Picture Perfect; My LA Trip

I’d awaken from a well rested night in dream land but something was off. Black satin cap. Check. H&M Spaghetti strap chemise. Check. Black cotton short, shorts. Check. Bath & Body Works lounge socks. Check. I threw them off in my sleep, so they were comfortably nestled on the hardwood floor. Check. Check. Check. Yes, everything is still here. Check. So, why did I feel uneasy and slightly out of place today?

I wiped my tired eyes one last time. There I was; soft bed, tall windows with a warm, bright rays of sunlight easing its way through the blinds. For the very first time I was not cold. Oh, yeah. That’s it. I was in Cali, LA to be exact. No artic, windy weather, no uninvited mornings filled with hot green tea, no groggy mode, no negativity and no overcast skies frowning down on me. The vibe was totally opposite from New York. It felt almost surreal.

I was in a city where it can get as high as 80 degrees in January. There was a bonus. The first Black President was being sworn in on the National Mall in Washington, DC today. Things could not get any better!

After my friend, Mr. McD or more appropriately I should call him, Bruce Wayne (he knows what I mean) and I wiped away the sleepiness, we prepared to watch the swearing in ceremony on CNN.com’s live broadcast. It was awesome! I cried tears of joy. Bruce Wayne even recorded Obama’s speech on his sleek, little Mac. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a remixed version of the speech with my voice saying, “How do you make this bigger again?” over Obama’s voice. I can only imagine what you may think I was referring to. Take your mind out of the gutter; I was talking about the screen.

I boarded the plane on inauguration day, filled with butterflies in my stomach and wonderful memories of my two nights/three day LA business trip. I was sad to see it go; perfect weather, excellent food, beautiful people. Still, I was extremely uneasy about my overall feeling for the city, but I did know that I adored the weather.

Aside from the ideal weather, I had the opportunity to drop in on some ideal places. Here’s a glimpse of where I stopped:

-Private night tour of Media Concepts in Burbank, CA. This studio has a remarkable facility built for post production in video and music. The rooms are fully prepared with up-to-date technology that includes mixing and dubbing equipment. Media Concepts doesn’t just stop there. The studio also provides clients with a signature theatrical editing room, built as a real-life movie theater, with an enormous projector, surround sound, and two person mixing console. Future film makers check out the website, http://www.mediaconcepts.net/ The location is definitely exquisite.
-Quick bite to eat at Big Wangs located somewhere in Hollywood. It’s your ultimate sports bar with flat screens on every wall and a pool table. The Salmon wrap was scrumptious!
Mingling and drinks at Bar Marmont, snuggled beside the tasteful, well-known, boutique hotel, Chateau Marmount in West Hollywood. The butterflies hanging from the ceiling will totally freak you out.
-Window shopping at Nordstrom, Apple store, and Barney’s Co-Op in The Grove Mall. We’re in a recession, purchasing was not on the agenda.
Delicious Margherita Pizza at Pitfire Pizza. They have three locations, so don’t ask me which one I actually dinned in. I have an excuse, I was visiting.
-Leather sofa shopping at Restoration Hardware in Sherman Oaks Fashion Square Mall. Hey, someone has to do it!
-Dinner at the ultra sexy Firefly in Studio City, CA. Extremely laid back atmosphere, romantic lightening, entertaining music and succulent cuisine.
-Lunch at Porto’s Cuban Bakery & Café, a family-owned bakery and café with fresh, fresh, fresh food. I actually had the Tuna on a croissant. I never eat tuna from any establishment. That’s a compliment!
-Back to LAX Airport

I know what you’re thinking after reading my where-abouts in LA, “Well, Joi. Did you do any damn work?” My answer to that question is, “Certainly, but I’ll keep that between me and Bruce Wayne.” (wink, wink)

A New New Year!!!

Hola, Feliz Ano Nuevo!!! That’s about all of the espanol you will get from me for the year (smile). Welcome to 2009! A new, new, year where anything can happen; a new year where we have our first Black (African-American) President, a new year where more people my age are actually watching CNN just as regularly as your typical, trashy reality show, and a new year where I’ve began to detox myself form alcohol for a minimum of six months. Yes, I said it! I’m going sober cold-turkey style.

Trust me; it’s not as hard as it looks.

One recent Friday night my manager, The Brit, asked me, “Joi, did you make any resolutions for this year?”

I responded in your typical annoyed but care-free “just leave me alone and let me do my job” voice, “No, I never make new year’s resolutions.”

Of course, he had a raised brow and seemed intrigued as to why I don’t practice this New Year’s ritual that’s been going around for ions. The Brit asked, “Why?”

I took a deep breath hoping that one of my tables would call me over to take an order for another extravagant cocktail or grilled cheese sandwich, so the misery of this conversation could end, abruptly. But I was stuck. Still in my annoyed state, I replied “The word resolution sounds so unstable and temporary. I set goals each year and work towards accomplishing each one. Goals, that word is just more permanent to me.” That’s when I revealed to him that I decided to lay of the liquor for six months. The Brit was amazed that I made such a mature commitment. You would have thought that I told him I decided to save my virginity until to marriage the way his eyes popped out of his head. In his own little British way, I believe that he was proud of me. Yet, I was utterly bothered by him.

With that said, readers I encourage you to set your goals, resolutions, rituals, or whatever you name them to the tenth power, write them down, and work hard (and smart) towards making them happen for you. Hey, if the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas can run for President of the United States and win on his first try, than you can make all of your goals a reality too. Just stick to it and stay determined!

I’ve been alcohol free for about 20 days now and I even wrote a new post for my blog to start of this wonderful new, new, year. Yeah, I know it’s late but I’m working on getting these entertaining posts to you in a timelier manner. I’ll admit it, that’s one of my many new goals for 2009. So, what are yours?

Let’s make it happen!!!