Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Catching Up With the Monkeys

Happy Fourth of July!  Ok, not quite, but most of you will read this tomorrow, so there.

In an odd way, I feel that I've let a lot of you down by not updating you.  I'm not talking about what I eat and where I go but what I'm doing with my life.  I realize that a large percentage of you probably just check in to see where to dine next, but I now know there is a decent number of people who still wonder how I'm actually doing.

I'm fine, people!  Life is good!

Maybe you were hoping for more than that.  I know your type -- the demanding lurker who never comments but hangs on every word I type.  Sometimes I don't even know why I talk to you.  You never respond.

I'm a sucker, aren't I?  At the heart of it, you are a voyeur, and I am an exhibitionist, and I do this even though you give me nothing in return.  I shake my fist at (and write for) you.

It has been an extremely long time since I talked about personal stuff, so here's a list for you, you dirty nosy lurker:

(1) Work.  I got a very minor promotion at work about a year ago.  New title.  Marginally better pay.  Reserved parking.  Kind of.  I have to swipe my card to get into the lot closest to the office doors.  My job is pretty much the same, though, and I still get wet when it rains.  I'm just an ever-so-slightly-better-compensated drone.  This is rather unexciting non-news.

Far more exciting is the fact that Mr. Monkey got a new job at the end of 2011.  He is now Chief Operations Officer of a small company.  Applause!

(2) Home.  The Monkeys moved.  We went from the urban hustle and bustle of Downtown to sleepy suburbia.  Yes, folks, we are in suburbia now.

It's a mixed bag.  I miss being steps away from good restaurants and the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and concerts.  I also miss being fairly close to everywhere in Los Angeles.  Our move has added an extra 10 minutes to any trip to Hollywood or the West Side, which really isn't a big deal, but it's a marked difference when I'm driving home from dinner or any other sort of fun over on that side of the city.  Saddest of all, our neighborhood is a black hole for food.  Tragic.

But.

Mr. Monkey's new commute to work is just 10 minutes.  And it's really nice to have twice the amount of space that we used to have.  I enjoy no longer sharing walls, floors, and ceilings with other people.  Also, our house is kind of cool and different from most houses in our 'hood.  We built an interesting deck and trellis in our backyard, and our indoor amenities are rather modern.  We even have water that comes out of the ceiling to fill our bathtub.
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Slowly but surely, we are furnishing.  More slowly than surely, to tell you the truth.  I'm perfectly happy with a minimalist feel, but it seems to drive certain guests crazy.  ("Put something on your walls!")  I'm ok with that.  You don't live here.  I do.  And I'll get to it.  Eventually.  There's really no rush to make our home look like a snapshot of 2012.

(3) Family.  Little Monkey Niece is six, and Little Monkey Nephew is two.  I bet some of you didn't even know there was a Little Monkey Nephew.
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Well, there is a second LMN now.  See?  My OGLMN is the sweetest little girl.  She always compliments my shoes and nail polish.  She even called me "exquisite" one night.  Good vocabulary!  LMN2 is the opposite of OGLMN.  LMN2 mostly grunts to communicate, and he loves to eat.  My kinda kid.

My own little brother is now supervising producer of his television show.  Like the Monkeys, BroMo is also a new homeowner.  He bought an awesome house in the Hollywood Hills, complete with a breathtaking view and a secret bookshelf-wall-passageway to an incredible, sexy, moody bar area.

Mama Monkey is still the best math teacher at her school (and probably the district) and is beloved by her students.  She and her husband continue to travel.  They left for Croatia and Slovenia today.

Papa Monkey finally retired from his medical practice and now lives with his girlfriend just six minutes away from us instead of way out on the sun.  This makes many things more convenient, including, but not limited to, coordination of family meals and mail collection when we're traveling.

(4) Travel.  The Monkeys went to Europe for the first time together earlier this year.  We'd been without each other, but this was our maiden voyage together to international cities sans wildlife and nature.  Mr. Monkey had to suffer through museums with me!  The horror!
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The only animals we saw were on our plates.  Those animals were really delicious, especially in Paris.  This vacation was definitely different from our other adventure-packed international trips.

(5) Sports.  The Monkeys witnessed the Kings win the Stanley Cup with my friend, KingsGirl. I highly recommend watching this video until at least 0:13.  This was undoubtedly the most thrilling sports event I'd ever attended in my entire life.
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We are now season ticket holders.  Scoot over, NBA.  Make room for the NHL.

How do we still have time and money to dine well?  I don't know.  I should probably have less fun and monitor my bank account more carefully.

Nah.

Happy Independence Day!

