As in achoo, achoo sick. Leave it to me to go all winter without catching any of the 10,000 things going around my office and get sick when it’s a sunny, beautiful, 85 degree day. To make it worse, I have two really fun things to do this weekend. So, tonight, doped up on DayQuil I am hitting the Dodger game with some friends, and tomorrow I am joining about 100 other “Bigs” and “Littles” for brunch and a magic show at the Magic Castle. Of course, this being sick business will not interfere with my scheduled manicure and pedicure. Off to be pampered…

Had the manicure and pedicure and now I am feeling so icky that I’m not even going to the Dodger game. I know, how much does that suck?!

Just got back from brunch and a show at the Magic Castle. It was really cool–there were 70 Bigs (Big Brothers and Big Sisters) and 70 Littles (Little Brothers and Little Sisters) and it was really neat to see other matches in action. Not to mention, the magic show itself was a lot of fun! Notable moment of the day–another Big asked if I’ve had a lot of people recognize me from Jdate, because I look exactly like my pictures. Glad to hear I really look like my pictures, but kinda embarrassed to be recognized from the website.

In other news, I still feel like crap and am very thankful that DayQuil was invented.

Jackson Briefs Taken by Prosecutors–Nope, not briefs as in legal briefs. Briefs as in underwear. Um, yuck.

This is part of an email exchange I had with a Jdate guy. I responded to his email by saying that although he may think it’s not very mature of me, I have issues with dating men shorter than myself. This is his response:

I thank you for your reply.
You are right, it is horrible that you judge people by the size of their bodies and not the size of their soul.
Good things come in small packages they say, and at 5 ft. 8in. I’m not small. It’s sad that you let an inch of height determine your possible future.
Always remember: “It is better to have loved a short, than never to have loved a tall”!
I’m afraid that you have demonstrated that you are not the fine human being I hoped you might be.
No invitation to my next comedy set for a tall person like you who’s heart is small…

Can we say Napolean complex?

Why does May sweeps just completely suck this year? Because NBC aired 10.5 in place of Las Vegas and The Restaurant last night. On the brighter side of sweeps-related news, come Thursday I will never have to hear the words “two hour Friends finale” ever again.

Then you’ll want to check out Defamer, the LA version of Gawker. According to the Gawker site, “Gawker is pleased as punch to announce our new site, Defamer, devoted to Hollywood and all its industry nastiness.” Finally, one site to get all the good Hollywood dirt.

Back at work after spending two days at home recovering from a bad cold. How I wish I could be back in bed watching daytime tv and sipping orange juice rather than sitting in my cubicle catching up on missed work.

Some recent verbatim searches:

drag queens and bingo

express editor pant

massive tongue

PEARL (formerly Dorscia/Moomba/Luna Park)

kroq kevin bean reality “the swan”

fun things to do in los angeles at night creative

How did YOU get here?

Just got back from my sneak preview class’s screening of Seeing Other People. Hmm. Not exactly sure how to react. The movie is about a couple who, a few months prior to their wedding, decide to see (read: have sex with) other people. The bride-to-be (Alice, played by Julianne Nicholson) pleads with her fiance (Ed, played by Jay Mohr) that it’s something they need to do, and after much convincing, he reluctantly agrees. It’s a little strange to think that two people who are committed to each other could actually go through with having sex with random people and still truly be in love with each other. The film explores all those emotions and doubts, and without giving anything away, makes you think, at least for a moment, that maybe for some people, there is some truth to that phrase “it’s just sex.”

Side note: In case you were wondering, yes, Jonathan Davis of KoRn has a small part in the film.

Friends spoiler, courtesy of Defamer.

Unleaded (87) gasoline at my local Mobil station went up from $2.28 to $2.35 overnight.

To my friend and her husband–you know who you are–who are expecting their second child. Congratulations!

My qualms about the Friends finale:

Erica makes Phoebe seem like a MENSA member.

No one, including the adoption agency, knew Erica was pregnant with twins? Uh ok. Yeah.

Monica and Chandler left the not-even-a-day-old-babies alone in the apartment while they rescued a chick and a duck from the foosball table.

How the hell did Monica and Chandler get an additional car seat, crib, etc. in the time it took for the babies to be delivered to getting them in the car?

