** I woke up after 8 great hours of sleep and good dreams to the Otis Redding song "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay"
** It's my favorite weather today: clear, crisp, sunny, with a little bit of a chill in the air.
** I had a great workout today - not too long, not too short.
** I stopped at Whole Foods on my way to work this morning to get a yummy latte and pumpkin muffin. Gotta love that place.
** I scheduled a consultation with a hypnotherapist here in Beverly Hills. Cheers to trying new things!
** I checked my email only to find emails from three of my girlfriends just telling me how much they love me. And I love them too!
** Tonight's TV lineup is awesome: Gilmore Girls, Scrubs & Amazing Race! Wow!
** I have a fabulous boyfriend, amazing friends, and wonderful family. I truly am lucky.

And, one reason why I'm not so happy today?

I have a "woman's" doctor appt. at 1.

So, why are YOU happy today?

Have any of you ever used hypnotherapy to conquer a fear or to quit an addiction, etc.?

I'm thinking about trying it for something, but not sure if it's just a scam. Does it work?

In an effort to calm all of you down, because know that you are SO curious of what my answers will be, here you go:

Rick:
** I already anwered that I LOVE Justin Timberlake, so that was pretty great. But mostly, I would have to say Johnny Depp and Sally Field. Music-wise? Dave Matthews, no questions.
**TIVO is my best friend, my boyfriend, my confidante, my love, my angel, my therapist, etc. So yes, I would say that TiVo is an integral part of my life.
**I honestly would love to live in another city, but for just a small amount of time. I'm too close to my family to go far, I get homesick easily. Plus if I want to continue to do what I do now, I better stay here in LA.



DeAnn:
**My name is pronounced DONNA, and spelled Dana. This can prove to be very frustrating as I am correcting people on an average of 20 times a day for the last 20 years of my existence. Literally. So yes, my blog name is pronounced Prima-DONNA.
**Well, Debby already asked that, but yes, once again, LA native.
**My greatest goal is to become someone that would make those around me proud. Whether that be a successful woman, or maybe just a really good mom and wife, I would want to be someone that I can know that if I were to die tomorrow, I will be satisfied.


Sara:
**Craziest thing I've ever done? I used to be a lot crazier than I am now, but I remember sneaking into Universal Studios through the backlot when I was a senior in high school. We were running through sets and stages, and when we got in and sat down to get a drink we got caught. OK, so I'm not that crazy.
**Biggest mistake I ever made? Gossipping and turning frieds against me one by one in high school. That and letting boys come before friends.
**Fondest memory? Studying abroad in Israel in 1997 for eight weeks. I made some of my best friends on that trip.

And that's all for now.

As much as I would love to spend time divulging my very long Thanksgiving weekend, I'm not currently on my computer and don't want to spend too much time hogging up someone else's.

That and it's a little after 7 am on a Sunday and for some horrible reason I was obviously given a curse of not being able to sleep in on ANY NIGHT OF MY VACATION.

(Not that I'm angry about it or anything).

What I will do is start answering some of your questions in the order that they were asked.

Rav, I just finished "In Her Shoes" by Jennifer Weiner. Great read, and hopefully great movie starring Cameron Diaz. Hopefully.

Debby, I just was at the bookstore last night and was about to pick up "The Right Address". Instead I got stuck on "Mean Season" by Heather Cochrane. I'll let you now how it goes. And as for your questions:
**I was born in Hollywood, actually, West Hollywood. Only when I'm older do I realize how funny it is that I was boring literally in the center of where my life is 23 years later. No seriously, I now work across the street from the house I first lived in when I was born. People always make comments when I tell them that I am a Los Angeles native. I think that I'm one of seven.
**Hottest Celeb I've ever met? It has to be Justin Timberlake. I have such a crush on him, and when I saw him I was at a peak in my love. I was eating an omelette and my friend told me that I left the fork in midbite for ten minutes. I literally froze. Biggest name celeb that I ever met has to be Clint Eastwood, although we never really MET him, but we stood next to him at the Beverly Hills Whole Foods.
**If I had 6 months to live and unlimited funds, I would have to say that I would first get hypnotized for my stupid crazy fear of flying, and when that was cured, I would fly around the world, making longer stops in Moorea (Tahiti), Phuket (Thailand), London, and Switzerland. But I would see everything. I would also nake sure to write a novel loosely based on me and falling right in the Bridget Jones genre.

