Oh, time flies. So much of it has gone by that I won't even try to catch up on the last few months. However, I feel constrained to jot down a few notes from this trip I'm on now.
May 23: Set out for the east coast. From LAX, flew to Cleveland, OH and connected to Providence, RI (tiny airport with just one terminal!). JLITH picked me up and we stayed a bit to watch the Fire Water, then headed back to Boston, where we had appetizers and dessert at Finale. I still don't remember what it's called, but we had that decadent chocolate cake with the melted center that I had with the girls in Paris. Bon appetite indeed!
May 23: Up early to catch the megabus to NYC. Finally got to the Tone on Lex Hostel, situated ourselves after lugging our suitcases up to the 4th floor. The rest of the day is a blur. I did find a book shop and get North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill. Fleet Week in NYC, and lots of fun to see the service men and women parading around in their whites. It must be difficult, since I feel that the American people have little to no concept of what our service people actually do in the middle east. The majority of the press is given over to the horrible things that are done in the name of the service, and not to the rest of the people who are just doing their job as well as they can. I did make it out to the Frankie Manning event, but it was such a crowd that it was hard to meet new people, and of course there were far too many follows, so I spent most of the night watching.
May 25: Walked around. Found my way over to the MOCA store (both of them) and browsed. Objects that I found particularly tempting were: a Brazilian fruit basket in the shape and reconfigurable design as a centipede, a foldable orange bike, and a sheet of white paper cut with intricate designs of flowers and vines for wall art. However, I was good and spent nary a red cent. Eventually made my way to Central Park. Watched some break dancers with unmitigated glee. One Italian looking guy must have been in his late 30's, and had the most exquisite hand movements. The African American guy must have been as old, and had the best gliding steps I've ever seen, and the funniest pacman ghostly movements. They were absolutely surreal and made the kids scream with laughter. What impressed me was their passion for the dance, and how they actually taught some young bucks who contributed to the show. After, I found a shady and congenial park bench (with a romantic, inscripted, dedicatory plate) and read N&S for a bit. Don't think me a heretic if I confess that I like it ever so much better than Pride and Prejudice. Gaskill is wonderful, and soon I want to write up a post for X2 about her. Met JLITH for dinner at Serendipity, and found a double sided hat like the one I wore in Paris. Yes, I bought it, although I'm ashamed to say how much I paid. Went back to the hostel and took a nap. Made it over to the dance for the last song (around 0200), met up with some other Angelinos, and walked over to the after dancing. Oh, how much better. There was live music, AND a blues room. Had some okay dances, and a few spectacular ones. I'd come back to NYC, but not on a festival weekend. Met some genial Germans. At first, I wasn't sure if the geniality came from their natures, or their drinks (Budweiser!). As I look back on it, I think it was their natures, with a little help from their beverages. Made it home around 0700 ... the latest I've ever come home. I can't enough how much I love the metro system in NYC and Paris.
May 26: More of a blur. Stood in the Tickets line in Times Square, and got a ticket to Next to Normal on a whim. Dinner with JLITH at a nearby restaurant. NTN was fabulous. Musical about a family in the suburbs. They are not striving for normality, but next to normal will do. Brought me to tears a few times.
May 27: Back to Boston on the megabus. Grocery shopping, laundry, resting and reading. Can't seem to get Margaret Hal, John Thornton and Richard Armitage out of of my mind.
May 28: Driving around with JLITH. Saw the Longfellow Park building that recently burned. Walked around Cambridge. Bought some books: one of LM Alcott's fictions, and a book of the correspondence between George Sand and Gustave Flaubert. Both of the women drank deeply from the draught of life, although not at all in the same way. Dinner was scrumptious pizzas from Veggie Planet and dark hot chocolate from LA Burdicks. Picked up Mom and Dad at the airport. Stayed overnight in Providence
May 29: Up early in the morning. Drove out to Walden Pond, but it was too soggy and rainy to enjoy, so we started the long drive up to the land of maple syrup. Acadian National Park was also a bit damp, and there was too much fog to appreciate the views, but it was exhilarating none the less. Stopped in Bar Harbor for some lunch, then continued the (seemingly) interminal trek up to Saint John, Canada.
May 30: Stopped by Reversing Falls to see the famous tides, then on to Prince Edward Island. So relieved to make it to Heart's Content Bed and Breakfast, where Joan welcomed us with open arms. Delicious to hear her Scottish accent, and even better to discuss all things Anne and Maud with her. She directed us to the Olde Dublin Pub for some music and merriment. Walked around a bit in downtown Charlottetown, then got mom and dad settled with food, then JLITH and I went to the pub. Fun to be in an Irish pub! So much energy and goodwill. No room at any of the tables, so we sat at the bar and were served dinner by one of the handsomest bartenders I've ever met. Black Irish and oh so nice, even if he is married. Had a little conversation with a local older couple who split their time between the US and Canada, and stayed for some great tunes by the band, but weariness called us back to our beds, and it was not to be gainsaid.
May 31: Instead of doing Anne things today (since they evidently start on Jun 1), we went to Cape Breton. We may have been a bit over-ambitious. Nova Scotia is large, and so is that particular cape. We sped around the immenseness of it, and made it back to the ferry with a minute to spare. However, it felt like we were conquerors, to judge from all the smashed insects on JLITH's front bumper, not to mention all the ones I cleaned off the windshield. It made me feel like we were evening the odds up a bit between us and the insects. However, the day was sunny, and the views were spectacular. How amazing to be surrounded by lush greenness and the briskness of the sea at every turning. And I think it was today that I ate my first whole lobster. Messy deal, and it was surprising for me to do it, since I hate eating things at a civilized table that requires exceptional dexterity ... I rarely order any meat with bones after my horrible awkward first date with Robert G so many years ago. But I did it, it was tasty, and next time I may just order the no-work version, as I saw at the restaurant JLITH and I dined at in NYC.
