la in forty eight hours
Well, I thought it to be impossible but it’s not. I was able to spend time with friends in los angeles in a mere forty eight hours.
Not to say that the weekend wasn’t a whirlwind and that I didn’t suffer from a major case of jet lag but it was definitely worth the tiredness. I was able to fly out on the bus, Skybus, for $60.80. I was able to buy a ticket for ten dollars each way, and then when you add in the taxes it upped the price to $40.80 and because I am particular about where I sit (meaning I need a window seat) I paid the additional ten each way for priority boarding.
The terminal section at CMH was new, and very quiet, it seems as if you are walking down into a brightly lit dungeon. The boarding was semi painless, I was in group 1 and as everyone tried to file into the front of the plane, I walked myself on the tarmac to the rear of the plane, up the stairs, and got myself a window seat in an isle all by myself. Flying out I had a snack, and four jack and diet pepsi’s. Which took my grand total to $30.00 for in flight service. I was also a very good student and did my homework on the way out.
Landing, and getting my luggage (carry on only) I was able to walk out of the plane, through the terminal and get into the escape vehicle (aka the ross mobile). We stopped and had dinner at a chinese place. I can’t remember the name, it was close to BUR, decent food and not a bad price. Then we went speeding our way to Santa Monica through downtown LA. Unfortunately there’s no real rush hour traffic in LA, as it’s just busy the entire time and we got stuck a little bit of traffic.
(I will say that, motorists in LA in comparison to motorists in Ohio are far better, the entire weekend I saw no Californian driver make any lane changes without a signal.)
Ross, Jamie, Steph, and I made our way to Roosterfish in Venice. A nice neighborhood type bar, that started very very light but ended wall to wall. Kelsey and Des showed up and had a few drinks. At one point I think I had the same conversation with Kelsey three separate times in a row. I was extremely jet lagged and tired. Shortly there after, partly because I was tired, and partly because there were people who wouldn’t leave one member of our party alone we left.
Saturday, we spent the day trying to get as close to the Hollywood sign as possible.
We followed the directions and ended up in a heavily residential section of LA; closest we could get to the sign. Took a few photos and walked along a dirt trail. Next we wanted to get to the Hollywood Reservoir and venture around a bit there. Unfortunately it’s been closed due to land slides, so we couldn’t get down to walk around.
Which means, we had to find something else to do, so we went to the absolute best theater in LA, the Arclight.
(Of course, we had to pass the wonderful scientology museum about psychiatry and death. I think, in the few years that I’ve been going to LA, we travel past this exhibit at least once per visit.)
We ended up watching the Bourne movie, which was my second viewing and it was as fantastic as the first. After the movie it was dinner time, and we ended up at Basix, another tradition we have. It was a good meal, with the fantastic key lime pie, with the very same waiter as the last time. The dirty martini was excellent, and just one, gives me enough of a buzz to enjoy myself.
I felt kinda lame, because I think people wanted to hang out Saturday night, but I was still jet lagged and exhausted. So we ended the night at the apartment watching Season One of Ugly Betty.
Sunday was very low key. Sat and enjoyed brunch at ihop with Gray, Steph, Jamie and Ross. We were there, until we had to run back to the apartment and get me to burbank. I got in around 1:30 AM, got to my car around 2:00 AM, got home at 3:00AM and then was back at work the next day.
i used to be good…
Filed under: fun, goals, gym, life, running, school, vacation, work
This week has been somewhat of a blur. I took it off from work because I was feeling stressed and a little burnt out so I needed a week to recuperate and get my bearings back. We just finished our G2G conversion and it about fried everyone associated with the project. It took just over two years and a period of time of dual platform operation but we finally flicked the switch and are utilizing the last G of the G2G conversion.
Monday
Basically the first true day off of work. I woke up at 9, had breakfast, cleaned up, and went to the gym. I went to a spinning class and then ran afterwards. Came back prepared for school and went to school from 6-9. Gave a presentation with the group. I was a bit nervous and it kinda showed. Hopefully everything works out because I do want to get an A in the class. Came home and had my Dean’s List letter in my mailbox congratulating me on my academically excellent Fall Semester.
