I need this shirt.
I may or may not have mentioned I'm working on a Zombie movie. I need this shirt. Unfortunately they don't have anymore in my size. You know fat lady size.
Wahhhh.......



Still working... first dress is Monday it opens Friday...
Here is a sneak peek at one of the fitting photos.


Oh and in case you are wondering - that isn't the Zombie movie - that is the play I've been working on since Jan...

I should be getting ready for work - yes it is a Sunday. But Ugh. I need to relax a bit it is to busy right now.
I'm working on a Zombie movie 3 days a week ( Monday Thursday Friday) and then at the University 4 days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday) The movie would like to have me more though so I won't be surprised if this Tuesday and Wednesday I go to the movie for 3 hours before I go to the univeristy and go back there when I am done. UGH.
My play opens Thursday the 13th and the movie goes to camera the following Monday - that is really bad timing.
The play is WAY behind. Painfully so. Not sure what to do about that. Didn't sleep well last night. Couldn't stop thinking of things I need to do.

Blah.

Min min came with me yesterday, she was bored and uninterested in showing off for the students. Today I'll bring the brat. She'll just try and bite them all....

Last night I worked on my dress a bit. Fixed the top ruffle, covered up the leopard print on the front. Did I mention my photoshoot for my dress is scheduled on March 15th - 2 days after my play opens? One before the movie goes to camera? IDIOT!!!!!!

2 more weeks and I can relax again....
I better shower and get my butt out the door (I'm waiting for the fabric store to open)

Working on something for a friend in my 'spare' time. What fun!!!
Originally uploaded by Ang..

I'm still alive. Had a little job on the Vancouver Opera sewing costumes for Carmen. It was fun but now it is over. Finished my sketches for Three Penny Opera tonight at Cap College. What relief. I still want to tweak one or two but at least each student will have a sketch to look at on Monday for the presentation.
Not much else going on. Minou and Birdie are restless as they don't want to go for walks. We still have a bit of snow covering many of the paths and they hate it. Unfortunately more snow is in the forecast for next week. Poop.
This is a little peek at a logo I'm working on for the fabulous LALA!!! It isn't don'e yet but I think it is cute so I thought I would share it.....
Time for a little bedtime snack.
Goodnight.

P.S. still working on my socks.... Got 44 rows into the second and realized I had my cables in the wrong spots and had to start it over. Grrr I'm back up to row 26..... Sigh. The nice lady at Black sheep yarns (our new fabulous local yarn store) let me exchange the second ball I thought I needed for another color way so when I get these done I will be able to start a second pair right away.

I'm not accomplishing anything!!!!!!!! Blah.........................
Need a week long nap....

It is 3:30am. Minou and I can't sleep. Well that isn't true - she was sleeping. I just keep moving which is rather disruptive.
I feel like I should be productive instead of watching lame Colin Farrell movies on TV BUT I'd rather just go to bed. Ugh. Not sure why I can't sleep. I didn't have a nap today - only slept in until 8:00am (did I mention I am officially unemployed again with a looming actor's strike) all I can think is that it is the small mug of hot chocolate I made around 7:00pm. Blah. Won't do that again if that is the case.
Been working on my homework - taking it to the printers tomorrow. Hopefully it is good enough. Ugh. Next I have to figure out how to bind it - then we hand it in on Tuesday.
I have a few other things on the go to some for other people, some for Xmas..
This is for (shhh don't tell) Julien. Here is hoping he doesn't read my blog.

I'm hoping to put together a whole bunch of them - I won't say much more in case he DOES read my blog... that would be bad. Ruin his whole Christmas I'm sure.
Sigh. Maybe I'll try going back to bed - I just hate it when I toss and turn and disrupt the dictator, he is such a light sleeper - probably hearing my fingers on the key board 3 rooms away is waking him up.

Did a bit of sewing yesterday. I wanted one for me so I made two at the same time and put one on etsy.... Hee hee.... If I keep this up I won't have any bits of scrap fabric left over. So much for my stash....


