Another trip to the Magical Kingdom...

You're going to start thinking I actually like Disneyland.

Let me put it this way - I like watching my mom at Disneyland.  Thanks to muwah she was able to go twice last year.  Thanks to another friend she got to go again a few days ago.  And thanks to yet another friend I could join her.  Taylor has a pass so he joined up with us as well.

I was a bit worried that it was going to be quite crowded.  It was late August, in summer and the 60th Diamond thing Disney is doing is coming to an end so I figured lots would be scrambling to get there before it's over.  It was crowded - but not bad at all until the evening.

My lovely friend's roommate who was signing me in could do so at 1pm.  Being the "early and rather safe than sorry" people that mom and I are, we got there at 9:30 for our brekkie reservation at La Brea Bakery.  They had mimosas.  I was happy.

Mom and I then dicked around Downtown Disney for awhile, purchased some new sunglasses, hit the outside bar and people watched.

New shades

Once we were signed in - Taylor joined us and off we went.  We rode a couple rides and took advantage of the picture people.

I seriously love this picture

One of the benefits of having Taylor along (other than he's rad) is that he's full of fun random facts of The Mouse.  My mother loves this.  Taylor also introduced us to a couple of things we actually had never seen (I couldn't believe it).  We saw a little back area of Cars Land and rode the Monsters Inc ride.  Did you know there was a Monsters Inc ride?  It was adorable.  I've never see the movie but mom and Taylor were filling me in on the storyline.

We had an early dinner reservation at Ariel's Grotto.  I voted for that because it had alcohol and we'd never been.  Well apparently it's a princess dinner thing.  The little princesses come and visit your table.  It was darling.  Taylor's birthday was the closest so we said we were celebrating that, thus getting him an extra cupcake!

It's a flower!

Loved the Grotto decor

Yum!

Princess Rapunzel

Princess Tiana

Mom with the Princess of Princesses Cinderella

Princess Belle

Happy Early Birthday Taylor!

More wandering around, frustrating game playing, then we of course had to play the Buzz Game.

Mom kicked my ass this time around.



Evening fell and mom really wanted to stay for the firework show.  We had seen the Color show and the LED Parade but had not witnessed the faboo firework show yet.  This is when the crowds really rolled in.  We grabbed a spot for the parade (not seeing too much but we'd seen it) and then milling into a spot on Main Street for prime firework viewing.  It was pretty cool.  They shot projections all over the buildings on Main Street, the Castle and Matterhorn.  Tinkerbell flew across the sky as did Nemo.  They ran through highlights of movies past and talked of Walt.  It was really cool.

We headed out exhausted but happy.  Another 13 hour day in the books.  It's hard to keep up with that woman when she's having fun!

It was a lovely day with mellow crowds, perfect weather and wonderful company!

Snuff and Deathtrap...

Tonight was the screening of a film I did 10 years ago!  Yup, you read that right.  A lifetime ago, when Dave decided to get into film making.  This was his 1st attempt at a full length flick.  He rounded up a bunch of Rude Guerrilla regulars and put this puppy together.  This was also before social media was the mega beast it is now.  All this time later, here we all are, gathering in Downtown Santa Ana at the Frida Cinema for a screening of the flick!

A time long ago shooting the scene

We're on a marquee!!

Here's the trailer:  Snuff Trailer

My dear friend Melissa was planning on attending so her, Brenda and myself met up for dinner before hand and the yummy C4 Deli.  7pm we met up with everyone filtered into the theater.  It was a pretty small turn out, mostly just cast members, but there were some of our loyal patrons that used to be Rude Guerilla/MonkeyWrench Collective regulars.  It was so friggin great to see them as well as some other friends who came to support.

The theater got dark and a trailer or two played for upcoming movies and OMG - I'm about to see myself for the 1st time ever on the big screen!

