Lindsey came to visit me!!!! She came in late last Friday night....basically Saturday morning. But it worked out perfectly because I got off work and drove straight to the Airport to pick her up and she only had to wait for me for like 10 minutes! Love it!
So we just went straight to bed. The next day, we walked up Vine St and then down Hollywood Blvd the whole way. Got to check out all of the stars! One the way, we stopped at a little alcove of restaurants and grabbed some food. Then we kept on our way to The Kodak and Grauman's.
After that, we walked back to my place and changed and then headed to Venice Beach to walk the boardwalk. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Venice is the best people watching experience ever! It's pretty wonderful! We saw people rollerskating to music, skateboarding at the skate park, we saw a three headed turtle. We saw a guy jump over a half dozen people. And of course Muscle Beach....you're always sure to see some characters there. And Lindsey bought some cute jewelry for a couple bucks too. Can't beat that. We even ran into my friends Jesse and Patrick who were also showing someone around town!
After Venice, we just went down the street to Santa Monica. As we were parking, I saw Chewey from Chelsea Lately. This is her mexican midget assistant. I was pretty excited, but Lindsey has never seen the show so she had no idea who he was! :)
We walked down the pier and watched the Sunset there. Then we stopped for some wonderful funnel cake. Then we were cold (the wind sucks....or blows....out on that pier) so we went to the car. We had been trying to think of some Halloween things to do that night....but everything was so darn expensive and we were pretty beat.....so we decided to just go back to my place, carve pumpkins and watch a scary movie. BUT FIRST.....
We went to Pink's. I finally had a Pink's hot dog. Even though we were not hungry....te he he. You'll see Pink's on the Food Network sometimes. It's a famous hot dog stand that actually started during the depression and it still stands. There's usually a line around the block, but we waited because I was told that it moves fast. I call bullshit on that one. 50 minutes for a hot dog is a bit much. It was good though....just not 50 minutes good. Then we went back to my place and met my friend Richard to carve some pumpkins.
The next day, we got up and went to the bar...te he he. It was Sunday and there was a Steeler game to watch. We changed it up this week and went to Big Wangs instead of Hooters....hmmm....what's with the naming of sports bars? Anyway, Hooters is just a Steeler bar (which is kind of like any bar back home, except it's kinda cool cause you know you're 3000 miles away and still have all of those fans) and Big Wangs really shows how there is a crowd for every single team in this town. After that, we tried to hit up the Farmer's Market, which was on that block, but they were starting to close down at that point.
We couldn't go too far because my play was that night, so we just decided to do the whole Beverly Hills, Bell Air, Rodeo Drive route...and if it was still light out, we'd go to the La Brea Tar Pits.
We drove down Sunset to go through the Strip and then went up through Beverly Hills. Now, in Beverly Hills....they're very good about using hedges and fences so that no one can really see anything. But I chose a decent street to go up and we saw some nice houses. Then, we went passed the gate to Bell Air, and there were lots of Open House signs out front.....so we went in and drove around and looked at houses. We went to go to a couple open houses, but I chickened out. We would have been the only ones there....it was around 4:00 so they were all getting really to leave and I didn't want to be the reason we kept them there. Also....the one house we pulled into would've taken at least an hour to walk through.....it was the size of a hotel.....and not a small hotel!
So, we just drove around and admired the archetecture....and wondered who lived there (especially the one that had tons of signs outside that said 'absolutely not stopping anytime' in front of the house....hmmm). After that, we walked down Rodeo Drive....which is always fun.
We ended up having enough time to go to the Tar Pits. They were really bubbly that day which was nice. For those of you who have never seen it before....it is exactly what the name says....it's a pit of tar. It smells like a construction site, but it's actually kind of cool. Just don't expect a lot when you go there....te he he.
Then we needed food, so we went to the Fairfax Farmer's Market (the one that's always there). After that, it was show time....Lindsey really enjoyed the closing night of my play! And then we went to a bar with my cast mates.
The entire time that she was here, we were debating on whether or not to go to Catalina on Monday. I had purchased snorkeling tickets earlier in the week, but it had been rainy and we found out that the ticket to get to the island was really expensive. After looking at the weather report on the island for Monday and my wonderful brother-in-law saying that he would buy our boat tickets, we decided to go.
It was soooo much fun. The boat ride was nice. Lindsey thinks she saw a seal....I didn't see one though. Snorkeling was awesome....we saw some really cool fish. It was cold though! Oh....did I mention that about 2 hours north just a few days earlier, a guy was killed by a shark.....te he he....we're rebels!
