Julia's Mexico City

366/2012: Day 114 Rangers!

Watching the game.

366/2012: Day 98 Opening Weekend

Here we go Rangers, here we go! Got to get Harper indoctrinated early...

Movie Stars and Me

Very rarely does this happen. The only reason I have a photo with Liev Schreiber is because I worked on Kate and Leopold in 2001 and went to the wrap party. Both Liev and some other guy...what was his name...Oh yeah, Hugh Jackman were there, both super nice, chatty with all, took photos, etc. (I do have a picture with Hugh, but it's somewhere in a box and I don't have the energy to find/scan it. Not sure why I have scanned this one...)

 

In my normal every day general "fan" life, I would never ask an actor for a photo or autograph. I have been known to say to an actor that I adore how much I love their work. But I never bother them when eating or if they are talking with friends or family or having a personal moment. For example, I saw Elliott Gould at my local Whole Foods in the produce section and very quietly said, "I love your work, you make me laugh, so sorry to bother you!" and he said, "No bother, thank you so much, that's great!" I did a similar thing with Allison Janney while she waited for her coffee order at a counter at the Grove. She was so sweet and kind and I was in and out in 20 seconds. I figure, if I'm not intruding at all, who doesn't want to hear that they are loved and adored? I had it happen to me recently in Belfast (okay, not "loved and adored" so much) -- and it felt GREAT.

Okay, wait. I *have* asked for autographs four times in my life but they were always for other people. 

1) 1988 - Michael Jordan was filming a Nike commercial in our gym at LMU (where the lakers would sometimes practice) and I happened to be walking across the parking lot as he was walking to his car with a large group of followers. I thought -- oh I should get his autograph for my boyfriend (who was a HUGE basketball fan, probably still is). Then I thought -- no, too many people around. Then I thought -- when will I have this chance again? So I opened a notebook to a blank page, jammed my way to the front of the crowd and just held the book in front of Michael who had a pen already. He just signed it and moved on to the next piece of paper. I gave the autograph to the boyfriend and I hope he liked it because I can't remember what he said or did.

2) 1988 - James Worthy came into the restaurant I worked at (Italy's Little Kitchen "Hi, two? Smoking or non?") and I am about 80% sure I also go his autograph for the same basketball loving boyfriend.

3) 1995 - Shaquille O'Neal was the star of my 2nd VFX producing job -- that's right people, I worked on Kazaam! He was freely signing basketballs for anyone, everyone. When my chiropractor found out I was working with Shaq, she said her 12 year old son LOVED him so I got Shaq to sign a ball for him. 

4) 2007 - Dog The Bounty Hunter was in Toys-R-Us in Culver City (no, I'm not making that up) and I was laughing as the show is a guilty pleasure of a good friend of mine. So I got his autograph and he proved his great intellect by asking how to spell "Sarah". And not just "is there an h at the end" but he wrote the S and then looked up at me, confused. So I continued, "A, R, A, H." Oy. Sarah did find it amusing. 

Somehow it's mostly basketball related. Funny that.

Anyway the whole reason I even wrote this blog post is because a friend on Twitter commented that a guy who looks like Liev just came into her office and she swooned. 

Go Tonga!

The Tongan national rugby team is staying in my hotel here in Belfast. Most of you are thinking -- kay, so? Yes, rugby players tend to be larger gentlemen. If you are from Hawaii you are with me right now, smirking at the word "larger." The Tongans are HUGE. 

Here's a picture I ganked from The Daily Mail.

This would give me pause before a match.

 

Go Tonga!
 

Happy February!

Watching the big game today, but just for something to do with Kurt and his mom on a Sunday. I'm always happy to watch for the commercials. I have just finished making the chili -- the recipe my mom has made ever since I can remember. I always loved it when she pulled out the HUGE pot that fit over two burners. That meant a LOT of people were coming over and fun would be soon at hand. I am also making hot artichoke dip. The word "artichoke" is misleading as really the best part is the hot mayo and parmesan cheese. YUM! There will be regular M&Ms for Kurt as well as his favorite: Lay's BBQ potato chips. And veggies to munch on as well. Can't be completely without fresh food! Secretly, I was so excited about having the hot artichoke dip that I had to jump around. I haven't made it/had it in ages and oh boy will it be yummy. I am hungry too but Kurt's mom will be here in an hour so I don't want to fill up on something else before the dip is ready. I compromised with a few pistachios.

Had my yearly eye exam, the one with full dilation and close up inspection. My eyesight is still 20/20, thank the gods, and my eye doctor tells me every year that I'll need glasses soon. I keep being prepared for it, but then it's still all good. My eyes are also very healthy. Yay.

I bought treats for certain college aged people...they prolly don't read my blog, but I'll not say what it is just in case. They will be out in the mail in a few days.

I'm hankering for a road trip. My mom might be in No. Cal in a few weeks and if so I'll drive up and take photos along the way. It's tough when Kurt is working so hard, but we are trying to make time to go to the Grand Canyon. Item #8 that you didn't know about me: I've never been.

Saftey Graphic Fun is rolling along. I love the images that others send in. They make me laugh outloud. The one from yesterday is especially funny. Stupid hats. Every day is a new experience/experiment with this blog and all the traffic. I'm loving it!

