Donna in Hollywoodland

Los Feliz Street Fair

Early morning... I headed on over to The Los Feliz Street Fair.
One of my favorite things about summer... all the Street Fairs....

I started out the morning with a coffee and danish from PsychoBabble Coffee House .

I was volunteering at a booth for The Egyptian Theatre .
We were handing out the movie calendar, and getting people to sign up for our mailing list.
Anyone who signed up, got a free poster from a stack of donated posters.

After my shift was over, I met up with friends, and we bought some Italian Food for lunch.
I walked around looking at all the different vendors - but after yesterday's long walk, I could only do so much - and I ended up going home soon after.

Chief of Police at Street Fair

Doggy Adoption

Street Performers on Stilts

Labels: art, losangeles, losfeliz, photography, photos

Sunday in Toluca Lake

Volunteered at Falcon Theatre this afternoon.
For the play, "Balancing Act".
It was the second time I have seen it.
Yeardley Smith is so funny in it.

After that, it was time to run errands.
I went to Marie Callender's and had a wonderful dinner.
Chicken with Mushrooms and Artichokes.
The portion was so huge, it was three servings - so I took some home for lunch at the office tomorrow.

I had actually been craving artichokes lately. And whenever I buy them, I don't seem to get around to cooking them.
Artichokes are a difficult vegetable to prepare.
So this was a perfect dinner... It satisfied my artichoke craving.

Then I ran into Trader Joes . The one on Riverside Drive is actually pretty small.
But I got most of what I needed. Especially my two favorites, the Organic Cranberry Juice, and Organic Decaf Chai Tea.
Then I realized on my way out, that Trader Joes has a monthly drawing.
If you bring your own grocery bag, they will enter you in a drawing for a free gift certificate.
I have to remember to bring my own bags in the future.

The only thing I noticed ... Our weather has been really weird lately.
We have had really blazing hot days, and then today seemed to cool down a bit.
But at both Marie Callender's and Trader Joes - the air conditioning was turned up to a bone-freezing chill.
At the restaurant, I had to ask to change tables, because one side of the restaurant was so cold. And where I ended up sitting - I was still cold.
Then I hurried through Trader Joes because it was so cold there to.
And it wasn't just me - believe me, it was freezing cold in both places.
I wonder if it was because it was just so warm outside, and no one adjusted the temperature once the weather started to cool off for the evening.

Labels: food, losangeles, restaurant, theater, theatre, volunteer

Alex Theatre

The Alex Theatre in Glendale has a wonderful tour.
We got a complete history lesson about the theatre.
And we went everywhere, all the way down to the basement, and up to the projection booth.
We got a great tour backstage.

I have to say I loved being on that huge stage !!!

I took a bunch of pictures.
I will eventually put them up on my Flickr page .
It takes me forever, because I take so many photos - but eventually they will be up there, I promise !

UPDATE: Here ya go: The Alex Theatre Tour Fickr Set - great pictures of the theatre !

Labels: glendale, losangeles, theater, theatre

April 27 2007 Photos

Me and Cinnamon the Cat

Hollywood History Museum

Circle in Hollywood

Labels: cat, cinnamon, hollywood, losangeles, photography, photos

House of Blues

Dinner tonight was with friends at House of Blues Restaurant in West Hollywood.
One friend has someone visiting Los Angeles from Paris, France.
So we all went and had dinner in West Hollywood.

I had a delicious steak, with sauteed mushrooms.
Turned out I was the only one of the four of us who liked mushrooms.
And three of us ordered steak....

Labels: food, losangeles, restaurants

April 23 2007 Photos

Cinnamon the Cat

Angus Burger Advertisement in Hollywood

Sunglasses in Hollywood

Labels: cat, cinnamon, hollywood, losangeles, photography, photos

New Acting Pictures

I spent the day in Westwood, having new acting pictures taken.
We walked around the Westwood area, and I ended up with 300 pictures to chose from.
I brought about nine different outfits. We used four of them.

After the picture taking was over with - I went to the Century City Mall .
I haven't been down that way since they re-paved Santa Monica Blvd.

And a humorous article in the Los Angeles Times inspired me to go eat in the Century City Food Court.
The article talked about how many Talent Agents have moved to the Century City area. Both Creative Artists and International Creative Management are in the area now.
And they all hate having to eat in the food court. But thats one of the few choices that they have.
You can read the article here:
Power plays - for a food court table

My favorite line from the article:""With all the suits and sunglasses, it feels like "The Matrix: The Food Court".

So I stopped off. I got Teriyaki Chicken, and an order of sushi, and it came with a soup.
The place was so crowded, there was no room to sit outside.
I had asked for the food "To Go", because I figured it would be to much food to eat in one meal.
Half of it was going home.

It was a good lunch, at a reasonable price.
And a very fun place to People Watch.

Labels: acting, food, losangeles, restaurants

Earth Day Links

Earthday Links for you:

Earth Day LA.org
Earthday .org
GreenLA.com
Rainforest Alliance.org
BioDieselNow.com
Heal The Bay.org
Carbon Fund.org
OrganicConsumers.org
Recycling For Charities
Tree People.org
Organic Center.org

Labels: holiday, links, losangeles

The Geffen and The Newsroom Cafe

I went online and bought tickets from Goldstar Events .
This is a great on-line service that allows you to purchase tickets for plays and other events at a reduced price.