Not much else going on. Work was really busy this week so it consisted mostly of me coming home, crashing, then getting back up and going to work... It was raining too. It is a nice weekend though. Still have some more sewing to get done. Been working on a couple of logos for a few people as well...

Got another one for you.....
(pretend I said that in my little britain voice for those of you who know which sketch I am talking about)

not much else to report. back to work. All is good. Spent the afternoon dancing and sewing to disco music... Sometimes life is hard.

Oh. P.S. DId you all order your cute with chris t-shirts? I hope so!!!

Can you tell I am working? Cause I am sure not blogging.

It is hard having a job and then trying to come home and do other things. I'm too old to work. heh heh. I'm managing to get caught up on a few things now that school is over until the fall. Working on my website which has only half been switched over to my new look, working on some sketches for a show that may happen in the fall.... haven't cleaned the house yet and that HAS to happen this weekend. Good thing it is a long weekend and a little rainy.

Not much else to report..... Girls are doing well. whatever was wrong with Minou isn't showing up in any tests and she appears to be getting better aside from some really really smelly farts.
- HEY -
did I mention A LONG TIME ago about the night MInou kept me up and I couldn't figure out what she wanted and the next day I heard there had been a little tiny earthquake???? Well the other day she kept me up all night again. I was getting really annoyed - had no idea what she wanted. She would sit on my back ( I was sleeping on my stomach) and growl. ALL NIGHT. Well don't you think the next morning I hear there is a rock slide outside of Squamish - a BIG one. The dictator thinks I am nuts but I think Minou sensed the rock slide just like she sensed the earthquake. She is clever....

I think I am done my ziggy stardust project... It isn't as thrilling as I had hoped but well _ i was so worried about the posters I forgot about any other content for the CD cover. What can you do... One more week of classes left...

Job is going well - working with some people I really like. No easing into it though - working 12 hour days already and it is hard. I am so not used to it. It has almost been a year since I have done 12 hours... Not sure how I will manage this. I've been watching the clock an awful lot.... We get fed lunch - which is great, play loud music and are pretty much left alone.
This is the movie I am on. Haven't seen anyone famous yet - and I might not because the fitting rooms are around the corner. But I'll probably hem their pants! heh heh...

Tired this weekend - is it just from work? I need to get back on my vitamins get the energy levels up. Minou isn't feeling well either - hopefully nothing serious - just an upset tummy. We went to the vet last week but haven't heard anything back from her tests yet - maybe tuesday. She's eating and acting normal - let's just say there are other 'signs' that lead to the upset stomach conclusion and I won't go into details.

Wanted to make cupcakes tonight - having a craving and am dying to use the neon food coloring steph left here - heh heh but we have no eggs. Anyone know a good egg substitute? I'm always hesitant when I look them up online and it doesn't say what they are best used for.... Last time my cupcakes were more like biscuits then cake.

Ok. I might have a nice warm bath and read my book. I'm reading blindness - holy creepy and I am only 30 pages in. I can't imagine what the movie is like.

......bathtime....

FINALLY. I am starting work tomorrow.... FINALLY. I'm so glad. Got the call this afternoon.
Best phone call I have had in months. Not sure how long it is for but hopefully I get at least a month out of it - they shoot until Dec. so fingers crossed it is longer. Not really sure who is in it right now or what it is all about. You know I'll sneak a few tidbits when I find out.
Yes Steph - it is the movie I was expecting to work on.
I just got the stuff for my golf club covers today too - they will be on hold now for awhile.... Thank goodness classes are almost over...

Just doing homework....
Got a call about a possible job - I desperately need the money but it is someone with a not so good reputation. I just don't want to deal with psycho people anymore. They make me miserable.
The more I am unemployed the more I don't want to work with people. It is so terrible. Can we say lonely freaky hermit?
I'm in the final weeks of my classes - 2 1/2 more to go. We have a test next week and some big assignments to finish up. Sigh.....
Got news about the big movie I want to work on - it is that much closer to starting but still no dates for me. They are still waiting on the actor's strike. It sounds like I definitely have a job if they do every get going. In film talk that means nothing though. Movies disappear all the time.

