Adventure 1- Warner Brothers Studio Tour

SO...

I kinda catered to Jan-Michael when I decided to go to the Warner Brother's Studio for a tour. Yes, it has been on my list of things to do, but definitely not my number 1. I just wanted to make sure that he had fun too so that he would be excited about this idea and keep it going. HAHA

I made the reservation for Monday, President's Day and told him what we were doing the day before. He was pretty stoked, so I'm happy about my choice =) The tours are pretty small and intimate, only 12 people total, so you get a pretty personalized tour. We also happened to get a supervisor who doesn't get to do tours very often, so he was very eager to please and full of information. We started in the Studio Tour shop (ah so much to buy!) and watched a short Warner Brother's video. Then we set off on our 2 hour or so long tour. We started by going around the backlots. Unlike the attraction ride at Universal Studios, we got to get off the tram! We walked around the sets and even went in to a house. From there we drove around the studios where sets are built inside sound stages. Then we saw all the behind the scenes sets, props and such. Finally, we were shown a museum full of actual costumes and props from various movies/tv shows. Including a whole floor dedicated to the Harry Potter series.

There was a lot of talk about Friends, Harry Potter, and Two and a Half Men- their big money makers! We saw two sets from Friends- inside a house that they used during the flashback of Monica and Rachel going to Prom. I'm sitting on the staircase used in that shot. Then we went to Central Perk, the coffee shop Rachel worked at and everyone met up at. The couple of times we couldn't use our camera included the museum full of costumes/props and seeing the actual set of Two and a Half Men. I was pretty sad about not being able to take pictures in the museum because it was the only place they had Gossip Girl stuff =( I stood right next to Blair and Serena's outfits! haha! We also saw a sound stage full of picture cars- vehicles used in movies. No, there were no celebrity sightings on this tour- it was a studio holiday.

So, the next time you're in the Burbank area and are drooling over all the studios surrounding you, go get a closer look and sign up for the WB Studio Tour. It's a pricey $45 each, but if you're a movie/tv buff, it's worth every penny =)

A New Reason To Blog......

Sometimes when you belong to many social networks, some of them slowly get the boot. For instance, does anyone sign on to Myspace anymore? Although I still use this blog to link to and read other blogs, I haven't felt the need to update it.
Now I have a reason to!
Do you ever feel like you do the same things over and over and over? You get comfortable doing the things you like and then never do anything new...
Well, that's Jan-Michael and I. We are that stay at home couple who watches Netflix all day every day. While I'm glad we like to do that together while equally enjoying it as individuals, I feel like we're vampires! I guess I started really thinking about it when Valentine's Day rolled around. We talked about what to do and decided to order in and watch a movie. Wait, that's what we ALWAYS do! While I'm glad it doesn't take much to entertain us, I think it's time to get out.
After much thought, I came up with a plan.
We are not Mr. and Mrs. money bags. I think most married couples (at least the ones I know) get away by going on vacation. An over night stay in Palm Springs... A weekend in Cabo... The once a year vacation to Hawaii. Lucky them. We do not have that luxury, but does that mean we can't do something fun?!
That's when it occurred to me: We live in a vacation state.

We live in a state that people regularly vacation to. Heck, that's why we always have so many visitors! And with our day to day routine, do we ever really take advantage of what California has to offer? Even though we've lived here for 5+ years, there's still a list of things I've always wanted to do. I'm sure that's true for almost everyone in any state. I know I sure had fun in Pennsylvania, taking advantage of my time there and seeing all the historical and fun sites!
So, here's the game plan.
Once a month, Jan-Michael OR I will plan a date that revolves around our individual lists. We will trade off months too. The other person can not know what the other has planned until the night before (for dressing reasons of course). We are not to plan FOR the other person, but for ourselves. Although we are a couple that generally likes the same things, I think it will be fun to see what each other comes up with.
For example, if February was my month, I might pick the L.A. Zoo. I've always wanted to go, and although it's down the street, I've never been. I would pick a date, buy the tickets and not tell Jan where we are going until the night before. Whether or not he likes the idea, he still has to go and support me and my idea. Then, Jan-Michael is next, so in March he chooses to go to The Hollywood Museum. Again, he will buy the tickets and then tell me the night before we go, "Tomorrow for our special date, we are going to the Hollywood Museum. Dress accordingly". And so forth.... Another rule is that we can not choose something that either one of us has already done. The point is to do something new and fun!
I'm really excited, not only to finally be doing things I've been wanting to do for a long time, but to see what Jan-Michael has wanted to do!
As we do our fun activities, I will post about them on our blog. Who knows, maybe someone will use them as reference when planning their next CA vacation! LOL
Welcome to the adventures of JMK =)