Genealogy of Mario

This totally cracked me up. The summary at the end is the best part.

As explained to me by Japanese 6-year-olds.

Edmund Dennis

So, my cousin's wife had a baby this week. Apparently, it was a tough birth and the poor little guy has been in the NICU because he was having seizures. He doesn't have an infection and his CAT scan was fine, so they're taking him off medication to see what happens. Think happy thoughts about him and Rachael for me? Prayers, call in some karma points, whatever it is you do. She's (unsurprisingly) physically and mentally exhausted as well.

p.s. He wasn't even cleaned up yet when this picture was taken. Just think - minutes old and already on the internet!

Amsterdam

It has been about 5 1/2 years since I've been to Amsterdam. I spent 4 crazy days there at the end of October 2002. Recently, my mother forced me to go through some old things at her house and I found a notebook in which I had pasted in parts of the tourist guide that we found amusing. So Laura (and Evita, wherever you are), this is for you.

Prostitution
If you visit one of the women, we would like to remind you, they are not always women. Don't take pictures of the women, it might get you in trouble. Outside on the streets, don't shout or use bad language towards these women. Show some respect. In case you have any problem with a girl or a pimp, don't hesitate to ask a policeman/woman, we know why you're here and you can hardly surprise us anymore.

Strippenkaart (ticket for public transport)
Make sure that your ticket is valid.
Your ticket is only valid after it has been stamped. This can be done by the driver or the conductor. In trams without a conductor, you should stamp your ticket yourself in one of the yellow stamp machines. Fold the 'strippenkaart' at the correct number or strips and insert it into the machine. You must calculate the number of zones you will be travelling in/through yourself. When having the 'strippenkaart' stamped, only the last strip of the number of strips required must be stamped. The strip or strips before should remain unstamped. It's compulsory to be in possession of a valid ticket throughout the journey.

Needless to say, we were not in any state to be calculating zones and stamping our tickets ourselves, so we took taxis or walked the whole time.

I'm f*cking Seth Rogen!

No, not really.
Warning: The first two are SFW, all the fucks are bleeped out. The last one is not, and it's a lot raunchier.

Have you guys seen Sara Silverman's video 'I'm f*cking Matt Damon'?

What about the Jimmy Kimmel response, 'I'm f*cking Ben Affleck'?

Well, here is 'I'm fucking Seth Rogen', sung by a delightfully adorable Elizabeth Banks. Plus, it's from Pittsburgh! Watch for the outside scene, that's our snow all right.

Lustful? Who would've thunk it?

The sweet light no longer strikes against your eyes. Your shade has been banished to...the Second Level of Hell!

Second Level of Hell

You have come to a place mute of all light, where the wind bellows as the sea does in a tempest. This is the realm where the lustful spend eternity. Here, sinners are blown around endlessly by the unforgiving winds of unquenchable desire as punishment for their transgressions. The infernal hurricane that never rests hurtles the spirits onward in its rapine, whirling them round, and smiting, it molests them. You have betrayed reason at the behest of your appetite for pleasure, and so here you are doomed to remain. Cleopatra and Helen of Troy are two that share in your fate.

Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Low
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	High
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	High
Level 7 (Violent)	High
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Moderate

Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test


Apparently, I am also wrathful, gloomy, violent, and a heretic.
w00t!!

The Academy Awards

Last night, JP and I went to some friends' place to watch the Oscars. They have a party every year, complete with a pool. I have never bet money on anything before, so I thought it was pretty exciting. We didn't win, but I was pleased that I did manage to pick half correctly. I picked correctly for:

• Art Direction - Sweeney Todd
• Costume Design - Elizabeth: The Golden Age
• Short Film, Animated - Peter and the Wolf
• Foreign Language - The Counterfeiters
  
• Original Screenplay - Juno
• Adapted Screenplay - No Country for Old Men
• Cinematography - There Will Be Blood
• Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem
• Leading Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis
• Director - Coen brothers for No Country for Old Men
• Best Picture - No Country for Old Men
  

JP and I had one source of contention when choosing, for Visual Effects. I thought we should go with The Golden Compass, but he said Transformers. Golden Compass won.
The only one I was actually surprised that we lost at was Animated Feature. We both thought Persepolis was a shoo-in. Ratatouille took it.

