Jason Segel

My friend JG from college came into town on his way to San Diego...to go to Joshua Tree...

I know, a strange way to get there.

After the airport run, we headed to Alegria on Sunset. Although I am in love with the carnitas, I have this lingering addition to the enchiladas suiza. I think I just want a delivery system for that salsa they put on the enchiladas.

In the spirit of "Yes and..." I ordered the honeydew aqua fresca.

Hello heaven. It was so refreshing. So simple and delicious. I didn't care at all that I was getting a major case of brain freeze drinking it all down.

Even though it was school night, I forced myself to take JG to the Dresden. A fun local spot with cheesy / awesome live music.

Staking out some prime real estate at the bar, I saw this guy walk by who looked familiar.

OH MY GOD. It's Marshall from How I Met Your Mother and Freaks and Geeks!!!

JG - I have to go to my car to get my phone so I can call LZ. She loves him!

He was with some friends who looked like typical Los Feliz hipsters. I wasn't sure if they were wearing the hats for function (to stay warm) or to look "cool." I wish he didn't have his shirt open so much...his chest hair was popping out to say hello. I was a bit disappointed after seeing him b/c he seemed like he was more "cool" than "geeky."

And I love geeky. :)

What Not to Do

I hate late afternoon interviews. We are desperately trying to find someone to join the team as two other people turned down our offer. Gee...they must have better intel than I did before joining...

I'm gearing up for my own job search. I hate interviewing. That awkward process of selling yourself. Maybe if I tell myself I like it, I'll start to believe it. Anway, I figured interviewing people for my old job is a good way of getting ready to interview myself.

Although I freak out about getting questions I can't answer...I know that I am not as bad as the people I've seen. They've sucked for a variety of reasons. I think one of the worst things I've seen is the candidate who sucks the life out of you by just being in your presence.

You know those people who seem perfectly nice...but they just seem to have some endless air supply which allows them to continue chatting away without a break. It's like a bad game of double-dutch. I'm just inching forward and pulling back. When is it my turn?!

Then they don't seem to take the hint when you are moving them along...Are these people clueless? How are they in normal conversations?

"Well, it's getting late. I better get going."

"OH. You want to play one more round of Taboo? How about a game of crazy eights?"

The sad thing is that it's happened quite a bit...someone seems good on paper and then their personality just ruins things. My analogy for this is like when you open a box of chocolates. From the outside, you think the piece you pick up is going to be awesome. You take a bite and that nasty cherry liquor comes out. YUCK! I thought you had a caramel center!

Lesson learned...strive to be the caramel center!

Martin Lawrence & Co

Not a likely bunch of celebs, but I managed to see a string of them on my way to Starbucks on the lot.

First, I saw a few actors coming out of a soundstage exit. Johnny Lee Miller in shorts (wasn't he cold?) and then Richard Schiff (Toby from The West Wing) popped out. They were heading to their trailers, but no one was chatting. Are they friends? Lunch buddies?

Then I was walking down the little avenue to Starbucks when I saw Martin Lawrence joking around with some folks. He wasn't bothered much by the crazy squirrels running around. He jumped into a black SUV. The car seemed a bit too big for someone who wasn't so big...

The last leg of my journey brought Tom Cavanaugh (sp?) from Ed. I don't know what he's working on these days, but he was chatting away on his cell phone looking a bit lost sitting by himself on the curb. I had seen him earlier in the morning wearing some hospital gown under his jacket. Now he was tall in real life!

Too bad I had to go back to work. :(

Batteries

When I was at the video store today, I made a quick stop at the Ralphs next door.

Rent Waitress...but DO NOT rent The Nanny Diaries. Just trust me...especially on the latter.

While I was in the checkout line, my eye wandered around to the battery kiosk. OH MY GOD. I need AA batteries!

This may not seem like anything interesting, but I was standing there wondering why it took me 2 months to buy the batteries. Somehow it was ok for me to sit and rotate the dying batteries in my remote to get the VERY LAST bit of juice from them. I had to press buttons 4-5 times before anything would register. I would fast forward and then rewind then fast forward...it was kind of a nightmare watching tv with a remote without fresh batteries...yet I did it.

I came home and couldn't put down the remote. It was whole new world. Things happen when I push buttons! I get the channel I want. I can stop the dvr when I want!

