Lame' LA It's so Shiny!!

There's an App for that

2010-09-14T15:46:00.001-07:00

Oh hello again! I know, it's been years! I have missed you and so much has happened. There was the worst day of my life and all the good days too. There have been many celebrations and laughs with old friends and new friends too. I moved from a box to a garden and have traveled to a new country to visit 'my people', all the while experiencing some great meals and a few crappy ones too. Well, I just wanted to let you know I'm back. I'll talk to you soon! ox

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I love weekends!

2008-04-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was thrilled to pet sit for my friend Lori. She has two handsome boys named Jake and Ringo and they are quite the charmers. Jake is the rottweiler and Ringo is the...pit mix? It was 90+ degrees last weekend so in between scanning the perimeter for squirrels and dancing for food, they napped and watched movies with me. Jake is used to sleeping on the bed with his mom and I am a sucker for a pretty face so Jake slept with me, on most of the bed! I truly love that I am able to hang out with my friend's dogs when they are away because I grew up with dogs and only have cats because they are so easy...not that I don't love my cats and they are unique creatures with so much personality but there is a reason why they call dogs Man's Best Friend.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Baby Cakes!

2008-04-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am one of those crafters who needs a muse to create and though I really try to find projects that I will actually finish, I often start a project and just plain get bored. I am American and want instant gratification damn it! I know this is not the way of the fiber artist so my new approach is to bounce from one craft project to the next until I finish every last one of the 50 or so that are lying around saying "pick me, pick me"! I was just about to begin a Google search for Crafters Anonymous.....until I found a craft I really could sink my teeth into this time!
It was a magical evening at Urban Craft Center. That is when I first grabbed a wad of fiber and a little sharp needle and stabbed the hell out of it until voila! a cupcake was born and I was hooked. So this is felting?! I had no idea that such a thing existed. As a kid I had only used the sheets of felt that I would cut into shapes and usually glue them to something like a card or my little sister. ;) I was amazed when at Natalie's Birthday party we were all given pieces of foam and sharp needles and set loose on the unsuspecting fuzz that would be almost instantly transformed into cupcakes, animals, and basically anything one could envision. This is my new love and I will do it until I finish every project I start! Oh yes, and to my friends I say, move that scarf or 10 that I knit for you over because you will need all that space for some felt food /cat toys /Ipod cozies and flowers, many, many flowers. You can bet I will be stocking up on Bandaids too so hand momma some fresh felt because this party is just getting started!!!! Wooooo hooooooo

Back with a vengance!!

2008-04-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

TaDah!! Yes folks, it is I and it has been soooooo long (November 2006!) and so much has happened. I have moved to Burbank...okay maybe not so much has happened. haha Actually I only stopped blogging due to the fact that apparently my last camera was tired of taking photos. (last time I buy the floor model) Now I have a new camera, thanks to the check from my pops for my birthday, yeah who needed child support or a college education when you can get a shiny new camera! I really love taking pictures so I am going to document my every move. Now you will be sorry my crafty friends who have been reminding me of my blogligation to share the nuttiness that is my life filled with great friends, great times and occasionally crafts! Oh and don't forget all the food, mmmm.
So here is the first of many photos that was taken at Descanso Gardens in La Canada. This was truly a great shared birthday celebration with Maryjo. Our crafty friends Ellen, Natalie, Carla, Lori and Brit spoiled us with beautiful hand crafted gifts and lunch at Joselito's in Montrose. (which is about 5 minutes from away from Descanso Gardens) I have many memories of this part of town from childhood to my move to LA and even a job working at a dress shop in Montrose. My grandparents lived in Tujunga so I have spent time at Descanso Gardens as a wee child. I remember feeding the squirrels and then I remember the signs going up to stop feeding the squirrels which leads me to believe that some fingers were munched. On this visit I noticed there was not one squirrel to be seen...hmm...anyway it was a perfect day to spend in the garden with friends. Thank you ladies, you warm my heart. (please click to their sites to see more great photos of flowers and presents!) Here is what I captured, though I cannot explain how intoxicating the fragrant flowers were, especially the wisteria and my all time favorite lilacs. You will have to visit Descanso now if you want to smell the lilacs before they are all gone. mmmmmmmmm

Time flying again!

2006-11-29T22:51:00.000-08:00

Newsflash, it's Christmas in 26 days!!!! Holly $%*&#@*(!!!!
have been working and being social, (see picture from Create Fixate and
various pictures of adventures from the last 2 months)
I have been to Vegas for Thanksgiving, (see picture of Mom & sisters)
so knitting and blogging have suffered.
But to all my friend stitchers and whoever else pops in, I wish you all a peaceful and fulfilling holiday season.

Trains To Santa Monica - Take 2

2006-09-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

Transportation has always been a problem in the city. Everything from horse drawn carriages to an electric train has graced the streets of L.A. The cable car that ran along Broadway in 1889 was constantly tested by the elements. Heavy rains filled the conduits with gravel or sand and forced the closure of the lines. The cables suffered from excessive wear and the machinery often broke down. Changes took place also with the map of downtown Los Angeles. In 1889, Fort Street, south of First, became Broadway. In 1910, the rest of Fort Street changed to Broadway. Buena Vista and Downey streets disappeared from the map.

It looks like Los Angeles will again have a train that goes down to the beach....in another 4 years. I just want to know if in those 4 years they will finish Santa Monica Boulevard? Now that is apparently some feat. I just wonder how much more gridlock will be created while said rail system is being constructed...hmmm we'll see.
I am however very excited about the Griffith Park Observatory re-opening. It is a gorgeous art deco structure and the views are spectacular. I will be looking at it tomorrow from Runyon Canyon on a final hike with Michele and all those who wish to join her and then lunch and cocktails afterwards and then she is gone home to PA on Sunday.
I would like to think that Michele will be like the beloved Observatory, taking some time to refresh and renew and like the cable car, she will again return to Los Angeles and we will rejoice and we will ride all the way to the beach.See ya then M. OX

WO CU

2006-09-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

That is the name of the band that opened for Beck Tuesday night but is really beck's band in wigs and 70's garb and they are great! Drummer Matt put Anna and moi on list and it was at a club in Hollywood called Element , formerly Blue, around the block from Micelli's restaurant where they sing to you while you eat. It was fun but I was so sleepy the next day because I have been going back and forth between my house and where I am pet sitting & garden watering.
Boy is getting up and running the dog cutting into my sleep schedule and tonight I missed SnB because I had to do a good watering, that is not right. I missed Michele's dinner at Mc'Cormicks too but I will see her possibly tomorrow night but hiking Runyon Canyon and lunch Saturday for sure and then she is gone...for now. I can't say enough how much I and the friends she made will miss her...Waaaaa
Oh and just in case I don't get back on the computer in the evening when I have time to blog, Sunday is FREE MUSEUM DAY !! tomorrow at lunch I will go see the Stan's Cafe exhibit. Sure it looks like a bunch of rice but it sounded intersting when I saw it on the SCC calendar and everyone that has seen it thinks it's really cool. Go before it is turned into feed for animals, in a couple days.

What Happened?!!

2006-09-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how time flies, and I used to think my Grandma was sippin the sauce when she used to say it goes faster the older you get but she was right about that one.
Now let's catch up on the last month: Have been asked to work full time at the Skirball, though still temporary but I have my claws in them now! We will see if they offer me a full time position by the time the temp gig is up. Non-profits have to find the cash for it but trust me, they can afford me but can I afford to keep eating all the fattening food that is always around? I do love the nifty high tech coffee machine that allows you to choose a flavor and makes a cup in 6 seconds. Yum.
I had around 87 Birthday's this month and My older sister was here for her yearly California Birthday vacation and we went to Redondo Beach and got more pearls (our ritual) and had a great time, then D & J headed to Santa Barbara. I have been house/pet sitting for N for 2 weekends and V for 10 days and will be at V's for another week starting tomorrow. I have been having summer fun with the neighbors and friends; barbecues, rollerskating at the beach, cocktail parties etc.. Last week was one of my good friend's Birthday's and we went to the Standard hotel downtown at the rooftop barfor cocktails and swimming and then headed to The Belmont for happy hour where I was officially dubbed a Belmont Barfly for spending 3 consecutive happy hours. Is that a problem? NO, but they might have to order more crab legs!
On the home front, the roommate it cool but the apartment is up for sale and that would make it 4 owners in 10 years IF they can get someone to buy it sight unseen and let me tell you, we will be sure to tell them all the problems the place has.
Tonight is Totally 80's night at the Hollywood Bowl! 8 of us are packing our bottles of vino and eats and heading over for a night with ABC, Human League and Psychedelic Furs and the MC is Jane Wiedlin. There will also be Karaoke en mass. Sweet. I am getting out the fishnets and Aqua Net for this one! Michele is heading back to PA in a couple weeks so it is her last Bowl show and tomorrow the girls (and Sam) are heading to Redondo Beach for her last dip in the Pacific and I am treating her to a pearl dive too. I'll miss her but I am secretly hoping she comes back, they always do and I am proof of that. Oh, and I have been knitting some purse ideas so more on that later.
Everyone have a great official end of summer weekend and to all my Jewish friends, Happy New Year or La Shana Tova! Yeah, I work at the Skirball.

Bad Bad Blogger!

2006-08-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

Now where have I been you might ask? I have been going back and forth between 2 places to look after a friend's 4 pets and watering her lovely garden, I have been working M/W/F at the Skirball Cultural Center as an admin. assist. (I't's Lori's old job so I call myself Lori's stunt double) and trying to collect rent from my new roommate, (hello it's August 15!) so now I am kicking him out and moving someone else (older and wiser....) in. I shoud've known, 22 with a good job, education and family is still 22. Damn spoiled brat! Anyway, I have also managed to go skating at the beach, lounge at the pool at the Renaissance Hotel, sing karaoke at Sardo's in Burbank, go to Michele's Birthday dinner at McCormicks and go to a fashion show / dancing event. I have to go get my stitch on at SnB this week so I hope to not have any more drama to deal with....or else!

Sunny Side Up

2006-07-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's a scorcher alright and with no relief in sight. I got a call from Natalie this morning from her landline as her cell went to work with her hubby to get charged because her power has been out since Saturday!! As I write this I am wondering if it is back on by now? She said her 90 pound dog also went to work because he hadn't stopped panting and when we spoke she was about to call a cab to a friend's place with air because her car was trapped in the garage, so not good. I guess it could be worse, like if we were in the super humid south. Lori pointed out that there were some places around Universal City that had no power but of course Universal was all lit up, I guess they are a higher priority...lame. Natalie aka Pioneer woman, I hope you are back in your home in air conditioned bliss and I will be right over!
I really feel for the little critters. My cats just lay around all day, nothing new but now they just look at me like, help...I brush the hell out of their fur coats and could stuff a couch with all the fur but they continue to shed. You would think we had lived in Antarctica over the winter!
I actually went to the valley (on purpose) Friday night and stayed until Sunday afternoon. I was dog sitting for a friend as they went to Disneyland for the weekend. (replace happiest with sweatiest place on Earth) I basically stayed in their air conditioned apartment, swam and took the dog out for quick walks just as he was starting to cross his little legs. It was so gross out and I could see the lightning that was going on over the hill but no rain or storm made it to Sherman Oaks. I pretty much felt like Arizona in monsoon season and I was again so glad that I moved back to LA 9 years ago. By the time I made it home my place had power but was super hot so I took a shower and headed to the Hollywood Bowl for the Flaming Lips concert, meeting up with Mark, Michele, Tristan and Lori. Now I love the Hollywood Bowl and I love that it cools off at night and I have to bring a sweater to put on by the night's end but last night was sweater free and sticky, so disappointing. If we weren't having so much fun with our fellow concert goers it would've sucked. Both opening bands were fun and we were so excited that there were free glow necklaces and by the time the Lips went on we had gotten about a 1/4 mile chain connected that stretched about 6 sections. It was like hands across Americal or something! Well maybe not but the show was being filmed for a DVD and there were all kinds of big balls bouncing all over the crowd and confetti flying and onstage were a bunch of Santas and Aliens and chicks that were topless but had their boobs painted, so crazy. It was hysterical when head Flaming Lip, Wayne told everyone to toss those glowrings and around 18,000 people tossed them all at the stage! He remarked that he thought there were only a few hundred out there, haha that must have been a surprise! We started to head out before the masses and stopped as the band broke into War Pigs by Sabbath and on the big screens flashed pictures of Bush and Cheney and bloody carnage. The crowd went wild! Great job guys but next time would you do something about the heat or maybe pass out popsicles too!

