Don't Hide the Madness

Everything is so different out here. The scenery is different, the stores are different, the attitudes are different, the people are different. In many ways they aren't, but yet they are...if that makes any sense in contrary-land.

I guess I'm getting used to the scenery, well, I'm still in awe of it, but also feel comfortable with it, like it's familiar, where it used not to be. The stores and community sense is slowly creeping in, although I still long for and remember fondly my Dallas ubran, Texan, uptown yuptown, gritty city, smartly urbane yet Southern vibe that I left behind. I feel that maybe the OC is a little more culturally devoid than even "snooty" Dallas*.

*Dallas is said to be the stuffiest city in Texas, and it is in a way.

BUT, I'm still glad I moved. The beach vibe offsets the cultural void in many ways, and I'm thankful for the slightly slower pace of Huntington Beach and Newport. I know soon enough I'll be in Los Angeles fighting the crowds and the traffix and loving it, yet my stress level and blood pressure will both increase at a synchronistic incline. I think I just made a word up, weeeeee!

Other things on the board this week: I am now a bartender and no longer a waitress. I was promoted 5 days ago and have now completed my training and am on my own. It feels good to be back behind the bar, wielding the drinks, and I feel things will come back to me naturally. I tended bar back in college, but it was at a Mexican restaurant and where I mostly made beers and margaritas, and now I'm making lots of Martini's, Lemon Drops and Gimlets. Same slop I guess, different bar. I need to study my wines more now too. It seems in California people really know wines and really care about them too. So I've got to get on board with that if I'm going to try and hang in that realm.

I rented some Mitch Hedberg and have been laughing at him all week. Here is some for your enjoyment: