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This morning, I got up at 5am to go to the Bill Clinton book signing in Baldwin Hills with my friend Kim. She picked me up about 6am and we headed to Starbucks for some caffeine to last us through the day. We got to the bookstore about 6:45am this morning. The bookstore royally screwed up the management of the event. According to their website, there was to be no sleeping out and no lining up before 7am. WRONG! There were at least 3000 people there as Kim and I drove up. We started to park in the Ralph's parking lot as the paper had said we could, but we found at least four tow trucks, towing cars as fast as they could. We parked along the street a few blocks away and hoofed it back to the book store. By this time the line had gone around the corner and around the next corner ending halfway down the backside of the mini mall. Apparently, if you bought the book during the week or over the phone this morning, you could get a ticket as well, something that was not made public. About 30 minutes after we got there, the word came back that there were only 1500 books and they were sold out. People started dropping out like flies. We gradually moved around to the side and then to the front. There was one guy who kept walking around trying to sell his ticket that he got because he "knew someone" for $500. I never saw him sell it. Meanwhile, Kim had been wandering around the parking lot and mini mall, trying to find out what she could from various people. About 9:30, she came to tell me that she thought that he would be coming in the back and there was a grassy knoll that we could stand on to watch. After giving it some thought, I gave up my spot in line to follow her to the back of the mini mall. We watched them start closing the street to traffic and move us on from the street up onto the grass. Sure enough, a little after 10 o'clock, the motorcade came through. President Clinton was on the side of the car that we could see and I was so excited! He waved at the screaming crowd and the car pulled into the parking lot. We all ran across the street to the police baracade to try and catch another glimpse. The SUV went to the far end of the parking lot and he got out. He went to the line of people standing there by the breezeway, shaking hands and signing autographs. Kim and I ran over there, but we were stopped by LAPD. He was still not more than 30 feet away and I was so happy. He went to his SUV and grabbed about 5 copies of his book that he signed and gave out to some of that crowd. He turned to go into the bookstore (we thought), so Kim and I decided that it had been worth it to see him and it was time for potty break and lunch. We walked through the breezeway to the front of the shopping center and were stopped by some woman asking questions. While we stood there, we saw that he had not gone into the bookstore, but instead continued to work the rope line on that side of the store. Kim yelled at me to run, so I ran that direction, but was again stopped, by Secret Service this time. I was now about 10 feet from him and freaking out. I could see him clearly from the back. He picked up a baby from the crowd and held it which was so adorable. Then an LAPD officer told me to get behind the police tape that was parallel La Brea and perpendicular to the line where he was. I was near the end of the tape, but in front. I kept thinking that he would turn around and go back, but he kept working his way down the line. Kim and I moved up the line toward him, trying to get closer. I kept saying, "He's not going to come all the way down here." and "If he comes down here, I think I'm going to pass out." Then the moment came. The Secret Service started yelling, "Hands up! Hands up!" The crowd was clamoring and I put my hands up, one holding a water bottle and the other shaking so badly, I didn't think he'd be able to grab it if he did come near. Then all of the sudden, he was in front of the me. He has such beautiful blue eyes. He was wearing a dark suit with a blue shirt and a yellow tie. I had been pushed up to the front of the rope during the clamoring and he was just right there. I SHOOK BILL CLINTON'S HAND! My hands were numb and I was hyperventilating and crying, but I couldn't believe it. My friend Kim got a finger to shake, but he grabbed my whole hand. I didn't pass out, but I felt like I might. It was absolutely amazing and I really can't think of anything that could top this. I still can't believe it really happened. I didn't have my autograph book or my camera or anything because the website said not to have anything but ID. Some people got autographs on the stuff they handed to the Secret Service, but I didn't have anything to give. So the lesson for next time is to bring everything and let the Secret Service take it away from me when the time comes. This pales in comparison, but I had to blog it too because it was the coolest thing to happen to me until about two hours ago. Last night, I drove down to Anaheim for the US Olympic Gymnastic Team Trials. On the way down, I turned off my CD player to listen to the radio to get traffic updates and whatnot. I heard that my favorite radio station, STAR 98.7, was having a call-in contest to win passes to the Star Lounge show with Sarah McLachlan as well as get on the STAR guest list for either her show in Anaheim or the one at the Staples Center. I thought to myself