Sassy & Single in San Francisco

New Diplomat - Once We Were (Hooligans) - Live at Elbo Room, July 2011

2011-10-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

The Legend of The Hollow

2011-10-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Headless Red - A Living Legend

2011-09-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Angela Bassett & Danny Glover in Boesman and Lena

2011-08-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Flash Required

To view films, please download Flash. iPhone, iPads and some other platforms do not support Flash. If you would like to be notified when Fandor comes to these devices, send an email to info@fandor.com.

Checking out Zemanta

2011-04-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaAs a social media marketing consultant, I always aim to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new technology. Every now and then I'm asked to ghost write an article about cool tools, ideally ones that are free or cost very little. Since my client is not looking for social media tools - for which, Twitter alone has dozens - or even mobile apps, it comes down to online collaboration and productivity tools, which can get pretty boring. So, I was thrilled to come across this cool tool called Zemanta that helps bloggers create more interesting blogs by suggesting images, tags and in-text links.

This is my first post in a very, very long time and so far Zemanta is making it kind of fun to play with. It's too bad, however, that one of the attractive features, that of linking to my social netoworks, is no longer available.

Enough playing... need to get back to ghost writing.

Chai Wallah - my first cup of Chai!

2010-12-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

Magazine: 14 Actors Acting - Javier Bardem - nytimes.com/video

2010-12-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-21T20:46:00.000-08:00

Hindi Bhajan - Kahan chupe ho

2010-11-04T17:32:00.000-07:00

New Discoveries...

2010-10-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Maybe I should be thanking the construction crew at work on Whole Foods next door for the incessant racket because it got me out of the house on this beautiful day. So driven to distraction, I went off with the vague idea of finding a) ZESPRI GOLD kiwifruit and b) a book that was recommended at last Saturday's Film Producers' Meeting. "The Hollywood Economist."

Mission accomplished. I found my book at my go-to bookstore Green Apple on Clement and I found GOLD kiwifruit at $1.99 a pound at New May Wah, my go-to Asian grocery store. And a steal for plump ZESPRI GREEN kiwifruit at $1.39 per pound. Look at the lovely loot I got:

But that's not all... I found affordable salsa classes at The Rockit Room - info here. A new beverage I am in love with called Neuro Bliss... it promises "happiness in every bottle." Oh, maybe that's why I'm not so mad at Whole Foods! Check out all their other versions at Neuro Drinks. Cannot wait to try Neuro Gasm;-) A new Chinese Foot Massage that avoids the crowds of Chinatown called Relax Feet Message at 404 Balboa. Only $25 for one hour and open 7 days a week from 11 am 11 pm. And, last but not least, the original Sushi Bistro... I spent my birthday last year at their other location on 24th Street. Amazing, delicious, affordable sushi.

Guess what I'm doing tonight?

With Venus Going Into Retrograde, We All Need This Mantra

2010-10-04T23:35:00.000-07:00

Agents, Producers and Bloggers, Oh My!

2010-09-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

All taking place in Los Angeles during the hottest weather ever recorded - 113 degrees!

A 7 am take-off meant a 4 am alarm in order to get to the airport on time. A bit tricky since I usually don't go to sleep until 2 or 3, but my friend rose to the occasion and gave me a ride so I snuck in an extra hour of sleep (chalk up one more chivalrous man in SF!)

At CampBlogaway, my sleepy head dissipated when I met the great group of energized women there to network and learn about lighting for food photography, how to get a cookbook deal and how to monetize your food blog.

As a filmmaker, I found the lesson on lighting food akin to lighting a scene, just on a much smaller scale! Kristine Kidd's presentation on getting a cookbook deal was a great sanity check. My writing partner (Dr. Donna Bellorado) and I originally had the protagonist in our rom-com script, It's Not Always What It Seems, give up a cookbook deal to marry and raise a family. Glad we changed it to a an unrealized manuscript for a cookbook!

I could go on and on about CampBlogaway and all the wonderful, sincere women I met but I'd rather refer you to La Fuji Mama's delightful post which says it all!

CUT TO:

INT. LOS ANGELES - HILTON UNIVERSAL/BALLROOM - MORNING

Chaos prevails. 300 WRITERS scramble to formulate pitch strategies to the hot-off-the press list of 200 AGENTS and PRODUCERS.

That's how my morning would look if it was presented as a screenplay... However, Donna and I had done our homework and all we needed to do was identify who was sitting at what table and in what order we would approach them. We decided to go for the top guns first.

The lack of organization meant that we were standing around for three hours before we got to make our first pitch - giving ample time to ratchet up the nervous factor. Donna was sure I was going to faint, but, when push came to shove, my confidence in our story came out and we tag-teamed to give a great pitch. From there we were on a roll and, sustained by ZESPRI Kiwifruit, had an exhilarating day and... fingers crossed... people are reading our script. Still working on our FB page, but you can read a synopsis and become a fan by clicking here. We even gave kiwifruit to two producers who looked in dire need of an energy boost!

After 11 hours on our feet, we abandoned the Hilton for a hipper vibe at the Grafton on Sunset which I highly recommend as an affordable alternative to the Mondrian next door... we even went for a midnight dip. The pool is fabulous... and that's where we parked ourselves until our friend Trish Moran joined us. It was her first day off in months, having worked her sassy buns off to produce the California AIDS Walk, which took place the day before. By 3 pm, we agreed we were deserving of a celebratory cocktail and debouched, indeed, to the Sky Bar at the Mondrian.

And it was lovely indeed... the view... a star sighting of handsome, talented Idris Elba (who, by the way, would be great as the antagonist in our script)... a delicious lobster roll... and the bartender made muddled mojitos with the kiwifruit I supplied... yummy!!

My one regret is that I did not take a single photograph... the memory will have to live in my brain and this blog:)

Chivalry is Alive and Well in San Francisco!

2010-09-24T14:25:00.001-07:00

As I was rushing from errand to errand, my eye kept going to the dangerously low needle for my gas tank. Leaving Trader Joe's I took the route to the nearest gas station... and ALMOST made it. But, instead, there I was on the crosswalk waiting for the slooooow traffic to pass so that I could turn left off of Geary when... you guessed it.

The guy in the car behind me was a doll and did not curse me out for missing the light. He figured the gas station, just one block away, would sell me a can for gas. Cool! I popped the hood to signal that the car was 'broken down' while I ran to the gas station. Nope, no gas can. Now what?

I called my boyfriend, who I knew was also out and about running errands. "Where are you?" "San Jose. What's up, babe?" "Ran out of gas in the middle of Geary." "Babe, you should keep gas in your tank." "Yes, I know."

Wait, what do I see? Help on the horizon? Four men surrounding my car?

Johnny at Big O Tires had seen a damsel in distress and sent his men to help me. They pushed the car to safety, then brought me back to the shop to find a gas tank.

As if that wasn't enough, Justin accompanied to the gas station and back to my car to put in the gas. When, for some inexplicable reason, the container would not release the gas, he then jimmy-rigged a funnel out of a window cleanser bottle from my trunk by getting scissors from the Asian guy in the grocery store...

I couldn't even tip the guys, because I had no cash.

Instead, I am here to say that acts of kindness like this restore my faith in humanity. And when I have the money, I guarantee I will be buying my tires from the guys at Big O. They rock!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

2010-09-24T13:14:00.001-07:00

This Mortal Coil - Song to the Siren "Cocteau Twins"

2010-09-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

What the F**k is Social Media NOW?

2010-07-26T13:16:00.001-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

What the F**k is Social Media NOW?

View more presentations from Marta Kagan.

