My first "outing"

So yesterday I ran out to our local Sam's club to pick up some essentials for the house. I'd been cleaning/unpacking/fixing all day and needed to get out.

As I pulled up to Sams and got out of my car a guy in a maroon corvette drove past. He had spikey hair and full sleeve tats, windows down, music on low. Being me, the car grabbed my eye - was it a Z06?, was it manual?, etc....all things that could qualify how much of a man this guy was. As it passed me, I noticed the guy shaking his head, which I couldn't tell if it was directed at me or perhaps something else he just heard or saw. I walked down the parking lot aisle, with my cart, and he was at the end of it waiting to turn in front of the store. A car had pulled in on the intersecting lane, so I looked in the car (to verify that it was a manual) and he nodded at me which I took as a cue to go in front of him. So I did - and then he proceeded to make a right which would force him to drive past once again.

At this point he is driving at the speed I am walking. I did not dare to look over so as to not instigate anything that might just be easier left alone. I go do my shopping and about 45 min. later come out to my car, load up, and start to pull out when I notice this on my windshield.

7 years in Los Angeles, and this never happened to me once. 24 hours in jacksonville and wham.

Daisy, Max, and Charlie

Erin and I were very excited to visit the Blakes in Chicago, but little did we know what we had in store for us. Once Charlie met Daisy and Max, it was all over. the chaos began yesterday at 5:30PM and I am sad to say it only took a 5 hour break between midnight and 5AM.

Charlie whined like someone stole his manhood. As a matter of fact, I would presume he whined less when that actually happened (he wasn't a Cohen yet when that happened).

They are all getting along, but it's not very kind for the humans. Pics to come.

Peanut pub

I've been in Oskaloosa for the past 36 hours and tonight I had the pleasure of going to Dr. Salami's for dinner followed up by an evening of drinking at "The Cellar" or "The Pub" as the locals call it.

Dr. Salami's was an experience in and of itself. The server approached us and asked "Can I get ya'll something to drink?" and here's how the rest went.

D: "Can I see your wine list?"
Server: "We don't really have a list, what would you like?"
D: "Well what do you have?"
S: "Well just name something, we have pretty much everything"
D: "Really....so how about a '65 Lafite"
S: "Is that rare? I can ask the bartender?"

That was how the night began and pretty much ended. Well that's not true - I did have a guy at the pub tell me to "Put my mustache away".

Good times.

My donation to the Mormons

Day one - end

Exhausted. We drove almost 800 miles and made it to Grand Junction, CO. That's 5 states in one day. The evening ended with a decent meal (for road food) from Olive Garden. Let me rewind though....

The day began with lots of mixed emotions. Waking up at 5AM after 4+ hours of sleep, leaving lake balboa for the last time, saying goodbye to our old apartment in the dark, our last cup of coffee bean and tea leaf for at least a few months, the upswell of excitement at what lies ahead and the satisfaction that we have the best friends anywhere and everywhere, hands down.

Moving along to a little Artie Lange Too Fat to Fish audiobook, plowing through vegetable chips, chocolate covered almonds, and grooving at a nice clip through bumble Utah thats when I saw it happen. I got zapped by the local mormon fuzz. I don't even remember the town, and neither does Erin at this point, and I'm definitely too comfortable to go get the ticket. I will say though, he had to be the coolest fuzz ever - i was doing 11 over and he cited me for 5 over, which doesn't warrant a report to the DMV and therefore my insurance. Just a simple $85 check to the mormon church and i'm good. I can even pay by credit card over the phone. :)

Today was all in all fantastic though. I turned to Erin and said, "I couldn't be happier". I really couldn't - road trippin with my best friend and partner, and our dog - so much fun. I am truly very lucky for all in my life.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. I am exhausted and stoked for a bed tonight. The last three nights of floor sleep took it's toll. Let's see what my pillow menu has to offer....do I want medium down or firm synthetic.

Smiles

Last night was full of them. The most I remember in a long time. Now a lot of people say that in a very self depreciating sense, and I truly don't mean it that way. I am a smiley guy or guy smiley, so that makes it super special.
Erin and I were honored with a roast disguised as The three bearded guys show. I won't go into details, as Erin did a good job of that on her blog (dec-o-blog) and i'm sure videos will surface soon enough.

