Pre-Birthday Week with Mom in LA!

While my Mom was out here last we were kept very busy with working at all my jobs, taking walks, shopping, making Dinner, going out for yummy food, and celebrating my Birthday a couple weeks early!

When Mom first arrived on Tuesday evening, we settled in and then got ready for my Birthday Dinner at Houston's in Manhattan Beach!  I was happy to see that she was also getting a steak that night and actually suggested getting a Mango Salmon Sushi Roll.  The sushi was awesome and Mom liked it too!  My steak was cooked perfectly, was tender, and just about one of the best steaks I've ever had.  We brought our own wine in and toasted to spending some time together and having a nice week.

Dinner at Houston's!

We didn't get dessert because I wanted to go to Locanda Del Lago to get the Chocolate Lava Cake because it is the BEST in LA but they close at 10 pm during the week so we would have just missed it since we were driving back from Manhattan Beach.  Mom and I were able to get my Lava Cake on Thursday night after work at Irish Times.  She helped me set up that morning and came in for Dinner later on, and then we went to Santa Monica for Dessert, and Locanda Del Lago comped the Dessert for my Birthday, knowing it was 2 weeks early.  They're so awesome there they said to come back in on my Birthday and they'd comp it again.  Thank you Locanda Del Lago :)

On Wednesday Mom and went for a long walk/run around the neighborhood and rewarded ourselves with Dinner at Olive Garden.  I Hosted Karaoke that night (which you can read about in my previous blog).

Friday afternoon Mom and I spent shopping for our upcoming trip next month to Punta Cana.  She found a lot of fun dresses and outfits for the trip while I picked out a couple items.  We also did some more shopping on Saturday and got a little time in the sun even though the week Mom was here was pretty much June Gloom.  Boo!  I made Dinner for Mom on Friday night and then she came into The Garage on Saturday while I was working so we could have Dinner together and hang out a little bit on our last night.  Since I got off work early we went home and had a mini Birthday Party where I blew out my 3 candles on my Flourless Chocolate Cake we picked up for Friday Night's Dinner.

Birthday Wishes :)

On Sunday we went to Church, took a nice long walk around the neighborhood and then went for an early Dinner at Panera Bread down by LAX so we'd be close to the airport.  When Mom comes to visit the time always flies by and before I know it, it's time for her to go home.  I wish it wouldn't go so quickly, and I wish I lived closer to my family but it makes the time spent together all the more worthwhile.  Plus, I get to cheat a little and eat fresh donuts every morning that Mom picks up before I'm even awake ;)

Thanks for coming to visit me Mom and help me celebrate my Birthday!  I love you.

The Electrifying Bionic Showgirl

The Academy Awards were on last night, and while we had a fun little get together with friends, the show wasn't that exciting this year.  I have a theory that the Awards Show is good every other year.  I was super into them last year with movies like 'Black Swan,' 'The Social Network,'  and 'The Fighter.'  I saw almost all the movies in 2009 as well, like 'Slumdog Millionaire,' 'Milk,' and 'Doubt.'  Don't get me wrong, there were some great nominations this year, but compared to last years Oscar Party hosted by my friends, Dale & Thi, nothing was going to compare to the fun and excitement of that!

I had a Commercial Audition today in West Hollywood for the Broadway Show 'Follies' which is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre here in Los Angeles.  I got there right on time, signed in, and in a couple minutes, a girl looking very much like Marilyn Monroe walked out and said good luck.  Apparently, they had my headshot on file, which is why they called me in, and B* recognized me right away.  Awesome :)  I wasn't even sure what role I was auditioning for, and the only information they gave me prior was to wear form-fitting clothes that I could do a little choreography in.  When I got into the room they showed me was a 2 second clip of a show girl moving across the stage.  M* & B* told me do some dance steps, and to move elegantly and gracefully.  No problem!  I slated and then did a couple dance moves, turns, and smiled, and the audition was over in 30 seconds.  Before I left they commented on me being Lindsay Wagner the 'Bionic Woman,' we had a nice laugh over it, and then I told them that my brother is also Robert Wagner.  Hopefully, I made a strong and personable impression on them!

My usual Yoga Class on Monday evenings has been postponed for another couple weeks, as I found out tonight, Jo is in Australia.  I tried a new class tonight, and the duo of Noah and Christina kicked my butt.  It was a level one class, but they said, technically two with attitude.  Yes it was!  I felt like every 15 minute increment was another half hour!  I gave myself props because I held up well, but it was so different from my usual class, I just wasn't used to it.  I'm really looking forward to Jo being back in late March.

Earlier in the day I received a phone call to confirm my availability on Friday for the '1000 Ways to Die' shoot, and then just 2 hours later got another call saying the show was being put on hiatus.  They said when they start shooting again, they will definitely call me back in to film, but I'm just hoping the show isn't permanently cancelled.  What a bummer!  But then this morning while I was getting ready for my audition, I was curling my hair, and all of a sudden felt a jolt through my wrist that went up my arm.  I didn't want to assume the worst and kept curling my hair, when literally, on my last section, I started to unwind it, and POP, sparks fly, and another jolt.  Pretty sure I was electrocuted...ok, shocked, for those less dramatic...twice!  Thank goodness I didn't start myself or anything else on fire!  So that was the end of my curling iron, but it got me to thinking about the quote, lightning never strikes twice in the same place...perhaps I'm on God's good graces today and I have some luck coming my way :)  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

*Side note:  I spoke to a Conair Representative about the Curling Iron who said because I was no longer under the 2 year warranty, that there wasn't much he could do, but he would send the claim to the Warranty Department and hopefully they could help, super nice guy, and I appreciated his help.  After the conversation I just had with a Supervisor, Doug, in the Warranty Dept, I wish they had never called me to 'help'.  They said they would send me a new Curling Iron but I would have to pay for the Shipping of my old Curling Iron, and also write a check to pay for the Shipping of the new one to me.  That may only be $10, but with all that hassle, it would be easier to just go to Target and get the same model for $17.  OR buy a different brand because it concerns me that a product that actually shocked someone, and had sparks fly off of it, would be the consumer's fault.  I guess I'm lucky it didn't start a fire or injure me, because who knows how they would have tried to 'fix' it.  Like I said, I would have rather never heard anything back than be insulted and disappointed by their lack of customer service.  I don't think I'll be buying any Conair products in the future.