I have somethign else I want to make for my etsy shop - custom COOL golf club covers. The ones in the store are so either a) boring or b) tacky. The more I'm golfing with Luc the more I need to personalize my stuff. I'm in the middle of making a pattern (how can you be in the middle you say when the patterns are so simple? Well I get easily distracted - leave me alone) The first set I want to make are going to be white and pink leather and I want to paint/silkscreen ziggy stardust on the top. Nice eh! heh heh.... Embroidery would be even better but more expensive...



I also need to get some rough sketches done for this play I am working on in October but I'm not motivated to do costume sketches these days. I'm so bad.

I worked on Friday.
Of course I did - it was the Friday before the long weekend. And of course the dictator got off work early.
I was a day call for Night at the Museum 2. I was supposed to go on set and was actually a little excited about it (even though I hate going on set) because the movie is full of actors I like - Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson etc etc etc... I would have been starstruck - very subtle though of course since I'm not really allowed to be star struck. BUT I didn't get to go. I don't thin they were all there that day anyways but still. Assuming the actor's strike doesn't happen I think I am back tomorrow - but on second unit that usually means just photo doubles, extras and stunt people..... No famous people to ogle.
Oh well.
It is finally hot here. FINALLY. It is 7:30 am and it is already 31 degrees Celsius YIPPEE!!!!! Yesterday was super hot to. It was the yearly fireman's pancake breakfast. It was not - however- hot enough for the firemen to take their shirts off. Sorry to disappoint the single ladies. Maybe today? We'll go again. The Dictator and I spent the morning eating pancakes and then walked to Pajo's to eat some more. They had FROZEN BANANAS dipped in chocolate!!!!!!! This was one of my favorite treats in L.A. that I missed dearly over the years. I am so happy to get it close to home now.
Yah we ate too much yesterday within the span of 4 hours.
They we came home and had to stay out of the sun for a bit. I did some homework. When it started to cool off we took our bikes to the Port Coquitlam dykes, it was lovely. The girl's sit in my basket and off we go. A 5 minute drive and we are out in the country next to blueberry fields. Our ride got cut short though when we saw a bear on the road. We had to turn around. That was the first time I had seen a bear anywhere near there but I guess they are there all the time. It was just a tiny bear but that probably meant it's mom was close by.
Not much else going on. I have to get my homework done this weekend in case of work - and there is much to do still. Sucky weather to do it in........ but hey - maybe it will stick around for a bit now that it is almost JULY! Eeps. Happy Canada Day if I don't post again in the next few days!!!!

this won't be the death of me but it sucks. It could be the death of whatever sad credit rating I might still have. I'm sorry bank account - forgive me. I want a job I really do!

Strike talk has majors hitting brakes
Studios, networks making contingency plans
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER, DAVE MCNARY

Paralysis is fast setting in.

Just as the scripted TV biz was starting to get out from under the upheaval caused by the writers strike, the threat of a work stoppage by actors has studios and nets making contingency plans for the upcoming season.

The majors are putting the brakes on production starts for features and TV pilots for fear that the Screen Actors Guild will call a strike following the June 30 expiration date of its feature-primetime deal. A few pics now shooting, such as “Angels and Demons” and “Transformers 2,” have a built-in hiatus next month; the next batch of tentpole features, including “2012,” “Prince of Persia” and “Nottingham,” won’t start until late summer as a hedge against the labor strife likely to play out in July.

The key date for the studio decisionmaking has now become July 7, when AFTRA should announce the results of its ratification vote on its primetime deal. Contract negotiations between SAG and the majors aren’t expected to lead to a deal before then — because SAG has tied its fortunes to defeating the pact reached by rival actors union AFTRA, which has 44,000 dual members with SAG. The guild has not yet scheduled a strike authorization vote, which would take three weeks to complete and require 75% approval from those voting.

