show and tell

When I got to work this morning, I stopped off in the kitchen to get my morning mocha. A fellow employee, TP, was in there.

"Oh, Rissa - you're so tall!" She sidles up next to me, doing that hand measuring thing short people do when standing next to a taller person. TP is 5 feet tall. With tennis shoes on. "Give me some of your height!" I offered her my 2" strappy sandals. She laughed. The 'you're so tall' comments continued for 3 minutes.

I'm not unusually tall. 6'2" is tall for a woman, I'll give ya that. With my cute bronze strappy sandals, I'm around 6'4". Fairly normal for my everyday work wear. But, it's not gargantuan. I'm not Shaq or Yao Ming or anything.

Around 10:00 a.m., L delivers our mail. TP happened to walk by. It's show and tell time! She asks me to stand up. I oblige (my bad). Again, TP sidles up to me, talking about how tall, doing that hand measuring thing short people do when standing next to a taller person. Then invites L to do the same thing! Oh, did I mention L is about the same height as TP? Uhhh...hello! They laugh and walk away - "...she's soooooo tall..."

Later in the day, I encountered TP in the kitchen. There was a 6' guy in there as well. Again, it was show and tell time! She sidled up next to me, doing that hand measuring thing short people do when standing next to a taller person. "Look how tall! Look how tall!" She walked away laughing.

There I go again, entertaining the masses.

4.5 at 12:58 a.m.

There really is nothing like being jolted out of a restful sleep by rumbling noises and movement. Nothing, I tell ya.

12:58 a.m. - an earthquake, measuring 4.5, had me wide awake. My first thoughts are a jumble of 'I hope it's not the BIG one', 'I hope it doesn't last long', 'Where's the cat?', 'Where's my emergency stuff' and 'Did any power go out'; 'My family...' ~ how disturbing to be so clear-minded a) at one o'clock in the morning and b) during an earthquake.

This morning's earthquake seemed to have lasted for 15-20 seconds, I guess. I really worry when the earthquake isn't a rolling one...the ones where the plates shift scare the crap out of me! What if our building is on a plate that shifts under? For the rest of the day I will be very jumpy...

So, 4.5 at 12:58 a.m. centered 4 miles north of Chatsworth, near Northridge (about 20 miles from my house).

And how was your morning, dear?

Sole Salvation

Seriously, I can't stop watching or singing or quoting this video.

a little voyage of self-discovery (thanks to blogthings.com)

You Are Paper

Crafty and creative, you are able to adapt freely to almost any situation.People tend to underestimate you, unless they've truly seen what you are capable of.Deep down, you're always scheming and thinking up new plans. Your mind is constantly active.You are quite capable of anything you dream of. You can always figure out a way to get what you want. You can wrap a rock person up in your sheet of trickery. A scissor person can sneak up and cut you to pieces. When you fight: No one can anticipate your next move If someone makes you mad: You'll attack them mercilessly when they're unprepared

href="http://www.blogger.com/AreYou Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

You Are a Flashy Red Bra!

Outgoing, friendly, and fascinating.You're a charmer, with your pick of the men.But you want a man who's as magnetic as you are.You need someone who can keep up with your all night gab fests!

What Kind of Bra Are You?

You Are Pop Art

When it comes to art, you're definitely not a snob. You can appreciate the mainstream aspects of culture, even if you need to twist them a bit to make them your own. Whether you're into comics, retro pinups, or bold colors, you embrace what's eye catching and simple. As far as most other art goes, you consider it a little too elitist and high brow for your tastes!

What Art Movement Are You?

You Are Chardonnay

Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!). Deep down you are: Dependable and modest Your partying style: Understated and polite Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat

What Kind of Wine Are You?

You are 67% Taurus

How Taurus Are You?

You Have Good Karma

In general, you like to do the right thing when it comes to others. Your caring personality really shines through. Sure, you have your moments of weakness - and occasionally act out. But, all in all, you're karma is good... even with those few dark spots.

How's Your Karma?

You Are a Red Wine Woman

You're not a big drinker, and when you do drink, you go for the best. You probably know a good deal about wines, and you know how to order a great bottle. When you drink too much, you tend to flirt - but only in a subtle, understated way. You prefer to date a man who's worldly and wise. He's got to be as sophisticated as you are.

What Kind of Drinking Woman Are You?

