Positivity Central

Sometimes it seems to me that I've been trying to convince myself that I don't like it here. It's not really the case - because there are definitely things out here that I would miss if I moved. I'm actually lucky that I got to move here, and not somewhere terrible like Florida.
Speaking of Florida, one of the good things about Southern California is the lack of bugs. I'm not saying there are NO bugs - we have ants in the apartment and sometimes I see fruit flies, but I haven't gotten a mosquito bite the entire time I've been here. I don't see large communities of black flies all over the place. If I happen to be sweating outside, I don't have the added unpleasantness of bugs in my face.
A lot of times the landscape makes me feel like I'm in the Flintstones. The combination of the palm trees against the scrubby mountains looks like pre-historic times. Oh yes, this is a very good thing. Other times it can look like the wild west- especially since wherever you go, you have a chance of seeing someone on horseback. I've seen tumbleweeds!!
Pacific Coast Highway was mentioned to me as a dream location. PCH actually is a really really great roadtrip. It's dangerous and windy in places, which combined with the view of the ocean, is a unique experience. I've been driven along it, near Big Sur, all white-knuckled because if you're not careful, you will either crash into the mountain side, or plummet right into the Pacific.
The weather....oh my god yes, the weather. I do miss some snow, but I will take 70 degree winters anyday. The great majority of days are blue-skied and gorgeous. You can make outdoor plans any day of the week and not have them ruined. Not that I take advantage of that....
I complained about the lack of good Italian in my last post, but that doesn't mean that food in general here is lacking. Everywhere you go, there are food offerings containing massive amounts of avocado. Whenever anyone comes to visit, this is something that is recognized. It's not only the avocado that makes things good - since it's perpetual summer and spring here, you can get pretty much any fruit or vegetable in season. And whoa - Mexican food and sushi here are amazing.
Architecture here is more varied and interesting. I am not talking about downtown, because the "sky scrapers" leave much to be desired - they are without personality, indistinguishable from one another. From Santa Barbara to the north, to San Diego to the south, Malibu to the west and Palm Springs to the east, there is rarely a boring house. You don't see much new housing developments - all those houses that look the same. It's a consistent mix of craftsmen, mid-century modern, 50s ranches, adobe "mission" style, and California style homes.
Check out this place - don't you want to live here while you're teaching in the all girl's private school?

East Vs. West

Today was the first day of my second bootcamp session after having a week off. That week made much more of a difference than I had thought it would. I was huffing and puffing in no time. There are a lot of new folks in this group and I thought for sure I wouldn't be in last place anymore. I was kind of right. You see, the bootcamp instructors split up throughout the streets where we run and direct people where to go. The fast people get to keep running straight down the hill in order to make a loop around a farther block. The medium speed people (me, a girl I work with, and a greasy man) get directed around a closer turn, so we can get back quicker. The slower people (new chubby girls, Ruben) get directed somewhere else. I never cross paths with them until the end, so I don't know where they go. Maybe they just run around inside the parking lot, which is our "base". Today I saw Rubes running up ahead and I had to beat him. I don't know why I'm so competitive lately. I ended up getting stuck behind him in a narrow part of the sidewalk and he got to the parking lot before I did. I was beaten by Ruben. I imagine one day I will have to shove him out of my way. At least he got a new exercise mat - no more 70s sleeping bag.
My goals for this session (what I have to write on my food journal): look good this summer (and I mean I would love to get into a bikini before I'm too old), and run a mile in 7 minutes. I think I'm pushing it with both of those goals.
Eric requested that I get him McDonald's breakfast on my way home. I had to smell the greasy hashbrown and spicy sausage patty and it was torture. I tried to make do with my black iced coffee and looked forward to my smoothie waiting at home.