It's weird how you can go through life and not make changes that would make things easier. I find that I'll just deal with the frustration b/c it's not a big enough deal to take action if it requires going out of your way. But then when you finally make the effort...it's like...why didn't I do this sooner? I wonder how many other things I'm doing that would fall into this category...

It doesn't take much to make me happy sometimes. :)

Pomegranate and Dark Chocolate

In my quest to eat as much as possible before my midnight fast (doctor's orders for the annual checkup)...I discovered these new ice cream bars from Haagen Daazs. It's from there "reserve." Dunno what that means...is the flavor combo going to go back into a vault for 5 years? Is this Disney?

I'm not sure if it's a marketing push that's created this pomegranate phenom. I see that fruit everywhere. I don't mind it one bit since I love it. I can't get enough of those little fruit juice seeds. They have a little burst of flavor every time you crunch down on them. A little tart and a little sweet.

The bigger question is why I just filled out a Facebook profile. I probably have profiles on MySpace and other sites b/c some friend invited me to their network. But why do I sign up when I have no intention of ever really using it. Maybe I'm too old to take advantage of this whole new world on the web. I'm pretty much an email and yahoo maps girl. I can't keep track of all of my login IDs and PWs. Stop the madness!

Bertolli Frozen Dinners

One of the challenges on Top Chef was to create something you could freeze and then cook later without the meal tasting icky. Cleverly sponsored by Bertolli and pimped out by Rocco DiSpirito (what ever happened to The Restaurant?). Some of the things the contestants created didn't look so good, but strangely enough the Bertolli creations seemed "delicious."

I always wondered what those chefs eat on a regular basis...a lot of the food they deem inedible are things I don't think would be too bad...I mean how could ill prepared brocollini be the worst dish prepared in 3 seasons? Would they throw me in jail for eating overcooked eggs? Whatever.

After throwing in 6 packs of the chicken "healthy" ramen noodles into my basket, I realized I was at Albertson's to pick up a Bertolli dinner. And yes, you can buy the "expensive" $0.59 healthy noodles vs. the 8/$1 unhealthy ones. But be aware they are all packaged in green plastic...so don't pick up the wrong variety by accident.

Why do I get so distracted by roaming the aisles? Focus.

Hello meatballs. Hello gnocchi.

These are fun for anyone who wants to feel as though they are cooking at home without actually cooking. You don't even have to add anything! Not even water. Throw it in a skillet pan and cover. It's so easy and you have the dishes and pans to clean after to make you feel as though you cooked. And no pressure to buy ingredients that you have to use before they go bad.

As if anyone who knows me would expect more? This is a step up from takeout though...

But I can make some mean baked goods. The best oatmeal raisin cookies around...

Linked In

This has been tested...you can unlink crazy people who managed to get accepted into your network without them getting a notification. I accepted an invitation from someone who turned out to be a stalker. I'm not kidding. It felt like that movie single white female without me being white.

So I was afraid to de-link her. What if she gets a notice and starts her reign of terror again?! I linked in my friend MC and then took him out of my network. No notice to the person you are freezing out. :) You won't show up as a contact anymore, but they won't get an email alerting them to the fact.

Christmas means giving.

Ben Stiller

E&G were down visiting last weekend. On Sat, we managed to make it down to Disneyland. I always forget how fun it is during the holidays with everything decorated. Especially the NBX themed Haunted Mansion. I wish we had time for Small World, but I was excited to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride. It's a sad thing when an adult likes a ride b/c you get to shoot lasers at targets for points. I suppose there is a hidden competitive person inside of me...

When we were wandering around the big store in Downtown Disney, DG came over to tell me that he and E had spotted Ben Stiller in the shop. The scary thing is that I didn't hesitate to throw down the shirt I had in my hand to follow them.

He was standing around with some VIP host and his daughter. I don't know why I'm always shocked at how little these stars are. He was tiny. On a good day, he is a few inches taller than me. If I'm being nice, I can give him 5'8". And so little...why were his thighs smaller than mine?!

Of course I forgot about him 2 secs after I saw him b/c DG drew my attention to the softest Eeyore plush. Again, why am I hugging this stuffed animal out in public? So soft...

The trip was complete after I got my grubby little paws on the beignets at from the jazz kitchen restaurant. I love that they dump them in a bag with powered sugar that you can shake up. It's almost like making shake and bake pork chops. Yes...that used to be a signature dish of mine in high school.

