Daytime Emmys

I am a still a bit in recovery mode from Friday night, so please forgive me. After all, the Daytime Emmys was an all-day event. I ended up taking the entire day off on Friday and now am thankful for it. There is no way I would have pulled everything off and still made the Emmys in time. From the time I woke up (8:30 am) to the actual time of the ceremony, it was go, go, go. I had a hair appointment, errand running, make up appointment and had to be in Hollywood by 4.30. The make up took a bit longer and by the time I got on the 101 to Hollywood, I was already ten minutes late. To top it off, parking was full and and Hollywood and Highland was closed for the red carpet. It took 30 minutes alone to turn around the block to try my hand one more time at the parking under the theater. Finally, I pulled into the garage (that had been labeled "full", but changed last-minute) and I parked. I rushed to the theater doors and handed my ticket to the security. They saw how visibly shaken I was, afraid I was going to miss the entire event. I had to keep it together for my makeup job, alone. They ushered me in and I didn't feel so bad when I saw Finola Hughes in front of me. I even made a crack to her that if they don't let HER in, we would really be in trouble. Well, they did let her and I both in and we found our tables. Mine was actually closer to the stage than hers ;) 

Our table didn't produce any winners that night, but it did produce plenty of bottles of wine. The entire ceremony was fun and the cast of Days was in very good spirits, despite being shut-out for the night. After the show, dinner was served, but I was too busy hunting down the one woman I was dying to meet that night, Miss Susan Lucci. I succeeded and managed to even get a picture with the pint-sized diva. I realized most actresses oblige to take a picture with you if you use the words, "perfection" when describing them to their faces. 

The night ended with the after-party, more drinks, and dancing at the NBC party at Twist, above the theater. There was a fun turn-out and everybody was in high spirits. The party ended at around 3 am with a bunch of women and some very achy feet. The next morning, after some heavy napping, I drove down to Huntington Beach to visit a friend from Portland. It was the perfect escape to relax after the mayhem of Friday night. Those events are fun, but exhausting. Now, on to the perfect quiet Sunday, before the craziness of work hits on Monday. 

VIP

Last night, I was reminded on how sweet life is on the other side of the velvet rope. Days of our Lives actor, Darin Brooks hosted a VIP event at AREA, a very A-list club in West Hollywood. Darin was working with a sponsor to celebrate his Emmy-nomination for Best Younger Actor in a Daytime Series. When I pulled up to the club, there were already people in as little clothes as possible lining up outside the club, trying to get in. Meanwhile, I spotted the red carpet and was quickly ushered in by Darin's publicist. No lines, no cover, just an open door waiting for me, and about a dozen photographers taking pictures of anybody that appeared to be "somebody". Once inside, there was our table, a group of the young Hollywood up and up having a good time with bottles of Grey Goose at the table. I mingled a bit, danced a bit, and mingled some more. A few of the actors present happen to be guys I would be sitting with at next week's Daytime Emmys. It was a fun way to break the ice and get your name out there.

But, by the time I got home, I quickly realized why I am not a "club kid". From the very beginning, trying on a dozen outfits that just didn't look "right, wrestling to try new things with my hair, to actually taking the drive over the canyon to sit in heavy pimp-mobile traffic on La Cienega, to paying $20 to park my car, to getting into the club, the overpriced drinks and super loud music and cheesy come-ons by guys in cheesy open collar shirts and jackets, it was a bit too much sensory overload. I went because I was on a list and didn't have to face the humiliation of being just another girl trying to get into a club. I did have fun, but it's definitely a once every two month kind of thing. If that. 

It was very nice to be treated like VIP on a Friday night, but if I am ever really on that VIP list on a regular basis, I wonder how many times I have to oblige my VIP duties and show-up. Can't a VIP just sit at home and enjoy a DVD of "Out of Africa" with a little ice cream. Because, quite frankly, that was my other alternate plan if this party was a bust. 

Oh yeah, a good thing to remember... just because you pay $20 bucks for valet at the club, there is a big sign that reminds you that still doesn't mean you are getting in. You have to love Hollywood!

All Good Things...

I was saddened by the news that my choice for Democratic Presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, was forced out of the race. I have always admired Hillary for her smarts and her ambition and her willingness to put herself in the line of media fire and not back away. She was the first First Lady of my generation to have a brain and an opinion and that is something to be admired. 

