Owl.

It's 10pm. I should go brush my teeth and start getting ready for bed. The whole reason I stayed in tonight was to get to sleep early. I've stayed up late / slept badly all week, and I need to stop feeling tired at work. I should go brush my teeth.

BUT

I just got slammed with a craving for Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels. And if I'm going to indulge {which I am} then I need another half glass of wine to wash it down. And if I'm having wine, I'm not going to turn off my music just yet. And it's Thursday tomorrow anyway, almost the weekend.

This is why I have barely made a dent in the new book I'm trying to read, and why I have baggage eyes by the end of every week.

Sweetdreams.

And I'm Not Ashamed to Admit It.

Not only do I use Dryel at home for all my dry cleaning...

... I also cut the sheets in half so they last twice as long.

Namaste-Away

I recently started going to yoga. I wish I could say regularly, but 4 times in 2011 probably doesn't count. I wish I could say that I'm motivated to go every time, but it's actually because of a friend of mine dragging me that I've gone as much. As an exercise, I actually really do like yoga. I love its similarity to dance, all the stretching, and {let's face it} any exercise that requires me to lay on a mat is scoring major points with me!

The unfortunate thing about yoga, is that there are other people in the class doing yoga. At first I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet friends {because post-college is tough} but after a few classes, I don't think I have much in common with the die-hards. I also find a room full of people very distracting. The teachers stress the importance of being present and experiencing what's going on with your body instead of letting your mind chatter away. However when the guy behind you is panting, the girl in front of you keep nearly kicking your face, and there's a guy in the corner who just smells, it's hard to tune into yourself.

I took a different type of class yesterday, one which I had been really excited about trying. The class was clearly more serious and advanced about yoga than I am. I can keep up easily from all my dance training, I just don't have all the pose names memorized. There was a lot of ego in the class, which is annoying because that's generally the opposite of what yoga is supposed to be. And there was one incredibly distracting woman in the class who with every breath let out a moan.

Not a groan, a moan.

Don't get me wrong, yoga feels great. But it doesn't feel THAT good. And if you're seriously that close to orgasm with each new pose, you need desperately to get laid.

A Rant of Sorts

Dear Starbucks,

I love you, I mean how could I not? You meet all my needs – cappuccino for when I'm feeling {like impersonating a} European, decaf for when I'm feeling anxious, white mocha for when I need warming, iced caramel macchiato for my milky-sweet cravings, and peppermint mocha for my winter insulation {aka 5 pounds I gain every Christmas while this beverage is in season.}

Sure, I love South End type cafes and bakeries, but you're closer by and you do still have a community vibe that I dig. I tend to be “that guy” whose drink goes missing, but it's generally quickly & easily remedied. I do have one extreme pet peeve though, about your shop. And it's this:

When I ask for coffee cake, I want coffee cake. Do not ask me which kind of coffee cake I want. If I wanted blueberry coffee cake, I'd ask for blueberry. If I wanted reduced fat, I'd ask for reduced fat. If I ask for coffee cake period, give me classic coffee cake.

It's simple really, but I've had more altercations with a barista over this than I care to mention. It generally escalates into a shouting match until a “Classic” coffee cake is thrown carelessly into a ripped bag which is then slid across the counter along with a passive-agressive “have a nice day.” Then I leave feeling like an asshole, and I hate that because, I'm not.

So let's resolve this difference. From the way the question is usually stated, I have a feeling that I'm not the one who experiences this problem. It's not that I'm not willing to bend, I just don't think I have to. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, because let's face it – we know my kitchen cabinets hold little more than wine glasses.

xxoo

Amy

I Love LA (No, really.)

-I also feel the need to update a recent post regarding hating LA-

After the first two weeks, I got into a groove and found that while there are some stereotypical things about LA that aren't my style, it's incredibly easy to avoid them altogether. The LA experience is what you make it. I found some down-to-earth people and places to visit, and LA instantly became that little slice of heaven I always saw it for.

I wish I hadn't had this epiphany so late into my trip, because I took the job back in Boston based on my first few weeks here. Although I'm extremely sad to be leaving LA, I feel things shifted this way for a reason. There is a lot of change going on in my life right now, and much to come I'm sure, but I believe that if I truly want it bad enough, I'll have the opportunity to settle down out here.

When I'm ready.

LA LA Land

So I'm here in LA, 3 days in, and I'm feeling... odd about it. I'm not sure if it's because of the way it happened so quickly, or something else altogether, but this time around isn't what I remembered or expected.

I've been out here numerous times when my older sister lived here, and I loved the laid back nature of everyone, and the warm weather. I loved that even though it's a city, there are fragrant flowers and green grass everywhere. I loved how easy it was to be outside, whether you're at the mall, or in the hallway of your apartment.

This time around, however is different. My first day here, we went to the Mondrian Hotel pool. The setting was gorgeous, but I've never seen anything like the people. It was 'true LA' - girls done up like they're going to prom, with curled hair and loads of makeup. And more fake boobs than I've ever seen in my life collectively. It's fascinating to watch, but it's also easy to see how someone could get lost in such a world.

Even my friend whom I'm staying with has changed noticeably. At home, she dressed casually and never wore makeup. Now she's always in some sexy teeny outfit, sky high heels, and wears makeup every day. Everyone seems very materialistic here - trendy clothing, expensive cars, the works. Although I know these surface-level things don't make these people better than me, I can't help but notice I lack of these things, and I wouldn't be truthful if I said it didn't bother me.

I'm struggling to hang onto my roots and find my place here, while I am here. I think I need to make it a point to listen to music more, go for walks, and visit the beach, all of which ground me. It's hard to keep in touch with my family/friends, because when I get home and relax and want to talk on the phone, everyone is already headed to bed. I'm sure things will turn around, I'm just experiencing a mix of unfulfilled expectations and some homesickness.

La Femme = Fatale

When digging through my personal ex-files, you're bound to come across a few feminine guys.. what can I say? Sometimes you need a resource - when you don't have the energy to pick out an outfit, or a great restaurant. And so what if sometimes that resource is your boyfriend?

With that confession out of the way, I miss manly men. Seriously, I'm a huge fan of fashion, but this androgynous trend is really starting to get to me. I prefer my men without nail polish {ever.} and my bag is big enough - he doesn't need his own. That's what pockets are for. Please tell me I'm not alone on this crusade? I'm all about expressing yourself through your clothing, but yours should NEVER fit more tightly than mine.

Which one makes YOU drool?

*Photos courtesy of Le 21eme Arrondissement

Doesn't Add Up...

There are 6 floors in my building, with a little over 100 units altogether. Only 8 units in the entire building have decks, all of which I can see from my 4th floor window. If it has been 70+ degrees every day so far this week, why has NO ONE used their deck at all?!?

I'm thinking of tying together all my tights from the winter and constructing a bridge across, who's with me? I'll be playing chill music, grilling veggie burgers, and serving red wine until well after the sun goes down.