The Artist Wins Best Picture

Last night's Academy Awards didn't have too many surprises, and The Artist took home a bunch of major awards.  And though it wasn't my favorite movie of the year (I was actually hoping Moneyball or Midnight in Paris would win Best Picture), it was the only movie up for awards that I was involved with.

My friend, Megan, snapped this shot during the Oscar telecast last night which featured me for about a tenth of a second.  Thanks for spotting me!  (And yes, I'm aware that blending into the gentleman behind me makes me look like I have Nosferatu ears...)

For more info about my various days working on The Artist, check out this post from last month.

Runyon Canyon Hike

The day before my hernia surgery, my friend Chris and his dog, Nani, (see below) took me for my first ever hike in Runyon Canyon, a popular hiking spot in town.  The weather was perfect and the trails offered several beautiful views.  I will definitely go back!

Under the Knife

It's probably not so rare in California to have someone sign your body with a permanent marker, but yesterday was a first time for me.  According to new federal guidelines, surgeons must sign near where they are about to cut, hence my doctor's autograph on my right quad -- the side of the hernia he was about to fix.

Thanks to everybody who sent good vibes and words of support.  Apparently the surgery was a success, although you'll have a tough time convincing my extremely sore abdomen of that for at least a few days...

Despite the discomfort, I'm grateful for my insurance, pain meds, and access to some of the best doctors around.

Non-Softball Miller Lite

Last week I wrote about how Miller Lite was looking for softball teams for a new commercial.  Unfortunately, our team didn't get chosen for that commercial.  As part of the same campaign, however, I got to work a day as a "Partygoer."  It was a beautiful day on a great location in Grenada Hills.  As you can see from the pic above -- in the very center -- the real star of the commercial was the bowl of pretzels...

Dairy Staters in Toluca Lake

This week my parents drove up from where they are vacationing in Arizona to visit for a few days.  It was great having them in town, and they enjoyed the new neighborhood.  In fact, as you can see, they loved walking around -- and then stopping to rest on the Toluca Lake benches.

And I learned just how self-sufficient they are when I had to work one day and they were left to their own devices.  They walked the neighborhood and eventually found themselves at Warner Brothers studios where they took a 3 hour back lot tour!  It looked like fun and they had the pictures to prove it -- good work, Mom and Dad, come back soon!