The week got interesting when I made it out to the LA Zoo, and I was fortunate to be out with one of my newest local LA girl friends that suggested the event, got us tickets, and made the whole thing worth the while. The light shows, displays, and music totally brought me back to "Christmas" down town San Jose from graduate school days largely because of the lack of snow or cold! LOL. Listening to the music and hugging someone special made the season more personal than just a passing commercialized holiday. It was a good night, and it ended with a tasty bowl of Beef Stew PHO in Burbank.
It was just one night before that I was uncertain how the weekend would go because I had began the process of switching out of the corporate chiropractic job into a more exclusive, private practice in Malibu. When the time came to make the drive over Malibu Canyon, the Mamas and The Papas' California Dreaming started to play. The mountains, the cliffs, and the windy road that eventually opens up to the ocean were the signs that I was in the right place, and that everything that had lead to that moment in time, albeit, some tragic,. This was only confirmed by the business partner that said, "Everything happens for a reason, and somethings we just have to leave in the past so we can embrace the future, and yours looks bright." The day ended with my drive back home, which was one of my fastest drive times ever because of the distance--short. The year is changing soon, and so will the outlook for things future. It is, at times, strange to think about it all, but the band keeps playing on so we move forward.I was out on a "meet and greet" with a gal I met on-line. After a little bit of back and forth, we mutually agreed to meet and determine if we could have a conversation, maybe be attracted to the other, etc. Most of the time, this happens instantly if you just happen to be at Starbucks and a gal walks in off of the street and asks if she can take the seat next to you! LOL. But, the on-line dating thing has that one extra element of 'surprise' that's hard to account for until you meet the other person. So there I was after some significant news was presented to me at one of the local places I usually grab a happy hour beer at because I'm cheap. The woman shows up, and determines to grab a glass of wine. As we talk, much like I would some other person I'd meet at the bar counter to make small talk, the woman goes on to tell me that she makes well over 100K per year, had just finished her second marriage, and had one of five children staying at home with her. I thought that I might've not shown up if I had know that information, but she was cute enough in her picture, but not as much in person. She went on to tell me that she was having trouble getting men to take her out on a second date or an initial one, as we were really just meeting to decide if any dating was going to happen, for reasons she was unsure of beyond her stronger personality. I laughed. We laughed, but then she finished her glass of wine, and asked me if I minded she got another. I laughed informing her she could have as many as she wanted if she was going to pay for them. She looked shocked, and informed me that it was more gentleman-like of me to offer to pay.
At this point I asked her why she felt that way only to inform me that it was traditional. I responded that if we had agreed to go on a date, I might've picked up the check, but we were just meeting on a mutual interest to decide if there was an interest, and that I was not going to pick up her second drink just based on the principle of entitlement. "You make a 100K, and you want me to pick up your drinks?! LOL. Why?" Her response went into more detail to include that she was interesting, fun, and had worked hard to be in the position she was in allowing her to engage in the level of conversation we were having. I laughed and politely informed her that she had it wrong because clearly I was attractive to her, I was able to engage in the same level of dialog with her, and that I too had to achieve in order to be in that exact position. "I might as well pay for the chic's drinks and apps siting next me because she was fun too, a perfect strange, and actually makes less money than you and was actually interested in meeting me even after I told her I was here to meet you! LOL. Should I pay for her drinks also?! No, just like I'm not going to pay for your second. My extension of curtesy ended when you informed me about all your kids, your second divorce and the fact that you didn't bring them up because you knew most men wouldn't bother...so you really should pay for my drink and app.!" I laughed. Payed for my drink and her initial, and left but not before giving my card to the gal that was sitting next to me..no kids, never married, avid gym goer. It's a California thing that women make a bunch of money, but they still want yours too with no incentives. Please ladies at least make it interesting. Hahaha.
Christmas is here along with all the music that was created for it. I admit that I really enjoy most of it and the expressions people make while listening to it. As most of my mornings go, I was working on this very blog piece at my local Starbucks while the music played. The years of Christmases past came to mind including last years when I was living on the South side of Minneapolis. It was cold and snow those few days of bliss, and I had a visitor from California visiting me part of it. Yes, this year will be different. It's likely gonna be 70 degrees sunny Christmas Eve and Day. I'll be in the Homeland for it just like I was last year, but at the end of the week, I'll be leaving. Although, I left at the end of the week last year as well to come to California to job/client prospect. How life changes in an instant, but the memories of it keep on going on and on. I suppose it's time to send out postcards. I usually try and keep up, but considering all the newness of things present, it may be in order. Until next week, happy holiday shopping and Christmas related stuff. 
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