Rockstar popsicles

2006-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

After a week of dealing with losing my cell phone and having to find all the numbers to re-input, and the sleep deprivation from job hunting stress and the icky heatwave, I went across the street to CBS to see the taping for Rockstar Supernova with Mai. We had the VIP treatment, which means all the free snacks and drinks (no alcohol) and we didn't have to stand in the heat in line but rather sat in the sub-zero sound stage. The seats were behind the band but facing the contestants and the guys goofed around between takes so we got to see them up close and personal, not like the picture of me and Tommy Lee from way back but close enough to laugh at his funny faces and the guys joking off camera. The contestants all sounded pretty good and I am convinced that the winner will be Dilana but I really like Lukas and Magni too. The house band is great and for the most part all the songs the contestants chose were good. Brooke Burke is about the worst part of the show as she is so boring but she is pretty so there you have it. The 3 hour taping will be condensed down to the one hour show so check it out tomorrow night at 9:00.
Friday I went downtown with Natalie and Carla for most of the day. We started at the flower market followed by a great lunch at the Grand Central Market (love this place and has been around since 1917) and ended up at Michael Levine's for sewing/yarn stuff. We ended the day over Natalie's for some flower arranging and snacks and Natalie prepared "Santino Slings" for us as we watched the new Project Runway on Tivo and did some knitting. If I had a job, I could do this more often...maybe not on Friday but more often. I better go send out some more resumes. Cheers!

Not so Royal Flush

2006-07-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

I managed to have all kinds of fun over the holiday weekend and not get burnt or lose fingers! I to got my new roommate in the nick of time and he moved in Friday and I am happy to report that he is normal, friendly, has a good job and it gets better, he works at a hotel so he is going to get the cleaning ladies over for next to nothing, the hotel repair guy to fix the dryer and paint for next to nothing, he has connections at hotels all over with amazing discounts should I have a job soon and can travel again AND his Grandfather has a store like Home Depot in Downey and he gets a giant discount!! Now that is exciting, I can't wait to waste more money on this apartment that I don't own....So what does this apartment have to offer this young lad, you might ask? Let's see, he moved in as it was hitting one bazillion degrees and after settling in he used the toilet for the first time and as he flushed it, it blew into pieces! Welcome to your new apartment dude!! Truth be told, that toilet had a drip from the tank for eons and the slum lord tried to fix it and it still dripped and he lives in Australia so I just put a jar under it to catch the drips and as a result the ceramic was compromised and viola! Toilet broke, water gushed. Luckily I have 2 bathrooms so we waited until after the weekend and have a shiny new one in there as of today....what next??

Back to the fun, I got a call Friday from a friend who was going to play conga drums for an acoustic duo who play rock covers, if you can imagine that and it was the first time I had gone all the way to Burbank for something other than a trip to IKEA! I was really surprised to see so many restaurants and little bars in the place of all the old shops. I remember when my Grandma used to take me to Burbank to get my Patton leather shoes when I was 6. Years later I only remember Bobby McGee's, Bicycle Club and Black Angus as the places to go...yeah, it's been a while. I have to say that I really liked the Burbank Bar & Grill and they had a terrific patio to relax and have cocktails and watch the band. I even had an order of calamari that was great. I will definitely have to do BBG after the next IKEA trip!
Saturday I tried not to move much and later I was invited to be my friend Scott's beard for the night! I love him, so funny. We met the 3 other couples for dinner at a great Columbian restaurant on Melrose called LaFonda Antioquena It was amazing, so amazing that I ate meat! (chicken) and there was nothing without meat on the menu so it was that or starve...as if. I had the Milanese and the gang had pork, beef, some fish stew thing (It didn't look good to me but D said it was amazing) everyone was pleased and full and mine was so huge that I took half home with me. (Be sure to go check it out soon as their landlord is kicking them out. Booo) Afterwards we headed back towards Weho and stopped at Lucy's El Adobe across from Paramount Studios. This place has been there for years and click the link to see which stars would mingle at the El Adobe. We were going to have a margarita in the patio bar but decided that we would skip possibly being infected with West Nile Virus as the swarms of mosquitoes were everywhere, guess that would explain why we had the whole place to ourselves! We went inside and enjoyed the margaritas and conversations. I will see the peeps again this Friday for C's going away party.
Sunday I pretty much stayed in my room with my air on and I actually got the whole room almost organized, almost. M&M picked me up after work and we went to visit the Belmont. (I know they missed us) Some of their co-workers met up with us and we had a great time and I had my pound of snow crab legs for $7 so I was content indeed! I love that happy hour!!
The 4th of July was spent with M&M eating, big surprise and swimming in a perfectly refreshing but not too cold pool. Mark's co-worker Anna had a party and I must have eaten about 10 of these Russian cabbage filled and friend dough things, I forgot what they are called but I can assure you I will find them at the Russian market ASAP. The food was all great and so was the company down to the 4 month old shitzu. Now those are truly the only wrinkles that are cute. I got home and had to nap before watching fireworks out my back window. I think I was watching Culver City and then Marina Del Rey displays but it wasn't too bad for not leaving the house. And that was all I could squeeze in and if my camera would allow me to unplug it from the wall I would have photos of all the festivities but it thinks new batteries are old so it looks like you just get to read and click links and count how many spelling mistakes I make. Thank goodness Mrs. McDougal (RIP) doesn't read my blog!

Blogspot Sucks!

2006-06-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

I tried to post a big picture of fireworks but of course this site only loads pictures at random, sometimes small like the SnB wig pictures that needed to be larger and sometimes doesn't load pictures at all, very annoying!
I shouldn't complain because at least my computer and internet are working these days, thank to Mark & Tristan. I do hope everyone has a terrific long weekend. Here are some things I have learned from 4th of July's past:
1. If you are heading out of town be sure to bring good music and be patient while in traffic.
2. Take loads of sunscreen, my holes where skin used to be beg you!
3. Stay hydrated because heat stroke happens and alcohol doesn't really count as life sustaining fluid so just drink as much water as alcohol, you are going to pee alot anyway!
4. Steer clear of the man with the apron on, pitchfork in one hand, gallon of beer in the other
5. Do whatever it takes to go home with 10 toes, 10 fingers, all your eyelashes and eyebrows
6. Give a hoot, don't pollute! Go see An Inconvenient Truth

NOW GO HAVE FUN!!! WOOOT!!!!

Good Girl, bad kitty!

2006-06-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

Last week my niece Amanda was on her way back from driving a friend to Sacramento so she stopped by and we spent a day and a half together. She is a vegetarian and I always try and take her to try new types of food and she hadn't tried Vietnamese so we went to Absolutely Phobulous on La Cienega and then of course we had to get a sweet a couple doors down and Boule. Lunch was tasty and she loved it. She chose a couple chocolates to try and one was delish and one tasted like barbecue sauce, nasty! I stuck to my favorite pistachio macarons, they are always good. I dropped the kid off to take a nap and I went to an acupuncture appointment. Ahhhhh That evening we went to Farmers Market and had some pizza and on the way home stopped into Cost Plus to get a Lava Cake mix for dessert and I happened to see a couple green ottomans for 75% off from the retail $60 so I had to get them and when I got home Dexi promptly made herself comfortable and as you can see she wasn't moving and anyone who tried would be struck down with laser beams! After going into sugar commas we hit the sack an in the morning I took her to IKEA because it just wouldn't be right to send her back to college (NAU, 1st year in college, Sophomore, Straight A's, Environmental Science & Women's Studies) without a car full of Swedish rector sets, good luck building that loft bed Kid! As you can see I am the proud aunt no matter how big her tattoo is! LOL It is actually really detailed and not quite finished, much more color coming. Mandy has a good head on her shoulders, knows what she likes and I know she will do many more great things. Love ya Manda Jane.OX

"A nation's progress can be judged by how they treat their animals." - Gandhi

2006-06-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

I was just flipping the channels (that would be non cable channels) and we have your 2-13 and 28 and 58 which are my 2 favorite channels as I can actually learn something! I was watching a repeat of a show I had seen a couple years back about Pale Male, the hawk that settled in Central Park in 2002. Nobody knows where he came from and why but he is still hanging out in the big apple and has had offspring and it is truly a remarkable story, not only of nature not being pushed aside but also a story of irony, as the park is entirely a man made forest. I love this and when I see opossums walking along the fence of my apartment it doesn't make me cringe but makes me smile and hope that these little guys can make it in the big city. Sure, they may not be as beautiful as Pale Male but they were here first and having survived and thrived for 70+ years (my place is circa 1927ish) I don't mind at all. I think maybe they have been surviving on the Canters leftovers...

3 times a lady?

2006-06-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Scary, scarier scariest! Last night I found that It doesn't take much for me to look like a man, a bimbo (okay, I knew that one from the 80's) and a chicken. That's right, and tonight I think I will go out with myself for wings....heh

You're The Tops!

2006-06-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

I was laughing so much last night at Stitch n Bitch that I think I woke up with another smile line! How great is it when you can get a bunch of knitters and crocheters to show up in crazy wigs when it isn't even Halloween, props to Natalie (aka Brittney Blow up Doll) for suggesting Wig Night and to Larry for taking great shots of all in attendance and Ellen for posting all the pictures on her website for me to steal for my blog and we must not forget all who brought sugary treats. I loved all the looks and have some names for a few of these looks like Heshry (Jeffrey), The Wiglets, The EasterEgg Heads, Daddy-O & Kitten, and Scaralyn haha, I crack myself up. Lets do it again real soon!

Cute and not so cute.