The highlight of the show was when Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill came out to present Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. They looked exactly alike, and pretty adorable. I cheered very loudly and the entire room stopped to look at me.
I can see how this gambling thing is addicting! What else can we bet on while waiting for next year's Oscars?

Control

So after my last flurry of questioning personal happiness and people's reaction to that, I spent most of last night trying to do serious research on BDSM and Dom/sub relationships. "Serious" research on anything that can be a sexual kink is always kind of a crapshoot, but with the right Google search, I think I got the basics. You would laugh if you saw the progression and what I had to look at to find quality information and not personal ads that just said "Dominate me!".

This entry may have some information/opinions expressed that you may not want to read about or associate with me. I have no plans of going into detail about my sex life on my blog (duh!), but if you are a feminist, I have a feeling you may disagree with a lot of this (I do consider myself to be a feminist to an extent, btw). Also, obviously, if you're squicked by this subject matter, just stop reading. I don't want to have to defend to comments about how BDSM is gross and wrong. Constructive opinions only!

The first thing to take note of is the difference between an actual Dom/sub relationship and role-playing for the purpose of sex. The former is something that will penetrate other aspects of your life. A D/s relationship can have a Dom of either sex. Traditionally, women played the submissive role, but especially in the realm of porn, we've all seen/heard of "Mistress of Pain" as well. A D/s relationship is not just about the Dom telling the sub what to do or controlling them. Very simply put, the sub wants their life to be about pleasing their Dom and trusting their Dom to always have their best interests at heart. If it is to be healthy for both people involved, it takes an immense amount of trust and faith on both parts. Trust and faith in your partner is something that we all yearn to have even in a "vanilla" (non-D/s) relationship. This takes it to a new level.
There are a number of levels of control in a D/s relationship. D/s relationships can also be called Master/slave, which tends to indicate a greater level of control in the everyday life and an expression of ownership. In everything I read, it is suggested that you spell out what you want. When it is appropriate for a Dom to have control (just at home? in public or semi-public venues?) and how much control do they have? If you find a guy whose idea of a D/s relationship is that you do the dishes all the time because he doesn't want to, this doesn't necessarily constitute a D/s relationship. He may just be a lazy asshole. However, as someone's sub, if you know that it makes your Dom happy to do so, you will do it without being asked because that is how your relationship works. (Sound familiar?)
The parallels between any normal "vanilla" relationship and a D/s relationship are astounding. Everything I read seemed to ring at least a little true for all the normal relationships I know of. It's just more explicitly spelled out, with a more formal set of rules in regards to behavior.

The idea of "collaring" is fairly controversial, as the collar generally represents a level of ownership, something we reject in American (and most Western) society. The collar is something worn to indicate that you belong to someone else. It's merely a round object placed around the neck. It can be something that you change (wearing a different choker every day) or the same collar day after day. It can be as simple as a ribbon, or as classic as a leather collar. People in a D/s or Master/slave relationship that have been collared see it as a symbol of their commitment to each other. Many of them are married or in a committed partnership.

Take a quick look at your left hand and think about what is/could be there.

