California Livin'

This past weekend, the Hubby and I headed out to Cali for one final pre-child adventure. It was a great trip and I really like Cali. From the airport, we took the public bus. The Hubby was serendaded by a crazy Boomer hippie lady. She then sat down and told the Hubby the story of her life. As the Hubby is The Hubby, he loved it. We then met up with the Hubby's childhood friend, Kaplan, who is a delightfully entertaining human being who always has drama drama drama in his life. Between shady investment deals, addictions to substances and gambling, firely relationships or trips around the world, he never disappoints. We strolled down the beach and checked out Santa Monica Pier. LOTS and lots of great people watching.

The true purpose of our trip was to attend a wedding. The Hubby's friend is this cute guy who seems all quiet and unassuming. Yet he is very successful entrepeneur who has launched two businesses, speaks fluent Chinese, surfs every single morning and manages to always get out of trouble. This is his second marriage and, from all accounts, the new bride is ONE MILLION times better than the ex. YIPEE! The wedding was in downtown Santa Monica in a cute little house that has been renovated to host events. It was a small wedding with many nice people, most of whom were local and connected to the entertainment industry. I bailed early including

THE PARTY AT MATT STONE'S HOUSE

The Hubby and Kaplan returned to the hotel room having taken full advantage of the wedding's open bar. The Hubby plopped down on the bed and immediately started talking about matt stone and his house and that he was at the party and he drank Mexican Coca-Cola and he had to call every one to tell them "YES! HE was at MATT STONE'S house." He was very excited. I patted his drunk little head and held him as he passed out in a stuper. So. Yes. The Hubby to go to Matt Stone's house. However, Matt Stone was not there. When you are famous and rich you can own multiple homes and host parties at them when aren't even there. Who knew?

The next morning we headed to Malibu for a brunch for the wedding. The Hubby continued to glow about Matt's party and, oh yes, we have the glass bottle from the Mexican Coca-Cola as proof. Ah, I miss the ocean! Driving along highway 101 and watching the waves is so soothing. And the smell! Ah, the smell of the ocean is so wonderful. Well, it is usually MORE wonderful but there was quite a bit of haze from the showers. The brunch was at an inclusive neighborhood where real, LIVE movie stars live. The home was the epitomy of a southern Cali home - long and spacious with lots of windows and oh-so-mod furniture and decor. After eating, we headed down to the beach. The private beach required the owner to walk us down with a key and a code. In addition, the beach entrance was staffed 24-hours by a guard. I shit you not. Next to the entrance, I got to see Julia Roberts' home. Let me tell ya - she is doing well for herself! I enjoyed a walk with some folks while the Hubby surfed. It all felt very "exclusive" and surreal.

We then wrapped up the wedding-related activities to meet up with the Hubby's parents who flew down from San Fran. As always, I was nervous and anticipating massive family blow-outs, crying and screaming. Yet this was, in my 7 years of knowing the Hubby and his folks, one of the most pleasant times I have ever had with them. We went out to dinner, saw the Chinese Theater, went to Universal Studios, went on a convertible tour of Hollywood and there were no tears, no drama, no screaming and no seriously awkward moments. It gives me hope. Seriously. I carry around serious angst regarding my relationship with my in-laws.

We flew back to land-locked Colorado and then I began a stressful, yet short, work week. Now we focus on hunkering down and getting ready for the baby. Yupper, at 35 weeks, it could be 3 to 5 weeks until I meet this little one. Zoinks. Okay. The Baby wants ice cream. Gotta go.