Shake, Rattle & Roll

Quake '08

Sorry folks, didn't feel a thing. I know it's crazy, but I'm disappointed. All my friends felt it, but I was driving the road and didn't even know it happened until someone in Dallas sent a text.

Painted the town RED

Dad and Lois came to see me for a week for my birthday. I can't tell you how much fun we had.

We were in the audience of Deal or No Deal (held captive for 6 hours -- no deal), the Tonight Show. Explored Venice, Santa Monica and Santa Barbara (Dad's favorite). Hung out in Hollywood, drove through Beverly Hills and more.

Here's a pic of Lois and I on Venice Beach. And a pic of the mission in Santa Barbara. We had so much fun...did I mention that already?

Happy 4th!!!

OK, so it wasn't fireworks along the Charles River, but still LA has a groovy July 4th scene. The options were endless. Fireworks in Malibu, at Marina del Rey, picnics here and there. I opted for a party at a friends house. (Truth be told, I'm pretty sure I was only invited because they LOOOVVVEEE my salsa recipe).

Nevertheless, it was a blast. Totally LA -- I even left with someone's business card that was basically a headshot and a website. It was actually really fun. Did I mention it was a mansion? My friend is a nanny and lives in the nanny house behind the pool house. It was a part of LA I'd never been to...Antonio Banderas is their neighbor.

But I must say this. The owners of the house, who own a TV production company, also grow their own tomatoes, strawberries, lemons and apricots. The woman even does her own canning...now that was unexpected.

desert life

Signs of life in such a dry place. It's a blooming cactus. Personally, I think the plant is reaching for the sky to get a better look of the ocean. The picture doesn't do it justice...it's so beautiful here.

Santa Barbara Monastery

Here a few picks from the monastery in Santa Barbara. It is such a beautiful place, but I have not grasped the discipline of contemplative thinking. I was absolutely stir crazy after 4 hours. Even still, it was good for my soul.

Here is a view from my car. The mountains before me, the ocean in my side mirror.

Solvang California

The largest Danish population in the US. It was cute -- touristy -- felt like I was at a section of Epcot. But when I'm 60 I plan to come back and have a really good time here.

Hybrids and a Higher Power

I made it to the monastery in Santa Barbara. It's beautiful! I'll post pics soon. Have you ever wondered what kind of cars a brotherhood of monks would drive? I have the answer....I saw them leave in a Prius. I was very proud of them.

Karen Morris, this reminds me of where we celebrated Easter a few years back...except in the mountains, on the ocean, with a gentle breeze blowin...not freezin' our tushies off!!

Quirky California

I decided to take two days and go on a personal retreat. There's a monastery in Santa Barbara, but they could only take me one night, so I pricelined a hotel in the area. Of course I can't afford a hotel in Santa Barbara, so priceline hooked me up in the "outskirts" about 40 miles away in Buellton California.

That's right, Buellton. Perhaps you've heard of it? Their claim to fame is clearly marked on bulletin boards as you arrive....Buellton....Home of the famed Split Pea Soup. Wow. Split Pea Soup, really?

Of course I made a bee line right for the pea soup place and had a bowl. I can't say if it was good or not since it was the only time I've ever had it. But still, when in Buellton, right?

I'm going to swing by Solvang. The largest Danish community in America before I head to Santa Barbara, so stay tuned for some pics from Solvang. You won't want to miss out. Perhaps they are famous for Corn Chowder?

Phone Woes

If you are looking for me the next few days, you'll have to email. My phone was submerged (don't ask, don't tell). But after some online research I should be good to go by Thursday morning!

THE VERANDA

Here's a little place I made right outside my sliding door. I refer to it as, dramatically, THE VERANDA.

Basically it's a way to create a sitting area and not stare at a cinder block wall. Around the block, there was a "free" sign on a stack of wood, including these shutters. I just nailed them together, added a shelf (again free wood)....and my favorite $3 find at IKEA, the hanging candle holder.

I wish you could see the tree above. It's the sweetest persimmon tree. I just love sitting under it.

Next I want to get a rug, or some kind outdoor lighting. It has to be battery or solar though. Let me know if you have suggestions. And the next time you are in town, I'll pour you a drink and we'll sit in the VERANDA.

LA friends

With all this talk about Boston friends, I wanted you to see a picture of some of my friends here in the city.

Just last night we grilled out and told stories from our high school years. They are so much fun to be with.

Reflections on Boston

Oh, I was so good to be back on the East Coast. Especially in the Spring. Honestly, I don't even know where to begin.

