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February 28, 2007

February 28, 2007


February 28, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I may or may not have mentioned here about the awards dinner we're having tomorrow night for all the offices in our region. Each office was assigned a decade and we have to come up with a song or skit. We were assigned the 1970's.

I re-wrote the Brady Bunch theme song for our office (Here's the story of a branch called Simi...), took pictures of everyone, and made these t-shirts. You can see a clearer picture here, if you're interested. We have only one party pooper who's refusing to sing. My theory is that it's better to be an enthusiastically goofy dork than to stand around looking awkward and too cool. But that's just me.

Posted by kate at 09:01 PM | | Comments (1)

February 27, 2007


February 27, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
One Hungry Vegan! This is another of those oh god, it's 9:00 at night and I haven't taken a picture yet today! pictures.

Last night was V's last game night; she's moving home to Texas next week to get ready for the baby. Really going to miss her! In honor of her last night, we ordered Chinese food. This is R, looking like he hasn't eaten in days. *laugh* It was really good food.

Posted by kate at 08:42 PM | | Comments (0)

February 26, 2007

February 26, 2007


February 26, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
This is Simi Valley at night, taken from my car in the Best Buy parking lot. *laugh* The light on the plants is my one headlight. I am SO going to get pulled over for driving a padiddle... I bought a replacement light, but I don't know how to install it! Must figure out how to do so ASAP.

Posted by kate at 07:45 PM | | Comments (0)

February 25, 2007

February 24, 2007 & February 25, 2007


February 24, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
The pictures from yesterday and "today" go together, so they're getting one post. Gen and I went to help our friends out on the movie they're working on, The Long Apology (check out the website, there's the trailer and a bunch of stills; the girly-looking apartment is ours *g*). The filming today was in a HUGE, cold, DIRTY warehouse with the most bizarre mix of items (from picture frames to appliances, Power Wheels to cases of beer, staple guns to coffins--yes, coffins--and everything in between). We were put to work immediately sweeping out stairways that were a quarter-inch thick with dirt and grime. Fun stuff.


February 25, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
And, actually, it was. Fun stuff. There was that perfect moment when the scene was going beautifully and... the cinematographer's cell phone rang. I stood in for lighting, Akarui held the boom mic for sound, we did lots of carrying and setting up and striking down and putting away. There was dirt and grime on every inch of us, even inside my socks, which is a wonder as I WAS wearing shoes!

I can't wait to see the finished product. I think this weekend is the last of the principal filming, and then they'll probably go in for some ADR, but the rest is editing and sound mixing, and it's exciting! It was last January that they filmed in our apartment, so it's been just over a year since we've been (marginally) involved. Cool to see it coming together.

Posted by kate at 03:24 AM | | Comments (0)

February 23, 2007

February 23, 2007


February 23, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I forgot my camera today. This may be the first time all year I've forgotten my camera. So here we have my make-up brushes and my adorable little ladybug pen, with cameo appearances by my curling iron and my straight iron. This is, in a nutshell, my morning routine. Nevermind the fact that I took the picture this evening.

Also, it is a very good friend's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHELLE!! I hope you had a wonderful day. Miss you, girlie!

Posted by kate at 08:11 PM | | Comments (0)

February 22, 2007

February 22, 2007


February 22, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
It's always a tricky thing for me to take a picture in public, especially when I'm by myself. I'm sure by the end of this year I'll be comfortable with my camera, but now I'm always doing the "look around, quickly pull camera from purse, snap picture, stuff camera back in purse, look around once more to see who noticed" thing. But I do find that I spend more time looking at the world with a critical eye, trying to see what kind of visually interesting thing I can find for today's picture.

And this, this is a fountain in the mall by my house. I never really noticed it before! I mean, I suppose I was vaguely aware of its existence, but I never really looked. It's kinda cool looking, isn't it?

Posted by kate at 06:12 PM | | Comments (1)

February 21, 2007

February 21, 2007


February 21, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
The Remains of the Laundry.

