In our own Backyard

I saw pictures from where my co-worker lives in Northern California – she has cows in her backyard. Like 50 of them all in a line. And she's backed up to a meadow so you know, pretty flowers, beautiful sunsets. All that greatness. I usually imagine her frolicking in the fields up there. It's not the California I know, but I can romanticize it.

Not that it's all bad here. There's always something to do or experience. It's a nexus of amazing activities. For me, living in the South Bay area, I've always had the beach as a refresh and a recharge away from the close-knit houses, tall buildings, and people.

Plus, I've always found other ways to make it more of what I romanticize about living in the country, or in an area where there's not as many activities and all you have are the people around you and nature and maybe that cute little diner that everyone gathers at.

Things like when my friend had the idea of getting a projector so we could watch movies in her backyard. That's what I'd imagine I'd be doing in the country.

Redondo Beach: The SEA Lab

I'm not one to kiss and tell or anything, but I'm feeling lucky. Seven years of lucky to be exact. The secret? Kissing a sea cucumber. Which I did. For the second time in my life. The first time was on an elementary school field trip to the same place – the SEA Lab in Redondo Beach. Right at the border of Hermosa Beach.

At that time, I remember feeling squeamish because at the time, "boys had cooties" and all that, and we kissed the same sea cucumber. But all in all, I'd say in retrospect those seven years weren't bad, so why not  give my next seven whatever little boost of advantage I can get?

Aside from my favorite fish face above and the sea cucumber, there were even more cool things about taking the SEA Lab tour.

Gidget: In remembrance

May is becoming a month of remembrance for me. Taking a slightly different, and more personal, tone from the things highlighted this week – today marks one year that we put my dog Gidget down.

Hermosa Beach Historical Museum

Hermosa Beach is one of the three beach cities of the South Bay – Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach being the other two. Honestly, it's my favorite of the cities. It's kind of the in-between of everything, and the beach itself is the one closest to where I grew up and live.

From knowing it the past twenty-four years, I've seen how it's changed – shops have come and go, things have been remodeled, redesigned, the pier now has a four-way crosswalk... It's not for better or worse changes, just changes.

I was biking to the beach with my friend Chloe this past weekend, going down Pier Avenue and passing the building where I once took some creative performance summer school, and saw the sign out front saying that the Hermosa Beach Historical Museum was open from 2 – 4pm. Lucky for us, it was 2:30pm.

Kodaline at the Wiltern

The Wiltern is one of the most beautiful inside concert venues I've been to in Los Angeles. The detail in the architecture, the ceilings, the chandelier's are gorgeous representations of the art deco era. It's a treat to see any performance there.

That particular night I got to see Gavin James and Kodaline perform.

LA Galaxy Game: I'm in a Bubble

That's me. In the bubble.

To be more precise, I am the one in the blue shirt, closest in the picture, on team "Tiki Punch" dribbling the ball diagonally toward the orange Shasta can. I feel like now... I know what a professional athlete must feel like. Because that's me, on the LA Galaxy soccer field, in a bubble. Did I mention, I am in a bubble, dribbling, on a professional field, in front of all LA Galaxy fans?

Not to overemphasize this excitement about being in a bubble, but I WAS SO EXCITED.

Portraits of Hope: The Spheres at MacArthur Park

If you're feeling colorful and in a painting mood, sign up to help paint spheres for the Portraits of Hope project! The last time they were here, all the lifeguard towers became bright and colorful in what seemed like an overnight transition for a summer. I didn't realize this organization was behind it. And now they're back and it's an opportunity not to be missed!

Headquarters will be in El Segundo for the next three months or so until all the spheres are complete (I believe there's a thousand or more?) and will then be taken and displayed at MacArthur Park in Downtown LA.

Essentially, you get to paint giant beach balls with pre-lined forms on them. It's fun, it's creative, it's colorful, and it's just happy. You just have to paint somewhat inside the lines (which is harder than it looks) – but even that isn't a qualifying condition. You just need to be able to paint. Or watch paint dry.

It was seriously so fun to be a small part of this Los Angeles community project. It's for people of all ages so kids to not-kids are able to participate.

Some Good Times at Davey Wayne's

Another cool night spot is this swanky bar in Hollywood – Good Times at Davey Wayne's. All you need for this experience to be memorable is entering through the refrigerator door.

Joshua Tree: City Girl Camping

#TBT to that time Whitney and I went camping and failed on so many levels, but won because we did it together. This is a story of dreams not coming true in the way you initially pictured them, but having fun anyways.

San Pedro: Sunken City

The Sunken City in San Pedro felt like a small part of Venice Beach had left an imprint here. There was graffiti, and palm trees, and areas where it seemed like you could make it into a skatepark. It also felt like it's own treasure, hidden from view until you climbed over a wall and down a dirt road.