Los Angeles

Dear Readers,

How on earth has it been so many days since I’ve updated!!? Anyhow, pay no mind to that. I’ve got some great news, but before I share that, I just want to vent about something that is annoying me greatly. I think that I might actually have allergies! *pffffffft

For the last week, every day at around 4pm or so, my eyes begin to water profusely almost to the point of stinging. Then I become congested and sniffly and annoyed, of course. This is very strange to me as I’ve used the powers of deduction to figure out that it’s not anything that I am doing. I’m not wearing a new makeup and nothing has deviated in my routine. I’m not eating anything differently. Ah well, wish me luck with all of it. Perhaps it’s weather related. I hope that it’s resolved soon, eeek.

So onto the good news. Guess what? Yours truly is going to be taking a trip to her hometown for a week in May and possibly up to San Francisco while I’m in California. This pleases me greatly, and I’m going to detail the plans here in depth.

I’ll be attending a wedding and also will be seeing some friends in the process and maybe attending an event or two. Since I didn’t get to go back for the holidays for a visit, I’m eagerly anticipating all of the things that I am going to do. I’ve got all kinds of plans and schemes.

Time for some lists, I think. Now I’m sure that some people are going to question some of these choices, especially if they aren’t L.A. natives, but I don’t care. These are sort of comfort foods in a way, and I never claimed to work for Zagat and be a food snob. I do know some good 5 star restaurants, but I have to fit only so much into this trip.

Anarkali (Indian): This is one of my favorite Indian restaurants for so many reasons. I’ve celebrated many birthdays here and also grew up nearby. The service is friendly, the food always delightful, and I still have a VIP card. I highly recommend the vegetable coconut curry, garlic naan and the lamb saag.

Tito’s Tacos: This place makes my arteries nostalgic for some greasy gringo tacos. Health is not your middle name when you eat here, but it’s been an L.A. institution since 1959. Besides, my good cholesterol is through the roof. I’ll have one taco with cheese and perhaps a bean burrito and lots of chips and guacamole. You’ll find many generations that have eaten here and it’s a favorite among Culver City locals.

In-N-Out Burger: Even though I get heartburn every time I eat there, I will do this just once when I’m in town. No sauces of any kind, please, hold all condiments.

Philippe’s (the Original): A Los Angeles institution born in 1908 and is the only place in the world where I will be caught dead eating cole slaw. Their mustard cures my sinus problems, and that’s just sniffing the aroma and not even consuming it. Remember, I really don’t like condiments. Fresh lemonade rounds out your meal and it’s definitely an eat it and beat it type of place to get together with some friends if you’re in the Downtown area.

Kabuki: Missy turned me onto this Japanese restaurant. Since I have a trick sushi leg and can consume my body weight in seafood, I like places that aren’t wicked expensive but provide good service and good quality. I’ve never had a problem here and have turned so many people onto their deals. The Hollywood location is generally better than the one in Burbank, FYI.

What else am I going to do in L.A.? Oh, I plan to see at least one movie at the Arclight Cinema. Perhaps I can do that when I’m eating sushi, since they’re walking distance. Maybe I’ll go to the New Beverly Cinema and the Silent Movie Theater

So I’ve got no definite plan other than the event that I’m going to be attending in San Francisco if all goes well. That would be a super quick part of the trip, so I don’t anticipate having much time to roam around anywhere. Something else that’s interesting to note about me is that I’ve only been there 4 times. Seriously. How does an L.A. native pull that off? I’m not your typical native, by any means.

One other aspect of my trip to L.A. will be to place some flowers at my mom’s resting place at Angeles-Rosedale on Washington near Normandie. I’m not going to be seeing any other family of my own, but will be meeting Frank’s, which I’m looking forward to.

I’m also going to be visiting my former co-workers at Belle Visage Day Spa, and I can’t wait. It’s been too long since I’ve seen some of them.

As far as nightlife, I’m sure where I’ll end up as it’s going to depend on my schedule. I used to live in Los Feliz and that all seems a lifetime away. We’ll see what my friends can conjure up and mainly this trip is for a wedding, maybe do some thrifting (which will be another entry to give you all of my favorite haunts in L.A.) and to meet up with friends.

I’ll perhaps update this as more plans become concrete, but as it stands right now, I’m just so excited beyond belief to visit, even if it is months away. Preparations!