I have an opportunity to blog tonight because Iolani wants to sleep a lot today. Not taking it for granted.
So - as you know we are on the move again. It was one year ago we picked up the keys to the SB Manhattan. This move is bitter sweet for a couple of reasons. The first being - we are moving out of the Historic Core. The second - we are leaving the apartment we spent our last two months of a short pregnancy, and the first 10 months of Iolani's life.
I >almost< tear up thinking about it. Almost. She had her first bath here. Her first two teeth (and maybe the third one is starting to poke out) were here. She ate her first solid...here. The first time she laughed, was here.
Okay - I >might be< tearing up now. Just a little sentimental. I always get like this when we move. LOL
When we left our two bedroom apartment on Amherst I teared up. It was our first apartment together. And, we were leaving the Westside for the great unknown of Downtown.
When we left Santee Court, I cried because I loved the kitchen. We had a great housewarming, and it was our first loft.
When we left Pacific Electric, I cried because I knew it was the end of our domestic-coupledom and entry into family life. Plus, I was full of hormones...I cried when I thought one of the Dodgers poo-pooed the hitting gnome.
In any case, the departure from SB is similarly sentimental. Besides leaving the building, we are also leaving the Historic Core. I won't be able to run across the street for Drumsticks anymore. Iolani and I won't have Raw Materials to quicky walk to. Iolani won't have easy access to Wonton anymore. :-(
I always felt like this was a neighborhood I was a part of. I like taking a walk and running into people and people, and more people...all people I need to talk to. Weenez won't be so close. :-( I think between Weenez and the Drumstick ice cream...that's where most of the 70 pounds gained during the pregnancy came from.
In any case, I'm sure the Financial District has a lot of offer. The building we are moving into seems quite friendly. I figure once we get everyone settled, we'll have the house warming.
And then we need to get to planning ... da.da.da.daaaa.... the birthday/baptism party for Miss Iolani Brideau.
I need to get going. We need to change over the internet for the new place.
Thursday, July 2
Monday, June 22
General and O.G. Save Skid Row...again!
From: General Jeff
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 1:15:52 AM
Subject: Historic Street Repaving in Skid Row
June 22, 2009
To all,
On behalf of the Skid Row community I would like to publicly thank Councilmember Jan Perry and her staff for following through on her commitment to support our "Operation Facelift" project in Skid Row.
"Operation Facelift" is a grass-roots community clean-up campaign that includes trash pick-up and mural painting, among other components. It was created by General Jeff of ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS and "O.G." of O.G.'s-N-Service and executed by the Skid Row Brigade and the Homeless Coalition. In July of 2008, we contacted Councilmember Perry's office and requested a street repaving for San Julian street, which many claim to be the "ground zero" of Skid Row because of it's common usage by various media outlets to portray the negative side of Skid Row. Now with an image-changing makeover of clean streets, painted walls and new housing construction, Skid Row is also in the process of an upgrade that allows it to attempt to keep up with the rest of Downtown.
Also, I would like to publicly thank the city agencies that were responsible for handling an incident related to the street repaving on Sunday morning. Both the Bureau of Street Services and Central Division L.A.P.D. were swift and professional with their collective efforts as an unidentified organization that claimed to be working with the V.O.A. took it upon themselves to remove the street closure barricade at the southern end of the intersection at San Julian and 6th street so that they could drive their vehicles to the front of the V.O.A. Drop-In Center and begin to set up for a homeless feeding even though the street was not yet dry.
Thus the street suffered from the weight of their vehicles and not only tire tracks were made, but what would have been permanent damage to the road. Once Central Division was notified, Officers Garcia and Guido (and an unknown supervisor) arrived quickly on the scene. Shortly thereafter, Kirk Bible of Street Services and his supervisor Nick Barragan also arrived.
After various huddles, the unknown group( who claimed to have a street clousure permit for the same day) was instructed to not have any more vehicles proceed on the fresh asphalt even though they had more trucks to come as they planned to set up tables and chairs and feed almost 300 homeless people in the street. Ultimately, Street Services decided to avoid the confusion and schedule another repaving of the whole street again. And then the feeding plans continued. Hopefully the repaving won't come out of the budget to repave other Skid Row streets.