I got tickets for the play "Heroes" at the Geffen Theatre .
Even though my ticket was almost half priced, I ended up with fantastic seats in the 3rd row.
It was great being up that close.

The actors in the play were George Segal , Richard Benjamin , and Len Cariou .
The play is a comedy about three friends in a French military hospital in 1959.

After the play, we stopped off at the Newsroom Cafe on Robertson Blvd in Beverly Hills.
We sat at one of the tables for four.
One of the waitresses came over and asked us to move to a table for two.
There was hardly anyone else in the restaurant, most of the tables were empty.

But we decided that we would just switch tables and not make a fuss.
As we switched tables, the waitress looked at her watch.
I said "Well, I guess she is expecting a big dinner rush."
My friend said "Well, if she is our waitress, she is not getting a big tip." He was alittle mad that we had been asked to move, since the restaurant was mostly empty.

Well, she wasn't our waitress - we had a waiter and he was nice.
I ordered a shark dinner special, it was very delicious.

We kept looking around the restaurant, and there were no other people coming in.
When we finally left at close to 7pm, there were still very few people in the restaurant, and mostly empty tables.

It was very annoying to be asked to move to a small table when there was no one else in the place.

We went for a quick walk up and down Robertson Blvd, passed The Ivy .
Looking for Stars - or at least some paparazzi who were looking for stars.
It was a pretty quiet night.
We saw a few stick thin women in very expensive skimpy clothes - obviously Models.

One little skinny woman walked passed me - accompanied by a tall, humongous guy who looked like he belonged in a street gang.
My friend said "You don't think they are dating do you?"
I said "No, I think thats her body guard."
I don't know who she was, I didn't recognize her.

Then, I passed a skinny rock & roll looking guy.
I couldn't tell if his long blond hair was a wig, or a bad dye job. I think he was wearing a wig so maybe no fans would recognize him.
Since he was trying to be incognito, I looked him straight in the face, trying to figure our who he was.
He nodded and half-smiled at me, as we passed.
I think he was trying to figure out if maybe we knew eachother.
I mean, why else would I be looking directly at him...
Could it be because he was wearing a really bad wig, so obviously he is somebody famous - and I wanted to figure it out.

Labels: beverlyhills, celebrities, food, losangeles, restaurants, theater, theatre

April 20 2007 Photos

Hollywood & Highland Elephant

Hollywood Mural

On Highland

Labels: hollywood, losangeles, photography, photos

Ear Nose And Throat Doctor

First, this is a new doctor - way down in Downtown Los Angeles where I have never been before.
Since I have no idea where I am going - I end up running late.

I arrive into the office with the huge envelope with the CT scan xrays.

The ENT doctor was a very nice lady.
We went over my medical history.
She handed me a kleenex tissue.

"Why are you handing me a tissue?" I ask

"Oh, I am just going to put some spray up you nose to numb it", she replies.

"Why are you going to numb my nose?"

She says "So I can put an instrument up there at look at your sinus."

"No,no - we aren't doing that. Nothing up my nose." I say.

"Well, I can't give you a thorough medical exam without looking up your nose." she says

"Thats fine, just look at the CT scan" is my reply

"Oooh, You're going to let me look at your CT scan" she says with alittle tone in her voice.

We talk. She points out the deviated septum. She circles two cysts in my sinus.

I tell her I will not take the sinus sprays because they have steroids, and I have had breast cancer in the past.
She tells me that really the only other thing that can be done is Surgery.
Surgery ???!!!!!
No.....

I'm not in any pain. And I just got over having surgery in 2005.
No, no - I can not deal with that idea.

I ask her "Are these cysts anything having to do with cancer?"

"No, these are not cancer related at all". Was her reply.
She can tell I have suddenly become very skittish and nervous.

"Ok, I am just going to take a wait and see approach, since the cysts aren't causing me any pain."
And I start to pack up.
She gives me a nasal wash.
And I am out the door like lightening...

Labels: doctor, health, losangeles

Xrays

I have to go see an ENT - Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor - later this week.
It turns out that when they did the CT scan of my sinus - it showed that I have a slight deviated septum, and some cysts in my left sinus.

I have to go and pick up my Xrays today, so I can bring them to the ENT doctor with me.
So today I drive from Hollywood into downtown Los Angeles, to the office of my medical group where they actually took the CT Scan.

The woman at the Xray Reception informs me that because my Old Doctor used to be in Glendale, my patient number begins with a Glendale ID number - and they have shipped the Xrays to Glendale.

"But I have changed Doctors to my new doctor here in Downtown Los Angeles. I have seen him twice. My old doctor in Glendale left the group. So I am coming here to the Downtown LA office now. The Doctor here in Los Angeles is the one who order the CT scan anyway."

It doesn't matter. It all depends on that Number on my chart.
I fill out a form to have my number changed in their computer system.
For the future.
Today, my records are on the other side of town

So I decide I am just going to have to drive over to Glendale and get this done. Today.
Once in Glendale, I am given the huge folder with the Sinus CT scan in a matter of minutes.

I spent way to much time driving to try to get this simple task accomplished.
I waste far to much time on crazy doctor things.

Labels: doctor, glendale, health, losangeles

WRAM

Do you know some people who are completely self-absorbed ?
I found this quote surfing around the internet and I just loved it.

