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To celebrate, I am going to Vegas with So. Africa to meet my family and go to some show.
WOO.
I am really excited except for the we’re leaving at 4AM. Gross. I went to “bed” at 8 and just woke up, hoping that will give me TEH POWERS to press on through to the other side.
Today was a v. traumatic day.
Since I am going to Vegas and will be gone for a little over 24 hours, I’ve asked my apt Manager to come check on Sebastian, because it’s JUST long enough, he could use a visit and I will rest better knowing my bebe is cared for.
Now, I wondered if I should trim Sebastian’s claws for her visit. I’ve been meaning to forever. They are beyond long and don’t even retract anymore. He just walks around: click-click-click. The other day, he jumped up up the middle of a cement wall, then just held on like spider, by the power of this saberclaws.
My friend Fairy just took her kitty to this pet shop down the street. She liked it because it wasn’t one of those Huge Chain Store. I’m all for helping local businesses and with her recommend I decided I’d go down there.
I felt really, really, really guilty about it. Sebastian has been very good with his claws, unless I get caught on him, he never scratches people or furniture and loves climbing trees.
Still all I could imagine was my Manager sticking her hand and playing rough with him (like she does) and getting maimed.
So—off we went. Sebastian in his little kitten house.
We arrive and some guy takes me to a back room. There, there are all ready three dogs in various stages of groom—one just out in the tub. There’s also some machine running which is really loud and sounds like a dryer.
Needless to say, Sebastian was NOT HAPPY.
The guy takes the carrier and dumps Sebastian out.
Then he tells ME to come over and hold him down.
Hello?
I took my cat to a groomer person because I DIDN’T want to hold down my cat.
The guy makes me scruff Sebastian really hard while he clips the nails.
Then some woman walks in and the guy starts talking to her—in the middle of this yowling cat exercise! I’m still holding Sebastian, but I guess I relaxed my grip or something, because the guy reached for something and Sebastian lashed out at him.
The guy LEAPS out of his skin (why? It’s not like Sebastian has claws any more) then YELLS at me to hold him down. I try and the guy says, “No, like this!” and keeps shoving Sebastian’s head down harder. I was trying to scruff Sebastian but the guy was flipping out and Sebastian was really unhappy and now all the dogs are going and there’s some random woman watching.
Finally the guy is like, “here. Grab his paws.”
And I’m thinking, “wtf.” I could have pinned my cat and held his paws at home! That’s the HARD part of trimming cat nails. In fact, I HAD done it and it was about 10,000 times less traumatic then this. I went to pay someone else to do it, because I don’t like to trim his nails!
The guy gets the last front nail and I told him to stop, I didn’t want him doing any more.
Sebastian was still going after the guy, yowling and meowing, but I was happy when Sebastian let me pick him up without turning on me at all. It was directed towards this guy.
Then as we’re leaving, the guy has the gall to say Sebastian is a nasty cat.
HELLO. Lock a cat in a noisy room with three dogs, one lose, pin him to a table and start cutting his nails off—I am pretty--
OMG IT’S MY BIRFDAY! Wee.
-- Sure most cats aren’t going to be happy in the situation.
Anyhow to this I say: F U small business.
I am going to Petco next time, if I go any where at all again. I think I might just let Sebastian keep his claws.
In the meanwhile, I have to find out what the HELL happened when Fairy was there. Did she get the same treatment? Raedances says to report them to the better business bureau, I think I might. That was just a horrific trip.
Needless to say, Sebastian is fine. We came home and went on a big walk. We met Maddie the dog, his friend.
Today Maddie was walking with HER friend, Monty the Yorkie. So Sebastian sniffed both his doggie friends and it was so cute and I told their owners about how I graduated. Then we went into the courtyard and visited both Serta, the Manager’s cat, cam phone pic!
Then we went up the stairs and saw Jane, his girlfriend and move exciting, I have a neighbor who just got purebred Siamese kittens. Bizarre gremlin looking things!
So we went into the apt to visit them. My neighbor was all, “what will Sebastian do? He’s 500 times the size of them.”
ME: Um, he’s really good with animals, is on leash and currently has no claws, I think he’ll be fine.
And sure enough, Sebastian was fine.
SEBASTIAN: What ARE they?
Limp as a noodle, whereas the little kittens were all puffed up and hissing!
Hee.
All in all, fun time adventures.
Now it’s my birthday and I have to get ready for Vegas.
My kitten is orange.
suddenly i was @ 03:10 am
(no feathers)
thursday, june 7, 2007
YAY.So yesterday was basically one of the best days ever.
Ever.
I figured I’d start off my summer deluge of entries with this all-important fun one, which I must commit to memory for the rest of my life.
My day started off at 7AM. When a loan consolidation company called about my student loans.
7AM, graduation day, I get this call.
Awesome.
