Oscar Party

Sunday was a pretty big day here in Los Angeles. Kinda like a city-wide holiday. Yep, that's right. It was the Academy Awards ceremony.

Now I grew up watching the Oscars, not religiously but we'd usually watch the red carpet, ooh and ah over the dresses, etc. Sometimes we'd watch a few awards but usually go to bed before the big ones were given out - I'm still not sure why they insist on a telecast that often times goes until midnight or after in the east - and find out who won in the morning. Some years were more fun than others, when I'd actually seen a movie or two that had been nominated. This year was very different.

Since I started film school at UCLA in September I've watched 40 movies and read 22 scripts. Many of them nominated for awards Sunday. I'm pretty sure this is more movies than I've seen in many other years combined. So I felt like I knew what was going on (maybe this is how a lot of arm-chair quarterbacks feel about the Superbowl). I predicted my share of winners and losers and could intelligently discuss many of the films and performances nominated (I still have absolutely no love for costume design or any of that, and yes, I know it's important but still - give those awards in non-prime time!).

This year I decided to watch the Oscars at our church, where they have a party every year. I was quickly pulled onto the planning committee (amidst my protests) and ended up having a lot of fun. We spent over four hours decorating on Saturday and then a good portion of Sunday preparing as well. We ate, we got our pictures taken on the red carpet and with our own Oscars, we predicted the winners, we gave out door prizes and we were in community. I think that was the best part of all.

I loved cheering for Sean Penn's win along with everyone else in the room, I loved snarking over some of the dresses and hairstyles with my friends, I loved getting all dressed up and feeling a part of it all.

A wonderful night to celebrate a wonderful year of film. My first year in the business and at the party. Certainly not my last on either account.

Today

Back in January I vowed to get back in shape. To lose weight. To be better to myself. I have and I haven't. For instance, I fell off the WW train last week and stayed off, until Monday. I know better. And then I promised myself starting Monday I would floss EVERY SINGLE DAY. (If there are those of you out there who do this, major props to you. I floss frequently but there are nights when I am almost too exhausted to brush my teeth, much less anything else. And yes, I know better. And yes, I have huge dental charges on my stupid Visa. Whatever.) And then we ran out of floss. And I haven't been to the store yet. Plus, floss is super expensive! (And yes, I know, so are dentures!)

Anyway. I am trying again. Monday I began eating better. I walked in the bedroom while Ang watched TV (raining too hard to walk outside). I did some weight exercises. But I just felt like a loser. And not the Biggest Loser, I wish. (Ang and I went to the bookstore Friday night and read their new jump start book - it didn't tell me the secret. So I didn't buy it.) So today I decided to try again.

I had hopes of joining a gym. Not the expensive gyms I see on every corner. Not the family-friendly YMCA I keep thinking about. Just the Curves by Ang's school that I could walk to and do some weight training at with an instructor for thirty bucks a month. But then I didn't get paid (yeah, STILL haven't seen a penny from UoP) and more doctor/dentist bills came in and then the car insurance bill arrived in my inbox and I realized that I would not be joining a gym. In fact, after almost five years I'll probably have to give up my WW account too (not sure if this is a big loss as I now know the program backward and frontward and sideways but it was always a comfort to have the amenities/encouragement available).

So today I went outside. I got out of my bed (because the heat doesn't work well I was under three blankets working) and laced on the beautiful tennis shoes my mom bought me a year ago and plugged in my trusty iPod and was on my way. And even though I only walked for thirty minutes, it felt good.

I stretched. I ran to the stop sign. I walked slowly to catch my breath. I ran across the street. I smiled when a butterfly almost sideswiped me. I smiled at some kids hanging over the fence yelling at the puppy in the street. I walked really fast while I listed to the Unit's theme song (the original theme song, the only theme song if you ask Ang) over and over again. I tried not to stare at the film shoot in the park. I laughed as the little dog jumped onto the curve and looked like a dog from a cartoon, ears flying behind him, tongue hanging out of his mouth. I sidestepped several mud puddles. I stepped in a clear puddle to clean my shoes (because as June Carter Cash says in Walk the Line - which I just read this morning - "we choose which puddles to step in"). I ran up the hill and realized that was not a good idea. I walked down a street in my neighborhood I've never been on before. I held my face up to the sun and smiled. I ran even though my legs felt tight and my throat burned. I walked some more.

And it all felt good. Being outside. Listening to music, not multitasking for a change. Not thinking about work or writing or bills or money or anything but the song lyrics and whether or not I could run past the green bit of grass to the driveway (I did, and then walked for ten more minutes). It felt so good. And I am grateful for that reminder. That even though the cupboards might be getting bare, the checkbook might be getting lighter, the worries might be piling up, I can still enjoy the beauty of Southern California on a February day. I still have legs that allow me to walk, and occasionally run. I am alive. And all I'm going to do is what I can. Today.