To bring this back to my previous wonderings, from everything I've read, it seems that Dani Graves and Tasha Maltby have a classic D/s relationship. Here's where things get complicated. Can a D/s relationship ever be healthy? Just by definition, it seems to indicate a codependency that many would cringe at, especially women (in regards to male Doms/female subs). Have we really worked so hard to be able to vote and have equal rights only to have a few crazies throw it back in our faces? In short, I'd have to say no.
Now, I'm not trying to presume anything about their relationship in general, but she is only 19. Since I was 19 once (as far distant memory recalls...), I know that she's not 100% sure of what she wants or needs for the rest of her life. I sure wasn't. If they stay together and grow together and realize that they're still compatible, bully for them. Awesome. "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love" and all that jazz. Maybe we can all stop being so sure that we know this isn't it and just accept that any 19 year old in a serious relationship is probably going to be caught up in some level of codependency because, let's face it, that's what happens most of the time. So even in the confines of a D/s relationship, just like in the confines of a vanilla relationship, she may find that is good and healthy. Or she may not and move on.
OF COURSE there are instances in which this is unhealthy. I can think of plenty of unhealthy relationships that I see on a regular basis. The problem is that we assume people are happy and safe and loved if they are together as default. With a D/s relationship, we assume the opposite. There must be something wrong with one or both of them.

Much of the problem with this is the idea of willingly allowing someone to tell us what to do. As children, we are forced to accept this and generally rebel in some form or another when we become teenagers. This is what allows us to grow as people and become well-adjusted adults. So why would you revert to this again and give up a level of independence? I want to try and explain what I think by using me as an example. I do not want this to indicate that I somehow want my relationship to change. I consider myself to be quite independent and I have a stubborn streak a mile wide. Handing over control is not something that I would willingly consent to as the norm.
Have you ever been to a restaurant with me? I sit and contemplate and argue with myself over what I want to eat. What if I pick the wrong thing? What if this isn't as good as that? Did I make the wrong choice? Do I really want fries with that? I find it to be frustrating at times. What if JP ordered for me? Would I feel better knowing that he would never order salmon for me, knowing I hate it, but that I didn't have to decide or doubt myself? I know you're thinking "It's just dinner! Get over it already!", but do you see how this could be helpful to someone who has anxiety issues? Is that a valid treatment to anxiety or should we trust a psychiatrist and therapist to tell us taking this pill or doing this thing is what will make us happier. What if handing over that decision makes us happiest?

I realize this is all quite simplified in my explanation, but I really wanted to just get the thought out there that maybe what we assume to be something unhealthy and wrong is actually helpful for some people. Not every D/s relationship will work, just like not every vanilla relationship will work. And having the choice to pick this kind of relationship and maybe be happy living like this is what feminists have worked for. Equality doesn't have to be about control. It can simply be about choosing not to have it.

When is enough, enough?

So, in response to the last entry I wrote about Dani Graves and Tasha Maltby, I have been thinking a lot about personal happiness. She says this is what makes her happy and they're not hurting anyone, and I totally agree with that. But yet, all the time, we judge people for this sort of thing - interests, hobbies, sexual practices, drug and alcohol use, religion. Why? Is it because we somehow do believe that someone is being harmed?
Of course, if your friend is addicted to heroin and says it makes them happy, you disapprove (right?), because we have scientific facts that say this hurts the person. Smoking some pot won't necessarily get you the same reaction because maybe we feel the harm is negligible or as yet unproven. And if you decide that you like Harry Potter enough to buy a tshirt that says "I <3 Severus Snape", people will generally grin and bear it, because there is no evidence that wearing a tshirt will harm you.
So when does it stop become just judgment and start becoming something that you feel should put a stop to? I'll be the first to admit that I do judge people and feel the latter based on some of these things. Religion, for one. Am I only protesting the fact that many religions do harm people by promoting agendas that I find to be reprehensible (e.g., homophobia)? Am I ok with a person with a huge amount of faith that really does treat others the way they would want to be treated? I'd like to say no, but I think I would still wonder if I thought they were being harmed by blindly following an organization. So is it our own personal definition of harm that is guiding this?
Let's say I decide that I do want JP to walk me around on a leash. I'm guessing that my parents and friends would have something to say about it. Why? What if I liked it? Are you afraid that I'm being manipulated? Compromising my beliefs as a woman by being submissive to a man? Are you afraid that my life will be more difficult because of public backlash? If so, I guess you do believe I'm being harmed, and therefore, want to help.
I wonder how much of it is our own comfort, though. Does it make you uncomfortable to see me on a leash? Isn't that your problem, and not mine? Isn't it unfair to say that I should be less happy for you to be more happy? That's the definition of selfish, no?
Is that why sex is so taboo? That we don't often talk about what we do in the bedroom (or not bedroom) because people are so quick to judge? Why is it so shocking that someone enjoys a certain activity? No one's saying you need to. Is consensual BDSM harmful? If you say yes, are you just wondering if the person really wants to be chained to a wall and beaten with a paddle, or are you uncomfortable with the idea of it happening to you? Maybe I want someone to punch me in the face when I'm aroused. If it feels good, is it harmful simply because it produces a bruise? Does it simply boil down to what you believe is more important - our physical health or our mental health?
I don't mean for these questions to be rhetorical. I really am curious, and I definitely don't have all the answers. I've been on both sides of the spectrum. I'm also not referring to strangers who judge, because I know there are assholes out there. I'm talking about our loved ones. When do you think enough is enough? Can we be too "happy" for our own good?

