And Then The Kid Came To Town...

Let me tell you, the last two weeks have been pretty awesome.

It all started two Saturdays ago when my old friend JC met me in Venice for some beers. JC and I were PA’s together on our first paying gig, the TV show Hack. He recently moved out to LA and wanted to catch up; I haven’t seen the guy in about four years. It was a good time; we caught up here at The Hotel, then made our way down to Hinano’s to continue the reunion over many, many Pabst Blue Ribbons. Devon, her boyfriend Tony, and their friend Jackie Dos met up with us to help finish off the night.

Now, there was a little event that occurred that Saturday, which led to one of the best Sunday nights I’ve had in a very long time, but at the risk of jinxing everything, I’ll save that little tidbit for another post. (Or you can just ask me in person.)

The following week was pretty chill. Nothing much of interest except for a little dinner action with Brandon W. up at Busby’s in Santa Monica where we discussed his impending movie premiere coming up Saturday night. Brandon’s roommate and friend (and friend of mine now as well) Josh bartends there, so he hooks it up. The highlight of the night came when we witnessed some dude call a chick chubby, which led to her tossing a full drink on the guy. It was pretty rad.

Friday night was the beginning of the end. Joe Child landed at LAX and made his way to The Hotel around 9 PM that night under everyone’s radar (except yours truly – hey someone needs to be in on it). I think our group of friends who never let each other know when we are coming to town. We just blow in, surprise the shit out of everyone, and upset everyone’s delicate schedule which is followed by a week of catch-up from all of the sleep deprivation.

Friday night we made our way back to Busby’s and proceeded to get a little toasted thanks again to Josh. Brandon was there again, of course, along with a bunch of our other friends, and Jared S., who flew into town for the premiere as well. (Brandon produced the movie and Jared wrote and directed it.)

Saturday was the big premiere: THIS MODERN LOVE. And I have to be honest. The film was amazing. Seriously. Funny, a little touching, brilliantly written, shot gorgeously. It’s going to go places. I can feel it. Also it was good premiere b/c I got to see a lot of my old friends whom I worked with on Punk’d. I’m really proud of those guys (and the rest of the guys who helped: Josh starred in it, Casey helped produce too, I think) for accomplishing what they did making the film. Also, it prods my fire to get something going of my own. I really need to get the script written I’ve been talking about this last year.

After the showing, I made my way back to Venice to meet up with Joe Child. We teamed up with Johnny and Bruno and went to Baja Cantina for some Mexican styled drinks and food. The happy couple dipped out after eats, and me and Child made our way to Hinano’s (where I tend to spend most of my Saturday nights getting plowed with the help of the bartender Brian). Joe was feeling a little sluggish, so we stepped outside for some fresh air and somehow ended up at The Whaler where a couple of ladies thought we were cute and proceeded to buy us a lot of shots. I think we went back to Hinano’s for last call, but everything after The Whaler was nothing more than a major blur.

Super Bowl Sunday ruled. Not only b/c the Giant beat the Pats, thus ending their perfect season, but allowing the public to see just how much a little bitch Bill Belichick is when he walked off the field, embarrassed and demeaned before the game clock hit zero. Fuckin’ cheater. We had a full house btw the Hotel staff, their girlfriends’ sans me, Child, Jade, Victor, Monty, Blitsch, Abby, Colby, and good ol’ Darren who made the drive all the way from Lake Elsinore. God bless that guy for always making the drive up here. Oh, and Bruno made so much good food. Johnny let me break my diet and I had a little bit of everything: sweet BBQ wings, spicy-chicken skewers, corn bread muffins, steamed veggies, two difft’ kinds of vegan cupcakes, and vegetarian chili. She also made her world famous guacamole, but I don’t eat that. Not just hers, I don’t like any kind of guac. After the party thinned out, The Hotel Staff hung out til about 11 at night just bullshitting and taking dirty photos.

This week marks my second to last shoot week on Parental Control. It went pretty good. The daters were really good, and the boyfriend was too, so that made filming really smooth. That and Katie (my producer) and I make a really good team so we kill it out in the field every day.

Tuesday night Joe and I stayed up late having some beers, catching up, which was followed up by a nice bro-mantic breakfast at the Sidewalk Café overlooking Venice Beach Wednesday morning before I went to work. Roger, Johnny, Bruno and I went out for one last drink with Child before he flew home. I dipped out early due to a 6:30 AM call, but I got to see Joe one last time when I woke up to head to work b/c he was fixing to leave (late) for his flight back to NYC.

It was good to spend a week with Joe Child. I love hanging out with that kid, reminiscing about the old days of West Chester (especially b/c he’s so in love with Bam). And getting drunk with that kid is even more fun. Doesn’t happen to often since we live of diff’t coasts now, but it makes those nights we meet up that much better.

Thanks Joe. Good times, as always. Can’t wait for the next go round.

2008 is turning out to be a great year.