Episode 20 – Napping in Napa

Our first industry event, The LA Casting Monthly Mixer is interesting to say the least. We marvel at budding actors, producers, stunt men and agents purposefully walking around handing out business cards and head shots to anyone in their peripheral. All this while taking advantage of the one hour open bar. My charismatic fiancé was approached by the director of a Western Action film to appear in his film, so he sells himself with the introductory line ‘I am pretty handy with the steel if you know what I mean’ I drown my laughter in my free drink.

We are usually not too concerned with appearances, but upon leaving this particular event, we did continue down the street past our car to avoid boarding our rental Kia in front of the crowded bar. Speaking of the Kia, which we fondly call ‘Arleeeene’, I admit I was the first to have a bingle, but in my defence it was in our ridiculously, difficult to maneuver, parking bay. At least it was comforting to look around and see the same identifiable mark on the other cars in the lot.

The Lakers successful run is still ongoing and we dress up for our first finals game. Me in a Lakers shirt (how the tables have turned) pinning together 2 Lakers bar towels as the world’s shortest skirt. Dave is an equal beacon of Laker pride. We so convincingly looked the part that we were interviewed by a TV station upon entering the Staples Center. But alas our tickets did not scan; the season ticket holder who sold them to us had sold them twice. Dave fought back tears and missed half the game on television as he tried to rectify the problem on the phone. He is given his money back with a credit, but this is not enough to repair his broken heart. Our outfits are not quite so impressive and acceptable in the regular bar we eventually end up at.

At my French maid audition the next day, yep that’s what I said, I am amazed and astonished to discover that everyone in LA seems to have a French maid’s outfit gathering dust in the back of their wardrobe. Unfortunately, not viewing this as a necessity, I had not packed one. This was just one of a number of odd requests in wardrobe I will be asked to provide whilst in LA. The following list is not exhaustive: pyjamas and a pillow for a college dorm party; snorkel mask; a live cat and a genie’s outfit. Perhaps even odder than the requests, was that my limited resources managed to fill each brief to some degree. I did stop short of buying a kitten the day before a cat food casting though, unlike some other auditioners.

A Weekend in Napa with the Nicks family is a delightful escape from LA. We miss the plane due to the extensive queue for ‘Pinks’, a famous hot dog vendor in LA. I do ruminate how fabulous it would be to be immortalized in a Pinks hot dog, by having one named after you like ‘the Ozzy Osbourne’ (no bats included). That must be when you know you’ve made it! We vastly enjoy the irony of seeing a fly on the Health Department Certificate on the wall. We do not however enjoy the unfortunate tragedy of missing our flight and are forced to book another one.

We marvel at the extensive security of LAX, where my terribly threatening and menacing nivea moisturizer is seized from me while 2 people walk through with their dogs as carry on. They are small and perfect bomb size, how is this fair!

In Napa, our accommodation with the Nicks Family is gorgeous. It has panoramic views, beautiful old trees and a security camera that is not wired to anything, but they are convinced it is enough to deter would be burglars (it has worked so far). After dinner we retire to the Nicks Family Bocce Ball Court. Where I am promptly assured that I will not be invited back unless I have bocce lessons.

It is an interesting weekend as the Wine Auction crowd takes over the town and the NASCAR crowd start arriving. Two very different and distinct society sets descend onto Napa simultaneously. With some sound advice from a recently engaged friend of ours in Australia, we decide to milk the engagement during our wine tasting. Thanks Grytt. Free glasses check, free tasting absolutely – ahhh love!

‘If food is the body of good living, wine is its soul’ and we spend the day working on our soul. This includes reflecting on the history of Napa with Mack at Etude, being ignored at Opus One (even as an engaged couple!), admiring the Oscars on display at Francis Ford Coppola’s winery where you even get to taste Sophia and being on our best behaviour at our tasting with a 5th generation sniper. The evening limo (I don’t really understand where it came from, but I will take it) allows us to enjoy the culinary delights Napa has to offer. Then we reminisce about the day in the Nicks family hot tub – delightful! ...S