Hot Like Mexico

2010-06-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

SF Station: The Green Show

2010-06-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

SF Station: The Green Show

Win A Trip To New Zealand For Four: The Great Kiwi Adventure and ZESPRI’s Kiwi A-Go-Go Bloggers’ Contest

2010-05-19T22:26:00.001-07:00

Win A Trip To New Zealand For Four: The Great Kiwi Adventure and ZESPRI’s Kiwi A-Go-Go Bloggers’ Contest

Posted using ShareThis

Tabrett Bethell 007

2010-03-08T16:40:00.001-08:00

This girl is going to be very famous some day.

McDonalds Food - The Truth

2010-03-08T14:51:00.001-08:00

OMG - Watch this - you will never eat McDonald's again!

Did You Know? 2.0 -Shift Happens- with Arabic Translation

2010-01-20T13:39:00.001-08:00

Fascinating statistics

Did You Know? 2.0 -Shift Happens- with Arabic Translation

View more presentations from Ahmed Ibrahim.

Naz-T-Nice Music Video for Mismo

2009-12-29T21:08:00.001-08:00

Courtesy of the uber talented Xavier Toscano... we LOVE you!! Thanks for giving us this HOT song for our film... xoxo

Clann An Drumma ~The Clan

2009-11-20T11:33:00.001-08:00

Shot in my hometown Scotland - this totally rocks!

The Making of Mismo

2009-11-18T19:38:00.001-08:00

Here's a behind the scenes look at the making of Mismo... htt://www.mismothemovie.com

Mismo - New Trailer

2009-11-16T18:28:00.001-08:00

Check out our new trailer for Mismo... new website coming soon... very, very soon.

The End trailer - film by Nicola Collins

2009-11-05T14:54:00.001-08:00

Wow... that must have been quite something for Nicola to go face-to-face with these guys and getting them to answer the tough questions. Kudos!

Colin Trailer

2009-11-03T15:00:00.001-08:00

Whichever currency you use, British Pounds, Euros or American Dollars, 70 is still an impressive number.

Hats off to everyone who made this movie happen -- love you guys!

Take Me by JetDev Productions

2009-10-22T16:16:00.001-07:00

The JetDev crew fronted by the talented Xavier Toscano pull off another fab music video... Love this!

Matt Goss - Evil

2009-10-16T11:04:00.001-07:00

How to make a hot video on a relatively low budget... it's all about style! A good song doesn't hurt either:)

Tribute to Clive Owen

2009-10-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled when I learned that one of my all-time favorite actors Clive Owen was going to be appearing in person at the Mill Valley Film Festival, even more thrilled when I scored get a ticket to see him. I'm happy to report that he is a doll! As good looking in person as he is on the big screen, gracious and generous -- as well as uber cool. When a big black Escalade pulled up at the theater, those waiting thought, here we go, but it was only the advance men who got out. I thought to myself, wouldn't it be cool if Clive just came strolling up? Sure enough, a few minutes later that's exactly what he did.

Unfortunately, I didn't snap any pics that do him justice so in deference to his image I will refrain from posting, but I am posting a clip of him being interviewed so you can hear his marvelous voice (sadly, the theater was too dark and I was at the wrong angle to catch his marvelous face). He went on to relate that he did indeed go to the Royal Academy.... and the rest is history.

It was awesome to see Croupier on the big screen - it has stood the test of time and I would recommend, if you haven't see it, go rent it!

Tired of sitting alone at the bar all night?

2009-09-18T14:22:00.001-07:00

Who would ever have thought that the online dating sites just keep coming and coming!

Social Media Revolution

2009-09-03T14:33:00.001-07:00

Fodder for thought...

Read the discussion at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8

The Tonight Show Twitter TRACKER!!!!!

2009-08-27T13:45:00.001-07:00

What he doesn't seem to know is that the majority of Twitterers are not teenagers, but older peeps using Twitter for biz purposes.

On that note, follow me @LorraineSF to keep abreast of what's going on with MISMO - See you at the movies!!! :-)

MISMO Update

2009-08-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here's the proof - our submission to Sundance - fingers crossed!!

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent)

2009-08-14T11:25:00.001-07:00

The most amazing way I've ever seen to tell a story. It's mind blowing. Beautiful!

Mystic Brain

2009-08-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

You can read my latest post as a guest blogger on MysticBrain, which explores the concept of space on many topics here: http://tinyurl.com/klmwvv

And, for the evidence... I carried these back home from Greece via Italy, France, England and Scotland, to where they now sit on my coffee table.

Busy Busy Busy Bee!

2009-08-10T20:33:00.001-07:00

Can't believe another year has come and gone -- and this week I'll be turning 45 (again). So much to write about, from restaurants and wines to art and yoga, and all of San Francisco in between... but alas one can only do so much in a day. So here's an update:

MISMO will be on its way to Sundance, so mega celebrations all round, along with fingers crossed! Next comes a new trailer, website, poster, FB page... and more!

Meanwhile, I've been spreading the word about "10 Reasons to Eat ZESPRI Kiwifruit" - check out kiwiforlunch.com. I've been twittering and FB'ing like a mad fool - you can also follow me @LorraineSF.

And just for the fun of it, we amended our short One Sound for MOFILM and, though we made it to the finals, did not win, so rather than having it rot on my desktop thought I'd put it here for the world to see*.

Naturally, being single and quite possibly sassier still, I've managed to squeeze in the occasional date, but remarkably the scene in San Francisco does not change - tons o' fabulous women and gorgeous fags, and plenty of 30 somethings to entertain... but still no main man. Ha! Guess I'm going to have to wait until I'm on the Oscar red carpet before George Clooney comes running... perhaps not with MISMO, but our next project is so high concept, and that's all I'm going to say for now folks:)

* That was the plan but Blogger is having problems:(

Bollywood Hero Flash Mob in Times Square

2009-08-06T15:29:00.001-07:00

I picked up a Bollywood Booty DVD the other day... give me a chance to learn a few moves and keep an eye out for a flash mob in Golden Gate Park!

ARJ BARKER "Sickest Buddhist" Music Video

2009-08-02T13:41:00.001-07:00

Kicking Buddha butt!! That's what I'm off to do now for the next four hours.... Om Shanti Om:)

T-Mobile Sing-along Trafalgar Square (extended version)

2009-08-01T13:15:00.001-07:00

Some companies just know how to get things right! I can remember when this song came out and I stayed up 'til 2 am with my dad home from sea playing the song over and over... and in those days that meant lifting the needle and putting back to the outside of the 45!

Art

2009-06-26T19:42:00.001-07:00

Just too cool...

My Black Rock HeART: A Desert Inspired Art Event

2009-06-09T14:11:00.001-07:00

Please join us on Saturday, June 13th when the flaming spirit of the Black Rock Desert will engulf the California Modern Art Gallery at "My Black Rock Heart". Calmodern and Missing Piece ring in the summer by presenting the opening party for My Black Rock Heart from 8 pm to 1 am with desert festival inspired photography, videos, paintings, sculptures, performances, illustrations, and fashion.

Opening Party Saturday, June 13th
California Modern Art Gallery
1035 Market Street, San Francisco
8pm-1am
$15 at the door. Cash Bar.

Proceeds benefiting savedarfur.org

Featured Artists: Nome Edonna, David Kudzma, Joshua Margolis, Jim Ardis, Barb Traub, Rob Corwin, Charlie Gadeken, Medium Reality, Native Intelligence, Caroluna, Ivan Bajinov, Kirill Krylov, Edward Kotovsky, Gelareh, KAYO, Chrystie Cappelli, Norman Carley, Julie Baron + more.

Music by interim_descriptor

Official Site: http://www.calmodern.com/events.html

Tuscany to Your Recipe Contest - Win a dinner for 4

2009-05-26T14:23:00.001-07:00

Tuscany to Your Recipe Contest - Win a dinner for 4

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Make The Girl Dance "Baby Baby Baby" ( official video )

2009-05-14T16:55:00.001-07:00

Make The Girl Dance "Baby Baby Baby" ( official video )
Video sent by placeblancherec

Premier single du duo electro rock Parisien.

www.myspace.com/makethegirldance

Voix sur le morceau: www.myspace.com/musubi_paris

Oh, I so miss Paris:(

Downtown Happy Hour

2009-04-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Grand Cafe Happy Hour - $1 oysters, $7 cocktails, $3 beers... 3-7pm....mmmhhhh.... Could be sufficient reason to brave the downtown crowds!

