A few days ago, through the twitter grapevine, or tweetvine if you will, I came across the exciting news that Live! From the Future won the Clicker award for Best Live Show of 2009! I am so excited to to see the show getting recognition, after putting so much time into it. I know how hard Stuart, John, Jessie, and Lauren work every week to make a fun and interesting show come together. To have the staying power, and the drive to go on for 4 seasons is a testament to their passion for making people laugh in an interactive medium.

Clicker’s own words on the Best Live Shows of the year:

Refresh those pages no more! Talk about technological progress. What was once pre-recorded is now streaming live, and it’s happening more often than you think. We collected a list of the web-exclusive live programs that we found most worthy of a Clicker Award. So check out our winner and the runners-up and quit living in the past!

The Stream also recently celebrated its 1000th Episode with a Red Carpet event. Unfortunately it was right after I moved and I wasn’t able to celebrate with everyone, but I lived vicariously through their video recap of the Party! Congrats to Brian and everyone involved in the production process every week.

I also just found out this morning that after many emails and attempts to get the show on to IMDB, it actually happened! That means I will get producer credits for all episodes I had a hand in producing. I know, I know, don’t let your fame go to your head Lauren. Maybe when people google me now, I’ll come up as a legit producer.

In all seriousness though, I am so happy for the show and for everyone who works so hard on it. It really is a great feeling to know that you are being rewarded and that people enjoy what you make. Keep it up! Tune in Tuesdays @ 8pm PST on Thestream.tv!

As we erased the November calendar off of the kitchen chalkboard and penciled in the days of December, it was quickly apparent that the week leading up to Christmas was going to be packed with exciting events. We had something planned for every day this past week, and thus, I present to you, The Five Days of Christmas: San Francisco Edition.

On the First Day of Christmas Lady Gaga charmed us with her crazy ways. According to the Lady herself, we all became her little monsters that night. She definitely put on a spectacular show and, behind all the flashing lights and glittery costumes, she is a very talented singer and musician.

– The Lady slices in our Gaga Glory –

– My View at Lady Gaga, would have been better if I were 6 ft tall –

– Showing our Teeth & Gaga Monster Claws –

On the Second Day of Christmas we enjoyed the Martini Media Network (My Company) Holiday Party. My co-workers and I had a great time celebrating the successes of this year with our friends, family & clients. Concoction choices included the “Nice,” the “Naughty,” or the “Martini” Martini in celebration of the success of the Martini Life Newsletter. If you aren’t subscribed yet, get on it! Just click HERE!

– Candid of Caitlin & Matt –

Prior to the cherry stem tying race (see below for evidence of the photo finish)

– Record breaking performance I’d say –

On the Third Day of Christmas we celebrated Hanukkah. Ironic? Kara, being half-Jewish, had enough with the Christmas decorations covering our apartment and decided we needed some Judaism in this joint! She invited a bunch of friends over, including the few fellow Jews we know, and we had a festive time making (and the devouring) three trays of Potato Latkes! Thanks to Susan Jancourtz (Kara’s Mom) for sharing this recipe and making my first Hanukkah experience a success! While, we were lacking a dreidel, we did have a Menorah and lit the candles before we ate.

Oh, and don’t forget to get your holiday doorbell: Ding Dong, Hanukkah House! Thanks SNL.

– We were Latke making machines! Enough for a small army, or 15 of our closest friends! –

– Lighting the Candles –

On the Fourth Day of Christmas we had roommate holiday dinner. Rather than exchanging gifts, we decided to treat ourselves to a fancy meal. Being a Thursday, we thought we would stay close to home and chose a local place. Only a 5 minute walk, we opted to try out Beretta, a cozy Italian place, and were not disappointed! Along with a tasty bottle of Sangiovese we enjoyed Fava Bean and Pecorino Bruschetta, Tomato & Basil Gnocchi with mozzarella, Baked Polenta with Gorgonzola, Roasted Butternut Squash with walnuts, & Broccolini, Pancetta, and Tomato Pizza. Oh and I can’t forget to mention dessert: panna gelato with extra virgin olive oil & sea salt, sounds like a strange combination, and I admit I was skeptical at first, but trust me when I say it was delicious.

