Observatory is in danger, we are told that it in fact is not.

Fire in Los Angeles

Currently the biggest park in Los Angeles, Griffith Park is on fire threatening many Los Angeles landmarks, including the Los Angeles Zoo and the Observatory. You can see many pictures of the fire at the blogsite www.laist.com



So far 200 plus acres have burned. They started to evacuate homes an hour or so ago.


This is about 7 miles from where I live, I am not in danger, but I am worried that this is the second fire in the park in less than two months. In the last year it has rained only 3 or 4 times.

I am here's tips for not burning down Los Angeles.

• Do not smoke in grassy areas-today's fire was started by a homeless man who fell asleep while smoking
  
• Do not set fires at any campground or park in the state of California
• Keep an eye on your children the 1st fire that burned 150 acres was started by a couple of teenagers who wanted to see what happened if they lit a patch of brush on fire
• Do not throw cigarettes out a car window.
  
• Listen to people when they threaten to burn down Los Angeles, I am learning more and more that there are people who will do crazy destructive stuff. (Turn on the news, another college shooting in California)
  

Please I really like this city, please don't burn it down.

Leave a message after the beep

I will be out of the office April 28th -May 2nd. In the mean time please enjoy this picture of the sunset.

What they are wearing-circus edition

Oooh, Summer in Los Angeles. The snow has melted off the San Gabriel mountains. The sun is shining. Time to shed that winter layer of tweed coats, scarves and Ugg boots. (Okay, maybe not the Ugg boots) Time to welcome the sun, time to show a little bit of skin. Walk fifi at the dog park maybe pick up that cute guy from last summer with that mini-Doberman.

I know what I will grab out of my closet leggings AND A TARP!!!!!!



The trapeze top has hit Los Angeles like a plague. Every rack is filled with them, it is this season's must have. In fact if your store does not carry at least five different versions of this hideous thing, it is immediately shut down and quarantined.

I have been trying desperately to find something to wear this summer that doesn't make me look like I should audition a ring leader and a bearded woman to walk around with me.

I want to know who played this cruel joke, is there anyone who looks good in this "thing" People say models, but I saw this woman today who could have been one, but honestly the only thing she looked like was Countess Von Frumpula of Dowdyville.

DEATH TO THE TRAPEZE TOP!!!!

Celebrity foot in the mouthitis- a true and embarrassing story

Well, living so close to Larchmont, I have celebrities since I last wrote. I see Michael Rapaport sometimes. A couple weeks ago I saw Tony Shalhoub and his wife. I have seen David Krumholtz

This past weekend I saw Dennis Rodman.

Although seeing the above mentioned people has been very fun to report, I have been wondering how long it would take to see someone from movies I have really liked or television shows that I love watching. After being here slightly over a year, I did finally see someone from a television show that I loved that went off the air. I think some of you know who I am talking about, because I proceeded to text a few of you from the bar I was at.

There have been only three t.v shows that I have really been a die hard fan of. They are The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Twin Peaks and Alias. When these shows went off the air, I can honestly say I had a bit of a mourning period. I really really loved Alias. I know it went down the path of just not making too much sense ( The same people also did Lost, so many of you might know what I am talking about.) I really thought that the second season of Alias was one of the best seasons of t.v. in a really long time. That being said, you could imagine what it was like for me to run into one of Alias' main characters, the handsome and dastardly Julian Sark
at this club.

I didn't say anything though. Just a smile. I did not want to make that horrible mistake of putting my foot in my mouth like I did when I met up face to face a lead "singer"of a hip hop group I love. What I said to him was.............................................................

"I think you are the bomb"

Which any of you know is not something I say. Usually I am quite eloquent. But as I found out that day outside the concert tour bus, I have a case of celebrity foot in the mouth-itis. It is a very embarrassing incurable disease. With symptoms that include, blushing, stuttering and possession of the inflicted by a much less eloquent and base self.

What I had wanted to say to him was "I am really impressed by you, usually people who come out of Julliard go in a very classical directions. It is great that you are using your talents to touch more people. It is so rare for hip hop groups to be so musically talented."

but no.. "You are the bomb."

So, I didn't say one word to Mr. Anders. Even though the friend I was with knew him personally, I just couldn't do it. I didn't want to be known as the girl who said "Sark, you are the bomb."

By the way I have never told anyone about the "bomb" story. This is an I am here exclusive, one of my most embarrassing moments. So if we run into each other this summer feel free to tell me I am the bomb. I will appreciate it. For those of you to do not know what it means, it is basically street slang for really great or good. (although no one uses this anymore)

I still can't believe I said that.

