In the Pursuit of Wisdom

This week I turned thirty-three.  I'm pleased about it.  It is an appealing age for me mostly because I like the roundness and symmetry of the number.  I feel content with where I am in my life and as Grandma said, maybe I finally have a little sense.

Last night a high school friend sent some pictures out from our middle school and high school days.  We looked so young.  This was my crew circa 1991:

I unfortunately forget the particular event - it very well could have been my fourteenth birthday.  I look back at us and wonder about what we knew.  What did we know about what our lives had in store for us? We certainly look like we knew a thing or two about friends, fun, and causing innocent trouble.  But really, what did we know?

Another party, this one probably a few years later and perhaps another birthday party:

Still looks like fun, although perhaps a little less innocent.  And really, nobody thought to tell me about hair product? Really?  Perhaps after my Pat Riley phase in the sixth grade (no pictures available, sorry!), everyone thought I was better off going cold turkey.  Or at least they were waiting for me to go through a 12 step program and apologize for my past sins.  Believe me, there were many, at least in the haircuts department!

And the end of high school, June 1995: 

 

Going to college was certainly a significant life-changing transformation.  Or a series of them.  I learned a little more, but even then, what did I really know?

Fifteen years later, I certainly feel like I have more sense then back in high school - god, how cruel would the world be to have it be otherwise? - but really, what do I know?  I suppose, based on my recent birthday festivities, you could say that I know something about friends, fun, and causing trouble.  And I still like to throw a party.  And I still act more mature than my father - even if only just! 

Maybe next year I will find the wisdom and sense I seek ... or at least enough of it to confiscate cameras from the parties.

Oomasa sushi chef

In Little Tokyo, LA

Cole's bar

Can't figure out how to post multiple pictures to the last post

Eating in Hell A

GeoTagged, [N34.05091, E118.23799]

Born and bred, baby. Born and bred.

Being a good northern CA native, I oppose all things LA. And soCal related (btw, anybody see Amandas NorCal tat at Christmas eve? It was a little 'love never dies,' no?). So I am suffering through the week in LA and San Diego. Well, maybe not suffering, but I certainly walk around with the smug assurance of Northern superiority.

The food scene has been interesting. The recommended more upscale place last night was fine and interesting, but really, nothing to blog about.

Lunch, on the otherhand, from Coles, a bar and french dip sandwhich establishment around since 1908, was great. Sitting at the bar (pictured above), made me desperately want to drink. Not a drink, but to drink. Old style cocktails, prominantly displayed Chartreuse, cool lamp fixtures. Plus the pastrami dip with a bacon potato salad side was primo. Really, any place that offers only 3 sides, one of which is bacon potato salad, has got it going on.

Tonight I walked thru a sketchy tunnel, past abandoned streets and barefoot bums, and into Little Tokyo for dinner (pictured). So far, ebi, kampacha, hotate, and hamachi. It's all been quality and delightful.

Now I should wrap it all up with a wry insightful comment on life, sushi, or LA, but I got nuthin and my sushi is getting cold. So let me beg off by saying, despite the French dip and scallops...

LA SUCKS!

Archer!

We almost got an Isilador or a Conner, but instead the stork brought us ARCHER!

A perfect complement to our Bowman (of the Isobel variety), Archer has already brought new excitement to the Sky People.

Hopefully we will raise him right and teach him (through stellar example) that, contrary to the declaration of the Navi and certain supporters, Sky People Do What We Want!

New years resolve

I love the irrational optimism of the new year. Despite the past evidence to the contrary, we still have hopes that this year we will manage to tame our bad habits and be the super versions of our selves, at least for longer periods of time.

This year, matt resolved (for the nth year running) to road rage less. Good luck with that! He also resolved for me to shower more. So far, I'm one for one. Perhaps a record - I've showered every day this year!

I'm resolving to blog more. I'm checking out some new iPhone apps to encourage good behavior. Perhaps procrasting at life by blogging does not really count as self improvement, but I couldn't identify any other character flaws where a resolution would help. We'll see how it goes.

Best wishes to y'all in your lofty or low endeavors to make yourself more palatable to the rest of us. Hope the next decade rewards at least some of that irrepressible optimism.