On the Left Coast: LA Adventures

Since this was my second visit out west to see the lovely Jan, I'd knocked out most of the touristy things the first go round. But there were still a few things to do in the city before we embarked on a few road trips.

First, since my first full day was a Friday, I went to work with Jan. She works at a studio so I got to explore the lot while she did a few things in the morning. It was so cool to just walk around the lot and look around. I covered lots of ground, went in the studio store, had lunch at their cafeteria, and watched them set up a scene they were filming for a series.

I spent a lot of time exploring their "legends" section where they have plaque after plaque of people from all walks of the company that they have deemed "legends." I nearly cried when I saw Peter's.

The main building was quite impressive. (And maybe a little creepy, being held up by dwarves and all.)

The real stars.

Later that night we went in to Hollywood to check out a Southern-influenced bar and hang out with some of Jan's friends. The bar was really cool, the drink only ok, the company excellent, but jet lag hit me fast and hard so we called it an early night.

On Saturday we got pedicures with some of her friends and then spent the day shopping in Burbank. Saturday night I helped Jan with a few crafts. It's stuff like this, just shopping and doing crafts, that I miss the most when we're on separate costs. It sucks, actually. But I'm glad to have had the time this trip to do this.

On Sunday, before church, we made a quick trip to right a wrong from the last trip. A visit to the Hollywood sign when it actually reads HOLLYWOOD. (On my first trip they were trying to save the land around the sign, thus it read SAVE THE PEAK.)

 

Us with the sign! Success!

After the sign, church, and lunch it was off to Anaheim for...Disney Land! My first trip to a Disney park.

Yankee Doodle Dandy

I was in New Jersey all last week for work observing the pilot of a course I wrote. (The course I've mentioned in passing numerous times in the past month due to some crazy deadlines.) It went really well, the clients were exceptionally nice, and it was great to see "my baby" come to life after working so hard on it.

This was my first trip to New Jersey outside of flying into Newark airport ages ago. I took the train to and from Philadelphia, my first time to that city outside of flying into Philadelphia airport ages ago. The Acela takes just 90 minutes to get from the pseudo North of D.C. to the North North of Philly and NJ. (The fact that this amazingly historic city is so close, and that I've lived so close too it for more than 5 years and never visited, really is shameful. Absolutely shameful. Expect me to visit again for fun if the weather ever gets warm again.)

It was a long week full of long days. Eight hours of class filled with note taking and rearranging and decision making, followed by a quick dinner or crash on the bed, then an hour to two hour debrief with the facilitators, then a half hour of working out, and then a night of restless sleep. I'd brought movies, a loaded Kindle, and tons of blogging ideas because I was afraid of getting bored in the hotel room. Ha, no such luck. But again, it was more than worth it to see my work come to fruition. And to have it so appreciated and respected by a room full of trainers.

It was also interesting to be in a new place with a new client. Even if they were all Yankees. Here are some notes I took on that aspect throughout the week:

• The train station in Philly is gorgeous:

 

• I don't like Northern accents. At all.
• Apparently eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's day is a thing people do.
• No one mentioned basketball or brackets unless I brought them up.
• Cab drivers in Philly are no better with directions and GPS than the cab drivers in D.C.
• But cabs in Philly have a glass partition separating driver and passenger, credit card machines, and little informational TVs.
• You don't have to pay to get in to New Jersey, but you have to pay to get out. (Cab driver added an additional $5 to my fare to cover the toll for when he drove back to the city. This toll was confirmed when I went back to the city on Thursday.)
• The Hampton Inn cleans their duvet covers with each guest.
• We had the option of a cupcake OR a cannoli at lunch. I, of course, took the cannoli. (And left the gun.)
• I ate more meat than I will in a month at the Brazilian steakhouse we went to for a group dinner.
• After long days full of people, this introvert took great pleasure in walking around Target for an hour.
• Creamer and yogurt is packed at sea level and when it gets to Denver it bursts/explodes a bit when you open. (This was learned from some Denver-based participants.)
• There are geese everywhere and thus geese poop everywhere.
• This is the view from one of tallest buildings in Philadelphia:

And that's it for now. This week has the potential to be crazy as well as I make post-pilot changes. But at least I got a chance to relax this weekend as I partook in a whole lot of nothing.

On the Left Coast: Celebrity Sightings

It has been quiet on the blog for a good reason: I was in Los Angeles!

I went to visit one of my besties*, Jan. This is my third visit to see her in California and my second to LA. (We met in San Francisco one of those times.)

Work is madness, of course, so I haven't had time to download my pictures and compose my thoughts. But since one of the first things people usually ask is, "Did you see anyone famous?," I thought I'd start with that.

