Declassified and another celebrity
Mood:  a-ok
"Declassified" is finally airing on the History Channel, so check it out every Thursday night at 10pm or Fridays at 2am (but who's up that late?). www.tenworlds.com

I saw Lisa Leslie in the Apple Store yesterday. Maybe her New Year's resolution was to switch over to Mac, because she was bringing a lot of attention to herself as she was spread out over a computer display table. I walked out of the backroom and saw her immediately. She was sitting on a stool in a jump suit with a tall black man, and they were taking over the entire table, which clearly indicated they were of some status because I have never seen that before. She had her PC laptop sitting next to a new Powerbook.

December 20th and 70!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Lovin' LA
I dont remember it being this warm in LA last year, so this is quite a treat. It's strange for a East Coast woman to be wearing a t-shirt outside only days away from Christmas. And days away from seeing snow.

How nice that Hollywood exists in such a comfortable city!

"2 celebrities in a row"
Topic: Apple Store
Thats the song I was singing last night when I rang up 2 exciting people at the Apple store.

The first was Hal Sparks, who I know from "I Love the 80s" and many other shows on VH1. However, when I went to his website tonight I discovered that he's been on many other shows, such as "Queer as Folk". Check out his website: www.halsparks.com. He's quite attractive in person. Since "I Love" is my favorite show, I was quite thrilled to see him.

However, I'm sure you're familiar with the second customer I helped: Damon Wayans. That was quite exciting. He was wearing a hat and making the same face as in the picture.

I was so excited I did a little song and dance, but not in front of them of course.

I love LA!

Also, the other job is going very well. It's so exciting when the phone rings and it's a client calling for me!

Biting the Apple
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Apple Store
Life is good. And it's time to update.

I just started working at Stimmung and that is going well. I really like the other employees here, and thats a major plus. The kitchen is fully-stocked and sometimes we get free lunch, so that's fantastic. Best of all, it's 1.5 miles from my apartment, so I can get here in 5 minutes and save on gas.

Apple is going very well too. I've been meaning to start recording every celebrity I sight, so here it goes:
- Christian Slater (2 x)
- Joshua Jackson (from Dawson's Creek)
- Paul Scheer (VH1 "Best Week Ever") http://www.paulscheer.com/

Joshua Jackson is HOT!

I thought I saw Danny Bonaduce, but it wasnt him.

BEST WEEK EVER...make that best MONTH!!
Topic: New Leaf
A) Bought a PowerBook and I love it to death

B) Got the job at the Apple Store (part time, "seasonal")

C) Got the job at Stimmung as media manager (full time)

D) Started training at Apple and cant get enough of the company

E) Got several freelance jobs for extra cash, including an editing gig.

That's my month in a nut-shell. Needless to say I'm excited. I've been living in LA 14 months and this is what happens...when you really work for it.

FYI: I'm getting a free .Mac account so ENGAGE Productions will soon have a very vamped new website!! FINALLY!

I did get a car ticket though, which wasnt so great. My headlights burnt out and I didnt know, but now they're fixed and I think that will "resolve" the ticket.

Fiona Apple is amazing and I pray that she'll visit the Apple Store because that would make my life. Ok fine, if Britney came in I'd be thrilled too...but I dont like admiting that.

Just to make you a little more envious of my lovely city that is L.A. check out a recent picture I took in Santa Monica.

Disarmed - The Film
Topic: Lovin' LA
I spent this past weekend shooting still photography for a USC Grad project, which was a blast. It was easily one of the best sets I've ever worked on: everyone was nice and it was fun...and the script was great. It was about a man who pretends he doesnt have arms to win the heart of a girl.
The best part was that I took over a thousand pictures and I really got a chance to practice my photography skills. I'll post some of my favorites soon.
Also, the cinematographer, Robert Brinkman, is an accomplished D.P., with credits such as "The Rules of Attraction" and "The Cable Guy", so his presence was exciting and I'm excited to see the end result of the project. It was shot on H.D.

Customer Parking Only
Topic: Lovin' LA

A picture taken by Evan Cohen and edited by Whitney
October 17, 2005
West Hollywood, San Vicente Blvd

TICKETS TO FIONA
Topic: Fiona Apple
Yep, I got 'em. I'm going to see Fiona Apple this Thursday and get her signature on my CDs. = )
I waited in line for 3 hours, met some cool people, had a great time, got 2 tickets for the show by accident (cashier messed up), so I'm bringing my friend Carla, and all for $15.56. ($14.06 for the cd/ticket, $1.50 for the parking meter).
I took like 75 pictures and I'll post some of them when I get the chance.

