A Wicked Life

For work, I spent 46 days in Redondo Beach. I worked as the Onsite Ground Person for Yes on Measure B for Redondo Beach. It was a measure to eliminate the industrial use on AES' Redondo Beach site.  Although I was on call 24/7 - I managed to steal away for a few hours and enjoy sand between my toes and the cool surf splashing against my legs. This post is the first in a series documenting my time in Redondo Beach and what I learned from the whole experience. I will start with the boardwalk and pier.  First of all, it is deteriorating. Badly. I was able to check everything out in less than 30 minutes. All the shops are touristy. There are a couple of good places to eat but not where I would trek just for dinner. I would usually grab a bite and then head straight down to the beach.  To the right of me, closest to Redondo Landing, is where all the tourist hang out. To the left of me was where the locals or semi-locals hung out. The further down you ...

Oh my gods do I have some catching up to do!  Had some bumps in the road this past week and my posts have been neglected. Oh! Another topic starting with N! Too late, this one is on Negativity. My niece recently entered into her second year of being a teenager. Oh yes.. to be a teenage girl filled with angst and the weight of the world on our shoulder.  My niece is not exception. Despite her efforts of being a loner and uninteresting and even..... negative, she couldn't seem to keep that persona long during my last visit. I by nature am not a negative person. Some who know me will disagree because they mistake me being realistic as negativity. Let's put it this way, I don't look at life with rose colored glasses. So back to my niece. While waiting for my sister, her mom to get gas, I asked my dear one how she was doing. Of course I received the same response. None. She wouldn't even look at me. Instead of my usual "oh my god, I just asked you a question....

"We are kindred spirits, you and I."  That magical connection you feel with another person. You sync on a greater level than  you do with others.  Soul Mate?  How many of us have had this encounter? Did you know it is possible to find a kindred spirit in a friend or family member? Kindred spirits are not just found through a romantic encounter but anyone that gives us that zen feeling when we are with them. Those that know exactly what we are thinking before we say a word. They have the same outlook on life as we do. No compromises. Almost separated at birth.  I have met a few kindred spirits in my day and all encounters were unforgettable. One was of a romantic nature. My other encounters were with friends I have met on different occasions. Some I still see on a regular basis and one I haven't heard from in years. I am at peace with that because when I do see them, it will be like no time has passed. Does everyone have a kindred spirit/s...

When a real-life friend deletes you as a contact on a social media site. Have you ever had this done to you? Was it after a fight on the phone or in person? Better yet, over a post? Did they delete you without notice? Have you deleted someone just to have them request your online friendship again?  Believe it or not this happens all the time. Today people don't just stop talking to each other after a falling out, they delete them. Sometimes the act of the delete causes the falling out. Have we distanced ourselves so much from each other that the way to break up a friendship or even a relationship is through a social media site?  I had someone that I considered a good friend stop interacting with me on Facebook. I didn't take it serious or personal because nothing strange happened between us. I am very busy and so are they. The next thing I knew, they delete me as a friend. Out of the blue. I called,  texted, and even emailed trying to get an answer. This was no...

When I first moved to Midtown I had a great flat practically right in the center of all the action. I could walk across the street and enjoy the best Mexican restaurant in the city or take in a dinner and a show a block away. Bars everywhere! On hot nights, since my apartment didn't have the best air conditioning, I would sleep in the living room with the front door ajar (security screen locked) and the windows open to bring in a nice cross breeze.  Unfortunately, having the door and windows opened not only brought in the breeze but the noise from the local night life - people laughing and having a great time. On one particular night or should I say, early morning, I was rudely awakened by a couple arguing in the middle of the street. It sounded like they were right in my living room.  "You were looking at her!", the girl was yelling. "No babe... it wasn't like that." replied the exasperated boyfriend. It seemed like they had been at it fore...

Every morning I go to the same donut shop. Well it is more of a bakery but I go there just for the donuts. The owner is very nice. A little timid the first time she waited on me but it may have been the amulet I wore and still wear around my neck. She is a Christian lady. I can tell because of the dainty little gold cross she wears around her neck. I've come to expect some push back in this small community. Although I have experienced my share of discrimination for one thing or another, I keep on keeping on. Not everyone is going to disappoint me. Right?   It's now been a little over a year since I started going to this bakery. The owner has warmed up to me and calls me by my first name when I walk through her door. It's nice and the boundaries don't seem to exist any longer. I couldn't wait to see her this morning. I have exciting news! I'm going to get married!!! I can't think of any one else to bake the cake for my special day but Lisa.  I walked in w...