Dani Graves and Tasha Maltby

Have you guys heard about this?


I just think they are so freakin' adorable. That Victorian coat he's wearing? Mmmm...it's like a young, hot Snape.
And while I don't necessarily want to be led around by JP while wearing a dog collar, I'm not sure I'd mind him doing all the cooking and cleaning.
Whatever floats your boat, man.

UPDATE: Here's an interview where they sound less crazy than in the article.

Do I want Seth Rogen to see me naked?

I just received an email from the local casting company responsible for 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno' asking if I would be interested in being a nude extra in the film. It's one day (this Thursday) and pays $250.
The funny thing is, I kind of considered it for a moment.

Pros:

• Seth Rogen will most likely see me naked.
• I get to say I was naked in a movie.
• We could all go see the movie in the theatre and cheer when naked me came on.

Cons:

• Seth Rogen will most likely see me naked.
• I have to be naked in a movie. And naked for most of a day (12-14 hours, they said).
• I'm not sure all my boys want to go a movie and see me naked. Or my brother. Or my parents. (Though I'm guessing they weren't going to see 'Zack and Miri' anyways.)
• It will be cold to be naked.
• I don't know how to style my, ahem, hair. Do you think they give you instructions?

This whole thing is just way too weird for me. Topless, I'd do in a heartbeat. This is just too much, I think. Even the draw of Seth Rogen and Kevin Smith isn't enough for me to do it.
Am I being a coward? Would any of you do this? I honestly want to know.

A little advice

While impaired in any way, be it drunk, stoned, hopped up on cold medicine or Ambien, or lacking sleep, it is not a good idea to attempt to entirely empty your really gross, really heavy litterbox. What will happen is that you will spill that awful clumpy-wet litter all over the carpet, along with a decent pile of the dry stuff. And your husband will spend several moments simply staring at you as you struggle and yell "Goddammit" over and over. And when you ask why this has never happened before, he will point out that you are impaired. Hopefully, you'll laugh after that and he'll go get you the vacuum cleaner.

"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't."
-Erica Jong

"We've been thinking for a long time that earnest people reacting to a candidate is the future of music video."

I have spent the past 2 hours crying with laughter and watching these over and over again. Seriously, wiping away tears.

Iraq withdrawal date: 12,008 (response to Yes We Can)

Ridin' on a dinosaur, you and me.

Stargirl

Over the past few years, I have spent much of my reading time exploring the world of young adult fiction. While it has been around for awhile (many claim The Catcher and the Rye to be the original young adult novel), it has really taken off in recent years. When I was a young adult, I had the choice of Christopher Pike, Sweet Valley High, and an occasionally Lois Lowry book. I did love these, but they have not followed me well into adulthood. Things have improved immensely since these books were aimed at me, and I'm almost constantly astounded at these authors who take themes relevant to people of all ages and present them to impressionable youth. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a mother-in-law that's a teacher, a friend that's a youth librarian, and a friend going to school to be a high school English teacher to help me choose. I have recommendations out the wazoo for what I should check out next. The list is endless.