Why Am I Crying?

Granted it wasn't a long sobbing cry. A few tears hanging on to my eyelids for dear life...Don't roll down my cheeks!

I was sitting in my office talking to one of the few genuine people in my team. Just feeling a bit out of control. Sometimes it's tough to roll with the punches when you feel like everyone has a fast pass to the front of the line to make your life sucky.

What BH reminded me of at the time was that I am in control. He was right. In an instant, I felt better.

I have to keep my eyes on the prize (new job) and not get sucked into the drama where I work. It's funny that the new assistant who left a hair salon to work in a more professional corporate environment told me that she too feels like she's in high school. All I can say is that I'll graduate and the rest of them can stay in summer school all they want.

Danny Glover

TW and I were walking back from Starbucks today. Another escape trip from work. When we passed by the "Lost" building, we saw the advisor-campaign guy on Rob Lowe's team on Brothers & Sisters. I knew that Rob Lowe must have been nearby...but TW wouldn't wait with me!!!

As we were walking back to the bridge, I noticed this tall man in a dark suit.

DANNY!!!

No, I didn't scream. But I was excited on the inside. He was in Lethal Weapon!!!

I'm still wondering what his deal is. Have you heard him on the show? Why is he speaking so slowly? It's really distracting...it's like watching someone sing off tempo.

Oh well. Maybe a brat pack sighting next time.

And by the way, I was talking to a guy at work about movie prices...those brat pack movies were $4.50 back in my day! The same time period when I paid 35 cents for the T in Boston.

Walk Hard

I didn't think this was going to be funny. I never turn down free movies...so I went on Friday night. LR invited me to be her plus one at the press screening. And when I hear press screening...I know there will be free candy!!! How did I forget how good gummy bears are?

I was pleasantly surprised. I saw the preview and thought the movie was going to a combination of funny bits and some stretches of blah. I found myself laughing through most of the movie. Lots of the dialogue was so ridiculous in a very clever way. I even laughed at the end of the credits when they had a little surprise.

It was really cool seeing all those improv people pop up in the film too. It was fun trying to spot the other random famous folks through the film. Why is Eddie Vedder so cool and handsome? Try and spot Jack White...And I even liked the music! I found myself tapping my foot along while chomping on my gummy bears.

Fun for the holidays...go check it out!

Ramen is Back

Well, it's back in my diet. I was roaming the supermarket aisles last week, and I discovered "healthier" ramen noodles. Apparently these have 80% less fat than the delicious but toxic variety we all cooked in college in those tiny hot pots. (Why does our tea taste like beef top ramen?)

YEAH!!!

Now I can make my little snack of cut up ham and my noodles. Why does this make me so happy?

And why can't I eat just one pack? I think I've gotten over eating two packs of noodles...for now. It's mind over msg, right? Still, I don't see how half a pack is the official serving size. For a little person?

Bermuda Triangle

How did I spend $150 the other day at the Verizon store when I didn't think I'd have to spend anything? This always happens. It's like the eye doctor visits...don't I have insurance? How did I just spent hundreds of dollars on things I thought were covered? Oh - I have to pay extra if I don't want to wear coke bottle glasses or have anything made past the 1970s style-wise.

LZ stopped by to pull me from the velcro-like couch (you know, once you sit, you can't tear yourself away or is that just my lazy butt?). She mentioned having to figure out her calling plan / new phone, so I said we could go together so we could have moral support. :) This was after we sat around trying to figure out what to do so we wouldn't be lazy bums all day.
Before we left my place, I called to take advantage of some deal I received - sign up for 1 year and get 1000 minutes. Ok. Sounds good. No need for a 2 year deal! Not sure why committing to 2 years is such a big deal when I let 8 months go by without any decisions...

I got to the store before LZ. No one aside from the store people were milling about. The lady at the door made me sign in on the computer. WHAT?! No one else is here! Of course after I punch in my information, she tells me that I'll be next. Uh, ok. Does she not realize no one else is in the store?

"Leslie...Leslie you are next."

Why was the guy looking around the store for me? He saw me come in and no one else was in the store! So random. I won't be too mean as he was pretty nice while he suckered me out of my money and got me to sign up for 2 more years.

