20 Something in LA LA land...

Very cultured

Yesterday, while I was at work I started to search the internet on cool things to do in LA.  I do this a lot actually, search restaurant and food blogs, music scene blogs, websites that list local events.  I always like to pretend I am extremely cultured which sometimes isn't the case, but either way I know C and I like to consider ourselves open-minded.

I found this website about wine tasting, which I obviously love - hello! - and suggested to C that we drive across town to try it out.  C, always being down for my last minute suggestions, obliged and we headed to the wine store.  You could choose either red or white (I am a red-wine girl ALL THE WAY) and you get generous pours of three different wines for 12 dollars.  There is bread and butter also available to nosh on.  We got some wine, were able to walk around and peruse the store, caught up on our days and people watched.  It was such a good idea and I was really happy that we made the trek.

Tonight after work, C and I are gonna catch a movie and then go to a taco shop that we have seen a couple of local articles on.  It's totally off the beaten path, not fancy in the least, and extremely cheap.  But what a fun way to spend a Friday night?  I love LA.

I'm baaaaaaaack

Oh how I missed you so!  It's been about two weeks - which is ridiculously long to not keep in touch.  Sure, I love to bore you with the mundane details of my life approximately 4-5 times a week and I'm sure it was hard for you not to have that, but what was really hard for me was not having the time to sit and read your blogs!  I have definite withdrawal symptoms.  So I will quickly tell you about my trip and then I will try to get to all of your blogs through the weekend by the end of this year! HA!

Number one?  We had a fucking fantastic time.  This is quite surprising to both C and me because a) we were in 10-40 degrees weather the whole time and being an LA girl, that usually tends to suck, b) we were with his family for 10 DAYS STRAIGHT and as much as I like them, that worried both of us and c) there was SO MUCH EATING and hardly any moving around and normally?  I hate that.  But guess what?  This time? It was nice feeling like a lazy fat pig!

I won't bore you with too many details but I'll give you the highlights.

Last Monday, we flew into Denver and C and I immediately rented a car to drive two hours up into the Rocky Mountains to Beaver Creek (It's right next to Vail).  Let me just tell you, that as a kid I always wanted to spend some time in one of these cute little ski villages, where there are ice skating rinks and chocolate stores and Starbucks and good restaurants, and you could walk around and ski and then relax by the fire and then walk some more.  It was so perfect and beautiful and out of a movie.  We stayed in a condo there with his family for two nights, playing Trivial Pursuit and eating yummy food and watching good movies and laughing.  C also decided (on his own) that he wanted to take me out alone for dinner the second night, so he found this beautiful restaurant and we went on a date.  Very sweet if you ask me, considering he sees me all the goddamn time and his family very rarely.  I guess he just knew that he wouldn't be alone with me for the next 8 days and wanted to give me a "treat".

On Thursday of last week, C and I had a flight from Denver to Chicago, and what do ya know? They downsized the plane and we were left without a seat, along with 30 or more people.  I immediately went into panic mode, as I quite clearly remember Last December 29th, when C and I had to be put on standby for 8 hours, and only got out of Chicago the next morning at 6.  That, my friends, was HELL.  SO, I nicely spoke to some sweet man wearing a Santa tie, who totally hooked C and I up.  We got to fly first class to Sioux Falls (please, stop the chuckling.  I know, I know, a 1 hour flight, but it was something.  And Sioux Falls's airport?  One long hallway with a stuffed dog.)  and a couple hour layover and then off to Chicago.  SO we made it there only four hours past when we should have BUT we did manage to score two free roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the US except Alaska and Hawaii so I would say we made out well.

Oh, did I tell you that I also was feeling sick again?  I couldn't believe it, as I had just gotten over the WORST cold of my life a bit over a month ago, and then all of a sudden, I was sick again.  And flying.  This was not a good combination.

