Final day at Sundance

Monday was our last day of movies. We had 2.
First one was "The Surrogate" starring John Hawkes (MN Boy), Helen Hunt and William H Macy.
It was a true story of a man (Michael O'Brien) who lived in an iron lung due to polio who was a poet and writer. After writing an article about sex surrogates, he hires a sex surrogate to have sex with himself, something that isn't uncommon for people with severe disability (per what we researched after).

I thought this movie was going to be very depressing, it wasn't...in fact it was quite funny at times.
The over all story was beautifully told and the character development was fabulous. I laughed, but also cried...wow did I cry. It was so very well done I hope that it gets picked up and is distributed nationally so everyone can see this story. So well done! The director/writer (below) is Ben Lewin, him and his wife sat behind us as we managed VERY good seats for this showing and he was a beautifully spoken man :)

After the movie we went and hung out on Main Street...where I finally saw a celebrity without Darien or Amy pointing them out to me. Tim Daly walked by me as I was standing in a doorway waiting on Amy to buy some boots. I said "hey...Tim Daly"...and he turned and waved as he was on his phone. And for the record - he is beautiful in person!

We then headed to dinner at the Bling Dog, the girls got sushi and I had a salad and mac and cheese (one last indulgence). We toasted a great trip and I bought Sophie a cure leash from there (doggie has to get a present when I travel!)

We walked back over to the Eccles Theatre for "Bachlorette"  starring Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, James Marsden and Rebel Wilson ... and produced by Will Farrell, who was in the audience too. While the cast was fabulous, the movie was not. I found the characters annoying at times and although there were some very funny lines in the movie, it lacked characters you cared about at all. I think it tried too hard to show the dark side of women, but took it way over the top. If anything you could take away from it, it would be that long time friends ALWAYS have each others back, no matter what and that I completely agree with.

Sundance Day 4 - For a Good Time Call...

After a good workout at the gym on an incredibly sunny and beautiful day, it was double movie day!

Afternoon: Short Series 5
We watched 7 short films. The picture below is Darien and I with the writers and one of the leads in the short "92 Skybox Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card". We also saw:

• The Arm - I liked
• The Black Balloon - I didn't like
• Girl (Sweden) - I didn't like
• Henley - I liked
• 92 Skybox Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card - I liked
• OK Breathe Auralee - I liked
• The Return (Kosovo) - I loved

Evening Movie: For A Good Time Call...
We walked to the Eccles Theatre (which is in the high school near by).
As we stood in line Carrie Preston walked in and got in line near us (director of That's What She Said and who also is on Good Wife and True Blood). Seriously? She is in line with the rest of the regular people? We got a chance to chat with her and talk about her movie and her role in Good Wife. She was simply adorable and so nice!

We got inside and grabbed our seats and as Amy and I were headed to the bathroom she spotted Marcia DuBonis (Bebe in "That's What She Said"). As I had been calling Amy "Bebe" all day, we tracked her down and got some pics - she too was fabulous!

We thought it was a movie with Seth Rogen and in reality it turns out it was a movie where he did a cameo...his wife Lauren Miller co-wrote and starred in the film. Her co-star was Ari Graynor, and they were fabulous together! It is a story of two women who hate each other and end up having to live together due to life's circumstances. They end up starting a phone sex business. I hope this movie is picked up by a distributor and everyone can see it. It was hilarious, sweet and well done! Justin Long, Mimi Rogers, Don McManus were all also in it and at the viewing. Below is a video of Lauren Miller speaking about the movie (if it uploads). Seth was in the audience as a proud hubby taking photos, but did not get on stage.

Sundance Day 3

Today was spa day.
It was also snow day, tons of snow all day long...it was fabulous :)

We arrived at the spa and were greeted by the sweetest black lab...yay doggie love! (I MISS SOPHIE)
After a fabulous 90-minute massage we headed to Deer Valley for lunch and watch the snow fall.

