exactly!

THIS entry, on another blog, is pretty much what I've been complning about for years.

There are more and more live-action (& visual FX) people getting into animation. Not because they love it (they all seem to feel it's a demotion) but because it's "the thing to do". Along with the "looking down the nose" attitude comes a distinct lack of wanting to learn. They want to do it the live action way. But it is a complete different breed! They don't want to hear it. They don't want to learn. Argh.

Having years of experience in both animation & live action I have to say that live action people are like west-siders (LA people will get this), and animation people are like valley residents. The west-siders are snobs, think the valley is way beneath them & their time. They can't be bothered to ever go there & they cartainly wouldn't want to learn why anyone would want to live there. On purpose. And the valley people are just easy going. You need them on the west side? Ok. In the valley? Ok. Do this kind of movie? Ok. "Hey, I've never done that before, but I'd love to learn and be a part of it"... you get the picture.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be around people who are so distainful of animation. Really frustrating. But I don't know that it will change anytime soon. Just like the accountants took ove the studio world, live action people are taking over animation. "Oh, I'll dabble in this, whilst doing a 'real' movie at the same time."

Okay, enough of the complaining. And, HELLO?!?!?! enough of the mocap for goodness sake!!!

movies watched last week

Shooter

The Queen

Reign Over Me

my first time

Last night, after a screening, we went west in Hollywood to Ameoba Music. And it was the first time I have ever been there! Can you believe it? This is somewhere that A goes to ALL the time. And I mean all the time. Actually, a lot of people do. It is hugely popular and have one of the best music selections in LA. Turns out they have movies & posters too. Very fun! I highly recommend a visit, or two, or three, or...

free hugs

I really love this YouTube video winner. It just makes you smile.

scene of the crime

I came to Glendale today to go to the bank (nearest branch-don't ask) and it turns out it's litterally across the street from my old stomping grounds for the "Mr. Limpet" movie. It was the last time I worked with Melis (boo-meaning I like to work with her) and it's where I met Alex (yea)! So, almost nine years ago, here we were. Who knew this is where we'd be today? Not I.

(and down the street is where I worked for years at Turner on "Cats don't Dance". Now that brings back memories as well. What a great company.)

ideas for chicks

I bought some items for my purse(s) a while ago and I love them so much I have to spread the word (to my 2 readers).

The first is an item called a "Purseket". These come in 3 different sizes & they also have a drop-in version. Basically it's a bunch of packets around some sturdy board. You put the items you usually put in your purse-glasses, notebook, lipstick, phone, camera...- in the purseket and then you put that in your purse. It keeps everything totally organized and the BEST thing is you just lift it out of your purse and into another one. I have lots of purses (just ask Alex) but I wasn’t using a lot of them just because it was such a pain to transfer all the stuff. Now, I just lift, place & go. So very exciting. It kind of wraps around the edge of the purse so there is room in the middle for bigger things, like a wallet. I have the small size as my purses aren't that big, but the other two sizes are great for gym bags or diaper bags. The drop in is good for thinner purses, or you can put it in the middle of the bigger one in your purse to add more pockets. I'd recommend buying one (or more) today. And one for your mom, sister, daughter...

The next thing I bought is a Dangle. It is a sort of hook that you can hang your purse on. How many times have you been to a restaurant and wondered what to do with your purse? Can't hang it on the chair, it could get stolen. Don't want to put it on the floor, gross. On your lap, it's just in the way. Hanging on your leg is just annoying. So... you use one of these. You hook it on the side of the table and then hang your purse from it. It's safe and clean. It says it can hold up to 85lbs, but I think if you're carrying this much stuff you have all together more problems than this. But you can, as I just did last night, hand two purses from it (my sisters & mine).

The last idea is a stroke of genius. I haven't signed up (yet) but it's a web site called "Bag Borrow or Steal". This is like a Netflix for purses & jewelry. So amazing! You can pay a monthly fee & "borrow" a designer purse for a night, or a week, or a month. Then you order your next item & return the first. Great if you attend a lot of functions and need new things but don't want to spend the money, or storage space, to buy. You don't have to be a monthly member to "borrow" items either. If you just need the occasional item, for a wedding or something, you can get that too. It's a bit more expensive but it's still a great option. I am very excited to try it out!

So, that's my "advice column" for the day. Enjoy your shopping girls.

(no) smoke in our wake

I'm not really complaining but... why is it that everywhere we live/visit is full of smoke... until after we move?

New York banned smoking in public places/bars a year after we moved away. The amout of times we came home smelling like a tobacco factory. Ugh. Scotland banned smoking 12 months ago-we were there 17 months ago. Wales is going into effect in Aril and the uK in July.

France (of all places) is banning it next year.

Now, I am very happy this is happening all over the world, but why couldn't it have been WHILE we lived there?

good eats

(okay seriously-how big is my head compared to Melissa's?!)

Steve & John had been telling us about how spruced up & swanky Culver City is now & recommended an Italian place there for dinner. So we went to see. Sure enough it (the town) looks great. Lots of new shops, cinemas, restaurants. We did go to the Italian place (who's name escapes me) and had a scrumptious dinner. A bit cold though as we had to sit outside (under the heaters, thankfully) and had not dressed to be out all day and on the cooler side of the hill.

