Thursday, December 27, 2007

Bah Humbug

I'm completely sick and on deadline. I can't concentrate for the life of me right now, but I have 3 hours to figure out how. Actually, my deadline is in 3 hours, so I better figure out how to concentrate in about 10 minutes.

I saw I Am Legend on Christmas Eve. What was I thinking? What am I ever thinking when I watch zombie-type movies? I couldn't sleep all night. It was horrible; I was terrified, alone in my apartment. And now I'm sick. I'm convinced that my lack of sleep that night caused my immune system to turn on me. I woke up yesterday with a mildly sore throat, took Zicam all day and felt fine.

Then it hit me like a freight train when I was sitting in a movie theatre watching Sweeney Todd last night. I had to get up and leave. It took an hour to go from feeling fine to a completely achy neck, the chills, tingly legs and a horribly scratchy throat. By the time I left the movie theatre I had a full blown flu. Luckily I wasn't missing much of the movie. Sweeney Todd was surprisingly boring, and I usually love Tim Burton; he's one of my favorites. The movie was over two hours long and after an hour and a half I felt like I still hadn't seen anything that I didn't already watch in the preview.

The worst part about being sick right now is that I have a Reverend Horton Heat concert to go to tonight. I've been looking forward to this for months but as luck would have it, I'm under the weather (what does that expression even mean?).

And now, back to my deadline. Wish me luck.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Holida-eee! .... Celebra-eeet!

Well, I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season so far. I know have. And there's still one more holiday to go! Christmas yesterday was just swell. We had brunch and hung out all day at my sister's house in Hermosa Beach. Her husband's family was there too and they're a lot of fun.

There's usually an altercation of some sort that takes place at my family gatherings. But this year not even the slightest bickering occurred. I got to play with my nieces and nephew for hours. After they finished opening all the presents I gave them, Elise asked me in the most innocent voice, "Steph, do you have more presents for us?" And in case she hadn't heard correctly the first time, she asked again. What a little bugger.

My sisters and I wrapped up the day at sunset - what a beautiful sunset it was - with our best Fire Marshall Bill impressions. What can I say, I guess that's just how we like to celebrate JC's birthday.

Friday, December 21, 2007

"My Name Is Lisa"

I didn't realize how ironic the video I am about to post is, until I signed into blogger this very moment and saw the entry I posted just yesterday. Ha, this situation makes the video all the more poignant... and I'm not quite sure what to think about that.

This video was featured on YouTube today. It's sad and touching (hey, I never claimed that my blog is funny). Most of all it's scary; scary to imagine yourself or your loved ones having no control over what the mind is doing. This video really struck a chord with me and it raises awareness about an incurable disease, so I thought I'd share. You never know what other people have going on in their lives - something to remember when faced with the the reaction options of patience & understanding vs. judgement.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

With Bells On

Despite the busy stores, traffic laden streets, and high stress levels, I am fully embracing the controlled chaos that is partnered with the holiday season. Today my coworker declared to me that I am "losing it." She quickly followed her statement with, "but I think we all are," implying that current conditions are due to the craziness that accompanies preparations around this time of year. Yeees, eeeexcellent... I appear to be losing it only because my mind has been so plagued with holiday pitching and gift shopping lists. It has nothing to do with my inherent personality. That's the ticket!

Any other time of year, I would attempt to dispel this notion that my brain's a little out there; that while everyone else is right here on earth I'm wandering around the moon, quietly fascinated with this one strange little crater that rests right about where Cindy Crawford's beauty mark would be if it were her face projected on the moon. But no, not this time. This time I choose to take no offense to the mere observation that's been made. This time I am responding with, "Yes. Yes I am losing it." And if people want to think it's due to holiday fever, then so be it; this sort of scapegoat opportunity only comes around so often.

So if I forget your name, seem a bit detached, look a bit disheveled, or ask a question that necessitates a long explanation which, incidentally, you already recited to me yesterday, then please, take no offense and think no less of my capabilities; I'm just really losing it with all this holiday madness.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Movie Review: Juno

I just got back from seeing the movie Juno. I had been wanting to see it since I first saw the trailer, naturally, and it was fantastic, as I'm sure most people suspected it would be.

