It serves me right for opening my Christmas present early... a book from my biological mother called "Life Begins... It's Never Too Late to Start Again."
It's about a 40 year old woman who just got divorced, can't move house, has trouble with her 12 year old son and her friend's husband has tried to crack on to her.
Really, I can't imagine why she'd send it to me! I'm approaching 40, just went through a breakup, have a 12 year old dog who's had health issues this year, am ready to move. The only part missing is the friend's husband but I'm sure I can work on that. Perhaps she thought I could relate!
Luckily my instinct was to laugh because otherwise I'm stumped. Also, this is the person who told me I'd "filled out" on my 38th birthday. Always a good idea to tell a woman (in her late thirties) that she's gained weight and what better day to do it than on her birthday!
Not surprisingly the book (because of course I had to inflict it on myself) was absolute rubbish. The woman ends up meeting a new man so of course all is well with the world. She has no career, lives her life through her child, is completely unaware of her beauty and is unable to take care of herself.
Such a shame - I think it could have made a great comedy.
The title made me laugh anyway.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
So Very Venice
I've lived in Venice now for many years and have seen many changes during that time. From the days when things were a little bit rough, Venice is now quite the happening place, million dollar houses, lots of families and lots of new expensive shops and restaurants. Apparently no one told the residents of Venice about this recession we're supposedly in.
Last night I met a friend for dinner at the latest restaurant on Abbot Kinney, the local (and extremely popular) street in Venice. The newest addition is called AK; I can't imagine where the inspiration for the name came from - they must have struggled for hours. Architecturally it was good, the bar was nice, the ambiance (and the bartender) welcoming. It was a dark, wet, cold evening in Venice, not a regular occurrence in this area and so I had expected empty tables. Apparently not.
Without a reservation we could sit at the bar. I like eating at bars so that was fine. My friend was delayed (in wet weather people here go into shock at the sight of rain) so I ordered a glass of wine and read the menu. Challenging. Since becoming a faux new age Californian I've stopped eating meat so that wiped out three quarters of the options. There were mussels (with duck sausage,) a few fish options (at great expense $31 for an entree) and so it was the small plates I looked at. Even employing the approach of "If I could have anything what would I have?" I still struggled.
By this time my friend had arrived and we were busy catching up. We both ordered onion soup which came with a brie crouton. That was fine, nothing too exciting but nice. We then split what was supposed to be an artichoke salad with the artichoke prepared three ways. It was perhaps the most dismal salad I've ever seen and the artichoke was barely edible. For $15 it was an outrageous rip off and we ended up with a bill for $84. Luckily the wine was good or the entire experience would have been a complete waste but the conversation was good (although after one glass of wine I started rambling and it's apparent I can no longer hold my alcohol.)
All in all the evening was a total rip off but fun was had and I won't be rushing back to AK. I proceeded to come home, get into bed and watch Sex and the City (my four new friends) and eat a bowl of muesli. Now that's what I call fun these days!
Last night I met a friend for dinner at the latest restaurant on Abbot Kinney, the local (and extremely popular) street in Venice. The newest addition is called AK; I can't imagine where the inspiration for the name came from - they must have struggled for hours. Architecturally it was good, the bar was nice, the ambiance (and the bartender) welcoming. It was a dark, wet, cold evening in Venice, not a regular occurrence in this area and so I had expected empty tables. Apparently not.
Without a reservation we could sit at the bar. I like eating at bars so that was fine. My friend was delayed (in wet weather people here go into shock at the sight of rain) so I ordered a glass of wine and read the menu. Challenging. Since becoming a faux new age Californian I've stopped eating meat so that wiped out three quarters of the options. There were mussels (with duck sausage,) a few fish options (at great expense $31 for an entree) and so it was the small plates I looked at. Even employing the approach of "If I could have anything what would I have?" I still struggled.
By this time my friend had arrived and we were busy catching up. We both ordered onion soup which came with a brie crouton. That was fine, nothing too exciting but nice. We then split what was supposed to be an artichoke salad with the artichoke prepared three ways. It was perhaps the most dismal salad I've ever seen and the artichoke was barely edible. For $15 it was an outrageous rip off and we ended up with a bill for $84. Luckily the wine was good or the entire experience would have been a complete waste but the conversation was good (although after one glass of wine I started rambling and it's apparent I can no longer hold my alcohol.)
