The Tale of How a Vegetarian Survived Korean BBQ

So for those of you who don't know Korean BBQ is like a menu of all meat items beef, pork, bellies I don't even know but like any animal part you can eat, and they bring it and you grill it on your table. So not only are you completely watching this cooking meet you are smelling it and passing it and all that. This is great for any meat lover. Seriously for 10 bucks you can just keep gettin your fill till you can't take anymore. For a vegetarian this is the equivalent of hell (I can assume you can guess why with out details).  The event was my dear dear friends baby shower and another coworker's birthday. If it was anyone else I would have been like helllllll noooooo but they are my LA family. I pressed "I don't think there will be anything I can actually eat there" just come they begged "it will be fun". I thought of eating beforehand but I worked till 7:30 and it started at 8.
Survival Tip One: Eat anything you can:  there was salad, rice, potato salad, onions, and they gave me a tofu soup even thought it was not on the $10 menu.
I almost started crying when we went there because there is NOTHING you can order that isn't meat. I was hungry and felt really alone (obviously) but I accepted it was my choice to come I knew the consequence. After affirming that I just tried to interact and not over think it.  It was nice to be at a big table with anyone just chillin no customers. I got a silent head nod from across the table from one of my favorite shoe guys. I LOVE that kind of silent communication no one else notices but just the two of you like a secret code... also pretty sure that's one of the joys people claim to starting affairs- the fun secrecy.
Survival Tip Two: Enjoy the experience, focus on the conversation, and the interactions with friends.
Really I enjoyed being with everyone that part was easy. I didn't have to watch the cooking aka blood, fat etc I just stared at their faces lol. What got to me the most was the smell to me meat smells like cooked flesh (which it is) but most people love that manly smell.
Survival Tip Three: Wear really pretty perfume so when the smell is overwhelming just smell your wrist (slyly but easy to manage) and escape in the temporary nostril filling scent of California Star Jasmine ( or whatever perfume you enjoy). I legit planed on bringing the perfume because the smell makes me nauseous . At the end she opened up her baby gifts and it was so beyond cute because she is so excited and I am so excited to meet Nathaniel. It's weird since we spend so much time together I feel like I already know him even though he hasn't actually been born yet but we talk about him and his personality in the womb lol he does exist just not in a way we can she but believe me she feels it all!
Survival Tip Four: Suck it up and deal. This is a universal statement sure I don't want to pay $18 bucks for eating garnishes but of course we paid for our two honorees etc..... that part sucked but they were so beyond happy it compensated for it completely. Both ladies had the biggest smiles and that made it all worth it.

The Quintessential SoCal Day

Question: What's better then a day at the beach?
Answer: A day at the beach when there are a lot of really fit/toned men playing competitive pro volleyball.
I joke that the reason I like going to Hermosa is to watch (code for laugh) people play volleyball. Coming from the home town of VB, Holyoke MA, I have to admit I know nothing about other then I played it for one week on 8th grade gym class...the rules seemed like tennis??? It's not just the men I admire because the girls are diesel they seriously kick ass and don't fuck around. I watched a bit of the tournament but honestly I just watched the guys...

Question: What's better then watching seagulls dive in the water?
Answer: WILD DOLPHINS dive in the water. I have now been to that beach in relatively the same spot and never had the immense pleasure to see them before. Today we saw two dive in the super close surf - it was surreal. The lifeguard said they're there everyday and they use the pier to help them hoard fish together. He also mentioned when the wind is slow making the waves calmer/quieter you can hear their commutative clicking under the water. Needless to say I was amazed and uber thrilled- to see dolphins in the wild and not a tank was just so awesome!

There are dolphins in the water behind me I swear!!!

Question: What's better then getting your haircut at a beach themed salon?
Answer: Getting your haircut on the beach for $15. Clearly my hair does not need to be cut but the roomie wanted a trim and for the past 2 days has attempted to do it but the perfect opportunity presented itself when we heard some loud mouths chatting next to us about free haircuts (free but donation to charity in the amount of 15 was mandatory lol). Yes booths set up on the sand....

Questions: what's better then a 75 degree day?
Answer: A perfectly beautiful 80 degree day with a slight cooling breeze.