Found this Quote on HotJobs.com

Quote:
"My eighth-grader daughter refers to certain people in her social group as "maybe a little WRAM."
What does WRAM mean? I asked her. It's an acronym, she said: it stands for World Revolves Around Me.
There are a few networkers I could affix that label to without much trouble. Don't be one of them: networking is supposed to be a two-way street, and the more you focus on helping your fellow networkers, the more good things will come back to you -- trust me."

So don't be WRAM...

Labels: losangeles, misc

Stress Control Food

Why is it that when we are really stressed out, we crave food ?
Especially bad food ?

I was thinking this as I drove away from the terrible doctors appointment with Dr. Psycho.
I had decided to drive directly to Fat Burger .
I needed a Fat Burger. I craved a Fat Burger.

Is it a learned response ?
Eat something, and you will feel better.
Well, thats for sure.

Or is it a physical response ?
Stress happens, the body craves nutrition, so go eat.
And then you feel better....

Once at Fat Burger, I decided to try to be some what controlled.
That is something I am trying to learn : That when I eat out, its not an excuse to pig out.
I am learning to eat out, and still be somewhat sensible in my choices.

So I order the Turkey Burger.
Instead of a regular hamburger.
A Much better choice.
But okay, still Onion Rings.
I have to have the Onion Rings.
Fat Burger makes great onion rings.

And then, I feel so much better.
And Dr. Psycho is long forgotten.

Links:
Fat Burger
Burger Cooking Items
Burger Cookbooks

Labels: food, losangeles, restaurant

Weird Oncologists

This a really Weird Doctor's Appointment story .. so I will give some historical background in this post.

I only went to see an Oncologist today because the doctor I had for 6 years left the Group, my new doctor asked me to follow-up with "his guy", an oncologist with 15 years experience, named Dr. G.
Doctor New told me he knew I didn't want chemotherapy for the breast cancer in had in 2005, but there would be no harm in just going to talk to Dr. G because he was "a really good guy".
So I said okay, and the office made an appointment for me with Dr. G.

Now... go back to 2005 to when I was diagnosed. My Breast Cancer Surgeon made me 2 appointments with two different oncologists... one was Dr. S, - but I will call him Dr. Psycho .... 2 years ago, after I had my wacky consultation with him, he kept calling me and having his staff call me.
His staff would call me and say "We are calling to confirm you appointment." - and I had no appointment.
He kept calling me at my office, and it got to the point we were yelling at eachother. He would call, and I would tell him not to call again - and he would. I told him point blank that even if I was going to have the Chemo, he would not be giving it to me... and I would never have him be my doctor. Then one day he called and we were screaming at eachother... and my coworkers overheard it and were very worried... and he was yelling at me "You are going to DIE ! You are going to DIE if you don't have chemotherapy!"

So I sent him a Fax ... and I told him that if he continued to call me, or have his staff call me, I was going to get a Restraining Order against him.
After that, he didn't call me.

One of the reasons why I wanted nothing to do with Dr. Psycho was that he was a very good lier.
I was concerned about getting Chemotherapy because I have had only one kidney since childhood.
His reply was "Well, what will happen if the breast cancer spreads to your kidney - then you will really have problems."
When I told my regular doctor and my breast surgeon what he said .. they were both very honest.
Breast Cancer can't spread to your kidney. It can spread to your brain, lungs, liver or bones. Those are some how all related, and its to scientific so I can't explain it. But they both said if I were to ever end up with Kidney cancer,
it would an entirely different cancer, and not related to the Breast Cancer at all.

So there I was in 2005, weighting Pros and Cons on a Scale, trying to figure out what to do with my health and all the cancer treatments the doctors were telling me about....
And Dr. Psycho tries a scare tactic, and lies to me.
So forget him.

Not to mention he turned out to be a real Psycho, and gave me all sorts of weird phone calls.

So now Today, Thursday morning.....I take the morning off from work, and I drive to downtown LA (Its only about a 30 minute drive). I get to the office for my appointment with Dr. G, who is the new oncologist that my doctor recommended. I tell them I am here to see "Dr. G" and I pay my insurance co-payment, and I wait in the waiting room. The Nurses take my blood pressure. And Nurses take me to the exam room. We even have a little conversation of how Dr. New recommended Dr. G because he likes him and he has 15 years experience.

In the Exam room I take off my shirt and bra, and I put on that little smock . So I am waiting there in the little smock for Doctor G...... and in walks Dr. Psycho !

Right away I knew it was not Dr. G, because Dr. Psycho is much younger.. I am thinking of the 15 years experience that Dr. New talked about .... and I sense that something is really wrong .... and Dr Psycho says to me "Donna,
do you remember me?"
And I look down at his name badge, and it says "Dr. Psycho". (Well, Dr. His-Real-Name.)
And I was so mad !

He said something about a Mix-up, and Dr. G was not available - Did I want to talk to another Doctor?
I stood my ground and said "No, Dr. New, recommended Dr. G because he has 15 years experience, and they know eachother."
He said "But are you sure you don't want to talk to anyone else?" Of course, he means Himself.
I said "NO, I want to talk to the doctor, that my new Doctor recommended."
He started to ask me questions about my health and my cancer follow-ups. I told him I had passed all my mammograms and was following up with my Breast Cancer Surgeon every 3 to 6 months - but that I wanted to discuss that with Dr. G and no one else.