All in all the evening was a total rip off but fun was had and I won't be rushing back to AK. I proceeded to come home, get into bed and watch Sex and the City (my four new friends) and eat a bowl of muesli. Now that's what I call fun these days!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Cold but good
Definitely a better day.
Yesterday I was so cold and miserable that in the end I gave up and got into bed with a hot water bottle at about 6pm. I have to laugh at myself - for someone who says "What Would Catherine Deneuve Do?" instead of "What Would Jesus Do?" my style is sadly lacking at the moment. At least I was wearing a cashmere scarf with my dressing gown and old man slippers but still, there are too many times at the moment when I'm glad no one can see me.
Today though, a huge improvement as I almost bounced out of bed at 6:30(am that is) and fed the Pig. I've been very productive, invoiced wfm, collected mail, set up a facebook page for my toys and generally did things I've been putting off. It's still very cold though and for one who claims they're going to live in France (with a sexy Frenchman I'm yet to meet) this could be a challenge.
I do maintain that the buildings in California are about as useful as cardboard boxes. It's for the earthquakes so I'm told but really I think the building quality is just crap. The shoebox I currently live in has no insulation, windows which don't close and one gas wall heater which heats up the ceiling beautifully. It's really quite joyous which is why the hot water bottle is currently my best friend. That and the toasty warm Pig who is sleeping on the bed again - hurray for a fat, furry dog.
As it's now 5pm and getting dark (it would be dark by 3pm in Paris I suppose) I'm thinking about wrapping things up work-wise. More challenges tomorrow as I continue to try and tie up more of the loose ends but at the rate I'm going I may even do my accounting before Christmas - does the excitement never end?
Yesterday I was so cold and miserable that in the end I gave up and got into bed with a hot water bottle at about 6pm. I have to laugh at myself - for someone who says "What Would Catherine Deneuve Do?" instead of "What Would Jesus Do?" my style is sadly lacking at the moment. At least I was wearing a cashmere scarf with my dressing gown and old man slippers but still, there are too many times at the moment when I'm glad no one can see me.
Today though, a huge improvement as I almost bounced out of bed at 6:30(am that is) and fed the Pig. I've been very productive, invoiced wfm, collected mail, set up a facebook page for my toys and generally did things I've been putting off. It's still very cold though and for one who claims they're going to live in France (with a sexy Frenchman I'm yet to meet) this could be a challenge.
I do maintain that the buildings in California are about as useful as cardboard boxes. It's for the earthquakes so I'm told but really I think the building quality is just crap. The shoebox I currently live in has no insulation, windows which don't close and one gas wall heater which heats up the ceiling beautifully. It's really quite joyous which is why the hot water bottle is currently my best friend. That and the toasty warm Pig who is sleeping on the bed again - hurray for a fat, furry dog.
As it's now 5pm and getting dark (it would be dark by 3pm in Paris I suppose) I'm thinking about wrapping things up work-wise. More challenges tomorrow as I continue to try and tie up more of the loose ends but at the rate I'm going I may even do my accounting before Christmas - does the excitement never end?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Rain
It's been raining all night and I'm been awake for most of it. Too much wine last night, meeting a man who had found me attractive (who left the scene very quickly so perhaps not taken with my personality,) reading a soppy book and so this morning, I cried a little. I know it's the alcohol in my body, I know it's the sound of the rain pouring relentlessly and I know it's the impending festive season but it didn't stop me from having a sad moment which isn't quite over. Memories are with me and it's going to take a monumental effort this morning to drag myself up and out of a potential place of almost self-inflicted misery.
Rationally I know it's mostly the booze talking, that the man wasn't interesting to me (I was bored very quickly) and that I just want to get through the next few weeks. Start a new year and hope it's somewhat better than this year. I've had enough challenges for a while. I'm ready for some good news, some fun and a few laughs but this morning, they're alluding me.
Now I face a day at home, work for money seems to have stopped and with this being the last full week before Christmas I doubt there's much work on the horizon. Perhaps hibernation might be an option. At this point I wouldn't mind hibernating for the next nine months as apparently things will be better by next September...
Rationally I know it's mostly the booze talking, that the man wasn't interesting to me (I was bored very quickly) and that I just want to get through the next few weeks. Start a new year and hope it's somewhat better than this year. I've had enough challenges for a while. I'm ready for some good news, some fun and a few laughs but this morning, they're alluding me.
