DailyFreakOut

Three days after the infamous bull ride at my going away party, my legs looked like I was in a mean fight. I had to share! 

Thankfully, they are looking almost normal again, 2 weeks later!

I made sure to plan the best last week ever! I wanted to make sure I got to do everything I wanted to do, and see all my friends. Or the friends who wanted to see me.  This week was marked by many lasts, last happy hour, last time I will see many friends, last time I went to Governor’s Island, etc. I wanted to share how awesome my last few weeks where!

Last time home:

I went home for the last time August 2^nd to drop off things to be stored in NJ, see my mom, and have my last visit with Jen and the girls. I am really going to miss these little princesses.

Last Happy Hour:

Ryall and I have gone to happy hour together nearly every Wednesday for almost three years, August 5^th marked our last Happy Hour at Welcome to the Johnson’s blue drinks and all. Thanks to Shy, and Alice for making our Wednesday fabulous. We always left feeling fine.  I always had the best time, and already miss our delightful happy hours.

Last Lunch with Brandon:

After meeting in 2001, on the bus Brandon an I have remained great friends over the years. At least once a month (and even more often after I became jobless) we would meet for lunch. Laughs were had, advice was given, and memories were made! I will miss the lunches for sure!

Last Time I see Cindee and Shawn:

I have not worked with Cindee and Shawn in 4 years (almost 5) but over these years they have become great friends. While I know I can always log onto Facebook for one of Cindee’s witty comments, it just won’t be the same. Can’t wait for Cindee and Dave to come visit me in LA! 

Last Time at the Beach:

Alice and I took an impromptu trip to the beach which would be marked as my last time Long beach, NY for a long time.

Last Trip to Rodeo:

With Jen finally being back from Chicago, it was time to go back to our margarita tradition with happy hour at Rodeo. Those $6 margs are deadly, but I don’t think I will them too much since California makes some of the best margs I have ever had.

Last Trip to Governor’s Island:

Whitney and I spent my last Saturday going to Governor’s Island for the last time. We had an amazing picnic, biked the entire island, and had sangria on the beach with the city skyline starring at us! Amazing day, and so thankful I was able to share it with Whitney.

Last NY Bruch:

After years of wanting to go to brunch at Bondi Road, my wish came true on August 9^th. We sat outside while we enjoyed an endless lunch, followed by a day walking around the Lower East Side, and Pool.

Last Shannon Outing:

We have known each other since we were in the 4^th grade but have gotten so much closer recently. I know I can always count on her. We first met at Hudson Bar & Books. This bar was featured on The Real World Back to New York. Ever since then I could not wait to go. When I was 22 I walked by, but we never went in. It was a cigar bar, so we walked in and walked out. I was happy to go there despite not staying. Being the New Yorker I have grown to be, I knew Tortilla Flats was only a few blocks away, bonus it was bingo night! If you are ever in NY, you must check out Tortilla Flats. It is so fun! This is where Christine’s bachelorette party began. Sex and the City shot an episode there, and her bach’s theme was Sex and the City.  We had bingo, margarita’s, and chips! What more can you ask for?

Sex and the City: Hudson River Flicks

In a touching, and perfect way to say good-bye to my beloved NYC, Sex and the City was shown on the pier Wednesday. We met and picnicked for memories to last me all the way to LA, and back!

After 48 hours without power, I signed a lease for one year. My apartment is a tiny studio in comparison to my gem of an apartment in NYC, but I love it. There is more closet space, and the bathroom is slightly bigger. I had said as long as there is more closet space I will be happy, and happy I am!

I am now officially a California resident.

Yesterday I had my one week anniversary living in Los Angeles. This has been one interesting week.

I had the most amazing going away party I could have asked for. All my friends came, some came all the way from NJ.  I should say nearly all of my friends. One friend, I thought a good friend, didn’t come, and has yet to contact me about it, even after I emailed to check to make sure everything is ok. I have not heard anything. I am not sure what is going on there.

