Reflections on December 1st

First off, I've been thrilled at how many people have posted the video of Zach Wahls on Facebook in the last two days. If you believe in love and you believe in equality, what more is there to say, really? I'm happy I know many people who think this to be true.

Second, December 1st marks World AIDS Day. For the first nine years of my life, I was lucky to have a godfather, Chuck; we always called him our "fairy godfather". He'd send me and Ginny stickers in the mail just for the hell of it and would always call to ask about 'his girls.' I really, really loved him (and still do). He died of AIDS in 1993, and my sister and I talk about it now, how when you're a kid and you think you'll live forever, you can't empathize with your parent when she loses her best friend, which is what happened to my mom. It must have been awful for her.

In the early 90's, a lot of people were dying from this disease, and since huge advances in antiretroviral medication treating HIV have lowered death rates in our country significantly, it doesn't get talked about as much. To me, this day is always a good reminder that there are people throughout the world, men, women, children and babies, who do not have access to proper medical care, and die from it all the time. ALL THE TIME.

Finally, it has been an anxiety riddled week, which has bummed me out slightly because to me, this really is the most wonderful time of the year. December 1st (which is today, if you haven't had a chance to look at a calendar) is typically the day Kyle and I get our Christmas tree. I bake cookies, we listen to Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas and decorate like chipper little elves (I may be the only one who resembles a chipper elf during this process, not gonna lie).

However, we're still only done unpacking half our stuff, and until we clear it out, we have to wait to get our magical tree. And start merrymaking festivities, of course.

So at this point I feel I should mention Kyle's mom, Cyndi. I have to say, I really hit the jackpot when it comes to mother-in-laws. She's a very thoughtful person and could tell how stressed I was, as well as bummed to not be enjoying the holidays in my usual style.

Lo and behold, she turned my frown upside down with a little gift yesterday:

Santa Gift Tags from Rifle Paper Co.

Red and white baker's twine (you can get it here).

Kraft paper

Cyndi surprised me with these goodies because (1) she knows how much I love Rifle Paper Co., (2) she also knows how much I love wrapping my Christmas gifts with kraft paper and beautiful twine and (3) she knew I needed cheering up and went out of her way to do so.

And truthfully, it kind of reminded me that at the core of the holiday season, it's not about decorating or music or elves or gifts...

It's about celebrating with the ones you love.

Breed Restrictions Apply

I figure that now that we’ve been in San Diego for more than a week, I can vent to you one of my biggest frustrations about moving down here.

Many of my friends have been asking me where we found an apartment. What neighborhood are you living in? Is it a one or two bedroom? In a complex or detached?

The answer I have for them is one that most married (or unmarried) 27-year-olds hate having to utter.

We moved in with Handsome K’s parents. TEMPORARILY.

Let me say that I love my in-laws. I’m serious and not exaggerating a bit! I know that when it comes to marrying and being legally tied to a family that I hit the jackpot and for that, I will be forever grateful.

However, we’re at the age where it feels like a set back. Not finding a place to move into wasn’t for lack of trying; it was for one solid reason.

Our sweet dog, Moe.

No one wants to rent to people with a pitbull! ARRRRGH! We come with excellent references from our previous landlords, and even had our old neighbors write recommendation letters for him. Truly, I am sick of having to defend him to every person he passes.

I know what some of you are thinking: “He’s a pitbull, Elizabeth, not everyone’s going to understand he’s not a killer.” The truth is, though, I don’t care and I’m tired of everyone assuming the worst. He is the most loving, loyal dog and is amazing with people, especially children.

Yes, he’s got some pitbull in him; we also think he’s got some American bulldog and boxer, but no one cares about that point of his lineage. Yes, he’s missing his ears, but I think it makes him look like a little teddy bear (lemons into lemonade, people) and it’s not as if we were the pair that cut them off!

Another annoyance I’d like to chat about is the “quiet, small dog” paradox I’ve been finding in many listings. We lived across the hall from two Chihuahuas for a year and a half and let me tell you, I don’t think they ever shut up. How their vocal chords handled that amount of stress, I will never know. They certainly managed to help me go deaf in one ear (thanks, assholes!). Furthermore, I feel I'm only doing my duty in exposing this great ruse by also mentioning I've been bitten by a dog thrice in the last year, and every time it was by a rat-like canine that weighed less than ten pounds. Similar to this:

This may or may not be an exaggeration.

Either way, I thought it was public knowledge, but apparently some are still confused on this bit, so let me clarify: small dogs are never quiet. They never sleep all day. If you want to keep your building “serene” and “calm,” rent to people with a big dog.

