Synecdoche, New York
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: movies
First, let me say I love Charlie Kaufman. His films always make me think, "Adaptation," "Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind," "Being John Malkovitch," even "Punch Drunk Love" (which was hard to watch, but all tied up in the end and made me look back and like what I saw).

"Synecdoche, New York" is an affecting beautiful film IMO. If one only sits there and lets it wash over them, they could pick something up. Is it dense? Yes. Has it more layers than an onion? Yes. Why not? When I walked out of the film I thought to myself "shouldn't I be depressed?" I wasn't, instead I felt comprehended. And when Mr. Kaufman tackles love in any of his films, he is completely on target. Ah, Hazel and Caden... We are all connected. We are all alike in basic terms. Thank you Charlie Kaufman!

PS: I am also SO thrilled that I made it into this film however fleeting! It was an honor to be directed by him no matter how minutely, and to be one of those who peopled this film!

puney sound of tropic thunder
Mood:  incredulous
Topic: movies

Is EVERYONE on drugs?  I just saw Tropic Thunder.  There were some funny moments.  Robert Downey Jr. was inspired.  Otherwise it's a big disappointment.  The comedy/parody falls out in the middle and is really never recovered.  And what's this crap about Tom Cruise's career-changing performance.  First of all, people are saying he's unrecognizable.  Huh?  He looks just like Tom Cruise with a bald wig, bigger nose, and those stupid fake hands/arms.  He sounds like Tome Cruise.  It's embarrassing if you ask me.  It's like he wanted permission to be foul so he did this movie.  And I wonder, does he know some of his lines are really comments on himself?  Somehow I don't think so.  He is so egocentric. I was truly disgusted every time he was on the screen it didn't enhanse the film at all.  Oh, and he wasn't funny.  I dislike him even more than I did before I walked into this film.

My biggest criticism of the film is that it wasn't a big enough parady of the movie business.  One could do SO much.  Look, I don't think Stiller is funny AT ALL, so perhaps I'm biased, but I found Downey Jr., Brandon T. Jackson and Jay Baruchel, very funny, even Jack Black, who is always WAY too over the top for me, and Matthew McConaughey, who can annoy me, I found funny.  Stiller always seems to be playing that retarded character (no offence to the disabled) in every film.  I'm over it.  Downey Jr. was the only reason I wanted to see the film and he didn't disappoint.  

Long Time No See...
Mood:  a-ok

So, the mini-break was fantastic.  I was able to visit places and eat at resturants that I haven't been to since I was about 10 years old.  I went to the art museum, which I liked so much better than here at the Met.  They have a fantastic collection.  Sat down and read in Rittenhouse Square, where we used to go to see the Easter flowers.  Found a magic garden of mosaics, had the most scrumptous meals and saw Eddie Izzard twice (I chose to see him there as opposed to Radio City here, because there were only lousy seats available in minute they went on sale and I got third row at two of the shows in Philly).

Went on a road-trip with two friends to see Pat Monahan at Virginia Beach.  It was so great to see him again and we had a great time. 

Pat and me in all my goofy glory.  I never post pictures of me w/him because I always look crazed.  I don't look so bad in this one.  The other one though....looks like I'm about to pull out an ax!  LOL!

Went to the Norfolk Zoo on that trip.  Some great animals there..

I've worked on a bunch more movies!  "Veronika Decides to Die," I'm one of the "core" mental patients, so I got to work on it for several days and last weekend shot a scene where the crazies go swimming, had a blast and got my first golden time on "The Perfect Age for Rock n' Roll" as part of a concert audience, was a nurse in "All Good Things," and yesterday was chosen to be the  Captain's  secretary  in the police drama "Brooklyn's Finest," so was in a scene that was just the Captain, Richard Gere and me!!.  He's gorgeous! And it was great to get to see him act in person.  It was an extrememly nice set as well.

I'm a bit worried about SAG striking.  Jobs are drying up a bit here.  There is one casting company, that seems determined never to cast me and unfortunately they have all the jobs at the moment.   I know I'm not the only one (hands down it is that company people are complaining about  on the set).  We are starting to come to the conclusion that they look at our ages when we call in (since they ask for part of our social before they tell us all the openings are full), and judge us from there.  If this is what they're doing, then they are judging me falsly, as I look 15 years younger than I am. I've worked for every other casting director in the city this spring and 9 times out of 10, I am pulled out of deep background and featured (I'm amazed at this, but it's true).  And I'm fairly new to the business, so the whole thing just puzzles and frustrates me.

Life is very good though and I'm happy.  "Get Smart" was a riot and happily a great adaptation of the show.  LOVED "Indiana Jones,"  didn't love or hate "Sex and the City" and WALL-E was life-changing, what a beautiful film!  Now I'm looking forward to seeing more movies this summer!

Only a little more than a week until I take my mini-break to Philly and have loads of laughs with my boyfriend ; )

Bloom, Owen and DeNiro
Mood:  lucky
Topic: Acting

Had a blessed week this week.  Three great jobs!  Another week in which I didn't have to temp!  It's only background, but in the last few months, to my delight, I have been picked to be featured.  You'll see me taking pictures at the Imagine mosaic in Strawberry Fields while Orlando Bloom talks on the phone in "New York I Love You;" walking down a jet-way with a friend on our way to Bermuda a bit behind Clive Owen in "Duplicity;" and looking out the window in the seat in front of Robert DeNiro, as he has a conversation with his seat buddy in "Everybody's Fine."  I am so grateful right now and thankful to the Universe for all this abundance.  Had an audition for an online fake news network today, that I felt great about.  Not even an onset on nerves.  Knew what I wanted to do and for the most part felt like I achieved it.

