20 Something in LA LA land...

LA

I woke up yesterday morning to a text from my best friend who lives an hour south in the OC. At 8:15 am: "YAY!!! The Strike is OVER!!!".  I Immediately run to my computer and quickly check out the various websites that constantly give me updates on industry-related news.  Hmmm, I see that the writers are moving into formal talks... ok.  I also see that film A was greenlit, and that Ashley Tisdale (who I just saw yesterday) is attached to Film B... but nothing about the strike being over.  Maybe I was just reading wrong?

I quickly text back my friend - "Where did you read that?", thinking well, maybe my friend in fashion has better sources than me?

"I didn't.  I heard it on the radio... I think Ryan Seacrest?"

Reason #45,627 you shouldn't believe what you hear - especially from Ryan at 8 am.  What a way to wake up!

Last night, over pasta and wine with a girlfriend who also works in my industry, something pretty interesting happened.  My friend just got a new job working for a huge studio, in the same field as me.  Therefore, after we get past the gossip of our lives - you know, relationship, gym, asshole who gave me a parking ticket that day, we move onto what else?  Work. 

The restaurant was pretty small.  Cozy and loud, but small.  Most tables were practically on top of us.  We didn't think twice though, to talk about our jobs in detail, including industry names.  All of a sudden, she leans in and kinda whispers to me "do you realize almost everyone around is eavesdropping?"  I hadn't, but as we continued to talk, I did in fact notice.  You know you are in LA when you are talking about your job (or the jobs that we have) and every table (prob. 75% actors) is trying to get the latest info and find out just who you are.  Surreal.  I hated it.  Now can you just imagine being Britney?

The rambling weekend recap

The weekend was - how else can I say it - perfect.  Not only was it filled with food, friends, and fun, but C and I are in a very good place.  I mean, other than when I gave him crap for coming home after playing basketball and throwing his shit all over the living room.  But that's pretty typical.  And showering?  You'd think it would be natural to want to shower after playing three hours of sweaty nasty basketball but apparently when football playoffs are on, showering goes down your list of priorities.  But that's a whole other story.

Friday night, we started our evening at out favorite Irish gastropub/bar down the street.  It's such a warm environment, where we can sit at the bar, enjoy some yummy beer and wine and just decompress the crazy week that just ended.  Oh, and they have the best fries known to man (or at least known to me) so that never hurts.  Afterwards, we went out to dinner to an Ethiopian restaurant here in LA.  Shocked?  yeah, I know, I was a little hesitant.  However, C and I have embarked on this new exciting mission of trying different, interesting, off the beaten path type restaurants - and what better place to do it than here in LA?  A couple of weeks ago was Peruvian and now Ethiopian.  And can I just stop and say that when C and I first met?  He would shy away from anything that wasn't meat and potatoes - and now?  He LOVES fish (even the raw kind), and different ethnic cuisines.  So, I could say I did a good job.  Anyway, Ethiopian food is SO good, everything comes on this thin bread/crepe, and there are NO utensils, so you eat by ripping a piece of the bread (injera) and scooping your meats and vegetables.  PROS?  YUMMY food, cheap bill, very interesting date.  CONS?  Smelly hands for hours and the possibility of eating too much and not being able to stop because it was SO damn good and then subsequently not being able to sleep because of VERY FULL TUMMY with indigestion.  Thank you C for running out and getting me Alka Seltzer at midnight. 

Saturday was errands and dinner and games with a very close couple of ours.  Remind me to elaborate on that another time because also?  Quite the experience having dinner with a newlywed couple who are SO intent on showing that they have the HAPPIEST LIFE EVER.  With matching outfits too!

Yesterday was breakfast, followed by an open house nearby and hi?  I want to afford my own house TODAY.  Also, we went furniture shopping and bought a new dresser which should be arriving at some point this afternoon.  And last night?  Fish tacos and Amazing Race. 

I'd say it was one of the better weekends in a long while.

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.

Keeping busy

C is someone that tries to make the most of his time.  I mean, not always, as many days he is found sitting on the couch watching football, playing online poker, or playing his Xbox until ungodly hours of the morning (maybe he thinks it's more productive than sleeping?).  But if he has extra time in his schedule, he usually tries to fill it with something meaningful.

Like in April, when he had exactly 4 weeks off work for a hiatus, and he planned a three week trip to visit his college friends.  Meanwhile, the week he came back I was off for approximately 20 gazillion years and I spent my days going to the gym and reading blogs. For what seemed like years.

When the strike started, we knew that at some point we would both be off work.  Since that also meant that the money wouldn't be a'flowin, we couldn't take any trips other than the trip to visit his family next week.

