2005

"People are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime."

Those words were said to me in 1999. I remember who said them and when. At the time, I nodded in agreement. But lately I'vee been thinking more about that silly phrase. It really is true.

This year has been a big one for me in terms of change. For someone who values stability, this has definitely been a year filled with instability and adjustment. The rug had been pulled out from under me...Love, Work, Health...I don't think there was a part of my life that wasn't tossed around this year. But I regained my balance. I ended up happier and healthier than before everything was shifted.

"People are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime."

Its ok that Love walked out of my life unexpectedly. I can't say I wasn't sad. But, there was a reason it was there and I learned so very much not only about myself but also about the city I call home as well as a different way of thinking and looking at the world. I miss Love but I will always appreciate the time I had.

"People are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime."

Yeah, Evil One (EO) was amazingly difficult to deal with. But EO taught me that I deserve to have only the best people surround me. Pettiness, insecurity and jealous are such a waste of time.

"People are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime."

The brush fires took homes away from some and breath away from me. Seriously, the world looks very different from behind a dust mask. But, from that inability to breathe, I acquired this amazing group of people who genuinely care about me.

Its been a tough year. But I've learned so very much. I end this year overwhelmed by the kindness that's been bestowed upon me. I think that, more than any sadness I've experienced, is what I'll remember most.

2005 was a kind year.

Happy Birthday to me! (Part II)

Am I supposed to feel like a grown up at some point? I'm 31. Isn't that grown up? I mean, I'm responsible. I'm a great employee. I'm a contributing member of the family. So, that's adult-like.

But, I was seriously considering knitting myself a crown for my birthday. I'm still trying to figure out how to hang my Social Distortion poster (nicely framed I might add) at work without offending anyone. I walked the dogs last night in my pj's. I wouldn't consider that particularly adult-like.

I guess I'm grown up, I just don't take myself or life in general too seriously.

Happy Birthday to me! (Part I)

Yes, I know my birthday is tomorrow. Since the date of my birth is the most fabulous day of the year, I just wanted to to recognise all the kids playing along at home that don't admit they read this. In case you don't know where I am, you can always send flowers, gifts, chocolates, whatever to the house.

I just thought I'd toss that out there.

:-)

'cause Christmas (and my birthday) are about one very important thing...presents!

Rave: Ralphs Pharmacy

I know, a pharmacy is a radom thing to rave about. But, anyone who knows me, knows that I love my Ralphs. But even more than I love my Ralphs, I love my Ralphs pharmacy. In this age of corporations taking over mom'n'pop businesses, every now and then, a fabulous team of people who genuinely care about their clients emerges. So, to Calvin, David, Al, Darlene and the rest of the kids at MY Ralphs pharmacy, thank you.

Thank you for answering my questions about my medications and never making me feel stupid.
Thank you for answering my questions about my dog's medications and still never making me feel stupid.
Thank you for helping me while I don't have insurance.
Thank you for caring about my health and taking good care of me.

Oh, Calvin introduced me to Airborn...seriously the best product EVER. Take it when you're flying or when you feel like you might be getting a cold. It beats cold medicine ANY day of the week. Thanks Calvin!

Merry Christmas

Yeah, you heard me. Merry Christmas. I didn't say Happy Holidays. I didn't say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah AND Happy Kwanza. No, its simply Merry Christmas.

I'll say it again.

Merry Christmas!

Rave: Stitches from the Heart

I seem to be drawn to small charities where you can really see and feel where the money/donations are going. As mentioned in a previous post, this year I took up knitting. Not too long after I learned about a charity called Stiches from the Heart.

www.stitchesfromtheheart.org

They talk about their charity much better than I do but I'll give you the cliff's notes and share why I dig this charity so much. Basicly, they send hand-made hats, blankets, booties, sweaters, etc... to premature babies who really have nothing in this world. And, they send the items to hospitals all over the country so those of you who like your money/effort to stick close to home, this is good for you. These ladies don't just ask for money as many charities do; nope, they love for you to help make all the items to send for these little tykes. Don't get me wrong, they love for you to donate large sums of cash, but they're very happy if you donate items too.

And, to fund their efforts, they have a store in Santa Monica, at 3306 Pico Blvd where they sell yarn, needles and all sorts of knitting/crocheting notions. Volunteers work there and they'll answer any questions you have about the charity, knitting, crocheting, yarns, etc... I will admit that they don't have the selection that the fancier yarn stores are known for, but its a great place to go if you need basics or truly soft yummy yarns...they have oodles of soft alpca right now and all sorts of fun things.

So, if you're looking to start knitting and you want some easy projects to start on, stop by and chat with these ladies. Or, if you're in the mood to give a little something back and you're of the crafty design, its alot of fun to whip up a bunch of hats and know that you're helping to keep a new baby warm and show a very scared mom who's baby wasn't supposed to meet the world yet, that someone is thinking of her.

