End o' week musings

It's been another week that limped along .. lol! kinda like me right now. Yeah, the knee's still not happy, but that doesn't mean I'm missing everything!!

Last Friday I had the opportunity for a short interview with Keanu Reeves. He was pleasant and answered all of my questions. He looked tired and when I commented on it, Keanu confided that he was exhausted. But he sure perked up when we talked motorcycles. His current ride is a Norton Commando Combat. I shared that I have a Triumph still in pieces (reconstruction on hold due to my brother's impending doom... I mean, wedding).

I stayed for the forum on science and Hollywood at Caltech. It was quite interesting. From there, I hurried to the Pasadena office and filed a story, then drove up the street to McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World (http://www.galleryattheendoftheworld.com/ ) for its Friday Art Night. Wreck N Sow was playing and my dance partner Zaynah performed with drummer Ric Sarabia, who also did a few of his own songs. The crowd responded well to everyone. And the range of art was wonderful! I hung out in the kitchen with Chef Cliff most of the night, although I did go out to watch the band for a while and to support Zaynah and Ric during their sets.

Saturday was a funny day. First I went to the post office to get my passport. I am hoping to go on a cruise next year and need to get my papers in order, as they say. The ladies at the post office began giving me a bad time because I didn't have my birth certificate, but I had my old passport from when I was a kid. I asked if it would do and the woman opened it up and laughed. She said my photo looked the same! Then all the ladies working the post office counter had to have a look. One asked if I was a movie star! I have to admit it was a very good photo. Needless to say, all is well and I should have my new passport soon.

Next it was off to L.A. for another round of questions with Keanu Reeves, as well as Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and director Scott Derrickson. It was for "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and you can read my story at http://www.sgvn.com/. When I stepped out of the conference, my phone rang and it was Ben McGinty telling me that I won a piece of art in the gallery's raffle. So I was off again to Pasadena to claim my prize. It was a very cool painting of a fish, which will fit in nicely with the other fish paintings I have.

Saturday ending with a screening of "The Day the Earth Stood Still." I haven't read the reviews yet, but I liked the film. In speaking with people coming out of the showing, it seems that people who haven't seen the original expected a bit more- more story, more effects, more over-the-top wow, but those who were familiar with the original were very satisfied with Derrickson's update. If this sorts things out better for you, I have seen the original several times and wouldn't mind sitting through the new version again.

On Sunday I took my mother to the Gallery at the End of the World for the Sunday brunch. We wandered through the art and chatted with people. My mom really enjoyed talking with the artists and seeing all the different styles and media on display. She bought me a cool t-shirt made by one of the artists too. There was another raffle and this time I won a graffiti style poster that will look good in my rock room.

Monday I went to The Folk Tree in Pasadena on assignment. I was there to check out its nativities exhibit. Wow! What beautiful things! In its gallery, there were nativities and ornaments made out of all kinds of things- tin, clay, textiles, found objects, beads, glass and more. The rest store is filled from ceiling to floor with art objects, jewelry, trinkets and treasures. You can find my story online at http://www.sgvn.com/ If you're looking for a gift, this might be just the place. I'm usually good on assignments, but I couldn't resist shopping a tad...

Tuesday and Wednesday I practiced with The Deadlines, a band comprised of my co-workers. The boyz were asked to put together something for the company holiday lunch and they asked me to add some vocals. We had less that four hours, but managed to scrape together about an hour and a half of music for the event. So on Thursday, we performed. It went over OK. I sang four tunes and we stretched them out a bit. The guys also sang and just jammed to fill in the rest of the time. It was pretty fun!

Tonight I will be heading out to City Lights in Hacienda Heights for a nightlife story. I've caught bands there a few times and know that there's always something going on there on Fridays and Saturdays. It's a small place, but it get rockin'.

Tomorrow I have errands and then I may go to an art and music show in the Pomona Arts Colony. Sunday there's a party at my belly dance teacher Shahira's home. As for what's up next week, I don't know... adventure I hope!

Photos we got 'em: Ric Sarabia sent me a photo he snapped of Wreck N Sow performing at McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World last Friday, Joe Walla sent me a couple pics of his new guitars, one of my readers sent me a cute holiday card featuring her dog Roxy, then there's one of me doing Snow Queen duty on a float in Knott's Merry Farm's Christmas parade (read about this adventure Sunday at www.sgvn.com ) and a couple of pet pics I found at http://www.stuffonmycat.com/ and http://www.stuffonmydog.com/. Enjoy!

In rotation this week: The Who, the Beatles, Donovan, George Strait, Britney Spears, Fall From Grace, the "Punisher" soundtrack and "We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year."

Thought of the week: Sleep good... The first thing my editor said to me this morning was "You're in a good mood." Perhaps it's the extra sleep I got last night. My knee still hurts, I still have the holiday doldrums deep down, but at least I'm not lagging. Yeah, I'm notorious for staying up too late and getting up too early, but that's how you get the most out of life! Remember, one of my mottos is I'll sleep when I'm dead! But last night I broke my code and hit the pillow by 10 p.m. I had been dragging all day and this morning I woke up perky and ready to take on the world. Perhaps I should listen to my body a little more... It's the weekend- get some zzzs!

Keep on rockin'

Mickie