Somerset’s Mom

So my weekly update has turned into perhaps a monthly update. Nothing much going on except hugely busy. Will be in Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Sacramento and Chico before June. Yikes!

So, just returned from Boston. It was a very quick trip…taught my yearly seminar at the Boston Conservatory. Really successful this year and enjoyed myself immensely. It’s a very strong class.

Next week should be interesting. I have two movies I’m actively working on…still the secret one that got leaked by Nikki Finke
and another Zach Quinto project that he is producing and playing a supporting role. And since Zach’s image as Spock was used in the iPad launch last week…I think it is definitely the week of Zachary Quinto! Also Rock of Ages is still looking for a few more things for the Toronto company, and we are about to launch our National Tour! Cannot wait to start work on that.

Also, at the end of next week is Valentine’s weekend. I’m frantically trying to figure out something fun to do for VERY cheap. My pocketbook is really regretting the $1000 dollar trip to Sacramento. Not including airfare. If I’m ever to come to Sacramento again, I think I will be a beggar for a place to stay? Please offer and save me the humiliation! xoxo Just kidding. Not.

I wish that I could rent a hotel room for Saturday night. That would be just amazing…but that is very very expensive in NYC. So, if anyone’s relative owns a hotel in NYC and wants to offer me one for free….I’m game! xoxo

So..yes…work has been busy. Still busy on the DW secret project. Although…let me tell you, I’m getting over all this secret business. I’m in the job of finding the right actors for the job, and one of my strengths is creating an environment that is conducive to actors doing well. That is basically impossible when I’m asking actors to come in for a film where they know nothing.

Very very frustrating. But…hopefully there will be some progress on Friday. Of course, these updates mean nothing since I can’t say anything.

BUT- there was a hot second where we would need to have me move to LA for 10 weeks to cast a movie for some guys we worked with before. http://festival.sundance.org/2009/film_events/films/i_love_you_phillip_morris/

But…that would have sort of sucked! One, I might not be able to attend my fantastic vacation to Rome, Barcelona and Paris in April. Secondly…I’d have to be away from my Beau for a long time. Me no likee. I know it’s inevitable, but does inevitable need to be now? NO.

Luckily, some studio executive agreed with me and demanded that they hire someone local. So we were shit out of luck.

But then, Zack Quinto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zachary_Quinto) then called with an indie film that he is producing. Very exciting! So that started today.

On other fronts, it looks like Liz is going to move out to live on her own. While we will miss Liz, that has created the opportunity for my dear friend Nick to stay with us…all very exciting! hooray!

Meanwhile…My boyfriend is coming over in moments to hang out with me. I’m so happy! xoxo
TLC

What a weekend. It was seriously fantastic. First off…I revisited my old stomping grounds of Upstate Manhattan. I met my friend Katie at 9:30 for breakfast up at 181 and Fort Washington. Okay. Yes, I was traumatized by the subway experience. I’ve forgotten how long it takes to get places, especially on the weekend. And I was hungover. But. I got there…and had a lovely breakfast. They were nice enough at the diner to give me a pint glass so I could make my shake. Sweet!

Then I met Beau up at Dykeman Street and we went to my old street Isham, and he bought some vegetables at the Farmer’s market. Then we walked to Target and I got a copy of ACU so that Beau could see it. We got on the Metro North and went to where he lives…a little (adorable) town upstate called Tarrytown. We went hiking (pics posted below) in Rockefeller State Park and basically looked around the town.

That night we went to the most AMAZING restaurant. It’s called Blue Hill at Stone Barns. We saw Natalie Portman and Martha Stewart there and basically had one of the most amazing meals I’ve ever experienced. Seriously, if you like food and come near NYC, you have to go! It’s hard to get a reservation, but Beau and I sat at the bar. We’re big fans of sitting at the bar. Check it out:

Hi there. I had a seriously great week. Got to hang with the man all weekend, and let me say…I didn’t want him to leave. But then he did, I got an amazing facial and now I have time to keep my promise to Somerset’s Mom and blog a little bit. So, all is good.

I just wanted to write a little bit about my favorite new show of the season. It’s called Modern Family, and I laugh out loud possibly as many as 6 times an episode. I really cannot recommend it highly enough.

And I’m not alone:

http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/09/thr-review-modern-family-called-best-new-fall-comedy.html

Secondly…It is freezing here in NYC. Like really freezing. And while that is fine…I’ve lately had the desire to really go on extra long walks…but you can’t get any speed with all the ice. damn it! Life is sometimes so hard.

And finally…this is a really boring blog post and I apologize. I’m sort of in a daze from my weekend.

More next week!
xoxo

I think I should start by stating the obvious. My first resolution is to update my Blog once a week. This blog has been sadly ignored since I’ve become one of the most active Facebook members in the history of time. That is not fair to Allguinness or to Somerset’s Mom. Let’s be honest, there is nothing on Facebook anywhere near as witty as Somerset’s Mom. I’ve yet to find one person who appreciates Somerset Maugham enough to even understand the pun. That’s okay. I’m completely fine with being the last living American to enjoy literary puns.

Secondly, I think that it is only January 2nd and 2010 is already shaping up to be one of the most interesting years of my life.

