Erin the Cali chick talks about...

I occassionally will watch the news on my TV and have SkyFox live on my laptop as I am getting ready for work.  Today I was really intrigued because for the first time ever (in my experience) I got to hear 3 different feeds that I believe Rick gets over his headset.  It was around 8:05 am and he had asked a question about a crackling noise that is being broadcast when all of the sudden another voice came on and answered Rick.  Following that was what sounded like a police feed.  It was really interesting and I was disappointed when it cut out. 

I had just wondered if anyone else heard it as well.  :)

So like every other typical girl I made my way to the theatre to see Sex and the City.  Even though I didn't go to a premire party, dress up in designer dresses, or see it on it's opening day it was still VERY important.  I went with my baby cousin for a few reasons...1) My best friend is not the girlie-girl type  2) My fiance is too wonderful to suffer  3) My cousin and I rarely bond  4) My mom could care less  5) I would lose my mind if I didn't go.  This made it a little more fun and a lot less crowded...(even though a darling 16 year old boy came in to tell us it was sold out),

I went in with the rummors of a main character dying, Big not being "the one", and a report from Dorothy Lucey that quite honestly depressed me...  Her saying the first 20 min were boring, there wasn't enough sex, the storyline was "eh", and it was far too long really made me wonder...was it going to be all I had hyped it up to be??  And as Dorothy said, "If you LOVE Sex and the City you will like the movie" really had me thinking maybe I'd be better off to wait for the rental.

Well all I have to say is she was WRONG.  The only thing I agree with her on was the lack of sex but everything else was just what I had hoped for.  Their lives were just as they should be with the time advance and I appreciated it.  I loved seeing how each one had grown and changed but still kept keep aspects of who they were.  I cried a lot.  There were so many touching scenes.  Maybe it's because I am planning my own wedding and I can relate to Carrie...But more that it's real life.  Things happen, people change, hardships occur, and days are better flawed then perfect.  I appreciate the ups and downs because life would not be enough otherwise.  Maybe thats why I admired it so much more.  I'm really not sure what Dorothy was expecting, but whatever it was, I am sad to say she missed it. 

I hope many ladies, who may have doubted the movie because of certain reports do end up seeing it.  They may then realize, as I had to, that opinions are better left to oneself... 

To Dorothy:  I am sad you were only in "like" of the movie and for your own reasons I do appreciate your review - I just disagree. 

Living in Santa Clarita my whole life, Magic Mountain has always been a huge part of my life.  I used to have a season pass and go as often as possible.  Back in the days when Magic Mountain was free of large crowds and the main rides were Revolution, Colossus, Ninja, Psyclone, and Gold Rusher.  I spent many summers hanging out for a few hours on my favorite rides before going home and relaxing as it got too hot.  I even, as do most Santa Clarita teens, worked there.  I was a lifeguard at Hurricane Harbor and found myself spending even my days off at the parks for entertainment.  Basically Magic Mounatin has been a HUGE aspect in my life when it comes to riding rollercoasters and getting that incredible thrill only a HUGE drop at a high speed can give.

Now since I have grown up quite a bit and life isn't as simple as to spend my carefree days riding the coasters I rarely get over to the park.  I do try to hit the new rides as they open to get the newest taste of thrill ride adventure.  When X opened up several years ago, I rode it with funny memories.  As they were building it, I was working at Hurricane Harbor.  The empolyee enterance for Hurricane Harbor used to go under Colossus and along side of Goliath.  Now and then you would see new things the park was storing on the walk into work such as props, ride parts, propaganda, and more.  This happened to be the place they stored the seats for X as it was being built.  Of course being silly and somewhat rebellious my friends and I saw a fun opportunity and took pictures in the seats as a "I was here first" thing.  After the ride was built and opening, it was something my friends and I had to laugh about. 