A very special Valentine's Day celebration

Part One: Pauley & Michael's Wedding
Saturday was a day we'd all been waiting for, our friends from church - Pauley and Michael - were getting married! Now I've been to my share of weddings, lots and lots of weddings. Some I've been excited about, some I've been a little less excited about. I've cut the cake, I've helped out the bride, I've done the prayer at the reception before we ate, I've read poems and scriptures during the ceremony, I've done my share of participating. I've also done my share of sitting in the pew, smiling, listening, wiping away tears, being happy for everyone involved.

And Saturday was no different. I stood guard outside the door while the bride got dressed. I sat in the pew and smiled, agreed to support their marriage, teared up when they said their own vows. But there was something different on Saturday, something I realized somewhat driving home from the reception that night and realized fully on Sunday after hearing a Catholic priest preach at our church.

The priest said that our relationships with other people are a privilege, not a right. Other people let us into their lives because they choose to, for no other reason. They don't have to - no one has to trust anyone else. And as I thought about that, and this wedding that I'd been invited to attend, something sunk in. I thought about how important the relationships in my life are. All of them. The relationships I've had for thirty-one years. The relationships I've had for just six months.

Sometimes, okay, all the time, I'm amazed at where life has taken me, where it's brought me, where God has lead me, the choices I've made, the choices others make, that bring us all to this very moment. To the moment of sitting there, listening to Pauley and Michael promise to love one another forever, wiping away tears for my friends. My friends. People who have invited me into their lives. Who've chosen to share moments with me. To love me. When I hugged Pauley as I was leaving the reception Saturday night, and she said, not for the first time that day, "I love you" - I smiled and said it back and thought, how amazing is God that He brings people into our lives, to affect our lives, to make our lives so much better, every single day. I am so blessed, not only by my relationship with Pauley and Michael but by every single person who I have a relationship with. All of you.

Part Two: A Hollywood Wedding
Yes, it was my friends' wedding day. It was beautiful and simple, just life them. No flowers except for one beautiful special daisy-filled bouquet, no fuss, just Pauley and Michael and Jesus and a profession of love.

But it was also a celebrity, Hollywood wedding! And yes, there were a few celebrities there. The entire cast of NCIS made it - including "Gibbs", "Ducky", "McGee", "Tony", "Ziva", "Jimmy", and even "Kate". And yes, my friends and I were totally star-struck. I mean how often can you say you're in the same room, at the same bar, as Mark Harmon?!?!?! Come on! So cool!

And no, I didn't get pictures of all of them, much to many people's dismay. But I did work up the courage to introduce myself to a few (does dancing with Cote de Pablo count?!?! I say yes!). And I did ask Sean Murray if we could take a photo with him, and he was very sweet, as was his wife.

Beyond the NCIS crew (and I did meet actual crew members including a producer!), there were also a few Boston Legal folks there (my friend David Dean Bottrell and the beautiful Meredith Eaton) and tons of other people.

So yes, my first celebrity wedding, complete with security, eco-friendly SUV shuttles, a fun digital photo booth that we took full advantage of, wonderful food, a few transvestites, dancing all night in three inch heels without a blister, and some of my favorite television stars. Oh, and all of my new Hollywood family! I don't think I've had a better Valentine's Day!

Updates

I know some of you out there have been following the rat tales closely. Some of you have requested the problem be dealt with before visits are scheduled (working on it Mom). And some of you have had laughing fits over our predicament (you know who you are).

Well, after the last exterminator visit I wasn't feeling so great. I was told there were no more rats since we hadn't caught any in over two weeks. I was told there still was only one way for them to get in (the front freaking door). I was told that avocado in the traps was a last ditch effort.

And then the noise got worse. Angela described it as rats bowling in our attic and that was pretty accurate. And then the noise stopped and I thought, maybe, just maybe, I was crazy and it had been a squirrel or possum on the roof.

And then the exterminator came back today. AND I WAS VINDICATED. Yep, we got TWO MORE RATS. Take that men who called me crazy (with a look of course). Take that landlord who still hasn't called for a second opinion (I've learned that the attic should be cleaned out now, because there's obviously rat poop up there but our exterminators "don't do that"). Take that RATS!

So yeah, we still have rats. Hopefully come June they'll be gone (when Mom is coming). Hopefully the bowling league has ended and the last strike thrown.

In other news - the VUE is running fine. I still need to take her in to get a checkup and the back latch fixed but you know how it goes, the squeaky wheel gets the oil and nothing's squeaking right now.

I've finished my script, per my teacher's instructions, I'm putting it away for a while before a final polish when I submit it to the UCLA screenwriting contest. And that means, yep yep, I'm starting all over again with a new idea. I think I've got a fun one - straight up comedy this time, and I have an actor in mind which makes it fun to imagine him in the role. And yes, the main character is a guy so that'll be a new experience writing for me too.

