I know our bed doesn't vibrate normally.

3.0 earthquake actually centered 3 miles from us just hit 10 minutes ago. Fun. They never come this close. Makes you put a few things into perspective like, maybe I should update our earthquake kit.

Shocking!!

It rained in LA today for a split second. Of course it was while the sun was out, but I'll take any sign of fall that I can get!!

Goodbye blue eyes.

It was one of my favorite movies of all time and I am sad to hear that one of the great gentlemen of the acting world has passed away. His sense of humor always cracked me up and his use of his power as a well known actor to contribute to those less fortunate has always kept him in a special place in my heart. He is survived by his wife of 50 years (which, let's face it, in the film industry is nearly impossible), 5 daughters and 2 grand kids. When asked what kept his marriage alive for so long, he once told a reporter that his wife puts something in the food.

**UPDATE** on The Whaler

I did a little asking around and this is what I found. (Notice that they wrote the article because I did a little asking around.)

The Venice Whaler - SOLD

So sad!

Here is an article about a local that used to sit in our carport in the mornings and read his paper. Not a morning went by that he didn't say a warm hello to me as I drove out of the driveway. He will be missed.
Mike

Thats IT!!! We're moving!

I always said that when they took my favorite local bar of 8 years away from me, that we were going to move. Well, the assholes did it. Someone bought the Venice Whaler for $10,000,000 and are firing the whole staff. There is a vicious rumor that they are going to turn it into a Japanese restaurant. Eeek gads! Really??? Where oh where is my little Venice going????

Post Office regulars.

I am used to always being asked for money or spare change when I go to the local post office. Our little city at the beach is known for it's colorful residents so it is to be expected. Why they pick the post office, I have no idea. It's pretty smelly over there. I am usually in and out so fast and I try to avoid them. Today however I was walking a little slower and in a slight daze and I came across the most interesting of requests. A local gentleman actually asked me if I could spare $70,000,000 to help the homeless. I laughed and said "I wish." It was definitely a new approach and I have to say that if I had had a spare dollar in my hand, I would have given it to him just for being original.

Verrrrry Interesting!

Did you know that Forever 21 bags have John 3:16 stamped on the bottom of them? I didn't!!

YIPPEEEEE!

It's officially fall today and for some reason, this year I am so excited about it. Halloween is coming, birthdays are coming, cold weather is coming, the beach will be quieter, and I can finally dust off my sweaters. (Yes, people in LA own sweaters) Ahhhh. Can you feel it?? Well, maybe not today seeing as how it is 80 degrees and sunny outside and the Santa Ana's are on their way this week which will bring 90 degree weather and hideous winds to the valleys, but I am hopeful that Fall will show it's face here soon.

My boys are back!!!

Yippeeeeee!

Wii Fit

Don't let anyone tell you that Hula Hooping is not hard and a damn good exercise! We have a new Wii Fit in the house thanks to Jess and it kicks my butt. I played the standard Hula Hoop enough times that I unlocked SUPER Hula Hoop and let me tell you right now that my legs will pay for this tomorrow. The yoga on the Wii Fit is great too because it helps you balance correctly and tells you when you are doing the poses wrong. All around AMAZING addition to our household. Now if we could just get it to do our taxes for us and make dinner, we'd be all set!

When the parents are sleeping...

...the cats will play. Now, we are used to tufts of fur everywhere after a night of playing, toys out of the toy box, papers pushed off the coffee table, etc... But this was new for us! Notice the "I'm trying to look cute" guilty face on Kash!! I still have no idea how they got the mat out from under both bowls but only managed knock one bowl off the microwave.

El Cid

We actually left the West side last night to venture to Los Feliz to see my friend Rob's band play at El Cid. I was up way past my bed time, but we had a lot of fun and El Cid is a great little venue.

Ike

Seems the South side of Key West is getting a little wet, but that is normal when hurricanes hit. My parents are still hunkered down and doing well. It should pass by tomorrow and as long as the tidal surge does not reverse like it did during Wilma in '05, they will be fine. Hoping they got lucky with this one and used it as a good trial run for worse ones to come down the line. At least my dad doesn't have to prune the palm trees this week.

Wannabe Plumbers Part 2

We will be installing an "In Line Water Filter" this week. Stinky cubes are no fun and our ice maker is an older model so a filter is not built in. Apparently you can attach a universal filter directly to the water line. Wish us luck.

Wannabe Plumbers

After years of making our own ice cubes, enduring the never ending mundane process of filling each individual section of each tray, buying bag after bag of ice from the local liquor store when we just couldn't bear making any more, we finally ran a water line across our kitchen and to our fridge and are currently enjoying the sound of fresh new ices cubes crashing into their tray in the freezer. I am the happiest person on earth right now!!

Well THIS doesn't look good.

The parents are hunkering down with fuel, food and water to wait out the storm, but have promised to evacuate if it gets really bad. For now, evacuation of all of the tourists is happening (you couldn't pay me to be on that 2 lane road out right now). Those locals that want to leave will follow in phases. My brother waited out Wilma in 2005 and it was a good thing he did because it allowed him to get the 2 feet of water out of the house the second it receded. In case anyone is wondering, the house is strong, there are storm shutters installed on the house, all necessary things like generators are off the ground and my parents are as ready as they can be for now. I'll keep everyone posted. Cross you fingers. It's only September. This will be a bumpy season.

Today is one of those days...

...when I would give an arm and a leg for our own washer and dryer. Of course, without and arm or a leg, laundry would be a little difficult, but you get the idea!!