Ms. Cheevious in Hollywood

My Zany Years Spent Working in Tinsel Town

Daily Mischief

Fa la la la la! la cough cough cough

by

FA LA LA LA LA! LA COUGH COUGH COUGH

 

#DailyMischief

 

click to leave a reply

 

‘Tis the season for goodwill and all that stuff, and I my head is splitting in half while I’ve somehow managed to cough out a horse. This is some painful stuff you guys.

I don’t know whether I got sick because a) I’ve been in denial over the last three months that my allergies were getting worse,  b) I went to Tucson to be with M.C. Nugget while he was working in a film, and the Casino we stayed in was filled with smoke, c) the film schedule switched to all-night shoots on the last two nights while I was already feeling a little “less than”, or d) said last night location made me sick from a combination of below-freezing temperatures and engine exhaust seeping into Nuggie’s trailer while I worked… I’m making the brilliant assumption it’s a combination of all of the above.

wakingphotolife: / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Nuggie and I arrived home with five bags full of dirty clothes, another trip coming up in a few days, and we managed to turn our fairly tidy apartment into a disaster zone.

I’ll say this: that bed isn’t going to make itself, and lord knows I’m not doing it. I’ll be over here on the couch with my Kleenex box.

Needless to say I’ll be posting random, Nyquil-induced articles. Hold on people! This will be interesting.

Nyquil art: Rakka / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

 

click to leave a reply

 

 

 

Register to receive these posts once a week by email and get my eBook “Ahhhhh…Haaaaaa Moments with Ms. Cheevious” for FREE as a result. Registration is on the right side bar of every blog post, or on our Facebook page. See you next time.

Blog content copyright 2013, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious.

There are times you should ignore the “cheer”

by

THERE ARE TIMES YOU SHOULD IGNORE THE “CHEER”

 

#DailyMischief

click to leave a reply

 

I know, I know. I’m well aware I spent a good chunk of the other day telling you guys about how I’m getting this holiday “cheer” thing down. How when a bunch of punk-ass kids harassed me for no good reason, perhaps I should have practiced my breathing, smiled, nodded, and waxed the zenniest me possible – especially given the close proximity to the holidays and all.

But here’s the thing: It’s one thing for me to say my OHMS and make wise choices when I’m the one whose fuse was tripped. And trust me, it’s been tripped BIG TIME too much lately.  I can’t tell you the number of times while here in the desert with Nuggie on location I’ve wanted to wrap a cactus around… well anything… my laptop, a hairbrush, my handbag… and create me some extremely PRICKLY hotel workers…  But no, I just keep breathing and doing yoga… every day and night, by god. It’s the holidays for goddsakes.

But when those same punk ass kids or any other losers threaten someone who is weaker or fragile, that’s when I ignore the “cheer” and step in.

A friend of mine recently shared a story from some time ago, when she was all of about 90 pounds, and she was out shopping. She came upon a couple of thugs harassing an old lady. The old woman was visibly scared and shaking and my tiny little friend marched up and threatened in her most intimidating voice “Leave her alone NOW!” The thugs leaned in on my little half-Italian bad-ass friend, so she said, “What are you gonna do? Hit me? Right in front of all these people? Leave NOW before I call the cops.”

The thugs walked away.

I admit. It could have gone very differently, but it did not. The old woman was thankful and me… well, I was yelling GO YOU BADASS GIRL to my computer screen, which is where I read the story.

Annnnnd…  I rest my case. There are times you should ignore the “cheer,” step in and do what’s right.

Watch this very telling anti-bullying experiment done by Worldstar Hip Hop which was posted on Facebook (if it isn’t showing for you below, click the here). You’ll be surprised by how many people do not stop, and you’ll cheer for those who do (the best one is a GIRL, I might add – but anyone who stands up to this sh*t is a freaking HERO in my book):

 

Post by Worldstar Hip Hop.

 

This holiday season (and really any time) if you see someone being bullied, picked-on, harrassed or threatened by someone bigger, stronger or more intimidating then they, I give you permission: Ignore the “cheer” and GO BALLISTIC on their asses.