I'm still working on the novel, need to start rewriting and weed through the list of agents and publishing houses I've been researching. Talk about a process.

Oh, and, the new job is going well. I'm teaching two English classes for the University of Phoenix and it's taken a lot more time than I anticipated but I'm finally getting into the swing of teaching online and all that goes with that. Best thing? Working in my pjs at 12am so I can write the next morning. Worst thing? Working in my pjs at 12am. :-)

You Oughta Know

Remember how I was going to do one new thing every weekend since I live in the fabulous city of angels? Yeah. I'm still trying. But January was a sucky month. And December was, well, December. But after a couple of cancellations and rearranged dates we finally got a bunch of girls together to go out on Saturday night!

And I can't wait to do it again.

Do you ever agree to do something and then immediately try to think of reasons why you shouldn't? Or can't?

I do.

It'll cost too much. I should be working. I should be writing. I should clean the house. The DVR is getting full. I need to watch a movie for class. I need to go grocery shopping. The house should be cleaned. I need to make some calls. It'll be boring. I won't have any fun. I need to lose 44 pounds first. The drinks are too expensive and I can't drink much anyway.

Yeah. Nothing worked. Especially when I found out my friends needed a ride. So I sucked it up and went. And I'm so glad I did.

We went to Fiesta Cantina. And it was a new thing in itself, I had never been there before. But let me tell you a little more about Fiesta Cantina. They have 2 for 1 drinks during happy hour (even though I was the designated driver I got the Diet Coke hookup for two bucks!). They have really good nachos (which you get for free when the waiter forgets to put your order in, bonus! No, really! Bonus! I was psyched!)

And did I mention that it's a gay bar, in West Hollywood? Yeah. It was great! Seven girls, cheap drinks, a bar full of some fierce gay guys (who can dance like mad!), and awesome music! We're talking old school Madonna, Beyonce, Tiffany!, and of course, Alanis Morissette. My favorite moment of the night was when we were all done with our food (and drinks for the most part) and just hanging out at this ridiculously huge table because the crowd has cleared, and Alanis' song "You Oughta Know" comes on and without missing a single beat we all start screaming the lyrics. It was great! And to make it even better, the bar got quiet and everyone smiled, at us. Too funny. Yeah, you see, they knew at that moment that we were having the best night. Food. Drinks. Friends. Good music. No one worrying about anything else.

Fiesta Cantina won't be a one-stop wonder. We'll be going back. Soon.

Six more weeks of this? Well okay!

I don't wanna brag or anything but this has got to be one of the best parts of living in Southern California. These roses are in bloom. In my backyard. In February. And it's 84 degrees outside. I'm just sayin'.

25 Random Things

1. I hate going to the dentist but absolutely love how my teeth feel after a cleaning. I've often thought I'll get my teeth cleaned the day before my wedding (or the Oscars, which ever comes first).
2. I believe you can learn to like something by trying it 10 times. This is how I learned to eat, and enjoy, broccoli.
3. If something is too popular too quick, I tend to disregard it. (e.g., the Harry Potter books - which I only read after I saw the first movie on video even though Grandma MacDonald tried to get Ang and I to go to the movie with her in the theater and we declined. I regret that now.)
4. I am obsessed with To-Do Lists. I currently have one on my desk, four posted above my desk, and another in my calendar.
5. I have been on Weight Watchers for over five years and have lost over 95 pounds. I have since gained some back. I struggle with this every single day.
6. I love taking pictures and still have black and white film in the fridge. Some day I'd love to have a darkroom in my house (I learned how to work in one back at church camp and then helped my college roommate Kelly who was a photography major).
7. I am not a fan of dogs.
8. I am great in job interviews.
9. I can never eat a tootsie roll pop without biting it.
10. I think I am a fast reader but I am not as fast as my dad, Angela, or my mom.
11. I have a list of things I'd like to do in my life. I haven't checked off a lot of the list yet.
12. I will go to France one day and I will take my parents to Greece and Italy.
13. I love water - pools, lakes, showers. I could take an hour long shower every day if I had the luxury.
14. I have broken my ankle too many times to count. I've only been in a cast twice (one plaster, one an immobilizer) but the doc said there are tons of tiny little cracks in the bone.
15. I started taking golf lessons when I was about seven and was captain of my high school and college teams. I didn't really enjoy playing on a team until college and oddly enough, now that I don't play competitively, I am a way better golfer.
16. I wrote a lot for the Olivet College newspaper while I was a student but never became a staff writer because I didn't want to be told what to write. And I didn't really care for the editor. I think that set the tone for my life - being picky and doing what feels right.
17. My favorite Christmas ornament is a mouse in a matchbox that Ben Roxberry gave to me in 1977. Yes, it was our first Christmas. And yes, we were three and two months old respectively.
18. I cry over commercials. I cry over TV shows. I cry over stories I read. I cry a lot. I think this is cathartic.
19. I love orange Tic-Tacs but must have three to five at a time (depending on how many are in the box).
20. If I could spend a day with anyone who's passed away it would be Brownie, my cat.
21. I have three pairs of eye glasses and wish I could afford more. But the pair I go to every night at home is at least eight years old.
22. I need Vernor's ginger ale when I'm sick. No matter what kind of sick I am. I blame my mother for this dependency. And I am very thankful it's available in Los Angeles.
23. I have a shelf of journals that are completely filled up. Also, this year, for the first time ever, I tore two pages out of a journal and shredded it. Yes, I was that angry and hurt.
24. I am obsessed with all things "West Wing" and anything having to do with the actual presidency, always have been. In fact, I drug my father to the White House at 4am in 2001 so we could get tickets for a tour. Seven hours later we got inside. Someday I'll be in there again.
25. I have a fear of cleaning toilets that stems from an incident involving hydrochloric acid (toilet bowl cleaner) in my eye when I had my first apartment alone. But on Friday night I cleaned the toilet and nothing happened. I'm still not over my fear.
26. (Because I like to bend the rules) I have seen the musical "Rent" three times on stage. I have seen the movie. And I have literally memorized the soundtrack. (I am singing it right now as I type.) This is all because of Jamee Boutell - she and I listened to the soundtrack before either of us knew what the show was, when I visited her the first time in Texas when we'd just graduated high school. In fact, I knew every word to the entire thing BEFORE I'd seen a minute of the show.