Jun 1: So, the day was not as fine as yesterday, but still it was fabulous. Avonlea, the mini-city, was not flourishing yet, so we skipped on to the other sites. Green Gables was fabulous, and I would count Lovers' Lane and the surrounding forests as another spiritual home. Really, it was quite lovely ... ochre earth, vibrant green flora, flowers in the most beautiful and unexpected spots, and an azure sky that was enhanced by the clouds that raced across it, blown about by the ever present and playful winds. There is so much of Maud in Anne and Emily and the Story Girl, and it's fascinating to learn which fictional parts arose from real life. Guiltily, I picked some wildflowers from the forest, and little heartshaped flower from the garden, to press in my books. I think Maud would have sympathized with me. LM Montgomery sites are spread all over the Cavendish side of the island, so I'm getting them all a little confused, but we visited the house where she was born, the foundations of the house where she lived with her grandparents, the house where she was married (settling for a man instead of one of the two who actually inspired her), and the house overlooking the Lake of Shining Waters, where she boarded while she taught the local school. Joan told me last night that it had come out in the last year that Maud had committed suicide, perhaps driven to it by her husband's deep depression, poor health, and grabby relatives. Must read up more on Maud. Was so tempted to buy books, but thought that I can order them online and have them delivered, instead of lugging them and having the check luggage. However, I did indulge in two beautiful editions: Anne of Avonlea (1940) and Rainbow Valley (1923?). Drove dad back to the B&B, and the girls went to a ceilidh (pronounced Kaylee, not saylid). To tell the truth, it wasn't great. But it was amazing to behold Celia (in her early 50's) holding her family together by her talent and sheer willpower. This stout and sonsy woman sang with the clear voice of an angel, and played everything from piano, accordian, violin and guitar, and even did a jig for us. She was assisted in her endeavors by her brother (disabled from his severe arthritis and meds) on the fiddle, her mother (disabled from carpal tunnel surgery) on the fiddle/piano, and her husband, who played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on the fiddle ... clearly a Johnny-come-lately. I also got some pictures of a church that I liked particularly ... because it was neat and pretty white with black trim, and partly because I liked the cemetery that stood right off to the side. How nice to have one's dear ones near by, and not miles away in a seldom-visited plot in a megacemetery.
Jun 2: Driving. Much more of it. Made our way over to the Hopewell Rocks. I was dubious about the place, to be sure. As we drove further and further away from the main freeway, I got and more irritated. However, when we started the short hike out to the cliff, I regained some of my composure. Those delicious winds, you see. We made it out to the promontory, then descended the stairs to walk about. The Flowerpot rocks were amazing. More amazing was how far out the low tide was. And best was the strength of the wind. I felt like the girl in the fairy tale ... the wind could have been my lover, scooping me up in his arms to take me on adventures to far away places every night. It felt as if I could have flown away. So strong and thrilling and pungent. I would love to live where such winds are frequent visitors.
Jun 3: Stopped in Salem and took a tour of the House of Seven Gables and wandered through the house where Nathaniel Hawthorne was born. Held myself back from buying more books, since I'll be able to get them from the library back home. But it was a struggle. Then we hightailed it over to Concord. Unfortunately (and unexpectedly) the Emerson house was closed, but we sped over to Orchard House and got in on a tour the minute we walked in the door. Our tour guide was amazing! Love her and her passion for bringing the Alcotts and their friends alive. I felt enveloped in the Concord as the birthplace of American Transcendentalism. Must read more on this when I get back. I did buy a copy of Hospital Sketches and the journal entries of LMA, because I couldn't resist. We tried to make it to the Old Manse in time, but we were too short on time. Contented ourselves with walking around the place, admiring the queer and irregular window glass panes, and the beautiful flowers next to the garden Emerson planted for the Hawthornes. I picked up a few fallen leaves to press in my LMA books.We also took a drive out to Authors Ridge, as Pilgrim Steps had suggested. An amazing place. Another spiritual home. Arrived at Beacon Hills Friends House and am happily ensconced. Dined with the Quakers and had a lovely veggie repast. The best parts were the lime and chili mayo spread for the sandwiches, and the honeydew melon graced with mint leaves. So refreshing. Everyone at table was pretty friendly, and I was again reminded of how much I love the table here ... so long, with many boards, capable of seating twenty with room to spare. Oh, what great dinner parties I would be able to throw. Was glad of an opportunity to walk alone down Charles Street in search of quarter for laundry, and felt like a bird set free from a cage.
And so we're generally up to date. Tomorrow JLITH walks the stage at the Harvard School of Public Health, and we get to hear Atul Gawande speak. What more could I want? Dancing of course, but I've already done that in Boston, so I won't repine.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
An outpouring of happenings
I've recently realized how poorly I've been blogging lately. Will try to be better. The following is just a laundry list of important and trivial things that I've done this year so far.
New Year's Eve was spent at a fair party down in Huntington Beach. Not great. Not horrible. But fair. The funniest part was sitting in the car with Lovely Lady, White Boy and Steph, waiting for it to get late enough for us to make an entrance. I finally realized how ridiculous we were being, and got us all in.
The rest of the week was spent in Palm Springs at Jam Byam's WCS dance camp. I did my first two WCS competitions (All American and Novice J&J), and even made it to the Novice semi's. It was a lot of fun (I have the dvd's to prove it), but I'm not sure I'll do it again. Really, the thrill is the pure joy of lead and follow that no camera can catch. The best moments were finding out that I made the semi's, and watch Kyle and Sarah (my favorite dancers) dance to "Word Up" by Willis (my new favorite song).
1/10/09 Finally got around to going iceskating with T Diddy. Also there were Girl Friday, Canada, Daredevil Dentist, Satine, PD and JY. Ice skating is always thrilling to me. Firstly, because the first ten minutes always makes me feel like I'm ten years old ... the chill air, the unexpected wobbliness of legs on ice, and unquenchable excitement. Plus, it's almost like dancing, trying to maneuver to the music. I think we did about an hour and a half, which is about as much as my feet can take before I start to get blisters on those particular spots on the medial sides of my feet. We recongregated back at my place for hot chocolate and leavened chat.
1/11/09 Over to Lovely Lady's place tonight to hear Shimai J make a presentation on her Cassava project in Kenya. It's amazing to me that she's been gone a year. 12 months of setting up the non-profit center to teach farmers about how to grow, harvest and make cassava marketable. The group was pretty small, because the place is small. I would love to have her make a larger presentation in the summer ... somewhere we can set up an outside projector, and invite a lot of people. I envy her the adventure and experience.
1/15/09 Picked up JLITH from the airport. We bummed around a bit, then went to Rocker Chic's apartment for a mini house party. In short, it was great. She had Scott open for her. He's so affable, cute, and innovative with his guitar. His music has some unexpected twists in it that make me pay attention. The rest of the time was divided between Rocker Chic and one of her musicians from Nashville, a tall, wildly Heathcliff-esque man that I'll just call Guitar Poet. It was great to hear him play with RC, because it helps me get a better idea of what her cd release concerts might have sounded like. Also, GP is a true artist. He did things with his guitar that I've never seen before ... on the spot recording and layering of guitar tracks. He's quite young, but brilliant. Someday he will make it big, I'm sure of it.
1/13/09 Over to the Magic Castle for RC's birthday. Very fun night with very congenial company.
2/6/09 Had my first appointment with Alice for physical therapy for my knee and back, which have been acting up after the NY dancing. Then went out to dinner at the 9:30 at the W Hotel. Came home. Was in the act of taking off my shoe, stumbled, grabbed a sheft to stabilize myself, and the small marble statue on it tumbled onto the floor. Well, almost. It tumbled onto my left great toe, then onto the floor. Ow. Went to sleep. When I woke in the morning, it was the size of a kielbasa sausage. I ended up going in to work anyway, since there wasn't much else to do. Kept it elevated a lot. Went to work on Monday and Tuesday. And one Wednesday, when there was finally time, I went in to the doctor's. Yeah, it was broken. Ugh. Six weeks for it to heal, and not much else for my pains. Oh well, it's not as bad as when I broke my ankle snowboarding. I've still been working ... I've been taking light assignments that don't require a lot of standing, taping my toe, taking advil, keeping my foot elevated, and wearing really flat shoes.
2/13/09 Spent a little time at Canada's birthday party. We all had ice cream sundaes and made valentine's cards. I wasn't in the mood to make cards, but I did show the hostess how to make the accordian booklets that Laughtear showed a while back. They were a hit. After a bit, I headed over to HSAAL's for a viewing of "Pretty In Pink," a seminal movie for anyone who was a teenager in the 90's. A bittersweet movie. I just don't understand why Andie settles for Plain Blaine. Really, he was boring and tepid.
2/14/09 Worked. Spent the evening with a good friend eating pizza, catching up and watching video clips. Platonic and fun. It's good to find joy in friendship, even though it doesn't quite slake my thirst for something truly deep and meaningful. I posted this at The Exponent blog. Pretty much sums up my current philosophical position.
2/15/09 Went over to dinner at the T family's home tonight with White Boy, Neuro ICU RN and Fedora Man. I think it was the first time that someone from the ward has invited me to a family style dinner. It was nice to get to know the T's. Sister T is wonderful. I like her superficially, and suspect that I would like her even better if I knew her better. Brother T is, well, more difficult for a feminist to like. He's affable, but not a man to feel comfortable around. Anyway, it was very nice and gracious of them to invite us all, and I enjoyed it.
2/20/09 Went with a group of friends to see Coraline in 3D. I was mesmerized ... it was visually stunning, if a bit scary, and fun. I liked the heroine's pluckiness and prickliness and courage. Next Halloween, you might see me dressed in a blue wig, with orange mittens, and a yellow rain slicker.
2/21/09 This day deserves its own post. In fact, it deserves two.
2/22/09 Improver and White Boy put on "A Third Off," a show of British sketch comedy pieces. It's the first of their shows that I was able to attend.Good stuff. My favorites were the last two. They called me up on the stage (I'm going to get that Rocker Chic for sitting me in the front row!) for the last show. I was so excited and appalled that I forgot to take my glasses off. So I am recorded on film and digital media in all my nerdy wonderfulness.
2/23/09 We went live with iView at work today. I wasn't supposed to work, but they canceled the hemofiltration class, so I volunteered to come in and help with the go-live. It wasn't bad, just kind of slow and occasionally irritating. It's going to take a lot of getting used to, and readjusting, but hopefully it will help integrate the PICU charting with the rest of the hospital.
2/24/09 Went in to work extra today, with the understanding that I'd get off early to go to the AB508 (violence prevention) class. After the day, I made good time on the red and blue lines, and got down to the Staples Center way ahead of the rest of my group. When I exited the train, I saw a sign for Staples Center parking. I started walking toward it, then a couple of Celtics fans rounded the corner. Since we were walking in opposite directions, I asked if they were going to the game. They laughed, and pointed over my shoulder. There was the Staples center in all it's lit glory. I have no idea how I missed it. I wasn't prepared for the game to be exciting. It was only the Clippers. But the game was fabulous. The Clippers and Celtics were neck and neck the whole time, with never more than a ten point spread. Even at the end, we were on tenterhooks. The Clippers won in the last 2.5 minutes by two points. Funnily enough, I think Rocker Chic and I were far more excited than our two guy friends who had come. How did I end up with such a dearth of sporty guy friends?
2/26/09 Went to choir practice directly after work. Looks Good In Tights is conducting Rob Gardner's "He Is Jesus Christ" for Easter performances in Pasadena and Los Angeles Stakes. The music is absolutely marvelous. Even without a lot of work on LGIT's part, and at only the second rehearsal, the music pulsates with life and beauty. There are a few Les Miz-ish parts, but it's not too obtrusive, and it fits. Singing it, with this choir, makes me extremely happy.
2/27/09 Went up to the valley for pollworker training. It's a last minute thing. I've actually been working on trying to get assigned to the building near me, but there were a lot of unreturned phone calls on the organizer's part, and persistent following-up on my part. But more on this later.
New Year's Eve was spent at a fair party down in Huntington Beach. Not great. Not horrible. But fair. The funniest part was sitting in the car with Lovely Lady, White Boy and Steph, waiting for it to get late enough for us to make an entrance. I finally realized how ridiculous we were being, and got us all in.
The rest of the week was spent in Palm Springs at Jam Byam's WCS dance camp. I did my first two WCS competitions (All American and Novice J&J), and even made it to the Novice semi's. It was a lot of fun (I have the dvd's to prove it), but I'm not sure I'll do it again. Really, the thrill is the pure joy of lead and follow that no camera can catch. The best moments were finding out that I made the semi's, and watch Kyle and Sarah (my favorite dancers) dance to "Word Up" by Willis (my new favorite song).
1/10/09 Finally got around to going iceskating with T Diddy. Also there were Girl Friday, Canada, Daredevil Dentist, Satine, PD and JY. Ice skating is always thrilling to me. Firstly, because the first ten minutes always makes me feel like I'm ten years old ... the chill air, the unexpected wobbliness of legs on ice, and unquenchable excitement. Plus, it's almost like dancing, trying to maneuver to the music. I think we did about an hour and a half, which is about as much as my feet can take before I start to get blisters on those particular spots on the medial sides of my feet. We recongregated back at my place for hot chocolate and leavened chat.
1/11/09 Over to Lovely Lady's place tonight to hear Shimai J make a presentation on her Cassava project in Kenya. It's amazing to me that she's been gone a year. 12 months of setting up the non-profit center to teach farmers about how to grow, harvest and make cassava marketable. The group was pretty small, because the place is small. I would love to have her make a larger presentation in the summer ... somewhere we can set up an outside projector, and invite a lot of people. I envy her the adventure and experience.
1/15/09 Picked up JLITH from the airport. We bummed around a bit, then went to Rocker Chic's apartment for a mini house party. In short, it was great. She had Scott open for her. He's so affable, cute, and innovative with his guitar. His music has some unexpected twists in it that make me pay attention. The rest of the time was divided between Rocker Chic and one of her musicians from Nashville, a tall, wildly Heathcliff-esque man that I'll just call Guitar Poet. It was great to hear him play with RC, because it helps me get a better idea of what her cd release concerts might have sounded like. Also, GP is a true artist. He did things with his guitar that I've never seen before ... on the spot recording and layering of guitar tracks. He's quite young, but brilliant. Someday he will make it big, I'm sure of it.
