La La Honeymoon Is Waning (2.5 weeks in)

Don't know what it is today, but I'm in a funk ... actually it's been happening for a few days ... I'll detail day by day after I vent a bit ...

Funk Funk Funkity Funk ... so I'm in Ground Work sipping one of the best Chai Tea Latte's ever ... listening to Euro (Eurovision) music on my ipod, which is flooding back memories: me tramping through the tulips, riding through the Amsterdam canals, catching up with dear dear friends at Bagel n Beans, making fun of the "Frenchies" (especially one specifically), hearing a plethora of accents

... instead ...

I’m having banking trauma with my freaking credit union and finally had to open a Wells Fargo account here, looking for a cheap apartment (thanks to Jodi for letting me crash on her couch thus far), sitting in cafes all alone surrounded by strangers, having people talk to me in Spanish 1st then when I turn my head to one side with a puzzled look -like a dog does they realize Yo hablo no Espano, sweating and sweating and sweating and sweating ... getting sunburned walking to and fro, paying for a gym membership at a 24 hr gym (only 4 days a week - explain that to me) which I've only used 3 days in 1.5 weeks, waiting in the scorching heat for eternity for the busses, spending money like it's Hollywood hill trees caught in wildfires, longing for houses that I would only be able to afford in my dreams

so you can see that the la la honeymoon is beginning to wane

... in leiu of all that ...

I'm stage managing and acting in a show (didn't I originally come here to do that?), getting to learn the layout of LA (well Hollywood/Hancock Park - not so much WEHO), having headshots retouched - printed and acting business cards made, surrounding myself with very talented actors serious about their craft (yes Matt that means you too)

I think I'm homesick and experiencing culture shock. I'm missing all the things I'm used to having around me for 8 years; now I get a little glimpse of how people feel when they spend their entire life in one place and finally move. It's tremendously painful to tear up those roots and plant yourself somewhere else. Even as I'm typing my eyes are tearing a bit thinking of all I've left behind. Should I be here? What am I doing? Can I make this place home? Should I? Should I use my return ticket in a few weeks, hop back on the plane and go home? Would people then label me as a wus or more importantly - would I?

So, on to what I've been doing for the last week ... Disclaimer: If you fall asleep reading anything below, drool on your keyboard and electrocute yourself I will not be held accountable for funeral or hospital costs :O)

Sat 11AUG07
Blocking set for 12 Angry Men

Sun 12AUG07
Explored Silver Lake and the area with a friend; went to a wonderful lunch/dinner at an amazing Thai rest. (www.leelaThaiLA.com). If you haven't tried it yet you MUST!!!



Missed Jake's BBQ on the beach (isn't there a written law about not inviting vegetarians to meat fests?) Just kidding Jake - I'll bring my tofu turkey next time.

Had Rehearsal went very late.

Mon 13AUG07
Putzed about. Think I signed up with 24hr fitness on this day - had to go through "THE SPIEL!" OMG!! - I just wanted to slap them and say, No Thank You! But the manager came over and gave me a super duper deal I could not refuse, so I joined - put up a fight n made them sweat a bit.

Went to Swingers (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/losangeles/D40935.html) - a well known hot spot in LA. Last time I was there with Jodi (about 6 years ago) we saw one of the BackStreet Boys, and lo and behold today we saw actor Hank Azaria. I have to say the malts here are some of the best in the world!!!! I sucked one down in no time flat:



but careful ... the whipped cream can be dangerous:



OOPS!!! I can't be taken anywhere.

Tue 14AUG07
Helped Mike move into a new apartment on one of the hottest days ever!!! HOW RUDE!!!! You think that evil Dutch god that made a rain cloud follow me all around Amsterdam would at least find me over here, but NO! NO! I had to sweat the day away!!! Bastard!!!

Later Mike and I went to Swingers for a bite and you bet I got one of the biggest malts ever!!

Had a very very very late rehearsal - till 3AM.

Wed 15AUG07
Mike was nice enough to let me borrow his car to head out into the Valley (about 30 min drive - or 5 hour walk) for my headshot session. Jessie Blitz (www.jessebiltz.com) was great - took pics in natural light - and even tough my extremely light sensitive eyes (remember I've only seen the sun since I've been in LA) made me cry in a lot of shots we got some wowzers! His beautiful fiancé did wonders make-up wise - making me look years, decades younger. I ended up getting 300+ shots with 4 different looks for a very good price of $200. I highly recommend him!!!

Went shopping with Jodi. For some reason she went goo goo gaaa gaaa over this cart:



I couldn't believe the super sizes of things you can buy over here - yep - it's almost 2kg of grapes, which lasted me 1.5 weeks and was DAMN yummie!!!!



Later Jodi and I went to The Grove to eat at The Cheese Cake Factory - whom did we end up seeing there? One of our fav actors: Ryan Gosling!

Thur 16AUG07
Opening Night - show went well - considering a few fuck-ups from the Stage Manager - hmmmm who might that be?

Went out for drinks/dinner at Infamous IHOP (The International House of Pancakes) with Mike (Director & Forman) and Matt (Juror #8)



See what happens when you ingest too much syrup:



Come to think about it - it's actually his regular face - LOL!

Fri 17AUG07
Walked into Amateur Comedy Night at Ground Work - was pretty hit and miss - but entertaining either way :O)

Went to the gym then to see Invasion at the Arclight (http://www.arclightcinemas.com) a great theatre, but very expensive ($15.00 per movie). The movie was ok - Nicole Kidman was all right and Daniel Craig was good as always.

Sat 18AUG07
Met Paula n Cam for her B-day dinner at the Grove. Went to eat at a Steak House (isn't there a written law against taking a Vegetarian to a Steak House? HOW RUDE!) I ordered veggie sides and was a pretty happy camper.



Performance of 12 Angry Men - show was pretty ... um ... ok

Sun 19AUG07
Show - was much better today - except for an unplanned frying of the circuit breaker, which resulted in the actors and audience being thrown into blackness. The actors were great in covering it - stage was dark for at least 7 min as I was back stage muttering, "Fuck Fuck Fuckity Fuck" to myself. Luckily we could add it into the play, because it's an old building with broken air-conditioning. To remedy the fault the house manager had to go on stage to reset the breaker. All in all it was fun and kept us on our toes.

Saw Clue - the other show running along with 12 Angry Men. Was a wonderful production with talented actors/tesses!

Mon 20AUG07
Finally opened a bank account.

Went by to get my photos retouched; I told them to make me look 20 years younger then they told me, "Sorry sir, we can't work miracles."

Sitting here writing this update for ya'll - it's taking me FOREVER!!! You better still be awake and read every last word - otherwise I'm gonna whoop you up side ya head!!!!

Sean