Despite SAG’s efforts, the AFTRA ratification vote is expected to pass. Once the results are announced, the congloms are likely to make a “last, best and final” offer to SAG, leading in short order either to a deal or a possible lockout by the companies. Though the lockout strategy is risky for the congloms from a PR standpoint, taking such a step would preempt SAG from pulling the plug later on, with features and series in mid-production, via a strike.

For now, the landscape’s already unsettled in TV — although, in an unintended result of the writers strike, the work stoppage may have helped the nets’ contingency plans for a potential SAG strike. That’s because some shows weren’t brought back in midseason, giving the nets and studios a jump on fall.

As a result, skeins like NBC’s “Heroes” and ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money” were able to start shooting in early May. Several procedural dramas barely took a break before firing things back up in May, including “CSI,” “Without a Trace” and “Cold Case.” Other shows that never really shut down or didn’t power down cameras for long include “House,” “ER,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Chuck” and “Law & Order.” CBS comedy tentpole “Two and a Half Men,” resumed production on Monday, as did the net’s “The Big Bang Theory.”

Then there’s the case of “24,” which skipped a season because of the writers strike, allowing it to bank several episodes for this year. Because “24” won’t return until January, the show could conceivably weather an actors strike without any effect onscreen.

But that’s the exception to the rule. Even shows that started production early will have only a handful of segs in the can before the June 30 deadline. Fox faces a big decision in the next few weeks on whether to forge ahead with plans for a marketing blitz on frosh drama “Fringe,” which has a Sept. 9 preem date for its two-hour pilot. A production start on that show is apparently skedded for early next month.

Cable nets also have several projects in production at the moment, including “Army Wives,” “Saving Grace,” “The Closer” and “Monk.” But those nets can simply move back premiere dates or cut series telecasts short without too much disruption.

A handful of AFTRA series will be able to continue even if SAG goes on strike — depending on the ratification vote. If AFTRA members approve their new contract, Fox’s “ ’Til Death,” CBS’ “Rules of Engagement” and CW’s “Reaper” will be able to continue — unless thesps decide to march with SAG. Given the enmity between the unions, that’s an unlikely prospect.

The latenight gabfests all operate under AFTRA jurisdiction but will have to find a way to book nonactor guests. Bookers on the shows that didn’t receive a Writers Guild of America waiver last winter have already gone through that exercise once this year — and will have to hit the Rolodex once again for politicians, sports stars, musicians, authors and other guests to fill the time.

The idea of a lockout doesn’t sit well with TV execs, who plan to plow ahead with production even after June 30. The goal, after all, is to bank as many episodes before a work stoppage — and a work stoppage would be counterproductive (not to mention a death knell for their fall launches).

At the moment, the projects most impacted by the air of uncertainty are pilots scheduled for shooting in July. In these cases, studios may decide it’s not worth spending the money necessary to prep a pilot only to have to pull the plug in the event of a strike. (There’s no word yet of any pilots having been postponed.)

And though major studio pics will grind to a halt, there’s plenty of activity on the indie feature front. Productions that have obtained a SAG waiver (or guaranteed completion contract) can shoot even if there’s a strike.

SAG signed 312 such deals at last count, including for such high-profile pics as “Bad Lieutenant,” “W,” “Big Eyes,” “Killing Pablo,” “Pandorum,” “Labor Pains,” “Edge of Darkness” and “Brooklyn’s Finest” (Daily Variety, June 2).

Others include the following:

* Endgame’s romantic comedy “A Good Old Fashioned Orgy,” with Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, Leslie Bibb, Lake Bell and Lindsay Sloane. Pic’s currently shooting in North Carolina

* Relativity’s “A Perfect Getaway,” a thriller starring Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich

* Anonymous Content’s “44-Inch Chest,” a drama starring Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Joanne Whalley and John Hurt