1/13/09 Over to the Magic Castle for RC's birthday. Very fun night with very congenial company.
2/6/09 Had my first appointment with Alice for physical therapy for my knee and back, which have been acting up after the NY dancing. Then went out to dinner at the 9:30 at the W Hotel. Came home. Was in the act of taking off my shoe, stumbled, grabbed a sheft to stabilize myself, and the small marble statue on it tumbled onto the floor. Well, almost. It tumbled onto my left great toe, then onto the floor. Ow. Went to sleep. When I woke in the morning, it was the size of a kielbasa sausage. I ended up going in to work anyway, since there wasn't much else to do. Kept it elevated a lot. Went to work on Monday and Tuesday. And one Wednesday, when there was finally time, I went in to the doctor's. Yeah, it was broken. Ugh. Six weeks for it to heal, and not much else for my pains. Oh well, it's not as bad as when I broke my ankle snowboarding. I've still been working ... I've been taking light assignments that don't require a lot of standing, taping my toe, taking advil, keeping my foot elevated, and wearing really flat shoes.
2/13/09 Spent a little time at Canada's birthday party. We all had ice cream sundaes and made valentine's cards. I wasn't in the mood to make cards, but I did show the hostess how to make the accordian booklets that Laughtear showed a while back. They were a hit. After a bit, I headed over to HSAAL's for a viewing of "Pretty In Pink," a seminal movie for anyone who was a teenager in the 90's. A bittersweet movie. I just don't understand why Andie settles for Plain Blaine. Really, he was boring and tepid.
2/14/09 Worked. Spent the evening with a good friend eating pizza, catching up and watching video clips. Platonic and fun. It's good to find joy in friendship, even though it doesn't quite slake my thirst for something truly deep and meaningful. I posted this at The Exponent blog. Pretty much sums up my current philosophical position.
2/15/09 Went over to dinner at the T family's home tonight with White Boy, Neuro ICU RN and Fedora Man. I think it was the first time that someone from the ward has invited me to a family style dinner. It was nice to get to know the T's. Sister T is wonderful. I like her superficially, and suspect that I would like her even better if I knew her better. Brother T is, well, more difficult for a feminist to like. He's affable, but not a man to feel comfortable around. Anyway, it was very nice and gracious of them to invite us all, and I enjoyed it.
2/20/09 Went with a group of friends to see Coraline in 3D. I was mesmerized ... it was visually stunning, if a bit scary, and fun. I liked the heroine's pluckiness and prickliness and courage. Next Halloween, you might see me dressed in a blue wig, with orange mittens, and a yellow rain slicker.
2/21/09 This day deserves its own post. In fact, it deserves two.
2/22/09 Improver and White Boy put on "A Third Off," a show of British sketch comedy pieces. It's the first of their shows that I was able to attend.Good stuff. My favorites were the last two. They called me up on the stage (I'm going to get that Rocker Chic for sitting me in the front row!) for the last show. I was so excited and appalled that I forgot to take my glasses off. So I am recorded on film and digital media in all my nerdy wonderfulness.
2/23/09 We went live with iView at work today. I wasn't supposed to work, but they canceled the hemofiltration class, so I volunteered to come in and help with the go-live. It wasn't bad, just kind of slow and occasionally irritating. It's going to take a lot of getting used to, and readjusting, but hopefully it will help integrate the PICU charting with the rest of the hospital.
2/24/09 Went in to work extra today, with the understanding that I'd get off early to go to the AB508 (violence prevention) class. After the day, I made good time on the red and blue lines, and got down to the Staples Center way ahead of the rest of my group. When I exited the train, I saw a sign for Staples Center parking. I started walking toward it, then a couple of Celtics fans rounded the corner. Since we were walking in opposite directions, I asked if they were going to the game. They laughed, and pointed over my shoulder. There was the Staples center in all it's lit glory. I have no idea how I missed it. I wasn't prepared for the game to be exciting. It was only the Clippers. But the game was fabulous. The Clippers and Celtics were neck and neck the whole time, with never more than a ten point spread. Even at the end, we were on tenterhooks. The Clippers won in the last 2.5 minutes by two points. Funnily enough, I think Rocker Chic and I were far more excited than our two guy friends who had come. How did I end up with such a dearth of sporty guy friends?
2/26/09 Went to choir practice directly after work. Looks Good In Tights is conducting Rob Gardner's "He Is Jesus Christ" for Easter performances in Pasadena and Los Angeles Stakes. The music is absolutely marvelous. Even without a lot of work on LGIT's part, and at only the second rehearsal, the music pulsates with life and beauty. There are a few Les Miz-ish parts, but it's not too obtrusive, and it fits. Singing it, with this choir, makes me extremely happy.
2/27/09 Went up to the valley for pollworker training. It's a last minute thing. I've actually been working on trying to get assigned to the building near me, but there were a lot of unreturned phone calls on the organizer's part, and persistent following-up on my part. But more on this later.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ch-ch-change
My life is about to change drastically. I'm a little anxious, but very excited.
I've been thinking about buying a house for a while. I remember a conversation with Mr. Baritone a few years ago ... he was watching the market for a good time to buy. I was at that point too lazy to do much more than dream, and tried to learn from his experience. I also spoke with HG at work. She recommended her mortgage broker to me. I got the info, and put it aside.
Fast forward a few years. I've been putting money away in my Roth account. The housing market took a dreadful plunge. The time is looking right. And then I happened to hear Wonder Woman and T Diddy discussing it. I moved in and listened. And Wonder Woman started talking about a seminar she was going to attend for first time home buyers. She thought that T Diddy and I would be interested, and emailed us the info. Funnily enough, it was the selfsame mortgage broker that HG had recommended to me. T Diddy ended up not being able to attend, but that seminar was definitely a turning point for me.
This year is the year to buy a place. The market is right, there is the $8K tax credit, and I am at a place where I want my own space. At this point, I'm leaning toward a condo in a bustling, urban place, but we'll see.
The first change is that I am doing a schedule of nights. It's been a while since I've worked the night shift, and I'm not sure how my body will react. But I'm lucky enough to have managers who are willing to work with me, and let me have my way on this. I could find that I hate nights, and will just leave it at the six weeks I've signed up for. Or, I may find that it is tolerable, and continue on nights for a few months.At this point, I don't know, but I'm willing to explore. I feel quite lucky that I am able to alter my finances within my current job, instead of being locked into a fixed income.
The second change is that I am going to move back to my childhood home and live with my parents. This is a good decision, since it will help me save a lot of money to help set up my new home, wherever I end up. However, it will mean giving up a lot of the freedoms that I so enjoy. It will be more difficult to get together with friends. I won't have a convenient place to hold parties. No cable or DSL. And a certain restriction on space and how I use it. And yet, I think it will be good. I will be able to help my parents out with cooking and laundry. I will be present and able to care for my father after he has surgery in a few months. I will be able to spend more time with my mother, and hopefully the nephews when they visit the homestead.
