bob bless america

Happy Election Day, everyone!

SPOILER ALERT: I Baracked the vote.

The day has finally come! And I am a nervous wreck! 

I woke up early this morning, donned my election day best, and headed out the door... only to arrive at my polling location with a doubled line around the building. Some people had been waiting for over an hour! I had only allowed a little over an hour. I had no choice but to head in to work. 

So much for wearing my happy "I Voted" sticker all day in the office. Now I have ants in my pants and I can't wait to leave tonight. But as Bob as my witness-- I will make it there! (Yes, that was a Rugrats reference). And I will cast my vote! As a Californian! And don't you dare tell me (or anyone) that my vote does not matter. It matters and I matter. Whatever state you live in or who you want as President-- vote. I vote to stand up for respect and human rights for every American--- and for those who were denied their voting rights before me. 

I am honored to be a part of this election day and am, as always, so proud to be an American.

Fingers crossed. Tonight is a big night.

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In other Jenny news, I just booked my flight to NEW YORK CITY! 

I have been waiting to schedule this trip ever since my dear friend Rachel moved to the city last January. She's out there totally killing it in the entertainment industry--- but could use some friend love. So here I come to do just that. I'll be flying out in late February, just a couple of weeks after the SAG Awards! Yes everyone, I do realize how chilly it will be. I'm okay with this-- in fact, February is making this twenty-three-year-old's dream possible. I spent a total of... get this... $246 round trip. You read that right. Southwest Airlines is Bob's gift to mankind.

If anyone has any sightseeing or food recommendations that would be great! I've only been once before (when I was thirteen... for a five hour layover in Newark) so I've got everything to see, eat, and experience. I simply cannot wait.

I think it's my new goal to always have a trip planned in the future. Yes, definitely. It makes life oh-so-livable!

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It's official-- Ashley and I have a new apartment! Finally. On the last day my Westside Rentals membership expired, we have our place. For those of you who aren't familiar with WSR, it's basically a Craigslist website for rentals in LA that you have to pay for. It's ridiculous-- but completely worth it in the long run. We found a perfect little two bedroom right in the heart of Burbank, near Nickelodeon, Disney and ABC, and Warner Bros. We're also walking distance from the legendary eatery, Porto's, and Burbank's main street-- Magnolia. It's like living in Disneyland. All of the lights, good smells, and a beautiful green promenade to run on... we're in heaven. And paying $100 less than we were in Studio City, so there's that, too! Here are some pics of our humble new abode...

...Where all of the magic will happen.

...Where all of the sophisticated dining will take place.

...Where all of the Zzzzzz-ing will go down.

You can understand my excitement. It's such a relief to find home. Now we just have to move in our stuff... Luckily we have lots of handsome guy friends that like hugs and pizza and treats.

Besides apartment scouting this weekend, I had a very special party to go to--- the first Camp Bravo Counselor Reunion! This get-together was simply the best night, ever. David and Artur have been wanting to get former and current counselors together for years to foster an inner community and keep everyone in touch. It was a hoot! There weren't many counselors there my age, as most of my friends are finishing up school or in different states. There were, however, a few old friends I hadn't seen in years, including all four of my counselors from when I was a camper. We watched old videos, reminisced over legendary camp stories and pranks, and enjoyed some very delicious Polish desserts made by Artur's mother. 

It was just delightful. I cannot express to you how lucky I am to be a part of Camp Bravo for the number of years I have. It has given me strength, hope, opportunity, and confidence. All of that--- and most of all--- family.

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I also went on a date this weekend. But I didn't know it was a date until 3/4 of the way through, in which I was awkwardly told it was a date. 

Advice to men: Girls have guy friends these days. These girls eat food with these friends and sometimes see movies with these friends. This just means they are friends. If you want to ask a girl out on a date, call it a date. So she knows to wash her hair and so you don't get confused 3/4 of the way through the night before Wreck it Ralph starts and the girl is showing you pictures of her cat. Also, don't tell the girl that she might have to 'choose' between you and the cat. You will lose. She will pick the cat. Every time. 

Frasier wins.

I've got some more projects to finish up tonight. This Friday I will be on my way to ARIZONA so I'm going to try and pull together my Fickle Favorites early this week! Have a lovely Monday. And no matter what happens tonight, Bob bless America.


