Jason's Daily Notes

Fri night: PARTY. First, cooked dinner (too much penne pasta), then went to Target with Felix and Alvaro. Bought supplies and games (twister, poker), but no bean bag. Then to BevMo for drinks.
9pm and everyone arrived - SO MANY FOREIGNERS. Iceland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Philippines (technically), Kentucky (x2!). I was shuttling around greeting everyone the whole night. I spilled a whiskey coke all over my pants. Whew so much fun. 10 seconds of twister resulted in beer spilled all over. I passed out after a foolish round of king's cup. Felix passed out too - so the party ended with both hosts passed out! :)

Saturday:
I woke up with a German girl (Lea) sleeping on the floor in my room. The floor of the whole apartment was incredibly sticky. The visitors from Irvine were soon up and getting their stuff ready to go by 10:30. Alvaro, Brian and I watched several episodes of HIMYM. Felix was still in his room with a girl. I felt like going for a drive. So the three of us left, blasting "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" through Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu. After getting bottled water at a gas station (I was fine but the other two seemed hungover), I drove us through Malibu canyon.

It was absolutely gorgeous (GORGE-ous)! I had no idea such scenery existed in Los Angeles county. We passed through Calabasas (so Brian could see the Kardashians) then ended up at the Topanga Mall in Canoga Park (much nicer than the nearby Promenade). The mall had a couple live pianists! We went to Target and I bought a tennis racket and balls. We ate at Tommy's. Alvaro soon felt sick. Drove back along Ventura Blvd and home. We played tennis at nearby Stoner park for 1.5 hours; it was a great workout but I had forgotten proper technique; also, people were waiting to use the courts. Watched more HIMYM; Brian left; then just sleep.

Sunday: Daylight Saving Time ended. I drove to Chinatown to meet family for dimsum at Empress Pavilion. I found street parking and discovered some hidden pockets in Chinatown. We left and drove in two cars to the Hollywood Sign. I then said bye so I could drive Alvaro to the airport to meet his parents. On the drive back, I stopped by Ross to buy a small gift for Christoph. The birthday celebration was at Westwood Brewing Co. Felix and I arrived around 8:30. It wasn't that intense, but we stayed to the end with Christoph and Jan.

What a night last night.
James B stopped by to pick up his letter. He was soon off, then Alvaro arrived. We watched Big Bang Theory then got beer and tacos. Saskia arrived and the four of us (including Felix) went out. First stop: Liquid Kitty. It was a nice bar, not very big, but had the chic divey feel of the Verdugo. And! There was a really great band playing - funky jazz rock, with an awesome keyboardist. After our drink, it was time to roll on. Next stop: The Arsenal, a restaurant that turns into a bar/lounge after hours. And I ran into my former COWORKER there, Nate! What a surprise! We chatted for a while, he met his friend, and me and my friends bounced to our third and final stop: Busby's. I think my friends liked it. It was quiet around 11 when we arrived, but soon got crowded. We played some "never have I ever" with a twister game board. The vibe of Busby's felt like a mix of frat house and beach chic. The music was too much hip hop for me to enjoy dancing. I got tired and just sat while everyone else danced. Stayed til 1:30. Drove Saskia back to her place, returned to the apt at 2:30. One more beer with Alvaro, who wanted the party to keep going.

Whew.

Woke up 7:45. Oatmeal, shower, to work.

I had to pull papers out from LG's desk, "because I'm skinny" lol.
Trying to work on my CV.
Overheard: "Maria Bartoromo isn't looking too good."
My car has a big scratch/dent. :/
Music: Bed Intruder song (autotuned)
Yawn. Tired - from last night? And the party's tonight!
Lunch: Quesadilla, leftover from last night.
Tita Elsie is staying at our house now.
Stopped by the container store. Now gotta go prep for the party!

Came back to the apartment around 6pm last night. Brian was there, watching HIMYM. It was FUCKING HOT. I watched one episode with him, and then declared, "Let's go to the beach."
And so we did. As if on cue, right when I pulled the car out of the driveway, Alvaro was arriving on the bike. I shouted to him to join us. It was dark by the time we got to Santa Monica, but still unbelievably warm. Over 80 degrees at 8pm at the beach. Felix and I jumped in the water. It was frigid and oh-so refreshing! I stayed in for a couple minutes then air dried out. We went to Big Dean's Cafe right below the pier, because Felix wanted fish and garlic. I didn't have my wallet. Felix covered me.
Back at the apt, a couple more drinks and some Chuck.