47 Days

Today I had one of those awesome work-outs where you really feel like you worked hard, and know the hard work is paying off.  I suppose it didn't hurt that a couple who was working out at the stairs when I was, asked if I was training for something.  Nope just working hard to look and feel my best :)  Yesterday is my usual Yoga day at Yogaglo, and unfortunately, my class got cancelled, so I did Yoga at home for almost an hour, semi-following a practice that was on On Demand, but also incorporating the poses and techniques I've been doing weekly at Yogaglo.  So this week has started off incredible!

Today is Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras aka the day before Ash Wednesday, for us Catholics.  I like to give up something for Lent, and usually I give up Soda, Fast Food, Junk Food, and Candy.  I don't drink a whole lot of soda, or go out for Fast Food that often, or even eat candy that regularly, but when I add them all up, it becomes a challenge.  Subway does not count for junk food, and ordering a Grilled Chicken Salad at McDonald's is acceptable, in my book anyway.

Right now, I'm thinking of adding no hard alcohol, to what I'm giving up.  I'm not saying I'm going to buy a bottle of wine every night, because that's not helping me, but if I feel like a glass of wine or a beer if I'm out watching a sporting event, I'd like to partake in the festivities!  Most people during Lent have one cheat day a week, but since I'm not cutting everything cold turkey, there are no cheat days for me.  I will say this though, any candy I still have in the house is fair game, and I have a little bit of Passion Fruit Vodka left...besides it was Valentine's Day last week, and all that candy was on sale on February 15th.  Maybe I'll just have to eat or drink it all tonight!

So in 47 days I will be craving a Root Beer, having Taco Bell, getting a DiGorno Pizza, eating some Cadbury Cream Eggs, and enjoying a Vodka Tonic.  I'm predicting on April 9th I might be sick...

Dine LA

Had yet another amazing session at YogaGlo yesterday and was excited to find out that they not only offer multiple yoga classes a day, but next door FitnessGlo offers different type of fitness work outs as well!  Since On Demand no longer has Fitness Videos to watch at home, I've had to get creative with my work outs since I like to keep some variety and shock my body.  FitnessGlo will give me an opportunity to go out and do something new each week too...YAY!

This week continues Dine LA, one of my favorite times of the year, and it only happens twice.  I love food and trying new things so I literally save up money so I can go out and try a bunch of new restaurants and cuisines.

Tonight, my roommate, Jessica, and I decided to try out 208 Rodeo in Beverly Hills.  We both liked the menu and we had never been there before so it was the perfect time to try it.  We both couldn't make up our mind between the Caprese and Beet & Goat Cheese Salad so we got both and split them.  Caprese won for me, hands down!  I decided on the Seared Scalllops with a corn puree, arugula and sun dried tomatoes in a lemon vinaigrette.  WOW.  Not only was it a huge portion (SCORE!) but it was super good.  Jess got the same thing, and we were both happy with our selection, and that Squash Ravioli I considered, was not even an afterthought.  After Dinner it was Dessert time, so Jess went with the Chocolate Truffle cake, something I would normally choose but I decided to get the Cannoli with Chocolate Mousse, and I made a great decision on that.  It was huge and I took over half home with me.  It was a great Roommate Date and an awesome meal.

I've got a couple more days to enjoy Dine LA, so this week continues one of my favorite things to do...Eat :)

*And I think it's about time to finish up that Cannoli.*

Molly Malone's and a Sunday Stroll

Finally, got to see one of my best friends, Mike Weiss, play at Molly Malone's last night!  The last time I saw him perform he played an Acoustic Show at The Roosevelt Hotel for a Charity Event and while he's been playing all over LA for the past year, I've been working for every single show he has.

So last night was the night!  I got to Molly Malone's in West Hollywood a little before 9 pm and at 9:30, Mike Weiss, and his all star band were rocking the stage!  Words could not express how incredible his performance was, in fact, his CD doesn't even do him justice.  From his powerful and fun lyrics, to the wonderful melodies and beats, his performance was top notch and the best I have ever seen him!

Check out Mike's Music at mikeweissmusic.com

He sang all originals but had to include a cover, of course!  Mike and I have sang Karaoke many a time together, usually 'Cruisin,' but tonight he blew the crowd away with Mika's 'Grace Kelly.'  I can't wait for his next show, and I'll be sitting front row again for sure :)

Today I enjoyed the beautiful 75 degree day here in LA with a nice walk and fresh air.  I love walking in the late afternoon on Sunday's, all the kids playing in the park, open house signs, less traffic, and of course, the beautiful view of Century City & Hollywood from the top of the hill in Mar Vista where I run the stairs.  It's a perfect time for me to reflect on the past week and success of the week ahead.   It's my Sunday Stroll. 

*Click here to check out Mike's music!* www.mikeweissmusic.com