Thursday, May 29, 2008

Won't Somebody Please Have a Party?!


I love a good house party, because I love hanging out with friends in a relaxed atmosphere. I prefer house parties to gatherings out at a restaurant, because as a guest, you feel that there is no rush to claim your seat or table. No server hovers over you pointedly asking if they can get you anything else when what they really mean is, "please go away so I can seat someone else and make more money. I'm tired of looking at you." One of my friends needs to throw a house party soon. I'll bring a platter of food and bucket of chilled beverages. Please invite me.

Flowers & Food






I spent most of today covered in sweat and dirt, smelling and looking pretty gross, but loving the process of gardening. I like growing pretty flowers, smelly herbs and tomatoes: mmm... yummy, fresh, fragrant tomatoes. Chad and I are researching how to build raised growing beds right now. My friend, Kristen M., built ingenious raised veggie beds with tall chicken wire frames that had hinged doors for easy people-access but not so easy critter-access. I think we're going to copy her idea. I want to grow more of my own food, like eggplant, squash, zucchini and cucumbers, maybe some peppers.

Rainbow Hair


My four-year-old niece, Mary, has gorgeous red, curly hair. She notices and comments whenever she sees someone else with red hair. Other people's red hair is never as pretty as her red, curly hair though.

Mary informed me that I have rainbow hair like Christopher, her seven-year-old brother/my nephew. I think she was referring to his natural highlights. I am sporting a good six inches of natural hair color for the first time since eighth grade. My rainbow hair is natural, thank-you-very-much.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Among My People


Non-actor friends and family members, I love you. I really do. BUT, there's something about communing with other actors that validates me and my crazy creative drive to perform like nothing else. I've been participating in an acting and screenwriting workshop the past five Monday nights. Words can't express how grateful I am for this workshop. When I'm performing, it's like I'm extra-alive, it's exhilarating.

My friend, Daniel S., describes it well. "I'm really scared of heights, but I'm always the first to volunteer to climb the scaffolding. I like the rush of the fear and adrenaline. I think that's why I like acting." Dan and I were in a show together in January. He invited me into this invitation-only workshop that I love so much. Thank you, Dan!

The glowing comments I received from workshop last week: "Jennifer was back in form this week and she was another one that was shining, literally; that invisible cinematographer I mention below had lighted her perfectly. I have no idea how old Jennifer actually is (and, of course, would never ask) but she looked teenaged sitting across from David; it was if they matched up by osmosis. And it doesn’t take much more than this, folks, to show love; it was all in her eyes, punctuated nicely by every “Wait... What?”, without giving away that killer ending. This is definitely a Showcase scene for both of you and it’s odd that I have the least to say about it; no Adds, just praise which can be much more concise. Bravo."

I'm thirty-five. Praise from Caesar feels nice, ya'll... real nice.

Lose Four Pounds Fast!!!


Ask me how! Get food poisoning and you too can lose four pounds in just five days!

Blech. It was bad. Now I'm all better. I even went to the gym on Monday and Wednesday. Those four pounds are going to come right back once I rehydrate and actually retain some of the food I eat.

And, no, for the record, I'm NOT pregnant.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Harbinger of Illness


My terribly cranky Tuesday turned into tummy trouble. After 48 hours of yucky symptoms, I've used WebMD to diagnose myself with either food poisoning or gastroenteritis. If symptoms persist or worsen, I'll get myself over to the real doctor. For now, I'm just trying to stay hydrated and get enough rest.

I have zero appetite, but did manage to force down a chocolate chip cookie yesterday. Today's feasting has consisted of Propel fitness water, a small cube of cheese and a few multigrain crackers.

There's a line in the movie The Devil Wears Prada where the #1 assistant, Emily, boasts, "I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight". Trust me when I insist that this is not how I want to reach my goal weight!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

I'm Feelin' Ya, Alexander




I liked this book when I was a kid. I remember that Alexander snaps out of his funk somehow, but I can't remember how.

It's muggy and hot outside. I am out of allergy meds. I have a headache. I'm hungry, but food is stupid. The dog is stinky and needs a bath. The dog is stinky and has gas. I got a sugar-coated, but still demoralizing email today. The refrigerator is making sounds like it's dying, and the pets find it very alarming. I have lots of laundry to do. It's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Yet, I have so much for which I should be thankful. Not appreciating all the great stuff makes me feel even worse.

Off to get some allergy meds and coffee. Then I'll bathe the dog and finish the laundry. Maybe that will make me feel better?

Friday, May 02, 2008

Treating Myself Well


I decided that I needed to treat myself today after getting lots of projects done this week. I've gone four months without a haircut. Fate smiled on me this afternoon and I was able to get an appointment with my favorite stylist after she had a last-minute cancellation. I love what she did for my hair!

I usually wash and vacuum my car myself. Today, I got my car washed, vacuumed and hand dried at the full service Texaco car wash on Guadalupe at 32nd Street. They did a fantastic job! My car looks new again, and smells all yummy and citrusy.

As I drove home from my treats, I waited at a stop light. I looked around a bit as one does at a long stop light. The guy in the car next to me smiled at me and gave me the "how you doin'?" nod. He looked younger than I am, and pretty cute. Tee-hee...

I guess that the car and I were looking good.

Take time to treat yourself, or just to take care of yourself. Other people, sometimes complete strangers, will treat you well too.