Nevertheless, as a community, once the street is finally repaved correctly, we will continue to see more progress thanks to all the aforementioned parties. Hopefully then, the media will start to show the positive side of Skid Row!
Respectfully,
General Jeff
ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS
Board of Directors
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 1:15:52 AM
Subject: Historic Street Repaving in Skid Row
June 22, 2009
To all,
On behalf of the Skid Row community I would like to publicly thank Councilmember Jan Perry and her staff for following through on her commitment to support our "Operation Facelift" project in Skid Row.
"Operation Facelift" is a grass-roots community clean-up campaign that includes trash pick-up and mural painting, among other components. It was created by General Jeff of ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS and "O.G." of O.G.'s-N-Service and executed by the Skid Row Brigade and the Homeless Coalition. In July of 2008, we contacted Councilmember Perry's office and requested a street repaving for San Julian street, which many claim to be the "ground zero" of Skid Row because of it's common usage by various media outlets to portray the negative side of Skid Row. Now with an image-changing makeover of clean streets, painted walls and new housing construction, Skid Row is also in the process of an upgrade that allows it to attempt to keep up with the rest of Downtown.
Also, I would like to publicly thank the city agencies that were responsible for handling an incident related to the street repaving on Sunday morning. Both the Bureau of Street Services and Central Division L.A.P.D. were swift and professional with their collective efforts as an unidentified organization that claimed to be working with the V.O.A. took it upon themselves to remove the street closure barricade at the southern end of the intersection at San Julian and 6th street so that they could drive their vehicles to the front of the V.O.A. Drop-In Center and begin to set up for a homeless feeding even though the street was not yet dry.
Thus the street suffered from the weight of their vehicles and not only tire tracks were made, but what would have been permanent damage to the road. Once Central Division was notified, Officers Garcia and Guido (and an unknown supervisor) arrived quickly on the scene. Shortly thereafter, Kirk Bible of Street Services and his supervisor Nick Barragan also arrived.
After various huddles, the unknown group( who claimed to have a street clousure permit for the same day) was instructed to not have any more vehicles proceed on the fresh asphalt even though they had more trucks to come as they planned to set up tables and chairs and feed almost 300 homeless people in the street. Ultimately, Street Services decided to avoid the confusion and schedule another repaving of the whole street again. And then the feeding plans continued. Hopefully the repaving won't come out of the budget to repave other Skid Row streets.
Nevertheless, as a community, once the street is finally repaved correctly, we will continue to see more progress thanks to all the aforementioned parties. Hopefully then, the media will start to show the positive side of Skid Row!
Respectfully,
General Jeff
ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS
Board of Directors
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council
Sunday, June 21
Sunday night and...
It is Sunday night at the baby is O . U. T. out.
For the last two months she's been waking up at 2 a.m. every couple of nights. At first I was thinking it was because he was mid-growth spurt and needed more food. Next - I thought maybe it was teething. Finally, I thought it was just that she missed us all day and figured that 2 a.m. would be the best time to hang out with us.
Then...I got to thinking...every time I went to go change her she diaper was cold. Late last week it dawned on me...she's waking up because she's cold!
To test this theory I covered her with her light and fleece blankets. Surprise! She slept through the whole night. From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. It was awesome!
But guess how bad I feel!
For the last two months she's been waking up at 2 a.m. every couple of nights. At first I was thinking it was because he was mid-growth spurt and needed more food. Next - I thought maybe it was teething. Finally, I thought it was just that she missed us all day and figured that 2 a.m. would be the best time to hang out with us.
Then...I got to thinking...every time I went to go change her she diaper was cold. Late last week it dawned on me...she's waking up because she's cold!
To test this theory I covered her with her light and fleece blankets. Surprise! She slept through the whole night. From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. It was awesome!
But guess how bad I feel!
