So I wasn't going to "blog", but since ATT hasn't come up with a plan yet that will allow me to regale you individually and without penalty here we are. Besides most of you asked for it so blame yourselves...

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Flux!

Driving home today I was thinking: I am in flux. Which reminded me of metalsmithing (Ah, Mrs. Corkill) and the tangible flux. Which actually well-illustrates the definition of the state of flux. (see below)

flux |fləks|
noun
-a substance mixed with a solid to lower its melting point, used esp. in soldering and brazing metals
-the action or process of flowing
-continuous change

Regardless, I hate flux. Flux is purgatory. I am not flux. I am steel. And not the good definition of steel either. (see below)

steel |stēl|
noun
a hard, strong, gray or bluish-gray alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used extensively as a structural and fabricating material.
• used as a symbol or embodiment of strength and firmness

verb [ trans. ]
mentally prepare (oneself) to do or face something difficult

The unbending, inflexible, stand-up-straight, no-room-for-flow definition. That is me.
In fact, and possibly more accurately: I am rebar. (see below)

rebar |ˈrēˌbär|
noun
a steel reinforcing rod in concrete

I am so far from flux that I am rebar!
Hey! I should know. My dad's a mason. (note the lowercase "m" and see below)

mason |ˈmāsən|
noun
1 a builder and worker in stone.
2 ( Mason) a Freemason.


Sorry. That's just where I am today: I am rebar living in California! Yeah, I moved here. Yeah, it was a choice. I get that. Rebar is never gonna flow. Add all the flux you like.

I'll keep you posted.
k8

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Every time a bell rings...


...an Angel gets her wings

Watching the Victoria Secret Fashion Show and DAMN! I wanna be an Angel. Or Katy Perry.

That's gonna take some BELLS.

Jingle-ling!
I'll keep ya posted.
k8

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

truth & thanksgiving

"...The people who give you their food give you their heart."
-Cesar Chavez


Is anything more true in my whole life?

It sounds absurd to say, “I grew up around food” but I did. Good food. Eclectic food. And people who love food. Celebrate with food. Cook. Just open a refrigerator and MacGyver a meal.

As a kid, I was lucky enough to have a hot, home-cooked, more than likely “from scratch” dinner with my whole family. Every night.

For twenty-six years, Home was twenty minutes from all four of my grandparents and most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. If you stopped at Grammy Helen’s in the morning she’d make you a pancake. If you dropped by Gramma Rose’s she might send you home with a pie, halupki (piggies), or vegetables from the garden. And if you were having steak and needed Grandpa’s garlic all you had to do was call.

If you know me “from Home” you know this. Most likely you’ve been sent home with a plate, tupperware, container or jar. Possibly a crock pot.

For the first time in thirty years I won’t be Home for Thanksgiving, the epitome of food holidays. Can you imagine that? Thirty years. Each with at least two (later three) separate dinners per Thanksgiving. Missing is a little hard to swallow.

Although, I’m nostalgic for tradition and downright depressed about the leftovers, I’m thankful for what NOT being Home means. It means that I leapt and landed, not unscathed, in a new place. It shouldn’t be surprising that a simple, unglamorous, part-time job in a cafe has sustained me. Or that the people I’ve met there include and encourage me. So it's apropos that food is what’s starting to make it feel like home...

"If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him...The people who give you their food give you their heart." -Cesar Chavez

..so thanks, Friends for inviting me to your table.

Happy Thanksgiving


I'll keep you posted.
k8

Friday, November 19, 2010

Come Undone


I jumped off the Seal Beach Pier last night.

It's actually the best thing that's happened to me all week.

It's been a fantastically BAD week. I was so close to coming undone last night on my drive home that I texted Scotty when I got back to go for a run, then drinks. He came through and brought 'Lu & 'Anna along. What a motley crew we made- it was absolutely just what it needed to be.

After the run we all went home to shower and reconvened at my apt. The guys BYOB'd and we just hung around. At some point they decided we needed to go shoot pool over at Dave's Other Place. My brothers can attest to how abysmally I play. And I was true to form. But it was fun.

At the end of the night when we were heading home 'Lu decided we needed to ride to the end of The Pier (we were on our bikes). I didn't see why, nor did I think we really needed to, but hey as long as we're not gonna get in trouble whatever. While we're out there he says, I should jump The Pier tonight. I said, no. This was all the fuel Scotty needed to strip down and jump. Oy vey.

