A Film Review and More

Congratulations Lisa and Aaron.
Girls night in the Big Apple.
Hooray for the grad! Shannon, I can't wait to welcome you to California, and I know that Stanford is pretty happy too.
Happy Birthday Dad.
And 10 years, really? The BHS Class of 97 reunion...Yikes.

There are so many reasons for my upcoming trip back to the East Coast. I leave tomorrow on a red eye, and can't wait. I feel it in my bones that this going to be one of the best weeks ever. Before I leave, I wanted to post two of my recent articles (published today) -- the first is my review of the film Fay Grim. Now, I not only got to go to a special press screening of the film last month at Raleigh Studios, but I also got to interview Parker Posey and Hal Hartley personally during a press junket. The private screenings are VIP, and the fact that I got up close and personal with one of my favorite actresses can't really be compared to anything else that I did at my last job. So read up, and if you can, check out this film. Parker Posey is great in it.

Here is the link to the review: http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3422

My second article this week is a synopsis of DVD releases that are scheduled to come out this summer. It's not too interesting, but will give you a quick review of what you have to look forward to on the days that it decides to rain. You can check it out here:

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3441

I had a comment in there about Sexual Chocolate and the gang from Coming to America, but I can see that my editor took it out. Boo.

Mother's Day Ideas

i just realized that I totally forgot to post this article!! I guess it's too late, but here are some ideas for Mother's Day next year:

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3418

Also, you can visit the website www.campuscircle.net and click "download current issue" to actually see what the publication is like if you live outside of LA!

Bobby: Rent It

One day, when I was home sick from grade school, I watched a special anniversary news report about the assassination of JFK. For whatever reason, from that point forward, I became obsessed (in a good way) with The Kennedy Family. I finally rented Bobby over the weekend, and if you have not yet seen this film, you should. It's an amazing tribute to American History, and to the man that had unmatched ambition to lead our country in a time of change. Watch this movie, LEARN, and love every second of it.

Some Random Sh*t

I feel like in the last couple of weeks, some really random things have popped into my mind -- so like that Ruminations guy, I didn't want to dedicate an entire posting to these thoughts, but just mention each one briefly. Here goes, some random stuff that I've been thinking about lately:

Why is it that when you get on an exercise bike, and bike an entire mile, you only burn 13 calories? Seriously, I watched it today. 1 mile at 95 RPM = 13 calories. And when you read Cosmo, it always says stupid stuff like "Kissing for 1 minute burns 25 calories. WOW." If this is true, then I would just be better off making out with people (snogging if you will, see July blog) instead of going to the gym? This sounds like a much better option to me.

When you live in LA, 3,500 miles away from home, it is NOT a good idea to ever leave that Nickelback song "Faraway" on the radio while in the car (particularly when stuck in traffic). Because before you realize it, all you can say to yourself is "Oh my god, I really am SO FAR AWAY." And then WCD hits hard, and you want to belt out the rock ballad in tears. Take note, nearby drivers do not want to see this! Just change the station immediately the next time you hear it.

I cannot just eat one of those Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches. I always want another one - can anyone just eat one? And here is another diet thought that I discussed with a friend last week: Since Weight Watchers figures in how much fiber is in a food, can you make something worth ZERO points by adding a ton of Benefiber to it? And why is it impossible to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks? Because this is what I've been trying to do before my 10 year high school reunion, and it just hasn't worked. Sometimes, life just isn't fair.

Last time I was in Yoga class, the instructor kept saying "Just become one with your body. The process is about letting go of the thoughts in your mind, not thinking about the pain." But honestly, the thoughts running through my head at the time consisted of "Ouch....ouch....stupid instructor, way too hard...freaking downward dog, I hate you...that guy next to me is hot...not going to be able to walk tomorrow... wait, I think he's gay...OUCH." Does this sound familiar to anyone else? Anyone? Am I the only person that is incapable of focusing in Yoga class? Because sometimes, I think so.

Los Angeles is ON FIRE.

Today is a really sad day here in LA. A huge section (they are estimating 1,000 acres) is on fire in Griffith Park. Homes have been burned down, everyone is evacuating the area, and it's totally scary. Driving home from work today, it literally looked like WAR was going on in the distance. It's pretty unbelievable, I've never seen anything like it before...

Aboe is a picture from the news reports - in the forefront is Griffith Observatory, one of LA's finest cultural institutions.

Singing in the Car - Embrace it.

On the days that I teach, I end up spending about 40 minutes in the car to and from work. I actually don't mind it at all, because it gives me time to catch up on all of my phone calls and either wake up or unwind from the day. And I am well-known for my outrageously loud singing skills in the car anytime that a good song comes on the radio. On top of that, I have a horrible singing voice. Since starting my new commute, I've been caught so many times singing my head off in the car by total strangers next to me at a red light or on La Cienega. Obviously, the initial first reaction is to become embarrassed. But now, I've decided to embrace it and sing directly to the people watching. It makes for a really funny situation, trust me on this. I suggest this sociology lesson to everyone reading -- try it out and have fun with it.

To the black Acura at the corner of Washington, you weren't mistaken. I do wear my sunglasses at night.

