Right Brained Gal

It's Good to Be Back

I hadn’t planned on staying from away from my blog for so long.  I though a short hiatus was needed, but the longer I stayed away, the harder it was to come back. I guess you could say I had writer’s block of epic proportions. It’s not like I didn’t have the material, just not sure how far I wanted to expose my vulnerability. 

This was supposed to be a great summer as a time to get back into the swing of things.  Chemo and radiation were behind me. I finally grew my hair back, with an added bonus of some curl. I was on a steady diet of yoga, meditation and lots and lots of greens. I had even eliminated my sugar addiction by eating lots of fresh fruit. Of course, just when you think things are going your way, the universe decides to use you as its personal piñata.

I was getting stronger and actually diluting the pool of melancholy that is so much a part of my DNA, when all of a sudden I tripped over a shoe and broke my toe. I learned that there is nothing you can do for a broken toe except tape it, and I stoically went about my life with a small limp. 

 Miraculously, it healed by the time I left for a three week vacation back East, to visit my sister and her family.  But then I was hit with a serious chest infection and spent a lot of my time in Florida, in bed, coughing my guts out.  With a little help from a vpack, I recovered in time to drive back to Maryland, but not before getting a speeding ticket in Virginia. Thanks asshole cop. May karma kick you in the ass for your pathetic role in life.

Once back home, I tripped and sprained my ankle. It was painful, but a sprain didn’t KEEP me down, just SLOWED me down.  For about a month. 

 A week after my ankle was back in full commission, I slipped on a friend’s floor and broke my kneecap.  So now I am in the 4th week of a 6-week stint on crutches. Needless to say this is not my best summer, and luckily I am back on anti-depressants or it would be ugly around here. I have also retired my super, slippery flip flops and will start wearing sensible shoes, most of the time. It pisses me off that all these women can wear 5" heels and I can't even walk in flip flops.

After all the physical abuse I have taken from the ground, not to mention the verbal abuse from the voices in my head, I felt I needed a break from documenting my not-so-much fun-all-the-time life. I am not a complainer by nature, nor do I like to ask for help, but I will be relieved when I no longer have to rely on friends and can get around on my own.  My friends have been beyond wonderful and I am sure they will be as happy as I am when I can use both legs again. I am grateful that it's just a little crack and I don't need my whole knee cap rebuilt.  

Luckily, here in Southern California, summer is really just getting started so I can make up for lost time, and enjoy the fact that most of the tourists have left and the beach is still a good place to hang out.    

Only in Santa Monica, can someone hobble on crutches into CVS at night, only to be approached by a homeless man, asking to buy him a bottle of rum.  What ever happened to "can you spare some change"? No matter what, there is no place else I would rather live.

Will We Ever Get Along?

What is happening to our country?  How heartbreaking is it to see people you are supposed to respect acting like spoiled, hateful little brats?  Why are we collectively so full of hatred, anger, entitlement, and entirely unreasonable?  Why is it everyone's fault but your own?  We elect a president, then immediately tear him down and make him the enemy?  Why can't we get along?

It feels like we're all all back in middle school, complete with the raging hormones.  On the brink of puberty where misery prevails and self esteem is mauled. It is the worst time in a person's life and few escape unscathed.  Bullying becomes the norm.

We are evolving into those people who we pray our children never become.  How can they grow up to be productive, caring, compassionate individuals, when they have the leaders of the supposedly greatest country in the world, as abhorrant role models?  If you don't get your own way, take hostages.  If you are right, they have to be wrong.  Sabotage others so that you can get your point across.  Every discussion becomes an argument. 

You can disagree without hating, you can put compassion above greed, but most of all, you can be kind to your fellow man.  We are all in this together, and all of us are hurting one way or another.  I remember when the earthquake hit Japan, and how kind and compassionate the people were to each other, even while standing for in line for food and water.  Maybe, we as a nation need some humility.  Will it take a disaster to pull us together?  How far we have come from the team spirit we all shared after the attacks of 9-11.  I doubt if we will ever be able to pull together again.  No matter what. I hope I am wrong, but I have lost all faith in my fellow man. 

Carmageddon Part 1, Over and Out

If there is one word that most residents of Southern Californians fear, it is gridlock. For a population that collectively considers their car as their second home, an extra five hours stuck in traffic on a weekend, is intolerable.  It was enough incentive for 90% of the population to not drive at all for 53 hours.  

It was a time to dust off the bicycle, use public transportation, leave town, plan block parties, frequent local stores and restaurants.  But most of all, the unthinkable-- actually stay at home!  There are rumors that there is going to be a jump in the birth rate next April, but other than that, I think all reminders of the suffering we had to endure has diminished.  But just like childbirth, our memory will be refreshed next year when they have to do the same thing all over again.  Stay tuned for Carmageddon Part 2.

I personally loved the fact that Santa Monica was peaceful without an additional 1 million weekend visitors.  It made for a wonderful weekend.