Who would wear that outfit on a long flight to Paris?

Pheobe does have a husband, right?

Airport security? What’s that?

Rachel and Ross have a daughter, right? I don’t know, but perhaps it would bother Ross that the mother of his child is taking the baby all the way to Paris and he won’t be able to see her on a regular basis. Or maybe not. After all, doesn’t he (sometimes) have a son from his marriage to the lesbian?

Joey. Spin-off. That’s. Just. Wrong.

I’m down in SD for Mother’s Day weekend. The weather is perfect here! Sunny and warm–in the 70s rather than the 90s like in LA. Anyway, got my mom yet another charm (this one says We Love U Mom, it’s from me and my sis) for her Nomination bracelet as well as a cool “Oy Vey” tank top. The whole family is going for a nice dinner tonight and walking down to downtown Del Mar for brunch tomorrow. Should be a fun (eating-filled) weekend.

Just got back from Pavilions in West Hollywood. I haven’t been there since the grocery strike ended (and now I remember why), but it’s on my way home from the office and I needed to pick up a few things that Trader Joe’s doesn’t carry. Ugh. What a mistake.

It happened like this: The checker asked if plastic was ok. I said sure, and please keep the perishables together. (Being anal compulsive to begin with, I already grouped all the frozen foods, all the refrigerated, and all the other stuff–I had made it really easy.) But…by the expression on the checker’s face, you’d think I asked him to explain the meaning of life. The what? He asked. Umm, the perishables. Still, he had no idea what I was referring to. Finally, I said, The cold stuff. Please keep the cold stuff together.

I understand perishable isn’t a word that comes up in everyday conversation. However, wouldn’t it be a word commonly used in, say, oh I don’t know, a GROCERY STORE?

Yep, it’s true. A national tour of Avenue Q is in the works. Details to be announced after the Tony Awards. How stoked am I?!

For those of you keeping track (i.e., looking to be amused), I am currently on a (somewhat involuntary) dating hiatus. Sorry I can’t offer you any dating related laughs. However, if you can provide me a man, I’m sure I can provide you a story.

On a totally unrelated note, today is Wednesday which means tomorrow is Thursday which means kettle corn from the farmer’s market. See, I’m so easy to please.

Just screened A Slipping-Down Life. Well, it was strange, kinda slow, and quite sad. The film is based on an Anne Tyler novel and premiered at Sundance in 1999–it just now got picked up. Anyway, the story is about a depressed girl who finds some “connection” with a local musician she hears on the radio. She starts attending his gigs, and through a series of events (including carving his name into her forehead), they end up getting to know each other and a relationship is explored. (I’m trying not to give everything away here.)

On a lighter note, next week’s screening is Frankie and Johnny Are Married which looks great! (JAB: Have you seen a screening of it?)

Yesterday my diffuser (hair dryer attachment for us curly haired peeps) broke just as I finished drying my hair. Of course, this meant I had a major hair dilemma for today–do I wear my (naturally curly) hair curly with a chance of frizz or do I straighten it? I chose to straighten it. Oh, in case you were worried–all is now good in the world–I just called a local beauty supply store and they do in fact carry diffusers.

It’s that time again. Feeling inquisitive? Or nosy? Send me up to five questions (or post them in the comments) about whatever you want–about me, about Los Angeles, whatever is on your mind, and I will answer whichever ones I want to answer (hey, it’s my blog). Sounds fun, right? Ask away!

Had dinner then saw Super Size Me with a friend tonight. Wow, what a thought provoking film! In case you’re not familiar with it, Super Size Me is a documentary about a man (Morgan Spurlock) who eats nothing but McDonalds three times a day for a month. The result? Exactly what you’d expect–the initially healthy man gained weight, raised his cholesterol and blood pressure, and compromised his heart and liver. (Yes, three McDonalds meals a day for a month is extreme, and that is addressed during the film.) Anyway, the film really delved into the obesity epidemic we have in the United States–starting with our schools’ lunch programs–and managed to provide laughs along the way. Definitely worth checking out.

Hello and welcome.