I went on X a few days after it's opening and enjoyed most of it.  The new feel of spinning seats tumbling as you plunge straight down was unlike any other ride I had ever experienced.  The only thing that kept me from wanting to ever ride again was a back spin from the initial hill that for whatever reason still gives me chills.  This kept me from ever wanting to ride it again.  I figured, I did it once and that was all I needed.  Besides the ride was slightly uncomfortable and broke down DAILY.  It actually was a big reason why Magic Mountain was RUMMORED to be closing down...

Then the new changes were made to X for it's return as X2.  My best friend, who worked at Magic Mountain for over 7 years filled me in with the changes - new music, better seats, more rotaions, fire, and mist.  Even though it sounded more interesting, there was really no deep need to ride it.  And watching Bobby D freak out on it also limited my want to experience it...

Well yesterday my best friend and I headed over to Magic Mountain to just have a girls day of rides and adventure.  As we got off Ninja we passed by the owner of Six Flags, the Executives, and the general manager.  We ran into Jay Thomas (the guy who tried to calm Bobby D down on X2) who knew my best friend.  We chit chatted for a while (I OF COURSE brought up poor Bobby D which Jay felt really bad for) and before we left Jay handed us front of the line passes for X2.  Now we HAD to go on it - We owed it to Jay.

After working up the needed courage we walked past the 3.5 hour wait and jumped right on the ride.  I then started to really freak out.  I was a rollercoaster junkie for years and now I felt like I was a rookie who should have stayed in bugs Bunny World...  The ride started and I held my breath.  The first drop was incredible and even though the rotation that still gives me tingles in my back was still a part of the ride, it was something so much better!!

As we got off and the anxiousness wore off I was so excited we did it.  I truly suggest heading over and getting on it.  Even though 3.5 hours is a VERY long wait, I think it is worth it.  And after you have the right to say - I survived X2.  :) 

My fiance is a HUGE Red Sox fan.  He has been since he visited family in Boston years ago.  And over time his passion for the Red Sox has grown. 

Now he has me into the Red Sox.  I was home each night last year watching the series and found myself jumping up and down when the Red Sox won.  :)  Kind of crazy how things change... 

I used to be a Dodgers fan.  I used to love going to the games and knowing all the players, but I feel like it's changed signifigantly...or maybe I have...  Either way, the Dodgers have faded with me (although I will always have LA blue blood) and the Red Sox are slowly becoming a team I associate my pride with.  Call be a bandwagon jumper for Baseball.

Anyway - I was listening to Fox11 in the morning and heard the Red Sox were coming to play the Dodgers.  This is VERY rare!!  So of course I had to jump on it.  I got online and checked out prices.  I would have loved to be at the game at the LA Coliseum (and check out the pool I used to swim in years ago at 5am) for the historical game but the only seats were standing and WAY on the other side... 

So a little bummed, I keep looking and got tickets to surprise my fiance for March 28th at Dodger stadium.  I can't wait!!  It's going to be a blast and I know my fiance is going to be a kid in a candy store.  hehe  I persoanlly can't wait for my own version of candy...  Eye candy that is. 

See, I never told you the other HUGE reason I drifted to be a Red Sox fan other then my fiance...  The other reason is a VERY good looking player named Jacoby Ellsbury.  Now I know the guys are shaking their heads at me, but come on - a girl has to find some amusement in a game that goes on for HOURS.  So even though this is a gift for my fiance, it is kind of one for me as well.

So now I am wondering - Since I have already chatted with the Red Sox guy here at my work - Who all will be at the game on the 28th??  It would be great to see some Fox bloggers at the game.  :)  Whether you will be screaming for the Dodgers or rooting on the Red Sox this will be worth it!!  Let me know if you'll be there - I'd love to hear what you think.

So you know in the Wizard of Oz when Dorthy and Toto are running back to their farm because a torando is touching down??  The wind is blowing like crazy, barely allowing for Dorthy to get from one part of the farm to the other.  You see dirt, leaves, twigs, tumbleweeds, hay, and other items swirling around and making it unbearable.   The wind even seems to sweep up Dorthy at points!!  And when she finally gets into her house and makes her way to her room a HUGE gust blows the window at the back of her head, knocking Dorthy unconcious.