While driving to work I realized how grateful I am for the decent weather at this time of year. Yesterday I was thinking it was spring already and then was surprised when I realized it was still February. I began to think about the differences between east and west coast.
I've been saying it since I moved here: the thing I miss the most about the east coast in general, but NJ/NY in particular is the Italian food. Fresh mozzarella, pizza, that thin salami from Italian delis, ziti, lasagna, good chicken parm: you can't find any of that here. That's right - I can't find ziti anywhere. The chicken parmesan is easily found - but the chicken isn't flattened - it's about an inch and a half thick, which is nasty. The local "Italian" food place is called "Two Guys from Italy". Eric says it's more like "2 Guys from Armenia" or "2 Guys from the Italy/Slovenia border". The food is that gross.
Another bit of proof: the best pizza we have found is dominoes. No one in NJ really would eat dominoes if there are other choices available.

I do miss snow. I miss watching the snow fall at night with the street lights shining through. I miss how quiet it can be and how warm the house is. I miss it during the Christmas season. It's strange to see Xmas lights on cacti and palm trees. Everything's still in full bloom on Christmas Day in CA. I feel bad for kids here because they never get to know the joy of a snow day. Do you remember how exciting that was? I realize that snow is a hassle and inconvenience when you're an adult - most jobs don't close for snow- what a drag it is to be old.

I miss New York City. Los Angeles the city is pretty lame. Everything is very low and spread out. There are a lot of cars, but few taxis, and they certainly don't drive like NY taxis. There are bars, but not a lot, and most are for the beautiful. There's a certain ugliness to NYC that I appreciate.

I will say it now: Santa Monica Pier is a joke. When I moved here, people were all like "Did you see Santa Monica Pier yet??" and I got excited. I was picturing Seaside Boardwalk married with Three's Company. The drive to the pacific can be pretty nice: looks beachy and smells like the atlantic. The pier is a different story. It's a tiny boardwalk with a ferris wheel (that I think was recently sold) and a taco bell. There may be a Bubba Gump shrimp restaurant as well, but my point is that it's crap. I though California beaches were supposed to be this great thing, but I was terribly mistaken. We can be proud of our trashy beach heritage!

Irish Bars. When I say there are 2, I am not exaggerating. Where am I supposed to celebrate St. Pat's? They don't even have a St. Patrick's Day parade...but what's the point when there are no Irish here?

People drive poorly everywhere I've ever been. I like to think that people out here are especially bad, but that's just me being picky and clannish. NJ drivers are just as dangerous in largely similar ways. The one big difference is the lack of turn signals here. It must not be part of the driver's ed curriculum because even student drivers don't use it. Sometimes I get so angry about this omission that I honk my horn - but it's all in vain because they have no idea why I'm beeping.

I complain too much. My next post will be positivity central.

There are things happening in my life which are making me extremely sentimental: hearing from old pals and reaching a new decade. There's just something about 30 which is impacting my life (and my friend's lives) in a really bad way. I am actively trying not to think about these things, but to no avail. Last night I ran through a small list of things that I miss from my childhood.

Peach Hi-C:
Hi-C was one of the main beverages for kids when I was growing up. Apparently, in the 80s, giving sugar water to your kids wasn't a big deal. It was probably thought of as a healthy option as it was fruit flavored and contained like 10% vitamin C per serving. My mom bought so many of those large tin cans of the stuff. I remember the most popular flavor being Ecto-Cooler, due to the popularity of Ghostbusters. I liked that one, but I always and forever will love Peach best. I don't know when they discontinued it, but it's one of those "missed memories" that surveys are always asking about.

Believing in Santa Claus:
I am sure I don't even have to explain myself, but how much better was Christmas when you thought it involved something other-worldly? I can't believe how many kids are duped by this story, but I am totally for the lies. My mom and dad tried on a few occasions to make it seem even more real - they would jingle some bells while we were in bed...and one morning those bells were left hooked to our front door. For many years I thought those were Santa's actual bells. Karly and I always thought that we heard footsteps on the roof as well. I highly doubt my father was going to the extent of roof-walking to excite us, so it must have been wishful thinking. Christmas as an adult is a totally different thing. I can sleep late on Christmas morning, I can wait all day to open presents, I am patient when doing so, and I am genuinely interested in what other people are getting. I would be willing to do a lot in order to have one more Believing in Santa Christmas.

