Finally!

Here are the pictures from the Employee of the Month premier and last weekend. Also, check out Chris' blog about our crazy weekend in lovely Northern California. Enjoy!

~J

Workin' for the (Wo)Man

Here I sit, overlooking historic (but ugly) Hollywood Blvd. I have had a much busier week than expected with the new job and all. I haven't had time to upload photos, but I have some new ones from Nor Cal to add to my premier pics. As it is, this job is going to provide me with many more opportunities to take random celebrity photos and then post them here (or, more specifically, on my Yahoo page).

So, I am officially an event coordinator for Avid Exposure, a boutique sized PR firm based in Hollywood. They've hired me on a temporary/contractor basis for an event they are producing. Based on my performance, they will hire me full-time... or not. The vent I am planning (or helping to plan) is the Los Angeles Fashion Week Kick-Off Extravaganza on October 16th. There is a lot still up in the air, but plans seem to be cooking along. I never ever considered event planning as a career, but it is really fun. I love the people I work with and am learning how to write press releases, etc. Cool stuff. Most importantly, though, is it is a job. Yay!

In other news, Chris and I had a great time up north this past weekend. Somehow, I think he is better equipped to talk about the events that happened while we were there. Many adventures were had. Good times.

Yesterday, Scripps held a memorial service for Professor Harper, my thesis reader and English prof extraordinairre (I have no idea how that should be spelled). It was a beautiful and touching service with a great reception afterward. Scripps knows how to do a reception, let me tell you! I got too see some friends and professors, which was great. Afterwards, my friend Tarrin (who Chris and I met up with in San Jose) and I went to dinner at the Press. I forgot how much I like the Press. For such a sad event, I had a great time.

Well, I guess I should get back to work. More to come!

~J

The times, they are becoming quite different

I am sitting here at my NEW JOB!!! I had planned on posting about this past weekend, but I have found myself suddenly employed, so I don't have as much time as I had originally thought. Here is a quick rundown: I am working, on a trial basis, as a event planner/publicist for Avid Exposure. I am helping plan a LA Fashion Week Kick-Off party for October 16th. After the 16th, the company may or may not hire me permanantly. We will just have to wait and see. I like it so far, although it is basically my first day. I am off tomorrow, so maybe I will update if I get a chance.

~J

The stars are out tonight

Well, I was sinking into something of a depression as nothing was happening on the job front for some time. Everything seems to be turning around, however. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the world premier and after party of the movie Employee of the Month. As far as the movie itself, I don't recommend it. It is trying to do for Costco what Office Space did for desk jobs, but it fails. Admittedly, it was better than I expected; however, I would not waste my money on renting or seeing this in theaters. It definitely has a market out there and will do well as a result, but for those of you who read the blog, I am pretty sure you would find it mind numbing.

Anyway, I did not attend this premier for the movie, not by a long shot. I was hoping to see some stars, get some free stuff, and most importantly, network. It would seem that I accomplished all three goals. I will have pictures soon. I saw all the stars of the movie up close and personal (in a few cases, I was either trampled by them or was mistaken as part of their entourage). Jessica Simpson is TINY and very beautiful but very, very fake looking and, according to some friends working the event, not a nice person at all. Dax Shepard is very good looking, which was surprising to me, and Dane Cook was not good looking at all. Harlan Williams wore overalls and Andy Dick looks exactly as I thought he would. I actually saw him a few years ago at a play, but didn't get a good look. Last night, I seemed to keep running into him throughout the party and got several good looks at him and a few smiles from him. I also got to talk with the director, Greg Coolidge, who was very nice and accommodating. I have pictures of a lot of this stuff, and will post as soon as I can get my act together. Perhaps the scariest sightings were those of five (five!) Broder agents, one of whom actually recognized me (or claimed to). It kind of freaked me out that I actually knew people. I also ran into a Scrippsie who graduated with me. Small world. Small town.

Okay, so as for free stuff, movie premier after parties are the place to be. Not only did they have great food, it was also an open bar that boasted only top shelf stuff. Patron was one of the sponsors, so there was an ice bar serving an array of tequila and tequila drinks. Unfortunately, I could not partake as I was driving and I didn't want to take and chances. Good free cranberry juice, though. :) And as if that wasn't enough, everyone got a gift bag with a hat and coasters in it. Weird, but free, so I can't complain.