Carmi:
**What makes you happy?Sounds lame, but the best part of my day regardlesss of what is happening is knowing that I worked out while I take the first sip of my grande nonfat latte. Don't laugh.
**Why do we love our pets? Because they are completele extensions of our family. My mom loves her dog Molly so much that when she travels she arranges for someone to walk her so that Molly desn't see her leave with all her luggage. My boyfriend just lost his dog three days ago. ALthough Aspen was 13 and lived with his parents in Chicago, Chris was (and still is) extremely sad. Animals only love (and only sometimes hate, like the time I got attacked by one at my friends house, but we don't need to go into that).
**If I could be remembered for one thing, I would want it to be my sense of humor. My sister laughs at EVERYTHING I say. She thinks I'm the funniest person alive. I love when I ake people laugh. It comes naturally, and who doesn't like seeing others smile?

Anyway, what started as a quick post quickly turned long, but come back so I can tell you about my weekend and answer some more questions! WHat are your plans for this lovely Sunday?

I just have to pass this on. I found it over at Deann's. Go say hi to her too.

Three questions
More fun! More craziness! More comments!
(But, really, it's more than three.)

(A) First, recommend to me:
1. a movie
2. a book
3. a musical artist, song, or album
(I actually promise that I will TRY to watch, read and/or listen to most, if not all, of these. I'll at least put them on my to-do lists.)

(B) Ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.

(C) Go to your journal/blog, and copy and paste this allowing your friends/readers to ask you anything. Say you stole it from me.

Come on, kids. It's a holiday weekend... I'm not asking for much!

**This post is long, and probably as serious as PrimaDana will ever get, but read it if you have a minute**

When I was 18, during the summer before moving away to college, I had my first anxiety attack. It was on an airplane, with my sister on the way to Vegas. It was a new feeling for me - the racing heart, sweating, feeling like I couldn't breathe, etc. I freaked out because of the uncertaintly of what was happening to my body. Now I know the feeling well as a panic attack.

Things were pretty much okay until my sophomore year. There was a lot of change surrounding me: new roommates, new home, and more than anything, the passing of my Saba (grandpa in Hebrew). Saba was such a source of comfort and love and family to me that when he dies, I freaked out a bit. But for a while, it was all kept hidden. Sure, my friends and family knew that I was sad because I would cry every so often, but they never knew the extent to which I was feeling. Low is an understatement. I literally couldn't see ANYTHING positive in my life. All I felt was grief, darkness, confusion. And along this came the anxiety. Anxiety in the form of mini panic attacks that prevented me from falling asleep. Anxiety that made me not want to go to class for fear of not being able to breathe (or in some cases, nausea - which was my common side effect of anxiety), fear of driving sometimes because of what could happen. I was SO scared at points I honestly didn't know if I was going to survive.

It was Winter Break at school, and most of my friends / roommates were not around. However, I was getting bored at home so I went back to school to hang out with this one guy that I had been dating (C) and his friends. Everything was great. We were at his house, drinking some beers, watching a movie. I asked C. if he wanted to go outside and have a cigarrette. He did, and as we were outside, he bluntly told me he wasn't into me in "that way" and just wanted to be my friend. "That's cool" I told him but inside I felt like I was going to die.

We went back inside, and although it was awkward, I didn't have much else to do but continue to hang out with the guys (some of them were my friends too) and drink a few more beers. It was getting late and I wanted to go home. One of my friends (T) who I had known for a long time asked me if he could walk me home. I wanted him to. I didn't want to be alone. Sure enough, a half hour later, I found myself literally pushing T off me. I guess being a little buzzed and asking your "friend" to walk you home is an open invite for more. Nieve me.