We woke up the next morning in Illinois to snow on the ground and a pretty sunny sky.  And so started our week of EATING.  Full-on breakfast every morning, and lunch 3 hours later, and of course a heavy hearty dinner.  Did I mind?  Not one bit.  I loved it.  C and I cooked for his whole family on the 23rd (that was 27 people - It felt like Dinner Impossible) and the other days I helped his mom out happily. When I say happily I truly mean it too, because if you would have tried to keep me inside for four straight days at C's parents' house last year or the year before I would have said NO WAY.  But this time, for whatever reason, I felt so comfortable and happy, and genuinely enjoyed their company - especially his mom (In fact, we had a long heart to heart about the "marriage" issue and she was so great about it).  I looked forward to talking to her, and getting her advice, and telling her stories.  It was so nice.  On the 2nd or 3rd day we were there, C looked at me and said this was the best Christmas home he's had in years because he could trust that I was having a good time and he didn't have to constantly check on me like he used to in the past.  This time, he could freely go down to the basement with his brother and dad and play darts or pool, and he knew I would be fine upstairs with the ladies and the kids.

And ohmigod the kids!  C's brother has two kids, a 4 year old boy and a little 8 month old girl.  The boy has always had this thing for me - when C and I see him for the first time in a long time, he tends to run right past him and jump into my arms.  I love that of course, but now that he is getting to a certain stage and has a new baby sister who gets TONS of attention, he had moments of devil-like behavior.  Which was not fun.  But the 8-month old!  So cute - what a sweet age!  And she was obsessed with her Uncle C and wow - to see him with a little baby girl got me teary-eyed at moments.

Other highlights?  We went to visit C's grandparents who are both in a nursing home, the grandfather for physical reasons and the grandma for dementia.  Even though it was sad to see them like that, they were both so sweet and fun and loving, and I just loved seeing the family interact and taking pictures of it.

Also, we spent the first Friday night with a few of C's friends and their wives for dinner at this great Italian restaurant.  It's always good to get together with them, because amazingly enough, I get along with all of the wives really well.  The not so fun part?  Being grilled about marriage after a couple of glasses of wine.  Haven't we had enough???  This last Wednesday, we went to one of the couples' condo, which we hadn't seen yet and they cooked dinner for us.  It was so great.  SUCH a cute house and great food and great music and obviously great wine (anyone else feel they have drank too much lately?) and good conversation and I just loved it.  So much fun. 

And finally Christmas morning.  With mimosas and Christmas music and thousands of presents under the tree, it just it so much fun for me.  And C and I made out pretty nice!  Although I didn't get EXACTLY what I wanted (this is kinda a joke because if C ever proposed to me Christmas morning in front of all of his family, I would be mortified), he did get me the perfume I wanted so badly, an adorable shirt, and a pair of beautiful earrings and a ring.  Not that kind but it was still beautiful.  His parents and family all got us great stuff too (including a new DVD player, gift cards to Marriot Hotels, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Forever 21, Borders, etc. - they know me well!).

And so came Thursday morning, to quickly pack up and go home, but guess what?  DG got a ridiculous sinus infection!  So no matter how much medicine I took, and how much I tried to forget about it, that day of flying was honestly the most excrutiating thing I had ever gone through.  I mean, ridiculous.  My head was gonna EXPLODE!!!!!  At least I didn't focus on the fact that we were flying and whoops! I'm scared of flying but I actually wasn't at all and I think it cured my fear!

Lastly, C and I are doing really well.  There was hardly one argument the whole time, minus the marriage one after we got majorly grilled.  But other than that, we got along really well and I feel like we bonded even more if that's possible?  As far as the marriage and future talk?  We'll just have to see.  I will say I did get a little more insight as to why he's feeling the way he is, and a lot of it has nothing to do with me but with his job and the current state of his career-life.  So, we'll see.  If I'm happy now must I change it? 

:)

And so it's the day before Thanksgiving.  Can you guys really believe that it's the END of November already??? I can't even begin to understand where this year went.