* Lionsgate’s “Shrink,” starring Kevin Spacey, directed by Jonas Pate. Saffron Burrows, Jack Huston, Robin Williams, Robert Loggia, Gore Vidal, Dallas Roberts and Mark Webber also star; shooting’s already started in Los Angeles.
More than one option
o (Person) Lindsay Sloane
Actor, Voice
o (Person) Lindsay Sloane
Assistant
More than one option
o (Person) Robin Williams
Narrator, Voice, Song Performer
o (Person) Robin Williams
o (Person) Robin Williams
Song, Song Performer, Actor
o (Person) Robin Williams
Assistant Accountant, Second Assistant Accountant
More than one option
o (Person) Mark Webber
Actor, Co-Producer, Executive Producer
o (Person) Mark Webber
Sound
o (Person) Mark Webber
Song

Negotiations between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers entered their 31st day Monday with neither side commenting, though people close to the bargaining stress that progress has been elusive. Talks are expected to resume today.

AFTRA ballots should be hitting member mailboxes this week. High-profile members endorsing the deal include James Cromwell, Jane Curtin and Sally Field; in addition, AFTRA’s been sending automated phone calls to members with Cromwell urging a yes vote.

SAG’s contended that the AFTRA deal falls short in areas such as new-media jurisdiction and compensation, middle-class actor salaries, DVD residuals, force majeure protections and product-integration protections. Both SAG and AFTRA reps are holding “roadshows” this week at the major talent agencies to brief agents as to their positions.

SAG has also challenged AFTRA to hold a two-hour debate about the AFTRA deal but AFTRA spurned the invite Monday. SAG’s blamed AFTRA’s deal for its lack of progress at the bargaining table, and president Alan Rosenberg said in a letter to AFTRA that a debate would be informative and productive since members are receiving “conflicting information” about the AFTRA agreement and its impact on SAG’s negotiations.

AFTRA prexy Roberta Reardon said SAG’s all wet.

“What is distracting and confusing for our members — and frankly, many in the entertainment industry — are SAG’s efforts to interfere with AFTRA’s ratification process,” she added. “SAG’s misguided rhetoric and theatrics — holding rallies, town hall meetings and the distribution of misinformation about the AFTRA contract — are certainly not serving the best interests of performers.”

In a message to members Monday, AFTRA said, “Don’t be fooled by spin. AFTRA, like the WGA and DGA before it, has negotiated a great agreement that delivers substantial improvements in wages and working conditions for all its members. We’ve done this in the midst of a challenging economic climate, at a moment of rapid and unsettling technological change, in an industry that is still recovering from the economic devastation of a 100-day strike. This is a time for tough-minded realism, not posturing and empty rhetoric. If you vote against ratifying the AFTRA deal, you are essentially voting for chaos in the industry.”

(Michael Fleming contributed to this report.)

making a website for a friend - it's fun. She makes the coolest pillows.... I hope she likes it - right now I am just totally messing around without any input from her - other then her fabulous pillow designs to base things on....
I should be doing some real work. But heck that is no fun....

If anyone wants to be REAL proud of me I have been teaching myself dreamweaver. I was only getting so far fooling around so today I did the unimaginable. I went to the library and got a BOOK! Then not only did I take it home I read a few pages in it. UNBELIEVABLE.
I have finally figured out how to control where things are on the page and how to do roll overs with the mouse. UNBELIEVABLE. it only took me all afternoon.....
It isn't pretty but I am getting there....

Some of you may have seen this photo of my bathroom when we first bought the house awhile back...

Well. It is a little different now.
I asked Luc if he would buy me some paint and new mirror and a new light. We have dreams of gutting the whole thing but I thought a little surface cosmetic work could go a long way.
My first mistake was asking Luc.
We went to ikea to pick out a mirror and light.
This is what happened.

Tonight there is actually some progress being made. My dad is arriving on Wed so there was an original deadline of Wed but I was starting to lose hope.
I think I may be able to stop washing my hands in the tub soon! YIPPEE!

The girls will miss their new spot to get warm. The work light gives off alot of heat and I caught the two of them alone in the bathroom lying as close as they could to it right on the floor. For those of you who don't know what a big deal that is - they won't even SIT on the floor unless there is some kind of carpet. They also have real issues being in a room without a person within 3 feet.


