~Mery Christmas~

Zach and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Zach was more freaked out about the bells. LOL!

How To Train Your Dragon - More comments

After a good night's rest I thought of more to share without giving anything away, I hate spoilers!

I think Dreamworks and the filmmakers have a hit on their hands. After seeing Monsters and Aliens and Shrek 4 at screening, the story line for "How To Train Your Dragon" was better thought out and the characters' journey were more interesting. Especially the relationship between Hiccup (Jay Baruchel)and his dad, Stoick (Gerard Butler who makes a great hunky and hairy Viking). But I think the script writer, Dean DeBlois, might have more to work with because of the book, "How To Train Your Dragon" by Cressida Cowell.

The finished scenes were really well done with the 3D and animation. I loved all the textures and details. Like I said, the story was funny, funnier than I thought it would be, but how can it not be with Craig Ferguson and Kristen Wiig in the cast. Everyone laughed a lot. I didn't expect the ending. It wasn't the perfect storybook ending which I liked.

How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell


How to Train Your Dragon in theaters March 26, 2010

How To Train Your Dragon

I received an invitation for a blind screening on Thursday for people ages 15-49. Luckily my friend, Annette, and I were both available to attend. We RSVP'ed knowing only that the film was a 3D animation movie by the makers of Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda, but took the chance to go. You can't imagine our excitement when the man who welcomed and thanked us for coming, announced that the movie was "How To Train Your Dragon"!

Annette and I giggled like school girls. It took a few minutes for us to settle down and get over the shock that we were really seeing the movie.

The movie wasn't finished yet with some parts missing the animation and lighting, but still the story line was wonderful! It was funny, fast paced, and action packed, one children will love. Gerard Butler and Craig Ferguson's voices were perfect for their roles as well as Jay Baruchel and America Ferrera. The dragons were wonderful, reminding us of our pets. A must see with your children, grandchildren, or in my case, my nephew.

I can't wait to see the finished film!

How To Train Your Dragon, In theaters March 26, 2010

Precious Premiere

Sunday night my friend Marcy and I went to see Precious Premiere at the AFI Festival. Lots of Stars were in attendance! Macy Gray, Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe (Precious), Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Wil Smith, Sidney Poitier, Tyler Perry, Oprah, and Mo'Nique.

Here's some pics from the red carpet:
Extratv

The movie was tough to watch, but amazing. How can someone take so much abuse and still remain a beautiful person as Precious does, played by Gabourey Sidibe? Mariah did a fantastic job as the social worker. What a powerful scene with Gabby, Mariah and Mo'Nique. Mo'Nique played a horrible person, you will HATE her character, but boy did she give an Oscar winning performance.

After the movie was over we stayed in our seats, in the center, last row to watch the credits, lots of people stayed. When the lights came on we stayed as the crowd left, which was great because all the stars passed us while they were leaving. We saw Wil Smith, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon.

When Mo'Nique was right in front of us a woman across the aisle was so excited and hugged her and told Mo'Nique how she loved her. Mo'Nique happened to look over at us so I reached over and touched her on the hand. I told her how much I loved her performance. She squeeze my hand and thanked me. Then she took pictures with the woman who was hugging her. After the photo Mo'Nique continued to walk up the aisle a few steps. She stopped, turned around, and came back to Marcy and me. She hugged us and gave us kisses on our cheeks. I told her again how wonderful she was and so did Marcy. Mo'Nique was so gracious.

You must see the film, but like I said, it's a hard one to watch. You will want to hug your daughter or your mother and you will thank God you didn't have a mom like Precious.

In theaters Friday, November 6, 2009

My Students Making it Work

The assignment: My students had one hour to design two garments in pairs. They could pick from the provided fabric, but they could not cut it up.

So with pins and fabric this what they came up with!

My pick for the top three designs:

#3

#2

#1

Law Abiding Citizen Bracelet

The girls in the group are very creative. In honor of the Law Abiding Citizen Premiere they decided to make bracelets like the one Clyde cherishes that his little girl made for him the day she is killed.

We didn't think it would be appropriate to wear "DADDY" bracelets so the girls came up with the great idea of making them with names from Gerard Butler's characters he plays in his movies.

We all wore our bracelets the night of the Law Abiding Citizen premiere. When I was speaking to Gerard he saw mine, "Phantom".

He smiled and said, "How lovely."

Attila, One - Two, Marek, Leonidas

Marek and Leonidas

One Two and Attila

We wore them opening weekend also.

Phantom and Clyde

Phantom, Attila, Clyde and One Two.

The Jay Leno Show

The last day of our Law Abiding Citizen Premiere week we spent at the Jay Leno Show.



Here we are in line waiting to go into the studio.
Lois and Barbara

Maree

Me and my niece Brittany

Studio 11 where the Jay Leno Show is taped.

I talked Brittany into going up to the stage to get a picture with Jay. He's such a crack up.





Gerard was a hoot as always. He even raced the Green Car challenge and beat the best time. (I couldn't find a video of it.)

After the show we went to downtown Burbank and enjoyed our last dinner together at the Elephant Bar.

Barbara and Brittany

Lois, Maree, and me

Brittany and Annette

Lois and Maree

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Wednesday, October 7th was day two of Law Abiding Premiere week. We had tickets to see The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Gerard as the guest.