Apparently the 1 year deal I called about didn't have anything to do with getting credit for a new phone. I had to sign up for another 2 year contract. And I have no idea what kind of phone I just bought. When someone starts talking about options and downloading stuff, memory cards...zzzzzzzzzzzz.

I got a basic phone and somehow paid another $70 for bluetooth...which I have no idea how to connect. ARGH! I figure I'm getting weird charges to my brain since I never use my earpiece, so using the bluetooth thing when I figure it out can't be worse. Help?? Anyone?? Those directions are written in the same english as parking street signs...

Oh - and I just looked in the bag...I have some weird cell phone "leather" carrying case. Why did I pay for this? I know I don't want it. Was that package deal really worth it?

My friend GB called to invite me to hang out with him and DG tonight. I missed the call because I couldn't understand why I was hearing a doorbell ring. Is that from the tv show? I don't think my doorbell sounds like that. And it's louder. Well, my phone ring is a doorbell sound...clearly it's going to take me some time to figure out how to use this one too.

My new goal is to master call waiting. Why do I always hang up on the first person?!

Blast from the Past

To avoid jumping from a cliff, I've started my job search. In all fairness, I have to credit the job search from last summer for a few new friendships. Who knew these folks were so cool when they were a year ahead at b-school? And that they don't know ALL even though they are "second years." AS - one of those new friends - he keeps me sane by checking up on me in between buying scooby snacks. :)

Today at work, I decided to scroll through the b-school database. Figured it was worthwhile seeing where alums work in the bay area to see if anything sounded cool. Then I ran across two names that brought some interesting memories back...

Isn't it weird how you can completely forget about people for years and then it all comes back once you hear a name?

One gentleman was a year ahead of me in b-school. All I remember is seeing that movie Never Been Kissed with him in our dinky town cinema by school. A couple of years later, I tried to set him up with a close friend of mine. Needless to say, there was no love connection. But don't worry - she is happily married with a son.

How do you reconnect and ask for job advice when the last time you spoke was years ago after setting the person up on a bad blind date? We'll see how it goes after I talk to him...Apparently he still remembers me from his email - though he's forgotten my friend! Phew.

Even better was running across another fellow's name in the database. Clearly I won't be looking for a job at his company given what happened...

It was years ago when I was looking for an internship in entertainment. (And yes, I've learned the error of my ways since then...) R was always pretty cool - keeping in touch and asking how my career was going even after graduation. I think we actually met once when he was recruiting on campus too.

Years went by and he popped up again...this time to try and set me up with his brother-in-law. Hmmm...I guess I was flattered. I ended up talking to the BIL on the phone once - of course no chemistry. Then he emailed me wanting to hang out, etc. What do you do then? I felt like I was stuck. I didn't want to offend the b-school alum, but I didn't feel a connection with the BIL. And I had my hands full with all of the rowing club drama back then!

In typical girl fashion, I asked a girlfriend for advice---showing her the email. Because I had forwarded the email as an attachment, when she hit reply, it actually went back to the BIL who sent the original email. I know...but it gets worse. Below are choice selections from the email she sent to him (thinking it was going to me):

"I laughed and laughed out loud after I read his email. Oh my gosh!! I know this is going to sound very "high schoolish" but he is such a dork......Am I being mean? I hope not, because this guy has just got to go. ....Here is a sample response to this guy: "

I didn't even know this happened until I got an email from the BIL...forwarding my friend's email which he received...

OH MY GOD.

I had to read the email 3 times to understand what the hell happened. I pretty much sat there for a while like a deer in headlights. Then my phone at work rang...it was my friend AC.

It wasn't intentional, and she is one of my closest friends...so I got over it. But I was steamed for a while back then. It was like a bomb kept exploding in my face...

To this day, I have no idea if my b-school alum guy ever found out what happened. I felt terrible...but how do you recover from that? I sent a heartfelt apology to the BIL, but it was just the ever-exploding bomb. After stashing that little gem away with other low-lights in life...it all came rushing back when I saw his name again.

And you can stop cringing / laughing now. It didn't happen to you! :)

Music Memories

Why don't I ever learn? Once I punch in my password, I should know that I will lose two hours of my life searching around iTunes listening to way too many 20 second segments. Should I buy this? Maybe I should listen to the same sample three times before I decide to plunk down $0.99?

I started this ordeal (oh god...now I have to download a different version of iTunes too?) because I heard a song recently that brought back very random memories. If I mentioned the song, no one would ever make the same connection as I do whenever I hear it.

