Tom & Alissa

It was a somewhat edited weekend, with work cutting in at all angles and reducing it a bit. But some much-needed R & R was spliced in.

Right.

We, very late on Friday night, watched Dirty Pretty Things. We’d both heard of it but neither of us had seen it; however, I’d recently interviewed Stephen Knight, the writer, about his work on Amazing Grace, so we wanted to see it. We had differing reactions but I think we both liked it. Audrey Tatou is divine. This is the first time I’d hear her in English; of course, she had a Turkish accent, but it worked.

Saturday was a lot of feeling under-the-weather and trying to survive; Tom was at “the office” all afternoon and I dragged myself into Soho to try and find an inexpensive suit for a presentation I have to give this week at Columbia. I did not succeed and felt more miserable for trying, but I did pick up two enormously expensive and heavy two-terabyte hard drives from the Apple store for the film project (not bought by us, thankfully) and lugged them to BAM, to get tickets for Edward Scissorhands, and then convinced a cab driver that yes, he could drive ten blocks to my apartment. And then we brought food to our friends the Pesnells, who just had a baby twoish weeks ago. She is beautiful and tiny.

Possibly most notable event of the weekend: the first disc of the American version of The Office came (I was torn - British? American? - but being in an office right now in America, I opted for the latter, plus, Steve Carrell!!!). I watched the first four episodes, including the pilot, and giggled. Exactly my kind of humor, exactly appropriate.

Jim: If I got promoted, then this would be my career. If this was my career, I’d throw myself in front of a train.

We had lunch after church yesterday with Angela and her friend/neighbor who’d come to church with her, and we had fascinating conversations and then bolted across town so Tom could interview a set intern and I could run errands. Tom bought long underwear; necessary in this weather when you’re outside for 12 hour days, just standing and yelling “Quiet on the set!” repeatedly. And then we came home and I slow-cooked baby back ribs (ridiculously easy) and we whiled the evening away on our laptops.

Speaking of, Tom is on Day 1 of shooting Cult of Sincerity today, so if you see him in Williamsburg, holler. Or don’t, rather, but wave. He’s the assistant director.

Things you should check out:
• 8apps - I think I’m addicted to online productivity tools, and I think it’s Ken’s fault. In any case, this one is one of the more full-featured I’d seen. Add me if you see me on there.
• I love these sheets!
• Because I like to talk about awards: the Bloggies nominations are up. Sometimes a good way to just find a good new blog to read.
• Web design in 2006 roundup.
• The recipe I used for our baby back ribs. Insanely easy.