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Does Santa Wear Green?

This year may the hands that touch the earth be a little gentler and the hearts that care for it a little wiser.

Frozen Beauty

It may be too early for those without power to appreciate the ice, but these berries make it look easy! Let's keep those who struggle in our thoughts, but take the time to look around us!

And hey, don't knock the weather. If it didn't change, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation.

Turn Around, Bright Eyes...

Every now and then I write a blog. Yes, it's true! And it is about the day after a holiday that always feels like a Sunday, and deciding what you will have at dinner with friends is the hardest part of the day. We started with calamari (with arugula and peppers!), but then went our separate ways...myself with a salad, another with fish, and another with a burger..and finished with dreams, tricks, and politics. And for dessert, oh for dessert! A toast with Grand Marnier and we'll only be making it right...

You Say Goodbye, I say Hello...

Even the trees on the Jamaica Way and by Jamaica Pond are losing the battle, and as pretty as their leaves look scattered on cold brick, there is no doubt that they are bidding farewell.

Now its time to say hello...to Faneuil Hall. It's true that Faneuil Hall has always been a city hot-spot, but this time of year it is especially nice, and especially if you are (or want to be!) in the holiday spirit. It is still a little early, though, so my suggestion to you is to people watch and window shop!

La Tournée de l'hôpital

Going back and moving forward at the same time is quite the art. My work as a PT has transferred me to the lovely city of Boston, and (despite a long week) I am glad to see this year's fall from a familiar and now totally different view! PT Hot Spot of the week: The Jamaica Way and Jamaica Pond. Here, the trees really do lean to lend.

I Never Doubted the Big Lebowski...

Actually, I was surprise to find out the In-N-Out Burger actually existed. I went tonight and was pleasantly surprised! Admittedly, it is a fast-food joint but it is clean and the service is good. It is diner-like and the staff seem happy and have very cute uniforms! The menu is wonderfully simple, and dirt cheap. The burgers are small but packed with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. The french fries are floppy and salted, but not too greasy. They're a bit like Pennsylvania's Potato Patch at Kennywood (by the way, if you are in PA check out Primanti Brothers. Y-U-M-M-Y!). And if you're in California, In-N-Out is the place to go. The food and service was fast, even though the inside, parking lot, AND drive through are full with happy customers.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

One of the best ways to get to know an area is by taking a look at and an interest in nature. Nature is everywhere (even in LA!) and it is more telling than one might think. How do the people where you are work with the environment? We're not just talking in Go-Green terms here, we're talking about the natural history of a place and understanding how it came to be.

In California, this means exploring beaches, marshes, woodlands, rivers, and mountains, or visiting museums and observatories or simply observing the wildlife.

Did You Getty That?

The Getty Center is a collection of Western art presented against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, amazing gardens, and great views. Planning a visit to the center means practicing Step 5 and looking over the website first (http://www.getty.edu/visit). Thursday night is "College Night" and TGI-Bon Appetite, whose (free!) food and soft drinks were delicious--and, bought locally!

The Getty was great, and with a student ID parking, admission, and goodies (food, drink, music, games) were free. Unfortunately, "College Night" is an after-hours event, so many of the exhibit halls and gardens could not be accessed. But, the architecture is definitely worth talking about and I'll go back for more art/garden/sculpture viewing!

Man, I Feel Like a Woman!

Shania's not the only one! I have never traveled as a man, but traveling as a woman is a unique experience. To the people around you, you are non-threatening, interesting, new and different. You're also vulnerable, alone, unaware. Be kind, friendly and approachable and you will meet a lot of people. Be smart, and you will meet a lot of good people who can help you along the way!

Update: The Beautiful People

Quickly, I wanted to inform everyone that I have seen my first "typical-LA or beach" crowd. Two girls, one perfectly blonde and the other perfectly brunnette. Both are, of course, in perfect shape and lined with perfect tans. Their company? A perfectly built boy with sparkling sunglasses and witty T-shirt. Perfect, perfect, perfect...but not for me!

Some things really are just like on TV. But many, many others are not! Stay tuned...

Step 5: Getting Free Stuff

Though many women/men do secretly enjoy being (and who can blame them?) Dinner Whores, it just doesn't work. Its not really fair and it can get you in some pretty sticky situations...

What you can do, though, is improvise:

• One coffee gets you an afternoon of conversation and thought with the locals

• Eating the fruit and nut parts of Trail Mix (instead of just the chocolate) will keep you from splurging on fancy lunches at the Grove
• Checking out museum websites will tell you about the free days or discounted tickets as well as upcoming events
• Volunteering your time will give you a place to be, people to be around, and something good to do

Trying to Find the Beach

This should be easy, having landed myself on the coast. Unfortunately, the ginormous highways out here are extremely intimidating. The 7 lane stretch makes it easy to get in the wrong lane and miss your exit. And non-highway roads are not any better. They're huge! Fortunately, U-Turns are legal. I made them in Boston, too, but they're not encouraged in Boston like they are in LA! Without them, it's almost impossible to get around. Instead of "can type X words per minute", I am going to put "can make X U-turns per minute" on my resume. This brings me to Step 4 in becoming a PT: Get lost then find your way. This is more productive than it sounds. Think of it as exploring...

Hey, It coulda been a Rav4

Step 3: Save money and not time by taking flights that include stops. Ugh, 3 hours of sleep, 12 hours of travel time, a terrible cold, almost-missed flights, and...what? a PT Cruiser? I'm finally in sunny SoCal and I am pretending that I have more purpose and money than I actually do, and I am being sent off sniffling and exhausted in a PT Cruiser? But, what about my Mercedes, my Mini, my Mustang? I am, after all, near Hollywood and the beach and rich middle-aged men in crisis'. I thought for sure I could live out my movie star dreams in style. But, like I said, it coulda been a Rav4. This is my reconciliation with the Car Rentalship (as opposed to a dealership :-). I guess it does serve for poetic justice...and, to be fair, I never had any movie star dreams anyway.

Keep it in The Family

Even the unemployed deserve a break. Some time in the middle of no where with your family and their new dog will do the trick. Two weeks without work, friends, internet, phone service, coffee, human contact...well, it all sounded good to me! Except for the coffee part...

Saying Good-Bye

Reclaiming yourself as a PT means tying up loose ends and realizing what you're going to miss. In my case, this meant arranging for my cat to be fed and demanding a going-away party from all of my friends, co-workers, and "regulars" at the bar. Lucky for me, I happen to know the best of the best. Ki Ki has been put on a diet but will surely be fed, hugs and kisses all around, a very late last night accompanied by an even earlier breakfast (complements of B&W Hospital) and finally some crying in front of the boss(es).

Travelin' Light...

Step 1 to becoming a Professional Tourist: Quit your job and THEN book your flight. This may not seem pragmatic to all you practical thinkers out there, but you wouldn't have booked the flight if you still had a job and well, you wouldn't have a job if you booked your flight. No harm done, then, and its the rush you need to continue planning (or not planning) your life as a PT. Step 2: Collect all change and short-money scratch tickets left in your car and couch cushions and cash in. After all, you don't have a job anymore.