One Month

One month left of residency in California. How I will miss it.

Head's up; might not be posting as much due to living it up in my beautiful city. Or, conversely, perhaps I will need to post more to cope...we'll see.

Sending love from La Jolla.

Belly Up with Landon Pigg & A Fine Frenzy

I almost didn't go, I was feeling so rotten, but then a red-haired angel named Sarah Shreves came and picked me up in her 1992 white Saturn and whisked me and her friend off to Belly Up in Solana Beach (on Cedros Avenue, the design district, which I very much intend to visit) to go hear Landon Pigg and A Fine Frenzy. Landon Pigg opened with "Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop," a song with this contrived a theme has no right sounding that gorgeous. It was fabulous.
He called out to the crowd after that song asking if we were a more rock or folky crew. I yelled "Folk!" about four feet from him in front but I was drowned out by the rockers. He apologized to the folkies and proceeded to perform a song that featured the band's fantastic drummer, she was ah-mazing. Afterword he looked down and addressed me directly, "Was that too 'rock' for you?" I laughed and called up, "I'm a believer!," and he sang a line from the song written by Niel Diamond.
We're pretty much dating.

Then A Fine Frenzy came up and Alison Sudol gave an outrageous performance, I had no idea what a fantastic entertainer she is! I also have to admit that she's one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Seriously. She is striking with her long lush bright red hair and the personality to back it up. She wore a fantastic outfit, brought tons of energy and dramatic flair to each of her pieces and her voice was absolutely amazing. I would totally pay to go hear her again and highly recommend you do so if you like this group's music. Enjoy the videos and have a harmonious day!
P.S. These photos are just space holders until I get the jpegs from Miss Sarah Shreves, photographer extraordinaire. Can't wait to see them!



This is her live-only cover, I loved it and wanted to share the video I found of it!

Short Shots

If you had been me this last week, here are some things you would've seen:

[—My dad, the world traveler, looking at the ocean as if he'd never seen it before; it makes itself new to him everytime he visits it.
—]An extra-slow-moving school bus with the words "NEVER TARDY" stenciled on the side.
[—An old lady dressed up as Michael Jackson on Halloween (she had everything right except that she had on a Jewish costume hat on (a fedora/top hat with two large brown curls coming out at the temples of the hat on each side, separated out to look like Michael's.
—]This guy position his skateboard on the sidewalk just so, then push off to ride it sitting down all the way down this huge hill by Rose Canyon.
[—A small section of my morning commute where there's not a palm in sight and a few of the trees are turning. When it's cloudy, it could be Nebraska.
—]You would've felt first then seen a little boy walking with his mom at the mall, and stick out his arm just in time to brush your calve as you passed one another, look down, then back at him as he looks back at you too grinning and waving.
[—My coworker coming into my cubicle to feel her baby doing flips in her tummy, my face and hand on her belly.
—]The scottie dog, Angus, I'm going to dog sit for the rest of the month who has a haircut that leaves his tail fluffy, his face hair long, and his back buzzed with a fringe of hair like a bed's dust ruffle that swings and swishes when he walks (not sure there are even feet under there.
[—A little kid ordering chocolate at See's Candy at the mall.
Kid: I need one chocolate cream.
See's Lady: Just the one?
Kid: It's not for me, it's for my Mom (as he counts out change from his pocket)
See's Lady: Do you like milk or dark chocolate?
Kid: I like mil...I mean, my Mom likes milk chocolate.
See's Lady: Got it! Here you go.
(She sets down the milk chocolate on the counter and slides the change into her palm and starts the arduous task of counting it. The kid spins the chocolate in its wrapper on the counter, rustling the wrapper paper and squeezing the chocolate through it as the lady slowly counts the change. She watches him.)
See's Lady: You know what? A girl can never have enough chocolate, why don't you give her this one too.
(The kid just looks at her.)
See's Lady: It's free.
(Kid smiles broadly at her and uses a cupped hand to slide the new chocolate next to the one he's been fussing with and stares at his wealth of chocolate.)
See's Lady: Ah, ah, ah...don't mix them up. I made sure to get one with nuts for your Mom. She'll want to know which is which when you give them to her.
(Kid nods sagely and puts one in each hand and thanks the lady and leaves.)
See's Lady: Welcome to See's Candy, what can I do for you?
Meg: I need a quarter pound of key lime truffles, and they're for my mother too.
(And they were, but I did got a delightful sample for me (dark chocolate shell around pineapple truffle.))