Buying my own place also involves getting over my own emotional blocks to settling in one place. I'd always thought of home buying as someone one does as a family, something to do after I had a husband. It seems strange and burdensome to be the sole person on a mortgage. Is this how my brother Bork feels as he contemplates buying a house for his Genie and the beans? This disconcerting weight of responsibility that can't be shifted off onto another person? Buying a place also ties me to Los Angeles. I don't really mind, but it sometimes feels like a fetter. I've always had the reassurance that I could find a job anywhere ... where don't they need nurses? And while I've never had a particularly strong inclination to live anywhere else, it's strange to think that I can't just up and move anywhere it takes my fancy.
I have no idea where or when I will find a place. I would rather urban than suburban. I jsut know that I want wide, open spaces. Every time I enter a small place with small rooms, I feel like knocking down walls. When I think of my dream place, I always think of the apartment that Mimi was renting in Paris. Marais, I think. There was a large central courtyard that would be a good place to congregate for party overflows. The apartment had a large open space that was a combination of bedspace, living space, art studio and dining area. The kitchen was bright, functional, and friendly. Small bathroom area. And one bedroom that the owner had locked all her personals and valuables in. And windows that stretched from the tall ceilings to the floor! Such light as entered that place! I would fill such a space with friends and books and creativity and comfort and color and dinners and love. And even a kitty.
I've been thinking about buying a house for a while. I remember a conversation with Mr. Baritone a few years ago ... he was watching the market for a good time to buy. I was at that point too lazy to do much more than dream, and tried to learn from his experience. I also spoke with HG at work. She recommended her mortgage broker to me. I got the info, and put it aside.
Fast forward a few years. I've been putting money away in my Roth account. The housing market took a dreadful plunge. The time is looking right. And then I happened to hear Wonder Woman and T Diddy discussing it. I moved in and listened. And Wonder Woman started talking about a seminar she was going to attend for first time home buyers. She thought that T Diddy and I would be interested, and emailed us the info. Funnily enough, it was the selfsame mortgage broker that HG had recommended to me. T Diddy ended up not being able to attend, but that seminar was definitely a turning point for me.
This year is the year to buy a place. The market is right, there is the $8K tax credit, and I am at a place where I want my own space. At this point, I'm leaning toward a condo in a bustling, urban place, but we'll see.
The first change is that I am doing a schedule of nights. It's been a while since I've worked the night shift, and I'm not sure how my body will react. But I'm lucky enough to have managers who are willing to work with me, and let me have my way on this. I could find that I hate nights, and will just leave it at the six weeks I've signed up for. Or, I may find that it is tolerable, and continue on nights for a few months.At this point, I don't know, but I'm willing to explore. I feel quite lucky that I am able to alter my finances within my current job, instead of being locked into a fixed income.
The second change is that I am going to move back to my childhood home and live with my parents. This is a good decision, since it will help me save a lot of money to help set up my new home, wherever I end up. However, it will mean giving up a lot of the freedoms that I so enjoy. It will be more difficult to get together with friends. I won't have a convenient place to hold parties. No cable or DSL. And a certain restriction on space and how I use it. And yet, I think it will be good. I will be able to help my parents out with cooking and laundry. I will be present and able to care for my father after he has surgery in a few months. I will be able to spend more time with my mother, and hopefully the nephews when they visit the homestead.
Buying my own place also involves getting over my own emotional blocks to settling in one place. I'd always thought of home buying as someone one does as a family, something to do after I had a husband. It seems strange and burdensome to be the sole person on a mortgage. Is this how my brother Bork feels as he contemplates buying a house for his Genie and the beans? This disconcerting weight of responsibility that can't be shifted off onto another person? Buying a place also ties me to Los Angeles. I don't really mind, but it sometimes feels like a fetter. I've always had the reassurance that I could find a job anywhere ... where don't they need nurses? And while I've never had a particularly strong inclination to live anywhere else, it's strange to think that I can't just up and move anywhere it takes my fancy.
I have no idea where or when I will find a place. I would rather urban than suburban. I jsut know that I want wide, open spaces. Every time I enter a small place with small rooms, I feel like knocking down walls. When I think of my dream place, I always think of the apartment that Mimi was renting in Paris. Marais, I think. There was a large central courtyard that would be a good place to congregate for party overflows. The apartment had a large open space that was a combination of bedspace, living space, art studio and dining area. The kitchen was bright, functional, and friendly. Small bathroom area. And one bedroom that the owner had locked all her personals and valuables in. And windows that stretched from the tall ceilings to the floor! Such light as entered that place! I would fill such a space with friends and books and creativity and comfort and color and dinners and love. And even a kitty.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Keeping Up The Family Business
I made them an offer that they couldn't refuse, and the Family Business party was a resounding success!!!The idea blossomed from a small evening of playing the game, a few years ago. There we were … Wonder Woman, Perky, myself, Improv-er, White Boy and Gadget Boy. I’d just come home from Argentina, and had brought the girls back these fantastic little head ornaments from the antique fair in Buenos Aires (San Telmo). In a flash of inspiration, I made the girls don their minihats, and got the boys whatever mishmash of fedoras I had in my closet. We played the game and talked in accents all night. It was excellent.
The plan for the night of the party was simple … attendees were to bring an Italian dish to share, come in costume, speak in accents, and play the game. And since White Boy was so precipitously leaving the country, we also added a fare-thee-well dimension to the party that brought out some of our old-timey friends we haven’t seen in a while.
Anyway, the party was gangbusters. Some people really rose to the occasion, going all out with their costumes. Some of the best were Improv-er, Rocker Chic, T-Diddy, Fedora Man, Motorcycle Momma, Gadget Boy, Mr Giggles (extra points for originality), and Vintage Momma. Best characters were HSAAL and Improv-er, who kept us in stitches the entire night. Thanks so much for everyone who brought food, entertained, help teach, and helped clean up. Love you all!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Reorganizing (Pan)Dora's box
I’ve been contemplating the divide between women and deity. In lessons at church (especially those in Relief Society), teachers will draw an isosceles triangle … labeling the top angle as god, and the bottom two angles as husband and wife. We are taught that marriage is a three-way partnership, between man, woman and god. And yet, that isn’t what we are taught in the temple. There, it seems more like a vertical diminuendo of communication, god on top, followed by men, with women on the bottom. We promise obedience to our husbands, but our husbands promise theirs to god. We are slated to become queens and priestesses to our husbands, yet they are to be kings and priests to god. It’s a niggling bother that I try to stuff back into my own Pandora’s box. I do a lot of mental gymnastics, consoling myself with the fact that mine is a church of continuing revelation, and that certainly this will be reconciled when the time is right. How is it possible for women to be so divided from their Heavenly parents and divine heritage in the long run? I tell myself, it is just a faulty translation from the mind of deity into the hearts and minds of good men who struggle to interpret the divine on our behalf. It’s a problem of language.