2006-06-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

Upsidedown snaggletooth catapuss DC has been helping me surf the internets for jobs and roommates but he too is exhaused with sifting through all the crap out there so he decides naps are more his speed so I am on my own again. I did another mass email to friends and got some freelance stuff while I look for the perfect gig so that will keep me from losing my mind and more importantly, DC won't have to return to the streets of Hollywood where he came from 13 years ago. Those furballs don't know how good they've got it! I am interviewing more possible roommates lately and have 2 tonight. The woman that I was supposed to meet last week ended up not being stable and her family put her in an assisted facility. Woah, that was close. I guess that my comment about finding a roommate through friends and not someone crazy on craigslist was a bit ironic. I am confident that someone cool is out there looking too so fingers crossed on that one too!
As far as the knee goes, I can't tell if it is getting better cuz it's still sore but I must say it's very colorful! Not exactly a good look for going on job interviews in a skirt and wearing shorts always draws some looks especially from the elderly on the DASH bus. I can only imagine what they are thinking, "The poor, clumsy dear, I hope she doesn't break her hip" or " She should not date that man". One good thing is I can't workout too much until it heals or isn't so sore, I mean darn I can't workout intil it heals! hehe

Long Time No Blog

2006-06-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

What a couple weeks I have had. I was house and turtle sitting (picture of Flash Gordon, the female turtle) up in Beachwood Canyon for a couple weeks and that was nice except for the one day I used the car offered to go to work a day in West Hollywood at the floral design studio and when I went to go home the alarm kept going off for no reason (and 2000 VW Passat has no kill switch, yeah) and long story short, I had to pay $85 to have it towed to my house and it sat there for 3 days and then decided work! Great, I worked for free, took the bus to the dealer to check out the keys for nothing and then when I told the owner the day before he came home, he said it has happened to him too and the dealer doesn't know why. Booooo I'm hoping when I see him tonight for a Birthday party, he will be reimbursing me because I am still looking for a gig and it is getting scary as the bills come in. I also had my cell phone fry for no reason and that was 4 days of waiting for a new one in the mail and then it didn't work and then I took it to the Cingular store and it was just the sim card, great. You would think they would've suggested that first. Duh. Oh, and the farting, burping, loud talking (mostly complaining), even louder TV watching, unevolved roommated told me he was going to move out at the end of this month. Thanks for the advance notice but then that would've been considerate and as you can see not a trait he possesed. Good riddance loser. I also took a spill on hollywood as I was walking and reading the star of Tallulah Bankhead and am still sporting a nice bruised knee! Not my month I guess. On the roommate sitch, I have sent out the word to get a friend or friend of a friend and have one so I will meet her this weekend so wish me luck so it appears the dark cloud has lifted so I expect to get a good job this week too....I should play the lottery!

Flounder, tastes like chicken

2006-05-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

So, hi there! Two great laughs (as always) at Stitch n Bitches later and I am still trying to conquer the computer meltdown. Yeah, at this point, it is a negative but looking up. ;)
In my attempt to just post (spam) my resume at my fingertips while uploading things for sale etc.. and utilizing my neighborhood resources (free internet) , I have managed to tour the library system of Los Angeles county, including Fairfax, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills branches. (I am still a fan of Downtown as it is by far the loveliest and with so many places to eat within walking distance)
Back to the resume dilemma at present, it is still not on the internet but in my library travels I have: 1) tried to use memory stick but Fairfax could only accept floppy, hello 2006, floppy! (trip one) 2)Returned with floppy purchased at library for $1.50 but the library won't allow you to use the word processor and switch to the internet or load as an attachment , should've stopped at floppy! (trip) 3) One library only allowed 10 minutes per connection (Bev. Hills). (trip 3, I'm going to the beach! S.M. library is a very bright and airy library but I would suggest more air circulation in a large space with many folks on machines, yeah, summer coming pe-eew) I also tried to upload the elusive document and send from my roommate's computer but couldn't open, different program! Aaargh, oh well what are you gonna do? I guess you have to give me an A for effort and if you have any Ramen in about a week, I'll have a donation box at Stitch n Bitch. heh Everyone have a safe, fun weekend and wear sunscreen to all those bar-b-ques!

Day 1-3

2006-05-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

My days so far: Got my hair did, got my skin froze, bought a wifi card that doesn't work and my camera won't hold charge! Waaaa I did rediscovered how much I love the library and walking through the park to get there is a bonus. As for the getting paid money for work, so far no go. Looking forward to day 4. (Stitch N Bitch)

Paper or Plastic?

2006-05-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

I'm sure the letter carriers would secretly like this food drive to go away because isn't it enough that they schlep tons of junk mail daily but now to pick up bags of food too...sorry dudes but this one is easy for everyone to do and good for you too,says my friend Karma. (haha) We've all got that pasta that you don't want to eat or some soup that you are so over from the cold season? Toss it in the bag. Have some plastic bottles of juice just hanging around or you bought way to much rice and you know how a little goes along way, toss it in and feed those in need locally. Let's donate in the spirit of Mother's Day! I'll leave mine at the mailbox tonight and be heading out to camp on the beach then spend the day out there tomorrow and then it is par-tay time for Carla! WooHoo!! Sunday will be a day of relaxing before I go to work Monday, NOT! I will be a free woman so it should all get interesting from here, so I will try and blog often...once I get my internet at home all sorted out. (don't ask) Enjoy the weekend and Happy Mother's day too, and away we go!!

Hummingbird fly away

2006-05-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

How beautiful are these little creatures, so colorful, so fast in flight. It is always a sight to see as they zip about and chirp at each other and then hover beside a bloosom and drink the sweet nectar and then they are gone in a flash. How fragile are their nests and tiny little eggs. I really love hummingbirds and have seen so many in LA and the southwest so imagine my concern last night when I got home late from a cocktail party to find a hummer flying about in the front porch of our apartment and landing on the hanging lamp over and over again. My neighbor said he had been there for a couple days! Poor little guy he couldn't figure out how to fly down under the arch and get out. I couldn't let him die of starvation so I made him some snacks, just kidding, I went upstairs and grabbed a step stool and an umbrella with a vague plan in mind. My plan worked.. sort of. He tried to fly along the wall and finally dropped down on the ground. I went to pick him up and hoped that I didn't give him a heart attack. I walked down the steps with him in my hand as I stroked his soft little feathers and in a few moments he took to the air and flew straight up until he was out of sight. I felt like a Mom for a second as I helped my little one out into the world. sniff sniff, I will miss him. Now I am going to get a feeder so he can come back to visit and I can watch him in the window as I knit little sweaters for his family.

Virgin Suicide or Hari Kari?

2006-05-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

I will be training my replacement all week so I had to give her a project so I could post. Funny thing is that she was one of the Virgins (far left in photo) in The Virgin Suicides that was written and directed by Sophia Coppola. She isn't an actress and didn't want to be in the movie and had them give most her lines away but she is friends with Sophia from growing up in Napa. I liked the movie and I asked her how she dies and she said she didn't get to put her head into an oven but it was a boring suicide, taking pills. I also asked if anyone recognizes her and she said only video store geeks and lonely girls in pet stores. I guess she isn't into acting and would rather slave at a desk all day and hopefully the Doc. doesn't work the poor dear's nerves but she is a nice kid so I hope it all works out because I am not taking any calls!! Okay, maybe emails if she has more questions.
Weekend recap: Friday night Anna and Brad came down from Big Bear and we walked over to El Coyote for Cinco De Mayo dinner, hahaha not! There was a long wait so we went across the street to India's Oven and had a delish dinner right away. Why is it that everyone feels they have to eat Mexican on May 5th and go to an Irish pub on St. Patrick's Day?
Saturday Natalie picked me up and we went to Ellen's and after the tour of her home, (so comfortable and what I wouldn't give for her studio!) and then we were off for a day of shopping and eating, two of my favorite sports! Good Times read all about it.
After the full day, I went with Mai to meet up with 9 others in Venice for dinner and then we went to a club in Santa Monica and there were 2 great dj's and we danced all night. I left with some new blisters on my toes but it was a fun workout. Sunday I relaxed and did some cleaning and knitting and even practiced making another crochet granny square. I love weekends. I guess not having a job to go to will feel like a long weekend...until I start to stress out about paying rent and bills but hey the universe always provides...ya hear me universe...hello..

Ride Like The Wind

2006-05-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

My older sister still tells of the time when I put a towel as a cape, jumped off a bed at my Grandmother’s and fell on my head because I wanted to fly, yeah child genius right.
I have always loved flying, not so much the tension of hoping for a smooth landing, but the feeling of weightlessness when riding in balloons, parasailing, roller coasters, helicopters, small planes and jumbo jets. It makes me smile and sometimes laugh hysterically, depending on the speed and crazyness of those operating the vehicle. I once took a ride across Lake Mead in a speed boat as I held on for dear life and couldn’t turn my face if I wanted to as I watched the gauges on the giant engine reach 90mph. What a rush! I love the wind upon my face and as far back as I can remember, my bike was my best friend and it was just natural for me to take to motorcycles. When I was about 11 we began to ride at the dry lakes outside of Vegas and we had 2 nifty little Yamaha bikes called Chappy that were more like a moped and only went 35mph at max speed with 3 gears. Later we could ride the larger and faster dirt bikes but the Chappy was still a favorite. I haven’t driven a motorcycle in years but on occasion ride with the only 2 people I trust as they have both been racers most of their lives, Juppy in London and Buddah here in LA and I jump at the chance to hit the road and have the wind in my hair (tangles to rip out later) and smile on my face! (always remember to close visor off to bugs) Here are a couple new pictures of bikes I quite fancy. The uber cool crochet bike Ellen emailed me and an army bike with sidecar. I can just see me and my cats in their little goggles just cruising the hood in this one, yeah everyone will stop and stare at Petsmart! Weeeee

Sit on It

2006-04-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

So I told you that I gave my notice Monday and my boss took it well but what I didn't expect is that he can't seem to express enough grattitude for my being here for 3 years or maybe it is a plot to lure me back with presents! Since informing him of my plan of escape he has given me acupuncture (told me to come anytime for just $15 a session!), taken me out for a great sushi lunch and given me an antique Spanish colonial chair that I had admired a couple years back at his old home. I should quit more often! This is not a picure of the chair(I couldn't resist the puppy in chair, awww) but it is similar,wider, more like a Spanish colonial directors chair. Sure I tried to say no but he insisted as it was in his garage just hanging from a rafter and he said he wanted to give it to someone who would enjoy it. He aslo told me that he tossed a $4000 painting when he moved out of this home into his rental to avoid paying the capital gains taxes, he threw away the painting because he said he didn't want to deal with it, well you can understand why I am leaving as the man does crazy things like this (and my salary sucks). I would've sold it for him, for a fee of coarse. Regardless, I am loving my chair and now I have to find the perfect place for it and actually get rid of a couple pieces of useless furniture that have been taking up space. I see a yard sale in my future.

Yesterday was such a great day, I might add, not only did I get off early, eat sushi, get a chair, go hike Runyon Canyon, go to happy hour and eat a pound of crab at $7 but I also went to hang for a while with my favorite gals at Stitch n Bitch! I can always count on some great conversation and laughs with this bunch. I so look forward to our weekly gathering and I try hard to never miss a week because it is truly that much fun. You girls rock!

This weekend will be a bit of a juggling act on my part. I have friends from London and Sedona here at the same time so I can't imagine getting much cleaning in at the apartment, oh shucks I will just have to do it next weekend, oh but it looks like I already have plans for next weekend too! (yes I am the queen of procrastination when it comes to chores) I might have to entertain as that is when my cleaning super powers kick in but for now, bring on the fuzz bunnies because I'm a social butterfly and I can fly right over them with ease! Shout out to my peeps, ya'll have a great weekend! OX

Oh Happy Day!

2006-04-25T14:12:00.000-07:00

First of all, I finally gave my notice so I will soon be free from the evil world
of the mundane and off to bigger and better endeavors. YAY, but the really important tidbit of the day is that those great guys Ben and Jerry are offering free cones all day today, everywhere! (well mostly, as some of the franchises are being stingy) You better get out there and celebrate the creamy goodness and you have till 8:00, that is about how long it will take me to pick just one flavor...Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia or maybe one of the new flavors??? The possibilities are endless and we all scream for Ice Cream!! Mmmmmm

Princess of Grace

2006-04-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Friday night I put on a fancy frock and at 8:00 the voice on the other end said, "Your chariot awaits you" and indeed, when I opened my door there stood my handsome escort with hand extended, we embraced and I was placed in the carriage as the court (read cars waiting to pass) patiently watched the romantic interlude, all the while praising the gentleman as the tears welled in their eyes and they breathed a sigh of relief with the hopes that this Lady was again ready to accept suitors. We arrived at Grace restaurant and were seated at the best window table as handsome bestowed compliment upon compliment, "you look beautiful" and "you look happy" as we toasted being together. Our waiter was ever so patient as he sensed this would be an all night affair and by night's end we would all be laughing like old friends. The wine flowed along with the beautifully paired dishes, each course more exquisite than the last, ending in agreement to share a favorite, strawberry shortcake and insisting the other must finish the very last bite. Three and a half hours later the evening came to a close and I was returned to my castle and as the handsome prince drove off, I was struck with the bittersweet realization that as perfect as he was in every way and how much we enjoyed each other's company, ours was a love that could never be, for his heart belonged to another............named Scott and that is the end of my fairy tale. (heheh) The End. Love you Clifford!