So after I am naked in that little smock - he says "Ok, we will cancel your appointment today, and you can make another appointment with Dr. G."

So I put on my clothes, I go back out to the front desk ... and they try to make another appointment with me.
I tell them my Day Planner is at the office and I will have to call them later on.
The two nurses smile at me like Brain-Washed Cult Members.

Then they give me back my check for my insurance co-payment !!!!
Isn't that the weirdest thing - they cancel the appointment and give me my check back - after I am naked in the little smock in the exam room and have seen a Doctor !

Well, I wasted the entire morning that I took off from work.
They could have called me the day before, or even that morning, and told me that Dr. G was not available, and ask if I was willing to see another doctor ... but I am sure they didn't because Dr. Psycho thought he could get me in the exam room, naked in that little smock, and I would be vulnerable and easily manipulated.
I don't think it was a scheduling error. Dr. Psycho knew I was coming in and planned it.
I felt so Emotionally Abused, .....

I sent Dr. Psycho's office a fax right away - and I told them I was not their patient, do not call me, and I will be getting a different oncologist referral from Dr. New.
Then I sent Dr. New a fax, asking for a different referral, and telling him the entire story of my history with Dr. Psycho, including what happened in 2005, and with what happened this morning.
I am sure Dr. New is mad, because he got me to the point where I was willing to see an oncologist and then Dr. Psycho screwed it all up.
They should have called me before I went down there and rescheduled my appointment, but Dr. Psycho is a very manipulative person.

I also have a call into the health care group's complaint department. I'm waiting for them to call me back...
Believe me, I will be placing a complaint.


Links:
Books on Natural & Holistic Cancer health

Here is a fantastic website:
BreastCancerChoices.org

Labels: cancer, doctor, health, losangeles

April 15 2007 Photography

At the corner of Hollywood and Highland

The corner of Hollywood and Highland

Cinnamon the Cat Sleeps

Labels: cat, cinnamon, hollywood, losangeles, photography, photos

Black-out, Traffic and Baseball

I had to make it from Hollywood to Burbank by 7pm.
I was a volunteer usher over at The Colony Theatre .
So I leave the office by 6pm.
Gee ... that would be plenty of time, don't ya think...

I get on Cahuenga - and it is a parking lot.
We are not moving.
I am thinking "Is it always like this? Do people deal with this every day?"
Because I never really drive from Hollywood into Burbank right after work on a Friday night.

Finally, nearly an hour after leaving the office - I turn right on Franklin east, and jump on the freeway at Argyle.
I exit at Barham, entering all the traffic way at the beginning of the build up.

I see at all the cars behind me, who have just been sitting there while I spun around the long way to get to Argyle.
And these people are not nice. They are irritated from sitting on Cahuenga for over an hour. No one will let me cut in to get over to the right lane.
One guy and an I almost side-swiped eachother.

I am so happy when I finally reached Barham Blvd - and then I realize the problem.
There is a Black-out !
Studio City is entirely dark. Not a single traffic light is working.

As I drive up Olive, I call the Colony Boxoffice. I tell them that there is a black out in Studio City. And traffic is one big parking lot.
I arrive at The Colony 40 minutes late. Thats 7:40 pm.
It took me One hour and 40 minuted to make it from Hollywood to Burbank.

I got there in time to help them hand out programs, and of course help at Intermission.
Just as I walk into the lobby, I hear one theatre patron telling another "Oh, yeah, I can still make phone calls in a black-out, I just can't get on my computer."
An older couple come racing in, and have to wait a few minutes before going into the theatre because the announcements have already started. "We got stuck in that black-out, our entire neighborhood was without power", they tell me.

I actually got complements from the Staff on being very helpful with all the theatre patrons.
But it was just that I was on some sort of adrenaline high from trying to fight all the traffic to get there.

I did get to see the play "Rounding Third".
A very funny story about two guys who coach Little League Baseball.

The people who came to see the play were really into it.
One person wore a baseball jersey.
Another guy brought his kid, for a Father and son night at the Theatre.
The play was very funny. And worth the rush it took me to get there.

Links:
LA Times story on power outage
Baseball Books on Amazon.com
Baseball DVDs on Amazon.com

Labels: hollywood, losangeles, studiocity, theater, theatre, volunteer

April 13 2007 Photos

Palm Tree near The Grove

Palm Trees Across from The Grove

Cinnamon the Cat in the Shadows

Labels: cat, cinnamon, hollywood, losangeles, nature, photography, photos

Farmers Markets links

If you are in California, and are looking for Farmer's Markets to buy your veggies at, I have found a few links

California Federal of Certified Farmers Markets
and
Farmer Net
Also
Local Harvest has information for the entire US

I guess with Spring here, I have fresh produce on my mind....

Link:
Vegetable Cook Books

Labels: food, health, links, losangeles, shopping

April 7 2007 photos

At the Farmers Market on Fairfax

The Grove near Fairfax

Beautiful flowers at the Grove

Labels: hollywood, losangeles, photography, photos

Shopping at Trader Joes

Stopped off at Trader Joes after work.
It seemed like everyone else in the area had stopped off after work as well.
Wall to wall people. Trying to maneuver around the veggie aisle to grab a package of 4 little mini-artichokes was very difficult.