It wasn’t so bad though, because I had to get up. My friend-- god, I can never remember her LJ nickname, so I’ll rename her Fairy. She was my acting partner a year ago with adventure. Anyhow!
Fairy and I had plans to get our make up done. Since April we had been preparing for graduation. I never had a prom, so I lived it ALL through this ceremony. We both scoured the internet for dresses. I wanted some really special, because I’d be meeting So. Africa’s family. I didn’t want it to be some dress anyone could have and ended up finding this dress, retail 460 dollars, off ebay for less than one fourth of the price! I was happy because it was blue, So. Africa’s favourite colour and it would match my locket. The day before graduation, these shoes came in the mail. My FIRST HEELS. The night before I pin curled my hair and by 7AM, when that loan call came, I was READY TO GO.
Fairy and I drove out to Encino to find this makeup place. The lady did up Fairy first and she looked great. I came second, I was afraid because I never wear lots of make up. She did things in a way I had never seen before—tell me if I am wrong or old fashioned. I thought you always put on foundation things first, then eye powders… she did our entire eyes first though- THEN foundations.
She gave us both smokey type eyes. I was SO afraid I had too much on, but my skin looked amazing. She hid EVERY imperfection. I heard tales make up could do this, but never ACTUALLY had red marks and bumps disappear before my eyes.
After that, I took my ring-pin-curled, made up self back home where I was determined to not move for a few hours until I had to get to school to be robed.
My family made it up from Newport, where they are staying in a time-share and Sebastian was feeling particularly obnoxious that day for the occasion.
I grabbed up my robes and we were off to campus!
It was so weird, because it literally does seem like yesterday when I first showed up there to register for my first classes. I cannot believe it has been two years.
I walked my family up the stairs to the commencement tent and that’s when I saw my pretty boyfriend, So. Africa all smarted up with his black shirt and slacks and silver tie walking to the robbing room.
“So. Africa!” I called and ran down to him, “This is my family!”
And that’s how So. Africa met my family.
I then walked with So. Africa to the little tiny library room where they dressed you in your robes. I never had a robe for my Bachelors degree, it was an art school—we didn’t CONFORM to society’s standards—that said, I was REALLY excited to have one this time. First you put on your big black gown, then there was your master’s hood. Our looked something like this something like this (box elder bug much?) when all folded, except ours were red and black (PS sometimes I want another high degree because their robes are even more complicated, how wrong is that?).
Anyhow, you were hooded and caps were fitted. Then we were shuffled off to take the big class photo, all of us in our gowns.
I think my favourite part of the entire day was running for this photo, holding So. Africa’s hand thinking, “how neat is it to do this with your sweetheart?” both in ridiculous gowns and hoods and caps and tassles.
It was a beautiful crystal blue day and in the 70’s. I couldn’t stand by So. Africa because the height difference was too great and I couldn’t be on the back row, by I stood with Fairy.
Snap! Went the pictures and we were off to line up.
I was really, REALLY happy with the line up. It was alphabetical by discipline. I was fifth from last, so we just had a tiny row, but it went: I., me, Canada Lad, So. Africa, Fairy and W-Bird.
COMPLETELY SATISFIED.
I couldn’t stop giggling between those two boys and I couldn’t ask to graduate with a better group of people.
Then the music started and it was so over the top and huge I was mortified.
It sounded like a 5,000 piece orchestra playing the March.
As I. said, “music to make love to.”
Finally we were all seated.
The ceremony was to be short, basically they give three honorary doctorates and traditionally those are given by “big name” people, then a class representative speaks, giant grants are awarded, then diplomas.
This is where it gets fun!
First, we had been told nothing about the guests and we were all about one hundred percent certain no one interesting would be there.
I have forgotten the honorees’ names, but they were really interesting people. One was a lawyer, who basically went through many incarnations job-wise, before ending up at AFI, where he nurtured and supported film students like: David Lynch, among many others! David Lynch actually ended up being his speaker. Lynch gave an amazing speech, which was funny and very sweet: talking about how he got to AFI, what a big surprise it was, what he thought it was and how, through this man’s support—ended up making Eraserhead there (The last honoree was the current CEO of Sony who has led an amazing life, from being a documentarian of the Viet Nam war, running CBS News back when news was actually something important and not so commercialized and he’s also the head of AFI’s board of trustees. James L. Brooks was his speaker. James L. Brooks has done everything from create such shows as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Taxi,” to produce, “The Simpsons,” “Jerry Maguire” and “Say Anything,” to directing, “As Good As It Gets.” In 1983 he won best screenplay, best picture and best director for “Terms of Endearment” – Only ONE of his achievements could make for the career of a lifetime for any one normal person. He gave an amazing speech, awarding this honoree his “Casablanca Fantasy Award” – aka, this person was the person he would most like to take to Rick’s in Casablanca, get him drunk and hear his life story. Brooks was funny and amazing… I mean, look him up on IMDB, a speech by a person involved in all his projects… it would be impossible to be anything short of great.