Word of advice: when you're a freak person who obsessively hang-dries all of your pants (and, if you're being honest, most of your shirts) to avoid shrinking, don't wash ALL your wearable jeans on a day off you intend to spend running errands. This will only result in wearing back-of-the-closet jeans, which will then lead to you spend way too much time on your hair to balance the bad jeans. This will have you finally stepping out the door at the *exact* time school lets out, thus finding you on neighborhood streets clogged with soccer moms and loitering adolescents. This all could have been avoided with a little pre-laundry planning.

Posted by kate at 05:00 PM | | Comments (0)

February 20, 2007

February 20, 2007


February 20, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
We tried so hard to get a sweet, adorable picture of Monet sniffing the fake daisies in a vase, but she just wouldn't cooperate. We even put treats in the flowers, but she knew she was being conned. She either moved too quickly or had crazy eyes. Then she resorted to playing with the fake daisies. She gets lazy when she plays sometimes, and stays on her back or side with her paws flapping about. This is what she was doing tonight.

So here we have Monet, in all her curly-tummied glory, lazily flailing after a fake daisy. With semi-crazy eyes. Gotta love her.

Posted by kate at 08:03 PM | | Comments (0)

February 19, 2007

February 19, 2007


February 19, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Today, I went with Sandra and her daughter, Allie, to the Museum of Tolerance. It was very powerful. My child was Mariam/Miriam (apparently the brochure couldn't decide which spelling to use), and she survived. I was afraid she wouldn't, because each time we put our cards into the computer, I got only a tiny blurb while others were getting multiple paragraphs. I'm glad she did.

I also bought The Diary of Anne Frank, which I've been meaning to read for YEARS. With all the books I've read on the Holocaust through school and beyond, I'm surprised I haven't yet read this one. Time to fix that.

The museum also had the strictest security I've seen in a long time. They searched the car, trunk and all, and checked IDs before allowing us into the garage. Warned us not to bring iPods or cameras or food or drink. Once inside, they thoroughly searched our purses, put us through a metal detector, and then x-rayed the purses. The woman made me throw out the breath mints I had in the bottom of my purse. They must have reason to be so cautious, but it was surprising.

Totally random and on a different note, usually when I sign into Flickr, it says "Hi, Kayay" or "Hello, Kayay" at the top of the page. Today? "G'day, Kayay (Australian)". Um, okay? I mean, cute, but is today a particularly Australian day?

Posted by kate at 06:18 PM | | Comments (1)

February 18, 2007

February 18, 2007


February 18, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Bargain shopping at Nordstrom Rack. I didn't buy *anything*, for which I was very proud. I almost bought a SUPER CUTE pair of shoes, but they were very similar to a pair I already have, so I didn't. But did I mention SUPER CUTE? Now I'm going to be itching for a new pair of shoes since I didn't buy those. Such hardship. I never thought of myself as one of those girls who loves shoes, but if you saw all the pairs lined up under my bed? You'd laugh at me for even thinking I'm not a shoe girl. But I get good deals and I wear my shoes out, so. I guess it could be worse.

Posted by kate at 06:00 PM | | Comments (0)

February 17, 2007

February 17, 2007


February 17, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Best lunch ever. Papa preparada (potato ball) sandwich with avacado, fried banana chips, and the best fruit tart ever made. Mmmmm! Every time I have a training class in Glendale (a few times a year), I eat at the Porto's Bakery there. They opened a Porto's in Burbank months ago, and somehow I'd never managed to go. Silly me! I almost wish I'd gotten another sandwich and tart to go, because I could definitely eat another one right now. May I repeat: Mmmmm!

Three day weekends are a lovely, lovely thing. I have been completely lazy today, lounging in front of the TV with the laptop and the cats. I have nothing pressing to do all weekend. It's a wonderful feeling.

Posted by kate at 04:25 PM | | Comments (0)

February 16, 2007

February 16, 2007


February 16, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
So, our first Customer Appreciation Day was a success! This picture was taken about 3/4 of the way through the set-up, but there was a moment with no customers in the office so I took the opportunity. We had muffins and cookies and cookies and muffins, coffee, tea, fruit punch, chips and salsa. We had little piggy banks and pens and pads of paper and coffee mugs and little coloring books with crayons. We had a gift basket raffle-type thing.