But my favorite of all is Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl. At its core, Stargirl is about discovering yourself and trying (or not trying) to fit in. While most in the forefront of your brain as a teenager, it really is a story that even adults can relate to. Who are we, deep down? Is changing yourself for other people ever a good idea? Would we be happier as part of the norm? It's an honest look at this and isn't presented in such black and white as to feel preachy. There is a sequel, Love, Stargirl as well. While not quite as good as the first (as sequels rarely are), it does give you the little extra bit of story that you wanted at the end of Stargirl. I got the boxed set of both for my birthday this year, and it came with a set of magnets. I immediately put the magnets on my refrigerator, scattered about. Every time I go to the fridge, I take a moment to find and read the little messages. It sounds cheesy and like some silly self-improvement mantra that you chant to yourself, but I can't help it. They make me feel better. They make me feel like it's ok to be confused, stressed, and unsure of things. We all are. And isn't that important? To feel like we all have someone who can commiserate with us? Even if it is just a fictional character, it rings true. So I leave you with my magnet mantras.

Inhabit your moments.

I am not a typical girl.

I feel the need to be alone.

Will we ever meet again?

Okay, so you're not perfect. Who is?

None of us gets it right all the time.

Do I have talented friends or what?

I find this to be completely inspiring and lovely.

Hell is the Closet I'm Stuck inside.

Ineptitude vs. falsehoods

There's nothing I like better than a rant about Comcast. It's been awhile since I was displeased with them, so I really thought they had straightened themselves out. The eternal optimist is disappointed yet again.

In November or December, I called Comcast to talk about my service with them. We had cable and internet. They just introduced digital voice here, and had a great deal going on. So I asked about it. I also wanted to cancel my Showtime, since I don't need it until Tudors starts their second season (ooooo, I can't wait!). After at least a half an hour on the phone with this girl, we had it all straightened out. Showtime would be canceled, we'd get a phone line, HBO, and our bill would only go up by like $3 a month. Pretty sweet deal, I thought. So I went for it. A few days later, I go to watch our DVRed Project Runway episode. It's blank. That's weird. Just a fluke, I imagine. Fine. It records it a second time then next day. Still blank. Weird! JP and Tim are there and one of them suggests that I check and make sure that we are still getting Bravo. Nope! In fact, we've lost every channel over 100. Argh. So I get our January bill, the first with all these changes. It's $30 more than what we were paying before, which includes the $30 installation fee for the phone. Wait a minute. So our bill is the same and we've LOST channels? I'm pissed. I rant. I don't bother calling until almost a month later (today). I was reminded of this because I paid my Comcast bill, which was $10 more than what I was paying before. Argh!
Today I talk to someone about this and I get this explanation: the original girl didn't lie to me about this. She just never canceled the Showtime, which I have been charged $17.95 for. She also never added the "Digital Plus" to my service, which is $12.95. It took a good 20 minutes to figure this out, and I have to admit I was not nice or pleased with the people I talked to, since I thought the girl had just straight up lied to me.

Now I don't know what to think. Is it more forgivable that she was just completely a moron and never did anything that I called and asked her to do? Would it have been better to think that she was trying to wring more money out of me and my already-ridiculously-high cable bill?

Pathetic

So after my whole Seth Rogen adventure, I posted to an IMDB message board for 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno' that I had talked to him. I did this because the message board was full of people posting things like this. This is maybe the second message board I have ever posted to in my entire illustrious internet career. So here's what I said:
"I ended up driving past the Mt. Washington school where they're filming and saw Seth Rogen walking down the street. I rolled down the window to tell him I was a big fan and he very sincerely thanked me. Yay! Anyone know how long they were planning to film there or possible future locations?"
Ok, I admit - that's a little silly fangirlness. But is this reply necessary?:
"I have an idea, leave the dude alone and let them make the damn movie."

