tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596530426753586512024-02-20T15:47:26.445-08:00JenniferYLA's blogA blog about life, love and me ;Pjenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-9213919644973194732013-11-20T20:04:00.000-08:002013-11-20T20:04:46.810-08:00Craigslist - Missed Connections<br />
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Today I am starting a column where I feature real ads from Craigslist "Missed Connections" and my responses to them:</h2>
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<h2 class="postingtitle" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: bold; font: inherit; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="star v" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.craigslist.org/images/sprites.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -112px; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 22px; font: inherit; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible; width: 16px;"></span> Hummus at Ralph's in Glendale - w4m (Glendale)</h2>
<section class="userbody" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="mapAndAttrs" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; float: right; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 30px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 300px;">
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<section id="postingbody" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; display: block; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello boy wearing a black leather jacket,<br /><br />Tonight, we grabbed the same hummus. I really wanted to ask you if you've tried that brand of humus before, but I didn't. You were standing next to me and I wasn't sure if you wanted to talk to me, but you didn't. In case you did want to talk to me, I guess here's another shot :)<br /><br />Tell me the brand of hummus we got.</section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="blurbs" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Location: Glendale</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u>MY RESPONSE:</u></span></div>
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Dear girl wearing spanx and a halter top and way too much make-up,</div>
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It's so great to hear from you! You know what? I have tried that brand of "humus" before and it was just dreadful. Oops. I guess I should have mentioned that at the store. My bad.</div>
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Anyhow, I was standing next to you...but only because I wanted to buy the "good humus" and the self-serve checkout line was too long. Anyhow. Good luck and enjoy the crappy humus!</div>
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Signed,</div>
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Boy wearing a black leather jacket</div>
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**</div>
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<h2 class="postingtitle" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: bold; font: inherit; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="star v" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.craigslist.org/images/sprites.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -112px; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 22px; font: inherit; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible; width: 16px;"></span> Cake for mom at Vons - m4w (Gardena)</h2>
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<section id="postingbody" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; display: block; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Racheal you and your sister came and ordered a ice cream cake on Thursday to pick up on Friday for your mom Ada Mae. I Galen wrote on you cake and forgot the Y in happy. You came back and told me. I was nervous and told you I had something else on my mind. You said that was ok. I was not sure how to tell you how beautiful you are. If you don't have a boyfriend, I would like to go out with you sometime.</section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="blurbs" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Location: Gardena</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u>MY RESPONSE:</u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Hey, it's my Racheal (weird spelling, I know!) I don't know what kind of idiot forgets the "Y" in "happy" so you bet your bottom dollar I told you about it! You want Ada Mae to have a HAPP BIRTHDAY? What kind of monster are you?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Anyhow, thanks for the compliment but I already have a byfriend. Get it?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">**</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><h2 class="postingtitle" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: bold; font: inherit; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="star v" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.craigslist.org/images/sprites.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -112px; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 22px; font: inherit; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible; width: 16px;"></span> YOU THOUGHT YOUR CAR WAS STOLEN AT THE GYM - m4w - 28 (Hollywoood - Santa Monica Blvd. at Cole)</h2>
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© craigslist - Map data © <a href="http://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0078a8; font-size: 11px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">OpenStreetMap</a></div>
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Santa Monica Blvd. at Cole</div>
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<section id="postingbody" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You are gorgeous and you were panicking because you thought your car had been stolen. You mentioned you were at the gym and came back to find it missing, I was on the phone and was kinda speechless. My brain was telling me to offer to help you but all my mouth could do was, uh, kinda smile at you. Hope you found your car. Also hope you contact me, I can pick you up wherever.</section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="mapaddress" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: none; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Santa Monica Blvd. at Cole <small style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(<a href="http://maps.google.com/?q=loc%3A+Santa+Monica+Blvd%2E+at+Cole+Los+Angeles+CA+US" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">google map</a>) (<a href="http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=Santa+Monica+Blvd%2E+at+Cole&csz=Los+Angeles+CA&country=US" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">yahoo map</a>)</small></div>
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<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Location: Hollywoood - Santa Monica Blvd. at Cole</li>
</ul>
</section></section></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u>MY RESPONSE:</u></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Thanks for the compliment. Yeah, as it turns out, my car WAS stolen. Maybe I shouldn't have left the keys in the ignition and the doors unlocked. Hollywood is super safe, right? Just like Kansas! Anyhow, next time you want to ask a girl out, maybe you should do that instead of just standing there with your mouth wide open. Gross. Anyhow, they did finally found my car and it turns out, I had just parked it one street over. So, when are we meeting up?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">**</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
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<h2 class="postingtitle" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: bold; font: inherit; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="star v" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.craigslist.org/images/sprites.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px -112px; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 22px; font: inherit; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible; width: 16px;"></span> Beautiful girl at North Hollywood LA fitness - m4w (north hollywood)</h2>
<section class="userbody" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="mapAndAttrs" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; float: right; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 30px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 300px;">
</div>
<section id="postingbody" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; display: block; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I pass by you all the time, I think you look Amazing.. I glance at you... I smile at you and nothing.. I wanna tell you soo many things, ask you sooo many questions.. You look away whenever I look at you... Im shy, romantic at heart... im not perfect, but I would do anything possible to make you smile, laugh.. I would listen to anything at anytime, id be your shoulder to cry on... Id be proud to walk next to you.. Rub your feet when your tired... Anything to have you... But you dont know I exist... I smile at you.. And you just walk past me... You know who you are.. I usually wear black, im bald.. Facial hair... I look rough.. But its just for my job.. dont judge me off that... I look foward to seeing you everyday... Write me if you see this.. You wont regret it</section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="blurbs" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Location: north hollywood</li>
</ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u>MY RESPONSE:</u></span></section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Dear Creepy Guy Who Always Stares at Me at the Gym,</span></section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Yeah, you! Listen, I see you staring at me while I'm working out and it's just plain weird and creepy, so cut it out, ok? I look away because I'm not interested in being murdered while walking out to my car. If you want to make me smile, find some other hot girl to stalk, okay? </span></section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Wait, you said you're rub my feet when I'm tired? Come to think of it, that would be nice as I work at The Gap and am on my feet all day.</span></section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Oh, wait, you're the bald guy wearing black? I thought you were the bald guy who wears brown...never mind...Anyhow, see ya later creepo!</span></section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Signed,</span></section><section class="cltags" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: smaller; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Hot Girl at the Gym</span></section></section></div>
</section></section></div>
</section></section>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-47540782610123727942013-11-20T03:26:00.000-08:002013-11-20T03:26:04.611-08:00Help! Dating Is Hard!!!Please, someone help me!<br />
<br />
My dating life seems to be cursed and I don't know why.<br />
<br />
Case in point - I just saw a guy I went out on a few dates with 2 months ago from Trader Joe's - now on OK Cupid looking for casual sex. Yeah.<br />
<br />
He came up to me 2 months ago in a Trader Joe's parking lot, after having smiled at me inside the store in the produce section (no joke)!<br />
<br />
As I was putting my shopping cart away near my car, he came up to me and said, "I'm the guy from Trader Joe's and I find you very attractive. Can I get your number?"<br />
<br />
Now, normally I don't just give my number willy-nilly to random guys in Trader Joe's parking lots (especially ones that follow me to my car). But he seemed nice enough. He was a bit short and didn't seem like a serial killer or anything. So, I asked him a few questions, ya know, to make sure he wasn't really on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list or something. He seemed fine so I gave him my digits.<br />
<br />
We went out a few times and he just seemed SO into me.<br />
<br />
"How flattering," I though to myself. After all, it's one thing to meet a guy online or in a bar...but being approached in a grocery store (or outside of one) - isn't that every girl's fantasy? "Just meet a single guy in the produce section of a grocery store," they say. Don't they?<br />
<br />
Early on, I sent him a facebook friends request. He never accepted it. "Maybe he doesn't check facebook that often or live on there like I do," I thought to myself.<br />
<br />
But when I didn't hear from him for a couple weeks, I figured he'd moved on. Fine. But I asked him how LA was when I was out of town and he says, "I don't know...I'm not there."<br />
<br />
"Where are you?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"In France," he replies.<br />
<br />
FRANCE???!!!!??? WTF is he doing in France? That's not exactly a weekend getaway from Los Angeles.<br />
<br />
Then I remembered he had an ex girlfriend of 7 years who was French. So I replied, "Oh, off visiting the ex in Paris, are we?"<br />
<br />
And he replies, "Yeah, something like that."<br />
<br />
Well, after a few more emails back and forth I find out, he's not just in France on vacation. Or visiting his ex. He has a BABY with his ex that lives in France and he's there visiting his son! For 6 weeks. Ok, no biggie, but WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME YOU HAD A BABY WITH YOUR FRENCH EX-GIRLFRIEND AND THAT THEY BOTH LIVE IN FRANCE?!!??<br />
***<br />
<br />
Ok, maybe I'm guilty. Of giving guys the benefit of the doubt. But, I seem to attract this type of "man" a lot.<br />
<br />
The homeless guy on the corner who asks for your number? <br />
<br />
You say no.<br />
<br />
The really drunk guy at the bar who tells you he's slept with hundreds of women - in that very bar's bathroom? <br />
<br />
You say no.<br />
<br />
But at some point, you have to say yes to *someone* right?<br />
<br />
Otherwise, you'll be single forever.<br />
<br />
So, I took a chance on "Trader Joe's guy."<br />
<br />
And we went out a few times and then I had to go out of town. For awhile. I was sure I was moving out of state and he was SO SAD! He texted me incessantly while I was still in town - for days and weeks. He kept texting me after I left!?! He told me how before I left he "really wanted things to work out."<br />
<br />
Flash forward a couple months.<br />
<br />
Sure, we aren't "together" or anything. <br />
<br />
But I just saw him on OkCupid....and his ad is just "sex sex sex" and that section where it says, "What are you looking for?" he answers, "casual sex." Not "for new friends" AND "casual sex" or "short-term dating" or "long-term dating" AND "casual sex" or even any combination of those things....just casual sex.<br />
<br />
Five minutes after I see this ad, he texts me...and says that he just saw me online.<br />
<br />
I text him back, saying, "Yeah, how's that CASUAL SEX ad working out for ya?"<br />
<br />
No response...<br />
<br />
You know. I'm an atheist. But this latest dating catastrophe just reminds me that:<br />
<br />
1. There probably is a God.<br />
2. He's F*cking with me.<br />
<br />
***<br />
So, what's the solution to this dating problem?<br />
<br />
Don't go out with guys you meet in Trader Joe's?<br />
<br />
No, that can't be right.<br />
<br />
It's not a big deal that he's on OkCupid. Or that he's looking for "casual sex." Or that he's on Ok Cupid looking for casual sex.<br />
