Daniella's Misadventures The problem with people who have no
vices is that generally, you can be pretty sure
they're going to have some
pretty annoying virtues. -- Elizabeth
Taylor
Monday, March 29th - soccer playoffs and drinks with my team Tuesday, March 30th - calculus for managers exam - thought I was going to blow it because, well, let's say, drinks with the team went on a bit later than anticipated and trying to study at work didn't exactly work out for me, BUT, I reached into the recesses of my brain and I think I actually did well (I DID take calc in undergrad, about 1,000 years ago) Wednesday, March 31st - Neighborhoodies Customer Appreciation Party - c'mon... free food and free booze and a dj spinnin'? Could you say no to that? Thursday, April 1st - Southern Culture on the Skids at Maxwell's in Hoboken. I used to date their soundman (no, it's not the same guy now!) and I've shared some debaucherous evenings with the guys in the band back in my hellraiser days. If you've never seen these guys play and you like good rockabilly with a sense of humor-- go see 'em. I'll be the one dancing and laughing. Friday, April 2nd - Girl's Night Out at the Dashing Diva Salon. Manicures, pedicures and cosmopolitans, Oh My! My fabulous work gal pal Anila and I are off for some pampering and some cosmos (if anyone says "Sex and the City" I'll have you shot 'cause it is so not like that!). Saturday, April 3rd - Liz Phair at the Roseland Ballroom. Hell, yeah... Need I say more? every time I see your face/I get all... google it if you want the rest of the lyrics, my mom reads this...sheesh!
Shaping up to be a swell week. If you are in the NYC area, I urge you to go see Southern Culture on the Skids and Liz Phair. And to get your nails done at the Dashing Diva. Because it's cool, because I said so. No, really...
Oh, President Palmer, how far you've fallen in my eyes. Supporting Sherry's alibi when you know the truth. I think you should be impeached. So many nights, I would lie in my bed, wishing you were our real president--a man with integrity, strength and honesty. Then you go and do this cowardly CYA thing and my bubble is officially busted. If that ain't high crimes and misdemeanors, then I don't know what is.
How about little Michelle Dessler, though? The mousy one has finally grown a huge set of cojones (apparently being exposed to a deadly virus does that to otherwise boring second tier characters). I really liked it when she killed the annoying civilian trying to bust out of Virus Hotel. I say we should be allowed to kill annoying civilians, too. I can just see it now...
Daniella: stop listening to your ipod so damn loudly on the train, Annoying civilian. Stop or I'll shoot. Annoying civilian: You won't shoot me. Daniella: shoots and laughs...mwah, mwah, ha...
I claim tomorrow as Shoot An Annoying Civilian Day in honor of Michelle.
Oh, and Gael... you don't stand a chance. Secondary characters never survive... see the programmer (Paula Schaffer, played by Sarah Gilbert of Roseanne fame) from last season and Jack's wife from season 1. posted by
Daniella 11:48 AM
I think I'm a combo Together Girl/Funny Girl, with just a dash of Blogger Girl thrown in. What kind of girlfriend are you/do you have? posted by
Daniella 2:10 PM
So, to give back to my blog readers, I want to give you the option of telling me what you want me to write about. What do you want to know about the World of Daniella? Or do you want me to write about something going on in the world today? Or do you just want me to tell you knock-knock jokes?
Either way, you can leave your wishes in the comments box, or, as so many of you seem to be shy and prefer to email me (it's weird, I have the most reticent readers in the blogosphere -- ya'll send me tons of emails, but very few of you leave comments!), you can do that as well.
So, happy about-to-be-Blog-Birthday to Daniella's Misadventures and a hearty "thank you!" to my readers. posted by
Daniella 4:10 PM
Oh, say it ain't so! Lenny is probably my favorite character on Law & Order, my favorite show.
I know I've blogged endlessly about my L&O obsession, so I won't go into any more detail yet again. Just know, if this actually does happen, it will be a dark day in Daniella-land. posted by
Daniella 12:43 PM
We drove down Sunset Blvd with my only fabu West Coast dwelling girlfriend Susan, and John's co-worker Chad in the back of the convertible, oogling all the major landmarks--the Viper Room, the Roosevelt Hotel, Bel Air, the Beverly Hills Hotel and on and on and on. We got a table on the beach at a restaurant called Gladstone's (mediocre food, amazing views of the ocean) and ate and drank and whooped it up for hours. How can you be unhappy when it's that damn beautiful around you? I mean, it really is paradise!
Then we headed to the Getty museum where we watched the sun set and the mist rise around us. We saw a really cool exhibit of photography pioneers and then headed back to the hotel. I crashed (after all, I am still recovering from the flu) and John, Chad and Susan hit the legendary Formosa Bar and partied like rock stars till the wee hours.
Since I had gone to bed so early, I woke up at 5 AM (8 AM East Coast time) and decided to try to find some breakfast. Our hotel concierge directed me to Mel's Diner on Hollywood Blvd, about two blocks away, as the hotel restaurant wasn't open yet. What a mistake! Think of it this way... what kind of person walks around downtown Hollywood at 5 AM on a Sunday? Exactly... I was immediately approached to buy "whatever you need, sugar"-- which I politely declined. Breakfast was actually really good and I got back after sun rise to wake John up for our hike.