I did about 90% of the planning and executing, and it was actually kind of exhausting! Everyone was very appreciative, which was cool.

There are a few more photos in the "More" section. :)


A close-up of the goodies and the tiny flower vases I just loved. Hee.


The entire table from the other side.


The gift basket I put together. Isn't it cute? I love how it turned out.


And the raffle table. Pretty basic.

So, that's that. I was in charge of pictures because my regional manager couldn't attend. I think this gives a pretty good idea, even though it was bigger and better once everything was out.

Posted by kate at 09:39 PM | | Comments (0)

February 15, 2007

February 15, 2007


February 15, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
My life is so predictable.

Posted by kate at 08:38 PM | | Comments (0)

February 14, 2007

February 14, 2007


February 14, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
"Every girl deserves at least one rose on Valentine's Day." My teller supervisor brought one of these for each of the women in the office. Isn't that just the sweetest thing? I thought so. (The plant behind it looks oddly like it's part of the flower... it's not.)

I got Valentine's cards and e-cards and chocolates and a cookie bouquet , and one rose. I'd say it was a pretty successful holiday for someone who doesn't celebrate Valentine's Day. ;)

Posted by kate at 08:46 PM | | Comments (0)

Happy...

... Birthday, Jamie! I hope it's wonderful and fabulous and I wish I could be there to celebrate. *big hugs*

... Valentine's Day, everyone. It is not an important holiday to me, but to those who celebrate, I hope it is delightful.

:)

Posted by kate at 12:06 AM | | Comments (0)

February 13, 2007

February 13, 2007


February 13, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Because it's been blizzarding in Illinois and maybe I'm a little jealous (I didn't get to see snow at ALL this year!), I had to take a picture of the SPRINGTIME we seem to be having here. This is not the coolest view of this tree, but when I took it from the other side, the flowers looked yellow. The flowers are, in fact, white. It looks much more springlike from this angle, even without the cool, twisty branches. So. Spring. *sticks tongue out at shivering Illinois people* ;)

Posted by kate at 06:42 PM | | Comments (1)

February 12, 2007

February 12, 2007


February 12, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Today was a little grey and dreary. It looked like rain all day, but not a drop fell. We could use the rain.

One of my tellers, J, came in to work excited to tell me that he'd practically run Michael Rosenbaum over at the mall this weekend. (How bizarre is that for a 'good morning'?) He said Michael was playing around in the parking garage and pretended to be hit by J's car. Goofball.

Went to dinner with my West Coast Jewish Mom (her self-title) tonight. Was very good to see her, as it has been FAR TOO LONG. Had the most delicious dish at Friday's... chicken parmesan on mashed potatoes instead of pasta. My request; I don't really like pasta. GUH. Sogood. Leftovers for tomorrow.

Posted by kate at 10:07 PM | | Comments (0)

February 11, 2007

February 11, 2007


February 11, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I received a gift card to Blick's Art Store for Christmas, but the closest one is all the way in West LA, so I had to make a special trip. I am now the proud owner of an electric eraser (and a bunch of other cool stuff). Who knew such a thing existed? I sure didn't, but I'm excited to try it out. I went with the $11 one instead of the $47 one, for obvious reasons--such as not knowing for sure that it will be of any real use to me. But hey, electric eraser! It just sounds neat.

I also found a picture I'd like to paint, and now that I have all the tools to do so (my mom's been slowly giving me things I need, like a canvas and paintbrushes and paints, over the last couple years), I think I shall. Do so. I haven't held a paintbrush in about a decade, so the outcome may not be pretty.

Posted by kate at 04:31 PM | | Comments (0)

February 10, 2007

February 10, 2007


February 10, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I've been living in this apartment for a year. Admittedly, I don't go in and out the front gate very often (I usually go through the parking area), but I'm a little surprised at myself that I never noticed this light hanging right above the gate. The ivy is creeping upwards and hanging down around it, so maybe I was distracted by that. I am, apparently, not very observant.

