Heathrow & Home

Well this was me nearly a year ago. Tan and rested. New Year in Antigua. Single. Martini in hand. Good times.

This year it's London and I arrived today 2 hours delayed, 40 minutes in the baggage claim and, despite a few intermittent curses, in quite good spirits.

I have not been here in 2 YEARS???!!!! How strange. And yes, I am currently suffering from jet lag. So far I've watched Coming to America, Inside the Actor's Studio, had a a three hour nap and then watched A Fish Called Wanda. I'm sure I shall feel the pain eventually but as of now I am awake and rearing to go at 6:30 am here in the pitch dark and fog. What a good time to blog.

A hell of a lot of things I promised to do did not get done in the last few weeks in L.A. and I blame this on burn out and my own procrastination. Even the few times I tried to get something done e.g. organizing another webcam for Flicka, the essential willpower was not there so I gradually had to face facts and appease the inner screamer- "I need a bloody break, girl!" Now will power is not usually an issue with me, so I'm guessing the inner screamer was pretty strong this time.

My boyfriend's graduation was gorgeous. Santa Barbara is gorgeous, and after the crazy, drunken, champagne-filled night before, I am damn proud that we made it up there.

In London, Christmas will be more about mellow family time, which I am very thankful for and re-evaluation of this year and the year ahead. Then for New Year's, and a few days after, I think a few trips to the pub are in order.

Merry Christmas!

And soon I'm off

Home seems so sweet right now as I sit inside my boyfriend's very cold house in Bel Air. This may sound doubtful to you, but in all truth, us Brits are so used to the freezing cold that our central heating works pretty damn well, whereas heating in houses in Bel Air apparently don't.

No sign of a rat now for a full week. Our trap massacre must have been truly successful.

JLo lives 2 doors down. I wonder if she has problems with rats? I wonder if they wear gold hoops and huge Chanel sunglasses? Maybe they featured in her next video and sing background vocals for Marc Anthony. Now I'm just being silly. But seriously people, who would of thought rats were a problem in "Jenny's" neighborhood?

I have A LOT to do tomorrow: Move my clothes out of my boyfriend's place so they're not in the way during his move, buy 5 Christmas presents, pack for London, deposit checks, wrap Dhruv's combination graduation/xmas present, stay humorous and cheerful, exercise FINALLY and avoid by all means ALL HOLIDAY PARTIES THAT MIGHT RESULT IN SUCH AN OVER-CONSUMPTION OF FOOD AND WINE AND MORE THAT I FALL OVER FLAT AND DON'T MAKE IT TO LONDON.

God, my fate is in your hands.

Music Video, Day 1, and Only Day

For all those who think dating a director gets you places in this town, look at me now. I am planted on a velour couch, which I think has now imprinted my bum marks permanently on its material because that's exactly where I have been sitting for the last 5 hours. (With of course the occasional visit to the bathroom and to eat more, and more and yes, more.)

Still you have to have a sense of humor about this. I mean that show Extras for example paints it perfectly. Except as I recall they are getting paid and don't have someone they are giving sexual services too behind the camera. Hmmm. Time to evaluate my priorities.

I am so excited about next week. It looks like we will be shooting 3 episodes of Flicka and I have some great actors from my Steppenwolf class to fill the wacky roles I created. One is Flicka's weirdo roommate, who is infatuated with large books on Greek Tragedy, and does little more than peer over the book suspiciously whenever Flicka puts the camera on him. Then there's the over-enthusiastic foreign man, with baseball cap, who Flicka meets at Hollywood and Highland, and who has the weird habit of clapping his hands after nearly every sentence. Additionally, there are the characters in the bar. 2 drunken guys with the worst ever pick-up lines and a habit of talking way too long and over each other, even while they are trying to "get the girl". Then the young, dumb girl who tells Flicka to "say that again, say that again" because she loves her accent and has an admittedly strong obsession with Prince William. And last but not least the middle aged female barfly, who, whiskey in hand, is always the last to leave and gives Flicka "advice" on surviving this town.

Back to reality though and to my cold feet in the cold green room.

It's a shame I won't be back tomorrow. I do have a lovely dress and Tiffany, the make-up artist, worked wonders on my eyes. But, baby, as Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox put it so well- "Sisters are doing it for themselves." And so will I.

Tomorrow.

Head Cold

Aaarrrggghhh. My head hurts, a lot. It pounds and aches and reminds me that I need to start treating my body right. Advil, advil, advil, you are my God!!!

I will carry on my day and take lots of rests, amongst the s**tload of work.

Tonight is chill out night. Movies, hot chocolate, cuddling with my man (who according to recent spiritual love cards is not the right man for me, bloody planets). Then I shall wake up Friday morning hydrated, well rested, fresh as a daisy, will glow.......I hope.

Love, Love Me Do

Monday.

I have survived the long strech of events/fundraisers/mixers/improv shows/alcohol and socializing that started Thursday night.

ONLY JUST.

The consequnce? Puffy eyes and a rotten cold.

Cure- a well deserved detox. 5 days of sobriety and creative work:

1) Film 5 sketches of Flicka with a new "funny friend" character who shows Flicka around L.A.

2) Prepare for the Shakedown Lulu White music video with the bf. (We raised 2 thousand at the fundraiser in Bel Air. Now we can afford better quality make-up to hide those dark circles.)

3) 2 auditions (FINALLY)

Watch this chick get her life back together.