I Don't Need A Man

Put very nicely by the Pussycat Dolls:)

It's All About The Dancing

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

Germany vs Spain Euro 08

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

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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:

1. Call.
2. Don't lie.
3. If guy's night out is going to be fun, invite the girls.
4. If guy's night out is going to involve strippers, remember the zoo rules: no petting.
5. The correct answer to "Do I look fat?" is never, ever "Yes."
6. Ditto for is she prettier than me?
7. Ordering for her is good. Telling her what she wants is bad.
8. Being attentive is good. Stalking is bad.
9. Talking is good. Shouting is bad. Slapping is a felony.
10. Dishsoap is your friend.
11. Hat does not equal shower, aftershave does not equal soap, and warm does not equal clean.
12. Buying her dinner does not equal foreplay.
13. Answering "Who was on the phone? with "Nobody" is never going to end that conversation.
14. Ditto for "Whose lipstick is this?"
15. Two words: clean socks.
16. Believe it or not, you're probably not more attractive when you're drunk.
17. Burping is not sexy.
18. You're wrong.
19. You're sorry.
20. She is probably less impressed by your discourse on your cool car than you think she is.
21. Ditto for your discourse on football.
22. Ditto for your ability to jump up and hit any awning in a single bound.
23. Don't assume PMS is the cause for every bad mood.
24. Don't assume PMS does not exist.
25. Never let her walk anywhere alone after 11 pm.
26. Chivalry and feminism are NOT mutually exclusive.
27. Pick her up at the airport. Don't whine about it, just do it.
28. 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.
29. Don't tell her you love her if you don't.
30. Tell her you love her if you do. Often.
31. Remember Valentine's Day, and any cheesy "anniversary" she so-names.
    
32. Call.
33. Don't lie.
34. 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....

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):

1. Never do housework. No man every made love to a woman because the house was spotless.
2. Remember you are known by the idiot you accompany.
3. Don't imagine you can change a man, unless he's in nappies.
4. What to do you if your boyfriend walks out? Shut the door.
5. The reason men are on this planet is that vibrators can't dance or buy drinks.
6. Go for younger men. You might as well ~ they never mature anyway.
7. Never marry a man for money. You'll have to earn every penny.
8. Men are all the same. They just have different faces so you can tell them apart.
9. Definition of a bachelor: a man who has missed the opportunity to make some woman miserable.
10. Women don't make fools of men ~ most of them are the do-it-yourself type.
11. The best way to get a man to do something is to suggest they are too old for it.
12. The children of Israel wondered around the desert for 40 years. Even in biblical times men wouldn't ask for directions.
13. Women sleep with men who, if they were women, they wouldn't even have bothered to have lunch with.
14. Remember, a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes; it means that you laugh at his.
15. Sadly, all men are created equal.
16. 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!

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

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!

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

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

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 ~

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!

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!

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