And yet, language is important. Specificity and correctness is important. The church just fought for and won a pyrrhic victory to pass Prop 8 … in essence, a battle for the right to use the term “marriage.” We employ a certain number of set prayers and blessings that were given by revelation. What’s a feminist to do?
I don’t know. For myself, I have become a cafeteria Mormon. I’ve heard this term used as a derogatory slur on the bloggernacle. There are those who sneer at cafeteria Mormons, at their apparent laziness, selfishness and lack of faith. And yet, I wear it as a badge of pride. There are some tenets of Mormonism that I believe strongly, to the very core of my being. I believe in Heavenly Parents who love us. I believe they are just, and instituted proxy work so that all the inhabitants of the world get a fair chance. I believe in the bonds of eternal families, and the promise of eternal progression.
And so it was with a combination of concern and relief that I read this post by Lynette over at Zelophehad’s Daughters. I’m not the only one that struggles. I’m not the only one who has to be creative in finding ways to reconcile what I’m taught with what I believe. Because I do believe. And so I stay.
And yet, language is important. Specificity and correctness is important. The church just fought for and won a pyrrhic victory to pass Prop 8 … in essence, a battle for the right to use the term “marriage.” We employ a certain number of set prayers and blessings that were given by revelation. What’s a feminist to do?
I don’t know. For myself, I have become a cafeteria Mormon. I’ve heard this term used as a derogatory slur on the bloggernacle. There are those who sneer at cafeteria Mormons, at their apparent laziness, selfishness and lack of faith. And yet, I wear it as a badge of pride. There are some tenets of Mormonism that I believe strongly, to the very core of my being. I believe in Heavenly Parents who love us. I believe they are just, and instituted proxy work so that all the inhabitants of the world get a fair chance. I believe in the bonds of eternal families, and the promise of eternal progression.
And so it was with a combination of concern and relief that I read this post by Lynette over at Zelophehad’s Daughters. I’m not the only one that struggles. I’m not the only one who has to be creative in finding ways to reconcile what I’m taught with what I believe. Because I do believe. And so I stay.
Friday, February 06, 2009
A Tale of Three Dinners
Dine LA Restaurant Week. What a brilliant idea! Restaurants sign up, and create several three course menus, which are served up for a prix fixe. Last year, Super Woman invited me out to dinner at Sofitel's Simon LA restaurant. There were three of us, and three menu choices for appetizer, main course and dessert ... perfect! We ordered one of each, and ate family style. The food was tantalizing ... enough to awaken and invigorate the taste buds, but not enough to stuff. It was a gustatory exploration. And as he might have noticed our eyes popping out when we saw a similar bowl at the next table over, our charming waiter brought us a huge bowl of cotton candy to top it all off. It was a heavenly, and not outrageous way to sample a new restaurant.
This year, I made reservations for three restaurants. Valentino's in Santa Monica, Katsuya in Brentwood, and 9:30 at the W Hotel in Westwood.
Valentino's was passable. In fact, I'd made the original reservation at Chinois, until I realized that they were only participating for the lunch menu. Changed to Valentino's. I liked what I had: mushroom torte, ligurian style veal stew, and chocolate/walnut/espresso mousse. However, the rest of the menu seemed rather dull and uninspired. Certainly, Valentino's is no Pizzicotto. However, the company was fabulous. Super Woman, Miss Congeniality, Girl Friday and Ski Fanatic all joined in to make the conversation engrossing and sparkling. Especially Miss Congeniality has a lot of "social lubrication" (my new term!) that made a possible awkward evening delightful.
Katsuya in Brentwood was simply amazing. Firstly, the decor was stunning. The restaurant is actually quite large on the interior, and very sleek. We ate in a side room that had ornate mirrors scattered across the walls, black walls with a tented ceiling, and white leather couches for those sitting around the inner island. There were four of us (Super Woman, HSAAL, Ski Fanatic and myself), so we ordered one of everything, plus an extra something of whatever looked good. I knew the dinner was going to be good from the first bite of the rock shrimp tempura. Delicate, warm, inviting and delicious. The crispy rice (served with a topper of creamed fish) was divine. However, my favorite was the albacore onion ... one little bite and I exploded in sensations of herbs, vinegar, onion, salt and spices that left my mouth watering for more. And that was just the appetizer.
For the main course, we had nigiri sushi, chef's rolls wrapped in decorative soy paper, miso soup, lotus root salad, miso marinated cod, beef and mushroom tobanyaki, and salmon cedar with tomato salsa. Absolutely fulfilling. The sashimi was delicately seasoned, without cream sauces. The cod was the best protein. The mushrooms were delectable, and the tomato salsa invigorating. So much goodness.
Dessert was not extraordinary, but a nice afterthought to a delicious meal ... panna cotta with fruit and fruited mochi ice cream. Before leaving, I did my customary visit to the restroom ... to see if the design there matched the ambience. However, I was so disconcerted by the lack of light in the stalls (more like closets) that I totally missed the surprise that observant visitors caught while washing their hands. I'll have to find out next time, since I'm sure to return!
Dinner at 9:30 At The W Hotel was okay. The food was tasty, but not exceptional. The best part was the cheese plate for dessert. I would write more, but the events were overshadowed by what happened when I got home, and now it's been so long, that the unexceptional meal has faded from my memory.
This year, I made reservations for three restaurants. Valentino's in Santa Monica, Katsuya in Brentwood, and 9:30 at the W Hotel in Westwood.
Valentino's was passable. In fact, I'd made the original reservation at Chinois, until I realized that they were only participating for the lunch menu. Changed to Valentino's. I liked what I had: mushroom torte, ligurian style veal stew, and chocolate/walnut/espresso mousse. However, the rest of the menu seemed rather dull and uninspired. Certainly, Valentino's is no Pizzicotto. However, the company was fabulous. Super Woman, Miss Congeniality, Girl Friday and Ski Fanatic all joined in to make the conversation engrossing and sparkling. Especially Miss Congeniality has a lot of "social lubrication" (my new term!) that made a possible awkward evening delightful.
Katsuya in Brentwood was simply amazing. Firstly, the decor was stunning. The restaurant is actually quite large on the interior, and very sleek. We ate in a side room that had ornate mirrors scattered across the walls, black walls with a tented ceiling, and white leather couches for those sitting around the inner island. There were four of us (Super Woman, HSAAL, Ski Fanatic and myself), so we ordered one of everything, plus an extra something of whatever looked good. I knew the dinner was going to be good from the first bite of the rock shrimp tempura. Delicate, warm, inviting and delicious. The crispy rice (served with a topper of creamed fish) was divine. However, my favorite was the albacore onion ... one little bite and I exploded in sensations of herbs, vinegar, onion, salt and spices that left my mouth watering for more. And that was just the appetizer.
