Michael C. Hall Gives Me Happy Dreams

Have you all heard about Michael C. Hall's latest cinematic endeavor? I don't care how shitty GAMER is going to be- I'm seeing it, and Michael C. Hall will someday be mine. This man is a trained actor who graduated with an MFA from NYU, has starred in such hits as Six Feet Under and Dexter, and was raised in North Carolina, yet he has a Southern accent that is distinctly NOT Southern. I'm not sure why he's surrounded by an all-star cast that includes Kyra Sedgwick and Gerard Butler, and how anyone even greenlit such a film, but I will be in that theater. Oh yes, I will be there.

Yo, Teach

Spent a good chunk of the weekend reading over The St. Martin's Guide to Teaching Writing, a recommended study guide for new teachers at USC. What I've learned so far is that, as a woman, I need to find a balance of professional and casual when I pick out my outfits, establish a feeling of community in the classroom, refrain from reprimanding bad students in favor of engaging them, and how to handle those tentative first days of class. Frankly, I've been asking anyone with teaching advice for their tips, and highlighting this handbook like crazy. I'm not above trolling the internet for advice as well. The above video comes care of my friend, Meredith, we both agree it's all the advice I need.

Time Flies When Your Parents Come to Town

It's my parents last day in town and despite all of my whining about how exhausted I am it's still going to be a very sad day for me. I don't want them to go!! It's been so nice having some of my immediate family here, I almost forgot how nice that is. I also feel like my parents are starting to see me as an adult more, despite the fact that I'm going back to school and literally bought "back to school clothes" with my mom, and it's nice to be on slightly more level ground with them.

Not Your Garden Variety Kind of Day

My parents visit has given me a rather easy way to see all of the museums and tourist attractions I have yet to take in. Today is no exception, we're headed to The Huntington Library and I'm excited not only for their rare book collection but also for their high tea, which serves tea (obviously), scones, and finger sandwiches.

Ever since I was little and read The Secret Garden I have had a not-so-secret dream of one day having my own elaborate gardens to play in. Which is one reason why I'm super excited to see the gardens at the library, which include avocado fields, oleanders, roses, and themed gardens.

My dad also has an affinity to gardens, he used to drag us to botanical parks when my brother and I were younger. We would moan and groan all the way there, while he read each and every plaque, and while he tried to tell us more about the plants we were trying to claw our way out of. We were such brats. But all those trips must have made some sort of impact, because now I make it a point to visit gardens and will likely be one of those old women that has a garden club.

My True Happiness

Shark Week is a really special time for me. It's sort of like Halloween and Thanksgiving, (my two favorite holidays), but almost better because I have complete control over the food choices. I watch the screen until my eyes pinch themselves closed, and what I can't watch I record. Because my parents are here, and because I cannot function by the time I get home from our round of activities I haven't been able to watch what's been going on. So, what this means is that this weekend I will likely be having a Shark Week marathon. Everything I need is on the DVR, I can speed through commercials, order in takeout, and create some sort of carefully timed system for bathroom breaks. It will be glorious, and I am so looking forward to it.

Wouldn't it be great if while my parents were here we could do this? Unfortunately, not many share my shark enthusiasm, parents included.

Two Hours of Silence

My parents are visiting me in L.A. and it's been three days. Three days into their trip and already I have bags under my eyes and I very desperately need to wash my hair but don't see a point when that is possible. We start going at 9 a.m. and end somewhere around ten at night. At that point we've spent the day eating massive meals, driving to tourist destinations, and walking in the summer sun to take in the city. I had my last day of work on Friday, farewell drinks after work, and the next morning my parents arrived at Bob Hope International airport.

At a recent haircut I mentioned to my stylist that my parents were stopping by and asked her advice on how to amuse them for a week. She suggested movies. Lots and lots of movies. A dark theater where we could all escape into the screen for two hours after a long day of togetherness would be just the trick. I didn't really understand the importance of those words until I sat my mom down at the Arclight last night to watch 500 Days of Summer.

We had spent the day "running around like chickens" as my mother would say. We had a big brunch that morning, perused the flea market that afternoon, moved in a bulky desk bought at the fleamarket, then headed to Venice beach and fought weekend traffic for an hour and a half before we could park. A few hours and another meal later we climbed back into the car, exhausted and dehydrated. It was only 6:30 p.m. and it's hard to call it a night at that time, my dad did, but my mom was still raring to go. So, I pulled the trick out of my hat and we spent two hours together without talking at the movies.

My parents are lovely, but my hairdresser was right: When all else fails turn to Hollywood.

Between Two Ferns, In My Heart

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis from Between Two Ferns

The great thing about life is that sometimes things happen to go your way and you end the day with your fists pumping in the air and your head held more than a little too high. Such was the scene after I left the UCB LA theater last night, after engrossing myself in their Comedy Death Ray showcase. They had a lot of talented comedic folk, doing what they do best on stage with some pretty fun times stand up. And as the night drew to a close they brought on the final performer. I wasn't expecting anything special, just someone amusing enough to keep me awake. But boy was I in for a surprise when they announced they were bringing on Zach Galifianakis.

I loved him before The Hangover, which automatically makes me cooler than you, and essentially this was exactly what I needed to lift my sad sack spirits. Zach ended up performing a live version of his "Between Two Ferns" bit with members of the audience as his guests. In total he brought up three (3) lucky participants (I was not included in this, sad face) and managed to awkwardly interview them just as I hoped he would. It was a really great surprise and I can only hope that the next UCB show I venture to brings me equal enjoyment.