Kicked off the week with a commercial call on Monday. Nada the rest of the week.

Continued the purging by going through our DVD library and pulling about 100 movies to recycle at AMPAS, along with a encrypted DVD player they sent each member a few years ago.  It was meant to battle the piracy problem but it quickly proved to be worthless and too expensive. We never even opened the box.  LOVE having the reclaimed space.

Did see the NT Live screening of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS which was fabulous.

So too was Culture Class’s AMERICAN NIGHT: The Ballad of Juan Jose. Terrific show.  Delighted we finally saw this troupe’s work since they’ve been doing their satires since the 1980s.

Our neighbors Suzie & Don had a marvelous St. Patrick’s Day party on Saturday.  We had such a great time.  Suzie is a stellar cook so you know there will be major good eats.  She did not disappoint.  And her friends have been coming to the house as long as we have so many we have known more than 20 years.  Tom lasted 2 ½ hours which is stellar for him.  He found a small group of guests who were into Science Fiction as much as he is.  They jabbered the entire time.

The other big news of the week is that our frig stopped working.  At least the bottom portion stopped. Such a drag.  The repairman said they’d have to order parts and would call first with the price of parts and service.  Hopefully that call will come on Monday and the frig can be back in order to accommodate a party we are giving on Friday.

Yep we’ve agreed to host Heifer Internationals’ CEO Pierre Ferrari.  It’s basically a meet and greet and learning more about the Heifer mission.

Pierre is a remarkable man, genuine, brilliant, accessible and approachable.  I am genuinely excited to have our friends meet him.  What an ambassador for the cause.

Sunday after I lector at the 10:30 I’ll see the much praised documentary BULLY.  That evening it’s JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME with MP.

Tuesday I’m set to edit new acting demos.  This time I am doing one for drama and one for comedy.  They are used so differently now.  Basically all the work goes online for casting and producers to view.  I did my last one in 2008 so it’s time to get my newer stuff out there.

If I haven o conflicts on Wednesday, I’ll drive down to La Jolla to attend a cocktail party for Heifer and Pierre.  Our Leadership Council member Ashley is hosting it with her husband.

They are very involved in supporting a Heifer project in Mexico so I think her guests will be there to learn about that effort.

Saturday I’m having a big day in that Mary Pat and I are going to an Arts in West Adams: Pattern, Decoration & Diversity tour.  It will be a lot of modern art set in historic homes.  CCH Punder is the Honorary Chair. Mary Pat goes for modern art and I go for old homes so it’s a good fit.

By 2 PM I’ll be at the Heifer Spring into Action Day, an public event to bring more attention to Heifer’s work and to interest more people in volunteering.

Come join us from 2 to 4 PM at Pierro Apartments, 616 St. Paul Avenue, Los Angeles, 90017.
Call 818-548-6437 for more information.

That evening Tom and I meet with our group for an extravagant 10 course dinner with wine pairings.

This is the auction item Mary Pat won at the Virginia Avenue Project, whose board she sits on. She asked each of us to pay a portion so she was free to bid til she won.  Now we all reap the benefits.

Although I am not a drinker I can’t turn down this opportunity to learn something about wine.  So I’ll enjoy 10 sips throughout the evening.

Big Happy Birthday wishes to my sister-in-law, Sue! And to her grandson my great nephew Cayden who turns 4!

Oh my, such an uneventful week.  Thank goodness we had a house guest.  Terry Kilburn, a friend of 40 years, came for a delicious three days of wonderful conversation, food, laughter and excursions.  We really hated to see him leave.  Fortunately we will have dinner with him next Tuesday before he heads to Portland.

Only one commercial call the whole week.  Had to turn down another commercial call as I already have a Discover Card airing which would make it a conflict for another credit card.

I filled the week with chores I immensely enjoy: cleaning out drawers, rearranging shelves, purging my closet.  Got stuff over to Goodwill and mailed to my sister Elaine.  We even went through the dreaded “electronics” bin and ended up donating it all.  Just love having the reclaimed space.

