Sunset Junction '08.

One of my favorite things to look forward to every summer in LA LA LAND, is the Sunset Junction in Silverlake. It's a huge street fair/booze fest/pride/street scene concert that's been taking place since the 70's. I gotta admit this year the tickets went up in cost $20 bucks, where last year it was $10 bucks and the year before it was free, but I had such a good time this year that it was well worth the ticket price. Plus our friend's hooked it up up with free beer -yeah! Which was rad because instead of going up to the margarita and beer stands at the fair, and just buying a drink, you had to first wait in line to buy a drink ticket and THEN go wait in line to get your drink. They said this whole concept is suppose to illiminate long lines at the drink stands, which yes I did agree with, but if the people who run sunset junction want to be so precautios about not serving to under age kids - they better think again. It's easy to get a ticket! Did I mention I lost my licenese duringt this whole ticket/drink line process? Yeah, it sucked. But i'm excited to get an updated ID since my picture was from 10 years ago. Anyways, here are some highlights from the fun-filled day.

This chica rocked it out. I forgot her name but I think she was from Columbia or somewhere close. It was the first band we saw, loved her chic little outfit. It was so hot this day we didn't stay for the whole set, but she totally got us pumped for the day. On our way to our friend Stephanie's pad, we ran into this "get your recycle on" man. Support the environment and recycle!
It was so hot out, our friend Stephanie lives right up the street from the fair, so we went over to her neighbors pad, to enjoy some ice cold beers, kiddy pool, and garage sale fun. Amanda and Eric had a good time playing dress up with the items for the garage sale. Amanda loved this wig so much she wore it the whole day - work it out sista!

Eric also loved his viking hat so much he sported it the whole day. I guess I was chicken, I just sported my regular do' the whole day.
I kinda dug this purse from the garage sale:)

My friend Monica and I, in front of of the backdrop which she swore looked just like Costa Rica! Her soon to be home sweet home, and my soon to be vacation spot.

After a few beers, we headed back down to the junction for some good mexican grub and more musica. The crowd was awesome, and that man in the sunglasses - hottie!Me, Amanda and Steph during Kinky...yes the band. They were awesome! My favorite part of the day.
To be continued...

"Life In Technicolor."

Isn't always colorful.
Sometimes it comes in black and white.
And sometimes with no sight at all.
But each day we live it.
And breath it,
The colors that shape our lives.
The experiences that make up our past, present, and future.
Sometimes it's all a blur.
Trying to figure out the bad times, and run with the good.
Trying to keep your head held high, and continue running.
And in the meantime, buy that outfit that feels so stunning.
With the colors that make up life.
It's not always going to be "rainbows and butterflies"
Sometimes it takes a little compromise.
Or so I should learn, and so You should learn, and You, and You, and you all too.
Perfection is a dream, not a reality.
You think it, you want it, you breath it.
You wake up in the morning wishing your dreams would come true,
And your nightmares would go away.
Each day you live, you learn, you grow.
Trying to figure out your flow.
You figure out who you want in your life and who you should let go.
You ponder why you get stuck in the ruts of life? why people do the things they do? why life gets in the way of your perfect rainbow.
WHY happiness turns to hurt?
And hopes turn into lessons.
And lessons turn into strength.
And strength turns into power.
And then...finally, you see the colors again.
Life once appears as vibrant as ever.
Black and white will always be a part of the picture.
Because without it, there wouldn't be any in-perfections.
But the color, the technicolor, is what makes us breath...
What makes us go on adventures and walk down the roads less taken.
What makes us eager to learn,
From the lessons that teach us a new color.
Rainbows always fade.
But from an ugly rain storm they were made.
Was there ever really a pot of gold?
Or was that just an early metaphor for life, before it unfolds.
One day, before we know it,
Our entire life,
Will have passed by.
So live it, love it, laugh at it.
Sometimes its hard,
But you have to play that card.
And take your chances
It's worth it.
It's life.
As a Techincolor.

--me. (in another one of my creative moods.)

I'm obsessed.

