I’m really really going to try to post more of what I read and watch this year. Don’t look for daily posts but I am hoping for a couple times of month (at least). 2024 was a tough year for me and I have given myself some “goals” that I hope will aid in my emotional happiness and taking care of myself a little more.
I am not setting a books or pages read goal this year. I hope to read a few minutes each day (and if I have days I don’t read, that’s just fine!) and however much I read is where I land with that. I want my reading to be what I want and be enjoyable without feeling pressure to keep a streak going. I have found a bookish podcast I’m enjoying as well Books I Make My Husband Read
I want to try to finish watching the last 6 seasons of The Big Bang Theory. Nothing else big planned on the watch front for me but I’m open to movie and TV recommendations.
I hope you have a wonderful 2025 ahead. I would love to hear from you!
I’m joining Caffeinated Reader this week for Sunday Post. Feel free to join in too!
LAST WEEK:
It was an interesting week last week. Our air conditioning in the house went out on Monday night. It’s such an old system that parts have been a struggle to get. Thank goodness you hasn’t been real hot!
Our daughter had her wisdom teeth taken out on Friday. She’s pretty tough and been handling her pain pretty well.
Other than that, it’s been work and laundry. Nothing real exciting!
I will admit, the first half hour, I was ready to turn the channel. It just seemed to be dragging.
Once I accepted it as a musical, it was ok.
I wouldn't highly recommend this but it was ok. Some of the casting choices were not so great, BUT.... I will say I enjoyed Matthew Brodrick as grown up Ralphie and as always, Jane Krakowski as Miss Shields was FANTASTIC!
3 hours was a little long for me but what else did I have to do on a Sunday evening?
If we were having coffee:
I would tell you I can't believe February is over! This year is flying by...
I would tell you I am glad The Voice is back on! I "heart" Adam! Blake cracks me up. I love Gwen's sass. And Alysha - what an amazing talent!
I would tell you I am SO excited baseball is back! I have entered so many contests to win Cubs Opening Day tickets. (I won't win, but....if I don't enter, I can't have a chance of winning!) I know I am going to one game this season and we will see if any others open up!
I would tell you that the weather has been crazily amazing this "winter". Northern Illinois got no measurable snow in January or February. That doesn't mean we are out of the winter danger zone but it's been pretty great not to scrape windows!!!
I would tell you that I am putting together an author feature series for my blog. If you know an author who might want to be interviewed, please send me an email. (jenmcgee34@yahoo.com) Thank you!
I would tell you that teenage angst and drama is a REAL thing! I can't tell you how many days in the past week I have gotten to wear the "Worst Mom of the Day" sash and crown. I wear it proudly but some days I wish I didn't have it so often.
I would ask you for book recommendations. I have an endless to read list but am always looking for more to add to it.
Happy Wednesday! I'm linking up with Rachel and friends for another installment of What I'm Loving Wednesday. (Please go check out their blogs)
I hope your week is going well! It's been grey and cool here this week so I have been looking hard for "good stuff" and found some.
*Reading time
*Sending out promo stuff to clients and potential clients
*My husband's support
*My kids' giggling
*Going through pictures from our trip
*Coffee
*A kind echocardiogram tech
*Spring is getting closer
*Spring training is 3 weeks away!
*My Twitter feed has been pretty cheery this week-talk of books; Disney; baseball and music
*Oscar nominations are out
*Having lunch with my grandpa and aunt
*This is Us and The Good Place are back on TV
I completed an item on my 40 in 14 list, way back in January.
#23 - Try to be a movie/TV extra
At the time I did it, we were asked to please not post anything on social media (due to fear of someone posting a possible spoiler). So I didn't, and hence - it was tucked WAY back in my files so I never posted about my day being an extra for the TV show, Chicago Fire (and if you have read my blog for any amount of time - you know I like my Tuesday nights!). My blogging friend, Wendy, [check out her blog!] asked me about this a few weeks ago, so here is my self-declared "day of fame".
(FYI - it was Season 2, Episode 14 - "Virgin Skin") - see trailer below:
I had been trying to get an extra part on the show for quite a while (thanks to the Chicago Fire Extras Facebook page - check it out if you are looking for something like this). The casting company called me Wednesday at 3:30 in the afternoon and asked if I was available the next day. I almost fell out of my chair. I quickly called my boss, asked if I could have the next day off; got his blessing then called them back.
They gave me the wardrobe specifications and when to call to get the final details for the following day. I had to work my second job that evening, so after job #2 was done that evening, I went home - picked my wardrobe choices and packed a garment bag. I threw a book in too, called to get the details and got some sleep.
The next morning was an EARLY one - up to get ready; fight Chicagoland traffic and head to location. I got to the location really early but that was ok - I watched all the trailers being brought in and set up. I read my book a little and just relaxed.
One of the assistants came through the parking lot to "collect" the extras and they shuttled us off to a holding room. I gave another assistant my information and had a seat to wait. It was one of those "hurry up and wait" kind of days. We watched the snow fall outside (yes, it was a snowy winter in Chicagoland) as we got to know each other and sipped coffee.
I met some fantastic people and had some pretty entertaining conversations with several of my fellow extras. (A few of them had been "regular" extras in a few shows shot in the area at that time) All of the staff that we had contact with was fantastic - very friendly and entertaining. The wardrobe gal came around to check what we had on and what we had brought.
We had "breakfast" about noon - standing outside in the freezing cold. The food was fantastic and if you left that area hungry - too bad!
