The Best Gifts come in Packages Wrapped in Purple and Gold

2 NOTEWORTHY
UNI ALUMNI!

Mark Steines

Okay, so he was pretty much the Big Man on Campus when at UNI. He played football for the Panthers and took classes with professor Ron Steele (who is still here!). Fast forward a few years, and he is the big-time host of Entertainment Tonight, America's #1 Entertainment News Show.

Not only is Mark an incredible host of Entertainment Tonight, but he is an extremely loving father. Oh, and he is married to Miss America 1993!!

He has been my internship supervisor this whole summer, so it was a complete joy to be able to give him a special gift.
A UNI FLAG TO PUT IN THE ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT CONTROL ROOM!

Mark was really happy, and it made me extremely happy to spread Panther Love. After all, we all Love to Be a Panther!

UNI ALUM #2: Nancy Aossey

Nancy Aossey, is CEO and President of International Medical Corps in Santa Monica, Califonia. This organization provides international medical relief to over twenty countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They have broken ground in a number of ways, being the first to respond to many international disasters in ways that no other relief organizations have, such as empowering female doctors in Africa to provide medical help in their communities.

She has also been friends with my mother since second grade!
Mom and Nancy tease each other about some grade school drama.



She received an honorary doctorate degree from UNI in May of 2009. And well-deserved! She built the organization from the ground up, and is a wonderful, genuine person. Also, she had us for dinner, and makes great chicken!

My favorite part was learning about the photo camps they sponsor in Africa, where they hold three-week courses with Africans and teach them how to use a camera and take artistic photography. This provides them with an artistic outlet to communicate the struggles in their lives.

(this photo was taken by an African community member)

Moral of the story? UNI CRANKS OUT some PRETTY DARN SPECIAL PEOPLE!!!

Interview with Jay Leno

J to the LENO.

'Twas a bit random, I must say, that I happened upon Jay Leno the other day when I got out of the Groundlings. I got out of class and mom gives me a call,

"Eva, go down to Melrose and Gardener...we're here with Leno!!"
















So I skip down the street. Sure enough, he was there, interviewing some reality stars!
I walked to the front and started smiling really big, so when he finished his interview he came up to shake my hand. We started talking...I told him I'm proudly from Iowa...and got a picture.

Dad, who is already anatomically connected to his camera, could not stop snapping pictures.

I was so happy, I left for a second and walked around the corner and did a party dance!!!




I walked back and started chatting with producer. His name was Dave, and he actually attended college in Iowa! He asked if I had any good break up stories to share with Leno, because the issue for his Jaywalking segment was "relationships". I had a couple of good stories.







Then Dave, the producer, gave me 2 tickets to see the screening of his show in 2 days.

Jay was pretty nice. I think I blabbered a lot. There was an Italian guy standing next to Mom who said, "Is she an actress?"

Mom said, "No."
"Oh, so she is normal person?"
"Yes."
"She is very strange for normal person."

Thanks, Italian boy.

Overall, it was extremely fun!!

So I guess it is going to air within the next few weeks or so. Who knows if the editors will even put me on...but if anyone sees it, let me know!

ON a much different note, I finally finished my intern project about Women's Roller Derby. Check it out here!

Parents and Street Performing!

Andersen Parentals Visit LA!

Last week, I cleaned my car and apartment for the first time. Why?

My parentals were coming. And of course that means I have to be on my best behavior! If they're going to let me live out here after graduation, I have to prove that their little girl is living a fine, independent life in LA.

CHURCH!

My mom brought little stuffed corn beanie baby things to give to my church friends. If this is their only impression of Iowa, I am satisfied. My friend
Grace really enjoyed hers--its name is "Corny Cobb!"

Eating out with Friends and Roomies in Santa Monica!

I took Mom and Dad hiking in Griffith Park. Dad, who just rode on Ragbrai, was totally game. Mom huffed and puffed and asked if there was a trolly ride back down.





Then we visited the LA FASHION DISTRICT!!!

It was great. Poor Dad was bored and texted the whole time. He unfortunately does not have the shopping bug like my mom and I!

I was completely enthralled by all of the fabrics and beads, and I contemplated what material I could buy to sew my dream Disney Princess dress.

I bought some hair flowers and a purse. Not this one, though...though it would be great for
storing large appliances!












On Monday afternoon, I decided to get out my saxophone and play on Venice Beach. Venice beach is known for its kooky (at best) performers and vendors, from a skateboarder with no feet to psychics to break dancers. I thought--if they can make some money, why can't I?
But did you know that you have to have a permit to play with your case open? If you are collecting money, you have to reserve a spot along the beach...kind of like a parking spot. I made a sign that said "playing my way through college", but I couldn't put it up, because I didn't pay for a spot.

The cops started coming near me. So I just decided to be the strolling saxophonist!



I took requests. Many people requested things like Taylor Swift, and I told them that even though a saxophone couldn't really do that type of song justice, I played it anyway.

My favorites were when people requested jazz standards more suited for the sax, like Summertime or Misty!
I stumbled upon 2 other street musicians and we jammed for awhile. I tried to ask them about their musical background, but the sax player told me he was a brain surgeon and anthropologist.

I chose not to believe him.

HARRY PERRY


Lastly, I came upon this guy!! Harry Perry has been playing on Venice Beach since 1973.

He plays something he calls "Science Fiction Rock", wearing a turban and roller skates!

He's even made cameos on Heroes and CSI.


Here's a link to his act on YouTube...






THE CA$H RESULTS?

6 Dollars!!!!!!! Those dollars came from handshakes with money concealed--a secretive exchange because I did not have a permit. But I'll check into that for next time.

But for now, I can buy an ice cream cone with my earnings. Yay!