With the new Coldplay album. I've always been a fan, but man i'm so stuck on this one. Especially track # 6, but really the whole thing is one of those where you can just listen over and over to every song and it puts you in a feel good, let's think about life, love, and liberty, chill mood. Perhaps that's why it's title is "Live the Life." Definitely a great road trip album, Saturday morning album, and this is a long day at work album. That's all. Check it out! Lovin' it and don't think i've been this into an entire album since my Counting Crows days, well P!nk's last album too and possibly The Fray's.

10 years ago.

Ten years ago; when life was simple. Although the complications of life back then sometimes felt non - understandable and really all a learning experience, ten years ago my life was quite different. I started thinking tonight of where I was ten years ago. A song came on the radio that topped the charts back in '98 and it sent me into a world of reminisce.

Ten years ago I was sixteen...well really only 10 days into my sweet sixteen. I had just gotten my drivers license, on my birthday to be exact, because I couldn't WAIT to drive my own car. My parents threw me a surprise sweet sixteen pool party and about 50 of my good friends showed up, nowadays I sometimes wonder if I even know 50 people. Definitely not 50 whom I'm close with. We had a tarot card reader, and karaoke, and a characture portrait painter and lots of pizza and crazy musical theater kids running around. That's what I remember. My life was filled and surrounded by the arts. If I wasn't in a play, I was auditioning, learning how to teach, or watching one. It was my life. That, and going on random joy rides in my Pontiac Grand Prie with my friends. :-) I was surrounded with good people and families, and mentors who I still would consider mentors, granted I never speak to them. But they made me grow.

Ten years ago, my summer time was filled with summer stock theater, and a few babysitting gigs. I was pure and innocent, on every level. I never had a desire to dive into the temptations many sixteen years olds face. Life was good. Holidays were always cheerful. Mainly devoted to high kicks and short skirts, and lots of rehearsals.

Today, well frankly sometimes I feel confused, but I have also lived. I tend to think it's my quarter life crisis that's getting to me but my gut hasn't been feeling itself lately. I'm not where I want to be career wise....don't get me wrong I love my company and the people I work with, but I'm still trying to figure certain aspects of it out. And it's not a bad thing, I'm just learning. I would never want to devote all my time and energy into something I could do, but lack the passion for. That's just not me. Today sometimes I feel like I live this life that so many come out to LA the City of Angeles, to live, but I question whether or not its satisfying to me anymore. I think I soon may need a change. My family puts this pressure on me to find a man, because most of them were married by now or close to it. Well, of course I would like to find that "special someone" who doesn't? But I am really starting to question of whether or not I can find that in LA. I have my doubts about the men in this city. But as I sit here thinking of what would make me happier....Chicago would be fun. In San Diego I could be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, and maybe get back into theater again. In San Francisco, I could see myself making a life for myself and fitting in just perfectly, but it's so expensive to live there, is it worth it?

So I've done a few things to take actions for myself. I signed up for a theater acting class today. It has been at least six years since I've been around and in the arts, but I went to a party a few weeks ago and a few martini's later, I was having an in depth convo with this young fellow who moved out to LA to do theater. You know we were bonding, we were talking about how we both had a love for theater, and he told me I should go for it. In all honestly I don't really think it was my strong point, but passion and fulfillment for excitement, yes. And I think I've had a lot more life experiences these days in which it would really help me come at it from a different angle.

The rest of my actions, well I'll save them for later. But I'm usually the type to take action if I'm not content. LA I'm giving you until May. If you don't prove me right, I'm out and on to a new adventure. Much of which I would love to include - traveling.

And maybe I shouldn't be admitting all these details on a public blog, but this is my life and these are my thoughts. At the moment.
Peace.

The Olympics.

I don't think I have ever been so intrigued in watching the Olympics as I have this year. I can always remember them coming on TV and such, but I feel like it's being covered so much more this year. Quite possibly because of all our Rockstar stellar U.S Athletes. It's not just the Olympics that I keep turning on, but every 20/20 type news station and such are doing two hour long specials on China.

