March 2008 | Part II

Okay, let's begin.

March was a rather busy month for me. Busy in the sense of having fun and hanging out. Again, I know, it really is a tough life I live. The entire month was spotted with dear friends of mine coming to LA for a visit, either because of spring break or just by chance.

My first visitor was mrs. chucklesworth herself, ashleigh pederson. This jewel of a friend spent one week here in LA with me and my gal from the LBC erin foley. Of course, laughter and ridiculousness were our fourth and fifth friends during our outings. The first night was spent at La Cita, trying desperately to run into ryan gosling...but alas to no avail. In the meantime we spent our time sipping on libations and being absolutely silly with the digital camera, alongside stella wingfield. We enjoyed the hiedousnes of zooming in on one's face and discovering each clogged pore and blackhead. Yum!

On friday we hit up akbar for some dancing, along with miles, claire, and my wonderful LA crew: erin, zoe, lauren, cmo, noelle, et al. We danced the night away...as per usual. We did have a few celebrity sightings....including kids in the hall star, scott thompson. I was forced to pose with him for a photograph with erin....and naughtily and clumsily grabbed his butt and caressed his balls. Ooopsiees! We also saw some guy that's in heroes...who will also be in the new star trek movies....playing spok. Which explained his weirdo eyebrows.

The next morning, ashleigh, erin, and myself bid miles and claire adieu after a cheap and yummy breakfast at Cafe Tropical. We hit the road for wine country in paso robles, just north of san luis obispo. If anyone has never taken this excursion up, I highly recommend it. It is absolutely stunning up there. The drive is just as phenomenal and part of the experience; and it's only about 3.5-4 hours.

We spent our first night just visiting one wine cellar along the coast. The name is Castoro Cellars. After our tasting and purchase, we headed to the pier to sample our wine and enjoy the stunning sunset alongside the sleepy town with such an affording dramatic vista.

On our way back to town and to our hotel, night had already lay its head down to rest, and the stars were exploding along the skyline. I had to pull over and just lay atop our rental car and soak in such a heavenly sight. All along to michael jackson's "man in the mirror" song, on the weird michael jackson station, aptly titled xmthriller. Twas such bliss to have a commanding nightly view, with zero light pollution from a surrounding cityscape. My favorite! I really forgot how beautiful, scary, calming and silent darkness can be. It was a nice feeling.

The remainder of the night was spent in the hot tub at the Adelaide Inn and then being silly in our hotel room. Including me running around half-naked and climbing on the furniture like a spider.

The next day we visited five wineries. We started out at Tablas Creek with a tasting, followed by a brief tour of the premesis and the steps involved in wine production. From that point on I think a bit of crazy ensued for the remainder of the day, the night, and the trip. We were driving the beautiful and windy country roads listening to the same three songs on repeat. The Cranberries "Ode to my family," Johnny & June Cash "Jackson," and a song from The Hackensaw Brothers. I don't think I have laughed that hard in such a long time slash enjoyed myself and felt so happy in over a year.

We visited a few other wineries/vineyards. Grey Wolfe was definitely one of the best. The staff was so very warm, receptive, humorous and very friendly. On top of that, the vineyard remains in the family, and you get that feeling immediately as you walk into the house for a tasting.

To close out our journey we visited one last vineyard for a tasting. We purchased more wine, some snackables and set up a picnic along the grassy and rolling green hills to watch the sunset and enjoy the comfortable weather, fresh air and stunning scenery. As the sun painted the sky with an array of pinks, yellows, and oranges, we packed up and bid bon voyage to wine country.

The drive back was rather swift and painless. And as we pulled into LA I decided to meet up with patrick and some friends of his at this wonderful bar/restaurant in koretown called the prince. Of course, immediatly after getting out of the car, our exhaustion had set in and we zombie-walked our way into the bar for a few drinks. Whew...what a trying and well spent few days!

The next day the gals and I (ashleigh and erin) met up with zoe for lunch in silverlake at Dusty's (a yummy, moderately-priced french-american restaurant). Aftwards we hit the road to El Matador beach, just north of malibu. However, we took the scenic route via topanga canyon, which offered some mountainous views deep within the hollywood hills. A nice treat for me as well, being that I have not had such an opportunity. Plus, it was a great way to get ourselves ready for the beach. Writing of which, this was also my first time visiting matador beach and holy shit is that place so serene and secluded. I had no idea. On top of that, I swear it reminded me of living in Hawaii, especially with such monstrous and jagged rock formations strewn about on the beach. A true gem of a beach. Afterwards, we went to El Compadre in west hollywood for some delectable comida de mexicano...along with flaming margaritas and a marachi band. Muy bien!

The remainder of ashleigh's time here in LA was spent doing such things as: visiting Joshua Tree National Park; cruising around LA/Silverlake; taking a stroll around the silverlake reservoir; rollercoasting down the monumental hills of echo park; scoping the row of victorian houses in angelino heights; and trying to spot celebrities all along the way. I think Joshua Tree was stunning. Being surrounded by such vastness of land and rock definitley made me feel like I had been transported back to the land of the dinosaurs. The calmness. The quiet. It really was an incredible feeling. I also loved being able to climb upon the rocks and jump from one to another...back and forth...all around. It made me feel like a child again.

Sadly, Ashleigh left mid-week and it was back to normal....but only for a few days or so. My next guest, one Erin Briggs, was to arrive the following monday night. Using this time to "catch up" on sleep and recover from a very unhealthy lifestyle as of late was much needed, yet hardly attainable. That weekend was cmo's b-day and patrick and i kidnapped cmo and went to a bbq in santa monica where we met a very friendly group of LA dancers, whose abode was reminescent of my old college crib on brunswick, ye ol COMPOUND.

When erin arrived on monday night, we sorta took it easy and grabbed dinner at Señor Fish in downtown LA and came back to my spot for some wine and conversation....followed by passing out to a movie. P.S. Señor Fish has some of the tastiest fish tacos I have ever had....and there are so many types of salsas!

The next morning erin had a haphazardous adventure on my moped and ended up in beverly hills due to my miscommunication and bad directions. Ooopsies! Good thing I put enough gas in maxine before erin disembarked. Later, she met me for lunch at Banquette Cafe on 4th and Main St. Banquette is a quaint french cafe that has some interesting and yummy sandwiches with great wine (i hear though i have yet to sample).