The next morning, I literally was at a breaking point. It started out alright. But then the night before came back to me. The rejection, the betrayal, the loss of friendship, etc. As I was in the middle of eating an apple with peanut butter, I had one of the biggest panic attacks. I couldn't breathe. I was dizzy, and was sweating and shaking. I didn't know what to do. So for the first time I opened up about my fears. I called my mom and literally broke down. Cried and cried. She was in the middle of talking to a client, bless her heart. She couldn't really talk to me so she told me to come home, but only after I talked to my hamster. Sounds crazy, right? But I had a hamster, Dakota. My mom always loved animals and truly felt they were therapeutic. So at the moment where I felt like I couldn't breathe, I sat on the floor and cried to Dakota. It worked to calm me down. An hour later, I was driving on the 101 going home to my mommy. I cried in her arms like a baby for a full weekend.

I started to deal with my anxiety (which I learned can go hand-in-hand with depression) with a therapist, books, meditation, writing, etc. It went away slowly. I even actually forgot that it was a problem for a while. But anxiety can creep back up, which it does every now and then. Which it has been recently. I'm trying to deal with it. I'm trying to take control. And I know I'll overcome it like I have in the past. Because fear isn't supposed to control me - I am supposed to control it.

Living in fear isn't living at all (I actually heard that quote on "Desperate Housewives" a couple of weeks ago).

Why did I just tell you all of this? Not sure, to be honest. Maybe because writing (or in this case, typing) out your feelings help you sort them. Maybe because I felt the need to give you some more insight on who I am. I hope I'm not freaking you out though, I still am me (lover of TV, pop-culture, and Britney Spears)! Who knows, maybe some of you have even had similar experiences. If so, feel free to tell me about them.

Thanks for reading :)

Last night, I went out big.

There was a good occasion for it though, as my best friend Jill came to visit from the OC and we went out with a few girls that we went to college with. I hadn't seen most of these girls now for over a year, so it was pretty exciting.

For dinner, we went to The Stinking Rose, which is a restaurant that incorporates garlic into EVERYTHING - literally. There's garlic on the table that you can use for your bread. There are garlic martinis, garlic pastas, chicken, and garlic icecream for dessert. Needless to say, I'm sure people could smell us a mile away!

We then all went out in Hollywood, where we first hit up a pretty mellow bar and then moved on to a full--blown club. The reason I say it like that is that ever since high school, I just don't do clubs. I love bars, the divier the better. Places where you can talk, listen to some good background music and drink cheap. But this place was crazy. We had to actually pay a cover to get in (I didn't even think that they did that to ladies!) and then we entered into a massive room with a giant dance floor and awesome old-school hip-hop.

Couple of drinks later, my girlfriends and I were tearing up the dance floor like it was just ours. It was a lot of fun. And it's always funny how you can never tell how buzzed you are when you are in that surrounding. It's only when you are in a cab and stopping at Burger King at 2am when you finally feel the effects of everything you drank.

Today I'm not feeling too hot. But that's why I have my Chris so that I can go cuddle with him and maybe see a movie. Will Spongebob Sqaurepants giive me a headache?

Short story:

Last night, I got a flat tire. Not too exciting, huh?

Long Story:

Last night, I got a flat tire outside of my mom's house in the Hollywood Hills. There's a beautiful house that just recently became occupied, but we didn't know by who. When Triple A came to my rescue (less than 30 minutes from when I called!), the man who lives in the house came over to me to ask if everything was OK. It was dark so I couldn't see him from a distance. However, when he came closer I realized exactly who he was.

My mom's new neightbor is John Rzeznik. Who is he? Only the lead singer from the Goo Goo Dolls!!!

I know, they aren't Maroon 5 or Dave Matthews, but he's still quite a sight to see. And his voice is sexy too!

I love being on a studio lot. When I was younger, I rode the tram at Universal Studios that takes you on a backlot tour, and that was the moment I knew I wanted to work in some facet of the entertainment industry.

I set up an informational interview with my first boss when I was still in college. I figured I should meet someone who had years of experience in casting so that I could find out more about the area. Her offices were on a studio lot, on the 2nd floor above the stage where the hit show that she worked on was being filmed. Walking through the lot reminded me once again why I needed to follow my dreams of working in TV or film.

