Manic Monday On Melrose 6/15/15

It's a manic Monday just past 7:00 AM, and I kinda wish it was Sunday, but I adjusted so many people yesterday, all I wanted to do was sleep until it was karaoke time! What ended up happening was I drove to the Venice Board walk and went for run. It was a short one...five mile. It was definitely needed after all the physical work I've been up to, and I just need to keep up that part of my health routine with all the driving I've been doing lately. I did manage to get my hair cut, and after some closer examination of it, the gal did a shit job of the back end, cut it too short on the sides, and now I actually have to style it with 'cement' cause my hair doesn't stay still!! It's true! Fortunately my hair grows super fast, so in a week or two, it'll be where it should've been all along.


Last night, on the other hand, was karaoke at King's Head in Santa Monica where one of my friends was hosting. Naturally, I thought I should show up after looking through a few magazines at Barnes and Noble. Yup. I got to do some of the older Sunday routine, which is important when one is starting out again semi-fresh. People who kinda know you and are interested enough in what's happening in your life. So I went. Fortunately this routine hadn't changed much when I was seeing K.C. She would show up with me most of it, and it was enough to get a few questions this time around. We have our own Sunday routines to some degree or another, and it's good for the psyche! LOL.

The sun will be out sooner or later in what can only be mistaken for Fall Minnesota/State Fair weather this moring!! LOL. It's June Gloom, which means the temps are a little cooler in the morning. It's the kinda of cool that makes you want to stay under the covers just a little longer, but then the sun comes out mid to early afternoon. It's pretty nice. Yet!!! It's Monday, and it's the last day of work I have for this last week. So, after today, I can get back to the gym and put in some good effort, get to some Cross-fit, and chill for a couple of days before I have to get to it. I think it's time to change my oil..? Hmmm. Well, that's the short and skinny rant from a Midwest guy in the Land of milk and honey.

Costa Mesa, 6/10/15

It's super early morning this HUMP DAY! I've gotta get to Costa Mesa, and short of driving down to Venice last night, I made the mistake of going to the Cheese Cake Factory for happy hour at the Oaks Mall. Yup. I was only going to order some slider's, but two nurses took seats next to me and wanted to yap. So I  ended up with sliders and a martini. The conversation was good as they were in the process of getting screened for nursing jobs at Los Robles Hospital. We laughed at the way you think you should answer a question when you're on the hot seat versus how you would've answered when you're driving away after the fact! LOL. It was some entertainment for the end of my day off and a mild distraction from other things I was working on earlier. At the end of it, I had to walk around the mall for a bit because I'm becoming a light weight, and I like that.....kinda. By the end of my walk around the mall, I discovered I needed new things that I put on my list of 'work' clothes, apartment fillers, and just plain shopping therapy...much like the pink liquid therapy in the picture...a Cosmo=Therapy. Yup. I didn't even mention it rained all day! It was actually nice. Today, it's back to sunny...again! LOL.

So, it's road time. Hopefully, I won't have to make this journey too often, but it's part of being the 'new kid on the block,' and I don't really want it that way! Hope your day is good cause I'm about to eat two hours of it in my Jeep. Maybe this is why they invented those audio books so one can learn, or get self-help books on Cd. Yes. This is what I need to do. I need to get some audio books (or maybe just some self-help books on investing), and feel "better" about these drives. Cause, I'm gonna be missing the gym today. Poo. Poo.

The Sunset Restaurant & Bar, Malibu 6/9/15

It's a happy Fall like Minnesota day here in the 'Valley' with light rain, mild humidity, and the likely chance of sun in the afternoon. It's early...like 6:45 AM, and I was up at sunrise. Presently, I'm watching the rain in a West Lake Village Starbucks. I couldn't quite get my mind to quiet enough to continue to sleep, so I thought I'd write about my happy hour experience at The Sunset bar and restaurant. This swanky place is located at Zuma beach in Malibu just before you would enter the 'pay lots' to park for a day of fun in the sun. You can park on the street depending on the day, but it's usually pretty full at sunset with people waiting...for the sun to dip. Just before the sun sets on Zuma, the sky lights up in various colors of red on a normal night, but last night, it was thick with fog or cloud cover making it easy to park right out front this place. It was 6:30ish PM when I walked into what could only be described as a scene out of an Polo Ralph Lauren commercial.

Lounging around the area were a bunch of gals. Most of them were dress-casual as in just out of a Polo shoot or something. Others, seemed they had just made it in for the $5 cocktail and appetizers from the beach or the neighborhood. A few men hovered (always hovering) around the seating areas while a couple of other more mature ladies made small talk with people around them. Everyone, at least for  moment, took notice of us as we walked up to the bar counter. Apparently lots of  'famous' people walk into the place. I guess! LOL. After politely wiggling a chair into place, I ordered a clam chowder and a couple of drinks. My drink of choice is usually Jameson & Seven when it's available, but I'm happy with whatever is on happy hour special too! Cause let's face it, that's why you walk into some places...the specials..or their specialties on special for those very few hours. Here, at The Sunset, happy hour started at 3:00 and went till close! WT...! I smiled. There was no need to rush. Somehow that was a relief! I made small talk with my guest and the people that sat immediately our right and left; a younger couple that had clearly started happy hour much sooner than we had and trying to establish who was a local and a few mature folks just enjoying the day out of work. It was a good choice after a draining day in the sun, waiting for the Geek Squad to tell me how much it was gonna cost me to recreate my lost Quickbook files, and planning my upcoming move into what might be a more regular place to live if I don't just leave the country all together.