Wonder what's playing in the theaters?

Sometimes You Just Have to Get Out!

2009-04-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Sick of brainstorming to the power of one and taking a tip from Betsy Burroughs, I got off my butt, walked away from the confuser, and drove to my old stomping grounds Chrissie Fields. I say old stomping grounds 'cos CT and I used to run from the Marina Safeway to Fort Point and back - a little over 5 miles - before we went to work every morning. And, in that pre-dot.com era I had to be at my desk by 8:30. In Redwood City. You figure out what time we had to start in the AM. Come rain or shine, I will add. But I digress...

On the way to the car, I gave directions through Golden Gate Park to a lovely old Indian man who seemed genuinely delighted to be taking a walk through the park. Was reminded it is Earth Day when I came across volunteers from SalesForce... thought that sitting hacking weeds with a pick looked fun. Stopped to admire a tall, proud gray heron and learned that a jogger has a pet name for the him - George. Gave directions to the Exploratorium to a cute Italian couple on bikes... had the opportunity to say "Ciao!" Listened in on an Urban Safari tour guide spouting facts about the Golden Gate Bridge. As historian buff James Dalessandro's assistant, didn't learn anything so much as was reminded of a few things, but learned to reappreciate the bridge's magnificence. Spoke with a young man as we watched the coast guard save someone in the water, or, as I thought afterwards, simply practice manouvers. He told me he'd chickened out on his lesson today, but his dream was to para sail from Fort Point to San Francisco. His coach told him it was do-able in a year and reminded me that all great things start with one small step.

Came back rejuvenated, refreshed and filled with ideas to blog and twitter about!

The Day My God Died

2009-04-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

This came to me via indieproducer.net, and I whole heartedly second their opinion!

From time to time we come across incredible people leading heroic lives. The documentary "The Day My God Died" is an example of some of these people. When iP member Jane Charles brought this documentary to our attention we felt obligated to help raise awareness. For more information you can ask Jane on her indieproducer web page (click on her name above) and she'll happily update you iP Team.

The Day My God Died

Fund Raiser for Not For Sale Campaign
Please join us in our effort to raise funds to prevent the trafficking of young girls from Nepal into India.
This is an event not to be missed. Please see the web invitation for more details regarding the exciting presentations planned for the evening and our fundraising goals.
warmly,
Jeffrey Brown

Date:
April 14th, 2009, 7pm - 9pm
Location:
The Home of Janice and Matt Barger
Address:
800 Corte Madera Avenue
Corte Madera, CA 94925

You have been invited to a fund raiser to fight human trafficking in Nepal

Link to Invitation

Come to a wonderful evening event to meet modern day heroes: David Batstone, Brigitte Cazalis and Joe Collins to learn about their inspirational work.
Not For Sale is an non-profit agency that fights slavery globally.

If you don't live in the Bay Area, you can learn about ways you can help on the Web site.

Trailer de Where the wild things are

2009-04-08T18:48:00.001-07:00

Trailer de Where the wild things are
Video sent by masalladeorion

This looks wonderful! I love that it has "We all fear" and "We all hope" just like the MISMO trailer!! Maybe we're onto something;)

Not exactly an excuse...

2009-02-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

I never blogged while I was in India because then I would have had to make the choice between participating in life there or writing about participating in life there...

With complete vivid recollection, it was my intention to relive my experiences through blogging. I started to and then the world, I mean my computer (sometimes known as the confuser) went to pot... not exactly crashed, but my Lord ~ or Ganesha, Durga, Shiva, Krishna as the case may be ~ I have been in digital media hell.. or more like limbo... waiting to be reincarnated again!

Things are slowly but surely on the mend and so I will resume writing my memoirs in the not too distant future.

For followers of Mismo... we are getting close to having the film complete. We're currently scoring the music and color correcting. In the months ahead, we hope to have exciting news to share, so stay tuned.

Arriving in Chennai, India

2009-02-19T00:08:00.000-08:00

After three days of traveling, the true journey began… I arrived in Chennai at 11:00 pm on Saturday, December 27th, 2008.

After maneuvering the higgledy-piggledy passport checkpoint, I emerged unceremoniously onto the balmy Madras sidewalk. Faced with a wall of brown faces searching for their loved ones, or unsuspecting tourists, my focus was solely on the sign bearing my name.

Alas, no such sign was in evidence.

The local currency had to be acquired, which meant a walk down the sidewalk to a nearby ATM. The journey secured me a tenacious tout offering his services. No matter how many times I said, "no thank you," he kept by my side. A few minutes later, a small fortune in hand, I walked back towards the airport. I didn’t want to be rude. I felt bad for him merely trying to secure a job, but eventually rudeness prevailed. Actually, it was more of a sharp, definitive, "No." Kind of like talking to a naughty puppy, I noted. Nonetheless, he remained within earshot.

My traveling companion was overwhelmed and of no use whatsover and so I deposited him with the luggage while I trawled back up and down the line in search of our driver. Judging by the crowd and endless sound of car horns, I suspected the driver was merely late. I had complete faith he would be there… eventually. Thinking that a phone call might be the solution, I braved my way to a kiosk across the street and bought two bottles of water so I could have small change for the phone. It was a breeze… nothing to be afraid of. In fact, the people were friendly and I learned that the going rate for a bottle of water was 13 rupees.

Back with my companions, the one with whom I was traveling and my newly-found service provider, I said, “We have to make a phone call.” And sure enough, the man was of service. He borrowed someone’s cell phone for me to use. "Very good madam," was the first of thousand very good madams that I would hear and come to love.

As I was connecting with our hotel, our driver appeared suddenly like magic, which is, I discovered, often how things work in India.

Our driver took control of my luggage and following his lead, I gave our helper a tip… which is also how things work in India.

I asked our driver his name, as I would anyone with whom I interacted in India. His name was Pondy and he would become my friend.

Tucked in the back of Pondy's trusty Ambassador, we made our way through Chennai onto the dark highway to Mamallapuram. I kept my eyes scanned for the miles of shanty towns that I had been warned and read about. Maybe I didn't see them because all was dark or maybe I didn't see them because I was in heaven... I was finally in India. With the window down I breathed in the balmy air and soaked in the scents and sites of India.

To be continued…

p.s. Cosmic Laws of Dating

2009-02-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

I found out from a friend last night that the guy who was overwhelmed by my radiance at the party on Saturday night was in fact gay - too f**king funny!

And, now that I think about it, since I was at Bootie, the other admirers probably were too!

Well, thank heavens for our gay boys ~ a woman would starve for compliments without them telling us how fierce we are!

Cosmic Laws of Dating

2009-02-17T16:42:00.000-08:00

So my girlfriend sent me the following joke:

Shrek, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez were all having lunch together.

Shrek said, 'I have always thought that I'm the strongest man in the world, but how can I be sure?

Brad Pitt said, 'I'm pretty sure I'm the hottest man alive but I've never had it confirmed.'

Jennifer Lopez agreed. 'I'm told I'm the sexiest of them all, but sometimes I wonder.'

They all decided that the best way to find out if their beliefs were true was to approach the Wicked Queen's mirror to confirm for them whether Shrek was the strongest, Brad Pitt was the hottest and Jennifer Lopez was the sexiest.

They agreed to meet again the next day for lunch to discuss their findings.

The next day Shrek walked up with a smile. 'Well, it 's true. The mirror told me that I am the strongest man in the world.'

