Andy Hallett, R.I.P.

Sad day in the Whedonverse. Andy Hallett, who played the flashy, loveable, singing demon, Lorne, on the Buffy The Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel, has passed away. :(

Via E! Online:

Andy Hallett, who starred as Lorne ("the Host") on the TV series Angel, died of heart failure last night [March 29th] at age 33, according to his longtime agent and friend Pat Brady. The actor passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital after a five-year battle with heart disease, with his father Dave Hallett by his side.

Hallett, from the Cape Cod village of Osterville, Mass., appeared on more than 70 episodes of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel, between 2000 and 2004. The accomplished actor was also a musician and sang two songs ("Lady Marmalade" and "It's Not Easy Being Green") on the Angel: Live Fast, Die Never soundtrack, released in 2005.

Andy has spent his post-Angel years working on his music career, playing shows around the country. He had been admitted to the hospital three or four times in the past few years for his heart condition, according to Pat.

The Secret Ingredient Is...

When is a sandwich not JUST a sandwich? When it's made with the secret ingredient, of course. What is it? Haven't you heard? The secret ingredient is...LOVE. :)

A couple summers ago, we went to the beach one day with a few of our friends, and Juan & I were in charge of taking some sandwiches and a few drinks in a cooler. We prepared the sandwiches beforehand, placing each in an individual sandwich bag. As we were eating them on the beach, they told us the sandwiches were good. Of course, we hadn't really done anything extra special to them, just the typical ingredients (meat, cheese, tomatoes, etc.). But Juan, in response to the compliments on our sandwiches, then said, "The secret ingredient is love." :) So that got a good little laugh. hehe

Ever since then, there've been several instances when a situation comes up that reminds me of that phrase. And right now, as I type this, I'm actually having a sandwich for lunch. It was one that Juan prepared for me this morning. I spent the night at his place, to give him a ride this morning, and so he was nice enough to prepare me a lunch so I don't have to buy one (since I'm trying to save). He even included some chips and a yogurt for desert. :) I know it's just your typical type of sandwich that I'm eating, but it actually does taste better to me. Why? Because of the secret ingredient of course...

Jay Brannan Can't Have It All

So, my good close friend *, Jay Brannan, has come out with a new music video. It's for his song, "Can't Have It All". I just saw it right now for the first time and I really love it. I've loved the song and it's cool to see a video to it now. Whenever I hear the song it takes me back to seeing him perform live, because I believe it might've been the one he actually opened the night with the last time I went to see him. :) So here it is...with lyrics right after...



(* by "good close friend" I mean in my imagination lol)

CAN'T HAVE IT ALL
music and lyrics by Jay Brannan

applying moisturizer in the microwave window
for the tenth time, he shouldve called me an hour ago
would he be here with flowers if i lived in arizona?

they say theres no love left in the big cities, its kinda true
i guess youll find me coming soon to a small town near you
ill sell my guitar so i can by myself a tractor

fuck this, this cant be my life
i moisturized ten times tonight
why cant i sit down and write,
bring this question to light?

chorus
do you want a lover, or do you want a life?
one hand or the other, the butter or the bread knife?
do you choose winter, spring, summer, or fall?
its driving me crazy that i cant have it all

if these walls could talk, theyd probably cry out for mercy
til im outlined in chalk, ill be romantically thirsty
so i drink and drink from the proverbial time sink

fuck this, this cant be my life
tears flowing in full force tonight
why cant i sit down and write,
bring this question to light?

chorus

do we hold the future, or does it come in peace?
and if its in my hands, are you sure it should be in brittle hands like these?
life, love, and the pursuit of all the things they promised me
can i have all of the above? are the best things in life truly free?

chorus

© 2008 great depression publishing

For full HQ version visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AV5XzKjz2Y

More Jay Brannan Videos: www.youtube.com/user/jaybrannan

His Official Page: www.jaybranan.com

I Saw TRS' Alex

I think I just saw Alex Albrecht, from The Totally Rad Show & Diggnation, two of my favorite podcasts! If you have no idea who he is or what the podcasts are about, then be sure to check them out. Just click on their names in the previous sentences. And if you've no idea what a podcast is...shame, shame, shame on you!

