Author Archives: LA Blogger Gal

Two Cars in One Day…

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Seriously???

Okay, it’s now 1:30 AM Friday and I just got home from both cars officially dying and getting left behind in West LA at a shop we know nothing about. Thing is, my personal car issues seemed to begin around 2:00PM Thursday. And that migraine that started brewing around 2:00PM today, yeah, you guessed it, it’s throbbing like a beast now.

So the short version of my day…I was doing laundry and running errands when my car’s check engine light came on. It appears that the car overheated (who knows how many times in the past couple of weeks) to the point that I was out of coolant.

I was lucky enough to finish the laundry and head home. The goal was to drop my car off at our regular car guy once the hubs got home. Well, the real goal of the day was to write up a Blogger Prom recap, but that never happened.

So I finally calm down, cool off and relax. I’m waiting on the hubs to get home and we were going to head out for sushi. He calls me on his way home and as he makes the turn off Sunset onto Bev Glen, he says his car just died.

He calls AAA and they estimate that to tow the car over the hill into the Valley to our car guy in Burbank, that it will cost about $80. The guys suggests a shop on Pico that a lot of the UCLA students use. So the hubs now needs me to take my car (you know the one that overheated earlier in the day) to pick him up in West LA.

Okay, I’ll be on freeway, it’s 9:00ish, so no traffic. I won’t overheat. I make it to the Pico exit and I see the smoke coming off my engine. We figure if we take it slow and avoid the hills, that we can make it home or at least closer to home so the tow won’t cost as much to get it to Burbank.

Nice try.

A friend came out and agreed to follow us home to make sure we were good. Well, we only made it 6.6 miles, stopping once to water down the radiator and top off the (now, non-existent) coolant. We figured we were now 6.6 miles closer to home, so again, a less expensive tow.

Again, nice try.

Turns out we were now 7 miles FURTHER from home than we were before, so the tow would cost more.

So back, to where this all got fun…the garage where the hubby’s car is sitting and waiting. So basically, four or so hours after the hubs called me to get him…and a (pre-tip) $88 cab ride, I’m home eating cold pizza and waiting for my migraine meds to kick in.

Seriously, both cars have challenges on the same day?!?! What the hell? I mean, I’m all for “everything happens for a reason” so I’m just chomping at the bit to figure out what this “reason” must be.

The good news…it all could have been so much worse. If I had driven to Blogger Prom last night, I’d have overheated while we were stuck in traffic on Laurel. If he had made it further on Beverly Glen, he would have been on a dark, curvy road with limited cell reception.

So here’s hoping both cars don’t cost too much. And better yet, will be even better than they were before. So please, send some well wishes to our cars if you don’t mind.

It’s officially Friday, can I start drinking yet? Whew.

PS – too tired to proof-read…sorry.

Photo: Will Spaetzel

And the Doctor Says…

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I had my appointment with the ear nose and throat doctor today. I have to say, it looks much better than I as originally led to believe.

Turns out I have cyst of some sort somewhere, but this is apparently common enough and not the cause of my chronic sinus infections. He seems to think that I just have some swelling that will need to be reduced (surgically, of course).

Luckily, I won’t have to have my sinus cavities scraped out. He’ll burn down the swelling and all will be good. This also means that the healing time is dramatically reduced. Yay!

So now I just need to get that insurance approval for the procedure and get things scheduled. So happy! Will be thrilled to not have to deal with this any longer.

Also seems that the “lump” in the back of my throat is some sort of bacterial growth on my tonsils or something. Totally gross and quite disgusting (he scraped some off and showed me). Seems that can be cleared up by simply washing my tonsils with peroxide and water (being shot directly at my tonsil using a child’s bulbous nasal sucker thingie).

Let me tell you, that’s the most painful and nasty thing I’ve ever had to do. And talk about a nasty aftertaste. But again, if it clears it up, then I’m all for it.

So if everything happens for a reason (even medical challenges), then I wonder what the reason for all this is. What’s been going on in my live that have I not been acknowledging for the past 5 or more years? I guess I’ll need to meditate on that for a while and see what comes up.

I Have a Love/Hate Relationship With My Air Conditioner

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It’s not uncommon for both homes and apartments in the greater Los Angeles area to not have central air. If you live closer to the shore, you don’t exactly need it; what with those ocean breezes and all the marine layer. If you live inland, or in the valleys in particular, you’re lost without it.

We’re not lucky enough to have central air. We have a window unit in the wall of the living room. Only in the living room. Which means only the living room gets cooled.

So as you can imagine, I have a love/hate relationship with our air conditioner.

Love

  • that we have air conditioning
  • that while sitting in the living room, it’s nice and chilly

Hate

  • that if you’re anywhere beyond the living room, the AC can’t even be felt
  • that if you’re in the living room, at the couch, it’s can be dare I say it…too cold
  • that even with the AC on all day, the apartment is never less than 5 degrees cooler than outside
  • that the AC doesn’t reach any other part of the house BUT the living room
  • that the mere act of boiling of water or washing a dish or two can leave you dripping in sweat
  • that I can’t because of the above, I can’t cook anything most of the summer
  • that once the heatwave hits (100+ days) the bedroom doesn’t that cooler than 80 or so at night and our landlord won’t let us put in a window unit – makes for a miserable night’s sleep
  • that each and every summer I spend far too much time complaining about the damn heat

I vow to limit my complaining about the heat and lack of air conditioning. So how’s the summer treating you so far?

So About this Blogger Prom…

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I’m really at a loss here because I have NO clue what to wear. It’s supposed to be all fun and kitschy with and emphasis on 80’s cheese. But um…the only thing I have readily available from the 80’s is my ability to biggify my Jersey Girl hair, black eyeliner and some fingerless lace gloves.

Really not sure about this. I mean, these guys are taking things WAY seriously. Times like this I wish I was Molly Ringwald or Scarlett O’Hara and could just whip up my own prom dress from some drapes or something.

I have to come up with something. I mean I MUST get into this party. Even the swag is beyond cool.

So I beg you all…please share your ideas to get this plus-sized gal (with very little time to scour the Salvation Army and Good Will type shops) into Blogger Prom. For what it’s worth…I can bedazzle of sorts with my bling that came with my Mighty MendIt (if I haven’t thrown it away).

I’m Happy in a Love Like This

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taken the night of my going away party in Jan '03

taken the night of my going away party in Jan '03

My husband I met 8 years ago this past Memorial Day weekend.  I was out here in LA at a party, sort of a grad school graduation gift to myself and well…there he was.  We dated, long distance for the first two or so years.  During that time, each time we got together, no matter what state we were in, he’d make me a mixed CD.

Earlier today I was cleaning up the kitchen and found one of the CDs he made back in September ’03.  By this time, I had already made the move here to LA and we were deep into making our wedding plans.

Listening to this CD today, you can most definitely tell where his thoughts were.  Every song is a love song.  In fact, one song we used as our first dance.  Another song we used for my walk down the aisle. Yet another that we used for one of our readings (as read by his ex-girlfriend and her husband, our dear friends).

Some need gold and some need diamond rings
Or a drug to take away the pain that living brings
A promise of a better world to come
When whatever here is done
I don’t need that sky of blue
All I know’s since I found you, I’m happy when I’m in your arms
Happy, darling, come the dark
Happy when I taste your kiss
I’m happy in a love like this*

This CD is the perfect mix of some of my favorites and some of his.  Many songs that to this day still bring tears to my eyes.  In fact, I remember getting teary eyed as we listened to the mix.  Just beautiful.

There’s nothing special about today.  It’s not an anniversary of any sort.  Not even of our first date (that would be in two weeks).  It’s just a regular day and nothing to celebrate.

But on this day, I’m reminded of one of the many, many reasons I love my husband. Baby, it had to be you!

Cheesy, but true.

You may now resume your regular blog reading.  My apologies for the mushy love stuff.

*Lyrics from Happy by Bruce Springsteen

And the Results Are In…

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My fabulous doctor called while I was out last night (yes, she truly is fabulous and I can’t recommend her enough and yes, that call was afterhours at 8:30PM!). She had the results from Monday’s CT scan.

Get this…no polyps, but I apparently have a sinus infection! Yes, you read that right…as sinus infection.

No, I don’t feel like I have a sinus infection. But I guess, kinda like I’ve been saying all along, that my head is still all congested and something is still going on in my sinuses. Guess that would explain why my ears always clog whenever I drive up any sort of incline.

So the next plan of action is to see an ear, nose and throat doctor. My doc mentioned something about “getting scraped” and well, that sounds kinda scary. I mean, I may be wrong here, but I don’t any sort of direct passage to my sinuses. And well, that just sounds a bit painful. I’ll learn more at my appointment next week.

I just know that I’ll be thrilled to not have to deal with all this damn congestion any more. I’m sure it will cut down on the sinus pressure-related headaches I seem to get as well. Woohoo!

And speaking of all this sinus crap…I do seem to be a bit fuzzy headed today and I think (after my successful teleseminar) that a nap is priority #1.

Caution: Mentalist at Work

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It sure was nice to take last week off from blogging (outside of the one Michael Jackson/Forrest Lawn photo post).  Better still to have taken the time off on all three blogs (and the contests).  Granted, it wasn’t something that I actually planned to do, but it still felt good.  I refused to let myself feel bad about it either.