There has been this whole controversy of the opening of the Olympics which I thought were beautifully done. But, some would argue that we took all this money from such a poor country (parts of it), to stage a show with over 3,000 Chinese men and women (2,500 alone) for the opening drummers... just for the Olympics. As in, there are starving children in China and other parts of the Southeast Asian world; every DAY 16,000 children around the world die of hunger related deaths (www.bread.org). Then there are the children who are being used as prostitutes in Malaysia etc, yet instead of giving money to the poor economy in countries where it is needed - ourselves and China choose to spend what is estimated to be $100 Million on both the opening and closing games this year. And in total it is estimated that $43 BILLION will be spent on the overall Olympics this year. Wait...what? Seriously? There are children dieing every day of AIDS in Africa, and people who eat one bowl of rice per day and we can spend this much on the coverage of who is going to dominate the world in their profession of sport? That is ridiculous and beyond necessary if you ask me. It makes me mad. But while I could ramble on and on about this, and how I think China and ourselves obviously do not know how to spend money properly; on a lighter note I do want to share one reason why I am so fascinated with the Olympics this year.

Two Words: Michael Phelps.


Now ladies, I know we all want a date with him, but I get first dibs!! Even if it means I'm a cougar by a couple years. Not only is his body - perfect, but he seriously seems like a such a cool, chill guy. At 23 years old he just broke the global record for winning the most golds ever - 8 this year which puts him at an overall total of 16 Olympic medals including the 2004 Olympics (6 gold, two bronze).

I have also been proud of the two young Gold (Nastia Liukin) and Silver (Shaun Johnson) young ladies who won in gymnastics. They are only 16 and 18 years old - what an accomplishment!

And if you missed the opening you can always YouTube it.

Facebook is annoying.

I don't know why but lately I have really been annoyed by Facebook and seeing people's status's pop up on the home page going from "single" to "relationship" or "relationship" to "engaged". It feels like every time I log on to the much addicting website, that I believe really only cures long work day woes and late night boredom, someone else is now in a freakin relationship or engaged! Don't get me wrong I'm happy for all of you out there, but do you have to post it up and make the rest of us feel a little bad? My goodness, it's funny how all in one website you can learn so much about someone. Even if I were engaged or in a relationship, I wouldn't post the status simply because I think it's lame. Well actually, I might post "in a relationship" to avoid the random friend requests from guys who are attracted to my "whatever I can get" note, but those who know me know I would not ever go on a date from some random off of facebook! I also think it's lame to write comments every day on your lovers page "hey babe I love you, thanks for the great night" or whatever. Are we 15? I don't know why, but it annoys me.

And then, I think it's humorous to go out with a guy or start talking to someone, and as soon as they know your last name they look you up on facebook and try to add you as a friend. Do they really need to see all of my pictures and personal information up front? No. Plus, I would never want another online stalker for that matter. I have had one before, and it was horrible and awkward. I don't need to know or want to know if someone is looking at my shit ten times a day. If that's the case, then please stay away!

Anyways I don't know where this is going and I'm kind of embarassed to even devote a whole blog entry to facebook? But facebook, myspace, they all get old after awhile. And this morning on KIIS FM Ryan Seacrest was having people call in - grown people I'm talking about, tell stories of how myspace and facebook has RUINED their relationships. You know for example how you start to see a comment on someone's page and jump to conclusions or wonder why they add a certain person. Well honestly, I've been there, but I try not to even give a shit about that stuff. It was just sad to hear all these grown women and men talk about how their relationships have been ruined by it! Really? I am sorry for you, but here's a note for you - don't click on that page! haha.

So I just had to vent again. I would like to note that I did date in college the original founder of facebook - yeah, yeah, the one from Harvard who had the idea first and then his roommate stole the idea and basically mastered the website. Well, now that's all in the courts and he's trying to win it over, but hey now - that's my claim to fame. :-)

90210 is back?

