Seth Cohen and Sunny Beaches: Good for the Soul

Mary and I did many wonderfully fun things while she was in town. (A post on that is coming soon). One of my favorite activities was spending some quality time with some of our old friends: Marissa, Seth, Summer, and Ryan.  That's right, after a glorious brunch with bottomless mimosas flowing, we invited our dear friend Garrett over to enjoy what may be considered the best lazy Sunday activity ever: a marathon of The O.C. Season 1. 

I had forgotten how great this show is!  It only took a few minutes into episode 1 for my giddy schoolgirl crush on Seth Cohen (Adamy Brody) to come rushing back. His hilariously quick one-liners are amazing.  I think he can decidedly go down as my biggest TV crush of all time.  Truly.    

In addition to an abnormally strong attraction to a fictional quirky Jewish boy, re-watching this former favorite show made me SO excited for summer.  In practically every other scene, Marissa and Summer are lounging on the beach with perfect sun-kissed skin and beachy hair, and I absolutely cannot wait to do the same.  I fully intend on spending copious amounts of quality time at the beach this summer. (Then again, today it was 85 degrees in LA, so maybe I won't have to wait...)  :-)

I still have several discs left to watch... who wants to join me in this hilarious, overly dramatic, witty blast from the past (and/or go to the beach with me)??

Currently listening to: Jeff Buckley, "Hallelujah"

Why: a.) It's an incredibly gorgeous song and b.) I was CERTAIN that this song played during the poignant scene when *spoiler alert* Ryan is carrying overdosed unconscious Marissa out of the alley in Tijuana.  Was anyone else under this impression?! I was very confused and sorely mistaken when I heard "Into Dust" by Mazzy Star instead (which is a lovely song as well, I must say). This incorrect assumption made me want to listen to this beautiful 7 minute song, and while there are many great covers of it, Buckley's is the best (in my humble opinion).  Now I just can't wait to actually see where it REALLY is on the show...ha.

xoxo, 

at

Weekend Review and Other News

The past weekend was fun-filled and eventful, as anticipated. 

Phantom of the Opera was chilling and glorious, as per usual.  Our seats were amazing: 3^rd row center! The costumes and set were exceptionally spectacular; honestly probably the best production I’ve seen at the Pantages.  The show is in LA until October 31, 2010.  If you like live theater, you should absolutely go. Buy tickets here You’re in for a treat.

Our housewarming party was a great success! Many of our dear friends came and our all of our delish food/drinks and apartment as a whole were a huge hit.  I am really so in love with the new place.  My lovely roommate McKenzie and I have decorated it and made it very ‘homey’.  It really feels like my first ‘grown up’ apartment and that is a very wonderful feeling. Come over and hang out. 

Ready for our wonderful friends to arrive and help us properly warm our new home. :-)

 Band of Horses at the Greek was just cool. No better way to put it, I think.  This was my first time at the Greek, and I’m already looking forward to going back. First of all, it’s walking distance from my new apartment (holla!).  Second of all, it’s an amazing outdoor amphitheater in the middle of Griffith Park, so you’re essentially watching amazing live music under the stars (and in the instance of Saturday, a gorgeous full moon) in the middle of a forest. Yes please.  Here is a video of this incredibly talented band performing ‘The Funeral’ at the show on Saturday (taken by someone who was apparently on the very first row! Holy closeness, Batman! My seats were most certainly were not this close… but enjoyable nonetheless). 

As you may have heard (because I feel like every one of the millions of people who live in the greater Los Angeles area are complaining about it), we’ve had quite a little late-summer heat wave the past few days. (Literally, Monday broke the record for the HOTTEST day in LA…ever). I took full advantage of this and enjoyed a couple blissful hours at the beach Sunday afternoon.  Several factors have prevented me from soaking up the sun with my toes in the sand much at all this summer, which made this long overdue beach day extra enjoyable. One of my earliest life goals was to live “driving distance from the beach”… and I must admit, sometimes I take for granted that I actually do now. Tsk tsk for me…but holla for the realization of childhood life dreams.

Heavenly. 

Taken from my phone on Sunday 9/26/10. 

 In other news, my dear friend Matt Godfrey needs your help.  He is in my beloved community group.  He and his lovely wife Ellen moved from Alabama to LA because he was cast in the highly anticipated ‘Blue Like Jazz’ movie (and for him to pursue other acting endeavors).  Very unfortunately, however, it was announced last week that the filming for this would be postponed indefinitely due to lack of funding (despite “a strong screenplay, a stellar cast, and rave reviews”).  But, ALAS, there is a chance it can be saved! If $125,000 (which is practically nothing in the world of film) can be raised by October 25, 2010, the film can enter production as planned.  In all honesty, I have never read this book, but more than 1.5 million people have.  It is supposed to have a really great message that could positively affect millions more people if it does indeed make it to the big screen, so if you feel so inclined, click HERE to donate to the cause.