that I should try to listen to the radio to call in. As I got close to the arena last night, they made the announcement to call in, that caller #20 would get the package. So, on a whim, I called. It was busy. I redialed two more times and it was busy. On the fourth call, it rang. And rang and rang. Then a voice that sounded like Jason Pullman said, "Hello!" I said "Hi." He asked how my week at work was. I said that it had been fine and that I was off next week, so that was good. He explained the conest that they were having and then told me that I won! I couldn't believe it! I freaked out on the radio and my hands were shaking! Lisa said that I sound really excited and asked if I was a huge Sarah fan. I said that I was (I couldn't really form complete sentences). Then Jason said that it wasn't enough just to give me the Star Lounge passes and the guest list for the concert, so they also decided to throw in an autographed DVD from her as well. I couldn't thank them enough and they put me on hold to get my information. The guy said they would call me on Monday to give me all the details. So I won a radio call-in contest and met the President in 24 hours. I'm thinking about buying a lottery ticket -- it just may be my time! Jenn posted at 4:12 PM | |
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So, I found out through Kim's sister (and later the 10 o'clock news) that Bill Clinton is in town to sign his book. He's going to be in Santa Monica tomorrow (the preferred location), but the signing's at 5pm, so unless I just didn't come back from lunch, I wouldn't be able to go. So, I'm going to one on Saturday. It's in a totally sketchy part of town and I'm going to have to get there super early -- but it'll be worth it! Kim has generously agreed to come with, so we're meeting at my house at 6am to drive down there. Ticket sales (to exchange for the book) start at 7am, and the website says specifically no sleeping out or lining up before that time. I hope I'm not the only one paying attention to that because I'd hate to go to all that effort and then not get to meet the President. I have to figure out what to wear. It needs to be comfortable because I'll be standing outside for at least 4 hours if not more, but I want it be cute too. I also need to think of something to say. I think we all know my propensity for being spastic in front of celebrities and this is way above that level. I know that a lot of you don't agree with my devotion to politics, but this is so, so, so important to me and I don't want to fuck it up. So I gladly take any suggestions. Jenn posted at 2:29 AM | |
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Now there's scientific proof that spinsters really do die of broken hearts: Happy women have healthier hearts, scientists say Happily married women tend to have healthier hearts than those who are lonely or unhappy, scientists said on Wednesday. Jenn posted at 2:27 AM | |
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And there was forking for everyone! Jenn posted at 11:30 PM | |
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Guess what I watched today? Yup, right in one! USA was having some sort of Adam Sandler marathon today, so I watched Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore and part of Big Daddy before I had to stop. I've started the packing process. I have to take all of CDs out of their shelving unit because when my dad comes on Tuesday, he's going to help me spackle the holes in my walls, so the CD racks have to come down. It feels very strange to be packing already, but I guess the more I do now, the less I'll have to do later. I complete a graduation requirement today. There's this library thing where you read 8 lessons and then take 8 quizzes. You can retake each quiz 6 times. I started reading the lessons yesterday and completed two of the quizzes. Today I started reading the lessons again, but then I decided to just try to take the quizzes without reading the lessons. So I opened the lessons in a new browser window in case I needed a hint and proceeded to take the quizzes. Within about 45 minutes I had completed the 6 remaining quizzes with minimal errors. So, that's another thing that's crossed off the list on my way to graduation. Whoohoo! Jenn posted at 2:21 AM | |
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Well, another week goes by and I'm not a multi-millionaire. I didn't win the Super Lotto Jackpot of $37 million tonight. ::sigh:: I guess there's always next week! Jenn posted at 11:59 PM | |
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If Lost in Translation hadn't made me want to visit Japan, this program definitely would have. I never really thought about it. Usually when I think about foreign travel, I think Europe, not Asia, but Tokyo fascinates me in a way I can't explain. Perhaps it's the sheer number of people, the lack of crime, the technology or the incredible traditions. I'll probably never have a chance to visit there, but it's on my list nonetheless. Jenn posted at 10:45 PM | |
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I have recently rediscovered a childhood treat. When I was a kid, when my dad would go out of town, my mom and I would make these little treats and drink/eat them in front of the television. A glass full of vanilla ice cream smothered in Cherry 7Up would create a foamy, sweet drink that always tasted best through a twisty straw (what doesn't?). Whenever I drink it, it reminds me of giggling with my mom like we were doing something silly (we were!) and I smile. Jenn posted at 9:52 PM | |
