The Weekend Report: Thanksgiving in Cali

The extended weekend included a family outing to one of my favorite destinations, California. Rather than stay someplace we have already we decided Laguna Beach would be fun and entertaining. If I was 40 something, married to a venture capitalist yeah I might like botox Mondays and buying my spoiled brats a lotus for Christmas. But as you all know I am a bit more grounded than that. However, I do miss breakfast on the patio overlooking the ocean.

The last day was spent enjoying Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Soon I felt more at ease with the street performers and the bum eating the leftovers of my salad. There’s nothing pretentious about it. The bum isn’t fake, the woman strumming her guitar isn’t fake and certainly the man covered in silver isn’t fake. You could go up to each of the them and have a normal conversation – one that doesn’t include a brokerage account or jimmy choo shoes.

Feels like a Monday

It feels like a Monday. It was nonstop work today from 7:30-5 sans my 10 minutes emailing the girls about our Thursday Bob Seger adventure while shoving noodles in my mouth. But now I’m home and before I head off to upholstery I wanted to say that I had a great weekend. Friday night had dinner at Café Lulu in Bayview, then off to play pool at a pool hall in southside, Milwaukee. Thinking I had my fill of the southside – Sara and I headed back on Saturday to the budget cinema and watched a very stupid movie – but it was better than the basic channel tv movies. Later that night – when I wanted to call it quits from formatting this 100+ page manual and hit my bed Sara called, as planned.

Sara and I haven’t had an unplanned night out in the longest time and every single time it is unplanned it exceeds all expectations. Plus the both of us hadn’t had a night out together since Carrie came down we tap danced with 14 year old boys. So we started out at the Twisted Fork hoping to be served by the best bartender in town. He wasn’t there but this couple in their late 30’s provided great people watching. According to our instincts – this man and woman are on their second date. They were sharing a cosmo, which rarely takes place between those in a serious relationship. The man had his feet propped up on her seat, head titled back, crotch very visible to her eyes. It was like he was saying “Are you drunk enough, come back to my place, did I mention I have a Picasso?” She maintained eye contact, so she was into him but her back was tight and she was questioning if this guy is the guy for her. After ordering another martini we couldn’t take watching this four-play so we headed to Vittuci’s.

Vittuci’s was the same as always – just younger. A group of guys who we deemed college players turned out to be intellectual, serious and conservative UWM alumns.
Sara developed a small crush on the blond curly haired guy who is a teacher for inner city mentally handicapped kids. Ouuuuuu…..

Then the best part of every night is ending it at Jo Cats. We met up with another group of girls and rocked the dance floor Latino style. When we were all hot and sweaty it felt really good to walk out the door and let the cold neutralize the body. It was a good night. I couldn’t feel the cold air not because I was intoxicated, but because I was happy and full of energy. I work very hard and it’s hard to let loose but somedays you just deserve it.

Revenge of the Roommate

It was a weekend without the barn yard animal roommate. It was fabulous – not that I stayed in my apartment the whole time – it was just nice to know he wasn’t there and will be playing with a rifle and trees for the next months. It’s Sunday night and I’ve had a successful weekend, hanging out with my family, extending family, friends and the boyfriend who couldn’t talk. I’ve managed to work out a 4-day work schedule with every Monday off.

So this Monday I wake up rather early and think – yeah I should start working on my freelance projects. So I get up, hear the barn yarn animal downstairs and decided to wait to go downstairs until he leaves. Ugh! I can’t wait anymore I have to make my coffee and shower. On my way to the bathroom, there on the side of the counter top sit a long yellow plastic bread bag with now minus two pieces of bread, which reside on top of the bag covered in jam. Not even 30 seconds and he’s into my stuff. I hop in the shower and wait till he is gone to make sure that is my loaf I bread. I wildly open all the cupboards cursing at ‘W’ once confirming that that Home Pride loaf is indeed mine, it’s the only Home Pride load in the entire kitchen! Oh and what is this befriending his 7 boxes of granola bars? A half bag of sugar – huh…that kinda looks like mine. I dodge back to my cabinet – no sugar.

It turns out my nice lecture on respect is out the window, and now I want revenge. Any input?

I finally started yelling

I yelled at my roommate yesterday. It felt good.

Tuesdays are very busy for me – I work from 8-5, then run home to quick eat, then jump in my car and head to upholstery class. I don’t get home until 9:30 which this Tuesday I have to go straight to my laptop and work 3 more hours on freelance. This means I don’t have time for anything else. When I get home “W” has my hair dryer out and is sealing up the plastic on the windows. Fine – but how long was he in my room looking for my hair dryer? Then on my way to my upstairs room -hands full with cookies and milk, “W” tells me, not asks me, “ I’m going to need a hand in 5 minutes.” Seriously dude this wasn’t in my agenda and I head upstairs shaking my head. “And I’m going to wrap your skylight next.” At which point I have to put my foot down and tell him gently I want him no where upstairs.

The next morning I’m blow drying my hair when I look at my nicely covered chair I did last semester. Wait is that a shoe print? I run to my closet grab my sneakers and to my best judgement they are 2 inches shy of that mark. I run downstairs looking for the stepper but god saved him, he has already left for work.

Wed night I get home. There he is cluttering up the sink. I went in for the kill.
Me: “Did you step on my green chair?”
W: “Oh o, did I break it?”
Me: “ Why did you step on my chair?”
W: “Oh shoot I’m sorry”
Me: “ W, I worked long and hard on the chair for it NOT to be stepped on! You’re always disrespecting my stuff, you eat my bananas, you threw away my bridesmaid bouquet and you go through my room without even asking! I’m sick of hearing I’m sorry – just cut it out and respect my stuff”

That should do it – if not his raisin bran is going over the balcony.