Well I kind of felt like that this morning!!

I had my window open all night and heard the wind on and off.  But at 5:30am when I got up to get ready for work it was INCREDIBLE!!  The force seemed to shake my place and I literally wondered if my window would shatter with the brutal force.  I had to close my window because things were being spun all over but when I did, the howling was amazing.  I looked out the window to see things knocked down, neighbors property thrown about, and people hurrying to get out of the wind. 

Now, wind in the Santa Clarita Valley isn't uncommon, especially this year.  We have had quite a few days marked with wind advisories but today was one of the worst bouts of the intense wind.  Usually I tend to hear the wind start up around 3am and it typically dies down by 8am or so.  Not today.  It's still nuts out!!

And driving...Boy is that an adventure.  haha  I felt like I was back at Disneyland on Indiana Jones.  I drive a smaller pick up truck that seems to get pushed with every gust.  At stop lights it shakes with the wind and while driving it forces the car to drift unless I have both hands on the wheel.  Pretty interesting...  Luckily I'm not driving a far distance, making the scary moments only last for 15 min or so.

The good part about it all??  Well that is the smoggy air pushed out by the stong winds that makes the most beautiful scenes.  Like coming over the one of the streets allows me to see Magic Mountain very clearly, and for the first time in a long time, it's appealing.  With the green mountains in the background, the blue sky as the high setting,  and the fun rides in the foreground, it would have been a perfect postcard.

So even though the wind can be somewhat dramatic, the results can be worth it.

The last time I ventured up to the Griffith Observatory was back in 2002. It actually was the day it shut down for good. My boyfriend at the time wanted to take me there for a day trip but as we got to the top, it was closed. It was quite the disappointment.

Since then I have been waiting for the opening. After it finally opened I knew reservations would fill up fast. And they did. Each time I tried to go, the day was full. After a while I became busier with things and somewhat put it on the backburner.

Well until now…

 I moved into my new place at Park La Brea on Sat. Oct. 6th. (it was a good move) So this past weekend I decided I wanted to venture around Hollywood and get to know my new living area. I made reservations for 2pm on Sat. to go to the observatory.

 ***Side Story*** (Read past if you don’t care)

Ok…CRAZY!! I NEVER call radio shows. Especially ones that are extraordinarily popular, like 102.7 KIIS FM… Well As I was driving with my boyfriend up to the observatory, KIIS mentioned Universal tickets. So I simply called to ask when they were doing the contest. (not intending to participate) The first time I call, I get hung up on. This annoyed me, so I called back. Busy. UGH. Called again. Busy. UGH!! Called a 3rd time… Ring…Ring…Ring… “Hello, who is this??” So I answered, “It’s Erin and I was wondering when you are giving out tickets to Universal again.” And all of the sudden… “Well Erin, you’re caller 102 – you have just won the tickets!!” UMMMM…WOW!! I didn’t even try and I won. Who does that????????? Oh well. It rocked and I am AMPED to go at the end of October. (P.S. I’m going to Six Flags Fright Fest this weekend – join me!!  It will be a GREAT day of screaming and running.)

***Side Story Done***

So we head over to the parking lot, get on the shuttle and go up to the observatory. Let me tell you, even with the overcast weather, the view was breathtaking!! Now I know why Rick Dickert LOVES his job so much. To see that everyday much be AMAZING.

We walked around the observatory and checked out all the GREAT exhibits. We watched the show in the theatre, which I HIGHLY recommend. We checked out all the new areas recently renevated and VERY well done.  But mostly we just looked out over LA. Stunning. It made me feel so small. I loved every minute. The best part had to be when the sun was going down and the overcast skies opened up enough to see the silver shinning Pacific Ocean twinkle before twilight.

It was a GREAT day. :)  Worth the wait.