Sunday, April 21, 2013

A Sound of Music Rehearsal

They work 'em pretty hard at rehearsal. Three and a half hours for the kids tonight. And to everyone's credit, everyone stays focused and upbeat the entire time. Community theater is a pretty cool thing! All the photos: http://JF2.com/130421/

The sun, has gone, to bed and so must I...

And a couple days later: http://JF2.com/130423/
A week later: http://JF2.com/130428/
This rehearsal was a hoot: staging Do-Re-Mi (4/29/13)

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Guess Who's Doing a TV Commercial?

That's right! Serafina landed a gig doing a TV commercial for Coast Hills Federal Credit Union (which happens to be where Lynn and I bank). She had something of an inside track via friends at church. We finished day two of shooting today. I say "we" because I had my camera, too! Otherwise I was just there to bring the snacks, unfold chairs, and stay out of the way. I remember Tracy explaining how filming was a lot different from theater (after her Dr. Quinn Medicine Women days). It sure is a great deal of "hurry up and wait". Good thing it's so fascinating during the in-between moments.

Here's the story line... Grandma and Grandpa are on their way to the beach in their car (filmed near San Simeon on day one), as are Mom and kids in their car (our shoot on day one along Highway 46). They'll be joining up with surfer Dad at the beach (shooting day two). There will be a day three of filming...

Can't wait to see the commercial!

Day One: http://JF2.com/130417/

Day Two: http://JF2.com/130418/

Sunday, April 7, 2013

3MULES.COM Meets Simi Valley

Ya just never know... There we were, fueling the car at a fairly busy intersection along the main drag of Simi Valley, when I noticed a dog getting all excited. The dog's walker was trying to control him and saying something like "they're just horses". What? Did we stumble onto parade day? So I looked in the direction the dog seemed focused, and guess what... Here comes a guy down the sidewalk leading not one, but three mules. What?! Yes siree, 3mules.com. Check out the link. Flower power meets the force, or something. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Sort of.


To round out info from our trip, we found three places to eat that we enjoyed. Barton's we already mentioned in an earlier post. We had a great BBQ dinner at Red's, and a good breakfast at the Egg House.

And if you want a couple movie recommendations, try "Olympus Has Fallen" (one man takes on a band of terrorists that has occupied the White House) and "The Impossible" (true story of a family caught in a tsunami). Both are good, though for very different reasons.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

A Full Day in Simi Valley

Lynn and I got much done in Simi Valley today! We toured the Reagan Presidential Library, visited the Santa Susana Depot, and strolled the grounds and buildings of the Strathearn Historical Park.

And all on Lynn's half-healed broken foot.

Photos: http://JF2.com/130406/

Friday, April 5, 2013

Stumbling into Excellence

Lynn and I lucked out again. Having never stayed in the Simi Valley area before, we were pretty much shooting in the dark. Yes, even with TripAdvisor reviews, it still feels like shooting in the dark.

But we hit the jackpot: Bartons Steak and Seafood. It's quite hard to find as it's pretty plain jane from the outside and it's in a less-than-OK-looking shopping center.

Mint juleps were supporting Hospice tonight. The flambeing table-side was fantastic - twice!

Tomorrow, the Reagan Library...





Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter

With the Regusci clan being at church all morning, things don't get rolling around here until well into the afternoon. And rolling they got! The Nipomo Fosters joined as well as the Gormleys. There was all manner of playing, egg hunting, eating, and drinking (not necessarily in that order).

And swimming!



Photos: http://JF2.com/130331/

Monday, March 25, 2013

First First Reading

It was a first reading alright. It was the first rehearsal for The Sound of Music, and the goal was a first reading. This was Serafina's first first-reading. Tracy picked up all the tools she needed on the way (3-ring binder, notebook, pencils, highlighters, and pencil pouch). What a trooper Serafina was. She was at the table with the entire cast, and was focused to the max for the better part of 2 hours trying to follow along with her script (105 pages, single spaced!). I cringed a bit when they handed that unbound, un-punched, 1/4-ream of paper script to Serafina; I could just see it spewing all over the floor. It was crowded enough at the table that space was at a premium. But no problem. Once Tracy showed her a way to "turn over" to the next page, she kept things fairly tidy. At one point Tracy and I could tell she was entirely lost script-wise, but she heard Maria read a line that was a cue for her and she just looked up at Maria and said her line from memory (she's watched the movie many times!). The director was beaming! And oh my, that pink highlighter was going a mile a minute. It has a special gel tip; oh my. At one point the director called out info as to who was going to be called and at what times for the rest of the week, and also gave out the manager's cell phone number. When we talked with Serafina about that on our way to the car, she showed us where she had correctly jotted that all down in her notebook. Where did she learn all this!?