Catalina island is sooo pretty. We didn't even get to see much of it. We went into some shops. Then Lindsey went to shop for a bottle of wine for Chris. And then we had dinner on the water.....after a quick stroll back to our pick up point, it was time to take the boat back to Long Beach. Once we were back there, we walked around Long Beach for a while. There was a little place called Seaside Village that we saw when our boat was leaving and we wanted to check it out. Most of it was closed at that point, but it was still cute. All of Long Beach is cute. We also got some great views of the Queen Mary. Then we got locked in out parking garage....te he he. No cashiers, no automated system. Just called the security guard to let us out....but I didn't have to pay that way....te he he.
The next day was brief. Lindsey had to go back to Pittsburgh in the early afternoon so we really only had a little bit of time. We went to this place up in the hills to get a good picture of the Hollywood Sign. It took a while to get both of us in there because I had to set up my timer. The only other people there at the time I don't think spoke english. But we got it. Then we went to In and Out Burger because I got yelled at by my friend Michelle for not taking her there....te he he.
Then it was off to the airport. It was so much fun while she was out here....but man was I beat! I know she was too and then she got home late and had to get up early for work....poor Lindsey.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Best....Day.....Ever!!!!
Okay....I know I have a lot to catch up on....the rest of Katie's visit. My seeing Harry Connick Jr., John Williams, and Goo Goo Dolls....but I'm going to take today and write about the best day ever!
As soon as ticket to the Ellen Degeneres show became available, I knew that I wanted to request tickets for me birthday, Sept 22. Since that was only the second week of the season, I also knew it was going to be hard to get them…..they would be in pretty high demand. Well, I submitted my request and a day or two later, someone from the Ellen show called me and told me that they have standby tickets for me. She said that we would be put in the audience only if people with guaranteed tickets did not show up. Otherwise, we would be put behind the audience, in the riff raff room to watch the taping and get two guaranteed tickets for another day. I thought ‘as long as I’m doing something concerning seeing Ellen on my birthday, I consider that a score! So I accepted that offer rather than figuring out another show to go to.
My birthday celebrations actually began the Saturday before my birthday. I had planned to go to an outdoor screening of Ferris Bueller. It was also a food festival and thought it would be a lot of fun. Well, considering people would have to meet at my place around 4 or 4:30 and it would last until roughly 11:00, not that many people could commit to giving up that much of their Saturday. I totally understood that and adjusted my plans. I just had a very laid back shin dig at my place that evening. I was so happy that a good many people could come and just hang out, drink, and chat (and play a very stirring game called 7’s….but that’s a story for another day).
So, the night before my birthday, I actually went out to a karaoke bar with my friend Elvia. I know her from work and it turns out we have the same birthdays and she was actually turning 21. It was tons of fun. We did a shot at midnight and sang songs and had a great time.
The next day, I woke up nice and early to go to the Ellen show. Just to let you know….this was a huge deal for me. Before I left for the big move here, the question would always arise…’what will you do when you first get to LA?’ I would avoid the awkward ‘get headshots’ or ‘find an apartment’ or any of that boring stuff to respond with and I would always answer with ‘I’m going to the Ellen show.’ So, actually going on my birthday was kind of a big deal.
My friend Laura, from work….not Laura from PA, was meeting me to come with me to the show. I was excited to take her because I really did want to bring someone that genuinely really wanted to go to the Ellen show. So, she always says that she invited herself because she jumped on the opportunity to go. But, I keep telling her that I threw out the open invite because I wanted someone to jump on that chance. I wanted to take someone that was as excited as I was.
Our original plan was to leave my apt by 9:00. LA traffic being what it is had to get in the way of that. We left here around 10ish instead. We checked in at the Ellen show, got our numbers and were told to report back by 1:30. I only live about 15 minutes from the studio, so we just went back to my place.
I came back to my apt with a box of goodies from my Mama and Dad waiting at my door. There were lots of fun things….mostly decorations to hang up and some books that I had been wanting them to ship over. Lots of notes of things that had been done for my birthday (renew my magazine subscription….stuff like that). It was so nice to see. I was hoping that we would hang around enough to receive what my sister had shipped me. She told me that it might not be good to sit out for too long so I really did was to get it in person. About 10 minutes before we had to leave, a delivery van pulled up to my building. A man with a box came to my door and gave it to me and said ‘Happy Birthday.’ Lindsey and Chris had sent me ½ a dozen gourmet cupcakes! I was officially in heaven. I opened up the box and got a fork and just sampled away. So good!!!
So went back and waited to hear if we had gotten in or not. There are 250 seats in the Ellen show. They told us that they had about 30 people that didn’t show up (crazy people). We were numbers 281 and 282!!!!! We were so close.
