Flight (H-Bomb)

I haven't posted much lately because my head and heart have been spinning as I try to come to terms with everything that has happened over the past 16 months. It's hard to stop the madness and find words for it all, especially since it's such a topsy turvy bunch of contradicting feelings. I have my good days that are really just ok and I have my bad days that are shakey, damp, and miserable.

Awhile back I decided that I was long overdue for a visit to LA to see my friends Bob & Susan, Traci, Thane & Carol, Matthaeus and my niece, step-brother and sister-in-law. I knew they would distract me from my heartache at least for awhile and help me focus on better days to come. Everything makes me think of what had and might have been and so did the prospect of flying to California, but I made it out here with just a few tears.
The monotonous drive down 64 to the Richmond airport was made more lovely with the Fall foliage.
Waiting for my flight to Dallas I figured why not enjoy a pint.
Listening to Bob Newhart's "I Really Shouldn't Be Doing This."

Finally to LAX, Adam, Alma, and Amanda picked me up at the airport then drove me to their lovely new home at the edge of Culver City. Amanda took me on a tour and Adam fixed a light supper before we had to dash.
Adam and I went to see the Cashore Marionettes at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and I struggled to stay awake through the technically impressive but dry performance. Leaving we ran into a traffic jam of parents picking up their pre-teens from a Halloween costume dance. The place was jammed and three were probably a dozen kids dressed up as Harry Potter.
I'm catsitting at Traci's for the first 3 nights I'm here. It's lovely with her many Heywood-Wakefield pieces, fabulous style, and extensive collection of books.
Saturday morning I walked to the old Farmers Market near Fairfax & 3rd for an indulgent breakfast at Kokomo's and some retail therapy. On the way back I saw this amazing couple. It had to be 80 degrees by 10am but they were unphased by the heat as were the other folks in heavy layers I saw heading to Temple.

The anchor for my trip out here was the bash Matthaeus and Daisy organized for Matthaeus' 35th birthday. The party was last night and it was tremendous. Their huge bungalow in the heart of Los Feliz was transformed. The dining room was cleared out for the DJ and dancing. The bartender set up her full bar in the kitchen. The large back yard was taken over by the band, a spread of delicious food, and hordes of their friends and family members, many of whom flew in from Copenhagen and Dallas for the celebration. Matthaeus and Daisy are in film and stop motion animation respectively and so were most of their friends. Some of their UCLA film school profs were even in attendance.
The lead singer of "Jack" said that they rehearse and perform only once every 5 months or so. You couldn't tell, they were terrific.
Happy Birthday Matthaeus!
Matthaeus' younger brother Martin (law school grad turned real estate broker) got the dancing started with his impressive latin dance steps and gregarious personality. The dancing and merry making no doubt went into the wee hours, but I was home shortly after midnight. I do a lot better in small groups.

So far it's been good being out of Charlottesville and away from my house full of memories. Of course, I am bummed to have missed the Give Me Your Lunch Money double header today. I can't wait to hear how much lunch money the team collected! We were 5-0 going into today's games and next Sunday are the playoffs at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm!