A Wonderful OK Weekend

This past weekend my awesome brother ran his first half-marathon and my parents and I used this as a great excuse for a family visit, so we journeyed to Oklahoma City to cheer him on. Since my parents moved to Houston a few years ago, I hardly ever get to visit my home state anymore, so I was quite excited for this trip, and sweet OK did not disappoint. J

Highlights include:

• Being with my beloved fam (who I haven’t seen since Christmas and might not see until Christmas this year… yowza!)
• The Norman Music Festival (and accompanying fun loft party) with Randis and C Gunn
• The Arts Festival downtown
• Catching up with lifelong family friends I hadn’t seen in approx 3ish years
• Watching the Thunder game in a bar full of other enthusiastic Thunder fans
• Cheering on Dan (and all the other awesome runners) in the OKC Memorial Marathon (made even better by the hilarious signs C Gunn made for us to hold)
• Checking out Dan’s church
• Drinking bellinis around the awesome firepit at Kaylee’s apartment
• Ted’s (aka the best Mexican restaurant in the entire world)
• Visiting the OKC Bombing Memorial Museum for the first time… so touching!
• Getting coffee at the beautiful new Devon Tower
• Sonic cherry limeades
• Etc.

It was a wonderful weekend that naturally went by way too fast.  Hopefully I’ll have another excuse to come back sometime soon!  Love you, mean it, OK.

Xoxo,

Annie. 

Things Making Me Laugh Out Loud Lately

The world has been a sad, tragic place this week. :-/ While I definitely can't make sense of such heartbreaking things as bombings, explosions, and natural disasters, I thought that perhaps at least I could provide a little break from all the horrible news and bring a smile to your face.  Here are two things that have been making me heartily laugh out loud lately... 

The first is Demetri Martin. I first saw this incredibly hilarious observationalist (is that even a word?) comedian at OU in 2006.  I recently saw him again at the Largo (which was quite an eccentric experience in and of itself).  I honestly haven't laughed that hard in a longgg time. I couldn't find a video of his set at the Largo, but here's one that includes several of the same jokes he told at the show.  So. Funny. 

If you know me at all, you know I love the hilarious ridiculousness that is the Bachelor.  You also know I love the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy club. By some incredible stroke of genius, these two glorious things collided and the result is Burning Love, a hilaaarious web series with tons of legit actors/comedians that essentially mocks the Bachelor like crazy. hahah. I regrettably missed the debut season, but I just finished watching season 2 (The Bachelorette version!).  Even you aren't a Bachelor fan, I think you'll still find these 13 minute webisodes incredibly funny. Here's a preview...

I hope those made you chuckle a little bit. If not, here's one last attempt...

:)

xoxo, 

Annie. 

8:11 March Highlights

March was a good month (minus having two separate killer colds/sinus infections... blurgh). Mary came to visit, I adopted a cat (more on that in my last post), and I mustered up enough courage to start trimming my own bangs. ;) Here are my 11 favorite things I did at 8:11 pm last month...

8:11-celebrating the birth of the one and only Caroline at Sur w/ @marygaris @MelanieBurstin.

8:11-excited to introduce @marygaris to one of my favorite activities: @bootiemashup. First- din at Spitz. 

8:11- a beautiful last LA supper for @marygaris... #inNout. 

8:11-din/long overdue catch up at the alcove w/ @katiehutchings and Steph.

 

8:11-excited Kate is in town! Catching up over a delish Mexican feast w/ Soren.

8:11-Erin and I did a rousing rendition of "Baby Got Back" at @BethDoctor's karaoke bday party. Hollaaaa.

8:11-happy birthday to Parker!! #ladiesman. 

8:11- at Cory's random/wonderful semi-annual "campfireball." (Yes, he transformed his backyard into a magical blanket fort) :)

8:11- pho and Katie Gibbs and pretty lights. Aka- perfect Thursday.

8:11-post Good Friday service din/drinks at Public School w/ this guy. Holllaaa Seanzie.

8:11- #Easter partayyyy w/ Seanzie and Jordan and 40ish people we just met. (Random sidenote- the hot British radio DJ from 'Pitch Perfect' is pictured in the top right, blue button down shirt. His name is Freddie and he was nice. Hahah. #LA.)

April is shaping up to be a solid month too! I'm heading to Coachella for a day this weekend, seeing Sufjan Stevens at Walt Disney Concert Hall (a venue I've ALWAYS wanted to go to!) on the 15th, and heading to OKC to cheer on my brother as he runs his first half-marathon on the 28th. :)

xoxo, 

Annie.

Meet Moxie!

In case you haven't heard the wonderful news- I adopted a cat! Best decision I've made in a while. :) Meet my new darling, Moxie. (Full name: Moxie Meryl Terracina):

 I adopted her from the great organization Kitten Rescue about a month ago.  She is the sweetest, cuddliest, cutest cat ever and life is definitely happier with her in it. :) 

xoxo, 

Annie. 

8:11 February Highlights

And the month-overdue catch up on blogging continues! ;) Let's take a little trip back in time... here are my 11 favorite things I did at 8:11 in February (which feels like ages ago)... 

8:11- my #superbowl party hopping partners- @jinahbean, Erin, Josie, etc

8:11-the Roosevelt has been transformed into an outdoor wonderland for the #BeautifulCreatures premiere…

8:11-screening of #BeastsOfTheSouthernWild at@theacademy w/ @g_baby9000. Crossing another one off my #oscarnoms list. 2 more to go!

8:11-screening of beyonce's #lifeisbutadream w/ Natalie and @janepchung. Hollaaa.

8:11- din at my favorite place- @MasaOfEchoPark w/ these lovely ones

8:11- din w/ my beloved former boss and coworker at Lola's. ❤❤❤ them. :)

8:11-front row seats for "Backbeat: the Birth of the Beatles" at the Ahmanson w/ @mckenziemorris.

8:11-seeing Robby's band "help the doctor"... Definitely the coolest surgeons ever.

8:11- @klhasemeyer is having a "16(x2) & pregnant" reality tv themed bday party. Obviously I'm the bachelorette.

8:11- almost time for my favorite part the Oscars- the Governors Ball after party! Holllaaa

8:11-giants and a green carpet at the #JackTheGiantSlayer premiere, naturally.

Glad I posted this with a full 1.5 days left in March. Haha. 8:11 March highlights coming soon! ;)

xoxo,

Annie.

Annie's Oscar Notes: 2013 Edition

Sooo... the Oscars came and went and Argo won and it was glorious and I had every intention of blogging about it in a semi-timely manner. Unfortunately, numerous things like work being crazy busy/Mary coming to visit/getting sick/adopting a kitty (!!!)/etc. prevented this from happening. (My baddd). So alas,  a month later, here it is... my recap of working at this year's Academy Awards...

Sunday, February 24th, 2013

• 8:17 AM- Alarm goes off. 

• 8:18- Hit snooze a couple times; look at Twitter/Instagram and read email updates from Host Committee (which I was on again this year).

• 8:40- Shower and pray that a.) I don't totally mess up somehow at my new assignments on the red carpet/backstage during the show, and b.) that there wouldn't be 30 mph "gusty winds" as weather.com had forecast the night before. (Thankfully both prayers were answered!)

• 9:05- Make myself a juice for breakfast (apple/celery/ginger for the win).

• 9:20- Gather everything I'll need for the looong day that I had written on a "To Pack" list the night before.

• 9:33- Head to Hollywood/Highland, where the Oscars are held (and where the leader of Host Committee brings in hair/make up artists to take appointments in one of the hotel rooms). 

• 9:48- Realize that there are even more security checkpoints than usual to enter the premises this year, and there's no way I'm going to make it to my 10:00 hair/make up appointment on time. I text the girl who scheduled my appointment and hope I get there asap (eek!). 

• 10:27- Finally make it to my appointment and the fun/beautification begins!  I brought in a photo of the make up I wanted (Jennifer Lawrence from the LA Hunger Games premiere) and a photo I found from a Google image search of "red carpet hairstyle with bangs." The hair girl and make up guy double team me, and they're awesome! I am very pleased. :)

• 12:05- Run a quick errand for the leader of Host Committee, and meet up with my friend Elisa who was letting me change/loiter/keep my stuff in her hotel room. (Full-time Academy staff who are working get a room at the hotel that connects to the Dolby Theater).

• 12:30- Scarf down a wrap and some Goldfish I took from the Publicity Office. Lunch of champions (and/or 4th graders).

• 12:35- Text Mary that I'm assigned to escort Daniel Radcliffe and Kristen Stewart (2 of her favorites) later in the evening. She responds enthusiastically. ;) 

• 1:07- Put on the dress/jewelry/shoes...whooo!

• 1:15- Check in for duty at the top of the red carpet. Arrivals don't officially begin until 2:30, so this leaves ample time to get my walkie checked out and take photos with people like Garrett. 