Who Knew?

2006-04-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

How cool is this! Ellen brought me a shiny bag and pencil (I love all things shiny) from The Atomic Testing Museum in my little hometown of Las Vegas. Okay, not so little anymore and as much as I love visiting my family, I can't stand the place. It's hot and windy or it's cold and windy and there is nothing to do but drink, eat and shop, oh yeah and throw money away on gambling. You have to go miles to find any sort of nature and even the man made Lake Mead is being sucked dry. Sure it is a 24 hour city but I'm not convinced that is a good thing and can I tell you that Nevada is one of 3 states that doesn't require sex offenders to register and certainly doesn't share the info with the public. Now that is truly scary but I digress... When in sin city I often find myself looking for something new and iteresting and since everything is pretty new with all the old having been demolished, it is a good thing when a little of Vegas' past or dare I say "culture" is preserved for educational purposes. I bet (I'm so Vegas) there is a majority living in Vegas that haven't a clue that Mercury is still a functioning Test Site about 2 hours outside of the city. My father is a retired engineer from Mercury and my sister worked out there for years and still works for the government and I won't be surprised if one day they will both glow in the dark, okay too much sci-fi movies as a child but I also remember being fascinated with mercury as we would watch it roll around in the palm of our hands, yeah not good. Anywho, I can now add The Atomic Testing Museum to the short list of interesting things to do like the (haha) The Liberace Museum! So next time you are in Las Vegas and lose all your cash but still want something to do, go check out the Atomic Testing Museum, I hear it's the bomb..(sorry, blame the years of blazing heat on my brain)

Weekend Recap

2006-04-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Fun Fun and More Fun! Friday I took off because it was Good Friday and my boss would've had me work so I took the initiative to escape that hell for a day, okay it's not really hell but more like limbo in a dark cave..Anywho, I made sure it was a Good Friday by meeting up with my Friday happy hour diva, Scott and we were joined by Mai, Chris and Nadia to celebrate Nadia's new job working for a interior design studio. We love The Belmont and had about 5 orders of crab and some grilled prawn cocktails and tuna tartar and some, okay alot of wine. Good Friday indeed. (notice my fabu sweater!)

Saturday was gorgeous and I joined Mai for a patio breakfast of my favorite smoked trout with bagels and all the fixins. Mmmm. Saturday night we were joined by Tony and Greg for Thai takeout at Mai's and then we headed to Create Fixate downtown, and when we finally made it, since Greg thought he could outsmart his GPS system and we almost were going to Long Beach,(yes a new breed of men that don't ask directions but now argue with GPS, haha) we managed to meet up with another of my neighbors, Michael, and were glad he joined us as that would've been his wedding day. (had the tramp he was engaged to not cheated on him and left for another man) So we checked out all the artwork and mixed media and did a couple hours of dancing (great DJ's) and avoiding the "Blue Pants Man" who was a creepy character. I will blog a pic as soon as Tony sends them but he was something like...a middle age+ man wearing a white ruffled shirt, light blue polyester pants (with no underwear, yeah nasty) and a pair of low heel black pumps and a purse all the while cruising the place by himself and trying to rub up against women! Aaaaaah! We ran and dodged and hid but he was definately a trip and probably should be arrested. Other than that the night was great fun and we laughed so much I think I have deepened those smile lines so Sunday I decided not to smile but alas I saw the huge and delish spread (even without eating ham) that Lori had prepared for Easter and as ya'll know food makes me happy especially when shared with great friends. Yes, Spring has started out with so much laughter and goodness that I might have to get more facials and fruit acid products! So now I will have to not smile again (which is much easier at work and while keeping up with the news) until Thursday at Stitch and Bitch!

Oh No She Didn't

2006-04-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

OH Yes I DID! This is it kids, my first sweater! Can i get a hallelujah?! It is a copy of the fabulous Michael Kors sweater that costs a lump of cash but this one only cost a lump of yarn and actually fits and I didn't even block it yet. See, here is proof that anyone can do it. All you need is needles, hands to operate needles (notice my limp hands from all the hard work) and your very own Lori to make a nifty chart out of that garble de gook that is a pattern. Thanks Lori!!
I am now looking through patterns for my next project, maybe a skirt and a cute bustier looking halter? I will be wearing the heck out of this one though but you saw it here first and be sure to click on pic to see the detail. Damn it's cute if I do say so myself. Now back to making squares for Lori for Afghans for Afghans and you can bet some squares will have some elements of this sweater pattern too!

Somethin's Fishy

2006-04-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

Fridays at The Belmont, yep that is going to be a new song at some point. I met Scott for our hang and I was so excited that they added a couple more appetizers to the already great assortment but I am convinced they had me in mind for the 1 lb of snow crab and at the happy hour price of $7 bucks!!! It came with drawn butter, 1/2 a lemon a cracker, a little fork and moist towelette. They did it right and I might be going this week before we meet again this Friday. Yum!

Saturday I met the ladies for Stitch and Bitch at Farmer's Market for a couple hours and then went home and got some spring cleaning in while I awaited Anna's arrival. She came down from the Big Bear mountain when everyone else was heading up to get in some late season snowboarding and skiing and we went on some errands. We stopped at a friend of hers for a little while and I was in awe of the salt water tank. Not only did it have tons of colorful fish (our favorite was the half purple half yellow fish Anna named the Laker Fish but the fish were for the most part camera shy) but the amount of....well I'm not even sure what to call them all. Animal or vegetable? They are living and feeding on little bits in the water and reproduce but they don't have eyes or brains etc...or do they?! At any rate, a truly impressive tank and the fish must enjoy looking out over the San Fernando Valley all day too.

So later we went to my house and picked up snacks and laundry (hello, house with good washer and dryer) and went to house sit, in the garden, with wine. Another Big Bear friend of Anna's came over and we had more snacks and wine and it was such a relaxing evening that when we went inside to watch the Ab Fab marathon my sis gave me, well I got through one more episode than Anna who was sawing logs after one. Good times.

Bees and CareRats

2006-04-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my short day to work and I went home to change into flip flops because it was so nice outside my toes wanted some air. My roommate came in from outside buzzing (hehe) about the huge bee hive across the street. I said maybe a queen landed and all her subjects were following her but he insisted it was a hive. I decided to check it out on my way to get the mail from the house I am sitting at. Yep, them there is some bees and they looked pretty cozy. I am not sure if that was a hive or not because I wasn’t going to shoo them away to check. I don’t think it is a hive due to the fact that I have lived across the street 10 years and I would’ve noticed as well as the neighbors surely would’ve seen it before and had it removed as they have children and my neighborhood is heavily trafficked with pedestrians with dogs so leaving a hive 2 feet off the ground and 3 feet from the sidewalk is not smart, which brings me to my next statement. My neighbor is not smart. As I was trying to take a good picture of the (possible) hive, there was a woman with a scowl on her face staring at me like I was standing here naked so I looked over at her and said “HELLO” and she just mumbled and stared so I said “It’s a camera” and she said “what are you doing,” duh woman “I’m taking a picture of the bees” I said, she continued to scowl and then said “you didn’t ask my permission” can you freakin’ believe that! So I said, “These are your bees, really?” of course she just mumbled and I took the picture and then I walked past her saying I have lived here 10 years and have never seen bees and then I closed it with, “Don’t get stung!” and she continued to mumble until I was gone. I can’t Beelieve her nerve, doesn’t she know you get more with honey than sour grapes and beetween you and me, what a Beeotch!!
Now about the Rat(s). With Spring and all the rain we have been having, the flora and fauna is outside in full force and if you live in my building, I’m thinking there is a critter making a home inside my wall but that is yet another story. This story is about my walk home from work on Wednesday just after the rain had stopped and the sun was slowly drying up the last couple days worth of water. I was almost to Santa Monica when I caught sight of a critter sitting in the middle of the sidewalk and as I approached it it just went about it’s business not even noticing I was there. I knelt down and checked it out and it was a baby rat and he was eating tiny little pieces of leaves in the crack of the sidewalk. Now I know how people feel about rats and I don’t especially like to see a rat running anywhere as they tend to do and I especially don’t want to be face to face with the giant New York subway rats as that is not a myth people, they are ginormous but I really don’t hate rats or mice or opossums. They don’t freak me out. As a kid I had a hamster (so cute and smart) as a pet and a mouse and I am the one who catches the spiders and puts them outside. I also tread carefully on my walks so I don’t squash snails and I have rescued plenty lost pets and strays. Apparently I also had this attitude as a small child and my mother had to pick me up and get me away from ant holes, hey I just wanted to play with them. I was often chasing butterflies and the fuzzy black caterpillars that turned into those alien looking locusts that would buzz hours on end in the summer but lets get back to the baby rat.
Baby rat was not hurt and he was not afraid, (possibly because I was wearing a faux fur vest that day) so I put my hand out and he just sniffed and looked at it like “are you my mommy?” so I didn’t want him to wander into the street and get squashed so I got him into my knitting bag so I could move him to a patch of ivy up the street but he was too quick and crawled back out of my bag and that was it. The hopes of getting him out of harm’s way were dashed and he was just imprinted with a fear of humans. He scooted his fuzzy self off behind a restaurant, which is probably where the rest of the litter lived anyway. Sorry little guy but that fear might keep you alive. The end…you can now close your mouth and go wash your hands.

Different Strokes for different folks

2006-03-31T12:03:00.000-08:00

Actually same Strokes and some different folks at the now House of Blues owned, Gibson Amphitheater. (will always be Universal Amphitheater to me) I just love this venue. I have enjoyed many a show here and the place is not ginormous so every seat is good and they have big screens on both sides of the stage for that up close and personal view. The most important part, the sound, has always been consistently great all these years. Julian (singer) also remarked that it was his favorite place to play in LA, so
I guess it works well from that side of the stage too.
As for the show, much better than the OC show. The whole place was bopping to the
music and screaming their guts out so today I have that slight hearing loss thing going on
but it was worth it. Have a great weekend even if it does rain on your parade and your
mascara runs, it’s a look.