The best part of the night didn't actually happen until today. I met a publicist last night through Galen and she gave me her card. So, I sent her my resume this morning and she wants me to come in for an interview next week. It's not a job yet, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. After weeks of nothing, it is really nice to have even a nibble. We'll see what happens. Also, the offices are a lot closer than Beverly Hills which means a better commute, although I am getting ahead of myself.

So, that is where I am as of now. Things are looking up. I also started a GRE prep class online today. It's my first online class. So far, it is interesting. I think it will help. I just need something to keep me on track so I will actually study for this damn thing. I hate standardize tests. I am terrible at them. We'll see how this goes. Tomorrow Chris and I leave to go up north and visit people. I am so excited. I haven't been anywhere except LA and Bako since the cruise and I could really use a weekend out of town. New scenery, new people. Good food, good wine, good friends, good times. It is also my first time really meeting Heidi (I don't count the other meetings so much because they were brief and it was bad time for me). And dancing! Hopefully, there will be plenty of dancing!!!!

I know this has been a random post, but I felt that I owed it. I will post about San Francisco and all the pictures from last night sometime this week when I get a chance.

~J

Birthday Madness

I know it has been a while since I've posted, but honestly not a whole lot is going on. I have been going home on the weekends pretty frequently for random activities. First it was to get some space from LA after quitting my job. Then, it was to help Chris move into his new apartment. And last weekend was Labor Day and the prelude to my birthday, so I went home to see family/friends/etc. Unfortunately, not every friend I would have liked to see was actually in town (Rachel :( ) but I had a blast. Friday night kicked off what seems like a week of birthday celebrations all dedicated to me. Friday my parents took Chris and I out to my favorite restaurant in Bako, Cafe Med, and then the rest of the Petrini clan came over for cake and ice cream. Then Chris and I watched Casablanca (finally for me), which I loved. I cannot believe it took me so long to see that movie. Oh well.

Saturday, Chris took me to dinner at what has to be one of the nicest restaurants in Bako, Valentien's. It is one of those places that only has a few options on the menu and everyone is expected to order three courses and a bottle of wine. It was delicious and a fabulous atmosphere. Very fancy! :) Sunday, I met up with my favorite Bako people (Grey, Joy, Tony Sanchez, Jeny, Carly, Becca, and Chris) for dinner at Frugatti's. It was just a really nice, chill evening. We went back to Tony and Jeny's place and played Texas Hold 'Em while watching the Simpsons. I can't think of a better way to spend an evening or better people to spend it with (again, there were a few notable exceptions to my "friend's dinner," as three of my closest friends happened to all be in Northern California).

Monday was my "day off" and Tuesday Natalie and I went to dinner in Pasadena in celebrate the actual day of my birth 23 years prior. Yesterday, I decided to spend the day in Claremont. It was crazy. It felt as though I had never left. Students, professors, administration people that I worked with kept giving me a double take, "Didn't you graduate?" It was great to see people, though. After Nat got off work she and I drove into LA to see Curtains, a musical by Kander and Ebb, the duo behind Cabaret and Chicago. It was AMAZING. As many of you know, I grew up doing musical theatre. Even still, some musical theatre really bothers me. It is too cheesy and over the top and I sometimes find it difficult to suspend my disbelief. However, Curtains was fast paced, exciting, funny, great music, and engaging. But perhaps most importantly to someome with a very short attention span, it was maybe 2 hours long (not including intermission). Speaking of intermission, why don't movies still have an intermission? Are studios afraid that people will leave if given an opportunity? If that is the case, then they should make better movies. But seriously, it is very difficult to sit for three hours at a time. I think at least long movies should have an intermission. Plays/musicals have the right idea.

Anyway, tonight I am having a "LindyGroove" birthday, which should be fun. I am excited, but scared at the prospect of having to participate in the dreaded "Birthday Dance." I have only done it twice (with the birthday person, not as the birthday person) and I think I pretty much embarassed myself both times, albeit one of those times was not my fault.

Well, I have a lot of cleaning to do before this weekend. Hope everyone is having a good week. It is almost over! Huzzah!

~J