Monday, June 15
We found it
Let us take a moment to remember the past:
My friends, it is time to move again. Last year's move to SB Manhattan was during a pregnancy. Always fun. Who can forget the visions of a pregnant woman walking up 6th street with a set of pots and pans in a grocery cart.
This year, adding to the fun and games...a BABY! Iolani's first move!
This move is bittersweet. We need more space, but this is the place where we nested, brought her home from the hospital, she got her first and second tooth. This is where she learned to crawl, fall, spit up, and make a slip and slide out of urine.
Okay, the slip and slide thing was my fault for letting her crawl around without a diaper for two minutes.
The only reason why we are moving is because we more space. We've liked it here.
Our next stop is the Pegasus. Here's our new place.
Anyone want to help us pack? I am finding that we have a couple of extra things in our kitchen. If you are around while I'm packing, you will probably be more likely to get this stuff. Already I know - we have extra travel mugs, two pitchers (not the baseball kind), and a george foreman grill - which we do not use. I don't care what Alex says...that thing has got to go. I make better tuna sandwiches without it.
The magic bullet...we keep.
And, of course...baby girl clothes...those are for the taking.
Tuesday, June 9
I was wondering
First off...can I just say that my daughter is beautiful. She's the gorgeous of gorgeous babies. I'm not biased, I'm just saying - my little girl is amazingly beautiful and smart.
That said, I was wondering...why is it when people (complete strangers) come up to us and start off by saying "Oh, your daughter is soooooooooooooooooooo pretty" why do they then ask "how old is she?"
Is it they are concerned that she will only be this beautiful at this age? Do they think that if she was one or two months younger she might grow to be even more beautiful? Or, maybe they are thinking she's going to grow out of her beautifulness? I dunno.
That said, I was wondering...why is it when people (complete strangers) come up to us and start off by saying "Oh, your daughter is soooooooooooooooooooo pretty" why do they then ask "how old is she?"
Is it they are concerned that she will only be this beautiful at this age? Do they think that if she was one or two months younger she might grow to be even more beautiful? Or, maybe they are thinking she's going to grow out of her beautifulness? I dunno.
Monday, June 8
Tuesday, May 26
The Cargo Bag
Last weekend Alex was poked by the stroller bag. One of the little footies had come off, and was exposing the bottom of a screw. I removed the part, and then went online to order a new cargo bag.
Before I ordered the bag, I thought to email Orbit and let them know why I was ordering a new bag.
And, here’s the reply:
Hello Ginny,
Thank you for getting in touch with us and for choosing Orbit Baby. I am so sorry to hear about your Cargo Pod and would be happy to have a new one sent to you. Please just provide me with the color. Also, is the address below fine to use?
We appreciate your patience.
Best,
Claire
Orbit Baby
This is not the only reason why this stroller is awesome. A small part of the stroller came apart, and Orbit hopped right on it to get it fixed. They could have just send a replacement screw and footie and I would have fixed it myself…but noooooo. ☺ They send a replacement bag.
Orbit’s customer service…ah….ah….ah…. Orbit has always had an upbeat tone. I’ve never had someone in a bad mood pick up the phone. Their customer service is just like their product: soothing and relaxing, and without question – the best out there.
I remember all the guilt I felt about getting this stroller. Alex and I agonized about it, but we knew that whatever stroller we ended up getting, we would spend a great deal of time with it. We knew we would be on the train, the sidewalk, car trips, in grocery stores and art galleries.
We love the fact is folds up small, quick, and light. Now that Iolani is eating messy foods, we love that we can quickly wash and wipe it.
I was looking at the stroller last night, thinking back to the first time we put Iolani in it. The stroller base has a couple of nicks and scratches, but overall – it has far exceeded our expectations.
I love how it has grown with Iolani. Once we could get her out of the infant seat and into the toddler seat, we didn’t have to get used to a whole new stroller. The cargo bag was an extension of the changing table and kitchen sink, and as she’s grown the cargo bag remains and her collection of food and diapers has gotten larger.