YAY Pittsburgh.

Congratulations to Pittburgh. It was ranked #1 as the "most livable" city in the United States. Those of us that know it well aren't surprised at all. And, I love this quote -- it's so true:

"If Pittsburgh were situated somewhere in the heart of Europe, tourists would eagerly journey hundreds of miles out of their way to visit it." —Brendan Gill, The New Yorker

Pittsburgh rated “most livable” once again.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07116/781162-53.stm

Pittsburgh is back at No. 1 among Places Rated
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07115/781048-100.stm

Pittsburgh Ranked “Most Livable” City
http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_116072554.html

How now brown town?
http://www.economist.com/world/na/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=7914950

The City of Bridges
http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/bridges.aspx

Top 10 Unique Things to Pittsburgh
http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/30uniquepgh.aspx

Pittsburgh Rankings
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/static/index.cfm?contentID=580

Pittsburgh Trivia
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/static/index.cfm?contentID=587

Pittsburgh Outdoors
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/static/index.cfm?contentID=588

What’s New in Pittsburgh
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/static/index.cfm?contentID=71

Review - Tasca Wine Bar

Hot of the press...Here is the link:

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3346

Unemployment in the City of Broken Dreams

So I was able to experience the glory of being unemployed for exactly one week out here in LA. And in thinking it over, I've decided that LA must have the highest percentage of people collecting unemployment in the nation. I have no idea if this is true, it's just my guess, but there are so many people out here doing absolutely NOTHING. Everyone of course is trying to do SOMETHING, but in their attempts, likely just go out every night and then spend all day at The Coffee Bean plugging away on their computers -- writing screenplays or just instead looking up people on myspace.

There is something about LA that sucks you into this mentality though. I was unemployed for a week, and honestly, if I could just find something to pay the rent, I realized that I would be completely happy doing nothing. By nothing of course I mean writing a little bit each morning, going to the gym, hanging out at Urth Cafe, taking a nap, and then going out later that night and/or watching movies on my couch. I think I'd really only feel that way in this town though (correction, I did feel that way in Avalon, NJ as well. To be expected, everyone that has been there completely understands).

But in every other major city in the country, you would be completely shunned for being this lazy. Can you imagine telling your banker friends in New York about your day? Here though, it's pretty much the norm. Is it a good mentality? Or completely irresponsible? Of course, I'm working again, so it doesn't matter anymore... but should I ever decide to jump ship, at least I know that I'm in the company of a lot of people that will understand, and will insist that living life this way is 100% OK.

Tanning in LA - where am I?

So I usually walk to my gym, which is right on Santa Monica Boulevard, in the heart of good old WeHo. Everyday (who am I kidding....maybe twice a week) when I go there, I pass by this super trendy tanning salon along the way. Over this past weekend, the tanning salon actually had a sign outside that read "Get your daily dose of Vitamin D today! Research proves that tanning provides Vitamin D, and getting your daily dose will help you to ward off skin cancer. New tanning packages available, discounts for all gym members. Come in today!"

Who is genius that came up with this ad campaign? I almost felt like I was being punked as a consumer. I mean, who would read this and actually buy a tanning package based on this sign created by a complete moron? The whole way it was marketed just really pissed me off, and I always think it's funny when little things like that bother me.

Sure Vitamin D does help, I'm not saying that it doesn't. But you need to be in the sunlight for about 5 minutes, wearing sunscreen. And isn't it sunny enough already, LA? The sun doesn't go away here, it actually becomes annoying after a while. Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, BLAH.

Next time I see that sign, I'm kicking it over.

Everyone loves to spoon.

...even these guys.

Ta Da!

So here is the link to my first restaurant review!!! I don't think that it's my best work, but I didn't have a lot of time to write it. And I figure that it's probably a good thing that I will have room to improve as time goes on... Hard copies of Campus Circle are also available throughout SoCal -- 90,000 issues are distributed on college campuses, libraries, bookstores, music stores, etc. So grab one if you live here, and if not, just check out the links on the site:

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3321

I'll be doing another restaurant review for next week, followed by a film review, and also will be working on a story about the comedy circuit here in LaLa over the next few weeks...

I must apologize now too for not writing as much on my blog. I'm sorry! Since I actually have real writing assignments now, they unfortunately take precedence. But I'll be sure to post something (including my articles) at least once or twice a week :)

Pictures from our Trip - as Promised!

Sorry that this took so long! Being unemployed this past week has made me completely lazy. (I can see how this would become addictive. Too bad I have to start a new job tomorrow). I didn't really feel like putting a caption in for each photo - so just know that our trip went from LA to Napa, Napa to San Francisco, San Francisco through Monterrey/Carmel to Big Sur, and Big Sur all the way down the PCH back to LA where we toured Paramount and got into some trouble.