Kisses,

Me

fickle friend friday : breadless

Happy Friday everyone!

November is here and I am already feeling so thankful for everything in my life... new projects, apartments to decorate, weddings to look forward to, and a trip to BOSTON in just a few weeks!  

Time to kick off the weekend with this week's fickle favorites.

First off I want to start with this guy. Yes, that's right. He's charging his cell phone. From his lap top. My friend Jeremy took this picture as he was walking into work. This particular man and I had a run in a couple of days ago as well. He's a character.

Wednesday night, as I was walking to my car from our offices, I passed this very gentleman on the sidewalk. We had had an in-house production meeting that day so we had lunch ordered in. So there I was, carrying my leftover salad in a to-go box with a bag of fresh foccacia bread to take home to Ashley, when he saw me.

Hey man, can you help me and my friend out? 

Um yeah, okay. Actually, I have a loaf of bread if you'd like it!

I hand him the bread. He slowly takes it. Sneers. 

What? Bread? Huh. What's in there? In that box? 

...My dinner. 

 Hm. Yeah, okay, I want the bread. But I also want whatever's in there. 

Um... the bread is very delicious, sir. It's my favorite. I assure you that it is difficult for me to part with it. 

YEAH BUT I WANT THAT BOX, TOO! Hey! I don't want this bread!

That's when I kept walking. And he just kept muttering under his breath to his friend,

Bread... bread, Huh?! Bread.

I was hurt and confused. And breadless. I for one, love bread. So much for my good samaritan moment. I bet you he updated his facebook status right after that: 

"Westwood 'working girl' gives me bread. Are you kidding me?! Do I look like Aladdin?"

Oh well. 

Speaking of being a good samaritan-- make sure you take some time to acknowledge the devastation on the east coast. Visit the Red Cross' donation page and help make things a little easier on our American families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Skip your pumpkin spice latte or beer today and show a little love!

Happy blog tidings to little Ashley! Her blog, Be nice or leave. Love, Ashley is pretty adorable. Plenty of cat pics, silly gif's, and updates on her life in LA pursuing acting. Welcome to the blogosphere, Ash!

I'm obsessed with this new winter pattern from Vera Bradley named English Rose. I am currently resisting to the umpteenth power. It won't last for long... I will cave and buy a purse I do not need. I am making my peace with this.

Favorite reminder of why I love living in California: cheap artichokes the size of my head. For those of you who don't know-- artichokes are my favorite food (closely followed by popcorn). I even awkwardly schooled two people selling them at the Studio City farmer's market a couple weekends ago. I didn't want to. I tried to resist. First of all they had PRE-TRIMMED all of the artichokes' leaves before selling them so they were all brown and wilty on top, and then were telling this older asian woman to BOIL THEM. It was an injustice to artichokes everywhere. I erupted into this awkwardly acute verbal spew about preparing and serving artichokes that I don't even want to recreate it's so embarrassing. I'm an artichoke nerd.

Favorite mom moment of the week: Her first hashtag. Perfect execution. #Success #momsoninstagram

I also have a second favorite mom moment. My dear mother was called for jury duty this week. This text message conversation ensued and I think it's hilarious.

My mother references Twelve Angry Men while I cite Piggy from Lord of the Flies. We both casually quote Jay-Z. It's ridiculous. And cultured.

(By the way, as I was searching for links to attach to my Piggy's-asthma-reference above, I stumbled upon Video SparkNotes. Are you kidding me? Kids are spoiled. I had to read those SparkNotes. They just get cute little animated shorts. Sheesh). (Note: I actually did read Lord of The Flies, Ms. Munger wouldn't have it any other way).

Favorite awkward Starbucks moment of the week: 

I have a tall nonfat cappuccino for Jerry! Tall nonfat cappuccino for Jerry.

I can't even tell you how many times in my life people have thought my name is Jerry. Actually, yeah I can-- probably only twice. But still, it's weird. 

Max Greenfield, who plays Schmidt on New Girl, is my new favorite person. He is a guest editor on one of my beloved websites by Gwyneth Paltrow, goop, and recently wrote about his experience at this year's Emmys. Catch the interview (and plenty of giggles) here.

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I've got a couple more projects on my desk I need to finish before I head out. Oi... another long day! Thanks for stopping by. I've got some tricks up my sleeve for next week, as well as my first ever Peas & Queues recipe post! Holla.

