Me and TV

House sitting, while still lovely, is no longer the absolute delight it once was now that I love my actual home. I mean that strictly food wise and the fact that I spend most of my lunch hour in the car. And lack of internet and cell reception, although that's kind of bitter sweet. Dog wise and cable wise-- AWESOME.

Corina and I are officially building a shrine to these dogs with materials left over from the move. Nothing more needs to be said on that matter.

Cable:

FINALLY watched True Blood. And now I'm about to shoot myself in the face as I wait to see (I'd BETTER SEE!!) some much anticipated banging. Very important. BAAAAAAAAHHH!! I hate waiting!

Watched, for perhaps my first time, Curb Your Enthusiasm during it's actual airing time. It was HILARIOUS and I remembered again the delight I will EVENTUALLY experience when I'm in the mood to watch 9 seasons of a show.

Then the next day, I heard through the walls our office neighbor playing the very episode.

And THEN I read:

The eighth-season ratings resurgence of Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm continues. The hilariously outrageous Palestinian Chicken episode on Sunday drew 2.4 million viewers for the premiere 10 PM airing to become the HBO series' most-watched episode in seven years.

What I'm saying is that I feel confident that Larry David made a deal with the devil for the episode. Must have.

ANYWAY ANYWAY

I remembered the miracle of Shawshank Redemption, and it is on my amazon.com list (if I ever buy movies again). That movie is a masterpiece. It really is. Also balled during the end of Toy Story 3 and Bright Star. Watched 10 minutes of Dinner for Shmucks and determined that my alternative choice, Jennifer's Body, was the better deal, which is REALLY saying something. Although I LOVE the Adam Brody killing scene in Jennifer's Body. It's HILARIOUS. Remembered that Get Him to the Greek IS quite funny, although I have a brain block with it for some reason. I can't ever remember details of that movie and this was my 3rd full viewing.

I also watched Inception, which I loved. Nothing to say about it, except that I got scared to walk around the house afterwards. I think it was a combination of the music that resonated in my head, I was up way later than usual, and I was in a strange house. What I'm saying is, I laid in bed for about 10 minutes trying to resist the urge to get my chapstick and lotion from the other room. But the dryness overwhelmed me and I faced my fears.

Corina and I also watched The Greatest with Carey Mulligan, Aaron Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Pierce Brosnan, and Jennifer Ehle and despite the largely British cast, everyone used an American accent, save Pierce, who apparently couldn't do it. It was okay. Parts stuck with me, but overall I wasn't thrilled. It seemed a little too scattered, ill-conceived. And Aaron was dead (not a spoiler-- happens in the first couple of minutes) and only shown in flashbacks, which was lame... and the scene was kind of scarring.

Actually, I'm just going to name the movies on my amazon list. For posterity.

-Shawshank Redemption

-Bright Star

-Breaking Upwards

-Groundhogs Day

-Cashback

-Mysterious Skin

-Mr. Show: The Complete Series

-Iron Man

-Emma

-Annie Hall (I still do not have this in my possession, for reasons beyond my control)

Over the Moon Still

I continue to be smitten with my life.

Fish. This time I got TWO fish because I learned that lady betas can live together. Fish brothel. Their names are Ladder Phoenix and Chair Beverage. I'm so happy they can have a buddy. I sensed that the best part of the day for Pavarotti Pizza-Pierogi and Hootenanny was when I came home, if only because they had something to look at that moved.

Margaritas made. They were delicious, although I made them with zero tequila taste. Plus, it could have used more ice. They were strawberry flavored. And they WERE in margarita glasses that we bought at Goodwill for essentially nothing. We also got an iron, mixing bowls, and Corina got Almost Famous (I already had it...)

And then we made a dip out of chili and cream cheese and cheddar cheese (extra sharp). And then some sour cream. It tasted GREAT but it kind of did a number on both our systems, although Corina actually vommed.

More free things! A chair, side table and trashcan. ALL things that I wanted. The chair broke though. I don't care. It was free.

Taco Ticos! Pillsbury (or generic but the brand kind of defines the product in this case) croissants with a concoction of cream cheese and taco flavoring. It's happening tonight hopefully.