 

Highkick
Pandiyan / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

 

click to leave a reply

 

 

 

Register to receive these posts once a week by email and get my eBook “Ahhhhh…Haaaaaa Moments with Ms. Cheevious” for FREE as a result. Registration is on the right side bar of every blog post, or on our Facebook page. See you next time.

Blog content copyright 2013, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious.

 

 

Getting this holiday cheer thing down

by

GETTING THIS HOLIDAY CHEER THING DOWN

 

#DailyMischief

 

click to leave a reply

 

When the holiday earmarking the thankfulness thing is so recent we can still smell the stuffing, and the next one earmarking goodwill toward men is so close you can taste the candy canes, you know it’s THAT time of year. The time when we’re supposed to allow anger, rage and hatred for all of mankind to dissipate in favor of those more gracious expressions, right?

 

Yes. It is that time.

 

Xmas Tree
R. Motti / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

 

But just because I plan to be joyful, cheerful and full of good will doesn’t mean I always am. And even if I do exhibit these great qualities or sentiments once every um – day – right? –  these acts shouldn’t be confused with any kind of zen-like or mature disposition – PFFF.

I mean, I’m working on it, but god it’s taking a while to get there.

Remember the time I told you how I was sitting stalled on a freeway off-ramp just before this past Thanksgiving, because car number 2 in our little family blew a gasket (or something)? That story may have flown under your radar, because I posted it on my personal website rather than here. I wax PG on that site.

Yep… I had the hood up and steam was rolling from the engine, when some lousy punk-ass kids drove by leaning on the horn, hurling expletives at me for blocking the road. I could have been the bigger person and chuckled at those involved little people who were obviously incapable of understanding the great opportunity for compassion they were missing. But I hurled back an expletive like “F*CK YOU! F*CKING ASSHOLE!” as I chased them thinking I could actually take the whole lazy, good-for-nothing lot of them. I probably could have.

It’s awesome how just when you say something like I’m working on being thankful, or gracious, (or any of those great qualities we sometimes think we wish we had) that’s when every mo-fo situation under the sun comes your way to help you practice those great qualities.

So, now when I find myself in Tucson, with M.C. Nugget (in case you forgot, he’s on location shooting a film and I am his guest), it’s only fitting that the freaking hotel can’t get a single friggin’ thing right…

I have to hold my breath til I turn blue, then slap my own face to stop myself from doing what I REALLY want to do.  I have do my ohmmmms of I’m a guest of the film production people…. I’m thankful… I’m gracious… I’m joyful…

But what I really WANT to do is sign up for EIGHT THOUSAND different Yelp accounts and report every misstep by this flippin’ hotel. Because SOMEONE should! They lose mail, they forget to do promised wake-up calls, their gym has dirty mats and equipment, no one knows how the jacuzzis by the pool work, and the maids keep forgetting to do things like put pillow cases on our pillows. (The irony of my complaining about my maids – and how ridiculously privileged that sounds doesn’t escape me).

But you guys…. I won’t do that… I won’t sign up for eight thousand yelp accounts (even though I probably should), because DAMMIT…come hell or high water, I’m getting this holiday cheer thing DOWN.

Let’s do it together. Shall we?

 

click to leave a reply

Register to receive these posts once a week by email and get my eBook “Ahhhhh…Haaaaaa Moments with Ms. Cheevious” for FREE as a result. Registration is on the right side bar of every blog post, or on our Facebook page. See you next time.

Blog content copyright 2013, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious.

 

Reminders from the set: This thing cannot be kept quiet

by

Reminders from the set: This thing cannot be kept quiet

 

#DailyMischief

 

click to leave a reply

 

I’m currently on location with M.C. Nugget, while he finishes up shooting a film. I’ve been on sets many  times, in  producer, talent management and publicist roles, but rarely have I been on a set with Nuggie as his girlfriend first, publicist second. Here are a couple of things I’ve been reminded of using my keen powers of observation this time around

– While on location, though I most certainly do know the answer to everything, I am not required to provide it. I know, I know. It’s hard to fathom. It’s equally surprisingly difficult. I’m just so damned helpful, and  smart, it’s tough for me to contain the brilliance.