More plugging away for me and finding opportunities!!!

As I always say....can't wait to learn what comes next!!!

My momma and my birthday!
Mood:  lyrical

My mother couldn't let my birthday go by without saying hello.  On the 3rd my friend Jean gave me a give and said "This is from me, but it's not from me."  and I opened a little box that held a miniture music box that played "Over the Rainbow." 

Tonight, David and I had dinner before seeing Leatherheads (delightful by the way).  He handed me a bag that held two gifts.  One was in a paper bag in a small gift bag.  As I pulled it out, "I thought, no it couldn't be." and David told me he got it at the Lisbon Art Museum.  I opened the bag and there it was, an identical music box that played "Over the Rainbow."  

Both friends felt my mother had placed the music boxes in front of them.  And I was tickeled that she had found an unsual way, once again, to wish me a happy birthday.

I only hope more and more people who have lost loved ones, open themselves to the unique joy of  messages from the other side.

Plunging Back Into the Unknown

Filmming of our section of "The Taking of Pelham" ended last week plunging me back into the unknown this week.  It was a fantastic experience and I met some really wonderful people.  I did a big postcard mailing and sent my thank you's, submitted myself to a gazillion listings, to no avail.  Hopefully, something will come up.  It's just disheartening sometimes, I submitted myself for 7 things filming on Monday.  NOTHING!  I guess it's time to call the temp agency and tell them I'm back on the radar until the next gig.

Here's a pic or two of the Pelham gang:

My birthday present to myself was the Lifehouse concert at Roseland on the 2nd.  Really like this band.  The place was packed so we decided to sit on the benches on the side.  The idea of being crunched with a bunch of squeeling and drunk fans did not appeal.  I'll only do that for one band, Train.  However, I love Lifehouse's music and Jason Wade's voice is fantastic!

Matt Nathanson and Honey Honey opened for them.  We couldn't really hear Honey Honey and though I liked Matt's first album, I really haven't listened to his other stuff, so nothing was familiar.

At pic of Honey Honey and then one of Matt follows:

Had a lovely birthday dinner with my friend Jean, whose birthday is today.  Went to see Nim's Island just to look at yummy Gerard Butler, a kid's movie that almost has the charm of a Disney adventure movie, but not quite.  And thus ends my birthday week.

Happy Ireland Day!
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Making Movies

Week three on The Taking of Pelham begins tomorrow.  It's been really cool to work this long on a film.  Meeting a lot of interesting people and having fun, though my feet are killing me!  I picked the WRONG shoes to wear! LOL!

I've done nothing else in the last two weeks, as we're working 10-12 hours a day.  Weekends are spent sleeping! 

Meanwhile, saw Eddie Izzard's last try-out show.  He starts his national tour, Stripped,  in April.  He plays Radio City Music Hall in June, which I will avoid, as it looks like 1 minute after the fan club presale tickets went on sale only the nose bleed seats were left.  I'll be taking a mini holiday to Philly in May, much better seats.  His last show was funny as usual, but I do wish he would do something different for his encore.   The bit in French and  Deathstar Canteen were much more inspired encores for his other shows.  A pic or two from the last show:

 

Oh that Eddie, He Does Make Me Smile
Mood:  bright

Tomorrow I begin working on the film "The Taking of Pelham 123!"   Did my homework.  Watched "Dejavu," which I liked very very much (time twisting/travelling is a favorite of mine) and "American Gangster," which was also very good. l Now I feel I'm ready for work! 

I came down with the flu AGAIN, right before getting on the plane to Disney World and I was sick as a dog when I got back.  My poor friend, who met me at Disney caught the flu from me.  We were quite a pair.  But I enjoyed myself this time and would like to go back again, when I'm well and have more time to spend there. 

                          The beautiful Magic Kingdom fireworks

                The last remnant of my beloved Epcot ride Horizons

Had to miss two Eddie shows that I had tickets for because of the flu.  Hate so much that I had to miss those shows but so happy I decided to get tickets to two more shows when I learned he had extended until March 8.  The show on the 28th was brilliant as usual.  He makes me smile so much that it carries into my life for weeks and weeks afterward. 

Something I've Pondered

Have you ever looked into someone's eyes, could be a stranger and seen yourself?  Felt you were seeing a part of yourself in their jestures or in the way they talk.  There was someone who always reminded me of my mother in the same way.  As if they were part of the same essence.  Their souls came from the same place.  Weird I know, but I've been experiencing it again this week. 

On another note Eddie is GORGEOUS!!  And funny and dear. I adore him!

 

Went to my exorbitantly expensive Matchbox 20 concert.  Not sure it was worth the package deal, but it was a great show.  Alanis Morissette opening made it even better!

Alanis Morissette

Rob Thomas and Brian Yale

Paul Doucette and Kyle Cook