For anyone who missed the bit on GMA - oh say like all of us in the house - it's up on their website along with a written article. The Mystery Machine gets about 1.5 seconds of air time, and it was a lot of fun to see the cars that were our neighbours get some coverage.

If anyone is bored on 11/21 - and what xphile wouldn't think that's a special date - there's a LeMons race at Thunder Hill, about an hour north of Sacramento that we're aiming for.

Tivo is set for tonight's SciFi cinematic train wreck epic Merlin: Book of the Beasts.

Things I've done in the last month: traveled around Italy one my one in a crappy Fiat rental, helped prep and then drive a $500 race car, watched two versions of Pride and Prejudiced, the 1983 and 2006 Jane Eyre (2006 wins hands down), Persuasion, and Shakespeare in Love*. In a couple of hours we're going to do a double feature of Wolverine and Star Trek. When we get home A and I plan on watching Moulin Rouge and Becoming Jane.

Sometimes I wonder about my internal wiring, but then A was right next to me for most of it, so I can't be that of an oddity. ;)

*the girly movies were all watched in the last 48 hour

One of two SciFi movies I worked on last October will be airing tomorrow night on SciFi. (thanks for asta77 giving me the heads up.)

Merlin: Book of the Beasts staring James Callis from BSG. Check out the awesome trailer.

For you SG1 fans, take a look, at well pretty much every prop and dressing, they all come directly from the Stargate lock-up. The bed is the one that Vala gave birth in.

ION, if anyone wants to see what exactly 24 Hours of LeMons is like, check out Good Morning America tomorrow - Saturday morning - at 7am. According to the organizer, Jay Lamm, there will be a twenty-five minute story on the Reno-Fernley race.

We had a fantastic time. Ling Ling came in 7th over all, and we - the Mystery Machine - made it to an hour before the checkered flag. I was the last driver and it was incredibly exciting to pull into the paddock with dark blue/black smoke billowing both inside and outside the vehicle. Seeing multiple teams running towards me with fire extinguishers did nothing to assuage my trepidation of not, you know, bursting into flames. Turns out, among other things, the rear seal had finally given out, and I had been spraying oil all over the engine.

That said, we still ended up 59th out of ~102 cars, and were as high as 42.

ascian3 has a bit on her lj about the race and on her blog.


Thursday's Drive

LeMons Reno_09_05_21

LeMons Reno_09_05_22

LeMons Reno_09_05_23

LeMons Reno_09_05_24

Well, come hell or high water, or a slow leak in the coolant system, we trailer out on Thursday night for 24 Hours of LeMons". Laz, the captain of Pandamonium, our big sister team, has a birthing class then two ambulances - one towing a BMW E30 with a panda paint job, a large RV towing our minivan a la Mystery Machine, leaves around 9pm for Reno-Fernly race track. We should roll in around 2am, leaving a solid four hours before the gates to the paddock open and an Oklahoma style landrush for 'good' spots in the paddock happens.

Here is a link to the blog ascian3 has been keeping MysteriesIncRacing.blogspot.com

Apart from the ngiht A and I drove up to Thuderhill, about four hours form here, for a track day, we've been out of the house around 10am, and back around 11pm or midnight. When those while those who are employed are at work, I do runs through out the Bay Area for various things that we still desperately need, every other second is spend working on the cars. sleipnirrr has made an awesome exhaust among many other things, as well as overseeing and answering endless questions from A and I. He and Laz have been invaluable this week as jdh - another team member who has way more car mechanical knowledge then A and I combined - is at his sister's graduation in New York.

I now know how to uninstall and install a break like, change automatic transmission fluid, bleed a break line and refill it, remove and install a front grill, remove and change shocks and suspension. On top of really working on my break removal and installation, oil changing, and tire and wheel changing.

When I'm done with the race I'm sure I'll be posting tons of photos. Also, I'll get on posting the rest of my Italy photos. Nothing like traveling for 20 hours, being picked up from the airport and getting taken directly to work on the minivan, and repeating that process every day to get over jet lag. Turns out sheer exhaustion, after the first night, forces you to sleep most of the night through.

More photos...