For the main course, we had nigiri sushi, chef's rolls wrapped in decorative soy paper, miso soup, lotus root salad, miso marinated cod, beef and mushroom tobanyaki, and salmon cedar with tomato salsa. Absolutely fulfilling. The sashimi was delicately seasoned, without cream sauces. The cod was the best protein. The mushrooms were delectable, and the tomato salsa invigorating. So much goodness.
Dessert was not extraordinary, but a nice afterthought to a delicious meal ... panna cotta with fruit and fruited mochi ice cream. Before leaving, I did my customary visit to the restroom ... to see if the design there matched the ambience. However, I was so disconcerted by the lack of light in the stalls (more like closets) that I totally missed the surprise that observant visitors caught while washing their hands. I'll have to find out next time, since I'm sure to return!
Dinner at 9:30 At The W Hotel was okay. The food was tasty, but not exceptional. The best part was the cheese plate for dessert. I would write more, but the events were overshadowed by what happened when I got home, and now it's been so long, that the unexceptional meal has faded from my memory.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
25 (non)Random Things About Me
This is for JLITH, who isn't on facebook ... yet. You are now expected to make your own list of of surprising things, and share it with me.
1. I love watching movies that make me weep.
2. My favorite piece of music ever composed is the orchestral theme song from “Love Story.”
3. I have a convenient way of forgetting embarrassing moments. I prefer not to be helped in this matter.
4. After working nights for seven years, I sometimes get the urge to stay up all night … and I do.
5. I don’t read or send texts, and I borderline hate talking on the phone for any length of time … unless I haven’t talked to you in three months; you live far, far, away; or you’re exceptionally entertaining. I also don't use apps ... so don't get offended if I don't join in the vampire games or send you a sparkly fairy. My one excuse is that my workplace has banned facebook from our computers.
6. I contribute to an LDS feminist blog with a host of other amazing women.
7. I adore dressing up in costume.
8. I like wearing flowers in my hair.
9. I despise mean, stingy and/or selfish people. Come to think of it, that's a lot of people. Hmmm ...
10. I travel out of the country at least once a year. When I get to Antarctica and Australia, that will make all seven continents.
11. I fight against my inherent laziness and surprising ability to be cruel.
12. Partner dancing fulfills so many of my needs … touch, connection, creativity, activity. Sending out love to Mark, Vince, Victor, Ned, Patrick, John, Lance, Ian, Lincoln, and that fabulous guy from NYC.
13. When I do charge at work, I’m obsessed with making the perfect assignment list for the next shift. I have this insane idea that if I make the assignments just so, I can stave off disaster.
14. I love the texture of really good milk chocolate as it melts in my mouth.
15. I harbor a soft spot for geeks.
16. I converse best when I’m seated … more comfortable, less distracted, more focused.
17. I’m enchanted by obscure, precise words.
18. I sing alto. Not well. But I always sounds better when I’m sitting next to Patti or Kathryn.
19. I played clarinet for one year in elementary school. Then I discovered lip gloss, and it was all over for the reed instruments.
20. I remember better when I’ve written something down, even if I lose the note.
21. I’m saving up to buy a camera like Annelise’s
22. I like feeling fabrics in cloth stores.
23. I’m an amateur polygot … or rather, a jill of several languages.
24. I overuse ellipses … because I love them.
25. Despite my outer cynicism, I really do believe that love conquers all.
1. I love watching movies that make me weep.
2. My favorite piece of music ever composed is the orchestral theme song from “Love Story.”
3. I have a convenient way of forgetting embarrassing moments. I prefer not to be helped in this matter.
4. After working nights for seven years, I sometimes get the urge to stay up all night … and I do.
5. I don’t read or send texts, and I borderline hate talking on the phone for any length of time … unless I haven’t talked to you in three months; you live far, far, away; or you’re exceptionally entertaining. I also don't use apps ... so don't get offended if I don't join in the vampire games or send you a sparkly fairy. My one excuse is that my workplace has banned facebook from our computers.
6. I contribute to an LDS feminist blog with a host of other amazing women.
7. I adore dressing up in costume.
8. I like wearing flowers in my hair.
9. I despise mean, stingy and/or selfish people. Come to think of it, that's a lot of people. Hmmm ...
10. I travel out of the country at least once a year. When I get to Antarctica and Australia, that will make all seven continents.
11. I fight against my inherent laziness and surprising ability to be cruel.
12. Partner dancing fulfills so many of my needs … touch, connection, creativity, activity. Sending out love to Mark, Vince, Victor, Ned, Patrick, John, Lance, Ian, Lincoln, and that fabulous guy from NYC.
13. When I do charge at work, I’m obsessed with making the perfect assignment list for the next shift. I have this insane idea that if I make the assignments just so, I can stave off disaster.
14. I love the texture of really good milk chocolate as it melts in my mouth.
15. I harbor a soft spot for geeks.
16. I converse best when I’m seated … more comfortable, less distracted, more focused.
17. I’m enchanted by obscure, precise words.
18. I sing alto. Not well. But I always sounds better when I’m sitting next to Patti or Kathryn.
19. I played clarinet for one year in elementary school. Then I discovered lip gloss, and it was all over for the reed instruments.
20. I remember better when I’ve written something down, even if I lose the note.
21. I’m saving up to buy a camera like Annelise’s
22. I like feeling fabrics in cloth stores.
23. I’m an amateur polygot … or rather, a jill of several languages.
24. I overuse ellipses … because I love them.
25. Despite my outer cynicism, I really do believe that love conquers all.
Friday, January 23, 2009
A word on cars
Chatting with a few people, I’ve been thinking about cars lately. Unlike many other major metropolitan areas in the US (and indeed, the world), Los Angeles isn’t organized around a central area, and has no cohesive public transportation. Cars are ubiquitous … no one walks in LA. I’ve heard that way back in the day. tire companies bought out the rail tracks in Los Angeles and let them fall into disrepair, as part of a master plan to make LA into an especially profitable area. Seems rather sinister, doesn’t it?
There are times when I’ve relied on the vastly inconvenient metro system in LA. When I was a junior and high school student, staying after school for basketball practice or drama club (I didn’t even remember being part of the Porter drama club until I rifled through an old year book and saw myself in the picture … bizarre). More recently, when gas prices reached record highs in 2008, I took the bus to work one day a week to be more green. Or the couple of times when my car has been in the shop, or been totaled. For a while, I took the blue line down to Long Beach for work. That was an interesting time. So much to see on the blue line as it snakes through some really rough areas of town. My MO when I travel the metro is to dress as unobtrusively as possible, display no items that look worth stealing, no listening to music so that I’m actively aware of my surroundings, and wearing a grumpy expression. I am not a friendly metro rider.