So I'm trying to stop the insanity and 'Lu gets as far as stripped down and kind of stalls out. Then they get on my case that I should jump. F*it. Why not. I'm here. So off I go. And dude, I have the bruises on my arse to prove it. I don't know how I hit that water but holy crap, my whole butt is black'n'blue. And I'd do it again.

Serendipity defined.

I'll keep you posted.
k8

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Gummi Bears & Sauv Blanc


Dinner.
Now there's a pairing. Take that R+D.

Catalina Produce Department


Was on Santa Catalina Island this past weekend for the first annual Santa Catalina Triathlon (f.k.a. Catalina Island Triathlon). Was HYSTERICAL in the grocery store when this was the "produce department" at the Vons Express. AWESOME.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Single Jack

This may be THE BEST pumpkin I've ever carved.

Carved pumpkins with the neighbor kids, from L-R: me, B, & S.
And yeah, they each capture the artist's personality. Don't know what that says about me...
...but I had a whole lot of fun.


Thanks, Neighbors!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I'll Be Home for Christmas


I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you...

I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams



I'll keep you posted.
k8

Monday, October 18, 2010

Welcome to 2010, Brother

Nicholas recently joined 2010 with his new Droid. Apparently, a life changing experience. I believe his cellular service provider actually contacted him about updating his device(s). Now that's saying something. Below is an email exchange that started because of his incredibly prompt response to our Mom's reminder email about our Grandmother's birthday today. It was just too good to pass up sharing. It's posted with his permission. (Start at the bottom.)

And while we're on the topic (Mom's phone) "isn't smart or dumb it just doesn't work most of the time". That's a direct quote, folks.

I'll keep you posted.
k8

Yahoo! Mail

On Mon, Oct 18, 2010 at 12:27 PM, wrote:

Smart phone technology has forever changed my world........it really is incredible.
It must be a very similar feeling to when the original mobile phones came out
for the earlier generations. Just for example Ian and I were up in Maine this
weekend and felt like a delicous chinese lunch buffet.....in the past this would
have been a major endeavor however with smart phone droid technology,
I google it, from google I read several reviews and find an excellent buffet just
2.8 miles from our current location, not being locals I click on maps and get
instant driving directions....15 mins after initially wanting awesome chinese
buffet, I was scooping piles of boneless spare ribs out of a luke warm metal bin.....welcome to 2010 nick vakay.
NAV

On Mon, Oct 18, 2010 at 12:17 PM, <k8ness5> wrote:

Wow. Nick. You were on this like white on rice. What'd ya have, a new smartphone? ;-)

Joking aside, I completely agree with your sentiment. Lucky for me this 3hr time
difference pans out sometimes. I was able to call Gma on my drive into the office
today since its almost lunchtime at home.

Have a good one!
k

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea. –Isak Dinesen

Friday, October 15, 2010

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Deflated and a Little Panicky


I found out today my friend is leaving. Moving back East. I don't want her to go.

I feel like I did as a kid on the first day of school: when Mom is about to leave (aka force you to get on the bus), everything's OK as long as she's there. Just there. But as she backs toward the door (or the last kid in front of you boards the bus) the sheer panic swirls in... what if I can't do this without you???

I miss you already.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

I'm Probably Going to Regret This in the Morning...

Well, later this morning. Since it's 3:22 AM.
But my internet was down earlier so I went to bed at like 9PM- my life is SO exciting. And now I'm awake at 3AM, catching up on my blog, and more than a little hungry??? What's up with that?

I'll keep you posted.
k8

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10/10/10

The date cannot go unnoticed, I just can't believe it's here already!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Tri'd-and-True

(trīd'ən-trū')
adj.
Tested and proved to be worthy or good.

By definition, I'd say it's apropos of my experience at the 11th Annual Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon. Before you all think, "Wow. Way to go, k8." Let me clarify: I was not part of the field of triathletes. It would be impressive for sure for the girl who looks like a drowning bug when she swims and can't inflate her own bike tires. (Shhh! Specialized, you didn't hear that last part.)

So how did I come to be at the 11th Annual Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon?

Some of you will remember I worked a couple events in the early spring (Drama(mine) Queen) for a Sports Event Mgmt firm, well they contacted me regarding their fall schedule and from there I worked in the office a few days a week leading up to the LATri. So I've been juggling their office and The Cafe for the last few weeks.

Add to that a hearty dose of car trouble, self-inflicted injury, and a small dog and it's been busy!