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Your Stripper Song Is

Master and Servant by Depeche Mode "There's a new game We like to play you see A game with added reality You treat me like a dog Get me down on my knees" Yawn, dancing is so boring without a little spice.

What Song Should You Strip To?

Your Rapper Name Is...

L.A. Boogie

What's Your Rapper Name?

ahh...sleep...

After several nights of no sleep, I *finally* slept for FIVE hours last night. Talk about bliss...

God bless Amstel Light and Winnie the Pooh.

just a thousand reflections of my own sweet self, self, self...

in-tro-spec-tion [in-truh-spek-shuhn] - noun

1. observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.

2. the tendency or disposition to do this.

Surprisingly, my name isn't listed in the definition.

Many sleepless nights recently due to introspection. Nothing new, really...I turn in first, journal like crazy until I get some semblance of a 'grip' and then work it out externally. Usually, this helps. Not this time.

Work is my quandary. Only recently have I discovered what truly makes my heart happy and have started pursuing jobs in that arena. What, you ask? Overall, I'd categorize it as Community Outreach. Volunteering, being a part of the Youth Mentoring Connection and A Place Called Home via the Mentoring program at work truly make me happy. I feel fed...I feel so happy, with such a full heart and soul. I started look for opportunities late last year. There are a couple of departments which handle community outreach for the studio. They're small departments, so if anyone leaves, the spot is typically filled by someone within. People in key roles who can help me are well aware of my interest. The pursuit eventually had me looking outside of the Company :::gasp::: I interviewed for a role at Nickelodeon, which, by the job description, sounded excellent. However, the reality of the job was more like party planner. I was also not prepared to take such a huge pay cut - the work and money didn't seem balanced. They went with another candidate, so I had nothing to really consider.

Last month, a position opened up at the place where I do the bulk of my volunteer work, the Downtown Women's Center (www.dwcweb.org). I sent my resume, cover letter and became very excited about the possibility of doing what makes my heart happy. I was called for an interview, which went well. Then called back for a second interview, which I couldn't tell at all. As much as I love to chat people up, an interview panel (5 on 1) rarely shows me at my best. I muddled through, at one point nervously (read: incessantly) chatting about random stuff not even remotely associated with the question. Good grief, where's the MUTE button?! A week or so after that, I received the process update/status and salary range. I was saddened to find a) the process had been opened up to consider more candidates, and b) the high end of the range is considerably less than my current salary. I had to ask the question: is this the next step for me in order to do what I want to do? Hence, the quandary and introspection. So many questions...and not many answers. I wasn't offered the job. And part of me thinks I won't be. I'm perfect for the role. I am! I can do the job and do it well. And is that enough to take a pay cut? Can I live on the salary? I would be happy and fed. Is that enough?

I guess a Sidebar is needed: I am thoroughly happy in my current job. Make NO mistake about that! I am trusted, I am liked, I am part of a team which is supportive and encouraging and fun. I participate actively, I contribute regularly, I've been positioned to be the 'go-to' girl for our employees and I know my shit. My role, though limited in title, is much more expansive in scope than one would think. I am appreciative to no end because my team trusts me, and in turn, so do our employees.

So...now, do I shift my focus? Do I concentrate on my role and contributions here, moving in/up/around in this Company, if possible? Or, stay in my current job, content and looking?

(insert The English Beat: In this at least you're just like me, I think we think too much).

Seriously. Don't even get me started about love!

Introspection.

Avalon

I've been on a Roxy Music kick for the past few weeks. Bryan Ferry has one of the sexiest voices! For your listening and viewing pleasure, please enjoy the stylings of Roxy Music and...Avalon.

Gleaming the Cube

Jaimes & Bizek took me to Cube last night for a belated birthday celebration. I love love love this place! It's a cool cheese bar/deli/restaurant on La Brea. They don't have a liquor license thus no corkage fee. WhatyoutalkinboutWillis? Seriously. Bring you own bottle(s), they'll crack 'em open for ya. And provide the glasses. Cube *has* applied for the license and currently awaiting...Adam ensured us the corkage fee would be 'nominal' (read: less than $12). I'm hoping for $8 corkage.