Question: What's better then diving into the ocean????
Answer: Nothing diving into the awesome ocean water is unbeatable.

PS I also went to 2 chanting sessions today and am getting comments on how strong and vibrant I am appearing!!!

My Night with 2 Hot Buddhist Men

I AM SERIOUSLY DYING ( like haha laugh dying). 2 months ago I did a Byakuren (a young women's group that helps out behind the scenes) shift at Kosen Rufu (a time when Buddhists chant for world peace) and there is a young men's equivalent called Gajokai. So basically there's men my age, in the same place as I am, who believe in what I do....score. There was one individual who particularly stood out to me that day we was appointed a leader and as with most strong Buddists he radiated a overpowering positive energy. Since we were working we didn't get a chance to talk until the end when I made sure to introduce myself and congratulate him. From that point on I occasionally, like once a week, would chant that he would be at the next shift I did. All last month I never did a shift because it was to crazy since I went home and had no time off. Sometimes I would go to sign up this month and just not till the other day on a whim I picked tonight. I threw in a couple chants he would be there but didn't think much of it. Today was my 6th day in a row working I was so tired and planned on napping before going to the center. When my other Byakuren invited me to come chant with her before our shift thinking this was a smarter alternative to death by napping so I went. I chanted one last time he would be there then laughed because seriously it was 3 minutes away and whom ever it was would already be there. So I got dressed and started the shift to which my friend said it's going to be (insert random guys name here..also cute but over 35) and (insert name of my Gajokai love). lol I literally had to turn and fake cough to literally not laugh in her face and surely give my silliness away. The first minute I was alone I burst into hysterics it was just too crazy. For all you logical math people it was about a 1 in 30 chance it would be him but I will always believe it was the power of the universe. This "silly chanting" happened a few months back to when I experienced this: http://shannontcassidy.blogspot.com/2012/03/chanting-for-celebrities.html. I almost hate to use the power of the universe for something so silly but I just think it helps prove in my mind the validity of the practice and that no matter how silly it may seem if there is something you really need and you ask for it sincerely, from your heart, the universe will give it to you.

My Afternoon with Mario and Models

So I have to admit I'm not an uber Mario Lopez fan but I def can't deny his sexiness! I was actually was at the grove once when he was filming extra and hid lol. The one thing to remember about celebrities is that they love to be flattered but it has to be done in such a way. Today we were instructed to wait at the bottom of the escelator so that when he finally arrived the first thing he would see is us clapping and adding a general air of excitment and jovialness (yes I'm making up words). Somehow the line went from 3 interns, I think they paid to line up, to a legit line in seconds. As he decended down the escalator he got bashful for a second then took pictures of us on his phone with a big smile and general celebrities cockiness of knowing you are awesome. The way I figured it is i'm hourly plus commision so if they are willing to pay me to hang out with a celebrity then so be it.

Grey briefs was like the only one who smiled like at all

I was more taken aback at the other male models who were showing off the RatedM line and playing ping pong in their briefs/underwear. There were a whole lot of balls flying around that's for sure. This one guys sole job was to pose in the briefs with girls- sure it's probably slightly embarrassing for them but you are getting paid to be mostly naked that's a pretty sweet deal. Anyways Lea and I took a picture with Mr. Lopez and I bounced back to work in good spirits (Until I had to spend 2 hours helping a lady pick out 35 pairs of sale socks then manually further reduce the price #retailhell). Giggling girls and random noises alerted me to the chaos on the men's floor but I was busy dealing with crazy people until another co- worker came up to me. She said:
K: "What did you say to Mario?"
S: "I was just being sweet. Why?"
K: "It was so weird after you left he was like looking over and looking for you in the crowd. I was there for 20 minutes and I didn't see him once move his head from looking straight at the camera except when you went up."
S: "Really?" (I blushed)
K: "What did you say?!?!?!?"
S: "I'll never tell" I responded slyly.
Muahahah sometimes it really is better to have a few secrets. As I go to sleep in my lusciously soft RatedM shirt/nightgown I kind of feel like maybe I do stand out in a crowd and I really do hope that is true.

Who the &!*$/ Did I Marry?