Got another housesitting job!! Starts this weekend and I LOOOOVE these dogs. LOVE. Huskies. Beautiful, well behaved huskies!

REALLY intend on arranging "Head Over Feet" by Tears for Fears to jump start our a cappella group.

Saw the midnight screening of Harry Potter 7.2. I enjoyed it more than 7.1 and INFINITELY more than 6. There was one part that infuriated me, a couple parts that were annoying, but mostly it was okay and there were a couple parts I loved (ie: Helena Bonham Carter playing Emma Watson or the misguided gratuitous shots of Dan and Rupert without shirts -- the very VERY pastiest bodies I've ever seen).

I also KIND OF feel like I was tricked into liking it because:

a) It was past my bedtime and I was already feeling a little funny (which I love) before it even started.

b) It was a midnight screening so it was packed with so many costumed fans. It's hard not to get excited in the middle of all that positive energy. Although hilariously, the guy sitting next to me merely had a stick in his pocket. "Eh... it could be wand..." Hilariously half-assed.

c) I still had work the following day, so I BOOKED IT out of the theater and spent my drive home trying to clear my mind, not thinking about Harry Potter, so I could fall right to sleep. I didn't dwell like I usually would.

Anyway, it was good for me, but I don't really care. What I REALLY want is to read them again, but if I don't finish the book that I'm reading now, I never will. Must have self control.

Also, I haven't seen ANY new True Blood or Weeds and I rented Inception and I haven't gotten to that yet either. I've got some pleasures ahead.

Week 2 of New Apartment

I am kind of my own hero these past couple weeks.

Obviously the move was huge (understatement in my brain). Saving a SIGNIFICANT amount of money on gas. I think I cut the cost by half.

My diet did a 180 with the ability to cook and refrigerate. My conservative estimate is that I cut my meat intake by 4/5, but it's probably more than that. I don't know how to cook meat (really) is what I'm saying. I've supplemented with eggs. By the way, I have eggs for breakfast! Or at the very least, toast with peanut butter. Breakfast, guys! And I go an entire day without spending a cent. Two days even! Maybe 3!

Then I worked on set last weekend! That was a coup. Especially since I was actually paid! In money! And it was my first commercial shoot, which was an experience. Pretty fun, super exhausting, and as always, kind of painful since it's SUPER high energy for at least 12 hours per day on the weekend. But, as always, you feel pumped and proud and heroic in retrospect.

I also went to Target (on a weekday!) and got a LOT of things I'd been putting off.

1. Pair of brown pants (half of my shirts require brown and not black pants)

2. bras (2)

3. Razors

4. Sunglasses (mine broke yesterday)

5. Shoes. My DSW ones lasted a MONTH before the holes were unbearable and the pavement scorched my feet. 6 weeks before I replaced them. My new ones KILL. We'll see if my feet can build strong enough calluses or if I'm going to have to squander MORE money into foot protection.

6. Milk (gallon per week is the count so far)

7. parmesan cheese (in block form)

8. Shower soap

I even wrote the list before I went to the store!

My standard for heroics is actually quantum small, it turns out. But I'm very happy. Mostly, I'm in the mode again. My attitude is of the go-getter, push-yourself-to-be-better variety.

Also, I want to share a hilarious LA tidbit. My very least favorite highway in the WHOLE WORLD (emphasis because I'd never even considered not liking a highway, let alone despising a highway, before this one) is the 405, which I've spent significant portions of my life on. Stand still, 6 lane traffic that makes you want to drown everyone in your pee (a short sighted solution to an implied problem). They are closing the 405 down this weekend-- 8pm Friday to 6am Monday and we are all actively calling it Carmaggedon. Expected delays of 3 hours!! I'm kind of scared, but much more curious. I am supposed to be somewhere on Saturday, but if it looks too crazy, I'll shut in. I don't care. Stock up on some spaghetti-os and watch the madness from my balcony.

Netfliiiiix!!

NOOOOOOOO!!!

