It's good to get out of the Hood! (Hermosa Beach hood that is...)

By Joy A. Kennelly

My back has been out of commission for so long I haven't been able to leave Hermosa Beach or the South Bay for weeks. Never realized how important the escape was until this past week.

Ventured down to the Santa Monica Pier to catch their free concerts on the pier, but just wasn't feeling the music. Some Italian woman was singing soulful, sad sounding songs by the time we got there. We enjoyed the rasta band playing in Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Pier so much more!

Even the armless guy playing guitar with his toes begging for money on the sidewalk was better in our minds. Sad, but true.

I had grabbed a friend for company and we ended up taking quite a nice little tour of Santa Monica Pier. Here's me on the beach.
It had been so long since I'd been to the pier, I didn't even know there was a Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant there!

That was fun to check out. I bought a t-shirt for my son (who lives with his adoptive parents in DC) and then we flitted in and out of a couple places to check out the scene. Loved the bathroom mosaic tilework at Shutters Hotel on the Beach.

Here's us goofing around inside. What's the guys bathroom like? 

Also, the decorations at Casa Del Mar - two of my absolute favorite places in Santa Monica to hang out, meet people for drinks, enjoy a nice meal and conversation, or just read. 

 
 

I love nice hotels even when I don't stay there, but just visit. We really felt like we were on vacation because we'd both been cooped up for a bit - her with a cold and me with my back.

Good to get out is all I have to say.

Then my friend/client, Arlene, was very sweet and treated me to high tea at my favorite Beverly Hills hotel - The Four Seasons on Doheny. Recognize these stars? lol We did see an actor there, but everyone's famous in BH, so who cares right? Just kidding. I don't know what it is about that place, but it's my favorite hang. Plus, their high tea is really, really wonderful. We had a great time catching up and she was busting a gut at some of my recent pix which made me happy.

Isn't the elevator tilework pretty? I'm a sucker for good artistry.

Popped over to visit my married Cougar friend Shana afterwards for a quick minute who informed me this morning after going out last night with her friends some 27 year old is after her now. We crack each other up with our young guy tales. She's very happily married and I just like to have fun with the whole concept.

My friend Adrienne keeps telling me I should pitch a cougar reality show, but I figure if I'm that interesting, people will find me. Plus, do I really want superficial, sex-driven, go nowhere relationships showcased on TV? Not really. I just like goofing around and being silly. Helps break up the stress of real life. LOL I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille!
Okay, that's all the fun recap for now.

Please pray for my friend Deborah's dad who's in surgery today from 12-5pm. It's extremely serious and he could die. Sorry for the downer, but sometimes life interrupts and requires a quiet moment, or two. Thanks for your prayers. She's very scared for him. Me too.

Now this really is good day.

Enjoy yourselves! And pray for Deborah's dad!