<br />
What always gets me is the lengths a guy will go to to pretend he's "the one" or "really serious about you" when he's really just a player or a jerk - but thank goodness for the Internet because on OkCupid, at least his TRUE intentions are out there, in plain sight.<br />
<br />
***<br />
I swear, these days, I meet better quality guys in a bar than online.<br />
<br />
Online seems to now be a way for guys to scam on as many women as they can.<br />
<br />
Why sit in a bar, nursing a beer, hoping for a cute, single woman to walk in when you can spend 10 minutes online and spam, I mean, email dozens of women in one swoop!<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Just a few days ago I was texting with another guy I met on OKCupid. He was cute, French and a tech guy!!!?? and as soon as I mentioned my love of "Star Wars" he freaked out! He said he liked my name and was so impressed that I was a geek too! <br />
<br />
Where do I die and go to heaven?<br />
<br />
We were only texting for a few days but all was good.<br />
<br />
Then, one text chat at one in the afternoon, he asked me where I worked?<br />
<br />
I replied, "sometimes from the dining room table," and he made a sex joke, saying, "Are we still talking about work here? ;)"<br />
<br />
"Ok, a bit inappropriate but perfectly harmless," I thought to myself.<br />
<br />
Well, later that night I checked my OkCupid account and saw his profile wasn't there anymore!!?<br />
<br />
"That's odd," I thought to myself. "He was just on here yesterday."<br />
<br />
I texted him and asked, "What happened to your profile?"<br />
<br />
He replied, "Oh, I took it down. I wanted to focus on getting to know you!"<br />
<br />
"Awww, how sweet," I though to myself. "But really, I want to know," I asked him, "why did you take down your ad?" since I wasn't born yesterday.<br />
<br />
"I was getting too many emails," came his reply. "Like 300 a week."<br />
<br />
"No way!" I thought. No one gets 300 emails a week, especially not guys! "Maybe this is why I'm single, though," I thought. "Maybe guys really DO get a lot of emails!"<br />
<br />
More emails were exchanged and I just realized he was a player and a jerk and probably got himself kicked off OkCupid. I'm no dummie...no one deletes their online dating profile until they get serious with someone...or engaged!<br />
<br />
***<br />
Maybe I'm not seeing the signs here.<br />
<br />
After all, a guy who approaches you in a parking lot and tells you he finds you "very attractive" isn't really looking for a long-term relationship, right?<br />
<br />
But man, I swear, these lame-o guys seem to flock to me like I'm a tall glass of water in the desert.<br />
<br />
I give up.jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-28279642769049236782013-03-20T19:18:00.002-07:002013-03-20T19:21:14.745-07:00How ya been?I have a lot on my mind lately and I was thinking that I don't have any outlet for all my thoughts besides my journal at home.<br />
<br />
Then I remembered, "Wait, I have a blog."<br />
<br />
I read through some of my older posts. Yikes. What a mess these past few years have been.<br />
<br />
And I don't mean to come across as "Debbie Downer" or anything.<br />
<br />
I met someone recently who said, "Happiness is all about managing expectations. If you have your mom, sister and 2-7 people in your life who matter/care, that's really all you need."<br />
<br />
That is very wise and very true.<br />
<br />
But I don't have any close family nearby and I'm an only child so that kinda rules out the "mom and sister" stuff and leaves friends.<br />
<br />
But in Los Angeles, I don't really have friends.<br />
<br />
I have acquaintances. And even those people, while cool, mainly care about themselves. That's not complaining - it's just reality.<br />
<br />
I should stop complaining and just realize that life is the way it is. No amount of complaining is going to change that.<br />
<br />
Luckily, I've met some super cool people over the past few months. They are real and invite me to hang out all the time and legitimately seem to care about me and what's going on in my life. You know. True friends and friendship.<br />
<br />
You don't need a lot of people to make your life better.<br />
<br />
Sometimes all you need is one.jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-9090535083540156582012-05-31T13:27:00.001-07:002012-05-31T13:27:34.752-07:00It's been a whileIt's been a while since I've blogged.<br />
<br />
I forget who is even following this blog?<br />
<br />
Anyhow, is it just me or is the economy still getting worse?<br />
<br />
Anyhow, life in LA continues to be rather bi-polar, like my ex boyfriend.<br />
<br />
One day it's all nice and rosy.<br />
<br />
The next day it feels like solitary confinement.<br />
<br />
People here really are completely selfish and self-absorbed. I think that's the root of my unhappiness. But tell me if these things would annoy you too?<br />
<br />
I have a friend that hasn't worked in two and a half years. And despite my trying to help them find a job, all they do is go to meetup groups. They don't even spend their time being an awesome friend to me or doing volunteer work or anything. I just don't get it.<br />
<br />
True, the economy is bad and no one wants to work for minimum wage but this friend quit a job that was paying almost $20 an hour because it was "beneath" them. And while I try to be supportive, having someone like that in my life just is infuriating. They are also flakey and while well-meaning, it just amazes me. <br />
<br />
If I didn't work for two years, I would get SOME job, any job, even if it meant working at the mall or retail for minimum wage because I'd be so BORED otherwise.<br />
<br />
But people here are really weird and even if you go to school for 6 months, that's still 2 years of not bringing in one penny of income. I can't imagine that!<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
When you're down, people here will try to "be a friend" by taking you out to a nice dinner or distracting you by, guess what, talking about themself. Do they ever sit you down and have a REAL conversation? Ask how you're doing and CARE about the answer?<br />
<br />
No!<br />
<br />
And I think that is really fucked up.<br />
<br />
My friend said I should go see a therapist.<br />
<br />
Wow, I should pay money for therapy because people in LA, including family, are shitty?<br />
<br />
Maybe THEY should go to therapy and figure out why they can't have a real conversation or show up on time instead of 1.5 hours late, if at all, when we are supposed to get together.<br />
<br />
Everyone here wants to legalize pot but if anything, we shouldn't because we have enough flakey potheads as it is and they certainly don't need encouragement.<br />
<br />
People on the east coast may drink a lot and drinking and driving, of course, is no joke....but at least the alcoholics I know aren't totally flakes and have good jobs and their shit together.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
People encourage me to move.<br />
<br />
As if it's so easy to move in this recession.<br />
<br />
It's not like they are handing out jobs left and right.<br />
<br />
Moving isn't so hard.<br />
<br />
But what people don't understand is that I've worked for almost 15 years to build up a name for myself in this crazy entertainment industry. <br />
<br />
Giving that all up is not something you can or should take lightly.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
I can't stand the weather on the east coast but I miss the normal people there. The New Yorkers with the harder than stone exterior shell who, once you crack it, become your best friends ever.<br />
<br />
While there are a LOT of amazing people in Los Angeles, it's a really hard city to live in without any family to support you or friends that aren't selfish.<br />
<br />
Oh well.<br />
<br />
What does it say that when I really got so frustrated yesterday and wanted help, the two people I thought of first are in NY and FL?<br />
<br />
And they wrote me back within SECONDS to lend a hand and say that if I wanted to move, they would help me out any way they could.<br />
<br />
Sad that I didn't think of ONE person in LA to call who would do the same.jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-81182406990734761982012-02-03T23:59:00.000-08:002012-02-04T00:05:18.612-08:00Kinda A Strange ThursdayI had kind of a strange day yesterday.<div><br /></div><div>I was running errands and at the mall, as I walked to the stores after parking my car, I saw a guy walk by me with his friend behind him on a skateboard. Except, the guy on the skateboard was missing his entire lower body. No feet, no knees, no legs. Nada. He was just a torso and arms and head.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I drove to my next errand and passed a woman being walked with a seeing eye dog. My car approached her and a stop sign and the dog looked carefully at my car and I swear, right in my eyes to make sure I was stopping before he lead his owner across the street and to safety.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I went to my next errand and leaving it, saw a man in a wheelchair. But not just any wheelchair. The kind that you can only operate by using your mouth. Yes, he was paralyzed and that was the only way he could move around.</div><div><br /></div><div>"God," I thought to myself. We all have our problems. I know I've complained my fair share. And I try to be thankful for what I have. But life has truly been difficult these past years. But nothing compared to these people.</div><div><br /></div><div>One guy is missing half his body. One woman can't see. And the other man can't move anything.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess that's the universe's way of reminding me to count my blessings. Because things could be SO much worse.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bless those poor souls who are going through life like that.</div><div><br /></div><div>My heart goes out to them.</div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-67490128874599803342012-01-27T00:47:00.000-08:002012-01-27T02:42:10.277-08:00The "musical chairs" of the job marketGosh, I haven't blogged here in a while.<div><br /></div><div>Was busy suffering through the worst break-up and experience of my life (not even exaggerating, sadly) but anyhow, I have lots on my mind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Namely, the economy and jobs.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure why I'm so focused on people who don't have jobs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it's because I worked for two companies in the 1990s, both Internet companies, that were bought and merged and in one way or another, ended in me losing my job. So, I have a special soft spot for anyone who gets laid off or is in the market for a job.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, we're living<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>in unusual times.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was recently talking to a friend. He mentioned that his girlfriend would have no problem taking a retail job if she got laid off from her job (thankfully she's gainfully employed as a guidance counselor). My friend said he wouldn't do that. Well, not that he wouldn't do that but that he would be concerned about what people thought if he did that and that he wouldn't be so eager to go work at Ross. She commented that it might be fun and she might learn something.</div><div><br /></div><div>"How refreshing," I thought to myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because we live in that economy right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>You're either a "have" or a "have not."</div><div><br /></div><div>And we live in what I like to call the "music chairs" of the job market -- meaning, say there are 100 chairs representing 100 jobs in your company. Well, once the chair gets pulled out (i.e. you lose your job), that chair is gone. You can run around trying to get another chair but chances are, once you're out of a job, you're out of a job...and that job isn't coming back.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a great analogy the more I think about it because as companies grow their revenue, they are managing to do so with less people.</div><div><br /></div><div>A friend of mine works at one of the biggest universities in California and said they have double the student body now compared to when he was in school (15+ years ago), yet they get by with LESS staff.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd say that's true of most companies today: their revenue is probably more, maybe double what it was before (maybe 5-10 times more, who knows) yet they have managed to drop all the "dead weight" i.e. fire or lay off any employees that aren't ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to their bottom line. So, give a few great workers a 5-10% raise, have them do the work of 2-4 people and voila, more corporate profits.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're one of those "lucky" a.k.a. "overworked" few, you may be doing well financially, but likely putting in insane hours and working from home and working weekends even for just a bit more pay. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, what if you're one of the "not so lucky" ones?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, you're out of luck.</div><div><br /></div><div>If your job is gone, through a layoff or being fired or your own voluntary decision to quit, it's likely not coming back anytime soon - if ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I had a solution except to say, maybe you're gonna have to learn to love working retail.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you think?</div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-7262481397300262652011-07-08T02:34:00.001-07:002012-02-07T02:44:53.366-08:00Hell hath no furyOk, I should probably admit right now that I'm a little bit drunk. But, so be it.<div><br /></div><div>The truth hurts.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a story to tell.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start, oh, say three years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>I call on a lot of people for my job. That's what I do.</div><div><br /></div><div>One day, roughly three years ago, I called on a new music supervisor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the course of the next two and a half to three years, we became friends. I would call him and "shoot the sh#t" as they call it, and he would invite me out to dinner or a show or some other such fun activity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's not all the details actually.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first time we met was at a wine bar. Bodega Wine Bar in Santa Monica to be specific.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, someone you meet through "work" doesn't usually suggest a first meeting at a wine bar unless they are trying to check you out, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>So we meet at said wine bar.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like most first dates, I'm not overly impressed. Nice guy but no chemistry. And he's too young to boot.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, like a good person, I continue the night until it ends fatefully in front of the wine bar with a drunken smooch and goodbye.