But this is about to change, partly due to Pool Poser. I met PP at Gadget Boy’s 2008 Rocket Day. She set herself apart by entertaining at the afterparty by striking extreme animal poses while jumping into the pool. Anyway, lately we had a conversation when she told me that she was going to sell her car soon. Turns out that she’s been taking the metro to work everyday, and loving it. I was struck at how she exits at a stop further away from her home in the afternoons, and takes a 1-2 mile walk home to keep active. What a fabulous idea! It made me want to resume taking the bus. I’d stopped taking the bus because, well, gas got really cheap again around the November elections. Money drives us … or me, to be more specific.
However, I won’t sell my car just yet. My car is still vastly useable. Of course, it’s really scaled down. After I totaled my other car (I rear-ended someone, and it wasn’t worth it to the insurance company to fix it), I chose a basic car. So, no auto windows or locks, or even a way to hook up my iPod. It’s entertaining to see new friends’ reactions when I tell them to remember to lock their door, or have to unlock their doors for them. Oh well, it’s fabulous not having a car payment. My car is also easily recognizable from the dent on the passenger side door. One windy day, I was trapped in the Costco lot waiting for a parking spot … a wild shopping cart (wish I had a link to Kevin and Matt’s shopping cart video here) broke loose from the pack and charged me. I had nowhere to go. It was terrifying. My car still bears the scars to this day. I always meant to get it fixed. Then I read Randy Pausch’s book, and I thought, well, if he can live with it (bad pun), so can I. Plus, the car comes in handy when it comes to dancing and getting around in the wee hours of the morning.
A more serious incident occurred in a more mature hour of the evening. I was winding along one of the narrow side streets leading to my apartment. I approached the fourway stop sign intersection nearest my house, and noted, “How crowded it all looks.” I proceeded toward the line, dismissing the large SUV crowding me coming from the other direction .Dismissed it at my peril. I ended up smashing a parked car’s side view mirror. Ugh. I got to my place, parked my car, and went back to survey the damage. Definitely smashed … the plastic casing was lying in pieces on the ground. I left … and returned with my camera, pen and paper. I took some photos, and left a note.
The next day, I got a very civil call from the owner of the vehicle. I took heart that he was so grateful that I had left my contact info. Apparently some scoundrel had done the exact same thing to his wife’s care and just plain left. Anyway, I asked is we could settle this outside of insurance. PG was very accommodating, and said that he would be happy to get some quotes.
A few days later, PG called me with bad and good news. The bad news was that the car repair place wanted $900 to repair the mirror. I suddenly felt a little ill. However, the good news was that the actual part was only $250, and that PG was more than happy (and able) to do the repair himself. What a relief! I met PG on a nearby corner a few days later, and gave him a check for $350. It was a very tidy and civil end to a potential mess. Bless the PG’s of the world.
Anyway … cars. With the passage of some pro-metro measures and propositions on the November ballot, I hope that we will improve access to Angelinos, before Volleyball Historian’s predictions of increased LA population density become too far realized.
There are times when I’ve relied on the vastly inconvenient metro system in LA. When I was a junior and high school student, staying after school for basketball practice or drama club (I didn’t even remember being part of the Porter drama club until I rifled through an old year book and saw myself in the picture … bizarre). More recently, when gas prices reached record highs in 2008, I took the bus to work one day a week to be more green. Or the couple of times when my car has been in the shop, or been totaled. For a while, I took the blue line down to Long Beach for work. That was an interesting time. So much to see on the blue line as it snakes through some really rough areas of town. My MO when I travel the metro is to dress as unobtrusively as possible, display no items that look worth stealing, no listening to music so that I’m actively aware of my surroundings, and wearing a grumpy expression. I am not a friendly metro rider.
But this is about to change, partly due to Pool Poser. I met PP at Gadget Boy’s 2008 Rocket Day. She set herself apart by entertaining at the afterparty by striking extreme animal poses while jumping into the pool. Anyway, lately we had a conversation when she told me that she was going to sell her car soon. Turns out that she’s been taking the metro to work everyday, and loving it. I was struck at how she exits at a stop further away from her home in the afternoons, and takes a 1-2 mile walk home to keep active. What a fabulous idea! It made me want to resume taking the bus. I’d stopped taking the bus because, well, gas got really cheap again around the November elections. Money drives us … or me, to be more specific.
However, I won’t sell my car just yet. My car is still vastly useable. Of course, it’s really scaled down. After I totaled my other car (I rear-ended someone, and it wasn’t worth it to the insurance company to fix it), I chose a basic car. So, no auto windows or locks, or even a way to hook up my iPod. It’s entertaining to see new friends’ reactions when I tell them to remember to lock their door, or have to unlock their doors for them. Oh well, it’s fabulous not having a car payment. My car is also easily recognizable from the dent on the passenger side door. One windy day, I was trapped in the Costco lot waiting for a parking spot … a wild shopping cart (wish I had a link to Kevin and Matt’s shopping cart video here) broke loose from the pack and charged me. I had nowhere to go. It was terrifying. My car still bears the scars to this day. I always meant to get it fixed. Then I read Randy Pausch’s book, and I thought, well, if he can live with it (bad pun), so can I. Plus, the car comes in handy when it comes to dancing and getting around in the wee hours of the morning.
A more serious incident occurred in a more mature hour of the evening. I was winding along one of the narrow side streets leading to my apartment. I approached the fourway stop sign intersection nearest my house, and noted, “How crowded it all looks.” I proceeded toward the line, dismissing the large SUV crowding me coming from the other direction .Dismissed it at my peril. I ended up smashing a parked car’s side view mirror. Ugh. I got to my place, parked my car, and went back to survey the damage. Definitely smashed … the plastic casing was lying in pieces on the ground. I left … and returned with my camera, pen and paper. I took some photos, and left a note.
The next day, I got a very civil call from the owner of the vehicle. I took heart that he was so grateful that I had left my contact info. Apparently some scoundrel had done the exact same thing to his wife’s care and just plain left. Anyway, I asked is we could settle this outside of insurance. PG was very accommodating, and said that he would be happy to get some quotes.
A few days later, PG called me with bad and good news. The bad news was that the car repair place wanted $900 to repair the mirror. I suddenly felt a little ill. However, the good news was that the actual part was only $250, and that PG was more than happy (and able) to do the repair himself. What a relief! I met PG on a nearby corner a few days later, and gave him a check for $350. It was a very tidy and civil end to a potential mess. Bless the PG’s of the world.
Anyway … cars. With the passage of some pro-metro measures and propositions on the November ballot, I hope that we will improve access to Angelinos, before Volleyball Historian’s predictions of increased LA population density become too far realized.
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