If you'll recall the last time I went to L.A., I saw 4 famous people on the Paramount lot. This time I saw 2.5 famous people. Let me explain.

Celebrity .5
When I was at the studio lot where Jan works, in line at Starbucks, this tall, blonde, attractive man got in line. He was wearing a hoodie and sunglasses, inside, in the 80 degree weather. He also had an Australian accent and a wedding ring. So I decided he was one of the Hemsworth brothers. Jan doubts it because she says no one that famous is ever at their lot, but she agrees it might have been someone.

 
Celebrity 1
We drove up to the lovely town of Santa Barbara on Monday. While we were vintage shopping at this great store, I looked up and saw a beautiful blonde girl. I looked closer and saw that she is an actress on "Pretty Little Liars." I think you all now how much I love this crazy show. She was with who I presume to be her boyfriend and parents, and one of them said her name, so it was confirmed. I didn't say anything to her but I think the parents and BF heard me freak out at one point. Which is embarrassing, but it could have been way worse. Like read my open letter to her worse.

Celebrity 2
I was at LAX for my flight out bright and early on Tuesday morning. I was on the sidewalk at the terminal, walking to my entrance, when I saw a very energetic man get out of a towncar. It was Richard Simmons in a Carolina blue sweatsuit. He was acting entirely too peppy for 6:30 in the morning and looking almost freakishly good for his age.

And those are my 2.5 celebrity sightings for this trip. More from the Left Coast...eventually.


*I'm not usually a fan of abbreviating words like a teenager, but after they used the word on Big Bang Theory, Jan started using it for us and now I love it.

Weekend Recap: Harper's Ferry, WV

In lieu of a "Things I Learned This Weekend" post, I'm just going to post a few pictures and comments on the hiking trip I took last weekend with B and K to Harper's Ferry, WV.

Last week, with 5 straight days of jury duty, was just terrible. And stressful and exhausting and frustrating. (I'll write more about it later.) A trip out of town on a gorgeous fall day with two of my best friends would have been good any day, but was especially good after last week.

This was my first time to WV and it's almost crazy to think that just an hour away lies such gorgeous and rustic scenery. (Not to mention the fact that to get there, we drove through D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Four "states," all before noon.)

We started at the National Park entrance to Harper's Ferry, and did a very light trail over the main battlefield. Aside from the massive amount of cicadas, it was a good start.

Then we took a shuttle bus a few miles down the road to the historic town of Harper's Ferry. It was really quaint and postcard-esque, made to look as it did 100 or more years ago.

I love old things of course, especially railroads, trains, and railroad bridges, so I was really excited about this old railroad.

We crossed the bridge over the Shenandoah River to get to some more intense trails.

After a good amount of steep, uphill climbing, we circled back around and walked along the river back toward town. But first we posed for some pictures. I wanted a ballet-type picture on a big rock. Too bad I forgot how terrible my balance is.

With two of my favorites.

After that workout we walked back to town to get some ice cream and do a little shopping. Then we walked up some 1800s era stone steps to get to the church overlooking the town.

 

Our last stop was to Jefferson Rock, named for my fave Founding Father, who remarked that the view from there was either "stupendous" or "spectacular," I can't remember.

Except that was actually our second-to-last stop as after we left, and were already several miles away, I realized I'd left my bag of purchases behind. My amazing friends turned around and helped me find it. Thankfully, some kind soul had turned it into a store. Yay for country living!

And that was Harper's Ferry. A great day with great friends.

Things I Learned Last Weekend

I was too busy last week at work to get this up, so here is last weekend's recap, the majority of it spent in Myrtle Beach for Michelle's (brother's fiancee) bachelorette party.

Sleeping in a teenager's room covered in One Direction paraphernalia is better than sleeping in a teenager's room full of Jonas Brothers paraphernalia.
Because they're all legal? Not sure, though I did still feel a little creepy. But since I ended up hiding my niece's alarm clock to smother the ticking, and then forget to tell her that, I guess we're even.

Working from home with two other people is more fun than working from home alone.
I worked from my sister and brother-in-law's house on Friday, and so did they. Best of all, my sister picked me up lunch and tissues.

There is a town in North Carolina called Tar Heel.
How did I not know this? It makes me happy.

If I can't be with my best friends all the time, at least I can drive through their hometown.
Two of my best friends from college are from the same small town in Eastern North Carolina. We drove through it on the way to Myrtle Beach and it made me smile.

There is a part of Myrtle Beach that looks like the bayou.
On Friday night we took a casino boat cruise. But when we first pulled up, we couldn't see the water or the boat. It looked like we were just in a bayou or like we might just die. Luckily, we weren't and we didn't.

Matching t-shirts are fun.
I kind of want to make custom t-shirts for my girlfriends and I, just because.

