Star Jones and Ryan Seacrest

I went to the Four Seasons last night to meet a CAA agent, who is one of my favorite people (no that is not an oxymoron) for drinks. It's been a while since I've been there. The place was packed. We bumped into one of my good friends and sitting across from us was Mr. Seacrest.

Why after we just mentioned Star Jones and her announcement, did she walk in? She went over to talk to Ryan. I know her mananger and said hi. Star is tiny! I saw her years ago in a cafe in Sag Harbor, before the big weight gain and thought she was pretty. I'm not a fan of the show. I used to love Tracey Morgan's Star "as a lawyer" skit on SNL.  However, even people who cannot stand her think the way this is going down is shady.

How did she betray ABC? Do they really think anyone would be believe Star saying she was leaving because she wanted to? It's been leaked to the press for months that she was fired. I don't know what world they are living in but in my world, when you are told your contract is not being renewed that means you are fired.

Anyway I'm sure Star will be fine. I hope the View realizes Rosie is no wallflower. She is used to running her own show, not sure how she will be as a co-host.

I am trying a new hairdresser today. She better not be late. If I miss any of the Italy vs. Ukraine game, I will not be happy. Go Totti + 10!

Can one be too casual?

Maybe it's because I grew up on the east coast but I don't think flip flops should be worn everywhere. I don't understand why someone would wear flip flops to a movie premiere. There is an article in today's NYTs about how Hollywood dresses down.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/fashion/thursdaystyles/29flips.html

The weather here has nothing to do with it. It's hot year round in the Caribbean and people dress up more. My friend Claire and I were at a restaurant last week and this women (maybe in her early 20's) was out to dinner with her boyfriend and his family. She was wearing hot pink low rider sweatpants that were too long with her thong showing, flip flops and a cropped spaghetti-strap top. Call me crazy but I wouldn't wear that to a nice restaurant.

I'm trying not to to dress like a slob all the time but it's hard. When I dress like a slob I feel like one. So in order to continue trying to break out of my post Italy funk, I will dress the way I want to. Of course I'm not going to start wearing suits (I've worn a suit maybe twice after moving to Los Angeles and that was when I had an interview at a studio 6 years ago.) but I will try to put a little more effort into what I wear. Like they say, "when you look good, you feel good."

Later for Spain

So glad France beat them and their racist coach. I would also like to add that Mr. Henry is fine as well.

On the news this morning, a report said more than 30% of the World Cup viewing audience is made up of women. The report went on to say clearly advertisers missed out. I don't know about that. I love the Jose + 10 ads and the Nike Brazilian ads. We are fans that's why we are watching. I'm happy I don't have to see ads about how to look younger with so and so's face cream or how comfortable Stayfree maxi pads are, even for active women. I'm sorry as a former soccer player, I know you cannot run around wearing pads. Not pratical.

Last night had my first JLLA committee meeting. I was going to sign up this year to volunteer at Hollywood Boys and Girls club again or Downtown Women's shelter. However, I got a call from one of the Jr. League members saying I was nominated for a leadership position. I couldn't tell anyone in the League and had 24 hours to make a decision. I have no idea who nominated me but I said yes. So this year I will be a Provisional Neighborhood advisor.

The first year you are in the League you are a Provisional trainee. Since Los Angeles is so spend out, the class is broken up into neighborhood groups. I will be an advisor for one of those groups. It should be an interesting year.

Francesco Totti

Not that I'm shallow but that man is fine. Oh how I wish I was his thumb yesterday. On Erica's blog she has a photo of the Dolce & Gabbana underwear ad the team shot. D&G designed the uniforms for the national team. People were losing their minds over the game yesterday on the NYT's soccer blog. All those haters need to shut up. It was a stupid foul. The ref did not give them the game. The better team won.