So, they took us into the riff raff room and it was nice there so I was still excited. But they still had us lined up in the order of our numbers until everything was situated inside. THEN, they said that they next two could come in. We made it. We walked up the steps and voila…..we were on the set of the show!!! They had split us up, but that was fine with me. They sat me about as center as you could get in the studio. The only problem for me was that a camera was right in front of where the guests would sit. I was okay with that.
On the show that day was Ed Helmes, Kelly Osborne, and a branch of Cirque du Soleil. I was very excited. Not 15 minutes after we get to our seats, Ellen came out. I mean, we were up and dancing and getting pumped up the whole time we were waiting, but it went really fast. I was two rows behind where she dances through the center aisle and you can tell that she tries to really look at everyone she can and she totally looked right at me while she was dancing! The show as underway and it was so much fun. We got Season Six of the Office on DVD (Happy Birthday To Me). AND, during one of the commercial breaks, they had a little dance contest and I totally won. So, I got a free Ellen shirt (which I’m wearing right now…te he he).
After the show, we went to the Ellen store. My dear friend Laura bought me a mug as a birthday present! I bought myself a magnet, piggy bank, and a tote bag. I really wanted a zip up hoodie (they were so soft), but it was $40 and I just couldn’t justify that. But, I left with my wonderful purchases and as the happiest girl on the planet!
But wait….there’s more! The day does end there. It was the best day of the life….and it was also one of the longest days of my life….te he he. I got home and one of Drea’s friends was visiting. Drea wasn’t back from work yet so I chatted with Katie (yes, another Katie visiting) for a bit and we decided that we needed to catch the sunlight and walk up Hollywood Blvd and look at the stars and we’d meet Drea at Grauman’s when she was done with work. We saw many stars and were on our way to Grauman’s when a huge crowd appeared and we saw the lights. I was so excited that this Katie also got to see a red carpet premiere during her visit too. Not only that….this was the red carpet premiere for You Again. We saw all of the stars. Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, Dax Shephard, Patrick Duffy, and of course….the one and only….Betty Freaking White. I saw Betty White on my birthday. How cool is that right???
After the excitement on Hollywood, my wonderful roommate took me out and bought me dinner. We went home and sampled some more cupcakes and then I went to another friends house for what was going to be a Macgyver marathon, but really ended up being a group of friends sitting around playing a fun movie trivia game. It last until about 1:00 or 1:30. I was exhausted, but so happy by the time I slipped into bed that night. It really had be the best day ever!
As soon as ticket to the Ellen Degeneres show became available, I knew that I wanted to request tickets for me birthday, Sept 22. Since that was only the second week of the season, I also knew it was going to be hard to get them…..they would be in pretty high demand. Well, I submitted my request and a day or two later, someone from the Ellen show called me and told me that they have standby tickets for me. She said that we would be put in the audience only if people with guaranteed tickets did not show up. Otherwise, we would be put behind the audience, in the riff raff room to watch the taping and get two guaranteed tickets for another day. I thought ‘as long as I’m doing something concerning seeing Ellen on my birthday, I consider that a score! So I accepted that offer rather than figuring out another show to go to.
My birthday celebrations actually began the Saturday before my birthday. I had planned to go to an outdoor screening of Ferris Bueller. It was also a food festival and thought it would be a lot of fun. Well, considering people would have to meet at my place around 4 or 4:30 and it would last until roughly 11:00, not that many people could commit to giving up that much of their Saturday. I totally understood that and adjusted my plans. I just had a very laid back shin dig at my place that evening. I was so happy that a good many people could come and just hang out, drink, and chat (and play a very stirring game called 7’s….but that’s a story for another day).
So, the night before my birthday, I actually went out to a karaoke bar with my friend Elvia. I know her from work and it turns out we have the same birthdays and she was actually turning 21. It was tons of fun. We did a shot at midnight and sang songs and had a great time.
The next day, I woke up nice and early to go to the Ellen show. Just to let you know….this was a huge deal for me. Before I left for the big move here, the question would always arise…’what will you do when you first get to LA?’ I would avoid the awkward ‘get headshots’ or ‘find an apartment’ or any of that boring stuff to respond with and I would always answer with ‘I’m going to the Ellen show.’ So, actually going on my birthday was kind of a big deal.
My friend Laura, from work….not Laura from PA, was meeting me to come with me to the show. I was excited to take her because I really did want to bring someone that genuinely really wanted to go to the Ellen show. So, she always says that she invited herself because she jumped on the opportunity to go. But, I keep telling her that I threw out the open invite because I wanted someone to jump on that chance. I wanted to take someone that was as excited as I was.
Our original plan was to leave my apt by 9:00. LA traffic being what it is had to get in the way of that. We left here around 10ish instead. We checked in at the Ellen show, got our numbers and were told to report back by 1:30. I only live about 15 minutes from the studio, so we just went back to my place.