Strokes and Jokes

2006-03-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

I escaped the evil job and met my friend Scott for ½ price wine and appetizers at The Belmont. It was great to finally catch up and laugh with him. We have plans to get together more often. I was especially intrigued with his Perricone diet and the will power it must take to maintain (he dropped 25 pounds and his skin looks amazing) but I don’t think I will be signing up for this one. Crazy as it sounds, I can do the liquid cleansing fast any day but a strict daily regiment involves too much planning and not enough options for me as I am not a huge fan of salmon but I did take away some good tidbits of healthy eating information that I will use. Thanks Scott!
Saturday was a pretty lazy day. I pretty much knit all day until around 5:30 when I was scooped up and along with Ryan, Nora, Lena and Tommy, were on our way to The Strokes concert (behind the Orange Curtain) at the Anaheim Pond. On the way we laughed about celebrity gossip, the inventions on that new show and discussed which chain restaurant we would eat at in Orange County. We arrived at 7:00 and hit the Chili’s next to the arena. Not much to choose from for a non-meat eater so I ended up with a black bean burger and after a couple hefeweitzens to wash it down, we were off to the show.
We skipped the first act but got there just as The Strokes hit the stage. We had different seats as Ryan bought up the cheap tickets on Ebay so I sat on the side but close enough to see the band clearly and they put on a great show. They played all my faves and the highlights:Lena's ladies room celb sightining of Drew Barymore, (dates drummer) the cover of Ramones “Life’s A Gas” and front man Julian smashing his mic stand into the monitor, killing it dead! Now that’s Rock and Roll!
Sunday I was in pain from that crappy Chili’s food so what else would make me feel better but to go have great food at Al Gelato,Yay! I joined the usual suspects and we did a great lunch that pretty much stuck in my gut all day and I skipped eating dinner because I figure I just didn’t require any more food ever. After lunch I managed to ride stow away with Lori and Tristan so that I could watch their east coast feed of The Sopranos while getting those knitting tips from Lori on how to finish my sweater. It won’t be long now!

Hair She Is

2006-03-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was so warm and gorgeous, so I soaked it in between going to one bank to close an account and opening another at AFTRA credit union. I don't know why I didn't think of that 17 years ago, duh. I had lunch and got in some shopping too and got home with the intention of going to see my pals at Stitch n Bitch but I looked in the mirror and decided I couldn't leave the house again without a refresher of color on the hair. No wonder nobody knows I am a licensed hairdresser, the way I let my mop go! I am in transition from a life with black hair (yes my real color is super duper dark) and then the semi permanent black to cover the greys for a few years so my top is more red than the ends but you can't tell so much unless I am in the sun as the picture shows. It is kinda punk rock, yeah! Maybe not but one day I will be all one color....maybe.
I am looking forward to another fun filled weekend. Happy hour tonight with the boys, tomorrow night THE STROKES concert, (Yay) and Sunday is all about more friends and food at Al Gelato! Yummmmm, I'll have some creme brule gelato for you too.

High Fashion 70's Stlye

2006-03-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

Look at these coolio mags from the 70's that Ellen gave me! We had a good laugh looking at some of the high fashions of the time and I found a couple cute things that I would actually wear. I see another knit along in my future, that is whenever Lori has time, sometime in 2009 maybe!

2006-03-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

I love looking through old magazines for the advertisements. Hey, remember those soda candles and look who I found, the crying Indian, I think he drowned in his tears because the environment hasn't gotten any better and if this administration has it's way we will be drilling and killing what has remained untouched all these years. Not Good at all.

Happy Birthday to me!

2006-03-21T16:22:00.000-08:00

Another year, another Birthday cake, well a birthday triffle at my fave, King's Head. Fish and Chips delish as usual, triffle not so much but I was honored to spend Sunday with Michele, Mark, Lori and Tristan and we ate and got some culture at the Ashes and Snow exhibit down at the Santa Monica Pier and hit another favorite, Lush at the 3rd Street promenade for some bath goodies too. A beautiful day and lots of laughs, thanks guys! I actually spent my birthday on Monday running errands and doing laundry so it was a good thing that I got all the fun in over the weekend. I also went to happy hour with my neighbors and had a quick visit with sister too.
For a good laugh here are some past Birthday pics from way back when I had no hair and if I grew any, my Grandmother made sure to chop it of crooked so I ended up at a barber to even it out, alas ending with none! Could my cousins look more bored or what? I however, still get as exited about cake. MMmmmmmm cake.

Is Eddie Eddie?

2006-03-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

Oh Eddie, you were once a guitar playing God and cute in a goofy cute way. How I loved watching you play and I even forgave Valerie Bertinelli for stealing you away from me but alas, that
too came to an end. I find it truly disturbing that you have let yourself go so much that you have now become the fragile shell of a man and in fact you are looking more like Eddie, the mascot for Iron Maiden. Even David Lee Roth looks better as I caught him in the Soprano's last season, now that has to chap your hide a bit! I am still a fan, (not for any of the Sammy the squealer years, but that isn't your fault) so damn it man, get a haircut and eat something, would ya! If all the other old rockers can pull it together and breathe new life into their almost forgotten careers, you can do it too. Go Eddie!!
On another note, I still look as young and fab as I did back then...Monday is my Birthday, work with me people! Thank you and have a pleasant weekend.

Rumplestiltskin Awakes!

2006-03-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

Actually this is Christopher Robin, named many years back by the first mechanic to get Chris up and running smoothly. It is a 1979 MGB roadster made in England and I have had it for almost 20 years. This little convertible has moved to Arizona and back and really has been a great car. No really! I paid about $1,100 back then and after all these years I have maybe spent $3,000 in repairs and now I just had a major brake repair to get him back on the road so that would bring it up to $3,600 (We won't count my stupidity for not filing as non operational with DMV so alas I get to pay $500 instead of $200 to re-register Ouch!) but I am still way ahead of all those who purchase new cars or are still making payments on older models. I love my car and even though I am not allowed all the sunshine on my skin (I do have a hard and a "bikini" top too) I will probably never get rid of it.
You might ask why I haven't repaired Chris sooner, well I have been taking Metro and if I really needed a car to go out of town or do a floral design job, I would rent and write it off. I take the short bus to work that is 10 minutes from my door to office versus trying to find street parking as my office only has parking for patients (yeah lame) so by the time I drove and parked it would be around 20 minutes at least, that is 10+ minutes less sleep!
Though I am not looking forward to paying for gas, parking, insurance and the stupidity of those who think their cell phone call is more important than driving safe but I will again enjoy not planning my day around the bus schedule and all the wackos that go with it. I can easily park in compact spots and go anywhere on a whim and if I feel like just driving nowhere in particular, that is where Christopher Robin will take me. (Um, that is, when my garage door is finished being repaired so I can get it out! Yeah, my life makes me laugh till I cry too)

Chex Mix

2006-03-13T14:20:00.000-08:00

You know it's cold when you wake up to find your cats are using you as an electric blanket. I literally had to peel the little one off my stomach so I could get up. Imagine if they weren't wearing fur coats!
Lucky for them the first day of Spring is next Monday and lucky for me as it will also be my 31st Birthday, yeah I said 31st and that is what I'm sticking with for like 20 more years and then I will be 40.....Have a nice day.

Obvious and not so obvious beauty

2006-03-10T15:38:00.000-08:00

These lovely roses were a gift from a patient that had attended a fund raiser and took them home but decided to bring them for us to enjoy since they were going out of town and couldn’t enjoy their beauty. How thoughtful! People can be so kind.
I also thought this picture was beautiful, so it’s a newly discovered species of bug from Borneo but beautiful nonetheless, (as long as it isn't trying to steal my sandwich) more than I can say for the giant cockroach also discovered. (funny how a “pretty” bug doesn’t bother me) Let’s see how long these creatures can survive in a shrinking rainforest….This reminds me of a line in a song my parents had on eight track a million years ago, “I don’t like spiders and snakes and that ain’t what it takes to love me, like I wanna be loved by you” and yes I must agree, please leave the creepy crawly critters to their happy habitat and bring on the flowers (and don’t forget the chocolates) anytime! Enjoy the weekend and don't let a little rain bug you!

Baby needs a new pair of snowshoes!

2006-03-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

People have often asked me if it gets cold in Vegas. My response, it gets freezing. I know it is not an obvious cold but more subtle, like ice on the sidewalks and frost on the grass and (what I hate the most) the freezing wind that feels like little razors cutting at your face. Brrrrr Yes, the desert is cold and Las Vegas is usually too low or just too cold to get any of the white stuff and if flurries do happen, they disappear as soon as they touch the earth. Sure, we had gone on vacations to the mountains and played in the snow but never would we have expected it to snow in our own backyard, not in Sin City!
It did and I remember. (though I was an infant, ahem) It was the first and only time in my life that the snow fell and stuck. It was January 1st, 1974 (not July as pic says, wishful if you have been there in the blistering summer) and it was magical. We bundled up and ran outside. The sky was glowing and the night air was somehow warm as if insulated by the moisture as the soft flakes gradually floated to the ground. I remember running around trying to do what every kid does and catch snowflakes on my tongue. It was eerie, no noise at all, like we were somehow sealed in a snow globe just after it had been shaken. My mother finally told us it was time for bed (buzz kill) and that the snow would be there in the morning. I don’t know that I slept much but I can tell you we were up and outside making snowmen ( I mean, I watched from my stroller….) and having a great old time for that one day, because the snow pretty much turned to black sludge by evening and then the evil wind returned and sludge was once again ice.

$ doesn't = time wasted

2006-03-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

How lame is my job you ask, well for starters, I have been here for 3 years and just today my boss decided to give me a petty cash account so I don't have to ask him for change when that occasional patient pays with cash. Oy. I am wasting away here but I promise you it won't be long until I make my move to a job where I can use my creativity and if I have to do the office thing again, it will certainly more rewarding, like a non profit. Amen.

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent.Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art.
You would make an excellent:
Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic DesignerIllustrator - Musician - Sculptor
The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's" Your Ideal Career?

GOT GETTY?

2006-03-06T14:17:00.000-08:00

I had invited Lori to The Getty Villa and how great was it that the sun came out on Saturday just for us! The view was spectacular and I was so happy to revisit one of my 4 favorite museums. (#1 is the Ufitzi in Florence and #2 Louvre in Paris and #3 Van Gogh in Amsterdam) J.Paul Getty had the museum built to re-create a first-century Roman country house and I have been waiting 9 long years
to return to The Villa. (Restoration started 1997)
They have done a great job and have built so much more on the 64 acre site, like an amphitheater and cafe.
The collection at the GettyVilla has many artifacts dating back to 600 BC!!! We managed to see the whole collection at an easy pace and I was surprised that there weren't tons of people but was definately not complaining!
Lori and I ended our day at the cafe for some pizza bianca and a cocktail as we looked out over the ocean and pondered the history of past civilizations and what they would wear to the Oscars or if the coats of the now extinct creatures they tended would be more like wool or baby alpaka? I know, we are not well!

M & M's

2006-03-03T14:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to help Michele unpack her and Mark's unmetionables but aparently Michele had knomes to help because they moved in Wednesday and everything was already put away! That is impressive. I still have a couple boxes to put away from when I moved into my place in 1997...I guess I really don't need and am really scared to find out what is in those boxes, so I will just leave them to take up space and hide fuzz bunnies. M&M's place is about double the size of their old place and has a loft with a nice view from the hills to Century City but Lori already knows this as it was her apartment until she and Tristan made the move to a lovely new Condo that they are now the proud owners of. Can't wait to see their place too. If I have it my way, I would keep my apartment forever so I will never have to pack and unpack again and when I am fortunate enough to buy, I would still keep my apartment just to avoid the dreaded move, seriously.

2006-03-01T15:23:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that the Getty Villa in Malibu has re-opened after years of renovation. The Getty has an amazing Greek and Roman collection and the grounds are gorgeous! The Getty is free to visit but you need tickets and no tickets are listed available until after July!! I have been checking back daily as they tend to release extras sometimes and I got lucky. You have to snatch them up quick so click on the link and I hope to see you there this weekend!