So I am sitting there thinking, “this is really cool, I didn’t think it would be this neat.”
Suddenly Brooks finishes off his speech, by saying what everyone has to remember most are the surprises life throws at you.
Then, out of nowhere, bagpipes start playing. Everyone looks at each other, “wtf?” No one had a clue what was going on and I heard someone like Canada Lad whisper, “Are we supposed to stand for this?”
Suddenly, back in the seats, this HUGE gasp-cry and applause goes up. At this point I’m really confused and for a split second I thought it was like the circus coming up or something, then—I see. Coming up the aisle with a bagpipe procession and wearing a kilt is SEAN CONNERY.
HAHA.
I: My mom just creamed herself.
ME: So did my mom.
Everyone applauded and the CEO on the stage was about to fall over, he was so surprised. Sean Connery gave a great speech, which used the theme of “crack” as a pun word. He claimed it meant “talk” over in Scotland and Wales. So he would say things like: “There is one thing you have to do in your life: crack. “ – and of course random jokes like, “Excuse me, I have a frog in my throat—my French wife.” He also said we students reminded him of a little education foundation he founded in Scotland except, “they would wear kilts; which begs the question: what do you have under those robes?”
Finally the CEO spoke and his speech was also quite great. He said, though while he is thankful for his CEO and business life, if you asked him what happened 6 weeks ago, he’d never remember—but if you asked him about one day back in the 60’s or 70’s when he was filming, he’d remember everything, down to the detail. He talked about a time when he filmed some Bosnian soldiers doing target practice, shooting cans off each other’s heads—and the film was loaded into his camera wrong. So it was the scene he shot, that no one would see but he’d always remember. Or another time, on the way to shoot some wedding, he saw Arab women grieving over their dead husbands in a grave yard. He could have shot it, but didn’t. The shot he never made, but would always remember: the women in their dark burkes against the pink gravestones.
He then described a scene from a documentary about the boat people over in Vietnam of Cambodia. How one of his crew members, after watching all these people trying to swim to shore, jumped into the water and started lifting them out. He said it was powerful and real, but what the world never saw was after the boat people were pulled from the water they thought his colleague was Muhammad Ali. He said, “it takes away from the drama of the situation and brings the humanity back in” and that was what we were supposed to remember to do always in our story telling.
By this point, I was pretty moved by everything.
Our class speaker came up, she’s a really nice girl; a cinematographer who’s deaf. I totally was convinced she wouldn’t give a good speech, I must admit. I thought they chose her to go up there and talk about being a filmmaker with a “disability” and other people thought so too. She proved ALL of us wrong though and rocked the speech.
She joked and filmed us with a tiny 16mm camera. She told stories about our first classes with the writer of Walk the Line. Then she told a story about when her parents divorced and her dad was leaving their home. She said he told her three things, he loved her, he’d be there for her and she had to remember to see the magic in the world- then he drove off in a taxi. She said the first thing she saw was an oil slick from the taxi. Then she cried and cried forever, “drooling like a houndog in summer, snot all over the place” but then, “after being dehydrated with all that snot loss” the sun was beginning to set and hit that oil slick and she swore she “saw magic and beauty” and that was a moment she’d never forget and hoped we’d remember that same advice and continue to look for magic and beauty in everything we do.
Then was the award ceremony. We ROCKED it this year and won all the grants and scholarships (not like last year when their class lost all of them to us). I didn’t win the big 15,000 dollar grant for writing, but my pal from workshop did! And he was on my short list of people who could win it and I was so happy he did.
He was right in front of me and when they started saying, “This writer graduated from North Carolina University…” he jumped in his seat. Canada Lad and I, both in his workshop, grabbed his shoulders and shook him. I. leapt up and hugged him. I was really, really glad someone SO talented and so deserving won it.
Finally our names were called. I was nervous I’d fall over, but I zipped across the stage, right past Lynch and Connery and all those guys and said, “thank you” a million times when I was handed my diploma folder.
I. asked that I scream for him and he’d scream for me, so I did and I clapped and clapped for So. Africa.
Then it was the “victory march” led first by the honorees, then the faculty (all in their old robes) and finally us—again, with “music to make love to” blaring.
Then it was the reception. No words could describe the joy of all of this. Everyone was there, all my friends, all their families, my family.
I saw So. Union’s family and they had thick Russian accents and I saw where he gets his humor from.
SO. UNION’S MOM: Could you take a picture of my son and I?
SO. AFRICA: Sure.
SO. UNION’S MOM: Make me look 17, and no to showing my second chin.
SO. UNION: Mom, he’s taking a picture, doesn’t have a special effects unit.