I came back to my apt with a box of goodies from my Mama and Dad waiting at my door. There were lots of fun things….mostly decorations to hang up and some books that I had been wanting them to ship over. Lots of notes of things that had been done for my birthday (renew my magazine subscription….stuff like that). It was so nice to see. I was hoping that we would hang around enough to receive what my sister had shipped me. She told me that it might not be good to sit out for too long so I really did was to get it in person. About 10 minutes before we had to leave, a delivery van pulled up to my building. A man with a box came to my door and gave it to me and said ‘Happy Birthday.’ Lindsey and Chris had sent me ½ a dozen gourmet cupcakes! I was officially in heaven. I opened up the box and got a fork and just sampled away. So good!!!
So went back and waited to hear if we had gotten in or not. There are 250 seats in the Ellen show. They told us that they had about 30 people that didn’t show up (crazy people). We were numbers 281 and 282!!!!! We were so close.
So, they took us into the riff raff room and it was nice there so I was still excited. But they still had us lined up in the order of our numbers until everything was situated inside. THEN, they said that they next two could come in. We made it. We walked up the steps and voila…..we were on the set of the show!!! They had split us up, but that was fine with me. They sat me about as center as you could get in the studio. The only problem for me was that a camera was right in front of where the guests would sit. I was okay with that.
On the show that day was Ed Helmes, Kelly Osborne, and a branch of Cirque du Soleil. I was very excited. Not 15 minutes after we get to our seats, Ellen came out. I mean, we were up and dancing and getting pumped up the whole time we were waiting, but it went really fast. I was two rows behind where she dances through the center aisle and you can tell that she tries to really look at everyone she can and she totally looked right at me while she was dancing! The show as underway and it was so much fun. We got Season Six of the Office on DVD (Happy Birthday To Me). AND, during one of the commercial breaks, they had a little dance contest and I totally won. So, I got a free Ellen shirt (which I’m wearing right now…te he he).
After the show, we went to the Ellen store. My dear friend Laura bought me a mug as a birthday present! I bought myself a magnet, piggy bank, and a tote bag. I really wanted a zip up hoodie (they were so soft), but it was $40 and I just couldn’t justify that. But, I left with my wonderful purchases and as the happiest girl on the planet!
But wait….there’s more! The day does end there. It was the best day of the life….and it was also one of the longest days of my life….te he he. I got home and one of Drea’s friends was visiting. Drea wasn’t back from work yet so I chatted with Katie (yes, another Katie visiting) for a bit and we decided that we needed to catch the sunlight and walk up Hollywood Blvd and look at the stars and we’d meet Drea at Grauman’s when she was done with work. We saw many stars and were on our way to Grauman’s when a huge crowd appeared and we saw the lights. I was so excited that this Katie also got to see a red carpet premiere during her visit too. Not only that….this was the red carpet premiere for You Again. We saw all of the stars. Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, Dax Shephard, Patrick Duffy, and of course….the one and only….Betty Freaking White. I saw Betty White on my birthday. How cool is that right???
After the excitement on Hollywood, my wonderful roommate took me out and bought me dinner. We went home and sampled some more cupcakes and then I went to another friends house for what was going to be a Macgyver marathon, but really ended up being a group of friends sitting around playing a fun movie trivia game. It last until about 1:00 or 1:30. I was exhausted, but so happy by the time I slipped into bed that night. It really had be the best day ever!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Okay....so I suck at keeping up with this.
Okay....I think I left off with Katie's last day. That one started out with a doozie. Desilu's ear had been lookinga bit shabby. It looked like she had some sort of infection. I had tried perozide, rubbing alcohol, and neosporin....but nothing was helping. So I woke up super early and took her to the vet that Saturday. Turns out it's ringworm. She had a few spots on her body. So I had to leave her there while they put her under and cleaned the areas and flushed her ear and gave her tons of medicine. $400 later and my baby is on the mend. I also got some hillarious video of her attempting to walk around while she was still doped up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kONaF22-BFc
So, Katie and I went to see the Hollywood sign up close and ended up picnicing there for dinner that night at a park right below the sign. It was a wonderful send off. That night we went to Booty LA, which is a big dance party in the basement of this club. Lot's of fun!!!
The next morning, I woke up and took her to the airport :(. I was pooped out....but that night was Rent at the Hollywood Bowl directed by Neil Patrick Harris. There were some casting and set decisions that I didn't like, but overall, I think NPH did well. Nicole Sherzinger from the Pussy Cat Dolls really took me by surprise! At first, when I found out she was cast, I though 'what's she doing in a play?'.....now I think 'What's she doing in Pussy Cat Dolls.' That girl can wail! She should either be in more musicals or be a solo act! She did Maureen justice!