It’s the biggest week in college football if you’re a Sooner fan… OU/Texas is this Saturday!  I plan on watching this intense rivalry game at a sports bar with other rowdy OU fans, drinking beer (which I am surprisingly becoming a big fan of as of late!), and yelling BOOMER SOONER like we were actually at the game.  It’s absolutely not the same, but hey, we misplaced Oklahoman Angelenos have to make the best with what we have.  

I’m seeing EASY A and THE SOCIAL NETWORK this weekend… I’ve heard amazing things about both, so I’m very much looking forward to it.  Reviews to follow!  What is the best movie you’ve seen recently (or that you're looking forward to seeing)?

Currently listening to: Alex Rhodes

Why: The reason for my current music pick can be explained in detail in this previous post. She is a dear friend of mine and incredibly talented musician AND her debut EP just came out!!  She had album release show at the Hotel Cafe last weekend and it was wonderful. You can check out (and now buy!) Alex's amazing tunes here.  My favorites are "No Trouble" and "Honestly." Enjoy!

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Happy Two Year Anniversary, Los Angeles.

This is the gorgeous dessert I enjoyed tonight as I toasted to my 2nd anniversary in LA.  

(Just kidding... I found it on google images...) 

But, truly, July 28th marks the anniversary of me first setting my timid feet into the beautiful Los Angeles sand after making the daunting drive from Oklahoma all by myself two years ago.  While I'm not celebrating this momentous occasion with corny (albeit impressive) food art, I thought an appropriate way to pay homage would be a nice little walk down memory lane.  So, without further adieu....

Two Years in LA by the Numbers

•     Number of apartments lived in: 2 (1 month in Hermosa Beach, 23 months in Miracle Mile, and currently    in the process of moving to #3 in Los Feliz!)
• Number of plays/musicals seen: 8

• Number of Oscar ceremonies attended: 2
• Number of jobs I held simultaneously for a brief period of time: 3 
• Number of days before I realized I wasn't a super-human and quit one of the aforementioned jobs: 2
• Number of movie premieres attended: 3

• Number of boys I've dated (and by dated I mean to have gone on more than 2 dates with…haha): 3
• Number of trips to NYC to visit Mary: 3

• Number of trips home to OK to visit the fam: 5
• Number of professional LA sporting events attended: 2 (1 Lakers game, 1 Dodgers game)

• Number of freaking earthquakes (that I've actually felt): 3
• Number of times wine tasting: 1 

• Number of times I've been in the audience of television show tapings: 5 (Jimmy Kimmel Live (twice), Ellen, SYTYCD, and Dancing with the Stars... all of which have been when mother is here visiting...haha)
• Number of New Year's Eves spent in Hollywood: 1

• Number of times I've seen my 2nd favorite band, The Sounds: 2

• Number of times I've seen my all-time favorite band, Jacks Mannequin: 4
• Number of dinner parties hosted: 3

• Number of hours spent in my car: too many to count :-( 
• Number of hours spent on the beach: too many to count  :-) 

Five Most Memorable LA Moments

5.) Getting a Christmas present from Victoria Beckham, my gym buddy. ;-) (A bottle of perfume that had "To Annie, Best Wishes from The Beckhams" written on the box). 

4.) Being front row center to Jack's Mannequin "Secret Show" at the Viper Room. 

3.) Going to two charity events/parties at the Playboy Mansion (which I know sounds crazy and scandalous... they were actually very classy and amazing parties, if I do say so myself...!) 

2.) Talking to Taylor Kitsch (Tim Riggins) at the gym. This happened in February of 2009 and my heart STILL beats fast when I think about it!

1.) Going to the Oscars the past two years! And to pinpoint the most memorable moment of my most memorable moment, if you will, talking to Meryl Streep at the Governor's Ball this year! (For more deets on this and the rest of my Oscar experience this year, click here). 

What a lovely (slash random) walk down memory lane that was! Cheers to you, LA... thanks for an awesome two years. Excited to see what fun memories the next two will bring. 

