Food Trucks and Yoga and Red Carpets, Oh My.

Food trucks are all the rage in LA these days. Hungry patrons follow their favorite trucks on Twitter or blogs and flock to their ever-changing locations. There is probably at least one truck for almost any kind of food you could possibly want... from Korean BBQ to banana pudding to grilled cheese to cupcakes, etc, etc, etc. 


Last Sunday, my amazing church held a preview service of its new downtown location followed by a launch party. Much to my extreme excitement and joy, this party was catered by the In-n-Out truck!  (For those who haven't had the privilege of experiencing In-n-Out Burger, it is a famous California hamburger restaurant that is simply wonderful and loved by all. For those of you who live in the Dallas area, count your lucky stars because this traditionally solely West Coast chain is coming your way soon). 

There is just something inexplicably appealing about lining up and being served delicious food out of a large truck with dear friends. Appealing to so many, in fact, that on July 24th, LA will be holding a Street Food Festival . $45 to go sample food from all the amazing LA food trucks. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...who wants to go with me?!


One positive thing about job searching is that you get to try out new exciting things during the weekdays that you never would have an opportunity to do while you're working. One of the cool things I've recently discovered is free daily outdoor yoga classes at Runyon Canyon. 

I've gone a few times and it's really great. While certain variables are a bit distracting (like the time a little gopher thing that was popping up and staring at me during my downward facing dogs), it really is a peaceful and cool experience to do yoga under the beautiful blue sky in nature. (Please pardon the crazy California hippie talk... it comes out on occasion). ;-) 

"Are you free tonight for a possible event at Industry? Not sure if I have a plus-one or not. Starts at 7. It's a charity thing with cast from Twilight."  I randomly received this text message from my dear friend and former co-worker, Lorrin, on Monday.  Turns out she did get a plus-one, so I shuffled around some plans and got dressed up for this mystery charity event. Lorrin and I have both been to our fair share of events like this that make grandiose claims that huge A-list stars will be in attendance, and oftentimes these claims do not come to be, so we were highly skeptical we would be partying with vampires that evening. We arrived at Industry  (SBE's newest nightlife venture; formerly Area) to find a crowd of paparazzi, reporters, and a small red carpet.  Maybe someone legit was going to show up after all?  We made our way inside and to the open bar. As we spent the next hour or so catching up, it became apparent that our suspicions were correct and T. Laut and R.Patt weren't showing up any time soon. The gradiose claims weren't a COMPLETE crock, though. These lovely Twilight cast members hosted the night and graced us all with their presence: 

 

Overall, a fun night. When dressing up, an open bar, yummy hor d'ourves, and endlessly entertaining people watching are involved, you can't go wrong. Thanks for the last minute invite, Lorrin. (If only there had been a food truck there...)  ;-) 

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California Girls: We're Unforgettable

Sum-mer An-them (SUH-mer AN-thum)—noun—A song released during or slightly prior to the summer season that is very catchy, enjoyable, and often elicits happy feelings and/or dancing. Summer anthems vary from person to person.  Every time a summer anthem is heard in future seasons, it will bring forth memories associated with its given summer. 


My 2010 summer anthem is…(drum roll please)…California Gurls by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg (for obvious reasons).





Summer Anthem 2nd place: "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz featuring Ludacris.  This one is sort of a modern-day "Oops! I Did It Again".  I especially love the Luda parts. (And yes, I just said Luda). 




Bring on the beach.  I love summer!
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Pick Me. Choose Me. Love Me.

I'm going in for a third level interview tomorrow at a very huge, amazing, reputable organization where I would absolutely love to work. The first of these interviews occurred in March.  It is now June.  Can't they just HIRE ME me already?! If my resume, talent, personality and passion aren't enough to win them over, perhaps I should try this tactic....

Given my unfortunate lack of musical ability, let's hope it doesn't come to that....for my sake and their's.  Fingers crossed! 




