This is so funny! Since my TV is so small that at my new townhouse you can't see it from the couch so my friend Tracy was on a quest to find me a larger TV. My TV is hilarious -- it only fills out one fourth of the built-in TV cabinet with doors.
Tracy showed up at my house last night with a Mitsubishi she got from her friend's house; they were going to give it to Goodwill.
It is 18 years old! The screen is purple and there is dark wood paneling on the outside making look dated and awkward to carry. The remote control looks like something from when I was a toddler.
We brought it inside and while the box (paneling) made the TV look much bigger the screen iteself is actually THE SAME SIZE! ha ha ha. So today on my way to work I'm going to drop it off at Goodwill and get the tax write-off.
So funny! Lesson: 24-inch TVs are small, no matter how much paneling is around them.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Everyone I know, please drive safely
After the best band practice that Macadam has had in years I notice a voicemail from my mom last night.
Her Blackberry gets horrible service and always cuts out. The message said something like, "I wanted to tell you some bad news..." Phone cuts out. ..."Died in a motorcycle crash on I-5." Just like the cell phone commercials. The most important part of the message is lost. My head was racing? Who do I know that rides in motorcycles? Travis said there was horrible traffic on I-5 around 4, when he was driving to practice.
I called my mom and found out that it is a woman who works at her homebuilding company. The woman who died was so special. I worked closely with her for two summers as an intern in high school. I still saw her a couple times a year out and about and at functions with my mom.
She was the kind of person that lights up a room. She could organize and manage everything. She will be truly missed. I am praying for her family and all her co-workers in this time. The saddest part, for me, is that I just emailed her around 5 p.m. on Friday to get back in touch.
She never returned my email. She would have gotten it this morning at work.
Her Blackberry gets horrible service and always cuts out. The message said something like, "I wanted to tell you some bad news..." Phone cuts out. ..."Died in a motorcycle crash on I-5." Just like the cell phone commercials. The most important part of the message is lost. My head was racing? Who do I know that rides in motorcycles? Travis said there was horrible traffic on I-5 around 4, when he was driving to practice.
I called my mom and found out that it is a woman who works at her homebuilding company. The woman who died was so special. I worked closely with her for two summers as an intern in high school. I still saw her a couple times a year out and about and at functions with my mom.
She was the kind of person that lights up a room. She could organize and manage everything. She will be truly missed. I am praying for her family and all her co-workers in this time. The saddest part, for me, is that I just emailed her around 5 p.m. on Friday to get back in touch.
She never returned my email. She would have gotten it this morning at work.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Buying my first house -- well, sort of
The bright lights illuminated my half-eaten toast and cereal without milk. My tea cup – with the raspberry tea bag tangled on the handle – was empty. But in the moment, at that breakfast table I’d never felt to full – so fulfilled and content.
This was Friday when I filmed my first televised commercial for First Federal bank.
With the crew from The Hinmon Agency in McMinnville directing, I played Ellie – a married woman – having breakfast with my husband Jeffery -- and played by a hilarious guy named Craig.
As I sat glued to a story in the morning newspaper,’ Jeffery’ distracted me at the breakfast table and told me that we should buy our first house. ‘Ellie’ was shocked and surprised but liked the idea after thinking about it.
The fun part of filming segments that aren’t live is that you can tweak things until everyone is happy. If Craig and I needed to perfect our handholding while signing papers for our ‘new home,’ we just tried it again. Or, if my blank stare at the breakfast table wasn’t ‘blank’ enough we’d just try it again.
“Count to 20 in your head and just focus on that,” said Jake Hinmon, directing the piece.
After two or three takes we found a place where everyone was comfortable.
After hair and make-up – love that part -- our second and final scene was filmed at the loan office with an actual First Federal loan officer named Pam Anderson. No, not that Pam Anderson; we had a small budget.
She was wonderful and very nervous at first. But that faded quickly.
Hinmon – director of film and video production – told the three of us to have a conversation about the loan application paperwork on her desk. Since this short clip of us chatting was going to have a voice-over audible it didn’t matter what we said. We just had to look natural and like we were inquiring about the loan process.
And so we did – no one would really hear it, right? True, but those of us filming the scene would.
While filming, Criag told Pam that we need our first house to be located, ‘near a Wendy’s because that’s our favorite restaurant.’ Trying not to die laughing, Pam just looked at me and we continued filming. But Craig’s sense of humor was developing with every take we took. On our third take Craig told Pam this was our third house we’d bought that day because we are ‘so rich.’
He was fun. The crew was fun. And our filming – while hilarious at times – was efficient. We ended much earlier than expected and with some great footage.
I graduated college with a media and film degree – and way too many all-nighter stories from the campus’ television studio. This commercial reminded me of why I love the film industry so much – great people, unpredictable moments, becoming someone else for a little bit and watching the final product with a sense of accomplishment.
I hope the First Federal commercial helps those in Oregon looking to buy their first house. It helped me continue to pursue my love of the arts while making new friends. I miss having cameras around. I’d be a great candidate for a reality show.
That’s a wrap! Back to writing for the newspaper, another passion – hilarious at times, helpful to others and somewhere I feel comfortable being me.
This was Friday when I filmed my first televised commercial for First Federal bank.
With the crew from The Hinmon Agency in McMinnville directing, I played Ellie – a married woman – having breakfast with my husband Jeffery -- and played by a hilarious guy named Craig.
