In Random Places...

So I was in a friends car the other day and I looked over and saw this...

Seeing it made me feel overwhelmingly happy and comforted. Why? you might ask. Well, I had to ask myself the same question as I had instantly reached over, grabbed my camera, and snapped a picture of the mirror - my friend was somewhat perturbed. Yes, perturbed.

I realized that seeing these words was comforting like a warm blanket, or favorite book, or a smile is comforting. To know that they are written in identical (or close to it) print on every car on the road... wow.  I felt connected to everyone through those words. I know this probably sounds silly but it's how I felt. Deal.

Story Time with Mindy

Story #1: Kelsey and I decided to visit this little Thai restaurant down the street called "East Wind." Upon entering we were overwhelmed by the cute atmosphere. Though this story is not about the establishment particularly, it would not hurt for me to recommend this place with the greatest of affability and admiration. I look forward to my return there. Continuing the story. I dyed my hair dark. (See The Look for further explanation.) During the course of the dinner our waitress stopped by our table many times to question me. First time: "Are you an actress?" Her thick accent made it difficult to understand, but after realization hit, I answered negatively. She said I looked like a famous actress from her country. Second visit: "Are you have Asian, half American? You look so much like the famous actress." Again, my response was negative. I don't think she really believed me because her Third Question: "Can I take a picture of you?" In which, she proceeded to take out her phone and get my picture. Fourth and final stop: (showing me the picture) "Is this okay?" Finally, I got to answer affirmatively.

Story #2: Kelsey and I were getting the oil changed in lovely Betty, and whilst we awaited this completion we proceeded to walk to the famed Peet's Coffee and Tea Leaf to get their delicious iced coffee and ice cubes. In passing we found Narnia.

I pause for dramatic effect.

Now don't be alarmed, Narnia is not, in fact, on Washington Blvd in Marina Del Rey. But there is a portal. We found it. See.

Story #3: Breakfast at Tiffany's party. My fake name was Jacqueline Shaw. Don't ask me 

why. I found a kitty named Frank and a dog named Bacon - though I called him Largehuahua, as he was the most ginormous of Chihuahuas I have ever seen. I discussed favorite ruling families with Robert Compton (fake name) - his is Alexander the Great and his father Pippin, mine is Tsar Nicolas II and his family of Romanovs. I spoke in a British accent half the time and a southern accent the other half. Again, don't ask me why. All in all a successful night of dressing up, dancing, and chatting.

Los Angeles

Not sure what it is about the city - I don't go there that often, I hate traffic, and I value clean air - but every time I get a view similar to this one...

... (granted, this angle is from up in the sky and that orange moon probably happens once every 5 years, but driving along the 10 at night, you get a similar "looking north across the city" view, anyways, to get to my point), I love this city.

I find myself smiling whenever I see it's skyline (I also do this for Seattle) and I'm not sure why that is. I like the idea of so many people being in my eyesight, living their lives - maybe dancing, maybe crying - but living. And I find myself astounded at the fact that I will never meet them or know anything about their lives.

It goes further than that though. I find myself thinking about the dichotomy of the city. There is such hope and despair wrapped up in this specific city. Some wanting their big break, others just looking for a little bit of help. I'm not saying these aren't elsewhere - they are, because they belong to life. But Los Angeles has such stark contrasts. While making me smile, I feel both of those in me. I feel happiness and sadness at the same time.

Maybe that's why I like viewing the city from my safe place on the 10. I'm outside of this. Not to say that I'm outside of life's hope and despair, but I have a hope that is greater than this earth, so in a way, I am. 

When I see this city, and I "see" all those lives before me... it makes me want to dance. And it makes me want to cry. But mostly, it makes me want to live.

This is What I Think About Sometimes

So you know when a boy is a boy and he tries to show off for you? Like say, he's riding on his bike and casually jumps as many curbs as he can. 

Do you ever secretly hope his front tire catches the top of the curb and he falls on his face?

And then it actually happens and you feel bad because you think you caused it?

This didn't happen recently or anything, I was just thinking about it. 

Oh the Joys of Technology!

Yesterday I became the proud owner of a Canon camera... again. I bought one 4 years ago before I went off to college, and I thought now, before I leave for Korea, would be another one of those pivotal times when a new camera is necessary to memory-making. Upon purchase of said camera Kels and I proceeded to document the day. It was date-day, well, more like run-errands-but-just-be-the-two-of-us-day. So I will now bring you the Mundane but Awesome Chronicles of the First Day of the Rest of Summer Complete with Pictures.

First of course was the wonderful, but expensive trip to Best Buy

Then we came to Panda and Ralphs for a little food and a little Potty Break (you'd think we would've skipped the Ralphs bathroom and just used the one in Panda... no clue what we were thinking really.) I'm not going to post the pictures of their signs as that would get to be utterly ridiculous and would make this blog ginormous. 

Here is us in the beloved Betty with the top down!

So I'm going to post a video now.. this is one that I think sums up my knowledge of cameras. No more preface, just enjoy.

Okay, I don't think I'm going to post all the pictures or chronicle all the events from yesterday, but we did end up going to an awesome thrift store where I bought Valentino boots for $10, went for a 2 mile longboard adventure, and ate at Islands Restaurant. All in all a pretty successful day - even more so because I have pictures to remember it by now!