</div><div><br /></div><div>I never hear from him again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until the appropriate amount of time lapses. </div><div><br /></div><div>I call again.</div><div><br /></div><div>For work.</div><div><br /></div><div>This goes on for years.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I dismiss any amount of him paying me compliments of "you're beautiful" to LA bravado.</div><div><br /></div><div>Flash forward two and a half years into this "relationship."</div><div><br /></div><div>We're at "Phantom of the Opera" - just another "just friends" thing. Except, this time, walking back to the car after the show, he put his jacket on me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this is a move I don't often see unless a guy is into you. I mean, I have PLENTY of guy friends. PLENTY. And none of them do this, as chivalrous as they are!</div><div><br /></div><div>So anyhow, I think something is up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll spare you all the excruciating details but let's just say this relationship progresses to the point where we're out one night and I get the "I'm INTO you" speech. And not just the "I want to date you" speech but the, "I want this to be a SERIOUS relationship" speech.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I say, given our past rocky history, I must proceed cautiously.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet, two months into the relationship, we're out to drinks and he asks if I want to be "an item." I brush it off, thinking, "it's too soon" and realizing that I need to make sure this guy is really serious about me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I get sweet text messages. I get "I miss you" texts and beautiful flowers over the holidays while he is home visiting his parents on break.</div><div><br /></div><div>Flash forward to March of 2011.</div><div><br /></div><div>All is lovely.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am in love and on vacation in Hawaii for two weeks by myself, visiting my mother and just trying to relax from the insanity of Los Angeles.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, there is an earthquake in Japan and I'm out to dinner with my mother when I get, not one not two, but three text messages from friends in Los Angeles asking me if I'm, "ok?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Ummm, yeah, sure, why wouldn't I be?</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, I see.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because the tsunami generated from the massive Japan earthquake is headed to Hawaii. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm at dinner at some Pho place and while no once seems to be freaking out (just yet) I start to worry and feel like I'm about to star in some horrible Michael Bay film about the end of the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow, I call my "almost" boyfriend that night because he said his parents were also in Hawaii during this time and I wanted to make sure he told them about the impending tsunami/disaster....mind you, I've never met his parents...but I care about him and certainly didn't want his parents to get hurt (or possibly die - perhaps a bit overdramatic but it happened in Thailand) so I called him even though it was probably 1 or 2 am LA time.</div><div><br /></div><div>No response.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not even in the morning.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>So I wake up, after a very poor night's sleep of sirens and police bull horns going off all night and ongoing messages over the hotel loudspeaker all night saying, "DO NOT LEAVE THE HOTEL."</b> This is some scary s#it. I feel like I'm in Pearl Harbor or at the very least, starring in "Pearl Harbor: The Remake."</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the morning comes, no call.</div><div><br /></div><div>I call him to see what's up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I say, "hey, we had a massive tsunami warning and were locked in our hotels all night. I called you to warn your parents." Instead of concern or asking how I'm doing, I get a, "umm, I didn't know there was a tsunami warning, I don't watch the news." Which I buy. For two seconds until I remember I called <i>him</i> in the middle of the night to warn <b><i>his</i></b> parents -- so he KNEW there was a tsunami warning because I fuc#ing told him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of getting concern or an, "Oh no, how are you doing?" I get a completely out of the blue "Sorry, but we need to break up because I'm quitting my job and going back to grad school in the fall" talk.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, all this the day after a massive tsunami warning and as I'm packing up my stuff as I need to move hotels this morning (yes, this of all mornings.)</div><div><br /></div><div>What?</div><div><br /></div><div>What the fu#k?</div><div><br /></div><div>You never told me you were even <i>thinking</i> about grad school, much less quitting your job, much less going back to school in Texas!</div><div><br /></div><div>And what about US?</div><div><br /></div><div>But I don't have time to debate this as I literally have twenty minutes to check out of my hotel room.</div><div><br /></div><div>I spend the next two weeks of my vacation (as I'm literally just a couple days into my two week trip when the tsunami "almost" disaster arrives, just balling my eyes out because 1) I'm in Hawaii all alone 2) I really thought at times that night of the tsunami that I might die and this "could be it" 3) I just got broken up with from 3,000 miles away from a guy who said he wanted to "be serious" and not spend any vacation time apart after this. This was a guy I actually saw a future with and I thought could be "the one."</div><div><br /></div><div>Flash forward to, well, fucking tonight.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll spare you all the details about how many times I've cried about this guy over the past 3-4 months, since the "tsunami breakup" as I'd like to call it.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, if you're my dad, my mom, my friend Sara, Kathryn, Michael, Kaz, Jamie, Lesley, Jeannie or any of my other close friends, you know what's been going on because I've likely been crying my eyes out to you over the past 3-4 months.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, suffice it to say, when you spend all your free time supporting the guy you've been dating by going to see his musical not once, not twice, but five fucking times, and going to countless parties where you don't know a soul and making nicey nice for literally dozens upon dozens of hours simply because you care about someone, you suddenly wake up one day (today?) and realize that the person you're in love with, the person you've been dating for the past 8 months is nothing but a self-absorbed, lost, narcissistic, selfish asshole who cares about no one really but himself.</div><div><br /></div><div>He promised me, after months of me almost <b><i>begging and pleading</i></b> for his help, to give me one day to help me move some of my stuff from storage into my apartment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, let me tell you, Los Angeles has got to be the only city where you can have "friends" and exist for 18 months and have not one person offer to help you move your shit except Kathryn. Yes, my friend Kathryn is the only person in my life who was kind and giving enough of a friend and person to help me move some stuff out of storage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow, I digress.</div><div><br /></div><div>I get today.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, yesterday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday was supposed to be "my" day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday - where he would help me move things I really need from storage into my apartment.</div><div><br /></div><div>He said he wasn't scheduling ANYTHING else for the ENTIRE day as it was "all about me" and "helping me" with whatever I needed help with.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, I get one fricking day out of 8 months/3 years when I gave you how much of my free time? Hundreds of hours of ME being emotionally supportive to HIM and also ME helping HIM move his crap for 2 full days just last week in fact.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet, after he slept til 10am and then disappeared for "10 minutes" (which turned out to be an hour) to do some personal errands, I got his undivided attention from 11am to 4pm.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I took the day off work to move --</b> yet he had to schedule his own personal stuff at 4pm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did he even think for 2 seconds that that could be inconsiderate to me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course not.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's moving away. It's stressful. He's really busy. I get it.</div><div><br /></div><div>But on "my day" he also has time to get a haircut and spend 45 minutes talking to his neighbors for no good reason.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we go out to dinner, at 10pm, when we were supposed to eat at 8pm.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I mention that he didn't give me my entire day, and now he's trying to back out of helping me on Friday now, <b>he gets up and leaves me at fu#king Swingers in the middle of dinner saying, "I'm done."</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yeah, buddy?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, good for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good for you for being a selfish asshole.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope I never see your face <guy whose="" name="" rhymes="" with="" dick="">.</guy></div><div><br /></div><div>You are a loser and don't deserve someone as amazing as me.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, the last guy that treated me this badly, well, he lost his house, his dad, his business and his sister almost died.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't wait to see what's in store for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Karma's a bitch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck spending the next week on vacation instead of living up to your promises and being a decent human being.</div><div><br /></div><div>No one in LA is going to miss you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, did I mention that he told me he "didn't love me" and "didn't see a future" with me just days after insisting I meet not just his parents but his entire family? And not just meet them - but spend an entire weekend with them? And sleep over at their beach house?</div><div><br /></div><div>You pretended to be a decent person when in reality all you did at your job was look out for yourself and other ways to leverage your position into making more money for yourself. You drink too much, smoke too much pot and would oddly rather spend time with some dude working on a musical for 3+ months than with a great girl who really cares about you and treats you well. Hmmm. </div><div><br /></div><div>And if that isn't enough, your lack of concern or 'paying attention' caused you to almost KILL a bicyclist a few weeks ago when you opened your car door without looking.</div><div><br /></div><div>TYPICAL.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, I suppose I shouldn't complain all that much. Despite your lack of concern or compassion for others, you did take me out to a lot of nice dinners. Too bad what I really needed was someone who was there for me emotionally and would (could?) sit still for even one evening at home -- instead of booking every free waking moment of one's day with bull#hit activities that just weren't important - like racquetball and basketball at 6am.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have fun living at home with your @#4ing parents while the rest of us are working real jobs and trying to take care of each other like decent human beings.</div><div><br /></div><div>You couldn't do it, could you?</div><div><br /></div><div>Helping me for geez, all of 5 hours (which included a lunch break) was just too much for your selfish little self to handle - so you had to end things? You only moved 2 car loads of stuff. Geez.</div><div><br /></div><div>So glad you're not coming back.</div><div><br /></div><div>So glad!</div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-37588513493489161562011-05-03T13:51:00.001-07:002011-05-03T14:05:49.511-07:00Something positive about LA<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I realize I slam Los Angeles a lot. And I feel bad for that. Well, not really, but sometimes. But I'm not crazy. I'm not living in this god awful place just to torture myself. In fact, Los Angeles does have a lot of redeeming qualities that I probably don't talk about enough because I'm so busy being frustrated by the traffic and driving and parking and people.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">But let's face it, today is yet another gorgeous and perfect day here in this fair city. And while some may say it's superficial to care about or live in a place solely for the weather (and maybe it is) the weather is pretty important. I mean, the weather affects your life <b>EVERY DAY!</b> If you live in a city or state that's really cold half the year - and really humid the other part of the year (see: most of the United States) then doing anything simple like grocery shopping or getting gas for your car is a production. Ugh. If it rains, you can't do almost anything outside. And that's not a bad thing. But in Los Angeles, we are incredibly spoiled by the gorgeous weather that we can hike, bike, run, walk, rollerblade, play tennis, surf almost any day of the year. That makes for a generally happy population that is outside and exercising and eating heathily.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">What else? There are about ten million different kinds of restaurants. Most people I've met in LA are pretty open-minded about food (except for my ex Todd - hi Todd!) and sushi is a regular fave. Not only do we have sushi but we have some of the best sushi in the world and at reasonable prices. Just the other day my guy and I found a good, cheap sushi spot right on Sawtelle. Sushi for 2 for <$30 and it was good? Wow! Where else can you find that?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Of course, there's the beach and if you're ever feeling blue, all you need to do is go for a walk along the beach. You can do this 365 days a year and if you ski, you can do that most every day of the winter.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">We have farmer's markets on almost every block on almost every day of the week. I've never eaten so well as when I've lived in California - no more soda for me it's all water and iced tea and green tea and fresh fruits and veggies year round.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The shopping is insane. I remember growing up in Connecticut where there was only one decent mall within a 45 minute drive. Now I go back home and go to that mall and laugh at how small it is. Within 45 minutes of where I live in LA there must be 8-10 large malls or shopping centers. We have better clothes and more of a selection or everything from frozen yogurt to drug stores to you name it than anywhere I've ever seen except maybe Manhattan.