I was shopping at The Grove all by my lonesome, a state I've often found myself in lately. So, I decided to pop into the theater after having my fill of the crowds of people mindlessly herding themselves around the stores and walkways. Much to my delight, the next showing of the movie was only 15 minutes away and moreover, was not sold out. I don't know if I've ever gone to a movie by myself, but I highly recommend it; great 'me' time. Had I the time before the movie started, I would have dropped my multiple bulky bagfuls of purchases in the car, since there was no one there with me to watch them while I went to the bathroom or got popcorn and I felt I little awkward lugging them around everywhere, but c'est la vie.

Back to the movie. Fantastic. Or rather, stupendous - a word I sort of forgot about until I heard it used in the movie. Juno was positively charming, the movie itself and the main character. The movie in a way reminded me of Wes Anderson flicks, artistically and in its quirkiness. Like Anderson's, this movie took a dark situational reality and made it seem sweet, pretty, and even funny.

The dialogue was hilarious. Juno, the main character, made me wish I was in high school again, though I would have to pass on the whole being pregnant thing. She had me wishing I could go back and do it all over again, knowing that I know now about personal identity, since Juno seemed to approach her experience with a sort of mature mentality the first time around. I am now a huge Ellen Page fan. I wasn't sure how much I liked her as an actress after having seen Hard Candy, but I think her character in that was just a little too hard core for me. Plus I'm a bit sarcastic myself at times, and I felt like I identified with her personality in this movie. Oh and the father was hilarious too. One thing that disappointed me was Jason Bateman's character. I won't say why because I don't want to give anything away. But I am a huge Jason Bateman fan and I didn't like to see him portrayed in a negative light.

Other random great aspects: I loved the soundtrack. Very whimsical and innocent (and oh how I love the indie). Plus, I'm a fan of the fact that Diablo Cody is now a household name. At least in my household. Between me and me. Despite the fact that she may have been very well-known in the writing community prior to this. A scenario which, in turn, makes me a fan of hers. I find her situation inspiring and intend to learn much more about her.

In the end, I loved Juno and I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence about seeing it.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Just a little something

The Kevin & Bean morning radio show was having quite the interesting discussion about Scientology this morning during my brief drive to work. I really wanted to sit and my car and listen, but would have been late for work. Luckily the show is podcasted, so I'd check it out if you're at all interested.

Changing gears quite a bit... it's adorable picture time!!





At what point does it become inappropriate for me to be posting pictures of them in the bathtub? If you had listened to Kevin & Bean this morning, this post would be coming full circle!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

oh, and, by the way...

...I L.O.V.E. Michael Madsen.

Talk about cool factor... the eyebrow expressions... YES.

That's just, like, my opinion, man.

I'm watching "Reservoir Dogs" while reading Palahniuk's Rant and drinking a nip of Jameson, neat. If that's not cool, I don't know what is.

Maybe if I was listening to some Miles Davis in the background.

Friday, December 14, 2007

The highlight of my night last night had to be watching, live and in concert, a version of the song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause" as performed by Twisted Sister.

Judging by the way the lead singer's hot pink leather pants shifted when he did the air splits, I'm pretty sure they are the same pair he wore twenty years ago. Just an observation.



Twisted Sister at The House of Blues Los Angeles, Live Nation holiday party.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Well I'll be...

I really must say, for a world population that is growing at exponential rates, it seems to get smaller and smaller day by day...

Just a moment ago, completely on a whim, I decided to Google my grandmother's name. My mother's mother is named Betty Jane Wilcox (which, by the way, I've always thought was a rad name. "Betty Jane" - so classic). The first few results I get are for commercial genealogy sites, so I read on. Then I see a real hit entitled "Wilcox Family Heirloom". "Hmm, interesting," I think to myself. I click the link. This is the page I am directed to.