After 5 hours on the nosiest flight I have ever been on we landed safely in LAX. I started to FREAK OUT. I was wondering what the heck I was doing. I just uprooted my entire life. I was having second thoughts. I had thought about getting on a flight back to NYC. I called Jen, and she calmed me down. All I could think was I have to start over. What did I just do? Arg. I took a deep breath, and hopped for the best. Jen, I think, felt a little better that I FREKED OUT a little bit. She didn’t understand how I could be so calm. I kept telling her it felt right, and it did. That was until I landed.

Ali was so good during the flight. I only heard her cry a few times, but no one else did since there were so many babies crying. We de-planed, and quickly went to the baggage claim. I hate checking bags but I didn’t have a choice. Of course, my suitcases were the last bags to come out. I was horrified at the thought that my entire life’s worth of summer clothes was gone. I started to FREAK OUT at the thought of literally having nothing but my cat, my laptop, and camera. Thankfully that was not the case. My bags came out, and everything was fine. Jeremy had been waiting for me at the airport. I felt horrible he had waited so long, almost an hour since my bags took so long! It took forever to get to my apartment, but that is because I distracted Jeremy with my wittiness, and he got lost. We ended up in Englewood which from what I saw was not the best neighborhood, but I was eager to see a drive by shooting. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) that didn’t happen.

We finally arrived at my apartment after an hour of driving. I am not sure how I feel about driving in LA if even Jeremy gets lost, and he has lived here his entire life! Way to sell driving to me! We dropped off my stuff, and plugged in the fridge. Jeremy thought it was strange the fridge didn’t make a noise right away. Without hesitation, I said it’s fine. It’s getting cold, I feel it. Ok I am not an expert in plugging refrigerators in. I will happily admit that, so don’t ask why I thought I knew what the heck I was talking about. 

Then we went to lunch.  I was over tired, and delirious when, the waitress said Hi, my name is Jennifer. I, without hesitation, said Hi I am Pamela. Jennifer made this face of what the heck just happened. I began laughing harder then I have ever laughed in my entire life. I think I was so eager to meet new people I was ready to introduce myself to any and everybody. I think in the process I embarrassed Jeremy.  After a delightful lunch of laughs, and feeding the birds (thanks to Jeremy) we drove back to my apartment which was a block away. Only in LA kids, only in LA! 

Jeremy dropped me off and headed to his apartment, when I tried to plug in my charger. I realized the power was not on. I didn’t have electricity!!!! That would explain why the refrigerator was so quite. It was not on! I never thought of the electric. In all my other apartments it has always been on, so why would I think I needed to worry about it. I guess it’s a CA thing.  Jeremy was shocked by this, and agreed to come get me so I can stay over his apartment. I would have been fine in my apartment but I had nothing, not even a candle.

While I was waiting for Jeremy to come get me, I got a text from Polina welcoming me to the building. She invited me over to meet, and brought me rice crispy treats, and a welcome mat. I really thought that was so nice after all she put me through. I guess she is a nice person after all. She helped me call the power company. They would not be able to put the power on until Monday morning. I would be powerless for 48 hours!!! I was not happy. Everything I have runs on power including my phone! Argh! Thankfully I would be staying at Jeremy’s apartment and could charge everything.  I spent the night, charged everything and came back to my apartment early Sunday. I wanted to get settled and make sure Ali was adjusting ok. I was ready to start my new life.

After 48 hours, the power was turned on Monday around noon. I was a human again. I felt like I was stuck in the 1900. It really made me realize how much we depend on power!  I am so happy to be in a electric world again.

Right before I left NYC, Ali is in the carrier around my neck, and spice is in the bag.

After a night of partying, drinks, and bull rides I was off to my next adventure. Ali and I were about to make the move I have been planning for 23 years but hard core since February. Luckily, Jen and Mike offered to take me to the airport.

The morning started off quite dramatically. I gave Ali a full Benadryl tablet, and she began to spit up, being the dramatic queen she is. I wonder where she gets that! I put her harness on her, of course the wrong way. At first I thought it was fine, but then I realized it was sliding all over the place and it would not hold her if she did try to escape. My fear was Ali escaping in JFK, and making the local news. Knowing my luck and how Ali is in public it could have happened. Moments before Jen knocked on the door around 8:30am, I decided to change the harness to the right way, and give Ali the drops the vet prescribed to her. The drops were supposed to make her drowsy.  Ali was not happy at all and began crying. Thankfully she calmed down, and I was able to get her into her carrier.

