Prop Shopping - Propping?

Kiddie pool -check!  Boa - check! Hospital gown -check!
Props and costuming almost complete for my upcoming show.  It's all fun...until you have to shop for a hospital gown.  I never knew it would be so difficult.

How does one shop for a hospital gown?  Where do you begin?  Do you lift one from a visit to the doc?  Ask a nurse or doctor friend to lift one for you?  Well...I just felt that would be wrong and besides, I wanted a brand new one, not a previously worn one.  The thought of wearing a used gown seemed a bit uncomfortable.  Who wore it before me?  Perhaps the colonoscopy exam patient where only a certain area is exposed for filming, while he/she is wearing the gown.  Perhaps it was worn by a woman in labor, whose water broke moments after changing into the gown, or the corpse being prepped for burial in the gown. I had to have a new one, but did not know how difficult my search would be.

Every call to a medical supply/uniform store went something like this:
Me:  "Hi, do you sell hospital gowns?"
Sales Rep:  "No.  Doesn't your hospital supply them?"
or
Me: "I know hospitals supply hospital gowns, but by chance, do you sell them?"
Snarky Sales Rep: "They will give you one free of charge when you check in...no need to get your own, Honey."

Needless to say, they didn't get it.  But at least Snarky Sales Rep. thought I was sweet.

I searched and searched and finally found one.  Brand new in it's plastic wrap freshly made in China.  And to top it off -it was a figure-flattering, one size fits all, muumuu style in the cheerful shade of mental institution greenish grey.

It was perfect! Now I am ready for my close-up!

My Website

My website is up!
I'll be posting my latest musings and goings on here.
Thanks for stopping by!
-Mihal

New Website

Check.  Check.  One.  Two.  Is this thing on?
It's been a while...
Finally a website to call my own and have my web presence.  Wesence?  Coming soon!
-Mihal

Venice (The One Without The Gondolas)

I stepped out of my car and took in the fresh ocean breeze or anticipated one anyway. There wasn't one. And it was scorching hot. Just as I was wrapping my mind around the idea that I chose a bad day to come here, my thoughts were interrupted. A beach bum in a rasta hat and dreads that looked like they were nesting birds among other critters appeared at my side: "Hey honey, can you spare a dollar? Let's get loaded." How do you respond to that proposition? "Are you kidding me? You think we can get loaded for a buck? O.K., prove it!" But instead I just politely muttered, " No thanks." And that began my trip on the boardwalk, literally and figuratively. (no drugs were ingested, unless you consider guacamole and chips intoxicating, then... Yes)

I walked around, camera in hand, which made me stand out even more, and apparently provoked the next suitor to say "nice camera... and nice ass."
I treaded on and took some shots. (I didn't get a shot of Loaded Man, unfortunately.)

First, a couple of shots of the boardwalk..and a building.

Pipe shops, medical marijuana, mind reading, palm reading and a synogogue...Oh My!

This couple was working up a sweat on their Segways...or maybe that was just because their helmets were on too tight and it was about 90 degrees.

I really wanted to check my body energy and circulation. And there it was. A "check your body and energy circulation" booth. Now that I found out where to do it, I just had to figure out how.

Since I couldn't figure out how to check my body energy and what went where, and the beekeeping lady next to the sunglasses rack was obviously too busy with her bees to help me (see below), I decided to move on...

No Hassle? Are pipes usually a hassle? No hassle in the pipe shop? Is there usually hassling in pipe shops? Hassling pipes?

These warrior figurines were just hanging out on the boardwalk. I'm not sure why. But does there really need to be an explanation for warrior figurines?

Just like the warriors, these Venetians were also just hanging around on the boardwalk. I like to call it "the happy love corner"...there was a lot of love going around.

This bistro (I know it was a bistro from the sign) was directly across from "the happy love corner." These two should have considered going there, since they didn't look so happy here. He's tired of getting dumped over lunch, ladies. Come on, give him a break. (The bistro got an A, not all's lost.)

Freakshow? Do you really have to ask?

I don't know why this guy was so irritated when I asked him if he could read me "Green Eggs and Ham." I don't see anyone else around, Captain. I snapped the picture and ran. (He never did read to me in the end.)

His T-shirt read "Jazz is my life." Was he painting his way through Jazz school? Painting only JAZZ musicians, like the two behind him?

I hope they don't have a bicycle up there. Did they see the "No bicycles" sign?

"Honey, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. Good thing I brought the big turquoise bag filled with stuff, though."

On to Main Street...(doesn't every Main Street have a ballerina clown mascot?)

A tanning salon. "Darque Tan." Dar ke? Dar cue? Dark weh?

Then it was time to Exhale and Sit Still, so I did.

I left Venice without a single souvenir, drug, tattoo or knowing about my body energy and circulation...I might have to go back next week.

School Daze

To school or not to school? That is the question. More specifically, to start schooling at 3 -- is it really necessary?

According to my fellow mommy friends -- Bubbie included -- it is. For working parents, it seems the only way. But for a work-at-home mom, like me, I don’t see the need. Still, I caved to peer pressure and narrowed my choices to three recommended Jewish preschools.

