First off, let’s start off this post with the single best image I’ve seen on the internet. From Selectbutton’s Ging.

Don’t punch the bear.

Now, on with the post. Yesterday, I had a twelve hour shooting day for my CiCi’s Pizza commercial. The spot starts airing on April 16^th, and since there is a CiCi’s in North Hollywood, there is a possibility that it will show here. But if you’re in the southern states, look for my mug on your set in just a few weeks.

But how will we know it’s you, Heather? That’s a pretty good question. Well, here’s me as me, and then me as my mom.

I will be appearing as my mom in the commercial. The outfit they chose is actually the least motherly of the stuff they put me in; at one point I looked like a dying 7^th grade English teacher. I wish I had a photo of that costume.

Hmm. I want to do a series of photos called Lost Sister where I dress in different clothing, and wear wigs.

The shoot itself was straightforward and fun. I ate a bunch of cinnamon rolls for a take that may not appear in the finished ad, and otherwise did my best to look generally weird at the salad bar. I hope it’s funny, and I hope I get to see a copy. And I hope it airs a lot. Then I’ll make some money.

After the shoot, I ran around Austin with Hallie, a new friend! We drank at a Library, and then ate at The Iron Cactus (which was the first place I used a fake ID back in 1999 at the Big Stinkin’ Comedy festival). After that, we hopped over to a dueling piano bar full of old people.  Inspired, we sang at a karaoke bar … and took a taxi with the creepiest driver in Texas. He was Palestinian and wanted a threesome.

I got on the airplane at three am, so I’m a little out of sorts. I’ll write more about the whole adventure if I feel like it after a nap.

It’s been eight years since I’ve been in Austin. The last time I was here was in ‘99, for the Big Stinkin’ Sketch and Improv Comedy Festival. Japanese improv team Galactica Excite won best in show, and I had really short hair and thin eyebrows. Now I’m back, filming my first SAG national commercial, for Cici’s Pizza. I have long hair and longer eyebrows. I look twice as young now as I did then.

Determined as I was to downgrade my first-class ticket this morning (and pocket the difference as a United Airlines voucher), the flight was full … so I had to sit up front with the important people. It’s only the third time in my life that I’ve flown first class, and I think the only thing I really like about it is getting porcelain plates and saucers. I fell asleep nearly immediately, and woke up to catch the scene in Stranger Than Fiction that makes me cry.

“You’re asking me to face my certain death.” I cried again on the plane, unapologetically.

I landed in Austin and was told that my bags were gone. This is the fourth time in a row that my luggage has been misplaced on a flight, so it didn’t really bother me. I’ve got a breathtaking view of some river out the window at the Four Seasons, and I’m dropping all this information because of how ridiculous the pomp of advertising is. Or maybe it’s SAG; after another commercial, I’m going to have to pay them 2200 dollars. It’s because of those dues that I get to fly first class. Something about the system seems a little deformed.

My thoughts are all jumbled. My writing is impatient. I’m going to go get some food.

I realized this morning that the way I feel about Death Note could best be described as romantic affection. As embarrassing as it is to put this into words, it’s simply the best language I have to define my complete obsession with the show. I have now had three nights of dreams set in the world of Kira, and am leaping over my couch to get to the next chapter whenever the previous one comes to an end.

Relax, I’m not going to redesign my website or start cosplaying as Ryuk. I don’t feel ownership of the characters, nor do I feel like I know more about the show than anyone else. But I’m in love with Death Note and my heart flutters like I’m going on a great date.

So it is with shattering disappointment that I announce that the last four episodes have sucked. I feel let down. I’m depressed. I want this show to keep surprising me, but as of this moment (E20) it has devolved into standard anime fare, with cute girls and absurd plots. Gone is the gripping, patient detective story. And now I have to wait a week before I see what the writer has in store. With the last hour-twenty being so mediocre, I’m not even that excited about the next reveal.

I hope the show gets great again, but as of right now it’s just another anime. I’m losing faith.

For the first time in memory, I am watching episodes of an Anime back-to-back without pause. I am completely obsessed with Death Note. When I catch up to episode 20, I think I will just start watching the show again from the beginning. Typically, I’m very patient with my anime consumption, viewing one 23 minute block per day, but for the last two days I’ve done nothing but hurl myself through this series, unrestrained. It’s a mix of Sherlock Holmes, horror, and character drama all delivered in a deliberate package.

I love this show. I absolutely love it.

One of the projects I’m writing right now is called Game Play. It’s a stage play about romance and video games, and the plot leans heavily on disingenuousness between lovers. To inspire the piece, I’ve been reading The Prince by Machiavelli (which, for my intents and purposes is about calculation above vulnerability). Death Note is a fantastic accompaniment to The Prince, since the anime is all about measured moves and guarded intentions. The show really came at the right time for inspiration.

I think I’ll be watching Dangerous Liaisons again as well. I really should buy that movie, I think I’ve rented it once a month since I got back from Amsterdam. Alright, that’s an exaggeration. Maybe. (It is.)

There’s also a live action Death Note movie. I’ll be watching THIS as soon as I can find it. Hopefully, it won’t dissapoint like Honey and Clover.

But at the moment, all I want to talk about is how good Death Note is! It’s easily the best new show I’ve seen since The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. If the ending doesn’t suck, it’ll go in my top 10.

Okay, so about that NBC pilot. I don’t know how much I can talk about it (because of NDAs and contract stuff), but it was a hidden camera show from Improv Everywhere and we filmed it at a mall in Los Angeles yesterday. The bit starred me, and as soon as I get footage I’ll put it up here, but until then I guess I’ll just have to speak vaguely about what an incredible experience it was. I got to wear the uniform of a Hot Dog on a Stick girl … and sing. It’s a non-union pilot, so don’t think I’ve gone off and gotten rich — but still, it was shot with like 10 cameras, so the coverage and footage will be awesome. And I made a new friend or two!

That’s not much of a post, I guess. It’s more of an announcement for friends who didn’t know I booked something. It was a really quick development; we rehearsed on Wednesday, and then shot on Thursday, so I guess I just didn’t get a chance to tell anyone. There it is!

If I wasn’t doing anything today, I think I’d just watch Death Note all day.