Point of Clarification

From the last blog...I can't make the perfect pancake. But, there is perfect pancake in my life. Don't you worry.

weekendness

The weekend was filled with some excellent hobby exploration. Because I'm a fan, here are the bullet points.

*Dave and I went to see Dan in Real Life which resulted in a self-imposed ban on romantic comedies. Being highly impressionable, I became a little sad that my life doesn't include a house in Rhode Island, playing football/step aerobics/crossword puzzles, the ability to make the perfect pancake, or a syndicated advice column. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and the movie was good. I just can't handle pressure like that.
*I decided to knit again. Gift season is upon us and some people I know have cold necks. Unfortunately, I think I forgot how to knit using the accepted method. Left to my own devices, I do my own thing. I do it consistently, crating something that has a uniformity of design. But, it's not quite knitting. It's mostly just wrong. Now, I have to get un-wronged.
*On a late afternoon trip to Target, I became the owner of a new mop and Dave became the owner of Guitar Hero III. After a brief snafu with sub par products, we got down to business. First I got involved with the process of seeing how much dirty water I can create while mopping, bringing me a deep and unique sense of accomplishment. Then Dave convinced me to try the new game. I stayed up past my bedtime as I tried to nail Cream's Sunshine of your Love. It was good.
*Then there was the fun. As you may know, I like to fun.

Fires

The LA fire department has a blog with links and information that can help. I've learned a lot.

Cat Toys

The current cat toy obsession that Cat is going through made me remember an old SNL skit. I told Dave I'd find it for him. After google-ing "snl cat toys will ferrell," I found a little 5 minute humor (in all it's meat headed glory).

Enjoy.

Views of the freeways

I spend a lot of time on the freeways. The 2, the 210, the 134. All of these are big parts of my day. Although I sometimes get so focused on the driving that I do not see some of the things that are right in front of me (like the Eagle Rock, which I manage to miss each day and insist that I don't drive by it during conversation). I'm a little more observant when it comes to the cars. I'm a little afraid of hitting something so I tend to pay close attention.

Yesterday, I saw a jeep with a snorkel. I spent a lot of the remaining drive wondering when you would need to drive a car with a snorkel. There can't be a whole lot of deep puddles in these parts. And, the LA river is mostly a dribble. I guess there is the ocean. But, that doesn't seem safe.

tasty, tasty

Last night, Dave and I used inspiration from the HipCooks class and let our our inner chefs. Well, I let out my inner cook. Dave said that he let out his inner assembler. Together, we created a tasty little meal. A little chicken-souvlaki type thing with onions. Some Greek-yogurt veggie stuff that may have missed the delicate balance from the class but was good nonetheless. Plus some tasty, tasty pita, feta and cherry tomatoes from the Hollywood Farmers Market. It was a little bit like I was in Astoria again. But, better because we made it ourselves. And, I got to have a good lunch and a tasty little snack with the leftovers. So good.

Take that-I HipCook blogged. Just one of the many HipCooks blogs that could happen from that night. Erin, I know it could have been better...but, I felt pressure.

Fetch

I am currently engaged in a frightening game of fetch with Cat. He sees using his claws and teeth as an integral part of the game. And, he is growling each time I try to get the ball. In his split-personality way, he is also pushing me with his hand, I mean paw to get me to play. Oh, cat, you so crazy.

One-oh-one

Today is my 101st day as an Angeleno. To celebrate I took a favorite walk and thought about my new world. It's filled with blue skies, walks around the meadow, cats, tee-vee (I'm done with the links), new students, hills and mountains, and good people. I like it here.

Life in California-land

This weekend, there was a little weekend away-ing. We spent some time in the mountains (about 2-800 hours from LA, depending on traffic). We rented a killer cabin in the woods; it had a fancy kitchen, the perfect deck for breakfast, the perfect sunset view a half-mile neighborhood walk away, and quiet time.

There were some other high points of the trip:
*I got to say that I was from LA when some guy who liked my coat asked me where I was from.
*I got to see a part of California that was new to me...a part that had fall.
*The hiking boots were busted out of storage.
*And, the people watching was high quality (there was a mullet, wine glass necklaces, and mountain people galore).

It was perfect.

Monday

I experienced a very Monday-ish Monday today. Kids were tired and cranky. New classroom things had glitches and hold-ups. I found out that my big raise is not so big once the man gets his hands on my check. Blah, blah, blah.

With some characteristically perfect timing, Dave sent me a little gift, via iTunes, and changed up my day. Rather than wallowing in the day, I am now enjoying the Into the Wild soundtrack.

A little Eddie Vedder and daydreams of spending some time away from it all are proving themselves to be the perfect way to deal with this overtly Monday Monday.