And Now For Your Listening Pleasure

2006-02-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

Amazing inventor Athanasius Kircher designed this cat piano in in the 17th century. Kitties with differently-pitched voices were placed in the pens and then "triggered" to meow with a sharp poke in the ass. From Kircher's Musurgia Universalis (1650):
In order to raise the spirits of an Italian prince burdened by the cares of his position, a musician created for him a cat piano. The musician selected cats whose natural voices were at different pitches and arranged them in cages side by side, so that when a key on the piano was depressed, a mechanism drove a sharp spike into the appropriate cat’s tail. The result was a melody of meows that became more vigorous as the cats became more desperate. Who could not help but laugh at such music? Thus was the prince raised from his melancholy.

Meeeeoooouch! My cats don't know how good they have it, little poop machines.

That's some Calamari!

2006-02-28T10:18:00.000-08:00

Yikes! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4756514.stm Just another entry in the new things to see list for the upcoming visit to London.

Climb Every Mountain

2006-02-27T15:01:00.000-08:00

I am happy that the rain was not dumping on the weekend so I got in some hiking time with Mai on Sunday. We went up somewhere around 26th Street in Santa Monica which turned into the street Capri where the hike began and we ended up in the Topanga Canyon, not the part you drive through but somewhere in the canyon. We had a good view of a very large home that I have been up to with TFS to do an event. (owned by Mr. Tito, the guy that paid millions to go up in the space shuttle with the Russians) Great property but so so house, you know, if I were in the market. (one can dream) So, I did manage to get in some knitting time this weekend and I am almost halfway finished with the back of my Michael Kors sweater. Who would've thunk that I, miss simple scarf, hat, poncho knitter could grasp such a intricate pattern. I must thank Lori again for making me! haha Actually, I will forever use her neat-o charting to simplify the patterns I am yet to take on. It's all down hill from here....right?!

Moonshadows Moonshadows

2006-02-27T14:53:00.000-08:00

Friday night was a lovely evening in Malibu for a Birthday party at Moonshadows. There was a good DJ and we ate appetizers and had cocktails. Mai’s friend Julie was the birthday girl and she set free what appeared to be a mini hot air balloon that had a candle burning inside it to lift it into the night sky but the wind blew it under the wood pilings that the restaurant was built on….which I can only presume was not the intention. The balloon caught up under the restaurant and everyone was just watching and clapping, hello people, FIRE!! One smart lad finally jumped over and set it free into the night sky and we watched it go up until it disappeared. (hopefully it didn’t land on any of those Malibu homes) Moonshadow’s food was tasty and it’s a fun place to hangout..sans fire!

Awwwwwwwww

2006-02-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

I hope eveyone gets in some relaxation this weekend OR you can come over and clean my apartment, do my laundry, mop my floors and then go over to M&M's to help pack for their move and when you are done with all that Cinderella, you can finish my knitting and pick me up at the beach, after you go skating for me(real fast so I get a good workout)... so that's that what it feels like to be a celebrity... or Paris Hilton!

2006-02-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

How wild is this mural? I pass it on the way to Michele and Mark's soon to be ex-apartment. That is some great work. I remember painting a mural in 5th grade. Our school was behind a shopping center and we got to paint the back side that faced the school's field. The artwork was in no way as colorful or ornate as this one but it was fun to paint with my friends anyway. I remember being so excited as I painted my name in the corner with all who helped paint and thinking that my name would appear on the building forever.....forever lasted about 5 years and then they tore down the place to rebuild a bigger better mall. Now the poor mall is barely making it in an age of megamalls and I bet they tear it down one day and rebuild some awful Walmart or worse...is there worse? That's progress my friends.

Just Can't Fake It

2006-02-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Vote for 3 Day Weekends!

2006-02-21T14:24:00.000-08:00

2006-02-21T14:22:00.000-08:00

My sister Danette came into town, arriving just as I was finished with work Friday and
we began the weekend festivities. We went to the Grove Friday night after dinner and it was not so packed since the rain had just let up. Saturday we went to my favorite place for French pastry, Boule on La Cienega (amazing macarons, éclairs, amazing chocolates and gelato! Yes they are evil) and then we headed out to Redondo Beach for another go at the pearl picking parlor! We picked 6 and I left with a set of black pearl earrings and ring in a great setting and my sister left with a pair of white pearl dangle earrings and a ring for my niece. It is the most fun you can have for $8.98 for each oyster chosen and it’s so cool to see what treasure each one holds when they crack open the shell. We then walked around the pier watching the fishermen and saw a few different (pods, schools, packs?..whateve) of dolphins! They were just cruising around eating and jumping. It is hard to get pictures but you can see them if you click on picture. We also saw a couple that were either seals or sea lions and tons of crabs and even a few pink and orange starfish under the boardwalk. It was a beautiful day. Of coarse we had to head over to Santa Monica for our fish and chips from Kings Head and then more shopping on the promenade.

Going to the Dogs

2006-02-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday we went for a hike up Runyon Canyon with all kinds of people and pooches with the same idea. The view was gorgeous, crystal clear all the way to Long Beach and Catalina and the special added bonus that the rain had washed the canyon so we didn’t have to breathe the dog poo stench that usually permeates the air. (especially when it’s hot out. bleech!) The rest of the day we hit some yarn stores and then El Coyote for a late lunch and a margarita. (FYI, March 13 is El Coyote’s 75th anniversary and they will have a couple combo plates for 75 cents!! More for margaritas! gotta go) Monday we went to Norms (another really old 24 hour diner) for breakfast and Danette headed back to Vegas.
No sooner did Danette drive away when my neighbor called and I went with her back to Boule! (she wanted the macarons, I swear) and then we went to this great Vietnamese restaurant called Absolutely Phobulous a couple steps down the street on La Cienega. I had the green papaya salad with shrimp and it was amazing. (I guess the waffle and eggs at Norms wasn’t enough..hey I hiked Sunday..) Mai had a bowl with rice noodles and pork and it looked de-lish as well and best part, cheap eats! Will go back soon.
We went home and sat in back yard enjoying the warm sun and chatting. My other neighbor came over to bring some truffles that his wife makes and I had to try one. (don’t want to be rude, hehe) Melt in my mouth yummy, I love my neighbors!!

2006-02-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

Later that night I went to Raquel & Lisa’s with Michele for what else but more food! Erica, Tim and Brooke met us and we talked and laughed while Raquel whipped up a great Italian dinner and even sent everyone home with a doggy bag! Rocky Rocks!
What more could I possibly ask for from a 3 day weekend of great friends, family and food? Not a thing. Aaah life is good.

Jack Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

2006-02-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

I was reading the hysterical celebrity gossip blog Trent.com and came across this http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds29146.html and I will have none of that talk, Kiefer!! Jack Bauer is not allowed to be killed off. Please kill off Audrey and the lame-O prez.... and sorry but daughter Kim hasn't even appeared on this season and I already know she has to go (have you seen her act in old episodes?!) but for the love of god don't take Jack away from all of us, your faithfull "24" fans!!
I can say that if Kiefer shows up in my office, that is the kiss of death. I have seen George Mason who took one for the team and went down with the bomb, Nina Myers, who was the best bad egg (fyi, George & Nina married in real life) and our favorite Michelle Dessler, who they wasted no time killing off the first episode of this season, poor Tony but hey he is still alive and if I have it my way, I will make no appointments for him or Jack. Stay away Jack, for your own sake!!

Milk, but Darcy means dark! Mmmmm dark chocolate..

2006-02-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

You are Milk Chocolate

A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds.You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life.Also nostelgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago.

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

BEST VALENTINE’S DAY EVER!!

2006-02-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

Forget the flowers, jewelry and chocolate, (is it possible to forget chocolate?) I got a car for Valentine’s Day! That is right, a car. I awoke and went down to my garage and looked inside and there it was. I turned the ignition key and it started up just like that and the best part of all is that it was so clean and didn’t have a blanket of shmutz! I know that you are saying, “lucky girl” but truth be told, my car has been sitting in my garage waiting for some love from me. I somehow had managed to forget how much I loved driving my fun little car! I opted for taking (for the most part) convenient public transportation to work since parking is a joke and I have been walking home in the evening for the only consistent exercise I get. I am now getting ready to do some job searching and need my wheels and with a stoke of luck last week, I ran into the perfect mechanic. The cute kind that come to your house with all the tools and parts and work all night and you pay them way less than a shop would be and you go to sleep and in the morning they are gone and you cry tears of joy…hmm sounds like a perfect Valentine’s Day! Hehe

Dreamy

2006-02-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

I will always remember the one that got away. It was my sophomore year at Las Vegas High (I swear) and a year before they allowed the lowly freshmen to attend the high school. In the midst of my parent’s divorce, I was a painfully shy gal so I was shocked when on that Valentine’s day in biology class I was sent a flower from the cutest guy on the planet! I almost fell off my chair and I must have turned red and it didn’t get better for the whole class as I dreaded the bell ringing and knew I would be face to face with this upper classman and everyone in the hallway would be staring so what was I gonna say and do? Long story short, I froze, spoke a barely audible thank you and all but ran from Dreamy, never to kiss those perfect lips………….sad wasn’t it? Well, not so much as in about a year Dreamy realized that every girl thought he was Dreamy and he did what any red blooded male would do, he dated them all. Just kidding but he did join a punk band and it was all over, his fan club of girls was buying him flowers! So I dodged heartbreak that time but It is a sweet memory and now if another Dreamy comes along I will not freeze and turn red…slightly pink but not red.

Knitalong Madness

2006-02-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

This is the first of maybe many actually wearable garments that I will make, yeah I said maybe.
I have seen so many beautiful and some funky sweaters and tops but I just stare blankly and start to drool when I try to decipher the code. What the fug would be my normal response to the mumbo jumbo they call a pattern. Until now!? Lori is so kind to try and explain this insane language of patterns to free form knitter, me and why not dive right in with a doozie! This is a Michael Kors sweater from the last issue of Vogue Knitting and I love it. If I actually finish it and it looks anything like the picture, I will be sporting it with some comfy jeans and certainly not black pants as the oatmeal colored yarn I chose is a bit of a shedder. So fingers crossed and I just might be wearing this one soon unless it stays as warm as it has been the last couple of days but I will surely take this with to London in a few months!

Ready to be spit up on!

2006-02-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

Finally finished one of the 2 baby blankies that I have been working on forever! Now all I have to do is put little critters on the second one and mail it off and then I will never knit anything pink again!!!
So if you are planning on being pregnant, please have a boy...thank you.

Gotta Love Bono!

2006-01-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

Yeah Michele! LOL
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4650024.stm

Q & A to pass the day!

2006-01-31T10:28:00.000-08:00

Four jobs in your life: (best to worst)
1. Umm Best Job…..still looking
2. TFS Studio West Hollywood (floral design hysterics)
3. Hits Magazine/Global Satellite Network, Sherman Oaks (music mayhem)
4. Slots-o-Fun, Las Vegas Strip (passed out popcorn to gamblers and alcoholics)

Four movies you could watch over and over:
1. Willy Wonka (original)
2. Sound Of Music (are you seeing a pattern here, la la la)
3. HAIR (it’s groovy) Oh, and Harold and Maude (Cat Stevens before….well you know)
4. Moses and old epic classics usually with Mr. Heston as lead or Sinbad.
(how did they animate so great without computers! Hah)

Four TV Shows you love to watch:
1. Lost
2. Medium
3. 24
4. Grey’s Anatomy

Four places you have lived:
1. Las Vegas, NV
2. Tujunga, CA
3. Scottsdale, AZ
4. Los Angeles, CA

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. London (going back in May or June!!)
2. Paris
3. Belgium
4. Argentina

Four websites you visit daily:
1. BBC News
2 Craigslist.org
3. Trent.Blogspot.com (so funny)
4. The Animal Rescue Site (click on all 6 causes)

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Grandma’s specialties (see previous post)
2. Fish n Chips from Ye Ole Kings Head in Santa Monica
3. Pasta and Gelato from Al Gelato in Bev. Hills
4. Pesto Pizza from Oregano’s in AZ

Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. Anywhere on a vacation
2. London
3. At a day spa on the massage table
4. Skating at the beach

Four bloggers you are tagging:
1. Danielle
2. Deena
3. Ellen
4. Darrell

Now what do I do for the next 6 hours of work!!