Yesterday was such a fun day.  It started early (well, at 8:30 which is early if you're not going to work!) when C and I woke up to go to our SECOND spinning class together (and it was his idea).  The class was even better than the first - we sweat our asses off and loved the music.  So much fun.

C had to go to work for a few hours, and it was a really cold overcast day.  So I sat on my couch with my laptop and read blogs, random websites, and really enjoyed being home.

At lunch I met up with my dad.  Won't go into details but really, Dad?  Seriously?  Ugh.

After lunch, I ran some errands and then came home, turned on Oprah's Favorite Things episode and waited for C to come home. When he did we just cuddled on the couch and listened to James Taylor for about an hour, and then we got in our car to head over to the Grove to go see a movie.  When we got out of the movie it was dark, and if you click on the link you can see just how amazing it looks when the decorate it for the Holidays and light up the Chritmas Tree.  They also have fake snow that they shoot out of the rooftops every hour.  It's really awesome.

When we came home, we popped open a bottle of wine, and played Monopoly.  SO MUCH FUN. I never really knew how to play because as a kid, I used to want to play so badly, set the whole game up by distributing the money and everything, and then my sister would tell me she wouldn't want to play anymore.  That sucked.

But yesterday was so much fun - with the music playing and the heater on and the wine flowing and the property buying...   

Sometimes it's the simple pleasures in life that make us really happy and grateful, don't you think?

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!!

This sucks.

So, I'm officially out of a job tomorrow.  (Unless, something happens to extend us, which we'll know later today).

This strike sucks.  Yes, it's needed and important and I understand WHY they're striking, but it still sucks.  You know what else sucks?  Crossing the picket line every morning coming into work.  Makes me feel like a jackass but hey, what can I do.

The job market in LA will self implode in a few weeks I assume.  People that would never do a certain job because a) it wasn't an interest of theirs or b) it was "below" them will be applying to them now.  My partner and I posted that we needed an assistant a few weeks ago, and even though we aren't hiring right now, the resumes KEEP pouring in.  And from people that are WAY overqualified for the gig, or have NEVER done anything in this arena.  I can only imagine that this is the way it is everywhere.

C and I are both feeling the effects.  As of right now, he'll be off November 30th.  Isn't this all just fantastic timing?  Right before the holidays.  No presents this year.  Hell, maybe no plane trips either.  Shit.

Last night over a glass of wine (yay! I finally had one!), C and I wee trying to think of some good ideas for another project which does not include writers.  I, personally think it's a great idea so I'll keep you guys posted.

C leaves tomorrow night for a weekend in Lake Arrowhead and I'm surprisingly okay with it.  Not that I wont miss him, but I'm excited for a girly weekend. 

This morning I went to the gym for the first time in over a week and wow - did I feel the burn.  To be honest, I go to the gym so often that I liked being sick and having a real excuse for not going.  It gave my body a break and allowed me to sleep in.  Sometimes, we all need a break, right?  And it's cold out anyway, so really?  Who needs to be skinny?  I actually should be fattening up for all of those months of living off Top Ramen.

Wedding weekend woohoo!

OK, so even the title of this post seems like I am just BURSTING with energy, which in fact I am not. It's Monday morning and I am tiiiiiiiiiired.  Why, then, did I wake my ass up to go to the gym this morning when I felt like I was sleepdriving my way there?  GOOD QUESTION.  If only I had an answer.  No need to lose weight to look good at the wedding, cause it's over, and it's almost winter, so it should be getting cold anytime soon (minus the 95 degree weather yesterday - kill.me.now), and I can wear big sweaters and jackets to hide my flabbier areas.  I'll try to remind myself this tomorrow as I am STRUGGLING to get out of bed to make it to the hell we call a gym ;)

The weekend was FANTASTIC.  Friday night, the rehearsal dinner was fun, good people, great wine, just eh food.  I made a speech for the whole bridal party, letting the couple know how amazing they are and how perfect they are for each other.  It's amazing how easy it is to get me in front of people when I am drinking.  The nice part about the speech I made and everyone else's speech for that matter, is that they were ALL sincere - cause this really is that couple.