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And yes, I complain all the time about the selfish and self-absorbed people that LA attracts and sometimes nurtures. But you know what? You don't have to hang out with those people. I've learned to cut out selfish and weird people from my life. And while that may mean being alone more than I like, it's a LOT better than being around people who only think about themselves.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And there are some AMAZING people here. I've made some truly great, supportive, caring and wonderful friends. It's just hard to see them these days because they may live further out of the city now, be in a relationship, be married and/or have a kid (or 2 or 3). But they are still there. Being caring and supportive over the phone or email or facebook.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">So yeah, LA is a crazy place. It used to be wonderful 95% of the time and maybe now it's 50% or 60% or 75% (or 2% depending on what day you ask me) and I suppose a lot of the things I love about it are superficial. And superficial things will not make you happy in the long run.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">But you can make changes in your life and meet new people and join new organizations. Join a new gym or find new meetup groups or join a church or do something to meet better people because if it's one thing LA does well, is bring new people to the city every day.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Perhaps the most positive thing about LA is that people come here from all over the country (and world) to pursue their dream. Now while that may attract a fair number of delusional and insane people, it also attracts some incredibly ambitious, smart, hard-working, passionate people. And I always thought it was crazy to work some boring 9 to 6 job in a grey cubicle or office pushing papers around doing nothing of any note for the better part of one's life. No, people in Los Angeles wanted something better for their life. They didn't want a normal, mundane existence working in finance or law or accounting. They wanted to do something fun or something they are passionate about every day. Something creative. Something different. And, and the end of the day, no matter how bad things get here in this city, that's something I will always admire and respect about Angelinos. No one will ever call us boring.</p><p></p></span>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-86582204826663480912011-05-02T14:58:00.000-07:002011-05-02T15:10:32.849-07:00You can pursue your dreams and *still* be a decent human being<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix" style="display: block; zoom: 1; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; word-wrap: break-word; "><div><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Someone very wise once told me that people move to Los Angeles to escape their problems. Now while I'm not sure that is true of everyone that moves here, I do think it's true of many people. And as a result, the culture leaves something to be desired.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">But come on people, just because you are here and a bit messed up emotionally, doesn't let you off the hook from being a decent human being.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Maybe there is something wrong with a family who would let one of their children move to Los Angeles to pursue their career in writing or being in a band or making a movie or what have you. Or, one could argue the opposite viewpoint - that a loving, caring family would support and encourage their child to do whatever makes them happy.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">All I know it that I've managed to pursue my "dreams" here in Los Angeles and still look out for others and be a kind and caring person. A lot of other people I've met? Not so much.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Now am I just better at multi-tasking? Perhaps. But earth to people of Los Angeles: the world does not revolve around you and what you want and need. Perhaps your parents spoiled you too much when you were growing up. So you grew up a bit selfish and self-absorbed and LA only feeds that unhealthiness. I don't know. I don't buy it. We all make choices in our life and if we choose to run around only caring about ourself, what kind of world does that create? Would you want to be friends with someone who just cared about themself?? Especially in a time of need? I wouldn't....</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">However, as I get older, I see more and more of this selfish behavior manifest itself in unhealthy ways. I mean, is it unreasonable for me to expect I should have one friend, or one roommate in my life, that cares enough about me when I'm sick to get me soup? Or ask how I'm feeling? I've lived with a few people over the years who haven't helped me at all when I've been sick and to me, that just shows me how selfish and self-absorbed they are. If I knew someone was sick, even if it was a neighbor or someone I did not know really well, I would absolutely offer to help them get medicine or chicken soup. But someone you live with or are close to? Forget it. They've got better things to do.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Unfortunately, Los Angeles attracts people who are emotionally damaged or crippled.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Geez.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Maybe I'm the selfish one. </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I mean, I'm a grown woman.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Why should anyone help me when I am sick?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Especially when they have better things to do?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Well, I'm not sure of the answer but I can't help but dream of a place where people care about other people. And if I knew my neighbor or friend was sick, I would offer to get them soup. </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In fact, this very thing happened a few months ago.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">A good friend of mine was so sick that she couldn't leave her place to get herself any food.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And while one could argue Pink Dot or delivery is phone call away, let's be honest. Pink Dot isn't going to have chicken soup or your favorite item from the supermarket when you are sick. Your local restaurant isn't going to bring you a huge container of Tropicana orange juice.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">We should all have at least one person in our life who cares about us enough to get us soup and a favorite beverage when we're too sick and weak to leave the house.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">So, I offered to go to Whole Foods and pick up my friend some soup.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">She was really happy.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And I know she'd do the same for me in return.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">As for everyone else, I say, epic fail.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I know I complain a lot about Los Angeles and people here. And I know I should leave. I'm working on it. Truly. But meanwhile, I hope you have someone who cares enough about you to get you chicken soup when you are sick.</p><p></p></div></div></span>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-31666431346107929492011-04-27T00:33:00.001-07:002011-04-27T00:35:42.617-07:00Love<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix" style="display: block; zoom: 1; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; word-wrap: break-word; "><div><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Lately I've been thinking a lot about relationships and love. And ironically, I've had a few of my single girlfriends mention to me that they like a guy a lot but are afraid of telling them how they feel because they don't want to get hurt.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Believe me, I get it.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">No one wants to get hurt.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Relationships are hard. Especially in Los Angeles where so many people are busy pursuing their "dream" of writing a screenplay or being in a band or making a movie or what have you. </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">But if you are lucky enough to find someone you like and have romantic feelings for, why not give it your all?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I mean, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">And sure, no one wants to be the first one to put their heart on the line. What if the other person doesn't feel the same way?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Relationships, even good ones, take a lot of time and effort on both sides.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">But you know what?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Life is short.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Live a little.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Take a chance.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Tell someone how you feel.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">And if that's too scary, try showing them.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">What do you really have to lose?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">You may not get the answer you want. But just think - what if you do?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Life is short.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">If someone is already spending a lot of time with you and has expressed to you how they feel, you have to meet them half way.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><b>What if </b><i><b>you're</b></i><b> the one getting in the way of your own happiness?</b></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">So, I dedicate this post to my 2 girlfriends in Los Angeles (you know who you are.)</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Let your guard down.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">What's the worst that could happen?</p></div></div></span>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-42194950523663027612011-04-14T17:57:00.001-07:002011-04-14T18:20:56.235-07:00Are you Superman? (for friends only)<p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I always get in trouble with people when I complain about Los Angeles. But I don't really care.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I think I've been through some really rough spots in my life over the past few years and boy do you find out who your friends are. Or should I say, you really find out who your "true" friends are and who was pretending.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I used to love LA. And I still do. Just not as much as before. (It was 95% before and now it's 50% if that?)</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I mean, you can't go wrong with the weather and 10 million restaurants and things to do every night. Every time I go home to Connecticut I marvel at the poor selection of movie show times. There's no "or we *could* drive to the Grove and see it there at 8:05pm instead of 7:30pm at the Arclight or in Century City." We're way spoiled in terms of concerts and comedy clubs and shopping. Oh the shopping. Don't get me started.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Do you ski? Do you surf? Welcome to LA. Perhaps the only place in the world where you can do both in the same day (ironically I do neither.)</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">However, lately, I've seen so many of my friends and colleagues move away. I just lost another friend to Seattle (hope you're having fun up there Shelly!) and more are on their way out now as I type this....</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">The lure of Los Angeles is so strong in fact that I have more than a handful of friends who have stayed here for years, despite their inability to find full-time work after being laid off from a job. Of course, who can blame them? The economy is pretty crappy everywhere and if I were going to be unemployed, much better to be out of work in Los Angeles where you can drive to the beach every day than living in Missouri or Minnesota or some way too cold or way too hot place where there isn't much to do but perhaps be depressed at being out of work.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">And I don't fault anyone really because we all change as time goes on.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Everyone I know is doing the best they can.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Even friends with jobs are scraping to get by.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Because the cost of EVERYTHING has risen - from gas to food to health insurance. How can anyone afford to live in this country when wages are overall - flat or declining (if you're "lucky" enough to even <i>have</i> a job) and the cost of everything is going up? Yet we sit here in front of our computers and do nothing other than put up a few ranty facebook status updates or call and write our representatives who seem to do nothing. We may protest and take to the streets but that seems to have the same effect = nothing. I wish Americans would copy the French and burn some shit down and get arrested or make more of a mess than we do here. Maybe Americans really are lazy and stupid. What can you do?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Anyhow, I'm not Superman (Supergirl?) and neither are you. So unless you have a secret to making oodles more money in this economy, I don't know how you are doing it.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">What was my point?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Oh yes.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">My point is:</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Does LA suck now because the economy is crappy? Is living in Los Angeles right now akin to being in a tough marriage? Stick with it but things will get better? (Some signs point to yes. But most seem to point to "no" as the state is broke. But many states are broke - not just California.)</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">or</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Does LA now resemble more of a drug addiction for those still live here? As in, you know it's bad for you (economically), but the highs (weather, food, things to do, sunshine) are <em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; ">so </strong></em>good. Do you just need to quit cold turkey? Or is taking a drug ok?</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I'm not sure of what the answer is.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Maybe those of us that are left in Los Angeles are just optimistic. We hope things will improve. </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Or are those of us that are left just foolish and stupid? We stay here hoping things will get better when they probably will only continue to get worse? I don't have the answer but I do know that smart people probably don't stick around in a fire to see what is going to burn down - they get the hell out. (Now if you have a job, are married or in a good relationship, have people in LA that truly care about you and help you, have kids or are generally "loving" LA feel free to ignore everything I've just written.)