I was always a smart girl in school. I got the top of the class grades through middle school, slacked off a bit in high school, but then eventually graduated with a 3.8 from a nearby University of California school. My mom always had dreams that I should be a doctor, lawyer, you know, all the cliche things that parents want their kids to be. My father, on the other hand, is a doctor, but always told me to follow my dreams in this industry. "Entertainment is where you fit", he would tell me. I listened.

My mom supports me in everything I do as well, but when I go through my weeks working very long hours, and not having the incredible paycheck to show for it, sometimes I think she worries. She's not the only one. There are definitely days where I feel scared and unsure that my path is in fact the right one. I have such dreams of having a nice house, nice car, happy life, etc., and when I feel like I am at a standstill in my career, I start to freak out.

But then I walk through a studio lot. Call me cheesy, but for me, walking onto a set, or through a backlot, or even backstage, I am reminded of why I am here. And for right now, this IS where I need to be.

Plus, I'm only 23. I have years of career changing ahead of me.

I'm annoyed.

And I have cramps.

But Britney's getting edumacated, being that she supposedly enrolled in three classes at Pepperdine University next semester.
Oh, to be in college again.

Change sucks.

Last Friday at work we found out some news that we have to move our casting offices. After initial confusion as to why this was happening, and then even a period of excitement for a new project, it all started to set in this weekend.

I just started the job that I'm at in June. And I love it here, for the most part. It's close to home, we work with good people, and of course, we have a fully-stocked kitchen!

And on Friday, we were told that our office has to move due to a change of power in the higher part of the entertainment hierarchy. This means that by the 1st of January, 2005, we have to find new offices in the Hollywood area. Not so easy.

It will be done eventually, and I'm sure that we will like where we end up. However, the change part is hard. Because in my experience, one change leads to many more. And in this business, a lot of change leads to instability. And that leads to anxiety for me.

Well, lets just hope it works out ok. I'll keep you posted!

So it is once again Friday. Aaahhhhh.

Every week, as it gets closer to Friday, I start making my tentative plans for the weekend. Of course, there are certain weekends where I dont really have a choice in the matter, for example, if there are family obligations, big events, trips, etc.

But on a weekend like this one, where I don't really have anything to do, I can start making up my own plans to try to do things that I want to do. This is what I want to do this weekend:

* Movies: Bridget Jones definitely, and I wouldn't mind seeing "After the Sunset" or "The Polar Express" if time permits.
* Tomorrow, I'm all about getting my nails done, cleaning out my closet (by the way, know any good charities to give my old clothes to?), and attempting to organize Chris's room (the only thing I can always find in his room is his bed).
* Maybe go out to dinner and a few drinks tomorrow night... to actually "enjoy" the end of a hard week.
* See some family, eat good food, possibly get in a workout...

Sounds like an ideal weekend of doing "nothing".

What is your ideal weekend?

I'll preface this post by saying that my blog is being worked on still, so it ain't finished!

Yesterday one of the radio stations that I listen to in the mornings was doing a segment on real-life Jerry Springer families. The calls that were coming in were absolutely insane. This one's mother slept with his 2nd cousin on his dad's side, and that one's grandfather married his daughter in law, etc... Needless to say, compared to them, my family is extremely normal.

Unfortunately, compared to most people it isn't. Wanna hear about it?

My mom was married twice before she married my dad. They got married, and had two daughters: my older sister and I. They proceeded to divorce when I was 6 months old. My dad remarried a few years later, and proceeded to have two daughters (my little sisters, who are now 10 and 12). My mom also went on to marry another guy (who she is still with now). This was her fourth marriage, and it just so happened to be his fourth as well. Well in his three previous marriages, he had seven kids. They had none together.

So here's the rundown: I have one "full" sister, two half-sisters, and 7 stepbrothers and stepsisters. We also live around the world. My three sisters live here in LA, along with one of my stepbrothers. Four of my step-siblings live in Israel, one lives in North Carolina, and another goes to school in Miami but is currently studying abroad in Australia.

Because of all the family, lately I've been noticing that at least once a week, I have birthday dinners for them. Last Friday, my mom's. Tonight, one of my sisters. Hey, I love my family, and at least I know that when my birthday comes around in June, it will be a full table!

