So, as very few may know, my birthday was last week. I kept it low key and didn't really tell anyone. Unbeknownst to many, they were actually celebrating with me! I kicked off the secret celebrations with roomie weekend a.k.a. AdVentura, our visit to Katlynland. We did some more exploring of Ventura (in addition to our prior V-Town excursion in September) and attempted to beach but it was difficult as it was quite cold and we were blown inland by the gusty winds of the sea. Luckily for some, this was great weather for surfing.
No Downtown Ventura traipse would be complete without a visit to an antique store (which they seem to be in abundance of). We also discovered the most amazing candy/pop shop that carries a gazillion different sodas I have never heard of but sounded delectable nonetheless. It was a sweet AdVentura but short, as other previously made plans called us back to Los Angeles. I just love our reunions!
Back in LA, Tom and I were quite late to meet some friends downtown at The Gorbals. It was actually to celebrate my sis' birthday. The atmosphere there was so fun and colorful and service was super friendly, but I guess it was ultra busy because there were a few mix-ups with our order. They had this dericious bread with escargot. I know escargot seems disgusting (like, ew, snails!) but it's really good and totally worth trying at least once in your life.
Afterward, we skipped along to Caña Rum Bar, which used to be the Doheny. The name sounds somewhat similar to Connie-yaaaa (my seester), which drunkenly became our joke of the night. The tiki drinks there sooo tasty. Not too alcohol-tasting but still strong. They also have this really cool patio that's kind of like being inside but there's no roof so it's freezing. And I guess it's more of the smokers' lounge, so I couldn't stay out there too long. I read a lot of reviews that were ragging on this place, but I think a lot of them were disgruntled people who don't like the fact that the annual membership fee isn't as expensive as it used to be and therefore not as exclusive? Who knows? It's way cooler than I anticipated and there was even a live band playing. Wee!
My sister seemed to be down for more drinking and she really wanted to go to the Varnish, a not-so-secret bar inside of French dip restaurant Cole's, but we were all pretty buzzed already and a drink at the Varnish would do us in for sure. We settled for sandwiches, pie and Atomic Pickles instead!
On Monday, Wendy Frendy and I went to get Yogurtland and then the library. I just love going to the library, as you can see. The Arcadia Library gave me the birthday gift of a library card! It was awesome. Turned out the guy registering me and I have the same birthday. haha.
For my actual birthday, my sis and I took work off to hangarang. It was a little sad because my mom actually forgot my birthday. But she made up for it in a yummy dinner of lobster and pork chops! My sis and I had planned to get up early to do Tai Chi with my dad at the park, but he gets up at the buttcrack of dawn to do that and I thought my parents would come in our rooms to wake us up in the morning so I didn't set an alarm, but they did not. We got up much later and went to get pho with them instead at Golden Deli.
After that, she and I decided to head downtown to look at locations that were in the movie 500 Days of Summer.
We were very smooth and snuck into a couple of the vintage apartment buildings that were featured in the movie. The Continental, LA's first skyscraper, was my favorite, especially because the second floor had this little section with a lending library. It's a cozy little area to sit in and read with art consisting of vintage looking mirrors and lamps and wrought iron gate looking things. According to the self-guided walking tour, the "First floor has been altered, but the second story retains its stone block design." It also has a huge window to go out onto the fire escape where we got some really cool shots.
We saw almost all the stuff on the tour and even sat on the same bench as Summer and Tom! Teehee. Here's the view from it:
And on that bench, someone stuck this sticker:
We also went inside the Million Dollar Theater prior to that, which is gorgeous outside. Inside was a little drab but I'm sure the apartments themselves are nice. I also always love going to the Bradbury building and looking at the fun elevators and then traveling across the street to get tastiness at the Grand Central Market.
That tour made me want to live in vintage downtown so bad! The Old Bank District is amazing! Check out my Flickr for more pics!
Ventura photos courtesy of Heren