And as you can see from the Monday, October 4 LATimes, it's been worth it!
And fun- in the way Game Day is always fun: the team prepares, the day arrives, the players take their positions, and the game begins. After that ANYTHING can (and does) happen. And I love it!

I was in LA from Thursday to Sunday- my longest visit there since I arrived in California. We stayed at the very new, very fantastically bedecked JW Marriott LA Live. My Surface Pattern Design heart can't help but swell at the sight: colors (purple!), textures, TEXTILES, juxtaposition, and sparkles! What a job that would be- to put it all together! I only wish we had more time to enjoy it. Though I did manage a drink or two by the pool. Blueberry Mojito, anyone?

I got to work with cool people, I had a celebrity/athlete encounter ("Jimmy" Marsden), I witnessed the UDub Football Team en masse (SU, we need to talk- they don't look THAT big in person. HOW did we LOSE to them?) and I scored some AWESOME tennis-ball-yellow ZGloves.

I tried to talk the Specialized Guys out of their jeans (Not dirtily I swear! They have REALLY cool...Ahem: "Specialized" denim!) AND get them to hire me- I could drive the truck? I have an excellent sense of direction- but so far, no dice. I plan to keep on it.

I'll keep you posted.
k8



Friday, September 10, 2010

Accidents

Or as the CDC likes to call them: Unintentional Injuries.

Unfortunately, since my injury was not "medically attended" I can't claim to be part of the 47% of Americans injured at home- my guess is that the percentage of "unattended" injuries occurring at home is MUCH higher. Though only 5% of "attended" injuries are Open Wounds like mine....

I knocked a plate off my dish rack this morning and in trying to save it, smashed it against the tile counter with my forearm and now have a large gash. I don't do well with my own blood. Luckily, my neighbor, who has kids, was home and helped me. Sort of. I currently have a cotton ball medical-taped to The Wound to keep pressure on it- I look like either a (severely) botched suicide attempt or (equally severely botched) blood donor- we will re-evaluate when I get home from work this evening.

My biggest concern was that I would need stitches or sutures, "for now" we don't think so.
My next biggest concern is scarring- this one won't even have a good story.

So not only was I late for work at The MKTG Office due to my Unintentional Injury, but then there's Some Event going on at The Honda Center and I got in the wrong lane: Parking not Thru Traffic. I had to wait in the line for Parking only to get an Exit Pass, turn around, and come into The Office the other way. WHAT A DAY! (All before 9:30AM)

It's supposed to be: TGIF, it's more like WTFIF (Sorry, Mom. Had to use The F.)

I'll keep you posted.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Beano


Ain't gonna fix this gas problem.

7:51AM Labor Day
A knock sounds on the side door. I am sleeping and nearly ignore it figuring it's Debbie and she can just go away. But I peak out my window in case its UPS and maybe someone has sent me a surprise.

It's a surprise all right, in the form of Miguel, the SoCal Gas Co worker who is informing a sleep-crusty me that he will be shutting off my gas. It seems he was next door turning "ON" service for The New Neighbors when he smelled gas. His duty is to inspect the matter and in doing so found there to be a leak at my Apt.

Of course.

I immediately call The Landlord, if I have to be awake before 8AM on a Holiday to deal with this than so does he. The phone call went a little something like this:

B (The Landlord's wife?) answers the phone.
Me: Is Don (The Landlord) there?
B: Who's calling?
Me: k8, the tenant in Apt A- The Gas Company is here and turning off my gas because they have found a gas leak.

Miguel is telling me what to tell B. B is repeating it. I can hear The Landlord in the background. B tries to tell me The Landlord will call me back. But I put Miguel on the phone. Miguel tells her the whole story. Like me she gets sick of being the go-between and puts The Landlord on the phone. I thought Miguel was going to explode. He literally said, "How many times am I going to have to explain this? I just told the lady the whole story. Ask her." (Go Miguel.) They conclude their conversation and get off the phone. Miguel tells me The Landlord said he would try and send someone out to fix it today.

So some time passes and it dawns on me: I have no hot water. I can get by without the stove but no hot water handicaps me. And while it's not a big deal today, I DO NOT have time in my day tomorrow to deal with this nor to be without hot water. So I call The Landlord back and ask for an update and timeline on getting this resolved. He tells me he's working on it but it's a Holiday.