Thanksgiving -- Y'all Fight!

When you are married to a Frey, particularly one from the Metroplex in Texas, you have to know you will be watching Cowboys football most weekends. Today is more than just a Cowboys game. Today is a double header Frey Rivalry day. Freyvalry, if you will.  (Okay, you don't have to). Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks (where Kurt's brother lives) and later, U of Texas (Hook 'em horns!) vs. Texas A&M (Gig 'em Aggies!). Kurt and his mom both attended UT (Y'all Fight!) and Kurt's bro went to A&M.  See how it is?  In between we are going to eat at a nearby restaurant. So who wins?  ME!

While the Cowboys have been kicking Seahawk tail, I have been making a new blog.  Check it!

Safety Graphic Fun

It's a daily dose of Safety Graphics. I love me some safety graphics, they are so brutal and kooky. I want to know who makes these wacky things.

Off for dinner soon. 

I hope your holidays are full of love and family and friends and pumpkin pie.

Surprised By The Olympics

Nastia Luikin and Shawn Johnson won gold and silver medals, respectively, in women's individual all-around gymnastics" at the Olympics in Beijing.  (In case you weren't paying attention.)  This is a big deal for US gymnastics and the first time it's ever happened. Yang Yilin of China won bronze.

Am I *that* into gymnastics?  Not at all.  

We've been tivo-ing stuff and watching bits and bobs of it. I watched Michael Phelps win a few, but then, honestly, got a bit bored. He's awesome, he's going to win. Moving on. It's not like watching Tiger Woods because he occasionally hits bad shots and the fun is to see how he's going to win anyway. Michael Phelps just goes fast from start to finish and kicks everyone's butt. More power to him. We've watched a few other things, women's beach volleyball, some equestrian (with Kurt's mom who LOVES the equestrian events) and if there's badminton on, we'll watch about a minute of it because it's amusing.  

So I was watched the women's gymnastics (even though I already knew the outcome, but didn't care) and am always amazed at what these girls can do. It's mind blowing, really. When it came down to the floor exercise, Nastia was second to last, Shawn would go last. Nastia was in gold medal position and Shawn in bronze. Nastia finished well, pretty secure in her gold, hugging her dad (who is her coach and also a gold medal winner in gymnastics -- no pressure!) then Shawn went and she did a great routine to clinch silver. But what got me choked up, surprisingly, was when Shawn finished and ran down to her coach and teammates and had that look of pure joy and relief, she was going to cry happy tears at being done with it and doing a GREAT job. I recognized that look and feeling. Um, no, I don't mean I can relate to an Olympic athlete, but when we ran the Honolulu Marathon in 2001, I started bawling at mile 26 (there is .2 to go from there). I was overwhelmed by the event, the culmination of six months of training, of being in my original hometown, of being with Kurt and our two team mates. We did it! That's the feeling I recognized and it was sweet and surprisingly moving.

 

Way to go women!  

Track and field is getting going this weekend.  Can't WAIT for the hammer throw!

Olympic Coinkidink

Found this while browsing through olympic websites.  

Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

I do generally spread good luck as a blessing wherever I fly, just not these past few weeks.  

Dakar: We Let The Terrorists Win

The Dakar Rally 2008 has been cancelled due to terrorism.

From the official Dakar Rally website:

After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.

Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.

I don't want anyone to get killed by terrorists, but it really bums me out that this race is cancelled because of the potential threat.

I first learned about Dakar in January 2003 when Kurt and I were on our honeymoon in Italy. We had a tv in some of our rooms, but most stations were in Italian (which we don't speak) but we could watch either Italian MTV or Eurosport which was in English. (The Queen's English of course.) The two major sporting events they were following in January were Dakar 2003 and the World Biathlon championships. Do you know what Biathlon is? It is a race where you cross-country ski with a rifle on your back, then stop at targets along the way and shoot. Skiing and shooting, how crazy cool is that? It started as military training in Norway in the 1880s.

But then there was Dakar which is one wacky race. It starts in Lisbon (used to start in Paris) and goes through Northern Africa and ends in Dakar 2 weeks and 5500 miles later. There are three kinds of entries: Motorcycles, Cars and Trucks. The trucks are crazy. Look:

It used to be just be motos and cars, but then the support trucks started their own races to get to the next check points and soon it became an entry. The Russians usually kick ass in the truck event.

I hate terrorists.

School Spirit

Kurt grew up in Texas, first in Houston, then later the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, then he moved to the oasis of culture known as Austin and attended University of Texas. (See logo above.) I know all this. What I didn't know until this year was something about the cheerleaders at UT. Kurt was not really that into football but if the Longhorns are playing, he'll have a gander. We were watching one day and they cut to a shot of the cheerleaders. Kurt said, in a quiet, mock cheerleader voice, "Ya'll fight! Ya'll win!"

I turned to him and said, "What the heck was that?!" And he explained that this is what they say on game day. I just about peed my pants.

Now whenever we watch football -- Cowboys too, naturally -- we give a soft Texas drawl "Ya'll fight!"

PS. Hook 'em Horns!
PPS. Name the school mascot, without looking it up, win a prize. (Kurt, you are not eligible to win, sorry.)