Okay, lately I have seen so many billboards, posters covering entire buildings, and TV promos galore on TV for the CW's new show (ohh wait, it's not new just a "comeback") of 90210. Does anyone else out there agree that this show is going to be a HUGE network mistake, and it is only going to flop on the TV airwaves? 90210, was one of the best shows of the early 90's and you CANNOT even try to remotely try to re-do the show 12 years later, with 22 year old kids, who haven't had an acting job in their life prior to this one. I know Tori Spelling was suppose to be a part of the show, but personally I think that's a huge mistake on her part to even be a part of it. Hopefully she is only considering it to honor her Dad and his once hit show.

Anyways, I've just been really annoyed with all the hype leading up to it, and think it's quite humorous that the show is going to be re-done. It's like taking Save By the Bell or My So Called Life or something and trying to re-do it, you just don't. It was in the past... it was a great show, and now let's leave it up to reality TV and the Hills to get sucked into watching the lives of rich 22 year olds in Hollywood.

90210 is a zipcode now, and that's all it should be. If you want to experience it, then come to LA and take a walk down Rodeo.

When you finally get it.

A couple days ago I turned 26. I know it's still considered "young" but for some reason I feel a little more mature, a little more with the program, a little wiser, a little more content with my self, a little more sure of what I want in a man, in friends, in career, in life...a little all of the above. A friend had sent me a forwarded email and although I rarely read forwards, this one caught my eye. I think it explains a lot of where I am in my life and where I am going, and the clean slate I just started (or feel I started) at turning a year older. I know it's long and somewhat cliche, possibly even like a textbook excerpt from self love and psychology101, but hopefully it will click for you like it did for me! Enjoy!