Yes, Sir, I know. I had plans for today too that did not include being awakened before 8AM or sitting in my Apt all day waiting for this to be fixed. And yet, here we are. I told him I had things to do, so please have whoever's coming by call me if I need to be at The Apt. Then I took my coffee (and my phone) and walked down to the beach. I was nearly home again when the phone rang: Dave The Maintenance Man.

Dave and George The Plumber were at my place. Good thing I left notes on both of my doors to "Call me if you are here to fix the gas leak and I am not here." They were/are here to fix the problem. I'm not overly confident in their abilities. Dave keeps telling George (who is supposed to be) The Plumber how he should fix it.

Dave keeps telling me to "call my friends and get a motel". Thanks, I'd rather not. Also: If I have friends, wouldn't I just crash with one of them rather than "get a motel"? Either way, I can't decide if I want to stay here or take my valuables and get as far away from here as possible. (Did I mention Dave is SMOKING!!!!)

What I WANTED to do today was get up and under the morning cover of The Marine Layer (aka The Gloom) ride my bike to Scout's, take him for a walk, and ride back. Instead, the above happened. And now the sun has come out and I'm sitting inside my Apt. Dave and George have left. I don't know where they went. Or when they're coming back. (But their tools are still scattered about outside. So that's somewhat reassuring. Maybe.)

But hey, I did learn something new: not only does gas smell awful but its PINK! When they removed the pavers near the leak site all of the "dirt" underneath was fuchsia.

I'll keep you posted.
k8

Sunday, August 22, 2010

When It Rains It Pours

Turns out the fridge was just the tip of the icebox, I mean -burg.
It's been nothing but (typical) k8-astrophes since.

It would be the world's longest and most dis-jointed story to try and tell it altogether. I know! You're thinking: "SO? When has that stopped you before???". But I am going to TRY to tell a bunch of shorter stories starting where I left off...

"NICE BOX!"
That would be a direct (and frequent) quote by the Repair Man who fixed my fridge. I didn't even know where to look and it was difficult to keep a straight face at his incredible enthusiasm for the quality of my Kenmore.

It turns out going to The Cafe and asking around about my refrigeration issues was the best thing to do. After going out with The Locals that Sunday night I got a text Monday morning that The Cafe's Handyman would be willing to take a diagnostic look. After I picked Mom up at LAX and we had some lunch I called him up and we arranged to meet at my Apt. This was approximately 1PM and Mom and I were having a walkabout town so we headed back to The Apt. and doled out my groceries to The Neighbors.

Nothing like having to go next door and knock every time you want an egg.
Or a frozen pizza.

After hanging around The Apt. all afternoon waiting for The Repair Man to show, we finally rented a movie from The Redbox, picked up a frozen pizza from The Neighbors, put on our PJs and settled onto the air mattress. At approximately 8PM he arrived by bicycle. He breezed right past me at the door making a beeline to the fridge and the very definite statement: "This is a great box." "You have a great box.". Sir! My MOTHER is here. Please!

He determined that it was (A) Fixable, and (B) Well worth fixing. And Mom and I saw him just about every day of her visit- I kind of wish we all took a picture together. Next to The Fridge. (You know I'd've hung it on The Fridge!)

The Fridge Project finally wrapped up the Wednesday after Mom left. But it only cost me the part and it seems I've made a new friend.

AND I have a great box.

SCRATCH & DENT
Okay, more like Scratch & Divot.

Divot: In trying to right the kitchen before going to pick Mom up at LAX on Monday I pushed the fridge back into place to discover that I had put an impressive divot in the cheap-o (but new) linoleum beneath. Great. Just great.

Scratch: En route to LAX I "polished" a GIANT SWIRLING SCRATCH into the lens of my Smiths.

I started my drive without my sunglasses but while I was waiting to merge onto the 405 decided I wanted them. (The Gloom has been on-again/off-again.) I dug them out of my purse in their Mfg-provided-protective-soft-case-that-doubles-as-a-cleaning-cloth and put them on. FILTHY. So I take them off to clean them with Said Case and proceed to put a GIANT SWIRLING SCRATCH in the lens. At first I was hopeful I'd just smeared something on the lens but NO. It's A GIANT SWIRLING SCRATCH. REALLY?!? WTF????????

BUT WAIT... since The Scratch, I have managed to LOSE the Mfg-provided-protective-soft-case-that-doubles-as-a-cleaning-cloth further thwarting my writing a soppy Letter-to-The-Mfg in the hopes they'd repair/replace the lens. (Does anyone have a Smith cloth case???) UGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(If EXASPERATION made a sound it would be my call.)


"YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON"
(This post is taking an unintendedly pervy bent...)
However, this too would be a direct quote by The Passerby who noticed that The Jeep's headlights were on. Who knows why?!? It's ALWAYS sunny in SoCal. So yes, on the very same day we were doling out groceries & waiting for The Repair Man; the very day Mom arrived when she and I and The Neighbors were all outside near the car, I managed to leave the headlights on. For HOURS. And we all managed NOT to notice. The car was dead. The fridge was dying. And I cried. Because SERIOUSLY!!!!! This is THE FIRST TIME I have seen My Mother in SEVEN MONTHS!!!!!!!!!! And all of these things are going WRONG!?!?!?! This is terrible.

So after the meltdown but before The Repair Man another neighbor of mine, who's borrowed my jumper cables in the past, came home and we asked him to jump the car. The first attempt wasn't so good. But I was helping. When I stopped helping the second attempt was much more successful. Though his diagnosis is that I need a new battery anyway, he got it running.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
The Wednesday of Mom's Visit was her BIRTHDAY. We had a lovely breakfast at The Cafe (courtesy of Donna B), pedicures
(Pink-a-Doodle for Mom & Flip-Flop Fantasy for me), a visit from Refrigerator Repair, some Retail Therapy, Toy Story 3D, and dinner at Walt's Wharf. I really only mention this for the sheer fact that I ordered and successfully ate soft shelled crabs. (Hahaha. You thought this story would have to do with Mom? Just because it was HER birthday? Hahaha. Fools.)


Even after our waitress confessed that she couldn't taste-test the dish because of her intense fear of spiders and the crabs' resemblance to them, I ordered it. I too am Arachnophobic. But what the heck! Try something new. What's one more new thing in this Year of New??? Besides, they were served deep-fried atop Fried Green Tomatoes. I can eat anything "fried". And I proved it.



VAKAY BY THE SEA
So Mom's Visit was great. I mean I loved having Mom here. I don't know that The Trip was all that she'd expected. And the accommodations were- well, they were non-existent. If it weren't for Maria's Aero-bed there wouldn't have been any. So anyone who visits post-Mom owes her a Thank You note.

On The Tuesday of Mom's Visit we got up early, had a HUGE breakfast at The Harbor House Cafe (courtesy of Bev) and drove The Coast Road South to San Diego stopping whenever/wherever we felt like it. It took all day. On the return we had dinner (Taco Tuesday- super delish!) at En Fuego in Del Mar.

On The Saturday of Mom's Visit we set out to re-create our Southerly Roadtrip, this time going North to Santa Monica for Sri Lanka Day. It was not the same. In fact, I think we'd both agree that if we knew how the day would go we probably would have opted to stay in Seal and just go to The Beach or troll yard sales. But then again, things might not have turned out as they did...

Again we started early and, after a small, low-blood-sugar-induced-tiff over something (???), had another delicious breakfast at Tammie's in Hermosa Beach- The Flourless Flax Pancakes are FANTASTIC!

We liked Manhattan Beach. We didn't have the patience for Venice Beach. We parked briefly in Oceanpark and then headed to Santa Monica where we waited in an everlasting line for some Sri Lankan dish the woman in front of us said was chicken but Mom (still) doesn't believe. It involved some sort of coconut milk pancake, The Suspect Chicken-on-the-Bone (Heather, you'd have croaked.), eggs, and HOT chili paste. It was tasty. No really, it was.

But we'd had enough (L.A., blech.). And headed home. We stopped for gas right near the IKEA in Carson and Mom suggested we "see if they're still open". So we went to IKEA. And I got a chair (POANG) and a lamp (ORGEL).

When we got home our earlier discussion of yard sales was on my brain and we spent some time sifting through Craigslist where I discovered a few "rattan sofas" at a reasonable price, including one posted for $20- A Roommate's Revenge it seemed. I contacted The Poster via text the next A.M. to find out she was now "giving the thing away". I said, send me a picture. And she did. I said, I'll take it.

So Mom and I borrowed my boss's minivan (!) and drove to the tip of the Balboa Peninsula. The Parking Gods were on our side- we got a spot right in front of the building. It was a group effort to get it out of the Apt., into the van, and home but we did. Then we washed it up and dubbed it: "Weekend at Bernie's II" (It's The Sequel to Bernie Lomax! And probly only Nicholas, Colin and anyone who's been to their SU Apt. OR The Keystone Kottage will get it.)

