Bitch On Wheels

throwing in the towel

2006-11-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been almost a full year since I've blogged...for anyone that read Bitch On Wheels with any regularity in the past, I apologize for the neglect.

My entire life changed, and I simply haven't had the time or desire to blog...and an old computer that felt as if it was being powered by hamsters on a wheel didn't help.

That's it for now, maybe I'll turn up in the blogosphere again, or we'll meet in another life.

'Till then, Happy Trails!

Still Under Construction

2005-11-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

Bitch On Wheels
is currently being re-vamped...

Please check back soon.

2005-11-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

Life is spinning totally out of control, work, personal, other people's problems, etc.
Not sure when I'll be back posting full time - but hopefully soon.

this is BEGGING for Weird Al to do a Cruise/Holmes version...

2005-10-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

She's In Love With The Boy
- Trisha Yearwood

Katie's sittin' on her old front porch
Watchin' the chickens peck the ground
There ain't a whole lot goin' on tonight
In this one horse town

Over yonder comin' up the road in a beat up Chevy truck
Her boyfriend Tommy is layin' on the horn
Splashin' through the mud and the muck

Chorus:
Her Daddy says "He ain't worth a lick,
when it come to brains he got the short end of the stick"
But Katie's young and man she just don't care
She'd follow Tommy anywhere
She's in Love with the boy
She's in Love with the boy
She's in Love with the boy
And even if they have to run away
She's gonna marry that boy someday

Katie and Tommy at the drive in movies
Parked in the very last row
They're too busy holdin' on to one another
To even care about the show

Later on outside the tasty freeze
Tommy slips somethin' on her hand
He said"My highschool ring will have to do,
Till I can buy a wedding band"

Repeat Chorus

Her Daddy's waitin' up till half past twelve
When they come sneaking up the walk
He says "Young lady get on up to your room,
While me and junior have a talk"

Mama breaks in says "Don't lose your temper,
Wasn't very long ago,
When you yourself was just a hay-seed plowboy
Who didn't have a row to hoe

My Daddy said "You wasn't worth a lick,
When it came to brains you got the short end of the stick"
But he was wrong and honey you are too
Katie looks at Tommy like I still look at you"

Shes in Love with the boy
She's in Love with the boy
Whats meant to be will always find a way

She's in love with the boy
She's in Love with the boy
What's meant to be will always find a way
She's gonna marry that boy someday

Medieval Peasants Worked LESS Than You Do!

2005-10-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

October 24th* Is 'Take Back Your Time' Day

TAKE BACK YOUR TIME is a major U.S./Canadian initiative to challenge the epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that now threatens our health, our families and relationships, our communities and our environment.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Are you, or your friends or relatives, working more now but enjoying it less? Does your family's schedule feel like a road race? If so, you're not alone. Millions of Americans are overworked, over-scheduled and just plain stressed out.

*On average, we work nearly nine full weeks (350 hours) LONGER per year than our peers in Western Europe do. October 24th is nine weeks before the end of the calendar year.

CRUSH DU JOUR: Dr. McDreamy

2005-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

It's not as if I forgot he existed, he just wasn't at the forefront of my radar for awhile.

I LOVED Ronald Miller, and wished he went to my school...except that he would have wound up with Tami or Vivian or one of the other bitches I couldn't stand, who weren't even as deep as Cindy Mancini.

Randy Bodeck tried so hard to be suave, and all the crazy stuff he did was just to get back to Jen...and how smokin' was Kirstie Alley back in the day?

Here and there over the years, he popped up for a second in bit parts to remind us that he was around (Outbreak, The Emperor's Club, "Will & Grace", Scream 3, Crime and Punishment on TV, etc.), and then made a spectaular return to my awareness in 2002's Sweet Home Alabama. Granted, I think we can all agree that Andrew Hennings was better off without Ms. Smooter, but it was a teriffic "comeback" lead role for him.

... and now we're more than a month into the new (2005) television season, and the best new show of the year is (drum roll please) "Grey's Anatomy".

"Patrick Dempsey plays Dr. Shepherd, the hottest doctor to hit TV since George Clooney sported a Caesar cut." (ABC)

I love the entire cast, and I know it's supposed to be about the interns, but Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) relationship with Derek (AKA Dr. Derek Shepherd, AKA Dr. McDreamy) is why I'm so tuned into it. It's absolutely a soap opera, and I sit on the couch with my friends screaming "Kiss him!" at the TV on Sunday nights... because we all want to and can't.

The unfortunate news is that after divorcing Rocky Parker in 1994 (she was 27 years his senior - married to an older woman before it was trendy - eat your heart out Mr. Moore), and being single for a bit, he married Jill Fink in 1999 and they have a child together.

Geuss we'll all have to crush on Derek... but he has a wife AND a girlfrieind!

Only 6,466,463,804 more people to reach...

2005-10-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Since I started this blog a few months ago, I've had 2,047 unique visitors!

I just did a stat check... there are about 45 people who read Bitch On Wheels almost every day! (I'm flattered, and slightly embarassed that I don't post more regularly, I'll work on it.)

The most traffic, other than people bouncing over here from other blogspot blogs (love the 'Next Blog' button people, you never know what you're gonna find), or the Yay-Yay Sister Friends, has come from people looking for the Sprint/Nextel commercial entitled 'clones'.

The second most frequent visitor count resulted from people searching online for Angela Wolff. She's the singer from Georgia who spent her summer here in L.A. recording her debut album I told you about awhile ago. Go check out 4 of the tracks from the album on her MySpace page, get to know her a little, and watch out for the CD in a few months!

Thanks again to everyone who continues to read and post comments, and support this odd little habit of mine!

when it rains...

2005-10-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

WARNING: I'm going to be a blogging fool over the next few days. I've got at least 30 drafts of stuff I wanted to post about and haven't yet...

Flavor of India - West Hollywood

2005-10-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Have wanted to try this restaurant for awhile now. Affordable ($12/person - soft drink included) brunch buffett on the weekends. The decor is a bit tired, but the servers are good. Food is plentiful and good, if not great. Chicken Tikka Masala (one of my faves) and Aloo Gobi were particularly tatsy. I would have enjoyed a few more vegeatble choices on the buffett, and the rice pudding ran out and was never replenished. Unfortunately, not as good as the build up in my mind, but I may go back to try the regular menu some day.

so insignificant, yet...

2005-10-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

They changed the FIJI water bottles.
Gone is the tranquil waterfall...instead it's just a leaf.
Damn.
Ridiculous to spend $8/gal. on water and bitch about the price of gas at $3.25 I guess...

is this really a surprise?

2005-10-10T00:23:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, George O'Dowd (AKA Boy George) was arrested in New York for cocaine possession. He's a pop icon! He's a music producer and a DJ in Manhattan. If they're gonna bust him for "a small amount of cocaine", they should really be looking for some of the people I went to high school with...

He's denying the charges, and has flown back to the UK, but he has to go back to court in December. What really kills me is that if he's convicted, not only will he be facing possible jail time, but he may be banned from coming back to America - ever. Oh yeah, and they found the coke whilst investigating a call he made to the cops, reporting a burglary in his apartment. Nice. Don't the NYPD have anything better to do?

2005-10-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

The beta fish died over the weekend.
Lasted longer than most betas are supposed to.
Got a wonderful Kohler funeral.
Is it wrong to get another one just so the dog has something to watch?
Swear to G-d, he loved to sit on the couch and watch it swim around.
Am I weird for even considering it?

see what happens when you don't plan?

2005-10-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

For the first time in a LONG time I didn't sleep from where I live in the San Fernando Valley to Disneyland. Usually I'm passed out in the car while my best friend (the driver) sings along with the radio and yells at fellow drivers (she's less violent than I am behind the wheel, but she has a very low tolerance for stupidity). She usally wakes me as we enter the Mickey & Friends parking structure, so the cast member in the ticket booth can laugh at my messed up hair and groggy expression. The trade off for my extra morning nap is that I have to drive home at the end of the day in weekend lookey-loo traffic.

We have Premium passes to both Disneyland and Califoria Adventure. Basically we can go to either park (or both), any day of the year. We park on the property for free (which is nice if there's a show @ the Downtown Disney House of Blues) and we get a discount off (almost) everything we buy on the property as well - souvenirs, food, soft drinks, etc. We go to Anaheim a lot. At least once a month we drag each other off the couches on a weekend afternoon and at least walk around singing "Hi Ho!" for a couple hours. The fact that we can drink (at California Adventure and at Downtown Disney), shop, watch a movie if we want, etc. doesn't hurt.

Saturday morning, we've grabbed a decent parking spot, ate breakfast on the road to avoid the tourist crunch on Main Street, and are boarding the tram. I must have been oblivious. Roomie looks at me and asks in a barely audible whisper, "Is this a *special* weekend at Disneyland?" I wasn't sure what she's talking about, I looked around for a second, and I swear to god, a lightbulb appeard over my head. The first weekend of every October is an "unofficial", "non-Disney-sponsored" event: Gay Days at Disneyland.

Anyone who knows me, knows exactly how I feel about the gay community at large, so I'm not going to get into it here. Gay Days actually makes the park a little more fun. Everyone involved is in a mood to have a good time, there are thousands of red T-shirts of all descriptions (There is an 'Official' Gay Days Anaheim T-shirt, but most people just wear red. My favorite this year reads simply "Hi. You'll do."), and a real sense of community...