Restaurant Review - Coral Tree Express

Ok, so its technically not a restaurant since its at the mall but I thought it deserved an entry.

The mall in Century City has been in the process of renovation for years, litterally. They're bringing the westside its first stadium-style seating theater (no the Grove, the ArchLight and Howard Hughes center are not westside) as well as adding a 2nd level to the mall and allowing Gelson's to expand.

I'll could write FAR too much on the mall so I'll focus on the new food court on the 2nd level. I don't remember Coral Tree Express in the prior food court and since I'm always on the hunt for quick healthy food, I'm pretty sure that would have been on my radar. Nonetheless, this was a nice place to find. The food is healthy and yummy which is good considering you're paying at the high end for a mall food court in this place. My favorite right now is the tuna salad. They make it without mayo and its surprisingly tastey.

So, if you're at the food court and just can't think about Panda or Baja, try Coral Tree Express. And, if you head over early enough for lunch, you might see me there.

Concert Review - Social Distortion

Always a rave...I see these kids every year and every year I have a good time. I dig the band, the venue and the fans. It makes for an easily enjoyable evening all around. Even on 5 hours sleep I didn't have to work to enjoy the show, which I wasn't exactly surprised by, just happy with.

The opening band cracked me up. This has to be the first time, at least for me, where I was physically repulsed by the lead singer. And it was his attitude that bothered me. He felt he was just way too sexy in his low wasted jeans. And he wasn't. Hey, Mr. Lead Singer Guy...watching your pants fall down isn't sexy. Seeing your crack isn't sexy. I know you may think it is but it isn't. And that whole shaking thing...oof. Just FYI.

I was happy when he had a jacket & scarf on 'cause I could kinda see the tattoos underneath and I could see that I didn't want to know more. But, he's one of those people who doesn't necessarily get tattoos for himself but for the reaction he thinks he'll get from other people. It was nice work but for the wrong reasons. Ew.

Oh, but I have to say the musicians in the band were quite good. I enjoyed the music when I closed my eyes for two reasons: I didn't see the lead singer; and I really couldn't hear him sing so I could actually enjoy the music.

Now onto Social D. These boys just rock. And Mike Ness rocks for the all the reasons the guy above doesn't. He sings 'cause its what he does, not to try to be some wannabe rock god. Mr. Ness lives the life he sings about and really enjoys what he does. I always find it a joy to watch him and the other boys on stage.

They played a lot of new songs, with some of the usual favorites tossed in. The new stuff definitely reflects the stage of his live that he's living now. Not quite the edge that his earlier music posses but the emotion is still raw and relateable. But, I don't think any artist that grabs you with his struggle to success (Eminem immediately comes to mind as another example) can sustain that after they've made it. And that's ok. Artists should grow and change (No Doubt is my other example for this since they made it work for them and didn't fade into the distance.) I'll grab the album.

And now that I've written about his music changing, something occurred to me while trying to edit my exact feelings about the performance - one very important thing has remained the same...the intensity. The band has not lost that. Its the intensity of the music and the performance that draws you in and wanting more. Its the intensity Mr. Ness gives his audience with his singing, his playing and even the different looks on his face that keeps you watching and listening.

Well, Mark Asked...

Ok, I've been asked what's so great about Out of the Closet?

For those of you playing along at home that don't live in West L.A., here's a little background. Trying to donate stuff in West L.A. is tough. I won't even get into furniture. We'll just stick to stuff that fits into an SUV. You would think driving somewhere to give someone something would be easy. Nope. We've been donating our stuff to Goodwill for years. You pull up to unload. "What do you have?" You tell them what you're donating. You get either a "No, we don't take that" or a "Put it over there." No one helps, no one cares. "Oh, you want a receipt, sure, whatever, wait here."

Pull up to Out of the Closet. Hey, anyone home, can I donate? "Sure, we'll be right there." You go back to your car to get everything and there's at least one person right behind you to help. I even had a guy tell me to stop lifting things. "I don't know why husbands can do this work. Its not right for a woman to be lifting all of this heavy stuff." Hell, a girl half my size came out to help me once. And they always thank you for everything. "A receipt, sure, here you go! Thanks again!" Everyone at Out of the Closet is always so nice. I like to go there to donate. It doesn't feel like a chore to schelp everything over there.

So, that's why Out of the Closet rocks. I mean, besides the obvious charity that they support.

Scariest Words Ever Uttered

"I'm so excited about shooting my video next week."

When you're waiting for an aerobics class to start and the instructor walks in saying *that* you're in for serious amounts of pain. I mean, with all the work out videos out there, if there's a guy who's figured out a new way to torture you with only a step, some resistance cords and a medicine ball, seriously, you should be scared.

He was awesome. My quads hurt for days. My friends made fun of me because I couldn't walk down stairs without muttering obscenities under my breath but holy wow.

Lets see what other pain, I mean classes, I can find....