The pellmellblog

How I learned to stop worrying and love the Tumblr

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:54:00 +0000

Good news, everyone!

I have a Tumblr. It is here.

The pellmellblog may be making a permanent move to this new platform, but for now, I'm just test driving it. You can read my first post now.

[I got soul, but I'm not a soldier]

Stephen Pell of Mars

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 06:00:00 +0000

There's a lot to discuss and recap, so let's dive right in:

I am employed once again (for the next two months, anyway) on a little show entitled, "John Carter of Mars", which just so happens to be Pixar's first live-action film.

Am I stoked beyond stoked? In a word: yes.

Secondly, my Mom bought me a shirt and then shipped it to me in a tiny box with love. It looks like this on me:

Thanks, Mom.

Third: I am an on, off, on again, off again, on again, off again, on again, off again sort of person, it seems, and that's enough about that.

I am writing again. I have a few feature length scripts in the fire, and one, horribly bloody, gory, dark twisted animated short that I'm trying to get off the ground, more details on that as they develop.

I'm reading Blue Like Jazz again, for what may be the third time. What can I say? It's an incredible book, and with each reading, I gain a new insight or perspective on this spiritual journey I call a "life", or is it the other way 'round?

I find afternoon drives to be very freeing, particularly when they extend all the way to San Dimas...

Overall, morale is high, and I'm excited for what the next few months will bring.

And to my cousins in Georgia (Emma, Reagan, and McKenna): Stay classy.

[She wants a coat made of my leather, my fur, my nails]

Being of the Unemployed Variety in Los Angeles

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:10:00 +0000

Let's get this straight: being unemployed is fantastic. There's plenty of time for relaxing, sleeping, playing video games, hanging out, and thrifting. The only real downside is the lack of cash flow.

Psssh. Pesky little details.

Still, I'm starting to like it here, little by little.

Is it the beautiful vistas spread out in nearly every direction? Yeah, that could be a factor. Could it be the plethora of amazingly cool things available to do at any given time? Well, it certainly adds some spice. Maybe it's the cool people I've been lucky enough to have met on 'Live To Dance'? Not maybe. Definitely.

And when these three factors come together, they form ~~Captain Planet~~ the perfect day/night.

Let's just say it's been a spectacular week. The best week so far in LA.

Also, I just had some breakfast and a slice of lemon meringue pie after catching a free improv show at UCB with special guest, Tim Meadows. I sat on the stage. I laughed many, many times.

And I went to church today for the first time in six weeks.

It's been a good day.

Just call me Ice Cube.

[I gotta go cause I got me a drop-top]

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:37:00 +0000

Okay, okay, okay, aokaokday....

Tomorrow is my last day on the show. It will involve much wading through receipts and petty cash envelopes and check requests and credit card statements, but then, it will be finished. Like the end of a fight in Mortal Kombat. And once I rip the still beating heart from a mountain of backdated expenses, I will emerge a victor... and on to the next battle.

I don't know what the next battle will be, per se, or if I should continue with this flimsy Mortal Kombat metaphor, yet I carry on.

I have a few leads, and one in particular that I'm really hoping comes to fruition, until then, it's just a waiting game. Of course, while I'm waiting, I might just go check out this big city that I find myself living in now. I started working immediately on LTD not complaining) that I never really got a chance to explore or partake in anything quintessentially "LA" (besides paying too much for alcohol).

Hiking is on the top of my list; I can tell you that much.

But before all that, I'm off to explore an entirely different kind of town. That's right: Vegas, baby.

Saturday morning, I'm hitting the road with some friends from the crew to Sin City. I plan on wearing a suit and standing at the craps table all night -- glass of whiskey in one hand; dice in the other. There will be much suave posturing and fist raising and wide, goofy open-mouthed smiles should I hit a hot streak... but hopefully not too hot (I've seen Casino one too many times... and I like having my hands). So, I'll take pictures and get married accidentally or whatever. We'll see how it goes. Winging it seems like the best route to take on this one.

I think I'd like to take a cue from my heros Jack White and Michel Gondry and just create. Just make movies. Just write. Just play. Just sing. Just because.

Because who cares about a shiny, polished, professional, expensive, well put-together, time consuming, "perfect" looking project when the alternative is no project at all? Not this guy... Not anymore.