Even with all the inspiration that is being sent my way I have to say that week one of my Fit or Fat journey was not that great. I have managed to let some life stresses get the better of me. I didn't gain anymore but I didn't lose either.  So for this week I am going to be more structured. No more self pity. There are things in life that one cannot control. I can however control my mood.  No. I'm not moving boulders. I just like the picture! I mean, just look at it... damn.  I was pleased to find out today that three of the fitness apps I seldom use (haha, ya...), sync! So in order to keep my motivation going I will be posting my progress reports from my Fit Bit Tracker. Since I made this commitment publicly, I kinda have to do it now. I have had this device since October of last year. I like it but need to make it work harder for me. Keep me in line with my fitness goals. But like all other apps, it is only as good as ...

Which way do you go? Do you go down the left or the right?  If you take the wrong path can others judge you? Whose to say you are headed in the wrong direction in the first place? Is it really so important that everyone believe the same?  Because I don't go to church or worship your god I'm going to burn in hell fire? I haven't killed anyone. I don't cheat or steal. I love my mom and dad. Besides, isn't that up to the big guy to decide anyway?  I took the wrong path once. I doubled back and went the way I was supposed to. Not because someone told me but because the direction I was headed didn't feel right for me. It wasn't where I was meant to be.  I had someone tell me today to repent for "he is coming and I will surely pay for my ways." What a great approach! Unfortunately for that person, I happen to know my way around the Good Book. What about those that don't? Those who are verbally beat up in the name of being sav...

How often do we hear that today? "Because I can."  It explains the attitudes of people today. This post kind of ties into the one I did last week. Being mean on the Internet.  This attitude has dug deep in today's society. We are empowered to do whatever we want, only God can judge us, YOLO... You may be asking yourself, "well, what is wrong with that outlook?" I'm not sure there is anything "wrong" but there should be a limit to this way of thinking. We all need to remember what we do does in fact effect those around us. It doesn't matter if we even know them. I'm not talking about being offended. I have a whole other post coming out about being offended.  Let's take the term YOLO for a minute. You Only Live Once. No, you live everyday. You die once. So those crazy things you do because you can, you will have to live with the consequences later. It's not like trying something new like water skiing. People are doing horrible o...

...any article or post you comment on can and will be seen by everyone.  Ah the Internet. Full of articles, posts, social profiles... you name it. A person can comment on just about anything these days.  Here is what I don't get. So, let's say you have this article on...quilting. Some chick found a new way to quilt and the local newspaper posts the story on their website. Human interest story. You read the article. Then browse down at the comments. The first couple are nice comments asking "what stitch is used?" or "where did they get that fabulous fabric?" It doesn't take long before there is a comment commenting on another commenter's comment. You still with me? Yeah commenter's is not a word. So comment below about it. Anyway, these comments are usually not very nice. What starts out to be "nice pattern", five comments down the feed turn into "I hope your family dies!".  These are even people who don't p...

As part of my 2014 Goals, I decided to start my day with a short 15 minute yoga session. This morning was a little challenging. Waking up with a headache and not much sleep because my furry kids decided to go ape shit at 3am... I wasn't exactly motivated to do anything but pop some Advil and go back to sleep.  I have several Yoga DVDs but always go back to one. I use an AM/PM Yoga for Beginners DVD. After 6 years I am still a beginner because I never stuck to it. Not because I didn't like doing yoga, I love it. I would just have something else more pressing in my mind to do. Anyway, it is a great DVD. I posted a link to it the right hand side of my blog.  I highly recommend it.  So, after forcing my self into downward dog, I was able to get into the mood and actually finish the 15 minute session. This may seem like a very small accomplishment to most but to me, oh yea!I did it! Woo hoo!!!  My other goal for 2014 is to eat breakfast and make it more ...

Featured Artist for January 2014 Dan Eden Bio: Dan grew up in a small town in Northern California. She has been drawing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She comes from a long line of artists and shares this passion with her siblings. Dan's inspirations for her work are unique and captivating.  Dan works with various media including oils, ink, and acrylic.  Dan's artwork is for sale and she also takes commissions.  The Jinn (c) 2014 The Rose Cross (c) 2014 Melt With Me (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 (untitled) (c) 2014 Mad Hatter (c) 2014

I don't typically have New Year's Resolutions because I, like everyone else, don't keep'em. Never have but this coming year? Ya, it's time. As I sit here posting to my blog, listening to cats fighting in the background, I realize.. it's time to make more changes and stick to them. This coming year I plan to approach everyday with intent. Make the day count. I know that is pretty broad but what it will accomplish is overcoming the many challenges I create for myself. 2014 is going to be better than 2013 and this year has been pretty good. :) What is your New Year's Resolution/s? ~M