 Jen gracefully carried my 80 pound bag down the stairs while I carried my back pack, the small suit case (about 35 pounds) and Ali. I could not believe this day had finally arrived. Despite all the drama I was about to make the move I have dreamt about my entire life, whether or not people accepted it, I was going.

I got to the airport 2 hours early, and went straight to the check-in counter. Of course my large bag was over the weight limit which I thought might happen. I hoped they would let the big bag and the little bag be weighed together but of course that did not happen. I needed to take 10 pounds out of the big suitcase or be charged another $100. I bought a bag off a vender, and paid for a 3^rd bag to be checked.  This processed seemed to take forever, and now I was worried I was going to have to rush through security.

As I approached the first person in security I put the lease on Ali’s harness just in case she tried to escape.  The line thankfully moved fast. Of course the line I was on, closed as I approached the front of it. I asked the security guard for help since I had Ali. He put my stuff in front of the line to be scanned. I begged the security guard to use the wound on Ali since she is so old and testy. They said they could not, but everything would be ok. I was thinking how the heck do they know! Ali is a crazy, moody cat!!! I warned the guard through the booth about Ali’s craziness. I took Ali out of the bag quickly and with ease. The guard put her bag on the belt, and I walked through security with Ali. I was so shocked by how good she was.  She just looked around, no hissing, no scene as I thought it would be.  I was in complete shocked. I was so proud of her, as this was the moment of the move I was dreading. I felt so good now. I knew everything would be amazing. Ali proved she maybe 17, but she is such a rock star.  It felt like her carrier took forever to come through, but when it finally did, Ali went back into her bag without any problems! All I have to say is thank you Benadryl!

We made it to our gate just as they started boarding. I got into my seat with no problems. I warned the nice people next to meet that I have a cat in the carrier and she may make noise.  Even if Ali did make noise you never would have heard her because there were so many crying babies. I have never been on such a loud flight in my life.

After an amazing flight with Ali, I knew this move was off to a great start.

Before I left for my California adventure, I had a fabulous party at Mason Dixon. I had only been to Mason Dixon once before but knew it was the perfect place for our party. Since Jen was taking over my apartment we decided to have a welcome home and a good-bye party together.   

Mason Dixon is located in the lower east side of Manhattan. It is a huge bar by NY standards, but the real draw to the bar is the bull rides. Now the first time I went to this bar I didn’t want to ride the bull. This time, I could not wait to get on it! With this move I am turning over a new leaf, and am willing to try almost anything.  So not only did I ride the bull once, but I did it three times. I have the bruises to prove it. My legs are so beaten up. I don’t think I have ever had such bad black and blue marks in my life.

Despite the painful bruises, I had a great time. All my close friends came from near and far, even close friends came in from NJ to see me before I depart! My mom made a surprise appearance also. It was a great time, had by all.

Check out the video of me on the bull. This is the 2^nd or 3^rd time I rode the bull.

This blog post is brought to you in-flight. So far, I love Virgin. As you know, if you read the blog I was terrified of going through security with Ali. Thankfully and to my true surprise she was a rock star. I was expecting the worse, so I put on her lease as we approached the security counter.  I told the security person I have an animal in my bag, and he helped me deal with the line. I was very concerned with getting through the line, and making people wait. I warned everyone Ali is old and cranky. I begged them to use the wound on her but they could not for security reasons. I had to walk her through, and to my true shock Ali was cool, calm, and collected. She was looking around, but very quite. Not even a hiss came out of her mouth. Thank you Benadryl. Thank you drop thing the vet gave me. THANK YOU! The bag took what it seemed like forever to get through the machine, but when it did Ali easily went back into the bag. I was so proud of her, and shocked at how well she did. She is such a rock star.

We are in-flight. The flight is pretty good, but there are so many crying kids. I was so worried about Ali. Even if Ali cried no one would hear here with the craziness of these kids crying.