Toys R Us circa 1986:
Do you remember the Nickelodeon Toy Run? If anyone invented a time machine, I would waste my time in it to travel back to '86, win the toy run, and have my way with Toys R Us. Today's toys blow.

The time when Michael Jackson was really good:
I was never a huge fan of MJ, but I can't deny that he was a memorable character. One of my strongest memories was my mom renting the Thriller video, which had just come out, and showing it during my sister's birthday party. It was the centerpiece of the party. I believe it was even advertised on the invitations. Why couldn't Michael stay that way? Why did he have to go super-weird and have sleepovers with children?

Various cartoons:
Popples, Wuzzles, Get Along Gang, Beverly Hills Teens, Snorks
What do kids get to watch today? That Nick show starring those ugly twins who live in a hotel? Miley Cyrus? Lame.


I want to go out and get my nails done now. Or at least leave the computerbox area.

FYI: when you watch IT crowd, I want you to see "The Haunting of Bill Crouse" , "Calamity Jen", "The Red Door", "The Work Outing", "The Return of the Golden Child". Start with those and you'll be in love forever.

Catch up time.

JANUARY 2009
Where did u go on new year's?
First of all, I hate when people are lazy and type "u" instead of "you". It's only 2 letters!!! That particular New Years I was on a road trip to the Northwest. I think I was in Monterey CA. It wasn't wild, but it was nice to be somewhere different.

Who kissed you on new year's?
My BF

Did you have a New Year's Resolution this year?
No I rarely make them. Why bother if they don't stick?

Does it snow where you live?
You can see snow on the top of the mountains...but it was 80 degrees yesterday.

Do you like hot chocolate?
Yes - with as many marshmallows as possible to form a thick foam on the top.

Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
I've considered it, but smarts won me over. I've been to NYC on new years...but I think I'd rather be incarcerated that night than be crammed into Times Square.

FEBRUARY 2009
Who was your Valentine?
My BF
When you were little did you buy Valentine's for the whole class?
Yes - but I think for girls only. It was still weird for girls to give them to boys.

Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?
I care for Punxatawney Phil, but I put no stock in what he sees or not. I don't think he knows what a shadow is, much less make decisions based on seeing it.

What did you receive for valentine's day?
Prob nothing.

What did you give for Valentine's Day?
I can't remember V day last year.

MARCH 2009
Are you irish?
About a quarter - the best parts of me, I like to think.

Do you like corned beef and cabbage?
Yes - very much!
What did you do for St Patrick's Day?
I went to one of the only irish bars in LA. It was in Santa Monica and I went with my hairdresser. People there were gross, but they did have green beer.

Are you happy when winter is pretty much over?
Not really once I moved to CA.

APRIL 2009
Do you like the rain?
Yes
Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year?
No - I'm not good at practical jokes.
Do you get tons of candy for Easter?
Not once I moved out of my parents house.
Do you celebrate 4/20?
I do everyday.
Do you love the month of April?
Not any more than other months.
MAY 2009
What is your favorite flower?
Cosmos - they remind me of summering with grandma in upstate NY. I am a sucker for cosmos.
Finish the phrase "April showers…"
oh come on....these questions make me feel dumb for answering them.
Do you celebrate May 16th: National Piercing Day?
No way! I've got my ears done, and that's the limit.
Is May anything special to you?
Donovan's birthday's in May, but it's not like I celebrate.
JUNE 2009
What year did/will you graduate from high school?
1997
Did you do anything fun during this Month?
Maybe I did, but nothing memorable.
Have a favorite baseball team?
I will root for the Yankees, but I don't really care if they win or lose. I"m a bad fan.
JULY 2009
What did you do on the 4th of July?
Nothing. I don't care for fireworks.
Did you go to the fireworks?
See above. I heard them from my apt.
Did you blast the A/C all day?
You better believe it. I'm blasting it all day until December.
AUGUST 2009

Did you have a sunburn?
No - I wear sunscreen and I stay inside most of the time. I'm paler than anything now.
Did you go to the pool a lot?
Gross, no. I hate public pools.