Best Pizza

I seem to always live by amazing pizza joints. In Minneapolis I lived by Fat Lorenzo's a favorite of mine and one of my top two pizza places in the Twin Cities. Here in L.A. I am lucky enough to live by The Village Pizzeria whom I think has the best pizza this side of the Mississippi. Yes, it even trumps Fat's.

Being born in the Chicago area, I should like my pizza thick and pan fried in olive oil, but alas I feel when it comes to pizza, New Yorkers have it right, a nice thin pizza that you can fold in half and eat like a sandwich. (I am getting hungry just thinking about it)

Village is legendary here. When I said I was moving to the Larchmont area, the first thing people said to me was "Have you gone to Village Pizzeria?" "Lucky, you are going to live by Village." So, I have found that am indeed very lucky.

My Best Pizza 2006 is Village Pizzeria. If you live in Los Angeles go.

Other Travels this year

One of my favorite movies of all time is Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock. So when I got the chance to take a trip to San Francisco I "jumped" at the chance-pun intended. (If you have seen the movie, you'd know what I mean) Had I had he time I would have made myself find all of the places in the movie, but I was only there on the weekend and my tour guide wouldn't have gotten as much out of it as I would have.

I did try to go to the Red Wood Forest, but it proved to be elusive.

I did see the curviest street in the United States, Lombard Street . It is in fact quite curvy, and odd that so many people drive there to take a picture of it. I guess I am one of the odd. Here is a picture of me facing it.

Email me eyemheer2@yahoo.com

Go east young woman

I have been planning a trip to Utah for the end of the month. Yes, me, I am going to go hiking. Ha Ha.

I am excited for hiking actually. I am excited to get out of the city, away from the smog from all of the fires lately. I am sure you heard about the fire that threatened the Hollywood sign a couple Fridays back. I can't wait to drive hundreds of miles away from the constant ringing telephone at work.

I have only been to Utah once when I helped the amazing Mandu move to San Diego a few years back. I don't remember if I liked it, but I know we stopped at Ruby Tuesday's.

I 'll keep you posted of my adventures once I return. I will be out of commission the last week of April.

Best of....

I know that I was on a "Best of" kick when my computer lost its will to live.

Without further adieu here is my favorite picture of 2006.



More best of to come.

Trying to catch you up the best I can

So, it was indeed a long absence. I really hadn't had the chance to really write since before the holidays. I know I had some great new Los Angeles insights swimming around in my head but alas I can't remember them.

One thing new that I am very excited about is that I got a new digital camera for Christmas, which will allow my to better document my adventures. For example this is a picture from Christmas of the decorations outside the Paramount



Palm Trees are the new Pine Trees. Remember that next year.

Like star crossed lovers

I think that Asher and I met so that our computers could meet and simultaneously die. Like star crossed lovers they were never meant to be in the same plane of existence for that long. I mourned the loss of my little laptop for quite a while. It being my first computer of my own I felt a certain affinity for it. That little thing got my through a long distance relationship.

That being said, I would like to introduce you to my new computer. I hope to have a long and happy life with it. The above photo was taken from the little isight built in camera.

I AM BACK!!!!!!!

(Yes, there is actually a center for the study of long distance relationships)

New Years Resolution # 2

My second and most difficult resolution is to not eat out so much. This will be my hardest one of the year.

In Los Angeles, groceries can be quite expensive. I find myself handing over $50 everytime I walk into the grocery store, only to go home and find out that I only bought 6 eggs and a roll of paper towel. Seriously.

Sometimes it is easier to eat out then cook at home.

THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES TO EAT IN LA. I figure that if you ate at a different restaurant in Los Angeles and its immediate vicinity for every meal it would take you about 10 years. I wonder if anyone ever did that study? I promise not to step up to the task, at least not in 2007.

So far it is going okay. I still eat out a bit more than I should, but at least I am aware. It is just so easy to be tempted.

New Years Resolution # 1

My first New Years resolution of 2007 is to write more on my blog. I have totally let it lapse and I apologize.

I know how much everyone likes reading it and a lot of you are wondering how I am doing. I am doing very well. I am coming up on my one year anniversary of living in Los Angeles. I cannot believe how fast time has flown. My next series will be my best of 2006 finds in Los Angeles as other bests ofs.

So I hope You enjoy I AM HERE THE 2007. I promise not to go so long without writing again. Please write to me at eyemheer2@yahoo.com to let me know how everything is going in your neck of the woods.