No Pain, No Gain

I finally went downtown. I can’t believe I’ve been here so long and never ventured that way. Of course, this won’t be a shock to those who know me best, my favorite part was riding the bus and subway. All of you were right, the bus/subway crowd is very different in LA compared to Boston. Even still, it was a taste of the Beantown that I still consider home.

What is it about the bus that I love so much? I remember a specific day I was going work when I was especially exhilarated by the trip. It was when I sat shoulder to shoulder with a guy named Charlie (everyone knew his name because he spoke loudly to himself in the third person everyday). He was the nicest schizophrenic I’ve ever met.

I remember telling Anne-Terese that I felt so alive in Boston, especially on the bus, because it felt like I was really a part of a community- a real community not divided by race, economics or even mental health. I remember saying that I was living the life I want to live when I literally rub shoulders with the mentally ill and others who are so different from me. Of course I know that’s exactly why most people don’t like riding the bus. I don’t know why I’m wired this way.

Anyway, I had forgotten about that conversation until yesterday when on the bus I met a guy named Dwayne an artist/homeless man. He was super nice, just a little lonely. We chatted for awhile and I felt alive again. And I went to the Grand Central Market downtown and mixed it up with every race possible! It was awesome. I crave diversity. It was good for me to remember this, since West LA is diverse in race, but not economic status. I have to make sure I get out of this area regularly and experience LA for the diverse crazy place it is.

All this to say, I was a little melancholy yesterday missing my friends in Boston, but also energized by remembering what makes me love life. The day can be summed up by a quote I saw yesterday painted on the side of a building downtown, “In this world there is a painful progress, longing for what lies behind and dreaming for the future.”

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

I hope it's true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Yep, I know...you haven't heard from me in awhile. You would think this is the point where I humble myself and say I don't have a good excuse, but that wouldn't be true!

My computer crashed...dead...a fatal blow to every file and program I had. Anyway, the Geek Squad restored it for me so I am now back in business as far as emailing goes.

And then there's this thing called day time minutes. Yep, I would have called, but I ran over my minutes last month and learned an expensive lesson about keeping my yap shut! With the time difference anyone I talk to in Texas or Mass will be daytime minutes. Good news, I've upped my plan so I can gab away (for the most part).

All that to say, I love you dearly I've just been in no-woman's-land as far as communicating goes. I promise I'll be better!

Crime in LA

For all of you who have been concerned about my safety in the big city of Los Angeles, do not fear. As you can see I have a professional protector --- Batman. Sometimes I wake up and he is standing watching over me. Sometimes I see him running through the house with cape and mask, but sans everything else (and I do mean everything).

When he’s not fighting the bad guys, he also has a flair for the creative arts. You can see on the countertop and on his body, the work of art he created with my tube of toothpaste.

I certainly want to give a "shout out" to all the moms I know. After staying with my friends for awhile I certainly know how rewarding and exhausting family life can be. But I have good stories to tell. Their three children have kept me in stitches!

Dancing with the Stars

This is sooo LA...but a friend of a friend's cousin is a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars and he got us tickets to go Monday night to the live show. So look for me. We are supposed to wear cocktail dresses and everything. How fun is that?!?!?

I'm hoping Joey Fatone will be there....Karen, I promise not to make a fool of myself!!!

Viva la Wendy!

I'm heading to San Antonio in the morning for Wendy's wedding. Wendy and I have been friends since 1988 when we met in the freshman dorm at Baylor. Since then we've run into all kinds of trouble (can anyone say 'Tijuana'), traveled the world and once drove 200 miles out of the way to get a piece of tiramisu that was supposed to the best. Sound like a nut doesn't she?

Besides seeing Wendy and meeting the love of her life, I'm looking forward to the rehearsal dinner. It's going to be on one of those dinner boats that go up and down the river. I've always wanted to do that. OLE!

Here's a pic of where I'm staying..... just kidding. It's the Alamo!

Best of Both Worlds

I just got 'lost' on the 101. It was meant to be though. I was driving along and saw the exit for Malibu, made a big dash for it and found myself in the mountains. Oh, I love mountains! Big, huge, rocky mountains. They were beautiful. I felt a world away from city life. This tiny little highway I was on (honestly, I don't even know where I was) led me between them, then through them and right into the sea.

I can't really remember a time when I've seen mountains literally fall into the ocean. I squinted and pretended I was in Greece. It really was beautiful -- the best of both worlds. Hopefully I'll get 'lost' tomorrow too!

Seasons Change

My Boston friends tell me the air is getting crispier and Fall is in the air. Really? Hmmm....

I just don't know how to tell the change of the seasons here. It's still beautiful and sunny with a constant gentle breeze. But Fall? No way. How will I know what to do? Do I start wearing orange? Do I buy a pumpkin pin and wear it on my shirt? Without the trees turning colors, and Green Mountain's Pumpkin Spice coffee, I'm afraid my season compass is off kilter.

