Look what Isa and Nick got!!!

WELCOME, BABY ZAVYER!!!!!

***And dude, speaking of the baby itch, CONGRATS TO JOE AND RIANN!! I can't wait to watch you guys raise a kid! hahahaha!

improvise [im-pruh-vahyz]

to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize; to compose, play, recite or sing on the spur of the moment

Synonyms include: make up, ad-lib, contrive

About a week and a half ago, Leia and I attended a play...well, I'm not sure it's really a play. It was - are you ready for this - Jane Austen Improv! On one of our weekly emails from Goldstar Events, there was a $10 ticket item for Jane Austen UnScripted. I'm not a Jane Austen fanatic, but I can't deny how much her work impacted English literature and how it affected the role of women in society. She was truly avant garde and as an aspiring writer who is trying to find her way, I admire her a great deal.

So Leia and I had dinner at a nearby Japanese restaurant one Friday night. After a hot bowl of ramen, we headed to the Impro Theatre on L.A.'s Theater Row. Did you all know we had a theater row? I seriously had no idea! Anyhoo, we honestly didn't know what to expect when we bought the tickets, and we certainly didn't have the faintest idea what exactly we'd be watching when we got there.

The Impro is a group of small theater houses situated in one building. The"box office" was a girl sitting behind a small counter desk who checked off our names on a list. The theater itself seats about 50 people - one aisle, 4-seat rows on each side. The distance from the edge of the stage to the last row of seats is probably about 15-20 feet. When the actors came onto the stage (a stage furnished with just one Sigmund Freudish couch, desk and chair), we applauded, they gave us a quick background for the show, and then they asked for a topic to base the "play" on.

"Sex!" someone yelled out.

"Sex it is!" said one of the actresses, and then the show began.

All the actors were dressed in costumes reminiscent of Jane Austen's time - long, empire waist dresses with puffed sleeves for the women, and suits with long-tailed coats for the men and all spoke in that wonderful English accent, speaking like characters straight out of Austen's stories.

Leia and I were impressed. The show was hilarious! I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to do Improv at all, but to do it based on what Jane Austen might've written? That's just insane! The actors reminded everyone that since it's improv, every show is different. Leia and I quite enjoyed it and may go see it again. Who's up for some Jane?

He's Just Not That Into You Trailer

Can't wait to see how they translated the book to film! It's a self-help book...sort of...

ThugLife

Remember this?!!! We were in Vegas for Iya's birthday when this happened. Crazy riot!!!

guilty pleasure [gil-tee plezh-er]

something one considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it

Oh man, so I was flipping through channels at around 11:15 on Saturday night and I came upon this random show on Channel 5 - Legend of the Seeker. It sort of reminds me of Lord of the Rings, especially since it's also filmed in New Zealand, and because one of the actors (who plays a bad guy), also played Haldir (one of the elf soldiers) in LOTR. I KNEW he looked familiar. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

I don't know what it is about these types of movies/shows that's so appealing to me. Maybe it's the reluctant hero plot, or the forbidden love between Richard (the Seeker) and Kahlan (pronounced KAY-lin, a magical woman helping protect Richard, played by San Diego native, Bridget Regan) storyline (their chemistry is killer! Reminiscent of Aragorn and Arwen), or the era of wizardry and magic. Or maybe it's the hottie lead (Australian actor, Craig Horner) whose character is dressed like Aragorn and sounds like Legolas (minus the English accent). Whatever it is, I'm way into it!

Tin's been teasing me all week because I've been online every night since Saturday, catching up on all the episodes I missed. I'm all caught up now and my dvr is ready to record the next few episodes. Hooray!!! Something new to be geek about!!!

calendar [kal-uhn-der]
a table or register with the days of each month and week in a year; any of various systems of reckoning time, esp. with reference to the beginning, length, and divisions of the year
Synonyms include: agenda, bulletin, log

One of my favorite things about a new year? NEW CALENDARS!! I know, I know - I'm easily amused, but I always enjoy the idea of new beginnings, while (and this is the control freak in me talking) having the ability to look ahead.

Every year for the past 8 years (as long as I've had a desk job), I get two different calendars: one wall calendar to hang in my room and a daily calendar to place on my desk at work. I've had all kinds of calendars: Monet, Lord of the Rings, *NSYNC, Italy, etc. This year I have a Tuscany wall calendar by my bedside, each month with a beautiful view of the Tuscan region. I will forever love Italy!
Last year, I had an "Italian Phrase of the Day" daily calendar. I learned quite a few expressions and I'm even more determined to take an Italian language class soon (maybe in Italy! Who wants to join me?!!) This year I thought I'd change it up, so I got this "Seize the Day" daily calendar. Everyday has an inspirational quote that I'm hoping will get me through each 24 hours...especially the ones that feel longer than that. The quote for today is so appropo during these hard economic times: "Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money." Lovely...

I always get my calendar after New Year's Day because by then, they're half off! At least at the bookstores they're half off. Go get yours now!!!

opportunity [op-er-too-ni-tee]
an appropriate or favorable time or occasion; situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal; a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success
Synonyms include: chance, break, good fortune

Hey everyone! I was asked about a month ago to be part of a groupblog about Glendeezy. I get to write reviews about restaurants, places to shop, etc. and share experiences about living in my city. Whenever you get a chance, please visit the EverythingGlendale site and have a read! My first entry just got posted about Ichiban. Yay!

venture [ven-cher]

an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome, esp. a risky or dangerous one; to expose to hazard; risk

Synonyms include: adventure, endeavor, experiment

I ask myself at the beginning of each new year what I'm planning to do differently. We'd all wish we could say that life is perfect and that we have nothing left to change, but let's face it, there's always room for improvement.

2008, I'd have to say, was more pleasurable for me than anything (except for that one day in June, but we'll fix that this year won't we, Kobe?). It wasn't without its nuisances because, well, what's life without a little (pardon my profanity) bullshit? We'd be nothing without the occasional scuffle with friends and family or the daily ass whooping 40-48 hours a week at work. I know it's cliche to say that adversity builds character, but it does just that.

I fought with myself a lot last year; heated arguments in my head and sporadic scoldings that told me I had more to fix than I had hoped. Those "improvements" I sought to make at the beginning of 2008 suddenly turned into a remodeling nightmare when I realized that a mere fresh coat of paint just wouldn't do. I needed a lifelong makeover and no Ty Pennington would be there to help me. So what did I do? I told myself to grow up (again) and to be more responsible...for EVERYTHING I do. Be responsible for what I feed myself, what I say to people, how I treat my family, how I help my friends, how much effort I put into my work, maintaining patience, and most of all, how and where I find happiness.

I have no overachieving resolutions in 2009 except to be someone who I can stop arguing with. And, this year I vow to make better use of these right-brain skills that God said I could have...especially ONE skill I'm trying to develop. =)

With that, I hope all of your 2008's were as wonderful as mine was and that 2009 will be even greater!

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!