Arriving in Perugia

A day in Perusia

Sun going down in Pisa

I'm currently sitting at a table and chairs in the courtyard belonging to, Hotel Santa Croce in Fossabanda, my hotel's cafe. It only opens for breakfast, but guests can use the chairs and tables whenever we want.

I have more photos, I'm sure you're all thrilled. ;)

Last morning in Orvieto

Short stop in Todi

Rainy morning in Spoleto

Assisi

off to sleep lots and lots, so that when the sun is - finally - shiny tomorrow and I go to the leaning tower of Pisa, I'll be able to appreciate it fully.

Orvieto Day 1

Orvieto Day 2

Frustrations Adventures in airline travel or ( How I Got to Rome )

All sorts of wackiness has happened, not the least of which was an epic time just getting to Rome. I'll post that story next time I have internet access, but here are some photos for now.

Rome, day 1

Rome, day 2

Rome, day 3

I leave for Italy tomorrow today. In just under five hours the wonderful [Bad username: ascian3"] will be driving me to the airport. Apart from having my hotel booked in Rome, and the car pick up and return scheduled, I don't really have a plan. I have a multi-page google map print out of all the areas I want to see and a word doc for each region listing by city the attractions I want to try and visit. When I get to Rome I'll use my evenings to book the first couple of places, but after that I'll just use whatever internet cafe I can find or the disposable cell phone I intend to get.

I'll post pictures when I can and I'll be back the evening of May 12th. Until then, everyone keep safe and have a good month!

In the mad countdown to get everything done before I leave on Friday morning, things are starting to fall into place...sort of.

Of the good, my room is cleaner and more organized than it has been in years. I'm pretty much ready to turn in all stuff related to HK tomorrow, despite the constant trickle of emails from vendors who have not been paid this amount or want to make sure all paper work is finished. I have six, yes six, 4 inch binders fulled of paper work; Petty Cash, Purchase Orders, and Check Requests, one set for each season. All, but the CR binder for 7 are filled to capacity. I'm sorry I missed your $54 charge, but on a whole, bite me.

I went to the DMV today to take my written motorcycle test, only to find out to my horror, that I needed to take the car written exam as well. Sure I passed it no problem last time and didn't make it more than a quarter of the way through the book - I'd been driving for seven years at that point, and figured if I didn't know the rules, maybe I shouldn't be driving. But, it's a test, one that can revoke my driver's license six days before I go over seas for a month.

However, I am happy to announce I am now the proud holder of both a car and motorcycle license. Or at least I will be in two to three weeks. My current license has a hole punched in it to invalidate it and I have a paper one folded up that I'm supposed to use in the interim. We'll see how that goes over with the nice people who I rent a car from in Italy.

Of the bad, still haven't rented a car or reserved my rooms for the start of my stay in Rome. Must get on that tomorrow. And I'm an embarrassingly small way through my 'Lonely Planet', and need to get reading something quick. I do have all day Monday and part of the weekend. As, long as I'm a step a head while I'm over there, I should be fine. Plus I've had wonderful advice about places to go and what to see, I should be able to wing it all very nicely.

Gods know, winging it is how I usually get through life!

Oh, and roomieC and I got tickets to see U2 at the Rosebowl in October!

All I really wanted to do was go to the bathroom, but almost as soon as I closed the bathroom door I heard and angry voice yell, "Stop and get on your knees."

Say what you will about me, but that's not a common occurrence in my bathroom just after midnight. Or, you know, every.

I finished up as quickly as possible, turned off the lights, then went to my room, which is on the same side of the house as the bathroom. I shut my laptop lid, to get rid of any additional light and peaked out my blinds. Yup, some dude in a skull cap is indeed on his knees in the parking lot on the neighbouring building and there are couple of cops cuffing him and going through his stuff.

Also a squad car showed up and is using its headlights to illuminate the area.

Here's the thing, yes I live in LA, yes it's not exactly the safest place in the world, but where I live, kinda is one of the safer areas. I've been here for almost seven years now and can count on one had the number of times I've seen/heard the cops in the area while not on a routine patrol or due to an accident.

Honestly, I hope they just haul the guy off so I can get to sleep.