In summary (and to tug on your heartstrings a bit), my dog has had some bad cards dealt to him in life, and as his owner and a true fan, it would be nice if people gave him half a chance.

And gave us a chance… with an apartment.

Please, San Diego. Play nice.

Cinema Solo

It’s official: We are in San Diego.

What can I say about last week? Moving is brutal. Handsome K was down here the whole week as he started his job a month ago, so I had the awesome task of packing up the entire apartment by myself.

Ok, ok, Moe was there too, but his lack of opposable thumbs hindered his ability to help greatly. He got some good naps in, though.

The apartment was all sorts of depressing what with the boxes and the bits and pieces that start to collect all over the place even when you feel like you’re making progress. I felt at any moment A&E was going to show up to film an episode of Hoarders (minus the rotting trash and dead cats, thankfully). 

So how did I keep myself from going mad? With Instant-watch movies on Netflix, of course!

Why watch movies online, you ask? Oh, simply because we don’t own a T.V. (yes, we are one of those annoying couples…).

I had a discussion with my friend Ariana about this and we’re both in agreement: Netflix’s online movies, however convenient, lead to some random choices. They don’t offer many of the newly released films you’d actually want to see, i.e. the ones you’re willing to spend $4 on at a store. Netflix Instant Watch does, however, provide a plethora of 80’s cult, C+ horror and unknown foreign hits (I'm using the  word "hits" loosely).

Thus, I felt it only fair that I relive some of my favorites from last week.

The Crazies

Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned government-made-virus-infects-a-po-dunk-town-of-people-causing-some-to-go-crazy-and-others-to-become-homicidal-maniacs kind of movie? I wish it had a better title, because I probably would have enjoyed it sooner than I’m Moving and Will Watch Anything Week had I known it wasn’t half bad. Also, I don’t know what it is about being alone in my apartment and watching obscure horror films, but it happens all the time and I’ve come to realize it’s a horrible habit.

The Hole

Calm it with the snickering, everyone. Bad title, I know. I’m a bit surprised this movie wasn’t even mentioned in the U.S. when it came out, but after reading some Netflix comments (whose spelling mistakes alone provide entertainment), it seems it may have had to do with Keira Knightley’s burgeoning career and Disney’s desire to keep her exposed chest under wrap. I loved the premise of this movie and it was entertaining enough, but if gruesome isn’t your cup of tea, you probably don’t want to watch this.

The Fly

If you haven't seen this sci-fi bit of horror, you are missing out. Jeff Goldblum is a scientist (I guess?) who creates two pods that allow for teleportation. Unfortunately for him (and his girlfriend, Geena Davis), he gets drunk one night and decides to teleport, not realizing he's been genetically mutated with a fly who crept into the pod. Again, major ick factor with this one if you're squeamish (don't even get me started on his ear/jaw/eating issues).

The Frog Prince

Ahhhhh! Some light in the dark and don't you just love the German image for it? It was the only one I could find! Starring Aileen Quinn of Annie fame, this was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. I’ve been searching for it for years on video, then DVD, and lo and behold it was a suggestion Netflix made for me. Sometimes, things are meant to be. If you were a fan of any made-for-television fairy tales in the 80’s, get excited…  

The River Wild

White water rafting? Check. The pale, redheaded boy from Radio Flyer and Jurassic Park? Check. Murderous Kevin Bacon? Check. Dog tricks? Check. This movie has it all and reminds me of why action/adventure thrillers from the 90’s surpass all other decades’.

Mother's Boys

Jamie Lee Curtis acts as a crazy, jealous blonde who ditches her family and then comes back years later expecting everything to go back to the way it was before she left. Peter Gallagher and his black caterpillar eyebrows play her jilted husband and Joanne Whalley (yes, Xortia from Willow!) is the new girlfriend who gets J.L.’s goat. I don’t know what it is about melodramatic thrillers that revolve around a plethora of unanswered questions (Why is the boy so easily manipulated? How does she have enough money to afford an expensive high rise in New York City? Why did the producers think Curtis would be believable as a blonde?!), but I am drawn to them like flies on honey. 

Overall, I have to give thanks to all the films I watched last week, because without them (the good, the bad, the Jamie Lee Curtis’), I may never have moved, but remained a babbling mess in a sea of boxes in an apartment in LA that was no longer mine.

Merci beaucoup, Netflix Instant-Watch.

Whilst Surviving Moving Madness

I returned home to find our once perfectly put together apartment in complete shambles. Yes, friends, packing has begun.