</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">A good friend of mine is talking about moving to Bali.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Yes, Bali.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I've head of numerous people in the music business (and in other jobs) who have just up and quit their job. I mean, how bad is your job that you're willing to forsake a paycheck in this economy? Because the reality is, unless you have parents who can support you or some type of trust fund, there many not be another job to fall back on. Even years from now. Why should employers hire more people when they can "get by" with a skeleton crew? My friend's brother works at a warehouse and they recently fired ALL the full-time staff except him and offered them their old job back at a fraction of their old salary with less / no benefits.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Companies continue to downsize to the point of straining the employees that are left to the point where those employees rather quit than deal with the torture of uber-stressful and demanding jobs. I see the woman who works down the hall from me in her office sometimes at 8 or 9pm at night on a REGULAR basis. I sure hope she's getting overtime but something tells me she isn't and is just working her tail off to keep her job.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Everyone is just looking out for themselves these days (and who can blame them) and it's a hard, hard place to live where people don't care about you but only have their own interests at heart.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I don't have the solution.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Do you?</p><p></p>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-90144923096515141972010-12-05T03:09:00.000-08:002010-12-05T03:30:48.567-08:00A blog about drugs - dedicated to all my friends that smokeI want to start out by saying that I have no judgment against anyone that smokes, drinks or takes drugs. However, after years of wondering why so many of my "friends" in LA are flakey, I finally figured it out.<div><br /></div><div>Part of it is the urban sprawl - of course you have to drive EVERYWHERE in Los Angeles so people flake, I think, because they are often too lazy to get in their car and drive 30-45+ minutes each way just to see you. And park, blah, blah, blah. I get it.</div><div><br /></div><div>But so many of my friends just act weird and abnormal when I hang out with them - and for no apparent reason.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's the kind of weird that they probably aren't even aware of.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, so have you ever been somewhere - maybe a bar or a party where you were the designated driver, or just weren't drinking that night for some reason? And you watch all the drunk people around you acting like total idiots. Now being drunk - that's fine and when you're drinking with friends, everyone seems fun. But drunk people don't seem so cool - not to the sober person, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, let me let you in on a little secret.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't smoke pot, living in Los Angeles can feel like being the designated driver all the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now let me be clear - I'm fine with people who smoke. No judgment. That's a personal / lifestyle choice. It's not for me -- but I can see why others may partake in this activity.</div><div><br /></div><div>But just so you know, if you're one of my friends who smokes weed, it sucks for me (and likely for your other friends) who don't.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why?</div><div><br /></div><div>Because you may not think it affects you, but it does.</div><div><br /></div><div>My friends often get spacey while I'm talking to them, act weird, forget to call me back, forget what they told me 2 seconds ago (or what I just told them), or repeat what I said 2 seconds ago as a new thought of their own, forget to do things they say they'll do over and over again and generally act like not very good friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, that's maybe an unfair statement.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are still good friends but maybe operating at 80% of their true friend potential.</div><div><br /></div><div>And who wants 80% of anything?</div><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div><br /></div><div>I get it.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's an escape.</div><div><br /></div><div>And maybe there is something in your life you need escaping from. Problems at work. Or with your significant other (or lack thereof). Or to wind down from a stressful day. Blah, blah, blah. I'm sorry but life sometimes is just sucky and to me, constantly smoking pot to escape reality is just not a solution that makes any sense. Numbing yourself to the pain or loneliness or whatever doesn't solve anything - it's just a temporary fix. </div><div><br /></div><div>I rather feel every moment of every day of my life than to go through life under the influence of some drug, especially one that makes you behave poorly over and over and over again. Because, quite honestly, I tend to have lot more fun sober than even after a glass of booze.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that's me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly, I'm in the minority here, at least living in Los Angeles where I swear at least 1/2 of my friends smoke.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I guess this is just a plea to any of my friends that DON'T smoke pot, can we please hang out more?</div><div><br /></div><div>Because I need more normal in my life.</div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-5277365266192483932010-12-04T01:56:00.000-08:002010-12-04T02:44:44.091-08:00Advice for single men #1 - How to Tell if a Woman Likes YouSo I suppose it's time I confess a secret. Something my good friends know but many other people don't.<div><br /></div><div>I used to run a speed dating company.</div><div><br /></div><div>And while you'd think that should make me some kind of dating expert, well, it doesn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, actually, it helped a lot and I've also dated a lot and have learned quite a bit about what men should and shouldn't do on dates.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here are some tips for you single men out there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Topic # 1 - How to Tell If a Woman Likes You</div><div><br /></div><div>1. If a woman likes you, she'll probably seem a little odd on dates with you. Maybe she won't talk very much. Or seem distracted. Now you have to pay attention because if she's distracted she might also "just not be that into you" but if she seems nervous or "off" in some way I'd say there's a good chance she likes you. After all, don't you get nervous around women that you like and are attracted to? Bingo!</div><div><br /></div><div>The opposite of this can also be true. If a woman is very friendly, engaging, is asking questions about you and is generally a good date, she might like you. Or, she may just have no attraction to you so she treats you like any of her other male friends or girlfriends and acts "normal" because she isn't attracted to you so she can just "be herself."</div><div><br /></div><div>2. If a woman gets dressed up to go on dates with you, there is a good chance she's into you. Ok, I admit, I'm writing this from my own experience and maybe there are a lot of women out there who will get all dolled up just because they like to get dressed up no matter who they are seeing. But men, let's face it. Doing our hair, make-up, putting together outfits is a tiring process for women too so it's likely we're only going to do this if we like you. Of course, a first date isn't very telling because we want to make a good first impression, we may get dressed up, find out you're a dud, and then wish we'd shown up in jeans a t-shirt but if a woman dresses up on dates #2-200 you know she's probably into you.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. The flip side of this is, if a girl often just wears jeans and a t-shirt around you, she probably just considers you a friend. Well, either that or she just likes to be comfortable. I definitely fall into that category but in general, the more casual she looks, the less she's probably into you.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Is she flirting with you? Does she play with her hair or act playful and flirty in any way? Chances are, she's either got low self-esteem and flirts with EVERY guy or she's into you. You choose! If she touches your arm or hand or any part of you, that's a VERY good sign.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Pay attention to her body language. Is she leaning in towards you? Making eye contact? Are her legs faced toward you or away from you? Is she not looking around at other people in the restaurant or wherever you are? If so, these are good signs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, at the end of the day, every woman is different. </div><div><br /></div><div>My friend just emailed me saying she plays with her hair "all the time" so it doesn't mean anything for her.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, you'll find, if you pay attention, you'll probably get some clues during your date as to whether or not the girl likes you!</div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-22663013069915216302010-10-14T01:26:00.000-07:002010-10-23T20:58:15.127-07:00Job hunting adviceI still have too many friends who are looking for jobs right now. So, I thought it would be cool (and helpful) to do a blog entry to help them.<div><br /></div><div>People always say, "Read the book '<i>What Color is Your Parachute'</i>" and perhaps that's not a bad idea. Or "Who Moved My Cheese." Yes, pick up either one at your local library.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I think more practical advice is in order. After all, this is the worst recession and economy in 70-80 years so I think a lot of people just have no good advice for people who are out of work because there is no good advice, is there?</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few of my thoughts. Please feel free to comment and add yours:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Be willing to "think outside the box" - ummm, WAY out of the box. A friend of mine recently left his music PR job of 20 years after being laid off. He considered and looked into <b><i>everything</i></b> -- from joining the police department to real estate. He settled on real estate, got his license and is now forging ahead in that area, while still keeping himself open to corporate PR jobs. Smart. I know a LOT of my friends who are out of work used to work in music or the entertainment business - so be willing to look into ALL industries - from health care to the police department to teaching to working at UPS or selling insurance, or working at Trader Joe's. I hear managers there can make $90K.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Go back to school. A friend of mine used to do A&R and is now going back to school to study drug and alcohol counseling/therapy. Smart. There are lots of things you could go back to school for - from getting your MBA to getting a teaching or paralegal certificate. If I were smarter, I would have been a computer programmer as I always see tech jobs out there so when in doubt, learn some programming skills or something technical, even if it's outside of your comfort zone. Most people are afraid of technology, even employers, and employers generally will pay high salaries for tech jobs as they themselves don't even understand what tech people do. Bear in mind though, don't get any private student loans - they are scary. And know that even with a gov't student loan, you can't bankrupt yourself out of that debt so if you take on $100-200K in student loans to get your law school degree (or any advanced degree for that matter), you better get into Harvard and get a 6 figure job so you can afford paying that money back because your payments will be $1K a month!</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Another music refugee was laid off from her corporate job and is now temping. I'm pretty proud of her for this as when you temp, the wages may be low, but it gets you working and your foot in the door with companies and in industries you might not normally even know about much less try to work at. One of my first real jobs out of college I got through temping. I took a lowly temp salary and turned it into a nice paying full-time job with benefits. Oh, how I miss the Internet boom!</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Move. The fact of the matter is, California's unemployment rate is one of the highest in the nation. I hear there are lots more jobs in NYC and DC and jobs in smaller towns and cities across the country. Apply for jobs out of the city and out of state.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Go where your friends and contacts are. It's all about relationships. It's always easier to get a job through someone you know (or someone who knows someone) that blindly off an ad.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. Use but don't rely on the Internet and applying for jobs online. I've heard from many people that they just aren't getting responses to their online job applications. Sure, keep applying online (and tailoring your resume AND cover letter to each job), but don't rely on applying for jobs online. Companies are literally getting hundreds, if not thousands of resumes for each job posting. Find a contact there - ask everyone you know, use LinkedIn or Facebook if need be but find SOMEONE at the company (cold call someone if you have to) to get your resume on someone's desk. Be CREATIVE. One applicant bought Google keywords of a guy's name (Bob Smith) of where he wanted to work. When Bob googled himself, his guy's resume came up. Needless to say, this got Bob's attention and the guy got the job! (I think it was for a creative job at an ad agency...)</div><div><br /></div><div>7. No matter how bad things get, KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. I emailed with a few job hunters earlier this year that I was trying to help. One was looking for work and yet was so cheerful about everything. I sent her resume to an entertainment assistant gig opening. They really liked her but by the time things moved along and they wanted her, she had already accepted a gig at another company. Nike I think. I'm 99% sure her cheerful attitude got her hired over dozens of other applicants. Another searcher was more "down" and was out of work for months longer. Believe it or not, your demeanor comes across in your resume, cover letter and job interview - and little things you type, say or do. Be happy, fake it if you need to but a HR person or interviewer will be a LOT more impressed with you if you seem cheerful and upbeat than "man it's horrible out there" when you meet with them.