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You know, it doesn't matter how many times I watch Bridget Jones's Diary, I still love it every time. It was the first movie I ever watched in LA. My parents and I went to Mann's Chinese theatre when I was here over spring break that time and saw this fabulous funny film that just made me laugh, cry and say "AWWWW!" all at once. I just love the end, when she's just standing there in her sweater and leopard print knickers and running shoes in the snow and he kisses her. And his coat does that thing that I've talked about before. I guess I like it so much for the same reason that I love Miranda and Steve together on SATC -- it gives me hope that there is that person out there who sees you at your worst and still loves you just as you are. I've been searching a long time For someone exactly like you I've been travelling all around the world Waiting for you to come through Someone like you Makes it all worthwhile Someone like you Keeps me satisfied Someone exactly like you "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison Jenn posted at 1:10 AM | |
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nicked from Laura: 1. Where were you when you heard that Ronald Reagan died? I was on the phone with my parents and they let it slip. I had been out all day with Kim and Janice and gone straight to Bethany's from there to work on wedding stuff, so I hadn't had the radio or television on all day. 2. Where were you on September 11, 2001? I was in my apartment sleeping in since it was my day off. My dad called me from the Dominican Republic. 3. Where were you when you heard that Princess Diana died? I was on the Labor Day retreat, having breakfast when Nancy announced the news. 4. Do you remember where you were when you heard Kurt Cobain had died? I have a just a glimpse of a memory of hearing it on MTV. 5. Take one for The Gipper: What’s your favorite flavor of jelly bean? Red ;) 6. Where were you when Magic Johnson announced he was retiring from the NBA due to AIDS? I honestly don't recall. 7. Where were you when Reagan was shot? I was four months old, so um, probably in a playpen somewhere. 8.Where were you when the Challenger exploded? I was at home watching the launch on television and my parents were painting the dining room. 9. Where were you when the 0J verdict was announced? I was in my 9th grade World History class, sitting with Jason Janowski, Liz Shermer, Jared Hellman and Anna. All of the televisions had been checked out of media center, so we listened to the verdict on my teacher's radio. We were all shocked at the outcome and spent the rest of class debating it. Jenn posted at 9:54 PM | |
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So my cousin and I have been playing phone tag for almost a week now, but we finally got a chance to talk this evening. We were on the phone for probably an hour and totally could have talked more if it hadn't been so late. I love that! Neither of us have any siblings (well, she's got siblings-in-law now, but that doesn't really count), so we're like sisters, but without all that sibling rivalry crap. Anyway, they are planning on coming up to Stanford this fall for the big Stanford/UofW game and wanted me to come along. Sounds like fun and I'll get to see them twice in one year, which is huge! Plus they'll get to see my new digs which'll be great ;) I also talked to my parents tonight and convinced them to take me to the Alanis Morissette/Barenaked Ladies concert in Mountain View in July! Whoohoo! Jenn posted at 2:13 AM | |
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From The West Wing, episode 3x06 "Gone Quiet" -- Bruno (campaign consultant) to Sam (Deputy Comm Director) 'Cause I am tired of working for candidates who make me think I should be embarrassed to believe what I believe, Sam. I'm tired of getting them elected. We all need some therapy, because somebody came along and said "liberal" means soft on crime, soft on drugs, soft on Communism, soft on defense, and we're gonna tax you back to the Stone Age because people shouldn't have to go to work if they don't want to. And instead of saying "Well, excuse me, you right-wing, reactionary, xenophobic, homophobic, anti-education, anti-choice, pro-gun, 'Leave it to Beaver' trip back to the fifties," we cowered in the corner and said "Please, don't hurt me." No more. I really don't care who's right, who's wrong. We're both right. We're both wrong. Let's have two parties, huh? What do you say? Everytime I get an e-mail from the DNC and Kerry's campaign asking for money without seeing any results, I think about this. The latest LA Times poll says we're 7 points ahead. I'd love to have that margin extended and to actually see some people besides my parents and my coworkers say that our country needs the change that I know it so desperately does. I think about, in a passing fashion, coming back to DC to work at the big show on the Hill or at the White House. And I feel like I'm passionate about my politics, about the things that I believe in, even if I don't know all the answers and probably couldn't defend my arguments beyond "Because..that's why!" But then again, what makes me different from the thousands of kids out there trying to do the same thing. And further more, is there a candidate or elected official out there that I can even identify with? Someone that I could get passionate about and want to work my tail off for. I haven't found him/her yet. But I'm looking. Jenn posted at 3:45 AM | |
