My Afflation

It's a windy day here in SoCal, with a touch of (un)seasonal crispness. Whenever the weather gets like this I want to get into my kitchen and bake away. My daughter has been asking for banana bread. There are five just waiting to be baked in the freezer. I think I will try traditional and the Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread as soon as I figure out where to buy coconut flour. Pin It Related articles 30 Minute Banana Bread Muffins

The Globetrotters are coming to SoCal this weekend! And if you're like me and didn't think quite so far ahead and missed the Goldstar discount back in January, here's a little redeeming gift. February 15, 2013 07:00 pm San Diego,CA Valley View Casino Center February 16, 2013 1:00 pm Anaheim, CA Honda Center February 16, 2013 7:00 pm Anaheim,CA Honda Center February 17, 2013 1:00 pm Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center February 18, 2013 2:00 pm Ontario, CA Citzens Business Bank Arena Get your tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters brand new " You Write the Rules " tour. Your family's smiles will start before you even get to the game as the Globetrotters take kid participation to a whole NEW level. Your family can vote at harlemglobetrotters.com and decide rules for the game that could affect the final outcome. With rules like double the points for every basket, and two balls in play at the same time, there's an exciting rule that every kid ...

I am sooooo glad to be moving back to LA! However, it won't be in time for this month's DineLA. But, if I can't help myself, there are some hotel packages good for a romantic getaway or just someplace really nice to sleep off the amazing meal. Deal: DineLA Hotel Packages For this season's Restaurant Week(s), DineLA's brought in a slew of local hotels, all of which are offering sick deals that include schmancy dinners, like a $50 food credit at the Standard, a room w/ dinner for two at the Ritz at the Marina, and an under-$200 breakfast/dinner/room package at Hollywood Heights -- so, apparently, someone did end up talking to an angel, and said angel had a really reasonable deal. (via Thrillist LA ) The full list's at DiscoverLosAngeles.com If I didn't have to worry about packing, I would definitely pack myself and The Hunk off to the Portofino in Redondo Beach or The Ritz-Carleton, Marina del Rey -- love those ocean views... Tweet Related articles Dine...

Image by Nannerlady via Flickr Tweet I think my son hates moving. The upheaval of it all. He's been counting. I don't count as it stresses me out and starts a whole lot of negative thinking, which spirals into either an anxiety attack or mild depression. Neither of which I have time to deal with right now. In 53 days (yup, already started counting down) we are moving from the boondocks of Lancaster, back into the L.A. Metro area (HELLO! 30 minute commute instead 2 hours!) I'm already stressing thinking about it. The move that is, not my shorter commute. That excites me! FlyLady.net: Moving Tips : "With our SHE mentality, when we look at the whole picture, we become overwhelmed and paralyzed. This is just how we are made, but I can give you some simple rules to follow. As SHEs, we usually wait till the very last minute to start doing anything. I can hear you now. 'I work better under pressure!' NO YOU DON'T! IT MAKES YOU SICK AND THAT IS THE LAST TH...

On December 2 I had the opportunity to preview Tea by the Sea  at the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. Despite being a native Los Angelina, I didn't know that this Getty existed. Like most people, I was only aware of the Getty Center off the 405. Both comprise the Getty Museum . Join the Getty Villa for Tea by the Sea , a special dining experience and garden tour inspired by the Mediterranean herbs, vegetables, and fruits that grow at the Villa. Tea by the Sea gives you the opportunity to take a vacation to Rome without leaving the city and relax while enjoying exquisite delicacies and panoramic garden views. Guests will deepen their understanding of ancient Roman Cuisine and will be indulged with a menu that includes Prosciutto and Brie with Fig Jam on Artisan Wheat Bread, Shrimp and Cucumber Tea Sandwich with Tarragon Aioli and the famous Mrs. Garrett’s Original Carrot Cake. The event will take place at the Founder’s Room, an elegant space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows o...

