Happy New Year!

So if you don't follow me on twitter, than you probably don't know about all the crap I have been bitching about. First, my cat (which is an indoor cat) slipped out a few weeks before Christmas. She got into a fight and got bit. The infection is pretty bad and my bill is currently at $650.00 and climbing. I pick her up today but she will need a second surgery and more money out the window... 

Then! I take my iMac into Apple last night to find out my computer, which is only three years old, needs to be replaced. So I'm recycling it which will help offset the cost of a new iMac but there is obviously down time till I get the shipment box, the credit from Apple and the purchase of a new iMac. So I currently have no computer at home. I have an iPad but I can't freaking blog or write from an iPad. 

So how's that for ringing in the new year? Bye bye Christmas bonus... It was nice knowing you. 

If I wasn't taking these really great vitamins I just got from Whole Foods, I think I would have a nervous breakdown. I really want to be emo.. but I couldn't cry if I wanted to. I'm just too chipper. Damn these vitamins! 

Regardless, I want to wish you all a Happy and Safe New Year! Here's to 2011! 

"The Plan" Ends With A Quiet Bang.

Oh dear God, if you haven't been reading "The Plan" by QuantumFizzx, I don't know what planet you are on. Normally, I don't read a lot of Twifanfics, not because I dislike them, but simply because I'm usually nose deep in a book. But this one particular fanfic could not be ignored.

It all started with Twitter. I'd see tweets raving about this story called "The Plan" and people tweeting frantically every time it updated. Curiosity got a hold of me and off I went in search of this story.

Upon reading the prologue and chapter one, I noticed a few things. The author is short and to the point and the chapters are timed. Huh?

So, I dedicated a few hours to reading the story. What started off as a few chapters, wound up being all fifty something chapters at that time, in one day. I had caught up with the story, had it on story alert and eagerly awaited the next chapters. Then as of this morning, I had finally read the finale. *Tears*

What was so cool and so freaking brilliant with this story... it was updated in real time. If the author put 8pm, central for example, then the chapter would be updated as of 8pm. It was like getting text messages from Bella as she was thinking them... I LOVED IT! I have never come across such an unusual method of delivery as this.

So! I am totally recommending this story. It. Is. Addicting. I'm just sorry for those of you that didn't get to read along as it was occurring. Honest to God, I'd get an update on Christmas; I had my phone in hand reading it. And trust me, I was not the only one.

To read "The Plan", click here.
To read a most recent interview with the author at Twi-Crazy, click here.

Happy Monday!

Wishing You ALL A Merry Christmas!

As we approach these last few days before Christmas, I have to admit. I'm feeling very random. I'm detoxing before Christmas and not gorging like I should (due to migraines). My mind is everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.

But how could I not wish you all a Merry Christmas.

In looking back on this year, I feel I have grown by leaps and bounds. Where was I before writing... before blogging... before Twilight and my rediscovered passion for books... before all of you? I was miserable, that's what I was. There is a creative little girl or boy in all of us, and sometimes work and family hinder that creative child from coming out and playing. I suppose sometimes we just need inspiration.

And on that note, I want to give you some of my recommendations for film and books to help take the edge off this holiday weekend. If you are looking to go the movies, and you can escape (it is rated R). Go see Black Swan. It just released nationwide last Friday and is so worth your time. It's a very edgy, erotic horror film (yeah, I'm categorizing it as horror). Best movie I've seen all year. No joke. Natalie Portman was amazing and ironically has inspired me to take ballet lessons with my younger daughter. See? Inspiration.

If you are looking to rent a movie, then rent Eat, Pray, Love. I've adored Julia since Mystic Pizza and let me tell you, she makes the film. Yes, it's a chic flick but it will inspire you to do something... and that's the point. Everybody is different and what your adventures will be, are certainly unique to you. My EPL experience this last year had to be venturing to Forks, WA to meet a large group of fabulous women. Though I feel the same, I most definitely am not.

Finally, if you want to curl up with a good book (because you are getting pummeled by rain) than let me suggest reading ROOM by Emma Donoghue. This book has to be one of the best books I'v read this year (it just released in September.) Written from a five year old's POV, ROOM appears to be innocent and benign, but is actually eerily dark. It's the sort of story that has you thinking about it for days after and by far the star of this novel, is five year old Jack. He is a brave little hero. Excellent book! (Quick summary-Little Jack lives in Room with his Ma. It is his world. The problem is, this is all he knows. Little Jack never leaves Room.)

So for those that are having crappy weather, drive safe. For the rest of you, have a very merry Christmas and if you don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you Happy Holidays.

I leave you with my all time favorite Christmas song EVER!! Where's my Cali friends? Do you remember they would play this ALL the time on KROQ? It's "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitressess!!

Water For Elephants Trailer-Because You Have Been Tweeting About It ALL DAY!

Thank you to Thinking of Rob for blogging this video (because I know most of us were scrambling to find a way to post a high quality trailer and this looks good to me.) 

And a big thank you to KStewsShoesx's for being quick to upload the apple trailer. Unlike Scummit, I think we will have no issues with copyright infringement.  