I listened to the CD (which is rare because I usually use my Ipod) on my way home. It was beautiful and warm out, I knew all the lyrics to the song, and I just felt so happy!

I also found out today that Fiona is playing in LA soon so I may go see her real concert too...in fact, unless her performance on Thursday really quenches my thirst, I think I have to go. I'd love to hear her perform all her old songs too.

Nano Nano! (as Matt would say)

Irrelevant yet very exiting
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Fiona Apple
Well, tonight I'm doing something new and exciting:
I'm going to stand in line for 2.5 hours to try to get a special wrist band at Tower Records on Sunset Blvd for a small performance by Fiona Apple.
The first 400 people who buy the cd (which comes out at 9am at the store) get to see her perform there on Thursday the 6th and she'll do a signing too.
So, I've got snacks, a blanket, a pillow, a book, and my ipod. I'm all set to wait in line, all alone, for one of my favorite artists "of all time".
I've been obsessed with her since I found out about her unreleased album "Extraordinary Machine" and downloaded it from the internet. I loved the songs and fell in love with Fiona all over again. Then when I found out she was releasing a new version I became extra excited because now I get to own TWO versions.
So its totally worth staying up all night for this...well, its not to far past my 7am bedtime.
I just hope it works out and I'm one of the 400...we'll see!

Speaking of favorite albums, I'm listening to The Beatles' "White Album" and I dont recognize some songs. Isnt that amazing? I love them so much but I dont even know some songs...I guess my dad didnt listen to this album very much when I was young. He listened to "Abbey Road" "Yellow Submarine" and "Magical Mystery Tour", so therefore those are my favorites. I bought "1" for myself a few years ago and enjoy that compilation as well, but The Beatles have so many songs.

Besides that, I've been having fun with the program "Soundtrack". I played around with it for kicks to make a track for my cousin Mimi (aka Michelle) and I got really excited about it. So I'm going to try to create more music with it, perhaps for my film/editing projects.

Well, I'm going to try to get some more work done here at Ten Worlds. It's 4:30am so I only have an 1.5 hours until I leave for FIONA!!

In Love...with filmmaking
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Ten Worlds Productions
Another late night at Ten Worlds...

Today was a great day, again.

I just watched "LATELY" for the first time in a while (on my website...which you should watch as well). It brings back so many great memories and I'm so eager to make another beautiful film...esp. with Evan as my D.P. We have some plans to do something soon, so I hope that gets off the ground. I really want to enter "LATELY" into a festival, so I better look into that now that I have some extra money.

I'm listening to some of Yann Tiersen's scores, including "Amelie" and it makes me happy.

I started dog walking again today and it was nice to be with animals and in the sun.
Then I went on an interview for Area 51 Productions, which went well I think. I'm crossing my fingers for that one.

Then I babysat and took some photos of Jordan, which I plan on turning into another one of my still montage DVDs. See the attached pictures.

And lastly, I finally digitized some footage for a short promo video I'm doing for Rusty, and I'm very excited about editing something creative!

Feelin' Good
Mood:  a-ok
I feel really good right now and I'm in the mood to right.

I woke up early today and instead of going back to bed I stayed up. I spent several hours with my roommate/landlord Maggie and had a great time; I love being with her. We went shopping and saw some of her friends, who had a REALLY cute karen terrior. We listened to the Beatles on my ipod, which made me happy. The Beatles remind me of being young.
When we returned I made some vegan brownies and took a 2 hour nap. I awoke to find that the brownies turned out perfect and I felt perfectly rested. I watched a little TV, ate an English Muffin, and went to work. The drive to Hollywood was 20 mins shorter than usual, traffic was smooth and quick. I got to work in a great mood and I'm looking forward to the tasks for this evening. I've got my ipod with lots of great music.

I received a phone call from my cinemtographer friend Evan (who shot "LATELY" for me) and he's got a great personal story that he wants to turn into a film. Just hearing his happy voice made me smile. He's got such a great personality.

This weekend went well too. I spent all of Saturday doing still photography for a TV pitch my friend Rusty is doing. The stills looked great and I felt very proud of my work. It was a beautiful hot day, I had a great time with Rusty and friends, and we ate wonderful food (it's a cooking show). I babysat afterwards for one of my favorite families and then went home to sleep for 13 hours!

