All posts in California

Beaches and Soundtracks

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.

Santa Barbara and Friends

Out of my own volition, it would have never occurred to me visiting Santa Barbara. I had heard of it, but I had no idea what people do there, or why one would go there. Thankfully, I have friends who not only know of great places, but invite me along on their adventures. My friends drove from Phoenix, spent a day in LA, picked me up Friday night, and we drove north. Although the posts on this Web site don’t show it, there have been tiring and stressful moments trying to start a new life out here in Los Angeles, but seeing familiar, welcoming faces made me feel so at ease and happy.

The next day, we found a Farmer’s Market. It was full of life and color, and the feeling of community. I’ll have to find one near me, so I can get fresh produce and flowers.

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What a life

Mark and his family invited me out to Catalina for the weekend.

On the way over, in the ferry, the guy working the bar on the upper level came over to chat with me. I took the Saturday 2:55 p.m. ferry from San Pedro, and it was relatively empty. He said he used to have a job that paid him a lot, but it was too stressful and he never spent anytime with his family. Now, he told me “I get done with work some days and say ‘This doesn’t suck’ .”

And that was the theme for the weekend, in fact the same statement was repeated by several random people I met.

Sunday night we had dinner on board a Lagoon 400 owned by a friend of Mark’s. Brothers Frank and Charles BBQ for us, and it was another lovely evening in which I felt I was living a life belonging to someone else.  I met some incredible people, with fascinating stories and lives.

Jody is sizing up the “real estate”. Early on Sunday morning, we went on a dinghy ride to adjacent coves, where some of the most incredible boats are moored. Mark explained the hierarchy of moorings, and how the more exclusive boats are at 4th of July and Cherry coves. He said there are wait lists to buy moorings, and that some boat owners are on those lists for 30+ years.

Mark was doubling down on those Buffalo Milk drinks. In his own words “I don’t think I left the bar all day Sunday.”

What a life.

A new home by the beach

I’m living in Long Beach at the moment, and I’ll write more about that in a future post, but for now, I believe there’s been too much talking and not enough photos around here.

I met Manuel and Maria fishing by the Long Beach Marina. Manuel kept asking if I was from Univision, I’m guessing because of the big camera.

Manuel and Maria own a ranch out in Lancaster. A long time ago, two sales people came by his ranch and sold him a laptop, which he thinks he overpaid for, and I’m sure he did. They also sold him a hard water filter. The fact still bugs him, yet he gripped about it without the least trace of ill-will or bitterness. Since this anecdote was relevant enough for him to share with me, it’s relevant enough to write about on this post. Manuel and Maria come fishing quite often to catch dinner, and “because I like spending time with her,” Manuel said pointing his shin in Maria’s direction.

“You have to tell women things like that,” he said, in a lower voice, as if giving me advice. “So they feel flattered.”

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