GOOD EATS!

2006-01-30T16:04:00.000-08:00

The long awaited feast commenced at my Uncle's up in Sunland / Tujunga and boy was it yummy! My Grandma was in town so what else could we do but put the woman to work in the kitchen, just to show our love for her. Hey, she lives to feed us and we wouldn't want to disappoint.
I went over early because we all love sopapillas and Gram doesn't roll anymore so as I hold the title of the best sopapilla/tortilla roller in the family, I was on it. The menu consisted of Pinto beans, red chili with pork, sopapillas and rice pudding for desert. New Mexican fare at it's finest. I also took my own container for some leftovers and that is exactly what I had for lunch today. I love my Gram!
We had a great time and my cousins, Jody and Steph came over and we all talked for hours and then and I cut J & S's hair. ( because I am also the favorite cousin! haha )
We did learn that the word sopapillas had been changed from something that sounded close to beignets (which are about the same fried doughnut-like bread) and there is also an American Indian word but we call their version Indian fry bread. All of which are tasty and in case you can't get Gram to make the real thing, I recommend the Gumbo Pot (also have a great Mardi Gras celebration) at Farmer's Market with some chicory coffee. Mmm Mmmm!

Good food or Science experiment?

2006-01-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

Fig. 1) I start my day with the lovely green concoction that I mix into orange juice and it supplies me with all the nutrients of eating a bunch of veggies since I don't always get my daily quota. It looks like freshly cut lawn but tastes like spinach and has no taste if mixed in O.J. Good stuff.
Fig. 2) This is a nice try from a vegan restaurant that shall remain nameless. I should've known from the moment I stepped inside and it smelled like something that I hope was broccoli...that this burger looking thing would taste like crap. I have been to some great fake meat places but this one missed the mark. I will continue on my search. Have a great weekend!

Knittin' Kitten

2006-01-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

This is pretty much where you can find my cats and myself for watching our favorite TV shows and while knitting the rest of baby blanket #2. (and hopefully the last PINK blanket for a while)

The second I sit down, Dexi gets comfortable on my lap and sometimes she helps hold the yarn. DC just flops next to my head like a fat furry pillow and falls asleep.

I will be heading out with Lori tonight to The Knitters Studio for a yarn sale so I will have groovy yarn for new projects.

Take Me Back to Last Weekend, Please!

2006-01-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

I was enjoying the garden of Eden!
My friend asked me last Friday exactly what I did while house sitting. I kinda had to show her so we went to my "Job" and I proceeded to give her the low down. For this particular house with no pets, no indoor watering, no outdoor watering and no cleaning lady to let in (until I was gone) the answer would be, not a damn thing! Unless you count watching cable, eating all the great food and chocolate, enjoying the backyard that I love and sleeping in a super comfy bed. Yep, that's about it. I do have to get the mail and daily paper... to read while I sip coffee in the garden. Somebody's gotta do it!

Stop this crazy thing!

2006-01-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

The home that my dear friends lived in and the view from a hilltop behind their condos. All units were condemned and they were forced to pay rent (while still paying a mortgage!) while the 2 years of repairs were made.

It has been 12 years and 1 day since we were so rudely awakened at 4:30am to what sounded like a train going through my apartment but felt more like being in a can that was being shaken and thrown on the ground repeatedly. The horror of hearing things breaking and people outside screaming is beyond explanation. Take my word for it, you never want to experience a magnitude 6.9 quake, though I (along with those who lived through the 1971 quake) am convinced it was bigger and reports were circulating that showed it was. Call it a crazy conspiracy theory if you will but the fact that FEMA would've had to dish out way more funds if it was 7.0 or higher and In the wake of the recent Katrina disaster, let's just say that nothing is shocking.
What was truly shocking was how everyone came together to help one another and Los Angeles was a kinder gentler place for months after the disaster. Of coarse the repairs were made and people returned to their bubbles, some lost everything and moved away and some came back after a couple years (like me) but I occasionally hear the conversations especially around the anniversary, "Where were you during the Northridge Quake?" and everyone takes a turn, some embellish and some just shake their heads and mumble "awful, just awful".

Day by Day

2006-01-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

Another year, another set of ambitions and hopes of becomming a better human being
even if it is impossible to volunteer time to the needy. I kid you not, I have been trying
and aparently there is no need for volunteers in Los Angeles! "What we really need is
donations" and they don't accept clothing or shoes ect. only cash. Um, if I was Bill Gates
I wouldn't be going to VOLUNTEER websites now would I! I am shocked to find that there
are others who have run into the same response. I guess I will just do what I can and seek
out those that do accept "other" donations.
As far as that yearly resolution that millions of Americans make of getting in shape and
losing a few pounds, I don't make this one. I have already paid off 3 gym memberships that
I didn't use! I will stick to eating smaller portions and drinking tons of H2O and as Dr. Weil
recommended, learn how to breath, most people don't get enough air and it's FREE!!!
I came accross this little prayer on another blog:
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord My shape to keep.
Please no wrinkles,Please no bags
And please lift my butt Before it sags.
Please no age spots Please no gray
And as for my belly,Please take it away.
Please keep me healthyPlease keep me young,
And thank you Dear Lord,For all that you've done.

And this would be my response:

And as I pour a glass of wine,
I've earned these wrinkles
and they are mine
and please don't speak of bags and sags
my jeans all stretch, of that I'm glad
A magic potion will hide my gray
as for my belly
sweaters and coats is what I say
If there is one thing that keeps me
young, it's laughing out loud
and having fun
I prescribe to this to this to keep my health
it's what counts and nothing else!

I hope this made you SMILE! Cheers.

Back in the UK

2006-01-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

The weekend was glorious for being out and about so I took advantage of the lovely weather and hit the pavement as soon as I escaped the job on Friday. I had a hankerin for some Indian fare and just a few blocks from my flat is the India's Oven. They have great service, music and the food is great. Hey, Elmer Dill gave it a good review too. I loves me some naan but it is after all, bread. My favorite dish is the veg. korma, so creamy and perfect for dipping naan! I had some raita and biryani and aloo gobi along with a glass of red. I took half the meal home for lunch the next day. What I love the most is the fact that the kitchen is full of people that actually eat the food, yes Indians. I can't tell you how sad it is that many (most) restaurants are so cheap that they won't pay for authentic chefs when they can train any kid to make the food and still charge the patron for the "real thing" even though the dish is second rate at best. Great food is all about alchemy and a chef that never eats the stuff at home and certainly not when dining out can't possibly get it. But hey, I have also been to other countries and seen many an american hit the McDonalds when faced with having to try the native fare. I am guilty of ordering pizza and frites in Amsterdaam but that was beyond my control....heh, but I always try the regional cuisine too even if I can't pronounce it!
The weekend wouldn't be complete without one visit to Farmer's Market and a coffee and doughnut from BOB's. Forget Crispy Cream, Bob's rocks!
Sunday was the weekly meeting of the minds, Mark and Michele, George and Sarah and me. This week we were joined by M & M's neighbor, Cherry and we skipped our fave place with the cheap bloody mary's, mimosas and entertainment for uh, good food. We made the treck to Santa Monica for my favorite fish and chips (that's including all the places I have tried them in Great Britain!) at Ye Olde Kings Head on Santa Monica and 2nd Street. This place feels like a pub and has tons of pictures with the famous who dined and drank there to checkout. We even found one of Black Sabbath from 1974. Ozzy looks so young! I too have been eating my Queen size fish & chips there for around 16 years and take everyone who visits and gives me an excuse to go back for more! The employers and employees are mostly all expatriots from the UK as are many of the patrons. (Santa Monica has a large British community) I can't tell you enough how great the fish and chips are, you must just go, now!

This is only a test

2006-01-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

I know what you are thinking, "finally a picture of something that you have knit" but that was almost not the case as history was almost repeted for the uh, 5th time and you would've had to creatively visualize the cute ensemble in your head.
Some folks have a hard time hanging onto or breaking sunglasses, some lose earrings...okay I do both but that is not what this story is about.
I have been dubbed the camera killer. No, I'm not proud of it and for the record, one camera was kidnapped at LAX. (I still hate you evil luggage screener! Those were good pics.)
For some reason, no matter how carefull I am, I tend to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when it comes to my little picture taking companions and last night was no exception. I won't go into every explanation but let me just give one example. Camera #2: Killed on a trip to Mexico. (I didn't know there was a blowhole right in front of me!)
So about last night, I had camera in purse, purse fell over and was open, I grabbed handle to upright purse, camera went flying, hit pavement, guts fell out. (just the batteries but that's like the guts) I gazed in horror and jumped to pick up parts before a car really killed the little guy. Whew! I put back guts and got nothing. My first reaction was Waaaaaaaa but I went upstairs and put in new batteries and pet the camera ever so gently whilst promising to never let anything bad happen ever again. Lo and behold, the digital gods smiled upon me and the life was breathed back into my soul stealing companion and now I will have many happy years of smiles to document with Mr. Kodak for all to see. Amen.

2006 and Work Still Sucks!

2006-01-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

I’m back at work and the office is a ghost town and coming in is a complete waste of time so let me just utilize my time wasting with a holiday recap so grab the last of that ham some wine!

Happy Hamburger Mary's

2006-01-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was brunch in WeHO at Hamburger Mary’s. This place is so entertaining and the drinks are cheap! Those party animals Sarah and George were still going strong on a couple hours sleep. Michele and Mark (barely) made it as well! Those kids! I was in bed by 12:30, it was like, “Happy New Year Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”. I went to M&M's after eating and watched that Holiday Classic, Being Bobby Brown! We had more mimosas and then I left so they could nap!

Sin City X'Mas

2006-01-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

I went to Vegas for Christmas to surprise my Mom. Mandy was also home from college so it was great. We had Christmas dinner at Danette’s and the rest of the time we spent doing what we do like eating, shopping, eating and my new favorite, playing slots of the video game type. Sure, I am still the biggest loser but it is sooo much fun! I decided to just cruise around the casino and try every machine to see what the animation does. It was actually working in my favor for a while. I would sit down and win and then get up, go to another and win and get up and so on. I got lazy so I would play too long at one and then lose all but we got a few laughs out of it….I will cry when I balance my checkbook later. I managed to escape Sin City without catching a cold from Jay. I had to medicate and hold my breath on the plane ride home since people still haven’t grasped the concept of COVERING THEIR MOUTHS WHEN COUGHING/SNEEZING!! I’m telling you, people are getting dumber.

Let the games begin

2006-01-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

I began my holiday shenanigans with a luncheon with the folks in the office next door. A couple glasses of wine and some good eats and I was on the way. I happened to see Murphy walking to the Grove and after lunch called him to see if he was still around. He was so I joined him for a glass of wine and a bottle later we decided to try a new Spanish tapas and wine bar across the street on Fairfax but they were full of attitude so we skipped it and went to Cobras and Matadors for dinner and a bit more wine. Needless to say, I was not feeling well the next day at work but I made it through the day without incident., thanks to the saltine crackers!

