L.A. Updates...

Hey there. Sorry for the no blog, but it ain't 2004 anymore and I have more important things to do with my time like lament over my befucked TV or look for a job (notice my priorities there). Writing in this damn thing just ain't up there on my list of things to do...

...

Holy shit I've missed writing in this thing.

Okay, now that the lies are behind me, let's get on with the updates, shall we? Yes, I am in L.A. now and it is extremely hot.



There. Proof. BTW - please ignore the obvious ST:TNG obsession my dashboard screams. If you missed it, just accept that you missed it and continue thinking I'm not a nerd. Or not. Whatever.

Vick and I got here on the 20th of June and it has been an uphill battle with everything. My god. I know about the economy, the business, the whole 'that's life' thing. I know, but still I was not expecting this to be so hard. We looked at over 30 apartments to rent and not one of them approved us to live there. Credit? Not a problem. History? Nope. 4 roommates? That may be it. Either that or the fact that my luck follows whoever I'm with around like a hungry dog. We eventually, and luckily, were able to just latch on to the place we were staying at. Dave remained on the lease and added the rest of us. This was over a month into our stay in L.A. I still had no concrete job. Not for lack of hustle, no, I've been applying to 5-10 places/jobs a day for the last 2 months and still no takers. Not just in film, either. We're talking Barnes & Noble, Cheesecake Factory, the Apple Store, hell even the frickin' Movie Theater! No one wants to hire people. Or just me, anyway.

As if being unemployed and watching my bank account rapidly dwindle to nothing wasn't enough, our dipshit landlord had to go and add to our troubles by allowing us to move in without an inspection (his idea, mind you) and then demanding we move out a month after the fact until they can repaint the whole apartment and clean the carpets... WTF?

Nevertheless, we managed to get into a fight with him that lasted a whole week that we eventually won because we actually have READ the lease agreement. That aside, things are starting to get a little better because we believe (which is Polish for 'hope') our apartment issues are behind us and I actually have a paid gig coming up this weekend, my second since being here. This time, as an A.C. on a pickup weekend for a feature. It's shot on the VariCam which should be fun to pull focus on. 'Cookin' Big Stuff' was the other gig I had last month which I have not heard much on or from since wrapping. I assumed he would be doing more episodes but it was coming out of his pocket so I probably should just be patient on that one.

Speaking of being patient, I cannot WAIT to get home on the 9th. I am heading back to the midwest for Dee's doc shoot in Galena and will be in Chicago (or around it) from the 9th til the 29th. I have a lot to cram into my trip that I'm hoping to be able to do. 3 weeks sounds like a lot but it really will only be 2 since a week will be devoted to the doc and I need to find some sort of paid work while I'm home or I will have no money to pay for rent.

One thing this unemployment has given me the opportunity to do is play more video games. A LOT more video games. I've replayed or beaten Vice City, San Andreas, Bioshock, Portal, Half Life 2, Halo, and a few others since being here. We haven't had a House Warming party yet, but we're waiting on J. Ro to get out here for that. We also need to get this move-in inspection out of the way before we put our final decorative touches on. The place is perfectly suited for a sweet gathering I think. Not nearly as nice as some of the places we hoped to move into, but still...

I really have come to like my apartment in Glendale, but the street we live on is pretty maddening. There is not a single moment's rest from the ridiculous noise of loud cars and motorcycles. Yes, we live next to Glendale's 'Brand Blvd of Cars,' but I mean, satan's anus, come on, people. Setting off car alarms every minute of every day and night? Where does that get fun? Noise pollution along with the smog are the very worst things here, and this is coming from a guy who grew up a stone's throw from O'Hare.

I miss Chicago. I'm not really homesick as I have not even accomplished anything since being out here, but I do miss home. I miss varying weather and the Cartesian street grid system. I have not watched a Cubs game since June 14th and though I clearly am not missing anything aside from the '09 team trying desperately to look like the '05 team, I really want to sit in my kitchen and listen to Len and Bob and Pat and Ron. The announcers out here (the supposed 'great' Vin Scully is devoid of passion or even the most basic pronunciation skills) are absolutely maddening. Rick Monday... why?

I am doing what I can. Vicky is faring a little better than I in all aspects and I am glad I have her to look at as inspiration. I will say that going to a beach where there are actual crashing waves is pretty amazing. Check out the link below for some pics of my stay thus far in L.A. Wish me luck and it was good to blog again.

We Live Here Now.

Now Playing: Aphex Twin - "Beetles"