Speaking of Italians, Giampiero called me yesterday afternoon to invite me to a dinner party. He still has an apartment in L.A. and is in town until tomorrow. He is shooting two shows in Rome so this was a short trip to renew his work visa. Last night he said my Italian is getting better. I'm not taking it this summer, so I hope I don't forget everything. I might meet with a tutor a couple times a month. I really need to understand the subjunctive verb tense before I move on to Advanced Italian. Giampiero told me to email him in Italian and he would correct them.


I had an event at CAA before the dinner which was fun because I got to see some people I haven't in a while. I'm bummed that one friend (a real friend not a industry friend) who I haven't seen in ages came up to me said "hi" and left two seconds later left to talk to one of the agents. I get that these are work things and you have to schmooze. However, some of my other friends who are just as busy were able to have a conversation. Real conversations.

Dinner was very good but I only ate a little pasta. He held it in the courtyard of his building. It was way too late for me to eat. When I left at midnight people were still there drinking wine. I am usually in bed by 10:30 so midnight on a Monday is pushing it. I still got up at 5:30 and went to the gym. I have to get this post Italy weight off. I also need to continue to put more effort in my wardrobe. I got several compliments on my outfit last night, even from some of the male agents. Maybe I should wear blouses, skirts, and heels more often.

One of my studio exec friends was telling me about her new boyfriend. He works for a film company overseas and they saw each other during the Cannes film festival. I forget which country he from. It's funny, a couple of my single female friends are dating men on other continents. Talk about long distance relationships.

My self pity weekend with Scorsese, Ozon, and Cordero

My co-worker and a friend were so kind to give me their old printers. At some point I will still have to buy one but at least I have something to get me through the next couple of weeks.

I did not go out Friday and Saturday. I was supposed to meet a friend for dinner Sat. but she flaked. Instead I worked on my book, watched a lot of soccer and watched movies.

I had to watch "Cronicas" by Sebastian Cordero for work. Half way through this good but distrubing movie, the subtitles stopped working. I don't speak Spanish, so I will get another copy from the agent.

I loved Francios Ozon's "Swimming Pool" so I rented "5X2". I really liked it but it was depressing. It's a story of a couple divorcing but told in reverse. We start at the divorce and end at the moment they start dating.

I went to Amoeba Music to sell some CD's. While there I bought Scorsese's "My Voyage to Italy". It's a documentary about Italian cinema and how it influenced him. Scorsese is one of my favorite American directors. I thought he was robbed of an Oscar for "Raging Bull" (lost to "Ordinary People", which I liked but come on!) and a worst travesty, "Goodfellas" loosing to "Dances with Wolves", 10 years later. Please!

I am over his Leo collaborations. In "Gangs", he and Cameron Diaz were totally miscast. I expect her to say to Bill the Butcher, "whatever dude" at some point. I was so disappointed in that movie. It took place at such an incredible time in American history.

"The Aviator", movie looked great, could not care less. I didn't feel like we had any new insight into Howard Hughes. What, are we supposed to root for the the billionaire so he could buy an airline? Howard Hughes was supposed to be this lady killer. Leo? Again please. He looks 12.

Anyway it was interesting to watch clips of these movies and see them through his eyes. Most of the doc centered on the Neorealism era. You can see the influence of some these films in his early works especially "Mean Streets". I wonder who is influencing the young people watching movies today? What will be the legacy of this generation of filmmakers?

I went a brunch yesterday at "the countessa di fidicudi" house. Our friend is going to Florence on Friday, then she is going back for a month later this summer. Molto gelosa. I baked scones for the brunch and had a couple left over. After today that is it. I have to get it together. I have been eating like there's no tomorrow. My clothes are not fitting. I need to snap out of this funk. Feeling sluggish is not going to help.

Now I must go and watch Azzuri vs. the Socceroos.

Panasonic sucks, baby blues

Got up this morning at 5:00 to write, then watched the USA vs Ghana game. Sorry but Team USA was not ready at all.

I have spent the rest of the morning trying to get someone on the phone at Panasonic customer service. Ugh! Turns out what it would cost to fix my printer (plus I would have to ship it to Chicago) is more than what the printer cost.