...then I look down and realize what I chose to wear. Yep, a red T-shirt. Now, it didn't have a catchy slogan or a rainbow on it, and frankly I don't care what people think. Yes, Roomie and I have been best-friends for 20 years. Yes, we have lived together since we both moved to LA 12 years ago. Yes, we may grow old together. Yes, I use "we". But she's like my sister. I love her, I just don't *love* her...

I felt like a traitor, like I should have to give back my fag hag card, but I actually thought about buying another T-shirt. I just didn't want to misrepresent myself, or be a "poser", then I realized how ridiculous I was being, and we headed into the "happiest place on earth".

Anyway, the day was as fun as expected, although we cut it a bit short (too crowded) and decided to go to a movie (Just Like Heaven - I highly reccommend - a good chick flick), and we both got looked up and down a couple of times! Thanks Ladies, nice to know someone thinks I'm cute...

to clear something up

2005-09-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

a friend sent me an e-mail asking why he didn't know I was married in 2003.

what?!?!?

apparently he had forgotten to add the 2005 in the URL for my blog, and got this site instead.

not me.

I repeat, NOT my blog.

other than that, I'd like to apologize to anyone that reads my blog with any regularity. my life's spining relly fast right now. I'll get back on track soon, i swear.

awwwww...........ewwwww

2005-09-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Christopher & Demetria finally tied the knot. After 2 years of dating, and her kids calling him MOD ("My Other Dad"), the deed was (maybe) done in a Kabbalah ceremony at a private residence on Saturday. Wonder if he has the same curfuw Rumer does? They hang out with the same crowd...

In celebration, the Nuart Theater in West L.A. is showing Harold & Maude on Friday at midnight.

it's a bird, it's a plane, it's your boyfriend's long-lost son...

2005-09-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

It took Teri Hatcher's Lois Lane three full seasons on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman to figure out that a pair of wire-frames was all that stood between her and true happiness. If I quote from the series, you'll know what a dork I am... oh wait, most of you who read this already know what a dork I am...

Lois: If you wanna kill Superman, I don't know why you're going to Smallville or 1966.
Tempus: She doesn't know yet. Oh, this is good. This is really good. Um, Lois, did you know that, in the future, you're revered at the same level as Superman? Why there are books about you, statues, an interactive game. You're even a breakfast cereal.
Lois: Really?
Tempus: Yes. But, as much as everybody loves you, there is one question that keeps coming up: "How dumb was she?" Here, I'll show you what I mean. Look (puts glasses on), I'm Clark Kent. (Takes glasses off) No, I'm Superman. (Puts glasses on) Mild-mannered reporter. (Takes glasses off) Superhero. Hello! Duh! Clark Kent is Superman. Ha, ha, ha. Well, that was worth the whole trip. To actually meet the most galactically stupid woman who ever lived.

And that's not even where she actually realized it for herself... anyway, my point is that Marc Cherry didn't leave Susan hanging as long... it only took 1 season and about 1/2 an episode for her to realize the Mike/Dierdre/Dana/Zach/Mary Alice/Angela/Paul Young secret. And she figured it out all by herself! OK, she tripped out a little bit and fled, but it'll work itself out. Kinda glad I don't live on Wisteria Lane, too much to keep track of. Although if we could get Jamie Denton into some tights...

brilliant idea (if I do say so myself)

2005-09-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

There should be a new communication system developed for drivers to 'speak' to each other on the roads. Originally I thought it would be as simple as a standard phone type object (or intercom for the hands-free approach) in every vehicle, the number for which would be the license plate number. However... people act like maniacs on the road (I myself have been found guilty of this and made to attend a 'road rage' class) and you would just create more problems, people would scream at each other. The insurance companies might like this option though...

So what I'm suggesting is kinda like the OnStar system. From any cel or car phone, you would have a button dedicated to a call center. When they answered the phone they would know who you are, so it would cut down on 'prank' calls. You could then give them the state/licenseplate #/color or description and what message you wanted to send to the other driver. Obviously they're not going to send your messages of "You stupid bitch! Stop putting on mascara, it's not helping anyway!" (although that piece of advice may indeed help the traffic flow). I'm thinking more along the lines of "Please tell her that her gas cap is off" or "Please let him know that his driver's side rear tire is dangerously low, almost flat" or even "She's really cute. Tell her the guy in the green Camry behind her would like her to call him. My number is (818) 555-7883" 2 of these 3 scenarios happened this morning on the way to work. In the interest of helping, I think someone ought to get on the ball with this concept.

The Apprentice version 2.0

2005-09-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

I swore I wasn't going to get sucked into The Apprentice: Martha Stwewart.
As usual, the demi-gods of reality TV prevailed, and I'm hooked.

The person who annoyed me the most was the first to be 'dismissed' by Martha - YEA! The 2nd most annoying person went to the 'conference room' too - wonder if they'll be gone next week? There are enough whiners and know-it-alls to make it fun to watch. Unfortunaetly no real favorites to win yet, but it's early days.

One of Martha's henchmen is Charles Koppelman (he was a big-wig in the music industry, and is now Martha's biz dev and planning guy for MSLO), and he knows one of the candidateses. He acknowledges that Bethenny was one of his daughter's friends and he met her "once 15 years ago". Hmmmmm... the story Bethenny tells the other candidates back in the loft is that she lived with his daughter in Paris, AND she dated his son. They tried to make it very clear that Ms. Bethenny would not be receiving special treatment from Mr. Koppelman, but I wonder...

The first task was really interesting - the teams had to re-vamp a classic fairy tale and write & illustrate a children's book for Random House. The winning book was Jack & The Beanstalk and is actually available for purchase.

The aprentices' living space is a *bit* odd, it's very industrial/modern/loft-like, but with all Martha-style furnishings and accessories (most of which are probably available at K-Mart), and it's very neutral in a cool dove grey that seems to be daughter Alexis' signature color. I guess having them live in the MSLO is agood idea. Apparently Martha doesn't sleep a great deal, so if she's wandering the halls mulling over how to make her next billion, maybe they can help.

Matha doesn't use The Donald's classic "You're fired!" with a goofy hand gesture. She simply tells them "You just don't fit in", and then she composes a lovely hand-written farewell note.

If I didn't like it so much, I'd probably lose my lunch.

got the following via e-mail this afternoon

2005-09-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

BITCHOLOGY

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.
Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.
It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am, and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
I want what I want, and there is nothing wrong with that!
So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.
And if that makes me a bitch, so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

Which B.I.T.C.H are you?

2005-09-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

Babe In Total Control of Herself

Bold Intelligent Talented Charming Hell of a woman

Beautiful Individual That Can Handle anything

amazing what you dig up

2005-09-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

I started a couple of blogs a few years ago.

One was smut (think letters to Playboy), one was just me ranting about my job and that fact that I had to quit (I'm still at the same company, my five year anniversary was in July), and one was supposed to be a log/instructional/show-off piece for the crafty/DIY things I do.

Needless to say, they never really got rolling, and I hadn't been bitten by the blogging bug like I have this time. I'm gonna add the original posts here, with the original dates, so if you've any interest in Bitch On Wheels pre-Summer '05, check out the archives!

feeling soggy

2005-09-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

There was thunder & lightning last night, which is sort of rare in L.A., and its been raining all morning. I left my house at 5:40am to do errands for the office, so I missed all the big traffic jams during 'rush hour', so I guess I should be grateful. I fondly remember 'snow days' as a kid growing up near Pittsburgh, PA. Nothing better than dragging a blanket and Seymour (the world's best teddy bear) into mom's bed, snapping on the radio and, with fingers crossed, chanting under my breath "Mount Gallitzin Academy" over and over. Today feels like it should be one of those days, except... it's raining not snowing, mom's about 300 miles away, and I'm a grown up. So here I sit in my office, wishing I could be at home curled up on the couch watching all 3 Harry Potter DVDs in a row, eating cinnamon toast and napping until the sun comes back out... with Seymour, who still shares my bed.

Good way to start the week

2005-09-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

Freshly washed and dried and shrunk-back-to-size jeans, comfy T-shirt, drive-thru breakfast that didn't cost too much and they got right, and a less than hellish commute. A little sore from the 'walk' yesterday (Thanks again to everyone that helped, we raised $97,000!), but we were sweating for a good reason. Let's hope the rest of the week goes this well!

2 ads on TV last night

2005-09-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

9/15: edited to change 'Cingular' to 'Sprint/Nextel' and add the link to the commercial, original post was 9/12.

The Desperate Houswives Season 2 promo-teaser is fun: they're surrounded by and interacting w/ apples, everyone's whispering "juicy" and there are some plot hints - nice.

Then there's a commercial for Sprint/Nextel that is just f#@$*d up. Watch it here for yourselves, it's the one called 'Clones'. I was so freaked out by the end of it, that I can't even remember what part of their service they were trying to highlight... It starts wth a guy in an ugly green shirt standing in front of a house, then it switches to a woman, similar hideous fashion sense and environment. It continues for a couple more people changes, since they looked alike I figured it was for one of their "family" plans. I wasn't paying that much attention to it. The last line of the ad, the pitchwoman says "Because it would be creepy if we were all the same". In that seocond, I realized what they had done. It WAS the SAME person, they just digitally changed the hair and style of the shirt (might've been wigs, who cares). Also, the person in the ad didn't seem to blink. It was creepy! Considering what a large reaction I had to it (I threw my fork accross the couch), I'm thinking maybe they used some kind of subliminal message. There was nothing THAT disturbing about what was onscreen, but when that last line was said, the hair on the back of my neck went up. I had a nightmare about clones. I'm sticking with Verizon!

Set your TiVo / VCR / satellite DVR...

