May is a very important month to me. It's our wedding anniversary, Bill's birthday, Joshie's birthday, David Carmona's birthday, Matt Lawrence's birthday, Victors birthday and Lenny's birthday. Its a big month. The season in May can be cold, rainy and warm on all the same day. It means the end of a semester of teaching, a quieting down in life, but also more of a financial struggle. The first of the three day weekends of the summer, the beginning of white pants, and the start to attempt to get color on my skin.
Oh May. You're always that turning point month for me. Before the end, though, Bill and I get to treat ourselves. Yesterday was our two year anniversary! We went to Taxim for dinner, a modern take on Greek food. I honestly can take or leave Greek Town, so this was a nice alternative. We had the House Cured Sardine, the Ramps with leeks, dill, feta in phyllo dough, the lamb sausage and the wood-grilled Octopus. Also for the main courses I had the leg of lamb with orzo and bill had the lamp chops. It was delicious!
Today is also Lenny's birthday. Here is his two year old picture:
Tonight starts the half-yearly sale at Nordstrom, so Bill is going to working like a maniac these next couple of weeks. Sigh. We are having his birthday party on Monday, Memorial Day so that should be fun! We're having grilled sausage + pepper sandwiches, the Carmona pulled pork recipe, grain salad and chicken legs. Sorry, drumsticks.
And finally I can relax. Industry Night went off without a hitch....I was stressed out and working 10+ hours a day for a while there, and now its over. The semester is over and my Film & Video, Television and Radio event was great. Through all the concerns that came from people in various departments, it was the best we ever had. Friday I was exhausted and made it to one art exhibit for Manifest. Here's a photo.
I made it to the grocery store soon after and just chilled all evening. Saturday I went to Girl and The Goat with Mackie, Mary-Frances and Erica. It was great. Erica and I are all about our 2011 to do list, and so I made these reservations in February after crossing off "get a new job" on my list.
We had: Pan Fried Shishito Peppers with parmesan, sesame and miso; Chickpea Fritters with romesco, hazelnut hummus, sesame and goat feta; Grilled Baby Octopus with serrano, treviso, celery root, braised pistachio and red bliss potato (it was so good it was crazy); Escargot Ravioli with bacon and tamarind-miso sauce; Goat Chorizo Flatbread with ramp pesto, rhubarb and fresh ricotta; Wood Oven Roasted Pig Face with sunny side egg, tamarind, cilantro and potato stix; Goat Liver Mousseline with ham hock jus, citruis marmalade and crumpets; Grilled Pork Ribs with tomatillo-mushroom slaw and grilled scallion vinaigrette and for dessert, Blood Orange Sorbet with parsnip pot de creme, pistachio cake and three sisters cornmeal crust. Wowzer, it was an awesome meal with awesome friends, which was long over due and super, super fun and necessary! I can't wait to do it again soon!
So I have been at my job for two months, and these two months have flown by. At first I didn't have much to do but now I'm crazy busy. We have a big event that we put on called Industry Night.
Now I'm crazy with everything, all the time. And James and Rachel are coming to town and I feel sorry for myself because I can't even take a day off to spend with them. It stinks. I will barely be able to see them :( **Update. Rachel didn't come, just James but I was able to hang out for the weekend!**
Anyway, Easter happened.
Bill and I have been looking at houses for, hmm. Three years? At least? And we have looked at some dumps, that's for sure.
We are making our last ditch effort at 529 N. Claremont. A small, tiny if you will house that has been vacant for well over 1 year, was originally listed for almost 500K, now its nowhere near that. Its been empty so long that there hasn't been water or gas or anything. 2 small bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 2 car garage and a world of potential once the concrete gets lifted up from the back. It's our mutual obsession. Its truly our obsession.
Here we go. Last bid.
I'm shocked its been almost a month since my last post! This one is totally dedicated to how "Nobody Walks in LA". Just kidding, we walked around a bit! We had a total blast in Los Angeles, it was Bill's first time there, and he even said he liked it more then he thought he would.
Upon arrival I receive a text from James saying "I'm coming to get you!" This was odd, considering Rachel was going to get us. Well, Rachel's car broke down after Home Depot, so Jamesy had to leave during rush hour to get us. 1.5 hours later he arrived! We were tired, hungry and thirsty but thrilled to see James, its has been since our wedding that we have been together!
Finally we land in Silverlake and Rachel and I were reunited again! I miss the Winn/Barron household so much, I hate how far they live. The first night we went to a bar to grab food, Bill and I were exhausted and wanted to rest up for the next day.
Day 2 we went to Olvera Street and I bought awesome stuff for my birthday party fiesta!!!
The evening of Day 2 we went to Pins and Needles and played pinball for hours and hours.
Day 3 we went to Melrose Avenue for shopping and then to Papa Cristos - "The best Greek food in LA". We feel bad for people in LA. Although we ate a ton, it wasn't as good as Chicago. But check out Papa Cristos!
The evening of Day 3 we went to Smog Cutters. My cousin Trevor and his girlfriend Holly met us, along with Jenny, Bridget and lots of James's and Rachel's friends.
Day 4 we were all feeling wow so awesome, so we went to Griffith Park and enjoyed the view. We had a great brunch in the morning and headed up there. It was beautiful and amazing and just what a hangover ordered!
And finally that evening we made homemade pizzas on the grill, and invited people to come over and join us to eat and drink, and I was thrilled to have my old friend Daniel, who I met in Savannah, Georgia in the year 2000 while I was working on "The Gift", even stopped by.
We had a fabulous time, and missed Jamesy and Rachel (and Signal!) immediately, and forever after, too! Move home to Chicago our friends!!!
So I'm getting settled into my new position as Creative Industry Liaison at Columbia College Chicago in the Portfolio Center. Everything is going very well, and next week Bill and I fly to Los Angeles to spend a week with Jamesy and Rachel! We can't wait! Rachel spent 6 weeks with us this past summer, but Bill and I haven't seen Jamesy since our wedding, which is almost 2 years ago!
Our last vacation was to visit the Mighty Carmona Family in North Carolina, and that was soon after Victor passed away. We have Lex staying at our house next week to take care of Lenny + Olive, and hopefully they will be angels. Although I doubt it since now when we leave we have to put the garbage can in the bathroom. Oy vey. So annoying.
How has it already been a year? Its quite remarkable when I think about this past year. How can one thing happening effect your daily thoughts, your emotions, your daydreams?
Not a single day has gone by that I haven't thought, or even cried about Victor. I remember his last week, every minute, every second. I remember it like how you watch a movie. I see myself in it. And it breaks my heart.
Our love for Victor was so huge, and our loss was so great, that we now have 2 dogs to fill the space. And we love them so much, and are so grateful for Lenny and Olive. They're wonderful and awesome.
But its still crazy. One year ago, I thought I could never love a dog again. Never. I didn't think I had love for any dog but Victor. How do feelings change, how do you know when you're accepting things for what they are, how do you know when you're ready to learn life in a different way, without this creature who was such a constant in it?
Tonight Bill and I are going to hug, cry, and take the dogs to the dog park to celebrate Victor Pants. He was still the best, most amazing dog I have ever met. I miss him so much.