STOCKS ARE UP. LIKE 200 POINTS. YES!
It's still really hot today. Like 96°.
Planning for the party. Tomorrow!

Brian came over around 8pm. He, Alvaro, and I went to Tara's for some Himalayan food. Spicy and good.
Drank beers and played asshole at the apartment.

Work. Same. I did a lot of facebooking today.

Brian visited me today for lunch! My first lunchtime friend visitor. We had Fuddrucker's and I had a buffalo burger.

Stocks are up today. That's good for me, now that I'm in the stock market.
The plan is to go for sushi tonight (Brian's waiting at my apt).

Went to Smart and Final after work. Watched HIMYM. Did not go to WeHo to meet Mike.
A busy morning. I VOTED. At 7:30 am. No issue with any provisional ballots this time (I got the envelope but no vote-by-mail ballot in the mail, wtf?)
Drove with Felix to UCLA. Met Jenn. Saw Paloma (!). High-fived a No-on-23 girl and injured her hand - oops.
Finally met Mike at 9:30, he was getting his stuff ready for last-minute campaigning.
There's a "voted" button on facebook. Eh.
Work. Got here at 10:30.
Circulating new complaints - see lawsuits against the Black Eyed Peas and against Eva Longoria (!)
Lunch: Leftover fried rice from yesterday.
Going to pick up Alvaro from LAX. During my lunch break!
...
Felix was at the apartment. It was HOT. Like over 90. Dropped off Felix and took Alvaro with me to work. He saw Beverly Hills.

Matt asking for his deposit back for the rent.
The office is watching election results roll in (as they begin).

Happy halfway birthday to me!

Google Buzz class action settlement ?!
Giants won the world series. :/

Happy new month! (new notebook... AND new shoes!)
Made a batch of fried rice this morning for my lunch.
Pumpkin pie at the office. Yum.
Election day tomorrow! Mikeee's in town to GOTV (get out the vote).
Alvara arrives tomorrow. I'm picking him up from LAX.
My tire pressure warning light went off. Hmm...
I match. My shirt matches my new shoes: Red, black, and white. Cool.
My pants are button fly, and the top button is loose, so I have to use my belt to hold my pants up.

My weekend was spent on the westside. I self-imposed a type of isolation since I wouldn't be celebrating Halloween.
Felix was gone to Santa Barbara so I had the apartment to myself.
Friday night: Watched Milk. Ate tortillas and salsa. Slept.




Saturday: Coordinated and dropped off the recycling. In Culver City. I then bought some groceries with my recycling credit, but I forgot a bag at the Ralph's. D'oh!
The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear was going on, but there was no live broadcast on Comedy Central as was promised. :/
It was a gorgeous day. I drove to Malibu and discovered a secret beach: El Pescador State Beach.


I drove in, parked, hiked down the cliff to the secluded beach and dipped into the water. It was so refreshing! I got out and walked around to air-dry (I had no towel with me). Then I drove onward. I took Mulholland Highway all the way from the beach near the Ventura county line to Woodland Hills. The road wound trough the mountains, with many twists making me feel like I was in a car commercial. Such a nice drive, and being in Woodland Hills kind of took be down memory lane.

Back at the apt, I watched Get Him to the Greek. Cooked potatoes (we have plenty).


Sunday: Farmers' market. Eggs for breakfast. And potatoes and bacon.
Hiked Mandeville Fire Road trail. It was sunny and warm. Lots of people walking their dogs or going mountain biking. I hiked at least 5 miles, all the way up to a former anti-Soviet missile station in the hills. Some of the hills were steep.
Back to apartment. Caught up with The Amazing Race.
Felix returned a day early from Santa Barbara (bc everyone else there returned too).
Watched TAR and got Felix into it too.

Went home for mom's dinner thingy at the Biltmore last night. I exercised out all my pent-up energy from the frustrating commute. Talked with her boss about traveling. Good times.
I dreamt I was in Philly. The hammock guys were there, and so were some of the Germans. I found the water park I went to as a 5-year-old, in North Philly. It was essentially a big fountain.
Felix goes to SB today.
Costume: Mac/PC?
Funny pics online. heh heh.
Music: A Day to Remember; The Academy Is... - His Girl Friday
Auto-tune. Yes?
The partners are not in today. Thus, not much real work ftw.
Lunch: Office snacks! I ate enough yesterday.