Just copy and paste the link below into a new browser to see everything, I think that it should work:

http://www.photomax.com/web/mem_album_photo_slide_show.php?mal_id=943222

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

So this is the official posting about the changes going on in my life now -- some are familiar with them, others are not. Before I tell you, I must ask: Did anyone really EVER think that this blog would open up doors for me? Because I surely didn't, and still question why I even write on it at all. BUT I am proud to announce that Cmorg actually landed a freelance writing job from this stupid thing, by submitting it as a writing sample for an LA based publication. That's right, you are looking at one of California's newest film and restaurant critics!!! All freelance of course, which means that I've also picked up another job teaching EFL to international students at the largest language school in the entire world (because anything less would just be unimpressive). Lots of changes, and I could not be any more excited about them.

My first assignments will be crafted in the next two weeks, so I will be sure to either post some of them if I'm allowed.

HOLY CRAP, I'm actually going to be a published writer!!!!!

Sightings and Celeb Scoop

Today at Century City Mall, we had a celeb sighting at lunchtime - it was Sanjaya Malakar, from American Idol. Sanjaya!!!!

He was spotted with a friend and a bodyguard, and was looking around to see how many people were looking at him. He is loving the spotlight right now. But a bodyguard...I mean, does Sanjaya really need a bodyguard? I guess all of the press is working for him. No crazy hair-do though - he had a hat on, so you could barely even see it! Good Luck Sanjaya, America LOVES you!

Sightings and Celeb Scoop

Driving through Sunset Plaza last week, we spotted Tara Reid outside of her new restaurant that just opened up, Ketchup. She was in a red dress, and honestly didn't look that bad from afar. I've seen the pictures of her on Perez though, so I know what lies underneath...! Her new restaurant sells $25 sloppy joe's and yahoo, it's apparently supposed to be a big hit. I think I'll take my chances at the 7-11 though!

Sightings and Celeb Scoop

I'm back from vacation, and it was wonderful! Such an amazing time, and I promise to post pictures from the entire trip down the coast as soon as I get my new computer later in the week. But in the meantime, let's talk about sightings and celeb scoop. On Tuesday of last week, I was lucky enough to get invited to the SCRUBS wrap party outside at The Roosevelt Hotel, and also had access into the exclusive late night party held in one of the cabanas. It was awesome, and here is some inside scoop from the party. 1. Zach Braff was completely wasted. I mean good on ya man, the season is over - live it up. But I found it hilarious how intoxicated he was... 2. Donald Faison is still dating Casey Cobb, Jessica Simpson's BFF/assistant. They are really cute together. She's super pretty in person, and refreshingly not that skinny. 3. Sarah Chalke is gorgeous in person, and likes to take her high heels off at parties like myself. I actually took mine off because I saw her do it. When in Rome, right? 4. Donald Faison also walked in on my going to the bathroom! Yep, forgot to lock the door, and he saw me half naked. AWESOME. 5. The really funny janitor on SCRUBS is a giant, and we actually saw him 2 nights in a row - he was seen the following night feasting on a large Mexican meal at El Compadre at a table nearby. 7. We got to watch the gag reel, which included a spoof on "dick in a box" that was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life.

Thanks to JS for hooking it up!! Such a great night!

Greetings from the Pacific Coast Highway

Even the best of bloggers need a vacation, and I plan to take one next week. I'll be heading out for another adventure along California's great roads - stops will include Napa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Monterrey, Big Sur, and Pismo Beach among others. Although I won't be writing on my blog all of next week, I do promise some great pictures and stories upon our return!!

HotEnough.org

Many nights, whether it be at the Jersey shore or out at a bar with friends, you find yourself so-called rating people. "9, that turns into a 3 when drunk" is a common label that I give to many of my guy friends.

We all know that there have been many debates about where you or I fall on the HOT scale, and someone is finally making bank by exploiting the idea. Why on earth did we not think of this sooner? (Members of The Barn '05, take note). Check out what is behind this new site, HotEnough.org.

http://www.hotenough.org/

This particular online dating site believes that not enough dating sites have actual good looking people on them. The creators believe that typically, they draw lonely and desperate people. For this site, you must submit 3 photos (one must be a full body shot) and then already existing members will rate you. You MUST be rated an 8 or higher in order to get membership, and then you can date freely for only $9.95/month. Shallow? Yes! Do we love it? Yes!!

You better believe that I am trying this out. I've heard all of my friends ratings (from looks to personality), but now let's ask the public who doesn't care about personality one bit! I will certainly keep you posted and let you know if I am HotEnough.

Some Sites to Check Out

There are so many websites out there, but I thought that I would talk today about a few of my favorites (other than celebrity blogs of course). So check these out if you are bored on the days that I don't blog:

http://la.eater.com/ (or http://www.eater.com/ if you are a Manhattanite) Best food/restaurant blog out there, a Zagat's online if you will, only a bit more critical.

http://www.sierraclub.org/ Check out your local chapter if you want to do something active and good for the planet!

http://www.realage.com/ Love it (thanks BB!) Take a look to see how your daily habits are really impacting your lifespan. Take the free test. Really, it's shocking!

http://www.zoominfo.com/ A site great for business networking.

http://www.raceplace.com/ If you are looking for a challenge...or just to finally put that New Year's Resolution into action (never too late!)

and last but not least, http://www.variety.com/ -- the Wall Street Journal of Hollywood.