I see that you guys are liking the design... It's not perfect yet, but its clearly on its way :)

So, the cricket returned last night. In my wall. Talking to me (or should I say annoyingly screeching) the second I turned off my lights to go to bed. I don't get it. I was in my room reading for an hour befoer I turned off the lights, and there was no sound. The second I decide to sign off for the night the cricket wants to party. What's up with that?

Let's talk movies. Today I read that Dreamworks just bought the rights to "Baywatch: The Movie". My first thought was to laugh. I couldn't help it. What do you guys honestly think about the idea? Will it be a spoof of "Baywatch", with really overly-big-breasted ladies run around in skimpy bikinis trying to save the poor swimmer? Or will it be an action-packed movie based around a murderer, some cops, and of course, some lifeguards? Regardless, we all know there will at least be one cameo of Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff. So, yay or nay? My answer is nay.

Another movie: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Let me just say that I have been waiting for this movie since the day it was in development. Not only have I read both the books numerous times and LOVED them, but the first movie is one of my all-time faves. Plus, I think I actually AM Bridget. On top of all that, I stare at the billboard advertisement fom my office window for nine hours a day, so at this point it has already been embedded in my brain. I better like it.

And Rosario Dawson has been cast as Mimi in "Rent", based of course on the musical. I love that musical, love the soundtrack so much (it's really great to work out to), but come on, Rosario? Could just be me, but I'm not the biggest fan.

Now I'm going to the music store to buy Britney's greatest hits. Yeah, I know, don't laugh too hard.

**By the way, I DO know that links aren't showing up... The blank spaces are "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason", "Rent", and "Britney Spears" in that order***

Today, unfortunately, I went shopping.

Now, I would never call myself a major shopper (ok, maybe I would), but for some reason, I can't stop getting my hands all over today's fashions. I just LOVE the new fall / winter lines. Everything's so cozy and colorful. Oh, and since I'm going to Chicago for CHristmas, I guess I NEED some warm clothing, right? So my shopping is out of necessity, not just for fun, right? Right?

Either way I bought the most amazing black coat and new sunglasses.

Last night I saw "The Incredibles" with Chris. To be honest, the movie ain't so incredible. Yes, Pixar is fantastic when it comes to their animation. They do such a fantastic job making cartoons look so real. Unfortunately, the movie didn't need to be an hour and 45 minutes long! Cartoons should be short and sweet, you know? And when you find yourself falling asleep at ten pm in a theatre, you know something's wrong.

Let's see, what else? I'm having my blog redesigned as we speak, so you may see some changes in the next couple of days. Let me know what you think.

Oh and by the way, I finally got Chris (my boyfriend) to start reading the blog, so say hi if you get a chance!

Surprise, surprise... it's already Sunday :(

Once again, it shocks me to see that a weekend can come and go so fast. Oh well, I suppose it's life!

This weekend was fun at least, as I got to see my best friend Calah who was here from San Francisco. And when she is in town, we always end up seeing a bunch of people from college which can be fun and also can be almost annoying, to a certain extent. I love some of my college guy friends so much, but then there is always that one drunk guy who insists on showing off that he is the "assistant to the CEO of that multi-billion dollar company", etc. Meanwhile, he is so wasted he can't even get the words out straight.

I also got my hair done on Saturday which is always a pleasure. For me, it ends up being a good two hours of self-pampering. My hairdresser's assistant was classic. He was flaming gay (which is always fun), covered in tatoos and sported a neon green fanny-pack. His claim to fame is that he cuts Kevin Federline's hair, while his boss does Britney's. But you know, his boss is currently on Bette Midler's national tour, so yada, yada, yada. Sometimes I find that people in this city LOVE to talk (and mostly about themselves). But look at what I'm doing now? Telling y'all about MY weekend!!

Last night, me and the girls went out to Hollywood, where we had sushi and sake at Tokyo restaurant, then went to the Velvet Margarita for some (what else?) margaritas, followed by a couple of beers at The Beauty Bar. Quite a fun night I must say. I rarely make it out in Hollywood, that when I do, I'm once again reminded of how much there really is to do in this town.

