Leslie Rocks my World!

Last night we went to see Leslie and the Lys at the UCLA Hammer Museum. She was awesome and has expanded her show to include dance routines and Internet celebrity guest stars! It was so much fun and she has so much energy it is incredible. Plus, to add to the awesomeoness of Leslie, she is from IOWA!! For the uninformed, I am originally from Burlington, IA. I wouldn't say Burlington is a happening place, but Ames, IA obviously is because it produced this genius act. Anyway, if you are unfamiliar with Leslie and the Lys, check out her web page: http://www.leslieandthelys.com/

After the show, Denise and I rushed home (as much as you can rush in LA traffic) to watch LOST. Yes, it is Wednesday again already! Anyway, it was a good episode, which was to be expected because it involved John Locke. Locke is such an interesting character because he is so attached to the island. I can understand why of course. Before the plane crash he was a paralyzed man with shattered dreams. After the crash he could walk and fulfill his dreams of becoming a bush man. Anyway, we found out how Locke became paralyzed (his dad pushed him out the window), and discovered that he doesn't want anyone getting off that island. He blew up the submarine (which really did exist) and now Jack can't leave either. No one can. John is pretty selfish when it comes to considering others (not the bad "others", just others.:) Anyway, at the very end, creepy Ben opens a door and who is behind it? None other than John's dad, all tied up and ready for a beating. Should be interesting...

Oh yea, it looks like next week someone dies, and Sun's dark side might be revealed. Tune in next week, same bat station, same bat channel.

"Thank you momma for giving me gold pants." *Leslie Hall

Home Sweet Home

When I was younger I used to think of myself as a person who was willing to crash anywhere that had a blanket and a pillow. I once told my mother that even when I was in my 80s I was going to have sleep overs with my friends (now that I reflect on that comment, it seems to make more sense.:) Anyway, as I have gotten older, I am beginning to accept that I REALLY get attached to my living space and my BED!

My friend Jess was house-sitting for her boss while he is away on set filming in Louisiana. Last week he asked if Jess could come to visit him, so we said we would take over the house-sitting for the time she was gone. So, here we are, at this peaceful, beautiful, movie lovers dream, and all I want to do is go home. I missed my bed, my animals, and just relaxing after I get home and not needing to go anywhere. We both pretty much slept like shit for all 6 nights, and I plan on going home today after work and sitting in my bed with a big smile on my face. :D On a happier note, we did take full advantage of the large projector room and screener DVDs. I FINALLY was able to see BABEL which was very good and watched LOST on the big screen in HD which was awesome. Also, I loved the kitty there, Cleo.

Speaking of LOST, it was a pretty good episode last night. It was a Claire flashback which was nice because we haven't really seen much of her story for awhile. To sum it all up we learned that she and Jack are half-siblings!! This is due to the fact that Jack's dad has trouble keeping it in his pants when he is in foreign countries. Anyway, that was a nice little revelation (and yet another LOST survivor connection) but the really interesting stuff was with Kate, John, Sayid, the French woman and Mr. Patch Man. They all find the perimeter to where the Others are staying. There are these huge metal poles which have what look like ear muffs on either side that go all around the complex. John pushes Mr. Patch Man past the barrier, Mr. Patch Man says, "Thank You," and there is some sonic sound that explodes his brain, nice... I think John pushed him to kill him because earlier Mr. Patch Man was about to tell everyone John used to be paralyzed. Anyway, the rest of the crew decide to use a large tree to set upon the metal poles to climb over them as to not activate that little brain exploding alarm. Genius! Finally, in the end they get to the Others complex in their final step to save Jack, and who do they see? Well, Jack himself playing a little game of football with one of the Others. HHhmmmmm...brain washing, all part of his plan, who knows, but it made for a GREAT ending. I must say, Kate looked PISSED!

Next week is a John episode, which is usually pretty good stuff.

No updates on the office situation....we are cutting it close.