Lois & Maree in line for the show

Barbara & Lois


Part 1


Part 2

As always Gerard is a hoot! I always love watching Craig and Gerard together.
17" folded! LOL!

After the taping of the show we had dinner at Shin's. Once we arrived and settled in at the bar, Simon sat down beside me. He told me he had a special treat for us. He had gotten a projector, a screen, and rented Lara Croft Tomb Raider the Cradle of Life to play while we ate dinner. What a sweetie! As you can see we had a great dinner.

Annette enjoying her special drink Albe had made especially for her. He named it "Music of the Night"


Albe, our favorite bartender!

Annette, me, and Barbara

We celebrated Lois' birthday too! We managed to surprise her with a birthday cake.


Barbara, Maree, me, Lois, Merle, and Annette

Albe with the Girlies!

Law Abiding Citizen Premiere & After Party

The Girls and I made a day of it for the Premiere of Law Abiding Citizen. We went to Hollywood to hang out and have lunch. Once checked into the hotel we made our way to Hollywood Blvd.

Workers putting down red carpet for the premiere.

Fans were already lined up staking their claim on the sidewalk across the street from Grauman's Chinese theater over 12 hours before the arrival of the Stars. WOW is all I can say! More dedicated than me!

Once all the girls arrived we went to lunch at the Roosevelt Hotel and then walked around the historic hotel to check out how the preparations were going for the after party.

We had coffee at the Coffee Bean and relaxed until it was time to change for the premiere.

Lois and Maree

We met a actor, Scott Burn, who noticed us holding a picture of Gerard.

Once we were in our seats in the theater we had to wait at least another hour before F. Gary Gray came to introduce the film. The movie was to start at 7:30, but of course the Stars and F. Gary Gray had to do Red Carpet interviews, it almost never starts on time.

In our seats.

Maree and Lois

Sandy and Annette

Barbara and me

F. Gary Gray

The movie was even better the second time! Remember, it was very stressful watching the movie with F. Gary Gray sitting beside me and Gerard in front of me at the pre screening a few weeks ago. Yes, they were in the same theater again, but thank goodness not next to me so I could concentrate and enjoy the movie. The audience reaction was great. Guys were yelling and cheering at all the shocking parts.
A guy behind me yelled, "Man, he's (Gerard) even better than in 300!"

After the movie we walked up the aisle and waited for Gerard. Of course everyone was greeting and congratulating him. Alan, his business partner with Evil Twins Productions stopped to talk with Lois.

Let me give you some back story: The night before, Lois was on her way to the hotel after going to a pre screening of Law Abiding Citizen. Sitting at a traffic light, a man waved at her to get her attention in the car beside her. She rolled her window down. To her surprise the man asked, "Are you a Gerard Butler fan?" (Lois has a gerardbutler.net bumper sticker on her car)
She said, "Absolutely! Hi Alan!"
Alan was shocked and thrilled that Lois knew his name. She proceeded to tell him she had just come from a screening of the movie and congratulated him. Lois told him she would be there supporting them at the premiere. He thanked her for all the support and would see her tomorrow.

So here we are at the premiere and Alan is excited to see Lois. He gives her a big hug and and a kiss then he pulls Gerard over who was talking to someone else.
Allen says, "This is the woman I was telling you about!"
Gerard hugged her and kept holding her hands while they talked. Lois, I think, was in shock while Gerard and Allen proceed to tell her about their conversation about her.

Mean while, I'm asked to move by bodyguards. So after Gerard finishes talking with Lois, Gerard somehow spots me behind the two big body guards and gave me a big hug and a kiss. I think he said, "Hey darling how are you." (it's a blur)

I managed to introduce Barbara to him who hadn't met him yet. To her surprise he gave her a big hug and a kiss too. Even though stunned, she managed to have a conversation with him, tell him how much she loved the movie, and he was wonderful to take the time to autograph Barbara's picture too. I think she is still stunned even though it's been a few days.

I had a personal mission for two of our girls, Lynne and Jane, who couldn't make it to the premiere because they are on a European vacation (bad scheduling, I know). He was happy to help me with the mission, I can't say anything right now because it's a surprise for the girls.

Maree and I at the after party.

I think this is sooo funny -- Maree's hands were shaking when she took these pictures with me and Tyrese. LOL! I didn't mind because he had his arm around me the whole time. What a sweetheart to be so patient! He truly is beautiful in person.

F. Gary Gray and me

F. Gary Gray and Alan

Photographers took pictures of the F. Gary Gary and the Stars



Gerard and Merle

It was crazy! Gerard didn't sit down once the entire time. All I saw him have was cup of coffee, a bottle of water, and I think a brownie. He was non stop with people waiting in line to greet and congratulate him, but he was gracious to everyone. He posed for pictures, gave hugs, and told us stories. I don't know how he does it!

Gerard entertaining the ladies.

I got few more moments with him. He said after posing for a picture, with his arm around me, "This is crazy!" I looked up. He nodded toward the crowd waiting to talk to him.

I said, "I don't know how you do it!"

He smiled. He looked sooo tired. Sooo sweet, but sadly the picture with him didn't turn out.

At the end, about 1:00 am, he looked sooo wiped out, the bodyguards were ushering him away and clearing a path, he stopped again.
We said our good nights, he squeezed my hand. I said, "See you tomorrow."
He nodded. "Tomorrow then."