Tuesday, January 31, 2006

When was the last time you saw Bud Cort? Probably the last time "harold and maude" ran at a midnight show, right? (Though i do understand that he was in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou."

Well, he's going to be in the final episode of Arrested Development, playing himself. This is the one that also has Judge Reinhold playing, well, a judge, so perhaps the cort/court theme carries on.

It's a two hour finale block on Fox Fri Feb 10 and 8 pm. Where will I be? Not in front of the TV, but rather in Austin, where I'll be listening to an unsigned folk singer whine about something.

Monday, January 30, 2006

well, this is interesting.

CLose to 25 years after my last tv reporting gig, i have just agreed to freelance for some network I'd never heard of before. A one shot deal, a two camera shoot tomorrow, interviewing someone about carbon trading and the impact on indigenous populations. I've asked them to send me data, and some talking points.

I'm not looking at this as a reporting gig, but rather as a fill in talking head, which is why i don't feel wrong in asking for talking points. I'm doing them a favor.

Perfect timing, as I've got a finger print sized spot on my face. Oh well, let's see how much of my old art lessons come back. hmm...reddish part of the blotch might be tempered with green, right?

Saturday, January 28, 2006

it's a gorgeous day, and I'm sitting in the basement, watching the directv guys hook up the new improved dish.

I am also sitting here with a little blister on my face, thanks to the kind derm who blasted my sunspot away. I think this doesn't bode well for my scheduled facial on tuesday, I'll have to call and postpone.

aside from that, things are just ducky. I took Bourdain's Les Halles cookbook from the library (well borrowed, actually), and perhaps cook something out of that one tomorrow. I really should clean, but....


ok,. It's 3pm and we're all done. I may go out and buy a new cable, or two, but i think the tv is doing just fine.

I have to replace the 22 year old one upstairs...the audio is now gone. Considering it was a first generation sony stereo model, i think i did pretty well! perhaps i'll get hd for downstairs, and move the downstairs tv upstairs.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

I am exhausted.

I spent much of the day working with this guy:


And my brain is now full.
For those who weren't tuned in to bluegrass during the '70's, or country music during the '80s and '90s, that's Marty Stuart, the walking music history encyclopedia. And not a bad singer, songwriter, guitar picker or mandolinist, either.
He's released three great albums in six months: Soul's Chapel (a gospel CD, that's winning rave reviews from folks who usually don't listen to the stuff), Badlands (a CD about the trials of the Lakota Sioux. Marty's been adopted by the tribe, quite an amazing feat in itself) and now "Live at the Ryman," a return to his bluegrass roots. He's been playing professionally since he was 12, and there's still a lot more to come. Marty told me to expect 6 more CDs in this current arc, and a few more books of his (wonderful) photographs. That's what's on the books for the near future, not the long term.

All in all, a good day. I'm going to the show tonite, so it'll be a good evening, too.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Good morning! I am finally feeling human again. And I don't think i sound like one big nose any longer----quite a problem, workwise.

I was just telling Lee (or telling via email) that I'm feeling much like a spring fever-ish 13 year old when I'm reading back through some of these entries, and looking back at the photos. But then one of my anonymous souls has just thanked me for the interesting (read squee inducing)content, and for the pop culture updates.

But best of all ---she went out and bought a Darrell Scott CD. That's what it's all about!

Saturday, January 21, 2006

A big hello to long lost Kelly, who dropped in with gift.
http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/sweetnightgoodheart

It's a link to a short (9 minute) british film starring David Tennant, the guy I've been raving about. Very cute story, and well worth your time.

He's pretty much everyman in this one, so don't expect anything too dashing.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Earlier this year, I used the phrase "i fell in love with myself all over again" to finish up a silly story. It was well received.
Time to say goodbye to that wonderful bit of silliness and hello to "I'm about as deep as a dixie cup."

Not that it's true, but it makes me laugh.

In context: "I'm about as deep as a Dixie cup," Ms. Wilson announced during a discussion about acting approaches. When Method actors are backstage connecting with primal memories, she's reading Us magazine, she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/20/theater/newsandfeatures/20whit.html

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

i am back! Yes, the green chile helped...but now I'm back home and without it. So, I just blow my nose. again and again and again. And now I sound a bit, well, not croaky, but "nosey." I'll push back studio time as long as I can to try and revive a bit.