2005-09-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, September 20 at 8:30/7:30c
"Dancing with the Stars: Dance-off"
One good turn deserves another!
Actor John O'Hurley and soap star Kelly Monaco will go toe-to-toe once again in a 90-minute live ballroom competition dance-off!
In the spirit of good-natured competition, champion Kelly Monaco and her professional dance partner, Alec Mazo, will meet runner-up John O'Hurley and his professional partner Charlotte Jorgensen, for an electrifying showdown on the dance floor.
America will decide who the winner is, with results to be announced during a September 22nd telecast!

See, I wasn't the only person who was upset by the ending of that show.

Woo Hoo, I'm mostly generic!

2005-09-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

20% Yankee

10% Dixie

5% Midwestern

5% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Country fans are reliably loyal, I wonder if they'll eat this one up?

2005-09-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

If you're a singer, then sing.
If you're a chef, open a restaurant in a Las Vegas Hotel.
Very rarely do the two career paths merge... successfully.

Wasn't Planet Hollywood enough of a warning?

Toby Keith's I (Heart) This Bar & Grill in Harrah's Hotel & Casino is trying to conquer territory that left the former Mr. Demi Moore and the Governator high and dry. As you might guess, the downloadable menu is red, white and blue, features a 'stars & stripes' emblazoned guitar, and a grinning portrait of the propriator opposite the desserts. Toby's name appears no fewer than 13 times on the menu, from printed 'signatures' to 'Toby's BBQ sauce' and 'Toby's seasoning'.

Eww.

I haven't been there yet, I only became aware if it a few days ago after hearing a blurb on the radio during which Mr. K said they plan to "roll out" about a dozen eateries in the next two years.

The bar-food heavy offerings don't sound exactly like the "Southern Home Style" promised, but there are a few interesting prospects: Carolina Pulled Pork Pockets (an appetizer), Avocado & Grapefruit Salad, and Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Random Question #4

2005-09-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Mani/Pedi: color(s)? shape?

Me: French (or 'pink & white' to be politically correct) for my hands and either shimmery pink/beige or dark red on the toes. I'm a fan of the 'squoval', meaning it's a square shape that they round off the corners of so I hurt myself (or others).

Kirstie Alley is a big, fat liar.

2005-09-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

I'm probably gonna piss off the Scientologists again... too bad.

Kirstie Alley is losing weight on Jenny Craig. Good for her. If she was unhappy with her body, and is trying to get healthier, great. However, she and the marketing department of Jenny Craig are doing a huge disservice to the American public.

Kirstie claims that she "topped out" at 203 lbs.

Bullshit.

She's 2" taller than I am, and was closer to 325 lbs when she started the program.
I've met Kirstie, stood next to her, had conversations with her, been hugged by her, almost worked for her, showed her a house (which she didn't buy), and even during her Veronica's Closet days, she was at least 180-200 lbs.

I think women with curves are gorgeous (being one myself), and if you're happy with your body and comfortable in you own skin, then be whatever weight makes you feel good. The pressure to look like Eva Longoria is crazy - that's a goal that's unachievable by 90% of women, but we're made to feel inferior if we're not always trying.

So, Kirstie's allegedly already lost 50 lbs. on Jenny Craig. Totally possible in 8 months. Seven and a half pounds per month is actually a healthy rate at which to lose. But, I bet she's not counting the weight of the extra skin and fat she's already had removed. I realize I'm a cynic and I trust no one, but just take a look at the Jenny Craig print ads and commercials. Her arms are much slimmer than they were, and there's NO excess skin hanging. Her abdominal area looks considerably smaller, but there's NO way she lost it ALL in that area. Localized weight loss plans don't work that way, and that area is the hardest place to lose fat stores from, and usually the LAST place you lose the wight, especially for women. Even if it were possible to lose all the fat, she'd have a HUGE amount of excess skin there too. Wearing the clingy dresses she does in the ads, there's really no place to hide that much skin.

In addition to fudging the numbers, and taking advantage of the celebrity surgical perks she has access to, the exercise thing bugs me. If you read her 'journal' on the Jenny Craig site (which I'm guessing gets edited to hell by a JC or JWT staffer before it gets published), you'll see what I mean. I've only read the most recent entry (July 7th), but I'm guessing they're all pretty similar. Taking a few long walks a week is NOT all that you need to do. I'm not a work-out person, but if that was the case, everyone could be in great shape - easily. I'm betting she has a personal trainer who works her out for hours every day of the week, and the average American just does not have the time and/or resources to do that.

I'd love it if they had been honest from the start instead of tryng to dupe the masses. It's OK to say that something's hard, I would have respected her more if we'd seen her struggle like a real person.

OK, Kirstie-bashing over. There was a story in the news yesterday that she's in the Katrina-ravaged zone helping out. Makes me feel a little better about her, but not about Ms. Craig and her micro-meals.

For the record, I've 'done' Jenny Craig (as well as NutriSystem, MediFast shakes and Weight Watchers, repeatedly), the food 'sucks like a Dyson' (as the kids are saying).

need more room

2005-09-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

I share a decent anount of space with my best friend and her (small) dog. However, you can hear everything from room to room. If I sneeze in my bedroom with the door closed, Roomie blesses me from her bedroom (from behind her closed door). Our neighbor critiques my shower singing (she's a musician), and we get to hear the messages from the answering machine next door on the other side very clearly. Although the outgoing and most of the incoming messages are in Russian, so it's not that interesting...

Same deal at work. There are no ceilings on the individual "offices", although they have locks on the doors, so all the sounds float up and over so no conversation goes unheard. Again, if I sneeze at my desk, in the very front of the office, I get called on the intercom and blessed from the very back of the office - past walls and steps and about a dozen people. Maybe it's not that big a problem, but I'm feeling like a little too much of my life is shared. At least people bless me when I sneeze...

2005-09-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

...it just gets more surreal... One of my co-workers spent the morning at orientation for his kids' Kindergarten. Apparently you don't just drop the kids off with a kiss anymore. As a parent, you have to be herded through the campus and are required to volunteer... wait, let me repeat that, just in case you missed it... you are REQUIRED to VOLUNTEER to "help out" with the classroom responsibilities. Since Kindergarten is only three hours and 15 minutes long, what are the teachers doing for the rest of the day that they don't have time to make sure the class areas get tidied up??? Last I heard, a "normal" work day was at least 7 hours long, and most of us don't get 3 months off every summer.

In addition, since the class day for the little darlings is so short, the rest of their time is filled with "optional" extra-curricular after-school programs. These cost more ca$h, and are not covered by the cost of tuition for Kindergarten.

Not having kids is saving me a TON!

2005-09-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

...and while we're on the 'back-to-school" subject... As I don't have kids of my own, I have a sincere question for parents, teachers, administrators, even students. What is with the rolling luggage? Are there no lockers in school anymore? or desks, cubbies, etc.? I can't imagine that pack-mule training is enhancing the educational experience for these kids. Do they carry around all of their books all the time? Is it other "stuff" too - sports uniforms, musical instruments or other "extra-curricular" necessities? My JanSport backback and Trapper Keeper got me through lots of junior high and high school just fine, but we only transported what we needed to/from home each day.

2005-09-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Today must be the first day back to school for most of Los Angeles county. I've been spoiled for the last several months, avoiding the freeways as much as possible and taking the "back streets" (residential) from the SF Valley to my office in Santa Monica. The parade of rolling suitcases, and new school clohes ushering in the class of 2006 and their successors was massive, so I guess I'm stuck back on the 405 for awhile.

Fourth Annual Kickin' Cancer & Women's Healthcare Expo

2005-08-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

UPDATE 30 AUGUST, 2005: In the interest of saving space, and at the suggestion of a few friends/readers, I'm re-dating this post, not for 9/18 (the day of the Walk), but for today (8/30), which means that all posts after this will be back on the top of my blog. I am also making this post my top LINK (see sidebar to the right please) until the race. Do not assume this indicates in ANY way that my level of commitment to this race/cause is waning, I'm just trying to clean up the look of my blog a little. Again, THANK YOU to everyone that has donated, signed up to walk and/or sent me good wishes!

UPDATE 29 AUGUST, 2005: We met our original goal of raising $25K before the walk, and it's now been raised to a new goal of $50,000.

READER NOTE: I've dated this post for the date of the event to ensure that it will stay at the top of my blog until then. All posts that I make between now (22 August 2005) and then (18 September 2005) will land under this one - please scroll down (or click on Previous Posts to the right) to read them.

I will be participating in a 5K Walk/Run to benefit The Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research next month.

Unfortunately, someone in my life was diagnosed in June of this year. Within a week she had been diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer, been told that it had spread, had major emergency surgery and been through her first round of chemotherapy. Everyone who knows her was shocked.

The good news is that she went through surgery beautifully, the doctors are saying good things, her numbers are good, and she's one of the bravest and most determined people I know.

The bad news is that ovarian cancer is sneaky. By the time symptoms present themselves, if they ever do, it's been growing inside the body for awhile, possibly spreading to other organs/systems. Ovarian cancer is considered the most deadly gynecological cancer, killing about 14,000 women each year in the US. Currently there is no "early detection" test. That's what all the money raised by this event and others like it is going towards.

OK, here's where I get pushy...

There are people all over the web askng for hand outs for various things, a lot of which are nonsense or a scam. I'm aware of this. What I'm asking is that you take a minute to think how this would affect your life if it were happening to you or someone you cared about. Every little bit from every person who reads this can and will help. Because of the funding breast cancer research has received and continues to receive, there are more tests to catch the disease earlier, better treatments and fewer people are dying. Ovarian cancer research can do the same thing, but it takes money.

