day 254: suzie homemaker

If not anything else, I've become Suzie homemaker. I have a scheduled life of getting up early working out, working, lunch, more working (or looking for work) and dinner (at a decent time). Occasionally I have events that cut into this schedule, but for the most part that is my day.

The dishes I prepare now are so delicious (not to toot my own horn, but...), because I have time to marinate, chop and prepare. I also have time to research and shop. I don't know what I did before. I ate because I knew I had to and when I had time. Now, I decide my menu for the week based on what's on sale at the market. Every kitchen should have a spice rack, fresh veggies, garlic, your fridge should have necessary condiments, fresh basil, mint and (because I've been eating a lot of fish) fresh dill.

I've also been trying to hone my native food skills although the health aspect of this is not ideal. I probably nullified my killer workout yesterday morning in one meal. I made a five bean soup and I wanted fried bread with it. I will admit my first attempts at this haven't been successful. Mistaking baking soda or powdered sugar for baking powder yields a crispy cracker. Now after a couple of months, well it's edible. I'm not saying that I will be on the fried bread line at the family reunion or that I would subject anyone to trying it, but for now, it's satisfying my appetite.

day 253: lost and found, but mostly found

I've been meaning to get to this post. I've hosted my fair share of social gatherings. My collection of cute mismatching serving dishes and spoons has increased. If you recognize any of these items, please let me know. I'm sure they miss their owners and matching counterparts.

day 252: laundry

There is so much that I love about my apartment. It's filled with so much character. This is a laundry line on the back porch that is now blocked by the huge plant. Before I throw my workout clothes into the hamper, I usually toss them on this line to dry out for a bit.

day 251: This Is It

This picture is the line at LA live. The tickets for "This Is It" were handed out. The news started reporting on that people had been camping out since Thursday.

This is actually from yesterday, but I've been proofing photos all day. I haven't really had a chance to get out today.

day 250: downtown

Chadonna and I went down to LA Live, watched some football and caught up with our lives.

day 249: Franklin Canyon by bike

I rode up and into Franklin Canyon and then I was crazy enough to hike the Hastain trail. It was freaking hot today, but I did it! Now my legs are tired.

day 248: marine layer

It's so nice to ride at the beach especially since we have this little heat wave. The marine layer is taking a while to burn off, so the ride is nice and cool. This is a picture of the marina.

day 247: brick

I did a brick today, which is a Bike-Run-ICK. I stalled this morning and ended up running in the heat...ugh. Well it will teach me get going in the morning.

day 246: manhattan beach

I rode down to Manhattan Beach today and refueled while watching the surfers.

day 245: missing work

Today is the first day that I miss my old job. Every Monday after a USC loss was the best. My old office was filled with USC alums and it was wonderful to basque in the joy.

day 244: Americana

I went to meet Mark and his family at the Grove. Mark had to run some errands. We then went to Americana at Brand. We walked around and the kids enjoyed the fountains choreographed to music. They're my muses.

day 243: Newport Beach

Jake in his sister's hat to shield himself from the sun

Katie the beach comber

Friends from undergrad came out to Southern California. I've known Clara since we were little, but we really became close at UNM. A few years ago she married another of our college friends, Dave. It was like Chandler and Monica getting married. :) Now they have two little ones: Katie and Jake.

Irene and I met them at Newport Beach. We hung out by the beach and played in the water, but Auntie Prue almost had to be fished out of the water by the lifeguard. Yes, I got stuck in a current. This is why I cannot do a triathlon in the ocean. :( I called out to Dave. Dave says, "she was the most polite drowning person..." hahaha I should've had the lifeguard save me. I think popping a stick of gum before the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation would have tipped him off, though. hahaha

Katie and Jake are so cute, but Jake didn't like his first trip in the ocean. He was content with crawling around the sand. Both recommend the tastings of Newport Beach sand, you should try it the next time you're in SoCal.

 

day 242: Tourists

Heath and I played tourists today by going to Hollywood. These are Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt's hand and foot prints at Grauman's Chinese Theater.

day 241: Hollywood Bowl Steps & Heath

I wanted to get off the bike and mix it up a little. I went to the Hollywood Bowl to hike the steps. Whew! what a workout.

More info on The 'Hidden Staircase' of the Hollywood Bowl from LAist

Heath came back into town. We went to Barney's Beanery to catch the Miami game where Nick Lachey joined us. JK. He's the blurry one. hahaha The other pic was taken up on Sunset Blvd, these lights are finally going in. I love walking around my neighborhood.

day 240: Griffith Observatory

It's been 3 months since I rode up to Griffith Observatory, but the next time will be sooner. It was hot today.

day 239: marina

My most frequented bike ride is down to the marina and back. Today I saw this bird flying back and forth, so I stopped to take a picture of it.

day 238: filming

On my way back from volunteering this morning I came across a film production in Hollywood.

day 237: Nichol's Canyon

I rode up Nichol's Canyon again. It's a nice challenging ride. At the top is this weird monument to the Cahuenga battle. The monument serves as a nice halfway point to refuel and get ready for the fast ride down.

day 236: traveltown

We celebrated Kristy & Steven's birthday party at Traveltown. I was about an 1.5 hours late, because I didn't think it was so early in the morning. Traveltown is amazing. They so many locomotive engines. It's so cool! This is grandma showing Steven how to feed Kristy's baby.

day 235: Day of Service

I volunteered at Project Angel Food this morning for the 9/11 Day of Service.

day 234: blood donation

This is a picture of a crew team practicing in Ballona Creek. I went for a bike ride down to the Marina and back this morning. In the afternoon I had an appointment to donate blood for 9.11 Day of Service. I had the wonderful idea to ride my bike over to Cedars Blood Bank and felt a little woosy on the way back: not such a good idea.

day 233: pool

heading back to the pool, it was closed for a bit.

day 232: only in LA

Only in LA will your parking valet ticket also be an ad for the Emmys.

I hope the hot weather is gone. I love how it feels right now.

day 231: labor day

I decided that I would work today, since most people don't work today. It was very productive with my website. This is a picture of those once beautiful flowers in the Santa Monica mountains. I guess this means fall is on it's way.

day 230: Lobo Howl

I met another alum from UNM this afternoon, we went to Algabar where she bought a tea cup and then we enjoyed some yogurt from Yogurtland. It was so nice to meet up with another Lobo. Love Yogurtland, so cheap and delcious!