Diary of a Laid off Girl-Frustration

I feel like I am stranded on a desert island and I am sending out messages in a bottle. Is anyone out there? Are you getting any of the things I am sending you? Will I ever get off unemployment island?

fadeinmail at gmail dot com

Looking for some reviews

Can anyone provide me with a review of the new Goldfrapp and/or Erykah Badu albums? Especially for the fans who loved Felt Mountain and Mama's Gun.

Either comment or email me at fadeinmail@gmail.com.

On the Cheap: Movie Theaters

Seeing a movie tonight at the Arclight probably isn't my best move as a laid off girl. At $14.00 a pop, it can be pretty steep. Tonight I am going to make an exception though. Living in Los Angeles makes you lucky enough to be in a town that gets movies that are "Limited Release". Something I was always envious of when I lived in Minneapolis. Tonight I have my seats reserved to see Michel Gondry's new film "Be Kind, Rewind" A little Mos Def can always make a laid off girl happy.

Check out Michel Gondry's version of his own movie HERE

There are plenty of theaters in Los Angeles that aren't $14 a ticket. Here is a rundown of theater's that are more reasonable and can fit into the budget of us who are financially challenged.

The Beverly Center 13- (Located at the Beverly Center, between 3rd and Beverly on La Cienega)
Matinee-$6.75
Evening-$9.50

Plays a random selection of movies, from the teen crowd hits to really obscure movies you have never heard of. It isn't the most pleasant movie theater to see a film in. They were closed a while for renovation and I really wonder what it is they did.

Los Feliz 3- (1822 N. Vermont, Los Feliz)

Matinee-$4.50

Evening-$7.50

Plays a wide selection of movies, but leans more towards indie films. Now 3 separate theaters, but it used to be one, so some of the spaces are more intimate than others.

The Vista-4473 Sunset

Matinee-$5.00

Evening- check theater, but I am pretty certain that it is similar to Los Feliz 3

Plays a wide range of big draw movies, whether it be a big draw indie, films like In Bruges (playing now) or a big draw hollywood film like Superman Returns.

Hope that gave you some great choices for movie theaters on the cheap.

You learn something new everyday, unless you stop yourself

Back in the day when I used to have time to read blogs, I really enjoyed tuning into this blog Souled On for my Hip Hop, Politics and random information I couldn't find anywhere else. Now that I am laid off, I have had the chance to pick it up again, thankfully.

I always learn something new, for example I learned that 50 Cent is endorsing Hillary Clinton. I guess she really embodies his values of clubbin', working out, vitamin water, steroids and gettin' shot.

If you are a politically aware hip hop loving, music historian, pop culture digger like I am you will love this blog just as much as I do.

Go now and give yourself some time. This blog has a soundtrack.

Do not fret

Worried you have not seen all of this year's best picture nominees? Although you can see all of the movies this Saturday at participating AMC theaters for $30, I urge you to take a look at this guy's take on the best picture nominees.

Atonement- click here
Juno- click here
There Will Be Blood- click here
No Country for Old Men - click here
Michael Clayton- click here

I also, don't know why so many people liked Michael Clayton.

A category I would like to see

A category I would like to see featured in a movie award show is:

Best Movie Soundtrack

I know that people think it is copping out, just sitting there and choosing songs that other people have written and recorded sometimes hundreds of years ago and putting them together.
I think that people really forget how a soundtrack really effects a movie. There are moments that people remember in movies just because of the song that is playing. (My most cheesy remembrance is in Say Anything, you know what I mean. everyone does) Making a good soundtrack isn't like making a mix tape of love songs for your boyfriend.

Who would get your vote for best soundtrack in a movie for 2007?
Would it be:
Juno
The Darjeeling Limited
Control
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

more...

If you could go back and nominate a category for best movie soundtrack in the past what would it be? Mine would be Crooklyn.

Email me here at fadeinmail@gmail.com

Maybe just a cup of coffee

Not that I need to remind you, but L.A. is home to a lot of celebrities. For the price of a cup of coffee or a wheat grass shot you can see them in there natural habitat, not just on TMZ.

Best place to spot a celebrity that also has a cafe are:
Larchmont Village
Robertson Blvd (especially Kitson, the Newsroom and the Ivy)
The Grove

Celebrities sighted since I have been here:
Members of No Doubt
Justin Chambers
James Spader
Kirstie Alley
Rachel Griffiths
Giovanni Ribisi
Dave Navarro
?uestlove
Paris Hilton- If you do not know who she is you have been in a coma for the past few years
James Beluishi
Michael Vartan -My Alias crush number 1
David Anders-My Alias crush number 2
Nora Zehetner
Tony Shaloub and his wife Brooke Adams
Nia Vardalos - Gorgeous in person
Lisa Marie Presley
Mary Lyn Rajskub

What could be more stress free

What:Yoga
Where: Liberation Yoga , 124 S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles
When: Classes take place all the time
Total cost to me:$10

(Pictured is Christine Burke who along with her husband Gary founded Liberation, by the way she is probably one of the nicest people on Earth)

Liberation other than being a great Yoga studio that also has an art gallery and beautiful garden space is also one of the least expensive Yoga studios in town. They even give special discounts for SAG members, LACMA members, KCRW etc. (20% off every class, how cool is that!) They offer a bunch of classes in different yoga disciplines.

New to Yoga? They have a great introductory class that is FREE! Also your very first class is FREE!

Currently, they are on an abbreviated schedule due to an unfortunate pipe burst under their main studio. They are offering all classes in their garden which is a great oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Visit them and help them rebuild by taking a class.

Free and Flat

What: Free Thursdays
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art ( MOCA ) All Campuses
When: Every Thursday, 5-8p.m.
Total cost to me: $3-I split parking costs with my friend

Thursday, Feb. 7th I had the opportunity to be one of the last people to see the the Takashi Murakami exhibit for free. I have been a fan of his ever since seeing his work as part of the Superflat exhibit at the Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis. His art is very complex, sexually charged, pop commentary.

You may have noticed a couple years ago that the classic Louis Vuitton brown and gold line of bags and travel accessories got a bit of a color pick me up, well that is thanks to their collaboration with Murakami. They were also selling his Louis Vuitton bags at the exhibit, needless to say I did not purchase one being laid off and all.

If Japanese anime manga superflat art isn't your idea of viewing pleasure there are plenty of other exhibits to choose from. Check their website linked above often.

Note: This photo is not part of the Murakmai exhibit it is a photo by Cindy Sherman whose work you can see as part of Moca's permanent collection. (Photo taken from internet, not sure how rights work if you want to hurt me for using it email me at fadeinmail@gmail.com)

What is free or cheap to do in L.A.

There are actually a lot of things to do in Los Angeles on the cheap. I have already done and am investigating things to do that cost little to no money. I know that this will be helpful to a lot of you who have just moved here, are out of work actors (The WGA strike can't end early enough) or like me, laid off.

I will be featuring some great, cheap things to do in L.A. that will occupy your time without you spending a lot of money so you can still afford to kick it up every once in a while, without you feeling bad about yourself.

Diary of a laid off girl

This begins my Diary of a Laid Off Girl. I was laid off a week ago from my first job in Los Angeles.

It is strange to be were I was exactly two years ago to the date. Looking for a job. Funny how life works.

Although, being laid off I am being paid to look for a job that I want. So, the days of taking a few hour job running around in tight lycra pants are behind me.

I have been truly horrible about keeping this blog up so, I hope that this also gives me the time to post more often. I think I am finally done adjusting the way this blog looks. If you have been reading this, it probably has looked different every time you have logged in to see just the same things.

Anyway check back more often. I promise it will be updated.