As you may (or may not) have noticed, unlike pedestrians in the rest of the country, Angelos actually do pay attention to the crossing signals at intersections. When the signal flashes Walk, we walk. When the flashes Don’t Walk, we don’t walk. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see pedestrians standing on an empty street corner, waiting for the walk signal to change even when there are no cars on the road.

Why do we actually obey these signals? you ask. Well, perhaps it has something to do with our fear of being creamed by a teenager chatting on a cell phone or an actor reading a script while driving. Or maybe it’s our fear of seeing Angelyne cruising down La Brea in her pink Corvette. Or maybe it has something to do with the numerous jaywalking tickets issued to pedestrians in Los Angeles. Or maybe it’s because if you’re in the crosswalk while we have a green arrow to turn left, we just missed our only chance to turn and are now forced to wait an entire light sequence to make a left.

So, I ask you–Please do not cross the street against a Don’t Walk signal at an intersection. Please, please, please.

Thank you,

A Concerned Angeleno

Some recent verbatim searches:

how to use bling in a sentence

Ryan Seacrest los angeles restaurant sushi

manicure school los angeles

pictures of juxtaposition

what is going on tonight in los angeles

jdate sucks

How did YOU get here?

What? You don’t know who Danny is? You don’t watch Las Vegas? Shame on you. In case you’re unaware, I am sad to say that tonight is the season finale of my new favorite drama, Las Vegas, and I have my TiVo set. (On a side note, I have to say Arrested Development is without a doubt this season’s best comedy, and I just read today that it got renewed. Let’s rejoice!) Anyway, I’m not sure what I’m going to do without seeing Josh Duhamel’s hot face (and bod) every Monday night. Hmmm, time for a new TV boyfriend. JAB: Did you guys watch it yet or is it still on the TiVo?

————-
In totally-unrelated-to-TV news, I met my first blogging friend, Jay, today and he was really nice! (P.S., want a link?)

————-
And in even more unrelated news, I can’t seem to get rid of The Most Annoying Cough Ever. Poor me.

Weird News of The Day: This is so bizarre.

I read about a show called Show and Tell in this week’s flavorpill email:

When Hollywood’s up-and-coming comedy writers aren’t churning out screenplays, they perform at the ongoing Show and Tell series, which for the past two years has allowed writers, journalists, and playwrights to perform more personal material. Moving to the larger stage of the Silent Movie Theatre, tonight’s event includes writer Wendy Shanker (The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life), actor/writer Mike Blieden (The Daily Show, Arrested Development), and writer/journalist Brian Frazer (Esquire, Mad TV), among many others.

It sounds great and I am going to definitely check it out in the future. Has anyone ever gone? What did you think of it?

The caused-by-construction-traffic-clusterfuck on Century Park East at 5:00 tonight which was worsened by three ambulances and one fire truck tending to an emergency in the office building across the street, thus taking me 20 minutes to go half a block. No, I’m not stressed out or anything.

This month’s questions come from a very anxious Brooks.

1. Which photographer do you like better. Avedon or Penn?
I’m sorry to say and ashamed to admit, I know nothing about photography nor have I seen (that I know of) anything by Avedon or Penn.

2. How often do you balance your check book?
Balance my checkbook? People still do that? I just look at my account online everyday.

3. What extra curricular activities did you participate in while in high school?
I played tennis for a few years, wrote and edited for my school newspaper, and worked on my school TV show. Oh, I was also on the boat dance and graduation committees. How cool was I?!

4. Which is scarier to swim in, a lake, or the ocean?
The ocean. I am terrified of sharks!

5. Will you wash my car?
God no, I don’t even wash my own car. I’m fortunate enough to have a car wash service in my office building’s parking garage so I just drop my car off in the morning when it needs to be washed. OK, probably more info than you needed, but the answer’s still no.

p.s. Got questions for me? Post ‘em!

Just got back from an outing to the Grove/Farmer’s Market with my little. It was so cute seeing her face light up when she asked if we could take the trolley from the Grove to the Farmer’s Market. It’s amazing what excites a ten-year-old. Anyway, the weather was beautiful and we perused the shops and finally ended up at the sticker store. (Did you know sticker books were still cool? I had such an awesome sticker book when I was a kid!) I bought her a two dollar sheet of stickers and wow, was she stoked. Then we picked up some food and ate it near the huge fountain in front of the movie theaters. What a fun night–I’m really enjoying being a big sister, especially to such an amazing child.

