Orange County, CA

I have always enjoyed spending time with my aunt immensely; this trip is no exception. Dubbed “la la land” by my dad, Orange County is a beautiful area of southern California. Perfect in many regards, everything is pristine, manicured, 75 and sunny. Many would call it paradise, and to many it is.

My first day, having slept little the night before, was spent visiting the camera store. I have a new camera and new lens, thank you so much Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Kenny, as a belated graduation gift. For all my loyal readers, my pictures should be that much better.

That night we ate at an Italian restaurant, Giuseppe’s, which has the most delectable chicken and artichoke lasagna. I’m attempting to replicate the recipe. Assuming I do, I’ll post it up here along with pictures.

The following day was spent sleeping in and visiting one of SoCal’s beautiful beaches. I lay out, read, and slept. That night we journeyed to Laguna Beach for The Pageant of the Masters, art theatre.

Anyone familiar with Arrested development may remember and episode where Buster is required to pose, without moving, for a live reproduction of a piece of art. Not only is that event real, but it happens every summer in Laguna Beach. “Only Make Believe” surprisingly enough, focused on the make believe. We passed from fairies to dragons and ancient myths to futuristic science fiction.

Should you have the opportunity of going, I beg you get good seats. The performance art cannot be appreciated, even with binoculars, from a distance. And perhaps save the trip for another year. I enjoyed it immensely, but the artistic direction suffered from, well, a lack of direction. Not to mention, many of the pieces eluded any previous recognition. It is hard to appreciate the reproduction without former knowledge of the work itself.

The following day my aunt took me to an acupuncturist to help the mild cold I’m currently suffering from. Anyone who balks at the idea of having many dozens of small needles flicked into their body, reconsider. I have, over the course of many years, had tremendous success with acupuncture. It won’t cure a broken bone, but whatever subtle system it does affect, for me, makes a noticeable difference.

And now, I sit in the airport lounge bound for Singapore. Much and more to come in the near future.