"There comes a time in your life when you finally get it… When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out- ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world from a new perspective. This is your awakening!
You realize that it is time to stop hoping and waiting for something, or someone, to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that there aren’t always fairytale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you. Then a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.
So you begin making your way through the “reality of today” rather than holding out for the “promise of tomorrow.” You realize that much of who you are, and the way you navigate through life is, in great part, a result of all the social conditioning you’ve received over the course of a lifetime. And you begin to sift through all the nonsense you were taught about:
- how you should look and how much you should weigh
- what you should wear and where you should shop
- where you should live or what type of car your should drive
- who you should marry and why you should stay
- the importance of having children or what you owe your family
You accept the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are… and that’s OK… they are entitled to their own views and opinions. And, you come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a “perfect 10” Or a perfect human being for that matter. So you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head or agonizing over how you compare. And you take a long look at yourself in the mirror and you make a promise to give yourself the same unconditional love and support you give so freely to others. Then a sense of confidence is born of self-approval.
And, you stop maneuvering through life merely as a “consumer” hungry for your next fix, a new dress, another pair of shoes or looks of approval and admiration from family, friends or even strangers who pass by. Then you discover that “it is truly in giving that we receive and that the joy and abundance you seek grows out of the giving. And you recognize the importance of “creating” & “contributing” rather than “obtaining” & “accumulating.”
And you are thankful for the things you have; things that millions of people upon the face of the earth can only dream about a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed and the freedom to pursue your own dreams.
And you give thanks for the simple things you’ve been blessed with; things that millions of people upon the face of the earth can only dream about a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed and the freedom to pursue your own dreams.
And then you begin to love and to care for yourself. You stop engaging in self-destructive behaviors including participating in dysfunctional relationships. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and exercising. And because you’ve learned that fatigue drains the spirit and creates doubt and fear, you give yourself permission to rest. And just as food is fuel for the body, laughter is fuel for the spirit and so you make it a point to create time for play.
Then you learn about love and relationships, how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn that people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say, intentionally or unintentionally and that not everyone will always come through and interestingly enough, it’s not always about you. So, you stop lashing out and pointing fingers or looking to place blame for the things that were done to you or weren’t done for you. And you learn to keep your Ego in check and to acknowledge and redirect the destructive emotions it spawns; anger, jealousy and resentment.
You learn how to say I was wrong and to forgive people for their own human frailties. You learn to build bridges instead of walls and about the healing power of love as it is expressed through a kind word, a warm smile or a friendly gesture. And, at the same time, you eliminate any relationships that are hurtful or fail to uplift and edify you. You stop working so hard at smoothing things over and setting your needs aside. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right to want or expect certain things. And you learn the importance of communicating your needs with confidence and grace. Then you learn to distinguish between guilt, and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that you don’t know all the answers, it’s not your job to save the world and that sometimes you just need to Let Go.
Moreover, you learn to look at people as they really are and not as you would want them to be, and you are careful not to project your neediness or insecurities onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be, more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love and relationships and that that not everyone can always love you the way you would want them to.
So you stop appraising your worth by the measure of love you are given. And suddenly you realize that it’s wrong to demand that someone live their life or sacrifice their dreams just to serve your needs, ease your insecurities, or meet “your” standards and expectations. You learn that the only love worth giving and receiving is the love that is given freely without conditions or limitations. And you learn what it means to love. So you stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn that “alone” does not mean “lonely” and you begin to discover the joy of spending time “with yourself” and “on yourself.” Then you discover the greatest and most fulfilling love you will ever know. Self Love. And so, it comes to pass that through understanding your heart heals; and now all new things are possible.
Moving along, you begin to avoid Toxic people and conversations. And you stop wasting time and energy rehashing your situation with family and friends. You learn that talk doesn’t change things and that unrequited wishes can only serve to keep you trapped in the past. So, you stop lamenting over what could or should have been and you make a decision to leave the past behind. Then you begin to invest your time and energy to affect positive change. You take a personal inventory of all your strengths and weaknesses and the areas you need to improve in order to move ahead. You set your goals and map out a plan of action to see things through.
You learn that life isn’t always fair and you don’t always get what you think you deserve and you stop personalizing every loss or disappointment.
And you stop looking for guarantees because you’ve learned that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected and that whatever happens, you’ll learn to deal with it. And you learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time FEAR itself. So you learn to step right into and through your fears because to give into fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. You learn that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophesy and you learn to go after what you want and not to squander your life living under a cloud of indecision or feelings of impending doom.
Then, YOU LEARN ABOUT MONEY… the personal power and independence it brings and the options it creates. And you recognize the necessity to create your own personal wealth. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart’s desire. Then a sense of power is born of self-reliance. And you live with honor and integrity because you know that these principles are not the outdated ideals of a by-gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build your life. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful opportunity and exciting possibility. Then you hang a wind chime outside your window to remind yourself what beauty there is in Simplicity.
Remember this: “You are Extraordinary, Exceptional, Most Beautiful and Powerful Beyond Belief!”

For the love of San Francisco.

I just got back from a five day mini vacation/bday get away to San Francisco and Napa. It was so much fun! And all I have to say about the awesome city of San Francisco, is that I love it so much I am seriously considering moving there when my lease is up next May. I just feel like I am meant to live there, kind of like Boston seven years ago (wow it's been seven years??). I had never been, I just had a gut feeling, and so at 19 year old I picked up my bags and moved across the country and had a great college experience there. My only complaint about San Francisco is the weather - it sucks! I need warmth within my summer, and it was freezing cold in August! Also the rent is double that of LA yes I know, but I made it to LA and did okay. Anyways, it's something I really do want to try out so who knows! Not to mention the men up there are much more attractive to me for some reason. Or at least the owner of Dell'luva. I don't know if it's the business suites or sports gear that catches my eye, but I love that you can actually have a conversation with a guy and the question of what do I "do" doesn't come up right away. Then again maybe I'm just so brainwashed by LA, that every other city is like that...except L.A But San Francisco is rad. And I was pretty stoked that there was a Gilman drive up in the Bay! I represent you know!

Here ere are some highlights from my trip.
1)The Farmers Market:


The SF Farmers Market was huge and awesome! I have always been a fan of the farmers markets in LA, but they don't even compare to how big this one was. I wish I would have taken more pics of it. I bought a peach for breakfast! But, if I had known that down the street the amazing smelling potatoes were cooking in these skillets, I totally would have waited in the mile long line for them! Next time.