54 comments:

  1. Thank you for coming back to your blog! I've missed your wit and especially drooling over the amazing food experiences you share. Welcome back from a delurker!

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    1. Thank you for reading, and thank you for delurking!

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  2. This is probably not nearly as great a concern for you in LA as it would be here in the land of the snow, but doesn't the water lose a lot of heat on the way down from the ceiling? Looks really neat at least!

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    1. The water is plenty hot when it reaches the tub. :)

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  3. 1 - I had no idea mama mo was remarried. 2 - I had no idea that papa mo was retired. 3 - I knew there was a LMN #2. hee hee. 4 - can papa mo, mama mo, bro mo, and you cut my kid's hair simultaneously? I guess that would be kind of weird though.

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    1. Glad you're back! Didn't about your job promotion and Mr. Monkey now COO! LMN and LMN2 are too cute and you are exquisite!

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    2. LOL. Funny how even you guys didn't know these things. I figured my frequent Facebooking was enough, but apparently not. ;)

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  4. This was like a feast for my reading eyes! hehe. Loved the narrative and photos - you look great! Was that Amsterdam (the canals one?) I knew keeping your blog on my Toolbar would not disappoint :) Excited to some day see your new home.

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    1. Yes, good eye! That is Amsterdam! We'd love for you guys to visit. It's bare, but there is a bed ready for guests!

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  5. Yay! I love this!! I have to admit that food blogging is not really my thing but I've come back from time to time to see if you'd gone back to talking about yourself again. I really love that it has finally happened. I mean, some I knew via fb but still, nice to 'hear from you.' You've been missed!

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  6. I like this update. I didn't know Papa Monkey is now retired!

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  7. I must roast a duck in your kitchen! It's a shame not to use it!

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  8. Great update! Infused with monkey personality and monkey joy! Yay! Happy 4th!

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  9. Hey WeezerMonkey! Longtime lurker/reader from theknot days. I really love your blog and it's nice to read such a cool update. Love, love, LOVE your house!!! I look forward to reading more!

    Nicole

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    1. Thank you so much for reading for so long, Nicole! And thank you for saying hello!

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  10. Loved the peek into your life. I'm way too delighted there's a LMN(ephew)! Also, I'm in lust with your bathtub. Congrats to both of you for your promotions!

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    1. Thanks, Gloria! My nephew is a riot. His latest thing is saying thank you, but it sounds like "gunku."

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  11. What a great year you've had!! Thanks for updating the demanding lurkers out there (like me).

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  12. House pictures! It's gorgeous. And you and Mr. Monkey look so cute and happy on your Europe trip. Love love love this update, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Emily! Hopefully, I won't have to make everyone sit on folding chairs in the future. ;)

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  13. Beautiful house love the kitchen and bath.

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  14. More blog love from a dirty lurker. You're my go to source for yummy LA eats and I was so sad when you shut down production a few months ago. I'm thrilled you're back and I like the return to the mix bag or food/travel/personal. Welcome back!

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    1. I love blog love! Now doesn't it feel good to delurk? ;)

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  15. "There's really no rush to make our home look like a snapshot of 2012."

    This made me chuckle. (theintended here)

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  16. love this! so glad you're back to writing the blog... btw, my kids would probably point out that you didnt post the coolest thing about your house (;

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  17. Thanks for the update! Your kitchen is to.die.for. It looks like you had a lot of fun in Europe - I love the pic of Mr. Monkey with the Eiffel Tower!

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    1. Thank you! He's really good at jumping photos. :)

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  18. Fun updates! Congrats with everything!

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  19. Sounds like lots of fun things are going on with the Monkeys. I'm so glad you're back to blogging.

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    1. Thank you so much for reading and for the nice words!

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  20. so...the way to get a ton of comments is to abstain from blogging for a while? i may have to rethink my consistency.

    who am i kidding? i'd be sad if i didn't blog as often as i do. in any case, welcome back!

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  21. I feel bad for not commenting as often. I promise to. If only to drool over chairs!

    mucho love-o

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  22. This reminds me that Mini-Glam mentioned you by name on Sunday. I did not know who she was talking about, because it didn't occur to me that she would 1) randomly think of you, and 2) remember your name. So I asked her who [WeMo] is and what her kids' names are. She said you don't have any kids but have a very nice house. Then I realized who she was talking about. Lol.

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    1. This is pretty funny, mostly because you ask your children to identify people via their kids.

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  23. I loved reading this update. I'm glad all is well!

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    1. I have to say I'm quite amazed at all the responses!

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  24. Late to the party, but wanted to say that I love this post! Love the update! Love the Monkeys!

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