Slot machines are more fun when there's a lever.
Not that too many of the machines actually had levers. I'm not a gambler at all, but I don't mind playing slot machines for a bit, and I only lost $10, so not too bad.

The captain's bridge is completely dark.
And kind of creepy. Especially when the captain invites your group up and then lets you do all the talking. (Picture not of bridge, but just because we look cute.)

Allergies+sea sickness+indoor smoking=pain
It was fun to hang out with the sister, future sister-in-law, and other bridesmaids, and nice to try something new, but the combination of the three things above meant I spent a good portion of the cruise in pain. 

Murphy beds are more secure than I thought.
The sis and I shared a Murphy bed at the hotel. I always thought I'd be afraid of flipping up in one, but that didn't happen.

Bachelorettes get special perks.
On the ship we got invited to the bridge and were given VIP status for exiting the boat. The next night, we got free shots and the bachelorette got free admission.

The best way to recover from allergies and a 3 a.m. bedtime is to lie by the pool.
And float in the lazy river. But only if the river is actually lazy, and not completely stagnant like one of them was.

The best way to start a night of bachelorette fun is with a crazy waiter.
Our waiter helped Michelle cross off several items on her scavenger list by giving us free shots, serenading her, dancing with her, and all sorts of other fun.

Balloon hats aren't just for kids.
Thank goodness. 

Dueling piano bars are way fun.
I want to go again.

If you play "Yeah," by Usher, I have to dance.
I'm not a dancer, but when at a club with other ladies, I'll make do. Especially when playing this song, not sure why, it just makes me want to very nu-rhythmically move.

Taking your shoes off whilst resting outside a club in Myrtle Beach is an invitation for a foot massage.
A man saw that my heels were off, bent down, touched my foot, and asked if I wanted a massage. Given that I don't hold hands or really like to be touch by people I know, I went with a NO. 

Allergies+indoor smoke+loud music=pain
The sis and I ended our party a little after midnight because we weren't feeling well. But we had so much fun, despite the fact that we're apparently just getting old.

It's no North Carolina beach, but Myrtle Beach can be pretty.
View from our hotel:

A weekend of terrible allergies and little sleep will result in a 2-hour nap in the car.
And what a good nap it was.

If you're a good patient when receiving a band-aid, your sister will give you a sticker.
Her first aid kit had stickers. How cute is that?

I just love shopping with my mom and sister.
Mom met us in Raleigh to spend a few hours before I had to leave. I was tired and still feeling yucky, but casual hanging out with the family always makes me better.

Garden Ridge sells a variety of British telephone booths
And I want one.

The more places travelled to in the shortest amount of time, the more tired and stressed I am after it stops.
From Thursday to Sunday: DC to ALX to RMT to Raleigh to Myrtle Beach to RDU to BWI to DC via metro, train, car, boat, plane, and van. Whew. But oh well, it was fun.

Vacation all I ever wanted...

Today I'm headed south. Whew. I need to not be here. There is too much work and heat and too many people. Oh, the people. Why so many?

I've never taken a week to do anything, much less just lie on the beach. Since I decided to go a little voice in my head has been saying, "Ooh, a week-long beach vacation! How extravagant! When did we win the lottery?" (One of my inner voices is a vindictive little bitch. I know you're shocked.)

Of course, I'm taking the train down, staying in a house with tons of family, and sleeping in a bunk bed, so lottery winnings weren't necessary. But I still feel weird even calling it a "vacation." I don't take vacations. I take long weekends to go home or to explore a city. Two days in Chicago or three days in San Francisco are amazing, wonderful, and exactly what I love doing. But I never call them vacations, they're just trips.

So, here are some Things I Plan On Doing While On Vacation:

• Taking work email off phone.
• Spending no more than 30 minutes a day on laptop or iPhone.
• (Possibly) not brushing my hair or wearing makeup.
• Drinking tons of Cherry Lemon Sun Drop.
• Eating tons of biscuits, barbecue, shrimp, etc.
• Sleeping late.
• Reading tons.
• Writing for me.
• Spending lots of time with family.

A Tiffany's Story

"The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!"
-Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Other than Fred's monologue in the rain at the end, this is my favorite quote from BAT.  While Holly uses Tiffany's quite literally, it really leads to the much broader idea of a place representing comfort, ease, safety, and bliss. For years I’ve been collecting a bank of places, things, and ideas that compose my own "Tiffany's." From a place like Chapel Hill to an object like my blanket, they become armor that almost nothing can penetrate. "Nothing very bad could happen to you" because you always have these places to run to or these things to hold that will back you up. And it's an amazing feeling.

