Spirit Day

-

-

-

-

This Is Party.

Last night was my first real Hollywood FILM Party!  Dylan got invited to the cast and crew wrap party for a mooovie (I don't know if its ok for me to talk about.. so maybe I shouldn't write the title of the film?) and I was his plus one.  It was a completely legit event- nice restaurant in Santa Monica (Westside *only* for this level of Hollywood success) with passed appetizers, full open bar with custom drinks named after events in the movie, a photobooth, actual movie stars, gourmet buffet, sprinkles cupcakes, and a heated patio!

A picture of the giant PVC Pipe tree on the outdoor patio bar

It was pretty in there!

The guests were totally showbiz, too... ladies with blonde blow-outs walking around in little cocktail dresses and high-heeled booties.  Dudes had the customary button downs and semi-spiky 'done' hair.  Thankfully, this was a classy event, so the fedora count was at a minimum.

Now I get to list the famous people I saw (after Dylan pointed them out!)!!! Paul Rudd (yeah, I accidentally brushed his arm when I almost slid down the staircase in my heels - he's shorter than anticipated), Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow, The girl from Parks & Rec, and a pack of hollywood actor kids.  Word on the street is that John Lithgow was there too.  Cool story.  The lady plus-ones and I were all giddy with the prospect of meeting Paul Rudd.  The tallest, prettiest one of us actually went up and talked to him.  Very exciting!!!!  I remained quiet, gazed from afar, and drank my G&T.

Yeah, it was like that... but with arty glasses

It was pretty cool getting to be wined and dined in such an elaborate manner.  Music business events are paltry in comparison (you know, since music doesn't make money anymore).  The last EMI event I attended was an after-show reception for Depeche Mode.  It was held in the shell of an abandoned bookstore, and there were no lights because there was no power.  Everything was in the dark, so nobody could see the Costco veggie trays laid out on the folding card tables.  In order to get to the 'bar' you had to step over broken furniture and discarded book posters and rolled up carpet shreds. There was warm champagne and bottled water for guests to drink.   I saw the look of disbelief on the band's face when they arrived at the 'party.'  It was a sad moment.  But I got to meet a disheartened Depeche Mode!  Yay?

I think last night's party was the total opposite in every way.

It was also really nice meeting Dylan's coworkers- finally!  They were all cool dudes and chatting with them was completely fun and enjoyable.  Nothing felt forced or awkward.  It was exciting being at a showbizzy party and feeling like we belonged there (regardless of looking like normal people instead of hollywood d-bags).  Huh.

And then we went home to this:

71" inflatable giraffe that is currently lurking in our dining room... thanks Dylan....

ARRRRGHHHHHH!!! HAPPY TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY, ME MATEY!

I came prepared.  And yes.  This eye patch has been on my face all day.

Weekend Recap / Gonzo's Big Adventure

It was a good weekend!  David was in town (unfortunately it was due to an injury...) but we got to hang out anyway!! Dave Whit..... KRUMLISH came to hang out too, and it was very fun getting to see him again.  Bass was listened to, parents were visited at the Grove, ramen and robata were consumed, beers were had, and 'Ghostbusters' and 'Back To The Future' were watched simultaneously.

It was sad saying goodbye to Dave(s), but we'll see each other soon for winter holidays.

On Sunday- we had an exciting adventure with Gonzo. 
Please allow me to tell this tale through the magic of windows paint:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It all started with a simple walk around the neighborhood.  The sun was out, the weather was perfect, and the walking was good.

Then- hunger struck!!!  It was almost dinnertime, and we had the dog with us. 

 Farmer's Market was the perfect place to go!! Outdoor seating and a lax dog policy!!!  So many food choices!

Gonzo was instantly overwhelmed with the scents of delicious food. 

All he wanted was to eat tasty bits and morsels off the ground.

SUCCESS!  He broke free of his collar and bolted towards freedom!!!

And bolted.... and bolted.   Gonzo was not listening to his name.  He only answered to the call of amazing smells.

Finally, his sprint towards freedom and curry was interrupted in the Indonesian Food stall.

The owner and the cashier were not amused.  But the runaway chihuahua was caught, and the health code violations were minor.

Then Gonzo sat under the table as we fed him scraps.  He had a curry mohawk on his head. 

He got a bath later.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upon further review- this wasn't really all that exciting.  But believe you me, I am SCARRED FOR LIFE.  

Old As Dirt

Dear Blog,

Today I found my first gray hair.  I pulled it out pretty quick (Hair, LOL!!)

