Sing-Off

My mom recorded all the episodes of NBC's The Sing Off. So naturally, while I was lazing on my parents couch over Christmas week, we watched all of them within a two day period. Nota won*. And they are my favorite. Here is my favorite performance they did. It's more than awesome.

NOTA!!!!



* Sorry if you didn't know that already.

Music Babe

I love music. I play it, I sing it, write it. I usually get inspired to write and play by buying and discovering new music. I live on a pretty tight budget these days, so discovering new music is super hard because listening to the 00:30 clips on iTunes isn't really enough. It's enough for me to think, "Oh man, that's so cool I want to hear..." That's when the clip ends. I sometimes look up stuff on YouTube but YouTube has terrible sound quality and I'm super picky about sound quality. For example, when I buy new headphones I need at least $100 in my pocket for some Bose or JBL. Someday I will get the really cool ones. You have to get a mold of your ear made and they custom make them to fit only you, and they are crazy noise reduction style.

Someday...

So, I'm perusing iTunes at this current moment and just fell in love with an album. It's only $7.99, so I'm think I should get it but at the same time I should also pay my mortgage. So there's a trade-off.

Buy the album in my honor until I make up my mind, please:


Sondre Lerche and The Faces Down Quartet, Duper Sessions.

I'm just gonna buy it. I have to, right? I have to because if I don't, Sondre Lerche and some other songwriters won't get paid, and they need to get paid right? They have bills too. I'm only contributing to their well-being, which is helping someone else. Treat others how you want to be treated and all. He's from Norway. Support Norway. They've never hurt anyone, right?

Okay.

I bought it.

So much for that. Of course, $7.99 isn't a lot for a splurge, right?

Justify, justify, justify.

Uh-oh.

I own this bikini.

Gretchen and I have the same taste in swimwear. What does that mean? What does it all mean now? We definitely don't have the same taste in men. Although, as of last season of RHofOC Gretchen was my favorite. But that's not saying much since I really think all those womens is crazy.

Click the pick for a website that I kind of hate that I found.

Old Movies: The Suspense of It

I love old movies. I love them. I can watch TCM all day, never leave the couch, and be completely content. Sometimes I'm that guy who says, "They don't make movies like they used to..." Not ashamed. I REALLY love all old movies, but especially in the genres of suspense, thriller, and drama.

Here are a few of my favs:




It's wonderful. I've eaten at the restaurant from the opening scene. Also, this is a great nap movie.

Blind Audrey Hepburn? Go it. Creepy Alan Alda? Got it. Drug smuggling? Got it. Creepy scene where everything is in the dark and someone is chasing Audrey Hepburn but can't see her because it's dark until she opens the fridge and the fridge light reveals where she is but she doesn't know that because (as mentioned earlier) she's blind so she still thinks she safe but she's not? Got it.

I mean, what's not awesome about a child star who grows up to loathe her sister who becomes famous as an adult for actually being talented and not just cute? I mean, so many things can happen when themes like jealousy and family are involved.

Of course not pictured are Rebecca (Alfred Hitchcock) and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (gotta love those Bette Davis eyes). Both good as well.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh movies. They are so much fun times.

ADORABLE.

I also think that the people laughing may have been what actually scared the baby, not his own sneeze. If that's the case, those people are evil for scaring a poor infant ellie the elephant. Regardless, I now want a baby elephant.

Making Winter Count

Last year was the first year winter actually almost killed me.

I was miserable.

I hadn't had a problem with it before. I embraced it. I dealt with it. Last year was almost the death of me. My mother actually said to me, after the winter had past, that she thought she was going to have to come up here and do something about my attitude.

I am not going to let that happen this year.

I was riding the train the other day and a scene for a script popped into my head. Usually when I write a script I see the scene visually in my head: The setting, the weather, the props, the people. I see them doing an action. Then I figure out why their doing it and write the scene down. It's also very important for me to feel what the temperature of the room or place is and what the room or place might smell like. Yeah, I'm a little nutzo.

Another important thing is music. I usually make a playlist. I don't necessarily write while listening to the music. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, it's more just to have. I secretly want to be a music supervisor. Make millions acting and writing and then retire to be a music supervisor for film. So grand.

This song is the first official song on The Winter Screenplay playlist.

Click on the handy little box, listen to the sample, buy the song and enjoy.

The Texas State Fair...

...is one of my favorite things in life.

I love it.

I love Big Tex...

I love the Texas Star...


I love the new fried food that comes out every year, this year it's butter...


I love the petting zoo, the midway, the car show, the exhibits about JFK and The Battle Of San Jacinto, and I love the heat.

My parents are there as I type this. I hope they enjoy it. I hope they try the fried butter. I hope they sit in all the new cars. I hope they feed the llamas. I hope they learn about Texas History.

I miss you State Fair of Texas. I miss you Fair Park. One of these Octobers I'll make it back to Texas and, you should know, you will be the reason.

That and I'll have a job where it doesn't matter if I leave town at any time because I'm rich and taking days off doesn't mean I don't get paid, it means I have a day off.