As I am wandering around the aisles, near the frozen foods - I see a guy in white starched suit, with one of those cell phones bluetooth things that plug right into your ear.
He is looking at an empty shelf of chips. And he's shouting into his phone: "This is NOT acceptable. Its the worst. Its the worst in the entire region. Completely unacceptable".

I continue on my way - and I discover one of the best things in the entire Universe:
Trader Joes Organic Cranberry Juices.
Organic Cranberry Apple Juice
and... the absolute best Organic Cranberry Lemonade
And And ! .... they are on Sale at only $2.99 for 64 fluid ounces !
Its time to stock up.

After that, I pick up another one of my favorite - dried organic cranberries
to mix with a package on unsalted mixed nuts.

Then I grab alittle bunch of flowers before I head on over to the check-out stand.

Labels: hollywood, losangeles, shopping, store

Poster Print Available

brick buildingby DonnaGrayson
Get this custom print at Zazzle

Labels: losangeles, photography, photos, shopping, store

Insomnia, subtitled: How I Love Coffee

Its 3 am .... And in my groggy sleep-deprived state, I call the office and leave my boss a voicemail.
I say "its 3 am, and I am still wide awake".
I will be late for work.

I never really get insomnia. But lately its happening often.
I need to totally cut out the coffee. Like that will ever happen. ha ha ha...

But for now ... no point in just laying there staring at the ceiling.
I make myself a cup of Trader Joes Decaf Chai Green Tea, and I play games on Pogo.com until about 4 am, when I start to feel myself nodding off.

As I start to drift off, finally falling asleep, I hear a distant "poof! poof!".
What is that "poof" noise ?
I figure it out... its a Coffee Maker.
Someone in my building is making their morning coffee, while I slowing drift off to sleep.

Oh, how I love Freshly Brewed Coffee.
And I can't wait until I can get enough sleep so I can wake up and have a cup......

Labels: health, losangeles

Freak Storm

I work on the 16th floor of a high rise building in Hollywood.
Thats actually pretty tall for a building in this part of California.
The highest buildings in my area are maybe about 30 stories, though Downtown LA has a some higher.

(Here's an interesting link about Los Angeles High Rises LA Almanac )

Anyway, today I was sitting there working, looking down over Sunset Blvd. A pretty, bright sunny day. I look to the north, towards Burbank - and there is this big black wall of clouds rolling in. Before I knew it, there were grocery bags and trash blowing right at my eye level on the 16th floor. I was worried a piece of trash was going to slam into the window. On the street, I look down to see waiters rushing to put restaurant tables and chairs inside before everything blows away. The palm trees are bending over in the wind. Then a downpour of rain - thick heavy rain drops come down fast.

Then it stops.
The clouds move south, heading towards Redondo Beach and Torrance.
And its a pretty bright sunny day again.

Here's an article about the Storm in the Los Angeles Times
and
the NBC TV website

----------
Storm Photographic Prints on Amazon.com

Labels: hollywood, losangeles

A pretty print of Downtown LA, as seen through the Palm Trees

City View by
DonnaGrayson
Get this custom print at Zazzle

Labels: losangeles, photography, photos, shopping, store

March 25 2007 Photos

Downtown Los Angeles

Cinnamon Dries off after her bath

Labels: cat, cinnamon, losangeles, photography, photos

Souplantation

A delicious lunch today at Souplantation on San Vincente in Brentwood.

I filled up on the salads. It great that its all chopped and prepared right there for you.
I can eat veggies that I normally don't buy - like radishes.

Also, the clam chowder was delicious. With corn bread.
Then for dessert, I had alittle chocolate pudding and lots of fresh melon.
My friends liked these peanut butter/chocolate things they had.
But I am not a peanut butter person at all.

For the month of April, Souplantation is having alot of items with Lemon.
Theres going to be a Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup,Summer Lemon Salad w/ Spiced Pecans, and a Hot Lemon Lava Cake.
I will be definitely going back.

Oh, also... look for the coupons in the Sunday Los Angeles Times . You can eat at Souplantation for a discount with the coupons.

Labels: food, losangeles, restaurant

Pet Food recall

I am completely stunned by the Pet Food Recall that is going on.
I just can't believe something like this is happening.
It saddens me to think how many little innocent pets have died, or become seriously ill, because of this.

On the nightly news, one commentator mentioned the entire thing brings up a whole new question.
Is any of this poisonous food, in any human food ?
Supposedly it has something to do with the Wheat Gluten in the canned pet food. It was imported from China where they are allowed to use the rat poison around food products.
Why are we buying any food product from a country that is allowed to use pesticides that the USA has banned ?

There needs to be a big investigation into this entire thing.
Who are we buying our food products from, and how are they farming ? Why aren't we buying wheat Only from the United States and other countries that watch what they put in their food?
As far as I am concerned, the only thing that can make up for this is a
huge class action lawsuit, that will make Menu Foods pay for what has happened.
Because, since they are buying from China, we aren't going to get the company that grew the wheat to be accountable for what they have done.

As far as Cinnamon the cat goes, she has been eating organic canned food.
I actually switched her about six months ago, because a few times she did throw up and have diarrhea.
I thought it was because she was getting old, she's around 11 years now, and I thought a higher quality would be better for her tummy. Now, I wonder if something was wrong with the food even six months back.
Since I switched her canned food 6 months ago to organic, she hasn't had a single stomach problem.

Her dry food was still Iams Weight Control - and a full bag of that went into the trash. I won't take a risk with any of it. I bought a bag of the Brandon Farms, and she really liked it.