Last week, I was walking around The Grove. I was in Victoria's Secret - the place that is launching The Spice Girls album. The song Viva Forever came on and my mind went to this trip I took with my friend KP at these amazing lakes in Italy. Seriously? Spice Girls and Italian lakes?

It was a couple of years after college when I met up with KP for the trip. (KP lived across the hall from me during my junior year in London.) Over the years, I have forgotten a lot of the details of the trip (though not those killer mosquitoes that attacked my legs or that chance meeting with MZ in Milan which led to random dinners in Boston and The Netherlands!). But I remember hearing Viva Forever in our hotel rooms that summer.

It's so involuntary and so instantaneous. It's really a wonder how the mind makes these kinds of connections. How they stay in tact over years with all the other noise that is going on. It's a mystery.

Some things I try to remember...and I can't. I'll get up from the sofa and find myself in the kitchen with no idea what I needed in the first place! But if you put me in the supermarket and play Kokomo by the Beach Boys...I guarantee you that I will know most of the lyrics. And multiply that by the songs by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam and Lionel Ritchie...

At least I have a new mix CD to show for all of my time today. I finally have The Last Kiss by Pearl Jam too. That story for another time.

Gobble Gobble

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and I'm surprisingly mobile. I ended up enjoying two holiday meals...before my late night snacks at home. I'm not kidding...two turkey meals...and I ate a tamale at home later! Why can't I get full?!

Earlier in the day I stopped by M and MJ's place in Canoga Park. They are my brother's college friends from back in the day. They always invite us over to share the day with their family. I can't pass it up because my brother is there...and they have this awesome dog. She's like a little fox but bigger. So gentle and sweet. I love when she tries to get food at the table with her little pudgy tummy sticking out.

Later, I booked it over to the marina to catch up with GB and DG. A round of applause for all the homemade goodies. The first time I ever had sweet potato biscuits. And I made sure to have three of them that night. I was amazed at the food DG cooked. Move over Chef Tom.

The best part of the evening was watching their niece and nephews playing charades. I can't put my finger on why I found them so funny. They all had this carefree way about them. Being silly but having a ball. It made me think about how dorky you can be around family and they still love you.

Am I old? The tv shows they were acting out were Next on MTV and Little People, Big World. Or is it more disturbing that I even know what those shows are? Thankfully no one tried to act out The John Laroquette Show...

We ended the evening with a wild game of Taboo. I must be getting old if reading Taboo cards is totally fun to me. Well...guessing is fun for me. I think I was close to an emotional meltdown having to actually give the clues. No one look at me!!! It's too stressful giving the clues! I managed to pull it together enough to give out the clues GB was whispering in my ear...

Ken Olin

On one of my trips to Starbucks, I saw Ken Olin sitting outside at one of the tables with a couple of folks. He's the guy we all thought was handsome on Thirtysomething back in the day (also married to Patricia Wettig who is on Brothers & Sisters).

I remember seeing him at some random DGA event over the summer. (More of an excuse to eat at The Griddle Cafe next door; the recess time pancakes have coffee-cake-like struesel on top.) The event was part of Outfest (one of the characters on B&S is gay). A few of the producers and cast members were there - talking about how far tv has come...

They showed a clip from Thirtysomething where one of the gay characters talked about how he had the "requisite oriental flautist girlfriend" as his beard.

WHAT?!

Of course my friend GB wanted me to get up to one of the microphones during the Q&A to ask...

"So, I play the flute for the LA philharmonic. And my boyfriend doesn't want to have sex until we are married. Are you trying to tell me he's gay?"

Uh...only if you pretend you are the boyfriend. :)

Faith Can Move A Moutain

An "excerpt" from my mom's letter.

I had a good time watching the Red Sox play. God has been listening to me. Everytime I said only you can help them. One, two, three, and four then win. He did what I asked of God. If there's something that's important to you, please ask God to help you. Faith Can move a mountain.

If only she prayed this much for me to win the lottery...

Sissy Spacek and Schuyler Fisk

I was wandering around The Grove today. I had met up with FL for breakfast at Square One (hello brioche french toast with bananas and citrus caramel) and figured I would head there since I was already out.