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Annie's Favorite Things About LA: Facebook at the Upright Citizens Brigade

The "Facebook" show at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Hollywood is hands down one of the greatest things in Los Angeles.  Every Wednesday, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel, Chad Carter, Owen Burke, and Seth Morris do incredibly hilarious improv skits based on two audience members' facebook profiles.  They are often joined by amazing surprise guests like Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, and the guy who plays Kenneth on 30 Rock.  Here's the cast giving a nice little explanation of their brilliant show:





As you might have guessed, I go to this show often.  A few weeks ago, I had the exciting and unique experience of being one of the audience members they chose to interview. This is how that choice is made: willing audience members raise their hands and give a one-sentence pitch about themselves that would entice the guys to choose them.  The range of these pitches runs the gamut.  I've heard everything from something lame like "I'm Jewish" to hilarious winners like "I was pepper-sprayed by a transvestite on a bicycle" and "I am a recently retired professional figure skater."  Usually the guys pick the best pitch, but occasionaly they choose stupid ones. (Like the time I bravely raised my hand and said "I participated in a tomato fight with over 50,000 people in Spain last week" but they chose a fool who said "Jim Carey yelled at me once."  I was a bit bitter about that.. can you tell?) After that experience I vowed to never volunteer again.  Until....


As the unofficial "social chair" of my community group (a.k.a. 'small group', 'Bible study', etc.), I suggested that we all go to this show for a fun and laughter-filled social night (although I warned them it was definitely not rated PG).  A big group of us went.  The first girl they picked to interview was a complete and total skank. Most of their skits were based on the little biatch's promiscuity, and therefore, were pretty uncomfortable to watch with my community group.  I decided to capitalize on this awkwardness; I raised my hand and said, "I went to the Oscars last month and I'm here with my entire Bible study right now."  They were astounded by this and called me up immediately. 


To give you an idea of how the interviews/skits work, I'll explain what they did with my profile. First, I signed into my FB account which is displayed on a big screen for all to see. Paul Scheer then asks questions...things like "So why did you go to the Oscars?" "Who was the biggest biatch you saw on the red carpet?" "Who was the nicest on the red carpet?" "So, you're in charge of the red carpet bleachers? What are some crazy things the bleacher fans do?" "Why is your Bible study here??" "Why is 'She's the Man' your favorite movie?? etc..."  I answered all of these questions and more with little anecdotes.  


After about 10 minutes of perusing my profile and interviewing, they begin making up skits based on my profille including but not limited to: Red Carpet bleacher fans looking for the restroom and accidentally stumbling onstage at the Kodak Theatre as the Best Actor Oscar is being announced; George Clooeny being insanely friendly and shaking everyone's hands (as he did with the bleacher fans at the Oscars) until he loses Best Actor and then bursts into a fit of rage; an overly enthusisastic "youth group" of 20-somethings planning a social night at a highly inappropriate place; a movie rental place called "She's the Video Man" that only carries Amanda Bynes movies; etc.  I obviously cannot give these hilarious skits any sort of justice in writing, but hopefully this gives an inkling of their geniusly inspired improv.  


If you live in LA: go to this show!!
If you don't live in LA: come visit and go to this show!!
It is an absolute must.
And if you're feeling moxie, think of a cool pitch, and who knows, they just might pick you!






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Meeting in the Middle

Wow... it's been almost a whole MONTH since my last post. I apologize for my horrible procrastination and tardiness. I have so many great ideas for posts and not enough time to write them. I will try to improve the lag time between posts, I promise. (Because I know you're all just waiting with bated breath for the next one, right..??) ;-)

A couple weeks ago, fate smiled down on us and Mary and I were accidentally simultaneously both in our sweet hometown of Duncan, Oklahoma. She was in town 36 hours (or less?) for her wonderful grandmother's surprise 80th birthday extravaganza, and I was in town about two weeks to visit fam and help my mom get ready to put our house on the market (did I ever mention that my dad got a new job in Houston and my parents are moving there? It's true...and so strange to think that Duncan won't be 'home' anymore. Crazy). Since Mary's visit was a mere blink of an eye, our time together was very short, but sweet nonetheless. It's definitely fun to visit each other in our fun new places of residence, but there is just something so cozy and familiar about being together where we spent our entire childhood and youth being best friends. (Yowza... sorry for the sappiness overload...I'll stop now). :-)

Now it's time for a slight rant: People need to STOP wearing PAJAMAS on airplanes. On my flight back to LA (which left at 1:45 PM, mind you, so these fools didn't even have the excuse of it being a super early or overnight flight), there were three extremely obnoxious girls in straight up PJs, slippers and all.  (Much like these young ones only less fresh-faced and more trashy): 

Newsflash you lazy bums: airports and airplanes are public places full of other people who do not want to see you in your sleepwear.  I definitely understand the need for comfort, especially on longer flights, but there are a plethora of comfortable clothing items meant to be seen in public.  These annoying girls were also having extremely loud, awkward and inappropriate conversations that the entire plane could uninvitedly hear, but inappropriate public conversations is an entirely different rant altogether.  Lesson: just because you are flying on a form of transportation that you probably don't take all-too-often and it's way up high in the sky does not eradicate the social norms that clearly deem pajamas only appropriate for private home use.  < end rant > 


Wow, I feel a bit lighter after getting that off my chest. ;-)  Back with more (less rant-y) posts soon, my loves.  

