All posts in California

Hi there, it’s been a while. A lot has changed while essentially remanding the same. The beach is 1.4 miles away, and I feel the ocean breeze more often than those scalding desert winds.

I can almost picture David Hasselhoff running out of there in slow-motion. I grew up on this stuff!

The water is too cold for me, so I would much rather just sit by the shore and people watch. If I had a wet suit, I’d totally pick up surfing. In fact, I think once things settle down a bit with my new job and apartment decorating, I will do some surfing lessons, because it just seems like the right thing to do in Southern California. Amen.

Friends introduced me to some fun spots around town. The photo below was at the Foundation Room of the House of Blues, where we were treated to an incredible dinner. I met several characters such as the guy who, when asked “what do you do?”, answered in a variety of ways including “I can’t tell you” or “I’m in the music business”; then there was the Russian actress who just moved to town and was ‘shopping around’ for agents and managers (what does that means?); and people who call Snoop Dog just Snoop, because that makes it sound like they know each other (maybe they do, maybe they’re neighbors and share the same pool cleaners).

I also realized that my celebrity-spotting skills are pretty appalling. The entire dinner, this guy James is sitting right across from me, and it was not until after he left that someone mentioned he was in Heroes. Considering I watched that show (before it started being terrible), I should’ve noticed. He played Ando, Hiro’s sidekick, for those of you familiar with Heroes. I’m glad I didn’t realize it while he was there, because I might have been compelled to ask him where did it all go so wrong?

Steve Earle was playing that evening at the HOB. Fun fact: Obama was there the night before, and there was an excited buzz about that still. Plus, a couple at the dinner table had been there and had their photos taken with him, which they proudly showed around.

My friends also took me to Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood. I’m so glad I found this place, because it was perfect to take my parents while they were in town. And to wrap up my initial Tour de Force, later that week, I attended my first Jewish New Years celebration (L’shanah tovah!), and we swung by to check out Jimmy Eat World at the Wiltern. Those photos are in my phone, but I don’t know how to get them out of there. Eh, they’re probably not good photos anyways.

For those of you not aware, I’m starting a new job with USC, which I’m incredibly excited about — not only because of the job itself but the possibility of getting my Masters there. Also, I found a cute little apartment in Santa Monica which you are all invited to visit! I would like to thank everyone who not only inquired about my apartment hunting, but actively helped me with leads for places and roommates — some of you as far as D.C. and Phoenix, mobilized contacts out here to help me out. It  is true, that in our greatest times of need, we realize who are not only our true friends, but genuinely good-hearted people. Thank you to all. Many of you have asked, and I promise photos of the apartment are coming.

As you can see, there’s been a lot of music in my life lately, so I leave you with a song that’s been on repeat at my household for the past few weeks — Angel from Montgomery by Old Crow Medicine Show.

Because I know several of my friends are Colin Hay fans, he’s playing at El Cajon this Friday, here’s the info. I’m excited to be in a town with so much live music, and I’m hoping to check out some of the greats acts at this venue, which is right around the corner from my apartment. Catie Curtis will be stopping by, and she was my first concert at Cave Creek Coffee Company, which brings back great memories.

Ok, I think that’s enough updating for now, I’ve got some busy days ahead — it’s fun busy though, so hopefully some good photos and posts in the horizon.