• 2:15ish- Get in position. This year I was assigned to be a 1 of 4 "spotters."  Our job was to stand at the top of the carpet and call out on the walkie when any nominee/presenter/notable person arrived.  We would then escort said person to the publicists who would walk them down the carpet. This was a surprisingly fun position because I got to see/talk to almost everyone! I was a bit nervous at first, though, because a couple days before the show, the Host Committee leaders gave me a packet with over 200 names/faces for me to "study." Fortunately, my friend Tom (who was the head "spotter") assured me he knew most of the less recognizable nominees, so I didn't have to do sorority-pledge-style memorization. (Whew.) 

• 2:30-5:15pm- Arrivals, arrivals, arrivals! These 3 hours went by so quickly because of the constant activity.  I didn't think I would be on TV at all in this position, but I soon began to receive texts/tweets alerting me of the contrary. Ha. Here are a few completely oblivious/hilarious photobombs...

• My favorite occurrences/observations during these 3 hours include:
• Best Actress nominees Quvenzhané Wallis and Jessica Chastain arriving at the same time. Jessica stopped to hug and congratulate adorable Quvenzhané and compliment her on her blinged out puppy dog purse. 

Sidenote: Let it be known that I did not take this photo (which is definitely against host committee rules). I found it on Google images. ;)

• Meeting Les Misérables actor Aaron Tveit who I mentioned I thought was a super hottie in my last blog post. #Swooooon. 
• Sally Field adjusting Joseph Gordon-Levitt's bowtie. (He plays her son in "Lincoln," so it was this sweet pretend mother/son thing). 
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt in general (!!!)
• Reese Witherspoon telling me "I like your dress! It's almost the same color as mine!"  (Victoryyy!)

• John Stamos  asking us if there was a restroom her could use before walking down the carpet.  Unfortunately, there was not, so he joked that he might need to take a leak on the huge Oscar statue before making his way down the press line. (Sidenote: Uncle Jesse still looks gooood.)
• Ben Affleck saying, "Hi. How are you?" to me. Go team Argooooo!

• 5:15- Carpet is closed! The two other (awesome) "spotter" girls and I take a commemorative photo. 

5:16- Walk/LIMP back to the Host Committee meeting room to get ready for our show assignments. I didn't realize how incredibly BADLY my feet were hurting, but this walk  back to the hotel almost killed me. Yowzaaa. 

5:25- Put on flats. In all 5 years that I've worked this show, I've always just toughed it out and stayed in heels the whole night. Putting on flats at this moment was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  I wore them the rest of the night.

5:33ish- Rush to my first assignment which was escorting Octavia Spencer (who presented the first award- Best Supporting Actor) from the elevator to the photo room.  This was my first time to do this, and I had gotten switched to this talent escorting position at the last minute, so my new friend Meghan (pictured with me above) came with me this first time to make sure I knew the right route and everything. 

5:40-5:55- Meet Octavia and the elated Best Supporting Actor winner Christoph Waltz at the elevator. It was so fun to meet people here because they have literally just walked off stage from WINNING AN OSCAR and they are so excited. Christoph got a congratulatory kiss from his publicist and then he looked at Meghan and said in his great German accent, "Are you going to give me a kiss too?" (We all laughed and she obliged). Hahah. Meghan and I then escorted Octavia and Christoph down "Winners Walk" which is the famous hallway all Oscar winners take to photos/press.  It is lined with photos of famous winners and their Oscars from the past 85 years. So very cool. After Winners Walk, Octavia and Christoph toast some champagne and head into the Photo Room where risers full of photographers snap their photograph, including this one: 

6:00ish- After they're done with photos, Christoph goes on the Press Room, and I escort Octavia back to the elevator to return to her seat.  We compliment each other's bangs.  She stops to give Melissa McCarthy a hug in Winners Walk. 

6:15- My next assignment wasn't until later in the show, so I attempt to grab some dinner at the great buffet style tables they set up for everyone working backstage.  However, as soon as I get to the food area, the Host Committee leaders call for Meghan and I over the walkie- they need us to escort all 5 of the Avengers. And, off we go!

6:30-6:40ish- Meghan and I meet Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, and Samuel L. Jackson  at the elevator after they presented the awards for Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects. We walk them down Winners Walk then wait by the bar outside the Photo Room.  Their interaction was hilarious to observe. They are taking (numerous) group photos on their iPhones ("When is the next time this is going to happen? Never!"). Ruffalo tells Renner he likes his longer hair; Renner says it's "for a role." Meghan asks Ruffalo "Do you want champagne?" and he thought she said "What's your name?" so he looks confused and says "Mark Ruffalo." Hahah. I clear up the confusion.  Then it's photo time...

6:50- I escort them back to elevator.  Samuel L. Jackson accidentally steps on my dress (and apologizes) in Winners Walk. 

7:00- Finally get some din. I eat it in the Host Committee room and watch a few acts of the show. That musical number was legittt.

7:20- Head to final show assignment- Daniel Radcliffe and Kristen Stewart who presented the award for Best Production Design. This was definitely my favorite assignment of the night- they were both so cool/nice! K Stew is on crutches.  I ask her what happened. "I stepped on a shard of glass 2 nights ago. Nothing like that to make you feel alive!" she says. Hahah. We get to the waiting area for the photo room and I ask them if they want a drink. She says absolutely and orders a vodka/pineapple juice. Daniel orders a drink too and they talk about how great it is to finally meet each other. (So crazy to witness Harry Potter and Bella's first meeting! Hahah.) When they go to the photo room, I hold Kristen's crutches and wait for her on the other end of the stage. She hobbles through the photo ops like a champ.

7:40-When they get off stage, Daniel asks if there's a smoking area. Sadly, as we were taking them there, we get walkied that Daniel needs to be back in his seat in the next 10 minutes, so we have to take him back. I enjoyed my 30ish minute interaction with these two so much! (Much more than I thought I would). I would legit be their friends. :)

7:55-Realize I somehow haven't had any caffeine all day (?!). Get a coffee. And a cookie. Sit in the Host Committee room and watch a few more acts. 

8:05- Freshen up a tad in Elisa's hotel room before heading to my call-time for the Governor's Ball (the official Academy after party). 

8:11- Take my 8:11 pic. ;) Gather around the TVs behind the Governor's Ball press line to watch the last few awards. Cheer loudly when Argo wins Best Picture. Whooo!

8:35-9:10ish- My old reliable Governor's Ball assignment- stand at the top of the staircase and ask the nominees/winners if they want to do the press line and call out their arrival over the walkie.  Daniel Radcliffe recognizes me and says hi (!!!). Christoph Waltz is super sweet/charming again. I accidentally photobomb Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence. (Sorry Katniss!).

9:15-11:00ish- I walk around the ball, mingle, and call out any good photo ops on the walkie. My favorite occurrences/observations during this time include:

• Multiple random people stopping Charlize Theron to ask for a photo and/or to tell her how gorgeous she looks. 
• Adele chatting with Barbra Streisand. Oh the musical glory! 

• Ben Affleck and George Clooney talking with my boss's boss's boss's boss at the Warner Bros. table. ;)
• Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter being Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter.
• My boy JGL looking dapper and chatting with the gorgeous aforementioned Charlize and Amy Adams for an extended period of time. 

• Everyone saying "Congratulations!" to all the happy people carrying around their shiny new Oscars. :)

11:30ish- The ball starts to wind down as people go to their next party. Which meeeans- all the Academy staff busts out the champagne, cocktails, photoshoots, and enjoys a "second seating" of the always exquisite dinner by Wolfgang Puck. Cheers. To. That. 

1:30ish- I gather my belongings, say goodbye to everyone and head home. 

2:05- In bed, exhausted and exhilarated after such a wonderful whirlwind day. This was definitely one of my favorite Oscars.  Such a great time. 

As always... I'd like to thank the Academy. :)

xoxo, 

Annie. 

Movie Review Monday: Oscar Edition

The Oscars are less than a week away (whooo!), and just in the nick of time, I've completed my goal of watching all 9 films nominated for Best Picture. It's such a tight, unpredictable race this year! So many great movies. While I have no idea what will happen this Sunday (2/24), here are my reviews, hopes, and predictions. 

Amour

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
• Brief Synopsis: Georges and Anne are in their 80s. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne has an attack. The couple's bond of love is severely tested.
• My Thoughts:  You might want to bring tissues... this French-language film is quite heart-wrenching. A savvy person told me this was his favorite of the year, but I didn't know anything about the storyline going into it, so I had no idea what to expect. I love old people more than the average person, so the story of these sweet aging octogenarians really got me. :-(
• My Oscar Predictions: I don't think this will win Best Picture, but Emmanuelle Riva is nominated for Best Actress and I would NOT be disappointed if she won. Plus, she just won the BAFTA, so the odds might be in her favor!

Argo

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
• Brief Synopsis: A dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran. 
• My Thoughts:  I reviewed this movie a few months ago, and after seeing it a 2nd time, my rave review remains: I think this is the best movie of the year. If I was a voting member of the Academy, this would absolutely get my vote for Best Picture.
• My Oscar Predictions: I hooope this wins. It has amazing momentum after pretty much sweeping awards season thus far, but Ben Affleck isn't nominated for Best Director. It will be an extremely rare occurrence (potentially first time ever?) if a film whose director isn't nominated wins Best Picture. Fingers crossed! 