If you notice, this Craigslist posting is filed under the city of Detroit. My grandmother did in fact grow up in Detroit before moving to the Los Angeles area when she was about ten years old. So now my curiosity is quite piqued. I just sent a response email to this mystery person. It was pretty comical when my computer froze as I was trying to reply to the posting; I had a bit of a panic attack because I was in such a flurry to get to the bottom of this.

So now I play the waiting game. Interesting little mystery, no? I'll let you all know how it pans out.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

A little bit about me... much like every other post.

I was tagged by Kels, this is the first time I have been tagged so here goes...

Here are the The Rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, to let them know that they have been tagged and to read the blog.

1. I eat until the point of pain at nearly every meal. I'm not exaggerating; I specifically said 'nearly' as opposed to 'every' even though it feels like this happens at every single meal. I don't know what's wrong with me. Ask any one of my friends. At the end of every meal there comes an agonizing groan and statement along the lines of, "why did I do thaaaat... why did I eat sooo muuuch...". I guess I just love food a little too much. And I have very little will power and self-control when it comes to delicious tastes. If my individual physiology were inclined towards obesity, I'd be screwed.

2. Sometimes I just go out and buy new socks and underwear because I don't feel like doing laundry. At this point I I have enough pairs of underwear to last me about a month and a half without having to do laundry. 40+ pairs of undies seems like a lot, no?
(and it goes without saying that I have enough regular clothing to also maintain this lack of laundry-doing habit)

3. I've never had my ears pierced. The only thing I have ever had pierced is my nose, going on 7 years now.

4. I love to sing. I've been told by some people that I have a great voice and yet others wince and ask me to stop singing when they hear me. I've always been perplexed at how two opposite reactions could emerge, as if the interpretation of a pleasant melody is completely subjective. Yes, some voices are better than others, but how can one person perceive a singing voice as pretty while another scoffs as if their ears are in pain. As a result, I am very self-conscious about my singing voice and thus have not cultivated the skill as much as I wish I had over the years... despite the fact that I love to sing.

5. I have an odd obsession with zombie/vampire horror flicks even though they terrify me. I mean really, it's a little masochistic of me. I'll have horribly vivid zombie nightmares and then the very next day I'll suggest going to see 28 Weeks Later.

6. I've never broken a bone or even had stitches. Hmm, well I guess that's one way to jinx myself.

7. I pride myself on being athletic - a guy's girl - even though I know deep down that I'm really not. I just throw and catch well.

Hmmm... I'm not quite sure who to tag, since I don't have many blog buddies. Marissa writes in her MySpace blog, so I'll tag her; Marissa, you've been tagged! Aaaand... I'd tag Jon but 1. he only posts videos on his blog and doesn't talk about himself and 2. I don't think he'd post it in his MySpace blog. I'll also tag Vrej - I think he'd do it in his MySpace blog, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this so I'll have to alert him. Lastly, maybe Josh will do it. Josh, don't feel obligated. But you know, if you're bored...

Monday, December 10, 2007

Representative of Basic Cable Network Related To News Dispersal Thinks Me Amusing

Last week I had the task of pitching a very high profile and well respected female reporter, from a network regarded as a "most trusted name in news" - that's about as much as I can say without stating who and which one. The pitch was in regards to a princess-related product line belonging to one of our clients - again, I'm not that comfortable sharing the client's name. As it usually goes, I send an email pitch first, before calling and hashing out my idea over the phone. Despite this order of operations, reporters seldom even see my pitch before I call, either because it was filtered directly to spam, they automatically delete emails from unknown addresses, or they are simply just too busy to read it, all of which I understand because many of the people I pitch to probably receive about 20 new pitches each day.

Well, I sent my email pitch to this reporter last week, only to receive no response. On Friday I send the pitch again. I call to follow-up, but get sent to her voicemail. I leave my message, explaining why I'm calling and the duplicate emails I have sent. And, as usual, I feel a little silly about seemingly harassing them, as it would appear to the untrained eye. Tonight, Monday, I receive this email response from said well known reporter:

"You left a very impressive pitch voicemail. Alas, I’m not doing this type of story these days. I’m doing funny pieces pegged to politics and news events. I especially liked how you chortled a bit as you threatened to follow up. Very entertaining but I’m afraid it’s not my thing at the moment. I’m a princess-free zone."