2)North Beach area:
I really keep wanting to call it the North Shore and I think I did the whole time I was there. But our hotel was a few blocks away and if I were to live in SF this would be an area I could chill in for sure. Tons of cool wine bars, and great happy hours and bomb Italian food restaurants, hooka bars!, random cool stores, and etc.

This place had yummy food.

Go check out De'lluva wine bar 525 Green Street off of Columbus in the North Shore. Shit I mean Beach. It's a very chill, cool wine bar, with live music, and this delicious wine above was only $4 bucks a glass at happy hour (4-8pm) and $6 bucks regular. We loved it! (And we also loved the hottie 28yr old owner) and are trying to convince him to open one up in LA LA LAND.


3) Pier 39/ FishermansWarf.

Okay Okay, I know Pier 39 is a total tourist attraction it's like living in San Diego and hanging out at Seaport Village or something, but it was my first time there and I thought it was so cute! If it wasn't freezing out...no literally freezing in August, I would have wanted to stay longer. But we did go for a ride in a petti-cab and eat bomb clam chowda for dinner. I really wanted a hot date on my shoulder this night, perfect little (cliche) date spot. Although spending time with the bestie worked too :-)

4) Haight/ Ashbury.
Love this hippie, cool part of town. Great shopping I bought a cool hat/scarf in one knitted puma thing that i'm sure i'll never wear but hey, it will be my motivation to get to the snow this year!
Tons of great cafes. Including the BOMB place lovely Laura took my friend's Amanda and Eric and I to, called The Porks Store Cafe. I had a Spinach and feta omlette with hash browns it came with biscuits...yum yum! This isn't the pic of my food, but it was my friend's plate.


To Be Continued...

The joys of the airport.

Sitting at the airport...delayed. I woke up at 645am to make a 8am "flyaway"bus (which by the way is one of the BEST deals in this city!)it gets one to get one to and from the airport at only 4 bucks each way. Anyways, we get to the airport after a field trip of a ride to get here and end up getting to the gate at 9am. Perfect time for a early morning cocktail (hey, it's vacation) and a splurging gig ... Mcdonalds egg mcmuffin which I think I only ever get at the airport.

I have never in my life had such problems with flights getting delayed as I have within the past year or so. Ironic? Does it have something to do with our change of economy (less planes since they all aren't filled w/ passengers etc) or is it really that the 75 degree weather in San Fran is "foggy." Wtf how can 75degrees be foggy? I've flown in snow storms and the flight was never cancelled. Well to make numbers even, this is about the 6th time I've flown Southwest and my flight has been delayed by 2 hours. So of course there is only one conclusion...the airport bar. It calms the nerves, it gives a gal a nourishing breakfast of vegetables all in one cup full (plus vodka), and it somehow eases the time by mingling with others and people watching.

BUT, I have a proposal to make. I think for every flight that is delayed, the airline seriously needs to pass out free drink coupons. They know that the smart people will sit themselves down at a bar for a bloody mary, and personally I think it's the least they can do since they are already throwing off a couple of hundred peoples plans for the day. Well I highly doubt they will ever come to giving out free drink coupons, but that did cross my mind as I sit here finishing my third cocktail...which prompted me to blog about it from my blackberry. I'm a multi tasker, I know :)

But seriously folks, a vacation should not have to consist of sitting at the damn LAX airport longer then expected. This sucks! And personally, I think drink coupons should totally be a part of it. Thankfully we had an awesome bartender who just made us huge to-go cups for the plane.

Chowhounding it.

This is an awesome website for anyone out there who is a foodie, or becoming one more by the day like myself. Sometimes I just don't know where to go, or take people, suggest a good date spot etc but this website will answer all of your food and restaurant questions. I'm seriously starting to not be a fan of any type of chain restaurant, okay except for Cheesecake Factory which probably will never leave my list...followed by P.F. Changs. But, all in all I would really like to be better at suggesting random little awesome restaurants without having to dig through citysearch. I just signed up for this site. It's pretty addicting!
Check it out.
www.chowhound.com

You can also find my lovely reviews on Yelp. :)

When summer was summer.