Since the venue was about an hour away, C and I had planned to stay in a hotel that the couple had picked for everyone since it was the right price.  Shoulda known better because holy shite, that hotel was the most DISGUSTING thing I had ever seen.  The room! OH GOD the room!  Blue carpet, stale cigarette smoke, apricot mesh curtains, cracks in the toilet seat, etc.  C and I took one look and realized there was a reason he didnt drink that much because we needed him to drive us home STAT. 

The next morning, he once again drove me to the hotel to meet up with everyone (my guess is everyone was WASTED and that's how they were able to sleep there), and we girls went up to the house where the wedding was to take place.  The house had the most amazing yard and view - PERFECT for a small (90 people) wedding.  All day was makeup, and hair, and dress, and pictures! And more pictures!!!  The bride (my best friend from college) couldn't have been more calm and happy, it was IDEAL.

By 4 all of the guests arrived, and guess what?  It started to drizzle.  The wedding was outside and there was no other alternative but to wait out the rain because the couple (on a budget) didn't realize that you have to have backups in case of rain at an OCTOBER wedding!!!

But within minutes, the rain stopped, and we walked down the aisle for a short and sweet ceremony (12 minutes!) and then more pictures!  And then cocktails, and yummy yummy Italian food and then speeches and then dancing.  And SO much dancing.  The bride didn't stop all night.  That was the kind of party it was.  One thing I know about my wedding (whenever it will be) is that there will be A LOT of dancing.

One last thing, C was AMAZING and always is at weddings and social functions.  Dancing with all of the single girls, getting the bridal party drinks, talking to the chatterbox grandparents, friendly with the boyfriend's and husbands.  When I see him in that element, I'm reminded why I love him so much and how lucky I am to have him.  It says something when everyone you know LOVES your boyfriend.

Too bad they didn't see him the morning after hunched over our toilet from too much champagne.  Only I get to see that side :)  And you know what?  I still love the guy.

Chatterboxes

The weekend was so great, once again.  It started off with a rainy Friday night, where C and I went to this new tapas restaurant just up the street.  He basically had to force me to leave the house though, as my body is still adjusting to the crazy schedule I'm now on, and I literally couldn't stop yawing at 7:30 pm on a Friday night.  And the people that know me know that's not me at all.

Anyway, the restaurant was just eh but what C and I had fun doing was observing the two tables we sat between.  On our left was a couple who were hardly talking, but were fairly young.  They also seemed really happy which was strange since they just sat there quietly.  On our right was a couple that were chatting away, like, NONSTOP.  And having so much fun.  So our immediate assumption was that the quiet couple have been together forever and the loud couple were on a first date.

Well, I am a private detective in my spare time (ha) so after some listening and searching for rings I found just the opposite.  Chatty couple was married and quiet couple were engaged!  Veeeeery interesting I thought.  It used to really bother me when C and I would go out to eat and lack in the conversation.  But it rarely happens anymore and if it does, it's usually over a Sunday breakfast when sometimes, it's nice to just enjoy your coffee and people watch.  What about you guys that are in relationships?  Chatty or not so chatty?

Our softball game got rained out so instead, we saw a movie and did laundry and then on Saturday night we went to get sushi and drank way too much sake, which happened to be so much fun.  C and I laughed and talked for hours.  Honestly, one of the best nights I've had in a while.

Yesterday, we watched the Bears (sad) and went to Target (fun) and completely cleaned out our closets (horrible to do but in hindsight, yay!).  Then I cooked a really yummy halibut dinner and we watched The Davinci Code and went to sleep.  Sometimes the mundane things are really the best.