I was hoping to witness history and to watch a woman take over role as President of the United States, God knows we have been watching man after man make poor decisions in the name of our country, it was about time to see what a woman could do, in my opinion, she couldn't do much worst. At the same time, I look towards the future and I remain positive. The idea of a woman even getting this far in the race says something. The fact that Hillary only lost by a handful of delegates says something. It says that this country is ready for a change. 

I am not a conspiracy theorist, but do take notice that the media had an obvious "darling" in this race. Unfortunately, Hillary was painted as a desperate female who didn't know when to let go. One of Obama's aide's went so far to compare Hillary to the doomed Alex Forrester in "Fatal Attraction". If that's not sexism, I don't know what is. There are times when, as a woman, I think we have come so far and when I read comments like that, I realize we still have even more of a ways to go. 

I still cling to hope that there will be an Obama/Clinton ticket and there can be a bridge drawn between both candidates. If not, I am getting my stickers ready for Chelsea Clinton 2028!

I Survived

I am writing you from the comfort of my lovely couch with my feet propped up on my table. I woke up today at 3.15 to get ready for my 22-mile walk. We hit the road, literally, at 5. The first few miles consisted of hills that I did not remember before. Needless to say, it is a good thing that I didn't remember them, because I might have backed out of the walk. I managed to complete all 22 miles, despite the heat and blisters. We had a great group of friends at our finish line ready to greet us with yummy food and beers. I would have thought beer after a long walk like that would have been the last thing I wanted, but I was wrong. It was delicious! Now, I am keeping my fingers crossed that my feet can carry me throughout the day tomorrow, where I have to be back at the beach covering a Days of our Lives photo shoot with the sizzling hot stars. Poor me, having to watch half naked hunks parade around the beach while they get their photos taken. Please, take a moment tomorrow to feel sorry for me ;) 

22 Miles!?

This Sunday, I have agreed to participate in a 22-mile walk from Zuma Beach to the Santa Monica Pier. Why? I have no clue. The group of guys that I surf with have started this tradition years ago and last year I joined them. It was shortly after I ran the LA Marathon, so the idea of 22 miles seemed relatively easy. It wasn't, but I survived it. This year, there was no marathon I ran. Instead, my weekends consisted of surfing and a few beach walks/jogs every now and then when the waves weren't there. Needless to say, I am completely nervous about the walk this year. Not only is it it this Sunday and I already need new shoes, but it starts at 4:30am!!! It's going to be tough. I'll let everybody know on Sunday night if I survive. Wish me luck. 

Free time

One thing that I can say I have done well out here with is finding activities to get involved with during my free time. Working in this business, I surround myself with people who give their entire lives to their jobs. Seven days a week, 12 hours a day. I think that would be absolute misery. Those people may make more money than I do, but are they really happy with their lives? 

I could never imagine devoting so much time to just one thing. Life it too short for that kind of mentality. Since moving to LA, I have managed to train for a marathon, run a marathon, learn to surf, play challenging games of tennis, hike, and practice Pilates all with the use of my free time away from work. And that is just a few of the activities that I enjoy doing. Now, I can't imagine those activities not in my life. Except for maybe the training for a marathon, that might have been a one time thing ;) But, who knows what the future can hold. But, point of the matter is, life is too short to not be doing fun things on the side. Work is not everything and every once in a while, it's a good idea to remind yourself that. Speaking of free time, these are just a couple of pics of me enjoying mine a few weekends ago in Malibu.

Sore Loser

I know we are taught at a young age that winning isn't everything. But, we all know that, in some small way, that is a lie. I mean, winning can be everything. Look at our nation's democracy. If a candidate doesn't win an election, they don't get to be President. Period. Then decisions are made by the winner and the loser doesn't get a say in them, at all. Professional winning sports teams get trophies and the right to claim victory and parades to come home to. The losing teams don't. Obviously, winning can mean something. But, not in this case...

I played a good game of doubles tennis at the Malibu Racquet Club on Sunday morning and I found my competitive edge coming out a little too much. It's tougher when playing doubles, because when you screw up, you screw up for two people and vice-versa. The game was getting heated and my tennis partner and I were missing shots and losing our focus. I felt bad because the disappointment I had with my own playing was rubbing off on my teammate. She was getting nervous and her game began to lack, as well. At the end of our losing match, I felt defeated and exhausted. But, it was also a great opportunity for me to look at myself and my behavior when playing. Sure, it's great to have a competitive side, but in these kinds of cases, it's best to remember that, yes it's true, winning isn't everything. Unless, of course there's money on the game you are playing ;)