Five Great Things Friday

I'm never as homesick as I am in the autumn here in San Diego. The mornings are brisk but toast up to the 70s or 80s by noon, no cloudy days, no wind, few changing trees, and San Diegans generally revel in their still-constant fair weather (go figure).
I miss wind too. Big gusty, stingy wind that makes you grateful to be indoors with a hot cuppa.
So, today, I celebrate five great things about San Diego to remind me why everyone and their boyfriend wants to live here:
1) I love the military presence, although it is a grim reminder that we are a nation at war whether we act like it or not, I feel safe when helicopters hover, indestructable ships float in our harbor, and men in uniform guard the city.


2) The big blue bridge to Coronado is a beautiful feat of architecture and I almost can't keep my eyes on the road whenever I'm driving by it.


3) I love the Mexican influence in the city, only thrity short minutes from Tijuana, and I've never had better Mexican food in my life. Here's Alison from her visit last year, we were in a traditional tin shop where you find these glorious stars so indicative of Mexican decor.

4) I drive by the San Diego Mormon Tabernacle every day (it's simultaneously creepy and beautiful...doesn't it look like it's made of paper or foam board?), ironically, I don't have my own photo of it—I had to go to a mormon Website to get one and the site wouldn't let me go "back," "forward" or click out of it which I thought was pretty funny. Yikes!

This thing looks BUCK when it's foggy, it's absolutely haunting.
5) The sunsets here aren't too shabby. They're as beautiful as those in NE, but they're just totally different.



Home is where the heart is, and I left mine in Nebraska, but I guess I can stand San Diego a little longer.

Chillin' with the Crazies

No five great things Friday, I plum forgot. Whoops! But I've got something better: I've got some of Cali's prime crazies at the coffee shop with me right now.

First pair of crazies a guy and a gal at the coffee shop:
MexiBarista: We roast our own beans.
Sport Sandals with Skirt: You know? That is SO great because in this world where nothing is organic or real or lasting, at least you can come to The Blue Mug and get a real cup of coffee.
MexiBarista: I hear ya (nodding vigorously). I mean I heard the other day...
Sport Sandals with Skirt: Think about it, we're all done in 2012. The ice caps won't melt because they won't be around anymore, the magnetic forces will be enough that it will melt everything down, but we're killing ourselves anyway so whatever.
MexiBarista: Right? I mean, did you see Wall-E? It's like the I Ching. You know how everyone floats around on hover crafts b/c we're all too fat and lazy to even move? That's gonna be us in, like...I wanna say...two years? Maybe.
Sport Sandals with Skirt: I never saw it.
MexiBarista: It's my favorite movie, it's not as good as anime, but for Pixar, it's really good. Funny.
Sport Sandals with Skirt: But you're missing the point. We're not going to hover (using hands to demonstrate complex concept of hovering) because we'll all be DEAD in two years! Did you know a woman dies in childbirth every. Single. Minute. (Pause for reaction).
MexiBarista: (Eyes raised to ceiling as if counting) You know, I don't really think that's possible. Wait. Wait, no, you know what, that's true. I heard that on the History channel. (Both nod.)

Meanwhile, "My Hips Don't Lie" comes on while Sport Sandals with Skirt tears open sugar packets three at a time and pours them into her coffee.
Sport Sandals with Skirt: I love this song (the velcro making little ripping noises as she flexes her feet, dancing).
MexiBarista: Mmmmmmnow see, I have to disagree. She's a little cocky when it comes to shaking her hips.

They look at each other for a minute, Sports Sandals with Skirt sips her coffee gingerly while she uses the other hand to wave good bye. Without a word, MexiBarista waves back and Sport Sandals with Skirt slowly walks through the coffee shop and out the door never taking her lips of of the to-stay coffee cup. Gets in her car, and drives off.

P.S. I posted this totally lame picture b/c it turned out so bad I thought it was appropriate to the crazies theme. I look positively headless.

A Folky Farewell

My friend Katie is moving to the East coast tomorrow (Katie if you read this, I send you with lots of blessings and I know you'll be great!), but before she'd gone, she went out in style.


At the sweetest house in San Diego, a organic-food, folky, family event took place Sunday night where all-natural, organic foods adorned the table as the meal and the decorations and we wore rosemary in our pockets and wildflowers in our hair.


Lots of thanks to Lindsey and Sarah for opening their home to us, it's one of my favorite places in all San Diego to be.