Dear Blythe,

We are separating unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming into two separate plans to better reflect the costs of each. Now our members have a choice: a streaming only plan, a DVD only plan, or both.

Your current $9.99 a month membership for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be split into 2 distinct plans:

Plan 1: Unlimited Streaming (no DVDs) for $7.99 a month
Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs, 1 out at-a-time (no streaming) for $7.99 a month

Your price for getting both of these plans will be $15.98 a month ($7.99 + $7.99). You don't need to do anything to continue your memberships for both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs.

These prices will start for charges on or after September 1, 2011.

You can easily change or cancel your unlimited streaming plan, unlimited DVD plan, or both, by going to the Plan Change page in Your Account.

We realize you have many choices for home entertainment, and we thank you for your business. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call us at 1-888-357-1516.

–The Netflix Team

I guess it isn't the WORST. And I have until Sept to decide what I want to do...

THE MOVE!

There is too much to even say!!

First, know that I am OVERJOYED!

Point 1: VAST overreaction to Davida situation.

Remember, this is 25 solid days of INTENSE anxiety. I'd clarify how intense, but I don't want to sound more melodramatic than I already do.

I got a text from Davida on Thursday night which stated she was going to check my room that night to see how much I owed. I could have vomited. I got home, I told her I'd be ready at 10:30pm, at 10:15pm, the place was SPOTLESS! Spotless like... I used Q-tips to clean room corners and window panes! I had basically already decided to give her $40 (I just HAD to) so I put the cash, my parking pass, and my keys in an envelope and waited. She walked in, looked around a TAD, looked in the envelope and asked

Davida: Is this $40 for cleaning?

Blythe: Yes... ...

Davida: Okay

We parted with her giving me a hug and saying "You had a great time here." To which I replied "Yep."

That was it. That was IT!

I tension laughed for the next 15 minutes. In the grocery store at 10:45pm.

I NEVER have to speak to Davida again!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!

Side story: When I got to my new apartment that night (kind of unexpected and I had to swiftly prepare (mostly mentally) for sleeping on the floor.) My new, Davida-less relief was my cushion, I suspect), my fire alarm kept chirping. I immediately thought of Phoebe in that episode of Friends. First I tried to press the little button on it with a hanger, but it went crazy and I realized that was a test button. Whoops. I knew that the chirping initially started after we turned the power on the other day, so I tried to cut the power. Still chirping! So I tried to find something to stand on amongst the scarcity of stuff in the apartment. I ended up standing on a box of books as I furiously tried to get the battery out of the fire alarm. I couldn't find it for the life of me and so, because it was late and I had work the next day, just tugged it down. The light turned off and I set it on the counter only to hear... MORE CHIRPING. Finally, I took down a bag of hats and stuffed it, Russian doll style, inside each of them and left the bag in Corina's room. Solved.

Point 2: One jillion things for free.

This whole move has been serendipitous in that it seems to me, everyone and their mother is moving and thus giving shit away. I received the following things for free:

1. Bed

2. Couch

3. bookshelf

4. bedside table

5. one jillion tables including an outdoor one, a coffee table, a table that I'm using for my new fish... (when I get one)

6. one jillion tea cups. We have more tea cups than regs cups.

7. A tea kettle

8. Lamps. like... at least 3 lamps (probs more)

9. a stool that I'm obsessed with

10. Bedspread and matching sham covers and a blanket (I didn't formerly OWN a bedspread!)

11. a jillion little things: vases, dishes that you put on tables to hold crap (like shells...), dish towels, regular towels, coasters, pot holders, utensils, big utensils (like spoons and vegetable peelers), pots, flower pots, flower pot stands.

And that's not even including the stuff that Corina brought with her, like a toaster oven, magic bullet, microwave. We already have a dishwasher! More pots and pans and dishes and silverware and, of course, tea cups. Colander, cookie sheet, pyrex pans. We were offered at least 3 separate blenders!!

I have only paid for ONE thing. A mattress pad. Do you understand!!?? I entered a house with NOTHING and only paid $10 for a cheap mattress pad!!!