Beasts of the Southern Wild

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
• Brief Synopsis: Faced with both her hot-tempered father's fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.
• My Thoughts:  If these Best Pictures nominees were getting yearbook superlatives, this one would win "most unique." Definitely an interesting one. Kind of stream-of-consciousness-y. Also- warning- the camera is super shaky, which I did not enjoy (hello motion sickness).
• My Oscar Predictions: I don't think this will win any big ones, but I am very excited to see its adorable 9-year-old Best Actress nominee (the youngest nominee ever in this category!): Quvenzahné Wallis. 

Django Unchained

 

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
• Brief Synopsis: With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.
• My Thoughts:  I am a complete squeamish wimp when it comes to blood/violence, so I was not looking forward to this Quentin Tarantino bloodbath. I sucked it up and just covered my eyes on all the (many) violent parts. Very much to my surprise, however, I really enjoyed it (despite covering my eyes for a semi-significant portion)! It was unexpectedly funny, well-acted, and well-written. I totally think Leonard DiCaprio deserved a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. #snub. I actually would want to see this again post-Oscar season, and that's definitely saying something.
• My Oscar Predictions: I don't think this will win Best Picture, but I wouldn't be surprised if Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor (although some people are saying his role is too similar to his Oscar-winning role a couple years ago in Inglourious Basterds) and Tarantino won Best Original Screenplay. 

Les Misérables

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 70%
• Brief Synopsis: In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.
• My Thoughts: I love musicals, but somehow I didn't even know the storyline going into this one, and I was veryyy surprised to find out there is essentially no spoken dialogue in the entire 3 hours. Which leads me to my next thought- it was way too long. I wish it was at least 3o minutes shorter. That said, Aaron Tveit is a hottie and I listened to "I Dreamed a Dream" on repeat for a couple weeks after watching it. 
• My Oscar Predictions: I don't foresee a Best Picture win, but I do predict a W for Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress. 

Life of Pi

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
• Brief Synopsis: A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.
• My Thoughts: I liked this one more than I thought I would. Gorgeous cinematography. Made me want to get a pet tiger. ;-)
• My Oscar Predictions: This definitely wasn't my favorite (or even in my top 5), but it has the 2nd most nominations with 11, so it's definitely a contender. 

Lincoln

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
• Brief Synopsis: As the Civil War continues to rage, America's president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.
• My Thoughts: I had heard this one was quite boring, so I had pretty low expectations. While it was overly long and I almost certainly would have fallen asleep if I were watching it in the comfort of my own home, I actually enjoyed it more than I expected. Daniel Day-Lewis is superb, and Sally Field is annoying. Extra points for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. 
• My Oscar Predictions: This might be the one to beat as it has the most nominations of the evening with 12. Daniel Day-Lewis is practically a shoo-in for Best Actor. (I feel bad for all other actors in the years that DDL does a movie.  Poor things never really stand a chance). Spielberg is an Academy favorite, too, so he very well could win Best Director. 

Silver Linings Playbook

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
• Brief Synopsis: After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.
• My Thoughts: I saw this one twice, and I enjoyed it both times. Very interesting and insightful portrayal of mental illness mixed with some comic relief and a cute little love story. 
• My Oscar Predictions: While I enjoyed it, I don't think it is Best Picture worthy, nor do I think Jennifer Lawrence's performance is Best Actress worthy (don't get me wrong, I love J. Lawr... but this was not the best performance by an actress this year). It's the Weinstein Company, though, and they've won Best Picture the past 2 years...they're very good at this game, so you never know!

Zero Dark Thirty

• Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
• Brief Synopsis: A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May 2011.
• My Thoughts: Due to my aforementioned avoidance of violence, I was nervous for this one too. (Also because Garrett straight up told me he didn't think I could handle it). I closed my eyes on all the (controversial) torture scenes and was totally fine. It was an intense glimpse into such a top secret mission, it made me really curious what parts were factual and what parts were fictionalized for the movie, and how they got as much information as they apparently did. 
• My Oscar Predictions: Kathryn Bigelow was also snubbed for a Best Director nomination, which lessens its chances at winning Best Picture (though many people I know would have voted for this one for sure). I think Jessica Chastain is wonderful and I could see her winning Best Actress. 

Who do you hope will win on Sunday? 

(Go team Argo!) 

PS- Watch for me on the red carpet! I'll be in a purple dress. :-)

xoxo, 

Annie.