My mind is a bit divided as I write today. A moment ago I thought I might fry myself up a delicious egg and cheese omelet (an "omelette" would of course refer to a non-American omelet according to Dictionary.com). Anyhoo, I was starting to get into a real groove, cracking the eggs, monitoring the coffee maker, cutting up some peppers. I thought I might try one of those omelet flip moves you see on tv, so I grabbed the frying pan and !!!SSSSZZZZZZZ!!! - in my haste I had "choked up" on the pan handle a bit too far, past the protective grip, and received quite the burn on the webbing between some fingers. The omelet sat scorching unattended on the burner as I addressed my wound. What I ended up eating was more like a hockey puck than an omelet, but spite builds quite the appetite, so I finished it.
Well April fools was certainly an experience in LA. I found myself strolling through Westwood, trying to kill some time while Stephanie was off taking a Nursing quiz - I swear that's all nurses ever do. I crossed the street and was instantly berated by a woman in complete renaissance attire (which didn't seem that unusual in LA, just the other day Steph geared my attention to a man standing on the side of Sunset Blvd who was wearing a mesh shirt, holding a purse, and flipping off the cars that went by, all while balancing a huge black bag of garbage on his head.) I tried to just play it cool and keep my course until I heard something about a FREE turkey leg. She was promoting the season premiere of CAMELOT on STARZ, hence the attire, I accepted her offer and was directed to the trailer where King Arthur himself was frying up Turkey legs. I took my prize on the condition that I promised to watch the show that evening on the tv I don't own. He sweetened the deal by assuring me "dude you're gonna love it, this isn't your mother's CAMELOT, it's edgier...sexier". Sexier hmmm, not according to the strung out World of Warcraft nerd plastered on the side of the trailer, but I'll take your word for it.
Well lately I have been reconnecting with some friends I haven't seen since my time in LA back in 2009 when I attended the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. Last night I attended the LAFSC's 20-year reunion party and saw some peeps from my semester as well as a plethora of alumni dating back to 1991. It was inspiring to see all the people that have migrated from small Christian colleges from around the country and are now firmly planted in Hollywood, many of whom have worked on some incredible films over their careers. One man spoke about how as Christian film makers, our intention is not to create "nice films that make nice people nicer" but rather to "fully engage in today's culture through a Christian lens". He went on to discuss the importance of meeting people on "their" level, creating characters that can relate. Interesting stuff.
LA continues to amaze me. People out here seem to be constantly moving, ever-involved, and excited to extend a hand. The city itself can become ensnaring if its not properly medicated with a once-a-week trip to the mountains or beach, which Stephanie and I have been diligent about doing.
Other notes:
I've been attending a church on Hollywood Blvd called Ecclesia - It's wonderful
Thanks to Brian and Jenny Kraft for hanging with me the other week, Great times
My apologies to the Schott family for riddling your Netflix account with strange films.
-Danny
Perfect - Entertaining AND thoughtful. You are a great writer Danny. I could "see" LA even without the pics. I told Steph, I enjoy seeing you two exploring Cali and it reminds me of Randy and I in the 90s. I considered it an unexpected gift to be able to live and work in a place different from where I grew up and to interact with people not-so-like myself.
ReplyDeleteNo worries about the NETFLIX. It was clarifying to this Mom from "the generation just south of current technology" to find out how the mysterious movies got onto the list!