Today was a day of lounging and doing pretty much nothing, which was nice, being that it's rainy and I'm tired. And tonight I'm off to a child actor's showcase where I can hopefully deter more people from trying to be actors here in LA, being that the chances of succeeding are really THAT small.

Just joking!

Maybe.

Hopefully all your weekends were just as good!

Yay!! It's Friday!!!

So, I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before (and I'm pretty sure I haven't, considering that it's a fairly new phenomenom), but I have a cricket in my wall. At least I hope it's a cricket.

I heard it the first time a few nights ago, just as I got home from work. It was that annoying consistent sound, kinda like the one you should ONLY hear while camping outdoors or when you're in summer camp. But no. I heard it in the safety of my own room in my apartment in the heart of Hollywood. Does anyone have an explanation or advice? It wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't waking me up every morning at 5 am. It's almost like my own personal rooster.

Except that my NORMAL wake-up time is 7:27. Not 7:20, and not 7:30. 7:27. I like to wake up to an odd number.

For some reason, for me, waking up on a Friday is so much easier than it is every other day of the week. It's almost like I am excited to get out of bed, finish the day so I can move on to the weekend. Especially when I know that it should be a fun one coming up, because my best friend from college, Calah, is coming to visit! Yay! Bloody Mary's, shopping and bbq's all weekend! Wanna join?

How DARE I say that Tuesday was the day when today, Thursday, is such a momentous day???

Why, you ask?

Only because "The OC" starts back up tonight. Thankfully, for TiVO, I wont miss it :)
Is it just me or has the entire cast of the OC been everywhere you look or listen lately. Wow, the marketing team on that show is doing their job. But they better stop now, because before qwe know it they'll be played out like Leny Kravit'z singles always are.

I love Adam Brody (I've only talked about it 500 times). In "OC" terms, "I'm a Seth girl". However, this morning, I heard a clip of him on Jimmy Kimmel last night, and I wasn''t impressed, to say the least. Jimmy asked him how he feels with all the "adolation" from the girls that has come about since the show started, and Adam was speechless. Why? Oh, because he had NO IDEA what the word adolation meant. He even admitted that it was sad having to ask Jimmy to tell him the definition.

Poor, poor Adam.

Like I already mentioned, my mom's 55th birthday was on Tuesday, and we're celebrating tomorrow night. My sister and I are at a loss what to get her. So I'm looking for some original ideas...

Have at it!

Ok, Last thing I want to do is get really political because my blog is supposed to a fun stop for everyone, but i guess i just have one thing to say.

I understand that 49% of America are very dissapointed, sad, even angry this morning with the results being what they are in the election. However, if we are Americans (and proud of that), don't you think that we should let go of our frustration, realize that Bush IS our president for the next four years, and try to all support that?

There has got to be a way for our country to compromise a little more. I don't think that either candidate was right on 100% of all their issues, so there isn't a way for EVERYONE to be satisfied with the results.

I thinkl everyone should take a breather and relax with a glass of wine :)

(Alright, be nice)

I've been waiting quite some time patiently for the arrival of today. Why? For all of the reasons we've been reading, hearing, talking about, etc...

But mostly because I'm sick of hearing about it everywhere I go!!!

I guess as long as we all vote, we are all doing our part as Americans.

Today also happens to be my mom's 55th birthday!!! Unfortunately, I still have yet to get her a present, so I think I'll just pick her up some flowers during my lunch hour and drop them off at her house so she comes home to them this evening. It's really great how someone who is 55 sometimes has more energy and is more vivacious than me. Wait...take back the sometimes part.

I have officially decided that Extreme Makeover - Home Edition is the most fabulous show on TV. I've been so conditioned to get emotional watching that show that I literally tear up at the promos for it. And my roommate looked at me like I was nuts when I cried last night watching the "How'd they Do That" special. I just can't help it. It's like whenever Oprah has those episodes where she reunites people, or surprises them with gifts, or introduces an actor's biggest fan to the actor. It warms my heart... what can I say.

Oh, and I found out last night that my mom is going to be visiting family for Thanksgiving across the world, so my sister and I are going to be cooking for the first time this year. So I need recipes...lot's of 'em. Feel free to email me any exciting ones that I could use at dana_gergely@yahoo.com.