And now, its Monday morning, the start of a LOOOOOOONG week.  Happy Monday?

eat, drink and be merry

The weekend ended up being SO much fun and once again, reminded me what a big, over-dramatic worrier I am and can be.  C's friends arrived Saturday morning and we went to C's softball game, followed by apps and some drinks on the ocean at Duke's in Malibu, and then a quick stroll through the Santa Monica Promenade.  On the way home, we drove through Beverly Hills and up Robertson and sure enough there were paparazzi so she was EXTREMELY happy to know a celebrity was in the vicinity.

That was the funny thing.  She was INSANELY obsessed with seeing a celebrity while she was here.  And it almost put this sense of pressure on me - like, OMG where do we go that we'll definitely see someone??  But the truth was that normally, if I'm to see a celebrity, it's on a random Tuesday at 2:30 pm at a convenience store.  Meaning, you can't plan these things to save your life. 

Saturday night, we went to a VERY LA restaurant, with great, loud music and expensive but yummy sushi.  And we walked around Hollywood Blvd. so they could see different kinds of stars - the ones on the sidewalk.

Yesterday, we woke up and watched another depressing football game, followed by a walk and some shopping on Melrose, and then a drive through Bel Air, and then Mulholland, stopping at various points to take pictures of the amazing sites and views and of course, the Hollywood Sign. 

Before dinner, we sat on our front porch and listened to great music and drank some Pinot Grigio and talked.  Honestly, the best part of the weekend for me.

For dinner, we went to this great Italian spot, then went to this little dessert place nearby, and then, on the way home, we had remembered that they never tried In'n'Out and seriously, what's a trip to LA without some In'n'Out? so we stopped and picked up one Double Double, animal style burger and each had a bite before we went to bed.

Speaking of food, I think I ate nothing but CARBS all day yesterday.  Muffin, then chips and salsa, then cheese and crackers with our wine, then bread and pasta at dinner, followed by an ice-cream sandwich for dessert.  Who the hell am I???

All in all, it was a great weekend.  They were so much fun to have around, and nothing beats a couple of friends who both you AND your man get along with equally.  Those kinds of couples come by few and far between so when you've got it?  You have to cherish it.

And tonight, C, my sister, her husband and I are going to see DMB!!! I've been waiting FOREVER for this night and I am SOOOO happy it's here - finally!

It feels good to be missed

Yesterday afternoon I went to visit my old office.  This was where I was working for three years prior to me getting this new job.  I have a female and a male boss there and then our assistant.  The had been working now for about a week on a new project and were pretty busy so when I offered to bring them coffee they couldn't have been happier.

When I got there I immediately sat at my old desk.  It was actually a kneejerk reaction - just natural.  The phone rang thousands of times and I picked it up a couple of those times without even thinking.  My workspace is EXACTLY like it was when I was there, since I haven't packed up any of my things yet.  Basically, it felt like I still worked there.

Except what was really nice was how sweet everyone was to me.  Now I get along really well with all of my coworkers anyway, but yesterday? I felt like I had paid them to praise me.  My head boss (who we call Jeff Lewis from the show Flipping Out because he really can be that crazy) was laughing with me and telling me he didn't want me to move out cause he'll be sad and who will he be able to discuss that morning's Regis and Kelly and the View.  My other boss was so sweet - she couldn't tell me how much she misses me more and she needed me there to help her creatively with ideas and work.  And our assistant actually said the sweetest thing to me - she said "I can see now why you have so many friends - because when you're not around it's just not the same.  You bring such fun and life into this office!"  I can't help but say I was sincerely touched.

I also was able to pick up three months of my wine club wines that my sister got me for my birthday in June.  I had no idea that two bottles came in each of the boxes, so I brought home 6 wines from regions around the world, and of course invited my friend over so we could share a bottle of one of the Australian Pinots. And it must be good wine because after drinking a half a bottle I'm not even hungover today. Yay!

Tonight we celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, at my mom's house where we will eat yummy food and dip apples into honey.  Tradition!