– Half of the Casa –

– And the other half –

– Panna Gelato with Olive Oil & Sea Salt, a.k.a. heaven –

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, we ended the week with a bang at our holiday formal party! Our friend Zak recently got a suit, and like anyone who gets a new suit, wanted to have an occasion to wear it. The cards just sort of fell into place and we threw a lovely little shindig over at their apartment (Robert, Zak, Vaibhav, & the honorary roommate, Pascal). It was a great way to celebrate the holidays with friends, and who doesn’t like to put on a party dress?! ;)

– Family Photo –

– Candid of Robert, Pascal, & Zak –

– Audrey, Matt & Me –

Such a fun, eventful week! I am so grateful to have wonderful friends and be blessed with the opportunity to do so many enjoyable things. I am looking forward to heading home in a few days to celebrate Christmas with my family and friends in Southern California, then back up to the Bay to ring in the New Year! Wow, 2009 is almost over, 2010 will be here before we know it!

This past week I am excited to say I had my first guest, and guess who it was, one of my best friends, Natalie! She flew up from Orange County for a few days and hung out with me in the new digs. It worked out well that she could bring her photography work with her and do it while I was working. We had fun exploring the Mission a bit, eating lots of Mexican food, going on an adventure with her Holga (excited to see how the pictures turn out), and last but not least, heading to the California Academy of Sciences for Nightlife at the Museum.

When the museum recently opened I read a lot about it in the California Alumni magazine and was fascinated by the “Living Roof” and how eco-friendly/green the entire building is. Every Thursday night they open up from 6:00-10:00 for a 21+ crowd. You can visit the exhibits (including the aquarium, rainforest, roof, and planetarium), grab a cocktail if you so please, groove to the DJ’s tunes, and just enjoy one of the unique things Golden Gate Park has to offer!

Thanks for visiting, Nat, wish you could have stayed longer! So who will my next guest be?

Caitlin, Nat, and I on the Living Roof — That’s light from the rainforest shining out!

That’s a tall giraffe

Starfish and Sea Anemones, the view from above

Checking out the very large Bass

A Sea Apple, cousin of the Sea Cucumber — Looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland

I just added a new page to my blog highlighting some of the projects I’ve completed and the videos I’ve produced and edited. I also just learned a new term on Friday, “Preditor” (Producer + Editor), apparently that is what they are calling it these days.

Either way, most of the pieces have been displayed in previous blog posts, but they are now more easy to find in one location, so check them out on the Projects Page!

After being in the new apartment in a new city in a new neighborhood for a little over two weeks now, I feel I am beginning to settle in and must say that I am totally loving it!  I haven’t had as much time to explore as I would like, but I’ve enjoyed going on some jogs around the surrounding blocks, taking mental notes of the awesome restaurants and shops to return to, meeting the local barista at the corner cafe, and sampling the dinner specials at the neighborhood Irish Pub.  On Sunday I went cafe hopping (one of the things I love best about San Francisco) and discovered this gem, Ritual Coffee Roasters. I just may have to try my luck working there, maybe an un-discovered startup can give me a job!

I also ventured out to the Mission Branch of the SF Public Library and got me a card and everything! Isn’t it cute, with a local student’s artwork on it. Much better than the one I had from the Orange County Library for probably 17 years, although my first grade printing of my name on the back was  quite endearing.

We, as in the three roommates and I, have been diligently compiling a list of things to do during our tenure in the city, and by diligently I mean whenever we think of something totally random and completely awesome that can only be done in San Francisco, we add a sticky note to the board. We thought the “Did” side looked rather lonely, and luckily we were able to fulfill one of our “Dos” this weekend when we had a lovely housewarming party. Seemed as though lots of friends were out of town for the occasion, but we are excited for dinner parties, tea parties, and of course, costume parties!

Tonight we received a special treat from our awesome neighbor, Matt, who lives in the flat above ours with three roommates. Can you guess what it was? Ok, you cheated and looked at the picture below. Freshly baked, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and they were even still warm. Deliciousness. I have to say Kara and I were a little concerned when the doorbell rang at 9:30, but it was an excellent, tasty, and friendly surprise.  Next on the agenda, reciprocate with a backyard BBQ of sorts for the three flats. Neighbor bonding!

This weekend we are all heading back to the Lair of the Bear for a staff reunion that happens every five years. I’m sure I’ll have much to report when I get back. Go Bears!