Transit Flicks Video Contest : "Lights…camera…you! The “Transit Flicks” video contest is your chance to show the world what you like best about riding buses and trains in Los Angeles County. All you have to do is create a brief video – 2 minutes maximum – that explains how transit helps you and encourages others to try it." I wonder if riding Metrolink counts ... I think some members of the #5ambc should totally do this. A free pass for a year would save a lot of $$$. Related articles by Zemanta Metrolink's New CEO Wants to Make Commuter Rail an Experience that will 'Wow' You (laist.com) Sneak Peek Look: Metrolink's New Cars, Touted as the 'Safest Passenger Rail Cars in the USA' (laist.com)

I don’t know why I worry, the statistics say that flying is safer than driving. I just worry about my son and traveling when I am not the one doing the driving or flying with him. And this is the first time I wasn’t able to get (translate afford) a non-stop flight. At least not from Burbank to Portland. But, he totally fits his nickname, and was Chill and relaxed about it. Completely different from last year when he wanted me to fly up to Portland, pick him up, and fly back to LA with him. All on the same day. This year he’s confident enough to travel from PDX to Hillsboro on the MAX (which he won’t have to do, thanks to my sister-in-law). So long as he has a roof over his head and food he’s “invincible” – his words, not mine. Did I mention that he’s a teenager now? My little boy is growing up … and I’m not sure how I feel about that anymore. Despite his invincibility, I’ll still worry, because that’s what moms do. Update: 10:20 – Josh just called to let me know he mad...

I was following a trail of Entrecards that led me to Muddledwords.com and this meme . Put your answers in the comments, or place the meme on your blog and leave me a comment Your name? Annette An amazingly gorgeous type girl who loves everyone and never turns her back on anyone. a type of person who gets mad very rarely and loves to have fun. she is a very sexy person and loves flirting and showing off herself. Damn she's annette! 2. Annette 20 up, 4 down Girl's name. Someone you can't ever forget about. Will make an impact in your life. Sometimes bipolar. wow that night was so annette! What car do you have? 2008 Honda Fit Image via Wikipedia A hatchback subcompact car offered by Honda that has become very popular with gay men in America. This can largely be attributed to the advertising campaign "the fit is go" which featured still images of the car rotating around with rainbow ba...

I just love the roll in the picture above. You get a good mix of dark and light, and it's all completely natural. Yes, I sometimes take pictures when I drive. With my camera, not my cameraphone. I love things I can operate with one hand. I also love clouds, and cloud formations. This is what L.A. (really Long Beach) looks like in Autumn when it is trying to decide if it will rain or not. Lovely clouds...

I spent a lot of time near this landmark in L.A. as a kid, mostly at USC and Exposition Park . I wish I could have snapped a shot of the airplane outside the aerospace museum .

How geeky are you? As in, who wants to go to this with me? STARTREK.COM: Star Trek The Tour : "STAR TREK THE TOUR is at the Queen Mary Dome in Long Beach, California now through Sunday, March 2, 2008. Purchase tickets for STAR TREK THE TOUR at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets and the STAR TREK THE TOUR box office. The STAR TREK THE TOUR is open: * Friday from 12 Noon to 8 p.m. * Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. * On Monday, February 18, we will be open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. *Please arrive 2 hours before closing to fully enjoy STAR TREK THE TOUR * Adult Tickets are $35 weekend / $30 weekday * Children's Tickets are $17.50 weekend / $16 weekday * Special pricing available for Seniors, Students, and Active Military with ID at Box Office only * Special prices available for groups of 15 or more. Visit www.ticketsforgroups.com or call 800.840.1157 for more information STAR TREK THE TOUR will travel to 40 cities in the United States over the next 5 years. Check back soon ...

Today is the day. I get into Portland about 9:30 tonight and we start driving ... around 3 or 4 tomorrow morning I think. We're going to take the 5 as far as we can and then cut over to the coast for a while before going back on the 5 and then to Jes final destination. Good thing I am bringing my GPS , this is going to be a good test of it. Especially when it comes to finding rest stops and the like. To quote Jes, "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!" Hope the kids have fun too. View Larger Map