Here's what I propose, and I promise, I'm not asking anyone for something I'm not doing myself. Don't buy your usual People or Entertainment Weekly or (god forbid) National Enquirer magazine this week, Britney Spears' baby belly pictures aren't that exciting anyway. Don't go to Starbucks one morning this week. Instead send the $4 for your venti half-caf, non-fat, no-foam soy latte to the Lynne Cohen Foundation, or to my e-mail via PayPal, and it wil be added to my team's total. Do whatever you can to spend a few dollars less than you normally do, and donate it to this worthy cause. It could very well be the difference between survival or not for you or someone you love.

IF YOU ARE FEMALE, PLEASE DONATE or PARTICIPATE.

If you have ANY female relatives (you know, mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, aunts, neices, grandmas, etc.), PLEASE DONATE or PARTICIPATE.

If you've ever loved a woman (no, I'm not channelling Bryan Adams, stay with me), relative or not, PLEASE DONATE or PARTICIPATE.

If you own a company that makes charitable donations, and you have any female employees, be they executives or receptionists, PLEASE DONATE or PARTICIPATE.

If you have some want or need to run around for 3.1 miles in lovely Brentwood next month and like doing it in a group, PLEASE DONATE or PARTICIPATE.

Donations can be made several ways:

2005-08-30T03:31:00.000-07:00

can't sleep tonight. too much going thru my head. hurricane katrina (a hurricane travelling over all that land, and they're predicting it's gonna hit MAINE?!), the reality of the major car purchase (see below) which isn't all that major... it's not like I commited to a Range Rover or something... and just general stress. so I took a bath w/ lavender oil to try to get back to sleep. waste of good bath stuff - I'm fully awake now. doing some laundry, thinking about having a VERY early breakfast of soft-boiled eggs, making a list of things to retrieve from the old car to make the new car feel more "mine", watching Food TV, thinking about alphabetizing the DVDs, packing for the weekend w/ the freshly washed clothes, and deciding if a self manicure is a good idea, or if I should "splurge" and spend $10 to have someone else do my fingers... by the time I'm supposed to be leaving for work, I'm gonna be exhausted and falling asleep on the couch. it's gonna be a long day.

more than point A to point B

2005-08-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

I got a new car. Well, a new-to-me car. Had to, the car I'd been driving for the last several years died last week, and there's no way to justify spending $4K to fix a 15 year old hatchback, no matter how much I loved it. So the new vehicle is an '03 Toyota Rav4, and I pick it up tonight. Slight problem with one of the rear seats, but once the backordered part comes in from Toyo HQ, it should be near-perfect. Haven't had a car payment in years, not sure how this is gonna work, but I can tighten the belt in the budget a little and maybe get a part-time job if I need to. Worth it to have wheels that work. First road trip is this weekend to Vegas to go see mom!

You're Invited... Again!

2005-08-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

WHAT: The gorgeous vocal stylings of
Ms. Toni Scruggs(featured guest of Ryan Cross)

WHEN: 9:00pm Wednesday, 31 August 2005
WHERE: Cabrini Jazz Alley
5664 W. 3rd Street (at La Brea)
Los Angeles 90036 -- click for map
(for line-up and bookings call (323) 938-0259)
WHY: Because she’s a talented, wonderful artist, and
you deserve a night out!
MISC.: $10 cover – but so worth it.

P.S. Ms. Toni recently landed a sweet long-term singing gig that will take her away from Southern California for many months. Come out and enjoy her locally while you can!

"The Internet is for Porn!"

2005-08-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

I'm in love. I downloaded the soundtrack from the Tony award winning musical Avenue Q yesterday, and I'm singing the songs already. I haven't seen the show yet, but it will be opening at Wynn Las Vegas later this month, and I can't wait to see it!

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

2005-08-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

The air-conditioning unit was approx. 20 years old, it was installed when the condo was built and had never been replaced or updated. Needless to say (but I will anyway), it was time to put it out of it's misery. Yesterday was the big day and I was a bit aprehensive, but it's amazing! You could hang meat in the rooms upstairs if you were so inclined, but the biggest surprise was the 'great room' (open plan kitch/dine/live/work/media room) downstairs. Even with the thermostat set to 76 or 78 degrees, it always felt hotter than it should have. The fumes from the parking garage below combined with all the heat stored in the exterior concrete walls and the residual heat we were probably getting from the boiler (also in the garage below) made it possible to pour sweat while sitting on the couch wearing shorts and a tank top, doing nothing but watching TV. YUCK! Walking into the room las night from work was much more pleasant than usual, even though Roomie was BAKING! The oven puts off a bit of heat, and it used to push the comfort level of the downstairs into the too-hot-it's-uncomfortable-yuck-I-need-to take-a shower range. Not anymore.

It's a Carrier heating/air conditioning unit, and it's fabulous.

Battle of the Bands: FINALS!

2005-08-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Moaning Lisa have made it to the last level of Battle of the Bands and are playing at B.B. King’s at Universal Citywalk TONIGHT! It's the FINALS tonight, and if they win, they'll win $2,500 and an opening slot with KORN. Please come out and support a great band!

Show starts at 9:00pm - Monday, August 22nd

B.B. King's is located right off the 101 freeway at the Lankershim Blvd exit. Second floor (City Loft) of the Universal City Walk. (818) 622-5464

comfort food a go-go

2005-08-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

My name is Bitch On Wheels, and I have a problem...

A slight addiction to Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. It started in childhood (due to a babysitter with a very limited snack repetoire), continued thru college (nothing cheaper or better, esp. when drunk or otherwise impaired), and plagues me to this day. Because of the stupid hours I work, by the time I get home in the evening, waiting for a pot of water to boil and then waiting for the noodles to cook is not smething that happens too often.

Then I found Kraft EasyMac.

It's marketed specifically for kids, but it's yummy, quick and I dig it. It's not exactly the same as the regular version, but it's good enough for me to get a fix at work, or when dinner starts at 10pm.

TIP: If you like your mac & cheese creamy rather than sticky, use more water than they suggest and cook it in a bigger bowl than you think you'll need, drain off some of the water when the noodles are done to your liking, but not all of the water, their cheese sauce absorbs more than you think it will.

Deck Envy

2005-08-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Impromptu girls night last night. Sort of. A few of us managed to get out of the office by 8pm, head over to mall for mani/pedis, then proceeded to the beach for a little DVD watching, wine drinking, boss-bashing and smoking session. Three of us work together, so we let off some steam and giggled about the absurdities of our workplace, while amusing the hell out of one of said co-worker’s two roommates. On the roof.

Venice (California, not Italy) has been a neighborhood that’s intrigued me since I moved here 12 years ago. The canals are cutesy, the boardwalk is slightly strange, it's fun to watch tourists, and the “vibe”, if you will, is funky, creative and laid-back. And makes you use words like ‘vibe’ in a sentence. And then there’s Abbott's Pizza Company & Mao’s Kitchen, which is probably my favorite Chinese food joint, but we’ll save that for another time.

Off a walk-street, down a very skinny walkway bordered by reed fencing lies the abode my coworker E. shares with 3 friends. It’s technically a duplex, and the four of them share the back part of the house and garage area. All 1,700 square feet of it. OK, I’ll admit I’m jealous of their space, especially the amount of storage they have, and I’ll concede that having a straight male roommate that’s a hottie would be a nice diversion, but the thing that gets to me most is the rooftop deck. Outside one of the bedrooms is a very respectable sized balcony; enough room for half a dozen people to chill comfortably… but then there’s a stairway up to the top of the building.

Four-foot high walls surround the space, disco light strings in pink and yellow run along the edges so you can see at night. Several cushioned wooden chaise lounges. An extra-long, extra-wide hammock on a stand. A couple of well placed wooden tables. A fire-pit for localized heat and marshmallow-roasting occasions. Huge Rubbermaid containers with towels, blankets and sleeping bags that make chilly beach nights outside bearable. More storage space in the small annex that houses the hot water heater. The spot where the grill usually is, except it’s downstairs now because the last party was downstairs. Views from the Hollywood sign to the Pacific ocean and all the mountains in between.

Hmmmmm … am I forgetting anything?
How about the fan-@!*&%ing-tastic ENTERTAINMENT CENTER!
The set up is ingenious. A shed-type enclosure from Home Depot houses everything and protects the system from the elements, even during the rainy season. The 37” TV, the DVD player with THX-quality surround sound. The satellite receiver and DVR box. It’s amazing. Like a drive-in without having to deal with the steering wheel.

Apparently one of E.’s friends, upon seeing the space for the first time, once quipped “You so don’t deserve this!”. I won’t go that far, but I will covet her house, her cutie-boy roommate… and her deck. How many sins is that?

2005-08-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Have I been wrong all these years?

Doesn't an area code for a phone number go IN FRONT of the main number? That's how you dial it on the phone, so WHY in hell does everyone give their phone number as "six-eight-seven-five-five-three-zero, area code three-two-three"? It makes my message slips look messy, and the person giving me the number sound stupid. I understand if someone knows I'm in the 310 area code, and they are too, sometimes they'll give me just the main number. If I'm not sure, I'll verify.

Seriously, this is not a rhetorical queston, I need to know why people do it this way. Maybe with understanding I won't want to reach through the receiver and strangle them.

2005-08-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

Not trying to make anyone jealous, but I have the best lunch, so I have to share.
Lobster Bisque from Whole Foods Market and Chinese Chicken Salad (no idea the source, it was a gift). Almost makes eating at my desk not so bad today!

I love the beach.