I'd like to take a minute to talk about summer. It has always been my favorite season, but living in California I have to admit the weather doesn't feel all that much different from any other part of the year. But still, it's summer. You can feel it in the air. The best part about summer (to me anyways) is the sun not setting until 8pm or after. I love that. However, I have come to realize that maybe summer isn't my favorite season any more because as I grow more and more into what I like to call "adulthood," well, it basically sucks to not have 3 months off during summer like we all did back in the day.

Remember being in school, and May came around and the last day of school was like the best feeling possible? You knew that the next three months would pretty much be fun, long nights, and worry free days of hanging at the beach, or cruisin' around town, or getting into mischief and things you probably shouldn't be doing. Damn, I sure do miss those days. Summer does not feel like summer anymore. Sure there are the weekends, but living in LA going to the beach side is seriously a hassle in itself, and with people's schedules so different it's hard to ever coordinate a good beach day! That's sad! Every day feels the same as I sit in my florescent lit office, which by the way is blocks from the beach. Yet a good 45- 50 hours a week of my summer goes by weekly without really getting to enjoy it. And typically it takes me an hour to commute home, another hour- hour and half to be done with the gym, so by the time I get home it's already practically 8pm at night and the whole day is gone. Does this reality sadden anyone else?

I think a part of my subconscious thinks one day I will be back to having those three months off, but unless I become a teacher it isn't ever going to happen. So on that note, I think I have come to realize that Spring is my favorite season. Possibly even Winter, which I never thought I would say mainly because I hate lugging a jacket everywhere and sitting in rainy traffic, but there is something about bundling up and the holiday season that nowadays beats sitting in an office... when it's 90 degrees and beautiful out, and all I really want to be doing is hanging at the beach with a summer fruity cocktail in hand.

So this morning when I saw a "back to school" sale commercial...already, I realized life was funner, when summer was summer! Don't get me wrong, I still have fun, and partake in summer festivities...but you know what I mean.

Coffee Bean or Starbucks?

Let me start this off with a disclaimer: I am totally a supporter by nature, of whole in the wall, mom and pop coffee shops and prefer to give my money to them, BUT there is a problem with living in Hollywood...there aren't any. Or very very few that are convenient to a gal's morning commute. So here goes my thought for the day...Coffee Bean or Starbucks?

Welcome to Los Angeles, and nowadays almost every other major city in the U.S., where there is a Starbucks on literally almost every other street corner. For example within the couple miles from my apartment, there are four within walking distance. Is that a little too much? I think so.

Growing up in San Diego when I first started to "need" my cup of coffee every morning senior year of high school, I would stop at 7-11 for the delicious make your own cup at .99cents deal. I was satisfied, and loved the little floaty marshmallows I could put in it. Fast forward to freshmen year of college at UCSD. I would totally hit up the free cafeteria coffee thanks to my card filled with dining points. Another year ahead in Boston - umm hello, Dunkin Donuts...which yes is a chain, but a totally well worth it chain. At less then 1.50 you could get a perfect cup of coffee that always just hit the spot on a chilly day...or more so a day below 0 degrees. Those of you who live on the east coast, know what I mean! Senior year of college when I moved to Cambridge, MA I walked every morning to the T stop (wow that was a far walk), and supported the coffee cafe and bakery that was filled with older Jewish customers eating their morning lox and bagel, and shouting in Hebrew about whatever the latest gossip was. But for the past four years living in L.A., I have somehow turned into a total Starbucks addict. So much so, that I'm now known by name at my Starbucks and sometimes given a discount because I come in so much.

But fear not! I have realized this problem, and lately I have made a huge attempt to cut back on spending my money at Starbucks (because it probably consumes 5% of my annual salary). I ask myself why I am so addicted? It's just coffee! And i've come to conclude there is just something about the coffee (iced non fat mocha) that is always so perfect! I think it's due to the consistency. You know that when you walk into a Starbucks or Coffee Bean, your drink will always taste the same. It's strong, its flavor- full, it's part of your morning.