But blog- that's not all!!! I went to Urban Outfitters and the mannequins were dressed in flannel shirts with flannels tied around their waists!!!  Are hipster kids in high school trying to dress 'ironically' like me in my middle school years??  Well blog.  These kids should listen to Alanis Morrisette because she misuses the word 'ironic' too.  She's also from the 90s.  I wish I still had my favorite Ren & Stimpy t-shirt from Spencers Gifts in the mall!  I bet 'hipsters' would think its cute and 'ironic' too!  Oh wait- they don't know what Nick Toons are.  Or corded telephones.

Anyway, that's all!  TGIF Blog!!  Even though you are a blog and don't care that its Friday.

xoxo- Skrilla

DSLR Bags 4 GIRLZZZZ

Birthday over, thank you notes written... and there's a bit of bday fun money that I should probably apply towards getting my brakes fixed or taking Gonzo for a tooth cleaning.

But that's not fun at all!!!  That's for plain old boring money.  The kind of money you get in a paycheck and grumble about when it disappears so quickly.  What screams 'F-U-N!' is a DSLR camera bag (or work clothes...mine are officially threadbare....but..d'oh... once again, that's not exactly 'fun').

Instead of filing returned mail, I've been researching DSLR bags that don't look like DSLR bags.  I don't want leather- but I do want something waterproof and durable.  And light to carry-- weight is important when your camera body alone is 3 lbs.  I also want to avoid the over-the-top 'I AM A GIRL!'-style bags that mimic massive pink purses or whatnot.  A cross-body strap is way better than a standard shoulder purse strap when your bag tops 8lbs.



Here are my favorites:

SLR Sloop Bag - Crazy Stripes

It looks all fun and stripey! And its made of nylon boat sail material... But its also fairly large and could be mistaken for a diaper bag.  Heyooo no babies here!

Retrospective 5 - Pinestone

This is very light and doesn't look like a camera bag- but it might be too casual and un-purselike. 

It comes in black- but is less interesting as a black canvas satchel.  A cool feature is the velcro silencing tab, so you don't make an awkward RIIIIIIIIIPP noise when you pull the camera out.

Hmm. Still a top contender.

ACME Made - Union Photo Messenger

Looks like a Chrome bag *and* its the cheapest.  But it reminds me of the crap I used to carry in high school when raves, plastic bracelets, and tech fabrics were 'in.'

Its roomy and can fit a mid-size DSLR and 2 lenses. 

Emera - Circle Print Messenger

I think this is my current favorite. It looks like a (bulky and mildly unstylish) mod purse. The size is right, it looks waterproof and well-made, and according to the video on the website, it fits a lot of crap along with your camera and an extra lens.  Its lightweight, too.

Downside is (arg, is there always a downside??) leather trim.

Kelly Moore - B Hobo

This falls into the 'looks like giant purse' camp.  But its black, fake leather, and massive.  It holds 3 lenses and a camera.  But... its 2 lbs and oversized.  Downside: nobody needs a 2 foot wide hobo bag.

Thinkin' about it...

TheIt - Bossi Bag

 

...Until I saw this.  I can't afford the real Chanel/Marc Jacobs version of this bag- so I might as well store my camera gear in a completely convincing look alike!  If I go 'giant purse' route- its gonna be this.  Fake Leather!  Decent pricing!  Comfy shoulder strap!  Blend of my two favorite purses!

Downside: NONE! Weighs less than Emera....

Wow... ok.  Informative.  I might have me a fake MJ to lug my camera shit around in.   This will look stylin' at Aisha and Eric's wedding in a few weeks!

Birthdaze

The long weekend of partying is ovahhh!  And luckily, I made it through another year!
(barely)

The highlights were a visit from General Debauchery herself, a real Skullphone for the wall, a failed attempt to ride a tour bus around Hollywood with my cousin, the discovery of Kibbitz Room @ Canter's, a DOUBLE RAINBOW all the way across the sky, and plain old chillin' with my homies....

...oh...

AND THIS:

The finest Sinbad cake my eyes have ever seen, courtesy of the General and Dylan

(pardon the blurry iPhone pic)

Too much good stuff.  Literally.

I am eating repentance lunch all week to atone for my hard partying ways.

"Only the penitent shall pass" -- God, as interpreted by Templar knights in Indiana Jones pt. 3*

*THE BEST INDIANA JONES OF ALL.  PERIOD.  YES< I WILL FIGHT YOU ABOUT THIS.