sha in LA

she's back...

Ah, it's good to be back in beautiful sunny cloudy Southern California.

I survived the holiday madness practically unscathed, acquiring just a tiny head cold on the plane ride out of town. Which seems to happen now every time I get on a plane. What's up with that? I can be healthy as an ox all year long but as soon as I fly somewhere - BAM - I get sick. I'm really not too pleased with that statistic.

Now that I'm back on solid ground I shall vegetate the next few days and then be off to San Diego on Thursday for one of those "big swing dance weekend events"...the Rhythmic Arts Festival to be exact. Dancing, dancing, drinking and socializing all weekend long.

Who's a happy girl?

x

kicking and screaming

Sadly I will be leaving town tonight for a few days to go spend time with the ‘rents and relatives in lovely Flaaaarida. Joy.

All I really want to do is stay here and enjoy this city in it’s emptiness as the masses leave but no, I shall be one of the thousands that will endure cramped quarters and germs galore on my holiday voyage to distant lands.

Thankfully I’ll be back bright and early at 9:30am on Monday the 26th. Yeah, I waste no time getting outta there do I?

This blog will be pretty quiet for a few days. Cheer me up by sending an e-mail if you wish. I’ll need a little creative outlet.

x

a delicious time at the 99

Sunday night Deanie Weanie and I (he really likes it when I refer to him as Deanie Weanie, wouldn’t you if your name was Dean) went to the Evidence Room to see Route 99: Orange Star Dinner Show, the annual Ken Roht holiday extravaganza.

Thinking that I would only have only one opportunity to see the show and knowing the brilliant cooking skills of one Mr. Mike Dunn (aka Orange Star) we opted for the dinner show portion. This meant we were on stage directly in the middle of all the action. We were seated at Table #2 with the wonderful Tom and Emma. As soon as everyone was settled the diners were warned that at the sound of the bell which would ring intermittently through the show we were to scooch in and hold on tight. And they weren’t kidding on that one. The actors were right there in your face. I pinched and slapped a few behinds because they were readily accessible and felt up a few costumes as well. You see, the entire production design stems from items gathered at .99¢ Only stores. The things you can do with tape, staples, tablecloths, post-its, jump ropes and straws. Watching the show from such a close vantage point was crazy, it was if I was on hallucinogens. I felt like I was in a fishbowl. The food was tasty and the service was impeccable. I lost my fork after the appetizer round and it was promptly replaced. The meals were served in a tightly choreographed manner that every event caterer should adhere to.

The show has been such a success that they are extending it for 4 weeks in January. I’ll definitely be going back to check it out from the other side of the stage.

x

leapin' lizards attack

Once again the Leapin' Lizards leap from last place to Super Bowl bound!!!

As some of you may know, I am the Commissioner of my family's fantasy football team. Last year I won 2 key games at the end of the season to make it into the "Super Bowl" only to be beaten by 4 points in the final game by my endearing cousin Kevin. This year, once again, I produced 2 wins in the semifinals to put me in the final game to determine League Champion. Nevermind the fact that Colin (my other cousin and who I will be playing against) has averaged 100+ points per game and I can barely make 75. I'm sure I will lose by a hefty margin but hey, a girl can dream can't she??

Wish me luck!!!

x

whoop dee doo

Stick a fork in me a flip me over, I'm done with theatre. For 2 weeks. Then I hop right back on that tech train.

On Saturday night there was the requisite closing/holiday party at the theatre and people came out in droves. After a brief altercation involving a CD player and mobs of angry actor-dancers I became slightly annoyed at everyone in my sight and left relatively early.

I took a few pictures but really wasn't in the picture taking mood, hence 20 pictures has been whittled down to 8.

Enjoy.

x

picture me this

I’ve been meaning for a while to give a link-up to a website that has been chronicling the last days of the Ambassador Hotel. Today, Mike over at franklinavenue.net mentioned a photo exhibit that will be on display at City Hall until January 13th that features photos taken a few months ago prior to demolition. This was apparently also written up in the LA Times but seeing as how I still have not read certain weekend sections from about 3 weeks ago there’s a good chance it would have gone unnoticed by my eyes.