When I woke up on Sunday morning Maggie had a great friend over. We hung out for a bit and then I organized my music on my ipod. Then I went babysitting for another great family

I also got a job extension until September 19th, which gives me a little more time to find my next job...which isn't going so well so far...but I'm confident I'll find something great in due time.

Oh, I also went to the Chiropractor on Friday, so my body feels great.

= )


I really miss my friend Nik though...

Quick update
Mood:  a-ok
Things are well.

Casey is here so that's nice.

I'm looking for a new job and a new apartment for September. This job ends then, unfortunately. Anyone need a great assistant?

My good friend Carla moves here in a month and we plan on moving in togther. I dont really want to leave my great apartment and Maggie though...I love it there!

Still Lovin' Ten Worlds
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Ten Worlds Productions
It's almost 10pm in LA and I'm 3 hours into work. I love it here. I am really enjoying the night shift. I get to sleep in until 2pm, wake up and do whatever I want until 5ish. Usually I go to bed around 5pm, till which I read or edit on my wonderful computer.

I finally put Final Cut Pro 5 on my computer and it's great. I've never been able to edit at home before so it's really exciting. I've been using IMovie until now, which isnt so bad, just limited. I found myself editing somewhat slow compared to my skills on FCP. Once I started using FCP I went so fast! So that's fun.

Ten Worlds is going well. It's one of the only jobs that I've had which I really look forward to. I enjoy the hour long drive to work (which is only 10 miles away, that's LA for you). And time flies here. I'm learning a lot, I like the people I work with, and it's great for my resume.

It's interesting being in Hollywood at night; what a dump! Most people think Hollywood is this amazing, magical place full of movie stars, glamour, and excitement. From what I've learned it's not so perfect. It's still exciting, as there are many studios/production houses, but it is dirty, trashy, and full of homeless people. The other night a homeless man on the street started clucking like a chicken and I saw a woman with very long, dirty toenails. Yuck. I've also seen rats. Oh well. Luckily the building I work in is gated and relatively safe, and yes Mom, I always walk to my car with someone.

Casey, my boyfriend, will be here early next week, which is very exciting. It will be nice to live in the same city again, and actually get to see other a few times a week. He's interviewing for a cool post production job, so my fingers are crossed. I have complete faith in his future; he's very talented as an editor.

I'm saving up for a new printer to make photos and a new hard drive for editing. I cant afford my own apt yet, but hopefully in the fall. I still love living with Maggie in West LA; she's great and so is the townhouse.

Lovin' the new job
Mood:  bright
Topic: Post-Graduation
I'm at Ten Worlds Entertainment in Hollywood. A small post-production company that does documentaries for the History Channel. I've been here a week and it's going great.
I gave nannying a chance but it just didnt feel right. I was itching to do something film-related, so finally here I am again...and not doing temp work!
I'm listening to Dave Matthew's solo album, which is actually quite good. It's very peaceful to listen to while logging footage, which is one of the most tedious tasks ever. Oh well.
I have great hours...6:30pm to 3am. Sounds crazy but I get to sleep in till 12:30pm...or whenever I want actually. Then I get the whole day to do whatever...which means I can rollerblade everyday! I work best at night, so this works out really well.

I just got this great feeling, which made me decide to do a journal entry. I just feel like filmmaking is meant to be for me. Everytime I feel this way I'm reminded of the importance of staying focused on MY life. It's amazing how hazerdous it is to look outside yourself and compare your life with others. When you're focusing and positive it very comfortable. Though I do have finacial worries...

I'm saving up so that I can afford my own place in LA, a single apt. That is so exciting for me and I hope I can afford it. I'm starting freelance work as a child photographer for extra money on the weekends/time off...so if you're interested let me know!

Back to work!

Another Step
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Post-Graduation
I received good news today: I got a new full-time job! I will be working in Hollywood at a small post-production house as an assistant editor. Very exciting. Right now I'm temping at another cool place: Los Angeles Center Stages. They have several studios, which are occupied by big film productions and TV shows. Mr. and Mrs. Smith filmed here for example. It's right in downtown LA so I have a cool view of the city.
Graduation was great. I finally got to see my boyfriend Casey and my cousin Mimi. Lots of fun. Oh, and my sister, parents, relatives, and old friends. Good times. My grandparents and Uncle David didnt make it though. = (
I better get back to work...oh wait. The other great news is that I finally bought a G5!! It's amazing. I have this whole set up in my room. I bought a media converter so I can transfer old analog footage, so I've been editing all sorts of fun things. It'd very exciting. If you have any projects you need edited let me know. ; )
Off to work...

