Last night, AEJ and I attended a cast & crew screening of the new movie, “Stay.” AEJ knows one of the producers, so we were offered passes to the screening. It was a fun time.

The screening was on the 20th Century Fox lot, so our little adventure started with us pulling our little (dirty) car up to the gate and telling the guard we were there for the “Stay” screening. He checked to make sure AEJ’s name was on “The List,” and waived us through to the parking garage.

After parking, there was a short walk to the building that housed the theater. We passed several sound stages, each with their doors wide open, so we peeked in, trying to figure out what sets we were seeing. We had no idea.

The highlight was when we walked past the production offices for Arrested Development, one of our favorite shows. Right next to the front door of the office, somebody was getting out of a Porsche. A very pretty, shiny, Porsche. I thought — hey, that guy gets to park really close to where we’re going, and isn’t forced to park in the garage. Maybe he’s a cast member of “Stay.” The guy then walked around to the front of the Porsche and when he turned in our direction, I saw that it was none other than Jason Bateman, the star of Arrested Development. Awesome. This felt very L.A. I wanted to yell out, “your show rules,” but I decided to play it cool.

At the screening, I wasn’t sure if we’d see any of the main stars of the movie — Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and Ryan Gosling. This wasn’t a “premiere,” as it seems that the movie may not be getting a big red carpet premiere because the cast is around the globe filming other movies. Still, this was a “cast & crew” screening, and those actors are certainly from the cast, so I didn’t know what to expect.

Sadly, none of them were there. Several of the other cast members were there, but they were actors whom you might recognize, but might not know them by name. (One of the actors will also be seen in the upcoming Garfield 2. That’s right. There’s going to be a Garfield 2. I am so excited, because I thought Garfield 1 was some of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s best work on film. I’m soooo psyched that they convinced her to come back for the sequel. They even got the original Garfield 1 writer to write the sequel! This movie can’t miss.)

It’s a shame that sarcasm doesn’t translate to blog text.

Anyway — back to “Stay.” So, the three main stars weren’t there, but, somewhat randomly, David Duchovny was there with somewhat shaggy hair. (It looked like it was a very good haircut, but had grown out perhaps three weeks too long.)

As for the movie, I enjoyed it. I had a bit of a problem with the music (it didn’t work for me at all), but that was my biggest complaint. Check it out when it hits theaters.

So, there’s a super huge announcement. But first, some really exceptionally dull things…

I’m still working — painfully slowly — on the new piece. I had a bit of a breakthrough yesterday, so hopefully things will get moving now. One unfortunate element to this piece is that it looks like it’s going to have a whole lot of notes. Lots and lots and lots of notes.

I have an interview tomorrow for a residency with an orchestra. The orchestra is flying me in for the day so I can meet everybody, which feels like a bit of pressure. I really hope it works out and they select me, because it’s a great opportunity and would be a lot of fun. Wish me luck…

AEJ and I had dinner with Teddy last night. He’s one of the very few people I know here in LA, and we had a nice time.

And…

I’ve written many times about how AEJ’s input into my work is indispensable. I’ve mentioned that she’s a writer, and her instincts about narrative and structure and pacing are always spot-on. Why does she waste her incredible brainpower helping me, you asked. Shouldn’t she put it towards something more substantive? Well, she does.

Since it’s now “official,” I can say — specifically — why AEJ and I moved to LA. Here’s the link. She’s a superstar, that gal of mine. I’m so proud of her, I think I’ll link to it every day. Shooting starts next Monday. Cray. Z.

So I guess I’ll stay home and be Mr. Mom with the kitty while AEJ hobnobs with celebrities. No complaints from my end.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the Los Angeles County Fair. I doubt that most of the participants actually came from LA (the 4H horse club riders were all from Orange County, which was not a surprise), but rather than question the authenticity of the “locals,” we embraced the fair with an open mind and open wallet.

First up… coneys from Pink’s. I had mine with chili, cheese, kraut, and onion. AEJ opted for no kraut. The chili was better than the dogs themselves — this was no Gray’s Papaya — but still very fun and tasty. And only $12.40!

We tried to see the Family Talent Show, thinking an LA talent show would be a hoot, but we got there a few minutes too late. In the same building, though, was a very weird “Time Machine” — a series of incredibly inaccurate displays for each decade. Here’s the “Time Warp Diner.” You’ll see that it’s quite authentic for the 1950s, complete with stainless steel appliances and, um, a compact microwave oven. Just like they had at Al’s on Happy Days.

The American 1960’s: The only decade that lasted 20 years.

Not sure if you can make it out in the picture, but all of those prize ribbons are for second place. “LA : where everybody is second place.” Or something like that. What has happened to this country? Can’t anybody lose anymore?

Here are some very cute baby goats. They look like deformed dogs, which was pretty adorable (much cuter than it sounds).

That’s me, havin’ fun at the LA County Fair! I kind of like the haunted, faceless pigs surrounding me.

Here’s a pulled pork sandwich that we tried. $6.50, I think, and really, really nasty. Shouldn’t pulled pork be chewable? How much gristle is too much? If you say 5 pieces in the first bite is too much gristle, then avoid this sandwich.

We had to do something to get the nasty pork out of our minds, so we went here.

Now THAT is good eatin’. The batter had a hint of cinnamon. Lovely.

Merry Christmas, everybody! What, it’s not even Halloween yet? Don’t tell these prize-winning trees.

Here’s a donkey.

We played several games of Skee-Ball. It was lots of fun, and I actually won a prize for AEJ!

Here’s her prize.

Ack! I think the colors in this picture nearly gave my camera a seizure.

If we’d had enough “ride tickets,” we might have stopped in the Cuckoo Haus. ‘Cause what’s more zany and “cuckoo” than Germans? (My favorite part is the German soldier feeding beer to the smurf nun in the top-right. That’s just cuckoo!)

That’s it — our first visit to the LA County Fair. A fun afternoon, and hopefully next year, we can also catch the demolition derby. Until then…