As I sat glued to a story in the morning newspaper,’ Jeffery’ distracted me at the breakfast table and told me that we should buy our first house. ‘Ellie’ was shocked and surprised but liked the idea after thinking about it.
The fun part of filming segments that aren’t live is that you can tweak things until everyone is happy. If Craig and I needed to perfect our handholding while signing papers for our ‘new home,’ we just tried it again. Or, if my blank stare at the breakfast table wasn’t ‘blank’ enough we’d just try it again.
“Count to 20 in your head and just focus on that,” said Jake Hinmon, directing the piece.
After two or three takes we found a place where everyone was comfortable.
After hair and make-up – love that part -- our second and final scene was filmed at the loan office with an actual First Federal loan officer named Pam Anderson. No, not that Pam Anderson; we had a small budget.
She was wonderful and very nervous at first. But that faded quickly.
Hinmon – director of film and video production – told the three of us to have a conversation about the loan application paperwork on her desk. Since this short clip of us chatting was going to have a voice-over audible it didn’t matter what we said. We just had to look natural and like we were inquiring about the loan process.
And so we did – no one would really hear it, right? True, but those of us filming the scene would.
While filming, Criag told Pam that we need our first house to be located, ‘near a Wendy’s because that’s our favorite restaurant.’ Trying not to die laughing, Pam just looked at me and we continued filming. But Craig’s sense of humor was developing with every take we took. On our third take Craig told Pam this was our third house we’d bought that day because we are ‘so rich.’
He was fun. The crew was fun. And our filming – while hilarious at times – was efficient. We ended much earlier than expected and with some great footage.
I graduated college with a media and film degree – and way too many all-nighter stories from the campus’ television studio. This commercial reminded me of why I love the film industry so much – great people, unpredictable moments, becoming someone else for a little bit and watching the final product with a sense of accomplishment.
I hope the First Federal commercial helps those in Oregon looking to buy their first house. It helped me continue to pursue my love of the arts while making new friends. I miss having cameras around. I’d be a great candidate for a reality show.
That’s a wrap! Back to writing for the newspaper, another passion – hilarious at times, helpful to others and somewhere I feel comfortable being me.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Lonely luggage
So, it's been more than five months since I've gone out of town -- anywhere. Each time I drive in my garage my car points right at two empty suitcases. It's like they taunt me.
I want to feel sun on my skin, start a new book and just not have to think about anything. But, I can't really take time off -- and need to save as much money as possible. Sounds exciting huh? Well, it usually is, I just miss exploring somewhere new. Arizona in November was awesome -- great food, spa treatment and family time.
But, I'm ready to plan the next trip. If money was no object and I actually had a three month summer vacation again (sigh) I'd explore Austrailia, the Caribbean and Europe. All three look so magical and different from here.
Last weekend, the weather was in the 70s for the first time in 2008 and I took a long jog and sat in the sun -- magazine in hand -- and got burnt just before a dinner date with my friend Michelle. Burnt shoulders are not a good look but I didn't care. I was proud that my skin actually did something besides mock Nicole Kidman's paleness. It could win an emmy for best derma dramatic performance. That day was so fun. Nice weather brings out the best in me.
Right now I'm unwinding from a gym date with Tracy and watching "The Girls Next Door." The Playboy girls crack me up. Although I don't really understand the need to always be naked for millions of readers/viewers to see, I do enjoy their ambition, lust for life and fabulous outfits. I've really been noticing patterns and fabrics lately. Very strange. I was at a place called Mother's last night in Portland with my friend Ian and the wallpaper was incredible. It reminds me of Dots restaurante in SE -- gothic, sexy and pretty. I want to design a photo shoot around the rich decadence created around classic Hollywood. And wear something fabulous with my new rich brown hair. And pale skin. For now, that sounds like a fabulous vacation from my routine.
I want to feel sun on my skin, start a new book and just not have to think about anything. But, I can't really take time off -- and need to save as much money as possible. Sounds exciting huh? Well, it usually is, I just miss exploring somewhere new. Arizona in November was awesome -- great food, spa treatment and family time.
But, I'm ready to plan the next trip. If money was no object and I actually had a three month summer vacation again (sigh) I'd explore Austrailia, the Caribbean and Europe. All three look so magical and different from here.
Last weekend, the weather was in the 70s for the first time in 2008 and I took a long jog and sat in the sun -- magazine in hand -- and got burnt just before a dinner date with my friend Michelle. Burnt shoulders are not a good look but I didn't care. I was proud that my skin actually did something besides mock Nicole Kidman's paleness. It could win an emmy for best derma dramatic performance. That day was so fun. Nice weather brings out the best in me.
Right now I'm unwinding from a gym date with Tracy and watching "The Girls Next Door." The Playboy girls crack me up. Although I don't really understand the need to always be naked for millions of readers/viewers to see, I do enjoy their ambition, lust for life and fabulous outfits. I've really been noticing patterns and fabrics lately. Very strange. I was at a place called Mother's last night in Portland with my friend Ian and the wallpaper was incredible. It reminds me of Dots restaurante in SE -- gothic, sexy and pretty. I want to design a photo shoot around the rich decadence created around classic Hollywood. And wear something fabulous with my new rich brown hair. And pale skin. For now, that sounds like a fabulous vacation from my routine.
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