I am seriously sooooooo blown away by the show Who the Bleep did I Marry? It so frickin outrageous. Basically these women were in relationships where the men they were married to had INSANE secret identities like being a spy, married to 6 other women, bank robbers etc. Most often they had no idea?!?!?!?! I am trying REALLY heard not to judge them because I know what its like to be swept in something that isn't based on something real but a Cuban spy?!?!? The narrator says "4 days after the first date he proposed" which jumps into this ladies explanation "and I was astounded and I said yes I swept up in the excitement of the whole experience I felt like finally my turn had come that the knight had shown up on his shiny horse." That is not sane rational behavior even for a dreamer like me. Of course the men see these women as pray The Art of Seduction clearly point per point shows you how you can seduce anyone but these men are like instinctual venomous snakes on the hunt. Society programs us to believe there is the knight and he will come and life will be awesome and perfect and that is epically delusional. Why don't we understand that?!?!? It's 2012 not 1634 we don't need knights... build your own epically awesome life story alone and you will never be swindled for 272,000 by yourself...it's a better investment then his "business deals." If you have netflix this is worth a watch for the pure audacity of it all and to learn a good lesson! 

Going Ape Shit Over Argyle

One day I see this lady talking to my coworker for ages and acting really weird. Later when I asked what was going on he said she was really insistent about getting another pair of leggings. See the thing with hosiery in general is colors are seasonal so leggings in pink for summer will not be made in fall. For people insistent on a particular color this is devastating. After a legit 45 minutes she left.... temporarily until the next day. She comes up to me
"Where are my blue socks?"
"Mam I'm not sure hold on one second"
"No this place is ridicuslous I want my socks!"
I then preceed to look for the socks in the system, on the floor, and in the stockrooms to no avail. I find the exact same argyle pattern in grey and red but she insists on the blue even pulls down off her shoes to show me. I tell her I understand what she wants I just don't have it. She starts screaming
"I want blue not grey I hate grey I want blue"
She then wants me to call another location which is gigantic and make sure they are there. Getting employees from others to stores to look for anything for you is always a big task but I agree because clearly this is important to her. She follows me over to my counter...
"Do you hear this?? I HATE THIS!!! I can't take it."
"What Mam?"
"The music this music is shit I want classical I hate this place and their shitty music. what is happening?"
I explain how i'm on hold and they're looking etc etc
"This smell I have to go to close to perfume I can't take it"
This I understand I hate being near perfume because whenever something is sprayed which is often we smell it. I explain she can wait at the other counter and I will get her when I have news. Logically I understand how stressful department stores are and totally over stimulating but that's why we have online shopping now. So as I am on hold she precedes to get ON TOP of the other counter in a fetal position rocking while trying to simultaneously cover her ears and nose. She then starts curing and kicking the air. Another customer came up and I rang her while on hold and watching to make sure the lady wasn't hurting herself. Customer number 2 just starred in disbelief. Eventually I could confirm the socks over the phone and she paid for another pair she liked. She then starts waxing poetic about how awful her life is and her senile parents I looked her straight in the eye and said "Yes Mam I know my mother died in front of me when I was 22." That made her stop she realized in that moment that others suffer too. She then praised me profusely for finding them and helping her it was like my saying that and patience changed her for that brief brief second. It was the most insane experience I have had to date at the store and one I hope never to repeat.

5 Things I learned this Week

1. I think i'm allergic to wine yet for some reason I keep drinking it anyway.

2. That half the fun in the "seduction" is the waiting and the victory of seeing your plan come to fruition.

3. That I feel a serious lack of protection from the people meant to protect me and therefore I have to become a stronger protector of myself I am becoming an adult after all.  Also once I unfairly designated someone my protector and it was a role they didn't want and again it needs to be my responsibility not someone else's unless they ask to take that on.

4. This is a two fold point on moving on after relationships
          A. A friend says "because you are a dreamer... you think with your heart...   you see the possibilities... and that's why you have me a realist as a best friend" I do I see the potential and what I imagine something to be comapred to what it really is I create delusions and fantasy and sometimes reality is necessary. I will never have something real until I am 100% real with myself first. It is something I have done my whole life and just needed to me reminded of... thank you lucid dreaming and friend for bringing this to my attention.
           B. One of the main reasons I find leaving my job so hard is because I don't have many friends or family here and my coworkers are my family they are the ones who ask me about my day and bring me snacks because i' m broke. Who will I have when I leave? My manager said she will always be my rock if I need it. Therapy with your manager good idea??? bad idea???