I also completed the annual task of compiling support documentation for the Mills Act which is a tax relief program for those of us living in historical homes.  Each year we have to re-qualify. The idea is to prove that you have spent money to maintain the historical integrity of your home.  The government then gives you a break on your home taxes. It’s nice, but the break never covers the amount one spends to maintain a historical home.  You have to love the act of maintaining a landmark.  And we do.

We also had “Flat Stanley” visiting us this week.  For those of you who do not know what that is, the character is based on a children’s book about a little boy who is given a bulletin board and hangs it above his headboard.

One night it falls on him while he is sleeping and flattens him.  His parents then decide to put him in an envelope and send him on vacation in another city.

Our great nephew, first grader John, sent us his Flat Stanley.  So we were to show him around the city and take pictures of his vacation.  Then write it up and send it back to the school so the teacher can share all the adventures Stanley has had.

Stanley had a very busy week.  He had a facial, went swimming, went on 2 auditions, to AAA, worked out with me, met Terry and had dinner with us, went to Mass and used the microphone in the ambo, had a pancake breakfast and met some of our church friends, made cheesecakes with Tom for our block club meeting where he got his membership card, attended an Academy screening and got photographed with Oscar and very best of all, made a new friend, Flat Stella, who lives in our neighborhood.  They like reading books together.

So you see, the week wasn’t altogether dull.

And then there was the ROCK.  On Friday night, actually early on Saturday, I’d say about 12:30 AM, I joined others at our neighborhood intersection and watched the ROCK being hauled through town to the LA County Art Museum.  This was the last leg of an 11 day trip to cover 105 miles. It is a 340 ton granite megalith that will be the center of a huge exhibit called Levitated Mass which will open in May at the museum. Once it is displayed people will be able to walk underneath it.

The size of the rock was nothing compared to seeing how they had to transport it.  They built equipment specifically for the job.  In addition to the rack that carried it, a huge truck pulled it while another huge truck pushed it.  Absolutely amazing.  Check out my photos on the Parties link.

And we did go to the St Paddy’s Day party at church.  I very wisely volunteered to keep myself busy during all that eating.  Anything sweet and gooey gets my attention but not if I’m moving.

The entertainment by the Ploughboys was fabulous.  Tom was sidelined due to his pain so Mary Pat, a true Irish lass, joined me for the evening. We had a delightful time.

Did you remember to turn your clocks a head one hour?  You bet I did as I am scheduled to see 3 movies on Sunday. We’re going to an 8:30 Mass so we can see THE LORAX at 10:30 AM.  Then it’s lunch and back at the theater by 2 to see THIS MEANS WAR.

In the evening Mary Pat and I will catch SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN which is getting good notices.

Monday evening I am doing my last SurveyLA speech at the MacArthur Park Neighborhood Council.  I’ll be happy to complete that task.  This may be my last official duty of my three year commitment to the Office of Historic Resources in the Department of City Planning.

If you have a moment take a look at two wonderful websites  www.SurveyLA.org and www.MyHistoricLA.org.  There are so much interesting information about LA and it’s history.  Join the conversation.

Dinner on Tuesday with Terry and friends, as mentioned above.

I’ll remember my Dad on Wednesday, March 14, his birthday.  He died March 24, 1972 at the age of 65.  Love you Dad.

Mary Pat is set to join us for dinner on Thursday before we all head out to see COMEDY OF ERRORS from the National Theater Live program.  Hope it happens this time.

Saturday we have tickets of CULTURE CLASH at the Kirk Douglas Theater.  We’re never seen them and they have been doing great work for years.  It’s time we got on board.

That evening I’m meeting my pal Carol Ann for dinner before heading over to see a screening of FRIENDS WITH KIDS.

With any luck I’ll have some auditions to report on next week.