Songstress

We went to see Patty Griffin last night...she was amazing. However, I did not go to be until after 1 AM and woke up for some odd reason at 4 AM. I am SO tired today I can barely keep my eyes from shutting. I do not have the capacity to write...I will get back to you after a nap.

Tori Amos has a new album coming out!! I'm oh so very excited if you can't tell. I'm very intrigued by this poster. This woman in the middle of what seems to be suburbia Nevada style, but there is a storm a comin! She has released some tour dates but so far they are only the Europe circuit. I will see her in concert this time! Last time she was in LA I was back in Burlington, IA doing my maid of honor duties for one of my friends I have known since I was 2, so I just didn't feel right telling her she was going to have to find a replacement because I had a date with Tori. Anyway, details to come....

As for work, I have been incredibly busy lately because we have a filing deadline for immigrant petitions known as H-1Bs. These are petitions by employers which employ foreign nationals on a temporary basis. Foreign nationals can be here in the US on these visas for a total of 6 years (in 3 year increments), unless they have another application pending, but that is a whole other story. Anyway, the US government puts a cap on the # of H-1Bs can be issued each year. So, April one is when the new H-1B numbers become available, so EVERYONE is rushing to get all these petitions put together so on March 31 they can send them out so they arrive at immigration on April 1 so they can get in there before all the numbers run out. phew! That is what I have been spending my time doing, getting these ready.

I don't mind the business however, because it makes the days go by. I can also tell that I'm becoming more confidant in my immigration knowledge. Not that I don't have a LONG way to go, but at least when someone asks me a question I am no longer completely clueless.

I missed LOST last night because I was out, but I have it on tape and plan on sitting down with a glass of wine and watching it tonight. I'll let you know what I think.

Finally, I called last night to talk to one of my best friends, Liz (that crazy stinky diver), but she was not home. Instead, I talked to her husband for a bit. They have rental properties, and he told me the drug task force thinks one of their tenants has a meth lab inside the house. Gotta love Iowa, meth capital of the world!! (oh, and in Burlington the curviest street in the world!)

The Ways of Hollywood

Last night Denise and I were supposed to go to a screening of the new film "Zodiac." I was very excited because it was directed by David Fincher, the man who did "Se7en" (which I LOVED), and the previews made it out to seem like quite the suspense thriller. Anyway, the passes said to be there a little early (movie started at 7:30). The film was at the Archlight (AMAZING theater in Hollywood) which is right down the street, so we figured 7 PM was good. Obviously we were delusional. When we approached the table a man was telling everyone there were no seats left for this viewing, and he sounded a bit on edge, so we decided not to push it. We were about to leave when we saw a friend of Denise's, Eugene, from work. Eugene said he had some friends in line already, and to follow him.

Ah, the joy we felt as we walked by all the people waiting in line knowing that we had somehow beat the system and were going to see this film despite being told there were no more seats. Eugene's friends were near the front of the line, so we got in with them and gleefully waited. As we were about to reach the front to get our tickets, a woman informed us all that they were at capacity! Ugh! I could not believe it, all that for nothing. Heavy hearted we left the line saying good bye to everyone, except Eugene who was distracted talking to the woman. Denise said, "How about dinner?" I perked up because I was starving, so we went to sushi. (Being a vegetarian, sushi for me consists of veggie rolls in soy paper, but I love the wasabi and soy sauce so it's fine with me.)

Anyway, after all that, Denise IM's me this morning telling me Eugene has a friend who works there that he demanded to talk to after he was told we could not go in, and he got all his friends + a co-worker and his son into the VIP section! He asked what happened to us because he would have gotten us in too. Oh well, as Denise said, we have to learn that when Hollywood peeps say something is at capacity, they only mean at capacity for the common folk. So, looks like we will have to stick with Eugene. Haha!

I didn't really forget to write about LOST yesterday, I just didn't feel like it because once again, not much happened. Hurly's story was sweet, and I enjoyed some optimism on the show, but overall it was a snoozer. Oh, but at the end the French woman came back and Kate told her the Others have her daughter, Alex. No shit?