Connections Clark

It's official, my 2nd novel Imperfect has launched. I celebrated last weekend with a little gathering of friends and family at a great bar in Culver City. I gave a presentation and a short reading and as I looked into the audience I was so overcome by gratitude - what amazing people I have in my life - many whom I've known since childhood and many new friends who I feel like I've known forever.

Yesterday, when I heard of Dick Clark's passing, I couldn't help but think about the time I worked for him back somewhere in mid-90's. He produced a game show called "No Relation" about contestants trying to identify who didn't belong in a family (there was always a decoy family member). It was actually a pretty fun game. I was brought on as a writer - interviewing the family members and creating questions for the contestants to ask. (see? these are the fun jobs you can have while living in L.A.) Dick Clark wasn't really part of the day-to-day of that show, but since I worked in his building, I'd see him every now and again in the hallway, and I always saw his dogs.

One afternoon while filming the show on the CBS lot, Mr. Clark walked into the room where I was and sat down. I'd never formally met him, so I approached him with an outstretched arm and said, "I wanted to introduce myself, my name is Melissa Clark, no relation..." What I meant was I was not related to him, but the name of the show I was working on was also "No Relation" so it sounded like I was just rattling off my credits. At the time I found this to be hysterical.

 His offices, on Olive Street in Burbank, were allegedly once a mortuary and while it was a little bit creepy coming to work every day, I have fond memories of that job, the people with whom I worked and my little encounter with the Rockin' New Year's Eve legend. R.I.P.

Holiday Happenings

This title feels like one of those family newsletters that circulates around this time of year. Come to think of it, blogs are like year-round annoying family newsletters, but I must admit I enjoy dabbling in the nonfiction.

Host Terry and myself posing with required Christmas hats.

I've had a very active few days. December 24 was the annual Conway Xmas eve party, replete with tons of food, drink and PacMan playoffs. December 25 was a Very British Christmas dinner with the Marsh's.

We were instructed to pull paper firecrackers, wear hats, and we dined on tons of goodies including a veggie version of mince pie. My new favorite dessert might be simple vanilla ice cream capped with (drowned in) Tio Pepe sherry. The taste combo is pitch perfect and I guarantee that you'll never eat plain vanilla ice cream again. December 26 brought an ice skating

party that started at 10pm and that was hosted by an old friend from elementary school, Leslie. God love Leslie. She's an executive at a sex toy company and a very generous party hostess.

Meredith laces up for the ice.

She rented out Picwick Ice Skating rink in Burbank, provided pizza, churros, water, Red Bull, a coffee cart, cupcakes and a DJ who spun tunes as we spun around and around the rink.

Smiling because I didn't fall.

Miraculously I'm not in pain, and I think it's because I've been a bit of a gym addict on my vacation. My beloved Santa Monica College pool is under construction for the next month so I've had to find other outlets. Lovely friend Lizzie generously loaned out her gym membership as she is not on vacation and working harder than ever.

I am looking forward to spending a quiet (albeit rum soaked) New Year's Eve with good friends, and of course looking forward to 2010. 2010! Isn't that some far off sci-fi sounding date? Why no, it's just a few days away.

Here's a little exercise that I read in someone else's blog: In a journal or on a piece of paper write down all the ways you moved forward in your life. That's not the same thing as forward in your career. I mean forward in your LIFE. How have you expanded, connected, reached out? How are you not the same person you were last year? Create your list, read it and be pleasantly surprised.

First Party of the Season

After weeks of planning and executing, the first party of the summer was a great success. Seven writers filed into my apartment and drank, ate and laughed. (Not pictured: Mary Ore, who took the photo...eyes closed: Melissa Clark, who'd consumed a lot of champagne and white wine by this point.)

The menu consisted of a cheese plate, edamame and garlic crostinis topped with goat cheese and baluga lentils for appetizers. 

I also made an organic salad with dried cranberries, hearts-of-palm and avocado served with a raspberry vinaigrette  (courtesy Liz Bliss). The main course was a shrimp and pasta dish inspired by a fun little cookbook titled "Bowl Food".  Dessert was a trifle made with organic blackberries and strawberries. I'm thrilled to announce that Mary had 3 helpings. (Mary, don't kill me!)

Good friends, good food, even good flowers...

I look forward to hosting more parties in the coming months.