Sometimes I forget what coffee is.
And by that I mean, that of late I've been tossing my espresso shots back without any more thought to taste than I do the taste of my vitamins.

And sometimes, I have a cup of coffee that blows me away and reminds me that the depth and taste and texture of a good cup of coffee is a hot little 8oz miracle.

The miracle in question of today's topic is: Nicaragua Corcasan from Starbucks.

I had it brewed on the clover machine which has been recently installed in a select number of Starbucks. Surprisingly mild to start with, light acidity, it got a heavier mouthfeel as it got down into the second half of the cup. Not necessarily a heavier taste, but a more complex one. I could take hints of citrus and hints of something almost chocolate. All in all a really good cup of coffee.

Solitude is a rare rare thing for me these days. Unless it is at 6:15 in the morning and I'm walking down the still dark streets of Beverly Hills on my way to work.

The other day, I had it. Comfortable place to sit, a computer, no tv. and the muse was home. I was ready to start working on that pilot. I let the itunes play, I opened the final draft... and nearly started to cry.

At first I thought that perhaps I just didn't have the memory to listen to music and write my script at the same time.

But no. The laptop is running out of magic and when I open up a document in final draft, I get the spinning rainbow wheel of doom.

I don't really need this right now. I could really stand to have a computer where I could use final draft on it. And then SAVE the document to the computer.

On the upside, a wonderful friend sent me Script magazine. It was a pick me up on a day when I needed it. Another upside was that I got to sleep in an actual bed that isn't related to a pool float.

Things you should be watching:

Terriers. It is so good. Disgraced former cop and his ex-con best friend are unlicensed PIs.

Community. Start with the paintball episode.

Detroit 187. Better than average cop show

The Good Wife. a slow burning build, a legal show with real characters and lives.

Cell phone stolen, heard nothing about that perfect job that would be perfect. Worked until 1:30 am today and was back at work 6 hours later.

All to the cool sexy tune of $9.01 an hour.

Hello, Good-Bye

Lonestar has been canceled after airing just one episode.
Granted, the ratings were pretty low, but it wasn't a bad show. It was a little slow, but it held promise to unfold a great deal of drama, and it didn't take itself too seriously (see also: the event).


It amazes me how quickly some decisions are made, and how long it takes to get others done.

Summer decided to make her first appearance of the year in LA. At 4:30 in the afternoon, it is 92 degrees. My face is bright pink from the 20 minute walk home.. and yes, I was wearing sunblock. For those of you just joining, or for those who forgot:

Hi. My name is Melissa and I walk in LA.

In a round about way, this all comes back to the decision to start at the bottom of a new industry. I took a job with a coffee shop so I could have 2 week days off so I could intern. The intention was to work 35-40hrs a week on the other days. I was tapped for promotion, I was moved from one shop to another in the chain, and next week I have 14 hours.

14.

There were work days I had in New York that were longer than that. The worst part about it is that those 14 hours are spread out over 4 days. My rent is cheap as I currently live in a living room, on an air mattress. I'm trying not to get discouraged. All of this comes on the heels of 1) the AlphaBet network wanting the series which belongs to the company I intern for and 2) an interview with a production company on the same lot where I currently intern. The interview was for a part time receptionist position that pays much more than the coffee shop. (still not a lot, and not what I was making back east, but people are under the very false assumption that things are cheaper in LA than the are in New York. Vices and square footage, sure, but it costs more to live. You can get by on less in New York.

Strangely, though I'm not discouraged. Back to reading Nurse Jackie scripts!

Today there is a field trip on the lot. The kids are about knee height and held together in a pack, two by two, with leashes connecting them- a Californian Iditarod.

In the past I've said things like " Coffee ninjas will get you!"

I keep toying with the idea of a one off comic book or a 4 minute movie about Coffee Ninjas who exact vengeance on those who are awful to baristas.

And said ninjas have the ability to travel inside the aroma of coffee- so wherever there is the smell of coffee, they can use that as an entrance or exit point.

Other than their martial arts skills they can turn regular to decaf in an moment. And vice versa.

Mantra for the week: 'Do not wait for life. Do not long for it. Be aware, always and at every moment, that the miracle is in the here and now.'

Marcel Proust

Boxedla.com

if your office is on the West Side and are looking for tasty healthy lunch, order from BoxedLA.com. I had the chicken salad and the bean and tomato salad. YUM!