2005-08-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Spent half of my childhood in Florida.
The very smell of the ocean does something to me that nothing else can.
My blood pressure goes down, my thoughts get less chaotic, and my focus shifts to a place that makes more sense than most of my life.

Ocassionally, like this morng, I take the "long way" to work.
To nearly double my mileage (especially with the cost of gas skyrocketing) and time on the road seems like it would do nothing but frustrate and anger me, considering my attitude in a car, but extending my commute so that I drive South on the Pacific Coast Highway and have approx. 15 miles of coast before I get to my concrete box of an office, is bliss.

The stretch on the 101 freeway isn't that bad, and then it transitions into rolling green hills reminiscent of Peter Pan's Flight at Disneyland and then, *bang*, turn a corner and I'm at Pepperdine University, and the ocean is sparkling.

It's obviously very pleasant to do this drive with the sun high above beating down, but my start time at work means that I get to absorb the chilly early morning marine layer instead. Windows down, iPod cranked up and playing thru my car speakers (terrible radio reception in those hills), I stop at the Coffee Bean at the Malibu Country Mart for a Chai latte to start my day. No tourists have invaded yet, and the ocassional celebrity with bed-head is just another person in line for their caffeine fix. Every once in awhile, I'll leave my bed even ealier and take just a few moments to walk around in the sand with my cup of tea and listen to the waves and the birds.

There are pods of surfers dotting the stretch all the way from Point Dume down past where I take the California Incline up to Santa Monica. Scores of dark slick bodies, waiting for the salty momentum to carry them to the foamy crash at the sand. Mostly male, they descend on the public parking lots and soft shoulder of PCH. SUV back hatches act as impromptu dressing rooms, there is no self-conciousness or vanity, it's all about getting your gear on and getting into the water. These are the same guys who will fight each other tooth and nail later in the day from their glass and steel corporate cages, but for now, they're comrades, waiting for the perfect wave, letting the rhythm of the water work it's magic.

The ride is aways too short, and I inhale full lungs worth of beach and close the windows, hoping to trap the smell into my car and hair.

I toss my empty paper cup into the recycling bin that isn't ours in the alley behind my office, swipe my security device at the door, and realize that the sand between my toes will get me through the day.

forgive me if a little deep...

2005-08-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

...while surfing around (I LOVE the 'NEXT BLOG' button!), I found the following on AA batteries required:

Fuck Intolerance

I am the girl kicked out of her home because I confided in my mother that I am a lesbian.

I am the prostitute working the streets because nobody will hire a transsexual woman.

I am the sister who holds her gay brother tight through the painful, tear-filled nights.

We are the parents who buried our daughter long before her time.

I am the man who died alone in the hospital because they would not let my partner of twenty-seven years into the room.

I am the foster child who wakes up with nightmares of being taken away from the two fathers who are the only loving family I have ever had. I wish they could adopt me.

I am one of the lucky ones, I guess. I survived the attack that left me in a coma for three weeks, and in another year I will probably be able to walk again.

I am not one of the lucky ones. I killed myself just weeks before graduating high school. It was simply too much to bear.

We are the couple who had the realtor hang up on us when she found out we wanted to rent a one-bedroom for two men.

I am the person who never knows which bathroom I should use if I want to avoid getting the management called on me.

I am the mother who is not allowed to even visit the children I bore, nursed, and raised. The court says I am an unfit mother because I now live with another woman.

I am the domestic-violence survivor who found the support system grow suddenly cold and distant when they found out my abusive partner is also a woman.

I am the domestic-violence survivor who has no support system to turn to because I am male.

I am the father who has never hugged his son because I grew up afraid to show affection to other men.

I am the home-economics teacher who always wanted to teach gym until someone told me that only lesbians do that.

I am the man who died when the paramedics stopped treating me as soon as they realized I was transsexual.

I am the person who feels guilty because I think I could be a much better person if I didn’t have to always deal with society hating me.

I am the man who stopped attending church, not because I don't believe, but because they closed their doors to my kind.

I am the person who has to hide what this world needs most, love.

I am a person, just like you.

Poke intolerance in the eye with a spoon!

Repost this if you think intolerance is wrong.

Welcome Scott Peterson supporters...

2005-08-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

... not really.

I have very strong opinions about Scott Peterson, and the entire fiasco that was the trial eventually convicting him of the murder of Laci & Conner. A friend posted about the Scott Peterson supporter's website Justice4Scott selling wristbands on his blog. I made a comment about it. Apparently my Constitutionally-protected opinion is not a popular one.

Oh well, at least I'm not a murderer...

COUCH POTATO SUNDAY

2005-08-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

Roomie, the dog and I were complete slugs yesterday.
Saturday was really productive, and I think we just ran out of steam.
We totally vegged in front of the wonder-tube, and watched (and slept through) some good and bad programming.

The Un-Reality offerings are plentiful on the weekends, mostly repeats in case you missed them during the week. We caught up on all the drama from Brat Camp, half a dozen episodes or so, and learned to hate some new spoiled brats on Filthy Rich Cattle Drive. We're used to Brittny Gastineau from Gastineau Girls on E!, but most of the rest of them are just worthless. The worst (so far, and keep in mind we've only seen one episode) is Courtenay Semel (daughter of Yahoo! CEO Terry Semel) who breaks down and calls Daddy and begs "can't you like call the network or something". Seriously. The one "filthy rich kid" who seems intelligent, well-spoken and not a brat is George Foreman III (son of George Foreman Sr.).

Interspersed were several made-for-TV movies including The Face On The Milk Carton and part 1 of Living With The Dead, a fictionalized, semi-autobiographical account of the childhood of James Van Praagh starring Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen; part 2 airs next Sunday night, check your local listings (I've always wanted to say that).

There were surprisingly few infomercials, but we did catch the ones for Soul 70's Collection and Ruby Reds Vitamin Powder. The former sound like quite a good CD set - definitely music that helps white guys get laid, and the latter is OK in the Jack LaLanne vitamins-will-keep-you-young vein, although the Irish "host"/inventor is a little odd.

It always makes me cry, but this week's special 2 hour episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (the Nick family) made us both sob. Check out the EM:HE site about the episode(s) and then please go take a look at the website for the Morgan Nick Foundation and do whatever you can to help.

I think I need to read a book to boost my I.Q. back up, something big and pithy, maybe War and Peace...

bad news this morning

2005-08-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

The average gas price in Los Angeles county is $2.71/gal. (for regular 87 octane), up more than 11¢/gal. in the last 2 weeks.

Some gas stations hiked their prices by as much as 3¢/gal. overnight.

I need a shorter commute and a bike.

encouragement

2005-08-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

I posted when my blog reached 100 visitors, and I was gonna post again at 500, but I just checked the stats and Bitch On Wheels has had 671 unique visitors!

Thanks for your support!

Random Question #3

2005-08-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

If you could be anywhere in the world, doing anything you wanted, with anyone you wanted, without thought of cost, logistics or probability, describe the situation (briefly).

OK, here's mine:

I'd like to be here...
(Sunset Water Villas at the Hilton Rangali Island Resort & Spa, Maldives)

...with him...
(you remember Will Kemp from the Gap ads a couple of years ago, right? For those of you who know me and read my blog, do NOT assume that I'm lying. I know there's another inaccessible never-gonna-happen person I crush on who shall remain nameless, but Will is definitely the man for the job in this daydream.)
...doing stuff that would "frighten fish".

And since this is "Fantasy Island", I'd like to look like Salma Hayek while we're there... for Will's sake.

(This is not meant to be the end-all and be-all of existance, or master-plan for your life, just a small mental diversion for those of us shackled to our desks wishng we were somewhere else. It will not go down on your permanent record, or be used against you in a court of law (or anywhere else), I'm just nosy about other people's daydreams. You can always leave a comment as 'anonymous'.)

Is this really happening?

2005-08-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

Achy Breaky Heart... Doc on PAX-TV... Annie Get Your Gun in Toronto!

With the cancellation of his TV show, apparently Billy Ray Cyrus is starting a new phase in his career by portraying Frank Butler in Canada.

The reviews haven't been that good, yet it's being held over until Sept. 3rd.

If anyone has seen this, I would LOVE to hear a first-hand account of the spectacle.

CRUSH DU JOUR: 35 going on 10

2005-08-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

From a previous post, you'll remember that the "Frat Pack" and most of their movies are not usually my cup of tea. An interesting thing's happening though... I'm totlly crushing on Vince Vaughn. It probably won't last long, especially if he's actually hooked up with Jennifer Aniston, but for right now, he makes me smile.

I like tall guys √
I like funny guys √
He's got great eyebrows √

new CD restored my Faith

2005-08-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

Fireflies is the best Faith Hill album in several years. I've always been a fan, and when I started hearing the first single "Mississippi Girl" on the radio, I was hopeful that this would be a CD to buy and enjoy. There's not one song on it I don't like, and I'm already listening to it so much I know all the words.

the boys are back in town!

2005-08-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

UPDATE (Wednesday 10 August 2005): THEY WON MONDAY NIGHT! Which means that the original 30 bands have been narrowed down to just 6. They next show is Monday, August 22nd - again at B.B. Kings @ CityWalk.

Moaning Lisa have made it to the next level of Battle of the Bands and are playing at B.B. King’s at Universal Citywalk TONIGHT! It's the semi-finals tonight, and if they win and move onto the finals, they'll have a shot at $2,500 and an opening slot with KORN. Should be an interesting show, please come out and support a great band!