This past Saturday I broke my chain letter and went to Coffee Bean instead. I have to admit I think I actually prefer the taste of the coffee at Coffee Bean better. Plus they have those awesome little circle crushed ice cubes which seriously makes each drink unique and great. The powder they use is also awesome. BUT, my only complaint is when you order an iced coffee the drink doesn't come already iced! It's like you take a sip and the coffee is still warm over the ice and it takes a couple of minutes to chill. That is annoying. Especially because I like my iced drinks very icy and cold.

So all in all, what do you prefer? What is your morning brew? I try really hard to take advantage of the free coffee at work in the cafe, but I just can't do it! It's never consistent, it's weak tasting coffee and it's just gross to me. So, I think to transition back into a normal coffee drinker and to save money, I am going to start making my own in the morning - wow what a concept! I guess the main reason I don't is because I'm always in such a hurry out the door and it's a pain to bring mugs back and forth... but folks - I am really going to try! Because lately my addiction to Starbucks could be compared to a smoker buying a pack every morning; but hey at least my habit is a healthier one.

P.S. Coffee Bean totally needs to bring back the stamper cards - remember those? The 10th drink or whatever should definitely be free at $3.50 (or more) a pop.

P.S.S I think we all know what Britney prefers.

My final week.

A week from today I will be 26. Ahh! Scary! For those of you reading this who have already passed up this point, I'm sure you are laughing at me thinking "You're still young what are you talking about?" But for some reason I don't want to turn 26! I feel old! Being 21,22,23,24 and even 25 - I have felt young, but all of a sudden I'm jumping towards being closer to 30, which is just weird. It hit me today at lunch. I guess I just feel like I need to do better. I want a better paying job, a bigger challenge in the career world, I want to find the love of my life (I know Daryn,I've stopped looking! Or at least I've slowed down looking haha), I would love to own my own place, buy a nicer car, possibly go back to school, travel the world and forget about everything else. I want all the normal things a 26 year old should want and have.

I've always been one to get ahead of myself. I guess that's why I feel pressure to come up in the world, not to mention living in LA tends to make you feel competitive. But, I think for my time so far I've done well. I mean I accomplished my goal out of college turning my internship into a job, I live on my own and won't go back to roommates, I own my car which feels much better then a lot of LA'ers who lease out Beamers just to floss. And no I don't have a beamer, my luxury car will be a Lexus - 2 door, sporty one in black or silver - but when I buy it I want to buy it in cash. So anyways, I'll stop venting now. I don't even know where my thoughts are going on this exact subject, I just know that it saddens me a bit to have one week left of being in my "young" twenties. And did I mention that currently, I seriously feel the need to run off to Vegas and live it up or something.

Yo Quiero Taco Bell.

So I have to admit, if I'm going to ever eat late night fast food, which I seriously try to stay away from but more often then not it just tends to happen (we're all guilty don't lie!), my first choice would be Taco Bell. It's seriously bomb fast food, probably a somewhat healthier option then any type of burger meal, and it's usually so cheap - like .89cents an item! Which brings me to something I stumbled across today that I was stoked to find.

I went down to San Diego this weekend, and walked into Tar-J with my mom, to get a few things which of course turned into another one of my Target shopping sprees (thanks mom), and I came across half an isle of Taco Bell items, food , and products - yum yum! OMG why didn't I know they made shelf items? I guess because I tend to try and steer away from it all, but I was very excited. So I bought some Taco Bell hot sauce in a can and one of these YUMMY little microwavable bowls called Taco Bell fiesta bowls. Now normally I'm not a huge fan of micro items, they never taste like they should for some reason. But, these little suckers totally taste just like a hot item from taco bell and are a delicious little meal when feeling like splurging. I got the salsa chicken bowl with rice and beans and spicy chicken - it was so good that I felt the need to blog about it. P.S. it had only 290 cals, which for dinner is totally cool by me!

So the next time you are at the store, pick one of these little bowls up - they are delicious and you won't be disappointed!