Someone call me and let me know when it's time to start shopping for Christmas, otherwise I may be on the beach and never know it's coming!


P.S. I saw a lemon tree today. It was so exciting...I don't think I've seen one before.

Country Club

Yep, I'm joining a country club. Actually, I'm starting one...but it's not what you think.

The thing about LA is that the whole world is here. So far I've had both a French guy and a Russian lady ask me for directions and I've heard about 10 different languages. I've even driven through Little Ethiopia. I knew this would be one of things I would like most. It's really fun for me. I love it!

So, I'm starting a country club (so far it's just me and Lisa, but we'll invite others too). We are going to learn about a different culture each month and then go find the authentic ethnic area in LA that represents that country and have dinner. I guess it's like book club without the book.

If you have any suggestions as to what our first country should be, let me know!

Fashionista

OK, you can stop laughing now. Fashionista may be a little too over-the-top, but even still it turns out I may be a trendsetter here in L.A. No, really, stop laughing.

One of my biggest fears in moving here was that no one over a size 2 would even talk to me. Much to my surprise everyone has been really nice…even chatty with me. Sometimes too chatty. When I moved to New England, one of the things I had to do was toughen up a little. Now I need to soften up a little. People here will talk to a tree (I’m serious…I saw someone talk to a tree) and they’ll talk to me too.

So far I’ve met Morales, the guy who works at the car wash. Shaunda*** (there was more to her name I just can’t remember); who was so nice she offered me a job at the mall. And Omar and Mattie, the couple who bought my car dolly and then proceeded to move my stuff in the storage room for the next hour.

But the ones I’m most proud of was this super diva who stopped me at the Getty to ask me “Who is the maker of your bag?” It was a proud moment…not where did you get it…but who is the maker. She literally cringed when I told her I got it in Chinatown in New York. Oops…you can take the girl out of Texas, but not the Texas out of the girl.

And then there was the model type woman who was following me all around a jewelry store wanting to see what I was picking out because “I had good style”. Ahh, yes…perhaps I’ll make it here in LA after all.

Move over Dunkin' Donuts...Randy is in town!

Oddities everywhere...

The Getty

Much to my dismay, L.A. has been freakishly hot for the past week. So when the weather returned to normal, I hopped out of bed and made a run for the The Getty. I've been dying to go there. I tried when I visited in Feb, but was turned away due to parking issues. I got over my fear of rejection and finally got to go yesterday.

I didn't even get to see half of it. It's HUGE!

The gardens were beautiful, the art amazing.

It really is a great way to spend the day.

Here are a few pictures...

Now by gardens, I'm not talking roses and pansies.

I'm talking cactus gardens. As it turns out, I moved to the desert. I must have slept through the class where we learned this in school, because it has taken me completely by surprise. I see flowers I've never seen before, I'm noticing the subtle differences in colors and I may even be able to skip a day between washing my hair (I love dry weather!). Here are some of my desert flowers I'm growing to love...

Berried Treasure

OK, I admit it. I've been on the Dunkin website at least twice since I've been here. I miss it. I mean REALLY miss it. I looked on the store locator -- not a D&D for at least 50 miles. It won't let you search past 50. ugh!

I'm still making peace with the loss of iced coffee, but move over Dunkin' there's a lady in town. PINKBERRY. Need I say more? It really is all the rave -- and for good reason. So here's a deal that can't be beat. Come visit me, and I'll buy you a pinkberry!

http://www.pinkberry.com/html/pbmain.php

Happy Labor Day!

Hey all you workers out there, kick up your heels -- it's LABOR DAY!!! Go ahead, pour yourself a fruity drink and enjoy the day.

As for me, everyday is a holiday when you are unemployed. Just kidding. I've actually been working very hard. I've been here 6 days, have had two interviews and have another one tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on the outcome, but so far I'm encouraged. One job sounds perfect (with one red flag -- do we words "on call 24/7" sound like a red flag to you?). It's as a Director of Housing a.k.a Residential Life Coordinator for an Arts Academy in town. I think I would love it, but am unsure about this whole on call thing. I just don't know.

But for you my friends, get off the computer and do something fun...it's YOUR day!!!

Now entering Cyberspace

As if moving coast to coast wasn't a big enough change...I have decided to enter Cyberspace. Since my new venture into LA is guaranteed to offer new stories, new pics and, dare I say, embarrasing moments I thought I'd try blogging as a way to keep up with everyone.

Here a few pics from the trip. It really was a great trip. I have a new appreciation for truck drivers...especially those who drive through the desert! The Grand Canyon was AMAZING!! I honestly don't know how to describe it. The pictures just don't do it justice.