Brad Pitt followed and boasted, 'It is true, it has been confirmed that I am the hottest man alive!!'

Jennifer Lopez walked in; head bent, tears in her eyes and asked,"Who the Heck is Lorraine Flett?"

Which was sweet and funny. And it reminded me of my Saturday night... to which I wrote back to her:

Thank you so much... I was at a house party for Valentine's with Anthony and had the hottest guy tell me "you're so radiant, I need sunglasses!" Funny thing is I didn't even hear him. It was only when Anthony and I were on our way to another party that Anthony asked me, "does that line work in the straight world?"

At the next party (Bootie), I was taking a break from dancing when a guy came up and told me my "posture and stature were awesome," followed by another who simply high fived me! Then there was another who followed me around like a puppy – we actually smooched for a minute (hey, it was Valentine's after all!), but then I joined the line at the ladies and lost him...

I'm telling you... It's because I am not available. If I was looking for a man, no-one would have looked twice... (My man was working.)

I might just have to blog this, so here it is...

Is there some cosmic law that says men only notice you when you're not looking? And are there others I should know about?

Cola - Italian Style

2008-11-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Herb Caen Quote

2008-10-25T17:16:00.001-07:00

"One day if I do go to heaven~ I'll look around and say, 'It ain't bad, but it ain't San Francisco. "
- Herb Caen

And that's how I feel about this city of mine too!

Hottest Halloween Ball in San Francisco!

2008-10-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

TINGEL TANGEL

Sex, Magic, & the Occult

a Halloween Ball featuring...

Legendary Performance artist Penny Arcade

Vinsantos High priestess: Marga Gomez

Ethel Merman Kitten on the Keys

harpist Deadre Eagen, Diamond Daggers,

Sophisticated Boom Boom,

& Special Guest Holcombe Waller

DJ Dunevil (Protection) & DJ Nature Boy (Babies on Fire)

Hosts Mr. Anthony, Veronica Klaus, Daniel Detorie, Norman,

Dottie Lux, Suzi Chang, & Jessica Heidt.

Visuals by III

Bar proceeds benefit BRAVA for Women in the Arts ( www.brava.org)

Tickets: $16 presale ($22 door) available at:

Cafe Flore: 2298 Market Street

Ginger Rubio Salon: 600 Shotwell Street

Distractions: 1552 Haight Street

& online at: http://www.tingeltangelclub.com

Is 70 the New 50?

2008-10-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Decades ago a friend said, "Tina has great legs for her age."

Upon the withering look I gave him, he corrected himself, "Tina has great legs."

Tina was barely 40 at the time.

And, at 68 years of age, it looks like they just keep on going...

Before you know it, 70 will be the new 50... I can't wait. Bring it on!

NO on PROP 8!

2008-10-17T16:27:00.000-07:00

Sick of Prop. 8 ranting yet? Too bad. Because we're not. And how could
we be with gems like this? See, body cavity cleansing device Bill Tam,
a Chinese-American leading the effort in the Asian-American community
to pass Proposition 8, is spreading lies amongst San Francisco's
Chinatown residents. Tam tells the Mercury News:

http://sfist.com/2008/10/16/all_kinds_of_disease.php

and here is more of the shit we have to deal with

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqcfqiXCX0

spread the word!

http://palinaspresident.com

2008-10-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is BRILLIANT!

Don't forget to click all over the image.

Bottled Water Is No Purer Than Tap Water

2008-10-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

Excerpted from an article by Rob Waters (love his name!)

Bottled water sold in markets and convenience stores may be no more free of pollutants than the water that pours from the kitchen tap at a fraction of the cost, said an environmental group that tested samples.

Ten top-selling brands of bottled water contained a total of 38 pollutants including fertilizer, industrial chemicals, bacteria and the residue of drugs such as Tylenol, according to a report by the Environmental Working Group based in Washington, D.C. The bottled water showed an average of eight pollutants in each sample.

Americans drank more than twice as much bottled water in 2007 as they did in 1997, guzzling 8.8 billion gallons at a cost of $10.3 billion in 2007, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp., a research and consulting firm based in New York. Although commercials often show pristine mountain springs, the reality is that bottled water often comes from city water supplies, said Renee Sharp, an Environmental Working Group senior scientist.

Public water utilities are required to inform customers about contaminants that may be present in tap water and, in most states, to tell customers where the water comes from and how it's purified. Companies selling bottled water have few similar rules, Sharp said.

California, which has stricter standards than most states, requires companies to disclose whether bottled water comes from municipal water systems and also to warn consumers about contaminants that may pose health risks.

"But even in California, consumers still can't be assured they're getting a better product'' than they could get from their kitchen sink, Sharp said.

Sharp and her colleagues started their research by buying samples of 10 different brands and sending them to an independent laboratory for testing. They noticed that bottles from Wal-Mart's and Giant Food Inc., a supermarket chain owned by Koninklijke Ahold NV of Amsterdam, seemed to bear the chemical signature of standard municipal water treatment, Sharp said.

In three samples of Sam's Choice purified drinking water sold at Wal-Mart stores near San Francisco, levels of a group of chemicals known as trihalomethanes exceeded state standards, the report said. These are byproducts of chlorine and other chemicals used to kill microbes and can cause cancer at high doses.

Yikes! I'm sure glad I've not being throwing away good money by drinking water out my tap.

Obama and The Palin Effect

2008-10-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Rather than send emails around the ether that may or may not get read, I've chosen to add this commentary by Deepak Chopra in the hopes that more people will see it:

Sometimes politics has the uncanny effect of mirroring the national psyche even when nobody intended to do that. This is perfectly illustrated by the rousing effect that Gov. Sarah Palin had on the Republican convention in Minneapolis this week. On the surface, she outdoes former Vice President Dan Quayle as an unlikely choice, given her negligent parochial expertise in the complex affairs of governing. Her state of Alaska has less than 700,000 residents, which reduces the job of governor to the scale of running one-tenth of New York City. By comparison, Rudy Giuliani is a towering international figure. Palin's pluck has been admired, and her forthrightness, but her real appeal goes deeper.

She is the reverse of Barack Obama, in essence his shadow, deriding his idealism and exhorting people to obey their worst impulses. In psychological terms the shadow is that part of the psyche that hides out of sight, countering our aspirations, virtue, and vision with qualities we are ashamed to face: anger, fear, revenge, violence, selfishness, and suspicion of "the other." For millions of Americans, Obama triggers those feelin gs, but they don't want to express them. He is calling for us to reach for our higher selves, and frankly, that stirs up hidden reactions of an unsavory kind. (Just to be perfectly clear, I am not making a verbal play out of the fact that Sen. Obama is black. The shadow is a metaphor widely in use before his arrival on the scene.)

I recognize that psychological analysis of politics is usually not welcome by the public, but I believe such a perspective can be helpful here to understand Palins message. In her acceptance speech Gov. Palin sent a rousing call to those who want to celebrate their resistance to change and a higher vision.

Look at what she stands for:

--Small town values -- a denial of America's global role, a return to petty, small-minded parochialism.

--Ignorance of world affairs -- a repudiation of the need to repair America's image abroad.

--Family values -- a code for walling out anybody who makes a claim for social justice. Such strangers, being outside the family, don't need to be heeded.

--Rigid stands on guns and abortion -- a scornful repudiation that these issues can be negotiated with those who disagree.

--Patriotism -- the usual fallback in a failed war.

--"Reform" -- an italicized term, since in addition to cleaning out corruption and excessive spending, one also throws out anyone who doesn't fit your ideology.