Show starts at 9:30pm - Monday, August 8th

B.B. King's is located right off the 101 freeway at the Lankershim Blvd exit. Second floor (City Loft) of the Universal City Walk. (818) 622-5464

the great fast food orange juice competition

2005-08-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I'm particularly fond of orange juice. In the interest of pinning down the best orange juice to have with my in-car mornng meal, I decided to do a little survey of what's available in my area, the results are below. For the record, all the cartons were a little 'sweaty', and had to be wiped off.

WINNER! Fast Food Joint: Burger King
Brand of OJ: Minute Maid
Size/Value: 10 fl. oz. for $1.29 (12.9¢/oz.)
Ingredients: Pure Filtered Water, Premium Concentrated Orange Juice
Serving Temperature: medium-cold
Accessibility: TO OPEN (on an arrow) and 'Push with thumb insert straw' around perforated hole AND another arrow w/ 'STRAW OPENING' in it.
Marketing notes: claims '100% Pure Squeezed Florida Orange Juice' and 'Pulp Free'. Best Before Date. Implores me to 'Shake Well and Enjoy'. Minute Maid is part of the Coca-Cola Company.
Additional notes: Good all-around juice, not too much pulp.
Overall rating: A

Fast Food Joint: Carl's Jr.
Brand of OJ: Carl's Jr.
Size/Value: 10 fl. oz. for $1.09 (10.9¢/oz.)
Ingredients: Water, Concentrated Orange Juice (from USA, Brazil and Mexico)
Serving Temperature: cold, but not icy
Accessibility: 'Press Here Insert Straw' hole
Marketing notes: claims '160% value Vitamin C per serving'
Additional notes: decent juice but slightly sour for my taste, cheapest of the bunch.
Overall rating: B+

Fast Food Joint: Arby's
Brand of OJ: Sunkist Premium Orange Juice
Size/Value: 10 fl. oz. for $1.29 (12.9¢/oz.)
Ingredients: Pasturized Orange Juice
Serving Temperature: ICY! little chunks of frozen juice floating around.
Accessibility: 'Press Here Insert Straw' hole
Marketing notes: claims "Sunkist Premium is the ultimate 'Not From Concentrate' orange juice. Only the finest oranges are used to bring you 'Premium' flavor, with absolutely nothing added to compromise Sunkist's rich orange taste. There's no water, sugar, preservatives or colorings added - just pure orange juice pleasure."
Additional notes: the top of the (closed) carton leaked on me when I tried to "SHAKE WELL", and their straws are HUGE (maybe it's for the milkshakes???) and seemd way too big for the oj box. Didn't think it tasted any more "premium" than the juices from concentrate.
Overall rating: B

Fast Food Joint: Jack In The Box
Brand of OJ: JITB branded 100% Orange Juice (from concentrate)
Size/Value: 10 fl. oz. for $1.49 (14.9¢/oz.)
Ingredients: Water, Orange Juice Concentrate (from U.S.A. and Brazil)
Serving Temperature: tepid to cool, not cold.
Accessibility: 'Push Up Here To Open' and 'Open Other Side' under the corners on the top of the box, no straw hole.
Marketing notes: "thawed for your convenience"
Additional notes: not terrible, but tasted like it wasn't 100% orange juice, almost grapefruit-like taste.
Overall rating: B

Fast Food Joint: McDonald's
Brand of OJ: no idea (see note below)
Size/Value: ??? fl. oz. for $1.39 (13.9¢/oz.)
Ingredients: no idea (see note below)
Serving Temperature: warm - ugh!
Accessibility: oj was presented in a regular soft-drink cup w/ a lid and straw, not a juice box.
Marketing notes: none (see above)
Additional notes: not only was the juice warm, it was thick, as if they didn't mix in enough water with the juice concentrate.
Overall rating: D

like riding a bike... i hope

2005-08-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

My Gran taught me how to crochet as a child. She's no longer here to remind (re-teach) me, and it's not something I've really had an interest in, but that's changing. For whatever reason, my creative juices are bubbling, and I'm in the mood to get "crafty". It's become quite trendy to knit and crochet since celebrities like Julia Roberts have picked up their needles, and there are quite a few good yarn shops in my area, so I won't have to hunt to find instruction and/or materials.

I'm going to start with crochet, I figure one hook is less likely to get me into trouble than 2 needles would be, and I've ordered a crochet "kit" from Chronicle Books which seems fairly non-threatening.

I'll let you know how it's going, but I'm curious to know who else is a beginning crocheter or knitter; how did you teach yourself; was it harder or easier than you thought it would be; what 'purls' of wisdom can you impart to a novice? (sorry, couldn't help myself on that last one.)

slacker

2005-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

My god!
No posts in a full week!

sorry.

Life spun out of control, but I promise to make up for it wth LOTS of posts this week! Fun stuff, info, random question #3, etc.

You're invited!

2005-08-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

WHAT: The gorgeous vocal stylings of
Ms. Toni Scruggs

(featured guest of Ryan Cross)

WHEN: 9:00pm Wednesday, 3 August 2005
WHERE: Cabrini Jazz Alley
5664 W. 3rd Street (at La Brea)
Los Angeles 90036 -- click for map
(for line-up and bookings call (323) 938-0259)
WHY: Because she’s a talented, wonderful artist, and
you deserve a night out!
MISC.: $10 cover – but so worth it.

quit giggling...

2005-08-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Award-winning actor Alan Cumming is releasing a much anticipated new fragrance line. A sexy, fun and mischievous scent that is all about Sex, Scotch, Cigars and Scotland.

Top notes of: Bergamot, Black Pepper, Scotch Pine, Whiskey.
Core notes of: Cigar, Heather, Douglas Fir, Rubber.
Base notes of: Leather, Highland Mud, Peat Fire & White Truffle.

Cumming - The Fragrance.
3.4 oz. for $69
Go to the site to learn more, see the commercial (starring Alan) and buy (also available at select Sephora stores).

that's gonna leave a mark

2005-08-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

(2:15am Friday 29 July 2005) A friend of mine is having brain surgery this morning. She's been having problems for several years, has been mis-diagnosed, and she's just done with doctors, hospitals, tests, etc. Hopefully this will solve the problems, and her recovery will be short and easy. Please send all your positive thoughts in her general direction. My God will understand if you're praying for "Bitch On Wheels' friend ", in the interest of respecting her privacy, I'm not choosing to share her name.

(9:54am Friday 29 July 2005) UPDATE: Just got a call, surgery went very well, the doctors are pleased, she's in recovery and will be transferred to a room within a few hours.

(3:50pm Friday 29 July 2005) UPDATE: Just spoke with my friend! She's tired, and in pain, and buzzing the nurses for drugs. Visiting hours are until 9pm tonight, so I'm gonna take her some ear-plugs (semi-private room) and snacks.

(9:02am Monday 1 August 2005) FINAL UPDATE:My friend is thru surgery and feeling great. SHe's @ home and getting rest, hopefully everything is taken care of and her recovery will be quick. Thanksto everyone that send me e-mails on her behalf, your kindness is appreciated. That being said, whoever shaved her head should be smacked silly...

he's not just a chef, he's a franchise

2005-07-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

I’m not a coffee drinker, but I saw these at Ralph’s yesterday and was intrigued:

Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Lattes
They come in 4 flavors, rich espresso, rich caramel, french vanilla and rich mocha.

OK, so everyone has ready-to-drink blended coffee beverages at the grocery store nowadays (and Wolfgang has 2 varieties – regular and low-carb), but the new ones have a twist. They are meant to be consumed hot, so the can is self-heating.

Bizarre? Ingenious? Let me know what you think.

I’ll have to consult the java heads in my life to see what they think, but I thought it was kinda cool. Wonder if anyone is using this technology for other stuff, say hot cocoa or soup? I'd probably buy the soup to keep stashed in my desk at work.

blogspot question

2005-07-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

Can anyone out there tell me how to set up and use CATEGORIES on my blog?

flip-flop stigmata

2005-07-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Wore a new pair of flip-flops to work yesterday. I know better, I really do, but they were cute, and it seemed like a good idea in the morning. Last night I discovered I had perfectly matching, bleeding holes in the bottom of my 2nd toes. Neesless to say, my tender piggies are band-aided up and in more sensible footwear today. Damn, why are all the attractive shoes so painful?

car stuff this morning

2005-07-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

(1) license plate in front of me on the way to work:

REDHEADS DO

(license plate)

WHAT BLONDES ONLY DREAM OF

I so wanted to pull up next to her at a stoplight and ask embarrassing questions... until I noticed she was a brunette.

(2) My arms are different shades. My left arm is at least 2 shades darker than my right arm. Short of going to a place like Mystic Tan and asking them to even out my apendages, any suggestions on how I can match? Maybe I just need to be a passenger more.

(3) Yawns from passing cars are contagious too. Thanks to the lady in the teal Hyundai on Moorpark and Laurel Canyon.

She's no Mary Poppins

2005-07-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Bunch of movies coming out before the end of the year that I'm looking forward to, but I just saw the trailer for Working Title Film's Nanny McPhee - looks great, but it's not out until Oct 21st.

tips for actors/artists (semi-rant)

2005-07-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

I don't blog about work - not specifics, anyway, but these things need to be said. Maybe if I write them here, someone will read them and heed the advice, or tell people they know to whom the advice proffered may be helpful. Hopefully. Consider this a public service announcement from me to you.

NOTE #1 for ACTORS: If you are an actor and we're having a casting session, our casting director will have given all the details to you and/or your agent. I hear her on the phone all day, so I KNOW what she tells y'all. DO NOT swan into the office, look at me like something that needs to be scraped off your shoe, and demand to see her. If you are here for an audition, odds are so are the 14 other poeple who look just like you sitting on the couch in the lobby. Go sign in on the clipboard, sit down, and wait your turn.