I basically spent the week working on my upcoming teleseminars.  After having spent the week before recovering from yet another damn sinus infection, I needed to get focused pretty quickly.  I got a lot done, even if I made some mistakes here or there.  Or more to the point, I discovered some mistakes that I made with some of the stuff I was working on.  Either way, still feels good.

Now I need to just create some time to catch up on some friends’ blogs.  When I finished teaching in mid-June, I thought I’d have so much time to finally catch up with work, with blogs, with life and still have fun.  Well, as I seem to have learned (again and again) those damned sinus infections kick my butt physically and make it so challenging to even think straight.  And they seem to take just as long to recover from.  But trust me, you will see me posting comments on your blogs again!!  I promise.

And speaking of those damnable sinus infections, I finally had my CT scan today.  I think I honestly spent more time talking about the CT scan and researching what to expect, than it actually took to have the actual scan.  I honestly didn’t know that it would be quite so quick and painless.  I look forward to getting the results and figuring out what might be the reason I keep getting such nasty (and painful) infections.

As for now…well, now I think it’s time to get started on dinner.  Cooking in this high-90’s heat is always a challenge – whether I’m feeling 100% or not.  Wish me luck!

The Joy of Book Club Meets the Joy of Cupcakes!

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Talk about the joining of two great ideas!  And what a great way to celebrate that we’ve been joining together to discuss books for over 4 years now!

So here’s the deal…back when I was planning my birthday, I was craving some Strawberry Lemonade cupcakes from Layers Cupcakes (I tasted them a month or so earlier at a local cupcake meetup).  Thing is, I wasn’t able to afford them at the time, so I did what any good blogger would do and well, I blogged about this sad turn of events.

Ebony of Layers Cupcakes (Facebook Fan Page) did what any good, modern business woman would do and checked her links (or had an alert set up) and got notified about my post. layers_cupcakesShe then offered up the opportunity for me to taste some of her new, Naja Tea-infused cupcakes and asked if I wouldn’t mind blogging about them (Naja Tea Facebook Fan Page & Twitter).

Well, better than just me sharing my thoughts…I asked the whole gang of book club gals (at least the ones in attendance) to share their thoughts as well.  And yes, the teacher in me created a form for them to share their thoughts anonymously.

Overall, we definitely enjoyed the cupcakes quite a bit and the experience of tasting and sharing feedback, even more so (did I mention that our group has quite a few foodies and bakers in residence).  The Mix and Mingle was a hit, but Sassafras didn’t seem to have as many fans.  Everyone pretty much agreed that we were hoping to taste more of the tea’s flavor.

To get a feel for our thoughts, I randomly divided the stack in half and one batch of comments for each flavor. Here are some of our thoughts (in no particular order):

Mix and Mingle

  • This was my favorite.  Nice and light, very moist, but could maybe have used a bit more intense frosting – it seemed too light for the cupcake.
  • I probably should have tried this one first.  The flavors were still  lingering from the Sassafras. This one had more subtle flavors and I liked the topping.
  • I liked this one! Very tasty and delicious cake!  Frosting is light and fluffy.  I might have wanted to have a bit more substantial (thicker?) frosting.
  • This is delicious for such a light cupcake!  Love the vanilla and coconut combination.
  • Crumb is too moist for that filling – cake needs more structure.  Flavor is great.  Frosting is too creamy.  Needs some salt.

Sassafras

  • I found this to be delicious.  Not much of a summer flavor since it was more spicy and fall-like.  Very moist, maybe too moist if that’s even possible.
  • The yam mousse overpowered the other flavors making it more difficult to taste.  Meringue is a little mushy.
  • Too many flavors – very confusing for the palate.  Crumb is very wet. Icing not complimentary.
  • This is a nope!  Did not like.  Too many spices and flavors going on.
  • Frosting should be creamier (less fluffy).  Good flavors for fall, but probably too many rich flavors for spring/summer.
  • I love the taste of the cake – a great surprise to have the yam.  It was a little moist, but I don’t mind that.  The meringue didn’t add much, maybe a cream cheese frosting would be better.

My husband wasn’t invited to share his thoughts (but he did get to eat some leftovers). He said that these were the best cupcakes he’s tried of what he’s tasted around town.  He loved that they were flavorful, but not overly sweet (his typical complaint about cupcakes).

I don’t know about you, but now I’m craving some cupcakes!

Michael Jackson’s Final Resting Place

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It was rumored some time last week that Forest Lawn would be where Michael Jackson would be laid to rest. As early as Friday, the paparazzi and the news vans have been parked, ready and waiting. Now that it’s been made official, the crowds have descended upon our side of the Hollywood Hills.

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I’m sure the crowds will be massive after the memorial service starting this evening. Hopefully, the family will opt for an unmarked grave much like Humphrey Bogart. Otherwise, I’m sure it will be some crazy Jim Morrison-like gravesite.