Anyhow, I saw him about half an hour ago, he was in front of me at the ATM while I waited patiently behind him for my turn. I didn't recognize him at first, until I really paid attention and even then I was only about 80% sure it could be him. I usually SUCK at recognizing people. So I just stood there until he was done and walked right past me on his way back to his car in the parking lot. As I was walking back to my car a few minutes later (to get some envelopes that I needed to drop in the mail box), I saw him driving away in a black BMW. At that point I was then about 99% sure it was him, since I remembered him discussing his new car at some point in the podcasts.

So yeah, that was my own little celebrity sighting. Or...would he be considered a full-on celebrity? Well, to me and his fans & followers I'm sure he is. hehe Also, I'm pretty sure I've probably seen a bunch of other actors or otherwise famous people walking past me here in L.A., especially where I currently work since the SAG offices are here, but I just never notice them. A simple hat or sunglasses is often enough to sneak past me. hehe But it was actually quite cool seeing Alex, especially since The Totally Rad Show (TRS) is my favorite podcast! Listening to Alex, Dan & Jeff on that show brings back so many memories of my youth, plus they cover a lot of the entertainment stuff that I'm into.

I Want: Buffy Maquettes

What I wouldn't give to be able to have these three Buffy "tooned up" maquettes (which I believe is just a fancy french word for a small model/sculpture). Buffy, Glory & Evil Willow. Love it! But my tight budget days continue so can't do! Will just have to be happy looking at the pretty pictures. hehe Still...at about over $80 or so each, I don't think I'd be getting them even if I could afford to spend the money! Just a bit too much for me, the casual collector. :)

Quick Thoughts

I haven't blogged as much these past few days. Funny thing is, I've actually had a lot on my mind that I'd normally want to write down. But for now, I think it's best I just focus (or try my best to) on other more important things. Such as...you know...where I'll be working at in the near future! :-/

I was thinking back this morning to what I'd call "happier times." January of 2008, in particular, when we took a trip to Madrid. There really weren't many things to worry about at the time for both of us, if I remember correctly. So it was a good feeling. Peaceful. And a fun time going on a beautiful and forever memorable trip. These days, I can still have fun if I want, but I can never shake off that nagging reminder in the back of my mind that things are topsy turvy right now. And not just for me personally, but for many people out there, both here in the U.S. and abroad.

We all just keep on going, living life, taking those "can't help but smile" moments as we can get them. In the end, I think what matters most are the people you love. And those are truly the ones that'll always be around, no matter what the times may be like. A warm embrace, a gentle kiss, a hand to hold...things that'll never cost you a penny from the special people in your life.

I may take little breaks from this blog in the coming weeks. But hopefully soon I can get back to my random silliness. :)

Housewife

I was listening to my iPod at work, and Jay Brannan's song "Housewife" came on. As I listened to the lyrics...

"...I wanna be a housewife,
what's so wrong with that?
I wanna be a housewife, yeah,
and that's just where I'm at..."

...I couldn't help but wonder, seriously, would that be so bad? To be a housewife, that is. To stay home, take care of the house, do the laundry, run grocery errands and have a nice dinner waiting for my love to return from work? Honestly, I'm starting to think I'd quite like that.

*Sigh*

Two Month Notice

It's finally starting to hit me, the reality of it all. I am losing my current job in two months. :( It was something that was pretty much coming for a while now, but there was never an end date. Now that there is, it's much more scarier. I guess I should try and see the positive side of it, that at least I'm being given a decent amount of notice so I can try to plan accordingly. Still, doesn't make it any easier knowing that I have to look for a new job during a time when jobs seem to be more and more scarce.

We found out about all this last Friday. We got the final word at an office meeting Friday afternoon. I told myself that this weekend would just be for me to relax, have a nice time with my bf and friends, forget all my worries and just let myself have a nice time. And I succeeded. I did have a great weekend. But of course, as usual, it went by too fast. Now I'm back at work, Monday morning. I'm grateful to have a job for two more months at least, but it still doesn't make it any easier having to come back to work after a nice weekend.

So now it's time to start getting serious about planning for what's to come. Time to start brushing up those resumes, putting my name, my experience and my skills out there, hoping that somebody will take notice.