Palin reinforces the overall message of the reactionary right, which has been in play since 1980, that social justice is liberal-radical, that minorities and immigrants, being different from "us" pure American types, can be ignored, that progressivism takes too much effort and globalism is a foreign threat. The radical right marches under the banners of "I'm all right, Jack," and "Why change? Everything's OK as it is." The irony, of course, is that Gov. Palin is a woman and a reactionary at the same time. She can add mom to apple pie on her resume, while blithely reversing forty years of feminist progress. The irony is superficial; there are millions of women who stand on the side of conservatism, however obviously they are voting against their own good. The Republicans have won multiple national elections by raising shadow issues based on fear, rejection, hostility to change, and narrow-mindedness.

Obama's call for higher ideals in politics can't be seen in a vacuum. The shadow is real; it was bound to respond. Not just conservatives possess a shadow -- we all do. So what comes next is a contest between the two forces of progress and inertia. Will the shadow win again, or has its furtive appeal become exhausted? No one can predict. The best thing about Gov. Palin is that she brought this conflict to light, which makes the upcoming debate honest. It would be a shame to elect another Reagan, whose smiling persona was a stalking horse for the reactionary forces that have brought us to the demoralized state we are in. We deserve to see what we are getting, without disguise.

Badlands Pink Slip Stud

2008-10-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

As it turned out Damon had to work on his birthday so the party ~ Frank, Anthony, and, my new BFB, James, and me ~ went to the front bar of Badlands and watched hot Madonna videos in between chatting with Damon in between Damon pouring drinks.

Then it was over to the Stud where Xave, aka Nature Boy, was DJ'ing Pink Slip. It was cute. Highlights were Miss Nix channeling Grace Jones' La Vie en Rose, Virginia Suicide doing a killer song Bang Bang (don't know who by) and, of course, the inimitable, amazing Suppositori Spelling, who came out looking like a school marm and ended up looking like the bad girl she is;)

Home in bed by 1:30 am ~ a fun Tuesday night:)

Sarah Palin - c/o SNL

2008-10-06T23:30:00.000-07:00

I posted the YouTube vid, but it didn't carry forth my vile, so for those of you who care what a foreigner might think:

I have refrained from commenting on politics as it is a subject I prefer to avoid. However, I was struck deeply by Senator Biden's comment that this is the most important election of our times... and that is true whether you are about to vote your first election or whether you have been voting for sixty years. People, PAY ATTENTION, THIS IS IMPORTANT!

I watched the vice presidential 'debate' and I am appalled that it has not become know as the "vice presidential debacle"... maybe it has; I am simply busy to catch ALL the news... And, therein may lie the problem with middle America -- or is it the media in this country? Where do people who really want "news" as in "truth" go?!!

And so I post this video in hopes of being another URL in the ether that an inquiring mind might land upon.

As a 'Resident Alien' of 25 years, I am horrified by what this woman (aka The Governor of Alaska) is doing to further ruin the reputation of the United States of America. "For crying out loud," to borrow her folksey parlance, as women we have fought so hard to take a 'wink and a nod' out of corporate America. Are we going to let her get away with this? On national television? Help me people!

Can you imagine this woman using her so-last-century-wiles to discuss solutions to global challenges with leaders of foreign countries, such as... oh.... well, let's imagine... a moment with Iran at some point in the not too distant future... or perhaps 'Russia' (do some of us remember the days of "duck and cover" advertising from our childhoods?)... F**K!!! I would not even want her talking to the President of Kazakhstan with Borat Sagdiyev representing the other side...

Actually, now that I think about it, what is Sacha Baron Cohen doing these days? SLACKER!!

Okay... this is the closest to a rant you will ever get from me.
VOTE OBAMA!!!!!!!

Hey Sarah Palin (with lyrics/subtitles)

2008-10-06T23:29:00.001-07:00

Eureka!

2008-10-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

We had a very lackadaisical, or as Anthony likes to call it lollygag, start to the Castro Street Fair. With the boys coming from Noe Valley and me from the Haight, it was pure coincidence that we rendezvoused at Citizen, one of our go-to stores, with the manager Don overseeing the proceedings like a first-class maitre d'.

Several hundred dollars later... just kidding. I bought a pair of Diesel rainbow-colored undies for Damon's birthday coming up on Tuesday. After Anthony described wearing them as, "a party just waiting to be unpacked," how could I resist? Isn't that Damon to a T? Anthony reserved several items to be tried on when he was less pressed for time since all three of us were starving. Where to go?

Harvey's was a zoo. We were put off the sangria and crepes place by the naked man in full view. And then, Eureka!, we thought of it...

Our timing was impeccable... a table on the first floor overlooking the cast of thousands meandering by. Cocktails were creative and delicious - Anthony ordered a French Kiss; I ordered a muddled blackberry and blueberry mojito affair; Frank was strictly classic - Mimosas all the way!

And then the gluttony began... to find out what we ate, you'll have to visit http://lorraineflett.yelp.com.

And then we went to the Men's Room to say hi to David, who was bartending, and to meet Damon for a drink before he had to start work at Badlands. All the while, frantic texting was going back and forth while we figured out Plan B, since Plan A ~ a lavish dinner for a party of eight ~ was obviously not happening.

We resorted to the old cheap and cheerful champion of spaghetti bolognese... accompanied by gallons of vino, naturally. Tom and David (owners of the Inner Mission Bar who rarely have the night off) provided the pupu platter... and we settled in for a True Blood Trilogy.

It was a fangalicious day and night:)

Whachovia - Walk Over Ya?

2008-10-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

In the course of my day-to-day work (as opposed to my night-to-night work as a filmmaker), I came across www.50lessons.com - a website that features short video lessons by thought leaders. When I clicked on their 'trailer' (halfway down the page), I about peed myself when 30 seconds into the trailer came Jim Garrity, Former Chief Marketing Officer of Wachovia and I quote,"companies celebrate risks." I wonder just how much celebrating is going on in the inner sanctum of, as I like to call them, WalkOverYa these days?

Judging by the bank's huge advertising campaign in the Bay Area, I used to think their message was "Watch Over Ya..."

Don't ya just love how we can drop formalities these days? WINK, WINK...

See ya!

A Little Wine Review

2008-09-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

The other night I popped over to North Beach to an art show where a friend of a friend - Richard Luckey Perri - was included in a show of 13 artists' work at the Live Worms Gallery on Grant Avenue. Talk about blast from the past - so bo-ho and not in the chic hip way that graces Allure Magazine et al. I'll refrain from going into details, just say that my friend and I amused ourselves immensely by creating background stories for the characters we saw (a writer's exercise I learned in Vagliagli lo these many years ago). When we tired of that amusement, we mosied down the street to Rose Pistola, an old favorite, where Sam, the wonderfully accommodating bartender, catered to my picky tastes.

First on the list - currently one of my favorite varietals, Nero D'Avola from Sicily. At $15 a glass I was extremely curious, since wines from Sicily are usually on the bargain side (as in you can buy three bottles for $15!). This was a 2004, Saia, Feudo Maccari. Lovely on the nose, all those rich dried earthy fruits, but so disappointing... no structure, completely flat:(

Next up was a 2006 Zilath blend (Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Carignane), Caslae Centro Corri, Lazio - which is from around Rome. At $8, I was eager to like it. Again, nice nose but lacking structure.

Following right behind, a 2005 Pino Nero, 'Pinay', Attilio Ghisolf, Langhe, Piemonte... these Italian wines are such a mouthful... At $10.50, it was extremely lovely, nothing to rave about, but quaffable.

And that's this little wine reviewers tuppence worth for the week:)

A Better Bail Out

2008-09-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

I received this proposition from a friend. It makes perfect sense to me.