Well it was a fairly uneventful week. Had a couple of auditions. Did all I planned to do except the NT Live viewing of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS.  I put the wrong date in my iPad.  We showed up and they were having a private screening.  Got home and our computers had stopped working. Tom then spent, I’m not kidding, four and half hours on the phone with HP and Time Warner via India getting if all worked out.  Needless to say, he went directly to bed and stayed there for one day.  Just can’t crawl around on the floor for hours and not pay for it. 

I did get my notice that the AMPAS screenings are starting up.  They always do right after The Oscars. So on Saturday I  BEING FLYNN. A good film but difficult to watch at times.  It’s a painful relationship to witness.

Sunday after Mass Tom and I will see SAFE HOUSE that is if he is feeling better.  He may have to be in bed another day.

I got word over the weekend that my friend Anne has been in the hospital 60+ days for a virulent leg infection. She’s had several surgeries and is now in an extended care facility for physical therapy.  I’ve joined her Caring Bridge network and have signed up to visit with her Monday morning.  Please keep her in your prayers.

My old pal Terry Kilburn will be driving in from Arizona on Monday, late afternoon.  He’s been visiting friends for about a week and is now headed West. I’ve planned for him and Tom to sere the exhibits at the Fashion Institute and The Annenberg.

Terry was the Artistic Director at the Meadow Brook Theater for many years.  I worked their six seasons and besides running the place, he often directed and designed the costumes.  In his senior years he has devoted hours and hours and hours to his great passion, painting.  We’re proud to have more than one original Terrence Kilburn in our home.

We’re hosting the monthly block club meeting at our home on Tuesday.  I think I am going to serve Chinese dumplings, fruit, cheese & crackers and make molten lava cakes.  That ought to cover it.

Terry is off to stay with Mary Pat on Thursday.  We’ll meet up with him again the week after next when all his LA pals meet for a farewell dinner.

We’re going to a St Paddy’s Day Party at our church on Saturday.  We missed it last year and everyone said it was the best time ever.  Not one for corned beef and cabbage, I understand the entertainment and dancing is top notch.  I guess I’ll be the judge of that.

Happy Birthday dear Nick.

No auditions this week until a 23 page animation script arrived via email Friday morning.  Wow! That's a “wake up and get moving” task if ever there was one. Voiced a huge, one eyed monster!  Fun!

Very slow week in that it went exactly as planned.  Was able to jump over to FIDM to see their Oscar nominated costume Exhibit.  It’s their 20th year featuring the film honoree’s and the only exhibit of it’s kind in the world. Exhibit closes May 23 so I intend to return with our friend Terry Kilburn who will be visiting in March.

While on the elliptical I turned on the TV to find the ESPN Sprint All Star Celebrity Basketball Game.  Now I don’t watch sports for the most part but this really captured my eye.  The main reason being comedian Kevin Hart.  Oh my goodness, he is hilarious, small in stature and a fabulous ball player.  His trash talking made me smile the entire game.  Unfortunately I had to switch machines before the game ended but I have no doubt his team won.  They were 20 points a head at half time.

Started preliminary work on the Keaney (maternal side) Clan Global Reunion. It’s not official but at least I opened a reunion bank account.  The last reunion chair is having “left ove”r funds transferred into that account from Australia and Ireland.  Once we see what finally comes in I can begin to think more seriously about it.

I finished a marvelous 6 hr audio series called THIS I BELIEVE the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.  It’s a 5 CD project from NPR.  It is so inspirational and thought provoking.

Winnie gave it to me about five years ago.  I listened to one disc and put it aside meaning to return to it.  Last week I found it again and started listening.  What a knockout series.

I found it just in time, not only for my enjoyment but for my friend Martha, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease and lives in a nursing home.  She is immobile and has difficulty speaking although she mentally sharp.  I’m just about finished reading THE GREAT GATSBY to her and was wondering what to do next.  THIS she will love.

Saturday afternoon with the Girls was fabulous.  We spent about 90 minutes at a huge warehouse sale filled with designer labels at 80% to 90% off.  I ended up dropping $156 for five t-shirts, two blouses, two jackets, three pants and a bra!