Been so long...
Topic: Post-College
Well, things have changed a bit since I last wrote.

I finally went to the chiropractor and my back feels great!

I left Veritasiti. It wasn't a good fit for me. I temped for Walden Media for a few days. They made the film "Ray", which was wonderful!

Now I'm working for the Yari Film Group as a receptionist. They're a great company and they're just getting started. I went to their screening of "Hostage" last night with Bruce Willis, which was a good (violent) film.

The weather has been relatively chilly here, but still better than being in Boston! It's been raining often, but when the sun is out it's always gorgeous.

I've been working at Taste of the Goddess every weekend and doing a lot of babysitting, so I'm pretty tied up. That means I havent been rollerblading, which makes me sad.

I finally went to the doctor to check out my allergies. Ever since I moved to LA my body has been "spazing". My allergies have been quite bad recently and it's quite bothersome.

Unfortunately I havent done any screenwriting. I should be though and I have lots of ideas.

Finacially I'm doing ok. Its nice to work full-time!

Please send me a message if you are reading and havent done so already!
Thanks for your words Helen!

Registering car and writing script
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Post-College
Money money money.
I have to register my car in LA and get a license. I just got a new license in MA less than a year ago, which sucks cuz I have to pay again.
I have to get a smog test, which costs $45. To register costs around $100. Dont know how much the license costs, probably $50. I should get an oil change $15-40, depending on where it's done. I also have a ticket I need to protest, $150. Outrageous!! Not including the $65 parking ticket I got while babysitting, which I hope the family will reimburse me for...How can I afford to pay all of this, on top of rent, food, gas, and what-not? I seriously cant go out and spend extra money.

I finally found inspiration for a script in a Times Magazine article. Its about 20-somethings inbetween college and the rest of their lives. I'm really excited about writing it.

My back still hurts and I hope it improves for this weekend. I cant wait to rollerblade! It's supposed to stay in the 70s for a while. I feel bad for friends and family on the east coast: come visit!

Please send comments if you haven't done so already. I'm curious who reads this...

DOMAIN NAME!
Mood:  lyrical
I finally registered www.engageproductions.com with Yahoo. It was kind of spur-of-the-moment, but it was only $5 for a year, so why not? I still have a lot to figure out, like how to connect it to this website...I hope that all works out.
I'm excited though. I've been meaning to do this for a long time.

Craigslist
Mood:  cool
Topic: Post-College
Oh, the joys of Craigslist. I probably respond to 10 ads every day, and post a couple a week. Then I wait, and wait for responses...which are rare. There's "nothing worse" than not getting emails. I have 4 email accounts that I keep open all day at work, hoping for something exciting. Is that sad? I'm waiting for a lot of responses though, so I dont think so. Recently I've been searching for a new apt. for May. Yes, it's very early, but you never know.

I really want a weekend job doing something creative. This weekend I'm interviewing at a vegan cafe in Hollywood called "Taste of the Goddess", which would be great. I also may interview to be a pet photographer, which would compliment my love for pets and photography. I just need something to do and a way to make money that I save for a computer and random things I need.

I also need a massage or a visit to a chiropractor. My back really hurts; I think its from rollerblading.

I feel relatively relaxed these days. Nannying is going well. I've been writing...my thoughts and things to do. I love having a to-do-list because its fun to check things off. I get really anxious and worked-up inside when I have something to do. I get frustrated with myself because I have a lot of "free-time" to do things, but I spend so much of it doing random things on the internet (Craigslist).

Finally nice weather!
Mood:  bright
Topic: Post-College
This weekend was glorious! I went to the beach 3 times, and rollerbladed there twice! I always dreamed of rollerblading along the California coast. Its so relaxing. I live only a short distance from the beach, so its a quick ride. I pay 75 cents to park at a meter and then I go and get my exercise and sun!

The Golden Globes were last night, but I didnt watch. I did drive by the Beverly Hilton, which is where they're hosted. The only thing I regret missing is the memorable acceptance speeches, otherwise I'm not that interested. I'm surprised the Aviator won so much, I guess I have to see it now. It doesnt look that good to me.

I've been watching a lot of screeners while I babysit, so I'm finally catching up on the Oscar worthy pics. I saw "Closer", "Sideways", "Finding Neverland", and part of "I Heart Huccabees". Favorite so far is "Sideways", which won for best comedy last night. "Closer" was good too. The other two are ok so far.