But the "By Nature" and "Brandon Farms" brands that they sell at Ralphs is made by Menu Foods as well, even though the website says that they don't use wheat products.
I really don't want to use any food manufactured by Menu Foods, because morally I don't want to give them a penny of my money.

Here are the cat foods that I use :

At Whole Foods Markets:
Pet Promise

At Mayfair Market ,which is part of Gelson's
Newmans Own Organics

These I have found at Ralphs Grocery :
By Nature Organic
and
Brandon Farms
The only thing about these two brands is that the website says they are manufactured by Menu Foods, even though they don't contain any wheat, and safe to use according to the website.
Just the fact that Menu Foods is in involved in the production, makes me not want to buy them. We need to "vote" with our dollar.

I wrote an email to Ralphs Grocery Store Management, since thats where I shop most often, and I asked them to carry Newmans Own pet foods. Then I emailed Newmans Foods and asked them to put their pet food in Ralphs.
We need to let the grocery stores know how we feel.

Also, check out the fantastic blog on PetConnection.com
There is up to date info on the pet food recall posted.
Its a very informative website for pet people.

Labels: cat, food, health, losangeles, losfeliz, pet

A Hollywood T-shirt

Hollywood Blvd by DonnaGrayson

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or a Hollywood Coffee Mug

Hollywood Blvd Coffee Mug by DonnaGrayson

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Labels: hollywood, losangeles, photography, photos, shopping, store

Wild Hogs

Over at The Grove to catch an early afternoon matinee. I really wanted to see "Wild Hogs". A moving starring men over the age of 40 ? I am sooooo there ! Such a good cast, John Travolta, William H. Macy, Tim Allen , Martin Lawrence , Ray Liotta and Marisa Tomei and Jill Hennessy . It was such a funny movie. From the beginning to the end. And then make sure you stay for the closing credits because those are hysterical too.

Also in the movie is John C. McGinley , from the TV show "Scrubs" . He is so funny as the local cop. And Peter Fonda makes a surprise visit. He seems to be in all the motorcycle movies lately, He was in Ghostrider too.

Oh, okay... my favorite scene: the four guys - Travolta, Macy, Allen, and Lawrence - are skinny-dipping in a pond. Macy's character takes off his shorts, and you see his rear end - or maybe it was a "butt" double.
He jumps into the pond with the rest of the guys.
They are in the water up to their waist. A really funny cop, played by McGinley, comes along and wants to get in the water with them, although he is looking for much more in the way of action.
The four guys have to get away from him, without offending him since he is the local cop.
Its such a funny scene.

And why doesn't Ray Liotta do more comedy ? In "Wild Hogs" he is the bad guy. I loved him in this. Whatever you do, don't miss the funny closing credits. Because Liotta will really make you laugh during the credits.

My only complaint - the younger actresses.
William H Macy was born in 1950. His love interest, Marisa Tomei born in 1964.
Tim Allen was born 1953. Jill Hennessy plays his wife, and she was born in 1968.
I think would have been better to see these roles played by women who were not 14 to 15 years younger that the male actors. Though granted, with Hollywood age-ism, both Tomei and Hennessy are older than what would normally be cast in a movie like this.
It just that if the movie studio felt that actors in the 50-ish age group can carry a big hit movie - then I wish they would have done the same with the actresses. Even though both Tomei and Hennessy are great in their roles.

After the movie is over, we head over to Dupars . For their delicious Chicken Pot Pie.
And I call a female friend on the phone.
"Guess what movie I just saw?" I ask.
"What?"
"Wild Hogs" I reply.
"No you didn't" she said.
"Yes, and it is so funny! You have to see it!" I said.
"No, I don't" she said
"Yes, yes .... John Travolta, William H Macy, Tim Allen - they are all naked in a pond!" I explain.
"Oh..no...they aren't", she replied shocked.
"Yes, yes they are. You have to see it !" I say.
"Nooooooo" says my friend.
"Well, at least request it from Netflix when its available. Because it is really is hysterical."

Check out the Wild Hogs Official Website

Labels: cinema, film, hollywood, losangeles, movie, restaurant

Billy Connolly at the Brentwood

I drove over to the Westwood area, to the grounds of the Veteran's Administration.
I had signed up to be a volunteer usher at the Brentwood Theatre.
Billy Connolly was doing his one-man show.

If you need to ever drive to the Brentwood Theatre ,don't get confused. The actual address is on Wilshire Blvd and Mapquest will take you to Wilshire Blvd. But you have to actually drive into the Veteran's Administration grounds.
So...From Wilshire Blvd, go north on San Vicente - and then you make a right on a little street called Bringham. Then you will be inside the Veteran's Administration Grounds and you can make it to the theatre.

When I arrived, I was given my volunteer assignment for the evening. I was going to be in the Member's Lounge serving wine and soft drinks. The manager said that lately they had not been getting many members stopping by before the show.
And the night before they didn't have anyone stop by. She asked if I minded being in the Lounge.I said "As long as I get to see the show, I'm fine with this. I just really want to see it."
She said yes, of course, and about two minutes before eight pm, I should head into the theatre.