When I arrived, it was cool and drizzling...and I loved it. I went for a walk, Dunkin' Donuts in hand, and stood under an awning in the rain. It felt as though I was smiling at Boston, and Boston was smiling at me.

Bostonians are a hardy people. The people I saw running around Brighton Center were unhindered by the rain...in fact, they didn't even pick up the pace. They simply go about their business. I love that.

What is it about the hard winter that makes Spring so special? I wanted to applaud every tulip...."You go tulip. You made it through the cold, dark winter. Push through that hard ground, it's your time to shine!!!"

And my friends...it was so good to see everyone. Catch up on all the good stories from work that I missed. Get the scoop on weddings I didn't get to go to, see friends that are pregnant...catch up on stuff that is otherwise passing me by.

And getting a weekend away with my bookclub in Contecticut. Those great New England little escapes. There's nothing like it. We laughed, walked, ate and raised a glass to old times. I'm so thankful (can you feel the gush) for these friends and places that have become a part of my life!!!

New Kids on the Block

Yep the New Kids On the Block are back in business. And guess who got to see them up close and personal? Me.

It was my first "is your name on the list" outing in L.A. (Thank you Janelle for the invite!)

I was on the "list", ID'd and then even got to go in the pit to see New Kids take the stage. I was less than 10 feet away. It was fun. I'm so mad at myself that I wasn't a fan when I was younger. I didn't know the songs at all and didn't have an NKOTB action figure to tote along....but still it was fun to see a bunch of guys re-live their dream and have a good time doing it.

The event I went to see was the dress rehearsal for their performance on the TODAY show tomorrow...so tune in if you are a fan!

Signs of Spring

Here's a question....what are your favorite signs of Spring? Honestly, what do you first notice about the season change?

For me, it used to be the trees budding. I love the thought of a tree lying dormant for a whole season...looking lifeless...and then all of a sudden you notice tiny buds. Sure enough there was life inside. I love it! I remember riding the 57 to work, staring at the trees, looking for signs of life.

Well, the signs of the season change is different here in L.A. The land of perpetual Spring. But I did notice a not-so-subtle difference recently.

The mountains are disappearing. I'm not exaggerating. A whole mountain gone. Some days, I can't even see a trace of existance! Is it haze? Pollution? I heard something about a 'marine layer'. Oh well, Spring is here and that's reason enough to celebrate, mountain or not!

Take Me Out to the Ballpark

Ummm....I have a complaint to register with my Boston friends. The Red Sox were here this weekend and LOST to the Dodgers. What's up with THAT?!?!

Rosie Thomas

I went to a Rosie Thomas concert last night. Oh, I do love Rosie. It's semi-depressing music with a sweet sound. She's getting married this summer and someone asked her if that meant her music would no longer be depressing. She laughed and said, "oh no, it'll be fine....I'm always depressed."

She's kidding though. It's not quite depressing, she more connects you with the struggle of life and that connection brings a little hope. I just love her music!

Depressing is Teddy Thompson. He followed her in the show. He's a hot brit (I mean really hot) with a old school country/folk sound. Truly OLD SCHOOL -- he sang Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Ernest Tubb....how a how a hot brit can pull it off is mind blogging. But depressing?!?!? Dude, I see meds in that guy's future!

Pork Fest 2008

I spent all weekend making batches of pulled pork for a transitional housing project this weekend. I made 20 pounds of pulled pork, I don't know even how much baked beans and 3 dump cakes. It was so yummy!

Here's the trick. I used pork shoulder (1.99 a pound at Costco) plopped it in a crockpot poured ROOT BEER on top and cooked it for 8-10 hours. It was so good. I just shredded it with a fork and then poured Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce over it. Come see me and I'll make you some!

A Funny From the Farm

Happy Easter! I just came home from a picnic at the park. It's sunny, blistering hot (but always a cool breeze). And even though Karen and my mom taught me better, I didn't use sunscreen and I have my first burn of the season. 'tis the season....Happy Spring!

P.S. I finally found a place that sells Magners!

You Know You Are in LA When.....

Oh my goodness...I thought this was funny. I didn't grow up observing lent, so the concept was fairly new to me a few years ago when I gave up soft drinks for lent and lost 10 pounds (that was years ago, during my Dr. Pepper phase). I was telling a friend about it, when she shared with me that this year she gave up PerezHilton.com for lent. I laughed out loud....only in LA.

(Translation for my non-media friends: Perez Hilton is a totally trashy star gossip website, full of juicy celebs and the likes. True confession: I went through a mild addiction during the Paris Hilton arrest.)