 As I spoke, my thoughts drifted onto the street as a few runners went by. The days when I had also done the same, run by the restaurant, hadn't passed by too long ago. Their memory still seemingly fresh, and got a bit giddy about it...that I had made it...to California....finally.

"You're from Minnesota?!" I heard on my left, "Yes. I am." Turning slightly to acknowledged the woman talking to my guest. "I drove out here last week to take on a new corporate job...at least for a while to feel them out." We laughed because she was also from the Midwest. It was part of the normal conversation strangers have when chit chatting at happy hour. Like most conversations at happy hour, the themes revolve around basic things like, "How long are you gonna be here? What have you done here for fun? You should check out.....!" And out come the series of recommendations of things you should do or invitations to place you might be interested in, but that wasn't the case because of my guest. I suppose people assumed we were together...But no. So, we just talked..all of us. We talked about music, the Eagles, and Don Henley. We yapped about the best venues to see shows at and which were the upcoming "must see" shows. Yes. A lot of small talk that was fun, interesting, and mildly relieving from thinking about the work day.

Eventually when my clam chowder showed up, which seemed instantly, I started to think. Or, rather, I started to remember things. I thought I might be able to come back with another person and shoot the shit much as I was then. Or, even come back on my own and take my chances at 'fitting in' and becoming a regular, which I've learned is the secret behind the law of familiarity. It's the law that says if you see someone or something regularly you unconsciously drop your defenses to them or it just enough to experience them or it differently. This is when conversations start. This is when phone numbers are exchanged and invitations made. The law of familiarity....I'll write about that sometime because it's key in human relationships. So I thought...until the woman sitting to our left said, "I think you got my soup!" We laughed. "Really?! LOL. Well, I'll tell ya, your soup is very good!" We all laughed and the bartender turned red with mild embarrassment realizing she 'missed' putting in the woman's order.

When the experience was over, we left to get hit by the cold ocean air. It was still fresh smelling and, apart from the actual ocean, the weather was exactly like a Fall or Spring day in Minnesota. Then the drive up the 'hill' to get to my home to pass out only to get up today to enjoy the rain, the cool weather, and some familiar things to do. It's haircut and gym-time day. I'm feeling optimist for dumb reasons, but that's better than feeling other things! That's the news from a Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey....one at least! LOL.

West Lake Villiage, Starbucks 6/8/15

It's later morning just past 9:00 AM. It's 'fix my Jeep' morning x2. Hopefully they get it correct today cause I need my 'boy' in the days upcoming.

So, now that I have worked two official events for the company, I have to admit that on the whole there continues to be a sense that they are still getting somethings straight in so far as streamlining office systems, patient care standards, etc. I guess everyone has their own approach, but typically speaking a BRAND usually has a certain number of things they do or offer everyone. It's like why I go to a Starbucks in a new town or place I've not been in before. I know when I walk in, I'm essentially gonna get exactly the same cup of coffee, WiFi service, and typically a descent seat to work from remotely. That's why I pay a couple of dollars and find a Starbucks; it's the consistency! So, is the case or will be the case for the company I'm actually working for on contract. The company needs docs, workers, to fill in the evolving number of holes being created by either take-back of franchise stores or the creation of new stores. Either way, it sucked up my entire weekend, and it may continue to be the case the next couple of weeks. This is the 'feeling' out the company period. For the few things they offered me, I thought I would give it a shot. If it's not a fit, then I can move into a more 'hands-on' clinic and do some real sports work.But, until then, I'm in a holding pattern....I guess in both work and my 'private' life. LOL.

Yes! If you were wondering, the picture is from last night's karaoke extravaganza. I was going to sing last week when I got into town, but I was mildly emotional from the long drive and other background reasons for my being here in the first place. So, I took the night off after some mild back and forth texting, got my Jeep cleaned up, unpacked my stuff at my temporary place for the month, and I caught up with everything else I hadn't in a week. Last night was fun. Met a few new singers, and I had one drink to toast at the table. It was a good time till I had to drive back up to the 'neighborhood' and into the hills. A day of adjusting 55 people took it out of me, and the road was had to stay focused on. Fortunately, I made it without incident, but it was close a couple of times. I guess. LOL.
So a couple of days to recoup, and then back at it for four days and then a few off. I'm not sure I like the weekend work so much, but it's what I get for this first month of getting to know the company and visa versa. That being said, I'm off to get some Biofreeze cause it looks like I over did it between cross-fit, running, and my new gym leg routine. I want to try and maintain!! There it is.

