Dressing Up and Stars
I got all dressed up tonight. I wore a floral blouse that I got at the gift shop at Glendale Memorial for only like $20 bucks. And a long black wrap skirt that I found at a church yard sale for $1. (Yeah, thats right one dollar.)
I must say, I looked quite nice.
I stopped off at the Durant Public Library to return some books, and pick up others that were on hold for me.
Then I headed over to Egyptian Theatre to be Volunteer Captain for the night.
They were showing the movie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
And Jane Russell herself was making an appearance.
She looks absolutely wonderful.
You can see the professional pics at WireImage.com .
As for me, I spent the night at the Volunteer table handing out Calendars and Schedules and getting people to sign up for the mailing list and memberships.
Oh, and I was reading the latest edition of "In Style" Magazine .
Light reading, because it was a busy night. So the books I brought stayed in my bag.
When there is a celebrity at the theatre, it is always a busy night.
And there seems to be alot of tourists on Hollywood Blvd lately. Way more tourists than normal. They come to the front door and want information about the theatre. So I was busy all night long - getting up and down from the table to go to the door.
I ended up staying there until about midnight, when the second feature ended.
Hollywood Blvd is crazy that time of night. I didn't realize because I am usually not out that late.
But just trying to drive home up Hollywood Blvd at midnight - so many people, and so many cars.
And I never realized the nightclubs along the Blvd either. Lots of nightclubs. With young 20-something year olds in line at the front door trying to get into the club.
And its freezing cold out. And theres women in little skimpy dresses and halter tops waiting in line trying to get into the clubs.
I thought back - did I ever do that when I was younger? Wait in line in a little skimpy dress to get into a club?
No, I used to hang out at the non-hip discos in my time. Like Popcorns in Marina del Rey in the 80s - they had a great happy hour. With 50s music on the ground floor, and 80s music on the top two floors.
And the Red Onion in Marina del Rey in the 80s.I was actually in the Red Onion when I first found out who Madonna was. Her video was on the TV, and my friends pointed it out.
Wow, just thinking about that brought back such memories. I didn't realize how un-cool I was back when I hung out at those 80s Discos.
The clubs on Hollywood Blvd in 2005 are so different.
Celebrate !!!
|  | Break out the Champagne !
I am actually up to date with my blog.
(Usually I run two to four weeks behind.)
This calls for a celebration!
Treat yourself today in honor of Donna in Hollywoodland actually being posted on time .... |
Cranberries and Beef Stew
I beginning to think that I am the reason Whole Foods stays in business.
Tonights bill was $ 120. Thats alittle over a weeks worth of organic groceries for one person.
I had decided to try some Cranberry Juice for my weird stomach and bladder problems. Eating the organic yogurt seems to have calmed down my stomach. Now I am just dealing with other matters.
As I sat at my desk at work, I was thinking of just running into Ralphs for the
cranberry juice. But no, I really wanted organic. And though I know Ralphs has some organic items, I just decided not to chance it and run over to the Whole Foods on 3rd and Fairfax, near Kmart.
Why doesn't Whole Foods put the same kind of produce side by side ? Case in point: I saw the "conventional" grown lemons. But I really wanted organic. I found the organic lemons way on the other side of the produce section - and they looked old and shriveled up. I had to turn around and go back to where the conventional lemons were, on the other side of the produce section.
This happens alot to me. Because I try to always buy the organic version of produce. If I wanted to by the conventionally grown, I would just go to Ralphs.
I guess they are thinking you will just buy the first one you see. But thats not the case. I prefer organic. And I will search for it. Hmmm, I will have to write them an email.
I did buy alittle basket of organic cranberries. And I can't wait to do something with them. Maybe in a rice dish ? I bought some pecans too - so that sounds good. Or maybe I'll make cranberry muffins or cookies. Hmmm.
I kind of went heavy on the cranberries this time.
Lakewood Organic Cranberry Juice
Cascadian Farm Cranberry Granola Bars
Chatham Village Cranberry Stuffing
Then I also bought a ton of organic fruits and veggies. Free-range chicken, Organic Steak, Organic Stewing Beef, Organic Bread.
And Desert Essence Facial Moisturizer.
When I got home, I got out a big stew pot. Sauteed some onions, leeks and garlic in olive oil. Added the stew beef and cooked.
Then added Imagine Beef Broth .
Lots of green beans, carrots, red potatoes, celery and broccoli. Fresh Basil, oregano and thyme.
Yummy... a totally organic beef stew for the weekend.
Friday - the Doctor
Even though I get the Radiation treatment everyday, I only see the doctor on Fridays.
They called me in the morning and asked if they could move my appointment up.
I said fine, but I still wanted to come in after lunch.
So my regular 2:45 appointment, became 1 pm.
I got my daily radiation first. Then it was my doctors appointment.
I talked to the Doctor about some pain I have in my right chest. (Which is weird, because its the left breast getting the radiation.) Its only happened twice after the radiation, and it went away after an hour.
Turns out there is some cartilage connecting the left ribcage to the right ribcage. Thats whats irritated. That little piece of cartilage.
He knew exactly what the problem was and explained it to me.
I told him the woozy feeling I had at the beginning of my radiation, was probably my hypoglycemia. I now make a point to eat my lunch right before I come in for my radiation treatment.
Then I mention that my stomach is a mess.
"Does the radiation mess up my intestinal flora?" I asked.
"Well, it shouldn't", was the doctors answer.
I told him I started eating yogurt. He said that was fine.
Then he said he wanted to run a Urinalysis to see if I have a bladder infection.