NOTE #2 for ACTORS: If you reek of cigarettes because you chain smoke instead of eat, or if you have halitosis (bad breath), PLEASE invest in a tin of Altoids. If you have terible body odor, please bathe more often and use deodorant. DO NOT assume that drowning yourself in CKOne 10 seconds before you enter the office is gonna cover ANY of the above situations. EWW!

NOTE for ARTISTS: If you're an artist and you want to send in or leave materials for someone to look at in order to consider hiring you for a job (I'm talking digital artists, graphic designers, animators, etc.) DO NOT SEND/LEAVE YOUR ORIGINALS and then call me in three weeks in a frenzy begging me to go thru a stack of hundreds of submissions, because there's another job vacancy you're interested in and need to send your portfolio to them. I thought this was common sense, but I guess not. MAKE COPIES of your BEST work, or the work that represents the best work you do in the area we're looking for, and send that. I know it costs money, but that's life. And for the record, I may be an assistant, but I'm not your assistant. Being rude to me on the phone, or while I'm attempting to help you is not the way to make an impression. Who do you think sorts the mail here? And who do you think books interviews with my boss for the job you're desperate for? Think about it.

I'm done (for now), thanks or letting me get that off my chest.

OCD

2005-07-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not nearly as bad as some peole, my meds aren't for OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), but there are a couple of thing I do that place me firmly in the category:

I have to set and check the alarm time on my clock at least 3 times, it's usually 4.
I peel the labels off stuff (soda bottles, sale tags on clothes, etc.) and it's an almost surgical procedure - they have to be completely off.
I rub my cuticles in a circular motion from pinkies to thumbs while I watch movies. I have NO idea why, but I do both hands at the same time, and each finger has to get the same number of circles or I have to start over. The odd thing is that I don't do it all the time, but when I do, It's an automatic thing, I don't even have to think about it, and it doesn't distract me from the film. Weird.

Anyone know what all this means?
Am I "normal" or completetly lost?
What kinds of OCD stuff do y'all do?

Aloha

2005-07-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

My old shrink moved to Hawaii. Tried really hard to hate her for it, but who am I kidding, if I had the opportunity to pick my life up and move there, I would too. So, I've been "auditioning" new therapists for several months and have had no luck, until last night. His office is a little further away than I realized, but he seems to be a keeper (so far). Woke up this morning feeling a little less crummy than usual and I think this is a positive change for my life.

Don't worry, I'll still be a bitch.

altered perception

2005-07-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo!

Gas @ the Mobil by my house was only $2.69/gal. for 89 octane!
I remember back when I was first starting to drive, gas was more or less a buck a gallon. I know, I'm old, but the prices are amazing to me. The other day I saw 87 octane for $2.99/gal. and wanted to cry. I thought the prices were supposed to be going down?

And while we're on the subject, what the hell is the 9/10¢ tacked onto the price about? Why not just say $2.70/gal.?

On the money saving tip, apparently @ Mobil, you can get their Speedpass thing-a-ma-jig and save 5¢/gal. - may be something to look at. However, I do "earn" 1¢/gal. towards my UPromise savings plan (college savings for kid(s) I don't have yet...), and it actually adds up.

Whatever. I'm still thrilled that it's less than $2.75/gal.!

Flower

2005-07-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

Almost made skunk road-kill last night.
Instead, I took out someone's trash can.
Sorry mister, it was your hefty bags or a living creature.

Fickle loyalty

2005-07-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

Driving to work this morning behind a black Lexus SUV (which actually looks like the mini-van my mom drove in the 80's) with the following bumper stickers on the back window:

Tulane University
Princeton
University of Southern California
USC Medical
Campbell Hall - Vikings

...and had a license plate frame of FIGHTING IRISH / NOTRE DAME

I think it's great that they're supportive of all these institutions, but when does it get to the point that they become a visual hazard? Maybe they should be moved to another part of the car...maybe the BUMPER?

breath of fresh (fuity) air

2005-07-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

Part of my job is buying supplies for the office, everything from copy paper to coffee filters. 99% of it is standard issue, store-brand generic stuff, nothing to get excited about. However, I have found the answer to the air freshener problem. Forgive me if this is an overshare, but we only have 2 bathrooms for approx. 50 people - strong air fresheners are essential. Most of the time they just don't live up to the hype. Air Wick Decosphere is different.

We got the orange-colored, tropical-scented (papaya/mango) ones @ Smart & Final. It's been 2 weeks and it's going full force, it's been a godsend. Think I may get a kiwi one for my car.

I hate Mondays

2005-07-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

I'm already looking forward to the weekend - this is gonna be a long work week... so I'm heading for the beach (kinda).

Fun weekend in Malibu
34th Annual Art Festival
(sponsored by the Malibu Chmber of Commerce)
Saturday (July 30th) and Sunday (July 31st) from 9am-5pm
Show will feature more than 200 artists.
Music and kids' events will be available.
The Optimist Club will hold their annual Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 - 11:00 am.
The food court will be open from 11 am - 5 pm.
Admission is FREE.
Parking is $5

23555 Civic Center Way
Between Cross Creek and Webb Way

For more information, e-mail: TFirestone@Malibu.org

weekend flicks

2005-07-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

Saw The Island and Mr.& Mrs. Smith this weekend - full reviews will be posted later, but I enjoyed them both.

Ewan McGregor is hot.
Angelina Joie is hot.
I think they need to do a film together.

This little piggy got detoxed

2005-07-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

Netterumani – has anyone tried these? I saw them on an infomercial (in Spanish) the other morning. Apparently dried eucalyptus tree sap and mushrooms absorb the toxins from your body through the bottom of your feet while you sleep. Genius or weird?

drink the koolaid

2005-07-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Apparently Mr. Hollywood has some fans that read my blog and are not happy with me.

Too bad. It's my blog, I'll post what I want. I will not apologize for calling him short, or an asshole. In my opinion, he's both.

What's really interesting is that I received no comments on my blog, the cowards just e-mailed me privately.

I saw a billboard for a gay travel company on my way to work (heading down Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood) which reads "do you cruise?". I can't decide if they're asking Tom a question or not... what do you think?

Walk a mile in my Manolos or shut the fuck up.

2005-07-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

It’s never too early to start thinking of stocking-stuffers, these courtesy of our friends at Tom Cruise Is Nuts.
I think I’ll buy an extra mug for myself…
for the bathroom…
where I take my anti-depressant drugs…
every morning…
which were prescribed by a psychiatrist…
to help with my chemical imbalance.

Short asshole.

With my compliments…

2005-07-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

From Webtender (An On-line Bartender) and DrinksMixer.com – a recipe for a Bitch On Wheels cocktail:

Ingredients:
* 2 oz Gin
* 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
* 1/2 oz White Creme de Menthe
* 1 tsp Pernod® licorice liqueur

Mixing instructions:
In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients. Stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass.

geez, even I figured this out...

2005-07-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Why do most of the blogs on blogspot only have:

Google News
Edit-Me
Edit-Me

in the Links section???

Some of these people have nice blogs, they even look as if know some HTML (a step ahead of me!), but they have no links, or don’t know how to change them.

hmmm... if this is true, why am I single?

2005-07-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

I love online quizzes... when they make me sound good.

Part Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity, you've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off! You're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave,when it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable!

Part Shy Kisser

You *do* love to kiss, once you’re comfortable with it, and that means knowing the person you're kissing pretty well. You usually don't make the first move when it comes to making out; but you've got plenty of intensity in return once you get going!

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

since you asked...

2005-07-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

Bitch On Wheels - why?

I live in Los Angeles.
I commute at least 90 minutes (on average) each way to and from work.
I (apparently) have anger management / road rage issues.
I've been to the CHP road rage class - didn't help much.
Since then I've turned off the radio (I now listen to audio books on my iPod), leave 15 minutes before I think I need to, and try to remember to breathe.

To all those who share the 101, 405 and 10 freeways with me, you're welcome.

“I fuckin’ need you more than ever” *

2005-07-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

Do you know The Dan Band?
You should.
Dan Finnerty, Gene Reed and John Kozeluh.
3 guys singing chick-empowerment songs.
Adding profanity as they see fit.

Brilliant.

One of the funniest live shows ever – I saw them last December in Hollywood, and just about peed myself. Apparently Bravo is airing their 1 hour special “Dan Finnerty & The Dan Band: I Am Woman” on Saturday, July 23 12:00 AM and Tuesday, July 26 3:00 PM.

Check your local listings, and program those TiVo thingamajigs.

Trust me.

They’re also touring this summer. Any of you lucky fucks who live in a town they’re playing should do whatever you have to in order to get tickets.

If (like me), your cable company sucks and you don’t have Bravo, or if you’re not on the tour route, buy the CD online. You can’t even see a movie for $10 anymore, it's a bargain!

* Rent, buy or pay-per-view “Old School”.

Damn. I can't sing at all, but...

2005-07-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

I know good music. I spent the weekend listening to the debut album of a fantastic singer, Angela Wolff. AMAZING stuff! She’s sort of pop/country cross-over, not sure which way the label is going to go, but she’s got a great voice, the songs chosen for the CD are a perfect match for her, and she’s a cute, fun & sweet girl to boot. Keep an eye (and an ear) out for her, she’s gonna be HUGE (and you heard it here first!).

Her CD (as yet untitled) will be out in the fall.