The good news is that my car is ready to be picked up. Final damage: 1965 bucks and some change. I have a thousand dollar deductible, so hey! Way to go me! Let's hope I don't have a tax bill this year.

That said, I've got to save my pennies and buy a new multi-region dvd player. I was watching a download of BBC 3's "Casanova" over the weekend, and need to see it on a big screen.

I love me some david tennant! If you can find this one, watch it. An excellent cast with a wonderful script and good direction equals three hours of fun. Peter O'Toole plays the elder casanova, while DT is the young man. He describes his character as "a cheeky chappie," and he's just that. Charming and fun.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

let's see....yesterday ended on a down note, when I returned home to find a letter from the lawyer hired by the nut who hit my car last week. Yes, a minor accident requires an attorney....who must then right a letter that implies I never exchanged any insurance info, etc. Did she lose the piece of paper the officer handed her?

I promptly called my agent this morning, and she was struck dumb by this one. Told me to fax it over, and she'd figure out what should be done. Remember, this "fill in the blank" and I have the same insurance company, leaving us all wondering if she realizes how strange (and foolish) it sounds to threaten your own insurance company with a suit for damages.

Turns out she filed a claim too, but several days after I did. My agent has it as well, but hasn't been able to open the file for some reason. She's fully aware that "fitb" refused any medical treatment (after demanding it), and also spent time accusing me of leaving the scene (for completing the turn that found me 80% in a medical center driveway when she hit me). Not to mention screaming that I'd hit her head on, which we've all decided is a physical impossibility, considering the only damage to my car is behind the rear wheel.

All this over something that even the insurance company is calling minor.

To top things off, I've now got a cold. Pass the kleenex.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

what a great news day! I don't even know where to start.
First up at the watercooler this morning, the latest news on Marion Barry. Let's see, when I interviewed him in 1990, or so, he was sweating like mad. Probably relating to the crack he was smoking at the time...that big bust (you know, when the bitch set him up)occured a few weeks later.

And now...today, the Washington Post is reporting that the Mayor (for life) tested positive for cocaine last year. The fall drug test was ordered by a court after he pleaded guilty to not filing taxes for six years. Barry's response to Post reporters on this one? He didn't deny a thing, and simply said "Write what you want to write. That's my official quote. No more, no less."

more is here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/10/AR2006011002018.html?sub=AR

And as soon as we calm down from this bombshell, comes the big one:


We are positively giddy!

Monday, January 09, 2006

so, i get into the office today and the supervisor says "How was your weekend? Did you get into any other accidents?" I bit my tongue and said "if you mean, did anyone else hit me, the answer is no." Very funny, guy.

i'm a happy girl because it's off to Santa Fe this weekend. Green chile always cheers me up. As does the wonderful landscape, and crisp air.

Off to the gym in just a bit, my third meeting (this go-round) with carolyn the trainer.

And no new AD tonite, despite what the Fox website showed earlier. There are 4 more episodes in the ether...maybe they'll air, maybe not.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

In case you've never seen it, here is my car. A lovely Volvo c70 convertible.



Actually, that's how it looked before I got in an accident with a deranged soul at approximately 9:05 am Thursday. Now it's got a popped out panel on the rear right, right by the lights, and a weird looking wheel. The outward body damage is minimal, it's the suspension that'll be costly.

This accident happened as I was pulling into the medical center parking lot....and because I continued into the parking lot (and out of traffic), the nut started screaming that I had tried to leave the scene of the accident. And I'd hit her head on! That's right, I'd hit her head on...when the damage is at the rear of my car.

Sigh.

On a happier note, the book club met last night at Les Halles. We'd been reading Anthony Bourdain's "Cooks Tour," so it seemed appropriate. The tables all had little cards touting the TV version of "Kitchen Confidential." I guess no ones told them it's been cancelled.