Battle of the Fangs: Stephen vs. Alex! It's all for charity.

I had seen the cute pictures yesterday but did not know what they were related too, till I saw Perez Hilton tweet about it.

Both Stephen and Alex participated in some friendly competition, trying to see who could raise more money for charity . Thus Battle of the Fang was spawned.

Now, I'm not too up on the details but it looks like True Blood's Nest, along with their sister sites, AlexSkarsgard.net and Skarsgardnews.net helped orchestrate this awesome challenge. 

Stephen Moyer helped raise $35,043 for www.gulfaid.org The mission of the Gulf Relief Foundation is to provide relief to the fishing community of the Gulf Coast and their families, and to address the long-term challenge of restoring and protecting America’s Coast wetlands. 

While Alex Skarsgard helped raise $34,223 towards SOS Children's Village an organization that works to focus on children without parental care and children of families in difficult circumstances.

Did I tell you how much I love these two actors? Anyway, the loser (in this case we think both are absolute winners for raising any money at all) had to wear a t-shirt designed by the winning actor and their team. First off there items up for bid, most notably Stephen's "cock sock". WHAT THE HELL? Where have I been?

Anyway, here are the pics from that challenge and yes, Team Bill did win. 

Poor Alex. It could read worse, right?

A kiss from Stephen is not that bad.

Now can we get a Team Edward and Team Jacob challenge going, I know what I want that t-shirt to read!! 

LENNONYC

First, I want to dedicate this post to my good bloggy friend Lisa over at 17 Forever Lisa. She was my cheerleader yesterday, and I thank her for that. No, you could not see me on Hawaii Five-O unless you paused the scene I was in, and went frame by frame. And even then... *sighs* Oh, well! That's how the cookie rolls.

Now onto something near and dear to my heart, and I know Lisa will agree with me on this (and in fact, she's mentioned it before on her blog). If ever any one actor could be chosen to play the part of John Lennon in a biopic, let that man be Robert Pattinson.

Tomorrow, December 8th, marks the 30th Anniversary of John Lennon's death. How do you celebrate the life of someone so iconic, so ingenious, so hopeful? You pass his legacy onto the younger generations and instill in them, his words of wisdom. With Steve Jobs winning a long battle over trademark disputes, the Beatles catalog has now been made available for all to download and listen to, and you will be surprised at how many younger fans this timeless band will acquire. In fact, thanks to iTunes, my 12 year old is now a hard core Beatles fan. I kid you not. (I have to say that all four members of the Beatles were very prolific writers/musicians. It is a shame that we do not have John, nor George.)

But I am digressing. I really want to direct you to a wonderful new documentary on John Lennon called LENNONYC. Presented by American Masters, it is a film that focuses on the time Lennon, Yoko Ono and their son, Sean, spent living in New York City during the 1970s.

“The period that Lennon lived with his family in New York is perhaps the most tender and affecting phase of his life as a public figure,” said Susan Lacy, series creator and executive producer of American Masters as well as a producer of the Lennon film. “Just as the generation that had grown up with the Beatles was getting a little older and approaching a transitional time in their lives as they started families, they saw this reflected in Lennon as he grew from being a rock star icon into a real flesh and blood person.”

LENNONYC features never-before heard studio recordings from the Double Fantasy sessions and never-before-seen outtakes from Lennon in concert and home movies that have only recently been transferred to video. It also features exclusive interviews with Ms. Ono, who cooperated extensively with the production and offers an unprecedented level of access, as well as with artists who worked closely with Lennon during this period, including Elton John and photographer Bob Gruen (who took the iconic photograph of Lennon in front of the skyline wearing a “New York City” t-shirt).

To view American Masters schedule on PBS: Click here
To view the full two hour documentary online via PBS: Click here

“If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliché that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal.” John Lennon

( I apologize, this will be a repeat post over at I Adore Books and Film )

Me and My Ex-boyfriend McGarrett (Okay, Maybe Not!)

It's time, it's time! For what you say, well let me explain on this eve (or um, day) of Eclipse DVD release.

It all started with a young girl who is on the same cheerleading squad as my daughter and goes to the same elementary school, landing the lead role as Danno's daughter on Hawaii Five-O. Pretty cool, huh?

Well that got me wondering... To be honest, I didn't even think about background acting till now, but hey, what the hell. Did I mention I have a severe phobia of "strange people"? Yes, keep that in mind. Most "strange people" become actors. No, really they do. I swear. But we can discuss that later.

In a nutshell, here's my acting background: I wrote a play in Junior High about babies talking. The school liked my play and produced it. I took a smaller role as one of the mothers. This counts right?

Then in college, I got scammed took classes and found an agent. I did get called, but realized I hated driving. Being already in San Clemente (right above San Diego), Burbank, etc.. was just too damn far. Thus my career ended.

Oh for the love of God, I could care less! But, I did suddenly get the bug to want to act again, or just stand like a plant, whatever... and that's how I sent in my info into Hawaii Five-O casting. Hey and guess what? They called me.