Then it was off to the San Antonio Winery for lunch.  Not much of a wine drinker I splurged with decaf.  Not a coffer drinker either so decaf feels celebratory.  Happy birthday to MP & Cece.

I’m the Lector at the 10:30 Mass on Sunday.  Then I am doing absolutely nothing but watching the Oscars, all of it, while I work on shortening the curtains on our sun porch.  I finished the ones in the master bedroom and need to press on with these other ones.

I’m happy to say I have a commercial audition Monday morning.  Will swing by the locksmith to get some extra keys made.  Might as well go to Trader Joe’s Market while I’m in the area. Then over to a bakery to pick up a cheesecake which will promptly be frozen. You see I bought a Groupon for this item thinking I’d use it for our Christmas party.  Then I decided on an Italian menu and went with tiramasu instead.  Now the Groupon is about to expire and we are in Lent.  Won’t touch that goodie til after Easter.

Facial on Tuesday. Thursday if nothing keeps me away, I’ll see the National Theater Live broadcast of COMEDY OF ERRORS, one of my favorite Shakespearen plays.

If you get a chance go to this link http://vimeo.com/36613675 to see the pilot presentation I did last year called FOREVER YOUNG AT HEART.   

Well Folks, I booked THE MENTALIST, a truly fabulous show.  I also worked it last week in the bitter morning cold of Acton, CA.

An hour north of LA, Acton is in the Soledad Canyon area where it’s remote, gorgeous and deliciously quiet.

It’s an area that has been used by the film industry since the beginning of film.  Many westerns have been shot there, as well as feature films, tv series and specials.  The area offers so many different settings and environments.  In fact I shot my second LA job there, doing THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO in the Fall of 1981.  It was great to be back.

Got my last W2 on Saturday so Tuesday I have the pleasure of mailing off my end of year tax stuff to our accountant.  Yay!!

Sunday after I serve at Mass as a Eucharistic Minister, Tom is dropping me off at Mary Pat’s where I will have lunch before we head out to be judges for a Lions Club sponsored Public Speaking contest for high schoolers.

I ended up agreeing to do it and to finding one more judge, as a church friend is president of the Lion’s Club.  How could I say no? Ought to be a hoot   

I’ve been altering some curtains this past week and will continue to do so in the coming week.  As I began to plan for our summer travel and arranging for friends to be in our home while we are away, I decided it was time to get to those tasks, long on my TO DO list.

Tuesday I do my sixth outing of the year for SurveyLA.  I got a bunch of new information they want us to include in our presentations so I’ll be taking a second look at that before heading out.

Lent kicks off with Ash Wednesday.  We hope to attend the 12:30 Mass or the 5:30 if auditions dictate.

I’m going to dial in on a live stream meeting on the Internet of my unions discussion of merger.  I am ardently PRO merger of SAG and AFTRA. It will increase our bargaining strength and give us more power to safeguard our wages, residuals, working conditions and, our pension and health benefits. Our employers operate across all types of media. We must have the power to meet them as one union with one voice. Forming one union ensures that we cannot be divided, and will help us to protect what we have while we organize new work opportunities for all members, background to center stage. Vote YES on merger.

I’m going to lunch with Cece on Thursday.  We haven’t had one on one time in ages.

That night I hope to get to the Skirball to see a documentary called To Catch a Dollar, about micro loans to impoverished women.  I’ll also see Women Hold Up the Half the Sky exhibit as the Heifer event that was scheduled a few weeks ago was canceled.  I need to see that exhibit!

In 2010 I voiced the character of Maureen in an episode of BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN.  It airs this Saturday 9 AM, EST.  The episode is called “Catch a Falling Star.”

Our TiVo will catch the cartoon as I will join the Ladies for a day of discount shopping and lunch at a local winery.

They did this last month but I was in Santa Barbara that weekend.  Well worth the trade but now I want to see those  mega discounts myself.  The Girls just raved about this monthly, super discount, warehouse event.  We’ll see.

Happy Birthday to my college pal, Charlie Bappert.  Hope it is a great one.