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Play it again, for the first time ;) Jenn posted at 3:00 AM | |
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Happy Birthday Chris!!! Jenn posted at 10:27 AM | |
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Tyler(11:14:07 PM): LOVE Auto response from Jenn(11:14:08 PM): I've had a terrible, no good, very bad day. Leave love if you like. Tyler(11:14:12 PM): see, i left it;-) I love you too, babe! Jenn posted at 2:25 AM | |
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I woke this morning with the headache that I had yesterday, but worse. So I took some medicine and was waiting for it to kick in, so I could go to work. About 11am, I decided to head in to the office. I should have just taken the day off, but I guess, hindsight is 20/20. Long story short, I had an "incident" involving my car, a shopping cart and an elderly woman who was crossing the street. She didn't speak much English, but she managed to string together "I'm taking you to court" for knocking over her stolen shopping cart onto her foot with my car. After tearful phone calls to my work and the cops, the paramedics came to check her out and told me that she was fine, but she went in the ambulance to the hospital to have it checked out anyway. So I didn't get to work until 1pm and I had to call my insurance company and my parents. It was absolutely wretched, but everyone keeps telling me to stay calm and not to worry, so I'm trying not to. Apparently, my coworkers weren't have a great day either. Two of them had to go out to a pain in the ass client to try and get him to stay with us. Another one got berated by the owner and left before lunch because he couldn't take it. We'll see if he comes back. And the others were taking care of me and trying to hold down the fort. So when 5pm rolled around, even though I had planned to work later to make up the time that I missed this morning, when Ed suggested margaritas, we all said yes! So I went to happy hour at Acapulco with Janice and Ed and Kim. Some strawberry margaritas and a fiesta platter and the day started to look a little better. ::grins:: I did have two cool things to share though. The first was I got my first small group approved all on my own! I did the proposal, processed the apps and troubleshooted the problems during underwriting -- and today we got the aproval with a lower rate than I had quoted! Whoohoo! Last night, I picked up some more fabric and I put together my first block:  I'm very excited about how it turned out and I can't wait to do more! Jenn posted at 1:54 AM | |
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I love that Verizon Wireless commercial where the one kid's got a job and his recently graduated college buddies don't yet and they keep calling him. I feel like that may be me some day ;) (on the phone, unemployed...not the one with the job) Jenn posted at 12:37 AM | |
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From Matt's away message/profile: So apparently this summer I may be working at the Ronald Reagan National Defense Building (the Pentagon). I will be buying items with $10 and $20 bills bearing the grin of Ronald Reagan. I can now drive on the Ronald Reagan Highway in CO. I can play in Reagan Park in IL. I could have gone to Ronald Reagan Elementray, Middle, or High Schools. If I am drafted, I may sail on the Ronald Reagan nuclear aircraft carrier. Or, I may visit the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missle Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands. If I get arrested for dodging the draft, I may end up in Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse. I can pay my respects to the man who has had such an obvious effect on my life at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Livrary and Museum. If I am unfortuante enough, I may have to visit the Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicine if I shoot myself in the face. And that would make baby Jesus cry. Do YOU wanna make baby Jesus cry? Jenn posted at 12:17 AM | |
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1. When you are sad, I will get you drunk and will help you plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad. 2. When you are blue, I'll try to dislodge whatever is choking you. 3. When you smile, I'll know you finally got laid. 4. When you are SCARED, I will rag you about it every chance I get. 5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be and to quit whining. 6. When you are confused, I will use little words to explain it to your dumb ass. 7. When you are sick, STAY AWAY FROM ME until you're well again. I don't want whatever you have. 8. When you fall, I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass. This is my oath, I pledge 'til the END. Why you may ask? Because you're my friend! Remember: A friend will help you move. A really good friend will help you move a body. Let me know if I ever need to bring a shovel. Jenn posted at 12:11 AM | |
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I just realized I hadn't updated all week. Here's a bit of what I've been up to lately: |