Katie did some work on La Milpa farm outside of Escondido, CA and learned all about organic farming, canning, and beekeeping. I'm super jealous of her experience but plan to attend one of their potluck dinners they hold every third Saturday of the month. If you're reading this and in S.D., let's head out there September 19 for a community dinner and an al fresco movie under the stars!




This adorable couple and I had the best conversation about why organic food growing is advantageous; thanks Beth and Shannon for being amazing and teaching me so much!


My girls, Lindsey and Tina are the best!

NOTE: The two large, centered photos aren't mine, a guy at the party did 'em.

You might be a San Diegan if...

1) Sand can be found in your car mats, shoes, laundry basket, and shower.
2) Trader Joe's is your grocery mecca.
3) You know what Two-Buck Chuck is.
4) You end your sentences with "..., right?" or use any of the following words in everyday speech: stoked, harshed out, or gnarly.
5) Your book collection is subjected to and, consequently, bloated by water logging related to beach reading.
6) You bought most of your furniture, utensils, and lighting from IKEA.
7) You own more than four pairs of flip-flops, after all, they are appropriate work footwear out here.
8) Arnold Schwartzenegger graces the political clips on your local news.
9) All your coworkers claim to know Adam Lambert's best friend's girlfriend or mom's cousin's sister-in-law.
10) You have a distaste for all things L.A.
11) You take all your vacations in Hawaii or Vegas.
12) You've felt an earthquake.
13) You've eaten a slice of Julian apple pie.
14) You know that the highway names are preceeded by a "the" followed by its respecitive number (odds north and south, evens east and west), e.g., "Take the five north for 10 miles..."
15) You've eaten a burger at Hodad's, but otherwise subsist on a diet of fish tacos.
16) You learn Spanish just from the street names (ALL of them are in Spanish).
17) You know that "May Gray" and "June Gloom" are the only variences on a perfect forecast year 'round.
18) You know that Hillcrest = Gayborhood
19) Your apartment doesn't have air conditioning...which is fine b/c you don't need it.
20) Are familiar with the subculture belonging to each beach: OB = hippies, PB = college/surfer culture, La Jolla = snobs and breeders, etc.
21) Know what the Santa Anas are and blame all your allergy issues on them.
22) When you tell people where you're from, their response is, "Oh wow, I bet you're glad to be in San Diego!" (yeah, never heard that one...).
23) Know exactly where they were talking about in the movie "Top Gun" when the sergeant said, "You Showboats are going to Miramar!"
24) You've ever eaten at In-N-Out, Jack in the Box, Del Taco, Rubio's, Pinkberry, The Golden Spoon, El Indio, Anthony's Fish Grotto, Carl's Jr., but most importantly, enjoyed Bronx Pizza. Best pizza I've had since Argentina.
25) You know that the green flash is a myth told to tourists to keep them out of the bars while we San Diegans enjoy happy hour.
26) A marine layer has ever ruined a day at the beach for you.
27) Know where the "golden triangle" is (I live there!).
28) You pay 4x as much for rent than you would if you lived in your hometown.
29) You feel sorry for people living east of the 15.
30) You know the downtown skyline is meant to resemble tools.
31) You know that 65 mph actually means 80.
32) You're immune to sonic booms, jets, and general military cacaphonies.
33) You traded your Walgreens for a Rite-Aid and Longs and Hy-Vee for Ralphs and Von's.
34) You've been to a show at "Belly-Up Tavern" (Don't Bore Nina, this summer, and Rufus Wainwright last spring!)
35) You've learned that honking horns is purely road conversation; no need to be alarmed or take it personally.

Beach Reads

I'm making my list of beach reads* for summer 2009 with relish and though I've never read any of these before so if any of you have, let me know what you thought!

*Note: beach reads comprise that marvelous genre which encompasses frivilous reads and gives one the excuse to read whatever will engross the lazy-day mind and hold its own against the sleep-inducing warmth of summer rays and waves in the background.

Nocturnes by John Connolly
This is a collection of short stories I'm inspired to delve into after reading The Book of Lost Things, a very good adult fairy tale. His stuff is a little dark but never needlessly so and he really knows his literature so he emulates other authors without being too obvious or dishonest about it.


Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
"Irène Némirovsky was a Jewish, Russian immigrant from a wealthy family who had fled the Bolsheviks as a teenager. She spent her adult life in France, wrote in French but preserved the detachment and cool distance of the outsider. She and her husband were deported to Auschwitz in 1942, where he was gassed upon arrival and she died in the infirmary at the age of 39. Her manuscript, in minuscule and barely readable handwriting, was preserved by her daughters, who, ignorant of the fact that these notebooks contained a full-fledged masterpiece, left it unread until 60 years later. Once published, with an appendix that illuminates the circumstances of its origin and the author's plan for its completion, it quickly became a bestseller in France. It is hard to imagine a reader who will not be wholly engrossed and moved by this book." —The Washington Post. The article puts it more concisely than I would, but I can't wait to read this book with such a sad but fascinating backstory.