So C came up with a plan for each of us to think of approx. 5 things each that we have never done or seen here in LA and want to.  Genius, right?  I know, he's good.

I love that kind of shit.  I spend my free time online, reading websites about my city's new museums and galleries and shops and restaurants and markets and festivals and events.  I'm always wanting to check stuff out, but don't want to do it alone and usually our weekends are so filled with other stuff that we never get around to it.

C is now officially off work.  Friday was his last day.  It sucks, but for him, right now, it's for the better because he was saying it was more depressing being in an office that was hit so hard due to the circumstances. 

Yesterday, after C got home from playing basketball and we ate some lunch, we decided that we would do one thing on my list.  He was curious what I chose and I was embarrassed to tell him what the Number 1 thing in LA I wanted to do was.  Because of all the things in this amazing city, all I cared about was seeing the new Whole Foods in Pasadena that I have seen pictures of, read about and have been obsessed over.

Wouldn't you know my number 1 was related to food?

Why C is great?  He figured that would be it.  I mean, obviously, he said.  SO after seeing what could easily be the best movie of the year, Juno, C and I made the trek to Pasadena (about 20 minutes away).  After hitting up the WRONG Whole Foods (yes, we drove 10 miles longer than needed), we pulled into the  parking lot, walked in the store and were amazed.

Two floors, each section was 3 times larger than normal Whole Foods.  There was a seafood section, with a seafood restaurant and seafood bar attached.  There was a rotisserie and carving station, with tables and seats, where you could easily bring your family for Sunday night dinner.  The cheese section OH MY GOD the cheese section was ORGASMIC.  So big, with samples galore.  And next to that?  The wine and tapas bar, where you could actually sit down and have wine tastings with cheese pairings.  There were couples and friends sitting at the bar and the couches just enjoying their evening at Whole Foods as if it were your neighborhood pub.  And DO NOT get me started on the dessert section, and honestly, can you say no when you are offered samples of donuts and pumpkin pie???

All in all, it was worth the drive and I will definitely go back.  And C?  I know he loved it too.

And today C is already gone, went to Big Bear to help a friend build a cabin until tomorrow night.  See?  Only a couple days off and he's already traveling :)  Can't he learn to just be lazy like me?

Letter to my fellow gym-goers.

Hey guys,

Isn't it fun that we all go to the same gym here in LA almost everyday?  Isn't it just great that we care about our fitness and cholesterol and appearance?  I know.  It is!

But since we see eachother almost every.single.day and that means we're kinda like friends now, I thought I would just write you guys a letter to let you know how I really feel.

* First of all - the talking.  I totally feel you - you're popular!  I GET IT.  Does that mean I need to hear your cell phone ring 16 times in the course of 30 minutes on the treadmill RIGHT NEXT TO ME??? No.  Sure, if your kid is having an emergency or say you may get fired from your job if you don't take it?  Well then fine.  But if I hear one more goddamn conversation about Dancing with The Stars and "HA HA" and "OMG!!!" and "FUCK YOU you are SO FUNNY!!!" when I am focused on my run?  Not so cool.  See, there's a problem when my "Barbie Girl" is on the loudest setting on my iPod and I can still hear you talk about Tila Tequila.  ON YOUR CELL.

* Next, the smells.  I love smells - you know, of the pumpkin pie, rose, and Marc Jacobs variety but B.O.??  NOT SO MUCH.  Friends - put on some deodorant!  It can't be that hard - wake up, brush teeth, put on deodorant!  Also, please do not eat copious amounts of garlic or drink insane amounts of tequila the night before either.  Because really?  I don't like working out at a restaurant / bar.

* Your clothes.  I'm ALL about wearing whatever you want to the gym - I really am.  Different clothes are more conducive to different people's bodies and workout styles but ladies?  Going to the gym is NOT an audition for the Bachelor.  I promise you.  You don't need to dress that skimpy, I mean, shorts should be at least 5 inches long, right?  I love ya, but I really really don't need to see your Britneys in front of me in spin class.  And men?  Tighter is NOT better.

* Lastly, the sounds.  (I know I'm being a little crazy on this one but go with it)  Please bring a tissue if you need to consistently remove snot from your nose as you work out.  I don't need to hear it every single time you snort, sniff, and cough.  Also, the grunting.  Really?  Seriously?