Anyway - I was picked to be in the first scene they were shooting. So onto the shuttle van we hopped and off they took us and shuffled us off to a very small holding room. We were given this warning - "do not talk to the actors, they have to stay in character". Um, ok. They slowly picked a few of us (there were probably 15 of us) at a time to start filling in the background of the scene.
My job in the scene (where Shay and the fill in paramedic save a man's life in an office), to walk back and forth on cue in the hallway. I wasn't in frame when it aired, but hey...what are you going to do?! We were at that location for almost three hours. They shuttled us back to the big holding area, where the rest of the day's extras had changed from their office attire wardrobe to their factory worker wardrobe. They had us change then sent the ones who hadn't been in the first scene to start "marking" the next scene.
One of the production assistants (PA) came in and said for us to plan on being there until about 2 a.m. (Insert my 'oh crap' face here) I texted the Mr. and let him know. He texted back that with the snow and time, he booked me a hotel room down the road. Bless his heart! I would just get my butt up early the next morning and head right to work from there.
We sat and watched TV and visited. They fed us an amazing dinner about 5:30 - pasta, fish, steak. Kraft services has some amazing cooks! Some of "the" actors were all eating when we went through the line and most of them were cordial to us. I would eat there ANYTIME! We (the extras) ate together and shared our stories from the day, so far.
The extras involved in the scene being shot had to eat quick and hurry downstairs (that's the warehouse scene in the trailer above). About 7:00, the same PA came in looked at the about 10 of us sitting around and said "How would you all like to be wrapped for the day?" Seriously? Sounds good to us! So we were dismissed. As one of the other ladies (who writes for CMT's website) and I were leaving, in walked Jesse Spencer (Matt Casey on the show).
He gave a quick nod and hello. We both returned his hello - then proceeded out the door and giggled like a couple of junior high girls in the hall when the "cute boy" walks by. (Ok - not my most mature moment...)
They shuttled us back to our snowy cars and my "day of fame" was over.
I drove to the hotel, cancelled my reservation and was home by about 9:00.
A couple of my observations:
*I was surprised how "short" most of the actors are. (Most were about my height)
*A lot of the production staff is "doing their time" hoping to move up to higher positions and "bigger" things
*There is A LOT of waiting and down time in TV production
*I am glad to say I did it but don't know how anxious I would be to do it again... OK - who am I kidding? I would do it again!
Have you been an extra in a movie or TV show? What was it? Should I be looking for you?
I hope your week is going well. Sorry I've been a little MIA - my time has been filled with a few other things the past few days.
First, thank you all for your comments and emails on Friday's post. Your prayers and good thoughts are greatly appreciated! My FIL is having a procedure done in a couple of weeks to see how extensive the cancer is and what treatment options he will have.
Those of you requested to be on my 'snail mail' list, watch your mailboxes in the next few weeks.
We spent most of our meals this weekend, hovering around the grill. It was wonderful! We ate quite well, too. I am so glad we got a new grill and that warmer weather has returned!
The Mr. and Young Mr. went to the Hawks/Blues game on Sunday afternoon, in which the Hawks beat the Blues to move on in the playoffs. They had a GREAT time! The Mr. bought me a puck of my "hockey crush". Saad's a great player and works hard!
While they were at the game Little Miss and I sewed; painted our nails; walked to the library; watched a movie and I managed to sneak in a nap. It was a nice afternoon for us too!
This week has just been work, work, work so far. Nothing too exciting!
I hope you are all well!
Have a great day!
PS: I was so happy a new Chicago Fire was on last night. Tonight is the 2nd part of the crossover with Chicago PD - gonna have to rush home from work so I don't miss too much...
There was really only one thing that stood out (besides Ellen cracking me up all night) - that was Pink's performance and dress. Whooo!!!!! LOVED it! She had me crying.
I really loved Ellen running out on stage in the Glinda dress after that.
Little Miss had a GREAT time at her Rainbow Loom class. Thank you Michaels! She learned a new pattern and knew about half the kids there.
Thank you to all the new blog and twitter followers I've gotten the past week. Thank you to those who have continued to follow, read and comment. You are all wonderful and appreciated!
This week has the makings of a pretty good week, so far! (Stay tuned for an exciting announcement in the next couple of days...)
I was a little sad to see the Olympics come to an end last night but hoping to get back to my regular sleep schedule and TV viewing. Thank you Sochi for a fun 16 days.
Dear NBC, your coverage was a little A.D.D. We couldn't seem to get into an event before you switched to something else.
Dear Athletes, you are all champions to me! You should be proud of yourselves for competing at that level - regardless of where you finished.
I will say (part of my 'makings of a good week') - I am looking forward to tomorrow night's Chicago Fire episode. First, it will be back on TV. We'll see if I make the reel for the show or am on the cutting room floor. (I have my bet placed...) [And I will post about my experience after the show airs]
Third, this Wednesday night is a new Chicago PD - which is a Law & Order:SVU crossover - it should be a good one!
Also, The Voice starts again tonight - wahoo!
Here's hoping you all had a great weekend and your week is wonderful!
I am completely overwhelmed by all your wonderful comments and e-mails about being a TV extra. It warms my heart to know you all are as excited as I am.
Currently, the episode is scheduled to air - Tuesday, Feb. 25 on NBC at 10 ET/9 CT.
Like I said, I'm not holding my breath on having an appearance but enjoyed the experience and the people I met.