Time to go to bed... time to finish this post.

FINISH IT!

fatality.

[Well we all need someone we can bleed on]

Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes and Other Nonsense

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:48:00 +0000

Gotta get back on top of this bloggy thing.

Sadly, whilst LA has many places in which to imbibe myriad libations, they all suck. That is, every bar I've been to thus far has been over-priced and over-populated. Gone are the days of $3.00 Long Islands and $0.75 cans of Black Label at The Meanwhile. Case in point: Friday night, I order a shot of Jameson, and it cost... wait for it... $9.00.

My skull almost imploded. It's a sad state of affairs here. The search for a good bar in LA continues...

And, soon enough, the search for a new job will commence. That's right, for any of you faithful viewers tuning in to Live To Dance every Wednesday night instead of Idol (and instead of doing ANYTHING else) you'll be sad to hear that this Wednesday is the last show of the season, which, of course, means that as those credits roll on that final episode, I'm cleaning out my desk.

It's just how it goes. Job to job to job. Hopefully I'll find something new before I'm living hand to mouth... or is it foot to mouth... foot in mouth disease... I can't get a disease, not now... Not without a job or insurance... Oh, I'm so screwed...

I still want to move to the South, that is, after a brief stint in Japan. LA is nice, but I'm not in love.

Speaking of love, everyone here is in it, or some form of it, it seems. *le sigh*

But, hey, brightside: I might visit the set of the Muppet Movie. Fingers crossed.

Also, improv class went well tonight. I screamed a lot. I like screaming. Especially when it's well received.

And I watched this video about a hundred times. At 3:40, it goes from great to amazing.

Lost In The Trees | A Take Away Show | Time Taunts Me from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

[I wanna hold you 'til it feels like it's been long enough to stop saying 'I miss you', stop saying 'I miss you']

For Everyone Wishing to Hear Tales of My Exploits in LA:

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 07:02:00 +0000

Prepare to be disappointed.

Here's a song about lamps. Just lamps.

And, as a special treat, everyone wishing for a high-quality sound recording will also be left wanting...

[big wheel keep on turnin']

Michigan Seems Like a Dream to Me Now.

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 05:14:00 +0000

My cross-country road trip feels as if it took place in another lifetime.

I came here and just hit the ground running with work and apartment hunting and improv classes -- I only left six weeks ago, but it feels like an eternity.

There are so many mornings that, when I get on the highway, I want to just keep driving for twelve hours, if only to relive that trip. What I wouldn't give to be back on that highway through Texas, or through the sands of Arizona, or the Ozarks of Arkansas, but especially, the north woods of Michigan.

I miss Michigan.

However, now, I truly live in LA. I have an address. I have a year long lease. I am a resident.

Yay.

Yes, it's true. I now share an apartment with one other roommate (but I have my own bedroom and bathroom) and it's in the very central location of Studio City, which cuts my commute down from an hour and a half to just a half. Beautiful. Plus, someone said that Studio City was the place for twenty-somethings in LA. I don't know who said it, but someone did, and that's the key thing to remember.

This week will be crazy at work, seeing as how we go live on Wednesday.

I will be a tired Stephen for the next few weeks leading up to the finale.

And after the finale... Season Two! Or unemployment!

Yay.

Oh, life, and your wondrous self, thanks for always keeping it interesting.

Sincerely,
Stephen T. Pell (The T is for Tiberius)

[Home is wherever I'm with you]

Paying Rent.

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 06:25:00 +0000

Tomorrow, I get to start doing that again!

Hooray?

I'm moving into my own place in Studio City. Technically, it's not all mine, I have a roommate: Greg.

Greg's cool, though, so no worries.

Also, I have my own bathroom.

Is this the dawning of a new age for Stephen Pell, or just the dawning of the age of Aquarius?

[Let the sun shine]

Blog a Little Blog...

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 07:14:00 +0000

The apartment search continues, as today, I finally signed up to join Westside Rentals. Sixty bucks. Now, if that doesn't bag me a nice place to stay... umm... witty hyperbole...

Apologies if I seem a little slow tonight. It was a long day today, good, but taxing nonetheless. The best part was the beginning. We had a tech meeting this morning at 10:00am (which allowed me to catch some extra Zzzz) in CBS Television City.