Currently listening: Angel Taylor

Why: I've been really into female singer/songwriters lately, so when I stumbled upon Angel's debut album (Love Travels) on sale for $6.99 on itunes a few days ago, I didn't stand a chance.  ;-)  While she still has some maturing to do in order to reach the levels of Norah Jones or Ingrid Michaelson (whom I looove and whom Angel toured with this spring), her music is definitely enjoyable and relatable. (A few tracks even have Christian undertones, which I found to be a pleasant surprise). I especially like the track entitled "Chai Tea Latte"... I'm not sure if it's the former barista in me digging the title or the all-too-familiar theme of wanting a guy to man up and ask you out.  Either way, I give it two thumbs up. 

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First Week, Food, and Fireworks.

I successfully completed my first week at the new job!  It went really well, I think.  Monday I had 8 hours of orientation (where I made a couple new buddies). Tuesday I had a tour of the incredible Warner Bros lot in the morning (where I saw such fun things as the real Batmobiles, the set of Cental Perk from "Friends", and a page from Denzel Washington's script from his Oscar-winning "Training Day" which included his very interesting handwritten notes all over it... that was my favorite thing :-) ). After the tour I dove into the new job: Executive Assistant to the Vice President of eCommerce in Digital Distribution (Isn't that a mouth full?...yowza). 

As expected, there were many logistical things to take care of the first week.  In addition to this, I did administrative things for my boss (mainly scheduling meetings and helping him with a powerpoint presentation for a big meeting). He is very "self sufficient", which is good because it leaves me a lot of room to get involved with other projects. :-) I'm already working on our social media outreach and exploring options for involvement in an upcoming classic film festival.  The people in my office are really nice too! (I only had to eat lunch by myself once this week... special thanks to Mary for chatting with me on the phone so I didn't feel completely lame.. ;-) I definitely miss my co-workers at the Academy, but I'm glad that my new ones seem to be great too. Hooray!! 

This weekend I ate some amazing food. Friday I went to Luna Park for dinner.  After hearing numerous rave reviews, I had been wanting to try this trendy spot for quite some time, and it definitely exceeded my high expectations. We started our meal with a delicious appetizer of crispy gnocchi with summer vegetables. SO FREAKING GOOD.  For my entree I had mahi mahi with moroccan cous cous. Not as mind-blowing as the gnocchi but still, quite delectable. Luna Park is known for its speciality cocktails, so in addition to these tasty dishes, I enjoyed their wonderfully refreshing strawberry mojito. A perfect summer drink. :-) To finish this grand feast, we ordered my favorite food in the world: s'mores!  And these weren't just your average everyday s'mores... these s'mores are so good, they have been featured on The Food Network's show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." That is legit!  

To make this glorious meal even more incredible, we got all of this delicious food for 50% off. Yes, you read that correctly: half off! I had heard an almost too-good-to-be-true rumor that Luna Park occasionally reveals special passwords on Twitter and if you say that word to your waitor, you get 50% off. This seemingly urban legend happened to come to my mind while we were eating, so we checked their Twitter page, and sure enough, we told our spunky waitress the word 'Independence' and badda bing, badda boom, our meal was half off! Whooo! Overall: food was delicious, atmosphere was fun/trendy, service was great, and the secret password was legit (and economical!). You should definitely go to this restaurant. 

The 4^th of July is fun in LA. A group of friends and I drove to Manhattan Beach (my favorite!) for a cookout at our friends’ awesome new oceanview apartment. After some beverages and BBQ, we walked down The Strand to a beach party in Hermosa Beach. I knew the Manhattan and Hermosa crowd would be a lively bunch for the 4^th, but the quantity and quality of American-themed attire and body paint was both unexpected and hilarious. It was almost like Halloween only with everyone dressing up patriotically. I felt a bit out of place since I didn’t have “GO U.S.A.!” or “I LOVE THE 4th OF JULY!” painted all over my body in red, white and blue. (Just kidding… those people really looked like drunken fools). It was fun. After spending several hours enjoying the perfect weather on the beach, we headed back to Manhattan. We watched a classic American film, Anchorman, and then enjoyed several fireworks displays on the beach. It was a lovely day.  God bless America.  J

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Another Singles Awareness Day, Come and Gone.

I took this photo last Valentines Day at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood.  I entitle it: He's Just Not That Into You. 

Although I am continuing my (lifelong) trend of never having a Valentine, I had a lovely day yesterday...including a picnic on the beach with friends and buying a new beautiful ipod as a V-day present to myself. I hope you all had a lovely day as well, much unlike the poor old soul who this discarded box of chocolates originally belonged to last year.  ;-)