Posted by kate at 11:29 PM | | Comments (0)

February 09, 2007

February 9, 2007


February 9, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
These are my new shoes. Our courier at work brought them back for me from the Philippines. Aren't they cute? They're extremely comfortable and, I think, hand-sewn? Maybe? They don't have any sizes or brand names or anything written on them. I always compliment her on her shoes, so she brought me some. So sweet.

Posted by kate at 07:32 PM | | Comments (0)

February 08, 2007

February 8, 2007


February 8, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Meet Julie, the mannequin the car dealership brought over to help draw attention to their cars and our equity credit lines. I made the poster... isn't it pretty? But Julie, she is creepy. Like, creepy. When they first brought her in, she had no hair! She was bald and skinny and not wearing shoes.

Everyone who walks in does a double-take. Every time *I* walk in, she scares me. No matter how often I remind myself she's there, she still freaks me out. Especially because, from my desk, all I see is her skinny little ass sticking out from behind the display. None of us can help the irrational thoughts of mannequins coming to life after dark. Julie, sorry to say, I will be glad when you are gone.


Honorable Mention: February 8, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Just so you can see a face view of her...

Posted by kate at 07:35 PM | | Comments (1)

February 07, 2007

February 7, 2007


February 7, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
I suppose I did take this picture, since I pushed the button that said "take photo" in the booth. Today, Sandra, Gen, and I went to the Ellen Show. We weren't allowed cameras, but even if we had been, I forgot my memory card in my computer (I'd planned on taking a picture of the Ellen sign on the side of the NBC building before or after the taping).

The entire day turned out to be a big disappointment. Despite waiting over two hours in line this morning, we did not end up in the audience. They were filming two shows, the later of which is to be the Valentine's Day show, so apparently tons of people came in hopes of getting into that one.

We ended up in the Riff Raff Room, which didn't sound so bad. We came back for another two-plus hours of waiting in the afternoon before being ushered in. The Riff Raff Room was exactly like watching Ellen on your TV at home. EXACTLY. They only had the cameras on during the actual TV filming, so while you could hear what was going on during breaks, you couldn't see anything. Ellen did come into the Riff Raff Room to dance with us briefly, which was cool of her. We got one of the audience gifts (a Gwen Stefani doll), but not the rest (her newest CD and TICKETS TO HER L.A. SHOW). We felt shafted enough already; it was a bigger bummer to not even get the gifts. It's understandable, though, it is.

What's not as understandable is the fact we didn't get to see anything more on the monitors than what will air on TV. The fun of going to a taping is to see what happens in between segments! And they practically shoved us out at the end when things were still happening--they actually WERE showing what was going on onstage at that point, which was Gwen and her baby son playing in the mini tourbus Ellen gave them.

So it was just... disappointing. We spent many, many hours just WAITING, and for what? It wouldn't have taken much on their part to make the experience so much better. All I really would ask is to have been able to see the stage the whole time. We do have tickets to the taping on March 13th, but not guaranteed seats. We know now to get in line WAY the heck early if we want to get into the audience. But anyway. That was our day.

Posted by kate at 05:33 PM | | Comments (1)

February 06, 2007

February 6, 2007


February 6, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
This picture is cheating a bit, because it's cropped. The full version is uploaded to my flickr account, but I think I'll use this. Because, see that little black and white thing reflected in the mirror? That's me! It kind of has a funhouse mirror effect. I find it funny that I can see myself taking a picture, reflected in the back of a side view mirror.

This is the car I drove home yesterday, the HHR. I think I mentioned the not having my gate clicker thing, so this morning I had to follow my roommate out when she left at 6:45, park on the street, and then leave for real at 7:15.

This, this was fun. Because I had to PARALLEL PARK a brand new car I DO NOT OWN, which has TERRIBLE VISIBILITY. And to make it all even that much better? I was parking between a MERCEDES and a PORSCHE. Yeah. Talk about nervous! I'm usually a pretty good parallel parker (and actually, today was fine), but with the not being able to see out the windows and the ridiculously expensive cars between which I was parking? Yeah. Not my favorite thing to have to do.

Posted by kate at 06:55 PM | | Comments (1)

February 05, 2007

February 5, 2007


February 5, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Posters galore. I'm so proud of my employees. We had a big staff meeting on Saturday, and a few weeks prior I'd assigned them each a product to make a poster about. They all took it very seriously, got creative, and did a wonderful job. So proud!

