No really, that’s what they call it here.

-I’m no Professor Prostitution over here but, I’m pretty sure I was solicited earlier today. I decided to walk downtown to get (an admittedly late) breakfast and along the way I walked past an abandoned parking lot. I heard someone honk but I didn’t look because something better be on fire if you think that is an appropriate way to request my attention. As I got to the other side of the lot, an older white man drove up in a fancy truck. He smiled. I smiled. He rolled down his window and asked something that at first I couldn’t hear/understand:

“Good morning?”
“Are you working?”
“Working?? No. [confused stare]”
“Oh. Okay [rolls window up/drives away]”

Working? How could I be working? I’m just walking down the OH MY GOD HE THOUGHT I WAS A PROSTITUTE!!!!

Now perhaps ladies of the night–or early afternoon as was my case–bundle up a bit more in the Pacific NW than what I’m used to seeing on Santa Monica Blvd., but there is nothing about my 4-yr. old fleece Sundance pullover, dark denim jeans, Steve Madden casuals and “Love This Planet” bag that I think screams,

“I love movies, taking care of the Earth and having sex for money!”

Just because I am walking the streets doesn’t mean that I am a streetwalker!
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

-I had Mexican food from a restaurant in a strip mall across the street.  I was encouraged because I spoke Spanish the entire time with 2 of the guys that worked there but alas, the food still tasted like a hate crime in my mouth. I wonder if there’s a word in Spanish for the-heart-sinking-feeling-of-knowing-that-the-best-Mexican-food-you-can-ever-hope-for-is-1200-miles-away-and-you-chose-this-on-purpose-what-the-hell-were-you-thinking? Debo buscárla.

-I got an unexpected and greatly encouraging phone call today (hence the previous post) and I want to talk about it but I’m superstitious about putting things in writing that are still up in the air.

-Trader Joe’s is like my field of dreams; if you build it, I will come. I will stare wistfully at your Fearless Flyer, taste the uncured all natural beef hot dog with organic ketchup at the demo station and I will buy the mixed greens-cranberries-candied walnuts-bleu cheese salad and an apple for dinner. It is written.

-The people in the room next door to me have been rearranging the furniture every night. I am convinced of this.

-It’s really pretty here and the sun doesn’t set until about 9p.

-I miss home.