We had our second movie last night "For Ellen". Staring Paul Dano and John Heder.
It was 93 minutes- and probably could have been 45. It was about a journey of a young father on a road-trip to gain custody of his child. Even Paul Dana (lead role) said after he thought it read as a short story. It was a good story, with a lot of unnecessary long scenes of nothing.

After we walked up to Main Street (about 3 blocks). It was still snowing heavy and the walkways were not shoveled so it made for an adventure and a lot of fun. While wandering we stopped at a bar and had a hot cider & whisky (blah) drink at the ice bar outside. While I was in the bathroom Scott Wolf and his wife, Kelly Limp, walked by (so bummed I missed him, he was on Party of Five Cathy's all time favorite show). Then as we wandered Main Street we saw James Marsden, Scott Speedman, Kate Bosworth and Marley Shelton. OK- to be honest I would have missed all of them if it wasn't for Darien and Amy who know every celebrity on this earth. Me = clueless. (pic of Kate Bosworth below)

Amy spent the night in her Bogg boots helping people through the HUGE slushy puddles. My suede UGGs were a disaster after walking into a few accidentally and by the time we were home my toes were soaked inside my boots! I did find a really cute pair of waterproof boots while here and I think last night gave me justification as to why I should buy them :)

We finally made it back through the snow and headed to bed. Tomorrow we have TWO movies. One is a "Shorts Series" so about 5 short movies and the other is FOR A GOOD TIME CALL.Starring Seth Rogen, Justin Long, Nia Vardalos, Mimi Rogers, Ari Graynor. A story about 2 women who start a phone-sex business. Goal of the night: Meet Seth Rogen! Not sure this theatre will allow for this though.

Sundance Day 2 - First Film

Today we woke up and headed to the gym. It felt great to get a good workout in! There is a really nice gym right by Darien's condo so we could just walk over. After that we headed to Main Street and had lunch and shopped. I found a great Christmas Ornament for my travel collection and a few other small things.

The first celebrity sighting took place there too; Chris Kattan. I missed him completely as I was looking at a Moose in Jeans (a statue), but when we went in to a store and came out he was there again.

We headed to the Prospect Theatre right by the gym and Darien's Condo for our first film "That's What She Said". Directed by Carrie Preston  and starring Anne Heche and Marcia DuBonis as two friends in NYC. I enjoyed it, albeit not the greatest flick, it had some hilarious moments and the soundtrack was great. The guys who wrote the music had some CDs to hand out and I managed to nab one...YAY!

The whole cast and production team came on stage after the movie and they talked about the film. They also sat 3 rows behind us, so it was pretty cool. Anne Heche and Carrie Preston seem like they would be a riot to hang with.

I got to vote on this movie too. Its a simple ballet system and you turn it in as you leave.

Tomorrow is spa day and another movie!

Sundance is pretty darn fantastic!

Welcome to the Sundance Film Festival

Arrived to Salt Lake City to be picked up by Darien and headed straight up to Park City. I was surprised to see the lack of snow here, sadly I was actually excited to see some snow after our lack on it in Minnesota this winter.

We arrived and did a driving tour of the city so I could get the lay of the land. Cute town and starting to fill up with film goers.

We got "checked in" to Darien's super cute condo and then headed over the Sundance Headquarters to check out the Sundance Store. I managed to buy a few souvenirs.

We headed back to the condo for some wine and then off to The Purple Sage for a wonderful dinner.
We were STUFFED after so walked the slick streets and walked some of it off.

Tomorrow is our first movie. It is called: THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID

Directed by Carrie Preston (True Blood) and Starring Anne Heche and Alia Shawka
Story about friendship, love and adventure in NYC

Sundance Preview

Thursday I am flying out to Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival.
No, this is not for work...everyone seems to ask.
I have always dreamed of attending, so when I was offered the chance to attend with two fabulous women... I of course said "YES PLEASE", and "Thank you!"

http://www.sundance.org/festival/

I will be posting about the movies we see, the celebrities we see and of course the fun we have.

Stay tuned!
KK

When crazy comes knocking?

Somedays when you're caught up in the crazy, we need to remind ourselves that when crazy comes knocking(and it will) you don't have to answer.

And you sure the hell shouldn't chase it down and invite it in!

A good reminder to stay the course.

“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future”
― Deepak Chopra

Had a lot on my mind lately.
Relationships, goals, work, health...you get the idea.
It is easy to fall back into old beahviors. But that will get us no where.
This quote hit me where I needed it to ...and is my new mantra as I navigate some things in my life right now.

Namaste.

Friday Night

What an amazing night.
I met Shawn at the lobby bar at 5:30 and after that we were on our way.
LIVESTRONG busses us to an airplane hanger where we had cocktails and dinner with the Ride for the Roses participants (people who raised over $10k)

It was an inspiring night. The entire Radio Schaak racing team was there. Pretty cool. We learned that it is written in their contract to help promote LIVESTRONG and all are happy to do so.

Bjorn Salenger, from Hudson WI, was part of that team last year. He had just signed the week that we met last year. He introduced himself to me ladybirds after my award speech. He owes me a cancer sucks photo so he was apologetic about that. Good to see him!

Shawn and I left and went got liberty at the hotel. We grabbed her and headed to 6th street... It was insane and fun.
We had drinks and more drinks and more drinks.

Then a pedicab took us home. Which is where I am now. Exhausted and have to get up in 4 hrs Sleep won't be my friend this weekend. Good night y'all.

Grounded

I spent basically the past two years on the road for work. Throw in three international vacations and other trips for fun around the US and I was tired.
Living on the road sounds so glamorous to people. It isn't, it is hard and hard on you.

Yes, I had fun... a lot of fun. Got to see places and meet people I would not have if I didn't travel. Last December I received VIP treatment for the lighting of the Rockfeller Christmas Tree, a bucket list item crossed off! I saw a lot and experienced a lot. I tried to see friends in Philly and Jersey and their kids (pic below is one of them) when I was nearby. I told myself it made it worth it to be away so much. I had to, as being away from your family and friends is difficult, anyone who travels a lot or lives internationally for work will tell you, it's hard and you realize you miss a lot.





I haven't traveled since May. Four months since I checked into a flight. For reorganization reasons at work, business travel stopped. "I was grounded". It was interesting to realize how used to being on the road I had truly become...and that my loved ones had become just as used to it. I realized being home the past four months now, how truly disconnected I had become from peoples lives. Yes I still saw people on occasion, but it was hit or miss, and it wasn't enough for me.

I have truly appreciated the past few months of being with family and friends more. Maybe that is the lesson I needed to learn? I have reconnected with people and felt a part of my life was given back to me. I adopted my dog Sophie who seemed to fall right in to place at the right moment when I had been sort of looking for months. Job changed, travel stopped and there she was, fresh from Oklahoma! Fate? Sort of. I know I have an angel above that played a role in making sure she came into my life.




I have been able to enjoy a weekend away here and there at peoples cabins. Enjoy my season tickets at the fabulous Target Field - I was at opening day! I was able to go to shows like The Scottsboro Boys (a must see!) and Lady Gaga because I was actually in town when they played.



I love to travel and that will never change. I have trips booked to Pittsburgh (work), Austin (LIVESTRONG) and Vegas (Christmas at Mom's). I am also hoping to get to Ireland, London or Amsterdam in November as it's been far too long since I have crossed the pond (those details are still being worked out).

I am glad that being away is no longer my normal, and that being home is. I really cherish the time I am spending with people and the time I am just home in my house with my doggie. I used to greet my house and bed "hi home, hi bed" when I would come home from a trip. Note to self: I probably appreciated them both a bit more when I was traveling so much. Better get back on that and show appreciation more :)

Getting grounded has been the best thing for me in a long time. Far different than when I was grounded as a youth, but my mom would probably tell you that was always good for me too :)

Till my next trip, take care and appreciate your surroundings.