I'm done with HK! Well not actually done, I'm working from home, answering emails, taking phone calls. I've been to the stage once this week and will go back again tomorrow and probably Friday. Next week I'll cook get the books in order to turn them over to production. I officially wrap on on April 10th, then drive up to ascian3 and sleipnirr house for the weekend. I'll abandon my car with them while I go to Italy for four weeks. The weekend after that I have a track day in preparation for GOIN' FOR BROKEN 2009.

Though last weekend was my first official weekend not being on call - and not getting any work calls - it was my busiest one in months. I had five hour motorcycle riding classes, one each on Saturday and Sunday culminating in riding test. Which I passed, and had the dubious honour of going first as the instructors felt I was one of the most consistent riders of the weekend. With a flock of butterflies on speed in my stomach I did pass, though it was some of the worst riding I did.

Now I'm waiting for the paperwork to be mailed to me so that I can take the written test at the DMV. When/if I pass that I get my M2, motorcycle license. When I get back from all my travels and play I'll see about maybe buying a motorcycle.

Yesterday, roomieC, FriendS, and I went to the LA science center to see the CSI: The Experience. It was kinda really fun, though a bit on the kid side. We did all three cases together, then came home for pizza and SG1.

Some how we got to talking, and decided to today we'd have SG1 - replicator marathon. I lounged around in bed until the last minute then went off to Whole paycheck Foods to get some random food and fixings for lasagna. For desert we have cookie dough, vanilla ice cream and a variety of fresh fruit.


ETA Just in case no everyone has Shee with LEDs

Title: Away 10: The Holiday 3 - Evolving
Author: pukajen
Pairing: GSR
Rating: Adult parts ahead
Spoilers: Lying Down with Dogs, eventually One to Go
Summary: She looked so young and so incredibly happy in that moment, smiling up at him, her eyes filled with laughter and love, it almost caused his heart to swell out of his chest with love.
Author's Note: soundingsea, thanks again for everything.
Author's Note II: If anyone out there is so inclined and has the time, I would love to get a couple more CSI icons so I don't have to keep using the same two over and over again.
Word Count: 6.260
Disclaimer: Not Mine.

All earlier parts can be found HERE

( Away 10: The Holiday 3 - Evolving )

Don't forget to power everything off between 8:30pm and 9:30pm local times for Earth Hour.

Also, just got back from the first of two practical classes to learn to ride a motorcycle. So. Much. Fun.

Well not really. But we did wrapped taping very early this morning and had a Hell of a wrap party. We had it on stage as Gordon is leave today and wanted to party with the crew. Plus, as lame as it sounds, it's pretty cool to just roll from working to an opened bar, fully catered event.

MinionS and I got off at 7:30, so went back to my place to turn in to girls. About a quarter of the crew dressed up, the rest just stored equipment and came out to the restaurant floor. We left one car at my place and took the other back to set. That way when we got a cab home - provided by production - we'd have a way to get to work this morning.

Most people are pretty rough around the edges this morning. While I'm not hungover, I am very tired and my knees ache from wearing heels for several long hours last night. I brought flipflops with me to change into when I couldn't take the heels anymore.

Now comes one of the not-so-much part of cleaning up and packing up. Months ago we turned offices into dorm, a break room into a bathroom with three toilets and shower stalls, and an empty soundstage into a working restaurant. Now we need to restore everything to the way it was before we drilled the first hole, hung the first sheet of drywall, and ran natural gas lines.

and i need a nap...

roomieC's dad is currently in town. He'd brought his best friend with him and his breast friend's wife. To that end roomieC and roomieC's aunt - who lives here - are trying to find stuff for them to do. It's his first time out here since his wife died, and the 15th would have been their anniversary.

I joined them for dinner on Saturday, but as I'm a pumpkin these days, I couldn't stay out that late and do the whole 3rd Street thing with them. Plus, it's my weekend before the finale, and I wanted time to recharge my will to live energies. Sunday I hung out as Starbucks for a while, before coming home to read for while. roomieC stopped by to pick me up to go Indoor Skydiving. It was awesome. I had the best time. I have no idea how much it cost as roomieC bribed covered all expenses. But holy crap it was so much fun. Makes me kinda wanna skydive for real.