Seal Beach, California

I have been so busy this summer and the fact that it stays light so late, makes it hard for me to find time to blog. The fact that I sprained my ankle three weeks ago, and I still can't walk on it for any length of time, has also put me in a less than cheerful mood. I have been spending some time in Seal Beach, a place where I used to live before I moved to Santa Monica, and I enjoy the contrast.  Seal Beach is a little known beach town, in between Long Beach and Huntington Beach, and has managed to keep it's charm. I was able to hobble around this weekend and take some pictures to share.  This first picture is the view from my very dear friend's house, the reason I spend so much time in this community.  Every time I visit, there is always a party, no matter what time or day it is.  When you are lucky enough to live right on the beach, you feel obligated to share it with others.  The beach is never that crowded, mainly because it is off the beaten track and there isn't much parking, so it's a great place to spend a relaxing day.  Right next to the beach is the most darling Main Street you will ever find.  The fact that it has five Irish Bars in a three block radius, makes it a natural for St. Patrick's Day.  They block off the street and the local police serve coffee and offer taxi's to anyone who needs one. Most people need one.  There are lots of great restaurants, but Walt's is the best of the best.  It has been in business for at least fifty years and is still going strong.  Great seafood. If you are ever in the vicinity, you should definitely eat here.
My all time favorite pizza, Z Pizza, is a chain, but they don't have very many, so it's a real treat every time I am in the vicinity.  I guess there is a reason they call it "Mayberry by the Sea."    One store I love, is the Temecula Olive Oil Company.  They have the best olive oil, vinegars and olives.  All of my favorite things.  I even drank some vanilla-fig vinegar with a chaser of citrus olive oil.  I know I will go back and buy them.
It really does take you back in time.  Every time I visit, I feel I have gone on a vacation far from Los Angeles.  It also has a pier, and there are always fishermen hanging out.  They actually catch fish and on any given night you can walk by and see the fish swimming in buckets full of bloody water.  Grosses me out.
 This is the view from my friend's balcony.  It's a hard life, living right on the beach.

Illustration Friday - Stay

The topic for this week's Illustration Friday is STAY.  How appropriate because here in Los Angeles we are being told to STAY HOME, STAY OUT OF YOUR CAR, and STAY OFF THE FREEWAY.  Next weekend the 405 freeway is going to be closed for 54 hours, causing the mother of all traffic jams.  Since Southern Californians see humor in everything, it is being referred to as Carmageddon.  I don't think too many people are going to be laughing when it takes them five hours to go somewhere that normally would take 1 hour.  I guess you could say this is our snow storm/hurricane/tornado inconvenience.  Only we have gotten three months warning. But that still won't stop most people from being stupid.

Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama’s 18 rules for living

At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama apparently issued eighteen rules for living.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.  

3. Follow the three Rs:  Respect for self. Respect for others. Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. 

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly. 

6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values. 

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. 

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, 
       you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.  

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. 
       Don’t bring up the past.  

14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth. 

16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before. 

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds 
      your need for each other.  

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. 

 

Illustration Friday - Remedy

The topic for Illustration Friday is Remedy. Going back to nature is my best remedy for feeling better, both physically and spiritually. 

Happy Fourth of July

Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July. As usual, I did way too much cooking and had food left over which I will be eating for the next week. With all the homeless people in Santa Monica, I feel guilty if food goes to waste.  I have some really good recipes to post, but will have to do it later this week as I am way too tired tonight.

  

 

I Keep Evicting Depression, but it keeps moving back in

That's What Friends Are For

Having cancer has taught me that you can't do it all on your own, and you have to accept help and encouragement from others. I have learned that there are so many people who genuinely love to give. Just when I am at my darkest moments, I always have someone add sunshine to my life, with the gift of kindness.  I have learned that I don't have to do all the giving, and have graciously learned to accept the love.  I have been the recipient of so many gifts, given spontaneously, when I have all but given up.  This June has been an exceptionally happy time for me and  solely because people have cared enough to include me in their lives.  I have been celebrating my birthday for weeks, attending showers, graduations, dinners, lunches, and a fabulous trip to San Diego.   I am blessed to have so many friends, and especially friends who like to eat, party and spread the love.

 

The Torpedo Factory

One of my all-time favorite places in Washington D.C. is the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia, right on the Potomac River. The whole area is so charming, and the fact that you can visit the studios of 82 working artists, is mind blowing.  My sister and I visited while I was back there in May, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. 

The Torpedo Factory Art Center houses more than 165 visual artists who produce artwork in a wide variety of media including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The artists invite visitors to join them in their studios and observe their creative processes. You may ask questions, learn about each of their art forms, and purchase original work. I was lucky enough to meet a few artists and even though I don't remember all of them, here are a few photos of their work.