Now... let me tell you. Background acting sucks. We got called very early on to set only to be carted off in a van to fill out paperwork and have breakfast. "Oh, no time for breakfast, grab your paperwork and head off to wardrobe" (they were very specific about what colors were allowed on set-you couldn't clash with the main actors). "Oh, now that you have been checked by wardrobe, we need you back on set." Jesus! Those eggs looked good!! My stomach starts to rumble.

(This is when anxiety sets in because I do not like to mingle with people I don't know. I'm super shy!! To the point, I might cry. Why do I do odd things by myself? I fucking do not know. But my stomach at this point was really knotted. There was at least 30-40 people there and it seemed like they all knew each other. All I could think at that moment, was fuck you and your stupid cliques. Suck my ass, I have a real job. See, my shyness becomes anger if I feel lonely.)

Thankfully at this point we got ushered into the Kahala Hotel, the location which is supposed to simulate Monday night's scenes on a cruise ship.

(Interestingly, they shoot the same scenes, over and over again. They shoot from a right and left angle, and from a distant view and close up view. I will say the cool part of the experience was watching how much work and effort from the crews, goes into a few seconds of a shot. I do give them credit for that.)

Really, it was very awesome to work so close with these actors, but the rule on set is that you are not allowed to bring in a camera. But since I'm playing a tourist, I have my purse with me. Guess what's in my purse? My iPhone!!

(Alex talking to a production assistant)

Back to my story. I did several scenes where I walked in behind McGarrett, but the most memorable scene that morning was when I sat in a chair in the lobby and Danno runs by me. On one take, his pant leg got caught on the glass on top of the table, and down it spilled, breaking large shards everywhere. Shit, I got nervous that I tripped him. But, the production assistant assured me it was okay and to go back and sit down. I did as she told me to, but this time they creatively used the broken glass as a prop. (If I were a tourist on a cruise ship, why would I be sitting in front of broken glass? Huh? Don't you think my fat ass would have gotten up and called an attendant?)

Anyhoo!

Then I did several scenes where I walk down a stair case and McGarrett sprints down after. We did this take several times, but it was here I got to talk to my cutie, Alex O'Loughlin (which many of you love him from his vampire days on Moonlight). Standing already at the top, we were shielded, so the crew couldn't really see us. As Alex was coming up the stairs, I asked him if I could take his picture. He smiled, and said yes. Ah, that smile... He won me with his smile.

GORGEOUS!

Then Alex laughed and said I was weird for wanting to take a picture of only him. He said most people like to be in the picture and then he pretended that I was standing next to him and held his arm in the air like he was hugging someone. I got really shy at that moment but the lady next to me offered to take the picture and with everything in me, I ran over to Alex. 

I ALWAYS have my eyes closed!

Btw, I am standing on a lower step,

but Alex is very tall in real life.

I have to say, I think Alex loves me and had his eye on me all day. I'm just saying... I think we have something and well, since I'm married, this affair will have to end. Actually it did that day at 4pm when I clocked out, but whatever... 

Soooo, after my skin turned back to a normal color, and my temperature stabilized, I took a moment to sit. Dammit, that moment didn't last because the next thing I know and mind you, it's lunch by now, they are ready to release all but 10 actors. So the assistant asks, "Who thinks they are a serious actor, raise your hand." Fuck it, I raised my hand. This one lady looked at me because I had talked to her in the morning and told her about my day job. What? I am a serious actor. At that moment! 

Well, I get picked. 

Great, now they let everyone go and it takes them a good hour to check and sign timesheets. Argh, still no lunch!! Then the ones that are left, are huddled next to me like I am some beacon of light. A guy comes walking over to me and two of the young girls sitting next to me. "Hey beautiful people, what are the beautiful people doing over here?" In my head I respond, Shut the Fuck Up! Then some other OLD guy comes up and is all, "Hey gals," (to the two young college girls next to me), "I'll email you.. blah, blah." Remember how I said actors are strange and they all know each other... I was stuck in a room with 10 very odd people and without being fed, I was very likely to stab someone in the eye. 

Well, needless to say I did some additional scenes where I am running down a hallway just before McGarrett and Danno bust into a room (there is a serial killer loose on the cruise ship) and I probably look retarded, and I'm sure I will be edited out of the entire episode. But if you want to look for me, like I will be doing; check it out this Monday night on CBS.

In the end, I made a whole $90.00, worked nine hours without lunch, and met some very annoying people. 

But, I also got to see first hand how much work goes into an episode, hang out with a really cool production assistant (by the way, it take them about eight 15 hour days to make one episode), and meet the ever so gorgeous, Alex O'Loughlin. Can I say, he is extremely handsome in person and very nice? He totally talked to the background actors and just has a very laid back demeanor about him. Scott Caan, not so much. He's very short in real life and does not so much even look at you. Maybe he was staying in character, maybe he's just a short dick. Dunno, just my observations. But, Alex did win a new fan that day!

Remember, Hawaii Five-O, this Monday on CBS!