I saw Shades’ girlfriend and her sister. They came up and hugged me. “CONGRADULATIONS.” – And then I met Shade’s father who sounds exactly like him.
ME: I heard all about the Magic Flute marionettes!
Sunburn brought his parents over. I went over and met Adventure’s parents from Wales and his Canadian girlfriend was here.
Writing Partner had his mother here and I took a picture with him and So. Africa, both over 6FT and me looking like I had the two baddest-assed bodyguards ever.
I saw W-bird and we both told our moms: “Look, it’s the other red head, vegetarian, writer who worked at Jamba Juice!” and snapped photos and said we were hot because we had the same colour dress.
I saw Fairy and we took a million pictures of our dresses and pulled her dad over, an actor who my mom knew from “Repo Man.”
I saw my Producer and his family. His little daughter remembered who I was and his wife is 6 months pregnant with another girl!
I went up to So. Africa’s family and his mom pulled me over and kissed my nose and gave me a card.
I saw Glinda and we hugged each other and complained about shoes.
The Dominatrix, remember, my teacher? She came up to my mom and I and said, “there’s my favourite! I can say that now that class is over!” – Apparently she really loves me! She told me she’d give me a recommendation or anything any time and it meant a lot coming from someone who is SUCH a hard teacher! To impress her means a lot.
I saw another teacher, who always met So. Africa and I at Starbucks. He told my father this was his favourite class ever to come out of AFI and I was a favourite student of that class.
I even found the Puerto Rican director my dad first met the week we were looking for apartments. My dad thought he was a student when he saw him and struck up a conversation. For months after he’d ask if I had met that kid again—and I did. So for this reception I knew my dad had to meet him again.
I can’t even remember what else. My sister talked with everyone and really loved So. Africa’s family. So. Africa’s mom had a huge diamond ring on.
SISTER: Look at her ring!
SO. AFRICA: Oh, here dear.
(Hands sister the ring)
(My sister puts on the ring)
SISTER: I DO!
In fact, my whole family loved So. Africa’s family. Our moms got together and were TMI-giggling over the fact they both have June babies (My sister and I have June birthdays in the same week, So. Africa and his brother have June birthdays in the same week) and Fall bdays—aka, meaning the babies were the result of birthday celebrations 9 months earlier. A fact—I had NEVER FIGURED OUT UNTIL THIS MOMENT.
Gross!
My mom also ran up to me talking to Adventure’s family and says, regarding So. Africa’s mom: I think she’s a Libra!!
Oh and So. Africa, my dearest sweetheart! We walked everywhere in our robes and hoods and took so many pictures. At some point in the evening, I found these huge palm leaves, which were on a table. I picked one up and ran over to him.
“Let me fan you! Are you hot, master? Don’t be hot, master. Let me fan you”
He was laughing so hard.
ME: What would you do without me to embarrass you at top volume every single day?
SO. AFRICA: I DO NOT KNOW.
We literally closed out the place, almost everyone was gone. By the end my feet were in SO much insane pain from the heels. The shoes were fine, but walking on my toes! The balls of my feet were numb, I wanted to cry. I was also so drained, I just couldn’t think.
So. Africa’s family and my family were going to have dinner, but his mother hurt her back, so we parted ways.
I went with my family to a little restaurant down from my house and had a modest dinner. We laughed and battled over cake. After dinner it was homeward bound. My parents had to leave and drive back to Newport, then home. That made me sad. I wanted my family to stay here longer, but they left.
I was dying from exhaustion, but there was still one more activity.
When AFI first started, someone organized a meeting at a local pub called “The Cat and the Fiddle.” To be circular-like, my entire class met there again. At the end of all things.
I went with So. Africa. The pub was overrun with us, but there was a small group in back, so we sat there and I mercifully took off my shoes for the first time in hours. So. Union, Glinda, Grant-Winner were also all back there. It was great fun. The Critical Canadian wants to read the sitcom So. Africa and wrote for class. LOLLERSKATES.
Finally So. Africa and I went home. I told him I loved him and was happy we graduated together. Also, tomorrow is our one-year! Woot!
All in all it was a wonderful, wonderful day that I’ll remember for forever. I couldn’t have graduated with a better class and am glad for all the people I have met.
GO, GO, AFI CLASS OF ’07!
suddenly i was @ 11:11 pm
(no feathers)
wednesday, june 6, 2007
I AM GRADUATING TODAY.
Wee, Masters! I get a hood and everything.
Such a backlog to share with you. Basically a YEAR'S worth, but I will have all unemployed summer to tell you about the dolphins, the bug fair, the pervert at the store, my last AFI class, the Magic castle and meeting So. Africa's parents from South Africa- yes?
GRADUATION.
I am so excited.
Pee.
suddenly i was @ 04:21 am
(no feathers)