Thirdly, I think it is important to journal and lord knows that no one ever reads this blog so its practically private. Despite being broadcast on the internet.

So, basically, I’m back people.

Quick update:
1. Romanticals: I met someone I like. It is new, it is unexpected and Guinness knows I’m bound to fuck it up. So that’s all I’m saying about it. Of course, call me on the phone and I’ll gush and gush.

2. Work continues to be amazing. We got a new project right before the end of the year that is very exciting. I’m hopeful to start the year off right with a couple of films (we always seem to do two at once) and if the last few days in the office are any indication, 2010 is going to start with a bang.

3. Babymaking. This is on hold right now. Since I moved downtown, life has changed so dramatically that I’m just living in the moment of my new life. I do feel like I’m starting to truly settle down though, so babyplans may resume at any hormonally heated moment.

4. Family….my family is doing awesome. Well, Jack did break both his legs on Halloween and is recovering in Cabo San Lucas with my parents. He took the dogs with him as it isn’t really feasible for me to care for them on my own. However, I’m missing Jack, Roscoe and Lola tremendously. In other news…Megan Rogers Canfield is pregnant with my third nephew! I cannot wait. He is expected in May. I’ll actually be in Europe when he is due, so I may wait until he’s a month old to visit him. There are many interesting babynames in the mix…and I’m proud to say that I’m not feeling as adamant about claiming the name Max for myself and if they want to name baby Canfield Max…I’m all for it. Of course, I do still love the B Generation…And Megan, you and I are on the same page regarding the adorable B name you have chosen.

5. Health: I’ve started with a nutritionist and I have to say, I feel more benefits psychologically than I did in six months of a shrink. I’ve had three sessions and have lost 6 pounds and feel better than ever. Realize and recognize…these 6 pounds were lost during the holidays. I’m pretty proud of myself and very excited about the future. Of course…I am drinking a glass of white wine right now. So…I’m not perfect but I’m trying. It’s Saturday night and I am in! Damn it!

Now, I leave you all with the best thing that I saw last year. Please let this inspire you to greatness in the year to come.
The Orangutan and the Dog

So…it’s been forever. I’m flying to Sacramento tonight and will be there until late Monday night. Mostly seeing family and one short trip to SF to see the tour of South Pacific that we cast.

Things are sort of sucking here because my trap muscle has been spasmed for over a month and I’ve had a hard time sleeping.

PAIN SUCKS!

It has been since September since my last post. The only excuse that I have is that I have joined Facebook and I find that takes up a lot of my time. Oh, that and work. And feeling sorry for myself.

I have a cold during the busiest time of work for me. That sucks. I need all my energy, yo!

Anyway…I’ll be out of town from Feb 23-Mar 23 for work…that’s a little intense…a whole month. But I love the projects and am excited to get going on the local casting. But still! A month?

Next time I’m in Sacramento, it will be for a hot 24 hours for Bayliss’ wedding. Hope to see all you peeps there! xoxo

Whew! What a whirlwind month it has been. Had an absolute blast in Sacramento. Did get a wee bit distracted reconnecting with an old friend. But, hey, isn’t that what life is about? Friends and family, I will be much more available and less crazed next visit, I swear.

Since then, we’ve really started full blast on “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits.” We have callbacks for the kid this week, and I’m putting together the breakdown for the other roles. It’s a terrific script and not overwhelming in terms of dayplayers, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Living in the new apartment really is everything and more. I’ve lost about ten pounds and certainly not by working out or dieting. I just walk everywhere. I’m trying to add in some gym time this week and see how that works out. Also…I think I need to detox a little bit.

On that note, I’m sitting at the Greensboro airport, waiting for my delayed flight back to New York. It’s very early so I’m tempted to finish this post and curl up homeless style on the floor and crash for a bit.

I went to North Cackolacky to visit Ryan Hill, recent transplant. God, we had a blast. On Saturday, Ryan had made reservations for us to get massages and afterwards we went to get pedicures. There was a nail salon just down the lane from the massage parlor, and it was a trip. Brand new, bring you a glass of wine…type place. And they had karaoke. That’s right, Ryan and I sang karaoke while they did our toes! It was a bit surreal.

Afterwards, we drove to Raleigh to see my friend Grant’s concert. I had really wanted to introduce Grant and Ryan as I thought they would enjoy each others company. The concert was beautiful…West Side Story dance suite with an 80+ orchestra! And Dvorak’s “From the New World” which was just fantastic. After the concert, we went out to dinner with Grant and Scott Freck, the general manager of the Symphony and Scott’s wife, Leslie. It was lovely.

After that, we decided to go back to Grant’s and have a glass of wine as it was still pretty early. OMG. It was hilarious. What wasn’t hilarious was how I felt the next day. Why do I think I can keep up drinking with a Welshman? Jesu.

But overall, I think Grant and Ryan hit it off and I also got to talk to Grant and make some sense out of a mess that I had gotten myself into. Sometimes, all you need, is a little perspective.

Anyway, I’m about to lay my head down to rest…more later!

Sacramento was fun, fun fun!!! FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN.

But crazy.