Pulling in through those gates: magic.

Then, regular office stuff set in. I made some calls, did some research, watched some edits, and now, I'm home. Finally.

Speaking of homes, I'll be house/cat sitting at one of my old Production Coordinators home 'til Saturday... So, if you need me, I'll be there.

In closing, I would like to alert you to this website, which just about sums everything up: When Parents Text

[You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I'll come runnin']

A Belated Christmas Present For You!

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:01:00 +0000

...is a new post.

I'm cheap.

Anyways, what has happened since my last post? Oh, that's right. Everything.

Devoted readers of my blog (of which, there are two(ish)) are familiar with this sort of routine. The routine I'm referring to is, of course, the substantial week or two of posting, followed by a long, boring drought. I hope to curb this, I really do, and, in fact, just today I've decided to implement a new system for getting in my hour of writing per day, so, if all goes accordingly, new posts will once again be the fashion of the day... if all goes accordingly.

This blogging thing was much easier in the bygone days of Xanga, no?

The thing is: I bought khakis. Yes, khakis. Granted, they're cool khakis, the kind that say, "I'm vaguely professional, but if there were an impromptu Arcade Fire concert, I still fit the dress code." Still, it concerns me a bit. Though, it is nice to have brown pants instead of always wearing blue pants. Finally, I can wear blue shirts again.

I went to Disneyland whilst on blogging vacation. It was pretty fun. Did all the Disneyland stuff, which, if you've ever been there, you know it's all standard fare. There are rides and sights and whatnot. Hardly worth describing in blog form. Instead, I'll just post pictures.

That's the kind of guy I am.

Two Jeff Bridges movies I have seen in the past week: Tron 2 and True Grit.

The Former: Music, hero's journey, glowing, fights, glowing, Olivia, glowing, Daft Punk, glowing, light jets!!1!, glowing... glowing... gone. Grades --> Story: B- Glowing: A+

The Latter: Violence, subtle humor, humorous violence, Matt Damon, regular violence, funny talking, shocking violence, arguments, kidnapping, snakes... violence --> Story: A Violence: A

Needless to say, I highly recommend both films.

[Poets often use many words to say a simple thing]

Well...

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 06:55:00 +0000

TGIF... That's all I can say.

UPDATE: Also, I'm adding this:

see more Memebase

[do you feel like we do?]

Little Things Fall Into Place...

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 07:15:00 +0000

...and remind me that this is where I'm meant to be. Whether it's for the rest of my life, I don't know for sure, but as for now, I think this was the right move.

Granted, I saw some pictures today on facebook of the first snowfall in Grand Rapids, and I wanted to get on the first flight home. I never thought I'd miss snow... but I do. It's been a part of my Winters since I was five, and now... Well, how am I supposed to drink hot chocolate now?

Apartment hunting trudges on via internet. Now, however, there may be a roommate in the mix.

I miss you Michigan people. I really do. It's lovely out here, and oh so interesting, but it'd me much better if you were here too. Exploring the city, getting caught in traffic, paying too much for gas, and eating mexican food.

It'd be great!

Alas. Forsooth. I met Paula Abdul today.

[Way out in the water -- see it swimmin']

Reality TV

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:14:00 +0000

I work for a reality TV show. Today's work made that fact stunningly clear.

cinema verite' with a twist.

I met some very nice people today, however, and it was a nice change of pace from sitting at a desk all day.

Here's a ballsy quote from Joe Scarborough that has nothing to do with my day today. Nonetheless, Scarborough earns some points:

"This is one Republican who would prefer that the former half-term governor promote her reality shows and hawk her books without demeaning the reputations of Presidents Reagan and Bush. These great men dedicated their lives to public service and are too good to be fodder for her gaudy circus sideshow. If Republicans want to embrace Palin as a cultural icon whose anti-intellectualism fulfills a base political need, then have at it. I suppose it’s cheaper than therapy. But if the party of Ronald Reagan, Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio wants to return to the White House anytime soon, it’s time that Republican leaders started standing up and speaking the truth to Palin,"

kaboom.

So, this post is a little fragmented.

Art imitates life.

[So now this is the point where the radio comes on, and we compare our lives to the lyrics of a song]

I Found A Little Bit of Groove Today

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:18:00 +0000

And I feel great.

Tomorrow, I'm switching mah tracks and playing set PA for the day. Twist!

Also, the traffic in LA is not an exaggeration. Today's trip in to work lasted an hour and a half. No joke... no joke...

[I listen to the wind, to the wind of my soul]

Churchy Church Church

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:39:00 +0000

That title is supposed to be in a sing-song fashion, but I've yet to figure out how to convey that in text form.

So, I went to church today at a lovely place called Ecclesia. To be fair, I had visited once before during the Compass industry trip in May of '09, and yes, the service is still as good as I remember it. Plus, it's in an old movie theater on Hollywood Blvd., how cool is that?

Very cool.

Especially since they just got a new screen that they'll be able to show films (movies) on. Next Sunday they're showing It's A Wonderful Life.

It's only the best Christmas movie ever (Yes, Elf is good too. A close second)

And, my Jimmy Stewart impression is getting pretty good, so maybe I'll bust that out... good way to make friends... if they're into impersonations... and dead Hollywood icons....

Work starts up again tomorrow. Grrr, I'm nervous. Mainly because I haven't really "dived in" just yet. I'm not acclimated.

Let's hope this week changes that.

[Fences in a row]

I'm Trying to Find a Place to Live...

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 07:17:00 +0000

Something that shall protect me from the hot, Los Angeles sun.

So far, it's not going great. Granted, I only officially started my search today, not much was accomplished other than finding out where I don't want to live (which is Wilshire).

However, in my random explorations today, I drove through Echo Park and Silver Lake, two neighborhoods I'd pondered living in before I moved out here. I think I'll refine my search in these areas to see what I can see. After all, it couldn't hurt, plus, the vibe of those neighborhoods really resonate with me.

Though, the vibe I'm really diggin' is in Marina Del Rey. It's so relaxed out there. Everyone's got a dog. Every cute girl's got a cute bike. And every jeep's got a surfboard on top. It's a bit of a hike from Hollywood, which is a bummer, but then again, it's closer than the valley.

Ultimately, it's East vs. West (as always). Silver Lake and it's adjacent "hipster" neighborhoods on the East side, or the beach bum lifestyle of Marina Del Rey/Venice Beach of the West side.

Decisions, decisions...

[He's as wise as a prize fighter]

Apparently, I Live Near the Ocean Now.

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 07:00:00 +0000

but it's a bit of a walk.

Today, I hopped on over to Marina Del Rey to hang out with my friend Eric (who also went to Compass, also wants to be a writer, and is also from the Midwest). We proceeded to visit the ocean, then drive up the PCH, all the while pointing out different things that we find "weird" about this place.

It was a long conversation.

Hanging out was nice, and it also helped to cure the "New City Blues" which is a mental condition/song title that I just invented. I also may have stumbled over an important discovery: Having friends and making new friends reduces the feeling that you're a complete stranger, utterly alone in a sprawling metropolis.

It's just a hypothesis, I know, but it's crazy enough to work.

Also, I met a Siberian Husky named Sasha. We are friends now.

[And he shifts in his sleep and the Earth begins to quake]

Um, thanks?

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

It's Thanksgiving. Hope yours was a happy one.

Mine was pretty good. Though, it was my first Thanksgiving away from home.

Got to have dinner at my old boss' house though, which was nice. It felt good to reconnect with him and to meet the rest of his family.

Now, some random thoughts that I may elaborate on later:

"Vesuvius" by Sufjan Stevens is my jam right now. I'm finding a lot to identify in the lyrics, even though I'm not 100% solid on what the lyrics are trying to say. I feel the emotions and connotations behind them, and in a way, that's enough. Something in there resonates.

I'm not a huge fan of censorship, that is, bleeping out curse words with asterisks or some other symbol. I feel that I should either have the cajones -- the integrity -- to type the actual word, or leave it out altogether.

I'm trying to coax a relationship with this city. Therefore, I might take a drive up The PCH (they tell me that's the proper slang for "Pacific Coast Highway") in hopes of finding a spark... I'm worried I might be taking things a little too fast. I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy.

[Follow me now or follow your death]

Sleepy Times

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 05:02:00 +0000

I'm wiped out. The past seven days have been nothing but crazy, especially the last three.