It was an amazing night though. I feel truly honored to have friends who put so much time and energy into this. It showed through so clearly everyone's love for us, and Erin and I agreed that at the end - we didn't want to move. So thank you to everyone who put their heart into last night. You know who you are - and for those of you who couldn't make it - you missed an amazing time.

Part Deux
We are sitting around Crystal's apartment red'in up for her big Pre-school orientation tomorrow. Wrapping honey, preparing packets, proofing letters, and trying our hardest to prepare her for an AMAZING tomorrow. Good luck C - we love you.
We leave before the sun comes up in the AM and start our voyage back east. The first night will be spent in Grand Junction, CO. It'll be our longest mileage day at around 800 miles. It will easily be 12 or 13 hours driving, depending on how charlie deals with a day on the road. I'll try to post an update tomorrow night, even if it's from my phone.

So this will be my last official post from Los Angeles. Signing out - Dave

Truly Special - Needs

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Erin's workplace. I fulfilled my husband-ly duties of meeting the colleagues and mentors and I really did enjoy it.

While visiting the middle school, we got to spend some time in the Special Needs classroom. Now i've spent some time in thee classrooms before - but this experience was different. I'm not sure if I was different or the kids just hit me differently.
There was this little girl (I say little - she was probably 13) who was severely Autistic. She had a little purple squishy ball to keep herself stimulated and she made lots of noises and held my gaze surprisingly well. I couldn't stop staring at this girl - it was as if she was trying to tell me something with her eyes. I looked at her and felt horrible for her. It felt like there was this amazing being inside that was trapped. Someone who couldn't express themselves outside of the occasional inappropriate scream or hand clap.
Her eyes said so much though, and my heart went out to her. I wanted to give her the tools. I turned to Erin and asked her what would happen if someone just sat down and taught her to say "hi". Erin looked at me and said, I think it's too late, she wouldn't know what to do with that word.
I know "special needs" has become somewhat of a hot term, especially autism. This was my first experience with someone that deep into the condition, or whatever it is. Again - it could be chalked up to me being the age I am, and her being there in that moment. Everything happens because it happens right? Either way , I have to thank her and the class for letting me participate in their game of calculators and marbles. It was such a joy to watch, and such a nice departure from moving. I can talk, I can express myself, and I could take care of myself (even though it's more fun to let Erin do that sometimes).
Thanks for reminding me of all that.

Tool Academy

So a friend of mine, not to be named, told me that it had been heard this new VH1 show was hilarious.

like hilarious in the way that its SO awful. Erin and I and Jesse crowded around the DVR to see what the buzz was about. This show is so awful in every way possible. Train wreck awful. The kind you can't turn your head from.

trailer: tool academy

I am in no way endorsing this, but it was easily 40 min of laughs.

My First time

This is my first post on my first blog. Period.

I have to give inspirational credit to Rebecca (sunshineoftheday). I began reading her newly published blog and thought to myself, what a great way to keep in touch with someone.

So I decided to create this blog to document my life as I leave LA and enter my next book. I don't know that I'll post every day, but my goal is to post frequently and keep it short and concise. Little pearls and (coffee)nips from my day.



What I'll miss about LA
The O'Vallarta
Balboa Park
cash and kipi
our family
santa monica mountain range
Jinky's
more than waffles
copious amounts of thai delivery
Arclight
sunny lake balboa
pee on the stairs
readily available cholula
big bear
coffee bean
watching football at 10AM
dr. Pitt
the three bearded guys
the habit
Coral cafe (not Corral)

From Erin:
Occasionally I will add a post to the end of Dave's, if you don't mind. While I am going to miss the hell out of LA and my LA family, there are some things I won't miss.

What I Won't Miss about L.A.:
the 405
the 101
shmoozing
$12 well drinks
28 different directions and rules on parking signs and the parking ticket you get either way
pretentious waiters
keeping bikes in the spare bedroom so they don't get stolen
really bad theatre
Arco doesn't take credit cards
the "you're killing me larry" guy
parallel parking (still can't do it)
rent
(did I mention the 101?)
Dallas Raines and Johnny Mountain
santa ana winds and the subsequent nosebleeds
getting lost in skid row
no backyard
hollywood
getting off work at 4 and getting home at 6

P.S. He forgot to mention how much we'll miss Trader Joe's.