The top of Hollywood

Last Saturday I hiked up the Mt. Hollywood Trail to the Observatory atop Griffith Park. Okay, it was really more like an upward stroll, since "hikes" in LA are really just pre-made trails and nothing like what I've done in Mexico, Northern California, Wales, or Utah. But when I need to "escape" from the city, and I say "escape" because you never really escape the city, I take a hike.

This morning I decided to jog up the Mt. Hollywood trail, and let me tell you it is a steep trail, and uphill from the moment I leave my apartment steps all the way to the top. There was a moment when I thought I'd pass out (forgot to eat something before I left, forgot? or too full from the reception last night at work, hmmmm), but I kept going, pushing through the burn in the back of my legs and my shakey calves ( I was always told that the first time jogging up the hill would be the toughest, heh, very true).

Last night I stayed up late talking to my new friend whom I will call Jolly. We were talking about not getting in the comfortable mode people using relax into in this city. The "I'm saving so I can do that later," or "someday I'll be doing this..." etc. It's hard to push past that state of being, I mean, if you really aren't getting paid enough you can't travel, or buy a house, or that car...NOW, but we noticed that when we didn't push past the complacency and put ourselves past to the point of discomfort we didn't go anywhere. I likened it to working out. You life weights, or you jog, or whatever, and it hurts, but the most growth happens at the point when you really think you can't go on and you do anyway.

It happened to me this summer, when I knew I needed to find a job, and for a month things were reallly tough financially and I had no idea how I would live in my new expensive rent apartment. I could've easily taken any number of typical artist jobs in LA and started getting paid....but I waited it out till I found what I wanted. And it hurt. Not being able to go out with friends hurt as much as pain in my legs. Putting in only 20 bucks at a time of gas was like getting to the out of breath point. Only being able to take 8 dollars in quarters out for laundry from the bank, and having to answer "i can't afford to." to the cashier at wellsfargo who asked why I didn't take out 10 dollars worth, ew, that hurt. But sho nuff. Now I have a job, that I am happy to have, because it was what I was looking for, and it's taking me closer to where I want to be.

The best things really do happen when we're willing to take ourselves to an unsure, uncomfortable place....only then can we discover.

Happy Area Code Day!

Today is Area Code. I am unsure how Americans in the past have celebrated this holiday- their rituals, their practices, their beliefs- so I have no suggestions except for the following....

Today, pay tribute to your area code by staying within its limits for the entire day.

or

Visit and area code you've NEVER been too.

or

Add up the numbers to your area code and find out what it's numerological meaning is here.

This month is also Vegan Month and Impotency Month and Peanut Butter Lover's month- decide for yourself how to celebrate these.

Thanks.

I can't blog when I know I have other things I should be doing...but I have some things to get off my mind, clear it up, so that I can move on.

I guess all I need to say is: this week has taught me a lot about myself. About how I hadn't been respecting myself like I shouldve been. About how I haven't been trusting myself, my instincts, my path. About how i haven't been showing love, and consequently I have not been getting it.

So, in an effort to love and respect myself and others....everyday from now to Thanksgiving I am going to find a way to give, or show love.