sunday.

Last Sunday was great. I got a much-needed at Hair Clinic, where I've been going for the past five years. I see Mary, who is a master colorist. So happy I have Hairdresser Love in my life.


Then I went for lunch. I thought I'd check out El Caserio--I've been meaning to go here for years.
Despite the kicky monkeys out front beckoning you to enter, it borders on fine dining, which I wasn't quite in the mood for on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But Silverlake friends, take note: this looks like a great date night place.
So, I took a spin over to Highland Park and my new fave, the Good Girl Dinette. Their vegetarian pho and spicy fries is, hands down, my new favorite meal. The fries totally remind me of the garlic fries at the Minnesota State Fair, only in addition to garlic, they come topped with cilantro and jalapenos + cilantro mayo on the side. Pho always hits the spot and warms you up inside, but a full bowl of it makes me feel like I'm going to burst. The GGD pho is always just right, never overwhelming.

monday.

Yesterday was Monday, and I had it off.

I took some photos and did a little writing.

I did four loads of laundry.

Then I went to The Oinkster in Eagle Rock, one of my favorite neighborhoods in L.A.

I had a veggie burger and fries. It was excellent.

the hills, part 2.

I feel like these two posts could be a creepy short story. Or a David Lynch film.

This photo makes me think of one of my favorite Facebook pages, Decaying Hollywood Mansions.


More on secret stairs to come.

the hills.

I have a walk I really like to take in the Hollywood Hills. It's kind of on the opposite side of Runyon Canyon, just off Cahuenga in Studio City.

The streets sort of wind up and around to Woodrow Wilson and Pacific View, which I take all the way to Mulholland.

You get some really great views of the city and the Hollywood sign. Plus, portions of the hills are steep and you get a really good workout.

There is a secret stairway that I go up and down a couple of times (and then fall down on the sidewalk). I love the secret stairs in the Hills. In fact, I have a friend who wrote a book about them...it's going to be an upcoming blog post.

It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny and you could even smell the jasmine here and there. Downtown didn't look this apocalyptic. It's just the filter on my camera.

beach.

Going to completely dispense with the "it's a New Year, I'm blogging again" crap. I had to take a break for a couple of months. Between working six days a week, writing a book, shopping for a house, starting a blog for my company and playing in a symphony, something had to give. I realize how ridiculous that last sentence just sounded. But anyway, it was this blog.

Just going to get right back into it, and start posting some of the things I've been doing, what I've been seeing in this city I love/hate so much. But really, mostly love these days.

Today, I went to Redondo Beach, to meet up with my old boss who gave me my first copywriting job in Minneapolis. I tend to avoid the South Bay, as it's always been a little too MTV Spring Break for me. Today, I had a shift in perception.

After a two months of freezing weather (even for L.A.) and torrential downpours, it was suddenly 80 degrees and beautiful. I was completely unprepared, in a long-sleeve shirt and black tights.

But it didn't stop me from walking on the beach. And reconsidering my love for Downtown-Hollywood-Eagle Rock-North Hollywood. I could totally kick it here in a little cottage.

My ex-boss and current friend show me pics of the snow in her driveway, piled higher than her car. They are having a bad winter in MN (even for MN), and she was just giggling with delight the entire time. I need to get to the beach more often. And choose appropriate attire.