I've been in three different Tiffany's stores and while they are very lovely, they don't really give me that impenetrable feeling. But I still love to go and channel a little bit of Holly.

On Friday evening in San Francisco, as Jan and I strolled around Union Square, looking at all the stores and buildings, she suggested we start our Saturday morning by grabbing some Starbucks and literally having breakfast at Tiffany's. And this is why she's one of my best friends, people. There may have been an actual skip or dance on my end at her suggestion.

The Inspiration

The Reality

It was just a silly little gesture that felt really, really nice. It felt right to visit the store with Jan as she loves the movie as much as I do.

The Rest of the Story
My first trip to a Tiffany's was when I went to New York City in 2004. My friends and I went in, admired all the lovely items, and left without purchasing anything. I was just a 20-year-old college student who needed her money for more vital things.

 First Visit
Fifth Avenue, New York City
March 2004

When I went to Chicago with Brandie in 2009, we went by the store during our jaunt down the Magnificent Mile. After mentioning that I'd always wanted to buy something there, Brandie, in all her infinite wisdom, said something along the lines of, "Well, why don't you?" So I did. And every time I wear my necklace I think of a trip to Chicago with a great friend.



Second Visit and First Purchase

Michigan Avenue, Chicago

July 2009



In San Francisco, seven years after my first visit, I bought a simple silver ring that will remind me of another great trip with another great friend.

Third Visit and Second Purchase

Union Square, San Francisco

July 2011

 

And that's my Tiffany's story thus far. Next on the list: Ask for a sterling silver telephone dialer.

I resisted writing this because I don't want to come across as boastful or shallow. But I think everyone works hard so we can afford the things we like whether it be a nice dinner, a day off with the family, or a cool gadget. And I still maintain a fierce devotion to Forever 21 jewelry and Target pajamas.

Leaving on a jet plane

Where I am:

Where I am going:

I'm not being a drama queen, but I truly don't remember what 65 feels like. I started laying out clothes on Sunday because I'm so flummoxed as to what to bring.

But, for one of the few times in my life, I truly don't care. I so badly want to get away but, more importantly, so badly need to see this lady:

My friends are the best in the world and I'm tremendously blessed that two of my closest ones are either a room or a metro ride away. The other, however, makes her home on the left coast and we haven't seen each other since October. In her words, "we're basically the same person," and I'm ecstatic to spend four days exploring a new city with her.

Day Tripping

Sometimes I feel like unless I blog about it, it didn't happen. The list of things from 2011 I've yet to blog about include a discussion I attended with Justic Ruth Bader Ginsberg, my bout with pink eye, and getting a marriage proposal from a stranger at the metro fare card machine. Even though at this point they are as much as five months old, I swear they will be blogged about. But, for now, I'll start with something I've yet to write about, which was my trip to Richmond two weeks ago to spend the day with Mom.

After three years in D.C., we discovered over Christmas that Richmond was about halfway for both of us, thus the perfect distance for a quick day trip. As mom was "homesick" for me and I desperately needed to both get out of the city, and unashamedly, see my momma, together we descended on the city.

The last time we were here was when we took a few days after I finished summer school in 2004 to visit Charlottesville and Richmond. But our interest this time was less in the city's sights -- of which there are many -- and more in the city's stores.

My bus got into the city station about a half hour early, leaving me time to wander past closed store after closed store before settling by a statue to read. (It was barely 8 a.m.; glad to know there's a good reason I'm not usually up then.)

Once mom arrived we got breakfast and planned the day, starting with the Carytown area to work our credit cards a bit.

The consignment store Clementine was just as good as I'd heard and allowed me to significantly expand my wardrobe for a fairly insignificant cost.

We got a mid-day snack at a diner and strolled the cute streets, shopping and browsing as we went.

Mom really wanted to shop at a Pier One and an Anthropologie so we went out into the suburbs a bit for some more shopping. I almost crashed due to having to wake up in the 4s, but was able to rally to head back into the city for dinner and enjoy a few Richmond sights.

After a recommendation from our parking lot attendant, we got dinner at The Hard Shell. Mom had steak and I had shrimp and we both enjoyed ours immensely.

After we ate I tried to get a picture of just the two of us. I guess it's been awhile since doing the "squeeze together and hold camera out" picture because after several tries a few nice guys offered to take it for us.

And then one slightly tipsy fellow asked if he could be in a picture with us. He was sweet enough, and from Alabama, but drunk people that want to be in pictures just amuse me. One time this happened during college when the drunk son of the governor jumped in my picture. Not sure if this guy is the son of a governor, but he's forever in my digital photo album now.

After dinner it was time for goodbyes as I boarded the bus back to D.C. and mom turned the car toward home. It was a busy but great day and one I'm sure will be repeated in the future.