After she left, I was in the lounge for a good 20 minutes. The thought flashed through my mind that I had gotten all dressed up in my black pants and white shirt for nothing, because I was just sitting in a room all by myself.
Then a friendly couple came in to have a drink before the show. We had an interesting conversation all about the local theatres. We had seen many of the same plays. It also turned out that the husband worked in the music industry as well, and he knew of the music company where I work.
So my assignment in the lounge was not a waste, I spent it in nice conversation with this lovely couple.
Soon a second couple came in for a drink.
And soon after that it was two minutes before eight, and it was time to go into the theatre.

Billy Connolly's show was a complete sell-out. So the volunteers had to find places to stand in the back. There were no seats available.
And the show was two hours long, without intermission.
So yes, I stood in the back of the theatre for the full two hours.

Volunteering and Standing - not a bad price to pay when you consider that the tickets were around fifty something bucks.

I already figured that since it was a comedy show, that is was going to be raunchy and irreverent in places.
If you go to something like this, you have to know what you are getting into.
And I just don't see the point in getting all offended if the comedian says something that you don't agree with.
Its comedy. So just enjoy the moment. At least I kinda sorta think that way sometimes.

My favorite part of the show was when Billy Connolly talks about the need for Reading Glasses once you get passed a certain age.
His son and him go fishing, and he leaves the glasses at a coffee shop along the way. They have to go back to get the glasses because he couldn't see to put the bait on the hook.

Its something I can relate to because the last few years I have needed reading glasses.
And since I need them all the time, I always put them on top of my head. Then I can't find them. I look all over the place.
And finally the last thing I do, is I pat the top of my head, and there they are.
Once I had them on top of my head, and was squinting to read something. My friend said "The glasses don't work if they are on top of your head. You have to wear them over your eyes."

The rest of the show was alot of different funny stories.
The most disgusting is when Billy Connolly tells about the three different times that women have vomited on him. He think he's made some kind of record by being vomited on three separate times by three different women.
Yes, they were gross stories. But they were also funny.

He talks alot about religion. Jokes about alot of new age stuff - Angels, Feng Shui and more. Its all "bullocks" and "shite", which actually sounds more polite than if he would have said the American equivalent of those words.
He says something along the lines of "For those of you have religion, thats fine for you - just keep it to yourself" before he goes into one of his religious comedy bits. He came off as being somewhat respectful of other peoples beliefs, while still going for the laughs.

One of his running jokes was about three Great Religious Leaders who had had spiritual visits while they were alone. #1 Moses and the Burning Bush (so funny ... Billy Connolly wonders why the Bush didn't ask for any
water, or why Moses didn't offer to put out the fire), and #2 Mormon Leader Joseph Smith and the visit by Angel Maroni and #3 one other visit which I have forgotten whom it was.
He asks the question - why wasn't there any other people there ? Why were Moses and Joseph Smith both alone at the time ?
How convenient.
He repeated the phrase "How convenient" enough times that you knew he was expressing his doubt about the reality of the event.
His reasoning being because there were no witnesses then it might not be true.
I laughed along, because it is a comedy show, its funny and entertaining, and I was having a good time.

After the show, I head out to the parking lot to my car.
I am walking behind a young, hip, well-dressed couple.
The woman is saying "You know, he's right - there were no witnesses to any of those things. He has a really good point when you think about it."
She seemed to somehow turn a Comedy show into a religious lesson and was taking it all way to seriously.
Like she had been in a college course and had learned some great scholarly truth that would influence how she viewed religion the rest of her life.

It was a Comedy show... told by a comedian ... get a grip. Put it in proper perspective.
Don't think about it. Just enjoy it, then let it go.

Thats the reason why I wrote previously that I "kinda sorta" believe you can go out to be entertained and just enjoy the event for the entertainment value, and not be to worried about the perspective that it comes from.
I guess in a perfect world you could do that.
But there are those people like the hip young couple in the parking lot, who just can't seem to distinguish between a comedy routine and a real life religious lesson.
They take the words of a very funny comedian to heart, as something to believe - when its just meant to be silly entertainment.

What I really wanted to say to her was "You have to take these things by Faith. You can't prove them.
You just have to take it on Faith that its true. And the fact that the story has been passed down all these years, and its helped people - well that has to account for something too."

Anyway, as for me, I completely enjoyed the funny evening. I was happy to volunteer so I could stand in the back and watch Billy Connolly do his two hour comedy show.
If he comes to your town, I recommend that you see it - for the laughs - and just buy your ticket way in advance, because it will sell out.

Links:

Billy Connolly Official Website
Daily News Review of Brentwood Show

Billy Connolly DVDS and movies
Billy Connolly Music and CDs
Billy Connolly Books

My favorite Billy Connolly movie (and Cinnamon the Cats too!)
Garfield - A Tale of Two Kitties

Labels: celebrities, hollywood, losangeles, plays, theatre, volunteer

Store Window Greeting Card

A fun and colorful photo, available as a Greeting Card -

store windowby
DonnaGrayson
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Labels: losangeles, photography, photos, shopping, store

March 14 2007 Photos

Palm Trees in Glendale

Taken along Los Feliz Blvd

Cinnamon the cat sleeps

Labels: cat, cinnamon, glendale, losangeles, losfeliz, nature, photography, photos

Smilin' Faces Don't Tell The Truth

I'm in the car driving to the doctor. Somewhere passed Vermont, going east on Olympic.
And a car goes by, with the radio blasting.
And this is what I hear:

The truth is in the eyes Cause the eyes don't lie, amen Remember a smile is just A frown turned upside down My friend let me tell you Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes They don't tell the truth, uh Smiling faces, smiling faces Tell lies and I got proof

The band name is Undisputed Truth. And the song is "Smiling Faces Sometimes", from 1971.
And I found a fan page at The-Undisputed-Truth.com. The Group only lasted during the 1970s.

