Eric and I were both working towards getting jobs this morning. No offers yet, but we’re working on it!
We were packed and ready to leave for Malibu at 2:00pm. I was SO excited. It’s always nice to get away, and I was hoping it would pick up Eric’s spirits to see friends and family.
Eric said he wanted to bring his bicycle, to get in a ride tomorrow morning, before we head to Los Angeles, and I was thrilled. He hasn’t ridden in a week and it has me very worried. The fact that he is interested in riding tomorrow makes me VERY happy!
We left and started our drive upstate. It’s weird saying upstate California, because I’m used to going upstate New York, but that’s where we were headed. We hit a little traffic leaving San Diego, but it wasn’t too bad. When we got on I-405 we slowed down to a crawl, and thought it was really bad for Friday night rush hour, but found out there was a 3-car accident. When we passed the cars it got a little better, but we were still an hour behind schedule. We had told Jerry we would be there by 5:00pm the latest, but we didn’t get to Malibu until 6:00pm!
Jerry is staying in the guest house of his cousin’s condo on the beach. We get to stay in the actual condo! It’s unbelievable. Right on the beach. The waves were actually crashing up against the pillars on which the house stands. What a view! It was dark by the time we got here, so all we could see was the white foam of the waves crashing on the beach.
There are two bedrooms in the condo and we’re staying in the guest room, which is adorable. There’s an original PETER MAX painting on the wall in the living room. It’s actually one giant room – the kitchen, then down a few steps to the dining room and then the living room, with an entire wall of windows on the far wall, that opens onto a deck, where you can sit outside and listen to the waves crash and watch the sun set over the horizon.
I’ve never been to a place like this before. I’ve been to the beach. I’ve been to a house. But I’ve never been to a house on the beach. It’s fabulous. Beautifully decorated in that seaside casual sort of way. Lots of wicker, rattan, and glass.
If only I liked the beach – and the ocean! Unfortunately, I don’t. Eric and I both don’t like the beach or the ocean. I’m afraid of the water, because the ocean is so powerful and I can’t swim very well. Eric’s afraid of sharks. I also don't sunbathe, so the beach is pretty much a total waste of time, too. I don't tan, I burn! So, even though it’s exciting and the views are fantastic, it’s not the kind of place we’d choose to live. Nevertheless, it’s exciting to be here for the weekend!
Since we were so late, we only got the quick tour of the condo and Jerry’s guest apartment (which is also fabulous), but then we left for dinner. Jerry drove us in a Prius. It is the first hybrid car we’ve ever been in. Lots of firsts for us tonight!
We went to a place called COOGIE'S, which is named after Xavier Cugat. It is a great restaurant with a fun menu of burgers, salads, sandwiches and also fancier entrees. I got an Ahi Tuna Steak Sandwich. Eric got the Baked White Fish with rice and vegetables and Jerry got the Blackened Chicken Salad with roasted vegetables. Everything was really good.
I was hoping to see some celebrities, since Malibu is chock full of them, but I didn't spot anybody at COOGIE'S or our next stop -- MALIBU YOGURT AND ICE CREAM. Maybe tomorrow!
We decided to go to MALIBU YOGURT AND ICE CREAM for dessert, but brought it back to the condo to eat. They have Carbolite yogurt, which is sugar and fat free. (It doesn’t taste that great, but it’s guilt free!). I got half carbolite chocolate and half fat-free peanut butter yogurt, which has sugar. It tasted better than the carbolite. Eric got the peanut butter yogurt with some toppings and Jerry got chocolate and peanut butter fat free yogurt. His chocolate tasted ten times better than my chocolate. Oh, well. At least it was cold and creamy!
Once we got back, I hooked up the computer and Jerry and Eric looked at the local mountain biking. Eric is going to go out tomorrow and hopes to find a challenging ride.
Then we watched a new episode of MONK. Jerry never watched it before, so we were filling him in on all the characters as we watched. Howie Mandel was a guest star and it was really great.
Next, we watched LAS VEGAS, which Eric and I had never seen before. Tom Selleck is now starring in it. It’s an interesting show. I enjoyed it. I don’t know if it will become a regular on my already-busy TV watching schedule, but I did enjoy this episode!
Tomorrow morning Jerry and I will take a walk on the beach and then go out to breakfast while Eric rides. Then we’ll all drive down to Los Angeles!