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.