To the left of me, there are boxes filled with books. To the right, more books, dog toys and office supplies screaming to be packed away. I've decided to ignore their incessant badgering until the evening hours roll around, when I can pop in a movie and mindlessly sort through things that need to be donated, packed or re-gifted (kidding... unless anyone wants a couch covered in black and white dog hair, that is).

I've gotten to the point where I've stopped buying real groceries; just the necessities now. We are trying to get through contents of our cupboard that we often ignore, which has made for some creative lunches. On today's menu: homemade hummus, pita chips and sugar snap peas.

I had to laugh when I realized how many cans of garbanzo beans we have in our pantry... we never eat garbanzo beans! Who keeps buying these? K? Me? Moe? I wouldn't be surprised if one day they simply appeared, like dust bunnies or lost socks.

And what else have I been doing? Aside from searching for apartments and jobs, and working on a few freelance projects, I've been dog-sitting.

Meet Eddie and Emma.

Our neighbors are on vacation to celebrate their anniversary (congratulations, Mark and Monica!), and luckily, I get asked to watch this gorgeous pair every time their parents book it out of town. I wish they could stay with us when we watch them, but unfortunately, Moe hates Eddie and Emma hates Moe- it's a vicious cycle. Thus, there's a lot of back and forth between apartments, and the three of us had a pleasant picnic in the garden.

I've taken to calling them "Eduardo" and "Emmilou." I think they like it.

Wherever this finds you on this lovely summer afternoon, I hope it's with something delicious and someone you love.


Hummus
The ingredients for homemade hummus are few, and many would be surprised to discover they have all of them in their kitchen at any given time. You can use a food processer, blender or Vitamix to make this recipe.


One can garbanzo beans
Juice of one lemon
Two cloves peeled garlic
One teaspoon sesame oil
Three Tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste

Finely chop garlic in food processer (you may need to wipe down the sides with a spatula). Add garbanzo beans and lemon juice. Blend until it looks like a choppy paste. Drizzle sesame oil while blending, then olive oil until texture is that of a smooth paste.

Season with salt, blend a bit more.

Move hummus to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and top with fresh herbs or spices if you prefer. Serve with fresh veggies, pita chips or warm pita bread. This recipe makes a great spread for burgers, sandwiches and wraps.

Farewell Los Angeles

Handsome K got a job!

In San Diego!

Which means we’re moving.

While it’s exciting in some ways, I have to admit I’m bummed in others. I love our apartment. It’s on the top floor of our small building, with natural light pouring in from two sides. It has hard wood floors, a spa tub and crown molding (every visitor we’ve had to our place that’s over the age of 50 always points out the crown molding). Large palm trees filter the sun through our living room and our dining table overlooks a charming courtyard with a fire pit and barbeque.

And then there are our wonderful neighbors, who over the last two years have become our dear friends. Even our landlords rock (and how often can you say that?). I’m gonna miss the place and I’m trying to stay positive that we’ll find something even better in San Diego.

Many of my friends have moved from LA in the last year or so, which makes it easier in a way. But what happens to my dinners with my cousins, John and Michael, or trips for cheap Vietnamese food with my lover Teets? Do those stop? I suppose not completely, but it’s certainly not easy to grab pho or watch a Kepler Mission concert or see a spur of the moment boxing match if we’re two hours away.

Honestly, I’m surprising myself as I type this. I thought I unconditionally hated Los Angeles, and apparently that wasn’t the case. 

Ok. I think I’m done being a Debbie Downer… on to the good stuff!

I do love an adventure. In fact, seeking adventures are something K and I have in common. Did I mention we’re going here in October? I’ve never lived in San Diego and I know it’ll be a fun time discovering what the city has to offer its locals. Also, moving means getting the chance to decorate a new apartment. Or maybe even a cottage! The prices on housing are unbelievably great compared to LA, and the dream of being able to live in a two-bedroom something are getting closer to reality.

Adios to hideous traffic! Do you know what a raving loon I can become whilst sitting in a car on a typical LA day? Let me give you an idea: have you ever seen that old cartoon where Goofy is this simple, nice guy when he’s doing every day things… except when he gets behind the wheel of a car and turns into a maniac? I’m not this way all the time, but when it takes a person two hours to get somewhere that should normally take 20 minutes in any other city, who wouldn’t flip their lid? The answer is no one, friends. If the Dalai Lama could drive, he too would be cursing profanities and flipping the bird. Just sayin’.

Finally, there’s Handsome K’s job. He was stoked at the prospect of getting this position and he did (for the record, I thought he was going to get it from Day One). What kind of wife would I be if I wasn’t over the moon excited for him? Not a very good one.

So adios Los Angeles (and our short-lived Field Trip Mondays)… it’s been fun.

Hi there, San Diego.