Been stressed out about the amount of work lately - or should I say lack of work. I am meeting with EI people about a grant to go back to school fulltime in the fall. I like the idea of school fulltime but I don't like the idea of what year with no income could do to us financially. It would have been nice to save up a little money before deciding to go back to school. I might get a job painting but I don't really want that to become my fulltime job to put myself through school for the next 5 years. I don't think my knees and shoulder will take it. Stress stress stress


Made the girls some hoodies the other day. Been buying the cute clothes at Joe at Superstore. Got these super duper terry cloth hoodies. People always think I just take them in but I don't - I actually cut them completely apart. I'll use a hem or seam where I can but I don't usually. n these ones I used the hood but still modified it. I usually sew them on my serger but it was at the serger doctor getting better.
I have no final pictures of their little hoodies - they wouldn't pose nice - eventually.

My illustrator keeps crashing.
It is evil.
I guess this is what you get when you download an illegal copy, use it for 2 months and then when you are down to your last 3 projects and the last 4 days before they are due and you are really really stressed out as is about getting them done - IT CRASHES EVERY 10 SECONDS....
OHHH I am PMSing and that combined with the illustrator crashing makes for a really horrible mood.

So I have now purchased the 100% REAL student version - only I did it online and it is Saturday and they have to verify that I am actually a student before I can download it so I will be lucky if I can get it on Monday........ (or even Tuesday)

AHHHHHHH!!!!! I'm thrilled I really am....

I went to a BAR last night with my buddies. I haven't gone out on Friday night in any regular sense of the word FOREVER!!!!! It was weird. I didn't like it at all. I used to enjoy it but I have turned in to an old woman. The music was horrible and loud, drunk guys stumbling around are totally unpleasant. I don't think I make a very good wingman for my single friends.

Penny and I have been watchingthe flight of the conchords. We LOVE it. If you have never seen it I recommend it HIGHLY. We owe Thyrza a big thanks for giving us a copy.

This is what you can do during dress rehearsals!
Actually not dress rehearsal so much as tech rehearsal. They started doing a sound cue over and over and over. After looking at the two people on stage for 20 minutes there wasn't much else to do until they got to the next scene where they change their clothes...
I think tomorrow (actors are off today) I will have to bring some actual homework to do instead of just playing around....

Oh first of all good news....

I am as normal and healthy as one can be with 20+ cysts in her boob. Finally had a doctor tell me I was ok in a brief message the other day. I don't know how one does self breast examinations with that many cysts but at least this week I am ok. (I won't get into what allergies are doing to me ok?) It is still yellow/purplish - 4 weeks later? that is nuts. But almost gone...

Had a stressful week at work. There is always someone who doesn't want things to go well so they cause a ruckus and get everyone else all upset. I basically got called into the principles office 3 days ago because nothing was finished yet. I still don't know why - our first dress isn't officially until Tuesday and guess what - I have everything today.... I hate theatre.

Finished my homework last night. It isn't very exciting this week but I'm on a deadline. I don't even get to go to class today because of our costume parade.



The girls are bored - I have been at work too much this week. I feel horrible. One more week and I am unemployed again. THANK GOD...

Have to share a little story from my class... My teacher sent us this email yesterday about how to place a UPC code in our project. He went on and on about it in class, I was surprised he was still going on about it in the email until I read the last paragraph.....

remember this about UPC's:

Don't mess with it. Don't colour it, scale it, cut it off or otherwise mangle in any way. Don't even look at it with bad intentions. The UPC must sit on a WHITE background; also give it at least a 1/8" white margin all around. Always handle your UPCs in this manner - this ensures that your UPC will read properly by the fancy Optical Readers that all retail stores employ.

Don't follow these UPC rules and one day you'll find yourself pasting replacement labels on 500,000 boxes in your mother-in-law's basement; a privilege for which you promised your undying servitude and which will become the embarassing story of choice at every and all family gatherings. Not that that's happened to me...