Nik: Sit, settle in, soak in the creative bath, let the words find you, ride the ride, let it unfold, let it be great, let it be average, breathe life in and let it live.
Alex: Are you starting a new pilot?
Nik: Yep.
Alex: Yesssss. I can’t wait to read this bad boy. Is this on your new pilot playlist?
Nik: #1 and currently on repeat.
Alex: Do you always make a playlist for every project you write?
Nik: Normally I find one song that inspires me and I listen to it over and over. It usually matches the tone of what I’m writing and puts me in an aligned emotional state. Or sometimes I just need a song that inspires me but can be white noise at the same time. On my last project I created a playlist and listened to it everywhere (driving, working out, etc.) to keep me motivated. But it all starts with one song…
Alex: Sweet! Do you remember all of your “starter songs”?
Nik: A few of them… For my very first pilot, I listened to Nowhere Again by The Secret Machines over and over and over. Another one was Berzerk by Eminem. Oh! And Lenka’s Everything At Once. I can’t remember the other starter songs…
Alex: I really like this idea. I constantly make playlists, but I never have it catered to one specific thing I’m writing. It’s like creating your own soundtrack. I’m going to try it.

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Alex: A lot of people in LA go sober for the month of January. Mostly because they drink so much over the holidays and need a refresh. I decided to join the trend and take on the challenge. I don’t have a drinking problem or anything, but I wanted to realign my will power. As a writer, you set a lot of your own deadlines and I felt like I was slacking with self discipline so I needed to remind myself that I control my choices. I went with what I thought would be simple… sobriety. But it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I noticed how much of a crutch drinking is in a social setting. The booze becomes a security blanket that warms me up when stepping outside of my comfort zone. It’s easier to talk to someone you just met or dance and not care what anyone thinks once you’ve had a few drinks. But after the first night I realized how much more I appreciate a sober conversation. You’re not only more present during the conversation, but you can remember them afterwards. It was eye-opening to be the only sober one at a party and watch people talk about the same things over and over. After a couple of weeks, I started to feel more motivated, it was easier to get up in the morning; life just seemed a little more grounded when I wasn’t prioritizing the weekend escape. I’m not saying that I’m done drinking, I’m just done pretending like I’m still in college.
Nik: Although I just had a Sunday mimosa and am a little buzzed as I type this, I must admit there’s something really powerful about going sober. I don’t consider myself the most devout person, but every year I give up something for Lent. I like the discipline of it and the psychology behind giving up something that’s challenging to live without. One year I gave up french fries, another year shopping and one year I gave up booze. I was sober for 40 days. It was hard at first, mostly because as a single person in LA, a lot of what you spend your time doing includes drinking with friends at dinner or various events. But without it I found that my conversations with friends were more succinct and meaningful, my mood was more balanced, I slept better, I got more done, and I just felt an overall sense of well-being that can only come from that sort of discipline. It was pretty great. And man that first sip of wine after taking 40 days off tasted like poison. It was crazy. I think it was really good that you participated in Sober January. I think it’s a good lesson in self-discipline and makes you really understand that you’re in control of your choices and the power that comes with that.
Alex: French fries?! What are you giving up this year for Lent?
Nik: I gave up negativity. It’s so hard! I mean AWESOME!
Alex: Boss status. I like the idea of giving something up each month.
Nik: Me too. It’s such a great practice in mindfulness and forces you to be present.
Alex: I agree. Hmm what should I give up next?
Nik: Pizza.
Alex: No.

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Nik: Ballet. On mah mouth. I’m so into the lip color trend that’s happening right now.
Alex: Love me some pink lips. I like how sexual that sounded.
Nik: Dirty.
Alex: I want Pizza.
Nik: Huh?

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Nik: Paleta.  That is all.
Alex: What kind of balls are those? Beef balls? Chicken balls? Lamb balls? Man balls? You plate like a whore.
Nik: Ate like one too.
Alex: For how long?
Nik: Two weeks.
Alex: And they deliver?
Nik: Yep, every morning.
Alex: And the food was good?
Nik: Really good. It’s great for anyone who wants to kickstart a diet or reacquaint themselves with healthy eating habits.
Alex: I like the word reacquaint.
Nik: I like meatballs.
Alex: I like you.
Nik: I like you too.

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Nik: I love this sunscreen so much I want to marry it.
Alex: Nikki Dermalogica.  Has a nice ring to it.
Nik: Seriously. It’s really good. You have to try it.
Alex: SPF 50 is a little high for me. I try to stick with SPF 4 or lower.
Nik: What’s the point?
Alex: A healthy glow.
Nik: Why do you think I look like I’m still in my twenties?
Alex: Green juice?
Nik: Wrong. SPF 50.
Alex: Ew, is this what growing up feels like?
Nik: No, being able to choose your own JammyPack is what growing up feels like.
Alex: Speaking of JammyPacks…
Nik: Bye.

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Alex: My life won’t be complete until I get my JammyPack. I can’t decide between Catsoncatsoncats or SpacedOut…
Nik: I made dinner for friends three nights ago and my fingers still smell like garlic. It’s so gross.
Alex: Catsoncatsoncats or SpacedOut? I’m thinking SpacedOut, but there’s something about a fanny pack covered in cats that screams–
Nik: Crazy? Do SpacedOut. Ooh…Super Diamond Pure Gold would be fab at Disneyland.
Alex: I just don’t know if SpacedOut is too like…ennnnergyyyy and the universe… Wait, Super Diamond Pure Gold? WHO ARE YOU?
Nik: Who are you?
Alex: Actually, I’m going with The Ventura.
Nik: I’m just happy fanny packs are back.
Alex: Will you look at The Ventura?
Nik: I like JammyBlank.
Alex: That will get dirty so fast.
Nik: How I like it.
(Later)
Alex: I still can’t decide. Why is this so hard?
Nik: Purple Haze.
Alex: Really?
(Silence)
Alex: Hello? I’ve got a big decision to make here. I need you.
Nik: Purple. Haze.
Alex: Are you sure?
Nik: OHMYEFFINGGODALEX! FLIP A COIN!
Alex: Geez, somebody needs some lemon on those garlic-stink-fingers.