I'm against the $85,000,000, 000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000, 000 to America in a "We Deserve It Dividend".
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and
child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
My Plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We Deserve It Dividend".
Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000, 000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it'll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
Pay for your family's medical insurance - health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( "vote buy") economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!
As for AIG - liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work."
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion
We Deserve It Dividend more than do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC
And remember, The "WDID" plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Acting Classes with Richard Harder

2008-09-15T17:41:00.001-07:00

It's been decades since I signed up for an acting class at UC Berkeley Extension. That was a complete waste of $300+ since I chickened out after oh, I think it was the second class. Standing in front of my fellow students reciting Robbie Burn's Ode to a Mouse had me quaking in whatever expensive pumps I must have been wearing at the time. I resolved right then to remain behind the scenes and now the camera. So it is not without trepidation that I am planning to take Richard Harder's 8-week acting class that kicks off on October 4th http://www.offbroadwaywest.org/richardsActing.htm.

In the interests of disclosure, since James Dalessandro quit teaching the longest-running private screenwriting class in Northern California, there's been a bit of a hole in the work that I do, so Richard's going to get the benefit of my digital marketing skills to promote his class. However, that shouldn't bias you.

Having witnessed Richard work my young actor Kish ~ the next Will Smith! ~ I can truthfully say that I am looking forward to learning from Richard. He has studied with the top acting teachers in the U.S. including eight years as Jean Shelton's protege and master workshops with Stella Adler. If anyone can make an actress out of me, it will be Richard... so stay tuned to this blog for weekly updates. If nothing else, they should provide amusement.

Jazz Fest in New Olreans

2008-09-04T11:50:00.001-07:00

And, just a little reminder of what New Orleans can be...

Ride through 9th Ward New Orleans

2008-09-04T11:40:00.001-07:00

My friend Dave moved backed to New Orleans after Katrina and has been working there since to help restore the city. He's been in San Francisco for the past few weeks and was due to return to New Orleans on Monday. Obviously, that didn't happen. He's somewhat stranded here as in "needs work to pay the bills" and is putting his work out on the web to see whether he can garner any interest. As a former advertising Creative Director he's got great skills, but will be happy to resize banners if it brings in some moolah. This video is testament to his skills and his soul... Wow, it's like watching 9/11 all over again... Poor New Orleans... all those people... so sad. Let's make sure that the Republicans do not get another 8 years!!!

Evolution of Dance

2008-08-15T21:20:00.001-07:00

So creative! Totally fun!

Happy birthday to me!

2008-08-15T21:13:00.001-07:00

From across the pond... love it!

Thanks Nick.

Peace One Day - A Short Video Explaining Peace One Day

2008-08-15T20:31:00.001-07:00

Sunday, September 21st - a day to do something in the name of peace.

One Sound

2008-08-15T19:51:00.001-07:00

San Francisco film producer, Lorraine Flett, presents One Sound, a short film offering insight into the richly textured lives of hip urbanites, set in and around a coffee shop.

Live Screening: August, 7th, 9:00 PM Farley's Cafe, Potrero Hill, San Francisco.

You Do Know How To Whistle, Don't Ya!

2008-08-15T18:21:00.001-07:00

Classic:)

Oprah's List... On Men.

2008-07-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

HERE IS WHAT OPRAH WINFREY HAD TO SAY ABOUT MEN:

* If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.

* If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.

* Stop making excuses for a man and his behaviour.

* Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.

* Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be.

* Slower is better.

* Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy..

* If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't 'be friends'. A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.

* If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is

* Don't stay because you think 'it will get better'. You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

* The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

* Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?

* Always have your own set of friends separate from his.

* Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up.

* Never let a man know everything - He will use it against you later.

* You cannot change a man's behaviour - Change comes from within.

* Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are... even if he has more education or in a better job.

* Do not make him into a quasi-god - He is a man, nothing more nothing less.

* Never let a man define who you are.

* Never borrow someone else's man - If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.

* A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.

* All men are NOT dogs.

* You should not be the one doing all the bending... Compromise is two way street.

* You need time to heal between relationships...

* There is nothing cute about baggage...

* Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship

* You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...

* A relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... Look for someone complimentary...not supplementary.

* Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.

* Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted

* Never move into his mother's house. Never co-sign for a man.

* Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need - Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

* Scared of being alone is what makes a lot of women stay in relationships that are abusive or hurtful: Dr. Phill

* You should know that you're the best thing that could ever happen to anyone and if a man mistreats you, he'll miss out on a good thing. If he was attracted to you in the 1st place, just know that he's not the only one. They're all watching you, so you have a lot of choices. Make the right one.

* Ladies take care of your own hearts....

* Share this with other women and men (just so they know)... You'll make someone smile, another rethink her choices, and another woman prepare. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them.

What do you all think?? I could not agree more!!

Christian the Lion

2008-07-22T15:18:00.001-07:00

I've heard it said that this is a hoax, but I choose to not be cynical and believe in the possibilities of love.

David After Coming to America

2008-07-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of www.crainium.net/jdjArchives/image_collection/

I Don't Need A Man

2008-07-05T12:59:00.001-07:00

Put very nicely by the Pussycat Dolls:)

It's All About The Dancing

2008-07-03T12:00:00.001-07:00

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Germany vs Spain Euro 08

2008-06-29T01:00:00.001-07:00

I'll be rooting for Germany at my local sports bar, Kezar on Haight... Final score? Germany 2; Spain 1:)

Xavier Naidoo feat. RZA - I've never seen

2008-06-26T01:04:00.001-07:00

I've just been introduced to Xavier Naidoo... I'm hooked! This song is magical... makes me happy, makes me sad, makes me miss a someone special in my life:)

Oh, the joy of being of sassy and single in SF!!!

San Francisco

2008-06-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

Like everyone else in the city I was dining al fresco on Friday night - could it have been any hotter? And now we're back to Shiverville... but I don't complain. I can't imagine what it would cost to live here if we had balmy evenings year-round, spurred by the mass exodus from L.A. alone! And when it's chilly outside there's enough to do inside... like the Frida Kahlo exhibition that's currently showing at the MOMA. Saw it Thursday night, followed by a nibble and glass of Nero D'Avola (currently my favorite varietal) at SPQR. Loved the exhibit, have less nicer things to say about SPQR (read my review on Yelp). Following the exhibition of her paintings is a collection of photographs in which you can see just how styling Frida was... her jewelry alone! Cynthia and I were wondering what happened to it all when in a book she saw a photo of Frida on her deathbed. "Look," she said, "it wasn't going anywhere. She took it to her grave." Sure enough, there was Frida laid out in her finest, every finger adorned with a huge ring. She would have been so in vogue right now.

Yesterday, we went to the Chihuly exhibit at the De Young... OMG. It is truly astonishing. Just when you think it can't get any better, you walk into the next room and your breath is taken away again. My words cannot do it justice ~ you simply have to see it for your self... and if you don't live in San Francisco, then nanananana neh!

That's why we pay the high prices:)

Memo to Debra Winger

2008-06-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

First of all, I LOVE your book... read through 110 pages before putting it down, not because I couldn't read any more but because I realized I'd regret devouring it so fast!

I regret to say, however, that the word 'prostitute' does appear in the book, so you may want to rethink your presentation:)

The Fabulous Debra Winger...

2008-06-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

spoke my name!

As well as my friend Amy's and probably every other person for whom she autographed copies of her book Undiscovered tonight... but that's not the point. She could just as easily have not said it. The fact that she did, IMHO, speaks to her authenticity and being truly 'present'. How many times have you been introduced to someone and a second later can't remember their name, huh?

I don't know why I should have been surprised to find that she is so down to earth, as well as extremely sharp and witty ~ never mind that she looks gorgeous (I would say for her age, but, like Tina Turner's legs, for any age). When she didn't agree with the assumption within the question that was being posed by the interviewer, she said so, graciously and with humor, but nonetheless asserting her point, thereby maintaining control of the interview and stopping it from being the runaway bore that was the interview I witnessed at the same venue with Oliver Stone. And I'm not dissing the JCC -- I love that they can attract such notable celebrities to our community and charge a nominal fee to hear them speak. My point is that the evening was a delight thanks to Ms. Winger's candor, finesse and charm ~ a role model for all women whatever age, but especially over 50.

