Update Part II: Going Home Again
10 Jun 2008 Leave a Comment
in Fabulous Friends, Here Comes the Bride, Knitting Content Ahead, Let's All Go to the Movies, Los Angeles, Weekend Update
This was a great trip to LA but I do think I’ve learned that you can’t go home again. I few home last Sunday to spend some time finishing up wedding planning, hanging with friends, and hanging out with family. I arrived on Sunday night and had lunch with Sean at our favorite Brazilian place. Then I went home with my parents and enjoyed a quiet evening at home.
Monday morning I got up early and took my dress to the seamstress for alterations. I learned that the shoes I bought weren’t right for the dress, but everything else went off without a hitch. I had lunch with my old roomie in LA and we chatted about everything under the sun. Then we went over to the mall and I got made over for my wedding. Although my sister is going to do my makeup on my wedding day, I wanted to go to the MAC counter and get a little advice on colors. One makeover and a few dollars later, I had my wedding makeup!
Monday evening I headed over to A Mano to join the group for Stitch & Pitch 2008. Dodger dogs, Stitch n Pitch hats, and 3 hours of knitting later the Dodgers had won the game and the knitters had knitted up a storm. I was really glad I made it home for the game. Even my Pomatomus sock enjoyed the game!
Tuesday Mom and I headed out to the wedding site to work out last minute details. We picked napkins and chairs and set up the time table for the wedding and even got to visit the site once more. Then we tried another cake place and headed home for Sex in the City (fun!) and dinner at my favorite Mexican place.
Wednesday was sushi with the gang and more A Mano time. I came home with a bunch of new samples and even a few bits of yarn for myself (don’t worry, I was mostly good!). After knit night Sean and I got together for dinner and enjoyed the evening.
Thursday morning was the final meeting with the florist and Thursday night Wes flew in to LA! Friday was a busy day as we got our marriage license, lunched with friends, picked up my dress and got him fitted for his tux. We managed to find a few spare hours to enjoy Los Angeles though. We sat and watched the sailboats for a few hours before meeting up with friends for dinner.
Saturday Wes and I caught a showing of Indiana Jones and then had dinner and attended the Asia America Symphony with my parents. The show was really amazing – where else can you go see a symphony play Beethoven, Jazz and Flamenco music all in one evening?
Sunday was brunch with my parents and that ill-fated return trip.
All in all it was a great trip. I loved seeing my friends, visiting my old haunts (all the restaurants where the staff knows my name and my order) and spending time with my family. However, I realized that I don’t miss the traffic and some of the other things that go along with a big city. Most disappointing this week was that the neighborhood around the LYS has had some problems recently. I guess I don’t miss that part of living in a big city – who knew I’d want to come home to Kansas?
Bigass Update
21 Apr 2008 2 Comments
in Fabulous Friends, Family, Here Comes the Bride, Los Angeles, Off the Needles
I arrived home last night after a great week at home and have lots and lots to tell!
I flew home Tuesday evening and arrived just around the same time as my sister. Dad picked us up at the airport and took us home where we slept in the same bedroom and talked all night (kind of like an extended sleepover!)
Of note, I finished my first summer tank top on the plane ride to LA.
The Pattern: Ribby Tank from ChicKnits
The Yarn: Incense from Elann.com
The Needles: US 6
The Verdict: I really like the way this tank is structured and it fits very well. It’s a simple pattern, and a little boring to knit, but produces a really simple, elegant tank. I love the color, but the yarn itself is a wool/bamboo/silk blend that I think will be a little heavy for summer. Regardless, it was a pretty quick knit and I know I will wear it!
Wednesday was my play day. I got up early and visited a yarn shop close to my parents house where I found some great Noro Matsuri – 87% cotton. I think I’m going to use it for a bias tank top. The best part was that I had a gift card!
Then I headed up to West LA where I got a pedicure and then met my friends for sushi lunch at our favorite place. The waitress gave me a huge hug and knew my order right off the bat. It was a little like coming home to Cheers again. Catching up with everyone was great, and it didn’t even feel like I had left! After lunch I went by the old job and visited with people. It was nice to see everyone, but I’m pretty happy with my choice to have left there.
After that, I headed over to A Mano for an afternoon of fun with yarn. They had some beautiful new yarns in the shop which I got to touch and buy. I also picked up a copy of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s The Opinionated Knitter, which I can’t wait to read! I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening knitting, catching up, and picking out a few samples to bring back to the midwest and knit up. By the time I left I had to add a third bag to my luggage to get all the yarn home. Ooops! I capped off the night by having dinner with my Knitmeister S at our usual Brazilian place. The waitstaff remembered me there too!
I have to say that Wednesday was a great day catching up with friends, but it was also a little depressing. I think it’s finally hitting me that I’m not the LA girl anymore, and that I really don’t live there any more. It’s so hard with such special friends there and places that know me. I really like Kansas so far, and I’ve met some wonderful people here, but it’s weird because now I feel like I have two homes, and I don’t really belong in the one in LA.
Thursday dawned bright and early as Mom, the Li’l Sis and I headed out to spend a day doing assorted wedding stuff. We started inauspiciously by getting stuck in a lot of traffic and a freeway closure and being 30 minutes late to our first appointment. The day got better though – we visited 2 invitation designers and 2 florists and should be able to get everything we need from these visits. We even managed to get in a good deli lunch, some midafternoon iced coffee treats and make it home by 5:30. I spent the evening in with my parents, discussing wedding details and catching up.
Friday morning was gown day! We headed over to the bridal store around 11am to pick up my gown. The gown fits almost perfectly and it looks like it will only need some alterations around the bust line. I’m still in love with the dress and can’t wait to get it altered to fit (that’s up for June). Now all I need to do is put together a veil and shoes and I’m dressed for the big day!