Ouch. Now I'm pissed.
1) I am not the rabid fangirl that this dude implies with this comment.
2) I completely resent the implication that somehow I have interfered/will interfere in his life/work enough that I deserve to be bitched out about it.
3) Why do I care what a random jackass on the IMDB message boards said?

Tim very happily ranted about how he's just a jealous fanboy. That makes me feel a bit better. But I'm still not sure. Are both of us pathetic? Just me? Just him?

I think I'm done with message boards. Who knew I would find a whole aspect of the internet that I hated?

Side effects

Remember when I raved about Ambien here? Yeah, I should've realized it was too good to be true.

After a few days of taking it, I started getting these strange headaches. It feels a little like someone is poking me through the temple with an ice pick. It gets worse when I turn my head. Nothing takes it away, but it's usually short lived. So I looked up side effects of Ambien, and headaches are, in fact, one.

This entire past week, I thought I was going crazy. I have woken up every morning feeling like the day before happened 3 weeks before. I could barely remember what had happened, no matter how significant. Back to my list of side effects. No lie, AMNESIA (sometimes significant) is a side effect. What kind of medicine causes amnesia?

The craziness has gotten worse in the past 4 days. I have been daydreaming almost constantly. I normally daydream a lot, but this is a bit much for even me. And daydreaming so intensely that when I snap out of it, I am immensely disappointed because I'm back to reality. What is happening to me? Based on the list of side effects - delusions. As in not knowing what is real and what isn't? At least for moments of the time? Yikes!

The worse part is, these side effects all happen during the day! I could see if I couldn't remember those weird 20 minutes after I take the pill, but give me a break! I'm kinda freaked out over here.

And I don't know if I can attribute this to the Ambien, but I have started liking a very strange song, 'Apologize' by Timbaland, and One Republic. Here's the youtube (I managed to find a Harry Potter fanvideo that's set to it, lol). That's a bad song, right?

A fangirl's dream come true.

I'd like to start this by saying, yes, I know how ridiculous this is all going to sound. I'm silly and giddy and maybe a little bit pathetic.

So, Kevin Smith is filming a movie, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno", here in Pittsburgh. Seth Rogen is one of the leads. Since I found out about this, I've been trying to find information about filming locations so that I can go see if I can maybe meet Seth Rogen.

Absolutely ridiculous, right? I swear, I have never really been starstruck like this before.

So I find out yesterday that they are shooting on Mt. Washington somewhere. Those were all the details I had. Armed with this knowledge (and JP and Tim), we set off around 2 to try and find them. We drove across the Liberty Bridge and saw a sign that said "ZAM" with an arrow. I follow the arrow. We drive aimlessly throughout Mt. Washington for about 15 minutes, randomly turning and turning around until JP spies another sign. Follow that arrow. One more sign and we find it - a closed elementary school with a parking lot full of trailers, a catering truck, and no parking signs everywhere. We find a place to park behind the school and walk a full circuit around. All we saw was some people smoking by the back door. After we were the whole way around, JP and Tim insisted they were going back to the car. I wanted to hang out by the back door, but after about a minute of that I felt incredibly lame and uncomfortable. So I get in the car, disappointed, but insist that we drive past the back door one last time. We're driving down the street and Tim goes, "That's him!"

And it was. He was walking up the sidewalk, towards the car. So I stop the car, roll down my window, and yell "HEY!" as loudly as possible. He stops, looks at me, and I move my sunglasses to the top of my head, take a deep breath, and blurt out "I just wanted to say I'm a big fan, I have been since Freaks and Geeks, and I really love your work." He very sincerely says, "Thanks, thank you. I appreciate that." To which I reply, "Enjoy your time here!" and roll up the window and drive off.

