9/14/04
We finally made it to Santa Monica, CA today and GODDAMN IS MY ASS TIRED. The Prius seats are delightful, but even a Barcalounger gets uncomfortable after a week of 10-hour days. We're in a li'l sublet in Venice, because I decided about a year ago that there was no point in being in Southern California if you're not close to the water.
When I look back at the disastrous years Sean, Seth and I spent at that place in Hollywood, I really think many of our profoundest depressions could have been soothed by the sight of the largest ocean on earth. No knock on our buds who still live up in Beachwood Canyon, but it may not be the best place to go through the worst years of your post-adolescence.
Woody Allen says that "half of life is showing up," and that's the general point of our being here this month. I had a pretty massive deal fall apart in New York, and instead of getting utterly demoralized, we've decided to cross coasts, grab our nads and hope for the best. They say that the fastest way to make God laugh is to make a plan, but I have it on good information that God actually pees on those planning to hit it big in the entertainment industry, so we're keeping our expectations modest.
I will try to write in the blog some of our tribulations, but unfortunately, there is no way 85% of the good stuff could ever be put on the internet. I've already fucked up my chances of running for Senator; I'm not going to do the same to our TV and film career. I will, however, post as many pictures of D-list celebrities as I can, so that right-wing pissants reading this diary can be sure to use them as a reason why I haven't suffered enough to have an opinion.
Anybody want anything while I'm here?
Clam reviews. Actually - any seafood shacks you stop by. Photos, too.
Hey man, Campbell Scott, Patricia Clarkson, and Marisa Tomei are NOT D-list celebrities! Keep the celeb photos coming! I am waiting here in my work cubicle with great anticipation!
How is little Chopes? Inquiring minds want to know!
I second everything Laurie says. Also, inquiring minds want to know more about the writing y'all are doing. Unless you have to keep it secret.
Good move on the oceanfront property. You won't be devoured by the ocean unless Lex Luthor can get his hands on those rockets again. Hit that beach dude; sun block covers writer's block, paper covers rock, etc.etc..
How about a latte from that weird little coffee shop on that pointy sort of corner there near the beach? Sorry, I don't remember the name. Well, never mind, I guess. Just wiggle your toes in the sand for me.
For the record, I loathe the D-list celebrities, and I'm a left wing nut job. Of course, it isn't the celebrities I hate, it's the idea of a kid who grew up with the popular kids hitting him in the ear with ice balls in Cedar Rapids now bowing down to popular culture and having a rib removed.
Damn, Ian, why *did* you have a rib removed?
Chopes is doing a little better, but his head is still cocked to one side, and he can't go down stairs, which is really frustrating. He is back to barking at strangers, though, so things are looking up.
Oh, and to answer all questions, I had a rib removed so that I could do a few things that my teenage soul had dreamed about lo so many years ago.
If you're worried about maintaining relationships with celebrities, don't you think you should be grading them a little easier?
Ian, I keep forgetting to ask if you know about these people:
When you get back to the East Coast, you should check them out: they're vaguely in your area, I think, and they seem to have good cheese, which you can mail-order. I mention this because you seem to appreciate the quality of good home-produced, well, produce. :)