The following weekend, on Friday....I went to see Harry Connick Jr at the Hollywood Bowl. That was tons of fun! Everyone should go see him if you get the chance. Loved it!
The next day, I went to an outdoor screening of The Breakfast Club which was also a food festival with food trucks from all over LA. It was so much fun. I went with a great group of friends and had a blast watching one of my favorite 80's movies.
Okay....that post catches me up on a few weeks....I'll post more later and hopefully will be in real time in time for my upcoming birthday celebrations! :)
So, Katie and I went to see the Hollywood sign up close and ended up picnicing there for dinner that night at a park right below the sign. It was a wonderful send off. That night we went to Booty LA, which is a big dance party in the basement of this club. Lot's of fun!!!
The next morning, I woke up and took her to the airport :(. I was pooped out....but that night was Rent at the Hollywood Bowl directed by Neil Patrick Harris. There were some casting and set decisions that I didn't like, but overall, I think NPH did well. Nicole Sherzinger from the Pussy Cat Dolls really took me by surprise! At first, when I found out she was cast, I though 'what's she doing in a play?'.....now I think 'What's she doing in Pussy Cat Dolls.' That girl can wail! She should either be in more musicals or be a solo act! She did Maureen justice!
The following weekend, on Friday....I went to see Harry Connick Jr at the Hollywood Bowl. That was tons of fun! Everyone should go see him if you get the chance. Loved it!
The next day, I went to an outdoor screening of The Breakfast Club which was also a food festival with food trucks from all over LA. It was so much fun. I went with a great group of friends and had a blast watching one of my favorite 80's movies.
Okay....that post catches me up on a few weeks....I'll post more later and hopefully will be in real time in time for my upcoming birthday celebrations! :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
So much to update....
Okay....this may be a two parter....I've been so busy the last couple of days and so much has happened. I just might not be able to type it all in today!
So....one of my bestest friends, Katie came into town to visit me last week. So, I picked her up from the airport and the fun began there. I took her down Sunset Blvd to go back to my place. I was about to tell her that we were about to pass the Arclight where they have some re d carpet premieres. And then....there was a freaking red carpet premiere going on when we passed it. It was for The Takers. The limos didn't show up yet or anything, but she got to see the whole set up and all of the photographers. What a welcome to Hollywood. So then we walked up Vine St and down Hollywood Blvd to look at the stars and go to Grauman's and the Kodak. Then we went out to eat at this really cute little italian restaurant. Then, on our way back to my apt, we passed the after party to the red carpet premiere that we passed earlier that night. So....fun first night in LA!
The next day was quite busy. We started the day with a hike up Mt. Hollywood to the Observatory to get a good view of the city. It was a great hike. Unfortunately, it was a very smoggy day so we couldn't even see LA. But, she did get to see Hollywood and the view is still cool.....even if it's not clear out. After that, we went to the Farmer's Market to get some yum yums. Then we went to Venice Beach for some great people watching on the boardwalk. That place is wonderful to just sit back and watch. Then we went over to Santa Monica Beach to hang out for a bit. I didn't go in the water at all because it was actually kind of cold that day. So, we headed over to the pier and rode the roller coaster there. So much fun! Then we just came back to my place and made some food and watched some movies.
The next day was just as busy. I had an audition in the morning....after that, we went down Sunset into Beverly Hills. Then we walked down Rodeo Drive, which I had never done. I don't know how I felt about that. The outdoor part of it is really cool, but every time we went into the stores, we were watched like hawks like we were going to steal something. I like observing the lives of rich people from a distance. But, the whole scene is pretty pretentious.
Okay....I'm going to leave you at that, because once I get into Friday, I get into Desilu's latest medical issues and it's a whole big thing. So, I'll continue the rest of Katie's trip and happening of this week hopefully tomorrow! :)
So....one of my bestest friends, Katie came into town to visit me last week. So, I picked her up from the airport and the fun began there. I took her down Sunset Blvd to go back to my place. I was about to tell her that we were about to pass the Arclight where they have some re d carpet premieres. And then....there was a freaking red carpet premiere going on when we passed it. It was for The Takers. The limos didn't show up yet or anything, but she got to see the whole set up and all of the photographers. What a welcome to Hollywood. So then we walked up Vine St and down Hollywood Blvd to look at the stars and go to Grauman's and the Kodak. Then we went out to eat at this really cute little italian restaurant. Then, on our way back to my apt, we passed the after party to the red carpet premiere that we passed earlier that night. So....fun first night in LA!