Is it normal for a laser printer to fall apart after only a year and a half? I don't use it that much. What horrible workmanship. I'm so pissed off I could scream. Now I have to buy a new printer. First the car, now this. Money keeps pouring out.

Yet another friend is having a baby. This is the fourth person I know this week who is expecting. Why am I upset about this? Oh I know, because I'm not married, if I ever get married I will be too old to have children and I'm too broke to adopt. Maybe once I hit 45 I will except my fate in life and be cool with it. Now i'm depressed and actually angry.

Not sure whom I'm angry with. It's just biology that my males peers can wait until they are 40 or 50 marry someone 29 and have a family. I made these career choices. I didn't know L.A. would be so brutal. What am I supposed to do now? I have actually avoided going to baby showers lately. I can't take it.

The end of June?

This year is flying! I feel the need to see my family. If it weren't the start of hurricane season I would go home for July 4th. I'm sure the fares would be more reasonable now than during high season. Hold up, what am I smoking? I can't do anything after buying my car. Maybe I will have a very happy birthday but by then I will be going home in 3 months anyway.

Finally got my car back from the shop. Everyone at Santa Monic Saab was amazing. Now my bloody printer is not working. This is not a good thing. I called two repairs places, neither called me back.

I am looking foward tomorrow's games. I think the USA is going to have a very tough time against Ghana.

Father's Day, First draft.

A happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there. A special shout out to two of the most amazing Dads I know, my Dad and my brother.

At 6:15 this morning I typed the last word of my first draft!! Okay it will take me months to rewrite it but I feel great. Of course this is the fun part before people start reading it and tearing it apart.

I have written scripts before but this is the first time I have finished a book. I started it three years ago but it was turning into a bitter "The Devil Wore Prada" meets "Swimming with the Sharks", kind of rant. I did not want to spend anymore time in that world. So after a couple of chapters, I put it aside.

Speaking of "The Devil Wore Prada", great title, looking forward to seeing the movie but I did not like that book. Why did she get such a huge advance?

I have been reading Annie Lamont's "Bird by Bird", it's very intersting. I am a little concerned. She makes the writing process sound like torture. I did have writers block sometimes but not to the point that I would get depressed about it. I'm not writing literature but I still want it to be good. I have enjoyed the process so now I'm worried that my book might suck. Aren't you supposed to suffer for your craft?

On the other hand, having such a bizarre career path helped me with my writing. I have met people from all over the country and have great life experiences to draw from. I don't think I would have gone on my first trip to Rome, at the last minute, if my previous boss had not shut down the production company right before Christmas. That trip changed my life.

Yesterday I had the best risotto for lunch and learned some new curse words. Where? At La Buca where I went to watch the Italy vs. USA game. Can the USA beat Ghana, a team that upset the team that spanked them? I cannot wait until Thursday.

Back to the risotto. It was perfect. I think the mother of the owner is the chef. When she came out to the dining area, everyone clapped and said Brava. The restaurant is owned by a friend of my Italian professor. It's really tiny just six or seven tables. High ceiling with black and white movie posters on the wall. Someone is a big Sophia Loren fan, I think there were three of her. Two with Marcello Mastroianni. I didn't feel like I was smack in the middle of Hollywood, just down the street from Paramount. I have to go back for dinner.

Shoe sale at Barneys

I wish I had known this was going on. I would have asked the UTA agent's assistant to pick another location for lunch. Oh well.

I am very, very happy today is Friday. Cannot wait for tomorrow's USA vs Italy game. I went to the gym at 5:30, then the grocery store. I really have to deal with my messy (for me) apartment. I have been getting up at 5 to go to the gym for only a half hour or so and then writing until I have to get to work. When I get home I try to proof what I wrote that morning. As a result, I haven't vacumned, dusted or read the stack of magazines on my coffee table.

I have to re-read a script for a notes conference call at 3:00 so I will try to write for a couple hours this morning.

Ouch! Argentina dominated today. Three of their 6 goals came from subs.

Soca Warriors

Lost today but still played a hell of a game.