Not that I am any sort of fasionista, but I thought I would go into the Michael Kors store (the line for "the people" - not the expensive stuff). I got sucked into buying that beautiful orange wool jacket a few weeks ago. And I never pay full retail price...so I thought...maybe there is another little evil goodie waiting for me to splurge...

I knew that someone else was in the store from the clerks reaction. I turned around and noticed Schuyler Fisk. She was talking to someone and then called out, "Mom! Isn't this cute?!"

Of course I knew another lap around the tiny store was necessary. I pretended to be interested in oversized hobo bags I can't afford. And there she was...just a normal little lady with sunglasses on with her hair up in a bun.

That was enough for me. I left to go buy my brownie and croissant.

I know...I ate an hour before.

I Just Want A Little More

As promised, I returned (with LZ) to Zankou Chicken...the next night. Yes, I like to discover new things and then hit "repeat."

Didn't go for the falafel (this time) but sampled the tender rotisserie chicken. Why is that pita and hummus so good???

While we were waiting for our food, I tuned in to the most puzzling conversation.

John Doe: Could I get a little cup of hummus? I don't want a full order - just a little bit.

Cash Register Woman: We can't give it to you.

JD: I just want a little more hummus. I'll pay for it.

CRW: I'm sorry. We can't.

JD: Is there a manager or someone else I can speak to?

CRW: No. [4 other guys are behind the counter]

JD: Why can't I have a little more? I'll pay for it.

CRW: There's no button on the machine [cash register].

WHAT?!!!!

Needless to say, LZ and I couldn't stop laughing. But we left to sit down and enjoy our 1/4 white with fixins.

As we ranted about work stuff, we noticed JD and his friend get up to dump their trash out...and we noticed an empty little container on his tray that looked as though it had hummus in it before!!!

Nobody Move

I managed to get off my lazy butt and book a flight home for Christmas. I don't know why I wait and wait and wait to buy a ticket when Christmas is on the same day every year. It's not as though I need to adopt a "wait and see" strategy in case the day moves at the last minute. No, I must wait until the ticket becomes as expensive as it can be before I will buy it.

Thankfully I had miles (uh, 50,000!!!) to use instead of shelling out real cash. Oh well...seeing family is priceless, right?

After I threw the miles back to United, I had dreams of renting lots of movies and sitting in my PJs at home...eating snacks...listening to the cold wind blow outside. A smile crept across my face until I realized...I better be careful about the movies I rent...no R-rated movies...or be prepared for the awkwardness.

One of my favorite things to do is watch movies late at night with my dad. He's a night owl and so am I. It's quiet. He cooks me something. Even though I ate probably 3 hours before. We sit and watch together.

My dad NEVER really does anything for himself. He claims that renting movies or watching tv is a waste of time. If I rent the movie, however, he'll watch it. Otherwise it's a waste of money.

The problem arises when I rent anything that has a sex scene in it. How can you avoid it??? Don't get me wrong, my dad doesn't like the f-bombs thrown around or seeing random decapitations (though he did take me to see Platoon in the theater...)...but a sex scene is a totally different thing.

The room gets quiet. No one breathes. Nobody moves.

If the scene doesn't end quickly, I will hear my dad get up and head to the kitchen. Inevitably he'll return, but usually after being away long enough so as not to return to the end of the scandalous scene. But then he's always asking me what's going on!

Maybe we can all watch The Lion King and have my mom tell me how wise Mufasa was. :)

Zankou Chicken

I managed to avoid the "let's all hug and go to In and Out burger for lunch" on Wednesday. But I found myself thinking about that burger all day. I just wanted it without strings attached...like having to pretend that I like my job.

On the way home, I thought about going to the one on Sunset near the big shoe warehouse place and the IHOP. [Growing up I thought that IHOP and International House of Pancakes were different places. What is this cool place called IHOP where the BC kids go after our night shift at Circle Cinema???] But I got distracted...like most times in my life.

For some reason, Zankou Chicken popped into my mind. In the year I have lived in Los Feliz, I never made a trip. I always heard good things about it. My brother loves it and brings it to the Hollywood Bowl for dinner a lot. What the hell...let's do it.

Wait...where is it again? Is it on Hollywood and Normandie? Hmm...so...I don't think it's on Hollywood or I missed it...it's dark outside.

Now this has become a mission. And no, I will not pay to call information on my cell phone. I would rather spend time and gas circling around where it "might" be.