My son and I made our way to the first contender, a traditional preschool in the East Valley. The dilapidated building looked as if it was under construction, which I choose to not hold against the school – until my husband later said he’d attended preschool there and mentioned it had looked that way for nearly three decades.

After my son joined the other children for circle time, he was the first to recite his ABCs. The teacher turned to me and asked, “If you are going to teach him at home, what is left for us to teach him?”

We exited shortly thereafter.

The second candidate was the preschool on the hill. The teachers were pleasant and the school grounds were beautiful. The views were spectacular, which I’m sure was factored into the cost of tuition. How else do you justify a two-year preschool tuition that rivals the cost of a new Prius?

So we made our way to our third choice.

The director greeted us and said she did “not have time for this.”

This? My scheduled appointment? She spoke to us as she hurried down the hall. My son and I jogged closely behind to keep up. She announced that my son would be placed in a Hebrew-speaking class. If I chose to enroll him, I explained, my preference would be to place my son in a more diverse class, especially since English is his first and, frankly, his only language. She said that there were only two other classes: a religious class and a secular one, which was filled.

When I inquired about scholarships, she was quick to say, “Not every Jewish child gets to go to a Jewish school. Even my grandkids don’t attend Jewish schools.”

This seemed to be my cue to leave.

I can’t say that the research was for nothing. It helped inform my decision to continue outings with my son. We will still visit libraries, bookstores, museums and parks together and meet up with friends for scheduled play dates. Also, the Skirball and Getty offer particularly nice views.

As a wise teacher once asked, “If you teach him at home, what’s left for us to do?”

To her I would respond, “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Published in the August/September issue of Jewish Family (a publication of The Jewish Journal)

Review: Whatever Works

Woody Allen is at it again with his cynical existential bantering in his latest offbeat comedy Whatever Works, a script three decades in the making. This time Allen chooses a surrogate, Larry David (Seinfeld co-creator and creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm), to star in the film. This quirky comedy, though not one of Allen’s best, will still leave you with memorable one-liners and cynical ramblings, and even make you laugh out loud every now and then.

For full review go to Review: Whatever Works

A Vacation For This Economy

It's time once again to consider a family vacation now that summer is here.  In this economy, however, actually taking one may be another story.  That's when my thoughts start drifting toward the word "staycation."

"Where are we going this summer?" the kids ask.

"Nowhere!" you reply confidently.

Staycation: a vacation without going anywhere.  For starters, you don't have to choose an exotic location, because you are already there.  Do you know how many people travel from all over the world just to be where you are?  Not that Frommer's is putting out guides to Oak Park, but you get the idea.

Plus, what is so exotic about jet lag or second-degree sunburn, anyway? Is it worth the inexpensive lobster to be in a place where you can't even drink the water?  At home, you can drink the water right out of the tap - filtered through your refrigerator or Brita pitcher, of course.  Then there is the hassle of packing and unpacking, and choosing what to take and what to leave behind.  (Kids?)  And besides, you wouldn't want to forget that cocktail dress for formal night, leaving you a prisoner in your own cabin, would you?

Lets face it, the joy of vacationing isn't really about the location, it's just about "getting away." You can get away right in your own home.  It's simple.  First, disconnect your home phone (if you still have one), then shut off your cell phone and all other LoJack-like personal tracking devices.  Have a picnic in your backyard or on the living room floor.  You don't even have to acknowledge your neighbors.  Your time away (or astay) should be all about you.  Remember you are on staycation!

If you choose, you can even leave the comforts of your own home.  How about sightseeing?  You can cruise Hollywood in a double-decker bus and snap pictures of the outside gates of stars' homes.  If sandy beaches are more your style, a simple drive takes you to the waves and cafes of Malibu (unless you already live there, of course).  For a more eccentric atmosphere, the drum circles and incense of Venice Beach beckon.  Or just enjoy the beautiful hiking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains.

How about visiting a museum?  The California Science Center is a great place for kids and is always free, as are the Getty Center, Getty Villa and the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum. 

For authentic Mexican cuisine, a trip down the Metro Red Line is all you need.  With a $5 day pass, you can travel to the landmark Los Angeles Union Station with Olvera Street accross the way, and wander through the marketplace for Mexican souvenirs.  No one will ever know you weren't really in Mexico.

If your staycation happens to fall on the first Friday of a month, head up to the Griffith Observatory for free, to learn about astronomy and space exploration in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater.  You can also join the monthly Star Parties there, where families can observe the stars and planets through one of the many telescopes.

End your staycation listening to live music at the City of Calabasas Free Sun Sets Summer Series concerts, the Janss Marketplace Summer Concert Series or free concerts at Warner Center Park (no need to actually go to New Orleans with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band coming to you on July 12).

When your best friend returns from her weeklong vacation abroad, wearing a surgical mask to avoid Swine Flu, you can rest assured that you did not contract Swine Flu in your own home, because swine isn't even kosher.

Published in the June/July issue of Jewish Family (a publication of The Jewish Journal)