Archive for the ‘ L.A. ’ Category

The traveling continues

Los AngelesI’m back in Los Angeles…at least for the next 72 hours. My ‘to do’ list keeps growing and the hours keep ticking by. One major ‘to do’ would be packing – there’s still a lot left. I’m not sure how many people or how many times I’ve heard “Just let the movers do it! They’ll pack your stuff!”. But alas, that won’t be happening. Not only because I’m a control freak, but also because I’m a stubborn arse who doesn’t like giving people the opportunity to say “I told you so.” Even if I’m puttering to the plane on Thursday half awake and bleary eyed, I will have everything done. As Harley as my witness.

For my return on Sunday, I was supposed to be going through DFW – the price difference between a direct vs. 1 stop flight was approximately $300. Argh. That’s fine, I can deal with layovers that don’t involve carting around angry kitties.Toronto

As I got to the front counter at YYZ, I let the agent know that the kiosk wasn’t letting me check in because it thinks I still have my pet, when I don’t – she stayed. He looked at me like I was deranged and said…

American Airlines Agent (AAA): “What did you do with your pet?”

Me: “Oh,” I replied, trying to figure out how I could sum up the last 3 weeks into as few words as possible. “She’s with my husband – we’re moving back here. I have to go deal with movers.”

AAA: “Ah…”

Good. Mission accomplished.

Type, type, type, type, type….<pause>…type, type, type.

AAA: “Do you want to go on a direct flight?”

Me: “Um….yeah! Of course! If one is available.”

Type, type, type…<pause>…type, type….<pause>…type, type, type.

AAA: “Hang on. I lie. You don’t lie.”

Me: “Wha…?”

Taps agent to his left on the shoulder.

AAA: “Could you approve this? She needs to get to LA directly – it’s an emergency, she’s running late.”

Yes. My American Airlines Ticket Agent went all stealth opps on me and got me on the direct flight. AMAZING.

I love traveling.

Snow in Monrovia

I think it’s a sign.

img_0053.jpg

Spooky…

Thanks to MaryJo for the pic!

December in Pasadena

Old town full of folks,

As Rose Parade approaches.

Soon have my town back.

Santa Monica Pier

With just an hour left before it closed, there was enough time for a trip up in the ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier. Kelly’s in town for a visit and we always take full advantage of the excuse to play L.A. tourist for a day.

santa monica ferris wheel

in the ferris wheel

ferris wheel from the pier

The Timmy’s Coffee was authentically bad but the food was delicious

Of all places, Monrovia is home to a little nook of a restaurant that’s ready and waiting if we ever get homesick.

The Canadian Cafe.

Moose

Poutine. Moose. Coffee Crisp. Flags. Mounties.

Heaven.

Oh, but the ‘authentic’ imported Tim Horton’s coffee. Horrible, horrible, horrible. As horrible as the days where it would be the only option first thing in the morning. Blech. How do people get addicted to this stuff?

canadian flags

Our fries were salted and vinegar’d. We tried to add ourselves to their map with pushpins for where your hometown is…but it would seem a lot of Torontonians have made their way through The Canadian Cafe. Go figure.

horrible coffee

And can I mention one more time just how awful that coffee was?