Despite having been declined on my story idea, I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this response. I then forwarded it to my bosses who got an even bigger kick out of it than I did; they held their stomachs and laughed uncontrollably - and have been doing so intermittently for the past 15 minutes - and told me I need to think of something really witty to respond with... such a task shouldn't be hard. I'm completely kidding ;) god knows I'm going to over-think my response so much that the topic will infiltrate my dreams tonight. I get very easily flattered when I receive responses like this from people in high places, even if they ARE turning me down.

I just reread my last post and cracked up. Sometimes I wonder if anyone in the world amuses herself as much as I do. I'm hoping that's not a bad thing...

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The Product of Developmental Retardation: How Not To Be Like Me

I was reading a Newsweek article today on how a woman's fertility may in some ways be subject to her diet. And no, I'm neither attempting to create little Stephanies, nor using my diet as some sort of natural means of birth control. Anyway, a certain scenario emerged in my thoughts as I read. You see, my sisters stand 5' 10" and 5' 8.5" tall (that .5" does matter). I stand 5' 7" tall. It occurred to me that a likely reason why I may be the runt of the litter is that my father smoked around me - often in relatively closed quarters of the house - for a good chunk of my growing years. This was not the case when my sisters were children. Now, I know this has nothing to do with fertility, per se, but the article got me in the growth and development line of thinking. When I was a child I always said I wanted to grow to be 5'9"... I wonder if I had any true chance of making it there. Maybe I just got more of my mom's genes. She was 5' 6.75".

Another largely unrelated topic that I reflected upon today, among many, many other days throughout my life, involves the concept of identity. I've dealt with a precarious coincidence over the years, one which has caused me to think that it's really no coincidence at all. It seems I've been living a dual identity. For as long as I can remember, nearly every time someone forgets or fumbles on my name, I am mistaken for a 'Jennifer'. This might not seem odd at first; Jennifer, much like Stephanie, is made of three syllables, has the same 'fff' 'nnn' and 'eh' sounds, and I'd consider them to be more common names than not. But this has even happened with people - nay, strangers! - who hadn't really ever heard my name before - people who had never been introduced to me, or who actually mistook me in a public place for a friend of theirs who happened to be named, you guessed it, Jennifer. Let's just put it this way: by the time I was no more than 10 years-old, I had been mistaken as a 'Jennifer' so many times that even at that tender age, I thought those happenstances were extremely uncanny. At that age I had never experienced an 'uncanny' situation nor did I even know what the word meant. But I have a distinct memory of the point in time when I started to be weirded out by this nominal identity that new people who crossed my path clung to. Sure, I've gotten a 'Samantha' a few times over the years - but no more than a few times, and proportionally speaking, those 'Samanthas' in no way even remotely compare to the dozens of 'Jennifers' I've received. And this strange trend still occurs to this day! As often as new people forget my name, I get called Jennifer (and considering ya meet people out at bars or parties, people's memories aren't exactly at their peak, you know how the story goes - I encounter plenty of name-forgetters).

So how has this strange misnomer affected my sense of self? Has it stunted my development or impeded any deep self-exploration in some way? Perhaps it's offered me a more liberating self-perception: I don't have to by any one thing in particular, I can be many things, varying kinds of people within my one person. Then again, maybe it's the reason I talk to myself when I'm alone, as if I have many different personalities keeping me company.

Daily Conversations

Pet Peeve # 57:

When people say 'pacific' instead of 'specific'. Jesus, there's not a single vocab flub that could make a person sound stupider.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Sit tight, little buddy.

My sister recently attempted a family portrait for Christmas cards this year. Her youngest child, Oliver, has also recently become extremely mobile. Apparently this picture represents the common theme of all those she took that day: