Pure, Unadulterated Joy

Travis was rocking the Ford tonight!

Just got home from the Travis concert at the Henry Ford theatre in Hollywood, CA and still on a high. WHAT A GREAT CONCERT! Those guys are so talented and humble they absolutely amaze me. I had no idea how huge they were, but tonight just proves that they are set to explode in the states!

In all my years of attending concerts in LA I've NEVER, NEVER, NEVER seen such an enthusiastic, over the top crazy for the band crowd. What was so crazy is that this was presented by KCRW! You'd never in a million years expect this type of reaction from people who listen to KCRW, but I guess this was Travis' first LA concert in a while.

After every single song it was like a standing ovation thunderous applause. It was that crazy! I'm serious! Now you have to understand, before being cast in their "Closer" music video I didn't really know who they were. So I had no idea of the range of style, musicianship, showmanship, shipship these guys had.

Just to give you an idea, for the ovation, Fran, the lead singer comes out and asks us all if we're willing to try something. He asked if we'd be quiet and instantly you could have heard a pin drop. Then, with just his guitar, no mike, no band, he sings the most beautiful acoustic song Flowers in the Window.

At the end of that song, the rest of the band comes back on stage and they perform the one I actually know, Why Does It Always Rain on Me? I think I was the only one in the crowd who hadn't heard most of their music because every time I looked around everyone was singing right along!

Fran had everyone bounce up and down for one of the finale songs and I taped it. I have to learn how to download video and pix from my camera, but I will upload it on myspace ok? In fact, all of a sudden I'm dead tired (awakened at 6am by some idiot slamming the gate below my window) so let me write this tomorrow when I'm fresher - that way it will be more interesting - I promise. Plus, maybe I'll get all the pix and video uploaded!

In the meantime, check out their latest music at amazon.com. Peace out.:)

Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse Presents stars Actor Domiziano Arcangeli midnight May 19

Los Angeles, CA - Actor, Domiziano Arcangeli (Do-meet-zee-ahno Ark-an-jelly) stars in the cult horror film, WEREWOLF IN A WOMEN'S PRISON, directed by Jeff Leroy. 

The film will screen in Quentin  Tarantino's "Grindhouse Presents" at the NEW BEVERLY CINEMA on Saturday, May 19^th at 12 midnight. The New Beverly Cinema is located at 7165 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 938-4038 Admission: $6.00.

Arcangeli has appeared in more than thirty-seven films, eight television series and numerous theatre productions, nationally and internationally. This past summer he starred in the international psychological thriller film, THE SEER. Arcangeli plays a man brain-washed by an occult sect since childhood who is the police's only link to the murders and kidnappings made on behalf of the Seer.  THE SEER, released in Europe by Medusa Distribution, is just one of the eight productions Arcangeli was part of in 2006.

In 2007, Domiziano launched his own Web site, www.domizianoarcangeli.com, detailing all his current film credits, a full bio, headshots, demo reel, and additional publicity pictures and links for his fans. His professional credits can be seen on IMDB.

Have you ever read Proverbs 31:10-31 before?

My friend invited me to join her at a Bible Study on Proverbs 31 and although I went, my back was too painful sitting in the chairs so I'm home now. However, it was very interesting to break this passage down and really think about the qualities I want to have in my life. I've been convicted lately of how I communicate to men I care about.

I don't know if that's where this deep sense of sadness is coming from, but it's still here even today. I am fine and then all of a sudden it's like a knife is in my heart and I'm deeply, deeply sad over what? I still don't know. It's like my heart is breaking over something and I don't know what or who yet.

I am moving forward with getting my business stuff in order though. I also had the brain scan which was similar to an MRI, but not as scary. The whole time I was on the table listening to the machine whirl above my head I couldn't stop thinking that I was in an episode of Grey's Anatomy and any minute George was going to call dibs on my brain. I know, I'm crazy. But it's what helps me through the day.

Otherwise, just pushing forward. Domi just found out a film he was in was accepted to the Cannes Film Festival which is pretty exciting. I'm going to do some publicity around that now. There's a lot of fun events to attend this week too. Hitting a photo exhibit tomorrow night. Will share on that after it happens. Should be fun.

So that's all for now. Read on if you're curious about the Christian ideal of a perfect wife. Pretty high standard, eh?

Proverbs 31:10-31:

    ¹⁰  A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.

    ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value.

    ¹² She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life.

    ¹³ She selects wool and flax
       and works with eager hands.

    ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
       bringing her food from afar.

    ¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
       she provides food for her family
       and portions for her servant girls.

    ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
       out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

    ¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.

    ¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
       and her lamp does not go out at night.

    ¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
       and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

    ²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
       and extends her hands to the needy.

    ²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
       for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

    ²² She makes coverings for her bed;
       she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

    ²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
       where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

    ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
       and supplies the merchants with sashes.

    ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
       she can laugh at the days to come.

    ²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
       and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

    ²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
       and does not eat the bread of idleness.

    ²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
       her husband also, and he praises her:

    ²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
       but you surpass them all."

    ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

    ³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

whoops! Thank you too.

I'm probably one of the few people in the industry who misspelled Marc Cherry's first name and it's only because I normally don't write about heads of shows, nor care. However, he was such a personable, nice man I dedided to write about him. Hopefully he realizes I was tired when I wrote it.:)

My bad for being lazy and not double-checking his name. Now I have that embarrassment to follow me around when people Google him. At least you know I'm human, right? ha!

Have a good one. I am determined to myself despite the brain scan today. Thanks to those who have been referring people to me for possible publicity. Always enjoy giving advice to help people's careers. If money is an issue, but you want some advice, call me for a 3 hour consultation - only $500 so act now! Just kidding about the hard sales pitch, but I do do consultations like that.

Good luck to you Pro-Athlete Greg James with your book. Love to help you get it out there. Check out his site here and send him good wishes as he hits BEA.

Happy Birthday Furonda. I would love to work with you when you have the money and more time to plan because I think it would be a lot of fun and you would get a lot of attention.  Oh, to be that young again.

I think that's all. Got some great notes back on my new website copy and need to get that finalized. Meeting with my web guy again tomorrow. Finally got my server transfered! It took forever because Go Daddy is such a big pain in the butt to deal with. At least it's done now and I can move forward quickly and easily.

Going to enter my new 5 min. promo doc on my open adoption experience to a contest and use it for BEA myself. We'll see. I think it's a story that needs to be told because not enough people understand why I chose adoption, or even how to do it. It was one of the most heart wrenching decisions I've ever made, but I think it was the right decision for me at the time I made it.

You'll have to read my book to hear all about it. Right now, I've gotta run (now that my back has been adjusted and I can move easier...)

That's all for now!

I'm in love with Ari & other thoughts

I love Entourage's Ari because no matter how badly he wants something he still has integrity and is willing to be the man and protect what matters most to him (at least he did that in tonight's episode for little 'ole American Chinese Lloyd.)

Speaking of Lloyd's, my old SPI friend Lloyd found me on Yahoo personals and sent me a hello. He's the one who came up with the name of my old film festival since we worked at Sony together. I haven't officially joined yahoo personals yet so can't respond. If you're reading this Lloyd - thanks for tracking me down! Nice to see you and hope to hear from you soon!

I have some really good guy buds in my life (and one that is pissing me off right now because he won't do what he said he would, but we won't go there - at least not tonight. Let's dwell on the good ones and I'm starting to realize I have quite a few good ones. Thanks David!)

I was pleasantly surprised to hear another guy bud tell me he loved me tonight (in a brotherly kind of way) and not to let the docs cut open my head. I really don't think my brain scan will lead to that, but it was just so nice to know that someone cares about me. Thanks Chris. That was very thoughtful and loving of you to say.

I have had a very mixed emotion day. Started out fine, despite a small headache. Then dashed off (late again - oy!) to church to catch the sermon which ironically enough was on death today. Genesis 5 (the lineage of Noah I believe. I was really hurting then so opted to cut out during the scripture reading to pop a painkiller - look it up on Bible.com if you're curious.)

Anyway, the main point that Pastor John was trying to make is that eventually we're all going to die. It's how we live our lives until then that matter and that having God in our lives helps (I'm horribly paraphrasing, but forgive me, it's been a long day.) What was comforting to me was the reading of Matt. 5:4 - Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Today was Perry, my friend Alexandra's best friend's memorial, held at the Renaissance Faire. That's where she met him and where he spent many, many years helping put it on and having fun with all the people there -- it was a natural choice.

I'd never been, but like to support friends and chose to go even though it meant going alone since my friend who had said she'd go had to work after all. Irwindale is actually only an hour away and it's very pretty out there.

I had no idea what to expect because I always thought it was just a bunch of people who loved medieval times dressing up and getting drunk together. I didn't realize that regular people would attend this like an event. I liken it to the civil war re-enactments in the South - we're on the west coast so this is our version of an adult fantasy land. Wouldn't you agree?

When I got there I received a call from my friend John F. who is producing the Los Feliz Street Fair and when he heard I was there he decided to join me since he thought there might be vendors there who would be interested in his fair and it sounded like a fun way to spend a Sunday. Run on sentence - shoot me now!

I told him it was a memorial for Perry too, but assured him he wouldn't have to attend since he didn't know anyone, but it was good for him to meet Alexandra since she might have some tech pr work for him. That's his specialty - check out his site on my PR Friends link.

We have collaborated on many, many projects over the years and he's very tech savvy too. We always talk shop about stuff and I'm glad he's my friend. We worked on the Tsunami charity benefit in Beverly Hills as our last big project together.

Back to the fair. I've never, ever, ever, ever seen so much boobage in my life! If you're a boob man, you'd be in 7th heaven. It really made me realize that I will never, ever, ever showcase my breasts like that ever and it made me feel good to realize that once and for all. Sorry to those who wished otherwise, but I'm just not that kind of girl. At least in public. (That was the 2 cosmos speaking the other night. :)

One lady was kind of gross about it because it seemed like her boobs were going to fall out they were so huge and falling out of her top, but she assured me that her double I's (yes, that's E, F, G, H, IIIIII!) were still so large, that only a portion were showing and the corset was actually helping her keep her balance. OY VEY! I had to laugh when she told me that with one of the guys sitting near me. He couldn't get over it either.

Needless to say, I called one of my friend's and told him he had to come down there because this event was so him. It's so not me, but it's so him. I am leading this young man down the path of sin and degradation - forgive me God. :)

Okay, enough of the boobage. Everyone was dressed in costume - some even came as pirates, ninja people, cave people, and one was channeling Madonna with big silver cones with nipples - I'm sorry, I regress, but give me a break you might have been a little shocked too if you'd been there. But then again, maybe not. I don't know you!:)

What I found most interesting is that you dress in costume according to being peasants, middle class and upper class. People actually chose peasant costumes - what does that say about their self esteem? Just had to ask - I mean really. If you're given the option of choosing where you're born, wouldn't you choose to be well-off? I would. There were all kinds of people there - old, young, black, white, hispanic, you name it... Very eclectic which surprised me also. Cool don't you think?

Anyway, it was a huge fairground with lots and lots of interesting booths with jewelry, costumes, food (entire turkey legs were quite the hit as were chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick), fun stages - my favorite was the Bold and Stupid men stage.

As I watched, a bunch of men were told what to do by two men dressed in full costume in order to win the hand of a fair maiden in the audience. Stand up straight, stick out your chest, raise your arms to show off your muscles, swagger, bow and then raise up your "sword" with a flare. To see normal dressed men being told what to do and actually doing it by two very bawdy leaders dressed in hose and funny diaper like pants was quite funny.

It was a very entertaining day. We watched a jousting match between England, France, Italy and another country I couldn't hear. The four men were on horseback and did tricks before the "Queen." She is an actress and has played this role for 10 years. That's the thing about this event. For some people, it's a way of life and like a family. Quite interesting.

As we walked to the jousting arena, Alexandra sprinkled Perry's ashes along the way. Don't tell, but he's now strewn all across the fairgrounds. He would have wanted it that way. We all met at 5pm for the memorial service which Alexandra lead. She's doing very well and only breaks down occasionally now. Thanks for praying if you did. This was a big day for her filled with lots of memories.

I don't know why, since I'd only met Perry two times very briefly, but I was crying for him by the end of her speech. It wasn't even a sad speech, but just to know he was gone and how much he meant to so many was very sad to me.

This has been my first funeral since my grandparents died back in high school. Others got up to speak and they were crying too, even men, which only made me cry more. I always cry when other people cry because I empathize so much.

John F. was still out enjoying the fair and when he called me to connect I told him I couldn't stay any longer because I was so sad and was going to head home now that the memorial was over.  I haven't cried in a long time and I think I was grieving a lot of things at once. I don't know what or why, but I've been sad most of the weekend. It was a very sad evening.

I hit one of my 12-step meetings just to allow myself to feel these feelings with other people around. What was so ironic was that one of my friends shared the book he was reading for his psychology class and it was on living and dying. Today has just been a day of death. I couldn't escape it.

However, watching Entourage was an escape. I really needed it too! That's why I say I love Ari. Despite everything this character is and does, there's just a goodness that supersedes his seaminess that I just love. It makes me think that all the people in Hollywood that I know who are nasty and whatever (not that many, but they're out there), really do have a side to them that is lovable and good. I may not be the one to see it, but someone does.

It also helped when the guys left for Cabo because I've been feeling the need to escape there every single day lately. I just need a mental and physical break!

Anyway, today was an interesting day in more ways than one. I'm just glad it's almost over.

Sleep well everyone. May your dreams be filled with love and good thoughts. May your death not come for a long time. I've had enough for awhile. Enough....

P.S. A fun little aside from The Tripper film

Check out wireimage for pix from the event. Jennifer Aniston was there because Courtney was there to support her husband David. Very cool. It was dark when I returned so didn't see anyone, but cool to know I was right about the crowd even when I didn't know who was there!

Sometimes you can just feel the vibe in a room and know it's special. That event had that vibe. Okay. Enough name dropping. But you know me. Just had to!

(For those of you unfamiliar with wireimage, it's a great place to get a sneak peek at all the pix from all the events going on in Hollywood - even those you might not read about in the gossip mags. It's where magazines, celebrities, and others go to buy pictures to include in their publications, their publicity, or whatever. If you're looking for the event I'm talking about, go to The Tripper Movie Premiere.)

Okay, that's really all. Just remembered that and wanted to share. Big shout out to Baker, Winokur, Ryder for pulling off a fantastic event. That's a great PR firm and one I highly admire. They do things right. You can tell them I said so. They're an A-level PR firm because they handle things with class all the way around. No indie stuff for them!:)

Dare to be happy!

Well, that was fun. Not what we expected in the least because when we saw the word vintage, fashion mavens that we are, we thought it meant vintage clothing! Man were we off! It's a new 45 unit condo project by C & S Development in the heart of Toluca Lake "with the only rooftop pool & lounge in the area." Reasonably priced for ONLY $599,000 to 1.2 million. Floor plans range from 1,475 sq ft to 2100 sq. ft.

Okay, enough of the commercial, but I felt like I had to say a little something because they plied us with free drinks and shrimp appetizers. Plus, we each received a very nice goody bag filled with a lovely white lounge towel with the Vintage logo (which I shall use at my new pool if it ever warms up!), a white baseball cap also with the logo, 944 Magazine (of course!), and some other gifty things.

We didn't stay long because it wasn't really our crowd - saw a lot of "those" guys again and knew it was totally not our scene. Plus, when you see lots of boobage that's another indication of the class or lack of at an event.

However, I love the Hotel Angeleno so visiting it again was fun. We held our final Goal Gals meeting at the bar upstairs when it first opened. (I had a gift certificate from the PR friend who publicizes the place, so why not? I'm so damn thrifty you'd think I was Scottish, but I'm not. Irish, hence the temper flare-ups. I'M WORKING ON IT! I really, really am. I don't think it's as bad as it used to be and my friends agree.)

On the way out, bumped into my new friend from LA Fashion Week, Judi Jordan, Editor of the new mag Real Talk LA. She's slammed working 12 hour days, but we're going to connect in a few weeks because she wants me to write for them. Isn't that way cool? I LOVE IT! I'm manifesting my new writing career as we speak.

There was someone I just heard speak, or someone I just read, who said to look back at your childhood to see what direction your life should take now. I've always, always written down stories about my life. Ever since I was very young. So, it feels real good to be blogging now. I'm just thrilled that any of you stop by to read me. Thank you. I'm honored and deeply humbled. It makes me want to be a better person. Is that schmaltzy or what? I can't help it though, it's the truth.

Ok, enough on that. Getting back to the boobage concept, one of these days I'm going to throw my 38 double D's out to the crowd just for the fun of it and see what kind of guys my boobs can attract for me. JUST KIDDING. I'm a good Christian girl now. I'm trying so hard to stay good. Almost had a slip-up last night, but fortunately, he had company. Lied about it because he didn't realize I'd know, but hey, no biggie.

We're really just friends and he can sleep with whoever the bleep he wants to. It did make me a little sad though to see he'd moved on so quickly. But, he's not interested in marriage, isn't a Christian, and I'm on a mission from God to settle for nothing but His will for my life. I sure hope He hurries up! I'm ready to meet "the one." Not the many, but "the one." If you know a good one, throw him my way. I may even throw a boob or two around. JUST KIDDING! SERIOUSLY! JUST KIDDING!