Well, hopefully. I am now the proud owner of superjux.com, so once I figure out how to ftp my stuff there, the blog will have a new home. Exciting, I know.

Saw Mamma Mia with four friends today. I love that show, and it was just as good seeing it the second time around. The only thing that kinda sucked about this performance was the audience, including the annoying kid in a booster seat behind me who kept kicking my shoulder. Who brings a two-year-old to the theater? Anyway, when I saw the show last year, everyone was on their feet dancing after the final scene. I guess today’s audience was a bunch of boring peeps. Oh well.

Some recent verbatim searches:

ryan seacrest in brief underwear

Ryan Seacrest Prada Boots

is ryan seacrest jewish

larissa from average joe on jdate

Uhh. OK. Freaks.

While at the salon getting my regular manicure and pedicure over the weekend, I was surrounded by 17-going-on-35-years getting made up for prom. My God, the-getting-ready-for-prom-outfits these girls were wearing! They were practically naked. And if that wasn’t enough–the up-do hairstyles and tons of makeup being applied made them look like porn stars! I’m pretty sure there is no way my mom would have ever allowed me out of the house looking like that (and my mom is a way cool mom). To all of you out there who are raising teenagers, wow, that must be tough!

So I’m sitting here writing (no, not for the blog) and have The Swan on the TV in the background. The commercials come on, and I hear Jennifer Lopez talking about how important self esteem is, and how there will always be someone thinner, prettier, etc. I don’t know, just seems a little ironic to be advertising the importance of self esteem and feeling good about yourself during The Swan, don’t ya think?

On a side note, I’m sorry, but some of those girls look more like drag queens than beauty queens. And a lingerie competition? What kind of pageant is this?

Anyone else having trouble with Site Meter? It’s stuck on visitor 22,307 and hasn’t recorded any visits to my site since yesterday afternoon, and I’m not sure why. When I click Who’s On?, I get this: The statistics for visitors from the last xxxx minutes are not yet available. (xxxx being the number of minutes since yesterday at 2:00 p.m.) Anyone have any ideas?

Update: It’s working again. Yay!

1. Laundry
Pro: Can do multiple loads at once.
Con: Quarters! Always need quarters!

2. Money
Pro: Rent control.
Con: Would rather put the money toward a mortgage.

3. Parking
Pro: Always have a spot in a secured garage.
Con: Having to park between two SUVs.

4. Trash Shoot
Pro: Conveniently located down the hall.
Con: Idiot neighbors that throw cat litter in there. Gross.

5. Water
Pro: Don’t pay for it.
Con: Waking up and not having hot water.

6. Neighbors, Part I
Pro: The cute guy next door.
Con: The cute guy next door’s boyfriend. Oops.

7. Neighbors, Part II
Pro: Fun, creative people who at times give me comps to their shows.
Con: The annoying neighbor who sings (loudly) along with the Chicago soundtrack at one in the morning because he doesn’t have to wake up for a day job.

Have any to add?

It never occurred to me to put a dating application on my blog like this fish did. Maybe she’s on to something…

Like many other Blogger users, in April I received an invitation to join Gmail. I signed up, secured an account with a good username that wasn’t taken (wow!) and was good to go. A few weeks later I received an offer to invite two friends to join Gmail–I sent it to two of my coworkers who I thought would appreciate the one gig of space and they both signed up. Then yesterday, one of the lucky bastards sent me this article about how Gmail accounts are a hot commodity on eBay right now. Apparently, I could have made some quick money to take with me on my upcoming Vegas trip. Instead, I made two web programmers very happy. Oh well.

Please change your links to http://www.superjux.com!

My blog is happy in its new home. I think. Had a few issues moving everything over (what a pain in the ass), but I think it’s working properly now. If you link to me, make sure you update the address!

No, I did not watch American Idol last night. In fact, I have never even seen one episode. And yes, I do plan on keeping it that way. Thanks for asking.

For those of you who landed here looking for an Adam and Samantha (of Average Joe fame) update, here it is–they’re broken up. You can’t be surprised.