This would have been my picture for Saturday, but I didn't have a chance to put the posters up on the wall until this morning.

Plenty of other things happened today, like getting the news I'll have to drop another $450 on my car. Ai yi yi! The car is currently in the shop, having whatever it is that keeps making my engine light turn on fixed. I am driving a loaner, a 2007 Chevy HHR. It's very similar to a PT Cruiser, in that burnt sienna color. I feel bad saying I don't really like the car... the color is not my favorite, and the windows seem so very small. I felt like I couldn't see anything, like my blind spots were HUGE. I was nervous enough driving a car that started with only 10 miles on it the 30 miles home, and with not being able to see? Gah! But the dealership is being extremely awesome to me, so I have to be thankful. And also give them $450.

Since I wasn't planning on not having my car today, I didn't take the clicker out of it before my dealership buddy whisked the car off to the shop (he came by the office and took the car in to look at it on a whim). When I got home today, I couldn't get in the gate! I had my neighbor behind me honking up a storm (she could have fit in beside me, as I was squeezed off to the side waiting for someone to open the gate), but she thought I was being rude and just kept honking. She apologized when I explained the situation, but yikes. I'll have to figure out how to get OUT tomorrow, too.

So. February 5th was kind of eventful, in a car-centric way.

Posted by kate at 07:11 PM | | Comments (0)

February 04, 2007

February 4, 2007


February 4, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Superbowl XLI, Chicago Bears v. Indianapolis Colts. It did not end well for our heros.

This was taken before I went to the bar to watch the game. The bar was filled with Colts fans, which was depressing. It was just our small party and a couple of guys in Urlacher jerseys sitting on the other side of the pool tables. And nobody outside of Indiana has any right to be as screechingly (seriously? One notch higher and only dogs would have heard her) gleeful as one girl there. Aaaanyway.

The Bears were in the Superbowl, they had an amazing season, and I'm proud of 'em. Even though I'm not the world's biggest football fan, I am a Chicago fan, and they done well. Go Bears!

Posted by kate at 07:43 PM | | Comments (0)

February 03, 2007

February 3, 2007


February 3, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
This picture, my Diet Coke (and VitaminWater) Graveyard, is very telling in more than one way. Yes, I am addicted to Diet Coke. No, these were not all consumed in one day, but yes, I'm messy (lazy?) enough not to clean up my empties over the course of several days.

Maybe I shouldn't have taken this picture. I think it's telling in a not-so-flattering way. Woops! To the recycling bin they're going, right now. There, much better. (They're gone now.)

Posted by kate at 07:32 PM | | Comments (1)

February 02, 2007

February 2, 2007


February 2, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Groundhog Day and the full moon, all at once! This was my attempt at photographing the moon, which was huge and looming and gorgeous on the way home from work, but small and kind of insignificant-looking by the time I was in a position to actually take a picture. It's a little dark, and through some palm tree... fronds... but that's how it goes, I guess.

Posted by kate at 09:48 PM | | Comments (0)

February 01, 2007

February 1, 2007


February 1, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Traditionally, any day I have off work somehow morphs itself into Laundry Day. This here is our dingy little laundry room as seen through the window. It has two washers and two dryers, but no sink and nowhere to hang clothes. My perfect laundry room would have plenty of space to hang clothes, as I dry almost nothing and hang almost everything. Better for fewer wrinkles and less chance of shrinking, I say.

...I hope none of my unmentionables are visible in the picture!

Posted by kate at 09:15 AM | | Comments (0)

January 31, 2007


January 31, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay.
Since, for the second Wednesday in a row, I felt pretty much completely under the weather, I took another cheating photograph. This is a candle holder I quite like, but which would have looked much prettier and more glowy had I thought to light the candle inside. My head was more occupied with thoughts of collapsing into bed than with taking a pretty picture.

There's also a cameo appearance of the tiny monkey that seems to appear randomly around the apartment. I'm not sure where it came from, although I think I knew at one point. Hello, little monkey!

Posted by kate at 09:07 AM | | Comments (0)