A Fork Stuck in the Road

I celebrated my two year anniversary at my job last week and it was kind of bittersweet. I was reflective of all the things I had accomplished since arriving, the awards, the famous people, the friendships, the travel and so on. But, when is it time to call it an end to a run and continue a journey somewhere else. I know my place of work is not going to be with me forever. I know that I have other goals I would like to accomplish and other things I would like to try. But, I guess what I really want to know is when do I end the run I have been so accustomed to for the last two years. I look at hit TV shows and wonder when the producers or actors decide that it's time to create a finale. When does that fire in the belly decide it's time to be put out? So, I guess that is where I am at. A fork stuck in the road. I am at a town with amazing possibilities and opportunities. I guess all I can really do is nurse that fire and I will know when it's time to spring from those work doors and on to something new. Until then, I guess I can enjoy a few more of the work perks that come my way. 

Aches and Pains

How do I know it's time for me start hitting the gym, again? When I decide to go surfing and a 60-year-old man is less winded than I am when paddling out past the waves. Or...when I decide to go for a five mile steep hike with three other women and I am in last place. I survived, but I HATE being in last place. So, I am back on my health kick. I am given one body and I haven't treated it the best these last few month. Less gym time, my parties, more junk food. It's time to get back in shape. I am only 10-15 pounds away from my goal weight, the closest I have ever been and for some reason, I always feel ready to sabotage myself around this time. I need to turn that attitude around. Maybe it's covering The Biggest Loser that is making me feel this way, or the fact that the finale is around the corner and I'll be facing the trainers and I want to impress them, or the fact I have friends visiting next month, or the fact I have a Vegas reunion with friends I hadn't seen in years coming up, or the fact I am in a wedding in Boulder, but, whatever it is, I feel ready to achieve my goal and to keep it!

My next assigned show is Nashville Star, I wonder if I will begin to feel the urge to take up country singing? Hmmm. 

Oscar Weekend

How do you know it's Oscar weekend in Los Angeles? It takes forever to find detours in Hollywood. That's right. I literally have to maneuver my own driving schedule around because Sunset is shut down. It's a strange feeling to be in the actual city of the Oscars. I think this every year. 

Sometimes I feel like I am not living up to my full potential of the Hollywood life. But, what is the full potential? Coke-fueled parties every weekend? Hooking up with a new up and coming actor every weekend? Partying until 6am and waking up at 4 the next day? Because you live in Hollywood, does that mean you have to go out in a blaze of glory? I often find myself asking these questions on days where I really did nothing the night before. Well, tonight, I am going to a party at the whiskey bar, 7 Grand, downtown. Don't think I'll get too crazy, but I can leave it up to anybody's imagination on the amount of fun I'll be having. If I end up on a E! Hollywood True Story, I guess then and only then will I know the true amount of potential I had to party it up in Hollywood. Oh well. 

President's Day

No work on Monday is always a good thing. Feeling tired and restless and in need for more sleep on Tuesday is never a good thing. I had a whirlwind weekend with a friend in town which included sushi at Katsuya in Brentwood, a stay at the Downtown Standard, drinks on their rooftop bar, dinner at Dolce in West Hollywood, and another day touring Alivera Street in downtown Los Angeles in search of delicious traditional Mexican food. I always have the most fun when people visit me. It gives me the excuse of checking out LA's hot spots and considering that I might be doing my friends the favor, instead of myself. I ended my weekend, alone and catching up on my Brothers and Sisters online. That's right, started my weekend with Eva Longoria holding a door open for me and calling me "hun" at Katsuya and ended it with watching TV online and learning that I can chat on Instant Messenger using my voice. (I owe a thank you to my friend, Chris, for calling me on IM and forcing me to discover the fun little addition to my computer) Now, if I can get a little sleep so I can get this thing called Tuesday out of the way!

Valentines Day

Nothing really new to report when it comes to Valentines Day. No surprise gifts, chocolates or flowers. Which, I didn't expect, but still...
Maybe I have been watching too many romantic movies and come to expect a 'secret admirer' to reveal himself on this day. This would explain why all of a sudden I have gone from romantic comedies on my Netflix to tearjerker dramas. Might I recommend The Queen and Oridnary People as must-sees.
So, to all of those who are lucky enough to have found a love to share this day with , Happy Valentines Day and to all of those who have love is coming from a flat cardboard box or wine bottle, might I wish them an even Happier Valentines Day.

Improv Madness

Monday night proved that I could really hob nob with the rest of them. I attended the Hollywood Improv Olympics that featured Oscar Nunez, Angela Kinsey, Ed Helms, and Kate Flannery from The Office and Mo Rollins from MadTV and was emceed by Kate Walsh from Private Practice. Before the show started, I kicked it with fellow early bird, Oscar at the bar. We had a beer and chatted a bit until the show was ready for him to prepare. They entire two-hour show was hilarious. Kate Walsh was surprisingly funny on stage and the actors all seemed to mesh well as performers. After the show, I had a few more words with the crew from The Office, then headed to valet. While waiting for my car alone on a sidewalk, Kate Walsh and her brother stood next to me to pick up their cars. They lit up their cigarettes and we actually had cool conversation that included the words, "you're funny" from Kate Walsh to yours truly. It was a a very cool moment. Will she remember me? No. Did I even remember what I said that was so funny? No. But, at least I can say I rubbed elbows with a star in Hollywood and held my own. Right?

Asking a Hunk

Ok, so somedays I love my job and somedays I hate my job. Most of the time I consider myself lucky to just be working in an industry that I love (when there isn't a strike) and an industry that remains highly competitive. Friday was a day where I was grateful for my job. I created a feature called Ask the Hunk for Daytime on the website. Basically, I choose a "hunk" from the soap opera I work with and interview him using questions fans have submitted. 

I started shooting this feature in November. My first hunk started right off the bat as a crush. To this day, I don't know if he was being charming or being serious when he gave me his number and suggested we get together. I still have the number and the curiosity in my pocket. Maybe I'll get the courage to lock down a date with him in the near future. 

Last Friday, I got to interview a completely different hunk. A very sweet guy who happens to be a veteran on the show. A veteran who is also hunky and only in his mid-30's. He was fun and very charming, but also had player written all over him. He knew how to work the camera and when a group of female fans showed up to watch our interview, he totally played it up. It was amusing to watch. So, spending half my day with a Daytime hunk was a fun day. I have another hunk who is actually even more charming and a lot younger to interview next Friday. Don't envy me, just remind me of these days whenever you see me around complaining about this industry and this job ;)