So, that's all. Oh yeah, I saw Dare to be happy on a billboard driving home and thought what a great way to live your life. That's going to be my new motto when my back and neck is bothering me.

I am going to my MD and chiro tomorrow to see if my head is ok. I've been forgetting things and getting real bad headaches which scares me because I'm usually sharp as a tack on appointments, calls I have to make, my schedule and right now my mind is slipping on those little things. Hopefully, it's just a phase.

When I was very young my mom said I fell out of my baby chair and hit my head. The doctors didn't find anything, but now my neice has done the same thing and it has really affected her. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe God let this car accident happen so I could find out once and for all if I have any head trauma left over from my childhood that may be causing something now.

I don't know. I LOVE thinking there's something wrong with me and I need to stop. Right now!:) (I make myself giggle when I say stuff like that. Hope you find the funny too since maybe you do the same thing!)

Say a little prayer ok? I feel better, but want to be completely fine soon. Like the billboard says, "Misery has enough company. Dare to be happy!" (Extra emphasis because I'm doing exactly what the advertisers at OMMA wanted me to do. Make their marketing concept part of my life and expression. It worked. You should hire that ad agency because that's really good ad copy.)

And with that, good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite. Unless it's you John and you know why. Don't make me "out" you here! :)

I love my Blog/Zine Network friends

Who knew that meeting real people who like to blog as much as I do would be so much fun? I've been so focused on the number of our group (it's small, but mighty!) I forgot the real value which is the new, good friends who've come out of it.

I totally needed to hang out and just have relaxing conversations in person with these people. Natalie, of The Liquid Muse; Anne (who we're coercing to start a blog - now, girlfriend, now!); Thomas, my co-organizer, who is such a great co-leader and will be launching an amazing magazine this June (he's a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur); and new friend, Jaimi (hope I'm spelling that right. I'm typing in the dark since I don't have a lamp in the living room yet. I know, what's the big deal with buying one. However, it needs to be just the right one seeing as I'm creating a new home space.)

I got rid of so much stuff today too! Finally have my office closet completely organized which according to Feng Shui books will help my career life. Now all that's left is the huge pile on my dining room table which I've been adding to from all the other piles.

Gave away the printer and digital camera yesterday which felt good. Have a few remaining picture frames and crock pot and other miscellaneous stuff. I'll find someone who will be happy with that too I know. THIS FEELS SO WONDERFUL! I just feel like chucking everything and starting completely fresh here.

I keep trying to inspire my mom to do it to her bedroom because she's such a pack rat, but she says it makes her want to eat. She cracks me up. I come by my neurosis honestly right?

Back to my Blog/Zine meeting tonight. We met at Maison 140 which I've never been to and always passed, but never dropped in and now I can say I have. I knew the bar was sweet and cozy according to reviews, but I had no idea how sweet and cozy! It's like the size of my living room (and that ain't big people!)

Now imagine a couple sitting one table away barely able to keep their hands off each other - I haven't seen that much pda in forever. Made me wish for the good 'ole days with this one guy. I felt like I was watching a sexy movie because the setting was so romantic and interesting.

It's very stylish with black, white and red decor in an Asian-inspired theme, or French as they call it. Loved the bathroom which had bright red tiles on the walls and black and white checked tile floors. Everyone was raving over the drinks which I sipped, but didn't imbibe because lately alcohol has given me heartburn in my throat of all places (big annoyance because I like a drinky poo now and then just like the next girl. That's my new cross to bear.)

However, sitting next to Natalie, I almost felt like I'd experienced all the drinks because she's such the drink connoisseur. You really should check out her blog because she's just returned from Thailand and Finland and has some wonderful drink recipes and stories you would love! She's a doll to begin with and I wish her much success.

I met a woman who has been promising to attend for the longest time and it was so nice to finally meet her! I'll stop being lazy and go look up her name because she's great too. Ok, it's Jaimi after all. She's fascinating and credits herself with starting the gift bag, lounge, and other cool branding sensations. I'm telling you, the ladies I meet on Ladies Who Brunch, an invite only, referral based online newsletter/networking group have been really amazing.