Fillin' In

I have job for the afternoons. I'm working at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They haven't figured out I can do big-girl projects, so I'm a little bored....but they'll figure it before long. It's a three month assignment, filling in for someone on maternity leave.

Everyone is normal, the office is quiet and so far no drama....so it's nothing like Children's! I miss the gang, but I'll in beantown in a little over a month and COUNTING THE DAYS!!!!

things that make you go hmmm.....

Wow. It's hard to really capture the....uniqueness....of this house. It's done in tiny mosaic pieces from roof to sidewalk. Someone has a lot of time of their hands. My guess it's an out of work actor. I'll guarantee you a drive by the house, if you'll come see me (hint, hint). Double click on the pic and get a look.

New Shoes!

I'm getting in touch with my inner zebra.....

Back in the saddle

My Old Self May Be Re-emerging (finally!)

Yep, I can tell I'm getting back into the swing of things. I'm reading, I pulled out my knitting stuff....I guess the last step is a tennis racket or bike and the Angela I liked in Boston, may have officially transferred to LA.

I thought the warmer weather here would make me swear off my knitting needles, but with so many of my friends having babies...I've jumped back in the yarn barn, so to speak. Look at this bunny I found (and fell in love with). Too bad the pattern is in a language I can't speak!

The Glass Castle

It's a must read! I just finished it tonight. Oh my goodness. I can't decide...is it sad? is it sweet? Perhaps this book is the best description of bittersweet that I've ever seen. A memoir of a childhood spent in poverty, literally rummaging through trash for meals, but who was rich in love...love for family, reading and art.

I don't know what to think. Makes me wonder about the little girls I knew in Waco who slept under the kitchen table when it rained because their roof leaked so bad. Or the family I once knew who couldn't afford a lock and doorknob on their front door, but I once saw a pizza delivery guy dropping off 3 pizzas. Who doesn't have a doorknob and orders pizza? The mystery of poverty. Maybe they didn't need a doorknob because someone was always home. I always wondered.

The thing that strikes me most about the book is that it's so matter-of-fact. No blame, no self-pity...of course she was brought up that way -- to survive, to not feel sorry for herself -- but what strength of character to write a "tell all" book with such honor and dignity. Maybe she doesn't paint like her mom, or draw like her sister, but if you ask me this book, as well as her life, is a work of art!

Down home

Well, I'm in my Motherland for a few weeks. Texas, that is. And just in case I get disoriented, there are signs everywhere to remind me where I am. For instance, I can get my burger "TEXified" at Burger King for 60 cents. Really....TEXified?!? Oh there's TEX's used auto parts, Central Texas pawn shops, Lone Star oil change...and the list goes on. While we may be nice people in the South....we sure have TEXified our state pride and it's getting out of control!

Wow, I don't sound like a native anymore...it's a good thing I'm back for a few weeks!

CALGON! TAKE ME AWAY!!!!

I've been babysitting for the past three days, while my friends are out of town. HOW DO MOTHERS DO IT??!?!?! My back hurts, my feet hurt, I wrote about 1,000 valentine's for Malia's school, we got rear ended in my friends' mini-van (barely -- it's not that bad), I flooded the laundry room and I can't even count how many time outs I've given.

Our time together ended with them getting muddy in the backyard, so I stripped them and hosed them off in the backyard. That's when Nathan wanted to show us he could pee in the backyard. Of course Malia had to do it too. You guessed it, Issac jumped in on the action. I'm proud to say I'm the only one who didn't pee in the backyard today!

I'm off to Texas tomorrow for staff training. I'll be blogging from there for two weeks.

STAR SIGHTING!!

OK, so this isn't super-star or anything....but it meant a lot to me since I used to be the biggest ALIAS fan ever! I was at Westside Pavillion in between Landmark and Barnes & Nobles when I spotted....Victor Garber. That's right Alias' best spy-daddy. I tried not to be obnoxious about it, but being a novice, I totally did a warp speed double-take to get a good look. Oh well, I'll get better!

I'm baaccckkk

I know, I know..it's been awhile. Go ahead, harass me. I deserve it! In case, you've forgotten what I look like, here's a pic of me taking a picture of myself in my GIANT floor to ceiling mirror doors. What is it with California and their love for mirrored doors? You asked for it, you got it...pictures of my room....

And here's where I work. Notice the shrine to Boston. I took pictures of letters from all over town and made my own Boston sign. Can anyone guess where all the letters came from?