Sometimes I read a script and I think "not my taste, but I can see the audience".

and other times I read a script and think " have I turned into a completely humorless feminist"?

Question of the hour: where did my mighty ancient ipod wander off to? Is it with my badge to the studio? Must be.

Tonight I saw Cropsey at the Laemmele 5 on Sunset.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1277936/

Long story short, Cropsey is the Investigation of the Urban Legend classic= that of a madman hiding in the woods, snatching children off the street for the usual unfortunate end.

It was an ok movie. Interesting A little too long, and some indulgent voice overs and not enough new information to really bring to the screen, it falls short of riveting. It is, however, interesting enough to make me want to 1) google the topic, 2) examine what the hell happened in my own hometown when they shut down the local mental hospital.

What makes it most interesting to me is that Rand was an orderly at the hospital, not a patient. The quiet implication that madness is contagious might be worth examining.

From McSweeney's

Effing Amazing


http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2010/7/13miller.html

Today was day 2 of running the office while everyone else was gone. I kinda enjoyed. We had a major/minor SNAFU involving a conference call with the president of production, studio wonks and director who is made of artistic awesome.

Other than that it was cold calling production companies and asking them what their hiring process is for writers' assistants. Two gave me an email address, one a fax number. All were fully staffed-- which is no surprise. I guess I'm going to have to see if they need any PAs instead. Here's something of interest: Nearly all of them said that they hired by word of mouth, or only people that they knew. One woman flat out said "Nepotism. Totally, completely nepotism."

Which made me want to work for her. Because she also offered me good luck and sounded like she meant it. And she was honest.

Back to the grind.

And the Celtics lost. Boo.

Today I was struck completely dumb by a customer question.
"Does Decaf have more caffeine?"
Pause.
"Than what?"
"Regular," She said with an indignant inflection.
MystifiedI replied:
"Regular what?"
"Regular Coffee!"
"Uh, no."

It took me so long to understand what she was asking, mostly because de- indicates the removal of and "caf" being a fairly common abbreviation for caffeine it was like she was asking me to forge new synapses in my brain instead of using the path most traveled on.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Now, as a point of reference, the BOLDER a cup of coffee is, generally the less caffeine it has. Effectively, the longer the bean is roasted in order to bring out the bolder flavor, the more zip that is roasted out of it.

New England Roasts, Half Roasts, Cinnamon Roasts and Breakfast Coffees= Rocket Fuel

It is so very very green here in Massachusetts.

Off to get some writing done!

CBS Upfronts

Let's talk a little about the Upfronts:

CBS broke up with the following shows: Ghost Whisper, Cold Case, Numbers, New Adventures of Old Christine and a few that I thought had already been canceled: Miami Medical, Gary Unmarried, Accidentally on purpose.

None of them were favorite shows, but people I respect adored cold case and numbers. The episodes of New Adventures of Old Christine where pretty funny....And somehow, Two and a half men remains not only on the air, but wildly popular. Could someone please explain to me how this can happen?

The Eye decided to pick up:

The Defenders- a legal show remake that's been described as a drama starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell. The pilot I read was really good and I hope that it does well.

Sh*t My Dad Says- the titular dad will be played William Shatner. I am, of course, going to refer to it as "Shat My Dad Says" from here on out. While I could have watched this were it a 90 minute comedy at a $6 show, I'm not sure it has the legs to be a series, but we'll see.

Mike and Molly is about a couple who is.. wait for it... or rather... WEIGHT for it.... FAT! While I firmly believe that the media needs to be more inclusive of how people are portrayed, I don't know that basing a show around a physical trait is going to work.

Blue Bloods: Magnum PI and former KNOTB Donnie Walberg fight crime!

Hawaii 5-0: Taryn Manning, Alex "CBS can't help themselves" O'Laughlin and Daniel Dae Kim fight crime! In Hawaii!


Coming soon: ABCs upfronts with fingers crossed for Mr. Sunshine.

Living the Dream

Let's start our day together at 3:45AM. I start to brush my teeth. The sink is still full of water from when roommate 1 decided to brush her teeth at 11:30 PM. Spit and toothpaste swirl like a minty oil slick. So, I run my toothbrush under the bathtub faucet. I take this time to test for hot water, which will decided if I'm taking a shower, or doing a spit bath and using the dry shampoo.... and cold water only.

