Wednesday 29 June 2011

Things


Things in LA that make me happy:

 - Iced coffee. I never saw the point before, but suddenly it's seeming like the Best. Idea. Ever.
-   Rooftop pool. Enough said.
 - Driving my car and listening to music (loudly) with the windows down. (What other drivers make of The Fall or The Wave Pictures blaring out, I have no idea...)
 - Not having to take the tube to work every day. Major plus.

Things that have the opposite effect:

 - Having to drive everywhere. Why does NO-ONE walk anywhere in this city?*
 - Having too much time on my hands to brood. Bad idea.
 - Missing what isn't in LA - namely my lovely friends
 - The distinct lack of Caffe Nero berry fruit boosters. But it's ok, I've merely replaced blended fruit and ice with blended chocolate, coffee and ice. My waistline will pay me back in due course...


*Actually I know the answer to that. I was carless for a week or so, and on one ill-judged and hungover stroll down Hollywood Blvd, someone propositioned me on behalf of his friend. He promised said friend would 'get a job and start taking showers' if I'd be his girlfriend. As I crossed the road some other man came waaay too close and started telling me I was a dead ringer for Julianne Moore (laughable as well as creepy). Two minutes after that, I got followed by a man shouting incoherent randomness. The only word I could make out was 'pussy'. Repeatedly.

Saturday 18 June 2011

On Father's Day


Fathers, and father figures, are a strange thing. I'm lucky to have had two amazing people to help bring me up. My dad, who first met me and my mum when I was almost a year old, and hasn't ceased to be awesome since (occasional old man-style grumpiness aside) and my Grandad. I still can't believe it's been more than six years since he died - he's never far from my thoughts, and I know that if he was still alive today he'd already have planned a huge trip to California to come visit (he was freakishly adventurous well into his eighties). I'm also pretty sure I'd be receiving rescue packages of English chocolate from him once he discovered how rubbish the American stuff is...

So, despite my general belief in the commercial lameness of such holidays, I'm thinking of them both today. I might even go and hunt down a Wispa from Bristol Farms as tribute to my sugar-obsessed Grandad.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Don't judge me too harshly...

But in a moment of madness I may have colour co-ordinated my wardrobe. There's no way I can justify it as anything other than a massive waste of time, but at least it looks all pretty and rainbow-esque now...



It is faintly interesting (to me at least) to see all the little shopping phases I go through though - green has always been a staple, I'm trying to stop myself buying black - and recently navy blue with really strong pops of colour like orange and marigold yellow seem to be making an appearance.

Anyhoo, back to work. Planning. Ugh.

Monday 13 June 2011

28 days

I can't believe I've been here a month already. I'm sitting, surrounded  by unpacked suitcases and books that don't yet have a place to live, in my new home.

It's the first time I've ever lived by myself. And even though I know I might not be here for that long, I can't stop myself nesting - to which end, I've invested in some crappy thrifted furniture, a few cans of spraypaint, and covered my balcony in binbags. (I'm praying that when I untape them there won't be three different shades of paint ornamenting the newly redone floor...)

I've been busily and geekily documenting my haphazard attempts at DIY - but for now I thought I'd mark my four-week anniversary with a few views.

The view from my new apartment


Pizza...


My little home office (and my first DIY project)


My most favourite running spot


From the roof of the Standard Hotel, downtown

People who say this city is ugly are nuts - the sky is so huge, and the strange pockets of green space in amongst all the sprawl are incredible. Architecturally, admittedly, it's no Prague - but look how shiny and purdy downtown is...

The last few days have been super-hectic, and work is going to be really busy over the next week or so - but after that the plan is to get out of Hollywood, find my way over to the beach in daylight hours, and explore some more. I'm looking forward to it!

Monday 6 June 2011

Footnotes (otherwise known as random running happenings) part II

Seriously - the universe wants me to jog.

Today on my little route, which is in no way rural, I spotted three deer, a cool looking bird with a blue tail* and what I think may have been two eagles (or possibly very large hawks).**

Also, after weeks of general lethargy, junk food consumption and procrastinating, I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of the whole running thing. Happy days!

*American ornithology is not my strong suit
** See above. Let's face it., any kind of ornithology would really not be my specialist subject on Mastermind.

Sunday 5 June 2011

Footnotes (otherwise known as random running happenings)

Pepe le Pew!
On an entirely random note, I saw a family of skunks when I was out running today - it was ridiculously awesome. There were four - a big one and three littler ones, kinda lolloping along with their tails in the air. It took my mind of my hideous level of fitness for at least 30 seconds...