The movie played.  There were sighs, laughs and tears.  I promptly burst into tears when I recognized our dear friend Stephen's apartment where a lot of the movie was shot.  We lost him too soon if you recall me writing about that here.  I miss him so much.  I felt his presence there last night and when the Q&A followed I leaned over to Brenda and whispered "Stephen would have been so annoyed by this."  The movie was just a beautifully shot as I remember all those years ago.  Dave has quite the eye.  Keith and Scott (The leads) gave moving and touching performances and I felt all of us Rudies with our small supporting roles did great!  I was a little mortified to see myself in all my glory doing one of the most promiscuous scenes of the whole damn movie but it was as cool as I remember it.  Dave loops my cracked out voice over and over through the collage of shots and it was fucked up and weird and beautiful.  The movie ended and applause filled the house from the little passionate group that was there.


A Q&A followed, which was a bit long but listening to Dave speak with such passion about his work made me proud to be a part of it.  I also really respect the folks that run the Frida.  They chatted a bit before hand talking about how the theater is an art house.  They really do a lot of great stuff there and I've made sure to get on their newsletter so I can keep up with the great things they're doing.

Oh Keith...

Dave talking about Snuff

Afterwards we milled in the lobby a bit and I tried to snap a few pictures since no one else was.  Sadly my phone camera BLOWS.  (Hopefully will be getting a better one next month).  I wish now I actually brought my nice camera and really took the time to get shots of everyone since we rarely gather like this anymore.

It was so wonderful to see some of these people and hug on them and reminisce a bit about the old RG days and how much is different in all of our lives now.  I look forward to hopefully working on more film projects with Dave in the future!

Brenda and Ryan - both in the movie

Miss Cynthia.  Seriously love this woman.

Jeff & Mitzy came to support

Christine and Scottie also in the movie

It was a really lovely evening!


So, currently up on the docket is the play Deathtrap.  My friend/director Jack contacted me and asked if I would play Helga ten Dorp the Dutch Psychic.  It will be playing at The Attic Theatre in Costa Mesa.  Apparently some group pulled out and they had some open slots pop up and decided to throw this in there.  Jack contacted actors he trusts to step in and put this show on in a bit of an accelerated rehearsal schedule.

It's been a bit of a tough road so far.  I'm not used to Jack's directing style so I'm having to adjust.  I only know one other person in the cast (It's a 5 person show) but everyone seems very cool.  My character has changed a few times.  It's written in broken English apparently to help with the Dutch accent.  I was just starting to study and learn how to talk with a Dutch accent when Jack called me and said forget the Dutch.  I was like what?!  I'm just now learning.  He told me he cast me because he likes my dry humor and I'm funny just as Jami.  Flattered of course, but now I'll need to adjust my thinking and memorizing because the lines aren't written for Jami talk.  I find this comes easier than I expect.  Then, just last night Jack says "Do it with any accent!  Have fun!"  The only accent I can pull out of my ass is New York.  So I channel my inner Marissa Tomei and have at it.  They loved it.  I'm now a New York Psychic.  Ha!  Ok. then.  A bit more adjusting.  But I actually like it better and it's way more fun to play with.

Another issue - we don't always get to work on the stage.  The theater is mainly a children's theater and they get priority.  We get booted to a little mirrored room but we make do.  There was also an almost cancel of the show because of a rights issue, but that's all been ok'd so we're good to go!

I haven't ever worked in a Community Theater so this is a bit new for me.  The run is only 3 weekends and I'm not working on anything and I really have been itching to get back onstage.  So although it's another gig I'm not getting paid for - I think it'll be fun.  Last night we had a really good rehearsal.  I think the lead guys are starting to find their groove.  Keeney and I will always have a fun scene and it'll be great to make some new friends!  Here's a few rehearsal shots.

Thom Gilbert as Sidney, Lucas Gust as Clifford and Jackie Melbon as Myra

Scene 1

One night Jack just wanted us to read and he closed his eyes and listened

Stuck in our Rehearsal Room

Act 2 with Michael Keeney as Porter

A play, a basketball cermony, a 3rd date, and a horror convention...

This is one of those random catch all blogs of the bunches of stuff I've done over the past couple of months.  There will be a blog about my new tattoo but it's not done yet.  So - here we go!