**Update** The parents did try the fried butter. It apparently tastes like a dinner roll with butter. So there ya go.

New Obsession

This coffee place blew my mind a little bit:

I had past the shop a few times but assumed that they only took cash and I never carry cash. I pretty much assume any place that looks "emo" and "hippy" only takes cash. I was wrong. They take Visa and Mastercard. But that's beside the point.

The coffee is pretty decent especially seeing as how they roast it themselves. There is a coffee roaster right next to the bar where they guy brews the coffee. It's incredible! Not only that but they don't just keep a pot full of coffee waiting for you. No no. When you order a cup of coffee (regular old coffee) he grinds the beans right then for your cup and your cup only. THEN he brews it in a cup!! It's crazy!!! No machines needed. It is done in something similar to this contraption:

Only replace the red and black mugs with pretty classic white, the steel box with a plank of wood and the styrofoam cups with pretty white mugs. It was amazing. I felt like my cup of coffee was something special made only for me. Because it was kind of.

It was a little pricey and the pastries were not tasty (at least the brownie sample I had was not tasty) BUT the coffee was pretty cool. I am impressed.

I've had coffee roasts I like better than the one I was given but, regardless, the process to make it made it the best cup of coffee ever. Yeppers indeedy.

Hollywood, Is Everything Okay?

These movies, and their titles, are real:





Judge accordingly.

Why

didn't someone tell me about this website earlier????

Rappers That Suck

AH! It's gold. Pure gold.

Quote of the day:

"I sometimes think I will things into happening. Mainly pertaining to Rufus Wainwright." - Sir Dave

Oh Dear...

There are a lot of things I could say so I'm just not going to say anything. Oh, except I think this is from Wife Swap which I never watch. This clip is a great example of why I don't watch Wife Swap. Okay, now I'm not going to say anything.

For Your Friday Enjoyment...

Click here:

Genius.

Who loves this shtick as much as I do?

Dear Red Shirt Guy At Gym,

Hi.

Cutting to the chase: Your over developed pectoral muscles actually look like man boobs. Perhaps you should start to concentrate on another area.

Thanks,

Me

P.S. Blonde trainer at the gym, if you're reading this, I've finally figured something out. You look like Amanda Peet if Amanda Peet was blonde. It's been bugging me. We always seem to be in the same place at the same time at the gym. I knew you looked like someone but I couldn't figure out who. I know we're both actors and I've seen you at auditions but that wasn't it. It's that you look like a blonde Amanda Peet. The color of you eyebrows leads me to believe that you would actually look like Amanda Peet if you went au natural. I understand the blonde in that case. No two actresses can look alike. I get it.

UGGGGGGGH. Adorable.

It has begun.

It began along time ago but I was too wrapped up in trying to do too many things and not getting anything done to pay attention to life and all of the things that were happening too me and around me. You might think I posted these songs because I love JM and I want to have his babies. I don't. I actually like hearing songs when they are in the infant stage and then hearing how they progress into the final product that we all download from iTunes. I'm a songwriter/musician. It's a thing we do.

Eeeh. I'm rambling. I'm starting to sound like him. JM fans will understand what I mean.


Song starts @ :16 sec

Song starts @ :58 sec.


Song starts @ :53 sec


The beat @ the beginning of this video kicks so much ass.

Read this book.

It's amazing. It's the best book I've read this year.*

Read it. It's incredibly inspiring, witty, funny and uses the phrase "the right psychological moment" which my dad uses all the time to describe why things happen when they happen.

I will share with you my favorite passage from the very end of the book:

"Nothing is too much trouble if it turns out the way it should. Good results require that one take time and care. If one doesn't use the freshest ingredients or read the whole recipe before starting, and if one rushes through the cooking, the results will be an inferior taste and texture -- a gummy beef Wellington, say. But a careful approach will result in a magnificent burst of flavor, a thoroughly satisfying meal, perhaps even a life-changing experience. "

A life lesson if I do say so myself.

As Julia would say, "Bon Appetit!"





*I need to say (for my own pride's sake) that I did not decide to read this book because of Julia and Julia coming out in theaters this weekend. I've wanted to read My Life in France since it came out. I didn't even realize the movie came out this weekend. I do want to see the movie, but I did not read this book because it's a fad. I read it because I love food and cooking and now Julia Child. For some reason I feel like Jeannie will understand why I had to write this side note.

Adorable...

and also probably a little wrong.

And The Winner Is...

Us. Lowering the Bar took the cake my friends. Congrats to us!!!! Yaaaaaaay!!!

Now I can put a fun little footnote on my resume:

Lowering the Bar* May Plain Label Pictures

*Winner of the 2009 Chicago TV Comedy Pilot Competition

Oh yes.

It should be noted that some strange combination of keys I just hit on my keyboard caused Asteriod and PacMan type sounds to come out of my computer. What? Yeah. I don't know either.

Lowering The Bar Y'all

That’s the name of the pilot I shot last fall starring the comic stylings of T.J. Jagadowski and Sue Gillan.

