Which brings me to February and my first ever trip to Southern California. Let me start by saying that people in Southern California aren't like other people.
Take this young guy, for instance. He's on a surf board, but he really isn't surfing. Perhaps he's kayaking? Maybe. I think maybe he's a frustrated gondolier gone astray from Venice!
Southern Californians do things a bit differently, like they only have crosswalks on one side of the street. Not sure why. And they wear suede and wool knee-high boots on the beach with tank tops!
Also, stop lights last only about 12 seconds. For laid-back people, these guys really want to get going. But not too fast! I'm pretty sure that for about 30% of the population, the speed limit is actually about 10 mph UNDER what's posted.
Which brings me to this girl, who was demonstrating some wheeled fun at a flea market in Costa Mesa. I WANT ONE!!
I didn't stay in Costa Mesa, but rather Laguna Beach ('cause you KNOW how I love the beach!) and this shot was taken right around the corner from my hotel.
Yes, I did stay and watch not only beach volleyball but beach (sort of) basketball, too. I think if they played baseball on the beach, I'd move here!
My theory on the utter lack of clear and understandable street signs in Southern California relies on the idea that maybe they're considered ugly, and I think we all know that UGLY just won't do in Southern California. The sign for the Orange County airport is about the size of the street sign at the corner of your block. Go have a look, I'll wait.
Oh, speaking of beautiful people, I was watching the local news one early evening while getting dressed to go out in Laguna Beach. The newscaster started talking about the Academy Awards (aka Oscars) and then she talked about road closures and I thought, what does that have to do with the Oscars?
Um, oh yeah, this is actually where they have the show! Oops!
On my last night in Southern California, I went out to dinner (alone, of course) and ended up eating in the bar area of this very nice beach restaurant. I chatted with the bartender a bit during dinner and mostly read the book I had brought along.
When the couple sitting next to me at the bar finished their meal, they called to the bartender and asked him to get their bill. They seemed to be fun and interesting people (from some of their conversation that I overheard), so out of Midwestern friendliness, I joked, "Yeah, put mine on there too!"
The man turned to me, smiled and said, "Yeah, okay." "No! I was just kidding!" I protested.
But he was adamant, "That's okay. You can pay it forward."
Did I mention that people in Southern California aren't like other people?