Friday afternoon we managed to go to lunch, all 4 of us, at a great local Mexican place. I can’t remember the last time I was able to eat lunch with my parents and my sister on a weekday.
After lunch, I headed out for a doctor’s appointment, and a bit more wedding shopping, and then back up to West LA to see friends and attend Bel’s birthday party! Other than managing to scrape my dad’s car (ick, definite worst part of the weekend), I had a good time seeing old friends and catching up, not to mention snacking on great nibbles (Knitmeister S’s brownies are to DIE FOR!).
Saturday was the first day of Passover and we celebrated it family style, with my aunt and uncle and young cousin coming to visit. It was a nice last evening in town, with good eats and good company.
Sunday morning was an early one as we dropped my sister at the airport and I had breakfast with my parents before heading out myself. The day was mostly spent flying and I arrived home late last night to lots of laundry, and some growing plants. Today is a catchup and errand day and tomorrow I start another job. More details on that as I learn them!
What a day!
01 Apr 2008 2 Comments
in Deep Thoughts, Funny, Learning to be a Midwestern Gal, Los Angeles, Off the Needles
1. Things I never, ever, EVER thought I would say:
Target sucks…where the hell is Wal-Mart?
2. Things I learned today:
Always read the pattern through before you begin knitting. ESPECIALLY when you think there must be something wrong with the pattern because it’s probably YOU.
3. Things I laughed at today:
Crazy Aunt Purl’s photo – I laughed for hours. God I miss California.
4. Things I’d put on a tee shirt today:
If my eyes are open, I’d rather be knitting.
5. Things I made today (for a coworker) that might make me die of cuteness:
I can neither confirm nor deny…
20 Nov 2007 Leave a Comment
in Los Angeles
But I might have seen someone very special in my building today.
It smells like fish again.
26 Oct 2007 Leave a Comment
in Los Angeles
The world has had an eerie glow this week. Even when the sun is shining and the day is bright, the sky is thick with haze and is eerily orange. The sidewalk, usually such a cool grey is almost a sepia tone.
Tonight when I left work, I smelled that old familiar smell, that cool, foggy, unmistakable sea salt and fish smell of the ocean. This isn’t particularly surprising…I work less than a mile from the harbor and the beach. But it’s the first time in a week that I’ve been able to smell it. And it makes me feel better… here’s hoping it helps to end the fires.
The Smells of Summer
16 Jul 2007 Leave a Comment
The past few weeks, it has gotten very warm in LA and I’ve started wondering what I think of as the smells of summer. Yes I know it’s a city, but we still have some nature here!
The smells of summer, to me, in no particular order are:
Warm asphalt – this also happens when it first rains, just the first little drizzle
Eucalyptus – there are groves of trees in my complex
Charcoal from BBQ’s – what says summer better than a BBQ?
Berries – blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries…. and cherries! (not a berry but I love ‘em!)
So what smells mean summer to you?
Date Night
25 Mar 2007 Leave a Comment
in Los Angeles, Weekend Update
For Wes’ last night here we decided to head up to the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park. Wes had never been and I hadn’t been since before the remodel and reopening, so we bought tickets and headed out to Hollywood.
We ended up parking at the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and taking the shuttle up to the observatory. Inside we got to see all the new space exhibits downstairs, including a stop with Mr. Einstein which I particularly enjoyed.
We visited the exhibits and then went outside onto the roof. There is nothing quite like being able to see all of Los Angeles. The observatory is pretty impressive, and you get a great view of the Hollywood sign. After a little bit, we were ready to head back down the mountain.
We took the shuttle back to Hollywood and Highland and had a really delicious dinner at The Grill on Hollywood. We were skeptical, but the food was really, really good and we’re definitely planning on going back.
Tomorrow Wes is taking off for Kansas. While I’m looking forward to having a bit more knitting time, I know after a few hours I’m going to miss him more than ever. I can’t wait until we don’t have to do this any more.
For more pictures of the trip, click here.
Superstahhhhh Knitting
23 Mar 2007 Leave a Comment
in Knitting Content Ahead, Los Angeles
Check out this great feature on YourLA showcasing my favorite knitting store! And stop on by!
Hollywood Recap
08 Mar 2007 Leave a Comment
in Los Angeles
William freakin’ Shatner.
Dick Van Dyke.
Ron Rifkin.
Bradley Cooper. (yeah I had to look it up too…. Will on Alias)
And LOTS of others.
Oh yeah… and roses.
Hollywood Beckons
07 Mar 2007 Leave a Comment
in Los Angeles
Once a year, I spend an evening feeling like the Los Angelina everyone dreams about being: one who rubs elbows with the stars. Previous entries here and here.
Once a year, I get dolled up and head to the Beverly Wilshire for the Alzheimer’s Association’s big fundraiser, Night at Sardi’s. Not only is it an excellent cause (my grandmother died of Alzheimer’s), but it’s where my mom works. The sheer star power is dazzling.
Tonight’s musical revue is Guys and Dolls and promises to feature: Eric McCormack of Will & Grace fame, Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), Joely Fisher, Peter Gallagher (The OC), Victor Garber (Alias), Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Brent Spiner (Star Trek), Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City), and this year’s big stars Dick Van Dyke and Rita Wilson.
Besides that, you just never know who you’re going to see in the audience. Three years ago, I stood on the red carpet next to Billy Crystal. The year after I saw Brooke Shields in the ladies room!
ETA: William Shatner will be there tonight as well as David Hyde Pierce. Can’t wait!