My first thought when I heard the lyrics blaring out of the car was "Wow ! I haven't heard that song in ages!"
Then I thought about the lyrics - "A Smile is just a frown turned upside down."
Thats kind of a cute way to say some people are not what they seem.
And they can turn back and forth between the two very easily.

I like the part about "The truth is in the eyes, cause the eyes don't lie".
As the Yiddish Proverb says "The eyes are the windows to the soul."

I was just disappointed to find out, that only two compilation CDs are available.
Smiling Faces: The Best of Undisputed Truth
and
The Collection which is an Import.
There are a few other compilations available, but you can only find Used CDs, not new. And the original recordings are still only available on LP Records.
I so much prefer the original albums the way the musicians intended for them to be heard. And its just so sad that The Undisputed Truth's LP Records have not been transferred over to CDs and made available.

Labels: losangeles, music

GhostRider

So yesterday, I saw "Amazing Grace" - a Period Drama about the Political and Religious Leader William Wilberforce .....Today,something completely different.

First, I drove out to The Grove on Fairfax. I saw "Ghostrider". Action Adventure pictures are actually really fun for me. "Ghostrider" had alot of Really Cool Special Effects. And I like Nicolas Cage . I met him once about 4 years ago, at an Egyptian Theatre weekend featuring his movies. And I stuffed the Gift Bags when he won the American Cinematheque Awards in the year 2001. So he's a good guy. And I think he's a really great actor.

Wes Bentley is in "Ghostrider" playing "Blackheart", the son of the Devil. And he really stood-out in the role.
I wasn't familiar when any of his other work, so when I got home I looked him up on the internet.

I just loved - I mean, LOVED - Sam Elliott in this role as The Caretaker.He was so believable and brilliant.
Someone tell me if that was his real hair. He grew it long.
And thats the first time I have seen long grey hair look really sexy on an older man.

I am not familiar with the Marvel Comic Character . So it was alittle difficult for me to follow in the respect. In the movie, the characters do make references as to why they do certain things - so that helps you follow along.

Oh, and did I mention the Really Cool Special Effects ....

Here's a funny thing ... after I was done seeing "Ghostrider" - I drove out to
Bel Air Presbyterian Church
for their evening service.
Not because I felt I needed to go to church after seeing a movie about Demons taking over the world - but I had planned things that way just because the evening service was convenient to my schedule.

Links:
The Official Ghostrider website.
Ghostrider Trailer is on YouTube.com

Labels: cinema, film, hollywood, losangeles, movies

Ma'am, We Have Eggs Florentine

I grabbed the magazines out of the Los Angeles Times , and headed over to Dupar's Restaurant at the Farmer's Market on Fairfax.

I had a really, nice, young, gay-type waiter. He was very helpful and knowledgeable.
Looking at the menu, trying to figure out what to get - it was almost as if he read my mind.
"Oh, its not on the menu, but we do have Eggs Florentine", he said.
"Eggs Florentine ! Thats what I will have", I responded happily.
Ah, my favorite brunch meal of all time.

I was sitting at a table that was pretty close to the table of some scruffy internet geek-looking types. Our tables were so close, and we kind of looked at eachother. But what to say ... except a half-smile...
I guess they weren't internet geeks, because their talk revolved around business at a beauty salon. And one of the beautiful female employees who was having an affair with a very wealthy married man. And he rented her a ridiculously expensive apartment, and bought her a ridiculously expense car.
Both men were quite amazed at how something like this could possibly happen.

I read my Los Angeles Times magazines.
I ate my delicious Eggs Florentine, with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.
Did you know that the Vitamin C in the Orange Juice will actually help you absorb the iron in the spinach in the Eggs Florentine ? Its actually a very nutritional brunch.

But my very nice young waiter kept addressing me as "Ma'am".
"Ma'am, can I get you more coffee?"
"Would you like anything else Ma'am?"
Ok... I knew I was way older than he was - and from the conversation he had with the two scruffy guys next to me, my waiter was new in LA from the East Coast.

On the East Coast maybe it is considered proper etiquette to call a woman in her late 40s by "Ma'am".
But this is Hollywood, and there is very little etiquette. Flattery is much more impressive and appreciated.
Always call a woman "Miss". It doesn't matter if she is 102 year old.
If you call her "Miss", she will assume she is looking younger than she really is, and she will be very happy.
Calling an older woman "Miss" actually will make her day. Well, at least in L.A.

But my waiter was still very nice, young and innocent - so I decided to not be offended by being called "Ma'am", chalked it up to him just getting here from the East Coast, and I left him a good tip on the bill anyway.

Labels: food, hollywood, losangeles, reading, restaurant

March 2 2007 Photos

A doggy in Griffith Park

In Griffith Park

Griffith Park Trees

A Horse in Griffith Park

Labels: losangeles, photography, photos

Union Station

Union Station & Palm Trees

Labels: losangeles, photography, photos

Pictures Taken at Bel Air Presbyterian

Labels: church, losangeles, photography, photos