Success begets success- so I guess furniture begets furniture. No sooner had Mom left but my friends decided to replace the mattress in their guest bedroom and asked if I'd like the existing one. Yes, please! (I guess it's Thank You Notes all around.)

And so, after 6 months of Indoor Camping the accommodations have gotten a whole lot more accommodating here at Vakay By The Sea. (I'm only sorry Mom missed out. Oh well, I guess she'll have to come back. Soon.)

ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY
Actually, try TWICE BITTEN. By Bootsie The Schnauzer who lives next door to Scout. Her owners asked me if I'd house-sit/dog-sit while they were on vacation. I was excited at the prospect. It's a fairly easy and (usually) enjoyable way to make some extra money. HOWEVER, not when the dog is A Biter.

At The Owner's request I went to the house this past Monday to meet the dog and start to get acquainted. At The Owner's instruction I broke Dog Rule #1: Never mess with a dog while it's eating. The Owner instructed me to pet the dog after I gave her her breakfast so that she knew I was the one who fed her. I hesitated but he reassured me that he "always does this". I now have a Schnauzer Bite on my forearm. I'm just glad I was wearing a jacket.

The Owner felt terrible. I didn't blame the dog; this was our human error. So I was 100% willing to return on Friday for a second meeting and some one-on-one time with Bootsie. I arrived in the A.M. again and successfully fed her the remainder of her breakfast. Then I decided a walk would be a good test. She let me put the leash on her and we went for a decent walk around the neighborhood. On our return, just when I was thinking we were going to be all right together, she got tangled in her leash. After letting her try to correct it, I finally bent down to free her and she nearly took my finger off! I was honestly afraid to look. I was afraid the tip of my finger wasn't going to be there! As it is I have a tooth mark under the nail and a ravaged cuticle. Needless to say, I will not be dogsitting Bootsie this trip. I'm just glad I didn't need a shot on top of it! Sheesh.

IT'S A JEEP THING... YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND
Or to quote Nicholas, "Kate. Most people who own Jeeps are wrench-heads. You're not. That's why it costs YOU a lot to fix."

Friday was my day off. I went to Yoga on The Strand. Then to Bootsie's (The Biter).
After The Incident I helped Mrs. D carry in the groceries and she offered me lunch and Band-Aids. I couldn't refuse. (Bridget & Mom- you'd be proud this went much better than The Car Door Incident of '07.)

As I was driving home (6.2 miles) my CHECK GAUGES light came on. I already knew I needed gas, but my Oil and Thermostat gauges were fluttering. I proceeded to the gas station, filled up, pulled to a parking space and busted out The Owners' Manual. I was on the verge of ticked-off because I was just at the Jiffy Lube in June. Aren't they supposed to "top off your fluids"?!? I unlatch the hood and check the coolant. It's a little low but it's not empty. The oil seems fine. I buy some undoubtedly overpriced Mobil Mart Universal Coolant and "top off". I start the car and this seems to right my guages. Thank goodness.

There I go, counting my chickens before they're hatched again. (I'm pretty sure my chickens are from the salmonella farms.)

I could SMELL it before anything happened. When I stopped at the light to turn left just a few blocks from home the engine just stopped. The radio was still on, but I was pretty sure the engine was no longer running. So I put it in park and re-started. Success. (If you can call it that.) I made it home and I backed into my space. I turned The Jeep off and the smoke just billowed out from under the hood. My friendly Postman offered his 2-cent stamp: "when my car did that I had to replace the head, cost me $500 bucks." Please, Mr. Postman!

About this time Nicholas responds to my "are coolants specific?" text. And I give him the update. My phone rings immediately. Nicholas is still at work. This MUST be BAD. He is patient and stays on the phone with me for a while. This MUST be VERY BAD. And EXPENSIVE.

My neighbor, who I had yet to meet, comes over. Says he was out watering his flowers and he noticed it seemed like I was having some trouble. (Please be a mechanic. Please, please, please.) He gave me his name and the name of "a mechanic over town who's good to the locals". (Local? Me? Really? Neat. ) He tried to make me feel better saying, "it might only be the thermostat- and that's a $5 part". Thank you, Sir, you're very kind. I am not that lucky. My chickens have salmonella.

So I take it to Mac the Mechanic. He's a nice guy- though he reminds me of a grown up version of Data from The Goonies. His diagnosis is: definitely a water pump & thermostat; probably a radiator. I cry. I can't help it. It's just OVERWHELMING sometimes. And girls are allowed to cry.