On December 28th I will be trolling around Downtown during daylight hours and will definitely head over to City Hall to have a gander at the photos. Any unemployed actors, writers, musicians or photographers want to join in that day???

x

odd but true...

Odd occurences in and around Hollywood as spotted by me.

1. An automotive repair shop that also sells Christmas trees. How handy! Will attempt to get visual confirmation.

2. A Prius taxicab. How environmentally sound.

3. The daily musings of THM. Read and enjoy.

x (in the traditional sense)

the dead walk the earth until the end of time...

...or January to be exact. Yes, kids Los Muertos will be resurrected from the dead for the entire month of January. Scarves for everyone! I kinda have a lot of free time with which to keep myself occupied from 8-10 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Place your color order now. Offer available for a limited time only. I'm starting another show the 2nd week of February so this one must go bye-bye on January 29th.

Speaking of theatre...because that's all my life consists of right now....HELLCAB has 5 more performances. Bring canned food and get $5 off regular ticket price. I sound like a broken record. We're having a Holiday Party (theatre geek style) on Saturday night after all the shows. Everyone is welcome. BYOB - because we're ghetto like that this year.

On Sunday, since I will be done with all MY theatre obligations workwise, I will actually be attending theatre as a patron. 2 shows. Eulogy for a Small Time Thief in the afternoon and the latest .99¢ Only creation from the Evidence Room in the evening.

I'm such a theatre whore.

x

i love open doors

It was Friday night, around 11:15 and I had planned on going to bed early and skipping the party at the Pacific Electric Building in Downtown. Yes, it would be nice to see friends and check out the building in all it's newfound glory but I had a long week and early Saturday morning so staying in was in my best interest. Until Phil and Eric called. They had been at a Holiday Party earlier in the evening, were ready to go and willing to pick me up. Enough said. Armed with a camera to take some pictures of the skyline from the rooftop we headed off on a glorious adventure.

We arrived and immediately made our way up to the rooftop via a circuitous route. We tend to do things the hard way sometimes. We strolled through and didn't see any familiar faces so we decided to check out the rest of the building, mainly the 8th floor lounge and 9th floor rotunda area. Eric and I had been in the building previously - before the conversion a few years ago and as they were wrapping up construction earlier this year. We were eager to see what had happened to the old Jonathan Club ballroom as we had heard that the room would be divided up into penthouse units. Just as we were marveling at the rotunda area Phil spotted an open door. Eric and I followed and what we found was pretty much what we were looking for. The penthouse unit, which closely resembled the original ballroom sans all the intricate details. Needless to say I snapped a whole bunch of pictures while we investigated every nook and cranny and awaited George and his clan to show up.

Shortly thereafter the rooftop part of the party was closed down and moved to the lounge area on the 2nd floor. We left Geo and comrades there as all they really cared about was drinking. P, E, and I were pooped from our adventure and needed some shut eye.

After our little exploration I checked out the Pacific Electric Lofts website and noticed that they claim the 9th floor Jonathan Club Ballroom is supposed to be turned into a fine dining establishment. I'm confused. From what I saw it looks like a Penthouse. While you're over on the website check out the floor plans for the 9th floor. The big area in the lower left hand corner is the unit(s) we were in. It's an amazing space although we noted that the kitchen was kinda blah and we got a bit of vertigo standing in front of the big windows. Also, what in the hell do you do with 30 foot high ceilings???

x

fun with maps

Ever wanted to research more about the apartment/house you live in? Wonder when it was built, who built it, who lived there and more? The Los Angeles Conservancy has updated their website with a Historical Research Guide which has step by step instructions on how to undertake such a task. I've been somewhat successful in researching my apartment, work and boss' house just for kicks. The interesting part (I think) is to see the original certificates of occupancy which you can request for a nominal fee through the Department of Building and Safety. Think about it...most of us live in older structures that have been around for numerous years, imagine the stuff the four walls around us have seen.

Happy Hunting!!!

x