This a still shot of me and two of my buds (what up Rawson) on the set, in character of course. Let me tell you something about being on the set of this show. Not only was it funny, mostly improvised and the most fun I’ve had on a set lately BUT I had the easiest job in the world when it came to hair and make-up. The other ladies had to sit in the chair, have their hair put up in exactly the same way everyday, super thick make-up etc… and an hour later they were set. Then of course they had to touch-up every hour or so. My character was a recovering drug addict. I sat down in the hair chair, the woman would slap some putty to make my hair look greasy, and then the make-up lady would make my under-eye circles look a little darker. Voila. 2 minutes later I was done and out. I was actually encouraged to not shower and could totally nap in the corner between takes because I was supposed to look ragged. I could get used to that.

I get to see the final result tonight for the first time at the Chicago TV Comedy Pilot Competition. We’re one of 6 finalists. Hoo-zah**!

*Not to be confused with the show “Raising the Bar” currently being shown on TNT. I assume it’s still being shown. It has cheesy ads on busses though so it looks like one of those shows that goes away quickly, you know? Also that show is about lawyers and this show is not.

**Hoozahs were a reward we received in elementary school for doing good things, like keeping our tote trays clean. They even had a store where you could take your Hoozahs and buy things with them. I bought my uncle a paperweight for Christmas with my Hoozahs one year. He left it at my grandmother’s house and never took it home with him. On purpose. He even asked if that was okay, to leave his gift at grandmother’s house. The nerve. I saved up Hoozahs for that damn paperweight. Maybe someday I’ll find a picture online of a Hoozah and post it. That sounds like fun… Google, here I come.

Oh Britney...

How dare you drop that cup.

Colour

The past few weeks/days have been filled with me decorating my tiny condo in my mind.

I can do that. I can rip out my cabinets, white wash them, put them back up and install shiny glass knobs on every single one. Cause they're mine.

Sorry. I don't mean to brag. It's just that not until recently did I realize I can actually paint and splatter just like I've always wanted to and no one will take my security deposit away, because there isn't one.

There are downsides. Like my broken thermostat. I have to buy and install a new one all by myself. Also, any and all renovations are charged to bank of Molly which is not FDIC insured.

I'm trying to focus on the positive.

Paint colors.

It's taken me FOREVER to pick paint colors. To me once those are in, everything else will tell me how it wants to be. Like throw pillows, linens, art work, candle holders, doorknobs....you get it.

I went ahead and painted my bathroom because I felt like it would shove me in the direction of truly making my space my own. I painted the bathroom Marlboro Blue by the lovely Benjamin Moore. All my paint will be Benjamin Moore. They have the best colors w/out ordering from specialty stores (in my opinion).

Here is the color (not in my bathroom):


I have no idea who Donegall is or what episode 2018 is. 2018:Donegall kind of sounds like it would be a BBC show about a man named Donegall, ex-military, who is the only man left on earth roaming around a demolished England with only his military ration of food in a small gunnysack. Maybe that's just me though.

I also finally picked colors for my living room/bedroom/kitchen/office. The accent will be this beautiful Galapagos Blue:



Thank you Domino Magazine for taking that lovely photo. Someday you must come back to us. I miss you Domino....I like, miss you a lot. I'm staring at your book on my coffee table right now thinking about all of our good times.

The rest of the walls will be a lovely shade of Moonlight White:



I think this pic is from Domino too. My goodness. This economy sucks...Domino....:(

I'm slowly realizing that maybe the bathroom color doesn't go with the rest BUT too late now. I'll make it it's own little thing with it's own little color scheme, call it an oasis and no one will know the difference.

Let me know if you want to help paint the rest of my place. Jandy will appreciate it. And I will too. :)

Adowable.

Phasessions

I, like probably a lot of people, go through phases. I refer to them more as obsessions. So for the purposes of this blog I will refer to them as "phasessions."

Here is an example:

I love the game Cake Mania. If you haven't played it, don't start. You might not ever stop. Currently I am obsessed with downloading any and every game that is in the same genre as Cake Mania and playing the free trial version. I have now mastered one hour of Ranch Rush, Spa Mania, Posh's Boutique, and am currently mastering Nanny Mania II.

Two other things that I also love are cooking and baking. If I wasn't acting and writing, I would be in culinary school. I am by no means an amazing chef, BUT I love it. It's therapeutic to me and usually tastes good.

Since most of my phasessions involve things that ruin my brain, like Cake Mania, and do not enhance my quality of life, like Posh's Boutique, I am trying something new.

I'm going to cook every recipe in my Ina Garten cookbook, Barefoot Contessa at Home.


Hi there Ina.

Why this cookbook? Several reasons.

One: I love Ina Garten. I want to be her a little bit. Mainly I just want her kitchen, her house in the Hamptons and have a cooking show involving them both. Her food always looks so fresh and delightful. I think she is my long lost Aunt.

Two: Cooking every recipe in one of my Paula Dean cookbooks would mean gaining 30-40 pounds. I am not willing to do that. I often refer to Paula Dean as my long lost grandmother and I love her food dearly. However, my heart cannot afford to consume 1 stick of butter per day. Sorry Paula.

