Day 6 Hot Tub and Sore Muscles #30dayphotochallenge

I can't believe it was only yesterday I was downtown.  That was only the morning as my day included lunch with Shawna, writing, and strength training with my old trainer.  Epson salt soak in the bathtub only did so much and I cried as I worked my way down the three flights of stairs and headed to the hot tub around 10 this morning.  It was peaceful that time of day and it was just starting to warm up.  A hot soak, swim in the pool-shooing away a mallard that keeps coming round-then back to the bubbles made a bit of a difference so I could slowly clean house as I watched soccer and horse racing.  #30dayphotochallenge _______________________ _________________________________

#30DayPhotoChallenge Day 4&5 Starry Kitchen and Groceries

After my San Diego quick trip, the day was just a get through the day kinda day.  —Good news: I did!  I felt like I had been hit by a truck-probably from trying to sleep on an Amtrak train and I had the makings of a migraine.  I had been eating like a teenager at a slumber party and was paying for it.
I really didn’t have any food in the house and I’m trying to behave- both the health and money budget for the next few weeks.   Recently I have taken a few trips and eaten expensive food (last week’s excursion) as well as taking a trip next week and the week after.  Only excitement of the day was my trip to Trader Joe’s and I even forgot to take a pic of my basket.  That would’ve probably been a better self portrait but here’s the sack it all went in….

It was a Creative Mornings LA morning,  meaning I wake up even earlier than usual on my day off and fight traffic to get to an inspirational talk somewhere in LA on my day off.  It usually keeps me plugged in and energized for the month and I end up making art or writing or something (making me still feel like I “have it”!)

Starry Kitchen was speaking. I was curious what would happen.  Nguyen Tran and his wife, Tri, run one of my favorite places to eat in downtown Los Angeles (Starry Kitchen) and he is a piece of work.  He, like the food, is bold and in your face and his talk was the kickstart I need for summer. I can’t wait to see how my story unfolds, and I can't wait to finally get my rowing friends active for a night out in DTLA and a night at Starry Kitchen!

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Another #30dayphotochallenge-Days1,2,&3

Day 1: I woke up cranky and tired with a touch of ennui. I then proceeded to hustle it to work where I was greeted with a splat of bird crap on my car, which then made me giggle, knowing that this was the photo I would use today for the start of the thirty day photo challenge!

Day 2: I am stayed with my friend, Tim, in San Diego and I met a sweet but idiot dog named Maynard and his three legged friend Bailey.  That mini vacation was just what I needed!

Day 3: So tired from the trip…the train stopped on the tracks multiple times and so I didn’t get home until late or later and had a tough time winding down. This day went like clockwork and I got through it, thinking long and hard about my time with Tim, celebrating my acceptance into Ole Miss and our conversation of how creatives don’t do well in a corporate environment. I finished the day with a car wash to get the bird crap off my car from day one of the #thirtydayphotochallenge _______________________ _________________________________

MY PASSION--Go Row the Boat!

"Sit down you're rocking the boat"!!!--not quite that bad, but a little over two years ago, I checked off one of my "bucket list" or what I call new things to try list and joined Los Angeles Rowing Club's group of Learn to Row. I have since met sincere friends, people I think are friends for life. It's been a lifesaver and as this has been pulled away from me recently- brought clarity to what I need to do next in life. It's the hardest workout and it's about doing your personal best but being held accountable like a team. I never want to be the weak one in the boat and I never stop no matter how much it hurts. I love it!

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Back to Santa Barbara this Sunday. All Aboard the Vino Train! Woo! Woo!

The beginning of this month was spent on the Santa Barbara Vino Train.  I celebrated my half birthday-a first for me, and as we stepped off the platform in Santa Barbara to tour the Urban Wineries, another group got on to ride up to San Luis Obispo and celebrate a grandmother's birthday.

The Vino Train is a ride in style. My trip was in a private lounge car and on bigger group days, a second observation car with a dome is added.  I am interested to see what that looks like this Sunday when I guide this time around.

Our group hit two wineries just steps away from the train platform.  Santa Barbara Winery was a great first stop- lots of gifts for the food and wine goer- cheese plates, olive oil, and of course wine.  They had a great deal on their 2009 Riesling and I plan on opening that bottle, partnered with some of my favorite Thai food when Mom comes to visit in the next few weeks.

Across the street, the group went over to an old tire shop, converted to the Oreana Winery.  It looks as if the place reflects the owner, with a pacman arcade game and an interesting "library" collection and artwork on the walls.

Our day continued with a leisurely walk over to a block of other wineries including Municipal Wine (Muni) and by that time my tasting buddy and myself were feeling why you shouldn't drink all of the tasting.  We hit Mac's Fish and Chip Shop.  The food hit the spot and we ducked into one last tasting (Kalyra) before waiting for the train and heading home.

Both rides- to and from- was beautiful as the day was clear and you could see the Channel Islands all along the coast.  It's a great adventure and I look forward to Sunday, seeing what happens.  I can not believe that this April, for me, has included three trips to Santa Barbara! (all with a little wine) _______________________ _________________________________

Cowboy up! Senses and Cowboy Poetry Festival

So this is what's happened in Awesometown (aka Santa Clarita) in the past few days:

Thursday was a perfect storm of warm weather and good food, not to mention the coming weekend for Cowboy Poetry.  The city had been on local tv that morning for KTLA and so Senses on Main in Old Town Newhall was a crowded night.  I worked so no drinks, but I was eying the Whiskey Girl themed drink the Vu had.  Food trucks did well and I made the conscious decision to go for Kogi's sweet chili chicken quesadilla- a dish I've broken out eating before.  No blisters this time but my dogs were tired at the end of the night,- almost as tired as my friend's dog Bailey, who greeted everyone and was ready to leave or fall asleep at the end of the night.

Saturday and Sunday was Cowboy Poetry Festival.  The City of Santa Clarita has been doing this for years and doing it up right.  I saw lots of interesting things while working one of the stages.  My favorite two was the man who tucked his suit pants into his boots and the woman on a segway in her purple track suit, jazzed up bicycle helmet, and blinded out red, white and blue bag.  

I was at home wearing the jeans, boots and hat.  The crew is always the hardest working but they know how to get along, and play hard too so Saturday night was a good gathering of the crew and then Sunday as the festival goes into autopilot for a few moments, corn hole games and jokes were exchanged.  So if you've ever wondered about Cowboy Poetry Festival- it's worth going-plan on it next year!

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Free Day on Tax Day

Found my new boyfriend-look out!

It was scenes from a mall.

I had cashed in on the food court Panda Express at lunch. Shanghai Angus Steak was the tax day freebie and I met the girls after they had cashed in on their portions for their "after school snack". I had had a day where only a milkshake would cure the feelings I had--so we headed over to Chick-fil-A and used their free WiFi and waited 'til six when the Cinnabon had two free minis.  It was the way freebies should work- I tried things I wouldn't otherwise try and will return to have more.  This United Way poster was near the line for Cinnabon and I've never seen a group of teenage boys more uncomfortable at seeing adult women being silly and taking snaps and posing- Kodaking as my grandmother would say.  I think they were just jealous they didn't think of it first!

We then headed to the newly renovated and newly located Disney store and colored and posed for some more snaps.  I never was a "mall rat" as a kid and was surprised that two hours of freebies and fun could make a good evening! _______________________ _________________________________