After dinner we went across the street to see if there were any films playing we wanted to see. Everything had started already so we headed home.

Before we left we poked our heads in the wine bar next to (and connected to) the restaurant. Wow! That is all I can say. I'll have to write another post about it to explain but basically you can taste all sorts of wine you dispense yourself. And the place is totally conducive to conversation. I've said too much already but do look our for a post soon about a visit and how it all woks.

Caio for now, faithful reader(s).

visiting for tea

This afternoon we went with Melissa to visit an old (in the long term way) friend Steve. We've known him since the early '80s up near Sacramento. He and John live in this fun & quirky "compound" called the "Village Green" near South Central LA. It was built in 1941 and it's a sprawling place with over 600 units and TONS of greenery & park like areas.

There was an open house so we went to see that. It was oh so tempting to want to buy it. But the amount of money you'd have to spend fixing it up wasn't fun (full 1970 kitchen anyone?). And the way Steve & John have done their place up in total '41 decor is amazing. We could never match it.

We had some delish lemonade and some treats & chatted for a good while. It was sooooo very fun. I can't wait to see them again. Soon I hope.

which direction?

How does one (or two) choose where to go for sunday breakfast? Coffee Bean has the best coffee (for Alex), Starbucks has the best hot chocolate (for me), Portos has the best pastries and LPQ has the best seating & atmosphere. Argh! I guess we could rotate, but then we'd only get to each place, at most, once a month. And that doesn't include other special side trips. Oh well. Maybe we should just have tea at home in our cozies.

change of plan

We were going to go back to LPQ today, like last week, but got up too late (they'd be out of chocolate croissants) and it's not very close so we'd be rushed. Instead we came to Portos, just down the road from us. We used to come here all the time when we first moved but haven't been in ages. It's fun! And they have the best croissants. But it's a very big place. And ALWAYS crowded. So, not the most relaxing atmosphere. Oh well. We've had a fun "morning". Now, off to see Steve.

hard day at the office

Today we got into work & went to a long goodbye lunch. Now they are hard at play with Guitar Hero. so fun! I want one.

goodbye lunch

Today we had a goodbye lunch for most of the remaining crew. It had been scheduled for some visdev people who's last day is today, but we made it into an all out party. Lots of fun. But you still only get to talk tot he people on either side of you and accross from you. Oh well. Maybe we'll have another one next week!!!

to save or not to save

We've got almost everything for our money last year in Quicken so going through receipts was not high on our list. But the "cash" file was such that we thought we might should find some of those receipts. But this is crazy. I know they say keep everything for 7 years but if you have it all in quicken & all your bank statements do you need to have the receipts? We might just end up shoving them in a drawer. We'll see.

Fun with Alex

I found this tonight and it made me smile, so I thought I'd share. It's Alex & the (Swanborg) girls last year about this time.


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the lamb is roast

Well, it's not like we didn't see it coming, but we got the word... Sheepish is "on hold". Which really means it's done. Over. Kaput. Oh well. I'm hoping this will motivate me to actually do our own stuff. Please!

frustrating

The other day I realised my blog didnt' have that many posts on the index page, so I changed it to 60 days of posts. Tonight I noticed it went all the way back to the "begining" in August. Argh. So, I chenged the setting again. And again, and again. It still has them all. I just don't know how to fix this & it bugs me more that I can't figure iit out than the fact the it's doing it. ewtiher way... Anoying!!!

update: weird. it's working now. For now. Keep it up! =)

Ritual renewed

This "morning" (I think we left home at noon) we ventured west to Le Pain Quotidian on Ventura Blvd. When we lived in NYC we went to LPQ all the time for the amazing pain au chocolat, coffee & hot chocolate. They have been popping up more & more in LA and we found this one a few months ago. Everything is so yummy and well presented. We love the big communal table the best. I think we will definately have to come more often. Every week maybe? Read our Guardian Weekley and sip our breakfast. C'est un jour parfait.

afternoon read

This is the first weekend I've had off in weeks. (I don't count Alaska as off since it was kinda "working" for the Iditarod) Alex came to the Coffee Bean a while ago. He was going to get something & bring it home but decided to stay & read a while. So I came to join him. Yea. We haven't done this in a long while. Too long. Good music, good reading, good company, good drinks. What more could one want?

barsac

The New York executives took us to dinner tonight as a thank you for our work for today's screening. That was really nice and it was a great dinner. It was great to get out of the office for once and not eat take out (like we've done for almost 2 weeks). ANd to get to sit & hang out with everyone. And not have the burden of an impending deadline & work over our heads. Very nice. Thank you!

Now, I'm off to sleep for hours. As long as I can. And I don't have to work this weekend. Yea!!!!!

do or die

Today's the day!!! We've done everything we could do in the last 30 days to turn this movie around & give the executive what they want to see. Now it's in their hands. We all think the quality of our work is only about 20% of the decision. The rest will be business. We'll see what happens!

work "ethic"

Some people are like me (& my sister & my production manager &...) and when work needs to be done you do it. Whatever it takes, you get it done. And if it's a friend or family member that needs help getting it done... you do it then too. Again, whatever it takes.