I have this ridiculously talented friend named Kristina.  She's gorgeous, hilarious, a great actor and a great fucking playwright.  I may or may not want to be her when I grow up.  She wrote a play called The Medea Project.  It world premiered at the Hunger Artists Theatre a while ago and Theatre Out has revived it.  The difference?  It's now an all women cast.  I wanted to audition so damn bad but I had 2 conflicts with 2 of the performance dates.  I was so bummed!  But - me and a couple of my girls went and saw it.  I have to say - I still dig it.  I preferred the original production to the one I saw at Theatre Out, but doing an all women cast didn't take away from the script at all.  The lead gal and the gal who played the chorus were great.  They maybe got a bit too over dramatic at times, but honestly the performances were very good.  The other three gals were on the weaker side, but I still enjoyed the show.  Much more artsy fartsy than the original and although I liked the weird sound effects they had playing throughout they got to be a bit much at times.  But the play is great and I'm so proud of Kristina!

I KNOW HER!

Photo by Theatre Out

Last weekend Taylor, mom and I attended ScareLA Convention in Pasadena.  I had gone last year with Taylor for the whole weekend as some of you may have read HERE.  I remember thinking mom would get such a kick out of this, so as a mama's day presie I got us VIP tix for one of the days.  It was very cool, but not as good of maze choices as last year and mom said the panel she attended was just meh.  But Taylor and I had a great experience with Rope which was Screenshot Productions teaser for their October event.  We played a zombie game, browsed the vendors, took some fun pics and had an all around fun time!  We followed up with dinner at PF Changs.  Mom was so happy to get out and really enjoyed herself.  I probably won't attend again, but may check out the Long Beach version of this that Taylor raved about next year!

My friends performing!

She kicked zombie ass

My friends chitlin - Mr. Henry attended a basketball camp here at Chapman.  I was flattered when she asked if his Auntie Jami would attend the closing ceremonies.  Um of course!!!  Myself, along with 2 other friend/co-workers of hers sat in the front row and cheered our little ginger on!

Henry and his ladies

So goddamn cute right?!

Last but not least...the 3rd date.

Ok - so you guys - I've made it to a 3rd date with an e-harmony dude!  He's not crazy or weird or awkward!  I don't want to say too much, or get too much into it here because as per usual - I'm freaking out a bit and have no idea what I'm doing.  Our dates have been few and far between.  Mainly due to scheduling on both our parts.  I'm overthinking everything but getting a little better at that.  We've scheduled a 4th date.  I try to not be too "Texty" but not "Avoidy" either.  That's what I'm supposed to do right?  I've been really straight up with him, but I still get nervous.  He's never paid for everything.  We usually split stuff (grumble).  He's a few years younger.  He seems cool?  He's funny.  He likes the outdoors.  I DONT KNOW!  I mean it's cool and we have fun!!  But WHAT AM I DOING?!  So that's all I'll say on it now.  We'll call him Ginger.  I suggested the OC Fair for our 3rd date since I realized I wasn't going to get there this year - so I was like "Hey - wanna go to the Fair?" I was thrilled when he agreed.   I got there earlier so I could get my corn and not inhale it in front of him.

No boy needs to see me eat like this yet....

Then I got me a corn dog.  Then I went and browsed the photo gallery.  I hit up the wine garden and this was about the time he finally met up with me.  We had a few drinks, he got food and bought me a churro.  We chatted.  We had our 1st kiss.  Eeeeek!  YOU GUYS!  Then he suggested the photo booth - how cute right?!

Photo Booth Fun

 Then we headed to play some games.  We split the cost of game tickets.  Sigh.  This was really only enough for each of us to play 2 water race games (Seriously, how do families afford the Fair?!).  He won 1st and of course gave me the toy.  Then we both lost the 2nd (lord, I'm losing my touch).  I suggested an obligatory Ferris Wheel selfie to which he agreed.

I mean...

It was now pretty late so we headed out.  We were parked in opposite directions so we kissed goodnight and went our separate ways.  We do have a 4th date set up so Yay?  I don't know.  It's cool, but I'm not sure.  I can't tell if he's that into me or not.  I know I need to take a deep breath and fucking relax, which I'm doing way better now than I was, but of course I still wonder.  I mean you know how jaded this girl is.  The ex hubs ruined me and I've been pretty much screwed over by dudes since so as much as I try, it's really really hard to shake that jaded wall I have.  But I'm trying to just take it day by day so we'll see!  We've had 3 fun dates so that's cool yeah?  via GIPHY

Yay for random adventures!