(Thats one reason I like this doctor. He listens, and he will run tests.)
Ok, if I have a bladder infection - the radiation is over. I walk.
Remember, I only have one kidney. And I'm not messing with that. No way, No how.
(But of course, they will probably tell me that the infection was not caused by the radiation. Whatever.)
Then I asked him about the "Radiation Boost" that I get in the end. I wanted to know if its going to make me more tired.
He said no, because its the same dosage of radiation. Its just that right now we are treating the entire breast.
For the "boost" they will only treat the area where the tumor was located.
My next question was, "How Many Boost Treatments?" and "Are they counted as part of my 28 days?"
Well, no. They fooled me.
The "boost" takes place after the 28 treatments.
There will be anywhere between 3 to 8 "boost" treatments - depending on how I am holding up, what my skin looks like and whatever.
So its not 5 1/2 weeks of treatment - its closer to 6 1/2 weeks.
Speaking of my skin - he said in spite of my large breasts, that I am doing really well. There is hardly any burning on my skin at all.
Its a combination of the little blue styrofoam blocks that they made to place under my breast when they do the radiation treatment.
And the leisure bras that I bought over the internet. (If you are having any surgery to your breast - you need a leisure bra.)
Oh, and Lily of the Desert Organic Aloe Vera the minute the radiation treatment is finished.
For my showers, I have been using Kiss My Face Shower Gel . It does not sting at all.
Then I stopped of at the Lab on my way out the building. Time for a urine test.
Oh, you know what I had to do. Peeing into a cup. Then I have to pour some of it from the cup into a test tube.
This is gross.
And I am no doctor, but I could tell by just looking at my pee - that I bet I have a bladder infection.
Too cloudy.
Sorry, I know thats way more than you want to know about me. LOL.
Yeah, I'm Tired
Okay, the radiation is definitely making me tired. I had plans both Tuesday and Wednesday night, and I cancelled out on both of them. I guess my social schedule is just going to have to tone down until the Radiation Treatments are over and done with.
I did manage to make it over to The Egyptian Theatre to do some volunteering after work today. I basically had to rip tickets.
I really had to talk to one of the volunteers. He and I were actually in the membership class at Hollywood Presbyterian together.
I just didn't realize he also volunteers at the Egyptian too - I never run into him.
We chatted briefly a bit. I may go visit a church he recommended this weekend.
The movie was The American Ruling Class , which showed at the Tribeca Film Fest and the Woodstock Film Fest.
I decided to stay for the movie.
I had ended up paying $10 for parking. There was no street parking anywhere.
A few other people suggested I could have parked at Hollywood and Highland, and walked to the theatre.
But .... I'm to tired from the radiation to walk a few city blocks.
So its the $10 parking behind the theatre for now.
Books and Tapes
Books I am reading:
Everything Happens for A Reason
and
The Sedona Method
CD/Tapes I am listening to:
Wherever You Go, There You Are
and
Attitude Is Everything
All courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library .
Though the cassette of Attitude is Everything was somewhat worn out. The tapes at the library just get to much wear & tear. I'll have to see if they have it on CD so I can listen to the part I missed.
Walk of Stars So Sad
On Monday, I went out for my lunch break. And after walking on Vine between Sunset and Selma, I had to send out this email:
Dear Hollywood Chamber of Commerce -
I just wanted to let you know about the bad condition of the Stars on the Walk of Fame on Vine Street, between Selma and Sunset Blvd. On the East side of the street, near the bank building and the parking lot.
For example, both Larry Hagman's and Marvin Gaye's Stars are covered with squashed berries that have fallen off the trees. Those berries are all over the Stars on this side of the street.
Also, there are some Stars that are cracked. Mainly in the driveway of the bank. This could be due to the construction.
I am hoping you can get this cleaned up. It is sad to see the Stars in such bad condition.
Also, you might want to see about getting those trees trimmed because of the berries that fall to the ground.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Donna Grayson
Church and Matinee
My plan for today, was to go out to The Dream Center for church.
It was the first time I have driven there. I hardley ever go east into Echo Park .
Silverlake seems to be as far east as I ever get.
I was 10 minutes late. I mean, the service is at the un-godly hour of 10 am. Thats way to early for me. I'm surprised I was only 10 minutes late. Getting up early on Sunday - no, thank you. But I made it.
I circled around, trying to find parking.
The church parking lot at the bank was full. The paid public parking was full.
And as I drove around, I saw three cops writing tickets for people who were illegally parked. (I hope these weren't church-people. Maybe the people who went to the lake for the day.)
But yeah, the cops were ticketing people on Sunday morning. (No rest for the wicked....)
I finally drove up to the church parking lot and asked the attendant "Where do I park?"
He said "You have to drive around."
Well, I have been driving around! And now I am really late.....
I finally said forget it, let me just drive back to Hollywood and go to Hollywood Presbyterian
instead.It turned out to be a good Service. And at a better time - 10:45 am. Thats 45 minutes better.
Notes from Hollywood Pres:
Matthew 25 - The Master and the Talents.
It is not what we have that matters. It is knowing what we have, and using it well.
Know the City - know the opportunities in your city to meet people, so you can share Gods' love.
Don't know only Christians - know people in all walks of life.
Risk and diligence earn Jesus' praise.
It is "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Not - well done, good and successful servant.
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After church was over, I stopped in Lickity Split and got a sandwich and soup.
Then my volunteer shift at the Egyptian Theatre started at about 1pm.
The movie was Winter Soldier .
I was captain, which means I did not see the movie. I just hung out in the lobby of the theatre most of the afternoon.