Today? I have to help set up (and then attend) a birthday party for a four year old. Scheduled during the Redskins playoff game, so I'm sure there will be some wandering attention.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Liz, who's actually watched dr. who for the plotline, wants to know why I went "squee" over the new dr. She wasn't convinced by the picture I posted earlier.

How about this one? The dr. has finally decided on attire, and is checking himself out in the mirror....getting his first look at his newly generated self. Earlier, he'd asked if he was "sexy." Judge for yourself.

Monday, January 02, 2006

http://www.savethebluths.org/
C'mon.
Do it for Michael.


How could you resist?

hooray! I went to the gym.
This allows me to sit on the sofa and watch the "Save our Bluths" episode of Arrested Development.
Otherwise, I would have been plodding on the treadmill while it was on.

I'd give myself a gold star, but i'm out.

i am not a science fiction fan. Never have been. No secret, either.

but the new dr. who may change my tune.



and i don't think i'm the only one fancying David Tennant ---who also starred as Casanova in a UK series. this comes from the Times of London:

"Casanova, in pyjamas, fighting the Sycorax with a broadsword? What greater gift could womankind receive on Christmas Day? Of course, gay men always give the most exquisite and generous of gifts, so it was little wonder that Russell T. Davies, the head writer and fairy godfather of Doctor Who (BBC One), made the 'Christmas Day special' not just a treat for those ovulating on the 25th -- which, to be frank, would have been every female viewer at the point where David Tennant burst out of the Tardis for the first time -- but a thrill for everyone. Personally, I don't know anyone who harboured a single doubt over Tennant making a totally splendid and, more importantly, very hot Doctor. And this complacency has proved to be wholly correct. He's twinkly, he's foppish, he's clever, he's taller than you'd expect, and he's clearly going to roam across the galaxy, making anything with receptive genitalia stare into their drinks, sighing: 'Gvenx attr! dopo'. This Doctor revival works so well because everyone involved is a fan, and therefore knows what other fans want from their Doctor. In many ways, it's like multimillion-pound fanfic -- stories written by fans, where decades of frustration with the plot not going the way they want is vented -- and so Leia and Han end up shagging frenetically, through access-panels in their snow-suits, in an ice corridor on Hoth. This sense of finally getting your hands on your idols, and making things go the way that you have always dreamt of, is why every episode of the new Doctor Who series has a moment that makes the Doctor fan simultaneously shivery and tearful. Obviously you'd have to go a long way to beat the last episode of the last series, when the Doctor and Rose had to kiss out of both galactic and medical necessity ('You need a Doctor.' YES! YES! YES, I DO NEED A DOCTOR NOW!) -- but Christmas Day came pretty close. Having seen off the evil leader of the Sycorax while dressed in his pyjamas ('Oooh, very Arthur Dent'), the Doctor turned to the Sycoraxian hordes on their spaceship. 'Go across the Universe, and tell whoever you meet that the Earth is DEFENDED!' the Doctor said. Of course, what he meant was that the Earth 'is defended by ME, Sexy Who, over another 12 episodes this year, and with a shooting schedule confirmed up until 2007'. And that, frankly, is something I would like to go across the Universe telling everyone I meet."

Me, too.

happy new year! So far, so good.

my question for the year: will this finally be the year I end up in the black? I already save 14% of my salary through the forced savings plan, so it's not like I don't save a thing. But i also manage to spend the rest. Can I actually come up with a profit in 2006? It will probably mean cutting back on the travel. Can I live as a mortal in the FF world?
Or should I just stick with one airline? Forget about my top CP status on US, mid-range on UA and AA. SHould I put my eggs in one basket, and which one? And, gasp, use miles?

I have decided to cancel the feb New Zealand mileage trip, and put those back in the account. I'll try to use them in 07, instead.
so, that'll leave me with about 300k on US, 200 on CO, 100 on NW, 150 on UA, and only 50 on AA. I'd love to bump that up, so i could try cathay to the pacific. So, maybe my eggs should go in the AA basket this year. Except for the fact that UA's international upgrade program is so much cheaper.

ugh. let's not think about it. And instead go look for an external hard drive for the laptop.

The other resolution, beside spending less, invloves spending more. At the gym. And doing the trainer thing on a regular basis.