Ok, so it wasn't my dream encounter with him. However, since I never sincerely believed that I would talk to him, it's a pretty good substitute. I am a little bummed that I didn't get a picture, but what was I going to do? Jump out of my car? I'm guessing that would've freaked him out and even if it wouldn't have, I'm still kinda glad that I wasn't that crazy fangirl that did that.

The thing that makes me hyperventilate about the whole thing is that it was just so freakin' meant to be. The walk from that back door up the sidewalk to the trailers takes probably about 30 seconds. I managed to find him in those 30 seconds! The Gods have smiled upon me and allowed me to experience something that I'm guessing will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN, no matter how hard I try.

JP and Tim were less impressed, but still good sports about the whole thing. And they even allowed me to park the car and take a picture with one of the ZAM signs since I didn't get a picture with Seth Rogen. Those are some good guys.


(photograph by Tim Notari)

Oh, and just so you know - he's as adorable in person and his voice is exactly the same as it was in "Knocked Up" (except maybe a little deeper and sexier). He was wearing his glasses and his hair was not a super fro, but still all curly-like.

I am SUCH a dork.

So, we're making a movie

Tim: you know I could write a screenplay about this, and then you could get to meet seth rogen
call the movie "Meeting Seth Rogen"
me: that'd be awesome
Tim: these absurdists pseudo-reality movies are all the rage lately
me: i'll help
write the screenplay, edit, whatever
Tim: by doing what exactly? being crazy?
me: Lisa actually makes documentaries
she would help
I'll also "act" in it
Tim: yes no I would take it the weinsteins and have them give me money for it
I wouldn't produce the film myself
me: oh, I see
well, if they say no, I've got $500 on it
and I'll convince lisa to edit it for free
Erik can do the sound
JP can look pretty
Tim: Erik has a boom mic?
me: I meant the sound editing
Tim: well see, the movie kinda requires Seth Rogen to be in it
me: right
Tim: so at some point
me: so we'll contact his people
Tim: do you know how to do that?
me: and we'll film us smoking together in my apartment!
sure
I bet we can find emails or something
Tim: yeah I can see you're not taking this project seriously
I'm going to have to back out
me: what?????
I am SO taking it seriously
you don't think we could SOMEHOW contact Seth Rogen's agent?
Tim: I don't think with a crew like me JP, Lisa, and Erik we are going to impress Seth Rogen's agent
me: I'm sure if we had a conference call they would gain confidence in us
Tim: yes especially when the only scene you have written is "us filming seth rogen smoke in my apartment"
that's the whole treatment basically
me: and why don't I get to be part of the crew?
Tim: that's your only pitch
me: hahahaha
Tim: go onto imdb and leave a message on the message boards
"need to contact Seth"

and here's what Kathleen had to say:

Kathleen: i'm trying to think of a more interesting pitch
got it!
we tell them you are a cancer (or some other life threatening thing) patient
and your last wish in life is to smoke with seth rogen
me: oh yeah, that'd be great
I'm sure no one would ever figure out that I'm not dying
and then we can make one called
Why Seth Rogen Hates Freya

No, really, a new beginning.

Ahhhhh. So this is how it feels to wake up normally? You feel like you have actually slept? You have energy that's not just a 15 minute spurt once a day? Seriously? I think I might want to do something today. Cleaning, cooking, hanging out not in my living room...the possibilities are endless. I was showered, dressed, and working by 9:30 today. Happily. Wow. No, really, this is wonderful.

Man, I am Ambien's new number one fan. Well, that or sleeping's.

The only bummer is that I'm supposed to keep a strict sleeping schedule for the next two weeks while I'm taking it. So hanging out past midnight is sort of out of the question. But if I have to not hang out late for the next two weekends, I can deal if this is my reward. Tomorrow, I will wake up before 11. What do you do that early on a Saturday? I guess I'll find out.

Oh, and the moments before you fall asleep on Ambien? Very amusing. Very drug-induced, in that fun sort of way. JP said I had quite the shit-eating grin. Hopefully it wasn't reminiscent of Britney's...