It’s that time again. Feeling inquisitive? Or nosy? Send me up to five questions (or post them in the comments) about whatever you want–about me, about Los Angeles, whatever is on your mind, and I will answer whichever ones I want to answer (hey, it’s my blog). Sounds fun, right? Ask away!

So I’m sitting here at my desk catching up on email this morning when I notice a big black spot on the ceiling above my co-worker’s desk. What is it? A cockroach. Huge. Upside down. On the ceiling. I point it out to my co-worker and we quickly find our Willing Bug Killer. You know, the guy that isn’t afraid to stand on a chair and squish a cockroach with a piece of paper towel. (Ewww!) Anyway, as always, Willing Bug Killer saved the day, and now I am sitting here freaking myself out by imagining cockroaches falling from the ceiling and landing in my glass of water on my desk. Oh, Happy Friday to me.

On a sweeter note, I made brownies (yes from scratch, found a new recipe) and brought them into work today. They are turning out to be quite a hit.

No, not Slim Shady. But anyway. To my loyal readers: You may be shocked to learn that in fact, my first name is not Moi. It is Hilary. Nice to meet you. Now introduce yourself.

When I got my oil changed earlier today, they reset my tripometer. Why would they possibly need to do that?

Due to the overwhelming response to my request for Ask Me, Ask Me, Ask Me questions, I am doing a special Memorial Day weekend version.

This time, questions come from Gareth, who has one of the most unique looking blogs I have ever seen.

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? What do you fear?
Perfect happiness–Being loved (and having someone to love) as well as having family and friends who are happy and healthy.
Fear–Never figuring out “what I want to be when I grow up.”

2. What is your favourite sound?
Rain hitting the roof.

3. What is your one obsession in life?
Only one? E-mail, reality TV, Diet Coke, and Chapstick.

4. What movie have you seen the most times?
That would be a tie between Swingers and Grease.

p.s. Got questions for me? Post ‘em!

My first attempt at posting a picture. My parents’ puppy–he’s a standard poodle. Yep, I’m down in San Diego for the long weekend.

This exercise comes from Jay. You can check out his answers too. Talk about bringing back memories!

Makes you want to dance:
YMCA by Village People

Makes you happy:
I’m Free by Soup Dragons

Reminds you of an ex-lover:
Don’t Speak by No Doubt

Reminds you of an ex-friend:
Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms

Makes you cry:
Don’t Speak by No Doubt

Makes you laugh:
I Wear My Sunglasses at Night by Corey Heart (JAB: bring back any memories?)

Makes you ponder life:
Piano Man by Billy Joel

You never want to hear again:
Mambo #5 by Lou Bega and Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin

You once loved but got sick of:
Unbelievable by EMF

You love by a band/artist you hate:
I am Beautiful by Christina Aguilera

You sheepishly admit to liking:
Ironic by Alanis Morrisette

You’d do anything to see played live:
Anything by Oingo Boingo!

Reminds you of your childhood:
Thriller by Michael Jackson

Sums up your teenage years:
Oingo Boingo, Depeche Mode, and Morrissey

Most people like but you hate:
Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

You love the lyrics of:
Somebody by Depeche Mode

You used to hate but now like:
Short Skirt/Long Jacket by Cake

Is best played in the car:
Rent soundtrack

You like to fall asleep to:
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel

You like to wake up to:
An alarm clock…

You love, and that you wouldn’t know if it wasn’t for someone:
I’m Blue by Eiffle 65

You love the video more than the tune:
I can’t remember the last music video I saw…

Is good to listen to whilst holding hands:
Fall At Your Feet by Crowded House

Makes you think of sex:
Enya (Can’t remember the name of the song)

Is not your “typical type” of style but you love anyway:
American Pie by Don McLean

Reminds you of your family:
Celebrate Good Times by Kool & The Gang (Come on, it’s played at EVERY bar mitzvah and wedding!)

Reminds you of the one you want but can’t have:
Next Big Thing by Material Issue

You can sing really well:
Trust me, there is no song I can sing really well.

Went with the family for breakfast, to the dog beach, then back home to sit by the pool. What a beautiful day!