The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue
This has been called an adult bedtime story, it was inspired by W. B. Yeats' poem "The Stolen Child" . The book plays with the idea of a changling and the balance between a child wishing for its own independence and to be alone vs. abandonment and feelings of unwantedness. I'm very curious about the book, hopefully it will be a good read.


Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman
As a woman teetering on the edge of generation X and generation Y (a.k.a. generation "Why not?"), I'm still debating whether or not it will be worth my time to get into this book (it received mixed reviews) poking fun and deciding the significance of growing up with Zach Morris, MTV's the Real World, and Billy Joel. I'm yet undecided.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen
HILARIOUS, the name says it all! Who WOULDN'T want to read something this irreverant? Grahame-Smith has not rewritten but expanded Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, making her an unwitting but undeniable coauthor. This book mixes Edwardian sexual tension with ultra violence, something very rarely done right (I've only ever enountered ultra violence done well in A Clockwork Orange); just to be clear, ultra violence is actually not as bad as it sounds. It refers to violence so outrageous that the audience becomes wholly disconnected with the experience, it creates enough of a psychological barrier between the event and the reader snug in his/her armchair that it takes little effect. Much more damaging are the revolting and highly effectual horror novels masquerading as crime fiction, in my opinion. One of my many literary vendettas. Anyway, I can't wait to start this book; the literary community should never be so proud that they can not laugh at themselves and, likewise, not show prejudice to those who would write outside the box.

The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
I am a die-hard fan of Jane Eyre, so I very much look forward to Setterfield and du Maurier's off shoots of the story I love so much. Both creepy, both full of romance and intrigue as I hear it; should be great fun and I purposely have nothing more to say about their respective plots as I've not researched so I wouldn't spoil anything. Aunt Candy, I might be reading a book with Sarah, but I'm reading this one so I can discuss it with you and Mom too!!

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder
I revisit this book every summer, I read it the summer of 2003 and I always come back for the story and the education. This is a novel but it's a history of philosophy at the same time. A mysterious writer is sending letters to Sophie Amundsen and giving her the most user-friendly lesson on the history of philosophy. If you ever wondered what Hellenism, Marxism, the teachings of Descartes, Hegel, Kirkegaard...they're all there and seriously, it's so readable. I love this book dearly, my all time favorite for its story and stimulation.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
I'm most excited about this read because I get to share it with my dear Aunt Sarah! We're reading this book simultaneously this summer and plan to discuss (in person?? Think about it Sarah, you, me, the book, the beach...). She's pretty much the woman I want to grow up to be—editor extraordinaire, avid reader, general do-gooder making the world a better place—so it will be extra fun to get her perspective on this promising book. The novel is set in the 1830s and, interestingly enough, Gaskell died before finishing it (Frederick Greenwood wrote the last bit) so I'm curious to see how it ends and I think this gives us as readers permission to create our own ending, if we like, even more so than ever.

That's the list! Again, let me know if you've read any and have any comment. Some from my past years' lists (should you be looking for books I can recommend having actually read them):

The Wide Sargasso Sea, The Dogs of Babel, Water for Elephants, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Lovely Bones, and a must for summer, Dandelion Wine. Happy reading!!

Here With Me

I'm back in my little French cafe, it seems to be good for writing as I'm certainly not getting any editing done.
As I came up the walk, I noticed that the cushions they'd bought last spring had gone from bright red to a faded poppy color. I knew where all the outlets were when I went inside and the server smiled at me with familiarity as she slid cups of coffee in front of a couple sitting near. Have I really lived here long enough for this? I hardly ever use my GPS to get around anymore, and I even gave directions to a stranger the other day.

I've lived here for well over a year now, and there are some other things that have lost some of their color and some things that retain their brilliance yet. I hardly ever visit the ocean anymore. After I came home from Christmas and flew over it on the way, I didn't feel the need to; I used to feel like if I didn't visit it it might recede and disappear altogether, so strange and wonderful it was to have it at my disposal on a day-to-day basis. Formalities at work have fallen by the wayside and I am more frank with my colleagues and they are more real with me too. I feel less guilty than I used to when staying indoors during a gorgeous day, having grown up with the mentality that a day of sun was a sin to waste.