Three, this cookbook was given to me by my dear friend Melissa as a gift for helping with and being at her wedding. It has a special little note in the front that I can read when I get frustrated with grease stained kitchen towels and burnt rye bread.

I'm super excited about my new phasession. I am. I did get a little nervous when I saw in the list of recipes on the back "Cornish Game Hens." I'm trying not to think about that until I get there. Live in the moment or something, right?

Here goes nothing. No wait.

Here goes something...awesome.

Movie Madness

I had been so obsessed with watching TV shows on DVD and being poor that I hadn't been to a movie or Netflixed a movie in almost 6 months.

That all changed in the past couple of months.

Not sure why. I'm still obsessed with watching TV shows on DVD and still poor.

I decided to list the movies I've seen recently and give a "No" or "Yes" to each. Here is a key to define both "No" and "Yes:"

No=Don't watch this movie ever. Even if your life depends on it. Seriously. It will waste your time and you don't want that.

Yes=You better watch this movie if you want to be my friend. End of story.

Here goes!!!


Henry Poole Is Here

No. Giant NO. This movie is a giant ball of melodramatic mush. The acting was good though.


Up


Yes. Giant Yes!!! I cried twice. In the good way.


The Hangover

YES. Another giant Yes. My sides hurt from laughing so hard.

Grey Gardens (HBO)

Massive Yes! If haven't seen the 1975 documentary version first, I would watch that then watch this one. Drew Barrymore actually does good acting!!! Only when she's the older Little Edie though.

Run Fat Boy Run

No. Very bad. Not funny. I thought it was supposed to be funny.

I also saw Star Trek (YES!), Wolverine (Yes/No - Yes for Hugh Jackman being sexy, no for stupid plotlines) and Terminator (No. Christian Bale is annoying).

And there you have my two cents.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

SPAM!

Explain to me why the day after I "delete forever" the spam in my "Spam" inbox, I suddenly begin receiving spam in my regular inbox?

Also, I want to see Spamalot the musical.

And I've never actually tried Spam, but I like this picture:


I am super busy at the part-time-full-time-crappy-pay-no-benefits-why-I-am-still-here-darn-you-economy-job.

So logically that means I had time to read my original blog that I started a few months after living in Chicago. Which I did. Just finished actually. It felt very vain and also like I was reading the blog of an extremely younger version of me, which isn't true because I'm only two years older now. Or three...I forget. Regardless, I hope to not read it again for a very long time, if ever. Not that I don't have amazing memories, it was just in the moment thing to do.

I did realize though that I used to post a lot and used to post about things I did during the day. Now I don't. I'm not sure where or when the shift happened. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I never blog from home anymore. I spend way too much time at the aforementioned job on a computer where I can't upload my personal photos. So there's that...

I also have been saying that a lot...,"So there's that..."

To me, it's a laugh riot.

You probably think I'm ditzy. Either way, It's not raining outside anymore and that makes me happy.

Okay. I need to work now. And by work I mean read Dlisted and call my mom to talk about boys.

Ditz.

Designing Women

I love Designing Women!!!!

I mean, seriously. What's not to love? Four ladies, an Anthony, 80s everything and the South.

The list could go on.

Apparently the first season comes out on DVD today. That one will go on the Christmas list for sure.

In honor, NPR created a mad lib designed after a Julia Sugarbaker rant. I myself can still recite several of Julia's rants in my head. At least I can recite the way she recited them, if that makes sense.

This mad-lib rant has Julia ranting about The Bachlorette, which I don't watch, sorry. But it's still funny. You can create your own here.

You can read mine here:

"I would rather spend two hours sharing gaucamole with Jimmy Hoffa than watch a woman who apparently purchased her intellect at Old Navy for $0.35 chase twenty-five men with biceps made of iron and heads packed with Cheerios.

Because when future generations look upon what we have left for them, which may by then be little more than global warming and millions of non-biodegradable iPhones, I fear they will conclude that they would have welcomed bread and circuses if only they had realized the alternative was Pop Tarts and John and Kate Plus Eight.

[sits down and crosses arms, but then immediately stands back up]

And let me tell you a little something about romance: Handing out roses like you are a mascot throwing licorice whips to the assembled hooligans at the NBA Finals is not my idea of romance. Romance is a man who knows the difference between John Wesley and John Candy and who is capable of putting on a suit jacket without scratching his head as if he is connecting a sub-woofer without the instruction manual.

So do not ask yourself why I do not particularly enjoy a television show where the assembled male candidates represent romantic prospects inferior to the workers on the night shift at the Chili's in Austin, TX. Ask yourself whether, after a lifetime playing with a cultural Lego and dancing on the grave of Don Quixote, you will ever...recover...your dignity."

That was fun.

And now, here's a clip, because you know you've been dying for it:

Oh Julia. You go.

Thank You

Thank you kind sir who wrote this blog in response to an "embarrassing" video:

Click Here.

Not because I have some soft spot for Darwin or evolution, or even Creationism.