Brava! Now I'm going to curl up and read her book!

Someone's Else's List for Summer...

2008-06-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to come across this list. Just last week I renewed my gym membership, so number 1 check. That was half-way due to checking off number 2, though if you read this post a few weeks ago, you know that number 2 took care of me ~ thank heavens a man can make more sense than a woman on occasion:) And if you didn't read the post, then just know that I'm single again ~ out with the old (literally), bring on the new! See, I'm already ahead of the wardrobe game, number 3 check. I also just revamped my apartment and resumed yoga after my May 7th crash, number 4 check. Ooh, number 5 is a tough one... unless Amy's house in Mill Valley applies:) Number 6 is a no-brainer, currently reading Water for Elephants and The Russian Concubine, skimmed Eckhart Tolle's latest ~ nothing new to learn there. I do believe independent filmmaking comes under the category of volunteering ~ and, heck, if I ever make a penny out of the deal, I will be so giving 10% of it away! Number 8... so funny they chose screenplay as the example ~ since, I'm in screenwriting class every Tuesday 10 months of the year, check. Number 9, always a factor, check. Number 10 ~ off to LA for the weekend with a group of super fun friends. Phew! that was the easiest list ever:) Thank you Social Divas (http://www.socialdiva.com)

1. Get in Shape — No one, and we repeat, NO ONE has an excuse to be unhealthy. With all the extra hours on your hands, there’s never been a better time to get to it! It’s bikini season, after all.

2. Drop Your Seasonal Fling — Yes, we mean the guy you were hanging on to because, though it was alarmingly cold outside, his feet always managed to stay miraculously warm. He might have been a great snuggler, but who wants to cuddle when it’s 90 degrees outside?

3. Rid Yourself of Wardrobe Malfunctions — Now that the season is over, go through your dressers and closets and pull out anything that has a hole in it, doesn’t fit, or you can’t remember wearing it during the cooler months. Give those items to Goodwill or your fashionista niece. After all, if you didn’t wear it this year, chances of you wearing it in 2009 are slimmer than an Olsen twin.

4. Become a Zen Master — After you clean the clutter out of your wardrobe and your love life, start clearing out any of that pesky spiritual dead weight. Meditate, do some yoga, center your Chi. Trust us, after being cooped up all winter, your mind could use a good dose of positive affirmation.

5. Find a Summer House — If you don’t have one yet, GET ON IT! Find a friend, a friend’s friend or, what the hell, make a new friend and get yourself some digs by the beach.

6. Read a Book (NOT a book on tape) — As confessed reality TV fanatics, we know how hard it can be to shut off the tube during your vegetation time. Use your extra hours this summer to read something enriching.

7. Volunteer — You always wished you could, but you could never find the time. Now you have no excuse! Part of being a Social Diva is helping other Divas in their time of need. Sign up to be a counselor at your local women’s shelter, join the Boys & Girls Club… do something to enrich the lives of others. How very noble you’ll feel!

8. Get Schooled! — Have you always wanted to learn how to create your own jewelry? Learn how to sew so you can make your own fabulous duds? Get the skinny on how to write a good screenplay? Start looking into some classes that interest you and use your extra hours to learn something new.

9. Go Green — Spend a little time finding new ways to make your casa a little greener. Change out those lightbulbs, replace your air filter, or consult with some experts to find some more ways to reduce those icky carbon emissions.

10. Relax Already — You lead a busy life, Diva, and you deserve some ‘me’ time, too. So splurge on that day at the spa, or go lay by the pool for a few hours and (gasp) shut off your Blackberry. After all, you’ve earned it!

Historical Photos of San Francisco...

2008-06-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

and Paris. Two books I was gifted with the promise that I would review them... I am so remiss! I have an excuse ~ I'm in post-production of a full-length feature film, no easy feat to accomplish on zero $$:(

That aside, I readily agreed to the proposition because I love history and photography and my two favorite cities on the planet are San Francisco and Paris. So, finally with a few minutes of downtime, I opened the pages... These are interesting collections of photographs, not immediately impressive, but worth studying for their amazing detail. Although I'm an architecture whore, as a filmmaker I'm more interested in people's faces and one of my favorite photographs is on page 162/163 ~ I'd scan and show it here but suspect I'd be busting copyright laws! Paris has a whole different vibe... it's just so much more... well, European!

That ain't much of a review ~ perhaps it's suffice to say that they look very elegant on my coffee table and friends like to pick them up and peruse them. They're available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rebecca+schall&x=0&y=0

A Woman Should Have...

2008-05-22T13:47:00.001-07:00

Here's the list I actually live by:

A Woman Should Have:

One old love she can imagine going back to... and one who reminds her how far she has come...
Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to...
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an an hour...
A youth she's content to leave behind...
A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age...
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lacy bra...
One friend who makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guest feel honored...
A feeling of control over her destiny.

Every Woman Should Know:

How to fall in love without losing herself... how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...
When to try harder... and when to walk away...
That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...
That her childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over...
What she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
How to live alone, even if she doesn't like it...
Whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...
Where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...
What she can and cannot accomplish in a day... a month... a year.

And for the Gentlemen...

2008-05-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't want any male readers of this little blog to feel left out, so here's an abridged version of a Woman's 50 Rules for Men:

Call.
Don't lie.
If guy's night out is going to be fun, invite the girls.
If guy's night out is going to involve strippers, remember the zoo rules: no petting.
The correct answer to "Do I look fat?" is never, ever "Yes."
Ditto for is she prettier than me?
Ordering for her is good. Telling her what she wants is bad.
Being attentive is good. Stalking is bad.
Talking is good. Shouting is bad. Slapping is a felony.
Dishsoap is your friend.
Hat does not equal shower, aftershave does not equal soap, and warm does not equal clean.
Buying her dinner does not equal foreplay.
Answering "Who was on the phone? with "Nobody" is never going to end that conversation.
Ditto for "Whose lipstick is this?"
Two words: clean socks.
Believe it or not, you're probably not more attractive when you're drunk.
Burping is not sexy.
You're wrong.
You're sorry.
She is probably less impressed by your discourse on your cool car than you think she is.
Ditto for your discourse on football.
Ditto for your ability to jump up and hit any awning in a single bound.
Don't assume PMS is the cause for every bad mood.
Don't assume PMS does not exist.
Never let her walk anywhere alone after 11 pm.
Chivalry and feminism are NOT mutually exclusive.
Pick her up at the airport. Don't whine about it, just do it.
If you want to break up with her, break up with her. Don't act like a complete jerk until she does it for you.
Don't tell her you love her if you don't.
Tell her you love her if you do. Often.
Remember Valentine's Day, and any cheesy "anniversary" she so-names.
Call.
Don't lie.
The rules are never fair. Accept this without question. The fact that she has to go through labor while you sit in the waiting room on your ass smoking cigars isn't fair either, and it balances everything.

Buzz, buzz, buzz....

2008-05-22T13:14:00.001-07:00

The irony of having a zillion things to blog about is that I can't find the time to blog about them... and then I come across a handy-dandy list and feel compelled to share, especially in light of recent experiences, which, I might add, I am so totally over. I have learned that a) if the guy says he's an idiot, believe him; b) if he says you're too good for him, believe him; and c) if he says he's wasting your time, move on!

So, here, my lovely ladies is a Woman's Little Instruction Book (to be taken with a grain of salt):

Never do housework. No man every made love to a woman because the house was spotless.
Remember you are known by the idiot you accompany.
Don't imagine you can change a man, unless he's in nappies.
What to do you if your boyfriend walks out? Shut the door.
The reason men are on this planet is that vibrators can't dance or buy drinks.
Go for younger men. You might as well ~ they never mature anyway.
Never marry a man for money. You'll have to earn every penny.
Men are all the same. They just have different faces so you can tell them apart.
Definition of a bachelor: a man who has missed the opportunity to make some woman miserable.
Women don't make fools of men ~ most of them are the do-it-yourself type.
The best way to get a man to do something is to suggest they are too old for it.
The children of Israel wondered around the desert for 40 years. Even in biblical times men wouldn't ask for directions.
Women sleep with men who, if they were women, they wouldn't even have bothered to have lunch with.
Remember, a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes; it means that you laugh at his.
Sadly, all men are created equal.
The main point of having a boyfriend is so that he can one day graduate to the exalted status of a "former boyfriend."