– People on the production crew who are randomly talking around me are probably not speaking to me, but to the little person residing at the other end of the headset they’re wearing. Again, no need to engage in conversation or answer questions, even if I think I overheard the answer from someone else. They probably won’t hear me anyway, with the person THEY WERE SPEAKING TO talking to them in their headset.

– When Nuggie asks me to take photos with “the big boy” aka the Canon 7D, I probably shouldn’t snap a photo with it after  the director yells “Action!” That thing cannot be kept quiet. It’s in its mechanism to make a noise when the little button is clicked…

My Canon 7D - The Big Boy what cannot be kept quiet

Oh, and the thing apparently amplifies the shutter sound 100X any time a director yells “Action,” teachers command “Quiet” or bad guys say “Where are you?” (when you’re hiding from them in a closet, trying to snap a photo for evidence, of course).

 

So let’s see…

 

No offering your brilliance to the people on the crew, because Hey! Here’s a newsflash: You aren’t required to do so!

CHECK.

No answering people who aren’t talking to you, because THEY AREN’T TALKING TO YOU.

CHECK.

No snapping photos after the director yells “ACTION.” because the Canon 7D cannot be kept quiet.

CHECK.

Okay. We’re good then.

 

click to leave a reply

Register to receive these posts once a week by email and get my eBook “Ahhhhh…Haaaaaa Moments with Ms. Cheevious” for FREE as a result. Registration is on the right side bar of every blog post, or on our Facebook page. See you next time.

Blog content copyright 2013, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious.

 

Photo credit:
Jonathan Kos-Read / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Canon 7d property of ME, and the photo taken by me – Lisa Jey Davis.

Kiss before you date

by

KISS BEFORE YOU DATE

 

#DailyMischief

 

Click to leave a reply

 

One night back in the summer of 2008, my friend Sheila and I met for dinner after one of my hard core pilates workouts (back in the day when I could go five times a week, people). I was reconciled that evening to enjoying some girl time and going home to work from my desk for the rest of the night.

When the phone rang and my friend Lucy said “We’re going to this opening of a cool speakeasy restaurant in Hollywood, and M.C. Nugget is coming… do you want to go?” initially I said I couldn’t. I was busy. I’d just eaten, I was in my workout clothes, blah blah blah.

I’d only met M.C. Nugget a few weeks ago, and seem him a few times in my life. The last time I’d seen him was with Lucy and her man when he asked me out on an official date. I laughed then because THE GUY PLANS AHEAD. Our date was almost two weeks out… set for this coming Friday night…

I was definitely interested but I still hadn’t actually spoken to him for about a week. I have self respect, yo.

But so far, every encounter with this Chicken Man had been new, fun and exciting. While we were slowly getting to know each other, I was slowly changing my relationship to men and to dating. No longer would I drop things to be with the guy. No longer would I have an excuse to call or text, email, etc. I was changing who I was. I used MEN as my model as I navigated the opposite extreme from being way too available and way too into them, to having better things to do and more important and awesome things to accomplish in my life. That became my focus. Like grim death it became my focus. BY GOD. And I took a page from the guy’s playbook and decided that two months of dating would and could no longer be considered a “thing” or relationship. Six months didn’t even mean much. I decided that I would hold out and keep things light for at least two or three years before even turning the page and considering something long term with someone. And forget about marriage. That was far from my radar. These were important life changes for someone over forty who was single again and did not necessarily want to die alone…But I was also someone who would sacrifice even that – even dying alone –  if it meant I would die with the wrong person or anyone who would stifle, control, hurt or squelch me. I knew I needed to drastically change my approach. After all, the common denominator in my failed relationships of the past was – well – ME.

