Planting Around

Ah, everyone knows I'm always a sucker for a new hobby. Maybe I invite all of this drama and complication into my life on my own because I'm restless or a "monkey" as my mom puts it. Well... last week I got really into buying a new bicycle to ride around my new neighborhood, but I sensibly put that aside until we secured an apartment.

This decision was not as smart.



Steve has always wanted to buy more plants to accompany his lonely money tree, but I always warn him that plants always seem to die around me. Well, last weekend at Ikea we decided to get a few anyway because there were some really cute plants and pots and such. Now we have the grand task of transferring all of these heavy plants to the new apartment. =/

My favorite of the group is the little elephant topiary -- although it doesn't look much like an elephant yet. We spent our Sunday night repotting the plants... okay actually I spent my Sunday night watching Steve repot all the plants. Did you know you're supposed to fertilize house plants every 2-3 months, which essentially requires repotting and replacing the soil in the plant? I did not know that. In fact, that is probably why all of my past plants have died.

FAIL.

Remember the bright idea of getting a second puppy so that Lulu will have someone to play with during the day while we're at work instead of sitting around waiting by the door waiting for us to come home?

FAIL.

We found a place!

*Cross Fingers*
*Don't Jinx*

We found a 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment in Brentwood. It's not in that busy part of Brentwood where parking is impossible... it's actually on the other side of Bundy, right next to the country club I used to run around in the mornings!

It's a quiet apartment complex and there are two units available. They're both 1b/1ba and have the same overall size but have just enough trade-offs where we're not sure which one to take:

$1750: First floor -- easier to take the dogs out. Lots of closet space (should be enough for our stuff) + balcony. However, the entire unit is carpeted. (Bad for doggie tummy-aches) Also, our white furniture won't look as cute against carpet as it does against wood.

$1850: 2nd floor, hardwood floor, no balcony but bigger living room (to put our computer desk) but NO closet space. There is literally one sliding-door closet in the entire apartment. (Bad for Sheena's wardrobe)

The layout is a little odd, you walk straight into the kitchen and the bedroom/bathroom is on the left, and the living room is on the right. I -AM- excited about getting a gas stove again and there is a small fireplace.

Decisions, decisions... we need to decide by this evening!

Sample photos of the $1850 one:

Another *sunny* weekend...

Phew! It was hot this weekend! Everyone in my building had their A/C on full-blast... I should know since I my unit sits right above the A/C system and it's super loud. :(

So anyways, this week has been hectic! Long story short, my landlord has failed to deliver on any promise she has made since August of 2006 and has raised the rent on me, in retaliation to my formal complaint about her and the building. So... guess it's time to move?

Steve and I spent the whole weekend looking at places -- we're considering everything. After seeing about 38 open houses, we've settled on two choices: live a plush life in the ghetto or make a few sacrifices and live somewhere desirable. That is, find a new, luxury apartment in Palms or find a cute, "charming" place in Brentwood.

PALMS:

I've lived in Palms 3 times before... and I wouldn't recommend it. I think Marcela got her car broken into a couple of times and when you live in Palms, well, you basically stay inside your unit. That said, there are a lot of really nice new buildings in Palms and $2,000 can buy you a lot. In particular, it would have given us a nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath with a brand new kitchen, stainless steel appliances with two gated parking spots in a secure, newly built building. There is a cute little balcony that we could dress up with plants and a patch of grass for Tofu to pee on during the day. Downside: the living room would not fit all of our stuff and the 2nd bedroom would most likely be converted into an office/guest room since we'll need a place for all of our computers (we have 4 total) and books. Which means we'd be bearing the entire rent by our lonesomes.

BRENTWOOD:

With Brentwood, you pretty much sacrifice the "new building" since anything built after 1990 will run you at least $2,500 for a 2 bedroom. We found a cute 1-bedroom unit that was recently renovated in a secured building (not secured parking). It has hardwood floors, a large living room and bedroom, plenty of closet space and a renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Downside: We'd only get one parking spot (covered carport, not gated underground) and Brentwood is known for its impossible street parking. Also, we'd have to buy our own fridge. Also there is no central air. But the upside... we are within walking distance of the dog park! Also, of a bunch of restaurants and grocery stores. We have been talking about getting bicycles for a long time and this would be our chance to finally be able to *use* them. (Can't really bike anywhere in Palms and the streets are waaaay too busy in BH) This apartment is significantly cheaper than the one in Palms, but is that enough to sacrifice central air and a permanent 2nd parking spot?

Decisions, decisions.

Phantom of the Opera

We saw Phantom of the Opera last Sunday, and I have to say I was very impressed! It has always been on my list of musicals I was dying to watch, so when it came to OCPAC we jumped at the chance to get tickets. I've only ever seen the movie (with Emmy Rossum) and I loved everything about it.

Anyways, the stage production was stunning. The costumes were elaborate, and the set was amazing, as picturesque as even the movie was. They were just so detailed it was amazing how they transitioned from scene to scene.



One of the opening scenes, the cast at the Paris Opera House rehearsing their production.



It was kind of cool how they portrayed Christine's dressing room as kind of a loft off to the side of the rehearsal area. The Raoul for our showing was less charming than the one in the movie, but Christine was great.



A masquerade ball, with elaborate costumes and a large staircase. Some of the dancing scenes (especially the ballet) made me miss dancing again.



An intense moment between Christine and the Phantom, that manipulative b@stard! As a character I have to say I'm a bit annoyed at his childish immaturity. :)


But I have to say, his voice was amazing. There was one note that he hits when he was singing "Music of the Night" that was just so pure.