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Alex: I really enjoy lunch time because I get to listen to the writers talk about their favorite shows and other cool things they’ve done lately. Today one of my co-workers was talking about this interactive haunted play called Delusion. It’s supposed to make you feel like you are in a scary movie. Are you a scaredy cat? I am but for some reason I really want to do this. You have to sign a waiver because you run and crawl and people touch you. We have to buy our tickets soon because they’re half sold out already. I’ve never been into this kind of stuff but I’m all game right now. What’s gotten into me!?
Nik: It looks very cool.  I’m not sure I can get down with strangers touching me though.
Alex: C’mon pretend like you’re in college.
Nik: Only my boyfriends touched me.  And even on my drunkest night I never crawled through the woods on my knees.  I did fall in a snow bank once.  And ask a female cop to arrest me.
Alex: Was she hott?
Nik: No, she looked like a dude, but I wanted to be handcuffed.
Alex: Kinky, I like it.
Nik: You would.  Should we go?
Alex: YES!

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Alex: I’m sad. Actually, I’m just homesick, but being homesick makes me sad.  So I guess that does make me sad.  I just feel like I’ve missed out on so much back at home.  My brother won State for football, broke his hand and got surgery, graduated High School, turned eighteen and is leaving for college at the end of summer.  The list could go on and on.  And I’ve missed it all. Even some of my friends are getting married, having kids, or getting their own places.  It’s weird and it’s hard not being home for these events.  Holy cow I miss Wisconsin so much.  I miss Brewer tailgates, burgers on the grill, a friendly-turned-competitive game of Bags… usually guys versus girls. The hot humid air married with a cool crisp lake and a fully stocked cooler of Spotted Cow. The 4th of July arrives and the only thing you know for the next 48 hours is festivals, kickball, the beer tent, pool parties, and of course the fireworks.  For the past two years I’ve spent the 4th at Venice beach with awesome friends and food. It was still a lot of fun this year, I mean it’s hard to complain when you’re partying at the beach, but it just wasn’t the same. I think I just really need to go home. Not move home, just go home. I miss being able to ‘just go home’. Grr, the Monday after the 4th really sucks balls.
Nik:  I get homesick too.  And I don’t think those feelings ever go away.  I wish my family lived closer so I could just pop in whenever I wanted.  I think the thing that helps is planning ahead (although if you ask my family they’d laugh because I usually plan trips less than three weeks in advance.) But I try to go home every 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas and they usually come out here once or twice a year. It’s not as good as living in the same city, but it lessens the homesickness because I know exactly when I’ll see them next.  You do realize that you get a ton of time off for the holidays when you work on a show, right? Have you checked your production calendar?  You should look and plan ahead so you can get a cheap ticket home!
Alex: Yep! We have roughly two weeks off around Christmas and I plan on being home the entire time. This feeling also motivates me to write more, finish my script, and start making money so I can have the liberty to travel whenever I want. Well, whenever we’re on hiatus.  As much as I would rather hear that the homesickness goes away, it’s comforting knowing I have you out here to always tell me how it is. We have to make it a point to go to Wisconsin together! Think about how much fun we would have!
Nik:  My dream is to do a Badger/Packer weekend.  Let’s do that.
Alex: That sounds like heaven. So does making out with Aaron Rodgers in a hammock by a campfire post-game.

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Alex:  I never know what to drink when I go out. I always ask everyone what they’re getting before I order hoping it will help me make a decision. If I knew my drink, I wouldn’t have to contemplate for three hours whether I want vodka, whiskey, or a beer. I’ve always been jealous of my dad. He has been drinking bacardi and coke for as long as I can remember. He knows what he likes. I want to know what I like. The other night at Moms, my favorite bar in Santa Monica, it has a ping pong table, a nice gentleman asked “Can I buy you a drink?” I annoyingly responded “Hmm…what are you having? I usually go with a vodka tonic or a Jameson and lemonade, but it depends on the night.” He smiled, but I could tell he was really thinking… what the eff do you want? After that encounter, I decided I want to have a drink I like enough to order every time. That way I can actually talk to the cute guy at the bar instead of spending fifteen minutes picking a drink. Do you have a go-to?
Nik:  I don’t have one. But I need one because I do the same thing. I spend forever eyeballing every bottle on the shelf trying to make a decision. Then I’ll ask the bartender what I should get and he’ll ask what kind of alcohol I like and I don’t even know that. I guess I like a dirty martini, but only when I’m craving salt. I don’t like sugary drinks. I like wine, but only at restaurants. Beer makes me burp, which is never ideal, nothing like burping in a guys face right after he asks for your number…yeah. I don’t have my drink yet. I’d like go-to’s. A beer. A drink. A wine.
Alex:  What do you mean burping in a guys face is never ideal?
Nik:   I don’t even know how to respond.
Nik:  I just looked at the link you sent me.  I’m cracking up.  Does your dad wear cargo shorts?

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Nik:  Perfect with herb roasted pumpkin seeds.

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