I get dressed into a newly purchased black polo from old navy, and some black pants that will never smell like anything other than milk and coffee. My boss arrives at 4:17AM.
By the way? I don't have to be to work until 6:30. But I'm getting a ride in because that $.18 an hour raise still doesn't bump me up to a high enough pay grade to make me feel that uncomfortable while walking.
Let's be clear. I'm walking through some of the best neighborhoods in the city. Let's also be clear, there has been more than a fair of share of gun waving done about town recently, and the lack of people on foot other than the effing crazy set makes me afraid. and I hate it. and I hate myself for being so afraid. I'm always torn between what is reasonable caution and what is unjustified anxiety.

Actually, all bitchiness aside: despite my current shitty living situation- which involves a malaria farm in the bathroom sink- life is not so bad. Sure, I'm blindingly lonely, frustrated, sleeping on a mattress on a living room floor, uninspired, eating my feelings and rapidly losing my soul, but I'm LIVING THE DREAM!


I know it will be hard, but I am not only the proud recipient of a $.18 an hour raise. Take *that* those of you who told me not to go to LA.

Try not to be jealous.

Twice a week I intern on the Sony lot. And I get to drive a club car. And I know a new city. and I'm writing on a deadline and I'm watching movies, and I'm making a start.

I've dropped and knocked over everything. My gmail was hacked and has spread like meningitis on a college campus.

But I've got amazing friends who eat pistachio gelato with me. AND some who send me pink shoes. And encourage me to drunk dial them.
Sometimes I'm stunned at how lucky I am.

Last night's supervisor was still learning the ropes so it took us about an hour to close. Got home. Both roommates had guests, and everyone was congregated in the living room.

Yes, that room I rent. A game of "Never have I ever" during which I judged them to be prudes and perverts on alternating terms. I didn't fall asleep until 3AM.... While they were still carrying on. When my alarm went off at 6.45 AM I kept the alarm ringing at 5 minute intervals while I got dressed in the bathroom.

Had I been given any advance notice, I could have found somewhere else to stay last night.

There is very little I have not dropped, spilled, knocked over or broken in the past few days. Be it coffee, steamed milk, protein powder, more coffee- different location- dropped glass containers in stores, almost dropped breakfast this AM.

I feel like I'm hungover, yet have not had a drop to drink.

One year here in LA. One year since the day I flew out of Hartford, spending my time in the airport with Ida- in a strange piece of coincidence that only happens in movies and, you know, real life.

Since that point I've- gained 35lbs. Tanked my credit. Lost some brain cells. Lost contact with some friends. Completely lost what little mojo I had. Aged 10 years.

Since that point I've- learned how to make a cappuccino. got health insurance. made the decision to file for bankruptcy. made some new friends. secured an internship that not only puts me in a golf cart on a lot, but helped clarify where I should be heading next in my career.

I don't love LA, but I think we'll be friends.

The shift from acquaintance to friend was marked with the following exchange:

Me: Do you think LA is Purgatory?

K: I think that might be the metaphor I've been looking for the past 10 years.

words of wisdom from your barista:

If picking up coffee for others, call them before you get to the counter. In fact, call them before you get in line.

Put your conversation on hold while talking to your barista.

Don't get snippy when your barista is asking you questions about your drink.

Be nice, speak clearly, or run the risk of decaf.


ALSO check out Shelby on Hollywood Stories

http://vimeo.com/9846667

Starbuck, as in Katee Sackhoff was in my local Starbucks.

Belongings are still in bags, but I'm starting to unpack.
I slept so amazingly well the last two nights that even if this doesn't work out for longer than a few months- those two nights of sleep would have been worth it.


Things to do this year:

Play poker
learn to golf

Vagabond

I move Friday to a third couch. This one is in West Hollywood and I will back to sharing an apartment with only one person, and a pet free environment.

For those of you who didn't hear my tapestry of obscenities about a month ago, my roommate's cat peed on my bed. While I was sleeping in it.

I'm still interning at on the lot, and while I very much enjoy it, things are a bit slow. Fundamentally, I want to write for Television. So, looking for that elusive writer's room internship.

As an aside, I am infinitely more productive in LA when it rains than I am when the sun is shining. Tragically that is about 30 days a year.