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December 31, 1999
LA-isms:
* Earthquakes are recreational
* Personalized license plates are a means of advertising your wares
* No smoking. Period
* Everyone has a dream they're working on
* As bad as the traffic is... shopping cart rush-hour at the market is worse
* No drive-thru banking
* Potty mouth
* Sunglasses all day and night, outside and indoors
* Smacking your chewing gum
* "You know what I mean?" after every single sentence
* Dressed in black
* 3 cars turning left after lights turn red
* Sparkly makeup
* Parking tickets like crazy
* Old elevators
* Rooftop and underground parking at supermarkets
* Smog!
* Out to eat at every meal
* Pagers and cell phones
* No full-serve gas stations
* No one carries cash
* 'Tenna Toppers (these ridiculous things that fit on top of your car antenna to advertise fast food places or gas stations)
* Name dropping
* High Speed Chase: the official state sport
* Celebrity Bingo at The Stonewall on Santa Monica (Tina Youthers called numbers last month)
* Jeans = "dressy casual" - if paired with the right accessories
* Valet parking at the gym
* Meeting for coffee
* Refusal to adopt new technology
* No one's a native
* Our hours are everyone's hours - we're not getting up early just to talk to the East Coast!
Things I've learned in LA:
* I thrive on variety - the quickest way to suffocate me is to make me do the same thing every day. I've realized my tolerance for this is six weeks.
* I am happier than I have ever been. Healthy. Passionate. Living my dream.
* Surrounding yourself with positive, passionate people is the best way to stay positive and passionate.
* You cannot teach others anything by "telling" - only by "doing".
* I miss: The Globe, Engine Room, Taco Stand, Bluebird Cafe, Old Hickory House, Change of Seasons, Chic-fil-A, decent radio stations & local TV news, family & friends & Muffy.
* I'm thrilled to have: Del Taco, Improv, the beach, new friends, celebrity - sightings, a lifestyle of simplicity paired with constant activity, dreams fulfilled each and every day, constant phone contact with my Momma, dates, applause, the internet.
* I am thankful for the support and encouragement of my family & friends - it does me worlds of good to hear a voicemail or read an email or actually speak on the phone for hours... when it's a precious, supportive soul; praising me for my hard choices - and the best part of it is - I'm not invested in that validation. It's nice - but even nicer to feel connected to my core at every turn.
* 1999 leaves my life in as thrilling a manner as it entered - filled with promise and the rewards of living an authentic life: MY OWN.
* Live your dreams ('cause if you don't, someone else will)!
Posted by bonnie at 7:30 AM
December 13, 1999
Jenny Craig
I've just returned from Jenny Craig. Yep, back on the proverbial horse. A friend of mine, inspired by my weight loss last year, began a program to lose 52 lbs. in 1999. And she has! So, when I went to my annual exam last week and had put back on 17 of the 37 lbs. I'd lost, I knew that my idea that I could manage my weight without a program was just a dream. For now at least. Since I need the structure of a program, and Jenny Craig has worked quite well for me in the past, I decided to head back.
Here's the cool thing: I thought I'd go back with my proverbial tail between my legs, feeling ashamed for having "failed". Instead, I went in with enthusiasm and renewed commitment, excited for the opportunity to resume my success-filled path. I know that I am a happier person when I'm lighter (I'm not constantly obsessed and mean to myself). And I know I CAN do it. I have before. So, no ultimatums, no threats, no promises... just the assurance that I will be gentle with myself, be proud to have "only" done a bit of damage (and still look damn good, by the way), and be happy to be on the right path -- the one that leads AWAY from obsession. That's an unhealthy trait, and one I'm willing to let go of, once and for all.
Oh, I'm also starting a self-defense class with some friends in January. I'm really looking forward to that, as it will allow me to conquer my demons about being vulnerable AND be a good workout AND have me doing something social with my supportive, loving friends. I'm truly blessed! And proud to be at this point in my life... it's been a great journey. How thrilling!
Posted by bonnie at 5:04 PM
December 4, 1999
Diet or Life
I cannot even believe that the end of the year is here. This has been an amazing journey! I've done Jenny Craig, daily exercise, workout with a trainer at the gym, Callanetics, Pilates, yoga, starvation, Star Caps, Protein Diet, Carb Addict Lifespan Program... oy vey! This is nuts. If, instead of my diets, I were to measure this year by my LIFE, I'd say that everything has been Joyous! What a gift my life is!
Posted by bonnie at 5:04 PM