Because I love Texas. I'm from Texas. I love Texas. People are quick to judge Texas as a whole and this blogger took the time to include this little nugget:

"I’ll add here, once again, that I am not attacking Texas as a whole. That would be foolish. I am however attacking those in power who would use that power to teach that which is clearly wrong, attack that which is clearly right, and thinly disguise what they’re trying to do: overthrow the First Amendment and instate a theocracy. It’s really just that simple."

Thank you for not attacking Texas like Texas did something wrong. Texas didn't do anything. Texas is a mass of land full of all kinds of different people.

It just so happens that only the idiots make it onto TV anymore.

Well that's not all Texas is. I'm also pretty sure there are unintelligent people in most states.

I am Texas. I didn't grow up on a ranch, I don't own a pair of cowboy boots, and I don't own a gun. Even if I did, there would be nothing wrong with it. To each his own. Well, okay, maybe I don't agree with the gun thing.

I'm just saying. It would be nice every once in awhile when someone decided to attack "Texas," they would take the time to acknowledge they're really attacking the individual and not a giant massive state full of wonderful people.

'Nuff said.

Miami Baby

I haven't taken a vacation since I was 21. That was almost 5 years ago now. Before that I hadn't taken a vacation since like....7th grade? There's a question mark because I'm really not sure.

The point is I just never take a vacation. I travel a lot, but it's always for something like, being in a friend's wedding, improv festivals, the birth of my niece, Christmas etc...

Tomorrow I'm going to Miami. I am so pumped. I almost don't even know what to do with my excitement. I'm also only going to be there Friday through Monday which means I totally have room to over pack my suitcase AND bring my hair dryer. Usually I only bring exactly what's necessary clothing wise and no hair tools because I'm trying to fit a weeks worth of clothes plus gifts or books I borrowed from my mom into a tiny carry-on suitcase. This means no room for hair tools or fancy black dresses just in case I need one.

Not this time. It's only necessary for me to bring 3 days worth of clothes and 1 pair of shoes. You better believe I have enough clothes for a week and 3 pairs of shoes PLUS the hair dryer.

Heaven.

I've never been to Miami. I don't know a lot about it. This is what I do know:

1) It is the setting of a glorious and wonderful show called Dexter
2) There's lots of Cuban food
3) Celebrities like Paris Hilton like to party there on New Years
4) Dexter Morgan lives there
5) There is a lot of dancing
6) There is a beach
7) Dexter is set there

I love Dexter. I will be in the home of Dexter. No, I don't care about the parties and the yummy pork sandwiches, I care about a fictional serial killer who kills other serial killers. That's kind of sick.

Here's a picture of Miami for you to enjoy:



Everyone have a lovely weekend. I'll be vacationing.

PS to Griggs: On the latest Aphasia Podcast you had Jeannie and Brett guess whether an actor named Harry Morgan was dead or alive. I didn't know Harry Morgan was an actor. I only knew him as the Harry Morgan who is my beloved Dexter's foster father. I screamed, "Dead!!! He's Dead!!!" because he is dead on the show. I thought it was so cool that you mentioned Dexter. Then it wasn't that Harry Morgan and I was sad.

So cool.

Click here.

This is so cool to watch.

Love.

** Update **

This is equally as uncool.

Some people should justdecide to go to college and rap at frat parties to be "funny".

I said it. Not ashamed.

HARRY POTTER!!!!

On Sunday my bestie friend Rachel and I saw the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry.

I love Harry Potter. I made fun of it until my sister begged me to read the books. I read them. I love them. I love all of the movies too. The Rach is an even bigger Potter fan than I am. So when she happened to come in town on opening weekend of the exhibit, well, I mean, like duh you guys.

It was a blast. The only downfall is we couldn't take pictures. So I will give you the highlights:

1) I volunteered to wear the sorting hat as did Rach. We both got our houses of choice. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, respectfully. The older man who thought he was so cool and was sure he belonged in Slytherin got Hufflepuff. Guess who's the fool now?

2) Saw an outfit warn by Emma Thompson. I almost cried. I was hoping if I could touch it some of her wise acting theories and good industry luck would transfer. I'll never know because there was a rope I couldn't get past.

3) Pulled up a mandrake. It was super cute. Also animatronic. Mandrakes aren't real, what were you thinking?

4) Learned that 8-12 year old boys are punk aass b*tches who hog the Quidditch game and when you finally get a rogue ball they let slip out of their sight, they will steal it from you and shove you back out of the way.

5) Gift shops are expensive.

6) This one is more of a warning: The tour guides, or whatever they're called, talk in really bad British accents. The museum should have hired a dialect coach. If they did hire one, they should get their money back.

7) I love Harry Potter more now than ever.

Over all it was really fun and amazing. Less interactive than I thought, but cool nonetheless. Made me wish I was as skilled as a set designer and prop master. Maybe in another life.

Since we couldn't take pictures I have included this picture of Rach and I and what are faces probably looked like at every moment of the exhibit:

Pure joy and fun.

Also, here's the trailer for the new movie:



Who's in for a midnight showing?

I am.

Also who's in, in 2010?

I am.

Hilarious.

Cat In A Box @ Yahoo! Video

Love.

Things I love:

Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs



Paula Deen



More specifically, Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake



Battlestar Galactica (A new love)



This couch.