Ten minutes later, I found it. Sunset and Normandie. Oh great...there is some good citizen directing parking lot traffic in the strip mall like space. No...I don't have money! I'm still dealing with the people at work who want me to buy Bose earphones for holiday gifts!

It's this bare bones operation inside. No chance of hiding that adolescent acne of mine...hello florescent lights. Total old school menu board - the white ones with grooves across them where you can stick the black plastic letters for your item names. The crazy picture board of each dish...with photos that look like they were taken in the 70s. And the faux wood booths that remind you of eating at Papa Gino's.

But the food is really good. I can vouch for the hummus and chicken shish kebab plate. Hello pita bread. Clearly I kept eating even when I was about to pop. As I was waiting for my order, I saw the man behind the counter making falafel...so you know I'm going back this week...

Pinkberry

My new obsession is the original pinkberry yogurt-like substance with pomergranate seeds.

So good that I got a medium to share with Lauren on Friday night...

and then went back for another cup "to share."

And then I got two more cups to go on Sunday...one for Sunday and one for Monday.

What is wrong with me?

It's the perfect blend of tart from the pomergranate and the little kick from the pinkberry. And so refreshing.

Even better while watching The Hills. :)

Holiday Gifts

Have you ever heard of someone saying no to the idea of donating money to those in need instead of getting "tangible" gifts for co-workers?

Yes...welcome to my work world.

No...I am not contributing to Bose earphones for some overpaid consultant...times 12.

If I drive my car with a cracked windshield, I am not throwing in cash to randoms just because.

On principle.

When did the holidays become about getting meaningless gifts for everyone you've made eye contact with in the last year?

It's just too much.

I think someone is getting peppermint bark.

Can I Strike Too?

Can I strike in solidarity with the writers? They look like they are having fun. They have snacks. They get honks from passing cars. A lot of honks.

Who honks for the finance wonk?

The last week has been a bit of a blur. I've found myself looking up from the pile of papers on my desk wondering what the hell I'm doing.

What version am I on right now?

Oh god...now the strikers are being cheered on with drums.

And there goes the air horn.

Seriously?

Am I working for the Man?

I was a bit disappointed with the picket signs. No ad hoc signs…everyone had the same standard issue sign. Red and black…WGA on Strike. That’s it?

I grew up having to cross pro-life picket lines—to get to my orthodontist. You can imagine what I saw as an innocent with a shiny metal smile. Uh…no…my dad didn’t drop me off to get an abortion while he looks for parking…

I know the writers think they are fighting for their rights…but what about my right to a normal work week? Couldn’t they think about the poor finance people who have to run strike scenarios late into the night? As the clock ticked past 9pm, I was thinking…those bastards are the reason why I’m linking 80 million spreadsheets now and not on my resume!!!

Oh - and I’ll never get residual payments for my work…

Alegria on Sunset (11/3)

Lauren - I’m downstairs in my crappy rental car which is covered in tree sap. Do you want me to drive us somewhere for dinner? Why am I eating sweet potato chips when we are going to dinner? The reason why we are friends is that your first reaction was to dig into my bag of chips without even seeing what I was stuffing in my mouth. :) Like minds…

The plan went from Rambutan Thai in Silverlake to some deep dish pizza place to this great little Mexican place in a random strip mall-like place next to Baskin Robins.

Oh great, I just missed the turn…how am I going to get back that way on Sunset with all the traffic??? ARGH!!! Everyone is honking at me…Ok, if I turn here, can I go around? Oh no, I’m going up some hill. Let me do a U-turn. Wait, will there be parking in this little lot? Let’s try…Is that guy waiting for that spot? Can I park there? I’m parking there. He’s moving too slow.

Inside it’s this cool little joint. Very low key and unexpected from what you see on the outside. I have no idea why their simple pico de gallo is so addictive. And the best part…they serve crushed ice!!! It’s like you are back in some 80s bowling alley at the vending machine drinking orange soda with crushed ice…though I don’t know if they have orange soda, but the ice brought me back in time.

I’m not kidding…the carnitas are delicious. I was a big Kay ‘n Dave’s fan…still am…but I think I might have to cheat on them and go to Alegria for my carnitas. Why is it so delicious? And what do they put in that rice? It’s buttery and fluffy.

After my first taste, I had already planned to get take out tomorrow night. Remember to bring cash…no credit cards.

Yes, I am getting the carnitas.