Occasionally people will ask us about the stroller. Off the bat I tell them it’s worth every penny. We get to show the key features: the Swivel (!!!), the removable arm, how it reclines, and the cargo bag. The swivel is the most admired feature.
I’ll just say one more thing before I close this blog entry.
I’ve never had stroller envy. Our stroller could kick your stroller’s ass any day.
Before I ordered the bag, I thought to email Orbit and let them know why I was ordering a new bag.
And, here’s the reply:
Hello Ginny,
Thank you for getting in touch with us and for choosing Orbit Baby. I am so sorry to hear about your Cargo Pod and would be happy to have a new one sent to you. Please just provide me with the color. Also, is the address below fine to use?
We appreciate your patience.
Best,
Claire
Orbit Baby
This is not the only reason why this stroller is awesome. A small part of the stroller came apart, and Orbit hopped right on it to get it fixed. They could have just send a replacement screw and footie and I would have fixed it myself…but noooooo. ☺ They send a replacement bag.
Orbit’s customer service…ah….ah….ah…. Orbit has always had an upbeat tone. I’ve never had someone in a bad mood pick up the phone. Their customer service is just like their product: soothing and relaxing, and without question – the best out there.
I remember all the guilt I felt about getting this stroller. Alex and I agonized about it, but we knew that whatever stroller we ended up getting, we would spend a great deal of time with it. We knew we would be on the train, the sidewalk, car trips, in grocery stores and art galleries.
We love the fact is folds up small, quick, and light. Now that Iolani is eating messy foods, we love that we can quickly wash and wipe it.
I was looking at the stroller last night, thinking back to the first time we put Iolani in it. The stroller base has a couple of nicks and scratches, but overall – it has far exceeded our expectations.
I love how it has grown with Iolani. Once we could get her out of the infant seat and into the toddler seat, we didn’t have to get used to a whole new stroller. The cargo bag was an extension of the changing table and kitchen sink, and as she’s grown the cargo bag remains and her collection of food and diapers has gotten larger.
Occasionally people will ask us about the stroller. Off the bat I tell them it’s worth every penny. We get to show the key features: the Swivel (!!!), the removable arm, how it reclines, and the cargo bag. The swivel is the most admired feature.
I’ll just say one more thing before I close this blog entry.
I’ve never had stroller envy. Our stroller could kick your stroller’s ass any day.
Saturday, May 23
Pacifier Down!
We were heading back to the house tonight, after a long afternoon of shopping. Alex was pushing the stroller, I carried Iolani in the ergo. Iolani was a little fussy, but it wasn't a big deal.
Just as the elevator closed, Iolani spits out her pacifier. She's getting really good at spitting it out - she's getting some horizontal action with it.
The pacifier landed on the floor of the elevator, at the door of the elevator. As the door closed, I saw it in slow motion...falling through the cracks... to the bottom of the elevator shaft. The next time someone will see it? Who knows?
It was probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
I am easily entertained.
Just as the elevator closed, Iolani spits out her pacifier. She's getting really good at spitting it out - she's getting some horizontal action with it.
The pacifier landed on the floor of the elevator, at the door of the elevator. As the door closed, I saw it in slow motion...falling through the cracks... to the bottom of the elevator shaft. The next time someone will see it? Who knows?
It was probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
I am easily entertained.
Thursday, May 14
Now I remember what I was going to say…
Last week I was this short of going out of my mind because I was thinking about one of the pictures I took that I really wanted to blog about. I was searching for it over the weekend and all I kept visualizing were these:
This was not the one I was ultimately thinking of…
It was THIS ONE!
This is across the street from the Alexis Hotel in Seattle. (The hotel was very baby friendly... most importantly the crib was clean!) It does not belong to the Hotel, and there was no way for us to access it. Still…What a great idea!
Turn the top floor of a parking garage into a playground!
We also saw a playground inserted on the corner of a very busy downtown intersection by the federal courthouse. I am growing jealous of the how ingenious Seattle is in regards to fitting play space in the most interesting locations.
I’m sure the insurance on this would be a bit insane, but play space is play space. There’s a parking garage on Spring Street that would be a great potential location for something like this.