Malibu, 6/6/15

It' a bright Saturday morning on the PCH. At 6:10 AM, there's a lot of people out working on getting their surf on. I'm gonna do that sooner or later....mostly because there's a new Point Break movie coming out. Needless to say, it's beautiful outside. The air is fresh (and not salty smelling). This is the route the WAZE app put me on to get to work today. I've grown to appreciate it after I figured it out, but I was a bit resistant to it until KC gave me the DL on it. So, now I use it....all the time! LOL. Even when I know how to get to a place, I turn it on just to see if there's a faster route.

                                                                          Last night, Friday night, was a mixed bag of events. My jeep didn't get repaired as I had hoped it would because the guy at Firestone said he had the part! So, when he called me to tell me he had the wrong part and hadn't taken anything apart to confirm it, I was a bit put-off. It happens. Needless to say, I got some help from one of my local friends to get a few things done. But, after I got my boy back, I was gonna get to it. I actually just washed it, check all the fluids, and decided it was Friday night, and I was gonna have a least one drink (usually only two max..lol.). I figured I'd head to the Oaks Mall and hit two birds with one drive: T-Mobie and the Lazy Dog. Yup.

The Lazy Dog was busy. It always seems to be when I've gone there in the past. Now, walking in on my own, I found a seat right next to a couple waiting to see the San Andreas movie and a gal with some party of people hovering the bar. The bartender at the place recognized me instantly. He also recognized that I was short a short person! LOL. We laughed a bit about events and that I was in town for a longer stint this time around. I never let on that things had changed between KC and myself even though he seemed interested in knowing. Unfortunately, the gal next to me wanted to know if I was single or just missing someone. I found myself in a bind ( in my person). So, I said what I thought was more appropriate, "I'm just out doing some alone time. Ya know. You need that now and then." She seemed to get it, and decided she wanted to talk. It was good conversation that eventually involved the couple sitting next to me as it was on a topic that I always find interesting from one town to the next, the 'cultural' composition of a town, area, or city. It turns out that Thousand Oaks really isn't that diverse. It's like Minneapolis-mostly Scandinavians or 'white' people. It just turns out that it, the mono-cultural composition of Thousand Oaks, makes me stick out! "You actually stick out as exotic!" She said. I laughed knowing it gives me a tactical advantage in the 'dating' game, but presently, I'm not playing it...the game. LOL>. But, it's nice to know that in the future, I may actually have some luck. That's the rant of a Midwest guy in the land of mild and honey, but we all know what the story is cause I come from the place where, "All the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and the children are above average." G.K.

Los Angeles, 6/4/15 Melrose & Fairfax Starbucks

It's Thursday early morning just past 7:00 AM. I'm at Starbucks on Melrose and am feeling good. Why? It's another Mn Fall weather day except that it's here in L.A.! It's true. The clouds are out, the air is cool, except there's a distinct difference in most peoples' moods. I think it could be summed up with one at least one word: relief! The heat has been off and 'on' the last week. And, when people here say it's hot, they're not kidding around. So, the Mn Fall like weather is a welcome deal. Here at one of the places I come to the most because of it's location is convenient and very open. You, or at least I, find relief being in here figuring out my schedule, making phone calls, and just plain people watching. There is relief. Relief from the busy streets. Relief from the sun in the usually "about right" temperature and there is relief from life! LOL. All you need to do is sit, enjoy your coffee, the scenery, and relax.

If you get board, you can walk outside and get some therapy!!! With all of the thrift stores around the area, you might find 'gold' in a pair of hardly used Seven jeans or a Channel Bag. You never know till you walk in and see what's available. The store was nice and quiet at 7:10 AM but slowly builds up passing the 7:30 AM mark when all the school kids fill the place. Eventually, I'll get around to a work-out, maybe a run, lunch with a friend. But now, as has been the last few days, I'm hammering out a few remaining administrative things for work this weekend. You got it! I'm on schedule all weekend in the South side of Los Angeles. Hopefully, it'll be as fun as they say it is. That's the news from a Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey.

Thousand Oaks, California 6/1/2015

June 1, 2015

It's just about mid afternoon, and I'm trying to get all of my new job affairs in order. My arrival into the area yesterday was more emotional than anything else. I admit it. I drove to a place where I used to watch the sunset now and then with my gal short-stack. We haven't spoken much on the phone beyond a text response and a need for more time to settle some things in her person. I guess its better than nothing, but it could be better. I suppose that's a part of why I came beyond the original plan to come go back. This, and the new job, and the familiarity of everything around me just seems like a lot. The super hot drive from AZ at end of a two day drive cross-country maybe made me a little less agreeable for more important types of conversation, and it like contributed to me being up in the air.

I suppose I'm content it's sunny out. I start my on-boarding program tomorrow and find out how this company functions, and how I will be working for it, but right now, I've got errands to run in town. Gotta find a mechanic, get some fruit and veggies, decide where I should be working out at, and ultimately, if things go well, where I will live. Speaking of which, I'm living at the very South side of West Lake Village just about 15 minutes into the hills from the 101. It's pretty cheap with only one real drawback, I get no phone reception. I get emails via the WIFI, but that's it, and that somehow makes me just a little uncomfortable. Well, that's the news from a Midwest guy in the land of mild and honey. Feel free to email me, text, or whatever. It's been pretty quiet the last few days. LOL.