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!

This year was a tough one for many people, especially many recent grads who found it a tough time to be thrown out into the working world. I was fortunate enough to be able to depend on my family for support and encouragement, and feel I have thus far staved off my quarter-life-crisis for another year.

In 2009 I got a job as producer, was introduced to the ways of new media, I turned 23, moved to San Francisco, unpacked my belongings in my first post-college apartment, and started a new job. Those were the big things among many many more exciting, fun, silly, & ridiculous happenings over the course of the last twelve months — many of which are documented in my 2009 Memory Bank video below. Thanks to all who made this year memorable, you know who you are!

Also, just because I really liked this video, I thought I’d share it. Refresh your memory on what happened this year as we wave goodbye to 2009, and welcome in 2010!

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!

I am pretty sure my brother has taken the liberty of “Elfing” my family in the past, but I only remember the traditional or “classic” dance. Now they have upgraded to Hip Hopping, Carol singing, disco dancing elves. I mean really, what more could you want from elves this season? They need a break from the hard work making toys just as much as we all do.

Hope these bring you some holiday cheer, they sure brought me some giggles!

Funky Hip Hop Elves:

Holiday Carol Singing Elves:

Night Fever Disco Elves:

The Classic Elves:

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

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!

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!

I couldn’t be happier being in the city, living with three of my gal pals!

More to come on this soon, I promise. Some pictures of the new place and hopefully a video are coming soon. They have been on the back burner of my mind, but somehow keep getting pushed aside by job applications and cover letter writing…

So for now, enjoy the most recent project I worked on for Weplay. At LeBron James’ Kings Academy, I recently shot quite a bit of video documenting the camp experience with my co-worker Candice Coots. Here is a piece I produced and edited, of Patrick Christopher, a Cal Basketball player who was invited to LeBron’s camp, among a number of stand-out college stars. I will always recognize him since my Junior year when I had season tickets to Cal games and my friend and I noticed his personal handshakes for each of his teammates in the starting lineup. Can’t forget that grin either. Go Bears!

That’s right, I’m officially moving!  After a trip up to the Bay Area, a visit to the Lair (my second, or maybe third or fourth, home/Cal’s alumni summer camp), and a wonderfully fun weekend spent with a few of my best friends, I decided I had to make the goal a reality no matter how scary it might seem.  As luck would have it, those other three ladies were all looking for new homes as well.  The result?  The four of us, well the three of them (thanks guys!), found a great flat in the Mission.

I haven’t yet seen the place, but I have no doubt that it is fabulous.  It could really be a hole it the wall and I think I’d be just as excited.  It is the people, my soon-to-be roommates, who really matter and are going to make the next year one for the books!  Caitlin, Claudia, and Kara (yeah lots of C sounds to keep straight), I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of friends.

–Kara giving the thumbs up to the new home! (Sorry I don’t have a picture of the outside yet)–

For those who don’t know, the four of us all staffed at the Lair, Camp Oski, together.  We have been tent-mates, teammates, and just plain mates. Now we will be true roommates!  It is going to be a wild and crazy time, and there is no one I’d rather share the ride with :)

One of many team pictures to come…my hair is short now…and not red

Anyone following my blog knows that I’ve been looking for jobs for a few months.  The only not so peachy part of this plan is that I have yet to find one.  Luckily I will be continuing my current position remotely from the Bay until I am able to find full-time employment.  So ::hint hint:: if anyone has a lead hit me up!

In all seriousness though, I am looking forward to this new chapter of life.  It is both terrifying and thrilling and I wouldn’t expect it to be any other way.  I will be sad to leave friends and family at home, but it is something I know I want and need to do.  I am also sad to leave behind my Producer role at LIVE.  I know I have learned/gained a great deal over the past 6 months helping out on the show, and I have met some awesome people who I won’t soon forget.