So it's frustrating for me to have to work with the other kind of people who, when something needs to get done, ask questions. "now?", "why isn't someone else doing it?", "what do I get paid?"... etc. This drives me crazy. It makes me feel unsupported in my work & frustrated because the job isn't getting done. In the time I have to argue about it, it could have been done, but now everyone feels bad & that just sucks.

I know everyone isn't like us, but I just can't get my head around it. I guess it's how I was raised. It's in my blood. If it needs to get done, you do it. End of story. The only question should be "when does it need to get done by?". I guess the people who don't get it won't ever get it, but it makes think twice about wanting to work with them in the future. What happens the next time I'm in a crunch? Will they step up? Or let me down?

he did it!!!!

Lance is number one!!! Yea!

I'm still at the office (screeing this week) so I didn't get to see it, but Alex got to watch some of the festivities through the internet at home (too bad TV doesn't cover this event). That is so cool that he won. It was definately his year. I'm sure his family (with 2 previous winners in it) is just jumping up & down.

Wooooooo hooooooooo!!!

in the lead

The race is getting really good! Who knew a dog sled race could be so intense? I'm so excited. Our fovorite to win is out front right now. Things change all the time though, so we'll have to see what happens.

If you want to know more about the sport Cabella's has a great Iditarod site & has the extensive rules listed HERE.

prepared

So, what kind of person in the film business goes to a screening of a film they are working on & doesn't bring note paper? What is that about? We had a screening today & had it in my office. The PM brought pads of paper & some pens and after(?) the screening people reached for them to write notes. I'm thinkin' "why don't you have a note pad for every day use that includes screenings?". I just don't understand people. I really don't.

here's a thought...

Was Christopher Columbus a terrorist or an illegal alien?

sleepy

I'm so sleepy today. I think the trip is hitting me now. Yesterday I was fine at work but today it's all I can do to stay awake.

Alex got sick last night. Not sure if it's food poisening or flu or exhaustion after our trip but it's no fun whatever it is. It must be really hard for him to come from a place where his soul is alive like it is in Alaska, and then be in a place surrounded by cement & stress with work & "life". I feel for him. I have to say I am a total city girl and my heart sings when I'm in NYC, Paris or even London. But Alex is definately a nature boy. The closer to nature the better. He does really well in cities, as I do in nature, but our hearts definately know where they flourish.

I've never liked the "west side" of LA (oh sooooooo many reasons. mostly the people that live there) but lately I've been thinking it might be a good place to live as it's more "city" like (for LA) and it's close to the nature of the ocean & mountains. Hmmmmm.

Ok. Nap time
is over.

ps:

I really miss Anchorage & wish we were there right now. It makes me so sad.

But I'm following the race in the fabulous Iditarod site. For $20 you can become a member & watch great video updates. They do such a good job.

Also, I soooo love my phone and the fact that I can send the below photos & posts to this blog from it. And so easily. Yea Palm.

backwards

So, in Alaska it's really cold outside. But you go inside and it's toasty warm. Sometimes too warm (like our first hotel). But you get back to LA & it's just the reverse. Ourside it's warm & balmy (weird coming from up north) and then you go inside and it's FREEZING! It's so stupid. My office is so cold. I have a space heater going & everything. People laugh at me and say "you're cold Alaska girl?!" but up there you only have to wear 8 layers OUTSIDE. And, unless you have an outdoors job, you can wear normal clothes inside. It drives me nuts. Makes it much harder to work as well.

I remember they did this in NYC. It the really hot, humid summers the AC was cranked inside the shops, then in the freeziong winter the heaters were cranked. Why can't they just have it at a normal, liveable temperature?! Argh!

Back to my iceberg...

last leg of the trip

We almost volunteered to get bumped but they wouldn't put us up so here we are. Home soon.

suddenly...

we're at a sports bar/restaurant in Vegas. Bummer. There is a different breed of people that comes to Vegas than to Alaska. (we're of the latter breed)

waiting

We're just waiting to get on the plane to LA via Vegas. we are both so sad and hate to leave. Sigh. Next year we have to come for longer.

the real start

the starting line

there he is!!!

The best voulenteer :)

harley?

could one of these be the lead wolf from my movie? :(

race day!

books!

What would a trip be for us without time spent at a bookstore? :)

at the "fur exchange"

Just a bit too creepy for us to see full dead animal skins. This didn't even include the taxidermy on the walls or the racks of fox, wolf, bever... Not our sort of place.

moose head

This is not one of the moose we saw yesterday. We're in the race headquarers at the Melinium Hotel. Dog handling training completed. We need to find some lunch!

map of the route

dinner at Humpy's

A raindeer sausage eating contest in progress as we arrived. (winner ate 12.5 in 10min) Great food, live music, fun crowd.

amazing views

Today we drove south from Anchorage. The road to the clacier we went to see was closed but we saw the most amazin mountains. And water & ice. we saw 3 moose and 4 bald eagles. Somany photos toshare. Yea!