I know I bitch a lot about snotty women, but there really are some cool ones too. Especially on Ladies Who Brunch. Big shout out to Karen Allen. Here's her bio taken from the Mobile Entertainment Forum website. She's truly an amazing woman who manages this 1,000 person list. Read on and you'll see what I mean:

Karen Allen
General Manager, Americas

"Karen Allen brings a long history of digital policy and organization building to MEF. At the RIAA, she was a strategic advisor to their new media policies, represented them at conferences and other forums, liaised with the US record label new media divisions and lobbied Congress on digital music issues. In the early days of the dotcom revolution, she was the Director of Artist and Label Relations at Rocktropolis.com, one of the first music destination websites. Karen began her career in the music industry as an artist manager.

Karen co-founded a Los Angeles-based women’s entertainment industry networking group called Ladies Who Brunch, which has grown to over 900 members through word of mouth alone. She received her Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona, where she led two campus concert promotions groups and freelanced for the A&R division of Capitol Records. She joined MEF in 2006."

Isn't she impressive? Anyway, like I'm saying, I've met the coolest women through this group and introduced a lot of my friends to this group too. It's just nice to have this resource where you can ask silly questions like I did today (how to get the stink of burnt food out of my apt.) and business questions or just discuss topics of the day - like the pet food recall, politics, what we think about the men situation in LA (it sucks, but we're going to do something about that soon. More to be revealed! Softball or volleyball anyone?), and other stuff we're promoting or just interested in.

So, tonight was special because it was the offline group created from an online community and those of us who are interested in blogs met. Thomas is our token male. I must say I think he's loving it because where else can a man go in LA and be surrounded by beautiful, tall women and be the only male? He's very supportive of my efforts and really helps me stay motivated. Big kudos out to Thomas too! Thank you! Thank you too for always treating us to our libations and appetizers. That's very sweet of you!

I had so much fun I didn't even feel my back pain until I got home. I guess the adage is true - what we focus on tends to grow. Well, I'm going to focus on a good night's rest because I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow.

Cable guy coming to adjust my internet and cable, meeting with my marketing writing group (can you tell I'm a big group fan? LOVE 'EM!), then lunch with my PR teacher and colleague, and then visiting my publicist friend's new boutique store she's repping called Creme because Jessica Alba just stopped in. You know me, celebrity whore, gotta check it out in person!  Then off to possibly three events tomorrow night. I'll try to tell you all about them when I get home because they should be a blast. Entourage anyone?

I just need to socialize some! I know though, that the quiet I'm experiencing now, is just the calm before the storm which is fine. I should be feeling better by then. Starting to get nibbles on possible scripts for Domi which is cool. Also, getting more of my Cabo trip together. Plus, pitching myself to more copywriting gigs because I love to write!

So, that's all for now. Did hear back from a few people at the church which was nice. I'm glad I apologized. I feel much better. My mom keeps saying, "Joy, write it out and then sleep on it before you send it." I haven't learned that yet, but maybe one day will. I'm working on it though! Thanks for reading.

Nice to have you stop by. Lots of love and good health to everyone!

OMMA wrap-up at Bar Noir at Maison 140

Hi, If it's not one thing, it's been another and I've come to realize I won't be blogging my wrap-up of the OMMA conference after all. Since my car accident it's hard for me to concentrate for too long without painkillers and I'd rather just tell you what I learned than write about it if you don't mind. Sorry for the promise, but it has to be broken this time.

However, if you're around Beverly Hills tomorrow night and are still interested in hearing what we've learned, my Assistant Organizer, Thomas Griego, and myself, Organizer, of The Blog/Zine Network will be giving our OMMA wrap-up together at the Bar Noir at Maison 140 at 7pm. The bar/hotel is located at 140 S. Lasky Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills , CA 90212 ph: (310) 281-4000 if anyone cares to join us.

I also have programs of the conference I will be sharing with those interested. Hope you'll consider coming out. First visit to the group is free, any further visits require a $35 annual membership fee and give you access to the group's activities.

Otherwise, that's all for now. Thanks for dropping by. I did upload the De Hoghton Denim party concert (sorry no sound though) on youtube if you're looking for it still.

Have a good one!

Lupita's Mexican food is great!

I promised Carlos, the owner, that I'd tell everyone how good his food is, so here's my review of Lupita's Mexican Restaurant.

I have a minute before I need to go out so enjoy the read. Oh, and by the way, Blades of Glory - ABSOLUTELY HYSTERICAL! I give it high two thumbs up for adults (it's a little too risque for kids in my opinion, even though there were a bunch there when I was there.) The skating scenes towards the end will make you bust a gut laughing so hard - the gay innuendos really are too much. Very fun movie!