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do ~ Well!

2008-05-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

So I took down the post about the commitmentphobe who dissed me... 'cos really, I'm not Samantha. As my facebook account confirms, I'm more like Carrie, and as Frank just pointed out, I should be thankful I haven't been arrested for smoking pot because my boyfriend broke up with me over a post it!

Actually, I'm grateful I made it home safely last night after beaucoup tequila at Beretta, which is fabulous. Check out my review on Yelp!

And, if you haven't already ~ go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDOuSl5mF90 and watch the trailer for Mismo:)

whywasIdissed.com

2008-05-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

While going about my business to publicize an event I developed to promote earthquake preparedness in Southern Nevada, I came across this website ~

Welcome to WhyWasIDissed.com where your dating/relationship mysteries are solved, or at least investigated to the fullest extent of your past lover’s maturity. We are on a mission to solve the most bewildering dating mysteries. We offer the opportunity to get an honest answer about something that has been on your mind and consuming your time through an objective, independent, third party.

And, if all else fails, they even have a dating doctor!

And, no... I am not about to start an investigation.

WE LOVE VEUVE CLICQUOT!

2008-04-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

It's confirmed ~ Veuve Clicquot is the official champagne of MISMO! We will be unveiling our website and trailer on May 8th, as well as the new member to our cast, our official mascot, George, aka Jorge.

You'll be seeing a lot of George on youtube and various sites around the web in the months to come, so stay tuned.

Oh! ~ and to all of you who have donated to the cause THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. If you had it in mind to make a contribution but just haven't gotten around to it, there's still plenty of time! Every penny helps... how else you gonna' see your name on the big screen?

MISMO Launch Party

2008-04-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Things are lining up for a one-year anniversary (of the first day of filming) event to celebrate the wrap of production and the launch of Mismo's marketing campaign... It's 99.9% certain that Veuve Clicquot will be the official champagne of Mismo!

Still plenty of time to make a contribution by clicking on the ChipIn widget you see on the right of this page... hint, hint:)

Stay tuned for further details.

GRATITUDE

2008-03-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

My friend Kam who shares the same birthday as me has been ‘missing in action’ for the best part of a year. Yesterday, I found out why.

He was in Barcelona to celebrate his birthday and stayed up late to send me an email (which I never received). He’d just gone to bed when someone yelled, “fire!” The flames caught on so fast, there wasn’t time to put on clothes. Stark naked on the street, Kam watched the building burn to the ground within minutes.

He believes that if he hadn’t stayed up to send me that email, he would have died asleep in bed.

That’s just the beginning of his story… shortly thereafter he got an infection in his spine and was in a coma then paralyzed for months. Now it’s as if he’s a baby, relearning how to walk, talk… basic human functions. There’s a name for his condition, but he couldn’t quite recall with his slightly thick tongue and wandering mind. The prognosis is uncertain; he may be wobbly on a cane for the rest of his life, though knowing his spirit I doubt it.

When Kam was in San Francisco, his favorite place to eat was Café Gratitude. Where he is now, in Nottingham, England, there is nothing remotely like it.

“While you may not have a café,” I said, “you surely must still have plenty of gratitude,” to which he replied, “most definitely. I am still alive.”

For years I struggled with life, always seeking to know my dharma. I am so thankful to not have that struggle any more. I am a filmmaker and for that each day I am grateful. No-one can rain on my parade – meter maids, car vandals, angry neighbors – because I am making a movie! Nobody pays me to do it. I do it because it’s my passion and I’m grateful to have found others who share that passion.

So this little essay is my way of sending energy into the universe to help Kam regain his vitality so that he can get back to San Francisco, where I can take him to a certain small café and partake in a repast of gratitude.

And, if you’re so inclined to contribute even a small amount to the launch of MISMO, you will have my undying gratitude.

Forgot to Mention that ~

2008-03-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

OF COURSE all contributors will be listed on the credits ~ just think ~ a few bucks and you get to see your name on the big screen! Come on, ChipIn and spread the word!

And, naturally, you will be invited to the bash to see the trailer and mingle with our fabulous cast, a couple of whom have been compared to Sean Penn and Zooey Deschanel, among others.

And, that's just the beginning...

Gino and I are already working on our next script...

Coen brothers ~ get ready to move over:)

Support Indie Film!

2008-03-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

So, we've managed to shoot an incredible film with a talented cast, high production values and a great story! We are in post production and we have an amazing composer working on a score and original soundtrack, as well as a gifted editor who is going to cut the movie and design all the visual effects. We're well on our way for a submission to Sundance at the end of the year and for next year's Cannes -- all on next to nothing $$. What we now need is an event to thank our cast, crew, et al, and to debut our trailer and website to kick off our marketing/pr campaign. We also have a seasoned pr pro donating her skills and talent (thanks CT). We have a great location, courtesy of Inga Fischer, California Modern Art Gallery, and simply need help with food and beverages -- hence the widget on your right. One hundred contributions of $20 and we'll have one heck of a party! Please help spread the word and support your independent filmmaker. For all you know, we might be next year's Juno!

Coming up for air!

2008-03-04T13:36:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my last post was December. Just proves how time flies when you're having a good time... or an indie filmmaker! So an update is in order ~

We wrapped production in December and went immediately to work on creating a trailer, which is a ton of work in of itself. Happy to report that is looks fab and will soon have fab music to accompany it courtesy of the very talented Mitchell Covington. Vijay is working hard on our website so that the launch will coincide very nicely with our wrap party that I've been promising for months. My challenge is to throw a party on a shoestring budget! Hey, I can produce a feature film on practically zero $$ but a party for a hundred plus people is another ball game entirely (I'm sure there must be a more appropriate metaphor, but you get the gist).

In addition, Gino and I are hard at work editing the film... or at least getting it to a rough cut so that a whiz editor can do their magic. I'm meeting with an editor tomorrow to review their work/our process. Hopefully, that will result in him coming on board... I cannot wait to see MISMO on the big screen ~ it's going to rock!

In January, I also produced a short film that we're aiming to pitch to a local tech company as an advertising concept. That was fun... we had a cast of 15 talented actors (there's so much talent in San Francisco!) and did a night shoot at Farley's on Portrero Hill. My partner on that, Donna, is off to Toronto with our footage to get it edited by her award-winning editor friend.

Last week, I hit day of distribution at Cinequest -- picked up a couple of biz cards that may come in handy down the road, but overall I'm unimpressed with traditional distribution channels, so watch this space, Facebook, mismothemovie.com, et al for social networking buzz. We're brimful with ideas for promotion!!

Have also been dining and drinking well... will post reviews when I have a minute.

Also, hats off the the makers of OUTSOURCED, an independent flick. They sent me a DVD for review at the end of the year, right when my player died (RIP)... Finally purchased a new one (who has time to watch movies when you're making one?!) and watched the film. Really enjoyable, very well done... I recommend it over many of the films that were up for Academy Awards!

Speaking of... wasn't that the most boring Oscars ever? Other than Javier Bardem, of course ~ isn't he yummy? Personally, I was thrilled to see Tilda Swinton win and just learned that she's Scottish! Go girl! Here's another Scot aiming to be on that platform making a speech... the bet is for 2010

simply gorgeous...

2007-12-22T11:23:00.001-08:00

glumbert - Women in Film