October

What a month! October went by so quickly that it's amazing to think it's November already - and almost 1/2 finished! I am lagging behind in my blog... just been busy. With what, I really can't pin-point but time continually runs away!

For the month of October, my mother came to visit. The day after she stepped off the plane, I wisked her off to Las Vegas... Wow! The last time we both were there was 11 years ago - she took me there for my 21st birthday. A lot has changed - there are more casinos and a lot more lights!

(In the MGM lobby)

Before we left, a friend of mine gave me a sight-seeing book and told me all the "cool" places to go. There were so many I couldn't remember and of course, we didn't go to. Most of this trip was sight-seeing, relaxing and of course shopping. A lot of shopping. Maybe we'll hit those places up next time.

It's been 10+ years since mom has been to Los Angeles, and she didn't want to see very much. Her only request was Chinatown and Olvera street. For the whole visit, we did a lot of shopping and going out to various restaurants. Since my moving here, I've been estatic over all the Asian eateries and tried to take her to all my favs but it was too much for her. It was abit of a culture shock for her to see so many Asian people, Asian restaurants, Asian grocery stores... that she asked for plain American food.

Disappointed, I complied and took her to one of her favorite American restaurants... and I ended up going to the hospital the next day for food poisoning although mom was just fine. Never had that before and I hope never again! I really didn't want to go to the emergency room and thought I was okay... but whew... 12 hours later and still sick, my hands clenched up and I couldn't open them. I got alittle nervous and my neighbor took me to the hospital. Just lack of potassium and a little dehydrated but it took them 6 hours of observation, took blood twice, a urine sample and 2 sets of x-rays to figure that out. Strange thing though... at least I thought it was strange - they didn't give me any medication only the saline.

Once I was discharged they gave me 3 tablets and sent me on my way. I thought maybe they would give me the medication first and see what my reaction would be, then discharge me. But nope... they made sure I signed the discharge paper first then gave me the tablets and said drink it with water when you have a chance... but there was no water around - only a vending machine. Cranky, tired, frustrated and starving, all I wanted to do was go home. (And remember, I really dislike doctors... at least 99% of them). So at 4 AM, tired of starving I attempted to eat something and it didn't work... (fluids were not staying down either). Took another day off from work then was fine the following day. What torture!

Also took mom to a comedy... she'd never been before and years ago (while still in the military) I had tickets to Margaret Cho when she was touring in Austin, Texas. I had to give up my tickets because two days prior to her concert date, I was deployed to Kuwait. Ever since then I had decided to wanted to see her live.







Margaret Cho on stage - Long Beach

So mom went home. Life is normal - busy with work.

There are some really bad fires now in Southern California. Couple friends have had to evacuate their homes in Orange and Riverside Counties. The Santa Ana winds have been really strong and out where I live ash has been falling like snowflakes - the fires are about a 30 miles from my place. It's been really difficult to breathe and you can see people in their cars as with police officers with masks around their face. The Santa Ana winds occur annually from October thru February and make fire fighting very difficult.