The next day was quite busy. We started the day with a hike up Mt. Hollywood to the Observatory to get a good view of the city. It was a great hike. Unfortunately, it was a very smoggy day so we couldn't even see LA. But, she did get to see Hollywood and the view is still cool.....even if it's not clear out. After that, we went to the Farmer's Market to get some yum yums. Then we went to Venice Beach for some great people watching on the boardwalk. That place is wonderful to just sit back and watch. Then we went over to Santa Monica Beach to hang out for a bit. I didn't go in the water at all because it was actually kind of cold that day. So, we headed over to the pier and rode the roller coaster there. So much fun! Then we just came back to my place and made some food and watched some movies.
The next day was just as busy. I had an audition in the morning....after that, we went down Sunset into Beverly Hills. Then we walked down Rodeo Drive, which I had never done. I don't know how I felt about that. The outdoor part of it is really cool, but every time we went into the stores, we were watched like hawks like we were going to steal something. I like observing the lives of rich people from a distance. But, the whole scene is pretty pretentious.
Okay....I'm going to leave you at that, because once I get into Friday, I get into Desilu's latest medical issues and it's a whole big thing. So, I'll continue the rest of Katie's trip and happening of this week hopefully tomorrow! :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
6 MONTHS!!!! EEK!!!!
Six months ago from this very minute, I believe I was bawling my eyes out because I was delirious from having only about 3 hours of sleep in a 48 hour period....and I felt like a horrible kitty mama for leaving Desi alone all day in a strange place right after traumatizing her by flying her across the country. That moment was not a sign of things to come. In the last 6 months, I have had a ton of wonderful experiences, shared with some wonderful new friends which just makes all of those moment that much more unforgettable. I'm living out a dream...
Funny thing happened today which I think is a wonderful way to mark my 6 months. See....I have a few songs that I call my 'California songs'. They're songs that would always remind me of Cali and for some strange reason, anytime in the two years that I saved up to get here that I would feel down or doubt that I would ever make it out here, I'd get in the car and one of those songs would come on the radio. Well....today a friend of mine and I were laying on the beach. I had put Pandora on my phone so we were just chilling by the ocean and listening to some good tunes. Right as I was thinking about how I've been living here for 6 months 'Free Falling' by Tom Petty came on Pandora. This was my mother of all California songs! It was just a wonderful way to celebrate the day! :)
Funny thing happened today which I think is a wonderful way to mark my 6 months. See....I have a few songs that I call my 'California songs'. They're songs that would always remind me of Cali and for some strange reason, anytime in the two years that I saved up to get here that I would feel down or doubt that I would ever make it out here, I'd get in the car and one of those songs would come on the radio. Well....today a friend of mine and I were laying on the beach. I had put Pandora on my phone so we were just chilling by the ocean and listening to some good tunes. Right as I was thinking about how I've been living here for 6 months 'Free Falling' by Tom Petty came on Pandora. This was my mother of all California songs! It was just a wonderful way to celebrate the day! :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Embrace The Crazy In All Of Us!
What's wrong with being a little crazy? Now, I'm not talking putting people in harm crazy. I'm talking about everyday quirky crazy! I've always thought that I've had plenty of crazy in me to go around, but now I'm thinking that everyone is a little crazy and just hide it back more. I'm unashamed and I think more people should let a little crazy out. That way, it's not as shocking to loved ones when it does eventually come out!
Here's some of my crazy....
I've got some irrational fears. The most namely is big trucks. I don't like to be near them....in a car, walking near it....it is a genuine fear. Why am I afraid of them you ask? Well....first of all, if you get into an accident with one....good luck surviving. Walking near them....I don't know I'm terrified that the back part of the truck is going to tip over on top of me. I know....irrational fear. No matter how much I talk myself out of it, I still have that fear.
Dismorphia....this is something that I really suspect most people to have to a certain degree. I don't have it severely, but I do see things in the mirror that are not the case. I don't have it bad enough to even be tempted to have an eating disorder or want plastic surgery....nor do I ever see it getting that bad. But, I really truely think that most people have this one, but are too ashamed to admit it!
OCD!!!! Come on.....everyone's got this one. Let it all out people. What are your obsessive compulsions? I need things to be even! If I bump into something with my right arm, don't be surprised if you see me bump into that same thing with my left arm, just to even things up. Crazy right??? I KNOW!
Catastrophizing....yes....it's a word. It took some professional help to point this one out. Basically, it's a thinking error. When something happens that may be minor, I tend to let my mind think that it's the end of the world and I go into little panic attacks. Like I said, professional help pointed this out and also helped me deal with it. It still happens, but I know how to talk myself out of reacting so badly to these mishaps.