</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Start your own business. No matter how bad you think the economy is, there are ALWAYS opportunities out there for entrepreneurs. Can you do what you used to do in corporate America for yourself? Before you automatically say 'no' really think about it. Maybe there's a way! Making even a little money to start is better than making nothing!</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Really use your creativity. I was watching that Nate Berkus TV show the other day and some guy on there was out of work so long. He knew he was a "decisive" person so he created a business/web site "Pay me $5 and I'll make any decision for you." Questions could range from "What color nail polish should I wear to my 20 year high school reunion?" to well, you name it. He seems to do be doing well with this business venture. Enough to be paying back his student loans anyhow.</div><div><br /></div><div>10. Write down the top 5-10 things you are good at. Are you good at communicating, like being your own boss and like kids? Maybe teaching or being a nanny is for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most importantly, keep your expenses low. Can you move back home or in with a friend or family member? If so, do it. It will save you a lot of money every month and take a lot of the stress off you. I know it's not cool or fashionable but I have a few friends in this boat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anything to add?</div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-83839938301472299422010-10-11T13:03:00.000-07:002010-10-14T15:42:12.672-07:00For my east coast friends - My crazy LA friendsI'm in a bad mood so I thought I'd recap all my crazy experiences with friends I've had in LA. Oops I mean "friends".<div><br /></div><div>So as to protect the guilty, I've changed their names.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leslie - Let' see I met Leslie at some singles mixer. She seemed cool at first. We were both single and griping about how hard it is to find a decent guy in LA so we decided go hang out and try to meet guys together. She was a sweet girl but got married when she was 18 or something (and divorced at age 30) so she literally didn't know how to do ANYTHING for herself as she'd been a "kept woman" for 10+ years and missed out entirely on her 20s. We went "bar hopping" one night and she didn't like the first place. Fine. So we left. Then she didn't like the 2nd place. I mean, these were nice bars in Santa Monica, not dives we were going to. Anyhow, after heading to our 3rd spot, I was over it. It was like being friends with an infant because she didn't know how to do *anything* for herself because her husband has always taken care of her. She had a roommate who didn't pay the rent for a month or two and she had no idea what to do. She "spotted them" and asked me after the fact if I thought they'd pay her back. Umm, no.... I mean, who does that? Even at age 18 I'd have known that was dumb. Anyhow, the icing on the cake was when we went out one day and she commented I should be wearing a bra with my tank top. Now, sure, in retrospect, that was probably good advice but I didn't think I looked particularly slutty. It's hot out and besides, people shouldn't be looking so closely at my shirt to see if my nipples are poking out. Anyhow, it wasn't what she said but the way she said it. Very bitchy and controlling like. Bye bye.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jessica - Jessica was a good friend for a while. We met through work years and years ago. Only problem was, she had some health issues, including major depression. Ok, not her fault, right? Of course not. But I'm sorry, if you're clinically depressed, drinking does not help it! I deliberately don't drink because even one cocktail can make me sad and mopey for days. She would always drink when we went out and even though it was only a glass or two of wine, I couldn't help but wonder if she'd be a bit less "depressed" if she stopped drinking. She also made ZERO effort to exercise. And yes, I know, if you're clinically depressed, exercise and cutting out alcohol won't cure you. You need meds. I get it. But the meds didn't even work. I just don't have any sympathy for people who don't at least try to help themselves. If you work out AND give up drinking and then still are depressed, fine, but at least TRY something. Sadly, it was too much to handle because she also flaked on 75% of the things we were supposed to do together.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mary - Mary also suffered from depression. I can't figure out if people who are depressed move to Los Angeles because of the eternal sunshine. Or if living in an old, dingy apartment with a view of another building and no natural sunlight, surrounded by concrete everywhere and no trees makes people here depressed? Maybe it's a combo of the two. Anyhow, Mary was a talker (and a drinker) which is fine. I listened to her mindless ramblings for years because she was pretty and fun to hang out with and amusing much of the time. She literally talked 95% of the time we were together. When I hit a rough patch, she didn't act like a normal person by saying "what's wrong" but went on and on about herself EVEN MORE! When I stopped her, saying, "Hey, I'm going through some serious shit here - I need you to shut up and listen (for a change) and be a friend" she just couldn't do it. She said her endless talking would "distract me" from my problems and that we all "have problems" so why should she stop talking about hers just because I'm having a rough patch? Seriously? Yes, I agree, we all have problems but that does not give you the right to dominate 95% of our conversations and then REFUSE to talk about me when I need a friend! She went so far as to lie and say she'd offered to talk to me but I wouldn't answer her questions. Out and out lies! I stopped talking to her after that and cut her out of my life for good. Did I mention she was also "depressed" and on meds that didn't really work? Hmmm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Britney - Let's see. Britney was cool....at first. She was always happy, chipper and upbeat. However, as I got to know her better, I realized that her pleasant demeanor was about as real as a Stepford Wife. She probably had a mother than always put on a "happy" face, even when times were bad, and that was likely transferred to her. Anyhow, we were good friends for a while. She always would be up for trying a new restaurant or doing something new. She never said "no" but "sure, let's try it" which I found to be a refreshingly fun and good attitude to have in a city full of depressing "no" saying peeps. Anyhow, things were fine until we went to Vegas. She had some mild reaction to the food we had at dinner. Nothing major - just an upset stomach because *she* waited too long between meals to eat!? Totally HER fault, not mine nor the restaurant's. Anyhow, she locked herself in our hotel bathroom for 20 minutes, like an 8 year old might do. I had no idea what was going on - she was upset and pouting - not in there because she was sick to her stomach. Anyhow, come to find out, she's livid at *me?!?* because I'm not consoling!?! her more because her tummy hurt. She's over 30 years old - what am I, her mom? She wasn't even that sick...just a minor tummy ache. Anyhow, we got in a HUGE fight about it as we had both planned and wanted to go out that night and now we couldn't. I wasn't really *that* upset...disappointed, sure, I mean, who wouldn't be as it was our only Saturday night out in Vegas! But she projected that *I* was REALLY mad at *her* for getting sick (which I wasn't) and had a tantrum and went to bed. Needless to say, that was one of the last times I hung out with her. Because after that, she invited me out to dinner, then flaked the same day on me, 3 TIMES IN A ROW!!! She even had the nerve to admit that she was just going to go out to dinner with her boyfriend instead?!? I wrote her a "kiss off" email and said I didn't need flakey, rude people in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ashley - Ashley was the closest thing I've ever had to a "best friend" in my entire life. We were such good friends for 8+ years that we even went on vacations together - San Diego, New York and the Caribbean. She was always a great friend, an even better listener and fun to boot. Then, one day, she met a guy. Oh, she always had a boyfriend of some sort. But that didn't stop us from being close, good friends and being on the phone for hours and hours at a time. Then she met "him." He was a new kind of guy. Much more controlling than any of her previous boyfriends. I'd run into them at our gym and he'd come over and criticize my work out technique, complaining that I wasn't even "breaking a sweat." Umm, yeah, I'm a girl and I barely sweat even when I do work out really hard. Anyhow, he was mean and bossy and would treat her badly. As time went on, our phone calls became shorter and shorter. One day, we'd been on the phone for all of 5 minutes when he came home and she suddenly "had to go" because he'd walked in the door. What, you can't be on the phone when your boyfriend comes home?? Anyhow, after blowing me off slowly for years, she then suddenly became all chummy again as her wedding date neared and she wanted me to be in her wedding. We were such good friends - I was convinced that she'd ask me to be her maid of honor. She only had 1 sister but they often fought. Anyhow, I was a shoe-in. Or so I thought. She choose her sister, ok, fine, understood as they may fight but they are family. But when she suddenly called me last minute and expected I would drop everything in the middle of a weekday to go downtown with her to look at dresses, I was livid. I'm self-employed, so yes, I can make my own schedule, but not when you call me up last minute and give me NO notice and want me to go spend an afternoon dress shopping with you. Maybe 24 hours notice and I could have but every minute I'm not at work, I'm not earning money - something people with corporate jobs fail to understand. When you work for yourself, you have to work 10 times harder than when you work for 'the man' because you're responsible for every penny you bring in (or don't bring in). Anyhow, I backed out of her wedding and she was pissed but after expecting me to suddenly be her best friend again when she'd been MIA from my life for months if not years, I'd had enough. We haven't spoken since and I'm sure she's still married to that asshole.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not just the women in LA that are crazy:</div><div><br /></div><div>Mike - Mike and I met at a singles mixer. We sorta dated for 1/2 a second but were really just friends for much of 8 years. We'd have dinner every 6 months or so and catch up and I always went out of my way for him to send him job leads because he was a freelance editor and was sometimes (often) out of work. Anyhow, he got married a few years ago. I had lunch with both of them and things seemed fine. Then he was going to come to my birthday party but last minute blew me off because they had just adopted 2 dogs and couldn't leave them at home alone. Ok, understood, but my bday party was literally 10 minutes from where they live. So close he probably could have walked. He didn't even stop by for 10 minutes to say hello and wish me a happy birthday. I mean, his wife could have watched the dogs for 10 minutes, don't you think? Then I found he defriended me from facebook. Nice treatment from someone you've known for 8+ years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sam - Sam I've known longer than anyone else in Los Angeles. We met when I first moved here and I went apartment hunting. We were going to be roommates but I had too much stuff to move into his beautiful condo, so we just kept in touch and were good friends. Pretty good friends for 12 years. We saw countless movies together and he often cooked dinner for us or took us out to eat. He was always a bit "off" I suppose. I mean, nice guy, got his MBA and had good job, unlike a lot of people here in LA that don't have real jobs. Always was screwed up with women - so much so that he almost married this girl that wanted to trick him into getting her pregnant. Yeah, he was attracted to *that* kind of crazy girl! Anyhow, after 12 years at failed attempts to meet "the right one" here in LA, he went back to his home country, found a girl there and imported her. Then for no reason, stopped being my friend. Defriended me on facebook. We never had any bad words between us even! Nice!</div><div><br /></div><div>The icing on the cake, however, must go to people like Tanja, Amy and Stacey. Yes, these people take the cake because instead of saying, "Sorry sweetie that you're going through a rough time" they just dropped me like a hot potato. First I was sad about it but now I realize they are the worst "friends" of all because they have somehow bought into the LA bullshit that says you must act like everything is ok even when it's not. So to them, I say, goodbye and good riddance. Karma is a bitch!</div><div><br /></div><div>I know I'm forgetting a ton of people so I may have to come back to this and update this blog entry!</div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder if my experiences are unique. I mean, do I have horrible luck? Horrible taste in friends? I could say a lot of the "crazy" is because a lot of my "friends" work in the entertainment business but certainly not all of them. Is being an editor considered "entertainment?" Sorta but it's a pretty boring, regular job. Same with my friend that got his MBA. He had nothing to do with entertainment at all. Or my friend that married at age 18.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe one of my high school friends was right when she posted on facebook not long ago that everyone in Los Angeles was a "loon". Ok, not everyone. There are some amazing people here. But I yearn for REAL people that aren't flakey, selfish and can SHOW they care. Are the people in Los Angeles all crazy or does the LA culture make people crazy?</div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously. I feel cursed. And the worst part of it is, I feel like I go so far out of my way for others - to listen, to be a good friend, to help others find jobs and with whatever they need in life. Yet this is what I get in return?</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I'm the one that's crazy after all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or everyone here is just selfish.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you think?</div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-87524318189055552032010-10-08T00:47:00.001-07:002010-10-08T00:56:06.375-07:00Hey it's been a while!I've been so busy working this year that I forgot I had this blog!<div><br /></div><div>Wow, well, 2010 has been a crazy, crazy year for me. Most of you know why. Moving twice. Trained and worked with 5 interns this summer. My cat had to be put down. Almost bought a condo. I know I'm forgetting some things. OH yes, a trip back east and a trip to Portland. What else?