Love you all.

Kisses,

me

bonkers

Lo and behold, I find a small moment to write! 

This week has been bonkers, and it's only getting crazier. 

Now that I just used my new favorite word, bonkers, I must attach this music video to my favorite song when I was living in England-- appropriately titled, 'Bonkers" by Dizzee Rascal. This was my jam. This song came on in Pu Na Na's and I was all, "Watch out mate--- hold my snake bite--- this song is QUALITY." And then my friends Alec and James would get into a fist fight with some blokes, grab a donor kebab, and we'd hop on the 25 bus back to our flat.

Those were the days.

But things really are bonkers around here.

We are in major crunch mode at work. We have a huge Christmas special that we are pulling together and I am in charge of all of the little details leading up to it. Exciting stuff! Big names and performers! I can't wait. The only issue is my writing window is a bit narrow. That's okay though-- it just means these moments are even sweeter.

Besides work being a crazy time-vacuum, I just put in my thirty days notice at my place... so the apartment hunt has begun! Apartment searching in Los Angeles can be a daunting process. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and we desperately need to lock a place down. Luckily Ashley and I make a pretty killer team--- I scrounge around and narrow down the places, Ashley goes and scopes them out, and if they're good enough for our very high (not really) standards, we go meet the landlord and really lay on the charm. Keep your fingers crossed for us! 

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I had a fabulous Halloween yesterday. After a long butt day at work I came home and whipped up some homemade tomato soup for my mother and Ashley. Because I've been so swamped with work and social life I haven't had time to watch much television--- so last night was the night to catch up on my favorite shows in all of their Halloween themed glory. I want to kiss the man who invented the DVR.

If you didn't watch New Girl's Halloween episode, go do yourself a favor and stream it online somewhere. Maybe illegally. Do what you gotta go.

Frasier even wore his costume to our little Halloween dinner party the whole night for an hour, tops. 

Happy Halloweenie!

Much more comfortable than last year's dinosaur costume...

...I'm such a good single cat mom. Keyword: single.

After a bowlful of steamy soup and TV, I was ready to call it a night. I was out super late the night before with Jonathan at John's stand-up comedy show in West Hollywood, I've already been to two other Halloween parties, and what with work on top of that-- I was exhausted and almost Halloween-ed out. But firecracker Ashley motivated me and off we went in some pretty half-assed costumes with cake pops in tow. Ashley wore her old lifeguard uniform, and I made my first appearance in a semi-attractive costume... 

Who's that girl?

IT'S JEN.

Jess from New Girl! Keyword: half-assed. 

But really. I haven't worn a dress for Halloween since I was Frida Kahlo, or as my mother calls her, Rita Kulo. (By the way, if you've never watched this sketch from SNL about mom's and celebrity names, do yourself a favor and watch it now).

Ryan and Nikolai as Ghostbusters and Frazier (the human) as Super Girl. Standard.

We went over to a little house party Nikolai and his handsome roommates were throwing. Some jungle juice, silly costumes, jokes and games later-- and we were on top of the roof looking out at beautiful Hollywood. Life is just good sometimes!

Ashley, Daniel, me, and Ryan

I've got great friends, really. This past weekend I helped out on Johnny's LA movie directorial debut! It was a blast. Granted, I was just being a snarky extra in the background, but I was the snarkiest extra you've ever seen and I made up some pretty killer lines. Johnny was great, the crew was great, and the setting was even more interesting. They had rented out a beautiful office space for the day-- and little did we know it was a porn production office. I might have been the one who found out. Because I was snooping around the person's desk. I had to respect them though-- they know what they're doing and they are very organized and efficient. I will never unsee what I saw though. It made the crew's down time in between shots much more entertaining, that's for sure.

Alright-- I've got to run. Kathleen and I are off to grab our usual burger and beer of the month-- this time at Plan Check. (Just to clarify-- our burger and beer of the month together-- I shall put no limit on my burgers or beer, thank you very much). 

Check it:

I'm feeling wild tonight and think I'm going to get my first burger with a fried egg on top. Johnny has long boasted the legend of eggs on burgers... but tonight is my maiden voyage. Let's see if I can make this burger talk any more awkward for everyone.

Hey guys, it's November! 

Kisses!

Jenny