Happy Thanksgiving from The Werks

...This photo has a great back story to it. Apparently a mutual battle with our new neighbors has ensued. Wish us luck.

We're a special lot, but we get each other.

The little things

The other day, while slinging wine in the tasting room, I began talking to a Brazilian couple who were traveling up the coast. I threw a couple of my best Portuguese phrases at them, and that, apparently, was enough to win them over.

They started telling me about all the previous destinations that they have traveled to in the last year, and we began to compare notes.
- Australia, California, France, South America. I was really starting to wish that I were on the other side of the bar for a change, and that this was just a little stop in the middle of one of MY amazing adventures.

Within about 5 minutes, the woman - Ana - had a photo taken with me, had given me her card (indicating to me that she specialized in "arquitetura" in São Paulo), written down the address of the travel blog they have been keeping, and made her boyfriend go out to the car to retrieve a CD she determined I was going to love. She was right. This was apparently a concert of one Brazilian artist I am already familiar with, who had performed with another I was unaware of. Ana had been at the concert and found out later that a live album had been made of the night.

For the last 48 hours I have been rocking out to music that I only understand about %30 of, but feel with my whole body....Sven likes it too.

*Reasons to be thankful this holiday:
-Random acts of kindness and thought from strangers.
-The view from my "office"
-Musica
-And the cranberry chutney that is to come

Things to remind myself of this holiday:
-That this IS just a little stop in the middle of, what is sure to be, yet another one of my amazing adventures.

Santa Monica bound

After many emails, phone calls, and miles on the poor car trekking back and forth to The Big City, it appears that I have finally been HIRED!!!

Although my winery job is oh, so satisfying, it has never been my overall goal. Today, I had an interview with an executive producer at a new commercial production company that is starting up in Santa Monica. The two producers who are undertaking this huge task have many years experience under their belts, and both have very good track records and reputations. I am being brought in to basically set up their office, and their entire infrastructure. I will be serving as the sole, in office employee, and will also be a general assistant to the producers; random tasks such as applying for visas for the directors, sending out reels, etc. will be among my list of things to do.

As tedious as this may sound, you cannot imagine how excited I am to be offered this position!! After finishing the high-stress process of university graduation, and then shifting to having absolutely no commitment or obligation to anything, I was bordering on insanity. This is a welcomed change. Now let's just all pray that the very challenging housing situation is resolved, and a trustworthy and FUN roommate is found...soon!!

In the words of the very wise song, "Celebrate good times, COME ON!!"

I talk pretty one day...

A little while ago, I received my university diploma in the mail. This was incomparably more exciting than the graduation ceremony itself, and anyone who knows how ecstatic I was for that event knows what this must mean. I had a moment of childlike giddiness and ran around the house, clutching it in my arms looking to show my mum and dad.

My next task is to begin scavenging through local thrift stores to find a proper frame to display it proudly on my wall. Now is when I wish I had become a dentist or therapist, or even just a cubical dwelling slave so I could show it off to the world along with all the other pretentious, degree-earning professionals of the world.

I must admit, I am a little disappointed that my diploma will never say "The American University of Paris" on it, even though I feel like that is where I gained my true university experience, and it is the establishment responsible for 95% of my education - both formal and otherwise - over the last 4 years. It is, however, incredibly cool that Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature is next to my name on an official document. I think that will provide for a lot of good future conversation, and serve as a good benchmark for where I was in the world at that point in time.

Made in the U.S.A.

After hearing about a series of cases ranging from poisoned toothpaste, to lead-painted children's toys, to tainted dog food, and back to children's clothing found with high levels of formaldehyde, I have decide to join the boycott against China.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not one for heated political protest, or even involvement, but it is getting to the point - in my eyes - where to disregard this any longer, would be to disregard my own health and social awareness.

My mother has already been on this streak for quite some time, but it will rarely come up in conversation. She does not care to inflict her opinions on others, but is choosing to make this a priority of her own. She has taken to looking at labels in the supermarket, and in clothing stores, and it is UNBELIEVABLE how much of what we, in this household, would consume on a daily basis that has undergone some part of its production in China.

Look in the clothes that you want to buy, your pet food, on the bottom of your children's toys, the rubber gloves you buy with which to wash the dishes. It takes quite an effort, I must admit, but add just one of these to your daily awareness, and you will be shocked. When the retailer asks you why you are not interested in that perfect outfit that looked, oh so good on you in the dressing room, don't be hesitant to tell them the truth. "It's made in China". Just say it. The consumers are going to be the one's to turn this all around....if it's not too late already.

I could go into further depth as to all the ways in which we could be potentially screwed by our good faith and trust in relation to others around the world, but I will spare you the reading, and myself the potential embarrassment.

I do not know everything concerning the issue, and will never pretend to. This, I can promise.

My brain has apparently turned off, since I can think of no witty, poignant observations of the day (or rather, the week) with which to strike you.

Since my last entry, little has progressed with the move to Los Angeles and the commencement of a new job. So slow has it been, in fact, that I have taken a part time job working in a wine tasting room locally, and am back to the point where I will have to begin harassing the production world via email.

To update:
1) I am the best damn wine poureuse this valley has ever seen, and it is refreshing being overqualified for a position for a change.

2)My car (a volvo) has been dubbed Sven, although I was just handed the suggestion of Bjorn, so may have to reconsider.

3)I have been to one concert per week for the last 3 weeks, and yet, I still feel as if I am lacking in social engagements. Help me with this, people! There are no more concert dates in the near future.

4) I have taken to the kitchen for the first time in months, and need people to cook for. It is strange that this is problem, since I would think any of my young, starving friends (artists or not) would be looking for a good meal.

5) I awoke yesterday morning, suddenly missing and craving the snow. I am considering a trip this winter - work permitting. Ideas are:
- the Vail Valley in CO, where residence is provided
-Tahoe, Big Bear, or anywhere in the somewhat local area
- New York. More just because I have always wanted to see that city in a dusting of snow
- An as of yet unvisited state of someone's suggestion. I would like to see more of my country.

This last item, of course, requires the participation of at least one other. I would love to get a group together, or at least a couple good friends to go on an adventure.

And 6) I am craving a proper costume party. Themed or not. I think costumes are amazing, and think the upcoming holiday season would be the perfect excuse. Let me know what you all think. The more the merrier.

Aussie Invasion

I am beaming right now, but it is in celebration of another's happiness.

A good friend, who I met on my recent trip to Australia, and who was responsible for my happy tourist experience for 1 week, is coming Stateside!!

He had put off going to university, and has been working full time since high school. This boy is an amazing athlete, and had gotten the idea from a friend to apply for sports scholarships in the U.S. since there seem to be more opportunities along this line here than in Oz.

Last night he got The Call from the University of Buffalo, and they are bringing him over to start training in January! I could feel his smile all the way from Brisbane. It has been far too long since I have heard someone so sincerely and unabashedly ecstatic about life.

The best part about all this, is that in order to get to freeeezing Buffalo from down undah, you have to make a stop-over somewhere in California. He is going to set aside some time to make a visit with our mutual friend, and myself.

In exchange, I have promised (apparently with the rest of Australia, some of South America, and part of Europe) to be in Buffalo for game 1 come August. He informed the coach that they might need an extra bleacher for the Peter Fardon fan club.

Watch out Buffalo! The boy from Oz is a comin!