Tuesday
Almost a repeat of the morning, except I did not take a spinning class, and I went to Easton before hand. I needed to pick up a new nike+ kit as mine finally bit(e) (spelling?) the dust. Bought some vitamins and then wanted to try this creatine mix. Now I am kind of confused. I understand that protein is needed after a workout, and you can’t combine the two. But the creatine mix said you needed to do a mix before and after your work out, and if that’s the case, then where does the protein come into play? Let me tell you after spinning and running, my muscles need any and all help they can get so I want the protein, just not sure when to consume it after my workout.
I went to dinner at Bar Louie in the Arena District, it was fantastic. I had not been to the one downtown just the one at Easton, and the one downtown is a lot better than the one at Easton. Being down in the area, makes me realize how much I enjoy city living and the need to be in an Urban atmosphere. The suburbs are nice, and the apartment is decent, but I long to live in a condo in the downtown area.
Wednesday
We will call this the day of shit weather. It was amazing the first part of the week, just amazing, sunny warm the kind of weather you want for Spring. This was cold rainy and starting to dip down. Went spinning in the afternoon, came back and was exhausted. Had dinner with Ryan in Cap City in Grandview. The lady messed up my order. I asked for the dressing on the side, but she put the salmon on the side and as I had no desire to wait around I ate it as is.
Thursday
Today, met up with Rob and did a very strong leg work out. Needed to actually start incorporating weights back into my gym routine. I’ve lost about ten pounds but I don’t want to loose muscle mass, so it’s imperative that I get the lifting back in my schedule. Signed up for the running club at Easton. Every Saturday morning at 9:00AM I will be there doing a two mile run hoping that it helps get my endurance up for future 5k’s. Speaking of which, I have registered, again, for the Commit to be Fit 5k during the LaSalle Columbus Distance Classic. I’ll be running the 5k again, this year it will be without a blown out knee so I am hoping I finish faster than I did a year ago.
The Weekend
Going home, seeing the family for Easter, relaxing and just catching up on any and all homework I did not finish.
*edit*
This damn version of wordpress has majorly messed up so hopefully I have fixed everything and it is working as designed now…. ergh….
Life after undergrad…
It’s been a while since I’ve updated everyone on the comings and goings on in my life. I thought that once I finished my undergraduate program that this (consistently blogging) would be easier and something that I enjoy doing in my life. However; it’s proven to be a distraction away from the computer and one that may be necessary at times is inexcusable when you have an approximate audience of 20 or so reading.
So to start from the beginning. I finished my undergraduate program! I am walking on December 16th and being hooded on the 15th. I ended the program with a GPA of 3.471 which isn’t exactly where I wanted but high enough that I am still satisfied. My term GPA for my last semester ended at 3.67 which places me on the Dean’s List for a second time and really just solidifies my decent academic standing.
Of course, we had to celebrate and celebrate we did….
I know, I know it’s one of the few and rare instances that you’ll see me in a photo on my own site or even in my flickr…..
Most of the group went out to Gameworks after our last class, and champagne toast. It was fun, I was the motor car first place winner, but then people got pissy and blocked me from winning the balloon game.
Work has been stressful. Conversion was delayed again. Which is very fortunate as I was originally scheduled to be on vacation during the time we flipped the switch.
I always want to take a trip after the program ends. One for my undergraduate program and then one for the upcoming MBA program. For the conclusion of this program I decided that I would go out west to LA and then up to San Fran. I’ve been to LA a few times (three now actually) and have always enjoyed my time out there (here). Then for a weekend I would fly upto San Fran and then fly home on Sunday. I booked my hotel in the Union Square section of San Fran. I am staying at a Personality Hotel, specifically Hotel Union Square. A chance to get away even more, explore the city and then also a chance for me to see Mikey.
Getting to LA was somewhat of a struggle. I had to deviate from my original plan of flying to ORD and then to LAX. Inclement weather had me flying to IAD and then to LAX. I am not one for very long flights so when I was stuck in a plane flying across country for six hours I was less than enthusiastic. Fortunately, I was able to sit next to a decent guy who works as a helicopter pilot for some law enforcement agency in California. He was nice, but when you travel across the country and you have time for two movies you know the flight is long.
I’ve spent the past five days out here in sunny California. The weather a stark contrast from what I left in Ohio. It’s been somewhat of a whirlwind tour as I don’t precisely remember what days we did what. I know I’ve spent sometime at UCLA, I know we spent time on the Santa Monica Pier, I know we spent time in Malibu and at the Huntington Library mostly in that order but to signifiy them with days right now isn’t something I am capable of doing.
I’ve been adding my photos as I go into flickr and you can check out the photo stream here.
Tonight is dinner at a Mexican restaurant with some peeps from the old musicology land. Perhaps some debauchery perhaps not… It’s too early to tell.
you heard me you fuck
Not a lot to report:
- Sunday was my first experience for having brunch at the vine and it was fantastic.
- I bought a washer and dryer.
- Conversion has not been finalized yet.
- I am down to two class sessions left for school.
- I just got over the flu that had me down and out for almost a week.
- Hung out with Tom and Benton Sunday.
- I paid off a $72 library fine with $26 dollars in canned food.
- Rearranged furniture.
- Cleaned and its amazing.
- Got a lot of hits off of my Roman Heart entry.
- Going to pass out leaflets for the stonewall dems on Saturday
reprieve
We’ve been given a reprieve at work. Our conversion that was originally scheduled for the 15th was pushed back a week.
Unfortunately, what that means is that during the time Ross is home I might not be able to spend that much time with him. Good thing I get to go to California in December.
I am now six classes away from graduating. I still need to CLEP out of my ENG111 but I don’t see any issues in doing that. November 14th here I come!
unsure
I am not sure why I’ve not been writing lately. Sometimes it seems as if I just go into hibernation from the net from people as a way to refuel and energize myself for the upcoming months.
I’ve been good, I am adjusting to the new pad to the new life and slowly making my way out and about.
My relationship with my father is definitely different than it has been in the past. I’m not sure how to explain it. I’ve been out of the house before. I spent two years living in Athens and the relationship kept the same basic structure. Now that I’ve moved out of the house we converse more, it’s more cordial with each other. The tension that I felt when living at home is gone.
Work has been work, the vacation freeze is up in November and I already have my ticket to fly out to LA and then up to San Fran for ten days. It will be a much needed vacation and a chance for me to see some people I’ve not seen in a while.
This is your notice: Gray, Des, Kelsey and Steph…. I’m coming, prepare yourselves kids!
I’ll also get to see San Fran for the fist time and hang out with Mikey for a bit.
I’m down to the single digits with school, and that’s an amazing feeling.
In January I start the MBA program and will be a full fledged Graduate student.
I’ve been running and spinning at the gym and I’ve really begun to like both of them. I’ve not really ran since the 5k back in April or May so I’ve been slowly working my way back into running. The great thing is that the loop where I live is approximately 1.7 miles. I know once I can run that twice I’m in better shape than I was during the 5k.
Well… it’s time for bed.
But, here’s a pic of me out and about with some coworkers.
And no, the cigar thing will not be a recurrent trend in my life.
cle
I was able to get away a few weekends ago and head upto Cleveland. I had been before to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but this time I was heading up for a friend’s wedding.
I changed my reservation for the Hyatt and left work early on Friday. There was no real reason for the change other than wanting to spend some downtime relaxing.
The room was amazing. The bed huge, the bathroom fantastic. My only complaint was with valet but in comparison it is better than the valet in the Short North.
I spent most of the morning Saturday just exploring downtown and walking around snapping photos. The wedding was beautiful (but very long). There were only a few lookers in the wedding group. The reception was slow at first but within any case alcohol made it bearable.
I don’t say that to demean the wedding or the reception or my friend. I say it as I generally hate weddings and I tried to be as accomidating as possible with this one.
My friend who got hitched is an old friend and it’s easy to say that I’ve known him (and his family) for more than half of my life. Because of that I really wanted to try and have a good time. There was drunken dancing, egging the groom’s mother on to down drinks and towards the end of the evening I was feeling okay with the wedding.
The best part for me was being able to be out and take some photos….
More photos can be found here
flickr
