Home Again... Home Again...

One of the quirkier parts of my new job is the drive home.

First, there's the landfill from which emanates fascinating smells when the weather is over 60 degrees. Most of them have a hint of pine. Figure that one out.

Second is the "District of Sin" (my name for it). First, I pass the wholesale ice cream store and then, two blocks later, the wholesale XXX DVD store. Sounds like a good time, right?

Third is the very cool tree. It's on the parking strip in the District and the trunk is completely hollow, but one side is worn away so you can see inside. And despite all this, it's flourishing. Green and glorious. I'm hoping to get a picture of it one day.

Fourth is the cement "river" with four inches of stagnant, rat-infested water in the bottom. It's strewn with grafitti and all sorts of unsavoury garbage. The best part is the "No Swimming" sign right by it.

Last, and this is the best part, was the Lexus I was behind yesterday. In the back window, with a fluffy towel below it and a luxurious sunbeam above it, was a gigantic white cat. You know, like that cat that the Bond villain had. (What was his name, Josh?) It looked out of the window at me as if to say, "Yes, Jeeves and I are out on the town today. A trip to the Turkish baths, a stint on Rodeo Drive, and then off to the Club for brandy and cigars." It made me wish I could join him.

What about the grocery story with the mini carnival in the parking lot? Well, it's long gone.

And what about the latino gentleman riding the dappled grey horse that would mike mother go all giggly and googly-eyed? I still see him occasionally.

This is why I take surface streets instead of the freeway. You never see this stuff zooming along at 70 mph. Try it sometime. You might see the sign for the restuarant "HUNAN TASTE" that (I swear to God) looks like it says "HUMAN TASTE." Really.

Springtime in Burbank

How do I know it's springtime in Burbank?

Well, aside from these lovely lily thingys (I've been informed that it's a clivia. Thanks, Mel!), there's the shrub of jasmine that I pass every morning that will be covered in blossoms by Easter morning.

There's the whiff of mock orange on the air as I walk home each night.

There's the fact that it keeps getting warmer and I don't need the electric mattress pad on my bed anymore.

There's the fact that Quincy has taken to sleeping curled up around the toilet and Brid has taken to napping in my closet.

All things that seem to indicate a change in season.

I have to say that I never particularly look forward to the summer. Either in L.A. or in Utah, for that matter. I hate being hot while I'm trying to sleep. Ick. I love sleeping with a jillion blankets on me and a cool breeze on my face.

One good thing about spring in Burbank, and mainly Easter in Burbank, is brunch at the beloved Smokehouse! Crab legs and shrimp as far as the eye can see, egg's benedict, crepes, prime rib, garlic cheese toast the color of... well nothing else is that orange, and free-flowing champagne at nine thirty on a Sunday morning. And, of course, my family away from my family.

Screw easter egg hunts, this is really how to celebrate a holiday. Well, that and a Star Wars egg decorating kit sent to me by my beloved mummy.

Since I have tomorrow off, I'll leave you with my Good Friday Quote! It's one of my favorite's from Henry IV, Part 1, although part of it is the way Jason says it.

"Jack, how agrees the devil and thee about thy soul, that thou soldest him on Good Friday last for a cup of madeira and a cold capon's leg?"

Happy Easter!

The Little Things

I love so many things about living in Burbank and I discovered even more after my car croaked a few months ago. One of my favorite parts of the day is walking the block and a half home from the bus station after work. I get off right in front of Warner Brothers and there's a wonderful two story gallery/hallway that edges one of their buildings.

Listening to my iPod and strolling home helps me decompress. Even the bus ride and waiting at the bus stop is vaguely therapeutic. After the hallway, there's a little green courtyard.

In the morning, I get to see my very favorite part. For years I was a huge fan of Animaniacs. I mean that was how I remembered the states and their capitals! I remember the first time I went to Universal Studios and looked down into the San Fernando Valley and saw the WB water tower. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I have to say some of that still sticks even now that I live within spitting distance of it. Here's my kick-ass view of it while walking to the bus stop.

I've got a pretty rockin' view from the bus stop in the mornings too. This is looking back from the direction I've walked. The big arch you can see there is the same hallway from above. You can see how tall it is. I also get to see the posters for whatever movies are approaching. In this case, what new mistake has Gerard Butler made?

This is my view out of the window that's across from my desk. Not too shabby.

And this is the sunset one day last week, just as I was leaving the office. Would I have noticed it if I was driving a car? Maybe. Would it have stopped me in my tracks and made me smile? Probably not. The sunset this Monday was bright pink. Think Maxfield Parrish.

I will be happy to get my car back, but until then I'll enjoy the little things.