And, to state the obvious…in Los Angeles we would need sunshades and maybe even those awesome little sprayer things they have all over Burbank.
Do you have a garage on your block this would work on?
What would your rooftop playground have on it?
This was not the one I was ultimately thinking of…
It was THIS ONE!
This is across the street from the Alexis Hotel in Seattle. (The hotel was very baby friendly... most importantly the crib was clean!) It does not belong to the Hotel, and there was no way for us to access it. Still…What a great idea!
Turn the top floor of a parking garage into a playground!
We also saw a playground inserted on the corner of a very busy downtown intersection by the federal courthouse. I am growing jealous of the how ingenious Seattle is in regards to fitting play space in the most interesting locations.
I’m sure the insurance on this would be a bit insane, but play space is play space. There’s a parking garage on Spring Street that would be a great potential location for something like this.
And, to state the obvious…in Los Angeles we would need sunshades and maybe even those awesome little sprayer things they have all over Burbank.
Do you have a garage on your block this would work on?
What would your rooftop playground have on it?
Friday, May 8
It is that time of year
Of course, since we are done with all the wedding and honeymoon plans, it's time for something else.
Yes, my friends...it is time to move again!
Our next move is a little more complicated than the previous ones.
From PE to Here
From Santee Court to PE
(and I didn't blog when we moved from West LA to Downtown)
We'd like to move to a two-bedroom apartment (or loft) and pay less than $2200 a month. We only need one parking space. It would be great if the unit included a washer/dryer. And, it must must must be located Downtown.
Where would you like us to live?
Yes, my friends...it is time to move again!
Our next move is a little more complicated than the previous ones.
From PE to Here
From Santee Court to PE
(and I didn't blog when we moved from West LA to Downtown)
We'd like to move to a two-bedroom apartment (or loft) and pay less than $2200 a month. We only need one parking space. It would be great if the unit included a washer/dryer. And, it must must must be located Downtown.
Where would you like us to live?
Thursday, May 7
Wednesday, April 29
On a honeymoon
Alex and I were married on Saturday.
We are on our honeymoon.
Don't expect too many updates. Iolani slobbered all over my iPhone and it shorted out.
If that wasn't divine intervention I don't know what would be.
We are on our honeymoon.
Don't expect too many updates. Iolani slobbered all over my iPhone and it shorted out.
If that wasn't divine intervention I don't know what would be.
Friday, April 24
Tuesday, April 21
Don't pay attention to the guy in the Red truck trying to kill his dog
I realize the title of this entry is a bit jarring, but eh...
I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work.. On my way back to the car I spotted a truck with a dog inside. Being that it was 98 degrees outside, I could only imagine what the temperature was inside the cab of the truck.
Did you know that it is illegal to keep your dog in the car?
With my groceries in hand, I head back into the store and let a checker know two things: 1) it is illegal to keep a dog locked up in the car, 2) there was a red Toyota Tacoma in their parking lot, with a dog inside.
The checker gave me a blank look.
I asked if he could make the announcement over the intercom.
The checker said they couldn’t make an announcement like that.
I shrugged my shoulders and headed back to my car.
I was in luck! The owner was just getting back to his truck.
There was a split second I thought to keep it all to myself. But, if you know me, your business is my business.
So, I say to the guy, in my best innocent little girl voice: “excuse me sir, but did you know that in California it is illegal to lock your dog in the car?”
I was hoping he would reply: “thanks” and just go on with his day.
Instead he looked at me, and while he was getting into his truck he says: “Mind your own business lady”
Eh…at least I spoke up for the dog.
Two things:
1) If I left Iolani in the car (and I wouldn’t even think of doing this), everyone and their great uncle would no only break the window to get her out, but someone would also call the police and have me arrested.
2) I would like to think this guy was embarrassed about the whole thing. I mean, he left his dog in the car, and it was 98 degrees outside. Do you think his friends know he left the dog in the car, subjecting it to 100+ degrees? What if this was the family dog, and it died…would he tell the kids that the dog died because he left the dog in the car while he was buying ice cream?