USA Soccer team

What the hell happened? I'm a Brazil fan so wasn't really following all the hype about the team. If this is the best soccer team we have, forget it. They were flat and had no passion. To quote K-Fed "Y'all ain't ready." They better get it together before Saturday. The Italia and Ghana teams played very well yesterday.

The New York Times soccer blog had some great comments about the game.

Go Soca Warriors!!

Great game yesterday between Trinidad/Tobago and Sweden.

Today's Iran vs. Mexico should be very interesting.

First upset, 10 pages!

I don't speak Spanish but I switched to watching Univision coverage. ESPN2/ABC is too painful. Endless stupid chatter and no passion. Right now England vs. Paraguay is on and these fools are talking about Posh Spice. As if Americans could only connect to David Beckhman through his marriage to the worst singer on the Spice Girls.

Speaking of Americans and soccer, check out this fool's article. No, he's not being sarcastic.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/columnists/14741693.htm

Edcador upset Poland yesterday.

I, in a burst of not sure what, wrote ten pages before lunch. Typos galore but glad with what I wrote. Will proof later this weekend. I have a bunch of scripts to read.

Had fun last night at Blair's in Silverlake. A producer friend organized a little dinner. One of her co-workers is from Rome and his friend, from Milan, met us. Molto compliments on my accent. I still get nervous speaking it here and any encouragment is a good thing.

Off to the gym.

GOOOOOOOOOAL!!

So no one I know here, besides my Italian professor, seems to care that the greatest sporting event in the world started today.

In New York there are a bunch of places you can watch the game. Depending on the team, watching the game can turn into one big block party.

The New York Times has a great World Cup blog.

There are a couple popular British pubs in Santa Monica but I'm not rooting for that team.

Okay back to work. I am so over this June gloom weather. Where is the bloodly sun? Is this not Southern California?

My landlord has issues

Why was there another rent increase notice on my door yesterday? Is this beeatch crazy? Did we not go over all this a couple of months ago? I and the other tenants find it fascinating that she is so quick with the rent increase notices but doesn't have time to make sure the laundry room is clean.

Shiloh is a pretty baby.

I can't wait for the weekend to begin

This was the first song my spinning teacher played in class today. When the song first started he gave me a shout out. Hearing that song made my day, will probably be the highlight of this month.

The song reminded me of my trip. I heard it my first night in Rome dancing at 2 a.m., on the radio, and at Music on the Rocks in Positano.

Yesterday, I told one of my classmates I was homesick.  I never lived in Italy, so that was an odd thing to say!

breathe in, breathe out

Just spent 3 plus hours at the Saab service center. My oil light kept coming on. They told me to bring it in just to make sure it wasn't a sensor problem. Actually, I have a piston problem. My car needs a new lower engine. HA. laughging through the tears. If they couldn't find the parts they were going to buy the car back from me. However, they did find them and they are fixing it free of charge. They could've said "you drove it off the lot it's your problem." but everyone was very nice. One guy said "look at the bright side you are getting a new engine."

They are paying for my rental. Not even sure what type of Pontiac it is. It's weird. I can't describe it...you don't feel like you are driving. The steering wheel has no tension. That may not be the right word but I cannot wait to get my car back next week.

Spoke to my insurance company, it seems the stronzo who hit my car did not have insurance after all. They are going to sue.

I have a zillion things to do and I'm starving. The line at Bay Cities deli was out of control. I bought some Toscano salami, provolone, marinated mushrooms, and of course some of their amazing bread, which is still warm. very excited.

What the heck is going on here?

Yesterday I put on a skirt that was swimming on me when I was in Italy. Why was it snug? I know I haven't been walking 5 miles or more a day but damn, I've only been back for 2 weeks. Sigh.

Speaking of Italy, I do not understand the "congiuntivo". Molto dificile. This is verb tense that is used very rarely in English. I missed chapter 17 while I was gone and our last class is in two weeks. The next level for me is Advanced Italian. So not ready.