Melissa baths.




Just thought I'd share.

Sick.

I'm so over this.

I got sick in January. So sick I actually went to the doctor.

I should tell you that I used to get sinus infections on a regular basis (once a month) due to an excess of bones behind my nose. That's the truth. Apparently I had broken my nose and not only had a deviated septum but also extra bones growing every which way. Awesome! I think I broke it in 6th grade when I was hit with a basketball square in the face.

I went to the doctor several times and they always told my I had a tiny cold, wouldn't give me medicine and then other times would, and never thought it was strange that I came back every month. Until I went to a specialist who said, "WHOA! What happened to the inside of your nose? That's the second-worst nose I've ever seen." Always words one wants to hear. And yes, I really was the second worst nose he had seen. Only one other person was worse off then me. That poor poor guy.

Now that you know my history, you can understand that why I rarely go to the doctor when I'm sick. They've burned me.

Me going to the doctor in January was a big deal. The doc gave me antibiotics and said, "get some rest. You'll start coughing too. That means it's going away."

I coughed.

I was better for approximately one-two weeks.

Now I'm terrible again. I'm miserable. I don't know what's wrong with me. I thought I was just having allergies but this is ridiculous. I know I have allergy problems but this is dumb, stupid and annoying.

I also don't have a fever. Doctors always say, "well you don't have a fever so you're not sick really." Seriously. That's what I've been told.

Here's the weird part too: I know many other people having similar symptoms and problems as me, have been sick just as long, and they are all females.

What's that about?

Why is the universe hating on the ladies?

Why do I hate my life right now?

I want to get better.

I also don't want to go back to the doctor because, well, it just never seems to help me. Not going also doesn't help and is significantly cheaper.

Love.

My friend Mel Evans shared this link with me:

Bakerella.

I'm in love.

I know, I know...

Two blog posts in one day. But I had too. I saw this video a few days ago and couldn't find it anywhere I could embed it from. Now it's on YouTube:



I only hope my career takes me here someday.

Adorable Book.

This book is adorable.

You should read it.

Larry Doyle used to write for The Simpsons, you know, he's funny and all that. It reminds me of being back in High School and the awkward boys I used to know. Heck, I was awkward. If you really want to get into the "awkward high school mindset" while reading this book, I suggest putting on Kelly Clarkson's latest CD, drinking a real Dr. Pepper and eating some string cheese. This is the kind of book that has me laughing out loud on the train. It's great.

Read it.

Ignore the fact that it's soon to be hitting the big screen and Hayden Panettiere plays Beth Cooper. I can't stand that cheerleader. Wait, it just occured to me she's a cheerleader on Hero's and a cheerleader in this book. Hayden needs to broaden her horizons.

Fuh-knee

I think this is funny.

The Dirty Garage - watch more funny videos

Who's In?

I figure if enough of us go on together we can have a nice little vacation spot.

Death at a Funeral

There are several movies out in the past couple of years that I love and am pretty sure no one else has seen. One of these movies is Death at a Funeral.

Death at a Funeral is a British movie that is completely British humor and British actors (except for Alan Tudyk who is from Plano, TX Holla!!!) If you know me, you know I love all things British.

Here is the trailer:



Now. I want you to watch the trailer one more time but replace all the actors with Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Loretta Devine, Regina Hall and Danny Glover.

That's right folks. Chris Rock has decided that it's already time to remake Death at a Funeral with less white people. I'm all for diversity. What I don't understand is why a great movie has to be re-made only three years later. I mean, come on. Most people haven't even seen the original yet and now they'll just assume that the British wanted to copy Chris Rock. As if...

I will say this. For some reason, James Marsden is also in the line-up for Chris Rock's version. If you know me, you know I also love to talk about James Marsden whenever I get the chance. So I'll give some credit there.

I probably won't pay the $12.50 to see this new version of one of my favorite movies because I won't pay $12.50 to see most movies; I'm poor. But I will probably Netflix it. Just out of curiosity.

In conclusion, go watch Death at a Funeral now before it gets all weird and American.

More Office Ranting...

Okay. So I kind of hate myself for blogging two days in a row about work, but I just need to do it so I'm going to. It's been that kind of week.

Why is a corporate office the only place that entire e-mail chains are sent, forwarded and replied to, but really are about nothing. These e-mails contain tons of questions referring to nothing, no answers to those questions about nothing, everybody involved gets angry over nothing, and they stay angry long enough to rant about the e-mail chain starter in another e-mail to only a select few that again is about, nothing.

Nothing but the fact that this person is angry, over nothing.

Why?

Why?

Why?

And why do people include me in these e-mails? I am an administrative assistant. I have no clout and I know nothing about anything.

And why do people always take a co-workers anger or problem, over nothing, and make it somebody else's or some other departments fault, when they probably just didn't read the question right, therefore making it something, when it came from nothing.

And why can't these people just get off of their lazy behinds and walk three yards to the cubicle of the person they need to talk too instead of sending a mass e-mail to everybody.

Maybe it's that none of us really know nothing about anything.

I mean the nothing e-mails have to come from somewhere...