</div><div><br /></div><div>I've learned LA is a very, very, very bad place to live in the worst recession we've had in 70-80 years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, LA is all about image. So when people aren't doing well, either emotionally, financially, or both, people withdraw. No, I take that back. They don't withdraw. They fucking disappear. I lost friends this year to marriage (goodbye Siamack and Matt - hope you don't need any friends now that you have new wives - fuckers). I've lost friends, well, not lost them but sorta lost them to work. Not their fault, of course, they are lucky to have jobs but geez. Let's see, oh yeah, wanna really lose your "so called" friends in LA fast? Complain. Yup, speak the truth. Say you're having a rough time and watch them defriend you on facebook faster that you can say "boo". Nice guys really nice. I hope you too go through some of the worse years of your life and lose people you thought cared about you. What kind of person does that? Oh, I know. Someone in LA.</div><div><br /></div><div>LA is a strange place. If you act like everything is great in your life you get more business and a pat on the shoulder. But complain or act "normal" like anyone else out there who doesn't live in LA and watch your so-called friends drop like flies.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's fine though. Because only through living through these past 2-3 awful years in LA have I come to realize who my true friends are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friends like Kathryn who call you to see how you're doing and even take in your elderly cat and care for her when you have to move and can't have pets in your new place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friends like Amy and Guy who call (not email or text but fucking CALL) to see how you're doing, what's new and all that good stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friends like Sarah who listen to you through all your problems and give a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friends like Jenn and Stephane who take you out to an amazing sushi dinner to cheer you up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure I'm forgetting people here but let's face it. These past couple years have been rough for many people. And if you're for some reason one of the lucky few people in the world not affected by this economy, all I can say is "good for you" and "go find someone who has been" because they fucking need a shoulder to cry on right about now.</div><div><br /></div>jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-87347117155027814792010-01-01T02:26:00.000-08:002010-01-01T05:21:00.237-08:00What did you learn this past year (or 10?)Well as I bid a FOND kick in the ass farewell to 2009 and a generally pretty crappy decade I was thinking, "What did I learn in 2009?" Or better yet "What did I learn in the past decade?"<br /><br />The main thing I've learned is that we need to complain more.<br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about it. And it's no surprise, especially to a lot of my high school friends who read my blog (I'm pretty sure you're the only ones but who knows) that this was a bad year for me. But surprisingly, as I read many of my facebook friend's year end comments, it seems I'm not the only one who had a crappy 2009.<br /><br />I really applaud anyone who has a positive attitude right now. And part of me does have reason to be hopeful for 2010 - at least we have to *try* to be hopeful that 2010 will be better than 2009 - after all, it would be hard for it to be worse.<br /><br />The bigger question is though - what have we learned? And what would we do over?<br /><br />All I know is that we need to have bigger voices and complain more, not less.<br /><br />And not just complain on a blog but take action - whether it's calling or emailing or writing our "reps" in government, taking to the streets to march or more!<br /><br />I know that's bucking a HUGE cultural trend here in LA to "not complain" or "never let them see you down". We like to act like things are ok here.<br /><br />LA could be going through a great depression, yet still most people would fail to acknowledge that they had a bad year financially for fear of being looked down up by their neighbors.<br /><br />And what else would you expect from a city that loves its fancy homes and cars - meanwhile, many of those fancy cars Angelinos drive around are leases that people can't afford. I know first hand as friends who have fancy cars yet can't afford to pay their rent or buy food - makes no sense but in a city where "image is everything" you do what your neighbor does, right?<br /><br />Well the days of people living off credit cards are long gone.<br /><br />And that's probably a good thing...although it also explains why so many stores and restaurants in LA have gone bye-bye and are now just empty storefronts with large white signs with big blue "FOR LEASE" letters printed on them.<br /><br />You really have to be extremely wealthy not to be affected by the downturn in the economy.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Because no matter how much you "cut back" on shopping or eating out - the fact is likely that 2009 was a crappy year for millions of Americans.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Because basic NECESSITIES have gone through the roof. Need gas to get to work? Good luck as gas is still hovering around $3 something a gallon (if not more) - gee when Clinton was in office gas was $1.50-1.75. Hmmm.<br /><br />Need water to shower with or wash your clothes or dishes with? You're likely paying through the nose for that. Gas and electric bills for your house have gone up and if you're unlucky enough to live in a cold climate, you likely need oil to heat your house - which was probably thousands of dollars last winter.<br /><br />But even if you live in a warm climate, don't use much water and take public transportation, your health coverage likely covers less and costs 30-40% more than it did even a few years ago. So great, even if a health care reform bill gets passed, we still have 2 major issues to contend with. The unemployment rate and housing.<br /><br />Let me start with housing.<br /><br />We are all pretty much screwed still because of the housing bubble. Because even if gas, electric, health and food prices all came down, we're still paying 25-50% more in rent or mortgages than we were even 5-10 years ago, while wages are flat or have gone down with furlows and cut backs.<br /><br />Let me give this as an example.<br /><br />Just 15 years ago, you could buy a nice townhouse in Connecticut for roughly $100K. Even at a 10% interest rate, the mortgage on that would be less than $1000 a month and at a 7% interest rate it would be only $700 in mortgage payments, plus a few hundred dollars for association dues and property taxes.<br /><br />Now, in 2009, that same townhouse is going for at least $300K if not more. Sure, interest rates are lower but when a couple before could have split a $700/month mortgage, etc. now that same place would cost $1500+/month in a mortgage + triple the amount in property taxes.<br /><br />Yet many towns, cities and states are going broke right now. I don't get it. They are taking in triple the property taxes!!! I guess everything really costs more for the government too - from police to roads to schools, etc.<br /><br />Are wages double or triple what they were 15 years ago? Maybe for some. But for the vast majority of Americans now, their wages likely aren't much more than they were 10-15 years ago.<br /><br />Then factor in that at least 10-20% of the country is either completely out of work - or is making less and less money each year. And everything in life from food to rent costs 30-40% more.<br /><br />Yes this is a long rant and if you're still reading I applaud you.<br /><br />And if you have a "stable" job (if there is such a thing in this economy) I really applaud you. Because even attorneys I know are being affected by this recession - at least in California. Just realize that while things may be ok fo you, they may be hell right now for others in your family, or for your friends or neighbors who have either lost their jobs or seen their income be hit hard by the recession.<br /><br />Anyhow, I write this all for a number of reasons:<br /><br />1) I'm pissed. Because so many of my neighbors were greedy and bought into housing they couldn't afford - foreclosures are at an all-time high. And the ripple effect of that hurts not just the person who bought property they couldn't afford and the bank -- but it also affects millions of the rest of us who didn't speculate on real estate. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I got B's in my college statistics and finance classes when most of my classmates were barely passing. We are now paying SEVERLY for our neighbor's lack of common sense and basic math skills. Great!!!<br /><br />2) We don't complain enough. When the French are upset, they go on strike. They storm their government, they shut down the trains and protest a bit violently. But what do Americans do? Nothing! We let our government get us into a lot of this financial mess (hello crazy low interest rates that allowed people to borrow money that they had NO way of repaying). It's really OUR FAULT the economy was so crappy in 2009 and that we have the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression. We literally take it up the ass, I'm sorry but there's no polite other way to say it. We're generally too lazy or stupid to protest when our leader and government leads us into a death chamber...but what can I expect? Americans are thought of worldwide as being generally fat and lazy slobs so why shouldn't our government reflect that?<br /><br />3) The writing was CLEARLY on the wall 2-3 years ago that we were headed for a major economic disaster. Why? Because even 3 years ago people were doing the job of 2 maybe 3 people and being "thankful" for having a job. Then a co-worker would quit (or get laid off - or maybe not come back from maternity leave) and that job would not be replaced....oooh but you, that hard working citizen, just took it up the butt and kept working insane hours (and didn't complain or walk out) with likely no overtime or anything more than a "pat on the back" because generally, Americans aren't thinking - they just do their job and keep their head down, not complaining, without stepping back for a minute to see the bigger picture and the implications and effect this behavior happens on the economy as a whole.<br /><br />Anyhow, I hope this email gives you something to think about this new year.<br /><br />I know many of you reading this are smart and know many of these things but it's important that, going forward, we:<br /><br />1) LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES<br />2) Complain and protest more, not less<br />3) Educate ourselves<br />4) Learn that greed and our own overspending is a lot of the reason we're in this mess to start with.<br /><br />If you like what you've read, please "share" this rant with your friends on facebook - or feel free to write your own!!!<br /><br />I do hope 2010 is a better year - and decade.<br /><br />Given how horrible 2009 was, I'm quite sure it will be!jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-39445086273294051552009-12-23T00:50:00.000-08:002009-12-23T00:55:47.251-08:00This yearIt's no secret this has been a rough year for me - for many I suspect.<br /><br />But the good thing is, this past year, as rough as it's been, has taught me who my true friends are.<br /><br />A special thanks to Sarah and Ronna and Kathy and Leanne and Cory and Amy and Emily and Kaz and Michael and Kathryn and Jodi and Greg and Jeff and Jennifer and Stephane and anyone else I'm forgetting and even many of my "work" acquaintances have stepped up and kept me company on facebook and been better friends to me this year than people I've known for years who have fallen by the wayside. It's interesting (and a bit surprising) who your true friends turn out to be but you definitely learn who has your back in troubled times.<br /><br />So this is the time of year I say thank you to all of you for reading my rants, for not unfriending (or defriending me) and for being kind, caring and supportive. For lending an ear, for "liking" my posts, for reading articles I've posted (even if we've debating or argued over politics), and for being a normal, caring person.<br /><br />To you, I say thank you!!!jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-43814055139231612482009-12-22T02:02:00.000-08:002009-12-22T09:27:29.361-08:00Everyone in LA is crazyMaybe that's what's wrong.jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-74609367269888392282009-12-02T01:18:00.000-08:002009-12-02T01:25:39.601-08:00What's up with emails?It is just me or do you also get 3 million emails a day?<br /><br />I have about 10 email addresses.<br /><br />1 for family<br />1 for dailly use<br />1 for work - which gets 25-100 emails a day - as well as spam and attachments of songs and .pdf and .doc files and all sorts of crap from artists, publicists and managers from all over the world<br />1 for email newsletters, my Netflix subscription, other "junk" emails<br />Need I go on?<br /><br />Anyhow, my point is, how do you cope with all your daily emails?<br /><br />I bet some of you get HUNDREDS of work emails a day. HUNDREDS!<br /><br />Now I've noticed some people keep their inbox clean by responding to your email right away. That's probably efficient and the smartest way to do it. Otherwise the emails just overwhelm you and eventually crash the company's mail server, right?<br /><br />I'm silly. I try to prioritize.<br /><br />I mean, some emails are just more important or time sensitive than others. So those get my immediate attention.<br /><br />But you know what? Then I find myself with 2700 emails in my inbox.<br /><br />Some of them are still sorta important.<br /><br />Many are just email spam or newsletters and items I need to read.<br /><br />I don't know about you but I HATE reading on a computer.<br /><br />The loading, the scrolling, the reading and scrolling...it's all too time consuming!<br /><br />Maybe I need a 300" monitor. Would that help? Probably!<br /><br />Anyhow, the latest thing I've noticed is a lot of people just don't respond to your emails.<br /><br />It could be an email to a friend. I email again. Still, crickets. What gives?<br /><br />Am I going to their spam?<br /><br />Are they really that slammed at work? (These days? Probably).<br /><br />But still, after an email and a follow-up email - don't most people respond?<br /><br />So, I'm curious.<br /><br />How many emails do YOU get a day?<br /><br />And how long (generally) does it take you to respond to one?<br /><br />And why haven't you emailed me back? ;)jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-27606947175867202172009-11-17T23:36:00.000-08:002009-11-18T00:37:49.987-08:00God forbid you should try to buck the systemI've been an entrepreneur ever since I was a teenager.<br /><br />It started with collecting vinyl and merchandise on my favorite singers and bands.<br /><br />And then evolved into a "real" job when I moved to LA and started managing bands.<br /><br />Wait, is managing bands a "real" job? Well, sorta.<br /><br />Anyhow...<br /><br />Managing turned into doing music licensing...which has now turned into a small indie label and publishing company.<br /><br />And you know, it's funny, because I think a lot of people - artists especially but also some others I've come to know in the entertainment industry, aren't always very supportive of someone trying to make their living "outside" the traditional system.<br /><br />And by "traditional system" I mean someone not working for a big Fortune 500 company or major studio, TV network, record label, major publishing company, etc.<br /><br />I can't tell you how much bs I've had to put up with to stay in the music business these past 10 years.