We hiked all the way up Runyon Canyon (my legs still feel like jello three days later!) and enjoyed spectacular views of the Hollywood sign and downtown LA. Then after our second breakfast/brunch, it was time to get glamorous for the premier....
I ended up wearing Levis 501s, pointy toed chocolate brown boots, a skin colored velvet tank top and a faux-gucci status print silk shirt (the premier invite said "cowboy-chic"--whatever that is!). I, of course, added the ultimate LA accessory--my burberry sunglasses. John's co-workers all wore business suits and, boy, did they look out of place as we walked the red carpet!
Red Carpet 101:
There are actually TWO red carpets: one for stars and another one, behind it, for the "guests," aka people like us who are there for business reasons. And they move you down that second red carpet fast. You don't want to hinder views of the"talent." The best moment came when my friend Susan, who works for Disney and was working a publicity crew at the premier, saw me on the (back) red carpet and called my name. I waved at her. As soon as I started waving, the various paparazzi suddenly went nuts snapping my picture. Best I can figure, they assumed that maybe, just maybe, I was somebody and even though they didn't know who I was, they had better get my picture... just in case!
Once inside, we were seated and had to listen to an hour of interminable organ music. I thought I would slit my wrists! Finally, the movie began and it was great--cute, witty and sweet. If you have kids, definitely go see this one! After the movie, we went to the cast party where I met and took pictures with:
Roseanne Barr - very nice and gracious, although others in our group said she was rude to them. She has lost a ton of weight and looks terrific, although too tan. Kevin Smith - my best star sighting of the day-- he was super nice and hilarious and actually spent a few minutes talking with us. Cuba Gooding, Jr. - very friendly and funny, but short. Jim Belushi - took picture with me, but didn't say much. He's a lot more handsome in person than he looks on screen. Randy Quaid - he's enormous. He towered over John, who's 6'2". His wife is about 23 years old and cheesy as can be. Ed Begley, Jr. - he's bright pink. They must put a lot of pancake make up on him to make him look normal. He reminded me of those little pink lab mice that you buy to feed to snakes. David Hasselhoff - ew and double ew. He's about 7' tall and must weigh about 2 pounds. His legs are as thin as my forearm. The scoop is that he's a premier whore--he goes to every single one--what, does he need the free food? That dude from Curb Your Enthusiasm - couldn't remember his name, so decided not to approach him.
(For those who are interested, pictures can be emailed upon request).
Then John and I cut out a little early and headed off for a ride down Mulholland Dr, top down, of course. We had dinner at Gladstone's at Universal Studios with the Disney people, then some of John's colleagues (the young, cool ones) and Susan came back to our hotel room where we watched the Sopranos and drank unheard of quantities of champagne (c'mon, we were in a swanky hotel in Hollywood, apres premier, we were expected to drink champagne, right?). Then we decided to hit the new bowling alley/cocktail lounge next to the hotel and bowled (or in my case, threw gutter balls) late into the night. Finally, weary and a wee bit drunk, we went back to the hotel, packed and headed to the airport for our 7 AM flight. Malik Yoba sat a few rows up from me, but I didn't notice until we were at baggage claim in New York, cause I slept the whole six hour plane ride.
What did I learn on my Spring Break to La La Land? No one can be unhappy when the weather is that gorgeous and I love LA, baby!!! As Kevin Smith said to me, "smoochy boochies, baby!!"
Guess who is being flown to LA next weekend to attend the red carpet premier and after party with the cast? If you guessed me, you're absolutely correct!
Everyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to Ikea's fabu-cheap furniture and go there often. I've have yet to discover the section that sells the furniture that Ernie describes in his post.
Let's all come up with some other great Ikea-esque names for new furniture lines. I'll start. How about an Anallikker nightstand? posted by
Daniella 3:04 PM
Saturday... dress fitting, bridesmaid shopping and Vietnamese food at Pho Tau Bay -- my favorite. Great day!!!!! Then we went for drinks at the Milan Lounge (another fabulous dive bar. Damn, I could write a book, "The Definitive Guide to Fabulous Dive Bars of New Orleans") and then to the ritual burning of the Reveler's Mardi Gras Devil Crawfish Thingie on the Mississippi River.
Sunday... champagne brunch with mom, dad and friends. Then John and I just enjoyed the day. Oysters on the half shell at Cooter Brown's, coffee at Rue de la Course, afternoon wine outside as the sun set at the Bridge Lounge, etc. Then Sunday night was a delicious dinner from Mona's at Catherine's house to watch the Sopranos premiere.
Monday... got on a plane during what had to be the most beautiful weather possible - mid 70's and sunny. It was a great trip, and the best part of it wasn't what we did, it was the time we got to spend with my family and our amazing, wonderful friends!
However, the plane was delayed and the pilot came over the PA to tell us why.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're having a bit of delay in taking off today as it is snowing at LaGuardia. We will be taking off shortly. Enjoy your flight."
Yes. I did cry.
When we arrived at the parking lot where we had left my car, it had an open window and the molding on the driver's side door had been torn off. Yes, I filed a claim. It was sleeting and gray.
Welcome back to New York, Daniella!
Anyway, that's the full update. I'll be back to my usual multi-posting self when I get caught up. And, Ken... no, I didn't bring you back a muffaletta, but if you and Kara come down for the first weekend of Jazz Fest, we can share one at the Fairgrounds. posted by
Daniella 2:33 PM