5. In a few days I will have been in LA a 3/4 of a year. Where will I be at the one year point? What are the steps I need to take now so that I'm not leaving in a year bummed I never succeeded ( Ps I totally know this won't be the case just emphasizing my point)? If my life truly is here now what elements do I need to make it most successful and that list includes more friends, a hobby, a job, acting.

Surprising Yourself

So I was randomly deleting old computer documents and came across one titled future. Curious and having no idea what it contained I opened it up to find this "One day im going to meet a man and he will be as strong and brave as I am. He will treat me as his equal with love and support always. He may not agree with all my life views but will understand my choices. He will always respect me and honor our commitment to each other. Together we will make a home and a family. We will be partners through life in all it’s struggles and joy." Wow what a statement..it is still exactly how I feel but I don't have any recollection of when I wrote this except I know it was since I moved to LA. I am shocked not only because I don't remember it but also because it seems like such a mature adult perspective and I am kind of proud of that. As my roommate can attest I am diligently trying to set a high standard for what I want and I know I can make it happen and except nothing less.

Sex Panther, VIP, and Grinding with your Boss

Sex Panther is behind that bush I swear!

If you know me I am of the go big or go home philosophy - I may not party often but when I do I make it count. Last Sunday I went a little crazy at a friend's kickball league booze fest where you play all the best drinking games and I participated in my first ever tornado= epic. I even kicked ass at pool with my cute partner proclaiming "That's my girl"....why is that so sexy???? Fast forward to Friday Kish has an interview at this club the Belasco in downtown where afterwards you could invite friends. There really is nothing more amazing then being on a list. Going down a secret alley saying a code name to someone who proceeds to let you in when 2 seconds ago they said "no one comes in this way." Ya I do - why -I'm on the list :) I walked into this AMAZING old theater that now is a club. I was instantly transported back to the first time I ever went to a club when I was 16. It was the dirtiest sketchiest place my naive little  self had ever encountered and I hated it. In general clubs still aren't my thing- give me a good conversation over a glass/pint with live music and I will be much happier. However being in a restricted VIP area with bottle service does have a way of making the whole thing more enjoyable. It was the night Sex Panther was spinning so the club was decked out in random jungle decoration and a giant giraffe. The up-lighting made this old theater look magical and the bass literally was so intense it was making my heart flutter. I think everyone wants to feel special now and again and being VIP certainly fills that need (temporarily). I considered this a warm up for Saturday because I was reminded:

Belasco Up-lighting

1. Clubs are insanely hot wearing pants equates to death
2. The smaller the outfit the more men will hit on you
3. Pre game because damn drink prices (when you're paying) are frickin high 

Balcony overlooking Downtown

In the am I was up super early to go to chant. Then worked till 9:15 On my break I had a makeup artist from Chanel do my makeup and she did a super sexy smokey eye and nude lip look- it was awesome. Lea and I rushed back to get ready, grabbed local burgers from my favorite place (she threw in free fries!), and decided on outfits.  We were ready and few flirty words got us in for free even thought after 11 we were suppose to pay regardless of the fact we were on the list. It was INSANE to see my coworkers outside of work. I found out one colleague was gay, met my friend's husband, saw one girl really drop it like it's hott. We were right across from the staples center and I could see all the XGames trucks packing stuff. Downtown glittered and a cool breeze saved us from the heat. I danced with one of my bosses and it just further proves to me you can usually determine someones generation by the way they dance. My other boss and I were full on dance battling and getting low - crazy. The best part was being with the girls just having fun dancing sexy to hip hop, swaying to salsa, and letting off steam by just rockin the dance floor. Heels that I normally wear for hours killed me... my feet are literally bruised and blistered but it was worth it . I even got down with the birthday boy himself to which he said "You weren't kidding you really do have moves" ahahha yes (espadrille wedge) I do have moves. 3 epic nights in one week was seriously necessary after  the non stop working I have been doing to make up for my trip home and I needed to let loose. I woke up the next morning and thought "wow that was a crazy dream" and then I remembered it wasn't a dream it's just my crazy life.