The OC Experience :: Part Two

Part One if you missed it.

And I apologize for the length of this post in advance. Normally, I keep them a reasonable length, but I didn't want to forget anything about my trip!

SATURDAY NIGHT
Where did we leave off? Oh yes, we were watching European condom commercials. YouTube videos weren't all we squeezed into our Saturday night. I had been told about this place called The Goat on several occasions. That night I got to check it out in person and holy shit did we have a fabulous time. Sarah, Swaaaan and I met up with a few of their friends to get our drink on. Normally I'm a cranberry vodka kind of girl. No beer for me. Liquor is my friend. But Sarah and Swaaaan swear by the bar's pear cider, so I gave up my usual to try something new. Yeah so worth it.

We moved to the smoking area because "we only smoke when we drink, we only drink now and then, now and then when we're tired of being let down by men." It was pretty hilarious because California has the no smoking in public places law, same as Ohio. However this part of the bar was basically still joined to the rest of the place but covered by a porch like contraption (therefore it was technically "outside" - way to find loop holes). And this contraption leaked. All over our booth. Literally a stream of water started running like a river onto our table. So much for finishing that cigarette...

We spent the night chatting. Talking with the girls about love, heartbreak, hott "midwestern" boys that were playing shuffleboard, stalkers, random text messages, boys that can't make up their minds, and then laughing about how hypocritical I was considering I'm "dating" two guys at the same time and can't make up my own mind (well at least they have the same name right?). Talking with the guys about wrestling, politics, space, and that "really guys don't only talk sports - we swear".

I managed to not spend a single dime the entire night. Not that plenty of alcohol wasn't consumed. Trays of shots were making their way over to us far too often. Pitchers of pear cider were drained. Photos were taken with my camera that I don't remember. Ladies and gentlemen, we were hammered*.



Two o'clock rolled around and we were stalling at the bar. Swaaaan was "catching up" with an old friend and we weren't quite ready to leave. After obscenities were shouted into the loudspeaker we decided it was time to go. On our way out I was stopped by a guy I had seen earlier in the night. One that tried to pick me up, but thankfully R & P had managed to get me out of the situation. This time he approached me and put his hat on my head and then his sunglasses. Alright, so we may have taken a picture for proof of what this p-i-m-p made me wear. I looked thrilled right?



On the way to the car, Sarah managed to score us a cigarette. As I'm smoking, Swaaaan finds it appropriate to tackle me from behind to get the cancer stick away from me. Not because she was concerned for my health. No, she wanted it all to herself. This led to an all-out girl brawl in the middle of the parking lot. Arms flailing, laughter and butt smacking (my butt not hers).

The night ended with Sarah's roommate making us all mac & cheese, watching Eddie Izzard and drinking wine. Fun doesn't even begin to cover it.

SUNDAY
Slightly hungover + incredibly starving = greasy food from Ihop. And what a meal it was. I'm drooling just looking at the picture.



Over the course of the weekend I had become obsessed with palm trees. How many different kinds there were, how gorgeous some of them were, I even missed cute guys Sarah would point out as we were driving because I was oogling at them. So when we walked out of Ihop it was only natural that I was itching for a photo shoot with my new obsession.



Hollywood Boulevard was the next stop on the tour of California. We hadn't done much sightseeing, so I decided this was the one place I had to see before I left. Walking up and down the street I was busy observing. So many people were milling around, the movie premier of P.S. I Love You was taking place that day so there was a lot going on. Several costumed characters made appearances including the Cat and the Hat, the oldest Cinderella I have ever seen, Snoopy and more. Spongebob Squarepants was there as well and decided to hit on me even though tons of kids were around. Is it bad that I considered running away with him? I mean Spongebob is so damn cute.



My plane left at 6 so our last stop was to grab a bite to eat. I was told that I had to have an In and Out burger. For fast food it was pretty damn good. But what's up with the employees wearing diaper pins on their butts? I tried to get a picture, but didn't want to offend anyone.



COLUMBUS BOUND
I was definitely sad to leave California and head back to the chilling Columbus weather. I'm thinking Sarah didn't want me to leave either because we got lost on the way to the airport and I made it with only 1/2 an hour to spare before I had to catch my flight. We hugged goodbye and I dashed (literally) to my gate. The return flight wasn't too bad. I managed to catch a lot of z's. However, a certain passenger was keeping me from my slumber at the beginning of the flight.

On Skybus you are able to choose your seats (it's first come first serve seating), so when I scored a window seat in an empty aisle I was excited. But then someone took the aisle seat in my row. I look over and he's rather attractive, so I decide it's OK. He asks if I'm from Columbus or California. I told him Columbus. He's a student at OSU, so we proceeded with chitchatting about local bars, sites, etc. When we landed he asked to be my Facebook friend. I had to laugh, because what a world we live in now. Instead of exchanging numbers it's here's my name, find me on the internet. I haven't decided if I will yet or not. He's 22 but in boy years that's about 12.

After a rough landing due to fog I was SO ready to get off the plane. I turned on my phone and was greeted with 2 texts and a voicemail from FF wanting to get together. Our "relationship" has been so casual I hadn't even told him I was in California. Let's just say I cashed in my raincheck last night. Which could be the reason for my delayed post (sorry Swaaaan).

I LOVE California and can't wait to go back! I'll leave you with some more palm tree pictures. And how cool is it that there was a Michelle street?!



*DISCLAIMER: Michelle is normally not a smoking, boy-crazy lush. She was on vacation!