Back to food. My mom and I decided to visit Lupita's this week because now that I'm back in the South Bay I want to explore new places and she and I like to catch up over meals. She had a coupon for a free lunch with a purchase of a dinner entre (which was a printer misprint.) After speaking to Carlos, the owner, before arriving he agreed to honor it.

Not only did he honor our coupon he gave us our complete meals for free! I don't know what prompted him to do that, but hey, we weren't complaining. I think he wanted to make sure we only had good things to say about his establishment, but we would have been raving about it regardless.

It was voted Best Mexican Food in the South Bay for 2005 & 2006. Plus, the flan is to die for. It won a major contest one of the radio stations put on which was also judged by a sous chef (which isn't that high an accolade in the chef world if memory holds true, but hey, to us untrained people it sounds good right?) from Hell's Kitchen. I think the fact this chef made it on a TV show is the bigger deal. HA!

My good friend Shana worked on Hell's Kitchen doing art direction which is one of the only reasons I even knew it existed, but it's a good show apparently. I don't even know if it's on anymore. But I digress.

So, we present our coupon and Carlos informs us that our meal is on him as long as we try his flan. Well, but of course! He's a real character - dressed up in pinstripe pants with suspenders and black-trimmed glasses he's hard to miss. He's also very barrel chested and handsome.

He's also very hard to miss as he has a huge birthmark all over his face, but he's so adorable it doesn't stand out once you get to know him. I'm only telling you in case you decide to visit and want to schmooze him for a free meal too. HA HA! However, I'm sure it doesn't hurt if you're female too. Don't worry, he'll find you babe. Just teasing.

I ordered the shrimp enchiladas with black beans and rice. My mom got the steak fajitas with rice and beans. It was so fresh and delicious. Very flavorful and so much food I couldn't eat my whole meal. My mom is a much slower eater than I am so she was still eating when Carlos brought out the flan.

Man, Carlos wasn't kidding! It's not the typical flan because there's a lot of whipped cream in it and it just melts in your mouth. The mango accent on the side he recommended putting together with it was delightful too. I don't normally even like mango, but there's just something about that flan.

I had to struggle not to eat the whole thing, but with my mom warning me to stop, I put down the fork and stepped away from the table. Not literally, but you get where I'm going with this. She loved it too and enjoyed it with a great cup of coffee.

I have to say, not even knowing this restaurant had this reputation I would have to give it five stars too and not even because Carlos comped our entire meal (probably about $40 between the two of us.) It truly is one of the best Mexican meals I've had the pleasure to enjoy in recent history.

So, if you're in the area, want to impress someone, or impress yourself, pop by this little shopping center and take a trip to Mexico in your mouth without even leaving the South Bay. You won't regret it.
That's my review - take it or leave it.

The Tripper Film Premiere and other stuff

Well, well, well. I think I better sleep on my review of the Beverly Hills Film Festival Opening Night party because I'm trying to "speak the truth in love" and can't right now. Very disappointing experience in more ways than one.

However, the other events I went to were really quite delightful. Especially Actor/Director David Arquette's The Tripper Movie premiere held at the Hollywood Cemetery. Great press line (all the biggies were there - Extra, Variety, Getty Images, etc, etc), awesome set-up (lawn chairs and low tables strewn about the grassy area that currently doesn't have dead bodies - at least I don't think so!), fun food (candy, In-and-Out Burgers, kettle corn and regular popcorn,) lots of bars serving tequila and other drinks, great gift picnic blankets to sit on featuring the Tripper logo, and classy goody bags sponsored by Kinerase.

It started late which was just as well since I wanted to go hit another event and then come back to catch the after-party. However, it was extremely cold for some reason (it's been nice normally and today it just went weird go figure) and after shivering through the first half of the movie, we all decided to go.

From what we saw of it I'm sure it's going to be quite popular. I personally don't like these kind of films because they give me bad dreams, but my client, Actor Domiziano Arcangeli, really digs them having acted in numerous Italian and American horror flicks over the years. He gets off on the depravity and the fear factor I think. :)

I told you about his Werewolf In A Women's Prison right? GORY! But funny too apparently. I haven't seen it and probably won't because I don't have to see something to publicize it. I once publicized an entire anime festival without seeing a single film. Man, was it a shocker when I actually did! There were glowing butts, flying people, etc. etc. Japanese animation can be real weird. Whatever floats your boat though. That's why I try to keep an open mind.