I mentioned professional help a few times up there. I am completely open about the fact that I was in therapy over a year ago. I don't think therapy is a thing that people should be afraid to admit to. I actually think it's something that more people should go to. It's good. It's healthy. There'd be a lot less people snapping and killing people if they all had someone help them cope with everything going on it their heads. It's hard to deal with some stuff that life throws at us sometimes and it's perfectly okay to ask other people to help us. I repeat....it's perfectly okay to ask other people to help us! It's not weakness....if anything, it shows more strength because you are not a coward. I personally sought out help because I felt betrayed by a family member and had a lot of hate in me....I didn't know how to deal with that! I also have Seasonal Effective Disorder (winter blues)....cure? Hello California! So, I was in therapy for about 6 months, until I got laid off and lost my insurance. It was still enough to really help me through some crappy things that were going on in my life!
I'm sharing all of this because I feel like not enough people admit to the crazy that we all have going on inside of us. I hate the stigma of therapy too. I'm cool with telling people that I went, but some people react different than others. It's like they hear therapy and automatically think that there's something wrong with me. Not really the case. Yeah....I'm crazy....but I bet you're just as crazy! You just choose to hide it! :)
The point on this rant is to encourage people to share their crazy with all of us! :) Embrace it....Own it...Admit it....Share it.....trust me, you'll feel so much better!
Here's some of my crazy....
I've got some irrational fears. The most namely is big trucks. I don't like to be near them....in a car, walking near it....it is a genuine fear. Why am I afraid of them you ask? Well....first of all, if you get into an accident with one....good luck surviving. Walking near them....I don't know I'm terrified that the back part of the truck is going to tip over on top of me. I know....irrational fear. No matter how much I talk myself out of it, I still have that fear.
Dismorphia....this is something that I really suspect most people to have to a certain degree. I don't have it severely, but I do see things in the mirror that are not the case. I don't have it bad enough to even be tempted to have an eating disorder or want plastic surgery....nor do I ever see it getting that bad. But, I really truely think that most people have this one, but are too ashamed to admit it!
OCD!!!! Come on.....everyone's got this one. Let it all out people. What are your obsessive compulsions? I need things to be even! If I bump into something with my right arm, don't be surprised if you see me bump into that same thing with my left arm, just to even things up. Crazy right??? I KNOW!
Catastrophizing....yes....it's a word. It took some professional help to point this one out. Basically, it's a thinking error. When something happens that may be minor, I tend to let my mind think that it's the end of the world and I go into little panic attacks. Like I said, professional help pointed this out and also helped me deal with it. It still happens, but I know how to talk myself out of reacting so badly to these mishaps.
I mentioned professional help a few times up there. I am completely open about the fact that I was in therapy over a year ago. I don't think therapy is a thing that people should be afraid to admit to. I actually think it's something that more people should go to. It's good. It's healthy. There'd be a lot less people snapping and killing people if they all had someone help them cope with everything going on it their heads. It's hard to deal with some stuff that life throws at us sometimes and it's perfectly okay to ask other people to help us. I repeat....it's perfectly okay to ask other people to help us! It's not weakness....if anything, it shows more strength because you are not a coward. I personally sought out help because I felt betrayed by a family member and had a lot of hate in me....I didn't know how to deal with that! I also have Seasonal Effective Disorder (winter blues)....cure? Hello California! So, I was in therapy for about 6 months, until I got laid off and lost my insurance. It was still enough to really help me through some crappy things that were going on in my life!
I'm sharing all of this because I feel like not enough people admit to the crazy that we all have going on inside of us. I hate the stigma of therapy too. I'm cool with telling people that I went, but some people react different than others. It's like they hear therapy and automatically think that there's something wrong with me. Not really the case. Yeah....I'm crazy....but I bet you're just as crazy! You just choose to hide it! :)
The point on this rant is to encourage people to share their crazy with all of us! :) Embrace it....Own it...Admit it....Share it.....trust me, you'll feel so much better!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Fun Fun Fun
So....I've been super busy trying to work as much as I can because June was not the greatest tipping month....and of course the worst two weeks were right after I bought a nice fancy new phone. Te he he. But, it's all good!