On the other hand, I was thinking he could have come up with a much better line. He could have said – I didn’t know about the law, or the “I was wrong” line. This was all he could come up with? “Mind Your Own Business Lady?”
If I was minding my own business, do you think I still wouldn’t feel badly for this poor dog?
I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work.. On my way back to the car I spotted a truck with a dog inside. Being that it was 98 degrees outside, I could only imagine what the temperature was inside the cab of the truck.
Did you know that it is illegal to keep your dog in the car?
With my groceries in hand, I head back into the store and let a checker know two things: 1) it is illegal to keep a dog locked up in the car, 2) there was a red Toyota Tacoma in their parking lot, with a dog inside.
The checker gave me a blank look.
I asked if he could make the announcement over the intercom.
The checker said they couldn’t make an announcement like that.
I shrugged my shoulders and headed back to my car.
I was in luck! The owner was just getting back to his truck.
There was a split second I thought to keep it all to myself. But, if you know me, your business is my business.
So, I say to the guy, in my best innocent little girl voice: “excuse me sir, but did you know that in California it is illegal to lock your dog in the car?”
I was hoping he would reply: “thanks” and just go on with his day.
Instead he looked at me, and while he was getting into his truck he says: “Mind your own business lady”
Eh…at least I spoke up for the dog.
Two things:
1) If I left Iolani in the car (and I wouldn’t even think of doing this), everyone and their great uncle would no only break the window to get her out, but someone would also call the police and have me arrested.
2) I would like to think this guy was embarrassed about the whole thing. I mean, he left his dog in the car, and it was 98 degrees outside. Do you think his friends know he left the dog in the car, subjecting it to 100+ degrees? What if this was the family dog, and it died…would he tell the kids that the dog died because he left the dog in the car while he was buying ice cream?
On the other hand, I was thinking he could have come up with a much better line. He could have said – I didn’t know about the law, or the “I was wrong” line. This was all he could come up with? “Mind Your Own Business Lady?”
If I was minding my own business, do you think I still wouldn’t feel badly for this poor dog?
Tuesday, April 14
OMG - when's it going to slow down?
Time is flying by. In high school I used to think the school days were sooooooooo long, and I used to wish that time would pass more quickly. I so miss those days. I don't miss high school, just those moments when I'd look at the second hand and watch it do a little bounce as it moved forward.
Iolani is full on crawling. We've had to redo the layout of our living room, and hide the booze. In order to protect Iolani from ... well... EVERYTHING, we purchased a larger than normal playpen. It's called a Joovy. It's awesome.
And, I've just realized I'm very tired. All I can think to say is "It's awesome"
On the wedding front, we are sprinting to the finish. This Saturday is the Bachelor/Bachelorette party. We had to change the time due to babysitting challenging.
Tuesday I pick up the dress.
Friday, all hell breaks loose as Ginger comes to down, and Lindsey, Ginger, and I get our nails done.
Next Saturday...Wedding day. I've already turned in the invite list for the reception, but if you really want to know about the wedding, click here.
Iolani is full on crawling. We've had to redo the layout of our living room, and hide the booze. In order to protect Iolani from ... well... EVERYTHING, we purchased a larger than normal playpen. It's called a Joovy. It's awesome.
And, I've just realized I'm very tired. All I can think to say is "It's awesome"
On the wedding front, we are sprinting to the finish. This Saturday is the Bachelor/Bachelorette party. We had to change the time due to babysitting challenging.
Tuesday I pick up the dress.
Friday, all hell breaks loose as Ginger comes to down, and Lindsey, Ginger, and I get our nails done.
Next Saturday...Wedding day. I've already turned in the invite list for the reception, but if you really want to know about the wedding, click here.
I won!
Thanks to BlogDowntown for the contest, and thanks to Goldenvoice for the tickets! I know we can find someone to sit (rather play and rough house) with Iolani!
Saturday, April 4
Saturday, March 21
Thursday, March 19
Monday, March 16
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