I realize that I've been "on my own" for most of it, that is, I've been with people I don't know too well, or, complete strangers altogether. I've learned a lot, but I've also been left with a yearning to return to some familiarity.

But that's 3,000 miles away from me now.

I think I just need to connect with some of the people I know out here this weekend. Explore a little bit. Just "hang out", which is something I haven't been able to do in a while.

Still, I miss Grand Rapids, and everyone in it -- well, except for that one guy... and that weird old lady, I mean, what's her deal?

Now, it's time for bed. I can't wait.

[I don't do too much talkin' these days]

Not Bad for Day Two

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Remember that interview I had yesterday? It panned out.

I started my job today (less than 48 hours after arriving in the city).

I work on Sunset Blvd.

And I have business cards that read "Stephen Pell: Executive Assistant"

If my life had a face, I'd punch it.

[We used to wait for it.]

Not Bad for Day One

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 06:24:00 +0000

I had an interview today. For a job. A pretty good job.

We'll see how that pans out.

Interviews give me trouble sometimes. After they're over, I spend the rest of the day dissecting the whole ordeal, criticizing and nitpicking until I believe myself to be a complete idiot incapable of stringing together coherent sentences. Whenever anyone asks me to explain myself, I get a little flustered. Am I supposed to have a detailed outline with bullet points and segues and whatnot? That's more of a question that's answered easier over a beer or two... more interviews should take place in bars. Let's work on making that the norm.

So, we'll see how that pans out.

It would certainly be a boon for me to land a job so quickly. After all, the trip out here came with some unexpected costs, and I'm gonna be needing to find a place soon -- which is another subject altogether -- but, overall, I could go either way, to be honest with you. If I get the job, great, but if I don't, then that just gives me some more time to take the city in, which isn't a bad thing at all.

In fact, I'm gonna do some of that tomorrow as my friend Jen and I explore East LA. I'm sure it'll be a riot.

I probably shouldn't use the term "riot" anymore, being in Los Angeles and all.

It's too soon... too soon.

[Sittin' in a bar -- pickle in a jar -- in Jackson]

I Have Arrived

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 06:10:00 +0000

And I have sensory overload.

Everything is wonderful and new and odd and scary.

My new home.

[Let your love grow tall]

Who's Afraid of West Texas?

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:55:00 +0000

Still me.

However, I'm less afraid than I was. In fact, today's drive was a pleasant surprise. There were enough unexpected sights along the long road through Texas that it shook things up ever so slightly and produced many "oh, wow" moments.

Like this windfarm (which stretched on for miles and miles. Literally, for about a half hour, this is what I saw on every side of me.)

Can we just agree that Texas is awesome? I mean, come on. What's not to love?

I'll tell you what I love: Dallas. It's awesome. For a second there, I considered just unpacking my car right there and settling in -- maybe see if I can get a job as the new Cowboy's coach or something.

I'm in El Paso now, and I'm a little melancholy to be leaving this great state tomorrow. Think maybe I'll slip over into Juarez and see if I can't get some good tequila to perk me up... or just get kidnapped/murdered.

This time tomorrow, I should be in LA. It's finally here.

[The highway's jammed with broken heros on a last-chance power drive]

Roots

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:40:00 +0000

So, at the moment, I'm only a block away from the house I was originally brought home to as a newborn -- Mesquite, Texas.

And it feels good. It really does. Feels familiar, like it just "fits".

But I digress.

With my brand new alternator, I rolled out of West Memphis at 2pm with M. Ward blastin'. (That is, I was playing M. Ward loudly on my stereo. He was not, in fact, in my passenger seat carrying out the "shooting" part of a drive-by shooting.)

That last paragraph came to me at the very beginning of the day, and I've been waiting to write it down ever since. I'm not sure it plays, and consequently, I was too busy thinking about that all day to take in much else.

Not much else to say. It was an uneventful leg of the trip, which was most welcomed.

Tomorrow, though. Tomorrow, I go through West Texas. I don't need to tell you that West Texas is not only boring, but also terrifying.

So, I won't tell you. I'll let Anton tell you instead:

Needless to say, if anyone asks me to get out of my car, I will not. Not at all.

[Lord, I'm a fool for a lonesome train]

I Did A Song

noreply@blogger.com (StephenPell) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Hope you like it.