Now I face a day at home, work for money seems to have stopped and with this being the last full week before Christmas I doubt there's much work on the horizon. Perhaps hibernation might be an option. At this point I wouldn't mind hibernating for the next nine months as apparently things will be better by next September...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Faux New Age Californian
Having lived in Los Angeles for more years than I can poke a stick at, I have finally given up the fight and embraced the pseudo new age lifestyle which is so popular here. I no longer eat meat (but I do eat seafood and animal products,) I am switching from cow to goat as I hear goats refuse to be factory farmed (and I do love a stubborn animal) but I'm a total hypocrite as I sit here wearing leather and wool and I own a delicious sheepskin jacket which I affectionately call Lambikin. (I have a habit of naming my favourite clothes but that might make me sound insane.)
To continue on with my New Age approach I'm into astrology (mostly looking for answers or to have hope after a fairly crap year) and my most recent foray - a visit to an astrological life coach!
The life coach told me (reading from my chart of course) that I would marry twice, the first marriage would be an illusion but the second marriage would be lasting. That's great news because I married in Vegas at the age of 25 and was married for 6 months. Mostly for immigration reasons (which then weren't fulfilled) and the whole thing was a joke. Apparently I will be marrying an adventurer so that's very exciting. I like a bit of adventure!
Other things - I'll be moving in the next year within Los Angeles but it will be my last move alone. There'll be a big legal contract next year which will be great, 40 will be fabulous for me (excellent news because 38 and 39 have hardly been spectacular) but most surprising, by 44 I'll be famous. Indeed I have no idea how that's going to happen and quite frankly it's never been something I've sought but I'm very excited because I'm hopeful one can't be famous and poor at the same time.
I told my skeptical mother who said she rather fancied being the mother of someone famous so that settles it then. No pressure of course!
To continue on with my New Age approach I'm into astrology (mostly looking for answers or to have hope after a fairly crap year) and my most recent foray - a visit to an astrological life coach!
The life coach told me (reading from my chart of course) that I would marry twice, the first marriage would be an illusion but the second marriage would be lasting. That's great news because I married in Vegas at the age of 25 and was married for 6 months. Mostly for immigration reasons (which then weren't fulfilled) and the whole thing was a joke. Apparently I will be marrying an adventurer so that's very exciting. I like a bit of adventure!
Other things - I'll be moving in the next year within Los Angeles but it will be my last move alone. There'll be a big legal contract next year which will be great, 40 will be fabulous for me (excellent news because 38 and 39 have hardly been spectacular) but most surprising, by 44 I'll be famous. Indeed I have no idea how that's going to happen and quite frankly it's never been something I've sought but I'm very excited because I'm hopeful one can't be famous and poor at the same time.
I told my skeptical mother who said she rather fancied being the mother of someone famous so that settles it then. No pressure of course!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Howling at the moon
It's a crazy full moon tomorrow. There's all sorts of stuff which is supposed to be happening (I read a lot of horoscopes) but so far things continue to be good.
WFM has slowed down which is a shame as I've been enjoying the prospect of money in the bank but I'm sure there will be other things coming up. Perhaps I was a bit too fast in telling C I no longer wanted his guilt money. Ah well, it was a false sense of security and who really wants money from a man who no longer wants to be with you? Pride doesn't pay the bills I know, but when money is attached to someone who lied to you and cheated on you, then pride goes a hell of a long way in regaining one's self esteem.
Bitter? No. Angry? Indeed and it's about time. Victim no more. I am sad that our relationship ended the way it did. I'm sad I had to find out about the lies from someone else but do I wish for the past? No.
On an incredibly positive note, I'm heading back to the UK for New Year. I'm very excited to start a new tradition... fun at the holidays. C was a big scrooge - there's nothing like a tight millionaire who decides that we'll have a $25 gift limit to take the fun out of things! Unfair of me, I know. There were other gifts through the year but sometimes it's nice to jump on the commercial bandwagon and actually enjoy Christmas. I certainly plan to this year.
So two weeks until I leave. There's a lot to be done even without Work For Money. I have loose ends to tie up. I want to start 2009 with a spring my step, money in my pocket and a fat, curly dog on the end of a lead. So far we're on track for all three but this year still may have a surprise or two up its sleeve.