<br /><br />Lying, cheating, backstabbing.<br /><br />And from higher-ups at the companies I've had to deal with every day to blood-sucking co-workers at music industry jobs to artists alike.<br /><br />Amazingly, sometimes artists have actually treated me the worst.<br /><br />Yes, the artists.<br /><br />The same artists I've worked like a dog for for years for not only virtually no pay but the same artists that I've poured tens of thousands of dollars of my own money into. Oh no, those "artists" are sometimes some of the most awful, disloyal, self-centered, egocentric and awful people I've come across in my life.<br /><br />But they aren't the ones I'm here to talk about.<br /><br />And of course, I've been lucky enough to also work with some amazingly kind, sweet, supportive, considerate and wonderful artists too!<br /><br />No, I think it's jealousy or something(?) that causes people to not like it when you try to buck the system.<br /><br />Now what do I mean by "buck the system"?<br /><br />I mean, going out on your own. Not being at the beck and call of some corporate entity, whether they are big or small. Because, early on in my career, I learned the hard way that corporations just don't care about you.<br /><br />In my 20's I went through several corporate mergers. In fact, it happened to me at my first "real" job out of college. The ad agency I was working for merged with a larger ad agency and so many jobs were cut - mine being one of them.<br /><br />And how did I find out about my soon to be "ex job"? I read it in an email from the CEO to my boss. Yeah, so I marched right into HR's office and got myself laid off. I mean, why wait for them to fire me? I was young and naive but albeit ballsy and in retrospect, I'm pretty proud of my decision to do this instead of going into work every day waiting to be fired. I mean, what's the point in working somewhere when you know your days are numbered?<br /><br />Anyhow, it doesn't seem to matter if it was from a merging of corporations or simple office politics or a shortage of cash (or greed) but companies have no loyalty to their employees anymore. And so, I have no use for companies.<br /><br />Now I'm sure there are some good companies out there. I've had some great jobs too where we had amazing company 100% PAID FOR health insurance. But, in general, corporations do not care about you. Or me. Employees are most often seen as an line-item on some CFO's spreadsheet - so unless you're responsible for bringing in significant money to the company i.e. in sales, your job is usually an expensive line-item that can increase a company's bottom line if eliminated.<br /><br />Anyhow, back to my original topic.<br /><br />I just wanted to give you some background to why I generally dislike to work for companies.<br /><br />So what have I done instead for the better part of the past 10 years?<br /><br />Worked on building my own business.<br /><br />Now, as anyone in the entertainment business will tell you, making a living in this business is difficult no matter what. Why? Because almost every kid of out college and/or with a trust fund would give their right arm to work in "showbiz". As such, the starting salaries for jobs in the entertainment business, especially music, are paltry and often insulting. Taken a look at the UTA job list lately? It's full of jobs for $400-500 a week, sometimes with NO benefits. Now who can survive on this salary? No one without a trust fund, that's sure.<br /><br />So what's an enterprising young woman to do?<br /><br />I say, "Go out on your own."<br /><br />I mean, after all, if you're going to be eating ramen for dinner every night, you might as well be self-employed, make your own hours and have some control over your destiny, right?<br /><br />Because after paying my dues for years working for other people, I realized that it was going to be almost impossible to get ahead by staying at a company and hoping to work my way up the ladder. After all, that means you need to wait for your boss to die....or quit...in order to get a promotion. And even if that happens, the likelihood of them hiring someone from outside the company are pretty great.<br /><br />Ok, ok, back to my original point. Sorry. I know this is getting long but I have a lot to say.<br /><br />So you work on your own and yet I seem to get a sense oftentimes, that people do not like you bucking the system or trying to "make it on your own" outside the corporate bubble.<br /><br />God forbid you try to be creative in coming up with ways to make money as an entrepreneur.<br /><br />Now I'm not talking about doing anything shady or unethical here. After all, anyone that knows me knows I have just about the highest morals and ethics out there!<br /><br />No, the irony is many of the people that head up labels or music departments or that run some of the biggest companies or music departments out there are some of the most dishonest, lying, cheating scumbags out there. Yet they oftentimes make the most money by their lying and cheating ways. Ugh. If that isn't enough to make you want to jump off a bridge, I don't know what is!<br /><br />However, I know, that with much hard work and dedication, it's possible to become successful by behind honest, up front and ethical. But more support from people would be nice!<br /><br />Anyhow, thanks for listening to my rant. I just wanted to say that it's not always easy to do what I do.<br /><br />After all, I don't take home a steady salary or paycheck like my corporate brothers. I don't get paid vacation or sick days or holidays. I don't have a matching 401K plan or company paid for health insurance.<br /><br />And I've endured more than I ever care to admit in terms of assholes in this business.<br /><br />And why?<br /><br />Because I love music.<br /><br />But at the end of the day, I also need to make a living.<br /><br />And for the 2 of you out there who studied economics, you know the meaning of an "opportunity cost" - because it's what you give up<br /><br />i.e. that corporate gig with the 401K and paid health insurance, yada yada<br /><br />is a lot. So you need to figure out a way to make that same money (if not more) when you work on your own because you have to pay for all those benefits on your own. And also enough to pay your rent and expenses and put something aside for the future. <br /><br />It's NOT easy. It really isn't.<br /><br />As such, I wish people were more supportive over what I do.<br /><br />Because it's not easy going to work for someone else every day.<br /><br />AND<br /><br />Because it's DEFINITELY not easy going to work for yourself every day.<br /><br />People should support entrepreneurs, especially the "good" ones like me who are fighting the good fight and trying to make their living on their own terms - and meanwhile who are competing against companies with much deeper pockets and many more resources and bigger staffs than me!<br /><br />I wish.<br /><br />People<br /><br />should<br /><br />be more supportive!jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-38416059884064069522009-11-07T01:24:00.001-08:002009-11-08T02:29:59.636-08:00A dating questionOk, things in my personal life are going much better (at least for now) so I have a completely new topic to discuss - my personal fave - DATING!<br /><br />I've had several girlfriends over the years lecture me about what I wear.<br /><br />They say I should "dress up" more.<br /><br />Not on dates but when I go ANYWHERE - even if it's just from my house to their house!?! I mean, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to do full hair, make-up and clothes just to go visit a couple of friends - in the hopes that I'll meet a cute guy in the elevator or on the short walk from my car to their apartment. That's insane!<br /><br />Now, while I RARELY leave home without make-up (ya know, in case the paparazzi keep following me, as they always do), if I'm going to a friend's apartment or just somewhere mellow to eat or hang out, I usually wear my chucks, jeans a cute top and a hoodie or something equally chill/casual.<br /><br />I've tried to explain to friends that I work in the music business - where dressing like a college student is the only way to go. If I wore skirts and other "dressy" outfits out on a regular basis, well, I just wouldn't fit in. Plus, I'm definitely more of a "jeans and t-shirt" type of gal than a "dress in heels and dresses" type of girl anyway.<br /><br />And, for the record, I've gotten dolled up and dressed up PLENTY of times to go out to dinner or to drinks with friends and rarely do I ever talk to a guy when I'm looking hot. No, it's the times I'm in Trader Joe's in my gym clothes looking like hell when I get approached by a guy. Or walking down the street, in my hoodie, outside a bar. But rarely, if ever, when I actually look good. Now why is this??<br /><br />I have a theory that if you look too smoking hot, most guys will be too chicken to come talk to you. So only the total douchebag guys who have that unwarranted amount of self-confidence will approach you when you look great. But when you look like a "normal/girl next door" then, and maybe only then, do you stand a chance at a "normal" guy talking to you....<br /><br />Anyhow, I love (aka hate) that my married friends think the whole secret to snagging a guy is dressing a certain way.<br /><br />Oh, and doing my hair, make-up, eyebrows and nails.<br /><br />Well, if that's really true, I guess I'll be single forever.<br /><br />Thoughts?<br /><br />I'm curious to hear from all you married folks - is this how you got attached? And for the married guys, is this what got you to fall for your now wife?<br /><br />And to the single men and women - what do you think??jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-63898355859510238142009-10-19T21:42:00.000-07:002009-10-19T21:49:06.605-07:00East Coast v. West CoastNo, this isn't another blog entry about moving.<br /><br />But a thought did come to mind tonight.<br /><br />What's with the whole 'east coast v. west coast' thing?<br /><br />I admit - I don't follow rap music.<br /><br />But isn't there a huge west coast v. east coast rap feud?<br /><br />And wasn't there "west coast swing" and "east coast swing"?<br /><br />I never quite understood New Yorker's disdain for all things Los Angeles. I mean, New Yorkers seem ok with San Francisco.<br /><br />Are they jealous of LA's perpetual sunshine?<br /><br />Or do they detest the entertainment industry and all that it brings to the city - the fake boobs, the fake personalities and people?<br /><br />I'm not sure.<br /><br />I've said this before - LA is just like high school. It suddenly matters again what kind of car you drive, how you look and what clique you hang out with.<br /><br />I don't think Angelinos have anything against New Yorkers after all!<br /><br />We love visiting the city for bagels, pizza, shopping and all things New York.<br /><br />So where does this rivalry come from?<br /><br />Having lived on both coasts now, I'm still trying to figure it out.<br /><br />I will say though, that it's rare I've ever questioned anyone's sincerity in New York.<br /><br />Is that it?<br /><br />Anyhow, both coasts seem to have a lot to offer.<br /><br />The west coast definitely wins on the sunshine and weather - and the sushi and Mexican food.<br />The east coast definitely wins on the scenery - grass, trees, plants, birds, flowers, all that stuff.<br /><br />Probably the only way to do it right is to be bi-coastal.jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-4376749706894273342009-10-19T21:35:00.000-07:002009-10-19T21:36:32.675-07:00What should I blog about?Ok, so I guess I need a new topic to blog about.<br /><br />Any suggestions?<br /><br />Why the sky is blue?<br />How to pick out a puppy?<br />101 uses for toothpicks?jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-459653042675358651.post-24792116524707754192009-10-19T01:17:00.000-07:002009-10-19T01:53:53.181-07:00Never in a million years11 years ago I made the bold decision to pack up all my belongings and move from Connecticut to Los Angeles.<br /><br />It made a lot of sense at the time.<br /><br />Rents were relatively cheap.<br /><br />Warm weather year round.<br /><br />Younger people and plentiful jobs in entertainment.<br /><br />Better dating prospects?<br /><br />However, things have changed.<br /><br />Ballooning unemployment and rising housing costs have created the perfect storm of strange in Los Angeles. Of course, I'm sure things are strange/sucky everywhere but LA to me seems particularly 'off'.<br /><br />And come to find out, friends have said I've been unhappy/griping about LA for the past 3 years. Wow, really? 3 years is a LONG time.<br /><br />I guess it amounts to a few things. I mean, who would want to give up the California lifestyle? The weather? All the things to do. You can hike, bike, run, walk, play tennis or golf outside, year-round in Los Angeles. And let's not forget work. I've worked my ass off for 11 years, building up 2-3 different businesses. Throwing that all away is no easy decision. So thank you to those of you that have been caring, concerned and have read this blog! I know I probably haven't been the "funnest" person these past few years - but we've never been through such tough times in my lifetime anyhow!<br /><br />Now, unless you bought real estate 5+ years ago, LA is pretty ridiculous for a number of reasons. I mean, sure, some areas in LA are affordable (??!) but in CT you can buy a house for $300-500K. In LA, you can barely find a decent condo for that price. And CT gets you good schools and a safe area. Oooh but the weather....if they could just do something about the weather back east...<br /><br />I've realized lately that everything in life is a trade-off.<br /><br />In LA, you have annoying traffic to deal with 24/7. It's pretty unavoidable.<br />In NY, you have annoying weather to deal with 24/7. It's pretty unavoidable.<br /><br />Neither one are going away anytime soon.<br /><br />In LA I've always felt like things were "dirty" - anytime I go out in almost any part of the city, I feel like I need a shower after. Esp. Hollywood.<br />In NY I don't feel dirty. Sure, places are cramped, but for some reason, unless I've taken the subway, I just don't feel the need to shower after a night out in NYC.<br /><br />Anyhow, if you'd asked me 20 years ago if I would be living in LA, working in the music/entertainment business, I'd say "no way".<br /><br />And if you'd asked me 10 or 5 or even 1 year ago if there was any way I'd ever consider moving back to the east coast, I'd have said "no way".<br /><br />However, you get older, people move on with their lives - they get married, and have kids. And while that seems to happen everywhere, as you get older and go out and "do less stuff" - where you live seems to matter less. At least in terms of the weather. I mean, it's not like I go surfing every day.<br /><br />Never in a million years did I think I'd be moving back to the east coast.<br /><br />But things change.<br /><br />So, we'll see.<br /><br />The last thing I want to do is move 3,000 miles away only to find that in 6-12 months, things in LA and CA improve.<br /><br />The last thing I want to do is stay in LA only to find that in 6-12 months, nothing in LA or CA has improved. And I'm still miserable.<br /><br />See, it's not an "easy" decision.<br /><br />I just hope I make the right one.jenniferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03369520706567274350noreply@blogger.com0