I ask him what is the bare minimum we can get away with fixing and what would it cost. He makes a phone call. He gives me a quote for the water pump/thermostat combo. Oh good. I didn't want to go home for Christmas anyway.

He says, if it's possible he'll try not to have to replace the radiator (right now). But he might have to. He attempts a pep talk about how INEXPENSIVE my parts are. How if I drove a BMW my parts alone would be $600. Somehow, and for a multitude of reasons, this fails to make me feel better.

I was too overwhelmed to deal. I brought the car home. I took a bath and washed my sheets. I made my bed with my linens "from home". I ate several bowls of Cheerios and went to bed at 9:30. I can walk to work.

The next day after work (and before church) I had a PBR in the alley with our cook. He's looked at my car before, he talked to me about The Jeep Situation for a while and he gave me some good info. He felt Mac was reasonable and he suggested that should the radiator need replacing I consider a larger one. He offered, once The Jeep was operational (hopefully with just the water pump/ thermostat replacement), to take it for a second opinion. I thought that was really nice.

As of this blog, The Jeep is still sitting in my parking space unrepaired. We'll see what's in my tip envelope tomorrow at The Cafe and we'll figure it out from there.

(Mom, add: Craftsman 244pc Wrench Set to Xmas List)
(Just kidding.)
(sort of.)

"YOU HAVE A NICE AURA"
I have a nice box and a nice aura. Seems I'm quite a catch! And yet I remain uncaught. Go figure.

Another direct quote, from yet another Neighbor. While I was sorting through The Jeep Situation on Friday my Next-Door-Upstairs-In-the-Back-Neighbor shuffled out to check his mail. After a monologue about the duration of time it took one small package to arrive from Ottowa he asked me how Mom was enjoying her visit. I said, "Well, she left. Two weeks ago."

We then went on to have a brief "when it rains it pours" conversation that circled back to my "job". I told him I was still looking for more work and he told me to talk to his wife- she waitresses at another restaurant in town. "Go on down and fill out an application, give her as a reference." I say, OK.

Later that evening, I hear someone Aloha-ing from the screen door. It's my Next-Door-Upstairs-In-the-Back-Neighbor's Wife. She's brought me an application from her restaurant. Although she tells me they aren't hiring. She gives me some suggestions about where else to look. And tells me it'll work out. She says, "I know you'll be okay. Because you're here. And you have a nice aura.". I thank her and we say goodnight. As an afterthought she says, "And dress up. Don't go casual." Okay. I can do that.

Aloha.

And I went back inside, and I shook my head, and I teared up again for the umpteenth time. Overwhelmed AGAIN. This time by how NICE people are here. People who don't know you at all; they see you might have some trouble or need and they just come on over to help how they can.....Where am I?

I'll keep you posted.
k8

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Cortisol V. Endorphins

After a front row seat to last night's late night domestic disturbance here at Ghetto Melrose Place, I got up and went to 8AM Mass. UNFORTUNATELY, the Knights of Columbus didn't do Coffee & Donuts this morning. That was a big let down. So I walked around the corner and bought myself an Old Fashioned. AND since I recognized a number of parishioners in Donut City, I'm apparently NOT the only person who finds the donut an added bonus to going to church on Sunday morning instead of Saturday evening. (Thankyouverymuch, Grandma Rose)

I went home to put my coffee on and was reminded that late yesterday I had discovered that my refrigerator is not refrigerating. The freezer is still frozen and the lights are on but the fridge isn't cold. This SUCKS for a number of reasons:
A) Mom arrives TOMORROW! A MAJORLY anticipated perk being Mom's cooking and bonus leftovers!
2) This is NOT going to be inexpensive to rectify. Never mind it's a royal PITA.
D) WHAT am I supposed to do with the food I have in there?

I had a small stress-induced meltdown on the phone with Heather (sorry Heather!). Then worked on tidying up the apt in preparation of Mom's visit.

I contacted Dave the Maintenance Man, but he confirmed my suspicions that the last tenant left the fridge and that its NOT part of my rental/lease agreement. He did give me the number for his Handyman Friend, Ron.

I called Ron. But he was at The Civil War Reenactment and couldn't talk. He told me to call back and leave a message and he'd get back to me this evening. Really? Anyone else? :: CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT????? CALIFORNIA????

I needed a cookie. (I JUST realized I had a donut AND a cookie today!) So I went over to The Cafe to see if any of The Locals had a recommendation for a handyman or a new refrigerator. At least I got a cookie.