Dear New Hire Lady From This Morning,

(Company names have been changed in hopes of no one I work for finding this letter)

Hi.

I hope you are finding your first day at Bloopbloop Management to be wonderful and inviting.

I have no idea how you found your way in the building this morning, through the door and upstairs to my desk area. Our nifty BlopCorp building managers have issued us badges in order to do both. So first of all, congratulations on hacking our super-tight security.

I'm kidding of course. These badges won't actually save our lives. I'm sure anyone could get in this building at any time, if they really wanted to.

I know you've been here before in order to interview. I know you know BlopCorp owns Bloopbloop Management and I know you are aware that you have to meet with HR on your first day. Now common sense would tell someone who has been here before that the big desk, on the first floor, located right inside the entrance, with a sign above reading "BlopCorp" would be the place to find out where you needed to report for this first day. But since no one was in yet, you decided to go exploring.

I know that I may sit in the middle of a call center, and you are working in a call center, but I think that the giant sign above my head that reads "BleepbloopScout" would give away the fact that I don't work for Bloopbloop Management. Regardless you asked where HR was for BlopCorp and Bloopbloop Management and might I assist you in getting ready to start the day.

I said, "We're BleepbloopScout, I think you need to check in with Melinda (name was changed)at the reception desk."

You asked me the same question, again.

As strange as this may sound, I know nothing about the company you work for because, I don't work for them. So when I tell you that I can't help you why do you ask me again, the same question? When I repeat my answer, you stand there as if I am supposed to assist you and proceed to ask me again how I may help you start your first day and get you checked in. To make matters worse you finally go back downstairs and then send someone else upstairs to ask me to help you.

Lady. I don't work for Bloopbloop Management. I am not BlopCorp's (You know, the corporation that owns both of our companies, just a reminder) HR department. I know it may all seem confusing since all of the companies mentioned in this letter share one building, but that's what corporations are. Big balls of confusion that look pretty on the outside so that no one will see all the ugly on the inside (at least in my opinion).

You will not ever have a first day here again, and that's probably for the best.

Now please enjoy your stay and know that this place will suck the living daylights out of you. So much so, that you will one day write blog posts to anonymous co-workers/building dwellers who make you annoyed on a Monday morning.

Best Regards,

Molly Wilbanks

Big Love Quote Number One

I love Big Love. It's a great show. In honor of the third season finally coming on, I would want to share some of my favorite quotes.

Number One:

"Our husband's dating life is none of our business."

This one comes from Nikki (Season 2 Episode 12).

Thanks Nikki.

Check this out...

To Obama.>

I found this to be an interesting opinion.

Audition Tip Numero Uno (For the Ladies)

Hey ladies.

How are you?

Just wanted to share a tip. Let me start off by saying this specific tip applies to on-camera auditions only.

I love boots. I love wearing boots over my jeans. Ugg boots, high-heeled boots, riding boots, I love them all. They are adorable when you are walking down the street, hailing a cab, or grocery shopping with your jeans tucked in to them keeping the mud at bay and your legs skinny minny, it's true.

They are not adorable on camera.

I interned at a casting office and sometimes still free-lance there. Recently something came to my attention. A beautiful, slender, statuesque blonde came into the room. She slated her name. The camera pulled out to get a full body shot. I looked at her, oh so pretty. I looked at the monitor. Oh so pretty hair, shirt, nice jeans...

Wait.

Is she hiding cankles? She's so tiny. Why on the screen does she look like big-foot? Oh. It's the Ugg boots with the jeans tucked in. Their creating an illusion.

Now I had time sit and stare at the monitor and figure out the problem. An ad exec will not take that time. They have more important things to do on their Blackberry and MacBooks.

After noticing this trend I decided to make a few simple equations to help illustrate my observations:

Jeans tucked into Ugg boots + pretty girl + video camera = cankle hider/big foot
Jeans tucked into skinny high heeled boots + pretty girl + video camera = thigh thigh thigh all I can see is your thigh that looks larger than I think it should.

So ladies. Next time you go to an audition, just wear pretty flats. They look nice too.

And for those of you reading this who are not actors and are thinking, "Wow. How you look does not matter. Beauty is on the inside."

Well, we're actors and we're judged on our looks. Now, mostly that means "She's too motherly looking," or "She's too classic looking, or "He looks like a Frat boy and I want a Geek."

It's a thing those movie people do so please, don't take offense.

That's it ladies. I hope I made since.

Things That Fascinate Me...

Really it's only one thing: Serial Killers. Well, that's not the only thing that fascinates me, but it's what I'm referring to today. I love books about serial killers, movies about serial killers, and true crime shows. Well, and not true crime shows. Like Dexter. Now that 's a good show. But I'll save that for another day.

All this to say, I just read an article about serial killers that I found on Digg. You can read it here:

5 Horrific Serial Killers (Who Are Free Right Now)


Creeeeeeepy. Especially the video associated with the fifth serial killer. Chills....

Sick Day...