Like I said before, I LOVE working out all the time too.  If you could just make these slight changes in your "routine", it would be greatly appreciated :)

XOXO,
DG

Sidenote:  I just had seriously the most disgusting experience and had to share.  As I was driving out of the Starbucks parking lot this morning, a man in a GORGEOUS mercedes almost hit my car.  Luckily I was paying attention, because he had no clue what he was doing... as he was looking down straight into the most disgusting SMUT magazine.  (Did he not realize that I have an SUV and can look down into his car and see everything???)  This was girl on girl stuff, with dildos and close ups of the lower regions, and the man was blatantly flipping through the mag as he would be in the privacy of his bedroom. Plus, he was doing it while driving way below the speed limit and in two lines.  Worst part?  He had a wedding ring on.   Just had to share.

:)

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!!!

Starsightings in LA

Having lived in LA all of my life, I have seen my share of celebrities.  Some amazing (hello Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep), but mostly, they are of the B-list and lower variety, and for some reason, those are the ones that I'll always remember.

Like the time I was lifting weights next to Danny Bonaduce (yes, he's short and creepy).  Or the time Ron Jeremy was in front of me in line at Whole Foods.  Or the time C and I sat next to Donald Faison (from Scrubs) and his girlfriend Cacee Cobb (Jessica Simpson's old assistant) on opening night of Knocked Up.  Or the time I went to see Stranger than Fiction on a weekday alone in an empty theater and in walked Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie 5 minutes into the movie and sat right in front of me (Paris ate a burger, Nicole went to the bathroom 5 times, and they both checked their mirrors 16 times - no joke).

Seeing "celebrities" in LA is so normal, it's ridiculous.  I actually can't remember a time where I am in a restaurant or mall setting and don't see someone that I recognize.  At first it's cool but then it just becomes normal (I mean, if I saw Brad and Angelina I may pass out).

Today, here in LA, there is the WGA event "Bring a star with you to the picket lines" at NBC Universal.  For any tourist, this could be such a pot of gold it's not even funny.  The list of stars is insane... check out this for a list of who will be out there.

I would love to think something like this would help the strike to end sooner, but all it does is just create publicity.  I'm on the other side of town but if I worked there?  You KNOW I would be out there taking pics for all of you!

Los Angeles is burning.

I'm running into a meeting so I only have a few seconds to write this (what else is new).  As you all have probably heard, fires are burning like crazy here in Southern California.  C and I knew it would happen, as we were watching TV Saturday night while the wind was INSANE outside and it was dryer than it had been in a long time.

Sure enough, Sunday morning we woke up to the news that not only was there a big fire in Malibu, but my favorite landmark since I was a child, the castle, was also burning.  I never knew much about the castle until it was reported as burning, but I did know that I LOVED that castle and had a recurring fantasy about it (no, not the sexual kind). 

When I was a kid, my family and I used to go to the beach (especially Malibu) almost every weekend. Sometimes to hang at the beach, other times to have lunch, sometimes to hike.  But every time, I used to drive past Pepperdine College and just know that I would go there (I didn't) and then drive past the castle and know that I would live there one day (yes, I was 10 yrs old at the time). 

And now, the castle is gone.

But the woman who lived in the castle has TONS of money and will easily rebuild.  What about all of the other poeple who's homes have burned down.  There is no way in such a short time that they could have packed up every picture, every yearbook, every birthday card, every animal.  And its just a tragedy.

The worst part is, it's not nearly over.  Every hour, there's a new fire.  A new house burning.  More damage and tragedy.  Makes me feel guilty that now I have to get back to my "important" job in television.

Sad.

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!

sightseeing in LA

On Saturday morning, C's childhood friend and his wife are coming to visit for a couple of days.  I have known about this since March, as they are really coming for a wedding in the OC on Friday night, but then are staying thru the weekend with us.

The last few weeks I have been thinking/worrying about their visit at different times.  Worrying because we only have a one bedroom apt, so they will have to sleep on our couch.  While it's a nice LARGE couch that they can both fit on, I'm concerned that it wont be comfortable, or the room will be too loud or too bright in the morning.

I'm also worrying that our apartment isn't decorated cute enough, or clean enough, which everyone tells me is ridiculous.  But the wife is so great and cute and fun but also really domestic and her house probably looks like Pottery Barn threw up on it.  I just don't want her to judge us or me.  (Aren't I ridiculous?)

Also, yesterday evening I had a little bit of a freak-out/meltdown that we aren't going to take them to the "right" places while they are here for just two days.  She is very much like me - loves the Hills and celebrities and yummy food and wine - but from the Midwest, so I have this feeling that she wants to go somewhere "scene-ey" where we may spot a celebrity or ten.  But frankly, all of the pressure makes me want to just say "screw it - we're going to Mickey D's (which I would NEVER say no matter how desperate I am)"...

I'm sure no matter what we do they will have a good time, but it still stresses me out that it wont be "perfect" for their LA trip.

So, to help me, if you guys were visiting LA, what would you want to do?