NY Lisa and LA Rodney

2006-01-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

Lisa came into town the week before Christmas for a couple days so I met up with her for dinner at Chao Krung. We love our Thai food! I was glad to get to see her as I had just canceled my trip to New York for the holidays. It was too cold for me! If I am going to freeze my ass off it will be on a pair of skis going down a mountain to the lodge for a hot toddy. I’ll have a hot apple pie please with whipped cream! It worked out well for her as I was going to spend some of my time at her place but her family decided to all meet for the holidays even though she was against it, as she said, “we have done this and we never enjoy it.” I hope this time she had more fun. We went over to Canters for a coffee and I got to snap a picture of the Mayor of The Sunset Strip himself, Rodney Bingenheimer! I can’t tell you how many times I have seen Rodney in all my years in this city and how much I loved the documentary of his life. He is such a fragile and quiet man but he will always be remembered as an important part of the music scene that he helped create. You can still hear Rodney on KROQ Sunday nights 12am till 3am.

Tim's Birthday Pooh

2005-12-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

Last night we had a little get together for Tim’s Birthday. He winged a bit before the guests arrived but it didn’t look like he suffered too much when the festivities were in full swing. I am sure the Jack Daniels helped too. We had fun. With cocktails, pizza and good friends you can’t go wrong. Mark brought Tim a new girlfriend and she will be donated to Childrens Hospital just as soon as Tim breaks up with her. Haha. Have a great 25th year Tim, I know I am.

2005-12-21T10:13:00.000-08:00

Some Hitstory

2005-12-16T15:39:00.000-08:00

It was the late 80’s ,when big hair and spandex were still must haves, that I first was stolen from across Ventura Boulevard and the former home of Metal Blade Records to what was then the home of Hits Magazine and GSN. They seemed like a bunch of lunatics and I felt that I had stumbled onto my new home, okay the higher pay and bonuses helped too but what I didn’t expect was that I would become part of this dysfunctional family for years to come. I should’ve run the first day as receptionist, knowing I would have to yell and run laps around the building because the boss thought an intercom paging system was tacky (what the fug, yelling isn’t tacky?!) and learning of many temps who left at lunch never to return, but noooo I was (and apparently still am) the girl who picks jobs and men with the same reckless abandon, neither of which lives up to the promises. Sure I tried to quit Hits and each time they threw money at me so I stayed until I was loosing my mind. Dizzy from circling the building, I finally left…. only to be sucked back in at the new building down the street ! It was so perty and new and the pink hall was always there for those stressful moments. (many “meetings” were conducted in that hallway cough, cough) In ‘94 the building got tweaked in the Northridge earthquake as did many homes of our family but the magazine didn’t miss an issue. (yeah…) Freaked out, I left again for the desert only to return 2 years later to LA and where else could I work? I had no real skills and was just too damn dysfunctional for the corporate world. (What? Your company has no bagel day, free lunches from Jerry’s Deli or Posto? No free tickets and Cds or drunk club!) I am not the only one who had left and returned numerous times. There is Murphy, Bud and Roy holds the record…and is still there! (one of the 6 people haha) The mag might have evolved as the music industry has but they chose to remain the same and in the process lost much of the very heart and soul that made it unique, along with losing the respect (okay, fear) of the music industry that they once held in the palms of their greedy little hands. Dumb asses.
That being said, here is a little slide show from my camera of the Hits get together last week and some of the same players from days gone by. It was like Drunk Club all over again but we didn’t get kicked out of the bar, oh wait, we did get kicked out! Some things never change.

This is Now

2005-12-16T15:37:00.000-08:00

Hits Babes! We could still rock the Hits calendar if we wanted to!

2005-12-16T15:33:00.000-08:00

What a nice looking bunch!

Then or Now?

2005-12-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

I couldn't tell which one was the old picture until I saw the picture of Bill Cosby on the table because we haven't aged a day........oh shut up! You are just jealous of my Boy George hat and crimped hair!

That was then

2005-12-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

I especially love Angela as Priscilla and I am glad Richard is no longer the bearded lady as his boobs were bigger than mine, the slut!

NOT MY FAULT

2005-12-15T12:43:00.000-08:00

I know Michele, my blog is old and moldy but I have to blame this one on Anna! I guess her sending me the photos from the Hits get together soon meant possibly never. I will try and get some up tomorrow for all my 2 readers. Thank you and have a pleasant day.

Pink Santa

2005-12-09T14:28:00.000-08:00

Don't adjust your computer screen, it's just another season's greeting brought to you from Boys Town, West Hollywood!
Sounds like a new holiday cocktail, "bartender, another round of Pink Santas please." So Last night was the Hits alumni get together at the M Bar and though we didn't see everyone, it was great to see around 50 of the old gang from all the way back to the old building and catch up on all the new jobs, marriages, kids etc..man, some up us have known each other almost 20 years but I must say that we all look mah-velous! I will post the Now and Then pictures Monday for a good laugh.
Enjoy the second to last weekend of Christmas shopping! Oy!

Baby Blankie

2005-12-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

I have almost finished this for an ex-co worker. I just have to add a little fuzzy bunny with a poof tail so the kid can have something to stick in her mouth and slobber on.

Let us now catch up on last weeks happenings shall we.
Thursday night I cut Michele's hair. Tim moved in with his gigantic tele and himsef and we watch Love Actually with cocktails. Cheers Roomie.

Friday is a blur and I don't know why. December does that.
Saturday, did some shopping, got a manicure (thanks Mai) and went to The Cripps for Ian's 17th birthday party. Saw all the family friends and band mates and watched Ian & Veronica jam with old musicians. haha They are both pretty good. And to think, I remember when they were the little kids singing at the Farmer's Market every Saturday for karaoke. Time flies. Sunday I tried to get some more cleaning and orgainizing done and I had to baby my sick furry child DC or as I like to call him Ebisneezer. Nothing like a cat sneezing in your face. Eeew. Sunday night was supposed to be a taping for a Comedy Central show downtown but we got a late start and then hit traffic so we decided to turn around and do happy hour (yep, 7 days a week) at Cha Cha Cha. We ate and chat and George took care of us. I hope someone who shall remain nameless felt better and didn't have a hangover then next day. Those fruity shots will get you everytime!

2005-12-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

How entertaining critters can be. I found these pictures of my old kitty Bing when he was a curious kitten.
I know how he feels, trying so hard to get some reward for all the hard work. I guess you just have to keep an eye on the prize until something gives...and oposable thumbs help too.

Old Buddy(s)

2005-11-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

I came back from Vegas and went to house/pet sit for Kyle and her cute and hysterical 14 year old cocker, Buddy. He needs to take meds each day but is so good about it and sleeps alot but let me tell you he still has some spunk in him. He doesn't see very well and will bump into things especially if he is happy to see you. I told Kyle he needs a helmet!
My old buddy, Anna came down the mountain and we ate and she took me to shop, that is another old buddy, shopping! Anna also has alot of spunk and should wear a helmet.

Busy times, Good times

2005-11-30T11:10:00.000-08:00

I had gone to Vegas to see my family and have an early Thanksgiving with them and hang out. We had a great time eating and shopping and playing the penny slots at a couple of the Station casinos. I am addicted to MILK MONEY and CRAZY NEST. It is way more fun to be entertained with money sucking versions of video games than watching that old wheel with the cherries. I also don't miss the black hands from handling change but it takes away a bit of the fun watching the money fall into the tray. Now there are slots to put in money or your credit card (scary) and when you cash out, the machine prints you a receipt with your total winnings and you cash that in at another machine or the cashier cage. I can only imagine how many jobs were lost with this new system.
Besides the Thanksgiving meal with all the favorites like the green fluffy marshmellow thing, we ate at our favorite Mexican food place and had a couple buffets that were good. Mom and I met Deena and her beau Dave at Joe's Crab Shack. We ate and drank and drank so we could take home the glasses. We had to have some of the big pint glasses that light up like a strobe meets a kelidescope so we had to order the nasty drinks that came with but managed to trade in the others for some glasses as well.

Purple Orchid Licker

2005-11-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

I admit it, I tasted the little dew drops and they taste like honey, no joke! I had to do it and luckily didn't die but this amazing Dendrobium specimen finally, after 3 years of pampering and hoping that I wouldn't kill it, did produce the first of hopefully many more spikes with the sweetest flowers in the universe. I loves me some orchids and have had the pleasure of raising my little alien plants only to be surprised from time to time when a hopeless looking plant just spits out a spike like that with no warning. I do get weeks of enjoyment with others that produce regularly and for some reason I have good luck with the white Phalaenopsis and this speckled Oncidium shoots out a spike from time to time as well. I worked at a foral design shop that created the most amazing floral events and adopted many of my orchids that would've otherwise been discarded and have since fallen in love with them and then I read
The Orchid Thief and was further fascinated with the amazing history of those who search the globe to find them.
I am due for a couple new orchid purchases and I did see some lovely ones at Trader Joes! I will wait until Tim moves in and then I will bring some more little babies home to be licked, err loved.

Yes, the Holidays are upon us

2005-11-09T12:31:00.000-08:00

How nice it was to be a child anxiously awaiting Christmas Eve and thinking of how you could persuade the parents to let you open a present or two before going to sleep and then trying to stay awake to catch a glimpse of the fat man dressed in fuzzy pajamas bearing gifts, oh but the eyelids were too heavy to accomplish such a feat.
How easy it was to jump out of bed at the first sliver of a sunrise to begin the job of terrorizing the parents until they too dragged their butts out of bed to let the unwrapping ceremony commence! Sure, there was the occasional bad orange outfit from Grandma and those jealous moments watching your siblings get more or “better” gifts but the outfit was soon hidden in the closet and your sibling was to small to protest against sharing her toys so all was well with the world. And Thanksgiving, oh the food you would scarf down was heavenly and made more delicious when sharing the meal at your Grandparent’s home with the whole family And so it began year after year after year...
Soon the toys were left to collect dust and those trips to family holidays happened less frequent as parents tried to make ends meet and the children got too big to be so spoiled with gifts but that was okay as there were more important things in life like ridding your bike, with dog in basket, all day until the sun set and talking for hours on the phone with friends. Little did you know how you would long for those sounds and smells of the holidays gone by.
It’s rainy days like today, when you realize you are just a couple weeks till Thanksgiving and a mere 6 and a bit weeks and it’s Christmas again! You will certainly enjoy the Thanksgiving meal with dear friends and their family but you would give anything, even if it meant wearing that ugly orange outfit, just to live it all over again, just one more time.

2005-11-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

I didn’t go to the WoHo Halloween festivities because, well I’m sane, though many might think otherwise. I got home from a day of work and it was dark when I left and that pissed me off from the start. Why can’t Cali be like Arizona and just ignore daylight savings time?! I had a bite to eat and started to throw together another costume and just as I was finished with the makeup, I heard on the news that they estimated close to half a million people would turn out or come out, I guess both. I dropped that and decided to start to knit another hat (picture is first one) and watch The Medium marathon. Good show. I did manage to get some pictures of the neighbors at work in their costumes.

2005-11-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

I Love Devil Dogs!! They tase good and are cute too.

2005-11-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

Here are the pictures from Saturday’s Herse Parade. Kinda cool but basically creepy. Most of the herses are still in use so it was morbid but here are the more exotic of herse models and some of the old school coffin carriers as well. Ewwww! I went home and had to shower.

2005-11-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

Welcome To My Nightmare

2005-10-31T16:28:00.000-08:00

Just ask Alice and Alice, my nightmare would be having blonde hair! I was going for Gwen Stefani but somehow in this picture with my jacket on it looks like I am Dolly Parton but Shawn looks awesome as Axl! I will post more pix from the Cripps party as well as some from the festivities in West Hollywood. Can't wait to see all that madness! Happy Halloween People!