Side story: I decided to actually take a look at the lamps and noticed that one is super pretty and thus mine! So I grabbed it and put it on my side table only to notice that the pretty lamp clashed pretty hard with my change holder (or what some might call a year-old aquafina bottle with the top hap-hazardly cut off with change sticking out). So I decided to go through some boxes of crap that we have because I really don't even know what these boxes have. I found like... 4 alternatives for a change holder. I'm classy by default, y'all!

Point 3: The move.

If I was writing frequently during this process, the move would have been a huge entry on it's own. However, I don't have internet at home yet and I'm not in the mood for a play by play right now.

The move went well. The couch WAS the biggest issue, but I didn't have to drive the truck, so that was huge. We had plenty of help and we were finished around 3pm - ish.

FYI: Refrigerators are SUPER easy to find in LA.

FYI 2: I moved crap for 4 days! Two days involving large furniture and many locations. 2 days were preceded by sleeping on the floor. And if you know me at all, you know I was a fucking beast during the move (must brag because I'm extremely un-lady-like when moving). ZERO back pain. I had a slightly sore left arm the day after our final day, but that's it. MIRACLE.

Point 4: Everything was broken, but not anymore.

We quickly built up a long list of crap that didn't work.

a. My drain, which was going crazy slow and thus leaving grime behind. I had this problem during the summer of junior year, and it's an unpleasant one. However, I didn't want to bombard our manager on a holiday weekend for that.

b. Hot water on the sink. It was a problem we addressed, but we weren't feeling hasty about it.

c. Fire alarms - 2/4 were messed up. I couldn't care less.

d. dishwasher. We don't plan on really using the dishwasher, but we wanted to clean all of our new, free stuff at once. Plus we loaded it all up, so that was disappointing.

e. The stove. That was important so I made the call.

He came in and did EVERYTHING. I felt so bad for being so annoying, but he was so nice about it. It turns out, the cleaning crew unplugged everything before we came in and he didn't realize they didn't put it back. He also fixed things I didn't care about, like the spraying shower head and the blinds-opener on Corina's window (Corina cared, obviously). Now everything works!!

Point 5: The Little things

I am NOT over the fact that I have a refrigerator. I bought a bunch of food at once and then I could just EAT IT when I got hungry. My sodas were cold!! I had yogurt! And milk! I made my lunch today!! I can bring home leftovers!! I can eat pasta and eggs for cheap again!!

I'm SO much closer to work. I left a full half hour later than usual today, which gave me time to sit on my balcony and make breakfast. I am going to try really hard to continue waking up at 7:35am every day. It's easier to wake up in my room, because the sun makes it pretty uncomfortable right around 7:50am. If you keep the blinds open, which I do.

Yesterday, I sat on the balcony (I am ALWAYS on the balcony) and drank cold beers with Corina while 3 big firework shows happened around us. And the neighborhood did fireworks in the street. I couldn't have felt more peaceful.

Due to a lack of internet and a complete disinterest in leaving my new haven, I watched like... 6-8 of Corina's movies. Two movies I'd never seen: American Psycho (loved) and The Cell (not Corina's and I wasn't really obsessed.) I also started a new book that I'm liking so far, although I can't remember the name. I do not know how I got this book, but it said it was a NY Times best seller and it doesn't seem to be a mystery, so I'm down.

On our first day at the apartment, Corina and I walked around looking for food until we found a place that has the most delicious pupusas! We got 3 enormous ones for $6. I need to learn a LITTLE Spanish, though, before I feel good about ordering.

I can light incense and sing in the shower! Or in my room. Our walls are sound proof. Even with the bedroom door open, I can't hear Corina from the living room!

Preliminary pictures for your pleasure:

Living room. It's actually messier now than it was when I took the picture. Also, we stacked some boxes and put my TV up which looks TINY when viewed across the room from our full sized couch! Hilariously tiny. Like.... tinier than a youtube video would be if you're looking at your laptop.

I was going to make the bed, but I knew that it would be the one and only time it was ever made so I don't care. Also, the bed cover and shams aren't there because I doubt I need anything beyond a blanket until October or November. And I really don't foresee having shams...