Though I am far from the honeymoon stage, I am happy here. I don't mean to stay forever, but this place is good for me. I miss my people every day, not one goes by that I don't regret not having you here. Different days for different people: when I walk into Anthropologie (I like to think of it as a clothing museum due to the exorbitant prices) Leslie is by my side finding the pieces that are just on the wrong side of style and making jokes and eating popcorn with me whenever I watch an unusual film; when I'm curled up at home with a book and candlelight, Alison is across from me on the couch, our feet in each other's laps and we end up enthralled in conversation instead of our novels; Sarah is always with me whenever I'm near the ocean and thinking of her often results in my dropping a thank you note to God for whatever is good that day; Heather is there when I wrap myself in the music she's given me, her music is home to me; Laura's laugh echoes in my ears whenever I see something rediculous or offbeat and I can easily conjure her hug when I need it; when I hear Spanish, I pretend Jessica is there to help me figure out what we just heard--sometimes we make up our own translations; Peter, you are the smell of an orange to me; Gina, you sit invisible across from me whenever I dine alone at a restaurant or go out to coffee; Tiffany's words return to me when I lose clarity and usually bring me to prayer.

This list is by no means exhaustive, these are just the people on my mind at the moment. Thank you for your unwavering support and friendship despite the miles and the duration. You all make me a better woman and I'm so blessed to know you.

A Hint of Hillcrest

Welcome to the Gay-borhood! This is Hillcrest, or at least a cross section of it, only about two blocks from my beloved friends' apartment (Lindsey, Annie, Tina, Rowan, and Christy's) lay this glorious area where vintage boutiques, bookstores, and restaurants divine are situated. Hillcrest is the GLBT, technicolor paradise of San Diego as this is where there's a high concentration of gay/lesbian residents. There's so much more to this neighborhood, but this is the little corner I explored one Sunday afternoon when the sun was just perfect.


One of the more high-brow vintage stores in San Diego, you can't believe the fantastic couture and bygone fashions behind this fabulously Spanish-themed window display. I just about bought four hats, but remarkably, I was able to refrain (I only own about six vintage hats I never wear already, eek!).


Bluestocking Books is a used and new book store with fabulous tongue-in-cheek gifts, feminist flair, and piles of great lit. As a used bookstore epicure, I give this one five out of five for meeting the following requirements: musty but not bad book smell, creative lighting, wooden floors, mismatched book shelves, and (my personal favorite which I haven't seen elsewhere) rescued and repurposed art prints!



Mural on the side of an elementary school that I enjoyed.

I Like my Mocha with MoCA

Two weekends ago I treated myself to an afternoon downtown to play at MoCA San Diego (Museum of Contemporary Art). The exhibits varied from genius, to provocative, to utterly laughable. But I adore contemporary art; art is to me as a battery charger is to a cell phone. Though, I admit, my favorite part was the museum store. I get sort of sad when I'm in an museum because I know I can't take my favorite works home with me, but in the museum store, it's art you can buy, keep, and touch without a security guard giving you the stink eye (or an escort out of the facility).

I followed up my excursion with a stop at a fabulously modern coffee shop here called Influx, where I dined on a decadent apple-smoked ham, swiss, and pineapple baguette paired with a mocha.

I encourage you all to go exploring sometime soon, especially a museum as they're always changing and your experience there promises to never be the same twice. Adieu to you!

Chalk It Up to Experience

Not long ago, I challenged my dear friend Ben to go discover three things in his city, New York, before the end of October. He's held up one-third of his deal so far. Not to be outdone, I did the same.

The first of my three "discoveries" was the Chalk Art Festa in Little Italy (yes, festa, not fiesta). I took in the attractive Italian men, the art, and ate my very first cannoli. I concur with Clemenza, "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." I've read about artists who reject certain canvases if they aren't stretched tight enough, made out of just the right material, etc; these artists were infinitely more tolerant as they sketched around holes, bumps, and cracks to awesome effect. I hope you enjoy their fabulous creations as much as I did and, in the spirit of the upcoming election, I invite you to vote on your favorite chalk drawing!












I would've loved to stay and seen The Girl with the Pearl Earring come to fruition, but I would've had to stay a long time. Besides, just with what's there I thought she was stunning.














This lady was plucked from the audience so this Italian in full costume could cut a rug with her.



This adorable guy may not have looked like "Ole Blue Eyes," but he certainly crooned like Sinatra (I even spotted some old ladies swooning on the sidelines).