Totally 80s, dude!

Halloween night I convinced Shelley to dress up in 80s style clothing with me and go to the Lighthouse on Pier Ave. in Hermosa Beach where they were having an 80s band play. Okay, originally it was her idea, but since she's been sick, she was feeling like she shouldn't go, but I told her that given her outgoing personality she needed to go out and recharge.

So we did and had a great time! Dressing up was a lot of fun and then seeing the other 80s outfits were awesome--totally tubular! There was one guy dressed as an 80s rocker who was awesome. He really got into his character while dancing. His pants were so freakin' tight!

We stayed at the Lighthouse several hours until I was getting tired and I knew Shelley was but she's the type that would push herself because she hadn't been out in a month! We stopped at Pisano's for some pizza before heading back home.


I had to drop Shelley off and gather a few things before heading out to Palos Verdes where I was house-sitting for the night for the Steips while they were at Hume Lake. I arrived at about 1:30am. Angel (the cat) was outside meowing and when I let her in she went straight for her food bowl. Hannah (the dog) was sleeping soundly.

I was still wide awake when I noticed an email from John so I decided to write him back before heading to bed. :) I finally went to sleep at a little past 2am and I slept like a log. I woke up to a beautifully quiet house. I really like the Steip's house, especially the wonderfully arranged adirondack chairs in their back yard.


Here is the view from their back yard. On clear days it is breath-taking!



Not a bad gig, huh?

I was able to wake up in time for church (thank you Daylight's Savings Time). It was a wonderful sermon on "Bearing Fruit That Lasts". The thing I got most out of the sermon was that sometimes there are things in our lives that might be morally neutral that God wants us to lay down because although the thing we are laying down might not be evil, it may not be good for us at that moment. This is a lesson I am learning this year!

In the afternoon, Alice and I went to get manis and pedis and then we had dessert at Creme de la Crepe in Riviera Village. Alice is fun to hang out with!

Fall'oween Party

Tonight was the B.A.S.I.C. Fall'oween Party at Jazz Thompson's house. I arrived early to set up with Jazz and Nicole. We made the place festive!

A ton of people came and had a great time from what I could tell! I know I did.

We also had a great spread of food (this is not even all of it!):
Some people dressed up, including Jazz! His Starbuck's employee costume was so authentic. He even included a sharpie for writing people's names down on the cups!Taylor (on the left)came with her very creative "no-cost" costume. Can you guess what she is? My friend Julie came to the party too! I haven't seen her in ages so it was nice to see her again!

Freakazoid

I am a freakazoid, baby!

I went to the orthopedic specialist today to take a look at my foot while I have insurance and the time on my hands.

A few weeks ago it was pointed out to me that I have another bone on my foot and I found out today that it is the accessory navicular, which most people do not have! I also have the os trigonum (I think that is what it is called...it wasn't on the anatomy chart at the doctor's office but it was definitely on my ex-ray), which is another bone that most people do not have. I'm a freakazoid!

I had to get poked while I was there and a very unusual thing happened while Dr. Reese was doing it-I got nauceous and had to lay down! This never happens to me! She had to give me a steroid shot after that but she didn't use the whole shot because it was too painful. I guess I'm just not meant to be on the juice. ;)

So now I have three big bandages ( two are from a dermatologist appointment) on me, but at least they are temporary! I'll have to try and incorporate it in a Halloween costume!

BASIC Hike Oct. 2009

This morning I met up with some girls for a hike! I had hiked a similar trail the day before with Scotti, who showed me the ropes of that new area.

There was a great view of Portugese Bend--the water was sparkling as it broke against the rock.
Part of the trail was along some houses and one had a very beautiful bougenvalia bush.

It was really nice to catch up with everyone I knew and get to know a few I didn't know as well. After the hike most of us went to The Appetizer for lunch. We had a fun time!

Spago's with Alice and Dyanelle

Tonight I went to Spago's with Alice and Dyanelle. This week is restaurant week in L.A. so you can get an amazing meal for a super deal! ;)

It was a three course meal and we tried to order different items so we could try them. For the first course Dyanelle had the Crispy Monterrey Bay Calamari with a pickled ginger viniagrette and marinated cucumbers. Alice decided on the Pumpkin Agnolotti with Marscapone Reggiano--it was delicious! I ordered the short rib with mushroom raviolinni with a wine reduction which was also absolutely fabulous! You know it's an amazing culinary experience when you lift your head to the ceiling as you savor the flavor!

For our main course Alice and I both ordered the Wood Oven Roasted Poussin - with caramelized garlic, preserved lemon and roasted fingerling potatoes. It was so amazing! Dyanelle ordered the Pan-Roasted Casco Bay Cod - with puree and ragout of gigante and cranberry beans, pancetta, wild mushrooms and mascarpone emulsion.

For dessert, we ordered the three choices available: I ordered the mixed berry shortcake that had a delectable side of raspberry sorbet! It usually comes with whipped cream on the top, but I don't generally like whipped cream, so I asked for it on the side.
Alice had an apple turnover type dessert--can't describe it. It was like a very crunchy piece of french toast with sliced apples on the top. Dyannelle got the chocolate purse with a side of french vanilla sorbet. That was also quite a rich dessert. By this time, we were all stuffed!


At the end of our meal, we had an unexpected visitor to our table! Wolfgang Puck came over to our table and introduced himself and asked us how our meal was. Of course we had rave reviews!
So that Alice could really feel like a tourist, we took a picture outside of Spago's:

Musings Discovered

A few phrases I found in my musings:

Your words are what true beauty means
A simple phrase or two
Entwined to make a piece of art
Like a poem from my dreams!


Something About Him

There was something I liked about him from the very start. Maybe it was his neatly combed and oiled hair pressed down delicately as they used to style it in the 20’s and 30’s. There is something about a well-groomed man that speaks to me. If one should care so much about one’s appearance so passionately, it would lead me to believe other passion’s lay within one’s heart.

But, of course, too much of a good thing can be dangerous--borderline insane. Passion can lead to compulsion, which can lead to obsession. This passion could potentially consume every waking hour or minute and even invade one’s dreams.

But to be without passion of any kind, all the time, would be madness as well. If life lulled along without even as much as a blip on the radar of enthusiasm, would life be worth living? No. I think those that give up do it because something in their heart withers away. Any flitter of joy as an initial reaction gets somehow subdued and then is altogether ignored so that after some time it is not even recognized and therefore not felt.

To not feel--to be numb--is a tragedy. I would rather be angry or dead than to not acknowledge any emotion at all.

Shelley's Accupuncture Appointment

Saturday I took Shelley to her accupuncture appointment because she was feeling dizzy. The appointment was in L.A., but Shelley really knows her way around so we avoided all the traffic. The accupuncturist has an office set up above his garage, next to a very serene backyard that is set up as a waiting area.

I decided to read the remaining 15-20 pages of my Dr. Laura book "How Could You Do That: The Abdication of Character, Courage and Conscience" while I waited. I was very happy when I finished. It is a difficult book to read because the cases are complex and there are a lot of moral implications to think over when you read them. I had been reading this book off and on for several months!

I had purchased a new phone (a Blackberry) on Friday so I also fiddled with that and organized my address book. I felt so accomplished.

The cat that was lazing about next to me decided to get friendly and jumped on my lap. I spent the remaining time petting the kitty. :)