This event was so well-organized with interesting guests and great ambiance, it was a great party. It felt like you were at a drive-in movie without the cars. Too bad it was so cold.

During the interim, I accidently stumbled into a private lecture filled with all kinds of talent agents at the Museum of Radio and TV over in Beverly Hills. I had thought that's where the Entourage panel was to be held, but learned soon after, that it was actually at the Academy over in North Hollywood and there was no way I'd make it. I debated on staying and schmoozing, but just wasn't in the mood to listen to a lecture, no matter how interesting. Not tonight!

Big bummer missing Entourage discussion! That was one event I was really looking forward to because that's one of my favorite TV shows. Oh well. There will be other opportunities. My stylist friend Nicole is so silly. She is styling "Vinnie" and has never even seen the show and doesn't realize how huge it is! How funny. Only her.

Okay, that's all for now. I have to get up early for the cable guy. I thought it was Wed, but it's actually Thursday. I was real inspired by my meetings today and am going to pitch a bunch of companies to do publicity for them now too. I've got my joie de vivre back. It's about time. Time to kick some bootay!

More events Thursday - fun! I'm telling you, when I'm socializing, I'm feeling no pain. It's just when I'm back home that it all hits me. This too shall pass.

Have a good one.

Check out today's Variety on Faith in Hollywood!

You can do it online at www.variety.com - I think they did an excellent job of presenting a well-balanced thorough examination of everything Christian in Hollywood. It's located in the lower right corner. Keep scrolling and you'll see it. If you want to read it online you better look today though because I don't know how long they showcase things on the site. You can always buy the actual mag too though.

The only article I thought was silly was the one about the Pentecostal Preacher who was given a vision to create a film company and has a huge budget attached to his first film. Pentecostal people are always a little out there in my opinion, but I guess Variety had to show "our" weirdos too. At least the other articles were well-balanced, reflective of real Christianity, and well-researched. Not that that one isn't, it's just focused too much on one guy who just happens to be a weirdo.

Sometimes first time filmmakers don't realize they need to prove themselves with smaller films, do well, and then go after larger budgets. Why would an investor give millions and millions of dollars to someone with no experience, no track record, no connections? It's just like in the real world, but people seem to think because it's a film it makes it different. Maybe that's why they're called artists. All passion, no business sense.:)

The article I'm really enjoying is the one entitled Perspective from a Christian Critic. Here's three paragraphs that I especially liked. And I quote:

"In addition to relying on Christian media outlets and leaders, religious moviegoers can turn to thorough, often spoiler-filled content descriptions, especially when considering what their children can see. Web sites like Kids-in-Mind.com and ScreenIt.com provide parents with painstakingly accurate lists of how much sex, violence and foul language there is in any given film (few would be surprised to learn there are 63 F-bombs in Chris Rock's "I Think I Love My Wife"). (I THOUGHT THERE WERE A LOT, BUT NOT THAT MANY! NO WONDER IT BUGGED ME!)

"Conservative parents are bothered by sex, while liberal parents are more sensitive to violence; conservative Christians are very upset about language containing religious profanities, while liberal Christians are more upset about the F-word, etc.," (I THINK I'M LIBERAL BASED ON THIS ANALYSIS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT BUGS ME!) says Aris Christofedes, editor of Critics Inc., the parent company of Kids-in-Mind. "Our reviews are basically a list of ingredients, similar to what you find on food item labels."

These days, Baehr says, Christians have more options at the box office than they did two decades ago. For every "non-Christian" film like "Brokeback Mountain" or the latest "Harry Potter," there's a Christian-friendly film like "Narnia" or "Superman Returns." "In the '80s, one of the only movies with positive references to Jesus Christ was 'The Trip to Bountiful,' but now the figure has risen to 50% of films. That's a very good sign."

Here's her bio: (Formerly AOL's Moviefone Mama, Sandie Angulo Chen writes movie reviews for parents at Common Sense Media.)

If you're at all curious, check out complete coverage on the Variety site! Very interesting reading (at least to me!) Maybe that's what influenced the network to keep Studio 60 going... Who knows?

Have a good one. Off to play on Deal or No Deal. Look for me wearing the lime green jacket on the surprise neighborhood visit. HA! Got to keep my life interesting - too much publicity makes me bored - although I am getting good responses from my latest outreach. Will keep you posted.