Another week

I can't believe it's February already. It's been another crazy week here at Casa Knapp but things are quieting down now. I have spent the past seven days worried about my car and the good news is - it's finally fixed! After an $80 jump, a $85 battery, a $98 tow, and a $48 positive connector cable (yes, in that order), it works! I'm still a bit nervous when I get behind the wheel but so far so good, I've made it to the grocery store and back and didn't need cab fare!

I did try to change the battery myself, with the help of my neighbor Bill. He took me to Auto Zone where the girl assured me I needed a new battery without even testing the old (that's quite a talent I say, knowing if a battery's gone bad without even hooking it up to be charged) and then helped me put the new one in. (And can I just say my engine area has never been cleaner? Apparently it was a bit too dirty for Bill's taste so he made me go get my vacuum cleaner and spruce it up. Angela was not impressed about the vacuuming.) But it still didn't work.

So I got my friend Jim to come over Friday (I spent a large part of the week also pretending my car wasn't dead, this worked okay and I had decided it would work well until 2/14 when Ang and I had to be on separate sides of town at the same time) and he and Bill and I tried again but nothing. So I gave up, called the stupid tow truck company and sent it away. I had no idea where it was going (I had an address, that was it) and at that point I really didn't care. It wasn't even so much the money at this point but the energy I was having to put into the whole mess.

Two hours later, my car was fine. And I was ecstatic. Car Crisis of '09 over!

Other than that, Angela's sick with a bad cold. Which meant I spent Friday cleaning and cooking for her study group Saturday morning. Let's just say the house is spotless and I am hoping it stays that way for a while. Or forever. I would really be okay with having a cleaning person. I would not be one of those people who'd be freaked out by it. Just for the record. (And yes, I even cleaned the bathroom - including the toilet! And I can still see just fine!)

Cleaning all day Friday meant I got to spend some quality time with my iPod and the podcasts I've been downloading and meaning to get around too. I think in total I listened to over eight hours' worth on Friday: mostly screenwriting discussions. (Interesting factoid: Will Smith lives in a gated community - of his own. He bought a street and closed it off and it's his. Yeah. His own street. Wow.)

Oh, and I started my new job Monday - teaching English classes for the University of Phoenix. Right now I have a mentor, and once I complete my first two classes I'll be a full-fledged faculty member. So this week I've been working one-on-one with my mentor doing prep work and tomorrow the class starts (students start checking in today but she told me to take the day off - the only one I'll get for the next nine weeks; yeah, that's right, UoP faculty have to work every single day which was so not in the brochure).

And I'm still plugging away at UCLA three nights a week - and loving my business class. This week Amy Baer, the CEO and President of CBS Films came to our class and can I just say, I want to work for her! Fingers crossed!

Oh yes - and the rats. Still here, in my humble-I-only-freaking-LIVE-HERE opinion. But what do I know? Because they've been skirting the traps and the exterminator's given up on me. He said he'd be in touch. I'm not holding my breath.

Okay, enough. Back to my other day job. Working on my second draft of my script, finishing up the Lenten devotional I thought sounded fun to write, and editing my novel. Ooh - there's also three hours of Lost on the DVR. Hmmm...choices!