Million+ Dollar Baby

2005-07-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

I am worth $1,507,910 on HumanForSale.com

I saw a link for this site on someone's blog, and decided to give it a try. Simple quiz asking basic questions. After they tell you how much you're "worth", there's a breakdown of why. Apparently having a size 9 shoe (female) is a bit of a liability, it cost me $10K in value - yikes.

Sunday Double Feature: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Wedding Crashers

2005-07-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory can be a very good time, IF you can do a couple of things:
(1) Erase the vision of Michael Jackson’s face and the memory of his recent legal problems from your mind completely.
(2) Forget (for a few hours) the original adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, and realize this is not a remake of that movie
(3) Try to appreciate and get into the musical production numbers of the Oompa Loompas (all amazingly played by Deep Roy), they’re bizarre, but really fun.

Wedding Crashers is NOT my kind of movie. I’m more a Richard Curtis, Julia Roberts, Nora Ephron movies-type girl. The “Frat Pack” generally annoys me. If someone had told me that I would spend a full 2 hours laughing my ass off at this, I would never have believed it. From the opening mediation scene through the end credits, watching from the 3rd row vantage point in a 100% capacity theater, I had the best time.

C&TCF: #1 this weekend - $55,380,000
WC: #2 this weekend - $32,225,000

Magical or Fanatical?

2005-07-18T09:59:00.000-07:00

While lunching at Market City Cafe over the weekend (164 E Palm Ave Burbank, CA (818) 840-7036 - The $9 Antipasto bar is yummy.), our waiter greeted us, and then proceeded to ask if we had gotten The Book yet. Didn't know if he was coming at us from a religious angle or what, so I just looked at him quizzically. His excitement over finding his copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at Ralph's at midnight the evening before, and not having to wait in a 4 hour line spilled out, followed by the specials of the day.

A little odd, but he was the best waiter we've had there in awhile...

Help, I need a haircut.

2005-07-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

I don't want to pay a fortune, but Fantastic Sams is not what I'm looking for either. I work in Santa Monica and live in North Hollywood, so someplace close to either of those L.A. neighborhoods is preferred.

All suggestions are grately appreciated!

P.S. It would be a bonus if they did great eyebrow waxing at the same place, but beggars can't be choosers, right?

Welcome to Earth, here's how we do things...

2005-07-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

Why do I always seem to get behind the person who doesn’t understand that the concept of “fast food” depends on them having some idea what they want to eat before getting in the queue???

“I want it now!”

2005-07-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

Universal CityWalk is always busy. Now, it’s even busier during the summer when they run free entertainment mid-week, “Big Picture Tuesdays” and “Gotta Sing Thursdays”.

Last night, while waiting for dinner from Versailles at CityWalk, I joined in the public chorus for their “Gotta Sing” version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and had a blast!

Check out the schedule and try to make it down if you’re in the area. You’ve already missed The Goonies, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , but it’s not too late for The Princess Bride (Aug 9) or West Side Story (Aug 4)

Shout out to Phi Beta Sigma

2005-07-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Apparently the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity have their annual convention in Los Angeles this year. Conclave 2005 is from July 12-17th, and seems to be headquartered at the Sheraton Universal and Hilton Universal.

During the tenting of our condo building for dry wood ternites, roomie & I are headquartered there as well.

Per the Sigma’s website, tonight’s schedule includes:

• African American Male Image Awards Banquet 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Recipients this year are Mr. John Mack (President, Los Angeles Urban League), Mr. Montel Williams (Host of the Montel Williams Show) and Mr. Gene Hale (President & Founder of G&C Equipment Corp.)

• All Greek Step Show 10:00pm - 12:00Midnight

Have fun guys!

2 cute

2005-07-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

I’m probably a day late and a dollar short (as it were), but these “dolls” are so much fun to create!

RANDOM QUESTION #2

2005-07-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

OK, RANDOM QUESTION #1 did not get many responses, actually only one.
Thanks, Moose !
But I do not give up, so...

What's your favorite dessert?
As dessert is my favorite part of a meal, you may choose up to 3 if you can't decide.

Mine, you ask?
Rice Pudding, Cherry Pie (double crust, a la mode) and any of the non-specific gooey, chocolatey, ice-cream things they concoct at places like T.G.I. Friday's that make you feel like you need to wash your face and have names that involve passive violence "Triple Chocolate Explosion", "Mocha Thunder Mountain", "Volcano of Fudge", etc.

What I’m reading

2005-07-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

14 July 2005: Currently on a Brit Chick Lit Kick!

The Other Woman – Jane Green: Liked it, didn’t love it. I’ll let it age on the shelf for a couple of months and re-read. If I was a newlywed, or engaged, maybe it would be funnier (it's about mothers-in-law).
Bad Heir Day – Wendy Holden: Hysterically funny and/or sad depending on your station in life. Must read for anyone who has ever been an assistant and/or nanny to the rich and/or famous.
Fame Game – Claudia Pattison: My boss picked this up in London a few months ago and thinks I’ll like it. I need something to get into while banished from my space due to termite tenting… I’ll let you know.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks

I also have a subscription with Audible.com and download books, speeches, comedy etc. to listen on my iPod during my commute. Right now I’m enjoying Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

While you're at it, check out my complete 2005 Reading List.

Woo Hoo!

2005-07-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

100 people have visited my blog!

Time flies...

2005-07-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

It occured to me at about 10pm last night that I have been at my current job for 5 years. Still trying to figure out exactly how I feel about this. No one noticed until I said something, and then the comments were decidedly lackluster. Geez.

Pizza: Good vs. Evil

2005-07-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

Good #1: California Pizza Kitchen
Thai Chicken pizza without the scallions. I know, it’s California-style pizza and from a chain (gasp!) and therefore not “real”. Grow up. It was tasty, I had a time deadline, was able to eat it at my desk, and have 1/2 left over for dinner, late-night snack, etc.
Location: 210 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 90401
(between 2nd & 3rd streets, at the north end of the Third Street Promenade)
Phone: (310) 393-9335
Open: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10:00pm; Friday & Saturday 11:30am-11:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm-10:00pm

Good #2: Abbott’s Pizza Co. - I was able to introduce some of the new people at work to their “world famous” bagel crust a few weeks ago, they’ll be fans for life! They add seeds, cheese or garlic to the edge of the crust for free, which is different and nice, the salads are OK, and their canned & bottled sodas are always ice cold. I highly suggest the Cheese Bomb, the Greek, the Wild Mushroom, the one with a million different kinds of onions…
2 locations: 1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 (310) 396-7334 / 1811 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 314-2777 – closer to my office, so I eat there more often, but the quality is the same at both – WONDERFUL!

Evil #1: Pagliaccis (Coldwater Canyon branch in Studio City – that’s all the info I’ll give you, I do not want to encourage anyone to try them.) For reasons too annoying to get into here, I wasn’t at work yesterday and tried to get a medium cheese pizza delivered for lunch. I won’t bore you with the details, but the OWNER of the establishment is a rude man who has NO idea what customer service is. I have been to the restaurant in the past, and I truly like to support mom-and-pop “neighborhood” establishments, but I will never go back, nor will I recommend them to anyone.

Evil #2: Papa John’s – North Hollywood. Ordered a pizza a few weeks ago – it was good (as usual). On the box was a menu for Papa John’s, some coupons for future purchases with them, and a booklet of coupons for other neighborhood establishments – very nice. Called Saturday afternoon to order an early dinner and use one of the coupons. They wouldn’t honor it. The coupon that they had glued onto the box of a pizza they had delivered to me less than 2 weeks prior. When I asked Fernando if I could speak with the manager, he put me on hold and never came back. When we called back (gluttons for punishment, I guess) we were told that there was no Fernando working there, and there was no manager working that shift. We got subs from another restaurant and called it a day. We’ll probably order from them in the future, but Fernando and his co-workers should be fore-warned, I won’t give up so easily next time…

You can't please everyone...

2005-07-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Apparently I have a girl blog.
Here's a hint... I'm a girl.

I was actually berated by a "friend" because my brand new blog is "fluffy" and "without substance". Was I supposed to do a stat sheet for the 'Dancing With the Stars' post? Or is someone feeling threatened because a female he knows fancies a transvestite? No offence, but sometimes boys are just weird.

It's my blog, and I'll post what I want to.

John & Charlotte were robbed!

2005-07-07T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have a love/hate relationship with reality TV. Most of it is just annoying, mean-spirited and feels very un-real. I loved the first season of MTV’s “The Real World”, before everyone realized that being a “cast member” was a ticket to C-level stardom and it was crammed full of wannabe posers and freaks. Reality does not involve living rent-free and working a guaranteed cool job while sleeping your way through your 6 new strange roommates… at least it didn’t for me or anyone I know. Frankly, I'd rather watch The Truman Show.

However, a select few non-scripted shows are on my must see list. ABC’s Dancing With The Stars was NOT supposed to be as big a hit as it was, but it’s truly addictive!

I am aware that audience participation is the aspect of these shows that keeps us tuned into them, but the public’s love for Kelly & Alec wrecked the series for me. At the end of the day, the judges preferred John & Charlotte. Their cumulative judges score was 199 points to Kelly & Alec’s 179, and I think they should have won. I do agree that Kelly was the most improved in the series, but that wasn’t the basis of the show. John & Charlotte gave the best dancing performances filled with style, humor and grace.

I wonder if John O'Hurley was wearing the red Speedo under his pants for the final dance…

RANDOM QUESTION #1

2005-07-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

What’s your favorite Elton John song, and why?

This is what happens when I can’t sleep, sorry.
Mine’s Levon, no idea why.