Anyway, Cube has a regular menu - pasta, salad, etc. But ya gotta do the cheese & meats samplers! The cheese bar list is categorized: hard cheese, soft, semi-soft, bloomy rind, blue. We picked six cheeses (including blondies best and tallegio) and 5 meats (including the yummy mole salami - "it tastes like Christmas!"), added a Divine salad, 2 bottles of wine (an excellent big Seghesio Zinfandel and a tasty Hamel Pinot - mmm!) and chowed down. Cube gives you roughly an ounce of each cheese & meat (surprisingly, enough to split and share), presented on separate chalkboard trays, each cheese labeled with name, origin (cow's milk, goat's milk) and 'geographical location' in chalk. And there are accoutrements: nuts, crackers, jellies/jams. Really goooood stuff! On our 2nd round, we had the best blue cheese ever - gorgonzola dolce. I could *not* get enough of that stuff. Sooo good on spread on the lavash bread with a slice of prosciutto. T to the A to the S-T-E-Y. Our most excellent waiter, Adam, even brought me a caramel brownie - with a candle! - for my birthday 'cake'. Love that Adam :)

Ohhh, I got a bottle of wine from J&B: Bitch. Yep. Bitch Barossa Grenache wine! Do I have great friends or what?!

Let me know when you're in L.A. or when you want a mellow night out - I'll take you to Cube. And, I'll bring the wine!

Cheers!

Girl of 100 Lists

My Top 10 Celebrity Crushes

1. Maksim Chmerkovskiy ~ the best butt on television. He's sexy (even if he waxes his chest) and when he moves? Swoon. He makes me feel like the girl in the disco from Saturday Night Fever - "Maks, can I wipe your forehead?"

2. the Tweed Simmons family ~ I am so in love with them all! Their rapport with each other and the family dynamic is so loving and fun and hilarious. I want to be a Tweed Simmons!

3. Nikki Sixx ~ sigh. Love me some Nikki. He's passionate and determined and unafraid of his heart & emotions. And sexy as hell!

4. David Muir ~ ABC new anchor. I discovered the joy that is David Muir during my insomnia period. He was on the earrrrrrly morning news, relaxed, slightly disheveled and darling. Now, he's moved up to Good Morning America correspondent and ABC Evening News fill-in. Anderson Cooper has SO been replaced!

5. Terry O'Quinn ~ Locke from LOST. Helloooo! Sexy.

6. the kid from High School Musical ~ Sick, isn't it.

7. Garth Kemp ~ local ABC weatherman. He's got the sexiest voice...a former DJ on KLOS in Los Angeles. And he's, like, 6'5" or something!

8. Dave Wakeling ~ lead singer of the English Beat. Always loved Dave! Developed the crush when I was in 9th grade - singer, cute, words that resonated with my 15-year old heart. Took every opportunity to see The Beat play in and around L.A. during the 80s, my crush securely in my heart. Saw him again a month ago and the crush was renewed! I think it's more of an appreciation and admiration of him now. But, ohhh he's still cute!

9. JC Chasez ~ dunno. Inexplicable, really. Nonetheless, it's a crush. Eva Longoria sat next to me at a nail spa and I wanted to ask her to hook a sistah up with his number. She fell asleep.

10. Adam from Maroon 5 ~ this spot belonged to Joe Elliott until yesterday. I heard Adam on the radio with Ryan Seacrest. I tuned in just in time to hear Adam say "there are a lot of girls out there I just want to feed. I want to tell them to eat something! I don't really like skinny skinny girls." Yay, Adam! I heart you.

**MORTIFIED**

I wore white pants today. (You see where this is going, don't you?) I had lunch - ON THE LOT - with Mandy; which means I had to walk out of my office, across the lobby, into the elevator, down to the main lobby, past the security desk, out the doors, onto the street, wait at the light, cross the street in the crosswalk OF THE BUSIEST STREET IN BURBANK, through the security gate, past the executive offices, through the breezeway, between Casting and the dubbing stages, along the screening rooms, through the patio, into the commissary, in line to order, across the comm to the drinks, in line to pay, through the dining room, out the door to the patio, past the executive dining patio to a table. Ya with me so far? Imagine doing this in white pants and striped undies! I KNOW! This is worse than my faux Spanx incident.

Obviously, I wasn't going to wear white pants this a.m. My jean capris didn't look right with the top I had on (as usual, I ended up wearing a different top anyway). Obviously, I didn't do the full-view check either.

Someone has got to take away my Fashionista license. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!