SEPTEMBER 2009
Are you attending college/school?
No
Do you like fall better than summer?
Yes!!! Much better. Fall's my season.
What happened this month?
I went to my cousin's wedding in PA. I saw Grandma Ruby and Grandpa Tomcat. Tomcat choked for a while on some meat and worried all of us. Ruby didn't tell me I looked fat, so that was fine. They were both ok with my tattoos, so that was nice too.
OCTOBER 2009
Whats your favorite candy?
Kit Kat
What was your favorite thing(s)about this month?
Dressing up as Snow White
What were you for Halloween?
A shower, like in Karate Kid
NOVEMBER 2009
Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?
If I was home, it would be my aunt Debbie's. Here, I only have my own place.
What are you thankful for?
Having a job that I don't hate. Having the best pals, a roof over my head, tunes that I like, the sims, not being totally ugly
Do you love stuffing?
probably more than anything else served at T-giving dinner.
Anything exciting happen this month?
I made an "all sidedish" dinner - no bird. wait, that's boring. nothing happened that was exciting.

DECEMBER 2009
Do you celebrate Christmas?
I try
Have you ever been kissed under the mistle toe?
I've never seen mistletoe in person

Get anything special last year?
some nice pjs, my kindle, a camera which I promptly lost, new state plates for my collection

What do you want this year?
to survive and not be depressed
What do you love most about December?
Christmas by far.

New Wonder of the World

Mysterious Staircase in the Loretto Chapel

A quick reminder...

Babes

New Things

I've thought for a while I'd like to watch a "zany comedy" called Raul's Place. I am picturing it being a combination of the classic sitcoms Babes and Three's Company. I want Raul to be kind of sleazy but super unpopular with the ladies. Except, of course, for the annoying neighbor, a la' Small Wonder. Any suggestions on who an appropriate neighbor would be? It's time for Meredith Baxter Birney to play a sexy character, I think.
Anyway. This week at work has been boring because the doctor is out for the next two weeks. I've done a lot of personal emailing and internetting, which is probably not allowed. A nurse without patients doesn't really have much to do. I am going to leave early today which will give me more time to do the exact same things, but at home.
Bri - I wanted to post a poem here that is one of charles b's most famous poems. It's not my fave, but maybe it's more acceptable to the greatest number of people.

there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I'm not going
to let anybody see
you.
there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I pur whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he's in
there.
there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say,
stay down, do you want to mess
me up?
you want to screw up the
works?
you want to blow my book sales in
Europe?
there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too clever, I only let him out
at night sometimes
when everybody's asleep.
I say, I know that you're there,
so don't be
sad.
then I put him back,
but he's singing a little
in there, I haven't quite let him
die
and we sleep together like
that
with our
secret pact
and it's nice enough to
make a man
weep, but I don't
weep, do
you?


The haikus on Bri's blog have brought back my own haiku memories. I moved from New Milford to River Edge just before second grade. There was a kooky teacher, Ms. Christie, who had various "gifted and talented" groups. I guess I wasn't smart enough to be in GT, but I was selected (on a trial basis only - she emphasized to my parents) to be part of the gifted writers group. I may not be much of a writer now, but back then I was pretty creative and I churned out a lot of stuff. The class was strange, and even though I was pleased to be invited to it, I didn't like it. The teacher made it stressful and took most of the fun out of writing. She made us stand at the beginning of class and greet her in multiple foreign languages. She would frequently kick people out of class for minor reasons and with a lot of dramatic flair. I remember her telling a student that what he had just said was "A half-cocked rumor". Sometimes she would also use the word boner in a sentence, but obviously using the old meaning. One time we watched Romeo and Juliet in class - the good old version with the attractive people. She made us leave the classroom during the bedroom scene where Romeo's ass is showing. It took about 10 minutes though, so she was clearly watching it, and not fast forwarding it.
Anyway....the teacher thought all of my writing was weird, except for my haikus. She entered a few of them, and one of my cinquains (sp?) in the school literary journal. I never got much positive feedback - even after I wrote a multi chapter novel, starring a talking turkey who was a real doofus. I gotta stop thinking birds in literature are so funny.