Also, Saturday was the deadline to be entered in GOIN' FOR BROKEN 2009, another LeMons race. Only this time A entered a turbo-charged minivan she was given. In theory we're going to make it look as close to the The Mystery Machine as possible. Our other hook was it's going to be driven by women*.

And. WE GOT IN!!!!

Turns out A and I are the only woman drivers so we're gonna have one of her friends drive on our team too.

So very excited!
or people who drive like women

Title: Away 10: The Holiday 2 - Exploring
Author: pukajen
Pairing: GSR
Rating: Adult parts ahead
Spoilers: Lying Down with Dogs, eventually One to Go
Summary: Grissom reached over and squeezed her thigh, thinking of a thousand different moments, small pockets of happiness, they’d had together since that night.
Author's Note: soundingsea, it took like twenty minutes, but I found somewhere else to use. Thank you for everything.
Word Count: 5,478
Disclaimer: Not Mine.

All earlier parts can be found HERE

( Away 10: The Holiday 2 - Exploring )

Weekend before last roomieE and I went to the Hollywood Farmers' Market then up to the Huntington Gardens just outside of Pasadena. I really like having weekends and am glad I fought for them.

We're nearly done. There's a week left of camera, then we have to power wrap. Wrapping this season will, hopefully, be easier than last season. We've had a a huge on-going set sale the last two weeks. Stuff left over from season two is finally gone. Don't get me wrong, we have a lot of crap left, but no where near the 19 truck loads we did last time.

Last season I instituted a fairly involved packing plan. There were lists, epic lists. It was a huge pain in the ass, but it made things way easier when it came to unpacking and seeing what we had available to use for the set.

Wrap should be straightforward enough, but we'll see. I already have a planned half-day off at the end of the month for Motorcycle Classes. There's classroom and road components, the bikes are provided by the course. If I pass, pleasepleaseplease, it takes five to ten days to get the paperwork then I need to go to the deepest pits of Hell the DMV and do their 50 question multiple choice exam.

ION: I noticed that our bathtub drain was draining very slowly. I tried to plunger it, but whatever was clogging it was beyond a plunger. So I called our crazy handiman, who in turn called a plumber.

Good News: bathtub now draining prefectly
Ban News: it now drains directly into our downstairs bathroom

Seems that while snaking our drain, the plumber managed to break a pipe. In theory it got fixed today. I haven't heard from the roomies to let me know one way or the other.

and tonight i'm gonna book my flights for italy. and this time i mean it!

Title: Away 10: The Holiday 1 - Escaping
Author: pukajen
Pairing: GSR
Rating: Adult parts ahead
Spoilers: Lying Down with Dogs, eventually One to Go
Summary: Contentment swam through Grissom. This is what he had been missing in his weeks apart from Sara.
Author's Note: soundingsea, thank you so much for answering all of my questions. Not only are you a fantastic beta, you're a great teacher.
Word Count: 5,462
Disclaimer: Not Mine.

All earlier parts can be found HERE

( Away 10: The Holiday 1 - Escaping )

I hates eBay lots and lots. After more than an hour of trying to set up an account - 55 minutes of that in chat with some one who does not speak English as a first or even second language. "you need to have a different other than thealphabets in your email address .."

It took a few minutes, but what he meant was I can't have my user name and email address match.

I've been in three different unhelpful chats being passed around from department to department. And still no help, nor an account to use.

Also, a vendor we've used for years, has turned into big old asshats. We've gone through four different reps this year. I don't mean since I started this gig, I mean since Jan. 1, 2009. We're no longer supposed to call our reps directly, but use the toll free number. I've been trying since the second week of January to get a specific piece of equipment from them to go with other stuff we have. I got a wrong quote about four weeks ago. Despite repeated emails and phone calls I have yet to hear back from them.

We ran out of a product we use with their machine, I placed the order two weeks ago. A service rep came out last week for regular maintenance and was very apologetic. He claimed that he would order our needed product right away. A week later, nothing. We called the toll free number, the order hadn't been placed until Tuesday. The customer service person claimed it was out for delivery right now. We'll see...