WFM has slowed down which is a shame as I've been enjoying the prospect of money in the bank but I'm sure there will be other things coming up. Perhaps I was a bit too fast in telling C I no longer wanted his guilt money. Ah well, it was a false sense of security and who really wants money from a man who no longer wants to be with you? Pride doesn't pay the bills I know, but when money is attached to someone who lied to you and cheated on you, then pride goes a hell of a long way in regaining one's self esteem.
Bitter? No. Angry? Indeed and it's about time. Victim no more. I am sad that our relationship ended the way it did. I'm sad I had to find out about the lies from someone else but do I wish for the past? No.
On an incredibly positive note, I'm heading back to the UK for New Year. I'm very excited to start a new tradition... fun at the holidays. C was a big scrooge - there's nothing like a tight millionaire who decides that we'll have a $25 gift limit to take the fun out of things! Unfair of me, I know. There were other gifts through the year but sometimes it's nice to jump on the commercial bandwagon and actually enjoy Christmas. I certainly plan to this year.
So two weeks until I leave. There's a lot to be done even without Work For Money. I have loose ends to tie up. I want to start 2009 with a spring my step, money in my pocket and a fat, curly dog on the end of a lead. So far we're on track for all three but this year still may have a surprise or two up its sleeve.
Friday, December 5, 2008
December
I've been working for money lately (WFM as I like to refer it) and things are better... financially although I'm still on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I will be really glad when Christmas is over, this year is over and I can think of 2009 as a fresh start.
I'm not really in the mood to write but have to say that I'm surviving, I'm proud of what I've accomplished and while I may have lost a man I loved, I've gained a family, I've realised who my true friends are (all two of them!) and my dog has returned from the grave, now with extra fur!
Funnily enough Pig has been taking hormones for her condition. At first all her fur fell out and I was faced with an almost bald Pig who was also about to lose an eye due to a corneal ulcer. A long boring story which involves Pig wearing a cone on her head for two months during which time I was given the choice between a $4000 cornea surgery to repair the eye or a $2000 surgery to remove the eye. Hmmm, now that's a choice. I decided to let nature take its course. I gave Pig the options (I did actually sit down and attempt to discuss it with her although she didn't appear to be listening and I knew I was crossing that very fine line between sanity and the other place) but amazingly, Pig started to heal and the insanely-expensive eye vet has now declared the ulcer healed. Pig will now have a cloudy patch on her eye and her vision is compromised but you'd never know it as she is back on form, throwing balls at me and barking her way around the neighbourhood. Not bad for a dog who I thought was on her last legs. Oh, and the extra fur bit - seems like Pig is now sporting a curly perm. She grew an entire new coat in a day (I'm not joking) and it's thick, lush, curly and very, very ginger. But she's lovely and she's started sleeping on the bed again so after months of separate beds, Pig and I have fallen in love again. It's nice to have her back.
I'm not really in the mood to write but have to say that I'm surviving, I'm proud of what I've accomplished and while I may have lost a man I loved, I've gained a family, I've realised who my true friends are (all two of them!) and my dog has returned from the grave, now with extra fur!
Funnily enough Pig has been taking hormones for her condition. At first all her fur fell out and I was faced with an almost bald Pig who was also about to lose an eye due to a corneal ulcer. A long boring story which involves Pig wearing a cone on her head for two months during which time I was given the choice between a $4000 cornea surgery to repair the eye or a $2000 surgery to remove the eye. Hmmm, now that's a choice. I decided to let nature take its course. I gave Pig the options (I did actually sit down and attempt to discuss it with her although she didn't appear to be listening and I knew I was crossing that very fine line between sanity and the other place) but amazingly, Pig started to heal and the insanely-expensive eye vet has now declared the ulcer healed. Pig will now have a cloudy patch on her eye and her vision is compromised but you'd never know it as she is back on form, throwing balls at me and barking her way around the neighbourhood. Not bad for a dog who I thought was on her last legs. Oh, and the extra fur bit - seems like Pig is now sporting a curly perm. She grew an entire new coat in a day (I'm not joking) and it's thick, lush, curly and very, very ginger. But she's lovely and she's started sleeping on the bed again so after months of separate beds, Pig and I have fallen in love again. It's nice to have her back.
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