Yeah. I was working on some big stuff alright.

Also – have I mentioned how I can talk a big game?

Because Lucy apparently peeked into my soul when she struck with the precision of a ninja and said, “But he wants you to come. He asked if you were coming…” I am no idiot, so I implied that if he wanted me to come he could have asked me himself.

She put him on the phone.

“Hey darlin… Are you going to be able to make it?”

I folded like a cheap, pre-folded, permanently creased polyester suit.

I’d already looked at Sheila for approval and got it.

THIS WAS ON.

I raced home, turned my bedroom and walk-in closet into a war zone looking for the perfect outfit. I kept my braids, rinsed off in the shower, threw on a hat and ran out the door.

Hollywood Opening

We had a great time at the opening, laughing and joking, and then … after all I’d done to get there… AFTER ALL THAT WORK it was time to go home.

It wasn’t happening if I could help it.

Are you ready to go home? I asked Nuggie nonchalantly.

No… but can you give me a ride home? IT WAS ON.

We went to Sky Bar – the rooftop bar of the Mondrian Hotel on Sunset. It was a slow Tuesday night, and we enjoyed our own queen size lounge area to ourselves.

We ordered drinks… and as the cocktail waitress was coming over with a new round, M.C. Nugget and I kissed a sweet, lingering sort of kiss. And oh, was it exceptional.

The waitress interrupted with our drinks and said, “You guys are such a cute couple. How long have you been together?” to which Nuggie, in true form replied:

 

“Funny you should ask…. Our first date isn’t happening until this coming Friday.” 

If you can make it happen, I highly recommend you kiss before you date.

 

Click to leave a reply

 

photo credit:
Rab’s Da / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

 

Stupid Fallout Boy

by

STUPID FALLOUT BOY

 

#DailyMischief

 

click to leave a reply

 

When M.C. Nugget and I met, I like to think the way it happened was kismet. He was at the pier for a Thursday night concert and KABLAMO there was a surprise concert by FALLOUT BOY. He called his best friends, (one of which I happened to know) who promptly hightailed it to the pier. As these things go, surprise concerts by such big time artists as Fallout Boy don’t just happen. The guys don’t sit around commiserating like “hey, let’s go surprise the shit out of the people in Santa Monica this Thursday,” no. Victoria’s Secret was having a big PINK party (that’s one of their clothing lines), chock-full-o models, free drinks and a pink carpet — and they brought Fallout Boy with them. They’re so nice.

By the time I was able to maneuver my way to the pier at my friend’s invitation, Nuggie (and my friends) had taken full advantage of the hosted bar. For about two hours.

Our stories differ a bit here, because mine is right (well— pffff — I was the sober one), but basically Nuggie was standing on a picnic table swinging the purse of my friend. She came up to me, and over her shoulder introduced Nuggie and I, then said to me “Let’s go watch the band!” I turned to Nuggie who was smiling and swinging that purse and said, “Would you mind holding mine for a sec”? MISTAKE.

He laughed as he said Step back! I don’t hold purses for anyone.

But, you’re holding Lucy’s… I started…

That’s only because SHE got me IN HERE.

Ahhh… someone who knew which side the bread was buttered on…

It was love, I tell ya.

You know… that pull-my-hair, then tell-on-me-to-the-teacher kind of love.

One thing is definitely true – after many more cocktails and several games of Wii Bowling into the wee hours of the morning… I was kinda smitten, and at the very least I knew I’d found a cool new friend.

And how fun was it to sneak in to a free FALLOUT BOY concert?

Now every time either Nuggie or I get too mushy with each other, one or both of us will say it:

Fallout Boy

STUPID FALLOUT BOY.

 

photo credit: bgarmisa / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

 

click to leave a reply

 

 

 

Register to receive these posts once a week by email and get my eBook “Ahhhhh…Haaaaaa Moments with Ms. Cheevious” for FREE as a result. Registration is on the right side bar of every blog post, or on our Facebook page. See you next time.

Blog content copyright 2013, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious.