WTMB's very own mascot

So When Tara Met Blog had it's own live ad in this past Saturday's Revlon Run/Walk for breast cancer in downtown L.A. My office intern Michael Hersh, who completed the 5k in 20 minutes, so awesomely and daringly had his girlfriend write my blog address on his back with a black Sharpy. Now that's off-the-track PR, literally. I had dared him to do it the other day, but still can't believe that he actually did it though. How cool is that? Now that's what I call an intern ;) although I'm obviously a very mean mentor, lol. 

He only has shots from the parking lot before he pinned his number to his shorts, since he didn't take his cell phone along on the race. He said he still has remains of the sign on his skin :( poor guy.  Although he might have qualified to make their leaderboard of fast finishing times. They haven't posted them yet. 

I had been paricipating in the same run/walk in Times Square for the last three years, first with my book club of 20+ friends, then in the rain with my local girlfriends and finally with my office. This weekend though, my mom was in town for her birthday and mother's day and we headed to Santa Barbara wine country, which was beautiful. It's where they filmed the movie Sideways. I donated to several of my friends who were paricipating though and at least with Hersh's sign I was there in some regards. 

I'm sick of rumors starting, I'm sick of being followed...

According to Cynopsis, below are rumors swirling around about broadcast network pickups for next season.  I'm sad and angry about Studio 60, it's such a good show with an awesome cast, but NBC hasn't given it the proper backing. According to NBC's website a new episode will appear on May 24th at least. Happy about a possible Heroes spin-off though.

• CBS will bring back two comedies - The New Adventures of Old Christine and Rules of Engagement; and a drama with Jimmy Smits (a nice addition to any schedule), while Close to Home may fall off the fall lineup.  Jury is still out on Jericho.
• ABC to give an additional 13-episode order to Notes from the Underbelly, and perhaps 9 more of The Knights of Prosperity. Also look for the network to renew George Lopez and new drama Football Wives
• FOX will like bring back Brad Garrett's 'Til Death, and guesses are it will be paired up with Action News comedy, starring Patricia Heaton and Kelsey Grammer.
• NBC won't bring back Crossing Jordan, Studio 60 or the Black Donnellys, while L&O SVU has already received the nod for next year, look for all three Law & Orders will be back (either on NBC or TNT).  Scrubs will be on the shelf in case it's needed.
  
• NBC.com is launching a Heroes spin off this summer
• CW probably won't bring back Veronica Mars, but 7th Heaven definitely has finished it's run (remember last year it rec'd an 11th hour reprieve). New likelys include Reaper and Gossip Girl

Helicopter parent

My colleague was sent the following questions from a concerned Ohio mother whose daughter is moving out to LA and I couldn't help but find them funny.

1.  What is the cost of living? How much is gas?  How much is milk? ($500!)
2.  How much of a paycheck goes to housing?
3.  How much is water and electricity?
4.  How is the air quality?  Are there a lot of smog alerts?
5.  Is there water rationing?  Is LA in drought conditions and what
happens if they are?
6.  What's a good hospital?   Where is there a good Urgent Care and how
does one find a good doctor and dentist?  Who is an honest car mechanic?
7.  What are the grid lock hours on the free way?
8.  What percent is the sales tax if there is one?
9.  What do people do to keep prepared for an earthquake?
10. What are the rules for car emissions...how do you find out? (um it's called Google)
11. What is a safe, affordable neighborhood?  (OK this one is a good question)
12. Who is a good tax preparer?  Is there a Credit Union that someone
could recommend?

I don't even know the answers to most of those questions and I've lived here for eight months. I still don't have a dentist, tax preparer, know about emissions, how to prepare for an earthquake or even heard of water rationing (is that a thing?). When I moved out here my mom helped me pack and asked how far I was from the beach, stores and work and what time the bars closed out here, lol.  When I told her 2 a.m. she thought it best to reconsider after all NY bars close at 5 a.m. 

Pop goes the art

I’ve always liked the Andy Warhol pop art look of the 80s and always wanted one of those four squared bright colored portraits of my own one day. But what photo would I use and who even makes them? Then a few months ago I saw an ad on someone’s blog for custom pop art canvases. So, I checked out the site, Pop Art Go and impulsively submitted a photo and my order. I thought this pic had a lot of character to it and would be ideal for me and boyfriend’s home together.

I gave several suggestions for what I had in mind and then waited for the proofs. Although Proof 1 was what I originally had wanted I liked the cartoon style of Proof 3 and Glenda the creator of Pop Art said it was her favorite too. I then suggested my dress go from the purple it really is to red. The artists kept working with us via email and phone until we had it perfect, which was awesome. It was perfect and thrilling when the portrait arrived. The canvas is so smooth too.

It’s now hanging on the wall before the entrance to our bedroom in the condo my boyfriend and I just bought. It was the first thing we hung on our walls of our new home too. Whatcha think? Fun, no? 

PS: We blogged about them and they blogged about us, Pop Art Bloggers. 

Pump it up

Regular has reached $3.71 out here in SoCal and they predict $4.00 a gallon this summer. Crazy!