 

My Birthday Present

I finally got my ipad 2, just in time for my birthday, making it the best birthday present I have ever received.  I absolutely love it and I am trying to wean myself from my 22 inch computer screen so I can spend more time being mobile.  I have been an Apple person for thirty years, but I was starting to turn on them when I couldn't get the Ipad I wanted without standing in line at 6am in front of the Apple store in hope that they got the model in I wanted (white, AT&T). Since I refused to appear at the Apple store before 10am and this model happened to the be most popular one, it took months to get it into my hands.  I finally broke down and ordered it, and for whatever reason it came a week early, just in time for my birthday.

So now instead of spending 8 hours a day sitting in front of my computer, I have great satisfaction in knowing that where ever I am, the internet is at my disposal 24/7.  And I haven't even mentioned the apps.  

Savannah, Georgia

Birthdays are for Celebrating

It used to be that I dreaded June third. That day, so many years ago, when I got an eviction notice to vacate my mother's womb. Big deal. After the age of 21, who really appreciates their birthday anyway?  Being an adult is over-rated and unless you are a bottle of red wine, getting older is something no one enjoys. 

Cancer has changed everything.  I am grateful to be able to celebrate another year and now that I have a granddaughter, I am delighted to watch her grow.  Luckily for me, this year there was no surprise party, and I was able to spend a low-key day with the love of my life. I still don't enjoy the fact that I am getting older, but my annual reflection is now filled with gratitude, instead of dwelling on the loss of my youth. Attitude is everything. Bring on the cupcakes.

On the Road Again

I guess I have recovered from my extended road trip, because I went to San Diego this weekend to watch two friends run in the Rock and Roll Marathon.  Since my running days are over, and the longest I ever ran was a 10k, I was a little envious and remorseful that I had never attempted to run a marathon.  I ran many 5k's for the Race for the Cure and considered that an accomplishment of major proportions.  But you haven't lived until you have run 26.2 miles non-stop. You have earned your bragging rights for life. You also receive a much nicer metal.

The race started at 6:15 am on Sunday, and there were 45,000 people lined up and everywhere you looked, you saw swarms of insane runners ready to annihilate their bodies, while experiencing the mother of all adrenaline rushes.  Luckily for my friends and their bladders, we stayed at a relative's condo, which was right at the starting line.  You should have seen the thousands of dirty looks we got as we walked out and they immediately got in line.

The race was quite a sight to see.  A grown man running in nothing but a diaper with an over-sized inflated monkey on his back, more than enough Elvis's running in white lycra suits, and hundreds of men and women in tutus.  Keeping with the Rock and Roll theme, there were bands every mile, helping everyone to push themselves to the limits of their bodies. 

After the race, I could see why I never had the desire to run a marathon.  People going over the finish line on the verge of death, throwing up on themselves, blisters the size of lemons, cramps that caused a few to be carried across the line -  all the while trying to salvage what their bodies had left. I had the pleasure of driving home, while my friends had their legs wrapped in bags of ice the whole time.  But not before we went out to dinner to celebrate.

It wasn't all about the Marathon, and I did get to spend some time to enjoying the paradise, that is San Diego. What a great way to spend my birthday weekend.

I Can't Stay Away

It has been a hectic couple of months, and I have not had the time or energy to blog. I took a three week vacation to visit my sister and family on the East Coast. What sounded like a good idea, in reality, turned out to be way to ambitious for me to undertake at this time in my life.  But now that I am back home and feeling much better than I have in months, I am ready to continue this silly little blog.

I started out in Washington, DC, visiting my niece.  Of course no trip to DC is complete without visiting the White House. Obama was out of town that evening, so there was no chance of stopping by.  Although DC is not my favorite place to visit, I have to admit the White House looks more impressive, since it finally houses a president I actually voted for.  It is definitely better to visit in May than the hellish August, which is the month I usually ended up visiting my in-laws.  EVERY SUMMER. SO minus the humidity, tourists, high temperatures and swamp-like atmosphere, it was tolerable.  Like every other obnoxious tourist, I had my camera around my neck and never stopped taking pictures.  I have hundreds to share in the weeks ahead.

Taking a Little Time Off

I haven't been posting for awhile because I have been on vacation and needed some time away from the computer.  I will be back in California on Wednesday.  Been having a lot of fun in Maryland and Florida, visiting family and friends.

Earth Day 2011

Who else thinks Earth Day should be Earth Year?

Must Love Dogs

People really love their dogs here in Santa Monica. We probably have more dogs per capita than anywhere in the world outside of Paris, France. 

Artisanal LA

I attended Artisanal LA at the new Santa Monica Place Market  that was supposed to celebrate the city's finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles.  Unfortunately, unless you had an excessive sweet tooth, an affinity for olive oil and hundreds of ways to serve bacon - bacon bread pudding, bacon fat and bacon muffins - this was a real disappointment. I was hoping for more demonstrations, more healthy food options and more crafts, other than aprons and soap. It wasn't a complete disappointment, but more of a sugar fest than a food fest.