Hail to Thee My Alma Mater.... and All That Jazz.

This week I had the lovely surprise of being featured the University of Oklahoma's homepage (number 3 on the scrolling headlines).  

From OU to the Oscars – 2008 public relations graduate Annie Terracina shares how she came to work the Red Carpet

This link led to a feature story on my job at the Academy.  I had originally been approached and interviewed for this story over a year ago, but it was never published.  I thought it might have just been lost forever, but I was re-contacted for an update interview a few months ago.  Still, I had no idea when or if the story would ever see the light of day, so it was a very fun surprise indeed when it surfaced this week!  There are a few fact errors (For the College Watch Party Contest, actual Oscar Watch Parties from college students were judged and awarded prizes, not simply a "party plan".  Also, I interned at The Regan Group, not "The Reading Group").  But oh well, other than those minor deets, a very well-written article!  

It really means a lot for my beloved OU to acknowledge my post-graduation achievements.  In a student population of more than 30,000 students, I know that I was viewed and cared for as an individual...not simply a lost face in the crowd.  I think this just further solidifies that I am "Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die I'll be Sooner dead."  ;-)  Boomer Sooner indeeeeed.  

In other news, I saw Chicago at the Pantages this week!  We had great seats and Michelle Williams (formerly of "Destiny's Child...ha) played Roxie.  It was a jazzy sassy good time.  Those who know me will not be surprised in the least that I have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop since the viewing. My favorite song is "All That Jazz" (such a CLASSIC!), but I am  also very much enjoying "When You're Good to Mama" and "We Both Reached for the Gun."  

I think the 2010-2011 season at the Pantages was tailor-made for me. HAIR, Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages, Phantom of the Opera, AND West Side Story?!?!  I am so excited, I can barely contain myself.  Who wants to go with me?

And finally, how funny is this street sign?  I saw it on Fuller and Franklin I believe (at Runyon Canyon) and it made me laugh a lot.  Whoever did this, I want to be your friend.  

Far From Home...

                                    

The beautiful skyline of my new 'home'

The Chisholm Trail Memorial, the  most monumental thing in my 'home home'

I've known since approximately age 3 that I wanted to live in a big city by a beach one day.  In fact, I often used to beg my parents to move from the mundane, close-minded 20,000-population-town I grew up in (no offense, Duncan), but to no avail. 


I tried out living in LA the summer of 2007, and I knew it was going to be sink or swim in this huge, fast-paced metropolis.  As you can probably guess, I definitely swam.  :-)  Within days of arriving in this gigantic place where I essentially knew nothing and no one, I was hooked.  I knew if I didn't move here after graduation, I would not be fully satisfied.  


Now that I've thoroughly explained that LA is undoubtedly the place for me right now, let me talk about what sucks the most about it: being so freaking far away from home.  





Limited funds and vacation time cause me to miss a plethora of fun events at home. Last summer, I was invited to 8 weddings in 8 weeks (which I fully realize sounds like the title of a Lifetime Original Movie), but out of this merry matrimonial marathon, I could sadly only attend one that just so happened to be in Cali. It is sad and disappointing to not be able to make it back for the joyous occasions like this, but it's the absolute worst to not be able to make it home for the hard times.

In February, my grandpa had a stroke and just last week my Uncle Gary unexpectedly died. I desperately wanted to go home to grieve, support, and heal with my family, but sadly work and expensive flights made this impossible. :-( I am really lucky to have some great, caring friends out here who definitely helped and encouraged me, but it's not the same as family. No one can truly empathize and comfort you like your family can during times like those. Since that wasn't an option, I did the best I could (which involved a great deal of crying, calling home, writing in my prayer journal, reading psalms 34:18, hugging friends, and spending some quality time on the beach).

I thankfully am feeling a bit better since Uncle Gary's sudden passing away, but it really made me realize how hugely importantly my family is to me. While I truly do L-O-V-E Los Angeles, I think eventually I will move somewhere closer to them. (Austin, perhaps?) There are only so many happy/sad occasions I can bare to miss... plus I never really liked the notion of having a fam and growing old in LA... bleh. But until that time to move comes (likely in the semi-distant future), I will deal with hard times as they come, visit my family as much as possible, cherish my sweet friends here, and continue my love affair with this great city.