I hate being sick. I hate it. I'm really bad at it. I usually don't acknowledge it and go about my business. I knew I must have been really sick this week because I didn't mind laying in bed all day. It was the only thing that made me feel not sick. I mean, I like to relax like the rest of you but it usually takes me being really sick for me to actually relax.

Yes. I'm aware that's probably not a good thing, but I'm a busy lady as I'm sure all of you are.

I found some things this week that made me feel better. The main was The Tyra Banks Show.

You're thinking, "Molly, you're crazy."

I don't actually like the Tyra Banks show. I really can't stand Tyra Banks. But I love the train wreck that is Tyra Banks and the Tyra Banks show. She's crazy. I couldn't really find any examples so I will share one from an episode this Tuesday afternoon.

The entire show was about HateHers: girls who hate on other girls. The author of a book about this topic and Tyra went on and on about how they would never let their girlfriend leave the house with a weave line followed by a close-up of the only two African-American women in the audience, both with weaves. Now, I know that wasn't Tyra's decision but it was associated with her. And that makes it a Tyra thing. I remember one episode of her show where a young teenage woman was upset because she had become a mother at 16 and now it was "ruining her life." She couldn't do the normal things girls her age did. I thought, "Oh, a show about teenage mothers, okay." No, no. Tyra interrupted this girl to say, "Let's stay on topic. Tell me more about the crying." That's right. The whole show was about people who cry.

Okay Tyra.

Bottom line: if you love train wrecks watch the Tyra Banks show.

Feeling Romantic...

From xkcd.

Trying New Things

I joined a new gym recently (take that Bally's). Yesterday I took advantage of my free personal training session that came along with my membership. My trainer introduced me to something that I hope to be amazing. It's called a Bosu Ball:



Isn't it cute? She explained to me, while showing off her six pack, that she uses this strange looking thing regularly. When she had her child, she still had a four pack afterwards. She only lost two pack....from birthing a baby. Now, I'm not birthing any babies anytime soon, but if it's that good I'm trying it out.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Caution: Gross

Overheard in the ladies room at work:

"He's going crazy..."

::poop and gas explosion::

"That's not good..."

::poop and gass explosion::

::silence::

I shared, because she shared. Apparently he's going crazy...

A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Since I can't load my own pictures onto my blog right now, and I personally need pictures to entertain me while reading a blog, I've decided to do some posts over the next week or two that highlight some of my favorite things (that I can find pictures of on the internet).

Today's feature:

My Cuisinart Grind and Brew



It's great. I bought it for half off at Linens N Things right before they closed their doors forever. Well, I should say Santa bought it for half price at Linens N Things. Good for Santa.

It's really nice to have a cup of coffee waiting for me when I wake up in the morning. And not just any cup of coffee. A fresh cup, straight from the beans!!! Grinding your coffee right before brewing is essential to a good cup of coffee. Yes, that's my ex-Barista talking.

I will say one thing though. If you ever have a cup coffee straight out of bed, it might cause you te become a crazy muttering mess.

Take for example this story of my "friend" who recently had a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.

This "friend" sipped some coffee and begin talking to herself. Now that's not really odd, that's a normal thing this "friend" does. Mainly so this "friend" can stay focused and not lay on the couch for an hour watching the news and end up late for work. The strange part started was when the friend bundled up to brave the cold, she decided that when wrapped in a puffy scarf, down coat, and puffy hat, she looked like a wrestler. She began to gather her things for work pretending to be a wrestler and talked in a British accent. Apparently this "friend" was a dainty British wrestler. She was having a great time. Maybe I've told you too much and you'll think my poor "friend" is crazy, but just know that she had a great time getting ready for work this particular morning and it was all thanks to her dear sweet cup of coffee.

Alright alright....

I know. I haven't posted in awhile. It's become increasingly difficult since I no longer have internet access at home and work is insanely busy. SOOOOOOOOOO I'm going to try and stay on top of it from now on.

That's what I keep telling myself. I and I want to stay true to myself or something, right?

I'm going to be honest for a moment and say that I haven't exactly been super excited about much lately. Mainly because I work so hard at a job I hate for an hourly wage, 40 hours a week, but no benefits since I'm not full time and can't be full time, and I don't even know how I ended up doing what I do anyway because I'm not techincally qualified for any of it. I'm basically taken advantage of for 40 hours a week. Believe me, I'm fully aware that I have the power to change the situation. The problem is the only change I can make...quitting...isn't an option since I need a some-what steady income AND flexibility when it comes to time off for auditions and travel. Both of those things I do have at my current job, SO I'm stuck.

It's a constant battle for me to get through the day and make it home. I know a lot of people don't like their jobs, but I'm hitting a wall. Especially with some certain "situations" that I work with (ask me in person, I can't blog about it).

My saviour most days is Netflix. I watch so many things online. Right now, as I type this, I'm watching Gone Baby Gone. It's so good. I work for a call center so I wear what looks like a headset, but it is really a pair of earphones. It's nice. I should go ahead and say a giant thank you to Netflix for putting movies and TV online. I should also say thank you to the office manager who hasn't gotten onto me for downloading programs onto my work computer. He and I are buds. So you know...he's go my back.

THANKS GUYS :)