A few weeks ago, I got a text message from my cousin Joann saying that her friend's daughter was going to be at LAX for a 23 hour layover one night. She was on her way back from studying abroad in New Zealand. She asked if I would show her around town. I had the night off so I said that I would. I called the girl....Jennifer....when I was finished with my lunch shift and the poor girl was going to just hang out at LAX until her flight the next morning....she didn't have a hotel or anything. So, I told her that she could crash at my place. So, I went to pick her up (which took longer than we though it would....te he he....it might have helped if we knew what eachother looked like or either of us were familiar with LAX...te he he). Anyway, so we just went back to my place to freshen up and then I took her to the Hollywood and Highland area. This is the area with the Kodak Theatre and Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So we walked around there for a bit....not realizing that it was the day before the anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. It was fine for a while, but then I guess there was a meeting time for a candle light vigil at his star....which is right outside of Grauman's. It got a little crowded. After that area, we went to the Observatory....it was a super cool view at night. It was funny because she said 'it looks like the city is sparkling.' I laughed and said 'yeah....that's exhaust....but it is pretty'....te he he. It was very chilly up on that hill, so we didn't stay too long. Just took in the view and took some pictures and left. We were both getting hungry....and it was around 10pm....well passed my dinner time...te he he. So....I took her to a restaurant that I had heard about before, but never went to. Now, I'm not going to mention on here what the significance of this restaurant is because I do plan on springing it on some unsuspecting visitors when y'all come to visit. If you are incredibly curious, email me and I may tell you what it is about this place. Some of you, I will not tell and wait until you get out here....te he he! :)
Other than that, it's just been kind of boring. I haven't really been going out much because I'm saving money. But hopefully in the next couple of weeks, my playing catch up will be over and I can go have fun! :) Although I have been busy watching the World Cup. Go Netherlands in the final! Although I'm cool with either team to win. New winners! :)
I did figure out what I'm doing for my birthday!! Well....I think on the day off my birthday, I will hopefully be going to a taping of the Ellen Degeneres Show! I'm just going to put in a request for 2 tickets as soon as I can and I'll take whoever I can with me! BUT....3 days after my birthday is a Mud Run 5K in Malibu. It's a trail run with obstacles and a mud pit at the end! I've always wanted to do a mud run so I'm hopefully getting a big group of people to do it with me and then we'll go back to my place for lunch...maybe games....maybe movie marathon....maybe beach! I don't know....but I'm super excited. I hope a lot of people want to do it! I already know of about 5 people who are totally interested! :)
Well...that's about it! I'll try to keep up as much as I can...but honestly, it's been pretty boring here....te he he!
A few weeks ago, I got a text message from my cousin Joann saying that her friend's daughter was going to be at LAX for a 23 hour layover one night. She was on her way back from studying abroad in New Zealand. She asked if I would show her around town. I had the night off so I said that I would. I called the girl....Jennifer....when I was finished with my lunch shift and the poor girl was going to just hang out at LAX until her flight the next morning....she didn't have a hotel or anything. So, I told her that she could crash at my place. So, I went to pick her up (which took longer than we though it would....te he he....it might have helped if we knew what eachother looked like or either of us were familiar with LAX...te he he). Anyway, so we just went back to my place to freshen up and then I took her to the Hollywood and Highland area. This is the area with the Kodak Theatre and Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So we walked around there for a bit....not realizing that it was the day before the anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. It was fine for a while, but then I guess there was a meeting time for a candle light vigil at his star....which is right outside of Grauman's. It got a little crowded. After that area, we went to the Observatory....it was a super cool view at night. It was funny because she said 'it looks like the city is sparkling.' I laughed and said 'yeah....that's exhaust....but it is pretty'....te he he. It was very chilly up on that hill, so we didn't stay too long. Just took in the view and took some pictures and left. We were both getting hungry....and it was around 10pm....well passed my dinner time...te he he. So....I took her to a restaurant that I had heard about before, but never went to. Now, I'm not going to mention on here what the significance of this restaurant is because I do plan on springing it on some unsuspecting visitors when y'all come to visit. If you are incredibly curious, email me and I may tell you what it is about this place. Some of you, I will not tell and wait until you get out here....te he he! :)
Other than that, it's just been kind of boring. I haven't really been going out much because I'm saving money. But hopefully in the next couple of weeks, my playing catch up will be over and I can go have fun! :) Although I have been busy watching the World Cup. Go Netherlands in the final! Although I'm cool with either team to win. New winners! :)
I did figure out what I'm doing for my birthday!! Well....I think on the day off my birthday, I will hopefully be going to a taping of the Ellen Degeneres Show! I'm just going to put in a request for 2 tickets as soon as I can and I'll take whoever I can with me! BUT....3 days after my birthday is a Mud Run 5K in Malibu. It's a trail run with obstacles and a mud pit at the end! I've always wanted to do a mud run so I'm hopefully getting a big group of people to do it with me and then we'll go back to my place for lunch...maybe games....maybe movie marathon....maybe beach! I don't know....but I'm super excited. I hope a lot of people want to do it! I already know of about 5 people who are totally interested! :)
Well...that's about it! I'll try to keep up as much as I can...but honestly, it's been pretty boring here....te he he!
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