I decided I should probably go for my run. The Schedule called for 7 miles. Ugh. While I was Gmapping a route Mr. D called to catch up. While I was on the phone with him another friend I haven't caught up with in ages called. After two enjoyable phone calls (and probably a little bit of a sugar high) 7 miles seemed doable so I set out on my run. I opted for a new southbound route and ended up running through this little community between Seal and Sunset Beach called Surfside. SO CUTE. I had a totally great run- I'm just starting to get back to 6 & 7 milers- I can't remember the last time my run felt that good.

When I got home I had a message from one of the girls at the cafe to see if I wanted to meet up with some people over on Main St. they were going to 320 for Local Night. The Natives among us claim the rest of us aren't Locals yet. Someone said we have to jump off The Pier to be locals which is funny because I was just contemplating the California alternative to BridgeRunning and I pretty much settled on PierRunning but it would need an extreme element so I decided jumping off The Pier would have to somehow be incorporated. These are the things I think about, I know.

Obviously, I went out. Walking home I realized it was the first time since I've been here that I did something like that. It was good. It was a good night. But now I better (try) and get to sleep. Picking Mom up at LAX in the AM. And I still need to figure out what the heck I'm gonna do about this stupid fridge....

I'll keep you posted.

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! A SPIDER JUST JUMPED ON MY FOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, July 16, 2010

nomad |ˈnōˌmad

I'm thinking of becoming a nomad (minus the livestock)- it doesn't sound so bad...

nomad |ˈnōˌmadnouna member of a people having no permanent abode, and who travel from place to place to find fresh pasture for their livestock.a person who does not stay long in the same place; a wanderer.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Gloom is Gone!


It was nothin' but blue skies & sunshine from the moment I cracked an eyelid this morning. In fact, it was SO bright I jumped out of bed panicked that I had slept through my alarm, but when I checked it was only 6:34! My alarm hadn't even gone off yet. So I made use of the adrenaline rush and went for my run. Summer's in SoCal- better ask Mom to send the sandals.

I'll keep you posted.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Saturday Afternoon at the Track

No, my running friends, I wasn't there for a workout. Nor was I playing the ponies.

I was there for the weenie dog races.

I kid you not. It's an ACTUAL annual event, The Weinerschnitze Weiner Nationals with the Winning Weiner being crowned: "Fastest Weiner in the West".

We don't have this back East.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Holiday/Vacation

It was a mundane Friday until Mr. D called me from Happy Hour in The Jukebox Room.

The conversation started with, "Don't get mad."

Apparently, he and Mrs. D recently bumped into The Hallidays, another family "on the island". Turns out, The Hallidays' son, Ben- "31 years of age", "nice guy", "lives in Huntington Beach, has a condo" ("strapping", "runner", and "maneuvers a boat better than me!" were also offered) - "broke up with his girlfriend a while back".

Mr. D calls up Mrs. Halliday and tells her he knows a "nice woman" (ha! woman!), "attractive", "just moved out here". He's a good salesman, at work they send him in to make deals happen, Mrs. Halliday (and Ben) was defenseless against him.

He goes on to tell me, "so don't get mad, but we (Mr. D & Mrs. Halliday) thought it couldn't hurt to arrange a little lunch, so if Ben-Benjamin-Ben HALL-I-DAY calls you- you like the name "Ben", right? Its a good name, "Ben"?- so if Ben calls you, because I gave him your number so he's gonna call you- you'd go out with him, right?"

I did mothers everywhere proud with the, "Sure. It never hurts to meet new people." response.

About this time, I can hear Mrs. D in the background calling for Mr. D, he was so nervous he was gonna get busted (confirming the surreptitiousness of the call) we hung up quickly. I was laughing and just a little dumbstruck, I thought I HAVE to blog about this. As I pulled myself together and started contemplating what I would title the blog, it gets even more BIZARRE: our last names are Vakay (vacay= vacation) and Halliday (holiday) .

I found this amusing; our last names are synonyms or at least associated with words of the same/similar meaning. Ben-Benjamin-Ben hasn't even called and I'm figuring out I'd potentially be.
Kate Vakay Halliday. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(I scare myself sometimes.)

Buy me a cat.
k

Also, remember that Christmas I sent the card of myself dressed as a running elf? "Everyone needs a little holiday Vakay." Maybe I'm PSYCHIC! Wait til Stacey finds out!

I'll keep you posted!